Evening Star Newspaper, April 8, 1882, Page 3

“ STIEFMUETTERCHEN. {A espital Fairy Story, written for Tue Evesixe Stan by “Mise Brown."{ ‘Years and years ago, before the locomotive had driven the fairies from hili and glen and steamboats had been the death of sprites and nixies, there lived Ina fishing village, near the Baitic, a young man who was the pride and beast of all that coust. No eye was so bright, no hair so curly as Erich’s; where a kind heart and willing hands and feet were wanted there waa he, geutle and tender asa girl; but lets ‘comrade be in danger, or a ship lie at the mercy of the wrathful waves, then, where was there courage and endurance lik¢ his? What wonder that all, from the old crone mending nets in the imney corner, to the wee toddler building hats of sand on the shore, loved and were proud ofhim, and that many a sun-browned maiden looked at him with a blush and a sigh and wished she were mistress of the little house near the ocean. But E: neither blushed nor sighed, and when he returned one day from an unusually long voy there with hima sweet, pale woman, whose tie presence thenceforward made the little h Many were, of cour stranger should have b session of the co temper of the new n feelings, and when her bi: from her baby daughter's Temnant of the oid jealously the little one’s ery. Soon a share his sister's nm brought to take pos- treasure; but the sweet ibor soon overcame those e, even the last was drowned in ‘ttle boy came to Tullaby dnd inerease the | mother’s cares; and then, while they daily grew | In strength and beanty, she grew slighter and | © till, when a dark-eyed baby pair had jooked their first upon the world in her arms, she succumbed to her old enen the north wind, and was laid to rest on the bleak hiilside, from which her wistful eyes had so often gazed toward tne land of her childhoc And now came dark days for Erich. The soul of his house was gone and only it mained, falling with leaden shoulders which, however str: unui: some kindly neighbor would come now and then and try to bring order out of chaos; but alas! their ways were not the ways of her who was gone and things grew from bad to worse till. at home or on te sea, there was nowhere so sad and des- iring aman as Erich. Fullef gloomy thoughts @ was out in his boat one day, listlessly letting it float whither it would, when he seemed to hear a voice singing : weight upon were oh! so reverie and gazed ould not discern any possible souree it again and again p to this spot, | sea-king’s Of course, the gray- in the hamlet, had it, then, ch thin pout si and ¢ who had dl what could Surely, Fi later gone down a better r than he: should not he could only old Oc here had been an unwonted the old sea king's daughters. id compassionate d declared to her sisters that she would take charge of the forsaken little mort house near the sea. In vain they had be her not to leave them, reminding her of the fac! that she must forfeit her immortality, and be snbject to suffering and death, like any earth- born being, if she renounced her present state; to all she had but the one reply, that she could not bear to see their favorite, Erich, in his sor- Tow and the children in their neglected condi- tion; they needed her and she would go to them, no matter what the penalty she had to Pay And the next morning when Erich landed at his favorite haunt, in search of some pecaliar ich had been ordered by 3 grand iady @ far away town, he found, sitting upon the sand, a beautifil woman in sea-green garments, which floated around her splendid form like mists around the mountaintop. In reply to his questions she told lrim that she had been shipwrecked, and seemed to be the only one surviving: and that accouat of berself she also gave to the minister who, when Brieh had uught her to the villace and affered her the iter of his roof, came to comfort and aid her as best he could. No storm had reed the day before, no siznal of distress kad been heard, however, and the villazers shook their heads and wondered how a vessel could bave been Wrecked so near their shore, without their know- ing anything whatever about it. ‘The stately woman seemed perfectly content, though. Her quiet, beautifying touch was upon ail and everything, and sova there was no house So well-ordered, no dren so clean, obedient and happy as those belonzing to Erich. But when days had grown into weeks, without bringing anyone to claim the lady, then the minister sazgested that she should go with him to the great capital, and from thence institute imquiry concerning her people; and then the ehildren discovered that they could not be hapy without her, and Erieh saw that she was indeed the comfort the ocean had promised him, and that he could not let her go. And thus it hap- Pensa at there was a quiet wedding, and the ride ws: @ ain a strange woman: a: strange t/a: the broken lily had i |. Which they had bedded with tears on the hillside but two short years before. Why, no one knew even where this one haa come from; and, surely, there could never be any Inck in a house where the bride acted In so mysterious a manner as this one had done. When the ch'idren had come running home, screami t at having found, on the shore, a string of pearis, so large and pure ashad never been seen taere before, dida't she just sinile in a shadowy way and put them on, with a murmured something their being a present from her sisters? was all very strange, very. And when é: day these very children were so lucky in finding the rarest, most beautiful shells and amber in such quantities as others could not hope to gather in a lifetime, then it became apparent to even ‘the most incredulous that some other Power that mere chance befriended them. And the inmates of the little stone house also held this belie, and were happy in syment of many comforts which had never becn known there beiore, while Erich often wondered what wool I have become of him and iis little ones ocean brought this blessing to Joneiy home. oo Thus time passed on and the fisherman's wife hoped that the wrath of her kin had taken the form of forgetfulness. Often while walking with the children along the shore in the even- log she saw the mist-like forms of her sisters moving th the rhythmic measures of their dance sad thoucht, with a sigh, of the time when she’ @-aof their number; but a glance at . happy faces of the little ones ban- allregret and she returned to her home more fully convinced than ever that she had done what wes kimiest and best. One evening, though, while i.cich was absent, she heard the Yolces of her sisters sobbing mournfully around the house, and’ Knew that the last hour or her stay had come. Caimly and lovingly she gath- ered the children around her and waited. The two eider ones clung closely-to either side, and the babies, the twins, were as usual on footstool at her knees; thas they sat, listening to theangry voice of Oreanus her eldest who wuipped the water into mountains sud drove them to the shore, sending them , farther each time, till they knocked against the door and demanded their prey. Softly comforting the children, her tender LEE Ha ; i : i ‘THE ZUNI NATION. SOMETHING ABOUT THEIR LANGUAGE, LITERA- TURE AXD RELIGION—THE WORK OF MR. FRANK H. CUSHING—THE RECENT CEREMONY AT THE “OCEAN OF THE SUNRISE.” Mr. Frank H. Cushing, the young ethnologist, who has just returned, with his Zam Indians, from the “Ocean of Sunrise,” was received in Boston with such distinction that he might think his months of self-exile and patient research well rewarded if he is seeking only distinction. He and his Zuni bretheren received marked at- tention, not only from the state and municipal authorities, but from the countless scientific and literary associations at the “Hub.” The doors of the state senate were thrown opento them. The culture of Boston communed with that strange culture which, for three centuries, bas preserved its individuality and withstood the tides of civ- Hization thathave surged around them from the days of the ancient Spanish domination in the southwest to the present, when they are fast being hemmed in by the enterprise of the rest- less Yankee settler. 4 RICH FIELD. The richest field in America, for archeologic research, to use the words of Mr. Cushing, to a Stak reporter. is in the sandy valley of the Zuni. The Zuni Indians are the descendants of the nation of cliff dwellers, the only living represen- tatives of the ancient Pueblo culture. “When these facts were opened up to my un- derstanding,” said Mr. Cushing, “I made up my mind that there was not only a year’s work, or two or threeyears work for some ethnologist, but the work of nearly a life time. Having gone into the fleld of ethnology at an early age, with the hope of monographing the entire hu- man race, Ieame down to the hope of being able to properly monograph this little handful of people, number only sixteen hundred In all their branches, use in monographing this little nation, you are mo ing the | primitive culture of southwestern America. I | found by my investigations, sufficient material, new, important, and intensely interesting, to keep an ethnologist’s most undivided attention | for life. 1 cannot devote my whole life to it, | but wereT a man of independent means, | would certainly do so.” THE ZUNI GRAMMAR. The vocabulary of the Zunis is rich, and, though their language is unwritten, they have a grammar as regular and symmetrical as that of any tongue. The moods and tenses of verbs are represented by terminal syllables, and hav- ing more than the usual number of moods, their language Is very expressive. It is weil fitted | also for philosophic discussion, being capable of pressing abstract ideas. As an instance of the s y of their language, TAR reporter that for inglish verb to know, the Zuni dialect fur- nishes six different verbs, each representing a distinct manner or condition of knowing. as to | know abstractly, to know through the senses, to know how, & They have a culture among The education ofa priestis amatter ty or forty years, and they speak of heir nation as being educated or f the talk of a Zuni as | THE ZUNI BIBLE. Their traditions are collected together in a | long epic, which is confided to the keeping of a line of priests, who hand it down from genera- tion to generation, just as the Iliad of Homer is | supposed to have been handed down and pre- | Served in its primitive purity until it was com- mitted to manuscript. These priests commit the epic or the Zuni Bible to memory, and it is hanted on certain solemn oceasions. ‘ilied me when I first heard it,” said | Mr. Cushing, “for I had to sit up all night.” It | is a metrical production. the lines scanning per- | fectly according to a peculiar measure. The | language is capable of the ornament of quanti- | tive measure. The following lines from one«f | their songs show their appreciation of rhythm: Ma’-a-we ‘Sh6-ts!-{il-Ion tsi-'i-kwa Tsi-kwan tap-te thit-litht-ta ‘Thlu-tchun-tap-te thle-po-ne Ma’-a-we Ma’-a-we THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LANGUAGE, forms an interesting study. In Boston it was characterized as Homeric. The following literal translation of a part of a recent address by one of the chiefs is typical of the construction of the language: “As a winged monster upon the back of, without once our feet the earth touching to, we from the Zani country, unto the rising sun ocean of, in one step, as it were, come have.” This is rendered literally: “As though upou the back of a great winged monster, without once touching our feet to the earth, we bave, as in one step, come trom the country of the Zunis, far though it be, unto the ocean of the rising sun.” ‘Their soi abound in poetic gems and rare images. As an example of this, Mr. Cushing | recited the following, which is a liberal transla- tion of the words of one of their songs, but pre- serves the poetic spirit: Oh, how beautiful! See the waving corn plants round us, Through the sandy plain, the river, Tortuous like the serpents pathway; Over ail the rambow stret-hing, With her shoulder many colored, Like the rays of ciowied sunlight. Ob, our fathers growing coro pints, Like the rainbow’s striped shoulters, May your leaves show marks of growing, E-lu-lu-ya, sec the lightning, as it’ flashes through the sky, E-lwlu-ya, hear the thunder as ®& rumbles through the sky. ANCIENT MODELS OF SONG. “All the models of these songs,” sald Mr. Cushing, “have been handed down from im- mense antiquity. They are skeletons, on which songs are formed to suit special occasions, and it Is in the ingenuity of dressing these skeletons that the poet of ability isdistinguished from the one of no ability. All their poetry is founded upon conventional forms.” THE RELIGION OF THE ZUNIB is semi-Buddhistic, and resembles in many re- spects the creed of modern spiritualists. When questioned regarding their religious belief Mr. Cushing said, “The most complicated question in the study of the Zunis is that of their remark- able pantheistic religion. They have four great classes of gods—the celestial, the hero, the ani- mal or biologic, and the elemental, Their sys- tem of mythology is a reflection of their own primitive system of goverament—that is, the offices of these various gods hold the same rela- tion to one another as the offices of the Zuni priests and chiefs hold to each other. If you study, therefore, exhaustively their sociologic system, you will have the groundwork of their mythologiec system. ‘hey look upon it as a favor to kill certainan- imals in the chase. It is considered that a spirit is set free from an inferior form of existence, and made eligible for life in human shape. The event 1s celebrated with sacrifices of plame sticks. When adeer, an antelope, a rabbit or any other animal that serves as food, is brought home, ears of corn are over its just as they are placed over a new-born infant. ear of corn is embiematic of life. “The Zuni mind,” added Mr. Cashing, “is philosophic in the extreme, and, though they are intensely conservative, they thoroughly comprehend what they see.’ BRAVE BUT HUMANE. In reply to a question of the reporter.whether the Zanis were not warlike in disposition, Mr. Cushing said: “They are brave in the defence of theirhomes, but do not seek war. The secret Order of the Bow ts founded on the of war, yet their institutions are humane in the extreme. Prayer is said at the taking of a scalp, showing a ten- to give every human one more ce.’ “Are you not tired of your life among them?” asked the reporter. < “To-n! said Mr. Cashing, “the inteniso in- terest of my studies among comes upon me with overwhelming force, and makes me per- feetly contented with my horrible lot ‘contented to a BECOMING A KA-KA. “ So far as the rites that were performed over me are concerned,” continued Mr. Cushing, “they consisted of a baptism of the head and a washing of the hands m the sea. Then I was en! in regular order of rank and presented to the gods of the ocean and the guds of the waters as son or brother, or according to what- ever relationship the [ndian chose to hold me in. A prayer was said over me in token that I became a child of the sun, even as the Zunis. This was the first step of the initiatory cere- montes of the Ka-Ka. It will have to be re- ted, and I will have to go through the regu- lat form by-and-by. The highest honor I could attain is the one I have already taken in the or- der of the bow, but admission into the Ka-Ka is of the most advantage to me in my attempt to obtain these prayers, songs, and rituals.” “What is the form ot the ceremony of invok- ing the clouds?” ‘The particular sacred vessel that containsthe water is placed, with fresh grass or sea weeds, before t 1e altar in the presence of the priests of the different orders. remonies are then per- formed with the direct object of invoking the rain clouds. They hold this water of the ocean asahostage. They take inflnite pains with it. In bringing it from Boston the chiefs carried it in their hand. The extra amount which they for- warded in demijohns they took no special pains with, forit is neither in consecrated vessel, nor consecrated itself. The gourds in which the sacred water is contained they brought with them. The cotton strings and fringes on them are so old that they scarcely hold together. This brief outline shows the importance they attach to this water. A more elaborate explanation would involve an immenseamount of additional material concerning their whole mythology.” Sai Sia gg eee PATEVS FAREWELL, How a Young Lady Saw It. The following extract is from a young lady's letter to a friend in this city—both Washington- ians—who went to Philadelphia to see Patti in opera: “You are now waiting to hear my opin~ ion ofthe great Patti. What can Tsay? Asthe night came on I grew impatient to go to the opera house, and should have gone an hour too early, to be certain of getting there, had my escort been in the same frame of mind. Ho ever, ten minutes of eight found usin our seats. The opera house was thronged. The boxes were a boquet 0° beauty; beautiful girls; beat tiful toilet: flowers in ‘eat bunches lyi all along the cushioned front of the boxes; many of the ladies in the audience in full dress, many in li¢ht bonnets, many bare heads: the flutter of fans, the odor of flowers, the merry ripple of anticipated pleasure; five rows of gentlemen in full dress standing all the way round the house; well-dressed ladies and gen- tlemen sitting upon the steps in the circle. At eight exactly the leader took his seat and the overtare began. In a moment more the yery air seemed quieted. All the chatter ceased. Those who were visiting about among their friends hurried to their places. The audience seemed to feel that even the overture should be listened to with quiet admiration; though usu- aly hardly heard. At last the great curtain rolled np, disclosing the well-dressed choru: whose few lines were not listened to, all eyes turning toward the right entrance. the entire throng bending forward, eager to catch the first glimpse of her slipper toe as she came. A mo- ment more, one chord from the orchestra, and smiling, bowing, and radiantly beautiful in face. form, and costume, came before us the greatest living artiste. Some cheering greeted her; but in a second all was still, and her rosy lips, dis- closing a double row of pearls, parted; then came her voice—so pure, so full, so beautiful—the perfection of melody. During her first solo the ilence in the audience was something marvelous. one seemed willing to look even towards a friend, much less speak. As the last notes were uttered, came a storm of applause, as it from one man. She repeated nothing. I am unable to say just what the feeling was with me when she finished, except that of perfect satisfaction. I was surprised that the voice was not larger, but it is so rich and so full that it reaches to everv spot without the slightest effort, with bird-like ease and purity; not one tone was made that could be criticised. I failed to see the passion in her voice. There was no mo- ment when I was thrilled, but I sat there speechless with content. The exquisite even quality: the flute-like scales; her trills like a bird; but the highest note she took was only ¢, and she was very stingy with her hizh notes all through. Her lower netes are as rich and full as a beautiful violoncello. After the duet with Nicolini, which closed the first act, the au ence were wild, shouted and called, so the cur- tain was raised three times. She caine forward happy as a child, with a good dealof gush, and the last time a lyre of rosebuds was given her. She came forward, clapping her hands like a three-year-old, which is all very well to some people, but too many are aware that it is studied. She was dressed, in amber plush, em- broidered in birds; the most gorgeous dress I ever saw. In the point of the drapery below the left knee was a South American parrot, in its true color—light and dark green back and head, searlet breast, and about his real size; perfectly beantiful. The dress was very low in front, high in the back, and just on each shoulder blade, or rather Just below, were paraquets; no sleeves in the dress, and such arms, oh good- ness! beautiful! The drapery in the back was caught up on the right hip with a group of six or eight birds, birds, of beautiful bright colors; around thesquare neck weresewed amber, phires and rubies. She wore herown dark tai wide etar ‘of sapphires inthe forehead. When the second act came on her toilette was ciel blue satin with painted els of ecru—the flowers all shades of. morning glories—surplus neck, elbow sleeves; pearls in profusion in her hair, a pel necklace, and pearls sewed on the neck of her dress, The singing was simply exquisite. In the duet with the bass, where she onan to give up her lover, she was great; but still I missed the fire and ion; there was not even as much pathos as I expected. When I gay T mean powerful in action and rendering, but I, for the only time, wanted something more, and that was pathos. Asa whole, the performance was simply wonderful. In the next act she wore white eatin embroidered in crystal—the front one glittering mass—train white plush; no sleeves; square neck, back and front, and across the front of the neck rows and rows of dia- monds—single stones—pendant. You never saw such stonesin yourlife. Asinglerowclosearound her throat, and four rows around one arm; an arrow in her hair of got us ones. When she came on the people fairly yelled over her dress before she opened her mouth. This act belongs mostly to tenor and bass. The last act, where she dies, was so real that we were glad when they called her ont after the last curtain. She sang the “Adio” like an angel. Her sotto voce is enchanti word banjo, is @ corru| of bandore, hbo ee or not defi- nitely, as stringed musical i it.” oe Solentific research has of proven the origin oe ot ® very ancient date. An instru- ment, ing @ striking similarity to the modern banjo was found in Egypt, and suab- sequently, it is era ir opeekes was discov- ered in the Pyramids. instrament in use to-day, however, is 80 great an improve- ment over that of the ancient date, close comparison would succeed in establish- ing oo similitude. It is, however, to the THE MINSTRELSY that the banjo became a popular musical in- strument, and its almost exclusive use from the period of its early advent was confined to this new feature in the way of musical enter- tainments. “How came the banjo to be so closely allied with the colored people?” was pro- pounded. rding that point,” replied the Pro- fessor, “it is to be said that the banjo is an instrument ot varied prices,—the cheapness of some grades making them attainable by the Poor classes,—and the wonderful adaptability of its music to the plantation melodies of the southern slaves is @ further reason. The banjos used at that time, however, were much ee to the fine instruments of the pres- ent.” Tt was not until during the war and later that the banjo excited the music-loving world. The crude and inferior instrument soon gave place te abetter one, and in the hands of an accomplished player at that time, notably Joseph Sweeney, familiarly known as “Old Joe,” the banjo made rapid progression in the musical world. THE BANJO'S POPULARITY. “To what would you ascribe the banjo’s present popularity?” “Listen to this,” and without farther replying, the Professor dashed off a few rhapsodies of low sweet strains, alternated with brilliant staccato effe at,” remarked the Professor, handing the reporter the instrument, “is the secret of the banjo’s success. When it is thoroughly under- stood and well-played it is one of the most charming of instruments. As already said, it has been only of late years that it has received its merited recognition in the musical world. In the first place the minstrelsy appropriated it in their negro impersonations, and adapted it to all their sonzs and dances, principally in their clog dancing. From this latter source the fashion- able outside world, thoroughly appreciative of its varied musical properties, adopted it as a pet instrument.” “This appears to bea fine instrument,” re- marked the reporter, holding it with as much scientific knowledze as araw recruit would a musket at his first drill. “How do they value in price?” THE PRICES AND QUALITIES. “Yes: that is a good instrument, but there are agreat many finer ones manufactured. They can be purchased at all prices—from a drum- head at $1.50 to the extra superior article, $75 and $100.” “What are the valuable qualities?” “There are two grades of banjos, valui from $5 to $50. The banjos that sell under $5. it may be said, are made for sale only. The grades or qualities have been designated by the manufacturers respectively, ‘cloudy’ and ‘trans- parent heads.’ Professional banjo players gen- erally prefer the ‘cloudy’: or ‘milky’ heads, which choice can hardly be accorded as any- thing significant of superiority over the trans- parent heads; for, on the: other hand, many persons show decided preference for the latter #rade of manufacture. There is, however, one slight advantaze of the ‘cloudy’ head over the ‘transparent’ drum, and that.is the former's du- rability, which fact is sufficient to stron; ly rec- ommend its use in the minstrel traternity. “Is the valuation of a banjo-adjudged by the quality of its head 7” “Oh, no; it is the finish of the instrument and its style of superior workmanship that fixes its value.” EXPENSIVE FASHIONABLE INSTRUMENTS. In the society world one will be astonished to find such beautifully made banjos. Some per- sons have them executed inastyle and finish regardless of cost. The nickel-plated or silver rim that securely holds by the aid of brackets of either of the same mate is artistically re- placed by a gold rim, with silver or gold brackets. Again, the highly polished and generally deco- rated frame. which serves for the drum, is hand- somely carved or inlaid with precions ‘stones— diamonds, pearls, rubies aud emeralds—while the neck 1s also conveniently used for expensive and artistic adornment. These instruments, of course, are made to order, and command high prices.’ according to amount of labor required in construction and the quantity and qual- ity of the precious stones used. These instru- ments are mostly, if not entirely, found in the fashionable world. and are used by ladies. So much care is required in their manufacture that dealers hold this extra line of goods at not less than $15, and no instrument is made to order under that amount. HOW TO'PLAY THE BANJO. Observing the awkward manner tn which the reporteg held his instrument, the Professor laughingly remarked: “It is plain you know nothing of the banjo. Donot catch hold of it like you were holding a crab by the claws Here, let me show you.” The right foot was thrown over the left and the instrument.was scientifically held at almost arm’s Jength. The musical scale was quickly run, and ina few minutes the lively music of the ‘Duquesne Grey” made the reporter imagine a brass band had suddenly burst into the room, whenin an instant the loud notes died away in the distance and the low numbers oftinkling musie forcibly reminded him of a moon-lit-lake and two in a boat. “Isn't that varied music?” queried the musi- cian, stopping a moment to “tune-up.” It appears that the banjo has superseded the guitar to a great extent as an effectual instru- ment. EFFECTIVE MUSIC is produced several ways. The tremolo effect, which gives such a sweet blended tone, is pro- duced by the forefinger of the right hand. The heavy playing, or “stroke” is produced by the quick movement of the forefinger, protected by a “thimble,”made of silyer,which gives the spirit and musical finish to marches. This method of “stroke” playl nfined principally to the professional pl si ther the effective march musi¢ by the minstrelsy is produced by this means, notably may be mentioned the “German Fitth,” “Duquesne Grey,” the *Twenty-second Regiment,” and many others. 4 NUMBER OF WASHINGTON BELLES play the banjo, and in many cases are excel- 3? 18 SAID THAT PRESIDENT ARTHUR is no mean player, and can make the banjo do some lively humming when so disposed. His never amounts to scientific playing, but pleases the ear to a certain degree. THE LEADIDG MANUFACTURERS, among whom are Ricketts, Stewart, Dobson Bros. and Fairbanks & Cole, state that the trade is very good, and some of them declare that their business has increased over one hundred per cent during the past year. y few years aro the major part of this line of musical goods was confined to the guitar and accordeon. THE MOST PROMINENT PROFESSIONAL PER- FORMERS number only a few, the principal players being E. M. Hall, Weston, Huntly, Converse and Carter. These professionals haved played to Washington audiences, individually, in the several Eevelng minstrel companies that have visited here, and are well-known as excellent artists in the dramatic profession. ——_—_—__-+-—___ “GIVE THE POOR FELLOW A CHANCE.” URLEIGH.” LITTLE BENNY BREWSTER AND THE CONDEMNED SOLDIER KELLY—HISTORY OF THE CaSE— TOUCHING LETTER FROM KELLY. Readers of Tur Star will probably remember the story related last month in its columns about how Attorney General Brewster's little son Benny made a plea—“Give the poor fellow a chance”—in behalf of Edward Kelly, who was condemned to be hung in Santa Fe, N. M., on the 17th of February, and who was first respited until March 17th, and later until April 17th, in order thatdue consideration might be given by the Attorney General to the applications for commutation of his sentence. Little Benny had been reeciying telegrams from his father during the Attorney Geueral’s absence in Philadelphia in February, and when ‘one came to Wormley’s on the evening of the 16th of that month, his own n Lt same as his father’s, he insisted it him. But for this the telegram might not have been opened until too late, for it v few hours of the time for the conde: to be hung when the child demand motiter should open and read t him. So it was due to the Attori a great love of his only child which led him to t egraph to him during his absence that this dis- patch was promptly opened by his wife, or it would not have been sent him in time to be acted upon and answered before the hour for the execution. Mrs. Brewster quickly comprehended the ation, and that no time was to be lo , her husband being stiil absent, she gave the dispateh to her maid to take at once to the White House, where the President was then entertaining at dinner the ladies and gentlemen of the diplo- matic corps. Benny insisted that a card on which he had written “give the poof fellow a chance” and signed ‘Ben.” should also be taken with the telezram. As his handwriting is in childish character, his mother wrote a transla- tion of his words on the same card, which was siown the Attorney General by Mr. Phillips, the President's secretary, when he took the telegram to him at his office. to which Mr. Brewster went at once on his return that evening from Phila- delphia. The “Pardon Clerk”—Judge Grey— was summoned and a conference held, and it was decided that there were grounds apart from Benny's plea for giving “the poor fellow a chance,” and a respite for thirty days was sent him just in time to prevent his execution on ‘vith. Other powerful pleas for delay, stating new facts in favor of Edward Kelly, and the pardon clerk urging that an Irishman ought not to be hung on St. Patrick's day, March 17th, caused the second respite to be granted, and other developments having since been forwarded to the Attorney General, it is now thought probable that the sentence may be commuted to imprisonment for life. A lady in this city wishing him to know how an innocent child had interceded for hi sent Kelly a copy of the published narrative of Benny Brewster's plea in his behalf. and has, although no answer was requested, received a beautiful letter from him, in which he thus re- fers to the child: “fo that manly little man I pray 0 come a year of happiness and peace for every honr that has been spared to me through bis earnest little plea, ‘Give the poor fellow a chance;’ and in his walk througi life may he encounter no greater want of joy than I experienced wien, in the eleventh hour, those glad tidings came. Can the Joy of sucil a mo- ment be measured? Alas! too few have expe- rienced it!” The killing occurred ina street fight, when both Jack Reardon, who was slain, and Kelly were intoxicated, and the evidence now before the Attorney General gives ground for belief that the killing was done in the heat of passion and was not premeditated, so was not murder in the first degree, even if it cannot be proved to haye been done in self-defense, as Kelly claims that Reardon had threatened to kill him, and had a revolver in his hand at the ti he was killed. Wherefore the respites ha been granted purely for sentimental co tions, though little Benny has declared t man should not be hung.” soo THE WATER SUPPLY. Another Meter Job. ‘To the Editor of Tar Eventne Stan. It is evident that there is another meter Job on the carpet, and it becomes our citizens to be on the lookout, or they will find this scheme fastened on them before they know it. On February 6th Mr. Lord, of Michigan, intro- duced in the House a joint resolution, (H. Res. 124,) which starts out with the statement that the constant complaint for want of water is due to the enormous waste, and that ifsuch waste were checked every consumer on Capitol Hill and other high points of the city could get am- ple supply, and there would be no necessity to increase the supply, &c., and then goes on to vide that the proper committee ‘examine Tato a meter which will accurately measure the quantity of water consumed in each building, and that said committee shall have power to recommend such meter for adoption in the Dis- trict of Columbia, to be placed in each house to which water is or may be supplied; and that the consumer shall for the same at a sum not to exceed— dollars; and that the Commissioners of the District of, Columbia be, and are hereby, instructed to contract with the owner of such meter for so many as may be needed.” Asmilar resolution or bill was recently intro- duced into the Senate by Senator Pendleton, (b; request of the parties interested, of course. At the same time a certain afternoon paper has published several articles setting forth the ad- vantages of acertain meter, and notifying our citizens that a certain Mr. Leeds has 0; an to show the public has, all pro bono he THE “WHEREAS” OF MR. LORD'S RESOLUTION assumes what is not true, viz: that the scarcity of the water here is due to the toasts of it by the citizens. It says the scarcity is due to the waste; that to prevent such waste meters are to be put into the houses of consumers—that ts, of citi- zens—not in the departments or public build- ings. Fortunately we have the official record—the government's own record—to disprove this as- sumptih—an assumption that has been so often repeated in Congress that people have almost come to admit it as true, without thought or question. On the 28th of Jane, 1890, Col. Casey meas- ured the water that ran out of the reservoir; it Was 25,740,138 golions in the 24 hours. His record shows that from midnight to 6a. m., it ran out at the rate of 970,909 gallons per hour. Now it evident that the citizens were not using the water to any considerabie extent then, because they were in bed and asleep during those hours. They were not letting It ran then to keep their spigots from ing, as is 80 often alleged, because that, was in midsummer. if now, it ran out at that rate over and above what the citizens used during those six hours, of course it does so during ail other hours. In 24hours that would amount to 22,301,816 gal- lons that is not used or wasted by the citizens. That would leave of the total amount delivered but 3.433,322 gallons for the citizens during the 24 hours, for use and waste combined. That would give, instead of the 1553¢ gallons percapita that we have been charged wigh using, but 134 gallons per empita, and it is self-evident that with such a supply there could not be much waste, or we would not have any for use. From these figures, which are official, any one can see that the assumption in Mr. Lord's reso- lution is false, andthat being 80, the rest falls, of course. But suppose, for the sake of the argument that it was true, and supposing farther, that a meter has been produced t will measure the water accurately, and remain perfect, which is not true, then see how the matter would stand. THE MONEY WASTED IN METERS WOULD INCRE. THE SUPPLY. We have to-day 20,000 water consumers. Forty dollars each tor 20,000 meters would be $300,000. enough to complete the dam and extend the Aqueduct. The $800,000 expended for meters (and you may add half as much more for putting them in and for repairs in ten years) would not give us an additioual drop of water; but, on the contrary, would materially reduce the pressure and head; while the same amount expended for completing the works trould treble the suppl: and who can estimate th alue of that in sanitary point of view, by washing out our sewers, to say nothing of the luxury of baths the sprinkling of our streets and the presery tion of our parking, trees and shrabbet sides, with the rapid growth of the ci water-takers are increasing at the rate and will soon reach 1,000 per annum. Even ad- mitting that the use of meters would so prevent waste as to supply the present number, which isnot true. what of the future? How is the future increase to be supplied? IT IS IDLE TO TALK about meters remedying the difficulty. Meters mean a job, and nothing else. If Members and Senators know the tacts as they exist, it is astonishing that they will lend themselves to such jobs by introducing such bills even by re- quest. If they don’t know the facts they ought to, and can easily learn them. While on this subject, I desire to correct another error which seems to prevail in Con- ztess, and that is, that citizens receive the water asa gratuity at the hands of the government. As shown by water registrar'sreport, the citizens have paid for layiag mains, &c., $1,353,351.17. They paid last year $140,248.33, and in 1879-80 they paid $196,409.57, an average of $168,328.96 per annum as water tax, They pay the water tax annually in advance, and then don’t get the water! There are thousands of dwell- ings to-day in which the water will not rise to the second story, in which it will not ran in the water-closets or baths, and many in which it will not run into the boilers on the first floor! In June last there were seven hundred children in the Wallach school, and not a drop of water woul flow in the water-closets, on the ground jloor! Just think of it! It isperfectly appalling. To-day there is not a public’ building, Capitol or department, in which the water will rise to the upper stories without pumping. With such a condition of affairs the citizens would almost be justified in lynching any man hould seek to make gain out of their dis- tempting to force meters upon them, ent the increase of the water supply. ‘This matter has been fully investigated by the special committee of the Senate two years azo, nd again bythe District committee of the enate now, and the unanimous conclusion both then and now is that the only remedy is to com- plete the dam and extend the Aqueduct. SOME PACTS IN POINT. Tn Chicago and in Cincinnati, in both of which cities every drop of the water is pumped, they find it profitable to run light machinery, from a sewing machine to a printing press, by the city water. How much more should that be the case here, where all that is need is a conduit for it to ran in. Inthe hot weather of last August, while our parks were burned upand the grass dead for the want of water, the writer visited New Haven, and there, during all hours of the day. trom one end of the-city to the other, people had their hy Propped. up, aries aiok head, were sprinkling their grass p! w were as 2 sewitht as in early spring. And I Tound the same state of affairs at Mount Auburn, on the heights at Cincinnati, when I visited that city; and on speaking to the citizens about it at each city, they told me they used the water without stint at “any and all hours of the day. Here, if a citizen uses his hose over thirty minutes dur- ing the 24 hours, or at any other than a certain half hour, he is hauled up before the Police Court and fined! And yet, while these others have to pump their water, we have a whole river at our rs, needing only a ditch for it to run in. No pumping, nv continual expense such as they have, and yet we cannot get enough water for the ordinary wants and decencies of life! It is an outrage upon a long suffering and much abused people, such as no other commu- nity would quietly submit to. I venture to say that neither Mr. in Detroit, nor Mr. Pen- dieton, in Cincinnati, would dare attempt any sach thing in their respective cities. Why, then, do it here? Is it because we are helpless, tied foot, to be kicked, like a foot. hither and thither, at the caprice or whim mem! and as may best advance the specula- tions of the foreigen cormorants who come here to prey upon us? It certainly looks so. But thank God the great majority of both houses know, or will know the facts, and will, when they fully know them, give us the increase of water. Rome had a water supply of 390 gal- lons per capita from her twenty-lour aqueducts, which to this day are the w of mankind. Strabo says whole rivers flowed her streets. One of her (iermea or odated bathers at off the fins, dip them in beaten egg and cracker crumbs, or simply roll them in flour, fry in bale ing fat; garnish with fried parsley or with freak watercress, Wuew making molasses candy or when boll- ing maple molasses there is always more or less danger of its ranning over on the stove. A small lump of butter dropped in when its bub bles begin to rise will prevent this. A Novrtsurse axp Predsant Drink for @ sick person is madeof parched rice. Brown the rice the same as you do coffee; then pour boiling water with a little salt in itover the rice. Let it boil until it is tender; then add sugaror cream to it. Itmay be strained or not, according te taste. A Goop War To Prerane Arpurs at thie season of the year, when they are almost taste. leas, is to pare them, cut them in quarters, an@ steam until they are tender; then put them In am earthen dish aud pour over the sauce a litte weak vinegar, Just enongh to flavor them @ trifle. In this put some unground allspice and a iktle sugar. Oxp Lace Ccrrarxs that have little holes ia the netting can be made to appear whole when they are laundried. Take a piece of lace, or very thin muslin, and when the curtain is starched starch this pieee also and put it over the spot which mending. Tt will show very little, if at all, and the starch will keep it in place. Borie Turkey.—Ifa boiled turkey is not well managed it will be quite tasteless. Choose ahen turkey. It must be well trussed and tied. Cut the legs at the first joint and draw them into the body. Fasten the emall ends of the wings under the back, and tie them sec: with strong twine. ‘Sprinkle over plenty of salt and pepper and lemon juice, and put it into boiling water. Boil it slowly two hours or antil quite tender. It is often served in a bed of rice with oysters; sometimes with caper celery sauce and Hollandain sauce. Pour part of the sauce over the turkey. Reserve the ib- lets for giblet soup. It can be stuffed or not, the same as for roasting. Levon Stenser, which is so refreshing to the fever patient, and which is not despised by the well man, is made in the proportion of two pounds of white sugar and six lemons, to two cuarts of water. Cut the lemons in two parts; squeeze every drop of the juice out; stir the sugar, water and lemon juice together, and strain through a wire sieve. Freeze just as you do ice crea Orange sherbet can be made in the same way by substituting oranges for lem- ons, and some people think ‘o serve at the close of a weighty Post. Frorr. Canny ts made from this , one and one-talf pounds of granulated suzar, wet the sugar with the milk of the cocoanut, put it in a sauce] let it beat slowly, then boil rapidly for five minutes, add the cocoanut grated very fine, boll for ten minutes, stirring constantly. Try itom a cold plate; if it forms a firm paste when cold, take it from the fire. Pour part of it out on ® large tin. lined with buttered paper. To the remaining cream add one-quarter of a pound raisins, stoned and chopped, half a pound blanched almonds, one pint of peacans, half @ cup of chopped walnuts. Beat all well tegether, then pour it over the other in the tin, and when cold cut it in bars or squares. Never let an unexpected dinner make you uncomfortable. I always hold the theory that what Is good enough for my family is good enough for my guest, and one of the pleasant- est homes in which I visit is that of a young couple who live on less than $2000 a year. Their hcuse is so well managed that they can always afford to give a hearty welcome to any friend who comes, and, although going in un- expectedly, I have sat down to corn beef, cab- bage and potatoes with fruit for desert. (I hope they'll forgive me for telling it) Ican assure you nothing could have been more acooutabie. The plainest dinner, well prepared, and served on pretty china and seasoned with every-day taik, is often enjoyed and remembered.—‘Hiome Talk” in Philadelphia Press. Orster BLaxxet.—This is sometimes called inthe country “pig ina blanket.” In England it is considered so good and “‘earty” a dish, that it is designated “angels on horseback.” It is a new and delicious entree, especially for shy dinner guests who are thankful for something to talk about in the first half-hour of a dinner party. Take twelve or more large-sized oysters rom their shells, removing their beards; cover each with a very thin slice of fat of bacon, dip- ping each slice into hot wat nd well drymg it with a cloth before rolling it round the oye ter; then place them ona fine skewer and sus pend them betore the fire until the bacon is nicely cooked. A slice of soft buttered toast should be under them while cooking, and on it they should be sent up very hot to the table. If not convenient to cook them before the fire, they may be broiled on the gridiron.—W. ¥. Trina. Crea or CeELERY.—Celery is unusually scarce now, and little of it is well blanched and crisp. But even the somewhat inferior quality may be made quite palatable. Cut it into very smail pieces, rejecting the toughest green portions. ee only water enough to keep it trom burning, boil it in a closely covered vessel for an hour, or until perfectly tender. Then add a sufficient quantity or milk, first thickened with a table- spoonful of flour to each pint, previously rubbed smooth with two tablespoonfuls of butter, and salt and pepper to the taste, very little of the pepper. Boil and serve as soon as the flour is thoroughly cooked. If made moderately thin with the milk, flour and butter it can be rubbed through a colander, when it gives a delicious, cream-like soup. Smooth squares of bread well browned are frequently put into the soup when finished. A bowl of this, eaten with bread, the same as bread and milk, makes an excellent noon lunch.—American Agrt Smrce ReMepy Por Fevons anp Bors.— “Felons,” which are usually termed “Whitlow” by physicians we believe, are a very painful and often a very serious affection of the fingers, gen- erally ofthe last Joints, and often near or involv ing thenalls. As the fingers are much to bruises, felons are quite common those who constantly use their hands work. effected, the varnish is easily removed by rub- bing into ita little lard and washing with soap and water. Dr. A. B. Isham details, in Medical