Evening Star Newspaper, July 26, 1884, Page 2

his guest; McLaughlin, a stalwartoan? wide) awake looking workman, took his place on the platform, and the ascent began. The first break in the monotony of the upward journey was af- ae & forded by glimpses of the memorial stones from —— states, forcign governments, corporations and he in; Monument will | individuals, set in the rubble stone masonry Thelsaiesecare a Trip, to the Top | along the sides where the platforms are. These with Col. Casey—Talk “En Houte”— | we als os by the light of the small iamp on the elevator. Mele ot 500 Bec ne CMY from eer did not set the remaining memorial stones sh food | into the walls after I took chars’ at the work. 4 ni ile 1 stone bi jIt with | said the colonet, ‘because to have done so woul paki nna pagal pte — pout the | have materially weakened the cut stone mason- : ie eee eerie " |ry. There are ninety of them still on hand, and “sone asa very pretty | | purpose inserting them hereafter as slabs in ¢ object: but inere ms ONE | the finished wails. . hundred foid and you ha iring | “Look there.” hecontinued, pointing. “You pyramid of Gizeh. ~ The ty of mere | see that the platform there extends out to the size. The human mind ts impressed by the | levator. That is the case every fifty feet, 80 ears aise Fang | tat when the monument fs finished visitors when | can wet on or off theelevator at any stage of the ascent or descent they may choose.” : re I took charge of the work,” , pointing to a break in the char- acter of the inside work which changed from ‘ubble masonry to regular two foot courses of nite ling with the marble courses the wall. The fuside of the separating line sloped back for fore the perpendicular cou- resumed, making a larger space n the elevator and the walls. “This was ‘explained the colonel, “to lessen the thick- f the wails, and thus lighten the vast load on the foundation. It makes the work usand tons lighter, and leaves it aha n to resist any force it is likely to sun be subjected to.” tuncil its ob-} What is the character of the filling between plished. It left upon the | the 2tarite and marble blocks?” queried Tnx IP ¢ an incomplete and fy stood there for years a bi nd a repreach to the cou eame to the rescue by of money trom the na- atinue the work of CITY AND DISTRICT. BUILDING IN MID AIR. A GREAT TRHRIt PE oF ENGL yare absent. nto be the uty of outlil Monumen shaft, with its cap nearly an eighth of a a noble work, fitly aud character of the man in 2 it is erected ne ent of the | § th which did not |; nel looked at McLaughlin and smiled. sno such thing as ‘Alling’ or ‘bac! alls.” he said. “The solid blocks all closely joined.” It is “THE BEST Pr OF MASONRY IN THE WORLD,” he enthusiastically added, As the elevator continued to ascend, the scribe noticed that the hitherto unbroken gray of the «ranite was now broken at regular intervals in each course by squares of white marble. said the colonel, “are marble 1 blocks which extend all the way hronch the wall from the outside.” “How thick is the wall at this point?” was i upriatte to e Ca: corps. The admi bas marked his mai nistra- agement the | and | hea t still mere in thickness, the granite disappeared all the marble blocks extending trem the outside to the inside of the walls. uizht from the top began to give » white interior a golden hue, and the colonel, volnting. asked: “Do you see that mark?” ‘THe Star man, looking in the direction in- d black line along the face ¥ shrinks ft you ph arks tor LOOKING DOWN UPON THE GODDESS OF LIBERTY. ow high is that?” asked the colonel, turn- to McLaushtin. 7 That,” replied the sturdy overseer,” is Just | one hundred feet above the tallest feather in the head dress of the Goddess of Liberty, on top of the Capitol dome.” bs Just before the elevator came into the broad it the writer noticed the corbels—three projecting from each side, equidistant from each other and from the angles, the projection in- £ with every foot of the ascent. said the colonel, as the ele- in; rtment build. pezy morning, to go to the top of t re not granting any passes re is not room on going over the work for n ast now after a few White Lot th dazziing white m nto the walk down itty col- | explain to you when yon see the model below.” ON TOP, The elevator stopped about 486 feet above the ground floor of the monument. The walls rose Just tour feet higher than this. “Would you like to get on the wall?” slyly asked the colonel. The visitor took a hasty look at his surround- jings, and at the top of the wall, now only and was about to decline ng MecLanghlin carelessi of rble nds of | side h lars mount a he workmen ly, What is more se of the strong nd the top, h abered to the top The colonel, observing, perhaps, the guest, who seemed rather ine a perpendicui ition, sted that there was a ladder further Which he might support himself. It vd to be y feet away, though than five feet off, and the no hewspaper man scorned the suzgestion i seized something nearer at hand to steady himself—a rope dangling from somewhere above, and for the first time ventured to look about im. 4 avenue; quizzical look upon the who were watching him; whie ument. tant THE SCENE FROM THE TOP, soon to be a tamiliar one to the citizens of shington and visitors to the city, 1s. truly maguiticent, and no attempt at description would come anywhere near to conveying a true | ldea of it. It is as novel as it is lovely. The | elty is spread ont below you with its beautiful streets, avennes and parks ctearly outlined, and the grand public buildings and other prominent | structures, dwarfed in their dimensions, until they look like toy houses. The agricultural rounds, and further on the Smithsonian park nd grounds, backed by the Capitol, make, per- aps the most striking near pfcture of this anorama; but the view of the White grand PRING FEAT WINCH PY X= MONUMENT FROM TOPPLING OVER. “dattention toa plumb d from the top of the om oF » north, and the picturesque city vwn to the northw: rehitecture of t less beautiful, w e college building, are hardly the winding river to the nd the amphitheater of hilis to and west of the city are. transformed w from mid air so as to be hardly re- the nortl kine | 5 rib netting, and for the fi } f iis dizzy all am now in y 00 looked down through the ttime had a realizing a helght of ied. vonded the colonel. ent ison the pile of above the ground. Lait is now 49) feet above that, making307 ad to that add your own height, and you it exactly A STONE ROOF WILL TALLEST M now BE BYILT OVER THE NUMENT IN THE WORLD. appreciate the difficulty, here- © referred to, af underpinning a vast mass o8 masemreJUze this; but, tothe uninitiated at | feb ote atftit!#1n place of the last stones of e imghhie thot “Wonld seem to be a tougher protilem ta, selva. Col. Casey's solution of it 2 Hae 19lute dent tochis Inquisitive companion by 4 a $499 ay codra amodei; but It is not such an t © impart the information thus con- » the reader, without the aid of dia- Wittsver¥anturing upon teclinical de- Men.citbmay be briefly stated that the rk ofthe derrick, so long a familiar ob- white shaft, will only be in longer, to put in place the last five courses Of stone’ necessary to bring the work to aheight of 500 feet above the ground floor, at which height the roof will be put on. The ‘laying of these remaining courses, if the work Is not delayed by bad weather or accident, will occupy the workmen during this month and part of thenext. Early in August, however, public Is promised replied the A GEAND TRANSFORMATION SCENT jon top of the monument. All of the frame addi- | work will be cleared away and in its place a much | |tty derrick will be erected, composed of four stout masts starting from the tops of the tron columns near the angles and leaning toward euch other until they meet at the height of 7% | feet above the top of the monument. these masts, a little below their junction, will be acirele of metal, and around this circle the horizontal arm of the derrick will swing t would careful wor anen of the snb- ‘more wel th side of the monument is of * the insite of the wails, as fur as vernment took eharge—about | free in every direction. On stout iron beams is of rubble masonry—Poto- | laid across ‘the top of the monument and pro- ot laid in courses. “We wil) | Jectit ) feet over the edge on the east side, a strong platform will be built. The roof stones will be hoisted by the elevator tn the usual way to the top of the monument, and will then be ip on an tren carriage andrun out on the | Projecting platform. The arm of the derrick will then be swung over the stone, and it will be hoisted and deposited in the place for which it is intended. STONE BEAMS AND STONE SHINGLES. terial, it correspond work above, whie ELECTEIC LIGHTING. ce also,” he continued, “thet iron frame work of the stairways and piat- st, with the bold | Around | forms Is ed with board steps and floors. This wood will of course be replaced by iron, and on ¢ {atform we will have burning afldeseent electric burn- “<—whieh will brilliantly ument in that way.” EVATOR reached the floor—a massive metallic < a heavy freight of iron cbal from the rigging above, which tack ‘hlin, who came down wit! d before it ean be used of the work. 3 UP. those who will prefer to | The roof will be a pyramid in form, like that [on Bunker Hill monument, but muck larger. Mention has been made above of the corbels. These, when tinisbed, will be the stone ribs or supports of the roof. There are three, as already stated, projecting from the inner surface of each The four middle ones will be brought | closer and closer together until they have nearly met and then a ‘four way” key stone will be set, uniting them. They will fi present the rance of two gothie arches crossing each rat right angles. The Intermediate eight, alter the two in each angle have come together, will be keyed by large stones fitting closely. On the stone rib work thus formed, the large flat roof stones will be laid im such a manner that each course will rest upon the marble ribs and het on the course below. These slabs will be | set in regular courses by aid of the derriek un- til the e and th urse Immediately below the arm is set, of course, the derrick must come vator was cleared of its! t: chairs were placed for the colonel and} down and other means be devised for set- he capstone, ‘To do this it will be necessary to build a scaf- fold on the outside of the foof, and from this seaffold, by an ingenious arrangement the cap- stone, with its copper apex. will be put in place by a workman, who will then come down through a hole left in the stone for the purpose. + ‘The thrust of the roof against the walls is overcome by iron rods connecting the opposite sides. THE PEEP HOLES. In the lower course of roof stones two wide window openings will be cut on each side at a height convenient for the eye. This will give an outlook from eight windows at the height of 500 feet, or, rather 517 feet above the ground. ELECTRICAL EQUILIBRIUM. Speaking of the copper point on the summit stone, Col. Casey said that it would be connected with the fron columns already mentioned, which he had connected with the well under the mon- ument when he began work. This, he sald, had served to maintain the electrical equilibrium between the upper air and the ground, and the shaft had not been struck by lightning since he had had charge of the work, though it had been struck before. MEMORIAL STONES. Aclosing word about the memorial stones. As stated, there are ninety yet on hand; not | counting one in the river—the stone sent by the pope, which was broken up and thrown there during the know nothing excitement. | Some of these stones—those from foreign gov- ernments and states In the Union—should have a place ip the monument. But there is cer- | tainly no good reason why the work should be | defaced with stonés trom scattering corporations, military organizations and fire companies (some of them now extinct), which stones in many cases bear the names, prominently graven, of the stonecutters who carvedthem. Thesestone- cutters may have been yery go: nin their way, and worthy of having their virtues set forth in eulogistic inscriptions on their tomb- stones, if their patrons were willing to pay tor | and allow such advertisements, but that is no reason why posterity should be eternally con- fronted with the names of Smith, Jones and Brown on the monument erected to the mem- ory of the illustrious Washington. ayy Pes A GLIMPSE OF THE PAST. |The Book Trade of Washington of Fifty Years Ago. | THE RECOLLECTIONS OF THREE OF THE OLD ELLERS—THE DAYS WHEN STA’ GATED AT THE BOOKSTORES AND PERIODICALS THAT WERE READ HOW THE CONTRACT SYSTEM WAS ABUSED—PUBLIO | MEN WHO WERE GREAT READERS—THE PIONEERS OF THE BOOK AND PERIODICAL TRADE. Messrs. Shillington, Morrison, and Restor | were assembled in Shillington book store the | other day when one of them chanced to remark that the group represented the old book trade | which connects modern with what may be | termed ancient Washington. Tue Star man was also present. “Now I won't have that,” said Mr. Shilling- | ton, laughingly. “You would carry the idea | that I'm an old fossil, and was here to supervise | the laying out of the city. I want you to know that I'am not as old as Methusaleh. “Oh, that's all right about your ag Morrison, “but I reckon you can remember far enough back to recall old Tom Benton, Webster, Clay, Calhoun, Millard Fillmore, Badger, Daw- son, and the rest of them, as they used’to sit }about here and discuss the topics of the day (over thelr newspapers. We didn’t get papers the same day they were printed then; did we? | Well, that ain't so long ago,” retorted Shil- | |fington, “One doesn’t need ‘to be an an-| | tiquity to remember that; but when you go to | | asking me when the first’ bookstore Was estab- | |lished in Washington, I protest. Bestor, you | can tell us best about that.” : “Not so,” sald Mr. Bestor. “You don't carry | | the idea that I'm as old as you. Then, too, I'm | out of the business now. | | You were Franck Taylor's partner,” said | | Morrison. | | “Yes; but Franck T: n't the first book- seller In Washington. he was a regular | apprentice to old Pishey Thompson, whe kept down on the Avenue, near 1th street, before he went into business ‘for himself. I know the store was between Lith and 12th streets, but I | can't find the house,” | “That was before our time?” “Oh, yes; I reckon Pishey Thompson kept his | there as early as 1820. Yes, I suppose he started business earlier than that; for he broke | up during Jackson's administration. You know | It was said that Andrew Jackson broke him up. Thompson, you know, was an old line whig, and during Adam's administration he furnished | all the books and stationery forthe govern- | | ment. When Jackson came into the presidency | | Thompson did not change his policy, and the President, it was said, heard of his denuncia- tions of the democratic’ party and endeavored | to deprive him of the government patronage. t that time there was a man named Sullivan, a | democrat, who did business on F street, and | Jackson, it was said, went to him and induced | him to try and get the government trade away from Pishey Thompson. He did try, and with the President behind him, succeeded. It was | that, they say, broke Thompson up. But for a long time before that he had the monopoly of the trade.” “That was before the contract system was adopted?” sald Mr. Shillington. “Yes, I can remember when the bidding on the contract |for government supplies was first begun. /Tt was a failure. It’s a failure now, too, j1 should think, judging from the recent frauds developed in the departments. Yes it was a failure from the tirst. There used to be lots of sharp practice and those who had the in- | side track always got the contract ina way to | | make money out of it. The officials used to work | in cahoots with them. They would make out a | list of all the various supplies used in the de- partments and call for bids. There would al- | ways be some things on the list that would not be” required, as there was supply enough on and. They would keep track of these and let | the favored bidder know what they were, so he cr | ha Id bid very low on them, knowing he would | | have none to furnish if he got the contract. | | Then the official would say to his chief when it | cate time to make the award, ‘this man bids so ud so, very low (picking out the particular ar- ) the ‘rest bid so and so, very high; I eckon his bids are cheaper all the way through | | than the rest. Then he'd get the contract and | | furnish ali the necessary supplies at a very | high price and never be required to furnish any | | of the cheap ones.” | “Yes, that is the way they did it,” sald one of | the gentlemen. | “Whose were the other leading stores here | then?” said Mr. Bestor. “Morrison, your father, | | came here some time later; didn't he?” “In 1882,” replied Mr. Morrison, “he came | | here from Alexandria and began business nnder | | Brown’s hotel. Fron there he moved farther | down, and now I run the business not far from | the old stand. You came in a little later didn't you, Shillington?” “Yes,” said Mr. Shillington, “1 was the first to sell papers and periodicals. That was my Dusiness. All the reading people of those days used to come in my store to buy their papers jand n ines. All the great men of those | days used to come in. The great magazines of | the day were Godvy's Ladies’ Book aud Gra- ham's Magazine. Every one used to read these, Here's Godey's. I still keep it. Itis the only | periodical that has survived the times. 1 usec | to have all the state papers and the Register and Globe. There’s the old Klingman house over there on the corner, and was sur- rounded by the fashionable boarding houses of the day. ‘The Members and Senators, you | j know, used to have what ‘they called their | ‘messes,’ and they would put up at these houses, | Then they'd come over here to get their papers. ne of the day. J tell you there were some able men here in those days, and it was worth some- thing to hear them talk. Yes, I've been here a | long time, and when I get to talking on the sub- ject 1 always associate my business with the men who used to buy of me.” “Yes, and then there was Coles’ place,” sald Mr. Bestor thoughtfully. “He must have been one of the earliest dealers. He died, you know, | and Franck Taylor took his store and stock at a venture and got rich. Franck Taylor did busi- ness between 414 and 6th streets. He was in | business before “Hudson. Hudson Taylor did | not open his store until some time afterwards. ‘Then there was Kennedy's on F street, and Bal- lantyne and Robert Farnham, Gray’s and I don’t know how many. I suppose there were book- stores here by the time the city was laid out.” “Then there was Elliot's—Jonathan Elliott’s' —said Mr. Morrison. ‘We must not forget that. | He published the first elty directory and the first | official Blue book in 1816. There's been a great change in the character of reading since those days,” he continued, running his hand over qa pile of periodicals. **There weren't so many | Novels read then. And the statesmen of those days were great readers. They used to keep themselves well posted. They used tu read po- litical, scientific, philosophical and historical works. The southern men were particularly fine readers. Badger, of North Carolina, was & great reader. So was Cas and so were Dawson, of Georgia, Calhoun, Millard Filmore, and lots of others. They were our principal customers. Now, the Members and Senators don't read so much. The habit of fequenting book stores is not kept up.” “Yes,” said Mr. Shillington, ‘folks say to me sometimes, ‘Shillington, you're an old fogy; You think there's nothing lige what used to be.’ Well, maybe Iam, but the men we used to as- sociate with then were men whom one likes to remember.” would gather about in their cliques or | messes, and read and discuss the current topies | THE LINGO OF HE TURE. —_— Words and Phrases Peculiar to the Race Track. THETR DERIVATION AND tao TURES AND WaAftNINGS TO GREENH BOURD UP IN SINGLE WORDS=TERMS USED TO CHAR- ACTERIZE DISHONESTY 8 BETTING AND IN MANIPULATING HORSES—A GLOSSARY FOR TEE UNINITIATED. ? The turf has grown ‘in popular favor with wonderful rapidity in this country during the last few years, and its popularity is steadily on the increase. Base bali has been termed the national sport, and not aany years ago its vota- ries and admirers made up a large proportion of the population. But the rate track has sur- passed the diamond field in popular estimation, and the former new attracts its thousands where the latter draws but hundreds. No American city that aspires to rank anywhere in public esteem is now witheut its race course. The turf im this country has been deprived of all the debasing influences and surrown‘lings that once marked It, and to-day it command® the respect and confidence of all who have with themt blood trial of speed between blooded racers. The courses are all controlled by clubs, comprising the best citizens of the respective loculities. The “noble sport” is now betronleed and encour- aged by the first peoplé of the land, and the ladies all over the country lend thelr encouraging and inspiring Pr moe by the thousands to the meets of mettled steeds. ‘The partiality of the people for turf sports when honorably conducted has been exemplified here in Washington. The National Jockey Club, with ite excellent track and admirable management, Now ranks with the best, and aowhere is the sport more liberally patronized. Of the masses, however, who attend races and delight in the sport they afford, there are com- paratively few who understand thé various terms peculiar to the race course and which are now a recognized part of the vocabulary in describ- ing races. These terms can no longer be pro- perly called slang, though they originated as such, because use and custom have made them legitimate. With very few exceptions these terms and phrases originated in E have been in use, many of them at least, tor several centuries. A WORD OF ROYAL ANCESTRY. Take, for instance, the word ‘ welcher,” which describes a person who makes bets with- ‘out the remotest chance or intention of paying them, who, If he wins, claims his stakes, and it pay. istence from the habit of the Prince of Wales, afterwards George IV. of England, of never set- tling his bet Others attribute it tothe old nursery rhyme, ‘Taffy was a Welshman, Tafly was a thief.” It applies to all sorts of diahon- esty In betting, and Is often used ‘* Welshman.” From it the word ‘ welshing,” to deflue the act of dishonesty in betting, is derived. “AGED” AND ‘* ALLOWANCES.” . “Aged” faa term that frequently confronts every reader of aracing program. It describes a horse over six years old. The age of a horse 4s always reckoned from the Ist of January of the year in which it Is foaled. “Allowances” is another word that often con- founds the race-course visitor. Every course has its fixed standard of weights for running horses, but many of the American courses have the same standard. For in-tance, at Jerome Park, Monmouth’ Park, Saratoga and Coney Island, the standard for May of each year is for pounds for three-quarters of a mile, and’ 70 pounds for a mile. For three year olds it 18 105 pounds for half a mile and 100 pounds for a mile. The scale of weights Is regulated for each age and distance and for the month of the year. This Is the standard of weights, and “allow- ances” m 8 a diversion from it. ‘Maiden allowances” means a reduction of welght for horses that have never won a race, the word “maiden” being used to describe non-wi “HANDICAP” AND “SWE The term “hand!cap” is'used to describe a race in which the weights are arranged according to object being to give all ‘the animals an equal chance. The term comes from an old Irish game “hand-i-the-cap” on challenging euch other's effects, now obsolete. ‘Sw stakes” is used to describe a race in which each subscriber engages to pay a certain sum for each horse entered, the winner taking all the money or sweeping thestakes. The rule 1s tor the course over which the race fs run to add asum of money, and asmall portion of the total usually goes’ to the second horse. A “handicap sweepstake” is a race in which the horses entered are handicapped according to merit or record. The clause on a racing pro- gram, after mentioning a race, reading, for instance, ‘2100 each, half torfeit, #10 only if de- clared out” by a specific date, means that for each horse entered $100 must. put up, and if the horse fails to run half that entry money must be forfeited unless the entry is withdrawn by the date given, when, in that case, only $10 is forfeited. A “SELLING RAGE” ig one In which the horses are entered with a price indicated, at which the owners will dis- pose of them, the sale-usually taking place at auction upon the finish of the race. It is, in fact, a species of handicap made by the owners of the horses themselves, and the conditions are usually set forth about as follows: “Horses en- tered to be sold tor £1,500 to carry welht for | age (a system of weishts, based upon the age of the horses, and not upon merit or record); if | to be sold for $1,000, allowed 5 pounds; if for 750, allowed 10’ pounds,” and so on, the allowance—meaning a reduction of that | much weight—increasing as the fixed price ot | the horse deer For instance, a horse en-| tered to sell for 2800 would only carry % pounds, an allowance of 22 pounds taken off of | weight for age (118 pounds.) It is the rule on some courses to divide any excess that the win- ner may bring over the fixed price between the owner of the second horse and the club. The word “barney” is applied to a er>0ked race, in which there 4s coll lose. “Cross” is also thus applied. force to break his stride and impede his ran- ning It is called a “carom” or “bore.” “Velvet” describes a man who is ahead in betting. His winnings are “velvet,” and one who has good luck is spoken of as being “in clover.” A “con- solation race” is one arranged for beaten horses at a meeting, and is usually the last on a pro- gram. “WEIGHING OUT” AND © Not less than ten minutes before a race all the Jockeys must present themselves and be weighed. This is called “weighing out,” and each jockey, with his saddle and trappings, and very often a leaded pad, must welgh the prescribed weight his horse is to carry. The weighing is repeated after the race, which is called “weighing in,” and if any weight is wrong the fact is reported to the Judges, who take it into consideration in inaking their decision. A*walk-over” is when a horse has no com- petitor and Is sent over the track to win the Stake. Itis often gsed, however, to describe an easy winner. It is'said when a horse has easily beaten a fleld that he had a ‘walk over,” or the horse won without ayy assistance or encour- ayement from his jockey, “Making the rgnning™ is where a jockey pushes his horse to the front in a race and leads pidly in order to exhanst some of the horses and enable a stable companion who understands the scheme to saye'his mount for the finish and there crowd him through: “Waiting In front” describes a trick by which ‘ smart jockey rushes his horse to the front, and then steadying hini, leads, green competitors to believe he is ‘making the running.” Agents who col information as to horses and send them by mail or telegraph in advance of races to sul to govern their betting are called “touts.” To forego winning a race when it could be done is to “throw” it. A horse that occusionally shows fine running, but is un- reliable, is calleda’‘Sunday horse. A horse “breaks away” when ina false start he gets beyond control, or when he suddenly and rapidly leads in a race, leap is a “‘bungle,” and to get a tall 80 severe as to lose all chance in the race is a “burster.” ‘A clumay A “PLAY-OR-PAY” RACE is one where the subscriber whose horse does not appear to compete forfeits all his stake. All race bets are considered “pay or play.”» All of the starters In a race is the “field,” and laying money against favorites is often called ‘field- ing.” ‘In good form” or ‘4 bad form” refers to a horse’s condition of health and fitness for ‘A “free handicap” race is one in which sn owner may enter his horse without being bound to pay any forfeit if he does not like the welyit A “cup horse” is one with suficient speed and bottom to compete for cups or important prizes run at weight for age over long courses. Advice or information to guide persons in bet- ting is calléd “tips,” and a “straight tip” is ad- vice that comes direct troin the owner or trainer ofa horse, “Go for the gloves” fs an expression derived from a betting habit of the ‘adies. It means “go in and get nothing,” and originated enough to make the heart beat at an exciting | he loses elther absconds or brazenly refuses to! That word is said to have derived its ex- | two year olds 80 pounds for half a mile, 75) the merits and performances of the horses en- | Trninded by the solemn tolling of the'steaearts tered instead of according to their ages, the | lusion to. win or | When a| horse jostles against another with sufficient | that he won “hands dowh,” which means that | England, and | sky was vaulted sapphire, while the heat of | | the summer sun was tempered by a cool and re- | fair women and brave men was under the for- | ancholy and doleful tunes in their repertoire. | stops for a minute or two to swallow up a hand- Stak waSuiNetos’ p. c., SATURDAY. JJSLY 26, 1884—DOUBLE SHEET. In the gustom of ipdies who bet gloves d exe pect “to ee for tng,” i @ to be paid they wifl and not pay if lose. The straight or nearly straight of course as distin- Egcretches.” course lies een the one-quarter and one- half mile poles, and the “‘home stretch” that tion between the t! juarter pole and the ih. The “ stretch” is beamed! of the course immediately in the vicinity of the Judges’ stand. A horse tliat 1s distanced—fails to pass the distance post by the time the winner finishes—is “shut out,” and when a horse gives Way, collapses when challenged for speed in a race, he ‘‘shuts up.” To take a horse’sname from a list of subscriptions or entries for a race is to “scratch” him. When the result of a race | is purely accidental it is“‘won by a fluke.” A | race the resuit of which has been previously arranged, isa pauppeaeima A horse left 80 far in @ race as to have no chance of winning \s | “hall down.” Irregular running, displaying widely varying form and perhaps indicating dis- honest manipulation, is ‘in-and-out running.” The “paddock” is an enclosure generally con- tiguous to the scales where all the horses to Tun are saddled and to which they must return after the race to be again weighed. “Roping” “pulling” @ horse in a race so as to ‘eep him from winping. A horse that finishes race first or second gets a “‘place.” When a/| horse is entered in a race where his owner does ot intend him to win and bets against him he | is eald to be “milked.” When a jockey has | been engaged to ride a race he has a “mount.” ee PICNICING ON THE POTOMAC. How a Forcigner Views and Enjoys the Entertainment, Correspondence of Tax EvEnina Star: July 23, 1884. Yesterday found me a substantial unit of a pic~ nic party, who embarked on board the “Jane Moseley” bound for Blackiston Island, and the object of this rigmarole letter is to record in the filmsiest way in the world a foreigner's impres- sion of things in general, and Potomac people and picnics in particular. Yesterday was just the day suited fora trip down the historical river; the alr was clear, the freshing breeze. Punctually at the advertised hour, the steamer, after sundry hoarse, unfem!- nine like shrieks from her whistle, slipped her | hawsers, and glided into the sluggish stream of the American tiber. There was a tair crowd of picnicers and holiday makers on board—fair in quality as well as quantity—most of whom were seated In little irregularly arranged family groups under the deck coverings, and nearly ail of whom indus- triously quizzed their nelghbors for the first few minutes, at any rate. The favorite ‘colgn of vantage” selected by ward awning, while a brags band, liberally pro- vided by the ‘management, did their level best | to contribute to the day's enjoyment. I have often wondered, and in the name of all that is musical or otherwise, I still continue to won- der why the conductors of these bands on these joyous occasions invariably select the most mel- This particular band exhibited plenty of talent, and should these lines reach your eye, Mr. Con- ductor, pray do change your very next pro- gram, and mix a few more lively airs with It. Once fairly under way, the two principal ob- Jects attracting attention were the gigantic Na- tional monument, soon to be the tallest ar- tificial structure in the world, and the graceful dome of the Capitol, floating in the summer air like some huge fairy bell. The view of this glo- rious pile never palis. Like Ulysses, [have seen many lands, and without doubt the Capitol Is the finest civic building in the world, and a splendid monument to republican progress. It | is a thing of beauty, and the remembrance of it | will remain a joy forever. A few miles down the storied river is the | quaint old city of Alexandria, resembilng some | Old World séaport town, where our steamer ful of Virginla plenicers, laden with the indispen- sable basket and overburdened with the omnip- otent baby. Shortly afterleaving Alexandria, the frowning gray battlements of Fort Washington are seen. and on the opposite shore, as one is bell, the Mecca of the New World—Mount Ver- non—comes in slzht, where, nestling amongst grand old trees, the remains of the illustrious Washington have found a quiet resting place on | the soil of the dear old home he loved so weil. | The river on both sides is fringed with lovely | trees, decked out in all their summer drapery, while the undulating background is one mass of | luxuriant greenery. Not long after Mount Vernon is left behind, the water gradually changes from mild ochre to faint green, and now and then an occasional whiff of genuine salt water (or it may be ozone) is gratefully watted amongst the lotus gather- | ers. Then the noble river widens until it nearly approaches the dignity of an inland sea in embryo, and on its broad bosom white-sailed schooners lend life and variety to the scene. Shortly after the sun 1s high, materfamilias | gathers her brood together, and in some cozy corner the serious business of her day begins. | The family basket is ransacked: knives and torks clatter against the native hedgewood, and a familiar black bottle is uncorked, and the pic- nic festival has begun. As dinner is one of the many human infirmities thatreally deserves ten- der treatment, even at the hands of a seribbler, I shall draw a veil over the picture, aud allow the reader to finish the repast to suit his or her own particular taste, so as not to offend the dear old lady by minutely prying Into the contents of her basket. A coterie of grave and reverend signeurs {somebody says they are all Senators), monopo- lize a private table where forensic wisdom putts vigorously at choice clgars and moistens its lips with a depressing soda or a lively cocktail, and passes the happy hours away studying familiar pleces of pasteboard which lying history says were inveuted for the amusement of an imbecile king. Everybody seems In excellent spirits, and al- | though there is a tair numerical show of passen- ers, there is no crowding or rude jostling so familiar to old world travelers; one and all are | courteous and agreeable, and ever ready to sink their own individuality—a noticeable trait and characteristic of American people at home and | abroad. Active but decaying looking colored | curates in wrinkled white ties hover backwards | and forwards, anticipating the liquid orders of | the guests, and on board of our river steamer all goes rry as the traditional Marriage bell, After making a detour nearly round the isiand the steamer at last pulls up (after five and a halt | hours’ hard steaming a distance of eighty miles) | at a little fragile stage, by courtesy called a pier, | and here our picnicers are landed on Blackistone | island. Good humored groups spread them- selves and their edible treasures out on the green sward, beneath some friendly shade trees, and these pictures, with all the lovely surround- ings, are as artiscally arranged as if the genius of a Whistler had planned them. Others again hurry down to the beach and via a dressing-room and baggy suit of blue flannel plunge into the tepid and refreshing water, (By the way, let me suggest to the responsible | parties that the semi-diaphonous dressing-rooms | would be made much more comfortable to vis- itors if such luxuries as a dressing glass and comb were placed in each of them, as travelers Usually do not hamper themselves with their dressing bags on these occasions). Some partake of an al iresco dinner, supplied by the management for a very moderate sum. Others flock, generally in pairs, although coveys are sometimes seen,tothe handsome pavilion and dance to the strains of the much maligned band, but the music on this occasion fs irreproacha- ble. Even the “hostages to fortune” are not forgotten, as a well constructed merry-go-round spins merrily for their especial amusement. The accommodation on the iglaud is not quite so complete as the “Arlington.” There is a Robin- son Crusoe air about tt, but every- thing is neat and clean and seem- ingly fairly well managed. —_ Independ- ently ofthe cheap fare, it is worth the journey Just to enjo: peep at the lovely river scenery and to revel in the fresh air and repose of Black- iston island even for a couple of hours, at the expiration of which the Jane Moseley andi- bly expresses her impatience to get home, and a few minutes after this signal away she ashington goes again full 3] for Wi via the slee, hollow of Dieta. aa return Jo , but lon, Marshall Hall flicker in of the dancers flag, the music dies a sudden and Leer pceaeyl oe itself is ue & serted, drowsiness takes ion of us snd es world te tat totiarkones ant toe, a slight bump acquaints some of us that the Jane Moseley 1s alongside of Alexandria pler, and then a long and tedious delay at W: before the er could be got alongside of the landing. Rather more than fourteen hours after embarking weare once more landed safely and soundly at Washington; and, let me add, that the excursion is really a delightful one, while the management will pardon me if I give a Parthian shot by saying that if the steamer is kept a littie cleaner, if chairs.are dusted and carpets are swept, and all that sort of thing, they will add materially to the comfort and pleasure of their na. lan, sir, your faithful servant, Fr. ‘The Pennsylvania ratiroad ave pur- chased 125 acres of land at Pa, tor ete., and they will spend fifteen hundred ch iimproveuents, | in the SS FROM THE SILENT WORLD. Interesting Experience of a Deaf Mute. HOW HS BECAME DEAF—THE LAST ORAL WORDS BE EVER AKING TO CONSCIOUS- ESS IN 4 Wi OF DEATH-LIEE SILEXCE— HIS EXPERIENCE AT KENDALL GREEN—I8 DEAP- NESS AN AFFLICTION, 80. “Moses” writes for Tae Star the following in- | teresting account of his experience in the silent world: How one of my age (15 years) and en- joying apparentiy good health for many years, if not during my whole life, could be transformed suddenly into a deaf mute, was a fact that was accepted like a romance, and even to this day I am frequently asked the oft-repeated interroga- tories: “How did you become deaf,” “Is it not very painful and disagreeable to be so,” or “Do you enjoy life when you are aMiicted as you are, and when classed among the deaf and damb?” I became deaf a few years ago from what is supposed to have been cerebro spinal jitis, which regelted from a cold, advanced by attend- ing a circus upon a cold, rainy and otherwise very inctement night. My previous health, or for at least eight years, had been very good, though during the winter, which was exceed- ingly severe, colds were not infrequent, and the cold received from going to the ¢! was not looked upon as being as disastroms as it reaulted. Four of rg days afterwards a drowsiness and a feeling of after @ few hours nausea followed. [ became better and went to sleep, thinking that the trouble was on account of eating something that _ had disagreed with me. The folks at home thinking the same, no anxiety was felt, but on awakening the next morning! felt an intense ind unusual pain in the back of my head and neck, This pain continued in severity until noon, when the family physician came. I re- member very well the time, though somewhat drowsy and raving on account of the intense seep The doctor sald: **Billous, I sup- | pose.” These were THE LAST WORDS T heard and ever expect to bear. Passing into a state of unconsciousness, I remember nothing that oocurred save a few dreams, the corrobora- tion of which are descriptions of actions during the time, until waking from what seemed to be | a long and soundsleep, about two weeks (fifteen | days) afterwards. At the time I returned to consciousness my grandmother and two aunts were with me. was feeling as if [ had just awoke from a sound sleep, and had little suspicion regarding my condition. After a little while, noting that the conversation between those present was car- ried on in a whisper, I spoke, or at least I en- deavored to doso, and noticed that it was with dit- ficulty I spoke, and the expresatons upon the faces of those present were rather suspicious, but I fell asleep again, and when I woke again (the next day, I presume) I found my father, the doctor, together with others, by my side. I opened my eyes and endeavored to sit up, but that I was prevented from doing, and then swal- lowed a dose of medicine. Ayain I noticed a deathitke stillness. My father at length spoke to me, but I could not comprehend what he said. A few minutes later he unwrapped a bundie and took out A LARGE SLATE and several crayons. Then he wrote on the slate: “How do you feel now?” and “The doctor and all ot us think you area little deaf.” The mystery was solved, but how strange, thought I, to be deaf like an old person. (Ihad become aware that I was sick tor at least three days, [ eit Iwas amused at the idea of being deaf. Aflcame up to see me during the after- noon, excepting my sister, a girl of ten years, who had tallen a victim to the same malady a week before, and who lingered until several weeks later, when death closed her eyes for- ever. It wasa strange sight and a queer feel- Ing to me when I noticed the others speak with- out hearing asound. It seemed to amuse all hands, even the cook, who came up to see if the sense of hearing was visibie; and when I spoke, or, rather, starmmered, she seemed greatly tickled, and made enough noise to give me a good chance to test my hearing powers. My strength slowly increased day by day. I spoke, or tried to speak, and in a few days spoke so that I could be understood. After 1 became strong enough to sit up attention was paid to the treatment of hearing. It was found that I had become totally deaf, though I could hear, or. rather, feel, vibrations very distinctly, but no sound was audible. The usual remedies were given and applied, but without any appa- rent benefit. When I became able to walk around “instrumental” treatment took the place of the former, but no beneficial result followed. | The physictan then said: “Your only hope lies with an aurist.” fested much interest and sympathy then came TO THE RESCUB. Ina few daysthe mail brought descriptive catalogues and circulars of every sort of “phone” ear-drums, ear-trumpets, etc., to- gether with several onbic feet of “testimonials,” alsoreceipts and recommendations of “Lightning Cure,” * 6 Cure,” “‘—— Fish Oll,” “Chinese Shark Oil,” “Dr. —’s Pills,” “——'g Pellets,” and I think some other names which I've for- gotten. Of course none of the liquids would be allowed a trial, as it was deemed that scientific treatmept was the best. My only hope then lay lence and skill of a specialist. I was accordingly sent to a Philadeip! urist, under whose charge I was placed for two weeks. All kinds of instruments were given atrial. They said tome: ‘Your hearing is totally gone now. If you wish to pursue your studies enter a deaf and dumb institution, take special care of your voice and practice lip reading as well as articu- lation.” The case was discouraging to me. I did ngt, know what todo. Future happiness as well a prosperity will be ruptured, thought I. I did not care much about attending A DEAF MUTE INSTITUTE. I had known no deaf mutes and seen but a few, and they appeared to be peddlers, tramps, or beggars. thought best. After remaining at home a cou- ple of months, during which time I conversed by speaking and writing (my speech having greatly improved, though still impaired), I en- tered Columbla Institution for the Deaf and Dumb. My opinions as to the deaf and dumb quickly changed. The place (Kendall Green) itself is charming. 1 was placed ina class of ten young men, all mutes, whose homes are scattered in different parts of the Union. The teachers and officers, most of whom are deaf | mutes, I found to be very kind and well suited for the positions held, according to my view. The teacher under whese charge I was placed was especially pleasant. He spoke of the place, of the boys and their duties. The text-books used were the same as those used in other schools. The sign language and dactylology were the means iy which questions were asked and answered; also conversation and illustra. tion was set forth. The pupils and students differed very little from those with whom I was accustomed. Kind, lively, obedient, studious, dutiful, and most in- teresting to one Just from a different class. As aclass they would, if better known, be more | admired than the others, 1 dare say. ranked well, and still rank well, es college students, in both intellectus cal standing. Instruction in LIP READING AND ARTICULATION occupied apart of the time. Iwas taken in hand by the ever faithful and efficient lady teacher, and notwithstanding my inability to read _asentence sp6ken orally, in two weeks time I was able to understand a greater part of wiat was spoken by the teacher anda good deal said by those at home. At the end of two weeks my eyes threatened to become trouble- some, and by advice I returned home for six months rest—six long months—without read- ing anything in the shape of a paper or boe At the end of that time I returned, and have been there since. Lip reading isa great help and gives one a great advantage. The manual alphabet I learned in a short while, and was soon able to converse and read more clearly. Columbia Institution is a sign school; that is, bani feria (both signs and speech) method is Though not am expert at lip reading, can understand pretty much of what is said. es- pecially at home or among friends, but I cannot (nor did I ever see one who can) mi upon it as @ means of conversing. Nor do I think that progress can be made as well by the oral as the combined method. experience In this case They cially the and ph LITTLE DISADVANTAGE IN BEING DEAF. Of course there issome. I was always fond i as ‘. ‘The deaf in general are looked upon as beit affleted. Of course there 1s some’ unplescant, of strength overcame me, and | T | the improvements are completed the two Friends who had ever mant- | I was willing to do as my advisers | Ress, but Tam not one to think ona ction by any means. Bad results out of the opinion that the deaf are afflicted. For im stance, I have seen and know of several mutes, who are good scholars, educated much above the average person, placed at common labor by their parents, who ignorantly look upon t hem as deing uneducated, and they are knowm in general by the mame of “dummy.” mutes, as @ general thing do not put confidence in themselves. That is & great mistake. Even when speakit many are ashamed of thelr Wr eye to mode expressing thoughts, Truly the signs aré em- patrascing when before the public, ifea son Is sensitive he can speak withont attracting attention by being careful. It is a well-known fact that the voices of persons sometimes attract the attention of curious and ignorant persons who stare and listen.as when they see two mutes spelling upon thelr fingers. So far as [am con- cerned I prefer it to other means, even spoken language in many cases. Moses. — vs A&A TRANSFORMATION SCENE af FORD's, Changes in Progressin the Opera Houvre, BRINGING THE THEATER DOWN STAIRS—a BRIEF HISTORY OF THE HOUSR—aCTORS WhO HAVE PLAYED THERE—WHAT MANAGER FORD EXPECTS TO DO—BOTH THE STAGE AND THR AUDITORIVM TO BE ENLARG | _Workmen are busy in the tuterior of Ford's Opera House. The furniture has been removed and all the oruaments stripped from ceiling, wall and stage, leaving little else but prosy brick and lumber. A peep into a theater under- | golng alteration affords no agreeable sensation to one who loves to have faith in the painted worl of the stage. The shadowy region behind the wings and the mysteries of the green room are lafd bare, and ot ets an unpleasant notion that beneath the glamour and romance and Actions of the stage are the hard realities of every-day llfe—cash capital and business energy. | The general public will, however, escape all | Such shocking disillusions, for betore the doors of the Opera House are again opened to the ublic the theater will have undergone a trana- formation as compicte and striking asany which [ever delighted the little tolks at a Christmas pantomime. “We are coming down stairs,” said Manager John T. Ford, briefly explaining the improve- | ments In progress to @ STag reporter. “When disadvantages we have labored under will be overcome. The main flocr will be near the street, and we will have asiage adequate to any performance. By what appears to be a most in- geulous paradox tn architecture, not only will the seating capacity of the house be lacreased but the stage will be greatly enlarged.” A HISTORY OF THE BUILDING. The history of the Opera House building con- stitutes an index to the history of the American staye during the last score of years. The prop- erty belonged to the late Thomas Berry, who was a well-known builder of Washiugton, under whore direction the Patent office aud other pub- lic buildings were constructed. During the war the Opera House bullding was a carriage repository. The upper floor, however, was changed into a varlety hall and named the Ox- ford. Thus, humbly, it began its theatrical career. The process of evolution into a full- fledged theater went on, and after the war it was altered more decidedly and assumed the more pretentious name of Wall's Opera House. It got its name from Mr. Berry's son-in-law, Mr. W. L. Wall, the auctioneer, who then occupied the Marble building oppocite. A number of the great stage celebrities of the day appeared at Wall's Opera House. The build- ing was destroyed by fire early in S72. but tin- mediately rebuilt in improved shape. Mr. Berry constructed the w roofand floor, and then turned the stiell over to Mr. John T. Ford, who leased the property for ten years. Mr. Ford. constructed the Interior, fitting up the house as a theater. It was reopened Saturday night, Feb. 22d, 1873, with Mr. Joseph Jeiferson as Rip Van Winkie and a great audience. On the Tues- day night following the recelpts were over $1,700, the largest that Mr. Jefferson ever acted to in Washington. Though the Opera House came into existence since the war, the list of the | actors who have playe@ there includes many | names which remain only as traditions of the stage. ACTORS WHO HAVE APPEARED THERE. Among those who have played tragedy there appear the names of Edwin Forrest, J. W. Wal- | lack, E. L. Davenport, Charlotte Cusiman, Mra, | D. P. Bowers, Mrs. Gen. Lander, Adelaide Neil- son, Janauschek, Salyfnt, Rossi, John McCul- lough, J. B. Booth, Wm. BE. Sheridan, Mra, | Rousby, Clara Morris, Mrs, Langtry, Rhea and Charlotte Thompson. In comedy. the pluygoers of Washington have seen there Jus. Jefferson, John E. Owens, John 8. Clarke, J.L. Toole, E: A. Sothern, Lester Wallack, F. 8. Chanfran, W. J. Florence, J. T. Raymond, the Vokes, Charles Wyndham, Gus Williams, G.S. Knight, Lotta, jagaie Mitchell, Minnie Palmer, Lydia’ Thomp- son, and Mrs. Germon. Many of the great stars of the operatic stace also have sung there. Among them are Christine Nilsson, Gerster, Kellogg, Lucca, Almee and Caroline Richi Mapleson’s and Strakosch's opera companies,the Boston Ideal company, and O. E. Ford’s and C. D. Hess companies, have given seasons of opera there. Geo. L. Fox, the famous pantomime clown, the Hanlons, Tony Denier, George L. Adams and others of that ilk, have there made merry. An examination of the play-bills will show also that the best exponents of black cork minstrelsy have appeared at this house. Bry- ant's, Emerson's, Haverly’s, Barlow & Wilson's, Thatcher's and other Jeading companies have given performances there. Besides the actors named, the Madison Square, Union Square, Fifth Avenue theater, Daly's, Wallack’s and other leading companies have played engage- ments there. Of these facts indicating an hon- orabie past for the house, Manager Ford is na- turaliy rather proud. “I have faith in the future of Washington city,” he sald to Ti Srar_re- | porter, while explaining the contemplated im- provements. “That faith-Justifles me in this outlay to prepare a theater which will in every Way mect the demands of a elty growing ta pop- ulation aad wealth.” THE INPr: EN in progress have already been briefly described in Tie Svar. Manager Ford {s aided in this en- terprise by some of the liberal citizens of cen- tral Washington, who recognize the advantage of location which the opera house enjoys. It is ed to almost entirely remodel and greatly the house. The plans prepared by Mr. A. B. Mullett contemplate a transformation of the house into an elegant bijou theater, into | which will be introduced all the modern tm- provements. One of the most important changes will be the enlargement of the stage. It will be made forty feet in depth, by an a age width of elgiity feet, which will. make ite e fully equal to that ot any modern New | York theater. The dressing rooms will be | located adjacent to, and not beneath, the stage, as heretofore. An entirely new proscenium and new private boxes will be constructed, and new tormentor wings, a new drop curtain and new borders and draperies will be introduced. There | Will be a lavish outlay upon the ornamentation of the theater. The front of the voxes, their Casa Guido windows, and the archways of the auditorium, will be draped with silk hangings of fine texture and unique design. The drop curtain and the facings of the stege will be a vrai-semblance of blue silk and white lace, ex- quisitely painted. The chairs are to be newly cushioned in chocolate and gold. The walls | will glow with the same tints, and the windows | are to be all of stained glass, which will add to | the rich effects of color, Another important change 1s the lowering of the floor, which will bring the auditorium within a few ‘feet of the | street. One filght of steps will be done away |with entirely, and the first floor will be at_a lower elevation than that of the New York Casino or the new Armory theater of this city. A graceful parterre circle is to be constructed on the first floor. The jlans aS Mr. Mullett have received the Commendation ol e need Judges of theatri- cal architecture. pe pg pect | of Building changes Inspector Entwiste, who pronounces the: admirable and valuable. The work on the stage and in the auditorium will be eom: by Au- gust 18th. During the fall, and before the meet- ing of Congress, it is proposed to make other important improvements on the ground floor of the building, as well ag on the exterior. ‘MR. JOHN T. FORD, to whose enterprise the public will be indebted for this elegant theater, has during a long career as manager, both in this city and Baltl more, not only eerved the public well, but also has rendered excellent service to the dramatic ENTS profession. Many actors who have attained eminence were introduced to the him. Many young for histronic fame have found in him a good and powerful friend. He has devoted much time and labor to bringing out new plays, building playhouses, forming j and, taking dramatic compantes, and in other ways pro oot The first colored the i- cal show bill of an arttstic character ever posted was one executed tor Mr. Ford by the Enquirer Job office, of Cincinnati, in 1857. It was for “The Sea of Ice.” The bills cost €1.25 cach, or €125 per hundred. The drama of “ast Lynne”- was written for him and first produced in bis theater. nor Valiente” “Oliver Crom- weil,” by George H. Miles, of Maryland, were written to his order. So were “The Keitucky Tragedy” and most of C. W. Tayleure’s dramas; “Berthe;” as acted by Mary Ander “Old Mam'selle’s Secret.” “Over Yonder,” “Daniel Boone,” and “Jack Harkaway.” The five last named were written by Mr, Ford's daughter Annie. ae