Evening Star Newspaper, September 26, 1885, Page 2

CITY AND DISTRICT. THE STORY oF 4 BROOC A Lest Diamond Pin on Its Travels— How It Was Found After Many Months Through an Advertisement in the Star. OST—ON WEDNESDAY EVENING—A DIa- nd Star. A Uberal reward will be paid to the Boder,on Ws retura to D. KING, 1228 Connecticut a The above advertisement appeared in THE EVENING Star one day last February. A few days subsequently another advertisement ap- peared offering a reward of $100 for the recov- ry of the brooch, and no questions asked. The loser thought, perbaps, that the reward was not “oe for another advertisement followed, $300 reward. It proved of no avail, however, at the time, and the owner gave up the brooch as irrevocably lost. Now comes the sequel, A Washington young lady was visit- ing some friends in Philadelphia this sum- mer. Among her acquaintances was a Young physician, who in the course ef oonversation one evening told ber a Peculiar case that he had short time before. He was hastily called one day to attend the sick child of an ignorant and Boer Frevehman who had come to Putladelpuia Washington. The man was so poor that be had postponed summoning a physician un- Ulbe child would die, as he had no money to the physic: He been called too power, however, to save the bedside and’ worked and watched, bi vain. The Frenchman, although ‘overcome with grief at bis loss, was very grateful to the doctor for his unremitting eflurts, and telling Bim that there was no money in the house, slipped into his band a lady’s brooch, the on! Means be had of paying him. The doctor put it into bis pocket Aeithout looking at it Hesup- it could be of little value, and he "teare to mortify the poor Frenchman by examining it in bis presence. On reaching his | Office, however, the flash of the stone setting almost convinced him that the jewels were diamonds, and when he saw Tiffany's on the back he no longer doubted. He took it to Bailey, Banks & HBiddile’s, where he was told that the stones were very valuable, and that the brooch was worth something over | @ thousand collars. Returning to the French- man to inguire how such a valuable ‘articie | came into bis possession the doctor ned | that one night last winter while in Washington the Frenchman was employed to take care of the gentlemen's coat-room at an elegant enter- | tainment given at one of the handsome resi- dencesin the West End. Late in the evening he found it necessary to go out on the pave- ment to find the carriage of one of the guests. In front of the house he trod on something hard | and looking down saw itglitter. He picked it | up, and putting it in his pocket attended to his errand. "He did not dream of the value of bis find even after examining It later. Subse- quently he went to Mr. Roustan, the French minister, but could get no advice ‘from him as to what he should do and so retained it. The doctor was satisfied that the Frenchman was iguorant of the value of the jewel, or else he would never have given it to him for his small fee. He decided after thinking the matter over to keep it, thinking that he would be Tauch more Tuucely to find the owner than the Frenchman. The young lady te whom the story was told, and who was much interested, could throw no light on the matter. On her re- | turn home not long ago, she repeated the story iu the tamily circle. Her sister on hearing it said: “Why, that loss advertised in ‘THe Star last winter. I ember it very | well, for there was a very large reward offered for the recovery of the brooch.” The returned traveler thinking she might unravel the mys jan found the child past recovery. He did all in bi tery went at once to THE STak officeand hunt ed through the files. She iound the first two advertisements, the one offering a liberal re- ward and the other $100, and mailed copies of the papers containing them to her iriend in Philadelphia. It was not long before she heard from him. He had written to the Washington address, but received a reply from Newport, whither he at | onee forwarded the lost brooch, recelving In Fe- turn a handsome sum of money as a reward. Fale he turned over to the poor Frenchman | who was delighted at his good fortune. A lost | jewel has been found, a poor man has been | Taised from utter poverty to comparative plen- | ty, and two persons have the sutisfactory con- sciousness of having done a good deed, all on secount of a little advertisement In THE STAR. | | ‘Transfers of Real Estate. Deeds in fee have been filed as follows: B. H. Warmer to R. B. Detrick, lot 85, sq. 27 $675. J.T. Lenman te E. J. Hill, lots 8q. 723; $1.525. M.Judd to James Horwitz, lot 2, sq. 686; $—. H. E. Davis, trustee, to H.S. Davis, lot 1, sq. 910, and 2.4 and_10, 416.90. "L.G. Hine to Thos. J. King, / M,N, Tand Ly sq. 4: $: eval; io Matthew 'H. Nichols Wad-worth to same, spt. 1. 774; $-. John Dutly to Jobn T. Caton, s. Pt. ofslip, Georgetown: $2. F. Bradle: to Flerence C. Rad-litfe, lot 27, sq. B. P. Brown et al., to Leyeurgus E. Uhi 83 B. and H.'s addition to Georgetown: ©. H. Fickling toSusan Matilda Beavers, lot 52. aq 19, of Georgetown; $930. Dora Z. Allen rt £. Fleming. lots 52 and 53, sq. 70: $3.600. John S. Swormstedt to Oscar C. Fox, 000. 8.5. Baker to . <a. . lenry "B. Harrisom, pt, 1 $4. €.G. Schneider, trustee, et _al 58. sq. 179: $1,300. BH. Warner to Mary J. Bischoff, lot 131, 54. $350. J. 1. Arms to Flien J. Newton, lot 7 3 =f | | ¥g. Ki Meys et Sq. 361; $: rington, 1 <= Ewell to same, same property; trustee, to C. Memmert, lot 14. sq Memmert to vestry of G. C. Kerby, to $ roperty; $3. x Norton: lot a 9. 28 1. Wash. hower to Mary McIntosh, lot 41, sq. 16; $1,500. John W. Cohen to George Iseman, lot 23, sq. 514; 34.125. H. W. Cannon, commissione: &e,. to W. B. Moses, sub. lot_37, sub. 69; $50. M. - 4253—. Cl . John’s parish, same | Mary V. Bonnell t John K. Lineweaver, lot | 26, sq. 193: =: Clagett et al. to | John H. Schult S, sq. 40,in Bs addi- Hon to. Geore Ida Geier to Mat | thew Epps, log 2 fon to BW Wie Martha R. 5s and 6: D. 8q. 42; $6,700. mer, lots "16 and 1 JohnH. Soule, Waugh to Louis 9, Takom: Ai .E appell to W. M. 36.800. M. Gibson to J. R. do.; $3,200. "C. Carrington to sq. 569; $—. FE. Carrie A. Gillam, pt. 3, &q. 869: lots . A. | GW. ts 145 4 inclusive, Bilis Dean to Julia W 41; $1,650, at Plains; Letter, Chapin Brown to €. B. = nd 121 Chapin Brown's sub. Mt. Pleasant; $—. Wo Johnson tos. H. Wright, p teman to F oO 1 $C. C. Martin ‘to ‘Alice E. MeBri 8g. 110; $10,000. Ira Godirey man, sub lot 107, sq. 193; ). J. Sherman, trustee, to J. J. Albright, lot 11, bik. 32, & bie Heights: $2,016.60. T. J! King to EB. ¢ Hine, lots $4 to 95, sa. 620; $10.00. BM. Saunders, lots 15 to Sewell, 852. L. 17 and 15, sq. toc. Walter, sub, 108. F. Merrill, lot 12a Lizzie 1 B. Baker to B. H. bw $600. J. D. O'Donnell we F/R. Weller, pts. 1 snd 30, $9. 904; HE. Davis, trastee, to Oells Chappell, tots 3 and 3. <q, 970r Beat" ‘Thos. and Ann E. Porte 8q. 911; $1,520. T. J. Ward to If. A. Griswold. low 136 and 141, U town; $900. Tim to Margaret Chup. sub’ 17, aq. 506: A. C. West toJohn T. West, pt. sq. ; $300. James E. Arnold et al. to W. H. Ar nold, trustee, pt. lot's 8, xq. 903; 9—. G.W. Cropiey to Margaretta May, pt. Youngsborough; 82 Elizabeth M. Chancellor tos. C. Mills and L. T. Follansbee, lots 2and_ 3, sq. 59: $5,000. Jane Nond io Morgan R. ‘Goddard etal.pt Geo wD; $3,000. C. M. Mat- thews, Georgetown; $464.20. “Same to H. L. Chi pelear, lot 62, do; $525. | Ida, E. Ficklin, to james Westerfield, lot 79, sq. 39; $1,050. €. C. Duncanson to W.'A. Wayne, sub lots 10 and 22, sq. 71; $1,500. Same to L. C. Abrahams, iovak da%gis00, Jemo Suuth to Fielding ‘Bmith, pt. Aaron; $75. ——— pay & physician's fee. Consequently, | | much money. ‘but it was alot more, perilous. a | government has never been the loser” ; | One of the most ingenuous robberies was that to same, lots 3 and 3, | , to W. H. Chappelear, lot 67, old | wild west LOADS OF MONEY. low Uncle Sam's Treasure is Carried from City te City. NVEYED IN HAND SATCHELS— MESSENGEES PREPARED TO REPEL ROBBERS— ATTEMPTS TO TREASURE TRAINS—TRANS- FERRING MONEY IN OLD TIMES. MILLIONS A little man came up out of the lower base- ment of the Treasury the other day very slowly and with a great deal of mysterious precaution. As he stood just outside the door opposite the Riggs house, his shoulders were on line with the pavement, and he looked cautiously upand | down the street. ‘Then he seudded across 15th street, holding something under his coat that made it stick out and sag heavily at one side, As he jumped up the stone steps of the Metro- politan bank and felt his hand upon the door he looked relieved and walked quietly in. “He ain't used, to it,” said an old Treasury employe, who, with a Star reporter, had been watching the mysterious stranger. “Who is he?” asked THE STAR man. | “Some one who has just drawn the interest on bonds or something of that sort, and has a | few hundred dollars in gold under his coat, He ain't used to It, and has an idea some one Is waiting on the’ eurbstone to rob him. If he | weren't so awfully careful nobody would sus- pect that he had any money about him, I wonder what he would think if he saw a man come out of here with a million or a half million in a band-bag, as carelessly as if it were | an old shirt?” he added with a mysterious twin- kle In his eye. “Are folks in the habit of doing that?” asked Tue Sra man with awakening Interest. “Well, it doesn't quite amount to a habit, I reckon.” In fact, it has been some time since any thing of the sort has happened, but mighty big sums ofmoney have been carried in that way. No, it isn’t Outot the Treasury } "thing of the past, 601’ guess { | done now. Itisa ean tell you. Ofcourse the department bas to be very mysterious about the mevements of mon hen a big transter is contemplated, itis kept a profound secret, and many mil ave been taken in and out the Treasury without any body’s knowl it until it was all over. It is kept a secret even from the employes in the ae- partment, except those who are selected to take charge of the transfer. And it isn’t a Nery delighttul thing to be selected for this trust. I have known men to become so nervous when they had: the responsiblity on their minds, that they coutdn't sleep at night, or if | they siept, they ‘would dream of highwaymen and road’agents chasing them through dark Woods or along narrow mountain paths. Bur glars and footpads sat upon their bedposts at night. I know of one case in particular where a man had been making several trips with large sums of money, one after another, and he ‘was affected in this Way. The men selected for such duty are not generally as nervous as that, however.” : HOW THE MONEY IS CARRIED, “The great bulk of the money transferred from one depository to another,” continued the Treas- ury man, “has been sent in iron safes by Adams express company. But there have been occa- sions when large sums of money have been sent by private messenger. Three or four trusted men, whose courage and promptitude could be relled upon, have been furnished with traveling bags and six shooters and sent off with millions in bonds or greenbucks. They have generally traveledat night, Fortified with good revolvers in their hip pockets, they have taken their hand-bags and gone to the depot in quite an or- dinary sort of way, taken asieeper and gone on their Journey without awakening the least sus picion of the great wealth they carried. Duriny the funding period this was done a great d Millions of dollars in bonds were carried to New Yorkin this way. The men selected for the duty would take a sleeper for New York, carry- ing @ million dollars or more in a satchel. They would arrive at New York in the morning, ani go to the Astor house like ordinary travelers, and stay there until the sub-treasury was opened. Then they would go there and deposit, their bonds and get the old bonds in the place of them. It was always a relief when they got safe inside the sub-treasury, for the ‘sponsibility was very great.’ On the return the risk was not so great, as the old bouds were cancelled before Teaving the sub- treasury. When the Lewis will case was deci- ded in favor of the United States, by which the government got about a million dollars in onds, a Treasury official went over to New Jersey after the bonds and brought them to the Treasury at Washington in his traveling bag. | Lewis, you know, was an eccentric New Jerse1 gentleman wholeit a large fortune to the United States to help pay off the public debt.” | himselt through the air is founded on a miscon- FLYING THROUGH THE AIR. A Problem Which Has Pazsied the In- Ventors of all Times. FLYING MACHINES AND AIR SHIPS—THE CU- RIOUS APPLICATIONS THAT COME BEFORE THE PATENT OFFICE—A WASHINGTON MAN'S IN- VENTION, Not many days ago it was announced in THE ‘STAk that a man in Cumberland, Md., proposed to test a machine of his own invention, which would transport him through the air and allow | him to go from place to place without employ- ing the means that are resorted to by people generally. This bit of information was among the other items that make up the news of the world as found in a modern newspaper, and has not attracted any particular attention. If, for the first time in the history of the world this man had conceived this ides, the announce- Ment would have created wide spread atten “on, Exoursion trains would have carried to the town of Cumberland thousands of anxious athe, and the army of special correspon- lents would have given all the details to au in- | terested public. But the truth is that the fly- | ing machine is not anew idea, and from the earliest day men haveexperimented and riaked their liveg and squandered their fortunes in en- deavoring to give practical shape to some scheme of erial navigation. The name of Dae- dalus, the first inventor, naturally recurs to the mind’ when thinking of flying machines, but the more familiar and popular experimentor in Darius Green, The fate of the last named Hot encouraging to inventors, but the Inven- tive faculty isnot repressed by lack of encour- agement; In fact it seems to thrive best on op- Position. People not familiar with the subject would be surprised to know how much thought and ingenuity has been given to this matter in all past ages, and how it has continued to the present day to absorb the interest of inven AN EXPERIMENT IN WASHINGTOR. It has only been a few years ago that a man with a flying machine made an experiment from the roof of the Patent office. He wanted to demonstrate to a skeptical examiner that his invention was practicable, and he made ita gondition that it the machine did not fly to Pennsylvania avenue that he would consider the experiment a failure. After he had gath- ered up the fragments of his machine from the front steps of the building, where it had fallen Uke a stone, he expressed surprise that the ma- chine had acted in that way, and said that it Was owing to a defect which he would soon remedy. He went back to England to get workmen to assist him, and the examiner is still waiting for him to return and make the | secopa attempt, Another less sanguine in- Yentor @ few years ago committed suicide in this city upon his application for @ patent being en WHAT A PATENT OFFICE EXAMINER SAYS. The filea of the Patent office furnish much valuable and curious information about these inventions, and if arly one doubts that aerial navigation Is not a live, practical question of the day, he had better go to the Patent office and ask’ a few questions, He will find, as Mr. Oscar Woodward, who was formerly examiner in charge ot this branch, told a STAR reporter, that the applications for patents or improve- ments in patents already granted for aerial navigation averaged two each month. The number of patents already granted 1s very great. 'We no longer issue patents for devices to en- able men to fly through the alr,” sald Mr. Woodward, “because the thing is’ impossible and the office some years ago made a rule not to Issue patents tor impractical inventions. The whole idea about a man’s being able to propel ception of the strength of man as compared Filth his size. A fy is stronger than a man.and birds are much stronger. The various devices for sustaining a man’s weight In the air are, of course, practical, but when it comes to his manipulating any kind of wings or propellers against the currents ofthe air he is unable to do it because of lack of strength. ‘The inven- five penias of man ce in these days, not so much occupied with this feature of aerial navi- gation as it isin the air ships, which are pro- Posed to traverse the ocean of the air much as the steamships plough across the bosom of the deep. The idea In these air ships is the evolu- tion of the balloon. It has taken a great many Fears to work out system of ‘air navigation from the first made balloon of theFrenchexperi- mentor, Montgoifier, in 1784, to the inventions of the present day.’ THE OBSTACLES TO AERIAL NAVIGATION, “As every one knows,” continued Mr, Wood- ward, “the difficulty with the ballon is the impossibility of controlling it in the currents of IN COACHES ON THE PLAINS. “Special messengers have frequently been | employed to carry money way out west, where | they had to travel by stage over wild plains | and mountains. ‘They never had to carry 80 | 1871 a high Treasury official carried uO to Carson City and Santa Fe, travel- ronzh that wild country in ‘a stage | 03 These trips are dangerous enough to be | romantic, and you may be sure the govern- the ‘road-agents’ to be on “ar a party ofsix took three sto San Francisco and i | brought back the same amount in gold. The Year before they took about the same amount. Special trains were employed on. these | oecasions, but the transfers were con- | ducted with the same secrecy. Safes were | Placed in the ears and bunks built over them, | aud at St. Louis a file of soldiers were taken on ard. All these trips were full of risk and ro- , and if it wasn’t that nothing of the kind done any more I wouldn't dare tell you about | Tn the main, as THE Srar’s informant said, the Adams Express coinpany 1s used as a means of transportation for money by the Treasury, | and has been for many years. In the earlier | days, before the Atlantic and Pacific were con- | nected by railroad, gold from California used to | be conveyed by Steamer on a very perilous | voyage around the Cape. One vessel, with & treasure of a million dollars on board, went down and has never been found. On account of the danger of vessels being lost money has never been sent by water when there was any other way of conveying it. IN THE OLDEN TIME. When there were no railroad facilities it was 4 very serious undertaking to transport any | large amount of money, and the old records of | the Treasury, running ‘back to 1789 and fur- ther, show that it was oftener “constructively” thau actuully transferred. One of the earliest depositories of public money was the Bank of North America, and after that the fiseal agency of the government was given in 1758 to the Bank of New York. The collectors of Tevenues were required to deposit there, and the money transactions of the dep.rt were carried on by means of drafts.{1n 1 92 | the deposits were transferred to the Rank of the United States, and a tittle later on “certain | banks in tories by States. ‘orth Carolina” were made deposi- consent of the Bank In 15353 the fisc In those days money was moved about as little as possible, and the only meansot trans. portation was by’ stage coach or in saddlebags on horse back. An order was issued by the Secretary of the | Treasury in 1846, instructing collectors that when Treasury notes Were received for public | dues they must be transmitted by mailto. the partment, the collector first notifying the department by a previous mail that they were to be sent, and giving the amount. The notice rovided ‘that to insure safety the notes must cut in two, and the right balf sent first, the left half being eld until they recetved noti- feation Of the receipt of the frst, then traus- mitted. Since the express companies have come into existence, and the general facilities for travel | and communteation become so perfect the ques- tion of transportation has been greatly simpli- h freer cireula- | . The Treasury agent of | 4 press company told THE STAR | a that since they had been handling the | government money, taking it from. the first, | they had carried, on an average, over a thous” and millions of dollars in a year. On one single ay be sald, they shipped twenty-two million. When the bonds were sent out Just after the | close of the warhe says they were brought | down in great baskets, like corn, and dumped in an lmmense pile in the corner of the room. | Millions of doliars worth of bonds were then | sipped every day. They were handled like | merchandise, but nota dollar was lost. ATTEMETS TO ROB TRAINS, Attempts have been made to rob express trains loaded with money, but they have | seldon been toany degree successful, and the | | A band of masked robbers attacked a trea- | | sure train in Indiana, cut it loose from the engine and ran it down into the woods, where | | they proceeded to rob it, The move was quite | | successful for the moment, but the gang was | finally captured, some of tiem being caught in | Canada, | $f, tram carrying money from here to Boston. There was a ‘collusion between the master of the train and the thieves, so that | when they reached a certain convenientstation | a big safe containing a large sum of money | was thrown Irom the car, and a wooden imita- of it, made for the purpose, put in its place. On the rést of the journey the Bogus safe stand: ing among the rest was not distinguished from | the genuine article, and the robbery was not | discovered until the train reached Boston. The | Fobbers, however, were caught and the money all recovered. ‘The greatest risk ts taken by the Wells, F company, who run the stage lines through the cars do not run. They it, where the have had many ping < riences with read agents, and in the earl ‘times have been fre- “it's very seldom that coin hes been sent ee remade and never until Treasurer jordan atten were any uantities sent and the load’ of sliver dolla en tee Swatara is said to be the largest that was ever trusted upon a ship. ————ee_____ A Popalar Sentiment. From the New York Sun. Young lady (to army officer at Washing- )—Cay ywder, of the many famous re- Sestks sande be Gen? Gan wean ae eae think reflects the most credit bim? peace. ———__+e+______ to make an r, Wednesday night Constable Benj. 3 Ralls was shot in the by ‘an’ unknown | Inventors proj | ByIng machine, there is the air. There is no difficulty in sustaining the balloon tn the air, but the trouble lies in mnan- againg it. Very much like a balky horse, you may harness him to the carriage and drive him some distance, but gt any moment you are liable to lose control‘of him. To correct this defect in the balloon there has been and there is to-day a great deal of time and money spent on inventions of varions sorts. For instance, here is a drawing of a patent already issued which docs away with mere mechanical devices, as indeetl all the more recent inventions do, and substitutes hydraulics. As you see, here is | @ gas space, oval in shape Instead of rounded, as offering’ less resistance to the alr than the rounded surface of the balloon. Beneath this gas space Is a place for a small engine and boiler, which are used to work the eee which are ateach end. The gas space is light enough to carry up into the alr the weight of the engine and boiler, and then the propellers are employed to, advance the vessel in any | direction. “There is also a steering apparatus. As I have said, a great many patents have been issued, but none of these great alr ships have been mude, because of their cost. Some of the inventions provide for the lower portion of the gas space to be hollow, and fitted ne with accommodations for passengers, wit! cabins and an outside promenade.” “What do these cranks expec tto accom- plish?” asked the listener. “You must not call them cranks,” was the reply, “for that does them an injustice. Several of the recent patentees are not only men of ability but men of wealth. They belleve that airship navigation is a feasivle project, but they donot seem to be inclined to risk their own money. Of course, I do not pretend to say whether this idea is capable of jing put into practical shape or not. Jt is enough fo say that scientific men are of the opinion that the idea that promises the best results is that which is suggested by the movement of bodies in the air, For instance, you throw a plece of slate or shingle into the air, You will find that it sails along with its edge tothe wind, now golng up as if sliding up hillon the air and then going down ip the same way. until finally gravitation brings it to the earth, the luitial force being ex- hausted. A bird flies In the satse manner. New to construct a flat surface of | silk or some light substance, which 1s stretched upon a fraine. An engine is suspended from It, which works propellers on the top of this flat surface. In motion this arrangement Is nrade toimitate the piece of shingle and dips ob- liquely when going up and down #0 as to slide along’on the air,as it were. The propellers keep it in motion, and there ‘are also arrange. ments at the ends'to steer the affair.” MODERN AIR SHIPS, “The air ships of modern times,” continued Mr. Woodward, “are of great length, and with their engines and other apparatus cost great deal of money. The inventors are hopeful of being able to enlist the interest of capitalists, They are confident of being able some day of reaching & practical solution of the problem of aerial navigation.” It ts interesting in this connection to state that, while no citizen of Washington is at pres- ent ‘occupied with the problem of making & gentleman here who bas been working for many years on an alr ship, and his application for a patent is now be- fore the Patent office. His experiments have been conducted at his home in the country, @ few miles trom this city, and he thinks thay he has attained encouraging success. As the pat- ent has not been issued {t is impossible to give afietalled description of this pzoposed air ship. It can, however, be stated that the idea has been periected ‘after a careful study of the wings of birds and their functions in ‘fight, which are now led asthe natural flyin; machines. This gentleman bas writiena small pampblet, in which he oon the structure’ of the wings of birds and how they enable a bird to fy. THE MECHANISM OF AN EAGLE'S WING, ¢ As this natural principle is aow the basis of all modern inventions of air ships, his descrij tion of how au eagle flies will be Interesting. He i “2the number of quill feathers in asingle wing ranges from nine to eleven. The eagle has about thirty feathers in each wing; ten we call primaries, and alike number of both sec- rials; the first named, bear in Tight angles tothe other twenty, to the and to the line of fight, ‘The ‘king of birds’ leaps trom a crag, with lirted wings, giving them a flay keep from ‘talling. He then Instant them for the double. purpove of propulsion and to prepare for the next down stroke, Duriny the up stroke the feathers all turn, so as to I the air pass between them, thus offering little resistance. But the primaries huve a higher mission to fulfill, ‘The tips of an eagle's w are, we will say, elght feet apart, and have a Yertleal vibration of four feet. ‘The primary feathers are each some elghteen inehes long, and all stand nearly 1 with the le ofthe wing. The uuder surfaces of the wings aresmooth and flat while descending, andhave sirletly horizontal planes.mid wa the stroke: but when the up stroke begins ‘ness, The | A. Whittaker, A. G. THE OPTIMIST CLUB. association Attached to the Uni- An Associnerssiist Charen, * ITS PROSPEROUS RXISTRNCE OF ELEVEN YEARS AND SOME OF THE ATTRACTIVE FEA- TURES OF ITS MEETINGS—ROSTER oF ITS OFFICERS DURING THAT PERIOD, Among the literary organizations which have been formed in the District is one that has fur- nished a great deal of pleasure to its members and their friends, though it has not made much of a stir publicly, ealled the Optimist club. This association was originated by the congre- gation of the Universalist church and was started as an adjunct to the chureh‘ociety for the purpose of interesting the young peo- ple and binding them together by ties of social friendship. Among those most active In the formation of the club were the pastor, Rev. Mr. Fay ond his family, Messrs. W. B. Gove, D. M. ‘Smith, C. A. Banes, Chas, R. Pu: shaw, R. M. McKee, Mr. and Mrs. E. L, Sher- wood, Dr. and Mrs. 0. P. Culver, J. W. Webb, G. Girard,’ ‘Misses Hattie Whiting, Hentietia Noyes, Hortense Trevitt, Edna Wilcox, Annie, Mattie and Jennie Man- Mrs.Z. L. White, Sirs, M. L. Robbins and Mrs.'H. W. Hamilton. ‘Though there had been previously seversl informal meetings, the organization of the club a ber £3, 1874, at tho real. dence of Rev. Mr. ‘when a constitution and by-laws were adopted, and the following officers were elected: President, Chas. A. Bates; vice resident, R. M. McKee; secretary, Mra. F. L.- Enerwood: treasurer, Miss Lottie 1'ay; librarian, Chas. Pushaw. Meétings were decided to be held on alternate Thursday evenings, and a formal order of exercises for these occasions ‘was determined upon, INTERESTING EXERCISES, At first the programs were not elaborate, but were highly interesting, and the members se- lected to contribute to the entertainment of the club were notified one meeting in advance, 60 that they could have sufficient time for pre ration, Vocal and instrumental musical selvc- tons were given, and readings and recitations formed an important feature of the program. ‘Then essays were read by various members upon popular or historical subjects, and some these papers were prepared with it deal of care, and gave evidence of decided literary ability on the part Of the authors. Among those who have con- tributed essays which have been highly inter- esting and have received warm commendation have been Rev. C. H. Fay, Rev.-Alex Kent, Dr. and Mrs. C. P. Culver, A. W. Grigsby, Rev. W. W. Curry, Str. C. A, Bates anid Mrs. t Sher: wood. Mr. Z. L. White gave @ series of ex- tremely interesting talks upon bis trip to the Pacific coast and visits to the various mines in the great west, and Mr. W. B. Gove has several times enlivened the meetings of the club by descriptions of humorous incidents occurring during bis travels. ‘After the club had been tn existence for some time it was decided to start 8 paper called the Optimist, which should be read at every meet- ing, the ‘editor to be appointed at the previous meeting. The conduct of this paper bas fallen to the lot of nearly all the members at different times, and the enterprise has been the source of great interest and efit to the club. Some- times the contributions have bristled with wit and crisp criticisms upon popular topics and at others ponderous and heavy discussions of ab- struse problems have filled its pages, welghty with information, but not particularly at- tractive. It may’ be said, however, that the heavy weights, in a literary sense, have not been nnmerous, and the paper has generally been bright and sparkling. A NOVEL ATTRACTION, Several public entertainments for the benefit of the church have been given by the club, all of which bave been successful both from a financial as well as from a literary and musical point of view. During the early years of the club's his- pos seein, matches furnished nosmall amuse- , as did also Old Folks’ concerts and festl- vals, and the Optimists can certainly boast an attraction that has probably been presented by no other organization, viz: a christening. This interesting ceremony took place during a ses- sion of the club at the residence of Mrs. Dim- mick, when two tiny bitsof humanity were bap- tized by Rev. Alex. Kentin the presence of & large number of the club and the friends. Tne minutes of that miesting state that the youn; people most interested in the ceremony evi- jently realized the importance of the occasion; and behaved themselves with becoming pro- priety. During all the eleven years of the club’s exis- tence the meetings huve been held at the house of different members, except for ¢ brief period, when Swedenborgian hall was rented. Of gourse, the membership has changed greatly from year to yeur, but a number of the original members still remain, and their interest “is us lively and sincere as when the club was first organized, Bach October the meetings are re- sumed and continued until far into the spring. The interest, advice and assistance that was manifested by the Rev. Mr. Fay, at the com- mencement of the club's history, has been con- tinued by his successor, Rev. Alex. Kent, and the growth and advancement of the Universal- ist society here has been supplemented by the increase and improvement of the Optimist club. ‘WHO HAVE HELD OFFICE. At the commencement of the second season in October, 1875, the original officers were suc- ceeded as follows: President, Mr. W. J. Drum- mond; vice president, Mr, 8. E. Faunce; secre- tary, Miss C. E. Gove; treasurer, Miss Hattle Manning; librarian, Mr. C. P. Pushaw. The Subsequent officers’ have been as follows: Fox 1876-77, Mr. Drummond, (re-elected). prest- dent; vice president, Rev. . H. Fay; secretar: Miss Helen Holmes: treasurer, Mr. G. A. Wizh librarian, Miss Nettie L, White, For 1877- Mr. Drummond, again re-elected to the presi— dency, vice president, W. G. Gove; secretary, Miss Tda L. Morgan; treasurer, Mrs. C. P. Culver: librarian, Mrs. Hamilton; for 1878-9,the old of ficers were unanimously re-elected; ior 1879-80, Mr. Geo. A. Wight, president; Mr. W. HE. G by, vice president; Miss Cecelia Culver, tary; Mrs, C, P. Culver, treasurer; Mrs, . For 1880-81, Mr. Wight ed president; Mr. J. W. Webb, vice president; Miss Ida Morgan, secretary, and the other officers re-elected. For 1851-82, Mr, W. J. Drummond again assumed the preside: Ww. W. Dean vice president; Miss Kate 8. irry Secretary, and the other officers re-elected. For 1882-83, president, Mr. C. A. Bates; vice presi- dent, Mrs. Alex Kent; secretary, Dr. Jenison; treagurer, Mr. Fred. Culver, and Mrs. Hamilton still remained as libraria For 1383-84, presi- dent, Mr, Geo. Wight; vice president, Mr. S. E. Faunce; secretary, Mr. T. B. MacDonald; treas- urer, Mr. J. T. Culver; librarian, Mr. Harry Hamilton, In @ very short time the members of the Optimist club will be called together tor the coming winter season, and {t may be anticipa- ted that their meetings this Year will be full as Interesting and instructive as those whic! have taken piace in previous years, ————— eg WOODLAWN FARMERS’ CLUB. Agriculture on the Virginia Side. THE QUESTION OF MAKING POOR LAND GooD, 0 GOOD LAND RICH—REPORT UPON FARMER. BARTON'S PLACE, Reported for Tuz EVENrve StaR, This society met at the house of Benjamin Barton on the 19th inst., President Pierson in the chair, Some questions were asked about the probable efficacy of the efforts of the State Farmers’ assembly to advance the farming in- tereste, which opened ® wide field for discus- sion, C, Luekens deprecated the habit of some in decrying the calling of the farmer, and reiter- ‘ated his conviction that it was an occupation as noble and entitled to as much respect as any other, and insisted that we should resist strongly all efforts to lower the standard, I this ‘connection he read. front tae eine the report of an interview with T.S. Gould, secretary of the Connecticut State Board of Agriculture, which was very much to the point. Several present thought that in spite of the arguments to the contrary the fact never: theless ‘remains that it is very difficult to get rich at the business, and even a moderate Se gree of success did not accrue to any one with. Out a deal of hard work; but the iden rather prevailed that those who tailed had mistaken their calling or location, The sentiment of the majority seemed to be that life on the farm is very much as you make it, and success of the right kind comes to the tiller of the goil in ‘about as fall measure as to those in any other business, But about the time the club was weil warmed up on the subject ‘the question of the day was called for: ‘Which is the easier, the more profitable and in whieh do we take the most pleasure: in makin; land orin ‘mato, good land rich?” ‘This seemed to dpen up a subject ol very. wide range, and developed such widely diffe ent views as to what might be called good land, that 1t was difficult to arrive at definite conclu- oni ft He conceded by many, farmers that urally poor land will grow poorer while lan naturally rich will grow richer if let lone, which would bes very potent factor In this case, Several shought there was moat prot In making good land rich; that the expense of talc: ing a thoroughly barren soll and bringing it t toa lair degree of productiveness was beyond the returns trom it, but after it nas point and Ismaderich then like “yreas wat Upon the waters, comes back afte The majority seemed to think that there was more pleasure in converting a poor aud Un field intoa productive one than there Change was greater, while if gout ie eeeet make good land rich than to ‘and ‘When the school beard Mr, Brooks, from the iol ils in the des below ‘acts are submitted gate annual salaries ui the showing taal nder the zation is $402,885. The ries of teachers for the prese $300,000, and the average salar fixed by law Is $670; there ts, therefore, a den clency ‘of $12,885 in the amount required to pay the annval salaries at the legal sorniate Fates. This deficiency and the reqaioneeteee the lawas to the average salary! towne Coro per teacher can only be met, the report sald be & pro rata retention of the salaries of tenctecy cal so 22 per cont, Zh fnerase tn afarics of teachers length of : ing in many cases th Sinoy eect the most p culty is for the board to orde Per cent, of the salaries of iy just Congress to. appropriate antount to pay the salaries as per schon oent senor some Aisousslo fer some discussion a resol adopted authorizing the calling of teachers’ meetings in each division and submitting to them the question whether they will consent to the sypined retention Lot 2 Der cont of thelr salaries. (This proposition has been acec by the teachers.) pied ‘TO ORGANIZE PREMANENTLY, Mr. Smith offered @ resolution, which was F & retention of 3.2 all teachers, and to carried, that the board should effect a perma. nent organization at the first meeting in Oc. tober. AFTER HIS LOST LAMBS, Dr Purvis, of the sixth division, offered a resolution “that the supervising principals of the city schools return all children of sald schools who reside jn the county and who have not been transferred by the trustees of the sixth iiyision,” Mr, Brooks offered as an amendment a pro- viso “that the rights of parents to send their children to the nearest school building shall be observed.” Consideration of the resolution waa postponed. THE NEW NORMAL SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, Mr, Curtis, from the special committee to se- lect a principal for the Normal school in place of Miss Smith, resigned, made a report nomi- nating Miss Emma 8. Atkineon, of the High school, for the position. The report was adopted ‘and the nomination confirmed. Leaves of abecnes for one Year without pay were granted to Misses It. Kautman and M2 Sheriff, teachers In the second division, Applications for teachers’ positions were re- celved from Alice G. Mailhouse, L. C. Rogers, Delia B. Washington and Ida Howgate. ‘The resiznationsof Kate M. Blundon, teacher in the fifth division, and Margaret B. Bozeman, of the eighth division, were accepted. The nominations of H. D. Malone, F, H. Stephens and Eleanor Lasier as teachers in the sixth division, and Alice McDade as a teacher in the fourth division, were confirmed, PROMOTIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS, Reports of assignments and promotions in various divisions were made by trpatees as fol- lows and approved: Second division—promotions: from sixth te seventh grade, A. M.Goding: fourth to fifth, M. F. Harman and H. A. Dufly; third to fourth, L. 0. Fishback, 8. ‘C. Murray, M. McCauslen and F. B. Fairehild; second _to fourth, L. C. Ea- thoffer; second to third, O. Sliver; first to third, L. B. Fisher, J. Z. Cox and E, E. West; first to second, J. J. Summerscales, E. C, Drane, J. M. Humphrey and 8. . Sipe. ‘Assignment to the third grade at her own request, J. E. Thompson; ot Normal school graduates K.C. Babbington, E, Enthoffer, M. F, Gorden, A. V. Morgan, E. Morris, L. Pollock, M. J. Serivener, J. H. Stick: and L. E. White. _Nominations—Harry W. Price, vice A. M. Tarrington, declined; A. M. Quigg, vice A. A. Kimber, declined; Rebecca Stoneroad, vice C. M-Thouipeon, retired; Clara Giddings; ' sub-agsistant Edith M. Zane, vice N. L. Wilbeck, declined. Substitutes—Mrs, B, L. Smith, Miss’ F. Ball, Mrs. E. C. Weaver, Miss A- M. Furmage and Mrs. RJ, Floyd. | Prinelpals— P street building, E. L. Wilson; Henry, ¥. A. Pease; Morse, M, King; Twinin, . Steele; Al S.J. Thomson; Webster, S. B. Kent; Seaton, M.'E. Rowe; Gules, C, 8. Clark; Blair, J. A! rown, Third division.—Promotions—From sixth to seventh grade, Kelly; ‘rom fifth to sixth, Mary Martha W. Garges; from fourth to fifth, Barbara L. Woodward and Alice MeNantz; from second to fifth, H. B. Walker; from first to fourth, Lella McCathran; from third to fourth, ‘Mary E, Kealey:’ from first to third, Ada O. Ober. Assignments of | normal gradnates—to first grade, Mary F. A, Lynch and Elizabeth V. Snowden; grade, Emma Hantor Fourth division—assignments to first grade— Misses A. T. O'Donnell, M. M. De Voie and Alice McDade (ucting). Promotions—from sixth Woseventh grade, S.A. Langley: fifth toststh, A.M, Whiteman; fourth to fifth, J. G. Falekt third to fourth, M. L, Smith; first to tourth, W. . Hartman and M. M. Hines; second to third, Grace Thompson aid M,W. Anderso mog econd second, D. W. Boyd an rene Bear. als—Jefferson building, Mr. R. L. Jotnson and Mire, St. Martin; Aunidon, Miss V, V. Trook; Greenleaf. Miss W. C. Hartinan, and Potomac, Mins E. E. Haliday, Fin division Assign Loulse 1. Smith and Kate Robertson to grade one. Promote Emma ©. Godey to sixth grade, vice Miss Fletcher, re- Signed; Alwilda M- Brooke to, fitth grade, M- Angie Brewer to third grade, Annie F. Perrie to third grade, and Mariana Schooley, vice Miss LL, Gray, deceased. | Designate ax principals D. A. Smith, Curtis buliding; A. M. Brooke, Prospect building; HA. Norton, High street building; 8. V. Fleming, Dickson’ building; A. F Houghton, Montgomery building, and J. W: Douglass, industrial home. Sixth division—Promotions—From third to fourth grade, E. Maude Halley and Emma Pat- terson; from ith to elghth grade, I Lorraine Peters, acting: from second to third grade, Emma V. Smith. Assignments to school No, 5; Francis J. Cardozo; No. 7, Mary E. Burgess; No. 8, William W, Fraction; 'No. 18, Mary H. Som- acting: No, 42. Jenne M. Spears acting: Francis 8. Fairley; No. 46, Harry No. 50, Alice A. Winans, acting. Desig- of principals, schools Nos, 3 and 4, Jobn W. Chappell; Nos. 6 and 7, Washington E. Nal- ; Now 9, 10,11 and, 80, Agnes" A- Fairley; Nos. 14 to 19, Richard T, Moss; Nos. 20 and 31, Lizzie 8. Nichols; 2 and 23, Arthur L Keene; Nos. 27 and 28, Francis H. Stephens; Nos. 29 and , Joseph H. Voorhees; Nos. 31; 32 and 33, William Smith; Nos. 34 to 37,49 and 52, Henry 8. Petty; Nos.'38 to 43, R. Lor- ralne Peters; Nos. 44 ‘and 45, Peter 3, Lesh; Nos. 46 and 47, Harry R. Peters, ones PURIFYING POTOMAC WATER. How Water is Classified by Distilla- tion—An Explanation by Mr. Simms. Mr. G.G.C.Simms writes to Tae STAR as follows: “In the article on Potomac water, pub- lished in last Saturday’s Star, occurs the statement that ‘all theimpure matter in the water cannot be removed by distillation.” Your reporter drew. this inference from what I sald about disiilled water as usually found in the shops, [sald it was not usually pure for sev- eral reasons; one of which is want of care in conducting the process; another is putting the distilled water in containers such as barrels, demijohns, &c,, that are not perfectly clean; ex: posing the water to the atmosphere will also render it impure in a chemical sense. It is 3 patent fact that ifa gallon of Potomac, or any other impure water, is taken, we cannot obtain agallon of pure water from it by distillation, ‘The first portion of the water distilled would be very, Impure and is always thrown away; and the last portion that remains in the still ‘is re- Jected for the same reason. ‘The process for obtaining pure water for me- dicinal and Pharmaceutical pur by distil- lution from Potomac water would be as follows: Having, say, three gallons of the water, it would be placed in a suitable distillatory appa, ratus, and the first pint that passes over would be refected as impure, as it would contain most or all of the volatile impurities. The succeed- ing nineteen pints collected would be re- tafned as pure water, ‘The remainder in the still would be rejected as impure, as it would contain organic substances, clay, &c. ‘This water, however, would not be considered ure ina chemical sensu unless the operation fiad been conducted in a still having'e worm: and condenser made of silver or some other equally pure metal. ‘The words ‘perfectly pure’ as.used {n the published article should be con- sidered as synonymous with wholesome when applied to drinking water. A convenient for keeping alum ior purifying water is to make @ five per cent solution se one teaspoonful to covey. gallon of wate ——_— Bicyelers’ Rights and Wrongs. To the Editor of the EVENING Star: The remarks of your correspondent, “Sub, acriber,” in your issue of the 21st instant, are- rhaps, what might naturally be ex; From a person who drives a howe ta new sac, ase) on @ frequented thoroughfare before in {acquainted with bisdisposltion anassenies ity with objects commouly met with inthe streets of this and other cities, It is not all that be Or ki ingly, comm! Sheanesemaa Uc seer tame oe If this genUeman’s view of the situation were to prevall, the facilities of the institution last med would have to be largely increased, in Siena tigi, Tanita seston Beey career er atvaas tee neues 4 = ‘The trouble with your dent is, rap y bel to class ho regard the horse as enistiea ts A PRACTICAL LOVER. After Persistent Bat Futile Attempts pay tng with His Sweetheart, i Marries Another Girl. Recently an intended marriage was declared of. ‘The young man, after trying all means approved by writers of, romance, and some which, though exceedingly practical, lack the flavor of romapee, and failing in all, fnaliy concluded that fate was in league with the girl's father to defeatshim. Instead of or shooting himself, he wisely went off and mar. ried another girl, who was not 80 closely guard- ed. The young lady whom he longed to wed ‘was the daughter of the proprietor of @ hotel in thriving town in northern Pennsylvania, The | young man himself was a drummer or commer. | Glal traveler for a Philadelphia house dealing | in men’s furnishings, and hence not deficient in | what is known among speakers of slang as gall. | ‘The story of his unsuccessful though energetic | wooing came to & STAR reporter as follows: The young man first met the Pennsylvania girl while he was stopping as 0 guest at her tather's hotel, and it appears that they were both smit- ten instantly. They became friends, then lovers. Several times they attempted to take one step further and become married. The father of the girl was obstinately o to any such union, and vowed that he would do everything in his power to prevent the realiza- tion of “love's young dream.” Some of the other members of the family sided with the father, and others (the mother, it is sald, being among | them) were satisfled that the young man was honest and industrious, and ed the posed union. The young conple aetermined, if consent could not tained, to marry with- out, AN SLOPEMENT FOILED. Accordingly @ year ago they drove tos town not far from the young lady’s home. They ap- plied to a minister to marry them, and he asked them to wait a few hours. By some means the: oF ae awa; not after tt manner that brides are given away in the Episcopal service, but their whereabouts, ai thelr pur ‘were telegraphed tothe lady's home. *The father, following them, captured phe bride and took her back to his home. Here e proposed. ‘young lady safe, an locked her up in one of the rooms at the Botel. In a few nights, however, there was an attempt made to capture the lady. One morning it was found thats heavy ladder had been raised to her window, but by reason of the shutter fast- enings being oe oe the shutters could not be opened, this bold attempt failed. This was, however, enough to cause tears of another attempt which might prove successful. About eight months ago the father, who has relatives here, brought the girl to this city with the in- tention of Meals her in some institution of learning in this District. Upon the advice of relative the young lady was placed in an Academy of the Visitation. | Before she left the Metropolitan hotel, where she stopped with her tather, there was a scene, owing the young lady showing some reluctance to going ‘to the school, and exciting the sympathies of some of the lady guests. She was, however, placed in the School and the father returned 10 the hotel. Here he was met by the young commercial traveler, who had got on the of the father and daughter, and arrived here a few hours after they did, but too late tosee the lady before she was gafely in the ecademy. The drummer was informed by the father that the young lady should remain at school till she was of full age. Quite an animated discussion took place {ween them, ending in the young man’s going back to the’ St, James hotel, where, in conse quence of the excitement, he’ was taken des; rately ill. For some hours it was thought his illness would prove fatal. This result not hav- ing been looked for by the relative here who assisted the father, he became conscience- stricken. Holding himself partly responsible {or the condition of the young man, he assisted the doctor, and did everything in his power to save the young man’s life. After some hours’ work the young man, much to the gratification of the relative, recovered and left the clty, re- suming his avocation as a commercial traveler. SCHEMING To SECURE HIS BRIDE. He, however, before his departure, confided his interests to the keeping ot a few trusted friends, A lady who learned of the desireof the couple to be married volunteered to open com- munication with the young lady, She suc ceeded In getting an interview with her at the convent, but was so closely watched that she could do no more than say that her parlor was at their service fora wedding whenever the ar Tangements could be completed, This being Teported to the male friends of the drumimer, all necessary preparations were made, and he was informed about what time to be in the city, the day selected being the second of those when the young lady would be allowed to visit her relative. fe Cal id awaited in Ral- timore the dispatch, is out.” ative, however, suspecting aud feuring thas the young lady might fly, insisted on her returning to the academy that night, and went with her. This attempt having been frustrated, a new plan was adopted. This was to have the young Tady go to the matinee with some of the pupil It Was thought that in the crowd, on leaving the theater, she could Jump into a carriage pre= viously provided, aud be driven to the house of her lady friend, where the knot could be tied. ‘The trouble was how to reach her and get a let- ter toher: | Various pupils were approached to take a noie to her, but they were all found to be loyal to the rules of the school, and refused, ‘tien the servants were approached, with no better success. ‘A NOTE IN A PIE, A note was baked in a pie, which was sent to her; but whether it ever reached her with the note is not known. No reply wasreceived from her by the friends of the young man, nor could she ever be seen outside until some months after. Meanwhile the oan man, sick and tired of such up-hill love-making, had met a beautiful New Jersey girl who rewarded bim jor his heroic constancy to one of ber own sex by giving him her own hand in marriage ———+ee—————— HOW TO RAISE GRAPES. Discussions of the Horticultural So- ciety—Caring for Figs and Roses in the Winter. | At the meeting of the District Horticultural society at German hall on Wednesday evening, Prof. Saunders spoke of the advantage to grapes by being protected. This year, out of over one hundred varieties in the Agricultural grounds, there were but two varieties in which the rot showed itself. There was but little doubt that this comparative exemption from rot was owing to the foliage being luxuriant, Mr. W. M. King, chief of the seed division of the Department of Agriculture, spoke of his success In southern Ohio in protecting grapes from the rot and injurious insects, particular from the attacks of wasps and beon, by using paper bags. He used two-pound paper bags, such @8 grocers use, and put them on as soon as the pollen had fallen from the grapes, and before they had attained the size of pe eed ‘The bunehes thus covered he found produced perfect fruit, and would remain on the vines {ill freezing Weather set in. He recommended the training of vines on evergreen trees asa protection from the rot, His experience wae mostly with red cedar for this purpose, but he recommended the Austrian and Seoteh pines as belng equally well aday r the purpose, and he would direct the vine into the tree. Mr. Saunders spoke of plants being killed in the winter by the absence of moisture Just as they are in the summer for the same cause, By covering the grape vines they are protected, and soit was with roses. The drying winds did more damage than the extreme cold. He would recommend that roses be laid down rather than thatched. It was possible here to raise figs if the trees were twined down, When the trees get too large and bend, they ‘can be cut haif through and then turned down. ‘Mr. King endorsed what had been said as to strong winds destroying fruit, In discussing the fruits and flowers Mr. Saunders spoke in high terms of Mr. Clark’ grapes and the exhibit of Dr. White, especially Orhispears, Saturday Smiles. She: “I don’t like my bonnet now that I'v: tit. Itdoesn’tmatch my hairat all.” He Sou ought to have thought of that before io, bought [t¥ She: “My bonnet?” He: ] your bair,”—Boston Transcript, ‘This thing of the silver dollar on the public is getting to bea nuisance, We never Pay out hundred dollar bilis for fear we will recelve @ cart-load of silver change, which would be a burden.—Tezas Stings. pabsrber to customer in chair.) You're quite id, sir. Customer—Ye Barber Young man, toot Customer—Yep. Barber—Wear your hat too much? mer —Ne Gere Ese tn mus Customer—Nop. i 26, 1885-DOUBLE SHEET. A WATER MELON COMEDY. ‘The Exploits of the Capital Bicyclists Prince George's County. THE STORY OF THE ILL-FATED EXPEDITION GRAPHICALLY TOLD BY ONE OF THE SUR- VIVORS—A RAPID CHANGE OF BASES CAUSED BY A DOG AND SEVERAL GUNS ‘The members of the Capital Bieycle club have @ peculiar fondness for watermelons, and al- though this regard is not universal in the club, the number of members who do not place this Particular species first among the fruits of the earth, is so small that they may be regarded as exceptions which prove the rule, The abstract fondness of the club is reduced to concrete form by the holding of a “watermelon racket” of immense proportions once a year, Which 1s pro- ductive of a great deal of fun, considerable noise, and some internal discomfort, The “racket” of 1885 took place some weeks ago at Brightwood, and every member of the club had given up the idea of watermelons at wholesale until next year, when a few ‘ago Mr. L. J. Barber startled’ his felk bers by an in- Vitation to participate in another “racket” at the farm of his ternal ancestor, some miles from the city, and accessible by wheel. The in- Sitation, of course, met with a cordial response, thirty “Cape’* started trons the clue house tn ac u ss » rom. cordance with the captain's call. Mr. Barber’ assurance that one hundred choice watermel- us were carefully stored {a a barn. and wait. ing our arrival, aroused expectations of the highest order, atid the party proceeded in high spirits, dampened occasionally, It is trae, by r. Hanna's bugle practice, but in the main “The wisdom of the arrangement by which the sun is made to set at 6 o'clock during the month of September may be seriously questioned Biagelon tlaing over's strange trond, asen Sin Dg Ov ee Re am. vi e conviction is Inevitable that the inclination of the earth to the plane of the ecliptic is an as tronomical phenomenon that is simply a nuis- ance; and as the party toiled laboriously up ill or walked just, a8 laboriously down 18 jtehy darkness, nothing but the prospect Tnelous ahead ‘would hate kept tiem pn tie ‘MR. BARBER'S FARM 1s so situated that the District line passes through it. It was impossible to see the line, however, partly because of the darkness, but mainly because it had been nearly effaced by the spring plowing. The country in the vicin- ity ‘ofthe farm is diversified; there are hills and valleys, corn fields covered with short stubble, luxuriant patches of briars, and dense wths of underbrush, while in the midst all an ubiquitous brook winds about between bigh eee ere ee eer: correct understanding of the situation. On the arrival of the party at the farm they were met by Mr. Barber, with a long face, and the melan- choly information. that’ his barn ‘had. been entered the night before and all those carefully ies unknown leponent, and who had omitted to leave any ress, selected melons removed, by to add In fact that he hadn't, another melon effect of this news may be pect of returning by road, without even having seen @ lon, was something not to be endured. At this juncture @ brilliant Idea struck the versatile Barber, and in a few hurried sentences he ‘communicated to, the party a propost- tion to this effect: that though he had no water- melons there was a neighbor who had; that this person had more than he could possibly use, and that it would be a kindness to relieve him of a few; that there was no doubt that this neighbor would be delighted to perform an act of courtesy to @ party in distress, even though madeto doit involuntarily; and finally that there was A BIG DOG on the place, and that too much care could not be taken in the approach to the melon patch, and in any subsequent proceeding. While the mention of this dog may have quickened the consciences of the less hardened members of the party, any feeble remonstrance on their part were’ drowned in the outburst of general enthusiasm, and forthwith two parties were formed % proceed in different directions, and meet at the scene of action, which was alleged | tolie ata distance of a quarter of a mile. It was now very dark: the moon was obscured by dense clouds which threatened rain at any moment; nosound was heard, save the plain- Live note of the whip-poor-will and the falling dew. | (Or Af the compositor chooses to speak of the plaintive note falling due, a Joke will be Produced in which, I think, the public will Interested.) No affair of this kind was ever complete without the plaintive note of = whip- poor-will, and we were gratified to find that Mr. r had preserved the unities by keeping one on his farm for such an emergency. Every man felt the customary thrill of awe as he reflected upon the desperate nature both of the enterpri-e and ol the dog: but they had put thelr hands to the plow (whille their feet were | in the furrows), and there was no turning back, quarter of a mile had been multiplied by four when the party reached the outskiris of the field, and paused to take breath, and compare notes as to torn hands and clothes, amount of sand and gravel in different shoes, &c., and n CHARGED BOLDLY INTO THE FIELD where the watermelons lay in hundreds wait- ing to be picked. At the same moment the othersparty jumped the fence at some little distance, and all commenced the preliminary work of”sounding” the melons in order to select the best. Everybody was cheerful. Some even ventured to laugh, Bang! Bang! Bang! Three flashes of light at the upper end ot the field; three loud reports, and a confused shouting, in which, however, might be, distinguished ‘such expressions as “Thieves!” “Robbers!” “Chase “em!', “Shoot "em!" “Get out of that ” While a dog's bark mingled with the other noises, and sev- eral dark tigures ran swiftly in our direction. instantly there flashed on our minds a convic~ tion of the unhealthy nature of the water- melon when eaten at night, and of the mula- rious character of the neighborhood, and the danger of exposure to the night air," No sane man would trifle with bis heaith in that man- = a erpepecen het ented sg id oe en ually, and not by concerted action; and a fringe of bushes in the edge of the patch appeared sa mirably adapted to protect us from our un- healthy surrounding Each man felt it bis duty to be first at those bushes, in order to e1 courage his less speedy companions; but the distance was not great, and we all into them at about the same time. It had pieased fate to place these bushes on the edge of a bank ten feet high, at the bottom of which flowed the ubiquitous brook. We did Rot know this, and in our enthusiastic pursuit of health would not have noticed it anywa consequently the first man who rushed th the bushes found his progress accelerated by the attraction of gravitation, and, falling down the bank, lapded on his back {n the brook, wuere he'la¥ kicking violently, but unable to rise for some moments, retaining enough pres- ence of mind, however, not to warn his com- nions, who, by reason of bis thoughttulness, und themselves in substantially the sume Position immediately afterward. (Query: Are patent leather shoes called pumps use y can draw so much ter. After extricating one or two of thé crow: from the brook we climbed the opposite bank and tried to find our way back. We were, of course, pleased to have escaped the danger of malaria,but our position was fur from pleasant. The underground was almost impassable, and the trees grew so densely that progress was made with the greatest difficulty. After a hard fight of three-quarters of an hour we reached the farm again, a dozen of the most disreputar ble looking objects ever seen in that section, ‘The heavy dew had covered the dust on our uniforms into @ light coating of mud. Bicy- cling hose had proved an insufficient’ protec- tion against horas and briars, but the fucera- tion of our hands and clothes’ was_as_ nothi com; to that of our feelings. We marche: slowly into the yard, living examples of the tra that the way of the trans- ‘of the suyi frewor is hard, and then, while we stood In @ condition of mentai'and physical * to which my powers of description can do D0 justice, we heard the ing statement: what it was i ALL A JOKE. That we had been attempting to steal water. melons from Barber's own patch; that his fine sense of humor had caused us to walk over part of Prince George county to reach. field just one hundred and fifty yards ‘house; that his father and hired man subsidized H shot bad wnistied by bis a Mr, wi ears, an that a large bullet bad ploughed up the in his immediate vicinity, there was nothing in the but powder; that the melons were in the ‘barn all’ the time, and in ‘that re Com] ‘rretrievanly and igno- Ininlously sold! ‘The desire for revenge took ot then enjoy his ‘about persons sons to melon rackets where eonsidered ni i FEE it i i i Hd fy ag besides they didn’t know the way. The short | heigh! | road, Mts and the wait & TOUR IN COLeRaDo. A Trip to the Top of Pike's Peak—The Grand Canon of the Arkansae—Deaver and Buens Vista. would bes prolific theme from which to fill a larger space in your columns than Teould pre- sume to occupy. It was the immediate out growth of the Pike's Peak excitement of 1858, and in the short period which bas intervened since then has reaches a population of 75.000, and from the beauty of its situation, the ele- gance of its buildings, and te business advan- tages and enterprise it now bears the proud Ulle of the “Queen City of the Plains” It is at the junction of Cherry creek and the Platte river, on @ gradually risi lain, which Stretches eastward to the Missourl and only some fifteen miles from the foot-hilix of the Rocky mountains, many of whose prominest peaks, as well as the gleaming line of tbe Snowy Fange, ean be plainiy seen through the cleat and rarified atmosphere,which causes distances: ‘to seem much less than they really are. The Tabor Grand Opera house, erected ata ‘Cost of $850,000, is said to be the ‘finest in the country, and the county court bouse certainly: surpasses any building I have ever soen de Yoted to such & purpose, not excepting the une in Chicago, I took it for the ca) A anti - learned what it was, and that the has not et erected acaptiol. Ifthe money reputed to ave been Freee jor votes by candidates for seats under the broad dome your itol Lill, and by rich corporations, had been devoted to the bullding of a state house it might rival that of in the Union. MANITOU AND PIKE'S PEAK. Aride of eighty miles, nearly due south, ‘most of the way over an arid plain, fit only tor Grazing, except where rendered cultivable by artificial irrigation through ditches filed from mountain streams, ‘ht us to Manitou, situated in a beautiful valley moar the base of Pike's Peak, and called the Saratoga of the Nest, from the vartety of mineral springs which there abound, Colorado Springs is the hame of the town on the main line of the railroad, but ‘Qs there are no springs there Manitou, six miles up among the mountains, 1s superseding ites a watering place, and is @ tnost charming any tire Gay and covering a distance of twenty-six Intles, and repaying us well for the fatigue and discomfort which it involved, but ‘we wouldnt Choose it asa frequent source of amusement, There station at the summit, about 14,300 above sea-level; large banks of snow lay along our routeand a flerce littie snow storm struck us fom gomel 14th) when near the top. The sensations caused by the rarefaction of thie mosphere were anythi: but pleasant, but subsided when we Umber line, about three miles below the top, in our descent. From Manitou a ride of two hours over the Denver & Rio Grande railroad, through a region still more arid and desolate, but with the moun- tains in view and gloritying the landscape to the west, brought us to Pueblo, where are lo- cated extensive Bessemer steel works and smelting works for the reduction of ore that neighboring mining regio: and where the quaint adobe It an ‘occupied by the Mexicans before this part of Colorado was acquired by the United States are ‘objects of interest to the passing tourist. THE GRAND CANON ‘Canon city is reached in two hours from Pue- blo, and soon after passing that lively business town, where is situated the state penitentiary, our train enters the grand canon of the Arkan- $2, the most notable part of which is called the Royal Gorge. Along the bottom of this narrow pass, which the river bas made for itself, in some places contracting to less than twenty fect, while butting crags of granite rise almont perpendicularly (on eliher side toa height of Overs thousand feet, The road bed ha» been laid by blasting away Juttingrocks in order to el room for the narrow-guage and im ¥ means of an iron bridge over the rushing stream, suspended by iron braces from wall to wall, instead of blasting a way out of the verti- cat sides of rock, where they ‘Some so close Ip- gether, Very little sun penetrates this even ‘at noon day, and no wilderhaunt of na- ture bas been invaded by the “iron horve.” The main ineofthe D.&.G.R. R keeps on, afr passing this canon, almost due west, across the ntinental, divide to its terminus’ at Ogden, some thirty iniles beyond Salt Lake City, but at Salida a branch strikes off northward 0 valley of the Arkansas and extends to Lead- ville, passing through Buena Vis whence this letter ts indited. ‘This town is 8,000 fect above sea-level, and is beautifully situated on a broad mesa, or opening in the valley of the Ar- kansas, rising gradually until it reaches the foot hills of the main of the Rocky moun- tains, six or seven miles away to where Mount Harvard, rising in mld alr 14,373 feet above the level of the sea, being only’ sec- ond to Mount Blanca in height in the state, stands in tull view as I write, his head and Shoulders wrapped in snow, while Mounts Yale | and Princeton stand next in order to the south- ward, each rising over 14,000 feet, their sum- mits also wrapped in snow and looking no far- ther away than does the Wi monu- ‘ment from, say Iowa circle. BUENA VISTA. Five years ago Buena Vista was the terminus of the railroad extending from Salida towards Leadville, and freight and passengers bad to be transferred from here to the latter city, then at the it of its prosperity, over the wagon Prospects in the lin- mediate vicinity which then were supposed to mark this place as a second Leadville, if not another Denver, gave Buena Vista within two or three years population of 2,500, or more. For @ year or two past it has not increased in numbers, but many veal, and some quite ele- gant, residences have bees erected, and a class ©f people, merchan' fers, stock raisers, c., has come in and made the place, in reflue- ment, comiort and intelligence, ainong the most desirable places of residence in the state, while the equable, dry and invigorating climate ‘ive it the character of a sanitarium, especially for those afilicted or Unreatened with asthmatio oF pulmonary complaints. Within six or clgut miles are mineral springs which gush forth from the nd, some at the bottom of the valley and some ‘on the, mountain side, temperature of from 130° to 185°. This Is county seat of Chaffee county, and while mining is the first Interest in importance and stoc raising the second, when pending piavs oi irri- gation shall be cafried out, without which no ‘crops will grow anywhere in the state, so iar as Thave seen, agriculture will assume ab Import- ant place. "A ‘ditch of clear water, conducted from @ mountain stream, runs through the town, from which Irrigating ditches can be ex- fended into the garden patebes, and the water 1s also conducted in pipes from the sume source, and thus every house is supplied through ® hydrant. | Mines are being “prospected "and “developed” all through the mountains, and large quantities of ore are being freighted to this Pluce from Aspen, acposs the mountains om “burros” or donkeys, and supplies taken Ukck by the same mode’ of conveyance. 1 could write columns about theye mines, and “prom pects,” and “strikes,” and the varying experi- ences related to me by miners, but, as was remarked by another, “must draw to my close.” SRB. ———_s9¢_____ THE ROCK BRIDGE OF ARIZONA. A Newly-Discovered Wonder of Nature As Described by One Who Has Seen it. A gentleman of this city who traveled in the ‘West last tall visited the natural bridge in Ari- zona, of which « brief description taken from California paper was recently published in Tae Star. This gentleman traveled,as all well-equipped tourists now travel, with a pho- tographic camera in his “kit,” and, amon; other things, Look two views Of the ’ natural bridge, which he showed toa Stax reporter. These views represent @ shallow canyon, with S level bridge of rock spanning it. The dept bh of the canyon or gulch below bridge ap- pears to be a little more than twice the height Of a man standing beneath it, “The description published in Tae STAx,” said the traveler, “was very correct, except that it stated the depth to be from 25 to 40 ieet, I ic think, sixty feet in length, and canon beneath is about twelve or fifteen dee; In the dry season the stream underneath ‘small, but inthe rainy season swells Ww ons. The bridge is of sandstone, a and Joined solidly with the ledge ou side. sant vo have in stone. ‘THE COLORED MINISTER APPOINTED BY PRES IDENT CLEVELAND. ‘Rev. Moses Aaron Hopkins, A. M., the colored man appointed by President Cleveland as miu- tH F