Evening Star Newspaper, December 21, 1889, Page 14

= THE EVENING STAR: a, WASHINGTON. » SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21 1ss9— ON THE OYSTER WHARF. Studies of Men and Mollusks at the River Front. The “Bug-Eyes” and Their Skippers— Where the Bivalves Come From—Early Morning Scenes in the Light of Smok- ing Dips. —o——— S the passeuger on the 7th-street cars nears the foot of that thoroughfare he is greeted with an odor that tells him that he is in the vicinity of the oyster wharf. If he jamps from the platform as the car turns the sharp bend and strikes off foward the river a walk of a few seconds brings him to the piace where the se- ductive bivalves which tempt the appetites of the Washington people are lauded fresh from the oyster beds of the lower Potomac and the Chesapeake. TRE OYSTER WHARF. The wharves are situated on Water street be- | tween llth and 12th streets, One can spend | much time here in an interesting way among the hills of shells watching the curious charac- | ters who daily infest the wharves and make a | more or less comfortable livelisood supplying the Washington market with oysters, A dozen or more oyster sloops or “buz- as they are called in the parlance of the river. can 1 ways be found moored to the wharves, Sitting | around, pipe in mouth, with sou’-westers orna- | menting their heads, will be found the captains | who welcome the ap; ance of a possible pur- chaser with great pleas They rouse them- selves, come out of smoky cabins. where they have been asleep. while others emerge from groggerics in the vicinity, where they have been toasting their shins and spinning yarns ebout adventures inthe storms down the bay and hair-breadth escapes from the boats of the | Marvland and Virginia oyster navies. The captains are ready to sell any quantity of oysters from a bushel toa boat load and are only too willing to bring forth a rusty knife from the inmost recesses of their pea jackets to prove to you conclusively that, “Gol donnit. sir, my stock is salt water for «ure, and durned good at that.” These skippers are permeated With the odor of the delightful bivalve and as- sociation has made them wondrous alike. They gather about the visitor expatiating upon the | Superior size and flavor of their stock, but when a selection is one made they retire in good order and generally adjourn ‘across the ‘ereet to a bar room to finish their interrupted | yarns, | UNLOADING A BUG-FYE. | The oysters to be bought at the wharves | vary in price as they do in size and quality. A very fair oyster may be bought for 50 cents a | bushel, with a reduction for large quantities. These are the medium grades. There is a lower grade which sells at 35 cents and these are for the most part purchased by people wno use them for soups or cheap restaurants. The first qualities sell from 65 cents to 1 per bushel and seldom go higher thau the latter figure, although when the crop is reported fluctuations occur. Cornering the market isa diversion that is sometimes indulged in by the wholesale deal- ers in the city, but they seldom realize a great deal, for the reason that the source of supply is too near and oysters are perishable, and can- not be withheld from the market like other products. But it is cornered now and then, and when this is the case word goes down the bay and soon the fleet of oyster boats isen route home, whether they are completely loaded or net—for frequently during these fluctuations a skipper will be paid a larger sum for half a load than he would it his boat were filled to the hatchways when the market is steady and firm, But th tains and owners do not depend upon the irregular visits of transient buyers. great majority of them have contracts with the dealers in the city to take the entire cargo and let the vessels sail back to the oyster beds without delay, But these captaius, of course, do not get any advantage from a rise in prices and receive the same from the beginning to the end of the season. But they make more trips to and from the beds, and this in a great many cases more than compensates for the de ficiency. Au average trip to the oyster beds consumes usually about ten days; that is if the vessel dis- charges her —— immediately upon arrival at the wharves. The craft engaged in the trade are for the most part small two-masted vessels with a little six by six box, which isby courtesy called a cabin, anda large hold which usually accommodates about 400 bushels of oysters, The crew consisis of three men, the captain, the cook and theculler. The latter does most of the work, the former that it is done properly and the other cooks for himself and shipmates and assists them between times. They are a hard-worked trio on the whole; in fact it would be difficult to find a class of men whose livesare harder. They are exposed to all kinds of weather, the cold breeze of the bay cuts them, they are always damp and work both night ‘and day when on the oyster beds, ery toe the sleep they can in the voyages up and down the river. The pay, too, is poor. ‘The cook gets $2 more every month thau the euller and the culler gets but #lv per month and his board. True the board is good, but there is a sameness about it that revolts a man after alittle while. Oysters in every style:s their bill of fare for breakfast, dinner and sup- . At first thought this would strike one as ing @ delightful diet, but there is such a thing as a much of a good thing. Itis a rough life, and the men engaged in it are hardy men, for no others need apply or, indeed, could stand the constant exposure and The oyster hunters alisay that if any other employment were offered they would ery quickly abandon the life. There is noth- ing permanent about it, as every year a diffor- ent set of men take hold of the work. Only the captains, who are most frequently the owners, na they have been used to it all their who commands as staunch s craft as ever beat | th through rm, was one who greeted a Star reporter the other day. He is not a cruel man as the captains of‘oyster boats have so often been pictured. ‘I makes ‘em work, but that’s what they're paid for, eh?” ne said to the re- ter; “that’s what I hires’em for, that’s what pars em forand that’s what they've got to do if they want to stay with me. I can’t help it if they’s delicate like and sulky. It’s none 0’ my business,” as, he continued medita- tively as he took a long whiff at his pipe and sized up a man who seemed to be looking for a job. “I never shanghaied a man or kidnapped ‘a boy in my borned days and I never expect to, Say, young fellow,” h 1g the new arrival, “looking for a job? It you are I'll talk toyer. Good wages as any man on ther river, $10 a month an’ feed. You'll be fat by the time spring comes (or dead)” he muttered in an undertone. But the man thought it too near Christmas to leave Washington. and thanking the captain in a rough way sauntered away. Going down the bay the men take a rest for | the struggle that is to come when they arrive atthe beds. The oyster supply of the city comes for the most part from the 8t. Marys ana St. Georges rivers, although a large quan- tity comes from the b ‘The oysters here- abouts have an exquisite flavor. They are not | much known outside of Washington and Balti- | more, these two cities entirely consuming the supply. SHUCKERS AT WORK. There are three distinct classes of oystermen operating in this locality and they are looked after by the Governor Thomas and several small tugs which comprise the Maryland oyster navy. The most numerous of these classes are the canoe m* The canoe or “cunner,” as the craft is more generally called, is a big clumsy boat, long and narrow. It is’ usually operated by two men, who use tongs in gathering the oysters. This class is charged $13.50 each for alicense by the state government, but they have to be watched pretty close or they will bring other means for dredging for oysters. ‘They sel! the product of their toil to the larger boats and rarely market the oyst The dredgers have to pay license which entitles them to dredge and scrape during the season prescribed by law. To scrape only the license is not so great, When the oysters come from the bottom of the b: 5 ey are covered with mud and smaller oysters are clinging to the shells by scores, The mud is dumped back into the water and the oysters thrown into the hold. is full the vessel is headed for market and then the culler’s is part of his business to detach the young oysters from the parent and sort them into various qualities. This he does very rapidly and skillfully and by the time Washington is sighted the oysters are all sorted and ready to be delivered. The proper time to visit the wharves to see them in their best and most picturesque light is at early morning w is just be- ginning to peep above the western horizon, for then it is that the oyster men are busiest disposing of their wares. The restaurants, uses all over the city : ay with a full supply of oysters nd wagons and push carta rattle over the rough cobble stone pavements, get their supply and rattle away again, Lights ‘h everywhere, smoking dips made of cotton , Souked in oil and stuck on great poles cast fitiu! shawows of the men as they move abvut, throwing in baskets and hagvling over prices, while the man who will soon shout under the When this | ‘k commences in earnest, for it | vindows of sleeping people all over the city ! Oys!! Oys!!!” is busier than any one else. vt He has his great tin cans with him and bags and shucks his oysters right there on the wharves betore he goes away. Scores of these men cluster about before the little piles, shucking away and singing as they shuck. Long prac- tice inthe art of shucking has made them exceedingly skillful and they work with the regularity of so many ingenious machines, Some are nearly asleep over their work, but they work on unceasingly until their buckets are filled and then they rouse themselves with the interminable ery so familiar to the sleepy denizens of the city! “De oy s passing by, Oys! Oy Here?! fresh an’ ti Ready fer yer denny time: There are idlers waiting about for an odd job from any passing straugers who may happen along and desire to try a few oysters fresh from the boat. They will cecommodate you, and for 49 cents will open half a bushel of fat ones as fast as you can eat them. As the shucker sits on an upturned basket, shucking away, the stranger stands sucking the delicious bivalve from the shell, listening to a tale of adventure in the oyster beds, of which the shucker has a store, ————_ After the Ball. After the ball. Torn bits of lace, Crushed bows and flowers show the trace Where dancers clashed, caught in the height rbythinic, light, vortex pace. ’Twas here I sat near sloe-eyed Grace And watched the glory of her face.’ Ab me! thit sue were now in sight— After the ball. She's not! I've had a pretty chase! She lost her brooch, dropped in the race For supper. She and fom tonight Went home. I had to be plite— 4 bore. for i must search the place After the ball. —Life. —WILtuM Freperice Dix. coo ALL SORTS OF QUEER FISH. The Census Bureau Offers a New List of Awfully Funny Ones. For the first time in the history of census making in this country the bureau which con- ducts that important work finds itself now com- pelied, by an act of Congress approved last March, to produce statistics regarding the fishes that inhabit the waters in and about the United States. The superintendent's first con- tribution to this branch of human knowledge has just been published in the shape of a list merely giving the names of ‘aquatic animals sought by fishermen. However, this list is susprisingly interesting peruse, 60 very many quees fishes there are in it, or, at all events, fishes with exceedingly queer names, To begin with, it would appear that nearly all of the animals found on dry land bave name- sakes in the watery depths, fresh or salt. Pok- ing around among the unfathomed caves of ocean, following the beds of running sf or far down in the fluid crystal of the lakes. you will find the sea-hog—an insulting name for the sportive porpoise—the searlion, the sea- elephant, the sea-cow, which suckles its young, the porcupine-fish, the sea-horse, the goose- fish, ‘he toad-fish, the parrot-fish, otherwise known as Nippery-dick, the squarrel-fish, the pig-fish, the buffalo-fish, the tiger-shark, the cow-fish, otherwise calied the grampus—Sam Weller’s favorite though disrespecttul desig- nation for his father—the wolt-fish, the sea- robin and the flannel-mouthed cat. Even the fabulous beast that is ee to cherixh against the lion such a mortal enmity, though never found ou the earth, is discovered in the sea-unicorn, Besides these, if you are sufficiently indus- trious in your search beneath the waters, you will come across a sun-fish and a moon-iish, a devil-fish and an ange!-fish, a cigar-fish and a ipe-fish, a surgeon-tish and @ doctor-fish, a ing-fish and a queen-fish; a silver-fish and a old-fish; also a Jew-fish, a bug-fish, @ cutlass- jh and a saber-fish, and icst, but not least. a puiting-grabby. Such lots of crabs there seem to be—more kinds than ever you or I would have imagined --to bite your toes that wading,after all, might not be & safe amusement or pleasaut, even though one were able to find all these curious fish. Justa few of the available crabs here- about are the fiddier-crab, the oyster-crab, the rock-crab, the Jonah-crab, the red-crab, the hermit-crab, the stone-crab, the Joe-rocker or een-crab, the lady-crab, the sand-crab, the iue-crab, the sea-crab, the kelp-crab and the Cem Of all the unpleasant things in - Porter's list, such as the many-armed cut- tle-fish, the medicinal-leech and various bugs, the less said the better. pS Asingle charge of der for the twelve- cars used in English navy costs body of Wm. Frith, a resident of was found at the Niagara Baltimore, using Hau's PARIS AFTER THE SHOW. The Myriads of Visitors are Gone, but the City is Still Gay. THE ADVENTURE OF A YOUNG AMERICAN WHO WALTZED WITH A FRENCH WOMAN—OMNI- BUSES IN LONDON AND PARIS—JUDGE MACKEY AND HIS NIECE LIVING IN THE FRENCH CAPITAL, Staff Correspondence of T1 EVENING Star. Panis, November 30, Paris even without her wonderful exposition is much livelier place than any other city in the world. The boulevards are once more given up to the Parisians and they evidently enjoy them thoroughly. To be sure they are not blocked by the myriads of visitors and sight seers that invaded them a month ago, but the sprightly Frenchmen keep things moving in a lively manner, notwithstanding the drain caused by the season on the Rivera and the close of the exposition. To be sure the rows of little round white-topped tables which stand on the sidewalks in front of the innumerable cafes look bare and desolate under the electric light in the evenings, but that is due more to the chilly November weather than to the lack of beer, coffee and absinthe drink- ers, A glance into the well-lighted interiors shows that the cafe habitues are doing business atthe old stand. Then, too, the many places of amusement for which the gay French capital is particularly noted are in full blast nightly, and are well patronized. Of course many ephemeral amusements which grew up with the exposition are no more, but no one need feel lonesome in Paris for the lack of some place to go. Itis said, indeed, that the immense and unprecedented attendance at the exposition was due largely to the fact that there were 30 many places of interst outside the exposition. Asan American who has lived many years in Paris and hag kept his eyes open said the other day, “visitors to an exposition must be amused if they are expected to make more than a flying trip and then home again. HOW THE CROWDS WERE ACCOMMODATED. As it was here thousands of people came and remained weeks at a time, visiting the exposi- tion two or three timesa week. They saw the exposition and Paris too. This would not have been the case either had not the facilities for accommodating a crowd been exceptional. The immense number of hotels could not have ac- complished it in themselves, But having jearned by experience the landlord of every small hotel and pension constituted himself a committee on public comfort, and being well posted about his immediate neighborhood jeased in advance every room that was to let, so that during the exposition be had lodgers as far up aud down the streets as his bailiwick ex- tended. In this way Paris was a veritable net- work of hotels and their annexes.” ‘There are still a goodly number of American visitors in Paris, as is shown by the registers and by a visit to the reading rooms where one can find files of the newspapers from home, FROM WYOMING TO THE LOUVRE. Wherever one goes he is sure to hear an American voice a little louder and a little more self-asserting than the others in the crowd. In the Louvre the other day a tall, smooth-faced tan, in a long ulster and with a slouch hat on the back of his head, approached some ladies whom he heard conversing in English and blurted out: *-You are from America, ain't you? Soam I. Iam pretty far trom home. I come from Wyoming, right from the Indians and the cow boys. Where do you come from? Plenty of pictures here, ain't they? and a good many that ain't worth looking at, too.” Then seeing tl his advauces were not very welcome he said “Good-day” wandered down the gal- lery, passing ca: y the priceless Raphaels and Corregios and Titians, ONE YOUNG AMERICAN’S EXPERIENCE. Speaking of amusements, though, I ran across a young American the other day who had been doing the town by himself. The night before he had wandered into one of the well-known gardens where there is musie, drinking and dancing. He was a spectator for some time and then his enthusiasm got the better of his discretion and he made up his mind to have a whirl. He couldn't speak a word of French, but he thought he could dance it. He picked out a good-looking partner and was soon waltzing around for dear life. He hadn't noticed that the French waltzers never reverse. but circie round and round like a buzz saw. His partner was a thoroughbred, danc ing was her stronghold and she didn’t give young America a chance to reverse or slacken. When she finally consented to stop the young sightseer didn’t know what part of the room he was in or whether he stood on his head or his heels, he was so dizzy. When his partner left him he attempted to make his way into the crowd that surrounded the dancing space, but the floor seemed to rise up to mect the ceiling, and then, in backing off to get out of the way of the collision, he fell flat on his back. When he got up he attempted to pick up his hat and fell on his face. ‘Ihen the officials appeared and, from their actions, were clearly under the impression that the young man was intoxicated (something that is seldom seen here), and he was quietly but effectually hustled out into the street, THE PARIS CAB SERVICE. Washington might learn a valuable lesson from Paris and London about the matter of cab service. Cubs will never become popular in Washington until a lady can engage one and not be overcharged and even insulted if she re- fuses to be imposed upon. The cab service of these two cities is Gopeh Jee How many hansoms there are in London would be a ditticult thing to ascertain, but I saw one num- bered 14,998. The London cabby will over- charge if he thinks he can succeed, but all the stranger has to do is to post himself in ad- vance on the tariff and show that he is posted, and that generally settles it. A demand to be driven to the nearest police station is seldom necessary but invariably effective. A shilling for one or two passengers for a mile or less, with a little copper gratuity for the driver, cannot be considered excessive, Some of the drivers own the cab and horse, some own sey- eral, and some drive for companies owning several hundred cabs. In the latter case Mr, Cabby hus to deposit 10 shillings in the morning when he takes his cab out, and his first ten fares go to balancing the account, He makes what he gets over the amount de- sited. Hansoms are very popular vehicles in as and many men of means have their own private "hansoms for night work. It is said, too, that quite a number of these wealthy men who are out of town a good part of the time, take out cab licenses, and when they go away put their coachman at work collecting fares on the public roads. ‘The license number is hung on the axle and does not disfigure the cab. A good looking cab with a well-groomed horse is always pre- ferred, and it is waid that these men make quite a little extra money when they have com- petent and honest coachmen, THE LONDON OMNIBUS DRIVERS are without doubt the best drivers in the world. I saw but one collision in London, notwithstand- ing the continuous streams of vehicles on the streets, This was on a street that was very “greasy,” as the English call it, and the ommi- bus went at an angle of about 45 degrees like a Washing‘on herdic on the sleety asphalt, In its sidelong career the omuibus knocked off the lamp of @ cab which was standing by the curb, The driver, instead of whipping up his horses to escape, drew up as soon as possible to ascer- tain the damage and offer explanations, THE LONDON AND PARIS POLICE. The absolute authority of the English police- man is something refreshing to behold. The practice of assisting foot passengers over dan- serous street crossings is even more extensive than in New York. A “Bobby” is always sta- tioned at intersecting streets to regulate the tide of travel in the different directions and to open a free ge way for pedestrians atshort intervals. Mr. Policeman stands inthe midst of cabs, omnibuses, trucks and carriages, and governs them all with a motion of his hand. He doesn’t need to turn his head, sosecure is he in the protection which his uniform affords, He never carries a pistol and seldom shows a club, but woe betide the careless Jehu who al- lows the nose of his horse to even touch the sleeve of that carefully brushed blue coat. In Paris, where the streets are almost as much crowded at certain hours of the day, no such regulations are enforced, The drivers rush their horses (no such animals, by the way, as are seen in London) hither and thither without any aie to keeping either to the right or left. rever they see a chance of getting through there they go. If a pedes- trian is in the way the cab driver yells at him to get out of it, but seldom slackens the horse. Gendarmes are stationed the middle of the boulevards, but they seldom make an attempt to regulate the streams of vehicles. The French government, itis said, ry some representatives to to enforced there with aview of adopting in. Paris, but without much soperent result, The cab fare ia a little c! than it is in Pars for a short but a franc and a half will carry twoor even three rs an} ‘THE OMNIBUS SYSTEM OF PARIS is nothing like as comprehensive or as satisfac- tory as that of London. In the former city a seat on or inan omnibus can be secured with- out delay at any time or place. In Paris, how- ever, during the day it is next to impossible to board one except at the regular omnibus sta- tions, where every applicant takes his turn, aud as soon as the vehicle is full it moves off. Seats can only be obtained between stations as passengers may have reached their destina- tions and vacated their seats. It would be a satisfaction to have no stand-up fares if there were a sufficient number of vehicles to accom- modate the public. All the lines, however, are under the control of one company, which has held the charter for many years and has suc- cessfully prevented rival companies from se- curing acharter. This company will not main- tain more omnibuses than will run full pearly all the time and it bas such influence behind it that it can-afford to ignore the demands of the traveling public, One reason for this 18 that each vehicle is taxed 1,500 trancs per year and therefore the “buses” are made as commodious as possible, each one carrying forty-five pass- engers. Each is drawn by three maguificent Pereheron horses, driven abreat, which are not too clumsy to trot with ease. ‘Lhe whole transit subject is so intimately connected with the taxation system that one can- not be reorganized “without the other, ‘The government receives in the neighborhood of three hundred million francs annually trom the octroi taxes which are imposed upon all the feed and food supplies which are brought within the fortifications of Paris, Should rapid transit be introduced many business people now residing within the city would take ad- suburbs, This wouid greatiy reduce the octroi income, and the deficit would have to be made Up in some other way, probably by increased taxation of real estate which is now very and which is paid by the tenants. vantage of the opportunity to reside in the | | | | quently the real estate owners are said to be | the backers of the omnibus company which furnishes inadequate facilities. They for: increased taxation and tenantless houses, ertheless the Parisian public has been clamor- ing for rapid transit tor some time past, but agreed to let the matter rest until after the ex- position. ‘Che subject will come up again this winter without doubt, and it is among the pos- sibilities that another year will see the aboli- tion of the octroi system, the introduction ot rapid transit and an entire change in real es- tate taxation. THE CUSTOM OF ADVERTISING by means of dodgers is carried on more | extensively in Paris than in any city I have | ever visited. Wherever you go a hand bill is trust in front of you and the result is that the pavements are continually littered with flying paper. About the most disconsolate looking characters about Paris, now that the exposition | crowds are scattered, are the guides. ‘Lhey in- | fest allthe public places of interest and be- | seech visitors to allow them to point out the various points of interest. They are generally very intelligent men, but their personal xp- pearance, as a rule, shows that either business is not good or that their habits are more ex- pensive than their incomes warrant. 1 ran across one at Versailles last week who coud speak English, French, German, Spamish and | Italian, He said that his business was j @ protessor of languages, were such t! circam- pelled to all about knew ‘ything in the palace, and dates and names were at his tongue’send, He said it only took him three or four days to fit himseif for a| guide, for he had visited the palace more than | ahundred times before he ever thought of | offering his services to visitors. In two or | three months he expected to be in Paris, What would he do there? Uh, he expected to _ente into journalism. He might do for a Frene paper, but his knowledge of history and hi linguistic ability would not be the sole requi sites ag a news hunter ona hustling American daily. JUDGE MACKEY AND NIECE IN PARIS. There are said to be about 25,000 American residents in Paris, and among them is one who comparatively short time ago figured quite prominently before the American public, but whose whereabouts for some time past have been | unknown. He is none other than Judgs J. Mackey of Washington, who was conspicuous in connection with the Witherbee scandal, first as the legal counsel of the lady in the case, and subsequently «s her protector in the northwest, where they traveled together as uncle and niece. I ran acros the judge in Brentano’s to- day. He looked exactly as if he had dropped in from the city hall at Washington. His bear- ing was just as digmitied, he wore the same fur- collared overcoat, the same silk hat, carried the same cane, and, what looked like the same cigar stump, as when he was a familiar figure on the streets of Washington. His mustache was a little grayer, but his voice was just as | deep and impressive as ever. His compan- jon was a gray-haired lady, probably a chaperone, for his niece is said to be with him still, When he asked for acopy of Town Topics he informed her in a dee was the journal which contained all the Ameri- can gossip and seandals. His residence here is not generally known to Americans in Paris, but his identity is known to at least one young man in Brentano’s, who, after tipping me the wink, informed me that he has been in Paris nearly a year. The first time the judge visited the store he was accompanied by the comely niece, She was recognized and does not come in any more, but generally, so 1 was told, wasts outside ina cab, His companion on this occa- sion was not known to the young ian. The judge and his fair companion are said to reside in the outskirts of Paris, but the judge never has his purchases sent home, but always takes them with him. RK een WONDERS OF POMPEIL Remarkable Sights to be Seen in the Museum There. voice that it Frank R. Stockton, whose name is familiar to nearly all of you as thatof a delightful writer, has some very interesting chat about Pompeii in his book called “Personally Con- ducted.” Among other things he tells us of the famous plaster casts to be seen in the mu- seum ia that unearthed city A buildimg has been erected as a museum and in this are preserved plaster casts of some of the people who perished in the eruption. ‘These people were covered up by the fine ashes just where they fell and in the positions in which they died, These ashes hardened, and although the bodies, with the exception of a few bones, entirely disappeared in tho course of ages, the hollow places left in the ashes were exactly the shape of the forms and features of the persons who had been there, An ingenious Italian couceived the idea of boring into these hoilow moulds and filling them up with serie! of paris, When this became dry and hard the ashes were removed, and there were the plaster images of the persons who had been overtaken and destroyed betore they could escape from that terrible storm of hot ashes, which came down in quantities suf- XTEEN PAGES. SHARING TH CHRISTMAS, What the Members of the Children’s Christmas Cinb Do. 1k THEY ENTERTAIN LITTLE ONFS WHO HAVE NO CHRISTMAS AT HOME AND ENDEAVOR To DIF- FUSE THE LIGHT OF THEIR © PLEASURES AMONG THE LESS FORTUNA “Sharing Christmas with the poor.” This is the meaning of the children’s Christmas club, Each year for the past six years the children of the city have uz districts for the the brightness and day season into the li fortunate. Eve: know when tl. and giris even in Washington have no Christ- mas of their own, The pleasant anticipations of hanging up their stockings on, Christmas eve and the delights of finding them full of the rpose of diifusing some of jadness of this happy holi- of those who are un- knows, or at least they bod the smiles of kind friends, do not enter into their lives even at this season of theyear. The members of the Christmas clubs who enjoy all these good th know about those who are less fortuna try to share j a . For six 3 he Christmas clubs have entertained thousands of children. The members have shared their toys with those who had none of their own. They have sent them gifts of clothing and then they have invited them to a great dinner, where there were all kinds of good things to eat. Thon after dinner, where the hosts saw that the | guests were bountilully served, they all wit- | nessed some kind of entertainment, where the fun and jollity was shared alike, THIS FEATURE oF CHRISTMAS | in Washington is likely to remain permanent, The children are interested, bibed the true spirit of Christmas, and they are willing to contribute to the enjoyment of thoze whose joys are few. So this yi in th great preparations are in progress for the annual teasts, ‘The Idren in Georg town, East We in District No. have formed « e paid their ten ceuts as a memt ind with the heip of fathers and mothers they have selected from their stock of toys and from their clothes, and made up Christmas p: they wish to me king — forw ' his the dinner and fun which There is no limit placed upon the All are invited to the which thes 1 peop round. ey are not child ties and pr S in to enjoy the opport of the day. it | much good these ente within the field of han such an estinate, hosts, as well as to those the day brings enjoyim lection which will be a so’ after years, inments do, It is not calculation to make But to those whoare the who aro the guests, and leaves a recol- e of pleasure in HoW IT ORIGINATED. Perhaps many of ti who attended the meeting of the first Clu ago are no longer since then, nitied to v¢ the, forgotten how the Christmas clab originated. Bat they have not forgotten entirely the be. ufully written letter which appeared in Christmas number of St. Nich was reprinted in Tue Star in fv was a word from subject to the atte old and young. all the b nembe become to ong to a childrer old lub, and ther: . both ssed to in the world, ar ar before, as the C ued a lady in Portland, t of the poor homes and the hun- gry. unhappy children who knew nothin: Christmas, ‘She thought, also, of the pleasant homes and the merry children who filled them, and she resolved to make an appeal in behalf of the poor little ones, And so she invited a 3 and girls to meet at her nou . and the result was the Christinas That Christmas 600 little guests were entertained at dinner in the city of Portland, he f nta Claus’ appeared and his gifts upon them. All this was re- lated in the open letter, and then, at the close it was asked if there should not be other Christ- mas clubs in other towns and cities, Here in Washington that question was not asked in vain, ‘Iwo days aiter the letter was printed in Twe Star there was acall for a meeting. It was a meeting of gentlemen. They organized and co-operated with the ladies, and with their assistance THE FIRST CHILDREN’S CLUB of Washington was organized. The beginning was made in the last days of November, and when Christmas week came around the little ones were aglow with anticipation, These were not selfish anticipations, ‘The children were eager to do something to give others pleasure. The mottoes of the club were ap- propriately taken from Dickens’ Carol and are: ‘We choose itisatime of all other keenly felt and abr no Tiny Tim obser’ one.’”” » rejoices.” “And d, ‘God bless us every THE DISTRICTS. As the city was too la to enable all the children to be entertained in one place, four clubs were organized in the four sections of the city. In district No. 2, embracing the central and northern portions of city, Nellie Arthur, the daughter of the President of the United States, was chosen president of a club. All the clubs had grand time that day and thousands of children were made happy. The children will perhaps remember that not only the President of the United States attended the dinner of one of the club, but there present the late Mr. Corcoran, the whi philanthropist of Washington, as he was a tionately termed. However, the guests were robably too busy and happy in eating Veokine ai tite Cliaraiam tee mod enjoyin fun, and the their hosts were too busy im helping them, to care much for the presence of dis- tinguished visitors, How they all shouted when Santa Cluus appeared, and what a great uproar of childish langhter and applause the little entertainment elicited! Then, after they had all laughed until they were ‘tired, their hands wer with bundles of toys and packages of candies, and that night over 600 poor homes were cheered and gladened with Wie joy and pleasure of the happy Christmas time. THR SECOND YEAR, When the next r rolled around none of the children thought of giving up the Christ- mas club. It was reorganized in all the dis- tricts except one, and that was only through a misfortune. The numbers entertained in- creased and it wasestimated that there were ficient to cover a whole city from sight. In some of these figures the features are very distinct, and we can even distinguish the tex- ture of their clothing and the rings upon their fingers. There are eight of them—men, women and girls—besides the cast of a large dog. 07 hat They Read in Newspapers. ‘From the Philadelphia Press. Without wishing to be slangy, I may say that there is one thing I am tired of. Iam tired of hearing men eternally say that the first thing @ woman reads in the newspaper is the deaths and afterward the marriages. I don’t mean to deny it—I glory in it, Your masculine creature dances over to the page with the stocks ou, reads about Chicago gas, then revels in the de- os a of the aoe Taueders oF seandals; ut lovely woman glances at the mari in- dulges in a chuckle of delight as Siete of some happy mating, then goes ou down to the deaths and gives alow sign of sympathy for each unhappy mother, wife or chil Ft She says: “Qh, dear me; poor Mr. Brown's dead!” and Tom—that hard-hearted creature with his mind fixed on Chicago gas—says, very non- chalantly: “Oh, is her I wonder what be cut up for?” By this time Mrs. Tom's off at her desk writing a note of condolence, or, if her acquaintance with the family is enough to per mit it, she has on her bonnet and coat and has one up to see if there is anything she can do ide tendering the hand of sympathy to those who are in sorrow. I want the women to keep on reading the marriages and deaths first, tor just as loug as they do it is a proof of the truly ee remaining: in = ey, pape ine wi want congratulate bride or. sympathize with the widow. ——+e-—____ Her Charms. some 2,000 children who became the guests of the three clubs, The Pre~ident of the United States and his daughter did not fail in their hearty co-operation, Even the dignified Chief Justice of the United States became in- terested and was a spectator at one of these entertainments. The grown-up children lent helping hand to those of a smaller growth, and the zeal of these kind friends of the chil- dren’s club in the good cause caused them to give freely of their time and mouey. The col- umns of the newspapers were always open when a good word was to be said in benalf of the clubs and the public generally co-operated. REPEATING SUCCESSES, So when Christmas, 1885, came around the children’s clubs very naturally got ready for the usual entertainment. The success of the previous year was repeated. The president of district No, 2 had left the city with her father, and Miss Mollie Vilas, daughter of the then Postmaster General, took her place as presi dent, Miss Rose Cleveland, the sister of the President, became the president of the ladies’ committee. This year achange was made in the manner of serving the dinner; during the first two years contributions of cooked turkeys and of almost everything else in the shape of pro- visions were made, and the committees at- tended to all the carving, table-laying, dish washing, &c. It was found that this labor was unnecessary and would be intolerable if this organization were to become permanent, Ac- cordingly a caterer was employed to furnish the dinner and everything accessory thereto, and the ladies were thus spared much exhaust- ing labor. experiment was entirely suc- and the plan thus inaugurated has since been followed. The next year witnessed the re ‘ization of the clubs and the usual me made another pleasant event in the history of the movement in this city, So infectious was the example of the previous years that the col- coed pees went into the movement and en- tel at dinner the poor children of their race. own Last year the success of the vious years So ye active but among the colored a er: ted together in their several | y stop to think, that some boys | good gifts of Santa Claus, the candies, the toys, | They bave im-| r been estimated how | 3 wellus some of the older ones, have | tables, of girls and boys, members of the club; the boysall have their club badges and the girl neatiy and plainly dressed, each com- pleting hercostame with a damty cap and & | white apron—a pretty picture as one sees them | running from child to child, bringing a new supply of turkey or some other provision—for the guests are not denied a second help; nearly all of these, like Oliver Twist, ask for more, but with different resul THE OF Records Which D HERO Jefferson Davis is dead. Now, it is an ancient | maxim, “Say nothing of the dead but what is good.” AN will cordialiy endorse that senti- {ment if that “good” can be truthfully said, without injury or injustice to others living and dead. But the grandiloquent eulogies of Jef- ferson Davis by his southern admirers as “The | Hero of Buena Vista” is most unjust to the ; Memory of the gallant dead, both northern | Sud southern. I will be pardoned, therefore, a | brief statement of a characteristic episode of that “memorable field,” involving Jefferson Davis’ so called “heroism”—a statement with- out malice toward either Davis or his southern admirers, and only asa matter of history and | in vindication of the truth, February 22 and 23 Napoleon of the west, 1847, Santa Anna, with an apparently overwheiming force, assaulted Gen, Zachary Taylor's “Little army of volunteers” ia its posi tion at Buena Vista. During the battles which | eusued the 2d Indiana regiment, a raw or un- disciplined regiment of volunteers, was thrust forward by its incompetent but gallant Colonel Bowles into a position exposed to a terrible en- filading fire which would soon have annihilated it, Three times were they ordered to retreat. | Twice they refused and stubbornly confronted | death and the Mexicans. The brave fellows | knew how to fight and die, but not how to re- treat. Finally, when compelled, under this deadly fire and the order of their colonel, to abandon the position, it was in a confused or nized mass, | authorities so agree, At that critical moment, ified, Col, Jefferson Davis advanced the ssissippi rifles, repulsed the Mexicans covered the tield. remember well extravagant newspaper from the Jefferson Davis, in flaming like a veritable * Rushing into *the deadly breach” report i! Ws god of wa: at this perilous moment a! nent. ng iu his stirrups, brandishing bis excaliber” over his “god-like head” and, pointing to his Mississippians, « n tones to t nd that w reports were printed all qver the ‘Thousands beheved them, Davis in consequen me a hero and they have actualy passed into some works on history. In substance they are now repeated by his south- ern eulogists, |. In 1850, in the House of Representatives, in | the wrangle over the spoils of Mexico, Mr. J. A. | Seddon of V . ina glowing apostrophe | reciting the splendid actions of the southern troops to Gen. Taylor, who had become presi- | dent and w the southern claim to aimed: etreating Indianians, “form Jof Buena Vista, at ll Seemed lost save chs) heart bound pach of the noble time J ), again shoul as he t led midst of pate fre th then, n order, discomfited aud in 4 with panic and nerved ard—rignt onward on the prowess snatch e and vi : 1, a democratic member of ‘nois, commanded the move- menuton that ticld which followed on the re- treat of the second Indiana, He consequently heard Seddon’s apostrophe with mingled | amazement and indignation. Nevertheless he slept on it. Subsequently, in referring to it i the House, Col. Bissell declared that “justice” to the living and the d, justice to the gal- | lant --Hardin and McKee and the accomplished € (Lieut. Col. Henry Clay of the second | ky, a son of the celebrated Henry Clay), j ught and fell’ by his side at Buena iv minded of him “a prompt correction his most erroneous statement.” He were a onster” did he not “protect their well-earned fame.” He said: ‘And I affirm distinetly, sir, and such is the . that, at the time the second Indiana reci- nt gave way, the Mississippi regiment for rlaimis thus gratuitously set up, wus fe and a half of the scewe of r had it as yet fired a. gun or drawn 4 . Lafirm furthe wiga at that time met and ir, that the troops which sted the enems, and gentlemans own language, from the juws of defeat, were the second Kentucky, the Second Jingis ‘and « portion of the first Illinois regiments.”—Con Glove, S1st Cong. 1st 8¢ss., App, p. 228. But this manly vindication of the truth of history by Col. Bissell, this generous defense | of “the well-earned fame” of his comrades in arms, living and dead, Jefferson Davis pre- tended to understand only as an attack on “the | chivalry” of the second Missis: pi. He de- jwanded a retraction. 1t was refused. Bisseil fas of a metal similar to that of “Old Zach,” of whom it was reported Santa Anna com- | plained that ‘he (Zach) did not know when he was whippec Jeff then challenged Bissell. The chalienge was promptiy accepted—mus- kets at twelve paces.” Bissell meant bu: Whereupon Jeff's chivalry collapsed. friends sought an adjustment of the matter. Col, Wm. A. Richardson, also a democratic member of the Illinois delegation in the House, was one of Col, Bissell’s seconds. Gen. Edward thus, to use the “Snatched victory ‘88, bis D. Baker, a whig,was also. in 1850, 2 member of the Illinois delegation, Col. Richardson, in the eulogy on G Baker, who, on October House on December, 1!, 1861, in his 21 had been killed at Ball's Bluft, gave a brief statement of the transactions which led to a pacitie adjostune of the matter between “Jeff” and Col. Bissell. Gen. Daw- son, a Senator from Georgia and one of Jeff Davis’ seconds, approached Col, Richardson with the declaration: “We can settle this thing.” Col. Richardson declared that but for Gen, Baker's hostility to the duello (Baker hav- ing denounced it as “infamous, barbarous, and inbuman”) he would at once have rejected Dawson's proposition. As it was Gen. Baker's high character and commanding influence with the delegation secured a pacific adjustment of the matter ‘without dishonor to Col. Bissell,” and in ail probability saved the lives of both of the principal actors. NEW. Wasurxaton, D.C., December 19, 1889, — coe HE WAS FORGIVEN, A Little Boy’s Mother Couldn’t Stand His Caim Resignation. From the Lewistown (Me.) Journal. A Lewistown little boy declared a philosphic independence and accepted the consegence in so matter of fact a way last week that it may make a story, even if it is not so very funny. His mother dressed him up in a new flannel shirt and sent him toschool. The shirt irri- tated his cuticle, or, in other words, he itched. When he came home that night he was cross, and very cross for so small a boy, and he de- clared he aud the shirt had parted company forever. The next morning, as the mother prepared to dress him for school, the boy drew the line at the shirt. “No,” said he, “I don't waater wear that shirt.” A brief debate en- sued, in which the boy appeared to have formed his opinion and to have decided to stick to it. The question, when put to the house, was car- ried by the boy, who would not don the shirt, “If you will not wear it.” said his mother, “I shell send you back to bed.” Back to bed he went. He got no dinner. Afternoon came, A neighbor went in to see hira, his mother telling ber that she had a bad boy up stairs, The boy lay there in bed wide | ‘udoubtediy this retreat of the second In- | sed a perilous crisis in the battle. All | » head of his regi- | i in stento- | ory. — | RAILROADS. f agheaae rhe ANIA ROUTE TO THE NOKIM, WEST, AND SOUTHWEST, EXDID SCENERY aT gh SCTPMENR, 1. TNRE S, FROM STATION, SURRETS AS FOLLOWS} West, Chicago Limited B: Ubuled Care at a ly to Columbus and tro to Com Parior Car Washit 4 ee yy at Harrisbury with throt aM Pact ei 1M, 00 pan for Pittsburg and the W Tehran! Sleeper io Pittabune: and Pittebund BALTIMORE AN a 2ie, Canandaieus i Rochester dai: ud Niawrare dads cent Saturday siugton to Kocheater, wort Lock Haven and Elmira at 10:50 a.m. daily, except Sunday. hie Car. FOK PHILADELPHIA ONT! Fast Express 8:10 a.u), week phe Bio Accom. 6200 p.m, dai For Boston without chang. For, seookiyn, Yall ton street, a -rTiage across ao. For Atiautie City, 14580 au, week day 11:20 p.m polis, + 20 a.m. 12,05and 4:20 p.m. daly, except Sunday. Sundays, #:05 a.m. 4:10 p.m. LEXAND.JA AND 2 KE DEMICKOBURY KA! AX AAD ALEAANDELA AND WASHINGLO +P FEC) NOVEMBER 18 1889, For Alexauaria, 4.30, 0k, 740,840, U4, 10:57 ate 1204 "out, 3, 4:08, 6-01, a, Week day) ond aud the 2 re South, 4:30, 10:57 amend pan. dauy. So Accoummodation 4.50 pin. wee 4 ai. —Fast Mau daily for sville, Stations € au, Montcons \ Dew Orveaus, Texas at New korg’ to Atlant » to New Uricabs, Pullman Sleep Augusta. Pullman Sleepe E aly Via bur, Bristol and Che tapccya. Pullman Vestibule sleepers Washington Dewpbis, connecting tueuce for all Arkausas pou ster Express, daily tor Mavess. lie, stuuuton, Fullinan Vestibule u iwith a Pulluan sleep 11:00 p.tm,—Southeru I Lynehl Danviie, Kalewu, Asuey ‘Cuaclotte, “Colunul A Moulgowery, New Usleaus, Lexee Liman Vestivule Car Washington to press dai rom the south via Charlotte, Dan- Lyuchburs arrive ib Wasiiugton 8:33 10 yom. via Best Teunessee, Jiristol aad uchbury at 10°Z3.a.u. avd 10:40 p.m; vie Chem ake and Obio route anu Charlottesville at 2:48). » ta. Strasbury local at 104 Tickets, sleepiug-car reservation and information furasted, and baaree checked at office, 1300 Penn sylvanin ave. F station, Penusylvaue u Bacowore Axp Ouro Razroav. Schedule i elect Noveuber 40, 180%. Leave Washiugton rut station commer of New Jersey avenue aud C street For Chicago and No: Vestibuled Lunited express daily 11-20 atu. express 9:0 pan. OF Cuciunat St Lois aud Iudiaiapolis, expres @aily. 3:10 and 11:50pm. For Fitisburg und Cleveland, Vestivuled Limited express caniy 11 and express 8 $0 p.m. ‘or Lexington aud Local Stations 10:30am. For uray, 8:40 pan. daily. For Bastion 2%, 4:00, 5:00, 6:40, 7 8:30, 9:20, ¥ 12-00, 47:10 pian, aud 6:53 £ st. Washington, week da 8:00. 850, 9:15 ou, 2-1, ET O W, 6220, aud 11:00pm. Sundays, 6 Vi 1o aan WU, ALOU, 1-5u, 620, 7:10, 7:30, 8:30, 10: 200 piu. For Aunapolis, 6:40 am.,12-10 and 4-2 Sundays, S3U ai. 4-35 pu. Leave au., 12:05 and 3:50pm Sundays, pau tan Branch, 16:45, apa wletivns oulyy he Metropolit P.m. for pr: mi, 11.200, ThL:Sd pau | her ted wud intermediate stations, 17:00 p.tty $10:00 p.m. |, Chureb train leaves Washington on Sunday at 1-15 | Pauw. stop) thw at all stations on Metropoutan Bi | | For Frederick, 6:40, T1U:30 au, 13:10, 14:30 m. 8.1215 pan. For Hagerstown, t10 30am. and 15-30 p.m Surrive irvm Chicago day 11:45 ai. trom Cinciuust and St. Louis daily Ou pau. ; trom Pitwsburg 7:10 am, 6:50 ) PHILADELPHIA DIVISION, dor New York, Treuton, Newark aud bijzabeth, 3.7400, 18:00, *Y220, “1200 am., 4:20 +i ». Buffet parior cars On all day train, bleep the 10:30 pau bat Caron Upen at B00 pan, For Philadelphia, Newark, Wilts Xs #400, 15:00, “0:20, "12-00" ma. For interniediste points betw Adelphia, 15:00 aud jy 20 a.m, *1 ‘Lraius’ jeaye New lork for W. s 111-00 am, 0, *3:00 pm. and 22.0 for Washington *4 B15, 1:55, "4-40, "6-00, 840 pie For Atiaube City'*4:00 eau. abd * aya 4:00 au. and 12:00 noot, @ cept Sunday “Dany. Sunday only. ae culled tor and checked from hutcle aud Yous Erausfer Co. on, orders leit at Woket Oficen Gi ¥and 1331 Pas ave, oad Ofices, 619 an ave. and at De J.T. ODELI Cas. 0 80 Sil ee Raonee,__ eFa he POTOMAC RIVER BOATS. ‘ RAMEE THE OLD FAVOKii& Si. GEORGE LEABY PEEDY. SAFE. COMPO TABOR, unexcelied state FS Appousiments Srst-class. Toouis large, confortable and heated Ly steam. Polite ang atten cive vibcere. i horough discipline. From 7 th-street whart MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS aud FEUD AMS at 5 pau, - ‘be only stexuer ianding at Boston whart, and the ouly sive baviuy eaclumve wi BUSLUN AND PKOVADENCE BTEAMERS, Tickets aud rovus at 619 and 135] Peuuayivenia i Hawiey’s, 10th aud F n.w.. and Knox's Yio Mul check baxceage tro, botele aud private 745: deuces. ‘Teieplone “nie WSL we pt. and Geu OKFOLK, FOKTKESS MONROE AND douth —Daily line except Saturdays, e228 MUNVAY, November .5, 188Y, Steamers Lady of Lake and’ Jane Moseley, having been repaired Bowls uruished, wil save biath-rtreet What inue 7th ‘ts stzeet cara at 0 yah." Recruiting, deave Ciyde's wharf, Norfolk, foot et, emus Lour, “Close connections for New York, and North aud Sout, For state rooms tk bmx reat aw cS eo i aa oer oa tae» in ‘> a va. ave. abd Hawles’s Express. BOAKD COASTING COMPANY. Mot VERNON W. W. CORCORAN, Cape. wi except Wat for Ay, Bi. lucsuding modal i awake, his little cheeks flushed with the aa but showing no sign of change of eart, “Don’t you want to go to school?” asked the neighbor. “school?” was the reply. “I shall never go to schoo! again.” “Don’t you want to?” “Yes, but —— T've got to stay here.” “all your lifei “Yes'm,” was the reply, “all my life. I shan’t ever get up again prob'iy.” What could a mother’s heart do against so philosophic an tance of the termination of a career as this? What but kiss him at tea and and the little bunch of pluck some tickle him. tRAMER “W, sea Naithbaibet? am heturang 4 KIDALS and SUNDAYS p. m, touching st ‘Conmects and Lecuardiown, bod, 0 saa Oe 3 NombEey. — = ae Oe OCEAN STEAMEKS, = ee es 5" "Sa EAs aon SY Ay saree, Beeman. need ‘Comfortable state saloon : table, = Let eee sau ie; eter cs tow ince, ke ATTORNEYS. aL Las COUNSELORS aT Law, ot ow