Evening Star Newspaper, January 18, 1890, Page 12

TOTS AS ATHLETES. Prof. Brosius and His 1,200 Child Discipies of Father Jahn. How PARIES OF SIX AND LADS AND MISSES ARE TRAINED IN THE MYSTERIES OF TURNING— SIMPLE CALISTHENICS AND COMBINATIONS BE- QUIRING GRACE AND STRENGTH. Correspondence of Tr Jan. 18 Star. —There was a hum of reat building of the 7th street, yes- ceilinged room, ratus hang overhead and “re was a group of children er, for a juvenile gam Central turn ve terday afternoon. where a ma upon the w at wor! of was in dren formed a pretty pictar, e girls’ hour and there were blonde tots of half a dozen summers, and dark-haired. dancing or eight. Ali w of blue flannel, cons: trimmed with broad wh coming just below the d wee witches of seven sed ina neat uniform ing of a sailor blouse, braid. with skirts j knee, black stockings and little black e!iy Some had their hair tied and others Lud the short tresses neatly plaited. PEASE: The game was tles were formed, ea drez. All sat down, oe rman eibert, the g: rom eae of the ring: ga aronnd outside the cirel iy pau to touch one of the sitters, Who rose and chased her until caught, when the first girl took her place im th nd the other continued the . This was kept up for about twe s, when the feminine midgets were and put thr. “These are our George Errosius, athle pupils age and hei under fourt 3 for bors, fourteen or girl, the 1 there eight = tan evouing. isa class of vour +, for which we special eurrientn yo youngsters at work for yourse ee the way. PRILLING THE Bows. We passed ito the gym the li s had been repl army of between eight anc formed in white breeches, bl: y were uni- blue . knee pers. wore a belt At the signal from the professor. who stood una dais at the endof the ba into four clanses, the Seibert and T classes or ¢ and the fonr comy tical exercise with ies went throm precision of 1 countermare e word of h the tac- veterans, Then come four motions, instrnetor, and a led horse on hands and bor re i to tie floor. He ¢ line to make wa for the nd so it we en- ! times over the horse. This was t jumping on the matted ft ~-vaultin} ich was cleared - jamp spring board. and a mild exercive with elubs. As the ease of the younger pupils, th day's lesson concluded with 4 » somewhat 1 and mouse,” the mouse secki while the way in, amid hor from THE “VATLTING HoRsE.” 2 see,” expleined th to keep them int the full pen: them. professor, rte ¢ { the exercise without tir: ive ny a Fou make stinetion in the training of gi i sa08 est ob je of mou neces main not en: strength young girls them one body, the to develop en very we adopt a m: & young girl co more cu order © es’ rest, then res: as. arrang ming with very d specially so as to save gram would egular course There en or eight get a more advanced exercise. They are beginning to have an idea of what is wanted of them and they join in the work intelligently. The exercises are culated not only to develop the b ¥e it suppleness and graceful motion. are tanght many steps w are used in the waltz, schottische, other dances. These are meant t body perfect freedom and a g Then the They the fect, «uch as olka and le exercises that give which the arms. and e freely employed, ris- different motions. But violence, for I con- ‘specially would fing and talling in tl great is tak Sider rt the banc be be hurtful “When tue: ‘advanced (you ‘stem is progressive) the girls be- + | apparatus for the wheeling and J Indian | “we have | ase we do | gin to get combined movements. in which the whole elass participates, and which require great skill and clove attention. The arm and chest movement, too, is now freely used. One of the favorite exercises is the ‘half swing.’ which is siraply an improvement upon the old- fashioned see-saw. An upright is firmly fast- ened anda cross-beam, oscillating upon a pivot, is hung near the top. On each arm of the cross-beam are & number of rope handles, which | the pupils grasp, and then the swing rises and ! falls with the slightest motion, just like the see- saw, the only diffurence being that in the see- saw the player is seated, whereas in the half swing she is holding on tightly by both hands, | The half swing’ can be made to rise eight or | nine feet from the floor, it develops the arms | and chest fin «Another special exercise is the ‘circle swing.” | and the girls are exceedingly fond of it: indeed, they love all the exercises, A circular iron plate is hung from the ceiling, and from it eight cords. exch with a pair of handles, hang downward to about two and abalf feet from the floor. One of these handles is a little higher than the other, so that the pupil can throw her arm through the lower one and grasp the other with her fingers. E:ght pupils take hold of these sixteen handles and they move all together. swinging in acircle, ‘They also prac- tice walking on t@® ‘balancing board,’ which is | about six or eight inches high, two inches broad and about two fect apart. They stand it, take hands and walk along, going zh various combined movements. This | gives them suppleness. poise and agility.” “Do you use none of the usual gy irls of this age: “Oh, yes: we tise climbing ladders and swing- ing rings. but oaly for the more advai One | | thing that we never omit is the simple | for the feet upon the floor and the mo: | nesiam that will teach grace rather than ength. | _ “How do the girls compare with the boys as got the first prize. There certainly was some- thing singular about the foreign awards and it only served to convince me that American turners are superior to any in Eu —if they can get a fair show. ie American athicte was Herman Koebler, my former pupil. now instructor in fencing, swimming and athletics at West Point, “Ihave been an athlete since 1864. when I left the army toassume the charge of the first turnhall opened in Milwaukee,” continued Prof. Brosius, stroking his military-lookin| mustache and goatee. *There are now 300. turners in the country, While in Milwaukee I was for ten years superintendent of physical instruction in the public schools, and there I was impressed with the great desirability of introducing physical training generally in the schools throughout the country. Thousands of children are crippled, ramped aud perma- nently deformed 1 the carelessness of their teachers, If the government would establish an institute for the education of teachers to be ussigned to the various public schools, we would reap the benefit in a generation of hap- pier, healthier and more robust children. Edu- cation in the schools should be physical as well as mental. and the tendency today is de- eidedly in favor of such forra.” Prof. Brosius, who is now fifty-one years of age, has been preaching and practically il- lustrating the doctrines of Father Jahn, the founder of turning, for twenty-six years, He is never happier than when instructing his upils, who, from the tinicst midget to the Drawniost member of his adult classes, hold him in affectionate regard, He is the good genius of the growing generation of athletes, and at the three festivals that take place every year the laurels and diplomas he distributes are held by pupils and parents alike as the most valued souvenirs the young athletes could win, Eves Crayton. HOME MATTERS, HINTS AXD SUGGESTIONS FOR THE HOUSEHOLD, PANTRY AND KITCHEN—SEASONABLE RECIPES FOR THE PRODIGAL HOUSE KEEPER—DAINTY DISHES TOR THE TABLE. Cuancoat Powprnep and taken with a little water is recommended by the Lancet for cleans- ing the blood. Wuex Eos ant Scarce cornstarch isa good substitute, one tablespoon of the starch is equal to one egg. Waew Syuptoms or Crovr Exist administer at brief intervals a teaspoonful of the mixture made of equal parts of sweet oil, paregoric and syrup of ipecac. and uncomfortable by constant wear in the rain and apply acoat of vaseline, rubbing it in well with a cloth, and in a short time the leather becomes as soft and pliable as when it is taken from the shelves of the shoe dealer. Atcm Waren Witt Resrorr almost all faded colors. Brush the faded article thoroughly to free it from dust, cover it with a lather of cas- tile soap, rinse with clear water and then alam water and the color will usually be much brighter than before, A Worp Anout Boren Rier.—The addition of lemon juice to the water will increase the whiteness and help the grains to separate, and if lemon juice or white vinogar be put into the water for boiling fish the scum is thrown up | aud the color of the fish is greatly improved. Tris Litrte Dirvicetr to Dererutye just when custard is sufticiently cooked, This will settle the point: Take a spoonful of the mixture iar as intelligence and aptness are concerned, professor? and let itrun back into the dish. If it leaves the spoon entirely more cooking is necesssary. Shouid there be little specks upon the spoon it is quite time to remove the “soft” custard from the stove. A Goop Coven Mixrone is made by taking two ounces of balm of gilead buds and boiling them very slowly ina quart of boiling water. Let it simmer to one pint, then strain it and add one pound of honey in comb, with the juice of three lemons, Let all boil together until the wax in the honey is dissolved. Tur Fottowixa 1s a Goop Krctrr For Craret Pescn: Place in the punch bowl a large square block of perfectly clear ice, pour over it two teaspoons of powdered sugar and four oranges cut in slices; then empty over it two quart bottles of the very best claret sud one quart bottle of champagne. Satt 18 Saip To Be A Goop Mora Extermrn- THE “CIRCLE SWING.” “Well, Ithink it only fair to them to say that they are my best pupils. Taey take a greater pride in what they accomplish than the boys do and they bear themselve like little queens. They are naturally more graceful, and therefore much of the work comes easier to them. ‘This explains why they can assume bet- ter positions, Some of them are very accom- plished. I: would be difficult to imagme any- thing more gracefal than the motions of the pupils in my young ladies’ class, where the are from sixteen upward. Well built, nd healthy, they are just the best sort for a class of advanced exercises, are directed toward the development of grace and freedom of physical action, for these are what are most desirable in cvery young woman, Inse light Indian elubs—two- niswinging rings, besides other apparatus. No dumb bells are used. st only one elub is employed by the pupil few simple motions and then when she has mastered these both clubs are uscd for combined movements, that is, step positions, in which the whole class joins, In order not to tire them too much with the they change to step positions and betw y hew exer- cise tal RCISES CALLING FOR STRENGTH, While Prof. Brosius talked the boys kept ily at the exercises. The older pupils— | lads between ten and twrlve—were busy with bing ers, swinging rings, sliding nd horizontal bar, the professor's as- nts personally superintending every group } ie floor of the great gymnasiam, | YTese are exercises,” he explained, “that | cali tor more strez ‘The pupils you see are trained in dificalt combined tactical move- and au advanced grade of calisthenics, here are three different grades of calisthenics. | Their exercise will continue about an hour. | and includes club swingin. No. [do not use dumb bells in this grade. As the boys advance | they use all the apparatus, but we don't force them ahea They must be older stronger before they get the pyramid exercise, or any thing that will try their strength serious We aiwars give them suficient rests between the exer « Ido not use the health lift here. 1 don’t believe in it, for young pupils, at ator. In heavy velvet carpets sweeping them with salt cleans and keeps them from moths, as particles of the salt remain in the carpets and corners, Often a sort of scum is noticed in the basins ina marble wash stand; common salt will take it off easily and leave the basin shining and clean, Oxe oF THE Nicest Laver Cakes ever made is as follows: Thecake is made in the usual way, but the fillin; something new. Take four greening apple’, peel and grate them; to this add the white of two eggs beaten very stiff, two teaspoons of vanilla extract and sugar to sweeten, Stir well and then spread between the layers of cak AGenmay Test ror Watenep Mink consists in dipping a well-polished knitting needle into a deep vessel of milk and then immediately withdrawing it in an upright manner. If the milk 1s pure a drop of the fluid will hang to the needle, but the addition of even a small proportion of water will prevent the adhesion of the drop. Beer Gumso.—Put into a large saucepan the lean from any part of the beef; cut into squares; add a can of tomatoes and okras mixed and, if you like, onion juice,a dash of that for seasoning. (For the benefit of several inquirers, you get the onicn juice by grating the onions.) Your on water enough to cover the beef. Stew very geutly until all is in strings, Serve on toasted bread in the bottom of the turcen, Frvuir Guiace.—Boil one pint of granulated sugar and one cupful of water until brittle. Have oranges peeled and divided in quarters, Carefully dip each piece ina portion of the syrup and set ina cool place to dry. Do not stir the sirup. Pineapples, bananas or other fruits can be prepared in the same way, and, mixed with the oranges in a glass bowl, form a very handsome dish. To Make Jecty From Appre Pantnas.—Take the parings, cover with water, let them boil until the substance is out of them, then strain through a fine sieve, then place the liquid in a pan, boil until reduced one-half, then add sugar enough to make a jelly, add juice of lemon to one quart of jelly, or without kemon ifapplesare tart. Put up in jelly glasses. Very nice for jelly cakes. Don’t waste your apple parings—make them into jelly. Tue Scuwerzer Wocuenscuairr Fur Puar- | macte gives the following simple treatment for cold in head: Put one teaspoonful of powdered camphor in acone-shaped vessel filled with | allevents, ‘THE PYRAMID, WITH WANDS. “Much harm is done by urging violent mo- tious on the partof pupils, It is against all the | Principles of modern scientific athletics and is ruinous to the pupil. I know of « government | training school, not far from New York, where the cadets are permitted to use 8 and 10-pound dumb bells. which must result in serious injury sooner or later. Ihad a scholar who studied with me for twelve or fourteen years and who could put “f @ 100-pound dumb bell thirty tmes with his right hand. He went tothe | turners’ competition at Frankfort and com- peted for a prize, The first premium was awarded to a German athlete named Miller, who afterward came here and competed at the St. Louis festival, where he got the sixth prize, while the American whom he defeated boiling water and covered with a cornucopia, the top of which is then torn off just enough to admit the nose, and the warm camphor vapor inhaled from ten to fifteen minutes. A repeti- tion of this procedure after four or five hours will generally suftic to effect a cure. Peacu Gevatine.—Dress half acan of peaches or apricots through a colander; whip a pint of cream stiff; take a quarter of a box of gelatine; souk in two tablespoonfuis of cold water, and stir it over boiling water until it is dissolved; Strain it into the puree of fruits; mix well and stand the mold—which should be a tin one—on the ice or in the snow, or stir from the bottom and sides until it begins to set and thicken, then add haif the whipped cream, mix thor- oughly and set away to harden. Turn out on a dish and pour the remainder of the whipped cream, which you have kept in a cool place, around the base. Novoar Cases ror Drssent.—Blanch one pound of almonds and cut each lengthwise into thin, narrow pieces; lay them on a dish infront of the fire or in the oven, with the door open, to get perfectly dry, Melt in asugar boiler half- pound of loaf sugar, when the sugur isa light rown put in the almonds, with rose. vanilla or orange davoring; mix them well, but carefully, together into a soft paste, which will harde: when cold. Make some small moulds very hot; slightly but thoroughly oil them with dil of sweet almonds. Put some of the mixture in oue of them, and, with the handle of a tea- spoon. previously oiled, spread it out as thinly as possible, so as completely to line the mould; trim the edves, and, when cold, turn out the nougats. Make a number inthe same way, serve half of them filled with whipped cream and the other half with preserves, Remepy For tae Guir.—A contributor to an English paper say: “Should you unfortu- nately receive a visit from this uninvited guest Iwould advise you to have in readiness the following mixture: Two ounces of ammoniated tincture of quinine (be sure you get the right thing, and any respectable chemist can supply it), added to six ounces of water, and kept weil corked. As soon as you feel the chills and premonitory symptoms take one tablespoonful of this mixture in « tab! ful of new milk and iy end every half hour for two hours, then every hour four hours more, Afterward once in three hours will be quite often enough. a you may look | its advent with perfect composure, pre- scription is so simple, and, as I learn, so in- think it should be known wiley. that I Take a Parr or Suoes that has become stiff | LA THE EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON, D.C., SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 1890—SIXTEEN PAGES, Written for Taz Evexrxo Stan. BELLES OF FORTY-FIVE. Women Who Keep Beautiful and How They Do It. KEEPING ADIPOSE AND WRINKLES AWAT—A WOMAN WHOSE SON WAS PROUD OF HER—SOME OF THE FAIR ONES OF FORTY OR MORE—AMIABILITY AND 178 EFFECTS, “We have two things to dread,” frankly con- fessed a handsome woman across the coffee service in her pretty room in the prettiest ho- tel in the country—that is to say in Philadel- phia. “The foes of good looks are adipose and wrinkles. A thin woman may fascinate, in spite of her slimness, if she has flesh only to hide the outline of her bones, like Sarah Bernhardt. But when the form becomes tallowy, and thet layer comes at the back of the neck by which men profess to tell a woman's age, good-by at- traction! When you see the handwriting, the fine lines on the face. it is a sign that one’s days are numbered for pleasing, and I say when a woman ceases to attract she had better cease to exist. That's the way I feel about it, anyhow. You can be useful and fill a vacant place in society and be good to your family and all that, being passe, but then you can do all these | things just as well and a great deal better for being pretty. My brother doesn’t think any less of me that people seem to notice me favor- ably when he goes out with me, and it is nice and easy toget him to do what I want, aud maneuvering women have « small chance with him, I can tell you, when I am around.” PROUD OF HIS MOTHER. “My son is rather proud of having his mother taken for his sister,” said another gentle creature in a natty black cloth morning dress, French and severely plain, which set _off her chestnut curis aud rounded figure. ‘You won't believe I had a purple suit made just be- cause that boy happened to admire ‘a lady dressed in that color. So I hunted up a camel’s-hair, adarker, rich shade, fit for an older person like myself, and had it turned out as stylish as could be contrived. with velvet hat and tea roses ia velvet, strictly within the line of my years, for no remarks about frisky matrons, if you please, and you ought to see how the boy likes it! He is as critical if I have a spot on my face as if he was go to paint ¥ picture. Oh, it’s nice to have your own boys in love with you. When they can't help it,” said the hostess, with a glance which pointed the complimex One sich woman is enough tostir up a so- ciety to emulate her freshness and good ample.” “It takes caro and thought.” said a pretty matron arc&ly. “The boys and their father watch my weight, and if I threaten to grow a trifle stout there is uneasiness, and Iam ad- vised anxionsly not to take chocolate or too much dessert, and there is gencral relief in the family when I return to or 1 thinness, It sounds absurd, but when 2 mere little woman Keeps the house happy with a few gowns and nice ways I eal! it cheap at the Don't tell any one for the world, but the boy this is the way she alludes to her son and heir —‘hasa half-mile course laid down at our place on Long Island, aud nothing pleases him better than to get me out there back of the evergreens for arunwith him on a bright morniag. Youcanrun your flesh off quicker than you can get rid of it any other war, and it leaves one feeling as if you could set the bay on fire.” OUGHT TO FEEL LIKE A GInt. “That's the way a woman ought to feel,” said an older woman, whose deep blue gi a face of rose red and white and brilliant keen gray eyes made the glance wander after her. “When I was out in the country people used to wonder at me, and they said, “She goes about like a young girl.’ I asked, ‘How should I go about? [felt light and perfectly easy in mo- tion, while their women went abont staid, mop- ing, artificial, because they thought they must do so. I got in and out of a rockaway withou», help, while one of their women had to have three men come to offer a hand, and then she fell out with a puif as if she were going to pices, When a woman has large lungs, as we ave, she is lighter and gets around easier, just as birds do with the air cells in their bones: or they are wadded with flesh about the hips and chest with poking about their housekeeping aud breathing the fumes of so much cookery, and sitting around and moving slowly when they go about afterward. I can get three times as much done in the time those women can, I don’t care what it is—dressing a lunch table, or getting ready for a fair, or help- ing my husband. I'm forty-five my last birth- day, and I'm not going to turn invalid or peni- tent or turn Mrs. Gladstone this year or next either. My husband is growing corpulent with sitting in the office so much and eating good dinners, and he is going off hunting in the Rus- sian river country. where mountain tramps will take the superfluous off him. I want him to look something like the man I liked and mar- ried, and I don't want to be left a blooming widow by apoplexy _ or other fatty degeneration. When my book is through the press I'm going on the Edenic diet for six months to get this suet off my hips that intolerable boarding house fare put on me last winter, and I'm not going to feel more than thirty-five the next twenty years. I look young because I feel young. Iam young. There isn't an organ about me that hasa flaw or is disordered in any way, for I haven't taken care of myself these forty years for nothing, and before that my mother took care of my health forme. I feel vi i i myself and making everybody else happy, and if that’s a crime I'm a criminal of the decpest dye.” AN IDEAL PICTURE, “You were ideal when that picture was taken.” said the youngest lady, glancing at a photo- graph whose shoulders were smooth as mar bie, while the face had the studious, dreamy air of A sweet girl graduate. “When do you suppose that was taken?” quietly asked the hostess. “Why when she was thirty-five, I suppose,” said the coquette with a haive insoleuce of twenty-two, “Ic was taken five years ago, with her six grown children about her, and nine men out of ten wonld turn to look after her then where one would look at us, “And the tenth?” di fiantiy, flushing a little. “The tenth would follow her,” was the duleet reply. “See the expression, full of sensibility and fervor, with the look of amusing Diana. You find that look in the eyes of studious women of warm hearts and large brains, and it isalook that attracts when complexion and toilet pall, AMIABILITY COMES WITH YEARS, The beauty tossed her little head, sneered and was offended. Amiability is one of the gifts one learns with years, Taking the ques- tion on facts, society is far ahead of theories, as usual, Its homage has not all been poured at the feet of girlhood. To whom did Angelo write his sonnets and Petrarch his, whom did Titian and Vandyke paint, and for whom were swords oftenest crossed, but women of an age which would raise the sneers of our boy and girl American society? And who hold sway over the inner circle of New York society today but women long past girlhood, except such youth as is inherent and immortal? “Our Beauty” is the title of affectionate pride with which the finest men allude to Miss Beckwith, whose dainty, patrician loveliness still commands the devotion of the most exclusive set in ‘ork, the beauty, de- although she is not far from the dead line of forty. Still delicate, slender, with a matchless ent of complexion and expression, quietly dressed, wearing a knot of white violets or forced spring flowers in mid-winter, men turn to gaze after her with eyes which say, “There is the woman one dreams about.” Her rare physique combines the unbroken norve the supple slenderness whica never can grow old. If some wise hand had the care of her she should be as fair twenty-five years from now as she is today, and fairer, FAIR AND FORTY. One of the prettiest women in New York is Miss Constance Schaak, who outdoes all the buds in beauty at balls or on the street. “What will you have?” pouted one of them enviously, “She has had nearly forty years to grow per- fect in,” which was very well fora little girl anda beginner. After one of the great balls at Delmonico's ask who was the prettiest woman, and tke angwer from man or woman will be, “Miss Schank wag there. How do you expect me to remember anybody else with that rose of a creature about Says the shrewdest observer of metropolitan society, “New York women marry later than any other women in this country,—not much under thirty, They certainly are more charm- ing than the buds, of whom the saying goes, ‘In the first season ay Eom good to look at; in the second good to ce with; in the third good to talk to.” The New York woman of thirty is a dangerously fascinating creature, and knows it better than any one else, It is wonderful how they wear.” Contrast this with & practice of unwise mothers who marry their ‘ls from the school room, only to have their usbands tire of them before they fade at MANY YEARS TO BE CHARMING IX, My dear young woman, take a line from the New York girl's book, and don’t be in a hurry to consider your chances lost if you have never found the “‘not impossible he" even at You have a good t if you years yet at petro take counsel and twenty-five years to be j the singer, when over for! wn set off | charming and happy in after that before you are content to sink gracefully into decline, not eclipse. Do not be envious or disheartened or impatient, which make ugly lines in the face; but take care of your health and use your brain and your feelings. Do gentle, kind, generous things, with or without return for them. Study sincerity and charitable—which is wise—judgment on persons and things. Yo! won't get credit for is—as Balzac says of grati tude, that woul be expecting usury upon the good ‘“dunt—but there will, te the freshness of hidden waters among herbage, serenity of nerve, clearness and steadiness of eye, and the sweet pulsing of the blood from a warm heart, which physi works its part better than a formal one, Literaily there is hygienic value in good feelings,which act upon | stem and thence upon the other | the nervous sy physical parts, making the only mind cure which has any worth. No mystery of i more beautiful than this interdependence of our physical and moral nature—how the griefs and questionings of the mind clear up if the | body is kept in repair, and the functions of the latter respond to the calming of the mind by trust and resolution, whether it feels the sun- shine of happiness or not. There are many of us for whom the sun shines buat a day among | months o: cloud and desolation. Defy the peti endure the gloom; dv mot desert your- self, BEAUTIES OF WASHINGTON’S TIME, It was such self-mastery which aided the women of the revolution to keep their prime. The portraits of beauties of the time of Wash- ington’s inauguration show the highest femi- nine charms of wit, feeling, heart and mind in faces which wore their bloom stanchly up to fifty. Mrs. Jay, daughter of Rufus King, with her black hair and brilliant blue eyes; Mrs. Bayard, whose pictured face it is impossible to see and not to love; the faithful, frank wife of Alexander Hamilton, who could have kept her gallant husband from his erring ways had she been more of a woman and less of a model— these and the bevy of Philadelphia beauties kept their looks delightfully up to the line of sixty and remained lovable into age. It might have been written of themas of the Duchess de la Valliere, who at fifty was still marvelously beautiful, ‘that natare prudent and wise forces time to respect the charms she is powerless to repeat, But she goes on from age to age, forcing her masterpicces upon us for imitation, Many will recall Mme. Rudersdorff, , beautiful as an image of rose and white parian, and Rose Eytinge, whether among the tapestries of her picturesque rooms or in full sunlight, defied time more successfully than any beauty who has ever trod the stage. Fortune was none too kind to either of these women, indeed, it seem asif those best detied years who were con- stantly stirred up to effort, It depends upon a woman herself more than upon her advantages w er she can retain her charms and her outh up to three score. Doubtless this sounds very audacious and immoral to staid women who believe in the intense respectability of be- ing rather ugly. But, my dear mesdames, is it 80 very immorai to contrive that a man shall always remain in love with his own wife? Sumner Dane. ——-____ CRANKS AND THEIR LETTERS, Inventors of Fighting Balloons and Writers to the War Secretary. A few days ago there was an article in Tar Srar relative to the “crank letters” received at the War department from people in various parts of the country. Reference was made to one man in North Carolina who spends his postage stamps in a correspoadence—in red ink—with the department. Another contribu- tion was received from this source yesterday morning. The envelope was decorated as usual with representations of soldiers and guns and was addressed to the department of uniforms, The epistle is almost illegible on account of its bad writing as well as its incoherence. The first partof the letter isan unintelligible jargon that has a seeming reference to the tariff and a mass of dates that have no apparent historical meaning. Toward the end the writer grows more sane, and it then becomes evident that he imagines himself persecuted by everybody in his country, including sheriff, judges, police- men, colored women, white women, colored men and boys. He concludes with an appeal for *25,000 soldiers with guns and uniforms” to protect him. [f they are not sent, he adds, there will be bloodshed. From former letters from him—and the ‘crank file” is full of them— it would seem that he suffers somewhat from being chased and pelted by small boys, WANTS HIS CASE EXPEDITED. Tn the same mail with this rather remarkable letter was one from a man in New Orleans who has been a correspondent of the department for some time. The letter is addressed to the Secretary of War. und is as follows: “Please instruct or cause to be instructed the commander-in-chief of the Atlantic coast, also the criminal district court, section B, c New Orleans, parish of O: nfemorandum case pending against me in said court, January 15, 1890. I sincerely desire that said case should be disposed of entirely, and that any personor persons attempting to recail or cause to be recalled the same case in said court shall be punished according to the ruies of high treason or unbridled conspiracy against the government, furthermore, that the bonds given in my behali at the criminal dis- trict Court by Mr. —— shall be cancelled on the 15th of January, 1890, and said bondsman never to be tormented theretor again; any per- son or persons acting otherwise shall be se- verely punished, Achief of a nation or na- tions, the target of parties or partisans, should receive a sutlicient salary to protect him against want, secret boycotting, indirect inter- ference and competition in business, In acting promptly on the aforesaid orders you will oblige very much,” A BALLOON CRANK. A still more pertinacions crank cortespond- ent is an inmate of the Columbus, Ohio, insane asylum, who imagines himself to be the in- ventor of a war bailoon. He has sent several letters anda large bundle of drawings on heavy paper. His sketches are rudely drawn in col- ored inks and gilt paint, representing a guudily decorated balloon of enormous size carrying & large car that is immediately surmounted by a smaller balloon, ‘The cur is filled with incom- ery that 18 supposed to fire tly destructive material downwards upon hapless individuals or things that might chance to be below. Que of the many drawings shows a gallant mau-of-war that had been sailing proudly along, ali uncon- scious of danger, being blown in fragments by a descending ehell, Three or four more are falliug and, on the whole, it looks bad ship. ‘Lhe inventor signs himseif Mueller, elocutionist.” and insists upon repeat- ing on every drawing that “the war bailoon moves right and loft and upward and dowa- ward by compressed air.” a Witness and Judge. From the Lewiston, Me., Jouruat, An amusing scene was recently enacted ina country court room in Maine, The trial jus- tice, a big, pompous official, with a voice like a trombone, took it upoa himself to examine a witness, a little, withered old man, whose face was as red and wrinkled as a smoked herring. “What is your name?” asked the justice. “Wy, squire,” said the astonished witne: ‘ou know my name as well as I know youra. “Never you mind what I know or whatI don't know,” was the caution given with mag- isterial severity. ‘1 ask the question in my oficial capacity and you're bound to answer it under oath.” With a contemptuous snort the witness gave his _name and the questioning proceeded, “Where do you live? “Wal, I snum!” ejaculated the old man. he continued, eppeating to the laugh- jisteners, ‘I’ve lived in this town all my life, and so's he,” pointing to the justice, “‘an’ b’gosh, to hear him go on you'd think—— * ilence!” thundered the irate magistrate, “Answer my question or I'll fine you for con- tempt of court,” Alarmed by the threat the witness named his place of residence and the exammation went on. “What is your occupation?” Huh?” What do you do for a living?” “Ob, git out, squire! Jest asif you don't know that I tend gurdens in the summer seasoa an’ saw wood winters!” “As a private citizen I do know it, but as the court I know nothing about you,” explained the perspiring justice. Val, squire,” remarked the puzzled witness, “if you know somethin’ outside the court room an’ don’t know nothin’ in it, you'd better get out an’ let somebody try this case that’s got hoss sense.” The advice may have been’well meant, but it cost the witness $10. _—eee——_____ Guarding the Czar When He Travels. From a Foreign Letter. When the czar travels, a little vanguard is sent in advance, consisting of two locksmiths, two carpenters and two masons, all of them being married men, born in the imperial serv- ice and devotedly attached to their august master. Their duties are to examine walls, doors, chimneys and fireplaces, locks and fur- niture in every room occupied by the czar, plc geen pene ee the pe ee! special attention, in order no machine shall be concealed in them. A GLIMPSE OF CAPE BRETON. Where the Stunted Crofters Have Grown to be Giants, BADDECK AND ITS BEAUTIFUL SURROUNDINGS— TRE SUMMER HOME OF ALEXANDER ORAMAM BELL —HIS COTTAGE ON TOP OF BRINN BHREAGH AND BIS NOVEL WAY OF BRANDING HIS SHEEP. Correspondence of Tar Evrxrxe Stan. Bapvecx, C.B., December 20, 1989. Baddeck is the prettiest and most pleasantiy situated town on Cape Breton Island. The | Streets are broad and well kept. The post of- fice building isa fine structure and equal to anything of its kind in the United States, The inhabitants of Baddeck are for the most part Seotch, descended from *-Crofters” of the west- ern islands of Scotland. For generations their ancestors led hard lives in the deepest poverty, | subsisting half from the land and half from the | sea, About seventy-five years ago the people were turned out by wholesale from the islands of Scotland, which they had iuhabited from time immemorial, to make room for sheep and deer. Their honses were burned or unroofed to prevent them from returning. Their ficlis were given over to wild beasts, deer, game, &c. and they themselves were packed off in shiy to America, Many settled in Cape Breton ( pre pared for them by British men-of war that car- Tied the French from Cape Breton), as they had already done in Nova Scotia, and the Scotch Crofters were put in possession, FROM DWARFS TO GIANTS. The people belonged to a stunted race, the men and women being much below the average height, The change of climate has effected a | complete change of appearance in the people. | The children of the iittie puny men and women | grow up to enormons size. There is hardly a ; man under six feet, while very many reach six teei and two inches and some six feet and four | inches in height. grew to be nearly eight | feet high and was exhibited as a giant. He | died a few years ago and his grave in St. Ann's cemetery is one of the sights of the island, His , boots, his clothes, his rings and his coat but- | tons are carefully preserved and exhibited to strangers. The people of Cape Breton and of Baddeek in particular are religious, They are Presbyterians of the John Knox order. A SMILELESS SUNDAY, One Sunday morning when I awoke I found the sun well up in the horizon, Deathlike stillness reigned everywhere. The street in front of the hotel was deserted; not « living thing was seen: ali had gone to charch, contrast between the busy Baddeck of y day and its silent cout great as to excite my curiosity Of course [knew it was Sunday and that it was a day of rest, but never before had 1 been ina place where’ everything was 50 lifeless, On entering the breakfast room I met the guests of the house, bat not one of them iled, and the only salutation that I received was acoidand formal nod. However I sat down to the table and ate my breakfast amid the general silence which pre ad. of this change from the fore I could not well underst great calamity occurred? As soon as breakfast was over I took my hat and went out for stroll along the shore. | Every person I met appeared sad and thought- | ful. “The walk of all was slow and sober; even the horses that on Saturday trotted ata lively pace seemed to feel the universal hush, and they. too, just drayged one leg after the other. On my return tothe hotel 1 asked the land- lord the reason for this unusual sadness, He looked at me a moment to see whether I was in earnest, and being satisfied that I was not joking informed me that it was Suaday. “Ah!” said I, “Ah! the disciples of Johu Knox reside in this place, and like their ancescors do notallow any unhallowed thought or action to mar the quict of the Lord’s Da: Eastward from the town we wended our way along the coast until we came to a point at the mouth of the bay of Baddeck—another outlet of the Little Bras d'Or lake. The country here for eeveral miles is high table land, run- ning boldly to the shore and breaking off in a steep chil. On the opposite side of the bay rises Beinn Bhreagh—a beautiful mountain jutting out into the lake and presenting a stately appearance from cyery point of view. From the summit one of the most magnificent views can be had. THE TOP OF BEINN BRREAGH. The highest point of Beinn Bhreagh isa clenr rounded space of about fifty acres on which grow rich grassess affording sweet pas- turage. Standing on this summit one sees that Cape Breton is a hollow island—an island turned inside out with the salt water inside. The sea enters the island on the east through two very long and narrow passage called by the French Bras d'Or, or Arms of Gold. The in- habitants do not understand French and do not know, therefore, that these words mean the “Arms of Gold,” and as the pronunciation is misleading they very commonly speak of the two entrances as ‘thé brass doors.” These passages are the connecting links between the ocean and the interior lukes, ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL'S ESTATE. Dr. Alexander Graham Bell of Washington, 80 well known as the inventor of the telephone has purchased Beinn Bhreagh and will lay it out as a beautiful estate. The mountain is well watered; a fine spring of clear water bursts forth half way up the mountain side—a spring that is capable of producing power either for electrical or other purpose. Dr. Beli has bouzht a number of the native sheep, which rove all over the place. He has erected a high wire fence from water to water to keep his own sheep from straying off the premises and strange sheep from mixing with them. In order to distix 1 kis sheep from his neighbors he tattoos their ears on the in- side, numbering them, so that when one startles the sheep they turn and look at him with their ears standing out, and are at once identified. One of the finest harbors for small craft on the lake is owned by Dr. Bell on the north of Beinn Bhreagh, and is ed the *Bell hagbor.” Its waters are always calm, no matter how angrily the waves lash the long and narrow beach. On a bluff at the head of this beautiful harbor and not tar from the falls Dr. Bell has erected asummer cottage. with large and de- lightful verandas, and the view from here is superb. cause. Had some If so, what was it? ar the western extremity of Beinn Bhreagh isan oid an interesting cemetery, Here are buried some of the first highlands settlers of Baddeck, and their childr-n still desire to be laid beside their parents in chis sunny nook. After enjoying the view from the summit the tourist's pleasure is not complete unless he tekes boat and rowsaround this peninsula and then to Big harbor, a long, narrow harbor with dense folixge on one side aud precipitous white gypsum cliffs on the other, aud at its head a round knoli—a charming place for a picnic. THE BELL COTTAGE is built on rising ground about a mile north of Baddeck, and from its portico a fine view of both bay and lake can be obtained. The le smooth-shaven lawns, nicely pruned trees and gravel waiks show that a gentleman of culture and refinement resides here. As proaches the house his arrival is announced by the bark of a large Newfoundlend dog. Tn owner at once comes out to see who the visitor may be, The figure is one familiar to all sci- entists. Prof. Bell extends a warm welcome. It is here that Prof. Bel! seeks seclusion when | at work on some important subject. His | library, which is his work shop, contains many volumes relating to all branches of science. He ga" ers specimens of granite for the geologist ana insects for the study of the entomologist. He finds time to study up the genealogy of the deaf and dumb, and, in short, is one of the closest students of our time. The housé is handsomely and warmly far- nished. Sealskin rugs adorn the floors; the an- tique furniture of Scottish pattern contrasts strougly with the high-priced velvet parlor suites of our city homes, PAUL AXD VIRGINIA. Prof. Bell, who isa student of nature, has hanging from the rafters of his veranda a “life hehas named “Paul and Virginia.” In the farm houses at St. Ann’s bay, 12 miles distant, rafters in couples. The young people them in the woods and haug them up in homos. One couple will be called *John and Mary:” another, “Edward and Susie,” &e. The jeune generally continue to grow,and do not ie, although they have no roots and are huog in a dirty, smoky place. In some places they call the plant the “life pisat.” The oung people predict that “John” will marry “Mary and have a happy life if the two plants flourish side by oie: ies if ous Glee act teres away from the other then the course of true love will not run smooth. The young people watch the growth of the plants from day to day with feverish anxiety and, to assist their growth they are, lin upin: often slyly watered. ee Took Away Their Appetites, From the St. Paul Pioueer-Press. ick os Lpontrer aot aby enege sg appetite for apricots ‘meal, or, indeed, tor anything else. green meadow, in the center of which rises a | plant.” whieh, after the custom of the country, ! one will find this plant hung up among the | eir | A Exe 4 aq a4 a Se a 7 bt ry AA AA a 9 F P t. F THE EVENING STAR is a PAPER OF TO-DAY, not of YESTERDAY nor of LAST WERK. It prints ALL THE | NEWs, Local, Domestic and Foreign, | LONG IN ADVANCE OF THE MORN- ING PAPERS. This is conspicuously true of all classes of news, but especially so in regard to | Local News and District Affairs. THE STAR has a very much LARGER and BETTER force of LOCAL RE+ PORTERS and SPECIAL WRITERS than any other paper in Washington ever thought of employing, and ITS MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT AND PRINTING FACILITIES ARE MORE T THREE TIMES AS POWER- FUL AND RAPID AS THOSE OF ANY OTHER WASHINGTON PAPER. itis | therefore able to print each day « full Feport of every transaction of public in- terest occurring in the District up te the very hour of going to press. ! —_—"0: By the free use of the OCEAN CABLES JLAR AND SPECIAL DIS- PATCHES, and with the difference of time in its favor, it is also able to give its readers every afternoon the news of the WHOLE EASTERN HEMISPHERE for the entire day, and up to 12 o’clock midnight, thus leaving literally nothing im the way of news from Europe, Asia, and Africa for the morning papers. | jonamatgisinenns | Equally does THE STAR lead all its contemporaries in the publication of the NEWS OF OUR OWN COUNTRY. Receiving the regular dispatches of both News Associations; with alert and enterprising special telegraphic core respondents at all important points; and with wires leading directly from its own office to the general network of telegraph system touching every city, town and hamlet in the United States and Terri- tories, it is enabled to receive and print atonce a full report of every event of consequence occurring during the day anywhere between the Atiantic and Pas cific Oceans. —_—oO @@ NOTE THE RESULT: 29 > TS: F A Evy a G ry a The | —0:— THE STAR HAS MORE THAN THREE TIMES AS MANY REGULAR SUBSCRIBERS and MORE THAN BIVE TIMES AS MANY REGULAR READERS AS ANY OTHER DAILY PAPER IN WASHINGTON. It ts de- lvered regularly by careful carriers at the HOMES OF THE PEOPLE, AFTER THE BUSTLE AND WORRY OF THB AY ARE OVER, and it is thus read leisurely and thoroughly by EVERY MEMBER OF THE FAMILY. They know that it prints all the news, and has only the interests of the people of the District in view, with no partisan Measures to advocate, and no private schemes to forward. They know it, in short, tobe THE PEOPLE’S PAPER, and nothing else. Asan ADVERTISING MEDIUM it is, therefore, ABSU- LU Y WITHOUT A RIVAL, It is in fact worth more as a means of reach< ing the public THAN ALL THE OTHER DAILY PAPERS IN THE CITY TOGE1LHER. Furthermore, in proportion to the re- turns it gives its patrons, ITS ADVER- TISING RATES ARE THE CHEAPEST iN THE CITY. Stee In conclusion, the public should bear in mind this one significant fact: THE STAK does not rely upon empty boasts to impress the public. ITS CIRCULA. | TION IS SWORN TO; its PRESS- ROOM IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC; and its BOOKS MAY BE INSPECTED by any one having an interest in thels examination. These are CRUCIAL TESTS, which few papers invite, and which those that boast most are least able to stand, —_—o:— one ap- | | €@ The esteem in which THE STAR is held by the reading and advertising public is conclusively showm by the fige ures given below. In the first six months of each of the five years named the average daily cire culation of the paper was: