Evening Star Newspaper, April 26, 1890, Page 11

WOMEN OF THE SOUTH Matrons Who Lead in the Social Life of the Capital. VIRGINIA’S FAIR DAUGHTERS. Representative tee and His Distin- guished Wife—Mrs, Rowden aud Mrs. Venable — Mrs. Wheeler and Mrs. Bankhead of Alabama. —— ONGRESSIONAL circles afford few as beautiful types of womanhood as that presented by the wife of Gen. W. H. P. Lee, the Representative of the eighth district of the ancient common- Wealth of Virginia. She recalls the loveliness of feature and form of the women of the | | colonial days, when the Fairfa@s, the Dan- dridges, the Washingtons, the Randolphs, the Marshalls and the Bollings were dominant in | the politics and society of the Old Dominion. Mrs. Lee belongs to the historic family of Boll- ing, one of the prominent names among the earliest colonists on the banks of the James. | Inher maiden days she was Miss Mary Taft Bolling, and was one of the celebrated beauties, wot only of her native city of Peters- burg, but of the state of Virginia. Her father, George W. Bolling, is descended from the Indian princess. Pocahontas, of th: proud branch of the Algonquin family of abo- rigines, ruled by the mighty king, Powhatat Jane Kolf. the grandaughter of Pocahont, married Kobert Bolling, who wes the proget tor of that noted family in colonial aud state affairs. Mise Bolling received her edacation at Petersburg and in the best schools of Rich- mound, Her uncle, Robert B. Bolling, was prominently associated with events in the his- tory of Virginia during the past quarter of a century. In 1867 Miss Bolling. the belle of Petersinrg. became the wife of Gen, Lee. who in his voung days, as an officer of the 6th | United States cavalry, served under Col. Al- bert Sidney Johuxon in the Utah expedi- | tion, but in 1859 resigned to take} care of his estates in _ Virginia, in the historic county of New Kent. In the late war he rose to major general of confeder- | ate cavalry in the Army of Northern Virginia, and after wounds in battle and cupture and exchange he surrendered with his distin- guished kinsman at Appomattox. After the war he returned to his plantation, where he took his bride and resided with old time V ginia hospitality. During her husbanc senatorial term Mrs. Lee visited Richmond | and was greatly admired by the aristocratic | society of the capital of the commonwealth. At the beginning of the oificial season of the Fiftieth Congress Mrs. Lee entered the social | 8 state | life of the national capital. She is a woman of tall, queenly figure, with fair complexion and brilliant black eyes and hai Her manne distinguished by grace and yet unaff L seems to be utterly unconscious of her beauty | or of the silent admiration which follows her asshe passes among the brilliant ladies and gentlemen in the fashionable throng of Wash- angton life. General Lee is a tall and well-de- veloped type of masculine stature and vigor of the old school. He was born at Arlington, the historic estate opposite Washington, and mingled in the gatherings there upon occa- sions of polite entertainments or for visits of etiquette during the ndmimistration of James Buchanan. To Representative and Mrs. Lee is conceded the palm of precedence as the handsomest married couple among the mem- bers of the lower house. MRS. BOWDEN. The congressional district which embraces of Jamestown, the first English settle- | ment in the thirteen colonies and the scene of ; the romantic incidents in the life of John Smith, which recalls the gay colonial life of Virginia's first capital, Williamsburg, where the beautiful Martha Dandridge capmred young Custis’ heart and as bis widow became the wife of George Washington, and which revives the | historic memories of Cornwailis’ surrender and | the close of military operations in the war for independence, is represented socially at the eapital by Mrs. Eva Jones Bowden. Her father, William Rodney Jones, a merchant of Norfolk, delongs to a prominent family from Maine, his father having been a native of that state. Her mother’s family came originally from North Carolina. Mrs. Bowden was educated in her Bative city of Norfolk. In 1 she became the wife of George Edwin Bowden, who, a few years later, was appointed collector of the port of Norfolk by President Hayes, and held the office until the incoming of the late democratic administration. From the prestige of official life for six years Kepresentative and M Bowden stepped naturally into the sphere oi congressional life upon the beginning of a new regime. Mrs. Bowden is a lady of many ac- complishments and a charming hostesa, Members of Representative Bowden's family have been conspicuous in political life for sev- eral generations. His grandfather was e repre- sentative in Congress, but within & month of taking his seat fell one of the first victims to the small-pox urge which threatened to drive the government out of the city pending itsravages. His father. Hen Bowden, was | for many years a member of the Virginia Legis- | Jature, and his unc! muel G. Bowden, in | 1864 was the chosen Senator of the United States from Virginia, before sion had ceased. Mas. YENAnt Mrs, Edward Carrington Venable, wife of the | Representative of ti district, who | was Miss Helen Skipwith Wilmer, was born in | Philade ng her father's pastorate at St. Mark's Protests a disting the war of seces- | phia dor ished career in the ranks | ather was raised to the al ofice of bishop of Louisi- of Bishop J. Wilmer is a | | Skipwith of Crest- celet on of the British Peerage possessed estates on two contihents, | that in Virginia be « the same name as the | patrimomal acres England. In 187% the came the | daughter of Eshop Wilmer be- ride of Edward Carrington Venable. people me Mr. Venable was 4 pri nd in Orleans, In Is native state of Virginia, and beca mber of a prominent firm bearing bh name. The name of Ven- able is associated with stute and national affairs since the early days of the royal colony | and the foandation of American independence. | in her home at Petersburg Mrs. Venable enter- | tains with the abundant hospitality and grace | fer which Virginia life has always been pro- verbial The prominence of her husband in party councils gave him # wide acquaintanc among the leading menof the state, whic was reulered doubly pleasant by the tact with which the wife bore her part in the social | phases of her political surroundings, Mrs. Venable made her first appearance in the gay life of Washington at the beginning of the late official season, and attracted about her | by ber social gifts a large circle of devoted friends and admirers, MES. WHEELER, The difficulties incident to the operations fm Alabama and Mississippi after the bat- ties of Pittsburg Landing and Corinth and the land movement against Jackson and Vicksburg in 1862 were made doubly realistic to the mina of nm, Grant by the presence of Wheeler's cavalry. Joseph Wheeler. a graduate of West Yoint and a gallant officer in frontier operations an New Mexico, had been assigned to the com- mand of an army corps of confederate cavalry to meet the emergencies of these campaigns, aud by bis brilliant dashes and persistent flank movements contributed in no small degree to the military experience of the great captain, who a year after captured Vicksburg and eigh- teen months later brought the war for the Union to « close by the occupation of the con- federate capital and the surrender of Gen. Lee's battle-seasoued army of Virginia, At the close ef the war Gea. Wheeler, ® gvod soldier, | the | Seasons at the capital. | cal talent and marked literary ability visitors, So he does notappear in public as it would depend upou the size of their appe- ‘auch as Mr. Whitney media, be © no Daag a ide silt enger ‘seen stending at the high desk in the |. We used to provide silver ware, but had | see, but not very many go away without some was among the earliest to the situation and has since been interested in many enter- prises in the line of industrial progress. In 188] this ex-soldier and statesman entered MEALS WITHOUT LABOR to the social life of the capital his most inter- One Curious Indu: stry Popular in This Holiday City. BIDDIES AT A DISCOUNT. Why tBe Cooking of Meals by Caterers to People’s Houses is Such Washiugton—Queer ‘Things Told by a Professor in It. bien ES; the business of supplying people with meals at their residences is carried on far more extensively in Washington than in any other city in the Union, said a fashionable caterer to a Stan writer yesterday. ‘This is a holiday town, and its citizens—a great propor- tion of them well-to-do—are much given to re- lieving themselves as far us possible from the cares ordinarily indidental to housekeeping, in order that they may devote the time thus saved to social pleasures, After all, the labor of keep- ing house is almost altogether a matter of meals; relieve the housewife of that care and very little toil is left for her, Not any number of servants will make things easy for her, for servants hgve to be superintended and are themselves a source of fret and worry. What, then, can be so great a luxury as to have the family meals served in one's own house and on one’s own table by a skilled cook at any hours desired? No cooking to be done, no market- ing, no anxigy as to what is to be provided, no kitehen to Qook after, no cook’s relatives to keep supplied from the pantry, and, last but not least, no washing of dishes to be done—for even that service 1s performedeby the pur- veyor. Think of what all that means in the way of ease and comfort to the mistress of an establishment! Why, the average woman WILL PRESERVE HER YOUTH for ten years longer under such conditions than she otherwise would. And the price at which such service is performed has been brought down so low by competition here in Washing- ton that there is no reason why any family that is not really very poor should not practice this method of living. «What is the expense?” “We serve for 36 a week two meals a day for one person—breakfast and dinner: or, for $4.0 week, we serve one person with dinuers only. But our provision is on so liberal a scale that our customers, as a rule, order their meals sent on a basis of one meal for two ons, Or at ail events not more than two meals for three esting family. Mrs. Wheeler was Miss Ella Jones, a native of Lawrence county, in northern Alabama, uow a portion of her husband's con- stituency. Her sister by adoption, a daughter of her father’s brother and raised with her, afterward became the wife of Jacob Thompson, President Buchanan's Secretary of the Interior. Mrs. Thompson was one of the social leaders of that administration, noted for its gayeties. In 1366 Gen, Wheeler and Miss Jones began their married life. Having the same year declined a professorship in Louisiana State Seminary, the gen- eral took his bride to his bama planta- tion, where he resided until entered Con- gress, The Wheeler household is one of the most attractive in fashionable circles. Mrs. Wheeler, who is a woman of fine presence and entertaining manners, is assisted im her social duties by her three interesting daughters, Lucy, Aunie and Julia, The young ladies have had the best advantages of education offered by the schools of Alabama, New York city and Tennessee, and their “coming out” were among the brilliant social events of three MRS. BANKHEAD. Mrs. Talula Brockman Bankhead, wife of the Representative of the Fayette Court House dis- trict of Alabama, is one of the most interesting ladies in congressional circles. She was born in Greenville, 8, C., but during her infancy her father, who wasa man of liberal means, re- moved all his possessions to Ala- bama within a fe miles of the | capital of the state. I visit to his | South Carolina home he fell iil with a fever and died atthe early age of twenty-two years, leaving au only child —an infant daughter and heiress to his landed possessions. ‘ol. For- ney, who represents the district adjoining that | Persons. No objection is entertained by us to feeding as many people on a single-portion | meal us care to share it. We deiiver the given | quantity of food and there our part ends. We | take care to make the allowance always plenti- | ful, and you can see for yourself that no plan could weil be so cheap for a young couple | just beginning housekeeping as to pay $ | Week for their dipners and breakfasts in this Certainly y coifld not provide satis- factory me: ives on that amount, even if the cost of provisic y Was in ques- tion; and it must be remembered that this saves the necessity of a servant, so far as kitchen work 18 concerned, and the considerable item of fuel is also suved. But all these advan- tages, I take it, are as nothing compared with the saving of wear and tear upon the house- wife. The time ought to arrive when all the cooking tor everyoue will be done in great es- tablishments and the meals sent out.” HOW TO BUY FOOD CHEAP. of Mr. Bankhead, was made agent for the es- tate und was almost a guardian to Capt. Brock- man’s daughter. The Brockman family was| “But how do you manage to provide things one of great prominence in South Carolina, | go cheap! M aukhead’s grandfather, Col. Thomas P. | «tn the first place, by doing things on a large years in the two § seale. The more people you serve, of course, branches of the state legisiatur wr Seopa sober sate lr gps tek eninge cheaper you can do it. | get my provis- close friend and companion of Gov, Perry of i eoinci- | 10n8. too. much cheaper than any housewife of the former is the wife’ ot | ably for cash. My business | run on a weekly the pak of the eres The | basis, by which I mean that I collect from my feminine representatives of Col. Brock. | Customers weekly. Thus I am never obliged to ask for credit iyself, and, paying cash down, Lreceive a large discount on everything 1 pur- chase. If people generally realized how much more they can get for their expenditure by paying ready money they would be much less inclined to run accounts. If I had monthly bills for, groceries and provisions 1 could not serve meuls at the rute Ido. And yet many other caterers who do this sort of Lusiness in Washiugton are cheaper than I am, Twenty- five doliars a wonth for two meals daily is a common price, and some establishments charge only ¥20. No, we don’t often lose money that is owed us, though people try to beat us now and then. ' My biggest loss was made not long ago through the delinquency of a taan whom L supposed to be a millionaire, judging from his mode of living. He drove a beautiful pair of horses every afternoon on the avenues, but I learned afterward they were hired. It isn’t safe to judge by appearances in such matters, man’s desecndants, mother «nd daughter, are both members of the congressional circle. On her mother's side Mrs. Bankhead belongs to the noted Virginia family of Grimes, to which “The Lowland Beauty,” the object of George Washington's adolescent love and theme of his only known empt to materialize the alaor- ous emotion into poetry, belonged. ‘The grand- mother of the contederate general, Robert E. Lee, was also a Grimes. John H. Bankhead, a self-educated farmer, a Man of courageo.s spirit, as shown in his serv- ices as a soldier, fine masculine presence, unquestioned ability and wide popularity, an 1560, durimg his first session in the legislature of Alabama, met the beautiful and wealthy Miss Brockmaa, A year later she became his bride. At the opening session of the closing Con- gress of the late administration Mrs. Bankhead entered the gay life of Washington as the wife | Particularly in Washington.” of a Representative. Her drawing rooms were + sheep ane rendered additionally attractive by the pres- ee ee ence of her beautiful daughter Louise, who, | “Do you send the meals in tin kitchens? during the next official season, entered the | “No. We used to doso, but we found ob- fashionable world of the capital as the bride of | jectious to the plan. I suppose you know how Wm. Hayne Perry, Representative of the old |, tin kitchen is constructed—a tin box with Basse Giaeriat of Se Recetsenas, AS 250 25060 | chalves nares 1 tenet Gishes on and a glace time Miss Marie Bankhead,a younger daughter, | yadernenth tor a few hot coals or @ heated made ber debut. brick. The “ zs % great trouble with it is that the Wi ampigertr ios S conetan Leprengcbor face | vapor from the hot dishes fills the tin kitchen her mother, wito lias a wonderfully preserved eet ike lave cr ainuccot ine seater ithe Preat faccinatitig wacue wetice ay | thing tastes pretty much alike, "Such a result waktagten qekita, “ek Hes man the sub. | #8 not excetly cousistent with the highest ideas 2 e ey & C1 dso we have dispense: ht stantial accomplishments—a pronouneed musi- beth emtactaee waniant aa ie in ras bad ea ets ® | things warm. ‘The metiod we adopt now has been found entirely satisfactory. Big baskets like clothes baskets are used as receptacles, one basket being filled for each house that is to be served, in the bottom of the busket is laid a white cloth, so as to hang decided inclination also in the dir histrionic art. SEEING TH ARY, Mr. Tracy’s Time Pretty Well Taken Up see E SECRI start out with their nets in the afternoon, with them warm meal for the day followirg. ‘Ihe pot containing the stew or heated delicacy is wrapped in amattress stuffed with feathers or inclosed in a box with feather- lined cushions, and after 15 hours the dinner is ot more than three or four dagrese being look not more or four at all events. I know a man who made a little feather-stuffed box on that idea and put his newly boiled shaving water in it just before he went to bed every night. In the “erga when he got up early ana shaving water wor id not have been easy to get off-hand, he opened Se box and took out the water still scalding ot” THE WEEK IN NEW YORK. Brokers and Merchants Complain of Dull Times. CLOSE COMPETITION CUTS PROFITS—A COURT TO DECIDE WHAT A GIRL COSTS—THE CONVENTION OF WOMEN'S CLUBS—SIGNS OF SPRING IN THE METROPOLIS. Correspondence of Tre EvENIxG Stan. New York, April 25.—The bird of ill-omen is never popular; at the same time the most hurried survey of the times must convince any one that the business situation is very precari- ous andeven alarming. There are some who think we have outgrown the old-fashioned panic much as we have the old-fashioned revival, but unless this be really so the com- munity is standing today very near the edge of a business cataclysm. The nervous feeling crops out in many surface indications. All the exchanges are practically deserted. The transactions are of insignificant proportions, and the utmost indifference prevails as to all speculative enterprises. The brokers say, with @ nearer approach to truth than they generally get, that they don’t do business enough to pay their rent. In real estate, which is another index of prosperity, the market is dangerously dull, due very largely to the outrageous delay of rapid transit legisla- tionat Albany, In the world of general business one short and ominous word characterizes the market——it is dull, And this is true, although the volume of transactions is immense, The real trouble is that the mad competition of the past few years has almost eliminated profits. So many merchants are willing and able to go through the motions of business for nothing, im order to keep their houses running, that their rivals are obliged to accept the same con- ditions. A merchant nowadays is something like a lad who seeks employment in oftices where rich men’s sons are eager to work for the practice and reputation, WHAT A GIRL Costs, An unusual and interesting question is pre- sented for Judge Barrett's decision in the suit now before his court. A father applies for an order directing the Loan and Trust Company to pay him the full interest from his wife’s es- tate held by them in trust for his daughter, The daughter is eighteen and her father claims that the whole amount of the interest, amount- ing to abont $7.000 per annum, is necessary for her support. None of the authorities were very positive just what was a fair amount for a young woman to epend annually and a referee was ap- pointed to ascertain. to know how he intends to prosecute his re- searches, It seems as if a subject could hardly be selected on which there would be a wider divergence of opinion. In looking at the Juxurious but apparently entirely unnecessary articles of dress and adornment displayed in the better class of shops, and remarking the startling prices affixed to them, one often wonders who in the world buys these things, But there are never lacking women to order them by the dozen, with scarcely an inquiry as to the price, The idea as to necessary expend- itures of one of these sumptuous creatures, whose old clothes the Queen of Sheba might be glad to accept, must differ widely from those of her more simply clad and housed sister, and yet both estimates would be reasonable in their way. So it strikes one that this referee bas a rather unusually skittish question to decide, and one on which the most voluminous law library would cast but little light. ‘ ARTIST ABBEY'S MARRIAGE, Artistic New York turned out in force on Tuesday to do honor to the marriage of E. A. Abbey. His beautiful black and white work is well known, and as his subjects are so gen- erally English and he lives in London he is often spoken of as an English artist. But he is an American and will take back with him to England alovely and accomplished American wife. Miss Gertrude Mead, who is now Mrs. Abbey, has mingled much in what is really the “best society” in England and will not be a stranger there, Her beautiful home here was doubly beautiful with its artistic decorations of spring flowers, and the bride herself was a striking picture as she stood undera flower canopy inher superb gown of satin brocade and point lace with a bouquet of orchids and lilies of the valley. ‘The summer miseries on the elevated have begun, and the New Yorker whom fate com- pels to ride up and down town every day,either anging precariously to the platform or mashed toa jelly inside, sings an even more doleful tale of woe than he did during the holiday crush. ‘Two ball games every day and the circus in full blast form a potent magnet to draw people up town of afternoons, and a pushing, scrambling mob jams every car to suffocation. The weary business man thinks of a seat and the quiet reading of his paper only as a pleasing vision of the remote past or of an even remoter future when some of the rapid transit schemes are ac- complished facts. THE WOMEN’S CLUBS. Ageneration or so ago ‘“‘woman’s rights” meant her right to vote, and the general im- pression among the advocates of the cause seemed to be that everything else they wanted would be involved in the ssion of the ballot. Now there seems to be a pretty general impression among thinking women that voting is of very secondary importance so long as they have the right to do exactly as they please in every other respect. The women who are assembled here in convention this week form a notable gathering. They represent ninety clubs and come from ali over the country, even over the sides, On this are placed the dishes, and on top of them are inverted tin pans, ‘These tin pans, a8 weilas the plates, &c., are made very hot before being put in, and finally over all are laid cloths, tucked in, so that the heat does not eusily find any way of escaping. ‘The baskets thus prepared are loaded into covered wagons with doors that close at the back and are rapidly conveyed to their destina- tious, We sre able in this way to supply meals that are sufficiently hot upon arrival anywhere within a radius of ten blocks, though we do not like to try it any further. ‘The driver of the wagon—we employ four such conveyances—do- livers each basket in the house it is intended for and leaves it there. It only remains for the family to PUT THE THINGS ON THE TABLE. “An hour or so later the wagon returns and takes away the basket with the dishes. We pro- vide everything that isneeded for the meals, except table linen, silver ware, sugar and milk, Of bread and butter we always send plenty and we do not think it good policy to skimp desserts, | And yet—to show how many pigs there are in | this world—we frequently get notes from cus- tomers complaining that they do not get enough of this or that, and agking that more shall be sent in future. ‘These are apt to be the very eople who are trying to make one portion do Joc three in the family. One day not long ago, by the way, a man gave me an order to serve him and asked me ifI did not think two por- tions would be enough for himself, his wife, three children anda servant. I told him that by Callers. It is doubtful if there is a Cabinet officer who devotes more time to business than Secretary ‘Tracy. lie is kept at work from the first hour of the morning when he arrives at the depart- ment until ate in the evening. He is virtually pinned down to his desk by callers, a stream of whom is in constant motion in and out of his doors, They are Senators, Rep- resentatives, politiciana, office seekers, for themselves and for some one else, delegations, contractors, bidders, manufactur- ers, agents, officers, officers’ wives and sisters, sometimes their parents and often their cnil- dren. ‘Their business is various, personal, tis- eal. scientific, political, but each person must see ‘the Secretary and him only, The result is that the Secretary hardly gets a chance to turn his attention to the strictly naval matters awaiting disposition, Bureau chiefs heep running in between the other visitors with various matters for him to look at and to ex- press an opinion about, and so the whirl keeps up, all day long, except on Tuesdays and Fri- days. when he has a respite by going to the cabinet meeting. Yhe Secretary has found the pressure so great on his time that in order to divide it into systematic, molecular portions, so ag to make it go around, he has retired from his large public office into the swaller inner room, where he receives his to give it up because so much of it was lost, Our loss on broken crockery 1s about $100 a year; we never charge for it. Coffee and tea we send ail ready to drink in pots. Soup goes in covered tin pails, I think of procuring for the conveying of liquids some small editions of those patent tanks which are used to carry hot coffee in quantities. In Boston the business of sending out such tanks filled with agreeable beverages ready for drinking occupies a large establishment on scollay square. The tanks are sent not only to parties and picnics in and near the city, but also to neighboring towns, the coffee being PUT IN PIPING HOT and being in condition for consumption many hours later without reheating. So perfect ‘is the insulation of the tanks that the only beat which escapes at all out around the stopper te the fap, where i ible to have an big room signing papers, but all this is done in the sanctum sanctorum. ‘There are some callers whom he does not sort of an audience. The ante-room 1s nearly always full of people waiting to be beckoned into the presence. ‘There are two or three characters who come day after day in the futile hope of seeing the Secretary, bat he generally man: to bevery much engaged at just about the time when their cards appe: The Rights of Women as Voters. Attorney General Clapp of Minnesota has given his opinion to Superintendent Kiehle relative to the rights of women as voters on school matters. He says: “A woman is en- titled to vote upon school matters when she is of the necessary age (twenty-one years); has losed space separating liquid from the resided in the United Stetas one year, in the | outer atmosphere. It is on that principle that district four months, and is either a citizen of | this sort of tank is made with two jackets, the the United States or has declared her intention | inner one of glass and the outer one of tinned to become a citizen.” It appears, therefore, | iron, the space between them being filled with that a foreign born woman, possessing the other | ® non-conducting substance chemical; eed qualifications, is entitled to vote upon school | pared. This retains the heat so perfec it matters if before she becomes of age her father | the outside of the vessel fee at had been duly naturahzed or if she is married | 212 degrees feels cold to to a citizen of the United States, Dyula migne mpfr rage tpn — oo The Clayton-Breckinridge in: iting com- tanks, loaded in Boston mittee has begun its work at Little int, have actually reached Crab si Piles’distant, with qheir contents too for comfortable ‘The Ark. and will take up the counties that composed the congressi district At the annual meeting of the ‘Trust it was decided to and call the combination pany. The Baltiraore the ma- Jority repors irene Steuer or tes Confes- sion of Faith, from the far eouth and west, Sorosis came of age last year and this convention was suggested at the celebration of that event. One visit meetings might convince even women can be as dignified, as business-like and as executive as men, and perhaps rather more entextaining. The ‘correct bonnets and ele- gant gowns do not suggest the eccentric cos- tumes of a generation ago,nor does the wide range of subjects discussed seem to lack inter- est because the ballot is not among them. All these women want is the opportunity to lead their own lives in their own way, to grow and develop mentally untrammeled by the haunt- ing fear of what people will say and the slavery of a petty conventionality, and if appearances are to be trusted they have got what they want. BUDS, DUST AND SPRING BONNETS, Even in arid New York, whose principal foli- age is the luxuriant lamp post and the umbra- geous ash barrel, there are a few indications be- sides the shop windows of the coming of sum- mer, Spring flowers are blooming inthe few tiny triangles and ovals that break in upon the monotony of the brown stone canons and the ornamental beds in the park are lovely. This week the most advanced trees show » little bud- ding green and there is quite a rural suggestion in ae op of ee and children with baskets ging dandelion greens in the park, But the most unpleasant hint of sum- mer is the dust. An April drought is a little unusual, I suppose, if anything can be said to be unusual in the weather market this year. But it does seem as if nothing but the most primitive of unpaved country villages ought to be suffering the mar- tyrdom to dust that much of New York bas for © last ten days. In the newer regions up town, where much building is going on, it is as deep in the streets as in acountry road, and the carts and wagons keep it in active circulation, The city watering cart, an amusing little bur- lesque consisting of a small and barre! occasionally drives by, stirring uj clouds, but leaving no other visible mark of its prog- ress. In the open cars you leave your mark on the dusty seats, andthe fresh spri bonnets and frocks of the ladies show very p! the SES they have had to beat e rain finally falling on even those who were caught out in it saree ft umbrellas could scarce forbear to cheer. Hesay RB. Exuior. It would be interesting | P! TENNIS COURTIERS. Players Who Will Wield the Racquet This Year. OPENING OF THE SEASON. ‘The Washington Clubs and Their Ex- pectations—Some of the Famous Play- and What They Are Doing—Lively Work on Many Grounds, ——-__ LAZEBS and tennis flannel suits have blossomed out with the leaves and flowers and the tennis season has ‘sirly opened. There is evidently no lack of interest in the game, The many courts in all parts of the city are being rolled and prepared for the players. In some cases the inexorable builder has put in his claim to the ground and the , tennis clubs are obliged to look elsewhere. They are, how- ever, accustomed to being turned ont, as they generally occupy eligible corner lots with the consent of the owner, and have no permanent claim to the ground. It is a very pretty spectacle, as one drives through the city,to see the groups of players at the different courts, The ladies who aremembers of the clubs always wear becoming and attractive costumes anda man in a tennis suit, if he is not otherwise a picturesque object, is really worth looking at. There 19 no question but that the number of tennis players in the city is increasing. There may not be as many clubs, but the membership of the existing clubs is larger than was the case a ‘aged or two ago. Consolidation seems to be the fashion among tennis players, and the result is that they enjoy better facilities for playing the game. The courts are kept in bet- ter order and all the expenses attendant upon maintaining grounds are individually less. The standard of playing shows yearly an ad- vance, and it is predicted that in the southern association, which is composed of tennis clubs in Washington, Baltimore and Wilmington, en} the players of this city will stand at the ead, SOME OF THE PLAYERS, Several new men are coming to the front and give promise of developing into expert play- ers, The favorites of last year are stiil in the field. Mr, Pope is, however, in Nicaragua, where it is too wet to play tennis even if one felt like it, which is never the case, He ex- pects to veturn home this spring and will Probably resume his old place in teanis cir- cles, Mr. Charles Iu, McCawley is playing with his usval good form. He has made a combi- nation with Mr, Woodward to play doubles and they will make a strong team in the Southern Association tournament which will take place in the early days of June at Baltimore. Mr. McCawley has been playing a good deal with | Mr. Morgan on the English legation courts, | The latter is a young man, but isaskulled rr. The winner of the singles in the last District tournament, Mr, Menocal, 13 practicing a good deal ‘and he gives promise of playing a stronger game than ever. Mr. Boag, who pressed him 80 closely for the first place, is now out of the city. It is expected that he will spend the season here, but it is said that he is out of prac- tice, Mr. Clarence Byrnes, who played with Mr, Boag in doubles last year, is in good form and is’ likely to take a leading place among the players, He played a strong game the other evening with Mr. Thos. P. Borden. The latter is suspected of having practiced all winter in some place unknown to the general run of players, and in this way the strong game which he plays is accounted for. Mr. Borden, however, claims to have taken the enforced tennis holiday, like the other players, and maintains that this year he is giving his atten- tion to the game instead of to the management of the grounds of the Bachelor Club, as he did last year. During last summer Mr. W. P. Metcalf wit- nessed some of the celebrated tennis tourna- ments in England during the intervals of an extended European tour. His practical knowl- edge of the game was in consequence some- what neglected, but he has probably got some pointe in the theory of the game which will astonish the natives when he gets in trim again. His old time partner, Mr. John David- son, is also Romewhat out of play, but it will not take him long to get back into the swim, There are several other men whose playing gives promise of future success, Among these may be mentioned N. D. Cram, Mr. Tobin, K. B wn and Alex. Britton. THE BACHELOR CLUB, The largest tennis club in the city is the Bachelor Club, Their grounds at the corner of 17th and P streets has five courts, all in good condition. Every pleasant evening a good pro- portion of the forty odd members may be found there and some fine gamesare constantly in pro- gress. Better facilities for spectators have been furnished than existed last year, and permanent seats have been erected around the grounds from which the games can be witnessed with some degree of comfort. The courts have been resurfaced and well rolled and the claim is made that they are now the best in the city. Mr. Borden says so and he is supposed to be well posted on this subject. Mr. Borden also maintains that the club includes in its roll of membership ten of the best players in the city. The entire list of members is given, so that each one can determine for himself which ones are entitled to the enviable distinction claimed for them by Mr, Borden. The officers are as follows: John ©. Davidson, president; Sinclair B, Sheibley, vice president; ‘Thos, P. Borden, secretary and treasurer. These offi- cers, with Oscar Woodward and N. D. Cram, constitute the executive committe. Members, J, McKee Borden, Brickinstein, Clarence Byrnes, Eugene A. Byrnes, Alex. Britton, W. B, Chilton, Jas. H. Colwell, Dr. C. A. Davis, Doug- lass Dyrenforth, Jno. C. Edwards, 8. Herbert Giesy, Geo. G.’ Hendrickson, J.’R. Johnson, Ino. J. Key, J. F, Leech, Dr. F. Lee, 8. E. Lewis, Dr. F. P. MacLean, Josiah McRoberts, W. P. Metcalf, Dr. Walter McClurg, W. E. Myers, Chas, L. McCawley, F. RB. Parks, Harry M. Payne, T. C. Prince, B, Kennon Peter, W. G. Peter, H. Warren Smith, H. W. Spofford, J. Warren Stearns, G. Carlisle Whit- ing, J. E. Wilkins, Jules P. Wooten, Dr. J. L, Wortman, Irving Williamson and W. F. Wil- loughby, UNDER BRITISH PROTECTION. Two splendid tennis courts are maintained on the grounds fronting on Connecticut avenue just south of Dupont circle, Mr. Edwardes of the British legation isan enthusiastic tennis player and it is mainly due to him that the courts are maintained. Nearly every pleasant afternoon 8 are in progress there, and once a wee! least when the season fairly opens there is afield day, when the court is ed by the presence of a large number of ladies, On such occasions refreshments are served from a juee which is one of the permanent fixtures of the grounds. The Brit- ish minister, Sir Julian Pauncefote, is a fre- quent spectator, and he occasionally handles a racquet himself and shows the under secreta- ries some good specimens of under cuts and other difficult plays, THE TUDOR PLACE CLUB. Georgetown is represented in the associa- tion by the Tudor Place Club. The name is derived from the locality where the court of the club is laid out. There is a good deal of interest manifested in the e and the club has several members who give promise of de- veloping into expert tennis players. The officers and members of the club are as follows: Geo. B. ceetaryy tl Cromer bps we secre’ ant asurer; Jol Jos, ley) Edward L- Dent, ‘Thos. x3 Freciand Poteet Wittinm @. Stasrt, Alben’ Stuart, x ‘and Edmund M. Talcott, the club is not » large one, yet it has on its existence of two years is about to leave its old grounds on Retreet for new courts. The fol- i af BE iF bree anit APRIL 26, 1890-SIXTEEN PAGES. Il young ladies, the two former being regarded as especially skillful. SOME OTHER CLUBS. There are two other clubs belonging to the Southern Association located in this city. The Capital Club is composed mainly of the mem- bers of the Capital Bicycle Club, and there are Lapire a number of good players the number. UNDERWEAR. The New Jersey Ieee Club is located on ‘The eratitying success that we have attsined Capitol Hill and is one of the The Claiborne Club ts quite s large tion, while the Mount Plessant Club bas on its suburb who Folls the residents of that pleasant are expert in the use of the racquet. THE DISTRICT TOURNAMENT. A meeting will be held at the grounds of the Bachelor Club Tuesday afternoon at 4:30 to discuss the question of holding « tourna- ment open to District It is to fix the date of the J armani in Stee part of May, so that those intending to take part in the association tournament will receive the benefit of the practice. —agneinna A BARBER’S CHAT. His Views of Customers—His First Ex- perience With a Corpse. “Talking abont queer people.” said a barber on F street to a Stan reporter the other day, as the latter was being shaved, “a barber has more opportunities to see cranky people than anyone élse in the world. I remember when I first went into the business,” he said, as he ad- justed the towel more firmly around the scribe’s neck, “J was very nervous and impa- tient, but it didn’t take long to get that out of me, for by the time you shave two or three crusty old individuals you have lost all your temper and are as submissive as a lamb. We see a great big side of human nature also,” be continued, as he whitewashed the reporter's face, “for here aman has an opportunity to see people under all conditions. Why, I can tell the moment I see a mau whether my duties are going tobe pleasant or not There has been a great deal said about barbers talking too much; but when you hear a mag grow! because a barber is trying to make his stay in the chair pleasant you can put him down as peing a man who shaves once a week and wants aclose shave every time, You see there is s class of men who visit my establishment and insist upon having a close shave. You know what this means. They sre afraid we will leave an hour's growth of beard on their faces and they will have tocome an hour earlier next time and lose the percentage on the 10 cents which we charge.” ALL KINDS OF PROPLE. “How do you like the business?” asked Tas Stag reporter, as soon as he had the chance. “Well, I cannot say that I am in love with it. Itis too contining. Then, again, the people you have to deal with are not always pleasant. But it is good enough, I suppose, for those who like it aud the truth is I have to like it for the reason that there is more money in it for me than anything else. I would rather shave fifty people, however, than cut the hair of one young man. You see, by youngsters ] mean that class of young men Who are just beginuing to make calls, They are very particular about their bair and ifa barber should happen to leave a hair standing on end it means good-by to his trade. Now, old men are good customers and, while they are particularin not allowing their hair to grow too long, wg & Bcarcely ever bave any directions to gi ut merely say ‘Go ahead and suit yourself." Now, when we strike aman like that you can bet we are going to do WE APPEND A FEW PRICES. Ladies’ Hemstitched Gowns The yoke ts made of fine bemstitched tneerting with narrow tucks and Only 61.98. Full length and width. The Skirts to match are made with deep hemstitchr a embroidered ruffle with two clusters of tucks above Fall width $1.68, Drawers to match are made with hemstitched em- Droidery, two clusters of tucks above; also Snished with beading; 9c. These goods can be matched im sets or bought separately. ‘We will tell you something aboutour JERSEYS. A ‘Good Jersey is at any price @ comfortable article of wear fora woman. You cannot overpay for it, for the comfort sccrues from it; for that reason when we tell JOU oUF prices it ought to bring you here in swarms. We will preface our story by telling you we keep ov. STRICTLY ALL-WOOL JERSEYS, that our JERSEY@ areGLOVE FITTING; thateach and every JERS! is guaranteed to you. Now for a few prices: Very Fine Quality Black Jersey, with mised shoulders only $1.98. aoe ‘Military Jersey, also trimmed in black braid, Black Jersey, with diagonal front and trimmed in raid and raised shoulders, something very stylish, Very Pine Jersey, diagonal front and tailor boun@ ean eemea heme enetes alk, we are selling 7. Navy Blue Jersey, with Cream Surah vest and full sleeve and cuff, 86. A CORSET CARNIVAL. THIS WILL CLOSE THEM OUT. Some few weeks since we bought from a manufac- turer 500 dozen Corsets at our figuren We sold them at 68e. All but « few dozen are sold out, and these would have been gone long ago had it not been that they were large sizes, eu the reminder wil) be offered to you at 3c. ‘this they are yours, The assortment is as fol- lor Sizewe 25 26 Pairs... 6 8 10 «613 Some White, some Pink, some Ecru, some Old Gold, Dut for those thatcan use them this is ¢ good thing. A few days will close these out. “WHAT A BEAUTIFUL BRAID STOCK” This is the exclamation of every lady that sees our gunmeous assortment of Dress Braida, We have never had such acollection of Dress Trim- ‘Mines at one time in our establishment before. You will find with useverytuing desirable in the Trim- ming line. Braided Zouaves in Black snd Colors, $4.50 to@12. Beaded Zouaves in Bisck, 84 to#) 1. Fringe Fronts, specialty, $3.75 to $10. ‘Vau Dyke Points in Biack and Colors. A fine as- fortment of Persian Applique, The lstest “Crown” novelty for wash fabrics, Van Dykes and Passemen- terie. our utmost to please him. But the Lord de- liver me from dudes,” continued the tonsorial artist, as he sprayed cologne over the reporter's Fringes in Black and Colors from 500. upward Black Silk and Mohair Galouns, all widths, to match. Fine assortment of Crotchet Trimmings, face, Silver Jet and Gold Vam Dyke, CUTTING A DUDE’s HAIR. Gold Zouaves, Beaded Gimps. “It gives me the cold quivers when they come | "ers by mail carefully filled, in here to have anything done, They scarcely —_— ever have a shave; they don’t need one for the | y, A NNN reason, I guess, that they take after their | b rey 4 Z Pe mothers and don't have beard. But they want AAA x NN their hair cut and it must be in the latest style. kes a4 NNN Sus? One fellow will stand before the glass fully five minutes before taking a seat, After surveying gen YE ORRR cco BoB himself carefully fore and aft he will tell’ you Bas BUURRG OG a that he wants his hair cut in the latest style, tS fe Sas with a little fringe on each side and a ‘pawt’ in Eas “ou” EF & GSP BOE the middle. val, = takes his seat ona you commence, You havn’t cut more than an eighth of one side when up he jumps and says: Pg § ES EE: o% ‘Bawber, don’t you think you are cutting a = 2 BBB, ERE 3 3 little too fine on that side?” and so on and so on “as* kes E E ‘oo = until his hair is cut. You see we cannot afford to do this sort of thing. Our time is money, probably more so than in any other business, for you see we get paid by the piece and not by the day, so that when « young man comes in here and takes ups large portion of our time it means money out of our pockets, Haircut? All right; just lean a little back.” ap24 420, 422, 424, 426 7TH ST. For the accommodation of our customers and the Public we will keep our store open all uigbt iB change o! Pha) iste. 8. WILLIAMS & CO.. DRUGGISTS., The reporter obeyed and the knight of the UNDER MASONIC TEMPLE. scissors continued: “I like to shave men; Cor. 9th and F streets n.w, not because there is any peculiar fascination in PRESCRIPTIONS. Our prices for prescriptions have been reduced im the operation but there is money in it. You roods, Wi . see wo got from 85 to 810 for every job of that Hfabe ang cherscals from tne! hott eliabie nature, sort, and then worl easy, comparative! urers. We cheerfully so inepec’ ing, for the flesh is soft and pliable and | “* department by physicians, ee OR beard easily removed, Price. Price Allcock's Porous Plasters. 10 Gei Por Pi men Porous Fisstere, HIS FIRST DEAD CUSTOMER. “I never shall forget the time I shaved my first dead man,” he went on, as he grabbed the scribe’s fore lock and cleared it off unceremo- niously. “It was down south, and I had only been journeyman two weeks, when one moon- light night my door bell rang violently and some one asked for me. Well, I went to the door, There stood a lady all dressed in black. Between her sobs she told me her father bad died and she wanted me to prepare his face for burial. Of course,I knew that the old man wanted a shave, but I was kind of surpri that the daughter should come, instead of leav- ing it to the undertaker, as isthe custom. Well, to make a long story short, I put a couple of razors in my pocket and the rest of my outfit and soon arrived at the old man’s house, It was situated on a lonely road in the midst of a large clump of chestnut trees. The body lay in the front parlor and without any ceremony I was conducted to the door and left. I moved over toward the body, which lay on # cooling board, covered with a sheet, = the face. The eyes were wide open and the jaw bad fallen, The moon shone over the tree to; and into the room and put such a strange light on the old man’s face that I was scared almost to death. Well, I commenced toshave him, but Pa oe is 0 ESEDSUE ES Horeford’s Acid Phosphates, siuail. Horstord’s Acid Phos those eyes kept looking at me and every now ee cae bel and then I fancied I heard some one say: | Basetouitstche, ‘Look out, there, your razor drags.’ I com- | Prussian Cough sirup leted the job somehow or other and left $5 better off, but I don’t think fifty times that amount would have tempted me to shave an- other dead man that night. I soon got over my scare, however, and now, as I have already said, I kind of like it. There isanother class of ople who go to make a barber's life misera- br , and thatisthe women. Oh, they are a tough set, fretful, particular, and, above all, close. I have several patrons who are ladies, but I don't want any more women. They come in here usually once a month to get » shampoo and aman must be as careful as though he were scratching the head of a baby two weeks old. Itisright funny to see them come in here and take off the false hair and sit on it while we shampoo them. We play a great many jokes on them if the opportunity pre- sents itself.” elie GLADSTONE ON THE LAND BILL. Disappointed With Balfour’s Bill and Perplexed With Parnell’s. Mr. Gladstone resumed the debate on the land purchase bill in the house of commons Thursday evening. He said he was opposed to the bill under an overwhelming conviction that Williams? Reed ‘Tooth Rowdes Y oT Williams’ Quinine and um Mairfoais 2 the country to the extent of £33,000,000 with- out mentioning the possibili a