Evening Star Newspaper, May 24, 1890, Page 12

12- 0 OE ae ee = ee THE EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON, D.C.; SATURDAY, MAY 24, 1890-SIXTEEN PAGES: AUTOMATON TRICKS. *The Human Machine in the Inan- imate Figure. THE GREAT CHESS PLAYER. i Legiess Little Man Concealed Within the Body of De Kempelon’s Chess Champion—Clever Contrivances for Deceiving the Public, ieee From the New York Hersla. VERY PRESTIDIGITATEUR, necro- mancer, magician or fakir of note in ancient and modern times has placed almost his chief dependence on auto- mata, illusions or mechanical mea: for we entertainment of patrons, leaving Jegerdemain and card tricks for side issues, a8 it were. For instance, Vaucanson, the French magician, made a reputation with a mechan- ical duck. Robt. Houdin, who followed him, used the same duck as one of his principal at- fractions, and Beaumont, another French Magician, made the same duck do good service for him in public. Coming down to latter days Robert Heller exhibited Ajeeb, the chess antomaton; Herr- mann places a great deal of stress on such illusionary tricks as the Cocoon, cremation and ‘decapitation, while Kellar exhibits Psycho, + Zoe, Fanfare and the Hindoostani black art. These magicians havea precedent for their use of mechanics in their exhibitions, for many of the ancient wise and learned men devoted their spare moments to making walking, flying or other moving figures. HISTORICAL PRECEDENTS, In history we find a model of Venus was made by Dedulus, and its motive power was said to be quicksilver heated and cooled on the inside. Aulius Gellius, the Greek, speaks of a wooden Pigeon that flew. Cassiodorious writes of ma- chines in imitation of serpents, which wriggled along the ground and swallowed small am- mals or objects in their path. On the plains of Thebes there can still be seen the re- mainsof the colossal statues of Memnon, who, it is said, ‘uttered joyful sounds at the rising of the sun and cries of sorrow when it descended.” This they did for hundreds of years, even until the fourth century of the | Christian era. Arephylus of Tarantium made adove that could fly. Reglomtarous is cred- ited with producing an eagle that flew from | the city walls, saluted the emperor as he ap- proached and returned, and a fly of iron, which would circle the room and return. Coming down to the thirteenth century Al- | put his before the publi impossible to look through them. _In the back of the box a drawer pulls out that is also a de- ception, for the back end of the drawer is ar- ranged in such a fashion that when it is shoved in it falls down and the man sits on it. In the chest of the figure a small door is opened and more machinery is shown, and that is the crowning point of the ingenuity of the fraud, because at a touch of a spring these cogs and wheels sink out of sight and allow the hidden player to see through a wire screen darkly painted, and, as it is gloomy where he is and light outside, he of course cannot be seen behind the screen. The movement of the hand is also shown in the sketch, the thumb THE SCISSORS MOVEMENT OF AJEEBS HAND. fers alone being movable, and as he catches ‘old of the lever he can take up the chessmen and move them much in the same way as if he handled them with a pair of pincers. Here we have a picture of Kellar’s Psycho, ; and the popular supposition is that he was the first to exhibit an automaton that could pla: cards, pick up numbers, answer questions wit KELLAR'S PSYCHO, AS SEEN BY THE PUBLIC. figures as to date of birth or give or do sums, ever exhibited in this country. The popular supposition isan error, because an automaton called “‘Syko” was exhibited in 1876 in Van Am- berg’s Museum, No. 103 Bowery, by the maker, Prot. Feggetter, some seven years before Kellar ‘The explanations of the motive power of both are identical. Previous to the exhibition of Feggetter's Syko, Maskelyn and Cooke, two noted mechanics of London, had exhibited a similar creation and were credited with its in- vention. That was again an error, for it was simply made by Maskelyn and Cooke under the direction of the inventor, a Mr. George Clark of Boston, Mass., who was then residing in London and working on the newspaper Land and Water, My authority for Mr. Clark's na- tionality is himself. for he told me he was an American about twelve years ago, and in the Clipper of abont that time will be found the statement of that fact and his claims for having invented the original S It was in London that Feggetter saw the au- tomata, and in a very few moments discovered Dertus Magnus had an automaton as a door- keeper that gained wide renown. It moved naturally and is said to have spoken. Its very cleverness proved its destruction, for Thomas Aquinas became so terrified when it moved that he broke the automaton to pieces with his staff and at the same time shattered the heart of the inventor who had spent thirty years on his work. Descartes made a figure in the formof a female and called it his daughter “Francina.” ‘This automaton had as ill a fate as the door- keeper. for a superstitious captain of a vessel on which Descartes had embarked threw “Fran- cina” overboard. because, he argued, the devil must be concealed in a machine that moved so like a numan being. Skipping a few centuries we find that the ‘Vaucanson mentioned above ‘-made some won- derful automata,” one of which was a flageolet player. who fingered the instrument with the ft hand and banged the tambourine with the other, executing difficult pieces with the music with surprising accuracy. Historians notice his delicate technique with the tambourine. Maelzel about 1820 made a trumpeter which played many French and Austrian airs, and a player, and then Wolfgang de Kempelon also made a chess player to amuse Marie ‘Therese. THE ORIGINAL AUTOMATON CHESS PLAYER. Now while during all these years these me- chanical toys have amused millions of people, yet the secrets of their construction have been so zealousiy guarded that but few other than the showmen themselves knew how they were constructed. And of the more modern automata the knowl- edge of their workings is confined almost ex- clusively to their inventors and exhibitors. The secret of the chess-playing automaton made by De Kempelon, whose fame is still sounding throughout Europe, was discovered by “Bosco.” another magician of repute, and by him disclosed to Professor Feggetter, an in- Yentor of illusions and automata of the latter date, and now Professor Feggetter has told me it was operated. And also the modus operandi of the more modern mechanical deceptions, such as Ajeeb, uning with De Kempelon’s chess player. the picture of which we show here, this is the Way it was worked. It was not an automaton, ‘The Man in the Closet—A, the movable box. Duta clever cheat. The box on which the fig- Ure sat concealed aman and the real intelli- ; Bence was supplied by him. He was of very sthall size and peculiarly fitted for his task by Feason of the loss of both legs close to the trunk. The moves were reflected through the chess boards by means of magnets. The figure and all its accompaniments were apparently full of machinery and every part was thrown pen for inspection before the game began. The ingenuity consisted of confusing the Judgment by means of cogs and wheels. First the right door was opened and closed, and mm when the concealed man, who sat ina little box on wheels had pushed his body to the right, the left door was thrown open. then both doors were opened simultaneously and the man had balanced his box in the center. —— < geod, the Chess Player—A, the drawer when closed; B, the drawer, showiig the hinged bac ‘Wires were thrust entirely through the wheels and cogs on each side to prove that no one was concealed there. The deception was further heightened by ostentatious winding @f the machinery before the game began. The death of the clever little legless man put @stop to the exhibitions of “De Kempelon’s chess player.” While alive this man was sel- dom beaten, although he met all the best players in Europe. AJEEB AN IMITATION. It was in imitation of the chess player that “Ajeeb,” the automaton so-called chess player the Eden Musee of this city, and previous to that for years in various cities in this country by Robert Heller, was evolved. In this figure the man is concealed in this ‘way—he sits on a seat in the cushion on top of which the figure sits. To heighten ‘the deception the front is thrown down and a number of cogs and wheels are shown to oc- the secret of its power. But he did not try to Interior of Fergetter's Syko—A, the valve; B andC, rods for moving arm aud head. make one like it until he came to America, and then in conversation with some Brooklyn gen- tlemen he stated that he could make one simi- lar. Judge McCue of the city court, Bennett Burleigh, war correspondent, of England; Mr. Bigelow, stenographer of the city hail; Harvey Pearce, a manufacturer; Alderman Parker and a Mr. Harris subscribed to a fund and set Feg- getter at work. In a few months he completed the “Syko” and a private exhibition was given of its power at the Brooklyn Club. F A, glass cylinder: B, 3 C, air eroiere 95S b: Slany Te neeri te, ee: To all who are familiar with the “Psycho” as shown by Kellar and Feggetter, wonder arises as to where the connection between the operator and figure is made. For the little figure sits in a clear space on top of a trans- parent glass cylinder, which precludes the use of wires or electricity. But it is simple when you know how it is done. ‘The agent employed is compressed air. The picture will show how the counection is made. A down pressure of the pump raises the arm, & continued force raises the head, further force allows the arm to swing to the right, a reduc- tion of the force causes the hand to drop, pres- sure causes it to rise, and taking off the pres- sure causes it to swing all the way back. Sometimes to further heighten the deception a newspaper is laid on the floor and the figure placed over it. A convenient tear in the paper allows the air to work just as easily, and with the machine in proper working order pressure can be graduated to the hundredth part of an inch, This picture repre- sents Zoe, or the draw- ing automaton. The connection is made here not by pneumatics, but by an ironrod running through the stage be- low,and is there worked by the operator. On the upper and lower end of the rod is fastened an arm with acrayon. The end crayon is placed against a blackboard, and there is where the illusion comes in. The blackboard is concave, and so but two motions are necessary—up and down or right and left— to make a drawing. It can clearly be seen that™#= AUTOMATON ARTIST. the motions of the artist, who has hold of the crayon below, who is drawing on a convex surface, will be followed above. The Automatic Artist explained—A, the arm Joining the rod; B, the rod that runs throiwhout the stage: ©, the arm worked by concealed operator; D, curved plate upon which the drawing is made. = Another prominent automaton is “Fanfare,” the horn blower. In this case the little figure its in a chair on the stage, holding in his hand ahorn. ‘The operator on the stage places the tube of the instrument to the figure’s mouth and then the music commences. The explanation of that is quite simple, as the drawing will show. Running directly w through the stage an then through a leg of the chair is a long tube, and when the mouth- iece is pushed against lips of “Fanfare” it makes an air-tight con- nection, fine wires, down by the below the automaton being ble means of su; ‘The illustration will ow Astarte as she ap- [se hen suspended midair, This was evolved from the old aerial suspension, which was nothing more or less than a very stout iece of iron fastened the belt and arm at the back of the girl, who wore a peculiarly made corset. In aerial suspension there were only two motions possi- ble. The girl was gently lifted by the feet until she took a position of her elbow on a single pole. now shown, the girl stands at stage, which is covered with a reclining uj As fois Astarte is the back of the curtain of dark material, and then is raised gently in the air. Behind that curtain isa stout iron frame and from the center of it pro- jects an iron arm that can be pushed forward and tothe right and left, slits in the curtain being made to accommodate the movements, The pole is fastened to the girl’s belt and the belt is made of stout iron grooved and ringed to dmit the end of the iron arm is slipped in the wider opening at the back and locked it will be seen, that she can turn in any direction but forward without hindrance, The draping of her waist is so arranged that “Zyaa?. no matter what the sition the silk will fall iri — — the ~ elt. Kellar, who ex-, 4 hibited Astarte, to fur-"qitr farwes Brad, Cia ther heighten the de- ball sockets. ception, had the girl jump through a rapidly re- volving hoop while in the air. The hoop passed the iron at the back in this way: It was not a true hoop, two open ends being conceuled by the numerous ribbons with which it was loosely wrapped. Astarte is a recent invention and has been before the public but eighteen months, ‘Two Boston (Mass.) mechanics named Keys and Chase are its inventors. From the foregoing it will be seen that no matter how intricate the machinery used in these automata, the secrets of their workings are very simple, if enigmas, os —__ SUNDAY IN THE PARK. Morning Scenes Under the Trees in the Smithsonian. ‘The grass is long and the trees are thick just now in the shadows of the Smithsonian Park and the settees are in great demand on the rap- {dly summering days when the asphalt in the heart of the city reeks with its hot breath. It is, perhaps, the coolest spot in the city during the warm weather, but now, when we are near the line, so broad and vague, that divides the spring from the summer, the atmosphere that prevails in these leafy precincts is more than cool. It is languid and restful and as a conse- quence a stroller through the park has a resist- less temptation to sit down on one of the unin- viting-looking beyches which line the walks on either hand, AT ITS BEST SUNDAY MORNING, Sunday mornings, when the skies are clear and the air is still and rather suggestive of church, the park is at its best. Sunday last was such aday and it was a scene of the greatest attractiveness that greeted a Stan re- porter, who happened to find his way into the green-shaded walks at about noon. It was like going from one climate into another to step suddenly from the sultry streets into the park. Everything had a look of being either asicep or just on the verge. A man reading a huge newspaper, part of which he had scattered around him on all sides, was nodding and bob- bing as he tried to struggle through an edi- torial on the tariff, or else it was on account of a base ball game, the stroller could not see which, It looked more like the editorial, to judge from the effects. He tried as hard as he conla for a while to keep his head erect, but finally he gave up the effort and cast the re- maining sheet of the paper to one side and in another minute was in the land of dreams, while the little birds chirped and quarreled and some of them came down to the bench to see if he had been eating luach and had left apy crumbs in sight. THE CROW AND THE CHILDREN. A large crow, that had evidently taken up its abode in one of the tall trees, began to send forth his coarse cry to tell the world that he was around. He came hopping down, a branch at a time, until he was almost within reach, and then he tossed his head and blinked his eyes and flew off to find a June bug. In the high grass, which waved with the slight wind like a wheat field, some little children were playing, Picking clover tops and buttercups that they found hiding amidst the long blades that tow- ered above them. All at once achild would disappear from view, as though it had stepped on the top of a pitfall, but in a minute up it would come with its hands full of bright blossoms and a happy little laugh that told of nothing any more dangerous than turf stains or grass marks, TALKING Portrics. Acouple of old men sat with their hats off in the shade of « huge tree, talking politics in a subdued tone of voice, as if they recognized the fact that such a turbulent topic as that had no place in so peacefula spot. So impressed indeed were they of this that they lowered their voices as the stroller went along and began tospeak of last Sunday's sermon. It was all sermon, there in the park, with the great trees as arches and the birds as con- gregation, listening to the voice of nature at her best. ‘There were spots where the mower had spoiled the peacefulness of the scene by sweeping down tracts of the long grass und making things look too formal for Caetpri har- mony With the unrestrained breath that came from every surrounding. The “keep off the grass” sigus were hidden from sight unti! the scythe had discovered them near the build- ings, and th od forth as if half ashamed of their missions. A GLIMPSE THROUGH THE TREES. Occasional breaks through the thick foliage revealed the glaring white dome of the Capi- tol, standing out in dazzling clearness. One could almost imagine that the Goddess of Lib- erty, whose back is always turned on all this loveliness, was sighing for a chance to get down from her shadeless perch into the cool green behind her back. One almost felt sorry for the poor thing. The dark brown of the old Smith- sonian building made a peculiarly restful im- pression upon the atmosphere. The high tur- rets and the castellated walls lent just the lack- ing elements tocomplete the beauty of the park, But the observer ef this did well to avoid getting any sort of a view of the newer buildings that have made inroads upon the pre- cincts sacred to age and beauty. ‘Their bright red bricks and their square, solid, unemotional walls, unstained by time and fresh from the hands of the mason, comparatively, formed a discordant presence that it was well to hide. THE YOUNG MAN WITHOUT HIS GIRL. The traditional young man with his Sunday girl was in a conspicuous minority, The young man was there, in spots, but without the girl, for she was at home getting dinner, or else, it isto be hoped, at church. Luter in the day they were there, in combination, in all the glory of spring clothes and ali the happiness of Sunday courting. The park was given up in the earlier hours to the older generations, with their naps and their reading and their Politics, to the girlless young men and the children with their grass stains and posies, and it was all the better for it. —_——— Nixz Dorrars to Prrrspure via. Pesxsyt- vanta Raitnoap.—On May 24, 25 and 26, 1890, the Pennsylvania Railroad Company will seli excursion tickets to Pittsburg at $9 for the round ip with return coupons valid until May 31, 1! Proportionately low rates will prevail from other statious,—Advt, GIVEN UP TO GHOSTS. Stories About Houses Said to be Ten- anted by Specters. DATA CONCERNING THEM GIVEN BY DR. ELLIOTT COUES—INTERESTING STATEMENTS ABOUT 8UP- POSED SPOOKS AND THEIR DOINGS—HE SAYS ALL HOUSES WHERE MEN HAVE DIED ARE HAUNTED. OT less than twenty-five houses in Washington are entirely given up to ghostse—if a ghost hunter with whom a Sram reporter talked is to be be- lieved—and permitted to remain un- occupied by living tenants on account of disturb- ances supposed to be occasioned by dead ones. From year to year, the reporter was told, these dwellings remain vacant and unrentable, to the hopeless disgust of their owners and the real estate agents. Once in a while one of them is hired by some person who takes pride in his lack of superstition and finds the low price asked a temptation. For a brief period it is inhabited, then it is abandoned with great precipitation and shut up once more. These spooks, it is said, are unusually industrious and persistent in the production of what experts in psychical research term “phenomena.” Thus it happens that only one cure for the trouble has so far been discovered—namely, to tear the specter- cursed building down. ‘In one inktance, how- ever, where this was done the supernatural manifestations were located in the cellar, so that it was necessary to dig up the foundation of the structure in order to get rid of the hob- goblins, Many residences which have a rip ior) reputation for being haunted are located in the most fashionable part of the city. The following data concerning a few of them were given to a writer for Tue Stan by no less an authority on what might be termed the science of the supernatural than Dr. Elliott Coues, . THE MOST REMARKABLE CASE. In his opinion the most remarkable of Wash- ington’s haunted houses is a famous old house in the West End. It is a very large structure, partly octagonal in shape, and fifty years ago was one of the most superb dwellings in Wash-* ington, Even to this day it is an imposing mansion and yet no one cares to live in it. The ghosts in it, according to all accounts, are alto- gether too seriously disposed to make their company endurable at any price. As to their origin no less than three stories are told and believed. One of them is to the effect that a former proprie tor was a slaveholder and a very cruel man, Ina fit of anger he whipped one of his negroes-—a boy or a girl—to death in the garret. But another account says that he tortured his human chattel in the cellar until the victim died. The third tale is very different ia character and concerns a daughter who was desired to contract a marriage against her will. She made vigorous protest anda quarrel with her father ensued upon. the stair- case, in the course of which she either fell or was thrown down and so lost her life. Certain it is that the disturbances in this old dwelling have always seemed to havo a good deal to do with the stairs, on which whispering voices in angry tones are heard at dead of night, the sound as of something falling down the ‘steps being subsequently audible. FACES AT THE WINDOWS, Many people have testified to having seen faces at the windows of the empty house as they passed along the street and strange lights moving from window to window, though such is the dread in which the haunted mansion is held that the notion of its being occupied or even entered by dishonest persons is hardly conceivable. Several parties of gentlemen, for curiosity’s sake, have at different times passed nights in this residence and had most terrify- ing experiences, if their statements are to be believed—such occurrences being noted, for in- stance, as the death of adog from fright. Among the pheuomena repeatedly observed have been the clinking of glasses and the rattling of dishes in what was once the dining room, though no one was to be seen enjoying the feast. During the war Sisters of Charity occupied the house, after it had been purified from top to bottom by sprinkling with holy water. They were given it rent free, with the understanding that they should get rid of the spooks. At the end of ‘a year they moved out and for some time after the United States gov- ernment leased the building. But for some time past there has been no tenant obtainable at any price, though lately an artis: lived there quite alone. A RESTLESS SPIRIT. On a prominent corner near the fashionable center of the city is a large brown house which has had the reputation of being haunted since before the war. It was built by a certain Col. L——, a man of ample means and some distine- tion. He was stricken by a mortal ilineas soon after the completion of the residence: but, possessing so much to make life enjoyable, he declared that he would not be made to give it and stoutly resisted the approach of death, blaspheming and shrieking so loudly as to at- tract the attention of the entire neighborhood. People who have resided a square away recall to this day the appalling impression made upon their minds by hearing the sounds in question at that distance, The colonel died, notwith- standing his violent protest, and his faneral was scarcely over when his ghost made its first appearance. It was seen in various parts of the new house, though more particularly in the library, and the haunting was so aggra- vated that it was found almost impossible to retain any servants. Finally the family moved out and the dwelling was taken by the then Spanish minister. Many extraordinary stories of things apparently supernatural that have been seen in itare told. Many persons now living in this city have strange tales to relate of things they have themselves seen in the L—— mansion. HOW A PHANTOM WAS APPEASED, On the south side of H street near 18th is another house concerning which stories are rife of avery extraordinary nature, the au- thority for them being the present owner and occupant of the establishment. An old col- ored woman died there afew years ago, and subsequent servants could not be induced to remain, because they said that their sleeping uarters were haunted by the dead domestic. From revelations afterward made it would ap- pear that the disturbances had connection with sum of money in bank notes which the old woman hed hidden in a mattress with the in- tention of giving it to a relative. She ex- pired, however, without having an opportunity to carry out her design, and hence the re! less ghost. Insome way the phantom suc- ceeded in explaining that there was something to be found in the mattress that occasioned her trouble, and the master of the house ripped it open and found the greenbacks in an envelope addressed to the relative aforesaid. The latter was given the money and the specter never came back again. This is prob- ably one of the best authenticated ghost stories known, vouched for as.it is by a naval officer and his family. A GHOST OR AN OMEN, There is a house on the south side of G street near 19th which has been the scené of extraordinary phenomena, On one occasion, for instance, a young girl was sitting in the parlor, when she felt a breath as of cold air from the tomb upon her and saw a big lumi- nous vapor body in the shape of a human being go across the room toward the window and disappear as if by falling out. She was much depressed by the unpleasant experience, and two days later she was herself killed by being pushed accidentally froma height. As to whether the apparition was properly to be regarded as an omen every one must judge for himself. AN INVISIBLE CREATURE. A house on K street, formerly owned by an ex-governor of Maryland, has frequently been disturbed by the walking of a heavy though in- visible person up and down the stairs, Ulusions to such an effect are not infrequent in the night when folks are in bed and all else is silent, but in this case the walking was usually done in the evenings while the occupant looked on and heard without seeing. Much more re- markable was a viewless animal of some sort, apparently either acat or dog, which was very ayy to be sitting on the stairs and to trip peo- ple up. It was big enough to stumble over, and, when sti with the foot, would ap- parently get out of the way, though having no visible existence, just asa real dog or cat would do, Asfor the man on the stairs, he was not only perceived through the noise he made in wolkion, bnt there was a consciousness of the perso presence of somebody when one passed him. In this house also came one night the apparition of a gentleman who had fallen dead on that same evening a few doors away, in his bedroom. med us if the phantom all the disturbances = naCiens ee specie eahhered thous impos- account use ren sible to live in. ARE ALL HOUSES HAUNTED? Speaking on this general subject, Dr. Elliott Coues said: “In my belief all houses in which human beings have lived and died are haunted, as fellow sa} Who is there that has not seen unexplained phenomena of some sort, such as only seem to be ac- countable for by referring them to super- natural agencies. Ihave in mind a com; tively new dwelling, occupied by friends of mine, where no death has ever occurred. It will illustrate incidentally the fact that a death is not essential to haunting, as is popularly sup- posed. The disturbances are so constant in this house as to occasion only slight annoy- ance, as a rule, though sometimes they are rather severe on fhe nerves. Fo! mple, two gentlemen are conversing in the sitting room when suddenly there is a report like that of a pistol close by them, causing them both to jump to their feet and cry out, ‘What's that!” Or * lady upstairs calls down terrified and says that on opening her closet door she heard a noise like that of a gun anda heavy missile whizzed past her ear. In either case there is nothing to account for the disturbance, and nothing is to be found in the way of gun, pistol or missile. On one occasion, in the same dwelling, » lady was roused from sleep by a wrench at her arm and woke to see a specter of most terrifying appearance at her bedside. I myself have several times seen in the house I speak of apparitions of persons both living and dead, and so clearly that I should have addressed them instinctively had it not been that I recognized them as phantoms, No, I do not believe in ghosts, because I have with my own eyes beheld too many real ones to do otherwise than disbelieve in the sort of spooks people generally have faith in.” tin saan CICERO POTOMAC. An Old Colored Man Tells an Affecting Tale of His Dog. suasion, as he entered the swinging doors of the District building this morning, accom- panied by a large, shaggy brute whose pedigree was evidently in doubt, “Who is it you want to see?” asked Sergt. Pierce, who stands guard at the door. “Why, de supertendent ob dogs—de man what 'zamines dem and gives dem a medal fer to keep ‘um from getting ketched by the dog scoopers.” “I guess you want to see the man that issues dog tags—that is his room to the right. “Come ‘long here, Cicero Potomac,” said the old man, andthe dog leisurely shook himself and followed his master into the collector's office, “Dis hyar am de finest dog in the aT said the old man, addressing Mr. Clark, the dog license clerk, “and I’se skeered to def ebery day when I goes to work dat when I come home Cicero Potomac will be missin’. Dis hyar is a bery wonderful dog,” continued the old man, affectionately patting his canine friend; “‘he ‘minds me of folks, ‘cause his life has been up de hill and down de valley eber since he war a puppy. Fust ob all, as I was coming from work one day I heard a whining on the side of the road and dereI found Cicero, I called him Stonewall Jackson fust ‘cause he wasn’t skeered of nothin’, but after awhile I changed his name to Cicero, after my brother's wife's baby. You know I libs ober here in Georgetown. Durin’ de flood poor Cicero got washed away, didn’t you, Cicero?” said the old man, appealing to the dog, but the dog only wagged his tail and opened his mouth, and the old man continued: “Yes, sir,’ Cicero got washed away, and I was down at the souf end of the Long Bridge at de time looking at de flood. Seems like the good Lord was looking out for dat critter, ‘cause the fust thing I seen war Cicero a floatin’ down the riber ona barrel. Well, sir, I didn’t know what to do, I couldn't jump oberboard after him ‘cause de water was running too swift and there wasn't any boats fer to catch him, so I just hollered ‘Here, Cicero! Here, Cicero!’ and would you believe it, dat animal braved de mighty currents like de children of Israel did when dey crossed the Jordan and he swum to de shore. I tell you, sir, I was powerful glad to see dat dog and he has slept wid me eber since dat night. Den I christened him ‘Cicero Potomac’ ‘cause he had braved de waters of the mighty Potomac. Since dat time he has been pisened twice and shot once, but I think he must have some cat blood in him,’cause he has got more dan one life sure. But look byar, mister,I’se forgettin’ all ‘bout de medal, How much does you say you charges forum? Two dollars? Glory, man, does you know it takes me four days to make dat much money? But you say the money ain't due till the fust of July and I had better wait till den? ‘Yes, sir; I think so mysef, andin de mean- time I will gib up tobacco and save de money for to git ‘Cicero Potomac’ a tag.” Written for Tue Even1no Star, The Song of the Cable. A VOICE FROM SEVENTH STREET, Whirr, whirr, whirr, As the morning gently breaks My sibilant song begins, And the Seventh-street citizen wakes, Wakes with a pean of joy, And blessings upon my head, For rousing him up betimes From his otherwise slothful bed, Clang, clang, clang. While the sunlight’s radiance crawis Over the Maryland nilis Beyond the Capitol’s walls; No need ot a “rising bell” In the dwellings along my course, For my gong {s loud and sbriil, And the grip-man hath no remorse, Hum, hum, hum, While the busy mart awakes Down deep in the slot Tamspinning along, And no rest my music breaks, My note is about high And every one must agree I'm a pattern of industry. Buzz, buzz, buzz. Whon the sun's meridian ray Tlumines my shadowy path I neither stop nor stay. ‘The sun and J are alike; Compelied by an unseen force, We must each perform our endlessround, Nor tarry in all our course. Whiz, whizz, whizz, ‘Though the evening shadows fall, Tired Labor rests, but on I go, Nor pause at midnight’s pall, To pleasure or gain I guide the train, To haunts of revel, to homes of paih, And when sleep comes to a weary town I'm still on duty, still whirling round, Clang, clang, clang, "Tis the voice of my midnight gong; Injthe “wee sma’ hours” the echoes wake, Which its brazen notes prolong. It tells of my tireless ight ‘To the watchers along the line, ‘To the restless who fain would sleep, But what are their rights to mine? Wairr, whirr, whirr, ‘Till the dead of the night has come, And the stars look down on deserted streets, And the reveler finds his home. ‘There's no money in running now, Company knows what is best, ‘We'll prepare for my morrow’s work, So the town and the cable rest. F.A.S8, ———_~+e+______ The Western Senator and the D.D, From the Globe Democrat, The Rev. Dr. Daniel Dorchester, incharge of Indian schools, isa very dignified old gentle- man. He hails from Massachusefts, possesses ——— and a certain — arguit ec. proposition with ‘off-hand But re 't see it as the wot eee the Senator, “‘we himself up with aeite odine aoe AUCTION SALES.__ ___ AUCTION SALES. JOHN 8. SWOR: + WALTER E WRIGHT, "} Trastese * S@-THE ABOVE SALE IS SATURDAY, MAY TWENTY-FO! RTE. 1800, same JOHN 8. SWORMSTEDT,) myl7-ate WALTER Wont, j Trasteoe, HHOMAS DOWLING, Auctioneer, TRUSTEF’S SALE OF VALUABLE REAL EST) BASWS 48 NO. 1237 SIXTH STRELT SOUT Under and by virtue of a decree of the Court of the District of Columbia, b. pm for ee a etal areconiplainants and Sarah Ferguson etal ars Cefendauta, kuown ‘as equity cause No. 1224 the unde: trustee will, on BATURDAY, the TWENTY TH DAY OF MAY, A.D. 1890, ai HALF-PAST FIVE O'CLOCK P.M. in frout of the Premises, sell at public auction, all that ‘or lot of land situate in the city of Wastingion, in said Dis: irct, Known as and being part of square Bumbered four hundred aud seventy-three (473% thre mame have ing afront of 50 feet on 6th street and running of that width to Water street, more particularly de: scrived in the proceedings in the above entitled With the improvements thereon, consisting of an old “Terms of sale an prescribed by ead decree: One-third 1 eas of the purchase money in cash, the balance in equal by the prom- of trust on urchaser's option. within ten days from the day of sale, tee reserves the right to resell at the cost and risk of the defaulting pur- chaser. All conveyancing ng at purchaser's f cost. A deposit of $200 m the day of sale. BENJAMIN Fo LEIGHTON tr m13-d&ds # 482 La. ave. nw. FUTURE DAYS. EEKS & CO., Auctioneers, 637 Louisiana avenue, Opposite City Post Office, STOCK OF DOMESTIC DRY GOODS, OALICOES, GINGHAMS, RIBBONS, EMBROIDERIES, H08- TERY, FURNISHING GOODS, CLARK'S SPOOL COTTONS, SPOOL SILK, HOSIERY, GLOVES, NECK AND UNDERWEAR, LARGE LOT GOOD JEWELRY, WALNUT COTTON CASES, TWO PLATED SHOWCASES AND OTHER GOODS AT AUCTION WITHIN OUR SALESROOMS, MONDAY MORNING, TWENTY-SIXTH MAY, TEN A. M EVERY LOT WILL BE SOLD. my23-2t IHOMAS DOWLING, Auctioneer. VALUABLE UNIMPROVED PROPERTY, BEING THE WEST HALF OF SQUARE No. ‘1114, at ION. ‘UESDAY, MAY TWENTY-SEVENTH, 1890, AT ‘Terms easy and made known at time of sale. ing and conveyancing et cost of - ®200 re- quired at time of aaie. m21-d&ds TH MAS DOWLING, Auctioneer. G*°: W- STICKNEY, Auctioneer, U36 F st, TRUSTFE’S SALE OF VERY VALUABLE IM- PROVED PROPERTY, BEING HOUSE No. 919 SIXTH STREET NORTHWEST. By virtue of two (2) certain deeds of trust dated July 29, 1886, and December 28. 1586, re- spectively in Liber 1197, folio 109, et seg., aud Liber 1224, folio 24, of the land records for the Dtsrict of Columbia, aud at the request of the party secured thereby, we will offer for sale, in front of the UL eee, SESDA’ THT PrSUNE, on TUESDAY, THE D DAY OF Ji 1590, at HALF-PAST FIVE O'CLOCK 'P. M, the following deecribed property, situate iit the city of | Washington, District of Co- lumbia, to wit: The south of nal lot nu- bered four (4), in square numbered four hundred and eiwhty-four (484), beginning for the said part at the southwest corner of said original lot 4 and running thence north twenty (20) feet on Oth street; thence vast 63 feet: thence south 20 feet, and thence west 63 feet to the place of beginning. ‘Terms: One-third (3) cash and the balance in one and two years, with interest at the rate of six per centum per auuum:; payable semi-annually, or ail cash, at the option of the purchaser: 8100 deposit will be required st time of sale. Ail conveyancing and recording at purchaser's cost. Terms to be complied with in 15 days or the property wiil be resold at risk and cost of defaulting purchaser after five days’ advertisement in the Evening Star. Wat MAYSe, JR.” ¢ Trustecs, my22-eokds 516 9th st. nw. = —= = FUTURE DaYs. DOWLING, Auctioneer, EXTENSIVE SALE OF SUPERIOR HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, EMBRACING IN PART ONE SUPERIOR UPRIGHT PIANO, PLUSH PAR- LOR FURNITURE, FANCY TABLES AND CHAIRS, OIL PAINTINGS AND CRAYONS, HANDSOME FOLDING SCREEN, VERY HAND- SOME DOUBLE WALNUT BOOK CASE, COUCHES, GAS HEATING STOVES, SUPERIOR ©ODY BRUSSELS CARPETS, MANTEL AND CASINET BEDSTEADS, VERY HANDSOME WALNUT MARBLE TOP CHAMBER SUITES, SINGLE WALNUT HALL CHAMBER SETS, VERY HANDSOME CHERRY BEDSTEAD AND BUREAU, ASH CHAMBER FURNITURE, BAIR MATTRESSES, FEATHER PILLOWS AND BOL- STERS, SINGLE AND DOUBLE WALNUT WARDROBES, COMBINATION WASHSTANDS, TOILET WARE, WOVEN WIRE SPRINGS, EX. TENSION AND ROUND DINING TABLES LARGE NUMBER OF DINING CHAIRS, CHINA, GLASS AND SILVER-PLATED WARE, HEAT. ING STOVES, &c. On WEDNESDAY NING, MAY TWENTY. EIGHTH. 1890, at TE: kei 1 shall sell the entire contents of the large resideuce No 23 Latayette place, Just north of Pennsylvania avenue. Thus fur Bitare, 3s in prime condition and should command the ~azadte MSTHOMAS DOWLING, Auct_ sprRouas DOWLING, Auctioneer. THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF A DRUG STORE REMOVED TO MY AUCTION ROOMS FOR CONVENIENCE OF SALE, EMBRACING MEDI- CINES AND FANCY ARTICLES OF EVERY DESCRIPTION, A NUMBER OF SUPERIOR FRENCH PLATE SHOW CASES, &, TO BE SOLD AT AUCTION, AT MY SALES ROOMS ELEVENTH AND PENNSYLVANIA AVENUR. TUESDAY, MAY TWENTY-SEVENTH, 1890, COMMENCING AT TEN O'CLOCK. THOMAS DOWLING, my22-dts rows: DOWLING, Auctioneer. TRUSTEES" SALE BLE THREE-STORY OF V AND BASEMENT BRICK RESIDENCE, No. 30 C STREET NORTHEAS | By virtue of a of trust dated the eighth day of 1 1856, and duly recorded in Liber 1175, folio 319 et soq., one of the land records of the District of Columbia, and by direction of the parties secu thereby, the undersigned trustees sell, in front of fhe premises, on TUESDAY, JUNE THIMD, 1% HALF-PAST FOUK O'CLOCK P.M. the east 26-feet front of lot 11, im square 6N6, together with provements, which copsist of ‘a three-story and base- ment brick residence, No. 39 C street uortheast Terms: One-third cash, balance in six and twelve months, with notes bearing interest and secured by @ of trust on the property. All couveyancing, & at purchaser's cost; $200 deposit will b wired ab the time of sala © $e BRADLEY DAVIDSON: NDREW C. BRADLEY, m23-dkds ‘Trustees, WALTER B WILLIAMS & CO, Auctioneers VALUABLE UNIMPROVED PROPERTY, FRONT- ING ON MASSACd USE TTS AVENUE BETWEEN SIXTH AND SEVENTH STREETS NOKTHEAST, AT AUCTION, On THURSDAY, MAY TWENTY-NINTH, “K P.M., we shail sellin front of the 44 and 45 (of trustee Thos. D. Bond's subdi- vision) and lots 46 to 50, inclusive, square SOU, bav— ing 18 feet front, running back the average depth of bout 78 feet. THESE LOTS ARE BEAUTIFULLY LOCATED NEAR STANTON PARK AND SHOULD COM- THE ATTENTION OF BUYERS. ‘valance a MAND of sale. ured by ® deed of trust on p All conveyancing, &., at purchaser's cost; #200 down Shen the property is’ struck off. and if the terms: sale are not complied with within ten days frow day of sale the property wall be resuid at risk aud cost of de- faulting purchaser. WALTER B. WILLIAMS & CO., m22-dkde Auctioneera, HANCERY SALE OF DESIKABLE BUILDING 14TS ON TWENTY-SECUND STREET, BE TWEEN D AND NEW YORK AVENUE, NE UNITED STATES NAVAL OBSERVATORY. By virtue of a decree of the Supreme Court sequent decree in sai 7, 1mm 1 offer for sale at public auction to the highes: der, in frout of the premises, on MONDAY O&D DAY OF JUNE NEXT: AT. SIX O'CLOCK P-M> Qfixinal lows 1 and 12, in square G1, in the city ington. ‘Terms of sale. One-third purchase in cash ; balance in equal instailinents at 6 and 12 mouths from the day of ale. the deferred paymeuts to bear interest from day of sale and to be secured by the purchaser's hotes, with indorsers to be approved by, the trustes, €100 deposit to be niade om each lot at c of sale. RICHARD T. MORSELL, Tra uisiene 456 _WALTER B. WILLIAMS & 00., Aucts. FP\HOMAS DOWLING, Auctioneer. VALUABLE BUSINESS PROPERTY AT AUCTION. PEt MPTORY SALE TO CLOSE AN ESTATE, PROPERTY NORTHWEST CORNER EIGHTH AND D STREETS NOKTHWEST, ADJOINING X MUSIC HALL, LINCOL! ON MONDAY, JUNE ‘TWO, 1890, AT FOUR O'CLOCK P. sell at public auction, in front of the premises, Lots ove (1) aud two (2) of square four hundred and sever (407) of the city ot Washington, fronting one hundred feet on “D" st., corner of Sth L.w., with ap average depth 100 feet, containing 8, 790 aq. feet, improved by five Brick Buildings occupied for business purposes. Terme, Guehuif cash bal'in one tnd two years, secured by deed of trust on property, defe: y= ments to interest at six per cent, or all cash, st option of the purchaser. ile werfect oF mo sale. A deposit of will be required when property is knocked down. If the terms of sale are not complied with within ten days from day of sale the pr: perty will be resold at the risk and cost of the defaulting purchaser. THOMAS DOWLING, my23-dte Auctioneer. )UNCANSON BROS, Aucuoneera ATION SALE OF VALv- IN THE COUNTY OF iG CrTY” BEL BENNSYLVANIA AVENUE By virtue of a decree of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, in cause of Naylor va, Naylor et al, No. 9327 in eauity, we will offerat bublic sale on the premuses, begming on THURSDAY, THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF MAY, A.D. 1 HALF-PAST FOUR, O'CLOCK P.M., various lots the subdivision of “*TWINING trustees, aud recorded in book N Jo, 131 a the surveyor's office of the olumbia, ‘Terms of sale: One-third cash, the balance in equal installments at 1 and 2 years, potes to be given bearing Sper cent muterest from day of sale, ‘payable ‘semi- aunually, and to be secured by a deed of trust on the Property sold, or ail cash, at the option of the pur- chaser. A deposit of $25 on each lot sold will be re- quired at the time of sale. Conveyancing, &c.. chaser's cost. If the terms of sale are not complied with within teu daysof day of sale the trustees re- serve the right to resell the property in detault at the Tisk and cost of defaulting purchaser after five days’ public notice of such je iu sume Lewspaper pub- NG, -Plats slowing the subdivision can be ob- tained ou ay plication of the trusteesor the auctioneers \CHAKD SMITH, pa ap23-d&ds &#-THE ABOVE SALE I8 POSTPONED UNTIL WEDNESDAY, MAY 1WENTY-FIKST, 1890, same ee a Pe oe SHARD SMITE? oy CHAS A. ELLIVTT,5 {@-THE ABOVE SALE WILL BE CONTINUED ou meee MAY TWENTY-EIGHTH, 1890, Same hour and place. KICHARD SMITH, my22-dkds CHAS A, ELLIOET,} Trustees. HOS, E. WAGGAMAN, Real Estate Auctioneer. TRUSTEES’ SALE OF REAL ESTATE, SITUATE ON SUMNER AVENUE, IN THE SUBDIVISION OF BARRY FARM (ACROSS THt EASTERN BRANCH), IN THE COUNTY OF WASHINGTON, IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. By virtue of deed of trust, bearing day of December, A.D. 1874, recorded in Lil vf the iand records of the Fendall Building, myl5. A folio 377, one vi the Columbia, and at the written request of the fecured thereby, the undersigned trustee (William Miller having of Charles in ‘Court of the tion in he Supreme of Columbia), will sell at public suet the premises’ on THUKSDA JUNE, AD. 1890, AT FIVE 0 7 Sara pipone ot pare trstoss’ of Barry Farm. in the county of Wan 7 y Farm, ip the District cf Columbia, with the umpro reon., ‘Terms of sale: $500 with int per cent until paid, aud the Sd day of J: Bee ol 23 june, “und the expenses of sale abd taxes in cash, Hi SE Ses in de ae eyo ate a "RGIS Wvxsma, amare JUNCANSON BROS., Auctioneers, INE. PROPERTY ON F STREET BETWEEN SIXTH AND SEV TH STREETS NOKTH- WEST, BEING HOU Fst . By virtue of the autho! We will sell on TUESDAY, DAY OF May, im front of the partof 18, SQUARE 456, T being the east 24 feet front by a depth of 8S feet 1 inches to a 24-foot alley, improved by a two-story attic Brick Dwelling, with cellar, being premises No. 610 F street northwest; 11 rooms, mi conven iences, &c. This property should attract the attention pi anvestors, as it is weldom F street property is offered jor competition. ‘Terms : One-third cash, balance in one and two years, notes to bear 6 per cent interest, payable semi -aniuall and to be secured by deed of trust ou the premises, or all cash, at theoption of the purchaser. A deposit of 800 Tequired at time of «ale; conveyancing. &e., at pur- chaser's cost, Terms to be completed with iu ten days? otherwise right reserved to resell at risk and cost uf defaulting pure aiter five days! notice of such re in some paper published in iuston. D. JOSEPH HOSMIIH JAS. EDGAR SMIT! m16-d&ds Attorneys for heirs of Jas. G. Smith, dec’ TCLIFFE, DARK & CO, Auctioneers, —- R » 920 Pennsylvania ave. nw. ROVED_ PROPERTY, om xD BETWEEN @ Al STKEETS NORTHEAST AT AUCTION. On MONDAY AF OON, MAY TWENTY- SIXTH, 1590, at FIVE O'CLOCK, we will offer for sale, in front of the MIGINAL LOT 4, TN SQUARE 982, ORIGINAL ting 80, feet 2 inches on Eleventh street east be- tween G and H streets porth—an elegant orportunity {to secure fine building lot, being near H «treet cara, whach connects at 9th street with Metropolitan line and F street line of herdic coaches. Terms: One- cash; balance in one and two years, with interest at the rate of six per ceut bum, secured by of trust on prop cash, at the option of the purchaser. Tequired at time of sale. complied with in ten an- All conveyancing, recording, &. RATCLIFFE, Dani’ CO.. Auctioneers, PRINTERS. _ P. BINTING. mmm, Law Printing, Churchand School Printing. Amuse» ment Printing, PosterPrinting aud Book Binding. Bow Presses, Improved Machinery, Skilled Workwmen. NEW YORE PRICES ‘Mail orders carefully filled Printing, Paper Supplies and Stationery, BUSINESS OFFICES, 920 F 8ST. 3.W. Washington, D.C. ‘Tf you need anything in the above line send postal: ‘and agent will call, mb26-ly M. Mest a eEEa, Estimates 1 -resework for the Trade, eS Pr oe LE@al, ND PROFESSIONAL ‘ONLY. mi? HIRE S~—