Evening Star Newspaper, May 24, 1890, Page 9

EQUESTRIAN HINTS. Some Advice About Riding and Se- lecting Horses. — POINTS FOR THE BEGINNER. How to Choose a Horse—What He Should Look Like—Taking a Fence— Best Way to Hold the Reins—A Lady's Seay —_——-__ (Copyright 1890.) MONG the many popular amuse- ments that of late years have taken hold of the moneyed classes proba- bly none has made a stronger foot- hold for itself than horseback rid- ing. During the past two years ite growth bas been marvelous and old people and youngsters, 1B fact, nearly all who can afford it, have made ¥iding the popular pastime par excellence. “Will people continue to be as fond of riding as they are now?” I asked Col. C. L. Railey, the celebrated Kentucky horseman, the other day, as we stood watching the gay troop of men and women who were eavorting around the ring of ove of the up- town riding schools, “Why, bless you!” said ho, “the pustime is only in its infancy, and I venture to say that before two years have passed over our heads You will see more people riding in New York than you have any idea of.” At the same time I don’t suppose that in any other city will one find so many varied «tyles of horsemanship.and I might add horvewowan- ship, for if one strolls through the sideways of the park on any bright afternoon he will e at the conclusion that he has seen every style of riding under the sun. Ihave noticed men cantering through Cen- tral Park with all the harness of « cowboy ou their horses, or again one will see those who affect a military style of dress and seat that off parade looks anything but becoming. and, 1 need not add, that anything approaching these lines is extremely bad taste. But my object in this somewhat brief article is to give a few Points on the practice of riding in a “work- manlike” manner without regard to the vary- ing fashions of park or school equitation, and for that reason I shall commence with the horse himself. A SUITABLE HORSE. When you want « horse for saddle pnrposes. first be sure to get one that is suitable for you. It is the most ridiculous thing in the world to see a two-hundred-pound man on diminutive horse not nearly up to his weight. A good saddle horse to carry a man should stand at least fifteen hands two inches high and be built in proportion. By proportion I mean s horse with a good head, not too small, but well shaped, a long arching neck well set on strong sloping shoulders, and, above all, be careful he is not too low in the withers, for if so you will experience considerable discom- fort in the matter of your saddle slipping for- ward on his neck. The back shou!d be short and straight. for nothing looks worse or is a eater indication of weakness than a long hol- low back, which generally goes with a badly ribbed-up horse. “The tail should be well cur- ried and “tanged about two inches from the termination of the bone, but do not dock.” To begin with, it is » most cruel practice, and, to a genuine horseman, it never looks well. A HORSE WITH BONE. Now as to his legs, You want a horse with plenty of bone, and when I say that I mean @ horse with good flat hard legs, for a horse with a big leg may not uecessarily have what is yof bone.” It may be that he meaty” leg that will fill up and be subject to all kinds of mishaps. Many dealers will tell you that horses of this kind have “plenty of bone,” but if you purchase One it will not take long for you to discover your mistake. The legs should be clean and free from blemish and it is well even after you examine them ocularly to pass your hand care- fully over them and any bunch will be sure to make iteelf known. If you are buying ‘een horse of course _ will have to make his mouth yourself, but if you sre dealing for a “trained” saddle horse pay particular attention to the manner in which he has oeen bitted and never purchase one that shows a tendency to pull. A well- trained saddle horse should be subject to con- trol without the application of the curb und should be easy to handle with a plain snaffle bit, and those who have tried it wiil agree with me when I say that itis like a hard day's work to ride an animal with a mouth like iron. If you have to train your horse to his saddle paces yourself avoid pulling him as much as possible, for nothing will give him a hard mouth quicker. If you fight him he will tight you, and if you use him gently you will find that he will reciprocate. Above all, don’t go riding your horse with the curb and spurring bim to make him show off. It will ruin his temper and it 1s one of the best evidences in the world that the Lord never intended that you should own a horse, HANDLING THE REINS, Now as to handling the reins, and this is the most important part of riding, I think; to have perfect control of your horse you must cross your reins as Ihave designated in the accom- panying sketches, The plan of drawing the reins through the fingers of one hand looks pretty enough. but experience has taught those who have ridden most that this is the only way to handle and control a bad horse, and in following it we come to another good rule taught us by our fathers, viz: ‘Always keep your bands down and your elbows close to your sides.” JUMPING, Among the more advanced riders jumping has always been @ popular pastime because it displays in the greatest degree the highest grade of horsemapship. When jumping a green vs be sure and first make him ac- with the object you wish him to hegotiate. Let him walk up to it and takea ood look at it. Then let canter slowly at keeping a nice bold of his head, aud you will, as a rule, experience little trouble. Have the jump raised gradually and have it con- structed so that your, horse cannot knock it down if he strikes it, for if he finds out that he ean do so he will careless, and when taken across country at stiff jumps will be apt to give you an ugly fail. The closer = get a horse to the obstacle the higher he will jump. Many young riders make & mistake in rushing their horses at their jumps, and the result is that instead of rising atit the animal takes it in his stride and never makes a high jumper. I have seen horses so perfectly trained m this respect that they would trot slowly or walk up to jumps of five feet and over snd clear them easily. Fa sum it up briefly. to be a good rider a man Tequires good hands, firm nerves. a strong seat, an even temper and a little physical strength. LADIES’ RIDING. Nowa word about ladies’ riding. You may say that the sex generally lack cousiderable in the matter of physical strength, but I have often noticed that on the point of handling bad pullers a woman excels a man, principally because her touch is lighter and more soothing to the animal, and mere brute force plays little part in the successful manngement of the horse. ‘The ordinary lady rider should have a horee that is perfectly stead to mount, with an easy mouth and pleasant action. and paces, CORRECT FQUESTRIENNE SRAT. A lady's horse might be longer in the back than « gentieman’s, in order to give plenty of room for the saddle, and above all things he ld bave good fore logs, ax horses ridden es, owing to the unequal distribution of are more apt to stumble. In other re- pects the same rules which I have given above would apply. A LADY'S HORSE, however, ebould, if possible, be in thorough keeping with the styie of his rider. For a young girl with « slim figure a high-bred racy- looking horse perhaps looks best, but place a stout middle-aged lady on the same animal and the veriest tyro would pronounce her out of ber element. A woman inclined to be fleshy should always choose « blocky-built horse, something after the “style. and I should say that a horse abou hands and an inch bigh right size for a woman five id add an inch to the horse of the woman, ad never ose a gray horse, because the hairs constantly coming off ou her habit will be found a great incouven- tence; and before closing I would like to say a word about mounting. When you have an escort tike your reins and whip in your right hand and with it grasp the top of the upper pommel, Place your left foot in his hand and your left band on his shoulder and, at the word, straighten out your knee and’ spring up slightly. If yon foliow this rule after a few times” practice you will find that you can monnt with a great deal of ease and infinite comfort to yourself, Ges Cammy, SHELLENBERGER SENLENCED. He Gets Twenty-two Years at Hard Labor. J. Monroe Shelleuberger, the iawyer of Doylestown, Pa., was sentenced Thursday by Judge Yerkes to imprisonment twenty-two yeurs at hard labor iv the penitentiary. There were seven bills uf indictment covering the crimes of forgery and embezzlement. The once popular and talented lawyer, who, as dis- trict attorney of Buck's county, had made his brilliant reputation ut the bar of this very court, he shrank from the gaze of bis former friends, and kept his head bowed. Congress- man Yardiye, who went from Washington to assist 1m the defense, sat at one of the tables, As the bills of indictment were read loud groans and sobs came from Shellenberger. His counsel entered the plea of guilty in each case. Shellenberger at times acted like a madman. He opened his handkerchief and threw it over his head; rubbing his head and face with it, and nervously shook the railing of the dock with his hand and foot. Event- ually he leaned his head forward on the rail and buried it in his arms, rocking himself on the seat like a person suffering from acute ain. Atone time Shellenberger groaned so Feud and sobbed with such snguish that the judge, in anervous sort of way, cold the di trict attorney to hasten bis work and get it over. After all the indictments were read and a plea of guilty was entered in each case wit- nesses were called to show the character and extent of Shellenberger’s rasealities. Judge Harman Yerkes, an old-time personal acquaint- ance and a professional and political associate of the prisoner for many years, pronounced the sentence. Shellenberger never raised his head, but went on groaning and weeping violently Finally the words dropped from the jud lips, *“Pwenty-two years atsolitary continement, with bard labor hellenberger gave a groan of anguish and almost sank to the floor. The blow seemed to stun the prisoner. It was nec- essary to partly carry him from the court room. = «oo. i A HITCH IN AKCHER’S CASE. Several Gentlemen Found to Have Been Fingering State Money, From the Baltimore Sun Thursday. The Archer investigation committee held a meeting with closed doors at the Hotel Ren- nert last night to consider their report to the governor. The report was prepared by Messrs. Poe and Laird as asub-committee, and covers forty-four printed pages. Mr. Laird said the paper was not considered in full at the meeting nor was it discussed as a whole. At the request of some members of the committee the mat- ter was further deferred until the meeting to- day. A full examination and consideration of the report may suggest some changes or it may not be eccepted as drawn at present by the fnll gommittee, and may undergo some changes and modifications before it goes to the gov- ernor. The full committee will meet in Mr. Poe's office at 11 am. today to re-examine some witnesses between whose testimony and the records of the controller's office there is said to be an apparent discrepancy. These witnesses are chiefly the bank officials and others from whom Mr. Archer reported that he had purchased bonds for the sinking fund. In some instances the persons from whom the bonds were reported to have been bought test- ified during the inquiry that they had never sold to the state treasurer bonds of the char- acter described in the questions propounded by the investigating committee. An examina- tion of the papers in the controller's ottice, alleged by Mr. Archer to have been given in payment of these bonds, revealed a number of checks drawn to the order of these persons for the exact amount of bonds said to have been secured from them. These checks, it is said, bear the indorsement of those in whose favor they were drawn and have every indication of having been used by them. ‘These gentlemen will be given an opportunity to relate to the committee the transactions by which they se- cured from Mr. Archer the checks of the state, if they did receive them. ——.—-eee. Wasurxotox’s Trats Senvice.—The city of Washington enjoys the advantages of the fast- est train service in America if notin the world. The time via B, and O. railroad to New York is five hours, to Philadelpiia two hours and fifty minutes, and to Baltimore forty-five minutes, This is quicker time than is made via any other line, and the finest parlor cars ever built by the famous Pullman company are part of the equipment of these superb trains, . pelle sons sate SUICIDE FROM A TRAIN. A Young Girl Ties a Rope to a Platform and Jumps to Death. Ayoung woman whose name could not be learned purchased a ticket for Cincinnati at the office of the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton railroad in Chicago Tuesday night, and boarded the vestibule train, which left at 8:55, Shortly before midnight she produced two bottles of whisky and drank from them several times. She then got up and went out on the rear platform, took arope from under her cloak, fastened one end securely to the railing of the car and tied the other end around her neck and jumped off. Her absence was noticed and a search made by the train men. Her dead body was fonnd lying ina pool of water aud — aang ~ track a bee distance from ere wac no! on her person which would lead to her identity, but the. sengers say that she was evidently a young of refinement and that she probably drank the whisky to nerve her to the point of suicide. Pa mn ition of e forma’ and beautifies ite bal as, IN CARROLL PRISON. The Narrative of a Southerner Con- fined as a Suspect. STORY OF BOOTH’S DEATH. pesca * SEEaSeaond ‘The Tragic Days at the Close of the fo Surrate in Prison—An Ac- of Bdbth’s Last Days as Told by the Farmers Who Sheltered Him. eS oe Lys EV Qof April 12, under the title of “Mis- fe taken for Booth,” and relate what happened on my arrival at tho prison and during my incarceration ther Arrived at the prison, as stated, under the guard of two men, I was at once taken to the office, where one of the men hafded in the re- port which Lieut, L—— had sent from Chapel Point to Gen, Augur’s headquarters and which had been sent by him along with me to the prison authorities, From the office I was at once taken to a private room, where I was thoroughly searched by two men even down to my stockings, For one moment one of these men held in his hand the shoe iu the shank of which my dispatch was sewed, the contents of which the U.S. Department of State would have given mach toknow, But the dispatch was, as [felt sure. in no danger of being discoy- ered. This done 1 was taken to a room in which there was no one else and securely locked in, ‘ IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT. Left alone I soon fell asleep, and as I was mentally and bodily exhausted by all that 1 had passed through on that longest and most extra- ordinary day of my life I slept soundly until awakened by the eun shining broadly through the grated window. ‘Shortly afterward « turn- key came, who unlocked the door, and a man following him put on the bench a tin plate, on which were half aloaf ot bread and a large “hunk” of cold boiled ‘on in whi there Was no “streak of bean’ iscoverable—it was lid fat. There was ucither knife nor fork on my asking for them I was grufily told that they were “not allowed.” I then asked if I could have a basin of water, soap and a towel, aud wos informed that they were not furnished to prixoners, Ihe man weut on tosay that “the prisoners in the open rooms” were allowed to make their ablations at the hydrant down in the yard. 1 asked what he meant by “open rooms” and he said the men coutined in the rooms which were not kept locked and who were allowed to go down to the yard as neces- sity required. It then flashed on me that Lieut, L——sreport Lad produced the effect which he desired—that I was an object of unusual suspicion and had s0 been placed ina room alone, im quasi solitary confinement. With the tone pitcher of water and my handkerchief I ily refreshed myself and proceeded to fast on the bread. It was quite impossible to touch the lump of cold grease mm the form of bacon, HAVE now to continue the narrative which was but half told in your issue UNDERGOING A “QUIZ.” Two hours later the door was again unlocked and a man entered, who politely enough bade me good morning aud took a seaton the bench besjde me. The turnkey relocked the door and went away, leaving usalone. We sat in con- versation tor a full half hour, talking about all, sorts of things, he, by what he tried to make appear mere trivial and casual questions, lead- iug me to talk of myself. the war, the army, and especially of my own corps, division brigade and regiment and the service they had seep. He had not spoken a dozen words before I knew that he was an emissary of some sort sent to sound or “pump” me, and this to de- termine what he could make me out to be— what manner of man I was, &e., &c., and es- pecially why I Was within the Union | ifnes in citizens’ clothes; whither I was bound; what object I ha W; upon what errand I was bent, &c., &c. At last, having seemingly made up his mind as to one point, he turned to me with an expression and air of the deepest confidence and said, “I supppoe there is no use telling you that I ama detective.” ‘The man then insisted, despite my protests, upon im- posing a confidence, the substance of a long story, which he expected me to believe, being that he was a Virginian and a southern eympa- thizer and had sought service as a detective because he was thus better able to help south- erners who were getting into tight scrapes. ‘Then,turning suddenly to me,he said: “Now, I know that you are in a very deep hole and I want to help you. You just trust me; tell me the whole thing; all about it; what you were over here for; where you were going; what scheme you were tryiug to work; for it is plain that a man like you weren't sent over here on no small job, I replied that while { thanked him for his most magnanimous offer to aid me 1 did not in the least require it; that 1 had nothing to tell beyond what { had already stated; that my whole story was, ina autshell, that I was on sick leave, with permission to go “beyond sea,” and that my only way of getting to Europe was through the Union lines to New York, aa all our ports were closed by blockade. WHAT HE THOUGHT OF HIM. He assumed an air of being hurt and said: “I see that you do not trust me, do not believe me, perhaps. What do you think of me?" “Well,” I said, “you have asked me a direct question and shall have a frank answer. I think you are a d—d poor detective and a worse Virginian.” Tho fellow actually broke out into aloud guffaw, and after laughing beartily for several minutes, said as be rose up, “Well, I'm d—d if I don't think that you are all right.” A LITTLE EASIER, His whole manner changed at once and he asked me if I wanted aaything. I told him that my money was deposited at the office and that I would give him an order for what I needed. That I wished him to purchase a large basin, soap and towels, pipes and tobacco for me atonce. Thishe did. On my asking if I could buy something to eat he said: “No; you will have to take fo fare at leust for ‘the present, though I know it’s rough on you." He rattled the doors and the turnkey let him out. Isaw him several times afterward, for I was still to stay in that room some time. At last after several days the door was flung open and aman I had not seen before told me to gather up my things and follow him. He took me to another room, where I deposited my basin, towels, &c., and I was then taken up to the garret. where I shouldered a mattress and blanket, which I brought down. In this room there were severai other prisoners and I was told that it was an “open room,” which meant a certain scant degree of liberty. Gen. Lee had surrendered and the war was over, but I did not know how much longer we were to be kept there. At ail events I felt that my dangers were all at length safely passed and I had only patiently to wait my liberation. MEETING AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE, Among the privileges of an “open room’ was that of walking an hour every day at noon in the prison yard, which was surrounded by heavy twenty-foot fence and thoroughly guarded by soldiers. One day, walking there, I met the military commandant of the prison, who turned out to have once been a_ prisoner captured by my own regiment. He had received kind treatment at our bands and was now anxious to reciprocate. He treated me most handsomely und gave orders that [ was to be allowed to buy what I wanted, books, beef- steaks and coffee included. There was nothiug left to be desired for a prisoner of war. To give the reader some idea et the fearful and suspiciou: je of the public mind at that time I will give an ircident or two. One day at the hour for exercise I met Mr. G. B, Lamar, who had just been brought up from Savannah. He told hat he had the day before sent to a all check on New York for $100. ‘That he had, as president of the Bank of the Republic in New York, before the war, had transactions with this bank to the extent of millions of dollars, but that they—never doubt- ing that the check would be paid—had refused to cash it, and that as could not eat the prison fare he had Fone without his dinner the day before, I was glad to invite him to my beef- steak and ovions and otherwise to supply his immediate needs. He said that the Presiden of the bank was his personal friend, but re- fused to cash the check for fear of involving himself with the military authorities, IN ANOTHER SNARE. On one occasion an official of the prison put 8 slip of paper in my hands, which I found to be a “permit” to visit the ladies’ department of i i E E THE EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON, D.C., SATURDAY; had been captured on her last return—with three trunks, her cloak and apparel loaded down with quinine, ‘This is another snare,” I thought, and this idea was confirmed to me when she at once invited me into aroom, where several ladies were. seated. saying: “i Want you to see and talk to Annie Surratt. Poor thing, she is almost crazy,” and the next instant I was introduced to ANNIE SURRATT. Tsaw before me a slight girl of perhaps twenty years or past. She had very light blonde hair, or it was more what I should call flaxen, with very light eyebrows and almost hite eyelashes, very light blue eyes, wearing at this time the pallor of death. informed me that she had not then $ or taken food for eight days, On observing her & moment longer I noticed that she quivered like a reed in « storm und that the puptis of her eyes were contracted to the size of a pin’s head, showing the intense nervous tension under which she labored. ‘The conversation of twenty minutes which ensued between us I have neither the disposition nor the rizht to repeat. It is enough to say that her only concern was the lite of her mother, whom she said she knew to be “as guiltles: an angel in heaven of the crimes with which she stood charged.” As Trose to go I saw lying ona table near usa copy of Harper's Weekly with a picture of Booth’s flight from the rear of the theater, Booth being ou horseback. As she stood a moment near it she nervously scized a pencil lying there, and, with hysterical suddenness of manner, hastily obliterated the face of the man, Having given all the little comfort possible under the circum- stances took my leave of the heart-broken girl. As « remarkable instance of the enor- mous extremes to which even the sanest minds ran in that fearful time of universal suspicion I will state a singular fact. COL. GREEN. % On the same day I saw Miss Surratt I was also afterward introduced to Col, Thomas Green and his wife. Col. Green was then a remarkable gentleman of seventy-five years, his wife being nearly as old, and among the oldest and most respected citizens of Washing- ton. He told me that he owned and for many years had lived in what is known to old Wash- ingtonians as the Van Ness house, which lies below the White Honse at the foot of 17th street, close to the Potomac river. It was a dark and lonely part of the town then, with ® wild commons and swamp, in those days covered in many parts with a thick growth of saplings and known as the “White Lot,” while on the other side of the street were the exten- sive grounds of the Van Ness mansion. Alto- gether an extremely dark and wild region. He said that the gentleman who had had the house erected, Gen, Van Ness, was a man of large fortune, entertained with the generous hospi- tality of those good old days and was in every ret ta bon vivant. So in order to keep up his stock of wines, which every gentleman in those days imported for himself, he had had made under the house deep and extensive wine vaults, “And those vaults,” he continued, ‘“con- structed fifty years ago, strange as it may ap- pear to you are the cause of my wife and my- self, being in our old age torn from our beds midnight by a squad of brutal, half-drunken soldiers, and thrown into this prison, with all its exposures, uncleanliness and unbearable discomforts," “But how?—why?—I don’t un- derstand!” I exclaimed. “Well,” said he, ‘sit was simply this, It was said that Booth’s first scheme was to abduct the President, as he was known often to pass late at night alone between the White House and the war office. Some person—who I have not been able to learn—went to Secretary Stan- ton and charged myself and wife with being in the plot, explaining the nature of the grounds between the White House and the river, the retired and lonely situation of my own house and laying special stress on the deep and dcnjon-like wine vaults, finally charging that it was our purpose to confine the President there until such time as he could be safely taken across the river at night and delivered to the confederate authorities, No figment of insanity—its wildest ravings—was ever more baseless, Still itis on such an absurd charge that we are here, andI do not kuow what is to be the upshot.” fe was, of course, but after a long imprisonment, subsequently released. THEY SAW BOOTH sHOT. The two Garrett boys, at whose father's farm Herrold was caught and Booth was killed, were in the same room with me, One of these boys, to whom Booth had given a #10 gold piece to find him a horse and which he had tried to do, was in deep concern over it and finally sought my advice about it. Hedid not know who Booth was when he took the money. As no one knew the fact but his brother I advised him to keep his secret to himself. ‘This, in view of the then state of the public mind, ‘He told me the story of booth’s coming, his stay, capture and death. As that of an eye witness it wi¥ be of interest, “Booth and Herrold,” he said, ‘came to our house late in the evening and asked to stay that night. We hadn't much to eat, but finally consented. They were heavily armed with Spencer rifles and re- volvers, Booth gave the name of Boyd and Herrold some other name, not his own. After supper we sat on the veranda and talked till 10 o'clock, I slept in the same room with Boyd, He wasa very interesting talker and I kept asking him questions, At last he said, abruptly, ‘Good night,’ and turned over. Ina moment he was sound asleep. I lay awake o long time thinking of what he had talked about, I thought, after I knew all, that I had never seen 60 sweet and sound a sleeper. THE PURSUIT OF THE FUGITIVES, “The next day I was down at the ferry trying to get horses for Boyd and his friend. There I first heard of the assassination of the President and that $100,000 was offered for the capture of the assassins. This news was brought by a squad of cavalry, who were in —- them. That night at the supper table I told what I had heard at the ferry and said I should mightily like to get the reward. Boyd, with- out the least show of concern, said: “Is that all? Ishould have thought y would have offered more. meéthing that Herrold said made us suspicious and we told them that we could not accommodate them any longer. We thought they were horse thieves. They took their arms and started toward the woods, Boyd bobbling painfully on his crutch. He halted after he had goue 50 yards, turned and came back, saying he could not walk any fur- ther, They then asked permission to stay in our barn. We let they, but my brother and I took our blankets and lay down in sight of and about 50 yards from the barn door. We were afraid they would steal our horses. About 12 o'clock we were awakened by the tramp of horses, and the next minute I saw men with torches at our doors. We ran there. Aman seized me, saying: ‘We are looking for this showing a photograph—‘and know he I recognized the liken and gaid: “The men you want are in the barn. SURROUNDED IN THE BARN. “The soldiers at once surrounded it. A par- ley ensued, they calling on them to come out and surrender. Boyd, or Booth, as I now knew him to be, said: ‘I will not; I have fifty shots here, You are all easily seen by me and I could kill all of you, but I don’t wish to shed innocent blood. You can't see us, so go your way and let us alone.’ While this parley was going on one of the men ee up to the corner of the barn, pulled out a lock of hay and atuck a lighted match to it. In an instant the whole thing was ablaze. Irushed to the barn and, looking through @ crack, saw Booth standing in the center looking upward at the burning hay. The next instant I heard a shot and saw bim fall. The men ran in and puiled him out Herrold hadalready come outand surrendered). ‘hey took him to our veranda. He was near! gone and completely paralyzed from his nec! to his feet by the wound. He muttered the words ‘My mother.’ He then asked to ha his hands lifted up. This a man did. i at them and said: ‘Useless! useless! Hie arms, when the man let them go, dropped heavily beside him like those of a dead man. At lasta shiver shook his frame. He 0; his eyes and hiv face for one moment up. n, with a sigh, he expired,” AT LIBERTY AGAIN, Toward midsummer I was set at liberty. Six months afterward a friend was sitting one evening in my room in a New York hotel, to whom I had been relating these facts. He asked: ‘What did you ever do with your dis- patch?” “That reminds me,” I replied. ‘The war Tpatoh Ww til in the shank of By boot ites 1s st in i up the cut ne dis- ‘patch and check were in ‘an encatlens state of Uurew thon into the glowing grat, sodas na irew oo watched i blaze 9 sli That “ale dowa into s pale : “There is one state secret will never be divulged,” * TOO ——— New Siezrixe Cans to St. Lour.—! bufet seepingeare now rua iapotgir sea via Cincinnati, on tho Ohio Mpg Limi daily at 2:30 p.m., ing St, Louis next ned hted At the Theater.—She— awful! Ican’t see MAY 24, 1890—-SIXTEEN PAGES: TONSORIAL EXPERTS. Something About Barbering in Olden | °°" Times, {THE POLE AND BASIN SIGN. —_—_—— Significance of the Insignia—Barbers ef Washington—When Beards Were ‘Taxed—Improvements in the Busi- mess, —o—— e ES, SIR; it’s a fact. Ihave been in nearly every country on the face of the globe, and visited every city of any size in the United States, and I have never seen a city of the same number of inhabitants where there are as many first-class barbers as there are in Washington. A stranger can drop into the first shop that comes in his way and be sure of a good shave and courteous treatment.” Tue Star writer overheard the above state- ment made by a gentleman as he was leaving the chair of a well-known >arber shop with a satisfied expression on his face. From various informal interviews with experienced travelers it is learned that the stranger's state- meat is in the main correct. Suppose we were compelied to give up the convenience, comfort and luxury of our well- equipped barber shops of the present day and return to what history informs u custom when knights of the razor menced to ply their trade. Having no shop or regular place of business, they caught their customers “on the fly,” as 1t were, usually on street corners. It would be rather @ novel as well as ridiculons sight to witness a barber ex- ercising his profession on a public thorough- fare in this enlightened age. Imagine a gen- tleman dressed for a reception, seated on a box or stool, with his head propped back against an adjacent building on a street cor- ner, and you will seea picture that was as oe at that time as the boot black is to- ay. . ilistory fails to reveal the period when men first commenced to shave. Alexander the Great did more to bring the custom into gene- ral use than any one else of his time when he ordered his soldiers to shave their beards. Most battles at that time were decided by hand-to-hand conflict and the soldier with a smooth face had a great advantage over his enemy with a long beard. ‘The barber in the early ages was a very im- portant personage. He was a regular “Pooh- wh,” as illustrated in the Mikado, If you wanted to be relieved of an aching tooth you be- took yourself to the barber; if you desired to be leeched you interviewed the same person; if you wished to be bled you would pay him a call. In tact, nearly all surgical operations were performed by him in connection with his art as practiced today, THE BARBER POLE AND BASIN. The sign of the striped pole. which can be seen at the door of every barber shop, was adopted as emblematical of the process of blood-letting, which practice was a common remedy for nearly all diseases until about fifty vears ago. The patient's arm, usually the left. was made bare, he was then given a short round stick to grasp in his hand, the arm was then tightly wrapped with a narrow bandage or tape to the elbow. This was done in order to get all the blood above the point where the lancet was to be inserted. The red stripe on the pole is symbolical of the arterial blood, the lue stripe of the veins or venous circulation and the white of the arm. The brass basin sometimes suspended from the barber's pole (quite common in Europe, though rarely seen in this country) was anciently one of the utensils of the barber. It resembles a tin pie plate with a semi-circular gap in one side to encompass the throat and so prevent the lather from soiling the clothes. This was found necessary, as the party being shaved was compelled to sit in an upright positio1 It will be remembered that “Don Quixo assumed a barber's basin as a helmet. es It was not until the reign of George II, about 1757, that the barber ceased to be anything but a barber, as we now understand the term. During the fifth and sixth centuries the cus- tom of shaving was nearly obsolete. It was not revived in Europe until the seventeenth century. During the reigns ef Louis XIII and XIV of France, both of whom ascended the throne in boyhood, the fashionable people soon began to make’ free use of the razor that they might resemble their youthful sovereigns. It will be observed that the desire to imitate Breat men did not originate with the present generation and, it is safe to predict, will not die with it. TAXED TO WEAR A BEARD. In Russia Peter the Great compelled his sub- jects to pay a tax for the privilege of retaining their beards, It proved to be an unpopular law, but was rigidly enforced, and “those who would not or could not pay were forcibly de- prived of this ornament. During the latter part of the reign of Louis XIV great care was taken of the beard. When the gallant of those days went to spend an evening with his sweetheart he usually pro- vided himself with wax for his whiskers, sweet- scented oils and in fact every necessary article for the lady to use in combing and dressing his beard, What an agreeable pastime it must have been. If the custom were to be revived what a falling off there would be in the number of barber shops. When the practice of shaving was again re- vived in Europe instrumental music was em- ployed in barber shops to amuse customers while waiting their turn. Now the patrons get the ‘Police Gazette,” “Sporting Times” and similar choice literature to beguile the weary wait for “next.” ARTIFICIAL BAIR became fashionable at an early period, but the the time when wigs first came into use cannot be ascertained; they were, however, first worn by women. Blonde hair was in great favor at Rome in the time of Ovid, about6 A.D. The ladies that did not wear blonde wigs powdered their hair. The process of ‘‘blondining” the hair, as practiced by 60 many ladies of the resent generation, was evidently then un- mown. GooD PROGRESS, The tonsorial art has made fair progress, compared with other trades throughout the country, The old tin basin and piece of com- mon soap, used to soften the beard, have been discarded for decorated china mugs, soft brushes and perfumed saponsceous com- pounds, The old chair with a straight back and a head rest resembling the upper of an old- time crutch, without covering, unless it was a piece of rag carpet, has long since given place to the elegant and comfortably constructed re- clining chair, with springy cushion and elogant upholstering, where, under the skill of an ex- pert operator, one‘can be shaved into blissful repose, forgetting all trials and tribulations. ‘The size of the old-time shop was usually ten by twelve, Each customer was expected to wash his own face aud if he succeeded in getting a towel that had not been made to do duty for eight or ten before him he was considered for- tunate. Six towels were considered sufficient for a week's trade. Up to 1820. white barber was almost unknown in the United States. At that time a fow German barbers could be seon in some of the larger cities. About 1845 Ed- ward Phalon fitted up a shop in New York city that cost in the neighborhood of €20,000. Every one supposed it was a case of a fool and his money soon parted. Mr. Phalon, however, became quite wealthy by his daring specula- tion. Prior to 1860 the general prices were as follows: Shaving, 5 cents; abs cutting, 10 conte; curling, 15 to 25cents. When the war broke out prices went up to6 cents for shaving and 12 cents for hair cutting. In 1862-63 prices took another bound to 10 cents fer a shave and in hotel shops to 15 cents, which prices have been maintained ever since. After the close of the war the craft strove to elevate their shops to their prices by giv’ better service and making more of a display in their appoint- ments and using better materials, NOT THE RIGHT KIND. ‘To be a successful member of the craft one should have the delicate touch of a woman. There are few things more unpleasant be shaved by a barber cold hand; one who tache with the same brush used on the head. ‘Think of a brush that is tsed daily on from twenty to fifty heads of all conditions and then to have that dragged down over your mouth before you have time to catch the hand BAM cUrtixe, It is not known why « barber in cutting hair will, after each clip at the hair, continue te snap the shears in bis customer's ear from six to ten times before making the next cut. The Practice is nota very it one to nervous Persons, but I suppose it goes with the trade. e will put up with it rather than return to the old style of hair cutting as practiced on children, usually by their parents, which was by placing a bowl over the head and then cut- =) tee the hair that extended below the edge of ii Those who suffer from any form of throat trouble will be greatly benefited by not mter- fering with their chin whiskers—one of the Protections provided by nature for those organs. BALDNESS AND ITS CASES, There are many different opinions as to the cause of baldness. Some of the emivent medi- cal authorities state that it is caused by a form of dandraff. This, it is claimed, has been veri- fied by taking the hair which has fallen off in such cases, rabbing it up with vaseline and after epplying, the ointment so made to tne fur of rabbits baldness has rapidly made its ap- arance On the parts so treated. When vase- ine alone was used this result did not follow. | The same authority says that the disease is spread by hair dressers,who employ combs and brushes on their customers, one after another, without regard to the cleanliness of those arti- cies. Women are less liable to be effected by this form of baldness. for the roason that their hair is usually dressed at home. On the other hand some claim that too fre- quent cutting of the hair is detrimental. The hair in some respects resembles a tree. Sup- pose the gardener were to clip all the limbs from a tree, regardless of the season of the year, a8 soon as they were two or three feet in length. How long could the tree be expected to survive? There is a fluid substance in each hair from which the hair gets its nourishment the same as the tree gets its life and growth frora the sap which is conducted from its roots, Break the bark of atree and you will soon see the sap running down the trunk. The same thing is believed to take place when a hair is cut, only it is not visible to the naked eye. A number of the better class of are endeavoring to overcome this evil b ing the ends of the hair after cutting. This hermetically seals the ends and prevents the escape of any fluid. This operation is per- formed with the aid of a small wax taper. The hair is raised from the head with a comb and the lighted taper passed rapidly ucross the ends. The operation is neither tedious nor unpleasant. Those that practice this style of treating the hair state that much good has re- sulted from the process. ‘Nas. — TO SEIZE LOWER CALIFORNIA. The Alleged Conspiracy to Annex It to the United States. The San Francisco Chronicle Wednesday gave complete details of the alleged con- spiracy to capture Lower California and found an independent republic. to be followed by annexation to the United States. The revelations claim to involve a number of prominent capitalists interested in Lower California lands and mines and well- known citizens of Los Angeles and San Diego, which latter city appears to have been the headquarters of the filibusters, if The general outline of the plan, it is claimed, was for the Mexican Land and Colonization Company, composed of wealthy Englishmen owning concessions on the peninsuia, to place in the hands of a well-known San Diego capi- talist £100,000, to be used in advancing the interests of the filibusters, Tne large ware- house of an English company at Ensenada was to be filled with arms, ammunition aud pro- visions for the use of the revolutionists. ‘he officers of the English corporation claim that the policy of the Mexican officials in Lower California has been ruinous to the land interests of the company, which has been obliged to expend thousands of dollars in pro- tecting its interests, and the salvation of the company, they assert, finally depends upon securing the annexation of Lower California to the United States. A lobby has been working at Washington, it is said, in the company's interest, but as the prospects of congressional action were unfavorable, a filibustering expe- dition was fixed upon. ‘Two propositions were discussed. One was to capture Ensenada, the other was to introduce large number of Americans on the peninsula, ostensibly as railroad laborers, to capture the Mexican man-of-war Democarta and at the same time give a picnic in honor of the Mexi- can officials and in the midst of the festivities capture the garrison and seize the roads and telegraph lines. Simultaneous risings at the Alamo and ‘Tia Juana were to take place. Sev- eral meetings in March and April were held by the projectors of the expedition and at ono of these the facts became known to a newspaper representative. When the peninsula had been seized a provisional government was to be de- clared on or about August land martial law was to be enforced, The land of the peninsula was to be nationalized and, when a peaceful or- der of things had been secured, negotiation for annexation to the United States w_uld follow. ‘The names of the project iven and the treasurer of the company, a wealthy resident of Minneapolis, is said to be interested. A dispatch from San Diego says: United States Marshal Card and Collector of Customs Berry today expressed themselves as being sat- isfied that a well-organized scheme has been maturing, in pursuance of which the Mexican Officials of Lower California were to have been seized. This action, it is belicved, would cause an uprising of the dissatisfied residents of Lower California, Among the statements pub- lished in connection with the affair is one to the effect that the International Company was to further the project and 2100,000 was to be expended for arms and ammunition by an agent who is in New York for that purpose, joes wean cl SPURRED UP BY STANLEY, The Explorer Criticises England’s African Policy. Stanley made some trenchant remarks on Eng- land and Germany in Africa Wednesday night at a banquet tendered him by the London chamber of commerce. Stanley then described his travels and pointed out that although so much had been done by English travelers to open up the dark regions of Africa yet that country failed to take advantage of their discoveries, In a bantering manner Stanley spoke of the great interest the Germans had manifested in the flora and fauna of Africa, while on the part of England there was an indifference as to what actually was occurring. A number of bis friends, however, had come together to try and do something in regions which they had said should be English or should be part or portion of the British possessions. ‘They had raised a capital of half a million, but what was the consequence? Instead of being permitted to make aroad which, with- out deviating to the right or left, should go straight to the promised land, they were com- led to squander somo thousands of pounds in fighting the government. If it were merely & question of rivalry between the English and the German compaty he should not mind, but when the government backed up the German company it was not a fair fight and that eapi- tal which would have made a railway right up to Victoria Nyanza would be waste. Instead of people in two years’ time bein; able to take tickets t> Victoria Nyanza there would be nothing to show except a bushel of treaties. But tothe Germans there was no- xcs bags say even boo. Tennant, Stanley's sweetheart, was present at the dinner. — Billy Myer Defeated by Andy Bowen. Billy Myer the “Strater Cyclone,” whaciaims the title of the light-weight champion of Amer- ica, met Andy Bowen, a local light weight, in » finish fight for @8,000 -vith five ounce gloves in the hall of the West End Athletic Club at New Orleans Thursday night. Considerable money changed hands on the result, most of it being laid with odds of2tolon Meyer. Pat Ken- rick was referee. = large number of the “304 fraterni in appearance, among ees Jake Kilrain, who was fol- lowed about from place to place by a large mob admirers. Bowen + in of won the fight the HIGH CLASS TAILORING. NEW FIRM. Mr. WILLIAM E HODGKINS, for many years senior partner in the house of Charles A. Smith & Oo, having withdrawn from the firm, and, with bis son, Mr. EDWD. W. HODGKINS (aise for 13 years con nected ‘the same Qrm). have establiched them- solves in theclogant chambers, 27 School st (Miles Duilding), Boston, directly opposite the old stand, where they will continue the business of FINE TAILORING POR GENTLEMEN. We solicit the patronage of gentlemen who desire the est results of the tailor’s art, sesaring them that, with our long experience, wo can give entire satisfac tion, ENGLISH BUNTING BREECHES AND RIDING TROUSERS A SPECIALTY, HODGKINS & HODGKINS, 27 SCHOOL 8T., BOSTON. _my20-colim_ four customers publ open all night in e or Puls, the best. Hoft's Malt Eatcuct Mw : 20 z Et # 8 23 # Ov ou reel — Sse a bs best (fresh) in pun! Al a, Full Strength. cats chapping. kvery lady should tie, 25e. QUININE 1 dozen 3-grain Capsules, zen rail a “rain Crpsul 200 grams Quinine, Po’ Don't mistake the place-THE TEMPLE STOKE, under Masouic Temple, cor. 9th and apl7-eod _ F.S. WILLIAMS & ©O. McMoxws ELIXIR OF OPIUM DRUG F ste. Jaa preparation of the drng by which tts iniurion effects are removed. while the valuable medicinal Properties are retained It possesses all the sedative, anodyne and antispasmodic powers of Opium, but pro- duces no sickness of the stomach, mo vomiting, uo costiveness, bo Leadache. In acute nervous disorders itis an invaluable relued), and is recommended by Wwe best physicians, E FERRETT, Agent, 372 Pearl st, New York. NATURE AND CURE, BY AP. LIGHTHILL, xp, 1017 15TH ST. NORTHWEST. ffests iteelf by a discharge from of acoloriess ¢lairy utd, but oftener ota purulent, creenish-) ellow mat- ter, which in many instances is sc copious that Patients focl us though their whole bead is ime State of corruption. The discharge often lodges Dehind and above the soft palate, requiring al- Most coustant hawking for its removal. Often ecales or incrustations are blown from the Bos trila, either solid or of » tubular form. The breath is offensive, and sometimes revoltingly fetid. Smell, aud occasionally the iaste, is ima- Paired or destroyed, the hearing becomes af fected, noises im the head make their appear ance, and the cycs are spt to become irritated and watery. The head feels full, heavy, sad compressed, especially ebove and between t eyen, and severe weursicic yaim is viten ox- Perienced about the face end Lead. Tho patient coughs more or less, bas a capricious appetite, loses flesh and strength, is Geprossed in spirite ‘and iuclined to drowsiness. Lhe memory is weakened and often seriously impaired. Cold is taken from the least exposure, and step by Step the inflamiuction spreads until 1t reaches the lupgs and terminates in Cousumption, Se frequently bas thus fatal course been noticed that Catarrh is now looked upon as one of the earitest manifestations of this drend disease, By the system of treatment which we have oricinated and since carried to acientitic per- fection, # complete and radical cure of Catarra can by effected. This we Lave demonstrated ta thousands of cases, representing the disease im every form and iu ai various stags of ce velopment. Our treatment reaches the dis- eased parts in the most direct and positive Musuner, imste:taveously penetrating every cell aud cavity of the head with the most bene. Scial resulta, So effective is this plan of medi- cation that even a single application ‘s pro- ductive of immediate aud decided relief, apd by coutinuing this treatment the discharge dinuvishes, irritation is allayed, the .ufamme- tion subsides, ulcersticus are made to beal, Bntil fually a radical and permanent cure is @blallicbed DR LIGHTHILI, For Thirty Years Specialist For the cure of Catarrh, Deafuess, Asthma And discases of the Throat, Ear and Lungs (Can be daily consulted from 8am. to 18m . and from 3 to 5 p.m. at No. 1017 15TH ST. AW, Berdice pass the door. ama =n ARTISTS’ Mati rmoroonafiit wtiftis a pee Pp sey W Lisle Hose, Datoniak "by. the yard, in ‘choice lie bees oe 4BOOE, BRO. & CO, wb7-3m 1328 Ft ow.