Evening Star Newspaper, February 28, 1891, Page 14

14 FARMING THE OSTRICH Suggestions For the Development of a Remarkable Industry. HATCHED BY INCUBATOR. How the Business is Pursued in California and South Africa — Possibilities for Development in the Interior of This Con- tinent—Curious Habits of the Fowl. LOOK FORWARD TO a time when the prairies | of the west will be large- ly used for the purpose of osirich farming,” said | a gentleman who has | been engaged in that business for some years | past in southern Cali-| fornia to a writer for | ® Pacific coast the industry has been already developed to a point of great | profitableness, and the plains of the interior, | where not too arid, or in districts reclaimed to | some extent by irrigation, ought to provide | most snitable grounds for the rearing and | Keeping of these birds, which require most importantly enormous areas for running in. Although now there are quite a number of ranches in my state devoted to the enterprise, ¢ of ostriches is as yet in its in antry. Of the profit there is in | {upon an extensive scale results achieved | i fries, whe en dl in captivity, are kept for plucking aud propagation. A POSSIBLE FOOD STFPLY. though hitherto the object of ostrich has been merely to farnish plumes to gested that _ostric important itera in weil be that in the ef. A do-| upon clover and grair ar superior for eating purposes to a wild | which has been subsisting perhaps on 1 innutritious fare. and their kind differ from all : ag birds in the fact that their breast bones are flat and without any ‘keel.’ Within a comparatively recent geological epoch towls of this group were comparatively numer- d of many more kinds than are known at Not very long ago there were cer- a8 many as twenty different species in w Zealand, which was once a much more ex- sive country, the sinking of the greater part rh the sea having been proba- that brought abont the ex- the main cai tinetion of a majority of the larger kinds of wingleas birds. Nat its are of the opinion | that the ostrich represents a very ancient ty; : De of bird, which was spread widely over the | earth at'a time when the more fierce and dan- | rniverous beasta had not come into | Intl lhe absence of suck foes they did | t for the purpose of ‘You will find the ostrich very frequently ioned by ancient historians, but it was not the custom im ancient times, so far as is known, emselves with the plumes. . wore the feathers in their | mi & very early late, and domesti- sionally used by Roman birth for riding purposes. The lus on one vecasion had the ed ostriches served up in Every part of t ves of Africa. lied its skin is iret removed, so as to pre- serve the feathers, and the fat separated from the meat is poured into bays made of the skin of the thighs tied at the lower ends. The grease of a bird in good condition will fill the skin of both legs, which hold about four gallons. Not oniy is this grease eaten with bread and used in the preparation of certain foods, but the Arabs consider it useful for rheumatism and other maladies. They usu- ally cook the eggs by setting one of them up- right ona fire and stirring its contents about with a stick, inserted through a hole in the upper etd. ‘The egg shells are chietly used as vessels for water. It is apparently implied in the Seriptures that the ostrich utterly neg- lects its young, laying its eggs on the sands and deserting them; but the fact is quite the reverse. ‘The bird sets upon its eggs by night, the cold would be too great for them. and leaves them to the sun's Leat during the aay. THEIR MADITS THOROUGHLY UNDERSTOOD. The habits of the ostrich are thoroughly well understood nowadays through observa- tion of domesticated specimens. I myself have one dish at a feast. is utilized by the ne .d there can be few things more I should zoological agine. Perhaps the most extraordinary about the bird is that it is the male that most of the setting. He selects a convenient lollow in the ground or scrapes out one and ples it into a saucer-shaped nest about six fect in diameter. The female lays her eggs ‘h anywhere in the neighborhood of her mate takes care that they are During his time for setting he is ¥ pugnucious and a very formidable animal toencounter. The kick of the bird, which is its means of fighting, is enormously powerful—snfiiciently so. in fact, to disable a tnen and very likely kill him at one blow. x "THE IXCUBATOR. “The natural method of hatching ostriches, however, because of the risks from accidents involved, has been almost entirely superseded farms by the incubator. By this method more than ninety per cent of are made to Yep chicks, which #cem to grow up as healthily aa those brought out in the normal fashion. Boxes heated by line, hot water are emplo nd the eg; | tnrned and aired twice aday. 1 of | pation is forty-two days. It is not_ always | best, about a week before | me, to carefully punc- | egg near the top witha sharp-| stecl instrument, in order to | Young ones’ that may be y ore ly break the ls As soon as the baby ostriches are hatched I put them into a b: wool for twenty- ebance to breathe. are put into a coop, from the rouf of which is hung a lot of | chenille. and there they nestle, the con- the expiration of the @ each ce serving a3 an artilicial mother, or | rather father, imasmuch as it is he who takes | care of the chicks in astate of nature. The | latier are fed at first on bread crumbs, bran | and water. On the fourth day they are per- | mitted to go out ina little inclowure around | the brooder and are given grain and green Vegetables. Young ostriches are pretiy thia, like giant young partridges, but with bris all over them mixed with the down. ‘THE COUNTRY FOR OSTRICH FARMING. “The proper country for ostrich farming is an open region free from timber. Districts in temperate latitudes with dry and waste lands | aiford admirable facilities for the purpose. ‘There is no dithculty in keeping the birds in an enclosure with wire or other fences not mo than four feet high, owing to the fact that the do not tly. Unce established in the interior of 3 of great size thus Id doubtless increase attain immense numbers. They ‘Its | | utes. PLUCKING THE FEATHERS. “When the season for plucking arrives my birds are driven into a narrow pen, where they are so tightly crowded as not to be able to move, while the operator stands on a platform outside and ents off the plumes close to the flesh. The very valuable feathers on the wings —there are abont twelve in each wing, and they often retail for as much as $20 spiece—must be taken before they are quite matured. Their growth has to be watched soas to get them at their best. Most perfect, and, therefore, most costly, of all ostrich feathers are those brought from ‘Aleppo and obtained from the birds of the Syrian Desert. They are very rare. Next in order of quality come those from ‘Tripoli, from Senegal, from t. from Mo- rocco and from South Africa. difference between a wild and a tame feather is _immedi- ately perceptible to a connoisseur. While the tame feather is much stiffer, it has not the natural, graceful fall of the wild feather, and, even when dressed and curled, it becomes stiff again after a while. OSTRICH WALTZING. “The habits of the ostrich are a most inter- esting study. One of its occasional freaks is dancing. I have seen as many as twenty nearly full-grown birds waltzing together. They begin with a sort of sidling revolution on their toes at a vlow rate of speed, moving their wings gently up and down.’ Presently they scem to get into the spirit of the thing and spin around at a rate that would astonish a dancing dervish. In the performance of the exercise they xwecp round and round without ever coming into contact with one another. As the time draws near for the eggs to be hatched the sitting male is apt to become impa- tient, aud I have seen him under such cireum- stances actually lean with his chest upon an egg, crack it, take it up in his beak by the mem- ie inride the egg and shake it violencly until the young bird dropped out, when he would swailow the membrane and repeat the eration upon another egg. There is nothing ort of steam power that can approach the speed of an ostrich. The length of its stride has been proved to be from twenty-two to | twenty-eight feet, and its rate of speed is estimated at twenty-six miles an hour, when doing its utmost.” —__—_ FORTUNES TOLD BY MACHINE. Drop a Nickel in the Slot and Learn What Your Future is to Be. (TSE LATEST DEVELOPMENT OF THE nichel-in-the-lot device is a machine for telling fortunes. It is to be found in all the most progressive liquor saloons. You drop a 5- cent piece and, sfter a few revolutions of the cylinder, a number of cards make their appear- | ance, from which you can make out your own destiny at leisure, with the aid of a schedule of directions framed above. According to this schedule the ace of hearts indicates that you will form the acquaintance of one who willdo youa great favor. ‘The king of hearts tells you that, although your needs will aiways be supplied, great wealth will not be yours. By the queen of hearts you are instructed, somewhat ambiguously, thai, if you depend upon Inck to get rich, you’ may expect to die poor. All of the above-mentioned fates ap- pear to be reasonably sate predictions as aj plied toany one. However, the jack of hearts says: “That scheme of yours will not turn out try something else.” A ten spot of the same suit is a very cheerful card, averring that honor and riches will be yours in the future. Clubs, according to the machine, seem to be rather a dismal suit. There is hopefulness in the ace, h says that, though good luck has not attended you recently, things will go better shortly: but the king informs you that you will receive a letter containing news that will make yon sad. The que rts that you will get what you want, if you are so fortunate as to live long enough, and the jack warns you that | there are dark days ahead. Even the ‘ten «pot has an unpleasant revelation to make, to the effect that you will make a fortune and will eventually lose it. 1 of diamonds cautions yon to aban- you are seeking, inasmuch as you are sure to be unsuccessful, while the king prophe- sies that you will get along better in some other place if you have the discretion to move. jack of diamonds, which declares that life for you will be long and happy. The ten spot an- nounces that you will receive a letter contain- ing pleasant news. ‘The ace of spades is a card calculated to glad- den the family man, whom it assures that one of his children will ‘become famous. A warn- ing to the idle is conveyed by the king, who re- marks that with more hard’ work and greater patience you will finally attain your desire. ihese two requirements, however, are not es- sential to him whose eye is gladdened by the queen. inarmuch as he is maade to know thereby that a large sum of money is coming to him The jack of spades is likewise an ong life will be yours,” the ten spot says, ‘but in late years you will be very cranky.” The two-spot of any color indicates that the one you now think faithful wili prove false to you. According to the three spot, if you are not very careful inacertain transaction you will lose money. By any four spot you are in- formed that a relative of yours will be married soon, while a five spot says that you will quar- rel with an intimate friend very seriously. A six spot is warning of a summons to go ona long voyage, a seven spot tells you to beware of a supposed friend, who 1s plotting agai ‘ou; an eight spot lets you know that some us of you. anda nine spot acquaints you with the fact that a law suit is threatening you. One great advantage of having your destiny foretold by machine in this manner at a nickel a shoot is that by spending money enough you y secure for yourself every fortune in , including those which are most flatter- ing to your hopes. po NOODLES GOES ON A JOURNEY. Incidentally He Gets Into Something of = Mix About Omuibuses. 66] HAD A PARTICULARLY WEIRD SORT of experience the other day,” said Noo- dles last evening at the Platypus Club. invited to spend the first week in Lent with some friends of mine who are old-fashioned people and live in the country, some little dis- tance out from a city not a thousand miles from here. They are very hospitable folks, and I always have a good time when I go there; the girls are jolly, there are plenty of horses and some shooting is to be found in the neighbor- hood. On other occasions they have sent into town and fetched me out to their place, but just this once it happened that their colored coachman was sick, and so they directed me to take the street car out as far as the little subur- ban post office, where Icould meet the stage or omnibus which stopped there regularly for the mail, thence pursuing the old turnpike road to my destination. “knew the way very well, having traversed the route often in the ‘family carriage. As in- structed I took the car as far as the post oifice and waited there for the omnibus tocome by. 1 was told that it would arrive within twenty min- A little more than that time had elapsed when the vehicle rolled up in front of the door and the driver. jumping off his perch, came in to get the mail. I picked up my traps and, go- f out into the road, jumped upon the buck step of the stage and tried to open the door, which was at the rear, for the purpose of enter- ing. Not succeeding, after repeated efforts, I shouted to the passengers inside to let me in, for the air was cold biting. ‘To my sur- prise none of them made any response. ‘Open the door!” Leried. “I want to getin? e to keep, for during the the year t n find enough ve upon, and at other times | alittle fudian cora or beans | they require some additional green all of which | y be easily wn for their use. But large | rp not absolutely necessary for ostrich farming. If they are not available eight acres will suitice to accommodate thirty birds, if the land be sown with lucerne to provide them with food. oT A Naw IxpestRy. “Ostrich farming is not an industry alto- gether new to the world. The birds were cer- ated very anciently and were doubtless plucked for their feathers, though robably they were not bred in confinement. lore than a ptury ago many farmers in South Africa b: me ostriches on their farms, allowed to feed at larse, which supplied their owners with plames that’ were made into brooms for mosquito fans. Various tribes in Central Africa have tor an unknown length of time kept ostriches fur th ers, barter- ing them with traders f, h and other com- modities. The most beautiful of the plumes are obtained from the wings, and one reason | for the great usfuluess of the incu-| bator is that many of the feathers are| apt to be spoiled during the operation of ‘Still not one of them made amotion. All the seats were full, as well as I could make out through the little window, bu: there was room enough for standing, and I was determined to | obtain admittance. et mein" I shouted again, banging on the door: but no attention was paid, and the passouger nearest the window—a villainous ‘ooking person, by the way—grinned exasper- stingly. At that moment the driver of the "bus caine out of the post office with his bag bahar 7 Chappie?” said he impertinent “"Wot's up, Chappie impertinently. can't got in,’ | replied. = “You're fa hard luck,” aid the driver. “*The other passengers won'topen joor.” “They can ty said the driver. ‘Why not?” ‘Because they're chained together,” said the driver. They're a six burglars, four counterfeiters ant murderers, and this ‘ere is the Black bound for the jail. The reg'lar turm will be along 10 five minutes, but I'll ride if you like.” “I preferred to wait for the "bus. And now, fellows, since that has been rather a dry story, what will you take next in the liquid way? ———_——— ing of three Maria “bus ve yous, sitting on the For some reason not very ry well underst tame ostrich feathers are less | worry prodace lon, ‘Of appetite, poor- beautiful and therefore bring a lower price in | Bess of the blood, exRaustion, &c. the market than those of the wild ostrich, but | wits Latuche, an invigorating. tonic, contain. the wild bird is disappearing so rapidly that | [hf Prriwmnon of the 2 the tame will have the market to himself be-| has peem used iu the Pee tee fore very long. success in the treatinent of these disorders, If the queen is to be believed you will be suc- cessful in your present undertaking, which per- chance maybe the consumption of a glass of | pla beer. But the brightest card in the deci: is the ATTRACTIVE HOMES. think. Rugs would be introduced with cold weather, and these in oriental colorings, ‘in qrhich dull red is prominent, would be effective, At either the side fireplace seate might be ce ind Gras monly commento eee . eas on 7 The Gelostion: gad: Porniching of | prow on cote wet meee fon - fen room in a Summer Residence. where it would De chisdy used. in winter, the side walls would be prettier if covered with a ey a Eg THE BAMBOO TREATMENT. en. et crepe with pattern in gold stamped upon it. Among this latter clase of fabrics is sometimes to be seen a red which is It Gives = Cool and Refreshing Look, and fs | almost i ibable, it is so soft, with much Easy and Comfortable, Besides Not Being | Color in it, but dulled so as to be most iovely. Very Expensive—How the Different Rooms | !f this rSiniad +34 May Be Arranged to Advantage. rs Written for The Evening Star. LREADY THE BALMY AIR OF SOME of the days of February, with the shrubs now in blossom, makes us feel as if winter were really past and spring, with all its subtle at- tractions, is something near at hand. The few warm days cause the heavy winter house drap- ings to seem stuffy, and we begin to think of airy summer furnishings and plan for the changer in decoration which a change of xeason demands. Many are maybe planning new summer homes or are looking out for ideas as to refurnishing old ones. Many others still make the refreshing alterations in their homes here in town which enable them to not only endure a summer stay here if enforced, but to actually find it agreeable and restful. There is a fascination about planning any kind of a house, vig or little, in city or country, and even a small one, and that to be used only for atime in the summer, requires considerable thought in regard to its arrangement. A SUADIER LIVING Room. A friend who is contemplating a new abode of this kind is busy with ideas in regard to it, and has asked me for suggestions, especially for the little parlor or living room, ae it will more aptly be called, perhaps. This summer ho: is to be built in the country, i to be n modest affair, but fortunately, resources of furnishor nowaday not detract from its appropriate pre Some little time ago I spoke of disliking bam- boo furniture, with its mottled brown and buff appearaneo and used indiscriminately with other kinds of wood and other colored furnish- ings. I think an odd piece or two no addition toany room. Taking it, however, for the key- note of an apartment, especially a room for summer use exclusively, I think it might be made extremely effective, for, as I remarked before, one can ‘ind many pretty shapes from which to select in bamboo. For this country, then, [ would suggest a bamboo treatment, and I would begin with the ceiling and side wails. BAMBOO TREATMENT. The ceiling I would cover with fine India matting, divided into squares by split bamboo, the squares being as near two fect as might be. A wainscoting of the matting, similarly barred with the bamboo, should cover the base of the side walls for four feet and there be sur- mounted by a aarrow shelf, with the bamboo making an outer rail to keep plates or what not from slipping off. The space left above this dado should be covered with Japanese chintz with buff ground and stamped with a powdered design, rather far apart, a bamboo rod being the finish at the top. ‘The floor should be covered with matting Vixewise, and the furniture chould be bamboo. As to. the various pieces to be selected, I would say, first, a good-sized square table with matting top and, nd is the the little sofas or double seats, as they hold about two people; then a corner chair. a rock- ing chair or two and one or two «mali chairs. ‘Two of the pretty little ottomans with curving seat could be added, or might take the place of small chairs if there is not room for both. ‘A BAMBOO BOOK CASE. A bamboo book case should be ina prominent | place, and soft silk curtains of Japanese silk of brown and buff tones should be hung here, and the top will serve for holding ornaments. For real comfort a ced ina corner and draped wit should supplement the small sofa, and this should be covered with brown cotton cretonne or any suitable stuff in harmonizing tone the bamboo. Another thing to be mad necessity is a desk in old oak, if a bamboo finish cannot be procured, or if not a regular desk in form, a table, comfortably large and high and completely fitted with all the conveniences for writing a note or friendly letter. The prettiest, most easily accumulated, cheapest and most serviceable outfit for this desk intended for eneral use by the household is one of brass. Fe vrill suit, too, the browns of the furnishings, and lighten up the writing table. Such ornu- mental work isto be found in brass that o1 need have no difficulty in finding just what is wanted in letter clip, inkstand, pen tray, paper knife, candlestick and tray for sealing wax. A piece or two of Japanese bronze, in tray or stamp box. will be rather an addition to the brass articles than otherwise. ‘TRE OPENING INTO THE HALL. Naturally the parlor will open into hall of some kind and for summer use one makes the rooms as airy as possible, so 1 should have the opening wide and high, wide for looks and high for ventilation, To’ take away from the apparent height, however, and improve its appearance a Japanese fretwork of bamboo should be put across the opening of the right depth to make the proportions correct. ‘Ibis fretwork is made now, Iam told, of the smallest sized bamboo, like that used in fishing rods, which ean be bent and woven into intricate designs almost as easily as heavy cord. Below this tretwork pair of bead portieres would look well if they were looped back. Bead portieres, like bamboo, I do not like ued promiscnourly, but for an airy effect in a sum- mer house, and expecially looped high, they would be really good, I think. At the windows thin madras or mull’ in ecru tint would be suitable, and the thinner the material the prettier the effect obtained. THE WALL ADORNXENTS. Insuch a room the result will be better if many small pictures are hung on the walls in- stead of a few large ones. We used to be afraid of a “spotty” look with such an arrangement, but now a reactionin picture hanging has come, and irregular grouping of all kinds is the fancy of the hour. “Another reaction likewise lus como and instead of hanging pictures in the sky-aspiring style once prevalent, now they are brought low, so low, indeed, that they fairly touch the cushions when hung over a sofa or divan. It is the lower ones of groups generally which are so arranged, and if one has good tate euch wacheme of hanging may be made most attractive. To go back to our iving room, however, the pictures which Will look best there will be those in black and white, such as etchings, prints and the the strictly black-and-whito ones, those autotypes in the brownish tones and the prints where the red browns come in will all look well, and a most desirable collection of these with photographs may be easily gotten together. of the illustrations, both copies and origial wood engravings, which the magazines and art papers put forth are well worth framing, and with bamboo or oak or passe-partont frames and wide cream or white mats would be really charming on these buff chintz walls. ARRANGEMENTS OF PICTURES. If some of these pictures in the reddish shades are bung near the divan something of these same tones in the covering of one or two of the pillows will make « pleasant variety in the coloring, without being in the least startling. lows of pes and sizes best suit a divan of this kind, and all sorts of materials may be used, keeping to the quist, restful buffs and browns of the room, with only the reddish browns as achange. Alicotton crepes and gold- amped chintzes and plain India silks will be ble. and the medium dark shades will make irable. Along the dado rail—or china rail, ne it ix also called—the reddish shades may repeat themselves in pottery and lain, which, if tastefully sele-ted and arranged, not overdoing matter. will add to the general good effect of the room. Although the Louse is for the summer it must have a fireplace to give the proper expression to the room, and sometimes a blazing log across the andirons is not amiss at evening time. As pretty a for a mantel and fireplace would be to build it of cream-colored brick, in and with receding shelves at the top, the wrth tobe of the same. A bo Tir bento or ge? . in those lovely nm browns, filled with branches of spring fruit loswoms and set on this mantel bea sight to gladden 's eyes. ‘GOOD FOu A SMOKING ROOM. if possible, bamboo frame; then, next, one of | designs. These would serve as ash trays, and nothing prettier could be appointed for’ that Purpoee. Another thing which should beintro- luced into a room of this kind, whether used for summer drawing room or winter smoking roém, is a folding screen with three or four panels of Japanese leather touched ba ang gold, and framed in bamboo. Ano! should be a sine qua non in either room is a bamboo coffee table, which is one of the Te o rettiest novelties in bamboo furniture. Best lace for this is near a divan, as the juxta- position seems quite orientally natural. in the smoking room one or two substantial obairs covered with red loather would be a suitable addition to the ones of lighter form. me THE OLD DEPARTMENT CLERK. The Post Office Department and Patent Office Fifty Years Ago. IPE OLD CLERK OF THE FORTIES WHO had given a Star reporter some facts about the governmont departments in the old times continued his talk. “We have gotton through with the uptown offices,” he said, “‘and we will take up the Post Office Department. The old Blodgett Hotel proparty on E street, front ex- tending from 7th to 8th street, had been occu- pied by the department up to some ten years before the year of which I speak, 1845, when it was burned. The new building occupying the southern part of the square had not long been in use. The appropriation for its erection, | Jo $150,000, was made in 1839, but cther appro- priations increased the cost to nearly half million. It is unnecessary to describe the building, for it forms a portion of the present ‘building. Each of the three floors contained twenty-five or thirty rooms, heated by furnaces in the basement. dead letter office was then in the westend of the main floor, while the sixth auditor occupied the op- posite ond. The Postmaster General, his as- sistants and clerks were on the second floor. There were on this floor also clerks of the audi- tor's office, some of whom were in the ve Johnson was then the head of the de- partment with Maj. Hobbir, W, J. Brown and john Marron assistants and forty-two clerks. Among these were the late W. D. W: 80 long the editor of Tu Stan; the Inte G. A. Bohrer, D. D. T. Leech (father of Revs. G. V. and. ¥. Leech), J. H. Marr, who recen died after over’ fifty years of ‘service; A. N. Zeverly, afterward an_ assistant postmaster general. Hon. Horatio King, who is now liv- ing, was then a $1,400 clerk. As far asI know the rest are all dead excepting Mr. W. J. Sibley, thena a and afterward aclerk and now @ ret merchant, and Mr. Eli Davia, then a watchman, now living on Mary! nue near 7th strect southwest. ave- THE CITY Post OFFICE. “The city port office was located on 7th street Just north of the department, with Col. C. K. Gardner t ostmaster and cighteen clerks, of C. Clark, J. MeL. Gardner, M. P. d drop letters the samo as at . ‘There were but two trains jorthward then and the mail steamer left at 8 o'clock in the morning. THE SIXTH AUDITOR'S OFFICE. “The sixth auditor (for the Post Office De- partment) was, as I have stated, located in the department building. Peter G. Washiny the anditor, with y and sixty-sis clerks R. White, Mr. Sharret! . M. Duncanson, father of C. Duncanson; Gties Dyer, who resided at 1: and M streets rnd had'a country place near ‘Tenleytown, which ce been laid off as the town of Reno: Mr. Durham, long a resident of Capitol Hill; Maj. Hume, father of Frank ‘Wm. Curry Lipscomb, a ter; John Thaw, prominent in Odd Fellowship, and Nicholas Tastet of South Washington, ‘The same role applied to this burean as to others, work of a desk was kept up it was immaterial how the clerk spent his leisure time. Much of the work being in relation to accounts there were some clerks who were efficient to an ex- traordinary degree, and « few were regular lightning calculators in the celerity with which they did their work. Ian recall one who was not only efficient at ir desk, but was such an expert at accounting that he supervised the ac- counts of several establishments (at compen- sation, of courve). Some months he would scarcely think of his government work till near pay day, when he wonld in two or three days (working perhaps a few hours over time), bring up his books to date. ‘A JEALOUS CLERK. “Jealousy was as much a part of human na- ture in the forties as today,” continued the old clerk, “and there was a bad case not a mile fromthe post office building, though it was an employe of one of the other departments who was thus afflicted. ‘The man was elderly, and up to the time of his marriage was regarded as confirmed old bachelor. He, however, met his fate in the person of the prettiest daughter of a District family noted for the beauty of its women. As she looked on him aa a good catch, it did not take long to reach the state of matri- mony. Within a day or two after the marriage he furnished a house and took the bird to the cage. Ina little time he became insanely jeal- ous of her and insisted that while he was at his work she should remain home. This sbe did not object to, for the street on which they lived was not a lonely one and she could sit at the window and see who back and forth. Finally, he was mado aware of the fact that she was fair to look upon by eyes other than his own, and many, it is suid, passed the house to seo ‘Hannah at the window binding shoes. “Then he suggested that he would before going to his office see that wood and water with pro- visions were in the house and that she had bet- ter spend her time in the kitchen. To make sure that other eyes could not feast on her beauty he purel a padlock and placed it on the gate. Sho, however, did not adopt his suggestions and the fair prisoner would daily, on his rig the house, take her sewing to the front window and see quite as many as she had before. The jealous husband finaily, it is said, determined to spoil the view of outsiders and one fine morning he had a whitewasher rive @ coat to the window panes on the outside. don't know,” said the old clerk, ‘whether he accomplished much other than to hasten on the war, for it was not long after that the old man and young bride were regarded asa very ill- mated couple as to ages, sizes, religior« belief and tempers, in fact as totally unsuited to each other. You may doubt thisif you will, but I saw the windows whitewashed. THE PATENT OFFICE. “The patent office, then under Edmund Burke, was a bureau of the State Department and had but a few years before moved into the building erected on F between 7th and 9th streets, which today forms a part of the ent structure. In ‘that day it was a self-sus- taining bureau, the fees not only paying all ex- meses, but forming a surplus of over $200,000, les contributing #200,000 toward the erev- tion of the building and restoring the models. The then new building was 270 foet long, 70 feet wide and of two lofty stories over a high base- ment, tl which were natural history and other “i= mens of the Wilkes expedition, &. ‘The mout was then used for the display of full-sized models and rooms for the national insti Profa. a . and T. 8. Clinton. H. Knowles was the ma- chinist and A. L. McIntire, father of “ranch Melntire the draughtaman. ’ There were eight Stoughton and 8. 1; Shugert: Notwithstanding tho small force the ing was then #0 he upper portion being an open hall, in | pit Te ee re. NEW YORK MUSINGS. ‘What is Being Talked About in the Vast Metropolis, A LITERARY MONUMENT To THE TENTH MtAE— DINTINGUISMED MEN WHO WILL TAKE PART— WHAT IT 18 HOPED TO ACCOMPLISH THROTON TRE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION. Arepresentative of Tax Evexrve Stan in conversation with Mr.James T. Du Bois elicited the following statement concerning the pro- tious of aman in « great gress and prospects of the celebration of the city. The story is all too familiar. The indi- beginning of the second century of the Ameri- vidual evaporates and nothing ever can patent system, which isto take place in ‘comes ap nation. But it rarely hap- this city on the 8th, 9th and 10th of April next. Pens that a vanishes. They se | in the land of civilization and advancement. | | Mt-Du Bois said: “It now looks as though the mid to have no soul, but they often have | Being banished temporarily to this benighted | Cclbration would bea great success. For the most persistint quality of existing. I have | region in an evil hour I was moved to semi for |8°** time in our history the inventors of the heard this Weck, however, of a very singular United States will come together, the most | case where an old-cstablished and reputable nota assemblage of our time, because they have exerted a greater and more beneficent influence on mankind than any other class of citizens. The arduous labors of arranging for this important event have de- volved & few public-spirited and earnest men, and when the splendid results of the cele bration are realized by the country these men will receive the commendations they deserve | from all who rocognize the pre-eminent part the tenth musc—invention—has played in our national pr. “A number of committees are now actively engaged in preparing for the celebration. details of the work have Ranguly Govekeot pee the executive committee, composed of the Hon. John Lynch, chairman; Prof. J. Elfreth Wai my wheel. It arrived in due time and as I in- quired for my property at the office the ele- vated eyebrows of the clerk gave mea faint conception of what was before me. ‘The day was perfect and I started off, so em- barrassed by the wondering gaze of an assembled honsehold that I made a beginning anything but dignified. The physician who recommended the exercise failed to consider the nervous shock attendant uy finding one’s naturally rogrified into a sort of traveling circus for the tion of all the pickaninnies in Georgia. Assoon as I came within sight of a cabin at least a dozen atomsof ebonized humanity came tumbling helter skelter out of door end town between two days. fair and hasstirred up a in @ quiet way among of mysterious pearances, one that I think never | window, cheering me on my way with all the | kins, secre:ary; Col, J. W. Babson, Marvin got into print, but which is quite as sonsational | strength of ‘vouthful lungs = Bn bey amid the | Stone and George C. L. as most episodes of the kind. Some weeks ago | invigorating influence of the Georgia pines. | 0”. literature, com ‘of Prof. G. Brown an inmate of one of the public institutions for| As I flew Pwo two young thunder clouds en- | Goode, Hon. A. Spofford and Lewellen the blind in this city attended church in com- gaged in a desperate duel. I beard th ne, have arranged a literary program #0 pany with a guardian. After church the por- from the lips of one of them: “ "Deed it | complete and perfect as to receive universal son on some excuse dodged the guardian and | ain't no wo! nuther!” My identity was | approval from the technical and scientific thon and there absolutely disappeared. One oF two vague and unreliable traces were found of the wanderer, but to this day nothing is known further. The locality was one of the most crowded in New York, it was broad day- light and the truant was a person whose move- ments would immediately attract attention. So far as known the person bad no money or friends or evil propensities. The vacant lots and byways were 3 alarm sent out through the police and innumera- ble inquiries made in every direction, but | the ground sims to bave opened and. swal- ywed up its prey. NEW YORK'S KEW GARDENS. It astonishes most people to be told that the geographicai center of New York city lies along 125th street, but the incredulity ceases if such ‘8 person takes a train and rides to the northern limoits of the city. For half an hour the trav- elcr flies northward, passing one suburb after ther, and presently stretches of meadows and forests, and still the policeman rss | much in the villain-still-pursued-her style. had occasion on Washington's birthday to go to the extreme northern part of town and — ae ee the a ome away upon. the upper boundary Iles the Bronx Park, which a hundred years from now, or perhaps sooner, for the world turns over pretty rapidly nowndays, will be one of the great show gardens of the world. It has been pretty definitely settled that here shail be the great sical garden of New York. This movement is in the hands of strong par- ties, who are not only lovers of nature, but tolid business mon, and they propose to ‘back up their taste by their reese by their in- fluence as citizens, so that as a result the cit may have a botanical garden that with Kew or the Jardin des Plantes. There was some talk of having this domesticated, like everything else, in Central Park, but that was given up for considerations of elbow room, and now the parpos isto devote the Bronx Park mainly tothis object. Several hundred acres are available, and the landscape will be handled by = finest experts to i its. evidently the point at issue, and, in my wonder- ment as to what dreadful misapprehension dwelt in his imagination, a most unflattering line from Poe's “Raven,” uttered in a similar dilemma, darted through my mind. The other youth, who took my part in true mf fashion, I recognized ‘as one to whom I had given a few cents a day or two previous, while moving along in the normal way upon two feet, thus leaving no doubt in hismind of my human and feminine character. was not only to juvenile tion that I proved an object of interest. Re nenen old “auntie” ap; waving her fran : “Well, I'se yer afo’ mighty gid dun lib to see dis My first ce has made me sensitive to critician, am I find myself involuntarily seek- ing solitary paths far from the haunts of men. F. ia A POLICEMAN’S ROMANCE. How = Quarrel Was Made Up—He Treated the Case Professionally. She was lithe and beautiful, with » fateful fire slumbering in her deep black eyes. He was talland red headed, with a blue uniform ‘and brass buttons. In short, and without go- ing into the pedigree or nationality of either Party, she was housemaid, and he—oh, he had Tisen to the summit of earthly ambition and was policeman on theforce. Theyhad quarreled and had not met for days. A policeman on his beat and a pretty housemaid, however, are bound to meet sooner or later and at length the occurrence occurred, or, rather, the event evented, and the parted lovers came face to face. They talked. Ah, the persuasive tongue ofa whether ordering you to “move Se Td iddie-aged woman Journals everywhere. ‘The result of this pro- fram will secure to American liternture ge volumes of at Least 500 pages each, whic will cover the subject of invention in ail of interesting departments. MEN WHO WILE TALK. “When such a distinguished list as the fol- lowing can be engaged to talk upon invention in all its phases all the world are sure to be- come eager listeners: Hon. Samuel Blatchford, Edward Atkinson, Dr. John 8. Billings, Cyrus F. Brackett, Benjamin Butterworth, ‘Octave Chaunte, F. W. Clarke, Senator Daniels, Maj. Clarence E. Dutton, Thomas Gray, Otis T. M: son, Charles Eliot Mitchell, Senator Platt, F. A. Seeley, A. R. Spofford, Robert 8. Taylor, R. H. Thurston, W. P. Trowbridge, Edwin Willete and Carroll D. Wright. “Every one of the above mentioned gentle- men isominent authority upon the subject which he will discuss. It can therefore be un- derstood that the two grand volumes, which are to contain the wisdom and philosophy of this galaxy of erudition, will hold within their covers the most valuable contributions to the history of invention and the American patent system ever published. SOME THINGS THAT WILL BE DONE. “Up to now the press of the country and the people of Washington have not realized the true importance of this celebration. It cannot lack great significance or the chief magistrate of the nation would not have cordially consented to preside over the first public meeting on the afternoon of the 8th of April. The Secretary of the Interior recognizes the fuct that no «ys tem of political economy has matched or ever will match invention as a promoter of national prosperity, and company with the commissioner ‘of patents, will _re- ceive the guests in the patent office on the evening of the 8that which time this magnificent Temple of the Tenth Muse will be handsomely decorated and illuminateé by electricity. President Fraley, the venerable charter member of the Franklin Institute, knows that every upward step in the march of progress gives « broader view of the widen elds in which the future triumphs o! old or a middl ij “Arrah there, then, darlint, let us make it .” “Never! Never! Nev-nir! Nover again will I if "and the throw myself into your false arms, maiden spurned him, even as do maidens in give the most re- It is not unlikely that the 2 gardens may be put in the same domain, or in as one of the two other large suburban parks, as | the theater. Had it not been for # convenient | vention are to move, and. he. wi ~ movement 6 to fire the shotcest = of Gre = = i ee have dayred we nearly four-soore of Pacts has to re ippopot ver, speedily recov: indly consented to ide over the third pub- mus has collapsed. resisting maiden in his arms and av be. pressed lic cdi Prof, BP. Langley, caians tn her to his heart smiled a professional smile and murmured: “Yez haven't then darlint, thrown yourself in my arms—I've pulled ye in,” and the dove of peace fluttered over thé scene. THE FAYERWEATHER MILLIONS. ‘The developments on Wednesday in the Fayer- weather will case were on a par with the extra- science and mminent in his knowledge of certain scientific inventions, is conscious of the truth that invention has added billions upon Dillions to the wealth of the nation, has placed ordinary features that preceded them. In the eee our country in the front rank of progressive course of the proceedings before the surrogate Opportunity. peoples, hus changed for the better all the con- it appeared that the three trustees,» day or} Master of destinies am I! ditions of life and has become the wonder of all troago,made’a covenant ander which thoy | Eaieeerganatrane phaufetsere walt [nations and he will presi over the fourth dispoxe of all the money that will come to them, ria and seas remote, and passing by mublic meeting on the evening of April 9. rovided the will is probated. In a word, the bequests are increased by over $2.000,000, and *rof. Alex. Graham ell believes thet there Hovel and mart and palace, suon vr ite would not have been # centennial exhibition in I knock unbidden once at cvery gate! ood feastit , remy on idocping. wake it Teasting, rise Gefore Philidelphia in 1876 if we had had no. patent GLa siestioe Whe ptocien teshere oleae, ‘ rh a He the oat of fatey laws, Bu he is stised thet i¢ would have been ~ nd they who follow me reach every state 7 an: , is willi ent, apart from the splendid endowments which | Bd they who follow me reach every « a small affair in a smpell town, and be is willing to lend his distinguished presence to the patent jubilee in April, and will_premde over the fifth ‘and last meeting of the literary sessions. “All of these distinguished presiding officers are either inventors or directly interested in inventions. A large majority of the gentlemen who are to discuss the subjects in the literary }rogram are also inventors or interested in the promotion of inventions, and all who have been ially invited to attend the celebra- tion are either inventors, manufacturers of patented articles or interested in our industrial evelopment. So you see it is not a ‘Hamlet piay without plenty of Hamlet in it. THE COMMITTEES AT WORK. “But seven weeks remain and the event will be here. ‘The committees recognize this and are showing much activity. The reception committee, of which Mr. Cranch McIntyre is chairman, is com of fifty members. The public comfort committee, Mr. W. C. Dodge, chairmaa, have made ample arrangements to welcome the coming guests. The finance com- mittee, with the lion. Joseph K. McCammon as Save death; but those who doubt or hesitate, ‘Condemned to failure, penury and woe, Seek me in vain and uselessiy implore. T answer not, and I return no more! nator Ingalls in New York Truth. 1 0 to the colleges and hospitals in this new gift, the light it sheds on the plans of the trustees and on their very peculiar methods. We can take either the charitable or the cynical view of their action. We may, perhaps, never know which is more nearly correct, the view which claims that they were intending from the first to turn over the entire property to public in- terests, or the one that holds that they were or scared into disgorging the plunder had procured trom # dying and un- conscious man. - Whichever explanation we pre- for, the fuct remains that their action goes very far'toward settling the contest. ‘The widow hag tho lntge bequests in the will to thatecuogse ix the juests in to the c in case the will was broken, and now the trustees have made public their scheme, by which they, as residuary legatees, will obtain nothing be- {ond thelr legal foes. ‘They also say that they old in reserve the power to increase the fan given to the widow, and in other ways suggest terms of compromise and settlement. It looks very much, therefore, as if this memorable con- test were tostop while yet the bulk of the prop- iE OWNED UP. And Will Probably Not Be in a Hurry te Stop Another EKunaway. From the Detroit Free Press. Ahorse attached tom buggy came running down Grand River avenue the other day, lickety- cut, anda pedestrian rushed out, seized the trailing lines and after being flung down and dragged. through the muda hundred feet he brought the animal toastand-still. Then he led it up toa post, picked up the whip and cushions and had just got everything ship- shape when afat man, walking very leisurely and smoking a cigar, came along and took pos- session. erty remains out of the reach of the lawyers, | “So it was your horse?” asked the mud-cov-| chairman, and A. T. Britton, treasurer, are and Lr} i pohegee endl hos} — = the coun- | ered rescuer. — — a to — —— y cei i = “ 4 xpenses: pul ro ind volumes, paralicled invAtnerican history.” dikie sail’ bens | “Yes; my horse, Got away from my house | Cibentn ctu, Publis tte two rand volumes, on 4th avenue.” “And—and——” “Oh, I wasn't worried any. Iknew that somebody would stop him sooner or later. There's some of that sort always around, you now. And as he drove off without another word the philanthropist took off his overcoat, gazed at the ruin wrought and said to the crowd which appy termination to an extraordinary case. F TRE New “rap” IN ART. Just now we are going in for sculpture. For ‘@ longtime painting had all ite own way, but within a year or two the attention of connvis- seurs and art patrons has shifted to the kin- ared art of sculpture. The Metropolitan ment of theevent. Much public spirit is being shown by our business men in subscribing to nd. “A committee on transportation will soon complete arrangements with the railronds to re- duce the rates from all points. It has been suggested by some prominent railroad men in the east to run a grand special train of vesti- bule cars from Maine to Washington for the Museum of Art has already uequired a large | had collected: accommodation of those bright minds who number of plaster-of-paris casts and isjast| “I own right up, gentlemen. I'm from Fool-| have made the present great wealth of New now making preparations for a special fund of | town by the most direct route.” England possible. ‘The ‘mame thing. imay be sess o0e, i ich ich jae bas already = — done by the southern and western roads. raived, with the intention iri m the income of this fund a collection of caste cle a se il bai Hand Bnd that shall compare with the best in the world. ceutly held at Providence, K. I, signified The museum has also acquired recently = their intention of coming to the celebration. I notable group of ‘Bears and Trainer,” which have just received a letter from Gov. Howard took the first prize for sculpture at the aulon of Rhode Island in which he says that he ex- last summer. Again, we are to have an addi- pects to come with a good contingent from his state. ‘Lincoln and Willard halls have been secured for the use of the celebration. THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION. “Two prime objects are arrived at by this celebration. One is to commemorate the event by erecting the noblest literary monument ever dedicated to one theme and one event, and the other is to organize a national association for the promotion of the interests of invention— interests thatare not the inventors’ exclusively, because they work for the human race while working for themselves. This import- ant movement means the tion flusion of tion to the statuary in the park in the shape of a monument to ‘Thorwalisen, to be presnted by the resident Danes of New York. tors—what fow there are of them—are as busy as they can be, and your readers in Washing- ton will be gratified to learn that Mr. French is fall of important work, which keeps him profit- ably employed. ON THE TRIPOD. Anumber of interesting items have turned | up in journalism during the week, The most itaportant is the change at Harper’s Weekly, where ichard Harding Davis has succeeded John Foord as managing editor. Mr. Foord is now in Paris, acting us private secretary to Mr. Pulitzer. It isa curious example of the vicis- situdes of journalism that John Foord, who, a few years ago, was the editor of the Times, wile Me. Pulitzer was an obscure and strug: ing journalist, should now be a tor jan whom ‘recently he would not hers ice. Mr. Ford's career has not fultilled the expectation of his friends, and he wn town)—“Hold on a minute, I want to tell you fellows the latest story—best thing you ever heard!” leaves Harper's in @ way to cause’ regret. Young Davis has drawn a prize in the lottery and report speaks well of him. He has his spurs by good work, and lacl in years and in knowledge of the world he has given evidence of abilities which the Hai who are pretty shrewd judges of men, think will carry on their publication with the accustomed strength. One of the leadii - (At home)—“Oh, I'm too busy to PA arene Py hy pea pec und me cin shay est for the Weary. ing the superfine Italian. Virginia's mamma structure, broad and high and so spacious that | rom Tate. Ne a ou some of the big ecclesiastical structures of | Mr. Godet (surveying the debris on Broad- a ene {om necy ie agi fy the city it looks as if'a coach could | "4y)—“I wish I lived in Pompeii!” should not bee Just eo’ the fair ‘ually be driven through it; But itscoms to be | |r. Stillman—“Why, that town is as deed as | ¥; made s tour of inspection through the it, least, brand new spoon caught in one of as Roe enced —- Of the heed Sailer who, had followed her for am criticism: “Is this silver?” central “Yes'm.” ae i tig se, For Wits For ial Se pam om an wp For Lexmaton and points in the Shenandoah Valley. For Luray. ah Peas and Way Stations, 13.90 Sore Ravers. week Gaye. 4.08, 5-00, ay ui ‘ 900 pom. oat ize, tad:tng p . datty. Sot va thromen without Le Newer for Lex an Cam are open mm 0.8.7 0 is, 390, tee and 15:20 p.m. XEW YORK aND e hast, 74.00, 18:00, 500and *10:30 pus Nines Car oe Vullivan Buffet Seep. Heston. without cham soneuaere ab i, bel. Wala 1240) 3 Listed express, stopping af -. 12:00n008 y only. os hotels ama tee, tere left at WR pot. ASO. SOUL ‘Gen Pas Cam 2ORPuL 720, For pe For i y 20 pou ro Stee For Willanaports ockem scent Sanday Sumport daily, 3.3 VAN NLEHIA.NEW Tol Hw and 41 Fast xpress & 10 ouble terriage across New Vork it antic CY, 12-15 pm., week ence, ¢ Sunday ‘un 2. daily, PENNSYLVANIA ROT STAND 3 4. OTH AND BST « vn at Masianeton to becting dativat Harristune tor Loum TOMAC rewter and a8, eabineton to. agport, POR PHILADE! a.m. wee! 40. Jo-wand = Greet Line, 7200 4-1 720 and 9.00 a... 12 uly, except sunday. Sundays, ¥ and office, northeast ath street cud Pemnsy Vani. avemue, and at here orders can Ue seit tor the ches sous Lotels an: rem densen i WOU, Manarer, (al) Genera, Farseuscer dacemt, destination PUGH, RAILRO! ™ lester @nfly kort attra), Koceser and Ninare with sand d%0 p.m. aatty Mlow starto = ETS AS POLLD tf Ws AD. ‘iaaare Palle ort. Kenove and Kimire et 10:50 aun ys and 4 p.m. @any. 315 p.m. everyday. broush traime sonnet at Jet 4 Brooklyn Anwex, affont: to Fulton st. av a days, 11pm. S0and 4:20 wom aad 1CHM * I au op syivanna a railroad, road for Roanoke, soutli west. 10 a2 Vestivuind componed entirely of Fate ts tare OND AND DANVILLE. few ors to Ati: lian Sieeper Aanta to New Orleans, Pulluans Danvilie vin Columbia amd Al acon usta to Mi . fon to Cin: inpat: 1 ouects at Lyme kburs with Ni ‘inated, between Wanninet na arrives A ‘Consul time table tor sit Ly, eRCHpE Bt a (or ‘dante, Mi e ito Sab pan. daily apd 700 aneto TD pn. at 3:0 pak. an route aud pan. ad 1022) 01s. sleeping car reservations and and lacrare Coeked at office, Ve, all at pasmenyer stacon, ‘and B ste. RAILE A 4, in ts orivlk ana Wee |. Knoxville, « amtts- South wetern ta Get. eo OAD CO. a. aud al- fama bull vet aon ie mt xing, for Manasnan, Ly ‘Wantiason om daily. south via Charlotte, Dam 6:58 a.m. ese Bristol is) peter Chanute iia 68 information 1300 Pena Feuusyivana JAS. L. TAYLOR, Gen. Pas. Avent. POTOMAC RIVEK BOATS. PO NOKPOLK AND FORTRESS wr ‘TSoctamner ERORLRIOI. rom seh days, Wedmewiays: ‘TH UNITED TO THE TROPICS. INDIPS AND SOUTH A) MAGNIFICENT STEAMEES 01 STATES AND BRAZIL MAIL. MONDAYS, THURSDAY: ‘Keturning 1 UnSDA\ am &. 8. 00. lasting services | LA GUAYEA, FUEETO CABELLO, CURACAO, EDC., BL THE CXCELLENT STEAMBELPS OF ‘THE KED “D" LINE. errance demure. Tinctrate Sp vaiae wit Tall particulars or tiehets COUK & SON, ADW, TAR FeSRaN COR LOND, Ta Ty any cabo, éveshn UPTON, somnale thse cent be OBERT EERE, alec segura ang or a iy etuhitarat igual ‘To.