Evening Star Newspaper, October 31, 1891, Page 13

MUSIC BY BLOWING. How the Wind Musical Instruments Were Developed, THE FINEST A SHELL HORN. ‘Musical Notes From Reeds—Animals’s Horas —The Transition to Metal Inetrumente— | ® King David's Pipee—i Played and Danced. we Our Ancestors ‘Written for The Evening Star. IS SAID THAT IN TUE FAR-AWAY ages hen men dwelt in caves, clad in the skine of wild bensts, they played on a little Bate of bone, and we know that at the earliest actual glimpse we have of our ancestors they Played, mang mad danced Thee things are among the oldest, and those similar to them are ell to be reem in orehes tras and bands of mesic. Of course the first implement of any Kind i that which is found alone does not increase the vibration, but, being highly tenacious and elastic, it may be made thin and retain elasticity with Power. The French horn, for instance, is as far those named as may be i At first it was known only as » bunting horn, but the richness of its ring, ite long-drawn cadence, echoing over hill and dale, attracted attention, and the instrament makers then succeeded in cunverting it into o for the orchestra, where it now holds an honored place. This is, perhaps, the king of wind instro- mentasant familiar to all. In passing we must not omit the Alp horn that has so many beauti- ful associations. It is some six or eight feet long, straight and without keys or stoj n evening in summer the nt sits on a lope of the mountain by his chaliet and blows @ long-drawn call. From across the deep valley comes not only the echo, bat a response, and then from mountain to mountain sur- rounding the beantiful valleys thore echo and re-echo the sweet, long-drawn notes of the Alp horn. This is the evening’ mountaineer. periority, greater length and power of reach, more clearness and purity of note, and, if the of delicious im nature, ready made— im stock, so to speak; or if any change bas to be made, o very slight one. The conch shell was the first *® horn, with the mouth- piece, accidentally made by breakage or the bor- ing of some marine animal on the seashore. In the pictures of Neptune mermaids, mer- men and little fellows astride the backs of dolphins play upon these same shells, and the pictures were made long ago, when and imagined it fall of beings. Even now it is ges to call the fisher- imes to call the cattle home. ‘TWE CONCH SHELL'S MERIT. Assn instrument it has a merit peculiarly its own. It is nothing but a horn and has a single note. That note, however, is clear and sonorous. ‘The material of which it is composed is hard and smooth, prepared slowly and carefully fora dwelling by the creature once inhabiting it by lafer upon layer of phosphate of lime distilled from the waters of the ocean. When vacated it rolls around tenantless upon the shore until picked up and made over, this time into.a hora. fair wind NOTES FROM REEDS. It was not long before another implement of tone was found. It was a simple bit of reed, across the open end of which a man might blow > his breath and makea note. } This was very differentfrom 5 the clear, boisterous sound of the shell: it was a soft, musical whistling. The shell was hard and reso- nant, the reed fibrous and delicately elastic, but it produced only one note, and he wanted enough dif- ferent notes to make some sort of a tune. This was secured by making the reeds of different lengths, an accidental discovery, doubtless, when it was noticed that independent gaveout different notes where ther were different len: it must have been that the invention of tune and the Pan's pipes were in some way con- current, for the pipes imply some knowledge of tone, and this created demand for the in- strument. Vocal music came first, but not | such as it was after the invention of this first of true instrnments. The different lengthened pipes were accord- ingly attached together and the thing was done. By sliding them back and forth in front of the lips and blowing across the open mouth of one and another quite a variety of notes may be oduced and an air. The Pan's pipes derives name from legend. The instrument trinsically sylvan. belongs to the woodlands, the upland far away from the seaand in the shady groves. There the “good god Pan,” divinity of nature, was supposed to reside. He was pis reclining on some shady bank with goat's legs, horns and pointed ears, the pipes at his lips and a pleasant smile playing about hiseyes. The music of the pipes isin keeping with this picture of gentle nature. ‘The tone is sweet, vibratory, low and almost intive. This quality in the reeds will be de- ted by an observant ear even in the middle and high notes of a great church organ. » MUSIC FROM ANIMALS’ ROUNS. After the reed, but in another way, is made egain the appeal to nature, and that is the Borns of animals. Among the wild tribes of Africa the tusks of ele- — are used for orns. They are large, heavy and powerful in sound and are probably used only for war, so perfectly is the quality of the instrument asso- ciated with the pu of its use. Those in the National Muscum,among & large collection of new and old, are magnificent specimens. One is plain, but the other is highly ornamented after a bar- baric fashion. Inasmuch as the cavity of the tusk does not extend to the point,the mouthpiece is an orifice cuf through the side near the ex- tremity of the cavity. | Through this the breath is biown with a harsh | reverberation. Put the curious feature of this horn isa tirst aticwptat stops such a# are largely used in flutes, and that is a single hole | ear the mouthpiece. This is covered by the savage thumb, which on being removed ives | one additional nete. In the other specimen the | point has been, cut off down to the cavity and opening, thas exposed is, covered thumb. This is unproductive of music in the propersense, but biares signals of one ortwo alternate notes, and yeta savage dance and song ‘are accompanied by it. Compare this with the ns pipes and we may e difference in progress neestors invented the latter, centuries agc and the present status of the African negro. The trumpetings of the elephant from whom the were taken were more musical. The born of the African antelope, a mach smaller weapon — it might also be called—is without the thumb hole, is beautifully twisted aud not of sufiicient power for war. It is therefore probably used for coneert purposes. ‘The mouth is smailand Produces the | ordinary ugle intonations, but beyond this no ‘\ execution, only that the tone, as ‘with all nat- ural’ horn instruments, is pleasing. It docs not compare with either ™ for its ntle human feeling, or metal, for its ring and pene tration, but is none the less not devoid of qual- ity. THE TRANSITION TO METAL, ‘made centurics later, is a long step im advance. ‘The characteristic of meta! in contrast with the materials already mentioned is chiefly that, , There was comparatively little change made until the zinke, a German horn, was invented. It represents troduction of a number of openings to be covered and uncovered by the fingers. Such had been done before to a limited extent, but not so as to lead directly to present forms. It was a simple twisted horn of metal with a small mouthpiece and wide bell, having atope ranged along one side | This for atime gave satisfaction, but was quickly followed by the serpent, as it was called, mad in England. The convolutions of the ai were designed to give it length, confined in convenient compass; the coils of the serpent gave still greater length, and, in addition, it bi increased number of — and the since so much ad lutes, flageo- . '&c. No material improvement in tone was obtained, but greatly increased comps From these two dates the multiplicationof stops and keys were made to such extent, and the use of coil upon coil, until now an instrament may be ten feet or more long. It seems that the length is of great importance. This was not unicnow it was the object of stops. ‘Thus a flute is of a given length if the stops are all close if one of stops be opened, the flute is This lengthening and shortening gives lower and higher note, for r the sound wave the lower the not shorter the higher. The longer the instrument the lower the note which may be obtained and the high ones may be made by operating the stops. KING DAVID's PIPES. Three instruments of the old type may be reverted to for their special interest. King David's pipes, probably used not by the king, but the young ladies who danced before him when he was tired of going to war and de- sired amusement. It consisted of two short reeds placed side by side with parallel stops. Each pait of stops was covered by a finger, which by being tilted the corresponding sto} of the right or left ree could be both. Thus could play eight notes while the other hand held the drapery in dancing. How he must have enjoyed it THE GREEK DIALOS was a less convenient instrument, for, in its use, the danseuse had to hold and play a flageolet in each hand. One would suppose, however, that she had become quite au fait with it judging by the animation of her move- ments, facilitated, no doubt, by the lightness of her costume. ‘One could hardly get along with collecting or describing such things without introducing Chinese grotesaueness. There is hardly an instrument in China that is not such. Those of Siam, India and Japan are almost always artistic and picturesque, if odd. Here i Chinese horn. In tonic effect it has no merit. ‘The snake charmer’s pipes in possession of the museum has been in use and charmed serpents, too. It has a most singular note, by reason of one reed being made of thicker wails than the other and the bulb containing a pith ball that cms at random to stop for an instant, nowone and now the other. The cobra seems to become entirely confused with the broken and uncer- tain intervals, and finally succumbs and may be picked up and handed around among the andience. ‘THE BANA SIXG4 from India isa beautiful horn both in con- struction and tone. It is of bronze, has a mel- low effect, which is influenced to the extent of there spreading the fingers more or less. It's also provided with stops ‘Transcript. Deacon Jones—“But, my dear man, cannot you and your wife agree to live in mony?” | 3 SCENES IN CONGRESS. Bellum Days. TO FREE DISTRICT SLAVES. Of | The House Unable to Organizefor the Twen- ty-slath Congrese—Mr. Adams’ Way Out of the Dificulty—To Honor L’Eafant’s Mem- ery—Mr. Barlow's Kemains. ‘Written for The Evening Star. ¥ ALLUSION TO THE ACTION OF MR. Adame in deposing the clerk of the House of Representatives in the organization of the Twenty-sixth Congress had escaped the memory of some of your- readers, av [am informed by “correspondent, and therefore I will give the incident as related to me by an actor in that exciting scene. There were at that session five contested seats from the state of New Jersey, which in the division of the House, then so close, became important factors in the organ- ization, and the clerk, assuming a power which wae denied by Mr. Adams and other members of Congress, placed on the roll only one mem- ber of Congress from New Jersey, whose seat was uncontested. The clerk said he would not undertake to decide between the contestants. The failure to call the names of the five mem- bers from Now Jersey who held the governoi cetificate would the organization of the House of Representatives to the Democrats, andas the clerk of the House (Hugh A. Gar- land, -,) was a democrat, it was charged he expect in his position under a democratic organization. The proposition of the clerk to exclude the five members from New Jersey from the roll call, though they held the governor's certificate, gave rive toastorm and bitter debate, which lasted un- til 4 o'clock of the first day, when the motion to adjourn was made, but the clerk refused to put tke motion because the House was not or- anized. There wase determination to adjourn, jowever, and many members left the house. The next day and the next the debate in the unorganized body went on and many resolu- tions were offered, which only increased the confusion. Mr. Adams was called upon to lead the House out of this snarl. He refused at first, but said if ho did ao he should advise the House to crganize themselves. He declined to interfere, however, but the following day, the 5th of December, after there had been a length- ened debate, Mr. Adams was recognized by the and turning to the House, said: “Fellow citizens and membore-elect of the Twenty-sixth Congress of theUnited States,” and then proceed- ed to point out the effect of the two decisions of the clerk and called upon the members in the name of the people of the country and of mai kind to organize themselves and to secure decision. He offered a resolution ordering the cleric to call the members from New Jersey who held credentials from the governor of the state. ‘The question “as raised, “Who will put the motion ” Mr. Adams stepped forward and applause, and Mr. Khett of South offered and puta motion that Mr. Adams act as chairman. ‘The motion was carried, and ap- plause again rung through the hall, and Mr. Adams was conducted to the chair. Several days of debate followed and frequent ballot- ings, but the whigs and the opponents of the administration united to elect the Hon. R. M. ‘T. Hunter of Virginia Speaker. The whig party at that time was very largely represented in both the House and Senate, and the opposition to the administration of Mr. Van Buren was in- tensified by the financial condition of the coun- try, which was in some measure caused, indeed wholly, as the whigsclaimed, by the removal of the deposits and the destruction of the United States Bank years before under Gen. Jackson, and the adoption of the monetary system of Mr. Van Buren's administration. That cause in a great measure secured the election of Gen. Harrison the following year. TO EMANCIPATE BLAVES IN THE DISTRICT IN 1861. met a fewdays ago a gentleman whose name atone time resounded throughout the country in connection with the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia. Gen. James M. Ashley of Obio, in the first session of Congress after theelection of Mr. Lincoln, in- troduced that bill, which was but one short section,enacting “that slavery and involuntary servitude should cease in the Distriet of Co- lumbia from after the passage of this act.” The committee on the District of Columbia, to which the bill was referred and of which Gen. Ashley was a member, was presided over by the late Roscoe Conkling. ‘The excitement the introduction of this bill caused was very great. It was regarded as a declavation of war against the south and the institution so intimately connected with wy ¢ pe ‘was thought to be inseparable. Tie bill troduced by Gen. Ashley “miade. No provision for the compensation of the ownera of this description of property, which was recognized by the Constitution, and Mr. Chase sent for Gen. Ashley and suggested the intro- duction of a bill which would provide for the Payment of €300 a head for slaves to loyal siaveholders, Mr. Chese said Mr. Lincoln would not approve the bill unless such provi- sion was made and desired Gen. Ashley to see the President and, if possible, prepare such a bill as would command the necessary votes of both houses of Congress and the active sup- port of the adminstration. *Mr. Chase also said Mr. Lincoln was seriously consider- ing the practicability of | compensat- ing the border ‘states if — they would take the initiative and emancipate the slaves. Gen. Ashley saw the President on the fol- lowing day, about the 7th or 8th day of March, 1861, and it was agreed that Gen. Ashley should askfor the appointmentof a Senator, on the part of the Senate District committee, to unite in framing a bill upon which the committees of the House and Senate would report favorably, and which would have the President's ap- proval and the support of as many of the Rep- Fesentatives from the border states aa could be induced to vote to “tinitiate emancipation,” as Mr. Lincoln expressed it. Senator Lot M. Morrill of Maine was appointed, and with Gen. Ashley prepared the bill as outlined by the President and Mr. Chase. One millfon of do was ap to pay for the slaves of “loyal owners" at a price not. to exceed per head, as agreed upon. The bill was Teported from the committee on the Dis- trict of Columbia on the 12th of March, 1862, and on lth of April, 1862, the bill as amended by the Senate passed the House by a vote of 92 in favor of to 38 ugainst it and at once secured the signatnre of the President. A commission was appointed to take testimony and decide on the value of the property to be paid for, and the Hon. Horatio King. Hon. Samuel 'F. Vinton of Ohio and Mr. Goodloe were appointed on the commission. As an appraiser to determine the value of the slaves emancipated Mr. Campbell, who was engaged in slave dealing on a very ‘large scale, wus te- lected and performed’ the duty with such di crimination as was satisfactory to the owners and the commission. ‘The action of Congress was a ve relief to the owners of slaves in the District of Columbia, for they were of little value, wud in the case of many families they would gladly have set them free but that law then in existence forbade it unless de- Ported from the surrounding states. This feature was an abhorrent one, for the city was their home, as it was ours, and the feudal at- d tachment existing between these families the slaces they had reared cannot be understood out of the states where slavery existed. ANOTHER EXCITING SCENE IN THE HOUSE. One of the most exciting scenes witnessed in the House of Representatives was detailed to me by Gen. Asbley in my interview with him. Following up his success in abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia Gen. Ashley, on the lith of December, 1868, introduced a proposition to amend. the Constitution, abol ishing slavery in all the states and territories of the nation, and it was referred to the eom- i On the 15th of tutional amendment, and it was defeated by & vote of ninety-four for it and sixty-five it, Before vote was announced his vote that he might ent s for ral ‘On the 28th of June, Mr. Holman of Indiana asked “if an in from Ohio intended to call up tbat motion to reconsider at the 1 session,” Gen. Ashley rephed he Shar mmenseneg ees aes ngress, bu e coun! in the presidential election on ‘the — by the bill to amend the Con- a Eroitement at ‘the Capitol in Ante- eit Se EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON, D.C. SATURD. 12 | Resulta of Intelligent Observation success e ‘measure, was most anxiously watehod. The first democrat to manifest a change of heart was the Hon, Archibald Mc- excused himself snnounced on the motion to lay the motion to reconsider on the table it was known from our tally sheets that the vote needed two votes for necessary two-thirds. ‘The second vote was on “the motion to reconsider,” which would bring the House to a direct vote on the passage of theamendment, ‘The excitement grew more and more intense, and when the result of the second vote was announced itlacked one vote of the requisite two-thirds. At this announcement many of tho friends of the measure throw down their tally sheets and admitted defeat. ‘The roll call began on the'final vote and as every name was called and its response was waited for with breathless anxiety. At its conclusion Fesult was known by the private tally sheets before its announcement by the Speader, and when that was made, 119 yeas to 56 nays, it was some moments before the House or gal- laries recognized the fact that tne amendment had triumphed. When they did Fecogaize i however, a shout went up from the floor an Galleries and the vast audience rose to its feet, many members jumping on their desks with shouts and waving of hate and handkerchiefs. It was seene never before witnessed in that hall, and never, I presume, will be witnessed again. When order was at last restored the late Clark Ingersoll of Illinois said: “Mr. Speaker: In honor of ‘this sublime and immor- event I move that this House now adjourn.” IN HONOR OF L'ENFANT. Ex-Postmaster General Don M. Dickinson delivered some time since a lecture on the social life of Washington, and in it he alludes to Judge Augustus B. Woodward, who was judge of the territorial supreme court of Michigan, appointed by Mr. Jefferson from the District of Columbia. Judge Woodward and Maj. L'En- fant wore great friends here in the early part of this century. In 1804, when Detroit was laid in ashes, Judge Woodward, appreciating the beauty of L’Enfant’s design of Washington, had the time plan adopted upon which to rebuild De- troit, and, as Mr. Dickinson said in his lecture, “to L'Enfani's dream of beauty Detroit owes ite own beauty.” Que of the principal avenues of Detroitisnamed after Judge Woodward, butin Washington there is ,no recognition of the eminent engineer officer, L'Enfant, the friend and companion of Washington, whose name surely should be perpetuated in one of its parks or avenues, which owe there existence to bis genius. Mr. Dickinson says: “Detroit was modeled on Washington, Washington on Ver- sailles and Versailles, according to an old re- ort, was modeled after a cobweb.” Let there some recognition of the man whose plans lay buried for so long a time in the office of the commissioner of public buildings, to which Washington is indebted all its beauty. JEFFERSON'S LOVE OF TREES AND FLOWERS. An extract from a letter written by a Euro- Pean traveler speake of Mr. Jefferson's unoffi- cial services rendered in the improvement and beautifying Washington. He says: Al- most everything that is beantiful in the arti- ficial scenery of Washington is due to Mr. Jef- ferson's taste and industry. He planted its walks with trees and strowed its gardens with flowers. He was rarely seen returning from his daily excursions on horseback without bringing some branch of tree or shrub or bunch of flowers for the embellishment of the infant capital. He was familiar with every tree and plant from the oak of the forest to the lowliest flower of the valley. ‘The willow oak was among his favorite trees, and he was often seen standing on his horse to gather the acorns from this tree. He was preparing to raise a nursery of them, which, when large enough to give shade, should be made to adorn the walks and avenues in the city. In the meanwhile he planted the Lombardy poplar, being of sudden growth, contented that,thoagh he could not enjoy their shade, his successors would. Those who have stood on the western ortico of the Capitol and looked down the lovely avenue, a mile in length, to the White He m struck with the beautiful colonnade of trees which adorns the whole distance on either side. These were all planted under the direction of Mr. Jefferson, who often joined in the-task with his own hands, He always lamented the spirit of extermination Which had swept off the noble forest trees that overspread Capitol Hill, extending down to the banks of the Tiber and the shores of the Poto- mac. He would have converted the grounds into extensive parks and gardens. “The loss is irreparable,” said he to a European traveler. ‘Nor can the evil be prevented. When I have witnessed such depredations I have wished, for @ moment, to bea despot, that in the possession of absolute power I might enforce the presery- ation of these beautiful groves that Washing- | ton might have the noblest parks and the most beautiful gardens of any city in the world.” If those who did so much for the beauty of Washington could look down and see the strides it has made in realizing all its founders and beautifiers designed they would find their labors had not been in vain. MR. BARLOW’S REMAINS. ‘The death of Mr. Samuel 8. L. Barlow will, it is feared, prevent the action of Congress in bringing back to this country the remains of his distinguished relative, Mr. Joel Barlow, whose name is inseparably connected with the early diplomatic history of the United States. Mr. Joel Barlow was a resident of this city dur- ing the early part of century and built “Kalorama,” so well known and admired ana which now, with the improvements which sur- round it, form some of the most attractive of our numerous suburban homes. Mr. Barlow, after an eventful life in Europe, taking part in the political events in France, where he was a coniiiate for the national assembly in 1793, re- turned to America, retired to his beautiful home, intending to devote his life to literary pursuits, in which he hed won distinction by his ‘Columbiad,” “Hasty Pudding,” &. The unsettled condition of our affairs with France gave him much concern. His long res- idence in that country and the breadth of country which was threatened induced the gov- ernment to recall hi ym his retirement and send him as minister to France in the year 1811. Through his diplomatic skill the ‘treaty had been agreed upon which settled the nding affairs, but as Napoleon was in Russia, Poinvited Mr’ Barlow to'meot him at Wilna, Poland, where he would exchange ratifications. Mr. Barlow left Paris to meet the emperor, but on reaching the Russian borders found the French retreating from the burning city of Moscow. He was enveloped in the armies and the consequent exposure and trials to which he was subjected resulted in his death at Yar- misica, Poland. Itis to be hoped that the remains of so distinguished a citizen of our country, whose life was sacrificed toa duty imposed upon him by his government, will be brought back to rest in hia native land, anda suitable monument erected as a testimonial of his coun- try's gratitude. Kalorama was subsequently the home of Col. George Comford, chief of the ordnance de- rtment, and one of the heroes of the war of Taiz, Asa visitor to Kalorama during Col. Bomford’s residence came Count itumford, whose scientific attainments obtained for him the title of nobility, through an American citi- zen ‘Thompson. Joux F. Corte. eee ‘Too Many Societies. vase An old colored -preacher was asked how his church was getting on and his an: “Mighty poor, mighty poor, brudder.” “What in the trouble?” and he replied: “De 'cieties, ‘cities. Dey is jest drawing all de fatness an marrow outen de body an’ bones ob de blessed Lord's body. We can't do nuffin’ wid out de Dar is de Lincum 'iety, wid Sister Jones and Brudder Brown to run it; Sister ‘Williams mus’ march in front ob de Daughters of Rebecca. “Den dar is de de Mar- thas, de, Daughtersof Ham and de ‘Liberian Ladies.” “Well, you have the brethren tohelp to de "Sloscas, de Off ellers te Senne am el klahoma Promised id er Was: brudders pays al "tends allde meetin’s, dere is nuffin’ left for Mount Church but de cob; de corn hhas been off whee dese speckled chickens.” ATTRACTIVE HOMES. and Good Memory. EXQUISITE BITS OF CHINA. Oyster Plates and Sets With Handsome and Artistic Dpcorations—Dainty Cups and San- cers—Desk Furnishings, Bon Bon Boxes and ‘Other Novelties for Ornament and Use, Written for The Evening Star. T IS WELL TO ENLARGE OUR IDEAS ss much as possible in all directions and when we are interested in any special subject to take all the means possible to inform our- selves upon it, and by comparison and study to increase our knowledge of the theme. Observation can be trained so that the most may be obtained from what comes before our notice, and memory can be trained so that our stady may be made available when the text book is removed. Both are good brain exer- cise, as weil as profitable in other ways. A woman who has this training gets much more out of what she sees than a more careless observer, both in present pleasure and interest ‘end in the future availability of what may bave come in her way. Especially is this noticeable when one visits another city, possibly larger and with moro to interest eyes and thoughts in consequence. Where one woman is bewildered by the multiplicity of objects continually brought to her consciousness, another, in & casual observation, immediately assimilates what is of perpetual interest to her disposition and habitual thought and aftera glance ignores the rest, not taxing her memory beyond the cial points of interest, and in consequence she has a distinct and lasting impression of what she has seen and liked, letting indifferent matter slip by without a trace behind. In our large cities there are always fresh and beautiful things to be seen that give pleasure even inthe seeing and when possession fol- lows are a lasting good. PRETTY THINGS IN CHINA. Among the ever-attractive, always-interest- ing. things, to women especially, pretty china holds its own; in the large establishments one finds so much, both in quantity and variety, that to select the choice, even mentally, often fatigues, though pleasurable in a way. The other day, however, in neighboring city, I came upon a little shop with only one show window, but that window so tastefully ar- ranged, displaying such lovely objects in deco- rated china, with absolutely not one bit of trash there, or any that were untasteful, that I stopped to look and admire. mone side of the window asolid’wall, next the adjoining building, made a s:able back- ground to shelves loaded with pretty pieces of the dainty porcelain. The shelves were of dark wood, cherry or dark red in color, and their supports were gold and white candlesticks of the ever.pleaviug pillar shape; several shelves, arranged one above another, vaught my eye first by'the novelty and pretty effect, Jisplay- bigot candlesticks as well as what they up- el 4 HANDSOME SET OF OYSTER PLATES. In a line hung against the inner glass was ect of oyster plates, making a perpendicular row. The china was Berlin, with the tiny pink roses closely sprigged over them and with heavy gilding on the irregular edges. They were charming not only from the decoration, but also from their size and shape. The usual oyster plate with its indentation for six oysters is go large and formidable look- ing that it not specially pretty. Those hold- ing five oysters are better, but these dainty ones of pink, white and gold only had four re- ceptaclos and were of small size and looked much more attractive in consequence. From them my eyes roved to a set for a writing table, more cotpplete than I have ever found before, and arranged 80 as to enhance their prettiness. On these picces violets wero the decoration, in natural coloring, the purple artistically soft- ened a little, scattered singly about, here and there aleaf’ or stem differing from its next neighbors. The inkstand, of course, wasa prom- inent piece, as well as tho small candlestick for the taper und the box for matches, but in addi- tion was a paper cutter and penliolder, all of the same pretty style. ‘To set on desk also, either for letters received or for note paper and envelopes, was a letter box of the usual shape, shallow and rather high, with the back coming up still higher in a point. I said this was to set on the desk, but it may hang on the wall near if de- | th sired, for there is a little hole in the china for this purpose. Later it is expected that blot- ters will be added of this same decoration, though now there is only one style in which they can be found, and that is Dresden. Sych acomplete and pretty outfit in china for a desk is something that’has been sought for be- fore, but seemed ail but unattainable. PHOTOGRAPH FRAMES. As an accompaniment, though not regularly belonging to the set, are photograph frames, both for one and two pictures, mounted with a standard back, the frames having irregular edges, both outer and inner. These, hke the letter boxes, are a decided novelty, and on going inside’ the shop the salesman ‘told me there was a great demand for them, as they alone import them. Again, Ihave the salesman’s word, they are not likely to be spoiled by quantity. ‘These frames are ina number of decorations, several pink ones being especially pretty. ‘They range in price from €4.50 to about $7. Another desk set with the pink roses was by the one with violet decorations and even pret- tier to most people. ‘The little store inside proved fully as attractive as its window prom- ised, with all the pretty waros as tastefully ar- ranged as possible. | Odd pieces were made specialty, both in the sense of novelty and of not belonging. to sets. Beautiful cups and saucers were there. too, the Berlin china show- ing some charming examples, small tea cups on three era feet being among the prettiest, though these are found most treacherous in the using, a8 they slip so in the saucer. Four times in different places have I seen the con- tents of such cups make havoc with costumes or furnishings and have foresworn their use, but all the same they are temptingly pretty in looks. BON BON BOXES. Among the other novelties are bon bon boxes in Delft in the shape of violins, sedan chairs and still others of Italian faionce shaped like a larze flour de lis. There are also large hanging vases of this form also, which this same firm made a specialty of at Newport the st season. Other training vases are of the Italian ware, with flowers and a ribbon seemingly holdin, the folds together as if a half handkerchie! foundation. In Dresden. one of the new pieces was the little tea cuddy with inner lid and the familiar but still favored little gay flowers and filigree gold borders. These are €2.25 and apretty style for 5 o'clock tea tables. In toilet articles there were many pretty shapes, some the same that the few years past have brought and some novelties. Trays, boxes, candio-~ sticks—tall and low—were in great variety, but all unusually pretty. Other shops’ later showed many beautiful things, but they had to be separated from much that was not 80 attractive. Bon bon boxes, articles that could be used equally well for jewel boxes, abound in fanciful styles; in Delft come some oddities in small chirs whose seats area box lid tiny tablee and ower holders equally novel. A well with crank that tur, the well @ bowl shaj for the flower. is ons ancient chariot -with holds a small well DAINTY CUPS. In cups the newest is the first empire a tall slender affair, with a flaring rim and in- 4 i sak cogil ‘See = ae! 81, 1891-SIXTEEN PAGES. vases for flowers or anything one fancies, are $8.50 ana have several different designs in their lecorat Dresden china for table use is in an' rich and elaborate decoration; vn bowl, low vegetable dishes, fruit di plates i all gol dainty small aud delicate grayish leaves in tho center. Somo low dishes suggesting leaves in shape, in royal Worcester, are very pretty for celery, being long narrow. pe sn ME, AND MRS. BOWSER, ‘Mr. Bowser Gets Another of His “Streaks' on From the New York World. All husbands are “streaky.” They’ will run slong all right for a week or two as good as pie and then all of sudden and with no valid excuse they will break out in the most surprising manner. When Mr. Bowser left the house after lunch the other day he was in great good humor and stopped to say: “I think I'll stop and get tickets for the theater tonight and we'll put in an enjoyable evening.” When he returned at 6 he ascended the steps with a scuff! scuff! scuff! unlocked the front door, gave it a kick and made his way into the back’ parlor to growl: “Mrs. Bowser, do you pretend to run thie house on a system?” “Why, what is wrong, dear?” she queried in repiy. "there's lote of things wrong! I. had scarcely left the office when this overcoat but- ton came off. I laid this last May, and you've had fi that button.” “But I didn't know it was loose. Why didn't you tell me?” “Why haven't I told you ten thousand other things that ought to be done? There are wives who glance at their husband’s clothing once or twice a year and discover what repairs are needed, T want adarning needle anda piece of ring.” % it I'll sew the button on.” “No; I'll do it myself. I don't want to take up your valuable time.” And despite Mrs. Bowser's entreaties and protestations he threaded the needle with a pisce of striug and sat down and sewed on the utton. He got it an inch out of line with the button hole, of course, and of course it wouldn't have stayed five minutes in any event, but he had carried his point. When he had laid the coat aside he asked: “Have we got abrad awl anda piece of waxed In the honse?" — think so, What do you want of mend my suspenders, of course. [hadn't hundred feet from the house this noon when it busted on me as usual. If there's another house in the United States run like this one I'd like to hear of it and go and sit down on the doorstep for half an hbar. Perhaps I can repair it with a piece of clothes line until Ican get downtown agaiu.” “But you cen’t blame me, Mr. Bowser,” she )h, of course not; you are not to blame for anything!” 4 “But how did I know mnder was a your suspe ready to bi “That's all right, Mrs. Bowser! I'll get a piece of clothes line or barbed wire and make Tepairs and you needn't worry at all! There wives and wive: “Are we going to the theater?” she asked as he began pacing up and down the room with his hands under his coat tails. hat?” he shouted in a voice which jumped the cat out of the room. to the theater?” “Theater! Theater! Huve you gone crazy? Mrs. Bowser, look-a-there, and “then theater to me!” He unlaced one of his shoes and kicked it off, and there, at the end of his big toe, was a hole al it as big as a nickel. [was intending to go to the theater,” he said as he stood and pointed at the hole, “but Ican't getaway this evening. I have got to stay home and darn my socks. That hole sete has started a corn on my toc this very da: “Mr. Bowser, those socks were bran new yes- terday morning when you put them on!” exclaimed Mrs. Bowser with @ good deal of energy. “Oh, of course! I probably cut that hole with the shears! I want a darning needle and some string or something. As long as I've got to take care of my clothes through the rest of my life I might as well begin tonight.” irs. Bowser protested, but he threaded a darning needle with a piece of red string and used up abou: eight feet of ‘it in darning the hole. He appeared to be growing good na- tured, and she ventured to ask: “Aren't we to go to the theater tonight?" may.” “If we get through in time we “Get through with what?” “Mrs. Bowser,” he said, as he remo coat and turned his back, “look at the my vest!” see it, but what's wrong?” “Wrong! wrong! Is there a buckle there? Put on your glasses and tell me if you can find & buckle anywhere on the back of my vest.” “No, I don’t seo one, but this is the first time you have called my attention to it.” “Exactly. What was the use? That buckle Dusted off three years ago last iving day, and yet you haven't noticed it! Is there s spare buckle kicking around the cellar or hanging up in the garret? If not I suppose Ican heat the stove poker and bend it up to answer. “You only got that vest three months hid ut » bucl wed his back of Mr. Bowser, and the tailor never on!” she exclaimed as she pulled at the strap. “And this coat, Mrs. Bowser.” he went 01 regardless of her protests, “‘feel in this pocket! There's a hole there large enough toleta cocoa- nut through! I've known it for years and years and I've been waiting to see if vou would ix it Have we got a piece of bed cord and half a yard of old Brussels carpet lying around?” “Why didn’t you tell me about it?” “Tell you! Must « husband be eternally tell- ing his wife about these things? What's a wife for? What are her duties? What shoulda fond, true wife delight in? Button off—hole in my sock—no buckle on my vest—hole in my ket—two buttons loose on my vest—bytton Boies ail tora out in my shirt! “Theater! Ret this evening, Mrs. Bowser! You can go, but 1 haven't time. After dinner I've got to get the hammer, gas pincers, saw, file, brace and drill, & package of rivets, screw driver, gimlet and a lot of glue and see if I can't repair some of the damages and get myself in shape to go to the office tomorrow. You can go and youl prob- shly eajor tha yay ant hanes: shall v unavoidably detained ined, Mra. Bowser!” ——_ +e ___ IT WAS A WARNING, Not Quite Palpitation of the Heart, bat Nearly as Bad. From the-Evening World. The other day blithesome young man made wildrash up the stairs atthe Brook- lyn end of the bridge to catch a train which wam't there. Among those who noticed that voi nj he looked pale and nerveless after the effort | the wasa man with a sympathetic face, and he walked up to him and said: ee time, but oni 4 ROMANCE 1N BEAL LIFR — Walker in the Mexican War. OXE WAS KILLED, THE OTHER CAME OUT UF- ARMED AXD FOUGRT THROUGH THE WAR OF ‘THE REBELLION—AaN ENGAGEMENT BY PROXT DECLINED—ALIVE AND UNMARRIED. ‘From the regions of western Maryland there ‘drifts to Tae Stan the details of a romance in real life. The story has come to light through # statement made in a recent issue of Tux Stam in one of Mr. him to write the record of one ef the men mentioned in the article. Mention was made of Capt. Sam'l H. Walker, One of the most intrepid and heroic cavaliers on the American side in the Mexican war, and # list of his men was given. It was among that Uist that the resident of Cumberland found the names of two of his old friends whose experi ences form the basis entertaining remin- taining remai men were Sami and Samuel McCleary. When the war with Mexico was declared McCurdy was a merchant in Granteville, beautiful mountain village land, with a declining business and with. fm Germany There ts a Very Intimate Com + From the Obseago Times. “Cigars and cigarettes are cosmopolitan, bet * pipe represents a race.” No one can doult it who watches & German smoke. His seles- tion of « pipe is no small matter. He has gone through all the gradations im the art of smoking—end itis an art in Germany—ayd gets to bis pipe about the age of forty. It Decomes the comfort of the middle age and tho darling of the old. It is fondled and Stroked and praised in no unstinted style. Tt is the inseparable companion of the hearth- Stone, and neither house, beer or story paper oan dethrone it, ‘One can always tell the bent of » man's mind by his style of pipe. The picture on the bow! is ususliy the epitome of the smoker's youth. Should it be the head of the Teigning emperor be sure that patriotism is the Fuling passion, and if it bears picture of © wooded mountain side, skirted by 0 Fiver, surmounted by a high tower, with the ruins of « feudal castle, and the inscription: “Alt Heidelberg du the smoker is gallant as well as patriotic, recog- nizes and enjoys life when he sees it So dose he who selects the girl with the wine aed a the ineeription: “Wer Liebt Nicht Weib, Wer reeverance to restore it to its former condi- | “4 Geesang?” The memory of his youthful pleasures comes Ree ere ea had, moreover, fallen in love without any ap- parent chance of his affections being recipro- cated. He was bright, Antetigont, qullant, with *& fine presence, yet charmer a aloof. ‘She 7 ret she had fears for the future and rejected suit Then came a chance for the disappointed lover to enlist, win glory on a foreign field and return to claim attention with the halo of a warrior's deeds about him. this in the neighborhood. Samuel McCleary, sturdy, handsome young stage coach driver, had likewise found an unresponsive object of love. He drove on the oli National road, which was then the thoroughfare over the mountains, and his was a familiar figure in the country round about. ran in the direction of the fair daughter of a wealthy hotel keengr, well educated and cultivated. Si was the acknowledged belle of the neighbor- hood. McCleary, of course, was of a humbler station in life, but true to the adage that love knows no bounds, he did not despair, but made his advances, which were not met with any degree of response. There was no repulse, but the siege was raised, to be renewed under other circhmstances. BOTH ENLISTED UNDER WALKER. It was in the middle of March, 1847, that the gallant Capt. Walker came riding through the Cumberland region in scarch of recruits for the Mexican campaign. McCleary was ripe for ad- venture and he joined. It had been agreed be- tween bim and McCurdy, they being fast friends, that they should enlist together, but McCurdy was away from home at the time, and on his re- turn, hearing of the enlis:ment of his friend, he followed the command across the country to Newport, Ky., where he, too, joined the com- pany. McCleary was a great favorite with the com- mander, a good fellow in every way, the soul of honor, and one of the bravest soldiers ever under fire. He was always at the front with Walker, and when they fell they were together in the van. The two Marylanders did not seek sheltered laces in the campaign. They were there for hting and for glory, and they knew that it must be sought at the fore. Walker's rangers gave them ample opportunity for active work, for this gallant band was the first to dash for- ward into dangerous places and do desperate deeds. They went into the battle of Humantla together, and but one of them came out—Me- Curdy. ‘It was a fierce fight, though the num- bers were small on each side. McCleary fell with his captain, pierced by many Mexican lances, and was buried on the field. McCurdy went on and passed through all of the battles of the Valley of Mexico without a wound beyond a scratch from one of the pecu- liar copper-covered balls used by the Mexican forces. He was present at the final capture of the capital, and then, with a company of 300, he volunteered to go down to Vera Cruz with the first train of sick and wounded. On bis re- turn to the city he was selected by the com- mandant of the City Guard as his clerk, being ‘an excellent penman. The capitol buildin was made the lieadquarters of the invaders an from there McCurdy wrote at times to his old friends in Maryland on the magniticent letter Daper of the fallen government, with ite great cont of arms emblazoned at its head. None of theeo letters have been rved, but they told of interesting incidents of the occupation. One of them was important. It went to Tue Sran’s informant, asking him to do one of the most delicate acts that one man ever did for another. AN ENGAGEMENT BY PROXY SOUGHT. Accompanying the letter was ® handsome ring, sparkling with diamonds, and the direc- tions were that B— should place it upon the appropriate finger of Mise “Chat,” as Me- Curdy's distant sweetheart was called among her friends. This was to be with the under- standing that when the soldier returned from the war she was to become his wife. Unfortunately, the lady objected. Though the proxy was well sustained and the mission was attempted with skilland tact she refused to accept the ring and with it the conditions. The prototype of John Alden urged her to give ® reason why she would not take the token and she replied: “I think you know the reasons.” Unhappily, he did not, and never did know why it was that McCurdy was not a favorite with her. The ; desperation, gi native beauty. ‘The war over, McCurdy came home, expect- ing to be greeted by his promised bride, but though she joined in the demoustrations of welcome that the town made, she remained as distant as ever. |For several yoars he remained in leghany county. He tried poli but, thoagh “be had hosts of friends "he web too ardent a whig to be successful, and be went out to California, where he was more success- fal in his political aspirations. He was finally elected to the legislature. At last he returned to the “states,” but for some years his where- abouts were quite unknown to ‘his old friends in the Cumberland region. ENLISTED IX THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. When the war of the rebellion broke out he was awakened into a new life and he enlisted and served throughout the contest asa private soldier from Penusylvania, from the first gun to the final surrender. He kept his shoulder for the musket and not for the strap, and he was mustered out with the same rank that he had at first. HcCurdy is still hving, nearly seventy-three years of age, at the home for disabled volun- teers at Hampton, Va., drawing a month for his services in the 5 He never married or wished to do so unless “Chat” might change her mind, which she did notdo. She is also living, sixty-five years of near New York, unmarried. “The girl whom McCleary left. behind him in time married a clergyman from Alal where she went to live, but ina few years she Srar’s informant, he is as young and frolicsome as he was forty Years ago. HOW GEN. HARRISON CAUORT mIs COLD. ‘There is a matter of some historical interest connected with this tale of romance that may be appropriately told during the existence of “Young man, you ought to know better than | 2°" to rush upstairs like that. Have you got palpi- tation of the heart?” ~ = “N—no, sir.” “You look as whit?asa sheet and are trem- bling all over. Any of your family ever die of apoplexy?” “I'm all right,” replied the young man as he a way. “Iduuno about that. Shouldn’t wonder if Tomel or ‘something. Lat me foot at woot “T tell you I'm all right!” protested the Yivou may be, but what makes you look so _, Tee Foung man beckoned him aside and held “ONT on he bolioms of poct ten him, did not disdain him, | bas beon with cigar tips. Asa boy he helped to strip off the ends of Herr . & box of little dry yellow cigars would lie be side his plate. That day he would be cightees —he would begin to be a man. What jor! Of course, with the German boy the first smoke is ® family affair, and if not as epi @s the stolen smokes of the American you itis robbed of ite wickeuing effect by Herr Papa's watchful care. The cigar ix light as straw, clean and fragrant, barmics: as a stiek of candy. During the first yoars of his experience the German young mau smokes rather expensively Two-cent cigars are his limit, and thie i consid- ered pretty high life in Germany, where it is thought disloyal for an ordiuary citizen to allow his time or cigar bill to ron higher then Astatesman’s. It in said Bismarck keeps within the bounds of $6 for his. These two bent cigare are infinitely better than our high-priced ones, inasm tobacconist will not for any consider low a cigar to leave his store till it shall have been sensoned at least three or four mouties. Consequently the German youth castles of smoke fm the air all day injury to his beart or head or qualms of coa- science about bix nervous apparatus. When the young German becomes uyi- versity freshman be is apt to raise the price of bis cigars to a cent extre. Once in a day he takes a big curved pipe with the picture of » scantily clothed German beauty on the poros- lain Bowl and tries afew puffe—this not tre- quently. The pipe is oftener found on the wall in these days. In the days when students wore topboots and swords and fought pitched battles in the streets for a new fatheriand or students’ rights the great pipes wore trademarks of act ive university men. The active freshman eug- cumbs to the seduction of the two and one-balf cent cigar now. About the second freshman term, however, the student begins to cut down his « us tol ate five-piennig ciger—one cent of American cur- rency—yet the five-pfennig cigar is far from bad. It is about half as long ase man's middie finger, round and very thick in the middle. J* costs the dealer about 80 cents per 100. The Heidelberg dealer sells nothing cise; he caters only to students. An American would haves bad quarter of an hour unless provided with his favorite weed. The student becomes prosperous after har- ing been graduated: he takes again to two and one-half cent cigars, and smokes them till be reaches the age of forty or forty-five, when be ius his pipe-emoking career. ‘0 Understand how important the art of tmoking ie and what « large part it plays in the nation’s life one has but to look at the par- aphernalia of a German smoker, Every ove carries « cigar case, a cigar clipper, @ matoh sete and @ utde leather box for cigar |The cigar case is indispensable, Ry 4 cigars are #o dry they would crack to a carried loosely in the pocket. For ate reason the clipper is Wanted. Then the smoker wants to keep the tips. They are collected i a society nized for the purpose in enc! rovince gud are sold back to the manufactarer or the benefit of charitable institutions. Then & match tafe is necessary, since German et quettée forbids carr: auything—kuile, money, matchor—uncovered in the pocket. No wonder he resents any attempt at taxa- tion of tobacco. A whole group of industries are bound ap with the enjoyment of bis smoke, whether from a twoand one half-ceat cigar ut the Weichseivolz stem that he holds as dear as the wedding ring. ———_-e- ___ A MONTE CKISTO HEN, She Lays Eggs That Contain Copper an Silver Coins, From Harper's Young People. We have all been delighted more or less with the beautiful story of the goose that laid the golden eggs, but I fancy very few of us have really believed that euch a goose ever lived. Indeed, a bird capable of doing any such re- markable thing could not, in the nature of be a But with shen, which i ay ty gen quiet wisdom, fore, matters are different, and we are, there not surprised at the story that has lately come to us from Portland, N. ‘This story isa true one, and it is sbout « wonderful hen that laid an egg one morning in which was founda l-cent piece. The f lowing week she iaidan egg containing a 10 cent piece, and thea the story stopa. “ihe fu turg career of this particular chicken will be watched with considerable interest, for if she continues as she has started, multiplying the value of her eggs every week by ten, it will nob be long before she will lay the foundation of @ princely fortune. I have tried to find out upon what food thie Cesar among hens doth feed that sbe hath grown so great, but the owner of the fowl very reticent and refases to give me any infor, mation other than that I have given you. & suspect, however, that the creature has in dulged in an oceasional bit of mint, which grows wild in mans quarters of New’ Hamp shire. Whatever the food is, and however much it may cost, the hen certainly deserves all she wants of it. sedated Heart-Break. Ah, go with your cold, cold comforts It matters not what is said; ‘You cannot undo God's doing, You canuot resiure my dead! talk of the satnt!y patience, Yon counsel a holy quiet,— “The darling has gone to God" ‘The daring 1 kissed, I fondied,— darling is ander the sod!