Evening Star Newspaper, February 6, 1892, Page 12

¥ fo : THE EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON, D.C. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1892—SIXTEEN PAGES. MILITARY CENTAURS. How the Cavalrymen Practice Horse- manship at Fort Myer. RIDING SCHOOL EXERCISE! 4 Great Free Show in Daily Operation—Agile Men and Well-Trained Equines Kept in First-Class Condition — Instruction Amusement Interesting!y Combined. ONLY ONE-HALF [-: the people in Wash- ‘ington who annually spend a dollar or two to witness feats of bigh- grade horsemanship knew how much of a cir- cus is operating with open doors at Fort Myer there would be a crowd of| sight-seers crossing the | Aqueduct bridge si mornings a week. It is truly a great show and} the fact that each per- formance ix open to the | public without money and | without price should ap-| peal to the hearts of that great and growing multitude composed of those good folks who | never like to miss ansthing to which there is | no aimission fee. . The public moves with great Fapidity toward all things that may be had for | nothing and it might conscientiously journey to Myer, for there it ¢: for nothing than in all the region rox : More what? More true horsemanship, more uestrian ease and gracefuiness, more practi- information on proper combinations of | mankind and man # most useful friend. NO BETTER RDERS THAN CAVALRYMEY. Better riders than United States cavalrymen esnnot be found, and in ail the army it would Probably be hard to find an aggregation of Military centaurs who can surpass the troops at Myer. Two of those troops were exercised in the big riding hall at Col. Henry's post the Other day in the presence of aSrar reporter and a Srax artist. The troops would have been ex- ercised just the same had Tue Sran contingent Been absent. Every week day morning a de- tachment amuses itself and hardens its muscle fm that riding hall, and as a result men and horses are in first-class condition all the time. First to disturb the tan-bark floor yesterday morning were about four dozen attaches of K troop, ninth cavalry. One-half the number were men—most of them unmistakably Ethiopian in their origin: the other half was composed of black ses. There were no suddles on the animals, @ folded blanket and a surcingle being all that Antervened between the equine spine and the Feinforced trouser-bosoms of the troopers. ‘The rattle of military t ngs WAS not en- tirely absent, though, for the men wore sabe: and as the animals gallope! round and round ‘the ball any rider could truthfully y: “At each leap he could feel His scabbard of steel Smiting his stallion’s fank.™ Or words to that effect. CUTTING BrADs, “Cutting heads” was the tirst number on the rogram. Four posts were eet up in convenient Re tions, and on top of each was placed a leather-covered ball. Other and similar balls were on the floor in different places and the trick was to displace those “heads” by the rapid and accurate movements of arm and saber while the proprietor of the arm and custodian of the saber was moving along at a rapid gait en top of a lively horse. To the average ob- ferver in the gailery it would perlaps seem | easy, but in reality it is something just a little | bit more than difficult to make the circuit a| couple of times without missing three heads | eutoffour. A hurdle adds something to the Attractiveness of horse motion. Ten minutes of the head-cutting business satisfied Lieut. Perry. Lieut. Perry was the officer in command, and as he is white, of full age and duly commissioned by the President of the United States he was at liberty to change the program whenever he felt so disposed. In Fesponse to a few carefully selected and moder- ately vociferous remarks by him one-half the men dismounted and climbed up behind the ethers. Even with the double burden the horses went over the hurdle in a decidedly sat- istactory manner, showing their ability, should eccasion require. to take off the field men ‘Whose horses might be killed or disabled and who, but fcr such training as they receive daily, would have to walk. itis still an open ques- tion as to whether it is not easicr to walk in jergencies than to learn to ride double. ‘There was alternation of mounting and dis- Mounting, the horses being in motion all the time; frequently the motion was of a descrip- tion which could properly be denominated | commotion. After awhile each man mounted his own horse. Then he would dismount without foine rough the customary preliminary of iting his steed. As soon as he was dis- Mounted he wonld vault or attempt to vault bet the attempt was | ‘om the off side. | aplished while the horse was moving at fuil speed and some- | times. man would fail to do it while the ani- | ma! simply walked. Then followed a horse-throwing exhibition, | in which was made manifest the skill of the | troopers. The thrower stood on what a marine | would term the “starboard” side of bis horse | and after doubling up the foreieg as much as ossible pulled steadily on the off rein and | rought the animal gently to the ground. A| few of the horses objected to euch familiarity, | but their objections were withont effect on the general result—they all went down. THE INSTRUCTOR, LIEUT. PERRY. | An unconsciously interesting feature was | Lieut. Perry. He was selected for duty at Fort | Myer because of his remarkable ability as # horser: ndit must be evident to : who him in riding school is at home on any portion of his b Upper works. Most of the time he remained about the center of the hall, watching the evo- Jations of his pupils, and at’ no time did he sit fm the saddle. This may be partially if not e: tirely explained by the fact that he had no sad- die." He sat all over that horse, but his prefer- ence seemed to be fora location which would have but few cha ms for even the expert per- former who s represented on the big bille as Fiding sixteen horses at one time through four ‘ate and distinct rings in two diametri- caliy opposite directions. The average rider | and attractive portion of the proceedings, but would hardly care tosit—facing backward—Jjast where the cantle would be if the horse was saddled, yet Lieut. Perry seemed to do it from choice, with one knee drawn up and sap- ported by bands clasped in front of the exalted shin. , WRESTLING ON HORSERACE. For awhile the men moved around the ball “at will” ant time, Then the detachment wasdivided into two platoons and backed up to the side walls, One man was called out from each platoon and on as they could get at each other they hed and pulled and banled most vigorously in a series of endeavors to unseat each other. Couple after couple were thus selected until almost every one had shared in the exhilarating exercise. Some of the wrestlers were pos sessed of much skilland these put into practice any number of tricks that could come only by long experience. The horses entered into the contests with evidently intelligent zest. The men laughed and guyed each other as only good-natured negroes can. When the wrestling was over one man was ordered to pursue another and, if possible, to catch him with his right hand. It was not always possibl mounted on a steed that was apparently over- exerting itself without making any speed, while | the pursued bestrode an animal of the fleetest | Yarlete. ‘That chase might be in, progress yet, with the pursued about fifty miles ahead, the lientenant permitted it to continue. More pleasing than any other movements—to those who admire the poetry of motion—were | the simple evolutions of a columnof twos. Each | py, pair moved as though animated by one set of works, and they jumped the hurdle in perfect unison. The relatioaship between the colored trooper and his horse is more intimate than the acquaintance the average white soldier has with his “moun: WHITE CAXALRYMEN TARE A TURN. Assoon as the ninth’s delegation left the hall there came in a crowd from troop A, first cavalry. These men fairly represent the best grade of white cavalrymen and as their drill followed clovely after that of the brunettes it was not difficult to institute vomparisons. Per- haps it was the men and perhaps it was the horses, but as a matter of fact the animals were not so completely under the control of their riders ag were those bestridden by the negro tre er exercises formed a glittering the more interesting efforts came off when the sabers had been laid aside. There was more rapid riding than had been done during the earlier portion of the morning and the horses were decidedly spirited, but there was much less of the clever mounting and dismounting. A few men did some clever work, but the aver- age Was atrifle below the performance of K troop. Additional vivacity was given the scene by a brief contlict between a soldieranda horse. ‘The man started out on top of the animal, but just as the combination reached the center of the hall the horse developed an obtrusive look ing hump just beneath the blanket. Simul- taneously with the appearance of the co tortion the man landed on the tan bark on his It was an evolution not provided for in s, but it was done as neatly as though both members of the combination had drilled it through two or three terms of enlistment. CUTTING AND JUMPING. One of the taller head posts was set up at the right hand of a hurdle and the men rode at it singly. It is no easy matter to jump the hurdle and cut the head at the same time. but it was done. It would probably have been done more frequently had not so many horses refused the hurdle. One of the most obstinate in declin- ing the jump was a trumpeter's horse, and as a result he sneceeded in colliding with the post. The trumpeter was unhorsed, but neither he nor the post were injured.’ Occasionally a saber would fly out of its scabbard at an inop- portune time, and it would seem for an instant as though somebody must be impaled, but nothing of the kind happened. f The riding hall is occupied every morning from 9:30 until nearly noon. Three da; week, as on yesterday, two troops, or portions thereof, exercise therein; the alternate days belong to troop H, eighth cavalry. The drill is for the purpose of giving men and horses in- dividual contidence. It is a success. It is also a great performance. It doesn’t cost anything to witness. These two facts ought to make the riding hall at Fort Myer a popular resort. Sees, Her Evening Ont, From the Detroit Free Press. When Mr. Jones went home to supper the other evening Mra. Jones had not returned from a shopping expedition. This was so un- usual that he felt uneasy. But when the entire ing had passed. and she was still absent, he became greatly alarmed. In his own mind, he had informed the police and the mayor, and asked to have the river dragged, When Mra. Jones came home, she was tlished and radiant, and her eyes shone like stars. “Ob.” she said, sinking into an easy chair and sticking her feet oat straight before ber, “Tve had such a good tim “Maria,” asked Mr. Jo: have you bee: nm out with the girls, and I have come home sober, which is more than can be said of some folks i know. Maria, this is no time for trifling. Tell me atonce where you have been, or I shall take measures to find out for myself. “Merey me, dow t look s0 cross, Jeptha. I went shopping with cousin Kate and she in- sisted on my going home to tea with her. Then we both went over to see Mrs. Major's new dress from Paris, and as {was near my own sternly, “where racing and evidently having a plene-| @ dressmaker I went in to see her and borrow a paper — And who came home with you?" jousin Kate.” ‘And did she go back alone?” e wouldn't come in, eo T walked back and cousin Jolin came back with her “And did it take you till 10 o'clock at night todo that gadding about?” crose-questioned Mr. Jones. “Ob no, dear, we dropped in at Mrs. Blos- nd saw ber new bonnet and had some berry cordial, and I ran over to Mrs. Mancey s—I Was so near—and borrowed her recipe for snow pudding, and, oh, Jeptha. I saw the Smith twinlete—the sweet little things—a boy and a girl, or a girl and a boy, forget which, and on cur way home I iooked in—why, where are you going, Mr, Jones? I hav'nt told you half yet.” “Maria, I'm going’ down to see if our watch- man is on duty. If there were any other places that you visited, you can tell me to- morrow. I wonder you got home at all, 1 do.” ——_-eo— Love's Sacrifice. From the Clothier and Furnisher, First Chappie—“I proposed to Miss Somer- set last night.” Second Chappie— deab girl accept you: First Chappie ‘Yaas; ‘Deah me! and did the | still, this is midwinter and SCENES IN SINGAPORE. A Washington Naval Cadet Going Around the World. EAST INDIAN Their Marvelous Feats of Juggling on Board the U.S. S. Lancaster—Going Ashore—The Bustle on the Pier—The Governor's Park—A. Buddhist Temple. MAGICIANS. Correspondence of The Evening Star. U.S. S. Laxcasren, Srxaarore, December 21, 1991. IVE MILES FROM Singapore we were met by a crowd of Malay prows, each with its four half-naked row- ersand its coxewain in the stern, gray haired, turbaned, his steering paddle diamond shaped. Under the bamboo mat- ting arched over the center of the boat sat the compraders,solemn- looking Hindoos, dressed in bright-colored saronge, sashes and linen coats, with the gay fez on their heads, all anxious for the ship's custom. We In one case the pursuer was |*iled in past long lines of anchored merchant ships. some firing the United States fag, but, alas! far oftener that of England or Holland. Far inside the white hulls of the Hyacinth and the Rattler, two British gun boats, show up against the green ciiff, whose top is surmounted by the battery and ‘signal station. It is evening when We let our anchor go; ail the lights are showing brightly through the gathering dark- he lines of the shore grow gradually dimmer and finally fade away. Soon th» re- treat” sounds at the battery, followed by the man-of-war at anchor in the harbor. We must leave Singapore to the morrow. Early in the morning we start ashore. A long. iron pier juts out from the wharves to meet us; it is crowded with natives dressed in every con ceivable fasbion. Here is a Cingalese in pure white, his long hair held back by horned tor- toise-shell comb, the horns projecting forward over his forelead. He is talking in the uni- veraal language, the lingua franca of the East Indies—Malay--to a Chinese merchant in the familiar blue blouse and trousers, but whose head is adorned with a white derby hat, evi- dently ashamed of its present situation and striving to show it by a flimsy, deprecatory air. There pass a knot of Pooraks, with gay polo caps and linen trousers and coats. ‘They move forward as though they think themselves far above the half-naked Kling. with long hair swept back from the shaved forehead and crown. SCENES ON THE PIER. Walking down the pier we see over the rail close to the wharves the long, narrow, black cance of @ native Malay, who paddles swiftly over the smooth water. His attire is very sim- ple, only the inevitable sarong, with a long sash twisted around his waist, into which is stuck the famous kris, His head is unprotected save by a thick thatch of long, wavy hair, and im bearing and appearance he differs widel from the cringing Hindoos, who, together with the Chinese coolies, form the lowest laboring class, A tall sikh with an immense green and white turban keeps order at the end of the crowded pier. He wears a brown linen suit, with white gaiters, the regular British uniform for his regiment, and from his height of at least six feet two inches looks down with scorn on the short, puny natives. As we pass two Chi nese coolies engage in an altercation, which i soon settled by this excellent preserver of the public Papas In his massive right hand he grasps the pigtails of the two contestants and a witness and solemnly drags all three to the tion house. At the eager solicitation of their drivers we take a dak gharry, or, as they call it here, gharry, aud, telling’ the klingdyce to drive slowly, start off to see the town. These gharrys take the place of han- soms here and are small two-seated hacks drawn by little Jara ponies. ‘The Kling driver perches himself on the front of the gharry and, whipping up the horse, we are off. We pass the Hong Kong Bank, and through the open doors we see a long line of Chinese tellers counting the Mexican dollars before them and changing them for pounds sterling. ‘Taking a long roll of dollars in one hand they will drop them into the other, counting by’ the chink, chinkof the silver and instantaneously reject. ing a bad or short dollar. It 18 a rather odd fact that the standard here is the Mexican dol- | lar, which is divided into 100 cents about 75 cents in our money. The smaller money bears the head of Quéen Victoria, but the dollar shows the eagle, cactus and serpent of Mexico; the little republic is well known here. All the way up the coast the “Mexican” is legal tender and all English money must be exchanged for “Mexicans.” AN INTEKRUPTED SIFSTA. Itis hot, very hot, and not even the queor sights in the streets make up for it. We drive off toone of the large hotels, determined to follow the example of the acclimatized Euro- pean and take our siesta in peace. Lying stretched out on the comfortable lounging chairs on the veranda life appears to be de- | cidedly worth living, and Iam just dropping off into a delicious doze when I hear near me a gentle voice saying, ‘Master like bargain?” 1 Jook up and see before me a tall Hindoo with a large bundle of silks and shawls. One he holds up for my admiration. ‘Cashmere, master; only fourteen dollars.” I must adiit that I feel mad; one hates to be woke up, and to be woke up to buy suawls at extravagant pric too bad. Firmly and decidedly 1 sn ‘0 want, John; tal ‘Master think too much? What master give?” Driven to the wall, I examine it and say “four dollars.” “Four dollars, master,” with a cheerful lau; “master make joke; come, give me ten dollars, master,” and the enthusiastic scller forces it on me. I look it over and say boldly, “It’s cot- ton, John; no want,” and,reraembering certain warnings against Indian peddiers, throw it at | him. “John” picks it up cheerfully and re- turns to the char; ‘How much master ive?" “Four dollars.” “Give four fifty,mas- ‘Four dollars.” “Takey, takey, ‘mas- | 1” and I “takey,” confident that I have paid half again too much. A very short sojourn here makes one long for a land where tuings have “one price” and are “marked in plain fig- ae 4 § IN THE GOVERNOR'S PARK. Seeing no prospect of rest here we gather up our new purchases and seck our gharry, bid- ding the syce to take us toacool place if be knows of any, and soon we are on our way to the Goveynor's Park. We pass through the native quarter and here we sce the native shops, open as much as possible to the air. Bare, broken walls, a few scanty shelves on which an equally scanty stock is displayed, with fat brown children sprawling on the floor, mal up the picture. ‘The proprietor, seated’ cross- legged in front, is intent on tho arrangement of his turban; he unfolds it, shakes it and then folding it across, gutuers lis hair up in it; two quick twistsaround his head and it is complete. Merchants with Malacca canes, India shawls, scarfs and native jewelry of overy sort and description are met with at every foot of the way. Finally, we gain the European part of the town and our little pony soon trote | along a firm, well-built road lined on either side with pleasant cottages, sur- rounded by brilliant green foliage’ light- ened by bright tropical flowers. Our rond winds up gentie incline till we reach the iron gates of the park, left hospitably open, but only as the warning sign tells us, until 6 p.m. Fol- lowing a winding path and leaving on our left the governor's house, whose towers we can see, we reach the reservoir perched on top of the hill. ‘Two oblong stone basins hold the water. Standing on the brink we can sce nearly all of the city lying below. To our left is the Binga- re race course—the racing season begins at Rew Yoar—and farther sway le an old grave. yard. ‘Yo our right is the town and beyond lie the men-of-war and the hundreds of merchant vessels, ‘Tiuis is one of the largest ports in the world and forms the connecting link between the east and the west. 4 BUDDBIAr TEMPLE. Wo stand under an immense fan palm or ler's tree.” It does not give us much shade, however, 80 we are obliged to move into that of « locust tree, giving us a glimpse of the commerce of the world, ior & simple, private view, juat a charming cottage over the hill, half open to theair.a long porch covered with bright flowers and climbing vines running around all four xides and guarded by lofty palms and other and shadier trees. Weenvy the owner. the thermometer now stands at 88 degreesin the shade—a saving but I bwoke the] thought. On mature reflection we profer a cwease in my twousers, and I feel so badly | colder climate witbout a charming cottage about it.” Ip Apruicres Wrrn Scar Diseases, halt falling out and premature balduess, do not use or — preparations, but apply Hail’s fiarke sank in tropical foliage, but with pleasant, cool days, when the slightest exertion is not a distress. Turning away from all views, we re- b aorhea a g Revrdgisuah a to = o just a short distance from the pier, our start- ing poiat, is e native Mobammedan mosque | Then he raises the cloth and we see above the [strange to sa; and next to itn Buddhist temple. We stand in front of the temple and look through its open doors way down its long, pillared corridors. It is a shabby affair and its coat of stucco is very nearly threadbare, but it inspires us with re- spect as we see a poor Chinaman come up, kick off his shoes dhd timidly walk through the door. ‘The walis outside are adorned with fantastic dragons, and from every point si heads roject. Near us is a little booth on which is Uisplayed the stock of a seller of joss sticks and what are apparently but strips of red paper in- scribed with black characters. We are informed by an old priest in @ won- derful robe that we may enter if we remove our boots. On so hot a day we bardly think the game worth the candl cline the honor. Mo- hammedan mosque presents a still more unin- viting appearance, and we join our faithful syce to depart for new scenes. Down the next street we meet the gorgeous carriage of the Sultan of Jahose, with its foot- men dressed in scarlet _and gold, but with bare legs and feet. The sultan is, of course, under a British “protectorate,” but draws a fat pen- sion and enjoys life to his utmost. It is as well that he does, for be is very thoroughly ‘‘pro- tected.” IN THE BUSINESS STREETS. Here in the business streets of the town the crowd is very thick. Jinrickshaws drawn by perspiring coolies, bullock carts attached to the patient humpbacked Indian cattle, with a scantily clothed driver balancing himself on the pole, crowd one another through the narrow street. Suddenly there is # jam, one of the bullock carts is locked in and cannot move one way or the other. The driver beats the cattle and every syce, coolie, ‘rickshaw boy and native in the vicinity rushes upon the cart and beats the driver. A fat black police- man appears and he also starts to work to beat the driver. Finaily the oxen get ready to move and the cart lumbers on, and then, and not till then, do they stop beating the poor, patient driver. This may not bea very amiable remedy, Dut itis certainly used upon every occasion ere. Tired at last of sight seeing we return to the wharf and getting into a prow start for our ship. As we clear the pier and start out from the harbor the four oarsmen in front break into a wild, low chant, pitched in the monoto! that seems peculiar to savage melody. The o! coxswain in the stern dips the diamond-shaped pddle first ou one side, then on the other, keep- ing stroke with the oars. The chant forward ceases and the voice of the old coxswain takes up the refrain; again they answer him, and the sound so beguiles us as we lean back in the boat under our bamboo shelter that the ship is upon us almost before we know it. AN INDIAN JUGGLER. Down on the half deck an Indian juggler is performing. He is a lean old man, with pierc- ing black eyes and thin, nervous hands, ever in motion. In front of him is a little pile of gray sand lying on the bare deck and to his left is & large bag containing his paraphernalia; near it @ common wicker basket. Taking up a small lead ball he holds it up to us; a little cup is then shown aud laid empty upon the deck, holding the bail above bis bead he closes bis hand, mumbles some odd words, and presto! the ball 18 under the cup. Of course it is sleight of hand, but it is wonderfully quick. Every one, of course, wishes to see the famous mango tree grow from the dry seed. He assures us that it is for him “vera easy,” and he proceeds to his task. Taking from bis basket a dried mango seed he holds it up for inspection and then buries it in the sand heap. He then watersit carefully and taking his mantle covers the whole. Picking up his magic pipe from the deck he bends forward and croons over itan odd tune. ‘Then throwing down bis pipe he repeats several times with great ap- arent carnestness some words of Hindustani. gray sand heap afew green leaves just pro- truding. Again he waters it, bending over it as if it were a dying child, and then carefully covering it he picks up his pipe and walks around it with catlike steps,- playing the same queer tune. Hi again | fays hold of the cloth, gradually raising it as he repeats the incantation till we see a good- sized mango bush about three feet high with fresh green leaves. Digging itup h» shows us the root; to which fragments of the sand still clings, and stands befors usin triumph. How it got there is a mystery, for it certainly was not concealed on his person, as his clothing would not have conce sized mouse, much less a bush nearly three feet high. But he could also “show basket trick,” and would do 60; only he must get his wife,who wasalong- side. ‘While he was gone I took up the wonder- fal pipe and examined it. A seasoned gourd, one end open for a mouthpiece and the other, the neck of the gourd, joined toa picco of bamboo stalk fitted with holesas on a flute, composed this instrument, which is identical with that of the famous Indian snake charmers. THE BASKET TRICK. But the magiciun has returned, accompa- nied by his wife, resplendent with silver nose rings and bangles. Two small children formed the rest of his fami talented one, indeed, foreven the baby turned bandsprings, and, , enjoyed it. But the basket trick is what we were waiting for, “John,” 30 drive ahead. He needs no exhortation, how- ever, but proceeds at once to business. “Drag- ging the basket outinto the middle of the little circle we have formed he turns it over and shows that it is but a simple wicker basket, | somewhat worse for wear. His wite then stands | up and prepares for the ordeal ing up | her long hair and swathing herself in her | scarf. She then steps into a large net made of | horsehair and after ber hands and feet have | been bound, crouching down, has the net drawn tightly over her. He then lifts her up and places Ler in the basket; apparently the lid cannot be forced down, although he jumps | on it with his full weight. "A large cloth‘is put | over the basket and for some seconds it is agi- | tated. ‘Then there is silence; the lid falls and, taking off the cloth, we see the basket lying there’ with its’ hd on, the — horse- hair net and the rope bands ly- ing in front of it. To all ap- pearances the basket is empty; it has returned to its original dimensions as though it were uo longer pressed out by herform. Taking off the lid he jumps with both feet into it and sinks in it to the bottom. Standing on the deck he places a long sword up and down in the basket, and thrusts it through and through from every possible direction, and finally puts it in the top and takes it around, apparently probing every corner. Where was the woman? | here are no trap doors in the gun deck of the Lancaster; she was not under the cloth; she had not fled forward, as we could see the deck | on all sides and beyond our view it was crowded with the men—she must, therefore, be in the basket. But how a small wicker basket could hold her in such a position as not to be pierced by the sword is a problem that still remains unsolved. Covering the basket | again with the cloth and playing before it on | au odd two-stringed native lute, he waited a minute, then, pronouncing in a loud voice some Hindustani words, the busket swelled up, aud on taking off the cover the wouian was there, He showed us many other wonders, but non like the famous basket trick. Done on stage, with trap doors, with confederates and every appliauce, such performauces are clever | and Tor @ season curious, but on the bare deck of a man-of-war they are indeed surprising. Of course we all have our theomes as to how “John” did it, but none of us know; we think, but we cannot teil. Can you? Horace Macramianp. see Nothing to Wear. From Trath. ‘There was to be a dance in the Gulch that night, and all her beauty and her chivalry were to be on hand. : Upon the mountain side a light flickered from the window of Dandy Jim’s cabin. ‘The revelers observed it as they went in | groups to the bail. and wondered. Jim was usually the very first at all festive nd the last to leave. after the latest arrivals had made | their appearance Jim had not come. Wonder gave place to alarm then and a com- mittee of three was appoiuted to go to Jim's cabin and investigate. ‘The light from the window streamed down the path and the visitors found no dificulty in reaching the cabin, though the night was dark. In response to their knock they were invited to enter and withia they found Dandy Jim seated in the corner in the deepest dejection. Hello, Jim,” greeted the spokesman, cheerily, “why ain't yer at the shindig?” “Can't, boys. Ican’t come,” and Jim's lips quivered. “What's the row? Got news from the east? Is yer mother dead or yer wife livin’? Wo've been sent up to find out. ‘Wuss'n that, boys, I ain't got nothin’ to wear. Both my revolvers is outen order, and a Winchester is sich d—d bad form, besides bein’ awkward to dance in.” Jim hastily brushed his eyes and the visitors looked mournfully at each other. ‘They knew that on wach ight t there were no spare garments in the Guloh that would ft Dandy Jim. Honi Soit Qui Mal y Pense. From Puck. Elderly gentleman (picking up gentleman's garter in hall of Representatives)—“‘Sir, I be- lieve you dropped this.” weighs ZiSimpton (looking sround indig- hbase bas just been elected ebach Artis | the room, where its owner had left it A CAPITOL HILL GHOST STORY. ‘Written for The Evening Star. Fo 80 YOUNG A CITY WASHINGTON hasalready quite an array of haunted houses. First, of course, in order of import- ance comes the old Octagon House, which has already passed into history and on which writers have already drawn for more than one story. The house on G street, though not 80 widely known, has also its unearthly inhabit- ants, which occupy the premises to the exclu- sion of servants, negroes especially. Around one of the last log cabins that remained within the District lines, but Intely replaced, by the way, by a modern frame shanty, used to hang dark tales of war time murder and of buried treasure; and the weird sounds that echoed nightly through the lonely hollow where it Stood were attributed to a ‘“jack-m'lantern” trying to whistle off the faithful dog whose skeleton guarded the hoard. But one of the stories most perfect in ite ghastliness is that which hangs tothe old de- serted mansion southeast of the Capitol, and it Was an investigation of this that furnished the Substance of the present tale. It happened a year ago and is by this time old enough to be told without embarrassing ‘the principal actor. He was an acquamtance of the writer's, a tall, pale faced, intellectual looking youth with a penchant for psychologi- cal research. He had heard the story of the old house and had decided to spend ‘a night there in hopes of getting at least a negative story with which tu regale the “Spook Club” on bis return to college after the holidays. It was not vet moonlight when this unbe- lieving ghost hunter reached the foot of the terrace on which the haunted house still stands, and out of the blue black sky above the hun- gry stars “like the eyes of wolves glared at him” through the leafless branches of the overhanging oak trees, ‘Ihe iron grate, half open, hung by a single hinge, and the loosened bricks of the walk creaked with the stiff frost as he skirted the lower story of the house and paused to gaze out over the cold, silent stretch of flats and river. A broken window on the ground floor served as an entrance, and then through the chill dampness characteristic of a long-deserted house he groped his way along the dusty wall and up the crenking stairs to the second story, Cobwebs brushed his face in the hall above and repeated gusts of wind through the broken panes disputed his right to light the tingle candle he had brought along. Finally, however, his dim watch light secured, he seitied himself in the sheiter of one of the deep window seats of the front room and waited. The wind from the river moaned through the trees outside and the dry boughs scraped the roof with a rattloas of dry bones upon tie slate. A shutter flapped in the north wing, where the ghost's walk was, and the echo rang through the lonely rooms.’ Then all was still. The si- lent horror of the lonely house grew upon him and by the smoking flame of his singlo candle he began to rewrite ashe remembere! it the ghastly story that first moved him to Visit the scene of this reputed crime. The tale Grew beneath his fingers. The actors all came back with more than their original clearness and then the ring of galloping hoofs on the frozen road below chimed in with the currentof the taleand brought back the thought of that other night visit so many years ago. Closing bis eyes he ceased to write, bit the tale followed on, the picture of that eventful night rose clear again and the very infectious swing of the waltz tune from the parlor below seemed to float up the brozd stairs, the walls rang again with music and laughter and the floor swayed beneath the feet of many dancers. Once more the hoois rang out on the frozen road below, and in fancy the listener could bear them stop and could se the mulled figure that glanced through the half-drawn curtains and then stole round to the rear of the house to be let quietly in by the well-Lribed servant. Still the dancers swept on in the room below, all unmindful of the tragedy that was prepar- ing in the hail abovo them, where the fair girl had met the intruder and passionately up- braided him for his purposed treachery to his trusting friends. The wind was rising; again the flapping shut- ter sounded through the house, and this time silence did not follow it. ‘There were voices in the passage outside, now high, now low, re- treating along the hall just’as the story had said. Was the old tragedy being reacted? C— rose and went to the door. The wind still whistled outside. but from the chamber down the hall came another sound that was not the wind. moan like a child in trouble, Then followed a confused, jibbering chatter and then a fall with the sound of loose metal like scattered coins. With one hand on the wall C— crept like a shadow along the hallway. The moon just ris- ing cast a faint reflected light through the end winaow. The door of the haunted chamber was ajar, and from within again came that un- earthly “sound. C— stepped inside. Ihe bright, full moon was just opposite the open casement, and crouching on the sill wasashupe | with long, outstretched, bony arms murmuring gibberish to the shining disk as specters of old have been wont to do, It turned on his entrance, and, with a flying leap, came toward lim. The two skeleton arms clasped him round’ the neck, and when he had recovered from the shock @ very cold aud lonely monkey was nestling beneath his hin, immensely pleased, it seemed, to find some human company with a surplus of over- coat at its disposal. A hand organ in the corner, to which its chain was attached, explaiued its pr: spent the greater part of the night with some fellow Dagos in one of the resorts where his four-footed friend was not allowed admit- tance. a DISGUSTED WITH NOBILITY, Why » Young American Traveler Departed suddenly tor Home. From the Philade!phia Times. It is told of a young American traveler that during his stay in Naples he was introduced to two noble gentlemen of alleged ancient lineage, but poor worldly fortune in other respects. Having abundance of cash himself Le made use of their social advantages on an indirect cash basis, the tacit arrangement apparently being | satisfactory all round. Although an adept at cards he allowed himself to be beaten exten- sively by them in the various games played and thus, removing the trade nature of their rela- | tion, enabled them with more confidence to present him in some of the very finest assem- blages. = At one of these, where his friends were the pre-eminent lions of the occasion, the young fellow lost his watch, which, from part of the chain remaining in the button hole,he had reason to suppose had been stolen. Valuable as it was, something told him not to make any inquiries about it just then, an impression which the sequel showed was wise. White at a fashionable reception the follow- ing day, imagine his surprise to see the younger of his two mentors, who was not aware of his presence—pull out the lost watch with a considerable flourish. Dragging the other of the pair into an alcove, he told him what he had seen. “I'm going out to accuse him of it and ex- pose him,” he cried excitedly. “Do nothing of the kind,” was his friend's advice; “you will only create a scene and effect little good. There is an easier way of manag- ing it. Leave it to me; I will sce that it's re- turned to you.” Pacified, the American returned to his hotel wondering at the whoie business. On second thought he was glad he had not charged the nobleman with the theft, a8 all the chances wero against its being true. ‘That evening hiy adviser brought him the timepiece. “You see I got it,” he said, “and without the least exposure or trouble.” “What An ve it up?” can didn't force him. chanco and picked his.” Isimply watched my After catching his breath sufficiently the traveler thought it advisable to take the first Pare Platinum, From the Electrical Review. Platinum can now be prepared by s new pro- cess ina state ofsuch purity that it does not contain more than 0.01 per cent of other metals, When the metal possesses this degree of purity {t is too soft for many purposes, but it can readily be alloyed with iridium when in le ertions um, 21 It was a low, piteous | | ICE CREAM FOR LUNCHEONS Some Novel Fashions for Serving It Im- Ported From Paris, 66 RHEEE ARE EVER 80 MANY NOVEL fancies for serving ices at luncheons and for deserts this season,” said a Washington caterer recently from New York toa Sra: writer. “One of the prettiest notions of thi sort is in the shape of miniature bushel baskets filled with oysters. The baskets are made of candy, and the oysters, though molded out of ice cream, are wonderfully accurate imitations. There may be one big basket for the whole company, butusually for lunch small individual ones are used. Each basket is represented as tipped over upon the dish on which it is served so that the oysters are falling out. “There are little baskets also for each plate, which are filled with apricote and flowers, both made of ice cream. Then again there are small bate made of candy and filled with ice cream. Candy cabbage leaves, one for each person, are filled with ice cream flowers. One of the quaintest conceits is a miniature bushel basket made of candy and filled with ice cream mush- rooms. Candy platters, likewise, have served on them canteloupes of ice cream, with candy stems and leaves. IX CANDY TULIPS, “Sherbet is served in candy tulips, yellow or white, also in candy rosesandin little bee hives of candy. Easter lilies made of candy and filled with ice cream will make their appear- ance after Lent. Big daisies of sugar filled with little ice cream daisies area fresh design and very pretty. All these things are new fashions from Paris. Individual sailore’ caps of smali size, filled with ice cream, are very cuuning. They are made with a double case of pastebourd, so that the inner one be taken outand the caps may be kept. Lite boxes filled with candies ate placed by each plate at Indies’ luncheons, with mottoes on the covers. Every mottu should be as appropriate as possible to the person. Fot example one ye: ‘In this ease the box with the motto haa at- tached to ita little satin ‘bow’ and a match. Sometimes a grape leaf is placed st each piste filled with fruits of ice cream. ‘There is an in- teresting novelty which might be calied the ‘ladies’ cocktail.’ It is an appetizer which comes before the lunch has begun and is pre- pared by filling the skin of @ scooped-out orange with an agreeable and slightly alco- lic beverage. ‘Iwo small holes are cut through the top of the orange skin and two straws pass through them and are tied on top | with a ribbon. The iced contents of the orange are to be sucked through the straws. ‘This isa Russian fashion. See BE TREMENDOUS WAVES, Dashing Over the Top of the Light House at Tillamook Rock, From the Portland Oregonian. George Hunt, who bus filled the position of head keeper at the Tillamook Rock lighthouse | for the past four years, arrived here yesterday on his way to Cape Mears, be having been transferred to the lighthouse there, his place being taken by R. Peterson, who bas been on the rock over four years. The crew at Tillamook Rock light have had rather an unpleasant experience during the storms of the past six weeks or more. during which time they have bad no communication | with the shore. Sunday was the first day when it was possible for any landing to be made on the rock, and the Manzanita came out and landed some supplies and brought Mr. Hunt away. He says that a most terrific gale sprung up on the night of December 7, and continued until 3 p.m. on the 8th. The wind blew areg- ular hurricane, the breaking completely over the rock and house. ‘The two bouts kept on the rock were swept away. The platform Where stores and visitors were landed, which was anchored to the rock with iron bolts, was swept away, an old steam boiler and engine bed were carried off, and the tramway irom the landing place to’ the station, though bolted to the rock, was torn up and destroyed. ‘On the 29th they experienced a still. worse storm. The wind was not so violent, but there was a heavy sea on when the gale commenced, and the waves got up toa tremendous height. ‘The focal flame of the light is forty-five feet above sea level, and the dome of the lantern riscs about twelve fect above this, On the dome is a large ball perforated with holes, to give ventilation to the lamp. Salt water, not spray, but “selid” water, poured down through these holes. Of course the seas swept over the house in torrents, but it stood fast. Some water came in, but they managed to keep com- fortable. Non ing more necessary to keep the light burning brightly on such an occasion than at any other time. Mr. Hunt says they all felt a bit nervous when the huge sea struck the light and shook it. The lantern was protected by stout wire screen shutters, placed to guard it by Major Hanbury some ‘time since. ‘These broke the force of the water hurled against the glass, which without them would have been battered | in, and the heavy plates might have killed the men attending the lamp. ‘These screens were locked fast ‘to the railing, and the seas wrenched them back and fortiias if determined to tear them loose and destroy the lantern. | ‘The old sailors of the crew suid they would much rather take their chances on board a ship in such a storm, They wore through the long storm without much discomfort, and managed to have chickens and a pudding for diuner on Christmas. —————+e+—______ A SCHEME THAT DIDN'T WORK. One Car Driver That Went Without His Noonday Smoke. From the New York World. ‘There is one driver on the Broadway surface car line who has @ business nose very pro- nouncedly developed. “Can you loin me a match, my good man?” inquired an elderly man of this particular driver on the downtown trip yesterday morn- ing at about 10 o'clock. The old gentleman had taken out from a well-filled case a splendid 25-cent cigar, and the driver noted that there were others in the oxidized silver pocket case. “Why, certainly—cheerfully, sir, I assure you,” returned the politically polite man of the reins. And he fished around with one hand for a match, presently handing the old man several of them. More thanks. Profuse politeness on the driver's part, who sniffs the aroma of the cigar with evident delight. “I don’t get much chance to smoke—at the din- ner hour I smoke @ cigar occasionally, for lots of gentlemen, as you have done, get a light of me and then insist upon giving ‘me a cigar.” But the smoker was obtuse. “Of course, the obliger resumed, “I never expect an thing of the kind, but they will insist upon it. ht” from the preoccupied smoker. “It's odd, don’t you think, that for every light I ever guve’a passenger on this platform I gota cigar in return?” “Quite odd.’ “I finally learned to always carry matches, and I get several good smokes every day.” ‘Tbe old man was looking at the Diana weather vane. “So far, today, I haven't gotten my lunch- time cigar. Of course, all sentiment aside, I rather expect these returns of favors.” More silence. “In fact, it’s a business matter. ite- ness for revenue only, one might ssy. When @ man wants a light real bad—as for # mere il- Justration, you yourself did just now—it ought. to be worth @ good cigar to him, don't you think?” Stee! 5 s “Well, now, my dear sir, you will pardon me for beiug plain, but have you good cigar bac ee ie ral good pocket. “Yes, I have sever ones in my What's that got to do with all this talk of yours?’ And the remainder of the ride down busy Broadway was in silence—icy, icy silence, Sabines. Mr. Hamerton, in speaking of the in- crease of comfort in England, groans at the ‘trying strain of expense to which our ex- of them could go to bed, it be- | ARTIFICIAL PARASITISM. Cranky People Who Are Devoured by Im- — BOTHER Us OCCASIONALLY,” | prom the St. Lonts said Entomologist Howard of the De- partment of Agriculture toa Stam writer. “A man down in Florida recently sent us word that he was in great distress of mind. While he was bathing in the ocean @ horrible ‘ven centipede’ had got into his ear. Notwithstand- ing the utmost efforts made by physicians whom he had called in, the creature still re- mained there and occasioned him the most dreadfal agony, clawing at the drum of the ear nd the dolicate membranes within the pas- sages “This was very unpleasant, of course, and it had finally occurred to him that the bureau of entomology of Washington might suggest « remedy. Recently, he said, the centipede had begun to shed legs, a number of which be bad preserved. Unies he obtained relief he said © Was convinced that he would soon go craz¥. “We wrote to him, saying thet we would be glad if he would send us some of the legs Which the centipede was alleged to have she He responded by sending us a few les of skin and a dozen or eo of such small, hairs. as &row within the external opening of the ear. Among these specimems there was not to be found any sign of legs of any insect or other creature. It was, as we had supposed, theman’s complaint was simply imaginary. “A similar case occurred not long ago, in which the sufferer was an elderly gentleman living abroad, whose son sent to him from this country copies of certain American news- Papers. He wrote that these publications had evidently carried with them through the mails some dreadful parasites, which had attacked him and were causing him the utmost misery. Physicians who had been called in hed de- clared that there was nothing the matter, being J evidently ignorant of this particular kind of imported parasites. At our request he sent to us an exhibit, which proved to be only a little scurf, such as might be scratched from the body of a healthy person. Uf course it was merely @ delusion. “This is @ very peculiar form of delusion, and itis not altogether uncommon. It bas been called by the celebrated Dr. Blanchard of Paris ‘false parasitism.” Victims of it imagine that they are attacked by parasites of various kinds and suffer ail the horrors which imagination equally with actual physical tor- ture cau inflict. —— | Helr of the House of Stuart. | Dr. Charles C. Starbuck in the Boston Advertiser. There is a historical blunder which ever and | Anon comes up, and which, though of no prac- tioal « eginative influence on Anglo-Saxons. It re- spects the question—Who is the representative of the Stuarts? that it isthe King of Italy, but this is.» mis- take. Its latest appearance 18 in the very in- teresting article on Queen Margaret in the outh’s Gempanion for November 5, which ysthat but for the Jaw excluding Roman Catholic lines, King Humbert and Queen Mar- ' garet would now be king aud Queen of England. It is worth noting that even the eminent his- torian, Mr. Freeman, has casually fallen into | the sane error in an incidental allusion, know- ing that, by female succession, the Stuart rep- Tesentation had passed into the house of Savoy, and not having chanced to note that by female succession it had passed out of the house of Savoy. When by the death of Henry Stuart, Cardinal York, in 1807, the house of Stuart, and with it | all the heirs of James II, became extinet, then ashis elder sister, Mary, had no grandchiidre: the Stuart representation devolved on King Victor Emmanuel I of Sardinia as the heir of James’ younger sister, Henrietta, Duchess of Orleans. Victor Emmanuel’s heir for the throne of Sardinia, as he had no sons, was his brother Charles Felix, but for the Stuart repro- sentation, which of course followed the English Tule, it was his eldest daughter, Mary Beatrics Her heir was her eldest son, Francis V. 1 last Duke of Modena, whom Disraeli, in “End: mion,” represents as actually receiving the jhomage of some English idiots as their true sovereign. At his death without issue in 1875 the Stuart claims (now of course purely ideal) passed to bis next. brother, Ferdinand’s only child, the Archduchess Maria Theresa, wife of Prince Lewis of Bavaria, who is thus the repre- sentative of the Stuarts, the Tudors and the | Plantagencts. ‘The eldest of this lady's four or five sous bears the sign of his famous descent in his name of “Prince Rupert.” Thus the ideal claims of the ancient English royalty, having passed from the house of Savoy into the Modeneve branch of thehouse of Hapsburg- Lorraine, will in the next generation be settled in the house of Wittelsbach and ascend the throne of Bavaria, supposing that monarchy to be tien in existence. On the death of Charles Felix, in 1831, the Sardinian crown passed to the branch of Savoy- Carignano, which parted from the elder line a fenerauion before Henrietta: Stuart was born. hing Humbert, therefore, and his cousin and wile, Queen Margaret, are not only not the rep- resentatives of the Stuarts, but, as pointed out in Chambers’ Encyclopedia, they are not de- scendants of the Stuarts. Queen Victoria is guilty of asingular absurd- ity in one of her books when she proudly calls herself, with true royal and feminine tor. ism, “the representative of the Stuarts.” Hi house was chosen for the very reason that its elevation signalized the national rejection of the Stuarts. hg act of settlement shows that she is not only not the Tepresentative of Charles I, but is not even the representative of his sister Elizabeth until all the posterity of Elizabeth's sons shall be extinct, for the act passes over the sous and over the eldest daugh- ter, the Abbess of Maubisson, and fixes on the younger daughter, Sophia, as being a Protes- tant. The present dynasty, therefore, reigns by no antiquated right of descent, but by true act of national election. Victoris is not the representative of the Stuarts, but, which is an infinitely higher dignity, she is, by a free act of national choice, the representative of the majesty of mighty England. And perbaj the now decaying British monarchy would fo well to close its long and bestained, but yet il- | lustrious, history with this long and illustrious and virtuous reign. I may remark that the present representative of Elizabeth Stuart, Queen Victoria's ances- tresa, is said to be, curiously enough, the Count of Paris. ———+e+—____ ‘The Wild Boy of Pindus, ‘From the Spectator. In an Athenian paper a tale comes from Thessaly of the wild boy on Mount Pindus: “Demetriades Worthy-of-honor, the warden of | the king’s forest on Mount Pindus, was out | shooting on the mountains. Being tired, he | left the chase of the deer and turned ap a path | which led through a steep glen to some herds’ buts, where be boped’to drink = cup of the milk of Pindus, milk which is famed to be the best of any. While he was walking quietly up the path he heard a rustling in the under- wood and stayed to listen. Through the branches he saw an unknown animal mov: very quickly in the same direction as hi and made ready to fire at it, but was by shouts of the shepherds on the i above, who called to himnottoshoot. He then followed this strange creature, which hed the form indeed of a man and was wholly naked, but ran very fast, sometimes on its but more often on all fours, and reached the cote before him. There he found it drinking the buttermilk from a trough into which it had run while the cheeses from the morning milking were being pressed. When it saw him near it ran into the wood, and the chief of the shepherdstold him its story. “He is boy,” he said, ‘a Wallachian, the son of a Wal- lachian, who lived at way Mount Pin- work, and there he married. He lived there some time, but afterward came back to Pindus. Six years he was absent, and he brought back four or five children. ' Then he died and left his wife and children to the “five roads” (i.e., to fortune). ‘The woman saw no way of keep: ing her children in Castanic, so she distributed them among her neighbors and went back to her own country. But one of them ran away with whom he was left and has part of the forest for four years. our buttermilk daily. In winter caves, and lives no form jies in the on roots and nuts. He has a ‘Magezine ‘There are more women in British India (1%4,- 000,000) than there are n.en, women and chil- Eee A Brave Girl Pots Them On to Seck Hes Sweetheart. Chromicie, Some months ago there came to this city « young man who claimed to be twenty years old and who sought work ins boarding house as @ dish washer. He had « very boyish appear- ance and was extremely shy. He refused to share bis room with any otber man end was looked upon as being queer. 1t was noticed that the young man, who gave bis name as Joo Richardson, epent much of his time when he was not at work banging @round the depot to watch the trains. Last Friday when the train came in from the east, a8 usual Richardson was at the platform watching the passongers who got off. Among thom were two traveling salesmen from St. im. ‘08 was noticed to give a great start as they fame from the train and shrink beck in the shadow of the depot until they bad gone up town. He followed them closely and saw them enter the hotel and then returned to the bouse ee Worked. After supper he disap- Pea While the two traveling men were ai ia the office of the hotel a boy brought in « note and asked for » certain name. One of the drammers said he answered to that name end the boy gave lim ‘the note. “He carelessly opened it, but had no sooner seen the tian he became very mach excited an@. Tasbel the pl His friend followed as and reached the street in time drummer and Joe in close embrace. When bis friend returned he had # young man with him and the first remark made Was ® request for the mystified man to and get a minister. ‘This was done and in the hotel parior there occurred a wedding which was perhaps the strangest ever seen. What soomed to be two men were joined by the minister and became man and wife. The parties would not give their names, but the register uow shows that the drummer was Geo. Beott. He told his friend that be and the lady had been engaged for some time, but they bad a quarrel. Both had been basty, and Scots ‘as the first to give in. He wrote twice to the Girl, but she did not receive the letters for several weeks afterward, and then she did not know where to reach him, as he said in hie last letter that if sbe did not answer he would leave ‘the city. nd could only She was anxious to see him, remember that be had told her that be traveled in Kansas, and during one of his conversations had mentioned the name of Hutchinaov. She came here on a venture and watched for weeks in hopes that she would one day be able to see him and tell bim that she still loved him, Her search was successful, and there fs probably no happier couple in the country now than Mz. and Mra. Soott, cresareniatinttbiconnidmnans Dunuing Letters That Came, From the Philsdeijta Record. The charming blonde who presides.at the registered letter window of the post office threw up her dainty hands with surprise «few days ago when & gentleman walked up to the win- dow and, upturning @ big grip, dumped ite contents before her. There were 470 letters to be registered. Such « task had never before fallen to ber lot. Her appeal for help brought the chief of the division, who provided help in the sbape of three assistants for her, and the pile was soon disposed of. The man stood by Until the receipts were given him. ‘The fact is,” he explained, “I am. — : the most dim. of a fashionable club, and it's matter in the world tomake them pay up. I send hundreds of bills, and when I speak to members about it it’s always the same story,‘ never got the bull, old fel: certainly Pl pay *p. Just send me a bill and Ili see that you get it* There are 470 delinquents in the club, and Pl be sure they all get their balla this quarter. The responses have already begun to come in in a way that foretells the entire success of the scheme. Revenge. (in five scones.) From Fliecende Bieter. aeesioneienal