Evening Star Newspaper, February 13, 1892, Page 12

GATLING GUN DETACHMENT. MILITARY CYCLISTS. The New Company Attached to the District National Guard. THE UNIFORM AND WEAPON. How It !s Probable That the Musket Will Be Carried—Regular Drills to Be Established— ‘The Company Will Compare in Character ‘With Any in the World. OW THE NATIONAL capital can boast that it hasegenuine military bicycle organization among its numerous protectorsand themem- errs. bers all active and en- Ve thusiastic young men : # belonging to the betier class of society. Al i though the organization a Ae Re ia bata weeks old 4 wal it numbers about thirty | ree members, who may some | ay becalled upon to quell a riot or protect | public property at the risk of their own hives, | le Sam's regularly enlisted men. The experiment has been tried in this as well as in foreign countries and has Proved such a success that the bicycle in the near future will no doubt form a part of the Guard in nearly all the states. A PICYCLE READY FoR WAR. Some three years ago Gen. Albert Ordway @onceived the idea of establishing a bicycle corps in connection the District National Guard, but be kad to «bandon the idea because of the small number of safety riders who were willing to join such an organization. Since that time s:veral thousand safeties have been sold until there are now something like 20.000 Fiders in the District, and from them Gen. Ordway expects to get a good number who are Milling to enlist in the service of their country for at ieast three years. MUST FURNISH THEIR OWN WHEELS. At present the members are obliged to fur- nish their own bicycles, so that a person in or- der to become a member must at least possess — cash eapital to give him some sort of a Standing in the community. and for that reason itis believed that the members of the first Mounted company of the kind will compare favorably with any military company in’ the world co far ag the character of ite members fs concerned. = 3 AMBULANCE COR: After a while, when the project has worked well, it is thought that the regular army will follow in the footsteps of the District of Co- lumbia National Guard and establish a bieycle corps for light cavalry work. Already the British army bas tried the experiment, with such success that the wheel is in practical use in cavalry work. In the state of Connecticut a successful trial of this arm of the service has been made, and, as in England, it is now an established branch of the servic The company recently established is known as the Washington Military ta, attached to the engineer corps, D. C G. The ma- chines best adapted to the service are the safe- ties, and it is desirable to have them as light ‘and as durable as possible, as the rifie, ammu- nition and tools greatly ‘increase the weight. Itis absolutely necessary for each rider to carry the necessary tools to use in case of acci- dent to his bicycle, and in this connection carried, in order to insure which cannot be repaired. CARRYING THE MUSEET. The question of carrying the musket has not Jet been determined upon and while at present that necessary weapon of warfare is being car- tied in firm rests on the wheels, some of the members think a chavge wiil be made and that the gun will be carried upon the back. The ammunition will be carried in the small pocket that hangs from the saddie such as is used for carrying the tools, On the handle bar in front of the rider is to be carried the knapsack, blanket and other i i it timated that the including the rider, will be less venty-five pound: e uniform of the defenders who ride the sil-nt steed consists of cavalry tronsers with reinforced seats, infantry blouse, drop visor | other articles, such as boltsand nuts, will be against damage WHAT YOU MAY SEND. Flowers Constitute the Best Kind of a Valentine. THE COMIC POET IN HIS GLORY Carricatures and Lampoons That Will Burden the Mails This Year—Keen Sighted Critics Who Tell Thefr Friends of Their Faulte— Some Specimen Verses. ALENTINES OF THIS season to be really stylish, to be considered as representing the acme of good taste, should consist of an offering of flowers. And even here discrimina- tion must be used. If it is m case of love's young dream in its incipiency; if it is an exemplification of the statement that “In the spring @ young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love,” and this is the first time the fancy has evidenced an inclination to take a in that particular direction, then a bunch of violets is the proper valentine. It is agreed by the most eminent authorities that « bunch of violets, the symbol of delicacy, of modesty— as applied toa flower—is in barmonious keeping with the sensations of this new duwn of fancy. Price, $1.50. On the other hand, if it is a matured case of affection, one that bas withstood the shock of at least three lovers’ quarrels and bas insted un- impaired through a summer's vacation und part of the Washington social senson, some- thing alittle richer is appropriate, and a box of roses, sprinkled with ‘lilies of the valley, is suggested. Price, $4.50 to $15. If it is your wife—a trip to the theater anda Dit of supper aiterward. Price, lowest estimate, $3. (Of course, after You are married you get seats in the dress circle. Now—and this {sa between ourselves—if the HOLDING A ROAD. caps and infantry gaiters. Such is the undress uniform. The dress suits have not yet been determined upon, although it is probable that most of the members will favor the regular le _knickerbockers and the blue peajacket ‘h ae is worn in the navy. THE COMPANY ORGANIZATION. When the company was formally organized Lieut. Thompson of the corps swore in eighteen members to serve three years, as follows: E. D. Anderson, W. A. Balch, Dr. R. L. Barrington, W. W. Lover, H. E. Crook, F. B. Couch, Guy V. Collins, J. W. Gillette, W. D. Hadger, E. B. Hesse, W. L Lembkey, F. P. Libbey, A. B. Morgan, J. B. McQueen, W. E. Pier, Stone, Benj. Wall and 8. H. Wiggins. ‘Temporary officers were elected as follows: First Heutenant, F. B. Couch; first sergeant, W. A. Balch; second sergeant, F. P. Libbey; third eant, H. E. Crook; first corporal, Benj. all; second corporal, Guy V. Collins. The civic officers are: Executive committee, Messrs. Couch, Wall and Baich; recruiting committee, Shannon, Wall and Couch; bugler, W. I. Lemb- key; secretary, J. W. Gillette; treasurer, W. E. Pierce; libratian aud club chronicler, Guy V. Collins. ‘The tactics to be adopted are in the hands of Adjt. Gen. Long, who is adapting portions of infantry and cavalry tactics to cyclists. The Tules and tactics have not yet been formulated. ‘The members of the corps have been going rough some of the simpler movements. A clab button Las been adopted and is being worn by the members. It is circular pin containing the letters, “W. M. C., D. C.N. G.,” together with cross guns and bicycle. ‘THE REGULAR DRILLS. The regular drills occur Thursday evenings, and as soon as the weather permits the corps will, no doubt, do some road riding through the country in order to make tests where the service in many parts of the county will bo most needed, and later in the season an en- joyable trip will probably be made when the members go into camp for a summer outing. The recruiting officers of the corps have done some effective work since the organization was effected and the work is still being pushed for- Ward with a determination aud an increased membership is assured before the good riding season begins, one or two months hence. ‘The bicycle is at its best in Washington on account of the many miles of smooth asphalt surface aud the comparatively few hills, wo that the new addition to the National Guard will have quite an advantage over similar organiza~ tions in other cities, where the drilling has to be done on rougher streets aud within a smaller space asarule. ‘The broad avenues here af- ford so much drilling space that the corps can go through the tactics in almost any part of the city without being cramped for want of room. ROSTER OF THE ORGANIZATION. ‘Thursday nightatamecting of the corpsacon- stitution was adopted and the election resulted in the choice of H. E. Crook, recording secretary, H. Muzzy, financial secretary, and Benjamin Wall, treasurer. ‘The roster of organization contains the fol- lowing: F. B. Couch, first lieutenant; W. A. Balch, first sergeant; F. P. Libbey, second sergeant; H.E. Crook, ‘third sergeant; Benjamin Wall, first corporal; Guy Collins, second corporal; W. H. Muzzy, third corporal. Privates—E. D, Anderson, W. A. Boyer, R. L. Barrington, J. W. Gitbert, W. D. Hadger, W. 1 Sembly, J. &. McQueen, W. E. Pierco, A. Morgan, L. H. Wiggins. KR. H. Stone, Clapp, 8. C. Dulaney, A.C. Shannon, Leonard, H. Huddieson, W. H. Muzz: Cussin, J, L. Norwood, ©. R. Murray, C. H. Henney, Al Michener, C. B. Story and if. Dim- mick. Arms and equipments for fifty men will be issued in a few days, aud through the kindness of Col. Clay the new company will have the use of the center armory for drilling pur- pores. THE NEW STAR. fhe Interesting Discovery by am Unnamed | Scotchman From the Boston Journal. A new star has appeared in the firmament. About two degrees south of the medium-bright star Chi Aurige it may be seen with a good epera glass. It is of the fifth magnitude. ‘The stranger first came within the range of human vision between December 1 and Decem- ber 10, but it was not observed by any of the Axgus-cyed astronomers until February 1, when Dr. Copeland, the Scottish astronomer Foysl, saw it. Dr. Copeland was not, however, the discoverer, for in a cable dispatch to Prof. Pickering he ascribes the honor to an anony- mous observer. But uatil this anonymous Scot abandons his reserve the newcomer will be | Known as “Copeland's Nova,” in Lonor of the man who first examined the spectram and an- nounced that it contained bright lines. ‘Yemporary stara bave been observed occa- sionaliy in the past—stars which suddenly blaze out and flume away for a week or a monih ora and then fade out of sight hap t of Bethlebem was one.” in one ap- peared in Cassiopeia and 1886 another in the €rown. The one which now focusses the atten- tion of the scientific world is, as betore men- tioned, about two degrees south of the star Chi, im the coustellation Auriga Besides these marvelous tergporary stars there are variables—i00 or thereabouts; stars which at long intervals become visible to us be- @ause of their approach to the earth. But a new star is quite a different object. It fea phenomenon of most euturalling interest. It is, of course, hardly probable that it isan | infant; far more likely it is a siar upon which @ tremendous volcanic eruption 1s taking place, Goop KICKERS, Australian Birds Which Are Dangerously Mandy With Their Lega. From the San Francisco Chronicle. Dr. E. Usher of London, fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a sportsman of note, who bas been in Arabia and other remote parts of the globe hunting for big game, has arrived here from North Queensland and the desort region known as the north territory in Austra- lia. This is an enormous stretch of country thousands of miles ia area, infested by canni- bale, in which are giant emus, nombat and wal- Jaby. Itwasto hunt the emu that Dr. Usher made his trip there. “A party of us went up in that far north region,” he said last night “We were among the cannibals, who are great in size, being six and one-half feet high and phy- sically perfect. It isadry, sandy region for the most part. Emus in large numbers are to be found over this territory. We hunted them on horseback, and it was rare sport, for the Treason t they can run as fast as a horse, and & vefy good one at that. We found the catch- ing of emus almost as interesting as coursing, besides hav: @ certain spice of danger about it. “An emu can kick as hardasaborse. I have seen men kicked so bard by this vicious bird that their legs were broken. If I had m choice of being kicked by a horse or an emu think I would take the horse. The emu stands on one leg and with the other stril a8 quick and most paralyzing blow. Inever would have believed that a bird had such power had I not had ocular evidence of it during this trip. Alter twoor three of our men had suffered from the terrible kicks of these birds we did not ven- ture near them, but after running our horses tall we got close enough would bring them down with our or, more wonderfully yet, a sun into which ane other sum has crashed with « violence com- pared with which the collision of a steamship Gnd an iceberg is as vothing. While all the world is more or less interested im the stranger, astronomical circles are foundly stirred by its appearance. The live- liest satisfaction is experienced by Prof. Pick- ering aud his associates at the Harvard Cols lege observatory; for while they have not the honor of the discovery they alone can prove, and have proves, that it is a discovery. Bingo—“I seo that Granby is taking regalar um. foregoing figures are out of reach at thie time, owing to circumstances over which you have nocontrol, &c., your only recourse is to poetry— to indite to your love a sonnet, ‘The following is suggested ® sample of the sentiments which may be expressed: reliest lady mine, i. | send for your valentine? flowers are far away, ‘ond winter is king today— not blow and sun v3.1 not shine, ventine? Gloomy. as Ww What For a bud to tell of my Jove so true; But buds w: re asiesp und biowoms were And the ‘alling snow ca:ne down on my. Bo, little loveliest indy mine, Here is wy heart for your valentine!” Of course there may follow a slight embar- Fassment from the line which says, “I've searched the gardens all through and through,” as it is a question whether the lady may or may not intimate that you might have tried the florist. GREAT VARIETY OF STYLES. xor The Washington book stores are not carrying very heavy stocks or a varied assortment of valentines this year. A few gorgeous struc- tures of paper and satin, with verses with sentiment, may be found and there are always on hand the orthodox little valentines of German make, the perforated paper ones with joyous-looking picturos of boysand girls and undressed Cupids. Eut the comic valentine is here in force. It will not be denied that these vexatious little ith lines which bear always a little enough to sting—will form the ine freight which will burden the mails. Who does not dreaa to find one of these libels upon the breakfast tabie, the gift of some precocious juvenile? Of course it is a feeble joke; you cannot take umbrage at it, so you laugh in’ manner which you feel is some; what forced and pass the screed around for the boarders and the family to read. ‘They all laugh at the silly joke and inwardly chuckle at the sly dig which is made at some foible of yours of which you and they are aware. VALENTINE POETRY. . The character of the lines which accompany the comic valentines isa study. Usually they are ofs rancorous nature. They would seem to have been written by some embryonic poet laureate whose early attempts had not been appreciated by an unfeeling world, and whose supply of the milk of human kindness had been considerably curdled thereby, rendering him Litter toward his race, so that'he takes his re- venge in cartooning his feliow men. ‘The style of verse, viewed from a ao 4 standpoint, is something to marvel at. Wit! that fearlessness which is oniy born of the Genius required to write verses for valenti @ ignores the ruies which timid writers r mit to control their efforts and trips lightly from Iambie to Spondaic in the same line, from Dactylic to Trochaic, and Dimeter blends with Hexameter in the same breath. No pent-up Utica of expression is his, for stately Aloxandrine and dainty Villanelle alike make up one verse, while Triolet and Rondeau merge rapidly into a Petrarchian sonnet in tho next SOME CHOICE THEMES. Achoice theme for the caricaturists is the doctor. Hear how the graceless scrubber ad- dresses the family physician: You're only a quack, who lives on hard tack, and as “ep case. : Your stizar piltis certain to kill, and aa for your lotions rr They iuse the sick the w pty the and iuaue the sick the worse, em} “e the , puree, Ket rid of you, and end all ‘The rizut thing to do, ‘han yuack Lim fake bis own puis,» 1 @usek by making It is possible that the present activity in Dis- trict politics may be the occasion for the fol- lowing ode to a politicias You'd pose as a st . Torereats teeunan, Zee creencot om ou talk quite €hib, the public r 2€3 OF pack Seaticus, But into believing you Lionest you Rever could talk us. ‘The woes of the down-trodden working girl aro a favorite subject. The pictare represents the unfortunate creature tolling in her garret by candle tight, while the mean employer, who stands smiling ‘beside his money bage, is’ thus addressed: Hard-) ., mean, unfi And how you may, by any ule Increase Four pile of tiscot pelts ‘hat You'll escape ‘The punislinen: which - our greed deserves, Eterna: Justice msy siowly move, Aut from its ulus it Dever swerves. This soulful song underneath the of the great house of Lumbard would sceutta to tee Vibrations of chord of sympathy which had been struck: va about without overcoat on, Wwilea reason it’s cvear that s pewnirolees alg Ie oy aod or 308 the mat ¥atentine ‘A ghastly warning to the sporting fraterni of Jackson City is furnished im the picture of & gambler hanging to » limb, while underneathis Pinned: You don’t deserve a better fate, For you'd be tet ast the ehginne seartieas, worth:ese, Kutavish aisft q pen noose a heartless, All would say’ that the bora ‘Had bever been put to beiter use. ‘THE PUXSTER IN HI8 ELEMENT. It is when a chance for a pun occurs that the valentine poct feels in his element. The fol- lowing is dedicated to a shoemaker: a cobblers, great and You're the very worst of awi; Qut of town, you bad old 4 You shoutd strat be madevo peg, wee wi Bil you for bad ae Aad ies ‘i Pe veaclred ot last ‘tue pit you'll sure be cast! Occasionally the poet wipes the ink of bitter- ness and gall on burp eat sess fellow a bit of friendly advice, as foliows: dei aia oi aati oa wid chances de Fon sake, Tn co: (py ad laces vicane fee in this strain that the bard eings of his wife's dressmaker: ‘That your sawdust padded less or painted features And amish on some old Tar you tad better try to And merry him securely ere your dancing dag Verily, for facility of expression. fecundity of abandon of style and fear! = of utterance the comic valenti: the world. tine writer excels ST. VALENTING’S DAY. Of course, compared with him, May Hanger- ford, who writes in the February Century as follows, is “not in it” “On this St. Valentine, his da; ‘The feathered sonsster End cach tras lover Saas ae ne “"The 1 Iting birds twill clear and gsy, And strive with sonz to pierce ueawen's gate On this St. Valentine, ius day- Pactoamreeetd : TSe aiken “The maid yields to love's s1 ject rtnce reemey ‘this dt. Valentine, his day. “How “Yes' it te rt re A While each true lover chants his lay. **A word of cruel scorn like ‘Nay* Sisal! not tall from the lips o is St. Vaient.ne, his day. ‘When each its AStory of the Most Noted of the “Confl- dence” Men. From the Detroit Free Press. “When Tarrived in Detroit last Saturday evening,” said 8. V. Vail of Elmira, N. ¥., “I met Mason Long of Fort Wayne, Ind., in the depot, and the sight of his well-remembered face recalled many interesting recollections to my mind. Long hasbeen for » number of years one of the bost known evangelists in the country, is thorough Christian and active leader in all good movements, but there was ® time when he wasas hard @ citizen as you could meefina month's journey. He w: gambler and thtee-card monte man and tr: cled for quite time with the notorious ‘Canada Bill,’ who was undoubtedly the cleverest monte man that ever operated in the United States. Sixteen or eight- een years ago. when ‘Canada Bill’ was at his best, “I. saw. considerabio of him, and despite the fellow’s roguery and crookedness there was something abouthim that I couldn't help but admire. He was a large-formed man, with a cleanly shaven face, square jaw, decp-set eyes and the ox- Pression of a sphinx. His favorite dieguiso was the make-up of a caitle drover, and as there were more members of that class on the road in the days referred to than now Canada Bill had no difficulty in passing himself off aa one of them. He always carried two or three con- federates or ‘cappers’ with him, und the money that he won with his three little cards during half a dozen vous chiefly on the Luke Shore railroad, would buy a bank and pay officers salaries ‘for twenty yeare, Whenever arrested Bill would plead guilty when arraigned, and no matter how large a fine might be imposed on him he would flash up a bundle of greenbacks, count out the amount of the fine, thank the court for doing its duty and bow him- self into the street. As an example of his audacity I may cite the instance of his offer- ing tl is Union Pacific Railroad Company €10,- 000 a year for the exclusive right of operating his game on their road, and, furthermore, he said he would agree not to fleece any one but ministers of the gospel Necdless to say, bis generous offer was not accepted by the rail- Toad company. In the spring of 18741 was on a Lake Shore train between Toledo and Chi- cago, bound west, when ‘Canada Bill’ suddenly appeared in the smoking car where I was sit- ng, and, after afew desultory remarks, pro- duced his three cards and began careicssly throwing them around on the seat facing him. In a few minutes he had a crowd around him, and, after two of his ‘cappers’ had won $15 or $20 apiece picking the right cards, a rustic- looking fellow with a pipe in bis mouth, who been intently watching the game,produced @ fat pocket book, from which he took $10 and bet that amount he could pick the right card. He doubled bis money in less time than it takes to count five and ventured again. He kept on winning and evidently thought luck was with him, whereas ‘Bill’ was nietely stringing him, and ina few minutes he had won six bets. Flushed with success he became reckless, increased the size of his vets, and in less than @ quarter of an hour ‘Canada Bill’ had drained him of every cent he had, some- thing over $600. The greenhorn reeled out ot the car completely dazed, went forward to where his wife was and told her that he had lost all the money they possessed. ‘The woman hastened back to the smoking car, and with ears streaming down her cheeks told ‘Canada Bul’ that her busband, herself and their two small cbildren had sold outeverything they had down in Mercer county, Pa., and were on their way to Kansas to start anew in life. All the money they had was the six hundred and some Odd dollars that her husband had just WIZARD PORTRAITS. Remarkable Work of a Deformed Artist in Nicaragua, A MEMORABLE EVENING. An Interview That Was Eagerly Sought and Its Agonishing Results—Lovely and Accom- plished Women and a Deformed Host—Two Visits to the Studio With Vastly Different ‘Effect. Special Correspondence of The Evening Star. ‘Masara, Nicanaova, February 1, 1892 IGHTSEEING IN A strange country always calls forth greater in- tercet when one believes that he is not treading ground already gone over. So it is that such expressions as “by- paths,” “out-of-the- way places,” &c., are used by those writing of foreign scenes so conveniently. Even those who know noth- ing of a particular part of the world, who can- | not even point its location on the map, tell whether the inhabitants tive in palaces or huts, | or whether there are inhabitants at all, have their imagination excited by what is strange, weird and incomprehensible, caring nothing for the more common-place facts which could be found in the encyclopedia. If some one had talked to me of the history of Nicaragua, her laws, resources and people I should doubt- less have felt and expressed some interest, have made notes that I might with eceuracy repeat what I had heard, but I would probably have had no difficulty in fixing my mind on the next object that came along and I should not have tossed in my sleep with a brain act- ive with phantasies born of the ideas I had received. Yet so incomprehensible were the hints I had gained respecting what Haskins called “the old fraud and wizard,” that more than once before morn- ing I saw that miserable being before me, awakening with astart and relieved to find myrelf alone. Once I saw him in the perfection of manhood—one could imagine no handsomer creature—while “La Bellisima” had assumed the distortions of her spouse, and I wondered and wondered how it was possible that I could 10 readily recognize them, so different and yet pussessing their old personality. ‘This, my last iusion in sleep that night, was dispelled by a clashing and clanging of ‘bells, for the sum- mons to eurly mass is not here made by the regular ding-dong we are accustomed to hear at home, but is executed by a bell man, who swings the clapper from side to side, his skill counted by his rapidity, and consequently the result 18 a clamor stirring enough to wake the dead. The sun was just looking in the iron Lars of the little window-like opening that is in each door of every Central American house in lieu of windows of the reguiar kind, and I arose. AN INTERVIEW WITH THE WIZARD. For several days my mind had been intent on securing an interview with the “wizard,” well as an opportunity to examine his studio and methods, but all whom I consulted were uniform in their advice and said that { should wait for a chance acquamtance with him, for a forced introduction would probably only an- noy and cause him to be less communicative. So I humored his whim and waited. My final Success was as unlooked for as my failure had been disappointing. Again 1 had taken an after-dinner pasear, this time in company with Haskins; watched the sunset and as tho dusk was deepening we strolled toward the hotel. Suddenly I became aware as we passed nnder a street lamp that Don Ezequiel was before us. “Adios,” the uuiversal salutation among strangers and friends here, was exchanged be- tween us. How we became engaged in conver- sation while standing there I caunot say, but it seemed that we had iong known one another, #0 much so that it did not surprise me to find ourselves but a few minutes aiter we had first exchanged greeting talking without reserve, “You have been here for several weeks,” he said, speaking to himself rather than giving his words the inflection of a query. “How could he know the length of my stay here?” Lasked myself, for Iwas not aware that he had ever noticed me. As by common consent we waiked on side by side, and, upon reaching bis home, he invited us witnin. The lost af three-card monte, and, concluding, ‘the heart-broken creature exclaimed as she sank on her knees in the aisle Leside “Bili’s' seat, “Lhe children and I must Just because my man wi C Bill's’ stoical expression never changed a par- ticle, but he put his hand in his pocket, drew forth a big wad of money, counted out just the amount the man had lost and handed it to the forlorn woman by his side, suying: ‘Here's your money, madam. Inever rob women and children; but I want you to keop it to yourself in the future, as that husband of yours doesn’t know enough to go out without a guardian.’ ‘Then, giving her $20 more, he continued: “Here's a present for the babies; now run back to them and stop your crying.’ So, you sce, swindler and scoundrel that ne was, the king of monte men had some redeeming’ qualities, and maybe they will be remembered when his final account is made up. ‘Canada Bill's’ fuil name was William Jones; he came originally from down Montreal way and has beon dead ten years or more.” : —____+ee___. It Was an Unexpected Tableau. From the Chicago Tribune. He is an inveterate gambler; not a profes- sional, but one of those men who wants to “mateh you” for anything froma supper to acuit of clothes. He'll shake dice for the theater tickets, “match you” for the street- car fare, or ask you to “call heads or tails’ for a new bat. And he was best man at the wedding. It fas s house wedding, and the large reception room was filled with guests ‘The folding doors opening into the library, whore the ceremony was to be performed, were closed, but a page stood at cithe side of them to open them at the proper time. The bridal party was to enter through a side door to the libra:y, and the marriage was to take place under 6 canopy of roses. Everything was arranged to make the ceremony as beautiful and impress ive as possible. A man appeared at the door of the recextion room and gaye asignal to the pages. The big folding doors swung noiselessly open, revealing the library. ‘The bestman was there; also one of the ushers. They were near the canopy of roses and hed their backs half turned on the guests. ‘The best man had something in his right hand, which was poised in the air. “Allright he said. “A small bottle to the ith of the bride and groom as soon as we get away. ¢ He brought his oy band down on the palm of his left and asked: “What do you call it? Heads or tails?” It wasn't called. The concealed orchestra struck up a wedding march, and two men with red faces took their places in the bridal pgoces- sion as best beg Sop ‘The tableau that knocked all the impressive- ness out of one Chicago wedding—well,the best man says it was tho fault of the man who or- dered the doors opened before the orchestra began the wedding march, and that man won't recognize the best man on the street. ‘Yes; a Coward. ‘From the Chicago Daily Tribune. “See him! See him!” he said excitedly. “Yes. What of it?” “He's one of the regulators or something of that sort down south.” “Indeed !"" es. They say when he gets at the head of a crowd with a mask on his face he looks sim- ioc i igashing euppee Y, ry ” “That's what] reter to, He hasn't missed one in bis ten years in the parish.” “ coward, eh?” “What! Coward didn't I tell house ditfered in no way in outside appearance from others of the better class of residences. It was but one story in height, as are nearly all the habitations of Nicaragua, built of adobe and windowless, if we except the small open- ings in the great doors of cedar. But the inte- rior presented a marked contrast with anything [had seen in this country. The furnishing of the abode was of unusual richness. Silken curtains tastefully draped each doorway and the upholsicry was in the latest styles and showed as much taste as luxury. Everything in the room blended harmonior the pict- ures, the frescoing and all decorations seemed intended for combined effect. La BELLISIMA AND HER SISTER. Waving us to seats our host left us for a mo- ment and returned with her whom I only knew as “‘La Bellisima.’ Attired elegantly, but in simple tasto, I thought I had never before seen a creature more beautiful, but when she spoke her grace, tact and gifts of mind every mo- ment became more and morg apparent. Every- ting she said seemed inspired and never failed to suggest more than the mere words indicated. Haskins, as I could see, was quite as contented with his surroundings as myself. We felt no need of any entertamment more agreeable than that accorded us. But the fair hostess seemed to think otherwise. She asked if we cared for music, and upon receiving an aftirma- tive reply said she would introduce her sister, who would play some simpie airs, though she seldom performed before strangers. Ina mo- ment she returned, accompanted by a girl who had just reached womanhood and whose coun- terpart the elder must have been but a few years previously. ‘There was no embarcase- ment in her bearing, her seclusion from the world having gained for her a manner lacking restraint rather than possessed of self-con- sciousness, which is usually its result. We met for the first time apparently as old friends. 1 faameyic tnmipined sengiciag: could (gs amass Haskins as did the appearance of this young girl, whom he had never referred to in his talks with me, and of whom, as I afterward learned, he had never heard. When a violin was placed in the hands of the young musician she played in succession sev- eral of those soft Spanish airs that seem born of intense feoling suppressed. An hour dhocug, plapelomt beteed incerta. ‘hough evidently slightly embarrassed Haskins had exchanged many remarks with her aud, bein, something of an amateur musician himself, easily interested her by suggestions in regard to her violin practice and had even illustrated his ideas by hundling the instrument himself. Treadily saw that the meeting between them was of a kind not to be forgotten at once by either of the two, and this Jnowledge caused me uneasiness, though I so engaged the attention of Don Ezequiel that he apparently had seen little of the couple. Presently our host said: “You may know that I aim to be an artist,” this with such modesty that indicated to me the power of the masier. “Perhaps you would like to see my studio.” AVISIT TO THE STUDIO. | We readily expressed an interest in doing #0, for that indeed bad been the chief object of our visit, “You must not be offended,” he contin: addressing himself to Haskins,” at what I show you, for it is rather personal to yourself. I felt interested in working out your character when I first saw youand have so occupi tHe’ ‘though many covered ob- negro lynchings knowledge, end that's | much, was that there were many such outside of the whites” peal a Ion tamliar exchange of eas Oly, wall of cour, thay to easier int hs obo deformity bad osu . + now seemed returnit “And he wore mask?” Taige light of ie lantern he carried threw Lis “Certainly. It wouldn't do to be recognized, distorted fc bold relief before us. He TeEYndorstnd, Afraid to give the man they | 2s 0 *OT}E fat 1 slo ged ih eli? rece wetee pe ovens: for hie to hisarm. They were talking with the great- THE EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON D.C. SATURDAY, , ee 13, -1892-SIXTEEN PAGES: lamps and was at the end opposite to we stood. My anxiety was now growing pain! the te movements of our artist frien only exasperating me. Finally he motioned to Haskins as he said: “You may remove the cur tain from in front of you.” A SERIES OF SURPRISES. He did so; then, laughing, exclaimed: “Ob, mirror!” for we all saw his reflection there and thought this only a fancy with which the artist was introducing his works. But as we looked we found that the reflection, as we thought it, Was motionless. The red background had con- tributed toward giving the impression of « mir- Tor there. Haskins seemed dumfounded; he had put forth his hand to assure himself there was no glass before him and leaned toward the image. The deformed artist having joined us, put out his armand pressed him back, drawing the curtain to its formor position as the adjoin- ing one was removed aud again there was an image of Haskins, A murmur of approval srose from us all. While we realized that this second figure was no less an image of Haskins, yet there was something strangely different, a generous hand, something more comp! mentary than retouching of # photo- graphic negative had influenced it, softening and biending toward idealism every line of form and face. We remained in silence while atbird, fourth, fifth—I cannot recall how many of these constantly varying figures were one by one reveuied to us, and I couid see a glow of approval and admiration on the countenances of our fair friends as they now turned toward Haskins, for while that last figure was perfect in manly beauty, something more than carthly and undeemily utiractive, yet so gradually had the change beeu wrought, lookiug from oue to the other of the forms in tue panorama, that when the first scene was expose could only recognize it as ons that last shown. Haskins had always been in appearance a rather comely fellow, but when Tnow looked at him I could only see the Has- kins of the artist's imagination. I cannot justly describe the effect on my sight. He was that same careless Haskins I had known be- fore, yet, when J looked at him, there seemed to be a suggestion of that ideal’ man which I felt he must be. He was not slow in appre- ciating the compliment that had beeu paid him aud saw cieariy the effect this revelation had bad on his new-found friend. What I had before feared now became in my mind a cer- tainty. Expressing our satisfaction we re- traced our sieps. ‘Ihe exhibition had in some Way elated all in the party. Haskins’ vauity had been so touched tuat he looked at peace with the whole world. We returned to music, song and an enjoy- ment of afree conversation. Haskins wae i anatmosphere of enchantment, as was Dona Angelina, who performed tor him more of his Pieces on the violin. Don kzequiel now noticed the absorbing intebest they exchanged, andseemed very uneasy. Ho left the room and did not return for some time, but we paid little attention to his absence. When he did return 1 noticed my watch and was surprised ai the hour, not having been aware of the flight of me. 1 arose to leave, but Haskins interrupied my first word. “You will excuse me,” he stammered, “for making a request that perlaps 1 should not mention. But what you have shown me, the work in your studio, seems so strange, so Supernatural in its power, [can hardly realize that it is more than a dream—a mere fancy of my mind. Once more permit me to see that imay not doubt the evidence of "be entreated. aieace MODELS OF & DIFFEXT KIND. The request was willingly granted and we moved from the luxurious apartment to the corridor of the patio. Haskins wore the air of ‘® man who possessed only confidence and was accustomed only to flattery. Who would not rather enjoy such inteuse Hattery as was paid gn by the models the artist had shown? the first form was repetition of what we had seen. But we were sturtied when the ad- joining curtain was displaced, and all of us ex- changed anxious glances. ‘Ihe change in that form and figure was not toward the ideal wo had come to look upon as the real Haskins; there was a suggestion of incongruity about the whole figure. Then came the next and others followed. “My God,” I heard Haskins fairly scream in despairing toncs which I can never forget. He seemed to move for something to dash at those monsters of humanity, constantly growing so terrible that we could but siare as we looked from one to the other. A ghastly expression was on the face of each, witnessing the,transiormation, and, tight the ‘feeling as 1 would, I was as greatly overwhelmed by repugnance of the perou of my friend ss were the others. In face as I saw it now there was blended expres- sions of all that was evil, every line of his form and feature was distorted, there mingling all influences of discord clashing for expression, Yet beyond question it was Haskins. I heard shriek after shriek that told of a hopeless de- spair, then a heavy fail, I wanted to fly from the place as I saw our fair friends doing in ter- ror, but by a great effort I reasoned that really no change had taken place with the man swoon- ing at my feet, that it was only my old friend, whose nerves had been unstrang by a power- ful exhibition of the artist. I tought my re- pugnance to the man, though it was the great- est fight [ have ever made. How I carried him home I do not remember clearly. But I put him to bed and for weeks his lite was despaired of. In his raging fever he showed that the memory of that fatal night was ever present in his mind. . . . . . It was a long time before the sick man could again leave his room. Not being able to com- pletely overcome the repulsive feelings that his presence excited, and not wishing to have him sco that this was so, I managed to keep away from him as much as possible. He is changed man, I hear, and no longer in spirit the Haskins I knew of old. CE K Written for The Even‘ng Star. "Tis Sweet. "Tis sweet to hope in spite of Fate And buoy our drooping spirits up ‘Till Fortune lets Desire create Fruition’s nectar in life's cup; "Tis sweet to hug that fond Belief Which offers what our souls desire And find our Fear's misgivings brief Before Success makes them retire; ‘Tis sweet to conquer things adverse To our achievement of an end, And find no apprehension worse ‘Than cautious Forethought would commend; °Tis sweet to think of triumphs won By buffeting against that strife Which dauuts a less courageous one And brands defeat upon his life; "Tis sweet to love, when loving gains ‘The object of profound desire, And turns to Joy the anxious pains ‘That Hil the heart with yearning fre; *Tis sweet to scale the topmost round Of ladders which Desire ascends, And from that zenith view the ground ‘Where Courage with Despair contends *Tis sweet to master evil greed And break the hoarding grasp of Gain ‘When Noble Purpose prompts the deed ‘To prove them selfish, wrong and vain; *Tis sweet to sow the germs of Truth And see them grow to bear those seeds Which Virtue moids in minds of youth For manly though:s and righteous deeds °Tis sweet to know that we have done ‘Our duties faithfully and weil, And fee! that we have justly won ‘The praise of those with whom we dwell;— But when this sweetness acrid turns And Hope goes down in dark despair, ‘Then Life to ashy embers burns —Bustow T. Dora, ‘Washington, D. C., Febraary 12, 1693, ———+e+___. An Opening for = Live Man, ‘From the Detroit Free Press. He arrived in a small western town from the east, and after supper he interviewed the pro- prietor of the hotel. “Is there an opening in this place for a live newspaper man?” be in a | gratetul tous here in | brought so much of storm and snow to our ATTRACTIVE HOMES. Flowers and Their Employment for P cites SOME TIMELY SUGGESTIONS. How Home Workers Can Produce Handsome Decorative Effects Without the Aid of « Florist—Many Ways of Doing Embroidery; © Detailed Description of « Pretty Pattern. ‘Written for The Evening Star. T THIS SEASON OF entertaining the houses as well as the people. Plants, flowers, lights Jets of rooms, and gen- erally they prove as Decoming to houses sen ordingrily in every-day costume as do the beau- tifal gowns of the hos- tesses on such gala oc- casions. Really @ transformation scene can be effected in rooms not commonly called even attractive by introducing enough greenery, with sufficient color to set it off, just asa becoming gown makes « plain woman almost pretty, while the glowing lights of Iamp and candle add the effect that animation does to a person. Many plants and fewer flowers make decorative effect than moro flowers and lest greenery to set | hike jewel foliage bring: costume does that of jewels. Tall palms in corners or recesses, lower plants grouped with them, masses of maidenhair on the mantels and jars of flowers set in prominent places, where their coloring will be accented, make © good arrangement and disposal for decoration. SEASOXABLE FLOWERS FOR DECORATION. With the beginning of February the flowers 0f spring associations are in favor, and, though not plentiful as yet, the tulips and daffodils are appearing at receptions, dinners and Juncl e yhere their sweet suggestivences is ppreciated. The pink and white daisies are modest little flowers, but are won- derfully pretty, used in a mass particularly; and for home use are specially sntisfactory— they are so long lived in water—while a root or two planted in a low jar will last for woeks ax & pretty centerpiece for the table. The single white ‘hyacintlis with pink carrations in tall cut glass vases were the effective flowers used recently at a luncheon, with centerpiece of Knen embroidered in pale green, on which stood a tall crystal lamp with pale green shade. This combination of color and flowers bad its spring suggestions also, and they are especiall: ‘this season, which has city, usually so exempt from the latter visite- tion: SUGGESTIONS FOR HOME INGENUITY. Tread just lately how decorations for festival occasions might be managed by home workers with a little trouble, mantels and doorways be- ing especially :poken of as effective points tor massing flowers. Checse cloth, I should sup- pose of the same color as the flowers to be plied, is made a foundation, the edges be cut in a form to suggest its having been draped —that is, with one end higher than the other, for instance—and onto this the flowers are sewed with strong thread. The flowers alone may be put closely together, such as pink roses, or they may be mingled with foliage, or if flow- | ers are scarce pretty green vines or leaves may | be substituted. 1 think this idea might be weil carried out in the country, where generally all sorts of pretty greenery may be foand in the woods for the gathering aud a florist’s services are not often to behad at hand. When orchards are in bloom a Japanesque arrangement of fruit blossoms could be made very it seems to me. 4 BOOM IN PINK. ‘To decorate a room in pink, for instance, have a pink cheesecloth drapery over the door, more like « lambrequin in shape than like a ortiere, and have sprays of peach blossoms oat closely over it. gti an upright piano a drapery of vines festooned across the front, with a great jar of the blossoms on twigs long enough to give a very branching effect, would be lovely. A mantel drapery, and may be @ draping on mirror or picture hanging above, both sewed to the pink cloth founda- tions,’ would also be very effective. Special rooms would probably suggest further decora- tion, but this is ina general way suited to al- most any place. In rose time in the country « perfect rose bower coula be made following out this same idea, sprays of roses with the clus- tered blossoms being used on the pink ground- work. CROCHETED TRIMMING To PREVAIL. It is prophesied that crocheted trimming will be used in the spring, and with the prevailing fancy for the Irish point and similar laces it seems a likely prediction. These laces have Leen used on silk and wool alike this wint and the India silks and sheer cottons for su mer wear will be equally pretty to combine with them; yokes of Ince ially seem suit- able for summer gowns, and something hana- made might be adapted to this form, or as an edge to bretelles or rests, or in many other ways that a fertile fancy could suggest. If heavy laces are to be on they are to be chosen also for housebold linens of ail kinds, and hand-made edges are much liked. When one has littie time for needlework of most kinds a good deal may be accomplished it @ piece of lace is at hand ready to be taken up for evens short time and an inch or two to its lengtn. ‘MANY WAYS OF DOING EMBROIDERY. There are many little ways of doing em- broidery that an expert learns to avail herself of, but which a beginner or one only moder- ately skilled is not aware of, and so cannot make of service. Experience teaches many things, but her methods are necessarily some- what tedious, and hints may often be of use to those who know different stitches and such foundations, but who do not know little of improving the looks of their knowing how to work to advantage by seeing a piece of needlework which was done by under- standing fingers. The ing used, wit shades of gray the stems. re , a! 1G tir Hit Hi H F make the reception toi- | Shite Blossoms of some fruit The preity experiment has been tried breaking the budded twigs from fruit trees putting them in « warm room in water « the bude swell and then break blossoms long before bude on the their bounds Thw and kindred bulbs growing in water, and wheat sown on cotton over a bowl of specially interesting where there are children to be entertained and taught by them and are Well worth the attempts on their account. fils ited 3 $4 ee ' TRE VENETIAN LACE SCHOOLS Venice Correaponience af the Mercer. The lace of Venice, like ber glaseand mosaics, iss traditional monument to her ancient in- dustrial greatness. Venice is the carliest home of lace, and from her hands it was introduced into other countries. The first Ince was made by nuns within the walls of convents, for ec- in our lovlywity Reve} closiastical garmenta With the fall of the their feiti¥al! arthetite'| Venctinn republic theconvents were closed and | this graceful industry was lost for an entire century. 8 1970 the Princess Margherita, now Queea | Of italy, determined to revive the art and pro~ | ¥ide employment for Venetian women strag- | gling in the throes of poverty. To her is due | the credit of the origin and endowment of the Jexisting school, Theso schools are subsi- | dized by the Italian g | the direct control of a Chevalier Jesuram ‘nmment and are under uy of which the lhere are yea full and nc ce and her surrounding Principal building jute up nga | colored walls of San Marco and fre this pie- | turesque «pot, under the very wing of the | cathedral, issue some of the most exquisite pat- terns of lace that the world prod Yesterday I walked through the various | Fooms of this school and saw the women ab- sorbed in their tedious work. They wore of all ages and sizes, f ed girl of twelve to the gra a Of sixty, Each sat on a low *® plump, square cushion Was pinned a i >. ft On this cushion paper marked with pattern to be foliowed, and into this pattern the nimbie-tingered | worker sti ines headed pins and twists threads about them. ¥rom twenty to fifty shutties deponded ll sides of the cu aud these were ber machine. jantly withdrawn and re- piaced as the threads advanced along the pat tern. ‘Ihe process is so simple that it looks like play, but the lace produced 1 thousands of hard gold doliara J ple laces grow rapidly under the de ‘erous fingers of the women, but the quisite rose point and its kindred quali- ties evolve with a slow and proud dignity. A number of women were at work one new | lace, designed by the Chevalier Jesuram. This Was Woven with bright-colored silks and devel- oped flowers and birds in all their nataral shades. Polichrom is the name given thw deli cate fabric. Uhe cost of some of the hand- made thread used in the finer laces is enor- mous. It is spun froman especial kind of fax | and bas been known to bring the extraordinary Price of €2,500 a pound, In this building there are lange exposition rooms, where lace is sold at fixed prices vary- ing trom 40 cents to $600 a yard. When I may fixed prices 1 mean to give the impression that the dainty fabric is valued upon a stationary basis, according to the time consumed in ite Manutacture. ‘The women are paid irom M4 to 20 cents «day, and their work 1s valued at a fixed scale of profit. if the l4-cent woman consumes ten days in moking @ yard ot ince this yard of fabric is sold for 10 france, which, ol course, inciudes expeuses of tools, material, house reut, &c. ‘There 1s aivo @ museum here devoted to the Preservation of old iaces. ilcre the embroid- ered fabric of history aud romance eurolis it- self beiore you—somber with tragic stains at | one place, gay at anotuer with the rosy smiles | of lite. ‘ie most remarkable piece on exbi- | bition is atiounce maue especially tor the Em- press Marie Louise by | Js quite probable that the equal of tue pattern | wil never be produced. ihe texture of this article is 80 tine that one could imagine it the | work of a fairy. At is point d con wat | flowers, candelabra, symbolic vases aud birds Which lose themsclyes in ® mass of delicate tracery. ‘his precious piece was the heritage of e family of Parma, who sold it to the musoum for ah enormous price in gold. In this mu- seum hangs the portrait of Queen Victoria im the costume worn at her jubilee. The lace of this costume was all made im the Venetian scnovis, and is the fiaest work that bas been done by them. ‘The second school in point of size 1s situated upon an island that sparkles like a jewel im- bedded iu the sea. A path, marked at intervals by posts, leads across the’ picturesque iagoon to tue Island of Burano. Down this path you glide swittly and soitly. A mere twist of tue | hand of the silent gondolicr sends the light boat forward over the golden water. lou float up to @ janding aud the carsman fastens | his craft to one of the many blue-topped posts that protrude out of the water. The Burano point lace is so famous that it doce not require a minute description at my hands. It hax been successfully revived and the old patterns are being religiously followed, ‘The girls employed in these echovis are of uni- versal beauty. They are gentle natures and turn their large, soft eyes upon you with an expression of innocence and confidence. Im the old church on the island an antique altar lace is preserved that is suid to be we finest | piece of lace in existence. It was designed for and has never left the church, aud és held in timable value. in the prison on the Island of Gindeces lace making is carried on by the women immates and the men manufacture damank. Under the direction of Signor Jesurum the industry bas grown to enormous prey employing no less than 4,000 women. It is not conducted solely for the purpose of gain, but to keep the nimble fingers of Venice im active operation. Of course the schools turn out » large product, the greater pert of which finds its way to America. Pans dictates the fashions of the world, especially in women's wear, and consequently quotes the price on lace. The bulk of the output of the Venetian schools is sold from their headquarters in the Avenue de Opera. Two Polite Men Meet, the Chicago Daily Tribane. TAL G. Tousley of the Englewood Ziye was eit ting in his office, 246 62d street, last night when he thought he beard « footstep in the room. ‘Turning, be gazed into the polished barrel of a revolver. as “Give me what money you have or I'll shoot,’ said a gruff voice. “I would with ” Mr. Tousley re- sin “bert —we to tell you the truth, I it about me.” ‘The robber did tot ua for proof, He walked backward to the door, keeping Mr. Tousley covered with the revolver, bowed courteously, and