Evening Star Newspaper, March 19, 1892, Page 12

12 "se fi “WASHINGTON D.C, SATURDAY. MARCH 19. 1892_SIXTEEN PAGES. ATTRACTIVE HOMES. Novelties in the Way of Interior House Decorations. THE BLUE AND WHITE FAD. It Makes Pleasing Effects—A Keturn to the Ebonized Idea is Also Being Made—New Kinds of Material and Neat Desigus in Em- broidery Mentioned. Writcen for The Evening Star. N JUST ABOUT SO often the same ideas of color or design in fur- nishings are very apt to reappear. While novel- ties in minor detailsare always to be found, the same general fashions come and come again, with intervals between each revival of a jonger or shorter duration. All the styles of interior decoration which are celled by any distinctive name at all are repro- duetions and they come around in turn almost im regular rotation in about so often. Of course these styles only govern tos certain extent and many people who have charming houses have nowhere a hint of any predominat- ing fashion in the pretty rooms. A strong in- dividuality of taste generally leads away from rather than inte the set croove of any preva- lent fancy. For some time—several years, in fact—white paint has been the rage in wood work of rooms, in furniture and im picture frame; ivory white has been the popular choice. Some years previous to this black paint—ebon- ized wood—was just as popular. With the re- vival of white that fell at once out of favor and anything in black has been, if possible, set aside and pushed out of the way. For the wood work of rooms it has never been gener- ally used. though two of the prettiest and most artistic rooms I have ever seen had black wood work, including the mantels. THE BLACK CRAZE RETURNING. Now, again, the idea of black enameled or ebonized wood in rooms and furniture seems coming to the fore, and several times of late I have seen the descriptions of very attractive interiors with black as the tone for all the Paintable portions of the furnishing. There Was never anvthing more stylish looking or prettier than the black wicker chairs with cushions of any soft or bright coloring tied on ith big bows. I call to mind one of the tirst I With the braided edge of the low back and \ded and the cushions of the then fash- ionable peacock blue plush, with satin ribbon bows of the same color on back and seat. Now. again. the black wicker chairs and sofas are likely to flourish as they did aforetime, und to some the reaction from the prolonged reign of ivory white will be weleoms, though few, I think, go so far as to like it for the entire wood work of a room. For a good while past a cer- tain littie bine bed room hax been untasbion- able enough to have considerable ebonized ood in 1's belongings, aud the effect has never been unpleasing, either. BLUE AND WHITE EFFECTS. ‘The large articles were enameled in blue and white, with cupids aud flowers for decoration, but the chairs belonging to the set had become spoiled by using and bad been replaced by those with black frames and dark blue velvet cushions. The curtain rods, too, were ebon- ized and had brass rings, while the curtains re silkoline with turquoise biue flowers on a white ground, the splasher and @ screen being Of the same pretty material, Au art square of blue in two shades covered the main part of the floor, while a Japanese cotton rug. in the same tones of blue. lay by the bed on one side and a white goatskin the other. The mantel was upholstered in blue felt, with large disks of darker blue velvet ap- plied irregularly, a heavy gold cord edying them. and depending from the center of each @ long tassel of iridescent beads, a heading of the sume being at the top of the valance. Above the shelf a curtain of ielt was hung by brass rings from a slender rod. ‘Ihe paper in the Foom was a light blue, with interlacing design of white, and a frieze of large lowers in shades of biue ranging from turquoise to deep gre ish blue. ‘The pictures were framed in black, and asmail corner cabinet of ebony bad tur- quoise silk shirred at the giass of the door. A smail, low table was covered with gray-blue felt, a shade that toned with the rest, and hac @ fall of ecru lace around the top. THE BUREAU ADORNXENTS. ‘The small adornments of the bureau were in turquoise blue, the covers being worked in silk Of that color, the brush and comb tray being Painted in forget-me-nots, as weil as the puff box, ‘and various other trifles making up the usual complement of toilet accessories. ‘The bed had always white hemstitched linen Pillow cases, the favorites having five uarrow mstitched tucks, and asearf with wide hem and embroidered initials, while the bed spread Was scream mudras, put over the white cover and tucked in at the sides. The coloring in the Foom was very pretty and never apparently fading, though south and east window let Plenty of sun installtimes. Lightbluesare sup- posed to be unstable, but years went by and atill ‘the blues of this room were un red. As the room has lately been entirely dismantied, the memory only can henceforth call up the unpre- tentious but pleasing picture of this very de- ¢idedly and satisfactorily blue room. A SOVELTY IN CHEAP MaTeRtAL. There is alight novelty in the cheap ma- terial coming under the general head of silko- line; this is calied tijis cloth, and is said to be somewhat finer and better than the previous efforts in that line of goods. The designs are, some of them. charming, in natural forms and colorings of flowers. ‘The prettiest I have econ ise crocus pattern in yellow, natural size and Sracefully ‘arranged; the ‘same design also Comes in pink shading to old rose, and. with same green leaves as the yellow. These are only 12° cents a yard, and are said to be Perfectly fast colors, and are certainly the ttiest cheap material Ihave scen of late. spprosching spring brings out 4 usual quantities of yellow in all things decora- florists windows have the tulips and jon- cowslips in profusion; Dounets and hats have plenty of the spring color in their trimmings, and novelties of all appear in the different shades. YELLOW IN CHINA. China is not to be left out of the category and vases in three or four sizes, the large ‘very large, are to be seen in bright yellow ware, ‘the shape being @ fleur de lis, the edges just touched up with gold. The big ones are quite startling from the form and color, but as flower holders they will be most effective, filled with branching shrubs or boughs of the beautiful which will soon be showing itself in country roundabout. Lots of pretty table comes as usual inthe newest Dresden, the French china with similar decora- seems as popular as ever Among the Pieces is atallcup of medium size set in a work attached to the saucer; ly decorated and gilded aud is a In needle work a sideboard showy without much work bas of begonia leaves in small size: the ds so arranged that the leaves are Jong on the ed eof the linen, 80 progresses than when chosen, end the leaves not peing serrated they are more easily | em- White twisted embroidery silk is ‘the floss used in this particular example. ‘A CENTERPIECE FOR TABLES. A novelty iss centerpiece or mat for small tables, of linen, with a wide hem, covered with Dresden embroidery. In working, a four-inch band on all sides is left plain, then a four-inch and is with the little flowers closely pomdered. Ths Sowers are wecked beieee ake ig Surned, thus the under side of the hem dines uted: being about three-eighths of a yard square. There isa great fancy for the round mats of fringed, lace edged and buttonholed. fringed is the favorite, perhaps, and it mysterious, while in reality itis very yuare of linen of any desired ‘circle isdrawn by means of a aH F 1 fringed. ¥ i fringed as @ square, though, to get the round effect Inter ‘and have it satisfactory, the ma- chine stitching giving exactly the same finish in appearance as the hand work or fringe. A ROUND MAT. Acharming tnat for a water bottle is round with a plain center left for the bottle, then for a space of four inches or so carnations are set quite closely on the outer edge, the petals turn ing out and the leafless stems turning toward the center ina very graceful way. This is worked in filofloss with the flowers im lovely shades of pink, the calyx and stem being in soft green, with the calyx cromsed in a darker shade of green; the outer edge of the circle is buttonhoied in a large scallop in heavy white silk. Sofa pillows are still finished generaliy with a raftte ot frill, doubled. if the silk is very soft or thin, but never i+ glace silk, pinked after the manner of ruffler on silk petticoats, Changeable silk is as effective tor the former articles as for the latter and is the newest fin- ish for pillows with embroidery in the two shades of silk. With Critical Sketches of the Various Mem- bers Thereuntu Belonging. Misa Meander in Boston Gazette. The Ardent Young Member who has just joined. She issoardent, She has never had the pleasure of writing any statistics before, and now she opens her mouth, eyes and note- book over them. To her the horrors of Russia, the increase of crime,the tenement-house ques- tion, the race problem, theosophy, physical culture and drainage are delightfully alarming questions, over which she weeps and flushes and applauds as their many sides are presented and discussed. She listens with respect and awe to every one who speaks, and trembles with delight to find herself a member of such » wonderful club. She votes both ways with a feeble voice or hand’and then conscientiously wonders if she oughtn’t to arise and explain, thatanew count may be taken. She never misses a meeting: is always early; never gets up to go out before the speaker bas finished and exhibits superfluous gratification if any one speaks to her. She is very careful to wear her good clothes to the club and always spends considerable time on her back hair. ‘The Tough Old Member is at once the admi- ration and despair of the Ardeyt Young Mem- ber, who wonders how she ever dares to glare at the speaker as she does and have so little re- spect for him or her apparently. She is never enthusiastic over anything. frequently turns up her nose at things in particular or in gen- eral and often rises and goes out while the speaker is in the midst of the most delightfully intricate whirl of startling statistics. ‘The Tough Old Member has sized up every one in the club aud, if the occasion demands, is not delicate about expressing her opinions. She stauds in awe of no one, is not deceived over any one’s age or intellect, never applauds, seldom criticises in any way, but bas an I- know-the-wnole business air which shuts up fresh members like the camp chairs they sit in. ‘The Frivolous Member is not always well spoken of, But often relieves the meetings of the gloom that sometimes gathers about them and makes a break in the mists of monotony in which they are annually enguifed. ‘hough the majority of the members do not care to giggie, the minority that care to but do not dare to feel a sort of safety valve in the Frivo- lous Member and enjoy her presence. The Frivolous Member me.ns to be frivolous, it is no uncontrollable and unexpected impulse that besets her. She meditates and ar- ranges her frivolity thet .t startling contrast to the other members © composure may be unmistakable and prouounced and gain ior her the distinction which a jerky and sponta- neous frivolity would never bring. And we have the Ladylike Member. Women who fail over chars and drop umbrellas have a stinging appreciation of her and a snesking hope thet she doesn't — * much. She is aways compozed and» — attired, listens at-| teutively, only smiles with oue side of her face | at atime and avoids discussion. She has the | same salutation for her 25 and 50 cent neigh- | bors, and people do not feel obliged to draw in | their feet when she passes them. ‘Ibe Lady- like Member 1s ladylike way through. We do not feel that she slams a door aiter her when she is out of sight or unnecessarily twirls a chair round like a top to relieve suppressed iceling. We somehow feel that her composure is built on a Christinn «pirit and » gentle heart, The Grumbing Member is another safety- valve for the other members. Sure that every [, deficiency, from the by-laws to the front-door mat, Lave been or will be attacked by her, the others can afford to assume the amiable virtues which they have not, coufideut that their bat- ties will be fought for them. The Grumbling Member is ever ready to fight battles—scents danger afar off and never gets over dangers pasts, Like the inebriated individual, who threatened to lick lus wife if he found her sit- ting up on his retarn, the Grambling Member approaches the club witha frown that makes even a doughty director yearn for refuge in the coal scuttle or a temporary perch on the top of an elevator. The Vigorous Member is divided into two classes—she who accomplishes something with her vigor and she who does not. Tue former is the leaven of an often lumpy club, while the latter is_as maddening as twenty-four tons of coal sliding from a four-horse cart. One electrities, the other irritates. One makes a motion and carries it out, while the other is fiying about erying what ‘ought to be done. One brings water, while the other yells : The Vigorous Members often relax from cri cism oF over-exertion, and a warm spring day of peace and pleasant platitudes setties over the club, but suddenly, like the east wind that arises and begins to doors and blow dust around the corners into your eyes, the Vigorous Members awake to uction and ‘the club re- mounts its roller coasters of rumpus and re- form. The Timid And the other members are: Members, who rise to speak and wish they badn’t, or those who do not rise to speak and wish they had; the Belicose Members, who could work wonders if they had only had some old Cy Prime to back them; the members who only come when there is something to eat, and the members who only come to gossip in the dressing room: the member whose mauner is constant apology tor living, and the member who nails every one to the wall while she ex- amines them; the member who likes to whisper while » paper is being read, and the member who wants the city noises to cease while she listens; the Sociable Member, who is as popu- iar as the pennypost, aud the Mean Memver, who talks about all the other members. oe Steel Used for Fence Posts, From the Aunerican Manufacturer, Steel is now being used in the manufacture of fence posts. This is an innovation on the old cedar method, and promises to meet with extended use. One of the latest devices in this direction consists of a thin plate of steel mai in conical shape, being smaller at the top than at the bottom, and encircled with malleable iron barbs, prepared for attaching wire or other deseriptions of fencing, is seven inches wide and seven feet long, with an open slot ex- tending the entire length. The top is held in place by an ornamental cap. The post is de- signed to be driven into the ground, thus obv: ating the necessity of digging holes. For this purpose a driving machine has been designed. which is so arranged that it can be set st any angle. the post being always in a vértical posi- tion when driven into the ground. One man anda horse are required to operate 8 machine, which ean do the work of ten men in the same given time. These posts, before being used, are treated toa bath ina’ solution heated by electricity, and a coating put on them to pre- A TALE OF SILVER. Some Raré and Historic Ornaments in Washington Homes, RELICS IN THE WHITE HOUSE. The Results of Mra. Harrison’s Rummaging In Old Closets—Mrs. Thompson Swan's Val- uable Collection of* Russian and Swiss Spoons—Cabinets Full of a Collector's Gems. ‘Written for The Evening Star. VERYBODY LOVES old and no pos- session is more envied. Nothing adds more to the tasteful arrange- ment of atable now: days than these odd pieces, picked up here and there, and each having some genuine interest outside of the fact that it is sterling. Of late years the taste for collections of odd spoons as mementoes of travel at home or in foreign lands has filled the market with re- productions and imitations until the average souvenir spoon has become a sort of joke. Real things are always igteresting, and in many Washington homes it is not the elegant furnishings, the velvety carpets, the almost priceless pictures, &c.. which command the most attention from the casual visitor, but it is the odd, curious, rare or beautiful little things that fill’ the cabinet or the glass-covered tables in which they are displayed. When one owns two or three pieces the desire fora collection begins. Then from filling one cabinet one finds it easy to fill two or three others, and so it goes along, until in a few drawing rooms that will be cited one could spend hours looking at objects that they scarcely ever can see duplicated. OLD WHITE HOUSE SILVER. Mrs. Harrison, in whom the spirit of historic research is hereditary, is never happier than when she has brought to light some long-for- gotten book, or restored some corner of the White House to its old-time uses, or freshened up a picture of a famous personage unearthed from the rubbish and put it again where it can be admired. or to do what she cur to keep to- gether if not all at least specimens of the china that old-time Presidents have used. Early in the past winter several old closets in the White House that were almost . forgotten were opened and the oldest silver in the man- sion came to hight. Thearticles found in them were four soup tureens of solid silver, of grace- ful shape, but simple decoration. Each piece was marked ““President’s house.” Mrs. Harri- son had them cleaned and they have since adorned the four side tables in the state dining room. Mrs. Morton on her table uses a superb silver service, and in general use she has also pitchers, &c., that were gifts to the Vice President aud bear suitable inscriptions. In a cabinet in her blue parior there are displayed a large ni of both modern aud antique silver orni many of them presentations to herself asto her husband, commemorative medals, &c., that go to make up a not oniy valuable, but ex- tremely interesting, collection. OLD SILVER ORNAMENTS. Mrs. J. Thompson Swann was probably the first in this city to commence a coliection of old silver ornaments, especiilly spoons. Those who ited her in making the coilection were sonal friends and gifted with the taste and intelligent discrimination which go to make up the real collector. She has some of the rarest and at the sume time the most beautiful speci- mens of the silversmith’s art to be fonud in Holland, Switzerland and Russia. Mer spoons are in all sizes, from a set of little old Dutch salt spoons with a ram's head on the handle to the much older and more curious fish spoon with an ivory handle yellow with age. She has ‘some Swiss bridal spuons, one with very beau- titul carving, with the coat-of-arms of the uniting families, an antique set of apostle ‘spoons and numbers of the oid Dutch *‘tasters,” aw they were called, each representing a differ- ent family and different in design and exeen- tion. These spoous have generous bowls and substantial handles, with all their intricate workmanship. It is said that the little hocks in all the handies were there, that the house- wives of the old Dutch manors might «ttach them to the weighty silver chatelaines hanging from their girdles. Among the Kussian spoot which are as large as the ordinary soup spvons, the enameling at the back of the buwi and handles isa real work of art. Perhaps no people in the world make as beautiful bread shes or plates and salt cellars as the Rus- sians. The visitor to a Russian house is asked and intricate carving was a from the Chi- neve minister. A yellow ‘hing bow with flowers was c: by the former Chinese minister, who was a connoisseur, to be worth its weight in gold, as it was of a kind of ehina never before seen outside of the rial household. Cocoanuts finely carved. « luster vase made by a tribe of Mexican Indians, with whom the secret of its making was lost by their gradual extinction, an Aztec needle, which is nothing but a spike from» magney plant, but sharp enough to go through leather, a collec- tionof tortoise shell combs that the ideal Span- ish lady wears, some beautiful fans in mother of peari and shell from that land where they know how to use them so well, Mexican birds of gay plumage, Spanish plates and tiles, area fewof the many beautiful things that aro each unique in their own way. In the brary in a case is the copy in silver of the Aztec cal- endar stone, which was presented to Mr. Fos- tor by his Mexican frieuds during bis stay in that country. Nearby is « portrait of the Spanish baby king, brought home last spring by Mr. Foster. MRS. JOHN MULLAN has been another enthusiastic collector of old silver spoons, ornamente, miniatures and odd and curious things in brass and bronze. A jesk in one corner of her drawing room is en- tirely covered with repouse brass designs, and is, perhaps, the only one of its kind in’ thie city. Sometimes it is opened and the old treas- uresin silver are displayed. The bronzes are de- eidedly odd in every way. A charcoal burner, asort of brass pyramid familiar enough to travelers as the only means of heating their rooms in Italy and other old countries, is snother reminder of pleasant days abroad. piiioremii AFTER THE THEATER. He Shouid Be Able to Select a Supper, but if He's Not= From the New York World. ‘Anything special you wish? Well, who does this strike, you? Say, blue points on the half shell, roast mallard duck, lobster salad, a bot- tle of tizand cafe noir énd Siberian punch for a finish?” “Delicious,” said the girl—and it was deli- cious. Not the least part of the pleasure was the fact that the young man had brains enough to order the little supper without insisting upon her help. If she didn’t feel quite as weil as usual the next day that was her fault, not his. Sho told him what acomfort it was to bave ‘an excort who understood these things, and he was immenseiy pleased, but made the usual re- mark: “I should think any fellow would know enough for that.” os “They don't,” said the girl, confidentiaily, and under the stimulating influence of the mal- lard dack she went on: ‘ine-tenths of the men who take a woman out to supper after the theater expect her to do all the thinking. I'm so used to it that I don't mi but tonight I felt as if I did wanta change;” and she paused for a dazzling smile. “What do you order when you are doing it yourself’ acked the young man after he had basked a inoment. “hat depends entirely on the escort. I adapt myself to circumstances. Say, for it 'm with Uncle John or some staid ed friend of papa, [ll order porter- house steak, with mushrooms, potatoes au gratin and burgundy. He'll think I am the most sensible girl hos met yet, and he'll want to take me out again the very next week.” And the student of human nature chuckled soitly to herself. ‘The young man was getting interested, f I'm with a gentle youti like Caarley Blank, who is esthetic in iis tastes,” resumed tho maiden, “of course I wouldn't disgust him by eating heartily in bis presence. For this youth my menu is chicken salad and an ice. Then there's the mpecunious young man who means well, but—well, hasn't the means, you know. Talwaya take an oyster stew with im. It’s ‘filling’ and goes a long way. Some- it he insists, L drink a cup of coffee after- ward. Atsuch times I'ma strict proibition- ‘ist. “The bardest person to manage is the in- dividual who bas lots of mouey and who wants to go through the bill of fare from the be- ginning to the end thereof. I take quail on toast with him and then declare I’ve a severe headache. A restless young man tossed on his couch that night and prayed for daylight. He made several remarks, but the most (ouching was thi wonder what her insight into my char- acter would have led her to order if I had left it to her!” ———+ee—____ Written for The Evening Siar. A Ring. Don't pride yourself upon a ring. —Fragment of Sappho. So you are wedded!--Well and good!— To you may Hymen bles-ings bring! But be not of too trustfu! mood— Don't pride yourseif upou a ring. Ah, there are some who loved you more to partake of bread and silt. After that hos: pitality the stranger becomes friend. act gives the opportunity to display mar- vela of artistic workinanship in the dishes offered—Mrs. Swann has a walt cellar in the shape of @ littie arm chair beautifully enam- cled. Under the seat is where the salt is kept. ‘This little treasure cost $100. Another pretty salt cellar is in silver, a Kussian drosky and a reindeer pulling it. All these table adoraments are in regular use, On the parlor wall in a deep frame is a superbly carved ivory fan made in Chi 182 it was a gift from Mrs. Swann’ husband to bis mother, and her mou T.,” ia exquisitely carved in the sticks, are almost as delicute as lace work. IN A CABINET tbat weighty chatelaii cover, achatelain mirror, two fine specimens of moss agate, jately found in Switzerland, and able miniatures. One of Le Bray by gifted fingers is equaled only in! terest by « portrait of Maria in ail her courtly robes and jewels, sitting near the craule of the ig of Home. All the shelves are crowded, are in two or three otuer cabinets with just as interesting and valuable things. VALUABLE OLD FURNITURE. In the library a teak-wood settle, with the coat-of-arms of the Knights of Malta and bas- reliefs of the buttle of Lepanto, makes an inter- esting study to those who admire genuine old furniture. “A fine old arm chair in black ouk, richly carved, is another striking object. In the hall near by is a wine press, alwo made of black oak and richly carved in a style one does not see often in any but old European houses. MRS. FOSTER'S COLLECTION. Mra. Jno. W. Foster, during her residence in many lands and extended travels 1m othora, has either by gift or by purchase collected to- gether meny rare and Leautiful objects to adorn her artistic home. In one corner of her draw- iag room, which she calls her Moorish corner, she bas @ desk, one of the few specimens of Moorish art in house furniture that has ever been brought to this city. It isgilded lavishly, but #0 softened by the blending of other colors asto make a bedutiful whole. The desk was purebased in Granada, has a lock as ponderous Than does the one to whom you cling! But he now yours, and their dream o'er, Don't pride yourself upon a ring. ‘The morn-that smiles serenely bright, No clond above dark shade to fling, Full oft for uns a stormy night— Don't pr.d~ yourself upon a ring. Albett he has loved you long, Who of your heart Is now the king, Your vowed defense, your shield from wrong, Don’t pride yourself upon a ring. > ‘Though life to you seems fairyland, Where flowers are gay, and blithe birds sing, And lovely scenes around expand, Don't pride yourself upon # ring. ‘Thongh warning words may vex your ear, And find within no echoing, While in the fature naugat you fear, Don't pride yourself upon a ring. ‘The glittering shows of hope deceive, And roses have sharp thorus that sting, And men are false, and wives must grieve— Don't pride yourself upon a ring. ‘The wealth your bridegroom shares with you Unceriain is, for wealth takes wing, And where grew heart's-ease once, grows rae— Don't pride yourseif upon a ring. Farewell!—I loved you, too, and 80 May fate not blight your joyful spring! But what may be, at. who may know?— Don't pride yourself upon a ring, V. L. SHOEMAKER. see Merely to Offer Condolence. Frow: the Detroit Tribune. He was a poor, ragzed tramp, blue with cold, pinched with hunger, and the ti in astonishment to see him pashi into the private office of one of Chicago's millionaire brokers. In vain clerk and porter essayed to stay his progress. He brushed past them all through the massive carved doors and was alone with the man of money. ‘ALem,” coughed the tramp. ‘Vhe broker was fingering » package of influ- as might be on a church door, is full of secret and hidden drawers and nooks three hundred years old. On superb Moorish vase. A repro- duetion of some of the doorways in the vent the action of either salt or alkalies. ‘The cost of maintenance is small and protection from fire assured. ——~e2____ ‘The Years Bring No Changes Here. From Puck. Albambra, three or four genuixe tiles trom the same marvelous structure are a few of the things that go to make up the Moorish corner. Ina glass-topped table are a uumber of Span- ish and Mexican curios that would mako any collector envious. There isa bit ct polished metal, once Montezuma’s mirror, a buckle of Maximilien’s buraess, « diamond, emerald and ruby monogram of the ill- mperor aud Corlotta, a gift from them to a friend, and a case of Mexican gold and silver coins, the top in exquisite filagree work, both gold andsilver, plate in the center pt Tt was a gitt to Mra Foster from Madame Francesco Tem Agruria, who ownsa large interest ia Mexican ‘mints, during Mrs. Foster's Visit there in 1879. ‘A COURT DINNER SOUVENIR. Ina tiny gold box, a bonboniere souvenir by the way of a court dinner in Madrid, lies @ fac- simile of Martin Luther's wedding rin Foster was given the privilege of having the igiual ring c e years ago in Berlin. That afterward diasppesced. ta suyeterious way from his house here, so that he had 1 cheeks and did not hear. ked the visitor, des- antly rather than apologeticall The cold, steely eyes of the millionaire fixed themrelves with a sort of icy surprise upon the figure at the threshold. ‘How did you get in here?” savagely de- manded the modern Crosas. “Waiked in,” was the reply. The financier reached toward the bell as if to summon assistance. ‘Stop! ‘The jeweled hand was stayed with the very force of itu owner's amazement. “I wish to confer wigh you alone,” observed the tramp, with a patronizing air. ‘The child of wealth was well nigh speechless fora moment, “I have nothing to give such bold beggars as you,” he sneered, when he had in a measure Fecovered his hauteur. “Get out.” “4 didn’t ask you to give me anything.” The tramp appropriated a sumptuous easy chair without ceremony and looked provok- ingly comfortable. “Well, then, get out or I'll have you thrown exciaimed the man of i, again toward the bell. ‘The tramp waved bis dirty band deprecst- ingly. came to offer you my condolence,” he "TKS millionsire with pasion grew pur {Doon ingls mar” |p y jot ataill.” ‘ “In whai, then, can you condole with me?” The poor outcast turned a pitying glance upon the prince of finance. “[ was your wife's first husbend,” he said, simply. resently all the world to see fellow worth his milioas baying, defiks for a starved, ragged tramp. . Lalego—“I don't care how Seas my bu A LACK OF PLAYS. Why There Are So Many Failures in the Stage World. GROWTH OF THEATRICALS The Legitimate and Fake Dime Museume— ‘The Last Days of the Composer of “Kathleen Mavourneen”—Dying as a Hermit in Baltl- more—A Strange Career—His Music and His Friends. Special Correspondence of The Evening Star. New Youx, March 19, 1892. HREE ACTORS ARE playing triplets ine current farce ina Broadway theater. Probably their salaries aggregate between 2 £300 and $400 a week. They are a fairly clever trie of comedians, and the remuneration is doubtless satisfactory. SY But see how much more valuable for amusement purposes is born pecu- liarity than acquired ability. At a dime mu- seum twin boys are getting $500 a week, and the manager calculates that they are drawing at least £1,000 to his establishment, They don’t do any acting, but merely sit, stand and walk about on a platform to bedooked at. Ofcourse there is something wonderful about there real twins to lift them into a greater show value than theimitation triplets at the other house, and it is that they are joined more invoparably than the Siamese twius and as much #0 a8 Millie-Cristinc. ‘They are more singular than er of those paire because they are one indi- vidual from the waist downward, So it would be more correct, perhaps, to call them a boy and half. Anyway, their raonetary success i lustrates the prevalence of morbid sentiment among people who go to shows. “QURERING” A RIVAL. It isa practice among dime museum man- agers in this city to “queer” one another’ hibits, as they phrase it. Thus, the second triumphant week of the two-headed boy had no evoner opened than a rival museum adver tised in the newspapers and on the bill boards a three-headed girl. This was a “fake,” and the fact at was a bogus “freak” was as good as admitted in the announcements. The object of this manager was to ‘queer”—that is to say, depreciate by ridicule—the genuine cu- riosity which was drawing away a multitude to the other manager's museum. The theory of the opposition was that, if the museum-going public got an idea that’ the three-ueaded thing was really three girls, one shown full length and the others thrusting their heads over her shoulders through # canvas partition, they would conclude the two-headed thing was of the same tricky sort, A BIG BUSINESS. The dime museum business is of a vastly greater magnitude, considered from the dollars point, than most people bave any idea of. ‘There are four big dime museums in this city, conducted on the principle of giving a big ten cents’ worth to every visitor, and chock full of variety show, freaks of nature and other ex- citants and satisfaction of curiosity. The pro- prietors are men of wealth. Each of them ex- pends not less than a thousand dollars a week im advertising, their announcements oceupying more space than any dozen theaters by the ad- vertisement pages of the journals. This week's development in tho dime museum business is an attempt by two of the managers to bring about a signed agreement among the four that hereafter there shail be no “queering” of gen- uine exhibits. This move is caused by the bogus three-headed girl and the real two-headed boy. So we ave that, whatever may be the drift on the dramatic stage. the freak business in the dime museums is being elevated. THE GROWTH OF THEATRICALS in New York, as elsewhere in this country, is amazingly rapid in these days. Three beautiful new theaters are being built in upper Broad- way and as many more are projected seriously, besides the many schemes that won’t amount to anything. Conservative men say that the business is wlready overdone und that the new houses will be quite superfluous, But there are plenty of people apparently with money and inclination to take them to stage entertain ments that are really first-rate. ‘The difficulty which the managers encounter lics altogether in obtaining attractive plays and not in drawing audiences wien such plays are once obtained. Itis no secret that one of our stock com- panies will practically go out of existence at the end of this season, because daring the past | three or four years its manager has veen able to supply to it only two successful dramas. A second company, through a similar lack of suitable material, has lost money during. th» present and the last previous seasons. A third bas ade a little protit with a few marked suc- cesses Which have overbulanced its failures. ‘The tourth is the only trsumyhant stock organ- ization, ina dhonetary wenve, throuzh having hit upon a succession of three plays, each of which hae run through an entire winter, There las been a great outcry against the managers because they do not “encourage native dram- atists.”” rhe fact is that the complaint comes whoily from amateur playwrights, including both practiced novelists who do not command a skill requisite for such work and the far greater number of persons who have never learned the art of any wort of composition. ‘There is not an outright dramatist today who is not under contract sor all the work that he can do and at prices gauged by his abilities. A ROMANIIC LIFE. In a humble home on ao retired street in Pulsimoxe au old man ia dying whose life is a romance from its first chapter to its fast-ap- proaching end, They say-those who watch fim—that at times in his iliness his mind wan- ders, and he hums und thrums the old songs, There is intinite sadness in this, for the sougs this old man sings are the sougy he “wrote years ago; songs which men aud women” on every continent have sung and will sing doubtless for decades to come. One of them at least hus passed through 100 editiuns in its original orms and through countless presses which have pirated it; { is almost 28 widely known as “Home, ome,” und, like that matchless ballad, derness and its grace have never gained a penn} for the genius who wrote it. Ihe song whi the dying old man repeats oftenest to him- seli is “Kathleen Mavourneen,” and the singer’ and the author is Frederick ols Crouch. It is uot extravagant pruise to class him ana genius. He is eight) four now aud the world has forgotten him, but at firty he was.in the prime of a career which had been continuously honorable and notable aud which bid fair to bring forth bet- ter triumphs. In those days Prof. Nicholls Crouch was one of the famous musicians and composers of the world. ‘'wenty years later, by w strange succession of vicissitudes, he had fallen into obscurity and poverty and was a day laborer at wages hardly sufficient to feed bis numerous family. WHY HE 18 EMBITTERED AGAINST THE WORLD, Once ina great while his name has since come before the busy public, but almogt always in a manner to displease the gifted com- poser, who thereafter has returned to even more complete retirement than before, It is Lurdly a wonder that he has felt in his later Yeura embittered against the world at. large. His history shows so many reverses of fortune, for no apparent fault of his own, that he may well huve been justified in his discouragement. In one respect he had long been peculiarly sensitive, though at the cost of censure, for in his action there has been involved the question of «famous woman's paternity. That woman doubt, a “strike” on the part of the ex. for long before she had written «lino she had threatened to do the job; and she made it known, too, that some high personage had paid 200,000 france for omission of is name. Thi was e hin! it others might “‘come i a oir figure, ‘But whether they did or didn't, Cora made no sign. A CHECKERED CAREER. Nicholls Crouch has been married more than once. An Englishman by birth his first wife wasthe English actress, Lydia Pearson, who Was famous in her day, and, as Cora Pearl was born in England and left there when quite young, it isnot unlikely that Lydia Pearson was he: Crouch came to America in mats, but he brought with him @ second wife. Cora Pearl was se years old when her father left England. She #as four- teen when she crossed the channel and settled in Paris. Fora e she wasin the ballet at the Folics Dramatiques, Then, with a few gifts of mind, but many of manners, she be- gan the career which made her name a world- famous one. In ten years ithad ended. In 1867 she sought tomake a revival of her old charm by playing Cupid in “Orphee aux Enfer,” but, as she could neither act nor sing. she was@ dismal failure, and in twelve nights she was retired from the stage and quite alone Alter ing thenceforth be- London, but never again in . She was practi unkeard of until publication of her memoirs, which were so soon followed by her death. CROUCH'S FRIENDS, She would not now need mention but for the memories awakened by the sad condition of the man she called father. He has deserved better luck, surely. world ove: ry person who loves grace- ful musi soft spot in his heart, will regret to hear that the man who wrote “Totiigne Maveuresta” ls peaneg omay.” me was the friend und companion of the writer of “Home, Sweet Home; of Sheridan Knowles, the drama‘ of Mrs. Hemans, that sweet and gentle poetess, and of Mrs, Crawford. It was Mrs. Crawford's pen that gave to Crouch the iuspiration for bis best song, for the words of “Kathleen Mavourneen”’ are hers: wake from thy slumbers, iB the sun's golden iaht: ‘ouce hing on iny nunioers? Aris) in thy beauty, thea star of my mucht! BIS MUSICAL CAREER. Nicholls Crouch was a born musician. His Grandfather was an organist, and at nine the grandson played the bassin a theater orches- tra. At twenty-one he was violoncellist before Rossini and a little later he was at the Drury Lane in London, famous and accomplished. There ho wrote’ his first songs—"Zepnyre of Love,” for Miss Annie Tree, and “The Swiss Song of Meeting,” for the celebrated Madame Malibran. There, too, he formed his friend- ship with John Howard Payne, and when that equally unfortunate produced his opera, “Cari; the Maid of Milan,"at she Drary Crouch directed the orchestra. In that ope “Home, Sweet Home,” w: time on any stage. Crouch composed Mrs. Crawford had sent the words to him. The melody, he once said, came to him as by an inspiration, while he was riding on horse- back along the banks of the Tamar river, in England. He sang the balled in Piymonth, and its success was instantancous. Then followed from his pen the songs. “Would I Were With Thee,” “Sing to Me, Nora.” “We Parted in Silence,” and others. All of them save the first named are forgotten, All of them have been ished in this country Kathleen Mavour- is believed to have made near!; 5,000 for those who have sold it, yet not a cent of com- pensation bas ever been received by the mau who wrote it. In 1850 Crouch was with Max Maretzek in the first Italian opera performances in this Later he was church organist in various cities in the south, and in war times le was one of the first to respond to the confed. eracy’s callfor arms At the age of sev this strange genius became an apprentice toa furniture manufactuyer, und for a number of years he labored energetically and faithfully at bis trade. 4 sung for the first ——___— +02 — TEN THOUSAND LEECHES LOOSE. Hundreds of Them Invade 2 Tenement to the Great Discomfort of the Occupants. From the San Francisco Examiner. People in the western a:idition have slept soundly for years in ignorance of the fact that at any moment a plague worse than the locusts of Egypt might come crawling into open windows and under loosely hung doors—a plague of fierce blood-hungry leeches. There is an extensive leech farm at 1125 Bush street, where 10,000 of the revulsive monsters are confined awaiting purchasers. The farm is one of two in the United States, the other being in New York, and there at times 50,000 leeches squirm ceaselessly about. over and throngh swamp muck. constantly searching for some hapless auimel that chance 6 mired down to furnish a feast for the insatiate annelid. ‘The leeches at the San Francisco farm broke away the other night and oversprend the neigh- boring tenement ina very short time. Hun- dreds of them crawled up the walls and tried i crevice. But a minority found their way into the sleeping rooms—not more than a thousand—but even that number of snaky, greenish-black, creepy worms sufficed to terrify the eccupants almost into tite when ther felt the eager suction of the leeches and awoke to find themselves festooned with the ugly products of the swampy ooze of Bordeaux. The first to awaken was a young lady, and she was not long in announcing her distress and arousing her fellow occupants of the house, only to find thateach of them had for room companions from a score to hundreds of the leeches. Brooms were savagely plied in every corner and under every piece of furniture. Bed- clothing was sbaken and closely examined. Leech bites were dressed with soothing appli- cations, and after several hours of accivity the household again settled down to rest. Next morning an examination of the prem- ises and those adjacent was mad ad when the leech farm was discovered the secret war out as well as the leeohes. ‘The worms are brought from F. about Bordeaux there are wide areas of black, light ooze, in which leeches of the fierecst sort multiply unstinted. The ooze fairly heaves with their writhings at the season of the year when they are most active, and then one of the cruelest sights possible may be seen. Old horses, worn out in faithful service, are driven into the marshes and are soon covered th the hungry leeches, which fasten to lips, eyelids, nose or any other tender part, and hang on until glutted with the life blood of their victim, or until the wretched horse weak- ens under the drain and falls to suffocate in the slime of the leech morass. When leeches are desired to send to Ne or San Francisco men are hired whose poverty ¢ompels them to accept men walk barelegged into the 5orders of the leech swamps and are immed covered by the repulsive crawlers. but before they can mors than pierce the skin of the men with their sharp semi-lunar teeth they are swept off into ouches, from which they are counted out into ds of ‘wet moss and boxes of :heir native ooze, embedded in which they are transpozted safely any distance. The large leeches, such as those of Japan, which reach two feet in length, are not in common use, nor are certain poisonous sorts, such as the small black leeches of Australia. ‘Tho thick, fat, fierce worms of Hungary, Sicily and France are preferred by practition- ers who use leeches, and it is from thoxe coun- tries that the rest of the world is supplied. ‘dhe San Francisco leech farm is formed by placing quantities of the ooze of ‘the Bordeaux swamps, es} iy im for the purpose, it large bokes with ight. covers. ‘The losches bore about through the muck until wanted for sale, when they are counted out, washed and ce, where ye York ‘Written for The Evening Star. appears on ~~ —_ in om volume SER: ND eS he evidently felt himself big enough to accept a eee without hesitation the counsels of that eminent Lights Throws ou the O14 Warrter’s Oh soldier, and assigned vamand dotble in numbers that of cither McPherson or Scho- } field, and gave him the post of honor. As for “Thomas, he was the very Inst man in the army to cabal against his superiors He obey lorders and did his duty without complaint, and let results show for themecives How | mach of Sherman's success in thie wal | must be ascribed to able Dat it te im~ ter by Recent Researches. A FORTHCOMING OFFICIAL VOLOME—THE MANAGE- MENT OF THE CONFEDERATE RECORDS—sHER- MAN'S CUARACTERISTICN AS REVEALED IN MIS LETTERS AND DISPATCURS—uis PLACE ‘MusTORY. tox will never be fully known, shown in these records. us THE CAMPAIGN OF GETTY: burg, Vicksburg end Chickamauga were | reached mot much importance was attached by the general pablic to the official publications relating to the late war. Interesting and in- valuable as they are to historians and miscel- laneous writers for the daily press and periodi- cals, it isu fact that the best informed bad but ‘® vague notion of their sc herson he had the support of an earnest and able trio. Some students of the war have doubted if Gen. Sherman will bold so high « pisce im feture history es he occupies pow. But be did the work assigned to with meatneas and patch, and with his contemporaries was un- pe, ang the mass did | y the most popular and ure Bot even know that such ® series of books was | ure of the war. Up to being compiled by the government. But the | of this Atlanta canpaiga bie bad been marked with few suc- censes and many conspicuous failures. Grant has been criticised and accused of favoritism | for selecting him for this command instead of Thomas, with his record of unbroken success. | But Grant was responsible for all; he knewand liked Sherman and chose bim on the same | principle probably which governs the Presi- jdent am ihaking cabinet appointment The result justified bis ch There beon many greater men, and it is possible he will have to take a rung or two lower down on the Indder of fame 100 years | hence; many of is utterances and some patts vf is final work may be subjected to criticiem, Volumes relating to these great events brought sbouts marked change, and the War Records sprang into instaut and almost universal popu larity. Their immense historical value was at once clearly perceived. Current issues were read with avidity and forthcoming numbers Watched for with eager exjeciaucy. bese which there was a retrospective overhauling of previous votumes. A great demand for the War Records inevi- | tably followed. He who conld not socure the publications considered himself greatly jared individual and felt tha: his nataral of usefulness was limited for w an- here avof them. | but, after all, the ho gainsaying the fact the Wer ie ortion of | the correspondence of | that inone way ef another be ‘accomplished she Wer Department is in ser to applica- | everything bis superiors expected of him ions for sets of these boo! or alt cam May, from influential quarters. Most of these re- | Ison O° MMP Se ‘ quests have to be denied for the reason that | . j regular assignments bi a Written for The Eveniue Star. The Land of Buras. 1m unco fou’, though na frae drinkiat, But auely seein’ things an’ think I've sat me doo wr’ Tas O'Shanter, Rode o'er the route 6” that wild cant Wi my ain nan’s ha’e plucked the gowam, ve about exhausted the | fixed edition. though afew remain for gale at bare cost under a law of C ongress, and an oc- casional application in favor of a public Li or historical socicty is approved by dee tary. The dirst five volumesare entirely out of pn None of the previous volames, howover— about seventy in ail—exceed in interest those relating to the Atlanta campaign, now being | I've heard the Ayr beneath me row'in, itned fo beneficiaries by the boardot publica- | I've read again bis tunefu’ numbers, tion. Five ooks were required to cover petiod beginning with Sherman's adva Jn Dumfries, where the poet slamberey, In Ayrshire, where to man was given ‘This wondrous gift frae God an’ Heavy Av’ this my Snal brag ta: ‘That I ha’e tasted a Scotch haggia, And sae 'm fou’, but na free drinkin’, ‘But anely seein’ things au’ thinkin’. J. E. Rawer, They average a littie over 900 ee (00 pages in ail. Of these the eeaees of the federal military ofiicers alone make 2.450 pages, while the coufederate reports fill only 400 pages. There are 1,500 pages of Union and only 327 pages of coufederate correspond- ence. ‘City of Ayr, August, 1854 . oe He Loved One of the Daaghters, From the Chicago Tribune. “Ihave come to you, sir, on « del mate | sion,” said the- young man as he ast on the edge of « chair and looked uncomfortable, | a8 young men sometimes will. | The old gentleman laid down his penand looked curiou THE CoNrEDERATE RDS. The meagerness of the confederate records, though greatly to be regretted, is easily ace counted tor. Many valuable papers were lost or destroyed in the chavs of the closiag days, To disgasted individuals, cast down by failure and only intent on the surest and q methods of getting out of their d: and rid of responsibilities, old books aud reports were of small cousequ and in the general dissolation doubtiess were ncoutinentiy dumped into we fire and otherwise disposed of in the r st manner possible. Many oth were d away to their homes by lea Oiticials: generals, Fechaps some tany iia dchbsrately de- stroyed for « purpose, by undoubtedly the math cause of loss major part of the contedcrate records were served and secured when the taal catastroph oveurred. Others have been found and secured since. While not as fuil and complete as those of the federals, after all they embody a pretty of the explained the young man. ‘I bave two daughters,” admitted the old Gentleman, “I presume you have noticed that I bave been frequently at your house,” suggested the } Young man dittidently. have noticed it.” Thank you, sir. J have been paying atten- yns to—in fact, sir, frankly, I hare besa making love to one of your daughters.” “I presume so. And you would like to—" ‘The old gentleman hesitated and the young man eagerly went om: I proposed to one tair inside history of that side of most great campaigns. it may be remarked paronthetically that the confederates never kept up tue official record of their affairs, civil and’ military, with that completeness of detail which was the practice | hi net and I—f— " interrupted the old re splendid girls end I ae hate to, lose either, but—which one is it ot the Union govermme knai ‘the and lacked the necessary f necossity their forte was fighting, not book- | g2jba** You Know?" wail Leet: keeping. ‘Ihe north was as courageous and art ' both.” methouical in one as in the other. When the | The yueng comm Sigbed nea eae he his soutuerners got licked in a bathe they thought | pre? TOURS it the part of smsiom to aay very litue absat it | "= @oughs you sight,” bo esld. “Sve been tang, with ‘more minutes Lats makau gy | SEY Attentive. and” was sometimes aan the onicial record of a deieat tha @ Victor P| mre, © SiS Seay ve twins, bas _— ~4 fight until I proposed. And now—now. it, sir, if you don't know which one me I don't and I've got to beginall over A Test of bmokcless Powder. j Drawn for The Evening Star. No ower single campaign of the war deve oped such a mass of omticud records as this 0: of Atlanta, especially in te particular of re- porisand orders. Gettysburg does not equal Mt; Vicksburg ialls far bebina, and Grant's paign to the crossing of the Jame more important iu every hike it. “The prolitic caise the commander of the Unio Lately necessary; Suerman, on the contrary, fired off jong letters, orders im detail and’ addresses to the army on the least provocation. In this respect he may be likcwed to a train of gunpowder—when the match was applied he somecimes tairly expioded. He seemed to acton the honest assumption that he was not mercly a military leader, but the retained advocate of his cause and ‘the sokite the con- troversial arena as well. peurs to have been a teeming work- shop, filled with a miscellancous assort- meu f ideas, mostly practical and always bruliant, and when any occasion opencd its dvors they actually tumbied over each otwer an the race for utterance. His lettors—and even field orders—scintillate not only with war, bat hiw,” politics aud sometimes even relizion, and _cve: ag from his pen glowed with an car fought the battles of his country as Well as the sword. Nowhere does Sherman appear to better advantage than iu these Atlanta voumes, His character was paradoxical and eccentric in a marked degree. SHERMAN'S CHARACTERISTICS. Nervous, impulsive and sometimes erratic he certainly was, yet every moment in this ad- vance was characterized by a caution on Sher- man’s part which is held by some to be dis- creditable under ail the circumstances. Batit is to be observed that he won his objective in four months, with a loss of ouly 37,051 men killed. wounded aud missing, inflicting fully an equal if nota greater joss upon the nen... But in his personal movements he wagasactive—i may $ ile and protific—ason paper. Hopeful aud buoyant he was everywhere—consulting. directing, exhorting. “Let us keep the ball rolling” is @ paragraph 1m a letter to a subordi- te. “Come over and we will look over the maps and papers,” he writes to another. “On [ am always glad to have your views” to the third. “I will be over on that wing all day today,” and so on. In fact, his part was very much’ like that of a boss con- tractor with several jobs on hand, and he did his work thoroughly and well. © was watchful and noticed everything going on, as was perbaps his duty. His indorse- ments are found on medical reports, supply requisitions, i Prof. Chinchop—“ "Pears to me bee been in my box again, Maybe I can't find oat and maybe I can.” the jealous contro- rairs going ou in the army, and was not atall erse to tusing «hand in some of them him- self. He had strong opinions on all subjects, Aux was at no pains to conceal them. He was opinionated, as able men generally are, and manifested plenty of confidence in himself, and yet Le was always apparently in fall consulta- tion with his generais and accepted their ad- vice when sound without hesitation. Thomas, Schoticld and MePkeron enjoyed his entire confidence throughout the campaign, as the records fully prove. ws His temperament urally irascible and was very uneven. Nat- somet tually ty nical, he yet had the love of his wenton de- gree greater a mander, excepting, when one. undertakes’ disposed of, ready to bite any living thing aud hang on until they are swollen to eight or ten times their ordinary size. Then they drop off and lie dormant until assimilation shall have been finished and hunger aguin arouses them. Grease Spots in Carpets. From the Carpet and Upholstery Trade Review, In the weaving of pile fabrics a little oil occasionally used to facilitate the movement of led it to victory. certain kind of man in the army. SoMETHES DICTATORIAL. ‘The popular supposition is that Sherman was rl i I if g i } : rt id | a $ 8 | i i