Evening Star Newspaper, December 15, 1894, Page 22

THE EVENING SIAR, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1894—TWENTY-FOUR PAGES. CAPITOL GOSSIP Bright Paragraphs of Interest About ae Men. THEY BOTH DRINK COLD WATER ececehicediieers=nicn Where Senator Hill and Repre- sentative Blair Are Alike. dpencinaces VEST AN CLOTURE FOURTH OF roh will with! the retirement from public life of a man who for many years has been a promi- rent figure in Con- gress, and who, a few years ago, was the center of a good dea! of public inter- est in the United States Senate. This person is Represen- tative Blair of the first New Hampshire district. Mr. Blair was not renominated to Congress and will therefore not take his place with the great republican majority next December. Off and on for twenty-five years Mr. Blair has been the firm congressional champion of ‘woman suffrage, temperance, moral purity and education for the masses. He was the author of the bill to extend federal aid to common schools in all places in the United States where there should be a certain percentage of Illiteracy. This bill was de- bated in the Senate for a long time during the Fiftieth Congress, exciting the atten- tion of the whole country. It finally pass- €d the Senate by a vote of 39 to 29 and Mr. Blair received congratulations from every source for the long and successful fight he had made. His bill was doomed, however, te die an untimely death in the House. Mr. Blair's term as Senator expired in 1801, having been defeated for re-election. ‘Three days after leaving the Senate Presi- dent Harrison appointed him minister to China. When he arrived at San Francisco to take steamer for his post Mr. Blair was very much surprised to find a telegram of recall. The Chinese government had de- clined to receive him on account of the hos- tility he had evidenced toward Chinese im- migration during his senatorial career. After a brief retirement from public life Mr. Blair was elected to the Fifty-third Congress. His congressional career began in the Forty-fourth Congress and he was elevated to the Senate in 18 During his term of service he has presented more pe- titions for prohibition, for woman's suf- frage, education and in favor of mission- aries than probably any other five men put together. le hes always been a tanch advo of prohibition in the rict and has deen the mainstay of the ns Christian Temperance Union in Like a war horse champing his bit, paw- ing the ground and waiting impatiently for the signal to ‘charge is Representative Walker of Masidchusetts waiting for the financial fight to open in the House. Mr Walker 1s burning with eagerness to get into that fray. He Is loaded for the fight and probably his only regret is that the short session of Congress 1s not long enough to give him time to say all that he wants to say or could say upon the sub- fect of finances. If there Is one thing more than another which Mr. Walker likes to talk about it is finance. Mr. Walker has collected an amount of data for the com- ing discussion which would stagger a stat- istician. He ts now disseminating tmanctal literature among his colleagy he talks finance in his conversation all day, he thinks finance when he fs not talking, and the prebabiliti all night. He is a walking encyclopaedia of finance, a perambulating collection of facts and figures as well as theories. He differs from many other financiers of the flouse in this respect; while there are many men there who could direct the finances of the nation and make the fiscal policy of this government the greatest In the world they are unable to manaze their own finances to keep the mortgage otf their own properties. Mr. Walker, however, has managed to financier in his own behalf Pretty successfully up to date, and he is one of the solid men e. people will recall the e v to Mr. Walker during the consid tion of the famous Sherman act in the House. It was a hot day and a hot discussion. Mr. Iker grew more interested and excited the debate proceeded, and fin. became warmed up to an unn gree in the discussion, he pulled off his i fought the rest of the day in his shirt 3. Congressman Babcock of Wisconsin is the of the House these days. As the late which did such effectiv paign, he is recelving enough compliments to turn any but his very level head. Mr. Babcock 1s of a very genial disposition, has @ long business head, a rotund figure, indi- eating good living and fine digestion, is as keen as a briar, and smokes a great many high-grade Havana cigars. In the latter respect he differs entirely from the rank and file of Congressmen, probably due to the vile class of cigars sold at the Capitol, and at high prices. Mr. Babcock is a good stot chairman of the campaign t naturally became aware of ail of the stock anecdotes told on the stump. These he prudently refeains from springing on bi colleagues. There is nothing indiscreet about Mr. Babcock. “The predicament of the democratic party zeminds me of the experience of the two Irishmen,” sald Mr. Babcock to a group © members the other day. “They were in sleeping car for the first time, and gravely discussing whether to undress or not when they went to bed. Pat decided he would keep on his clothes in cas accident should occur, in which event he wanted to be reafy. Mike undressed and turned in. Sure enough in the night ther in was a@ wreck. Pat tumbled out, and few minutes Mike scrambled up, ha | arst put on his trousers. In his haste, how- ever, he nad put them on hind part before. “‘Are yez hurted, Moike? asked Pat, anxiously. “Well, I don’t feel hurted,’ replied Mike, dubiously, and es he glanced down at him- self and saw the sent of his pants in front, he added, ‘but I seem to be terribly twisted.’ I think that’s just about the condition of our friends on the other side.” Mr. Hill has ccme to town since last Saturday. He looks healthy in both mind and body and has apparently not turned a hair In the great fight that he and the tiger have been engaged in since his last appearance in Washington. In point of fact, Mr. Hill would have some difficulty in performing this feat, for he enjoys the peculiar distinction of being one of the baldest men in the Senate. Then, too. he is most imperturbable. He is noted for his coldness, his w erved calm, and his strictly regu’ It may not be generally known that Hill is probably the most temperate man in the Senate. He never drinks any form of alcoholic or malt liquids, and, in addition, never smokes. Quite a parallel, as Mrs. 'Malaprop would remark. In other particulars, too, he is very precise in his mode of living. He is altogether model in his morality. This, to some extent, cuts him aloof from certain companionships, but he appears to be just as happy as though he was cheek by jowl with the “good fellows” of the Senate, and undoubtedly accomplishes more in the way of hard work than two of the average men in the Senate. In the first place, he has no patronage to dispose of, and so his time is much more his own than though he had to run arourtid among the departments and trot back and forth between the Capitol and the White House. One of his strictest rules is that the doorkeeper who sits like a human cerberus at the reception room entrance shall never carry a woman's card to him. He eschews women as he does wine. If by chance a dainty bit of pasteboard should reach him he scowls angrily and curtly answers the messenger that he is not to be found. To newspaper men Hill is kindly, and, best of all, square as a die. He is to be relied upon as are few public men. If he canrot conscientiously talk he says so. plainly and without rudeness. If he is in a position to communicate a secret he gives It cleverly. If he should be inter- viewed and the printed words should re- bound upon him he does not “squeal,” but swallows his medicine like a man, and does not deny the truth of the statements. These qualities have endeared him to all of the scribes with whom he has come in contact here. Hill's fads are politics and base ball. The national gam» he loves next to a hot cam- paign. Last summer he and Senators Smith and Murphy were frequent visitors at the base bali park and took front rank among the “rooters,” and at times Hill's strong voice could be heard among the cheers that went up in response to some fine work fon the diamond. A little thing came to the notice of a Star man one afternoon that illustrated better than columns of words one phase of this curious characer. The senatorial trio occupied a barouche at the main gate and there was a brief walt while the ticket taker was collecting his ad- mission cards. A small boy,. grimy and ragzed, but Ml of the assurance of ex- treme youth, saw the three well-dressed men in the carriage, and following the custom of the crowd outside the gates, pressed forward and sang out, close by the wheel, on Senator Hill's side: “Mister, take me in de game!” The other members of the national legis- lature continued their conversation, but Hill's quick ear had caught the cry. He looked over the side and saw the dirty paw extended and the grinning, roguish face looking up into his. Perhaps the sight touched a thread of memory. Perhaps he, too, had once been a little fellow outside the gate. But ut any rate here were two base ball enthusiasts, one a Senator, the other a guttersnipe. The democratic spirit of the former was touched. That anybody should hunger for base ball was to him a most piteous plea. He smiled at the little chap and then asked: “Where do you want to sit?” “Over dere!” answered the boy, eagerly, indicating by a wave of his grimy hand the famous and much desired “bleachers. “How much does it cost to get there?” asked the Senator. “Only a quarter!” The ragamuffin was by this time almost over the wheel, so great was his excitement. Only a quarte: that anybody should be deprived of the delights of a game for a quar— “Here, get a ticket and get inside quick. The senatortal hand went into the sena- terial pocket and brought forth a coin. The grimy paw closed on it, and there was a flash of bare legs, and in a few minutes there was a happy, man seat- ed high among the a steam whistle for ‘ 3. boy and the Senator live long enough Mr. Hill will have one vote for President. Another very happy Senator just now is Washburn of Minnesota, who feared when he left Washington in the summer to look after his fences that the populists might break into his preserves and spoil his po- litical crops. He feared little or nothing from the democrats, but those pesky third party men were giving him a good deal of ancfety. But he has come back with that well-known smile of his extending between the mutton-chop whiskers that have be- come one of the most ornamental features i of the Senate. and divides and how many millions of bari his mills will grind next year Mr. Vest of Missouri, the latest convert to senatorial cloture, is in a peculiar at- titude both physically and politically. He terally sunk all in a heap. He sits in 2 chamber with bis shirt front crumpled, head down on his breast and his fine bine eyes wearing a far-away, ruminative look. He created a sensation early in the week by his attack on the Senate rules and his n opposition to the wishes of the ‘steering committee” of which Senator jorman is chairman, and which has con- trol of the program. He is reported to bave said that he did not propose to con- tinue to give Arthur P. Gorman a power of attorney to run the democratic gg as he pleases any more. He and Mr. are still on speaking terms, and, it may ay ibe: are yet quite friendly from a personal point of view, but Mr. Vest is adrift now in a po- litical sense, and he is trying to form a nu- cleus for a new party front by his open advocacy of the cloture. WHY HE DID NOT PROPOSE. It Was All on Account of Hokey- Pokey and a Boy. “‘Hokey-pokey, hokey-pokey,’ cried the man with the little push cart, and I re- membered my little nephew's tearful face when he was walking with me the day be- fore and I had refused to buy him any of the dainty, as I did not care to walk up Connecticut avenue with him as he munch- ed the stuff.” It was Mr. Biggs who was telling the story, and one of tHe other men of the party sniggered at the idea of such a dude as he walking uptown with a dirty- faced little boy. “The thought of the little fellow’s joy at having some hokey-pokey brought home to him proved too much for me,” continued Biggs, “and so I pulled out a dime and told the man to give me two packages—a strawberry and a vanilla. The vendor did them up in two little boxes, and I put them into the tail pockets of my frock coat. I never dreamed that it was anything but candy. Then I continued on my way and went to call upon pretty Miss Tompkins, to whom I was paying a great deal of at- tention just then. I had a very pleasant chat, and was just verging toward the senti- mental when I rose to take leave. I had taken possession of oné of her soft little hands on the plea of saying good-bye, and was making a rather soft speech, when my fair hostess exclaimed: ‘Oh, Mr. Biggs, what ts the matter with your clothes? Do look at the pink and white streams that are falling on your shoes. It looks like paint, and there it is all over the chair, too! “Miss Tompkins sat down on the sofa and fairly screamed with laughter, apolo- gizing as she did so for her rudeness. I walked over to a long mirror at the end of the room and gazed at myself with hor- ror. Two distinct streams, one pink and one white, were meandering down my pan- taloons, and I presented an appearance «nly too ridiculous. Very few people, however, like to be laughed at. I admit that I do not. The result was that that wretched hokey-pokey actually prevented me from offering my hand to Miss Tompkins, and nowadays, when I meet the hokey-pokey man, my feelings are very mixed. On the whole, I think I feel rather friendly to- ward him, for had it not been for his de- testable wares I firmly believe that I should now be a steady married man instead of a gay and frolicsome bachelor; and I hi always been of opinion that too keen sense of humor is very objectionable in a woman—especially in a wife.” ——_—— Reforms in Eating. Major Handy in New York Mail and Express. Looking over the 2,000 menus which con- stitute an imperfect record of notable din- ners in which I have had the honor of par- ticipating in my humble way, I am very much Impressed with the simplicity of the dinners of today as compared with those of fifteen or twenty years ago. There is much room for improvement yet, and it fs very hard to get the chefs to second your efforts to reduce the pumber of dishes and to touch the wine list lightly, but on the whole the tendency is in the right direction. ‘The last strong- hold of the cld fashion is the dinner of many covers, with carte blanche to the purveyor. Even here, however, improve- ment is to be noted, except in the matter of multiplicity of wines. You may be interested in comparing the two subjoined menus of characteristic din- ners of style, if not of state, given in this city twenty-three years apart. The first was a dinner of 100 covers, given to the Grand Duke Alexis at Del- monico’s in December, 1871, Here is the MENU, Huitres, POTAGES. Consomme au Grand Duc. ‘Tortua verte au ciaire, Hors-d'oeuvre. Varie: POISSON Bass raye Portugaise garnie de filets d’es- perlans frits. Saumon de Californie a la sauce Genevoise. RELEV Filet de boeuf a la Richelieu. ENTREES. Cotelettes de chevreull, sauce potvade. Filets de perdreaux a l’Aquitaine. Terrapin a }a Maryland. FR b. Galantine de faisan a la Royale. Chaudfroid de — en croutades a la Sorbet « ‘a "Regence. Ganvasback dick. Entremets de legumes. Petits poi au beurre. Haricots flagelots. Artichauts a la Provencale Choux fleurs au gratin, Pommes Duchesse. Entremets sucres, Poires a la Florentine, Macedoine de fruits. Charlotte russe. Moscovite aux abricots. Bavaroise rubane. Gateau mousseline. Compote Chantilly. Glaces Napolitaine. Excellent au cafe. Pieces montees. Dessert. With this coz.trast the following, served at the Waldorf this week at a dinner given ty Mark Hanna, a Cleveland milliouaire, in honor of Gov. MciXinley of Ohio: MENU. Huitre: Consomme Pascaline. Tortue verte au claire. Timbales Renaissance. Aiguilettes de Kingfish, Joinville, Salade de concombres. Selle Ge mouton a l’Anglaise. Articheuts a la Florentine. Ailes de poulet a la Chevreuse. Petits pois a la Parisienne, Sorbet Russe. Terrapine Philadelphie. Canard canvasback. Salade de saison, Saverin a l'Ananas. Glaces fantaisies. Petits fours. The Sultan a Hard Worker. From the London Daily News. A correspondent who has just returned from Constantinople writes that, according to current conversation ‘n that city, the present Sultan of Turkey is one of the tuost hard-worked men in all the Ottoman dominions. Rising at 6 o'clock every morn- ing, his days in the seclusion of the Tidis | Palace and gardens are devoted to per- sonal attention to all the affairs of state laid before him by his ministers. He has been the means of establishing 50,000 schools throughout his empire not only for boys, but for girls also, which is a strong departure from the traditional useage of his race and people. Once a week only does he present himself to the view of the people, to assure them of his continued istence and health. On of these visits to the mosque, two or three his majesty was accompanied in his age by Ghazl Osman Pacha. The difference in pearance between them {s remarkable. The sultan Is of figure. A plain brown overcoat con- any decorations he might be wear leaving all the attention of the spec- Ing, tators to be directed to his pale, wan ahd careworn face, half covered by a thin be: tinged with gray and sur- mounted by a plain red fez. Osman Pacha has a long sliver-gray beard, a robust physique, manly bearing and clear, bright wye. He acknowledged any remark made to him by the sultan with a military salute. TIRED PROFESSIONAL MEN Use Horsford’s Acid Phosphate. find grin tb : cy Lewd “Fe 500 re as. Hors fora's Acie, 2a ‘tae fromagioe = is the testimony of thousands gf these classes of men, FALL INSPECTIONS How the Railroads arp Prepared for the Annual Official Inspection. NOVEL ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES An Electric Grass Destroyer the Feature of This Season's Tour. WORKING FOR PRIZES Written for The Evening Star. O THE EYE OF AN expert the railroads of the country at this time of the year are well nigh per- > dinary traveler look- ing from the car window, as he is noticeable. The bal- last stone is all in Place, packed regular- ly close to the ends of the cross-ties; rotted ties have been burned, dried grass and de- cayed weeds scraped together and hauled away, the numerous station houses and telegraph towers given a new dress of paint, and in many different ways the roads have been put in shape to withstand the hard usage of the winter months. This is all brought about through the an- nual fall inspection, and all employes, from the superintendent down, are anxious that their divisions shall make a good showing in the final summing up. For months past, in fact, since the breaking of spring, preparations have been going on perfecting details for this inspection, and new ideas looking to the betterment of the roads are given full sway. Cars, intended for the inspection trip, are fitted up with all sorts of apparatus. Last year the dynograph had the call up north, and this year the south- ern roads successfully experimented with an ingenious apparatus for killing grass alongside the tracks by electricity. Corporations like the Baltimore and Ohio, the Pennsylvania or the great Southern, of course, have many divisions, and each di- vision a superintendent. These superinten- dents desire to make good showings and prizes are offered to the track foreman for the best subsections of road at the time the test car passes over them. The dyno- graph decides this contest through delicate lines drawn on paper, the pen that does the marking being conected with the wheels under the car. Each little defect is registered, and the foreman having the least number of these defects charged against him secures the prize, which Is usually a hundred dollar bill. The Annual Trip. To the hundred and one attaches of the railroads who make the inspection it is a sort of a holiday outing. They are seated in open cars, the only slight inconvenience attached to the tour, which are pushed over the road in front of the locomotive: and they jot down on handy tablets feet- ing ideas that are brought out during the trip. which they believe may be of benefit to the roads in the future, The best hotels are patronized, and an air of hearty good fellowship pervades the entire party. Every nook and corner of the roads are visited, and it frequently oc¢urs that two weeks slip by before the inspection is com- pleted. It would be a hard matter to decide which corporation was the first to inaugu- rate these fall inspections, but at the pres- ent time the road that does not make taem is In the hands of a receiver, and cannot be called first-class. In fact, as an old railroad official put it, the absence of these inspections no doubt contributed to the financial difficulties of the road, as good housekeeping is as necessary in big corpo- rations as in private life. All our promi- nent railroad officials today were,no doubt, schooled in thefr earlier years by one or the other of the big eastern roads, and no matter whether the railroad they overlook is in South America or Arizona, it can safely be said that the fall inspections are a regular feature under their watchful eyes. ‘The winter months are hard on the best of roads and to keep them clean during the season of snow and ice is next to im- possible. To see a road emerge from its mantle of slush and mud in the spring in fairly good condition is all a thoroughbred railroad president can ask. Then the re- pairs to roadbed set in and are kept up until the following fall, the prize of $100 being an object always held in view by the wily track foreman. ‘The inspection this fall was full of in- terest owing to the many novelties being tried, and one and all received favorable indorsement. New Devices Tried. The automatic electric signaling appara- tus has worked well for months and only awaits the winter season to substantiate its full value. These signals reduce the chances of collisions fully 49 per cent. Likewise the automatic alarm signal for drawbridges or tampered rails will be test- ed, snow and sleet being a hard factor for electricity to overcome. Glass crossties are proving their worth, and when wood becomes scarce, or in sec- tions where that article is already hard to obtain, they will no doubt be generally adopted. Stringent money markets have retarded the work of straightening the roads all over the country, but, notwithstanding, many miles of curves have been taken out and the distances between cities greatly lessened. This kind of work will be a feat- ure the coming year, the two roads between Washington and Baltimore being extremely fortunate in this respect. It is conceded that one of the roads will save fully a mile in distance traversed, while the other may perhaps save three. Forty-five min- ute trains may yet become very ordinary. The feature of this fall's inspection, down on the southern roads, has been the re- sults obtained through the electric ma- chine for killing grass. Railroads all over the country have more or less trouble with grass in the roadways. In the south, es- pecially, the growth is very luxuriant, and fa heavy expenditure is required in order to abate the nuisance. In the past the only effectual remedy was the use of the pick and shovel and hoe. This proved extreme- ly costly, and the relief obtained was only of a temporary character, since the de- struction of a crop was uniformly followed by the growth of a new one. Experiments had been made with boiling water and with steam, but the results did net prove satis- factory owing to the heavy cost. The item of expense also precluded the application of alkalies, although, in some instances, railroads have used salt along their road- ways. But this had to be discontinued for the reason that live stock was attracted by it, and what was gained py the extermina- tion of grass and weeds was lost by the killing of horses or cows and other domestic animals, to say nothing of the close shaves from disastrous wrecks. An Electric Grass Killer. Mr. Albert Sharp, diviston superintendent of the Yazoo and Mississippi Valley roag& has the honor of being the inventor of this electric grass killer, and, being no electri- clan, the result of his ideas may be classed as coming under the head of “necessity ts the mother of invention.” He has been connected with railroads for the past thirty years, a majority of which has been passed in a country much troubled with the grass problem. A: the time his invention first took definite torm he was connected with the operating department, having charge of the main- tenance of the roadway, and the heavy outlays required for clearing the track of weeds and grass naturally made a vivid impression upon his mind. Mr. Sharp noticed for some time that the weak cur- rents of electricity running over telegraph wires would kill willows and other plants, and he began to make experiments. The results gt first were not so satisfactory as might be desired, but they were sufficient to demonstrate that he was on the right track, and that electricity would do the work If it could be properly applied. The machinery that deals death and de- struction to the obnoxious grass and weeds consists of a dynamo with suitable to operate it, placed upon a car, and con- nected with a wire brush, which covers he space of the roadway. This brush is so arranged that it can be lifted upward if desired, so as to clear any obstacle which may be presented. As the car is drawn over the track weeds and other grasses rising above the level of the cross- ties recetve a heavy current of electricity from the brushes, and are speedily and effectively killed, the electric current not only destroying the plant itself, but killing its roots. Some Amusing Incidents. Practical tests have been made during the past summer and early fall, which show that the machine can be successfully operated. Experiences in connection with the invention of the electric exterminator were many and of a novel character. A great many electricians seemed to doubt whether such a machine would work. ‘This was found to be “a trick of the trade,” since the people engaged in the distribution of electrical power do not care to be held responsible for the destruction of trees or valuable plants. Several members of the inspection party that went over the southern roads passed through Washington last week on their way north to their respective roads. They had been especially detailed to watch the operations of the electric grass killer, as anything new in railroading is carefully kept in view by the northern and eastern railroad officials. They all reported the machine as being a great success, but hardly practicable for their roads, owing to the absence of the obnoxious grasses. These delegates recited many tales that were interesting in conection with the ex- periments. No matter what came in con- tact with the electric brush it was instant- ly killed, and such things as snakes, chickens or other domestic animals suf- fered to a considerable extent. At one point where the grass was extremely dense and high an old darkey, much the worse for an overdose of corn whisky, had set- tled himself for a comfortable nap. The party that was on the car carrying the electric brushes was, with one excep- tion, congregated about the rear end watching the effects of the machine on the grass. The one man in front, who held the lever of the electric brushes, and also the rope signaling the locomotive be- hind, had become careless through con- stant assignment to this kind of work, and the car bowled along at a right smart peed he did not see the darkey until about five feet from him. With an ejaculation that brought the en- tire party to the front of the car, he lifted the lever with a crash, but not in time to entirely skip the sleeping darkey alongside the track. But mall portion of the elec- trie fluid entered his body, but it was enough to awaken him with a yell, and as he bounded up his frowsy woolly head struck the brushes a second time. The second contact was more effective, and an odor of burning hair filled the air, The darkey had rolled back into the grass with a yell of pain, and when the car had been stopped and the party rushed back to as- certain the damage done, they found that one-half of the poor fellow’s hair was gone. Otherwise he was uninjured. When brought to his senses the darkey said that he thought he had been cut in two. i NEW PUBLICATIONS, TE PROPHECY AND OTH OTHER POEMS. By W, Croffut, author of “A Midsummer, Lark, fine Vanderbilts,"" “Folks Next Door,’ eret,” etc. New York: Lovell Brothers Com- pany. “I cannot rest me till they come!” he cried, And from the hut his shepherd's reed he blew. The honeyed note in sweet cajolery flew O'er comers sands and up the mountain wide; And as in dells its fainting echo died, The grazing flocks Arcadian heard and knew The loving call, and, moist with evening jew, The motley creatures hastened to his side. “O, flocks uncouth!” a wandering traveler thought, few -bred, ill-chosen—” “Ah! how fair they “what pleasure have they brought I could not rest till they had come to me, For with them I have lived and laughed and wept.” And then The happy swain lay calmly down and slept.” Thus, modestly, does Dr. Croffut deliver himself of the prologue to his latest vol- ume--a volume in which the literary, grave and gay are respectively the more con- spicuous because they are sandwiched-each between the other from preface to finis. Nearly all the verses have appeared in days gone by, but newspaper evanescence offers one of the best of reasons for repub- lication. All manner of topics are touched upon or dissected, and, as a rule, the work is very cleverly done. The trend of the religious poems is hardly toward ortho- doxy, but that does not damage their poetic value, nor are the views sufficiently near the extreme to be regarded as startling. Aside from other considerations there is local interest in the book, for Dr. Croffut has long been a consistent Washingtonian. SONGS FROM VAGABONDIA. Bliss Carman and Richard Hovey. Designs by Tom B. Meteyazd. Boston: Copeland & Day. = * In this day of perfunctory poetry and magazine poets, “Songs from Vagabondia” is in the nature of a vernal relief. These gentlemen have something to say and they say it in a hale and ready way that Is as convincing as it is artistic. One is not met at every turn by some platitude laboriously wrought, which the minor poets nowadays so delight in, but a ring and a cheer and a manner neither obscure nor commonplace, with just enough mystery to delight and stimulate the imagination without over- taxing it. Surely, in such verses as “The Mendicants” and “The Wander Lovers” we have songs that are musical and poetry that is poetic. It is hard to imagine that Mr. Carman and Mr. Hovey write their verses in an atmosphere of steam radiators and electric lights; but if they do more's the credit, for “A vagrant’s morning wide and blue In early fall, when the mud walks, too.” HYPATIA; or, New Foes With an Old Face. By Charles. Kingsley. Tlustrated with drawings by Willlam Martin Johnson. ‘Two Volumes. New York: Harper & Brothers, Washington: Woodward & Lothrop. Of the work itself—the great product of a master mind—it would be difficult to say anything new, but the form in which it Is now presented compels laudatory comment. A more artistic result has not been achieved of late than is evident in these volumes. There is the t, posraphical superlative, the cmbollishtnen€ of" many. lustrations’ and the finish of the skillful bookbinding hand. Those who love the book beautiful will find much to admire upon and within the silken covers. PUSHING TO THE FRONT; or, Success Under Dif- ficulties. A Book of Inspiration and Encou-age- trent to All Who are Strugeliug for Self-lewa- tion Along the Paths of Knowledge and of Duty. Ortson Swett Marden. ted with twenty-four fine portratts, of emtuent per: sons. Boston: Houghton, Miffiin & Co. Wash- ington: William Ballantyne & Sous. If this book could be placed in the hands of every boy and girl in the United States it would do great good; if the precepts con- tained in it were put into universal practice our civilization would move ahead at a pace so swift that in fifty years the nine- teenth century would seem to belong to the dark ages. There is magnetism in success- ful men, and there is intense magnetism in every page of the record of success here given in a fashion that must deeply in- terest all readers. THE OLD BRICK CHURCHES OF MARYLAND. By Helen West Ridgely With Miustrations by Sophie De Butts Stewart. New YorR: Aneon D. F. Randolph & Co. Williaa Ballantyue & Sons. Folks who delight in the study of things religious as they were in days long gone by will deriye pleasure from reading this contribution descriptive of Episcopal his- tory in Maryland during the early exist- ence of that flourishing section of the coun- try. The facts recorded by the authoress are entertainingly presented on pages that testify to the printer’s interest in the vol- ume. ESSAYS AND ADDRESSES, Religions, Literary and Socal. By Phillips Brooks, late Blahop of Massachusetts.” Edited by the ev. John Cotton Brooks. New York: E. P. Dutton & Co. Wash- ingtou: Wm. Ballantyne & Sons. “The collection of essays and addresses here presented,” says the editor, “‘com- prises all of which any record at all satis- factory has been preserved of Bishop Brooks’ public utterances outside of the pulpit.” Religious, literary and social tep- ies are dealt with as only Phillips Brooks could deal with them. This ts a volume that has material and memorial value. THE SOCIALOFFIGIAL ETIQUETTE OF THE STATES. By Madeleine Vinton Dahl- re nr gixth Béition. ’ Baltimore: Joba Murphy The customs generally observed in ex- changes of official politeness are indicated, but the questions of social precedence not defined twenty years ago are as perplexin; today. The authoress gives her own view founded on common sense principles; a congress, where both sides could be heard and whose dicta all might respect, is advo- cated. OHRONTOLE OF THE CONQUEST OF GRENADA, MSS. of Fray Antonio Asaplda. By Washington Irving. Author's Revised Edition. Mustrated. Philadelpbia: David McKay. Wash- ington: Wim. Ballantyne & Sons. A very desirable editionbeing akoatiant? ly printed and elegantly bound—of a book that by reason of its boldness In the por- trayal of somewhat misty history and its fiction of ancient authorship aroused a great deal of literary curiosity and afford- ed the searcher after truth much of val- uable information. CHAMBERS’ CONCISE GAZETTEER OF THE WORLD. Topographical, Statistical, Historical. Philedelphi: B. Lippincott Co. To say that this handy volume contains the name and location of every known set- tlement of human beings would be to stretch the fact a trifle, but it is safe to assert that nothing essential is missing. The information given has been carefully condensed, but is sufficient for all practical purposes. THE JEROME BANNERS—Joy Banner, a ore ner, Every-day Banner and What Will lets Be? Boston: Lee & Shepard. ton: C. O. Pursell Each leaflet or banner consists of four pan- els beautifully decorated in colors and gold, attached by ribbons of appropriate colors, combined with elegant extracts from popu- lar authors, and inclosed in decorated en- velopes. Fac-simile of artists’ original de- signs. A HILLTOP SUMMER. By Alyn Yates Keith, au- thor of “A Spin: Teadet Bostoi Lee & Shepard. Washington: ©. C. Pursell. The summer which is portrayed was spent in New England. It was a summer well spent, for it has resulted in delightful sketches of the cleanly, honest life that Washing. abounds “down east;’ me of the charac- ters are especially fine. FAIRY TALES. By Hans Christian Andersen, 11- lustrated by EB. A. Lemann. Philadelphia: J. B. Ippincott Washington: Brentano's, — Madame De Chatelain’s charming transla- tion of the Andersen tales is once more presented, but with the novel and pleasing accompaniment of illustrations worthy of association with the text. An ideal gift book for youngsters. MARGARET ARNOLD'S CHRISTMAS, and Other Btorics. By Mary D. author of “Grand: ma's Atte ‘Treasu: BY “The Story of Aunt rk: ELD. Dutton & Gn, Washington, "Wa, Pailan: tyne & Sons. Seven stories with heart in them; good reading for anybody. THE HOLY CROSS AND OTHER TALES. By Eu- gene Field. Chicago: Stone & Kimball. Eugene Field—story-teller almost without peer—gives us eleven of his best brief nar- ratives in this little volume, which has been 80 acceptably shaped by Stone & Kimball-—- &@ firm that knows how to make books. I 4M WELL! The Modern Practice of Natural Suggestion as Distinct from Hypnotic cr Un- natural Influence. By C. W. Post. Second Fal- Hon, Boston: Lee & Shepard. Washington: 0. THE TWO-LEGGED WOLF. A Romance. By N. N. Karazin. Illustrated by the author. Trans- lated from the Russian by Borls Lanin. Chi- cago: Rand, McNally & Co. 4 PRODIGAL IN LOVE. A Novel. By Em Wott, s author of “Other Things Being eaual jew ' York & Brother. W. Woodward & ‘ote. See rear a THE DOLLY, DIALOGUES. By Anthony Hope, au- York ie! oo bt H Ballantyne fasting: Win THE INFLUEN SEWERAGE AND W. PLY ON THE DEA TN Cries By Erwin F. Smith. Lansing? Thorp & Godtey. JOHN SMITH. A Journey Along the Highways and Byways of Life. By Sebastian Buitimore: ‘The Monumental Publishing Co.” THE MISSING CHORD. A Novel. By Lucy Dil- lingham. New York: G. W. Dillingham, Wasi ington: Brentano’ BECAUSE I LOVE YOU. Poems of Love. Selected and Arranged by Anna E. Mack. & Shepard. Washington: C. C. Pursell. BACK COUNTRY POEMS. By Sam Walter Foss. Tlustrated a by Bridgman. Boston: Lee & She- pard. Washington: C. G. Pursell. alsa ass YEAR 1895. From Advent, 184, to Advent, 1895. Kualendar for the People. New York: The Church Kalendar Co. THE LORDS OF MISRULB. A Tale of Gods and Men. By William ©. Pomeroy. Chicago: Laird ee. Boston: SAINT AND SINNER; or, In Passion’s ‘Thraldom. By Fannie May (Pantte May Kamires). New York: J. 8. Ogilvie Co. 4 DEAL IN DENVER. Of the Tales from Town ‘Topics Series. New York: Towa Topics Pub- Usbing Compan; RELIGION AND THE BIBLE. By F. D. Cum mings. New York: The ‘Truth-Seeker Co. The Christmas number of the illustrated London News (World building, New York,) is quite up to the average of excellence common to the holiday annual of this popular journal. Among the other guud things to be found in it is a comedy by Anthony Hope;a good story—The Power of Music,” by “Q."; “Peter Piper,” by Lord Brabourne; many capital illustrations by A. Ferestier, Fred. Barnard, R. Caton Wood- ville, Cecil Aldin, M. Walker, C. T. Gar- land, Stanley Berkeley, Leo Malempre and Lucien Davis. Then there are three color- ed plates: “Anne Hathaway's Cottag: W. 8. Coleman; “Guilty or Not Guilty,” by W. H. Trood, and “Bo-Peep,” by W. H. Van Beers. Artistic calendars are plentiful this sea- son, and many of them are much more than ordinarily attractive. J. J. Decker has some of the best; among them * Spinning-wheel,” by E. Percy Moran; “The Polar Bear,” “From Month to Month,” vy Elizabeth 8. Tucke' The Colonial,’ by EB. Perey Moran. “A Year of Paper Dolls” is destined to be extremely popular with lit- tle girls; the dolls and their garments were designed by Elizabeth S. Tucker. The calendars and the dolls are published oy the Frederick A. Stokes Company of New York. In the front rank, as of Christmas and New Year car Tuck & Sons of London, Paris and New York this year place upon the market many new designs and a great variety o! | thoroughly pleasing artistic effects. Some of these seasonable reminders possess es- pecial merit; some are opulent as to rich coloring; all’are worthy of the house whose imprint they bear. In the “Dainty” series of booklets, A. W. Carter of Newtonville, Mass. has’ placed before the Christmas shoppers a very pret- ty specimen of delicate bookmaking— “Pearls and Rubies from Frances Ridley Havergal.” Bound in watered-silk-rellu- loid and tastefully adorned and boxed. “Timy’s Christmas Fairy” is a_ little Christmas souvenir issued by the same house. ———_ Seeking Capit From the Detroit Free Press. The drummer was going over water railroad in the south to town where he had a@ customer. It was rough riding, and at one extra jar and scrape he turned to @ man in the scat behind him. “Is it always like this?” he inquired. “Mighty near it,” was the reply. “Does it ever go off the track?" “It used to, and I'm hoping it will again.” “Thunderation, man!” exclaimed the drummer, “what do you mean?” “No harm to you, I hope.” “Well, you don't talk like it. I'm sure I don't want any wrecks,” “TI could stand a fair-sized one.” The drummer couldn't understand his fellow-traveler, and asked for explana- ions. ‘Well, it's this way,” said the man. ‘Last year I got busted up in one about a mile from here, and I had an accident policy that paid me $25 a week for six months. Then I sued the company for $5,000 and got $4,500. That set me up in business, and I done so well that I spread out till about a month ago I felt like I needed more capital, so I've been making a trip every day for the last three weeks over the road in the hopes say the light- ning would strike me agai I never knowed it to go this lon, pecans without somethin’ happenin’ and I’m thinkin’ meb- be my luck’s changin’.” When the drummer took the train the next morning he heaved a sigh of relief when he found he was the the only | passenger. She had sent off a telegram and wa waiting for an answer. Suddenly the pec» War, halting click of the receiving machin sounded in the office, and she said to her companion: “That's from Georgo, I know I can tell bis stutter.’—Philadelphia Times. a jerk- a little THE STOMACH: “LIVER AND KIDNEY DISEASES DYSPEPSIA: -DIABETES- “GOUT And RHEUMATISM: These are some of the diseases that sre CURED by the Carlsbad Sprudei Salt. It is the veritable Water of the Sprudel Spring—evaporated, ~oliditied, concer trated. In every ailment of the hind Carles bad has become famous the world over hurdreds of years, as a prompt, perm: URAL remedy. Beware of imitations sold as “improved? or “artificial” Carlsbad Salt, which consists only ef ordingry Sedlitz Powder It, and are sold by unscrupulous dealers upon the reputation of the genvine. Be sure to obtain the genuine tmported Carlsbad Sprude! Salt only, with the seal of the city of Carlsbad, and the signature of “EISNER & MENe DEI ©0., Aats., New York,” on every bottle, SEOOSS 99009 999900066 > A $3.50 Sale. For a few dave $3.50 will por chase a pair of either of the follow- ing priced shoes, viz: Men's $6.00 French Patent Calf Shoes. Men's \ $6.00 Cordovan Congress Shoes. Men's $5.00 Calf Shoes, several styles. ‘Men's $5.00 Sample Shoes, numer- ladles $8 00 Button and Lace Bhoes. These goods are all bapd-sewed and the finest qualities. THE WARREN SHOE HOUSE, Geo. W. Rich, 919 F St. POSCHDOOSS OOS OSSSS SOHC SOD ARTISTS | IN HAIR, nd with a reputation second to none for skill- ron York with “a e latest, most ele- gant Switches, Bas ete., which will be aa rit, Special ‘boll S. Heller, 720 ‘7th St. 414-28 Royal Bonn Vases and Ewers. Just received, an importation of Royal Bonn Vases ind rs, ordered by us last spring—of exquisite delicate cream, pink and gold decoration, in panel and other beautiful efects. On account of the reduced tariff, we will sell them at the * reduced prices of $4.50 to $30 Each. * This Royal Ronn Ware cannot be dupli« * cated elsewhere in Washington on ace * count of having to be ordered so far im advance, and our competitors were afraid * to order pending the settlement of the * tariff question. Come in and see them, e “OPEN EVENINGS.” Wilmarth & Edmonsion, 414-344 Crockery, &e., 1205 Pa. ave. Notice! HAVING DECIDED TO CLOSE BUSINESS AT M¥ Avenue Store, The Entire Stock of Boots, Shoes and Rubbers Is now on sale at @ GREAT SACRIFICE. 20 Per Cent Off ALL REGULAR GOODS. ODDS AND ENDS AT §0 CENTS ON THE D0? Cal! at once for BARGAINS. H. Walker Tucker, 411-304 1928 PA, AVE. Bargains. eeeesee eeeeee ee eeeee ee eeeee LAR, GRATEFUL—COMFORTING— Epps’s Cocoa. BREAKFAST—SUPPER. & thorough knosldze of the natural lawe on sorere the opec digestion and utr’ tion, and F save us may heavy judicious use of | et constitution may be grad y bull up until strona « resist every jisease. Hundreds of subtle maladice acy to foating around ns ready to yo waereves © ix a weak polnt. may fatal shaft by heeding ourecives well fe fortied ed ih ourished pure toad ‘and 5 property sil Service Gusette, Made simply with’ bolling water or milk, Sold only tn Beh fine by" racers, Intoled thus: JAMES EPPS & ploy Ltd., Homeopathic Chem+ 43.m,t0,s0m The New Brand High-grade Butterine, “GOLDEN SHEAR” CREAMERY. FaN SUPERIOR TO ANY OTHER BUTTERINE 8ULD HERE OR ELSEWHUERD. OUR STANDS: B49, Center Aide. 359) Certcater Mita, E.0.Whitford &Co. an4-6t Center Stand, SOLID GOLD PEN, $1.25. Others arc selling a silver holder aly for $1, without the point, While Iam offering to my patrons a HANDSOME SOLID GOLD PEN AND HOLDER, mounted with “e |. in an elegant PLUSH BOX, i { ri. Schuster, 77. Market Space. Fy a = ee eevee