Evening Star Newspaper, February 2, 1895, Page 12

THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1895-TWENTY PAGES. : * THE CHORAL SOCIETY A Musical Organization That Has Done Splendid Work. TIS ORIGIN AND HISTORY SKETCHED The Officers and Directors Who Have Managed It. GREAT WORKS PRODUCED N THE 7TH OF NO- vember, 18%, a num- ber of ladies and gen- tlemen musically in- clined met, by invita- tion, at the residence of Mrs. John Jay Knox, the wife of the then controller of the currency. Fifty- one persons, the rec- erds say, were pres- ent. It was urged by the promoters of the scheme that there was a need in the capital city for a chorus of carefully selected and well-trained voices, in order that the music-loving por- tion of the community might have oppor- tunity to hear the more imposing and classic choral works; that this need could not be supplied by the existing glee clubs, choirs or smaller singing organizations, and that if the proposed choral society should be established the musical taste of both members and patrons would be edu- cated and elevated. it was asserted that the people of the city would not be fewnd wanting in the matter of necessary financial support. Temporary officers were elected and a committee appointed to submit a draft of a constitution. And in order that no time might be wasted, that portion of the even- ing which remained after the transaction of such business was utilized by rehearsing choruses from the Joseph Kaspar, Scriptural idyl, the Musical Director. eantata “Rebekah,” under the direction of Mr. Ernest Szemeleryi. A week lator a permanent organization was effected, and Prof. Harry C. Sherman was chosen conductor of the chorus, a position he continued to fill with eminent ability and to the entire satisfaction of the members for eight years, when he was com- pelled to relinquish the directorship on ac- count of his failing health. Prof. Shei man’s selection was peculiarly fitting, f he had been director of the original Choral Society, which was a male singing organi- zation, but which went out of existence after a comparatively brief but brilliant career. The permanent officers elected were: President, John Jay Knox; vice pres- ident, Harry D.Cooke; secretary, Q. A. Pear- son; treasurer, D. W. Middleton; librartai Samuel A. Kennedy pianist, E. Szemelen- yi. The name of the society was adopte at its third meeting, viz., ‘The Choral So- ciety of Washington, D.C.” Such were the beginnings of what now is Washington's best-known and most popular musical or- ganization, unique in its character, ambi- tious in its aims and President. —_ purposes, far-reaching in its influence and reputation. Nearly ten years later, in May, 1802, it became a cor- porate body, articles of incorporation being taken out by Dr. Ernest F. King, Rev. Frank Sewaii, Frank B. Metzerott, Robert G. Sutton, Eugene E. Stevens, Statius Meade, Melville Church, Mrs. Clara B. Smith, Mrs. E. R. True, Mrs. Charles G. Smith and Miss Amy C. Leavitt. Nearly all of these imcorporators were charter members of the society. Saturday evening, February 2%, 1884, the society made Its debut before the public in the old, well-remembered Lincoln Hall, assisted by Mr. A. L. King, tenor, of New York. The program was a miscellaneous one. The second and only other concert given during the first season was held in. the same hall the Sth of May, with Miss Hattie L. Simms, soprano, and Mr. Jules Jordan, tenor, as soloists. A miscellaneous program was given, and included the first choral work publicly attempted by_ the society, the cantata of “The Bride,” by Mackenzie. During successive seasons the society in- creased ir public favor and presented va- ried and interesting programs. It was not, however, until the third season that an at- was made to a work of any considerable Magnitude, such as would occupy an en- tire evening in_ its presentation. This was done for the first time at the Con- egational ‘on May 6, 1 Dudley Buck's of Asia” was sung. ‘As the society was not to be supported by an orchestral ac- compariment, and as that production was the first public one Dr. F. T. Howe, of his new work, the Vice President. composer protested agairst simply an or- gan accompaniment, and urged that the ald of stringed and wind instruments was necessary for an artistic finish. ‘Three years later this work was successfully re- the personal direction of the society being accompanied mphony Orchestra. ous programs, with short can- oceupled the attention of the soci- May festival was ettempted in e given Jn the , two of them being tempt produce bh ational 1 orchestral programs by the Boston Sym- phony Orchestra, On the second evening the society sang Dvorak’s “Specter’s Bric with the assistance of Mrs. George Hensehal, Mr. George J. Parker and Dr. B. Merrill Hopkinson of Baltimore, who has since appeared with the society on sev- eral occasions. From this time began the practice of producing the larger choral numbers, occupying the entire program. The first sacred oratorio sung was the “Messiah,” which was produced in De- cember, 1800, at Lincoln Music Hall. Four soloists from Boston were engaged, and the accempaniment was furnished by an orchestra composed of local and Balti- more ntusictans, under the dtrection of the late Robert C. Bernays. The “Messiah” has since been regularly repeated each year. The society has fulfilled its aim to cultivate popular demand for the best choral works, and beeause of the sup- port given it has been able to produce such oratorios as the “Messiah,” = “"Crea- tion,” iijah" and “St. Paul.” It has presented for the first time In this city Max Bruch's “Arme- nius," Dvorak’s Specter’s Bride’’ and the “Damna- N. H. Camp. tion of Faust.” It Secretary. proposes also during the present season to give Saint Saens’ “Samson and Delilah,” which has rever yet beem heard here. Officers of the Society. As has heretofore been mentioned, the first president of the Choral Society was Mr. John Jay Knox. He held his office until the beginning of the fifth season, when he was succeeded by Calderon Car- lisle; other officers for that year being B. H. Warner, vice president, Woodward, treasurer. Mr. Carli: tinued as president until the season 1892-8, relinquishing the office to Dr. BE. F. ing, who held it for one year, and was lowed by Rew Frank Sewall, who re- signed after a service of two or three months. Mr. William H. Daniel was then chosen to fill the unexpired term, and was re-elected for the full term at the begin- ning of the present season. In ~ recent years it has been the policy of the society to elect its president from out of the ac- tive membership, a practice which has re- sulted in a more lively interest and par- ticipation in the affairs of the organiza- tion on the part of the chief officer. But under the old regime the burden of responsibility fell upon the secretary, and it was largely the result of his good or ill management that the affairs of the so- clety prospered or were attended with mis- fortune. It is due, therefore, to the sagac- ity and good business sense of its secre- tarles—all of them men of capacity—that the society finds itself today so firmly estab- lished upon a sound basis and its affairs in such an encouraging condition of pros- perity. The honor roll is as follows: Q. A. Pearson, Henry W. Olds, Dr. Ernest F. King, Eugene E. Stevens and Norman H. Camp. As reorganized, however, the bur- densome work of management and detail is more equitably divided among the differ- ent officers and committees, of which the m.ost important is the financial cornmittee, with Mr. Eugene E. Stevens at its head. Mr. Stevens takes to this position the same energy, indus- try and aM@lity that characterized his long = administration as secretary, when he practically con- ducted all the busi- ness affairs of the \~ society. To his sa- \ oo gacity, liberality and Se indefatigable atten-) S” -a tion to the interests ye of the society its . present prosperous + ‘ condition is due, and = he more than any one individual is en- Miss L. Norton, titled to the credit cf Asst. Secretary. keeping the members together and the business of the organization on a sound footing. ‘or many years, from the organization of the society until her death, Mrs. Q. A. Pearson was the society's pianist. She was a painstaking and conscientious worker, a loyal and devoted friend, and her loss was feit as a serious blow. The pres- ent accompanists are John Porter Law- rence and Mrs. J. S. Thomas. Dr. Harry C. Sherman was the first di- rector of the chorus, and, as has been mentioned, his service covered a period of nearly nine years. His successor was Mr. Walter Damrosch, who was nominally con- ductor for “wo seasons, although the bulk of the dutics belonging to his office were necessarily assumed by his assistants, Messrs. E. Szemelenyi, N. Du Shane Ciow- ard and John Portee Lawre The pre: ent director is Prof. Josef Kaspar, and it is due to his conscientious fidelity, pa- tience and devotion to his work and the spirit of enthusiasm which he infuses into the individuals of the chorus that a degree of excellence has been attained which has never been surpassed in the history of the organization and that has won fcr it such deserved commendation. In the beginning of the society's existence the chorus numbered about sixty voices; for several years Its numerical strength ranged between one hundred and one hundred and fifty, while now there are upon the roll in the neighborhood of three hundred and fifty names of active, singing members. The size of the chorus is not, however, a primary object; excellence of quality and @ perfect balance and blending of parts are more eagerly sought after. One aim of the Choral Society has been spoken of—the rendering of | the highest form of sa- ered oratorio and classical choral works in the mest finished manner. An- other yet remains to be mentioned. It stands out like a bea- con before the cffi- cers and members; it is the longed-for goal of their fondest hopes. This is the es- tablishment of a per- Miss A. C. Leavitt,manent suitable home Fin. Secretary. for itself and all other musical societies in Washington, a place where musical people may congre- gate, where musical literature may he kept on file and musical authorities con- sulted, where rehearsals, with the aid of @ magnificent organ, could be held; in short, an ideal musical home, with every conceivable convenience. The plans for the building would undoubtedly include a large audience room, suited for public performances and capable of holding 2,000 or 2,500 people. In such a hall, where the visual and acoustic properties would be perfect and where the society would be aided by the added advaniages of both orchestral and organ accompaniment, it is confiently asserted by those most deeply interested in the enterprise that the people of Washington would be treated to an ex- cellence of choral work never before heard ip the city. The light of success is beginning to dawn upon the accomplishment of this desira- ble purpose, and there is now a probability that such a home may be erected within the next year. The Present Management. Upon the board of directors devolves the management of the society. Formerly the board was divided into three committees, but at a recent meeting of the members of the society the constitution was so amended as to provide for only Dy, two, each with an 3 increased | member- ship. The financial committee attends to the business end of the corporation's affairs, and Eugene E. Stevens, its chair- man, has as his as- sistants Dr. Frank T. Howe, Stasius“ Meade, Charles. J. James,’ Joseph S. Thomas, Miss Amy C. Leavitt and Miss Mary E. Cunning- pag ham. The com- mittee which has Stasius Meade, charge of matters Treasurer. relating to the chorus and the selection of music and soloists is the chorus com- mittee, composed of Norman H. Camp, chairman; N. B. Fugitt, John H. Seiffert, David G. Pfeiffer, Miss Lillian A. Norton, Mrs.. M. F. O'Donoghue and Mrs. L. Y. Ellis. Of both these committees the pres- ident is ex-officio a member. The officers of the society are William H. Daniel, pres- ident; Dr. Frank T. Howe, vice president; Miss Amy C. Leavitt, financial secretary; Norman H. Camp, secretary; Miss Lillian A, Norton, assistant secretary; Joseph S. Thomas, librarian; William R. Bushby and Frank E. Chapin, assistant librarians. Its Honorary Membership. Every year the society derives added en- couragement from the increased numbers and growing Interest of Its honorary mem- bers, who constitute one of the principal props of the organization, to whom it looks for a large share of its moral support. It is a gratifying fact that the honorary members are now showing a disposition to take a more active interest in the affairs of the society than has heretofore been the case, which re- sponsible inno small degree for the grow- ing popularity of Washington's _orato- rio society. The list is a long one, and in- cludes the names of President and Mrs. Cleveland, Vice Pres- ident and Mrs. Stev- enson, Chief Justice and Mrs. Fuller, the members of the cab- inet and their ladies, Mr. and Mrs. Thur- E. E. Stevens, ber, Mgr. Satolli, Chr. Fin. Com. Bishop Keane,Bishop Paret, Bishop Hurst, Rev. C. H. Butler, Dr. J. W. Bischoff, Mr. S. H. Kauffmann, Maj. Wm. G. Moore, Col. Geo. Truesdell, Rev. Dr. R. H. McKim, Rev. J. J. Muir, Rev. Dr. R. R. Shippen, Rev. Dr. and Mrs. ‘SS. M. Newman, Mr. and Mrs. S. W. Wood- ward, Mrs. Nellie W. Shir-Cifff, Dr. H. C. | Shermen, Mrs. E. R. True, Dr. Robert Rey- burn, Mr. Herndon Morsell, Mrs. H. H. Mills, Miss Lotta Mills, Mr. Anton Kas- par, Mr. Ernst Lent, Dr. and Mrs. Golds- borough, Mr. and Mrs. Charles B. Bailey and many others whose names are promi- nent In official, religious, musical or busi- ness circles. — Exemplary Patience. From Humoristische Blaetter. He (at the trystirg place) —“What a time you have kept me waiting! She —“Quite the centrary it Is only 6, and I did not intend to be here before 7. He — day. “Just so; but you have mistaken the I have been waiting here since yes- C. E. ANNIVERSARY It Will Be Observed Tomorrow by All the Societies. FOURTEEN YEARS OF ACTIVE WORK A Sketch of the Progress of This Flourishing Organization. THE JUNIOR SOCIETIES —— Fourteen years ago today, in a quiet, un- pretertious church in the city of. Portland, Me., the first Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor was formed. This an- niversary will be celebrated tomorrow by the various societies in this city, as well as by the 37,000 societies in existence, having an aggregate membership of 2,223,800. Each of these societies is organized upon essentially the same plan as the original society, and each member bound by prac- tically the same obligations as were as- sumed by the members of that first society. To intelligently understand the reasons for the formation of the first Society of Christian Endeavor one must inquire into the circumstances and conditions of the period of its inception. For many years prior to the organization of the first society pastors everywhere had felt the necessity for some instrumentality by which young converts in their churches might be trained in ways of practical Christian work. In those days it was not customary with a large majority of church- es to admit to membership in the church the young people in the congregation. The Sunday school, though exceedingly useful and successful as a medium of in- struction, did not frem the very nature of its organization provide for the young peo- ple the active duties which were essential Rev. Francis E. Clark, RD. D. to the proper training and exercise of the religious life. As a consequence of this lack of spiritual employment the young people frequently drifted away from the church. Young people's associations of many different natures pardy solved the difficulty in many places, but it was re- served for Rev. Francis E. Clark, pastor of Williston Congregational Church, Portland, Me., to introduce a plan of organization so simple and yet so complete that it has been adopted the world over. The story of the formation of the first society ts well known, but it is in place to repeat it here. In the winter of 1880-81 a revival visited the Williston Church of Portland, Me., and during its progress a number of young peo- ple of the church became Christians. The Problem now presented itself of keeping these young converts actively engaged in Christian work, in order that their spiritual life might be one of progress and develop- ment. Already the pastor was conducting a class of boys and cne of girls, with the end in view of preparing them for church membership. The church, however, was not willing to receive them, on account of their yoath, and in this emergency Dr. Clark conceived the plan which he put in practice in the following manner: Story of the First Signer. Mr. W. H. Pennell, the first signer of the Christian Endeavor constitution, who is now a resident of this city, thus tells the story of the first meetin, “The children who had professed Christ were asked to come to the pastor’s house and take tea; the teachers were asked to come in the evening to meet their scholars. When all were together, with the young converts in the parlor and the teachers in the hall and dining room, which opened from the par- lor with folding doors, so all could see and hear, Mr. Clark, standing in the doorway, explained to the children what he pro- posed to do, and then read from a_ book he had prepared, the constitution almost word for word, as it is today. He explain- ed the plan thoroughly to them and then put the question of the adoption. It was unanimously adopted, of course, and be- fore the company dispersed fifty-eight names had been signed to the constitution. Thus was the first society of Christian Endeavor launched, composed of young converts and the teachers present.” The Society of Williston Church was so suc- cessful that Dr. Clark was led to publish an account of the work among the young people of his church. His article, ‘How One Church Cares For Its Young People,” published in August, 18S1, in the Congre- gationalist, and later, a similar article published in the Sunday School Times, at- tracted wide attention. Without concerted effort of any sort, so- cleties began to spring up in all directions. Six societies were enrolled by June 2, 1882, when the first Christian Endeavor convention was held in Williston Church, Portland, Me. During the early years of the movement information in regard to it was transmit- ted by personal contact and correspon- dence, but in 1885, at the convention held at Old Orchard Beach, the United Society of Christian Endeavor was founded and incorporated under the laws of Maine. Mr. W. J. Van Patten of Burlington, Vt., was chosen president, and provision made for a general secretary, who should devote all his time to the work. Mr. George M.Ward of Lowell was chosen for this position, and Mr. William Shaw of Boston became treasurer of the United So- clety, a position which he still holds. Head- quarters were established in Boston, and the United Society began the important work of extending the movement by sup- plying information about the society to all who applied for it. In the summer of 1887, at the Saratoga convention, Rev. Francis E. Clark was chosen president of the United Society and editor of Christian Endeavor literature, a position which he accepted in the following autumn, resigning the pastorate of Phillips Church, South Boston: The growth of the movement has been nowhere so clearly il- lustrated and so strongly emphasized as by the annual conventions. As was stated, the first of these conven- tions (then called a conference) was held in Williston Church, Portland, in June, 1882, and six societies, with a membership of 481, were reported. Interdenowinational Fellowship. ‘The international convention of this pres- ent year wil! be held in Boston, and in 1896 the hosts of Christian Endeavor will assemble here at the nation’s capital. It is confidently expected that this gathering will exceed in size, enthusiasm and spir- {tual power any previous gathering of its character. The purposes of the organization, as was mentioned in the outset, is to train young people for the duties of their own church and denomination. The unit is the individual society organized within a church, and it exists there for the purpose of rendering the members more efficient in the service of Christ and of that particular church. Societies of Christian Endeavor are found in churches of all the principal Protestant denominations, and this fact has brought about a remarkable spirit of interdenomi- national fellowship, which has come to be one of the leading characteristics of the movement. The two mottos which have been universally adopted by Christian En- deavor socteties evidence these two great principles of fidelity and fellowship, “For Christ and the church” states succinctly, and yet completely, the objects of the or- ganization, whilo “One is your Master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren,” will serve as an indication of the broad feeling of fellowship which abounds among its members. The organization of the individual so- ciety is exceedingly interesting. Its mem- bership is of three classes. The active members are those who are willing to sub- scribe to the pledge. The associate mem- bers are those who desire to join the s0- ciety and come within its influence and yet are not willing to' subscribe to the pledge. ‘The honorary members are usually older members of the church, who desire to identify themselves with the society by having their names upon its rolls, The geciety holds a weekly prayer meeting, in which all the members are pledged to take part, unless preyented by @ good reason, and a monthly ‘consecration meeting, at which a response to the roll call is expected from every member. The society has a corps of officers and committees, each with important duties to perform. The essential !features of the society may be briefly stated to be, in the lan- guage of Dr. Clark: Pledged and constant attendance upcnthe weekly prayer meet~- ings; pledged and constant participation therein by every active member; pledged and constant work for others through the committees and in any way which may be suggested. The Junior Soctety. More than 7,000 of the 37,000 societies now in existence are termed “Junior So- cieties of Christian Endeavor.” This soci- ety is simply an adaptation of Christian Endeavor principles to the abilities and needs of children who are too young to be- come members of the young people’s soci- eties. These junior societies have a full ccrps of officers and-committees in analogy with the young people’s societies, but a superintendent and assistant superinten- dent are selected from among the mem- bers of the elder society to oversee and direct the efforts of the younger society. The first junior society was formed by Rev. J. W. Cowan in Tabor, Iowa, in March, 1884. Special branches of effort have been inaugurated with great success along Christian Endeavor lines. Notably among these is the work for the life sav- ers along the lake and seaccasts of our country. Many results have been achieved in this work and its future is very promis- ing. Mothers’ societies and senior societies have been formed in many places. Work among the commercial travelers and rail- rcad men has also been prosecuted with encouraging results. Floating societies of Christian Endeavor have been formed on many of the vessels of the United States navy, and several Christian Endeavor societies are to be found in the army. Much missionary work has been done by Chrstian Endeavor societies among for- eigners residing in this country, especially among the Italians, Bohemians and Chi- rese. Police societies, prison societies and societies among the North American In- dians have been established, and all report progress. Leeal and State Unions. ‘The individual societies are formed for convenience, interchange of ideas and the promotion of fellowship into unions, local and state. These bodies are in no wise legislative and exercise no power of the societies so banded together. The United Society of Christian Endeavor is a corporation existing for the purpose of spreading the movement and strengthening it by the publication of Christian &ndeavor literature. Leaflets touching upon all branches of the work are published and the sale of these, furnishes the United Soclety with the small amount of money necessary to conduct its business. The United Society also attends to the im- portant duty of arranging the programs for the international conventions, which are held annually. The marvelous growth and success of the movement can readily be understood when it is constderéd that the society does not, it is claiméd, in any way supplant any of the existing agéncies for work in the churches, but sitiply supplements and strengthens every instrumentality for Christian effort there in use. The society ‘is ‘within the church in every sense of ‘the term, and in no sense, it is asserted, can it be considered as be- ing separate or apart from it. The most emineftt divines of all leading denominations havé long since realized the power and meaning of the movement, and the splendid array gf names, ministers and laymen, who Compose the hoard of trus- tees of the Unlited’Society is an eloquent testimony to this fact. a TALES FROM TEXAS. How the Tree and Squirrel Conun- drum Caused a Conflngration, Texas Cor. Globe-Democrat. Some newspaper—innocently, no doubt— has thrown a bombshell into the little town of Tightwad, in this state. The bomb- shell has burst, severely injured some of the inhabitants and burned the business portion of the town. The shell was in the shape of an item which reads as follows: “Mr. Abner Keen, being fond of the sport, went into the woods one day to shoot squirrels. He came across a knowing old gray squirrel who promptly ran up a tree and stationed himself on the trunk on the side opposite Mr. Keen. Now and then the little rascal would look around on one side to see what Mr. Keen was doing, but would draw his head back too quickly for Mr. ‘Keen to get a shot at him. So the hunter proceeded to walk around the tree. As he walked the squirrel moved also, ever keeping the tree trunk between himself ard the enemy. Mr. Keen walked around the tree several times, but failed to get a shot. Now, while he walked around the tree did he walk around the squirrel?” There is a Httle saloon in Tightwad known as “Thg Ruby,” run and owned by one Jim Stevens. It is the nightly rendez- vous of several Tightwadders, some of wkom are prominent in both social and business circles. One cold night recently Mr. Peter Moly- neux, clerk in a general store, was in the “Mascot” playing pool with a drummer. Mr. Thomas Porterhouse West was also there playing dominoes with Senor Antonio de Varga, and Mr. West was a picnic for the senor. Dennis Ryan was there, to whom the Mascot was heaven, and his home, with a waiting and angry wife, was something else. Mr. Orlando Potter was in attendance. Orlando was the most ar- gumentative man on earth. Mr, Killdee was also present, with whom an argument is a sure ani quick road to an altercation. Others were in attendance, whose names are irrelevant. There was a good fire in the room, and all was comfortable and peaceable, when in walked old Dr. Pettigrew with a news- paper. The doctor sat down and began to read. Soon he happened on the fatal story of Mr. Keen and the squirrel. He wasn’t satisfied with reading it to himself, but felt called upon: to read it aloud. The doctor possesses a high-keyed, penetrating voice, and every one in the room heard the item and its ‘concluding question. “Do you know,” said the doctor, “it’s astonishing what fool things get into the newspapers. Any man knows if he walks around a thing he also walks around every- thing that is in or on that thing.” “Now, doctor, hold on,” said the argu- mentative Mr. Potter; “it looks at first sight that your argument is all right, but you see, as the man moves the squirrel moves, the latter's back is away from the man, his belly toward the man, and the tree between them. The man never passes the squirrel’s back. You can’t go around a thing unless, you pass all sides of it. The man don’t do this gt all.” Meantime the pool players were arguing the matter, so.were the domino players, so also were Messrs. Ryan and Killdee. There was a confused murmur in which could be heard the words “radius,” ‘‘circumference,”” “orbit,” “moving orbits,” “Idiotic,” ab- surd,” &c., and finally Mr. Killdee called Mr. Ryan a “fiannel-mouthed Mar.” Mr. Ryan, who is; belligerent enough for all practical purposese when away from his own hearthstpne,,,Promptly grabbed Mr. Killdee’s whiskers’and punched him in the nose, They clinched and fell over the domino table.; Thé dominoes went every which way, and Mr. West got hold of a spittoon and the senor pulled a dirk. The jatter was knocked down promptly by a billiard cue inthe hands of Mr. Molyneux. The drummer,’ being a smart man, had run out of the ba¢k deor. Jim Stevens inter- fered in the fracag, received the spittoon and then pulled his gun. The doctor not only, on seeing this, pulled his gun, but also began to shoot. There was a frantic mix-up, and over went the stove. The building caught fire, and the belligerents had barely time to untangle and get out. ‘The fire spread, and the whole block went up in smoke. The block contained the en- tire business portion of Tightwad. —_——_+o+____. To Be Considered. From the Atlanta Constitution. Editor—“Somehow or other, I don’t see the sense of this thing.” Poet—"My dear sir, that’s poetry.” _— Rapid Transit. From Tid-Bits. “By the powers,” exclaimed an Emer- alder, on hearing of a plan for greatly ac- celerating railway speed, ‘we'll soon get to London and back faster than we can stay at homel” INCAPITOLCORRIDORS What a Woman Sees and Hears in the Big White Building, IN THE EXCLUSIVE CORNERS Women Who Wait in Vain for the Expected Members. THE ANSWERS TO APPEALS Tingle, ingel, ling, b-r-r-r, sh-wish, and up comes the elevator from the basement of the lower house. The car is filled with @ merry crew, and the chanting of a lively song greets the crowds in the “‘floor’’ cor- ridor, and as the jolly fellows unload, one of them slaps the chanter on the back, cry- ing “good boy.”” They push by the crowd awaiting to go up, rudely jostling a very unpretentious woman standing near. No thought of apology entered the head of the light-hearted member of the lower house; it is barely possible that he was not cogni- zant of his mi:demeanor, if it might be so called. Up the car goes, faking on & goodly com- pany of gay women and men. They fill the ear, and the plainly-garbed woman of the pencil gets herself into as small a compass as her 150 avoirdupois weight will admit. “Gallery floor,” and all are off board, and as the jolly Jeems passes out the woman slips into a side door and shakes herself together, then glides down the gallery steps and lands alongside the marble rail- ing. As she looks about over the great na- tional kindergarten, that political training school for the upper house, from whence several of our most prominent “lords’’ have stepped, a sea of seats and a cloud of smoke greets her eyes, and somewhere in the great emptiness she hears a loud and vehement voice demonstrating some one of the great political questions of the day, and she judges that he is speaking for his con- stituents, who will read it in the Con- gressional Record. The sound becomes monotonous, and in locating it it is noticed that the speaker has arms, and that he is bravely thrashing an imaginary foe; the floor is strewn with bits of torn paper and cigar stumps, although there are generous supplies of cuspidors and waste paper bas- kets scattered throughout the great room; about a dozen members are industriously writing at their desks, while at least a dozen more are chatting merrily and crack- ing jokes in the corners; the sofas about the foyers are well patronized; the pages are hanging by their buttons on the cor- ners of the empty desks, while the clerks are sauntering about with their hands in their pockets. In the Chak Room. Looking beyond the floor and into the cloak room, whose door swings open, one sees the House porter take hold of a pom- pcus old member, and turning him around as he would a spit before a fire, whisks him with a full-sized broom, minus the handle. The jaunty derby is given a turn in the deft hands of the porter and set on the ear of the preening or rather preened member, and, with a professional twist of the thumb, the porter sets him aside and draws in another, and the trim old gentle- man from some remote district lights a cigar and puffing it strolls across the floer. He passes into the corridors, which are as tidy as the floor. Huge wood boxes are stationed at convenient distances, with little piles of wood thrown against the outside, no deubt for the purpose of in- forming the public the true character of the boxes. A goodly number of torn en- velopes and a sprinkling of shredded papers strew the Mosaic floor, while the generous expectorations of the tobacco slaves dis- figure the bright coloring of the tiling. As tha lately bewhisked member meanders adown the corridor he rolls his eyes about, noting numerous groups of twos standing against the marble columns, in the em- brasures of the broad windows and against the ends of the stairway. One Is generally pleading very ardently, the other listening quite indolently. Who could not tell for what the gentle one pleaded and that he repeated his only stock and store when he sald: “I will do all I can for you,” and, with- out lifting his hat or saying a kind good- day, he left her. And she believed as she left the dark and lofty corridors that she would soon step into a nice fat office, and the little ones, half starved and illy clad, would be well fed and warmly clothed. The bewhisked member as he passed on saw a little bldck-gowned woman trying to conceal the tears that somehow would steal out through big blue eyes, and he heard an honest man from a great and far- away city say: “My sympathies are very great for you, but I am helpless; my hands are tied. “I have two helpless little girls and con- sumptive sister—” but the gentleman from the great and faraway city passed on, and the little black-gowned woman went out through the old-time reception room, and another couple glide into the vacant nook, and again the still, cold marble pillars hear the oft-repeated tale of want and need. Exclusively for Ladies. Beyond the eastern corridor and through the jam that invariably blocks the main dcor The Star writer turned into the cor- ner in Statuary Hall that is set*aside for and ticketed “Exclusively for Ladies,” and saw a very dashing young woman sitting in the old swivel chair, with her elbows digging into the table, which is placed there for th® convenience of ladies calling upon Congressmen. Usually a big-fat man holds the fort with two or three lieuten- ants in the forms of small, slim pages; but the young woman was sending forth her own messages; she had evidently failed to “reach” her man with her visiting cards, and, with the determination born of des- pair—or in this cese it was properly de- feat—she vents her chagrin by inditing her notes to each recreant member from her father’s state, and in order to expedite matters sends them forth by the pert pages of the House. ‘The old leather chairs and sofas that did duty in the old eastern entrance of the House are arranged in line in this “ex- clusive corner” and are always well filled with the habitues of the House patronage. The same faces are seen session in end session out. It is always the same cry— “A place.” g It is as if it were a universal language, sung from the dome to wing and wing. The nod of the head, the swing of the arms, the turn of the toes, each and all accentuate, enunciate, intonate, whisper in the shadows and yell from the Goddess of Liberty, “place, place, place,” until the be- badgered and tormented thembers turn stone body an@ soul. As the writer for The Star waited with the young and dashing woman she noted how many of the dozen women patiently waiting there would be able “to get” their Representatives. The place was surely un- der petticoat government, for not a sin- gle man or boy hung about the “exclusive” corner, while the women sat and sat, gos- siping with each other, telling how they had proceeded to secure an interview with their members, and how they got their “places” under the Harrison regime, or the first administration of Mr. Cleveland, and some there were who had held posi- tions even so far back as Gen. Hayes’ ad- ministration, and lost it, although they say they were “under civil service.” This is an oft repeated tale, and it loses no interest for the office seekers; but it was observed that the shade was beginning to creep around the plaza, and, looking upon the thinning crowd, the sad and disappointed women began drawing their nerve forces together and to look a little askance at tho other waiting ones; some had the courage “Well, I hardly expected him, anyway. They are having an exciting debate in the House, and—" “He certainly made a positive appoint- ment with me to meet him right here to- day, and I think that he must come—” said another tired one. “But you know they are having that bill before the House today— “What bill “Oh, I don’t know, but I suppose it is the one they are having so much trouble about—” and as the writer sat with down- cast eyes and open ears she was plucked very gently by her sleeve by a very meek little woman wearing a long mourning veil. Waited in Vain. “Please, Miss, but can you tell me how 1 can find Mr. HP “Is he a Congressman?” “Yes’m, he is from our part of the state. ‘Were you ever there?” “I think not.” “Then you don’t know him?” “Have you sent in your card?” “Oh, yes; I gave it to the big fat man, who was here, and he gave it to his son, and the little fellow took it just like a grewn man would, and socn came back saying that Mr. was busy addressing the House and couldn't come out just then, but for me to call again, and I have been away and came back again, and he sent word for me to wait a while for him, and I have waited full three hours.” “Well, good day.” “But, miss, I am a stranger here, and my little girl is sick and’? —— “And you are destitute?” “Do you live near me? Have you heard about it?” “No, my dear woman, but yours is the ccmmon cry, and no doubt a hundred are ready to grasp the place you aim to get. I would advise you to not wait any longer, you will not see the Representative today, I saw him just a few minutes before you addressed me, going through the hall.” “He did not see me or he would have —” “Possibly not.” Eanes can you tell me how to find Mr. ‘Hire a guide for tomorrow and he will point him out to you on the floor,” and the Star writer wended her way through the almost empty hall and out through the rotunda filled with strange ideas. ee AT L’HOTEL DE BLANK. A Little Drama Which Suggested More Than It Told. From the New York Sun. Men do not now take their wives, sisters and daughters to the Restaurant de I'Hotel de Blank, although they did so ten or fif- teen years ago. Yet it is always crowded at dinrer time, and there are husbands, bachelors and fathers there, dining with well dressed women. The usual rattle of lively talk and noisy bustle of waiters one evening recently were suddenly and strangely quieted when a man of about thirty-five years entered with an elderly woman. They looked around with hesitating inde- cision, until the head waiter, with a little more than his usual ceremony, escorted them to a central table. The woman, more than the man, seemed to be conscious of the sudden quiet their entrance had caused, and she, too, excited the greater curiosity among the crowd of diners. She was a lady. It was that fact which created the wonderment. She was richly dressed in an old-fashioned style that had a quaint look there, emphasized by a long gray curl, which hung down from beneath her bon- net nearly to her shoulder, in the mode of a generation ago. The mar was a gentle- man, distinction and breeding perfectly ap- parent in him, despite his weather-heaten face and hands, and the evidence, in his dress, of some western tailor’s machina- tions. lt was some minutes before the diners resumed their conversation, and even then the odd couple continued to be the subject of furtive inspection from all sides. The talk went on in a lower tone, and in some way there had been a change in the whole atmospher? of the place. The next couple which entered the room created something of a sensation, too, but of a different and more familiar kind. They were recognized by many of the diners, as they walked straight to a table which had evidently been reserved for them in the rear of th2 room, where the woman took her place, with her back to the other din- ers. She was a handsome girl, with a rebel- lious face. Her costume in every partic- ular was in the fashion, but- noticeable as being extreme in those effects which hint the fashion of tomorrow. As she passed the table where the odd couple sat she turned her head aside to return some greeting, and did not notice them, but the lady with the gray curl saw her, and started so visibly that her companion asked: “What is it, mother?” She hesitated a moment, and then said: “Why, that was Mr. Bronson who just came in.” What, Frank?” asked the man eagerly. He half rose, with the evident intention of following to tne rear table. His mother laid her hand on his arm to detain him, and as she did so the man at the rear table rose with a look of amazement, and quickly walked over to them. He greeted the mother with a deference in which there was a slight corstraint, and then grasped the man’s hand affectionately. “Why, my dear old Jack!” he exclaimed, “I thought you were still out in the west, digging gold or killing Indians, or what- ever you have been doing these dozen years. I can hardly believe my eyes, see- ing you here.” “Just got in an hour ago,” responded Jack. “Mother met me in Philadelphia, where she was visiting, and, as our house is closed, I insisted on coming here for din- ner—the old place, you know. But changed somehow, isn’t it?” Frank gave a curious glance at the mother before he answered: “I don’t think many of the old set come here often now. I fancy you have not been here for some time, Mrs. Harrison. I still dine here occasionally.” “If any of your people are with you, we can get a larger table and dine together,” said Jack. “No, no! No one you know, old man. I'll see you at the club tomorrow,” replied Frank hastily, and, bowing again to Mrs. Harrison, returned to his own table. Jack looked at his mother in surprise. “That's not much like Frank,” he sald. “What is the matter? The place has changed.” He looked about at the people more crit- ically than he had before. “Perhaps we should have gone some- where else, as you suggested, mother. But I have been dreaming for a month of the dinner I'd order here. I used to amuse myself out there with Thompson, my mining partner, telling him about this res- taurant. By the way, mother, you have said very little in your letters for a year about his daughter, Nina. Her father is your devoted slave for what you did for her when I—that is we—sent her to you four years ago to be put in school. Was she not a lovely girl, mother? I had hard work, after we ‘struck it rich,” to prevail on her father to let her come here for some polishing. I think he gave in at last because he suspected then what I must tell you now, mother—that I love Nina, and wanted her fitted to be your daughter, mother! What is the matter?” “Nothing, my boy. It is close here, and I am excited by your return, and—and—I think we had better go home, John.” Nearly every one turned and looked cu- riously at the odd couple as they left the restaurant—he tenderly anxious, she pale and trembling, leaning on his arm. “What's the sensation, Frank?” asked Bronson’s companion, who had noticed the little commotion, but had not turned round, for her glass was being filled with cham- pagne, and she was waiting impatiently for that. “Why, it’s a curious story,” explained Bronson, “When I left you a moment ago it was to speak to an old friend of mine who has just returned from the wilds, and the innocent chap had brought his mother here to gine. His mother; think of it! She lives down in this part of town—belongs to an old swell set—but I dare say did not know, any more than he, just what sort of gang patronizes this place now.” The woman was looking at him wickedly. “Well, just what sort of gang does pa- tronize this place now?" she asked wily, in a voice that did not match her eyes. “Well, we are pretty regular customers ourselves, for instance,” he replied with a laugh. “Oh, I see,” said the girl. innocent friend’s name?’ “Jack Harrison. Why, what the devil is the matter with you, Nina — An Objectionable Part. From the Detrolt Free Press. A delegation of players from the company visited the manager. s “We have come, sir,” sald the spokesman, “to ask you, on behalf of curselves, that a portion of the part played by Mr. Jack- son be cut out.” “What portion is that?” “Where he wants to borrow $5 from the disguised duke.”” “What's the objection to it?” “A very serious one, sir. He rehearses the part on us, sir, every time he thinks any of us has any money.” ++ —__—_ A Career Ahend of Him. From the Chicago Record. “I am ruined,” said the ambitious young artist. “I have tried my best to paint fine pictures, but have failed. Now let me re- tire from the professicn.”” “Nonsense,” said-his critical friend; failure is auspicious. It shows your op- portunity to turn impressionist and win What is your ‘your “THE WONDER OF IT.” “Doctor,” said ono of Washington's best-known Winisters a day or two ago ut the ofices of Dr. ‘alker, ** it very dit it to to see when I call, but the wonder to sys been. tor the past five weeks since I have been calling bere why, with your low fees and the good worg you are'doing in this community, you are able to handle L Fed — realize it we Tr) t in a cit; like this, where there is so much distress and suf. fering, I should think that so many would take advantage of your skill and liberal terms that it Would be imposible for you to see them ail. [have given the subject deep thought, and have even spoken to two members of my Congregation, who are physicians, but the only conclusion I can arrive at is that for years the profession has con- sidered the chronic diseases you treat as incurable.” ‘To say that chronic diseases will not yield to “specialty treatment,” when properly applied, is eitaer an inexcusable error or an-intentional false- hood. In cither instance it 1s an inexcusable im- pertinence in the face of hundreds of intelligent And reputable people of Washington, who testify to their radical and lasting cure of those diseases. By this is meant the complete elimination or re- moval of the “‘cause” and the seturn to a perma- nent and natural, healthy condition. Any sufferer from chronic disease, no matter of how long stand- ing, may be practi assured of a cure by calling on or writing to Dr. Walker. Men suffering from nervous debility, as a result of overwork, mental worry or pust | excesses, aro quickly restored to sound, vigorous manhood by = er’s treatment. Dr. Walker may be consulted free of charge, per- ronally or by letter, at his well-known sanitarium, 1411 “Pennsylvania “avenue, — 2djoining — Willard'’s Hotel. Office hours, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday and Saturday evenings, 7 to 8; Sundays, 10 to 12. excnarees ges for treatment very low and medicines hed. All interviews and correspondence sacredly con- fidential. No cases made public without consent of patients, : it SOME HOUSEHOLD HINTS When a postage stamp will not stick— and most of those one gets just now will not—and you have no “gum-stick-’em” handy, moisten the flap of the envelope you are about to seal and rub the stamp over that. It usually sticks without trou- ble if applied quickly. 7 es s we Add a spoonful of powdered borax to a bowl of starch to make the linen stiffer. = 8s © « Saturday morning when you make the coffee, drop the egg shell where it will set dry and brittle. Then when you are cleaning up the vinegar bottles after break- fast, crush the shells and pour them in the cruet with a drop or two of ammonia and warm water. It will clean the bottles beautifully. * es © we If you want to make a pretty birthday cake for a child, select some recipe that is not very rich and make a layer cake. For the filling make a frosting colored a bright pink with cranberry juice, and put a thick layer of the frosting on the top and around the sides. You can make it still more attractive by putting the date and name of the child on the top layer in white frosting. To do this, make a tiny cone of stiff white paper, pin it and fill with frosting; then let it run in a thin stream from the small end, which you use as a kind of pen to do the writing. It makes a pretty spot on the birthday table to set around the cake as many burning wax candles as the child is years old. ss se we If you would save yourself burned hands and much annoyance, have plenty of +hold- ers around the kitchen stoves—yes, around all the stoves in the house. In the kitchen you can make them of a double piece of ticking, with a layer or two of cotton be- tween, stitch nicely around the edges and put a loop or ring to hang up by. Three or four will do, though more will be bett=r, for they are always being misplaced, and as fast as they are soiled they should be put in the wash; they wash easi made that way. Holders are much nicer than v: ing the nice clean apron or the tail of the dress to lift a hot coffee pot, kettle or fry- ing pan. For the sitting room and parlor make the holder of a bit of thick silk and embroider it if you like, making it orna- mental as well as useful. It will come in handy 2 dozen times a day. oe 0 ere ie If you want to make a living room hab- itable when heated by furnace or latrobe keep a large open dish of water standing close to the register. Put fresh water in the dish every day. aa Gk eee ee It is quite an art to arrange flowers in a fiat .bowl or saucer so that they will not tumble out. For a shallow bowl, a piece of wide-meshed netting drawn tightly over the mouth of the bowl and tied or basted with a thread below the bottom is a good preventive. The flower can be stuck through the meshes into the water. An- other plan is to have a piece of wide- meshed wire netting cut a little larger than the top of the bowl; stick the fiowers through the meshes into the water or wet earth. For a table or stand, if the basin for the flowers is shallow, sand or earth filled to soaking with water is better than water alone, for jarring the table or cabinet will not make the water slop out. You can get the flowers with short stems much cheaper than those with long ones, xen- erally, and for flat work they are just is nice. To revive wilted flowers dip the ends of the stems in pretty hot water for a few moments, then put in cold water. If you will put your roses in a cold room over night they will not bloom open so fast «nd will thus keep much longer. s 8 es we When you want to whip eggs to a froth, put a tiny pinch of salt in them. Both should be as cold as possible, to froth well. se oe 8 As fast as you can, acquire good kitchen utensils. Nothing so much expedites work as plenty of the proper kind of tools. The best vessels to 2ook in are earthenware. For cereals and fruit nothing else should be used. So much of the tin made now- adays is poor, and the tin cooks off in acid fruits, and scrapes off when you are stir- ring things. Iron pots and pans will darken almost everything that is cooked in them. Granite warc—the best—costs a great deal, and wears out in time, but good earthen- ware lests forever, unless you are careless and break it. ce eo we To make a gcod bouillon, or beef tea, put a pint of cold water to each pound of beef— cut the beef in at least pound pieces—and set the vessel on the back of the stove to simmer for at least three hours. Then set it over a hot fire, to cook fast for half an heur. Strain it and set it away to cool and settle. When cold, pour off into a ciean, bright vessel, and put in it the beaten white and shell of one egg, one small onion and little pieces of carrot and turnip, with a teaspoonful of burnt sugar. Stir, settle and strain again; when ready to serve, heat and salt it well; it takes a good deal of salt. . . . se To test a ham that you are cooking, slip a sharp knife in along the bone. if it comes out milky-looking the ham is not done; if clean, it is. Ph et Wrapping paper, cld newspapers and the various useless odds and ends that collect about a kitchen are an awful nuisance. If you put them in the fire it smudges it out; if you throw them in the ash barrel it soon fills it up; if you have no particular place to put them they get around under foot and annoy you that way. All good, smooth brown paper should be neatly fold- ed up and laid on a shelf in a place set apart for it. It never comes amiss to have it about; you want it for lunches, to send away packages, to do up the laundry in; you want it for a dozen things, and prob- ably never have a clean piece at hand. The paper bags should be put away in the same manner. It is a small economy, but saves @ great deal of time when you want either.- es 2 oe we ew The twine that comes around the pack- ages should be made up in a ball and kept in a tiny box or basket hung high out of the reach of small hands, yet handy to run to when you want a bit of cord. For the useless odds and ends make a bag out of cheap print or cretonne, or piece one out of pretty scraps and line it so that it will be strong. One as large as a common flour sack will not be too large. Gather it at the bottom, and fasten with a bow of cambric, and at the top make a wide hem, into which put a thick wire or a small hoop. Hang this in a corner of the kitchen out of the way, and throw into it all the bits of paper, cloth and trash of that char- acter. When the bag is full roll the con- tents in a big newspaper and tie with string, and pile up In the coal house till you have the ashes carted away, and then it can be carried away without trouble or extra cost. You can have a half dozen such bundles and not notice the room they take up. : ——————— The Union Foundry and Machine Com- + pany’s pattern shop at Catasauqua, Pa., * was destroyed by fire Thursday morning. The loss will reach $30,000.