Evening Star Newspaper, February 9, 1895, Page 18

18 THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1895-TWENTY PAGES. = SKETCHES MEXICAN The Effect of the Depreciation of the National Currency. GCOD TOUGH HATERIAL FOR SOLDIERS An Interesting Account of the Peons of Mexico. Peer eee THE DUDE-TYPE} «e of The Evening Star. CITY OF ME <i) <1cO, Janvary TY WAS THE OPT i expressed to a well-in- formed resident of Mexico city, that if Mexico went to war ion me by with Guatemala the s to pay ex- mses would be raised by a popular loan. Certainly the patriotism and en- th asm of the peo- ple seem strong enough to induce them to supply the sinews of war, as well as the men for an army. Otherwise Mex- co would be in considerable of a predic: ment financially. With a currency of sil- ver and hange terribly against the country, on account of the depreciation of silver, Mexican officials struggle every day to meet the cha which must be paid in the interest on the foreign debt and other obligatiens. One ect of the depreciation of the na- tional currency has been to promote the ent of rative indy The t a Mexican otlar is worth only a dollar outside of the country has 1 foreign impetus to dom had the effect mportations and given an tie manufactures. It has in a general way, of a very high protective tariff. While it may have accouplished good in this peat has crippied the government by greatly — the revenues frcm customs du- Mexicans as Fighters. Mexicans, as a rule, have a very good opinion of the fighting ability of the na- tion. Of course, the intelligent and trav- eled men, and the men in charge of the government, know better, but I think the gre 3 of Mexican men have a very stror United St nvietion that they could whip the were left out. They angers. sion of fhe he read§ in betief here is that the jot su- nd rial he rt of the eruited from the criminal classes. fines or term of imprisonment is commuied to se! 2 in the ari The chief depend- at se of ence of the rovernm Rurales, the c ms to be on the dashing horsemen who prowl all 0° . They wear the Mexic have fine mounts pearance. i of in Mexico, and on given to me is that the jea of the pre » the Dandits cor ome of the most fe te men the country has ever known are said to be leaders or members of this singular band of horsemen. When a regi- ment of soldiers, the ordinary, ragged sol- diers, half or more of whom are criminals, fs on the march there will generally be found, riding behind, five or six Rurales, each with a Winchester slung conveniently near his right hand. There are never any stragglers from the regiment, or, if there are, they are never heard of again. ‘The Rurales are not soldiers merely; they represent the government in many ways, and, according to the stories told of them, act frequently as judge, jury and ex tioner. the Rurales as Avengers. A Durango man told me a story indicated the kind of servic the Rurales. In that ¢ rendered by that section there is a band of Rurales, under command of one Martin @ converted bandit. About a r ago a man named Morelos, an in- terventor or government bank examiner at Durango, incurred the enmity of a band of squatters, whom he had attempted to some land belonging to him. seventeen of these squatters, played a game of cards to decide who should kili Morelos. The murderer thus chosen did his work well, Morelos and his servant were shot and killed one @ay when riding over the country. Mar- tinez was sent for and started on the hunt. Soon little crosses began to appear by the roadsi through the country. Wherever a man fs Filled a cross is put up. My in- formant said that fifte have already gone up. Martinez expects to make it seventeen. He does not want the trouble and uncertainty of a trial. When he meets the sixteenth and seven- teenth of the men who played in that fatal game of cards it will simply be a qustion as to who “gets the drop” first, and the chances are in favor of Martinez, as he is a dead she The Typical Peon. The one typical figure that will become photographed on the memory of a traveler through Mexico Is that of a swarthy cr copper-colored man, attired in a dirty cotton shirt and trousers, crowned with a broad-brimmed sugar loaf hat or som- brero of coarse straw, the upper part of his person wrapped in a red blanket or zarape, and his feet shod with leather sandals, At every railway station cre of these crosses rmy j id des- | sees dozens or scores of such men stand- ing or squatting motionless. There is, of course, a feminine to this figure, a woman attired in cotton shirt and skirt, «ith her head ard shoulders enveloped in the zemin- ine of the zarape—a garment usually blue in color, called a reboso. Men and women so attired will be seen everywhere in Mex- ico from the Rio Grande to Guatemala and from the gulf to the Pacific. The peon ard the burro are everywhere. The zarape and the reboso are useful garments. The zarape is the man’s cloak by day and his blanket by night. Sometimes it is nothing but an ordinary red blanket—sometimes it is a striped blanket of Indian manufacture. Sometimes, and especially if the wearer has a horse, it has a hole or slit in the middle and is called a poncho. The wearer puts the poncho on by putting his head | through the hole so part of the blanket covers his back and the other part hangs in front of him. When he is riding the poncho covers both himself and his saddle, protecting him from rain. If it is warm he rolls up his poncho and straps it to his saddle. The Woman and Her Reboso. ‘The reboso worn by the woman is equally useful, serving as shawl amd headdress, as blanket by night and as a baby carrier. It will be wound around a woman in several folds and usually one will find a little copper-colored baby tucked away in one of the folds. The ordinary place for the baby is on the wom- an’s back. The re- boso forms a sling in which the baby is carried, the welght being distributed be- tween the head and shoulders. While the peon man wears a great deal of hat the peon woman wears none. She either goes bareheaded or covers her head with the rebeso. A resident of Mexico told me the reboso originated from the mantle usually represented as worn by the Virgin Mary in the figures of that sacred personage ore sees in the churches. There are a great many churches in Mexico and a great many statves of the Virgin, and there is un- | doubtedly a striking similarity in the gar- ment worn by the Virgin, and in the man- ner it is worn, as represented by the sculp- tors aud the ordinary reboso of the peon woman. They are very devout, and their devotion might take the form of imitation; but, as opposed to this theory, an old Mex ican assured me the reboso has come down from the old Aztec days, before the Indians were converted to Christianity. A Mexican Dude. Another distinct type, so far as dress ts concerned, is the Mexican horseman, who wears the harro,” sor riding suit. This once practically the national dress of the men above the peon class. Now it is worn chieily as a riding costume. It con- sists of a sombrero, a short jacket, sash and skin-tight trousers, sometimes opening wide at the aakle, The jacket and trousers are frequently of buckskin, or of some rich material. The jacket is heavily embroid- ered with silver or gold, and an embroider- ed stripe of the same material extends down the leg of the trousers. The felt sombrero likewise is corded and embroid- ered to match the undergarments, and the saddle, saddie cloth and stirrups are usu- ally richly embroidered or enameled. It is said a young Mexican dude will suffer for the ne fes of life in order to get a richly trimmed sombrero. . They cost all the way from $% to $150. No matter how shabby the rest of his at- the Mexican considers himself well ed if he wears a fire sombrero. Oc- onally one will see a horseman on the streets of Mexico whose riding outfit, som- brero, charro suit, saddle, bridle and spurs represents an outlay of a thousand dollars or more. w. F..a. a TEST OF STRENGTH. A Baltimore Man Moves a Freight Car Weighing 50,900, From the New York Herald. If George G. Spriggs, the unassuming | strong man, is not really the champion Hercules, his friends think he is. He added another to his long list of achievements recently by pushing a freight car at the Baltimore and Ohio yards at Mount Clare, | Md., whose total weight was 50,900 pounds. an makes a new world’s record for a feat of this kind, the record up to this date be- ing claimed by John Whitman, who, on May 20, 181, without any outside aid or appliances, is said to have pushed a car that weighed 35,000 pounds a distance of thirty feet at the Hudson River railroad depot in New York. Spriggs was anxious to try his strength on a hes attempt was not made at once was because there was no heavier one in the yard. He record will not be satisfactory to | 90,000-pound weight. ‘The feat was done in the presence of a company, who satisfied themselves of the weight of the car and {ts contents. Mr. s sent his car only three feet, as the track was closely occupied by other freight cars, and that was all the room he had. ‘That he could have sent it thirty feet or a hundred seemed possible to those who ob- served the comparative ease with which the feat was accomplished. In addition, the shove was slightly up hill, as Spriggs gave it a pull and it returned to its first | position by gravity. ee Bar Itoom Profits in the United States. a Eonfort’'s Wine Spirit Circular. > in Canada the tax on one of our | proof gations is about $1.80, if we are not misinformed, and yet the best gfades of Canadian whiskies retail in the leading salcons of Toronto and elsewhere at five cents per drink. This, too, notwithstand- ing the fact that the grog of Canada calls for more spirits than the toddy of this country. In the United States, though, the re- tailer charg2s the consumer fifteen cents and higher in all of the better places, and even then hands out a cheap grade of stuff to the average ctstcmer. Saloon ren in this country are not unlike the balance of our population, in that they want to grow rich in a year, and they are always on the lookout for short cuts. ‘They will fit up a saloon regardless of ex: pense, put mirrors up for ceilings, pave the floor with mosaics and $20 gold pieces, finish in the most expensive hard wood and decorate with artistic _bric-a-brac, picteres, ete. And yet this very place will not hesitate to pass a $1.50 per gallon whisky over the bar and charge fifteen nts per drink for it. ‘The trouble ‘s that distillers pay no at- tention to the retailing of their liquors in this country, while in Canada they give mtch attention to this matter. coe From Life. “Well, well, a nice piece of beef. This ts what you call a regular—” | “Snap!” vier car, and the only reason the} until he has done the trick with a) | F A DING AWA YITHE Boon COMPANY The Romance Which Once Centered About St. Valentine's Day. A MEDIUM FOR THE VOWS OF CUPID Some of the Traditions When These Missives Were in Favor. THE MODERN WOOER Written Exclusively for The Evening Star. W °* HAS BECOME of the romance of the old Saint Valen- tine’s day, and the memory of the good bishop, so famous for his love and charity, that from thence arose the custom of choosing valentines upon his festival? Are there no shy suitors nowadays to take advantage of, = Saint Valentine's day to declare their passion? The shop win- dows display a few atrocious combinations of satin, lace and crude painting; but darl- ing little Cupid no longer stands a con- queror in confident possession of the field; he appears no more showered with love letters, or piercing hearts, with true ar- cher’s aim, or winging his joyous flight bearing a message of irresistible simplicity, “The rose is red, the violet’s blue, The pink is sweet, and so are you.’ Poor Cupid sits neglected now, shivering outside the casement, his wings sorrowfully drooping, his bow unstrung, and his chubby fists doubled into his weeping eyes. Could we find now a trustful girl to re- cord, as follows, her Valentine vigil? “Last night was Valentine day, and the night before I got five bay leaves and pinned four of them to the four corners of my pillow, and the fifth to the middle; and then, if I dreamt of my sweetheart, Betty said we should be married before the year was out. But to make it more sure, I boiled an egg hard, and took out the yolk, and filled it with salt; and when I went to bed ate it, shell and all, without speaking or dfinking after it. I also wrote my lov- ers’ names upon bits of paper and rolled them up in clay, and put them into water, and the first that rose up was to be my valentine.” The quaint young maiden that bravely swallowed her thirsty portion in order to raise the vision of a bonny lover has with- ered into a crumpled dame in cap and spectacles, but she lovingly hoards her treasure of the past—a copy of verses, yel- low with age, oddly illuminated with dainty devices, sent by her sailor lover from across the sea to show that he had kept his faith with her though oceans rolled between them. Romance of the Day. Long, long ago, before the valeniine had become conventionalized, very costly gifts were used as tokens on Cupid’s feast day. For instance, the ruby cut in the form cf a heart, which the brave smith of Perth wrought for his adored Catherine. This rare gem was transfixed with a golden arrow and inclosed in a small purse made of the finest work in linked steel, “fit for a king's hauberts.”” ‘There are many pathetic traditions cf the days when valentines were in favor. One of the loveliest of these is a faint reverberation from the battle of Water- loo. Those who were examining the dead on the battlefield found a young officer shot through the heart; the fatal bullet had also pierced a little parcel, consisting of a delicate handkerchief and a tress of leng ‘golden hair, folded in what once had been a valentines They knew nothing of the history connected with the blood-stain- ed love tokens, but they felt that their dismal tidings would reach, somewhere, a girlish heart racked with suspense, would stain with grieving tears a fair young face—and they tenderly replaced the valen- time on the heart that would never again be moved by joy or sorro ‘Another pretty legend is the pet posses- sicn of a family of colonial ancestry. It relates to one of those apparitions that, ndsire’s portraits, should grace ; one of those that furnished La Rochefoucauld with the mocking parison for his famous epigram: love is like apparitions; many have h of them, but tew have seen them.” Many years ago, in old Virginia, beautiful Mildred Martin had two suitors; ahd, though neither had declared himself, to one, Jack Randolf, she had given, wholly and fervently, her warm, loving heart. On Saint Valentine's morning she received two missives, one of which conveyed in unmis- takable language an_offer of marriage. As the writing was evidantly disguised, accord- ing to the custom of valentines, there arose the troublesome question, Was it from the one she secretly favored? After much de- literation, she wrote an acceptance of the proposal, and a pretty little note in answer to the less ardent missive, but sealed them both before she addressed either. And frcm this arose one of life’s sad littie “might have beens.” The delighted lover hastened the mar- riage, but Mildred seemed listless rather than happy. As they drove from the church, the bridegroom whispered, holding her hand in his: “I may venture to tell you a secret now, my darling. I never proposed to you at all, it was Jack. I did not do so, because I fancied you liked him best.” Poor Jack! His disappointed heart soon laid down its load of grief for®ver. Poor Mildred! She was a kind, faithful wife, but she could not quite forgive her hus- band for accepting as his own her misdi- rected valentine. A Buried Love. The years glided on. In Mildred’s girl- hood home, far from her later one, an- other generation was budding, and cne niemorable February a jolly house party had assembled there for the pre-Lenten gayeties. Soon after midnight of Saint Valentine’s day a piercing shriek was heard from the room that was our hero- ine’s before her marriage, but which was now occupied by her namesake, a debu- tante Mildred. The aroused household was secon at hand, and found Mildred junior sitting upright in the high, old-fashioned bed, looking out from behind the carved pests and rich, though faded hangings, with a wild terror. In answer to bewil- dered inquirers she gave a recital which was received with incredulous comments. “I had climbed into bed,” she said, “and vas drowsily watching the flickering lights cast on the walls by the waning fire, when I suddenly felt impelled to look at the dressing table. I drew back the curtains, which hid the dressing table from me, and there, leaning over it as if searching for something, was a slender little woman in a long green velvet cloak and a green vel- vet bonnet of a strange fashion. Then I became aware of a phantom mist, which wavered about the little figure, and I cried out with horrid, creepy terror.” ‘After many joking allusions to plum pudding dreams, and the detail of a maid to guard Miss Mildred’s slumbers, quiet was restored.- But the next morning at breakfast a telegram was received an- nouncing that «he Aunt Mildred had died at midnight! A few months after her death a secret drawer was discovered in the dressing table. It contained Jack's valentine,dim with the tears that had fallen upon it, and a miniature of Mildred as a girl—in a green velvet Cloak and a queer green bonnet— which Jack had once possessed, but which had been returned to her when he died. The traditions of the February saint have faded now. Maidens no longer watch with pit-a-patting hearts for an over-burdened postman; hoping wooers do not now rise early, like the mating birds, and await the unclosing of their true love’s window. On the contrary, the modern wooer, thorough- ly aware of his value in the matrimonial market, saunters carelessly on, utterly re- gardiess of romance and “hearts.” — To Finish in Unison. From an Exchange. “Why did you kiss him twice?” “We were interrupted the first time.” “Eh, mon, but it’s a sair day for puir folk,” remarked thé Canny Scot, as he re- plenished the fire, easting a regretful look upon the vanishing pile of wood by the hearth. “I dinna ken the time when there were mair puir bodies ganging aboot in waur weather.” It: was one of those days when the cold was nipping and intense, with a driving snow storm setting in from the east. Inside the Canny Scot’s house, though, it was warm and cheery, and the cracking of the seasoned hickory logs on the fire seemed like the snapping of one’s fingers at the storm outside. The reflec- tion of the firelight was dancing and flickering on the oak wainscoting, and the toddy kettle was al- ready tuning up for .@ merry song of wel- come to the Goodly Company when they should arrive. “I am glad to ob- sairve there is so )._|much charity amang the reech,” remarked the Canny Scot. ‘As for mysel’, I will e’en put a wee drap mair in the toddy for the lads ’gin they come.” This burst of generosity was highly approved by the Goodly Company when they were seated around the table and the first Hot Scotch had been brewed. It is their habit to show their appreciation by reverent _ silence, which this time continued for several min- utes. “Aweel, ye need na’ let the toddy tie your tongue,” said the Canny Scot, looking at one of the members. s 8 ee 4 “I had a remarkable series of adventures once,” said the Man Addressed. “I was a deputy marshal attached to the United States court at New York, and was placed in charge of a rich prisoner under peculiare circumstances. This man had a case pend- ing in which it was desired to invoke the writ of habeas corpus, and-as the opoprtun- ity to make the test would not occur for four weeks, and the man did not desire to remain in prison, yet, to still be under duress, it was decided to turn him over to a deputy marshal, who would accompany him everywhere and keep him constantly in view. ‘This man was a bank president and a high roller socially, as well as in the Dusiness world. Knowing this fact I an- ticipated having a good time and cutting a wide swath in society in company with my prisol I was doomed to disappoint- ment in this regard, and fated instead to put in nearly four weeks of danger and privation. For two days I sat around his office, smoking Henry Clays and watching him work, “Three days after I took charge of my prisoner his wife and daughter started for Europe, and nothing would do but my man must go down the bay on the steamer, to come back with the pilot after clearing Sandy Hook. I went with him, of course, | and just at dark we climbed down the steamer's side and into the pilot's skiff, the pilot boat standing off and on nearby. It was a nasty night, and I was powerful glad to get aboard the pilot boat. We went below and sat = down to supper. ItgZZ was the intention ofag the pilot to cruise around the hook to catch an incoming Cunarder, and as we; did not expect to get turned into a couple of empty bunks af- ter supper, and I soon went to sleep. In the —= middle of the night I was awakened hy be- ing tosed out of my bunk by a violent shock. To cut short the story, the pilot beat had been run down in the dark by some Kind of a craft, and the next five minutes found us clinging to the wreck, which was half submerged in water. Lt was pitchy dark, theré Was a choppy sea running, and the water was icy cold. We climbed up on the wreck as far as we could and there we hung, staring into the dark- ness for the lights gf some passing vessel. “The craft that hqd'run us down had kept on her course and no sign of hcr was to be seen. Several of the crew had gone down when the boat went over and there were only two left, together with my pris- oner and myself. For six mortal hours we drifted seaward before the wind, and we were nearly dead with ccld when we saw a full rigged ship bearing down upon us. They sighted the wreck and, rounding to, lowered a small boat, which with.some dif. ficulty picked us off the wreck. This was done by rowing close and throwing a noose around our bodies and dragging us aboard. “After we had been warmed and fed in the cabin of the ship the captain came dewn to see us. He was rot ina very good humor toward us, due probably to the thought that he would have four more mouths to feed. “How soon can you put asked my prisoner. “"In about two weeks, if the wind holds good,’ answered the captain, grimly. ‘What do you mean by that?” “I mean that Iam bound for the west coast of Africa with a general cargo,and am not going to put back to New York with a lot of lubberly duffers like you. You'd bet- ter be glad you are not feeding the deep sea fish by this time.’ “This answer seemed to stun my man. He started to argue, when the captain cut him short, with an oath, saying it was no use to talk, that he knew his business. He wanted to know whether we proposed to turn to with the men and work our pas- sage. It was finally agreed that my man was to give the captain $50 apiece for our passage as cabin passengers in his dirty old hooker, payable by draft upon New York, my man having convinced him of his ability to meet the draft. “Well, there we were, installed for a trip to the west coast of Africa. You never saw such a mad man in your life as my pris- oner. He fairly frothed at the mouth and used language which was scandalous. When the captain stuck his head down the companionway and asked what the row was about my man shook his fist at the captain and told him he would break his head for a comparatively insignificant com- pensation, using worse language than be- fore. This seemed to amuse the captain— kind of meeting him on his own ground— and he was more scclable after that. The name of the ship was the Sally Pratt, and an ugly old craft, but a good sailer. The captain worked his men hard and got every inch out of the ship that was in her. Fortunately he was fond of good eating, and his cook and steward had been select- ed with care. “Four days after we boarded the Sally Pratt she was bowling along before a stiff breeze, when the cook upset a pot of grease on the galley stove, and within ten minutes, notwithstanding our hardest en- deavors to put the fire out, the Sally Pratt was ablaze amidships like a volcano. She burned like tinder, and when she was brought up into the wind to enable us to clear away the small boats the flames blew aft in a whirlwind of fire. We barely had time to get away with the boats, without provisions or water, ;before she was in flames from stem to-stern. It was close on to dark, and the burning ship made a beautiful sight, as she fell off before the wind, rising and fal oh on the long ocean us ashore? rell and the fire sweeping up her masts and rigging from the volcano below. ““We must follgw, her, boys,’ said the captain, ‘for she mikes a good torch.’ Fortunately there were a mast and sail in the boats, and we Were soon in full chase of the burning ship. We could easi- ly keep up with her, for her sails were gone and her masts goon went by the board. It was a weird business, ly- ing by that blazing hulk all the long night and scanning the dark line of the horizon, for the sig- nals of approaching vessels. Wo knew Se that if any ship was within sight of the glare from the fire she would bear down upon it to pick up the survivors. Along about 4 o'clock in the morning we saw rockets off to the east- ward and soon after the lights of a steam- er. We sailed toward her and quickly clambered up her side by the ladder, let- ting the small boats drift away.” “Where is this ship bound?” was the first question my prisoner asked after stepping aboard. ““From Liverpool to Rio Janeiro,’ an- swered the captain. My man simply utter- ed a groan and walked away. Then he recollected himself and had the decency to come back and join in the thanks to the rescuers. We were made very com- fortable aboard the Lady Lovejoy, which Ez was a British tramp. The captain was & brick, but the crew were the worst lot of scallawags I ever saw. The next day I had a chance to observe them, a mixture of Lascars, Malays, Dagos and Kanakas. “The owners shipped them because they were cheap,’ said the captain, ‘but I would not be surprised to find them a dear lot before they are discharged.’ “I did not realize the significance of this remark until a day or two afterward. I was leaning against the rail forwgrd of the mainmast watching several of them at work on a job, which the second mate was bossing. He found occasion to speak sharply about the way they were working, whereupon a couple of the Malays whip- ped out their dirks and made for him, the others grabbing for anything handy as weapons. “Quick as a flash the mate kicked one of them in the stomach, and, dodging the pass which the other made with the dirk, caught him a crack under the ear in true British fashion that laid him low. I used to be pretty handy with my fists in those days, and as the others showed signs of closing on the mate I sailed in and drop- ped two of them with a right and left. ‘The mate was doing his share, too, and in a jiffy the deck was cleared. “The affair was reported to the captain, who came on deck and ordered the two would-be murderers to be brought aft. They were in the forecastle and refused to come out. The rest of the crew had gone below also, and several evil-looking faces were peering up from the forecastle hatch. “Go in and get them!’ shouted the cap- tain. The second mate started down the steps, when there was a rush from below and a dozen copper-colored rascals rushed up the companionway with a yell. The mate and the captain rapidly retreated aft and I went with them. “Stand back, you devils! shouted the captain. They halted a moment, but see- ing that he was not armed, they started for him again. Just \ at that moment I heard the crack of a revolver and turned to see my prisoner, the peaceful bank president, sheltered behind the mast and calmly blazing away at the mutineers. The captain and the mate dodged into the cabin for more arms, where my man bad got his pistol. They reappeared in a mo- ment, and the mu-* tineers, seeing that they were outclassed, hastily retreated in- to the forecastle. The hatchway was fas- tened down and the buikhead doors closed and barred, thus effectually imprisoning the mutineers. “‘T’ve a notion to turn the steam in on ’em and cook the whole lot,’ said the cap- tain, dancing around in his rage. He did not put his threat into execution, but two days later put into Havana, where the mutineers were turned over to the authori- ties and a new crew shipped. The mutiny proved a bucky thing for us, as it enabled us to leave the steamer and take a boat baek to New York, together with the crew of the Sally Pratt. By this time I had got enough of playing warden to my man, and waS glad to hear that the case was ad- vanced for hearing two days after we ar- rived. I delivered my prisoner up to the court and resigned my job as deputy mar- shal.” . . 8 8 “Weel, noo, there’s ane question I would like to ask,” said the Canny Scot, when the story was concluded, “which is this: Did the preesoner, as you are pleased to ca’ him, pay the skipper of the Sally Pratt the $200 which he obligated himself to do? I can weel understand how a pretty ques- tion of law could come in, the skipper not having duly deleevered his passengers on the west coast of Africa, as he contraicted. I fear me I would be sairly tempted in the premises to hold him to his bargain.” “Well, the captain did come around for his money, but it happened that the janitor of the bank building was, as usual, in his cups that day, so the president set the janitor on him. They took the captain off to the hospital, and before the janitor was released from jail the bank president had filled his place with a sober man.” SS EVENING DRESS FOR MEN. Another Orgnnized Attempt to Vary Its Monotonous Black and White. From the London Daily Tel Once more is an attempt to be made to reform and regenerate the somber gar- ments worn by gentlemen as evening dres: ‘This time the @nnovators are the Healthy nd Artistic Dress Union, who in their organ, Aglaia, give a sketch of a man as he ought to appear arrayed for the im- portant function cal'ed dinner. The dress consists of coat and knee- breeches of velveteen, waistcoat, silk stock- ings and buckled shoes. The coler is left to the wearer's choice, but quiet shades, such as brown, purple, bronze; russet, bot- tle-green or black, are recommended to be- gin with, and ultimately more pronounced tints may be used as public taste is edu- cated to an appreciation of velveteen sym- phonies. The waistcoat should be gf stout creamy lk, corded, brocaded, water- ed se. It is strongly urged that the shirt should be of white Corah, thinner and softer than the waistcoat, and, prefer- ably, whiter. ‘This should be ornamented with a turned-down collar, and with frilled cuffs hanging down low’ upon the hand, the coat sleeve being cnt rather short in order to display them fully. The tie is of thin white silk, or, if dispensed with, a feature must be made of the studs. Har- mony should be preserved between the velveteen and the silk stockings, but the latter need not necessarily be of the same color as the upper garments. To add to the effect of this dress, the hair, according to the illustrations, should when possible be worn long. HS See Intoxicating Cinnamon Essence. From the St. Louis Globe-Democrat. “Did you ever see a man on a cinnamon drunk?" asked L. J. Cartwright, a lumber- man of Knoxville. “If you should witness a case you would never want to see an- other. A few months ago I had three young mer getting out pipe staves down in the Tennessee mountains, and they con- cluded to have a little toot on pay day. They went to a near-by town,"but failed to get the needed article. In facg they could get nothing whatever of a stimulating na- ture but essence of cinnamon. This essence comes in little 15-cent vials, and is, of course, put up for flavoring. The boys bought a couple of dozen of these vials and began drinking the essence straight. When they got back to camp they were in a very bad fix. They were nolsy and vio- lent and reeled and staggered about help- lessly. One of the boys, a quiet, modest fellow, who was never known to make any sort of a demonstration, danced and sang like a wild man. They all yelled like demons and acted like so many lunatics on a tear. It was a shocking sight. They were pale as death, and their eyes were set like a cat's eyes. To move their sight they moved their heads. They had no control over their minds or voices. They were Geathly sick, but their stomachs could not throw off the horrible dose they had taken, and thus for three hours the young men raved and danced and suffered. How they suffered no words can tell. It took them three days tg get over it. When they got straightened up again they said the one experiment was enough—no more cinnamon drunks for them. I think they meant it.” see Written for The Evening Star. His Grace and the Gods, Napoleon! The gods of Greece ‘ ‘And ancient Rome, when thou wast born, Bestowed a glorious gift aplece On thee from Fortune's golden horn; Great Jove endowed thee with the power ‘To rule the earth as he the skic And Plutus wealth declared thy dower, While Mars made warrior-fame thy prize. But man, with pagan gods at war, O'erthrew the empire Jove ordained; While Plutus with amazement saw ‘That wealth took wings when greatness, waned; And Mars, the most surprised of all, Bebeld arise His Iron Grace The Duke, and heard the bugle-call, “Halt, Empero:, halt! Right about face!” —DAVID GRAHAM ADEE, a His Ruling Passion. From the Iowa Falls Citizen. “There’s one good thing to be said about Thompkins. He ts perfectly truthful.” “Of course he 1s. He is too stingy make an extravagant statement.” seers ee A Distinction. to From Life. Biggs—‘‘There are very few poor men in the Senate nowadays.” Diggs—“Yes, but there are plenty of mighty poor Senators.” A JUVENILE BALL Scenes and Incidents as Reported by a Grown Up. Amusing Bits of Conversation Indulged in by Fond Mammas—How the Children Act and Talk. From the Pall Mall Budget. @anuary dance at Mansion House. De- mure infants in frolicsome costumes waltz confusedly in center of hall; proud par- ents and guardians look on and frown to conceal immense satisfaction. . Scarlet band playing.) Lady Journalist (taking notes from card basket)—Miss Dorothy Dick as the princess of—what in the world is this meant for?— T-r—e—. Oh, I lay I know. Princess of Trebizonde. Master Percy Vere as a Spanish brigand. Miss Patsy Kake as “‘Come into the garden, Maud.” Master and the Misses—1 wish the goodness people would learn to write. (Turns to colleague.) Well, dear, 1 came in a low-necked dress because I knew it would suit my style. (They go on.) First Mother—‘“‘Yes, she’s supposed to be Mary Queen of Scots. Pretty character, isn’t it? Is your little boy engaged for this waltz, Mrs. What-is-it?” Mrs. What-is-it (consulting card on wrist of small Choctaw Indian)—“Say you'll have much pleasure, dear.” Small Choctaw Indian (grudgingly)— ‘You'll have much pleasure.”” First Mother—‘Very well, then, you two go and dance this together as nicely as you possibly can, mind. (Mary Queen of Scots, seven years cold, puts finger to mouth shy- ly—Choctaw Indian blushes.) Now, don’t be a silly girl. Let the dear little boy take yeur arm. Off yeu go.” Mrs. What is it—‘Tie up the sweet little girl’s shoelace for her before you start, dear.” (They Choctaw waltz.) First Mother—“I should have been here earlier, only I’ve had such a to-do at home with one of the servants, and——” Mrs._ What-is-it (hysterically)—“Oh, don’t talk to me about servants, please. I'm tired to death of mine, what with one thing and another. Take my present hovsemaid, for instance. I must say I’ve beer more than a mother to that girl, giving her bits of ribbons that I didn’t want, and all that, and only this morning what do you think that girl had the cool impudence to go and do?” First Mother—Goodness knows. Mrs. What-is-it (insistently)— guess. First Mother (feebly)—“I couldn’t, really. I know that a cook we had once——” Mrs. What-is-it (with gloomy triumph)— “Broke a saucer that’s been in the family for years and years!” First Mother—‘*Well, this cook——” Mrs. What-is-it—‘Really, I was so cross with her I could scarcely trust myself to Indian—“Oh, bother!” speak. Of course (bitterly), it was an ac- |! cident.” First Mother—“Oh, that’s always the cry. his girl 1 want to tell you about—”" Mrs. What-is-lt—"Well, there really isn’t time to finish telling you what I have to put up with. You must come round one afterncon, and 1 can have a good, long talk.” (Choctaw Indian, shyly trotting around Mary Queen of Scots, finds his tongue.) Choctaw Indian—“Wha’s your name?” Mary Queen of Scots (in thin voice)— “weda. What's yours?” Choctaw Indian—"D'you go to school?” Mary—"I don’t ’zackly go to school, but I'm in me substwaction tables. Don't step on my foot too much, wil! you Choctaw—“You don’t dance very well, I don't. think. You seem so clumsy with your arms and legs.” Mary (farnkly)—“Yes. I am wayver awkwa'd. 1 can’t do, many things nicely yet.” Choctaw—"Shall you go up to supper aty Mary—“‘If ma’ll let me, I shall.” Choctaw (astonished)—“Don’t yeu never do nothing without askin’ your ma? Oh, you are a funny little girl! I never take any notice of what my ma—(Catches sight of his parent's eye and his parent’s hand, and stops suddenly). Hasn't your ma got bony arms?” Mary (proudly)—“Oh, all ma’s family’s ike that. But ma’s nuyving. You ought to see Aunt Mawia. Do you mind doing up my shoe lace again?” Choctaw (aggrievedly) — “Here, 1 say! You're beginning to he a bit of a nuisance. | I'd better take you back.” (Does so.) | Mrs. What-is-it—“So this dreadful nurse- maid—Ah, here you are, dears, Enjoyed | your dance? That's right. Now run along | into the other room and see Punch and Judy, and don't bother me when you ree I'm busy talking.” Voice of Punch (from next room, address- | ing Pandean Piper)—"“I thought you said | your little dawg Toby wouldn't bite. Why, | he's bin and bit my nose arf off!” (Sound of shrill laughter from audience.) First Waiter (Qjehind table)—“Two more venilla ices, missie? Certainly!” (To col- e to see the young "uns enjoy- ing of ‘emselves. isn’t it? Second Waiter (morose kids at no price.” First Waiter—“Ah, you're a marricd man, Chees: 1! Why, a little swell dre: d up as 'Enery the Highth, or Shakespeare, or one of that lot, comes up 'ere. just ni Punc! ly)—“I can’t stand on’y about ‘leven years old he wasn’t—and i he says, ‘Waiter,’ he says (just like that), to ou! and he si 3, and I says, ‘Sir ‘Isn’t there any. place a here whe! man can have a quiet smoke?” Second Waiter—“Good Laud!” First Waiter—“And so I says to him, ‘Do you want to,smoke particul: now, sir?” and the nipper, he stomps his little foot, and he sa ‘Good gracious, waiter, can’t you see that I’m simply perishing for want of a cig? and I says, artful like, ‘’M go and make inquiries, sir!’ and I've kep’m out of his way ever since. Two more vanillas, Missie? By all means.” (Serves again with much geniality.) Short Stout Pierrot (with air of self-de- nial)—“I never care for more than about six or seven mince pies, you know, at a time. As a matter of fact (confidential}y), I don’t believe they half agree with me. Who brought you? Your guv’nor? Life Guardsman (four feet ten)—‘Eldest sister. (Points with cake.) There she is. Laughing with the Jay in the white waist- coat.” ; Pierrot (critically)—“Not bad looking, is she?’ Life Guardsman (casually)—‘Oh, pretty right—for a sister.” Pierrot—“Well, as 1 was going to tell you, this Johnny at our school, thinking he could play footer better than other people, worms himself—fairly worms himse!f—into the second team, and goes gassing about as though he was CB. Fry! Very well, then.” Life Guardsman—“‘Is this my lemonade?" Pierrot—‘Well, so—fill up my _ glass, waiter!—he gets, as I say, most fearfully big over it, and writes home and all that, end it was arranged that he should play as it might be next Saturday. On the Friday night Chief meets him and say: “Donald, son, you're looking seedy, my boy. Go up- stairs and see the doctor.” And when old Donaldson came down, what do you think he'd got?) Why (with ecstasy), mump: Life Guardsman—*Mumps? Pierrot (with increased enthusiasm)— “Good old mumps! Couldn’t play of ccurse, and so I—-Now which of you chaps has becn and boned my cake? You are a set of chuffs, upon my word.” (Yorng mother with smail children looks at clock.) Young Mother—‘‘Now I think we'd bet- ter see about the carriage.” Small Children (with “Whaffor!” Young Mother—“Why, to take you home, she’s amazement)— dears. It’s long past your bedtime, you know. (Smallest infant—Admiral of the Fleet—sniffs.) Now, Perey, come along.” Admiral of the Fleet—Perthy don’t want to come along. Perthy wanth to thay here alwayth.” Young Mother (warningly rot going to be a naughty just the last thing?” Admiral of the Fleet (frankly)—‘‘Yeth he ith.” (And he is.) Lady Journalist (departing)—Well, my celumn’s all right for next week, thank goodness! Oh, yes, dear, I went up to supper. What do you think? And the orange jelly seemed to me—well, a dream, a perfect dream.” —-2e0—— A Talking Machine. ‘Now,Percy’s ttle boy, is he, From Life. “Binks has got one of those talking ma- “Thousands of Selfish, Narrow-Mind¢ ed and Bigoted men find their way, into the Medical Profession. who feel in solemn duty bound to ‘taboo* everything under the unless it comes across the ocean. “Dr. Shade’s Chloridum Treatment for Consumption is the grentest dis- covery of the century.”—Dr. Morgan. “I am personally very anxious to get Dr. Shade's book on tuberculosis, believing it will not only be of great benefit to myself and my patients, but of incalculable value to the world. “For, while there are thousands of selfish, nare row-minded and bigoted men finding their way. into the profession, who feel in solemn duty bound to ‘taboo’ everything under the sun—uniess it comes across the ocean—at the same time, the profession has {ts quota of men who are none the less large- minded and true becanse they are PHYSICIANS, and such men will not fail, sooner or Ister, to acknowledge and prize the merits of every in- trinsleally valuable advance made in the healing art. “I reassure you that Dr. Shade’s disciples want bis book. I have more or less correspondence with gertlemen of the profession, and one especially, a gentleman at the bead of a college, assures me he feels the deepest interest in Dr. Shade's system or plan of treating tuberculosis, and, with myself, awaits with anxiety the coming of his treatise on consumption.”” (Signed) P._ BRETT MORGAN, Professor of Lung Diseases in the San Homeopathic College, California. Facial Blemishes, Superfluous Hair, Pimples, Moles, All Skin Diseases Removed. Dr. Hepburn, Dermatologist, Mertz Bldg, Cor. nth and F Sts. CHARGES MODERATE. CONSULTATION FREE. M.D., ancisea, it NAMB INDICATES ITS ADVANTAGES. “Rapid Flow’’ Fountain Syringe. FOR SALE BY THE Y, ave. and 14th st. No. 703 15th st. W. S. THOMPSO: W. C. DOWNEY & CO., 1ith and Vt. are. Z. D. GILMAN, 627 Pa. ave. §a23-w&s6t KENNESS OR THE LIQUOR HABIT POST cured by adwinistering Dr. Haines’ Golden It can be given in a cup of coffee or of the Specific. tea, or in food, without the knowledze patient. It is absolutely harmless, and wi a permanent and speedy cure, whether t is a moderate drinker or ‘an alcoholic It has been given in thousands of ca: wren never fails. 5) the Specific, it becomes an utter imposeIbility: for thé liquor appetite to CieIc<con Prov. xist. GOLDEN SPE- Cincinnati, Ohio. Partie of FS. WILLIAMS 9th and F sts. nw.; 8. F. Walt Litt House Washinzton, Artists, Architects, Draughtsmen. We are thoroughly well equipped to sup- ply you with 2ll the needs of your business. We haven't any specialty, but you can al- rs be sure of finding just what you want in this’ big stock. You won't be asked 10 do with something “jest as good,” and in these times of low prices we're right among the lowest. GEO. F. MUTH & ©0., Successors to Geo. 418 SOOSSO OSES OOS POOSOE SES ISEOD ?*CARVING & CO., =, under Eb- 520-1, th&s.3m* eal, Jr, 18-244 h st. nw. be o e eo With a poor knife is not an easy task, @ oo but with such as those sold b us it ¢ Ww SI ONLY BEST QUALITY @ ° STEEL, therefore our customers are as- @> e sured of getting a first-class arti e es Handsome plush and chamois cases %& e for carving sets. 4 STAG-HANDLE CARVING 5 3 $ e e S ° 4 e © Sd “<M. W. B $ <M. W. Beveridge,= e Ie 6 aI sd S fS-28d e OPEL CTE POPE EPP EOL LEAS Gray Hair A thing of the past when Nattans Cry covery is used. Guaranteed to restore faded hair to its natui positively rot a dye. Stops the hair f: at, arrests dandruff snd makes the for’ the hair one can use. No poison. ment. No stains, Price, $1. Tri: 5s eee, Se AGENTS, Art. Photographs. L222 the remainder of the eee ‘the public will bav in o week opportu new subjects by Bouguereau, Thumamm, Lionel Rey : lerio, and’ others of no pute. Moderate prices order to accomplish their immedi- e299 ate disposal. Veerhoff’s Art Galleries, 1217 F St. {6-28 Furs Down! 22% Here goes for the ‘wind up,” while Sof you need them te o i Y dick baione niticent 3 Long Cape, from 88% $125 to $10. = sees “1 Elezant tric Seal Jacket, full #29 © high sleeves, $50 to $35. csc. i Soren “Astrakias Cape, from $22 o 888 to $5 a 3 Hudson Bay Sable Neck Scarfs, from $15 to_$10. Willett & Ruoff, 905 Pa. av. 18-200 Fine Fur Wraps At Cut Prices. When we make up our mind to close out any particuler line of goods price cuts no figure ¥ ‘The goods must go at your 14 ‘or you won't buy them. $60 Imported Opera Cloa':, $30. $45 Imported Cloth Golf Cape, $25. 24-inch Pulled Coney Capes re- errr errr $ $325 Seal Coat reduced to $250. 5 Stinemetz sé,, 1237 Pa. Ave. GasSavin; Appliances —— -of every description. Burners that & produce a more brilliant flame, yet 3 reduce your gas bill. g Leaky Fixtures Repaired | ——— at cost of the materials used. 5 Gas Cooking Stoves $1 up. Gas Appliance Exchange, chines.” “A phonograph?” ‘ ‘No; a wife.” 1428 N. Y. Ave. 0-284 iret Bu cm um oa