Evening Star Newspaper, March 16, 1895, Page 23

‘WHAT IT ALL COSTS MEhe Hospitality That Marks the City’s Social Life. (ROME ELABORATE * ENTERTAINMENTS Large Sums of Money Spent for Flowers and Music. ARIOUS. SOCIETY EVENTS —_+—___. HOSE WHO DANCE must pay the fiddler.” Likewise the caterer, the florist, the awn- ing man and other purveyors to human comfort and happi- ness, not to mention the dressmaker, the tailor, the jeweler and such necessary gents for the same laudable purpose. It costs, though. Is it worth it? Undoubt- edly, “Yes.” Only the rich entertain in this marked way, or only the rich should, and any reasonable enjoyment, even if it is Unged with a bit of vanity or seems to savor of ostentation, is right, because to keep money circulating means employment for hundreds in every avenue of business. Thousands read of the luxurious enter- tainments of the wealthy people of this and other cities who by no possibility are ever likely to see these persons of whom they hear so much. When a hostess can expend from $1,000 to $15,000 or $20,000 on a single entertainment, she can scarcely measure the pleasant sen- sations she has aroused in thousands of feminine, and masculine hearts for that ™matter, by the mere perusal of the details that in the most painstaking descriptions often falls short of the real effect. The fashionables themselves know to a dot just exactly what any entertainment has cost its giver, but the great majority of folks ‘who are not up on the market values of prima donnas, champagne and terrapin, will probably be surprised to know how much it does cost to do the thing in the ac- cepted style. It d to be said of Washington that it Was quite possible to make a very credit- able showing in a social way with the very smallest expenditure of coin. That state- ment, if it was ever true, is so no longer, and is certainly not borne out when the facts which immediately present themselves are considered. The only place yet heard of where money will not rate you “A No. 1” is heaven. In this locality, however, riches are useful and necessary if one is going to entertain, except in the simplest manner. Elaborate Hospitality. During the past winter such an advance in luxurious hospitality was reached that those whose judgment is worth securing on the subject say that it was the most elaborate and expensive known here in years. Fashions change in entertaining, precisely as they do in cloth and while there is probably no place where greater freedom in choosing one’s own method is permissible than in this place, there is no place where the genera] average represents ™more refinement and good taste. While the day seems gone by for gold plate banquets, gold and silver menu cards and other relics of Cleopatra times, when dissolving pearls in Jeweled goblets were the proper fancy, it would be hard to im- agine anything more beautiful than the floral feasts at which i assisted in ity the past winter. Reviewing them as they pass along in one’s mem- ory, it is difficult to remember at the same time that such hing as “hard ever existed. Compared with the amount of wealth here with that in New York, the percentage of entertainers is but compare the elegance of the hos- pitality offered here with that of the me- tropolis, and the “city on the Potomac” shows up splendidly. There have always been a few persons conspicuous in each administration who practical exhibitions of lavish expen- . The past season has, however, been exceptional ia not only the frequency of these wonderful occasions, but of the number of families who entertained con- tinuously, from the beginning of the sea- son until its close. Favorable comparisons are made with the results of the past sea- son with those of the first winter of the first Cleveland administration, when Mrs. Whitney was at the head of the social world, and entertained in a way which can hardly ever be surpassed. Music and Flowers. The show is pretty well over now, and all the bills are paid or will be, for it is all the same thing if your credit is good. We have had sections of grand opera troupes in private drawing rooms. the We have heard warblings of the highest priced song- on this side of the water. We have 1 the violin played, and the ’celio fon- dled by masters. A band from a far-away try has played their sweet folk songs ciety exchanged commonplaces on the weather or the ball of the night be- fore. All these are luxuries of the costli- est description. During the last three months a half dezen people have expended $50,000 in pro- viding such treats as these for their ac- More than that, when the blizzurd was at its height some of the most elesaut entertainments of the wincer were given. Three feet of snow outside and in the beautiful rooms tropical beauty and verdvre abounding—specimen roses, or- chids and great stalks of white lilac, mak- ing the air sweet with fragrance. Think how tenderly each and_ every flower of the hundreds that formed a dec- oration was handled. Just as carefully Protected from the nipping frost as a baby. Any wonder these beauties, robbed from real summer, come high? It would be more surprising if they did not. Every ear, too, the arrangement of flowers as tabie and house decorations becomes more artistic and beautiful. There is something more needed than merely flowers in great profusion. Simply filling a really fine house with flowers without regard to the feat- ures of the permanent decoration in it would be a worse mistake than omitting them altogether in preparing for a fes- tivity. The heaviest flower buyers never buy blindly. Artistic Floral Effects. They know perfectly the effect they wish to attain, and the giving of carte blanche to a florist is something almost un‘ieard of. Those who have the most flowers about their houses are usu- ally those who best understand their ap- propriate use. Some of the most cxquisite decorations of years have been seen here the past winter. The favorite flowers have been American beau- ty roses and orchids. Ribbon effects in bows and garlands were popular, and used in most of the elaborate decora- tions. ‘The flower shows, so to speak, began with the wedding of Miss Thompson and Mr. Davis at the home of the Secretary of the Treasury early last fall, and ran up and down the scale till the closing events of the season, the Washington Assembly and Mrs. Hearst's cotillion. Sometimes {t happened that everybody else admired the display more then the hostess herself, who, having given her order, did not like the result. This was true of a lady who had 1,500 violets on her tea table and recog- nized at once the effect was more funereal than festive. THE EVENING STAR,° SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 1895-TWENTY-FOUR PAGES. deed, if it was expected that sweet sounds and fragrant odors would entirely fill the cup of pleasure. Nobody does of course. There have been gorgeous spreads thi: past winter, no better, perhaps, than other times, but only more frequent. There have been no delicacies too expensive, nor no wines so rare that those who were enter- taining thought too good for their friends. It is very easy to tally up the cest of these banquets, whether they have taken on the shape of luncheons, dinners, teas, evening receptions or suppers. ‘Teas and Luncheons. An afternoon tea may cost anything from 25 cents a head to $4.50. Beyond the last figure the event becomes a splurge. It was the fashion early in the winter to have nothing but sweets on a tea table. The solids in the way of croquettes, salads, creamed oysters, &c., were tabooed, and ices and creams, with cakes, bonbons and conserves, only were offered. In contrast to this dainty lay out, there were other afternoon tea tables well laden with terra- pin, oysters in a number of styles, chicken and lobster, croquettes and pates, and, in- Geed, a, fine meal of a half a dozen courses, commencing with bouillon and ending with the daintiest sweets, were there to be en- joyed withont stint. Ladies’ luncheons were not so numerous the past winter as other years, for a very good reason, too. Evening gatherings were so frequent that the fatigue of attending anything so early in the day was a trifle hard on both hostess and guest. These mid-day banquets usually are served in about seven courses, and it is not consider- ed good form to keep the company at table more than an hour and a half during the ay season, when every one is supposed to have many other engagements. They are quite as expensive as dinners, and in fact can with taste be made much more so, us the distribution of pretty little trinkets among the guests in the way of souvenirs is still continued by many. The average luncheon costs from four dollars and a half to six dollars a head, exclusive of wine. The dishes are delicately served and there is usually a fish course, two of meat, one of game, something novel in the way of a salad, fancy ice cream in most attractive shapes and a great variety of fancy cakes, bonbons, candied fruits, etc. Champagne is served with one or two other wines and the cordials usual after a dinner. Art of Dinner Giving. That great event in life—a dinner party— is the one certain stepping store to social success. Washine- ton is famous for Its dinner - giving — be- cause of the famous people who usually mect around the board, as well as the knowledge of what// to serve and how to serve it, which has ‘/ become such an art. There are a great many ways of giv- ing dinner parties. Perhaps the best and one calculated to keep the mind of the host in perfect seren- ity is the knowledge that your cook is equal to the emergency, and that every- thing will go on beautifully. That is the way the President of the United States entertairs. A French chef is in control of the White House kitchen for three months each win- ter. The state dinners are entirely cooked by this man and his assistants, which, on the days of the dinners, were three or four in number. The state dinners during the past winter were more satisfactory both to the President and his guests than for a long time. The diplomatic dinner, which was served in the corridor for sixty-six persons, was the greatest triumph of them all. All of it was prepared in the kitchen except the sweets. A great many other persons of less ex- alted station have such good cooks that they scarcely look over the menu in ad- vance, but there are some others who find that the preparation of a big dinner in their own kitchens upsets all its usual discipline, and they find it easier to have the extra cooking for great occasions done by a caterer, who is responsible for the dinner from start to finish. The hostess finds it much easier, and the vast majority of din- ners are served this way. A dinner of eight courses costs about $5 a plate, and one of nine, $6. The wines ordinarily served include sherry, Sauterne, or a Rhine wine, a Bordeaux, Champagne, Burgundy and the usual liquors. Evening Receptions, It is quite possible to give a dinner with- out possessing even the table on which it is served, or a spoon. All these essentials can be hfred, just like the awning. For the ordinary dinner those who have fine china and silver —and there is a marvelous amount of fine table furnishings in this city—certainly use their own. For big re- ceptions, however, where there are several hundred persons served at one time, there is always danger of accident, and it is easier to hire the china and the usual be- longings from the caterer or a china dealer. It costs a dollar a dozen to hire from the latter silver forks. Ordinary silver spoons are rented for 75 cents a dozen, and every- thing else in proportion. When a caterer serves the rental of these things is in- cluded in his estimate. The menu for an evening reception includes both hot and cold dishes, fancy creams, assorted sand- wiches, chicken salad, croquettes, lobster, fancy cakes and meringues and the usual accompaniments of candied fruits, mar- rons glace, salted almonds and walnuts, bonbons, ete. Gotten up in an elegant way such a menu will cost about two dollars a head. When such luxuries as terrapin, which cests five dollars a quart, are desired, then the figure is easily increased to four or five dollars. Wines, of course, must be added to each esti- mate. Champagne punch usually ex- hilarates the guest on these occasions, and it depends on how thirsty they be- come to count how many cases of wine are needed. At one of the parties of the winter, a company not nearly as large as usually seen at the same house—on- ly about one hun- dred and fifty persons—twenty-five cases of champagne and two of apollinaris were emptied. The total ccst of this entertain- ment mounted up into the thousands, and it was only one of three or four given in the same house. Here is what it costs to give an evening party. The average sized house is under- stood, with the ordinary corps of servants and the usual facilities: To start with, if- the night is stormy, an awning will be necessary. Awning Be $20.00 Supper for 150 p 300.00 Wine, including champagne.. 100.00 Flcral decoration........... 50.00 Six extra servants, at $3 eac! Total Two Notable Events. Two events stand out in the history of the winter's entertainments, the “Rococo musicale,” given by Mrs. Hearst, and the breakfast earlier in the season, given by Mrs. Westinghouse. Mrs. Hearst has, of course, always entertained in the most elaborate manner ever since she came here to live, but the past winter she has fairly eclipsed ali her previous efforts, and at the same time those of everybody else. Her hospitalities have, however, represented something more than a mere expenditure of money. Each event has been character- ized by a harmony and beauty of detail that was felt by every guest. who had the least perception of artistic results. The “Rococo musicale,’’ singular in itself and marvelously beautiful in every ar- rangement, probably cost about $15,000. It was called the “Millionaires’ Ball,” be- cause an invitation implied that the re- cipient was able to indulge in an expensive costume on the last night of the season, and each guest thereby added something to the brilliancy of the gathering. The floral ornamentation of the ball room was in rococo designs, which to devise and ex- ecute required an artist. All the attend- ants of the house were in costume, es- pecially made for them. ‘Each member of the orchestra, which came on from New York for the occasion, was appropriately costumed. Supper was served all night at small tables, with every possible luxury in the way of food and drink. Mrs. Westinghouse’s breakfast also aroused more than local interest. This midday spread, at which over sixty ladies sat down, cost between five and six thou- sand dollars, at a most reasonable esti- mate. That sum was divided up between what the guests had to look at, and what they had to eat and drink. In the way of luxuries the orchids and American beauty rose were scarcely more expensive than the strawberries and hot house grapes Varties would be very solemn affairs, in- | which decked the cloth. The table was an immense circle, the center of which was a bed of ferns, studded with bouquets of or- chids and long-stem- med _ roses. The guests went away with their arms heaped high with the flowers which were handed to them by the servants. Mrs. Westinghouse likes flowers, and on her reception day for the one short hour she receives her rooms are as much deco- Tated as for a bridal. These _ receptions : Probably cost for flowers and refreshments alone $500 and $600. She likes stunning ef- fects, and she has secured them and givén pleasure to hundreds of people in doing so. High-Priced Singers. Senator and Mrs. Brice and Minister and Mrs. Mendonca gave musicales the past winter at which the artists were the costli- est item. One singer alone, who gave three songs at a musicale at the Corcoran house, was paid $1,800 for her trills. She Was not the only artist, elther, on this oc- casion, and this event was only one of sev- eral given at the same house. ‘The Mendoncas gave a series of six musi- cales, the artists coming on from Boston for each one—and these handsome events naturally brought the Brazilian legation to the front of entertainers during the entire winter. Music has been the great feature of the winter. The formation of mandolin and benjo clubs has quite done away with the usual string music which was formerly em- ployed at all evening gatherings, as a stimulus to brightness and conversation. The mandolin, guitar or banjo music is particularly appropriate for the drawing- rcom, and is just now at the height of its popularity. What They Eat. A great many people who never go to formal events will be interested in reading what 1s set before the guests on such oc- casions in the way of eatables and liquids —punches made of claret, apollinaris and lemon juice is the usual liquid refresh- ment, with lemonade and coffee. Here is a menu of the eatables at a re- cent reception at which a representative gathering of the residential artists and of- ficial element was entertained: Lobster Columbus, Croquettes. Chicken Salad. Assorted Sandwiches. * Fancy Ices and Creams. Fancy Biscuits. Small Fancy Cakes. Pistache Cakes. Fancy Meringues in Melon Shapes. Merrons Glace. Peppermints. Brandied Cherries, Salted Almonds, etc. Coffee. Rubis Punch. The guests at a wedding breakfast en- joyed these good things in substantials and delicacies: Bouillon in Cups. Lobster Columbus. Cannelous a la Russe. Chicken Salad. Ramequins. Assorted Sandwiches. Rillettes. Fancy Creams in Wedding Bells and Hearts Fancy Assorted Biscuits. Fancy Cakes. Bonbons. Mints. Brandied Cherries. Marrons Glace. Salted Almonds. Salted Walnuts. Coffee. Champagne Punch. Here was 1 luncheon of which a dignified group of senatorial and diplomatic ladies partook: Champagne Jelly. Consomme of Chicken, with Essence of Clams. Filet of Rock. Marquery Shrimp Sauce. Filet Mignon on Toast. Fresh Mushrooms, Tunbale of Chicken in Chicken Form. French Peas. Sorbet in Fancy Swans. Quail. Fresh Tomato Salad. Ice Cream. Strawberries in Green Baskets. Coffee and Appropriate Wines. For Various Events. This dinner menu made eighteen people feel very much happier than they did be- fore satisfying their hunger. Each course was accompanied by wine. Anchovy Salad. Canapes, Assorted. Consomme Green Turtle Soup, with Que- nelles. Cassolettes a la Reine. Ramequins. Salted Almonds. Shad Bordelaise. Potatoes in Sarah Bernhardt Style. Saddle of Venison. Grand Veneur Sauce. Turban of Sweetbread. Fresh Mushrooms. Terrapin. Lalla Rookh in Tobogans. Canvas Back. Chevy Chase Salad. Cheese a la Rauscher, Pull. Bread. Basket of Ice Cream Peaches. Fancy Cakes. Bonbons. Peppermints. Marrons Glace. Caramel Cherries. Coffee. Eighteen young ladies sat about a violet and lily of the valley luncheon and while they talked over the latest matrimonial engagement were served this dainty menu: - Punch—Parisien. Consomme of Chicken. Filet of Bass. Colbert Sauce. Sweetbread Chartreuse. Timbale a I'Imperatrice. Aspic de Fole Gras. Fresh Mushrooms. Birds—Fresh Tomatoes and Lettuce. Fancy Creams. 5 Fancy Cakes, Bonbons, ete. Coffee. ‘Those who observe Lent do not eat fish and flesh at the same meal. A menu for a Lenten luncheon is added, which may be a valuable suggestion to somebody. Clam Broth. Filet of Sole. Lobster Chops. Sauce Tartare. Cannelons of Salmon or Oyster. Sorbet. Broiled Shad. Salad. jad. Bonbons—Cakes—Coffee. SS He Won the Bet. From Texas Siftings. “Howdy, major! I want you to answer a question, just to decide a little bet, you know. Now, sir, be so kind as to pay par- ticular attention and think before you speak. Did it rain this morning?” “Why, of course it did!” said the major, much surprised. “Exactly. Much obliged,” said the in- quirer, with a relieved expression. “You see, Judge Barker here bet me $40 that you couldn't tell the truth on any subject and under any circumstances whatever, and I took him up. Come out and have a drink.” Cucumbers. —__+e+___ A Keeley Graduate Bartender. From the Chicago Tribune. In the “‘best-regulated” saloons it is against the rule of the proprietor for his attendant to take a drink while on duty, and some saloon bosses will not employ a man who drinks at any time. And there is a man on Cottage Grove avenue who bosses a place of drink who boasts that he is a Keeley graduate. ——_+e+_____. Written for The Evening Star. Who Is My Neighbort Who {s my neighbor? It is he Who asks my help in time of needs When in distress or misery ‘His ery for succor I must heed. My neightor is the poor and blind, ‘The prisoner, the halt and lame; Let him but call, and he must fiad Me at his service, in Christ's name. And if he suffers pain and loss, In all his trouble, I must take A share, and bear it as a cross Upon my shoulders for Christ’s sake. A neighbor's duty is to give In charity all we can spare; Make earth a heaven while we live— With God all kindness is a prayer! HENRY COYLE. ——__ He is an Immortal, From the Springfield Union. A man has been arrested in Paris for putting his hand in a woman’s pocket. He ought to be rewarded as a great discoverer. You don’t drink cocoa Because you can’t digest it. HILLIPS*= st €OCOA biG one which will not distress and is a delicious food drink. STORIES ABOUT EDITORS ca — £ i The venerable ;Joseph Medill, publisher of the Chicago Tribune, is a man of money, leisure and fads’ /a faa ts pernicious un- Jess one has movéy and time. But Medill has all three, apd it’s,-all right. One of the white old editor's: fads is bacteria. Whatever happehs, frotn the income tax to a tidal wave, Medfil’ is inclined to at- tribute to bacteria. Qn his paper, com- piling excellent and much-needed editorials, is a philosopher ‘who also has a fad. This wise man’s pet weaknes§ is sun spots. He has a telescope, and he takes daily stares at the su therewith, contemplates the unsightly blofchés ‘hich disfigure its beaming face and exgerly notes the coming of new spots ana »<nders them. When the day is dying and the lowing herd winds slowly o’er the lea the sun spotter gazes at the moon, when that luminary is on top. But the sun is his favorite and sun spots the things for which he pines. And, like Medill about bacteria, he firmly believes that sun spots are the root of all things earthly, from an increase in the census to a late fall. When the grip , seized Chicago by the nose the savant of sun spots at once identified the malady as the offspring of conditions which pivoted on one particu- lar sun spot of vast malignancy, which he had been gazing at for several weeks. In the evolution of his engaging theory he wrote a scientific article for the Sunday Tribune, in which he showed with lumi- nous exactness that.sun spots, and espe- cially the spot he suspected, were wholly to blame for the grip. He was much pleas- ed with his work, and told the Sunday ed- itor to send the revise to Medill, to the end that the great bacteriologist might revel in it, even before publication. This was an error. Medill read the article with zest and approval. It pleased him mightily. There was but one thing wrong. It said “sun spots” where ‘it should say “bac- teria.” Otherwise it was a bird. This er- ror, however, was trivial and one which the experienced old editor could correct in a moment. He took his faithful pencil and went carefully over the revise and substituted “bacteria” for ‘sun spots” wherever the mistake occurred. Then it came out in the paper. Of course the al- terations gave the article a queer cant. It would run along with a sort of sun flavor and solar effect until, just as the reader would begin to blink with the an- ticipated flood of sunlight, the text would suddenly say “bacteria”’ with a harsh, blunt jolt. It had all of that lumpy result which one attains when a freight caboose aeveneey track ‘and saunters over the les. 2 ed it, but th - ace @ sun-spot man 6. istcte | ‘ee It was at some kind of hanquet where men were expected to be flattered and be full in about even proportions. The toast to which Wilbur Story was scheduled to respond was “The Friends of the News- paper.”” Story’s speech on that napkin oc- casion rather surprised them, and, indeed, that ofl painting of the great battle ax editor, which hangs in the House press gal- lery, and which, having been painted by his wife, might be expected to exhibit his softest, tenderest expression—would show him to be capable of surprising a more desperate audience even ering of dinner eaters. ae «a_ The friend of a newspaper,” said Story, ‘is an individual who wants the editor to Kill something he ‘ought‘to print, or print something he ought to Rill. My paper de- sires none. In a newspaper sense at least, it has been my ripe experience, that an enemy may be Usted as an asset, and a friend, a debt.” . *: oe “When the Inter-Ocean was new,” sald Curtis, now the Washington correspondent of Victor Lawson's Record, “I was hard at work on its columns. We had been getting out an excellent'paper.'One day the man- ging editor, who was proud of Inter- Oceanic success and his part and lot there- in; conceived in; his, wisdom and mercy that it would be a great piece of newspa- per work to send around and inte the other Chicago editors on ‘What you think of the Inter-Ocean?” I delegated to put thigy conundrum to W: bur Story, then in the. yery zenith of hi ferocity. I was welt dressed, for it was part of our assignments in those days to wear good clothes to the end that the pub- lic gain a rich, munificent impression of the paper, and just pausing to take a ficeting glance in one of the cheval glasses with which the reporters’ rooms were at that time adorned, I hied me to the Times office, and tripped lightly up the five flights of winding stairs, which, in an ante-ele- vator day, the man who panted to meet Wilbur Story had to climb. His name was on the door of his room, and all about in the hall for twenty feet either way was a four-inch tanbark pavement, to the end that Story’s nerves might not he disturbed by passing foot-falls. This should have warned me and invoked caution; but it didn’t. I strode confidently to the door, and without-rap or warning threw it open. I had been looking forward with pleasure all the way over to this meeting with Mr. Story, and the making of his acquaintance. Who could tell but what great good might come of it? As I pushed open the door Story, who was writing at a table, looked up with a glare of malevolent inqu such as might have shone in the green ey: of a lion, who had been called for break- fast an hour too soon. “Mr. Story,’ I said jauntily and with the feeling that the information I was about to bestow would be followed by his invit- ing me in for two hours’ chat, ‘I am a re- porter on the Inter-Ocean, add have step- ped over to interview you about the paper, and ask you what you think of it.’ “There was an awful pause, and just as I was wondering why he didn't ask me to come in, he suddenly seized a paper weight in one hand and a paste pot in the other and started for me. It is needless to say that I leaped for the stairs. It began to rain all sorts of that bijouterie which is so abundant in newspaper offices. The stairs were circular, and as I swept round the curves Story could get two shots at me on cach floor. He threw ink bottles, paper weights, shears—anything, everything, with equal abandon and eclat. At last I es- caped into the street and got back to the Inter-Ocean, convinced that I was lucky to be alive. Thus did I for the one time in my life interview that great journalist Wilbur Story.” > do . * 8 One time at 3 o’clock.a.m., the paper hav- ing just gone to press, Wilbur Story left the Times building to go home. He had a feud with the gamblers, having attacked them in his columns. One of these court- iers of fortune, with a taste to be a mur- derer, was lying in wait for him. As Story came by the gambler stepped out and fired a pistol at him point blank. He missed. Story, prompt as a flash and as brave as Julius Caesar, pulled a pistol and shot him down. The would-be assassin was: only wounded. With bitter determination Story cocked his pistol and stepped toward the wounded thug for’a secénd and surer shot. OU.CHASES Blood#Netve Food Weich® REFG TAKING Sis For WEAK anl*RUN-DOWN PEOPLE. WHAT IT IS! Thericheg pf all restorative Foods, beehtne itreplaces ie same sutstances tothe blood and nerves that are exhddsted in these two life-giving fluids by disease, indigestig#i, high H¥ing, overwork, worry, excesses, abuse, etc! ‘Also ai Boon for Women, WHAT IT DOES!.By malting the blood pure and rich, and the digestion perfect yitcreatessolld flesh, mus- cle and strength. ‘The narvegbeing made strong, the brain becomesactive gid clear, | box lasts a week. Price S0cta., or 5 ere Drogditte oF by mall, Tnfor. mation free, THE DR. CHASE COMPA\ 4142 Pe&nczeve St_ = Philadelphia 426-w,8,m78t28 GRATEFUL—COMFORTING— Epps’s Cocoa. BREAKFAST—SUPPER. “By a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which govern the operations of digestion and nutri- tion, and by a careful erties of well-selected plication of the fine prop- "Cocoa. Mr. Epps pro- vided for our breakfast and supper a delicately flavored beverage, which may save us many heavy doctors’ bills. It is by the judicious use of such articles of diet that a constitution may be grad- ual te built up until strong enough to resist every tendency to disease. Hundreds of subtle maladies are iting around us ready to attack wherever there fs a weak point. We may escape many a fatal.shaft by keeping ourselves well fortified with ure blood and properly nourished frame.””— me simpy matty boiling water Pe ats & only in halt, grocers, fa 8 Takes EPPg°% co.” ists, London, Engl 63-m,tu,som a ivil Service Gazette. Sold ti CO., “Ltd., Homoeopathic Chem- land. He had set ‘his heart on killing him. Not- withstanding the hour, there were many Seco on the streets. They interposed “Don't shoot, don’t shoot; the man’s hit already.” Story wavered in his purpose a second, and then put his pistol in his pocket and went back to his paper. Stopping the presses, he wrote a personal card to the people of Chicago, recounting how he'd been assailed; how he had wounded his would-be killer; how he had prepared to deal him death at the second fire; how the deterrent cries of onlookers had, in a mo- ment of weakness on his part, prevailed on him to cease his fire; how he now regretted it, and apologized to the people of Chicago for his failure to rid the world of a rascal and the fair city of a moral sore. He asked the public to forgive him for not killing the villain, and promised that the like, were he given the slightest chance, would never happen again. Then Story went home and slept like a top. — aa THE ARSENIC HABIT. A Region Where the People Are Ad- dicted to This Drag. For many years the habit of arsenic eat- ing by the people of Styria, a duchy of Austria, has been known to the scientific world. Travelers who have passed through Styria have come back with reports on this practice, saying that the people of that country were accustomed to taking a white mineral, which was arsenic. That this was so was denied by many, who said that the mineral taken was noth- ing more nor less than chalk. There was much discussion over the matter, and the ibject proved itself of such interest and importance that scientific societies took the question up and investigated it, end it was pretty -well proven that such a usage did exist, but not so widespread as was gene- rally supposed. Many physicians have gone there simply to investigate this practice of arsenic eating. While some of them have found out much about the custom, others have come away no wiser than they went, owing to the secrecy which exists among those addicted to the habit. As it is against the law to obtain arsenic without a pre- scription from a physician, of course those who do so are anxious to keep it quiet. There are also found among the peasants of Salzburg and Tyrol those who follow the same practice. In these regions several arsenic works are situated, and the only way the employes can stand the poisonous fumes is by taking the drug internally, at first in small doses and gradually increas- ing the dose until the system tolerates large quantities. it is probably from these arsenic workers that the custom spread to others, princi- pally to the lower classes, as hunters, wood leavers, stable grooms and charcoal burn- ers. All forms of arsenic are taken—the pure arsenic, the red sulphide aad the yel- low sulphide, or orpiment. The arsenic eaters begin with a dose about the size of a pin’s head, and increase this amount gradually until they are tak- ing a piece alsout the size of a pea. The habit is generally besun at the age of fifteen and continued up to the ages of seventy and seventy-five. The users of hidri, as arsenic is known among the peas- are generally long-lived people, but unless at the age of fifty they commence to gradually discontinue the use of it, they invariably die a sudden death, and the fact that death occurs occasionally from poi- soning by hidri eaters shows that even the Styrians are not invincible to the deadly effects of this drug. The reason for this custom is asserted by some to be for their personal appear- habit exists ange, but the fact that the principally anrong the male sex disproves this. It is said by the peasants themselves that it is done to make them strong and healthy, and they really are a strong and healthy people. Enormous quantities of the drug are taken by some of them, In one well-au- thenticated case the man, a manager of some arsenic works, took daily a dose of twenty-three grains, each dose large enough to kill several men unaccustomed to its use. Another strange thing about this case is, the man began it first by tak- ing three grains, an amount which we would consider decidedly dangerous.. On several occasions he attempted to leave off taking the drug, but was made violently il, only to recover on resuming his usual allowance. eel Why He Starved. From the Indianapolis Journal, Watts—"“Did you ever know of any one dying for love?” Potts — “ Once. I knew a fellow who starved to death after being refused by an heiress.” A BIBLE AND A SHOTGUN. He Carried Both, Although He Was @ Preacher, and Had Faith. From the Jacksonville Times-Union. The panther scare has spread over the entire country, and is especially intense among the colored people, who not only be- lieve all the wild stories they hear about the beast carrying women and children away in his cruel jaws, but will not be persuaded that there is no such cruel ani- mal lurking around Jacksonville. A reporter of the Times-Union, while rid- ing in the settlement south of Panama, was hailed through the woods by an old- time darky preacher. He was an interest- ing type—short and bowlegged, and these bowlegs were encased in trousers so long they wrinkled at the heel. He had on a jim-swinger, the tails of which wiped the dew from the huckelberry bushes along the trail he was pursuing. He had on a high standing collar, to spit over which he'd have to get on a stump. The collar was encircled by a clerical tie. Surmount- ing the very black face with its wrinkles and fringe of snowy beard was a silk hat that looked as if it had been brushed by @ cyclone. The hat was several sizes too large, and had it not been tilted backward the ears upon which it rested would have been unable to support the burden. As he hailed, the reporter stopped and waited. The old man came up out of breath. The strangest part of his outfit was a double-barreled, muzzle-loading shot- gun, loaded and capped. This was under one arm. Under the other was a Bible. “Boss,” said he, wiping his brow, “you hearn anything ’bout a wild critter in dese yer woods?” “Yes, I have heard of it, but I take no steck in it.”” g “Dey say hit’s a panther?” “So they do, but they are wrong. It’s only a big dog that hangs out by the sub- tropical.” “I'm powerful glad to hab you say dat. Dese people ’round here, an’ me, too, been vine to church armed.” ‘So that’s what you have the shotgun esser. Ober at de church you'll most likely find a stack o’ guns.” “But I see you have a Bible. Isn’t faith better than a shotgun?” The old fellow scratched his head. He was puzzled. “Yes boss, faith is better’n a shotgun, but a shotgun is a handy thing to carry ‘roun’ to take care o’ youssef ee gin de Lord no unnecessary trou- le." bas been cured in a multitude of cases during the past fifty years by Pain-Killer. This potent remedy rubbed vigorously in and around the suffering parts, three times a reduce the swelling, prevent inflammation and killall pain. The most stubborn cases yield to this treatment when perse- vered in. Use it freely. The quantity has been doubled but the price remains the same. CREAM 3 TY 1 MPAYERS ED © ST RECAMIER PY "Hered a cued! CREAM. One ONE ENJOYS Both the method and results when Syrup of Figs is taken; it is pleasant and refreshing to the taste, and acts gently yet promptly on the Kidneys, Liver and Bowels, cleanses the sys- tem effectually, dispels colds, head- aches and fevers and cures habitual constipation. Syrup of Figs is the only remedy of its kind ever pro- duced, pleasing to the taste and ac- ceptable to the stomach, prompt in its action and truly beneficial in its effects, prepared only from the most healthy and agreeable substances, its many excellent qualities commend it to all and have made it the most popular remedy known. Syrup of Figs is for sale in 50 cent Wwettles by all leading drug- gists. Any reliable druggist who may not have it on hand will pro- cure it promptly for any one who wishes to try it. Donot acceptany substitute. CALIFORNIA FIG SYRUP CO, SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. LOUISVILLE, KY. WEW YORK, W.Y¥. DRUNKENNESS OR THE LIQUOR HABIT POST- tively cured by administering Dr. Haines’ Golden Specific. It can be given in a cup of coffee or tea, or in food, without the knowled; of the patient. It is absolutely harmless, and will effect @ permancnt and speedy cure, whether the patient is a moderate drinker or ‘an alcoholic wreck. It has been given in thousands of cases, and in every instance a perfect cure has followed. It never fails. The system once impregnated with the Specific, it becomes an utter impossibilit OLDEN SPE. . Particulars LLIAMS & © WARE, under n20-tu.th&s6m* s. nw. 8. OB, be Ditt_ House, Washington. Latest and Best, SONNETTE CORSETS. The C. P. Importers Apply at Night, Wash ‘oir in the Morning. For sale everywhere by Drugwists at HARRIET HUBBARD AYER, 131, W. 31st 8 York. YOUR FAT Can Be Reduced. Washington Physicians In- dorse Dr. Edison’s Obes= ity Pills and Fruit Salt. Call at our and Obesity B Says James ents and examine our supporting ids and learn about the treatment. i easury Dr. Faison’s Obesity abdomen 10% 2 worn size of iny The Obesity Pills Lelped me to reduce over nds.” ays Mrs. Cordelia Messenger, Secretary of the Yonan’s Club, Author of «Woman's in a letter to Loring & Co: “I H Loitles of Dr. Edison's Obesity Pills and four of his delicious Obesity Fruit Salt and obtained wonderfully good results. My strength was nearly gone from’ chronic kidney and liver catarrh and only jal relief and be comfortable, while the dis id rain my life. After I had taken three seach of the Pills and Salts I was on the road to fast recover As soon as I lost about 30 pounds of dangerous, unhealthy surplus fat I felt stronger and breathed easier when I walked. I no longer suffered from my old troubles and feel about as well as ever, I wish that all who have suffered as I have could know how muc! the little sweet pills and the Fruit Salt cor Our goods may be obtained from C. G. C. cor. New York ave.and ith st, MERTZ’S MODERN PHARMACY, Cor. 11th and F sts., Keep a full line of Obesity Bands, Pills and Fruit Salt in stock. Ladies will fied a saleslady here. MRS. LV. CODY, Parlors—1204 G st. n.w. Sent by mail on receipt of Prices cost $2.50 up; the Fruit Salt, $1 per The Bands bottle, and Pills, $1.50 per bottle, or 3 bottles for $4. Address LORING & CO., 42 West 22d st., Department No. 74, New York. ‘Chicage, Department No. 34, a2 a Ja16-3m,50 74, 115 Grand Millinery Opening! March 14, 15, 16 and 18. We cordially invite the public to Inspect our mag- nificent display of Millinery, this being a new de- Hus, and to inake a success from the ‘tart we have secured the services of the best ers in this city. Our stock comprises all the latest Ideas. prices will certainly command your trade. Large Line of Mourning Goods. N. B.—All hats will be trimmed free of charge. ‘Open evenings until 8 o'clock during opening. Blum Bros., Mammoth Department Stores, » 74 AND 747 STH ST. S.B., WASHINGTON, D.C. Our 743, mhl43t day, will relieve all stitMess, p/ that Cottolene makes better pastry than lard, is more teliable than lard, more cleanly than lard, more healthful than lard, and is superior to lard for frying and shortening. COT= TOLENE is recom- mended by expert cooks and endorsed by scientists. Once used always used. Sold in 3 and 5 Ib. pails See that trade mark— steer’s head in cotton-plant wreath—is on the pail. Made only by The N. K. Fairbank Company, CHICAGO, and , ry MIXTURE ' for SB5 cents Every pipe stamped DUKES MIXTURE oF <> 2oz Pacxaces 5¢ Is a preparation compounded from the re- celpt of the well-known French beauty, Ni- non de L’Enclos. It's absolutely harmless —but thoroughly efficient for immediately curing all rouzhness, sallowness or any dis- coloration of the skin. Does not resemble any of (be many bleaches on the market, in th DOES NOT REQUIRE CON- STANT USE—when it effects a cure the cure is permanent. It effects a cure in every case. Physicians indorse it. Time. Josephine Le Fevre, SUITE 23 AND 3s METZEROTT BLDG., tro F St. N.W. €29-c039t,40 THE AURAL RESONATOR, THE LATEST SCIENTIFIC INSTRU- MENT FOR THE CURE OF DEAFNESS. About 80 per cent of all cases of deafness are due to depression of the ear drum, adhesions of the car drum to the walls of the cavity and stiff ness of the joints of the little bones of the ea Any or all of these conditions may be present in a case of deafness. Artificial appliances inserted fn the ear are of no value in these conditions, and only aggravate them. The aural resonator fs the only method which can satisfactorily overcome these difficulties and re- store the drum to its natural condition. Its appli- cation is mild, agreeable and efficacious. I TREAT THE FAR, NOSE, THROAT AND LUNGS EXCLUSIVE! DR. C. M. JORDAN, A graduate of the medical department of the University of the City of New York, 1421 F st. nw. CONSULTATION FREE Office henrs—9 to 11 am, 2 to4 pm, 6 to® p.m, Sundays, 9 to 12 m tu,th,e-t? Catarrh Sufferers. No matter how much you may have become discouraged in trying to get cured, the AMERICAN CATARRH CURE will remove all doubt in a few days. It is always ready for use; nothing like it has ever been known in the history of medicine. It is the most wonderful remedy of the age, and the only medicine known that can prevent cou- sumption. THE AMERICAN CATARRH CURE is the result of 26 years’ study and treatment of the disease. One bottle convinces the most skeptical. It is always ready for use, meeding neither douche nor atomizer. It restores the hearing, cures the hawk- ing cough and expectorating, removes headache and nose bleeding, increases the appetite, produces sound sleep, sae the whole system and in- eases the vitality. “Tris impossible for any one to enjoy perfect health while suffering from the dropping of mucus in the throat, which is ever offensive at unbealthy in character and poisons every breath that is taken into the lungs, thereby rendering the blood unhealthy and impure and leading to consumption of the Iungs, What a beon to mankind must be the remedy which will prevent this suffering and restore pe t health, To the many thousands wh have de A’ URE. It gives Immediate reli sense of relief is so great that after tw hours’ use the sufferer giadiy continues the reme feeling and realizing that only perseverance is needed to restore to health, It possesses wonder- ful power in restoring the full vocal power of public speakers. FOR SALE BY E. P. MERTZ,. COR, 11TH AND F STS, WASHINGTON, D.C. fe21-BGcoMt&2tawlst They Won't Drop Bristles y do, you get another brush. e we talking about? Those French make them. HE-NO TEA In convenient 4%, % and 1-Ib. packages. GUARANTEED PURE By Marlin Gillet & Co., the oldest importers of tea in AMERICA. 18-3m,12 |Ogram’s, —— nshes Imported from Dupont | d that we have been selling for ice, Be, srr and Grris ‘Tooth Wash, 25e. Everybody uses it. i211 ore: bottle. Pa. Ave. mb15-24d