Evening Star Newspaper, October 12, 1895, Page 9

= THE EVENING STAR PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THY STAR BUILDINGS, 1201 Fennsylvanis Avenue, Cor, 11th Street, by ‘Ihe Evening Star EES Company 8. H. —— ee Few York Ofice, 49 Potter Building. piacere areas ‘The Evening Star is served to subscribers in the city by carriers, om thelr own account. at 10 cents F week, or 4c. per month. Copies at the counter cents each. By maii—anywhere in the United States or Canadi—postage prensid: 60 cents per tment Satu quintupl> Sheet Star, $1.00 per yeur; with foreten Postage avkted, $2.00, bs Entered at the Post Ores at Washington, D. C., “Sail ill ahecriptt yas Boat be pa 3 mail ateeripttsax must be paid in adva: Rater of advertising made known ou. applicatica. Part 2. Che Fy) ening, Star. Pages 9-24. | WASHINGTON, D. C., SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1895—-TWENTY-FOUR PAGES. —= QHrinfers* Ink, che fitfle ecfooks master of advertising), saps: JE is cfaimed for fe Was3zinsfor Sfar, and profaslp trutdfullp cfoimer, imed, Bat no offer newspaper in Be counfrp gocs info so fars: a percenfage of aff fhe Bouszs: tiffin a radius of fwenfp mifes: from $e office of puffication. ARE VERY CARELESS ee People Who Leave Various Articles in Street Cars. — THEY ARECARED FOR BY THE COMPANY Visit to the Lost Property Bureau in a Railroad Office. SOME CURIOUS CASES ee I T WAS AN EX- ceptionally pretty yaung woman witha flushed face and a pug dog, the latter literally dragged by a dainty silken cord, who rushed into the P street office of the Metropolitan Rail- way Company the other day in such haste that she stumbled and nearly fell,but escaped with a few inches of lace torn from her skirt and an augmented blush on her brow. Perhaps it was the precipitate entrance or maybe the youth and beauty of the vis- itor that impelled the clerk in charge to, rise from his chair without delay and bow submissively to the breathless young lady, who was apparently in an excessively dis- tressed frame of mind. A Star reporter, who happened to be in the office at the time, became interested and leaned for- ward in time to hear: “Oh, dear, I left my umbrella in a car this morning, aud it was such a pretty and valuable oue—no, not the car, it’s the um- brella I mean—it was just given to me last night by—never mind, it was a present, an 1 wouldn’t Icse it for anything. They told me that perhaps it would be found and brought here. Please, have you seen any- thing of it?” The last was in the form of a piteous ap- peal, and the pug whined sympathetically. “If you left it in the car, the umbrelia has been turned into our lost property room by the conductor,” vouchsafed the clerk, encouragingly; “that is, if some other passenger did not appropriate the article. Come with me, and we'll investi- gate.” ‘The young lady was conducted to a room across the hallway, and the reporter fol- lowed, to find himself.in an apartment that Sure to Leave Something. brought to mind strong remembrances of an old curiosity shop. Almost every inani- mate object known to man was within range of vision, but the clerk, without deigning to approach a stack of umbrel- las in one corner, opened a ledger resting counter, and glancing down a page, 'm sorry to say that has been turned in today.” The manner of the young lady thereupon sucdenly and remarkably changed. Ih a haughty manner she remarked: “Oh, it doesn't make any difference, I have another at home,” and then whisked out of the room almost as hurriedly as en- trance had been made. “That's what we have to contend with on an average of a dozen times a day,” sighed the clerk, as he dropped into a chair. The lost property department is a decid- edly important branch of every street ruil- way company, although such is not gener- ally known to be the case, and a glance at the room of the Metropolitan Company where lost articles are stored is sufficient to impress one of the importance of the not an umbrella Some of the Pocket Books. game. The records show that from six to twelve articles found in the cars of the F street line alone are turned in at the P street office by conductors every day. It is one of the regulations of the compary that conductors must turn in such articles the first time they pass the office after coming in possession thereof. All goods thus brought in are properly numbered, and the number, name of articles, date, and name of conductor are entered on the ledger kept for the purpose. In this manner, when @ call is made for any lost article, the own- er, by describing it, enables the official in charge to determine almost instantly whether or rot that particular article is in the property room. “We ve everything here except a vio- lin bow,” said thé clerk, and there was no doubt as to the truth of the statement. Piled up on the shelves were a conglomera- ation of almost everything of a portable nature, while stacked in the corners of the ‘oom were umbrellas. Umbrellas and parasols predominate among the lost arti- cles, with unmated gloves as a close sec- ond. During the month of September, among many others, the following articles were left on the cars by careless passen- gers: One full grown trunk, a pair of black socks, afterwards returned to a well-known minister; a Spanish grammar, shaving out- fit, typewriter, prayer book, porous plas- ters, diamond breastpin, bride's cake, Jegal aor bearing the name of a prominent jocal attorney, sack of flour, underclothes, silk hat, overcoat, several clocks, napkins and nursing bottle, bottle of liquor, roster of company A, W. L. L, and two empty pecs bottles. The latter were not called for. A Valuable articles are kept in a huge safe, and a glance therein disclosed two shelves piled high with pocket books. They vary from the cheap class to those constructed of costly material and beauti- fully finished. Each of these six or seven hundred pocket books contain money: some only a few cents and others sums of considerable magnitude. Many of them have been in the possession of the com- pany for years, and will never be «alled for, and yet will remain untouched fyer- haps to the end of time. Among the other articles hidden away in the safe are sev- eral scores of valuable umbrellas, some of |. them handsomely made, with gold han- dles, whose owners have failed to make an effort to recover them. The statistics show ihat women are by far more careless than men in leaving property in street cars, and, as has been stated, umbrelias and gloves are most fre- quently lost, The majority of the articles are promptly returned to their owners, such as remain in the possession of the company not being sought after for the reason that a larger proportion of the per- sons who leave articles in cars are ignorant of where the loss occurred, and do not make an inquiry. Several entries of interest on the lost property ledger are of this nature: ‘‘Seven- ty-five cents change short to passenger by Conductor Brown.” It means that Conduc- tor Brown, after receiving a dollar note from a passenger who desired a quarter’s worth of tickets, forgot to give the change, and the careless passenger also overlooked the matter. On making his return for the THE NATIONAL GUARD Conclusion of the Ordered Rifle Prac- tice at Ordway. PREDOMINANT EVIL TARDINESS Gessip of the Company Quarters and the Drill Hall. OTES OF INTEREST ———E ‘The ordered rifle practice of the District National Guard on the cutdcor range for 189 is at an end. But a comparatively small portion of the brigade faced the tar- gets, and while this is regretted, it could "| not be prevented, solely because of the in- ability of a great majority of officers and men to find the time necessary to fire the prescribed number cf shots. Until Congress provides for the payment of the organized militia of the District when ordered out for service, the same drawbacks will ever be present. It so hap- pened that the outdoor practice was ar- A Corner in Curios. trip, Conductor Brown finds that he is sev- enty-five cents ahead, and then remembers his failure to return the change. He hands it in to the office, where it is held to await a claimant. The telephone of the raHroad company is almost constantly made use of by parties desiring information regarding articles left en the cars. Many owners request by wire that articles be sent to them, but they are invariably informed that nothing is per- mitted to leave the lost property depart- ment until called for, identified and a proper receipt given. One of the perpetual joys of the night clerk is the privilege of answering the telephone at 2 am. or 3 a.m., and reply to some distant inquirer, anxious to know if a loaf of bread, or some other article of trivial value has been found. There was a cleaning out of the lost prop- erty room at the P street office about two years ago, when thousands of undoubtedly worthless articles, which the officials were sure would never be called for, were piled up in the alley back of the stables. The employes of the company were permitted to take what they pleased from the pile, and then the colored people of the vicinity made away with the rest. All the property col- lected’ at the old stables at the northern terminus of the 9th street line were re- cently transferred in a huge chest to the P street office. A new lost property de- partment has been established for the !th street line in the new power house at the foot of 41% street southwest. Amusing incidents are numerous in con- nection with the lost property department Several months ago a well-known society woman visited the office in a high state of excitement, claiming that she had left a very valuable diamond necklace on a car. She remembered the number of the car, and, on being informed that the diamon had rot been turned in at the office, prompt- ly declared that the conducter had stolen them, and that she meant to have him searched. Criminal prosecution’ was also strongly hinted at. Two hours after the departure of the visitor from the office the clerk in charge received a note’ from ker by special messenger, briefly and humbly stating that she had found the diamonds on a dressing case at home, having for- gotten to take them with her, as intended, when leaving the house in the morning. To show how carefully the conductors are watched, an incident of recent date will be of interest. A newsboy found a pocket book lying in the street at the corner of 9th and F streets. Being ar honest lad, he handed it to the conductor of a passing car, with the request that it be turned over to the proper authorities. The con- ductor by chance located the owner of the pocket book and returned it. In some man- ner the officials of the road heard that the conductor had found a pocket book, and for three days his every action wa scrutinized. Finally, being called on for an explanation, the conductor gave the facts as above stated. A large bucket of ginger snaps was left on a car a few weeks ago and, as the owner failed to materialize, the contents served as an addition to the Iuncheon of the clerks for several days. No one, however, except the officials in charge are permitted to handle the articles turned in as lost prop- erty, and only one man is _ vested. with authority to enter the safe where the arti- cles of value are stored. Mr. William J. Wilson, in addition to his duties as treas- urer, supervises the lost property depart- ™ment of the Metropolitan Railway Com- pany, and is assisted by Mr. G. B. Coleman and Mr. Walter H. Wilson. ANOTHER NEW TIRE. A Wheel Rim and What is Claimed = for It. Dangers which the owners of the modern bicycle fear are obviated, it is claimed, by ranged fora period when employes of bus- iness firms found it utterly impossible to secure leave of absence for one day, while the opening of the fall business in the va- rious trades furnished employment for many working men who had of necessity been idle all summer, and the latter, of course, under the circumstances, could not give the time for an all-day trip to Ord- way. The average number of men paraded by the several battalions for rifle practice was less than 25 per cent of the enrolled mem- bership, although one or two companies showed up in a creditable manner. One discouraging feature was the tardiness 0° from five to fifteen minutes of almost every command in reporting at the railroad de- pot. This matter was promptly reported by the inspector general of rifle practice to the adjutant general, and as a result bat- talion and company commanders generally are endeavorirg to explain the cause of the dilatory arrivals. Tardiness a Predominant Evil. Ore battalion commander in his report, after stating that the staff and commission- ed officers of the line of his command were promptly on hand and that it was the en- listed men who were late, took occaston to remark that for the past quarter of a cen- tury tardiness has been a predominant evil in the National Guard throughout the coun- try and that a correction of the same ha been found almost impossible. The: this major said, he did not think that b ion and company commanders called to account for the tardine: tlon, as they had issued the nece ders and did all in their power to secure promptness. The next feature of interest in National will be the annual rifle cuntests at Ordway about the end cf this month. To Purchase N. days, place an order for fort: company fatigue uniforms, to be made of black material, with the letters “M. C.” embroidered in gold on the blouse collar. This company has decided to give a series of three dances during the season at Na- fies’ Hall on the following dates: jovembe “6 cates, of handsome design, to its honorary members. Capt. Shilling is devoting each evening in increasing the proficiency of a squad of sixteen men in the manual of arms, with a view of carrying off the prize ‘n the competitive drill at the coming military fete of the Corcoran Cadet Corps. Third Battalion Happenings. Capt. Clarence B. Sayer, company C, third battalion, has been granted sixty days’ leave of absence from October 7, because of illness. ‘An election of second lieutenant of com- pany B, third battalion, has been ordred for October 31. The choice of the company for the vacancy is divided between First Sergeant F. A. Dony and Sergt. G. B. Squires. Sergeant Major H. Leroy Mark, at his own request, has been transferred to com- pany A, third battalion, as a private. ‘The members of company D, third bat talion, will assemble Tuesday evening, Oc- tcher 22, for the purpose of electing a first and a second lieutenant. Application for honorable discharge has been made by Private Samuel R. Haney, company C, third battalion; Private Au- gustus F. Specht, company ‘A, third bat- talion, and Private Ferdinand E. Molkow, company A, third battalion. Second Lieutenant Charles M. Robinson, jr., of company A, third battalion, is at his home extremely ill, and fears are enter- taired that death may ensue at any mo- ment. Solomon Carr, jr., has been elected first lievtenant, and Quartermaster Sergeant William H. Gibson of the third battalion, second Heutenant of company C, third bat- talion. Notes, First Sergeant Simms of troop A will be appointed, it is understood, a member of the brigade non-commissioned staff, with rank of sergeant major. The resignation of First Lieutenant Chas. Ebert, inspector of rifie practice of the first the tire which is here illustrated. It is maintained that it may be ridden over tacks, glass and even razors, without fear of puncture. The invention consists of a series of elipt- y) 14 fi) I « Cl ical steel springs set at right angles to the rim and riveted to it. A steel band passes round the outer circumference of the tire thus formed, which is in turn riveted to the springs, forming a strong, resilient and “quick” tire. It may be covered with rub- ber to keep out dirt and water. —_—__+ 0+ —____ A Quiet Suggestion. From the Chicago Tribune. “Sis'll be down pretty soon,” said Johnny to young Mr. Hankinson. “It always takes her a long time to put on her good clothes.” There was a brief silence. It was broken by Johnny. “Some people think candy ain't good for little boys. It don’t never hurt me. It sticks right to my lungs and makes me gro ee Good Ground for Divorce. From the Indianapolis News. Dakota. battalion, has been accepted. Convention Hall was opened Tuesday evening last for the season as the District Guard drill ground, and three evenings dur- ing each week until next summer, the maneuvering of troops about the audi- terium will be in order. The outer appearance of the armory building is being improved to a great extent by the application of red paint, which will hide from view the roughness of the brick and the plaster. A new sidewalk in front of the building ts also being laid. Indoors, extra bolts have been applied to every door of the structure. The headquarters room of the second bat- talion has been beautified to a great extent during the past few weeks through the energetic efforts of Quartermaster Sergeant C. Curry Dyer, and it is not now outranked in attractiveness by any room in the build- ing. The dishonorable discharge of Private L. Laurence from company A, second bat- talion, has been revoked, and an honorable discharge granted in its stead. Entries in the squad competitive drill of the Corcoran Cadet Corps, up to date, are the National Rifles, Morton Cadets, Suess Rifles, Ordway Rifles and Cycle Corps. It is expected that every company in the bri- gade will be represented in the individual competitive drill. The outdoor range at Ordway will be open for voluntary practice Mondays, Wed- resdays and Fridays until the commence- ment of the annual rifle competitions. The latter are not to be undertaken until the recovery of the inspector general of rifle practice, who Is at present seriously ill. The Evening Star for the full time the mystery story, “When the War Was Over,” is running, including back numbers, will be sent, postpaid, to out-of-town subscribers for 60 cents. Subscribe for an out-of-town friend. THE SENATOR'S BLUNDER. How He Unintentionnily Secured a Clerkship for a Constituent. Back in the 70's, when the Mr. Zach Chandler was at the head of the Interior Department, a young man from one of the western states came to Washington to try clerical life in cne of the departments. He had peen quite a ward politician in his western home, and imagined both the Sen- ators from his state would be glad to do him a favor. He spent several days taking in the sights of the capital, then went up to the Senate one afternoon end sent in his card to Senator Blank. The Senator responded promptly, had the visitor shown into the marble reom, and for some time they sat on a sofa together,talking of home news and the home crops. Then the young man broke the ice by informing the Sen- ator just what kind of a place he wanted —didn’t care much what department it was in. “Well, I don’t know,” said the Senator. “Such places are not to be found every day, and there are hundreds here from about every state in the Union looking for almost anything im the shape of an ap- pointment. “Come up to my house about § o’clock to- night,” said the Senator, “and we'll talk the matter over.” Promptly at the appointed time he pulled the door bell and was ushered into the li- brary, where he found the Senator puffing a cigar and looking over The Evening Star. “Ah! good evening, Mr. —-; I was just thinking cf you,” said Senator Blank. “I have written a strong letter to Secretary Chandler requesting him to give you a position in the Interior Department’—pick- ing up an unsealed letter from his desk and handing it to the young office seeker, “and I would suggest that you call at his office and present it about 10 o'clock tomorrow morning. I have algo mailed the Secretary a little personal rote, letting him know that when I want anything in his office I want it bai : The young westerner was joel out of the room with smiles and a hearry hand- shake. At his hotel he sat down to think over his good luck; then he thought of the Senator's letter, and pulled it out of his pocket and read: “Dear Chandler: ‘Some time tomorrow morning a young citizen of my great and slorious state will call on you with a strong indorsement from me for a clerk- ship. I have no earthly interest in him, so I turn him over to your tender mere: him down easy. Yours, BLANK. The young man dropped the letter, and a big sigh struggled up from under his watch pocket. “I wonder what he said in the little note he mailed “to the Secretary?” theught the young candidate. Then he realized that the Senator had given him the wrong letter, and heat once determined to call at the Interior Department the next morning and see what the next chapter would bring forth. About 10 o'clock the next forenoon the colored messenger showed a young man into Secretary Chandler's office. “Senator Blank told me last night he had written you, and advised me to call on you this morning,” sald the young gentleman. “Ah, ye: smiled: the Secretary, good- naturedly, picking up from his desk an open letter and glancing over it. “The Senator speaks of you in the highest terms, and is very urgent in his:request for your appointment. Wait a moment,” and touch- ing a bell, he sent his: messenger for the chief clerk. After a mument’s conversa- tion with the chief clerk, the Secretary said: + Lose You are fortunate. There is a twelve hundred dollar clerkship made vacant by ion this morning, and I have order- ppointmertt to the place.” A mont later. Senator Blank was walk- ing through the patent office, and in the corridor met the new clerk in his office coat. The Senator was surprised and a trifle disconzerted, but he shook hands with his young friend and said he was glad to see him there, “Well, I'm glad to be here," responded the clerk. “And Senator,” putting his hand inside his vest and looking squarcly in the other's eye, “right in my inside pocket I keep that little personal note you thought you mailed te Secretary Chandler, telling him when you wanted a thing you wanted ft_bad.” Explanations were unnecessary. The Senator went out of public life and died long ago, but the clerk manages to squeeze along through the hard times on his eigh- teen hundred a yeai — ABOUT HAIR RESTORERS. The Story of the Man From the West Was Not Appreciated. “Speaking of hair restorers,” said the western member, glancing at the bald-head- ed man, “puts me in mind of a time when I would have been willirg to give a couple of years of my life for something of that kind—wher I was snow-bound in the Sierras. z “Hold on; is it that old story again. I think I will have to go,” and the gentleman with the one-and-a-half-inch cigar stub be- tween his teeth walked out ostentationsly. “In the winter of '79 I was with a party of prospectors in the Sierras,” continued the nan with a story for the bencfit of those who remained. ‘There were three of us, an Erglish professor, a Harvard graduate and myself. Snow began to fall soon after we got into the foot hills, and we stopped at a log shanty built by some one who had been there before us. As we had provisions for two weeks, we were not alarmed, when it became apparent that we were snow-bound, but at the end of that time the situation took on another aspect. We shot a deer, after great toil and perseverance, but our efforts to secure other game were unsuccessful, and we were rapidly approaching a starving con- dition. “Where does the hair restorer come in?” asked the fat man. “Wait a minute, I’m coming to that. When there was very little left to eat but one piece of apple, we built a figure-four trap to catch a ‘snow shoe.’ “What is a ‘snow shoe?’ It is a hare with large, flat fect that look like snow shoes. Well, the morning after the trap was set we gathered about it, and were delighted to ob- serve that the snow was covered with foot- prints of the animal we desired to capture. Visions of a prospective stew arose in cur minds, and we looked on in breathless sus- pense, while the Harvard graduate knelt by the side of the trap and cautiously peered under its edge. Then he arose. He did not ak, but nis face told a tale of terrible disappointment. He at the box a moment, and, with a mighty kick, sent it flying in six different directions. The splin- ters fell to the ground, but bounding away amid the wreck was a large, fat ‘snow shoe,’ and he didn’t stop. The Harvard man had not seen the white animal in the trap, and our last hope was gone. It had the bait.” Well?” “Well, wh “Why,°I thought you were going to say something about hair restorers.”” “Oh, I was about to add that I would have sacrificed two years of my existence to have had that hare in my possession again.” “Yes, I understand that, but how about the hair restorer?” But the western member seemed displeas- ed with something, and did not reply. ee said the fat man, inquiringly. at?” The Lunch Room Eottery. From Pearsou’s Weekly. Traveler—“I say, miss, there’s no meat in this sandwich.” . Waitress—‘No?” 5 Traveler—“Don’t you think you'd better give that pack another shuffle’and let me draw again?” (ea ee Teacher—“Can any little boy tell me the main difference between the air pump and the ordinary water pump?” Bobby—“I can. One pumps air, and the other pumps water, ma’am.” And yet there are people who say that children are not as bright as they used to be!—Harper’s Bazaar. REAL ESTATE GOSSIP Mrs. U. 8. Grant’s Purchase of the Edmunds House. PRICES COMPARED, PAST AND PRESENT Street Railroad Development and the Effect on Property Values. SOME IMPROVEMENTS One of the features of the purchase made recently by Mrs. U. S. Grant of a residence in this city, which aroused considerable attention in real estate circles, was the piice paid. Other incidents of the transac- tion which were of more public importance and especially gratifying to the citizens of Washington were, for example, that Mrs. Grant intended to mak2 this city her per- manent home, and that another name had been added to the list of distinguished peo- ple who prefer this city as a place of residence. It is recognized that Wash- ington is increasing in attractiveness as a city of homes, and each year there are such substantial evidences of this fact as is presented in the recent acquisition of a home here by Mrs. Grant. People, however, who are interested in real estate values note with a feeling of satisfaction that while Mrs. Grant secured a hardsome house for a home, she also paid a price which serves to show that the mar- on realty is a strong one. It is stated that John B. Wight, the ageat of the owner, ex-Senator Edmunds, obtain- ed for his client $50,000 for this property. While this is a fair price for the property, yet a comparison of the valuation of the ground as it figurea in the sale and what Senator Edmunds paid for it some seven or eight years ago shows a decided appre- ciation. As an Investment. The lot, which is quite an ample one, hav- ing a frontage of some fifty feet and a depth of 135 feet to an alley, was thought to be worth, in the estimate of the vale of the property, about $4.50 per square foot. It is probable that Senator Edmunds did rot pay more than $2.50 for this lot. There is no doubt that the Senator not only re- ed tack: the money which he had ex- pended on the property, but in addition an amount which doubtless represents a good percentage of interest on the sum invested. It is not generally supposed that high- class residence property is apt to prove a gced investment, and if that is true, cer- tainly ex-Senator Edmunds has filed an ex- ception. It may be added that Senator Ed- n.unds does rot stand alone in this respsct, as there are a great many instances where high-class houses have proved to be lucra- tive investments. This is a topic which is of considerable interest at this time, as the season for leasing furnished houses is just alout opening, and the owners are consid- ering the possibility of securing tenants for another year or for a term of years. Some real estate dealers who have a good Geal cf experience In handling this class of preperty. are of the opinion that first-class houses, fully furnished, yield a better re- turn than most any other kind of prop- erty. Of course, the wear and tear on the e.egant furniture and hangings is a con- siderable item, but that is covered, as a rule, by the additional rent, as well as \y the lability of the tenant, who agrees to turn over the house to the owner in the condition in which he receives it, excepting the natural wear and tear. Suburban Development. The corsolidation of the Washington and Georgetown with the Rock Creek Railroad Company is looked upon by property own- ers as likely to have a favorable effect upon suburban holdings along the line of the latter road.-In view of the public at- tention which it is believed has turned and will be turned toward property in that Iccality, a number of the property owners are clearing off the underbrush and in other respects improving the appearance of their holdings with a view of possible demand for them either as a whole or in building sites. It is thought that there will be quite & movement in property of this character during the coming spring. At ‘any rate, whether this is the case or not, the im- provements made will have a good effect generally. A Modern City House. People who, from necessity, are obliged to inspect houses either for the purpose of buying or leasing, often have idezs occur to them which, in their opinion, if carried out, would add materially to the convenience and comfort of a modern city house. For exam-" ple, some people are,of the opinion that a storage room for vegetables would be a val- uable addition to the housekeeping arrange- ments of a city residence. Such a room, of course, must be shut off from the heat of the house and open to the air so that the food of various kinds can be safely kept. Where a house has suci a room, food can be bought in quantities and thereby make a great saving to the housekeeper. * A Spacious Home. A handsome residence is to be erected by Mrs. D. D. Colton, the widow of Gen. Col- ton of San Francisco. It will be located on the east side of Connecticut avenue, be- tween Q and R streets, and a short distance south of the handsome residence of Col. Francis Colton, who is a cousin of Mrs. Colton. According to plans, which have been drawn by C. B. Keferstein, architect, the house will have a frontage of fifty feet, but will not occupy the entire lot, a space being reserved at one side for light and air. This spacious frontage will be utilized in providing an interior which is usually gen- erous for a city home. The style of archi- tecture adopted is the Italian renaissance, and the treatment of the front will be sim- ple, yet on broad lines. Aadmirably adapted to this style will be the material which will be employed. It will be an English basement house, and in the first story a light stone will be employed and in the upper stories a brick which is al- most white. There will be a cornice of stone surmounted by a stone balustrade. All the openings will be trimmed with stone. One of the architectural features will be the main entrance, which will be marked by an arcade and a loggia. At the second story there will be two balconies of stone. The entrance hall will be 30x40 feet, and will contain a broad platform staircase. Open- ing from this hall will be dressing rooms, which are intended for use on social occa- sions. There will be a large central hall on the first floor 18x45 feet, and at one side there will be a broad fireplace. The dining room will be 20x30 feet, and at one end will be a circular projection with a window seat. There will be a conservatory attached to the dining room, and, opening from the same room, will be a breakfast room. In the front and on the other side of the central hall will be a library and par- lor. .All the rooms in these floors will be finished in hard wood. There will be a passenger elevator in the house. The Building Record. The building record for the week shows a healthy increase over last week. For the period ending yesterday twenty-two per- mits were issued for new dwellings, at an aggregate cost of $76,220. This was divided among the several sections as follows: Northwest—Fourteen permits, at $49,620; northeast, four permits, $20,000; southeast, one permit, $3,000, and county, three per- rrits, $3,600. Some Improvements. Cc. H. Gladden, architect, has prepared plans for the three-story and cellar brick dwelling which Mr. E. A. Atchinson will build on Kentucky avenue near East Capi- tol street. The fronts will be of pressed brick and brown stone, with square bay windows. Maj. M. P. Caldwell contemplates the erection of a row of ten two-story houses on Heckman street southeast. for which plans are now being drawn by A. Goenner, architect. A two-story brick dwelling will be erected on 35th street by F, J. Ettinger from plans prepared by himself. It is to have a square bay window, and the front will be of Ro- man brick and red stone. W. F. Nash is erecting on P street near id three two-story and basement Dtick dwellings with brownstone trimmings. Each wili have a tay window and tower. Charles D. Cole is the architect. E. A. Atchison is erecting four brick dwellings in tne northeast. Three of them are in a row, Nos. 108, 105 and 107 Ki tucky avenue, and the other one at.No. 1203 East Capitol street. The house wiil be three stories high, with cellar. The front wil! be of press brick and the base- iment of brown stone. C. H. Gladen is the arcFitect. Giound has been broken for the erection of seven brick stores and flats for Dr. W. Ritchie. When completed they will be known as No. 3522 to 3534 M street north- west. Each house will be two stories high, with a large roomy cellar, and the brick fronts will be relieved ty trimmings of In- diana limestone. C. W. Somerville is the architect and builder. 8. B. Priest is building at No. 1730 17th Street northwest’ a two-story and attic dwelling. Tne house will have a frontage of 21% feet by a depth of fifty feet. The front will be of press brick and Indiana limestone. N. T. Haller is the architect and William Funk the builder. A neat two-story brick dwelling will skortly be erected at No. 1277 35th street ncrthwest. The horse will have a frontage of twenty feet by a depth of 143 feet. The front will be of Roman brick and red stone. F. J. Ettinger & Brother are the owners, architects and builders. ; F. Nash is building a row of three- stcry and basement brick and stone dwell- ings at Nos. 1409 to 1413 P street north- west. C. D Cole is the architect. ——.+—_ LOUDO! GITIZEN. A He Makes a Personal Refatation of the Snake Stories. A man, with a bristling wad of Loudoun county whiskers wagging in front of him as he walked, entered the office of The Star the other morning and asked to see the snake editor. That useful and at all times ornamental adjunct of every well- regulated newspaper office was pointed out to the visitor, and he came over and sat on the corner of the desk. The snake editor smiled and bowed. ss “Are you the man that writes them snake articles about Loudoun county?” inquired the stranger. “Well,” hedged the editor, “I put into readable form the truthful narrations of well-known citizens of that rich, refined, religious, redundant and robust county, if that’s what you mean.” £ “Do you mean to tell me,” exclaimed the visitor, getting down off of the desk in his excitement, “that Loudoun county has got lars into it like that?” “Aren't those stories truthful?” asked the editor innocently. “Course they ain’t. They're a passle of lies from start to finish. Of course we've got snakes in Loudoun county, but no such dcrn fool snakes as them you've been printin’ about. I’ve lived there for goin’ on forty years, and I’ve never seen anything remarkable about our snakes. That's what I come in here for. I want to refute the statements I have been readin’ “Why do you want to do that ‘Becauce it is injurin’ the good name of tke county. People won’t come to no such county as that is, if they read them sto- ries.” : “Well, if you will give me your name, I'll print a'card from you in refutation of all these tales.” “That’s what I’m after. My name is Wil- liam Henry Harrison Higgins arnd—" “Excuse me Mr. Higgins,” interrupted the man at the des! ut weren’t you in town fcur days ago?” Yes," and the visitor showed that he was surprised by the inquiry. “I come in three or four times a week at this season.”” “And weren't you talking to a policeman down at the B. and P. station that day?” “You mean the depot?” “Yes, I was talkin’ to him. I’ve knowed lim since he was a boy.” “Well, he told me that had told him that you had killed a snake on your farm that vas eighteen feet long and it had twelve chickens and a hat full of hen eggs inside of it.” The visitor banged the desk with his horny handed fist. , I'll be doggoned,” he exclaimed. “Did he tell you that?” “He did, and told me that you would veri- fy it” rm “Well, I won't do nothin’ of the sort. He's a bigger liar than the rest of ’em.” ‘Didn't you tell him that story?” ‘No, sir; I didn’t,” and the visitor was very indignant. “I told him the snake was nineteen feet long and I never mentioned chickens. They was turkeys, full grown turkeys, sir, and there was a plumb bushel of eggs. I don’t see what a man wants to lie like that about a thing that comes as straight as what I told him. You just wait till I go out and settle with him, and I'll come back and write that card. Dern a lla anyhow,” and the man from Loudoun hu ried away to see the policeman. ss A GREAT WOLF DOG. Some Fine Points Which Developed ‘When He Was Put to the Test. A Star reporter was talking to an old hunter who had lived many years in the west and other regions where hunting was part of a mai’s daily living, and the con- versation turned on dogs, after it had run to considerable length in other directions. “I remember,” said the old man with a little, low, soft, reminiscent snicker, “of a wolf dog that my boy Jim got off of a feller that you might call a tramp, these times. Jim had an idea he knowed every- thing about dogs that was to be knowed, and when this tramp feller come along with a wiry, mean looking dog and wanted to trade him fer a pint of whisky, Jim "lowed he was a powerful wolf dog, and the tramp feller said thar wasn’t a better one in the country, fer he was bred fer wolves pertikler, so Jim ups and swaps a pint of liquor fer the dog and the tramp felier gits along his journey and Jim goes to slickin’ the dog up and gittin’ him ready fer a wolf that he knowed was chasin’ his hogs up in the mountain. One mornin’ bright and early Jim set out with the dog to give the wolf a run, and about two hours afterwards, the dog had the wolf a-goin’ lickety split. The wolf tuck ‘round the p’int of the hill with the dog after him and Jim "lowed he covld cut across the top and git-in ahead of ‘em in good time to see the dog chaw up the wolf, fer he prided himself on that dog and had been tellin’ the whole neighber- hood what a fine dog he had picked up. “Course Jim knowed dogs and he knowed that dog of his’n would chaw the wolf up in no time, and he went over the hill chucklin’. When he got to where he thought the dog and wolf ought to pass, there wasn’t a sign and Jim sot down to wait. It wasn’t long till a feller come along and Jim hailed him.” “ ‘Say,’ says Jim, ‘jou see anything of a dog chasin’ a wolf anywhere’s the way you come?’ “Sorter yaller brindle dog?’ feller. “ ‘Same,’ says Jim, mightily tickled.* Had he kotch up with bim?’ “‘Kotch up with him? says the feller. ‘Well, I sh’d say he had. He was two hun- derd yards ahead and the wolf was run- nin’ the tall offen him. Wuz it your dog?’ says the feller, but Jim’s heart was broke and none of us didn’t dare to say ‘dog’ to Jim fer better’n six months.” says the IN LOCAL STUDIOS The board of trustees of the Corcoran Art Gallery have appointed Miss Lillian Cock as assistant inetructor in the Cor- ccran Art School. Although belonging to the younger coterie of artists, Miss Cook kas during the past few years been a reg.i- lar and valuable contributor to the “Cos- nics” and other local exhibitions, and her Work in the art school, of which she is a graduate and gold medalist (in 1888), shows her to be in every way competent to dis- charge the duties cf her new position. Prof. Hinckley will continue as instructor of the portrait classes during the winter, and Mrs. Andrews will for the time being remain in charge of the water color class. The daily attendance of the students now averages 175, and both pupils and instrue- tors have entered upon their winter’s work with an increased energy and enthusiasm that promises well for future exhibitions. oe Preparations to contribute to the annual exhibition of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, which opens December 21 in Philadelphia, are just at present occupying the time and attention of the lozal artists, several of whom are making special ef- fcrts for the Elkins prize of $5,000, which is to be awarded to the American artist exhibiting the best work. : ee After a two months’ trip through the rerth, Mr. and Mrs. Ellicott have returned to the city, and the sculptor is making preparations to commence work on a series of competitive models. Among these is a statue of Washington, which is to be erect- ed in Wilkesbarre, Pa., and one of Gen, Sherman for this city. The successful com- petitor for the latter will receive $100,000 for the completed statue and pedestal, which will be colossal in size, and the four models next in merit will obtain $1,000 each, Other work upon which Mr. Ellicott will be engaged during the winter is a statue of Presicent Pierce for the state of New Hampshire, and a bust in bronze of the dis- tinguished ‘explorer and chief enginecr of the navy, Commander Melville. os A. G. Heaton has returned from his camp at Stony Man, where he spent the summer, and has brought with him a collection of unusually interesting studies, sketches and portraits, among the latter being a thor- oughly characteristic bust of Dr. Harding, the rector of St. Paul’ . oe Mrs. Le Grand Johnston fs working on a series of water-color drawings designed for filustrative purposes, and has in view sev- eral large compositions which she expects to complete in time for the early exhibl- tions. . ee Miss Clara Hil has removed her studio to 715 19th street, where, with Miss Se- well, she will remain during tie winter. . se Miss Mathilda Mueden left New York to- day for Paris, where she will spend the next two years studying in the Juliep School. ° THE CAUTIOUS MAN. He Has a Little Conversation and Ex- plains Why He is So Cautious. It was on the day trip-of one of the Nor- folk boats, and the stranger on deck moved about among the passengers with a very evident desire to know who his fellows voyagers were, yet with quite as evident a purpose not to commit himself by giving away incontinently to his curiosity.’ After some time he found a man sifting off to one side, and with him he entered into con- versation. They talked Washington and scenery and delights of river travel, and one thing and another for awhile, and then the cautious man Bot around to the sub- ject which most interested him. “There are some very nice looking people aboard,” he said, glancing around the deck, “‘and some not so nice looking.” _ “Yes,” responded the other party, ‘also glancing around. “I'd like to know something about some of them,” the cautious man proceeded; “but, being a stranger, I don’t like to ask too many questions. A man can't be too cautious, I think, when he is traveling, in making comments on his feilow travelers.” “I've heard about some very embarriss- ing cases,” said the other part. “So have I; and for that reacon I am that much more particular. Still, I'd like to know who some of these people are.” “Who, for instance? I know a few of them, and I guess I’m safe enough to trust.” said the cautious man, assured “there's a lady over there by the r. Which one? That one that is talking fourteen ways for Sunday?” “She seems to be talking mere than the law allows,” ventured the cautious man. “The one that’s got a dress on like a three-sheet circus poster, trimmed with rainbows and Easter eggs?” es,” laughed the cautious man. “Complexion like a tanbark walk?" . “Rather.” “A bonnet that would fade a carpet?” “Unless it was a warranted carpet; yes.” “Got a jaw on her that would cut a nail in two?” “Tea.” “Acts like sae owned the steamboat?” “Somewhat dictatorial, I should say.” “Got a voice you could swarm bees on?” “Sounds that way at this distance,” and the cautious man laughed with unction, for he loved to know about people. The other party got up and took a more critical look at the lady in question. “Do you know who she is?” asked the cautious man. “Um—er,” hesitated the other party,” I seem to think I ought to, she’s my wife. Come over and let me introduce you. What did you say your name was? “But the cautious man hadn't said and didn’t eay, and he removed himself with such pre- cipitancy that the other party laughed as though he enjoyed it. Se Principal Sources of V: Josiah Fint tn. Century. There can be no doubt that the tramp is, in a certain sense, the maker and chooser of his own career. The writer's experi- ence with these vagrants-has convinced kim that, though they are almost always the victims of liquor and laziness, fully four-fifths of America’s voluntary beggars have begun their wide and restless ways while still in their teens, and have been furthered in their wrong tendencies by un- wise treatment applied to them when young. ‘The principal causes or sources of vaga- bondage, as I understand them, may br briefly recapitulated: I. The love of liquor. Il. Wanderlust—the love of wandering. Uli. The county jail, owing to the pro miscuous herding of boys and homeless wanderers with criminals. IV. The tough and rough element in vil- lages and towns. V. The comparatively innocent but mis- guided pupils of the reform school. Though not, properly speaking, a cause of vagabondage, the non-enforcement of law {s its nursing mother, and misguided and misapplied charity its base of opera- tions. The tramp evil is not so much @ disease as a symptom of public ill-health. cee. gabondage. The Evening Star for the full time the mystery story, “When the War Was Over, is running, including back numbers, will be sent, postpaid, to out-of-town subscribers for G0 cents. Subscribe for an out-of-towr friend.