Evening Star Newspaper, December 21, 1895, Page 17

‘THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 421, 1895—TWENTY-FOUR PAGES. 17 CHRISTMAS CROWDS aera Scenes Caught at Random in the - Busy City Marts. SKETCHES IN STREETS AND STORES Where Hurrying Throngs Are En- gaged in Holiday Shopping. INTERESTING KALEIDOSCOPE T WAS ALL OUT OF | tune and out of time, | 1 its paint was rub- bed off in many ces, while paper pasted where the glass used to cover the repertory of its airs. The handle had long since departed. and a roughly-hewn piece of wood did duty in its place, but it gave good purchase to the trembling hand that grasped it and turned ft around and around steadily as a rheumatic elbow would permit. The other arm was southern dust long ago, and a leg had kept it com- pany, but the arm and the hand and th: bent hedy and the shock-covered head, and the mournful ey ere all there, and the hurdy-gurdy tried its best to play “The Blue Bells of Scotiand.” Passersby, bright witn Christmas antici- pations, gave a careless glance that changed to one cf fleeting sympathy, and pennies and nickels, with now and then a more gen- erous dime, rattled into the little tin box. The month grew less pensive and drawn; a gleam of something iike pleasure beamed from hencath the shaggy brows, and the tune ‘changed to “Marching Through Georgia.” A big porter stopped and looked down at the stooping figure. “How're they comin’, Tom?" he inquired, kindly. “Party good, purty good,” replied old with a brave attempt | at eriness. ‘Thé treats me purty 2 roun’ erbout Chri mus tim I wisht they uz allus h The poor old org: erinder unconscious: voice the wish thousands of others a thousand times better of than he, but the porter echoed the other thousands who hold the opposite view. Derned ef I dnz, then,” he returne here times keeps me ght. An’ then I ain't | Chrismus git’s. s Knew He Didn't Shave. A young girl came tripping along with her arms full of bundles. “I declare I'don't know what to get Tom,” she chirruped to her boon companion, who trotted along with her. “Louise bought her Willa shaving set, but poor ‘Tom's face is as smooth as mine—at least, it felt—oh, what was I going to say!" and she blushed vio- Te: ‘I'm going to get Mr. Jones a silk muffler,” A Cheerful Assistant. @aid the other, with a practical expression. “They're selling "em at cost down on 7th street, and there's a perfectly lovely one laid aside for me A thin, tall woman had passed them and entered one of the big store: “No,” the clerk was saying, “we do not put three-for-a-dollar neckties in a fancy “But I want them for a present,” she per- ted. ‘an't help it, maam, very—” ‘I'm no ‘maam,’ I'd have you know, sir— Bez pawdon, miss—only give fancy boxes with the doller kind. “T never saw such mean stores in my life, ejaculate] the woman. “Wiy, folk they put neckties in fancy boxes no matter what they cost. Who wants to send anybody a neektie, I'd like to know, done up in an old piece of store paper!” and she flounced away indignant. But her place was quickly filled by others and the necktie counter did a thriving trade. The Philosophy of Christmas Neckties | ell many of ‘em ted a clerk who | had just been rellev Well, I should say. | "Pears to me as if pretty near every man ! Washington's going to get some sort of a | rep neckue for a Christmas gift, the way the | wen ng ‘em. Yes, all sorts and | styles and colors till you can’t rest. Will the men w ‘em? Not on your life. There ne man in ten tho: ad who'd wear tmas gife necktie, and that ge “I wish you'd go on down to the other end of the store while I buy this umbrella for t,” said a handsome girl ulance to her g ve no better se Chan to go poking long with a girl who s trying her wits in effort to get them omething,” she con- inved, as she picked andsome horn- silk umbrella ordered it sent to own house. Then he rejoined the young man and they valiantly fought .nother so far as the | wds were concern- and in each the | h . vcthy's holiday throng. the Crowds in the Stores, Shy, half- frightened women hug: lose to the counters and at last, in despair, made purchases they had never intended in ord to get through and escape from the cru: Proud mothers with half a dozen assorte of children strung out behind them | t valiantly through the mass, like the h. | far-away | of bliss. rush line of a foot ball team, and still proud- er mothers, with infants in their arms, soothed their babies in one breath and priced fancy articles in the next. The en- trances to all the big stores were flanked by baby carriages whose proprietors had brought them along to do double duty in cerrying their-progeny and their Christmas bundles as well. The irrepressible colored sister was out in force, and last evening ene, of enormous breadth and shining, Jolly face, overcame the crowd like an avenging juggernaut. “Whar dat place you git dem hankycheefs at?” she inquired loudly. “I boun’ ter git dat man o’ mire summer dem yaller silk ones wid de nishul in de cornder, en ef I scrouges de wite fokes dey mus’ scuse me. It seemed as though there were a thou- sand purchasers for every one of the ten thousand articles, and when it came to toys and Christmas tree ornaments and holiday fixings generally the demand was prodigiols. Wise and wide awake fakirs had fo: en this condition, and along the ss streets Were scores of them who temporarily forsaken their regular lires of grease-spot removing soap, razor strops, rheumatism remedies and what not to deal in cheap toys, Christmas tree spangles, imitation moss and a variety of other wares of the tinsel variety. A shrewd colored boy had gone down in Prince George’s marshes and gathered a lot of mistletoe, and he did a thriving trade sell- In the Push. ing the kiss-inspiring parasite to the crowds that pretended to need some such inspiration. The streets were scarcely less crowded than the stores, the gay and the grave, these who had plenty and those who had naught, jostled and pushed and shoved along in a good natured democracy, careless for the time being of everything but Christmas times, and even envy found but little place in the motley throngs that bustled on. Two little ragged negro boys flattened their noses against the brilliant window of a candy store and held a wishing feast. eh fur dat big cake wid de reezins in hit,” said the blackest one. “I dun wisht fur dat czke fust,” re- turned the other in a warning tone. “Den I wish fur all dat choclit in de big gole box,” said the first one. “I dun wisht fur dat fust, too,” re- joined his companion. The blackest boy withdrew his face from the glass and stwhile chum. nigger I ebber see, me tse de he ejaculated with indignant contempt. “You don’t want noboddy ter have nothin’,”” = Then there was a wild waving of arms and two small bodies came together, and Christmas cheer lost for awhile in Juvenile carnage and lusty cries of anger. Their Little One in Lost “Where in the world’s Annie, Jack?” ex- claimed a frightened woman as the crowd séparated after the boys were parted. The big countryman’s red face grew white as his wife's. ‘I thought you had her,” he replied quickly. Then he burst here and there through the crewd like a young giant. Some man expostulated. side,” hissed the countryman. my child,” and he shoved the other back. Then a plaintive little voice went up above the noise of the street. “Mamma, mamma.” Tae big man’s face grew flush- ed again, ard he had her in his arms in an instant. The mother was there, too, and when that family was followed into the big store little tears looked like dia- monds through the smiles that the hay crep Money bought in soothing gifts. And away out in the country last night the neighbors were told how Annie had got lost in the city, and grandma told how she had been lost once in town when she was a lit- tle girl, and in the far-off years to come maybe Annie wili sit at the Christmas circle and tell her grandchildren what an awful time her papa and mamma had to find her when some bad people tried to steal her for a Christmas gift In Wash- ingten once on a time. Collar Buttons and Christmas Boxes. “Collar Luttons! collar buttons! You nee} ‘em as much now as you ever do. Get some for your husband or take a card to your brother! Collar buttons! collar but- tons¥* Yes; he was there, too. Who, indeed, ever saw a crowd whereof the collar but- ton fiend was not a vocal and voluble por- tion? Where humanity 1s gregarious there you will find the vender of collar buttons, with his coat three sizes too big for him: with his nasal twang assailing every ear drum, and his soiled fingers holding out blue pasteboard slips ned with bone and A Wisbing Feast. brass; with celluloid and rolled plate collar buttons so dear to the bachelor and the despair of every married man whose wife persists in sewing buttons on his shirts where they are unnecessary. Other fakirs may desert ihelr Chosen fines at holiday times, but the collar button’ merchant never does, and maybe the réason is there is al- ways money in it. “Give me one of thosd cards, young man,” said an energetic-looking fellow, with a sweet-faced worgan on his arm. “We'll put ‘cm in the box,” he explained to his companion. “Collar buttons are some- times mighty badly needed in the country. I'm glad that youngster met us, because I didn’t have ‘em on my list.”” Box! List! What a host of pleasant thoughts t two magic words inspire at this time of the year. Who has not re- ceived a Christmas box and enjoyed the seventh keaven of delight exploring {ts ntents and discovering its surprises. It’s Imost as much fun sending one off to the relatives—but the coming of a Christmas box! My! that’s the penultimate What a commotion there Is in the house when the box arrives! What a_pell-mell tumbling over each other there is to get the hatchet and the hammer! What su- preme joy fills every bosom when the lid Is prized off! Slippers for grandma! What's this for Tom? A horn, as I’m a sinner. And the host of other things for every- body, and the candy and nuts and sweets for all. Oh, this is Christmas sure enough! And to think that that scene will be re- peated in thousands of homes all over the broad world within the next fortnight is enough to warm the cockles of a heart of adamaat. Where to begin and where to end a sketch of Christmas scenes is the difficulty; but the same effulgence permeates them all. In the hovel of St. Giles; in the palace of St. James, the light that fell on the manger penetrates and illumines. It heightens the pale, thin face of want and brightens the rosy cheeks of plen- ty; it aureoles mis- ery with the halo of hope and deifies joy with the sunburst of charity. oy LE enes! Crowds, Christ- mas crowds! Both shimmer and shiver and disappear. Follow them home to the hut, where the penny toy 1s to be clutched with joyous frenzy by the shadowy hand of a fever-stricken child; follow them home to the palace, where the Christmas tree bends beneath its wealth of golden fruit—and at the end of every path you will find a shaft of the radiance that fell on Bethlehem! LEW WALLACE’S STORY. 1 His Method of Breaking Up a Black- bird Roost. From the Indianapolis Sentinel. Gen. Lew Wallace yesterday related an ircident which shows to a remarkable ex- tent the wonderful sagacity and memory of blackbirds. “At my home over in Crawfordsville,” said the general, “we have a large number of tall trees on the lawn, and in course of time these trees became the roosting place at certain times of the year for hundreds of thousands of blackbirds.-They came in great black clouds, and in spite of all I could do, they refused to leave. Of course, they were a great nuisance, and I was in despair as to some means of getting clear of them. I stood for days with my gun firing into them of an evening and killing hundreds of them, but the rest did not seem to be sufficiently struck by fear or grief to want to part company with me and my hospitality. I then devised a new scheme. “Procuring a number of Roman candles one evening, I lighted them one by one af- ter dark, when the boughs of the trees were bent low with the weight of the croaking birds, and I poured the candle in- to the tops of the trees at a great rate. The sudden innovation startled the birds as nothing had ever done before, and they be- came panic stricken. That night I was free of them. “The next evening, however, the habit of returning there to roost was stronger than fear, and they began coming in by thou- sands as the evening approached. After dark I began with another volley of can- dies, and the birds began to realize that there was a determined bombardment in progress. They tied precipitately, and the third evening only a few returned. A few last shots put them to flight, and I was troubled no more. “But what do you think those birds did? My dividing fence runs between the trees on my property and the trees on the prop- erty of my neighbor, which are equally high and equally suitable for a home for the blackbirds. When the birds were driven from my lot they flew over across the dividing fence to the trees of my neigh- bor and settle There was no bombard- ment over there, and they have stayed there ever since. “This was a long time ago, but never since the last Roman candle was fired into them has one of those birds settled on one of my trees. They are ‘tabooed’ as effec- tvally as though they were on fire. The eat clouds af birds each morning and evening fly directly over my trees, going and coming, but not a bird settles upon a tree that is on my side of the dividing fence. “Another strange thing is that if any one of an evening stands in my lawn and makes a slight noise,as slapping his hands, there will be the wildest commotion among the birds in the neighboring trees. They become restless and almost panic stricken. f, however, the same person crosses the vence and stands directly under them ana makes twice as much noise they pay no attention whatever to him. He can even shoot up into them without driving them from their perches. “I have wondered several times just what impression those birds have of me and my property that they have so decidedly given me the cold shoulder. They know every tree that is on my lawn, and will settle by thousands on the other side of the fence within a few feet of the dividing line. Of course, I have not bothered them over there, as they were not my guests.” —+e+——. HE GOT PITCHERS, A Small Bey Who Has True Histrionic Art in Scheming. A new scheme was worked out on Pean- sylvania avenue southeast. A small boy with a broken pitcher entered a store, and, between sobs, told how he had been sent for milk for the baby with the last nickel in the house, and had fallen and broken his mother’s only pitcher. He was afrala | to go home. He received two nickels with } which to get a pitcher, and went out of; the store rejoicing. A little later a man came in and said: “I saw a pitiful case just now. A little boy had fallen and broken his pitcher, and——" “Did you give him a nickel?” asked the storekeeper. “I bought him a new pitche was the reply “but T didn’t finish the story.” “Oh, we know the story. He was here.” Within an hour several came in to tell the little incident of life among the poor, and, after comparing notes and making In- quiries, it was learned that the boy had collected forty nickels and ten pitchers in one afternoon, with outside precincts not heard from. aoe Se Then and Now. From the Chicago Tribune. CHAPTER I. Young Archibald Ashcraft ran his fingers through his hair, folded his arms and gazed at the sheet of paper before him. “There!” he exclaimed, exultingly. “It is complete! It has cost me many a headache. It has robbed me of my sleep, filled my wak- ing hours with unrest and rendered even the food that ha: passed my lips distasteful to me, but I have no regrets. It is worth the sacrifice!” He had written his first poem. CHAPTER IL¢ “I will take fifty copies of the paper, if you please.” It was the tremulous voice of Archibald Ashcraft. He seized the papers eagerly, threw the money in front of the cierk and rushed out. The Daily Bread had published his poem. CHAPTER III. “Y-Yes,” said Mr. A. Ashcraft, hesitating- ly, in reply to a question of a friend who had found a scrap book in his desk and was looking ihrough it. “It's a—a sort of poem I*wrote some years ago. I had forgotten about having pasted it in that book.” CHAPTER IV. “Archibald!” exclaimed Mrs. Ashcraft, vhat is the matter? You seem excited. Has anything gone wrong in your business?” “No,” replied old Ashcraft, throwing hiz hat and overcoat on the lounge. “I have had a little trouble with an impudent caller, that’s all. He came into my office just be- fore I started home. Said he used to work on the Daily Bread. Threw up to me a poem | I wrote for that paper twenty-five years ago, and I kicked him out! Dinner ready?" CHRISTMAS GREEN Where the Trees and the Holly Are Obtained. MISTLETOE, MOSS AND EVERGREEN At the. Market: anda Chat With the Colored Venders. SPIRIT OF THE SEASON IME WAS WHE that dear old fellow, Santa Claus, could, unassisted, supply all the Christmas trees needed to make glad the millions of little ones throughout his dominion, which, happily for all of us, the old as well as the young, is bound- less. But now the little old fellow is compelled to rely to @ great extent upon others for the Christ- n.as trees and wreaths and the other ever- greens which so delight and make merry the hearts of all. Not that he would not, if it were possible, gather them all him- self, but there are so many more children to be looked out fur now than years ago, and there are so man¥ More toys to be made and packed up. Of course, Santa Claus doves his share in gathering them, and always will, but he knows that every father, mother, brother, sister, and, indeed, every one else, will be only too glad to assist him. So he has asked all who can to help him out, and, of course, no one refuses the little old man. Not everybody can, of course, go right out and get the trees and evergreens, be- cause not every one knows just where io find them, but the country people know just where they are to be found, and so it was: tcday that the markets were filled with trees of all sizes and shapes, and with wreaths of evergreen and with mistletoe, anid holly, and spice berries, and moss. For the country people knew that the city folks could never begin to get a hundredth part of what would be needed to help old Santa out of his difficulty, and in the goodness of their hearts they have filled our markets with trees and evergreens. Of course, they charged a few pennies to cover the expense of bringirg them into town, but no one grumbled at that, for every one was only too glad to have the opportunity of as- sisting the jolly little old fellow, who was So good to them when they were boys and girls, and who will never forget the little ones so long as the coming of the Master is remembered by man. Indeed, so many were the trees brought to market today, and so many will be those brought to town next week, that a Star reporter was detatied to inquire into the matter, that no one in Washington, or, indeed, within hundreds of miles of the city, should be longer at a loss to know just where the trees and evergreens are fcund or how they are brought to town. ‘rhe first person; questioned by The Star man was an old cojored woman, so old- fashioned in ner speech and ways that the reporter's thoughts Went back years and years ago, wher one of the dearest and best of beings in all the world to him _ tke old black mammy who cared for m. ‘ An Old Colored Aunty Talks. The woman was surrounded by evergreenz of all kinds, and assisting her in the disposal ‘of them were her three grandchildren, two young women and a young man. So she. had ample time in which to reply to ‘Phe Star's representa- tive. u 9 you wanis to know whar all dis stuff comes from, does you? An’ you is goin’ to put it in de paper, {5 you? Well, den, you kin say right off, sah, dat you'd look a mighty long time ‘round hyar befo’ you'd git much of de stuff in dis neighborhood. "Course, you'd find pine an’ cedar fur de trees, but you'd tind mighty leetle mistletoe, an’ holly, an’ sich as dat. Not dat dey ali don’t grow ‘round hyar—iat is ef dey let | ‘em ‘Ione long nuff—but dey done grabbed up so dat dey ain't to be found no mo’ right ‘round hyar, sah. “Course, you don’t have to go fur for Jese ‘byar Chris’mus trees, as 1 was a-tellin’ you, sah, but when you comes to mistletoe an’ sich stuff as dat, holly an’ all dat, why, you is got to travel a mighty long way to git 'em. Dey tells me dat dis byar mistletoe dat all de gals is so pertick- ler "bout don't grow ‘cept down south, an’ dat "plains ds reason why we can’t git nuff of it to satisfy de folks, I s’pose. Now, dis ts what dey calls mistletoe, an’ "bout de onllest place you find dat is at de tup of a ole gum tree. Some time dat is nigh onto a hun- dred feet high, sah, an’ you kin see frum dat dat it ain't no easy matter, sah, to get it down. Down in de swamps an’ wet places is whar you find de most of it. De way we gits it ig to clim’ de ole gum mostly, but sometimes de ole gum ain't to be clum, an’ den de onllest way to git it is to cut Mr. | Gum down. An’ I done known folks dat nee to shoot de stuff down befo’ dey git it "tall. Where the Holly is Found. “But how dat mistletoe do sell when you gits it. Why, sah, folks done tell me when dey buy it dat dey sends it "way up north an’ out in de west whar folks ain’t seen it ‘tall. An’ dar’s dat holly, dey does de same wid dat, dey tells me. Dat’s easy nuff to git when you finds it, fur it grows on a tree jes’ "bout as high as a peach tree. But -you don’t find much anywhar near hyar, fur folks keeps it down mighty small, sah. So, as in de case of dis hyar mistletoe, we country folks hev to go ‘way back in de country fur ft, an’ you don’t find so pertickler much of it den, sah. Now, most all of dis you see me wid, an’ all dese folks ‘round me, done come frum ‘way down in ole-Virginny, sah, most a hundred miles frum hyarabouts. ’Course we folks don’t go down dar fur it, but we sends word down dar dat we wants it, an’ our people down dar gits it, puts it on de kyars an’ sends It on to us hyar. ’Course, dar is a lot of trees an’ moss, an’ de like of dat you kin git to hand ‘bout hyar, pine an’ cedar bein’ right plentiful in dis neighborhood, an’ box, an’ ground Ivy, an’ runnin’ cedar, too, but, as I say, mistletoe an’ holly I’s got to travel right smart way fur. Den dis hyar moss is easy nuff to git, but dat mistletoe roos’ high, sah.” The cld woman was one of a hundred or mcre who were engaged today, and will be next Monday and Tuesday at least, in sell- ing Christmas trees and holiday evergreens on the outskirts of the city markets. But not only colored women, but also men and boys, stood in the midst of these delightful accompaniments of the season. Trees of all sizes, wreaths, of evergreen, green and white moss, mistletoe.and holly added not only beauty,but fragrance as well, to the scene,one of the most picturesque to be found in the Washington markets. No combine con- trolled prices, and each man, woman or boy asked the prices ‘moSt likely to meet the approval of the ‘purchaser. Mistietoe and holly were most sought after, probably be- cause, a3 the old woman explained, the least abundant, and, therefore, the most difficult to secure. From a small twig it ran to great braaches, and prices ran from cents to dollars. Trees sold from a nickel to fifty cents or more, the average price be- ing about twenty gr twenty-five cents. Moss was sold in great Qua@tities, being designed mostly to decorage the trees. Wreaths of High box, running ce y and other ever- greens were piled on the rude stands and on the puvement, and also in great strings, A Colored Philosopher. Most of those who sold the evergreens were quaint colored folks, and the convey- ances they used in bringing them to town were as quaint as their owners; even the patient ox being, in some cases, their mo- tive power. In some instances, it appaered that the load of trees and evergreens meant the only means of obtaining the wherewithal for a merry Christmas for the simple-mind- ed people who brought them to town. Said cne old colored man to the reporter: “Dis hyar load of stuff, sah, means a new dress fur de ole woman, some little t'ings fur de j chil’ren, an’ ef I has good luck, sah, a tur- key fur de Chris’mus dinner. An’ more’n dat, boss, a drap of de gocd ole stuff to send dat turkey an’ de trimmin’s down in de good ole Virginny way, sah. You see, boss, folks "long "bout dis time don’t stan’ on cents. An’ dey ain't pertickler like "bout dere change, an’ glory be to Gawd, sah, dat dey ain't, fur dat’s de way we pore folks make a right ‘spectable t'ing out of dis hyar stuff. De white folks dey got to hev 'em, an’ dey ain't, as I says, ’tall squintish "bout de price, an’ don’t seem to riccolec’ dat dey is "titled to dere change more’n once in a wile. Now, 'tween you an’ me, sah, de whole load of stuff dat I brung in hyar today wa'n’t wurf more’n three or fo’ dol- lars, sah, but I’se tellin’ you dat I’se got more’n dat now, an’ you see dat load ain’t half gone yit, sah. It’s de right way, boss, of puttin’ dat Scriptur’ sayin’ whar de good Lawd say ‘To him dat has shall be given, an’ to him dat hasn't shall be tuken ‘way.’ Dis is de way folks puts it dese times: ‘To nim dat has shall be tuken ‘way, an’ to him dat hasn't shall it be given.’ An’ w'ile I isn’t’ questionin’ de wisdom of de Good Book, sah, it do seem to me dat de way folks put dat sayin’ at dis season of de year is de way to put it de vear ‘roun — ON DESTRUCTION ISLAND. The Sights That Relieve the Light House Kecper’s Loneline From the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. The keeper of the government lighthouse which was established a few years ago on Destruction Island doubtless leads a lonely life, but he has some experiences which a lover of the romantic and the adventureous might well covet. The island itself is not without a certain weird fascination. Thirty- five miles south of Cape Flattery it rises abruptly from the face of the ocean. It has a picturesque, though wild and rug- ged beauty, and as it stands facing the northern blasts that have sent more than one stout ship to the bottom, it calls up the name of Isla de Dolores, which the early Spanish navigator Quadra gave it to com- memorate his misfortunes, and the later name of Destruction Island, given it in 1787 by Capt. Berkeley on account of the sad fate of several of his crew who were mur- dered on its savage coast. On wild and stormy nights, when the wind is whirling the sea into foam against the beetling edges of the island, the scene passes the merely Were and becomes majestic and sub- ime. On such nights the keeper has visitors that do not come to the door of the ordinary landlubber. Flocks of wild fowl, attracted by the bright light, fly blindly toward it, and with the force of the wind added to that of their own stout wings, they are driven against the lens with a momentum that sometimes shatters the thick glass, but oftener results merely in instant death to the birds. Sometimes there is a positive volley of birds against the face of the light, and as many as a dozen have been known to sirike it simultaneously. After a stormy night {t {s not uncommon for the keeper to pick up at the base of the tower as many as twenty-five dead birds. Many of these are | of the choicest kind, and the keeper's table seldom lacks a supply such as an epicure might crave. During the day the keeper is frequently greeted by the thrilling sight of a whale hunt by indians in the neighboring. waters, a chase as hazardous and exciting as any on mountain or plain. Each canoe goes out with a crew of six oarsmen, one spearsman in the bow, and the captain or helsman in the stern. To the end of the spear an air- tight sealskin, inflated lke a bladder, is at- tached by a line fifty feet long. A dozen of these boats go out together when a whale is sighted. Stealthily a single boat moves out from the little fleet and approache8 the big game, the oarsmen stoical and calm, the spearsman erect, rigid, statuesque. It is a moment of grave peril. A splashing oar, a sudden move, a waver- ing hand or hot head at the helm, and boat and crew would go down beneath a single stroke from the great monster now 30 near. At precisely the right instant the spears- man hurls his spear with unerring aim, and the battle begins. And then one standing on the island cliff sees the little boat dart away and the whale fiercely churning the er. ‘The other boat comes up rapidiy. Weaken- ed by loss of blood, retarded by the airtight skins that float on the water, and worn out by turning hither and thither in whimsical pursuit of his many foes, the whale slowly gives over the unequal contest, and is towed at last, like the great hulk of a merchant- man, to Neah Bay, where the Indians gath- er for a great feast. ——_- + e+ —____ COYOTE AND DECOY DUCKS. How a Poultry Farmer at Last Caught the Culprit. Fiom the St. Louts Republic. Although the coyote is essentially the plain’s representative of the great wolf family, he sometimes invades the forest lands, greatly to the prejudice of the forest farms. Cunning and treachery being its marked characteristics, the coyote is no disgrace to his kind. Picture an ordinary prairie wolf, with a last-stage-of-consumption ex- pression on his thievish countenance, his teeth habitually exposed to the yellowing influence of the arid region sun, and a spirit of gaunt hunger pervading his every look and action, and you have a good idea of Mr. Coyote of the plains. His cunning is Sllustrated by the follow- ing incident: A_ poultry farmer living in the Pinon timber, near Rio Piedre, a tributary of the Rio Grande, had constructed a large reser- voir fur the double purpose of affording water in time of drouth and furnishing a swimming place for a flne lot of Muscovy ducks. This brings us to the point. Those ducks were the pride of the coyote's heart, ard more especially the stay of his stom- ach. His visits to the duck pond had the merit of regularity and the charm of suc- cess. The farmer is a great sportsman, and has, among other field accessories, a case of wooden deccy ducks. With these and a little scheming he proposed to annihilate the coyote. Having placed the decoys in a sedgy place in the lake, and kept his ducks con- | fined all day, he lay in concealment, ready to shoot the coyote, but the rascal was too smart and never showed a hair. The farmer gave it up in disgust, but neglected to remove his decoys. The next night the wolf went his rounds, and, finding the painted decoys, carried them to the far- thest point on the lake, for what purpose I do not know; but when the ducks were released in the morning they immediately made for the decoys. The coyote was there, as if keeping an appointment, and— curtain. Fixing his heart on vengeance,and a per- | cussion cap on his muzzle loader,the farmer made a systematic hunt for the coyote,and found him asleep on a ledge of rocks. The thief got a half-ounce ball in his stomach, which, being unable to assimilate, he car- ried off a hundred yards, where it caused his death. Se It Wan a Relief. From London Tid-Bits. “Oh, doctor,” said the mother, “I'm glad you have come! We have just had such a scare! We thought at first that Tommy had swallowed a half sovereign.” “And you found out that he hadn't,” re- plied the doctor. “Yes; it was only a half-penn; THIS WEEK'S SALARIES They Will Largery e Expended for Ohristmas Things. Excellent Suggestions to Prospective Shoppers as to the Places to Make Their Purchases, Many thousand dollars will be paid out this afternoon and evening by employers to their faithful assistants, and the proba- bilities are that the greater portion of the money thus disbursed will be exchanged for holiday gifts before the joyous festival of Christmas arrives. Persons who have not yet made their Christmas purchases, and who are still undetermined what to se- lect and where to select it, are directed to the advertising columns of The Evening Star, with a firm conviction that they will meet an easy solution of the problems con- fronting them by perusing the announce- ments that will be found there. Some of the good places to visit, not only at Christ- mas times, but all the year around, are in- dicated below, and a patron of any one of the establishments mentioned may be com- fortably assured of getting his money's worth and being eminently well satisfied with the quality and character of the goods he purchases. There is nothing brighter or more cheer- ful than light, and there is no artificial light that approaches in general merit that supplied by the United States Electric Lighting Company. Among the advantages of electricity for light and power are that it is economical, perfectly safe, absolutely reliable and thoroughly clean. Tappan of 1013 Pennsylvania avenue has come forward with a variety of Christmas hints which are apt to become popular with the public. He has displayed at his store the finest line of holiday games exhibited In Washington. Then there are all kinds of athletic goods, Indian clubs, dumb beils, striking bags, American Club ice skates, children’s sleds, etc., all to provide health- giving recreation for young people. What is Christmas without a good supply of walnuts in the house? But one wants walnuts that have a large kernel perfectly preserved. Elphonzo Youngs Company, the wholesale and retail grocers of i128 Yih street northwest, are making a specialty of fine walnuts. They have just received a ton-- ten bales—of the pure Magette variety, gen- uinc Grenoble walnuts. ‘These nuts have been selected with a view to quality. Gentlemen doubly appreciate Christmas presents that combine usefulness with beauty. It is this class of goods that R. C. Lewis & Son of 1421 New York avenue have pientifully bought to supply the needs of the holiday season. There are hats, gloves, um- brefas, neckwear, dress shirts, hosiery, col- lars and cuffs, handkerchiefs, all articles that every gentleman's wardrobe needs, and which will always come in as a useful pres- ent. If you haven't cash to buy a piano, Hugo Worch, 924 7th street, will accommodate you by allowing easy payments—$l0 cash and $6 per month. This is very little more than you would pay to rent a piano, and after a short time the Instrument would be paid for. A handsome lamp in Dresden ware or brass would make an attractive gift, don’t you think? S. S. Shedd & Bro., 482 vth Street, have a fine stock of banquet and table lamps in porcelain, brass and onyx that would well repay inspection by any one in search of a present that is at once vseful and ornamental. Cc. W. Barker, 1210 F street, has-a very large stock of oil stoves, ranging in price from §5 cents to $15. Give one to your wife on Christmas, along with something orna- mental or personal, and you'll be surprised to find how she will appreciate it. The Florence oi! stove is unsurpassed for heat- ing qualities, freedom from odor or smoke and cleanliness. Have a glass of punch for your friends on Christmas if you have no moral scruples against it, and if you want it good get the ingredients of the To-Kalon Wine Co., 614 l4th street, or get it ready mixed, and you will have no occasion for unfavorable criti- cism. They also carry a splendid stock of demestic wines suitable for the Christmas dirner. The Christmas tree may be omitted, but the Christmas dinner never! To the good housekeeper, who is on the lookout for the best for her table, a stpre like that of George E. Kennedy & Sons, 1116 Connecti- cut avenue, is a friend in need. She knows of old that their supply of staple and fancy groceries is unsurpassed, and there can also be found a fine line of wines and liquors suitable for cooking and table use. For Christmast breakfast, when the head of the house does not have to hurry off to his place of business, nothing could be more dainty or palatable than a dish of Loeffler’s sausage, piping hot. Every one knows the stands at the different markets where this brand of sausage is on sale, and the people of this city know it and like it. Articles in silver were never cheaper than they are this winter, and nothing makes a more attractive holiday present. The stock at Moore & Leding’s, 1109 Penn- sylvania avenue, was never more varied or complete than now, and they make a specialty of taking old jewelry in ex- change for Christmas gifts in gold and sil- ver, allowing full value in payment for new and desirable goods. A comparatively recent bidder for the favor of the women ts the Langlois shoe store at the corner of 13th and F streets, but there is such a fine stock of foot wear displayed that it has not been slow in “catching on.” It is for the sale of wo- men’s shoes only, but all sizes and styles are on sale at prices ranging from $1.60 up. An almost unlimited variety of articles in silver and gold suitable for holiday pres- ents is displayed by M. Goldsmith & Son, 911 Pennsylvania avenue, and is attracting crowds of holiday shoppers. There are all sorts of novelties in the way of toilet art!- cles and trinkets that are both useful and ornamental. The prices are low, consider- ing the quality of the goods offered, and the store well repays a visit at this particular time. Many persozis, especially those of an eco- nomical turn, realize that a useful present is a pretty good sort of gift, and for such as these a suggestion in the clothing line is never out of place. Victor E. Adier, 927-9 7th street, is quoting a special line of prices for the holiday season on men’s and boys’ ciothing. With men’s suits from $3.50 up, and a good overcoat at $7.50, and boys’ and children’s suits in proportion, it would be rather curious if one could not find some- thing to his liking. It is a pretty good time to replenish your stock of footwear, and if you think so, drop in at Edmonston’s, 1334 F street. You will not regret it, that is, if you enjoy the com- fort and luxury of being well shod. Shoes are not as expensive as they used to be, and Edmonston ts not outdone by anyone in the matter of price any more than in the style of the stock he carries. W. D. Clark & Go., 811 Market space, ex- tend to all a cordial invitation to view their novelties and staple goods for the holidays. Cistmas ‘handkerchiefs and fine umbrel- las are there in a bewildering array, and make the most attractive and welcome gifts. The prices are not by any means in proportion to the quality of the goods. Don't know what to buy for a Christmas gift? The anxiety may be speedily dispelled by a visit to the store of the Voigt Manu- facturing Jewelry Company, 713 7th street northwest, where a myriad of beautiful ar- ticles at exceedingly low prices are spread out for inspection. There are butter dishes, cake baskets, shaving mugs, garters, cuff buttons, earrings and thousands of other conceptions, and, as a special inducement to purchasers, a beautiful line of souvenirs are being presented, for a short period only. Buy for a Christmas gift the new “John- son's” encyclopaedia if you want to provide wisely and well for the growing children, or to make a valuable addition to any library. This work is an honest book, with a wide- | Spread reputation, and is sold by D. Apple- ton & Co., 437 7th street northwest. A sapply of cake must be laid in for Christ- mas times, ard, of course, the home-mode variety is desirable. Those sold at Fussell s, 1427 New York avenue northwest, are de- liciously prepared and baked every day, and include chocolate, caramel, ice cream, co- ame vrange, lemon, sunshine, angel and ruit. Be warm and comfortable during the com- ing holidays and for all time thereafter. Felt weather strips will do the trick. Cold and snow cannot get in, and consequentiy the coal bill is reduced. The strips are for sale by Charles T. Carter & Co., 606 Penn- sylvenia avenue northwest. When visitors call during the holidays they surely expect fruit cake. It is a char- acteristic of the times, and a home-made variety, claimed to be the best and purest that can be made, 1s offered by J. H. Beatty & Co., 1989 14th street northwest, at an unusually low price. Make things look bright around the house for Christmas by having the carpets clean- ed, so that they will appear as fresh as though new. The Empire Carpet Cleaning Works, 631-5 Massachusetts avenue, ad- vertise to do this. No better place could be found to pur- chase Christmas wines and liquors than the gld-established store of Chr. Xander, 9098 7th street northwest. To avoid overcrowd- ing and secure prompt delivery orders should be given now. In getting ready for Christmas, wouldn't it be wise to cheer things up by having new paper on the walls of the parior or sitting room? Nolte, 810 9th street northwest, is prepared to do the work rapidly, cMtaply and well. Photographs continue to be a very popu- lar form of Christmas gift, and Clinedinst, the preprietor of the new electric studio, 007 Pennsylvania avenue northwest, prom- ises the completion for Christmas delivery of all orders received up to the 20th in- stant. Necessary Christmas goods, such as nuts, raisins, figs, currants, citron, dates, whisky, brandy, plum pudding, mincemeat and the like, may be secured in all quanti- ties and at reasonable prices from the M. Metzger Company, 417 7th street north- west. Sausage for Christmas breakfast, rich and delicious, too, is that manufactured by J. A. Augusterfer, 656 Center Market. it may be secured from the majority of deale er The gift, the giver, or the one to whom the gift is given—how much it means if the gift is a good book! Books form character and illustrate it; they sweeten life, are constant in counsel, abound In sympathy, they lead, cheer, encourage and make strong. With- out them the past would be a cloud, the fu- ture a mist; our present walled !n as a prison, Buy books! Buy good books! Give them to your friends, your loved ones, your boys and your girls! At Brentano’s there is a store full of books. To name titles would be in bad form. Anything aay one may want can be found. No book store is better equipped. The Standard Book Store, at 314 9th Street, is bright with new books in endless variety. There are the latest things in niece print and strong, serviceable bindings, and if you want sets in the whole range of Eng- lish literature, that’s the place to find them. Besides, there is a large and almost be- wildering variety of juvenile books offered at prices surprisingly below any we have hitherto known. A. F. Bornot, 1103 G street northwest, will clean your lace curtains and blankets for Christmas or any other time in a man- ner, it is said, that cannot be surpassed. Experienced buyers are supposed to know a thing or two about meats, and the best, of course, are desired for Christmas dinner. T. T. Keane, stalls 35-51 Center Market, is exhibiting a line of Southdown mutton and native beef said to be the finest dis- played in the Center Market for years. ca will play a large part in the compo- sition of cakes ang other good things for the holidays. -J. Thompson of 5ll 4% street southwest claims that there is no finer than his, none richer and very little So sweet and fresh. Candy and Christmas go hand in hand. J. F. Sheetz of 307 and 1022 7th street north- west offers a fine line of swe@tmeats at low prices, with a special reduction to Sun- day schools. The establishment of Johnsox, Garner & Co., 1930 Pennsylvania avenue northwest, is a desirable place to purchase Christmas gifts. Among the articles offered at spe- cially low prices are handkerchiefs, gloves, dolls, underwear, neckties, hosiery and fur- nishings generally. During the present week a grand Christ- mas opening is being held at the main stores of the Great Atlantic and Pacitie Tea Company, 501 and 503 7th street north- west. Visitors will see a special line of Christmas goods, and purchasers of one pound of Thea-Nectar tea are presented with a handsome new Christmas panel and a beautiful and useful present. The many stores of the company should not be over- looked by Christmas shoppers. How's this for Christmas time? Red, ripe | strawberries, as large and sweet as any you ever ate, and fresh, too. They may he procured from Cannon & Chandler,. stalls 76 to 81 Center Market, where fine fruits, vegetables, turkeys and all delicacies ane also on sale. — THEATER EGGS. A Variety That is Still in Dem: Some Sections. From the Chicago Evening Post. The man with the fur-lined coat stopped before the principal grocery in an interior town and casually inquired: “How are eggs today?” ~ “Well, they're a little hig! grocer. “Because of a big demand or a small supply?” asked the man with the fur-lined coat. = “Small supply,” answered the grocer. " replied the “The hens seem to be taking things easy in this vicinity just now.” ‘The man with the fur-lined coat nodded his head, as {f he approved of the action of the hens, and then asked: “Any bad ones?’ “Bad ones!” exclaimed the grocer. “Yes. Any of the anc:ent, odorous vark ety that we all know so well?” “No, sir, not in this sho grocer, emphatically. ‘Sure “Sure Of course I'm sure.” “Do yeu suppose there are any in town?” asked the man with the fur-lined coat, anx- fou: returned the sir. We pride ourselves on our fr eggs up in this neck of the woods, and it wouldn't be safe for any one to keep bad ones.” I'm glad to hear it,” said the man with the fur-lined coat, with evident relief, as he continued his stroll down the street. ‘The grocer looked after him for a minute, and then a great light svddenly came upon him. 0. * he yelled. Well?” came back the answer. “Did you mean eating eggs cr theater eges “Theater eggs?” exclaimed the man with the fur-lined coat, stopping short in his walk. “3 . The farmers never bring in their theater eggs until the afternoon before the show. I was thinking of eating eggs all che time, but if it’s theater eggs you want, nere'll be eight or ten crates of them on sale in about an hour.” Then le went back into his store and told his assistant that any jay actor who tried to pump }im was bound to get the worst of it every time. oo Baron Nils Posse, who introduced the Ling system of gymnastics into this coun- try some ten years ago, is dead. He was knighted by the King of Sweden for his educational work in that country. THE .DREAM, OF <THE -CAPTIVE LION.