Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-11-10


eral of our friends yesterday complained of
test Of their "risibles."
The City is, as usual al this season of the year
remarkably calm--there being no occurrences 10
intensely excite the inhabitants In the course oil
three or four weeks, however, the arrival OF
strangers of both sexes, who ever throng Wash
ington while Congress is in session, will impart
additional life and gayety 10 the metropolis and,
at the Same time, benefit, by their expenditures OF
cash, the business community.
Though the building season is nearly over, the
erection Of houses in all parts of the city has
recently been commenced while others are in the
process of finishing, TO accommodate those who,
for months, have been seeking for comfortable
tenements. Although the number of dwelling
houses erected this year is not ethan one-third
of that during the last, many Of them are Of the
larger class, with all the modern improvements,
both as TO outside appearance and the inner ar
rangements of beauty and Of convenience.
In addition to the erection of dwelling houses,
elegant and spacious stores have been con-
structed, especially on Seventh and Ninth streets,
and on Pennsylvania and louisiana avenues.
The foundations of these had scarcely been COM
menced, before there were applications to rent
them. In fact, our city increases in popula-
ton, the greater is the demand for store-rooms.
Capital thus is turned into a profitable channel
and in real estate finds good investment.
More than ever, we have, of late, noticed that
additional stories have been built to houses here
tofnra cons;darad of n Iaroo six hut IN saemR
that if one man has house five stories in height,
his next door neighbor will increase his to six,
such is the spirit not 10 be outdone in building en-
terprise. Where it is not practicable or desirable
to increase the dimensions, improvements are
made to the exterior; and, as to the these, many
are of the most expensive character, such as stone
fronts and marble appendages, with profusion OF
iron ratings
Fire.-Yesterday morning, at about one o'clock,
fire originated in the confectionery of Mr.. Kolb,
on Pennsylvania avenue, between Four-and-a-
half and Sixth streets. The flames rapidly ex-
tended to the adjoining brick tenements; one of
them occupied by Mr.. Barbour, and another by
Mr. jones' as stove and tin shops; the fourth by
Mrs. OLeary, as a fruit and liquor store. These
persons lost considerable portion of their stock
The houses were entirely destroyed; few bricks
only are now standing on the site. We learn that
there was an insurance on some Of the property
destroyed. But for the efforts of the fremen, Sc
veral houses near by would have been consumed.
The window frames and shutters Of them were at
one time in blaze, which timely application of
water suppressed.
A 4 IL L a. hoLo yod
only the night before, from Germany, and in the
confagration all their worldly effects were de-
stroyed. II is said that Mr.. KoIbs bed, in which
he lay. was on fire, at the time he was aroused TO
the danger by which he was surrounded. He
made good his escape las did the other inmates of
the tenements j and only saved cart load of con-
fectonery, which was about being taken 10 mar
ket.
Criminal Driving.-Yesterday morning, about
so'clock, yellow man named Edward Adams, reck-
lessly drove his horses, attached to hack, towards
a crowd of persons who were near the corner of
Pennsylvania avenue and First street, viewing the
transportation Of locomotive, on portable rail-
way, to the Washington station. A boy, aged
about eight years, named Lewis Harrod, was in
the street, but had not time 10 get out of the way
of danger. The spectators called to the hackman
to reign in his horses and pointed TO the lad, but
the yellow fellow needed not the earnest admoni-
ton on the contrary, ii is said, he pressed on at
a more rapid gait The tongue of the vehicle
struck the boy, knocking him down. He had, in
vain, stretched forth his hand to avert the occur
renee. He escaped the tread of the horses, but
one of the hind wheels passed over him, and
injured him so dreadfully that, yesterday after
noon il was feared he must die.
The father is in California. He was conveyed
TO his mothers residence, in the rear Of the old
railroad station, where every possible attention
which his critical condition required was be-
slowed.
1t was, indeed, heart.rending scene TO witness
the agony OF his parent as she bent over the form
of her tender loved one, unable to restore him to
his wonted strength and vivacity. Indignation
fills the breast Of every right feeling person against
the reckless cause of her excessive grief
The driver was arrested at the railroad station
and taken before Justice Beck, who committed
him 10 Jail.