The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-15
CITY INTELLIGENCE.
fFor Additional Loool Items see 7ntrd Pagc. J
THE METEOR HOAX.

Star-Gszing EXtraOrdinsry-A "Gay and
Happy" Party at the FRirmOuDt Park
The Stars WOuldn't Come Down.
The announcement by the learned prophets of
great meteofic shower to take place on the
night OF the 18th or l4th of this month, caused a
little stir all through the country. There are so
many who can remember the great shower OF
1888, that their descriptions OF the wonders of
that time gave keen edge to the anticipated
pleasure OF the recently expected display. 1t is
probable that no people were ever so thoroughly
Interested and SO on the qut UtUe to see any
spectacle, as our citizens were to see this one.
But alas all their pleasant anticipations have
been banked, and everybody is settling down
to keen disgust. The question has, over and
over again. been asked:-"Have you seen any
meteors iallngW A dumb but expressive
motion of the head would be the only answer
But to the subject of our story Young
America always goes into enthusiasm upon
every new attraction that strikes upon his vision,
or upon every project that has for its chief
merit novelty. The approaching fiery rain from
heaven was too good an opportunity for having
a trolic to be lost. Accordingly, a party of some
twenty-five young people, ladies and gentlemen,
arranged sort of picnic or gypsy party to pro-
ceed to Paramount Park and wait for the stars
to come down. Shortly alter dark they started
on their excursion, and a merry party they
were. There were blankets and shawls and all
manner of appliances that could conduce to the
comfort of the fair enthusiasts aud their cava-
liers. Edibles we're in abundance, and, we may
as we'll say it, drlnkabies were also; and there
was much among the latter that was stronger
than water.
The party went to the Park, and sat down to
await in patience the eventiul hour when the
portentous shower should make its appearance.
In gay chat, and in laughing good humOT, they
sat through the first hours of the night. Many
strange and ghostlY story was told under the
influence of the weird shadows of the trees, and
the ghostly whisperings and the wailing OF the
wind through the branches. With sort of half
shuddering, halt-pleased look, the fair faces
h. dc hat fIn
stars would soon come down. But, as hour
after hour passed. and the story lost its interest,
and even the brilliant strokes of wit could not
raise laugh from the tired and wearied mind,
when the sharp raillery of the more waketul
and mschievous could hardly provoke a re-
partee, there were many halt-discouraged ones
who wished heartily that a less gorgeous roof
was over their heads than the star spangled
canopy of heaven.
AS midnieht came and passed-as the "wee
sma' hoursn of morning began slowly to appear,
there was many a nid-nodding, and some mali
cious persons of the party have distinctly said
that most musical sounds were heard in the
direction of some of the far ladies. But as
such an imputation is a reflection upon the sex
generally, no reasonable man held such an idea
for moment. One oClock-twO o'Cloek-three
o'cock-and still the tired watchers of the night
at their posts saw the 'twinklng stars" laugh
ing at them. Another hour drags its slow
length along, and four o'clock is tolled. The
bells are now ringing, and the sleepers are
reused. The jaded heads are raised All
jump upon their feet and gaze around
at the expected signal. DO you see them?r 'Do
you? do your" is asked eagerly, each one think
ing his or her eyesIght is not to be relied on.
But all have to come down to the sad reality
that the meteors were non est. And oh, the
looks of disgust and disappointment that were
exchanged between the star-gazers We pity
the man who prophesied the expected wonder.
We question whether he would have spare
lock of hair left in his devoted head, or bone
that would remain whole, after ,they had done
with him. The crest-tallen and disheartenei 1
seekers after aerial wonders kept up their
vgls until the grey shades of morning began
to brighten up the eastern horizon and then
departed to their homes, mentally resolving
never to believe in modern prophets or pro-
nh