Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1876-12-22

Assembly, in such a position of honor

Assembly, in such position of honor.
MORE OF SHADOW THAN SUBSTANCE.
Not far from Mr.. Williams desk sits all
that remains OF poor, attenuated, half
dead Alexander II. Stephens. He WAS
borne in by his faithful attendant. and
held in his arms, while a blue cushion.
his masters chair. When placed in his
seat, Mr.. Stephens almost sunk out of sight,
like Mr.. Smallweed, after he had thrown
the pillow at his well-beloved, but too talka-
tive spouse. Mr.. Stephens face has grown
smaller, and winter, and more suggestive
of deaths head, than ever before. Last
year, he wore a skull cap, but this session,
he keeps on his beaver, which seems almost
like an extinguisher, ready to put out the
little light of life left fiickering in his near
ly burned out mortality. In private life
Mr.. Stephens is much beloved, and the
calls made upon his leisure are something
fearful to contemplate, in the existing
weak state OF his health. Last year, so
saw it recorded, some four hundred pounds
of visiting cards were sold for old paper
by the bell-boy of the National Hotel, where
Mr.. S. always stops.
WHO Is SHE?
Running round upon the floor, like a
priviledged member, was an old woman,
with gray hair and black bonnet loaded
with faded-looking flowers. and striped
shawl, like Joseph's coat, ''of many colOrs, 3"
wrapped tightly about her. She shook
hands with this NJ. c., whispered cOnfden-
TALLY in the ear of that one, vigorously
held another by the coat lapel, while she
recounted in an animated manner her tale
OF veal or woe. To young man, who was
either inattentive or perhaps slightly i'm
pertinent, she shook her fist in his face.
She took chair alongside of ''Blue Jeans, "
and they had quite friendly little chat
together. | inquired who this strange
looking and acting woman might be, but
could elicit no information beyond the fact
that she has come to Washington every ses-
sion for the last six years, with some prob
able claim, over which, in waiting and
watching, she has, like poor little Miss
Flight and her chancery suit, lost her mind.
The hOrce-car drivers seem to know her
so said my intormant-and let her ride free.
smiling kindly at the poor wOman's always
reiterated excuse of having eft her purse
at home!
WILL HISTORY SPEAK WELL OF HIN?
When Mr.. Randall, as newly-elected
Speaker, read his opening address to the
House, his hand shook violently. and he
appeared very much excited. Not that he
was much surprised at his election, for that
fact was foregone conclusion, and his ad-
dress was written and ready hours before
the result was accurately known, but per
haps because he felt the immensity of the
responsibility resting on his shoulders, and
his inability to discharge his duties with
the fairness and lmpartiality required of a
Speaker at this important juncture. His
speech was strongly colored with partisan
ship, and his rulings have so far received
only the applause Of the Democratic side of
the House. l hardly think we can expect
liberality or great craftsmanship at Mr..
Randall's hands. He is partisan by ma
ture, and his white face, with its lack of
beard, and iron lines, and cold, unimpas-
stoned eyes, suggest bulldog tenacity, ana
no giving in if Kingdoms fall.
A sPURT OF eAIETY.
Politics are not so absorbing but that
social life goes on in the even tenor of its
ways, unchecked by wars or rumors of
wars. Mrs. Fish may be said to have in
augurated the gay season, by giving the
first party last week. Mrs. Fish has been
here so many years that her circle of friends
is large, outside the acquaintance which
flock around people of position in Wash
ington. She ordinarily gives party, early
in the season, to those individuals with
whom she has become intimate through
these many years. These gatherings are
especially agreeable, as they are uncrOwded,
and the guests enjoy with keen appetite
the first gayeties, while they become sur
feited later in the season.
General and Mrs. Barnes gave party to
Mr.. and Mrs. Sartoris, last week. at which
the President and Mrs. Grant were present.
Mr.. and Mrs. Sartoris enjoyed dinner at
the White House, given in their honor,
few days ago.
The Bachelors give their first German on
the Goth instant, and great is the prepara-
ton of toilets for this first German.
BEARING THEIR sHEAvEs WITH THEM.
Some of the young ladies aspiring to
something sensible as well as fashionable,
have organized themselves into club, call
ed the 'sBelles of the Kitchen" Its design
is to perfect the culinary education of its
members. Each Saturday the members
meet at designated houses, each bearing
some product of her skill in the gustatOry
line. The bylaws enact that whatever ar
ticle of diet attempted must be brought
forinspection and criticism, whether heavy
or light, underdOne or overdone, a success
or 4 failure, and in this way the progress
Of each vo4ng lady can be watched. l fear
the failures wiffnot all be brought to light.
l fancy there will be>ssaaEEl Y risings on ''the
portentious morn, ard much wasting OF
flour and eggs in trials for success. am
willing to wager, very little heavy cake or
burnt pies and puddings, or unseasoned
entrees, will lie open to criticism. Once a
month gentlemen are invited to attend
would suggest that each article should be
labeled with the makers name, thus dem
onstrating to the masculines who would be
the best matrimonial prize, for ''by their
works shall We know them" CLEANER.
Washington, Dec 10th, 1876.