Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1877-07-14
COnch-shell Buttons.

1t was possibly during his stay in
New York in 1889 that Washington be-
gan to wearson his coat the conch.shell
buttons, now in possession of Captain
Lewis's daughter. A new fashion in
dress, introduced by a president, is
worthy of record, especially when there
is an interesting story connected with it.
This story, related by Robert Lewis, H.
illustrates two strikingly characteristic
traits of Washington-generosity and
economy.
A needy sailor with a wheelbarrow Of
shells accosted the General on the street,
and, holding up number of conch.
shells, implored him to buy them.
Washington listened with sympathy to
the story of his .sufferings and want,
and kindly replied that he would buy
them if he could in any way make use
of them. Necessity perhaps sharpened
the sailors wits, and he promptly sug-
gested that they would make lovely but
tons for his velvet coat. The General
doubtless smiled at the ingenious pro-
posal, but agreed to try them. Carrying
home his ocean treasure of pink shells,
he sent for button maker to know if he
could manufacture useful article out
of the pretty playthings with which he
found himself encountered. The work.
man replied he could make the buttons
| if he could find an instrument sharp
enough to pierce them. Washington
would have nothing useless about him,
and so the shells were delivered to the
manufacturer, who in due time returned
them to him in the shape of concave but
tons, little larger than quarter of a
dollar, with a silver drop in the centre
hiding the spot where the eye is fastened
beneath. The President then astonishsd
the republican court by appearing in
coat with pink conch- shell buttons spark.
ling on its dark velvet surface. Eighty
years ago, it seems, fashion ruled in the
hearts, or over the costumes, of men and
women, just as it does nOw-for Captain
Lewis bears testimony that conch- shell
buttons Immediately became the rage.
The shell vendors and button makers
fortunes we're made by the Generals
passion for utilizing everything that came
into his possession.-Seribner's Xoathly.
EsoP.-Hazlit says: "-Esop was the
greatest Wit and morslist that ever lived.
Ape and slave, he looked askanee at hu-
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