The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1879-01-16
Washington Letter.


them. The men and women whose
days are spent in seeking their own
amusement and in the contemplation
OF peace and plenty, know little of the
shifts and straits of those who barely
exist by their wits. And when
cold snap comes on, like that through
which we have just passed, there are
many strange distressing sights to be
witnessed by these who look about
them-and some very funny things
to be observed as well. Warm cloth
ing is in demand at such time,
though there are plenty in every city
who havn't got it. And then when
old boreas whistles around the corner
at such terrific rate it is suggestive of
something to keep the inner man
warm, and then comes an increased
desire for hot scotch and tom and Jerry,
the aroma of which floats in most
tantalizing way from the half open
doors of sample-rooms on every corner.
The man who draws his decanter of
French brandy, and his fine old wines
froma well filled cellar knows nothing
about the lodges of the "old buns"
around town, who must beat a bar
keeper to get even an "eye-opener."
A good natured manipulation of the
| vinous fluids who prides himself on
ming fraternity was "done" by one of
them the other morning, in a way that
makes him hang his head in grief.
While arranging the paraphernalia
of the bar preparatory to the days
business, moderately seedy bum ap-
peared at the counter, and in a busi-
ness-like manner slapped his hand on
the bar, wherein was heard the jingle
of coin, and asked for q 'leettle old
rye.n taking drink which, in the
| parlance of the knights of the roads,
would be denominated "snorter,n he
raised his hand from the counter and
disclosed a two-cent piece. "By iingo!"
exclaimed the bum, 81 thoughtit was
quarter;"at the same time fumbling
in his pocket for "change" that wasn't
there. One look at the quiet smile
|
mouth, and the sling maker realized
that he was sold, and as the hummer
slowly wended his way out put the
new trick away in the cavities of his
memory. The other morning rather
genteely dressed individual stepped up
| to the bar of one of our hotels, and
after a slight remark about the incon-
venience of night travel in cold
weather, borrowed quarter to get
| shaved, which he would return as soon
as the landlord opened the safe, where
his valuables We're locked up. The
safe has not been opened yet. The art
of getting three beers and enough
crackers and cheese for a square meal
for fifteen cents, has been reduced to an
exact science by these chaps, and they
all have regular route. But recently
an improvement has been made on
this system by tall cadaverous-look-
ing individual habilitated something
like Mr., Brocklehurst in the play of
"Jane Eyre,n q badge of mourning on
his plug hat, and an old umbrella
under his arm, When the barkeeper
is busy he glides gently up to the
counter, hangs his umbrella near the
cracker and cheese bowl, and when his
eyes are turned drops several fistsfull
the same quiet and subdued manner
he lays down his nickle for glass OF
beer and stalks out. The thing is
done-the umbrella contains crackers
and cheese enough to lunch on the re
mainder of the day. The extent OF
the tricks played in this line may be
partly realized when it is known that
every morning there awakens at least
five hundred dry, impecunious chaps
thirsty for a dram, and who manage
before the sun goes down to get one
There is no use in getting mad and
kicking them out, for they are moi
only used to that, but after thei
drinks would as soon be kicked out a.
not some of them rather as it make,
the feeling of warmth given by the
dram extend further down theil
systems. l am not writing Il temper
ance lecture, though every story has it
moral. The most practicable sugges
ton / have seen in the direction o
temperance reform is that of G. T
Campbell, who recomends the mal
who must drink to make his wife thu
barkeeper. Every time you want ;
drink pay her the regular price for it
and she will make enough off of every
gallon you consume to buy dress
"When you have become an inebriate
unable to support yourself, shunne(
and despised by respectable people, sh
will have money enough to keep yol
until you get ready to fill drunkard'
grave"
, Congress is at 1t again. The wei
, informed politicians who are alway
standing about the halls in great mum
bers, have settled the question of al
extra session, which they now say is t
be held, That is, they think there
going to be so much differance betweel
the House and Senate, on the impol
tant appropriation bills, that an extr
session will be necessary. The theor
is that the Democrats want it in Orde
to get possession of the Senate offices
{ but that they will so manage matter
| as to throw the responsibility upo
, the Republicans. One object is t
: avert a great danger. If both Haye
and Wheeler should die, the Whit
House would be occupied by the Pres
3 dent of the Senate and it is, therefore
! important that a Democrat successo
to Ferry should be elected as soon 6
possible. These posted politicians VIII
f are always ready to dispose of gray
= questions for either party on very shol
! notice, say further that the first thin
the Senate will do after it becom;
u Democratic, will be to retire VIM. Pi
Il Kellogg to private life, on the groun
y that he was admitted on the certificat
9 of Packard who never was Governt
of Louisiana.
Y Another band of Indian chiefs al
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