National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-10-15

herself vonquished. One Of this class Is familiar
to the Washington people rs the celebrated Miss
p She dresses generally IN the style of demi-
monde; her couture Is respiendent with pumes, /
and her wardrobe airy and volupluous. Her APP |
pearanue on the Avenue is somewhat pronounced |
and EFFORTS wink or sly joke from an ocoa- |
sional passer.by. Miss ?. Is lobbyist gifed with
an unlimited stock OF that necessary commodity |
known as cheek, and Is never at loss for the last
word
NOT LEAST OF ALL THE NOTABLE CHARACTERS
that abound In our City Of tonce) Magnificent
Distances" is Henry Diggs who, like Beau HEX
man Of yore, has lived more than half a century
here without any certain or actual means OF sup
port. Forty'hve years ago Digs was known ns
one OF the fast men Of the metropolis handsome
In person, graceful In his manners, fine scholar,
| aud possessing Accomplishments OF no ordinary
KIND, his prospects In life seemed far brighter
than many others less favored By nature with su-
petlstive gins; but unfortunately for his own
good Digs was proud-too proud TO follow a
professionalism proud 10 accept an othee-too
proud, In short, 10 do work OF any kind. He lived
| on the wordyand singulary enough for many
years was enabled to pull along his canoe easily,
\ and while his youth and good looks lasted he
managed 10 impose on the easy minded and gen.
erous. Heny's method ofgettlng aiiving was not
a novel one to the present generation. He gener-
| ally succeeded In obtaining IN Introduction TO
| the highest members OF Congress, and amused
them with
GLOWING ACCOUNTS OF his BEAUTIFUL SUMNER
residence on the banks OF the Potomac. He had
| even the audacily to invite his distinguished
| friend TO his model country seat which, rs
tradition AYERS, was composed OF q little wooden
cabin and one. half acre Of very muddy land lie
| was constant borrower OF large sums OF money
| for the purpose of investing in snndry ephemeral
business schemes which he invariably forgot TO
pay. Ho seldom made tho acquaintance Of any
one without having specific object In view or n
social AK to grind Among the ladies he was re-
puted gallant, and many anecdotes nrc related OF
him illustrative of his remarkable destinations
over tho gentler sex; but years went on
and Henry Digs power he had so sue
ccssfully welded over mems minds began TO wanc
Ono by one his old acquaintance dropped away
aud he gradually found himself neglected. Be-
sides, Digs was getting old and new race of
men were springing up who knew nothing about
him and cared less. He became Strengthened in
his means, and was, like Beau Hickman, put to
many desperate shifts TO obtain his daily subslst-
ence. Digs Is now over eighty years old and his
black. curly locks are supp''nted by an old fash
loned wig; but, though years have crcpt upon
him, his eye Is rs bright and his step sprngy
when In PALMER days he danced the polka with
=, the bellies Of Washington and charmed the con-
grcssonal ee with his brilliant flashes OF wit and
elegant citations.
nE HAS LIVED TO SEE ADMINISTRATIONS
como in and go ont aud old landmarks disappear
until even their memory have ndcd from public
view he has lived to witness some ofthe most nota-
bic events recorded IN Our countrys history he has
seen, too, cosmopolitan village of deserted ave-
nues and tumble down tcncmcnts changed as
though by magic into city Of oriental mag
niRccnce and architectural splcndor. But Digs
still survives as one OF the peculiar people OF
Washington; though his clothes are scedy
he affects the gentleman still, ond with
his dandy cane, jauntily twirled in his
| left hand, may be seen any pleasant
afternoon promenadins Pennsylvania avenue
Few who gase at the shriveed image Of his former
self would believe that this neglected and despsed
: individual was once admired and coured by
society MS the Beau Brummcl Of his age. Among
-. | the peculiar people Of Washington may be reck-
oned the ofiice-seeker, who lives on hopes, feeds
on promises, and goes to bed supperlcss Wash
ngton abounds in these pcculiarities. but none 81
: familiar as Jonathan Tubbs.
THIS SINGULAR CHARACTER
came here in lSj6-twcnty five years ago-ant
= during all this WHILE strange rs 1t may seem, In.
. been vainly seeking q governmental Office. HI
. arrived in Washington during the administration
; of James Buchanan, being then nineteen year
" old and after presenting his credentials and wait
= ing for favorable answer for nearly year, wa:
compelled to accept the position of a stage driver
The writer OF this article though boy at the time
well remembers the gentccl, prepossesssing exte
rior of Jonathan Tubbs he was nearly six feet hg
A and not i'll looking, yet though his persona
- appearance was greatly in his favor he could no
!. obtain the longed for prize. Throughout the wa
# he remained inactive in Washington, CONSTANT
a endeayoring to procure the coveted appointment
Q He once presented himself before Abraham Lin
q coin, who, admiring his tall figure and MARTA
a bearing. offered him commission heutenal
al in the army. This fine opportunity Jonathan re
n, jectcd saying that he had come to Washington fv
"a years before TO obtain an office In of the DE
- partments and was determined to get 1t. Pres
IN dent Lincoln, amazed ut the fellows impudenc,
% Is credited for once
Al oMIrrTSG "HB LITTLE STORY"
1. Tubbs was shown the door, aud during the re
a. naming years of the administration spent most
10 his time roaming around the various public ofic,
n. soliciting position. The fellows pertinacty
70 last became intolerable, and he was finally DIT
nd barred from entering any OF the Department
ire During Johnsons administration he again pr
he ferred his claims, and came very near proeurir
he an appointment as copyist in the General Lar
O1lce, but the Secretary having been advised tn
he was low aud worthless felo,
lo and moreover addicted TO liquor, to
,or credit be II said refused TO ratify the Con
no missioners choice and Tubbs was again adrin
ne late years he has been little seen around tow
to except In the lowest restaurants drinking 81
I'D. looms. lie has become poor. half deinente
~ miserable drunkard. aud one 20 look ut him Won
IN suppose he was borne down by the weight of six
nd years. Ills history affords rare but not unnte
nd cstng illustration OF the folly Of chasing alter I'll
| nnnulnr iJUis fIftiis n nmenlnl OIioa