The Daily Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Or.) 1876-1883, 1881-03-13
Editorial Correspondence .
Editor.

SnOdlAN 1uiNhig l'''7' ''
Pacific coast. To illustrate: Pass
ing up The Avenue PA this fore
noon AN Astorian was suddenly
left without his hat-a gust Of.
wind took it. As his weight might
be considerable of an obstacle TO
zspeed, and CHANGING TO spy
colored boy near whose mouth was
twatering for an opportunity to
earn a nickle five cents by giving
Pyeur boots a shine, he started
"John'' after the hat which was
speedily recovered, brushed, and
returned to the owner. Putting
his hand into his pocket he drew
forth a quarter, the smallest piece
Of coin he chanced TO possess, and
handed it to the boy, remarkiRg,
as he pursued his way, that he had
paid Just 400 per cent. more for
the service than 1t was worth,
simply because he had a habit OF
spending all his ''nickles" for street
fares and newspapers. Hereafter
he will not be caught without a
nickle in his pocket.
The weather to-day Is more
moderate, but still is too cold for
scomfort OH the shady sides OF
streets. Our morning hour was
spent at the market taking a note
of how the 100000 more or less
Washingtonians get their feed.
The picture is a novel one, but as
we described it last year pass on
to the museum building in course
of preparation for the inaugural
bail. then to Smithsonian institute
then by way of the Botanical
gardens back to the capitol. For
some reason we had quite forgot
ten that an old-time acquaintance
in Oregon, Mr.. Davenport, has
charge of the heating engines oi
the house IN the basement of the
south wing, but this morning we
Glanced to come in that way and
ran across our friend accidentally
the meeting was mutually agree
able, and we at once accepted the
invitation of Mr.. ID. to visit the
engines, the air ducts, ETC., etc.
which no person should ever think
of leaving Washington without
seeing. 1t weuld be impossible
for US 10 describe it, but 1t carries
onward the idea that the day i:
not far distant when premises O.
every kind in cities, from kitchen:
TO places of business, will be warm
ed and utilized by hot air anC
steam from grand central reser
voirs, like gas and water are nov
served. The day is not far distant
indeed it is now here in more thar
one instance as is shown by th'
works here, as well as thos'
of other parts of the country
Among the "curiosities" showr
by this visit Mr.. Davenpor
illustrated TO US how it is tina
the capitol can be lighted in
stantly, so to speak; by the elec
trio spark. Substituting or fragil'
form for the delicate platinum
wire which passes the slot in tn
million gas burners, bade us ste
upon a glass platform, taking i
one hand a small implement con
nected with a friction meter unde
the engine belts. He then turne
the gas on at a burner within cor
convenient reach, and pointing W
touched it with the fore fiRger {
our right hand when it was lighte
as if touched by a friction mattel
Verify the Golden Age had but Ii
tie to compare with the Age {
Gold in which we are living, ligh
ing gas with the tips of our finger
heating whole acres Of building
with artificial air heat; cooking f
thousands by steam, etc. d. C.
Tn q late number of "Old Iette