The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-03-02
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular Correspondence
WAsHLN0ToN, d. C., February "a, u

"AShkNoIoN, ~. u, TSoIuuty -, 1000.
Apart from the engrossing social gay
cites OF tho season, Washington has
never been more crowded with umuse.
ments oil other kinds, following in rapid
succession, interlspping ana offering
such attractiveness anu variety Us To rem
der choice often difficult. The rich and
the poor, the high and the low, cultured
aesthetics and commonplace people, can
be accommodated with entertainment
exactly adapted to their degree OF ap-
probation and 10 the caliDre Of their
purses, from the ten cent museum to
Italian opera for ten dollars seat. This
week, IvIuIC opera, classic opera, aud
the dog show are contesting for the pat
rouage vi the pubic, but there seem to
be people of sufficiently diversified taste
10 10 1ull justice to each. For, While
many affect II preference for PATHS or
ocaichls golden vocal chords, Others
al Il totally different musical school, pre-
Ter the canine chorus that may be heard
Tor fifty cents Ut the dog show, anu
which Is composed Of soprano OF
sharp yelping pugs and spaniels, u con-
Traffic Of baying hounds and DeagIes,
and basso OF hoarse voiced mastitfs ami
ST. Bernards. The International bench
show is beng held at the skating rink,
and is u novelty here, 50 that every body
asks every body else II he has been 10 the
dog show. There are 392 dogs entered,
many of them being the finest speci
mems OF their kind that can be found in
tins country. The kennels are arranged
in double rows, extending the entire
length of the rink, with aisIes between
that are SO narrow, visitors feel in great
danger, while trying TO keep at "a sale
distance from the bulldogs and blood
hounds OH one side, of being nabbed by
some other kind OF dog on the opposite
side. Every breed OF dogs is represent
ed, and they are we'll classified. Con.
sidcring their unnatural surroundings
they are pretty we'll behaved, for most
Of them are far from home and among
strangers. This feature seems cruel, and
many vi them send up indignant pro
tests against their enforced situation in
variety OF barks, howls, yelps, and
whines that are both distractIng and
deuiening. There are many famous dogs
here, ana large numscr are for sale
at prices ranging from thirty to fifteen
thousand dollars. This is absured to
the Gisinterested and unprotessional, but
good " dog men say these are not fancy
prices. The dog is judged by The
shape OF the body and legs, size and
shape OF his lead, drOop OF his tail, and
the texture of his coat, not at all by Ills
requirements as some have supposed.
Pu2s are most fashionable now, and la
dies are exhibiting their pets in cages
decorated in most artistic styles. Some
are satin lined, with lace trimmed drap-
cries festooned and looped with rosettes
and ribbons. Others are furnished with
pictures, mirrors, and velvet cushions
tor the dariings to repose upon, and
trties such as India rubber dolls and
balls for them 10 play with. Inc poor
things do look unhappy, but loving
hearts have tried hard to surround them
with home comforts and luxuries during
this trying ordeal. One tiny exquisite
Wore blue embroidered mantle, sill.
yer necklace made of half dime pieces,
inscribed with the name of each donor
(Col. Ingersoll's being conspicuous
among them), and to this necklace was
attached diamond cross. This wee
dog received diploma for being the
smallest and most thoroughbred black
and tan known. She has travelled OK
tensively, is seven years old, her name
is Fannie Cabell She is owned by a
lady OF this city who told me a fortune
would not buy her. The dogs receive
many attentions from visitors, but the
latter are little wary as to where they
bestow their caresses. A pretty girl was
petting repulsive looking
dog and calling HIM by endearing
names, while a society beau looked on
wistfully and murmured he would
give five hundred to be the bull purp
for just five minutes"
Washington dogs have been very sue.
cessful in winning prizes ut this show,
and doubtless this will cause dog
fever to spring up here among all classes.
Yesterday was given almost entirely
to the celebration of the natal anniver-
sary of the first President. All Gov.
eminent departments were closed, aud
tie stars and stripes were unfurled over
all public buildings and over many pri-
vatc houses. At the Caplto! alone no
rest was taken. Congress labored
the day. The Senate tariff
bill has been passed, and the question
is: Z" What will the House do with it,
The Republican caucus Yesterday fur
nlshed no answer to the question. On
one point there was agreement-that the
majority ought to revise the tariff if 1t is
revised at all. Republicans of all classes
are for Republican rather than Demo-
cratic revision.