The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-03-02
WASHINGTON LETTER.
tfrom our regular Correspondent

AshlNGToS, IL. u, February -, 1851
Apart from the en.rosslng social gay
cites ot the season, Washington has
never been more crowded with amusc.
lnenis oi other kinds, toilowins III rapid
in,criapplng anu Offering
such attractivencss ana variety Us 10 rem
der CHOICE often difficult. The rIcn ana
the poor, tie high aud the low, cultured
aesthetics and commonplace people, can
be accommodated with entertainment
exactly adapted 10 their degree OF ap-
purses, from the ten cent Museum 10
Italian opera for ten dollars u seat. Tins
Week, comic opera, classic opera, and
the dog show are contcsting for the pat
ronagc OF the public, but there seem 10
be people oi sufficiently diversified taste
10 10 iull justice To each. For, while
many affect Il preference Tor PATHS or
Scalchls golden vocal chords, others
ni Il totally different musical school pre-
ter the canine chorus that may bc heard
Tor fifty cents Ut the dog show, ana
which Is composed of Il soprano OF
sharp yelping pugs and spanicis, con-
tral,o OF baying hounds and beagles,
and basso Of hoarsc voiced mastiils anu
81. Bcrnards. The International bench
show is BEN. held ut the skating rink,
and is Il novelty here, 50 that erybody
asks everybody else if 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
this country. The kennels are arranged
in double rows, extending the entire
length OF the rink, with aisies between
that ale 50 narrow, visitors feel i'll great
danger, while trying TO keep at ii sale
distance from the bulldogs and blood
hounds OIL one side, OF being nabbcd by
some other kind vi dog on the opposite
side. Every breed OF dogs is represent
ed, and they are well 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, anu
many OF them send up indignant pro
tests against their enforced situation in
variety OF Darks, howis, yelps, and
whincs that are both distractlug and
deaicniug. There are many famous dogs
here, and a large numscr are Tor sale
at prices ranging from thirty to fifteen
thousand dollars. THIS is absured To
the DISTINGUISHED and unprotessionai, but
good duS men say these are not fancy
prices. The dog is judged by the
shape oi the body and legs, size and
shape Of his head, droop OF his tail, and
the texture of his coat, not at all by Ills
requirements as some have supposed.
Pu.s arc 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 leslooucd and Topped with roscttcs
and ribbons. Others arc furnished with
pictures, mirrors, and velvet cushions
10: the darliugs To- repose upon, and
trities such as India rubber dolls and
balls for them 10 play with. Tine 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 u blue embroidered mantle, Il 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 IA diamond cross. This wee
dog received diploma for being the
smallest and most thoroughbred black
und tan khown. She has travelled ex-
tensively, is seven years old, her name
is Fannie Cabell. She is owned by a
lady OF this city who told me fortune
would not buy her. The dogs receive
many attentions from visitors, but the
latter are II little wary as to where they
bestow their caresses. A pretty girl was
observed petting Il repulsive looking
log and calling HIM by endearing
names, while society beau looked on
and murmured he would
give five hundred to he the bull purp
Tor just five minutes"
Washington dogs have been very sue.
,esstul in winning prizes at this show,
md doubtless this will cause dog
fever to spring up here among all classes.
Yesterday was given almost entirely |
10 the celebration of the natal anniver- |
,ary of the first President. All Gov.
,rnment departments were closed, and
the stars and stripes were unfurled over
al public buildings and over many pri-
vate houses. At the Capito! alone no
rest was taken. Congress labored
throughout the day. The Senate tariff
bill has been passed, and the question
IS: " What will the House do with it,
The Republican caucus Yesterday fur
nished no answer TO the question. On
one point there was agreement-that the
ought to revise the tariff if 1t is
revised at all. Republicans of all classes
are for Republican rather than Demo-
cratic revision.