National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-01-01
THE MAN ON THE AVENUE.
smn,l rnlk Anon. nlen and measure.

Small talk About Men ana pleasures.
wheezy little man. carrying square
box, boarded an avenue car yoster.
day afternoon and took seat in
the corner. He was in communicative
mood and informed his fellow passenger
that he had white mice in that ere box"
He said he had bought them for his wife who
was quite fond of flowers. When the car
reached Twelfth street tho Avenue Man ex.
perfehcod peculiar sensation, and shortly
he discovered that ono of tho little white
mice had crawled up his leg, but soon the
pretty creature dropped into the straw on tho
floor. The car was crowded with ladies' and
one of them, attired in sealskin sacque with
diamonds in her ears, saw tho mouse. An ex-
preston OF horror possessed her countcnance,
and moment later she was standing on tho
scat with her skirts drawn around her. After
arranging the latter to her satisfaction, she
screamed.
whats the matter, num-" asked the con-
ductor.
"a mouse" said the lady.
"A what2' Oh, my !" "the nasty thing"
chow horrible" and similar other ejccula-
tons were uttered by the other ladies in the
car. Then in unison all the ladies climbed
on the seats, screaming in frightful chorus,
and before the car reached Fifteenth street,
that one little mouse had created more ex-
element than n band of music could have
done. Tho little mouse meanwhile was
quietly nesting in the straw and made no at
tempt to move when the wheezy little man
picked it up and said: "An' 1 soils 'em like
that ladies and gentlemen fur Is cents
piece or two fur quarter" stop this car"
said she of the sealsl1in sacquo to the con
ductor, and as she left the word brute" was
waited back. At the transfer station all the
women in tho car got out
That's the way l advertise them," said the
little man as he sold one of the patent mice
to newsboy. "S'long"
Sc
"The young man who is not thoroughly
assured of his exact position in society is just
about this time very much torn up in his
mind about what he shall wear in making
his calls on New Years day." said an ox-navy
officer and good deal Of swell, to the Ave-
nue. Man yesterday. HE is undecided
whether to wear q dress coat or q Prince Al
bert frock. If he would only think minute
he would see that if he decided on Prince
Albert he might as we'll wear cutaway or a
sack as the Prince Albert is as much walk
ing as an evening coat.
1.-THE secretaries of war and navy always di-
rect the full regulation or swallow tail to be
worn on New Years day, and it is always
worn. Now, if this is an extraordinary &C.
casion In military and naval, why not in
civilian circles? Again, the reception is to
all intents and purposes moro evening by
the ladies themselves, tho light
of day being dispensed with
and gas and candles employed.
Once more, 1t is an extraordinary and equiv
alent to an evening occasion because the la
dies receiving arc at their best in evening
dress. As to the receiver lin case of the
President or one of the seoretaries) being in
full dress because inside the house, and his
caller in other dress because outside, that is
no argument. Indeed, for the host to be in
full dress and his guest otherwise is for tho
host to outdress his guest--the reverse. en-
tirely. II the time honored maxim among in
telligent people, who, when in doubt as to
whether majority of those they may invite
will appear in full dress, don the old fash.
Toned frock coat in order to make the palmer
folk at ease. 1 was witness tc
o thing of this kind few
months ago. The host whispered to his
servant, John, 1 must excuse myself O
moment Have my frock coat laid out on the
bed. will slip it on at once. see many Of
those already come are in other than full
dress, and the host must not outdress hiE
guests, you know
80, l say to the young man with the dres
suit, it is all right to wear 1t; not only will
you appear to better advantage in it, but yot
will impress those upon whom you call tina
you think them worthy of your appearing a
your best. Let those who think you ar,
putting on airs have their laugh. twill no
be to your modification, but their own, for
dress suit with light gloves and black tie, i
the thing in which to appear before ladie
who are in full dress, whether by day o
by night"
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