The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1885-05-10
RANDOM WRITINGS.

correspondent OF the New York Telegram has
taken up the subject OF the charges levied upon
tourists ana visitors who go to Mount Vernon. lie
calls the Mount vernon Association some names, OF
which monopoly" and "extortionn are perhaps
the most tender. II the investigating spirit Of the
Te'egrd had tasted the horrors OF the twenty-nse-
cent excursion he would not be so anxious to have
the only resort about Washington which Ia free
from crowd laid open TO the rayages Of a Depart
ment holiday. The dollar which is necessary to en-
Joy this agreeable immunity from "the rush Of the
throng may be as unatsnable TO me as II Ia to the
Telegram man, but have suIlclent philosophy 10
see that II had the dollar all the privileges Of OK
clusveness would be open to me.
The pounl.master says that dogs are NOT as thick
In washington now as they were few years ago;
that, whereas in years gone by twas not uncommon
Tor the pouAd wagon 10 capture thirty dogs in few
hours 1ourneyng through the city, II now requires
much going back and forth to pick up as many As
ten. The Inhabitants OF some sections of the city
are slow to believe that the canine population has
decreased in number but, as we have such a high
authority for the statement that dogs are thinner
than they used TO be, we may readily believe that
they are also more nimble and wary, ana that the
capture of any considerable number requires more
time, agility and knowledge OF the chase than IL did
some time ago.
The New York Tribune of last Sunday has an
article from Its regular correspondent here, headed
Beautiful washington" The Tribune cprre-
spondent may have n hard time to pick up news here
Just now, but he has fruitful subject to fail back
upon In the beauties OF the city In May. Much
might be said about 1t without exhausting 1t.
One OF our tea and coffee merchants has started
delightful innovation upon the time.honored
chrome, the gigantic pasteboard souvenir or the
mt ,,.vfx ..lA,
some way become the custom to give 10 purchasers
OF such goods. Instead Of these worse than useless
membranes this enterprising dealer keeps deli
cious coffee brewed, and has an obging young lady
ready to dispense 1t in graceful little cups to his
customers. Any one who has felt the reviving
effects OF cup OF really good coffee when one is
tired would find 1t advantageous to put of the pur-
chase OF the tea, Coffee or sugar until the rest Of
the days marketing or shopping Is done, and then
try the restful effects OF this aromatic mixture
This Is the time Of year when one appreciates the
delightful environs of Washington, 1t seems az n
no city could be more "egbly located as they say
OF oflodginghouses. There Ia such variety of pretty
places accessible by land and water, such quantity
OF charming spots for picnics, such a choice of
wood and river resorts that the greatest diversity Of
outdoor tastes can be accommodated within a few
miles OF our city. There is space and opportunity
for rowing, sailing, fishing, bicycling, Driving, and
walking amid most agreeable and picturesque sur.
roundings, and within the city limits room can be
found for archery, tennis, croquet and such open.
air amusements as lend themselves kindly to city
lfe
The annals OF train robblng would make interest
ing reading II one could keep record OF these ad.
venturous burglars as they appear from time to time
In the papers volume might be collected which
would have more absorbing interest than any dime