Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-07-18
Elk inS In Ascension Robes.

frOni the New York IlIneS.
Civilization has its drawbacks; spring locks
are snare. This is the testimony OF Mr.
Stephen b. Eikins, statesman and fnancier. 1t
came about in this way. MIR. Ekins came over
to New York one day while star route briers
were bristling in the path Of his good friend
Dorsey down at Washington. He was bent on
missionary work, and, mindful OF the GOSPEL
injunction not to let one hand know what The
other hand did, he avoided the publicity of
hotel lie by dropping into the uptown house of
faithful friend. He had things all to himself
during the evening, his host having business
! that took him away: At midnight he was
snIgiy tucked away in his bed, when tin"-l-
ling went the front door bell with q brisk yche-
me0ce. Looking down upon the steps from his
window he deserted small boy in IL messen-
gers uniform, envelope In hand \ sharp. sting
ing November breeze was whirling stray flakes
OF SHOW around outside, but Mr.. E.lSins didn't
hesitate: down stairs he went in his flowing
night robe and opened the door It was. as he
expected. n telegram for himself. A seductive
street lamp laced that house, and, regardless OF
! then and there tore off the Western Union en-
velope and stepped for the moment an inch or
two iurther through the door. Fatal step! fatal
inch or two! Swift blew the breeze of sudden
bang went the door, click went the spring lock
within. Then was sadness rampant. Not
soul within to offer rescue; scarce garment at
hand to brave the brisk weather. With trepi-
dation there was dctour toward the houses
rear; In the alley up oomed an inquisitive cur.
ingly; cries from an upper window call hystcri-
eally for the police. It is dolcful predicament.
INC SOlu pavement IL D!ISLeFli1S tcuUeF lcGt.
And the cries go on, the dogs howls don't stop,
the breezes still go play and seek through the
linen garment, now all sweled out till the figure
on the curb has the appearance Of dame in
fullfedged ancient hoops. Through the street
comes a carriage whirling. From the other
way comes policeman. Carriage and
officer arrive at once. The policeman seems
pretty sure that he has caught an escaped
iunatic. The shivering gentleman tries
TO explain; the policemen won't have explana-
tons. The station house Is his watch wOrd and
away he starts vaIiantly with his captive In the
determined fashion becoming an officer whose
| midnight nap in the doorway has been wan
tonly disturbed. Open goes the carriage door;
out steps the occupant. Tho man in the night
shirt uses that street lamp again. looks into the
face Of the new arrival, and once more finds
voice: "Joc!" he gasps, 'Joe. for Heavens
sake, look here.' joe looks. steve! Wei, hi
be -" A crisp bill made that policeman's
dreams happy through the remainder of that
dcnces bent, Mr.. Ekins admits that frosted feet
| are triiic Irritating sometimes; but, like the
GOOD man that he Is, he enjoys ~ joke too well
to cheaper 1t by oyerproduction. Not dozen
friends have ever heard till now this story of
midnight campaigning against breeze and dog.
Policeman ana agi;ated neiyilbors. AIR. Elkins'
testimony IS very emphatic. Civilization has
| Its drawbacks; spring locks arc o snare.