Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-03-31

STORM AND THE DIsAsrRoU3 txPtoe10N.
Written for TEE EVENING STAR
Now that SO few are remaining who can give any
personal recollections OF the early days Of WASH
ington city, IL seems worth while to relate some
incidents OF those times, as remembered by An
aged lady born here In the year 1901. At that
time Capitol Hill was Washington, and between
which and Georgetown was "great gulf fixed"
and almost impossible by reason Of the mud and
clay In winter, and the heat and sun in summer.
Pennsylvania avenue was then outlined only by
the tall, lank lombardy poplars which, like some
Of the oldtime charities were 50 intent on pointing
to the sky that they forgot, meanwhile, to afford
the necessary shelter Many time was the
whole day consumed in foundertng through the
mud in a hack TO georgetown to supply the family
with shoes. "Well do / remember" said the old
to put a man on horseback to travel this long
journey TO procure grapes, oranges and other
delicacies for my brother convalescing from SLOW
fever. Then there was put
ONE HOUSE ON PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE,
between the Capitol and the Presidents House,
and that was congressional boarding establish
ment. Back little on street, between 9Th and
7th streets where the skating rink stands, was
another boarding house, but this was so far out
in the country that when we girls went there TO
make our party calls we were not allowed to so
without escorts as protectors. or course there
Wp,ch Sw nSr tbrsh ~ ss sre t hrHnvb tSs
present Botanical Gardens into James Greek
Canal, and so into the river but not many who
taken Of rabbits and squirrels brought home by
the boys after their Saturdays hunt where the
Baltimore and Ohio depot now stands"
RBNNTsCENsgs OF THE WAR
"I was eleven years OF age during the last war
with England" she continued. "and have clear re-
10 have found their way into history, we'll as OF
others which are historical facts. l was sitting
one day on the door stepo my home on New Jersey
wooden pump OF the neighborhOOd. The city was
then In the hands OF the enemy. A British officer
rode up with his orderly, and taking out a silver
goblet called out: Here, orderly, bring me drink
Of water in this goblet Of old Jimmy Madison's'
NO, SIR said ], that isn't President Madison's
goblet because my father and whole lot Of gen:
tlenen have got all his silver and papers and
gone" But here hand was firmly placed over
my tel-tale mouth and a strong arm drew me with
In and closed the door. Fortunately the of1cer was
too much intoxicated to appreciate his loss, bot
the occasion was improved tOimPess upon me the
golden quality OF silence.
THE TERRIFIC TORNADO.
81 well remember" she continued, ''the terrific
tornado, which drove the enemy In haste to their
ships, from which they were In dread OF being cut
of. First came the usual indications OF an ap-
preaching storm, the low rumbling OF distant
thunder, and faint flashes Of lightning, accom-
panied by ftful gusts OF wind swelling gradually
into a continuous roar. The sky changed from the
peculiar leaden hue portending O wind-storm into
almost midnight blackness. Then came the crash
and glare OF inceSsant thunder and lightning, and
the wild beating OF the rain, mingled with the
sound OF roofs tearing from their supports, and
the whirr OF heavy bodies flying through the air
and falling upon the ground beneath. Now and
then, by The lightning flash, could be seen
feather-bed and other lighter articles borne upon
OF the unroofed buildings Suddenly, in the midst
OF this scene or terror, came the sound Of an ex-
plosion from the direction OF the arsenal At last,
with great signs and sobs, as though weary with
well-performed duty. this storm slowly died
away, the thunder growing In retreating to its
hiding-place behind the hills, while quickly, as
from an ambush, burst forth the evening sun, with
the JOY OF conqueror, though gazing only upon
battlefield or wOei With the passing OF the
storm came the hurried
TRAMP OF THE FOREIGN FOE
fastening to escape to their vessels lest they should
be hemmed in and captured, but pausng to light
their way by firing the public buildings Then
new excitement arose; every man rushed to aid in
subduing the flames, which, thanks to the heavy
rains which had fallen, were kept from spreading
over the entire city.
"Never shall forget" she continued, "the night
which followed this eventful day; how we watched
Tor news from father our brothers and friends off
the enemy. The explosion we had heard at the
arsenal was the blowing up or the powder maya
zine by the premature throwing OF a torch by one
British commander, Gen. Cockburn pronounced
Coburn>, TO destroy our ammunition. In their
haste TO perform their mission and escape from
the city and the storm they became demoral1zed,
failed TO obey orders, and were all destroyed. For
days after their diSInembered bodies were being
collected and Inferred by those organized for the
purpose. Hearing the tramp OF the retiring enemy
one OF my family stepped 70 the door, and there
encountered a group OF British officers taking q
last drink from the old pump. Great God!
madam said Gen. COckburn, IS this the Kind OF
storm you are accustomed TO IN this internal
interposition OF Providence TO drive our enemies
from our city Not so, madam he answered 1t
IS rather TO aid your enemies In the destruction Of
r.Iff xvftk fob
galoped or and disappeared forever from our
nations capital V. c. N.