Connecticut western news., 1888-08-22
LIFE IN WASHINGTON.
Strange Types that can be Found
 Nowhere Else.

To Washington drift the queer geni- uses from all parts of the country. The cranks seem to find the climate of this Federal capital particularly congenial. Here may be found characters to be found nowhere else in all this broad land. The despondent, the sanguine, the visionary, the hopeful, the aspiring inventor, the hopeful office seeker, the decayed politician-all and many other types are to be seen on every hand and the ways in which men make live ihood are as various and as numerous. Soldiers of fortune, as they are termed, are almost as plentiful as those wearing Uncle Sams livery of blue and gold.
 There is 8 certain keen old man who frequents one of the uptown hotels who has made quite fortune off his wits. Back in the days of the "Wah" he con ceived the idea of oornering the market on hand carts. He bought, hired and begged all that he could. He secured broken-down carts whose owners had long since discarded. These he renovat- ed and induced to condition of stabii- ty that they would not come apart. His carts he rented out to colored men and others who would take them at the mo- derate rent of 50 cents week. When it is recollected what prices were paid during those times for moderate services. It can be seen that every cartman with any kind of business could rent cart, and after paying his weekly stipend, make good thing for himself. The system became very popular.
 The old man coined money hand over fist. He was memorable with his deb- tors, on whom he kept vigilant eye. Glanced he to spy one who had not paid him for the previous week, he would rush out into the street and seize the cart and compel the human motive ] power to disgorge before he would allow him to proceed. He had a knack for investing his profits, and the conse- quence is that he now owns several brick houses and has a balance in bank. He has long since abandoned the cart business, and can be seen almost any night with big tray of cut flowers, which he peddles about the streets and with persuasive tongue induces many man to buy.
 There is one well-known character about town whose fortune is in his tire less and inexhaustible memory. It was his good luck to have participated in several capacities in the civil war, and | hard piece of silver. He is we'll known about newspaper offices. With talent for application and regular work he would have long since have made a mark; but he lives only in the present A skirmish written up in his characteris. tic breezy, graphic style means @ good dinner or two drinks siege will bring three hearty meals; battle will pro- duce night with the boys, and cam paign is good for weeks board.
 On the north side of P street, just be- fore one comes to the Rock Creek Bridge is spring of bubbling water, roofed over with stone and brick. During the last day or two the quick witted boys of the neighborhood have been making many penny out of this spring. They arm themselves with tin pails and buck cts holding about pint, fill them with the spring water, and wait for the street cars. "Have some water, mister? ''Have a drink of spring water ?" They question in turn every one on the car, and when the car is full, several of the boys succeed in emptying their pails.
 While the passenger drinks the cool ing draught, the boy secures place on the steps and rides along, or if it IS toe crowded he runs alongside. The cars slow up in going over the bridge and also in ascending the hill so that fine opportunity is given for obtaining re. freshing drink. There are many thirsty ones who patronize the boys. One urchin made 50 cents the other day and others nearly as much. A drink costs what one is willing to give for it. He if expected to give two cents. Sometime' one gives nickel and refuses tho | chanDa