The Washington critic., 1889-04-17

this respect, and he excelled all his previ-
Gus efforts In table displays. Magma Charta
and Bruner roses were used in great abind-
ance, and the entire table at which fifty
three persons were seated resembled
femery, owing to the multitude Of these
graceful plants used for garnishing the
spaces between the dishes and set pieces.
Not one of those who received an invitation
to be present declined the honor, and the
hospitable Minister was In his happlest vein
as he announced that the dinner was given
as o compliment TO the new Administration.
90
Some years ago there was young man
making his home in this city who had been
the hero OF number of odd adventures
He was the son of n minister In Indiana,
and was when last heard from in the peni-
tentiary. He went by the name of McGill,
and was noted for his polite manners as
well as for his cool daring.
One OF bis favorlte schemes was TO go TO
a front door bell on Sunday morning with
package In his hand, asking II Mr.. Smith
lived there, saying that he had a package of
purchases made the night before. or course
he never found the party be was inquiring
for, but he usually came across house
whose inhabitants were all absent. One
Sunday he went around in this manner, and
soon came to house whose door bell re-
mained unanswered. He hurried around to
the rear fence, climbed over, and was soon
inside. He went through the rooms one
after the other. He worked entirely with
one hand, the other tightly clutching re-
volver.i While going through q bureau In
bedroom he heard noise; he turned
around aud saw man sitting up
in bed, staring at him with q
gaze of stupefcd terror. McGill
leveled his revolver at him, and the
fellow ducked his head under the covers.
McGill hurried through with his work, and
then turned to the occupant OF the bed, who
had by this time gained courage enough to
look at him.
sect up" said the burglar, and the man
got up. snow, what are you going to do
Are you going to sit quietly in this char
raise a rumpus, so that will have to shoot
you ~
The man promised faithfully to keep per-
fectly quiet. McGill placed little reliance
IN his promise, and after making noise out
side as II he were going away he quickly
opened the door and looked into the room:
AS he expected he found the man of from
the chair getting into his clothes.
"Well, d YOU" he said, disgustedly,
"hayen't you got any honor about your
Now, Pm going to try you once more, aud
remember, II you do succeed In having me
caught, you won't be able to do 1t so quick
/ can shoot you, and you bet III do It,"
His victim was abject in promises of good
faith, and this time McGill hastened out Of
the house. jumped the back fence and
was off with his booty.
@"M
One of the cough drop vendors Of this
city is an old, gray-haired, whitewhiskercd
man who, beneath mild, ,child-like exterior,
hides good deal of exciting history. He
looks ike the Santa Claus who was pic
turcd to our childhood, and II 1t were not
for the blooming rosiness OF his nose he
would look like typical, nice, kind old
gentleman. He slng-songs the virtues of
his wares with subdued, prayer-meetlng
NhSSLC anu 0Nalo Wtaio uu iuuCoCiibdDit
air Of piety. Notwithstanding this fact, he
is under the observation Of the police al
most constantly, and not long since had q
very narrow escape from conviction Of
receiving stolen goods. At his trial the po-
lice said that his mode of operation was to
induce servant girls and subordinate en-
ployes In stores to rob their employers and
bring the proceeds to him. He would pay
them small price for the stuff, leaving a
margin for very comfortable profit. The
jury, however, did not find evidence enough
against him to convict, although he had
pretty bad record. He was very much
elated over his acquittal. On the
day OF trial he happened to meet Mr.. Lips
comb who had prosecuted the case. The
old man recognized him at once and
hastened to show that he harbored no malice
by making strenuous effort to present him
with box Of cough drops. He seemed
very much disappointed because Mr.. Lips
comb declined to accept the offering,
SO
There is in Washington as in every other
large city number of young women who
are compelled to depend for a livelihood
very largely on the heitinerant theatrical COM
panies who do not carry as many people as
they need. There are comparatively few
companies who have oil the minor parts In
their performances filed, and this reserve
talent is largely depended on. They come
IN aud move about in court dresses or green
tights, as circumstances may require, and
receive from $l.50 to SO a performance.
They never have any lines to speak, of
course, but sometimes they ascend, through
difficulty and temptation, TO recognized
place in the profession. The spectacular
shows call for great deal OF this kind of
assistance. There are also a number of
young men, embryo Booths and Barretts,
who wait longlngly for an opportunity to
set as an obscure member OF the Roman
Senate or to flourish club as component
POI ton OF the mob. The work OF training
this kind Of material for each weeks en-
gagement forms an important and dreaded
pol tion OF the business of the company, and
1t is only where economy must be consulted
that this course is pursued.
SS&
In the mail of the Secretary OF the Navy
this morning was q little pink envelope,
nesting down amid the varied assortment
Of big, square official envelopes that filed
the mail basket. The envelope contained
the following letter, the chirography Of
which was that OF child's, written with
an evident effort 'to dot your rs, cross
your Us and mind your as aud PSI The
letter ran as follows:
READING, PA, April 5, 1880.
Mr. TRACY My cousin was on the war-ship
and she said the sailors wasted the potatoes,
and thought II they took thinner pairing you
might bid ship 70 send where the others got
lost. am only eleven. but can take thin.