Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-09-29

wonder if the latest fad of this bold,
unique girl will be also initiated by the lady
bicyclists of other cities What think you Of
taking ones pets out Cor All airing on the
noiseless, swift running wheel' This is the
latest of the Washington girl. A pretty and
novel picture she makes, too, with her par
rot perched on the hand bar in front Of her,
or with her pet cat or pug nesting conf
IDENTIFY upon an improvised bed attached to
the same bar. | viii not strain the truth by
saying that parrots, pugs and pussies are
frequently seen flying through the streets on
bicycles propelled by their mistre<ses. As
yet they are but occasionally seen, for the
fad has just started. It is, however, fad
sure to grow in favor, and being capable of
almost endless variation, there is no telling
to what idiosyncrasies or extravagances 1t
may not lead Ere long, l suppose, the
Washington bicycle girl will carry with her,
dressed in livery and perched sedately on be-
hind, miniature footman in the person Of a
very small colored boy, whose duty it will
be, besides looking cute and stylish, to run
errands, guard the steed when it is not in
use and to help push the same up hills and
over rough places.
One of the pretty women of Washington,
the way, been creating quite a sensation
with her bathing costumes at Manhattan
beach. Mrs. Gen. Belknapis still beautiful
woman, though old enough to have daugh
ter in society. The now somewhat gloomy
and deserted corridors of the Capitol are
queer places to 60 for gossip about pretty
women, but In passing the rotunda one re-
cent day paused to ask Clara Morris ques-
Sc al
keeps the photograph and curio booth near
the great rotunda. She has been there for q
quarter of a century or more. Once a beau
tiful woman herself, enjoying the courteous
attentions of famous senator's and cabinet
officers, she has seen and casually known all
the capital bellies of her time. When !
asked this keen observer who was the pretti-
est woman seen in Washington in her day,
she promptly replied: Mrs. Gen Belknap
was, in her prime. the most beautiful woman
ever saw, in " Washington or anywhere. She
was perfect. Next to her, think, was Nine.
Catacazky, wife of former minister from
Russia. Poor Nine. Catacazky. She was so
handsome and bewitching that the wicked
gossips couldn't let her alone, and they talked
much about her and a certain cabinet Off
Ger that the Russian government recalled her
husband, and shortly after returning to Rus
STA the poor girl died Of consumption"
Mrs Belknap is not often seen in Washing
ton society, where she once reigned queen
She has, however, a handsome home aud an
interesting family Of daughters Her eldest
daughter, Alice, inheritS her mothers beau
ty. Gen. Belknap himself is one of the well
known figures of Washington. 1t is rather
remarkable figure, too Though to some ex-.
tent ostracized socially, and wholly out Of
the political current and cut of from the fell
lowship of the leading men OF the dav, Gen.
Belknap is very happy. There doesn't ap-
pear to be the least bit of pique or sourneSs
IN his composition Very prosperous IN his
business OF claim agent, of course he has
plenty OF money and many friends. He makes
the most OF both, entertaining literally and
keeping up continuous good fellowship
with men Of his sort Most men would have
been crushed by MS experiences In public
life, but Gen Beiknap appears 10 have for
gotten that II was the scandal In which he
was involved as secretary Of war, combined
with the whisky ring scandal. that so nearly
caused the overthrow Of his party IN 1876.
de Is round faced, jolly, a story teller Of
note, good friend to lis friends, and ex-
ceedlngly fons OF q champagne dinner.
Though Ii Is the gossip Of the town that il
was his wife's e1travaeance that brought on
his troubles, ne is devoted TO this wife, is
proud of her beauty, and to this day gratifes
her every wish.
Tie Russian government peremptory re-
call Of Nine Cstacazky's husband some years
ago Is not ali O. that story. A portrait OF
this beautiful and unfortunate voraalI bag
IN the wslls Of the Corcoran Art gallery for
some time sitter her death Suddenly it Was
removed, Just why 10 one appeared To know.
| am told that the picture was taken away
AZ the request OF the Russian government.
which thus pursued tie woman into her
grave How DO the foreign governments
learn of al these Things Of interest 20 them
In this city, Through their niniste.S and at
taches OF ieSatsuns Not alwayx Ii Il q fact
no. generally known that nunbT Of for
eign governments keep a; the American CAP
ital secret representatives. ttesnselv-s Amer
leans wnC-s- duty II rs Dot only 10 watch tho
AEeE,czR. Eovsrnzae11. but 70 keep Al ere /,