davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington critic., 1889-04-05


It IS not certain that Washington fur
nishcs more than her share Of the candi-
dates for histrionic honors, but II seems as
II we heard more Of our boys aud girls on
the stage than OF those from any other one
city. Washington can claim Mrs. Potter
as her product, for II was here that sue
made her great hit with "Osler joe"
which caused her to wake up-not the next
day, but as soon as The CRITIc published
the sensation created-to find herself
famous. Her name became household
word, and II was an easy matter then to So
cure an audience. or all our contributions
TO the stage Mrs. Potter has perhaps been
the most prominent. But there have been
many who have been trained In the
dramatic clubs Of the Capital and In nm1-
teur entertainments who have gone on the
stage and won credit for faithful and CON
scientious work.
nursery for budding talent. But that or
ganizaiion has ceased TO exlst The Lyceum
Dramatic Club presents the latest aspirant
TO dramatic honors. Miss Alice Wakefield
has been offered the position OF leading
lady In the Immigrants" Company, which
recently filled satisfactory engagement In
this city. II personal attractions count for
anything on the stage, Miss Wakefield will
secure high position. She Is a blonde ol
the purest type, with beautiful eyes ol
brown and face as fair as an infants, nc
which dwells a pink flush like the tint
OF the ripening peach. But she has al.
ready demonstrated considerable ability IN
her chosen profession, as Is indicated by
the position which Mr.. Baker has asked
her to fill.
The Washington critic., 1889-04-05
THE PEOPLES COLUMN.


Communications on any matter OF current
interest will be cheerfully printed In TIE
CRrric under this head. Letters should In all
cases be as brief as possible.l
The Commissionership.
WASHINGTON, April 5.-Eciitor Critic:
Noticing In your valuable paper Of the 1st
Instant reference TO Mr.. l.. NJ. Saunders In
connection with the Commissionership for
the District, desire 10 say that II would be
difficult TO find the embodiment OF a greater
number OF essential qualities aud qualiflca-
tions for so responsible position than
those enjoyed by the gentleman referred to.
The best evidence OF Mr.. Saunders fitness
for the position consist in the fact that he
has attracted the attention OF the best classes
Of citizens and property-holders OF the Dis
triet, irrespective of political bias.
That he has the courage OF his convic-
tions, and will cndeavor to do the right re-
gardless Of personal interest or public
opinion, is doubted by none Mr.. Saunders
is free from entangling alliances with rings
and jobbers, notwithstanding his large real
estate interests in the city. With such
qualifications II is not surprising that the
oflice seeks the man, rather than the man
the oflce. Let US have him; he will be an
honor TO the District. RADIx.
The Washington critic., 1889-04-05
BOOTH AND BARRETT.

Mr.. Lawrence Barrett, actor and
managing partner for Mr.. Edwin Booth,
is unlike most managers, inasmuch as
when their stars are taken sick they do
all they can to have II understood that
nothing serious is the matter, but when
Mr.. Barett's star Is suddenly stricken
Mr.. Barrett hastens to the front of the
stage and announces with singular in
sistance that the greatest actor speaking
the English language is hard hit and
that he fears he will never recover, in
fact he is sure he will not, and he
(BaTetD is going to take him off TO a
resting place, and the money will be re-
funded to the audience, ETC., etc. How
Mr.. Barrett could tell the exact nature
and duration of Mr.. Booths illness
is quite as remarkable as why
he should be so anxious TO
rush at once before the people with his
sorowful information. There ID no
case in theatrical history quite like this
Of Mr.. Baretts, and as later reports in
dicate that Mr. Booth was not para
lyzed at all and will recover very soon,
IL is highly probable that he will ask
his managing partner for an explana
lion Possibly Mr.. Barrett was nervous
The Washington critic., 1889-04-05
THE FLAG now WAVES.

The publication recently in The Carrie
OF the fact that Government officials had
been negligent in not having the United
States flag boisted regularly every day over
the public buildings In this city has borne
good fruit. Already some Of the sleepy
messengers have been aroused TO sense Of
their duties aud the ensign Iloats In the
breeze from structures which have hitherto
for years presented bare poles surmountedby by
a gilt ball. On all the custom houses through
out the United States the Stars and Stripes
are unfurled every day and 1t is subject
Of frequent comment by visitors to the
White House that the emblem OF the free
ia not visible over the headquarters OF the
Chief Magistrate of the Republic.
The same is true of'the State and. War
Departments and with the roof OF the CEN
tral portion Of the magnificent granite pile
west Of the White House. The denided
flag pole is outlined with startling distinct
ness against the sky Over at the Attor-
ney Generals Office, which is located in the
old Freedman's Bank Building, it would
naturally be expected that flag should
Hoat, but such is not the fact.
The Washington critic., 1889-04-05
SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

General and Mrs. Brcckinridge gave a
dinner party yesterday. III.
Mr.. and Mrs. Richard Nixon left for
New Orleans last evening.
Miss Ida Murphy Of 81. Paul is the guest
of Mrs. Harrison at the White House.
The Women's National Press Association
will meet this evening at Mrs. Germond
Crandall's.
Miss Bloodgood OF New York has ro-
turned from Old Point Comfort aud Is
stopping at the Arlington.
Mrs. Harrison has been daily improving
in health, and VIII see number oil friends
this evening by appointment
Mrs. Dickinson was assisted by her
mother, Mrs. Platt, at her reception yester-
day afternoon at the Arlington. Miss Villas
was also present.
MIR, j. X. Mckee, the Presidents son-in-
law, left Tor indianapolis this afternoon,
and expects to be absent from Washington
Tor several months.
reception VIII be held TINS evening AZ
so'c'ock III tne pariors OF the New YORK.
avenue Churcn ny 'he iauies OF the Mcali
Auxinafy Mission.
senator Mofrni VIII eeieorate MS Vtn
birthday bya reception at his residence
tomorrow evening, anticipating the datc,
as u ians on eunday'
Inc Marquise Ciara Lanza' oaugoecr OF
Dr. hammond Oh tnis city, was given au
elaborate Tea on wednesday oy Mrs. lsham
hornspy al her elegant residence In this
city'
very Pheasant evening was spent by
the high scnooi Social Club at Miss
fonngs, 1888 Corcoran street, "Wednesday.
Inc next meeting VIII be az Miss Shumaue',
2o2o street northwest.
Mrs. Endicott gave the last of her In
iormaf Perceptions yesterday, and VIII leave
ftr her home In Boston next wednesday.
She VIII sail on the I'D instant for Europe,
where the summer VIII be spent.
Cards are out for the marriage OF Miss
Pamela Dean Holman, daughter OF Repre-
sentative w. 3. Holmin OF Indiana, aud
Mr.. Frederick L. Harvey, Monday, April 8,
ats q. M, at Trinity +. r.. Church.
Miss Alice Clay OF Lexington, KY, who
has been the guest OF Miss Mary Breckn-
ridge on Connecticut avenue for some
weeks, has returned to her home. Miss
Clay Is famous as beauty, In a State
| whose beautiful women have made IT
The Washington critic., 1889-04-05
THE CHICAGO posroFrrcE.

il so happens occasionally that there
aprertains TO public Office an import
ance far beyond what, to use mercan-
tile expression, is its face value. Such
Importance just now attaches to the Chi
cago postoffice. II is a place which
should be filed by the President only
after careful consideration. II is one
which should, for political reasons, be
taken out of the political rut.
In Chicago were made some of the
late Administration worst blunders.
The appointments there were not good,
the public business there was not well
conducted and the postofiice in particu-
lar was badly managed. There is a
vast business carried on in Chicago in
cramped quarters. To manage this bus
mess well isrequired a man of executive
ability, force of character and enter
prise, energy and ambition. No mere
routine man, no ordinary business man,
can fill the place well. He must meet
constantly with new emergencies and
satisfy the most hurried and exacting
community in the United States. A
man of brains, one quick -witted, q
man of will, is required in the Chicago
postotfice.
Mr. Cleveland first appointed as post
master of Chicago most respectable
and conscientious old man, who almost
broke down under the strain and could
not control the horde under his com.
mand. The service of the office be.
came bad, and there was indignant pro-
test from the people, regardless of poll
ties. Tbis postmaster was succeeded
by wealthy, semi military club man.,
who has little more force than his
predecessor, but not much more natural
fitness for the place. The office is not
in good shape. The term Of the
present incumbent expires within few
months.
twill aid Republicanism in Chicago
10 have good postmaster there, but to
appoint the ordinary partisan or the
ordinary eminently respectable citizen
with endorsements will not secure the
end. The man who gets the place
should be one with the right sort Of
ability and one who takes the office
with The sole aim of making 1t the best
managed in the country. The nomina
ton of such man for this particular
place would be a great thing from a
political point Of view, as in every
way. The Chicago public would be
impressed deeply with an experience
they have not had of late-the swift
and efficient handling of the mails and
The avoidance of blunders in the postal
service generally,
The Washington critic., 1889-04-05
HE GOT HUNGRY.

A young physician, who is well known in
society circles, is Just now undergoing an
amount Of chafIlng from his friends which
makes him wonder what Is the use OF
Lenten denials. The other evening Mrs.
ScnatopIngalls invited the Doctor, with
number of other friends, to dinner at 8 p.
m. The Doctor accepted, but said he
could not come until half-hour later, and
it was agreed that a place should be
held for him until his arrival. At $50 the
Doctor rang the bell and new servant girl
answered 1t. Somehow her suspicions were
aroused against the Doctor, and, although
she invited him into the parlor, she watched
him narrowly. He asked TO see Mrs. In
gals. The girl said he could see her In q
few minutes. *
''Take her my card, I" no said, urgently,
as the pleasant fragrance of the viands
Goated upward to his eager nostrils.
"You can see her In few minutes,' per-
sisted the girl as she settled down to the
bushes of not leaving him alone with the
novsbles In the parlor. Z,
vited here TO dinner. Go and see Mrs. In
gals, and tell her I'm here"
"she'll be up before long, and It will be
all right" and again the girl headed him
of. % VIA ~ lf s'1si.';' ~
Finally he sat down in sheer desperation
and waited and waited and waited, aud the
girl watched and watched and watched.
Along about 0:30 o'clock some members Of
the family passed through the hall, and the
vs,,,no m IN yuada !, vv,ah a,,d not a., a., A,
The Washington critic., 1889-04-05
VISITORS TO THE DEPARTMENTS

Secretaries Blaine, Proctor and Tracy
have issued the following order for the re-
ception of visitors:
Reception Of Senators and Representa-
lives in Congress, from 10 to IL o'clock.
Reception of all persons not connected
with the Departments, at l2 o'clock, except
Tuesdays aud Fridays, which are Cabinet
days; and Thursdays in the Department OF
State, when the members of the Diplomatic
Corps are exclusively received.
Persons will not be admitted to the build
Ing after 2 o'clock each day, unless by card,
which will be sent by the captain of the
watch to the chief clerk or to the head OF
the bureau for which the visit ia intended
This rule will not apply to Senators, Repre-
seBtatves or heads of Executive Depart
melfe
The Washington critic., 1889-04-05
RAPID RISE IN RANK.

"Promotion is very rapid in Washing
ton," said Chief Clerk Brackett of the
Treasury Department to representative
Of THE CRITIC, ''and had striking illus
tration Of this fact to-day. Before l as.
sumed my present position was known far
and wide as Captain Brackett, that being
my former rank In the army, but IL re-
mnined for colored brother to give me a
lift In the line of brevets. / had been over
to the White House to attend to some
official business, and was on my way to my
Office when a voice behind me called
Colonel Bracket. 1t was soft, low tone,
but did not think It was meant for me.
Again the brevet of Colonel was applied,
and this was too much for human ma
ture. ! turned around to see who was
taking such liberties with my name, and
there was colored man, whom charcoal
would make a white mark upon. He
wanted to be watchman, and did not
hesitate to promote me-"
The Washington critic., 1889-04-05
a DIFrEREscE OF VIEW.

"I'm glad that you've sworn of, my dear
AT the beginning Of the year."
,H Said she,
"For now you see,
Since you've no more q whisky bill,
1t is an easy thing TO fiji
That
Coal
Hole.n
"Don't talk about my swearing on -
And in his tone there was scoff-
Said he,
'.For, don't You see,
It's not that I'd no whisky bill,
But the mild winter let me fill
That
af Coal
Hole"
1.-THE Black Diamond.
The Washington critic., 1889-04-05
IN FOREIGN LANDS.

A curious offer is made Of small lease
hold property in Worcestershire held 'for
the residue Of term OF 1900 years, created
in the year l6D0.n 1t will be sold at auc-
tor. .....
A favorite scheme Of London fakirs is to
catch one Of the miserable little English
sparrows so common there, paint It up IN
bright tropical hues, and hawk IL up on the
street for f2 apiece as ''rare foreign curl
oslty.'
London's nicely paved streets are SO slip
perry that steps have been taken to find a
means OF rougheping them. Two societies
the Society for Promoting the Safety OF
Horses aud the Horse Accident Prevention
Society-haye been formed, They propose
plans to keep the streets clean and well
sanded.
A movement has been started In Norway
for the dispatch in the summer OF 1890 OF
an expedition which would try to reach the
North pole, and II is supposed that the
Il adership will be offered to DR.. Nansen.
The intention is that an attempt shall be
made TO reach the pole by way OF Franz
Josef's Land.
The London "Atheneumn offers the latest
noteworthy criticism on Miss Rives "The
Quick or the Dead?n ''Miss Riyes' execu-
tioi," says that journal, 'shows all the
faults of want OF training, but In other
respects she is superior to other minor
American noyelists in the same way as O
Niger minstrel is superior as an artist to a
schoolgirl singing drawing-room ballad"
The Pope is said 10 be very fine chess
player, and the honor of contesting the
game with him is especially conferred upon
a priest in Rome. This priest, Father
Giella, has played chess with Leo Pecci for
thirty-two years past. When Cardinal
Pecci was raised to the Papacy Father
Giella, who was then IN. Florence, got au
invitation to proceed to Rome aud take up
his quarters in the Vatican. Giella is hot
tempered, but the Pope takes his temper
good-naturedly, and is often said TO i'm
prove the occasion by homily on the vir-
lures OF resignation and meekness.
The Washington critic., 1889-04-05

"Notice anything peculiar in the posture
of the girls on the stager said physician
to Cincinnati Enquirer reporter one even
ing at the "Crystal Slipper pointing TO
the line Of pretty girls in pink tights stand
ing beside the throne Of the Prince.
"No," was the reply, ''nothing, unless II
is they're uncommonly pretty"
"Well," said the doctor, 'if you viii OBJ
serve how they stand you will notice that
their pose is unconscious, but that every
girl OF them save one has her right hand
behind her back, and the execution is girl
wearing a directoire dress"
"Wellp' was asked.
"The arm behind the waist means that
every one Of those girls is laced too tight.
They are so CONSTRUCTED that they cannot let
their arms hang at their side, and so uncop-
seiously they put one behind their back.
The girl with the directoire dress isn't
laced tightly, and you will notice that her
arms fall naturally by her side.n
The Washington critic., 1889-04-05
HOW HE KNEW.

Colonel Jay Y. Durham, journalist with
big j, as he is famliarly known, is un-
doubtedly a two-hoss team, with spotted
dog under the wagon, as an after-dinner
speaker, but If he doesn't kill off some o.
his traducers the reputation he has won
will be wrecked. Yesterday Colonel Mus
sey and Colonel Lyman were talking In
front Of the New York Sun office.
'.By the way" said Mussey, sslid you
hear Jay Durham make that great speech
at the Gridiron Club Saturday night }"
mo, I'm sorry to say didn't."
"Well, II was dandy. You ought to
have heard him. He seemed inspired with
the genius of oratory, and gems Of
thought in settings of gold and silver fell
from his lips like showers Of irridescent
meteors from the cerulean canopy OF the
star spangled armament, At times the
mirth Of Momus sparkled and shone In his
words, and then the pathos OF poem
swept in a fearful train through his
Rhythmic, ,utterances. Anon the eloquence
Of q Burke, Webster Or a Clay rolled up
ward In the grandest cadences Of the human
tongue, and the listener sat bound as by a
spell beneath the mystic measures OF his
wondrous periods"
"Great Cesar" exclaimed Lyman, sit
must have been superb; but Thought you
were out Of town.that night.''
80 was"
swell, how the deuce did you know
what kind Of speech It was2" asked Ly-
man, suspiciously.
= \.
The Washington critic., 1889-04-05
NEWSPAPER AMENITIES.

There is great gloom and great hap
piness in journalistic circles in Chicago.
Those journals, the Ncios and Herald,
advocating the political revolution
which has just come are iovial to u
degree which is catching, and the news
papers supporting the machine are
correspondingly depressed. II is pleas
ant, though, to note that the victors are
in kindly mood and disposed to help
out their recent foes. Here, for in
stance, is q piece of thoughtfulncss from
the No'cs:
II will be pretty dry milking In the Chicago
Tribune Office for some time TO come. Colonel
Joseph Medill's associates will find II hard to
discover topics upon which TO spin out the
scholarly lneubrations. but here are some
timely subjects which we fancy our contem.
porary might handle with dignity and ease:
viii Quninc Break Chilly
Causes Of Sudden Cold snaps
The situation at Springfield.
How Long Can Man Live ON Soup
Matthew Arnold's Place In Literature.
Samoan Affairs.
Is the Crow Bird or a Reptilcf
Chicago as n Summer Resort.
Great Earthquakes.
sneep Raising in New Mexico.
Effects OF Wind Upon whiskers.
The Jack Rabbit Pest In Australia.
Troches or Tippets for Sore Throatss
our Great Auditorium.
what Makes Bad Dreams.
Here are fifteen capital subjects, and we
shall expect TO see them treated In the
columns OF our valued contemporary at great
length and with characteristic erudition.
What could be more kindly than
that Even from Chicago we may
sometimes learn what real sweetness is.
The Washington critic., 1889-04-05
A Literary Discovery.

tTNcW Iorh 1NcniuB CuND
While Colonel Elijah Halford was gloom
lily spelling out an Indignant letter from an
Indiana politician yesterday, an elderly
man, whose lofty front and glittering eve
marked him as in some way different from
the common herd, appeared at the door Of
the secretary's office. Nimbly eluding the
bayonets OF the file Of soldiers on guard at
the entrance, he slipped through into the
anteroom Of royalty and stood In the pres
cnce OF the careworn political backstop.
The stranger bowed grayely. sa--.rt III
"Howdy, Lige ?" said he.
"Good morning, sir" said Elijah, wear
ily. "rr
al am an antiquarian, sir" replied the
elderly man with quiet pride. ~ have
made discovery, SIR" - h
"May inquire" said Elijah.
"I have found an old manuscript which
is undoubtedly authentic, and which is no
less a treasure than an additional book of
Horace's odes. There are ffty,two OF
them, my dear sir, each signed Q, II. F.
An English translation is appended with
out SIGNATURE
"You amaze me,n said Elijah. yawning.
~ thought should" said the elderly
man. "The scroll is marked Lib. W. and
the fifteenth ode is 80 strikingly apt, just
now, that want the President TO see it,
shame please,n said Elijah, absently, as
his glance wandered toward the pigeon
holes in which he slows important papers
to be brought at once to the Presidents
personal notice.
"Never mind the name, young man, said
the stranger, with rising dignity. "Just
hand this to President Harrison. III drop
in tomorrow, perhaps, to learn what he
says. Good morning. and he had melted
away before the astounded Elijah could
believe his senses.
The Secretary opened the paper. It con-
tanned eight lines Of verse headed "Murat
Reflective"
short-sighted senators-on the wrong tack
again
Know ye not Jill always comes to her Jack
againS
Though ye have waited long years TO strike
back again.
Have ye then killed meY
Still the Commercial. Gazette will take note
OF ye-
Still Independent am of the vote Of ye-
Still is my snickersnee keen at the throat of
ye-
Better have stilled mel
The Secretary's hands fell limp by his
side, His head dropped forward. He had
tainted.
The Washington critic., 1889-04-05
WASHINGTON, APRIL 8, 1899.
PRESIDENTIAL RECEPTIONS.

The Cabinet meets on Tuesdays aud
Fridays at 1880 p. M.
Senators and Representatives In Congress
viii be received by the President every day,
except Mondays, from 10 until ~.
Persons not members OF Congress having
business with the President will be received
from ~ until on Wednesdays, Thursdays
and Saturdays.
Those who have no business, but call
merely to pay their respects, win be re-
ceived by the President in the East Room
at p. m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and
Eaturdays
The Washington critic., 1889-04-05

Colonel w. o. Bradley OF Kentucky had
declined a $4,000 salary in Corea. TnE
CRITIC was several dollars wrong, the sal
ary is 5000 year, and after July next
$500. The Colonel would have declined
II just the same, however, even II 1t had
been SEC, 900, so THE CRITIC is still right.
II wasn't figures any way; 1t was the fact
that nothing short of a freight car full OF
money would tempt a Kentuckian to put
TO the leading famous products Of his State.
Colonel Bradley makes no sacrifice in de-
clining to move away from the place of his
nativity
The Washington critic., 1889-04-05
DIED.

D1GDs
COOK .--0n April 4, Mrs. A. Z. Cook, sister
Of fex-Representative Sadler OF Alabama.
Funeral will take place from her late resi-
dence. 800 II street northwest, Saturday morn
Ing at 10 o'clock. Friends respectfully In.
vited. f+f y
wOOD.-on Thursday morning, April L.
1889, BENJAMIN Austin, the infant son of
Z Thomas and Annie Wood, aged months and
IL days. m
Funeral from the residence of parents. 172i
Twenty-frst street northwest, ON Saturday
afternoon at $3.50 O'clock.
WALKER. on the 4th instant, Minnie c.,
daughter OF Charles J.. and Statira F. walker,
aged 20 years. r'. ~
The funeral will take place from the resi-
dence Of her parents, 8sa Q street northwest,
on Sunday afternoon, the 9TH instant, ut $40
o'clock, to which the friends of the family
arc, respectfully invited, Interment at Oak
Hill.
BRAITMAYER.--On Wednesday morning,
April 3, 1889, John Il. Braitmaycr, aged ~
years. r.
Funeral will take place from his late resi-
denee, 2725 street northwest, Sunday, April
q, az p. IN,
New York papers please copy.l
The Washington critic., 1889-04-05
what Is Coming.


The days will soon be here when the busy
man will open his newspaper to find 1t full
of such expressions as these: "Smithie flew
out to Jones while Brown was neatly put
out at the first bag. Robinson was given
life by Billings muG Of his fly. He stole
second and went to third on wild throw
by Jones.n And you can wage your under
most dollar that the busy man deyours II all.