Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1889-08-29
Washington Letter
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT


FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.
WASHINGTON. AUG. Goth 1899.
Washington is paradise for | vers
This is proven by the fact that it is thu
favorite honeymoon ground for bri-
dial couples, who find it agreeable tt
mingle little patriotism with theil
billing andcooing. In winter the Cor
coran Art Gallery and public buildings
afford cosy little hooks for the indul-
gence in that American pastime, flirta
ton, while in summer the parks are
available, and seem to have been ar.
ranged with this especial end in view
In the glooming, under the protecting
shade Of the trees, many hearts have
been broken in the giving, alas Per.
haps 1T is out of consideration for hap
Ply young lovers, who whisper sweet
nothings to each other on the hospit;l-
BILE benches Of the parks, that the Com.
1nissioners allow a sepulchral gloom to
exist there.
Capitol Park, Notwithstanding the
fact that the annual report shows an
expenditure over twenty-three thous-
and dollars for the purpose Of lighting,
is the darkest and gloomlest of any Of
the public squares, and it is hardly safe
to make short cut through there of a
dark night. This would be delightful
for amorous young couples, but the alb.
sence of benches prevents them from
enjoying its darkness and sends 'em to
the Capitol, whose majesty does not awe
them. Here they settle themselves on
the steps and benches and behind the
lofty pillars. The city with its twink
ling lights, spread out like panorama,
has no charm for them, each others
hearts, each others arms hold them
So cupid plays hide. and.seek among
the great white pillars and aims bis
shafts, against which no lnvulnerable
armor has ever been invented, as we'll
on the darkest night as on the bright
est day.
Nothing can be more appropriate this
year than talk with General Greedy
about the weather, for this summer has
been full of weather. heaped up and
shaken down, and running over. Just
about half Of all the working days the
wings Of the Washington birds have
been wet. The sky is soggy. The
crops are sour. Humidity rhymes with
acidity. The sun wells his face in the
penom as if he were indeed the Persian
maiden whom the ancient Parsees call.
ed him. And it rains.
/ went to the Signal Office the other
day to ask General Greedy how he and
ibis .fellow-eonsplrators regulated The
weather Of which this season has, as
aforesaid. been 50 prolific. found the
lucky apd ,plucky Arctic explorer at
Mis desk, :ssbed in full sujt OF white
flannel over q checked flannel shirt-a
dream of comfort and a very Delightful
antithesis to the young Lieutenant wia,
Blk years ago, was waiting for death ,at
Camp Sabine, with the North Pole al
most within grasp, or even to the thin,
weak man whom l first met aboard
ship returning from Europe but two
years after his Arctic experience.
Greedy is handsome man, six feet tall,
with fine eyes and soft military whisk-
ers, and the agreeable voice Of an edu-
Gated Yankee. He has Just moved his
official family into fine new building
just finished.
"The percentage of right estimates of
this bureau already averages something
over SO,' General Greedy said, "and. the
work Of the weather bureau is improv-
ing in accuracy all the while. The
greatest obstacle to its rapid movement
is the frequent change IN the forecast
officers. The great need of the service
today is prompt distribution of predic-
lions. Emphasize that, please. Some
provision should be made by which the