Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-19
The STROLLER'S STORIES,
Odd Opinions and Qnnins Observations FrOn
Curb aud Corridor.

| Odd Opinions and Qnnins Observations From
Curb and Corridor.
! a MoEG the gentlemen who were in the city
yesterday was Charles Gilpin, the Vice
President of the American Tin Plate Associa-
tion. He was on his way from Washington to
Chicago, and stopped in this city for only three
hours to visit the local Office of the ASSOCIATION.
Mr.. Gilpin was formerly resident Of Pittsburg.
but has been stationed in Washington to look
after legislation affecting the interests Of the
association. Several big mills in this country
have prepared to manufacture tin plate, and
are waiting only until the tariff is raised sufh-
GENTLY to protect them from English tin. The
association will make strong endeavor to Sc
cure an increase of duty at the present session.
Mr.. Gilpin expressed confidence in the success
of the endeavor. If the customs duty Is
doubled at least three mills will begin opera
tions in the manufacture of tin plate within six
months. The Illinois Steel Company has its tin
plant up and ready for work. Its ore will be
drawn from the Black Hills.
THERE are always new plays on old jokes, and
John Locklin, the gentleman who runs the
stereopticon display on Liberty avenue, re-
ceives the credit for the latest variation. He
was eating his dinner in Newelps restaurant
With scowI upon his face he beckoned David
do you persist in using this vile tea. It's the
only thing you're of on. Why don't you get
some Of that new brandt"
What brand is thatr' David asked.
"McGin-tea," said John, and fell to work on
his Welsh rabbit"
G H. HAMBURGER, Of Philadelphia, is fine
looking man, and counts himself one of
the salt of the earth. He represents the Penn
sylvania Salt Works, Of Philadelphia, and he
swept down on the Hotel Anderson yesterday to
see that the town was well salted during this
warm season. 1T Is spelling weather" he said,
land everybody must use salt 10 keep them
selves well preserved. Why is there not Salt
Trust2 That is one of the things that cannot be
trusted. There is too much salt All you have
to do is to sink well along one Of these rivers
or bore new hole up in Michigan. Neverthe-
less there is money in the salt business. 1t is as
cheap as sawdust, and many persons might
think there was no margin, but there is. 1t is
staple article. Who can live without it? the
demand is regular, and can be counted on.
Then we have duty Of 200 per cent on it, and
the price must remain at profitable, figure.
The money is made on the fine table salts"
A GOODNESS exists between Mayor Pearson,
of Allegheny, and Detective John r. Muir
ply The Mayor stopped in the midst Of Sc
rious police court hearing yesterday morning,
and turning to Detective Murphy, said: by
the way, John. there is dog over here in the
barber shop that has his leg broken. wish
you would go over and shoot it" The hearing
was resumed and Mr.. Murphy hurried out He
has not reappeared at the City Hall. The dog
was terra-cotta one, but there are rumors
abroad that Murphy bored it full of bullet
holes and scattered its remains over the bar
Der shop. Several half shaven men were seen
upon the streets Of Allegheny yesterday after
noon.
A LTFoCGH there are few indications Of
1Christmas in air or earth or water, the vis-
itor to the haymarket square. in Allegheny,
will be strikingly impressed with the fact that
Kriss Kringle is waiting on the roof. The en-
tire square is taken up with Christmas trees,
spruces and pines. big and little, cut from the
romantic hills Of the Youghiogheny They lie
in long rows, like chevaux-de-frise and at in
tervals those of finer form are planted erect.
The square looks like park, as good Allie
ghenians hope to see it some day. All manner
Of people come to buy these trees. They bring
with them suggestions Of sad as well as merry
stories. There is a well dressed man, with silken
tile and kid gloves. negotiating for a large,
capacious tree whose branches will bear up the
afford. There stands poor woman, with her
toes almost out of her broken shoes. red
shawl over her shoulders. The tree which she
selects is but a bush, small and scant. Its
branches, however, are just as green as those
of the larger growth. So in her heart the emo
tlons which the Christmas time awakens are as
strong and deep as those that stir the bosom Of
the millionaire. 1t is possible they are
stronger.
AT a well-polished table near the door Of
Bihlman's restaurant there can be found
every afternoon crony crowd. The light fall
ing upon them from the window glints only on
the tops of gray and bald heads. They sit and
smile and yarn. discussing all matters pertain
ing to civilization, from hair pins to postmas-
ters. The other afternoon they naturally fell
upon the subject of popular concerts, and
talked THE DISPATCH idea up and down in all
directions. do you like music, JimT' the
gravest manin the party asked Of the gentle
man opposite 81 certainly do" was the reply.
do you like bands2' the questioner said.
"Bandsp' said the other, II adore bands"
Thereupon the grave man said: Heres my
hat bandit "Did somebody call the waiterF'
softly asked the gentleman across the table.
ERoM the great booms upon the top of fhe
new Federal building there flickered forth
last night number Of brilliant lights. Pass
ersby on the streets looked and wondered, for
1t was a new thing. The lights were those of
large lanterns. They wavered and moved here
and there until finally they became fixed, and
there blinked out steadily all night long. The
Stroller inquired of policeman on Snithneld
street why the lights were hung aloft. "Oh,"
said he, ITS for the new postmaster"