Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-05-31
THE PAGES GYMNASIUM,
A Small Section of the Capitol Devoted
to the Culture of Muscle.

ON E B o DY beating carpets? Oh
IN no; that's them pages in their gym
NsSEA nasium. as they calls it,
ESSSYS Ii was on the Senate side of the
~ Capitol and away down in the sub
basement, not far from where the new commit
tee rooms give an air of comparative comfort
TO the somewhat damp region Immediately be-
meath the terrace Oh the west front A STAR
reporter was wandering through the subter-
raneous corridors, when he heard muffled sounds
that for awhile were inexplicable. The reyela-
ton of fact was made by passing laborer and
interested by the information and guided by
the sack-thumping noises he repaired TO the
scene of action.
Two sturdy boys. one Of them much larger
than his antagonist. were having a real good
time with set of boxing gloves that was much
too heavy for Juvenile practice. Their facial
features were not 1T all damaged for there was
a tacit understanding that any hit above the
collar button would be unfair and perhaps
painful.
''Biff'- little fellow caught it Just where
his vest joined his knee breeches-but he was
not at all discouraged, and before his longer
reaching rival ceased to smile over his tempo
rary success he planted three or four Dangers
on his ribs that had in them an astonishing
amount of genuine force. Round and round
the big vault they pranced now and then
clinching and occasionally slipping down a
regular boyish circus, and all in the best posi-
BILE humor.
THE PAGES GYMNASIUM
The pages gymnasium is a new feature re-
Gently introduced by Col. Canaday, sergeant
alarms of the Senate. Three rooms. of no
practical value for any other purpose have
been set apart for physical culture as that
science is understood by the youthful athletes
who do the leg work around the Senate The
apartments are en- suite. but that is the only
thing about that looks or sounds STYLISH The
bare brick stares from walls and ceiling and
floors. except where the latter is occasionally
hidden by sprinkiing Of sawdust In each OF
these rooms a carpenter has erected the two
uprights necessary to make operative a hor-
rlzontisl bar. These bars, with one set of box
ing gloves. comprise the entire gymnastic OUTFIT
for seventeen or eighteen boys. Incidentally
it may be stated that the would-be pugilists are
indebted TO one of their number promising
young "sport'-for the Use of the gloves and
If at any time he should feel SO inclined his
fellow gladiators would have to confine their
attentions and endeavors strictly TO the hSri-
zontal bars. As between these two forms of
amusement the majority are most favor
able to the istic practice. All the big bows
want to box, aud so, perforce. the little ones
think they had better stick to the uprights and
cross pieces.
WHEN TIE FUN COMMENCES.
The regular exercises commence at about
$50 am. BY that time the pages have gen.
orally concluded their early morning work leav-
ing them practically without occupation until
nearly noon. Before the gymnasium was es-
tablished time hung heavily and some of the
pages were in the habit of walking up and
down Pennsylvania avenue for couple of
hours each weekday morning. A small force
has to be in the Senate chamber all the MORN
ing because no one knows just when Senator
will drop in and want something. The bows
alternate, however, and everybody gets his
share of brain-whirling or ody-thumping ex-
ercise.
Generally there is a fair-sized audience ont
in the corridor. Laborers, messengers COM
mittee clerks, folding-roorl employees and
curious visitors gather outside Of the latticed
doors, press their faces against the wire WORK
applaud the performers and go away with
diamond-shaped fluctuations on their fore
heads and noses Up to the present time there
have been no Senators among the eongrern
tions, but Just as soon the senatorial snort
ing men realize that miniature Sulliyans and
McAuliffes are to be seen in action. without
money and without price, the crowd will be
increased materially.
PAGES WITHOUT A GYMNASIUM
The House pages have no gymnasium and no
boxing gloves; therefore when they indulge in
sparring matches, as even House pages will.
one or more-generally both-of the cofnbatants
loses more o. less blood and has his physioo-
nomy tinted and abraded. Occasionally thew