Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-14
A Talk With DIR. Ruth.


Among the noted preachers sons $50 called
of this country is DR.. Melancthon Ruth, an
advanced surgeon in the navy, whose father
was Methodist minister from the eastern
shore OF Maryland and his mother of Harri-
son family. regarded as junior branch of
President Harrlson's stock. Or. Ruth is prob
ably the most conspicuous figure in fine soci-
ETY., at balls, &c, III this country among men.
His youth was passed accompanying his pa
rents as they were moved by that curious dis
penaation of old Mr.. Wesley, from town to
town, as If to civilize new place every two
years which needed civIliZ ng. Attending the
pubic high school at Philadelphia Ru III de-
veloped tendency for medicine and before he
had graduated at the medical schools
accompanied the soldiery to the seat
of war as hospital nurse. In due
time he passed his examination and was always
noted for his very clean exterior, careful at
tire, fine looks. tall stature and attention to
female society. His mother is still living and
1t Is a tendency OF the times to note that she
Is rather an agnostic in religious matters. A
pleasant medium mind and style, gentle to
women, affcctlonate to men, soon made DIR.
Ruth popular III the navy. Wherever he set
tied down, whether in port or on station the
ladies picked him out for his fine appearance
and finding him posted Oh all matters of ETH
quette and good breeding brought him to the
head OF their entertainments. 1t has finally
to have him open all the leading balls and if
an entertainment like that OF McAllster's is
given Ill New York one of the first men thought
OF is DIR. Ruth Having known him more or
less for twenty years l came upon him in Wash
ington few days ago and walked around
the city for an hour or more. Said /: Doc or,
how Is 1t that you have not got some English
accent amidst all your temptations?"
My dear fellow, it would break my heart if
any man should think me to be a snob."
How is it that you take 30 kindly to a lunch
OF cold herring and restaurant midday farei'
Well" said the doctor, Il was out last
night at splendid dinner, which cost SIS
plate, and not one thing could eat; but this
Scotch herring and cold potato salad seems to
fire me hack to childhood's happy days"
Stopping at Galt's the jewelers., to look at
pair OF expensive vases, remarked: Il don't
see how you can afford, on a surgeons pay to
be pricing matter Of that kind"
why, don't you know that it is now the style
for dozen or twenty fellows who know a girl
about to be married to club together and buv
something nice and let the groomsman give it?
Those vases are so. If we buy them shall
put up my proportion. In that wav we all
stand around and take All interest in the we'd
ding, like dozen fellows who bought lottery
ticket or pool ticket. She is our girl, and il is
our wedding, and there is nothing selfish about
il"
How do you stand this fashionable racket
and keep stomach, nervous system and a clean
skim"
Il have to be very particular. Twice every
twenty-four hours take hard towel bath. l
generally get some sleep in the daytime or |
would be badly Off for that commodity, for it
Is not often that l get to bed before l or 2
o'clock in the morning, and 1t is sometimes 3
or O'clock Last night / Was to a dinner to
the Chinese ambassadors who were passing
through. You ought to have heard my speech,
my boy. The minister arose and bowed his
thanks"
What was the nature of it?
why, had been In China, and told the
guests that for civilization, tenacity of national
life, superb antiquity and real aristocracy there
was no land like China. l was at an entertain
ment once at Canton. where there were some
fifty fine young Chinese bloods. Every man
was six feet high; their skins and eyes seemed
to look down through centuries or were like
an everlasting day without cloud. Their
fnger-nails were four inches long, to show that
they had never worked day III their lives.
With such experiences knew what was talk
inc about -