Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-24
RAMBLINGs.
~He rambled in his walks
And likewise In his talks"

-Otu SONG.
In . small way, one Of the greatest annoy
ances yet put upon readers Of magazines, PAM
phlets, etc, comes through the wire fastenings
substituted for the old-fashioned thread stitch
ing. Where the wire is used il is almost i'm
possible to open the pages wide enough for
comfortable reading, and when one wants to
detsch portion of q publication thus held to-
gether the task is a most trying one, and often
an exasperating failure. The man who in
vented the device did good thing possibly for
printers, publishers and binders, since it is a
great saving of labor, and reduces somewhat
the expense of production. but il has not in the
least cheapened the price of books, while it has
added considerably to the discomforts and per-
plexities of life. Like many another inventor.
he puts lot of money in the pockets OF a
chosen few, but he is in no sense public ben
efactor. Very likely he doesn't pretend to be;
but his continuance is a nuisance to readers, all
the same.
What is the purpose of the clock face on the
tower OF the B. & o. New Jersey avenue rail-
way stationf If 1t is intended as an ornamental
feature. it hardly comes up to reasonable
esthetic requirements. If it is to play the part
OF timepiece. as its appearance purports,
then 1t is a delusion and a snare. As a rule, the
clock is not in running order, and when
1t Is going. it is oftener wrong than
right. 1t is sometimes comical, there
fore. to watch the faces of persons
reaching the station in a hurry to fake de-
parting trains as they cast an eve at the dummy
In the tower and see its hands pointing to an
hour altogether different from the real time.
The expression changes from one indicating a
den shock to puzzled look and this gives
way In turn to an indignant glare, usually ac-
companied by an imprecating sound some
thing between grunt and growl. But what
ever form the expression of eye or lip may
take, 1t Is never complimentary to the manage
ment OF the road on that particular point.
4
This is the uncharitable inference drawn by
an Indiana contemporary from one of the fea-
lures of a recent notable social event. ''At the
magnificent wedding of Miss Audenreid to
Count Forest Divonne. in Washington, all Of
the wedding favors were gold hearts caught to-
gether with diamonds-most appropriate and
significant"
The statement heretofore published that the
portrait of Gen. Bussey assistant secretary of
the interior, ordered for the Iowa state house,
is to be painted by Mr.. W. NJ. Snyder Of In
diana, is incorrect. The commission for the
painting has been given TO Mr.. II. LeGrand
johnson, of this city, and he will shortly COM
mence work upon it.
X
Where will you find sixteen better turned
lines than the tribute to SHAKESPEARE, following,
from the pen of Thomas Bailey AldricE:
The folk who lived in Shakespeare's day
And saw that gentle figure pass
BY London brdge--his frequent way
They little knew what man he vast
Inc pointed beard. the courteous mien,
The equal port to high and low.
All tins they saw or might have seeii-
But not the light behind the browl
The doublet's modest gray or brown,
The slender sword-hilt's plain device.
What sign had these for prince or clown:
Few turned, or none, to scan him twice.
Yet twas the king of England's kingsl
The rest with all their pUmps anu trains
Are mOldered, haif-remcmbered things
lis he alone that lives and regnsi