The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-04-09

reminders Of the day on which all the
world should rejoice and be glad; but
iewelry, china and glassware, and the
hundred and one things scattered as
Easter gifts seem to lack fitness.
EGG ROLLING.
This is custom peculiar to Wash
ipgtop, and dating way back in the
years too far to reckon. No one knows
how it originated, though believe Prof
Mason, of the museum, gives the credit
to a few old Scotch settlers who
brought the custom from the land of
the thistle. At any rate, 1t has come
to stay, and last year President Harri.
son gave it the stamp Of authority and
endorsement as we'll by ordering the
marine band always to be present in
White house grounds on egg rolling
day. I'm not def enough to draw a
pen and ink sketch, but here is a dash
OF word painting that may bring the
scene before the reader: Hour OF II
and thereafter. From all points of the
compass children press toward the
White house grounds; babies in car
rages, little toddlers rolled in fur, and
hardly big enough to put one foot be-
fore the other, gay nurse maids with
cap strings flying in the breeze, laugh
ing girls with bewitching little jackets
of scarlet cloth, or velvet, big boys
jostlibg the little boys and pressing
forward with glad shouts to the goal,
all bearing baskets OF bright colored
eggs The iron gates are flung
wide, and in they rush and scam
per with all speed to the
top of the hillocks; now
the fun begins; in whichever direction
the eye may turn there is vision of
eggs, scarlet and blue, violet and yell
low, rolling, knocking, chipping click.
ing, children. darting hither and
thlther, their gay costumes seeming all
the more brilliant in contrast with the
soft emerald hue of the grassy slopes,
while the witching strains of the band
set little feet and fairy forms in motion
as they dance to the sweet melody that
fills the whole air. The entire house
hold Of the mansion, beginning with
the chief executive, assemblies in the
south portico, and at given hour the
immense throng of happy children
pass up and are Presented to the Presi
dent. and have cordial shake of the
hand. 1t is scene never to be forgot
ten, and no stranger would miss egg
rolling on Easter Monday.
OVER THE WATER.
Mrs. Russell Harrison and Mrs.
Mckee have decided to summer
abroad, and will sail for London about
the LIST OF May, where they will
be the guests OF Minister
and Mrs. Robt. Lincoln; from London
to Berlin, where they will be enter
tanned by Minister and Mrs. Phelps,
and in Paris by Minister and Mrs.
Reid. The children will remain with
Grandma Harrison, who will likely
make an early start for their cottage
at Long Branch. II the president
shall decide to take a California trip,
he will be unaccompanied by Mrs.
Harrison, as she would not be willing
to leave the children for such pro.
longed period, six weeks being the
time contemplated for the overland
trip. With the magnificent appoint.
ments OF our splendid railways travel
ing is synonym for comfort on the
wing.
What if our chief magistrate and his
estimable wife were like England's
royal ruler! Think OF Victoria having
to convey bed stead and all its trap
pings with her when she goes off for q
single nights stayi Royal bones rest
easily only on their own especial and
individual property.
| A NOVEL DEVICE.
Quite crowd assembled few days
ago at the east front OF the capitol
to witness the testing of the Hale
water tower, a new invention for fight
ing fires. The tower rests horizontally
OH a sort of trench long telescope
arrangement at one end conducts the
water which is pumped into it to al
most any height When in action the
tower is raised to perpendicular by a
chemical pressure and in five seconds
a strem Of water is poured upon the
burning building The officers of the
| fire department here witnessed the test
and also Chief Hennick, of the Balti-
more fire department.. 1t was highly
satisfactory and if adopted will solve
many doubt as to the possibility Of
fighting fires III buildings where the
stories run from five to fifteen.
A FINE FEATURE.
Is there anythinga woman can not
dor The question is pertinent, for in
all lines of life her skill is being mani
tested and her ability to think, plan
and execute being acknowledged.
Of designs for the womans building
at the Worlds Fair. thirteen have been
submitted by women and tie selections
narrowed down to three. They are
all of Italian style of architecture, and
pronounced very fine. The structure
will cost 100000. Miss Sophia G..
Hayden OF Boston took the first prize
of $1,000 for the best design; Miss Howe
of Boston second prize, $500, and Miss
Laura Hayes of Chicago third prize,
$3.50. This lady is the private secre-
tary of Mrs. Potter Palmer. Immedi-
ately upon the awards being made
Miss Hayden was telegrsphed to go to
Chicago and elaborate her plans. Her
design is marked for elegant simplic-
ity; it is in Italian renaissance, with
colonades, crossed by center and end
pavilions. The whole building will
be 200 by 400 feet and fifty feet to the
cornice