The Washington times., 1894-07-08
AS SEEN IN THE LIBRARY
Some Of the Characters That Frequent
Uncle Sans Bookcase.
LONG-SUFFERING ATTENDANTS
They Have to Contend With All Shades Of
Temperament and All Grades Of oddi-
ties-some of tho People Who Bother
Them-E'en the Summer Girl

II want ter see the librarian; where can /
find him at?''
The question was put to an assistant in the
Congressional Library few days ago by an
individual whose physiology stamped him
as an old inhabitant of Bnckwoods county.
He desired 10 see certain book on French
history, but didn't know that it required the
labor of more than one person to keep the
big Library in proper running order. So he
was slightly surprised when he was quietly
informed by the assistant that Mr.. Spoford
was engaged at that tiino and he (the assist
anti would get the book.
''Wall. ken git book off them shelves
and read il here thout Senator's or Con-
Sressman's order" was his next query.
''Yes, you may sit at one of these tables all
day and read, if you like. without Con-
sressman's order" replied tho patient assist
ant
"Wall, I'll be gosh-darned." came from
the seedy individual, II have been through
all tie apartment buildin's. but blamed il
there amt less red tape ana more gentlemen
together." The gentleman from Backwoods
county then seated himself at table anu
asked.
'Ken yer tell me whar ken buy sugar at
a low price," and the cold-blooded assistant
referred him to Senator Quay.
The above is but one OF Il number oil similar
incidents which occur daily in the Con-
gressional Library. Here may be seen Senators
and Repres sniatiyes, and their constituents,
employees of the Senate and Eolse. clerks OF
departments and visitors TO the Capitol, who
come to read or take out books by leaving
deposit amounting 10 the retail price OF tine
volume. During the school year, especially
on Saturday morning. the library is well
patronized by pupils whose teachers assign to
lave the task of writing compositions and
essays on special subjects. Other frequent
visitors are those who have to prepare for
public debate and come to the library in order
TO secure all the arguments possible Tor their
side OF the question. Many come and spend
an hours or more in profitable reading which
might otherwise be wasted in promenadipg
the street or listening to congressional de-
bates.
And even the ever popular Summer girl
occasionally strays in among the books. ap-
parently lost in such TN odd and unusual
place. she wants eight reading. please"
and the clerk, answering her inquiry. pro-
ceeds To the Hawthorne. Roe or Duchess
for an hour or so deeply interested in the
'.Scarlet Letter" or Driven Back TO Eden"
Then she returns the book and departs with
the remark that Its really too warm to-day
TO read. and Immediately retreats to u drug
store or leo cream parior.
Half a dozen perst n young and old. were
seated at the several library tables a Iaorning
or two ago. No two OF them were in the same
positi, n or held their books IL ke. Al the
first table was q small boy OF about ten SUM
mers. barefooted and without coat reading
an interesting child's story anu paying no at
tention 10 the visitors who passed back and
forth and sometimes almost trod on his
slender toes. For more than an hour he sat
with legs crossed. the book resting on his
knee
In striking contrast with the earnest atti-
tude of this child was the careless. listess
mien of young man at the next table. He
about 25 years old and apparently didn't
care-perhaps didn't know-the title Of the
book he held in his hand Sitting for more
than an hour in lazy, don';-care position
10y actual count. he turned less than bakers
dozen pages The slightest sound seemed TO
disturb him. Some one coughed or took a
kcrchief from his pocket and this young man
stopped and for the next five minutes gazed
with open mouth and fixel stare at the dis
turbing element. This method Of reading
continued for quite n while, until the gentle
formation. when the volume was returned and
he took his departure.
Two scholarly appearing gentlemen sat at
the adjonin., table and copied Extensively
from number OF volumes. One OF these,
who seemed TO be familiar with the arrange
ment of books would 20 from one section to
another an1 select from the shelves various
volumes e, aiaing information ON the sub
jcct he WIS investigating. There are quite q
number OF peis Jls. regular visitors to the
library. who able TO do the same thing
They 20 80 often and read widely that
gradually they learn the location OF almost
a partc.lar book 10 which they VISA to
reler. Il Is rarely necessary for them 20 ask
any Of the ass!s.an; librarians to help in
finding what they want.
Then tier We're two Young colorrd men Mt |
tn" tn!'.e,. and Ggither paid any attention 10 !
what was Srin; On aGoat them. but attended |
strictly 10 business. Gloss by werc Two High /
school boys 10 cadet Uniform. spending their /
vacation in profitable rdaiin-. aud an old I
tn eajoyn- an old volume OF English tales /
OF the eighteenth century.
Thes' ..'aricsers aie types Of the hundreds +
who CONT aud 20 from o'clock in the moTlr- I
Ing ua-.i IN the aft Mr.. SpoiIord /
has ~ able corps of assistants. and. IN spite I
OF the rsct that their rati-nee is pve-y iay 1
taxed almost beyond endurance. they perform 1
tn. II duties to the general satisfaction OF tha /
pJoIir.
:, Ggv or two ago Il gentleman came INTO /
TIE l!brary armed with an order for tea
books on the subject o! ;uIstomy, no ;wo of
which were IN tnr same section. and some
,iine was required t. ilnl the volumes. Bat
the gcnticn,nn who wanted the books seemed
to be in Il particular hurr.--. aud stood in the
middle ot the room watching the assistants
every movement. Haven't you got them
q. ye.E' he would call out irri;ably. to which
he assistant rrp'ei. "ril have them in a
moment. sir; Just take Il seat. please"
Finally tic books were ali found.
~ mother poun OF 1esh gone" sighed the
assistant as he sat down and waited for the
next.