The Washington times., 1894-07-30
CURB AND CORRIDOR.

"Here goes. Throw down another" said
Hon. J. r. Butterfield and another dignifled
gentleman in front OF Chamberlain's last
night This is the mostcooling sport I've
seen yet And the thermometer rose as the
little darkey girl stopped down. picked up
several nickels. and kept up the plantation
breakdown with new fire.
The game indoors broke up. The gentle
men came out to enjoy the fun. Ladies with
soft, fllmy dresses mixed with the crowd and
watched the pickaninny ..whoa down" The
crowd increased and the fun was infectious.
There were signs that the infected crowd
would start up old Dan Tucker" and all
join in the dance. But the ever-present
Italian organ grinder came up to turn an hon
est penny, and the ethiopian danseuse was
turned down. The strains of "Cavaieria
Rusticanan broke up the current OF thought of
the Midway tom-tom: the Cairo dance ceased,
and the crowd dispersed.
''Stnce recent amusing experience OF mine
in connection with the Naval Lodge corner
stone laying have rather small opinion of
some Washington drug stores, especially those
with soda water fountains attached" said
prominent member of the Masonic fraternity
the other evening. He proceeded TO tell the
following story:
1T happened during luil in the proceed
ings, and the members of our lodge were
standing on the hot asphalt wishing we were
in a shady spot and in seats. After standing
and suffering this for some time party of
three, myself and two others, broke from the
ranks and proceeded to a nearby store, from
which n sign hung bearing the familiar le-
gend: Ice cold soda water.
I'VE made for this store with due haste and
called for our respective fiavors; one asked
for lemon, another limeade. and the last root
beer. To our surprise the slow-going clerk
drawled out the remark:
1--WE have only two syrups, sir, lemon and
chocolate
Fortunately for that clerks employer there
was no other soda fountain in the immediate
vicinity and we were compelled to take this,
our dose, with a remark OF surprise at the
lack OF enterprise displayed by this particular
merchant. So one gentleman took chocolate
and the other two lemon. The former and
one glass Of the latter were prepared. but l
waited for my lemon. Finally one gentleman
asked if | wanted any soda, and l said.
That's what came here for. Then that
obliging clerk spoke up again.
Excuse me. but We have only two glasses
and one gentleman will have to wait until
another drinks his Soda
Il waited. got what wanted, and paid for
it. but if that seedy individual who pretended
to be a during clerk had heard my remarks
concerning himself possibly there may have
been fistic encounter to enliven the corner
stone laying proceedings. The next time 1
want soda l shall first inquire how many
fiavors there are, and also if there are more
than two glasses in the shop
''The city bathing beach seems a popular
place for the boys of the District" said Il
resident who was down there Sunday, ''but
it is a surprise to me that better facilities
have not been provided by the authorities.
There is good bathing there, the water is
clear, and there is n good sandy beach. The
natural facilities form nucleus of great
popular bathing resort for good class OF
people.
Never under the most favorable circum-
stances have seen more than fifty men and
boys in swimming at one time. The boys
could have such fine sport It's pity more
improvements are not made for their benefit.
1t would be profitable institution.
1.-The police officer in charge is a firm,
good-natur-d, and kind man, and just the
sort of fellow to manage TIE boys that go to
the bath now. But 10 be under police sur
veilance is CALLING to any high-spirited.
manly young fellow who would like to go in
with the crowd.
Il don't want to say anything against the
officer for he means well. and disciplines the
reckless boys, but well-bred young men are
not used to that sort OF thiag."