Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-01-17
Several Dinners Spotted.

As Z result of an unsuccessful effort at
photography, Jack" Miley, stock
broker, is now barred from that most
clublike uptown public resort-Del-
monico's restaurant. He made most
dismal failure of his photograph
but he created profound sensation
among the diners.
1t was his first experience with a
dashight, and he is no; likely TO make
another trial in public. He selected
the hour when Dvlmonico's is most
crowded about halfpast seven-to
test his new hashlight camera. The
way the apparatus worked had been
carefully explained to him and he felt
confident that he could manage it. The
result should have been merely streak
of vivid light, q slight hiss, and a mega
tive showing number of wealthy and
fashionable men dining at the small
tables. What actually occurred did
not at ali follow this programme.
Lloyd Aspinwall was cnjoyinga good
dinner at a table near the Broadway
and Twenty-sixtn street corner of the
cafe, when Mr.. Miley suddenly inform
ed him that his picture would be taken
by hashlight. The camera was lifted
20 the table and pointed toward Nh
Aspinwall.
Don't do it, jack" hastily exclaim
ed Mr.. Aspinwall.
The words were scarcely out of is
mouth before Mr.. NIiley touched the
button. The machine "did the rest
with vengeance. There was loud
explosion, a flash, with long, loud
splutter, and cloud OF foul, binding
smoke
1t is not very long since Delmon.co's
was visited by crank with revolver,
who amused himself shooting holes
through the plate glass windows al q
visions of ''inferna! machines" dam, d
through the brains ofa dozen frightened
diners. Knives, forks and napkins
were dashed to the floor by a score of
men, as they pushed back their chairs
and made rush for the doors. Dozens
OF dainty dishes were knocked to the
floor iii the resulting scramble.
The first thought of everybody
around Was to reach a place of safety to
avoid the general devastation which
seemed imminent. That awful flash
kept on sizing and smoking and Mr..
Miley stood awaiting the outcome.
Walters gathered at safe distance and
yelled to him to stop it, but he could do
nothing until it ceased to burn Of It's
own accord. Even then smoke con-
tinued TO puff out Of the camera.
Men who had hurried from the tables
at the first report rciurnod Il to see what
had actually caused the excitement.
They found Mr. Mlley very red and
husJered trying to explain to the walters
and attendants that he had not eXplod-
ed bomb but had merely tried, in his
amateursh way, to take a photograph
Mr. Aspinwall looked annoyed, but
smiled in his usual amiable manner and
reassured the timid ones.
Never was there a more horrible,
more intolerable stencil than that smoke
caused. 1t was 50 bad that TO continue
eating where it Offended the nostrils
was absolutely impossible. permeat-
ed the entire place, aud Charles G. Del
monico, who was Oh the Fifth avenue
side of the building, smelt it and hur-
ried to TIE cafe to discover its origin.
1t took but few words Of explanation
TO acquaint him with what had happen
ed. He Immediately requested Mr..
Miey to leave and told him never TO
enter the restaurant again.
He next called Detective "Jack
Wade to task for having failed of his
own accord to eject Mr. Miley. Wade,
who is connected with the police de-
partment, stands guard every night at
the cafe door. He succ( eded Jim
Cusick as Delmonicos ''preserver OF
the peace" "Billy" Purzel, q regular
patron of the house interceded forbade,
and assured Mr.. Delmonico that Wade,
who had been standing outside, could
not have seen or heard the flashlight.
Wade escaped with rcprimand.
The windows were then opened ana
the cafe was thoroughly ventilated to
get rid of the stencil.
The picture taken by Mr.. Miley was
so bad that he concluded to destroy
yT,,.1JJ