davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1895-02-17

The stately castles Of olden times have a
Pamshackle counterpart here in Washington.
It is that quaint and rheumatic looking
double structure. numbered 4l9 and 423 New
Jersey avenue northwest, within two doors
Of No. police station, and which is famil-
iarly known throughout the city. especially
in police circles. as "Ryder's Castle"
Policeman Pat Creagh, who accompanied
TIE TINES artist and reporter through the
dimly-lighted precincts of this old bailiwick
OF poverty, yesterday remarked at the en-
trance:
You would hardly believe there were four
brick walls in Washington which surround
so much crime. squalor, and faded gentiliiy.
From the front Ryder's Castle certainly
bears out in a measure the suggestiveness Of
its name. II has a deep moat along its front,
over which there is a bridge for the modern
knights OF the turnpike and ladies Of the
town to enter the grim old castle. especially
when hotly pursued by their enemies-the
police
The bridge is known 10 the occupants o.
the castle as ''de gang plank" and it GER
tainly resembles the rough gangways used on
river freight steamers. II serves as a means
of entrance TO a capacious front room on the
first floor.
The door OF this apartment is large and
iron barred. and looks more like the opening
TO morgue or jail than anything else. Above
the door during the candle!iGht hours swings
an ordinary railroad signal lantern, which Is
The Washington times., 1895-02-17
POMPOSITY CURED.
He Crushed the Shop Girl with a Look, but
Her Revenge Was Sweet.

He Crushed the Shop Girl with a Look, but
Her Revenge Was Sweet.
1t was during the holiday season and he
was a very pompous man. AS he walked
through the finest and most expensive store
In town his air and manner seemed to say
that he owned it; but he didn't, as everybody
knew At length he found himself in the
hosiery department, and brave, indeed. was
the display there.
Give me half dozen pairs OF those he
said pointing to a superb pair of silk stock
ings embroidered in pattern as intricate as
a Floreniine Mosaic.
The little clerk raised her voice timidly:
Excuse me, sir, but I don't think you want
half dozen pairs OF these; they are"
The pompous individual interrupted her
with a crushing look.
Don't presume to dictate to me. l said a
half dozen pairs
The clerk was silent. She carefully ar
ranged six dainty boxes each with its ex-
quisite and elaborate contents, and then
made out the bill painstakingly.
The pompous man drew forth his fat pock-
etbook and waited with look of smooth
condescension on his snug face
"a hundred and eighty dollars, SIR said
the clerk. quietly.
The man gasped. The stockings were the
finest in the market. They retailed at ex-
actly $50 per pair. New York Advertiser
The Washington times., 1895-02-17
Of science and the benefit of his own pocket

Of science and the benefit of his own pocket
book
Opposite the rooms of Maud and Percy
Brown is a so-called amusement hall. with
bare brick walls and an uneven, shaky floor
This bail is lighted during the DAYTIME
through lop-sided bay window which faces
New Jersey avenue. In its dusty interior
during the warm months are sometimes Wit
messed orgies which would put to shame n
band or Hindoo nauteh dancers. or the
beeile-erowed whirlers In the average Boyery
danes hall
Ryder's Castle was built forty wears aro
and was once the home of luxury and ease
Within the past fifteen years, however. il mas
degenerated into a tenement house that vorId
vie with any similar establishments in tha
metropolis. Its occupants include every
phase OF human nature from the resneetahJs
poor to drunkards and ''vags'' of the worst
description
CAREFUL POLICE SURVEILLANCE
Lieut. Kelly has ordered the policemen on
that beat, Pat Creagh, Michael Lynch, Tom
McNamee, and Denny Lynch, known as the
Celtic quartet. to extend their patrol every
night from the street to the darksome and
noisome Railways, cellars, and apartments of
the battered old caste.
As the exploring party was taking its leave
of the grim old castle the coiored congrega-
tion was assembling; in the church-room be-
low, and the chanting voices of the dusty
The Washington times., 1895-02-17
HOW ToOMBS DIED.
The Great Rebel Passed Away with q
Jest on His Lips.

The Great Rebel Passed Away with
Jest on His Lips
1t is said that Toonbs never lost his wits
and power Of entertainment-not even while
on his deathbed and in a comatose condition
He died the year the Georgia legislature had
so long a session. and one morning when the
doctor came to see him and asked how he
felt. he said: "Oh, sick, but cheerful. I want
to set out in the sunshine; it tortures me TO
Hnger here in bed. / want sunshine, fresh
air. Say, doctor. what's the news Of the day
in the great world2'
''Oh, nothing much, general. The legis-
lature is still in session. and there seems to
be but little hope OF an earlv adjournment"
and the doctor was amazed to see the in
valid fall back in a swoon, his eyes closing,
and his lips faltering.
Horrors; no adjournment yet" and there
was feeble quiver in the voice.
No. not yet
"Then send for Cromwell to drive the ras-
Gals homer and the illHstrious son of Georgia
fell back and went to sleep. He was une0n-
scious and died q few days later.
The Washington times., 1895-02-17

woman, without fire, and suffering from a
serious case OF pneumonia. In the next
apartment was woman connected with a
once wealthy Maryland family, who now finds
herself compelled to 90 about washing clothes
for a livelihood.
After passing through a succession of foul
odors. any one of which would nut Chinese
army 10 rout, the party reached the top
floor of the old structure. Here, under the
very rooftree OF the castle. was found an
other dose of royalty. In rear room,
heated only by the fitful rays OF the single
burner OF an old gasoline stove was Percy
Brown, aged and paralyzed. and in the ad-
joining room his sister Maud.
Percy is known throughout the District as
the king of Body-snatchers,' while Maud S
fame as fortune-teller, elocutionist. linguist
and poet is none the less. These queer peo-
pie were born in the far away realms of the
Czar, and claim to be descendants of Russian
nobility.
Yes said Maud last evening, 1--WE came
from Odessa. the 'granary of the world
Our mothers name was De Angaline. and she
was member OF a royal Spanish family. In
her youth she welded a Russian count.
Even now / am a countess and my brother
Percy a count, although TO look at US in this
foul place one would think We were 20
count.
DISTINGUISHED PRACTITIONER.
Percy Brown, the old resurrectionist pre-
The Washington times., 1895-02-17

mental and battalion commanders, and rs far
as this battalion is concerned, we refute the
charge.
1T would indeed be pretty state OF affairs
II simple order to do duty Tor three hours
on a day when the majority of workingmen
and off1ceholders will lose neither time nor
pay, coupled with the promise to see that
every man does bis duty or his presence as
National Guardsman is not desired. should
create q rebellion. especially here in the Dis
trict where the Guard is not required to do
half the hard service exacted from National
GuarGsmen in the States.
Il have always contended that the tax
payers of the District OF Columbia are en-
titled to some return for the quarters and
uniforms furnished the local troops, and If
any officer or man, be he who he may,
swels up with Indignation and spouts for
publication such as is calculated to break up
the discipline OF Il command or an endeavor
to defeat the ends that are being tried TO be
reached and the efficiency the people have a
right te expect OF us Il think he should be very
severely dealt with. even to the extent of a
dshonorable discharge"
1t Is more than probable that the parade OF
the Second Regiment on Washingtons g Birth
day will be a success now. and it is all due to
the publication in TIE TIMES OF the article to
The Washington times., 1895-02-17

which Major Suess objects. Col. Clay has
Issued another order for the parade and in il
appeals TO regimental pride. IL is moro than
probable now that the boys will turn out.
Majo- Suess should have due credit for his
attempt to right a wrong and has. but the
fact still remains that there WAS great dis
satisfaction over the order to parade on the
22d. Soldiers claim that it was holiday
and they preferred TO use the time as they
best saw fit. The writer was informed by one
officer that OF his company but three men
would turn out-these three the commls-
stoned officers. The Second Regiment has no
superior, but its members are men. and its
officers, some of them at least, have been try
ing for years to impress on the taxpayers OF
the District and Congress that the National
Guard gives more than it has received already,
and should be paid.
THE CoLoNEL's NEW ORDER.
The new order issued by Col. Clay follows:
"HDQRs. SECOND REGIMENT d. q. n. G..
"WAsHISGToS, D. c., Feb. u, 1895.
"Orders No. f.
81. Battalion commanders are directed to
take such measures as are practicable to turn
out the full strength OF their commands at
the regimental drill on February %. Each
battalion commander must hand in a report
to the regimentai adjutant Immediately after
the command is dismissed from drill on the
day named, and every officer and man must
be accounted for in writing All absentees
without proper written authority for their ab-
sence will be marked absent without leave
I'll The regimental commander has never
found il necessary to go to the newspapers
What may have been said there, either about
the regiment or, rs was done in Congress re-
Gently, the Guard in general. He has suffl-
cient confidence in the Second Regiment to
think that its conduct in the future, as in the
past, will amply -efute whatever may be said
by the ignorant or thoughtless.
Iii. This order must be read at the head
OF every company in the regiment at its next
assembly. By order OF Col Clay.
"WiLLIAM III. MOVER,
Captain and adjutaut."
The parade of the Washington Light In
fantry on the 22d promises TO be q great sue
cess, the weather permitting. The Usual
route will be followed. and a number OF the
organizations in the First Regiment will turn
oDt. No one knows just yet what will be done
by the Second Regiment. At first the inten-
tion was to go out the Columbia road and
have regimentaI parade, battalion drill, and
open order tactics. Lunch was to be served
on the field. This programme may yet be
carried out but no one knows; If they do, no
one will tell.
The Washington times., 1895-02-17

probablv intended 10 illuminate the gang
plank. and prevent unsteady visitors from
tumbling headlong into the moat
OLD PLANTATION DAYS AGAIN.
The iron-barred front room is occupied by
a eolored congregation as a church, and al
most any night can be heard their quaint re-
ligious melodies, filing the surroun ling
atmosr here with great volumes of sound. re-
minding the hearer Of the old plantation days.
AS the bridge or gang-plank serves as a
means OF entry TO the colored Westinghouse,
so the deep moat also serves as an entrance
10 the rooms below the surface Of the street,
These are a series OF ''black holes of Cal
cutta. as it were. and the great wonder is
that human beings can live IN the clammy. ill
smelling atmosphere and semi-darkness OF the
vaults, for they are little else.
The first of these saDterranean rooms
entered by the exploring party was occupied
bv German shoemaker. He had but re-
Gently completed term OF Imprisonment in
the wot 1 house on the charge Of hahitual
drunkenness under the YaSrancy act. ana ap-
peared pale and shakv.
his wife is T., 'anted Frenchwoman- She
graduated from one Of the first female semin-
aries IN France can speak several languages
fiuen ly. and claims TO lie a direct descend
ant Of Napoleonie royalty.
This woman downfall was the ruddy wine
cup. At first it was the Oldest and best vint-
ages OF Ia belle France. Now it has de-
scended 10 the chrar rest "hummers" OF
whisky sold 10 Washinston's .other half.
From splen1or to squalor; from home Of
elegance and luxury TO an underground
vault IN dingy. .tumble-tOwn ''Ryder's Castle. "
Leaving the shaky shoemaker TO his cob
webs and silence. the party proceeded through
a series or inky-dark passageways. encounter
ing currents OF icy air en- route, and finally
entering a dimly lighted, large, cellar-like
apartment
AND RATS. TOO.
A colony OF gaunt, hungry rats scampered
70 their holes as the party approached. and
great black reaches rustled through the
The Washington times., 1895-02-17


was appointed first sergeant of Company G, a
position he held until his transfer to the staff
as sergeant major. Fresh from the service of
the regular Army. he was entirely competent
to perform the duties of instructor of Com
pany G which fell upon him, and it was owing
to his indefatigable hard work and effort that
the company was able to soon reach state
of proficiency and be credit to the Guard on
occasions of public display
Sergt.-Major Dennison is thoroughly pro-
flcient in signalling as developed in the reg
ular service, including the use of flags, hell
ographs. touches, fash lanterns, ETC., and
assisted Company ably in this branch Of
work at Harpers Ferry. w. Va The sergeant
major is also one OF the good shots of the
CORPS, having qualified as q sharpshooter
every year he has been in the Guard and
holds first prize gold medal in one of the
fall matches. Sergt.-Maior Dennison is a
thorough-going soldier and any company
would be fortunate in having him for one of
its commissioned officers.
The other two pictures are of gentlemen
well-known in the Guard. Their history ap-
peared in this column last week, but the pic
lures were crowded out.
THE SECOND REGIMENTS PARADE
Major Otto l.. Suess wrote the following
communication to this column last Sunday
after reading paragraph concerning the
proposed parade OF the Second Regiment on
Washington's Birthday. The communication
appended is as written by the major:
I'm this mornings issue of your valuable
paper [ was much surprised to note that you
say that there is rebellion in the Second
Regiment which bids fair to have the effect
oil having no regiment left, owing to the re-
cent threat of Col. Clay to discharge every
m an who did not parade on the ODD instant.
or words to that effect. have to state, in
this connection. that SO far as this battalion
is concerned it is as false as the imputation
OF unsoldierly conduct on a regiment that has
always been considered under admirable dis
cpiine is uncalled for
81 know this from personally conversing
with almost all of the men in this battalion
and from the expression of the other battalion
commanders ut recent meeting of the regi-
The Washington times., 1895-02-17
ENGLISH PRISON REFORM.
There Should Be an independent System
OF Inspection.

There Should Be an independent System
OF Inspection.
In the management Of prisons there ought
to be much more of the civil than the MILL
tary element engaged, writes Michael Davitt,
in the Nineteenth Century. A special train
ing should be instituted for this branch OF the
civil service and among the qualifications
that should be insisted upon is practical
knowledge OF industrial and trade avoeat1ous
No WardeE should be employed who could
not undergo an examination in practical in
dustry OF some kind or character. The hours
Of duty for a warder should be reduced to
eight per day, while night duty ought to
command extra remuneration.
The status OF the prison schooimaster
should be raised. his services should be more
generally employed than at present, and bet
ter salaries should be paid to invite the best
men to engage In what ought to be. and
which could be made to be, one OF the best
reformatory influences operating within
prison.
More initiative should be allowed to gov
ernors and more responsibility be thrown
upon them in the general work of treating
prisoners and managing prisons Cases put
back for a director ought, except when the
ofTense is very serious, to be disposed of by
the governor. who knows Cor ought TO know
far more about the character circumstances
or proyocation Of the breach Of rules than an
official from LONDON. In serious eases of as
sault or attempts to esrape prisoner ought
to have the option of requiring the presence
of justice of the peace along with the visit
ing director when the ofIense is to be adiUdi-
Gated upon
Finally. there ought to be a thoroughly in
dependent system OF inspection of all prisons,
local or convict. and al judges, magistrates.
and members OF parliament should be allowed
free access to such places ut all times and 10
have the right 70 forward direct TO the homo
secretary such reports, comments, or COM
plants rs they might deem iit aRd proper to
make with regard to the treatment of crimis
mails or the management Of such prIsoBs.
The Washington times., 1895-02-17
4 WEEK IN LABOR CIRCLES
Matters of Interest to Organized
Workingmen of the District.
MEETINGS FOR THIS WEEK.
SUNDAY. FEBRUARY II.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY II.
Columbia Typographical Union, No. 101-
Typographical Temple.
L. A. 4308, X. OF L.. Musicians-Elks' Hall,
Ninth street and Pennsylvania avenue.
l.. A 1889, X. of L., Bakers-Plasterers'
Hall, Four-and-a-half street and Pennsyl-
vania avenue.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1S.
L. A. 1914, K. OF L.. Observation-Disclosures
Hall, Four -and-a-half street and Pennsyl-
vania avenue.
J.. A. I745, K. of L.. Carpenters and join
ers-Typographica Tsmple.
L. U. 190, National Brotherhood OF Car
penters and Joiners-Hall, 425 Twelfth street
northwest.
L. A. 1046, K. of L., Bakers Drivers
Bunch's Hall. 3l4 Eighth street northwest.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19.
Federation of Labor-Piasterers' Hall,
Four-and- "a half street and Pennsylvania ave-
Eue.
Protective Street Railroad Union-Cos-
tello's Hall. Sixth and G streets.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20.
L. u. No. i, Carpenters and Jciners -Ty-
biographical Temple.
| Columbia Lodge, No. ia, Machinists-
McCauley's Hall, Pennsylvania avenue south
east
Plate Printers Assembiy-Grand Army
Hall, Pennsylvania avenue northwest.
BARRIERS Assembly -Plasterers Hall.
Electrical Workers Union, No. 26-Han,
419 Tenth street.
Horseshoers' Union-Hall, 797 Seventh
street.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY q.
District Assembly, knights OF Labor
PIasterers' Hall, Four-and-a-half street and
Pennsylvania avenue.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY %.
"A. 174s, K. OF L.. Journeymen House
Painters-Harris' Hall, Seventh and ID
streets.
L. A. 1896. f. Of L., Eccentric Association
of Steam Engineers-Bunch's Hall. .314 Eighth
street
Stone Cutters Association Costello's Hall,
Sixth and G. streets.
Carpenters Couneil-Typographi Tenn
pie.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY %.
L. A. 2370, f of L.-Tailors-Plastere
Hall. Four-and-a-haif street and PennsylVa-
mia avenue.
Cigarmakers' Union, No. 110-Hal, 737
Seventh street northwest.
The Washington times., 1895-02-17
Sinn Language.

Women can talk the whole length of pew
and understand each others meaning-or
think they do. A case occurred in Kenderton
Church, Philadelphia. few Sundays ago.
An occupant of a pew formed the words:
"How sweet you look. - to another and then
put her fingers to her lips, as though to chids
the rising thoughts in sacred place. At the
close Of the service her friend said: IT did
not know what you were saying until you
put your finger to your mouth; taen knew
it was. Come home 70 lunch. New York
Times
The Washington times., 1895-02-17

volume OF heat. The decorations OF this hole
in the ground were few ch cap prints and a
profusion OF griny cobwebs, which futtered
fitfully in the upward draught from the stove.
ONCE oRAcED IRAwING-RooM.
Crouehed about spark of flre in stove
in one of the rooms on the floor above was
an illy-clad, but lady-like woman and her
three children. She explained that her hus-
band was out looking for work.
In an adjoining room was a pallid white
The Washington times., 1895-02-17
Two 1NrER1ons Is lee cAsrLE.

sented weird picture in the blue and un-
canny illumination of the battered gasoline
stow. His head was surmounted by tight
fitting scarlet clowns cap or peaked fez. His
bushy gray hair dangled far down over his
shoulders. while his white whiskers hung in
disheve!ed masses nearly to his waist His
snake-liKe little eyes set far back in his head
and were shaded from above by great tufts of
bUshy eyebrows.
1t is no wonder the average colored boy
and girl would rather meet his satanic
majesty himself on dark night than to en-
counter the burly form of the picturesque old
resurrectionist. who has hoisted so many dead
bodies from their clayey resting places in
neighboring graveyards for the advancement
The Washington times., 1895-02-17
Prefers the e rst Car.


Heard in the street: ''Are you going to
take this carp
''No, SIR
''why not?"
because it's the last one"
why. man, you must he crazy. that IS just
the reason why you should take it,"
''Ah, my dear sir. you don't understand
me. I went on the last car several times
Gently and my better half kicked for several
days. Now AN in favor of peace at home,
and in order to get it propose to take the
first instead OF the last ear. A man ought to
do those things which will please his wife.
1t is a case OF the last being first.-Buffalo
Times.
The Washington times., 1895-02-17
HYMNS MINCLK WITH ORGIES
"Rud0r'S Ga Sfl6, > on KeW J6re6g Ru0nU8 and
lis Miscellaneous Occupants.
HOME OF ROYHLTY AND ROGUKRY

Nobility
With Pride
liking snatches
"ceic ouaree'
xend
The Washington times., 1895-02-17

''KING OF THE BoDY-sNATcHERs."
ring with their Bacehanalian revelries, and
singing in high, dlscordant and unsteady
key the old drinking song:
Here's the good old whisky,
Drink it ooyn, drink il down.
"That reverses the or6er of things" said
Policeman Creagh, as he started for the sta
tion. There's religion and piety below and
hades above, as sure as you are born.
The Washington times., 1895-02-17
The Presidents Money.

The President OF the United States always
uses new money. He never gets any old
notes, except in change when making pur-
ehases. His salary is paid him in INSTALL
ments of S4. 166. 66 each on the last day of ev-
cry month, and the Treasury always makes
it a point to send him notes of the latest is
cue. Mr.. Cleveland. as his predecessors have
DONE keeps a private bank account with
Riggs & Co.. and makes deposit regularly
the first of every month, reserving enough
from his salary to pay current expenses, and
setting good example by putting the rest
aside for rainy day.-Chicago Record.
The Washington times., 1895-02-17

choristers filed the icy air with the old-time
church melody. which commences:
Rescue the perishing,
Care for the dying.
In one OF the upper rooms party OF men
and women, in the faint and Pickering glare
OF a coaloil-lamp, were making the rafters
The Washington times., 1895-02-17
Before and After.

he gave his heart into her care
Twas ere their marriages, let me mention
But now his stomach, scias e,
Demands and gets her whole attention.
New York Herald.
The Washington times., 1895-02-17
The Craze for House Boats.

House boats are an impending craze. Many
orders for them have been placed, and some
already made are to be imported from En-
gland, where the idea originated. Long ex-
cursions are to be made in them, and this
season something new'' is anticipated by
many fashionable people with unusua! pleas
ure.
The Washington times., 1895-02-17

The Fraterna1 Hindoo.
The Hindoos have no word for friend. be-
The Washington times., 1895-02-17
Snpplying a Grear Need

Old Soak actually shed tears when he
found he couldn't get a drop of whisky.
Why didn't he drink his tears2-Life.