Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-28
A COSTLY AFFAIR.
John shrivcr Must, Take His Gus
t0dian to Dinner.

Correspondent John s. Shriver is begin
ming to believe that-it is real costly after
all to be a prisoner of the law. 1t is some
times a nice thing, when one is dead broke
and walking on ones uppers, to be taken
in charge by the law ard sent down to the
farm for a month or two. 1t often goes a
great ways toward improving ones credit.
But in the celebrated case of the United
States agt. John S. Shriver the thing is
getting altogether too expensive to be fun
ny.
1t would have been all right if Shriver
had been willing to remain in the obscurlty
OF bail bond But the thirst Tor lame
was strong upon him, and he fastened to
give himself up manfully to the court. He
had to keep on writing pieces for his paper,
and so the deputy marshal scheme was de-
vised for him and MIR. Chapman.
1t might not have been so pad If the an
rual dinner of the Grdiron Club had not
been arranged for Saturday evening. A
week earlier I. week i;iter would. per-
hapS, nave solved an interesting financial
problem. But the Gridiron dinner came
along, and ShriVer as Il good member,
had to go. 1t would be like losing half OF
his life to miss the dinner. No.gu he must,
whatever it may cost. Hospitable man rs
he Is, Shr1Ver must needs invite II guest to
the dinner. Weeks ago he extended an in
vitation to Mr.. Chapman, now his fellow
priSOner,and the latter accepted with eager
ness. 1t is a rare treat to go to a Gridiron
dinner ard be guyed tremendously by the
members, and made to feel about as big
as the democratic membership in the next
House viii he.
Now. instead of paying for two dinners.
as he would ordinarily have done, Shriver
must pay for four, and four Gridiron din
erS make total that would Stagger an
ordinary citizen. 1t is just this way.
ShriEer couldn't go to the dinner without
ms guard. nor could Chapman. SO each had
to sit at the table and eat his viands, and
nd ct 40 ri .tnrl of
the others. under the slaring eye of min
ION OF the law. server had to pay
for his own and Chapran's dinners, and
for those of mis- own and Chap,nan's depu-
ties That makes being a prisoner a rather
steep business.
Deputy Holmes, who is caring for Shri-
Vers legal safety just now, has grown
bit tired of high life 1t is very wearing
to keep such q busy man as Johnny Shriver
IN sight all the time. Eie is such a care.
So Deputy Holmes asked for {; brief leave
OF absence Saturday night IN order to re-
sumo acquaintance with his family. lie
didAt want to stay away long but just
enough to get fresh start on this week.
AS result 1t was absolutely necessary for
the prisoner to find another guardian. and
fis choice fell on the marshal of the Dis
tict himself Marshal Wilson accepted with
the usual amount Of giadEess, and he was
present to see that this dangerous prisoner
did not escape.
But Johnny is making the best of his
many Affections. and though he has been
meaniy accused by some rude people of
secretly enjoying the fame that this bust
ness is giving him. he is carrying a light
heart under his coat
1t is not a striped coat just vet. but it
may be some day. and Johnny is wonder
ing nowadays if stripes will be becoming
to his style Of beauty. Yesterday after
noon he entertained his many friends at
his apartments at the Cairo. between the
hours of / and q. 1t may have been his
last chance to grasp them all by the hand
and say nice things to them. for the ST.
preme Court was to deliver the all-import-
ant decision on Monday, and then Johnny
might he prisoner In real earnest. Just
20 get the taste of the thing in his mouth
Johnny decided not 1ofcall his function of
yesterday an "at home, His friends We're
told to come to an sat Jail" 1t was
real nice time. t.G