Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-23


Washington, and will probably have an at
tack of his singular habit while here.
y X
A Washington inventor Is working on a
new trap that would seem to be success.
In places where there is an electric plant
of any kind wires are run to different parts
of the building. Bait Is placed against
them and then power Is turned on. If an
animal or insect touches one Of these live
wires it Is instantly killed.
For buildings not supplied with electricity
a small dynamo constitutes the trap. The
inventor claims that the principle can be
supplied at small expense for all kinds of
traps, and that fur-bearing animals or
game, whether small or large, can be killed
without in any way injuring the fur or
meat.
y
A Washington lime dealer has discovered
a new rat exterminator. A few days ago
he found several dead rodents around
pan of water that had been left near some
unslaked lime He Investigated by plac-
ing cheese spriUkled literally with the lime
near the water. He was rewarded by find
ing some more dead rats. They had eaten
the lime. which made them thirsty, and
when they drank the water it slaked the
to go into the rat exterminator business he
let the fact be known to his friends.
\
The old story of changing envelopes by
mistake was told in Washington few days
ago, only with variations. young man.
whose income is by no means sufficient to
keep up his style of living, received a tall
cr's bill. He Is engaged to young lady,
who is the happy possessor of a comfort
able bank account. The young mans
tailor sent him bill, with the remark
written on 1t that it was long past due.
When he received the bill he was engaged
In writing note to his fiancee, and in
some way had his attention called away as
soon as it was finished. He returned to
his desk placed the tailors bill instead of
the note in an envelope and directed 1T on
his typewriter. which fact was all that
saved him. When he called she was very
Indignant, but he was auick-witted and be-
gan beratng the tailor for sending her an
account which he disputed in order to
prejudice her against him. out of spite be-
cause the young man would not pay an un-
just claim. The next morning the lover
told the tailor all about the affair, paid the
bill, and the maker of clothes helped him
out by sending the girl an apology, by
which kindness he obtained an order for
two suits OF clothes.
X
A man who has just returned from Alas
ka gives ar account Of a peculiar effect the
atmosphere there has upon those who are
not used to 1t. Whether 1t Is the intense
cold, the semi-darkness or the character of
the food. or all combined, Is not known,
but Americans who go there are usually
afflicted with form of mania that causes
them to imagine all of their companions to
be enemies. This is true especially about
the Forty-mile creek district and accord
ing to this authority, the partnerships that
usually exist in all mining camps are very
rare there: nor does the good fellowship
prevail that Is found in the west. Two
brothers, who had always been very close
ly attached to each other, staked claim
and went to work. Evef>E night they d.
vided the result of the days labor and for
few weeks everything was satisfactory,
but they began to fear each other Soon
they occupied separate cabins, then parti-
toned the claim between them. and one
night each started with the suspicion that
the other was going to rob him, and met
half way between the cabins. Two rifle
shots. and both fell dead. There is less
the early days of California, but more MUIR
ders are committed.
y Il
One of the features CT Washing ton life Is
the number of people who are not promi-
reut now, but who used to be- There Is
scarcely a boarding house where one or
more Of these "have-beens" cannot be
found And there is netting very touch
ing to me about such people. For people
to retire with the glory of well-earned hon
or is one thing-for them to once possess
the plaudits Of he people and then be COM
PEELED to earn their living In mental posi-
tons, or to scrimp and save every nickel,
Is very different thing. 1t is natural for
a man to hope. and the attribute of hope
fulness gives more pleasure than any other
can. To live without hope in the future,
hanging to the shreds of memory, Is worse
than not to live at all. To say of man
that he used to have high position when he
is now a nonentity is to intimate that his
powers have failed. or that he was not de-
serving of his featilg honors. And yet /
know many who are stronger and wiser
new than they were when in official life
who find it hard to earn a livelihood. There
Is something about the service Of the gov
eminent that seems to unfit man for any
thing else, and the 'have-beeas" of Wash
ington should combine to try to devise some
plan by which retired officials could be
supported and the honors Of the positions
they have held perpetuated. So an ex-
official suggested to mo few days ago,
and 1 write 1t as he said it.
+ x X
There is a dignified gentleman we'll known
in Washington whom no one would sus-
pect Of having any romance in his disposi-
l!on Always quiet, dlSnlhed and reserved.
he looks as though anything beyond plain,
matter-of-fact things would not be coun-
tenanced by him. He has a wife, cold and
stately, and daughters who are models of
aristocratic young womanhood. He wears
watch chain upon which is suar5 "a lit
tie larger than would be expected to be
worn by one so refined and correct in mat
ters of dress. A few days ago he was on q
fishing trip with some friends, and in some
way the watch chain caught upon a bush
and was broken, the guard being thrown off
and striking a rock on the river bank. It
few open and disclosed some faded rose
leaves. evidently placed there many years
ago. The owner fastened to secure his
treasure, which was picked up by one OF
the party. AS he took it, he looked closely
to see that none of the leaves had fallen.
closed the trinket tendery, a flush passed
over his face, and thare was a perceptible
tightening of his lips. That was ALL He did
not say word and his companions asked
no questions. But in those faded rose leaves
is story that is sacred 10 the man who
has preserved them all these years.
X X X
1t is not often that an orthodox minister