davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1896-11-27
FAIRFAX COURT HOUSE.

The town council held two meetings Tuesday. one
in the morning and the other at night. At the
morning meeting all were present except r. w.
Moore On motion 1t was resolved that no pig
pens be allowed on the central square Of the town.
On motion W. P Moncure. A. ]. Sagar and 8. Il.
DOnohoe were appointed committee to name the
streets Of this town. A. ]. Sagar presented an
count for work on streets, which referred to
the road committee. Job Hawxhurst rendered his
resignat tiOn mayor, which ordered to be laid
on the table, On motion the meeting then ad-
journed until o'clock pm.
At the night meeting all were present except II.
f ThorntCn On motion Of ]. NJ. Love n committee
consisting of B. w. Moore. 8. r. DOnohOe and A.
J. Sagar was appointed to draft resolutions ex-
pressive Of the councils appreciation Of the SER
vices rendered by Mr.. Hawxhurst. the retiring
mayor, and regret that he should feel constrained
to resign the mayOrship. Upon motion, nominal
tiOns for mayor were declared in order, and II. E.
Thornton was placed in nomination and elected by
unanimous vote.
Tie Good Templars held 'buDile'' sociable
Tuesday evening, which was quite an interesting
affair. Thrty-two bundles had been prepared by
the committee, which were to be felt by those
present and the contents guessed. Mr.. George
Sagnr was the most successful, guessing correctly
the contents Of twenty-ni out Of the thirty two
bundles.
The light from the fire in Washington Tuesday
night. lighting up the heavens in that direction
was watched here with considerable interest.
Evening star., 1896-11-27
LANGDON.

Mr.. Henry San sal of Avalon Heights, has gone
to Lnray, Va, to visit his mother.
Mr.. d. ]. Hillengas Of Iangion has gone to
Boston a business trip.
The Christian Endeavor Society held Thanksgiv-
ing services at 9 O'Clock yesterday morning In the
Lnzdon NJ E. Church.
The work Of laying the foors In the new public
school , bullying at Langton vas begun this morn
The pupils in the primary classes G., ,he Methodist
Episcopal Sunday school enter ,aci we,ln.s
day afternoon from to o'clorG At SOAP
the chapel. She was assisted by several other
teachers and members of the school. About thirty
Joined in the sport. after which Refreshments wer.
served neat little was added to the sun
Of the children
Mrs DR.. Dent Of Lanedon is visiting friends in
Newburg, W. Va "
Judge Byrd Of Alabama is visiting Mrs. NJ. F.
sehaeffer and family Of Avalon Heights.
have been visiting Mr.. and Sirs. T. b. y. Ross,
man. have returned to their home IN McConnells-
Mr.. T. b. n. Rossman has returned from a visit
to Hagerstown, Md.
A very pleasant housewarming took place last
Mills avenue. Those present were the Misses Maud
Allen, Kate Cassidy, Lena Cassidy, Dora Cassidy,
Miss Timmns. the Misses Sweeney. Miss Elsie.
Eberts. Mrs. Ford. Miss Ford, the Misses Grouse,
Wieser, Mr.. and Mrs. Mansky. Messrs. Miller, W
Wieser, &. Wieser. NJ. Wieser, ]. Cross J. StOll
Joseph Collins. Frank Hall, William Sweeney,
George Andrews Harry Eberts. r. Newell. William
Ed CattertOn and c. f. Adriance.
The Hayseed Club Of Washington gave a ball
and hop at the LangdOn Opera House Wednesday
evening
Mr. Charles E Adriance has been appointed
night watchman for I.angsiOn, and last night en-
tered upon the discharge Of his new duties.
Evening star., 1896-11-27
FALLS CHURCH.

An interesting meeting of Pioneer Lodge Of Good
Tmplars was held Tuesday night at Odd Fellows
Hall. A program Of exercises arranged by Miss
Tillie Rawlings rendered, as follows: Original
paper, "Our Duty As Good Templas," by Mr..
Jacob NJ. Thorne; quartet, Miss Maud Rathbnn,
Miss Estelle Birch, Messrs. J. C. Mckillen and
Geo. c. Birch; sketch Of the work Of foreign Good
TempIars. Mr.. G. W. Hawxhurst; solo, Miss Tillic
Rawlings; remarks, Mr.. Sherier of Little Falls
Lodge of the District Of Columbia. Miss EsteIlc
Birch was appointed on program for the meeting
Tuesday week
Baptist Church was held Tuesday at the residence
Of Mrs. E >. Ncrthr1P; Among those III, In attend
Reed and Miss Ida J. Quick.
The third quarterly meeting Getting Of, Of the conference
next. Rev. Rumsey Smithson. presiding elder Of
the district. VIII preach at night
the members Rev. b. H. Riddle read an interest
Messrs H. 1. Turner willis Gordon. Geo. "
Mankn and E. n. Meekins, members Of Kemper
Lodge Of Masons went to Herndon, Va. Tuesday
The restry of the Episcopal Church has contracted
for the purchase OF the house and lot Of Mr..
Thomas HITLER, Broad street. for a rectory
meeting Of the Church Improvement Society
composed of the ladies of the NJ. f. Church South
G.. W. Brunner.
At meeting Of the joint committees Of the
night. 1t decided to accept the proposition Of
Prof. John Brown to give stereopticon entertain
ment on the night Of Monday. November 80, and
also on Friday night. December IL.
The Sunday school Of the Presbyterian Church
held interesting Thanksgiving exercises Sunday
%ornins The special collection amounted to $l15O
Twenty members Of Crescent Lodge. No. a. Of
the Jr. o. u A. NJ, Of this town. paid visit to
Evening star., 1896-11-27
GAITHERSDURG.

Thanksgiving generally observed here. Pro-
pitious weather and the abundance of game en-
able1 large number of sportsmen Of the town and
parties of friends from Washington to spend the
day with dog and gun. In the morning, at II
O'Clock, the church people of the different cOngre-
cations held union service in the Methodist Epls-
copal Church South, Rev. L. l.. Lloyd pastor The
discourse delivered by Rev. William d. Beal,
from the text: 'Offer unto God thanksgiving and
pay thy VOWS The poor of the community We're
remembered In the lifting of "A liberal Offering.
Joint chOirs of the churches rendered appropriate
music. with Rev. Il. W. Walker, precentor; Prof.
Jones, organist: successful fair, under the au-
spices OF the Mite Society Of the Methodist Church
South. was given at the town hall during the after
DIR. John II. Mccormick has returned from the an
Baitlmose this week where he represented PEN n
talphn Lodge, No. 1884, Of this town.
giving Holiday s many IN s Massrs cs
roll Diamond Of Washington and Stanley Plat Of Of
ien 1. nsst rfs bary F of h %4 and ms 1s
ST %sshstsu Hh hsy witt, VI 1s p % M Miss y
Thomas Of nickerson. with Mr.; Levin Themas; Mr..
mr. IF Wse.r Sia NJ Of Rsny vi With
Mr.. VIM II. Coomes.
AN evening with the great musicians was spent
Fl says Of Interest the life and works of Bee
thovsn Were given by Mr.. Henry J. s:erick: of
by Rev. james y. RayneId: Of Schubert. by Rev
F. W. Walker. A constitution in conformity
With the recent reorganization of the club WAS
adopted. special provision being made for the in
corpora Ion Of the club.
Wednesday evening the auditorium of the Ep-
worth NJ. E Church flied with young people
to commemorate the third anniversary of the or
League First Vice President David F.. vihts open
cd the exercises with song service AMI Mrs. w.
Three nlirute talk, We're gwen on Our Orsaniz...
tion. November p, 1sas," " by Mr. G. Scott InvaIi.
HealI Misses Kingsley and Waters and Mr.. A Il.
Watkins sang a trio. '.Follow All the WAY" The
address OF the evening made by Mr.. Edgar W.
williams, who spoke of Every Member a vital
Part of the League" Mr.. Williams was warmly
wclC omed and the excellent address created gen.
er.,l enthusiasm. Mics Essie Crawford gave a Sc
lection. entitled The First Tharksgying:" Prof:
verI.0n D. Watkins. cOrnet solo. Peace. Sweet
Peace and Misses Crawford and Kingsley and
Messrs. Watkins ard Sterick appeared In quartet.
We'll Endeavor." The delightful exercises con-
cluief with a Grafton service conducted by
Rev. VIM. D. Beall. pastor of the church The
league choir fnterspersed sweet music. Mrs. K. ID
Kingsley presiding at the organ.
Evening star., 1896-11-27
KENSINGTON.

Kensington mourns the death Of Mrs Margaret
G. Stock. wife Of Mr.. J. F. Stock, who died at his
residence Tuesday evening at O'Clock, after an
acute Illness of about four weeks. Mrs. Stock has
been In failing health for several years, and her
death was not unexpected She was the daughter
Of the late Rev. Daniel Reese Of Baltimore Mr..
and Mrs. Stock took up their residence in Kensing
ton about eight years ago. Mrs Stock has been
especially active in the charitable and religious
work Of the st. Pauls NJ. E Church. and to her
efforts due In large measure the prosperous
condition of the church work here. She was about
hfty-three years Of age and left two daughters
Faith and Garce, aged fifteen and thirteen re-
sPectively. Her husband and mother. the latter
eighty-ave years Of age, survive her. The funeral
will take place from the family residence this
afternoon. the remains being buried In Oak Hill
cemetery.
The luncheon and entertainment given by the
children Of the public school Wednesday was very
successful. about SO being realized A large num-
ber of mothers and friends Of the school were pres
ent and enjoyed the entertainment.
Mrs. T. NJ. HobruDer has gone to Frederick for
a two weeks visit among relatives.
Mr.. Joseph Shafef and Mrs. Susan Anderson of
Ohio were called here by the death Of Mr.. Robert
E. Constant.
Evening star., 1896-11-27
The Family Umbrella.

Walter Besant in the Queen.
The real old family umbrella has gone
out. Call that Slim. stuck up, affected, at
tenuated thing a family umbrella? Go
away.
I remember the genuine family umbrella:
It was kept IN readiness behind every front
door; 1t was a large, portly, heavy instru-
ment AS an emblem of respectability it
was highly esteemed in zniddle-class soci-
ETY.; it was serviceable as tent in rainy
weather; it could be used as a weapon Of
offense and defense on occasion.
l have seen a picture of elderly gen.
tleman keeping off a footpad by means
Of this lethal umbrella. He made as If he
would spear or prod the villain. Why, one
prod would alone make a hole of six
inches diameter in that murderous car
caSs.
The nurse used to carry 1t, with difficulty
managing the baby and the umbrella: it
went out to tea with the young ladies: the
maid who fetched them home took the
umbrella with her. 1t succeeded the Ian
tern and the club formerly carried by the
prentice when he escorted his mistress to
the card party after dark
l remember 1t, l say. There were three
brothers who came to the same school
where I was but tiny little boy. They
lived at some distance, and had to pass
on their way to school through stratum
of inferior respectability. Every morning
brought to these three brothers the de-
light and the excitement of battle with
the boys belonging to that inferior re-
spectability.
To the eldest brother. who carried the
really important weapon, the umbrella
was exactly what his battle-ax was to the
Lion Heart. So he raised it: so he WELD
ed 1t; so he swung it; so he laid his enc
mics low to right and to LEFT Of him: be-
fore him and behind him; while the other
two, relying On the books tightly strapped,
brought them to bear, with shrewd knocks
and thwacks and poundings, on heads and
shoulders and ribs.
Twas famous family umbrella, green,
too, If remember Alright,
Evening star., 1896-11-27
CalifOrnia's Natural Beauties.

tTOm ddrper-6 weekly.
One Of the important questions in Cali
fornia is the presel Walton of the great
natural wonders which are worth crossing
the world to see. The hepfedations of tim
ber thieves and sheep herders in the mag
nifcent forests of the high Sierra that
surround the Yosemite valley have been
ended by the vigilance of federals guards.
All this territory, upon which the water
supply OF Yosemite depends, has been made
a government reservation but the noble
valley itself Is still Nnder state jurisdic-
tion. Efforts have been made to transfer
its control to the federal authorities, but
these have failed. for there is a certain
amount of patronage in the hands Of the
commissioners, who are mainly politicians
appointed by the governor. John Muir and
other authorities have shown the ruinous
policy adopted by the custodians of the
valley IN the destruction Of shrubs and
flowers on the floor of the valley and the
use OF small patches of level land for grow
Ing alfalfa. Under pressu of these crit
icisms several reforms have been made,
but no regular plan of preserving the in
digenous trees and plants Is being carried
out by q skillful forestry expert. State
pride mas beeen appealed to in the effort
to prevent government control of the val
ley, and thus far the appeal has been suo-
cessful 1t Will be great thing for the
valley, however, when Uncle Sam finally
takes charge, for not only will its natural
beauties be preserved. but the petty an
noyances and overcharges from which tour
lists now suner will be abolished.
Evening star., 1896-11-27
ROMANCE OF A RAPHAEL.
Rich Find That Count Ferlet de
BOurbOnne Made.

A Rich Find That Count F'erIet de
BourbOnne Made.
From the New York Herald
]. Wells Champney on his recent return
from Europe brought with him not only a
wonderful story of a marvellous new-found
Madonna by Raphael. but a copy Of the
picture. made by him this last summer
American connoisseurs will be glad to learn
that they will probably have an opportunity
to satisfy the curiosity whetted by Mr.
Champney's romantic story by seeing his
admirable copy. 1t Is announced that Mr..
Bonaventure will bring over for exhibition
here the original painting. which is the
property of Count Ferlet de Bourbonne a
distinguished connoiSSeur of Burgundy
and is now in his gallery.
1t is easy to see in Mr.. Champney's copy
the famous characteristics which have con-
WINGED critics who have seen the picture
that it is the long-lost Raphael. The hand
of the Mother and the ChildS arm have
suffered most in the process of restoration
through which the painting has gone, but
the tender beauty and delicate modelling of
the face of the Madonna are SO marvel
ously the style of the master that no dis
senting voice has been raised.
The manner in which Count Ferlet dis
covered the Raphael is that of those who
are born with golden spoons in their
mouths He was at auction in the coun-
try one day. and because a certain daub
i'll distemper pleased him him by sundry
graceful outlines, he bid ST. for 1t. He was
alone it seemed, in appreciating the subtle
beauties CT the canvas, for the Of. secured
it, One day he decided to utilize frame
which ne had, but. in order to make the
picture fit. it must be cut. 1t was while
scratching an outline upon the distemper
as a guide for his knife that q bit of paint
peeled off. showing varnish beneath, and
beneath that an oil painting.
A professional dealer took his ffve-franc
picture and returned to him one said to be
worth over a million.
The sstory of this long-lost Madonna Is
one familiar to critics who have studied
the composition in the 112O catalogue of
the 1I20 collection of the regent. This pic
ture, to which Raphael gave the name of
La Sainte VERGE was the last painted
by him in Florence before leaving for
Rome.
1t is curious instance of the way in
which remarkable discoveries, like other
events of historical interest. appear in
groups that there have been several other
important finds reported during the last
few months A local critic. in speaking of
the hoped-for sale of these pictures in
America. has some dubious remarks to
make about this being either the time or
the place for such attempt.
M Armand Martin Hurel, who came
over in the steerage of the BOurgogne the
other day with Virgin and Child by
Raphael and The Descent From the Cross
by Rubens. carried them too far. He should
have taken them to London. At no time
before. in the recollection of man, has there
been so much money spent in pictures
there as at the present.
m. Hurel asks only 500, ,OOOf. for his two
pictures-f2O.OOO-am mere trifie! The British
nation paid Els. 900 for the Blenheim Ra-
was not nearly so prosperous as 1t is at
present"
Evening star., 1896-11-27

COUNT. $es. 10; v. H. Nichdson (road), s2s: Jss.
o. Etchison (pfking), $15; .Tphn d. King (road),
$39.55; Chas. Hopkins (roaO. $81.15: Thomas ].
Groomes (road), $15; P. F. Brian (bridge), 5000;
Salecner lstatione1, r. fxs So.rd q contro aaS
and review on the new assessment, the commission
ers making good progress, and it is thought
that said assessment will largely to the taxable
a reduction Of the values plaeed on land have been
considered. Z
sanized among the young ladies' Of this place held
their last meeting at the residence of Mr. Warren
attendance re were Misses Katharine Cnoate s Eliza "a
Cheate, Cora Edmonston. Macy Trail, Isabel Bouic,
Laura Bradley and Katharine Mcdonald
s The circuit court ss,h is st Y sessso Large
Ia! sssn set e the ca asa s
any time by the court should the e1igency demand
county: The grand jury; previous to dismissal.
MADE the s,fa following report buarea and
witnesses and found ninety-ave prssentments and
true bills some Of very g. serious baH oenses Many
might have been settled by magistrates If the
legislature at its last session had given them
was taken from them. and in our opinion should
be restored at the next session Of the legislature.
the premises inside and out clean and in good
order, the inmates well cared for.
"A committee visited the almshouse and found
twenty nine inmates. Found everything at the
house and on the farm in splendid order, with
plenty Of prOvender hand to feed stock and a
surplus to market. We think the county, in Mr.
Ricketts,. has the right man In the right place.
From the evidence have had before us We
believe that Sidney Randolph was the person who
the 25th day OF May, 1896, in the town Of
Gaithershurg, committed the fsndsh assault on the
Buxton family, which resulted later in the death
of Sadie Buxton.
while we believe that Sidney Randolph had an
acoOmplice have failed to find any evidence
to connect others with him.
I'VE have thoroughly investigated the lynchfng
of Sidney Randolph and have failed to find evi-
dence to impli,ate any one In the crime
"Our sheriff having been censured in regard to
the lynching Of Sidney Randolph, wish to ex-
press regrets for such injustice and fully ex-
Onerate both him and his taiier from all accusa-
ticns blame in the matter.
The grand jury would respectfully call atter-
tiOn to the very Indifferent accommodations pro-
vided for persons who are summoned to testify
before them, who in many cases elderly per-
sons children and ladies'. who have place TO
wait except in the corridors Of the court house.
We recommend that suitable room be provided
.'The grand jury wish to censure the action Of
the Agricultural Society Of this county for per-
mirting the fair grounds the many games of
chance and objectionable side shows"
In the orphans court Tue s.lay the following bust
transacted: Letters tsstamentary on the
estate Of Lloyd Moxey. deceased. were granted 10
Willis X. Spear ard Francis Hufty. executors and
the in, entory filed In said was approved. John
Fl. GaSsaway. administrator Of Christian r. Lea
man. filed account
Evening star., 1896-11-27
The Bicycle Capital.

From the New York Tribune
One of the most curious results Of the
craze for bicycling is to be observed in the
ancient city of Coventry. 1t is, as is well
known, the center of the bicycle manufac-
turing industry of England. There has con-
sequently been a great rush of mechanics
thither. to meet the demands of the work.
ships, and the city is unable to accommo-
date properly this addition to its popula-
ton. Every available house is filled with
tenants. and yet there are homeless men
on The streets-industrious workingnen
with money in their pockets but unable to
find vacant lodgings. The health officer re-
ports that more than 1900 houses are so
overcrowded as to be in an unsanitary con-
dition, while the vaccination law has be-
come practically dead letter from the
physical impossbility Of executing ii. Hum
dreds of new houses are going up as rapid
ly as carpenters and masons can build
them, but they are only small fraction of
what is really needed and in the meantime
workingmen are camping out in tents and
improvised sheds. And all because of
style Of riding which good Lady Godiva
never SO much as dreamed of.
Evening star., 1896-11-27
STATE RAILWAYS IN AUSTRALIA.
Problem Successfully Solved There
With Advantage to All Concerned.

Win AdSantnEe tn All Concerned.
From John Plummer's Australian Letters.
The problem of state railways appears to
have become successfully solved in New
South Wales. where the annual report Of
the railway commissioners shows that the
total traffic earnings from the colonial rail
ways and tramways amounted to 6. 10a. .5aS
and the expenditure TO f1,7sS,17l, leaving a
balance after paying working expenses of
H.32l. 421 This, the commissioners state
makes an accumulated increase of f3.a32.
Alb paid into the treasury during the past
eight years TO meet the interest on capital.
From that sum. however. there had to be
deducted f375.W0. installments in repay
ment of the vote of f1 ,OOO. 900 made to The
department for the reconstruction and i'm
provement of the permanent way. the bal
ance, f2.6I.413. being the increased not
earnings since the commissioners took Of
fce The year had been one of consid-
cradle diifculty. the continuance of the
commercial depression, the drouth (wht IN
has caused the loss of 13.9OOU sheap)
and the Newcastle coal strike having se-
riously affected the traffic Nevertheless
the revenue for the railways alone during
the past year was e.. $40, Az and the work.
ing expenses FL ,551 ,SSS or $500 Der cent
OF the gross revenue, and a return of f3 Ss
1Od. per cent upon the total capital cost
Estimating the amount upon which tha
railway department has to pay interest at
f34. .G59,9s3, and the rate of interest at 3. as
per cent. the department would have to
provide Fl %. $40 to meet its obligations
and after paying, the working expenses IL
had provided the whole of that sum except
1,O6l, which had to be made UP out OF
the general revenue. IT, however to the
cost of f34.659.9S3 were added e. 1aa 2ll
provided out OF the consolidated revenue,
and the debentures repaid, on which there
was no interest charge. the deficiency in
interest would be f1O9O" The revenue
for the year decreased f57..S7. while the
working expenses were reduced by f15 1Ol
The actual decrease was fiji eyg I'm the
carriage Of wool. grain and flour. hides,
skins and tallow, but the increase in oth..r
branches. arising out OF the improved con.
ditfon of the colony. ,essened II 10 the
amount before stated. At the same time
the work OF improving the various lines
modifying gradients and curves, introduc.
ing safety appliances. etc, has been sys-
tematically carried on, the railways now
being equal to any in the world, showing
what skillful management can achieve un-
der adverse circumstances. There ar.
however. numerous indications of improve
ment. and the commissioners look forward
to largely increased revenue during the
present year.