Omaha daily bee., 1898-07-31


ing the revolution; and there are our boys
in blue today. Looking at them all, ones
first reflection is, how much needless dis
comfort, heat and risk to life soldiers bave
endured In order to be fine. The average
military uniform Of the FIRST century Of the
republic is stiT, heavy, uncomfortable in
every sense. Look at the chimney pots
with cockades which decked their poor pa
triotic and perspiring brows In 1912! Look
at the lace rufies on our revolutionary fore
fathers wrists! Then compare the canvas
shirted or wooden -bloused soldier OF the
Cuban war, and 1t is apparent that even
the fnery-loving sex is beginning to feel
the need Of rational dress.
With the war exhibit is an imposing dis
play of ordnance, rifles and guns, shot and
shell. Always l found a little crowd around
the rapid-1re guns and generally some
patriot was explaining their action during
the late naval engagements.
For the pacific, who remember that wars
will 20 as they came, but letters must al
ways be sent, the postoflce exhibit has
great attractions. Lay figures OF the car
rlers Of all countries proffer envelopes,
bearing all kinds OF stamps. One group
shows an Indian carrier driving a three
tandem team of dogs to a %toboggan. There
is a melancholy collection from the dead
letter office. including two cases OF photo
graphs of soldiers which were sent and mis-
carried during the civil war. Looking at
them, l thought how young we're most OF
the faces, no younger, however, than the
faces that were so fearlessly turned TO the
Spanish Are at Santiago.
The naval exhibit shows models OF a
number Of battleships and cruisers and an
rdnance exhibit similar to that of the
\ War department.
One may also see pictures Of all the post
master generals, the attorney generals and
others. In general. they are not so well
painted as to be termed works Of art and
the hanging is mostly as bad as 1t vel
can be.
The Department Of Justice has a prison
exhibit, showing some of the articles manu-
featured in prisons. / fingered a long while
over the pathetic embroidery made by {
poor devil in an Illinois p%enitentiary and
q silver teakettle made out of u 1o-cen'
piece and the like painstaking ingenuitiei
wherein perhaps the makers had fount
solace.
Some Interesting Letters.
In, fact, every time 1 visited the Govern
ment building l found some new feature
of interest. But were one to pass through
the Government building with only on
morning at his disposal, he should no
neglect the United States Museum. And h
will find in the large collection OF letter
shown by the State department some yer!
curious documents, beginning with a lette
from Louis of France, and continuing
through letters from representatives of tn
- -z-t Ip~ho-Dtarra uNaG anon
them), down through a glittering line o
princes and potentates to the modest epistl
OF Sanford B. Dole, announcing his acces
sion to the presidency Of the Hawaiian
republic. There are some very suggestiv
mans. showing the growth OF the %territor
of the United States. And there are diver
interesting relics. The morning can b
nassed in this one building, taking merel
a cursory survey.
BY / o'clock the visitor is both tire
and hungry. .
"Do they have any decent restaurant
here?" is an inquiry frequently heard, %
is it like the Worlds fair"
At the worlds Fair the average America
citizen of modest means was reduced to
shoe box and a sandwich. To judge troi
the groups in every collonade he OF Oman
has gone the same way. There Is some
thing particularly repulsive In the luncheo
litter which strews the beautiful lawn an
tho gravel of every collonade. There al
baskets at Intervals; but the hungry citize
does not heed them, he filings peanut shell
and banana skins and the remnants OF ma
sandwiches and the good cookies whic
mother makes to the breeze, ana goes c
his care free way and wonders why u
, spaniards call him a pig! And patiently II
exposition police cleans up after him a
day and all night. One wonders sometime
, whether a few more baskets or cans for r.
/ ceptacles would not excuse an imperati'
demand that no little whatever be left
:. the grounds, with a penalty Of arrest al
, fine in case Of disobedience.
, There are a large number OF restauran
=. In the exposition. Markell Of the Mtllard h
the general restaurant privileges. He h
, been provided with very attractive no
gardens and cafes by the management, al
claims to furnish admirable meals at reasoi
a able prices. TIL Flemish cafe and &
n Moorish cafe are clean and cheap, Al
there are several little hot beef sandwi
: stands Of which l have heard much prais
But the best food on the place is cooked
h the Manufacturers building in the Hor
Kitchen, where a most appetizing display
\ breads is constantly distributed and at t
big barrel where Aunt Jemima serves pa
cakes hot from tho griddle. Unluckily, o
cannot buy a meal at either place, and, {
though the portions are liberal, they do n
take the place OF a substantial luncheon,
\ On one side OF the Government building
a the beautiful structure given to the nne ar
Then comes the Arch of States. This is o
a Of the finest Of the buildings, richly deco
ated with a freize composed OF the coats
. arms Of the Transmississippi states. t
whole surmounted by a great shield OF I
nation. Next m the Manufacturers
this demands another letter.
OCTAVE THANET
=.