The times., 1899-01-21
THEPETERKINS IN WASHINGTON

ments was advised to go to Washington
and apply for a place under the Govern
ment. Mr.. Peterkin objected at first be-
cause the little boys were only beginning
their geological studies and it seemed a
pity to break them off: but Solomon John
reminded her that the proper study OF
mankind is man, and that in the members
of Congress they would be likely to see the
most perfect specimens possible for that
branch of geological study. They Intended
at first to wait and ask the advice OF the
lady from Philadelphia. but as she was
out of town they concluded to write to her
and await the answer in Washington. Mr..
Peterkin had been told that there was
everything in being on the ground.
II took them longer than they had ex-
pected to reach the Capital City, because
on the way Agamemnon enlisted In TWO
different regiments at once, and two OF the
little boys ran away and applied for the
position of mascot to the Rough Riders
so that Mr.. Peterkin spent considerable
time looking for them in Cuba; but they
finally rejoined one another in Baltimore
and reached Washington without any mis-
hap except that one of the little boys lost
his rubber boots out of the car window
Upon their arrival at the Capital City
Elizabeth Eliza was greatly disappointed
TO find that there was no public library
To be sure, there was the Congressional
Library, but when she went there ana
asked for q book they did not seem TO
know what she wanted and could not tell
her, and it took great deal OF time, so that
when she had finally made up her mind IL
was time for the Library to close Inc
next day she lost herself in the upper part
of the building and failed to find the read
ing room at all, which was very annoy
ing, and on each succeeding day she was
so haunted by the fear of being lett De
hind and locked in that she could not en-
Joy her reading during the little time she
had left for 1t. They would not even let
her take home a book. though she ex-
plained that she only wished to keep 1t
over night and would return it the first
thing in the morning.
when l get my appointment from the
President" said Mr.. Peterkin, i shall De
able TO bring home books to you, for they
have very good libraries in the depart
ments." But Elizabeth Eliza thought it
would be terrible If Mr.. Peterkin's ap-
pointment should be in the Agricultural
Department. so that he could only draw
volumes Of agricultural reports.
One morning there appeared in the pa
pers the announcement that Washington
was to have public library. Mr. Andrew
Carnegie had given some money, ana Con-
gress was to appropriate the rest and Sc
lect suitable site. Mr.. Peterkin read this
news with suppressed excitement Tie
family looked at one another.
Would it not be good thing said
Elizabeth Eliza.
For me" said Mr.. Peterkin.
TO go TO the President" said two
OF the little boys.
And ask him for the position of Ii
brarian." said all the family together
Agamemnon always claimed that he said
it first
Then you could bring me home all the
books l want said Elizabeth Eliza JOY
fully.
Solomon John thought Mr.. Peterkin
would be able to appoint his family as as
sistants in some capacity or other. Many
of the Senators had their sons as clerks.
Agamemnon got pencil and piece OF pa
per and began to figure up the salaries.
They amounted to more than $4,000 per
year. And yet each salary was very mod
crate.
II was decided at once that Mr.. Peterkin
should withdraw his application for a po=
sition in the departments and apply for
this.
Mrs Peterkin did not think that she
could do anything in the library. She
was always forgetting the names of books,
and never could be sure whether it was
Scott or Dickens that wrote Lorna
boone" And it would be lonely for her
all day alone. But Elizabeth Eliza ex-
planned to her that there would always be
some member of the family at home on
leaYe.
They have not decided where the liz
brary is to be-" said Mr.. PeteISin, so
suppose there is no use in trying to do
anything yet.
i should think the librarian ought 10
have something TO say about that, Oh
served Elizabeth Eliza
non, seeing that we shall all have to
spend one third of our time in the build
ing
The little boys wanted to have it some
where near the Zoo but Mrs. Peterkin was
afraid Sat the lions and tigers might
break loose
Agamemnon thought it should be near
the Capitol so that the Senators and Rep
resentatives could drop in.
Ia
the White House. so that she could slip
out and go to a reception now and then.
solomon John thought it should be in
the exact center OF the city, wherever that
might be.
Mr.. Peterkn thought it ought to he
where there would be room for all the
books. He should hate to have to build
an annex, by and by, away out in Ecking
ton.
Mrs. Peterkin. picking up the evening
paper. found the announcement that the
building was to be near the Center Mar
ket. She declared that she had never sup
posed that newspapers had so much sense.
They are always talking about wars,
and politics, and such things and they
never consider that 4 woman sometimes
wants to knew how to make beef stew
said she, but this is really considerable.
Elizabeth Eliza thought it would not
be very pleasant to have ladies coming in
to read, with market baskets full of chick
ems tied by the legs: and Agamemnon had
heard that the ground in that vicinity rose
and fell with the tide of the river so that
he was afraid the books would be damp
Mr.. Peterkiu said it would be easy to
keep up good fires and dry the books: and
the little boys thought it would be bcduti-
full If the river came up and surrounded
the building now and then, so that they
could go to their work in boats, and wear
rubber boots in the house. But Solomon