Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-20
THEY SAW THE LIBRARY

The couple looked as if their names might
be, respectively. Hezekiah and Cynthia.
The real funny picture paper type of coun-
try folks is not often seen, but this couple
distinctly belonged to that type. They
were middleaged. and they walked hesi-
tatingly up the steps of the Library of Con-
gress. The man was reluctant to surrender
his bulgy umbrella to the young man be-
hind the checking desk
when do 1 git it back?" he inquired.
Suspiciously.
When you're coming out was the re-
ply.
So he surrendered the parachute. and
| then his spouse-who wore, by the way, a
dark green satin skirt, a Paisley shawl and
a black bonnet Uttered with cherries abso-
lutely ripe-clutched his arm tightly. and
they turned to gaze at the grandeur about
them.
Gosh all gooseberries,' exclaimed the
man, looking around him admiringly, but
this must "a cost heap
Mustn't it, thought" said his wife, rap
turousy.
Just then a tall. thin, elderly man, with
a gray, straggly beard. passed by the
couple. AS he hatless, the man who
looked If his name ought to be Hezekiah
naturally concluded that ne was employed
about the library.
Mister said he, addressing the thin,
dark man, chow much do You reckon this
buildin cost tn gov ment?'
"Oh, many millions of dollars" replied
the man with the straggly gray beard.
Don't you think the appearance of it
justifies the great expenditure of money!
Then he got into conversation with the
countryman and his wife.
perhaps you'd like to be shown arou Id
the building?' he asked them.
WALL we would take it kindly" said
the countryman. You work around here?'
'Oh. yes. | am employed here. said the
dark with great gravity 81 have
been attached to the library for some
years. Come WIN me, and | will point out
the decorations that seem to appeal with
most force to visitors.
''We'll jes go you said the countryman,
and the dark, elderly man led the way and
to-. them through the many beautiful
CT RS of the library. diSCourSing charm
in and with evident perfect knowledge
of the many Interesting features of the dec
orations. He explained the meaning of all
the allegorical pictures carefully avoided
comment on any of the undraped mythical
ladies, so as not to shock the countryman 5
wife-she looked shyly in the other direc-
ton when they came to those pctures-and
proved himself in general an admirable
guide. In fact a number of well-groomed
people made it point to remain within
sound of the straggly- bearded mans voice
in order to catch his remarks. which Were
more luminous by a great many points than
the catalogue After spending nearly three
quarters of an hour and showing them over
the entire building, the thin, elderly man
looked at his watch and started tn take his
leave. Just as he did the cQuntrEman
and his wife held a whispered consultation.
The countryman reached into his trousers
pocket. pulled out a small. soiled white bag
dived into the bunch of silver it contained
extracted a dime with his thumb and fore
finger. and approached the man who had
been so courteous and attentive as a guide
Much 'biged for shown us araounI
mister, said the countryman. holding out
the dime.
You are entirely welcome. replied As
sistant Librarian-formerly Librarian-Of
Congress SpoffOrd, smilingly, ignoring the
1o-cent piece and walking away.
''Derned oDligfng Teller, Wa'ant he?' said
the countryman to his wife, carefully re-
placing the dime in the soiled white bag.