The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-12-21
ABOUT PEOPLE.

when, a generation ago. war broke ou
for Russia in Central Asia. Genera
Kaufman invited verestchagin, the eele
brated painter of battle pictures. to ac
company the army as an artist. II wn
exactly what Verestchagin wanted. /
brought him into touch with men in thei
widest state. with passions let loose. I
was with General Kaufman that the art
ist tasted baltic as Il soldier. once oI
twice during the war ne laid down hi:
pencil and took up a bun, and at Samar-
kand he was one OF a brave little band
which kept an army OF savages at bay
! for a week, feat for which the Gear
| awarded him with the cross of ST. George.
I Years after VcTestchagin went through
/ the Russo Turkish war. again Gs an art
! list, but here again he came in close con-
| tact with the foe. being wounded while
/ helping 70 destroy 8 Turkish gunbont
with torpedo. Nerestchscin, too. Wae
present AT the storming OF lievna and
witnessed the hnai rush on Constantino-
pie
II Is said that the depression into which
the Baroness Burdett-Coutts sank after
the death Of Queen Victoria, with whom
she was very intimate, has never lifted
active and bsneficent life IL not far OF
she was born on April 2s 1Sli. and is the
daughter Of the banker, Thomas 'Coutts
She inherited from him an immense for
tune which, under her careful msnsgc.
nent, has expanded into proportions
which make her ono Of tho richest wom-
en in the world. In 1871 the Queen eleva-
ted Miss Coutts TO tho pecrage OF Eng
land in reward for her notable benefac-
lions. In 1881 the baroness was married
to William Ashmead- Bartlett. who has
been given royal license 10 use the sur
name OF Burdett-coutts. Untn few
weeks ago she insisted upon attending 20
tthe direction OF her banking house In
London.
Never has Buller allowed a soldiers life
70 he lost II by any chance e could have
btru saved; never has he retreated from
mo task OF saving another mans life be-
cause his own happened 10 be in danger
This, says M A. p Is the explanation
OF mat AWFUL scene between him and the
hapless Captain Carey. after that officer
had he'd, leaving the Prince Imperial 10
death at the hands OF the Zulus The
story has been often told; but probably
Pomcroy Colleys version is the correct
one. Where are your meno' asked Butler.
How many did you loseg' "T'hey are
behind mel don't know now" stammer-
cd the unfortunate man. Then said Butler
H..
] hope, viii he. I could shoot YOU myself"
ana then turned his back upon him. This
reveals the stern side OF Buffers charae-
ief'- " tti+-aH- his familiarity snd friend .
liness 10 his men. he has always been "a |
stern discipinarian. This is the impress |
sion he left on Archibald Forbes. who I
saw him during one of his South African /
campaigns "A stern.tempered. ruthless |
saturnine man. with the gift OF grim 81. |
ence not less than a gift of curt. forcibIe !
Expression on occasion" such is the de- /
scription given OF Butler BY the famous |
war correspondent. He ruled these des- |
perudocs said Forbes. OF the Irregular /
aofse' whom bulicr then commanded, |
with rod Of iron. Yet. while they fear
al him. they had a sort or dog-lilSe love !
Tor him"
Sir John Rghy was not The only mem
'er OF Parliament who made an idol of his
'ipc' The late Ar, Ascroft. the member
rom Oldham. was on inveterate smoker,
ND cherished a long and personal regard
or his briar. Like Mr.. i. NJ. Barrie. Mr.
'scroft had an everlasting hankerine ar
ef an old pipe. We were close personal |
riends says the editor OF the Week End
ND ] remember how tenaciously he
lung 10 "A half-crown briar, which many.
many months Of consta nj smoking had
endered foul with nicotine. the bowl Of |
vaich had been burnt aud cut half down.
Gated sharp grips between the teeth One !
ay Mr.. Ascroft came 90 my office and
'e sat chatting when suddenly he re-
allied the fact that az that very hour
e had question down on the paper |
men ne wanted 20 ask the government !
~ elutched NJ his hat and hurried away
IN hour later found beside his seat the .
easily little dwarf pipe. I picked II I'M
nd locked It away TN an unused drawer
M went home ] wondered what Asrrof.
'ould 90 All that weary long evening i'm
1e house without his pipe When I ar. :
Ned az the office az 10 The next morn
~ ] round telegram awaiting me Tt {
al been handed in az : a. m. II read.
Lett my pipe your office yesterday Hal
eeploss night Send at once by special 4.
estonger. or. 0enounco YOU as thief aud 9
dict YOU as murderer. Aseroft
The late Mr. r. J. fonnen. the come +
an was very fond of describing his .
'rly struggling. happy days with his @
.ther when they took the road with n ut y
nt-ui SLOW 'Fit-up. Indeed" he used o
say with laugh: why, our whole ft-
went into couple OF brown paper par-
Us! Mr. Lonncn really began with the
sltlmate drama, aud Il ~ curious 60
INK that the man who latteriy made his
me as burlesque actor obtained his
aiming with Barry Sullivan, Charles Dii-
n. Miss Marriott and Miss Kate Rate
an, lie played Horauo TO Miss Ma
'tts Hamlet. and was her leading iu-
ME man over long tour.
Mt. Lonnen had many n kind word to |
y or both actors. though he said they
q pretty hard times. His own single ex-
rience or II was thus described 90 an
.ervicwer:
~ barnstablo Fair T took part IN
elve performances daily-that is 20 sav. =
played IN twenty-four pieces. for each
rtormance consisted OF farce and a ~
anna: engaged in twelve broadsword
noats, which are heavy work: sung be. ;,
cen the pieces. and danced in twelve ~
= of duadrilles on the platform outside M
booth; meanwhile cNhorting the yo- :
Is 70 Walk up'' Of course. we reapod N
rich harvest. 7 have known shares IN
ount 70 nearly 81 on q show day."
iin booth life has its dra wbacks. AMI
Is an old adsge among stroliing plav.
That once IN booth, always I'm