The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-08
IN THE GOSSIP'S CORNER.

In THE GOSSlPS CURNEh.
1 Travelled recently unto the metropolis of
the Batrachians and was much impressed
with the cleanliness and beauty of their
city; not that L was altogether a stranger
therein, but that absence of many years
had given space for much Improvement and
that the people had been diligent in better
ing their condition and appearance in the
meantime The streets devoted to COM
merce and industry are hardly so fair and
easy of traverse as ours, but noble build
ings are numerous and the streets wherein
most of the people live are broad and beau
tiful, we'll shaded and of park-like aspect.
XXX
I was told concerning the name (the place
being known as the City OF Batrachians),
that many years ago a frog called loudly
from the river bank in that part OF the
city known Manhattan. and his mate.
hearing him, answered loudly from the
riverbank in the part known as Ironville.
a stranger who was sojourning in the city
for a time heard them, and being envious
of the enterprise of the inhabitants and of
the beauty and desirable site of the city.
straightway published abroad that the peo-
pie were amphibOus and that the city
should be called the City Of Batrachians
And with those of other cities who are
envious of these things, or jealous for the
standing of their own cities it is known,
but the people Of the city call it the Lady
of the Lakes; and 1 saw frogs other
amphibians there, nor any than people like
other people that in some respects
they are more enterprising.
XXX
While they much given to business
the people are not without numerous recre-
atoms and in some of them. such boat
ing and racing, attendance at the theater
and the spending of many hours in the
beautiful parks, I took much interest and
found great enjoymant; but one who
averred himself my friend induced to
visit what is known as the ball park, where
he said. certain expert players representing
the Batrachians, were to meet other expert
players from the Eastern mountains in two
contests. The first contest was nearly fin
ished when we entered the inclosure and
secured advantag eous seats, so that had
little opportunity to judge of the game,
save that the chief player seemed to be a
tall young man who called bali or
strike" whenever another young man
threw ball az one with a stick, which was
hit sometimes, whereupon there was much
cheering. But on occasion disputes arose
between him 1 took to be chief player and
other players, and in one case 1 saw he was
vested with authority, for he sent noun
taineer from the grounds and compelled
the substitution of another player; and
soon thereafter they told me the Batrachi-
an contestants were victorious.
XXX
In the second game noted early that the
mountaineers were more energetic, where
as the Batrachians dragged about if
with WEAKNESS and took their places as if
under compulsion, and 1 marveled greatly
thereat. He who averred himself my friend
explained that the game was going against
them and they were delaying for night to
come or in hope of rain Git being cloudy)
This continued for some time, until Ba-
trachian, who was a spectator, was seized
with fit, and a public conveyance came
and carried him away. This seemed to be a
signal for the players to do what my COM
panion said was getting a brace on" for
one of them soon ran around the course
without being stopped, except at the rest
ing points, and later another did the same
thing. 1 heard one spectator explain to one
he met after we left the Enclosure that they
made a run in the eighth and another in
the NINTH" but l saw little running, save
when the conveyance came for him that
was stricken. and if the movements of the
game were regulated by the number feel
sure that he meant the northumberland
eighth and Observation-Disclosures
While was not Gin this particularly much
impressed with the sports of the Batrachi-
ans 1 was greatly pleased with their devo-
ton to the gastronomic art, as shown by
the public eating houses In fact, after
journeyings Of many years throughout the
country 1 can aver with truth that l know
OF no city wherein a person of moderate
means can dine SO well, at such moderate
cost as in the city of the Batrachians; and
this, too amid surroundings of great
beauty and luxury. This is, l think. point
in which our own city is lamentably lack
ing. Because a man must content himself
with paying a small sum for his dinner, IL
does not follow that he does not appreciate
aesthetic surroundings; and surely he has
the right TO expect can expectation often
doomed to disappointment cleanliness and
good and well-cOoked food. quickly and at
tractively served. This art the Batrachian
purveyors have learned, with the result
that the chief houses of this class have all
the patrons they can serve. including many
families, some of them of the chiefest and
wealthiest of the city.
Xxx
Having said my say in one way. I'll say
il in another. so there viii be no danger of
misrepresentation. Cleveland. Detroit and
even Chicago have poked fun at Toledo as
''Frogtown for 10. these many years. We
of Indianapolis haven't paid much atten-