Evening star., 1901-11-02
M;YMnlu
mzI0Aen

big national flag which flies from the west
portico of the Capitol with the union down,
thus making ii a signal of distress The
pastor at the time was on his way TO see
Admiral Dewey at the Schley court He
FASTENED his movements and informed the
admiral of this state OF affairs at me Capi- pis
toll The admiral was as interested as MS
informant and took steps at once TO nave
the flag set straight.
Dr. johnson was charged with another
mission when he came to Washington. He
invited Justice Brewer of the United states
Supreme Court to attend mammoth Pres
byterian assemblage which Is to take place
in the Auditorium in Chicago shortly, and
succeeded in securing from the Justice
promise to deliver an address on that oc-
caston
"Some interesting stories are told about
the circus business, but one Of the best ]
have heard in long while was told to me
by an old press agent" said an attache OF
the Walter L. Main show during its recent
visit to Washington.
''The show had had prosperous season
in the north. The proprietor made up his
mind there could be no end to good busi-
ness, and he planned a trip south for the
winter months. The cotton crop was poor.
and all intelligent circus men steer clear
of the south when cotton is poor. His
friends went to him and tried to get him
to give up the winter trip, but he was
persistent.
when the show struck Arkansas busl-
ness began to drop off. The people didn't
have the money and they couldn't patron
ize the show. The proprietor did not lose
hope. He knew there would be a change
for the better, but the performances were
given every day at a loss. By the time the
Texas border was struck empty seats were
the rule. The side show did some business,
but not enough to be paying.
"One Thursday night notices were posted
in the dressing tent that the show would
close the season on Saturday night and that
the employees would receive their salaries
on Sunday. Pay day Is the best day of the
whole week to the army Of men and women
who go to make up big show. The two
days following were full Of speculation as
to the future. There were those who called
attention to the fact that they had pre-
dicted such an end: others were sure that
the proprietor would win out the coming
season.
"On Sunday morning all were on hand to
get their dough- The cashier was at the
window Of the ticket wagon and was hard
ing 1t out with accustomed alacrity. To
appreciate this story you must understand
that all circuseS pay off their hands alpha
betically. The Arnolds, the Burtons, the
CampbellS, DentonS, and SO on. When the
cashier got down to the W's he ran short
of money and several had to go without.
There was fellow by the stage name of
Zeno who did stunts on the horizontal bar
and who was late in getting over to the
ticket wagon. When he rushed up all out of
breath and found the wagon closed there
was plenty Of trouble in sight. Some Of
the other belated employees whose names
began with initials near the bottom OF the
alphabet announced to him that there was
no more money, and then the air was blue.
He started out on a hunting tour for the
circus proprietor.
I'D like to know why I don't get my
ba hoo
~ am sorry, old man., said the proprie-
tor. i have tried to be square. l have
paid out my money until I ran short
ITO make a long story short, the proprie-
tor made all sorts Of apologies, and finally
succeeded in pacifying the horizontal bar
man.
"'You have been with me several sea-
sons and you know that I aim 10 do what
is right said the circus proprietor. i
want you to sign contract with me for
next season, and the first money 1 make
1 will see that you are reimbursed for
waiting
"Zeno signed the contract reluctantly and
went away to his home. Spring came and
the only big show was having lis seats
painted chariots regilded and everything
gotten in readiness for the opening. About
two weeks before the opening the perform
ers began to assemble at winter quarters.
One afternoon when the train pulleI up to
the station Zeno alighted. The proprietor
was there to greet him. -.
Hello, Zeno,' he exclaimed as he slap
ped him on the back. BY Jove! dm giad
to see you, old man.
Not on your life, said Zeno. My name
is Ajax this season.
X x X X X
Washington Is a good tea market. Deal
ers in the fragrant leaves aver that NO
statistics are at hand indicating the extent
of tea consumption in the District, but they
say the fact is apparent that Washington
ians drink tea. Not only do they drink
much of it, but they drink the best-that is
what passes for the best on the market
tea that is worth from 80 cents to $1.25 q
pound.
1T would surprise you,' said dealer
that some tea sells for $50 a pound
think it Is not worth 1t, but that is the
price asked and the price paid for a pecu.
liar variety that comes from Ceylon. There
are other varieties of Ceylon tea which sell
at $40. S25, S15 and SO pound, and some
Of the commonest grades of teas drunk ir
the cities come from that far east island
It is the opinion of tea dealers that the
maximum price which can Iegitimately be
asked for tea is 81 a pound. The prices
that / previously quoted are fancy prices
and are willingly paid by rich people, with
whom the qualification of appetite out.
weighs gold. The first pickings from the
tea bush are the choice leaves. They are
long and full of the essence that epicures
in tea demand, and they have favour alb
sent In later leaves. There is no difference
in the curing processes, so it is only because
the leaves are themselves the select few
that the price is so high. The picking is
done from the youngest plants and before
the first leaves on these plants attain ma
turity. The astringent flavor noticeable
in most teas Is not in the leaves l de
scribe, but there are not many person!
who pay $50 a pound for tea"