Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1901-07-25
LETTER
Especial Correspondence.


a considerable tract of land surround
ing the naval observatory in Washing
ton in order to protect from jar the del
icate instruments which record the
time of the country. It was deemed
advisable not to have any highways
within 1000 feet of the clockroom,
where the instruments are stationed,
and a circle with a radius of 1000 feet
was therefore drawn entirely around
the observatory. At the last session of
congress $145,O O was appropriated to
purchase the inc1osed land, and this
amount became available the other day.
The tracts purchased are those owned
by J. w. Thompson, known as Dunn
barton, containing 1895 acres, for
which $4,000 was paid, and Robert
Viewers tract of S,645 acres, for which
$4,000 was paid. There are some
smaller tracts still to be purchased.
The line of the enallytown electric cars
is just outside of the 1000 feet circle.
The line of Massachusetts yer ex-
tended will cross the circle, but has
been detected at this point 20 as to
around it. Par of the present acqui-
sition is high, wooded ground, and,
with that already owned by the gov
eminent, the naval observatory has a
fine sweep of ground. It is expected
ultimately to run a boulevard around
the circle.
There are about ten acres of Lane
within the circle yet to be acquired,
including small tracts Of lands owned
respectively by Messrs. Barnes, Elem
ing, Young and Barber. The grounds
Of the Industrial school are also within
the circle. They belong to the District
government and comprise a little less
than seven acres. Outside the limits of
the circle the government owns about
Is acres of land which it is designed to
sell and use the proceeds in the pur-
chase of private property within the
circle.
PeddIers Who Sell to Federal Clerks.
@Each executive Office of the govern
ment has it's time honored peddler, who
generally takes a stand at his or her
post before the clerks arrive each
morning and remain with the greatest
tenacity until the last clerk leaves the
department in the evening. One of the
queerest of these peddlers> is an old
woman known as MistressjHayes, who
sits in a contorted lump at the north
front of the interior department with
one eye on her Bible and the other on
the lookout for customers,
I Her wares are a lot of shoestrings,
pins, needles, buttons and other small
things such as peddlers generally sell,
making in all quite a heavy toe for a
vender of this class. Though a dis
lance of many blocks, this old woman,
whose back is as crooked as a rainbow,
pulls her small wagon, through good
weather and bad, never failing to take
III her stand as the clerks go in- Once
in awhile some one buys a trifesA but
usually a little change Is dropped into
the cup without a purchase.
/ For a time it was the custom Of the
messenger boys to leave their bicycles
at this n of the steps. while b old
woman occupied a camp stool farther
along in a much exposed position. No
ticing this and that the bicycle corner
was a snug one, Secretary Hitchcock
had the boys move their wheels, and
now the IL woman occupies the more
comfortable place.
The secretary sometimes drops a
coin in her cup, and, thoughNshe con-
ides that she hopes some timeNto save
him through the medium of her quaint
old Bible, she has not yet tried to per-
suade him. She has, however, got
many of thel clerks in the straight and
narrow pathN and that her
business is to serve them while they
buy shoestrings from her.
New idea at Smithsonian institution.
The Smithsonian institution at Wash
ington is ito have a special exhibit for
children. Ut is being arranged with a
view to its,educational advantage. Pro
fessor S. PA Langley conceived the idea
Of having aachildren's museum and has
devoted considerable time during the
past few gmonthS to its completion.
One large troom, Immediately opposite
the main entrance of the Smithsonian
building, has been set aside for this
purpose and has been prepared ready
to receivetthe exhibits, some Of which
have beensplaced in position.
A speciaItfeature of the museum will
be in the manner Of labelling the exhib-
it's. Common anne only will be used,
all scientific designations to be dis
carded. In many instances b labels
will tell some important fact connected
with the life of the bird or animal. A
new feature Of this museum for chill
dren is the presence Of live birds in
cages swung among bowers Of branch
es. Birds and insects are shown in
proximity to objects they are common
~ seen near.
The President's Vacation.
Unlike many Of his predecessors in
'he White House, Mr.. Mckinley is not
a sportsman. He does not care for
hunting and fishing, as both President
Cleveland and President Harrison die.
He is very fond, however, Of horse
flesh and delights In driving about the
country. During his vacation he will