Evening star., 1901-08-10

ton from the porch, a few quick, sharp
commands and then a flying female figure
darted into the mouse and clattered back
INTO Its recesses. In moment realized
that L had caught q glimpse of what no
male but her lord end master is supposed
to have seen-the face of the minister
wife. l was completely nonplused, real
lzlng with what Jealous care orientals
guard the faces Of their wives from the
gaze OF other men. and had forebodings as
to my reception. But ALI Ferrouh Bey was
all suavity and politeness, as usual, eYi-
IDENTIFY realizing that my intrusion was en-
tirely unavoidable. and, after cooling
drink and few of the ministers fine cigar
cites. not to mention a nice interview, l
started back to town, none the worse for
my little adventure
X X X
1.-THE recent outing of the troops of the
National Guard near Leesburg, Va, proved
instructive to me, not only In military
way but otherwise remarked an officer
of the general staff of the District Of Co
lumbia militia to Star reporter. Il en-
joyed the benefits Of an object lesson show
ing the effect of excitement on we'll
known class of domestic animals.
I'm connection with the rather elaborate
field maneuvers of the troops in progress
early during the morning of the day prior
to breaking camp. I served as one Of the
umpires. and was assigned to accompany
the platoon of the 4th Battery, U. 8. Field
Artillery. which was part of the attacking
force. The evening preceding the maneu-
vers this detachment Of regulars moved
along the road leading to Edwards Ferry
and halted at point about six miles from
Camp Ordway. The battery entered field
and was soon hidden behind large barn.
At 2 o'clock in the morning it took pos
session Of a secure position on the edge OF
a wood and when the firing began shortly
before daylight did a large part of the work
of reducing Fort Evans, held by the de-
Tending force.
THE fight having been declared at an
end l stopped at a farmhouse near where
the battery had been located In quest or
some milk to drink with my breakfast OF
hardtack and cold beans. There l learned
to my surprise that the cows belonging to
the farmer had that morning supplied only
about one-third their usual quantity of
milk. This state Of affairs was ascribed to
the fright of the animals caused by the
firing of the field guns.
And strange as it may SEEM" concluded
the officer, that farmer did not file claim
at militia headquarters for reimbursement
for milk he was shy as the result or our
field maneuverS.'
A II X
, An elderly man. with ragged and badly
fitting clothes. shuffiing gait, a rumble
sotted face covered with about three days
growth of beard and with a breath that
indicated the close proximity Of a distil-
lery, wandered into a downtown drug
store the other morning about / o'clock
The saloons had closed. Staggering up to
the drug clerk, he leaned over the counter
and remarked, huskily:
Say. Willie just fill that up with alco-
hol. Ten cents worth. seer
The ragged man produced whisky TASK
and. passing dime over to the clerk. set
tied in a nearby chair with grunt OF
contentment.
Alcohol, eh?' answered the clerk.
What do you want it for? We're not
selling rum in this place."
The ragged Individual arose, and, going
over to the clerk. observed, In what was
intended to be a highly injured tone OF
voice
Now, youse, don't get gay wit me.
Rum? Who said anything about rum?
That Juice Is goin' to me chafin dish
grind. see? So chase along. me lad. and
produce the good
The clerk smiled. but nevertheless filled
the order.
pretty generally he said. after the bum
had departed. He has just made q hot
touch. and being unable to get into sa-
loon Is going to drink the real stuff. We
his class every night. On Sunday, If we
chose to sell 1t. we could do a rushing
business in that line. The sable-colored
bootblacks in this vicinity drink it almost
entirely. Ten cents worth In half-pint
flask mixed with little pump water, some
sugar and lemon juice makes enough Of a
certain kind Of gin to produce the much
craved-for sensation. They tell me all
sorts of stories when I ask them to what
use they want to put the poison: A hobo
staggered into the place the other night
for a dimes worth.
Nothing doing remarked, laconically,
seeing that he was nine-tenths soused al
ready.
law. now. come on he pleaded I
wants the dope for private use. That's on
the level
What do you want 1t forr 1 asked,
with some curiosity.
He came over to within whispering dis
tance, and leaning over the counter, re-
marked in very confidential tones:
"'Say, youse just keep this on the quiet.
1 wouldn't let it get out for the world.
I'm painting a picture Of me old college
chum Chauncey NJ. Depew, up to de house,
and wants the stuff to mix me oils
He got the booze.