Evening star., 1901-11-02

An instructor in biology in one of the
local educational institutions winces these
days whenever any one refers to butter
flies. The explanation is very simple.
Last summer the biologist was sent to a
quiet secluded little town in Virginia to
recuperate from long Illness. While there
he was forbidden to study. read or collect
specimens. His brain was to be as near
a blank as he could make it. But he i'm
proved so readily the doctor permitted him
to read a little toward the end of his
visit and about a week before the sccn-
lists return home sent the patient word
he might amuse himself gathering a few
botanical and other trophies. The bioio-
gist jumped at the chance There were
several rare varieties of butterflies In the
vicinity, and he wanted specimens Of theri
badly.
His net came the day before he was TO
return to the city. Accordingly that day
he made 1t ready. went out, stroye as
earnestly as he could without overtaSing
his strength and was succeeding better
than he had expected when two constaoles
approached at the head of half the town
and took him into custody. The man strcg-
gled until the country officers threatened
to beat him over the head The butterflies
were then released. At that the scientists s
spirit completely gave way. He looked
about him at the crowd of "yawps, as he
calls them now, made an empty grab after
and cried.
In the office of the local justice he heard
the reason for the whole disturbance. He
was charged with being crazy. Two Old
ladies who had been particularly kind to
him were the complainants Your honor
one of them said plaintively to the justice,
I'VE know this gentleman well, and are
abundantly able to take care of him. But
he is stark, raving mad. He has been
very i'll and his madness may be one of
the effects This morning we saw him
acting uspiciously-picking twine out of a
waste basket and tying the end of stick
with it. Then little later we watched
him as he left the house. He went out to
the hill behind the tobacco barn and then,
after standing still a minute, would run
back and forth whipping the air with his
stick till we just knew for certain he had
gene crazy"
The instructor in biology succeeded in
satisfying the court and bystanders of his
complete sanity. But he has lost the
friendship of the two old. ladies forever.
*
The presence the earlier part Of the week
Of James Hamilton Lewis, former repre-
sentative from the state OF Washington,
attending the United States Supreme Court
recalls one of the truly witty sayings of
President Roosevelt during the campaign
Of 1900. The President was candidate for
election as vice president on the republican
ticket Lewis was an aspirant for the vice
ticket Both picturesque characters IN
their respective parties.
They met in the Auditorium annex hotel
in Chicago during the campaign. Each was
on stumping tour. President Roosevelt
and Mr.. Lewis had formed a personal at
tachment for one another while Mr. Roose-
welt was assistant secretary of the navy
and Mr.. Lewis a member of Congress.
In the presence of a number of politicians
n 1f-1ar a1oht
his exclusive right to the office based on
the personal estimate of self
'All right, Lewis" said the now President
of the United States, 1--WE will both fit the
job; both represent the vice president. 1
can represent the President part and you
the vice.
The laugh was on Lewis but, fertile as
ever. he answered.:
Now that my reputation has got so far
east, regret that the ladies do not vote +"
Mr.: Roosevelt enjoyed the converse ton
and laughed as heartily as did the rest.
X y y X
Rev. s. ii. Johnson. pastor Of the First
Presbyterian Church. Austin Station, Chi
cago. has come to Washington on a pa
triotic mission. in which he is trying to In
terest the President and members of the
cabinet. His purpose is to secure official
Endorsement for the use on official commu-
nlcations and in public places and on build
ings under the Sntrol of the United States
government of patriotic insignia composed
OF the national flag crossed with a flag
typifying the predomlnance of the Christian
religion. This flag Is blue with a white
field. with blood-red cross in the field
and on the body Of the flag the Inscription
In white letters BY This Sign We Con-
quer.' DR.. johnson has already succeeded
in inducing many churches to provide them.
selves with sets of the two flags to be
prominently displayed on all days and OBJ
servances which are Intended to appeaI tc
the patriotism of the people
An interesting incident In connection with
DR.. Johnson's visit to Washington was the
discovery by him yesterday morning of the