The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-03-20

Yes" said a prominent ClIciGl OF tho
General Land Office Of the Interior De-
partment this morning. when ] was
about eighteen years old was considered
the worst boy in Georgetown. and thar.
IS the way. was quite a distinction. for
q harder or more disreputabIe aggre-a-
tion Of young Americans IL has never been
my privilege to see"
The gentleman was swapping -cui-
niscences OF boyhood days with several
OF The clerks Of the cGice. Au the mem
bers Of the group were men who had
been born ana raised IN this city. and had
passed the.r Young DAYS under pretty
much the same circumstance.
zone oC tho worst prauks I ever ger-
petrated in my iife.' continued the gen
tleman. "was played in hack room OF
M fathers store T. was after the civil
war. and the town was fun Of old sol
diers. There was enc old fellow By the
name of M5ttcr. who was swept in wiJh
the wave Of returning soldiers ana con
tinued to make his home in Georgetown.
He boosted that he DIDN'T have a single
relative in TIRE world ana no place in par
ticular to call home. The old fellow hung
about the store 50 much that my father
finally took him into his employ.
But M0tter's failing was his exCber-
ant love fer liquor and he cCnLrived to
keep himself fun almost 10 the collar but
ton nearly all the time his antics while
in this continual state or bliss won him
quite an extensive local reputation
''One day" continued the speaker. Il
was passing through the back room of
the store with the other members Of my
crowd A hard lot they were then, bvs
they all turned cut well and those who
are stiT living are some CT the best
known and liked business men in George
town today. Well we found cid Motter
stretched out on pile Of lumber. sleep
ing OF the effects Of his latest spree.
It was net an unfamiliar sight ia the
least. for that was his usual resting place.
but we were in high spirits ana felt like
playing some prank on the old man
Finally a thought struck me. and. tell
ing the boys 10 wait. ! ran across the
street 10 a carriage factory. I borrowed
several small cans OF bright paint that
they used for painting wagons and car
riages- II was oil paint, but then I didn't
care. One Of the fellows il the crowd
who could paint a bit bent over Motter
and proceeded to convert the old soldiers
cOuntenance into the painted face Of a
full-hedged Indian 1 never shall forget
how old man Motter looked lying there
with those bright eolors on his face
There actually wasn't square inch OF his
cOuntenance that was not coated with
paint.
Well, that evening Motter woke up,
and the FIRST thing he did was 20 90 down
the street 10 a saloon to get a drink All
we boys were standing on the other side
of the street watching the old fellow 1
don't know what happened in the sa-
loon, but presently MOtter came running
out with a crowd OF loafers at his heels
shouting at him. Everywhere the old
soldier went people stared at him. and
then burst out laughing. Finally Motter
became enraged and went back to the
store. He rushed up TO a looking glass
and began TO gaze at himself. When he
caught a glimpse OF his face. streaked
and dobbed with those haring colors, well
we adjourned 10 a safer locality.
The old fellow never did get over that
prank, concluded the gentleman who
claimed the distinction OF having been the
worst boy in Georgetown" "Of course
We knew nothing OF the matter. but
think Motter always fully believed we
had painted his face. Anyway. he swore
he would kill the person who did IL If he
ever found out his name"
Who's the best story teller in the Cen
sus Bureau" asked one OF Director Mer-
RAMS clerks today
Why" came q prompt reply. "Frsnk
Little. He has the reputation Of telling
more funny yarns than anyone in the Coy
eminent employ.
rs that 500"
"Oh. yes"
'Well. ] always knew Frank was a great
yarn-spinner. but 10 tell you the truth I
have never had the patience 70 sit through
one Of Franks narratives. ] remember one
evening that ! was at his house FOR din
ner. He began telling some ludicrous
yarn before we went into the dining room
and Well-at 1870 O'Clock ! left for home
Frank had not arrived at the part where
you laugh. up 10 that time. But IL Is said
that all Of Franks stories are not Of this
character"
Mr. Corrard chief clerk Of the Office Of
the Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
Mr. BristOw. is q close student Of human
nature, and there are few Representatives
In Congress or other men prominent in
public life whom he does not know. HIS
duties bring him in close contact with
Representative among whom he is a fav-
oritc by reason Of his accommodating
ways and ahable manner. Mr.. Courard is
peculiarly well fitted 10 Ill tie important
position he holds on account Of mis- init