Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-16

moral. Sometimes instead of the story
was a letter from ''Peregrina," that bright,
sensible ''old maid" whom we might almost
imagine to have been an early incarnation
of Lillian Bell.
The right-hand column was devoted to
funny paragrap hs under the heading Va
rieties." Though 1t may appear strange to
some OF us accustomed to present day
"originalities," wit was the chief ingredient
of these witticisms. The candle which, af-
ter burning to the middle, would burn no
longer, as well as that sovereign preventive
against dogs going mad in AuguSt-which
was to cut off their heads in July-were
spoken of In this column. The latter might
still be used to advantage.
On the Second Page.
The second page contained the germ
which has developed into present perfec-
tion-the editorials. These were more than
up-to-date. They were advanced Impair
tial, enterprising. Dueling. which was then
considered a national institution, albeit de-
plored by some; public executions which
had Just been prohibited by act Of Con-
gress the hanging of Daniel Woodward
being the first private execution in the Dis
trict under the then new law: as well as
more vital questions of national and inter
national Importance were frankly, fearless
ly and impartially discussed.
Throughout the furry of '53 in New York
financial circles The Stars editorials from
first to last advised with cool wisdom. and
were tire first to announce steadier pros
poets The sure welfare Of the people has
been from Its commencement The Stars
dominant note.
One of these old comments upon the life
end character CT Mr.. Andrew Johnson
w!c ERs jj,st beer made Eoyernor CO Ten
nessee," speaks of him in highest terms of
praise as "a man whose walk in Washing
contains more for the youth of our land
than that of any other public man" The
gist of contemporary publications was also
given, under the caption spirit of the
Morning PRESCRIPTIONS comment.
Washington, Georgetown Alexandria
and Baltimore news was next in order
following which came two columns of ad-
vertisements, an intermixture of soaps
PAYERS" ''genteel house wanted" music
cigars. dentistry and daguerreotypes
Whitehurst, Root and Thompson WED with
each other in presenting the latter.
cluded Lilly Dale" 'Murmurng Sea-
General Persifer Smiths March," Aunt
Ha'et Beecher Stowe" "Vandalia Waltz"
and a variety of polkas and schottlsches
Joseph Shillngton advertised the new
novel, BLEAK House." for the unprece-
denied price of 30 cents.
On the Third Page.
items, Geographic. news-mostly of the
western states-deaths marriages, etc, and
three columns more of advertisements
These would now be considered unique. II
not up to the standard of advertising pos
sibillties. Diminutive pictures of carriages,
hats. flowers, bird cages, oyster shells
coffins, houses and false teeth particua riz-
ed and emphasized enterprising efforts to
present with eXactitude and clearness the
merits Of the business set FORTH bringing
one, as 1t were, upon the spot.
The punctilious,y worded descriptions
were in print SO fine as to require eagle
eyes and plenty of leisure to do them JUS
tice. The amount of credulity also needed
probably exceeded even that necessary at
the present day.
Tie Last Page.
The fourth and last page was devotei
first to a one-column article of historical
or other interest, hotel arrivals at the Ma
tional. Browns, Gadsby's and the United
States; police and criminal court news, city
directory. where The Star might be procur-
ed-namely Warmers. Navy Yard, or Nc
Pherson's drug store, Capitol Hill; Shilling
toms Pennsylvania avenue; Bakers or
Adams grocery, 9TH street; Oxley's drug
store. first ward. and Linthicum's drug
store, Georgetown. The city directory recalls
the names of John W. Maury, John Nc
Cormick. Robert Roche, Henry Ball, John
c. Hardness, John H Goddard, William
Orme, Thompson Van RiSwick, Henry Gun
nell and Francis Lord.
The regular subscription price was six
cents per week, payable weekly to the car
riers. The ever-increasing subscription list
caused some delay several times In deliver
ing papers to patrons, and in a very short
time the management announced that they
had placed the carriers in charge OF sew
eral efficient men, who would supervise them
and see that better system was observed.
Soon route of 100 subscribers was Of
fered for sale.
Slave cases-their entrance into or exit
from the city was frequently noted. Upon
one occasion when two slaves were taken
forcibly from their owner, Louisiana man
who was under suspicion of having cruelty
and Illegally obtained them, they proudly
protested their allegiance to him declar-
their master. Many such instances are
thus chronicled In the old dailies which
throw strong side lights upon the history
of the times.
In reading many of these old comments.
fifty years seem a lifetime. For instance,
the fountain pen which had just been in
vented was described "a pen said to
contain concealed in It's handle a small
tube of ink, which is automatically fed to
the PEN enabling one to write two or three
pages without touching the inkstand" and
that If all that was claimed for it were true
1t would prove of wonderful benefit.
The magnificent concert given by Ole
Bull, Strakosch and the child Patti was the
next day praised in the highest terms by
The Star. The fexibility and sweetness
OF little PATHS wonderful voice, the mar
velOus mastery of Strakosch over the piano
| forte and the exquisite pathos and power
| of Ole Bulls violin were applauded without
| stint President Pierce present at that
concert few weeks later the great Son
J tag appeared and again the divine art was
honored by the people and press of Wash