Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-29
THE OLD CANTERBURY.
A "Reminiscences of the Early Days of
the Civil War.

Strolling along Louisiana avenue just op-
posite the Police Court building. Star re-
porter observed one of the Oldest inhabi-
tants standing in front of the boarded up
site upon which many years ago was To-
Gated old Canterbury Hall, within the walls of
which sweet Kate Pennoyer," various stars
of old-fashioned negro minstrelsy acrobats
of renown vocalistS of various degrees of
variety show perfection, and, last, but not
least the festive and fascinating can-can,
were introduced to the good people of
Washington. The old inhabitant appeared
to be in a reflective mood, as he gaZed at
the variegated advertisements on the board
fence shutting off the old site from public
view, and was, in fact, as he admitted,
cogitating over past days.
Il remember old Canterbury WELL" he
said, 'and in my minds eye l now
that fierce-loOking little drummer who,
when the evening parades in advance of
the show began, ratified off his rat-a-pIans
to beat the band. But whenever 1 pass
here am reminded of one particular cir
cumStance that / am not likely ever to for
get 1t was in the early part of the civil
war;" he explained, land I was passing
along the avenue in front of the old Ma
tional Hotel remember it was Saturday
afternoon-when l met prominent senator
from one of the New England states-a
gentleman whose strong friendship 1 pos
sessed, though he was many years older
than l was. He had a weary and rather
detected look upon him, and l referred to
it and asked him if he was feeling de-
spondent You know said the old resi-
dent these were times in which shadows
of dependency gathered frequently upon
almost every loyal mans brow. oh no.
the senator replied. in answer to my ques-
ton: I am far from Respondent, but m
tired and worn out with constant work
that's all 81
You ought to have some amusement
L Come q a 10
bury Hall matinee. You know, SAID [.
quoting the old couplet. "A little nonsense
now and then is relished by the best OF
men" .l
1.-The senator demurred at first, but his
resistance was weak and 1 carried him
along There was good show and the
performance, as usual, wound up with the
can-can, and l noticed that the look of
abject WEAKNESS that was on the senator's
face when l first met him had vanished
and told him so as we came out.
Yes said he. I feel as if had been
amused, but look here my son, keep this
rather quiet. If the folks in my sedate lit
tie New England town learn that l had
visited variety show, where people wear
tights and women try to kick mems hats
off in this diabolica1 revel called the can
can. / would be turned out of church in a
jiffy.'
Il reminded the senator that ii he had
not kept his eyes so constantly the
stage and glanced about the house he would
have noticed other gentlemen from both
branches of Congress in equal guilt with
himself in defying the proprietes that pre-
vail in their respective calm and peaceful
homes.
My friend has long been resting in his
honored grave. He died during the second
term of Grants administration. and l am
as sure l stand here with you that the
little afternoon trip he took to Canterbury
Hall made no blot whatever upon his hon
orable record Christian and a gentle
man"