Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-17

All large business sum
as the one with which I am connected. are
compelled to maintain special delivery
service row." remarked the manager of
local department store. "a numerous force
of bicycle messengers is regularly employed
by our firm for the special delivery service.
When a bundle reaches the delivery de-
partment with a special label thereon it is
hurried to its destination with all speed.
The special delivery labels are to be pro-
cured only from the manager or the floor
walkers and those officials must be salts
fled that the case is an urgent one before
handing over label to the clerk Who makes
application therefor. The customers whose
purchases require immediate delivery are,
as a rule, dressmakers and persons who are
about to depart from the city.
You would be surprised to know how
many people must have the goods they pur-
chase sent home forthwith. l will venture
to say that we employ a force of special
delivery messengers almost as large as the
one on duty at the city post Office.
4 x
Il strolled out on a big dump In the
northwest section of the city along the
banks of Rock creek a few days ago and
CHANGED upon a ourishing but unique
business establishment" explained a citizen
who walks a great deal for exercise. Near
the far edge of the mammoth pile of refuse
an enterprising individual had erected
wooden shack above which proudly floated
the stars and stripes. The structure is at
least six city blocks from any other habi-
tation. Over rough counter such tempt
Ing viands as pigs feet corned beef and
cabbage, coffee and the like are served.
The customers are confined to the persons
who spend their days picking over the
dumpings and securing therefrOm cinders
and other material that will serve for fuel
The outlay of two or three pennies will Sc
he a MT q mot OIL cy,t
luncheon at the dump cafe of which
speak. l am told that the business trans
acted is so extensive that the proprietor,
middle-aged colored man, is fairly pros
porous
1t is probable that the sword will soon
be discarded as part of the necessary
equipment of an officer of the army. One
OF the strongest arguments against the
continued use of that oldest of weapons Is
made by Colonel A. L. Wagner of the
adjutant generals department as a result
OF his observations of the recent maneu-
vers at Fort Riley, Kan.
In many cases. says Colonel Wagner,
1.-The first Indication of the opposing force
was given by the flashing of a bright scab-
bard in the sunlight. This was a matter
OF general remark and caused many Off
GERS to question why, in the present stage
Of warfare, they are required to carry a
weapon which has not a single element of
practical utility to compensate for betray-
ing the presence of those who wear it. In
fact, the sword is a picturesque adjunct for
mysterious officials of secret societies a
convenient. and comparatively harmless
weapon for the duelists of the German uni
versities. and darling accessory for a dra-
matte star; but in the hands of military
men, under the existing conditions of war
fare, 1t Is simply an Anticipated nuisance
retained solely because of sentiment and
conservatism that might well retain the
cuirass, the morton or the spontoon."
X x
Electric lights and gas are no good for
counting purposes" said a Washington
young man who is more than attentive to
the object of his affections. a sweet girl of
the West End.
But do not the parents of your fiancee
insist on there being light In the room? ?"
asked a friend.
"Oh, yes; we use kerosene. There Is
nothing like it. Give me the good old coal
OIL for counting My girl is of an inventive
turn of mind. You can't beat her"
What do you mean?'
The piano lamp provides the parlor with
light. 1t has large red shade, which
softens the light when it is burning. But,
do you know, my girl has that hight COM
pletely under control! She sees to the
filling of the lamp and she has 1t down so
fine that she knows just how much oil is
Htcueu W DuTll 10 Il CeTttlIn nOur, the tune
that the olCSfolks usually go to bed. When
the fame begins to get dim you may bet
every dollar you have that 1t Is $50. That
lamp. controlled by SO charming girl as
mine, Is a bonanza"
X
Senator-elect Hepburn of Idaho, who sue
ceeds Senator Hei6eld, will be one of the
big men of the Senate. In fact, he will be
the biggest man in that body, having a
weight equal to that of General Shafter
Some months ago Senator-elect Hepburn
was in San Francisco. where he met Gen.
eral Shafter discussion arose as to
which of them was the heavier weight and
they proceeded to a neighboring store to
md scales In order that they might settle
the question. To the surprise of both OF
them they each weighed 3l2 pounds
Mr.. Hepburn is quite we'll known in this
CITY, as for many years he has made oc-
castonal trips here for the purpose of at