Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-01

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A reporter who was grimly unique was
attached to the staff of the old National
Republican, which flourished in Washington
about twenty-four years ago. This rara
avis in the reportorial field was not at first
regularly employed on a salary, but did
spacerate stunts. Latterly, however, he
was recognized as sort of necessity and
was given a weekly stipend on the recon-
mendation of the city editor. He WAS
known, not only in the editorial rooms, but
about town as 1.-THE death reporter and his
presence in n neighborhood was regarded as
certain evidence that some one in that par
ticuIar vicinity had passed over the divid >.
1t was the self-imposed daily task of the
death reporter to visit the afflicted in
those homes which had been smitten by the
icy hand of death, and gather such inter
esting data as he could concerning the re-
Gently deceased. While much of his WORK
was regarded as matter of fact by the edi-
tor, he now and then found material while
on his dreary rounds for a good story, and
for that reason he was encouraged to con-
tinue. 1t is said he not only gathered de-
tails for stories, but carried certain
amount of comfort with him into the homes
of gloom he wont to visit.
''Oh, he was so consoling." old lady
was reported to have said, that 1 almost
wished some one else was dead in the
house in order that he might call again and
comfort me-
The occupation of the death repor err
came to an ending in a peculiar manner.
One of the special writer's the Repubii-
can saw in the man and his funeral occu-
patton material for a mighty interim y
story, and he consequently gave the gather
er of death notes a write-up, which so Wv
idly portrayed his uncanny calling chat he
gave it up in dsmay. The special writer
spoke of him solemn visaged youth
with crepe on his voice as well as on his
arm, which with the death emblem, skull
and cross-bones, worn as a pin on his jct
black necktie, were his trademarks" lie
was also described as wearing "a halo OF
deep gloom and Suggesting death by his
very presence. This called public atten-
ton to the death reporter and he discon-
tinued his dismal calling. as he said, lie
could not stand the public scrutiny that re-
suited.
1t is not known whether it is joke on
Lieut.. Gen. Chaffee or not. While he was
in the far Vest this summer inspecting
army posts, the order issued during the
Spanish war requiring officers on duty in
the War Department to wear their uniforms
during office hours was rescinded and since
then the wearing of uniforms at the War
Department has been abandoned That is,
it has, with one important exception The
exception is Gen. Chaffee, the ranking Of
fcer of the army, who appears at his desk
every day in his military attire, including
the three stars on each shoulder, indicating
his rank. Either he does not know of the
latest order on the subject or he does not
care. Naturally none of his subordinates
feel called on to suggest change. so that
Gen. Chaffee continues conspicuous as the
only man in uniform in the War Depart
ment.
X * X
Word comes from England of the success
of the use of chemical salts in laying the
dust. Strong solutions of calcium chic
ride" are applied to the roads and said
to keep them almost permanently damp.
The compound is described cheaper thar
oils and without their Objectionable odors
Calcium chloride" is described as a waste
by-product of several manufacturing pro
cesses. for example, the extraction of cop
per from burnt pyrites Weldon's chlorine
process. the ammonia soda process, anc
the manufacture of chlorate of potash. i
is said to be highly deliquescent and solu
bic in water.
She was fine looking young woman from
Brooklyn and not at all hampered by mill
tary' conventions Visiting the War De
partment one day last week she examined
with interest the large book outside the
door of Gen Chaffee's office, in which al
officers visiting this city are required tt
register their names and addresses The
signatures of generals, colonies and o.
ficerS of lower rank seemed to appeal &c
her and much to the amazement of TIRE
attending messengers she proceeded to ad1
her name to the list of Uncle Sans sol
diers. She gave her name and address Il
full, and, in the column for rank, she wrote
private" When she had finished one o.
the messengers asked her what regiment
she belonged to. 'Oh, any old regiment
you like she replied. with disdainful toss
of her fluffy head. as she walked away. Il
was some time before the dignified mes
senger recovered his equanimity-
= *
1--WE haven't had any official story about
the pelting of Secretary Shaw by rice a
few days ago." said an official of the big
department over which the Secretary OF
the Treasury presides. but he has evident
" survived and is all right The incident
probably reminded him of his young days
The Secretary went into Iowa City, Iowa,
OIL a Rock Island train for the purpose OF
going to a nearby town to make a polti-
cal speech A bridal party was boarding
the train. and large number of friends oil
the couple were throwing rice and old shoes
at them. Secretary Shaw put his head out
of the window 10 see what was going on
laughed heartily. and thereby drew upon
himself a bombardment with rice. The
twenty girls who were escorting the bride
10 the station fairly deluged the Secretary
with the rice grains. He picked up a hand
full of the white flakes, left the car for q
moment and approached the bride, to whom
he offered a quantity of the rice. He told
her that il she had not been bombardeC
CROUCH he would pour some of the rice owe.
her head. The incident was lively one
Secretary Shaw is an agreeable traveller