Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-17
AROUNDTHECITY
): x X Il x x * . X y Il 4

Ing In entranced silence 10 the Marine
Band the plaza OF the Capitol the last
Wednesday in August. 1t was an ideal az
ternoon, and the plaza and lawns were
crowded with beautiful children, lovely
girls in diaphanous fabrics, and quiet, at
tentlve men and women. As the last meas
ures of the Beautiful Blue Danube" died
away In whispering cadences that were
presently lost in a whirlwind of applause
one OF the young men said:
This Is the first time l ever heard the
famous waltz. and l don't wonder mother
says they don't compose music like they
did when she was young. ] can't begin to
express my delight and rapture. and feel
equally indebted to Strauss, Uncle Sam
and his magnificent band for the greatest
pleasure | ever enjoyed. Avaunt, ragtime,
hence and foreverr'
After the last strains of the Star Span
gled" had been fioated off on the echoes
eucircling the silent, if not listening, statue
of him who is first in peace, first in war
and first in the hearts of his countrymen.
the party promenaded the terraces and
took view of the city lying westward OF
the big dome.
One of the girls detached herself from the
laughing. chattering group and stood in
silence at the stone balustrade of the upper
terrace. She looked al the parterreS OF
flowers and brilliant foliage plants all
around her. then at the distant city flash
ing into new and unexpected beauty under
the electric lights like Cinderella at the
touch of the enchantress wand. Her glance
fell first on the monument, then on the city
post office. it's clock just bursting into a
disk of light; then over to The Stars white
home, with its cleaning windows; then on,
on over the city. until it rested on the
spire of old Trinity. outlined against the
suulit splendor of the western skies; then
back again to where the great white col
umn stands like a sentinel ever on guard.
Well" she said with an ecstatic sigh.
after calling the rest of her party to come
and admire with her. IF lived in Wash
iuSton. and could come and listen TO that
superb band and sit this beautiful ter
race surrounded by flowers pretty girls,
handsome men and these dear little ba-
bies whenever / wanted to, l wouldn't en-
Wy Rockefeller all his wealth.
And TIE Washington women who stood
beside her and who hadn't been inside the
Capitol grounds before for five years.
thought how little we value the beauties
and blessings within our reach.
ON this same beautiful Wednesday after
noon. as the twilight deepened into dusk.
an antlquated female peer.ng around
from pillar to post, from balustrade to par
terre, from steps to door. Anticipated, not
because she was at all bizarre from
tlstic point of view, but because she was
unlike all the other elderly ladies on the
grounds She wore a gown of gray China
silk finished with white lace at the open
throat and sleeves. and a plain Quakerish
belt OF rich gray satin ribbon instead of a
bciiddled ana tight-boned grdle. She also
wore little bonnet of violets and Chantilly
lace-whch every woman knows is the real
thing-instead of the faring picture hats OF
the other ancient DANES. There was
wistful look on the old lady's sweet face
which appealed to a stylish young
who had passed her more than once, in
spite of her old-fashioned garb.
Madam" he ventured, as he lifted his
hat to the old lady, ARE You lost?
No son." she answered, in voice which
proclaimed her a lady as undeniably as If
she had all the blood of all the Towards
flowing In her veins and flashing from her
eyes. Il am not lost, although it has been
nearly fifty years since I was on this ter
race"
Pardon me. but I thought perhaps you
were looking for some one-I have mislaid
my own party somewhere in the crowd
Well l am looking for some one she
replied. with a soft laugh. i am looking
for an old man."
And you have caught young one" the
young man returned. with an echoing laugh:
Perhaps 1 can help YOU TO find the old
one or be a temporary substitute
I'm afraid you'd be poor substitute
FOR my purpose, but maybe you could help
ufp To find my old one"
Tell me what he looks like? What sort
Of hat does he wear?''
The old lady laughed again.
Il couldn't tell you that, son. for l don't
know myself what he looks like or what
sort of a hat he wears"
The young man began TO think he had
caught a crank of the most decided cast,
bu. having butted in, he determined to
see Jhe game to the finish.
Then" he said, politely and patiently.
well have to flag ali the old gentlemen
We see until we catch the right one
There is no mystery about the matter,
she explained Il am not looking for any
Special old man. but l thought might
run across some old Waterman or guide
who could tell me what l want to learn. I
haven't been In Washington since before
the war-between the states. l mean-when
In
Eress. What ! want to find is the Decatur
fountain. II used to be right here, in
the middle Of this terrace, as nearly as 1
can recolect and It was filed with gold
and silver fish Many, many days have l
sat outside the iron railing guarding it
and caught those hapless hshes-which
are all gone 70 fish heaven now, of course
as they swan past me. then threw them
back into the water We We're not allowed
60 touch the fish. but we did it all the same,
] should certainly like to renew my
QuaintanCe with the fountain. although !
can't renew my acquaintance with the fish"
The Decatur Fountain unused the
young man, a certain awe creeping over
him AT these "reminiscences Of a prehistoric
age. and feeling as if he had met the
ancient mariner IN feminine guiSe. THE
Decatur fountain? l never heard of 1t.
madam"
We'll. believe it was properly called the
Decatur monument. II was in the center
Of pond. which we children used to call
fountain"
give You my WOrut madam, / never
heard Of the Decatur monument. 1 have
no idea what it is or where II is
We'll. III have TO come up to hunt for
IL etGller In the day the old lady said,
arising from her seat on the steps of the
terrace. Il came up 20 hear the music,
The band was dressed in red instead OF
white when | was young, and 1t used to
play over behind General Washington in
his night shirt. as we irreverent children
wont to denomlnate the classic statue
OF the father of his country and of ours.
] believe the dear old general and Column
bus are the only things in Washington
that exactly as they were when
young-I felt like going up and shak-
ing hands with both of them"
My dear lady" the young man said, "if
you have enjoyed renewing your acQuant-
ance with them as much as l have enjoyed
beginning mine with you you have had a
rare. pleasure. indeed
That Is prettily said" cried the old
lady, much pleased and reminds me of
the gallant and gracious manners of the
young men OF my day"
Il hope you will allow to you
homct he replied. following up his ad-
vantage. land let me call upon your