The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-22
LIVE TOPICS ABOUT TOWN.

In an uptown hotel there il an interesting
collection OF the directories of the large
cities of the world.
What is apt to surprise a New Yorker
in looking over the collection is that the
New York directory takes less room than
many of the others. Beside those OF Paris
and London the volume labeled New York
looks notifying to n person with local
pride. Or course. what Is called the Now
York directory contains the names OF per-
SONS living in Manhattan and The Bronx,
and does not include the other boroughs,
each OF which has ito own directory. Bound
together, New York'5 directories would prob
ably make bigger volume thar London's.
An infrequont visitor to the court house
was deeply impressed the other day by
the number Of widows he saw there.
Not only about the Surrogates' office,
but all over the building" he said Il
saw women dressed in mourning. We're
they all widows2"
Ills ingenious question amused the
lawyer to whom 1t was addressed. So he
explained to him the habit Of certain law
yers who in all cases insist that their women
clients shall wear mourning for the sake
OF it's effect on the jury II the woman
happens to he the plaintiff in the case the
enect OF this sombre garb Is excellent, and
t has it's influence when she is merely the
defendant.
An elderly man shocked his daughter
the other day by telling an experience he
had In downtown cafe.
AS l sat in a quiet corner" he said, 4
noticed very charming lady with two
gentlemen at the table next to mine. She
was very pretty and as gave my order she
became as much interested in me az was
In her. She kept smiling at me during
dinner and, as rose to 30. l threw a kiss at
table and came over and kissed me.
The daughter shrank back in aston ish-
ment. Then look OF hope crossed her face.
..How-how big was she, father?' she
This high The father measured up
to his knees.
Only one Of the club roof gardens is now
In condition to receive its guests and this
early retreat is already a mass OF green
vines and shrubs 1t is visible from many
Of the skyscraping buildings about 1t and
the low roof Is a delightful change from the
monotony Of city structures among which
Of summer and country, there have 80 far
been no guests there, for the houses about
it, high as they are, cannot protect 1t from
the chill spring winds.
Christoforo Colombo is in charge Of the
men who are engaged in cleaning the statues
in Central Park, a work that is done once
in many years. Colombo was not selected
as 70 reman because Of his name.
After cleaning the face Of Thomas Moore
IN the lower end Of the park his workmen
tackled Sir Walter Scott at the lower end
Of the Mall. English sparrows had built
nest in Sir Walters right ear and time
and the weather had left a green streak
across his nose.
The men cleaned and polished the statue
to such an extent that Sir Walters face now
shines like mirror Another Scot across
the asphalt walk seems to be dazzled by the
new splendor Of the author OF .Waverley.
Robert Burns has his eyes cast down. Per-
haps when the cleaners get around 70 him
with their polishing brushes he will not
appear 80 sombre.
few weeks ago guard on the elevated
road began wearing flower stuck rakishly
in the side OF his hat. In few days other
young guards got into line. Then the sub
way trainmen followed. Now it is almost
fad among the employees Of thu, Inter
borough company. Pinks have the call,
and the street flower stands profit.
For several years or at least while It was
being cut up Elm street NOV Lafayette
place by grace Of the Aldermen) was prac-
tically closed to traffic. Since it has been
widened and asphalted it is one Of the bust
est streets in the city. All sorts of vehicles
use it and the drivers care nothing for
speed regulations. Persons who have to
cross it find that it is as bad or worse than
Broadway in the middle of the day.