The Washington times., 1905-10-06

here in order. as my friends here have
Well, Mr.. Editor, to make a long story
snort, L stuck TO the point The club
room began TO seem more inviting than
usual. But i bravely said:
Where can see a book on naval en-
gineering?"
" Nthopen-shelf ROOM
If she hadn't dropped her cards long
enough to wave me off to another side
show. / would have left in peace, but
again L followed directions, and got me
into the open-book shelf room, whatever
that might be.
There was a sight to behold-books
and books in easy reach. and most OF
tfem bound in substantial red. Instead
OF naval. or any other kind or engineer
ing, met Mark TwaIn's genial but use
less lot of works. and again assailed
the woman at the desk, who gave me The
the card catalogue, and bringing her
the call number, she would get the re-
Quired volume.
The perspiration was rolling down my
now unpatriotic cheeks. as 1 said in
dismay:
Il beg pardon. madam, / was under
The impression that this was public
library. not a card factory, and that
perhaps she was not paid enough salary
10 warrant her budgIng to enighten
stranger who was quite used to getting
books without a weeks delay. anc with
out learning how to regulate a whole
library | had seen card catalogues used
by specialists, but never could believe
the public had TO stand first on one
foot and then another to get the mum ber
OF book. or 10 find out TOR the salaried
attendant If such book was In the
building.
/ said TO myself more than / said to
her. She was of the wrong gender.
Among other things, l said TO myself
that the Washington reading public
were easily imposed upon, IL they had TO
do the work which the attendants OF
other public libraries are doing every
day, and with a show of genuine INFER
est in their readers. But she finally Of
fered the further information that the
| work / wanted was under ARGUE. OF
something as intelligible-
Going out in disgust, L encountered
young man, evidently an employe. and
said Say, where can L cansult book
on naval engineering, old fellow?'
Step irto the reference room"
Never. / get a quicker way
Howl"
IN step into the first bookstore and
buy one-save you folks lots of trouble,
for store-clerks aren't afraid TO get
off their chairs 10 wait on you, ana
besides they talk English"
Ever get any books here before2"
No ] haven't much time, working
all day. and can't spend the whole
night trying TO find one here. and learn
| ing how to get II out"
That's too bad-just wait a minute
| TIL see about this card. and I'll wait
on you myself.
NO. Stree. Oh IOlkS are
| grand system of card-playing, and L
can't bear to disturb you. but wish
| there was public library in town,
good day"
Just then / saw another lover of
books going to the counter. and listened
| to her fate Return books at the left
desk. please"
Books renewed at left desk. please.
Cards renewed at right desk, please
Yes. two books II you have two cards
Registration desk for green card
Right-hand desk II you want card.
A work Of fiction on a white ticket.
Non-hction goes with a green ticket
Magazine and fiction with white ticket
No fiction on green ticket.
Seven-day books on a white slip ticket
Pay books on a white slip ticket
Duplicate books are not reserved
Cards in book pockets are best pre-
served.
l guess this Is ALL / recalled Mark
Twain's fate. and recoiled
ED. L. KEATING.
Washington. Oct. 5. 1905.