The Washington times., 1908-10-11

was satisfied, not that he had the
park. but that the other fellow hadn't.
Newcomers Faux Pas.
The other night newcomer in
BrOokland, who knew nothing about
the park proposition being tabooec
one. got up iu Citizens Association
meeting and, in a speech teemlng with
patriotic references to the Stars and
Stripes forever. the beauties OF Brook
land, the greatness OF its people. and
the amount OF tribute due them, de-
manded that a resolution be passed
forthwith setting aside the Bunker
Hi road site for a park and asking
an appropriation therefor.
There was much laughter. which
confused the newcomer nightly. He
felt a tug at his coat tails and, taking
his seat. was told what a Srievous err
ror he had committed. Then Presi-
dent McPhaUI. who had lead the fight
for the Southsiders eleven years be
fore. surprised the assembled citizens
by back-pedallng ana advocating the
NOTthside site.
Sure. they asked for an appropria-
ton. and everything is now lovely
again.
The Pipe Hospital.
Reverting to DIT. J. II. Brooks. he VINO
enlightened me as to the ''sundoWn''
pTOcliyities OF the inhabitants Of the
village; may say that the doctor main
tains one Of the most charitable hos
pitfalls in the country. While waiting
in his study. I noted that I was sur
rounded by pipes. Big pipes, small pipes,
crooked pipes. straight pipes. ola pipes
ard young pipes, They were every
where, their sweet aroma ascending
heavenward from the doctors study.
Yes, hate to throw them away,
said the doctor, 80 I keep them here
ia my pipe hospital A lot OF them are
pretty strong 10 be In an institution OF
this kind. but they're here nevertheless.
ana I'm adding 10 the pension roll
DIT. Brooks. who has been a resident
Of Brookland, as I have said, before
the place was Brookland, gave me much
data about how the Brooks, the Middle
tens, McGuires. Queens, and others had
sold of the place bit by bit to the sun
downers.' The old Brooks home IS now
used as Benedictine School for Girls.
Occupant of Ridgeway.
Living in retirement at the old Ridge
way place I found a Iovablr cid gen
tlemaG from ''AIerrie EngIand"-Ntch7-
las Crook He came over this way IN
1881. and IS glad Of It. Mr. Crook s
hobbies are birds, flowers, and his fam
lily. To all three he has been devoted
for lifetime, and so familiar is he with
every plant and tree that grows that
he can SMUT his eyes. feel tie leaves and
string out n scientific name that sounds
Ike the roll call OF the Russian stand
ing army. he has had his neart set for
some time on The Ridgeway place, prop
erty Of Robert Ridseway, a noted scien-
list, who collected about him his speci-
IOens Of trees and flowers from every
land and Clirle
SO acute Is Mr. Crooks sense of OBJ
scvatiOn that It's said he knows the
pedigree Of every bird on his place, and
ofhciates in the settlement Of the domes-
tic troubles Of the feathered tribe. In
turn they have all become so accus-
toned TO the quaint accent OF the gen
tlenlan from Lancashire, that mother
birds warn their young not to trust
any gentlemen not having a decided
foncness for the letter n
Typical Sundowner.
1 met one Mr. Barnes. a ''sundowner''
as ne entered the city. Mr.. Barnes q
afterward learned this was his nance.
gave me a lot of information about
Brookland, but he refused to divulge his
identity. In vain I showed him my Sher-
lock Ho mes badge and told him that I
would ferret 0Et the mystery anyway.