Evening star., 1934-11-25
CHAPTER xxx.
BY FRANK G. CARPENTER.

CHAPTER xxx.
BY FRANK G. CARPENTER.
TIME New Year reception at the
White House this year was very
large and unusually gorgeous.
i The diplomatic corps shone
resplendent in their court
dresses of gold lace and feathered hats,
and to my mind the costume of the
Japanese was the prettiest one pres
ent. Modest, and with pantaloons
and coat in accord with modern civ
ilization, the Japanese have ad-
vanced wonderfully within the past
few years, and they now form one OF
the most cultured elements of the
Capital.
The Chinese came out in their fiow-
ing silks and their almond-shaped
eyes. They passed from person to
person of their acquaintance, after
they had greeted the President with
an exceptionally low bow. 1 noticed
that they enjoyed themselves. eSpe-
cially under the smiles Of the Amer
ican ladies. The Chinese diplomats
here are fond of society, and they go
almost constantly.
The President looked very well, in
deed, as he stood for three hours and
shook hands with all classes. from
the prince TO the beggar. He wore a
close fitting Prince Albert coat, with
red rose in his buttonhole. Presi-
dent Arthur is in his element at r.
ception of any kind. and he has done
the honors of the White House better
than any President since the days OF
James Buchanan. His form helps him
to make a good appearance. He is
fully feet tall, and his frame is
symmetrically filled out. He stands
as straight as Norwegian pine, and
his long connection with society en-
ables him to move his hands and feet
as thought they belonged to him. He
leaves Washington popular in social
circles. his administration will be
long remembered for its brilliancy and
ease.
George Bowie.
A story I heard last night related
to George Bowie. the inventor of the
Bowie knife, or the Arkansaw tooth
pick" as it Is also called. 1t Is said
that Bowie was as gentle and chival-
rous as he was brave and regardless
Of human life. One night years ago
he was riding in stage. going west
toward Ohio, on the old National Pike
A poorly clad woman and her little
boy of about 10 years were the only
passengers Bowie did not speak to
them, but wrapping himself up in his
coat. slept as well as he could under
the jolting Of the stage.
An hour later a big, burly German
entered the coach at a way station
and Immediately took out clay pipe
which Smelled as though 1t had been
smoked constantly since the days OF
Sir Walter Raleigh. He filled it with
tobacco of the vilest brand and began
to puff away. The stage was soon
filled with his exhalations, and the
smoke began to make the woman
sick. She opened the window, seek
ing relief from the fresh air which
poured in. But the weather was bit.
ter cold. and she soon had to close it
She then asked the boy to beg the
man to stop smoking. This he did
but the German loudly said: "If the
old woman don't like it. she can get
out. 1 paid my passage and I will
smoke as please"
In the meantime George Bowie had
been awakened, had seen the whole
&c tho
these words, Bowie put his hand at
the back of his neck, and drawing
out one of the famous bowies, said
coolly: You are mistaken about Your
smoking. You will put out that pipe
at once and keep your mouth shut.
or by the Eternal I will run you
through the heart! I would have
you understand 1 am George Bowie,
and George Bowie means what he
says"
With that he slowly began to ad-
vance his knife toward the Germans
stomach. and the man frantically
threw his pipe out of the door and
begged for his life. During the next
half hour the German said nothing
but he looked pale. AS Bowie thought
over his action and noted the sick
ness of the woman, he grew still
more angry. At the next station he
forced the smoker to get out of the
stage and ride with the driver for
the rest of the journey.
The Social Season.
The weather here for the past week
has been more like June than jan
uary. The grass is green in the parks
and men are going about the streets
without their overcoats. The city is
full of people, and the social season is
in full blast. Every afternoon Penn
Sylvania avenue is crowded with car
riages with drivers in livery and on
the fashionable streets of the north
western part of the city. the Presi-
dent. members of his cabinet, and
others Of the elite of Washington may
be seen daily. The President has a
stylish turnout. His livery is light
drab with big buttons; he has a
coachman. who wears a big plug hat
to drive his barouche; and little foot
man with smaller plug who sits on
seat at the back of him. The Pres
ident is thus Sandwiched in between
his two servants, and as far as the
style of dressing is concerned the
servants look the more gorgeous of
the two.
President Arthur has good carriages,
and his turnouts will compare favor
ably with those of any of his predeces-
sors. A look at the one he rode in
yesterday recalled to my mind the
story they tell of John Tyler, who, it
will be remembered came to the
White House through the death of a
President, elected by the people. Tyler
was fond of fine turnout. but his
pocket was not deep enough to cor
respond to his tastes. One day lead
ing member of the diplomatic circle
was recalled from Washington, and
his magnificent establishment had to
be sold. An important part of this
was his carriage, which was at the
time by all odds the finest in Wash
ington. Tyler had looked at 1t many
times with longing eyes as its owner
had driven it up and down PennSyl-
vania avenue and as it stood now and
then in front of the White House. He