,K& y -1-. u t r 5 10 OR THE SERPA PINTO Steamboat Bide Into the Interior of Africa. SHOTS AT HIPPOPOTAMI. The City of Dondo and the Peculiar ities of the Natives. FAILTJEES OP THE MISSIONABIES. rCOBJtlSrOXDEKCI Or TBI EISrATCK.1 Caps T0W2T, S. Africa, March 31. HOUGH the Qnanxa river is navigable for imall steam era tor a distance or 200 miles from its month. and though the Portu- cnese hare possessed the province of Angola for four centuries, it wag not ' until quite recent years i that there has been any (navigation on this river. I At present one company has the sole right to run ateamers on the river, and four small steamboats plv between St. Paul de Loan- da and Dondo, where large rocks in the river's chan nel bar the progress of all boats. One of these is the Serpa Pinto, which, by the war. is named after the Portuguese major who is said to have been the cause of the recent disturbances about the railway on the east coast of Africa which led to an interference on the part of England and America and resulted in England sending nearly a dozen men-of-war with sealed or ders to the seat of the trouble. Several cores of natives standing on the Serpa Pinto's deck are the second-class passengers. There Is no place to put lugeage, so we will have ours all flooded on the after part of the deck, the apartments of the first-class pas sengers. There are no staterooms, hut there is a washroom, however, and you will wish to take a refreshing wash. But there is no water, no soap; only an empty washbowl and towel. Call up the cabindas (native servants of the bo.it s) and say "agua" (water). Altera few experiences in this province you will understand that patience is a necessary virtue, but you will get the water after awhile. SEEK ALOKO THE QUANZA. The scenery along the river is interesting. To the left is grass that is over six feet high, very thick and impossible of passage, ex cept where paths have been cut On the right are beautiful cocoanut groves and the (? .., Jtfap of the Quanta Territory. forest farther along. That is the Kissama side. The Kissamas are a tribe of natives who claim all the countrv just south or this river. It is all in the province of Angola, hut the Kissamas are powerful natives, and have never submitted to the authority of the Portugnese. 2To white men are allowed to settle in this country, nor would it be safe to go through it unless well protected. They pay no taxes to the Portuguese, who say that the country is not worth the trou hle that would be involved in taking pos session of it. Perhaps, however, it would require a creator military force than is now maintained in Angola to force the Kissa mas to submit to the white man's rule. All other natives, and Portuguese as well, fear the Kissamas, and when you speak of them, they will say, "Kissamas non bon." Their country is rirh and capable of being made very productive. I remember my only experience on the Kissama side. I arose early one morning and decided to go for a hippopotamus hunt I took my rifle and cartridges and went to a small village t.ear by to secure a native guide and canoe. I found the man whom 1 -wanted asleep on a mat before his hut door. I called him and mde known my wants. He assured me we would find hippopotamus. "We started alone in the canoe, and, after going down the river for a mile, landed. I observed that my guide understood his busi ness well, so said nothing and followed him, though X very much feared being alone in Kissama territorv, Tor I bad been told that the Kissamas were acenstomed to conceal themselves in bushes and shoot white men. They use the old fiiut-Icck guns and iron " slugs for bullets. We very soon found fresh hippopotami tracks and traced them from the river back through the thick grass, using a path made bv the huge creatures as they returned before daybreak from the river, where they spend the night time. SHOOTING AT HIPPOPOTAMI. A short distance back we found a large lagoon which my guide surveyed very care lull in the hope of finding' hippopotami. &- Some Soys of Dondo. "We were not disappointed or to our right several heads were observed just above the water. These were the first I had seen but they looked exactly like the pictures in books upon Airica. We went carefully around behind some bushes and came out near the water within shooting range of the creatures. Taking aim I fired at one of them. The animal was hit for he jumped out o' the water and went down below it with an awlul splash. Meanwhile I fired again but was unable to know whether I hit my mark. All the hippopotami now ditappeared be neath the water. They are not oiten killed, experience upon this occasion was that ot Baby others. It is exceedingly difficult to shoot and kill a hippopotamus. Crocodiles are o'teo seen along the river. Tillages are numerous along the river and invariably the natives rush down to the bank in crowds to gaze at the passing I turner. The water is not deeD and the I Channel of the river changes almost con-J ASK' " xSiJ,'Zxmt', M , SI xam W Awf m aw Wry ItM. 0 1-- 5-Sa -f- a ' K Vf A E jffgill(i,lir rVk. S?5--i-mrw C?Ji-r tinually, so that it is different each month and must be learned anew by the pilots. You hear those men calling out in front. They are the "sounders." "When the depth of the water ii uncertain a man is stationed on each side of the deck with a long pole to ascertain the depth. One "rounds" with his pole and calls off the number of feet in Portugese; the other does likewise, so the pilot knows the course to tafce. It is now 6 o'clock and here comes the cabinda to announce dinner, so let us go. "What is that man saying?" you ask. He is swearing in Portugese because his nap kin is not clean. XiOok at yours; see mine. Throw them aside on the bench, for you will have alreadv noticed that we are sitting on a wooden bench. So Tou thought that because you paid 20 milreis ($21 60) for this trip yon wonld find some accommoda tions. Do not deceive yourself, for you will have none. At Baraca we stopped for the night, for it i, of course, impossible to find theproper channel in night time. Wood for fuel is purchased by the thousand cut sticks. Everv stick is counted and the number brought aboard is checked so that several hoars were consumed in getting the wood. EEQUIKEMENTS OP ETIQUETTE. After having finished your dinner eti quette requires that yu sit here until the Portuguese have finished smoking their cigarettes and the a'ter dinner conversation. This may be an hour, and as you do not understand the Portuguese language, you will undoubtedly become very tired. Baraca is only a small station, the loca tion ot a Portugese trading house and a tew native huts. In (act most of the river sta tions are such. There are English and Dutch trading houses as well, and ther do a large and profitable business trading with the natives, who bring great quantities of A STREET IH THE coffee to sell or trade. The trading houses sell them rum and provisions of various kinds. In a day and a half more we arrived at Dondo, the chief town of the interior of Angola. The town is entirelv surrounded by high hills, and this makes Dondo one of the hottest places in West Africa, and as verv little wind can reach the town tho nights are never cool. The place is un healthy and fever is common. It is said that the only medicines used here are qui nine, astringents and cathartics. This brings up the subject of the healthfulness of the climate of West A rica, which, as is well known, is the most unhealthy ot that of any part of Africa. Angola is indeed unhealthy, especially back from the coast, where the traveler must be careful to avoid fever. With proper precaution, however, there is little danger of having the fever in its worst forms. Most all white persons who live there seem to have the lever at times, but little difficulty is ex perienced in treating it if proper attention is given the patient. Of the six of us who spent a month in the different parts of the province, but one took quinine for several davs betore going there, and continued every day while there, and for seveial days after leaving. This person was the only one of the six who did not have the fever. Three of the five who had it, dia not recover tor a month. Whether the quinine did actually prevent the lever in the one case, cannot be known. Of course, such a method could not be used with success by one who lived in the country for a long period of time. THE CUT OF DONDO. Dondo has a population of over 3,000, nearly all of which is native. A view of On the Dondo Market. the principal streets is shown in the accom panying cut. It was taken in the middle of the afternoon when fewer natives are to be seen lounging about the streets than earlier in the daw Several distinct tribes may be seen at Dondo among which the Bailundas, Lobollos and Kissamas are most important. Members of these tribes are readilv distinguished from physical characteristics. The Bailundas are very tall and slim. Tlie.Lobollas are short and quite effeminate in appearance, so mnch so that one could be easily deceived as to the sex of some individuals. Their legs are small and the muscles below the knees are so little developed that there is almost no "call of the leg." The Kissamas resemble the Lobollos in physique, but they may be known from their stvle of wearing the hair. Their features are coarser and betray a vicious disposition which is absent in both of the other tribes. The Bailundas are mus cular and make excellent workmen as laborers and carriers. The Lobollos and Kissamas, on the contrary, do not work and have as little as possible to do with the whites. Nearly all the natives look upon white men with great suspicion and believe them to be thieves. This suspicion has arisen from the fact that these natives have for many vears come in contact with unprinci pled white men who have robbed and ill treated them. It is perfectly natural that the Angola natives should look upon white men us they do. Had the traders and other whites who settled in Angola, dealt honestly with the natives, tlicir condition to-day would have been far better than it is. It is almost impossible to make natives be lieve you have any interest in them. This state ot things is bound to exist when the law is always executed in favor of the white man. LAW FOE WHITES ONLY. From all that I could see and learn I am obliged to say that the laws ol Angola are not executed with justice, though the laws give the same rights to both whites and Hacks, it is said the black man has no rights. Slavery, for instance, is absolutely prohibited by law, yet it is said to exist. Upon this subject let me quote from a con versation held with an intelligent and edu cated Portuguese who has spent 12 years in West A rica. He says: "Slavery does exist; I have seen it. The contract labor law is only a blind for slavery. According to this law natives may hire out for a term of years for an amount of money stipulated in the contract, but most native know nothing of this contract. They say they are slaves, and if you tell them they are not they laugh at you and thins: you are joking. .Portuguese buy na- T-2S CSl 1 'iiilJlll W - I ii rwmninr i inrrii iiiiiiiiiiiiwiTTTMmwinTMii r r r 1 1 irnranMir iriThmiiiaiaiMieMWMirriTiniiM m m i iiv -ami it - -y i y -, .,. u .,, . i,- ,.-i?v.- . a- - THE tives in the far interior and sen! them in Angola for 25 or 30 milreis. Many mer chants buy them and fhen go to the chief of the town, who is an officer in the Portuguese armr, and have the contract filled out. The natives as a rule know nothing of this." Such are the words of a man who cer tainly seems competent to speak on the sub ject. If a native commits a crime he is punished severely, especially it it be against a white man. I was present upon one occa- sion when three natives who had stolen a trunk from a white man were being beaten with a bastinado. The official who was on hand to superintend the beating would re mark every now and then during the inflic tion of the punishment: "You will steal from a white man? You ought to know bet ter. Steal from a white man, willjou?" These words were significant in that they CITY OF DONDO. seemed to convey the meaning that it was regarded a greater crime to steal from a white man than trom a black man; or, in other words, the men were being punished or a crime committed against a white man and not tor a crime against the law. NO EEFINED SENTIMENTS. One of the characteristics of the mind worthy of mention here is that of the lack of feeling; both physical snJ mental. They undergo great pain as shown bv manv in stances, but the more important act is that the feelings of love, gratitude and sympathy seem to be almost wanting in the average native. Men who have spent years among them say they have never seen a man show any affection for a woman or vice versa, no matter what the relations might be. Cases ofafFection being manifested by parents for children are almost unknown. I have seen parents moutn for children and children for parents and in each case it was a matter of form without any' real feeling whatever. The ceremony consists of the dancing and wailing of the female relatives who along with the male relatives have their faces decorated with a white and red powder. I once went among some natives who were mourning the death of child, and I chanced to have a Colt repeating rifle. In a few minutes I was surrounded by a very curious crowd of men, women and children, in cluding the parents of the deceased, who were intent upon examining the rifle. It was especially puzzling to them to see a rifle that would carry so many cartridges. All mourning had been forgotten and re placed by an intense curiosity to see te rifle. The question as to the future of the Angola natives is a difficult one to treat. That African natives cannot civilize themselves is certain; that contact with white men has a powerful influence either for good or bad is also certain. I am sorry to believe that the influence of the whites upon the natives of Angola has in many respects been bad. WOBK OF THE MISSIONABIES. I certainly saw no natives who were "thirsting ior Christianity" as stated in a missionary journal, but I did see most all thirsting for rum. One gets a very different idea of missionary work by going upon the ground than he does Irom missionary talks or printed reports. It may be, however, that lar to the interior of Angola the natives do really desire Christianity and civiliza tion. I inquired at a mission station on the coast as to the success of their work, and was informed that very good success marked the results of their work, especially at the older stations. The station in question has been in existence for five years, I believe. I asked to be told of any natives who bad be come thoroughly converted and civilized, and was told of but one man who wentabout clad in an old coffee sack only. The missionaries of Angola certainly have much against them. I met no whites, Portuguese or English, who were not in one way or another opposed to their work. The objections were of various kinds. Many have no desire to see the condition of th'e natives improved as they have more to gain pecuniarily if they are not civilized. Others object to the persons sent to do the work and to their methods. The objections of these latter people alone are worthy of considera tion. Their objections seem to be based upon good grounds, for itis well known that any person "who feels called upon" is sent to labor among the heathen to do a work that ought to require a trained mind, one that can see the practical side of things and one that is not so hampered by religious be lief, as not to be able to pursue a course which will be the best and most practical under given circumstances. It is true so far us iny observation and information go that many missionaries Lelong to the class uusuited for such work. There methods are wrong. ANOTHER PLAN PEOPOSED. The problem is a most difficult one and probably not fully appreciated by the aver age missionary. Wonld you endeavor to remove the superstitions by replacing them with a system of religion many of the teachings of which are beyond the compre hension o' the savage mind and which seems to him to emDody superstitions as gross as those to be removed? For example, thou sands of the African natives firmly believe that the spirits of their ancestors interfere with their daily affairs, so they are very caution" about their actions. How shall we attempt to overthrow his belief by the doc trine of the immortality of the soul in any form, however sim pie? To teach amtive that the spirit ol his ancestors cannot inter fere with his affairs, and then teach him that his ancestors still live and will forever live in another world, to my thinking only tend to strengthen his conviction that his ancestors, if they still lived, would surely take part in his affairs. Instead of employing such a method, would it not be wiser to begin by educating the mind, and thus train the faculties so the su perstitions would become gradually under mined and finally fall because the- had nothing on which' to rest, and then give the religious instruction afterward, if it is to be given at all? In short, why not begin by educating the native mind, and leave relig ious instruction until the mind is prepared to receive it? Claire A. Obb. Streets graded, walks laid, trees plant ed. See page 14, to-day's Dispatch. Household goods packed for shipment. ' Hauqh & Keenan, S3-31 Water sf. mm m mm Spr. Fint View of Dondo. PITTSBUIl&-J DISPATCH, PFAFFS ROUND TABLE A Little Cellar AlcoTe Where Liter ary Genius Once Thrived, BOHEMIA'S CENTEfi IN HEW TOSK. Brilliant Ken Who Gathered Inspiration Oier Beer and Cigars. ADA CLXBB WAS A LEADING SPIRIT coBRXsroNPEircx or Tire dispatch. New York, May 3. Pfoff is dead and a few days ago he was placed beneath the sod. With him was buried an unequaled fund of anecdote of the Bohemia ol New York that undefined and uudefinable land which nowadays has disappeared beneath the turbulent seas of the modern, practical, commercial methods which has brought even literature, and especially newspaper literature, under the staid regulations ot methodical ways. For years PfafPs place was an institution of New York City, and to this day many eyes which glisten in gray capped heads twinkle more brightly when the name is mentioned. What delightful memories cluster about itl At its sound what thoughts arise of sparkling stories, of merry jests, of biting quip, of tuneful lays, of bright faces, of curling smoke that wreathed itself as smoke never does nowa days, and of foaming beer, which tasted as beer never tasted before and never will taste again. , Pfaffs place was in a cellar on the west side of Broadway, above Bleecker street. Sawdust covered Its floor. It made no pre tensions to style, but that fact did not lessen the smoothness of its Welsh rarebits, or the sncculence of its famous liver and bacon. Through the center oi the main room along table extended around which on equal plane the patrons of the place were seated. But therare resort, the inner penetralia of the shrine, was under the payement where in an alcove stood a large, round t;tble which gathered at various times the brightest men known to literature and art The bonds of conviviality fastened these into a sort of clique whose fame under the title of KNIGHTS OF THE BOUND TABLE spread throughout the city. Goodfellow ship was the only test of admission to this unorganized body. In time it was fashioned into a semi-formal condition nnder the name of the Bohemian Club, of which Ada Clare was by acclamation made the presiding genius. While occasionally other women known upon the stage or in literary circles found sufficient courage to drop in upon the witty revelers at Piaffs, Ada Clare was the only one who possessed all the qualities con tained in the term goodtellowshtp and whose presence was lound to enhance the con viviality of every occasion in which she took part. She was the embodiment ol female Bohemianism. Seated at the table with her big blue eyes fairly smiling, her mass or yellow hair shining above her head, her face flushed with excitement, she parried thrusts of wit as de tly as a swordsman would a foil, and her laugh rang the clearest when an unfortunate one was unhorsed in the shock ol intellects. She had ran through almost the entire social range, contributing much to the cur rent literature ot the day, lacing the foot lights as an actress and making occasional marital experiments. From 1859 until about 1862 she reigned as Queen of Bohemia, and during that time the circle at Pfaflfs was brightest and best. Beer was the favorite beverage of this coterie. It was onlya short time prior to this period that this drink was first manufactured in this country, and the Bohemian Club became quite an important factor in making it the popular beverage, a revolution which forever drove away the daily brandy tippling which was the practice of men of those times. AROSE WITH THE SUN. With Pfaff's beer and Pfaff's pipes and tobacco and Pfaff's rarebits and wit and humor and poetry and prose time passed so quickly at the Bound Table iu the cellar alcove that all too frequently the sun rose upon the close of the session. Pfafl himseli was the most genial and kindest of men, and with most benevolent intentions frequently, though mildly, endeavored to enforce his nightly violated rule that his house was to be closed at 1 o'clock in the morning. Upon these occasions, which became rarer and rarer, it generally occurred that it required about one hour to get the proprietor into a proper irame of mind to humbly apologize lor having dared to suggest that be wished to close his doors upon the Princes of Bo hemia, and when this amend had been made it was Pfaft'himself who was most reluctant to end the proceedings. O. the men who wereamong the Knights of the Bound Table many have passed away dy ing generally in happy poverty, and of those who still remain upon life's scene some have reached affluence and others are still busy, but more prosperous workers with-the pen. Ada Clare's Minister of State was Henry Clapp. He was one of the brightest newspaper men of the day and his con tributions to various New York journals invariably attracted attention. But he unfortunately went beyond the bounds which confined the conviviality at PlafPs and giadually drifted away until be was lost sight of entirely. His closest friends did not know what had become of him until by an accident it was discovered that he had died under the saddest circumstances and that his unidentified remains had been buried in Potter's Field. HONORED AFTER DEATH. Joe Howard, Pfaff and one or two others inspired by Howard formed a lund with which a burial lot was bought in a com manding and delightful location in Green wood Cemetery and there poor Clapp's body, alter having been disinterred, was taken and placed beneath a tenderly inscribed monument. A favorite figure about the alcove table was that of young George Arnold. He aud Willie Winters were almost inseparable companions. They were not of the rollick ing spirits who gathered "about the board, but they rarely tailed to contribute some thing, generally a poem, to enliven the occa sion or enhance 'the value of the flying moments. Winters who was even then ou the Tribune staff was a splrituelle, lar away young fellow in whose ears the bells and distant minarets were al ways softly chiming. His first toyings with the muse did not invariably 'meet with financial response from hardhearted publishers, and when he did succeed in get ting his name upon the page of a magazine there was rare rejoicing at PiafFs which Winters always subsequently complained cost him more than he had received for the poem. Arnold was at times buoyantly cheerful and at others moodily sad. Al though bis literary career only extended over a period ot 12 years, he dying when he -was but 31 years of age, the quintityof written material which he produced during that time was surprisingly large. As Win ters has said of him: "He wrote with equal fluency and versatility stories, sketches, es says, poems, comic and satirical verses, criticisms of books and of pictures, editorial .articles, jokes and pointed paragraphs. His poems, which were collected and published by Mr. Winters a few years ago, display a man of rare genius. ONE OF ARNOLD'S SONNETS. It was on the round table at Pfaff's and in commemoration of the delights of the alcove that Arnold wrote these lines: Here, With my beer I sit. While golden moments flit! Alast They pais buugeucu ujii And, as they fly, Unheeded by: Being dry. Bit, Idly sipping hire My beer.. O, finer far Than fame, or riches, are The graceful smoks-wreathi of this ;,STJNDAT, MAT 4, flee clgart Why Should I Weep, wall or sight W hat if luck has passed me bjf What if my hopes are dead My pleasures fled? Have I not still My fill Of right good cheer Cigars and beer? Go, whining youth, Forsooth! Go, weep and wail. Bigb. ana grow pale. Weave melancholy rhymes On the old times. Whose joys like shadowy ghosts appear. But leave me my beerl Gold is dross Love is loss Bo, if I gnlp ray sorrows dovn. Or see them drown In foamy draughts of old nut-brown, Then do 1 wear the crown. Without the cross! Arnold wrote for the press until within four weeks oi his all too sudden cutting down. As his bosom friend and admirer has said of him, "To the end of his life he worked with the pen, incurring the perils, bearing the sorrows, surmounting the ob stacles and enjoying the pleasures of the noble and fascinating profession of letters." THE OOOD OBAY POET. There were many other courtiers of the Muse who were numbered among the Knights of the Bound Table. For several years be 'ore the breaking out of the war a picturesque figure at the Pfaff gatherings was that of Walt Whitman, who even then, through the premature whitening of his locks and the beneficence of his character, was called "The G md Gray Poet," and who even then wore his flowing shirt collar thrust back in display of a hairy chest. He owed much in those days to the openhaudedness of his friends in Bohemia, and he only left them when President Lincoln gave him a sinecure iu the Attorney General's office in Washington; a post which he continued to occupy until the Hayes administration drove forth the man who had been guilty of writing "Leaves of Grass." A frequent trio at Pfaff's was formed by Charles G. Halpine, better known to fame as Miles O'Bielly; the late Fitz James O'Brien, one oi the brightest of the young literary men of the day, and Hugh Farrar McDermott. It was on the Bound Table that the last named wrote his verses beginning, "O, do not sing that song again." McDer mott is a remarkable exception to all rules governing poets, if those who are frenzied by the Muse are governed by any rules. He is now affluent and a political power, and yet, like Silas Wegg, hestill "drops into verse." In his Pfaff days Harper's Weekly fre quently gave a full page to his effusions. It was not poetry, however, which brought him riches. He got into politics, started the Jersey City Herald, through his influence MADE IT OBLIGATORY that all legal advertisements should be in serted in the columns ol that newspaper and thus be piled up hundreds of thousands of dollars, while bis son Albert McDermott has been installed as the Democratic boss of the State of New Jersey. It was at Piaffs 'that the brightest liter ary men of those times read manv of their effusions before submitting them for publi cation, the Bohemian circle being, as it were, the fortunate canine upon which they were tried. There William 'O'Brownell first read bis lines beginning, "All that I Ask is Let Me Alone;" there Stephen Mas set, who is still a valued contributor to hu morous publications, submitted the pungent sayings of "Jeenis Pipes, of Piptsville;" there Henry Clay Lukens who is still wield ing his pen, notably lor the Arkansas Trav eller, had judgment passed upon the prose humor ot "Erratic Eurique;" there Frank Bellew invited criticism ot the sketches which were to be submitted to the Harpers or Frank Leslie; there Thomas Worth, now the high salaried caricaturist of Texas Sit ings, displayed the clever pencilings which he sold wherever he could find a purchaser; there Edward H. House, now occupying re sponsible and confidential relation with the Imperial Government of Japan, fascinated the circle with the brilliancy of his conver sation and won its admiration with the breadth and depths of his general imorma tion. OTHERS THAN WEITEBS AND ABTISTS. But there were others than writers and artists who made the Pfaff coterie brilliant. Frequently seeu about the Bound Table were Edwin Adams, genial, whole-souled and the most versatile ol all actors; Lawyer Charles W. Brooke, whose recitation of ""The Bells of Shandon" was then and is now consid ered the perfection of rhythmic and melo dious elocution; the late Dan Bryant, the king of all negro minstrels; the late Nelse Seymour, one of the husbands of EfEe Ger mon, and with whom died a peculiar phase oi Duriesque in negro minstrelsy ot which he was the only exponent; self-assertive and dogmatic "Show" Bateman, the father ot the Bateman Sisters; Dolly Davenport, a Eopular actor of his day and the one-time usband of Lizzie Weston, who afterward married Charles Matthews, the celebrated English actor. There were also occasional droppings in of such men as James W. Wallack aud John Brougham, and E. L. Davenport and others, who could add to the conviviality of a collection ot choice spirits. It was a famous coterie while it lasted, but ruthless progress soon caused this order, whose knights had never felt the touch ol accolade, to dwindle and pass away. Bleecker street, which had been the avenue for fashionable residences, was given up to commerce and became "far down town." But the first blow delivered at PfafTs was when a man named Garrad opened a rival chop house in Bleecker street next to the savings bank, which was also graced with a Bound Table. This caused a division in the Bohemian circle, and from that time the fame of the cellar alcove began to pale until it was no longer found profitable to keep it open and Pfaff went uptown in a vain search lor his former patrons. That ended the story which his death now revives. Louis N. Meoaroex. The Ulaes. This is a synonym for that gloomy, harrassed condition ol tho mind hlch has Its origin in dyspepsia. All the ugly suirits that under tho name of the "blues," "blue dovils," "megrims" and "mulligrubs" torments the dyspeptic al most ceaselessly, banish when attacked with Hosteller's Stomach Bitters, that, moreover, annihilates biliousness, constipation, chills and f ever, kidney complaints and nervousness. Lots given away to builders. 11, to-day's Dispatch. See page Wood Mantel. Visit our wareroom fitted up with the latest styles in all the hard wood now fash ionable. James C. Thompson, 610 Liberty avenue. Homes! homes! homes! day's Dispatch. See page 14, to- Briko yonr photos to be copied to Eleo trio Portrait Company, 10 and 13 Sixth st.; crayons, water colors, etc.; best work; lowest prices. WSu A home on $1 capital, day's Dispatch. Sea page 14, to- Ijonvre Drcsamnklns Lonvre. Now is the the time to leave vour special orders for ladies' and children's gingham suits; all work done on short notice. Louvre, 24Sixth st., Directly opp. Bijou Tneater. No Branch Store. Here is the place to put your money. To-day's Dispatch, page 14. BemnANTS of table 'linens at about K price on Friday and Saturday, May 9 and lu. ttssu Huoub & Hackb. Safe, sure and profitable. See page 14, to-day's Dispatch. Dabbs has made many beautiful and fine photographs this past week of notable and prominent people. High, dry and healthy, day's Dispatch. Bee page 14, to 1890. A CHAT WITH LOTTA. The Richest Actress of America En joying Life In Washington. HER FIRST SHOWER OP SILYER. She Has All She Can Do to Manage Herself,1 Let Alone a Husband. PATH'S THOUSAND-DOIiLAR LETTERS rwBiTxxx roa THB DISrATCn.1 HE charming actress Lotta, whom John Brougham immortal ized as "the dramatic cocktail" of Ameri ca, has this year spent the quietest winter of her life. The sprain in her ankle, which she re ceived in jumping from a runaway car riage in Boston, has has kept her indoors at Washington and out of society, and she has devoted the winter to art. She is delighted, she says, in the discovery that she has a new talent, that of painting, and Washington artists tell me .that her work is very creditable indeed. She has picked up all she knows herself, and without a lesson she has painted a half dozen pictures, all of which are of more than ordinary merit. I looked at these recently. Some of them are country scenes, and the air,-the sky, the fields and tbe log cabins carry one back to As She Captivated Us All. Lotta's early days in California, and tbe scenes look as real as though they were painted out of doors. In portraits, also, she is doing very well, and I took a sketch of a picture of a little negro model who stood for her as Topsy. Lotta's painted Topty is as black as ebony, and she has as bright, danc ing, mischievous eyes as those possessed by the character made lamous in "Uncle Tom's Cabin." The figure has real life, and it glows upon the canvass with all the vivacity of Lotta upon the stage. RICHEST ACTBES3 IK AMERICA. Lotta had expected to have rested this winter and to have gone much into Wash ington society. She is one of the few actresses who can afford to take vacations, and she is by all odds the richest actress in America. She is said to be worth at least $1,000,000, and her mother is one of tbe shrewdest financiers, aud Lotta says one of the best managers in America. It was through her that the Park Theater in Bos ton was bought and the International Hotel in connection with it. For this Lotta paid $350,000 in cash, and she paid 25,000 ad ditional for the furniture which it con tained. She has investments scattered all over the United States, and she told me that she and her mother had lately planted some money in Kansas City, which she hoped would grow a good harvest. She has in vestments in California, is said to have $100,000 in New York property, and she has $400,000 ic United States bonds laid aside in case of a panic. Her mothermanages all money matters lor her, and she defers to her iu everything. She is here with her this winter, and she has taken such good care of her that Xiotta will be able to return to the stage next fall. When I called upon Lotta at her home, on Fourteenth street, above Newspaper Bow in Washington, I found that she had discarded her crutches. Her eyes were as bright as they have ever been upon the stage, her skin was as fresh and clear as that of a baby's and her plump round form ac corded with the statement that she made to me that she was in perfect health and that she weighed 125 pounds. Strange enough the conversation first turned to money making and acting and I asked Lotta the secret of her financial success. She re plied: OWES MUCH TO HER MOTHER. "I owe nearly everything to my mother, and I really know very little about our money matters, but I think one reason for our prosperity has been in the fact that we have not been extravagant. We do not care to pay anything tor pure show, and when we are mating a tour we do not take all of the best rooms on the ground floor of every hotel we stop at, ride out in a coach-and-four, nor give great dinners. I do not wish to make a splurge, and I prefer quiet rooms higher up where we do not attract so much attention and have more rest. Besides the profits of my acting have been well invested, and my mother is a shrewd business woman. The trouble with many actresses Is that they al ways' spend as much as they make, and never learn the philosophy oi interest and accumulation. People on the stage receive very good salaries.' The public has been very kind to me, and I have been very suc cessful in pleasing them through a long series of years." "You began to act almost as a baby," said I. "Yes," replied Lotta, "my first acting was so lonir a;?o that I can hardly remem ber it. 'My father waf, you know, a book seller' in New York, and he had a store oh Nassau street when gold was discovered in California. After a lew years he got the fever and went West, and three years later my mother aud I went out to him. We lived in a little log cabin at the mining set tlement of Laporte, but times were not very good and my father, though he got some gold, never 'struck it rich,' as tbey say. When I was about 7 years old a dancing school was opened in the camp and I there took rav first lessons iu dancing. I learned the steps easily, and, they tell me, developed at once some musical talent. HER FIRST SHOWER OF SILVER. "At the close of the term a performance was gotten up at a little theater ot the town, and after much urging my mother allowed me to take part. I both sang and danced and I was a great success. The miners, you know, were especially fond of children and they went wild over me. When I came out on the stage at the close of the performance I was received with a shower of silver half dollars and dollars, which the audience threw at me. Our funds were rather low at that time and this ovation was quite accept able. "That night decided my career as an actress, and shortly after this I started out with my mother and traveled over Califor nia m t star. I wsj known u Li J'etitt WW Mm jm WE3k Lotta, and my name was tbe biggest one on the billheads. This was in the days of mining excitement and mining profits, and our troupe made money. The miners were very liberal, and this custom of throwing presents to the successful actress was -in vogue. I received all kinds of things, from $20 gold pieces and ruby rings to sets of jewels and diamond-backed watches. I re member two elegant diamond-studded watches tbat'were given me in San Fran cisco, and I was everywhere received very kindly." "But was not the society and tbe life a rough one?" I asked. "As to the li e," replied Lotta with a smile, "there were a few hardships. We had no modern conveniences in tbe shape of railroads, gas and theater arrangements. There were no roads and we had often to travel from mining camp to mining camp by BRIDLE PATHS AMONG THE MOUSTAINS. "I bad a suit of boy's clothes made tor me and I used these on these tnps. As to the society, ladies were as well treated by the miners as they are treated in anv of the drawing rooms or the world I might say even better and among the miners were as well-bred men and as well-read men as you will find in any of our cities. The gold ex citement drew all classes to the West and a graduate oi Harvard or Yale with the bluest of Mayflower blood in bis veins might be the driver of your mule team-or the sane at the theater. Mother traveled with me and she was vrry carelul of both my manners and morals. I was more polite then than I am now. I remember it was a enstom at Laporte for the children to go about on Christmas to the stores and ask for Christ mas presents. I was never allowed to do this and the merchants evidently appre ciated the tact, for they sent me presents of their own accord and 'one Christmas I re member I received seven new dresses." "Do you ever get anysuch presents now?" I asked. "Not in the way of having them thrown upon the stage," replied Lotia. "That has gone out of fashion, and the best we get are flowers. You may remember an incident which occurred while I was playing Musette at Philadelphia a few years ago. A lady sitting in a box was so delighted with the acting that she threw me a most beauti'ul ring. It contained two large diamonds and ten smaller ones and these were set about two rubies and two sapphires. I noticed the lady in the box while I was sitting on the stump chatting with Billy Bradsbaw. A BHTO- WITH A STRING TO IT. "She was pointing her finger at the stage and thrusting it out again and again in a way which I feared would attract the atten tion of the audience. I wondered what she wanted and was considerably annoyed. I told Billy to look at the woman. "He did so and hfs eyes lollowed her finger and saw this ring lyi'ng on the stage. He handed it tome, and I was, of course, delighted to re ceive such a beautiful souvenir. Billy re mained some time sitting on the stumo and I asked him why he did so. He said he was waiting to see her throw him a ring. ""After the play was over the lady came behind the scenes and I had a very pleasant talk with her. This, however, was not the end of the story. About two years after this I received a letter from the family of the lady asking for the return of the ring. At the same time the lady wrote me that she had given the ring out of pure admira tion for me and she did not want it returned. I conld not keep it when I knew that her family did not like it, and I sent it back to her." The conversation here tnrned to Philadel phia and New York, and Lotta told me the story of her first success in the East. Said she: "I was playing in New York when I was 14 years old and my great hit there was "The Marchioness, which was written for me by John Brougham, and from the acting of which be dubbed me tbe 'Dramatic Cocktail of America.' The play was a great success, and I have been playing it for years. A FORTUNE FROM A QUARTER. "You ask me for my favorite characters. I have so many that I can hardly say which I like the bestT I am perhaps best known as The Marchioness, Topsy, Sam Willough by. Musette, Bob aud Zip, and as to 'The Xiittle lletective, l nave played it season alter season and year after year until I am really ashamed to" show my face in it upon the stage again. That clay has always been a great hit and it has brought me in no end of money. We paid just 25 cents for it, tbe cost of the book trom which it was adapted to me. and we have made thousands upon thousands out of it," "How about your future? It has been re ported that you will soon retire from the stage." "There is no truth in any such report," replied Lotta, emphatically. "I expect to have three new plays next year and Mr. Ford, of Baltimore, will be my manager. These plays are now being written for me and I expect to spend next summer by the sea at Nantasket studying them. Two of the plays are adaptations from the French aud the German and the other is an Ameri can play written for me by Mr. Kidder, the man who wrote 'A Poor Belation' tor Sol Smith Bussell. This play is entitled 'Mis chief the German has the name of 'Doctor Lol' and it is tbe translation of a German comedy fitted for me. The French play is entitled 'Flourette.' "As to retiring from the stage, when I get ready to go I will not make a great fuss about it. I don't believe in making a fare well tour again and again. I want to keep before tbe nublic as long as the public wants me, and when I do take a notion to retire it may be that I will change mv mind after I have had a few mouths' vacation and want to go back again. The report of my retirement probably came from the fact that I had set aside this winter as a vacation. I find mv life upon the stage, as much as I love it. an uunatural one, and the atmosphere is differ ent irom that of real ine. During these periods of rest, n hich I take, I am able to get acquainted with my audiences, and I be lieve that I act all tbe better for them." YOUNO WOMES OS THE STAGE. "What do you think of the stage as a place for young women?" "I think," replied Lotta, "that there is no better field in the world for the young woman, provided she possess talents and has a guardian to watch over her as a balance wheel. In this case the serpents that now and then bang around the stage cannot sting her, and she will find in ner work a field for tbe development of all ber faculties, and one in which she may find both profit and happiness. I presuppose, of course, that the woman has talent." I here showed Lotta a paragraph pretend ing to give a resume of her lovers and asked her whether she was still among the ranks of the single blessed and whether she in tended to remain so. She raised her band as she replied and brought it down with em phasis, saying: "Yes, thank heaven! It is all that I can do to manage myself with tbe aid of my mother, and I can see no reason why I should undertake the management of a hus band or accept s husband to let him manage me. I am satisfied with my present con dition, aud I expect to continue in it." SOMETHING ABOUT PATTI. Speaking of .Lotta's early career reminds me of a talk I had at Washington vritb one of Patti's first managers. This man is now a little white-whiskered clerk in tbe Treas ury Department. His name is Widdows and he is tbe most noted chime-ringer of America. Fatti was 13 years old when she starred the country in a concert troupe, with Ole Bull, under him. She then got $100 a week instead of $5,000 a night. I under stand that Patti will spend the summer at her castle in Wales, and it may be that she will devote her' time to writing her reminiscences. Not long ago Harpers Brothers ofiered her $1,000 a letter for a series to be used by them in Harper's Weekly. Patti agreed to write tbe articles, but she was not satisfied with the way her manuscript was treated in New York, and she threw up the contract. The price had, I think not, much to do with the matter, as an article which would taEe a week or so to construct is a bagatelle at $1,000 to a woman who can make $5,000 every night she chooses to open ber moutb. Feank G. Oakpestbb. Toxth money works while you. sleep, page 14, to-day's Dispatch. See INiNOCENTJffi. NAST. . Continued from Nineth Page. lace! How can they do such a thing? I shouldn't think tbe law would allow it. I should think " Mr. Nast did not conclude his remark. Another journalist uttered a witticism, and it struck my companion dumb. He looked around as if he expected to see the heavy hand of the Federal law swoop down upon the press gallery for its unseemly levity in the oresence of this angnst assembly. "I think I'll bs going now," he said, with a timid tremble in his tone. He promised, however, to come to tha Senate with me again. I anticipate some real pleasure in showing thesightsof Wash ington to Mr. Nast, and in getting from him some pictures ot scenes as they appear to one whose interest is whetted by his own sweet simplicity and childlike innocence. Willis b. Hawkcts. Ablr Brooklyn Jurjmen. Brooklyn Citizen. J After a jury in one of our courts brought in a verdict for tbe plaintiff, the other side asked that they be polled; that is, that each juror be asked individually whether it is his verdict. Beginning, of course, with the first juror, the clerk asked: "Is this your verdict?" "No, sir; its the plaintiff's," waa the prompt answer, in a tone of surprise. " Save Tour Hair BY a timely use of Ayer's Hair Vigor. This preparation has no equal as a dressing. It keeps the scalp clean, cool, and healthy, and preserves tha color, fullness, and beauty of the hair. "I was rapidly becoming bald and fray; but after using two or three ottles of Ayer's Hair Vigor my hair grew thick and glossy and the original color was restored." Melvin Alurich, Canaan Centre, N. H. " Some time ago I lost all my hair in consequence of measles. After due waiting, no new growth appeared. I then used Ayer's Hair Vigor and my hair grew Thick and Strong:. It has apparently come to stay. Tha Vigor i3 evidently a great aid to nature." J. B. Williams, Floresville, Texas. "I have used Ayer's Hair Vigor foz the past four or five years and find it a most satisfactory dressing for the hair. It is all I could desire, being harmless, causing the hair to retain its natural color, and requiring but a small quantity to render the hair easy to arrange." Mrs. M. A. Bailey, 9 Charles street, Haverhill, Mass. " I have been using Ayer's Hair Vigor for several years, and believe that it has caused my hair to retain its natural color." Mrs. H. J. King, Dealer in Dry Goods, &c, Bishopville, Md. PBIF-inzD BT Dr. J. C. Ayer & Co., Lowell, Mast. Bold by Druggists and Perfumers. MARVELOUS Triumph Over DISEASE , WITHOUT MEDICINE. Db. WlLroBD Hall's HKAl.TH PAMPHLET shows how IlTspeDsla, Constipation. Piles. JTeTers, Rheumatism. Colin. Liver or Kidney Troubles, or aunost any ailment is Conquered Without Mudicixe. The Treatment Is Harmless. easllTaD plled; relief Is speedy and permanent. It Is neither Mind Care. Faith Cure nor a set of rules, hat a Positive '1 reatment based upon Ine Laws or Life. For particulars inrl Indorsements address (with 20 stamp) HYGIEN IC TRLATMUNT CO.. Agent, p. u. Box 335, Plttshnre, 1'a. apIttt-TTSSU Some Children Growing Too Fast become listless, fretful, without ener-' gy, thin and weak. But you can for tify them and build them up, by the use of OF PURE COD LIVER OIL AND HYPOPHOSPH1TES Of lame and Soda. Thav will take it readilv. for It Is al most as palatable as milk. And it $ should be remembered that AS A PKE- ( TESTITE OB CUBE OF COUGHS OB COLDS, I IB BOTH THE OLD AND YOUNG, IT IS UNEQUALLED. Avoid substitutions offered. J OC2S-2MWFSO CATARRH CUREDJO STAT CUBED. AS AGGRAVATED CASE OT FTTB TZASS1 Sotteriso Cored Br Db. Btibs Ovzb TWO YXAE3 AOO BZMAE?3 WELL TO IBM rsKSEST Time. Mrs. JPerry, eor. Ann and Moultrie BU.. eiljf. For five years Mrs. Perry suffered from such severe pains that she could not give attention to her household dnties. could get air through neither nostril, conseqnently slept with her mouth open and snored so loudly that none conld sleep in adjoining room". Food she could not retain n ber stomach, especially supper; this she vomited as soon as eaten. Sr. Byers removed tbe swellings from ber nostrils, opening them up so sba conld breathe thronh them, reduced tbe soreness and inflammation, and gave ber medicine for ber stomach. She never vomited after taking tbe first dose of medicine, and in three months was entirely welL A few days ago Mrs. Perry called to con- suit Dr. Byers about ner arm and said her head, and toruach -till remained well, thus disprov ing the popular idea that catarrh cannot bo cured to stay cured. HOME TREATMENT A SUCCESS. A lady patient of Howard, O., writing fer her second mouth's treatment, sajs; "I am feeling much better, my head has not pained me for over two weeks, and tbe terrible pain t bad in my back Is gone." TBKATMENT S5 A MONTH. fc Dr. Byers continues to treat catarrh and sUJ chronic diseases for So per month, medicine in- -V eluded. That tbe public appreciate good, " bonest treatment at low rates Is evidenced by the fact that he is kept busy from morning till ' . night. One dav he treated 24 people for ca tarrh alone. He consults with and treat every patient himself. Office established 1S8& DB.BYKBS, Successor to Drs. Logan A Byers, 121 Fenn ava. ap&Ola Ayer's Hair Vigor, r SSssaSSS SCOWS mwm . nnammaBMaraMHaHHHaHlnH-agmmHHVatBHHHHpji WHb
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers