The Relic Hunter’s Quest

Flowers at the Rotunda Were Their Especial Prey.

     The relic hunter was represented in full force at the Capitol Tuesday. He or she, as the case might be, kept their eyes on the floral tributes, in the absence of something else that could be taken away unobserved, and without likelihood of punishment.
     Women of mature age, especially, displayed a great predilection for the flowers, and employed all imaginable ruses to get past the guards. The guards, not being over vigilant and severe, and their attention being fastened on the passing crowd, in this manner permitted the relic fiends to satisfy the cravings of their hearts, and for a little while they simply helped themselves. The lieutenant in charge of the sailor guard finally discovered that measures ought to be taken forthwith to prevent the utter loss of the flowers, through the desires of the souvenir-hunters. He ordered out a guard especially to keep an eye on the floral tokens and great was the dismay depicted on the features of the relic fiend thereafter.