davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-06-15

friends, and other events of national inter
est in which he has been an actor. In this
room Mr.. Morton spends the greater part of
each morning with his secretary, attending
to his private correspondence and affairs.
He is an early riser always, no matter what
may be the late-hour requirements of the
previous evening. and he has much of his
duty already accomplished at time when
other busy men are beginning theirs. About
II o'clock in the morning he
DRIVES TO THE SENATE,
Where he is held until 4, 8 or 6, as the case
may be, attending to the public duties of
his office. In these public duties the Vice
President has gained for himself the same
measure OF esteem and admiration as that
which belongs to himself and his wife out
side. There has not been a presiding Off
Ger over the higher body of Congress in
years who has won the same mingled popu-
larity and respect. As President OF the
acting. He has rare knowledge of men
and rare knowledge of business methods,
a business-like promptness in putting things
through-except speeches, over which he
has no cOntrol-and with it all quiet dig
nifty and gentleneSs of manner which give a
pleasure to his occupancy of the chair.
In all the many stories of his life which
have been told the strong claims he has
upon New England for q home have not
been fully given. 1t is known that he was
born In Shoreham, VI, and that his father
was an Orthodox minister. But, as clos
ing word, it will interest New England
readers to know that, although the Vice
President himself was born Vermont,
the family were, and had been for over two
centuries, residents of Plymouth County,
and belonged to the Puritans of the Puri-
tans. The originator Of the family in this
country was Pilgrim, who came over in
the second ship, the Anne, two years after
the Maytiower. One of the first Mortons of
this family was the longtime Secretary of
plymouth colony, Nathaniel Morton, whose
personal record of the events of those
trouDlous times is the chief source for Pill
grim history,
The first family was large. and after
few years some oil the brothers moved along
the shore to Duxbury, which, with Miles
Standisll and others, they helped TO estab-
fish. Among the descendants of these, one
branch went "away down in Maine," where
the name is still found. while another went
inland into Plymouth County, and took up
lands in the town of Middleboro. Mr.. Nor
toms father himself lived here at one time.
lie afterward lived and preached in
Winchenden before going to Shoreham.-
Marlborough in Boston Herald.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-06-15
PEOPLE TALkED ABOUT.
InuvaLLIAM WALDORF AsToR has

MCMILLAN WALDORF AST0R has
AMV6N something like $4,000 to illustrate
- one copy of each Of his novels.
These copies form private edition dc luxe,
each one being labeled MY Personal
Copy" and occupying prominent place in
his library. Verify. few can even thus in
dulge in the establishment OF their own
literature.
TheiQueen Dowager oil Portugal on one oc-
casiOn took home from Paris 1000 pairs of
shoes. Subsequently she ordered no less
than seventy dresses from Worth, to be de-
lvered together, which on their way home
were lost at sea. Her Majesty, no way con-
cerned. sent word 10 supply seventy dupli-
cates, and these reached Lisbon safely.
Master Gusse Easterly is said to be the
youngest Of this years crop of boy preach
ers. He is five years old and conducts re-
vlval exercises, making touching prayers
and preaching eloquent sermons. lie can
not read, but lately opened the Bible up
side down at Proverbs and ann ounced his
text, suffer little children"
Lloyd George, new member of the En-
village cObbler. He was educated by his
uncle, self-made man. and at the age of
fifteen took to out door preaching, which
has made him quite an orator.
Miss Minnie Hauk, the American prima
donna, has purchased the Vile Friebschen,
near DuceTne, Wnere richard Wagner lived
for several years and where he wrote Got
terdammerung," the Meistersinger" and
"Siegfred."
The famous French author, Daudet, is in
his forty-ninth year. Though not wealthy,
he has modest fortune, AMI his house is a
meeting place for delightful people. Per-
sonally the great novelist Is extremely at
tractive.
A Swiss cobbler named Bernaserni has
returned to his native canton the pOssessor
OF millions which he made as dealer in
leather and hides in the Argentine Repub-
lie, where he spent sixteen years.
A. I. Abernethy, Professor Of Modern
Languages in Rutherford College. North
Carolina, is only IS years old. He is prob
ably the youngest teacher in the country to
bear the title of professor.
The Car of Russia is said to be clever at
tearing pack of cards to pieces, fiIty-two
cards at time. Dixey, the actor, can also
do this, but he can't dodge bomb like the
Gar.
Anna c. Bracket, who seems to know,
says that the side-sadde was introduced in
England by Anna OF Bohemia, who was
deformed and VINO married Richard Ii.
Steve Brodie, the bridge jumper. is ia
nous again. He has been beating his wife
to get his name into the papers and himself
into the divorce courts
Mrs. Catharine Sharp OF Philadelphia is
reliably vOuched for as being 112 years old
and OF well-preseryed faculties.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-06-15
A PUNCHEON.


The Latest Fad Which Promises to Be
Fashionable.
HAID you ever attend puncheon2 tits
{S{y anew fad, which promises to become
DS fashionable. 1t is of East Indian orr
gin, like the tiffin, which is also an entertain
ment new to New Y orkers. As lucheon is
to eat lunch, so a puncheon is to drink punch.
One advantage of a puncheon over lunch-
con is that ladies boarding, living in hotels
or small apartments can entertain many
more than at luncheon, and with much
less trouble. AS few dishes as possible are
used, and everything is served la four
Ghetto.
AS puncheon is a very informal affair,
the hostess simply sends her visiting card,
with the word ''puncheon" in the corner
From twelve to sixteen is the most desirable
number OF guests, and o'clock the chosen
hour. The guests assemble. the shades are
drawn down, lamps, candles and fairy
lights abound. Tiny tables are set about
the room. The Japanese teapoys are much
used for this purpose, or small tables with
ordinary pine tops. A snowy white napkin
covers each table, and on each are four
plates, on which lies an orange, or rather an
orange skin. for the pulp has been removed,
and the oranges do duty as cups in which
the punch is served. This does away with
the use Of glasses. The orange skins are
cut in two, and one of the portions, which
forms a lid or cover for the other, has yell
low ribbon run through the top. through
which are thrust three straws.
After half-hour's conversation or lit
tie music, the hostess draws the tables i'll
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-06-15
SOMETHING 10 LAUGH AT.

GSMITH Gin a tender mood)-Do you
49, believe, Miss de We're, that love
SN.JA laughs at locksmths ?"
~ Miss de We're lin frigid mood)-
Think if Love were here tonight he would
laugh at Smiths locks.-From Light.
Merritt-Do you drink cocktail before
dinner now?
married my wife keeps me waiting so long
for my dinner that there's no necessity 10
whet my appetite.
brooket and pretty maid Ger NOISY stones went
And then the pretty maid said "In awful 'Iraid OF
The saacy 6rOOklet laughed aloud as it ran Ger
And whispered, "she'd surely slipped II he'd been
here TO hold her."
w. A. Ketchum, in the Century.
Bacon-A man never steals anything but
he lives to regret it.
Egbert-You're wrong there, my boy.
Didn't you ever steal q kiss from your girl
in your younger days?
"Yes. old man, did. But didn't marry
the girl?"-Y onkers Statesman.
A Strong obability-Teacher-
Adam and Eve could not go back to the
garden because an angel; holding flaming
sword was at the gate.
the fence? Ii I'd been there
Tom Fuller-What re YOU talking about?
'Sposin' was barb wirep-Puck.
A Female Doctor in Hurry.-Excited
messenger-Mrs. Sawbones, come quick
A man has fallen from the roof of his house
and is bleeding to death.
IAN right. FL be there as soon as I've
got on my new dress and have done up my
hair. Let me see; hadn't better wear nv
dark-blue dress, or that light violet-colOred
one? The blue dress is more becoming to
my complexion, but the other is so stylish
Texas Siftings.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-06-15
A ROMANCE OF RUSSIA AND SIBERIA,
BY Prince LuSomsk Author snfar-a Story of 7ursan etc
coPrR1GHT 1880, BY META DE WERE.

"The Minister was not mistaken; the whole
nest is full OF rebelliOus creatures. The Gov
ernOr IS most 10 blame. They DO not know me
yet; I'll crush tile vermin. Tell me- Palkin,
what SOFT OF man Is he, 10 send me such an
answer?"
"You might compare him to knight Grant.
must have sent twenty denuncations against
him TO Petersburg or more. IL is we'll known
that he protects the exIes and believes all they
say. He has overcome few Darbarous hordes
OF natives and now he thinks he can do what lie
chooses. l knew that he was great iayorlte
with the Car and on that account L feared
could do nothing against him. But your arrival
proves that my reports must at last have mad
their effect"
Not exactly. The Minister of the Interior
asked me, IL is true, to be strict ana even Sc
we're; but, on tile other hand, the head of the
gendarmeS recommended 10 me 10 spare tile Gov
ernOr-G General OF IrkutSk as much as / could, as
he was the most loyal man in all Russia. i came
here with the intention OF being very consider
ale with him if lie should make no opposition.
bur you see"
Schelm did not conclude. for at that moment
the Governor appeared in the door, He must
have heatd the last words OF the reyisor, for he
asked
'Well, and what do you see, Mr.. Schelm7"
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-06-15
THE HOME OF THE
VICE-PRESIDENT.
The Scene of Some of the Most
Delightful Social Affairs.
Where One Is Always Sure to Have Pleasant
Time : Mrs Mortcn's Winning Ways.
Tact Of the serats's Presiding Officer.

6NlNE evening during the winter a
IV1k group of foreigners, members of the
SN diplomatic corps in Washington.
happened together. as is quite the custom,
over tLeir coffee and cigars after dinner at
the Metropolitan Club. They were talking
of the various social affairs of the week.
They were conversing in French, which is
the common tongue for all, whether Rus
sian, Spanish. German or Italian. A re-
ception at the house of President
Morton had taken place the evening before.
which included the diplomatic corps among
the invited guests, and the names of the
host and hostess came up in the course of
the conversation.
"Ah! there is the place where one is al
ways sure to have pleasure" said one.
lou cela?" asked another who had not
heard; where is that?"
'Chez lie Vice-P President"
oh! bien, oui. Ell VOLTA une vraie
'grande dame Nine. la Vice-P resident
esse," he added. laughing pleasantly at the
"Dites plutot, Nine. la RENE :" re-
Joined the first speaker, and the 9th gal
lantly applauded the happy expression, and
declared that it eminently fitted the queenly
woman to whom it was applied.
1t was only pleasant compliment from
one Of her many guests, but it illustrates
very aptly the place in the feelings of all in
Washington which Mrs. Morton has created
for herself by her pleasant ways and by the
infinite tact she has in making strangers
feel welcome. The remark Of the foreigner
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-06-15
TIE MORTON Stables.

the full every obligation as strictly as it Is
observed at the White HOuse-a very well
come innovation which has contributed
pleasure to the social life of the capital to a
marked degree
THE FIRST FORMAL DINNER
OF the season at the White House was
given to the Vice President and Mrs. Nor
ton. In return, shortly after, the first din
ner, followed by reception, which the
first gathering of any sort in their new
home, was given to President and Mrs.
Harrison. Then followed throughout the
season, in proper succession Of precedence,
formal dinners to the Cabinet, the Justices
of the Supreme Court, and then to the Sen
ators. as the limits of private house would
permit. There was added to these affairs
social feature which could not be included
in the similar dinners at the White House.
Some hundred or more invitations were
sent out at the time of each dinner to unoffi-
cial people in The social world, asking them
to come after 8 to meet the guests of the
evening. In this way some of the most de-
llghtfu affairs of the year have been the
Vice-Presidents after-dinner card recep-
lions.
In addition to these formal affairs Mrs.
Morton's afternoons at home, OF as purely
private nature as would be the nome re-
ceptions of the wife of any member of the
Cabinet or Senator, became at once, as if by
common consent, almost rs officially public
as the Saturday afternoons at the White
House. Mrs. Morton received on Wednes-
days, which is the regular day for the
wives OF the members of the Cabinet. On
every one Of these days during the winter,
in addition to her own personal friends, the
callers upon Mrs. Morton have included
scores of strangers. visitors from all parts
OF the country in Washington, who wished
to "pay their respects to her in quite as
Democratic manner as is the custom OF
this free and equal country in regard to the
wife of the President.
THE HOME
Is so arranged that there are three drawing
rooms and tho great new dining-r0om EN-
suite, running from one end quito through
to the other end of the house. When the
connecting wide doors are all thrown open
a remarkably spacious apartment for recep-
tons is afforded, unusual in any private
house of the size. 1t is Mrs. Morton's Gus
tom to receive standing, near the door OF
the first drawing-r0om. The Vice-Presi-
dent Is always with her at the receptions,
receiving by her side part of the time and
also meeting the visitors throughout the
three rooms. Mrs. Morton does not leave
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-06-15

1t that no one shall escape due punishment. but
/ also do not prosecute any one. Count Lanln
was caught absent from his assigned hut have
sentenced him for this TO three months impris-
onment. These punishments. decreed by me,
continue during my absence, and L insist upon
their being faithfully carried OUT py my SID
alterns You are, therefore, not at liberty TO IN
crease the Counts punishment, nor TO ieduce II.
II should not be here at the end OF the time.
you can then do as you Ike. NOW falKin cast
away agaiu his notebook with the new entries
ne had made. Schelm replied
81 have ordered the Countess to be arrested on
The Governor looked at him in establishment.
ARRESTED? You? Whom?"
"The Countess Lanin-here In lrkutsk-ln her
own house %
LAS to that, you ought to have informed me OF
your intentions" replied the General with an
ironlea smile. II could have saved you some
trouble. The Countess left for Petersburg three
"she has left9 Who gave her eave?"
81, on the strength OF the imperial nkase ~
In spite OF his usual self-cOntrol Palkin here
started up, after having been silent witness SO
so far, and cried madly:
"You dared that?"
The Governor measured him with look of
utter contempt, and said:
You venture TO use very bold language. You
forget you are only at liberty TO make notes!'
"And shall not tail taking down your words,
General" continued Palkin. still beside himself,
but this is too much. l shall at once send my
L Oh! doubt not"
Schelm trembled with subdued fury He
cried:
81 must have her pursued This is open re-.
beoni Did you not know was coming? Col
onel Palkn, give at once The necessary orders
and send a few gendarmes after her!''
81 doubt whether you will do anything In that
way. Tie Countess has three days advance and
she travels with passport signed by the Car.
You ought to save unnecessary expenditures.
fortunately we have no telegraphs yet in
SlDeria.n
fortunately p Kissed PaIkln, drawing forth
his note book.
''Yes, indeed! Fortunately !" repeated the
Governor. put back your book, my dear gen.
darme | am ready to confirm with my signature
all have said so far.'
schelm could not brook delay. He said to
PalkIn
81 lmplore, Colonel make haste to bring that
woman back here She must be brought back ~
81 told you your measures would be without
result" said the Governor. Besides, have or
dered all pOst-horses on The route TO be reserved
for my own use, so that could first of all over
take her-and then should certainly accompany
her on her Journey"
And thus prOtee. her against being ar
rested?'
! "Cerlainlyl"
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-06-15

was so felicitous that it was repeated by
some of those who heard it, until at last,
among the foreigners in Washington, at
least, but among others. also. Nine. Ia Vice
Refine IS all accepted title for Mrs. Morton.
Both the Vice-PreSident and Mrs. Nor
ton could well be justified in any pride they
might have of the position they held
before the people. 1t seems a very super
tiueus thing to make mention of this at all.
1t was what should be expected from any
people Of refinement and wealth. More
than that, Mr.. and Mrs. Morton have had
A POSITION OF THEIR OWN
In Washington, as in New York and other
cities, for many years. They have had
brilliant winters here before, when their
temporary home was as noted for its hos
pltality as the present semi official home.
1t was very generally known beforehand
when Mr.. Morton was elected that their
advent would be marked source of added
pleasure in the life of the capital. But at
the same time their present position is diff
ferent in many respects from that they
formerly occupied as private residents of
the city, and its official character imposed
many duties and obligations. or rather they
resumed these duties in view of the posi-
ton, which have proved their social power
even more than did their former distin-
guished position. 1t can be said without a
suspicion of invdious comparison that they
have recreated the dignity of their official
position mere In like manner as they gave
new meaning TO the title of American Min
lister to France some few years ago. If it
has been their good fortune to have the
wealth with which to do both it has also
been good fortune for the country and for
all with whom they came in contact. But
neither the gracious manner and rare savoir
faire OF one nor the quiet dignity and dip
lomatic keenness of the other are the neces-
sary adjnncts Of wealth, however great.
The office of Vice-President has for a
great many years been an inconspicuous
ineumbency, hardly a feature of the official
life of the capital beyond what would
necessarily obtain from the presidency of
the Senate, and even this function of the
office has in one or two instances been
curiously disregarded But Mr.. and Mrs.
Morton have given full dignity to the place,
and have made it what it should be-next
in official and social rank to the President
and his wife. In the matter of receptions
and dinner giving, outside of their own
private hospitalities, they have observed TO
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-06-15
XXVI-[CoNTINUED.J

No sooner had Palkin spoken these words
than Sehelm Tell upon him like Tiger upon his
prey.
"Ahl' he cried. 'you Satan, you have that re-
oeIpt?"
"WOuld have begun the battle without Il? ''
Palkin acted upon the Information he had OBJ
tanned during that terrible night at The village.
Convinced that lie would be able to manage
Sehelm by simple threats, lie had permitted him
selfa baletaeed lie. and the boldneSs net with
unexpected success SChelm dropped into his
chair, almost overwhelmed.
I'm spite Of your double-refned iutrigues, NJ.
Schelm, or rather Won Scholmberg" said Pakin,
you must confess that for once you are helpless.
Why did you throw down the gantlet when |
am quite willing to proceed to union with you ?"
Traitor! Why did you not hand me that
paper with the otherS?"
''HOw can You ask? Was TO trust you so
much farther than you were willing 10 trust me I?
/ wanted 10 keep one weapon for 4 case of need.
You must see that was wise in acting thus.
Calm yourself therefore, honored NJ. Revsor
You received me very badly at the very moment
when l was about TO offer You the means OF
making Lanin aud his wife forever haTmless!"
you do not tell The truth. You have pro-
teeled themp'
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-06-15

front of her guests, one table being assigned
TO every. four guests. She then serves tn o
punch in the orange skins herself. 1t is
poured from long glass tankard. with a
bouquet OF mint floating in the mouth Of
the tankard
The punch is made Of the Juice from the
pup OF the oranges, the juice of lemons, a
little ehartreuse, cold tea and Jamaica run,
and 1t is delicious. The maid follows the
hostess with two dishes of sandwiches,
some made of Roquefort cheese, some OF
pate de fois gras. A cup of iced consomme,
if it be warm day, or hot, if it be cold
day. is also handed each guest. Later comes
orange, ice, served also in orange skins, or
sometimes in lemon skins. Fancy cakes are
served with it.
These puncheons are very enjoyable.
They serve to introduce congenial people
and are but little trouble to give. Gentle
men may be allowed to drop in, but they
are expected to assist the hostess in serving
her guests rather than to consider them
selves guests. The tiffin is similar. except
that tea instead of punch is served
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-06-15

happy expression on her face, could it nave
been reproduced OH canvas, would have
made a painters reputation in the salon.
She continued to gaze at Mrs. Morton in
rather embarras sing way and then blurted
out:
Are you really Mrs. Morton?"
Mrs. Morton smilingly confessed that she
was.
well, and my daugher here Ia nod and
smile from Mrs. Morton to the daughter)
come from 80, O., TO see my boy, who is
in the Pension Department. We've seen
good many sights, and have been to the
Presidents, but before L went home, told
my daughter | have heard so much about
you that l wanted to see you"
A little pause followed this frank confess
sion, for the number of things one can say
at such time are limited. Before Mrs.
Morton could say anything further. the
woman added: And you are really beauti-
full, Mrs. Morton, very beautiful"
IL was very honest complment-to
which there was no response, however
Mrs. Morton only smiled and acknowledged
it with slight bow of the head, and then
asked them to be welcome in the other
rooms. where they would find refresh
mentS.
The house which Mr.. and Mrs Morton
occupy is one that was built by Mr.. Graham
Bell several years ago, although it has been
greatly enlarged and entirely reconstructed
inside by the present owners. 1t fronts
upon Scott circle. although the porte CO.
chere and entrance is upon Rhode Island
avenue. The house and stable together
occupy the whole triangular plot of land
formed by the intersection of n street, Fiji
teenth street and Rhode Island avenue. In
this way it is one of the few entirely de-
tached residences in the city. 1t is quite
large, as Washington houses go, and suffi-
cient for the demands of the household {;
but it must give Mrs. Morton and the chill
dren cramped feeling when they come to
it after a summer in the great chateau-like
country home on the Hudson, with its acres
of ground
Mr. Morton has his own private working
room, library or writing room, just off the
main hall on the first floor, most interest
ing room for its portraits and souvenirs, for
the Vice-President has Oh the walls and
shelves about him as he writes the faces of
great many men, famous characters in the
contemporaneouS history of two continents,
whom he has counted among his personal