davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-01-05
POINTS ON STEEL PENS.

The first metal pen known to history is,
without doubt. the one in a Dutch Patent
Office book of1717.
A Remanpen IN ade of steelissa6l to have
been found some years ago at Aosta. 1t
was not mere stylus, but bronze pen,
slit, and there is some evidence of pen
or reed of bronze nearly as early as the in
yention of printing in the fifteenth century.
Something like one hundred years ago
some steel pens were manufactured in the
city of Birmingham, England, by a Mr..
Harrison, who made them to order for DIR.
Priestly. Some OF these pens also passed
into the hands of Sir Joseph Mason, but all
seem to be lost.
In1S23 or 1924 great revolution came,
by which steel pens were manufactured by
a cheaper and aquicker proeess-the hand
screw press, which pierced or cut out the
pen from sheets of steel. Before this time
pens had been made from steel rolled
into tubes.
The use of the screw press belongs to the
period Of ohm Mitchell, Joseph elliott and
Josiah Mason, but the facts seem to point
to John Mitchell as the original introduccr
of press-made pens.
Mr.. stanDer, of Sheffield, England was
the first manufacturer to cheaper steel
pens. but this was long before the screw
press was introduced
The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-01-05
Free Homestead Bill.

Every legislator, statesman and economist
in the country should take deep interest
in the discussion that viii follow the pres
entation of Senator PIatt's minority report
on tie Free Homestead Bill, which is no
ticed on the Senate calendar. for today.
The subject of the report involves not only
governmental but, in a greater degree, tile
interests OF the whole mass of farmers in
the West, now struggling almost hopeless
ly against the evils of excessive foreign
competition in European markets, and Of
at home.
Beginning with the year 1889, the Gov
eminent has purchased 33 ,252, $40 acres
of Indian land, which, if taken up and
paid for 10y settlers, would PIT in the Treas
ury the sum of S35, BOD, oo6.s6. The Bill
as amended by the Senate Committee Of
Indian Affairs, covers all cedcd Indian
lands, and cOntemplates their donation not
only to actual present occupants, but to all
" 10 Allde tiaAtl ul,oIl hitci4l III the
IL cannot be truthfully said that the pol
icy Of the bill is open to doubt, because its
impolicy ut the presenJtime is undoubtahle
II the measure were entitled, a bill to
increase the present agricultural distress
in the Western States" that would be COM
pletely descriptive of its true direction and
te ndency.
Neither the gospel of Free Silver and
Free Trade, nor the other one of Single
Standard and high Protection, present any
plan OF salvation for the western agricul-
tural interest, in the absence Of relief from
its cumulative burden OF disastrous and
ever rising competition with all the coun.
tries OF the world, and, with its own gov
constantly promoting additional
OverprodUction, by its land policy.
The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-01-05
ABOUT WELL-KN0WN PERSONS.

The will of the late Sir Augustus Paget,
British ambassador at Vienna, shows per
sonalty valued at Sl30,o00.
Mrs. Grover Cleveland,' with several OF
her classmates, is to IN axe present OF u
beautiful stained-g glass window to Welles
| College, where she was formerly a stu.
| dent. 80
| Prince Karl Egon of Furstenburg, who
died recently, left fortune of $S5,000.-
900 in land and over SO 900, 900 in cash
and securities The family had been SOW
ereign in the principality before the French
Revolution, but was mediatized by the Con
gress OF Vienna.
Nine. Paul Blouet translates her nus
bands MAX O'ReID books into English
from the original French She is an Eng
lish woman by birth, but learned French
as a child, and speaks it with perfect
ease.
Mr. Gladstone writes to a friend THE
book longest in my possession is Sacred
Dramas presented TO me by the authoress,
Hannah Moore, inscribed, As you have
just come into the world and | am going
out of it, allow me, etc "
Gen Baratieri, the Italian soldier, who
has so far recovered the use of his feet that
he can move about in his house at Arco
with the aid Of clutches, is now working on
his memoirs, in which the Inflated African
campaign will have an important part.
Col Lewis Pratt. of Woodstock and Col.
Henry Clark, of Rutland, are the oldest
surviving members OF the stats of Yer
mont governors. Mr. Pratt was on the
staff of Gov. William Slade in s46, and
Mr. Clark on Gov. John S Robinson's staff
in $50.
The University OF Christiania has founded
a special chair OF natural science and zool-
ogy for Nansen. The explorer has accepted
the position, inasmuch as his duties will be
what lie chooses to make them and no more.
They Will not interfere with his plans for
solving the secrets of the arctic regions,
while the salary will be of great value to
him.
saint-Saens, the French composer, is
about to leave Paris for one of the long
Journeys he so frequently takes leaving his
friends in the dark as to his whereabouts
After supervising the production OF his
operas at Lyons, Barcelona and Madrid he
goes to the Canary Islands to stay SELL
spring
HaZen s. Pingree, mayor OF Detroit, be-
gan his career cutting leather coles ten
hours a day al the rate of 81 week.
Though now middle aged man, he was
entirely unknown till about eight years
years ago, when he was requested to run
for the mayoraIity OF Detroit by the Re
publicans, who were then in a small mi
nority. The nomination, given as an empty
was taken by Mr.. Pingree in
and after remarkable canvass,
in which he preached reform night and day,
he found himself elected.
The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-01-05
BIZ MAIL. POSTAGE PREPAID.
WASHINGTON, D. C. JANUARY a 1851
Examine the Fire Plugs.

on the occasion of the fire on Seventh
street, Sunday night, il became apparent
that the fire plugs of the city need hooking
after. The fircmen labored in vain with
main entrance of the Patent office, and
during the whole progress OF the fire itwas
not available. Tits possible that there may
not be another plug in the city in this con
dition. butit is not safe totrust to chances
Inability to get water promptly has more
than once caused disastrous conflagra-
tons. 1t was more good luck than any
thing else that such did not occur the
other night. Had that plug been in proper
working order the engine standing near it
could have gone into action. and the fire
would not have gained even a. much head
way as it did. On the other hand, if the
building in which the fire broke out had
been trifle more inflammablc, that ten
minutes wasted in trying to get water
would have been quite sufficient 10 give
the fire a good Roadway and the damage
to property would have been much larger
Now that cold weather may be expected
to be more frequent and OF longer dura-
ton the plugs should be examined often
and thoroughly in order to guard against
all contingencies Better be sure than be
sorry.
The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-01-05

Dan McCarthy's coined y-drama, 'sThs
Dear Irish Home, > proved strong nagnet
last night at the Bi1Ou
Tie story revealed is that Of a plot con
cocted by two unprineipled villains, father
and son, to secure possession OF large
estatein Ireland by false representations az
to relationship with the rightful owners.
The semi tragic atmosphere Of the play
was reIievedin pleasing manner by flashes
OF wit and pleasantly.
Dan Mccarthy, in the leading role x
Pete Gavan. was rollicking young son II
Erin Peggy O'Shea was the character &c
hneated by Miss Lou Ripley, who won con-
unuous applause for her steady humor and
flashes of pleasantly
Thomas Smith, as Capt. Denis0n. was a
gallant cavalier, and shared honors in thu
dramatic scenes with Miss Marion str,th-
more, who was a Cignified vet exauisit..
Lady May Kayanaugh. Harry Booker in
corpOrated a distilled essence Of cood
humor in Dennie Burns an Inshfnan whose
wit was as sharp as his anger toward tho
heavy villains.
Frank De Vernon and r. C. FOy enacted
the parts of joint villains in a manner that
ELECTED the antipathy OF the audience 30 a
delightful degree
The play from start to finish went with a
snap and vim that ELECTED the full appre
citation Of the large audience.
The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-01-05
Kernan's Lyceum.

For two hours and more last night Rice
and Barton's big gaiety spectacular ex-
travaganza, at Kernan's Lyceum Theater,
made merry for crowded house that fully
appreciated good performance.
Rice and Barton are by no means stran-
gers in Washington, and their appearance is
always welcomed by a host OF admirers.
They have the happy good fortune to be
successful in their selection of pretty,
shapely girls, who are witinl bright and
spicy burlesquers, and when attired in
their dazzling costumes present charming
appearance.
Last night they sang, danced and acted
themselves into still greater popularity.
They are first seenin a Imaginable farce en-
titled, "A Trip to Boston, which is fol
lowed by the introduction of Miss Clara
Laurence, who scored well-earned sue
cess with her difficult solos on the cornet,
saxaphone and bugle Mildred Philip
and Ruth Robinson. pretty singers with
sweet voices, were duly appreciated. W bile
frankie Haines made tremendous hit
with her Irish character a nd negro dialect
songs.
No less lively and vivacious were the
WashbuTn sisters, who executed their turn
with credit jack Crawford and William
Manning are q good comedy team, their
particular theme being politics, which they
The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-01-05
- -
SOME LATE NEW THINGS.

One of tie latest patents in shoe fasteners
consists of a stud over which barrel
shaped piece having prongs is pressed. hold
ing tie stud practically the same as the
glove fasteners now in use.
A new desk and seat for schoolroom is so
arranged that it can be raised or lowered
by removable crank at the side of the
desk frame, and the seat can be tilted back
out of the way like those in present use.
To prevent corset steels from corroding
new invention consists of an animal
membrance which is secured to the steel
by wetting with an adhesive substance
and then pressing the two together and
allowing it to dry.
A Scotchman has patent on a bicycle
attachment which consists in placing the
wheels on eccentrically mounted hubs so
as to give the wheel rocking motion
similar to horseback riding.
recently designed billiard and pool
table has hinged folding cover, on the
interior of which the cues are hung in a
rack, drawers beneath containing the
balls, triangles, chalk, ETC., one side OF
the cover or top being designed for bill
liards and the other for pool.
A new ''cow-milker' consists of milk
conducting tube having spiral grove ex-
tending through its walls from the exterior
to tile interior tube, into which the milk
flows when the tube is pushed up into the
cows teats, the opening at the lower end
of tie tube conducting the milk into the
pail beneath.
bicycle tire which is not INJURED by
punctures consists of a solid rubber core
wound with wire spring, which is then
formed into a spiral coil and placed within
the tubing, thus making a very resilient tire
without the use Of air to keep il inflated
To prevent liquids being removed and
others substituted in their place. a new
device consists Of q Hanged cork, tile
flanges of which are opened and closed in
side the body of the bottle by means Of a
key running through the cork, thus lock
ing the bottle.
The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-01-05
ODDS AND ENDS.

-Four American millionaires have recently
had made for them in Sheffield. England.
steel coats and vests warranted to protect
them from the ordinary assassin. The arnor
is of chain mail, SO light that when one has
worn it week il is no incuhhrance, yet
Ii is strong enough to turn dagger or
sword thrust, though it VIII not stop a
bullet. Since the days of the Fenan riots
a number of English statesmen have been
wearing this same kind of armor.
1t is reported that bicycle manufacturers
will, unless otherwise requested by pur-
cilasers, equip all their 1897 wheels with
brakes. Last year not one to twenty OF tile
wheels offered FOR sale or rent had brakes
because buyers did not want them, but the
many accidents have shown wheelmen that
il is not safe 10 rely wholly on back.pedal
ing wien it is necessary to stop in a hurry,
and brakes arg coming in.
on An Souls day, when Paris turns out
to decorate tile graves Of its dead with
wreatIs, many mourners this year went To
the cemeteries on bicycles, carrying their
flowers with them At the Pere LachaiSe
Cemetery policeman were detailed to look
after the wheels left at the gates.
.Shade of sir Walter scottr' cxclaims the
London Chronicle. "Cluny Macpherson, OF
Cluny, as chief of the Clan Chattan, pre-
sided at the inaugural gathering of the
clan in Glasgow this week, but apologized
for not appearing in the kilt, as he was
afraid of catching coldr'
Maryland pot-hunters employ a gun from
twelve to fourteen feet long, with bore
like cannon, and using half pound Of
powder TO propel two or three pounds of
shot at each discharge. These guns are
arranged on swivels in the bow of a punt.
and when used against the ducks at night
slaughter them by the hundred.
A process of hardening sten by means of
an electric current traversing the red-hot
metal has been invented in France. Ex-
periEIents made with tools thus hardened
are said to lave given surprising results.
A slarpened table knife cut a one eighth
inch iron wire as if it had been a string.
Iron bars were easily cut with circular
saw. Drills pierced cast-steel plates with
twice the speed and ease of ordinary
drills, and III all tie experiments the tools
showed no injury.
The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-01-05
WASHINGTON AS 1T WAS.

The Columbian Historical Society held
its monthly meeting last night az the Coz
lumbar University building.
The meeting was well attended. and
opened with Mr.. spOffOrd, the Librarian
Of Congress, IN the chair az acting president.
After the minutes OF the previous meeting
had been read President spofford, in
few well-chOsen remarks, introduced Mr..
Tallmadge Lambert as the speaker Of tbs
evening.
Mr.. Lambert chose as his topic The City
Of Washington as the Political Capital Of i
Great Nation" In d very bright and
interesting manner he discussed the causes
which lei the early fathers OF the country
to establish the seat Of government in q
region reTiIOte from large cities. He ana
lyzed the constitutional and political con-
ditions Of the past, and reflected upon the
neglect which prevailed for SO many years
IN the development Of the Capital by its
rulers.
lie related some OF the notable exam.
pies of the rural and primitive condition
Of our avenues and streets when they were
ustL etS bAOFf Dulltl> W EosttNr illt1
and cattle. He humorously related some
anecdotes OF the Old Vanderwerken line
of Omnibuses, old rattIetrap affairs. which
Were the only means OF public conveyance
bewteen Washington and Georgetown. He
paid glowing tribute TO all who have,
both in and out of Congress. done 50 much
to improve the beauty of Washington.
MFR. Lambert closed his discourse by
prophesying even more splendid improve
ments in the future than have been made
in the past.
Mr.. NJ Weller then briefly discussed
the same subject, and also praised the
men who have in the last thirty years ere
ated new Washington.
He was followed by Prof. " ] McGee,-
who spoke of the many Institutions OF
government as virtually forming a great
national university.
The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-01-05
Bury the Wires.

Owing to the network of telegraph and
telephone wires in front of the Higgins
Building, on Seventh street, human life
came near being sacrificed at the fire Sun
day night. One of the firemen was cut off
from the ordinary exits of the building by
the flames, and the room in which he found
himself was filled with dense smoke, while
flames were not far a way. The mans only
escape was by way OF window. Outside
his comrades, assisted by citizens, were try
ing to raise a ladder, but two or three times
the apparatus caught in the mass of wires
strung right in front of the building at the
height of the second or third story A few
minutes more of delay, and the mans life
might have paid the forfeit.
There is no excuse for the continuance of
the nuisance of overhead wires. The prac-
ticability of burying them has been too
fully demonstrated Underground conduits
arc perfectly feasible Surely progressive
America can do as well, if not better.
than conservative Europe. There not a
town can be found whose streets are dis
figured by unsighuy poles and wires.
Apartfrom the aesthetic aspect OF the case,
the utiltaran side of the question is too
strongly in evidence to admit of an excuse
for not following the example OF our trans
atlantic friends. 1t is altogether a matter
OF expense; only this and nothing more.
No doubt it would cost the telegraph com
panies a snug sum OF money to put all
their wires in underground conduits, but
with that the public has no concern. The
fact that 1t would remove dangerous nui
sance is all the argument required for such
legislation as will compel the companies
to bury their wires
The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-01-05
Grand Opera House.

Frank Harvey's new creation, Brother
for Brother under the management OF
Thomas II. Davis and William T. Keogh,
was presented to an enthusiastic audience
at the Grand opera House last night, with
Mr.. Edward F. Snader and Miss Hanna
May Ingbam posing as the lovers in the
plot.
The story begins with all the characters
at sea as to their true relations. Anthony
Radford has for his business manager a
most capable fellow who is later proved
to be his own son, believed to be dead.
His recognized heir, a son by a second al
lance shows up as iIlegitiIrate, and also
comes out strong as the villain in the play,
who dishonors his name and contributes
largely by extravaganza and crime, to
the disasters that come upon his father.
1t follows that the fathers fallen fortunes
are restored by the other son, and they a re
all supposed to live happily ever after.
= The play was wen presented, the cast
being as follows: Mr.. John Sheehan, as
Eric Radford; Mr.. Frank Jameson, as
Anthony Radford; Mr.. Z. T. StetsOn, as
Mat Craven; Mr.. Thomas Hamilton, as
Jasper Crane; Mr.. Phil Mccarthy, as Tom
Windle; Miss Lizzie Hunt and Emma Cur
ran, as Mat Craven's daughters, and Miss
Florence Gerald, as Mrs. Radford
The real fire scene was thrilling. the
lovers being entombed in the burning build
ing with no apparent avenue of escape,
but they are rescued by the heroism of
the blind daughter of Mat Craven. The
representation of the iron mills in full
blast was also superior.
The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-01-05
A STORY OF SENATOR C0KE.

Senator Coke. Of Texas, was once pitted IN
some kind of a race against a man named
Cole. who was an eloquent speaker and was
getting rather the better If him. The Coke
party gave 4 big barbecue. but their best
speaker could not be on hand. The coru-
mittee discovered that no talent was availa-
bic except a rough-and-tumhIy fellow. who
had been a coal miner in West Virginia. He
consented when called upon. and the com
mittee was fear n1tremhling. wondering
what he would do. But they didnt fear and
tremhle long. "Feller-CitZenS, said tho
speaker. Il am here today to talk TO you
about Coke and Cole. You know me. YOU
know, ami know what I'm talking about,
AMI l want To ask you if you know the diff
ference between Coke and Cole But it
amt necessary; every man Of you knows
that the difference between them is tie
gas, and that is in the Cole
The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-01-05
The Academy.

III you want a receipt for When Lon
don Sleeps to paraphrase W. s. Gilbert,
take all the melodramas Of the past, rob
each of its principal situations, and mix
them together with little rhyme or reason,
and you will have it.
1t is evident, however, that the popular
audiences do not mind such things. and
the crowd at the Academy last night opened
the return engagement of the play with
loud acclains and noisy demonstrations.
The evil that men do lives after them;
the good is oft Inferred with their bones
said VIII OF Avon, and it seems true Of
this play, Judging from ones thoughts
after leaving the theater. The shameful
scenes in the second act haunt the memory
and destroy the lively impression made by
the other acts The scarlet life of London
need not be exhibited with such holiness
and leviIy. 1t could be easily suggested
by clever dranatiSt, and the action not
suffer from the pruning process.
Otherwise. the melodrama is a thriller
climax that would alone carry play.
The fire scene and the queen of the wires
escape with Child upon d wire in mid
air was particularly effective.
Miss Florence AShbro0kc gave a fervent
iTupersOnation OF the Woman with a Past.
a deep, dark, dank, dreadful Past. Edwin
Walter was effective rs the villain. who
''stil pursued his innocent victim. Harry
BenSley was clever in the comedy role,
and George c. Murphy was necessarily
and wholly idiotic as a "Chappie.''
The play succeeds as much through the
earnest ami intense playing VI the actors
as from the intrinsic merits Of the play,
and some OF the scenes. as tinted, should
only be seen through a telescope.
The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-01-05
AS THE CROWDS COME OUT.
CoIu Inbia.

1
A sparkling, merry comedy, scintilating
with wit, is .'The Chill Widow - which
served as an introduction last evening for
the London Royal Theater Company at the
Colum bia.
The audience was a generous one, in
numbers and mood. 1t came prepared to be
highly entertained, for the reputation Of
| the principals and company had precededit,
ind In ost all ofthe people in the dress circle
knew that Arthur Boucher is the darling
Of London theatergoers, and the manager
of the Prince of Wales favorite play
house, the Royalty.
The stamp Of social distinction tells more
effectually OF an actor than on almost any
other individual, and an artist who car
ries the atmosphere of high breeding upon
the boards with him wins at once with
the gallery, as well as with the circles
Mr. Arthur Boucher and Miss Violet Van
brUgn enter into their comedy roles with a
thorough spirit of humor, but no Glowing
and they are ably seconded by "a well-baI-
anced company.
The Chill Widow is the work Of NM
Bison and Care, aud so is OF French ex-
traction. IL has been turned into English
by Mr.. Pourchier and Mr. Alfred Sutro,
and its clean comedy is based on such com
plicauOns as serve to make the audience
fairly hilarious scene much reliShed By
the Washington public is one which has To
do with government department affairs
Sir Reginald Delamore, Bart, Of the Brit
sh home office. is a gentleman most sus-
ceptible to feminine influence. The Wash
ingtonian knows something about such a
situation and enjoys 1t keenIy
MIR Bourchier's impersonation of the i'm
questionable baronet is delightfully."- clever
and well shaded
Miss Violet yanbrugh is bewitching
and fascinating widow. She has the will
lowy grace Of the English woman and
charms OF the highest order. Miss Irene
yanbrugh is IA clever ingenue. The anus
ingly moral Mr.. Martindale is ably depict
ed 10y Mr.. W. f. Elliott, and the mother
in-Iaw is excellently done by Miss Helen
Rous.
The company i'll its entirety is good and
there are no weak moments in the move
ment of the play. The bill changes Fri |
day night for Kitty Give, Actress" and |
THE Queens Proctor"