davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1898-03-12
NOT LIKE NEW YORK.
WashingtOnfans Take Mere Interest
in Each Others Affairs.

Neutrality-suspicious. Take Mere Interest
in Each Others Affairs.
Washington is the queerest place ever
saw in one particular" said a gentleman
recently to Star reporter. The gentle
man in question was formerly in the the
strical business, and had lived pretty much
all over the country, Chicago being his
home for some years and New York his
real home at present. So he ought to
know what he was talking about
Everybody here in Washington knows
everybody else" he continued, seems to
krow the affairs of every one else or If
not permitted to do SO, or at least, some
of them, make big kicks on this account.
There is no doubt of its being a city, and
good-sized one, but in the respect of
which 1 speak it is like a country village.
Take my case, for instance. l have
been here for several months. 1 went to
beard at restaurant simply because it
vas convenient, as l have been accustomed
to do wherever l lived. / did not consider
anything else when went there. 1 simply
went there to eat and not to cultivate the
acquaintance of anybody who boarded
there. l was greatly surprised some time
ago, and no little amused, to learn that
some people who ate at the same reStau-
rant, and to whom / had never paid the
slightest attention because / did not know
ehciH, hou DStii tdihiilS dDOul me ana say
ing hat they thought it exceedingly
strange because 1 did not speak to them
or have anything to do with them. / was
told that they said l was stuck up ar.o-
CANT, conoeited and stiff Mind these
were persons whom 1 had never met and
about whom l absolutely knew nothing,
and who were supposed to know absolutely
nothing about me. 1t did not make me
angry in the least but 1 thought it only
served to show how narrow-minded some
people are, who have never travelled or
been out of their own city.
Such thing in New York or Chicago
would have been unheard of. Nine chances
out of ten nobody would have paid any
more attention to me than 1 did to them,
or would have cared to do so. People
elsewhere don't have time to do this. They
n eet so many people they simply regard
them as not existing or ignore their pres
ence altogether. Why, in New York for
months l lived in a flat next to some peo-
PIE, the entrances of the two flats being
side by side, never knew who they were
and never had the slightest desire to find
out.
This reminds me of a rather ludicrous
experience which happened to a friend of
mine. He lived in a fiat in New York. a
family occupying the one directly over
him. He received a letter from friend, a
member of his college fraternity, telling
him that another friend who had been
member of the same fraternity was living
In New York and had been for several
years. He was asked to look up this friend
and did so. Much to his surprise he found
that the address given in the directory was
not only in the same house. but on inves-
tgating more closely, he discovered that
this friend and his family occupied the
fiat dir Iectly above him. They had lived
there for years and neither had been aware
of the presence of the other. although they
had been intimate friends at college"
Evening star., 1898-03-12
JUDGE OF HUMAN NATURE.


A Hotel Chambermaid Who Could
Size Up the Guests.
Il have been on the road for more years
than two-thirds Of the worlds people hve."
remarked The veteran drummer, as he was
taking 1t easy at hotel in Washington,
and have seen a good many things, but
never until this morning have 1 seen q
chambermaid in hotel who guessed what
my accomplishments were by the room /
had. For the sake of a wise economy pre-
vailing all over the land at present, 1 had
an apartment on the top floor, and it was
pretty high UP. When 1 came out for
breakfast 1 noticed that button was off
my overcoat and as the maid was sweep
Ing in the hall told her 1 would pay ner
II she would get needle and thread for
me and sew 1t on.
L think you can do that, sir, better
than can, she responded with knowing
smile.
why, do I look like a tailor?' 1 in
ouired.
MOT so good-looking as one 1 know,
ana she blushed; but it wasn't that, sir,
was meaning
And what was it?'
It's this, sir. 1 have been a chamber
maid for twelve years, and / have seen
good many men in my time, and 1 never
saw one yet that took a top flure room that
couldn't sew a button on as well as any
woman in the place. They are thrifty, that
kind are, sir, and they know how to take
care OF themselves. It's the doods on the
lower f1ures, sir, that have to be waited on
like babies and can't do a blessed thing for
themselves, sir
1T was compliment, and it wasn't"
concluded the veteran, but seeing that
was not classed with the dudes took it as
preponderance in my favor. Just the
same, the cbambermaid was calling the
turn on 20 per cent of the top floor con-
tingent."
Evening star., 1898-03-12
HAD HER DOUBTS.
She Was Not So Sure of Zeke In the
Hereafter.

She was Not So Sure OF Zeke In the
Hereafter.
''Of all the darkies in the town where 1
live in Alabama" the War Department
clerk was saying, ''the very worst in the
lire Of inability to keep his hands off of
a stray chicken was one who was generally
known as Zeke. He may have had an
other name, but as he was not married,
Zeke seemed to be plenty for his uses and
purposes. For a long, long time Zeke was
a chronic habitue of the calaboose, owing
to his natural weakness, but one Sunday
a negro revivalist opened up in town and
converted and before a cloud of witnesses
announced his Intention Of living better
l:fe.
'And so he did. much to the surprise of
everybody, black and white. At first. we
all thought he would break over in a few
weeks, but the weeks stretched out into
months and the months into years, and
two years of very decent living were to
ZekeS credit, when he was taken danger
ously Ill. The old woman with whom he
lived, and who was greatly concerned for
his welfare, was much agitated as he con-
tinued to grow worse, and at last she
broke into loud wailing
Why. Aunt Patsy said the white ply
sician who had the case, what are you
carrying on that way for?
Ain Zeke gwinter die?' she asked. as If
the question were entirely uncalled for.
L think he is, but that isn't so bad as
1T might have been. Just think how much
better fitted he is to die now than he once
was"
"'Da's what Use afeard Nv, doctor; da's
what Use afeard NV, she walled.
"'What are you afraid of? I don't I'M
derstand."
Case. he's so good, DOCTOR she ex-
planned between sobs. Eff he done die
now, sir, he's sho' gwinter hebben, an
when he gifts dar, doctor, and de fedders
on dem angels wings rubs up agin him,
doctor. he amt nebber gwinter to stan
de tenn tation, sho. He jis' cain do hit,
doctor, an me not dar to hep him. and
again Aunt Patsy broke into sobs at the
thought of what might happen to Zeke.
Evening star., 1898-03-12
UNLESS THE POLICE 1xTERFERED.
A Spanish Officer Who Could Clean
Out the United States.

n SpunlSn O"cer VINO SOulu clean
Out the United States.
Il CHARGED to overhear a conversation a
few weeks ago in Havana that was both
interesting and amusing remarked a gen.
tleman who until recently connected
officially with the United States consulate
at Havana, to a Star reporter. ''While din
ing in cafe one evening my attention was
attracted by Spanish officer and an Eng
lishman seated at an adjoining table. The
Spaniard, who was well-known officer,
was somewhat flushed with wine, and he
spoke in loud tones, his remarks being
fraught with braggadocio. The English
man was also well-knOwn resident of Ha-
vana, having large business interests there.
Il cite the incident" continued the ex-
ofhcial, merely to show that the Spaniards
feel thoroughly confident that they could
make strong, if not overpowering, show
illg in case of war with this country. The
subject was discussed by the Spaniard and
the Englishman for several moments until
hnaiiy the former sneeringly said: Why /
could land in Florida with 25,0O0 men and
walk right through the whole United
States
The reply of the Englishman was the
amusing part of the incident.
Yes, you could he said in the most
sarcastic manner; yes. you could-if the
police didn't stop you "
Evening star., 1898-03-12
According to Their Conscfences.

"On one occasion" remarked the able
journalist, II was down in the mountains
of Tennessee, where everything Is prmi-
tive, and on Sunday l attended a Baptist
church, where, much to my surprise, the
women were seated on one side Of the
house, and the men on the other. 1 had
never seen anything Of the kind before
and after the services were over I spoke
about it to one Of the members. whom
knew quite WELL"
It's aIlus been done that away he
said in explanation.
but why?' l persisted
Sos to worship God accordin' to our
own conSciences, as the constitution per-
vides.
but sitting on opposite sides Of the
church doesn't make any difference, does
it.?
Don't it?' he replied with emphasis
Well, hit jis do. Do you reckon that
man kin set over thar alongside NV his
wife whar she kin nudge him with her ell
bow about every onc't in two minutes eff
he begins to swag-I say. kin a man do
that under them circumstances and wor-
ship God accordin' to his own conscience?
Well, not much, nowhar; an pertickler not
in this here neck Nv woods
1.-The explanation and the supporting ar
gument carried conviction beyond all con-
troversy. and 1 had no more to say in op-
position.
Evening star., 1898-03-12

flsure l Is an absolutely faithful repro
duction of the shirt stud which the Presi
dent wore when he sat calmly signing
The document; figure =, the brush with
which he brushed the hair from his brow
after performing his morning ablutions:
nSufe ). the leg supporting the table upon
winch the bill reDosed for some time: fg-
ure 1, the Presidents shoestring: figure :.
the hierogiyph (probably Il secret message
from HGvara) which our lynx-eyed artist
correspondent detected on a piece of blot
ting paper: figure g. the Presidents collar
button; figure Z, the tack upon which he
nearly stepped after arising from slum-
Der, and figure $, one OF his suspender but
tons.
We refrain from comment upon an
achievement which boastfuI contenporar-
les nave tor years vainly endeavored to
equal and content ourselves with repeatinR
what ever has and ever will be the Clarion's
watchwcrd: WE PRINT THE NEWS"
Evening star., 1898-03-12
PARLIAMENT MIRRORED.
A Professional and Technical De-
scriptfOn of Stntesmen's Attire.
From the London News

n frOfessfOnal and Technical De-
scriptiOn of stntesmen's Attire.
From the London News
The Tailor and Cutter sent a special
&C emmissioner to the opening of parliament,
Inc ceremony gave him the impression of
a funeral march, in its almost total alb
sence of color. The crowd of members
however. included one or two Just men
from the taior's point of view. Sir
Charles Dixie wore frock coat, "beauti-
fully balanced" and with "a free and easy
Fang His trousers attested discrimina-
ton in the cutter. Lord Hugh Cecil, on
the other hand, was found to be "a young
man with careless gait, which seems
characteristic Of the family. He wore
piack 1fock coat, made in good style, and
a pair of dark trousers, but his undevel-
cped figure did not do them full Justice"
Our contemporary has to state with sad
ness, though without severity. that Mr..
Leonard Courtney still keeps to his light
buff or mustard-colored waistcoat. He is
oensured, yet with light touch. He must
have an extensive stock of this shade, and
1t is an excellent mark for distinguishing
E1m from his fellow members" He has a
disciple in Mr.. Lionel Holland. This men,
Der has Caught the infection for light
colored vests, to which there is no objec-
ticn, but he might try several colors before
making a final choice"
Among the Irish members, Mr.. William
0'Brien is commended for improvement.
His lounge of nondescript cut of last ses-
sion has been laid aside, and his fashion
able frock now hangs 'eaSily and grace
fully on his figure. 1t is characteristic Of
the Tailor and Cutters freedom from
party spirit that, In this case, not the
slightest allusion is made to the lower gar
n nts. Members are not to think that the
special commissioner has done with them.
He will look in again, to see that they live
up to their ideals to the end of the session.
Evening star., 1898-03-12
MADE HIM A COLONEL.
How "a Newspaper Title Was Acquired
in War Time.

Much fun has been poked at many south
ern citizens because of the large number
who were called colOnels, and it has been
estimated that in some sections Of the
sout more colonels returned from the war
than entered the service during the entire
four years. When it is remembered from
what trifiing circumstances a coIonelship
could be evolved there is no need to ques-
tion how and in what manner the title was
bestowed by our southern friends.
A reporter for The Star late in 1865 was
directed to make some inquiry as to an
item of news sent to the paper. After a
moments thought the reporter became GER
tain that if the news was true it would be
known to a certain man. This person,
though strong Union man, was physical
ly unable to bear arms. He had, however,
rendered valuable service to the govern
ment and his state and enjoyed the friend
ship of many of the leading men of the
country, particularly those of his own po-
ltical faith. The reporter placed the item
in this genlleman's hand, and when he had
read it he said, This is true.
Il would like to give, said the reporter,
some authorities for the statement May
1 ask you how do you know it is true?''
Well, let me see" was the answer;
- (and he named half a score of
Others each by his title), .'all say that it
is true, and. last and least, L know it is
true
"All you have mentioned said the re-
porter, jokingly, have titles. What title
shall / give your?
well. let's see." remarked the gentle
man. You may put me down colonel
Not that 1 ever bore a military title from
competent authority, but 1 was SO dubbed
in little town UP north some years ago.
You see, was rather hard up, and for
want of something more lucrative and con-
genial 1 attempted to do some collecting on
a percentage. Well, some few bills were
paid. and in such cases 1 wrote after the
words Received payment my name and
coll. for collector, and from that the few
holding such receipts called me colonel,
and in that place 1 am SO known to this
day"
The report ter took his leave and when the
item appeared his name had the military
prefix of colonel, and he soon was so called
wherever he was known. Thus The Star
made an officer and there was no circum-
locution nor no red tape required to give
him a title which continued with him to
his death. and his people are spoken of
as the family of Colonel -- by many
Washingtonians who are unaware how the
! title came to the family to this day.
Evening star., 1898-03-12
A Mississippi Tribute.


I'm interested in this talk Of war. I've
read the news
An travelled clear to Washington to polish
up my views.
1 much admired the orators whose elo-
quence an power
Is such that when they're started they kin
go it by the hour.
But most L liked one man who never had
too much to say.
1 asked his name from some one who came
passin' long that way.
Says he, THE man that's talkin'? Why, Of
course / ought to know.
I've voted fur him often-Private John Of
Tupelo!'
He has way of provin, when a talk from
him is due,
That one needn't lose his temper to be
earnest through an through.
An hist'ry shows most p'intedly, right
here 1 want to state,
That sense of humor never interfered
with bein' great.
When angry tempests seem to gather
round with threatenin' force,
He pours Oil upon the water, though he
doesn't shift his course.
1 jine the rest to listen when he's speakin'
smooth and slow,
To the wise and gentle words of Private
John of Tupelo.
1t struck me, s'pos'n war should come an
hostile ranks should meet,
There ought to be a chance of winnin' VIC
tory complete
Without the usual fightin'. Eff we'd send
flag of truce
An show the enemy jes' why resistance
amt no use.,t
An tell 'em plain an kindly all the things
they orter do.
An perceed to PINT a moral with an anec-
dote or two
Perhaps we might reform as well as cir
cumvent the, foe;
An the man to do the job is Private John
of Tupelo!
Evening star., 1898-03-12

The Easy-gOing Rules I'm the Depart
ments Fifty Years Ago.

hears ago.
"The rules regulating the hours of work
of the government employees in the de-
partments," says one who formerly served
his country in the capacity Of clerk, ARE
quite different from those in vogue half a
century ago. What would you think il 1
were to tell you that under the old regime L
have known clerks to take their fowliDg
pisces to their offices and after perusing
the old Intelligencer, or some other paper
ascertaining the show for Work coming to
their desks and walking over to the pint
near where the monument is now, or south
of the Presidents mansion, and shooting a
few birds. 1 have known clerks to go gun
ming in Office hours, but usually those who
thus acted were fine shots and successful
in bringing down the birds. Poor sports
men seldom took this privilege, but IL was
understood all round that all tnat was nec-
essary was that the work should be kept
up. L have on many occasions strolIed
along the avenue or worked about my home
for hours when my office work was well
up, and nothing was said There were
even messengers who occasionally took
French leave.
-On one occasion, one of this class Joined
in procession, and the following day he
apologized to his chief. remarking: Il watt
ed to ask permission for absenting myself
yesterday, but you had not arrived when
my company was about to form. L took
leave and now come to ask for IL
That was right said he chief, always
take holiday when you waat to- unless you
see rush Of business coming, and you will
be sure to have IT. Only ask for the leave
afterward to make II all right But do not
be extravagant. Spend your leaves for
some good purpose
This was when the entire force in the
executive departments was not as large as
some of the present bureaus, when the
business of the government was a mere
fraction of the present output. There was
no need then OF iron-clad rules. and SO you
kept your work well up there was no COM
plaint."
Evening star., 1898-03-12

rittsn for The Evening Star.
Early Flowers
Hello. Dsndelion,
Hello. Dandy Dan,
Keepin' up appearance;
Do de bcs' you can.
Ain no fancy posy,
But You seems so gay
Seems a shame to pick yer
For a buttcL hole bouquet.
Mighty hahd ter scare i'm.
Blusterin' winds kin blow;
Mistuh Dandelion
Keep a-lookin' like he know
Muffin gwincter hurt i'm,
As he watch de children pass
An answer back de smilin'
Dat he gibs EN- fun de grass.
Hello, Dandelion,
Yaller lik. de sun,
Yoh writes yoh affidavul
Dat de spring is clean begun,
An we might as well git ready
Ter dress up spick an span
An go out Sunday walkin
Fob ter welcome Dandy Dan.
Evening star., 1898-03-12
LADIES' HATS OFF IN CHURCH.

susEestion by Pastor. With an Ex-
From the Chicago Tribune.
With uncovered heads many of the wo-
men of the congregation of the Fullerton
Avenue Presbyterian Church now sit and
listen to the sermon OF their pastor the
Rev. DIR. J. A. Rondthaler No more do
the holders OF pews in the rear of the
church hear the preachers words coming
to them over sea of black plumes and
brilliant feathers. The new rule is not by
any means universal as yet but the move
ment is gaining strength week by week
Generally, the younger members of the
congregation favor the new order of things
but to some of the older and more conser-
VatIve WorshfperS the change is unwel-
come. Bearing in mind the scriptural in
junction of Paul that women should re-
main covered in the churches" they insist
that bonnets should be worn throughout
the service, and not held in the lap at all
DIR. Rondthaler did not have any general
crusade in mind when he first mentioned
the plan of removing large hats in church
At meeting of some of the women one
evening he said 1t would please him if the
Notwithstanding hats were not worn dur
ing the sermon He said he was tired of
directing his remarks to a single row of
faces and a widespread exhibit Of millinery
in the rest of the church. The next Sun
day fifty women obeyed their pastors re-
quest, the example being set by members
of his family.
Owing to the inconvenience of managing
the massive pieces of headgear while
kneeling and rising to sing the hats were
not taken off until the final hymn and re-
placed directly after the sermon. AS the
floor of the church has but a slight slant
the relief Of the holders of rear pews was
great.
Some criticism was started at first by
women who objected to the new rule, but
DR.. Rondthaler announced, on hearing it.
that compliance with the new form was
matter Of personal choice by each one, and
practical side and fell into line. 1t is said
the women of other churches are about to
adopt the rule.
Evening star., 1898-03-12
At the Navy Department.

From Llfe-
Ty R-It-"Mr. Secretary. I'd like to
bring the Detroit Naval Reserves down to
the sea next summer and put them aboard
a cruiser for awhile"
Mr.. L-g-"But, poor fellows. they ara
all land sailors. They'll be horribly sea-
sick"
Teddy tgrimiy)-"Just what. want-give
them chance to show what's In en-"
Evening star., 1898-03-12
No. Difference.
From Life.

Mr.. spodter4 1.-THE different ways in
which realty sinfere piety manifests itself
are indeed remarkable. For instance. some
people believe in fasting, while others,
just as devout, attend church suppers."
Mr.. Observation-Disclosures the difference?"
Evening star., 1898-03-12

II understand that whisky comes prett,
high in the Klondike," said the sociabld
old gentleman with the red nose.
Looks like 1t reaches the top of the
glass around in this town." said the bar.
tender. and the old gentleman walked out
full Of wrath.-Indianapolis Journal
Evening star., 1898-03-12

mo woman said the somewhat acrid
LADY, Should marry until she is sure the
man who asks her to do so really loves her.
And she proceeded gloomiy, 1T is very
hard to be sure of that
Perhaps So" replied the Kentucky lady.
But 1 was absolutely sure before 1 mar
ried."
Il don't see how you could be. 1t SO
cft=n happens that people do not know
their own minds.'
There was no room for doubt in this
case. We were out sleigh riding the even
ing the colonel proposed to me. / had re-
fused him several times before, and 1 told
him then that l would always esteem him
as a friend. We heard the jingle of bells
behind us. The colonei's horse, a thorough
bred of which he was very proud, quick
ened its pace at the sound. The colonel
looked around and excIaimed: Here's the
chance I've been waiting for That's Judge
Peabody behind us. He has been Dragging
about that new horse of his for the last six
eeks, but whenever L tried to get him
right dcwn to a race, he has lodged out of
ii somehow without acknowledging that
this horse could beat him.
The colonel SLOWED up so as to let the
judge overtake him. The judge didn't dare
refuse the challenge, because he had a girl
with him. He wouldn't allow himself to be
two SlelghS Were even, the colonel gave
cur horse cut with the whip and away
We went, the animals with necks eagerly
extended and the people leaning over the
dashboards trying to help them along. For
a few seconds the horses feet thumped on
the road in perfect rhythm; then We be-
gan to move ahead The village was about
a mile distant, and the colonel leaned out,
turned and shouted
Judge, I'll see you at the post Office
THE judge gave his horse blow with
the whip, but ne was already using all the
speed he had. 1 turEed around, half out Of
the sleigh to keep a look out The sleigh
struck boulder and pitched me out into a
snow drift. l wasn't hurt, and L gave
thanks when 1 saw the sleigh had not
wholly overturned and was speeding on its
way to the post office, still several lengths
ahead of the judge. Imagine my astonish-
ment when l saw the colonel slow up, let
the judge pass him and turn around"
He was coming back after you" sug-
gestad one of the listeners.
That's exactly what he was doing. And
1 concluded then and there that when
Kentucky gentleman was willing to lose
horse race for my sake there wasn't any
excuse for doubling his affection"