davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19

not publicly recognized, wherever
there were score OF more OF houses
the people gladly devoted Mt least a
few honrs Of the day to jollity and
good cheer.
The celebration of the day gradu-
ally grew in Importance till i'll the be-
ginning of this century. Every theatre
on that day brought out some new
play and made itself gay with flags
and transparencies. Taverns spread
their best cheer. There were balls
and bontires, barbecues and cannOnad-
ing, bell ringing, feasting and toasts.
A glance over the Gazettes and Adver
tisers of that period shows that it was
quite the end OF March before they
ceased to publish accounts of the fes,
tivities which had taken place i'll every
city and town in the land.
Washington was born before the
adoption in England of the Gregorian
Calendar, and was, therefore, born on
February II, old style. For n long
time some of his most ardent admirers
persisted in celebrating this day rather
than the 22d. We find as late as 1876
certain counties in which men of the
old school were unwilling to adopt the
new calendar, at least so far as CON
cerned the birthday of the Father OF
their Country.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19
THE RUSH BEGUN.
Combined Carrying Northwest =
ern Trade Inadequate.
A Chartless Coast-Amcrican Ports
viii Yet BE Utilized.

VANCOUVER, Il. c., Feb. 17-Althoush Il
steamer n day is leaving the coast Tor the
klondike. a block is threatened on the Pa
ciOc const. The combined carrying trade OF
the coast is not equal To the demand
put upon it for the hionulKe
trade ut present. 1t Is yet early
in thcrush. and though steamer day leaves
Victoria, Vancouver and Seattle. berthS
and freight room have to be secured week
ahead and large demand cannot be salts
fled. Dan Mann, the raiIroad contractor
who is to open up the all-British route,
via Tcslin lake. by building 100 miles OF
railroad in 12O days, has offered any
steamship company on the coast double
money to convey 5000 men and supplies
to Wrangel for him. His offer has not yet
been accepted. In the meantime the I'M
wieldv mass of humanity from all over the
globe is being rushed by scores OF steamers
to Skayuay, Dyea and Wrangel before the
passes are navigablc, to herd together in the
already overcrowdrd towns. Tho nayiga-
ton north Is perilous in the extreme, there
being many hidden and unchartered rocks.
The best navigators on the coast nave
TO trust to providence and the tides
to pull them through, n numerous
unscaworthy craft and poorly manned
have been pressed into services
forthe rush. 1t may be expected that many
a steamers hull will yet rot away on the
rocks in the narrow channels OF the hortli-
ern waters The rush has almost entirely
erased national jealousies. There is no time
for sentiment. The contractors OF the
Yukon river have established their perma-
uent camp at Stikine island, United states
territory, at the mouth ofStikine river. ana,
as supplies cannot be transported IN tannda
ut present to the gigantic extent desired, II
is stated that big steamers may eventually
be secured in the states and the railway
army supplies shipped from an American
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19

when the same was needed, 1T has
only been recently that from six to
ten layers of paint have been removed
to ascertain what was the early col
ouial tint. Mr.. Rogers examination
also extended to the doors, trim. door
heads, choir rail, washboard, windows,
stair -skirting battons, cornice, etc.
These proved to have originally been
painted ivory white, china gloss finish
on the hall side.
The present cornice and cross gir-
der. supported by two columns on
either side of the hall through which
the visitor approaches the staircase
leading to the second floor, all are re-
garded by Mr.. Rogers as of modern
construction and entirely incOngruous
with the rest of the work. Rebecca
Robinson, once slave OF John Aug
ustine Washington, told the writer
the history Of the origin and construc-
tion of these columns in the hall. She
states that many years ago the cross.
beam supporting the entire upper part
of the house badly sagged. Then an
arch was raised to remedy this defect
This arch was regarded as Intellectual,
and in 1884 it was removed and a new
iron beam inserted, braced from the
cellar, and these columns erected ac'
cordingly. They were never part OF
the interior construction in Washing
toms time, and their removal will
greatly add to the exact restoration o
the first floor hall. Other details il
necessary repairs to the cellar, an(
features of the staircase not in har
mony with other portions, in varnisl
or color, form matter of no great pub
lie interest. An examination OF tht
walls was made, starting from th'
stairway to the second floor, and afte1
n removal of three layers of small
section of wall paper the fact was re
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19
RigRest Hog in the World.

What was claimed to be the biggest
hog in the world died recently at Cos
lumbus, Ga. 1t was the property OF
Frank Williams, of Phenix City, and
weighed over thousand pounds. The
animal was over four feet high, was
seven feet and nine inches in girth,
and was about ten feet long. Its
owner had just brought him in from
tour of exhibition, and the hog died at
the end Of the journey. Northern
parties had made fattering offers to
Mr.. Williams for the property, but he
had refused them.
While the big hog is gone, another
wonder in the way of pig remains.
1t is a five-legged pig which was
picked up on the street day or two
ago. The legs are all we'll developed
and the animal is in healthy condition.
Atlanta Constitution.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19
WASHINGTON'S HOME
AT MOUNT VERNON.


girder sustaining the upper floors OF
the mansion), windows, etc After
carefully removing each layer OF
small section OF the paint on the side
wall panels. the original color was re-
vealed. This proved to be II delicate
French gray, almost robin-egg blue;
This color had originally been applied
to the side walls and ceilings and
panels of the stair skirting. This
delicate tint was in entire harmony
withthe then prevailing hues as seen
in the garments and appointments OF
persons of colonial distinction. The
present coating OF paint is deep
yelow-b brown, grained and hideons
enough to any one possessed OF ar
tistic tastes. 1t doubtless antedates
the period of control by the assocln-
ton. While carefully preserving any
portion of the woodwork and carving
from dilapidation, and repaintins
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19

vealed that the original mortar was
colonial buff. In someplaces itwould
seem to have been white-coated, and
in other places rough finish of buff
mortar is found under the paper. Re-
search will be made to ascertain
whether the walls were originally OF
buff mortar finish or par cred after the
fashion of one of the layers removed.
1t seems more than likely that, when
commenced, this transformation OF the
halls and main staircase will ultimate
ly lead to a new restoration of rooms
given over to the care of vice-regents
from various States. To be sure, they
are. for the most part, neat and fresh
enough, but recent investigation has
shown that they are not to-day as they
were in Washington's time. Thus the
river room," or guest room, OH the
second floor, was originally gray, with
white window sash; the mantel was
originally painted white, then painted.
at some later date, in imitation OF gray
stone. This should be restored to its
original color, white. The chairboard
and washboard should be gray.
The woodwork in the Maryland room.
the bed chamber of charming "Nelly
Custis, 'afterward Mrs. Laurence Lew
is, was originally the same gray as the
walls of the first floor hall. The mantel
was originally white, then painted black
two treatments) and again painted
white over the black. This should be
burned off and repainted white. the
window sash white, chair rail, trim and
washboard gray.
In General Washington's room the
mantel, now black, was white in its
original coloring. The trim Of the room
was gray and the washboard stained
and vanished, and, at later day
painted black, the chair rail and trim
gray and window sash white.
The above points were brought b!
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19

Ladies' Association show admirable
results in their care of the place and
in the accumulation of articles of Use
in. or identified with, the General $
family life.
During the gatherings of the Board
last year, Mrs. Charles Curtis Harrl-
son, of Philadelphia (vice-Regent for
PENNSYLVANIA, invited Architect L.
Mallon Rogers, of Philadelphia, archi-
tect of the restoration of 1ndepen-
dence Hall, to come to Mount Vernon
and confer with the Mansion Commit
tee. The result Of this conference is
fully outlined in n written report made
by Mr.. Rogers, embodying details OF
a projected restoration to be under
taken this fall. This work will in
volve and effect more complete
Transformation in the general aspect
of the interior than any yet attempted.
The restored second floor of Indepen-
dence Hall has proved revelation OF
Colonial beauty and simplicity. This
restoration of the paneled halls and
antique stairway of Mount Vernon will
vividly recall the faces and costumes
of the Carys, Fairfaxes, Lees, Piercys,
Dulanys, Johnstons, Craiks, Hunters
Dades, Ramsays, Fitzhughs, Vests,
Stuarts, Dicks, Masons, Carlyles ant
other friends OF Washington and the
Curtises, with their hair powder, face
patches and silk stockings, and ever
their outdoor life, with outriders ant
fine equipages.
In the report mentioned, and il
conversation with the writer, Mr.
Rogers explained how, in response t.
the request of the committee, he made
a thorough examination of the cellar
first floor hall, second floor hall, thu
antique staircase that greets the visi
tors eye as he enters the main door
also the side walls OF the halls, doors
cornice, columns supporting tn
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19

One Of the really valuable products
of the Government printing Office at
Washington is the annual report which
Mr.. George F. Kunz, of this town,
renders on the yield of precious stones
IN the United States. Mr.. Kunz's ex-
pert knowledge in this specially has
been years at the service of the United
States Geological Survey, and thus be-
comes part of official literature The
report for 1896, just published, con.
tains table of values rs represented
by the various gems discovered in the
United States during the year. 1t is
interesting to observe how the values
are apportioned. Here are few
itamc.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19
J.,ler for rwenty.seyen Years.

PITTSFIELD, Mass, Feb. 17-Lebbeus
Scott, taller at the Berkshire County Jail
twenty-seven years, has resigned. Nearly
ever since the Jail has been located in Pitts
Held. he has held the position Of jaler un-
der the various sherifIs. His term of service
began with the late Sheriff Root,
following with Sherifrs Wellington and
Crosby, and later with sheriff Fuller. Mr.
Scott is native OF Hatfield, where he was
born in 1927. He begat teaching winters
ut the age Of eighteen and worked on n
farm summers. lie went to New Jersey in
1919 and took charge OF an academy there
which ranked with our grammar schools.
Later he came TO Springfield, and for some
time taught school. having charge of tho
first evening schools for adults ever carried
on in western Massachusetts,. He was su-
perintendent of Pttslield schools for few
years, and was also for two years chief en-.
gineer of the fire department.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19

disappointment to himself,as it failed
to come up to expectation in the nation.
This has been attributed to Mr.. Evarts'
lack of disposition to do the work in
committee rooms that he might have
engaged in more earnestly as a younger
man. His reputation for oratory was
great, but he had impaired his effect
iveness here by an Increasingly in
volved style, which h,d grown upon
him. The public outside of New York
had heard little OF him for several
years, until the present tale of his
blindness and physical and mental
decay appeared.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19
A PRECIOUS MEMENT0.
Proclamation Pen
Drcscntcd To New York Press Club.

NEW YORK, Feb. l7-hddison r. An
drews. son of the late Rufus F.Andrews. who
was surveyor Of the port Of New York under
Abraham Lincoln. has presented to the New
York Press club the pen with which Abra-
ham Lincoln signed the proclamation of
emancipation. This pen was given tn MIR.
Rufus L. Andrews by Mrs. Lincoln shortly
after the presidents death, when she was
distributing personal mementoes To the vari-
ous intimate friends of the president. The
gentleman who now presents II tho Press
club is life member Of that club. Rufus F.
Andrews w;ls one Of those at the death bed
OF Lincoln.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19

MIR. Rogers to the attention of the
committee after au examination made
by him at their request.
As the great purpose of the associa-
tion is to keep the mansion and its
surroundings forever open to the
public, the projected restoration will
he made be degrees, so as to interfere
as little as possible with the freedom
of visitors. F, w. PARSONS.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19
WASHINCToN'S BIRTHDAY.
The People Began tn Celebrate 1t as Far
Back as 1888.


We may reckon February % as one
Of chr oldest holidays, for though no
Legislature had at that time sci it
apart as legal holiday, the regular
celebration of Washingtons birthday
began in 1888. On February % OF
that year party of gentlemen met i'll u
tavern in New York. One of them had
written an ode on Washington, another
brought a list of tracts. still others
had prepared speeches. There was
great feasting, patriotic toasts were
drunk, and before the company went
singing home they agreed to meet to-
gether on every coming February ~
in honor of their country's chief.
Other little knots of friends followed
their example, and before long the
celebration became general. Though
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19
Mayor SAYS "Mum's the Word

LYNN, Mass, Feb. 17--Mayor Ramsdell
Of this city has issued an order to the police
that hereafter no Information OF robberies
shall be made public. and also has stated
son about police Information will be sus-
pended. Mayor Ramsdell says that Lynn
has had all the notoriety in criminal matters
that he desires her to have at present.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19
yis,ons of the Bicycle Pump.

"I think" said the physician to the
new patient, "that what you need is
fresh air."
A worried look swept over the pa
TENTS face.
"Great Scott!" he exclaimed. care
my bicycle tires fiat again?"-Wash-
ington Star.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19
Tbev don't stand on ceremony when

They don't stand on ceremony when
it comes to Tipping out Office holders
here and putting new appointees in
their places. The other day gentleman
walked into the Office of the president of
the East river bridge commission. The
president rose to receive the visitor,
and asked what he could do for him.
The visitor thereupon sat down in the
presidents chair, and raped sharply
on the desk. II now take formal
possession of this Office" said he.
''I'm in charge. Good day." That
ended the inaugural ceremonies.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19

And now the street car authorities
here are going to try the Boston idea
of having the conductors hand man
al admonitory card when he expector-
ates in the street cars. The authori-
ties share the Boston notion that the
humiliation of this ceremony will have
an effect to shame the expectorating
habit out OF existence.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19
Weeds Killed by Electricity.

Electricity is used to destroy weeds
in n new device which can be used on
an ordinary moving machine, one wire
of the dynamo being attached to the
cutting bar and the other grounded
through one of the wheels, so that If
the weeds are cut when damp cur.
rent of electricity enters each root and
burns il as the top is cut.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19

The list includes many precious
minerals which would not strictly be
called gems, and the total value as
signed is o little under 800, 900. The
prominence of the turquoise i'll the
American list is recent. the yield be-
ing large in Arizona and New Mexico.
New York Sun.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19
WASHINGTON.

In the upright little sappling lives the
mighty mountain pine,
Straighter than an Iudian chieftain with It's
long, answering line,
Lifting high it's sturdy branches, rooted In
its rocky bed,
Landmark to the valleys under, shelter for
the weary head
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19
Appropriate.

Mrs. Parvenue-"Now that we've
got into society, we really must have
q coat of arms. Can't you help me
with suggestion"
Mr.. P.-"If we must hare one make
it postage stamp. You know it sticks =
to thing until it gets there. New
York Journal.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19

The journal here offers $50 prize
to the school children for the best
essay on the more pressing needs of the
public schools of that city. 1t would
not be surprising if some smart youth
should send suggestio that among
the other needs of the New York
schools is mayor who appreciates
their wants better than Van Wyck.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19
A Market For Them.

Hoa1-"Scribble must have par
esis. He paid good money to-day for
o bundle Of almanacs over twenty years
old"
Joax-"He's anything but crazy.
There are Jokes in those almanacs
which he anglicizes and sells to the
London comics. .'--Philadelphia Re-
cord,
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19
After the liOOm.

Woolsey West--'"Ten years ago all
the land around here sold for 81. 25 an
acre."
Hudson Rivers-"And what does it
sell for now?"
w. W.-"Taxes. ."-Brooklyn Life.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19
A bill is about to be introduced in

A bill is about to be introduced in
the New York Legislature providing
for monstrous fair to be held in this
city in 1901 in celebration of the act
of consolidation of the greater city.
Provided the bill becomes law, the
governor is to have the naming of the
commission to attend to it. AS the
results of consolidation have been sub
mitted to the test Of experience but
month, while it may take as many
years to determine whether it has
been public benefit or mistake, it
seems a little early to bring out the
fireworks, the triumphal professions
and other things that shall rivet the
worlds attention. There may pos
sibly be reason to make the occasion a
fast day instead of a festal day.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19
Valuable Experience.

"Johnnie," said his father, "I'm
surprised to hear that you have dared
to dispute with your mother
"But she was wrong, pa" replied
Johnnie.
"That has nothing to do with it,"
said the old man; ''you might just as
well profit by my experience and learn
once for all, that when woman says
a thing is so, it is so, whether it is so
or not. ."-Chicago News.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19

He-'It is strange how frequently
inventors fail to realize the import
ance of their own work"
She-"What is the particular in
stance?"
He-"Why, here is statement
that the inventor of the hairpin in
tended it to be used simply in dress
ing the hair!"-Puck.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19
Attention is called to the fact that

Attention is called to the fact that
the line "Founded by Horace Gree
ley," which was placed at the head OF
the editorial columns of the New York
Tribune Immediately on Horace Gree
ley's death, has disappeared, and the
odd thing about it is that nobody
seems to know exactly when it was
cancelled. 1t was there for twenty
five years and great many people as
sumed that it would always remain
there. But it has gone.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19
Small wonder that the board of A.

Small wonder that the board of al
dermen wants to shut out the report
ers on the plea that the meetings of
the board are executive sessions. 1t
is impossible to describe in detail the
obscenity that fills the chamber dur.
ing each session. Profanity is heard
on every hand, conversation is carried
on and everybody smokes and expec-
torates as ii he were in a bar-room.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19

The condition of William NJ. Evarts
is pathetic. Perhaps no man OF his
era was better entitled to be regarded
as the first lawyer of the land. He
held this position also while being re-
garded as one of the most influential
men in public affairs. He was not
chosen to national Office during
the period of his recognized emf
nence though he held places in presi-
dents cabinets, and was prominently
national figure otherwise. When he
fiually reached the Senate, it was the
signal of the beginning of his deca-
dence. His career there must have been
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19
A Humane Exclamation.

"Kitty, I can have bird wings on
my hat after ALL"
"Why, it is cruel"
"No; the milliner says these are the
wings which the birds shed naturally
every year. Chicago Record.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19

"Won't you take this seat?" said
the gentleman in the car, rising and
lifting his hat.
"No, thank you," said the girl with
the skates over her arm. ''1've been
skating and I'm tired OF sitting down"
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19

The attorney general in his annual
report says that thus far the method
of procedure prescribed by the So
called antitrust law, for the purpose
of obtaining information upon which
an action against a trust may be based,
has been so constructed by the appel
late division as to render it entirely
Intellectual. But it didn't need pro-
phet to show that.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19
"(i,less:''

Fred-"Suppose L should ask you
to be my wife, what would you say"
Anna--"Guess.
Fred-"Oh, Haven't the least idea.
What would it-er--rhyme with"
Anna-"Guess.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19

If Justice Parker of this city is SEN
ator Hills candidate for president,
would it be impertinent to ask con.
cerning the principles which would
form his platform? He had no plat
form when he made his "phenomenal
run" last autumn. Would he stand
for silver or gold, bimetallism, indie
pendent bimetallism or international
bimetallism? Would it be mastery
silence or a whooping straddle?
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19
Might Have Been Washed.

Wistful Willis-"I'm glad L didn't
live ont West durin' de lnjun fightln'
days" ~
Languorous Willis-"Why?"
Wistful Willis-"Why, de Iniuns
an de scouts was sllus scourin de
plains, an they'd probably have
secured us. Syracuse Herald.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19
A DlScreuAncy,

Picture Dealer -"And the artist
died before he was thirty
Mrs. Newrocks- .''He did? And
what do you mean by telling me he
was an old master?"- York jour
mol
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19
Saw His Error.

Brown-'I used to think talk was
cheap
Jones-"What makes You think it
isnt?"
my lawyer has sent me bill. -
r ife
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19
A Delicate OuestiOn.

"Old man, I'm sorry to hear that
you and your wife have separated
did any one come between yon:'
eyes, her father and mother, three
maiden aunts and grandmother. -
Life.