davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1901-12-29
Hotels of Washington
Which Have Become Famous.

stood a superb palm. banked around thu
base by hundreds of white roses. The
points of this mound. formed of Jacque-
minots. ran out on each table, ant
mounds of these crimson blossoms, in
tertwined with garlands of maidenh hair
were placed at intervals down their en-
tire length. The adornment of the rest
of the banquet hall was in keeping with
that of the table. the effect of the whole
being gorgeous beyond description.
Mrs. Brice's Musicale.
Those who were hidden to the musicale
and ball given at the Arlington by Mrs
Brice during her husbands first year in
the Senate did not soon forget the treat
they had. The performers were grand
opera artistes-Sembrlch. Scalchi, Pol
Plancon-their introduction at private
musicale an innovation in Washington
and the entire function was perfect in
every detail.
II seems almost useless to try to choose
from among the many momentous hap
pcnings that distinguished the old VIII
lard The Prince of Wales stayed there
during his visit in 1860; in the following
year the peace conference" held its ses-
sions there. on the nineteenth and last
day of the session the members listened
gratefully to the following letter:
Crafts J. Wright, esq, Secretary Confer
ence Conventions:
"Sir: Please inform the convention that
we have rendered. free of charge, the use
of our hall and lights which they have
occupied. We hope the use may be sane
titled by restoring peace to the Union
We are, respectfully, etc,
~. c. & II. 4. WILLARD.
February %, 1861"
However much one may marvel over the
Occupation of the lights, he cannot fail
to be impressed by the patriotic spirit
which prompted the letter.
The Oldest member of the convention,
the Hon. John c. Wright, OF Ohio, had
passed away at willard's on the eighth
day OF the conference, praying fof the
preservation of the Union and with his
last breath melting his son to renewed ef-
forts in the beloved cause.
New GIorics.
The Delta Kappa Epsilon convention
which began on December IL at the New
willard was the fourth that had taken
place here. In 1855, 1856. and 1857 the
men Of this fraternity met under "Wil-
lard" roof. But never. it may be safely
said, have their meetings been amid such
luxury as surrounded them this year.
Their smoker in the splendid green and
gold banquet hall. their supper after the
theatre, their sumptuous dinner-each
was perfect in its way. and all we're en-
ioyed by the participants to the fullest
extent.
The Washington times., 1901-12-29
Plants Grown From Seeds-
MANY Centuries Old.

the Emperor before. Broken-hearted at
his IDOLS defeat. Dare for that was his
name. determined to come to America.
Apple seeds From France.
Gathering together his few belongings.
and with little money given to him by
his elder brother. he left his native land
Before leaving he went to the little apple
orchard where he had spent many happy
hours and pulled several apples and
placed them in his bag. They worked
their way to the bottom. where they
rotted.
lie made his way to Ohio. where a
brother of his father lived. and with his
money he bought several acres Of untitled
and unclesred land. He found the rotten
apples and had taken out the seeds and
placed them in small silver snufbox
that had belonged to his father intending
to plant them some day. The box was
thrown aside. and il was not until 1886
that it was again found and the seeds
brought to light. They had been in the
box for fifty years.
The old Frenchman, in telling the story
a few months before his death. cried Ike
a baby, even then, at the memories that
those simple little seeds had called into
life again. He said he could see the little
orchard as II he had left 1t but the day
before.
Planted His Orchard.
He determined to plant the twelve seeds
around his house and try to make another
such orchard in Ohio as he had left in
France. Ten of the seeds had life still in
them, and in a few years, with those ten
trees to start with, he had the orchard
he wished for. 1t still stands. and beneath
one of the largest trees the body OF the
old man lies today.
In Louisville number of years ago an
old building in the centre OF the city was
torn down. II was said TO have been built
by Daniel Boone. The next spring a beech
sapling sprang UP. and at almost the same
time beside ii a columbine vine sent UP its
shoots.
For several years they grew together.
recalling the days when Simon Kenton,
Boone, the Wetzel boys, and other well
known pioneers lad hunted the redmen
over the country
For how many years those seeds had
lain dormant no one really knows. but
that 1t was greater number than man
generally lives is certain.
In New York but short time ago a
man pulled up piece of goldenrod that
had sprung from the rubbish where a
house had been razed to make room for
newer building. The seed that produced
the dwarfed, seraggly little weed may
have been there for more than 100 years
New York Times.
The Washington times., 1901-12-29

Just how long seeds will live IS a ques-
tion that is attracting much attention
among the scientists, gardeners and hor-
tieulturists of Europe at this time. The
discussion was started by the publication
| Of story that a handful OF peas found
in sarcophagus of the Pharaohs, who
died 5000 years ago, had been planted and
had grown.
The vine of these peas grew to a height
of six feet; the blossoms, instead OF being
white, were red, with = narrow yellow
border. The pods were little longer than
the pea at present raised, and the peas
were little larger and sweeter to the
taste.
Hundreds of ell-authenticated stories
have been published OF seeds that had lain
dormant for years, and when, by accident.
the proper conditions for their growth had
been brought about, had sprung into life.
In 1S45 preacher OF Fairllght, England,
had his old church. which had stood for
900 years. torn down, as new church was
to be built on it's site. Fer some reason
the building of the new edifce was de-
layed. Soon thick bed Of henbane
sprang up where the church had stood.
Henbane was n rare plant in the neigh
borhood, and the old man who had lived in
the town for nearly 100 years said that it
had been very rare even when he was a
boy.
Dormant for Centuries.
In the same village year or two later
some old buildings nearly as old as the
church were torn down. and almost at
once henbaae sprang up. These seeds had
evidently lain dormant in the ground for
hundreds of years. waiting for the proper
conditions for their growth
AT another place in England some
pheasant covers were cut down for hoop
poles. The space thus freed of shade and
thick underground was almost at once
earpeted with primrose seedlings, al
though there had been no plants of this
variety in the neighborhood for many
years. In another instance an oak that
was known to be over 100 years old was
grubbed up, and in a short time wild
strawberry vines sprang up where the oak
had stood
One OF the most remarkable cases was
the finding of some small seeds in an old
chest in an English castle. The chest con
tained papers that now rest in the British
Museum. These papers were letters and
the diary Of an owner OF the castle who
had gone to the Holy Land with the cru
saders led by Richard.
Since the Crusadcs.
These seeds had evidently lain in the
old chest since about the year 1875. No
enc knew just what seeds they were. so
some OF them were planted in hothouse
The Washington times., 1901-12-29

Tauists thought injuries should be for
given. The followers Of Ccnfucius thinl,
1t is not safe to forgive, because in doing
go you invite the Objectionable man to
repeat his offence.
Shakespeare speaks OF the spurns that
patient merit from the unworthy takes. -
Legge is right in placing the standard Of
Confucius below that of the Tauist pbilos-
opher. The duty laid down by Christian
ity is bless them that curse you and pray
for them that despi,efully use you and
prosecute you" That Lautsz taught the
principle Of the forgiveness of injuries
shows that the Chinese mind is quite ca
pable of rising TO the level Of the Chris
tian morality.
sweep the snow from your door and
DO not busy yourself with the frost on
your neighbors tiles" is another proverb
This reminds US of the saying Of Confu-
cius that TO have faults and not to change
them is really 10 be faulty. In the first Of
the Four Books the cultivation OF self is
laid down as the chief duty of the scholar.
The duty to avoid spreading reports of the
faults of others is particularly enioincd
by the Apostle Paul.
ConfueiuE says: "a father conceals his
sons faultn and son hides his father S
faults" The duke of the Sheh country
said TO the sage: Among us there are
those who may rightly be called upright
II their father steals sheep they will
bear witness TO the fact" Legge remarks
on this that anyone but Chinese Will
say that both the dukes view OF the sub
ject and the sages we're incomplete. There
is no doubt that sons duty is 10 exhort
his father to return the stolen property
The father Will, through natural Affection,
listen TO him because be is his son. This
is probably Legge's meaning. Also. reck-
lcss disregard to a fathers interests can
not be Observation-Disclosures Mercury.
The Washington times., 1901-12-29

ragged end OF a heavy chain hanging from
his collar. He arrived at the fire, and did
valiant service, making at this time, his
great record feat OF locating man who
would have smothered to death if the
wise dog had not attracted to him the at
tention Of the firemen.
Weayer's term of quarantine viii end
on January II. But nobody at Truck d
house. from Foreman Nicholson and Chief
Kurtz. down to Jerry. the big grey. who
helps TO draw the heavy wagon OF ladders
to fires, believes that the dog is in any
danger. He spends most of his time romp-
ing with the men. and playing with Zip
the raccoon. and Bob, the bobtailed cat
who, with Weaver. form the pets of the
men.
Weaver's system.
preoedes the apparatus. and never once
does he make a mistake. and take the
wrong direction. He has system which
proves his wisdom. While tearing along
the streets. and upon reaching corner,
Weaver glances back AT the truck. scarce
ly Stacking speed. II the horses are stiIl
on gallop, he keeps right on to the next
corner, where he repeats the performance
II the horses show signs of slowing up
when reaching a crossing Weaver can tel
in what direction they will 20.
When the fire is reached. Weaver is
tlanketed with his service" blanket by
the man whose duty IL is TO put blankets
on the horses, and not until then does he
start in to fight the flames. In the sum-
mertime Weaver gets his share Of water
and arnica with the horses
Weaver is black Gordon setter Of fine
breed, with large, soft brown eyes, and
firm, good mouth. He is the only fire
dog In Washington. He knows every man
in his company, and will go with no other.
and is faithful in the performance of his
duties He was three years old last May,
and was presented TO Truck d by Mrs.
Weaver, Of Georgetown, after whom he
was named.
The Washington times., 1901-12-29
MIR. Garter and His Cast.

/
J. X L. Carter is a young man OF con-
siderable personal dignity He is also
extremely careful of his personal appear
ance, and. therefore. he has been of late
spending some time in the dentists chair.
Mr.. Carter admits that the man who sits
in fitting chair, with a towel tied round
his neck and his mouth pried open by a
couple of corks. does not present dig
nihed appearance, but he contends that
the results justify the means employed.
Last Thursday young Mr.. Carter went
/ over to his dentist office to see about
having one of his front teeth fitted with
a crown. As preliminary step 1t was
necessary for the dentist to take a plaster
cast of Mr.. Carter's mouth.
Mr. Carter leaned back in The chair and
the dentist and his assistant came in, the
latter bringing with him the hot and
liquid plaster. The plaster was inserted
and Mr.. Carter was told to shut his teeth
down hard.
''itll take five minutes" the dentist
! said, FOR the cast to harden. Then I'll
come in and relieve you"
The dentist and his assistant went out
of the operating room, leaving the young
man in the chair. Just as they left the
room the telephone bell rang and the
dentists wife asked him to meet her on
the ground floor.
I've got somebody hero l want you to
meet" she said. 'Ill only keep yOs a mo-
ment."
The dentist went down on the elevator.
saw his wife and started to return, but
he was met at the elevator door By the
starter. who gave him startling news.
I'm sorry. sir. bat there is something
the matter with the elevators and they
are all shut down. They'll be running
again in ten minutes"
The dentists Office was on the seven
teenth floor. and he knew it would take
him half an hour to climb UP. even if he
survived the trip. So he sat iown aud
waited.
Meanwhile young Mr.. Carter In the
dentist chair sat and felt the plaster har-
den into a rocklike grip on his bicuspids
and molars. Soon he found himself I'M
able to move his jaws. He went out into
the reception room. but the dentists as
sistant was out in the hall trying to find
what was the matter with the elevators
The waiting patients in the reception
room looked az him as If he were crazy.
Half an hour later the dentist got back
to his Office He found Carter speechless,
but purple in the face with rage. It took
the joint and long continued efforts Of the
dentist, his assistant, n cold chisel,
couple of drills, and a gimlet to separate
Mr.. Carter and the cast The first thing
he said when he recovered the power OF
speech was not at all fit for publication.
Mr. Carter is now patronizins another
dentist. and the dentist whom he deserted
has absolutely forbidden his wife to call
him up on the telephone during business
hours.-Chicago Tribune.
The Washington times., 1901-12-29
Weaver, the Canine Mascot
~-of Truck Company D.

Weaver is in quarantine.
Whenever the fire alarm gong rings now
he tugs hard at his chain ana endeayors
with all has might to get way, but he
is held fast, and is not allowed to go upon
the streets. The Health Department
says: 'No; wait for three months. and
then If there is nothing doing it will be
ali right"
Meanwhile Weaver is hurt and longs
for the old privileges which always al
lowed him to be first at a fire. however
far away it might be from the company
house
Weaver IS dog, the mascot Of Truck
Company d, d. c. F. D., and is not only
the sole fire dog in the city, but is one of
the most sagacious animals in The Capital.
He knows all the signals, and can tell
where a fire is as well as the desk guard
who watches the paper ribbon and counts
the punched holes to tell what box has
been pulled" II would be easier to tell
the things Weaver can't do, for it would
take less time than recounting his varied
and assorted accomplishments.
Cause of Captivity.
On October Il he felt constrained to
fight stray dog. who prowled near the
company house on New York Avenue
where It crosses New Jersey Avenue
northwest. Weaver whipped the strange
dog, and. in fact, put him to rout, so
that II the firemen nadR-t suspected from
the other dogs actions that there was
something the matter with him Weaver
might now be free TO come or go.
When the strange dog was killed. which
he promptly was, suspicion being aroused.
his remains were taken TO the Agricul-
tural Department, where an analysis was
made. The Government scientists discov-
cred that the dog was suffering with ra
bies, and q hurry call was sent 10 the
Health Department to take steps in The
matter. The only steps SO far taken have
been those depriying Weaver of his lib
srty.
When the date Of the Fire and Police
The Washington times., 1901-12-29

To one inclined TO remlnlscence or SEN
timent, the demolishing of the old Will
lard's Hotel seemed almost a desecration
that old roof had sheltered and
those old walls echoed to the voices of
so many famous men. men whose names
are still loved and revered even though
the owners have "one by one crept
silently 20 rest"
1t is so with all the finest hotels that
grace Washington today. The New VIII
lard, the Raleigh, the Arlington-each
stands upon The site OF a more modest
predecessor that had for years been a
landmark in the city. The evolution has
been natural and gradual, keeping pace
with the demands of the timss and the
constantly increasing lavishness which
characterizes the entertainments in the
nations Capital
Being the gathering place of the great
est men. and many of the most beautiful
and gifted women OF our own and other
lands, Washington is constantly the scene
OF remarkably brilliant social gatherings.
Because of the temporary nature of their
sojourn here, more than the usual num-
ber of distinguished people make their
homes at the hotels. and from them dis
Iense their liberal hospitality.
Hotel MeD's Ingenuity Taxed.
This so often takes the form of ban
quets and dinners that to devise any
thing new in this line would seem an
impossjbility. too great tax upon even the
ready ingenuity of the perfectly trained fac
totums OF modern hotel. But their sup
ply of antiquities" is apparently endless.
II there is nothing new under the sun, at
least the electric light OF softer candle
glow that falls upon the recurring dinner
tables always reveals some new device
some charmingly artistic effect that can
not fail TO delight the most satiated Of be-
holders.
What a different Washington from the
early days in 1900 when Secretary Wal
colt wrote of IT: People lived in huts.
and were so poor they lived on fishes, or,
like fishes, ate each other up Could our
forefathers behold a modern banquet,
what would they say? Could Lucullus
himself surpass our twentieth century
feasts in lavishness and luxury?
In the days when caterers were I'M
known here, and an Jim" was the most
primitive of stopping places, great men
and lovely women gathered contentedly
around home-bosrds, made dainty with
.he Incompatible family linen and
silver. and laden with home made good
things. which perchance had been pre-
pared by the fair hands of the hostess or
her daughters. We may outshine them
now in splendor. but does that gentle
spirit of hospitality" in which they ex-
oelled, still linger with US?
The Washington times., 1901-12-29

, is typical OF what is taking place through
out the old South today. In a very few
years the population of Beverly was
equaled by that of EIkins. Then gradually
the business OF the old town was absorbed
by the newcomer. and finally two years
ago, the county seat was openly coveted.
For more than a century Beverly had
been the county seat of Randolph and the
dominant town OF this region. 1t had
endured the civic aggressions of its up
start rival with silent dignity, but when
graceless hand was stretched out to rob
it OF this last chief municipal treasure
the ire of the old Bourbons was aroused
to action.
a vote Of the county was passed on the
subject and Elkins was designated as the
custodian of the county records by COM
Portable majority. So the enterprising
Elkinltes declared forthwith they would
go to Beverly and take what belonged to
them without waiting for the laws de-
lays.
Prepared to 10 Battle.
To this the scornful Beverlyites an
swered nothing. but all the old muskets
sabres, pixies of half dozen generations
were furnished up and the little town.
with as much earnesJness and absence Of
noise and excitement as is shown when
the same people go out to kill bear on
their native mountains, prepared to DO
battle.
The story Of the trouble sounds like
some stray chapter from the Middle Ages.
BY turns one is reminded OF opera bouffe
and Of some feud Of classic dimensions.
Every male citizen Of Beverly was
sworn in as deputy sheriff. put Under
arms and stationed in front of the court
house, where the county archives were
stored. Mines were dug under the rail-
road track with the intention Of blowing
up the train bearing the predatory Elkiu-
ties.
AS for the latter. they, too, were pre-
pairing. in their own way for what they
supposed might be slight unpleasant
ness. There was every indication Of Sc
rious trouble.
Prudence yanqui-hcd yaIor.
All night the entire raale population Of
Beverly. musket in hand stood in front
of their beloved court house Hunters.
woodsmen. most of them. accustomed to
conflict and with ten years of accumu
lated insolence from their municipal rival
to goad them on. these Beverlyites meant
business.
Had the men from Elklns come when
they were expected there would undoubt-
edly have been a battle in the streets of
the little town. But. lame and impotent
conclusion to the display of so much vaIor
on both sides. the Elkinites never came.
Wiser counsel fortunately prevailed
among them.
Anyway. their expedition was aban-
doned the old muskets of Beverly were
put away-and the venerable archives Of
Randolph county were sent to Elkius. ig-
ANONYMOUSLY. without escort. on a freight
car, when the courts. months afterward.
decided that Beverly no longer mad right
to keep them
The Washington times., 1901-12-29

For years even the best hotels and inns
were only remodeled dwelling houses,
and the accommodations most meagre-
The Riggs House was built for a hotel
in 1859, but II was leased for other pur-
poses till 1876. when. in that year 1t
was finally thrown open to the public, its
appointments were considered SO elegant
that people came from neighboring cities
to see them. Time may have dimmed its
glories. but nothing can obliterate the
memories which cling round it.
The Electoral Commission of 1876 sat
there: from its doors Presidents Garfield,
Hayes. and Harrison went forth TO their
inaugurations; in it were held manv i'm
pressiye Congressional and Senatorial re-
ceptions. and it was the scene, in 1856.
of the hotel mems convention and ban
quet.
Dinner 10 Archbishop kcnnc.
The shoreham does not date back 60 far
but even in its shorter life much OF in
terest and moment has transpired there.
The opening event was a large subscrip-
tion dinner, given to Admiral Walker; in
Archbi.Nop Keane, while in SO occurred
the banquet rendered by Lord Hers chel
and Sir Wilfrid Laurier. of the Alaskan
Boundary Commission, in return for the
many courtesies that had been extended
TO them during their visit by eminent
washingtonians This was the largest and
most elaborate entertainment of its kind
that had then been given here. There
were two hundred guests, and for the first
time. ladies were included in the invita-
tions to so large an affair.
The clientele OF the Arlington has al
ways been Of such high order as to bring
that house into great prominence socially.
The opening of the handsome and COM
modious new addition was signalized by
the reception given by Secretary Blaine
to the International American Congress,
at which about a thousand guests were
present
CnrneGie's Lavish Hospitality.
A dinner given shortly before this by
Mr.. Andrew Carnegie had excited much
comment, because 1t was supposed to have
cost more than 10000 At dinner given
at this hotel to Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain
during his official stay at the Capital the
decoraticrs were entirely OF orchids, in
Difference TO Mr.. Chamberlain's we'll
known pr ference for this delicate flower
The dispi of orchids was the finest ever
made at = dinner.
Even more beautiful. though less IN
common, was the floral display at the din
ner given President Harrison by the
Latin-American delegates in 1890. The
table was in the form Of IN eight pointed
star, each point measuring from twelve to
twenty feet. In the centre of the star