davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1902-01-31
DIAMOND EXPERTS.

Few Amateurs Can Judge the Merit of
the Stones.
From the PhiIadelphia Record.
"I am conviced that few people know
anything about diamonds, no matter how
much they may pose as experts" said a
young business man. "a recent experience
Of mine has forced me to this conclusion. l
bought, as Christmas present for my
wife. a brooch containing cluster Of dia-
monds, and took occasion to show It to
several Of my friends at the club. They
examined it very closely. looked wise. and
then started to show me where my iudg-
ment had been at fault. Every man in
the crowd seemed to be diamond expert.
By the time they had got through really
felt as though 1 had been buncoed, and
was considerably depressed. Next day I
got to thinking the matter all over, and
came to the conclusion that my friends
had been talking about something they
knew nothing about.
AT any rate, I determined to make a
test. went to one of those imitation dia-
mond stores. and for 50 cents bought q
brooch. which placed in the box that had
formerly contained the real one. Again I
went to the club and announced to my
critical friends that had taken their coll
lective advice, and by paying an extra $50
had picked 30 many flaws. They all agreed
that the ifty-cent bauble which I showed
them was great Improvement over the
other, and when I told them Of the trick
/ had played on them they wouldn't be-
lteve me. To man they contended that
they couldn't be fooled on diamonds Now
/ feel better satisfied with my purchase" :"
Evening star., 1902-01-31

with. was also submitted. 1t was pointed
out that the park commissions plans had
suggested taking the squares east and
west of Lafayette square. that the question
before the committee in reality Is which
square should be taken first, in the in
terest Of th< national government.
The objecto. averred that it is to the
interest of the national government to be-
tween five hundred thousand and a million
dollars to take square 221. the square east.
first The reasons for this were that the
government already owns there over $4,000
square feet, which easily represents 100000
Of unimproved ground. being about two
thirds of the Pennsylvania avenue front,
and upon which as an interest charge the
government loses every year between $28,-
900 and 10000 which, If the ground is left
unimproved for period, say of fifteen
years. which would likely be the case If
the other square Is taken. would cost the
government over 100000.
OF the two squares the eastern square Is
nearer to the present active business CEN
ter Of the city and it's surroundings, as
well as the square itself must, II not taken
by the government. soon be improved
Evening star., 1902-01-31
OPPONENTS OF THE CONDENSATION
Argue for Their Homes Before Senate
Commftfee.

Argue for Their HOmes Before Senate
Committee.
At a hearing Of the committee on public
buildings and grounds of the Senate OBJ
jections were submitted to the bill con-
demning square 167. Objections were based
on the governments interest, the obJecters
alleging that the householders would be
willing to leave their homes IL 1t could
be shown that the needs Of the govern
ment's interest demanded the taking OF
the same. They felt sure that the gov
ernment's interest was to improve its
own vacant property In square 221. which
is the Riggs bank square. The objectors
and house owners were as follows: Mrs
Elizabeth Blair Lee. 1853 Pennsylvania
avenue (widow of Samuel Phillips Lee
rear admiral. U. 8. NJ: Mrs. Mary Bea1e
% Lafayette square {widow of Gen. Ed
ward F. Beale); Mrs. Reed. 6 Lafayette
square (sister of Rear Admiral Dahlgren
U. s. M; Mrs. MaryJ. Blair, 10 Lafayette
square (widow Of the late James L. Blair,
u. 8. ny; Violet Blair Janin, II Lafayette
square: Mrs. Ellen Parke 10 Lafayette
square (wife Of Gen. John G. Parke, u. s.
Corps Engineer); Minna Blair Richey, 1861
Pennsylvania avenue daughter of the late
Montgomery Blair) and Mrs. Mary C..
Morris, Is Lafayette square. A plat show
ing the exact situation. and printed here
Evening star., 1902-01-31
UNDER THE SNOW.
The White Covering Checks the Es-
cape of Earth Warmth.

The White Covering Checks: the Es-
cape of Earth Warmth.
From the Philadelphia North American.
What is going on there under the deep
snow. where everything seems so death
like and still? Much is going on; the death
is only apparent. In the first place, the
snow is slowly drawing the frost out Of the
ground; or, more accurately, it is checking
the escape OF the great earth warmth,
which rises toward the surface and expels
the frost. The angle worm works upward
with 1t, and the sap In the roots Of the trees
and grasses stirs a little. Then, here and
there there are warm jets of life that shoot
and play beneath the cold white expanse.
There are the field mice that now come
out of their nests in the ground, or beneath
the fiat stones. and lead free, active life
under the snow. The snow is their friend.
1t keeps off the cold. and it shields their
movements from the eyes of their enemies,
the owls, the hawks and the foxes. They
make little tunnels and roadways every
where over the surface of the ground. They
build winter houses under the great drifts.
They found little mice colonies In places
where they are never seen in summer. They
can get at the roots of the grasses, or the
various herbs and seeds they feed upon, as
we'll as In the snowless seasons, and WITH
out exposure to their enemies.
In the woods the little shrew mouse and
the white-footed mouse are more or less
active all winter. They have their tunnels
and runways, also through and beneath
the snow; but, unlike the meadow mouse,
they often come to the surface and run
over the top Of the snow. Their tracks
look like long double stitching on a white
coverlet Another creature that Is alive
there beneath the snowbanks, though
wrapped in deep and long slumber, is the
woodchuck, at the bottom Of his burrow
He retired from the world probably in Oc-
tober, and gets along very we'll, without
any favors from anybody, till April.
Evening star., 1902-01-31
1110h'' = O'' h@N - 1'-~' zACC1o.' VIo ~ ~ w
Executors'Sale of the MAN.
sion of the late Hon.
James G. Berret, No. 1888
I'll" street northwest,
with very large side yard
and a tWO=StOrv stable.

By virtue Of the last will Of James G. Berret.
deceased the undersigned executors will oifer for
sale At public auction, in front Of the premises
F@EBaUARY; @ G 1902. AT HALF,PAsT FOUR
O'CLOCK PM, n one parcel, the real estate
known as sublots four q and twenty-two l22, and
the east seven C7) inches Of sublot twenty three
(23l in square one hundred and ninety nine Q99)
in Washington. D. G.. with an aggregate frontage
Of about IS feet and inch ''1'' street between
Vermont avenue and Sixteenth street northwest and
depth Of 142 feet and inches to 30-foot alley,
and containing about 1858 square feet, together
with the improvements thereon, including the
handsome residence built for his own use and oc-
cupied by him until his decease, and brick stable
and carriage house In (The side yard Is
large enough for another wide-front house).
Terms: One-fourth cash and the remainder In
equal 1nstallments, in one, two and three years,
with interest at five per cent per annum, secured
by deed Of trust on the property sold, or all cash.
at option Of purchaser. deposit Of $500 will be
required at time Of sale. Examination Of title,
conveyancing, recording and revenue stamps at
cost Of purchaser. Terms Of sale to be complied
with inside Of fifteen Q0 days from day Of sale
the right u reserved to resell the property at
risk and cost Of defaulting purchaser. after Eve
fb) more days advertising in any daily news
paper published In Washington, ID. @.
WILLIAM HENRY DENNIS, Executor
Columbian Law building, Washington, d. O.
JAMES B. GEORGE, Executor,
ta30-d&ds Sykesvtlle, Carroll county, Nd.
Evening star., 1902-01-31

Bank was entitled to no consideration; that
an act of Congress had been passed March
3, 1899 appropriating a million dollars to
improve the governments property on
square 221, which act had scarcely been
approved before the bank proceeded to pre-
pare plans and erect its present structure.
That Attorney General Griggs found 1t i'm
possible to put up the Department of JUS
tice for the amount appropriated March 8,
1880; that he applied to Congress for an In
crease of appropriation; that he was de-
feated in this request although the statute
still 'remains and the objectors believe to-
day a law Is in force directing that the
Department OF Justice should be erected
next the bank. The objectors stated that
SO far. In their opinion, the bank has been
able to defeat the plain purposes of Con-
gress, but its investment has been made
with full knowledge of the government 6
needs and congressional purposes The
Riggs National Banks present lot cost
$140, 600. and its .pequdt2 build fixed the
value of the bank building at S1OO, 200. All
cone with notice of6the Cact of Congress
starting to improve that square for ma.
tfonal uses. So
Evening star., 1902-01-31
DUNcANsoN BROTHERS. AUcTToNEERs.

TRUSTEES SALE OF FIFTEEN FINE LOTS IN
TIE "PETMORTH = ADDITION TO WASH
nSGSeT IN sEiNG sNn On S,NIy NEWARK STREET
on on Sc SEVENTH AN AND sSafs Trenton a sTREETs' ETS
Ado AAFFoRDISG @ A BARE CHANCE TO SECURE
December 30, 1895, and recorded among the land
records OF the District OF Columbia. In Lber 1862,
at folos respectively, 828 ct seQ. 1858 ct seq and
the notes secured thereby, will ofer, separate
Y at 81 pqe ssf tf2n s n s
eeek spss 9.
tate situate in the "Petworth Addition to the City
Of Washington" in the county Of Washington
numbered thirty -four (S4 thirty five (S5 and thir-
ty-six (36, in block numbered thirty-six t36), az
and according to plat Of subdivision recorded In
Of o
numbered seventeen QO. eighteen QS, nineteen
Qe). twenty co., thirty l34. thirty five (a5).
thirty nine tsS, and forty t4SS, In block nunbSred
forty {40l per plat recorded In Lfber Conny No.
L. page T. Of the records Of said surveyors once
ty-three (33), In block numbered seventy-four 7l)
as per plat recorded in Liber County No. Q. page
10, of the records Of said surveyors once Of the
Terms Of sale: One third Of the purchase money
to be paid in cash and the balance to be paid In
two equal installments, respectively, in one and
property sold with interest payable SENT snnuaiIy
at the rate OF i've per cent per annum, all
cash, at the option. OF the purchaser. A deposit
sale. Sale to be closed In fifteen days from day
the risk and cost Of defsultins purchaser after
In the city of Washington, D. G. Conveyancing
BENJAMIN 3. LEIGHTON. Trustee.
CLARENCE B. RHEEM. Trustee,
fa2H-dAda Ola NJ
Evening star., 1902-01-31
BALTIMORE s. OHIO
RAILROAD.


fsir lsaTe Wasnington. @ New Jersey ave. and @ st
Cincinnati, st. Louis and Louisville sI0.0s -
s3:45 p tn, 81 10 night. ~ s-a'.,
Pittsburg and Cleveland. s1o:A5 am. ss.ao
and 100 night S''~ Pm.
Columbus and Wheeling, .e:20 pm.
Winchester, ts:35 an, t3:45 and rs aon
AnnaDolis. Ills. $3.50. 1895. tl1:Os an .s.s
Frederick. ts:s5. $780, t1o:4s am. n.,s ,..,o
fS:22 pm. sA'Ao' rA:So
Hagrrstown. t1o:o5 am. and t5:so
Boyd and way points, ts:3S, $500 an M.
f4:So. 1880. slo:15. fl1:30 pm. s'Ae
312:5o. Si:I5. 1900 fs:so. $500, 200 IN IN
fT:20 slo:I5. I'll 30 pm. '' H'oo'
Washington Junction and way points, ts:ss 70.
am., lis. t4:30. 1850 pm. ss'oo
Baltimore, week days x3:0O $780, Gan YIN.
Hiss $3.50. s:ss. x9:ao, x1o,0o II IS M ris
boon Il a5. 1900. x4:o0. 1850 4:a5 x5:05 n: AZ
days I3oo, I7:oo. x7:11 $40, 1900 a m. .1a: :so
AIS. x3:oo. K3 80, xo:oo, 1888, $50 xs:0
k10:0o, Ill 30, I'll :35 pm.
ROYAL. Blue LINE.
All trains Illuminated with Ptntsch Iixht
Baltimore, Phfladelphta, New York Bosto, and
fhs east 800 .I:oo tdiner. ts:3o (bu1st). 900
RoysI Limited, dInerJ. t4:oo tbufIsa5 bns .sS s:oS
tdiner,. 800 and 'I1:so pm. (sleepinS car opss
~ 1000 o'clock.
Pullman cars on all day trains
Atlantic City, 1880 noon.
sDaily. Except Sunday. fSundav onav
xExpress trains. s'
fesid~nces BY Union Transfer Co. on orders left M
ticket Offices. SO Pennsylvania avenue northvs.f
New York avenue and 18th street and at station.
nolS
Evening star., 1902-01-31

by large buildings. Hhicl viii be absolute
ly wasted when th4 government comes TO
tear them down later Assuming that the
squares will progress at an even rate for
the future on that basis the interest OF the
government would require the taking of the
more valuable sQuaresffEys That on one
corner, in square "a 4ch Us now yaeans.
the owner must, s4f-defeuse. if the
square Is not taken, Nrect modern baifd-
ing to cost at least $4,000. otherwise the
owner will lose In fifteen years a sum
certainly over $1000Qs a year by the unim-
proved condition Of that valuable lot. 1t
stands to reason, therefore, that he mutt
improve the same, which Improvement will
be a dead loss to the government when the
property comes to be taken at the exp1ra-
tion of the probable period. That these two
sums of clear money, more than one-half
million dollars are not the only losses to
which the government VIII be subjected by
taking square 167 first. That if 1t takes
square 1877 It must needs tear down its own
improved property, namely. the Court Of
Claims which was recently purchased for
that purpose and that In addition to the
above, the value of the Court Of Claims
building must be added to the governments
loss by taking square 167. sS
That square 221 is nearer the executive
offices OF the White House. and In all cost
of construction and communication there
will be decided percentage OF cheapness
In putting executive offices in square 221
1t was pointed out by the objectors that
in their opinion, the present Riggs National
Evening star., 1902-01-31
MONTEZUMA'S BALL GAME.
The Ancient Aztecs Had a Sport Simf-
lar to Tennis.

The Ancient Aztecs Had a Sport SINH
lar to Tennis.
From Modern Mexico.
In the ruins Of Uxmal and Chichen 1taz,
Yucatan, there are supposed to have been
inclosed immense gymnasiums or apart
ments where many kinds of games were
played. Inserted in the longer walls. mid
way between the ends and twenty feet
from the ground, were sculptured stone
rings that for long time baffied arch
aeologists as to even con1ecturaI use.
The hole in the rings at Chichen1s one foot
seven inches in diameter, the two great
openings exactly face each other, and the
walls in which they are inserted are thirty
feet thick, 274 feet long and 120 feet apart
Some Of the explorers have claimed that
this great building was an unfinished
temple, since it undoubtedly contained idols
set In inches, but 1t is reasonable to assume
that all buildings of such size and impor-
tance contained idols, and that they were
worshiped and propitiated with gifts In
all sports, as well as at times Of more sert-
GUS undertakings.
The scholars who claim that this struc-
ture was once great tennis court and ball
ground are supported by Herrera In his
account Of the diversions of Montezuma.
He says: 1.-THE king took much delight In
seeing sport at ball. which the spaniards
have since prohibited because OF the mis-
chief that often happened at it. and was
called by them 'Tlachtli.' being like our
tennis The ball was made Of the gum Of
a tree that grows in hot countries, which,
having holes made in 1t. distils great white
drops that soon harden, and. being nodded
and worked together, turn as black as
pitch. The balls made thereof. though
hard and heavy to the hand. did bound and
fly as well as our foot balls, there being
no need to blow them; nor did they use
chases. but Wed to drive the adverse party
that Is to hit the ball. the others were to
make good or strike 1t over. They struck
1t with any part Of the body, as 1t hap
pened. or they could most conveniently, and
sometimes he lost that touched 1t with
any other part but his hip. They might
strike 1t every time 1t rebounded, which it
would do several times. one after another,
insomuch that 1t looked as If 1t had been
alive. They played In parties. so many on
a side. for load Of mantles, or what the
gamesters could afford. at SO many scores.
Evening star., 1902-01-31
STREETS OF FLORENCE.
Fierce Wind FroM ASennine. Blox,
During Winter.

Fierce Wind 'Froia ennine. Blows
During Winter.
William E. Curtis in thzEGhiczgo Record Herald.
Although Florence Is the most popular
place OF residence in Europe for Americans,
excepting those great capitals, London,
Paris and Rome, 1t does not appeal to me
IKE some other cities. The streets are
narrow, dark and cold. A fierce wind from
the Apennines is blowing more than half
the time from Noye efnber still April, and
they act like the fues Of Chimney, so that
the rush of air rs cofIcels straked IN them and
seems colder and stronger than it actually
Is. ihe. sunshine never reaches many of
the streets, and the palaces, although most
OF tnem are ideals In architecture so far as
the exteriors are concerned, are monstrous
piles of stone and brick, divided into enor-
nous rooms, seldom less than twenty by
tnlrty feet and as often as large as forty by
sixty In size, and with ceilings from twenty
to forty feet high. There are no means Of
heatInS, Whatever, and it would be difficult
10 warm them with the, biggest coils OF
steam pipe ever constructed. They are
Wlthout comforts or conveniences and are
as as eneerless as prisons. When You put
your naho against plastered wall at mid
day 1t Is as cold as a block of ice. The rea-
son why these gloomy old piles are always
cooI In the summer is that summer doesn't
.a .ast iong enough to let the heat work
There Is very little satisfaction in sb,ver-
ing Ia with cold from morning till night, even
~ nn one goes live In building designed by
M Miehaei Angelo and can turn his head to
tuu sne eeLIng at any time and study fresco
oy Raphaei. A good anthracite base burner
IN IN chicago boarding house is preferable
10 such grandeur. And was never able to
,o morh up any enthusiasm for art in a gall
~ e mneIe the stone floors are SO cold that
In. .ne Ieet become numb In very few min
..oe uees. ana the air SO frosty that you can see
sv your oleath; and the heart goes out in
go to the Uff1zi and Pitti galleries every da "
ana copy pictures while garbed in heavy
bpxercoats, pe, with their legs wrapped up in
with cold. Diue
TOT nVe months in the year the churches
" L.1' = iorence are refrigerators warranted to
emu Gnu nun human flesh in a very few moments,
daoan1s anu sns Iact that their architecture and
hot-air furnace. .of
Evening star., 1902-01-31
An Old Superstition.
From the London Chronicle.

?
Superstition connected with the seventh
child Of a seventh child Is commemorated
by tombstone In village church yard
near Bridgewater. Somerset. This inscrip-
ton runs: Sacred to the memory OF Doc
tress Anne Pounsberry, who departed this
life December Ii, 1918. aged seventy-three
years. Stand still and consider the won-
drous works of God" "Doctress'' was not
merely an epfthet. but a baptismal name
for she was q seventh daughter Of a sew
enth daughter. and was, therefore, cred.
led with powers of healing. She practiced
Ia herbs and charms For kings evil this
was her prescription: Take the legs of q
toad. Bake and grind them to powder with
pestle and mortar. Place the powder in q
bag round the neck Of the sufferer
Evening star., 1902-01-31
FUTURE DAYS,
THos. J. OWEN SON. AUcTs.. e1s F ST. NV.

TRUSTEES SALE OF VALUABLE TWO STORY
BRICK DWELLING, NO. Gil p STREET
NORTHWEST. WASHINGTON, D. G.
By virtue Of q deed Of trust to u.s. dated the
18th day Of January, 1900, and duly recorded
among the land records Of the District of Column
bia In Ldber 2442 at folio 842 ct seQ., we win
Sell, at public auction, in front Of the premises
on THURSDAY. THE THIRTEENTH bay OF
FEBRUARY. A. D. 1902, AT HALF-PAsT FoUR
O'CLOCK PM, the following described property
situate in the city Of Washington, District Of Co.
lumbia. and known as lot numbered one hundred
and forty-two u42) in William 2. Partello's sub
division Of lots In square numbered four hundred
and forty (44b), as per plat recorded In the
office Of the surveyor for said District In Liber H.
at folio 1sS
Terms Of sale: One-third cash and the balance
In one ~. two (9 and three (3 years, the de-
ferred payments to be represented by notes of the
purchaser secured by deed Of trust upon the prop
erty sold and to bear interest at the rate of I've
per cent per annum, payable semiannually; or all
cash. at the option of the purchaser. deposit OF
two hundred and fifty dollars to be required at the
time of sale and all conveyancing recording and
revenue stamps to be at the cost Of the purchaser
Terms of sale to be complied with within ten DAYS
from day Of sale, otherwise the trustees reserve
the right to resell the property at the rtsk and
five days notice Of such resale In some news
paper published In the city of Washington, d. O.
ALBERT A. WILSON,
JOHN B. LARNER,
ja31-d&ds Trustees, 1885 + Ut. NV
Evening star., 1902-01-31
Surviving Union Commanders.
from the New York Sun.

General Oliver o. Howard, In a remi-
niscent mood, says that of the twenty
seven commanders of Union armies during
the civil war only two survive, General Sco-
field and himself. General Scof1eld COM
manded the department and army Of the
Ohio for a brief time in 1854, but In the fields
he always served, we believe, under others
under Sherman in the Atlanta campaign
and under Thomas when Hood invaded
Tennessee. Scof1eld checked the confed-
crate general in the famous and bloody
battle Of Franklin. General Howard was
for some time In command of the army of
Tennessee, and attained the rank of briga-
dier general In the regular army before
the close of the war. Speaking of the
forty corps commanders on the Union side
he says: "Of them only ten are living. AS
recall them, there are Slckles OF the Sd
Corps, Stanley and Thomas John Wood Of
the 4th Corps, Wilcox Of the 9th Corps,
Siegel Carl Schurz and Stahl Of the 11th
Corps, Granville M. Dodge of the 10th
Corps, Badly Smith and General Alex
ander Mcdowell McCook" General How
ard has omitted Adelbert Ames. who at
one time commanded the 10th Corps. and
William B. Franklin, who commanded the
9Th and 10Th, and who at Fredericksbur
directed the movements Of what was called
the left general division, consisting of two
COrpS.
Evening star., 1902-01-31
FUTURE DAYS.


TRuSTEES SALE OF TwO-sroRY RRIcx
DWELLING, NO. 211 r STREET NORTHEaST
BY virtue OF a certain deed of trust dated rls
cember le. 1893, and recorded In Liber 24aT m
folio Jos ct seq, one Of the land records Of the
District on Columbia, and at the request OF the
party secured thereby We, the undersigned trps-
tees, viii sell at public auction, In front OF thn
premises. on SATURDAY, THE EIGHTH DAY oF
FEBRCARY. A. ID. 1902 AT HALF-PAST FOTfR
O'CLOCK Pm. the following described real estate
situate In the city of Washington, District of o.
lumbis. known and distinguished as and hefns
parts OF original lots numbered four "a and Az
t5}, In square numbered seven hundred and arr
five (7o5l, beginning for the same at the northass,
corner OF said lot i've 80, and thence running son
one hundred and twenty (120) feet; thence runnInx
west twenty five f25t feet; thence running norfs
ten uOy Feet; thence running east Eve ~ feet.
thence running north one hundred and rem n 1n
Feet TO E" street. and thence running east IN ,h2
place OF beginning, with the right of wsy and frss
use forever across the following parts OF said lots
as an alley way. beginning on '.E' street twentx
slW rect west OF the northeast corner Of said LOT
hve t5l, and thence running south one hundred and
ten 1l0D feet; thence running west five m ,aa,.
thence running north one hundred and ten nIo,
Feet to e street and thence running essf To IN.
place or beginning together with the imnroya
nents thereon. Sold subject TO A certain nrlar
deed or trust to So 600 further ms rtc,'ias
OF which win be stated at sale.
Terms: All over and above said existing tncrno
brance to be paid in cash. deposit of 800 re-
Quired at time OF sale. All conveyancfng and re
cording at cost OF purchaser. Terms TO he com
piled with within ten days from day OF ssle a.
trustees VIII resell risk and cost Of defeui.tn.
purchaser. RICHARD E. PAIRo Trustee 1NA''ns
ja29-d&ds trustee.