Evening star., 1903-08-15
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told him dat? said the old man to me one
day. He jess looked mad. hit me over de
a id rascal for addressing him in such
a manner. The old man says he never
again attempted to use words that he did
not understand"
1t is safe to say that some of the young
natives of China who recently came to
Washington as students to obtain an Eng
lish education are not thoroughly in ac-
cord with some of the actions of fresh
young American girls.
The other day a youthful and unsuspect-
ing oriental boarded a south-bound 18th
street car. taking a seat directly in front
of two Washington girls. who were keeping
both eyes open looking for mischief. 1t is
an old adage that people usually find what
they are looking for, and in the case in
point the truth of the adage was proved.
AS the young Chinese seated himself he
carefully threw his elaborately dressed
queue over the back of the seat. The end
of this hirsute appendage was tied with
stout silk cord. The girls were unable to
resist the temptation. Deity they picked
up the end of the queue and tied the cord
tightly to a rung in the car seat
The student from the far east rang the
bell for New York avenue, and when the
car stopped he arose and attempted to
alight Something seemed to hold him, and
further efforts to get off the car caused
the young man to jerk his head in a v.o-
lent manner and then turn all sorts of red.
The conductor was unacquainted with the
cause for the young mans delay in getting
of the car, and gave the hurry up call
with show of impatience, but the youth
could not bulge. Blushing below the collar
bone, the student turned and attempted to
undo the silk cord, but he was finally
Obliged to accept the assistance of the con-
ductor who came to his rescue.
During the youths strenuous efforts to
release himself the young girls made mer-
ry with numerous facetious gurgles and
giggles. with which they seemed to be over
stocked. all of which added to the celes-
tails embarrassment.
The other evening five Chinese students
were noticed waiting at the corner Of 14th
and r streets. They let several heavily
loaded cars pass. but finally when an al
most empty car came along they made a
wild rush for the back seat of the trailer.
The five students seated themselves in the
rear seat. and each one carefully tucked his
queue under his arm and assured himself
that no giddy young ladies were standing
on the rear platform.
x i
Running lawn mower is like playing
tennis. 1t looks mighty easy. but it is not"
If the speaker had expected any one to dis
agree with him he was disappointed. for his
profound observation was received in en-
tire silence by the group of men who sat
on the porch Of a country house.
IF lawn mowers were recent inventions"
remarked one of the group in sort of
dreamy. speculative fashion, you might
expect to hear variety of opinions on the
statement just made. For naturally at
such period in the history of the introduc-
ton of an invention but few persons have
had an opportunity to gain any practical
experience. Their ideas would be based on
pictures they had seen of the pleasing epi-
sode in the life of the happy suburbani1e
There he Is shown by the gifted artist as
having returned home after an arduous day
in the hot city. He is greeted at the porch
by his wife wearing the latest thing in sum-
mer gowns and looking as if she had not a
care in the world. About her are the chill
dren, also in stylish summer apparel.
They are waiting to see the husband and
father run the lawn mower, the one excite
ment in their day, and not to disappoint
their fond anticipations, he SeZes the ham
die and starts gaily off, cheered on by the
smiles of his adoring family. That is the
picture of seraphic lawn mower on
lawn that was not made with human hands.
The handle does not seek to penetrate the
contented abdomen of the prosperous citi-
zen. nor do it's knives skip over patches of
grass without scarcely leaving a trace be-
hind. In fact there is quite catalogue of
virtues of the ideal machine which the one
the average man has to use does not have"
''Then 1t is your opinion" said the first
speaker. that the real character of the
lawn mower Is generally known
There is no doubt about that" was the
reply. 1.-The fact is that the machine Is SO
thoroughly understood that it's use Is now
confined only to those who know enough to
handle it without reducing 1t to such con-
dition that 1t has to be sent to the shop for
repairs before 1t can be operated again
However. it Is useful and innocent form
of taking exercise. and. like everything of
the sort, has it's brief day as form of rec
reation or even of work of amateurs"
X X X
The medical department of the army has
adopted a new form of recruiting poster
designed by Lieut.. Col. John Van r. Hoff.
deputy surgeon general. stationed at Fort
Leavenworth. Kan. The poster contains
fac-simile Of the United States coat-of-
arms in colors, and also the figure of
stalwart soldier in complete military attire
of khaki blowing bugle. the blast of
which gives notice that able-bodied men Of
prescribed qualifications are wanted" in
the hospital corps of the army. 1t is stated
that those with some experience in nurs-
ing. cooking, pharmacy, clerical work. the
handling of tools and care of animals are
particularly desired but any bright young
man can be enlisted provided he is of good
moral character. is able to pass the re-
quired physical examination and has a
common school education