davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1903-10-18
THE LONG AND SHORT OF :: :
:: :: THE NAVY DEPARTMENT

- HANDEHERS I'm the Navy De-
partment corridors dodge when.
George r. VIII enters the build
ing. He towers above all the
six-footers and can look over the
screens which are arranged I'm front OF
Office doors without standing on tiptoe.
Mr.. VIII Is six feet six inches tall in
his stocking feet. and makes most of the
other clerks I'm the department look like
pigmies He has seen service in the
American and British navies, as we'll as
in the merchant marines of the two
countries He was in business in Jack
sonyiue. Fla. when the Spanish war
broke out His love Of the sea and pa
triotism forced him into the American
navy again. and at the close of the war
he came TO Washington and entered the
service Of the Bureau OF Navigation I'm
the Navy Department
At the time of the peace jubilee Mr.
VIII was dressed as Uncle Sam. and at
tractcd more. attention than any other
feature Of the great parade lie is a
Scotchman by birth, n native of Edin-
burgh. but has lived on the sea most Of
his life. lie married in the United
States and has become a thorough
American.
five feet is a mighty drop. Chandeliers
in the Navy Department do not dodge
when Capt. Joseph Banner. the short
est employe in the building moves
through the halls. Captain Banner is a
fraction of an inch less than five feet
tall. and his plump, round figure makes
him appear even shorter. He is a native
of France, but has lived in this country
since he was three years old.
He was the youngest boy in the Con-
Tolerate army, entering as a drummer
with the Third Alabama Infantry when
he was barely thirteen years old. He
was with the Army OF Virginia until
after the battle Of Seven Pines, when he
was transferred to the Thirty-sixth Ala
bama Infantry and the Army OF the
West lie did not leave the service IN
4 I'll after the battle at Spanish Fort. Mo-
bile Bay. an engagement which took
place after General Lees surrender.
Captain Baumer was a sergeant major
when the war ended and would have had
q commission had he been old enough.
Since 1877 Captain Banner has been in
the Government service in Washington.
He served as assistant clerk TO the Dis
trict Of Columbia Senate Committee and
The Washington times., 1903-10-18

produced in embroidery. and the woman
who is consistent viii have the same
flowers repeated in the embroidery on
her underwear.
Parasols of thin gauzy materials have
the milliners' flowers outlining the
edges and in cluster at the top. There
are innumerable bead bags in old-time
flower designs and flowers in silver out
line the edges Of card cases and purses
in fine leather. In jewelry there are
exquisitely beautiful brooches and pen
dants in flower designs, enamels being
used In these IN combination with Jewels
to produce the natural color tints. Even
a small chatelaine watch is finished in
flowers in relief, and the pin which
holds Il shows flower designs to match.
There are few things in flowers that
cannot be found, and few waTdrObes in
which they do not appear in one way
or another.
The Washington times., 1903-10-18

constructed the machinery. including
the locomotives and rolling stock. OF
the St Petersburg and Moscow Rail
road.
The first shovel was worked for a
short time in Maryland on the Balti-
more and Ohio Railroad, and was then
taken to Massachusetts. where It
did a large amount of excavating on
what is now the Boston and Albany
Railroad.
The chief engineer, Colonel Whistler.
graduate OF West Point. and father OF
the famous artist, was so pleased with
the working of the Otis machine that
when called to Russia 20 survey and
construct the Russian railroad between
St Petersburg and Moscow. he induced
the government to purchase two OF the
excavators. Through his influence also
the contract was awarded to the Amer
lean firm named.
The fourth shovel built was taken 20
England and patented there, butt the
British contractors would have nothing
TO do with the Yankee invention, "
though since the expiration of the pat
tent they have built and used many OF
them, calling them steam navvies," and
doubtless claiming they are a British
invention.
Mr.. Otis. the inventor. died in 1899
| and did not live to enjoy the fame his
steam shovel would have brought him
II is now in use all over the world. and
The Washington times., 1903-10-18

7 T is indeed true as the French writ
er says. that one needs handker-
chiefs for the mornings. handker-
chiefs TO walk with, handkerchiefs to go
TO church with, handkerchiefs to lose
and to give away, handkerchiefs for
washerwomen-and for lovers-to steal
and. he might have added, handkerchief
to leave behind to furnish a clue to the
mystery handkerchiefs for an Othello to
find and have over.
In Egypt the handkerchief, says the
Denver Republican" was counted as
an amulet, and among the Moors as a
love token. Grecian women appear on
their vases musing pensively with a
large cloth in the right hand, and amons
the Romans the unitarian use Of hand
kerchiefs was deplored by Juvenal.
With Elizabeth OF England the hand
kerchief. like all articles Of the toilet
was much to be considered. and was
trimmed with lace and decked with en-
broidery Tiny squares Of finest lawn
The Washington times., 1903-10-18
ORIGIN OF 1.-TWO BITS"

GSNID you ever hear the expression
L. two bits used as an equivalent
for a quarter OF dollar?" asked a
Washington bank teller. THE term is
commonly used in the South and West.
Not one person in 1000 even of those
who habitually use the term know its
origin.
Even as late as the close OF the
eighteenth century the silver coinage OF
the United States had not superseded
the Spanish 'milled' dollar I'm the West
and South. Fractional currency was par
ticularly scarce. and to obtain this the
Spanish 'milled' dollar was cut up To
make change. Halves and quarters. OF
course, suggested their own names, but
when the quarter was cut in two the
word eighth was discarded for bit a
small slug having the value OF 121z
cents. Many curio collectors have these
slugs in their possession, although. OF
course, they have long since gone out OF
use as currency.
so with "Trip used in New Orleans
and the vicinity as an equivalent for the
nickel or scent piece. 'Thrip' is mere
ly an abbreviation OF 'threepence.' IN,
coin of that value once IN general US,
representing about the same amount O
money as a scent piece"
The Washington times., 1903-10-18

finely wrought. edged with gold lace and
folded neatly, were made purposely for
love tokens, and were given by court
ladies to their lovers, who wore the
dainty tokens in their hats
Now the handkerchief is a thing of
sentiment. from which one may read a
little of my lady's character, for the
dainty woman always has a delicate.
snowy bit of linen, edged around with
lace, delieately perfumed, and with a
certain freshness about II. as if it we're
never used but once
Indeed, japanese ladies never do use
a handkerchief more than once. any more
than they use a toothbrush the second
time. a tiny bit OF paper handkerchief
is that affected by my lady of chrysan-
themum land 1t is tucked into her sash
or obi. and used If necessary and thrown
away
For morning there are fine and thin
grass linen squares, with faint bit o:
color in the border. and very smart they
The Washington times., 1903-10-18

And many OF the designs are in flow
ers. and there are flowers to be found
in everything. There is no article Of
wearing apparel in which they do not
appear. woman may wear a lingerie
hat trimmed with a particular flower,
which will give the keynote to her cos
tune. The flowers may be Of the or
binary milliner's kind, or they may be
embroidered. or they may be of both
kinds. There may be a gown of some
thin material with similar flowers IN
the design or embroidered upon it. The
parasol shows the flowers woven in the
silk or hand-painted. A sash may re-
peat the flowers, and, as in the para
sol. they are in the design of the silk,
or painted. Silk gloves have flowers
embroidered IN colors upon the backs.
and silk hosiery has the flowers re e
peated in embroidery or inset in lace
Handkerchiefs. again, have flowers re-
The Washington times., 1903-10-18

look peeping from a pocket. and for the
afternoon there are sheer squares Of the
lawn. most delicately embroidered in fine
and close rather than elaborate patterns.
For evening the tiny squares are edged
around with real Valenciennes lace, aud
very tiny they are, too. For there is
never a pocket in an evening gown, and
it Is we'll to have the handkerchief
small enough to be tucked away in a
small space.
For some reason a fine and pretty
handkerchief will almost redeem an old
or commonplace toilet. Somehow. in the
eyes Of her sister women, the girl who
is always dainty enough 10 carry some
thing nice for a handkerchief, even with
plain attire, rises several degrees in
regard.
And TO the lover there is a great
amount of sentiment attached to the
little flmy trife he finds in her book or
beside her chair. redOlent Of the perfume
she always exhales, and warm from the
touch of her hand.
The Washington times., 1903-10-18

STUDENT OF popular songs lives
n in this city. He collects the
Il u songs that the people like best
ana IN his library he must now have at
least 200 dittIes. He is taking notes.
irving 70 plumb the public taste, intend
ing. probably, TO write popular songs
himself when he shall have learned the
recipe. He talked the other day about
the peoples taste in songs.
cit incIines." he said. toward the pa
thetic-a crude pathos. once Was
Pure as Thou is a good type. later
type is They All Spoke Well Of YOU
which I have just picked up"
The student recited They All Spoke
Well OF You" from memory Some or
the songs words follow here. They are
interesting. because they show what
certain humorous portion of the public
likes In the way OF songs. The words
told OF a girl In a dance hall where col
lege players were being welcomed home.
one chap told her he had seen her par
ents. and. turning pale, she asked what
the folks at home each had to say"
This is the answer in the form Of a
chorus:
They an spoke well u you.
Their love remains the same;
They're waiting tbs % welcome you,
Although you wers d, blame.
They have laid aeay Zach token;
They're keeping them Tor youi
There's "a group az home heart broken,
They all spoke well Of you.
The song goes on 20 tell how at the
end of the dance the girls college friend
then said Goodnight. They're playing
Home. Sweet Home. The girl never
heard It sound so sweet before and said:
The Washington times., 1903-10-18

" He flower fad Of this season is
one Of the feminine fripperies
which follow along in the wake
OF the athletic girl. The more women
take TO outdoor sports and so-called
mannish things the more they accentu-
ate the feminine sides OF their natures
by pretty and dainty garments OF all
kinds. There was never a time when
women amused themselves so much in
the open air. and never time when
they were more dainty in dress. Under
wear is a dream Of fneness and deli
cacy. and the garments for outside wear
are marvels of chiffons and fine muslin
and lace Embroidery is at premium,
OF IL might rather be said that II is
below par. for there has been so great
n demand for II that the market is al
most overstocked. Never could such
pretty things in embroidery be bought
for so little money.
The Washington times., 1903-10-18
TO A BUDDING BARD
into vour writing den

Retire into your writing den.
Put beeswax on your easy chair,
Take reams Of paper. nib your pen,
And ruffie your poetic hairi
Don't write Of lOve-it's out Of date
But try your hand at something new;
Work out a subject really great,
And make il brilliant, If not true.
And, II you're lacking for some rhymes.
Look up the poets-they'n supply you
'Tis one Of those quite yenial crimes,
For which the public won't decry yOui
You pause In doubt? A phrase OF Greek
VIII turn your lines in proper meter;
Or, il in French a rhyme you seek,
Your verses viii appear much sweeter.
And then I think. II I were you,
I wouldn't send them to the papers.
But twist them up--I often do
Into the neatest smoking tapers.
La TOuche Hancock.
The Washington times., 1903-10-18
STORY OF THE INVENTION :: ::
:. :. OF THE STEAM SHOVEL

HE ANY Washingtonians h ave
NH stood recently on the banks
along the route Of the APP
proaches to the new railroad
terminal, and have watched with in
terest tho work of the steam shovels
eating into the hills and removing the
earth at a rate to astonish the I'M
initiated. Some may have wondered
who invented this wonderful labor-sav-
Ing device. They may have asked the
worlmen. and have received no salts
factory answer to the question.
The steam shovel was invented by
William S. Otis. of Boston. and the
accompanying illustration is from
photograph of a drawing made of the
machine after it had been perfected and
put to work. OF course. many i'm
provements have been made in the
machine since that time, but the essen
tial principle Of the modern steam
shovel has not been changed since it
was worked out by Mr. Otis The in
ventOr's name was long ago forgotten,
and IL was left for The Times TO bring
it to light from the mists of history
buried In the Patent Office.
William S. Otis is a member OF the
family which has given many of its
distinguished sons to the service of the
country. Among them was James Otis,
the revolutionary patriot and orator;
Harrison Gray Otis, the first mayor Of
Boston and United States Senator from
Massachusetts; John Otis. United States
Senator from Maine. and Elwell S.
OTIS, major general. L. S. A John
/ Otis, ancestor of the family. migrated
from England and found a home in
Massachusetts, in 1893 From him de-
/ scended all of the name in the United
States.
Otis the Inventor.
William S. Otis, the inventor Of the
steam shovel. was born in Massachu-
sets, but was a resident of PhiladeI-
phia at the time of the invention His
! father, one Of the early canal and
! railroad contractors. went to live tenn
| porarily In that city in 1880 having con-
| tracted to construct one of the first
| railroads running out of Philadelphia,
/ known as the Philadelphia, German
town and Norristown Railroad
| While in Philadelphia assisting his
I father. the idea entered the young
mans mind that some Of the high banks
| through which the line was 10 be graded
| could be cut down by steam. He ex-
perimented upon the problem, and. in
/ 1884. had the satisfaction of working
his first steam shovel. which was built
/ by the firm of Eastwick & Harrison.
1t was named The American Steam
! Excavator." The builders afterward
under the style Of Harrison, Winans g.
Eastwick, went to Russia, and there
The Washington times., 1903-10-18

havin' a cup o. tea with me, as well an
comfortable in her health as you please,
an where is she now Gawd knowsl Amt
it awful?''
do you know"
There's new family in the tenement
already. an I amt called yet, an I amt
expectin' 10 find 'em the equal of Nancy
McCarty. although 1 amt one TO set in
judgment on nobody. l like 10 be friend
", even with folks I amt no wish TO be
intimut with, an I make IT rule TO call
on everybody that moves IN. although.
between you an me an the lamppost,
there's families IN this tenement I don't
call my equal by a derned sight, but I
wouldn't want Il said as comm from me,
for you know"
"Can you tell me if
Now. you take that family on the
fourth floor back, whose name won {
mention, not wantin' to make trouble
but when a certain broken-nosed white
pitcher goes out o. their tenement four
or even six times in a day 1t don't go
for milk. an I say, an I always have
said, an I always will say. that no lady
will
'Will you please tell me f.
mot than l object TO a little ale OF
beer now an then. That amt il. Now
there's Mrs. Lannigan, in the third
1oor front tenement, TO the right. She
uses a little ale, but she don't go FOL
IL with a broken nosed pitcher, but ha:
! IL sent in a respectable way from tbs
grocery an has her friends in TO share
| IL with her. an mebbe some nice cheese
! an crackers with IL, in a Iadyied way
! but them trash on the fourth floor back
whose name l won't mention, not bein
one TO make talk about anyone, they
| brings IN their beer In a broken noseC
| pitcher. an they don't ask nobody I,
share it with them, nor
| Il wanted to ask"
| There's another family in this tene
! ment no one would put on Grape for
| they left. an, il wouldn't s'prise no ont
| If they left between two days. There
| all kinds of rumOrs gOin' about 'em
an mebbe some OF it is a pack OF lies
I for | have lived in this world loni
/ enough TO know that you cant bleev,
all you hear, not even if you read it il
The Washington times., 1903-10-18
"GF | WUS PRESIDENT. 3"

"If I wus only President,
Said Little Billie Searles,
ct wouldn't low no schools TO start,
Exceptin' for the girls
They amt no use to edercate
A kid with any sense.
He'll learn hisself; they's somethin'
wrong
With all our Presidents.
'eNov what's the use o. breakin' In
On ali a feller's FUN,
An pen i'm up in school Jes' when
The muffin times begunY
An what's the use to load i'm down
With things like 'rithmetics2
He'd great deal ruther be outdoors,
A-flshin' IN the cricks.
Now what's the use uf grammar i?
Pshaw!
They amt none, kin see,
An as fer spellin'-why, II comes
Jes' natural Ger me.
wish tibet l wus runnin' things,
You bet your bottom cent
They wouldn't be no schools for boys
II l wus President"
The Washington times., 1903-10-18

THAT is known as the George
NM town Penitentiary is located
on the west side OF Thirty
second Street. a little way
south Of the canal. This is one Of the
Oldest buildings in Georgetown, and the
date OF its construction is lost in that
vague period OF events before the lay
ing out Of the Federal District. II was
used as a municipal prison in 1876, and
appears 10 have been at least in an IN
safe. K not a dilapidated condition. In
October OF that year. Michael Dulaney
and Matthew Dulaney were arrested on
suspicion OF having burned the old to-
hacco warehouse which stood on the site
now occupied by the car barn OF the
Capital Traction Company, and were In
carcerated IN this building.
The bailiffs. after watching their pris-
oners for one or two days, appeared be-
fore the council. and said that, in their
opinion. the building was unsafe as a
place OF detention for such noted law
breakers, and asked that a special guard
might be assigned 10 watch them At
ter a consideration OF the matter the
council voted that the men should be
placed IN irons. and two men, in addi-
ton TO the bailiffs, were hired to- watch
the men until their trial came off, in
about two weeks from the time OF the
arrest.
The building, a large and roomy af-
fair. was built for 4 prison, and was for
many years the only place Of detention
in the lower part OF Montgomery county.
Nd, where lawbreakers could be locked
The Washington times., 1903-10-18
SUCCESS OF POPULAR SONGS

I'm going home to stay, no more I'll
ever roam. So tell me what the folks
said Just once more"
'In a certain type of theater." said
the song collector, Il have seen. on
matinee days, many people weeping like
pumps during the singing of this song"
The Washington times., 1903-10-18

A PHILADELPHIA reporter had oc-
"A casion 10 call at slum tene-
ment house the other day in
search OF some one he wanted to inter
view Rapping on the door at the head
of a couple OF flights OF steps, unswept
within the memory OF any one now lv-
ing. the door was opened by large, red
faced woman, with her muscular red
arms bare to the shoulder and with
dough clinging to her short. fat fingers
beg pardon for interrupting you.
madam" said the reporter. but do you
Lnow the other occupants OF this build
ing?"
well, / should say that I did, seem
that I have lived here as long agin IS
anv one exceptln' Mrs. McCarty, who died
last Monday an was buried OF Wednes-
day. pore thing! Why. 1t was only ten
DAVIS ago that she set at that table there
The Washington times., 1903-10-18
Fall Fash

Miss DE styie-I suppose
OF YOU this fall?
Mr. Gunbustl-Nu; I'll IN .I
continually.-NcW York sun
The Washington times., 1903-10-18

was clerk Of the House Committee on
Naval Affairs for fourteen years. After
leaving the Capitol he became chief
The Washington times., 1903-10-18

clerk Of the Bureau Of Navigation, at
the Navy Department, and is still en-
ployed in that bureau.
The Washington times., 1903-10-18
The Supreme Test.

II a man IS the guest Of
bic longer than six month
a mighty good sign.-Atch
New-York tribune., 1903-08-09
FERDINAND THE ARBITER.
Fear at Vienna That He May Be
Forced Into Var z0ith Turkey.

Vienna, Aug S-The government is still with
out definite news regarding Macedonia, but the
opinion in usually well informed quarters is that
grave events are likely to develop from the pres
ent disturbances before the SHOWS come and
drive the insurgents from the mountains.
The renewal of the outbreaks was expected
to take place later in the month but the revolu-
tionary committee anticipated the proposed date
by three weeks apparently hoping thereby, to
catch the Turks mapping. The insurgents ap-
pear to be in respects in a more favorable
position at the present moment than heretofore.
They are we'll armed and are said to have suffl-
cient money to prosecute vigorous campaign
until the winter, and to resume the fighting in
the early spring
On the other hand. the Turkish troops have
been five months in the field, and are further
disheartened by not having received any pay.
They are reported to be deserting in increasing
numbers The strong Ottoman relnforcements
which have been ordered into the field, however,
may suffice to crush the movement before 1t at
tains the dimensions threatened by the insurgent
leaders.
1t is thought that the position of the Mace
domains has been greatly strengthened by the
simultaneous disturbances in Armenia as 1t is
considered that the latter movement is more
lfLelv to attract sympathy from Europe and
lead to a consideration of the whole situation
In the Turkish Empire.
One Of the most prominent figures in the Bal
kan situation is Prince Ferdin md OF Bulgaria,
upon whose attitude at the present juncture
neace or war is believed to depend. If he elects
to continue the policy desired by the powers, the
disturbances may be confined to a few skir-
mishes and dynamite outrages and Turco-
bulgarian war may be averted this year 1t is
recognized that the increasing pressure of the
revolutionary committee may force him to take
action.
King Peter of Servia is new and unknown
factor in the situation but in view of his age,
renu+atfon for prudence and his friendship for
Austria if is thought unlikely that he will take
anv step to add to the existing complications.
New-York tribune., 1903-08-09
DROWNS AIDING BROTHER
Boy Hero Loses His Life IN the
BrOnr RiUer.

While trying to rescue his little brother Otto'
who had fallen into the water. Charles Smith,
twelve years old. drowned in the Bronx
River yesterday.
The boys are sons of Charles Smith, letter
carrier who lives at No. 1887 Stebbins-ave.'
The Bronx. They went grabbing yesterday
Reaching point near where the river empties
into the Sound, two hundred yards above the
Washington-ave. bridge, Otto, who was lead
ing cried out that he saw crab at the bot
tom of the river. Leaning too far out in his
eagerness, the boy fell into the river. Charles
was only a yard two in the rear. Without
hesitation, although unable to swim, the brave
little fellow jumped into the river to his broth
er's assistance.
Although thoroughly frightened Otto man
aged TO keep his head out of water. by treading
water dog fashion" he expressed it. but
Charles Immediately sank and drowned in sight
of his brother. Otto at length managed TO get
TO shore, and crying to the tender OF the
Washington-ave. bridge. with the news OF his
brothers drowning. The man went to the scene
and dived repeatedly in an effort to recover
the body but the strong undertow had prob
ably carried il out TO the Sound, and he was
unsuccessful. The MOrrisania station ponce
were informed, and they dragged for the body
until dark, but were equally unsuccessful