davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1903-09-13
WHEN MOTHER-IN-LAW RULES

Birds nest soup. made from the gelati-
nous nests of the edible swallow;
stewed tripang, or sea slug; ragout OF
rats; fricassee of frogs; lamb stewed
in syrup OF almonds, and even loin
of puppy-all these, and many equally
fearsome dishes. may be set before you.
Among the villagers and the poor folks
who form the river population the fare is
meager in the extreme. Their staple
food consists OF steamed rice. rendered
more savory by a bit OF salt fish or a
scrap of pork fat But the European
visitor is not at all likely TO sample this
diet.
IN the homes OF the middle class the
mother-in-law reigns supreme But II
is the husbands mother in this case. and
IL is the wife who has to bear the brunt
OF 1t. Her first duty Of the day is to rise
early and prepare tea for her husband and
mother-in-law. after which she generally
superintends the work of the domestic
slaves, shouting her orders and showing
a somewhat shrewish disposition. This
is not the time to see the lady at her
best.
The afternoon is usually spent In en-
brOidery and other kinds OF needlework.
while in the evening the ladies sit in
the courtyard watching the children at
play, gossiping and-smoking Widows
OF some little education are sometimes
employed to read novels and play to
their mistresses, and in this way many
OF them earn a comfortable living.
The Washington times., 1903-09-13
Porto RiCan Stone Collars.

n R. J. WALTER FEwKES. of the
IL Bureau of Ethnology in the
Smithsonian Institution. has lately re-
turned TO Washington after tour OF
Cuba. Porto Rico. and Jamaica. The
trip was made for the purpose Of dis
covering the origin and use of certain
collars, about the size and shape OF q
horse collar, but made OF stone These
collars were found by an American mer-
chant during a sojourn of the islands.
They are cut from the hardest sort OF
granite. and they have completely puz-
zled archaeologists.
DR.. Fewkes declares that he has gath
cred some valuable data about them,
and thinks he will be able TO throw
some light on the collars. He took a
number of notes, and is arranging them
at present. His report is awaited with
interest by the scientific world.
The Washington times., 1903-09-13

North Capitol and lexington Associa-
tion has been due to the personal ef-
forts Of Mr.. Henderson, the president.
MI Henderson is a patent attorney
with large practice, and has Offices in
the third story of the Norris Building.
at the corner of F and Fifth Streets
northwest. He is interested in Ecking-
ton property to some extent. and as
president of the association has taken
an active part In all its enterprises.
Much OF his time for the past seven
years has been taken up In meetings of
committees and in accompanying dele
cations to the District Building and the
Capitol. Mr.. Henderson has a LAWYERS
skill in presenting matters to the Com
missioners and to the committees in
Congress. He talks directly TO the root
OF things. and the special plea In be
presented has been so studied and, .he
facts so we'll digested that only a brief
time Is necessary to place the subject
before the authorities. This is perhaps
the secret OF the power OF the associa-
tion. though Mr.. Henderson has been
ably seconded in his efforts by A. r.
Server. ". J. Hughes and one or two
other attorneys belonging to the asso-
citation.
Committeeman Thompson.
One OF the most active OF the commit
teemen is DR.. E. d. Thompson, in charge
Of the committee on sanitation. DR..
Thompson travels over the Jurisdiction
Of the association every day in his pro-
fessional work. and. It may be said.
knows every pool of stagnsnt water.
every refuse heap. every bad smell and
broken drain IN the whole section.
Whenever anything is wrong DR..
Thompson is the first to discover It, and
his idea Of public duty is such that he
is prompt in presenting the matter to
the association. and sometimes takes
affairs into his own hands by informing
the authorities and having repairs male
and sanitary conditions restored.
The objects of the North Capitol and
lexington Citizens Association. as sue
sinctly set forth IN its constitution.
and which in the seven years of its
history have been measurably realized.
are ito devise and cooperate in
carrying into effect measures for the
advancement OF the public interests cf
the section of the city and suburbs
lying within and bcsInded' as already
given.
The Washington times., 1903-09-13

course OF action IL has carried on Its
work with vigor. It's present place OF
meeting is in the hall OF ST. Martins
| Church at North Capitol and T Streets,
| which it found necessary to secure In
! order to accommodate its present large
membership.
| In addition to the stated meetings at
which the regular business is transacted
i 1t has had a number of public meetings
of social, literary. and musical char
acter, with the view of getting together
the families of the citizens in its terri
tory. These meetings have been dis
tinguished by large attendance of the
citizens, and on these and other occa-
sions the association has been favored
with the presence Of the Commissioners
of the District and OF prominent citizens
from other sections of the city. and the
exercises provided have always been of
an interesting and entertaining char
acter.
Chairman of the School Committee.
The chairman of the committee on
schools and school houses is A Ralph
Serven. who has been particularly active
in educational matters. and whose name
was prominently before the Commis-
sioners for the vacancy in the Board of
Education occasioned by the resigna
tion OF Gen. George H Harries. The
present chairman of its committee on
street railways is William ]. Hughes,
who is a charter member of the asso-
citation, and who has always been active
in efforts to increase the efficiency OF
the street railway service throughout
the District of Columbia, and who was
prominently identified as a member of
the Joint railway committee made up of
representatives from the fifteen citi-
zens' associations OF the District to urge
before the Commissioners the presenta-
tion of a bill to Congress vesting the
Commissioners with power 10 regulate
the operation of the street railways in
the District of Columbia, with the view
of insuring better street railway accom-
modations for the public and OF having
the Commissioners stand as an impair
tial tribunal between the railway COM
panies and the citizens. The chairmen
OF other committees of the association
are noted for the energy they display in
directing the work over which they have
supervision.
The Washington times., 1903-09-13

ground system The association was also
energetic in opposing the desires of the
street railway companies, to pave be-
tween their tracks and for two feet out
side thereof with cobblestones. and
through efforts then made the railway
companies were Obliged to pave between
their tracks with the same character
of pavement laid by the District outside
of the tracks. and thus the cobblestone
nuisance was abated.
Through the work of the association
the first fire engine company for that
section was located on North Capitol
Street. near r Street, and from that
time dates the era of having the build
ings Of the fire engine companies made
of an artistic architectural design
The association has also been active
in behalf of the school system of the
District, and through it's representations
to the School Board, to the Commits
sioners, and to Congress. three school
buildings have been erected in its ter
ritory, the first building being the Eek
ington School, located at First and
Quincy Streets northeast; the second
being the Emery School, on Lincoln Ave
nue north of r Street. and the third
being the new school building provided
a. the last session OF Congress TO ae
commodate the Bloomingdale section,
and TO be located on Second Street or
lie Droit Avenue in the vicinity of W
Street northwest.
First in School Reform.
This association was the first to agi-
tate a reform in the system of instruc-
tion prevailing in the public schools
prior to the creation of the present
Board of Education. and II interested
the other citizens associations in the
movement and the beneficial results are
now recognized by all citizens of the
District.
The association has also taken an
active part in the legislation relating to
the abolition OF steam railroad grade
crossings in the city. and for the erection
of a union station, giving its influence
In behalf of the movement, but seek
ing 10 have the legislation so framed
that the least possible injury should be
done to property and the greatest good
accomplished for the greatest number.
The association has pursued a con-
servative policy in whatever it has ad-
vocated. but having once decided on its
The Washington times., 1903-09-13

hours ride. and the clammy straw of the
old horse car was changed for the cleo
tric heater. Not only was rapid transit
secured In large part by the trolley. but
comfortable transit as we'll. Suburban
life began in good earnest. and those
who had been obliged 10 live in the city
in order 10 be near their work were
able to live in the bracing air and coun-
try sunshine at least a few hours after
their day OF labor was over
Built the Suburbs.
The rising young city man who spent
his vacation days before that time on
the roof, who sunburned his arms well
and then told his friends the particu-
lars of his canoeing trip on the lakes.
was able to escape from the softening
concrete and enjoy a week in the coun-
try or take a new pleasure in the dash
OF the light electric car through the
woods. Farmers who led a humdrum
life, enlivened by only a weekly or Il
monthly visit 20 the city. awoke under
the touch OF this cheap and quick means
OF communicating with the city. The
clerk who worked for the Government
was enabled 10 do his daily portion of
labor more cheerfully and with greater
accuracy because OF those few hours
communion with Nature after he reach
ed his home in the suburbs.
With very few exceptions almost every
suburb of Washington was built up af-
ter the Inauguration of the trolley In
the making of Washington Heights.
Mount Pleasant, Brookland. Columbia
Heights, Langdon, Kensington. Wood
side, Chevy Chase. Takoma. Woodbridge.
Brightwood, and Petworth the trolley has
played large part.
OF course. there can be no doubt but
what the advent of the trolley has done
away with a great deal of the peace and
quiet of country life, and the pic
turesqueness Of the country surrounding
Washington has been largely destroyed
by the speculator. The trolley. however.
continues, and we read that the 1900
miles of tracks in the United States in
1890 have heightened to p. 600 in 1902
1t lies with Congress. which has ex-
elusive Jurisdiction in such matters. 20
see that the land specuIator does not
prey upon this beautiful country at Will.
The District people look TO the District
committees in Congress to guard their
interests in this particular.
The Washington times., 1903-09-13

n r -
- adelphia is slow; in fact, it's
L such a standing Joke that most
Of US believe it by this time. but came
across an innovation in the old city the
other day which I think OF adopting
here in Washington"
what was it?" inquired brother
architect.
sIt was a moth-proOf closet. / hap
pened 10 be going through house that
was for rent in Philadelphia the other
day. and when opened a closet found
II flooded with light, for there was
good sized window in il. There was
window in all the larger closets. so
every day the clothes will get gener-
nus share Of sun. You know as well rs
DO that sun is one Of the best preser-
vatives Of cloth going Why, l have
found that woolens. hung in the sun
light, never attacked by moths.
BESIDES. the window prevents the
closet from being damp. and so pre-
serves the clothes stored in II against
mildew. But the best of all, it won't be
necessary 70 tumble around with a
match or a candle and set fire to the
clothing, or II you don't do that rilc up
your temper because you burn your
fngsrs-simply open the door and II it's
daylight outside therel be plenty OF
light in the closet It's a bully idea. my
boy. and mark my words. it won't be
long before the Washington closets all
have windows the same as Philadel-
mia s.
The Washington times., 1903-09-13
OREIGN DEVILS" as Euro
peans are courteously termed

IGToREIGN DEVILS" as Euro
r peans are courteously termed
in China. are not greatly well
coined in Chinese houses, especially by
the women.
What is your venerable age?" viii
probably be the first inquiry made by
your host or hostess, as the case may
be. 1t is the correct thing to show an
interest in the most personal details Of
the visitors life and doings. To this
question the correct reply Is, Il have
lived in vain for - years." and the
more years you mendaciously add to
your real age the greater will be your
responsibility in Chinese eyes.
If you are a man the possession Of a
flowing beard-which in China is usually
a mark of advancing years-win add
very materially TO the respect with
which you are regarded. Not only your
own age, but that of your relatives, will
be discussed, as will also your income
snd other matters about which truthful
answers viii probably not be forthcom-
ing.
Early in your visit you will be in
v,ted tn take tea, which Will be pre-
aented in tiny cups, without sugar or
cream, but possessing delicacy OF
aroma quite unknown in the west
The Washington times., 1903-09-13
WileS of the Barber.

A BALD-HEADED man sat in the bar
n ber's chair and wearily listened 20
the bald headed barber, who urged him
10 try a hair tonic manufactured on the
premises.
I've guarantee il 10 sprout hair on
the baldest head he babbled-
Then why don't you use il on your
own ," demanded the customer.
because the boss won't let me- He
wants ne TO leave my head alone so he
can point me out as a before using ex-
hibit My brother is the after using
man. He's not in just now, but YOU
ought TO see his hairi" And the barber
Winked al the other customers
The Washington times., 1903-09-13
NE OF the most active and eff
cient citizens associations of

cient citizens associations of
the District is the North Capt.
tol and lexington Association. Though
it has been in existence only seven years
1t has accomplished as much for the sec
tion which it represents as some of the
older bodies. From the start this asso-
citation has been made up of active men
deeply interested in the Improvement of
the lexington and Blooningdale subdi-
visions, and they have given their time
and efforts to the public good in man
ner to count. in the paving of streets.
the erection of school houses and the
betterment of transit facilities.
The men composing this body have
never been chimerical in their plans, but
have worked along faithfully year after
year toward the goal of bringing up the
two subdivisions mentioned to the same
standard OF public improvement which
prevailed In the city. In this they have
been successful, and that section of the
city on both sides of North Capitol
Street, northward from II Street, is now
as far advanced as any part of Northwest
Washington.
Organized Seven Years Ago.
The North Capitol and lexington Citi-
zens' Association was organized on the
evening of January 10, 1896, with forty
six members. The officers elected were:
William G.. Henderson, president; H. D.
Norris, vice president; S. NJ. Leitzell,
treasurer, and William J. Hughes, sec
retary, and with the following chairmen
The Washington times., 1903-09-13
TROLLEYIZATION OF THE DISTRICT
Electric Washington the Past Twenty

Taken off his wheels, and set in
big back yard, windows broken.
seat coverings torn. floor covered
with sand and echoing with the shouts
and laughter OF children at play-there
he stands. one of the sturdiest pioneers
in the development of Washington. Like
old Dobbin. the family horse. who had
outlived his days of usefulness. this de-
crepit electric trolley car is made to
amuse the children since he can no
longer carry their parents.
For the man who has lived in Wash
ington during the past twenty years.
this old trolley car speaks heart TO
heart He knows what it has done for
the Capital City, he recalls its entry and
he. too. sees the pathos in its present
employment as dry nurse.
A Beginning Made.
Twenty years ago number of street
car companies had been started in Wash
ington. The Washington and George
town Street Railway Company. first of
all the citys car lines, was chartered
May. 1852 In 1864 the Metropolitan be-
gan 10 run from the Capitol at A Street
and New Jersey Avenue to Washington
Circle, at Pennsylvania Avenue and
Twenty-second Street. The Ninth Street
and East Capitol lines were organized
year later. and the Connecticut Avenue
line was absorbed by the Metropolitan.
The Georgetown branch was started in
the early seventies and eventually merg-
ed into the Metropolitan. 1t was known
at the time as the Union Railway Com
pany.
Advent of the Trolley.
These roads were all horse car lines,
for the electric car was yet to enter
Washington. Passengers were packed
into tiny cars, drawn by bony horses,
made to deposit their own fares and get
their change from one another. Though
the horse car was an immense improve
ment on walking, still the public rightly
demanded better service. This was only
forthcoming when the companies owning
these roads were stirred.to action by the
advent Of the trolley. In 1888 four
suburban electric trolley lines were
planned. and the Brightwood. Rock Creek.
Tenleytown, lexington. and Soldiers
Home lines were incorporated. The al
most instantaneous effect of this was to
direct the attention of Washington peo-
pie to the beauty of the surrounding
countryside.
Trolley parties became the rage, and
il was the fad for a while TO boom the
trolley, because of the poor car service
in the city. Accordingly. very many
suggested that the trolley be run
through Washington. The other large
cities of the East were pointed to as
examples of the benefieent results of
trolleyism. This was strongly opposed.
The Washington times., 1903-09-13
Obliqinl the Conductor.
EICTEP LIvELYi" bawIed the cor

go TEP LIVELYi" bawied the con-
- ductor as the crowd started to
board his car; "step lively, there!"
The portly father climbed. wheeling,
aboard, carrying a small and chubby
boy. Next came a little bright-eyed
girl Of six. perhaps, while the mother
climbed on last, carrying the baby.
Mercy on US. Hester" said the
mother. what are you hopping about
that way for?"
why, mamma" she said, still eyeing
the stern conductor; I'm stepping
nveIy!"
The Washington times., 1903-09-13
To Rank With st. Peters.

w oRK on the great Episcopal
wv Cathedral of Saint John the
Divine in New York is be-
ing pushed on somewhat more rapidly
than before. The progress so far has
not been very encouraging. The ca
thedral was projected twelve years ago.
and work upon 1t has been in progress
for the past five years. Still, only one
of the four great arches that are to
support the central dome has been I'm
ished. Contractors say that the whole
structure will not be finished for fifty
years. Bishop Potter and the clergy
men who are behind the movement have
lost none of their enthusiasm. They de-
clare that the cathedral will rank with
St. Peters in size and architectural
beauty when il is completed.
The Washington times., 1903-09-13
A Selfish Motive.

Little Eihe-Do you love me very much,
mamma?
Mamma "a widOw)-Yes my darling.
Efie-Then why don't YOU marry the man az
the candy stOreg-Ssn Francisco Wasp.
The Washington times., 1903-09-13

however, by the saner and more conser-
vative citizens. and on July is, 1888.
after an exciting contest in Congress
and before the District committees an
amendment was secured which provided
that the Commissioners should not
after September Is of that year, allow
the erection OF any more overhead wires
in Washington.
Washington had passed safely through
the rapid transit craze period, which is
the name given to sort of measles
among cities. Almost all cities have 1t
when they are young, and il they treat
| the disease in the proper way they come
| out of il stronger than they were before.
II the measles are allowed to get the
upper hand. however. the city becomes
trolley-ridden and is cursed with acci-
dents from that time on. for the trolley,
though a good servant, is a very bad
master and leads to all sorts of evil re-
suits. Today Washington is one of the
very few cities where the trolley is for
bidder TO enter.
Benefits That Followed
The coming of the trolley drew a
sharp comparison between the horse
car and the electric car, to the injury
OF the latter. The demands of the citi-
zens for better transportation along
their streets were finally acceded 10. and
on April IL, 1890. a cable line was in
e+alIad IN Savapfb ctrao, h., tr,o tVoch
ington and Georgetown Company The
cable system had already been tried
abroad. notably at Budapest, Hun
gary. and the company wisely preferred
10 equip its line with a system that was
| in effective working operation else
where rather than wait for the develop
ment of a cheap storage battery system
or the reduction of the cost of the cleo
trio conduit
The lead of the Washington and
Georgetown Company was followed by
the Capital Traction Company, when on
April u. 1890. they laid a cable line on
Pennsylvania Avenue.
On September %, 1897, the powerhouse
on Fourteenth Street and Pennsylvania
Avenue was destroyed by fire. When
there was question of starting the line
again, it was determined to use the
electric system instead of reinstalling
the old cable. Accordingly. February
%, 1893. the first electric car was run
on Fourteenth Street, and the entire line
was run by the same power April 20 OF
the same year. Thus the trolley is to
be thanked in great measure for secur-
ing rapid transit for the citizens OF
Washington.
Other Valuable Effects.
The pushing of trolley lines into the
country about Washington naturally
raised the price of lots in that section
very rapidly. Farmers who went to
bed paupers awoke to find themselves
rich. Values were created every day
where none had existed before Specula-
tors came 10 the city in numbers, and
lots were bought and sold every day.
The trolley. however. was a great boon
to others besides the speculator With
It's coming the oil lamp began to give
way TO the electric light what had
J., h.
The Washington times., 1903-09-13
Philadelphia Not Slow.

~ EoPLE will tell you that Phil
adelphia is slow; in fact, it's
such a standing Joke that most