davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-24
No Perfect Vacuum Yet.
DRoF. WILLIAM cRooKEs. the emf

DROF. WILLIAM CROOKEs, the emf
the present impcssibility of obtaining a
perfect vacuum:
According to the hypothesis l ven
tured to formulate l have little doubt
that radium would cease TO show its
peculiar properties in a perfect vacuum
But such experiments at present are
impossible of performance. What we
call high vacuum is only vacuum
by courtesy. Most experiments in So
called high vacua have been performed
at an exhaustion of about a millionth
OF an atmosphere, at which the phe-
nomena of the radiometer, radiant mat
ter. x-rays. and electric non CONJUNCTION
can be observed. But what does an ex-
haustion TO the millionth of an atmos-
phere really mean? Practically moth
ing! 1t may seem that when the origi-
nally tenuous air is reduced to the mil
lionth part of its bulk. so little will be
left that we are justified in neglecting
the trifiing residue, and in applying the
term vacuum to space from which the
air has been so nearly removed This,
however. is a faIlacy due to our diff
Guilty in grasping the meaning Of high
numbers. In the present case the origi-
nal number Is so high that division by a
million appears 70 make a scarcely ap-
preciable difference. For instance:
"A glass bulb similar to those used in
high vacua experiments. five inches in
diameter, contains more than quadril-
lion u, 900 ,ooo, 900 600. 600. 900 100 ,ooo)
molecules Now, when the bulb is ex-
hausted to the millionth of an atmos-
phere, it still contains more than a
triIlion Il 900 900. ooo. 600, 900 ,noo) MOLE
cules-quite enough matter to produce
all the effects demanded by my hypothe-
sis "
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-24
MAY S TRIKE.

are several cats, and two OF them are
possessed of a large amount of sense,
dropping motionless when told to go
dead" standing on hind feet when told
to play soldier. and a number of other
tricks have been taught them.
In the mail bag repair shops, where
large number OF women work. there is
drove of cats, and they are well fed
by the employees. who find them great
deal of company during the long hours.
This is one branch OF the Postoffice De-
partment where no allowance is made
for the care of cats. eae4
Driven Out by Hoke Smith
Throughout the big Patent Office all
kinds of cats may be found. and the
clerks and employees see that they want
for nothing in the way OF food. When
Hoke Smith was in Office his rooms and
offices were in this building, and clerks
say that he had a hatred of cats, and
messengers were instructed to keep
them out Of his offices.
There are fewer felines in the State.
War, and Navy Departments than any
other. Just why this is so no reason is
assigned, save that there are fewer
women employed there.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-24
America Mother of Asia.

IT HE continuous work of archaeolo-
L gists tends more and more 20 the
presumption that ancient America was
the land where the civilization of Asia
itself originated. The curator of the
American section. Museum of Science
and Art in the University of Pennsyl-
vania. Stewart Culin. contributes a sug-
gestive article on the subject. Mr.. Gull
in points out many striking resem-
blances between the games of chance
played by early American Indians, and
those now in use in India. Korea and
China. Among these the Hindu game
Of "pachisi,' is almost Identical with
"patolIi." as played by the Aztecs In old
Mexico. incidentally. the game of pa
chisi. with which all American children
are familiar, is development from the
pachisi which MI, Culin and others re
gard as one of the important links In
the evidence Identifying Eastern and
Western civilization. as he explains IN
his article.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-24

Devil Dan. bears the reputation of BE-
ing the cock of the walk, he having won
If more hard fought battles than any cat
in the building The old fellow has
been almost chewed and cIawed to pieces
time and again, but he gets patched
Up and goes TO war again. Captain
CIabaugh says he is tie gamest cat he
has any knowledge OF. One big white
# low, weighing eighteen pounds, stays
almost all the time in the luncheon
room. and no other cat dares come near
IL Naturally this cat is a general fay-
orite with the clerks and patrons of
the luncheon room.
Demands Fish on Fridays.
Perhaps the Government Printing Of
fee produces some of the most freaky
cats to be found in the city. One. a
large black fellow, was taken in hand
by a young man named Newsom. and he
SAYS he succeeded in training him TO
that point where he would not eat meat
on Friday On this day the cat expect
ed fish. and IL he didn't get it. he would
refuse meat and content himself with
milk. Another cat makes his home in
the proofroom-the 'brainery' will
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-24

that simple hearted Rose had never at
tempted. The long solitude a deux was
ended, and even when it was possible
to renew it Frewin showed no eager
ness to do so. A place was made for
him in Nara society. by virtue of his
position and it's probabilities, and his
eminently respectable relations at home,
hut there was no room for Miss Rowan
in the same circle.
She missed Frewin. and being young
and foolish, did not understand. Out
of the fullness of her loving heart she
wrote him notes which made him frown
an6 put on his judicial look-the same
look which in later years he gave subs
when he told them that this course
must be Immediately discontinued.
He wrote replies that were vague ex-
cuses at first, and stfffiy formal denials
later
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-24

which followed had cost Uncle Sam
about $500.
Secretary Wilson's Proteges.
Secretary Wilson. of the Department
of Agriculture, is a great admirer of
cats, and there are a number OF fine
mousers around the building His or
ders are that the cats shall be care
fully looked after and taken care of,
and IL an employe should be caught mis-
treating one of the Agricultural De-
partment cats 1t is altogether certain
that he would either be dismissed or re-
ceive q severe lecture.
There are a number of cats in the
Pension Office, and Commissioner Ware
says that while he has no special fond
ness for felines, he has no objection to
their remaining in the building so long
as they conduct themselves In a decor
Gus manner. The best friends the cats
have in the Pension ONCE are the
watchmen, who feed them regularly, and
the men on night duty have found that
the cats are a great deal of company to
them. There Is one cat in the Office said
to be nearly Thirty years DID, and he is
still good fighter.
In the Department of Education there
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-24
French as Americans Speak 1t

>CoME amusing incidents are re-
counted OF Americans who visic
France. only to find that the pro-
nunciation which they have always sup
posed TO be the purest Gallo is Greek
TO the native of la belle France One
which will bear repetition is told at
the expense OF a Washingtonian. who.
on his first visit TO Paris. strolled into
a restaurant and feeling extremely hun
CRY, thought to apologize for the size
OF the order which he intended 10 give,
by saying to the waiter. ''J'ai faim' II
am hungry.
Clearing his throat, he volunteered In
his best Partisan accent, J'ai femme, -
which in the English tongue is, II have
wife"
The waiter hardly understood what
connection the gentlemans private rela-
ton had to do with the dinner, but with
true French politeness raised his eye
brows. and remained silent. The guest
saw he had not quite hit the mark.
Moistening his lips. he again essayed
the phrase. This time he succeeded in
saying "J'ai fame" which, being inter
preted. is ~ am famous
Again the waiter looked puzzled. but
though he may have had his own ideas
as to the modesty of the statement, he
merely preserved his look of polite in
terest-
Blank was discouraged for a moment.
Then he gathered himself for final
attempt.
''Je suis femme" he blurted out, feel
Ing himself growing red to the roots Of
his hair.
Puzzled no longer, the waiter fell upon
him in a twinkling and threw him out
bodily.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-24

ances strike him in a new light. and she
quivers at his irritable tone.
The idyll's ending was swifter than
had been its beginning. Miss Maynard
vas only one OF many who. with the
very best intentions-was there ever
yet woman who did harm without
these same good intentions told him
more or less candidly that it was sim
ply impossible that he should think Sc
rioUsly of that Rowan girl" His chiefs
wife, who had a peculiar aptitude for
managing other peoples affairs, rea-
scned with him urgently; the owners
Of the manageable lots viewing Free
win as a young man likely TO come on
in the service. asked him to dine; while
the lots themselves. observing that he
was quite nice-looking boy, and
would probably have a comfortable bill
Let later. flirted with him TO a degree
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-24
When Lee and Grant Net.
GIIT was nearly thirty-eight years


GIT was nearly thirtyeigh years
L ago" said St. Louis paper re-
Gently, that Gen. Robert E. Lee re-
ceived from Gen Ulysses S. Grant, his
generous conqueror, a reply 10 his note
offering to surrender, and rode rapidly
in TO the village of Appomattox Court
house TO see the representative of the
Federal forces w. c. B. Gillespie. OF
Macon, who appears TO be a stick
Ter for the truth of history, has detect
ed one error in this statement. and
writes to the Macon Republican" to
correct ii. General Lee, he declares, did
not ride rapidly. He was in no great
hurry to surrender. 1T so happened"
says Mr.. Gillespie, that I was riding
along the road on which General Lee
was coming from his camp, in plain view
of Appomattox. riding on his fine iron
gray steed, at what I supposed was the
regular walking gait of the horse, sit
ting erect in his saddle. his white hair
somewhat long and having that fine
commanding appearance for which he
was noted. He was coming to fill an
appointment with General Grant, &C
companied by General Marshall, his
chief of staff. and an orderly in the rear.
But he was not riding rapidly, he was
not running a race with time, but was
letting his horse move al it's regular
pace. his face rather sorrowful look
ing, as was natural under the circum-
stances, but not downcast. I stopped
while he passed and gave him the mill
tary salute, which he recognized"
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-24
Red Men at the Worlds Fair.

NNE of the most instructive and in
~ teresting exhibits of the coming
St. Louis Worlds Fair. will be the In
dian exhibit, showing the advancement
of the various races and tribes.
Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock
has detailed, in accordance with a re
quest received from the exposition au-
thorities, Samuel NJ. MCGOWAN, super
intendent of the Chilocco Indian School
of Oklahoma. to confer with the officials
of the exposition. with view to making
the Indian exhibit OF the highest pos
sibIe order.
II is the desire of the exposition man
agement to associate the Indian exhibit
with the general anthropoIogical ex-
hibit. upon scientific basis and under
conditions which will meet the approval
Of the Interior Department..
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-24

stolen, but was still in the building.
He ordered a general overhauling and
cleaning up of the Office, and behind a
file of dusty old records he found a
rats nest which had been made of the
missing money. The inspector then sug-
gested that a small sum be put aside
by the officials of each large office for
the support of the cats, but the sugges-
ton was not adopted. Later, when he
became chief of the salaries and allow
ance division, he instructed postmasters
that they could spend money for cat
food and charge it to the miscellaneous
account This is believed to be entirely
within the law, and possibly no serious
objection will be made to its contlau-
ance, for since the cats have been in
stalled there has been noticeable fall
ing off in the number of letters which
mysteriously disappear for no assign
able reason.
The Treasury Well Guarded.
While there is no fund for the feed
ing of cats in any of the departments
outside of the Postofflce all the public
Buildings in Washington have their full
supply of felines. the Treasury being
The head and center of oatdom, and has
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-24
OWING TO CIRCUMSTANCES By HoRENcE u BAILEY

Rose cried over them, and the strange
pain that had come into life grew
greater with each letter She wrote a
last appeal. full of loving foolishness
and angelic forgiveness, and went up
to the little Catholic chapel to petit
ton that the answer might be as she
would have it.
And Frewin wrote back that owing
to ances-circumstance over
which neither of them had any control
he had been forced to the conclusion
that any more intimate relations than
those of friends would not be wise for
either etc.
1t was long. semi Official letter, try
ing 10 justify a position OF which even
Frewin had the grace to be ashamed .
but the long words and careful phrasing
were lost on a girl whose heart was
broken.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-24

ing for them daily; men with their
wives. wishing them anywhere but in
Nara hourly; pallid. snarly-tempered
women, with babies that were ditto, only
more so; Objectionable Anglo-Indian
children, compared with whom the
American genus is as an angel-all the
miscellaneous, unwholesome collection.
of varied color, which swarms up to an
idyllIc hill station and makes it Hades.
The Nara crowd included the usual
limited number of Just out" girls,
brought out by their respective rela-
tives as marriageable lots. under which
headings came Miss Ethel Maynard. She
was the most perfect specimen possible
of the conventional English gtrl-the
sort you saw every Wednesday n
Punch" in Du Maurier's time, tall, fair,
welI-dressed. warranted irreproachable
in conversation and department. with a
knowledge Of all the polite accomplish
ments and no grain of originality or
tenderness In her whole body-the kind
Of woman a man marries because she
suits his dining table and the family
plate. He is never ashamed of her, but
as the years go on he gets very tired,
and generally he lives his real life
apart.
II was at what the newspaper hack
still continues to describe as a minor
function" that Miss Maynard met Miss
Rowan; naturally Miss Rowan, being
associated with trade, was not asked to
the great functions.
That is Miss Rowan" in response to
Frewin's directing nod. "O."-the Eng
iisf1woman's nasty little "O!" with
significant pause after it. she is the
Miss MAYNARD almost said person
the same who did that extraordinary
thing last week-galloped mile and a
half at night, alone. to see some ma
tive?''
She was still honoring Rose with the
stare known In vulgar English as polite.
Frewin. not being q large-minded man,
felt awkward under Miss Maynards dis
approval. Yet he had thought at the
time. when Rose had shyly told him OF
the incident. how splendid it was of her
"Er-it was a very old servant-her
mothers ayah, l believe" he replied.
"and she was dying. and sent message
to her missile bahia" he broke off,
lamely.
It sounded really absurd now, and
Miss Maynard's light, cold eyes were dis
concerning.
Then he did a foolish thing, even
for a griffin with no tact-he introduced
Rose to Miss Ethel Maynard. There was.
the usual stiff fve-minute conversation,
and as Rose moved away Miss Maynard
noticed that the last look vas to F'rewin-
Ignoring the look and what it told
her-crueIty comes naturally to many
women-Miss Maynard. with Rose barely
out of hearing, asked briefly:
Country born?"
ONLY that-with the exquisite infec-
ton OF the most refined and utter con
tempt natural to a pucca girl from
home
-.Er-yes-I believe So said Frewin,
in vague tone, as If he wished he
could deny it, and completed his confu-
sion by adding, She's really Irish. you
know"
Miss Maynard laughs the Englishwo-
mans little laugh of polite incredibly
Yes? Funny thing, isn't it? They
are generally Scotch"
Luckily, Frewins Indian experience
has not been sufficiently lengthy for him
to appreciate the insult applied.
But when he rides with Rose next day,
the soft staccato voice. jars on him for
the first time, the many tri1ing ignor-
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-24
POSTOFFlCE CATS ARE LIKELY TO LOSE THEIR JOBS
Prospective Cutting Off of
Food Allowances for Four
Footed and FuTTed Official
Mail Protectors Causes
CONSERVATION Among the
Select FelineS.

NE COWS and caterwauls of grief
I'M are TO be heard from Postofice
Department cats these days.
for there is a rumor abroad that many
of those in the 2ostofhces throughout the
country are to lose their food allow
ances and will have to hustle for liv-
ing among unofficial backwards, and as
sociate with plebeian, spoils-grabbing
felines which care naught for civil ser
vice and believe in taking everything
they can get. Out in the cold, cold
world they must roam, these Govern
ment cats, If their positions are
abolished. No longer will they be the
pampered favorites of women clerks and
high officials, but they must hence
forth fight with the midnight Toms for
the possession of the decayed fish head
and the well-Dicked bone.
Cats have figured on the Postofice
payrolls ever since George w. Beavers
became chief of the division of salaries
and allowances, and now that he has re-
signed it is said that the cats will not
receive their monthly stipends. A fight
for the retention OF the cats on the
rolls is, however, sure to be made. and
their Jobs may yet be saved. In some
Instances a stipulated sum is allowed
for Offices like those in New York.
Chicago, Boston. st. Louis, Philadelphia
Cincinnati, Detroit, and other cities.
Origin of the Cat Brigade.
Mr. Beavers conceived the public cat
idea when he was a postofiice inspector.
He was set to work on a case in big
city postofice where a large sum Of
money was lost in transit through the
malls After working on the case for
long time, Mr.. Beavers reached the
conclusion that the money was not
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-24

HERE were three OF them in the
playing of this little comedy-or
tragedy. She-the first she, y
the one most concerned-was
dark-eyed and 1issome and altogether
lovable, with a name Enthusiastically Irish
and a voice that was as absolutely
country born"
Frewin. being very much of a
griffin" did not hear this defect until
it was explained TO him later by the
usual well intentioned feline creature,
and then 1t was little too late-for
Rose.
Meanwhile he had liked it; there Is a
certain note of appeal in the accent
when the speaker, who is also young and
pretty. is pointing out to you the SHOWS
and the various peaks. and telling you
to ride rather slowly down that narrow
track. because for newcomers it is
somewhat risky. and then takes it her
self at gallop. which displays alike
her perfect form and perfect riding.
Frewin, town-bred and hardly across
q saddle until he came to India, looked
upon the girl who could do this thing.
when the edge OF the khud (the descend
ing side of mountain road breaking
with each thud of her pony's hoofs, as
something superior even to himself
which was about the highest compliment
he could pay. Pitchforked into the c. s.
~
IN general and none whatever of India
In particular, he had come out 10 be a
small spoke in the great governmental
machine. Happily-or otherwise-de-
ponds upcH the point OF view-he did not
know his own insignihcance even when
posted to the Nara station. which was
a far cry from Simla and the upper
ranks of the heaven born
His almighty egotism, plus his superb
ignorance OF the small change OF life
and the ways of the world, caused his
bearer TO name him, within the second
days service, when detailing Frewin to a
select audience of friends, the "Chota
burra sahib" (the small great master),
while the other C. s. men, with finer
irony. had dubbed him the Sub janta"
TALL knowing); which. not knowing, FIRE.
win went on his way, fulfilled his du-
ties with a thoroughness almost prig-
gish in so young a boy, and occupied his
spare hours riding with Miss Rowan
Rose Mary'-it reminded him of con-
vents and sweet simplicity, and things
like that-and at a later stage he wrote
some scrappy verses 10 her as MY Rose
mary" without apology to Rossetti
Besides the dark eyes, the bright face
that surely changed some twenty times
a minute. the grayely gay temper, there
was nothing Irish about Rose. She had
never been home'-that great Journey
which softens the lot OF even the coun-
try bred.
Her father had been typical regi-
ment doctor. who died as he had lived
very gay and very poor sister, mar
ried TO a wealthy tradesman of Luck
now. who came up to Nara Hills for the
hot weather, was Roses guardian and
supporter.
1t may be placed to Frewin's credit
that the knowledge of Miss Rowan's
the narr""- little station. did not In
rats he was a rather careful
uE nd still suffering from the
ing been too well brought
ar 8 not mercenary. Moreover
of Nara would remark
elderly brotherin-law
Ipees, and no children.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-24
An Arab Love Song.
Translated by PERCY F. MONTGOMERY.

by PERCY MONTGOMERY.
Since thy be
charge thee with that remain
Casting the wide. wide world away,
For youths first love ne'er
And by thy
Though longing for thy
rngdove lament
will and night,
Till zephyrs he
Bear thy
struggling pain;
Till futot
Till thou by my side again
And love hath taught the world its
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-24
WHEN A MAIDEN WEBS.

When a maiden wcds,
All her friends look pleasant,
Wink, and nod their heads.
When a maiden weds.
Everybody sheds
Cash 10 make a present.
When = maiden weds.
All her friends LOOK pleasant.
Life.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-10-07
NATERBOY NOT TO RACE
AGAIN This SEASON
Eastern Champion Succunbs to
Strain of Training.

Waterboy VIII not race again this sea-
son. 1t is matter of doubt, according
10 his trainer. A. J. Joyner, whether the
Eastern champion will ever face the
starter again. He is so lame ne has
been thrown out Of training. and will not
start for the Brighton Cup.
Waterboy is the last of several great
race horses of this season to succumb to
the severe strain OF training. Afri-
eander and Irish Lad preceded him only
few weeks. All three are now out of
training and in the doctors care. Nc
Chesney alone of the great horses re-
mains sound and ready to race
The big black Eastern champion was
galloping slowly over the Sheepshead
Bay track on Monday when, nearing the
end of his trial. he faltered in his stride
When his exercise lad pulled him up he
lfmped perceptibly. II was found one OF
the forelegs was injured at the pastern
Joint
When Jack Joyner was asked how
seriously the horse was hurt he said:
That ! am unable to say at present.
He will not start in the Brighton Cup
and viii not race again this year If he
viii start next season 1 cannot say"
Waterboy is a four-year-o black
colt. by Watercress-Zealan and is
owned bt ]. B. Haggin. He demonstrate
ed time and time again this year that he
was the best horse in the East