davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1903-09-13

well. sometimes / get them to let me
bathe the dog. and sometimes ii is impos-
sible. never had a dog or even a fine
cat die on my hands after a bath. I'm a
deal too careful for that-steady. Bob.
use plain white soap and water. The
great scheme is not IN using medicated
soap or patent powder. It lies In giving
the animal thorough cleansing.
Then, again. you must be sure to get
them perfectly dry afterward, just as
1 am Bob. now Rub them briskly with
a rough towel, and then keep them In
the same room for Ave or six hours.
Then they can be let out with perfect
safety That has always been my
method for the twenty-five years OF my
professional career. I've talked with
many and many fancier. too. and they
all agree with me.
Sometimes ladies tell me their dog
gics are too small 70 trust out OF their
hands. I always tell these about the
tiny dog I wash regularly.
Smallest and Largest.
This IS a toy black -and-tan, and
weighs-vould you believe it?-just two
pounds. l received postal only this
morning saying that Angelica-that's the
lack-and-tan-was greatly improved in
health and spirit after her last bath.
Then. too. wash a big ST. Ber-
nard once a week. and he tips the beam
,, at 10 pounds. He lives in Dupont Cir
Gle and was brought here from Switzer-
| land direct. He's more trouble than
Bob here. because he has such long hair.
] so to hts house because II happens IN
be more convenient. Big or little. every
dog ought to be washed once a week If
his owner wants him to be a sound
healthy animal right along. and flea
eradicator ought TO be used Just as
often.
ION you go, Bob" said the professor,
giving him a final rub. The great dog
| stepped out with a stretch and a bark
his eyes shining. and the muscles play
ing up and down under his shiny coat.
There's a dog for you," said the pro-
fessor in a sort OF professional rapture
He could pull a man down as easy as
kitten. If he hasn't as much brain, he
has twice the kindness of disposition oil
any man. They say old Frederick the
| Great liked dogs better than men, and
don't blame him. for do myself.
A Competent Nurse.
i've made quite a study OF nursing and
doctoring sick dogs. too. though washing
| is my speciality. Let me tell you kind
ness is the very first pill you must give
every sick dog. They look for it regu-
| larly.
"A dog, for this reason, feels an in
jury very keenly. l owned a collie
| once that had a pal he was very fond
of. One day a policeman kicked that
pal and killed the beauty. Do you know
my collie never forgot the blue uniform
and every one he met he wanted tc
tear IL TO pieces. Queer, ism it?
Every often kindness alone will cure
a dog you'd think was just about to die
lie may get into low spirits and be-
The Washington times., 1903-09-13

American Anti-SaIoon League National
Geographic Society; Pan-American Con-
grecss; G. A. r., Department OF the Po-
tomac; National Wholesale Lumber
Dealers Association; Knights of tho
Golden Eagle; Daughters of the Ameri-
can Revolution; knights Of PythIas,
Grand Lodge; Western Packers Canned
Goods Association; National Bureau OF
Industrial Statistics; American Physi-
clans Association: Society OF the Army
OF the Cumberland Royal Arcanum.
Grand Council; Shield of Honor. Grand
Lodge; American ophthaImologieaI So
ciety; American LaryngologieaI Society;
American Chronological and Dermato-
logical Association; American Surgical
Association; American Gynecological So
ciety; American Academy OF Medicine:
Fraternal Mystic Council, Grand Ruling
Jurisdiction; International Hod Carriers
Convention; American Medico-Psycho-
logical Association; National Master
Steam and Hot Water Filters Associa-
tion; National Railway Postal Clerks;
Sons OF Veterans; Independent Order OF
Odd Fellows. Grand Lodge; Iaterna-
tional Stereotypers and Electrotypers'
Union; Typographical Union; l. o. r
NJ. Grand Council; United Order of True
Performers. Grand Fountain: National
spiritualists' Convention: North Ameri-
can Independent Order OF Rechabites.
More Important Meetings.
OF these the more Important ccnven-
the Republic and the Daughters OF the
American Revolution.
The former lasted from October TO
II, 1902. Every Washingtonian remem-
bers well the regattas on the Potomac.
the automobile parades. the daily scenes
at Camp Roosevelt. the address By John
Hay. Secretary OF State; the grand camp
fire in Convention Hall. Not less meni-
orable are the fireworks on Monument
Lot, showing the fall OF Pekin. II was
estimated that 4O0. 600 people visited
Washington during the FIVE days re-
union, and It is certain that rs. 600 came
the first day.
The Daughters OF the American Revo-
luton held their meeting in Chase's
Theater. Mrs. Fairbanks, wife OF the
Senator, presided, and every lady pres
ent recalls very readily the striking ap-
pearance of the house. as the madam
president. wearing the blue official rib
bon of the order, arose. and rapping for
order, began her address.
The theater was filled and the strict
est rules OF parliamentary procedure
observed. Indeed, the convention
brought out some remarkably acute and
we'll informed debaters among the
Daughters.
At the time Mrs. Fairbanks announced
that there were 40 900 members in tho
order The convention lasted from Feb
ruary p 20 February 2S.
The Washington times., 1903-09-13
Where eople
Refuse to Worry
Venezuelans Have Been Edu-
Gated to Take Things Easy.

IN OWN in Venezuela most people
refuse to take life seriously.
They decline to worry even over
financial matters.
An Englishman who visited Caracas
the other day cashed draft IN the notes
of local bank and went to the land
lord of his hotel to pay his bill.
II regret, senor, cannot take the
notes. said the landlord
What's the matter with them2" asked
the guest.
''The bank has just closed its doors
and suspended payment
The Englishman began to use strong
language. but the landlord held up his
hand soothingly
BE calm. senor. Possibly the bank
will resume payment in a week or two
II not-well, it is fate."
''Be calm. indeed! Can't you excite
yourself about it? You stand 10 lose,
too. II these notes are no good 1 can't
pay your BILL
THAT is as the good God Wills, II
the senor cannot pay, shall have the
gratincation of knowing the senior would
have paid IL he could
In couple of days the bank opened
its doors again and paid real money for
its notes. In the meantime nobody had
worried except the Englishman.
1T is the custom of the banks here, "
they told him. consolingly. Every now
and then they suspend payment for few
days and presently go on again"
but don't they lose the public conf
dence?" he asked.
"Oh. no. They are all right. and the
people don't mind waiting. In this case
the bank was obliged to shut up because
the government tried TO force the direc-
tors to make them a loan. When they
refused. the government sent soldiers
and arrested all the bank officials. That
was why they had to shut up
Subsequently the Englishman found
that IT, in a ft OF absent -mindedness. he
left a posada without paying for his
drinks or a shop without paying for the
goods he had purchased, the polite Ven
ezuelans would never call him back.
why don't you send boy after me
and remind me?" he would ask the
urbane proprietors when he returned
next day TO pay them.
'It is impossible TO dream of such dis
courtesy to a caballero. senor," they
would reply.
The Washington times., 1903-09-13
WASHINGTON A MODEL CITY :. :.
:. :: FOR GREAT CONVENTIONS

~ ESIDES the very appropriate
X title. "City of Magnificent Dis
- tances," Washington has gained
of late years another and an equally
we'll deserved one. CITY of Conven-
tions." The resident of Washington has
very little idea of the reverence with
which the country at large regards his
city. 1t has the same place in the
hearts of Americans as has Mecca for
the followers of Mohammed. and, like the
Mohammedan, who has passed through
the Porte, the American who has seen
Congress In session is held In peculiar
respect by his fellow-countrymen.
That the high councillors of the ma
tion meet in this city is very little TO
Washington people. The outsider. how
ever, knows that a resolution adopted
by delegates representing his particular
society meeting in Washington takes on
some of the dignity of a Congressional
ruling.
Advantages of Washington.
Remember, too. how different Wash
ington is from every other American
city. Its beauty in the matter of streets
alone. not to mention site, buildings.
public and private, and surroundings. is
unusual. The Bostonian, for example,
thinks nothing OF a blind street," the
Philadelphian is accustomed to thor
oughfares barely wide enough for a
large dray to pass through, and the New
Yorker is surprised that all cities are
not sprawling maize OF streets utterly
without order.
In Washington II is a different matter
altogether. Our streets are among the
most imposing in the world because they
follow a regular. beautiful plan.
Again, the citizen OF Pittsburg has a
pail of smoke over his head and clatter
and clang OF street works in his ears.
Washington is undisturbed by the clam
or and dirt of production.
Because OF the decision of the fathers.
the electioneering rough, the confusion
of polling-day and the ward heeler arc
unknown in the Capital city This cat
alogue of beauties Is familiar to almost
everyone outside the city. but IL is nee
essary to din It into the ears OF the
average washingtonian that he may ap-
preciate it's existence.
Facilities for Meetings.
With such a quiet and attractive city
before him It is only natural that the
delegate TO a fraternity convention
meeting in Washington should bring a
party of friends with him. and after a
morning OF consultation with his col
leagues. spend the afternoon sightsee-
ing. Washington is the best city in the
world for that purpose. To begin with
there is always something to see and a
The Washington times., 1903-09-13
THE PROCESS OF CUNNING :. ::
:: :: AMERICAN POSTAGE STAMPS


~ F the many and varied industries
which the United States Gov
ernment employs, none is
more interesting and systematic than
that of the cumming OF postage stamps.
This work is done at the Bureau of En-
craving and Printing, which is in charge
Of Capt. William NJ. Meredith, a practi-
cal printer OF the first order. The pro-
cess of the cumming is as follows:
The stamps. after being printed. are
transmitted In sheets 10 the superin-
tendeHt of the cumming room, each
sheet containing 400 stamps. The gum
ming room was especially designed and
built for the work which is done in IL.
Pipes lead into it conveying the gum in
q heated and melted state to small watts.
into which It is slowly dropped as need
ed. From these vats il is allowed 10
slowly ooze onto rollers. The stamp
sheets pass under the rollers. receiv-
ing a thin coating of gum. and then drop
onio a continuous chain of belts. which
of steam pipes. fifty feet ,'ng. The slow
passage through the watts of the freshly
gummed stamp sheets dries them. AMI
when they reach the other end of the
vats they are sufficiently dry to be piled.
one upon the other, counted, tested, and
packed. ready for shipment.
Great Precautions Taken.
The precautions taken to insure the
uniform proportion of the gum coat
ing on every stamp are the most
important and interesting part OF
the work. A careful account is kept OF
every ounce of gum furnished every
workman. as well as of every sheet OF
stamps he handles. This system is
designed. not SO much as a check on the
stamp sheets. but so as to be certain
that every stamp will have a uniform
coating of gum.
When they start the work IN the morn
ing each OF the men is charged with l .0OG
sheets OF stamps and twenty-six pounds
OF gum. He must spread that amount
of gum over the given number of sheets
Exhaustive experiments and exact sci
entiflc calculations have determined the
proportion OF gum and paper Rigid and
continuous inspection and the keeping
of g running account with each opera
tor IN the cumming room make It al
most impossible to neglect any stamp
sheet or TO dispose OF the gum
except by spreading It with absolute
uniformity over the sheets. The little
watts which hang over the rollers con-
tain delicate instruments which show
the temperature at which the gum is
kept, and its specific gravity. From
time to time the superintendent OF the
The Washington times., 1903-09-13

doing the drying work properly and II
the coating of gum Is uniform. Should
the belts be moving too slow through
the steam watts a touch on the electric
button tells the operator at the other
end of this condition. The wonSn and
operators are masters of the Morse tele-
graph code. and by the electric buttons
send each other instantaneous messages
10 regulate the machinery.
Gum Chemically Examined.
The Government spares no pains to get
the very best quality OF gum and corps
OF chemists. who examine the various
kinds submitted is feature Of the bu-
reau. Postage gum is obtained from
dextrine. saccharine obtained in the
making OF starch. Two sets of experts
examine every consignment Of gum
which comes TO the bureau. The chemist
tells the Government whether that sort
of gum Is ft to stand the various tenn
peratures and the process of spreading
II upon the back of the stamp sheets.
The microscopists decide whether the
gum is a pure vegetable product, and
whether ii is likely to be Injurious to
the stamp Icker."
In this connection II Is proper to re-
peat the observation OF an official of
the bureau concerning stamp licking. '1
cannot understand he said. why peo-
pie should lick postage stamps. or
course. when We send out a sheet OF
stamps the gum is chemically as pure
as II is possible TO make IL, but consider
how many hands that sheet passes
through before you put II on your
tongue The best OF gum is bound to
soften a little In sudden changes OF tenn
perature, and so will very often take
up impurities which go into the sys-
tenn through the mouth. II seems to me
a much better scheme to lick the corner
of the envelope. That has only passed
through two or three pair OF hands and
you can be sure it's cleaner than the
gum may be-
The Gum Chefs.
In the basement of the bureau are the
big kettles where the gum Is made by
mixing the powdered stuff with water.
and carefully boiling 1t. Great cleanli-
ness is required, and the attendant who
superintends the boiling process is at
tired in an immaculate white duck work
ing suit. The qualities which the Gov
ernment seeks in the gum. when applied.
are adhesiveness. luster, absence OF grit.
flexibility. resistance to humidity and
color The department experts are glad
to receive suggestions regarding i'm
provement in the present system OF
cumming stamps, and are constantly try
ing new devices In that line. Cold air
blasts have been substituted to a certain
extent for steam watts in the drying pro-
cess OF the gummed stamps.
The Washington times., 1903-09-13
.COURTING CUSTOMS OF MEXICO

Mexico are TO be found among the in
dians of the Tehuantepeo isthmus. There
on Sundays one will see hundreds OF
pretty churchgoers wearing most extra
ordinary costumes.
The skirt is often OF satin or silk,
heavily lace trimmed sometimes, and
with a short-sleeyed waist. The head
dress IS the principal feature It is a
great stiff laundered accordion-plaited
sort OF thing that can look very pretty
and can be what the women's word
sloppy" means
Modes of Making Love.
The Amateeas. both men and women.
wear white cotton garments on which
the embroidery is done in panels either
down the front Of the woman's skirt or
on the tunic the men wear. There Is
curious custom among them. OF sweet
hearts exchanging the twigs OF certain
trees in entire secrecy, except as each
new twig is received 1t is carried 10 the
father or mother or guardian Of each OF
the two and assent is given 10 the con-
tinuance OF the exchange till orange
blossoms are reached; then il is stme for
the priest. This pretty method OF court
ship IS dying out. as IL is a relic OF
Indian customs and is discouraged by
the priests.
In nearly all parts OF the country the
lovers process IS the same II Is called
playing bear" and is OF Spanish ex-
traction. OF course, II Is not necessary
to play bear in those classes where the
young people are thrown together In the
market. the field, the workroom. and the
highway, but even there a close watch
is kept on the girls and conversation
with their adorers is fragmentaFy.
The Washington times., 1903-09-13
THE SCOTCH HERRING INDUSTRY

TAR out from the mainland Of Scot
land, where the waters of the
Minch and Atlantic mingle. lies
the island OF Barra, where the herring
industry Is vigorously prosecuted each
year during the months OF May and
June. The beautiful bay, known as
Castle Bay. on a rocky islet on which
the ancient though long-ruined castle
OF the MeNeilis still stands, forms the
headquarters of the fishing feet during
the season. Herring caught around
Barra and cured on the island are
known as Castle Bay" herring The
Barra herring industry is OF compare
lively recent origin. Little more than
half century ago the quality of the
Barra matte" or maiden. herring first
attracted attention, and annually since
that discovery its pursuit has been
prosecuted with amazing perseverance
ana at very considerable cost.
The fortune OF the industry during
these years has undergone many fuctua-
tions--sinking- at times TO the verge Of
extinction and rising again 10 something
like piping days of prosperity. OF late.
after a spell OF the worst. there has
been a favorable turn. and the seasol
which has just closed takes rank among
the best. The Barra matie's claim 10
the premier place against all comers
among British herring has hitherto been
ungrudgingly conceded, and rests both
upon its size and flavor.
The theory among experts Is that the
sandy banks lying from twenty 20 hftr
miles west and east of Barra, and form
ing the fayorite feeding haunts OF the
herring shoals. provide the fish with
food imparting this delicate flavor
Among such banks. especially those lying
west-noTthwest OF Castle Bay. the
shoals seem 10 find more congenial quar-
ters than elsewhere. There the herring
attain more rapidly TO maturity and
greater weight.
The Heavy Cost.
When in prime condition the matte is
oily. and readily absorbs the pickle in
which IL Is cured. tinging it with q rich
amber color peculiar to the matte
pickle. and due. it is said. to its fatty
and full-neshed condition.
Some idea OF the Importance Of the in
dustry and the heavy cost involved in
its prosecution may be obtained by the
following figures, which are approx
The Washington times., 1903-09-13

mately correct: At the height OF the
season just closed the full strength OF
the fishing feet numbered about 400
boats. This. averaging the boats at $4,000
apiece. with a drift of nets involving
an additional cost Of $500. brings the
total aggregate value OF the Castle Bay
feet fully equipped 10 a formidable
figure, falling not far short OF $780,
600.
Then. II it be explained that Gran.
containing, say, from 1000 to 200 her
rings, costing the curer, at the high
prices prevailing this season, from TO
cents per herring. is retailed in the
best restaurants in Berlin, st. Peters,
burg and elsewhere at about 25 cents
and the total catch of the season De
some 10 900 Grams. the full value OF this
rich harvest of the Scottish seas will De
seen to work out TO startling proper
tions. But a formidable rival. 1t is said,
has been found on the northwest OF Ire
land, but whether the new rival will
oust the Castle Bay matte from foreign
favor remains TO be seen.
Interesting Work
The method of shooting and hauling
the nets Is not without interest. The
crew OF seven men work in pairs, with
the seventh steering. The nets are shot
toward evening. and stretch for almost
a mile behind the vessel. The 'lie-to'
is generally devoted TO a few hours
sleep. and at an early hour the crew
are again found at their respective
posts. Then the first strain Of the
hauling-in rope begins. This hour
brings the psychological moment, for 4
is fraught with the issues OF the labori-
Gus venture That it is an important
hour !n connection with the Castle Bay
matte" will be seen when II is stated
that a single shot this season netted foi
the crew the handsome sum OF $1,000
Still, the calling Is beset by hazards, any
OF all OF which may make their appear
anee in a single night. There may be
sudden mists. or provoking spells o:
Gains. or fierce tides running inshore
and apt TO entangle the nets. or shoals
of dogfsh-that scourge Of the Minct
and plague of the. nsherman's life-oT
once in while the great sunfish may
wrap his bulky frame In the delicate
nets and rend in a few moments what
IL may take the combined skill OF the
crew hours TO set right: or the whole
drift of nets, full of valuable fish, may
be lost by setting too close inshore.
The Washington times., 1903-09-13

way 10 see II. Every policeman seems
capable Of acting as guide, and every
resident would have the visitor consider
him a willing encyclopedia
1t must not be forgotten. besides. that
Washington has probably more large
meeting halls for its size than any
other city. Convention Hall, occupying
nearly an entire square and rooted with
steel and glass. is the largest.
Other Large Halls
The assembly rooms in Grand Army
Hall. situated on Pennsylvania Avenue,
are among the most spacious in the Dis
trict, and Masonic Temple. on the cor
ner OF Ninth and Streets. has half a
dozen lodge rooms handsomely fitted
and large enough for commandery "f
Knights Tenplar to drill In
The seven or eight larger hotels aavs
big suites OF rooms which can be read
lily converted into superb halls. For ex-
ample. the Ebbitt House was the scene
of the trial OF General Egan. Of "eua-
balIned beef" notoriety, and the great
parIors OF the Arlington shelter con-
ventions almost every week during the
winter months.
Besides these meeting rooms there
sre efghty-two other halls In Washing
tion, ranging from Scottish Rite Han TO
the smaller rooms where the town coun-
ellis of Washington's suburbs meet
There are also many handsomely ap-
pointed theaters In the city all OF
-h,,l 49,. 49,, ,sad Of dffYerent times
as halls for conventions.
Record of a Year.
It is interesting TO observe the num-
Der and varied aims q the societies
which have convened in washington fo-
the past year.
From August, 1902. to August, 1908. the
following societies have held conven-
tions here: National Retail Butchers
and Meat Dealers Protective Associa-
tion: Ladies OF the G.. A. R.. national
convention; Sons of Veterans; Grand
Army of the Republic. national encamp-
ment; Woman's Relief, corps. national
convention; Union Veterans Union;
American Association of Obstetricians
and Gynecoiogists: daughters OF veter-
ans; Union Veterans Union, Ladies'
auxiliary, national encampment; Ex-
Prisoners OF War; International Press
Union; National Retail Liquor Dealers
Society; Army OF the Cumberland: ::
Seventh Illinois Cavalry; Thirteenth
Army Corps; United Textile Workers
OF America; Universalists National
Builders Association; District Sum
OF America; Universalists; National
Collegiate Alumni: Spanish-American
War Nurses; American Society of
Naturalists: American Warehousemen's s
Associations; Presbyterian Eyangelistic
Conference; National Board OF Trade;