davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-07

Mrs Arthur Sperry, daughter-in-law of
Mrs. H. B. Sperry, president of the Fedora
ton Of Woman's Clubs, recently published
over the nom de plume of Carolyn Prescott
a defense against an attack made on wo-
mans clubs by min ster in Chicago.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-07

Mrs. NJ. E. Davis, president of the Ladies
Union Veteran Legion, returned from Kit
terry. Me-, last Friday night, after an alb
seLce of five months.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-07

The Homeopathic Free DispeI1ary Asso-
citation held Its annual meeting Wednesday
at 912 18th street Considerable important
business was transacted. Mrs Adelaide
Van der Lipe was reelected president of
the association for the seventh time.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-07

The monthly meeting of the board of
lady managers of the Garfield Hospital
was held at the Riggs House this morn
ing, at II o'clock. There was a large at
tendance and business matters were dis
cusssd.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-07

Miss Frances Graham French, pres dent
of the Woman's National Press Assoca-
ton, has just received a communication on
the woman question from Nine Marie
Martin, editor of LIE Journal DIES FemmeS
of Paris, France. Nine Martin is an
English woman resident in Paris, where
she is vice president Of the International
Press Union. She announces that La
FrOnde has ceased publication.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-07

Mrs. H. H. Barroli, delegate to the 81.
Louis convention of women's clubs from
the Connecticut state federation, was in
this city the past week. AS vice president
for Connecticut of the Information Press
Union and as associate member of the
Woman's National Press Association she
was the recipient of much attention. She
was the guest of Miss Frances Graham
French.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-07

The Washington Alumni Association met
Wednesday, when those present gave reml-
niscences of their summer vacations. Miss
Gillet read paper on "A Trip to Alaska,
although bodily remaining ia Washington;
Mrs E. s. Mussey told Of heH visit to jacob
Riis; Mrs. Munroe described her view OF
the public gardens in Philadelphia; MRS.
Coop and Miss Raymond,, who were dele
gates to the national convention OF the
Woman's Single Tax Club, heid IN New Ne,
Haven. gave talk on that city: Miss jack
son described her trip to Mflrose Abbey,
and Mrs. Daniel c. Paul dtold of her tour
through the New England states.
The Society of Philosophical Inquiry heio
its first session for the season Tuesday at
IT'S headquarters, Columbian, University.
Rev. ]. MacBride StegFettu lectured on
Methods of Studying the History of Phil
osophy-" The society includes among It's
charter members Mrs. Caroline III. DAN,
Miss Olive Risley Seward. Miss Francis
Graham French and Il MRS. Mindeien.
Among the new members elected were COM
modores II. H. Barroll and w. H. s. Mas
SER u. s. N. both of whom are writers on
scientific subjects.
A meeting of the Sophacles Club was held
at the home of its president Mr.. T.. 3.
Steele, Friday. when the following officers
were elected: E. S. Steele. president; Dr.
Farquhar, vice president; Mrs Daniel Z.
Paul, second vice president; Mrs. William
Z. Goddard, secretary and Mrs. David
White. treasurer. DR.. Farquhar read pa
per on 1.-THE Origin and Development OF the
Greek Drama This club has been organ
lied for the purpose of studying Greek
tragedies.
The November meeting of the Woman's
Single Tax Club of the District of Columbia
was held last Monday evening at the home
of Mrs. John Hansen, 7O4 18th street north
west. After the business meeting the even
ing was spent in playing the landlords
game. invented by Miss Lizzie ]. Magic,
illustrating the economic evils which the
single tax is intended to correct. After
many amusing experiences with rents,
mortgages stocks and bonds. deeds and
franchises. legacies, luxuries, poorhouses
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-07

A shower housewarming was given by
the Bachelor Girls, at fiat II, The Home, on
Massachusetts, avenue, last Monday night,
when the guests were invited to meet the
Misses Edith and Bessie Mosher and Miss
Sarah,M Summers The cards were issued
by Miss Stella NJ. Wilson. Each guest
brought an article used in housekeeping
and presented it to the club.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-07

The committee appointed by Mrs. Hannah
B. Sperry president of the Federation Of
Womans Clubs, to make arrangements for
the annual celebration of the federation,
met at the home of Mrs. Sarah Chase
Guss yesterday al O'Clock. Those present
were Mrs. Hannah B. Sperry, Mrs. Carrie
Kent. Mrs. E. S. Cromwell, Mrs. Belva
Lockwood Mrs. Mary S. Lockwood, Mrs.
M. L. Schneider. Mrs. c. E. Main, Mrs.
Joel Hillman and Mrs Sarah Chase Guss.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-07

The Washington Section of the Council
of Jewish Women held meeting at the
Temple last Tuesday afternoon a o clock,
when Mrs. Edward Kohner read a paper
on Strength" and afterward three Sc
lections from Morris Rosenfeld Mrs. M.
Ba ssist sang ''Merrily l Roam and What
is Lover" accompanied on the piano by
Mrs. Bamborgen. After the business was
over Mrs. Goldsmith. Mrs N. Kahn and
Mrs. S. Heller served refreshments. This
club has just been admitted into the fedora
tiOn
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-07

gFiscal Agents of the United States in
China and the Philippine Islands.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-07

Among other noted women visiting the
city were Mrs Margaret Gibson of Cam
bridge. England. and Mrs. Agnes Smith
Lewis. LID, ST. Andrews University of
Scotland. Mrs. Smith Lewis has also re-
ceived honorary degrees from Heidelberg
University for wonderful discoveries OF
manuscripts at Mount Sinai. These ladies
are vice presidents for Great Britain of
the International Press Union. Miss Mabel
Foster represents that union in Italy, from
whence she sends most interesting infor-
nation.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-07

Miss Helen Varick Boswell has just re-
turned to her apartment at the Cairo from
New York. where she has been the guest of
several clubs of that city. During her abb
sence she was engaged in political work.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-07

The Excelsior Literary Club met at the
home of Miss M. c. Bennett last Tuesday
afternoon. with Mrs. Addie Foster. presi-
dent, in the chair. Twenty-Five members
and eight visitors were present. Mrs. Fred.
Miller was elected a member of the club.
The meeting opened with a piano solo by
Miss Jennie Frear. after which Miss Bennett
gave a talk on Germany, showing views of
Weisbach Heidelberg Oberammergau. Mu
Mich and the Dresden Galleries. Mrs J.
w. Bulla and Mrs. Julia Webb played
piano duet and the meeting was adjourned.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-01

ceilence of the average book, whereby Mr..
Watson of course means the ordinary novel,
is distinctly"a cause for congratulation, and
is. moreover. one of the most characteristic,
and, therefore, one of the most striking,
features of the present period of fiction.
Not so many years ago but that most OF
us can remember it the average novel was
so poor as to merit the greater part of the
horror which it inspired. That ii was Ia
booed on theological rather than on artistic
grounds was no matter--was, perhaps
provision of Providence. The point is that
il was tabooed and deserved the sentence.
To the reader of the present 1T would be
impossible: to the present day critic IT Is
interesting only from an historical point of
view. Thackeray, Dickens and Charles
Reade might be producing work worthy of
their best selves; the average novelist was
producing trash.
we may of the poorest fiction now issued
by the reputable publishing houses, it comes
far nearer to deserving the dress in which
they clothe ii than did its legitimate prede-
cessor to meriting the slatternly garments
provided by those same publishing houses
forty and even thirty years ago. We may
feel that only down the perspective Of the
winnowing years is il possible definitely to
measure the greatness OF a great hook, but
the test of merit in little book is, first OF
all, that of readableness, and this, of
course, is in it's essence a test as applicable
to-day as tomorrow. Judged by that cri-
terion the average novel; of the present
is head and shoulders above the average
novel of the past. The demand for minor
fiction is old and enduring-upon it. per-
haps, depends the demand for all fiction,
good or bad-and since this is so 1t is COM
forting to know that the standard OF minor
fiction is rising. 1t is hard. indeed, for one
trained in the inartistic and the vicious to
cultivate taste for the excellent; it Is
manifestly far easier for the reader to pass
from the better to the best.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-01
The Kingdom of Make-BeIieve.

There's land apart from compass and chart.
And a happy land none the less.
Should you wish TO start for it's golden mart
forget the route, confess;
Though the way.is wide. I've latterly tried
To enter in vain. and i srfeve gr
That children may go. though they cannot show
Us the kingdom of Make-believe.
There the birds sing on and the sun shines on
In land Of fruit and flowers.
Though tits night forlorn or a wintry morn
In this desolate land OF ours:
IT'S up and away and at elfn play.
AS Fancy's swift shuttle may weave,
For fairies at home contentedy roam
Through the forests OF Make-believe.
Crowned with dainty delights in that realm Of
sprites
Stands a tattered old doll for queen:
And her subjects sweet kiss her grimy feet.
AS. indeed she had royal been:
Too silly always for manikin plays
Is such girlish alteration;
For boys will be boys with frolic and noise.
To the end of all creation.
so they gallop fast many milestones past
on their racers of broomstfck blood =
Though the witches that few through the
heavens blue -s+er
Such a pace could rot have stood.
Tiny lads turn quite into men OF might
Where these regions blissful deceive;
And they toll true their fathers do
In the work shops of Make-believe.
Romantic. forsoeth looms this land of our youth.
Though its glory all disappears
With the waste and wear and the thorny care
Coming on with the passing years -
Though fortune fame the coveted aim,
OF life be won. who would not leave.
II he could. in quest OF haven of rest
In the kingdom of Make-beleve.
90 ga s.. Thomas l. Smiley
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-01
]. B. Glider. in New York Mail and E

J. B. Glider. in New York Mail and Ex-
press.
The poets Sussex house stands in a little
valley In bit OF almost untouched old
England. Three and half miles away
twelve minutes by motor lies the nearest
railway station, Buckingham; but only half
a mile distant is the primitive village of
Burwash. No one knows just what the
name of the village is derived from. nor
what the name OF "Batemans signifies.
The place itself is a delightful old farm
house dating from 1884: rich in age-stained
oak paneling, but no less rich in such mod
ern conveniences as electricity. hot and
cold water, ETC.. introduced without in any
way marring the pieturesqueness OF the
building.
Unlike Nauiahka, the experimental home
at Brattleboro. VT, Batemans promises to
become vertable Kipling homestead. for
the freehold of the estate will presumably
descend in due time to the owners son. On
the tiny river that flows through the three
and thirty acres stands a little -four mill.
OF far greater antiquity than the house
Itself. 1t still grtnds all the grist that Is
brought 10 it, and has paid taxes (and per-
haps dividends) since the year 1886.
In view or the present vogue of home
made fiction In America Mr.. Kipling rather
plumes himself on certain verses he wrote.
some ten years ago, when international
copyright became an accomplished fact.
His advice 10 his fellow authors in Eng
land was to be less jubilant over the event:
for If a people had to pay for its books IL
would doubtless prefer 10 pay for those OF
tainly been verified. Asked to predict az
TO the future course OF the literary move
ment in America. he shows less confidence
in reading the signs of the times.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-01
IN THE LITERARY FIELD
COL. HIGGINSON ON INFLUENCE OF
WESTERN LITERATURE.
A Suggestion About BOOk-PIates-The
Average Novel Is Fairly Good
Where KipIing Lives.

In lecture at the Lowell Institute. Bos-
ton. last Monday evening, Col Thomas
Wentworth IIigginson had for his subject
Western Influence on American Litera-
ture.' Among other things he said:
The first definite intellectual product of
the great West was a vast swarm of HUI
morists, political and otherwise, who were
leC loose over the land to set Ii laughing,
sometimes in a good cause, sometimes in a
bad one 1t is undeniable that the
first extensive advertising q our genuinely
Western authors came by the way of Eu-
rope. : l myself was first introduced
to Mark Twain's books by an unimpeach-
able English authority ION somewhat diff
ferent lines from Mr.. Clemens), namely,
Charles Darwin. WHAT" said. he to me,
you have never read Mark Twain? al
ways keep his Jumping Frog ON chair
by my bedside. that / may turn to it in
case or sleepleSsneSs!" and however doubt
full this form Of compliment may appear, it
was certainly something that 1t cheered the
wakeful hours of so great a brain. / al
ways found that could command the con-
fidence of any Englishman by telling him.
what was the simple truth, that had met
Mark Twain In Hartford and dined with
him in his own house, and that he had said
grace with becoming seriousness at table.
That Mark Twain is one of the real
ly great humorists Of the world will, sup
pose, be doubted by no one; but it may be
that he will be like many Of that class
whose works stand In libraries, where the
read pages, while the rest of the we'll
bound volumes are left unopened.
Mr.. Clemens. In what has been well called
"the Odyssean story of the Mississippi
under the name OF "Huckleberry Finn
has laid the foundation of an original
Western literature. The whole local at
mosphere. the tragic vividness with which
heroic figures appear before us, rustic, even
boyish alive for few hours, then disap-
pear with the same quick abruptness in
death--a whole family perhaps made inter-
esting. even charming, 20 us, then vanish
ing merciessly in a meaningless border
feud; this is distinct step in American lit
erature and cannot be put out of sight
either by too ambitious efforts like his
Joan of Arc or such free-and-easy jour
nalistic extravaganzas as ''InnocentS
Abroad"
Bret Harte perhaps cannot fairly be in
Guided in any survey of American litera-
ture as having denationalized himself too
thoroughly. 1t was his lot to remain for
thirty years what Is called "a promising
writer" to have created at the outset three
or four brilliantly marked characters and
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-01

men farm hands are forcsd TO observe the
decencies of life in many ways. while their
imperial master does not hesitate to lodge
them with his cattle
This 1 would not believe if I had not seen
IT with my own eyes. In all but two of the
cottages one and the same roof covers man
and beast. They keep one another warm"
remarked the inspector benignly. Yet as
the farm hands are entitled to free wood
and coal the benefit of the arrangement to
the tenant is not apparent.
But to return to the polite side OF life.
commanded for CaGinen men and women.
They must never eat from an uncovered
table, for one of the all-highest person
ages may want TO inspect the cottage at
meal time" In the gardens attached TO the
cottages flowers only must be grown
both their Majesties delight in flowers -,
etc. etc. A kitchen and one living and
bedroom are furnished to each family, also
portraits of the Emperor and Empress
All the farm hands to whom spoke had
stories to tell of her Majesty's kind words
She visits the cottages every little while
(after they have been properly aired. by the
way) and occasionally gives those inclined
TO church-going some wood cut OF a biblical
subject.
1.-THE last time the Kaiserin made her
rounds she found most of the people at
dinner and saw them eat with their fingers.
At this she was greatly Mortified, said
an old woman, land forthwith commanded
that every cottager be furnished with two
table knives and two iron pronged forks.
What about the children / asked.
'Oh, they are still eating with their
fingers"
The notable feature among the new build
ings is big cow stable just finished. a
story and half high and accommodating
fifty cows and hundred dairy maids. OF
! course, the cows live on the ground floor.
WERE CAREWE. 2
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-01
English INSTRUMENTATION.
New York Tribune.

New York Tribune.
The editor OF 1.-THE Bookman," In Lon
don, has heard some news of the sort which
is 10 be characterized as interesting IL true.
Judging from the reports which reach us
from New York." he says, 1.-The boom in
American fiction is over and the in
evitable reaction has set in. Booksellers
complain that they are glutted with novels
and doubtless there will soon be an end to
the scramble among the publishers for
what, we believe, they call historical ro-
mances." This reads like beautiful
dream. Turning to certain lists of spring
publications just received we find fiction,
as hitherto. in the van. New novels in
numbers quite as impressive those of
previous seasons are in press, and the re-
turns are not all in, not by any means. The
booksellers may complain of being ''glutted
with novels" but when, since the BOOM
set in, have they not been glutted with
books of this sort? The truth is that
while. as we never tire of reminding cur
readers, the average in contemporary fic-
ton is steadily improving. ne trashy book
gets itself written often as ever. This
is the book that helps to ''glut' the book
seller. We have not heard OF his having
any difficulty in disposing of the best fc-
ton or. for that matter, the fiction which
if not the best is certainly far from con-
temptible.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-01
The Portrait Book-PIate.

S. Hollyer, in Literary Collector.
1t has often been a matter of surprise
to me that the portrait of ex-libris has
not been more popular. OF all the old
plates that I have seen the only portrait
one / can call to mind is that of Pepys.
The design is an oval medallion on scroll
of paper with motto overhead. The por-
trait is well done in line from good paint
ing of the old gentleman. Such a bold de-
parture from custom in those days showed
good deal of courage on his part and
/ regret very much that others have not
followed his example. How interesting it
would be to have Washington's portrait on
his plate. instead of his coat-of-arms.-
as also those of many prominent men Of
his time and since What value would IL
give to many old volumes that possess now
no special interest. have spoken on this
subject to several collectors whose plates
have engraved, and their invariable OBJ
lection to the portrait design Is that 1t
appears to them conceited. In this light
/ cannot view it. The portrait, being in
side of ones books, In his own library,
is not publicly displayed or hung framed on
the walls, as is an oil painting. but lies
snugly slowed away in choice volumes, in
the good company of poets and authors
In years to come, when the owner has long
since passed away, when his photographs
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-01
ORIGIN OF STEEL ENGRAVING.
Most OF the Records Concerning IL
Have Disappeared:
Boston Transcript.

DoStOn- transcript.
Here is prize for library hunting. When
and where did the art of steel engraving
originate? Obviously it is an important
art, without which it would be impossible
to produce 10000 wholly uniform engrav-
ings. OF paper money it is necessary to
print millions of pieces, each kind to be abb
solutely uniform, and of postage stamps,
those art works in miniature, the call is
for many thousands of millions. Most of
the postage stamps bearing the portrait of
Queen Victoria were derived from one plate
made in 1910. All the world knows that
Jacob Perkins, he of Newburyport, Boston,
Philadelphia and England invented this
particular process, and official records show
that his invention was substantially COM
plete in 1893. 1t is known also that in 1909
he had been at work upon his process for
many years. He appears 10 have taken out
patent bearing upon this invention before
1850. His object was TO print banknotes
not easily forged, and incidentally he seems
TO have become the father of steel engrav-
ing. not the least of nineteenth century
achievements. AS early as 1909 ne under
took to introduce his art I'm England
whence IL spread all over the continent
But most of the records bearing upon the
origin of steel engraving have disappeared
and an example of the art produced before
lS3O might be worth its weight in diamonds.
A local tradition relates that Jacob Per-
kins did his principal work connected with
steel engraving i'm Boston. where the Gen
eral Court ordered all banknotes printed
from his steel plates" in 1909. Perhaps a
reader of the Transcript can throw light
upon this subject 1t seems worth while TO
know the early steps In steel engraving
and If the art was born in Boston. that fact
will be worth knowing. Poor Perkins suf-
Tered from an ACCIDENT. i'm that his. art was
called sideography. all languages persisting
in the rejection of uncouth a word. On
the other hand, the incidental results of his
invention were almost too numerous. TO
mention. Printers may be glad to know
that he used the cylindrical mixer before
1910. and what home is there in all civiliza-
ton that has not some kind of pretty steel
engraving, those issued by the United
States Treasury being, perhaps, not the
least welcome? Did the art of steel en-
craving begin before 1900? And did il begin
in Bostona Assuredly it began in Massa-.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-01

He took bit Of history.
Enwrapped in deepest mystery,
And juggled IL,
And smuggled II
Into dark consistory
Where figures metaphorical.
Half real and half historical,
All young, an handsome,
Were held for ransom
By him. whose style was so calorical.
A maiden pulchritudinous--.
1t would be rude in us
To ask her pedigree,
Since by her beauty she
Such feeling had imbued in us
He prisoned in a towering
Old castle. where the lowering
Clouds, through bars seeable,
Weren't half so disagreeable
As was the angry villain glowering.
A knight who strove ambitiously,
And fought his rival viciously.
Wooed amorously
And DANGEROUSLY,
In phrases he had learned factitiously.
The maid in walls baroniai.
With grief now thin and bony all,
And serenaded her
And oft upbraided her
Because her glances We're SO stony all.
Eleven other characters--
Elaine and other fair actors
He tumbled in
And jumbled in
A lot of wear and tear actors
And woye into his plot. Again
He was upon the spot. Again
He choose a title Sapphire all,
To make the bindings graphic all.
And. To- the busy press was hot again,
New York Life