davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1904-05-29

dignihed representative of Dali Nippon,
KogorO Takahira. Nine. Takahira
came to America distinguished as one
Of the most brilliant and beautifully
gowned women in the diplomatic ser
vice. and her priceless silks have been
advantageously displayed with a fash
ionable victoria as a background. It
was known that the minister looked
with equal favor on fine carriages and
good horses Even he, probably, was
surprised 20 find himself seated in an
auto and speeding about the asphalt
streets OF Washington.
Mr.. Takahira. however. is scarcely a
true "bubbler" His interest in the au-
tomobile is entirely unitarian. Just as
far as 1t serves him. just as long as IT
transports him speedily and surely he
gives it cautious support But when
once II breaks down and leaves him
stranded half way to his destination
the automobile agent is likely to find
the doors Of the Japanese legation closed
against him more tightly even than
against the reporter in search OF war
news.
1t may be significant that the Japa-
The Washington times., 1904-05-29

dents in Farragut square-which IS
about two blocks from the White
House-were startled by the flash of
light runabout. surmounted by a modish
Joung woman with a large hat, and
steered intrepidly into Connecticut Ave
nue. before bystanders had time 70 catch
their breath. The machine belonged to
the Countess Cassini. the niece, and now
the adopted daughter, of the Russian
ambassador. Her dark beauty and chic
attire had made her an object Of notice
TO the whole city. Notwithstanding the
fact that she was still quite a young
girl, and was not then the recognized
mistress Of her uncle's embassy. So she
was followed with kindly curiosity as
she few up the fashionable avenue.
brown veil streaming from her hat. and
her car sailing ahead like an arrow.
In just that style she has been flying
about Washington ever since-through
the Mall and the Monument grounds to-
day. over the hills TO the Country Club
tomorrow, out along Connecticut Avenue
to Chevy Chase the next day. and back
to her home In time to preside with girl
fish vivacity at a dinner, 10 divide inter-
The Washington times., 1904-05-29
Woman Leads the Way-AlI the Men
Follow But the British Ambassadors.
A Thing of Use to the Jap.

nese. with whom the practical instinct IS
so strong, wear the aspect Of a Euro
pean legation, while their national
neighbors. the Chinese. who view the
automobile as a fine toy and AUTOMOBILE
ing as a rare sport, cling to the garb and
manner Of the immemOrial East. If the
men Of the Island Empire view the auto
in a utilitarian light. the sons Of the
Flowery Kingdom are as happy over it
as children. Sir Chentung Lang heng.
the Chinese minister. espoused baseball
while at an American college. He
learned to pitch curved ball, and in
troduced our national game into China
1t is no wonder. then. that he and his
aides know the secrets OF all sorts Of
motors, and ride with satisfaction writ
ten all over their faces
Another automobiles in the diplomatic
circle is. or rather was. Mr.. Minhui Cho
the picturesque envoy from the trou-
blous peninsula Of Korea. Mr.. Cho rep
resented a hermit kingdom. and dressed
the part-though ne also wore American
clothes at times. Until his recall. a few
months ago, his flowing robes and var
nished hat were familiar sights about
The Washington times., 1904-05-29

the Capital. but never so familiar as TO
lose their interest
On the other hand. Senior Walker
Martinez. the Chilean minister. has be-
come an automobiles like one 10 the
manner born His country is no hermit
kingdom. for Chile has been called the
United States OF South America. and
automobiles. like every other product OF
the most adanvced civilization. find
there an intelligeE and ready patron
age.
Not all the diplomatists on 6rty at
the American Capital. by any means.
go to Newport or LarchmOnt or the
woods of Maine for the summer In re-
cent years not few have found cool re-
treats among the beautiful hills about
Washington This year, the Russians
the Turks, the Chinese. the Chileans,
and many subordinate officers OF other
legations have already engaged cottages
in suburban villages OF the District OF.
Columbia. Those who drive over the
shaded roads about Washington next
summer may find ample opportunity TO.
study the visiting diplomatist as he dis
plays himself on the seat OF a Whizzing
auto-car
The Washington times., 1904-05-29

and we ali were or quite early On our
way to Calamba were many rice fields
and as we were passing immense crowds
of natives were focking out to the har-
vest Each and everyone had some kind
OF n queer looking instrument. When we.
stopped to get a photo of the harvesters,i
I learned that they called their queer
harvesting instrument a ''palay." I be-
lieve ''palay' is the native word for rice.
and this is where they get the name
perhaps. I also learned how to use the,
palay. Being much interested tried TO
buy one of these instruments. but the
people were much loath TO sell them as
they were just entering upon a days
labor. However, I finally found a hon.
bre who sold me his for several times its
value. However. I was satisfied and
think he was too.
They handle their rice in a most primi-
tive way. The palay Is used to cut the
heads of. The heads are allowed to dry
and are then failed out or trodden out
by carabao or other animals. Then, to
separate the grain from the char. they
select a windy day and. standing upon
high bench, slowly pour the chaE-rnixed
rice. The chaff. being lighter, is driven
farther than the heavier grains Very
simple but awfully crude and slow.
We boarded the boat at Calamba at
about 8 O'Clock and reached Manila at
about 3 that evening. very. very dirty.
Not an unengaged rig was TO be SEEN
walked up and down the EscOlto three
times hunting for one in vain Finally
had 10 go away over the Bridge OF
Spain before I could get one. 1 know I
must have looked a sight, and IL is a
wonder 1 was not arrested az a suspi-
cious character. The trip was a dne
one-one TO be remembered.
The Washington times., 1904-05-29

rible thirst one would have down in
the crater, and about how hot il would
be. I took along two OF the delicious
oranges, and filed my water bottle At
no time did I experience a severe
thirst, and I had plenty Of water to
spare, and did spare four men drinks
from II. 1t was warm by streaks. when
the sun would appear for a while With
my shirt a Ia Filipino 1 felt quite COM
Portable.
We remained in the crater about four
hours, and did much climbing and walk
ing yet I did not feel exhausted. About
10 O'Clock we began the climb out, and
it was pretty hard work Straight up.
one would have had to crawl. but as
we took the zig-zag course we were
able to walk the entire way.
II was an experience never to be for
gotten, and I would that I were better
able to tell of it. L suppose we en-
joyed II more because of the cloudy day
just suited for such a trip At in
tervals a slight rain would fall.
Hard Looking Climbers.
When we got out we were sights to be
seen, covered with dirt and ashes from
head TO foot And I took only one suit
OF white duck with me. The next time
do such a trick I shall back up to the
wall and invite the crowd to kick.
Khaki is the thing to wear on such
trip.
We had a good swim in the lake and
washed out some of the dirt from our
clothes and were ready to start back
for Ambulong. when the launch APP
peared about II o'clock. However. the
launch was not ready. as lit had two
lieutenants on board who needs must
hold the launch till they could make the
ascent. Now, a teniente is 'it' in a
little one-horse place Of a post like that.
so we had to submit to the inevitable.
think. though. everyone was secretly re-
joiced when quite a heavy rain came up
and gave the tenientes a good wetting
even though it forced US all into cramD-
ed quarters aboard the launch
The tenientes and their crowd re-
turned and we left for Ambulong at
about o'clock. reaching that place
about shutdown. Our carratelas were
waiting. so we lost no time in getting
under way for Tanauan. which we
reached about 1880. The school had
been vacated for vacation time and the
good school teacher invited us all 10
make ourselves at home in his school
there in Tanauan for the night. We all
Clipped in bread and cakes and canned
stuffs. and with the aid Of one or two
cooks in the crowd and native cook.
managed 10 get together a very good
supper and a hot one
After a good nights sleep, this per
formance was repeated for breakfast.
The Washington times., 1904-05-29

bushes. weeds, vines. and tropical IN
dergrowth. Our trail lea through this
for some little distance, all the while
winding upward. Pretty soon we came
to the bare ashes Of the peak. Nothing
could grow there. 1t was sharp climb
from there to the summit with ones
feet sinking into the ashes. BY 6
o'clock we were looking into the crater.
and a wonderful sight It wasl
At our backs was the sun, Just break
ing over the distant mountains in all las
glory; In front OF us lay a scene never
to be forgotten-one of the most awe
inspiring works of nature. Slightly TO
the left of the great pit immense vol
umes of steam. vari-colored by sui
phurous fumes, were rising in great
clouds and pillows More to the left
lay three lakes, yellow, chocolate, and
ashen colored.
Down in the Crater.
Recovering somewhat from the awe
which overcame US, we lost no time in
starting upon the zigzag course to the
bottom Of this wonderful bowl a mile
across and near a thousand feet deep.
One had to look alive on this descent. for
the footing was none too secure, and a
single misstep would mean being hurled
hundreds OF feet below At times there
were wide gullies to leap, with none too
secure a footing on the other side. One
would jump to what appeared 20 be a
rock, but which crunbled to ashes upon
striking Il. At nearly. all times one
walked in ashes over ankle deep.
Upon reaching the bottom we turned
TO the left and gave out attention 20 the
vapors there. At times one would como
to places where a landslide had started,
from the cracks of which were issuing
little feathers of steam and sulphur Gus
fumes 1t took some little nerve to step
over or Jump over these, not knowing
but that ones footing would slide away
into nothingness. Finally we got clear
around the largest volume OF steam
climbed right up into 1t and looked over
into the crater, where the growing
and muttering and rumbling were
enough to make one quake. This steam
wa nor so bad but when the wind
would blow the sulphur fumes in ant
around It made one gasp and choke for
breath
To get from this place down to where
we Gould get a near view of the lakes
would mean quite walk II we should
take the safer way, but we chose to slid,
the inner crater. When I say slide,
mean it. for / actually sat down IL
the ashes and slid the whole way TO tn,
bottom, distance OF, perhaps. two hun
bred feet. Now, this may sound danger
The Washington times., 1904-05-29
rsnchi wife, adopt Bubble"
He Adopts the New Vehicle Out of Com
pIinent to the American Love for
Mechanical Progress.

~ HE modern diplomatist is a man
Of adaptability. He must not only
accustom himself to the bracins
snow Of ST. Petersburg or the languor
Of summer in Rome. but must bear him
self as If he had never known any
thing else. 1t is his business to make
friends. and in the diplomatic mind the
first requisite for making friends is the
open fiattery Of initiating ones neigh
bors.
IN Germany. then. the envoy discloses
a consuming interest in the military. In
France he judiciously fuses letters. the
arts. and social gayeties- In England
he goes % see the Derby. and spends
week-ends in the country. In America
q land which he usually admires under
The Washington times., 1904-05-29
BOXING THE EARS.

There are several things very common
" done which are extremely injurious
TO the ear. and ought to be carefully
avoided. One of these is the practice or
boxing children's ears The passage OF
the ear is closed by a thin membrane.
especially adapted to be influenced by
every impulse Of the air. and with moth
ing but the air TO support il internally.
What. then, can be more likely 10 in
lure this membrane than sudden and
forcible compression Of the air IN trout
OF it? II any one designed 10 break oS
oVerstretch the membrane, a more eff
cient means could scarcely be devised
than TO bring the hand suddenly and
forcibly down upon the passage Of the
ear, thus driving the air Violentiy be-
fore IL. with no possibility of its escape
without the membrane giving way.
Medical authorities assert that many
children are in this way made deaf OF
boxing on the ear.
The Washington times., 1904-05-29

protest-he becomes an expert in me-
chanics.
The automobile, consequently. rolled
into diplomatic favor in Washington
through open gates. No matter that
the AIuscovite preferred four horses and
a drOshky, the Chinaman chair car
ried by sturdy-iegged coolies. or the
Chilean a smart victoria. drawn by
docked horses with clanking chains.
The automobile had found favor with
Americans, II had been much developed
by American ingenuity. and the diploma
list who knew his business was ready
TO pretend that he liked IL whether he
did or not
National Capital still regarded the au-
tomobiie with vulgar curiosity. the resi-
The Washington times., 1904-05-29

ever tasted. For size. they do not COM
pare TO the American orange neither
are they yellow and easy to peel. In
stead. they are light green and very
difficult to peel. but they are good. A
little native girl recited one Of her
selections being Jack arI jill" and
another a speech 70 MIR. PRESIDENT"
assuring us the Spanish were prefer
able to the Americansl
Another rig was secured and we were
of for Ambulong the small constabulary
post where one crosses the lake TO Vol
can Island. This part Of the road was
newly made. and IL seemed as though
IT had not rained for ages. Great guam
titles OF dust and sand were stirred up.
and we were covered with II. I mean
this literally. I actually had TO strain
the atmosphere through a handkerchief
before / could breathe Il. At last. be-
grimed and bedusted we arrived at Ann
bulong Just as the sun was disappear
ing
You have TO be over here to appre-
ciate just how fast dusk falls, and be-
fore we knew ii night was upon US.
However. there was full moon. so we
had a sandwich and boarded the mill
tary launch which was TO take us 20
were some smart people who rushed
ahead OF everyone at Caiamba and Tan
auan. getting all the best rigs, hoping
20 get 20 Ambulong first ard get off in
the launch before the rest OF us could
get there. They got TO Ambulong
ahead OF us all right, but we're told that
the military people had orders to hold
the launch for a II. T. Edwards and
crowd. That was US. so they not only
had TO walt. but had to ask If they
might Join our party and thus get to
go IN the launch.
Carried by Natives.
| We got off from Ambuiong about 1880
/ The water, clear as crystal. reflected this
moon in a wonderful way. breaking into
/ thousands OF ripples as it was stirred
! by the breeze. We were landed or
| Volcano Island about 9, everyone, ladies'
Of whom there were two-and all being
| carried ashore from the banca in the
arms of the natives.
After a good supper. everyone rOlled
| In his blanket for a good sleep in tho
shade of the trees. The moon made Il
almost as light as days. and every
thing was enjoyable. One thing CAV,
| me discOmfOTt--the sharp prick OF Z
| thorn now and then as / stirred
We were up by 4:3O the next morning
had breakfast by moonlight, and shortl,
were off for the crater. Around tn,
foot of the volcano are many thorI
The Washington times., 1904-05-29

WASHINGTON recently the ascent Of Mount Taa
~ partially the Philippines and the descent Of
through which he passed.
the ntoerabe heat Of the crater itself he
hasw a interesting story.
Gibbs who graduated the
attached to the bureau Of
public buildings Manila
Mr. and Mrs Gibbs, live Maryland
The start exploration from Manila, and Mr.
tells the story thus:
The Washington times., 1904-05-29

Gus, but Il was not. for the whole way
was heavily covered with ashes. which
made sliding easy, and he bottom wac
just a wide bed OF ashes.
The only really dangerous place on the
slide was the very start There. for a
distance Of perhaps FIVE feet. the wall
was almost vertical. and you can i'm
agine that, should one make a misstep
with only a 60-degree angle or greater
TO stop themselves on, 1t would be
rather dangerous experience. However.
we got through all right. and my friend
Duncan wanted the camera in order to
get a picture Of me as I came sliding
down. I declined.
We got a near view Of the lakes from
this point. What appeared to be a
beautiful lake was really nothing but
thin mud. for we threw a stone into il
and saw the slime and mud splash up.
The yellow and chocolate colors were
probably sulphur or some other chemi-
cal floating on the mud. The whole
thing was steaming, and at places a
bubble or a little Jet would shoot up,
but one could not say that these lakes
were boiling.
However. a trip over the wall of this
inner crater brought one to a lake that
was boiling right enough. This was the
ashen colored lake 10 the extreme right.
We had heard so much about one place
where you could see flames that we
were quite anxious 20 find II. We
found the place beside this boiling lake.
1t was shaped somewhat like furnace,
and an intense heat was radiating from
it. but no flames. 1 do not want to
say that no one ever saw flames there.
but 1 do say that I saw none and 1
watched the place for some little time.
If one were foolhard,y enough TO make
the descent at night. I am rather OF
the opinion that he would see the re-
/ Elections from the inner flames. But
please excuse me from such trip at
night!
Deposits of Sulphur.
Unless we wanted long walk re-
tracing our steps. we would have to
keep farther To the right and cross
3ome low places. We chose the latter
and the low places turned out TO be
sulphur deposits. or what we took to be
aulphur. 1t was about the color OF the
yolk OF a hard-boiled egg. At places II
would be caked and hard, but at others
was quite soft and would give to the
/ foot With our sticks we could thrust
away down into IL, and the further
down we thrust The softer II appeared
| to be. 1t was a rather ticklish place
| One could never tell what would hap
pen should he get caught in such {
mire
Tales lad been told us about the ter.
The Washington times., 1904-05-29

est in the theater with some well-known
star, or TO take her station, girl as she
is. at the head OF the diplomatic circle
Her position is contrary 10 all precedent.
establishing as il does q young and I'M
married girl in advance of women. any
Of WHOM is old enough to be her grand
mother. But The average American ap-
plauds he spirit with which she holds
70 her rank. and follows her automobile
with smile of undeniable admiration.
Great Britain Cautious.
No British ambassador has ever been
seen in a motor-ear. Lord PauncefOte.
who played tennis on the lawn In the
rear Of the embassy. and rode a cum
brous tricycle.. would not risk the auto
mobile One OF his secretaries, Mr..
Crackanthorpe became an ardent chauf-
feur. but his skill and his enthusiasm
were alike lost on his chief. Otherwise
the Russians stand alone among the
embassies in free Endorsement Of the
horseless carriage.
Among the legations. the new vehicle
has made it's most notable conquest in
ttA .se nerson of the adroit. reserved. and
The Washington times., 1904-05-29
THE STORY OF THE TRIP.

first into the banca. having II pushed
ashore. and stranded ourselves knee
deep in the water. Growing desperate,
bribed one Of the banca men 20 take
me on his shoulder and carry me ashore.
captured one Of the carratelas. which
by that time were driving out into the
water.
Only two people can ride in one car
ratela. and as there were four in our
crowd we required ere more. And a
time we had getting It. too. 1t was Holy
Thursday, and a fiesta day, and the lazy
hombres (men) did not want to drive
to TanauaR. though they looked as II
they'd slip a knife into you for a pesettA.
After much bunting around. we finally
secured another rig. Our cochero (driv-
err kept trying 20 make a bargain for
the drive TO Tanauan. but we pretend
ed not TO understand him. He wansrc
20 know. "Quanto listed paga mir"
(How much you pay me?). but we would
only answer "Bueno paga." eve Will
pay you well.) You see. we were onto
the tricks Of these drivers. The regu-
lar fare TO Tanauan was three pesos, but
II you made a dicker with them for the
trip at eight pesos. why. you ought 70
pay II. We would not strike a bargain,
however. and the cochero said he
wouldn't go. We assured him that he
was going all the same. and. as by that
time all the rest OF the crowd had been
started. and he could get no one else.
he started on grumhling and whipping
the two little ponies, one hitched be-
tween the bamboo shafts and the other
pliilinR along outside
The Washington times., 1904-05-29

II was understood no sort Of provls-
ions could be had at either Calamoa'
Tanauan. or AmbulOng, so we TOOK
enough with US No facilities Tor sleep
ing were to be had at the volcano 50
we each took a blanket. Thus loaded
with our blanket I'm a "sojer' roll over
one shoulder. a water bottle over the
other and with hands filed with vari-
aus packs of Chow" and cameras, we
presented a strange appearance on our
way to the boat.
We boarded the vapor "Madah' on
the Pasig just before she started at 7
a. m. The boat proved 10 be anything
hut a ..madaIi," for II was 1870 p. m.
before we were landed at Calamba,
small town some forty miles up the
Pasig and across Laguna de Bay. On
our way UP the Pasig we saw the i'm
rnense piles OF lumber which are TO be
used IN building the new post OF Ma
Mia. called Fort Mckinley. at San Pedro
Macati, and many native pueblos and
ruins.
Just as we entered Laguna de Bay we
saw the fish traps there-there must
have been miles and miles OF them that
we went through. and We could see them
stretching on into the distance 10 the
right and left. This Laguna Is very
shallow. for the boat stirred up great
volumes or very muddy water. And II
had 10 be very muddy to be noticed, for
the whole lake was muddy enough. At
several little fishing villages stops were
made and. as the water was too shallow
10 get in close 70 shore and there were
no piers, passengers had TO be landed
and embarked in bancas. small native
dugout boats with outriders.
The Washington times., 1904-05-29
Rush for TRANSPORTATION.

Arrived AT Calamba. there was a great
rush 70 get ashore for II was feared
= that there would not be a sufficient
number of ccarratelas 10 ego around. Il
was very tedious loading everything
The Washington times., 1904-05-29
Good Time Made.

The roads were fair. but steep. and
everything counted. We made pretty
quick time 20 Tanauan. which is about
ten miles on the way to Lake Taal
There we paid our grumbling cochero
and dismissed him. We went into a ma
tive woman's house and were treated
royalty TO the finest oranges have