davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09
An Optional" Promise to Marry.

Here is an ungallant court, upsetting the
traditions of all the ages III respect to the
wooing of woman by man. Miss Caroline
Smythe of New York brought suit against
Edward Greacen, asking for damages 20
her wounded heart in the sum of $50, 900
on the score that he had promised to mar
ry her twenty years ago, and, though re-
peatedly pressed to do SO meanwhile, ne
had refused to make good his promise.
Mr.. Greacen demurred to the complaint
and alleged that he had not exactly prom
ised to marry Miss Smythe, but had gained
her consent to the marriage whenever ne
was ready. This he held, was merely an
optional contract and did not render him
liable to being mulcted in damages If he
failed to marry the complainant. The ap-
pellate court has just sustained this de-
murrer and told Miss Smythe that If she
can set up a more definitely binding con-
tract on the part of Greacen she will have
he- chance at trial.
This is rather a new proposition in the
matter of promises to marry. Heretofore
the trend Of court decisions has been
favorable to the plaintiff in such cases.
The theory has been generally maintained
that the mans devoted attentions to one
woman, if accented by even implied
promise to marry, constituted an action
able agreement, provided he failed to pre-
sent himself, on demand, at the altar. An
optional contract would Of course be re-
vokable by either party. Miss Smythe
might have married any other man during
the twenty years of her supposed engage
ment to Mr.. Greacen. But she did not
wish to do so. or had no other opportunity.
1t Is one of the anomalies of the law that
the breach Of promise principle is never
applied to punish a woman who jilts a
man. Some remnant Of the old-fashioned
prejudice in favor of the woman's right to
do as she pleases in this respect remains.
So the optional contract which holds only
the woman and not the man is not likely
to become popular. even in the face Of this
court decision. If the ruling holds fast
against all tests and becomes the basis of
future decisions, 1t is very likely that the
wise girl of the future will be careful to
secure promise to marry which can by
no twist of reasoning be construed as op-
tiOual
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09
The Circular Reviewing Stand Plan.

The proposition that the President
view the inauguration parade from a point
south of the White House. in order to
permit the assemblage of a grand series
of stands fronting on the ellipse, has many
features to win public approval. Hereto
fore the review has taken place from the
center of a long stand situated directly
north of the Executive Mansion, with
other stand facing it, so that the troops
have passed between them If the pending
proposal is executed it will be possible for
an assemblage estimated at close upon
$4,000 people to witness the review and
observe the President throughout the pro-
ceeding.
In any case the change in the location
and arrangement of the reviewing stands
near the White House will not affect the
march up Pennsylvania avenue which has
become known the world over as the ma
tons great parade ground. If the circu-
Iar-stand scheme is carried into effect
there will probably be few if Gny stands
erected on the public spaces on the ave-
nue.. In some respects this will be de-
cided gain for the reviewing stand how
ever decorated is far from a thing of
beauty especially during the hours pre-
ceding and following the parade. One of
the prime objects of those in charge of
the city's chief street made beautiful by
the use of designs and colors, and it is
altogether likely that with the parking
stands eliminated this object can be at
tanned more effectively than ever before.
1t is assured that many thousands of
people will view the procession on Penn
sylvania avenue from the sidewalks and
from windows. The transfer of the stands
to the White Lot will not diminish the op-
portunity of those who wish to witness
the spectacle from the point of vantage
of the stands, but on the other hand will
enable them to combine a view of the
marching bodies of men with view of
the President as he reviews the parade.
In one respect, at least, a change from
the former method of leading the troops
past the President will be beneficial The
abrupt Shift in the direction at 18th street,
where the parade must make two sharp
turns before Strengthening out for the
march past the President, often leads to
confusion and delay 1t should be possible
so to arrange the line of approach to the
great circular reviewing space that there
will be no such checks or changes of for
nation.
Nothing that is done in the way of re-
arranging the stands will affect the OPP
portunity of those who wish to see the
parade Probably the plan proposed will
provide even larger number of seats
than heretofore, and by their assemblage
city incidental to their construction will be
minimized, leaving the avenue free to
respond to the unhampered efforts of the
citizens and the committees to make this
most conspicuous street of the city mem
orablV beautiful.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09
Sport!
From the indianapolis News.

There has probably been no nation since
Greece in her prime, unless it be Rome
that has made SO much of the professional
athlete does this nation. We have pro-
fessional base ball players. runners, walk
ers, bicyclists, automobiles, skaters, pugiI-
lists. golfers, polo players and others
many. In other words, the country is filed
with men who make a living out of sports
We do not suppose that any one would Sc
riously argue that these men are a menace
to the state or society, but there are many
who will doubt whether they serve any pa r
ticularly useful purpose. We write in full
est sympathy with those who are fond or
watching a ball game played by. profess
sionals-for the entertainment is most en-
Joyable-but many a man, if he has stop
ped to analyze his feelings, must have won
dered whether there was any real sport
about 1t, and have asked himself why it
was that he was interested in having one
set of hired men defeat another. For sport
Is something participated in for the fun of
the thing, for glory and not at all for
mere hire. Thus, strictly speaking, there
can be no such thing as professional sport.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09
Fine the Tip-Givers.

This is the season of the fool bill, with
the state legislatures in session and the
lawmakers primed for the fray with
evil, wrong, nuisance and grievance.
Every winter yields its crop of absurdi-
ties, from a measure to prohibit the milk
ing of cows after dark to one to pay state
pensions to all the married couples with
a record of fifty years of double blessed
ness. Missouri and Kansas have hereto
fore borne off the palm for such PROPOSE
tions. and the former state remains true
to its traditions with one of the first and
freakiest of the mid-winter bills. 1t was
introduced yesterday by Repr sentative
Tubbs, whose name may yet roll down to
fame. 1t proposes to punish. by fine of
not more than $500. any person found
guilty of giving a tip to waiter, chef or
steward at any hotel, cafe or restaurant.
To realize that Mr.. Tubbs has acted sim
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09
SUSPICION.

An elderly couple lived quietly in a mod
rest fiat in New York city and tried to
avoid observation. That was suspicious
circumstance against them. A meddlesome
neighbor tried to peer into their affairs,
and was rebuffed, another suspicious cir
cumstance. This neighbor posted herself
on watch and noted that the old woman OF
the quiet fiat brought a great many bundles
into the place, neatly wrapped. Suspicious
circumstance number three. She smell
ed mouse" forthwith, and reported her
suspicious to the police, who raided the
fiat There they found stacks, cords, bales
Of bundles, of all sizes, all neatly wrapped
These bundles filled every room to over
flowing. The kitchen was Uttered with
them. They reached halfway to the CELL
ing. They were strewn about the floor
Suspicion reached the elimination point
and became certainty. These old people
must be thieves, shoplifters, package pill
ferers, perhaps fences" They were i'm
mediately arrested and their loot was pack
ed in three great boxes and carted to the
police station. Inquiry among the stores
disclosed the fact that many customers had
during the holiday shopping season COM
planned of the loss of purchases which they
laid aside while examining other goods.
Inc poiice chuekled at their clever capture
and the curious neighbours tongue wagged
necessarily as she recounted the growth of
her suspicious and boosted of her enter
prise in putting the officers on the trail Of
the wicked old people.
After spending five days in jail the ac-
cused man and woman were able to prove
that they were honest folks and they were
discharged 1t now appears beyond a doubt
W. had he hor aty,
habit She has q comfortable bank account
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09
The Seven Ages Up-to-Date.
rom the Lock wood Mo l Times

The stork disappears, and we look into
the cradle and behold male child. After
running the gauntlet of measles humps
and chicken pox he enters school. At the
age of ten he is red-headed, freckle-faced
boy. and the terror of the neighborhood. At
twelve he is an apprentice In a printing
Office. At eighteen he has acquired two
cases Of long primer and an army press.
and is the editor of country newspaper.
At twenty he is married. AT thirty he is
bald-headed, stoop-shouldered and the
father Of a large family At thirty-fiye he
is corpse in cheap pine coffin, and as
500 delinquent subscribers file past his bier
for the last look they are heard to saw.
He was a good fellow. but he couldn t
save his money!
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09
Ideals.

He dreamed of lady with jewels rare,
On bosom of pulsing snow;
With eyes of blue and with golden hair,
That shone in the moonlight's glow;
With teeth that smiled with pearly CLINT;
With slim patrician waist
He married a girl with downright squirt
Who dressed in shocking taste.
She dreamed of man of mighty mold,
With a high and noble brow;
A hero such as in days of old
Made many foeman bow;
Whose lips were eloquent with the truth;
Who had courage to do and dare
She married narrow-chested youth
Who says this here" and that there"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09
The Inauguration.
From the Baltimore American.

If 1t be possible the whole of the Mary
land National Guard should be allowed to
take Part in the parade at the inaugura ton
of President Roosevelt on March T. Though
President Roosevelt and Vice President
Fairbanks are republicans, their inaugura-
ton Will be no partisan political event.
but one In which every American citizen
and every American commonwealth must
have an interest. Maryland may be DEM
ocratic or republican, but it is a loyal,
patriotic state, and as such should play the
part well in this important political event
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09
The Biggest Battle Ship.

From the Chicago RecOrd-Herald.
England is again making plans to build
the biggest battle ship In the world, and by
next year some other impertinent nation
will make 1t necessary for the Britons to
start all over. The biggest battle ship in
the world never succeeds in getting itself
launched before bigger one Is started
somewhere. It's a beautiful game, espe-
cially for the people who pay.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09
Not Enough.

From the Baltimore SUM-
The District Of Columbia received only a
little more than 5000 from the incorpora-
ton OF concerns with more than 81 600 OOO,-
00G aggregate capitalization II the Dis
trict hopes to emulate Jersey 1t must pay
more attention to the cash register.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09
ShreWd.
EN- of genius wrote most

"They say that men of genius wrote most
illegibly.''
Eyes" answered the old-time printer.
THAT is where they were shrewd. They
owe some of the brightest things to the
ingenuity and originality of the compost
tor
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09

The men who ran the inquisition would
doubtless regard a privately conducted
whipping post as something of a vindication
of their methods.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09
Wintry Apprehension.

The sunshine smiles. The snow is sped,
And mortals now take heart,
Although it's resting up, it's said
To get a better start
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09

Another shift in the New York police
will do a little something to keep all
the prosperity from being concentrated in
the hands of few people.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09

Mrs. Chadwick's lawyer will doubtless re-
fuse to take his pay in negotiable paper. no
matter how good it may look.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09

President Castro exhibits a determined
ambition to try few falls with this coun-
try in ju jitsu diplomacy.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09

Governor Pennypacker continues to think
that he knows even more about how a pa
per ought to be run than ''old subscriber
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09

The japanese are polite nation, but can
not refrain from saying what amounts to
IT told you So to the Russians.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09

Mr.. Bryan will doubtless proceed with
the reorganization of the democratic party
as soon as he can find it.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09

For some reason the weather man appears
to make fewer mistakes when he announces
a disagreeable prospect.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09
SHOOTING STARS.
The Expense.

els it very expensive to keep a dog?"
ut all depends answered the fancier,
ION how many law suits he gets you into
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09

Senator Platt insists that no announce
ment Of his retirement from politics is au-
thentic until he has o. K.-ed 1t himself
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09

Unless radium proves of practical value
soon, its price per ounce ought. to go down
a few hundred thousand dollars.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09

Colorado is beginning to think that it Is q
long time between fights.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09

After noting Tom Lawson's fame Mr.. Ad
dicks possibly wishes he had gone in for
literature instead of politics.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09

Rojestvensky has had his troubles, but he
is luckier man than Stoessel
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09

John L. Sullivan is now lecturlng. but not
on temperance.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09
Valuation.

{. "a mans vote is too precious to be sold,"
said the patriot
Perhaps" answered Senator Sorghum;
although a number of people of my ac-
quaintance regard 1t as too valuable to be
given away
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09
Problem Plays.
ON the Kansas city Time.

From the Kansas City Times.
Some writers of problem plays seem to
regard immortality as synonymous with Inn
mortality.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09
Umderskirts.

Womens Muslin Underskirts, with
deep circular ruffle and three rows Of
hem-tucks. Others with deep -
circular cambria hemstitched &c.
ruff1e. Special. ................S -
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09

TIN order to avoid delays Oh account OF
personal absence, letters to TIE STAR
should not be addressed to any individual
connected with the ONCE, but simply to
THE STAR, or to the Editorial or Bush
ness Departments. according to tenor or
purpose.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09

de lazy man. said Uncle Eben, sis lible
to put in heap mo- hours at hard worry
dan he would have had to put in at easy
work"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09

Women's Cambria Skirts, some with
four hem-tucks and blind embroidery
and circular fiounce and dust ruffie;
some with three rows of tucks and
two rows of torchon insertion and lace;
others with two rows of hem
tucks and two rows of tor 40
chon. insertion and lace. Spe- w nc
Seward gateway., 1905-09-16

1t is said by the Nome papers that quartz, carrying god to the value of SiO,OOO a ton, has been discovered near, 1Jpkol, ip the Nome country.
Seward gateway., 1905-09-16

About five months ago, Giltke ana and Kershaw, two poor prospectors' made a wonderfully rich strike of gold in the Greenhorn district. Baker County, Oregon They have made a display in the Mines and Motallurgy building at the Lewis and Clark fair The word "oregon" is spelled in gold, the metal being ip small nuggets. It took S22O worth of gold to make each letter, ,Sl329 worth to spell the name of the state. Tn addition to this, the pros pectors have displayed at either end of the gold sign, little piles of gol6, each worth $500
Seward gateway., 1905-09-16
NEWS OF ALASKA

Harry Owens, who was convicted Of manslaughter at Eagle several years ago and given twenty-five years in the peuitentiarythen granted a new trial or error, was found not guilty by jury in the United States district court and discharged August II. He was charged with killing a miner named ChriStensen. The two men while alone fought a duel in a cabin near Forty mile, Owens claimed self-defenSe.
 The river front of Fairbanks, Alaska, is being so improved by the authorities as to prevent if possible, recurrence of a flood similar to the one which swept along Font street several weeks ago carrying off the large warehouses, inundating the buildings along that thoroughfare, practically running the street and doing damage now estimated to aggregate $lOO,OOO, including the destruction of two comparatively new bridges built across the river,
 The Bartells Tin Mining Company of Seward peninsula is reducing samples of its ore and running the product out into small bricks with the company'S name stamped upon them. The mine has more than 1000 feet of tunnels. with three electric drills at work night and day, Twenty-Five men are work ing on each shift.
 During a recent visit to Alaska, B. F. ,yelson of Minneapolis, one of the largest manufacturers of paper in the northwest, said that beyond question the spruce timber of Alaska is the fine est in the world for the manufactured wood pulp to be used in making paper
 The Sllagway Alaskan is responsible for the story that a troop of about twenty diSreputable dogs near Clifton have organized themselves into q band of freebooterS and are holding people up for anything edible they may have in possession.
 A Fairbanks man named Burkhal has been sentenced to serve II months and l5 days in jail for borrowing gun from preacher. He forgot to return the gum
 The SitJa Cablegram is booming lobster culture for that part of the coast It says the Japan current pro duces the right temperature to make the lobster bloom to perfection. A man at Skagway was fined for swearing in the streets. Then he got drunk and was fined $2O for that. He is working out the latter fine on the streets.
 In spite of the Brady-Wickersham controversy F. R. Brady is commission CT at Wickersham, in the Forty.mile country,
 Three Yukon coal mines are now pro- ducing regularly, and two or three others may be opened soon.
 The wreckage of the Pearl has been 1 found on a reef near Sanak.
Seward gateway., 1905-09-16

Moving machines and sulky hay rakes are in operation hear Rampant.
Seward gateway., 1905-09-16

Even if Jimmy Britt did lose 'he purse and the Sld,oOo side bet he still i.ls a TOW or two of flats Co rent
Seward gateway., 1905-09-16
ALASKA RAILWAY PROJECTS

Seattle dailieS have been in the habit o. exploiting an kinds and degrees of railroad projects in Alaska, irrespect- i've ot merit OF the quality of the men behind them. The certain result of such a policy k 10 confuse the good with the bad in popular estimation and add ,o the task the worthy companies have undertaken in their mission of development.
 The aim of che Seattle paper, is of course 10 aid in the upbuilding of Alaska. and their motives are praise worthy. But greater good would come .U more discrimination were exercised 0u sitting the irresponsible schemes rom the legitimate enterprises.
 Time and again, for example, all of tnc Seattle papers have published in- ,.rvicws and themselves made the positive statement that railroads were financed and uudpr construction from Valdez Q Eagle CjCy from uliamna to Nome. from Kayak to the Copper river valley. and from Orca Co Eagle City. Up Co the present moment not a shovel 'ul of earth has been turned to make .o0d Ir is notorious that no part of rne necessary money for thr construct. ion of any railroad from Valdez has ever been OF k at this time secured. The uHamna and Kayak schemes like wise have remained in 'ho promotion sage.
 The Alaska Central is 'N1 only rail- way now under actual construction from the Pacific coast to the interior uf Alaska. Being lcgitimato enter prise. it ha, devoted it's energies to building railroad and building it os fast a, men and money could do it, leaving 10 others the privilege ofyoluble talk
 Merit, after all. is the saving force that builds railroad, in Alaska u, else uhcrs
 The Alaska Central has the merit of -.lrriug from au ideal harbor, which boat, of any draft may safely enter OF ..aye any hour of every day in the year, summer OF winter, and the only terminal facilities in Alaska suitable .ora city ot any size. 1T has the mer- r of keeping lower attitudes andmoin-
 ntng easier grades than a road by  Ha, the merit of t'aversing a country wfyaIej in combination of favorable climate, agricultural and stock grow ing possibilities, and deposits O. gold. coal, copper tin, silver, lead aad iron of proven richness.
 The Seattle papers would render a .aI and lasting service to Alaska by recognizing the plain logic of facts.
Seward gateway., 1905-09-16

It is practically impossible to deliver air at the breast workings of mine in as high state of purity as on the sur- face. The air becomes vitiated as it travels down the shaft and through the drifts and cannot be as pure as surface air. This is one reason why the use of compressed air in ventilating is more desirable than fan ventilation, even though the latter is more costly.
Seward gateway., 1905-09-16
United States Railroad Values

The government has computed the nrmmer,igI, OF market, value of rail- eay operating property in the United States ar Sll.2fLS52,OOO. Pennsylvania sand, first with Sl,42G6OS,Ooo. New York ranks second, with SSgS, 222. .0OO. Washington stands twenU-ttrst, with
 S2, ,S5IOOO; Oregon forty-Nccoud, with s-5,6jLO0O: California eight, with S35O,- DhO0O. and Alaska tfty-frst Nowesth sith slOO.OOO These values do not in- ,ude 4OOO Pullman ears, valued at jl.OOo,OOO, or private ears, valued at ,-2. .OONOOO-
Seward gateway., 1905-09-16

It seem, to be Russia'S busy day 10ut ull the time
Seward gateway., 1905-09-16

Dr. Washington Gladden. is going to take up his fighting on 'mihted mon- ..' in Seattle. If he knew that town 50, we'll as some people he would not eX- poet local sympathy. Any kind of .oju goes in Seattle.
 It seems plain that the Jap'ne@e in Tokyo have not yet had ol the fight ing they want. The troop, in ,he field have moi been heard from