davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-23
JOHNSON SCHOOL.
By c. G. Brewer, Principal.

N-''- : ~
For many years the grounds around the
Johnson school We're bare of either grass
or flowers. The soil was so poor that only
a few weeds could find nourishment enough
to live there.
Last spring when home gardening was in
troduced into the school the teachers and
pupils decided to see what could be done
ID improve the school grounds.
The stones We're dug up by the smaller
boys, the ground plowed and the soil fer
the girls. A parent gave an American elm,
which was the occasion of our first tree
planting, April 26. 1904.
By the first of July the lawn made quite
a good showing, while flower bed, laid
off along the entire western border, bore
evidence of the children's efforts in cult
waiting a variety of annuals-both flowers
and vines.
In the early fall a quantity of rich COM
post was distributed over the entire lawn
and that portion of the grounds marked
off for flower bed. Before the ground had
become frozen the earth in the bed was
well broken, the manure being worked with
soil as much as possible. About the mid
die of March the earth in the flower bed
was once more turned over and raked. Sew
eral spirea and lilac shrubs were planted
During the same week the covering was
raked Off the lawn, more grass was sown
and later a sprinking of lime was dis
tributed over the entire lawn.
A number of shrubs have been given by
the children and since the first of April
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-23
LEXINGTON SCHOOL.
By Margaret R. Lyddape, Principal.

" u
In the fall of 1908 we were asked to re-
port the quantity of rich dirt necessary for
gardening purposes at the lexington school.
The building was bounded on the north and
west by beds of clay which we desired to
convert into lawn, and accordingly made
requisition for twenty-five loads of soil.
With the first balmy days Of spring our
thoughts turned to gardening. The ground
had to be broken. The boys grasped the
situation and spent an entire Saturday dig
ging and spading. After two weeks of hard
labor with pick and shovel, it was ready for
the top soil, which had not yet arrived.
Some one mentioned the fact that sod had
been furnished to a certain building where
the boys had done the work. Our boys were
more than ready, 50 we applied for sod,
which was refused on account of lack of
funds.
About that time excavations were being
made In the vicinity for the buildings of the
new union depot and permission was given
us by the foreman to cut sod from the
neighborng lots, which privilege was also
extended to two colored men. 1t was mucn
easier for our boys to haul sod already cut
than to stop to cut it, and as result our
sod pile grew with amazing rapidity. Had
the neighborhood boosted of a policeman
there might have been trouble, but we felt
quite safe. After the colored men had made
lions were fewer, and while awaiting the
arrival of the soil that which we had al
ready collected rotted
About the list of May the soil arrived
and was dumped near one end of the build
ing. 1t was mere bucketful and the idea
of a lawn had to be abandoned. The soil
was used, however, to make a border
along brick wall which we thought might
be improved by Boston ivy. Miss Sipe very
generously gave us the plants, which we
Immediately set out, feeling confident that
here at least some evidence of our work
would spring up. The vines came up, it is
true, but the roots came with them, for the
flower thief lost no time in his business.
Our attempt at gardening had proved a
failure.
Last fall a sufficient supply of manure
was furnished. 1t was spread over our
clay lawn and in the spring was TUNED
under. We had purchased several loads of
loan, and one of the drivers of the street
cleaning department kindly offered US two
wagon loads of sweepngs, which we We're
very glad to accept. and with these we
secured fairly good soil. Picks, shovels
and rakes were again brought into requisi-
ton to put the ground in proper condition
to receive the grass seed which had been
furnished US by the Agricultural Depart
ment.
Our lawn was still unprotected, the iron
fence promised last year not having ma
terialiZed, and we decided to erect a broom
stick fence Each pupil was asked to do
nate an old broom and about 200 were Sc
cured in this way. With the aid of these
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-23
ADAMS SCHOOL.
By Mrs. Clara Baker Smith, Principal.

Our gardening work was very modest in
extent and kind, and the results hardly
gave fair presentation of the hard work
done. On one side of the school building
the soil was red clay mixed with gravel
and broken brick well packed down to give
the boys fine playground. A border along
the fence was dug and seeds were sown,
which did their best to produce flowers.
The zinnias were notably successful and
blossomed quite gaily and profusely until
frost came. few vines also did fairly
we'll
On the other side of the building, the soil,
though gravelly, was better and reinforced
by about twenty hodsful of earth. supplied
by the District, gave better results. Here
we raised a pretty bed of geraniums.
cosmos, a bed of nasturtians, another of
violets, one of ageratum, one of sweet
alyssum, and a few petunias. The first
and second grades raised corn and beans
and set out few crocus bulbs.
A small bed of asters did very we'll and
blcssomed all the fall. We also set out
hydrangeas, lilac bushes. one rose bush
and some hollyhocks, all of which have
lived through the winter and are doing very
we'll We have been bountifully supplied
with earth this year, and hope to show
commensurate results next fall.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-23

to lodge with them. Saris writes:
htreated captain Adams to mal-e
cholce of anye chambers in the howse. and
to acquaint the cook what dyatt he most
affected, and II shoulde be provided Rut
he excused himself and went back to his
japanese quarters, where, in poor howse
ne had hung out his colors. neither would
ne permit anye of US to accompanye Iii n,
Whlch unto US seemed very strange
Saris is never done complaining of Adams
unsociability. He writes
When invited, after making a sho ;
Dynor, he took his leave. Many offered D
walk along with him in love but he =
treated the contrayre, some were not
well pleased. thinking he thought them not
good enough to walk with him."
In these strange wakes alone a human
heart was battling with itself. The nearer
love conquered. Adams never went back
to England. Beside his sweet Japanese
wife, he sleeps under a stately monument.
which records. in oriental characters, his
virtues and hers. Adams case is UNIQUE
In history. No other royal favorite. either
foreign or native-born, it is safe to say,
was ever universally beloved by the tax
paying masses. Adams was and that fact
speaks volumes for the astuteness and Ub-
erality of the Japanese character. A street
IN 1eddo stu bears Adams Japanese name
Amin The good foreigner he is called
to this day. The 18th day of the sixth
month is an annual holiday kept In his
honor. Relics of Amin. the Good" are
piousiy preserved in the temple of Zookozan
foodoshf, for of such is ancestor worship
In the year 1850 German scientist named
Engelbert Kaempfer went to Japan. Kaemp-
fer mada an exhaustive study of the ma
tives OF the country. very much after the
same manner In which he studied bugs and
plants. There was no feeling to interfere
with his judgment-unless, possibly. q feel
ing of h@tation at the Irksome restraints
then put upon all foreigners. Kaempfers
testimony, therefore, may be accepted I'M
reservedly when he sums up the japanese
as:
United and peaceable. taught to give due
worship to the gods due obedience to the
laws. due submission to their superiors. due
love and regard to their neighbors civil
obliging. virtuous: in art and industry ex-
ceiling all other nations; possessed of an
excellent country. enriched by mutual trade
and commerce among themselves: courage
Gus. abundantly supplied with all the neces-
saries of life; and withal, enjoying the
fruites of peace and tranquility"
With the exception Temporarily of thu
last clause. Kaempfer's description fits thu
Japanese of the twentieth century. Car
any western nation show a cleaner record
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-23
EARLY TRAVELLERS IN JAPAN

There is a tendency in some quarters to
set up the United States as the Mr.. Pun
biechook of Japan's present greatness. The
claim is not well founded. The evolution
of Japan did not begin with the entry of
Commodore Perry in 1851. Japan is of old.
Long before the cavalier strutted in Vir-
zinia or the Puritans hunted Quakers and
hand witches in New England the Japanese
were exercising, as a matter of course,
those virtues Of modesty, liberation. BRAY
cry and scientific insight which. focused
by the burning lens of patriotism, make
their nation today the admiration and the
wonder OF the world.
Western nations are obliged TO base their
early ethical claims mainly upon statements
OF their own historians. From the mouths
OF strangers who have dwelt within her
gates; from ex-prisoners; even from her bit
terest enemies old Japan may prove her
worthiness. Writing In the thirteenth CEN
fury Marco Polo. the first European to
mention the country refers to the Japanese
as civilized, and dependent on nobody"
In the sixteenth century Francis Xavier,
who carried Christianity to the east, writes
in the very spirit OF Sir Edwin Arnold
and I.afcadio Hearn 40 years iater-'I am
10th TO finish when l discourse of Japons,
who, verify, are the delight of my heart"
The folloying description OF the Japanese
Of the early sixteenth century is found in
Harleian manuscript Gas, in the British
Museum. The resemblance between the
japanese of that day and those who are
making this the pleasantest war" brave,
skillful Kuropatkin ever fought Is almost
startling:
THE inhabitants shewe notable witte,
and an incredible pacience in sufferings,
labour. and sorrowes. They take create
and dillgent care lest either in worde or
hay or
dulnesse of mynde. and lest they shoulde
make any man (whosoever he be) partaker
of their troubles and wantes. They covet
exceedingly honor and prayse; and povertie
with them. bringeth no dammage to the
mobilize of bloude. They suffer not the
leaste injurie TO go unavenged. For
gravitie and curtesie they give not place to
the Spainlardes. They are generally az
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-23

fable and full of compliments They are
very punctualle in the entertaining of
strangers, of whom they will curiously in
qLyre even tryfies of forreyne people, as of
their manners and such like thynges. They
will as soon lose a lymbe as to omit one
ceremonie in welcoming a friend.--The
moste part of them that 1--WE in cyties can
read and wryte. They onley study martial
feates and are greatly delighted In armes.
They are free from all ayarice and. for that
cause, despise both dice and all other playe
whiche IS for gayne."
Some of the marginal notes on this old
manuscript are interesting. One of them
states phase of child culture generally
claimed to be exclusively modern. To six
teenth century Englanders who used the
rod even for grown-up sons and daughters
tas readers of Westward Ho'' may remem-
beD this note must have brought surprise
indeed:
THE Japanese chastise their children with
wordes onley, and they admonshe their
children when they are but five years Guide
as If they were Guide men"
Another marginal note shows that when
all England at table, was still dipping
hands in the gravy the Japanese used
they doe in Italie.'
By no other nation that has ever lived
upon this planet has the command Love
thy neighbor as thyself'' been so univer-
sally obeyed-oy no other nation is that
command today SO universally obeyed-as
by the japanese. Every one of these de-
scriptions of old Japan teens with incidents
of which the following, from Capt. Cocks
diary, is typical:
During my stay at Jedo there occurred
tremendous fire that laid everything our
residence included. in ashes for three
leagues and half. Itsigoya Ca rich mer-
n oil ,J,ola
together with a warehouse, containing up-
ward OF u hundred thousand pounds of
spun silk. Notwithstanding this, he sent
forty of his servants to our assistance dur
Ing the fire, who were OF much use to u.s.
Itsigoya proves that phoenix-lise energy Is
not purely American trait. Cock adds:
The second day of the confederation
1tsigoya was already rebuilding his prem
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-23
DENNISON SCHOOL.
By Miss Kate Rawlings, Principal.


Last spring, when it was decided to have
a garden, we had plenty of space, but ap-
parently nothing else that seemed desirable.
In the following fall our unkept playground
was mass of flowers, of which the pupils
We're justly proud. This change had been
accomplished by the teachers and the pu-
pills of the school, ably assisted by the jan
itor.
A lawn 90 feet by 10 feet and a flower
bed 277 feet by feet were made by the
Dennison boys. They dug down fourteen
inches. took out the old soil, sifted this in
coal sleeves, carried the rocks to the dump
and turned the finely sifted earth into the
flower beds. 1t was necessary to add to
this six inches Of good soil, which amounted
to many carloads, all of which had to be
hauled by the children in small wagons
from a distance. When the boys were
driven by the police from one vacant lot,
instead of returning to the school with
empty wagons, they searched until another
was found. The last supply of soil was
from an abandoned graveyard. On the
lawn, in lieu of a roller, planks were used,
upon which the boys walked. All of this
work was done by those who asked to do
it; nothing was compulsory.
Each school had it's flower bed the care
of which was given to the children. When
they returned to school in September they
the wonderful result of their toll. The
flower beds were radiant with zinnias, mas
turtiums, marigolds cosmos, asters, sun
flowers, morning-glories, cypress vines,
moon-fowers and sweet alyssum.
Last fall the children planted crocuses,
tulips and jonquis, which are now bloom
ing, and set out several rose bushes. This
spring a wild flower garden was started,
in which are hepaticas, bloodroots, spring
beauties, anemoues, saXifrage, pansies, Vio-
lets, dutchmen's breeches, arbutus, duets,
ferns and iris.
A number of hardy shrubs have been
bought by the pupils, and others have been
donated by the Agricultural Department or
the Normal School hot house. These have
been planted and are now growing finely.
Among them are spirea, hydrangeas,
deutzea, golden-glow, lilac peony and
Japanese ounce. The children have
brought from the woods and planted a ma
pie, a beech, a dogwood and an oak.
All of the pupils are interested In the
work and anxious to assist. Our school
garden has been a success, which IS due
not only to our teachers and pupils, but
also to our supervising principal and to
Miss Sipe of the Normal School.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-23

ties and conditions of our countries, of
wares and peace, of religion, of marchan-
disc, of beastes, of cattell of all sortes and
of the heavens. So, talking of one thinge
and another L abode with him until mid
night
The Portuguese who were already in
stalled in Japan as missionaries and trad
ers viewed the coming of the Dutch with
alarm. In every way possible they tried to
II fiuence the emperor against Adams and
his men, even urging him to put the
strangers to death. But says Adams, The
emperour gave them answer that as we as
yet had done to none of his land harme or
dsmmage, therefore, 1T would be agaynste
reason and justice to put us to death. 1t
their country and our country hadde ware
with one another, that was no reason why
he should put us to DEATH
Adams was soon released from prison.
Before many months had passed the Eng
fish master pilot had become royal favor
lite, privileged to seek audience with The
Presence at almost any hour.
This emperor was no common monarch.
lyeyasu of Japan must rank with the
worlds greatest rulers. Washington was
not more just, patriotic and humane; Fred
erlck the Great was no finer soldier; his
intellectual curiosity no keener edged;
Cromwell could be no sterner when the oc-
casion demanded sternness, as in the nee
essary and righteous expulsion of mission
aries who had become the tools of mercan-
tile greed. In nothing else did Iyeyasu
more plainly show his ability than in his
rela tons with his foreign favorite-Wiliam
Adams. Only one other sovereign in all
hfstory-Peter the Great of Russa-has ever
chung to foreign favorite for the good of
his subjects and not alone for his own
pleasure. Iyeyasu. like Peter tie Great,
learned how ships We're built in the west.
He made Adams build him two ON European
models In one of these ships the then gov
ernor of Manila had the honor of being
shfpwrecked. 1t Is a curious fact that to
lyeyasu and to Peter the Great may be
traced much of what Is best in the army
lions. Adams taught the emperor higher
mathematics. 1t must not be inferred that
woman. wine and .feasting did not figure
at all in the relations between the emperor
and his English favorite. They did 1t was
an age. the world over, sVhen woman was
held cheap. Even today, in her treatment
of women. Japan is behind western nations
AS her admirer. Sir Edwin Arnold, has
eloquently told he's.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-23

~ CHOOL garden work is now so thor
oughly established as a feature of
the District educational work that 1t
- Is possible to survey the local field
and see what has been attempted
and accomplished In the way of improv-
ing the school grounds. In previous ar
ticles which have appeared in The Sunday
Star have been told the stories of this
work In its inception here and in It's de-
velopment in Europe and In other American
cities. Today Is offered a symposium OF
great Interest to all who are observing the
course Of this important movement. The
principals of the various school buildings
have been requested to submit through their
supervising principals short statements of
what has been undertaken and accom-
plished during the past two seasons, and
the yield of this effort Is more than graft
Tying, in point both of the actual results
themselves and of the hearty spirit with
which the children have evidently taken
hold of the enterprise.
When it Is considered that three years
ago the school yards of Washington were
generally uncultvated often unkempt and
in few cases positively unsightly, it will
be seen that with the cooperation of the
District authorities, and to some extent
OF the Department of Agriculture, the CAPT
tai Is in a fair way toward transforma-
ton in this respect. While at some of the
building the results now in evidence are not
remarkable for their artistic effect leaving
much to be desired in the way of landscape
gardening. it is to be remembered that all
that is now to be seen of this character has
been achieved under the greatest difficulties
and with a minimum of aid from the will
ing but handicapped authorities.
The reports which The Sunday Star is
herewith enabled to present show that the
civic and artistic spirit of both the teachers
and the pupils is well aroused and that
Washington has reason to be proud of the
young gardeners and their instructors. 1t
IS possible to print today only a part of
these statements. Others will appear next
Sunday.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-23

him return to England, but was answered.
Wait awhile" In a letter to factor re-
turning to Holland Adams writes:
Therefore, l doe pray and intricate you,
in the name of Jesus Christie, to doe so
much as to make my being here in Japan
krowen to my poor wife; in manner
widow, and my two children fatherlesse,
whiche thing onley is my greatest grief of
heart and conscience"
In battle Adams saved the life of the
crown prince at the risk of his own.
Thenceforth the emperor could not do
enough for the Englishman. He bestowed
upon him the order of Olentasama (the
SUM and gave him a large estate near
Yokohama. Adams married a japanese
wife, named Murashi-a woman of good
family and of fine personal character. The
marriage ceremony was performed accord
ing to the rites of the Buddhist Church.
capt Cock, in his diary, gives a charming
picture OF Adams patriarchal estate:
We arrived at Phebe . houres before
night where Captain Adams and his wife
and two children met u.s. The Phebe is a
Lordship given to Captain Adams by the
Guide Emperor to him and his foreaver, and
confirmed to his some called Joseph
There is above 100 farms or households
upon it, besides others under Them all
which are Adams vassales. and he hath
power of lyfe and death over them; they
being as his slaves and he having an abSo-
(klng) In Japone over his vassales. Divers
of his tenants brought me presents of frute,
as oringeS, ffgges, chstnuttes and grapes,
whereof there is abundance in the place"
Upon his departure, Capt. Cock says,
THE servants of the house, the cheefes of
the towne accompanied us out of their pre-
cincts all running before US on foote as
honor to Captain Adams"
X
In the fourteenth year of Adams resi-
dence in Japan an opportunity to go back
to England presented itself. Capt. John
Saris. seeking privileges of trade for the
English East India Company, came to
Japan, bearing letter from James Ii to
Iyeyasu. Saris was instructed to ask adj
vice of Adams at every turn of the negotia-
tions and to let him come back to England
with him 'in comfortable cabin" If he
should desire to do so.
Through Adams influence Iyeyasu grant
ed King James request as to trade reci-
procity Again Adams asked for his lib
erty. Whereupon, Adams writes, The
emperor looked earnestlie upon me. and
asked me If / was DESTROYS to go to my
own countrie. answered, most DESTROYS.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-23

there have been planted three white lilac
bushes, bridal wreath, two althea, two
snowballs, a wisteria vine, one forsythia.
one syringa and a Japanese ounce. What
was once an unsightly yard promises to be
an attractive lawn.