davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1907-09-02
Fear not Life still
Leaves human effort scope:
But since lie teens with i'll.
Nurse M, evrravaosut hon.
The Avenue.

Editor The Washington Herald:
Our renowned Avenue has needed re-
surfacing and repairs for sonae tine. we
are free to admit, but the menace TO
health and the unsightly conditions. to-
gether with the great inconvenience to
business traffic for several months. caused
by the tearing up Of this great thorough
fare. the raising of the street car
tracks in places, the throwing out of
great piles OF earth, changing Of grade.
&c. prompt several questions from the
common run of citizens. OF course, to a
certain extent. we accept the statement
that great, wonderful and up-to-date en-
cheering is doing a stunt; uneducated
eyes had failed TO detect any. special de-
preston in the middle of this wide ave
nue., and think the water never objected
to run 10 the cutters
We would inquire: What object 10 be
attained is commensurate with the great
outlay of $4,000, or moree Then. we
would ask, who pays the bills? Il seems
that the city has no money TO burn. and
the railroad doesn't talk as though it
had Again. other streets have suff4ed
"-'t SIN s'4itVlS nav 4iiS great hoIeS 10 the
asphalt yet unified. We would also ask.
why is not the Avenue being evenly
graded in its apparent descent from the
Treasury TO the Peace Monument? For
there is a sharp elevation at Ninth street.
and other uneven places.
Probably The Washington Herald can
answer the questions that arise in con-
nection with this matter. OF can ascertain
the causes and reasons sought
l. L. SWARTWOUT
The Washington herald., 1907-09-02
Immortality. or What +?

Editor The Washington Herald:
| May a humble admirer Of the eternal
/ fitness of things" whether they be in
theory or in practice, express sympathetic
/ interest in the views and predictions OF
Mr. Chamberlain as set forth in The
Washington Herald Of August 10?
Mr., Chamberlain says, replying to Prof.
Smiths assertion that annihnatiOn is not
a cheerful word. "Why?" What is there
70 fear IN being nothing? Can any form
Of future life be imagined which the
very thought OF eternity does not make
almost painful?'
AS Mr.. Chamberlain has so accurately
diagnosed in every other particular the
entire scheme OF human existence, he
must be correct in saying that the be-
lief in Immortality, or the lack Of IT, has
no more effect upon the life OF the indi-
vidual than belief in anything else -
ones life is pure and unselish or crimi-
nal and vicious as the result OF immutable
laws beyond control or even conscious
ness"
To be sure this is little puzzllng 10
those of US who have been taught that
training and environment, heredity and
the exercise of free will, all work together
in the making or unmaking Of character
However the universal adoption of this
theory-and il must Of course become uni
versal-will necessarily do away with all
sociological and philanthropic endearors
for the betterment of mankind. since il is
Idle TO attempt 10 interfere with "immu-
table laws beyond control or even con
sciOusness."
Naturally no man weighted % earth
with such ''immutabiity" would have the
hardihood TO attempt the leavening proc
ess Of regeneration. which must precede a
desire FOR endless existence. Were
preaching sermon, l would reverently
remind my hearers that no man ever Vet
attempted or accomplished that herculean
task IN lis own strength.
But this is no sermon. Far from II. II
is more properly an appreciation. and
| think ! may say without fear OF contra
diction that if Mr. Chamberlain wants
oblivion he is welcome 10 it-that nobody
grudges it 10 hiT-and that he may In the
meantime be cOnsOled with the reflection
that he seems In a fair way 10 get il.
L. S PROCTOR
The Washington herald., 1907-09-02
More Girls than Boys.
.ditor d Washiagton Herald:

Editor The Washington Herald:
This is written with the hope that II
will attract the attention of the stork. the
well-meaning, but mistaken, stork, who is
responsible for a remarkable state of
affairs in the District Of Columbia.
The fact is that there is an alarming
glut of girl babies on the market in the
Capital City. while nice fat baby boys are
at premium.
During the month Of July alone, Of the
456 babies born in Washington ga were
girls and 1@ boys. Think of that! Nine
ly-two more girls than boys born here in
a single month. according to the birth
statistics published each morning in The
Herald. These statistics carry their own
message. for the word girl appears with
amazing frequency. while the word boy
is a hopeless minority. Just read the
birth rate in The Herald for a few days.
and make your own deductions.
In August there were four sets of twins
born, two being all girls, one set both
boys, and one set mixed. Five girls TO
three boys. right on the jump.
During the last three months not less
than round half dozen of advertise
ments for "a nice, healthy baby boy for
adoption have appeared in the adver-
Using columns, but not a single request
for "a blue-eyed baby girl"
Some twenty years ago the birth rate in
France decreased so tremendously that,
The Washington herald., 1907-09-02
The New Station.
tditor The Washington Herald:

1 kditcr The Washington Herald.
The early solicitude of the Commission.
ers. regarding the conditions about the
new station to be, is most strongly con-
/ firmed by the. people who have been in
terested spectators Of its growth toward
completion.
This national ornament OF design and
convenience and beauty cannot be too
closely guarded from influences Of. q de-
moralizing character that are so promi-
nently conspicuous, in some places, where
saloon occupation is quite as conspicu-
ously advertised by its presence as the
station
That situation might be satisfying to
an occasional traveller, who may prefer
saloon accommodations; but it does not
suit the average traveller. It would not
please the people Of Washington 10 have
the new station surrounded by saloons
Il would not suit the railroad authorities.
for they want level-headed men in their
service.
Experience has demonstrated. only too
often. that saloons have been responsible
for the most frightful accidents and fear
ful loss OF life, occurring from the mud
dle-headed agent. who did not, and could
not realize that anything could happen
under his supervision
Railroad companies cannot be too par
ticular in this respect.
The time is rapidly passing when the
cauSe-producing element-the saloon-wiu
be as rare in this country as il is in
Japan.
Pending the happy arrival of that day.
let the universal, progressive element In
Washington not be satisfied till we have
a full initiation Of the happy conditions in
Georgia
The conditions then about the new sta
ton would take care of Themselves and
men viii not be licensed 70 make LEGAL
FOR penal institutions. which
would not exist without the cause So
prominently thrust upon US.
In the meantime, the present condftian
IS before US; we have to deal with it as
we find it,
Anticipation is fully alive to the rear-
cation Of what is likely 10 be IN the near
future; but the exigencies Of to-day must
be met to-day; tomorrow will have its
responsibilities
The purity about the new station is
subject OF perpetual solicitude.
Ire enforcement of the law has already
begun, on Massachusetts avenue, Second |
ana u streets northeast. where a most
effort has been. made, twice |
Within six weeks, to establish barroom |
license
ms purely residential neighborhood |
mas responded with alacrity IN the work /
u protest against the destruction of the |
purity OF their home territory by the /
exhibits Of saloon occupation.
lated by the railroad authorities as The
ADVANCE step to perpetuate the haDnv
'onditions so eagerly sought by our
people on this main thoroughfare from
northeast Washington to ana from the
lew station. It is also in line with the
iappy thought expressed by the Commits
toners themselves, which moved the pao-
Ne to storm of applause at its utter
nee, and it also assures the railroad /
The Washington herald., 1907-09-02
Wants Peonle TO Rule.

Editor The Washington Herald:
Senator Tillman is directing attention to
the fact that there are 100000 negroes
among over 100000 population, and that
in quite a number of States the negro
voters are balance of power.
The remedy he advocates is to repeal
the fifteenth amendment
The remedy that will appeal more
strongly TO the American people, / be-
lieve, is TO take from the negroes tho
balance Of power by restoring a system
whereby the voters of a State can ballot
direct on public questions.
Such a system has been installed at
Wilmington, Del, by the last legislature,
and last June five questions were balloted
upon by the voters. Only a very few of
the negroes voted-none at all in the
negro ward. And the noninformed and
careless white voters also neglected 10
go TO the polls or failed to mark the
referendum ballot Thus the decision OF
the questions was left with the intelligent
citizens of the city This system can
readily be established In every Southern
state. 0ue-fourth the members OF the
National House from the South approve
Of the system for national affairs, and in
Texas the organized farmers and organ
lied wage-earners have agreed to make
the initiative and referendum the leading
issue and question all candidates.
Another advantage of direct voting by
the people on issues is that the ruling
power is transferred from the monopoly
corporations 10 the people
Yours for restoration Of peoples rule,
GEORGE H. SHELLEY.
The Washington herald., 1907-09-02

From the singapore Free Press
The great mystery about Indo-China
and one which must ever be insoluble is
the story of The lost race and the van
ished civilization Of that strange coun-
try.
The mighty walks of Angkor- Wat, ris-
ing in the midst of spsrsely settled Jun
giles. remain as the memorial of a great
empire which has utterly disappeared and
is altogether lost to history. No one will
ever know who planned this gigantic tenn
pie or what tyrant bounded on his myr-
lads of people 10 build up those immense
blocks OF stone and cover them with the
most elaborate of sculptures. Angkor-
Wat was one Of the most astonishing
monuments in the world. and this forgot
ten temple was built so as 10 endure as
long as the earth itself, were it not for
the irresistibly destructive effect Of plant
life on the strongest walls that man can
raise.
Only highly civilized and very wealthy
people could have erected Angkor-Wat. a
very different race from the Annamite of
modern days. The whole nation has dis
appeared as utterly as the busy myriads
who once populated the wastes and soli-
tudes Of Memphis
The Washington herald., 1907-09-02

the comfort of his horse to grant H. In
the country the farmers gather the pen
nyroyal weed and fasten it around the
| ears of the Lorses and this IS very eff
fective In keeping away the flies. Acting
on this idea, when I was using horses
some years ago, ] filed an old tomato
can with lard and mixed with II about
three tablesp0onfuls OF oil OF pennyr0yal
This l applied TO the legs, ears, and
belly Of the horse before starting using
swdb made out of rags at the end of a
stick. During the whole time ] used this
my horse was able to stand still. when
hltched while other horses near him
were simply eaten UP with flies. Grad
uaIy the odor Of the pennyroyal adhered
TO the hair and the applications had 10
De made less frequently. 10 gave my
horse more rest and kept him fresh when
others were exhausted by their regular
work and the additional work Of stamp
ing and kicking off flies
But there Is still a better way of help
ing the horse. His greatest troubles,
which, in fact, cause his being stove
up come from the stamping with his
front feet / would suggest that the SIM
piest way to remedy this is TO supply him
win a neither garment a pair of-well. of
drawers, made out Of some gauzy ma
terial. fitted loosely around his legs 1t
can be readily seen that the relief would
be immense. and all that is necessary TO
introduce this beneficent innovation Is
the use Of il by few daring and COM
miserating spirits
VIII some hnd-hearted WashingJonian
Try the experiment? 1 can assure him
It will pay financially. for It viii save
MS horse at least 50 per cent every
summer. L. L. SCHARF, IN. ID.
The Washington herald., 1907-09-02
A Plea for the Horse.

Editor The Washington Herald:
1t is astonishing. In these piping hot
summer days. how little thought is given
TO the comfort Of the horse. that faithful
helpmate without whom the business of
the world would be seriously handicapped.
There is the Humane Society. to be sure
to see to II that this equine business
partner Is not i'll treated. and a great deal
Of good is, no doubt, accomplished in
this way. But there are other causes
OF the greatest possible discomfort and
suffering to the horse which the Humane
Society cannot reach
Flies, flies, flies. Here comes a heavy
wagon. Whoa and the horses stop. The
driver jumps off the wagon to attend to
his business, and the flies iun1p On tba
horses to attend TO their business Rang
bang, so the front feet; kick. kick. go the
hind feet; stamp, stamp, go the front feet.
slam, slam, goes the head from one side
to the other. And so on ad infnitum. no
rest, no peace, no quiet. No wonder
horses become 'stove up" SO quickly IN
the city when their feet are engaged
from morning to night, in pounding away
on the hard surfaces Of our modern
streets.
Away goes the heavy wagon. and 2
few minutes later a light buggy drawn
by one horse stops at the same point
This poor animal is even in a sorrier
plight than the others. He is refined up so
tight and so high that q movement Of
mis- head is almost impossible, and the
intelligent tOrturers who are ready for
their work as soon as he stops. imme-
diately attack him. He is perfectly
helpless. The torrid rays Of the SIM
pour down upon him. and the horrid
ways OF civilized man add untold mis-
cries In return for the faithful service
And, as he stands there. stamping and
kicking, and vainly twisting his almost
rigid neck TO shake of his tormentors
men and women and children, on various
errands bent, pass by, and not one gives
him even passing thought of commisera-
ton. Finally his callous master comes
and start is made, which gives Elm |
some relief, at least
Now, there is some relief Tsssible. if |
nan viii only be thoughtful enough of |
The Washington herald., 1907-09-02
Cause for DesertiOn.

Editor TIE Washington Herald:
In The Herald for Tuesday. August 27
was attracted by the editorial "One
Cause Of Desertion," and being TO a GER
tain extent interested, read to find out
one Of the causes In my opinion the
abolition of the army eanteen has just
about as much effect upon the present
rate IN which men desert from the army
as does the rising and falling of the tide
in Manila, P. l. upon the weather here
IN Temple Hill, Ill. ! don't think any man
who goes into the army goes there for
the purpose of drinking, either under or
without restraint. II a man is a drinking
man, or easy of temptation, and goes
into the army with or without the can
teen. sooner or later he will drink And I
don't knew but the canteen will hasten
his falling into that habit; but as TO lay
ing a condition such as is in the army at
the present time-namely, the deserving
eeil-to the moral stand Of a nation not
10 foster rum shops and beer holes, that
such a stand is the caut of foolishness,
Is the cant Of fooIlshness, and Gems Por-
ter. Miles. and all the rest of the can
teen championeTs can't show a modicum
Of reason in such argument.
Personally, I might just mention that I
do not oppose the canteen. and if I was
in the army again. 1 would be stin more
IN favor Of it. for reasons pointed out by
The Herald; because my recollection is
good enough to remember how I have
been forced to perform the duties Of
habitual drunkards, while at the same
sine there was no profit coming into the
company through their paying their
money into the Canteen, which in turn
declared a dividend TO company funds.
which, in a way, went 10 alleviate certain
hard fares. But TO say that !, or any one
else, failed TO re-enlist or that we ever
thought of deserving. or any ever did de
sert because of the absence of the ad-
vantage the canteen might offer. is, TO
say the least, making a faT-fetched illus
tration. without offering a reason for q
purely social condition not justly at
tributable 70 any ''One cause" and surely
not having any bearing whatever upon
the subject OF assertions from the army
Without attempting TO offer any cause
for observation-disclosures that in itself would
take more space than I am allowed
think, on inquiring into the general
treatment Of recruits; the manner in
which they are forced 10 draw out their
first six months clothing allowance in old,
obsolete uniforms; the way they are
huddled into transports. on railway cars.
and dumped here and there with little OF
no regard 20 their comfort or cleanliness. |
and then stuffed around while passing
through the first ROCKY drill. in order
that, as the old sergeant will tell YOU
they can have their spirit killed, and the /
fear Of Cod put in their hearts, /
say if any man that has ever had any
thing Ike a home, and place to live in /
in his life. if he viii go through the ex- /
perience re will find for the first six 1
months in the army, why.-ever afterward 1
there'n be no wondering why men fail /
TO Te-enlist or deliberately desert from
the army. Wal D. HARRINGTON. /
Temple Hill III.
The Washington herald., 1907-09-02
Piitsburg. Philadelphia, san Francisco
More English Proper Names.

From the London Chronicle
Your North Country friend. writes a
correspondent on the phoneticisn Of place
names, has missed some of the best, or
worst Cumbrian ones. 1t is in the names
OF the villages that the stranger finds
himself at sea. Torpenhow is known as
frepanna," Blennerhasset is asked for
as Biinracet,' and BOthel must be cali
ed Bwoaf' If the traveller wishes 10
reach 1t. At the other side of the County
kirkoswald IS "Kirkuzzel, and Armath
waite is found as 'Armwit" The names
OF the lonely farmhouses which ara
marked on the map are quite different
from those by which they are known TO
the inhabitants. Kirkbarrow becomes
Kerbra, and Highgate is always
"Heeyet.''
The Washington herald., 1907-09-02

The Wells-PrOpheoy Verified.

Editor The Washington Herald:
In the petition signed by more than 4O
persons in behalf Of the Sixth street we'll
which was but a type Of all of them. oc-
Cured this prophecy: IF. despite the
protests of the people against interference
with this well. It shall be removed OF in
any wise rendered inaccessible 10 thirsty
persons. and the cases Of typhoid fever
still continue at their present standing.
or even greater. We shall charge the re-
suits 10 those who have advised or or
dered the closing Of this inestlmable
well"
Holding this prophecy in mind. take
this extract from an evening paper OK
August % ut: "Fifty-two new cases Of
typhoid fever were reported to the health
department Of the District for the week
ended August q. as against thirty-two
during the previous week"
In the light Of this prVphecy and the
accompanying fulfllment. the health Of
flee. aided by the Commissioners. is. re-
sponsible for much Of the sickness in the
community. This is the openly expressed
sentiment OF observing people. The peo-
PIE Of Washington begin to realize that
the sO-called health board. but more
properly denominated the disease board,
is standing menace" to the real health
of the community; and, applying the logic
which is applied TO other 'menaces," 1t
ought TO BE- swept away. This feeling
accounts for the expressed purpose OF
lifelong citizens Of intelligence to have
the whole institution slang calls il
shooting mdtch'O entirely abolished.
The questions constantly recur: "Of
what earthly use is the health officer"
Why not abolish the Office and employ
a lot of old aunties who would use their
plain home remedies and do people some
good?' why submit to such harmful
Washington has not been so deeply out
ragged for quarter of a century as 1t has
been in this wantOn destruction of its
pure water supply. The term outrage"
IS the quite universal one applied to it.
On every hand this sentiment prevails.
A private letter just received from a lead
ng business man contains this statement.
TO the work of the District of
Columbia Protective Association: Il beg
% assure you that 7 am heartily in SYM
oathy with your movement. and will be
pleased to aid your worthy cause in every
way possible"
This sentiment is growing rapidly. The
more people reflect the more intense il be-
zones. j. FRAISE RICHARD.
The Washington herald., 1907-09-02

son, be Il only sincere. I have infinitely
/ greater respect for that man who. in pur-
suance of what he thinks is right. does
what / think Is wrong. than he who. fear
full of criticism or condemnation. does
what I think is right when he believes II
wrong.
The resultant beliefs of sincere study
I venerate. Beliefs. however, which are
built solely upon inherited habitudes of
thought and transmitted tendencies can
never be said to be truly original or self
wrougat-the beliefs of those who her
metically seal themselves within light
proof chambers, fearing lest a ray of
light may penetrate and dispel their cher
ished gloom. Such beliefs 1 can tolerate
but hardly venerate. Intelligent SINGER
ity is without conscious guilt, even when
mistaken"
The evolutionary conception Of life is not
one OF despair nor lacking in the imagi-
native elements. Even the moral attrl-
butes Of man are ultimately derivative
from an original nebular nucleus. What
grander thought! AS I'm the inert gases
hydrogen and oxygen lies potential water.
and in their union its existence: as in
these. along with nitrogen and carbon.
lies potential life and in their iuxtaposl-
ton in their highest multiple living pro-
toplasm-so in the original nebulous fire
mist the intellect of an Aristotle. the i'm
agnation of a Shakespeare. the genius of
Beethoven had their potential being.
But creeds and shibbOeths are chaff.
good deeds are the grain. Right living
and high thinking. according to ones
light, are the ali-important things. While
the world is filed with suffering and mis-
cry, there is yet work for the unselhsh;
such work as will enable one. when
death draws near and beats the doors
or iife,' 10 say, Write me as one who
loved his fellOw-men" If we can so be
written, our names, Ike that Of Abou Ben
Adhem, viii lead all the rest" Says
Arnold:
Fear not Life still
Leaves human effort scope:
But since life teens with i'll.
Nurse no extraagsnt hope;
Because thou must not dream thou need st not then
despair.
Let US think deeply and act well: sus-
pend Judgment where there is no absolute
knowledge; seek mental imperturbabilitv
and he ever strong against the grief of
circumstance let US be sincere, let us
be tolerant let US be of good cheer.
l shall not sickle for the last word nor
again take up the CudgelS unless impera-
lively called upon TO do so. Prolonged
discussion is apt to breed enmity and end !
n diaTibe
PAUL c. CHAMBERLAIN. |
4'Y z street northwest Washington, D. C..
The Washington herald., 1907-09-02

with wise forethought and precaution. the
French government announced that,
thereafter. a premium would be paid for
each child born 10 French parents on
French soil. This premium Is sim paid.
and the French authorities claim that the
sresuit has been gratifying
Perhaps the District Commissioners
would like to offer a prize package for
every bouncing baby boy born in the
District. That nigh. help some.
J. TIGHE.
Washington, Aug. 90
The Washington herald., 1907-09-02

company of the first victory on the con-
fines of their coveted holdings, which we
are assured, viii take first place in COM
parison with the railroad stations of the
world 4 NJ BROWN.
81 Third street Northeast
The Washington herald., 1907-09-02

October s. 1897. Remember the date.