Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-04


trict.''
Poor Always Are Everywhere.
Il did not say that said the editor.
gently. because poverty is with us ev-
erywhere Poverty, like other evils OF
this world does not leave at our bidding.
What l said was that Washington's pow,
erty-stricken population seemed small.
Again the nOnentity marked down an
other score against himself.
And the automobile rolled on.
Down Massachusetts, avenue. toward the
Public Library. it rolled on its way. A
silence fell upon the party. broken only
by the constant monOtonouS grumole VI
the megaphOne man.
lone thing" volunteered the editor,
that 7 noticed about this city Is the host
of sparrows continually flying about the
thing that 1 have beheld in any other city
There is something poetic in the little
creatures of nature seeking their homes
in city like this. OF course. In parks
it is natural to find the sparrow. But IN
Washington one sees them everywhere.
They are in the trees; in the streets; In
the grass. They seem tame and happy.
Il have heard that cruel men kill them
and sell them for reed birds" remarked
the nonentity. .
,nurrnured the editor from the depths OF
his heavy robes.
.Ah! And that building-what Is IT,
uueried Ii Sum Ling.
That said the nonentity, impressive
ly. lis the Public Library, donated by
Andrew Carnegie, and the place where the
common people can go and get enlighten-
ment.'
"A beautiful building. and surrounded
by we'll kept grounds" was Mr. Ii
comment. What are those porches out
'front.' .
"Those are for the people who wish to
read in the fresh air. replied the nom
entity.
.:They look hard" remarked the edi-
tor. why didn't Andrew Carnegie do
nae some cushions with the library?
DO they own many books?" he ask
He was told that many. many. many
books were the property OF the PUBIC
Library.
He. was told that many did read the
books.
Don't you think that this particular
phase of the American nation Is partleu-
iarlv admirable?' asked the interviewer.
II do" responded the Chinese editor
81 know of nothing more characteristic
Of American democracy than the manner
in which the rich donates that which Is
received by his poor brother. 1t Is one
of the features of American life that Is
unusually refreshing to the visitor.
.All Of the rich men seem to be public
spirited and willing to do all In their
power to aid in civic Improvement. The
efforts of these philanthropists would
seem to be confined to no particular sec
ton OF the country. but rather to the
nation
DO you think America looks SO
young?" next asked the nonentity
~ must say" remarked the careful Ii
Sum Ling, that 1t has a slight touch
of the nouveau richie about it. There Is
that shiny veneer which nothing but time
can erase. You must remember that,
after all, this is a new country. There
is nothing in it to compare with some OF
the monuments in China which have
withstood the attacks OF many centuries
o. time.
Still, it is not an unpleasant newness.
1t is not crude newness at all. 1t Is a
pleasant. refreshing newness that will
wear away only too soon and leave this
country and this city as the countries and
cities of Europe are now"
And you really think that the Capital
city has fresh appearance" walled
the nonentity.