davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-05

A certain popular United States senator
asked me one day if the alligator was not
closely allied to the shark. Everybody of
middle life will remember the ease with
which the late Adam Forepaugh humbug-
ged scientists and public alike with his
bogus white elephant.
They have left the work OF the show
man nature faker an easy job And the
man in uniform in front of cage can
spread more transformation than any
naturalist because he is in uniform, and
we always believe a man in uniform. He
may have no knowledge whatever of ami
NAL life, not even of the species under his
immediate care, but he is asked so many
foolish questions that he is tempted be-
yond his power to resist
Lots of circus people are amazingly ig
norant of even the elementary facts. We
once had a German animal man who
worked about the cages. He was told to
clean out the lions cage. The next thing
seen of him, he was inside of the cage
among the lions. scrubbing out the place
with as much unconcern as if he were
surrounded by pet dogs.
Instead of using the long handled iron
rake from the outside, he had calmly I'M
locked the door and walked in and gone to
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-05
.eDARQNE25 MAYER DE3AkNqE5
f15NEVuL ln DgRla Sgnc EncTlolD
LII
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states of the Union. and has lived in
every one of the insular possessions. Cuba,
the Philippines and Porto Rico.
She Boasts record that would not
Shame a general. for she was with her
husband in the days when Indians still
broke loose and made trouble. She has
cooked the game he killed in the wider
ness OF the west when 1t was the only
food that stood between them and starva-
ton; she was with her husband when
he guarded Fort Chase, where Sitting
Bull was captive. and from this simple
life she moved into the glitter of WASH
ington with ease and grace, and is today
a model of all that a hostess should be-
The Baroness des Planches is perhaps
called on for greater diplomacy than any
of her sister rulers not even excluding
Mrs. Roosevelt. for the jealousies of the
women folk of the ambassadors has
passed into a truism. but during the
experience she has had in public life the
baroness has mastered every feature of
dealing with the dissatisfied and during
her regime the complaints have been re-
duced to minimum.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-05
M&or =,
MoRty2 linz LA1E1 Y'he CylnET

wife of the dean Of the diplomatic corps
There can be no mistake in according her
second place. for the rights of the repre-
sentatives of foreign nations are very
carefully guarded in the official life of the
capital, and the privileges they hold there
carry over to their wives in society.
Third-Mrs. Elihu Root, who rates as
the dominating force among the ladies of
the cabinet. Mrs. Root did not earn this
dictinctfon because of her admitted DOM
mating powers and understanding of So
cial amenities. Were she much less gifted
1t would still be hers by virtue of the fact
that her husband holds the most import
ant post in the cabinet. the portfolio of
Secretary of State, and his title shifts
over to his wife in her relation with the
wives of cabinet members.
Fourth-Mrs. Charles w. Fairbanks,
wife of the Vice President Of the United
States. By right of her husbands pre-
eminence over the upper body of the ma
tional legislature, Mrs. Fairbanks ranks
all the ladies' OF the Senate. No matter
how potential their husbands may be in
shaping legislation. they must give way
to the spouse of the man whom the Amer
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-05

she has played large part in the do
ings of this organization, and is given
the credit for splendid administrative
ability.
The ambitions of the Vice Presi1en mt s
wife are great and unremitting. She, it
is said is the animating force back OF
his desire to go to the White House. He
never makes speech without first read
ing it to her. He never takes a step IN
public or private life without first avail
ing himself of her knowledge and judg-
ment
Mrs Root has preferred to live in the
shadow of her husband. whose most pro-
found adrnirer she is. But the wife of
the Secretary of State. though quiet and
retiring. is admirably equipped for pub
lie life through an extended training
The daughter of as blue blood as New
York knows. she has, extended and de-
veloped her ability during the recent
years, which have seen Mr.. Root in two
important cabinet posts. The ladies of
the cabinet are proud to accept her leader
ship. and she has committed no plumbers.
The first lady of the army. Mrs. Bell.
has lived In every one of the forty-six
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-05
Kl Roo2EMLT
M lur LApY q. The LAw

lean people picked out to preside over
the upper body.
Fifth-Miss Helen Cannon, the only I'M
married lady of the sextet, daughter of
the Speaker of the House, Joe Cannon.
If preference went strictly according to
power, and not according to a fixed sys-
TEN of rank, Miss Cannon would rank
second to Mrs. Roosevelt for 1t is con-
coded fact that the American system Of
legislation makes the Speaker of the
House second only to the President in in
fluence. But the laws of social prece-
dence take no account of what is actually
the condition. Place is determined &C
cording to the rules. and the women kin
of the autocrat of the House comes after
the wife of the comparatively unimpor-
tant presiding officer of the Senate.
Sixth in the list comes Mrs James
Franklin Bell, who as wife of the COM
manding general of Uncle Sans military
forces is the recognized queen of the
army.
In the midst of all that can be said pro
and con as to the abuses that creep into
our political system every American has
cause to feel proud of the fact that the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-05
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American woman in public place hardly
ever falls short of discharging her social
duties with common sense, tact, dignity
and distinction. Some of Washington
politicians may drive sharp bargains. and
may push through deals that often give
the adherents of monarchical forms of
government chance to grow cynical, but
the stain never is put on the American
woman in Washington. There are fewer
scandals in Washington than in any capt.
tai of the world. and this phase Of the
nations life never fails of tribute from
foreign diplomats located in Washington.
1t frequently happens that the first la
dies of the land have been unused to pub
lie life. Political success brings them
suddenly to the capital, often without a
hint of preparation. 1t is task of no
small proportions to adjust themselves to
the new conditions of life. where thou
sands OF eyes watch their every action.
ever ready to sneer. But not often Is a
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-05

"And this is the mighty Behemoth that
sweats blood" said he, drawing up before
the cage Of the hippopotamus. whittier
several of the crowd had followed us.
mo, it's hippopotamus,' remarked a
belligerent bystander, land it don't sweat
blood any more than you do"
Reed looked at the little old man with
inward amusement
Its merely showman's lie-to please
FOOLS" added the irascible little man. mo
such thing in all nature
'1nde-e-ed," drawled Reed "Wa-a-l
now, you know, Mr.. Hamilton. I've been
painfully. outrageously deceived. I've al
ways been under the impression-in fact,
I've seen it in the advertisements-that
this animal
well. it's lie.' interrupted the cho-
leric gentleman, while the crowd laughed
delightedly.
Perhaps it will kindly sweat for Mr.
Hamilton suggested Reed, with a
twinkle in his eye that was irresistible.
He had doubtless often sweat blood
for it,
The keeper taking the tip scraped the
flank of the monster with a stick and
showed it over the rope to the curious.
The stick was covered with the odd var
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-05

They Dignies

7 favorite. He declined to be accompanied
on these occasions, preferring to wander
around from cage to curiosity, good hui
moredly answering a multiplicity of inno-
cent questions propounded by his young
friends.
Mr. Blaine took in everything system
atically. his conversation sparkling with
wit and overlooking with good humor. He
neved disdained asking questions of ami
NAL keepers or any circus employe in uni
form. and was perhaps the widest known
public man of his time His portrait had
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-05

failure registered. so swiftly does the
adaptable daughter of Uncle Sam master
her new life
In the present sextet. however, there is
an. abundance of experience in social and
public life. Mrs. Roosevelt Mrs. Fair
banks. Mrs. Root and. naturally, the wife
of Ambassador des Planches, are all
women of means, born to the purple, so
to speak, who have during all their lives
been accustomed to moving in the upper
circles. The shift to Washington brought
no problems to them. 1t merely moved
the scene of their activities.
Miss Cannon, during the long public
life of her distinguished father, has also
had excellent experience.
Mrs Bell knows the practical side of
army life, for in the old days she under
went many of the stern hardshfps with
her husband. Therefore she Is loved by
the soldiers and their wives as one who
knows all that is best about the fighter.
Mrs Fairbanks matches Mrs. Roosevelt
in devotion to her husband. But Mrs.
Fairbanks has ever been public char
acter. AS president general of the
Daughters of the American Revolution
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-05

/ newspaper friend to dinner at a then
famous restaurant. There | met Senator
Bayard. He was in genial humor, and my
Responsibility being guaranteed by COM
pany was in, had the honor of his long
legs under the mahogany.
The restaurant was celebrated for it's
cooking and fine wines, and we had the
best of things going. For six hours I
was under the subtle spell of the most
charming conversationalist 1 ever met be-
fore or since; and yet l can't remember
anything except the great Delaware mans
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-05

going to pay any such price as that for a
horse for you-thats settled
But it wasn't. 1 kept on begging for
| that horse. throwing in something new
about the animals good points every time
| the subject was mentioned; and I think I
| mentioned it pretty often. Finally the old
| man got tired and came round.
1T isn't worth the money he said.
Now. if you can get it for s15O--'
~ don't believe Brown will take less
than $780, put in.
We'll, I'll tell you-offer him $780, and
| if he won't take it, offer him $1T5.'
But maybe Brown won't take that, 1
demurred.
Then pay him $500 and be done with
it, said he.
Il was overjoyed and I hurried across
the fields to Mr.. Browns. AS soon as I
saw him 1 blurted out: Father says
can have that horse
| :" All right. my son.
Yes. l am to offer you $3.50 for him,
and if you won't take that I'm to offer
S175-and, if that won't get him, I'm to
| give you the whole $500
| Brown laughed a good deal, but finally
managed to say the animal was mine for
$500. And it was"
| Very naturally the press agent saw
| that Grants little story reached the pub
lie. though it may since have been for
gotten.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-05

We put on the color with a brush It's
very simple
"Y-y-aas. 1 see.' said Reed delighted
at our ready acceptance of his humor,
while the crowd Uttered. "And does It
take long to dry?'
Only few hours answered the show
man, as gravely as Reed himself.
At that point the question was taken up
by highly indignant spectator, and we
wisely escaped the heated controversy
that was sure to follow But Reed
chuckled audibly as we moved away
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-05

The Grand Duke Frederick, brother OF
the present Emperor of Austria Hungary,
visited the big show in Vienna and we
gave him the same kind of exhibition that
we had given for the private entertain
ment of Gen. Grant in this country 1t
showed the American manner of handling
vicious or untamed horses and was man
aged by Prof. Smith, formerly with
Rarey, and on the lines taught by the
latter famous horse tanner.
The difference between our American
officialdom and that of Europe was
strongly marked on this occasion.
could not understand the language. but 1
understood this: Only, the chosen house
hold aids and near personal attendants
were permitted to address the royal per-
sonage, and even these awaited with be-
coming Difference the royal pleasure
There was no Conversation as we use
the expression. 1 would not dare speak
directly to the grand duke, nor would he
condescend to ask me question; but he
asked personal aid and this attache in
quired of a general in full uniform, who,
in turn, asked his personal aid, who i'm
mediately inquired of me in good stiff
English whether 1.-The id horse would
kick
Ny reply was that the id horse
would kick il he didn't get his meals regu-
larry. Whether this Americanism was
filtered truthfully down through the same
diplomatic channel or not / don't know
Something was; and from the expression
on the grand dukes bronzed countenance,
strongly suspect that it was faithfully
repeated.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-05
Q,ssu. %S8ss1Ahy r
Written for The Star.

Written for The Star.
TAsH.ss n the i ssas. '' ct !s
M women.
The President, members of
the Senate and House, gold
laced diplomats. and army and navy Of
fieials, may gravely delude themselves
with the idea that they form the hub
around which the social wheel revolves.
But as a matter of serious fact, they
are only unimportant spokes.
Six women handle all the delicate ques-
tions of precedence determine the proper
ranking of those who take part in the
great public functions of the nations CAPT.
tai In fact. they form sort Of social
cabinet, with the positions and duties as
signed as follows:
First-Mrs. Roosevelt, wife of the Pres-
dent, first lady of the land. arbiter In all
matters in dispute. given authority to
speak the last word. just as her husband
has it at gatherings of his cabinet.
Second-Baroness Mayer des Pianches,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-05

The late James G. Blaine was as much
tickled at the antics of clown as any
boy who ever sneaked under canvas. Like
Thomas A. Bayard of Delaware, Blaine
was lively, jolly. schoolboy sort of fell
low when out of the official harness for
holiday.
I'll never forget President Cleveland's
Secretary of State, any more than will
President Garfield's. Tom Bayard, as
his familiars called him, was slayer
as we'll as a statesman. Those who know
me best credit me with the ability to
stand my share of grape or ryeaor. if oc-
casion calls for extremes, of grape and
rye and corn and other things, all to-
gether. Thomas A. Bayard was any mans
equal. His cold, clear-cut face and court,
ly diplomatic ways suggested the ascetic.
There's where / was fooled.
After the advance work in Washington
had been attended to, one day 1 took
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-05

last remark: Mr.. Hamilton don't you
think we'd better have another pony OF
that forty-year-old stuff"
1t was in the morning. We had risen
but few minutes before, and were hav-
ing final goodnight word in the CORR
dor. The genial proprietor heard the
suggestion. intercepted the barkeeper on
his way to bed, and the four Of us went
in and had lone on the house"
When the show was. in Washington
scores of distinguished statesmen f1ocked
into the tents. If Congress happened to
be in session, the hall of the House and
the Senate chamber were practically de-
serted. So numerous were the high Of
ficials at performances that the press
agent with the show never got deeper
than the President and his family, or
cabinet officers especially invited. Local
newspapermen always cheerfully pointed
out the rest.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-05

Big Tom Reed always reminded me that
men are but children grown. His hearty
laugh could be distinguished over all the
rest. He was a great quiz, as we'll as
satirist. One time he was standing before
the cage containing a rare specimen OF
the blue-nosed mandril. The usual gap
ing crowd was about the monkeys cage
In his customary nasal. drawing voice,
he addressed himself to me: Mr. Hamil-
ton. I'd just like to ask you, confidentially
how do they hold the animal down so as
to shade him up like that?''
"Confidentially. in a rasping voice like
Reeds, was quite enough to cause a gen.
eral smile, while the suggestion that the
mandril was merely a painted monkey
was not new.
"I'll ask the man who did it." said I.
turning to the keeper. The latter replied
without hesitation "Oh, we just put a
collar around his neck. and a strap across
his back, kind O spread eagle, see, taking
care to put feathers on his claws and then
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-05

eXudes.
Blood, by cracky." declared Reed, with
an affectation of relief
The little old man gave him one look of
scorn and sneaked away amid the IN
favorable laughter of the crowd.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-05

This reminds me that the general knowl-
edge of natural history is next to nil. and
that mature fakers," as President Roose-
welt calls them, have a pretty clear field.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-05

I remember Blaine, big Tom Reed. Bay
ard Mckinley and many others, all of
whom invariably acted like boys out of
school. Mckinley always came surround
ed by children, with whom he was a great
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-05

been so generally printed that even the
canvasmen would recognize him. He en-
joyed the performance immensely.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-05


All of the great editors who have passed
away. as well as most of their successors
now alive. have been my guests from
time to time. ] could recall them here by
name, but it would be a long roll and
serve no purpose. l remember Horace
Greeley telling me that when he was a
barefooted boy, on his way to New York
and undying fame with his little bundle at
the end Of stick over his shoulder, II
he had come up with a circus he would
never have been an editor. Thus in his
case, as in that of many another man, 1t
was a mere chance that decided his
career
The elder Carter Harrison of Chicago,
editor and mayor, was an enthusiast on
| show life. He always came to the grounds
the Sunday preceding the opening and
passed the entire day there. getting his
! dinner under the cook tent with the
bosses and taking in every detail of prep
aration with the avidity of boyhood.
| Like many others, he seemed to think
there was some mystery about the circus.
such as may be sometimes seen behind the
| scenes at the theater. AS a matter of
fact. there are no such mysteries con-
nected with the circus-no glamour of foot
light fancies-no counterfeit of life, such
as are incidental to the presentation of
play. Everything is plainly real. some
times sordid; but it is life itself and not
relieved by machinery or stimulated by
tricks for it's counterfeit presentment
Alas, so nany-so very many-of the
grand men with whom l have come
in business and personal contact have
passed away that my "reminiscences OF
the. country's great ones would easily as
sumo the unpleasant tone of a mortuary
report. With the famous Presidents and
politicians, generals, senators, editors and
the swarm of lesser lights have also gone
many of the great showmen and the stars
of the sawdust ring who made the world
happier for having lived Together they
have joined the unknown myriads of high
and low who laughed and shouted thou
sands of years ago from the stone-rimmed
amphitheaters. the ruins of which still dot
continental Europe.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-05

work with a broom The savage beasts
regarded him with curiosity, but whether
they were afraid of his broom or were
merely paralyzed by his nerve will never
be known. for the keepers got the man
out before the decisive point was reached.
He thought they were just big dogs!
:. ::
Many OF our distinguished visitors spent
most of their time under canvas in the
menagerie and freak sections. Their chill
dren prefer the ring performances just
as all other young people do. President
| Grover Cleveland. though elected to Of
flee as democrat, was one OF our least
democratic OF Presidents He was eXclu-
slve in his home life. and rarely visited
places of amusement. lie was never seea
az the circus. l am told. however, that he
bru..- through this reserve after his chill
dren were old enough TO go out. and fire.
quently accompanied them TO the perform
ances. This was after he was but of Of
fee; he would never have sacrificed his
official dignity for fun.
President Harrison. who was regarded
by many as a cold-blooded aristocrat. and
was generally cartooned as an ice wagon.
W Dis itSS eNtliSiNS IN the w mite House
than Cleveland. and outside OF the Execu-
tive Mansion was easily approachable.
II came to the show without any parade,
and stood amused before the monkeys
cage. and went around among the freaks
with genuine curiosity
President Hayes never attended the cir
Gus. His wife, who organized prayer
meetings in the east room and served
diplomatic dinners without wine. thought
it was wicked. Not so the Roosevets.
who, from father 10 son, with all of the
rest of the household, are to be seen at
the first and last performances. Certain
ly. the enjoyment OF life is not frowned
upon as unwholesome in the present presi-
dental family.
The San Francisco call., 1908-09-27
WHAT WOULD HARTMAN % W1TFDUV 15l>S
FIRST N1GHT CROWD

periences at the old Fulton market
that came to play the role of Patsy.
My father owned stall in the market
when l was little girl I used to
spend much of. my time there. It was
before the societies for the ameliora-
ton of the condition Of waif children
had accomplished much good, and
have seen many girls and boys in as
pitiable condition as Patsy is. Poor
little things they were, living there
In the market along the water front.
Their food was such as would be given
to them in charity by the fish and veg
etabIe mongers. Sometimes they'd get
oysters, though, and then they had
a treat At night they used to crawl
into boxes or anywhere out of the
cutting wind and sleep.
Il was highly complfmented by one
reviewer of my work. He said I, my
self, had been a Fulton market waif
like to think the critic believed / was
was not acting so much as living the
part. But / am not an ex-waif. / was
born in Jersey City and had as good a
home as any girl would want. but 1
saw much of the life I attempt to por-
tray in the days when my father owned
a stall or two in the famous marketing
place for the poor.
The San Francisco call., 1908-09-27

offices in Broadway, New York, and his
staff of assistants has grown from a
single office boy to a small army of
clerks. stenographers and vaudeville
experts.
The Stunning Grenadiers." The
Fourteen Black Hussars," The Mill
tary Octette," Robinson Crusoe's $
Isle" the Lasky quintet, "A Night on
a Houseboat,' The Pianophiends," now
on at the Orpheun; The Love Waltz. .
AT the Country Club ''Birdland,
The Eight Hoboes" and The Devil" ;"
which is a condensed version Of the
Molnar play, are some of the sketches
which Lasky has contributed TO current
vaudeville.
Lasky will join efforts with Henry
B. Harris this season and will produce
his first big show. Something New"
1t will cost $4,000. so tbs said, and
will employ cast and chorus COM
prising so players.
Lasky claims distinction as being the
first vaudeville manager to put Her
mann. the magician. in the two a day
houses, also as the one who induced
William Hawtrey, the great English
actor. to try. 3 season, in the. vaudeville
houses Radha, the Hindu dancer, is
another discovery of Lasky's-
Lewis Hooper. Charles Berton. Max
Hart and Miss Blanche Lasky are mem
bers of Lasky's producing staf