davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-02

present occupants. but 1t Is not spa
cious enough for two queens to hold
court Then Mrs. Kern possesses that
trend of character which would sug-
gest a small fiat of her own rather
than the arrangement which Mr. Bryan
seemed to think ideal In spite Of all
that is said to the contrary. one can
live comfortably and trif1e elegantly
on $4,000 a year with good managing.
and this trait is dominant with this
possible vice presidential lady.
Those who recall the regime of the
Adlai Stevensons will remember that
they lived in a set of rooms in a hotel.
Yet they maintained all the state in
presidency and kept to the social ira
ditions most scrupulously.
In Indianapolis Mrs. Kern has the repu-
tation Of giving recherche and perfectly
appointed entertainments She Is fond OF
society. finds its exactions pleasure and
not a bore. and has always been frank
about her belief that 1t constitutes lever
to uplift family fortunes. She belongs to
many clubs and is constantly entertaining
the members She is likewise prominent
in church circles and is a leading member
of the Tabernacle Presbyterian Church
and president of the board of managers
of the Eleanor Hospital Mrs Kern be-
lieves In suffrage and is a consistent
worker in many organizations which look
to civic and national reform. In fact, she
belongs to that rare class of club women
who find time to devote the necessary at
tenticn to the home and family.
Receiving News of Nomination.
Mrs Kern. who was Araminta Cooper,
was married in her parents home in
Muncie Ind. in the autumn of 1895. She
is the daughter Of Mt and Mrs. William
Cooper and spent all her girlhood in
Muncie. She met Mr.. Kern while visiting
friends in Kokomo, his home town until
he received the call to enter state politics
at the capital She received her educa-
ton partly in Muncie and partly in New
York. She is the second wife of Mr..
Kern. his first wife having been Julia
Hazard of his home city. The present
Mrs. Kern and her stepdaughter. Julia
Hazard Kern, are. close friends and so
chummy that it is difficult to believe that
they are not of the same blood. 1t anuses
Mrs. Kern very much wnen the reSem-
blance between herself and her daughter
is discussed and she is complimented on
looking so youthful. She pays unusual
Difference to her young stepdaUghter and
gives her the proper place as eldest child
of the house In every possible way. I'VE
four" she said. discussing Mis- Julia,
constitute the Kern family and we never
act except in concert. Thus the flight of
the Denver nomination we received a tele-
gram from Mr.. Kern addressed TO the
Kern family and saying simply They
nominated me. God bless you ALL We
cogitated a long time how to reply to that
telegram. for such an opportunity for
epigram does not occur more than once
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-02

heels together. turn out your toes. put
your hands by your side, palms to the
front, fingers closed. little fingers ON the
seams of the trousers. head up. chin In.
shoulders thrown back. chest out. draw
in your stomach and keep your eyes on
this spot
All this was given so quickly that
could hardly understand the first of 1t
before he had finished. but the one who
was not giving the commands was fixing
my feet. hands. head ard shoulders. 50
managed at last to assume the required
position.
What's your name? Put Mr.. before
1t. How do you spell il" What's your
first name. Spell it. What's your middle
name? Have none? What state are you
from? What part? Put sir on every
answer And on and so forth until
j had given a correct history OF my past
life
That was not all, however, for in a
little while some more of the old cadets
came to my room. ushering in party OF
plebes. Then there were some do1ngs
We were put in a squad and the order
given 'Shun squad. Come to attention
plebes Palms TO the front. Mr.. -.
climb up on that mantel, and step lively.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-02

In lifetime Julia said to say. God bless
YOU We shall all vote for you. but in
the end we sent the prosaic little mes
sage: Love congratulations and tho
hearty support of the Kern family.
Mrs Kern and Miss Julia are locally
famous for their excellent taste in dress.
Neither is extreme in following the fash
IONS yet both are named simultaneously
whenever Indianapolis women discuss
their best gowned sisters. Miss Julia, like
Mrs. Kern, is devoted to social pursuits
and she is we'll verSed In all accomplish
ments necessary for leadership. She is q
superb pianist and has several times dis
cussed going abroad to perfect herself.
But in the end she decided against even
temporary repatriation and has consoied
herself by taking lessons Of the best
American teachers. She graduated with
high honors at the Girls Classical School
in Indianapolis and then took course In
New York city and a special course In
music at the conservatory. She belongs
to all the athletic and country clubs In her
home and can play a good game OF ten
MS or golf.
Mrs. Kern's Sons.
The young sons Of the democratic vice
presidential nominee are aged nine and
five but are the very important members
Of the family. John, the elder, goes 10
the public school. but the little fellow.
William, still studies his lessons at home
with an occasional dip into kindergarten
lore. Mrs. Kern is an enthusiast over kim
dergarten methods and has been tireless
advocate of aiding mothers in poor dis
tricts by their Introduction. She labored
early and late over this measure and her
efforts have been eminently successful
Few states are better equipped in kinder.
garten schools than Indiana, especially In
scattered farming districts, where such
instruction Is godsend to overworked
mothers.
Mr.. and Mrs. Kern reside In pretty
tweIve-roonled cottage on Pennsylvania
street a broad avenue lined with stately.
elegant homes. Theirs is one OF the least
nretentious of the neighborhood, but It
wears distinctive air. with its wide, hos
pitabe locking porches and the well
trimmed fiower-decked lawns. Mrs. Kern
has well defined ideas about the furnish
iues of a home and each room has been
manned after some ideal. There is CO.
ionial dining room. a French salon.
Flemish hall and cid English bed cham
hers Each possession fas been carefully
and wisely chosen. and while Indianapolis
has many more elegant and more per-
factly equipped houses there 10 none
which possesses more of the well bred
look or the rarefied air which marks the
residence of refined. thinking people. Mrs.
Kern has hitherto paid only passing visits
TO Washington, but she will no doubt visit
the capt. al this winter even II her hearts
desire about the success of the democratic
ticket goes unfulflled.
Copyright. 1905. by Margaret B. Downing.l
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-02

thusiastS. Mrs. Kern made special prep
arations for dinner the first day Of Mr..
Bryan's arrival. and just before it was
served she held a family council with
the boys. John Worth. jr.. and William
Cooper, aged nine and five years. Il
want you boys to remember" she adj
monished mot to have word to say,
no matter what comes on the table
am going to have strawberries but just
act like you have them every day in
February. 1t is very bad manners to
talk about what is on the table,
The little fellows were Obedient to
the letter. and they never as much as
winked an eyelash when an exquisite
crystal dish of berries nesting in their
own foliage was placed before their
mother. But Mr.. Bryan Is farmer, and
he became excited. What, trawberries
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-02

~ RACIOUS Hostess and
" Splendid Housekeeper
Who Thinks More of Her
Husbands Health Than of
Any Political Honors or Pre-
ferment That May Come to
Him-Is Interested in Poll
tics and Wants to Drink
1t in at the Fountain
head-Favors the Canteen
and Expresses Her Personal
Opinions on This and Other
Subjects Despite Restric-
tons That Usage Places on
the Members of Families
of Candidates-Is a Strong
Temperance Advocate-Sev-
eral Years the Junior of Her
Distinguished Husband, But
Enters Fully Into All His
Activities-Can Cook a Good
Meal and Is Proud of the
Accomplishment.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-02

banquet. Bakery bread. cakes or pastry
do not enter into our scheme of life. and
even the most involved sorts OF ices and
desserts are essayed in the home Kitchen.
Homemade preserves, pickles and relishes
are the pride of the luncheon party and a
matter of rivalry between women who are
also social leaders We still like to hem
stitch our sheets and napery and to en-
broider initials on the household linen. and
some otherwise progressive women still
have their husbands shirts made at home
instead of in factories. This is what we
call keeping house properly in the Hoosier
state.
AS in the case of the Taft and Sher-
man families, ties of long standing
friendship unite the Bryans and the
Kerns. Last winter. Mrs. Bryan and
Mrs. Ruth Bryan Leavitt spent a few
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-02

ing mastered the intricacies of the one. |
feel hopeful OF solving the other should
the necessity arise. But am not inclined
to place too high rating on mere
social career. | should go forward to
other things with keener delight, should l
go to live in Washington. There is. for
example, the opportunity OF drinking in
political wisdom at the fountainhead and
OF studying national types at close range.
Soon after Mr. kern's selection as the
vice presidential candidate | expressed
some views on the canteen. the liquor
laws and other civic reform measures. in
which | am strongly Interested. l horri-
fled the country by such Independence.
and it was gently suggested that as l was
not running for the office OF Vice Pres!-
dent OF the democratic party. and as
was very close to some one who was, per-
haps it would be wiser to be more re-
served. 1 have always expressed my
views freely, but the hint showed me
some of the restrictions placed on pos
sible honors. Nevertheless my opinions
on temperance and the canteen are we'll
known among my friends, and l see no
reason to revise them. l am myself
total abstainer as is every member OF my
household. Yet I have worked very
earnestly for the restoration of the can
teen. and shall continue to give my small
but whoie-hearted support to all meas
ures looking TO this end In this l have
the Endorsement of the greatest temper
ance advocates of the country.
Has Well Defined Opinions.
Moreover l fail to see the justice of
feeling the party committed to my pri-
vate opinions or considering me the
mouthpiece OF Mr.. Kern on any subject
We have our own views on many matters
and l note that some of the happiest
husbands and wives hold widely diverg-
ing views on various sGbjects-rel!gion,
politics municipal reform. even on the
fashions Some men object to Merry
Widow hats. and their wives just dote
on them. Now on graver issues, l feel
quite differently on this very subject of
the vice presidential nomination. Mr..
Kern puts party loyalty above every
consideration. 1 put his health and hap
piness and the wellbeing of the family
first / saw him almost wrecked in
health after the campaign for the gubar-
material chair Of Indiana. and / felt
somewhat alarmed when 1 first got the
news from Denver. No political honors
could compensate me for my husbands
i'll health or undue worry. But for Mr..
Kern the viewpoint Is entirely different"
Mrs Kern Is a handsome woman OF
the blond type. many years the Junior
of her distinguished husband. She was
married In 1895, and has lived In In
dianapolis only since that time. But she
IS deeply attached to her home there.
and she has become a social power dur
ing her thirteen years residence. Mrs.
Kern says: II think the women OF the
middle west are the representatives of
the one-ttlne large class who liked to be
considered good housekeepers. In In
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-02

how to clean your gun. You will get
yours soon Bring over that gun there
in the rack: that one, yes. Get the
cleaning materials out OF my locker.
Take out rag. put oil on It: that ie II.
Half cock the piece and open the cham
Der; you're doing fine. See the rust in
the breech lock? Well. get little stick
out of the box. put piece Of rag over II,
you've got to use plenty Of elbow grease
TO get 1t Off, and the plebe keeps at IL
until the owner of the gun Is satisfied
with its appearance. III call you after
while to give you another lesson; that'l
DO now.
We were kept busy at first complying
with the different requests OF the upper
classmen. but they were very considerate
and did without our services long enough
to let US drill three times a day and per-
form our other military duties in proper
ton.
Upper Classmen Always obeyed.
AT all times were the requests Of the
members Of the upper classes obeyed al
though they had come from the superin-
tendent himself. so there was no occa-
sion to use physical force on the plebe.
However. when the plebe really did COM
NIT some awful crime against the tradi-
tions Of the academy. such as not cut
ting his corners sharp in the corridors or
looking an upper classman In the eye. tho.
third class went into executive session, 30
to speak, and the culprit was summoned
as a prisoner.
These soirees were usually Of q very
classical nature. as none but those mer-
ry-makings of the famous days OF the
inquisition were allowed Tobasco sauce
was employed extensively in one OF these.
AS many as fifteen drops were placed on
the tongue and after being held there
long enough to appreciate the favor It
was swallowed. 1t was unfortunate that
the victim had stomach trouble after
this treatment for 1t was very amusing to
the spectators to watch his squirms OF de-
light as II rolled down his throat. Then
there were the water cure and the water
treatment. This last was an amusing
placed under a faucet and then the water
was allowed to drip slowly. drop by drop.
In this a very amusing, tickling sensa-
ton is felt after the hundredth, drop.
1T wasn't long after they began using
these celebrated methods that some very
curious people got wind Of what was go
ing on and they were so much excited
over it that they got Congress to hold
an investigation of the hazing that existed
at West Point. and when they got through
with 1t there was nothing left to 1t. All
of the classes there at the time gave their
pledge that there would be no more haz-
ing while they were at the Point. The
last of these left there some time ago.
however and so 1t was up to some pro-
gressive mind to re-esta blish II there But
haZing as now carried on. Is only mere
chfld's play to the strenuous days that
the old-timers can remember.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-02

word. The small boys kept watchful
eye on the performance and as soon as
the gentleman had withdrawn William
Obi at home) leaned over and said
confidentially to his mother, Mamma.
Mr. Bryan hasn't got as good manners
as papa. has he?"
Family Income Is Modest.
The Kern income is a modest one. and
should fate bestow the higher fortune
now in view pretentious entertainments
will be out of their line. But 10 one can
ina CINE Mrs. Kern encroachirs on the
Bryans in the White House, according
to the offer OF Mr.. Bryan made at this
very dinner in which the Strawberries
figured. The White House Is large and
roomy, thanks to the forethought OF its
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-02

trials and tribulations. and it expresses it
very well:
Attention an We forlorn Plebes
While the story relate
OF how came to fall into
My present lost estate.
A moment only dry your tears
And listen unto me.
And III describe my experience
In this big menagerie.
The FIRST day that reported
My heart was full of joy
And to all intents and purposes
! was a bully boy.
stunner in my native town.
I thought I'd easily
Upon my muscle 60 right through
This big menagerie.
But they put me in the window.
Attention made me stand,
And had to dance end sing and speak
At every ones command.
tried to run, but soon found out
That my rapidly
Was not the Kind Of game to play
In this big menageTie-
1T was pleasant sensation, too, after
we had gotten securely to bed after a
hard days work, to be suddenly awak-
ened from q sound sleep by landing with
gentle thump on the floor to find out
when we were able to see from our
sleepy eyes that we had been -yanked.
'Yanking' is accomplished by dexterously
taking the sheet with both hands and
with a quick jerk depositing the contents
Of the bed on the floor This little at
tent1on gives one pleasant thought.
though, to think that he hasn't been for
gotten.
'The p1ebe. too, wasn't entirely free
from these little. personal attentions even
at meal times Sometimes when a plebe
was considered q little too speedy
for his class he was requested to eat
with both of his feet touching the table.
Perhaps that position was considered the
best for digestion. I knew a plebe, also
who had previously been at a college
which was a great rival of the Military
Academy in foot ball. who. as the end OF
the year approached. had assigned tC
him as his own particular stunt tC
stand on his chair at dinner. give his
ex-college yell and then announce the
number of days left until graduation.
Eating Meals Dog Fashion.
"Some Of the poor boys who were
thought not to possess the proper respect
for upper classmen had to eat their meals
dog fashion This consisted in getting
under the table on all fours and waiting
until some one was considerate enough
to place a dish with something on 1t be-
fore him, and even then he could not
eat with his hands.
The new cadets were all taught thei
duties in very considerable manner b.
the older ones, that most of them al
ready knew them by the time that they
were supposed to begin. Guns were not is
sued to the plebes until after they hat
mastered the foot movements. but the!
already knew how to tend to them b!
the time they got them This is the wa!
it was done: A yearling was working OF
his gun and. seeing plebe standing by
called:
"'Come here. plebe. and I'll show yol
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-02
To- sZ4ND. 0M. HIS cHER AT DINNER -AND GIVE HIS
yEx: Co11EGEx1EzL;

Now move your arms and say, Cav,
Cav Stop that laughing. Eyes to the
front
''Of course didn't so much mind these
little pleasantries. but when one OF the
cadets produced from some mysterious
hiding place bunch Of clippings was
seine surprised. They were all of the
things which had appeared in the papers
about me, and all I was required to do
was to stand on the mantel and to read
these same in a loud voice while those
Indians howled and appiauded at every
other word 1 said. The performance
pleased my auditors SO much that one
of them went out and rounded up a
number Of others, and then had to read
those measly clippings all over again, and
not content with that. had to sing them
likewise That finished up the first day
for me. but it is one that shall remember
the rest Of my life. as for several months
| had to recite these things every little
while In fact, they told me to meInorize
them at the first sitting.
In the course OF time we were initiated
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-02

in February" he exclaimed. and then
he complimented Mrs. Kern on their
size their flavor and the treat which
she had given him. for he loves straw
berries above any earthly food. Whether
Mir. Kern had also received private in
structions was not divulged. but. while
he looked immensely amused over his
guests enthusiasm, he spoke not a
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-02

dianapolis we are partial to this designa-
ton Of good housekeaper. and we prefer
receiving it to having our social quail
fications and accomplishments recounted
With us ii means one who exercises per-
sonal supervision over her home and who
prepares. or has prepared by cooks of her
own training every mOrsel OF food served
OH the tables even at the most formal
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-02

DAYS with Mrs Kern and were enter
tanned most hospita bly,. Mr. Bryan came
later in the season and remained as a
guest at the Kern home while he con-
suited with Indiana politicians. Dur
ing this visit q characteristic story of
Mrs Kern and her small boys became
current in Indianapolis society and slili
furnishes amusement for Bryan en-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-02

into the mysteries of 40 This is pleas
ant little game which gets its name from
the setting-up exercise Of that number
Yes some of the yearlings or third class
men appeared to be very solicitous about
the health of the plebes- Under the I'M
preston that we didn't get enough exer-
else during the day when We only had to
drill about six hours they would call on us
in the evening and put us through this ex-
ercise 1t is very beneficial to one whose
muscles have grown stin during the day
frcm too much work. and we certainly did
appreciate it. 1t consists IN putting the
hands on the hips and squatting over the
feet in an upright position, rising again
and repeating the action many times until
the command halt is given Sometimes.
Though. the .yearlings' were so deeply en-
crossed in something else that they forgot
to give the word halt and then some
poor plebe that was not up to the mark
would faint but that was merely Incl
dental, and no one ever paid any attention
to a small thing like that.
Plebe Becomes Poetical.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-02

/ will. does me good TO think of the
time when 1 was a pIebe.' although adj
NIT it was sometimes slightly annoying
to me- then.
when ] first arrived at West Point l
was a pretty green youngster, although
at the time q had rather a good opinion of
myself. as the papers of my small home
town had been filed with accounts of how
l had passed my examinations and every
body turned out to wish me godspeed on
my Departure I went up to the room 20
which l had been assigned and started
to enter, grip in one hand and hat in the
other Two cadets were already in the
room seated at a table, waiting for me. as
/ learned shortly. j only had a chance to
set one foot in the room when l was
hailed with the following:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-02
Form of Initiation.

"Tseave your things IN the. hall. Don't
You know better than to bring them I'm
here? I stepped out again and while
looking for place to put them one of
them yelled, Lay them on the floor and
como in; step lively, too. Shut the door.
Stand here Come to attention. Put your
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-02

which contained an account of the dis
missal of eight cadets from the Military
Academy for hazing. "but the gentle art
of hazng is not what it used to be in my
day Those boys, though. have good i'm
aginations. and with just little more
practice would have become experts
He bent over the paper once more and
then he roared with laughter.
Doesn't this order show an ingenious
mind?' he asked, reading:
"'Go out into II Company street and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-02

~ Z the four women whom the ac-
ton of the national conventions
have placed so conspicuously be-
fore the American public only
Mrs John Worth Kern is COM
parative stranger TO the social and official
worl6 at Washington and TO the country
ut large. But Mrs Kern possesses quail
ties which argue against her remaining
unknown even II the second place among
the womankind of the land does not fall
to her lot. She IS younger than the aver
age matron whom such potential honors
invite and her friends give her every
qualification for successful social career.
'T am rather dismayed at the list of
requisites for a social career in Wash
ington." she said a few days after her
husbands selection for the second place
on the national democratic ticket, land
some of my optimistic friends suggest that
I get IN "a social secretary at once and
begin a course OF training on the duties
of my position. But / shall wait. l find
that life in a state capital means minia-
ture of life IN national capital, and, hav-