davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-04

French mystery have been road ono
longs for the usual Accomplishments of
the comic opera. The performances Of
these solemn detectives and magistrates
SAVIOR so strongly Of the stage that it
max with the solennity of the courtroom
procedure without the services of a
chorus If this is the way crime mys-
teries are solved in France the wonder is
that the authorities ever catch anybody.
enough to justify the services Of the most
efficient member of the Sherlock Holmes
family There can be no denying the
cleverness of Mr.. Joseph Rouieta billie
which is really only his nickname. mean
binary rotundity of his head-and as the
author tells the story this precocious
young gentleman gets into the situation
in rather attractive manner. but the
reader. while becoming more interested
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-04

chants Association Of Boston December
20 1907: an address on southern democ-
racy and republican principles. Lexington.
KY. August -. 1907: La Dor and Capital, -
delivered before the Cooper Institute.
New York city. January 10, 1909: a re-
view of the achievements Of the republic
an party. delivered at Kansas City, Mo-.
before the Young Mems Republican Club
of Missouri February 10. 19Us; an answer
to recent criticism Of the federal judi
ciary. delivered before the American Bar
Association August %. 1895. and an adj
dress OH the administration of crimina al
law before the graduating classes of the
Yale Law School June PC. 1905
THE MYSTERY OF THE YELLOW
ROOM, Extraordinary Adventures of
Joseph Rouletabille. Reporter BY
CASTOR LerouX New York: Bren-
tanO'S.
After a few chapters of this tale OF
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-04

who like himself were shortly to die'
and, his hands having been unfettefeo'
he distributed the crucifixes to each com
panion. but, as there was none LETT over
for himself. he seized hold Of the grea.
crucifiX above the altar. and then leo
the procession. Arrived at the fatai
spot where his young life was so soon 10
end. PlacidO sat on the bench. awaltins
his turn. and engaged in prayer When
certain point in the Credo. chanteo
by the eleven Catholic priests. had oeem
reached the forty-four soldiers fired at all
the eleven prisoners. buts win SO pau
aim that some were doomed TO Wrlthe anu
linger in agony, necessitating a second
Placido who staggered erect and, facing
mis- executioners. exclaimed: s"FareweH.
o world. Farewell. Cuba. Is there no
mercy for me?" Then, pointing direct TO
his heart. he added: Fire here: At
signal from their commander four OF the
soldiers advanced. and as they fired Pla-
cido fell dead. Thus. at the early age OF
thirty-five. his soul took its flight to the
Temple Of Immortality. leaving penino
him memory which will always be cner-
unquestionable purity Of character and
remarkable genius.
The Day Of Retribution.
1t is gratifying to record that. ultimate
ly. divine retribution overlook all the
principal perpetrators of this monstrous
crime against humanity. The news that
the innocent Placido had been executed in
Cuba as a common felon and his works
forbidden to be either read or published
in the island excited universal horror and
execration among the most enlightened
and right thinking portion of Spain.
In considering Placido's poetical genius
he may, in measure, be ltkened to Rob
ert Burns. He came. like the great
Scotch bard from most humble origin.
rose to distinction by the force of his
own character. and picked up. here and
there. a fragmentary education. His
versificaton and poems. especially In his
more ambitious efforts, are often ex-
tremely defective and full of faults. He
Is happiest in his fine delineation and de-
scriptions Of life. customs and scenery in
rural Cuba, and has immortalized him.
self as the poet of the Guagiros or Gu
ban peasants"
Among exquisite specimens of this ma
ture may be mentioned his THE Flower
of the Sugar Cane Plant THE Coffee
Blossom" THE Pineapple Flower" ITO
the Yumuri River" THE Fisherman of
San JUAN" THE Star Above the Pan
Mountain" a love song and 1.-The Two
Waves"
On account of their local coloring and
peculiar tropical flavor. and also the
quick rhythmical short verses, 1t Is diff
ficult to convey any adequate idea of
their beauty and charm to English-speak-
ing readers, but the following metrical
version will. at least, give some idea OF
the celebrated poem entitled
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-04

as The book progresses, is apt to lose ms
credence. Yet it is unfortunate that any
one should think that the French de.eG;
tive system is altogether peopleo WI. ~
not merely ex-criminals. but criminals VI
present activity simply because notoI
ious crook and murderer has palmed MN
self off on the "surete." 1t may he tha'
the French have carried to its logica. con
clusion the doctrine OF setting thiei 10
catch a thief and that the iatter-oas
members of the school Of N1docq are
themselves experts in crime. but the an =,
mert is not persuasively presented IN
1.-The Mystery of the Yellow Room.
TRUTH. BY John A. Joyce. author or
THE Checkered Life" etc: Chicaso:
Regain Printing and Iuolishi"s
House.
Col. Joyce's books are usually coliec-
tions of his poetic productions. but this
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-04
the Corcoran Gallery is
closed and a majority of the
artists have left the city, there
is still much to be seen which

@VHOUGH the Corcoran Gallery is
closed and a majority of the
artists have left the city. there
is still much to be seen which
will vitality interest those who
care for art and its various manifesto
tons. At the Library of Congress there
is an almost inexhaustible mine Of treas
ure. including several splendid exhibits
and many prints not on view but at all
times accessible. The more important OF
the current exhibits are those of works by
French etchers of the nineteenth century;
Durer and Rembrandt etchings and Arun-
del prints reproducing in color the works
of the greatest masters. But also of much
interest are the exhibits of recent illus
trative work and photographs of early
Christian architecture and painting.
Among the prints not at present on view
yet obtainable for inspection by the stu
dent are large portions of the Gardiner
Greene Hubbard. Bradley and Garrett COL
lections of engravings and etchings; the
entire collection of engravings presented
to the library some years ago by the
French government from the Chalco-
graphic du Louvre: a fine collection of re-
productions Of German engravings pre-
scented by the German government; some
wonderfully interesting examples of color
etching, and an immense number of re-
markably good photographs of famous
paintings. great works of sculpture and
architectural monuments. And what is
more, this wealth of pictorial material is
admirably supplemented by reference
library-an art reading room. well equip
ped. where not only the standard works
can be consulted. but the leading journals
and periodicals found. The Library of
Congress Is. 1t should be remembered,
open in the evening. and though the print
d vision closes at 40. the exhibits are
accessible after dark and are well lighted.
1t is interesting to know that during va
cation months quite a number of students
are attracted to Washington from west
ern cities and towns by the exceptional
opportunities afforded for study by the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-04

given to these rumors and the most dras
tic measures. including fogging ana to ="
ture. were resorted to. in order 10 WIS
confessions from suspected partlc1pa'o,..
in the alleged conspiracy The results
naturally produced plenty OF perJureIs
and one of these. Segui. mulatto; ue
clared before the Spanish trlounal ~
vestigating the case that al the nes.oes
and mulattoes of Cuba had entered into
conspiracy to eXtermnate the WHITES. any
that If their plans had renamed seI!e'
three days longer not single White
would have been left alive. AS ne MN
self spoke English. he was to act as IN
terpreter. receive 10000 Spanish dollars
and the rank of colonel. and was to place
himself in communication with Mr. DaVio
Turnbull ex-British consul to havana
but then residing in Jamaica. whom the
conspirators had selected as their future
king and who had at his disposal S2'o,'N
for equippng, maintaining and armlns
the proposed insurgent forces. Ihelr
commander-in-chiefw was the poet Placido.
a mulatto, who exercised much influence
over the whole colored population OF
Cuba and over many whites
On the 2Sth of June, 1874. as day was
breaking over the beautiful city of Ma
tanZas on the north coast of Cuba. eighty
miles east of Havana. preparations pc
gan for the ignominious execution of the
gifted poet Placido and ten other fellow
unfortunates.
In his last hours and moments OF terri
BILE anguish Placido's serene fortitude
never forsook him. Together with his
associates. he spent the preceding after
noon and night in the official chapel.
where eleven priests officiated to render
final spiritual comfort. He received the
crucifx with fervid reverence. exclaim-
ing: II cannot deceive you. God Of
mercyt More than this could not be
heard. the beating Of the funeral
drums. mingled with the subdued tones
of the waiting multitude outside the
prison walls. drowned his voice. 1t Is
reported that on the way to the place Of
execution he recited two beautiful poetical
compositions. one of them being the cele-
brated "Plegaria: or. Solemn Prayer to
God" and the other the Farewell to My
Mother"
Met Death Bravely.
The advance to the place of execution
was touching in the extreme. The elev-
en- condemned men were guarded by
forty-four sharpshooters, according to the
Spanish statute that four soldiers should
be assigned to the shooting of each pris-
oner two of them to fire at him through
the back and two at his head, so as to
produce death instantaneously. A sor-
rowing crowd of people silently followed
as far as the strict military discipline of
the authorities would permit.
AS the procession prepared to leave
the chapel Placido's sonorous voice was
heard endeavoring to encourage the ten,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-04

ing. fishing or shooting; no blood sports.
in word: and no one will dream of
taking conscious animal life for food or
clothing
What. then, shall we eat, and what
wear"
Very little food will suffice us in
those days We shall have fruits all the
year round: peaches will be plentiful
in January as are blackberries now in
fruit and milk. Lobster salad, pate-de-
fois-gras. ortolan on toast. lark pie
they will be regarded as we now regard
the ancient emperor's dish Of night
ingales' tongue. At the same time, 1t Is
quite likely that we shall go back to
Rome or Athens for some ideas-such as
clothing. There will be no fashions; but
the simplest garments, allowing free ac-
cess of sun and air. will be worn-no
petticoatS, no trousers.
Esperanto.
And this reminds me-when an Eng
lishman meets Greek five hundred
years hence he will be able to speak to
him as though he were a brother; all
the people who count in the world will
be able to speak a common language.
Writing. by the way, will be in a form
of phonetic shorthand.
"Of course. there will be no wars. or
rumors OF wars"
THE lion will lie down with the
lamb" ! haZarded.
Natures great law Of preying." said
the philosopher. will remain unaltered
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-04
Located at Last.
From Puck.


Drummer (settling bill in Eagle House.
DISQUALIFICATION my curiosity, sir. but
what do you stuff your beds with in this
hotel?
Landlord (proudly)-Best straw to be
had in this hull county. b'gosh!
Drummer-Ah, That is very interesting.
/ know now where the straw came from
that broke the camels back!
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-04
The Flower Of the Sugar Cane Plant.

The Flower Of the Sugar Cane Plant.
PLACIDO.
rhe Robert Burns Of Cuba.)
A Cuban peasant lass I beheld.
Tanned were the cheeks Of that pretty brunette,
As though the sun. Of her lovely grace
Descending. perchsnce. from his heavenly sphere
Had ardently kissed her while burning her face
Tender and modest is she as when
The sugar cane flower begins to unfold
The first of the petals inclosed in its bud
White was the dress that she wore when met
For the first time. with red ribbons adorned:
And her bonnet was gay and OF bright-coiored
And a beautiful feather. canary in hue.
Like 1.-THE sugar cane flower. was swayed by
Divine is the sound Of her silvery voice,
And her lips like the rubys deep red:
Full Of grace Is her body. and light Is her STEP
And her tresses Of auburn that wave at the Will
Like the sugar cane flower that in purity
smiles.
When adorned with the drops which the dawr
On Christmas night. once at the ball did I meet
And deeply she blushed and discarded her shawl
And, confused and disturbed. from her Dosou
A locket Of various hues. This she gave
Unto me in apparent and careless disdain
On examining IL perceived that, twas mace
And never since then am 1 able to sleep
Without kissing that locket resolved, wniie sn'
I ne. er shall forsake her. but always he true.
Oh, peasant girl. lovely, dark skinned and bru
Take nifty on him who 50 ardently loves thee!
Remember on vain hopes cannot exist,
Consumed by suspense and by cruel fate swa!cd
Like "a sugar cane flower blown about by thu
breeze.
Considering the adverse circumstances
which dwarfed his natural genius. 1t Is
astonishing with what success he cult
waited various kinds Of poetry. Among
his romances and songs Of adventure
there are a few which rival. in strength
and skill of treatment. those of Espron-
hand. he was not happy in his fables.
owing to the defects of his early train
ing A short epic poem of his. dedicated
to Heredia, the singer of the glories of
Niagara, on the occasion of the latter S
fleeing visit to Matanzas, Cuba. in 1884,
shows considerable vigor and grace.
In religious poetry Placido quite ex-
celled, the best of his recognized produc-
tions of this nature being The Resur-
rection'' and ION the Death of the
Savior" The poet also shows himself a
master in the realm of chivalry and
knight errantry in The Child of Male
diction," a long poem founded on weird
traditions of medieval Spain. Finally,
one must note the extremely delicate, in
spring and exquisite elegiacal gem. en-
titled 1.-The Farewell Lament" addressed
to the spirit of young Cuban girl who
was to Placido what Beatrice became to
Dante.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-04

certain books written on special subjects
by those peculiarly fitted for the task.
which are placed on tables in the various
halls. and may be freely consulted. Here.
too. is delightful occupation for the sum-
mer days.
off and on for the past ten or twelve
~ years the plan Of establishing an
American institute of art in Paris has
been agitated. and at the last session of
Congress the Senate passed bill author
izing such an establishment. This bill
carried with it no appropriation, but it
permitted the Incorporation of such an
institution under the laws of the District
of Columbia. which would have given it
sta nding and granted it the right to ac
quire and hold property. Fortunately. 1t
would seem. this bill did not pass the
House. for. though it is possible that such
an institute would have proved benificent
when it was first projected, 1t Is not APP
parently required now. No one will deny
the value Of travel abroad or that much is
to be gained by familiarity with the
works of the great masters, but the con-
sensus of opinion Is that so far as the
schools are concerned as good training
can be obtained today in America as any
where. According to the American Art
News no great enthusiasm is felt even in
fdrlS Dy Inc RESIDENT american dEt1StS III
regard to the projected American Insti-
tute. Indeed. Mr.. F. A. Bridgeman is
quoted as saying. What is wanted Is not
increased facilities for young Americans
to study art in Paris. For the most part
they are better off at home. What is
wanted are the means of educating the
American public at large in art matters.
The American public has much to learn in
this respect The money 1t Is proposed
to spend on the so-called American In
stitute would be better used in increasing
national collections and in encouraging
artists of proved merit
0NE of the most potent means of edu
~ eating the public is the art museum,
and through its fundamentally both the
interest in and knowledge of art are be-
ing widely diffused. How widely and by
what effective means are demonstrated in
reOort inst jsSued nv fine Toledo Art
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-04


which is more romantic or
beautiful than the seaport and
city of Matanzas and the sur
rounding country back of it..
This "City of the Two Rivers" ESQ.
named because a few miles inland the
Yumuri and the San Juan rivers effect
their Junction. has often been called 1.-The
Athens Of Cuba on account Of the ex-
treme culture of its highest society 1t.
however, is entitled to another sort OF
fame as the birthplace of the mulatto
poet. who is justly regarded as the Rob
ert Burns Of Cuba. This poet was Ga
briel de la Conception Valdes, common
~ known by his nome de plume of Pla-
cido.
Destined to become one Of the great
martyrs Of Cuban liberty he sprang
from the humblest origin, and was born
March Is, 1900, in Havana. According to
the most authentic authorities, he was
the natural child of a white professional
dancer and a mulatto father who was
quadroon. thus making Placido really an
Octoroon. The details of his early life
are meager. This is not surprising. as he
was placed at birth. as a founding, in
the Maternity Asylum Of Havana. AS
soon as the friendless boy was old enough
to work he learned the business Of comb
making. Thus he struggled in grinding
poverty. but with intense yearnings to
rise above his condition. His lively in
telligence attracted the attention Of
planters and editors, who. finding him
possessed of considerable power of MINI
icry, amused themselves by engaging
him to perform in their festivals.
Placido appears to have had no oppor-
tunities whatever for schooling. but to
have picked up here and there frag-
mentary education. Removing from Ha-
vana to Matanzas. he married young
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-04

Museum. which within the past four and
a half years has assembled a collection
valued at $4,000. a library of 1000
volumes, a hundred thousand dollar build
ing fund. and. as the director puts it. won
the real interest and friendship OF all
classes of Toledo citizens. LAS far as
possible" the report reads. we nave
tried to make the museum useful. Every
afternoon during the past season talks
have been given in the galleries to the
pupils of the ward schools; special talks
have also been given from week to week
to the pupils Of the high and normal
schools We have aimed to bring the
museum into close touch with the public
and manual work in the ward schools
has been visited by thousands Of Children
and parents. a series of art history
talks was given to various clubs and
classes and monday talks on art and
travel were given at the factories and at
the East Side Y. W. c. 4. The girls.
who are wage earners. have had monthly
NEE things at the museum, with an attend
ance averaging over go. and special
evenings have been arranged for the en-
ployes of mercantile houses and others"
During the past season fifteen special ex-
hibtions were held. among which may be
mentioned one of water colors by Hop
kinson Smith. and one OF drawings and
paintings by Kenyon Cox. Certainly this
institution is energetic In well-doing and
keenly alive. But the Toledo Art
Museum is not alone in these activities.
The Detroit Art Museum, the Albright
Gallery Of Buffalo, the Chicago Art 1nsti-
tute. the John Heron Institute Of Indian
apolis. the St. Louis Art Museum and
many others are likewise carrying on the
good work. For the artists and for those
most interested In the progress Of art this
is indeed promising outlook.
IRON the Sd to the Sth Of August the
l third International congress on art
education meets in London. The first
of these congresses was held IN Paris
at the time of the exposition of 1900
and the second in Berne in 1904 The
aims Of the congress are to place the
teaching of drawing and art on the best
principles: to insist upon the extreme I'M
better craftsmen more particularly In such
industries as are dependent upon art for
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-04
Certainly Would.

City Man Ito villagerl-Wouidn't Il
open your eyes to look across at chat lot
there and see one of our city skyscrapers
covering it?
Village Man-Wal. 1 guess I would.
seein' as I've got twenty head o cattle
grain there.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-04

CELF-EDUCATED, This
- Young Mulatto Poet
Wins Fame, and Falls a
Martyr in the Cause of
Cuban Liberty - His Skill
in Depicting the Life and
Gus ms of the Cuban
Guagiros or Peasants-Mem-
DRY is Green in Hearts of
Compatriots.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-04
The Genius.

MARK TWAIN said of genius at a
AVA New York banquet:
"A genius. as an old lady In Hannibal
once explained to me. is a man what
knows moren he can find out. and spills
vittels on his clothes"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-04
The Clever Woman.
n the GentlewUman.

The cleverest woman. from the purely
feminine point of view. Is the woman with
the understanding heart" Her intellec-
tuality ''underlies her silks and embroid-
cries. and does not show itself staringly
on the outside" She has heart and soul
as well as brain.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-04

their success: to obtain proper recogni-
ton for all art teachers. and to discuss
the methods of teaching as they appeal
to the different classes of teachers of
drawing and art throughout the world.
The work of the congress will include the
reading and discussion of papers. lectures
and an International exhibition of work.
The United States is sending an excellent
representative exhibit and is publishing a
handsome volume to accompany IL on
Art Education in the Public Schools Of
the United States" The honorary presi-
dent of the American advisory committee
is Mr.. Elmer Ellsworth Brown. United
States commissioner Of education, and
quite a number of WashingtOnians WILL 1t
is understood, attend tie sessions of the
congress.
T ONDON offers special attractions in
- the way of art exhibitions to Ameri-
can visitors this summer. for. in addition
to the usual round, there is an exception
ally fine display of French and English
paintings in the art palace at the Franco
British exposition at Shepherds Bush:
the international school exhibit. including
work from the Ecole des Beaux Arts at
the South Kensington Galleries. and a
collection of Hungarian paintings at
Earls court In addition to these there
are the usual current exhibitions-the
hOyAl ACdOoUly eAHiDnlOH, tne summer
exhibition at the new gallery. the Royal
Society of British Artists exhibition and
the exhibition of the Royal Society of
Painters in Water Colour. Some of these
will be held open through the frs; week
in August on account of the art congress.
X
TN Paris today the bronze equestrian
statue of Lafayette by Paul Wayland
Bartlett. which is the gift largely of the
school children of the United States. was
unveiled with appropriate ceremony.
plaster cast of this statue was put up in
the place II now occupies eight years ago
and the fact that the work has been SO
long delayed has caused much comment.
The fact that the statue is finished and
in place is therefore a matter of con-
gratulatio but still more occasion for
rejoicing should be the less-remarked fact
that it is in every respect a genuine work
of art-a worthy gift from America to
the French people. LEILA MECHLIN.