davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1909-08-29
Bunco Victims.

The man who was buncoed the other
evening on one OF the steamboat docks
by a smooth stranger who worked the
old thread-bare dropped pocketbook''
game on him bought his experience
rather cheaply. He might have been
stung for much more, for he was evil
IDENTIFY Of a credulous nature and easy
picking for the himfiammer. It IL one
of the mysteries of the period why there
is such readiness on the part OF sup
posedly Intelligent people to fall victims
to all sorts Of transparent swindles
which have been exposed times without
number. The victims Of these crafts-
men are not ignorant people AZ a rule.
They are newspaper readers and have
in print many instances Of confidence
practices. They have read Of tho green
goods. game and the gold brick swindle
and the Spanish fraud and the dropped
pocketbook fake and such common OF
garden devices az the perfectly
good check which the stranded stranger
wishss cashed. Yet from time to time
these very people themselves contribute
70 tho total OF the plnoked
The dropped pockstbook game Is often
worked through tho cup1dity OF tho vic
tim. It requires an extreme Of cre-
dultty to believe that those who surrender
cash from their pockets for what are
presented to them an their own purses
actually think they are getting their
property back. In order to pay for the
returned" wallet they must 60 into theiz
leans" for the cash. II the pocketboolI
had been Lost 1t would not be there. The
victim Of this swindls Is either amazing-
iy crude In his mental processes and the
possessor Of two places of money stor-
age. or II akin to the green goods buyer
who thinks he IL going to get some
thing for nothing. In any case there is
but little ground for sympathy. Never
theless 1t II the duty Of the police to
round up the takers and crooks when
ever possible and protect the innocent,
tho guileless and the amateur swindler
from their wtles and devices.
Evening star., 1909-08-29
Mr. Bryan and the Tariff.

On the subject Of the tariff. Mr. Bry-
an says in the latest issue of the Com
moner:
Tho time Is passed for sham battles
on the tariff question. The only victory
We have won on the tariff in recent
years was the victory Of 1892, when we
attacked the principle Of protection. No
real fight can be made until a distinct
line is drawn between the opposing
forces"
The democratic party was not united
on the tariff question in 1892. At the
Chicago convention the tariff plank re-
ported by the platform committee,
which was controlled by the friends Of
Mr.. Cleveland, was a straddle, smackins
strongly Of protection. Mr.. Whitney.
who was In charge OF the Cleveland
forces then. was a protectionist. as
frm in the faith as Mr.. German. Mr..
Cleveland would have stood upon the
plank.
But tho free traders In the conven-
Non would not have 1t. They demand
Evening star., 1909-08-29

bag was for long time used to dis
tinguish the balloon kind of flying ma
chine from the device which came later
to be known as the heavier than air
apparatus. Now that awkward designation
Of the non-gas-bag type has given place
to the more specific "aeroplane." which IL
the generic name Of all the soaring de-
vices with or without motive power. The
glider" is the small plane without the
means OF self-propulsion- The aero
plane has now developed into three
types according to the number OF planes,
known as the monoplane. the biplane and
triplane There will probably be other
variations. with their appropriate titles.
The ''helicopter' is In the experimental
stage. an improved type Of machine.
The tendency to abbreviation evolved first
the word "airplane" instead Of the longer
and more awkward "aeroplane. and
now the same tendency has led to the
monosyllable plane" as a short cut to 8
clear expression.
Aviator and aviation" were early
classical coinages, appropriately replacing
the longer aerial navigator" and 'aeriai
navigation There may later be differ
entiation of title between the aviator and
his assistant or his passenger. For the
present the word will stand to signify the
man in charge OF the plane or dirig1bie.
corresponding with the chauffeur OF the
motor car. Already that trisyllable has
given place to the shorter pianist" and
doubtless planning" will be in evidence
soon.
BY a simple adaptation the word 'aero-
drome" has been evolved to designate
the space over which aviators conduct
their maneuvers. being the logical sue
cessor Of hippodrome. where man per-
forms in conjunction with horses. This
use OF the word has been applied to
the house In which q flying machine" Is
stored. Unquesionably there will be an
appropriate coinage Of new words or COM
binations to designate the manifold ap-
pliances and equipments Of practical avia-
ton when both dirtgibles and planes are
used for passenger or freight service or
mail carriage or warfare.
Evening star., 1909-08-29
KINDNESS.

His head was bald and wrinkles hung
In folds beneath his chin;
But, fancying his look was young.
He drew his waistband in.
His shoulders dropped, his step was slow,
His sight was growing dimi
He thought the knowledge Of II, tac1gh,
Belonged alone to him.
I did not tell him that I knew,
Nor hint that could see:
It may be that some morning you
viii be as kind to me.
IS. E. Kiser,~ in Chicago Record HeraI,
Evening star., 1909-08-29
Campbell Of Texas.

Gov. Campbell Of Texas should rear
range his plans and attend the Taft-Diaz
meeting at Ell Paso. An official greet
ing delivered by him would add to the
pleasure Of the occasion. The published
program gives promise of something nota-
BILE. Diaz on American soil and Taft on
Mexican soil will express much between
nations already friendly and both de-
sirous Of even more cordial relations. The
two men are wholly unlike, but each
possesses the qualities necessary to lead
ership and success in his country. Each
il In every sense q truly representative
man and official.
Evening star., 1909-08-29
LYRIC0 L'AfRICANIQUE.

Qn this the peculiar songs Of the desert are
reproduced.)
The ostrich speeds across the sand;
Cay bepluned Is he, aud grand;
He carelh not tor Teddy and
His siaughterously inclined band.
Gluschee gawawa Quaee-cookAreot
Gawawawai
The zebra Eigzags Ger the xadss
And Joins the zooful serenade;
Where, resting IN the zephyrous shade,
They fear Teddine fusIllada.
Ziilopopewa! Zillopopewai
Zstluschl
The amphibious hppopot.
VINO lives where It u very hot
VIII have to hide awful lot
To hide the hide that he has got
Woo buboo Woo bubool
OO-O0-0O- -plubobupp.f
sZade. kind Of plu6.
fThis u the kind OF noise the hippopot make
when dead or dying.
Puck.
Evening star., 1909-08-29
The Districts Fire Department.


For many years it has been the boast
Of Washinstonians that this city has had
q model fre department. They have
pointed with pride in the presence Of vis-
itors to the expedition with which the
apparatus Is sent to the scene OF an
alarm and to the remarkably small per-
centage Of fire losses In the District Of
Columbia AS far as the department
goes, it Is unQuestionably deserving OF
this praise, and in comparison with fre-
fighting facilities Of a similar character
it undoubtedly sets standard In ef1-
cheney and economy. But for some time it
has been obvious to those who look
abroad that the District has not been
given the benefit OF recent advances in
the invention Of dre-hghting appliances.
Chief Wagner's statements, based upon
his attendance at the recent convention
Of fire engineers at Grand Rapids, bring
acutely to public notice the particulars in
which Washington IL deficient
The chief returns to headquarters con-
vinced that the local department should
be equipped with motor fire-dghting ap-
paratus. At the convention models of
these latest developments were shown
In action. conyincingly proving that they
are an advantage In every respect over
the horse-drawn machines. Washington
Is ideally fitted for such q service, Its
smooth, broad streets insuring that motor
steamers and reels would be sent to the
scene OF q fire In record. time. II the local
low percentage Of fire loss 10 due to the
promptness with which the department
answers alarms, the adoption Of the mo-
tor apparatus would bring tho annual
percentage Of destruction to an extraordi-
narily low point. The money invested in
the ref1tting OF the department on modern
lines would probably be quickly saved in
the further protection given to the city.
1t i always In order in this connection
to call attention to the fact that Wash
ingon 10 behind the times In still another
respect in that It has been denied.
through congressional neglect, the high
pressure hre-dghting service. such as that
which has been installed In New York
and other cities. Whether this service Is
operated by pumps. as In New York. or by
questionably prove an economy. 1t would
1t will cost on the gravity basis. in the
course Of q very few years.
An ideal IRE department Is that which
figures least often in the intercity news
reports. The tact that Washington rarely
furnishes q sdrst-page fire item for OUT
of-town newspapers attests to the sanity
Of the building conditions here and to the
fortunate lack Of condagration-making
environment. But It is unsafe to rely
Indefinitely upon the capitals good for
tune. What has been win not always
continue. and II Congress il true to Its
trust a. . legislative guardian Of the
District OF Columbia It will waste no
further time in appropriating for the
equipment OF the local fire service with
the most advanced and approved devices
for the saving Of property and life.
Evening star., 1909-08-29
The Chain Of Law Breaking.

Testimony that Is being given before
The government Investigators at PittsburG 9
as to the peonage and Imprisonment
charges brought against the Pressed steer
Car Company at McKees Rocks indicates
that a decidedly unlawful condition pre-
vailed there during the strike OF the
workers. This state Of affairs illustrates
clearly the fact that In the average con-
ditions obtaining today q strike OF IN
dustrial workers leads almost inevitably
to q chain OF unlawful acts. If men VINO
are discontented with their wages or the
circumstances Of employment would mere
ly cease work and seek engagement else
where, or endeavor by peaceful means TO
bring about q readJustment; In other
words, II they would pursue q perfectly
lawful course OF action. there would be
no crimes, no evasions Of statutes, no po-
aitical complications. But the moment an
effort Is made by strikers to prevent the
continuance Of operations at the plant
which they have deserted. they start .
line Of misconduct which may continue to
the point Of murder.
There IL no arguing away from the re-
sponsibility resting upon the men who, at
the outset Of one of these Industrial con-
ficts. assume the right to prevent other
workers from taking their places. The
law recognizes the right Of the corpora
tion. the company or the individual em-
ployer to conduct business along certain
lines, within specific restrictions. II the
states mechanism Of law enforcement
and property protection were promptly
and effectively invoked by the officials
charged with this duty. there would be
no crimes, no peonage. no abuses by
either side. But unfortunately there Is
cowardice In public places and militant
strikers are given such leeway at the
outset. through fear Of political reprisals,
that the issue promptly arises whether
they are to be permitted not merely to
dictate as to their own employment, but
as to the right Of the owners Of invested
capital to use the plants which they have
created at great cost and the mainte-
nance Of which is necessary for the In
ldustrial welfare Of the country.
If 1t were known In advance that tho
law would intervene to guarantee the
owners Of industrial establishments the
right to continue work At their plants: in
other words. II strikers were assured that
they would be punished for preventing
the substitution Of others In their places.
there would be no peonage In the plants
One act Of lawlessness begets another.
The striker who threatens his successor
with maltraatment or with death starts
the process. It Is then continued by the
police chiefs. sheriffs and mayors. who
neglect their duties and fail to preserve
order and guarantee to the men willing to
work the right to peace and protection In
the pursuit Of q livelihood and to employ
ers the right to protection in the opera
ton Of their legally recognized establish
ments- 1t is finally continued by the en-
ployers themselves. who. lacking tho pro-
lection which they should be given auto
matically by the state. adopt unlawful
means to continue operations.
Evening star., 1909-08-29
OUR ARMY-A COLOR STUDY.

Long years we knew the Boys in Blue.
Who ended human slavery.
We cheered their fight for truth and right.
And eulogized their bravery.
The Blue went down, and Khaki Brown,
To which we could no thrill award
Was proper dress, when, to suppress
Revolt they moved Manilaward.
Now comes this stab at Olive Drab,
To stir safiric merriments,
While bloodlsssly they hght or nee
In gay war-game experiments
In conscience fight the Blue seemed right;
Hard force the Brown epitomized;
But Olive? Say, that does for play.
Its use is thus legitimatized!
Brooklyn KAglo.
Evening star., 1909-08-29
An industrious story Teller.

George Manvills Fenn, aged seventy
eight, with over hundred novels and a
thousand short stories to his credit, has
rust died. Moreover, he had edited a
magazine, and contributed to several
others. An industrious man, and. though
nothing 10 said about the size Of his es-
tate. probably q prosperous one. Such
an output does not suggest genius. but
rather . well rounded talent. encourage
ment In Its use and good money re-
ward. l1terature-of this kind-often
pays wei. although some men OF great
writing gifts and Of fine performances
Live and end their days in poverty.
Evening star., 1909-08-29
speed Measurement.

"What is the charge against this man?''
asked the judge.
violating the speed laws with his
motor car" answered the policeman.
How do you know he was violating
the speed law7"
There was trolley car on one side OF
his auto, and big delivery wagon on the
other. They were going in the same d.
rection he was and he nearly kept up with
them"
Evening star., 1909-08-29

Octopus haters will note with disapprov-
al that the railways collect considerably
more faro from Washington officials since
presidential summer quarters were re-
moved from Long Island away OF to
Massachusetts.
Evening star., 1909-08-29
A Qualified Assurance.

$50 your husband promised you he
would never play cards except for fun?"
YES" answered young Mrs. Torlkins,
doubtfully; "but he afterward explained
that he didn't consider 1t any fun unless
there was something in the way OF money
involved"
Evening star., 1909-08-29
September Reflections.

or September comes along
No mo- roses, no mo- song;
No mo- bees a buzzin' soft;
No mo- singin' birds aloft!
I will miss each oltime friend,
But desc tears is jes make tend;
Sumpin' whispers, 'Hallyloo!
How about dat oyster stewr'
I suppose I ought to be
Singin' In de lonesome key.
Goodbye, blossom! Goodbye, all!''
But dar's other come to call.
An when stahts In to frown
'Lohg dar comes dat whisperin' SCUM
Till Use laughin' through an through
How about dat oyster stew1'
Evening star., 1909-08-29
A Sad Similarity.

"Do you take exercise enough7" in
quired the friend.
I'm afraid not" answered Miss Cay
enne Taking exercise Is like taking
GOOD advice It is always what some
one else ought to do"
Evening star., 1909-08-29

King Alfonso's hirsute decorations were
permitted to remain just long enough to
prove anew the old dictum that while
club feet are q misfortune and q hair lip
is calamity. side whiskers are q mans
own fault.
Evening star., 1909-08-29

Writers about America are now saying
that the men Of this country are not po-
lite to the women. These authors proba-
bly, get their ideas from superficial obser-
vation Of elevated railway customs.
Evening star., 1909-08-29

According to Mr.. Rockefeller q golf
player who can always keep his temper
comes pretty near being perfect man.
This may be accepted az an unconscious
tribute to Mr.. Taft's unfading smile.
Evening star., 1909-08-29

/. Litigation over airship patents may tend
to remove aviation from its place as a
problem in human progress and place it
on purely commercial basis.
Evening star., 1909-08-29

The time is near at hand when the
juvenile members Of school fraternities
will once more be called on to take up
their social duties.
Evening star., 1909-08-29

There is some ground for tho suspicion
that DR.. Eliot was forced to spring his
new religion proposition by the refusal Of
the public to become excited over that
flve-foot library scheme.
Evening star., 1909-08-29

Edison has suggested that New York
can get more space in which to grow by
filing In the East river. Even geography
is not sacred to the real inventor.
Evening star., 1909-08-29

A monkey dinner party announced
for one OF the exclusive Atlantic coast re-
sorts lacks the piquancy OF novel interest.
Harry Lehr got about all there was out
Of that idea.
Evening star., 1909-08-29

AS yet there has been no authoritative
list made public of men who have be-
come millionaires by following Tom Law
sons tips.
Evening star., 1909-08-29

Ambitious cities that have expansive
ideas about population growth will do
well to eschew automobile race carnivals
hereafter.
Evening star., 1909-08-29

Patten has long since disposed OF his
capital In such q way as to enable him to
contemplate fluctuations In the wheat
market without q Quiver.
Evening star., 1909-08-29

With their customary impetuosity
Spanish anarchists did not wait to find
| out what kind OF king Alfonso was go
ing to be before organizing an attack on
him
Evening star., 1909-08-29

It is always q relief to hear Of an
actress who wants to play Hamlet In
stead Of trying to introduce variations Of
increased audacity In barefoot dancing.
Evening star., 1909-08-29

England might solve q situation which
causes some uneasiness in parliament
by putting up signs along its coast warn
ing aviator. that airships may not land
Evening star., 1909-08-29

The children who survived the massacre
Of emigrants at Mountain Meadow, Utah
committed by the Mormon
Massacre fanatics were an object o1
c. the greatest interest anl
sympathy on the part Of
the people Of the eastern country. In
The Star Of August 2e. 1885, IS a news
dispatch referring to them:
"A dispatch was this morning received
by the commissioner of Indian affairs
from Mr.. William C. Mitchell, special
agent in charge of the Mountain Meadow
children. informing him that they had
arrived safely at Fort Leavenworth ir
excellent health and that arrangements
were immediately to be made for restor-
ing them to their relatives and friends
There were seventeen in all rescued, but
only fifteen were brought to Fort Leaven-
worth, two haviEg been detained at Salt
Lake City for the purpose of giving testi-
mony. Mr.. Mitchell can fully sympathize
in the great loss these children have
sustained, as he also had relatives and
same fate with the others
Some years ago." says The Star OF
August q. 1859. "a boy, who has since
grown to be a man of some
White Lot distinction in Washington
took 1t into his head that
as the public grounds were
the property of the American people. he
as one OF the people had a right to en-
joy what benefits he might be able to
derive from them, and, taking a gun
went to work to shoot the robins that
made their nests in the trees. His errone-
GUS logic was clearly proven by one OF
the watchman, who caught him and ad-
ministered thrashing that he never for
got. Acting on the same theory, doubt
less. persons go cunning almost every
morning in the large field south of the
Presidents mansion. Some Of them are
old enough to know that they are vio-
iating the law. and their example has
been followed by younger persons. If
the officers who belong to that district
would catch the older ones and enforce
the penalty Of $50 and administer a few
spanks to the younger ones the practice
might be stopped before serious damage
is done to the young trees and plants by
the shot OF the gunners.''
Evening star., 1909-08-29
Decoration.

or the reformer past and gone
Full oft you'll hear this mournful tale:
Sometimes he had his war paint on;
Sometimes he used the wh1tewash pail +"
Evening star., 1909-08-29
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.
Not Made With Care.

do you think there are too many
lawyers in Congress?'
NO." answered Mr.. Dustin Stax;
when see the way some Of the statutes
are handled by expert attorneys I am
inclined to suspect that one Of the things
Congress needs is mora legal advice"
Evening star., 1909-08-29
Prophetic
| Picture.

mOnLn6. I0o SHIPS OK I00 Cnauue1 ucot
protect Portland; the More division is at
anchor before Sheerness. At dawn Of day
the deet at Wilhelmshaven weighs anchor,
having been preceded by the port mines,'
which have already covered the distance
Of $50 miles which separate Cuxhaven
from Sheerness. In the darkness this feet
has planted hundreds Of "vigilant tor
pedoes" and has disappeared to await its
work of destruction. The morning comes
and with 1t the war in Europe. In q few
hours the channel feet Is in motion. The
enemy is encountered In the North sea,
where, assailed by the fire OF innumerable
medium caliber cannon. disconnected by
the sudden attack and overwhelmed, the
channel feet returns shattered to Ports
mouth. The More division has been Grip
Pied by the mines and obliged to return to
Its anchorage. In q few hours Germany
has become mistress Of the British seas.
Such an operation Is possible, but it is
not decisive. It Is q hardy, vigorous un-
dertaking. daring raid" intended as
well to cover an invasion by means Of the
WilheImshaven. Emden and Bremerhaven.
Lord Roberts had In mind this raid when
he said: Germany is ready to sacrifice
her entire feet in order to protect her
transports"
This eventuality is not an Idle supposi-
the British parliament. The day may come
when this question Of life or death for the
two nations must be solved. To smash
the political and, above all, the economical
expansion OF Germany Is a policy which
England has accepted as manifest destiny.
When the day arrives, and it must arrive
before 1912, England can destroy the war
fleet of her rival. paralyze her merchant
navy. block her ports destroy her exterior
commerce, infiict q deep. perhaps mortal,
q YnwarIaSQ m
potent to effect anything Of q decisive
character against England.
Effect nothing? It is too much to say
SO. Germany may seize Anvers the pride
Of Belgium, and the most impregnable for
tiflcation In Europe OF Anvers it has
been said: "Anvers is a pistol pointed at
the heart Of England" Then Germany
possesses q great army. The road from
Berlin to Anvers passes through Paris.
CHI, CHAILLE-LONG.
Evening star., 1909-08-29

Though dueling had virtually passed out
Of vogue fifty years ago, the personal en-
counter method was OCCASION
Averted ally resorted to by, the hot
blooded as a means Of set
ting disputes. An instance of
a duel that was not fought Is recorded In
The Star Of August 25, 1859:
Monday or Tuesday two Of the govern
ment employees at the Capitol had a mis-
understanding which resulted In a fracas,
in which one from Pennsylvania got the
better of his opponent vdrginian. The
friends Of old Virginny' thought it slur
upon the state to allow things to remain
thus and persuaded their fellow-citizen
that he must demand an explanation. He,
being poor penman, left it with a friend
to write the note for him demanding an
explanation. The friend, Instead of de-
manding an explanation, wrote a peremp-
tory challenge, which was sent without
the principal seeing it. The reply was an
acceptance. designating rifles, the distance
thirty PAGES and the time next morning.
Such an explanation was entirely unex-
pected by the Virginian, who declared he
had not sent a challenge; didn't mean to
fight a duel and entered mol pros on the
whole proceeding. The matter has been
'amicably adjusted and the duel may not
be expected