davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-12

others of modern make as the Senate
body has spread that most of them have
quite lost their identity. However. the
desk at which Jefferson Davis sat is
easily Identified by the mark left by a
thrust of a bayonet through the side of it.
made when the soldiers entered and began
to destroy the Capitol during the turbu-
lent times. The place has been repaired.
but is apparent upon examination
Through long line of successors. this
to the senator from Oklahoma, Robert L.
Owen. Previous to his occupancy it was
the seat of John w. Daniel of Virginia.
who began his present service as
member Of the upper house in 1887. Mr..
Daniel filed for and obtained the seat of
the outgoing Kentucky senator, James B.
McCreary. thus coming into another his
torical possession. as this was the seat of
the immortal member of whom Webster
once said: Nothing low or meanly selfish
came near the head or heart of Mr.. Cali
houn.'
The seat of the mighty Webster himself
is said to be the one now occupied by the
senior senator from West Virginia Ste
phen b. Elkins. who vacated the seat now
belonging to Simon Guggenheim. senator
from Colorado, to procure this one. which
had long been used by the senator from
New York. Thomas c. Plat. There is
some doubt as to the seat of the great
'peacemaker' Clay though it is supposed
to be the one occupied by the Illinois pa
triarch, Shelby NJ. Cullom
Back in the past some time. somewhere.
there was an honorable senator named
Foote, who was of such colossal proper
tions (he Is said to have weighed over 100
pounds) that Il special chair had to be
constructed for his accommodation. This
is one seat of the mighty which has
been removed from the Senate chamber,
seemingly because of very definite doubt
as to the ability of any succeeding mem
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-12

ing that whereas the small boys posi-
ton was designated by teacher these
larger and older boys secure their seats
in quite another way. in the Senate by
lotment. Probably this fact will be news
to many of the people who have lived
for years almost within the shadow Of
the Capitol itself.
X X
Congress. as applied to the lower house.
is constantly shifting body, and at the
beginning of each Congress the members
draw lots for their seats, so that there
is never any certainty as to where the
place of any member is going to be for
each session, except In the case Of some
of the senior members, who retain their
places by courtesy of the younger rep
resentatives, who exchange when they
have drawn seat occupied by one or
the seniors. In this way such men as
Representative Payne of New York. who
has served thirteen terms; DalZell of
pennsylvania, with twelve continuous
terms to his credit, and Bingham. also
of Pennsylvania. a member for sixteen
continuous terms, have earned the right
10 their respective seats. In point of
service Bingham ranks next to the
Speaker OF the House, Cannon, who has
served in the House through eighteen
terms. or for thirty-six years. The tra2i-
cally deceased member, De Almond OF
Missouri, was next In rank to Dalzell. he
being the senior of the four members who
had served for ten continuous terms In
the lower house. His demise leaves seat
No 49, which he had occupied for years.
vacant.
the House of Representatives eliminates
the possibility of establishing the exact
location of any of the old-time members
seats one cannot follow the succession
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-12
SorE. OFLlA5HnIdT N5LlINTERT1U51cIArfs
GROUP De 5nTdnTd 5EARRoNv5

The song of the veSper sparrow is full
sweet and plaintive. and is especially fine
at evening. whence the name bestow ed
on the little singer. During the winter
it is not at all unusual to find the field
sparrow mingling. with others of his
kind The field sparrow is known by
his red-brown color and his peculiar red
dish bill In the juniper field near Chevy
Chase. before mentioned, lie has been OBJ
served in considerable numbers. The
so-called song sparrow is "A common win
ter resident of the city. He has a plain
coat, like the English sparrow, but is
more slender, and, as his name indi-
Gates, Is a musician. Song sparrows
have been heard singing in the grounds
Of the Smithsonian Institution during the
coolest days in winter. Close ohserva-
ton will reveal a dark blotch on the
breast of these birds, which is dis
tinguishing feature of their plumage.
Considerable numbers of bIackbirds stay
the winter long in this locality, though
the majority. perhaps, migrate further
south. At the time of migration great
flocks of these birds are to be seen whirl-
ing through the Zoo. often alighting on
the banks OF the creek. to confer together
in shrill voices and doubtless to secure
provender for the journey. Arriving at
the Potomac marshes these birds on
their way south. will occasionally fall in
with a flock OF reed birds. and both form
very harmonious travelling companions on
their journey to a warmer climate.
The song of the meadow lark is heard
here earlier and later, than that of most
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-12
Observation-Disclosures

or even the subtropical everglades of
Florida, to see our large and beautiful
herons in their native haunts. whereas
a little search might reveal these wary
they may even rear their young.
NO fewer than nine of the eighteen
species of herons which inhabit Nortl
America continued DR.. Bartsch, have
the District of Columbia. OF these, four
have been found breeding and the great
blue heron. which is with us in small
numbers all the year. Is strongly sus-
pected of conducting his domestic affairs
within our territory"
Anacostia river between. Anacostia and
Benning in the latter part of August
fairly teens with bird life. Countless
numbers of swallows find an abundant
food supply on the marsh and an open
field to train their wings for the long
journey soon to he undertaken. This arm
of the Potomac is at that season almost
completely covered by wild rice and
aquatic vegetation. The first covers COM
pletely the low mud flats and furnishes
the thousands of sparrows reedbiros.
redwinss and ortolan with grain, while
the latter forms a dense mat over all
the water except the very narrow por-
ton marking the channel. This green
herons. and here may be seen the Ameri-
can egret, that large white heron second
in size only to the great blue, which IS
also present: the little blue, and an occa-
sional snowy heron. all busily engaged
in finding their daily food. The most
abundant of these is the little blue, al
though few would recognize him from his
name. for al the season alluded to there
may be at least fifty white birds Ca color
phase of this species) to one of dark
TGnir oil LINN
clusively of crayfsh.
The little blue. like the green, heron
seems to prefer walking to Wading,
though he is much more active than the
latter species. flying up and down the
marsh from one favorite feeding place to
another. They are sociable birds, always
fond of company
The American egret and the great blue
occur in about equal numbers The for
mer has been known to nest at Arlington
cemetery. Both are fishers, fond of wad-
ing, the great blue even more SO than
the egret. The latter frequently joins
the little blues, when he appears as
giant of the same race. Among the host
of white little blues there appears occa-
sionally a bird, much more trim and
graceful, whose yellow feet distinguish
him at a glance from the other species.
This is the snowy heron, which is gen.
orally considered the most bea utiful of
waders, although it is a rara avis in the
District.
1t has been pointed OUT by several bird
experts of the Agricultural Department
and Smithsonian that there are some
birds which nest in the District which
it would be desirable to encourage as
neighbors and pets. Among these is the
bluebird. which, as has been noted, has
been known to stay here during the most
rigorous winter weather. The bluebird
is one of the most musical of native
songsters. his voice having been described
as a soft contralto, exquisitely sweet
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-12

and the very soul of tenderness" The
bluebird Is easily encouraged to nest near
houses. The robin, so numerous here of
late years, during the spring and fall mi
grafton. is represented all winter by con-
siderable numbers. which. however, are
to be looked for in sheltered places. The
late increase i'm the numbers of robins is
due to the strict enforcement of the law
against their indiscriminate and ruthless
slaughter, which once threatened to an
initiate them in this vicinity. 1t is said
that during the winter of 1861 1900
robins were offered for sale in the Wash
ington market at one time.
Among the winter bird residents Of this
city is the cedar waxwing. Flocks of
these queer birds may be seen sitting on
the bare limbs of trees. exchanging civil
tiles, stroking each others feathers, and
passing food around in the most sociable
manner imaginable. Numbers Of gold
f1inches also stay out the winter in this
city and its vicinity. These birds are
readily told from other yellow birds by
their black wings and tails, and their
little black caps tipped down on the
eyes,
Occasionally vesper sparrows will re-
main in Washington all winter These
birds are easily distinguished by their
white tail feathers. Their nests have
been found in wild field just north Of
Fort Myer, and also near Silver Spring.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-12

an appropriate nome Tor the natOnal
bird, has increased from the one family
Of a few years ago to three at present
Already this year has the Post Office
falcon taken up his abode In the tower
Of the massive structure on Pennsyl-
vania avenue, where he made his mi
spreading CONSERVATION among the num-
erous sparrows of the downtown sec
tions of the city, while divers owls and
pigeons are spreading the sensational and
alarming news of the big fellows advent
To his old quarters.
This now famous hawk, which is of
the true falcon breed, would have been
executed last winter by the officers of
the law had not the latter been in
fluenced by representations from experts
of the Department of Agriculture, who
pay particular attention to the study Of
birds and their habits, and who showed
that the Expectations committed or al
legged to have been committed, by the
falcon of the Post Office tower upon oc-
CaSlonal pigeons. were more than coun-
terbalanced by the good wrought by the
bird In eXterminating vermin and spar
TowS. And so the law was altered to pro-
tect the falcon, and he is back again, as
IL were, under government protection.
This falcon. whose popular name OF
duck hawk indicates his fondness for
aquatic food, was induced to take up his
residence in this city by the actions of
the eagles at Mount Vernon. These eagles,
of the bald headed species, are known to
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-12

tors, Daniel Webster. made his wonder
full reply in defense of the Union; ,nd
it was also here that his mastery
Reply to Calhoun was delivered in
the question of that day.
At the time of the Thirtieth and Thir-
ty-flrst Congress Webster and Calhoun
occupied seats near each other, and dur
ing that time Henry Clay, the greatest
orator the southwest has ever pro-
duced and author of the compromise of
1850, which was the means of post
poning the civil war for ten years, sat
in the second seat, with his loyal and
able supporter. Stephen A. Douglas.
one of the strongest men of any time.
hut a few seats distant. A little far
Their on sat Jefferson Davis, afterward
the central figure in the war Clay had
averted in 1850 while in the seat next
to Douglas was James a: Pearce, and
William II. Seward occupied that next
mighty indeed, whose seats it takes
men to fill satisfactorily.
The desks and chairs used by these
monarchs of the Senate were removed
to the new chamber in 1859 and their
places are now occupied by those of the
members of the bar who come before
the honorable Supreme Court, but ira
dition designates,. with more or less ac-
Also there is mark-under the carpet
to indicate the spot wherein Preston
Brooks--who, like Hayne and Calhoun.
personal attack upon Charles Sumner
of Boston, who succeeded Webster to
the Senate. beating him SO severely with
a cane that he was an lnvaild Tor TWO
Citations OF the "barbarism of slavery"
!. <
In the present Senate chamber are these
same seats. but they. like those in the
House. have been SO exactly duplicated by
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-12
Use for Lava Found.

From the Pathfinder.
In Oregon where they are building a
railroad south from Bend, the engineers
have reached the lava fields which lie in
that state and they have decided to use
the lava for ballasting the road. 1t is
held that it will make an excellent bal
last and will be an economical one,
nature seems to have prepared it for the
purpose. The experts say that all there
j TO do is TO have steam shovel scoop
up tine half disintegrated rock and dump
IL into cars which viii carry it to the
point where il is TO he used. If ii should
Irove To he a success, IL is claimed that
this will be the first time any practical
use has been found for lava
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-12
The Condemned Dog.

From Harper's Weekly.
When one of the street dogs OF Con-
stantinople gets too old to be OF use to
the band the captain dog decides that he
is to die. A day comes when the captain
issues an edict that he is no longer to
have food. From that day until his
death not a morsel passes his lips. With
longing eyes he looks at the others eat
ing but he makes no attempt TO join
them. Now and again a bit of something
falls his way. The temptation is too
strong-he reaches toward the morsel
The captain, who Overlooks nothing gives
a low grOWl The dying creature shrinks
back without a murmur. He knows the
law. Perhaps he, too, was once a cap
tain. The minister's wife told me that she
had tried to feed one of those dying dogs
but that even when the food was placed
in front of him he would only look plead
ingly at the captain and refuse to touch
it."
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-12
VS.

wood patches, and the larks are some
times to be observed walking sedately
along Pennsylvania avenue, as well as on
the quieter and less frequented streets
The Zoo Park is one of the best places
in which to observe bird life all through
the year. Here come turkey buzZards in
great numbers to confer with their I'M
prisoned brethren and during mgra-
tion vast focks of nearly all sorts of
birds that live or pass through here seem
to give the Zoo visit. During the win
ter one may hear in the valley about
Rock creek the songs of f1ocks of the
slate-ooiored snowbirds. Beyond the
pines. around the outdoor animal dens and
buffalo yards. where seed eaters can pick
UP living. the handsome wllite-throated
sparrows collect and their piping whistle
is refreshing to the ear. There is quite a
contrast between the cardinal and the
English sparrow-yet the former is truly
sparrow, as Prof Oberhozer of the De-
partment of Agriculture says, despite the
birds splendid coat of cardinal red from
which he obtains his name. Then there
is the fox sparrow, swamp sparrow, field
sparrow, savanna sparrow, veSper spar
row. all more or less different from the
English variety in appearance and song.
During spring migration the bushes
along the north bank of the creek are
favorite resorts for warblers-active black
and white creepers, gentle black-throated
blues. gorgeous orange-throated warblers
and many others, and here, too come
white-eyed vireos. chats and Maryland
yellow-throats. whose song is always a
welcome harbinger of spring. Piney
branch Is another good waterway for
warblers-a beautiful black and yellow
has been observed to favor a certain
patch of bushes as the abode if his
family.
ncid
TRAN interested in local bird life will find
the narrow wooded slip of land be-
tween the Potomac and canal. from High
Island to Glen Echo. one of the best war
bier grounds. easily accessible. Here one
may find, among the birds. rough winged
swallows. Maryland yellow-throats and
Kentucky warblers.
In an old juniper field in the vicinity
of Chevy Chase Circle are found num-
bers of different birds that prefer dry
places, such as thrashers. chewinks, chats
and sweet-vOiced prairie warblers. Quite
variety of birds are also to be seen
in the grounds of the Soldiers Home.
The marsh about Benning bridge is one
Several species of gulls take up their
stations on the banks Of the river from
below Alexandria, and Marshall Hall is
especially favored as a resort by these
birds.
Arlington cemetery is a particularly
good place for winter birds, and the
mouth of Hunting creek. Anacostia river
and swamps TEEN with water birds The
extensive tidewater marshes bordering
the two arms of the Potomac at this
city afford ideal feeding grounds for
water birds and waders. and are be-
lieved to be responsible for the large
number of the latter which visit the
District each season.
Bartsch of the National Museum, deem
1t necessary to visit secluded swamps
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-12
No Snob.

MFRS. PHELPS STOKES. in one of her
W. college settlement addresses in New
York, said Of snobbishness:
Il hate the .snob SO bitterly that ] can
almost sympathiZe with the thief in the
tumbril.
During the French revolution. vol,
know. thief and a marquis jolted in
tumbril side by side through the wild
streets of Paris, on the way to the gull
lotine. while venerable priest tried to
console their terrible last ride with moral
reflections.
A has la noblesse, Down with the
arlstocrafs" shouted the red-capped mob
"Thereupon the thief rose in the cart
and cried:
My friends. YOU deceive yourselves
L am not an aristocrat | am a thief
The priest plucked him by the Sleeve
saying leproa chfully:
Sit down. This is time for van-
ity''
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-12

attack the hawks and fitch from them
their prey. and 1t has been conjectured
that this habit led to the falcons ascend
ing the river from the point of vantage
originally selected by him and pitching
upon his unique abode.
There are now known to be no fewer
than twenty-five separate species OF birds
which nest in this city. Even In winter
Washington and it's immedia vicinity
present to the curious northerner who Is
addicted to bird study some distinct sur
prises in feathered life. For instance.
the dweller by ocean shore, and &C
quainted with coast birds, Is usually sur
prised to hear the singular car of the
fish crow, which Is to be heard all winter
long in the grounds about the Smith son-
ian Institution, for these b rdS make
themselves a home in the red stone tow
ers OF the picturesque buildings. Some
times when walking through the grounos
of the Mall one discovers a small tree
filed. apparently, with round apples.
which, on approach. turn out to be a
flock of plump waxwings holding con-
fident;al chat.
The winter pedestrian often encounters.
in crossing weed-srown vacant lots,
flock of twttering juncos-the slate-col-
ored snow birds-and. If he waits patient
ly. he may observe a hawk suddenly
swoop down upon the happy group and
dispense them. All during the winter the
red-headed woodpecker makes Washing
ION his home, and in the wales OF Wash
auently his rafting "ker-i-i-f," while his
handsome tri-colored coat makes him a
pleasant and piquant feature in dreary
winter landscape.
!: *
The word sparrow calls up TO the
average inhabitant the sober-coated.
harsh-voiced and all-pervading English
visitor. now generally regarded as an
~
bird specialist among the Agricultural
scientists has good word. AS matter
of fact. however. there are nearly
dozen distinct kinds of sparrows to be
found in Washington. Among these is
the S)ng sparrow, whose voice sounds
particularly gentle and melodlous in con-
trast with the quarrelsome winter chat
ter Of the English sparrow. The whistle
of the white-throat and the small notes
sounds in the parks of this city. The
plaintive. sad, but very musical, call of
the bluebird is somewhat rare here in
winter. but is occasionally heard. An
employe of the Smithsonian. who lives
in a suburb near the city, found blue
bird in his barn some years ago during
the progress of a very severe snowstorm.
The bird had taken up his abode with
the evident intention of securing a re-
treat where he would not only be pro-
tected from the blizzard, but where he
would be sure of generous provender.
He was allowed to remain unmolested
Transient feathered visitors enliven the
winter landscape of Washington. Flocks
of northern pine finches are occasionally
to be seen upon the fTostiest days, and
one of these parties of bird tourists is
said to have taken up It's abode last win
ter in trees in the neighborhood of 18th
and U streets. During midwinter snoa
horned larks. tree sparrows and purple
inches come into the city from suburban
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-12

"once were" sometimes wander back TO
the scenes of former triumphs and de-
feats; and if so, are they satisfed-or,
could they he dissatisfied.-with the man
ner in which their places are filed today?
II is Indeed a task to live up to such
men as Daniel Webster, John c. Calhoun
and their kind.
Two rooms contain the seats of the
mighty who enact the laws. holding
between their respective four walls the
less than five hundred men who voice the
sentiments and protect the rights OF the
people Of the greatest republic to the
uttermost corners thereof. Some of these
must sit i'll the very seats of the former
history makers as they take up and car
~ forward the work of the oid-time
sta tesmen. There Is no hlare OF trum-
pets nor other tribute of pomp to an
nounce the gathering congressional clans
To their duties. they take their seats
much as they took others i'll the days
when they were Juvenile seekers of the
knowledge they are now exercising, qui-
city and IN order. the main difference be-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-12
London Landmark Passing.

From the London Chronicle.
That familiar South London landmark.
THE Elephant and Castle where the
construction Of subways is shortly to be
put in hand-the necessary diversion OF
sewers being now in progress--is OCCASION
ally credited with Shakespearean associ-
ations from the apparent reference in
Twelfth Night" where Antonio says to
Sebastian:
In the south suburbs. at the Elephant
Is best to lodge: will bespeak our diet
Whites you beguile the time and feed your
knowledge
With viewing of the town.
There Is. however, no record of an
Elephant at that spot in Shakespeare's
time. But that the poet had intimate
knowledge of the immed ate neighborhood
is evident from the fact that he per-
formed and his early plays were produced
at the Newington Theater. the site OF
which is generally believed to be but
few PAGES south, of the present
Elephant.