The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-08-22
AS THE DAYS PASS.
By FRANCES Jay.


and generous also, when it takes time
from its individual aims 10 think about
the other fellow. One is apt to think Of
the great cities Of New York and Chicago
as being entirely absorbed in money
getting on the one hand and money
spending on the other, yet the same day
recently in these distant cities there was
evidenced by the public tender thought
for the comfort OF the blind by the dis
tribution Of a peculiar whistle 10 these
unfortunates. which will summon police
aid when desired. and in the movement
TO build a church In New York where
deaf mutes can have the whole ritual
given them in the sign language, and not
only the ritual. but that for which they
must so thirst-the intellectual feast Of
sermons also.
Washington is not behind other CEN
tiers in interest in the blind. as any one
attending the reading and musical treats
at the library for that large class is
convinced. This city also has a really
fine selection Of books with raised letters
for the use OF those who can get as far
as the reading room: but that is the
trouble in most cases-the lack OF the
helping hand.
On Z street, near Tenth, where the city
provides a comfortable home for the
blind who otherwise would not be cared
for there are men and women who
would love TO go out TO the library.
where singing and church services are
to be enjoyed but there are not attend
ants enough for escort In a small way
the members OF a nearby parish help,
and very pleasant 1t is to be able TO give
pleasure so deep as that shown by the
patient. cheerful. but absolutely depen-
dent on the guidance Of another. as
these people are. The men OF this home
who are strong enough are self-support-
ing, and the ladies work, too and very
clever articles they turn out. But at best
life is very colorless. save for the inner
light that always seems vouchsafed 20
those that sec not the sun. The men
who work on the chair Gaming have 70
stand through the long hours OF their
labor for the canes get tangled up and
the lack Of sight would cause a snarl
II the workers tried 10 sit at the work.
But II walk in the park or a bit OF
music or reading IS had after the work
is done, the toll IS forgotten. So until
Washington follows the plan o. Chicago
and provides whistles, SO the blind can
safely walk abroad alone. II seems I'D 10
US TO give some OF our spare hours to this
class. Of whom Milton so finely said.
They also serve who only stand and
wait For we can make that waiting
so much less tedious. Even II we think
we can hardly spare the time from our
own pursuits. It is but small debt Of
we should pay for the use OF
our own bright eyes.
Pie-eating among naval cadets Is not an
exclusively twentieth century accomplish
ment. Notwithstanding the many press
notices that the gluttony bout at An
lapolis received. when the inordinate con-
OF this American delicacy re-
suited IN the holding back OF an other
wise deserved diploma from one OF the
Admiral Dan Ammen. stlll so vividly
by Neutrality-suspicious.. used 10
tell a pie story 10 illustrate the sad fact
hat the innocent usually suffer for the
guilty. The tragic happening 10 which
be alluded happened aboard the old ship
n the line, Columbus. just before II /
sailed around 10 the Pacific 20 help out
from the sea the Mexican war scrap. A !
preliminary sail took the crew, consist !
ng in part Of young middies Just out
IF the recently established Naval Acad- I
my al Annapolis. 10 Boston. where the
ship came TO anchor just OF the Tea |
Wharf that historic spot Is now in the |
heart OF the downtown business section |
20 great has been the spread Of Boston |
over reclaimed and piled territory. /
Sailors as We all know. are very adapt |
able and try always 70 do in Rome after
he fashion Of the Romans-so as the pie |
wen in those early days. was a promi- !
aent feature Of Boston society a great
number Of them were brought aboard by
he thoughtful steward
There may be something in the atmos- |
ohere Of the fine old town 10 create a
onging for pie. However that may be. ac- /
'ording to the admirars story the mid !
Hes could not get enough. so after many |
or dinner and some for tea. il that is |
what the last meal OF the day was
'alled in those days. those little divers
,rying for more" broke into the store
Dom and began eating pie as II they
lad never met the article before. But
lot all the midshipmen were guilty; and
lere comes the tragedy-one really high !
oned young gentleman would take no /
,art In the orgy. In addition 10 a high /
'ense Of honor. he had an enormous /
mouth; he scornfully retired to his ham
mock. andepossibly 70 sleep The eaters 4
Jept at the bout until they could hold /
10 more. when one bright boy took a /
,reat bite out OF an unchanged pie and
hen replaced a second bite carefully 1
longside so as to make a natural look
ng crescent. such as a large pair Of Jaws
would infict Then the pirates retired I
rom the scene OF wreckage The next
morning the only boy who could not
rove an abb was the innocent bov with /
he big mouth. for the Judge declared /
here was not another set Of teeth aboard
ould do such damage.
The penalty imposed was fierce, for he
vas deprived Of plum DUR for the rest
Z the cruise. Among the pirates were
UGH names as afterward bore the pre-
TX of admiral. Luce, Sap. johnson.
I'd Semmes. Of course Admiral Annmen
vas not one Of the number.
The fremen up New Jersey way are
ding to have a carnival If the weather
ermits. and II it does not, and rain falls.
hey will rake in 1000 good dollars as a
alive for their disappointment. The odd
hing about 1t is the money will be sup
lied by an English firm, after the proper
fidavits are sent abroad that the rain
7as enough to spoil the fun. for this