davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-24
OOcOCCOOOOd

The entire income of a man in the or
binary walks of life would be necessary
to keep such a place in repair.
The house used by the late Vice Presi-
dent Hobart. at 81 Madison place, Is one
of the most modest buildings used by
holders of the Office in recent years. but
some of the lavish entertainments pre-
sided over by Mrs Hobart are still talked
OF at Washington.
The building is square old-fashioned
appearing structure, honey" looking
and comfortable. portico where Mr..
Hobart delighted to sit on pleasant sum-
mer afternoons extends across the front
OF the building and great shade trees
droop their branches over its roof.
The home Mr.. Hobart chose as his Of
fetal residence when he was Vice Presi-
dent was sometimes called, because of it's
light color, the '''cream White House"
Mrs. Hobart as mistress Of the cream
White House" established reputation as
charming and tactful hostess The
rooms We're furnished cozily and pre-
scented the appearance, OF an ideal Ameri-
can home.
When former President Roosevelt was
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-24

park. From the viewpoint of the young
ster theirs is indeed an enviable lot.
They see every game on the home
grounds for nothing! Moreover. they know
the piayers-intimately! And theirs is the
privilege of caring for and almost caress
ing the favorite bats-weli, for instance.
that bat with which Kid Elberfeld
slammed out a home run with the bases
filled up in Boston the other day! Next
to making such a wallop ones own self.
surely, the nearest thing to it is to speak
to the player who turned the trick each
day and enjoy the exquisite privilege of
handing him his trusty weapon when he
steps UP to the plate.
The two youngsters who enjoy this
boyhOod's UTopan dream fulfilled are
Jacob Metz and Albert Collins. Jake, as
he is generally called, is, as he says.
going on seventeen years of age and
cannot remember the time when he was
not interested in base ball. His chum
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-24

the park the rebellious group OF urchins
beseeches them with opportunities for
employment. But this is usually hope
less undertaking, and the youngsters
known it. for, in all probability, they have
already been turned down earlier in the
day at the hotel at which the players are
stopping and at which first applications
sometimes meet with success. Disap-
pointed in their quest, the group now
breaks up, and the separate members
seek places Of vantage along the fence.
Some resourcefu youths manage to In
gratiate themselves with the players dur
ing the morning practice at the park.
The boys are sometimes allowed to play
upon the remoter parts of the field. when
a stray ball from the professionals often
enables a fortunate amateur to make
lucky catch, and brings him to the
momentary attention of the great ones
of the diamond circumstance which the
more apt are quick to take advantage OF.
1t is thus that the visitor to the ball
grounds during the hours of morning
practice will sometimes see a clever
youngster taking part with the profess
sionas in twirling and catching the ball
and an application for employment as an
extra bat-keeper during the regular game
of the day may meet with success By this
means.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-24
They cN11y the bits M4e
Nationals 0lld see M
The g5n1noa for nothing t3

from the coveted attendance at the game
as much as might be expected, he SAID.
as usually some other fellow outside the
gate has fallen upon the truant ball.
But the worst of it Is that this same
fellow is wont to beseech him most in
sistently for pass inside before sur
rendering the sphere. Indeed. both ne
and Al have discovered that the position
of bat keeper, like all offices of public
distinction. is attended by a good deal of
bother from the impOrtunate and the gen.
eral juvenile public. ardent fans as they,
are, are rather aggravated example of
the latter.
1t appeared from the statements of both
AL and Jake that the job of caring for
the balls and bats for the season is most
eagerly coveted. and Trainer Kirk is in
hurry ,l; "; TO get the boys early in order that
his life may not be endangered by the
opportunities Of the clamorous applicants
Tor the place. The visiting teams usually
take on their boys al the hotel where
they are stopping prior to their departure
for the park in the we'll known omnibus,
and the juveniles selected ride proudly
with the players to the scene of their
pleasant 1abors.
No money is paid the boys, either by
the home or visiting teams and indeed
the competition for the places is so great
that any further inducement would be
nothing short Of dangerous.
Inc spectator at ball game cannot
fall to notice these boys who hand the
bats to the players or toss a new ball to
the umpire when required And the regu-
lar frequenter Of the game will probably
observe that, as the season wakes the
same two boys are always on hand in this
useful capacity. The juveniles Of their re-
spective neighborhoods, and the numerous
contingent that flock to the park with the
vague hope Of getting in free on passes,
or by means of some lucky and adroit
strategy. regard these bat-keepers as the
familiars of the professionals, who, if
they only saw fit to do SO, might, by a
word, secure for them free admission to
the game. or the proud distinction of con-
versing with the players.
Some of the lucky boys so employed
have managed to attain a remarkable de-
gree OF personal popularity with the play
ers, as in the case of Frank Kennedy and
Bob Tolbert. Perhaps the most striking
instance Of this was afforded by Dan Con-
roy, who for twenty years, and until his
death about three seasons ago, looked
after the bats and balls for the Nationals
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-24

meal information upon the subject of what
can and cannot be done with bats.
The boys were taken on for the season
by Trainer Kirk. whose province 1t is to
engage the services of the juvenile bat
keepers. Collins is, as he remarked, an
experienced hand at the business, but
this is Jake's first appearance upon the
field. Both were on hand, however, at
the initial game of the season. and ac-
quilted themselves with credit Should
they continue to ingratiate themselves
with the players the boys may receive
the same tempting offer made last season
to young Frank Kennedy, who was en-
ployed in the same capacity in company
with youth named Robert Tolbert. Ken
nedy, 1t is said, was given the oppOrtu-
nifty to accompany the team upon an out
Of-tOwn visit, and was only prevented
from accepting by parental mandate to
the contrary
Unlike Albert Collins, Jacob Metz is not
student, nor does he boast an exem-
plary school attendance. His faculties,
indeed. seem bent entirely in the direc
ton of sport, as was illustrated by the
reply Of his father concerning his where
abouts. 1t being one of those blank
days, in the estimation of the fan. when
game is not scheduled, the parental
Metz appeared to have no hesitation in
remarking:
Il guess you will find him at the bowl
ing alley-he's usually there when he
isn't at the ball park
The elder Metz. who Is a disciple of
Saint Crispin. as regards occupation.
seemed wholly oblivious Of his sons dis
tinction upon the diamond.
Il think he sells peanuts or something,
in the ,park," he said, when questioned
upon the subject.
Evidently Jakes passion for base ball is
not an inheritance. Sure enough, Jake
was discovered at the bowling alley. 1t
seemed to be blank day all around, so
far as Jake was concerned. there not be-
ing a game in evidence. and the youth
was gazing at things in general with
sort of detected air.
Questioned in regard to his occupation
as keeper Of the bats, however, he ap-
peared to pluck up a good deal of inter-
est and animation. This being his first
season in this capacity. he explained, the
giving out Of the bats. involving as it
Goes some degree Of expert knowledge. is
left largely to his side partner. Albert
Collins, while he is deputed to chase the
foul balls. This does not preclude him
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-24

Dan was a little nuncnDacR ana, III Is SdlQ,
would have made an excellent player but
for his deformity According to an old
fan who impaired the information. Dan
never got to be any taller than he was
when he was ten years old.
\
about the time he got to following the
game continued the fan. "as far as
know, most people took him for a kid
until the last, when he was some thirty
years old. If interest and enthusiasm
counted, that boy was certainy a wonder.
He lived for nothing and, / guess, dreamed
of nothing but base ball. smart he was.
too, nd a fine pitcher and catcher. OF
course, he wasn't in it when it came to
running. and, being but little taller than
the bat, he couldn't swat the ball with
any amount of steam. The players fam
cied him greatly, however, for he was
always cheerful and willing, and a prime
as the home fellows. During the whole
twenty years Dan kept his job l doubt If
he missed seeing a game that was played
by professionals in this city, and. of
the privilege. On the contrary, he came
in for many other favors, as WE'LL
The boys are not. as rule, recon-
pensed in a pecuniary sense for their
services during the game. Indeed, the
competition for their places is so keen
that boy who is taken on even tenn
porarily deems his opportunity for thus
witnessing the game a rich recompense
for the really trivial amount Of labor in
volved. One urchin some time ago Sc
cured the position pro tenn, and adopted
a rather clever scheme for ingratiating
himself and his brother with the trainer.
The two boys stationed themselves out
side those portions of the park over which
come most of the over-the-fence balls.
and for several days devoted themselves
to the task of collecting these truant tro-
plies
Then they carried them to the trainer
with the request that they might be per-
mitted to occupy the place of regular
custodian on the field. One was ac-
commodated with the home team, while
the other was recommended for employ
ment with the visiting players, and secur-
ed the job. Each team usually employs
two boys. the visitors. Of course, depend
ing upon chance applicants in most cases,
save in rare instances when they bring
their own mascots or proteges with them.
The eagerness with which Washington's
juvenile fans covet free entry into the
park during a game can be appreciated
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-24

NEXT Year There Will Be
~ a Public Buildings Bill
Then Appropriations for
White House No. Is Ex-
pected to Be Made-Vice
Presidential Office, Next to
Presidency, Is the Most
Socially Burdensome Under
Government - New Official
Mansion Declared to Be a
Necessity.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-24

Congress will probably cause to be buiit
as in any of the palatial homes used by
former Vice Presidents. Even given a
residence rent free his entire salary would
be spent in a few months il he llved up
to the social obligations of his position
Some Of the congressman favor
duplicate of the White House Being oulit
and think that it should be erected some
where in the same neighborhOod. Others
think much less pretent.ous structure
will suffice.
1t is reasonably certain that the mat
ter will brought before the next session
all probability before the successor to
Vice President Sherman is chosen. White
House No will have been finished.
milk. and it is safe to predict that she
will always be kept busy supplying it.
The process of separating the fat from
the milk and meat of the cocoanut was
discovered several years ago by a French
chemist His success was the result OF
after repeated failures. Until his in
vention it seemed impossible to manu-
facture a preparation that would not be-
come rancid when exposed to the air.
His discovery was received with tre-
mendous popularity in France at once.
Twenty million pounds Of the product are
now being used by the French people.
In France nut butter is not offered as
substitute for the real thing, but is sold
strictly on its merits.
Robert Skinner, American consul at
Hamburg, recently reported to this gov
eminent that Germany is using daily 2OO.-
600 pounds of nut butter.
In foreign countries the people have
SO accustomed themselves to the product
that 1t is eaten as 1t is manufactured.
used for cooking and at the table. The
promoters of the industry here. however.
have hit upon a different plan for in
creasing its popularity.
Butter made from milk will absorb al
most any odor which comes its way.
Nut butter is said to be even more deli.
cate. For this reason 1t has been sug-
gested that persons using the nut butter
mix with 1t 80 per cent OF real butter.
The nut butter absorbs quickly the flavor
OF the butter made from milk and pal
atable mixture is the result. Where but
ter and lard are used In cooking the nut
butter may be used straight" with the
best of success. A slight percentage less
is required because OF 1t containing NO
water.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-24

by any spectator who stations himself
outside the entrance. Watch this crowd
Of urchins. engaged in evidently weighty
conference. every now and then casting
eager and furtive glances, now at the
magic entrance and now at the cop
who is relieved from his regular beat
to patrol and guard the avenue of ap
proach. The suspicious Of the guardian
Of the law being excited by some move
ment OF the group, he disperses the latter
with scant ceremony, but the members
promptly reform, retreating in good order
and still manifestly projecting some de-
cisive movement.
All along the fences of the park extends
line of youngsters. some endeavoring
to secretly eXcavate trench underneath
the boards, others more fortunate with
their eyes glued to knotholes. while
others again content themselves in a
measure with the seemingly somewhat
unsatisfactory expedient of pressing their
ears against the boards, the mere cries
of the players and fans within appearing
to exercise over them some magical in
f1uepce.
When the players arrive and file into
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-24

Vice President he occupied the big four
story brick and stone house on N street
near Connecticut avenue.
Roosevelt's vice presidential residence
is as democratic in appearance as the
ex-President. From the outside 1T looks
like the home of a fairly well-to-do bust
ness man. One would never suppose 1T
pretentious enough for the home of a
Vice President. However modest, the
Roosevelt home In Washington was the
scene of many gay social gathering
prior to Mr.. Roosevelt's stepping into the
White House after President Mckinley S
assassination.
When Mr.. Fairbanks was Vice Presi-
dent he lived in the massive mansion at
the corner of 18th street and Massachu-
sets avenue.
Situated in the heart of the fashionable
section of Washington the building used
by Mr. Fairbanks Is a marvel of architec-
glyphic. Byron and Dean Stanley wrote
atrocious fists" and it is said that Sgd
ney Smiths was no better, although he
used to chaff jeffrey badly. He used to
say that he read jeffrey from left to
u,
Jules Janin would rather rewrite than
attempt to read over again what he had
written, and Montaigne could never read
what he had written The acute thinker
mended matters by employing secre-
tary whose writing was absolutely I'M
decipherable
Balzac was as big a sinner. His
works, written on blue paper with blue
ink, appalled, many seasoned compos-
itors. A terrible hand had Henry Ward
Beecher. His daughter once declared
that she had three guiding rules in
copying tiff letter was dotted 1t
was not an 81" and a word with q
capital letter did not begin sentence.
Jacob Bryan said Of Archdeacon Coxes
calligraphy that it could be called neither
a hand nor q fist, but foot, and that a
club one. His hieroglyphics formed a
clumsy, tangled black skein that ran
across the paper in knots, which 1t was
impossible to unite into meaning.
Lord Eldon used to tell OF John Bell.
a great chancery luminary OF his time,
that he had three different methods OF
putting his wisdom on paper-one INTEL
ligible to himself only. another which
his clerk could read and he could not.
and the third which neither he nor his
clerk nor any one else could read. The
funny letter of T. b. Aldrich to Prof.
Morse stands alongside Of Tom Hoods
facetious reply to Lady Georgina Full
lerton's as protest against learned IL
legibility. Aldrich asserted that he could
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-24

hostess. became shortly after her hus-
bands election, a leader in social affairs
at the capital. and. by virtue Of her posi-
ton, was elected president of the
Daughters of the American Revolution.
The plans Of the members Of Congress
who are agftating the proposition to build
an official residence for Vice Presidents
are still extremely embryonic. What
is first needed, Of course. is an appropria-
ton for the purpose.
In just what part of Washington the
new building will be erected is another
question to be decided. as is the matter
of size and furnishings.
A poor man would be just as much out
Of place in an elaborate building such as
stomach and can be sold at profit for
less than Is cents a pound.
The men who are trying to educate
the American public and spread broad
cast the value Of the new product have
all kinds of arguments to offer. They
point to the fact that today 100000 more
persons are subsisting on nuts seeds
and fruit in India, China and the is
lands of the sea than in the meat eating
zones. This argument Is used to prove
the wholesomeness of the nut butter
The new rival Of the COW has already
made itself thoroughly at home in Amer
lea. Much more SO than the average
American realizes. 1t is not generally
known that a factory with a producing
capacity of $4,000 pounds of the new
butter every day In the year is running
at full time.
Very little Of the nut butter reaches
the American markets. The American
people are hard to make swerve from
their allegiance to the old-fashioned cow
brand, and have been very slow In using
the new sort. The enormous output of
the factory is exported to the Philip
pines. to England and to France.
The field of supply from the cocoanut
trees is unlimited. It could go on for
ever. meeting increased demands. There
are now 20.OO00OO cocoanut trees planted
every year. and, If the demand for new
butter warranted 1t, that number could
be readily increased. AS the COW reigns
supreme in the domestic kingdom, SO
does the cocoanut in the vegetable king
DOM
No matter to what extent the cocoanut
butter is used there will never be any
danger OF the COW losing her popularity.
She Will always be appreciated for her
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-24

HE two most en-
We'd boys in the
city. in juvenile
eyes, are not the
sons Of wealthy
w a s h ! ngtonians,
W [ n all their
hearts desires graf
flied nor even
Charlie Taft - but
the lads who take
care of the bats
for the Nationals
out at the ball
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-24

The house being centrally located is
admirably adapted to entertaining anC
Mr.. Fairbanks life in Washington was
decipher nothing In the professors mis-
the signature, which he guessed at
The story Of the Duke of Wellington
writing to Bishop Bloomfield when he had
received a letter from j. c. Loudon. the
eminent landscape designer. asking to see
the Waterloo beeches at Stratfieldsaye.
Is a chestnut, but it makes us laugh (al-
though perhaps We ought mott to picture
the CONSERVATION Of the bishop land
copal bench) on receiving permission to
view the dukes Waterloo breeches. Also
classic is the tale Of Macready's ad-
mission ticket being solemnly made up by
the apothecary into a cough, mixture.
ITO be taken three times q day The
name of Horace Greeley has, in this con-
nection, to be mentioned with chastened
respect. He undoubtedly was the great
master of nlegibility. 1t was Of him the
compositor averred that II Belshazzar had
seen his handwriting on the wall he would
have had cause to be terrified A COM
mon story attributed to Greeley belongs,
however, to one Brooks, sometime pres-
dent Of the New York Central railroad.
~ is Dest, IN Ill tnlHSS, 10 % JuSG Auu
Greeley can well spare 1t. 1t was Brooks
notice to quit that a tenant used for
two years as railway pass. Greeley
wrote to some pressmen: with weight
Of years. I feel obliged to decline any in
vitation that takes me a days journey
from home" and this is all they could
make of 1t: eff ellie are bighted. dig
them early. Any insinuation that brick
ovens are dangerous to ham gives me
horrors" This Is the way the moderns
have juggled with the pen. SO can We
wonder that its time of usefulness Is
well nigh spentf
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-24
ECENTLY a num-
Der of thoughtful

~ EN- L l. d uuIIl-
Der of thoughtful
con gr essmen at
Washington, after
a pleasant half
hour in the pala-
tial home of Vice
President Sher-
man, 1401 18th
street, discussed
the possibility Of
q poor mans ele-
walton to the vice
presidential chair.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-24

The longer they talked 1t over the more
seriously they treated the discussion. and
finally, when they separated, 1t was with
the resolve to back a movement which
has for its object the erection of second
White House. an. Official residence for
Vice Presidents of the future
The salary attached to the office Of
Vice President is only $4,000. about the
income of half a dozen first-class clerks.
This comparatively small amount of
money is all the United States pays to-
ward the great social expense the office
entails.
Out Of this sum the holder OF the Office
must pay the rent Of his home and main
tain the social prestige OF his position,
unless, of course. he chooses to draw on
his private resources
Vice President Sherman has barrels"
Of money, and the magnificent brown
stone structure that he occupies at
Washington Is said to be the scene OF
some of the most elaborate social gath
erings ever held at the capital. The pri-
vate wealth Of Mr.. Sherman makes these
entertainments possible. Were he a poor
man his entire official salary would do
little more than pay the rent for such
mansion as he now occupies.
1t Is highly improbable that man OF
even moderate means will ever be elected
to the Office. Men know the social duties
the office brings with it. and no one with
brains would accept the nomination I'M
less he felt financially able to perform
them to the credit OF his country.
Still, there is the possibility of an i'm
pscunious Vice President being elected,
and the congressman back Of the plan
for a White House No. want to be ready
for any emergency.
Besides. they argue. 1t is no more than
just that the Vice President be shown
the same consideration as the chief ex-
ecutive in this respect.
The vice presidential office is the most
socially burdensome under the govern
ment. During the absence of the Presi-
dent or whenever the chief executive Ii
indisposed the Vice President must rep
resent him at all social affairs as well
as state.
Vice Presidents Of the past have in
nearly every instance been very wealthy
mea and have not needed the Official
home that Congress expects to provide
Vice President Morton occupied the
elaborate building at 18th street and
Rhode Island avenue. It is beautiful
structure surrounded with spacious lawns.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-24

Dan was little hunchback and. it is said.
would have made an excellent player but
for his deformity. According to an old
fan who impaired the information, Dan
never got to be any taller than he was
when he was ten years old.