davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-05

the sum for which he would undertake
the service
Nothing will induce me. sir, to become
a speculator upon the necessities of my
country" said the commodore. IF make
a gift of her to the government for the
services proposed" And the ship was off
Fortress Monroe, on time. in three or
four days.
Three years later Congress similarly
thanked George Peabody, the noted
philanthropist, "for his great and peculiar
beneficence in giving a large sum of
money, amounting to $2,O0nO0O, for the
promotion of education in the more desti-
tute of the southern and southwestern
states" eabody, born in 1898. began
clerking in store in Danvers. Mass,
when only eleven and grew to build up
the largest dry goods business of his gen.
Grafton. Although settling in London as
a broker in 1897 he from there sent money
to found the Peabody institutes and mu-
seums scattered over this country. The
large donation for the promotion of edu-
cation in the south was increased in 1852
to $3.5Oo,GOO He spent millions on other
philanthropies here and contributed S.
500 coo for the building of model lodging
houses for the poor OF London.
Queen Victoria offered to make him
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-05

that it unites him with her. In the sec
ond scene Manfred sees his old servants
digging a grave for his body. and marvels
at the faith which they show in their CON
versation. His pride is broken and he
exclaims ecstatically. II believe, / hope
love- Astarte tells hin, that he can.
not find salvation by that alone. He must
first abjure the last vestge of earthli-
ness-that is. he must get rid of his con-
tempt for mankind. which he expresses so
strongly in Byron's poem. After violent
struggle he surrenders this last .prelu-
dice. and his now regenerated soul is able
TO leave the earth.
The powers OF darkness have not even
now given up their hope. In the last
scene Ahriman, the Mephistopheles OF
tire drama. appears. 1t was he who en-
dowed the man Manfred with superna-
tural power and knowledge. and he
claims as payment Manfred's soul. But
the fact that Manfred, unaided. has re-
generated himself deprives the demon oil
his power and Manfred and Astarte as
cend to immortal happiness.
This is the longest and most ambitious
of Constantine's poems. At present the
grand duke writes Jess verse. and devotes
himself more zealously TO military work
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-05

things musical. 1t was mainly through
her efforts and those of Mrs. Hill or Con-
necticut that the concert at the Con-
gressional Club given a few days ago
was such a brilliant success.
Representative and Mrs UnderwoOds
sixth anniversary of their marriage was
celebrated last September. One of the
duties which Mrs. Underwood performs
in the interest Of keeping her husband in
robust health is to insist on his taking
long ride every morning before he goes
to the Capitol. No mtater how early his
duties call him to the hill" he must
arise half an hour earlier in order to take
a spin in the parks or over the bridge
into Virginia and about the Speedway.
Mrs. Underwood has natty runabout
which she manages with skill. She for
merly tried to get to the Capltol every
evening to bring her husband home, but
this was too arduous task In view of
the irregular hours which the solons keep.
She has never failed to be at home when
her husband gets home from his days
tasks in these years, and she mas never
made visit when he coud not accom-
pany her in the torrid days OF midsum-
mer, when they have returned to the Biz
mingham home.
ways and means figured In the social an
nails of the time as an elopemenf. But
this charge Mrs. Underwood denies with
vigor. Mr.. Underwood and she had been
engaged for some time. but they had
never made any particular plan about the
time of fulfilling this interesting contract
Both knew it would be some time when
all things fitted in At the time that
Mr. Underwood responded to the call OF
the democratic manager to take the field
for the Parker ticket his present wife
then Miss Wood ward-was visiting friends
in Asheville N. c. On his way north,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-05
Car Of Russia Poet and the Best Of All the Romanos

far possible in ignorance Of their rank.
He is q rich man. and when not travelling
on official tours he spends his time in
the marble palace on the Neva quay. the
finest house in St. Petersburg: i'm sum-
mer he lives at his Pavlovsk chateau. or
at his villa near Strelna, on the gulf OF
Finland, where, as instructor of swim
ming and sailing to boatlead OF sons. he
is a familiar figure to local fishermen.
Although Constantine is a man Of mod
ern ideas. he is not a liberal He dis
likes democracy quite as much az he dis
likes the present corrupt monarchy OF
ST Petersburg. Indeed, as president Of
the st. Petersburg Academy of Arts he
has come into conflict with more than
one radical Russian writer. One instance
was the veto of the government upon the
election to the academy of Maxim Gorky.
The grand duke supported the govern
mant point OF view, with the result that
other distinguished writer's, including
the novelist Tchekhoff, resigned their
membership.
Where the character OF the grand duke
best shows itself is his remarkable In
dustry and punctilious sense of duty. De-
spising the faneant supersttious car
and his idle, worthless relatives he sets
a good example of hard work. conscien-
tiousness and zeal. Probably he is the
only high Russian official who works
without getting a return in money or
honors.
This is all the more creditable, because
his real tastes tend toward art and lit
eraturc, and his, few free hours are de-
voted to playing in amateur theatrica's
or posing for the amusement Of his
younger sons as "Biuebeard," a role for
which his colossal figure is we'll fitted.
Constantine is also a good family man.
That counts for something in Russia. as
few of the cars relatives lead even mod
erateiy respectable lives. Ills wife. the
Grand Duchess Elizabeth Nsvrikieyna.
is a Germa n-born princess of Ssxe-Alten-
burg She is chiefly noted fer the fac
that after twenty-six years in Russia
she cannot carry on a conversation III
the language, and presumably therefore
is not i'm Il position to judge of the merits
of her husbands poetry.
downright in thr United States and Great Britain
hy Curtis Brown. All rights strictly rescrved)
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-05

Underwoods are at the Grafton. Next
year they will he among the household
ers and will be luminous in the social
armament.
Il love my home and its duties" said
Mrs. Underwood. and | find the problem
is about the same every where so far as
getting proper attendants is concerned I
have rejoiced for several years past in re al
jewels and they will bear transporting
| am opposed TO doing certain things
for myself that | am positively overcome
with gratitude when any one does them
for me. / believe gratitude begets graft
tude. and / know that my servants real
ize that if they are fair to me / shall ba
the same to them, and it goes far toward
smoothing the path"
Mrs. Underwood is exceedingly slender,
graceful and girlish in appearance. Sha
is a great reader fond of the old classics
and the recognized masters in modern
fiction. OF more recent writer's. De Mo-
gan appeals to her greatly, and she has
a complete collection of his works. Being
a musician, she is fond of poetry and
flowers. She has a fine flower garden in
her southern home and her book shelves
contain all the poets, ancient and modern,
who have charmed the world with their
songs.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-05

While an ordnance officer and later
chief of ordnance Of the navy he invent
ed the style of cannon known by his
name, which for so many years consti-
tuted the naval armament of our war
ships. These were iron guns cast solid
and cooled from the outside. He also
introduced boat howtZers with iron car
rages He was born in Philadelphia
while his father was the Swedish consul
there in 1909. He fought as a rear ad-
miral during the civil war
For nescuing a battalion OF marines on
board the steam transport Governor,
which was wrecked in gale November
J. 1851 and also for rescuing the line-of-
battle ship Vermont. disabled in a gale
February 1S64. Commodore CadwalladeT
Ringgold Of the navy received the thanks
of Congress in 1864.
To mention our war heroes who have
received this distinction would be but tc
reproduce a long list OF names and to
digest a long series of exploits, which
you already know by heart.
Some time ago in reporting upon an
application for this honor. made on be
nalf of one OF our naval officers. the
House committee on naval affairs MADE
this statement in its report:
"A vote OF thanks from Congress ts
the highest reward which any American
naval officer can hope TO receive for the
most eminent services or the most ex-
traordinary heToism.'
Copyright. i9ll, by Johu Efreth Watkias.)
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-05

tude Thus. if the Peary promotion bill.
now before Congress. becomes law the IA
nous arctic explorer will be entitled to
pass the argus-eyed doorkeepers when
ever the House is in session, and chat
with members upon the floor. or within
the inner rooms leading thereto. 1t is
never In order for the Speaker to even
entertain a request for the suspension OF
this privilege, nor can it be laid aside by
unanimous consent of the House itself
Only through official connection with the
government can others gain the same
privilege.
\ seat upon the floor of the Senate dur
ing inaugural ceremonies will also be &C
corded Capt Peary if the pending bill!
passes. although it is questionable wheth-
er the same privilege would he granted
him were he civilian. Senate precedents
seem to limit this inaugural privilege to
officers of the army and navy. who. by
name, have received the thanks of Con-
gress But on no occasions other than
the installation of a new administration
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-05

of 5000 tons to. as he said, demonstrate
that individual enterprise could. with
out the aid of government encourage
ment. place upon the ocean steamships
equal, at least in magnitude, power and
speed to any which had been constructed
under government patronage and pro
lection in any part of the world. He
spent about S1.oGOCOO on her. and she
broke the transatlantic record. In March,
1867 he received d letter from Stanton
asking him if he would undertake to pre-
vent. the Confederate steamer Merrlmac
from escaping out of Norfolk harbor. The
commodore answered by telegraph that
he would come to Washington next day.
and arriving here, he had his first meet
ing with Stanton, who took him over to
the White House to see Lincoln. And
the outcome of this interview was that he
offered Lincoln the Vanderbilt, which. he
said, if properly manned. would either
keep the Merrimac bottled up in Hampton
roads or sink her if she ventured out.
Lincoln asked the commodore to name
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-05

counterpart of its ancient prototype, the
great British city of that name. we are
proud. of course. of the vast IRON III
dustry which has made 1t FAMOUS
the civilized world, and that
it's treasures of ore seem lnexhaustlble;
My home is just at the foot OF the Red
mountain. Statisticians tell US That II
all the iron in the world were consumed
this mountain alone would supply ne
cessities for three hundred and sixty
years The city is filled with the great
plants for the working of ore, and there
is a big population OF laborers. negroes
and some foreigners. But to think Biz
mingham black with smoke, with It's
lovely mountains clogged with the spirit
of commercialism is a mistake Right
at the foot of the Red mountain and
rising terrace-like almost to its summit
is the pretty environ Of the Highlands
where we reside.
X
II have never seen in this country or
in any other a more attractive position
for homes. They all stand apart in more
or less spacious grounds, and circle up
the mountain as one sees about Nesu-
vius and some Swiss cities. But the
Highlands has a charm and uniqueness
of its own. and is not comparable to
other places. We have a congenial So
cial life composed mostly OF the south
erners rather than the recent arrivals
because Of the vast possibilities in the
ore. But in a city of more than one
hundred and thirty thousand inhabit
ants there are many grades of society
and delightful coteries where one may
enjoy all the amenities of a greater GEN.
ter"
Mrs. Underwood has a devouring pas
sion for music, and she confesses that it
was the dream OF her life to go on the
operate stage, but. she adds, this amDi-
ton was consumed in the DAYS before she
had met Mr.. Underwood. She POSSESSES
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-05

ers. he saw no opposition between the
sword and pen. When twenty-five years
ago he entered the ISnailovSky Guards
Regiment. he set about the tresome task
of weaving the dissipated officers from
drink and cards. He started series OF
regimental literary soirees under the title
.Ismailovsky Leisure Hours. recited his
own poems and the poems of others, ran
critical debates and soon discovered that
several young officers. known to their
comrades only for their dissipated ways,
secretly had tastes like his own.
The grand duke. being young, took his
enterprise seriously. That is shown by
one of his dedicatory odes, which ar
nounces that:
Gathered priests to sacrifice
Before Arts holy altar. we
Serve Art alone. and justly prize
Our comrades stern mild decree.
For several years the grand duke Kept
his pen busy with the 1smailoysky Regl-
ment and it's achievements. and even to-
DAY he pens poetical "reminiscences of the
days he served with ii. Every 12th OF
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-05

is the privilege of the Senate floor ex
tended even to military officers thus
honored. The Senate, in recent times at
least has extended floor privileges to
but ore American outside the govern
went stablishment-George Bancroft the
historian.
What makes the honor of receiving the
nations thanks all the greater is the fact
that Washington himself heads the list
of those who have received it. The Con-
tnental Congress conferred the distinc-
ton upon him by vote. in 1176, in recog-
milton of his having effected the British
evacuation of Boston,
Since then about forty names have been
added to the roll of the immortals-
the great heroes of the revolution. of
the engagements against Tripol, of the
war of 1912 and of the Mexican and civil
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-05

most of his rhyming epistles to friends
end with a demand that the addresse
shall remain "a true Russian man..
The religious element in the grand
dukes works is shown best in his long
and ambitious poem. Manfred Regen-
Grated which begins where Byron's
Manfred leaves off. Manfred Regener
ated" bears the same relation to Man
fred as the second part of Goethes
Faust bears to the first but while
Faust redeems himself by useful work.
the grand dukes Manfred" redeems him
self by his faith. hope and love. That is
typical of the difference between Ger
mans and Russians--the Germans believe
in doing something and the Russians be-
iieve only in abstract principles.
The action of Manfred Resenerated"
takes place chiefly in the world of shades.
IN the first scene the shade of Manfred.
lowering over it's forsaken body, sees the
abbot praying for him. For the first time
he feels that there is something higher
and more hopeful than the mere earthly
knowledge and power for which he has
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-05

followers of Capon, We're shot down With
in sight of his windows
Still Vladimir was All artiStsonly in the
passive sense. Grand Duke Constantine
is producer. He has translated Shake
speare into Russian. written for the sta &c
and acted his own plays and published
critical studies of new Russian poets. IL
is as poet that he is best known in
Russia His .Stikhotvoreniya.' or 'Po-
etical Productions" published under the
initials IL. r." Uionstantin Romanof),
have run into ten editions. and some OF
his songs are sung in every peasant CAB
in from Warsaw to Nladivostok.
!: ::
Religion, patriotism. love and war are
the themes that inspire Constantine. The
last comes first. The grand duke has
taken part in no serious battle. but he
is an industrious and conscientious SOL
der Like Tolstoi, in his early years, Ler-
lnontoff and other famous Russian writ
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-05

0NE of the Youngest of
~ the Capitals Important
Hostesses-Mrs. Underwood
Is Active in the Congressional
Set, Musician, Fond OF
Literature and Art and a
Devotee of the Open, But
She Finds Time to Discharge
Her Social Duties-She Was
Married Six Years Ago, and
Was Miss Bertha Wood
ward, Daughter of Simpson
Henry Woodward, One of
Birmingham's Great Iron
Manufacturers.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-05

wars. and few men WHO earned the
same laurels by deeds performed outside
the theater of war
This honor legion is now reduced to a
single living member-George Dewey.
hero of Manila bay No other hero of
the Spanish. American war was thus sig
nally honored The bitterness of the
Samson-SchIey controversy blocked all
efforts to extend the distinction to any
of the heroes Of the Santiago campaign.
similar wrangle had occurred some
years before. when efforts We're made to
have Congress express its gratitude to
Capt. (noW Rear Admirab Schey for his
relief of the Greedy expedition that so
long faced starvation While locked in the
Arctic ice.
The first civilian to be voted this dis
tinction was Cornelius Vanderbilt. known
as the commodore He received the
thanks of Congress and a gold national
medal i'll 1862 for presenting his steam
ship Vanderbilt to the government lie
had just built this handsome steamship
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-05

services of almost the only living member
Of the Romanoff family who has repu-
table career. Grand Duke Constantine has
effectively disproved the truth of the say
ing that the present Russian dynasty has
produced "one great man and a hundred
fools" This saying Is ascribed to a re
publican member of the first duma. who
was thinking of Peter the Great and,
ike most epigrams. it is exaggerated. The
late Grand Duke Vladimir was a serious
art authority. He discovered and trained
the famous ecclesiastical painter Nester-
off, and like Nero. who fddled while
Rome burned. was reading Paradise
Lost when thousands OF workingmen,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-05

through their federal lesisiatofS can
place him?
The question is one of far greater
weight and yexation than the public sus-
poets. Indeed, doubtless very few readers
of the current news have taken any cog
nizance whatever OF the fact that the
House naval committees bill promoting
Peary to the rank and emoluments of
rear admiral on the retired list carries
with it this honor OF honors-the thanks
Of Congress"
What knighthood is to the Britisher and
the grand Gordon of the Legion of Honor
is to the Frenchman, the distinction of
having received the thanks of Congress
is TO the American.
In the hall of the House of Representa-
tives, the great conclave chamber of the
nation. men who have received the thanks
of Congress are always entitled to share
the seats of the mighty along with the
President. cabinet. Supreme Court and
other high functionaries of state there
gathered together upon ceremonial occa-
sions Of great Formally and import. Even
upon workaday occasions the privileges of
the floor of the House are extended to m II
who have been voted the nations graft
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-05

trained some eminent!y successful voices
for the stage. During this time she re-
ceived definite offer to the concert or
operate stage, and was keenly disap-
pointed when her father peremptorily
refused. and told her to return to her
home at once.
II grieved, of course" said Mrs. Under
wood. chatting over this episode of her
life which her friends are particularly
fond of telling. land I returned to this
country with the feeling that a cruel fate
had kept brilliant star from rising on
the musical armament. I am wiser now,
but I think that the profession OF music
is one of the noblest and most paying
which women or men can adopt. When
listen to fine singing / am carried out of
this sphere to the world where dreams
come true. l think that any voice which
is capable of helping care-laden mortals
into the higher air of poetry. romance
and accomplished desire fulflls spirit
ual mission. I believe that any person
who has one scintilla of musical talent
should cultivate it. The divine fire is all
breathed into few, and / think some abil-
ity and abundant application sometimes
goes a long way toward producing what
passes for genius.
Mrs. Underwood continued her studies
after her marriage, and took from several
local masters. but two years ago she suf-
fered a severe attack of diphtheria, and
1t seemed that she had lost her splendid
voice entirely. This winter, however.
after this long period Of muteness. the
desire for singing became so great that
she had her voice tested, and found that
she might again resume her vocal eXer-
cises. She is. now practicing regularly.
and her friends hope that it will not be
long before she will sing for them again.
Meantime he continues her interest in
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-05


diering In writing poetry.
October on the anniversary Of the sau-
culinary battle of Gorni Dubniak when the
Turks shot down half the regiments Off
GERS, he sends it a commemorative ode.
The odes are bit stale. Much better Is
the grand dukes production, Dead an
elegy on a private soldier of his own COM
pany, who died after year i'll the ranks.
THE Discharged Soldier is another Ia
vorite theme. \ touching poem which
deals with this subject describes the re-
turn home of the time expired cOnscript,
the JOY of his peasant kinspeople. and the
slow struggle of the eX-soldier toward
adaptation to village life.
i; =
The grand dukes best work is lyrical.
Two of his cradle songs-the best is one
called Moi Suinok' ("My Little Son')-
are sung at every Russian concert. The
great composer Tchaikowsky, a friend of
Constantine, set six other songs to music.
The best is 1.-The Serenade." For others,
music was written by the late Rimsky-
korsakoff. The love poems do not ring
very true. 1t is hard to associate them
with gigantic, middle-aged soldier.
whose name appears daily appended to
long Winded circulars on military school
ing Constantine never forgets that he is
A. Russian. Though half his poems are
dated from Italy and France, he always
emphasizes the virtues of patriotism; and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-05
Answered..

LARRY THURSTON PECK was prais-
! ing Lincoln at dinner in New York.
Lincoln, himself superb writer" said
Prof. Peck. could not stand tedious
writing in others. He once condemned
for its tediousness Greek history.
whereupon a diplomat took him to task.
The author of that history, Mr.. Presi-
dent he said. is one OF the profoundesr
scholars of the age. Indeed, il may be
doubted whether any man of our genera
ton has plunged more deeply in the
sacred fount of learning"
Yes. or come up drier.' said Lincoln"