davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1911-04-02

If the Housekeepers' Alliance in its
cleaning crusade should offer prizes for
good housekeeping, the firemen of Wash
ington would win every prize in sight
The housekeepers who think once-a-week
scrubbing of the floor and changing of
the top sheets constitutes real tidiness
would do we'll to drop in on the boys in
a nearby engine or truck house when
they are in the midst of their daily
household duties. 1t will open your eyes
and teach you more about household
cleanliness than you ever knew.
Not every one stops TO think that the
men you see clinging to their flying en-
gines, hose carts. and hook-and-ladder
wagons on a run to an alarm of fire or
calamity fighting through flames and
smoke to save lives and property are
compelled during their long hours at the
engine-house TO look out for themselves
in every branch of the housekeeper's art
save cooking. They do get their meals
cut" but at almost any other hour of
the day you will find two or three of
them hustling around with water pail
and mop, broom, and buster, swobbing
of the floors and stairways or sweeping
and Ticking off every particle of dust
that settles on woodwork or apparatus.
Why, they even wash the handles of
their brooms, and how many housekeep-
ers do you know who do that?
Rise ut O'Clock.
The regulations say beds made by 9
O'clock" The rising bell rings at Z. This
gives the boys a chance to air their beds
during breakfast time and still have them
ali ship-shape before the hour demanded
by the rules of the department. To see
company of ten or twelve husky fire.
fighters making up their little white iron
beds Is amusing, but the neatness and
quickness with which they do the job
moves one to admiration.
Every Friday. as in most households, is
the day for a general and thorough
housekeeping in the fire department
Eut the men are not satisfied with just
this weekly compulsory cleaning. The
floors. woodwork and StairwayS of every
one of Washinstons firehouses get al
most daily Scrubbings. The windows,
too, are washed regularly every week or
oftener without waiting for them to get
sc dirty d space has TO be rubbed off so
that one can see what is going on in the
street. Like the busy bee, the fire laddie
of to-day improves each shining hour.
Not only does he protect the property of
others, but improves his own. He Is A
housekeeper that the best of housewives
might well emulate, and he in some in
stances ranks among the experts in
truck gardening and horticulture.
We are accustomed to look at the fire.
man as a hero. The stories of his physi-
cal prowesS and Self-sacrifice in the
hours of his fire-fishting have all been
told. Nowhere is there a drawer man,
nowhere a more modest one. 1t is more
difficult to get a story of his latest dar-
ing exploit out of one of these men than
10 make most men stop talking about
themselves. But when K comes to his
housekeeping stunts the FIRE laddie is as
proud as a peacock. He will brag about
his new pillow sham. something in lace
and pink ribbons sent him by his best
girl. and be worse than a clam when you
try to make him tell how he saved three
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1911-04-02
NOVEL PLAN TO WAKEN
SOUTH AMERICAN TRADE

have some of the larger concerns Of the
United States put in exhibits of the
most interesting kind.
1t is planned to have electric display
signs placed all over the ship so that
at night the ship could he lighted up in
the harbor and everybody within miles
around would know there was something
going on. The ship would be one mass
of light in a pitch black harbor. These
electric display signs could be used in
various ways. The ship might also car
~ several aeroplanes fitted with hydro
planes, and exhibitions could be given
at the different cities. Lecturers who are
thoroughly acquainted with South
America could explain to the passengers
the many interesting points of the cities
visited.
Cruise Suggested for 1912.
The Caribbean cruise suggested for
1872 may start about January, which
is considered the best season of the year
for visiting South America This may be
followed the next year by another cruise
to take in the Atlantic coast Of South
America, and the year after that by still
another. covering the west coast, so as
to finally cover all portions Of Central
and South America. In fact, it Is said
that any one of the cruises might be
made within thirty days, and IL the first
cruise should turn out to be practicable,
more than one cruise might be made in
one year. As it stands now. the plan
contemplates a cruise for 1872. Then if
results commensurate with the expense,
of which there is little question, the next
cruise could be undertaken the following
year. in 1915 on a much larger scale and
a much more extended itinerary.
Many Opportunities Neglected.
Many prominent officials in Washing
ton. Charles H. Pepper. chief of the Bu-
reau of Trade Relations, State Depart
ment; John Barrett and Franklin Lane,
of the Bureau of American Republics,
and many other at the recent Pan-Ameri-
can Conference. advocated closer trade
relations with South America. Ali of these
men claim that the United States is not
taking advantage of the many oppor-
tunities for American trade in South
America They say that American bust
ness men who live within 600 or 700 miles
of South America have allowed England,
Germany, France, and even Spain to get
ahead Of them In securing trade in South
America. 1t is claimed that this Is true
because the american business man does
not realize the vast opportunities that
lie right here at his door. while he goes
searching all over the worid-to China,
Manchuria, Japan-looking for trade op-
when the very thing he Is
seeking lies right at his door.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1911-04-02

working at opposite sides Of the room.
They badgered one another as only sons
of old Erin know how, but back of it all
one could see they were the best of
friends and that either one would will
ingly sacrifice his life at fire to save
his comrade.
Out at Fourteenth street and Park
road Capt. Peter Davis and his men had
got through with their housekeeping
duties for the day and were busily dis
cussing their plans for this spring and
summers truck garden. which occupies
the plot next to the enyine-house. The
men have already done most of the early
planting and they are now taking turns
watching for the first tip of green to
shoot from the carefully titled soil
The fire laddies are the best natured
men in the public service. Perhaps that
is why they have suffered for so long
some OF the unjust conditions governing
the department in Washington. Unlike
the police department, the firemen have
no trial board. and. therefore, no chance
OF redress in case of summary or unjust
dismissal by order of the Commission
ers. Their hours are too long. also.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1911-04-02
CAUSES OF INSOMNIA AND
SOME SIMPLE REMEDIES

I ness, headache. loss Of memory and irrii
! liability of temper.
Insomnia from lack of sufficient blood
| in the head vessels is caused by a.
chronic disturbance of the heart and
blood veSsels-sudden shock, Distress
| fright, poor condition of the blood Itself.
| and, together with the causes given
anything tending to lower the EeneraI
| vitality.
Some Sample Remedies.
What can we do for insomnia? Here's
we refer to the common forms, either
due to congestion or anaemia- The other.
varieties have been spoken of. When.
congestion is present a laxative should
be taken, as a saline, upon arising in
the morning and repeated daily as re-
quired.
Bathing is one of the main standbys-
hot bath at bedtime is indicated. In
some cases, however. reaction to the heat
sets in after time and congestion re-
turns. To overcome this many people ara
benefited by cold sponging Of the en-
tire body surface directly after the hot
plunge. The body should be immersed i'm
the hot water, then. standing in the tub
the patient sprays or sponges himseh
with cool water, while continually rub
bling or massaging the skin. This is done
Just before getting into bed.
Exercise is important. quick walk inl
the open air with deep breathing or ten.
minutes of light calisthenics before re-
firing are very helpful. In many cases
avoidance of a hearty meal at the end oc
the day and taking only light. easily
digestible dinner, with omission of coffea
and alcoholic beverages, is of great
benefit.
Avoid Mental Exertion.
During the evening hours, preceding
bedtime, avoid all mental exertion and ex-
citing conversation. II the head Is hot,
with marked feeling of fullness. an ices
bag or cold cloths applied for time orr
at intervals with hot foot bath. IL thu,
feet are cold. will bring relief. The hotI
bath mentioned. however, takes the place,
of this treatment, with perhaps the adj
dition of the cold to the head.
1t is well to recall that a number OF
conditions are necessary for normal
healthy sleep. as, for example. one should
have the temperature Of the room about
go degrees Fahrenheit and we'll ventilated.
The bed covers should be light In weight
and sufficiently warm. without acting as
a heavy pressure upon the body. The head,
should be raised a little. and excess OIL
light should. Of course. be avoided
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1911-04-02
saxony's kindergartens.

Little boys and girls in Saxony cain
1t big treat to go to kindergarten for
the first time. and with reason.
Mothers and grandmothers and aunts,
all combine to make it happy day andl
send to the school for the children when
they come out big cornucopias made OF
strong cardboard covered with bright
colored paper and sometimes event
trimmed with gold lace. These are of
sizes. some ten to twelve inches
long and sometimes as big as thirty,
inches Some are decorated with scrap!
book papers. and some have suitabiel
notices on them. such as Learn and youl
will have something
Now. all OF these cornucopias Of sugar.
plums are supposed to come from the
sugar plum tree. They are filled With
ginger cakes and almond cakes. and each
10 almost sure to have an appie. sn
grange. and Soma nuts = -
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1911-04-02

he said. Il hat seen a strange sign on
a shop down town. II says 'Youfolstcr.
know not the word: will you please
explain it,
'Youfolster." exclaimed the bewildered
clubman.
YES; that ees eet.'
The ,clubman declared he had never
heard such a name or word before and
Finally they made a bet as TO who was
right on the subject. and to decide it the
Frenchman escorted the doubling club
man to the shop. Imagine the American
establishment when the Frenchman
stopped before an unpretentious house
with large painted sign over the door
which read: ''Upholsterer.
An attache of the German Embassy
was very devoted to a Washington girl
who took keen delight in teasing him.
One afternoon they were paying visits
together. and about o'clock they took
a Connecticut avenue car to return up
town. Every seat was taken in the car,
so they both had to stand The girl saw
sweet-faced. white-haired woman
seated in one corner, and she leaned over
and said to her:
Adam, my brother" pointing to the
attache, who was over six feet, and
broad in proportion, has just recovered
form serious illness and he is very
weak. Will you kindly give him your
seat "
The kind hearted woman instantly rose
and offered the astounded and embarr-
aSsed German her seat The attache
who spoke very broken English. tried in
vain to explain, while the other pass
sengers, catching on to the situation,
laughed heartily, which added to his dis
comfiture. He finally bolted out of the
car. exclaiming vehemently that they
were all ''verrueckt-
Foreign Frankness.
The extreme frankness of a foreigner
when asked a direct questino is some
times a triie appalling to the Ameri-
can. The wife of a distinguished scient-
ist gave a dinner which included with
her American guests several newly ar
rived diplomats. During 1.-THE dinner the
hostess noticed that NJ - kept reach
ing under the table in manner which
suggested the loss of his napkin. Finally
after he had executed his maneuver sew
eral times, she turned to him and asked:
Pray, what Is the matter. Monsieur?
He Strengthened himself up suddenly and
gravely replied:
1n1nk Is q Hc<i- anu iof thc
next few seconds gravity was at a dis
count at that table.
Occasionally, but not often. the love
of fun leads some one away from court
esy, as when a prominent young fellow
introduced a former Chinese Minister
to the colored man whose duty 1t was to
serve a preparatory cocktail. upstairs,
to the dinner guests.
a'Mr. Minister said the joker. ALLOW
me to present Mr.. -. our own repre-
sentative at Ijiji and Zanzibar"
The diplomat took the presentation in
good faith, and grasped the true situa-
ton only when the newly created Min
lister, with a broad grin. asked whether
IL should be a Manhattan or a whisky
and soda.
But this Oriental was famous for his
own wit. and usually came out even.
To a young debutante. who mischievous-
ly asked him IL II really were true that
he had five wives. he gracefully re-
sponded that the advantages Of such .
custom had not occurred to him Until
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1911-04-02
Something Wa. Blind.

In one of the crowded streets Of New
York a beggar was in the habit of taking
his stand every day, and appealing to
the charity of the passersby. By means
of a short string he held dog. round
the neck of which a card was fastened
with the words. IT nm blind very
kind old gentleman. who had been In the
habit of dropping nickel into the beg
gar's hat, passed rapidly one morning
without doing so. Instantly the beggar
rushed after him. and asked for the
man. turning IN surprise, said:
.swhy, I thought you were blind?'
''oh. no, SIR was the cool reply. 1T
u the dog that - blind. g the card saysg
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1911-04-02

Insomnia. or inability to sleep. is rather
common ailment, especially among
people of nervous temperament. The
term may refer to cases in which II Is
difficult or impossible for the individual
to get to sleep, or to patients whose COM
plete repose is frequently interrupted or
completely broken by periods of restless
ness and waking.
The general types of insomnia are those
cases due to the presence of distinct and
directly disturbing pain; those due to a
general systemic underlying condition or
disease, and, finally. the most frequent
and common type, that which is caused
by either congestion or anaemia of the
brain.
Or there may be an underlying condi-
ton which is Initiative to the nerves and
produces reaction in the form of neural
gic pain in some part of the body. as. for
example. a nervous affection of the heart.
In all these cases the sufferer is kept
awake, or sleep is broken primarily be-
cause OF the pain: that is, if the pain
stops he is able t. sleep.
Remove the Cause.
Treatment of these conditions is, of
course, to find and remove the cause.
Have the teeth looked after; treat the
earache or remedy the eye strain, as the
case may be. Here drugs are useless for
the symptom OF insomnia itself. There
is but slight relief from their use, and
this is only temporary. No cure can be
effected until the causative factor or
factors are removed or attacked.
Insomnia due to an underlying func-
ticnal arrangement or constitutional dis
ease is always manifest as a symptom of
such affection, and it Is obvious that
to overcome it the predisposing condition
must be treated. Kidney trouble, dis
turbance Of the liver, gastric and intes-
final indigestion are prominent in this
INDIGESTION. whether due to
abnormal stomach action or intestinal in
activity, may give rise to formation of
toxic or poisonous substances which. re-
naming in the digestive tract, are alb
sorbed into the blood and circulation,
through which they become directly ir-
ritating to the nervous system and. pre-
venting its proper rest. cause sleepless-
ness
The Most Frequent Form.
Finally, the form of insomnia which
is most frequently met with. and the
one from which most of US suffer, is due
either to an excess Of blood or deficien-
cy in amount of the fluid going to. re-
IN, or leaving the blood vessels
Of the brain. This is known as cerebral'or
brain congestion. or anaemia, and Is pre-
disposed to by the neurotic or emotional
disposition and nervous temperarAent of
many individuals.
The chronic or prolonged state of con-
sestion arises from an obstruction which
prevents sufhcient blood LEAVING the
brain. as a general disease, prolonged
anxiety, persistent disregard o. mod
hygienic manner Of living. - irregular
Ity Of meals. improper foe. trroGnlar
hours. and the factors ALREADY sDohent of.
symptoms due to increaeo1 cerebral
blood supply are. Of coursA haadsd by
Insomnia, inability to get % s1eeA or
sleep disturbed by dreams q ~ vegpins |
nature. IN addition thase ~ - 0asi-
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1911-04-02
SOCIAL BLUNDERS MADE BY NEW
DIPLOMATS IN WASHINGTON

after his arrival in the United States
But as was usually the case with him
| there was a serpent's tooth behind ever
| this soft answer
Couldn't See the Humor.
American humor is usually incom-
prehensible to foreigners. A brilliant
Washington woman was entertaining
some diplomats at dinner. and, thinking
to ause the. she related this anecdote
A girl who had led a butterfly existence
since her debut was arried about three
years ago in New York. Her father
in speaking of her. said that she was
a perfectly worthless person. This COM
ing to her ears, she brought suit against
him for defamation of character and re-
covered $1,000 damages. Now, they say
she has implored her father to continue
his abuse.
When she had finished the diplomats
regarded her in puzzled silence. and
made no comment
A Washington girl. who had been out
several seasons, was very fond of TAX
ing a rise as she expressed it, out
of the diploats. She met a newly arrived
member of the Russian Embassy, and
he asked her many questions in regard
to the political situation at the National
Capital.
1t was just before President Roosevelt's
last election, and the Russian was very
keen on getting all information possible.
Seeing her chance, she gravely told him
that for several months, during which
the question of the Presidents election
had been agitated, people had come con-
stantly to the White House to see him,
and in the rudest amer insisted upon be-
ing asked to breakfast or dinner. threat
ening in case of refusal to cast their
political influence against him.
The White House cook says he has the
greatest difficulty in satisfying these peo-
PIE. They often send back to the kitchen
the dishes he serves them and order
others. under the pretense that the first
were badly cooked.
So said the diplomat, who had lis
tened win establishment to the extraord-
mary invention, ut seems that 1t Is not
always pleasant to be President"
Leaving His Card.
A member Of the German Embassy was
with a prominent business man at the
Metropolitan Club.
81 find that when leaving cities abroad
It is the most convenient to send my
card with p. P. c. written in the cor
ner to all my acquaintances," said the
German. but 1 am told it is not often
done in this country
"Oh," said the washingtonian with
twinkle in his eye, I'VE have that custom.
too; but there is some difference. When
we speak of a defaulting clerk or bank
president, we say he has left his card,
G. T. s. (gone to Canada). as you would
put 'P p. c."
Some weeks before the first perform
ance of certain society comedy was
given the rehearsaIs were held at night
instead Of in the afternoon. A we'll
known Washington man asked one of the
seasons pretty debutan.es why II was
that the time for the rehearsals had been
changed.
J''oh, / guess it is because the girls
Rave less on in the evening" was the
somewhat startling answer
The ciubman laughed heartily. while
the embarrassed debutante, blushing
deeply. tried vainly TO explain the am
blguous remark
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1911-04-02

A plan combining business with pleas
ere that will greatly increase trade rela-
tons with all of the South American re-
puhlics is in process of formation by Off
Gals of the Pan-American Union. also
known as the Bureau OF American Re
publics at Washington. The idea is to
have a vessel fitted Up with exhibit
booths, showing various industries of the
American people, and to nave this vessel
visit all of the large South American
ports. the first trip to take in the ports
on the Caribbean Sea, the second to
call at ports farther down the Atlantic
coast. the third to visit the ports on the
Pacific coast.
The plan contemplates the charterins
O: a 10,o00-ton vessel. to start from New
York on a thirty-day cruise during the
winter season, the itinerary to include
Puerto Plata, in Haiti; San Juan and
Ponce Porto Rico. and then to branch
off from the island of Porto Rico and
take in Puerto CabeIlo and La Guiara.
in Venezuela. From this port it is
PLANNED to continue on t. Puerto Column
bfa and Cartegena, in Colombia, and
from there to Colon, at Panama. From
Colon the trip will continue to Limon,
Costa Rica: then up to Kingston, ia
niaica, to Port au Prince; then over to
Santiago in Cuba, winding up at Ha-
vana Cuba. and from there back home
II New York
The various decks of the vessel will be
fitted with booths for the display of
American manufactured goods. EXcur
sion tickets will be sold to manufacturers
al over the country who may elect TO
take part in this trade excursion, the
tickets to be sold at a less rate than
is required under the present touring
arrangement
Will Have Advance Agent.
One of the features of the proposed
plan is the sending OF an advance agent
through all of the places on the itinerary.
whose duty II will be to invite all the
South American merchants and their
families within access of the various
ports to visit the vessel.
This is the plan outlined by officials of
the Pan-American Union. The officials
OF the bureau say that something of
this kind should be done. but at the
same time the bureau does not want to
stand sponsor for the whole thing. The
suggestion is made that manufacturers
and the various business associations in
the United States should get together,
and IL the plan receives sufficient in
dorsement by the people of the country,
the Pan-American Union will do all in
its power to facilitate the enterprise.
1t is claimed that to-day many vessels
are making the trip outlined with empty
holds, and that this empty space could
and should be utilized for the benefit of
the American people, but that at the
present time. it is a dead waste.
Many Exhibits on Board.
Franklin Adams. one of the officials
of the Pan-American Union, outlined
some of the benefits to be derived from
an excursion Of this kind. and also made
Al
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1911-04-02
Many Exhibits on Board.

Franklin Adams, one of the officials
of the Pan-American Union, outlined
some of the benefits to be derived from
an excursion OF this kind. and also made
several suggestions in connection with
the trip. He said there should be booths
representing as many kinds Of American
industries as possible. In addition to
this the amusement side of the cruise
should be given consideration. He sug-
o. suIq, poos 90 pIuoA u 1su, psassS
Scranton Wochenblatt. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1865-1918, 1911-11-09
Sin b.iteres RifueritdnbHiH.

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