davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11

cases. Nevertheless, the figures disclosed
In the case Of the Phillips estate ahow
that 1t is possible to make good living
out OF story writing when once the public
taste has been caught. The. modern now
elist sets out to entertain, possibly to
shock, his readers. and II he can once
gain a vogue he is likely to last for ten
years. Rarely does teller OF tales hold
his audience for a longer period. Never
was the literary field SO thoroughly &C.
cupied as 1t is today, with so many books
being produced by SO many different
authors. The publishers are turning
down manuscripts at the rate of fifty or
one hundred to every one that is ac-
cepted at their risk, and these rejected
manuscripts are doubtless of higher
grade than they were a quarter OF cen-
fury ago. Schools of fiction writing are
working night and day. most of them on
the correspondence principle. and it is
an unenterprising person indeed who has
not one or more manuscripts tucked
away somewhere in a desk or bureau
drawer with q little bundle Of polite
assurances from publishers that their
hearts are desolated by the necessity of
rejecting Them
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11
The Profits of Novel Writing.

Statements that have been published in
connection with the administration of the
estate of the late David Graham Phillips,
the novelist who was killed a year ago
by a man who had conceived that one Of
Phillips stories was a personal reflection
upon his family, throw some light upon
the earnings of modern fiction writer's.
Phillips was one of the most popular of
the present school Of novelists. His books
commanded an immediate market and
were frequently among the six best
seilers''-that much-desired classification
representative of the public taste. Never
theless, they did not make him wealthy.
His sister, who is his sole heir, will
probably receive not more than $13,OOO in
royalties from the publishers. The story
that was published Immediately after the
death of the writer gained large SALE
owing to the circumstances of its ap-
pearance, and netted $S,25aO2. being the
leader of the entire list. The royalties
sl362. These figures. II must be remem-
bered, represent royalties due now and
do not disclose the total earnings OF the
books, save in the case of the postum
nous novel. The writer. 1t appears, lived
UP to his income and depended upon his
new productions to provide him with
funds for his necessities. Some novelists
have accumulated fortunes by putting
away their royalties over and above the
actual needs of existence on moderate
scale, but these have been exceptional
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11
Eggs Falling.

The fall in the price Of eggs which has
just occurred in the local produce mar
ket will bring JOY to the hearts Of house
keepers, who have been groaning recently
over the excessive expense of supplying
the breakfast table. If the present tend
ency toward reasonable prices continues
it will be possible to eat an omelet with
out feeling like plutocrat and to enjoy a
custard pie without qualms Of conscience.
With eggs at so cents q dozen and even
higher there is no pleasure in taking food
of the egg sort, and eggs form such a
large part Of every home menu that life
during the last few weeks has been one
constant conflict between the appetite and
the pocketbook It will be interesting to
know just how far the hens have been
responsible for this situation and how
far the manipulators of the market. There
is a distinct general feeling that the bid
dies have not been entirely to blame, re-
luctant though they are at this season of
the year to keep the market supplied.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11
Army Reduction.

In view of the experience of the United
States at the time of the Spanish-Ameri-
can war. and especially in view Of the
happenings of a year ago on the Mexican
border. it seems incredible that there
should be q disposition in Congress to re-
duce the regular army to any extent. And
yet this is the present tendency in the
House of Representatives, where the
army appropriation bill is now under dis
cussion. Amendments have already been
adopted indicating that the House will
seriously disarrange the organization. 1t
is possible, of course, that the present
system Is not the most effective That Is
q matter Of expert judgment and cannot
be most satisfactorily considered in con-
nection with the pursuit of a policy Of
mere money saving. There Is no popular
disposition to question the wisdom Of
maintaining standing army of sufficient
size to cope with conceivable emergen-
cies. Nor. on the other hand. is there
desire for an army big enough to protect
the United States in the case Of foreign
invasion by large power. Reliance must
be had at all times upon the citizen SOL
diery, the effective organization Of which
constitutes the first reserve, with ulti-
mate dependence upon the unorganized
mass of the people. But even with the
most effective militia organization, the
army must be maintained at SUFFICIENT
numbers to supply the necessary struc-
tural formation for a military campaign.
The whole question as 1t stands In the
House is unfortunately one Of cutting of
expense and not keeping up the military
force to the top notch Of efficiency and
reliability Against the views advanced in
support Of the curtailing amendments are
opposed the opinions of the most eminent
military authorities of this country. The
Senate will be relied upon, in case the
bill passes the House in the shape that
is now indicated, to prevent the con-
tracing, weakening policy from being
carried into effect.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11

the situation. He represents what today
il called democracy more completely shan
any other man in the party. And, tnffO,
I'm sure that IL elected he would be de-
featcd for second term and his party
banished to the wilderness for another
long sojourn.'
You don't think he could succeed him.
self"
II do not, and 1 should hate to do SO.
Understand me. I respect the man. But
the political leader fills me with distrust.
If he were to attempt in office half of
what he promises he'd turn things. and
particularly business credits, upside down.
Ever hear the story of an old gentleman
and his wife who listened one evening to
an old-style sulphuric sermon about flu
tufe punishment?
Let me have it,
LAS usual. the wife was the more pious
of the two, and accepted pulpit utterances
more implicitly. This sermon had made
a profound impression on her, and her
comments on the way home showed how
unsettled her nerves were by the picture
the preacher had drawn of the pit Of fire
and the sufferings of those cast into 1t
forever. So her husband said, soothinely:
Mary, you mustn't take that discourse
too literally. You must make allowances
for what Is necessary to set us to think
ing. No constitution could stand such an
experience as the preacher described.
You don't think our Constitution could
stand more than four years of Bryan?
LAS a people. we are strong. We have
endured much. including the four years
of civil war, and the four years of the
second Cleveland administration, but
there's limit l should expect the coun-
try after one term Of Mr.. Bryan in the
presidency to make supreme effort for
self-preservation. and order him gently
but firmly back to private life"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11
A Central Power Plant.

Secretary MacVeagh's suggestion Of a
central power plant for all the govern
ment buildings is in line with the present
tendency In large business management.
The old idea of having an engine room
in each building has been proved to be
mechanically and economically fallacious.
1t is now possible to transmit heat and
power over a long distance with little
waste. such loss as may be caused by
radiation and resistance being less than
the gain of concentrating the elements
into a single plant. The United States
should have the most perfect system of
building maintenance and Congress should
recognize the advantage of supplying 1t
without further delay. Many important
and essential projects Of government
housekeeping are awaiting adoption that
should be regarded from a business point
of view and put through promptly for the
sake of the real economies assured.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11

From the Knoxville Sentinel.
1t is hard to say whether it is a revo-
luton or just rough house in Mexico.
From the New Orleans Times Democrat.
1t would be unfortunate, indeed, il
President Madero. after deciding to en-
ploy the methods of Diaz. should find
that they were patented by the originator.
From the Milwaukee Sentinel.
II President Madero cannot make his
citizens behave. Uncle Sam is in q posi-
ton to show him how.
From the Syracuse Herald.
The Rio Grande Is getting all rolled up
again.
From the Scranton Times.
Possibly Juares, again the scene of a
Mexican outbreak felt that 1t needed
another period Of patronage for its hotels
and livery stables by the newspaper cor
respondents and moving picture men.
From the Salt Like Tribune.
The neutrality laws. We are assured.
will be observed by the Mexican insur-
gents on the border. And this assurance
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11
Winter Street Cleaning.

Washington is just now experiencing its
annual difficulty caused by the terms in
which the street cleaning appropriations
are passed by Congress. Under the de-
cisions of the auditing officers and the
controller the money appropriated for the
cleaning of the streets cannot be used
for the removal from the pavements of
snow and ice. the handling of which
must be paid for out of the special fund
provided for that purpose. Consequently
the line is very strictly drawn between
ordinary street sweeping and extraordi-
nary operations for taking up the prod
ucts of winter. The result is that for
several weeks each season the streets Of
the capital are in a disgraceful condi-
ton The street cleaning apparatus is
at times entirely out Of commission be-
cause of the impossibility of distinguish
ing between dirt and snow or half-melted
slush. The Commissioners were compelled
to adopt the policy Of leaving the streets
quite alone when they were wholly or
parity covered with snow or ice. trusting
to the sun to melt 1t until only the ac-
cumulated dirt remained. Appeals have
been made frequently for writing the
street cleaning appropriation in such
Terms tnat IL Will Uc pOSStOic III u olu W
keep the streets clean, regardless OF the
nature of the refuse or dirt upon the
surface. Congress however. has de-
clined to accede and insists upon separat-
ing the items. granting a meager snow
and ice fund, which experience has
proved to be uniformly inadequate.
The streets are today in bad condition
because Of this practice Of legislation
for the District. There Is scarcely mile
of really clean pavement in Washing
ton. and most Of the streets are in state
calculated to breed disease. 1t Is lanen-
table that insistence upon a mode OF ap-
preparation which experience has shown
to be ineffective should expose the resi-
dents of Washington annually to the
menace of physical ailments that are car
ried by dust at the very time when there
is the greatest danger of infection. II
the Commissioners were given sufh-
cient fund for street cleaning in the
proper terms, enabling them to sweep up
the dust and dirt or to clean up the slush,
or to remove the snow. as the conditions
require, the capitals sickness and death
rates would unquestionably be materially
reduced This is truth that should ap-
peal strongly to those who are charged
with the responsibility for the welfare of
the Capital city and who are Of neces-
sity oficiallyt in residence here at the
time Of the greatest menace arising from
dirty streets.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11
Abraham Lincoln.

Tomorrow Ia one of the most notable
of American anniversaries. February II,
1900 Abraham Lincoln was born. HIS
place In history is secure. That ne was
wise and good man Is agreed. That ne
was a master of expression in the Eng
fish tongue Is confessed by authorities OF
the highest competency. That he per-
formed services of inestimable value TO
his country and to mankind IN directing
the struggle for the preservation OF TINS
republic is acknowledged today even by
the descendants of the men he over
threw.
The measure of his greatness is mat
ter of opinion. Some opinion places MIN
among the greatest men who nave ever
lived. As to the nineteenth century III
particular. he is named as one OF the
three towering figures that most I'M
pressed themselves upon the times Ma
poleon, for all his genius, left nothing
durable but the Code Napoleon. Bismarck
united a masterfuI people under one
head but increased power in that head.
Lincoln saved popular government in its
largest manifestation to date, and by so
doing not only heartened his own coun-
trymen for the future. but inspired hope
in the masses wherever men were looking
up and struggling onward
Here and there is demurrer to rating
him so high In his native state. where
admiration of him has been steadily
growing among all classes, the legislature
the other day invited Gov. McCreary to
deliver an address before il on the life
and character of Lincoln. One member,
however, objected to the characterization
of him as "kentuckys greatest son. and
those words were stricken out Of the
resolution. This was almost droll Lin
coins name is known and venerated
wherever men read and think, and In
quarters so distant the names or the
states of The American Union have never
penetrated. AS brilliant as Is the galaxy
Of Kentuckys sons, what other kentuck-
ian's fame is more than parOcnlal when
compared with Lincoln's?
And yet If the maneuvers Of a lot of dis
gruntied politicians had not been de-
feated, this extraordinary man would
have been discred.ted and thrown out OF
ONCE at the end of his nrst term In the
presidency. He was posted by them as
failure. HIS dismissal was demanded for
the public good. All that ne had done
was to 60 tor nothing, and new line
adopted toward those m arms against the
government.
The movement looked 1ormloaDie' anu
Mr.. Lincoln himself was Ior prlet Pc
riod discouraged by L. But the people
got their true bearings In time, Ana
rallied to the one man who repi esentrd
their best purposes and aspirations
second term WAS decreed, ami While the
decree in lis full import VAS defeated by
death, Il ran long enough to bring tue
war to a close, and crown Ar. Lincoin
with an approval that viii ynduie Tor
ever.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11
SENATOR La TOILETTE AND HIS PRESIDENTIAL BOOM

serves him well to this extent at least.
that it provides him with sorely needed
opportunity and excuse for abandoning
his candidacy for the republican presi-
Dental nomination.
From the Milwaukee Leader.
The presidential candidacy of our fellow
citizen, Robert NJ. La Toilette. seems to
have come in conflict with Mr.. Roose-
velt's unwillingness to be dragged from
retirement
From the Sioux City Tribune.
Just give Senator La Toilette time to
catch his breath and he will give the
special interests another jolt that will
convince them he is still in the game.
From the Portland Argus
Senator La Toilette has talked his can
didacy to death, and himself into nervous
prostration.
From Thea Concord Monitor.
Senator La Toilette tried too long
sprint in his race for the presidency.
From the St. Adams Messenger.
After all. Brother La Toilette has not
lost anything he never had.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11
STANDARD MELoDRAMA.

The scene:
Modest hamlet, shady dell,
Blacksmith shop and village well:
= Rustic background, buckwheat crop
Painted on a canvas drop.
The characters:
City villain. dark and mean;
Pretty Jane, the village queen;
Honest Jack. whom she prefers.
And some mossbacked villagers.
The plot:
Pretty Jane is lured away
BY all artificc one day.
Spurns the villain: naught 8vailS;
Villain binds her to the rails.
The climax:
Jack has saved her! Out Of breath,
Drags her from the jaws Of death.
Villain gets husky hi6,
Tumbles down the cardboard cii6.
The finale:
To the village they go back,
Pretty Jane and honest Jack.
Bless We. children says her pop.
Let the big green curtain drop.
Louisville Courier,Journal.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11
In Line at Election.

LET me see the tickets
Said she In dainty tone;
I've really been too busy
To fix one of my own;
/ fear the decorations
Are not. in proper taste.
But I'll stop and look them over
Since l have the time to waste
Hey. you fellers, tip your hats
And each put on yer coat.
Stand aside, OHoOlihan,
An let the lady vote!
Who are all those people
Standing back In line?
They must stop their voting
Till I finish mine.
Let me have a pencil!
My purse! I've let II fall!
What a dreadful lot Of names!
I'll have to read them air.
Hey, you fellers, quit yer row!
Kelly. save yer throat
Stop yer cussin', F1annigaA,
An let the lady vote!
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11
SONG OF The CoS1ofLlvINC.

Taking it on percentage with Tennyson.l
come from hunger and from need:
! make u sudden sally;
soar with an increasing speed;
/ scamper up an alley.
Up up I soar in eager flight
Beyond the widest rumOrs.
Until pass beyond the sight
OF ultimate consumers.
l cha tier, chatter, as l fly.
OF ice aud eggs and leather,
And what makes everything So high
The niddlemen? The weather?
Again I soar. and more and more,
Into the heights l cherish;
And chortle when n hundred score,
Who cannot see me, perish.
] risc I soar, I dip, ! dy-
Descend to earth? Nay, never!
Tor men may live and men may die,
But 60 up forever.
New York Evening Mail.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11
THE TURMOIL SOUTH OF The RIO cRANDE.

won't be all: Uncle Sam will see to II
that they arc observed in fact
From the Knoxville Jourpal and Tribune.
When Uncle Sam speaks out loud, Mex.
leo is not deaf to what he may say.
From the Spartanburs Herald.
President Madero finds himself on the
inside looking out.
From the Toledo Blade.
Former President Diaz of Mexico is IN
the position OF the man who laughs last.
From the Columbia State.
Yes. that Mexican crisis is the same
old crisis.
From the Topeka State Journal.
Madero has no less than Eve distinct
and different uprisings on his hands
And this Is the peace that was to follow
when he became President OF Mexico.
From the Newark Star.
That secession business in Chihuahua
ought to decide Taft what to do. We
never can stand two Mexicos over our
back fence.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11
Discussing Roosevelt and Bryan.

Eve differ about politics. but as We are
good friends suppose we exchange con-
fidences about the Roosevelt and the
Bryan rackets, proposed the new men,
Der OF the House to the old.
TN go you. Lead off. AS a democrat.
do you really fear Teddy
I'D welcome his nomination. In my
Judgment II would settle the business in
our favor. The tariff. the trusts and all
the rest Of 1t would disappear from the
controversy, and the third term become
the sole issue On that We should beat
YOU out of sight. The man would stand
condemned out of his own mouth. and
the candidate. by precedent and public
sentiment hundred years old. Now. as
. republican, what have you to say about
Bryan
II want him nominated, for three rea-
sons. First, I don't think he could be
elected against Taft. whom l favor. But,
second. If I'm mistaken about that, and
this Is a democratic year, I think Bryan
should personally enjoy the usufruct of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11
From the Brooklyn Eagle.

From the Brooklyn Eagle.
La Toilette turned his San Juan Hill
into a non-negotiable snag in Philadel-
phia- He worked the recall of himself
on his own initiative.
From the Harrisburg Telegraph.
La Toilette failed to distinguish be-
tween q toast and a roast.
From the Buffalo Evening News.
1t Is all a mistake about Mr.. La Fol-
lette being in the race. He has been only
a stalking horse from the first.
From the Memphis Commercial-Ap
Mr.. La Toilette wishes his friends to
know he will do his own resigning from
the race.
From the Albany Evening Journal.
The retirement Of Senator La Toilette is
profoundly regretted by the Para
eraphers Union.
From the Atlanta Constitution.
Senator La. Toilette Is right in taking
q rest; his presidential boom needs 1t.
From the Milwaukee Free Press.
Senator La Follettes regrettable illness
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11

The interstate commerce commission
has taken UP the investigation of viola
ton Of the anti-pass law. The fact that
such an investigation is justified will. be
a ray of hope to the rural editor who
misses his occasional free trip to the
nearest metropolis.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11
A Matter Of Opinion.

IF you will laugh at your troubles 1t
will prove that you are philosopher
Il don't think SO. 1t will merely prove
that 1 have q mighty poor sense of
humor.''
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11

II the money trust" wants to make
friendly contribution to anybody's cam
paign. it should require the recipient to
study the secrecy of the Black Hand in
arranging for the receipt of donations.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11

Nobody ridicuies the possibility of a
wireless telephone system. Cyntcs all
over the world are now writing checks
to pay for the use of inventions they
once made fun of.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11

The state that puts convicts at work
to build roads lessons the demoraliza-
ton of prison life by just so much
fresh air and sunshine.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11
Not q Ruler.

lis that man a ruler?" asked one orr
entail statesman.
No replied the other; Judging from
his extreme pliability. should rather
call him a tape-measure."
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11
Exacting.

only a pound of porterhouse steak for
your large family?" said the butcher.
THAT isn't for the family" replied Mr..
Cumrox "You surely don't expect our
new cook to eat sausage the same as we
dor
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11

If the general citizenship could follow
the details of tariff discussion as intel.
ligently as it observes a base ball game
it would be easier to keep check on it.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11
As Man to Woman.

Oh, woman, might it not befall
That you in patient care would lack
If men should wear their coats too
small
And make you hook 'em up the back!
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11

Only misguided friends would at
tempt to convince Judge Gaynor that
it is easier to be President of the
United States than mayor of New York.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11

Oln order 70 avoid Delays On account o.
.sr,ooal ahseucs letters to THE STAR should
net b addressed 70 any individual connected
With the once: but simply TO THE sTAA. OF to
tAs Editorial or Business Department. ACCORDING
. tenor purpose.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.
Art and Its Rivalries.

II don't believe that story about Nero
fiddlinR while Rome burned
''Why?"
ANY true musician would have
known better than to try to hold an
audience while the fire department was
turning out
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11

WI Ting-fang improves his chances OF
a 3OO-year span of life by being diplo-
mat and not a general
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11

The only way to be sure OF reason
able comfort on a street railway Is to
be a motorman and drive your own
car.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11

The fact that so many statesmen frank
" desire to resemble Abraham Lincoln is
encouraging.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11

Charles w. Morse says he wants to be
let alone. which after all is modest re-
quest.