davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-18

"HE albino sparrow that has for a
number of years made it's home
in some Granny in a building on
the east side of 18th street between
the Avenue and E street, opposite The
toned haunts, after an absence of sew
eral months. Many persons who had
become familiar with this loft color
and oddly marked member of the spar
row tribe by reason of seeing him fit
ting about in the street or flying up
to the nest the bird has successfully
hidden for years. had begun to think
the little albino had passed to the
happy hunting grounds. and had
changed it's abiding place. The return
of the bird to it's usual haunts a few
days ago, however, indicates that it
was merely away on a summer vaca-
ton.
Many persons, seeing the albino spar
row, have believed it was a stray
canary, or at least a cross between a
regular sparrow and canary. Such.
however. is not the case. The bird is
real albino, although 1t has some dark
feathers in it's wings and tail. The
body plumage and most of the wing
and tail feathers are whitehall is, as
white as the feathers of a bird that
lives the life of an English sparrow
can be.
Those who have noticed the albino
sparrow year after year as it busted
itself hustling for living about the
block on 18th street declare the bird
must be at least twelve years old.
Whether this is true or not, it would
be difficult to determine. At any rate,
the bird has haunted that particular
block for at least seven years, as the
writer first observed it in october OF
1907. Since that time the writer has
watched the bird in summer and win
ter, and at times has approached close
ly enough to it to see that it actually
Is a sparrow with white plum
age. At times during the seven years
the albino has disappeared for longer
or shorter periods, but it has always
returned, and seems to make its home
IN Granny under the cornice of a
building about the middle of the block
on the east side of 18th street.
Naturalists say that sparrows-Eng-
iish sparrows. that is-usually have
NE span of about five years. This par
tlcular bird, however. has exceeded that
by at least two years. and others VINO
nave watched the white sparrow from
tiine to time say 1t is more than twice
that age
Albino sparrows are noted from time
TO time, though they are by no means
common Albinoism-that is, absence
of natural color from the plumage.
which is white instead of brown. black
or gray. as the case may be-seems to
be sparrow tendency. manifesting it
self more often among this species
than among other birds. For several
years an albino sparrow haunted the
neighborhood of B street southwest.
near the Smithsonian Institution
grounds. This bird, noticed several
times by the writer. had more colored
feathers in it's wings than the 11tn
street albino. 1t has disappeared from
its former haunts. and has not been
seen for more than a year.
During the past summer an alblno
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-18

for threads and 1aces and it's trade in
grain.
Along the course of the Marine, east
to northeastward. lying but a short
distance from one another, is a series
of towns where the French have en-
gagged in severe fighting with their
Teutonic foes, reports coming of stub
bornly contested actions. first with the
Germans gaining ground. then with the
enemy severely driven backward
Nearest to Paris. but twenty-five
miles away. close to the Ourca canal. Is
Maeux, an Episcopal town in the De-
partment of Seine -et-Marne, worthy OF
notice as the see of Bossuet. whose
mortal remains lie in the cathedral and
of whom relics are kept in the bishops
palace. Though still unfinished. the
cathedral dates back to the twelfth
century.
At Maeux, Charles xI and his moth
err, Catherine de Medici, were in dan
ger of being seized by the Protestants
in 1867; the failure of the plot led
to the escape to Paris of the king and
queen with their courtierS. Henry Nv
was honored by it's being the first town
to open it's gates to receive him in
1894 It's outskirts were severely
devastated by the army of Lorraine in
1862. A large trade is carried on in
cereals, wool and cheese. in addition
to manufactures of flour, lumber.
plaster, mustard and machinery.
To the southeast of MeauS and but a
few miles distant on the Petit Norm, a
tributary to the Marine. lies Montmi-
rail, small town containing a fine
castle and church dating back to me-
dieval days Here the little corporal
defeated the Prussians and the Rus
slams in the year 1914. And from there
to the River Ourcq. one hundred years
later, fierce fighting has been waged
between the allies and their determined
Teutonic foes.
Nearby, within the fighting line, on
the Grand NORM, is Coulommiers, cap
itial of an reimbursement in the de-
partment of Seine-etMarne, noted for
the ruins of a castle and its active
trade in Brie cheese.
By far the most deadly conflict of the
Battle of the Marne." which. it is said.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-18

a Junction for a train With friend OF
mine," said he. "A colored woman OF
large proportions was also there. The
reach from the ground to the train
step was a long one. and when the coll
ored woman, who was carrying a bas-
ket, attempted to board the train. she
found difficulty in SO doing. As she
stepped up and endeavored to pull her.
self UP by the handles. the basket.
which she held on her arm, slipped
down. also hampering her progress.
She could not make the required step.
"As my friend and stood there the
situation struck us as being funny and
we probably let our amusement become
audible. The woman turned around.
and 1 shall never forget her words. rs
she said:
".White men. what are yo' good 70.
anyway? Why don't yo' pushF"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-18

robin has been seen by persons living
in Chevy Chase. D. c.. south of Chevy
Chase Circle. This bird, while not a
pure albino, displayed enough white
plumage to entitIe it to the distinction,
and when in flight it appeared to be al
most entirely white, the dark feathers
being on the upper portion of its
wings and body.
noticed in the bird population of that
portion of the District lying along
Connecticut avenue extended, beyond
Cleveland Park. One of these was a
practically pure alblno, having only
one or two black feathers in each wing
and two in it's tail. The other, however.
was not so white, though displaying
enough white to make it plainly no
ticeable among the other blackbirds, or
grackles, with which it associated.
These two birds were frequent visit
ors to Rock Creek Park and the Zoo.
and many who saw them believed them
to be magpies that had escaped from
the Zoo. Such was not the case. how
ever, as the birds were real grackles,
whose plumage, by one of natures
freaks, was white instead of the pur-
plish iridescent black that marks the
prevailing mode in grackle costume.
An albino mockingbird has attracted
the attention of many members of the
Chevy Chase Club during the past
summer. This bird isn't really an al
bino, as it has much dark plumage.
All mockingbirds display considerable
white in their plumage, as every one
knows; this albino, or near-albino, has
considerably more than usual. The
dark feathers, also, are not so dark as
those of an ordinary, conventional
hooking bird, being a much lighter
gray; while the bird has several white
feathers in it's tail and still others in
it's wings. The under part of the birds
body, also, is clad in feathers that
might easily be called white, though
they are really a very pale gray, as
careful inspection shows. This albino
has haunted the trees and the thickets
along the Wisconsin avenue side of the
Chevy Chase golf links during the
greater part of the summer and has
been observed there within the last
few days. 1t appears to be young
bird, and its next years suit of plum
age may be as dark as the usual mock
inSbird's, and then it may decide to
wear still lighter-hued suit next
summer. One never can tell about al
binoS.
For a long time an albino crow
haunted the southeast section of the
city, though this bird has not been
seen for more than a year. Formerly
1t might be seen almost any day in the
trees around the Capitol or somewhere
In that vicinity. Many persons eX-
pressed the belief that the crow was
merely one that had grown white with
extreme age, a phenomenon by no
means unknown among crows and
other members of the raven tribe. AT
any rate. the crow was a dingy, grayish
white all over, none of it's feathers
being of the pure black that has
given rise to the descriptive phrase
.black as a crow Many residents of
East Capitol and adjacent streets who
traverse the Capitol grounds daily fell
into the habit of looking for this
pallid-plumaged crow. to which they
the continued absence OF the albino or
extremely aged crow from its accus-
toned haunts has been felt by these
observers much as would be the disap-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-18

arts and industries. Here Butcher won
a victory over Napoleon March 8 to 10,
1914, and here the Germans were VIC
torious in 1870. Twelve miles north
ing of the present war has occurred.
On the evening of September IL tho
cavalry of the allies was reported be-
tween scissors and Fismes. and the
same night the French forces occupied
the former place. scissors is forth
fed city on the left bank of the Aisne.
twenty miles southwest of Laon. and
has been many times the scene of war
1t was the chief place Of the Suession-
csc in the days of Caesar. and in the
won q victory over the Romans and
put an end to their rule in Gaul
It was also the capital of the Frank
ish Kingdom OF Neustria- It was pill
LACED by Charles V in 1544. by tho
Huguenots in 1865. and In 1915. after
the battle of Waterloo. was the place
OF rally for Napoleon's conquered army
After being surrounded for three weeks
and bombarded for four days. IL sur
rendered to the Germans October Is.
1870.
Chief among the places OF interest
are the medieval Cathedral of Notre
Dame. the ruins of the Abbey of st.
Jean des vignes. the Abbey of Notre
Dame Cat present used as a barracks).
the ancient Church of St. Siges, the
Church of St. Pierre. town hall and
a museum.
The Abbey of st. Medard. founded by
Clotaire I in 557. is situated just out
side of Scissors. The manufacture OF
fine tapestries. linen. hosiery. earthen-
ware and leather is carried on.
September 9 report came that Maui
beuge, a French fortress of the first
class, six miles from the Belgian Dor
der. had yielded to the superior
strength of the German attack; that
10000 prisoners. including four gen
erals and 400 guns. had been captured
Two days later the town was an
nounced to be holding out. though sew
eral of its forts had been destroyed.
From the military standpoint Maui
beuge has long been an important
center.
Vauban reconstructed its fortified
tions in 1880. Prussians captured IL
after the battle of Waterloo. Among
its Industries are iron foundries. tan
neries. salt reflneries and marble
works.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-18
CHURCH WEST PoRGAI. AT SoIsSoNs

Gus was overcome by Aurelfan. Ammo
Domini 274, the Alemanni by Jovinus in
366 and the united armies of Aetius and
Theodore. with the Huns under Attila:
fought great battle in 451-the walled
city of Chalons. on the Marine. has been
the scene of many stirring events Count
Herbert of Vermandoise captured it in
the seventh century. and Rudolph Of
Burgundy and Robert of Vermandoise in
the tenth century.
1t was there that the Bishop Of Verdun
was deposed by st. Bernard. There
Henry " brought the parliament from
Paris in 1889, and some two or three
years later the people burned the bulls
of Gergory XIV and Clement VIII
communicating the king. The Prus-
SLAMS occupied the town in 1914. and the
Russians captured it in 1915.
Chalons with the environs became a
strongly fortified camp under Napoleon
III in 1856 and, therefore, offered a
favorable position for the lies to in
trench themselves and give, battle to
their foes in the great combat now rag
ing. Three million men have been en-
gagged on both sides, with this town as
the center of activities
There, at the beginning OF the Franco
Prussian war; when the French were
first defeated, Canrobert commanded the
9Th Army Corps. afterward transferred
to Metz when the remnant the armies
Of MacMahon and DeFailly were organ
ICED and reinforced. The evacuation and
partial destruction of the camp took
place the night of august 21-22, and the
next day the Germans occupied Chalons.
\
The larger part of the German forces
holding Amiens retreated the morning Of
September s. while a small body of
French troops were waiting to reoccupy
the town. Like many Of the French
cities now before the public eye. Amiens
was once strongly fortified. but its
ramparts have been converted into
beautiful boulevards and promenades,
and only it's citadel remains. The crypt
associated with the martyrdom of st.
Firmin is all that Is left Of its old
castle.
Its cathedral. with its magnificent in
terror, is one of the finest examples OF
Gothic architecture IN Europe. Peter the
Hermit was born at Amiens. and q
statue has been erected to his memory
in the Place St. Michel. For more
than century cotton has been the prin-
cipal industry. the cotton velvet fac
tories employing over 400 looms.
Besides. there are more than 5000
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-18

other manufactures. the annual output
of wool alone amounting to 100000. coo
pounds. In the days of the Romans
Amiens was known as Samarobriva, its
present name being derived most prob
ably from the Amb1anf, the original
occupants of Gaul. Bishops ruled 1t in
medieval days. the name then being
Amienvoise.
At the close of the twelfth century 1t
was att ,hed to the French crown, the
Dukes of Burgundy ruled it later. but
it was returned to the kingdom under
Louis XII Subsequently. G59D the
Spaniards captured il, but with the aid
of the English they were driven out by
Henry Nv.
x
By the treaty Of Amiens, peace was
established in 1902 between England.
France, Spain and the Batavian repub-
lie In 1870. while the Franco-Prus-
sian war was in progress. and after a
sweeping victory over the French. the
Germans took possession of the town.
Rheims, toward which the allied
forces pressed back the enemy, is re-
nowned for it's magnificent cathedral,
one of the finest Gothic structures in
the world, now, alas. wrecked by Ger
man gunfire. Within it's walls the
French kings were crowned for CEN
turies the last coronation being that
of Charles Y. Like Amiens. the his
tory of Rheims goes back to the time
of the Romans, when it was the capital
of Belgica Secunda. 1t endured many
seges during the middle ages, finally
withstanding one by the English under
Edward III. They occupied it. however
for eight years G421-29) and were
then expelled by Joan of Arc.
OF the buildings worthy of notice may
be mentioned the Palace of the Arch
bishop. the Hotel De Vile. library
museum, besides several high-grade
schools. For more than 200 years (547-
1888 1T was the seat of a university
Among the manufactures are cotton
woolens and champagne wines. The
city was occupied by the Germans Sep
When the Germans retired from
Amiens, September S. it was to Arras
in the department of Pas e-Callais
that their wounded soldiers were
rushed. Fortified by Nauban, 1t has
been the see of a bishop since $50. the
headquarters for ecclesiastical councils
from 1925 to 1880 and the home OF
Robespierre Notable for woolens
manufactures, its tapestries OF the mid
die ages have been SO famous that the
name of the town has been given to
these art fabrics. Arras is also noted
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-18
In War Time.

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES COM
" MISSIONER HARTIGAN said, in
New York, the other day:
These short weights. these short
measures, all attributed to the war!
Pah.
Il heard a story about a man in
restaurant. This man, as he sat at
table in a restaurant with his wife
frowned, and took his napkin and
made as if to wipe off the surface OF
his plate-but the waiter grabbed his
arm.
Hold on. SIR he said. Don't
But said the man. there's a speck
on my plate
That amt no specL, sir said the
waiter. That's yer steak. Wartime
portions. sir"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-18
Honk! HOnk!
, re sentative

X e p r e sentative
Campbell of Kan
sas, an ardent re-
publican. has q
number of stories
which jab at the
progressive party.
Recently he took
an automobile ride
with a friend and
during the course
of the trip the ma
chine broke down.
AS usual. the
breakdown &C.
CURED at the very
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-18

embraces also the forests of Argonne
a mountainous region to the northeast
containing many almost inaccessible
passes and defiles famous in history.
which have given 1t the name Of the
French Thermopy1ae.
During the Franco-Prussian war in
1870 1t was the scene of many import
ant military movements. And 1t was
over the Argonne heights a while ago
that the third German army crossed
and descended the valley of the Aisne.
Compiegne, where the Germans have
suffered severe losses, lies at the juno
ton of the Disc and the Aisne and
dates back to the early Frankish kings.
Much of historic interest centers in
and around the town.
A favorite residence of the kings Of
France, 1t contains a splendid palace
built originally by Louis X1, rebuilt by
Louis XIV, and improved by Louis XIV,
Louis XVI and Napoleon /, respec-
lively.
Il 4
There several parliaments were held.
and before its walls Joan of Arc was
taken prisoner. the very spot still being
shown. 1t was there that the first
III gave shooting parties to which the
fashionable world of the day gathered,
q striking contrast to the scenes of
blood recently enacted within its
borders.
One of the most beautiful cities of
France, Nancy is ITO miles east OF
Paris. on the river Meurthe. and con-
tains many fine buildings. chief OF
which are the cathedral, with its beau
tiful paintings and the fresco ascribed
to Leonardo da vinci, an old Gothic
castle. which was nearly destroyed by
fire when the German troops were
withdrawn in 1871: museum and a
number of hospitals. Charles the Bold
Duke of Burgundy. was slain beneath
its walls. January 5, 1477.
Luneville. twenty-five miles southeast
of Nancy. also besfeged by the Ger
mans, with the kaiser personally d.
recting operations. lies at the con-
huence of the Vezonse and the Meurthe
rivers and is notable as one of the
largest cavalry stations in France. its
palace, once the home of the dukes of
Lorraine, having been converted into
cavalry barracks. The peace of Lune-
Vile was signed February 8. 1901. when
the Rhine became the border line OF
France.
1t carries on a large trade in corn.
wine and brandy. There. September g.
according to a confirmed report, Lud-
wig Frank, a leading socialist men,
her to the reichstag, met his death
during an attack against the French.
With its history dating back to the
third and fourth centuries-when Tetri-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-18

injustice, was mailed to a newspaper.
his story runs. 1t was not printed. The
writer Immediately called upon the
editor and demanded an explanation.
Did you find any fault with my let
ter" demanded the writer.
I'VE heartily subscribe to your senti-
ments." replied the editor.
Then" roared the writer. indignant
ly, "why didn't you print the communi-
cation I sent your
Because" answered the editor. pa
tiently, you have sent us that same
letter four times in the last three
months and we have printed 1t every
time until now!
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-18
A BUSINESS STREET. RHE1MS

pressed back the Germans in a success
sion of terrible attacks, lies nineteen
miles to the southeast Of Chalons, on
the river Marine. 1t Is the capital of
an reimbursement in the department of
Marine, where the Rhine-Marne canal
modern town. The Church of Notre
Dame stands on the central square and
until recently the town was a fortress.
One hundred and thirty miles from
Paris, in the department of Meuse, on
the river bearing the same name, Is
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-18

worst ulace in the road. The machine
was on a steep hill when the engine
stopped. The machine started back
ward
why" asked Mr.. Campbell, as this
machine like the progressive party?'
iii be the goat" responded his
friend. ..Why?"
Because" said the representative.
lit doesn't know which way it's going"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-18
Yes, That's So.

Secretary Bryan
tells Of a man who.
afflicted with a
stammering. went
to an institution TO
have the defect
remedied.
After undergo
ing a lengthy
teatment." says the
S e or e t a r Y. the
stammerer return
ed to his home and
a friend inquired
whether he had
been benefited by
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-18
They Won't Burn.
Campaigning

Campaigning in
Kentucky means a
variety of expert
ences. Representa-
tive Stanley is
authority for this
statement. When
he was stumping
the state not long
ago Stanley was
pointing out the
manifold uses OF
steel and iron In
American in d u 8 :
tries.
There is steel
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-18
ALB1E1O BIRDS I'm DISTRICTS FEATHERED POPULATION.

at least not an infrequent phenome-
non. 1t is not to be wondered that the
District includes in its feathered
population many albino representatives
of the various species. 1t is probable
that more careful observation on the
part of nature lovers. wanderlusters
and others would disclose the fact that
many more albinos make at least a
temporary residence in and about the
National Capital each year
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-18
The Verdict.

GEORGE AIDE. at the Chicago Ath-
letic Club. looked up with a yawn
from a Nisch dispatch announcing an
other Austrian defeat.
Austria began this war;" he remark
ed. And now, in her extremity. the
world is saying to her:
"'Seryia right"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-18
Housewives Window Box.

PARSLEY grows from seed and grows
rapidly. It should be planted in a
box about. six inches deep that has been
filled with good rich earth. Place In
sunny window. water every day and II
will last from one season to another
without being replanted. It makes
pretty garnishing for cold meats. and
chopped fine and stirred into omelets II
gives a spicy flavor. When growing Il
is also an ornament to a room.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-18

later "Uncl, Remus" of the plan
tation said to the little boy whose
father was in the Legislatures: Honey
don't fergit ter put in ez good a word
ez you kin fer yo' daddy. up dar sarvin
his time In de legislator. Ask de
Lawd ter SEN him home safe an SCUM
wen his times out. an mebbe he won't
do it ag'in."--Atlanta Constitution.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-18
Needed!
One of the beliefs

One of the beliefs
of Representative
Tess OF Ohio is
that people should
get behind the
wheel and push"
r q t h e r { h a q
knock" Illus
trating this theory
recently, Mr.. Fess
told an incident
which happened TO
him while he was
in Indiana one
time.
81 was waiting at
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-18
Too Much!

r e Pr e e ntative
Thomas of Ken
lucky. who has no
great admiration
for the newspapers.
tells a decidedly eff
fettive yarn about
the weakness which
the fourth estate
has for repetition.
according to his
view of the mat
ter.
A certain letter.
C o m p ! a / n ! n g
against some civic
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-18

in your cradle" he said. land when you
go on your last journey you will find
steel nails in your coffin"
There came an inquiring voice from
the crowd.
kin 1 ask a question:
Certainly" said Stanley.
Then said the voice, I'D like to
know how you expect us to worry about
steel nails after we get into our collins"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-18

HE battlefield of
France, where the
Germans and the
allied forces have
been so long en-
gagged in mortal
conflict. lies to
the north and
east of Paris.
TT a " e r 8 e d by
three rivers. the
Marine. the Disc
and the Aisne. 1t