davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-20

more they turned to cultivating the
rather barren soil For two years thew
had hard fight for life. Fortunately,
they had some corn and potatoes from
their little store, and they did well with
irrigation. The few coconuts that they
found were also planted and cultivated.
The climate is mild. so that the need
FOR food and clothing was not so urgent
as that of the Pilgrims who reached our
coast earlier in the same century. In
time, with economy and industry. the
plots surrounding the little dwellings
looked almost like Dutch gardens.
The soldiers and their wives had been
trained in religion at home Cast upon
their own resources, they chose one Of
their group to be their teacher and
preacher. They elected another chief.
In time they came into contact with
the natives of the little isle and with
those of surrounding islands, too. They
mastered the foreign tongue. and so
well did the children take to the native
language that presently they forgot
their fathers language altogether.
When, during the latter part of the
century, the forgotten colony
was rediscovered not one of the inhabit-
ants was able to respond to the in
quiries that were made to them in Dutch.
In four generations the old tongue had
been completely lost
The people have readily taken up with
theD cousins from Holland and ara,
now regaining their knowledge both ol
the tongue and Of the customs Of the
Dutch.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-20

field of life the league is securing CO.
operation from the most distinguished
people. But in the midst of all this
activity in honor of Vergil the reading
Of his verses is stressed as the greatest
compliment that can be paid the poet,
and every member of the league is
urging those who love poetry to read
Vergils books, in the original Latin If
they are able, or in some of the many
beautiful translations If Vergil's own
language is closed to them.
bookplate has been decided upon
as a souvenir to be pasted in Vergil
texts COMMUNICATING the 2,000th ami
verSary of the poets birth. the design
of which was drawn for the league by
Ben Yoe Morrison, Washington artist,
who presented it as an added contribu-
ton of the Capital for the occasion.
The head of Vergil is taken from a
picture in the museum at Mines, in
Southern France. The words Nine
Usque Ad Sidera NotuS" come from the
Fifth Ecologue," line 40, and mean
| Famed from here to the stars" They
were written by Vergil of another poet
but for no one do they seem so appro-
pirate as for himself.
| In answer to Italy's invitation to all
nations to join in the celebration, the
| hHleEICdH OldSSlcaI League, because OIL
! its national scope, has undertaken the
! formation of plans for Americas par
! ticipation in 1880, which will be affili.
ated with like movements in other
countries. To make Americas observ-
ance of this event commensurate with
our scholarship and our resources, the
league Is inviting the cooperation OF
every association, club, institution anc
individual who wishes to pay honor te
the poet.
| X X X
THE Vergil celebration will assume
l. many forms and will extend t
every community. 1t will find ex.
preston in every activity of our nation.
al life. Walter Damrosch is selecting
music for a special program, Charles
Ram Kennedy has promised to write :
play and Henry Van Dyke is said to b,
considering story about Camilla,
warrior maiden of the Aeneid.
Under the direction of Dean Anna P
MacVay of the Wadleigh High Schoo
of New York more than 80 commit
tees are organizing and leading TIT
movement. Merely to read list o
them as they fall INTO groups Is il
Eliminating: On finance and securing
patrons; on publicity through lectures
newspapers, magazines. radio. posters
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-20

Hill, and at least for a while Vergil
joined the brilliant circle of literary
men around the great patron of art
But the smoke and riches and noise"
of the city drove the quiet poet away
to study philosophy in garden near
Naples, and for several years, part of
which he spent in travelling, he did not
visit the metropolis.
x \ 4 X
1T was one thing, however, to give
land to veterans and quite another
to persuade them to stay on it and
raise crops, which were SO badly needed
in Italy. MaecenaS hoped that If the
charms of rustic life were sung by
1.-THE poets, perhaps the popular mind
might be turned toward agriculture
He suggested the theme to Vergil 1t
was while Octavius Caesar was quelling
the last upriSingS of the civil war that
Vergil was finishing the four long
poems in praise of the life of toll on
the farm. BY nature and by training
he was admirably suited to his theme,
and the success of the poems was i'm
mediate. With peace, new spirit
seemed to come oyer Italy: men read
and chanted the poems which dealt
with husbandry-treeS. beasts and bees
and, absorbing their tranquil philos-
ophy. settled down into an era of con-
tentment such as Italy had not known
in recorded history.
Octavius Caesar, now become Angus
tus received the poet with every mark
of favor. 1t was he who asked Vergil
to write national epic, and accord
ingly the Aeneid was started not long
after final peace was restored to the
war-riven country. For 10 years the
poet labored on his noblest work, Oft
en- reading parts of it aloud to the
Emperor and his other friends as it
progressed. 1t is told that in spite of
his delicate physique his voice was
unusually rich and melodious, and that
his reading was SO beautiful that 1t
cast sort of spell on the listeners.
Before he had completed the poem
he set out for Greece to visit some
of the places he wanted to describe,
but his health. which had for years
been poor. failed suddenly He re-
turned to Brindisium In Augustus
company, but rapidly became worse and
died there in 10 BIC. at the age of 81.
He had eXtorted promise from two of
his friend who were with him when
he died That they would destroy his
unfinished work, but the Emperor, by
virtue Of his high Office, ahsolved them
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-20

caprice, and we were all perplexed and
fatigued by his opportunities. At this
juncture Mr.. Webster was called to Bos-
ton on business, leaving his son
Fletcher Acting Secretary of State. Dur
ing his absence we managed to have
Payne appointed consul to Tunis, and
he had his commission in his pocket
before the Secretary returned to Wash
1ngton. But there was no end to his
troubles and embarraSSments.
Full of the dignity of his Office, he
insisted upon being conveyed to the
scene of his labors in a vessel of war
The Secretary of the Navy hesitated
about giving an order to that effect, and
Payne invoked the authority of the
President to accomplish his object. But
Mr.. Tyler had some doubts of the pro-
priety of granting his request, and
things remained in Statu quo.
Meantime Payne, having raised a
sum of money by virtue of his Office,
went to New York and commenced the
purchase of library to occupy his
leisure time while not engaged in con-
ference with the Bey of Tunic. The
enemies of the administration
they comprised large majority of Con-
greSS and throughout the country
were all the time on the watch for
causes of censure and reproach, and
Paynes long delay in departing for the
site of old Carthage was made the SUBJ
ject of sharp animadversion. DR.. Heap
who had been hong time consul at
TuniS. was a relative or intimate friend
of Col. Benton, who had strenuously re-
sisted Payne'S confirmation. Threaten
ing an assault on Mr. Tyler in this con-
nection, some anxiety was created, and
the President swore that Payne should
proceed Immediately to his place OF
destination or he would revoke the ap-
pointment.
He was still in New York making
his arrangements as he wrote in re-
ply to an inquiry when he would b.
ready to sail. and was sent on to take
him in hand and see if it was posi-.
BILE to facilitate his departure from thc
country. I found him penniless, hav.
ing spent his outfit in every sort oil
extravaganza folly, unable to move In
any direction. and in state of despair
AT the suggestion of Mr.. Tyler we adj
vanced him money enough to pay his
passage across the Atlantic, and the
next We heard from him was in Paris
destitute, and living on friend. wait
ing for something to turn up. Obtain
ing relief from gentleman whom he
had slightly known in Washington, he
made his way to Tunis at last.
X x
GLE soon ingratiated himself with
the Bey. and in due time he
compensated us for all our trouble By
a long. charmingly written and most
interesting letter. descriptive of every
thing that had occurred under his
notice in Carthage.
THE Bey had given him the use of
a palace larger than the White House,
and assigned him a retinue of Arabs
for domestic service sufficient in num-
Der to form a bodyguard to the EN-
peror of Morocco. Not one of them
understood word of any civilized
tongue. and Payne. who spoke French
like native and understood several of
the modern European languages. had
not included the lingo Of the Mussul-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-20
tiful that she afterward secured a
wealthy husband

tiful that she afterward secured a
wealthy husband.
1t is said that lover one million copies
of the song Home, Sweet Home were
sold by the publishers, whose profits
| were said to have exceeded 1000
| guineas, not a penny of which was
given to the author, who was also
cheated out of the benefit which he
was to have received on the twentieth
night of the performance of his play
and was not even complimented by the
publishers with copy of the song"
During Mr., Paynes residence in
Paris he roomed with Washington Irv-
ing, who always remained his admirer
and Steadfast supporter.
In 1882 Mr.. Payne returned to this
country and tried his hand at publish
ing literary periodical, but with little
success. He did not know how to
handle money, he was always broke,
and the cause of much anxiety among
his friends, who were continually being
called upon for assistance. A good ac-
tor. an entertaining writer, but poor
financier. OF him some one has said
that he had mo more thrift, or provi-
dence, or capacity for taking care of
himself than Harold Skimpole."
X y X
A FTER he had houndered around for
nearly decade, we find him in
Washington, in straitened circum-
stances and seeking a diplomatic pest.
In this he at first failed, when. he was
willing to accept any respectable posi-
ton where the compensation would at
least pay his actual living expenses.
Writing of Payne's experience in
Washington when seeking employment,
an "Old Stager" says:
He was a delightful companion, full
OF genius, of nice culture. of more taste
than strength. perhaps, but capable of
a great deal of labor and well fitted for
clerical duties of any description, as he
wrote beautiful and expeditions hand
and was steady and industrious in his
habits. He had all the simplic-
ity of child, was confiding credulous
and easily imposed upon, and the wags
about Washington-for the city is al
ways infested with great numbers of
practical jokers-deluded him with
magnificent and impossible expecta-
tons. Robert Tyler, the President
eldest son, and Fletcher Webster were
warm friends of Payne, and co-operat-
ing with them were several newspaper
correspondents, all of whom made a
persistent effort to procure him an ELI
gible appointment in one of the de-
partments
Mr.. Webster, then Secretary of
State, had taken prejudice against
poor Payne and nothing could be done
for him in the diplomatic or consular
line. After while, and by dint of per-
severing exertion. we obtained a place
for him in the War Department under
Mr.. Spencer. He had a comfortable
room all to himself and he was charged
with the task of collating, indexing and
making an abstract of the treaties ne
gotiated by the Government with the
several Indian tribes. His annual SAL
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-20

w ASHINGTON has Joined in
~ the celebration of hun
wv dredth anniversaries of great
men and great events, BIZ
centennials and tricenten-
mails have been observed here, and even
those immortals whose memory bark
ems back beyond the fve-century mark
have been feted and honored in the
American Capital, but next year Wash
ington will celebrate with fitting cere-
mony bimillennium-in paying trib-
ute to man whose birthday dates back
1000 years
On October Is, in the year 70 BIC.
the poet Vergil, interpreter of the Ro-
man character to the world and one of
the greatest literary figures of all times,
was born. In commemoration Of this
outstanding event in the history of lit
erature Italy has invited all nations to
join in observing worldwide ceremony,
and plans for Americas participation
are already being developed
In this national tribue, Washington
will play prominent part. Mrs. Alice
Coyle Torbert, who composed the pag-
cant of the history of Georgetown,
which was presented first at Christ
Church ana then in Montrose Park,
has been induced to prepare pageant
of the life of Vergil, the result of which
is soon to issue from the presses of the
Service Bureau for Classical Teachers
at Columbia University in New York.
Although the title might lead to the
belief that merely the life of Vergil will
be presented, the pageant nevertheless
includes many scenes based upon his
work.
There are 30 speaking parts in the
pageant, with characters ranging from
Julius Caesar to Mecuba, the aged
Queen of Troy. and from the goddess
Venus to the leading actress of Vergil'S
day. Both the poet himself and the
Emperor Augustus are frequently or
the stage. and there are hosts of SOL
diers, satyrs, shepherds, dryads, nymphs
and muses. in the various settings.
THE pageant, however, is not the only
- tribute from Washingtonians to the
memory of Vergil, for a reading circle
has been formed to reread all the
works of the poet in the original Latin
1t has been meeting since early October
and now has finished the Ecologue.
and is enjoying the third Georgia Thu
Latin heXameters are read in unison
producing strange musical effect, new
to our modern generation, but yet which
must have been heard often 1000 year
ago. Then one member translates tn,
lines into English, all taking turns IL
performing this task for the others.
1t is the American Classical League
national organization, which has un
dertaken to inspire and direct effort al
over the country to make our part II
the celebration a worthy one. In ever.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-20

from this promise, and so the poem
was saved for posterity.
He is buried outside of Naples. be-
side roadway which, by some cata-
clysm in the middle ages. sank below
the surface of the bay, so that now
1.-The golden waters of the bay flow
many fathomS over him."
Vergil is almost the only man in
literary history whose reputation has
always been of the first rank. 1t is
recorded that even Homer had to beg
his bread, so little was he esteemed.
But Vergil was regarded with the
greatest wonder and admiration in his
own day; he was considered the in
terpreter of the Roman character to
the world. He was studied in the
schools. analysed by lecturers and de-
claimed by the actors of Rome for
four centuries. When the dark ages of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-20

who said he had nothing more for him
to do and dismissed him from Office.
~ X
HHERE was poor Payne on our hands
again, as helpless as an infant
smarting under q sense of wrong, queru-
lous. complaining, and deeming himself
the most unfortunate of mankind. He
was a spoiled prodigy. When a mere
child he was brought upon the stage
precocious and of great promise In the
dramatic line, but his subsequent per-
formances did not fulfill this promise
and he was a disappointed, unhappy
man, for whom his friends could never
do enough.
mo place could be found for him after
he had fallen a victim to Mr.. Spencer's
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-20

post cards and bulletins; on co-opera-
ton with classical organizations, nom
classical organizations, the N. E. A. and
the United States Bureau of Education;
on affiliation with like movements in
other countries; on promoting Vergilian
courses in colleges and high schools; on
private reading and reading circles; on
publishing books, photographers and
lists of illustrative material; on celebra-
tons in cities, colleges, clubs and
schools; on commemorative medals,
plaques and book plates; on awarding
prizes; on pilgrimages to places made
famous by Vergil.
Men and women of distinction all
over the country are rallying to the call
of the league and lending their efforts
to- make the celebration a memorable
one. The advisory committee has on it
Prof. Clifford H. Moore of Harvard Uni
versity, DR.. John H. Finley of the New
York Times, President Fairfax Harrison
of the Southern Railway, Prof. Paul
Shorey of Chicago University and DR..
Henry Van Dyke of Princeton. .
NERGIL first saw the light in a small
Italian village near Mantua, in the
Pc Valley. His father was potter In
CnoSe Gays making pottery was an ele-
CANT occupation, quite one in which the
! landed gentry and even the nobility
could engage without any loss of dig
nifty. In fact, wherever the land yielded
the right kind of clay the owner would
install a pottery, and any occupation
that was connected with farming and
managing land was proper socially.
| But this father, besides entering into
very much respected career, had
married his employers daughter, lady
/ named Magia, so the young poet, who
seems to have been an only child, grew
up with the prospect of comfortable
| inheritance. He was educated, as all
boys of the well-to-do were trained in
those days, first at the schools of the
| country nearby, then at Milan, and
finally at Rome, where he entered the
classes of one Epidius, who seems to
have taught young Octavius Caesar
about the same time. Perhaps it was
here in school that the foundation was
laid for that friendship which later
when Octavius became Augustus Caesar,
the first Emperor, was to influence Ver-
gils life so deeply
We are not informed whether Vergil
took any part in. the civil wars that
we're raging between julius Caesar and
Pompey. though some think that there
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-20

is evidence in his writings that he knew
ali too we'll the horrors of campaign.
But he learned very quickly some of the
griefs that come after a war, for his
little patrimony in Northern Italy was
confiscated, among other estates there,
to be given to the victorious veterans.
For while by the influence of power
full friends he managed to retain 1T, but
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-20

later it was swept away for part of the
reward of Augustus legions. Two of
Vergi's most beautiful poems record the
sorrows of the shepherds who are
driven with their flocks from their
fields and homes.
At this juncture in the poets for
tunes Maecenas gave him a house In
hiS spacious gardens on the Esquiline
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-20

was doing and how he was doing it.
Nothing could have been better done.
There was no more exquisite penman-
ship on the files of the department and
the arrangement of the papers was per-
feet. Mr.. Spencer expressed his graft
fication in warm terms and Payne was
in high glee.
''He continued his labors with in
creased activity, accomplishing more
every. day than any other two clerks
in the department, and in less than
four months he had completed the job.
Unmindful of our caution and pluming
himself upon the dispatch with which
he had accomplished the work, he car
ried the fruits of it to the Secretary,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-20

airy was $1,000, at that time a compe-
tent support for bachelor of simple
tastes and inexpensive habits.
Payne was delighted. Nothing could
have suited him better, and he set to
work with wonderful zeal and intelli-
gence. The arrangement was a great
relief to his friends, and we determined
that he should not be displaced in
hurry Knowing the Secretary's Pc
culiarities and that he was "a kittle
creature to shoe behind, as the Scotch.
man says, we instructed Payne in re-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-20

gard to the mode in which he should
bear himself toward his official supe-
rior He was advised to attend to his
duties diligently, to steer clear of the
Secretary after exhibiting to him q
specimen of the manner in which he
was performing his work, to draw his
salary on the first of every month and
to bother nobody with suggestions or
advice on any subject.
After few days of constant labor
Payne showed the Secretary what he
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-20

American
nAwerto
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-20
BY MILDRED DEAN.

w YASHINGTON has joined in
n the celebration of hun
Nv dredth anniversaries of great
men and great events, BIZ
New Britain herald., 1929-06-18

camp. With the advent of warm weather, he has completed the most successful indoor season ever known at the Meriden Boys club.
 Mir. Pilz has secured force of men to get the camp in shape for the coming season. The season will last from June 2s to August e2 and nor than 200 boys will be taken care of during that period.
 The following sports will he en- joyed during the summer months: Swimming. boating, fishing. field sports. water sports golf, archery, kite flying. volley ball. field hockey, baseball. hikes in the country and nature study. On rainy days. sports will be held in the big recreation hall at the camp. These will consist of roller skating and organized games. Besides all these. camp ire gatherings and educational plays will be staged.
 AS his assistant this year, Director Pilz has signed up the champion all- around athlete of the Meriden high school, Charles Newman. His coun- selors will be John Kasica, Peter Mlykowski and Steven Pasinski of the Meriden high school; Lewis F'lorin of New York. Thomas Gowett and Thomas Meagher of Jefferson high. and Tony Tomkiewicz and Patsy DeAngelis two of the best known athletes in Meriden. George Bartholomew has been named as bugler, while the chief cook will be Albert Athome of the United States army.
New Britain herald., 1929-06-18

Only one game will be played to. night in the Industrial Baseball League at Walnut Hill park but ia the one scheduled. the fans follow- ing the league, are bound to ses . battle that will compare favorably with any that has been fought out 70 far in the circuit.
 A clash between the fast stepping New Britain Machine team, drilled and coached by the veteran Charley Miller. and the Stanley Worts. man. aged by Jack Storey and Niane. of last years pennant. is tl.e tasty d.sh on the sports menu for S:30 o'clock tonight.
 A pitchers battle between the two mound aces of the teams is antici. pated by followers of both clubs. Wandered among the best pitchers in the league are Walter Scott. mainstay of the Buttlnakers, and Erny Anderson. highlander tor Charley Miller's crew. If these two face each other tonight. there is bound to oe q, tight game.
 The contest will get under way promptly at 5:30 o'clock and will bs staged on Diamond No. 1.