davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1935-12-29
Legend Credits St. Patrick as Founder of Leap Year
Effort of Calendar to Catch
Up With Time Real
Explanation.

of acquiring a husband and specifies
the penalty for mans evasion of its
provisions.
"It is statut and ordaint that dur
ing ths rein of hir maist blissit
megeste, for ilk year, known as lep
year, ilk maiden ladye of both highe
and lowe estait shall hae Gberte to
bespoke ye man she likes, albeit he
refuses to talk hir to be his lawful
wyfe, he shall be mulcted in ye sum
ane pound or less, as his estait may
be; except and avis gif he can make
it appeare that he is betrothit ane
ither woman he then shall be free"
A few years later France passed,
with the Kings approval, similar law.
The French statistical records are
somewhat incomplete and do not give
the number of forlorn spinsters who
took advantage of this law. Also, the
Scotch chroniclers neglect to mention
the number Of canny Scotsmen
"mulcted" by their law, or the number
claiming exemption by making 1t
appeare" they were "betrothit."
An intriguing little book on Love,
Courtship and Matrimony," published
in London in 1906, gives this rather
startling information:
albeit 1t move become o part OF
common law in regarde to social
relations of life, that as often as
every leap year doth return, the
ladyes have the sole privilege dur
ing the time it continueth Of making
love, either by words or lookes, as to
them seemeth proper: and, moreover,
no man will be entitled to benefit Of
clergy who doth in any wise treat
her proposal with slight or con-
tumely."
THUS. man is deprived during leap
year Of this international pre-
rogative of making love and propos-
ing marriage. Moreover, the penalty
for mans non-acceptance Of the
lContinued on Sixth Page.)
Evening star., 1935-12-29

ton" to st. Patrick. But, kind-hearted
Patrick" had taken the vow of celib-
acy, so, to lessen her disappointment
by his refusal, he gave her kiss and
silk gown. "And ever SINCE" so
the legend goes, "if man refuses
a leap year proposal he must pay
the penalty of silk gown and a kiss" !"
A law, reputed to have been passed
In Scotland late in the thirteenth CEN
t.iry, sanctions this leap year method
Evening star., 1935-12-29

Addams should choose to be her biog-
rapher. In the case of the present
book, the title is by no means a mis-
nomer. The work is plainly product
of deep affection as well as a most
readable life story.
Miss Lathrop of course is well known
for her brilliant work In the Children's
Bureau and for her services on the
League Of Nations Commission. Less
IS known about her earlier days, and
it is of this period that Miss Addams
wrote. Her book tells of Miss Lathrop's
Evening star., 1935-12-29

a prospect max it wan year in four"
Whereupon st. Patrick relented and
said, "Biddy, acushla, squeeze me
that way again, and I'll give you leap
year, the longest one in the lot"
SUDDENLY, 'Biddy" remembered
her own hushandless state, and
Immediately put to test this newly
acquired right by popping the ques-
Evening star., 1935-12-29

The worlds highest cable railway,
TO be constructed in the Austrian
Alps, will start from q point 5000
feet up on the new 0rosSglockn~
road and viii climb TO an altitude q
Io,500 feet. whers Q hntN WiH b Miilk
Evening star., 1935-12-29

| certainly deserve to be mentioned as
possessing the qualities of lasting mer-
it. The first Of these is Villa Gathers
Lucy Gayheart," published by Alfred
| A. Knopf. It is a minor tale, but done
with amazing beauty. AS a piece of
mood writing it has probably not been
equaled since Joseph Hergesheimer
wrote his Bright Shawl" 1t is not
the best of Miss Gathers books but it
is very fine.
The second novel that seems worthy
/ to take place in our letters is Deep
Dark River" by new writer, Robert
Rylee. This book was published by
Farrar g. Rinehart. 1t was the Book
of the Month Club selection for July
1t is a Negro story, but so far above
the generality of such works that one
hesitates to apply the name to it. Its
quality is a profound dignity and a
sense of the pity Of our foolish brief
existence. 1t errs sometimes in break
ing out of this admirable restraint and
becoming slightly propagandistic, but
these lapSes are not many.
OTHER works of fiction which stand
out somewhat from the welter OF
titles are now duly listed. There Is
Solomon, My Son!" by John Erskine
published by the Bobbs Merrill Co. a
pleasant and superior satire of the
kind that Mr.. Erskine has authorita-
lively made his own. Hardly anything
beyond this need be said.
Then there was an appallingly vivid
piece of horror writing which deserved
praise not so much for its subject
matter Qf it had any as for the
skill with which its author sustained
Evening star., 1935-12-29

Continued From Second Page)
buildings. the dinner was typical Of all,
and consisted of roast turkey, roast
beef, stewed chicken, boiled ham, sweet
potatoes, Irish potatoes, turnips, kale,
slaw, celery, cucumber pickles, Gran.
berry sauce, bread, butter. coffee,
apples, cakes, stewed fruit, mince pies
and a mug Of ale for each man.
At Campbell Hospital. which occu-
pied space to the north Of the ball
park, and which later formed the
nucleus for the Freedmen's Hospital,
the dinner consisted of goose, turkey.
chicken, beef, mutton, vegetables and
all the best things the market could
afford, and, at the appointed time, $40
Of the convalescent soldiers who were
able to do so, headed by q band.
marched to the dining hall, and those
who were unable to join them were fed
in their quarters.
At Finley Hospital. to the north OF
Florida avenue and Fourth street
northeast. in the vicinity of Kendall
Green, the patients are said not to
have been forgotten, and besides being
banqueted, as it we're. were entertained
with fine display of fireworks, after
which the dramatic association and
Ethiopian imitators, composed Of the
convalescents, each gave q perform
ance in their halls"
Mount Pleasant Hospital Douglas
Hospital, still standing on the north
side of I street between Second and
Third streets; Stone Hospital, then In
the Stone residence at the corner Of
Clifton and Thirteenth streets; Emory
Hospital, a group Of frame buildings
covering the squares bounded by B and
D and Seventeenth and Nineteenth
streets southeast, and Lincoln Hos
pital, also in the Southeast section, are
all mentioned as having had consider.
able Of a celebration, along the lines Of
the other hospitals.
INDEED, there are but few churches
in the city that did not serve -
hospitals during the Civil War, and few
PAACSS NIlcIC LI1C C4SALCu 1uAy WAN
today without treading on hallowed
ground, made sacred by the defend"
ers Of the Union, and, no doubt, thiH
is one of the main reasons why 1t has
been decided to hold In this city next
Summer the Seventieth National En-.
campment of the Grand Army Of the
Republic.
However, 1t Is a different Washington
from what it was in Lincoln's day.
The little toy shop on New York ave-
nue., where he bought toys for little
Tad, is no longer, and many OF the
haunts familiar to the martyred Pres
ident have been obliterated. but the
memory of the Great Emancipator stin
fingers around the White House and
in the hearts Of q grateful people who
have for him q reverence Of respect
second only to Washington.
Evening star., 1935-12-29
Lincoln

Continued From Second Page.)
Evening star., 1935-12-29

Continued on Tenth Page. }
Evening star., 1935-12-29

CONTINUED on Sixth Paes.l
Evening star., 1935-12-29

commonsense make It eninently In.
teresting.
Evening star., 1935-12-18
DEATH CLAIMS WIFE
OF ADRIAN PETERS
Resident Of Capital Nearly 80
Years Was Native of Grand
Rapids, Mich.

Mrs. Hattie M. Pieters, 7206 Blair
road, wife Of Adrian J. Pieters, an en-
ploye Of the Department of Agricul-
ture, died yesterday at her home after
a brief illness. She had been a resi-
dent Of Washington for nearly 80
years.
Funeral services were to be held at
8 pm. today at the residence. Burial
will be at her birthplace, near Grand
Rapids, Mich.
Born in 1856, Mrs. Pieters was edu-
Gated at the public schools in Grand
Rapids and later graduated from the
University Of Michigan with a Phi. B.
degree. She married and came to
Washington in 1896.
After living for few years in Cali
fornia, Mrs. Pieters had been a con-
tinuous resident of the District since
1915. She belonged to the University
Women's Club and the Michigan Uni
versity Club.
Evening star., 1935-12-18
Births Reported.

James z. and Beatrice r. Stewart. boy.
Charles Char r. and Gertrude, I. Macarthur. boy.
Ralph w. and Jean M. PieTsou. boy.
Robert J. and Lynd4l Fletcher, boS.
Tenman and Elaine Kennedy. boy.
Melvin L. and Mary L. Clark boy
William H. Dorothy and l.. z. Cox, boy.
Charles ]. and Marion Raley. girl.
Barney o. and Henrietta Weitz, girl
Albert E. and Bernadine M. Gibson, girl.
Charles z. and Mildred NJ. Green, Firi.
Ihomas L. and Veda Richman, girl.
Georse J. and Anna E. spitalsky, girl.
GEORGE w. and Lure A; Winfrey, girl.
Herbert A. and Hazel !. Hockey, girl.
Leroy j. and Helen ~ Daniels, boy.
John and Myra N. Feeney, boy.
Winfield A. and Margaret A. Gingrich. boy.
Edward and Mary, M. Howard, boy.
Richard B. and Alice Gossom, boy.
Floris A. and Solome Ferguson. boy.
Edward N. and Cecile B. Bsrnette, boy.
Everett A. and f1e EtRel J. jarvis. jaws eiri' i''
John A. and Katherine E. Bird. girl.
irwin G; and Anna L. Menikheim. Eirl;,
Lester L. and Grace Fansher, girl.
Sherman and Elsie Tate, girl.
Harry @. and Vivian A. Wolstenholme. girl.
Robert J. and Callia A. Lofts. girl.
James E. and Elva M Hooper, girl.
owen L. and Regina B. Money. girl.
John j. and Eve NJ. Foley, boy.
Henry W. and Mary Gorham, girl.
Earl and Magdaline johnson, boy.
Nathaniel and Isoline Muse, girl.
George and Ida Curry. girl.
Thomas and Ellen Dawson, girl.
David and Geneva Perrin, girl.
James and Ecith Gordon, girl.
AmZie B. and Mary E. Smith, boy.
Margarite D. and Jennie r. E. Patting. boy.
Frederick p. and Queenie S. M. Cunning
ham, girl.
Eugene and Juanita Bronson, girl.
John and Viola Wright, girl.
clarence and Louise Tompkins, boy.
Evening star., 1935-12-18
Roosevelt
Continued From First Page)

projects already under way. Cues
toned further, he mentioned Spe-
ciflcally the $146, 100000 Florida ship
canal connecting the Gulf of Mexico
with the Atlantic, and the PaSsa-
maquoddy -harneSsing power prof.
est in Maine, estimated to cost
$50, 900 900. Each project already has
received $5,000,000. Both are centers
Of controversy as to their adviSability.
The President did not mention other
projects, but it was indicated they
probably would include funds for the
Santee Cooper project in South Caro-
lima, the Grand Coulee project in the
Northwest and various reclamation
works.
In discussing the possibility that
little additional will be asked for re-
lief, officials privately acknowledged
that expected demands of many States
for Federal help in carrying on the
"dole" for unemployables may COM
plicate the situation.
After his White House visit today
Hopkins reported a 9.4 per cent de-
cline during the October-November
period in the number of families and
single persons on the dole in large
cities.
But he added a warning that "it Is
apparent that in many cities the de-
Evening star., 1935-12-18
Credits Works Program.

pletion Of individual resources ag-
gravated by the growing Winter needs
adversely affected the relief situation. /"
Credits Works Program.
The November rolls listed l,604, 100
relief cases In las cities, a decline of
166,609 from October. Hopkins said
the drop may be principally attributed
to the substantial progress made by
the works program in a number Of
urban areas"
Hopkins said New York City, first
to attain its works-relief job quota,
accounted for 35 per cent of the total
decline.
1T is worth noting" he added.
that in the 144 cities, exclusive Of
New York City, the decline amounted
to only per cent. While the ma
jority Of the cities included reproted
substantial decline, as many as AZ
cities. including chicago, Los Angeles
and Philadelphia, registered declines
of only 5 per cent or less and 27
cities reported increases"
W. P. A. officials explained that in
addition to the fact large numbers Of
unemployed we're seeking relief for
the first time, the decrease was no
greater because many who already
had work-relief jobs, continued to
receive direct relief until their pay
checks were delivered. {.
Evening star., 1935-12-18

neral arrangements were to be post
poned until later.
Since leaving washington last
Summer, DR.. Hitchcock had made ex-
tensive studied of dried specimens OF
grasses in France, Belgium, England,
Germany, Switzerland and Holland.
Studied Grass Abroad.
In past years he had made studies
of plants and grasses while exploring
in numerous countries. Some IL
years ago he made an extensive trip
in South America, travelling much OF
the time on horseback in Ecuador
Peru and Bolivia. he Travelled con-
siderably or the high plateau be-
tween the two ranges of the Andes
and also explored both in the jungle
and desert regions.
The primary purpose OF the South
American trip was to collect plants
for the Department Of Agriculture
and to obtain the cooperation OF
South American colleges In forward
ing botanical discoveries to the United
States, instead of Europe.
Prior to his South American trip
DR.. Hitchcock had conducted explora-
tions in British Guiana, In China and
French Indo- China. His work In the
latter country was considered Of
great value because only one other
botanical exploration ever had beer
conducted there up to that time, il
is said. The first exploration was bS
a Jesuit priest, who was not trained
botaniSt.
His explorations in British Guinea
resulted not only in valuable additions
to the collection at the Smithsonian
Institution-to which he had contrib
ute6 many valuable specimens-but in
considerable scientific data which has
been Of great value to the Department
of Agriculture.
Explored in Hawaii.
DR.. Hitchcock also had made eXten-
sive explorations in the Hawaiian
Evening star., 1935-12-18
CIVIL WAR VETERAN DIES
Theodore johnson, 81, Will Be
Buried in Arlington.

Theodore johnson, 81, Civil War
veteran, died Monday at Mount Alto
Hospital. He will be buried in Airing
ton National Cemetery tomorrow after
services at 2 pm. at the w. w. Cham
bers funeral home, 140o Chaplin street
Mr. johnson enlisted as private
with Company H of the 33d Regiment
of New Jersey Volunteers in 1868. He
received his honorable discharge two
years later. In recent years he has
lived at Fort Myer, Va.
Evening star., 1935-12-18

Islands. In addition he had the dis
tinction Of having collected plants in
every State Of this country, in the
provinces of Canada, in Alaska. Mex
leo and West Indies, in addition to his
other collections made on his South
American, European and Asiatic ex-
plorations.
One of his hobbies was mountain
climbing and he had scaled some OF
the most difflcult. peaks, encountered
on his numerous trips.
An expert on grasses, DR.. Hitchcock
came here in 1901 as assistant
agrostologist at the Department OF
Agriculture In 1924 he became prin-
cipal botanist in charge of systematic
agrostology. Prior to then he had
taught chemistry at Iowa State Col
lege and botany at Kansas Agricul-
tural College. He also had served as
assistant at the Missouri Botanical
Gardens.
Prominently identified with many
scientific and other organizations, DR.
Hitchcock was q member and past
Il
president Of the Botanical Society OF
America, member and past presi-
dent of the Botanical Society Of Wash
ington, a member and past president
of the Biological Society of Washing
ton, a member. of the American -Soci-
ETY. Of Arts and Sciences and a cor
responding member Of the Bohemian
Society of Botany. He also belonged
to the Cosmos Club and the Mount
Pleasant Congregational Church.
Author of Several Books.
He was the author of several books
pertaining to botany. These included
Textbook of Grass" Manual Of
Farm Grass" and Methods of De.
scription, Systematic Botany" He alsC
had written more than 200 article!
on botany.
DR.. Hitchcock was a native o.
OwoSso. Mich, and received the de-
Evening star., 1935-12-18

pletion Of individual resources ag-
gravated by the growing Winter needs
adversely affected the relief situation" !"
Evening star., 1935-12-18
HEADS BROADCASTING

Mrs. Lois p. Babcock of Utica, N. Y,
has been appointed chairman Of
broadcasting for the National Wom-
ans Party.
Introduction of distinguished woman
speakers through the medium Of radio
already has been arranged by Mrs.
Babcock. A program commemorating
the lives of famous women also has
been planned.
Evening star., 1935-12-18

grees of B. S., NJ. s. and d. Sc. from
the Iowa Agriculture College.
In addition to his wife, he leaves
three sons, Horace D. and Frank H.
Hitchcock Of this city and Albert E.
Hitchcock Of Yonkers, N. Y; two
daughters, Mrs. L. w. Peller Of Chevy
Chase, Md, and Mrs. H. q. McNamee
of Chicago and eight grandchildren.
Evening star., 1935-12-18

the liner City Of
Norfolk, return
ing from Europe.
DR.. Hitchcock
left here last Au-
gust to attend the
Botanical Con-
gresS at AmSter-
d a m Holland,
a n d afterward
to study Speci-
mems Of grasses
in a number of
European coun-
tries.
His wife, Mrs.
RAMA B. Hitch
Evening star., 1935-12-18
Rabbi TO Discuss Book.

Rabbi Abram Simon will discuss
The Woollcott Reader" q collection
OF the fayorite stories Of Alexander
Woollcott, before members Of the Sis
terhood Of the Washington Hebrew
congregation, at the Shoreham Hotel
tomorrow at IL am.
Evening star., 1935-12-18
ARMY ORDERS

Milburn, Lieut.. Col. Eugene, Dental
Corps, from Army Medical School,
here, to Fort Hayes, Ohio, about
February 5.
Maly, Maj. Lewis w, Dental Corps,
from Army Dental School, here, to
Vancouver Barracks, Wash, about
February IL.
Howard, First Lieut. Carrie L., Army
Nurse Corps, to be retired December
81.
Evening star., 1935-12-18

CUCh, a z III
panied him on the trip and was with
him when he died. Relatives here
had received no word of the nature
of his illness. They expressed the
belief, though, that death probably
was due to heart disease.
The City Of Norfolk, a Baltimore
Mail Line ship, is expected to arrive
in Baltimore Friday morning. Flu
Evening star., 1935-12-18
CHANCE STILL IN RACE
FOR POSTMASTERSHIP
Friends Deny His Appointment
to Business Census Job Would
Withdraw Name,

Reports that Merritt o. Chance has
withdrawn as a candidate for the Dis
trict postmastership because Of his
appointment AS director of the Wash
ington business census were denied
yesterday by his supporters for the
postal job.
The reports have been widely circu-
lated since announcement of his as
signment by Secretary Roper to con-
duct a survey Of industry in the Capt.
tai. 1t was pointed out at the Cons
merce Department, however, that this
undertaking is Of temporary nature.
Chance was city postmaster under
President Wilson and has been re-
garded as a prominent candidate To
succeed the present postmaster, W. M
Mooney.
Evening star., 1935-12-18
DR.A.S. HITCHCOCK,
U.S.BOTANIST, DIES
internationally Known Sci
enlist Expires on Ship Re-
turning From Europe.

DR.. Albert Spear Hitchcock. 10,
senior botanist for the Bureau OF
Plant Industry and internationally
know scientist. died Monday on board
Evening star., 1935-02-17

many notabes of his day Mrs. Howard proudly
tells that her brother, Lawrence Washington.
who was born at Mount Vernon when she was
very young, was the first boy born at the man
sion. On the day Of that event the captain
of the excursion boat was so elated to hear the
news, which was told to him as soon as he
came ashore, that he rushed his passengers
back on the boat and returned at once to
Washington where he had city bells rung to
announce that boy had been born at Mount
Vernon.
old mansion, John A. Washington, Esquire, as
the master Of the house was known, was con-
vnced that the estate of, Gen. George WASH
ington should become a national shrine
Though he offered to sell Mount Vernon to
the State of Virginia and to the United States
Government, his propositions were declined.
Later he refused an offer to dispose of the
historic home to a syndicate.
Those who enjoy travel down the Potomac
by steamer today are impressed with the
tolling of the bell as the boat passes Mount
Vernon. History connects this mark of respect
with the fact that Mount Vernon became q
national shrine. According to tradition and
Miss Ann Pamela Cunningham of South Caro-
lima, who was a Potomac boat passenger about
the time when John A. Washington wished
to sell Mount Vernon, became so impressed
with the tolling of the bell and the historical
Importance of George Washington's home that
she became active in working for the purchase
of the estate. In 1858 the organization she
had formed as the Mount Vernon Ladies'
Evening star., 1935-02-17

he had not known by name before their visits.
Readers of his diary, however, are inclined to
think that there were few years when his farm
actually showed a profit, for the ground was
poor and needed constant enriching. Bushrod
Washington, heir to Mount Vernon and $500
acres was compelled as Judge to spend much
of his time in Philadelphia. AS he lacked his
uncle's wealth. he found it impossible to keep
even the mansion in repair, much less the many
attendant buildings.
DY THE time the property was inherited by
y John Augustine Washington his nephew,
In 1929, the plantation had been reduced to
1925 acres, only about 100 acres of which
we're suitable for farming. When his son, John
Augustine Washington, jr., came into possession
of the estate in 1860, after his mothers death,
he realized that such wealth as his great
uncle George had possessed was required in
it in its former splendor.
Mrs. Eleanor Washington Howard remembers
certain family traditions which are verified by
written descriptions of life at Mount Vernon
in her fathers time. The family life in COM
fort and afforded some elegancies, regardless
of the fact that strangers were eating them
out of house and home. Two days every week
boat loads of excursioniSts were allowed, with
out admission price, in the home Of John A.
Washington, where they made themselves at
home in the rooms which had been used by
many important letters or where he received