davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1938-03-20


and set sail
Horace released his breath 1t looked dan
gerous, but now he knew it was consunmate
skill, the perfect coordination of hand and
mind. Those various scars upon the roadster
we're not due to AIMS inability but to the
blundering of her opponents; fellows who took
one and one-half seconds instead of five
eighths - like himself
Darling" Ann was saying, Il want to
run in at the Cutting a moment"
She leaped out and dashed into the house
Horace wiped his brow. Gould it be that he
was doomed to the ignominy of old Fortescue,
who rode placidly in the rear seat while his
wife drove? Must he resign from the Worlds
Best Drivers?
Ann came out shaking her head, her golden
curls glinting. Had to give Mable Cutting
back her hat, she said Il borrowed it on my
way to the station to see how looked in red.
You didn't even notice it, so guess red s not
my color, is it,"
The universe clicked smoothly into its
accustomed routine. 1t hadn't been Ann, but
Mable Cutting, who had made the Perfect
Score. And that didn't concern him. After all.
his failure on the machines had been due to a
purely accidental occurrence. His natural in
terest in the mechanical contrivances of his
profession had gotten him off to a bad start
and that upset him for the remainder of the
experiments. 1t could happen to anyone. Be
sides, there was his record on the actual high
ways A quarter million miles OF driving and
never a fender marred With a certificate
from the W.B.D.A. to prove it. Let Mable
Cutting, or any other woman, tie that! The
elixir of life flooded again in Horace's veins.
He opened the door and wiggled under the
wheel "If you don't mind" he said, firmly
but kindly, ''Ill drive"
The End
Evening star., 1938-03-20


membership in the Worlds Best
Drivers Association had just been
approved and he was, as it were,
feeling his gasoline He had driven automo-
biles 253826 miles - the figures were re-
corded on a chart hanging in the garage -
without an accident of any kind. He an
nounced the fact with quiet pride to the gang
in the living room and was quite set up by
the stunned silence that followed
Of those present, not one but had suffered
his Waterloo in some stalwart telephone pole
or darting conveyance Normally modest
fellow, the juices of appreciation boiled
strongly in Horace's veins, and he continued
to expatiate on the subject. With commend
able rapidity, he got around to his favorite
chapter: women drivers.
The reason" he said firmly, but without
rancor, women drive 50 badly, is that they
have no mechanical sense. They look upon
motor car as something that matches their
dresses and gets them places. Until they
realize it is a highly complicated and sensl-
tive modern mechanism, they'll never be able
to drive properly
lnere were IeW ClleclS lIOlu lIIc udNI0IOlo'
uninhibited 'boos' from the ladies.
Ann Wnniger came in at this point with
whirling rush, looking like flower torn out
of the garden by passing gust. Where Horace
was tall and thin and dark, Ann was little and
slender and golden She carried a tray of high
balls and the glasses clinked musically with
the speed of her movement.
isn't it wonderful" she cried. Hes never
even scratched fender
A truthful guest said, 1--WE noticed few
dents in the Winniger chariot"
''Oh, they're mine," Ann said gaily. i
drive by ear Horace says. When something
goes 'clunk' know I'm too close"
An expression of pain crossed Horace's lean
mechanical engineers face. AIMS driving was
the one discord in their marital harmony.
True, she'd never had major collision. But
there was a constant succession of small
annoying accidents; door handle torn Oft,
a punctured tail-light staring like an empty
eye, bumpers bent askew, paint gnawed away
in the kind of cheek by jowl parking she loved
to try.
When they were first married, Horace had
endeavored long and patiently to bring about
some Improvement. Later, he merely covered
her with as much insurance as he could afford,
Evening star., 1938-03-20

and hoped she would receive some kind of
divine guidance in traffic.
1t was at dinner one evening, that he told
her about the Safety Campaign being waged
in the city. They've set up series of ma
chimes, he said, Ito test your reactions. Any
one taking the examination should know
exactly how competent he or she - to
handle an automobile
"Oh, Horace" Ann cried, you must do it.
You'd probably be perfect
Horace silently agreed But that wasn't the
suggestion he was attempting to put over.
He did not mention the matter again. A
day OF two later, having free hour, he en-
tered the building where the tests were being
made. A police instructor wrote down his
name, age, driving experience.
I'm member of the W.B.D.A.," Horace
mentioned casually
I'm an Elk meself" the officer replied.
Horace let the conversation rest there, and
sat down for the first test in a contraption
consisting of a seat, steering wheel, accelera-
tor and foot brake He stared into long dark
box where tiny motor car appeared on sec
ton of roadway.
step on the juice" the instructor said.
When you see red light, hop on the brake.
All set?"
The little car began to move. Horace
watched it, fascinated. This was an ingenious
machine As he pressed the gas pedal, the
car went faster. He began to speculate, with
the passion of man who lived amid gears
and gadgets, on how it was operated.
Light" snapped the cop.
Too late, Horace realized red bulb had
been glaring at him. He jabbed frantically at
the brake pedal. A number ~ flashed on
the board.
Second and half" said the instructor
disappovingly. Average is fve-eighths. Not
very good, mister"
81 was thinking about something else,
Horace protested.
That's what makes widows" said the
officer concentrate, see?"
A hot flush of embarrassment spread over
Horaces face He was completely unnerved
by the unexpected result A paralysis of self
doubt set in as he took his card in shaking
fingers and went to the next machine. Here,
his reaexes, numbed and delayed by the un-
foreseen collapse of his confidence, faltered
in nervous panic.
When he left the building half hour later,
Evening star., 1938-03-20
BY EDWARD SHENTON

the cold perspiration was running from his
brow and his eyes had haunted look. He
stared at his score: Glare Vision Test: Aver
age reaction, 5H units; his, 7. Advice from
instructor: Drive slow at night. Steering Test:
Average, CSC; his, soc. Advice: Keep under
40 mph Estimated Speed Test Average 20;
his, 80 Advice: Don't follow cars closely.
Horace returned to his Office wanting never
to hear again of the Safety Campaign. But
wherever he turned, people were discussing
the Driving Tests. And without exception,
they recounted smugly how they had kicked
around the poor old Average Score. Even the
file-girl. who had great difficulty in steering
an epistle from Ambrose A. Amphole into the
A compartment, had guided the little me-
chanical carwith ease and competence. Horace
took his hat and skunk shamefaced to the
station. And still there was no escape!
In the seat ahead two men discussed their
experiences in hearty tones. Both, they
agreed had performed notably. But, said
the younger, you should have seen gal in
red hat when was there yesterday. Boy, was
she laying them in the asles Perfect score on
every test. The instructor said he'd never seen
it happen before.
As Horace got up for his station. he heard
the young mans voice rise shrill with in
credulity Look, Bill! There she is Id know
that red hat anywhere"
Horace did not bother to look. A woman
couldn't make perfect score. Probably some
cop had rugged the machines to make an inn
preston He glanced around for Ann and
stood rooted in the stream of breadwinners.
She was wearing the red hat! After long
time he moved automatically toward the car.
''Hi," said Ann, beginning to slide from
under the wheel.
Horace made feeble gesture. "iou drive"
Her blue eyes widened in alarm.
Darling, you're not sick?"
No"
Poor dear. Hop in and relax. Well be
home in jiffy."
Horace started a cautionary, Take it
easy" and clamped his lips shut. Who was
he to give advice to Perfect Score? Besides
she had never mentioned that she had taken
the tests. What did that mean? Was she lying
in wait for him, like tiger watching an inno-
cent goat gamboling to its doom? That wasn't
like Ann. But who knew the mysterious work.
ings of the female mind?
Ann shot the roadster toward the highway,
Evening star., 1938-10-15

who regard the appearance of dog
do with little tolerance and modify
their likes and dislikes to the better
ment of all concerned.
Our public" continues with the
original remark that dogs should not
be allowed to annoy folks who don't
care for the species. We bow in assent,
but until some one finds way to
force the return of the top to the
toothpaste tube, when chewing gum
areas will be designated for parking,
and when the entire populace walks
on the right side of the street without
humping into any one-well, then and
only then, will some inventive genius
devise a way to equip dogs with a
sense to spot the folks who might be
classified as "allergic."
The same correspondent inquiries po-
litely if there is an unwritten law re-
quiring pet columnists to gloss over,
ignore or laugh off" the same sub
jects. Obviously the answer is no. The
only unwritten law we know Of is the
one which happens to require the
spelling of cat Cat and dog d-o-g-
and even then we can't guarantee our
perfection.
No, this subject of dog owners obli-
cations is serious one. NO doubt
that there is cause for complaint, but
there are, at the same time, a great
many things to be said in favor of the
way canine coddlers handle their pets.
II tne sight of Pups is that distasteful
W people, the only remedy We can
suggest is that they arm themselves
WIN menacing look and venture out
| Oh eneir moat-surrounded castles only
When tneres not four footed creature
IN sight. And that's m f,,,,
Evening star., 1938-10-15
The Old Gardener Soys:

The time for the fall planting
Of shrubs is close at hand. This
work can be done to better advan-
tage now. oftentimes, than in the
spring. If manure is used when
setting out deciduous shrubs, it
is important that it shall not be
allowed to come into contact with
the roots. 1t is seldom, however,
that manure can be obtained in
these days. The planting of the
shrubs should be done carefully
with the soil worked in around
the roots so that no air pockets
remain. Some garden makers like
to use small blunt stick or even
an old lath to tamp the earth into
place At the same time care
must be taken not to firm it too
hard. When the hole is about half
filled, bucket of water may be
thrown in to help carry the earth
to every part of the roots. The
closer the contact made between
the roots and the soil, the better
the results, for the new feeding
rootlets. upon which the plant will
depend, will be developed very
quickly.
Copyright. 1881
Evening star., 1938-10-15
BY MARY ALLEN HOOD.
Those guardians of canine caprices

Those guardians of canine caprices
the National Dog Week Committee
have set down under No. 4 objective
this little morSel: To educate dog
owners to their obligations both to
their dogs and the public in general"
A very worthy aim-and one that
has struck a responsive chord in an
alleged reader of this column.
Maybe this reader had heel chewed
off his best slipper. Maybe his pc
tunias we're trampled to a dreary
oulp. But whatever the source that
caused this outburst, the writer has
a case against the ways of pups and
their owners, and proceeds in no sub
.dued tones to voice his questions and
opinions.
Saws "Disgusted, How many peo-
ple would keep dog if there was a
law requiring said pup to remain on
its own prenises?" Without fear of
contradiction, our estimate would be
the same number of people who keep
them now. And there is a part-time
law around Washington and vicinity
tn that effect. On the contrary, most
dog owners would be much happier
,,eon,e if Fido or Rover would play in
lis own back yard. True, they are
probably not so much concerned about
the damage he might oo' out they
are a touch worried over what migh'
happen to Pups. Just ,.s;sn as snere +,sara Is
a. nns to this business of dog-owning
Mo,t , ,,eonle are either blithering idiots
Ir4hsn n comes to their canines-wax'
,ns nen s.nt,mental ~ over them, or they
are the "they shall not pass maniac'
Evening star., 1938-10-15
Ny keighbor Soys:

Mound up the dirt around the
roots of rose bushes II or IA
inches so that you keep the roots
protected and at the same time
keep water from standing. Be
careful not to uncover some of
the roots in mounding up the
earth.
Leftover bacon, end pieces,
etc, are all precious adjuncts in
flavoring other food combinations.
A plain-bread stufdng is much
improved by the addition of
chopped bacon. Add two cups Of
bacon to two cups of bread
crumbs. Lessen the amount Of
salt called for in the recipe.
If silver is washed in hot soap
suds to which a teaspoon Of borax
to two quarts of water is added,
then dried and well polished, it
will not be necessary to use pol
ish more often than once in two
or three weeks.
A tough fowl may be converted
into very delicious dishes If 1t Is
first boiled for soup. then minced
when cold for croquettes. In boil
ing, allow quart Of cold water
for each pound of chicken and set
on stove where it will heat very
slowly.
(copyright. 1e3SI
Evening star., 1938-10-15
Calling Card
Season Has
Follow Rigid Rules
When Using Them
To Be Correct.
BY FRANCESCA MCKINNEY.

The big season for calling cards has
arrived, so make certain that you have
yours ready in a handy desk drawer,
just waiting to be used. But Mrs.
Would -be-Social," must remember that
cards left in the drawer will get her
nowhere! She must learn the many
uses of these little "pastepoards," and
put them in proper circulation.
Mr.. and Mrs" cards are used wher
sending flowers to debutantes or fu-
nerals and on wedding presents.
When calling on couple leave one
double card and Nj; or one Mrs. "
and two Mr."
A woman never calls on man,
therefore she leaves no card for him.
Just before leaving city for good
send "P. P. c." cards Pour prendre
conge-to take leave). This is always
used by departing diplomats, and is the
proper thing for every one to do.
Write in ink ''P. P. c." In the lower
left-hand corner of your personal cards
and mail them to your friends and ac-
quaintances Remember, this does not
take the place of party call-it only
means one thing-"Good-bye
Sending your card to a hostess when
unable to attend her tea may be obso-
lete in most places in the United States,
but not so in Washington When you
receive an engraved invitation to tea.
with no "R. S. V. P" mail your card
to the hostess if you are unable to at
tend. She should receive this the
morning of the entertainment
If the tea is given to present the
daughter to society the same pro-
cedure is followed, cards being ad-
dressed only to the hostess and never
to the debutante.
Cards should not be sent to or left
at wedding reception. This is due
to the fact that this type of invitation
requires an acknowledgement. whether
''R. S. v. P" is on it or not.
Sons and daughters "of age" should
have their own cards and use them
as do their parents. Boys leave a
card for Mr.. and Mrs" and one for
the daughter. If there is more than
one girl "of age" in the family he
leaves one for each. Girls, like their
mothers. call only on the ladies of
the house. Both use cards for flowers
and presents as their parents do.
Follower cards are only used as a
substitute for note paper Never when
calling. Use them for informal
luncheons. bridge or dinners and for
cocktail parties. These cards are also
nice when writing note that is too
long for the visiting card, when ac-
companying gift.
If you are changing your address
this fall and still have a few cards
left from last season, this is what
you may do: Draw a line in ink
through your former address and
above it write in the new in a small,
legible hand.
The address should always be in
the lower right-hand corner.
Bachelors living at home use their
home address. or, if living at club,
the name of the club only is used
A married man never has his club
address on a card.
Evening star., 1938-10-15

Gardeners who like to cut and dry
flowers for winter bouquets should
start the job now, as it is best done
before frost discolors the foliage. Cut
such material as honesty plant, Chi
nese lanterns, everlaStings, artemesia,
ETC., bunch and hang up in warm,
airy place until thoroughly dry.
The mountain ash (Sorbus amer
lcanna) is a decorative small tree
that always attracts considerable at
tention in the fall and winter with
its clusters of bright orange-colored
fruits. The mountain ash is native
to this region and does we'll in most
places. 1t is, however, subject to the
same pests as apple trees There are
a number of them growing in WASH
ington gradens which seemingly thrive
with little or no care. Some claim
the European species to be less subject
to disease.
The leaves are divided and resemble
those OF the locust. The flowers, while
small, are in clusters that make a
pleasing appearance in the spring,
but this tree is not noted for flowers,
but for its brightly colored buds.
In planting peonies do not overlook
the Japanese type. They are not
quite so heavy in appearance. and
the variation in petal formation and
color of the stamens make them
very interesting and desirable. Our
local peony authorities usually recon-
mend Tomate-Boku. a light pink, and
1sani-Gidui, white as the most desir-
able. Ama-No-Sode. a rose pink, is
also rated very highly.
Evening star., 1938-10-15
Georgetown Garden
Open Next Week.

The famous gardens of Dumbarton
Oaks, will be open to the public on
Saturday afternoon. October %. from
IL until 4:30 o'clock, for the benefit
Of the Washington Self-Help Ex-
change.
This is a splendid opportunity for
gardeners to see the wonderful plant
collections that make up this outstand-
ing garden. 1t is expected that most
of the fall Towering plants, such as
the hardy chrysanthemums, asters,
anemones and many others, will be in
full bloom by then. This Is also a
fine chance to observe many unusual
shrubs growing under washington
conditions.
Evening star., 1938-10-15
Dorothy Dix Says
Relatives Have Never Been Able
To Live Peacefully Together.

Dear Miss Dix-I have an aunt SO
years old who lives in home alone,
on pension that keeps her in modest
comfort. Now she has decided that
she wants to sell her home and come
and live with us. She is hale and
hearty and very active. In fact, I have
never known her to be sick, but feel
that on account of her advanced age
she is not long for this world and that
I should comfort her declining years
as I am her only relative. But the
trouble is that I am poor man with
six children. living in a small house
that is already crowded, and as my
aunt has never been around children
very much I am sure they would get
on her nerves. Besides this, my wife
is so opposed to having my aunt come
leave me if she does. and all the chill
dren simply howl when the matter is
mentioned. We have been a remark
ably happy and united family up till
this, and as I don't want my home
broken up don't know what to do.
BEWILDERED NEPHEW.
Answer-There is only one intelli-
gent thing to do and that is to tell your
aunt that you cannot agree to the
arrangement she suggests as you be-
lieve that every family should live by
itself. without any outsider coming
into that charmed circle.
You can also remind her of two
facts with which she is familiar but
which she has apparently forgotten
One is that no house is big enough to
hold two women. Especially is this
true when one of them is a woman
who has been busy all her life until
she resigned from her job and who,
being bored and restless with nothing
to do. couldn't keep from sticking her
fingers in the other woman's pie to
save her life.
The other fact your aunt should
also bear in mind is that no elderly
woman who is unused to children
could spend month with six modern
youngsters without driving them mad,
and acquiring an incurable case of
nervous prostration herself Their
noise, their restlessness. their incessant
coming and going. their dirt and dis
order, everything they did and didn't
do would get on her nerves and keep
her in constant protest against the
way they were being reared. Their
manners, the way they dressed. the
laxness of their mother in not bring
ing them up in the way she was
brought up would pail on the aunt.
Also an incalculable harm would be
done to the children by being nagged
and found fault with continually and
Evening star., 1938-10-15

Skirts like this, shirred around the
hips and full below, are very smart,
and, Of course, very becoming. because
they keep you slim where you want
slimness, and have charming anima-
ton of line as well. This design is
particularly good for thin girls who
cannot wear severely tailored things.
It has the crispness and simplicity you
want for daytime, and also puffed
sleeves, round collar, and touches of
pleating to make it becomingly soft.
You'll find it as easy to make as it
is to wear. For this choose taffeta,
cashmere, wool crepe or velvet-tai-
lored velvet is so pretty and so prac-
tical Get two or three different belts
to wear with this dress, and have
decorative little buttons down the
front of the blouse It's sure to be your
favorite dress for business and shop
ping.
Barbara Bell Pattern No. 1555-B is
designed for sizes IL, II, Is, 18 and
Evening star., 1938-10-15

OF ndrQy aSUerS CIldC are OF Vdlue III
the perennial border, and the season
of bloom has been greatly extended.
The native species, which had to
60 abroad to be appreciated and i'm
proved, bloomed in October and No
vember. Today by careful selection
of varieties we can have bloom from
June to November The hardy asterS
that bloom in the fall are our immedi-
ate interest. The original species may
be seen in all their shades growing
in the fields and along the roads in
neighboring Maryland and Virginia.
Two of the progenitors of the tall
hardy garden varieties are native to
this area as well as are several other
species. These hardy natives often
go unnoticed for they are not striking
in color, or in size of flower. Their
chief value lies in other directions.
The hardy asters are in bloom when
frost has blackened most other plants.
They may be used for tall background
paintings in the perennial border, as
border plants for late fall color, as
edgings, or to hide buildings and
fences. They are adaptable to great
many situations, although they will
not grow vigorously in the shade.
Their flowers are good for cutting
lasting long time. They will do we'll
In almost any kind of a soil, although
they repay good care generously.
FAIR COLOR RANGE.
While most of the small-fowered
plants that We see in the fields are
of the pale shades of blue, and white,
the plant breeders have provided us
with fair range of colors from which
to choose. There is not clear red
as yet There are good varieties in
The different heights of white, pink,
rose, mauve, blue, lavender, lilac and
purple shades.
The hardy asters vary greatly in
writer aptly describes them by saying
they may be had from inches to
feet in height. That is approXi-
mately the range, and it should be
kept in mind when making selections.
Hardy asters will, when grown under
various conditions vary in their growth.
A well enriched soil produces tall
heavy growth and it is for this reason
that they are seldom given more
than a moderate feeding,
The taller varieties should be staked
even though they are not heavily
fertilized. The larger flower clusters
on tall stems are easily blown over
by high winds Bamboo stakes are
strong enough for the medium grow
ers g to feet). but for the tallest
ones foot heavy stake is most
satisfactory.