davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1938-10-31

A revised Language of flowers"
has appeared recently among the
gay sets of large cities, and is
spreading over the country as a
substitute for the more prosaic
medium Of the written word as
a means of communication be-
tween friends and sweethearts.
Dates, invitations, acceptances,
warnings, all can be told. Flower
lovers are busy studying this new
code and are constantly adding
new meanings to seasonal flowers,
increasing their floral vocabulary
until the art Of repartee is room
full of posies.
Each flower has a meaning.
Some of the principal messages
are:
Orchids-"I want to meet
you"
Red roses Ito. an unmarried
woman)-"I love YOU"
Yellow roses (from the hus-
BANDIT love you"
White violets-"Please phone
me-"
The Washington times., 1938-10-31
Demenieu Dates Back
To French Revolution

z. D. Blackistone's middle name,
Demenieu, has it's origin in an in
teresting incident during the
French Revolution. A 10-year-old
aristocrat, the young Count De-
menieu, fled the guillotine and es-
capped to America. Impoverished,
he wandered to st. Mary's county,
Maryland, where he found refuge
with the florists great-grand-
father. This gentleman grew so
fond of the boy that he named his
son Demenieu in his honor. Each
successive generation since has
used that name.
The Washington times., 1938-10-31

1t was the only
business on
cern in that vi
cinity. T h e
n Ell 6 hborhood
was an exclu-
Sive residential
section, where
lived many high
officials of the
GOV ern ment
and members Of
the Q1pIOu1aC1c
corps. T W o
years later, he
moved his busi-
ness to the cor.
The Washington times., 1938-10-31

z. d. blackstone. Sd stone is active
in many civic affairs. He is a
Mason, holding membership In
AlmaS Temple. He also belongs
to the Board Of Trade, the XII,
wants Club, the Early Birds Break
fast Club, Sprockett, Kenwood
Golf and Country Clubs.
The Washington times., 1938-10-31

them at times Of great happiness
we turn as naturally to them as
flowers turn to the sun. Say it
with flowers" on every occasion
no other gift will say it so we'll.
The Washington times., 1938-10-31
LOngWOrth Bouquet

One Of the most publicized
bridal bouquets in history was the
one created by Blackstone Florists
for the wedding of Alice Roosevelt
to Nicholas Longworth. Mr.. Long
worth asked Mr.. Blackstone to
make up a solid bouquet of orchids,
and it was considered one of the
loveliest and finest creations at
the wedding.
The Washington times., 1938-10-31

Florists, which
tomorrow cele-
brateS its for
tie 9Th anniver-
Sary.
The $40 rep
resented his en-
tire Sa win g S
q er sew e n
years Of work
with a loo al
fl W. er shop.
This he used as
deposit on his
first months
rent in his new
store. His first
The Washington times., 1938-10-31
MESSAGES THE FLOWERS TELL

Sweet peas-"I must see you
Immediately"
Nasturtiume - write me
when we may meet"
Peach blossoms-"All is over
between u.s."
The days of the week are desig-
mated by flowers too. Sunday,
pinks; Monday, poppies; Tuesday,
gladiolaS; Wednesday, forget-me-
nots; Thursday, anemones; Fri
day, heather; Saturday, gardenias.
The use of bouquets combining
flowers makes a very pretty gift
and conveys a message at the
same time. orchids, sweet peas,
The Washington times., 1938-10-31
Business
Started
With $40
Blackstone Career
Success Story of
Hard Work .
By RICHARD berwick

Ten dollars, q reputation for
integrity, and many friends con-
stituted the entire capital OF
zecharia D e m in eu Blackstone
when he established Blackstone
The Washington times., 1938-10-31

ner of Four-Margsret Blackstone
teenth and H StS., necessitated
by the increase in his business.
The present Blackstone shop,
which Mr.. Blackstone purchased
In 1927, is located at 1407 H St.
N. w. It is exceedingly attractive,
with tall palms and ferns diStrib-
uted about the large and small
vases always filled with the
flowers.
HAS TWO HOBBIES
Mr.. Blackstone has two hob
bies-his family and golf. He
has three children, two Of whom
Zecharia D. Sd. and Margaret
Ann, are associated with him.
The Washington times., 1938-10-31

anemones and nasturtiums say:
Il want to make your ac-
quaintance; 1 must see you
Immediately. Write me if we
may meet on Thursday"
To reply, tiny boutonniere of
myositis means acceptance; a
tiny sprig of apricot blossoms
means, Your attentions are un-
desirable
The vast variety of flowers and
their meanings are being con-
stantly added to and who knows,
maybe the next great American
novel will be written in a florists
shop.
The Washington times., 1938-10-31
FOOUe1'S Add Much
Grace to Table

It is no easy matter to secure
novel and pleasing effects in table
decorations, but a skillful florist
can use almost any flower, from
simple, colorful field flowers to
majestic American Beauty roses
to create a dramatic effect for a
luncheon or dinner table.
The Washington times., 1938-10-31
ORIGINAL STORE
Artists conception of first
Blackstone Shop in
November, 1898

Z Colonial days, when they received
the original grant. He attended
Charlotte Hall Military Academy,
coming to Washington following
graduation.
Like many other boys in Sim.-
lar circumstances, he supported
himself as best he could for q
year, working as a grocery clerk
at SO a week. No business at
tracted his serious attention un-
til he entered the employ Of a
florist. where he learned the rudi-
ments of the business and en-.
lsrged his circle of friends.
STARTED IN 1898
Young Blackstone opened his
own store at 827 Fourteenth
Street on November !, 1898, and
The Washington times., 1938-10-31
40 EMPLOYED

As the city grew and formal en-
tertaining became the rule in the
Capital, Mr.. Blackistone'S business
f1ourished, until now his store Is
rated as one Of the largest floral
establishments in the country, en-
ploying 40 people.
Mr.. Blackstone was born in st.
Mary'S county, Md, Ct years ago,
opposite Blackstone Island. This
island and the immediate vicinity
have always been associated with
the Blackstone family since
The Washington times., 1938-10-31

2. D. Blackstone days sal e 81
amounted to rs cents, but this was
the beginning of his success.
The Washington times., 1938-10-31

He plays golf
two or three
times a week.
He says that
despite h i s
years, it is no
strain for him
to come early
to his office,
play 18 holes,
return to his
desk and de-
vote his eve
n in gS to a
study Of flow
erS.
Mr.. Black.
Evening star., 1938-11-27

walking, with possibly an occa-
sional short canter-for half OF the
enjoyment is in the relaxation OF
being outdoors and away from the
pavements of the city, Riding in
the spring is an experience-with
drifts of dogwood blossoms, redbud
trees, violets and other shrubs and
flowers to decorate your path. The
summer brings honeysuckle and
the aromatic scent of pine trees
and woodland underground. while
fall gives the city dweller q taste
OF gold and orange leaves. Even
during the winter months the sandy
trails of the park are seldom frozen
and any rider can tell you that a
canter through the snow is "tops"
for quickening the circulation. /.
One last tip on winter riding
your feet do not get cold, because
the rhythmic action Of posting in
the stirrups keeps the blood stirring.
The body is also warmed by the
exercise and the cold air makes
your cheeks burn. It is, however,
advisable to wear woolen socks and
warm underwear and-particularly
warm gloves.
One other thing to remember:
Many of the Washington riding
schools have sleighs which may be
hired after a snowfall. Although
last season was not profitable for
sleigh renters, the almost extinct
thrills of jingling sleigh bells may
be had by putting in your order as
soon as the streets give evidence
Of an inch or two Of hard-packed
snow.
Evening star., 1938-11-27

(See PROCTOR, Page C-5.)
Evening star., 1938-11-27

fended-this riding master also
sizes up new riders and, in some
cases, has refused them horses.
In approaching a riding school
for the first time, 1t Is advisable
first to consider your abilities as q
rider. If you have ridden before,
but are trifle rusty, start with q
horse that Is easy to handle, and
work up. It is sometimes uncom-
fortably surprising to find out that
you have gotten more than you
bargained for, when you find your
self on strange trails with a strange
horse.
Another factor which should be
remembered by every one who rides
q rented horse-and which, unfor-
tunately, is seldom considered-is
the comfort and well being Of the
animal itself. The rented horse
is at the mercy of each new rider.
Probably he has been out before
on the same day and will be taken
out again after his return. Sore
backs and sore mouths are the fate
Of most of the riding school horses,
whose riders mismanage them and
insist on q fast ride.
While Washington and nearby
Maryland and Virginia offer fine
opportunities to the city rider, it
is necessary to remember that the
country is the only suitable place
for an extended gallop. Most
Washingtonians who have dis
covered the pleasures of the vari-
Gus parks and bride paths are
aware that an hours ride should
be divided between trotting and
Evening star., 1938-11-27

horses, although each maintains a
few privately owned mounts.
For any one who cares to take
advantage of the exceptional oppor-
tunities offered by Washington and
Maryland riding academies 1t Is
possible to find virtually any type
or size of horse. All of the schools
keep quiet, gentle horses for begin
ners and children and all have lively
animals which usually are reserved
for individuals who have proved
to the stable proprietor that they
are competent to handle themselves
and their horses.
In this respect 1t might be pointed
out that the major problem OF
riding school managers Is the
newcomer, who asks for horse he
cannot manage. Asked what per-
centage of his clientele could really
ride well, L. w. Catlett, manager
of the Potomac Riding School, ad-
mitted possibly 10 per cent" With
a 15-year record of safety for his
classes-a broken collar bone the
only casualty-Mr. Catlett agreed
that overconfident riders, riding
alone, or with one or two friends,
are responsible for the great ma
jority of mishaps. He added, how
ever, that he succeeded in keeping
down accidents by refusing horses
to persons who patiently are not as
expert as they endeavor to appear.
Manager Albert Ashton OF the
Meadowbrook Club confessed to the
same dimculty. While there is very
little that can be done about IT.
since customers must not be Of
Evening star., 1938-11-27

Bride Paths in City Limits of Capital Stretch Over 80 Miles, While
Riding Facilities of Maryland and Virginia Give Added
Peasure-Modest Cost Is Appreciated

The same economy applies to
prices charged by local riding
schools. An hour of riding through
the shady paths of Rock Greek Park,
or trotting smartly past the Poto-
mac Park polo field and around the
Hains Point stretch, costs as little
as dollar-in some cases even less.
Many schools cut the price on the
second hour, If you want a longer
ride.
Individual instruction, which may
be had at almost any of the local
stables, has resulted in numerous
riders with no previous experience
entering the jumping classes at
nearby horse shows within a few
months of their first riding lessons.
For those who are not anxious to
take up the sport seriously, or who
do not feel that they can afford to
pay for private lessons, classes with
several beginners in the charge of
an instructor are popular. Night
riding excursions and other group
activities also are offered by a
number of stables.
Many workers in Government de-
partments have chosen riding as
their favorite spor-planning for
week end rides or choosing the late
afternoon and early evening, after
working hours, when rentals are
generally lower than on Saturdays
and Sundays. Early morning rides
are popular and riding parties can
be encountered on the park trails
at almost any hour and in almost
any weather.
Most Washington riders are
divided into two classes: The up
town and the downtown enthusiasts.
With an almost equal distribution
Of schools, individuals usually choose
a riding stable which is conveniently
located to their homes. The con-
siderable difference in the topog-
raphy Of the park-with open paths
circling the Potomac Park district
and winding trails leading through
the heavily wooded sections of Rock
Creek-also has its effect in recruit
ing riders to one end or the other.
Downtown stables are located
mainly in the vicinity of Memorial
drive and the K Street Bridge.
Washingtonians who drive through
Georgetown and through the lower
reaches of Rock Greek Park could
hardly miss the Potomac Riding
School-the largest in Washington
Riverside Riding School and Argyle
Riding School, which usually present
scene of activity with horses and
riders congregated in the stable
yards or trotting along the bride
paths paralleling the highway.
Two favorite rides are taken by
downtown equestrians-past tho
Lincoln Memorial the polo grounds.
Evening star., 1938-11-27

us he was a tall, well-proportioned
man, six feet or upward in height,
generally seen on horseback-sel-
domly riding in his carriage. He
usually wore a blue cloth double
breasted coat with gilded buttons,
and I do not recollect ever having
seen him with a round-breasted
coat on, as he is represented in his
bronze statue at the White House.
(Now in the Capitol) In riding
along he usually wore his hat nearly
down over his eyes, a popularity 1
could never account for, unless 1t
was because he sat erect on his
horse as to enable him to look
straight forward"
He also says that Mr.. Monroe was
not as good looking as his prede-
cessor, a natural thing for Mr.. Hines
to say, since he was a great ad-
mirer of the third President.
In Mr.. Hines reference to the
Evening star., 1938-11-27

AS before stated, for several years
past, approximately one million peo-
pie have annually viewed these
trees, and it is really a question If
so many would at any time come
so far to see the Jefferson Memoir
ial when completed. It is certainly
doubtful.
Thomas jefferson was an admirer
of nature, and naturally a lover of
trees, just as much so as Joyce Kill
mer, who tells us In a beautiful
poem:
Il think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree,
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing
breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray.
"A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Evening star., 1938-11-27

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree"
The planting of the Lombardy
poplar trees on Pennsylvania ave-
nue. began in 1903, and continued
during the following year, at q cost
of s11,702, and while the planting
was in progress, Mr.. Jefferson shoy-
de more than usual interest, SPEND
ing what little time he could, watch
ing the workmen place the trees in
the ground.
In this connection it is nice to be
able to quote an eyewitness to the
part taken by President Jefferson
in this historic event. Christian
Hines, the chronicler, was then a
young man about twenty-five years
of age, and when grown old, pub
hshed his Early Recollections. In
speaking of Mr.. Jefferson he tells
Evening star., 1938-11-27

planting of the trees he says: This
was in the year 1899 or 1900, two
or three years after I left Green
leafs Point. The commons, where
now the Avenue is, from the foot OF
Capitol Hill westward, was almost
impossible for vehicles of any kind;
indeed it was difficult for a person
to walk, in some places, on account
of the mud, bushes, thorns, briers,
ETC., and more particularly on the
south side, where the clumps of
thorn bushes in some places were so
thick that I believe they were cut
down with scythes so as to enable
the workmen to make a footway to
Fifteenth street. This they did by
carting earth, gravel, chips of free
stone, ETC., on both sides of the Ave-
nue., to the full extent, until a toll
erably good footway was made all
the way along. '''
After the footways were COM
Evening star., 1938-11-27

and two years later another lot Of
5000 trees was received.
On March 81, 1912, Mrs. Taft
planted the first tree on the west
side of the Tidal Basin in Potomac
Park, the Viscountess Chinda, wife
of the japanese Ambassador, planted
the second one, the only witnesses to
the planting being Spencer Cosby,
superintendent of public buildings
and grounds, and Miss Scidmore.
Naturally, as far as numbers of trees
are concerned others may be planted
to take the place of those removed,
but not in the same spot, and, of
course, it is the setting of the Tidal
Basin that adds so much to the
display of the trees in the early
spring.
The arranging of the trees as we
see them today, is said to be Mrs.
Taft's idea, reproducing in limited
way the Luneta Drive in Japan.
Evening star., 1938-11-27
Bv Lorraine K. Francis

The ideal sport OF horseback rlp-
ing-the "rich mans pastime"-
is well within the reach of almost
any citizen of Washington whose
budget extends to a few of the
simpler entertainments during the
average month.
The Nations Capital, containing
within its city limits more than 30
miles of bride paths (not counting
Maryland and VirginiD, climatically
perfect for year-round riding and
we'll equipped with stables where
horses may be rented for a very
small sum, can offer more induce
ments to the rider than any other
city of its size in the United States.
With more than 200 well-trained
mounts to be found in nearby riding
schools, and the wooded acres of
Rock Greek Park rolling from
Maryland to downtown Washing
ton, almost every one in the Dis
trict lives within a few moments
drive, or street car ride, of net
work of soft, sandy bride paths
leading into the park.
Perhaps the major attraction Of
riding in the National Capital lies
in the natural beauty of its parks
and the natural desire of Washing
tonians to enjoy to the utmost the
sun-dappled trails and open
stretches which have been laid out
by experts for their pleasure. There
are, however, more practical aspects
to the subject which should not be
overlooked.
The low cost of riding equipment,
instruction and horse hire in WASH
ington brings one of the most en-
joyable sports within the grasp of
innumerable individuals who, In
other cities, would never dream of
taking up riding. Add to this the
accessibility of riding schools and
bride trails, and it is easy to un-
derstand why more and more people
are learning to ride and why stable
proprietors are constantly expand
ing their facilities.
The old belief that only those
fortunate enough to own their own
horses could hope to learn to ride
properly has been exploded-to-
gether with any ideas concerning the
psohibitive expense Of the initial
cash outlay for clothes. Boots that
few years ago cost upward of $25-
because almost all were English
made-are now being manufactured
in America and can be bought for as
little as $595. Breeches and
jodhpurs run from $1.95 up-with
many local sporting goods stores
offering specials" where q basic
wardrobe, including breeches, foot
gear and some small accessory, may
be purchased for $6 or 81.
Evening star., 1938-11-27

1869. It must have taken an unusu-
ally long time before they arrived
in Washington, when they were
found to be infected with various
tree diseases, for they were not de-
stroyed until January %, 1910.
Naturally this was a big dis
appointment to all those who were
interested in bringing the trees
to this country, and due to the grief
manifested by the promoters of the
idea, the Hon. Philander c. Knox,
then Secretary of State, a short
while after the burning of the first
lot of trees, expressed to Baron
Yasuya Uchida, the japanese Am
bassador, how badly every one felt
over the unfortunate incident. The
result was that the baron wfote
back home suggesting that another
consignment be sent to this country,
Evening star., 1938-11-27

the Tidal Basin and Hains Point, or
In the opposite direction along the
more wooded paths that lead toward
the Shoreham and Wardman Park
Hotels. Both excursions require
about an hour, but for longer rides
the Zoo and upper end of the park
can be explored or riders can cross
to the Virginia side of the Potomac
River.
The principal objections to down.
town riding are the traffic and the
more or less restricted area, which
can be covered on horseback within
a given time. Numerous streets must
be crossed, the rider must exercise
his Judgment and be careful about
underpasses, where the horse con-
ceivably might become frightened or
slip on the hard surface, and the
rights of pedestrians and cyclists
must be observed. Horses from the
downtown schools are virtually
traffic proof, as far as becoming
frightened at automobiles is con-
cerned, but the rider must watch
out for cars in crossing the wider
intersections. The careful rider.
however, finds the long stretch Of
level ground which follows the sea
wall one of the most attractive rides
in Washington.
Riders in the upper end Of the
park enjoy less formal scampers
through the twisting paths which
have been laid out on both sides
of Rock Greek, both in Maryland
and District territory. Their ad-
vantage is in the virtually unlimited
choice of trails and in the scarcity
of automobile traffic. Nature lovers.
particularly, are attracted to the
upper park where dogwood trees and
pines line almost every bride path.
Numerous riding schools are To-
Gated in the upper park, In the
vicinity Of East-West highway and
Western avenue. Others extend into
Maryland. The fashionable Meadow
brook Saddle Club-for riders who
are willing to pay slightly higher
prices for horses Of show caliber-
is perhaps the largest of these,
although approximately 30 of its
horses are privately owned BOARD
ers" and only 13 are kept for hire.
This school was formerly the Shore
ham Saddle Club, but it was moved
in 1888 because Of increasing traffic
difficulties in the midsection Of the
park.
Other schools, large and small,
follow the Maryland-District bound
ary, where miles of trails are easily
accessible in either direction. North
End Riding School, in Silver Spring;
Bride Path Riding School, on East
West highway, and Try Me Riding
School, on Western avenue, are
among those specializing In renting
The Washington times., 1938-10-10
PETIT POINT

Worthington, too pretty to be
soon a matron, with Allan Morse
and the attractive Mark Sui
livans chatting en- famille
Ex-Congressman Black, of New
York, getting kick and laugh
watching the performers
Francis Buchanan enjoying his
IL million dollahs with music
and drinks >.
Oral L. Garrison, secretary of
J. L. Lewis, of the CIO, refusing
to be snapped by cameraman
at the Troika, the Russian mite
spot Capt. James II. Foley,
a sailor, loving the show -.
Comdr. W. B. Young hopping
around with better-half .. Flea
nor Flood, the Southern charmer,
getting smoke in her pretty
eyes H. Terasaki, the Japa-
nese charge d'affairs at Havana,
telling: "Chiu-chiu, too-pooh"
(it's Japanese) to his daughter
Mariko Dick lock, the tall
Canadian, shagg1ng rigidly with
Eleanor Meem, the local cutie -.
Jackie Martin, the chief-snapper,
squirrel by handsome Bud" Wat
son, looking pickwick-ish resting
his chin on a towering collar
Lieut.. Stuart Blue, another young
sailor, with pip of blonde
Sven" Jordon, a young chap in
full attire, doing "Sven" gall :.
Lieut.. Comdr. Atherton Macon
dray, of the Navy, and wife
Helen, entranced by the Russian
rhythm Stellita Stapleton,
with a new coiffure and new so.
phisticated outlook a la Mimi
Baker, rushing with blond deV-
ote Deane Rucker to the Shore
ham to lead the Palais Glide (the
English dancing routine) with
Barnee, the popular band leader.
THE SOUNDS AND THE