davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-01-21
BY WILFRED BROWN.

Above the smoke and shot and
shell of heavy artillery barrage
autters . small gray form, scarcely
visible from the war-torn earth. It
circles for moment, then heads
back over the battlefield in q
straight, sure line, paying not the
least attention to the big guns below,
or to airplanes roaring overhead.
One Of the Army's faithful carrier
pigeons is carrying message to field
headquarters from the hottest out
post in the front lines.
The pigeon lands on the roof Of
its cote, built in trailer. A soldier
carefully slips of its light harness
and rllshes the small, thin alum
mum cylinder containing the mes
sage to the divisional commander.
The pigeon has come through in
minutes with q message that might
have taken q man a hazardous hour
or more.
Carrier pigeons are used by all
armies for carrying messages from
remote outpostS, where it is impos-
sible or impractical to string wires.
The United States Army used hun
dreds Of pigeons in the last World
War, and now keeps hundreds in
training. ready for duty if America
again should face an emergency.
AS soon as he is released, pigeon
gets his bearings and flies as
straight as possible toward his cote.
He Is not confused by smoke, and he
makes a small and rapidly moving
target for an enemy marksman.
During the last war the German
Army tried sending up trained fall
cons, or hawks, to capture pigeons
Of the allied forces, but with little
success.
While their most spectacular serv-
ice is in wartime, carrier pigeons are
being used in increasing numbers In
more peaceful pursuits. Within the
last several years they have been
drafted into service as messengers
for newspapers, to carry copy and
Photographic aim In emergencies
when time Is important, or when
other means Of communication have
broken down
Evening star., 1940-01-21

ment 1t managed Cnaries SteoDLhs-
to print all the high school papers
in Washington. At present, the shop
uses over $1,000 sheets of paper and
nearly 100 pounds of ink year. The
shop has morgue for filing photo
graphs after they have been used.
Proofs of all material printed are
kept on file for at least two years.
The shop also has library contain
ing more than 100 books and
pamphlets about printing and re-
lated subjects The printing classes
use this material for reference work
in connection with shop problems.
There are six printing classes
daily with 80 students in attend
ance. First-year students are re-
quired to write short book and to
print and bind it. Second-year
students do small work such as
printing report cards. Third and
fourth year students work on the
Central publications, the Bulletin
and the Review.
During the year, the students pre-
sent an exhibition of their work.
The last exhibit included calendars
for every month of the past six
years.
Today the print shop has large
flat-bed cylinder press and a num-
Der of small presses. The shop re-
Gently received a new bookbinding
sewing frame.
Evening star., 1940-01-21

NoiAiAIlCI Cldl lii.
portance, beauty, scenery and his
tory. Ever since the days when
Henry Hudson and his crew sailed
up the broad stream on the Half
Moon, 1t has been one of the most
historically rich American rivers.
From the deck of a Hudson steam
er passing northward, one may see
many scenic views. In the summer
and autumn these steamers leave
the New York City wharf at 8:45
am. and reach Albany, State Capt.
tai, at pm.
Let's pretend we are on a river
steamer at this moment, admiring
those interesting sights we are about
to see. We first notice that the
Hudson springs from the steep,
rocky mountain slopes of the Adj
rondacks and the dark pine woods.
Unlike most rivers, the Hudson
is fascinating to the traveller down
to its very mouth. AS we are pass
ing up the river we can see many
miles above New York, very rugged
and mountainous region. Even Man.
haitian Island consists partly of
rocky ridges rising as much as 200
feet above the Hudson.
More Enchanting Scenery.
Before leaving the shores of Man.
haitian, we see the steep black rocks
of the Palisades, stretching like a
mighty wall along the Western shore
with scarcely room enough at their
base for house or factory. They
seem to stretch at least IS miles
along the side of the river. We
don't wonder that this natural for
nation of rocks, crowned with it's
picturesque forests, is one of famous
beauty and interest.
Passing leisurely along in our
steamer, we come to some more
enchanting scenery. We find the
river has cut its way through a
range of mountains called the High
lands, and at once our eyes are
turned to center of attraction,
the United States Military Academy
The suggestion has been made to us
that visit to West Point was well
worth our time, even if we did
have to climb up to the plateau where
1t is located. 1t is there that many
Of our famous generals received
their training. Next we arrive at
the museum where there is an ex-
cellent display of old guns and
weapons We can see in the dis
tance the broad parade grounds
where the young soldiers drill.
-Four hundred feet higher up the
hillside is Fort Putnam, from which
may be seen the river and noun
tains. Below these grounds along
the wooded slopes, one may climb
down to the rocky part of the noun
tains, where the bare sides dip into
the river.
North of the Highlands, the banks
of the Hudson flatten out into a
broader valley. Twelve miles to the
west there are the blue ridges of the
Catskills, with deep valleys, broad
mountain views and summer hotels.
After an exciting and pleasant
Journey, We reach the harbor of
Albany. tired, but pleased with an
enjoyable trip.
Evening star., 1940-01-21
Cork Is Replaced
Bv BaLsu Wood

Cork, which floats so readily in the
water, is an extremely light sub
stance, weighing a great deal less
than a piece of wood of the same
size. However, there is one variety
of wood which has supplanted cork
in comercial use because of its light
ness. 1t is the balsa wood, of which
lifesavers are now being constructed.
This wood, which is cut in the
forests of Ecuador, weighs little
more than half as much as an equal
amount of cork, and yet, when treat
ed with waterproof material, it be-
comes sturdy enough to weather the
seas. With its lightness, balsa wood
combines strength equal to half
that of spruce.
During the World War it was used
in making wing braces on airplanes
and hydroplanes, as it was able to
stand strain in spite Of Its light
ness.
Evening star., 1940-01-21

lIUNl tTlpS, VuSlQld SdlQ. 1OOdy
she has 30. q variety of sizes and
shapes that have come from many
parts Of the world.
Some of them are from England,
China, Gibraltar, Italy. Japan. In
dia, France and Canada, as well as
from 13 States in this country.
The spoon of which Virginia is
most proud is one from Egypt. Vir-
ginia said 1t is approximately 200
years old. Her collection gives
something Of pictorial history of
the evolution of family silver of the
past two centuries. Some of the
spoons are of modern, familiar
shapes. while others are of unusual.
fancy and figured designs. the kind
of spoons that once graced the
tables of our great-grandfathers.
The hobby is not entirely his
torical. because some of the spoons
are of the souvenir kind. bearing
eQgravings and designs of exposi-
tions, fairs and other events for
which they were especially made.
Virginia. who now attends Green
belt High School, has found the
hobby a great Joy and is glad that
she became interested in it.
Evening star., 1940-01-21
Night Dream
Prise Contribution
BY DOROTHY BRINCKMAN, IL

ny DOAO IN DNANShMhNy IL.
Clifton Cva.) Elementary School.
Many people like the country, as
do I,
Where no towering buildings hide
the sky,
Where the snow is free to fall at
will
Upon every meadow, dale and hill.
One evening as I calmly sat alone,
Silent as brooding, ice-cold stone.
I saw a scene that filled my soul
with delight
And transformed the cold, wild
night.
Each like a fairy in a silvery gown,
The snowfakes came dancing down
And lit like fairies where they might,
Oh, they were a glorious sight.
So silent the room. so still and drear.
My own hearts beating 1 could hear
While yet outside the world was
glowing,
Bright and glorious, for it was snow
ing.
1t seemed a queen larger than the
rest,
Brighter far and prettier than the
best,
Came to me with bow and smile.
And begged me to dance q little
while.
I opened my eyes and gazed about,
I ran to the window and looked out
I pondered and wondered what
had seen,
But I never again saw the Fairy
Queen.
Evening star., 1940-01-21
Prises T0taling S.
| offered for Best
Contributions

Boys and girls of all ages up to
and including high school age are
invited to write for The Junior Star.
Prizes of 81 each are awarded for
the best five contributions published
each week. The following rules must
be observed: 49,
l. All contributions must be orig
inal.
2. Name. age. address, telephone
number df any and school of the
author must appear at the top Of
the first page of every contribution.
3. Contributions must be written
on one side of paper; if typewriter
they must be double-spaced.
4. The editors decision as to the
winners will be final, and The Star
reserves the right to publish any
contribution received in whatever
form he may deem advisable, re-
gardless of whether it is awarded a
prize. Checks will be mailed to the
winners during the week following
publication of their contributions.
S. Contributions will not be re-
turned.
Boys and girls who wish to act as
news correspondents of The Junior
Star may qualify by submitting at
least one feature story (the princi-
pal stories on this page today are
good examples of what is wanted
together with the information called
for above. Those qualifying will be
given cards identifying them as re-
porters for The Junior Star. The
editor reserves the right, however,
to decline to issue reporters cards
or to revoke those already issued
whenever such action appears ad-
viSable.
Address: Junior Star Editor, The
Sunday Star. Washington, D. C.
Evening star., 1940-01-21
On a Hilltop
BY SILVIA PROST, IS.

cItoo NSdI 11lBu 0NuUol
Below me stretches the countryside,
as far as far can be
Here winds the river, blue and wide,
on its way to meet the sea.
The houses like quaint little people
sit, brilliantly clean but worn,
And in yonder field Craze the cattle
fat against q ground Of corn.
The road is like q rolling spool of
silver thread that winds
Across the hilltops and thru the
vale and then reclines
And let's the busy people hurry on,
sauntering or pass
Each other with a friendly nod,
across its yawning mass.
And further still I see the grove
where little children play,
Or picnic there when the sun is hot
on summer day.
And here on the hill just hear birds
sing and see the wild flowers
nod!
And feel the breeze and smell the
pine and be close to Heaven and
God.
Evening star., 1940-01-21
Here's Why Marines
Are Le1fkerueCks'

Most boys and girls, and probably
few grown-ups, believe that
marines are called "leathernecks"
because Of their exposure to the heat
Of the tropics and the tanning effects
Of the rays of the sun. But the sea
soldiers were given this nickname
for an entirely different reason.
In the days when the marines
wore their hair in long. powdered
braids, they were given stiff, close
fitting leather bands, called stocks,
to wear around their necks. These
stocks held their heads erect in the
approved military manner, and pre-
vented the powder from their hair
from brushing off on the backs of
their uniforms.
This custom was still in practice
nearly 100 years after the soldiers
had abandoned their braids. And
thus originated the nickname
"leathernecks."
Evening star., 1940-01-21
Spreading the Carpet and Stretching
Aisle Ribbons Part of Their Duties
They Pave a White
Way to the Altar
For Bridal Party
BY ROBERT A, ERWIN.

Emmett Rogers, 10, and Billy
Smith, 9, apartment house neigh
bors at 2415 E street NV. and
classmates at Grant School. earn
their spending money serving as
attendants at weddings. 3,
Emmett is something of a veteran.
He went into the wedding business
in october, 1888, while Billy re-
Gently completed his apprenticeship.
He became Emmett's partner last
June.
They are rather quiet and reserved
boys, and the work has given them
touch Of dignity. Now that they
have acquired reputation, their
services often are in demand by
families of young women who are
to be married at home or in church.
There's something unusual about
their job. The duties usually are
threefold. They often light candles
at the altar. They spread the long,
thin roll of white carpet down the
floor of the church aisle or through
the center of home living room,
paving white way to the altar for
the bride and bridegroom.
When the family and friends have
been seated and the minister is
about to perform the marriage cere-
mony, Emmett and Billy step in,
in fact they tiptoe, and stretch
along the sides of the aisles. the
ribbons that CLOSE" the pews while
the ceremony is in progress. The
ribbon stays there until the wedding
is over and the bride and bridegroom
have left the church.
Emmett and Billy found this part
time vocation when a woman en-
ployed by local florist telephoned
the Y. M. CA. and asked that some
boys be recommended for work at
weddings for which her shop fur
nishes the flowers.
Emmett was nominated, and he
became wedding specialist. In
June he moved to the E street ad-
dress and met Billy. They formed
a partnership and since then have
worked as a team.
Their earnings are substantial.
Emmett used part of his savings
to attend the New York Worlds
Fair last summer, while Billy bought
himself a camera. According to
their parents, they are careful with
money and think twice before they
spend dime or a dollar.
Has anything unusual ever hap
pened to you?" Emmett was asked.
He put his hand to his chin, fur
rowed his brow and concentrated.
1t was a tough question. After a
few moments, he exploded with the
exclamation, Eyes. I remember, we
were tipped a dollar one time"
The boys like to meet people,
young, old and middle-aged, at
weddings. Their employer notifies
them in advance of a wedding and
then an hour before the ceremony
drives to the apartment house to
pick them up.
There is an occasional trip in con-
nection with the job. They have
been to Quantico, Va, several times
for weddings at the Marine Bar
racks.
From fall until spring the boys
wear dark, double breasted suits
and dark four r-in-hand ties. When
summer comes, they wear white.
Evening star., 1940-01-21
Uncle Rays
Corner

Several weeks ago reader sent
me a letter saying, Il should like
you to tell us how to pronounce
Zuyder Zee"
The first part of the name is pro.
nounced "ZI-der" and rhymes with
cider" AS to the second part. you
may take your choice of Zee" or
'Zay."
The f1oodgates in the dam which
blocks the North Sea from the Zuy-
der Zee can be used in defending
Holland against a foreign army.
BY opening the floodgates, the
Dutch can let the waters Of the
North Sea come roaring in. This
would tend to fill up the old basin
of the Zuyder Zee and would force
water southwark.
Basins of an old chain Of lakes
exist south of the zuyder Zee. These
basins would be filled again.
BY opening the floodgates. the
Dutch believe they could flood a
region several miles wide. making
water barrier from the southern end
of the Zuyder Zee to the Mas
River.
The opening of the Zuyder Zee
floodgates is only part of one flood
plan. There are dams or dykes be-
side several rivers of Holland. BY
opening the river dikes at certain
places, the flooding would be helped
along.
Some practice flooding took
place in the past autumn. The
Dutch were fearful that Hitler
would order his army to invade Hol-
land. but if there was such plan
at that time it was not carried out.
To let water out of the Zuyder
Zee would be in the nature of
last stand" 1t would block the
way of the foreign foe toward AM
sterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam,
Leyden and other important cities.
The leading cities of Holland are
on the western side.
We have spoken Of the Zuyder
Zee, but in late years the Dutch
have been calling the blocked-of
part of this body of water Lake
Yssel, also spelled 1jssel." How
ever 1t is spelled, the name Is pro-
nounced "ICE-el."
Lake Yssel contains water which
Is not nearly so salty as that Of the
old Zuyder Zee. Vast amounts of
salt water have been pumped out.
and rivers have brought in fresh
water.
The change in water has taken
place since the World War. Flood
water let out from Lake Yssel would
not damage the soil 50 much as
ordinary sea water.
If the North Sea floodgates are
opened 1t will mean an thrush Of
very salty water. This will mix
with the almost-fresh water of Lake
Yssel. The amount can be con.
trolled, however, with no more sea
water used than needed.
When we look back at Hollands
long, brave fight against the sea, 1t
is sad to think Of the little country
being flooded. The Dutch are brave,
however, and If war brings wide.
spread flooding We may be sure they
will take up the work of fighting the
sea when peace returns.
Evening star., 1940-01-21
Sea Song
Prize Contribution.

Prize Contribution.
BY JANE L. FENDRICH, IL,
Anacostia Junior High.
MY restless soul is longing
For the mystery of the sea,
For the vagabond's within me
And is calling to be free.
I long to rove the oceans,
To hear the waves wash gay,
To sail the mighty waters
For the romance Of Cathay.
I want to know the salt again,
The angry white caps roar
The smell of fresh, pure air again,
Far from the busy shore.
Oh, to feel the spray again,
To hear the wild gulls cry.
To taste the winds and feel the
stormS,
To see a star-lit sky.
My restless soul is longing
For the magic of the tide,
And when sail into the winds,
It shall be satixaed.
Evening star., 1940-01-21

capsule and fastened to the pigeons
harness. Within a few minutes the
bird lands on the roof Of the news
paper building. The film is hastily
developed and prints and eng{av-
ings are made.
When the huge liner Queen Mary
made its first journey from England
to America, q reporter covering the
voyage carried a crate of pigeons
with him. He released them, with
photographs and stories. when the
liner was 100 miles from New York.
The pigeons made 1t home In three
hours, twice as fast as the Queen
Mary. The best time ever made by
one Of this newspapers birds was -
miles an hour from Philadelphia to
Evening star., 1940-01-21

A large city daily was the first
newspaper to hire" a staff Of
pigeons. Now pigeon cotes are stand
ard equipment for a number of
newspapers and Photographic agen-
cieS.
The birds are used most frequently
in covering athletic events, such as
the World Series or major football
games Early in the game q photog.
rapher snaps q picture Of some spec
tacular play. He puts his camera in
q black bag, with slots for his hands.
and removes the fllm 50 that it will
not be damaged by light.
The Aim and q caption for the
picture, written on thin onion skin
paper. are slipped into "A aluminium
Evening star., 1940-01-21
Make Business of Serving Special Weddings
Just
Between
Yourselves
BY PHILIP II. LOVE.
Junior star Editor.

l ~S~sSss
For those who like to write or
draw, there are few experiences
quite SO thrilling as seeing their
work published in . real newspaper
or magazine for the first time. That,
suppose, is the principal reason
why The Junior Star receives 80
much mail.
The cash prizes offered for the
best contributions published each
week are powerful incentive,
know; but even without them, !
believe, the mail would be very
nearly as heavy. For many boys
and girls have told me that they
are immensely more interested in
seeing their work in print than in
winning one Of the five weekly
prizes Of 81 each.
Just by way Of example, here is
. letter from Ruth Buchanan, IT.
year-old Central High School cor
respondent:
II, too. want to thank you for
the prizes I have received for my
contributions to The Junior Star.
There are some things, how
ever, that I can never thank you
enough for. They are the pleasure
derive from the work. I believe
would be willing to pay, instead OF
being paid, for this privilege.
II hope some day to become q
well-known journalist, and per-
haps even q novelist; but no thrill
can ever equal that Of seeing my
first published article In The Junior
Star"
remember how thrilled Ruth was
when that first contribution ap-
peared in print. It represented the
nrst dollar her Journalistic efforts
earned for her, and she refused to
cash the check, preferring to paste
1t in her scrapbook, along with the
clipping Of her story. My grand
children will get big kick out of
seeing that check" she said.
"And The Stars bookkeeping de-
partment will probably get a big
headache out of trying to figure out
why it doesn't come back duly in
dorsed and cashed," pointed out.
But that didn't feaze Ruth. "It's
my check" she countered, land I
guess can keep it if I want to-
Another contributor who cares less
about prizes than about seeing her
work published is Charlotte Louise
Endres, 9. of 1858 Tuckerman street
NV. who writes:
Thank you very much for putting
my poem, Leaves in the paper.
I am glad you liked 1t. I was so ex-
cited when saw it there. because
did not think you would use It,"
Charlotte's poem didn't win prize,
but that fact had as little effect on
her as the bookkeeping departments
headache had on Rutland, to
prove it, she adds:
II am sending two more poems in.
hope you like them
Well. I haven't had a chance to
read the poems yet, Charlotte, but
can tell you this, anyway: I like
your spirit!
| X X X
Rattle Karrer. 8, of 419O Wheeler
road Sc, pupil at Congress Heights
School, confesses "a great fondness
for snakes" explaining: Il like to
skin them. One day last summer, my
chance came. Two boys named
Wink and Jimmy and I were play
ing cowboys. Then Wink called us,
and there was copperhead. It is
q very fine skin now, and want to
make a belt of it,
Evening star., 1940-01-21
Snow Queens Visit
BY CHARLOTTE ENDREs, 9,
Brightwood School

Brightwood School
The Snow Queen made a visit to
our town,
All dressed in a lovely white satin
gown.
When she arrived, she met Jack
Frost,
Painting all the leaves on the trees.
Then they danced and sang
While sleigh bells sweetly rang.
Evening star., 1940-01-21
January

BY RUTH LATONA, IL,
Damascus (Md) Elementary School,
jolly January's here,
Come In with the wee New Year.
January brings such fun
When our big snow man Is done.
Der the frozen lake we'll glide,
Down the long steep hill we'll slide.
Then around the hearth at night,
While the Goals are glowing bright,
With our cousins, Jean and Ted.
First month In the glad New Year,
Jolly January's here.
Evening star., 1940-01-21
Skating

Skating
BY JUNE ANN DOLLARHIDE, IL.
Jackson School.
It's fun to 60 ice skating on the
pond,
To wear q costume and carry q
wand.
We glide and whirl until at last
Hours Of time have quickly passed.
When the sun settles In the twi-
lights glow,
It's then we realize it's time to 60.
We hate to leave because it's true
Our days Of skating are very few.
We know its the sport We love the
best,
As we Journey homeward for a good
nights rest.
Evening star., 1940-01-21

in America, 1t
has become ar
important water
way because il
flows t hro u G h
New York State
into the Allan
tic at New York
City and is con-
nected by canal
with the Great
Lakes.
The Hudson
may be COM
pared with the
Thames and the
Rhine Rivers in
Evening star., 1940-01-21

Husband, Gin Despair: Don't
bring me any more bills-I can't
face them"
Wife: II don't want you to face
them, darling. I only want you to
foot them"
Evening star., 1940-01-21

program carOS,
absence rolls
and, most i'm
portant Of all,
the Central Bull
letin and Re-
view, sch o !
newspaper q n d
magazine. re-
spectively.
The shop was
orga ize d in
1917 ith a
small hand press
and sc veral
cases Of type.
With this equip
mont II ppd
Evening star., 1940-01-21
HudsOnRive1
Boat Trip Is
Interesting
Student Describes
Sights of Historic
Waterway
Prize Contribution.
BY PATRICIA cox. IL,

WOODROW wilson High Scnool.
One of the most interesting trips
any one could take would be a boat
trip up the Hudson River. AL
though one of the shortest rivers