davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Osceola times., 1880-04-03
Manager Mackaye's Experience.

Steele Mackaye, manager of the Mad
ison Square theatre, n. Y, is trying a
series of experiments, the results ol
which the public are informed of from
time to time as occasion offers. He made
the first trial of the double stage" in
vcntion, and has proved its practicable
ity and economy. 1t is an cconOmizer
of time, and prevents long waits and de-
mands that changes of costume be made
with neatness and dispatch. An audi
encc is not worn out waiting for the
changes necessary for the nextact. While
one act is playing in its appropriate set
scene the next set is preparing. The
curtain drops, the stage is raised or low
cred, as the case may be; the curtain
rises on the new scene and the play goes
on without interruption. The curtain at
the Madison Square rises at $50 O'Clock
instead of at s, The regular hour, and the
halfhour saving per night Is the proof OF
the economy OF time. III lsaiso claimed
that the theatre is fire-proof and this
claim was proved up the other night, IN
az much as the theatre caught fire and
did not burn down. The gas man was
lighting the theatre, and his torch hap
pened TO touch the embroidered drop
curtain while he was lighting the border
lights near it. The doors had not yet
been opened. The alarm was gwen, ar d
in the meantime the stage-hands worked
with their own nfire-extingulshing appi-
ances. They put out the fire, but the 49,.
900 drop curtain was destroyed. Several
people who were waiting and would
have been of the audience, were fright
ened away by the fire department in
front. But the doors were opened at the
usual time and the house filed. Before
the performance commenced, Mr.: Mac
kaye appeared on the uncurtained stage
and explained. The efficacy OF the Mad
ison Square fire system was practically
tested, and the iire-proof qualities OF the
theatre were thoroughly demonstrated
Besides, the audience had an opportuni'
ty of witnessing the manner in which
the stages are raised and lowered be-
tween the acts, and they seemed pleased
that the fire had removed the veil which
hid this mystery from the public gaze.
The Osceola times., 1880-04-03

still open. The swapping noise heard
about one o'clock was caused by the Civ
ing wav of spring catch in the lower
sash, which was pried open by jimmy.
The blind stats had been whitfield away
with knife 10 allow access TO the key
or toggle which fastened the iron cross
bar inside. This being dropped down
entrance was easy, and the inside door
was not even latched. The third burg
lar. who remained behind Mr.. Runkle
felt was pouring something on his burn
ed feet. He feared that il was kerosene,
and that this was prepar ltory TO setting
fire to him in worse form than before.
The expected outrage, however, was not
committed. rhe burglar went out also,
and Mr.. Runkle, being left alone, lay
meditating how best TO, free himself
from his bonds. His first effort was to
get the gag from his mouth. Luckily
his under teeth were gone, or he would
not have got ii out; but, as il was, he
managed to slip it down over his chin,
and so got relief here. He next attempt
ed to unite with his tied hands the knot
at the side of his bed. This was tied SO
tight that he at one time gave it up, but,
taking another thought, ne worked at it
again, and at last got it opened. This
allowed him more freedom with his
hands. though still tied across, and he
next loosed the rope at the head of the
bed which had turn around his neck.
This being done, he loosed his feet from
the bottom of the bed. and so got clear
of the bed, but still with hands and feet
tied very tightly. He then got down on
the floor, and by the aid of chair he
made his way to table where knife
lay. With this he readily cut the fast
ening on his feet, but only by holding
the knife in his mouth was he able to
cut the cord from his wrists. The cord
used was of hemp, not quite so large as
common lead pencil in diameter.
The knots were, of course, difficult to I'M
tie.
Entirely exhausted, and suffering
acutely from the injury TO his feet, Mr..
Runkle sat down for short while on a
chair. and reviewed the whole affair. 1t
was half-past three when he got clear OF
his bonds, and the buglars got off with
out any alarm being raised. Lying down
on his bed, he lay till daylight, and
then managed to make his way to the
Ilebard House, where he told the story.
A meeting of the directors was called
and dispatches sent to the chiefs of po-
lice at Galesburg, Chicago, Peoria and
other points. The amount stolen was
$3.50. Two hundred dollars reward for
each of the burglars captured and hall
the money recovered has been offered
by the bank directors. Mr.. Runkle's in
iuries are fewer and less severe than il
he had made resistance. The oil poured
on his feet proved to be sweet oil, show
ing that if there is little "honor among
thieves" there is at least little compass
sion sometimes.
The Osceola times., 1880-04-03
A SINGULAR CASE.
Two Thousand Dollars stolen ON Train
Mysteriously Returned to "a Hotel Guest.

GlODe-Democrht.
Mr.. Freeman Barnum, manager of the
Hotel Barnum, related to a Globe DemO-
crat reporter last night the details of an
affair which was possessed of an air OF
mystery decidedly peculiar.
On Wednesday afternoon there arriy-
ed at the Hotel Barnum Il gentleman
named b. V. Rrooks,' 81 resident of Cleye-
land, o., who was on his way home, ac-
companied by his wife, from 4 visit 70
New Orleans, which city they left Tues
day evening. Mr.. Rocks stated that
himself and wife occupied a through
Pullman sleeping car, and on retiring on
Tuesday night he placed under his pill
low in his berth red leather pocket
book, containing $1,000 in bills of the
denominations OF $40, 50, 81 and -. On
awaking Wednesday morning he was
startled to find that the pocketbook and
its contents had disappeared. Hastily
donning his clothing he reported the mat
ter to the conductor and porter, and
thorough search Of the car was made,
but without any satisfactory results.
Fortunately, he had in another pocket
book money enough to pay his expenses
home, and he determined upon reaching
the end of his journey to make an ener-
getic effort TO recover the stolen prop
erty.
Yesterday morning rs Mr. Rocks was
seated in the Office at the Hotel Barnum,
he was approached by tall, rather soedy
looking man, who asked him il he had
lost any money, and, if he had, if it was
true that he had offered Il reward of 5000
for its recovery. Mr.. Rocks replied that
he had lost some money, and also that
he had offered the above reward for its
recovery.
"Do you think you can recover it?"
asked Mr.. Rocks.
81 think can if you'll pay the $500
for it," replied the Sc edy man.
Have you got it with you?" suddenly
asked Mr.. Rocks.
The stranger hesitated and stammered
something about the reward, when Mr..
Rocks started for the door to call po-
liceman, when the stranger called HIM
back and hastily drawing the red pocket
book from his breast pocket, he said
"Here, take the money, | don't want
to be arrested. You can have 1t without
paving any reward"
As soon as Mr. Rocks had taken tn,
pocketbook the stranger left the hotel,
and the former never thought of having
him arrested until he had been gone for
at least ten minutes. Upon opening the
pocketbook $1,000 in bills, of the dcnom-
nation named above were found, but
across the face of each was stamped the
word Counterfeit" in red ink. Mr..
Barnum was unable to state whether the
bills were stamped before the robbery or
not. Mr.. Rocks was evidently pleased
at the recovery of his pocketbook, and
left for home soon allerward without
explaining the latter feature of the case.
The Osceola times., 1880-04-03
The Paper Tariff.

The newspaper industry is one. of the
largest, one of the most necessary, and
one of the most valuable in the country.
Yet il is shackled and constrained by an
absurd tariff system, which puts it IN
the power of the paper manufacturer to
levy an immense tax on the public jour
mails, 10 the injury not alone Of the news
papers but of the whole reading public.
The paper manufacturers allege as pre-
text for their inordinate exactions that
they have to pay high duty on articles
necessary for paper-making, say soda
ash, caustic soda, betting alum and ul-
tramarine. But the tariff on these arti-
clcs is no higher now than il was during
the era of low prices, and the whole
amount OF these articles import
ed last year was Sl,lSl 600, of
which only a part was imported for
the Use of paper-makers. To take away
this preteXt these articles might be
placed on the free list. But the real
trouble is in the protective duty on pa
per. If there were only moderate rev
enue duty on foreign paper, the newspa-
pers and book publishers could protect
themselves against the combinations of
the newspaper monopoiists. As 1t Is,
they are not permitted TO have access to
the vast supplies of Europe. The power
to force unhealthy fluctuations in the
price of newspapers-fluctuations which
are ruinous to the business of Journal
ism-or to plunder the newspaper pub
fishers at willis put by law in the
hands of the paper-makers. Now the
newspapers propose not to submit to the
extortion if they can help it. They will
probably demand a repeal of the duty
on unsized printing paper-that is to
say, they will urge the passage Of the
bill for that purpose introduced by Mr..
Fort, of Illinois. Perhaps the general
revolt OF the press against the tyranny
of the paper-makers may Dring those
gentlemen to their senses, as it did some
years ago, when they attempted an en-
terprise similar TO that in which they
are now engaged. But, whether this is
the effect or not, we call on our Senators
and Representatives in Congress to sup
port and work for the repeal of the oner-
ous, destructive and ruinous tariff on un-
sized printing paper.
The Osceola times., 1880-04-03

IT is rare that the people of any local
ity publically acknowledge the benefit to
their place of a newspaper although they
never fail to make use Of its columns, II
possible, to further their private inter
ests. But the residents of Rhinebeck, in
this state, are of different mind. The
Gazette. of that village. recently coni-
pleted its first year under McGrath d
Ackert, when nearly hundred of the
leading men OF the place signed letter
complimenting the projectors on their
prosperity, approving of the tone of the
paper and acknowledging the benefit de-
rived by the place through their enter
prise all of which was richly deserved.
- Yonkers Gdzdtc.
The Osceola times., 1880-04-03
CHASTITY THOUGHTS.
About Ghosts and Their Perambuiations.
II

Burlington Hiwkeye.
Ii makes me feel as Prof: Workman
once said, like ghost, TO come back to
towns where have lectured, and walk
along the streets and recognize one face
after another, and see that none of them
remember me. 1t is just as though |
had crept out of my grave for. little
while, and was walking about the streets
seeing and unseen.
"What fun it must be TO he a ghost"
said the sad passenger, "to 20 about with
people and listen 10 their confidential
talk, a d hear things they never intend
ed for any ears save their own"
"How easy it would be TO fill up col
umn,' said, 'and what sale the HdUk,
eye would have, if it had but one sharp
ghostly reporter on its staff"
"And you could lie down and let the
cars run over you just for fun" said the
fat assenger, "and get up when tie last
car had passed, and dance in the middle
of the track, and make hideous faces at
the brakeman"
81 wonder" the passenger with the
sandy gotee began, looking thoughtfully
at the fat passenger, Il wonder" and
then he stopped.
"Well, WHAT" demanded the fat pas
senger, instinctvely feeling that he was
the subject of the speakers thoughts.
The passenger with the sandy gotee
colored.
"Oh, nothing" he said, "nothing par
ticular. ! was just wondering i all
ghosts-if there were any--if all ghosts
were the same size, YOU know2"
A faint smile wreathcd its half rn-
81
the pilgrims, and the fat passenger, with
Il forbidding glance at the tall, thin pas
senger, said scornfully:
81 should hope not. I'd be ashamed
of myself if my ghost shouldn't be any
bigger than some live men are.
The tall, thin passenger looked idly
out on the wlntry landscape that lay in
the snow about Edenburgh, and sand, in
thoughtful tones, that if "ghost pattern
ed after their former bodies, the ghosts
of some men, sailing through the air,
would not naturally be mistaken for
balloons"
"Yes," the fat passenger said, breaking
in on the ripple OF laughter that stirred
the caravan, "and if ghosts shrink any,
the ghosts of some other men, gliding
down the staircase, would make them
think the bel-cord had put on a night
shirt and was going down stairs for Il
drink"
And before the tall thin passenger
could get back at him, the CHASTITY con-
versation was broken up by the brake
man shouting in such healthy, living
tones that the subject was forgotten;
columbus. Run to the windows and
look out for Sep Stansifer"
The Osceola times., 1880-04-03

A COMPANY of capitalists is preparing
to erect and operate a sugar-beet factory
at Low Point, Dutchess county, on the
the Hudson. The projectors were form
erly engaged in like enterprise in Cuba.
The farmers of Duchess county and
along the valley of the Hudson generally
are requested by the projectors to state
how many acres of land they intend to
plant with beets. Should sufficient
acreage be secured the factory will be
erected Immediately. 1t is claimed that
the farmers can make more money cul-
tivating beets than by raising grain and
other produce The factory proposes
to pay S4 a ton for beets, The crop to be
grown from seed furnished by the COM
pany. The pulp, which averages about
twenty per cent. of the weight Of the
beets, will be returned TO the farmers.
The pulp, it is claimed, is among the best
food for cows and other stock.
The Osceola times., 1880-04-03

WoNo AU SING was buried in San
Francisco with elaborate Chinese rites,
because he had been wealthy and infiu-
ential. At his residence juss was put
at the head of the coffin, many candles
were lighted, and peacocks' feathers
were placed on the coffin. A priest rang
a bell and struck pair of cymbals while
reciting from the good qualities and
deeds of the dead man. Then band of
musicians played on Chinese instruments
and hired women mourners walled. The
procession was headed by an ordinary
hcarse. Then came carriage full of
bell ringers, several carriages containing
mourners and newspaper reporters, and
finally wagon laden with roasted pigs
and chickens, boiled rice and crabs,
bottles of liquor, joss paper, candles and
chop sticks. At the grave an inscribed
brick was Inferred with the remains, a
large quantity OF paper and candles was
burned, and the food and drink were
left in pile. Three women from Wrongs
harem were not permitted TO enter the
cemetry, but they built bonfire of holy
paper outside.
The Osceola times., 1880-04-03
stunning Salaries.

The salaries of some of the railroad
officials show that corporations apprc-
ciate the services of the men who man
age their affairs. IL. j. Jewett, President
of the Erie Rail road, has salary of s40,-
600 II year; Tom Scott, president of seven
railroads, draws 100000 salary, $4,000
from the Pennsylvania Railroad alone;
J. W. Garrett, President of the Baltimore
and Ohio, has a nominal salary Of -, 900
year. There are to-day fifteen general
managers of railroads in the United
States whose salaries run from $4,000
TO SIS 00O nine general superintendents
with salary Of $1,000 to $4,000 yearly,
and number of officials in the same
rank who receive over $1,000.
The Osceola times., 1880-04-03
Congressional Funerals.
Kansas City Times,

The funerals of Congressman who die
at their post of duty are expensive lux
uries. Last year the government Treas
ury was mulclcd Sl3.366 on this account.
The funeral OF Gustave Schlaichler, of
Texas, cost s., l02, of which S3lS.50 was
expended for gloves and silk scarls at
50 each for the delegation. The cost of
the funeral OF A. :. Williams was Il ,449.
of T. J. Quinn was S452, of Rush Clark
s., ,634, of b. b. Douglas Sl.04l, and of
Julian Hartridge, of Georgia, 81, $50. .The
itemized account of the expenses of Mr..
Hartridge's funeral show the manner in
which funeral delegations spend the
Governments money. The railroad
tickets cost S70950, and $3.50 were adj
dcd for special car. The bill of car
riages was slS3. Before starting on the
trip, apparently, an elaborate lunch was
provided, and afterward dinner. The
dinner cost sl5, but the cost of the lunch
was $4,000; S4s.40 of the sum was used
at dinner saloon which contains bar,
and $3.50 (Which is specially set down
as "lunch'D at liquor saloon which
does not furnish meals. But the "ftIner-
al baked meats" are not the heaviest
item. The public printer states that the
printing of oulogies to deceased mem
bers has cost to date $4,000 and there
are several more cases to hear from.
The Osceola times., 1880-04-03


A DETROIT man received last week
quite large package from Japan, and
the postage thereon was only two cents.
This is certainly cheap enough for going
half way around the world. With ii
came two cent japanese postal card.
This card is nearly half an inch wider
than our card and three-tenths of an
inch longer. Strictly speaking it is not
a card, as it is no thicker than common
paper. Two of the postoffice stamps are
in genuine teachest characters. The
Toxic stamp isvery much likcthat of De-
troit. The Yokohoma stamp shows that
it took twenty days to travel from Toxic
to Yekohoma, which is rather slow going
even for Japan.-Free Press.
The Osceola times., 1880-04-03

LATER dispatches give accounts of the
coolness of the Car under the recent
trying circumstances. There is strange
mixture of tragedy, comedy. immortality
and piety in the business. The Car is
said to be lapsing into moods of morose-
ness which il is feared are fore-runners
of softening of the brain. From these
moods only the Princess Dolsorousky,
his mistress, can arouse HIM, and for
this reason the czarina is forced TO sane
ton her presence. After the explosion
Car devoutely went to church to return
thanks for his preservation, and then
probably returned to enjoy the caresses
of the princess. What shameful scenes
are revealed when the curtain is raised
from the private life of monarchy!-Iroy
IN w Times.
The Osceola times., 1880-04-03
President Wisconsin Editors and Pub
fishers Association.
Warming Up "a Female Minstrel show.
Ithaca gppeial

Last night the Nine. Mentz Female
Minstrels gave an entertainment at Will
gus Hall, and about 200 students who
we're in attendance tried to break it uD.
During the first part of the performance
the shouts, cat-calls and horn blasts
grew 50 fierce that the manager was COM
PEELED TO ring down the curtain, but on
the protestations of the students that
they would thereafter remain quiet the
cultain was raised and the performance
resumed. When the last piece--a Pima.
fore burlesque-was attempted the noise
became 80 loud that the singers could
not be heard, the whole mass of students
joining and singing Cornell version of
Pinaiore at the tops of their voices. The
town roughs, who formed large portion
OF the audience, became angry at the
proceedings, and commenced an assault
on the students. Chairs and benches
were broken, eyes We're blackened and
heads pummeled, and, to add to the con-
fusion, the gas was extlnguished. A
rush wa; then made for the street. and
the fighting continued. The police ar
rested freshman, and after a severe
struggle got him TO the lookup. Several
attempts were made by the students to
rescue him, but each time they were
prevented by the police aud the Young
men of the town. After considerable
wrangling trial was held. The fresh
man was tined $50, and on President
The Osceola times., 1880-04-03

New ENGLAND is fast assuming the
most conspicuous place in divorce an
mails. Mr.. Sidney Andrews, who is an
official statist in Massachusetts,, has
ust reported on the subject of divorces.
In that State these were in
1873 as to every 2l marriages, against l
TO 81 marriages in 1860. In Vermont
during the past ten years the ratio of di-
vorces to marriages has been l to IL, in
Connecticut to l2, in Rhode Island !
to IA. These and similar statistics from
other States will be interesting studies
for the Legislative Committees on the
judiciary at Albany the members ofwhich
seem to be again beset by popular
pressure for a relaxation OF our very own
stringent statutes as to divorce.
The Osceola times., 1880-04-03

Russell becoming surety for fine the
offender was borne off in triumph by the
students. Until late hour last night
occasional fights occurred. between
townsmen and gownsmen, great manv
sore heads and bleeding noses resultinv
theretrom. Three or four students were
carried off insensihle or bleeding, and n
great number of both parties were badly
beaten with clubs, although no one was
fatally injured. :, Is thonght that The
matter will not end here, as both sides
are tnirsting for revenge, and il is far
to presume that the wranclinf will con.
tinue for some time.
The Osceola times., 1880-04-03

The Emperor William, feeling the
weight of his years, extremely dislikes
10 have his son the Crown Prince, leave
him even for short journeys. His Ma
iesty, who has hitherto borne the IA
ticues of the court season remarkably
well, astonishes everybody by his fresh
ness and vigor. He is said to be far
from pleased at the early close of this
years festivities, which terminated rath-
er prematurely. owing to the speedy
commencement of Lent.
The Osceola times., 1880-04-03
A Good-Natured Sovereign.
London Truth.

The most notable characteristic of
Alfonso MI. is his extreme good nature
There does not seem to be drop of gall
in his composition. Left to himself he
is light hearted, emotional Young gen
tleman. with keen appetite for pleas
ure and a remarkable frankness of
speech. His mind is that of lively, in
telligent young woman. He can appre-
ciate a fact with clearness of perception
that does honor to his understanding
and his practical good sense is much
greater than his Imagination. To COM
mand his attention it is necessary to
show him some solid advantage, and he
is by no means disposed to over-cstimate
fine words and varnish. A person who
wisht d him success went 20 congratulate
him Immediately after his proclamation
as King of Spain, and found him rather
puzzled than impressed by what bad
happened. at is all well and good" he
said, "to call me Sire and tell me ! am
a sovereign, but | have yet received no
money, and | do not quite know what to
make of this business. A King without
mouey will never do" His Majesty,
having delivered himself of this sentl-
ihclt Nllnout illt sillilltSl tilbdi"'N
ment, seemed TO rely on his visitor 10
confirm the sober truth of it.
The same utter want of reticence be-
longs to most of his conversation, and is
exceedingly winning. lie makes no at
tempt to deceive anybody, and has none
of the traditional Bourbon duplicity
which has been so fatal to monarchy.
lie makes his wants and his weaknesses
known to all whom they may concern,
and talks Of most of his most private
affairs with confidence quite refresh,
ing. lie is assurediy a warm-heartea
man, incapable of saying an unklnd
thing or doing harsh one,
SIX months ago a party of young men
left Williamsport for the Black HIS.
From time to time they have proudly
written back that they were doing wen.
But one of them wrote to his father tha'
he would be home on "Wednesday ever
ing, and added, "Meet me on the agen,
cy road at dark, just out of town, ana
hiring blanket or o whole pair of trous
ers with you. 1 have hat"
The Osceola times., 1880-04-03
TIMELY TOPICS.
ARKANSAS

Ar ball in England recently the
united ages Of the party Of fifty-nine
ladies' and gentlemen presented agre-
gated 4, 4,259 years. A gentleman born IN
1890 opened tie dance with lady four
years his junior, and they waltzed us
briskley as couple of twenty.