davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-20
THE EXAMPLE nF FRANcE

Reports of the condition of things in
France furnish an indication of the weak
ening influence upon the stability of a re-
public, of corruption in high places, and
scandalous features in the political and
economic workings of the Government. 1t
is believed that France is on the verge of a
revolutionary outbreak; and the schemes of
the Reds are given strength by exposures of
corruption. The Universal Exposition of
1873 is now declared upon an inspection of
its accounts to have been ga universal
swindle." The subscriptions to various
corporate enterprises have been authorita-
lively reported to have been swallowed up
in gratuities to members of the Government,
the Legislature and the press; and certain
associations are declared to be for the pur-
pose of '1evying blackmail on every under
taking of financial or industrial natuu"
In such condition of things it is{1St
strange that France should be on the vefte
of revolution, or that Baron Rothscbild
should order his treasures packed so as tesbe
ready for instant removal. A republic that
is perverted to the enrichment of the
favorites of Government. is worse than
monarchy that does the same thing under
the guise of privileged classes. For
the republic to inaugurate the regime of
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-20
Ran N swindIine Lotrerv,

Henry B. Munch an elegantly-dressed young
man, is in Jail because he has been conducting
for three years swindling lottery game in the
Bowery. He did his business behind show
window containing stereopticon and gaudy
chromos. Any man who stopped to look at the
pictures was invited to 60 inside. There he
was shown all sorts of dime museum wonders
and eventually some lottery tickets, costing 81
each. Every ticket was guaranteed to draw
IS prize. A big bouncer silenced the COM
plants of anyone who mentioned the guaran-
tee after drawing a 10cent bit of jewelry.
Yesterday afternoon a detective bought a
chance in Mr.. Munch's lottery. He drew
brass watch marked "1Skarat gold watch"
He then shut up the establishment and carried
Mr.. Munich and his bouncer OFF to jail.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-20
MEANT TO BE FUNNY,

Between the Acts.-Baggs (reading pro-
gramme)-Between the first and second acs three
days supposed to elapse.
Snaggs-By Jove, think the time must be about
up.-To1on Topics.
She eMisunderstands-M Canada (blush-
fngly)-I am sorry, sir, but can never be any
thing more to you than a sis
Uncle Sam (aghast)-Christopher Columbus,
young womanl You misunderstood me. I'm not
courting you. am only offering to be father to
you.- Chicago Tribune.
colonel x. is bril- liant orator, but a
thoroughly egotistic man. Two of his friends were
talking about him the other day.
ssWell " said Jones, ''when die want him 70
deliver an eulogy over the remains"
That's all right; but it won't be an eulogy; it
will be an nogy. - Hashin 9ton Critic.
A Fatal Defect.-Civilian- do YOU
think of the new dynamite cruiser, the NesuviusY
Naval officer (dubiously)-Well, she's a pretty
fair sort of a vessel.
Civilian (testily)-Why, what's the matter with
her?
Naval oficer-The cruiseris swift enough and'su
that sort of thing, but give you my word as
gentleman that her dancing accommodations are
simply wretched, shsmefully jnadequate.-Lops
Citizen.
Why She Loved His Preaching.-One
Sunday as a certain Scottish minister was returns
ing homeward, he was accosted by an old woman,
who said:
'Oh, sir, well do like the day that you
preach.''
The minister was aware that he was not very
popular, and he answered.:
My good woman am glad to hear it. There
are too few like you. And why do you Ike the
day when preach?''
''oh sir, she replied, ''when you preach I al
ways get good seat. ''-The Ledger.
An Ingenious Census Taker.-Kansas
Rustler-Anybody kin be rich if he exercises
little ingenuity. wy, in rs took the census Of
the State at regular rates an made barrel Of
money-took Jest day to county. New Conner
-Impossiblel You could not ''Not at all,
podner. I'D hit town bout sundown, looking
as much as 1 could like a Boston capitalist, an
lest fore goin to bed I'D ask the price Of corner
lots, By mornin' every man woman an child in
the county would be waitin' fer me, and all had
to do was to look out of one of the hotel windows
an count the heads. Thine.
DIFFERENCE.
In the sleigh there was only just room for
us two,
There was nobody else to forbid tt
The music of sleighbells beat time to my heart
And some way or other did it.
There was love in the air that was breathed; the
white snow
Was tfnged with the suns golden glory.
WE'LL spoke-and she gave me the mitten point
blank!
That's the long and the short Of the story.
The wild rush of happiness you do not know.
You can't know unless you have tried 1t.
What's that? Why, she gave me the mittsn-
that's true
But her dear little hand was inside isl
-Yassay kfsesilaay.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-20
THE TOPICAL TALKER.
So me Odd Incidents of City Life in All Sorts
of Quarters.

So me Odd Incidents of City Life in All Sorts
of Quarters.
THE funniest message that ever came
through my hands" said telegraph operator
to me yesterday, was sent by colored bride
| to her prospective bridegroom. happened to
know the parties, who lived in a suburb of this
city, and after handled the message inquired
and found the circumstances The bride, it
| appears, was at her home, and the wedding was
set for 4:3O o'clock in the afternoon. When
noon came the bride became slightly nervous
and expressed her fears to her family that the
groom might have forgotten the hour. Finally
she sent the following message to be telegraphed
to the groom:
90 Ready and waitin &, dear,
When will you be here?'
ITO this an equally poetic answer came:
!" To thee whom most adore,
I'm coming at half-past four
"The bridegroom kept his word"
-
A YOUNG American woman who courageous
ly accompanied her husband to the scene of
his work as missionary in Japan wrote to
friend Of mine recently of her experiences in
her new home. She had only one complaint to
make. Here's an extract from her letter:
Il am trying to pick up enough Japanese to
control two native girls who are nominally my
servants. but really my masters. It's awfully
difficult. AS yet have only learned to say, 1T
won't do.' But have immense use for this
phrase for what the servants do I always have
to make them undo, or still oftener have to un-
do myself. My patience is nearly exhausted
sometimes, and think it was happy thing
for Job that he never lived in Japan"
*x*
WHEN a widower was married recently in
place not million miles from here, a friend of
his who encountered him on the way to the
brides residence. called his attention to the
fact that band of heavy Grape still encircled
his silk hat
"Yes, know that" replied the bridegroom,
"but the Grape isn't half worn out yet and it is
just as well to be prepared for the worst"
-
On Thursday night two inexperienced pup
pies, who are the interesting family of pretty
tleton, got away from their guardians natural
and acquired, and made their first public ap-
pearance on any stage at the Bijou. They were
hailed with hearty round of applause as they
tumbled out between the crimson plush cur
tain and the footlights, but before they could
fttingly respond an unkind fate. represented
by two stage carpenters arms, drew them out
of sight by the hind legs.
-
AN elder sister who was talking to small
brother the other day about the evils of using
slang and abbreviated names, happened shortly
afterward to use the word dictator"
You shouldn't say Dick Tater," said the lit |
tie purist, 'you should say Richard Potato"
Smart practice for small boy of 6, wasn't it?
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-20
THE WORLD OF WORKERS.

OF late years Eastern shoe manufacturers
have been narrowing their lines of production
with view to producing few very fine spe-
cialties rather than great variety of inferior
makes. The custom seems to be spreading
and is said to have proved successful finan-
cially.
A FRENCH stone mason has discovered a
cement which he claims to be stronger, cheap
er. and less liable to damage from the action of
the weather than any preparation now in use.
1t is not plaster, but a heavy, viscous fluld
and is applied with q brush. Its composition is
Kept secret.
THE newest method for hardening copper is
that of melting together and stirring until
thoroughly amalgamated copper and from l
to 8 per cent of maganese oxide. If any alloy
is to be made the other ingredients may then
be added. This process makes the copper
homogeneous, hard and tough.
AN Eastern machinist has stumbled upon an
ingenious way of cooling journal that cannot
be stopped. He hangs short endless belt on
the shaft next to the box, allowing the lower
part of the belt to run in cold water. The turn
ing of the shaft carries the belt slowly round,
bringing fresh, cold water continually in con-
tact with the heated shaft without spilling or
spattering drop.
The statement recently made by barber of
this city-viz: that electricity affects the edge
of razors-seems to be concurred in by a num-
ber of tonsorial professionals. A Kansas City
barber thinks that ''the electrical currents
with which the atmosphere is filled, together
with the personal magnetism of the person
shaved, are the causes of the temporary loss of
edge. in many razors."
A NEW method of annealing small pieces of
steel is in use among some machinists The
objects to be annealed are first placed in a
piece of gaspipe two or three inches in diam
eter. One end of the pipe is then heated and
drawn together, the other being left open to
look into. On the pieces becoming of cherry
red the fire is to be covered with sawdust; a
charcoal fire is used for this purpose and the
steel is left in over night.
THE French Minister of Agriculture has
recommended the butchers of France to use
sugar instead of salt for preserving meat. He
has made series of experiments, the results
of which indicate that sugar is the better pre-
servative of the two. 1t is more expensive but
the powdered sugar forms coating retaining
the juices of the meat without loss, while the
nutritive qualities of the meat are considerably
lessened by the salt.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-20

The story that Hon. Thomas c. Plat
made bargain with the Pacific Railroads
that if they would contribute $500, 900 to the
election funds, he would have Secretary
of the Interior appointed to their liking, is
rather too strong for the public credulity
1t may be that Plat would not be above
such deal; but there is every reason to be-
lieve that before the Pacific railroads gave
up their good money to such an extent as
that, they would require the option to be in
dorsed by someone on whom they could rely
to deliver the goods.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-20
CauRht In an Old Trap.

Young DR.. Jasper Bryant, of Woodbine, KY.
told police justice this morning how he hap
pened to pay s170 for q bag full of paper yester-
day. He thought he was getting $500 in coun-
terfeit bills Some time ago Frank Smith and
]. M. Henderson wrote to DR.. Bryant that they
would sell him good counterfeits amazingly
cheap. if he would come up North to get them.
DR.. Bryant came, called upon his correspond
erts. and got what he supposed to be the coun-
terfeits in question, in a locked satcnel. Smith
told him it would be imprudent to open the
satchel before he got out Of the town. Dr.
Bryant wished to use some of the money, how
ever, and broke open the satchel at his hotel
He had the green goods men arrested imme-
diately.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-20
A Strong Team in Harness.

THOSE two eminent Honorables, Beriah VIII.
kins and Frank Hatton. have made q wonder
full improvement in the morning Post of this
city. I think it is at this moment the best
morning newspaper Washington has ever had,
and it promises at its present rate of progress
to become very soon one Of the really great
newspapers of the country. AS financier Mr..
Wilkins has won a notable reputation, and so
made Chairman of the Committee on Banking
and Currency of the House at the beginning of
this Congress. The executive abilities of Frank
Hatton placed him high up as Second Assistant
Postmaster General, and then in the Post
master Generals chair. Besides, he has had
ample newspaper experience on the Burlington
HdUkeye, New York Press and other papers.
But what want particularly to say is that two
men of such marked abilities have rarely been
brought together in the management of sim
gle newspaper, and many will watch with in
terest the results
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-20

Mr.. c. P. HUNTINGTON has interviewed
himself through the medium of his New
York newspaper in order to publish his
opinion that the bill which extends the debt
of the Central Pacific 125 years at 2 per cent
is just about the right thing. He advances
the proposition that the Central Pacific
ought to be better treated than the Union
Pacific because the latter makes most money.
The argument is rather two-edged. As
very few people have made more money out
of the Pacific railroad jobs than Mr.. Hunt
ington and his associates, does there not
seem to be recoil in this argument toward
a proposition to make these eminent mil
honaires pay up.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-20
THE PROHIBITION AMENDMENT

The vote by which the joint resolution
submitting the prohibition amendment to
the people was made special order for next
vote will be, on the final passage of the reso-
luton. The Republicans are fully pledged
to the submission measure, and it may be
taken as practically foregone conclusion
that next June the people of Pennsylvania
will have chance to vote on the question
of absolute prohibition of the liquor traffic.
The attitude of the parties on this ques-
ton is rather unique. The Democrats are
openly opposed to prohibition, but are evil
IDENTIFY uncertain whether it is worth their
while to oppose submission. The Republi-
cans are irrevocably committed to submis-
sion, but most of them will vote against
prohibition. Heretofore it was sup
posed that the submission Of an amend
ment to the Constitution to popular vote
meant that it was approved by the majority
of the Legislature. 1t was undoubtedly the
intent of the Constitution that it should not
be amended except in such way as should
command the approval of both the Legisla-
ture and the people. Yet this amendment
is being submitted by the votes of men who
do not wish prohibition and who rely on the
people to defeat it. If they did not think
that the amendment would be defeated by
the popular vote they would no more vote
for 1t than his Satanic Majesty would vote
for holy water.
OF course these remarks are not intended
to apply to members like Mr.. bravo, who
are pushing the matter in good faith; but it
is curious fact that many legislators and
politicians are supporting the measure only
because they believe that the popular vote
will reject it. 1t would hardly be too severe
a punishment for them if their calculations
on the popular vote should go amiss.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-20
A DisRuated Wife.

ANOTHER venture did not turn out so pret-
tily for the ticket buyer. A young married
man of this city had been in the habit for a
long time of purchasing lottery ticket each
month, much to the disgust of his wife, and
one month when he bought two her Indignation
impelled him to sell one to friend. The one
he sold drew $4,000, and at least one wife in
the world will never again give advice to her
husband in money affairs. These are lucky
hits out of millions upon millions of failures,
and the chances of winning are so small that
the fact must remain that The person who in
vests in the lottery is something not far re-
moved from donkey. E. w. L
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-20
Smiled for m New Star.

Marcus Mayer, Manager Abbey's chief-of-
staff. sailed for Europe this morning on the
steamship Fulda, with Mexican spaniel dog,
which Mexican grandee wishes him to give to
Patti. Mr.. Mayer has been back from Mexico
four days. He tells everyone he sees how
anxious the Mexicans are to pay $40 or s12
night to see Mr.. Abbey's stars perform. Mr..
Mayer has kept very mum about the object of
his present trip to Europe. Some members of
the profession here are tremendously curious
about the new star he will bring back with him
for Mr.. Abbey.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-20
AN Eastern cotemporary regards the Ne,

AN Eastern cotemporary regards the New
York girl who is about to marry German
baron. and stipulates in the ante-nuptial
contract that he shall have no control over
her property, as very sensible young
woman. Considering the cogency of the
argument that if rich girl is not certain
enough of her husbands love to intrust
him with her property she had better not
marry him, there may be two sides to that
question. The European view of the case
will probably be that the young woman is
desirous of purchasing title without pay
ing the usual market price for it.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-20
WEST VIRGINIA'S VOLCANO.

Phenomenon That Puzzles the People of
Muddy Creek Valley.
From the Tyler tW. ya.) star.l
There is quite an excitement among the peo-
pie of Muddy creek about five miles east of
this place, in regard to a singular hole in the
ground. This phenomenon, or chasm, or what
ever it is, Is on hillside near cliff of rocks
and is unfathomable, so say persons who have
attempted to sound its depths. Every morning
smoke in considerable quantities may be seen
issuing forth, and there is perceptibie degree
of heat. Residents of the community claim
that they have tried to fill 1t with stones, but
that the stones sink from sight, or, in the ver-
nacular of depIzen, ''start on a journey to
China" 1t is now the popular thing for tourists
to visit the ''volcano," as it is termed. All
unite in telling the same story and agree that
they cannot just quite make 1t out
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-20
INTO A BOTTOMLESS PIT,
Mysterious Sinking of Texas Railroad Prop
erty Into Unknown Depths.

MIDLOTHIAN, TEX, January 19.-Great ex-
cltement was caused here yesterday by the
sinking near the depot, without apparent
cause, of strip of territory 2OU yards long,
over which runs the Fort Worth and New Or
leans Railroad. The earth in the afternoon
gave signs like the echo of the thunderstorm
of the preceding day. 1t then commenced
sinking gradually, and within few hours
seemed to be going out of sight. The railroad
called q construction train into service and
had 40 carloads of gravel emptied in an effort
to raise the grade, but by night the gravel had
sunk three feet below the original level of the
road and trains could not get to the depot
Some think the sink hole will develop large
river, while others believe that the sinking will
spread and prove to be something like the
great depressons of the earths surface that
once occurred in Missouri.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-20
Story ofaLottery Ticket,

THE lucky turn OF the wheel which put S75-
GOO in the pocket of Pension Agent Barclay, of
Pittsburg, has led thousands in this city to
squander money each month in lottery tickets
without any return, but in one instance at least
his luck brought Joy to q needy household. You
know Barclay bought his lucky ticket here.
Shortly after that, perhaps just before the next
drawing, poor woman of this city went forth
with the last 81 she had in the house to buy
little food and coal. Her husband is pro-
fessiOnal man, able and of good habits, but one
of the fellows who never catch on. Repeatedly
he was assisted by friends who knew his worth
and misfortune. and that he was deserving.
The lady had read of Barclays luck, and, pass
ing the room of the agent of the lottery the
impulse seized her to invest one of her two
drew one-twentleth of the capital prize of $780,
OO0
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-20

THE Ford committees bill seems calcu-
lated to shut out pretty nearly everyone
from coming to this country to accept po-
sition previously rendered to him. Exclud-
ing idiots, paupers and criminals is all
right; but with the exception only of uni
versity professors and ministers of the gos-
pei, leaves it open to construction that
would exclude engineers, artists. actors,
writers and scientific experts, there is reason
to fear that the bill would keep out the
wrong persons and be evaded in the case of
those who ought to be excluded.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-20

who feel the duty of charity. Is there any
ruer or higher charity than the public
effort to correct the conditions of our COM
mercial or political systems which make life
harder for the working classes, and more
advantageous for the rich? In other words,
is not the best charity that which sets up
public justice against the regime Of trusts,
manipulators and cornerers?
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-20
WASHINGTON WAITS.

Ohice Seekers ConspicuousIy Absenf-Good
CiviI.Servics Signs A Capital Poker
story-vasaries of the Wheel of For
rune-Why One Good Wife Will Never
Advise Her Husband Again.
rFRoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT
WASHINGTON, D. c., January 19-One thing
very noticeable to an experienced habitue OF
the capital these days is the remarkable ab-
sense of Office seekers. That is, there is an
extraordinary scarcity of them when it is con-
sidered that we are within six weeks of the
inauguration of new administration, and
new one which reverses the political complex
ioD OF the administration. -Four years ago at
th1s time the town was overrun with Demo
Gratis, empty OF pocket, but full of hope, i'm
bued with belief. that the rascals would be
turned out. to man, and that vast army of
their own party, who had been livery hungry
and very thirsty for years, would be snugly
installed in office, to remain there for life. for it
was general conviction among Democrats four
years ago that the success of their party meant
lease OF power for at least a quarter Of
century.
Now, though the pulp for office is begun
politicians are flooded with letters asking their
lnnuence. no army of officeseekers crowd the
notels, come here to stay until they are fixed"
as was the case four years ago. Nothing could
OF of1ceseekers that there is not to be any
general, immediate removal of Democrats who
nave got into office during the last four years,
Tor II there were any such conviction the influx
OF persons seeking office at this near date to
the inauguration would be like tidal wave.
People are inclined to say that the civil service
law IS failure and that it ought to be repealed.
AT least the politicians say so. But what could
more clearly prove that it is a great success
than what l have just described? 1t has
come to this, that the politics of the
country is revolutionized, in party sense,
without more than surface of civil service af
fairs even in this city where the civil service
employees form so large portion of the popu-
lation. believe that four years from this time
thousands of goood Democrats will be found in
of1ce, as thousands of Republicans are in Office
now, and that thus we shall gradually secure
stable non-partisan civil service. whose mem
bers will go home and vote quietly for their
candidates without inquisition or assessment,
and intent while at work only upon doing their
duty as employees of the Government transacting
the business Of the Government.