davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Paul daily globe., 1889-01-06
AGON|ES OF AN AGENT.
A Minneapolis Young Man Must Call
on Pa.
LIFE INSURANCE RACKET.
He Tries the Convincing Round
and Tells His Expert
enCe.

"Something's got to turn up or I'll
have to send home to the old man for
stuff" said young fellow to his COM
panion as they waited for supper in a
Fourth street coffee house.
"Why, 1 thought you were going to
make your fortune off that life insur-
ance business you started on yesterday
morning. You haven't given that up,
have youT'
''I'd rather carry banner for 10
cent show or act as Indian dummy, for
a cigar store than be life insurance
agent. Yesterday was shown around
all day by the assistant superintendent,
and he made me believe l could coin
money at it. He knew just where to
take me, and did all the dirty work
himself, and when we got back to the
office he said / had made $12.40. This
was to go where / pleased. l thought
I would insure the business men of the
Boston block first, and walked In past
the sign No agents or peddlers allowed
in this building,' with as much assur-
ance as if owned the place. / took the
elevator to the top floor, thinking
would work down. did work down.
four steps at a time, when large,
'healthy-looking porter. informed me saae
had carried out eight insurance agents
the day before. 1 wondered how he
knew, and didn't notice how my pocket
full Of pink circulars branded me In
Surance.'
'sThen decided the Insurance was
better for poor people. as it was in small
weekly payments, so walked several
miles to another part of town, tryingto
imagine was working. finally came
to region concluded I'd work, and,.
after walking around a block FIVE times,
decided which house would try first.
St. Paul daily globe., 1889-01-06
AN AUTOGRAPH QUILT
That Set a Mount Curve Recep-
ton Wild With Envy.

At a private art reception held on
Mount Curve avenue one day last week,
the hostess announced that she had
pretty novelty in crazy work to show
her visitors. When she stepped out
the room to bring the quilt all those
women shrugged their shoulders and
whispered to each other "How very
common" "CraZy work has gone out of
style," 81 don't admire her taste,"
Lets go home," and all those other
little remarks that women like to make
sub rosa about their dearest friends
possessions. But when the hostess
brought forth the quilt, it compelled a
hum of admiration from even th at Sc
verely artistic gathering. The ground
piec es were of only three colors-old
gold, cream and blue-all of plush and
with wide border of old gold plush.
The popularity of the quilt consisted in
the fact that each piece had been en-
broidered by some friend Of the
hostess with her favorite flower
and the name worked In tiny
letters in the corner of each block, max
ing it an album quilt. After being duly
examined and admired, the guests voted
it vast improvement on the autograph
album-probably because it involves
far greater outlay of time and money.
Several of the ladies' concluded to start
one. But one young lady sighed and
said: 81 can't have one because 1
haven't any lady friends, and my gen.
tleman friends can't do. fancy work.
She concluded, as substitute, to pro-
cure glove apiece from her gentleman
friends, cut a block from each, piece
them together and have a leather sofa
pillow. She thinks it will be a unique
mnmento in wears to come.
St. Paul daily globe., 1889-01-06
sistible force to the average kwoman's
pocketbook. No matter whether she

Slstlble force to the average kwOman'S
pocketbook. No matter whether she
needs the article or not. 1t is cheap,
ergo, it must be economy to buy it be-
fore her neighbor sees it and bears it
away in triumph. All of the dry goods
stores have been taking an account of
stock during the past few days, thus
bringing to light the accumulated odds
and ends of the years trade. Bargain
seekers bear these away as fast as they
are exposed for sale, The clerks smile
and are glad. Sometimes a different
scene is enacted at home. One day last
week newly married couple who live
on Portland avenue had serious quar-
rel about some purchases. The husband
came home to dinner, but in
stead of his wife's smiling face
and an inviting dinner he found
the front door locked and the servant
out riding with the gr0cer's clerk.
the next car back to Nic0llet avenve and
dined at restaurant. On coming home
that evening he stumbled over various
parcels in the hallway and found, his
wife in the Sittiug room surrounded by
a varied collection of fancy goods.
''W-Why, what's the matter, Mamie"
he gasped; '.has some eccentric relation
sent you cart load of presents at this
late day. OF are you going to start junk
shop, or a charity bazaar-"here he
stopped. not being able to think of any
more plausible suggestions. His doubts
were speedily removed, by his wife's re-
plying with a bright smile: 'Why no,
Charlie, it isn't any one OF those things.
| have just been shopping all day long
and just see what wonderful bar
aims, I've bought. Of course some
of the pieces are a little
faded OF shop-worn. but then they were
so cheap and was so interested look
ing through the stores that forgot al
about dinner" Charlie wasn't much
like an embryo junk shop. 'But where
did you get the money to buy all this
stuff" he inquired. Il thought you
spent all you had for holiday presents"
$50 did," Mamie promptly replied.
81 told the merchants to send the bill to
you, for of course l knew you wouldn't
mind my buying few things SO cheap;
they may come useful any time, or we
can give them to the poor. So there's
nothing lost"
They didn't discuss the matter any
more that evening. But the next day,
when Charlie received bills aggregating
Sis, or more than his salary for the
next three months, there was heated
debate at home. Now Mamie has gone
to stay with her mother. The second
hand dealer has those goods-that is,
all that he would take at any price; the
rag peddler got the rest. Charlie will
take his meals in basement restaurant
for the balance of the winter. A dainty
little cottage on Portland avenue is
"For Rent" Perhaps that couple were
young and foolish, but the little episode
only shows that days shopping may
bring in its train serious consequences.
St. Paul daily globe., 1889-01-06
Miscellaneous Bouquet Of the Flowers From the Min
neapolis Garden of Note and Com
ment.

has succeeded in making the rest Of her
set enviOus and is cOrreSpOndlngly
happy. 1t happened in this wise: She
received calendar from friend who is
travelling in Italy. 1t is miniature fan,
there being an ivory tablet for each
month of the year. The figures are
carved by hand on the ivory. spray of
flowers is also inlaid on each tablet in
mother-of-pearl, in varying tints. The
tablets fold past each other like the
sticks of fan, and are so arranged the
tablet for one month can be shown. the
others being only partly visible. giving
the effect of a half-open fan with a
bouquet of flowers painted upon it. An
easel matching the fan accompanies it.
The calendar is unique, so it is no Won
der that the other girls wish that they
had friends travelling in Europe who
would send them such dainty teSti-
monialS of regard.
Some pretty articles in this line may
be found in our own city. Some have
twelve tablets of rough and ragged
edged, cream-colored paper tied with
knots of old rose ribbon. While around
each leaf is a branch of hand-painted
roses, and legend in old English let
tiers. Another entitled, 1.-THE Daugh-
tiers of the Year." is book, having vel
lam leaves and gilded edges. The cal
endar takes its name from TennysOn'S
lines:
''The daughters of the year,
One after one, thro' that still garden
passed,
Each garlanded with her peculiar flower
Danced iuto light and died into the shade" :"
Quotations from popular authors are
given, appropriate to each month. jan
uary is typifed by snowdrops, Febru,
ary by crocuses, March by violets. April
by lilies, May by primroses, June by
daisies. July by red clover, August by
nodding harebells, September by the
glory of the golden rod, October by
autumn leaves, November by chrysan
themums, December by holly.
Ladies who have some artistic ability
decorate calendars with pretty designs
and make them doubly valuable to the
recipient. Of course all these calendars
are pretty, but the fact is that they are
too pretty for common use. They will
be laid on tables and in portfolios, but
the almanac and the advertisement
will furnish the calendars which are
uSed eVerV daV in the year.
St. Paul daily globe., 1889-01-06
AWAY With THEM.
A Second Avenue Circle Finds
Arsenic in Madras Curtains.


1t seems that physicians are always
making invaluable discoveries. some
thing that would have been utterly un-
known to the world were it not for their
scientific acumen. A New York ply
sician has written to lady in Min
neapolis saying that he has discovered
that Madras muslin is colored with a
preparation containing arsenic. He
also speaks of an appalling case where
whole family showed symptoms OF ar
senic poisoning. The physicians, upon
investigation, concluded that the arsenic
came in tiny particles through the air
from Madras curtains, with which the
windows were draped.
That lady went to sewing circle,
held on Second avenue, the next day.
On telling the information she had re-
ceived. the sewing circle felt rather de-
pressed. Madras muslin being cheap,
and having such pretty app earance, it
had been favorite for curtains. Now
all those pretty curtains have been
taken down and are drug on the mar
ket, so to speak. For their owners are
sure that the New York physician is
right, and to leave Madras muslin cur
tain in the house would be flying in the
face of Providence. Most articles that
people don't want can be gwen to the
poor, while some economic writers have
thought it would be a good plan to kill
off few thousands of the poor an
nually; yet Minneapolis ladies are
hardly ready to try the experiment by
distributing muslin which is supp osed
to be poisoned. Clearly, the only rest
ing place for those unfortuna te draper
les is the garbage crematory. 1t is quite
likely that DR.. Kilvlngton'S minionS will
be quite wiling to let let the them 60 up in in
will be amoug those people, who think
they have reduced economy to science
St. Paul daily globe., 1889-01-06
THE CHURCHES TODAY.

Park Avenue Congregational, DR..
| WOOdbury--FOrenOOn, communion and
reception of members. Address, "Keys
to the Kingdom" Evening, "The Rest
less Mind" Five evening meetings
| next week.
Church of Christ, Portland avenue
and Grant street, Rev. W. j. Lhamon,
pastor-Morning at 1890, External
Vigilance" Evening at 1880, "They
Sought to Take Him by Craft"
The ladies of Gethsemane church will
hold social at Mrs. Charles Hoyt's, on
Sixteenth street, next Wednesday even
ing, Jan. 9. ALI are most cordially in
vited.
The liberal ministers will meet on
Monday at 10:30 in the study of Mr..
Simmons. Rev. Marion d. Shutter will
reada paper on ''The Poetic Element
in Jesus"
Church of the Redeemer, Rev. Marion
D. Shutter-Morning: ''Tne Mystery
of the Ages" Evening: ga Few
Words on the Irish Question:"
Rev. G. A. Burgess from Providence,
r. l., arrived here yesterday morning.
He delivers his first sermon to the First
Free Baptist church this morning, and
as his people have neither heard nor
report. They are very much interested
in the event.
st. Johns Episcopal Mission, in Ma
ben's hall, Sixteenth street, corner
Fifth avenue north. Preaching this
afternoon by Rev. Mr.. Guion at 4
o'clock. Seats free. Everybody in
vited to come.
Young Mems Christian Association
Sunday Notices-Beginners' Bible class
at 9:15 in the members parlor. This
class is for beginners in the Christian
life. Young men who have recently
commenced the Christian life are in
yited to be present and take part in this
class. Young Mems Bible class at $3.50
in the lecture room of the Westminster
church. Gospel meeting, for men only,
at $50 in the lecture room of; Westmin-
ster church. corner Nicollet avenue and
Seventh street. This meeting will be
an experience meeting, at which from
so to loo young men will tell how they
became Christians. These experiences
will embrace some that are happy, help
full, joyful, sorrowful and interesting.
This meeting is preceded by half-hour
song service, which commences at 80
O'Clock. The singing is conducted by
male chorus and orchestra. Gospel
Hymns No. are used to sing from.
St. Paul daily globe., 1889-01-06
A KEEN LITTLE MERCHANT.
A Flower Girl Who Conquered a
Gay Dude.

Two sprightly little midgets, who
during the summer season might any
day have been seen on Nic0llet avenue
peddling flowers under the supervision
of jaunty elder sister, Rose, yesterday
approached a group of fastidiously
dressed young men in the Nicollet house
corridor. There was business twinkle
in their eyes, and they attracted the at
ton of their victims easily, for the
young men seemed hungering for
amusement. After teasing the two a
few minutes for the amusement OF his
companions. the young fellow asked:
'HOw's ROSe?
"Oh! Roses all right. Do you know
her?"
Eyes, indeedw
"You do! Say. give me a nickel.
then?''
Seeing the young fellow shake his
head, the little witch, assuming tragic
air. grabbed her tiny sisters hand, eA-
claiming in stage whisper:
Lets hustle out of this, Biddy: that's
Jack the Ripper and he wants to rip
Rose"
He threw quarter after her as she
stopped and looked back as though she
would renew depredations, and, telling
his laughing companions he had to
meet man at the union depot, left.
St. Paul daily globe., 1889-01-06

l asked the little girl who came to the
door for her mother, and she called out:
! Ma, there's a man here wants to
see you. Shall tell him YOU are not at
h0me?'
'.'What does he want?'
Il explained l was representing a
New York life insurance company,
Whereupon she yelled:
Another insurance agentn
"'Yes; tell him Pm not at hOme.'
And so it has gone all day. Cross
dogs, crOSSer women, doors slammed on
the foot put inside to stop them with,
foreigners, and men who kicked me out
because dishonest company had swim
died them.
"The only woman I could get to talk
to me was afierce-lOOking one who tried
to induce her husband to take out Sc, 900,
and actually believe she would kill
him at the end of the necessary two
months. 1t seemed chestnut to him.
'"The only man that wonld talk to me
proved to me it was sWindle and made
me think of English landlords with
his story of the awful agents weekly
visits for collection, and l felt like turn
ing in and licking fellow who had
actually induced little girl to let him
write her policy on which she was
going to pay cents week till she died
and receive s155 for her descendants.
mo, sir, I'll saw wood, but won't
be life insurance agent. I've seen
more people thought mean to-day than
supposed lived in all the world"
St. Paul daily globe., 1889-01-06
LOCAL MICAWBERs.
In Varying MOods---Waiting for
Something to Turn Up.


There are many women in Minneapo-
lis, who like Micawber, are waiting
for something to turn up" Those who
are always busy may think this most
amusing occupation. But those who
have tried 1t think differently. The
something" which is expected to turn
up represents various known and un-
known quantities. The tired society
girl wants "something' in the shape of
an invitation to spend few weeks with
some rich friend or relation.
The marrageable girl is waiting for
'something'' bearing the semblance of
man and who may materialiZe into
model husband. Factory girls wish that
"sOmething" called business would be-
come brisk so that there would be plenty
Of work.
thing' to turn up which would enable
them to pass the coming examinations
successfully and without the usual at
tendant trials and tribulations.
The politicians wife hopes that
something" in the shape of lucrative
office will be awarded to her husband.
as recognition of his efforts in behalf
of the successful 6. o. p.
The giddy girl awaits something" III
the shape of snow storm, in order that
the gulleleSS yonng man may take her
out sleigh riding and leave his hard
earned shekels with the aYaricious
livery man.
The wife of the retiring oficeholder
hopes that something" will enable her
husband to keep his Office for few
months. That legal technicality in re-
gard to qualifying for Office would be
something to be most earnestly desired.
The literary girl would like to see
''something" in the shape of a poem
from her pen, turn up in the Sunday
paper.
The lazy girl wishes that ''something''
would turn up so that she could live
like fairy princess or a lily of the field
and never have thought for the NOR
row.
The Christian girl is waiting for
something" in the shape of royal
road to heaven, as the old pathway of
self-denial and righteousness is nearly
worn out, and quite unpopular in this
age.
So there are hundreds of others, all
waiting. Some with that Wistful, pa
thetic look which tells of hope long de-
ferred. Others with the eager i'm
patience that chafes at delay and is sure
that the coveted ''something" will soon
turn up. Then all will be Colour de rose.
The cynic would have US pity those
hopeful people who are always waiting
Tor something to turn up. Yet perhaps
they are not so much IN need of pity
after all. The hope of something better
makes the present ills more tolerable.
Time spent in building air castles is not
often regretted, even if they never ma
ferialiZe
St. Paul daily globe., 1889-01-06
A KING OF SKATERS.
Axel Paulsen, the Ice Champion,
in Minneapolis.

in Minneapolis.
The worlds champion ice skater,
Axel Paulson, of Christiania. Norway,
who arrived in this city from Paris,
France, few days ago, has decided to
remain here short time, and has
signed contract to appear in his fancy
skating specialties at the Morton rink
this week. He will give two exhibitions
--one Tuesday evening and the other
Wednesday evening, Paulson has a
one mile record of 3:05 As on an eight
turn track. at Hamburg, in 1886. On
the same track he made the TWENTY-FIVE
mile recOrd-One hour and twenty
seven minutes. In 1887, in Christiania,
he skated mile. with turn, backwards,
in 3:31 Is. Paulsen is thirty-three
years of age and was born in Christfania
and from boyhOod up has always
been considered a phenomenon on
states. In Scandinavia he is called
'.Skaite Kongen,' meaning lice King"
He came here direct from Paris, France.
where he had filled an engagement as
fancy roller skater at the MaisOn Tuil-
cries. He gave an exhibition before
the members OF the Bostonian company
Friday afternoon at the Martin rink,
oIu Oul loNo CfCl y UOuy Will hlS NOIl-
derful feats on the ice. Using figura-
tive expression, it may be said 'he eats
ice." His skates are a novelty and mas
terpieces of workmanship. They were
given to him at a tournament held in
Stockholm. and are composed of solid
silver. They are fastened to the shoes
with rivets of gold. The skates are con.
sidered the most beautiful and unique
in the world. He has a trunkload of
medals and premiums, the handsomest
of which is silver cup valued at 10000
francs. Fritz Liehr, champion one-mile
and long-distance skater of Norway,
Sweden and Denmark, is also in the
city, and wants chance to skate Paul
sen race from one to ten miles for any
amount of money. A Minneapolis busi-
ness man has offered to back him, and
it is likely that some interesting sport
will be seen in a short time.
St. Paul daily globe., 1889-01-06

A Hennepin avenue druggist was
leisurelv arranging fancy stand OF cut
glass bottles, purporting to contain
costly perfumes and lotions. AS ne
finished his task he remarked: Its
wonderful what there is in a name.
Now, look at that lotion labelled Mad
anne Forosini's Balm of Youth L sell
two or three dozen of that week at 81
a bottle and you wouldn't guess what 1t
really isl
The lotion was put up in fancy little
bottles, containing about an ounce each,
the shoppers being tied with satin rlo-
bon. A crimson and gold label set
forth its virtues. On being poured out
the lotion was seen to be cOlorless and
faint perfume of wild roses was per-
ceptible.
Solution of arsenic," ventured a
man who had been reading some awful
stories about the means by which
women use to beautify their complex
ions by the use of arsenic and thereby
are brought to an early grave.
"You're wrong" said the druggist.
Others guessed every cosmetic from
witch hazel to rose water. Each time
the druggist only laughed and shook his
head, at the same time refusing to tell
the secret. After the others had gone,
one more curious still remained. By
dint of much coaXing, the druggist
finally said: "Well, if you must know,
that lotion is only distilled water with
a few drops of perfume in it. l have a
retort in my labratOry. The water is
boiled. and as it goes off i'll steam the
steam is collected in the glass retort,
cooled, and trickles into vessel below
as distilled water"
Don't you think it little bit dishon-
est to sell distilled water at 81 an
OUNCE" said his auditor.
mot at ALL" said the druggist, "dis-
titled water really does improve the
complexion. The ladies couldn't pro-
cure it except from the chemists labra-
tory for the apparatus is costly. Then
# | get them to buy this they are saved
the temptation of using solutions con-
tanning lead or arsenic. The only dis
honesty is in the name and label. 1t is
not my fault that human nature likes to
be fooled. Ladies buy Nine. ForOsini's
Balm of Youth who would laugh i'll de-
rision if it were called distilled water.
That label is simply good business i'll
Vestment."
The druggist complacently busted off
the stand, and his customer sauntered
down the street rejecting, 'WOuld
rose by any other name," ETC., etc?
St. Paul daily globe., 1889-01-06
ELEVATOR ECSTASY.
One of Many s Genes to Be Wit
messed in Large Blocks.

nCSStu AdTSc oIOChSs
"Oh, mister, please don't go so fast;
you make my heart futter," gasped a
pretty, buXom maiden as she grasped
the framework of the elevator OF one OF
the seven-story blocks of the Flour City.
It was probably her first ride on che
elevator: one could see that the last
vestage of the rustic life had not YET
been erased from the sun-touched lace
of this innocent damSel, and there was
the car but would hayeher0ically folded
the trembling, sweetly- moulded form
to his breast and quieted the futtering
of the bird-like heart, with longing
that the elevator might go rushing
downward through illimitable space.
But they didn't, and the elevator
stopped just the same as it always did,
and the young lady who, a minute be-
fore, had felt like the earth was drop
ping away from her, stepped once more
on terra tirma.
The Nte of the elevator man is bright
ened by introducing the uninitiated to
the dizzy flight: and truly, as an old
countryman said the other day as he
landed, "It's the durndest gone feel
ing ever was.'
The human race might be divided by
the elevator into classes. There's the
immaculate dude, who unbiushingly
stares into the mirror from the instant
he is on board. The gallant is easily
distinguished, for he stands with un-
covered head if there be one of the
gentle sex to honor. The giddy girl.
who always manages to go when the
car is pressed full to overfowing; and
there is bound to be still more giddy
youth will join with her in making
more room for the sake of fellow pas
Sengers. s.
The story of the old lady who rode
half an hour and then said to let her
off at the union depot has become a
chestnut; but Sam, the courteous ele-
vator man whose ebony face shines on
the Lumber Exchange passengers, says
he has half dozen men he carries
daily who never know whether they are
up or down, and often get off on the
ninth floor to go out into the street.