davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-15
TOO SLOW PROGRESS.

The news that the time has arrived for the
removal of the fence about the new Gov
ernment building, which appears elsewhere,
is an evidence that the long work
on that edifice is approaching completion.
The public will miss the array of circus
posters and the glowing representations of
dramatic performances which for many
years have embellished the Government en-
closure. But compensation for that loss in
the line of pictorial art may be found in the
clear view of the building itself, and the
hope that in the fullness of time its accom-
odations will be thrown open to the public
use. In the meantime the interesting dis
covery is made that the new building will
not be adequate to the demands upon it
The postoffice, which was planned for the
Pittsburg of the 70s, proves wholly in
sufficient for the Pittsburg of the 9Os; and
before it is occupied plans are ordered for
an addition. Could there be a more strik-
ing commentary on the plan of extending
the construction of Government buildings
over two decades?
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-15
THREADNEEDLE STREETS LADY.
Her Unpleasant Experience of Gaining Time
by Counting Sixpences.

Her Unpleasant Experience of Gaining Time
by Counting Sixpences.
The Bank of England borrowed Of the Bank
of France before the late occasion. writes
James Payn, in the Illustrated NetCs of the
world, but it did SO then upon its own account.
Mr.. Jevons in his Money and Mechanism of
Exchange" speaks of the actual exhaustion
of bullion" as no ideal event. since it occurred
in this country in 1889 under the system of q
free issue of notes, "when the Bank OF En-
gland was only saved from bankruptcy by the
ignominious expedient of a large loan from the
Bank of France"
The old lady Of ThYeadneedle street was not
at that time the person of property she had
since become; and, after all, the present year is
but her tercentenary. Her original capital was
only 81, zoo. 900, which she lent to William and
Mary, not from admiration of their virtues,
but for the very solid consideration Of fl00, 900
per annum. She was the offspring of one Mr..
Paterson, who had q very speculative side to
his character, for he entertained the idea,
which has since cost France so many millions,
of uniting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Fortunately, the other directors opposed this
view, and, perhaps from alarm at his en-
thusiasm, excluded all Scotchmen from their
committee for great number of years
The most unpleasant quarter Of an hour
(and indeed, it was longer) that the old lady
ever experienced was probably in 1745, when we
are told she was glad to gain time, which in
her case was literally money, "by counting out
sixpenees."
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-15
MILITARY PUNIsHMENrs.
Marked Reform in That Respect in the
Regular Army.

Marked Reform in That Respect in the
Regular Army.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1L-In the annual re-
port of Acting Judge Advocate General G.
Norman Lieber to Secretary of War Proctor
he says: The reforms which have this year been
effected in the military administration mark it
as one of the most memorable in the history of
the army. Perhaps at no time bd >re have the
interests of the enlisted man been so closely
studied. The legislative and executive depart
ments OF the Government have zealously
worked together to improve his condition and
promote his welfare. The measures which have
been adopted toward this end are many and of
great Importance, yet when hereafter we shall
come to weigh and estimate the value of their
results feel sure that the act of Congress re-
Gently passed which provides for the limita-
tion of military punishment, will be found to
be one of the most beneficial, This act gives to
the President the power to fix the maximum
limit OF punishment wherever under the arti
cles of war the punishment is now left to the
discretion of the court martial.
For the lack Of such legislation we have for
some time been working under what in truth
has been only a make-shift policy. From year
to year it has become more and more apparent
that reform in the system of military punish
ment is necessary. The disparity of punish
ment as administered in different military
geographical departments and by different
excessive severis$w which characterized much
of it. attracted attention, and finally led to the
adoption of what has grown to be an actual
system-the equalization and adaptation of
military punishment to offenses by means of the
pardoning power.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-15
LIMITATIONS OF SUFFRAGE.

A rather novel question with regard to
suffrage has been introduced by resolution
of Senator Dolph, of Oregon, for an inquiry
whether in any State the right TO vote is
denied to any male citizen over twenty-one
years of age, or in any way abridged, except
for participation in rebellion or other crime.
In such cases the Fourteenth amendment re-
quires that the representation of such State
shall be proportiOnately reduced, and Sen
ator Dolph is understood to claim that the
poll tax and educational requirements in
the new Constitution OF Mississippi amount
to such an abridgement, ana calls for the
reduction of Mississippi's representation.
With regard to the poll tax, the best way
to obtain a just estimate of the value of the
constitutional point, is to take the case in
which our political sympathies are on the
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-15
PITTsBURG's GAS VENTURE.

The work OF drilling into the fifth sand
will be commenced at the Exposition gas
we'll this morning, and by the close of the
day Pittsburg may be the happy possessor
of gas gusher at the business center of the
city. OF course we must also contemplate
the possibility of an opposite result; but
the indications are such as to arouse definite
and lively hope of valuable addition TO
our gas supply. BY merely touching the
top of the sand steady flow of gas has been
obtained, worth at the present retail prices
of fuel from $50 to S75 per day. The full
result of the experiment will be watched
with the keenest interest, and the universal
hope that such q gas strike will be made as
to again abolish the era of coal smoke, and
perpetuate the supply of cheap and
abundant gas fuel.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-15

HE Red Horse Inn at Stratford-on-Avon is
interesting for more than its name, though
that alone is sufficiently tempting. Having to
choose between the Shakespeare Hotel, the
Temperance Hotel and the Red Horse Inn,
what visitor with o glimmer of poetry in his
soul could hesitate? But the name Is only a
prophetic beginning, This queer old hostelry
had for a guest. one time. good American
gentleman whose memory is still persuasion,
not to say an advertisement. Washington
Irving, that particularly enthusiastic and opti-
mistic traveller, sojourned here during his stay
in Shakespeare's country. Even on the bus
which awaits you at the Stratford station, that
fact is plainly stated in large, proud letters.
And if the Red Horse Inn was good enough
for Washington Irving, surely it must be good
enough for us. That is the logic Of many
Americans, and among them, of some Pitts
burgers, As the register bears witness. So here
we are, committed to the hospitalitiss of the
Red Horse Inn.
The red horse is not visible, unless perhaps
he is to be sought in the stable yard. However.
the front door and the stable are very close
together The bus drives straight into the
midst OF the hotel. You alight To find yourself
in narrow wagon-way, with cobblestones be-
meath your feet the second story over your
head; on your right, the dining-room; on your
left, the kitchen. Close beside the kitchen
flight of stairs makes a dubious ascentinto the
darkness. There is no ''parlor." there is no
office" (tnat is in the landady's apron
pockeD but there is a landlady. and she is
graciously willing TO give you room; boots"
and shows you 10 your apartment. At night,
Whenyou make that perilous and meandering
Journey, you must provide yourself with
candle. You will find 20 of them on table at
the foot of the stairs. You must choose one,
taking the Longest (for they have all seen SER
vice) and 60 to bed.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-15
IMPORTING MORE SONG BIRDS.
Oregon Is Setting an Example Which Older
States May Follow.

Oregon Is Setting an Example Which Older
States May Follow.
From the Portland oregonian.1
The success which has attended the intro
duction of the German song birds here. will be
the means of bringing many more birds here,
and Oregon will be an example for older States
in this matter. The wonderful increase of the
Chinese pheasants brought here by Judge o.
N. Denny combined with the importation of
song birds, has done more to call attention to
Oregon than anything else in which the same
amount Of money has been expended. The So
ciety for importing song birds is preparing to
have a lot more brought here.
Seid Back, the well-known Chinese,merchant,
who has been about q years here, and has
prospered beyond his expectations, thinking he
owes some debt Of gratitude to this State, has
ordered lot of song birds brought over from
China on the Coloma, of which vessel he is a
part owner. He told the steward to buy and
bring over lot last spring, but the fellow was
afraid to chance it, fearing the birds would die.
What difference would that make to your
said Seid Back, when told why his birds did not
come Il told you TO bring them. Ipay for
them, you take good care of them on ne pass
age, and if they die it cannot be helped"
So the steward has instructions to buy and
bring over all the chin chin birds or Tienstin
larks, and any other song birds he can find in
hong Kong, ana IL ne mas goou luck, ana gets
them here alive, we shall have the descendants
of the birds whose sweet songs delighted the
ears of Confucius meeting here the descendants
of the birds which sang in a most heiliga man.
ner to the Germans who destroyed Varus and
his legious long before America was invented or
even thought of. As the Chinese birds do not
sing in Chinese, they will probably have no
more sticks and stones thrown at them than the
German birds.
Our English, Scotch and Irish citizens should
follow the example of our German and Chinese
citizens and bring out some specimens of the
lark cuckoo, .Tinnit'' mavis, merle and other
fine song birds we read of under different names
as natives of the British Isles, not forgetting
the banshee, which is peculiarly an Irish bird.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-15
PERSONAL JoTTINGs.

KING KALAKAuA Is writing articles on the
labor problem of Hawaii for the San Francisco
Examiner.
STANLEY declined to give his autograph to
the Senate pages in Washington, who make a
business of collecting signs-manual of great
men.
RUBINsTEIN has now resigned fop the second
time from the conductorship of the st. Peters
burg Conservatory. 1t is said that the young
Russian composers are working against him.
as they consider him an old-timer and "out OF
date"
MRS. JEANNE p. CLARKE. whose ingenu-
ity has given the world the Game OF Poll
ties" the most successful and valuable
game given the pubic in many years, Is the
wife of James w. Clarke, chief editorial writer
of the Globe.
LORD LYTroN (better known to the world of
letters as Owen Incredibly is the present British
Ambassador In Paris. His Sunday morning
breakfasts, at which he brings together the
greatest literary and diplomatic lights. are the
talk of the town.
ARAB PASTA is slowly dying in CeyloD, the
place of his lifelong exile. 1t has been sug-
gested that an appeal be made to the British
Government asking that some more fittlng
place be selected where the unhappy Arab
chief can serve out his exile.
LITTLE LIONEL BURNETT, who died of con-
sumption the other day. was not the original of
Little Lord Fauntleroy." though he has gen.
orally been supposed to be. That honor fell to
the younger son, Vivian who is in Washington
with his father, DR.. S. H. Burnett.
RALPH WALDO EMERsoN's son, DR.. Ed
ward w. Emerson, lectured On Thoreau in
Concord last week. He earnestly combated
the notion that Thoreau was purely an echo Of
Emerson, and claimed that the former DOS
sessed marked individuality which precluded
imitation.
GENERAL ROBERT E. LEES birthday, Janu-
ary 19, is now a legal holiday in Virginia. The
proper celebration of the day is now under dis
cussion among the Confederate veterans of
Richmond, who expect to have military pa
rade on the anniversary and make the occasion
an imposing one generally.
NJ. H. DE YOUNG, Of the San Francisco
Chronicle, was entertained by Mr.. Herman
7Oelriehs on Thursday at the Lawyers Club,
New FORK. There were four guests present.
the Times; Mr.. Godwln. of the Commercial
Advertiser; Mr.. Rowland, of the Herald, and
Colonel Brown, Of the Nelrs
Two valuable diaries of John Brown, the
Abolitionist, have been presented to the Boston
Public Library through Mr.. W. P. Garrison, Of
New York City, by Mrs. Sarah A. McKim, of
Orange, N. ]. These little books we're originally
given by John Browns widow to her friend, the
late James Millar McKim, of PHILADELPHIA at
the time he came from Rarpers Ferry to
North Elba, N. Y, with the body of the liber-
atOr
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-15
ENGINEERING IN INDIA.
One of the Greatest Pieces of Solid Masonry
in the World.

One of the Greatest Pieces of Solid Masonry
in the World.
The attention of the engineering world is
said to be just now fixed upon the Bombay
Presidency, in India. where is being con-
structed one of the greatest pieces of solid
masonry the world has seen in modern times.
AS the present water supply Of Bombay de-
ponds upon defective works, huge dam has
been designed to inclose the watershed of the
valley which drains into the sea south of Bonn
bay Solely with the aid of native labor, En-
gineer Glover, a Scotchman by birth, began
this gigantic structure, which, it is expected,
will be completed in March next.
1t is two miles long. lis feet in height and lO3
feet wide at the base. The roadway on the top
is to be "a feet in width. and the stone work
will cost 100000 sterling. The lake of water
which this dam will imprison will be eight
square miles in area, so that Bombay
need be under no apprehension once
the Viceroy has officially declared
the sluices open aud the pipes of so miles long
are in working order. Mr.. Glover has 1900
Hindus. all of whom he has trained to this
special work, employed on the dam.
''Tothis S8 years. labor among the natives"
says the Pail Mall Gazette, "is due the fact
that there are in India to-day 100000 men in
all capable stonemasons, carpenters and nav
yies, who have been employed on his contracts
for great public works."
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-15
WIT AND WISDOM.

"Why don't you join the CITY Club?"
UBoshI It's nothing but mutual admiration
society,"
81 guess not. The members there eternally
fighting among themselves. ''-Hdrper's Bazdr.
"what is this thing called hypnotism?"
"A certain power possessed by some people Of
making others go to Sleep"
ssThen I've got q splendid antidote for it. Our
new baby. ''-PhiLadstphtG Times.
Suooper-Lst's go and see Sojay.
slmeral-Not much! don't go there for .
month yet
..WhyP''
''Becanse his wife gave him a box Of cigars for
Christmas present. and he's very generously
giving hem to his friends. ~ Washington Euen-
ing Star,
81 suppose you want your mustache cut
decollete?'' asked the barber.
why. what on earth do you meanH''
s'Nhy, cut down, Of course. ."-PhiLadetphi
Times.
"Another suspicious circumstances is that
you aretravelfng under an assumed name, D." said
the judge.
.sWeii. your honor. amt we all sovereigns In
this country? And ain'tit fashionable for sover-
eigns to travel lineog?''-AGrper's BGzGr.
A Young man rented a room on Sprague
street and returning home late the first night
raped on the window.
s.Who's there?'' asked the landlady.
ssYour new roomer, - he replied.
81 don't pay much attention to rumors, espe-
cially those that prowl at night - came from
voice within. The bed not made the next
morning.-The Spokesman.
Engaged? And you have only visited
her tvice?''
"Yes. Couldn't do anything else; such fine,
lovely girl. The first evening went to see her it
Kept me nervous watching the clcck on the mantle,
and when 10 came took my hat and left.''
s'well?''
swel, last night when 1 called, noticed the
clock had been removed from the room. ."-PhiLG-
dsLphiG Times.
At Dinner.-Mr. Dudderson-My dear,
think hear the baby crying. You'd better send
Mary Up to him.
Mrs. D.-Nary can't 20. She's helping John in
the pantry.
Mr.. D.-Then send Annie.
Mrs. D.-Annic Is down in the kitchen assisting
the cook.
Mr.. Fiipperton (guestJ-Let me 20.
Mrs. D.-Thank you, Mr.. Flipperton. but its
not necessary. John, ring for . messenger boy
Aarper's BazGr.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-15
THIS TROUBLESOME ESQUIRE.
The Mischief and Difficulties of Its Use is
Set Forth at Length.

Inc mischief and Dff1culttes OF Its Use IS
Set Forth at Length.
A gentleman has been complaining in the
papers, writes James Payn in the Illustrated
Ne,0s Of the World, that the use of the word
Esquire is undermining his constitution,
Everyone. he says, is now an Esquire tunless
he is solicitor, who derives impunity from
being gentleman" by act of Parliament),
and insists on being addressed as such by his
correspondents. This is possible IL you happen
to know his christian name, but this is not
always the case, and then where are you? If
you call him - Jones, Esq.," he resentsit
and but for that title Of ceremony you would
write "Mr. Jones'" and all would be well.
In addressing him abroad, this Esquire busi-
ness is still more inconvenient, since the for
eign postmaster knows no such affix, and in the
case OF a registered letter he has even been
known to decline to give il to Jones, upon the
ground that his surname, to judge by what is
on the envelope, should be Esq" The Illus
trated London Nel0s is one of the few news
papers that ignore this title in its obituaries
and its account of wills. Even if Jones leaves
million Of money behind him, 1t describes
him as Mr. Jones. What is far worse, how
ever, than Ais trouble Of Esquire in CORE
spondence is the persistence with which ladies
of all ages. in writing to persons unknown to
them, will abstain from stating whether they
are married or single.
In America they have the intelligence to put
Mrs" or Miss before their signature, when
they expect reply, but in this country we are
supposed to discern this delicate point by their
handwriting which. except for experts, Is diff
cult. What is also singular, though they have
given us no clew, they are always offended if
one makes a mistake. have received scores
of indignant letters arising from this unavoid-
able error. One female correspondent wrote TO
say that she had been known and respected as a
maiden lady in her neighborhood for half a
century, aud to have addressed her as had
done as Mrs" was IAN insult to her character.
and an outrage ON propriety." And yet, if she
had been Mrs" and had called her Miss, "
how much worse 1t would have beenl
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-15
DECEMBER WILD FLOWERS,
1t is Claimed They Bloom Up to Christmas
in the State of Oregon.

1t is Claimed They Bloom Up to Christmas
in the State of Oregon.
A bouquet of the common ox-eye or field
daisy, that pest of the farmer, was left in the
room of the Oreoonidn reporters yesterday, ac.
companied by note stating that the flowers
were Marguerites, found growing in the open
air. in meadow near 'Oswego. Ore. December
4, 1890.
The Marguerite, or daisy. is a midsummer
flower, and the person who gathered the
bouquet in question evidently thought it re-
markable that they should be found in full
bloom in December. This would be remark
able at the East. where the ground is already
covered with snow, but here in the Willamette
Valley, the garden spot of the Northwest,
where December Is often as pleasant as May,
such freaks are not uncommon.
1t is quite possible that in the same meadow
these flowers may be fonnd blooming on
Christmas, as the writer has seen over 30
varieties of flowers blooming in the open air in
a garden in this city on Christmas Day. Gen.
orally, however, although 1t may be warm and
fine nearly up to Christmas, sharp frost or
two comes just before Christmas to spoil the
prospect Of gathering flowers on that day.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-15
GRATEFUL LETTER CARRIERS.
they Form an Association to Build a Monu-

They Form an Association to Build Monu-
ment to S. S. Cox.
CHICAGO, Dec. 4.-The letter carriers of
Chicago held a meeting last evening at the
Government building to discuss means for
raising 5000 among the letter carriers OF
Chicago for the monument which is to be
erected in memory of the late s. s. Cox. A
committee of three was selected to appoint
one man from each postal station in Chicago
for the purpose of soliciting contributions.
The monument is to be erected in New York
City, and will probably be unveiled January
next
circular setting forth the work done by Mr..
Cox while member of Congress. An associa-
tiou was formed, to be known as the IS. s. Cox
Monumental Association of Chicago"
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-15
THE TRAVELLING INSTINCT.
1t Is Strikingly Illustrated in the Person Of
an Indian Woman.

an Indian Woman.
In the last century, says the Louisville
Courter-Jou1ndl Chinook Indian woman.
known to Father Hulk, great traveller and
missionary of that period, while he was with
the Indians on what we now call the Pacific
coast. was many years afterward met by him
in Asia.
Through many vicissitudes and strange expe.
riences, she had passed from tribe to tribe and
place to place. always moving northward, until
she reached Behring's Strait, and there having
gone out in one of the large canoes used by the
seafaring Indians of that region, in q great
storm they were driven across the strait to
wreck and death to all save her. and she wan
dered on until she met Father Hulk in the inte-
rior of Asia.
She had not sought to return, but following
the spirit of adventure bred in her by her
strange experiences, she went on to see new
lands and new people. No Indians had en-
countered Asiatics. No Asiatics had seen
American lndians-unless we accept Father
Huk's suggestion from this incident. that the
American Indians are the lost tribes of Israel
Was she an explorer and discoverer?
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-15
Seasonable Birds.

From the New York Herald.1
For scholars-Reed bird.
For high protectionists-Quai.
For the dear girls-Duck.
For the dudes-Squab.
For actors-Crane.
For newsboys-Snipe.
For burglars-Robin.
For Wall street speculators-Blue Jay.
For typewrirers-TeaL
For Treasury mployes-Eagle,
For sailors-Canvas-b back.
For cranks-Loon.
For men about town-Lark.
For Englishmen-"Plum pudding"
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-15
THE fact that the ownership of the rail-

THE fact that the ownership of the rail-
roads by the Government would cause a
tremendous increase of the spoils of Office in
this country, does not prove an obstacle to the
acceptance of that idea by the Farmers Alli-
ance. This is not calculated to increase gen.
eral respect for the Alliance theories; but the
financial powers should reflect that they have a
duty in the premises They should not drive
people to tho idea of governmental control of
the railways by presenting the alternative Of
railway control Of the Government
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-15

THE fact that the Sandwich Islands number
just thirteen is regarded by the Philadelphia
Times as making an uniueky number for their
admission to the United States. Consid-
ering that the United States started with just
the same number. the conclusion might be just
the opposite SO far as the thirteen superstition
is concerned. q.