davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-29
RUSSIA AND INDIA.
The Eastern Situation as Illustrated by a
Homely Old Anecdote.

Homely Old AnecdOte.
Chicago Inter Ocean.1
Again the alarm has sounded from London
that Russia has designs on India. Nothing
in the catalogue of sensations will so stir up
the British nation as an intimation or asser-
ton that Russia is moving on India. The
accusation has been made thousand times,
and it always stirs the English people to a
high state of Indignation and irritation.
The humorous side of the question is pre-
sented when Russia answers such accusa-
tions. Her reply is like that of the old darky,
who, when he was accused of stealing
chickens, Indignantly denied the charge, but
added aside, of he had said ducks he would
have had me-" Russia g answer to EngIand's
charge of a purpose to invade India Is al
ways a square denial with an aside to the
effect that If she had said some other country
on the border of India the plea would have
been guilty.
1t is necessary to keep the people Of Great
Britain In a state of eXcitability as to any re-
strictionS of British rights in Central Asia.
Their attitude has been for half century
one of suspicion; and 1t must be admitted
this suspicion, if they have not justified
alarm MS to her intentions and purposes 1t
is probable that Russia does not contem-
plate any invasion of India now any more
than she did twenty years ago. but 1t suits
her policy to threaten the British frontier.
1t is part of her policy also to convince the
tribes and peoples of Central Asia that she
is the dominant power. This is all the pres
ent scare amounts to.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-29
RAIN-MAkERs OF VARIOUS CLIMEs.

The ways of rain-makers vary with the
different continents. The IIindoo rain
maker when precipitation is desired, at
tacEes himself to a rope suspended to a
turning pole and while swinging in circle
SAYS such prayers as seem appropriate to
the occasion. The African rain-maker
produces charms in the shape of singular
sticks and various unknown articles, and
beScigeS the heavens with his loud incan-
tatiOns.
II the gentle HindoO or the savage Afri-
can should witness the operations of our
cloud-compellcrS they could each claim to
find something kindred to the rain pro-
producing agencies of their own land. The
incantations of the African rain-doctors
are not more sky splitting or performed
with more singular articles than the ex-
plosion OF our own Dryenforth; nor do the
Indian fai1rS swing to higher and more
perilous heights than the experimentalists
who hetaks themselves to balloon voy-
ages in the hope of discovering humidity.
As to Melbourne, be is directly in the line
Of the African medicine men. but dis
crestely retrains from putting himself in
evidence during the process as boldly as
the Hindo0 professor of the same art
1t would be hard to convince the Asiatic
or African mind that the processes of
their cloud compellers do not rest on as
firm foundation of logic as those of our
explosive Savants. OF course there is a
sSeptical element in that country as
III this which refuses to give cred
ence to the power of the rain-mak-
ers. This of course refers the whole
subject OF their respective and positive
merits to the test of experience. But
here again we strike another cogent
thought The rain-makers of the other
continents have been at work for centu-
Ties; and it is safe to say that much more
rain has followed their efforts than has at
tended on the operations of our dealers in
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-29
SOME PEOPLE WHO TRAVEL.

Captain Schmidt, of the Fourteenth Reg
iment returned from European tour last
night. Company A, of his regiment, was at
the depot to welcome him. He was dres
in the uniform of the First Regiment Prus-
sian Hussars, and presented distinctly
foreign appearance.
Chief Miles Humphreys and Samuel
Evans. of the Fire Department, went to At
lantic City last night to gain some pointers
in the fire eXtlngulSnlnS puslnesS uurihB tne
tournament there.
S. w. Bowles, Eastern agent of the
ReIIar R,.idpe Works Chicago, went to New
York last night. Mr.. Bowles1s grandson
of the founder of the Springfield Republican.
IT Dallas wilkins, Freight Claim Agent
of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Is in the city
settling claims because Oh INC wreck at
Greensburg last week.
Division Freight Agent James Means, of
Pittsburg Chicago Cincinnati and st. Louis
Railroad. returned yesterday from New
York.
Colonel W. D. Waithe, of Canton, is at
the Duonesne. He is Democrat, and thinks
the Ohio contest will be close.
Superintendent of Construction Drake, of
the Pullman Company, passed through to
Chicago yesterday
Mrs. E. E. Weinger and the Misses C.
and II. weinger, of Uniontown, are guests
at the Schlosser.
Humane Agent " Brlen returned yester-
duy from an extended trip through the
East.
General Manager Wood, of the Pennsyl-
yania Company, returned from the East yes
day.
Ticket Agent Carpenter, of the Union
Depot, returned from the East yesterday.
James Lindsey, of the U. S. District
Court, has returned from Williamsport.
Ex-Representstive Upton H. White, of
Petersburg, is at theaAonopgahelas
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-29
QUESTIONS ABOUT SILVER.

A correspondent asks certain queries on
the silver question in communication
which is published in our Mail Pouch
column. The context of our correspon-
dents queries makes evident what he con-
siders to be the answers to them. But the
true answer is so widely different from
what he thinks, in certain vital respects,
that it is worth while to state it.
The present status of the silver dollar is
that it is sustained at par with the gold
| dollar, because the Treasury makes it con-
vertible into gold dollar. This is very
conclusively demonstrated by the fact that
a silver dollar containing more metal than
the present one, stamped with the Gov
ernment stamp, and equal or superior to
the present dollar in every respect, save
the one of cOnvertibility, sold at large
discount during the last decade until the
Government provided for its redemption.
The plain English concerning the silver
dollar is that it occupies virtually the same
position as the greenback, as a token OF
the gold dollar, except that it is made Of
of more costly material, and is less con-
venient to handle.
Our correspondent inquiries for any
private bank or flnancier who is selling our
standard silver dollars ''for so, for 80, for
95 or even for 90 cents" To mis-, with
the commentary already made, We will re-
ply that there is not a a dealer in the metal
in the United States who will not sell the
amount of silver contained in dollar for
less than so cents Take a thousand silver
dollars to London without possibility of
their return to the United States Treasury
and they will realize S760. Take thou
sand gold dollars to London, and they will
realize $1,000. That shows the true value
of the respective dollars.
To our correspondents further inquiry:
"Is it not true that the more of these
dollars there are in circulation
the less chance there is for the mere money
lenders to live from the labor of others"
The reply is, that the only direct effect
the coinage of silver can have upon the
relations of money lender and borrower,
is when the depreciation of the legal tender
dollar permits the latter to pay debt of
81, 900 contracted at the gold standard with
the amount of labor or products that was
represented under the old standard by
S76O, or $500, or whatever the gold value
of the deprecated dollar may be- Money
lenders flourish in times of initiation simply
because the initiation stimulates borrow
ing; and it is this that causes the pinch
when the time for liquidation comes.
As to the correspondents last question,
the demonstration of silver was enactedby
a Republican Congress in 1873, for the
simple reason that no one wanted silver
dollars coined because the bullion would
at that time realize more when used in the
arts than as coin. With these well known
facts borne in mind our correspondents
arguments on the subject will be seen to
lose their force.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-29
PITTsBURG, TUESDAY, SEPT. %. 1881.
MORE OF THE CHTLEAN,MUDpLE.

The Chilean muddle appears to have
developed new complication. The i'm
mediate source of the difficulty is rather
difficult 80 ascertain from the reports thus
far: although it is more than probable that
they find their remote cause in the irrita-
ton produced by the one-sided attitude of
our Government both in the 1tata affair
and as represented by Mr.. Egan.
Be this as it may, it is certain that if the
Chilean provisional Government has gone
to the length of arreSting citizens of the
United States, placing guard around the
United States legation and allowing no
one TO enter it without the permit of the
Chilean authJ:ities, the United States
Government must take decided action. 1t
has painfully put itself in a false position
heretofore; but even that fact cannot
eondone so decided an infraction of
diplomatic rights.
The Chilean Government should be
given unmistakably to understand that the
United States desires its friendship, but that
if the sanctity of our diplomatic represent
tives cannot be respected, very active
eHmity must he the inevitable result.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-29
The West End Water Supply.

To the Editor of The Dispatch:
In THE DISPATCH of Friday I discovered, at
q rather late hour, letter, from the General
Manager of the Monongahela Water Com
pany, in which am accused Of drawing on
my imagination and making false state
ment in regard to the quality of the water
supplied to the West End, in my communi-
cation, which appeared in The DISPATCH of
the 23d inst most emphatically deny the
charge, and assert my ability to keep as
near the truth as the writer Of Fridays
communication.
He misquotes me by saying: "When he
says that the water which Is supplied Is
more mud than water he states what Is not
fact and thereby brings discredtt IN All
the statements made in his letter" But L
did not say this. Why did he not quote me
in full. What did say Is this, ''what Is sup
piled us is often more mud than water" F"
Now, 1 claim this Is treating me rather
shaDbily, and if done Intentionally 1t IS
downright dishonesty. This disposes OF MS
proposition that he and draw sample OF
water at Thomas Wfghtman 4 Co.'S glass
house.
am not at all "blinded to many excellent
features of the water supplied that section
of the city;" my eyes are sufficiently wide
open to see that the water supplied at pres
ent is tolerably clear, also, to observe when
l am misquOted. During the past few weeks
the water has, as u rule, been toerably clear,
due l suppose to the fact that there has been
scarcely any rain in that time But, from
the latter part of April to the middle OF
July as rule it varied frem slightly turbid
to deep brown or yellow, and usually, on
standing gave more or less cop1ous de-
pOsit of mud at the bottom.
While the quality of the water at present
is such, in regard to clearness, that 1t cannot
reasonably be complained of, sTill, think
the manager of the water company would be
surprised to see the amount of deposit in my
Pasteur- Chamberlain filterwhen it has not
been cleaned for two or three days. OF the
good intentions of the Monongahela Water
Company l could not be expected to know
anything, but am now living in fond antict-
patton of their fulfillment. In my previous
misstatement on another point, which wish
to correct: 1 find on inquiry that bathrooms
and closets are supplied with water on the
second floor on Main street, where the third
floors are scarcely above the level OF the cell
lars on Steuben street.
JOSEPH II. HOFFMAN,.
lI3 SrEUBEN ST., w. f., Sept. 26.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-29
THE EXTRA SESSION CALL.

NEW York World: Governor Pattison has
again shown himself to be a man of action.
HARRISBURG Patriot: patriotic move, in
spired by dignified purpose, in a proper
| direction.
ALTOONA Tribune: 1t would be fatal mis-
take to fall into the Democratic trap and
undertake to delay or prevent investiga-
tion.
MoNoNGAHELA Republican: The action of
Governor Pattison in calling an extra ses-
sion of the Senate reflects uron the honesty
and integrity of the Legislative Investiga-
ton Committee appointed by the last Gen
eral Assembly.
ERIE Dispatch: Goveror Pattison has played
what he must consider his trump card in
calling the State Senate together in extra
session to investigate alleged charges
against State Treasurer Boyer and Auditor
General McCamant.
MEADvILLE Tribune: II anything was neces-
sary to supply the evidence of the humiliat-
ing subserviency of the chief executive of
this great commonwealth, to the commands
sof political adventurers and tricksters,
Robert E. Pattison has supplied 1t in his
proclamation issued on Saturday convening
the State Senate in extraordinary session.
ALTOONA Times: Governor Pattison did his
duty in calling an executive session of the
Senate to cons ider the charges which are
pending against the management of the
Auditor General and State Treasury depart
ments. The Senate must now do its work in
a satisfactory manner If justice is to be
triumphant and If the guilty parties are to
be punished.
MokEEsPoRT Times: Calling the extra ses-
sion of the Senate by Governor Pattison to
investigate an alleged crookedness in the
finances of the State is bold stroke. If the
alleged crookedness exists 1t ought to be ex-
posed, and the guilty brought to the bar to
answer for their crime, but it will be hard to
divest the Governors call of the tinye of
politics.
OIL CITY Derrick: While 1t would be to the
credit of Governor Pattison If his call for a
special session of the Senate was less jubi-
lantly hailed as q measure to provide cam
paign thunder for the use of his party this
fall, no honest Republican will cavil at the
opportunity for full and free investiga-
ton, or will demand that one jot or little of
blame be relieved from the shoulders that it
properly rests on
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-29
Dramatic Notes.

THE public seems never to tire of the
homely but forcible moral of the old play
''Ten Nights in a Barroom," and the Worlds
Museum Theatre was crowded yesterday by
those who went to see it well played by Carl
Prehm's company. The curiOsities in the
Curio Hall also attracted attention.
THE ''Hearts of New York" is the
attraction that appeared at Harris Theater
yesterday afternoon and evening to two big
houses, Notwithstanding the excessive heat
The scenic effects are fine, especially the
police patrol wagon, which was very realis-
tic. Mr.. William Z. Hines and Miss Earle
Remington, who held this company, are
clever.
THE Fitzsimmons' relics continue to at
tract q good deal of attention at Harry
Davis Museum-Theater,b but they are not n
tenth part of the attractions, which include
Colonel Cooper, the giant, and big variety
show in the theater. In the latter Burt Hart
made hit with his changes and singing in
"rhe Seven Ages" and D. 7. Nichols walk
ing on the wire also excited wonder.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-29
DuQuesne Theater,

| The word spectacular is advisedly
tackled on to the opera of "Indigo," given at
| the Duquesne last night for the first time
| here But nevertheless the operate side Of
Indigo" is quite considerable and worthy
of Strauss. 1t is new here as q whole, but
| the principal airs in it have been familiar
| with US for years-and were popu-
lar here long before the Strauss Or
chestra made Machinery Hall echo with the
merry swinging measure of 1.-THE Blue Dan
ube." This famous air looms up formidably
| in "Indigo"-shades of blue that go well to-
gether. In the other airs melody is strong,
and some of the choruses have other merits
of composition. The orchestra was not
quite happy last night. The score natu-
| rally suffers from the vogue which the most
important numbers have enjoyed singly.
Ina word the music would please us more
fit were not so well-worn. The libretto,
which is Mr.. Carleton's, is not alarmingly
witty, neither is it worse than most comic
music very well. The plot of Indigo" is ap-
parently our old friend "Ali Baba and the
Forty Thieves under thin coat of paint,
indigo if you will: King Indigo promises
who threaten to steal the treasures
in the caves of Kibosh, he will
allow her to name her own
price. The second act opens with Fdntosea
and her Amazons guarding the cave. Junio,.
FdntoScd'S lover, discovers the password and
goes into the cave, followed by All Bdbd.
They are discovered and bound, and then
the forces of the supposed robbers are put
to flight. AS reward for her gallantry,
King Indigo offers himself as her husband.
FdlltoScd refuses and claims q previous en-
gagement with Jdnio.
The story offers many chances for pretty
costumes a splendid scenery, and it must
be said that Mr.. Carleton has mounted the
piece with unwonted liberality. The scenery
is really very handsome indeed.
OF course with new opera the company
must be left till the last but in this case the
actors have a clear right to come first. 1t is
very good company that Mr.. Carleton has
gathered together, far better one than any
he has had of late years. In the first
place Miss Clara Lane, the leading
soprano, has good voice and
knows how to use it. She sang "The
mirably and this, as well as other numbers
spiritedly sung by her, was encored. Mr.. j.
K. Murray it is needless to say sang all
RomddoaCi'S music with force and finish, and
"The Kings Champion" with its martial
chorus, as sung by him. took the house by
storm. Miss Alice Vincent whose beauty is
beyond the ordinary. also won several en-
Indigo, and sang the familiar "And
the First Violin Played, etc." so
well that it was redemanded again
and again. W. Fl. Fitzgerald made a good
deal of the grotesque character of All Babd.
The good looks of the young women in the
company are a menace to the peace of this
city. Miss Clara Wisdom is perhaps the
more unusual is the vocal strength of the
chorus; they sang so well that the painful
memories of Pauline Halls kindergarten
were completely wiped out. So that "In-
digo" may be said to be an attractive, pleas
ant performance.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-29
Grand Opera House.

Since its production several weeks ago,
| and after penitential stay in Chicago,
| abraham Lincoln" the American histo-
| rical drama, by Mckee Rankin and Archi-
| bald Gordon, has been turned inside out,
| compressed and cut with a view to meeting
| the objections of the critics, who have
said variously that it was not o
| drama, not historical, but sacri-
| lepious and bombastic burlesque.
We do not know how bad play abraham
| Lincoln was before it was physicked but it
| is hard to conceive that it was worse than
| the production at the Grand Opera House
last evening. The charge of sacriege
against such work is eXaggerating the
| offense; it is as if a small boy with lump Of
| chalk drew what seemed to him truthful
| portraits of his elders and betters on the
| door, The whole thing is nothing more
serious or artistic than schoolboy's
cartoons, and about as lifelike. The play
condensed considerably would serve well
enough for historical tdble0uJ ciUdnts at
church fairs or public schools; and for such
use, with the Booth side issue pitched out of
the window, the principal scenes would need
trifiinc alteration. In short, as a drama
Abraham Lincoln Is not worth consider
of well-known Lincoln anecdotes, bits of
speeches, and original bombast.
In the light of history this view of the
prandest of all Americans is not enlighten-
ing, despite the remarkaply clever makeup
of Elmer Grandin as Lincoln, and the careful
coDy of his facial tricks and mannerisms
with which the portrait was rendered more
lifelike 1t is due to Mr.. Grandin also
to credit him with lending all the
dignity possible to the character,
and with reproducing probably in
some sort correctly the dry humor which
was such an attractive characteristic of
Lincoln, Mr.. Grandin, alone of all the com
nany contrived to persuade one for few
seconds at time that it WAS a serious pict-
ure of real life that he was endeavoring to
embody. If Mr.. Grandin could not avoid
making Lincoln for the most part a ponder
ous pri9, whose only redeeming quality was
a nencbant for telling racy stories, it was not
his fault but the authors. So the elephantine
solemnity of the members of Lincoln,s
Cabinet.the secretaries all appeared to be
more worried about their false boards than
national affairs-may be set down as newt
able. It is no laughing matter to be cast in
such a play as this. John Wilkes Booths
malxenn was another approach to the popu-
lar notion of the truth, and Myron
Leffingwell did his best to make
the law figure more naturally.
positive bit of praise is due to
Miss Mary Gallyer who brought few smiles
to enliyen the gloom. Miss Mabel Bert and
several Others of ability did their best, and
the whole company deserves praise for re-
tanning its composure throughout the try
ing ordeal. -
appointments lent much aid to the dreary
farce. Though they were not elabor-
ate the play dragged itself along
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-29
NAMES FREQUENTLY PRINTED.

LORD LYTToN's health is said to be seri-
ously compromised, and he thinks of resign
ing his post of Ambassador to France.
Mr.. PowLETT MILBANK, whom the
Duke of Cleveland made one of his execu-
tors, succeeds by reason of this appointment mt
to nearly $5,OOO,OOO.
Miss FRANCES WILLARD approves of
bicycling for ladies'. And Indies are taking
to bicycling without any reference to Miss
Wizards approval.
THE words of the 'tMarseillaise, when
sung before the Car are not according to
the French text, but are changed for others
more acceptable to the ears of His Majesty.
Mr.. HENRY DE WE'RE VANE, who now
inherits Raby and other estates of the Duke
OF Cleveland the house in st. James Square,
and about $40, 900 a year, was a small clerk
in the offices of the Charity Commissioners
when this tidal wave of fortune struck him.
JEAN INGELow, at 63, is happy and
contented little old woman, who finds her
greatest pleasure in being useful to those in
need, and who spends good share of the
earnings from her books in giving what she
pleasantly calls copyright dinners" to the
poor.
MILLIONAIRE THOMAS LOWRY, the Min
q
cool draft for 5000 900 on the occasion of her
recent marriage to H. P. Robinson, local
newspaper editor. And the lucky editor did
not drop the contribution into the waste
basket.
IN spite of the Cars desire for an alli-
ance between the Czarewitch and one of the
Montenegrin Princesses, the heir to all the
Russias has remained faithful to his first
choice. 1t is said on good authority that his
betrothal to Princess Marie of Greece will
shortly be formally announced.
CLARA BARTON has the honor of being
the first person who thought of decorating
soldiers graves as q patriotic rather than q
personal act of homage. She is the only
woman who ever received the Iron Cross of
Prussia from the old Kaiser William, as she
is like wise the only woman who ever sat in
the Swiss National Council.
NINE. WAGNER feels that she is fulfilling
a sacred mission when she presents her hus-
bands works to the audience at Bayreuth in
the most perfect settings and performed by
the best of singers 1t is said that over
slO00OO have been spent in bringing out
"Tannhauser' alone. In everything the
great composers widow has followed her
husbands directions to the slightest detail.