davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning call., 1891-08-17
POISONED BABY,s MILK.
a Horrible Confession That Served as
Blind for an EInnement.

a Horrible Confession That Served as a
Blind for an Elopement.
The disappearance of Mrs. John o. Bow
man, wife of Counselor Bowman, and the
fact that DR.. C. Ellsworth Hewitt, young
man claiming TO be n nephew of ex-Mayor
Hewitt of New York. is also missing, have
created a sensation among tue society peo-
pie here. Dr.. Hewitt is a young physician
who has sought the patronage of guests at
the Stratford and Bellevue hotels, the ultra
fashionable resorts. Mrs. Bowman and her
husband have been stopping ut Devon Inn,
a fashionable resort on the Pennsylvania
Railroad, the husband being the counselor
for Crumps, the hotel man. She is blonde
of fascinating charms, and as she was mar
red ten years ago, at the age of II, she is
still quite Young enough 10 look pretty. Mr..
Bowman gave her everything it was in his
pow.r TO provide, but behind the picture of
c0nFGbial Joy there was hand in The dark.
Last year Mrs. Bowman was guest at
Sea .GiTT, where she met DR.. {. Ellsworth
Hewitt. 1t was with the intention Of visit
ing her parents that Mrs. Bowman left
Devon Inn last Friday night accompanied
by her husband. When they reached Broad
street Station Mrs. Bowman took her hus-
band aside ami poured into his ears q con-
fessiOn that made MIN shudder with horror.
She told him that before she lett Devon she
had put poison in the baby's milk, and
begged him TO bury back 10 the hotel and
save the chiid's life before it was too late.
Without delay Lawyer Bowman took the
next train back to Devon. and that was the
last he saw OF his pretty wife. When he
arrived at the inn lie found his little ones all
right. and the truth flashed upon him that
he had been deceived. From subsequent
investigation it was learned that Mrs. Bow
man tgok the midnight train for New York.
Druggist Lleweliyn, who Is intimate with
DR.. Hewitt, said the latter told him that he
intended to 60 to Brazil, and it is presumed
that he has taken Mrs Bowman with him.
Philadelphia special TO Cincinnati Enquirer.
The morning call., 1891-08-17
HE WANTS TO FLY.
a Frenchman Has Constructed Nov

Frenchman Has Constructed Novel
Aerial Machine.
complex but interesting problem of
aerial navigation Is being studied closely by
Nj. Alder of Paris, who is trying to beat
ballooning. and TO fly through the sky like
an eagle or vultuTe. NJ. Alder has con-
strueted an enormous machine in the form
of big bird of prey, and has actually sue
ceeded in rising up above the houses and in
making short trip for about 100 meters
or 100 yards-in the air. Some Of those who
saw him state that he travelled 400 meters In
his machine, but the shorter distance obtains
the greater credit. Nj. Alder himself is con-
hdent OF the feasibility of his scheme,
which has cost him considerable amount
OF time and trouble, to say nothing of the
expenditure OF ca. Goo necessitated by the
construction of the apparatus.
According to the statements made by the
aeronant himself, he first studied the re-
sistance of air, and then watched the move
ments OF some large eagles and yultures
from the Jardin d Acclimatation, but deem
ing these observations insufficient and I'M
satisfactory, he started for Algeria, in order
to watch the flights of the cormorants-
called charognards-whicha are similar to the
birds nicknamed adjutants in British India.
lie failed to find any of these wild fowl
in the outskirts of Constantine, SO
he waited for the festival, during
tuo ATdD WOtHcn lDIOW meat
to the vultures. M. Alder went to Sid M'sid,
accompanied by Two Arabs, who were to
call the birds to him. His stratagem sue
ceedel, and the yaltureS, timid at first
eventually came near enough to permit him
to watch their motion Of flight closely. He
next built his apparatus, which is propelled
by wha. he calls a combination of yapors.
ParisiaDs will probably see this extraordi-
nary machine soon in the pavilion of the
city in the Champs Elysees. NJ. Alder is
more sanguine as to his eventual success in
sky-fiying than are many of those who
have witnessed his Observation-Disclosures
apolis News
The morning call., 1891-08-17
A CHAMPION LOCK-PICKER,
A Man Once Famous for His PecuIia
Genius in n Felon's Cell

Man Once Famous for His Peculiar
Genius in Felon's Cell.
Sydney Brooks, the famous lock-picker,
has been arrested for stealing suit of
clothes from Charles Hood, Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad engineer. 1t was taken from
locker" under the cab-seat Hood was
acquainted with Brooks and allowed him
to sleep in his engine after the fire had been
drawn. Brooks is genius. He is known
In almost every city in the United States.
Several years ago his fame as lock ex-
pert reached the inventor of a burglar
proof door and window lock at Irwin.
Ia. Brooks was employed as his general
agent. BE Travelled and gave nightly exhi-
Diton OF his skill at opening locks. He GER
tainly displayed wonderful genius On one
occasion he put up 500 in cash on his buggy
seat that he could open any difficult lock.
using only toolbpicks. Big and little locks
were handed him in rapid succession. lie
did what he said. Careful people concluded
that their homes were not safe, and his
burglar biank-cartridge locks sold so fast
that he admitted next day that he was tired
in The arms from handing them out and
changing money. Then Brooks saw a
chance for larger speculation. He laid out
territories in the different States and coun-
ties. These he sold in blocks for $780, $500
aud as high as $780, Capitalists in the
The morning call., 1891-08-17
ACROSS THE BAY.
Property Of n Drowned Man
Found With a Burglar.
Figures on 0ekland's Assessment Roll-Crazed
by Lying in the Sun-Farewen Mis-
sionary Meeting.

III Is said that some of the effects of Carl
Senior, who was drowned on the Goth of
July while bathing near the Cliff House,
nave been identified by Mrs. Schor at the
Alameda County Jail, where they were
taken from young man arrested by Deputy
oherlf Keller on suspicion of attempting to
burglarlze houses near Piedmont. Some
men were fishing near where Schor went
bathing, and they went through the pockets
OF SchorS clothing. 1t is said Mrs. Schor
has identified bunch of keys, pocket
book ana the cover of a memorandum-b0ok.
The young man gave the name of George
Hill. He is also known as Murphy.
The estate of Mrs. Ann l.. Murphy, de-
ceased, the mother of Lady Wolseley, and
who died In London, England, recently, has
been appraised at S466. 7o3. The personal
estate is valued at S41 GOO, and the remainder
is in real property in San Francisco.
oAKLASD's ASSESSMENT ROLL.
The city assessment roll aggregates S42,-
100000, and City Auditor Snow estimates
the expenses OF the city at SS4l, 600 for the
year. Taking the amount received for city
licenses and from the State for school pur-
poses from the amount of the total expenses,
the amount to be raised by taxation will be
about 100000. This will require about
81 IS ON the 500 valuation, which is 10
cents above the charter limit, and will re-
quire a cutting down by the Auditor of
$4,000. The estimates of last year were
cut down 1921, 600
The Santiago Mining and Milling Com
pany has been organized by number Of
Oakland people. with a capital of 81, 1O0, 600,
divided Into ll,000 shares. The company is
to nine in the territory Of Topic or else
where in the republic of Mexico. The
Directors are: Walter G. Manuel. F. j.
Lane. j. A. Chester Jr., l.. T. FAIR, j. S.
Burpee. Z. M. Fulton, j. S. Gilmore, Nj.
Greenhood, w. w. Whitman, g. w. Martin,
NJ. S, Libbey. The principal place OF bust
ness is Oakland.
a Chinaman named Quong Fook, accused
OF bribery. forfeited his bail Of $3.50 in the
Police Court Saturday, but the Police
Judge Issued bench warrant for his
arrest, and fixed bail at $4,000.
DANGERS OF LYING IN THE SUN.
A man named Thomas Evers was ar
rested at the Oakland pier Saturday night
ON suspicion of insanity. Be got better a
few hours after his arrest and stated that he
was all right. He said that he had gone TO
Piedmont for holiday and had lain on the
grass In the sun for several hours. When he
got up he felt queer, but thought he could
get home all right and started for his home
in San Francisco. He had an order for
$500 on San Francisco housein his pocket.
He was allowed to go home yesterday after
noon.
A farewell missionary meeting was held
at the Marketstreet Congregational Church
last evening. Addresses were delivered by
Rev. Mr.. Walkup, VINO sails tomorrow for
the Gilbert Islands, Micronesia, Henry
Naupie, native Christian chief from POna-
pea, Captain Isiah Bray Of the ship Morn
ing Star and others.
Nicholas Bremen. who has resided in
Oakland since 1878. died ON Saturday. He
was 81 years of age and ranchsr.
The morning call., 1891-08-17

county sent out men. but their trial proved
that they could not talk locks or sell them
like Brooks. In few weeks time lock
territories were for sale away below par,
and the contracts were laid quietly away.
1t is estimated that in the two towns of
SharpSburg and Etna, Brooks disposed of
some $4,000 worth of territorial rights.
The street lectures Of Brooks were fol-
lowed by numerous small robberies. The
tough element thought it was snap
TO pick locks. The people thought that
Expert Brooks had no business TO give out
such information pertaining to his private
business. No suspicion. however. rested on
Brooks as being connected with these visits,
but his lectures were severely condemned.
Brooks cut quite swell during his career
of success in various towns. He dressed
deliberately, and exhibited on the left breast
of his purple velvet vest II jeweed model
presented him by the Irwin lock firm. An
inscription on this stated that he was the
champion lock expert. 1t would be safe to
say that Brooks earnings amounted to
$4,000 during his career, covering six years.
OF which amount he has nothing left. He
owned valuable property IN this county, hut
he says this he lost He is single. brink
coused all his Misunderstanding special to
Globe Democrat
The morning call., 1891-08-17
A DISSATISFIED FATHER.
Thinks Babies should BE Born Wht
They Are Four Years of Age.

Thinks Babies should BE Born When
They Are Four Years of Age.
] have recently acquired healthy, pre-
possessing female girl-daughter 1t is she.
If the young mink continues healthy there
is probability of her swelling the ranks OF
the fair sex when she grows up. My wife
says she is little dear, and i believe her.
In fact, she is little too dear. Before the
doctor and the nurse and the druggist get
through with their plundering they will have
got control of more than 500 OF my attenu-
ated wealth.
In common with every infant thathas been
born since Eve became mother. my baby
is the pret,iest in the world. At least have
tie wife's authority for saying so, but 1
don't know that my better half is a parlicu-
larry good judge of beauty. This baby struck
ME as painfully plain in features, but, Of
course, had TO conceal my opinion from
the wife and those sympathetic women
neighbors who came in to congratulate my
spouse ana absorb wine in the back pnilor.
ThecompleXi0n of the infant is unmis-
takably healthy, and it hasn't any teeth or
good manners. 1t Is the most heipleSS-look
ing apology for human being l ever saw.
1t can't talk worth cent though the wife
maintains an imaginary conversation with
1t all day long and far into the receSseS of
night. Any kind of hideous squall the
wife to mean something intensely witty or
profoundly interesting. Fortunately | am
ignorant Of the language-English or United
States is good enough for me.
l think it would be great convenience to
business men if babies could be born when
they are about years old. about which
time it begins to be safe for men TO handle
them. We should thus avoid much noise
and nonsense, not u speak of sitting up
nights in the capacity of deputy assistant
nurse. The Legislature ought to consider
this question.
Not knowing anything about babies, and
being somewhat proud of my ignorance,
had expected 10 be presented with one OF those
ready-made ariful little toddlers who cling
10 the lower fringe of their mothers skirts
in the park, stare at strangers with their big
blue eyes and lisp in wonder, Il is pRpa's
girl" should any body make inquiries as to
their identity. | had anticipated a per-
fecly equipped, neatly dressed little cir!
with hair in curlS, whose interesting prattle
would cheer up my spirits when l reached
home in the evening, but when l saw that
diminutiye. apoplectic-looking aggregation
OF helplessness, lying in state of quiet
upon q square foot of canton flannel, the
visionary picture which had framed In my
mind faded away like the thick end of a
beautiful dream.-1he Troy Observer
The morning call., 1891-08-17
AN OCEAN TELEPHONE,
Cables as Big as Hogsheads W ouId L
Reuuired TO Run One.

Cables as Big as Hogsheads w ould Be
Required to Run One.
AThe question has often been asked: Is il
possible TO telephone across the Atlantic?
Such communication has never vet been
made. The difficulty with submarine tele-
phony is the fact of considerable electro
static capacity in the cable, the result Of
which is retardation and formation of the
electrical impulses transmitted. IL a line
could be made of exceptionally slow resist
ance. so that the electric currents would
have the freest possible discharge, the evil
effect OF this capacity would be in part done
away with. 1t might be possible to speak
across the Atlantic over a cable as big as
hogshead, but as the cost and manipula-
tion Of such cable are prohibitiye we shall
have TO be content 10 await further develop
mehts In teiephonlng work. Recent discoY-
cries would indicate that such DEVELOPMENTS
are not far of, and ii is possible that before
many years have elapsed America and Eng
land may be talking to each other with the
same ease as Boston has in talking to New
York.
The telephone is more used in Honolulu
than any other place. There are two rival
companies in the island, and the rates are So
cut that every soda-water stand has its tele-
phone, and the marketing is all done over
the wire. Even railway trains are started
- ~ Phohc, anu men use lHcu lctS as i1llle
as possible now that the facilities for verbal
intercourse enable them to avoid 10 consid-
sFable extent tbs Inconvenience of a ,iot
stlnate. An English electrical engineer, who
,aS recently been engaged in making series
~ surveys In the island, says that the intro
4 'action OF the telephone has had somewhat
5udlcrous sequel. The ladies, who were
wont to DO their marketing with more energy
than could be looked for in such a warm ell
mate, now stay at home and send their or
ders by telephone, and the business men 10
great extent follow suit The consequence
The morning call., 1891-08-17
BLOOD MONEY.
The Boarding House Masters Harvest
From Deep-water Ships.

The Boarding House Masters Harvest
From Decp-Wster Ships.
Editor Morning Call: While the oues-
ton of "blood money" is before the public
would like to give an explanation as to
who i is that pays 1t. The ships that pay
advances and blood money are those that go
around Cape Horn. find that on August
18th there were forty-one deep-water ships
In the harbor. Thirty of them were under
the British flag, nine under the American,
one French vessel and another a Norwe-
gian. Tney register total of 7l.2S7 tons,
divided as follows: British. 5l,600 tons
American, 16, li4; Norwegian, 23O9; French.
1888; the total foreign being 50, las against
IT, IA American.
Thus it will be seen that over 20 per cent
OF the blood-money is paid by foreign cap
tains, while fraction over 25 per cent is
paid by American captains. When an
American ship arrives in San Francisco her
voyage has terminated and her crew is le-
galiy paid off. They are free to go where
they please. The English ships arriving
here have signed their crews TO return to
port in the United Kingdom to be paid off
there. Consequently, If they leave their
ship, they have to desert and forfeit what
wages are due them. If all the sailors on
those foreign ships were to remain on
board, where they belong, and not leave
them. e"blood-money" business would cut
are the deep water boarding masters
harvest. They all employ runners to 90 on
board every foreign ship in port to induce
the crsw to desert. 1t is the old story Of
walk into my parlor." says the spider to
the fly. When they once get those deserters
in their houses they have them completely
in their power. They ship them off again,
generally in four or five days. In an out
ward bound ship. They collect two months
of their wages In advance. They also
charge the captain from $40 TO $50 "blood
money for each sailor they furnish of his
crew. 1t is quite profitable business all
around, except for the victim. The run
ners receive So for each man they bring
from an American ship, while they get $40
for every man they bring from foreign
ship Runaway sailors they are called.
There are hundreds OF sailors sailing ont
of San Francisco who have nothing to do
with that blood money. There is a shipping
Office in this city in connection with the
Sailors Union where they are shipping men
every day on the coast; also to 90 up to the
Sound to load lumber for Australia. On
an eight or nine months voyage they neither
charge blood money nor ask for any ad-
vance; all they demand is living wages
to be paid after being earned. | have sailed
for over twenty years, and | was never
shanghaed or cheated out of a cent by any
boarding master, and any sailor who gets
drunk and loses thereby deserves no more
sympathy than a tinker, tailor, or any
body else who has to pay the piper occa-
sionally. The old adage that if you dance
you must pay the fiddler applies to sailors
as we'll az others T. C. NJ
The morning call., 1891-08-17
A DELICATE PALATE.
How Would Be Wine Expert Was De
ceiyed by an Old Dealer

How Would Be Wine Expert Was De-
ceived by an Old Dealer.
Captain Shillaber, well known TO the wine
men of San Francisco, is attracting atten-
ton among the experts of Chicago for his
knowledge Of wines and his stories of wine
tasting. Seated at table, surrounded by
casks and barrels of the famous wines of
California. he told this story:
gentleman the other day came in here
and ordered bottle of the best Zinfandel
wine. l called to John, our porter, to wrap
up bottle.
"How much do you charge bottle P"
"Forty cents" replied.
Forty cents bottle for Zinfandel? That
is an outrageous price. You have not a bot
tie of wine in your entire establishment that
Is worth 40 cents. l know all about wines.
their manufacture, their cost and what they
are worth, and | do not intend to pay any
such price,"
called to John in the back part of the
store: Don't wrap up that bottle; 1t is not
wanted" Then. turning to my knowing gen.
tleman. invited him to test glass of Zin-
fandel He accepted, and then entering into
conversation with him, l explained that
pure California wine could not be sold for
less. Although l had been in the wine buSI-
ness for twenty-eight years. my new friend
tod me that he had made it study for over
shtSo yeas huch ali dUOub ID. It's
frankly told him knew very little and was
learning more about wine every day. So |
asked him if he would not pass Judgment ON
two wines and tell me which Zinfandel was
the best l took a bottle out of the ice
chest and filed an ordinary wine glass. Then
set beside that small fine cut glass, took
the same bottle out of the ice-chest and
filled the glass.
Then my smart wine expert fell into my
trap. He tasted the wine in both glasses,
smacked his lips and said he should judge
that the age of both wines was the same.
" You surprise me" l said, "as / know
that to be true, but l did not believe you
would be able to determine that" Encour-
aged, he held up both glasses to the light.
L knew he would do that and had Tor that
reason taken two different sized glasses to
produce difference IN the color Of the
wine.
Tasting Of the wine again critically, he set
down the small glass and pronounced that
OF indefinitely better quality than that in
the larger glass.
" You surprise me again." / said, ''for the
reason that l poured the wine in both
glasses out of the same bottle"
:" Do you mean to insult me. sir2" he
said., getting up mad, with having been
caught in n trap.
No." replied; only 1 wish to teach
you lesson and satisfy myself that you
still had something to learn about wines."-
Clcagn uarald
The morning call., 1891-08-17
PROVISIONING STRANGER.
He Looked Too Honest, and Farmer
Thought He Needed Watching.

He Looked Too Honest, and a Farmer
Thought He Needed Watching.
Over in Missouri there is a certain plank
road and a certain tOll-gate. Beside the
toll-gate there is a farm house. on the cool
and comfortable porch whereof the worthy
farmer usually sits, waiting to collect toll,
while his boy Bill plows the corn in the
field away beyond. On certain occasion,
however, this worthy farmer happened TO
be over in the field helping his boy Bill,
when q pious-lookin stranger drove up to
the toll-gate. There was no one in the
farm houSe-no one nearer than the farmer
and his boy Bill, half mile away in the
field. The tOll-gate was unl0cked-o pen,
In fact-but this pious stranger was amp
tation proof. He htched his horse to
tree, and proudly fioundered out to where
the farmer and his boy Bill were at WORK.
My good man. said he, "are you the
eeper of this toll gate?"
Yep" said the worthy farmer.
What is the toll, my good man@'
" Five cents"
well l wish to drive through my good
man, and here is your cents
The worthy farmer scratched his head
anxiously for brief period.
" Did you come ont here just to give me
that nickel?" he asked presently.
a. For no other purpose, my good sir," and
the appearing man ambled soulfully
away
Bill" said the farmer to his boy in an
agitated undertone, get on the old gray
mare and watch that stranger till he gets to
n."-Quincy Herald.
The morning call., 1891-08-17
FUNNY CRAZY PEOPLE.
The Peculiar Idea of a Beautiful Youn,
Woman.

The Peculiar Idea of Beautiful Young
Woman.
!" Crazy people are funny lot," said a
young gentleman to Times man. Sc have
a friend who is warden of the - asylum"
lie continued, land was out there last Sun
day. They showed me through all the
wards, and while some OF the eases were alb
solutely pitiful there were others that were
decidedly humorous. There is one young
woman out there who is as pretty as a peach.
saucy, little retrousSe nose, big black eyes,
curly bang, pretty mouth, and divine little
figure She is only insane on one point She
thinks she is Marie Jansen, and to that end
insists upon dressing as the operate singer
did in the 'Oolah.' She picked up her unique
costume bit by bit, made part of 1t, begged
part OF it. and had part of it given TO her
She Insisted on afraying herself in 1t on what
she Is pleased to think stata occasions, and
so long as she isn't mterIered with is as sane,
to all appearances, as anybody. Twas walk
ing through the ward with the warden and
he called out: Miss Jansen, come here
They say you're all dressed up to-day
''She came, a dainty little thing in black
velvet knickerbockers. long silk stockings. a
pleated front shirt. black-yelvet jacket
aud knot Of red ribbon at her throat. She
was as pretty as picture and gushed most
charmingy when l was introduced to her.
l asked her about the costume.
"'Oh, / made it nearly all myself she
said. I have plenty of time now that Pm
not on the road, aud the people have very
kindly furnished me with the material and
some Of the things l couldn't make. Isn't
1t pretty?'
Il said il was very pretty. This piece of
ribbon she continued, DR.. = gave me-
He's such a lovely fellow. Do you know
him? think he's almost as handsome as
you are
Here, here said the warden, what's
this? l thought you were so awfully in
love with DR.. -, naming one OF the other
attendants.
"'Well, what of it? You mean old thing !
You don't need discourage this young man
if l were, do you? And very much dis
pleased Miss Jansen skipped away to be
seen no more. Chicago Times.