davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-08
Effects of African Arrow Poison.

1t has been conjectured that the fatal
affects of African arrow poison are not al
ways due entirely to the poison itself, and
with view of determining how far fear and
other influences enter into the results of its
exhibition. series of experiments In inocu-
lating the lower animals has been proposed.
One of the poisons with which the arrows
OF the Africans are smeared is dark sub
stance like pitch. II is strong enough
to kill elephants, and is considered so
dangerous that its preparation is not
allowed in the villages, but is carried on
In the bush, where also the arrows are
smeared. The virulence of the poison is re-
markable; faintness, palpitation of the
heart, nausea, pallor and the breaking out
of beads of perspiration all over the body
follow with extraordinary promptness, and
death ensues. One Of Stanley's men is said
to have died within one minute from a mere
pinhoie puncture in the right arm and right
breast; another man died within an hour
and a quarter after being shot, and a woman
died during the time she was carried dis
tance of hundred PAGES. The activity of
the poison seems to depend on its freshness.
The treatment adopted was to administer an
emetic, to suck the wound, syringe it and
inject strong solution of carbonate OF
ammonia. The carbonate of ammonia in
lection seems to have been a wonderful
antidote if it could be administered prompt
ly enough.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-08

One department of the arts in which a
friendly rivalry is now going on between
the United States and England was referred
to by Mr.. L. Sterne, OF London, in speech
on the question of rapid transit for Ameri-
can cities. He said that the American peo-
pie will not be slow in adopting the i'm
provements which have been developed in
the new electric line in London, and which
will make underground means of transit as
safe and as healthful as the surface roads
have been until now. These Improvements
will also make these sub-structures in all
cities in the United States as important an
element as the elevators have proved in
utilizing the upper streets, and practically
doubling the area of the densely populated
districts of every great city in America.
Mr.. Sterne continued:
"You have not lost much time in adopt
ing these Improvements in the mode of
rapid transit underground, and you proba-
bly, have profted by waiting until the ad-
vance came to you from Great Britain.
Just in the same way as you have bene-
flied by postponing the building of a
United States navy and naval armaments,
you have been enabled to take advantage of
all that has been done, and adopted the best
designs of the many cruisers which formed
the experimental period preceding the
building of your navy, and thus saved many
millions of dollars and much vexation. 1t
may not be long before Great Britain will
have to look to the United States for the
adoption of many Improvements made here,
as the development of rapid transit"
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-08
PHOTOS IN COLORS.
Principles Upon Which N. Lippman
Bases His New Process.
NATURAL GAS FIND IN ENGLAND.
Experiments for Investigating the African
Arrow Poisons.
WIDE STREETS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH
PREPARED FOR THE DISPATCH!


The fixing by the camera of the natural
colors of a picture has always been the
philosophers stone of the photographer,
and ever and anon the statement is given
out that this much-desired goal has been
attained, to be quickly followed by de-
scription which goes to show how far from
its promise the actual result of the supposed
discovery really is.
Mr.. Lippman has. however, as heretofore
stated in THE DISPATCH, now put before
the French Academy OF Sciences plan,
which, if the statements made concerning it
are substantiated, will constitute distinct
step toward the solution OF the problem of
photographing objects in their natural
colors. The suggested process is very SIM
pie, and involves the use of the ordinary
agents. The sensitive film, during expos
ure, is foated on the surface Of mercury.
Suppose, for instance, ray of blue light
strikes the sensitive film, it Will pass
through. and being reflected from the sur
face OF the mercury behind, will pass out
through the film again, interfering on its
way with the incident ray. When the two
rays are in the same phase. their effects will
be additive, and the sensitive matter in the
film will be strongly acted on. At a small
distance further on the two rays will neu-
tralize each other, so that the film is there
totally unacted on. In this way the thick
ness OF the film is thus divided up into lay
ers, on which the light has acted, half q
wave-length apart, and hence when fixed
and dried it may be considered as consisting
of number of thin plates. of the half the
wave-length of blue light In thickness, and
will, therefore, give rise to a blue color
when seen BY reflected light, just as the
thickness of soap bubble gives rise to the
colors seen in it.
Owing to the fact that the thickness Of an
ordinary film is many times the wave-length
of ray of light the colors obtained are said
to be remarkably brilliant. They are, more
over, perfectly fixed, and the prints have
been exposed both to a powerful electric arc
light and to bright daylight without any
signs of fading. 1t Is also found that if the
prints are viewed by transmitted in place of
reflected light, each color is replaced by its
com mpllmentary one.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-08
Width of Streets and Public Health.

DR.. Anders has been investigating the In
fuence of the width of streets in cities on
the mortality from phthisis, and as the re-
suits of examining into the localization of
1,500 deaths he has arrived a. the conclusion
that the number of phthisis deaths is smaller
in proportion 10 the population in the wide
than in the narrow ones, and that in narrow
streets the mortality is greatest where they
are long, or where they form culs-de-sac; in
other words complete movement of air about
dwellings is point of prime Importance in
connection with the question of pulmonary
phthisis. 1t is on this principle that all
modern bylaws as to open space about
houses are based, and it is as import
ant to have wide open spaces behind
houses as in front, so as to secure proper
through current of air. The existing ten
dency to put an undue limit on the needed
area behind dwelling houses is strongly con-
demned, as constituting distinct violation
of one of the most vital essentials to the pro-
motion of health and prevention Of a GER
tain class of diseases.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-08
Natural Gas In England,

For some time it has been the opinion OF
many scientists that beneath the salt beds of
Cleveland and Cheshire, England, and also
in Ireland, both natural gas and oil would
be found. A theory based on the assumption
was submitted to the Salt Union, which de-
cided to put it to the test OF the drill, and
borings have been proceeding simultaneously
in Cleveland and Cheshire, as already stated
in The DISPATCH. 1t is reported that in
the former district natural gas been struck,
and issues in great volumes. This discovery
is of great national importance, as it may
mean the comforting by nature on Cleveland
of all the natural advantages possessed BY
the great iron center of Pittsburg and dis
trict, and prove of enormous benefit to the
metallurgc and chemical industries carried
on in the North Yorkshire ironfield.
One of the direct effects this discovery
may have is the modification of a plan
which was recently suggested for the pre-
vention of fogs in London. 1t was proposed
to obviate the necessity of burning soft coal
in the city, and thus creating smoke, by
turning the coal into gas at the respective
coal fields from which it was taken, and
conveying this gas to the city II pipes to be
used in lieu of fuel. AS natural gas would
be so much cheaper than the manufactured
article il may possibly be used for this pur-
pose. This relief from what has come to be
a positive curse, will be a welcome one to
the 6isgusted Londoner. whose life at cer-
tain seasons of the year is a burden. Those
who have not seen a London fog can form
no idea of its density and sufocating effect,
which dstresses alike the eyes and the
lungs. One of the singular results of the
recent foggy season, which suggests the ex-
tent to which the light of day must have
been affected at certain periods, is that most
of the artists vino are preparing pictures
for the forthcoming exhibition will be un-
able to finish their pictures in time.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-08
Colored Lights fOr- Drugstores.

A Searcher After Light-The other day /
casually asked a drug clerk the origin of the
many colored lights which are now the uni
yersal signs of a drugstore. The youth re-
ferred me very pleasantly to an older man In
the store, who finally admitted that he knew
about as'little as his younger associate. Curl
GUS to learn whether this ignorance was uni
versal and also warming up to my original idea
1 called in every drugstore on upper Broadway
and made the same query. At each place the
question seemed to paralyZe the younger mem
bers of the establishment. and a council of war
was held in the rear of the store. The older
clerks came round to see what sort of man
this was who WANTED to know. you know" i"
Most of them merely contented themselves
with the opinion that it was only to attract at
tention that various colored lights were repre-
sented by Jets behind liquid in a glass bottle.
ascertained that there was q great
deal of knack in preparing this
Iiouid so as to give a clear light of whatever
color desired and to stand the test of time
without precipitation. incidentally also dis
covered that the police stations. as rule, use
a green light. Why nobody can tell One
clerk said he thought the custom could be
traced back two or three hundred years until
it faded into the barber pole that now is the
sign of the tonsorial artists throughout the
English-speaking world. Another man. who
seemed to get little nearer to it than the rest,
said that it originated with the early chemists
business IN this way. just as they subsequently
have by the display of mortar and pestle. All
of them playfully expressed desire that when
found out the information should be printed
and furnished those engaged in the drug busi-
ness.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-08
BEECKER,s SOLEMN SUCCESSOR.
A Vivid Contrast Between Rev. Lyman Alb
bott and His Predecessor.

A Vivid Contrast Between Rev. Lyman Alb
bott and His Predecessor.
New York SUM-
The Rev. Lyman Abbott's audiences in
Plymouth Church, on Brooklyn Heights,
are seldom reused to Laughter nowadays,
and to those who formerly sat under the
mirth- provoking Beecher it is great
change. The Rev. DR.. Abbott is about as
much unlike Beecher as be can be. Where
Beecher was gross, heavy and sensual in
appearance. the Rev. DIR. Abbott, with an
almost abnormally big head and bony. pipe
stem legs and arms, looks like typical
ascetic. Recently something approaching
a smile rippied over the congregation while
DIR. Abbott was preaching.
His subject was the obligation resting
upon Christians to get out of their shells
and do something for the good of mankind.
"What is this wonderful body of ours given
us for?" DR.. Abbott exclaimed. "Look at
it. Look at these muscles"-Dr. Abbott
stretched out his long arms-''look at this
strength, this adaptsbility, this God given
vigor." Something in the expression of
the members of the congregation and a
rustling like a faint litter recalled the
preacher to himself, and, with faint smile,
he passed to anoth er phase Of his sermon.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-08
STRUCTURE OF THE BRAIN,
That Of the Lunatic Doesn't Differ From
That of the Sound Man.

That Of the Lunatic Doesn't Differ From
That of the Sound Man.
If there is anything which has been taught
to us BY the most advanced stage of science
as applied to the anatomy, the physiology,
and the pathology of the brain, it is the fact
that the utmost degree of mental alteration
may exist without there being the slightest
change perceptible to our senses in the nor
nal structure of the central organ of the
mind, says DIR. W. A. Hammond in the
North american ReUie,o. Of course there
is some alteration, such, for instance, as
pernieious education may effect, or such as
may be induced by indulgence in ignoble
emotions, degrading trains of thought, or
vicious practices; but it is so slight and per-
haps so evanescent as to be entirely beyond
the reach not only Of our unaided senses,
but of all the instruments of precision or of
analytical processes that are at the present
day at our disposal.
The brain, therefore, of the most pro-
nounced lunatic may not differ, so far as we
can perceive, from that OF one who during
life had stood at the very summit of human
mental development.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-08
Smoking Under the Mckinley Law,

George Arnold, cigar dealer on lower Broad
way-Owing to the Mckinley act there has
been a revolution in the cigar business. The
result has been greatly to the dissatisfaction Of
the smokers. The advance, by reason of in
creased taxation, compelled an increase in
price all along the line, but this latter increase
was out OF all proportion to the SIZE Of addi-
tional duties. There is no sense in the unrea-
sonable jump in the price of Havana cigars.
We have adopted in our trade here the London
system of fair and straight price on every
cigar, based upon its cost per 1000 and the
duties thereon. For instance, you will see in
this case the prices plainly marked in each box
IN large black letters, running D, o, =, g. 10. II.
l2, Is, IA, Is and up to 30 cents each. This
means that we propose to treat the customer
fairly and make him pay only fair profit on
the cigar he smokes. The unreasOnableness OF
the prevailing system will be seen in the fact
that 10 cent cigar sold at three for quarter
amounts to $50 per 1000 and the same cigar
sold at 10 cents straight is at the rate Of SlO0
per ], 600. A l5cent cigar sold at two for a
quarter is Sl25 whereas the same thing straight
IS Sl50 per 900. Here is difference of SIS per
l,0OO which is charged under the recent raise in
prices whereas the additional tax would Do
from IS 70 81 per LOCO.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-08
Art Gallery for Sale Purposes.

W. Magruder Rouzee. artist-That IS very
good suggestion recently made in which it was
proposed to establish general gallery open
the year round, where, for small considera-
tion. artists might secure space for the display
of such pictures they may have for sale. Two
or three attempts have been made to run
salesroom on the cooperative plan, but they
were unsuccessful. Artists, as a rule, have
poor heads for commercial business. There is
no harm in inferior pictures getting displayed
among good ones. The best will look all the
better and the poorest look the poorer by con-
trast. If some wealthy man would found such
q gallery he would be the means of encOurag-
ing art in substantial manner. At present the
cream of profit in artists labor goes into the
capacious pockets Of the middleman.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-08
He PRAYED in Dead Earnest.

Tom Davis, theatrical manager-I played a
leading part In the "Stowaway" once. on the
road for one consecutive night. 1t happened
that the leading man was ill, and there was no.
body to fill his place. made great hit. In
fact, made several good hits during the even
ing, principally on the cheeks and shins of the
fellow who was playing the heavy villain. was
the hero, and wore q nautical uniform, and you
know the hero in one place is tied up TO the
vessel, and is subjected to all sorts of indigni-
ties on the part of the heavy villain. Now, you
see l am red-headed, and rather quick-tem-
pered, and 1 had not been trained to accept
blows and contumely from the staggering guy
every night in the week during the season. The
result was that lost my temper and kicked the
heavy villain so severely on the shins that he
fell off the boat into the raging brine of blue
canvas amid the terrific plaudlts of
top house. Quite naturally the actor
was considerably broken up in his lines.
as well as in his shins. But he came back in
pretty good shape and handled me rather
tenderly through the rest of the act. He got
even with me, however, for he was laid up two
weeks on account of a sprained ankle. and I
had to pay him his salary during the time. The
company held an Indignation meeting BESIDES
and resolved that if ever played again they
would all resign and go back to New York.
That WAS my first and only appearance on any
stage.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-08
Travelling With an Unsuccessful Show.


Alice Coleman, soubrette-The trials OF
those who have the misfortune to get into
company producing an unsuccessful play on
the road can never be adequately described.
never realized it till this season. The worry
about salary units anybody for clever work.
Whether it is better to stand by the manager
in hard luck in the hope that he will pull
through and pay, or throw up the engagement
at once on first default will never bother me
again. Sympathy for managers is all well
enough. but we get no share in the success and
ought not to be obliged or asked to run any OF
the risks. Then members of the profession
cut into each other unmercifully. We mad a
succession of strikes in the Beacon Lights"
Company to get even portion of salaries. The
last week in New York, after everything had
been arranged, the leading lady refused
to go on unless she recelTed full ar
rears. There was good house, but
compliance with her demands would have left
all the rest with nothing She didn't care for
that. 1t was time for the curtain. The man.
ager swore and pleaded. She was obdurate.
The rest of the company were panic-stricken.
Finally, another lady of the company who had
understudied the leading role came forward
and offered to play it. Just as this makeshift
was about to be successful the leading lady
gave in and cried and agreed to play Every
body scrambled around to place, the Dell
jingled, the curtain rose and the play pro-
ceaed. All this time the people who had come
there to be amused sat patiently in front. Ii
they could have known all the heartburnings
the petty malice, the personal sorroWs-Dut
here, at least, ignorance is bliss.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-08

mischievous Cosmic Bean must be sup
pressed and, if possible, annihilated.
Gromline knew as we'll as anyone what
might happen if he succeeded in making 1t
possible Tor every man to be as lazy as he
pleased, but he still persevered in his pur-
pose. If he could introduce his universal
food the greater part of the people in the
country would look upon him as bene-
factor, accept him as a leader, and perhaps
make him their king. If he should succeed
In putting himself on the throne he knew
how to treat people who would not work for
him. He had discovered blight for the
Cosmic Bean!
Since the accession of the new King and
Queen Gromline had made no progress in
his plans, and he was getting very impa-
tient. The worst thing that could happen
to him would be for these two to marry. In
that case all would probably go on as before.
and he would have no chance. But if each of
the two were to marry some outsider there
would he two royal families dissensions must
soon follow, and these would give him the op-
portunity to work out his own plans.
Not knowing what to do Gromline went to a
sorceror to ask advice. The old gentleman
listened to the case with great attention.
Il see your point. said he, when the Minister
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-08

had finished. Did you ever happen to consider,
| IN this connection, Prince Alto and the PrIh-
Cess Lista?"
Never thought of themr' exclaimed Grom-
line.
"Well. sir" said the sorcerer, ~ believe these
two will answer your purpose in every respect
Nustyria, their miserable stony country, ad.
joins this. Their parents will be glad for them
tU marry anybody who will have them. Lista
is a wild, harum-scarum, horsey, and doggy
girl, who would enter gladly into all the pur-
suits of the King and Alto is thin-legged
round-shouldered. book worm. who devotes
himself to the very things thai please Queen
Millice. More than this these two hate each
other heartily, and if they married our sover-
eigns the dissensons you desire would come on
quickly enough
admirable" cried Gromline. Those two
Youngsters are just the couple want, but the
King and Queen nave never seen them. The
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-08
Taking Light Lunches.

y. h. Barron, Standard Lunch Room, Lower
Broadway-The business men of New York are
every year getting more careful of their PEN
nies and that is the secret of the growth of the
buffet lunch business. We have fitted up here
an establishment at the cost of $4,000 and you
see it is the handsomest in the city. That Is a
good deal of money to invest in business OF
this kind, but owing to the public demand the
returns are immediate and reasonably certain.
This place has been open one week to-day and
we feed on an average already 800 people per
day, mostly noon lunches. The checks run
from to 50 cents mostly. The New Yorker is
too busy these days to sit down at table and
wait half an hour for his lunch to be served.
He is too frugal also 10 spend from 50 cents to
81 for his midday snack. Yet don't understand
that there is any serious falling on IN the regu-
lar restaurant business because of these lunch
counters 1t is rather an encouragement for
people TO eat who otherwise wouldn't eat this
time of the day.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-08
CHAPTER /.
THE TWO THRONES OF TANoBAR.

THE TWO THRONES OF TANoBAR.
In by-gone days, and in distant land,
there was a certain small kingdom called
Tanobar, which was governed in a manner
not altogether satisfactory to the people.
About ten years before the beginning of this
story there had sat upon the throne two
kings who, being twin brothers, had an
equal right to rule. Being men of good
disposition, and of much the same mind,
they had for many years governed the coun-
try to the satisfaction of everybody.
When the twin kings died, within few
DAYS of each other, one left son about IL
wears old, and the other daughter of the
same age. The queen mothers. both esti-
mable women, reigned as regents until their
children came of age, and now, for more
than year, the two young people had sat
upon the throne, and worn the crowns of the
twin kings, their fathers.
Chamian was the name of the young King
and Millico, that of his cousin, the Queen.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-08
Poker and the Force Bill.

AProminent Politician-I went to Washing
ton recently and saw more card playing among
Congressman than 1 expected TO find. Tho
Senate is more of a non-partisan body than an
outsider would imagine a majority of the
Senators play cards, and the fraternity Of the
card table is paramount to politics. heard q
Senator who is not much of poker player, say
this: LAS long as Democratic and Republican
Senators play poker with each other nightly
there can be no real partisan legislation. The
Federal election bill was defeated by poker
combination. When law makers play poker
with each other they forget all about politics
The House is less influenced hy poker than the
Senate because it is such large body Some
of the most inveterate poker players in the
Senate look the most piouS.