davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-04-07

age. On the slip is put the destination
of the package and the name Of the
clerk who assorted it, together with the
name of his run and the date.
Papers are thrown according to the
same schemes as the letters, and similar
facing slips are used. The cases are
larger, one clerk having a row of boxes
5 or feet above his distributing table,
and from 80 to 40 feet in length. Great
dexterity is acquired by the paper clerks
in throwing into these boxes. Papers
are distributed with wonderful rapidity,
and mistake is seldom made. It is said
that a ST. Louis paper clerk attended a
party recently and played at bean bag,
winning three prizes before the other
players learned that his business had
made him an expert in more difficult
throwing than that required in playing
the game Of "beanb bag.
The facing slips, in addition to fur
nishing the addresses OF packages, are
used for the purpose of checking" err
rors against the clerks. If any mistakes
are found in package, the fact is noted
on the back of the slip, which is returned
to the division office, and there filed
against the offender. In this way an
exact account of clerk errors is kept,
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-04-07

being next to the engine are con-
stantly swayed from side to side,
and as the clerks are on their feet they
receive the full effects of each bump and
jolt. Sacks Of papers were thrown off at
Dauphine, Usage City and Jefferson
City, no mail being taken on at either
station. At Jefferson City the sacks Of
mail have to be thrown off with great
care. The track makes a sharp curve at
the depot, and, as the train rushes along,
the pouches will be drawn under the
wheels unless thrown off at exactly the
right spot It looked as if the bags of
mail were thrown from the car before
the station was reached, and struck the
ground after the station had been pass
ed. This was not the fact, however.
The sacks strike exactly in the center
of the depot platform on a spot that has
been worn almost through by having
mail thrown upon it. So expert have
the clerks become in striking this spot,
that but one bag of mail ha; been drawn
under the wheels during the past year.
The next stop was at Sedalia. Here
another engine was coupled on, and a
breathing spell taken by the train crew.
The postal clerks did not rest at Sc
dalia, however, but busted themselves
in putting off about one-third Of the
sacks that were in the storage car. The
sacks contained mail for Texas, parts of
Missouri and Kansas and other States.
They were put off at SedaEa to catch
the south bound Missouri. Kansas and
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-04-07

except in cases where the run is a small
one and the average miles run per day
are less than eighty; then the pay is at
the rate Of $40 per mile. For example,
if branch line is seventytwo miles
long and trains meet at an intermediate
point, 50 that two clerks are needed to
man the line, the pay Of each would be
1920 per annum. When the probationary
term expires, if satisfactory record and
proper progress are made, permanent
appointment is made and the pay in
creased to the $90o-per-annum rate, and
later on to 81, 000, if placed in the class
running an average OF 100 miles or over
per day. On the heavy lines each postal
car contains several clerks who get from
5000 to $500, the man getting the
highest pay being the clerk in charge.
The men advance from class to class in
numerical order, the promotions being
based upon their records as shown by
the facing slips already spoken of.
A good postal clerk must have the
physical ability to stand the fatigue Of
from twelve to sixteen hours day Of
continuous work, and also have the
mental ability to learn, retain, and have
at command without hesitation the loca-
ton of from 5000 to $4,000 postoffices.
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-04-07

and the greater the number the greater
the discredit. It is therefore great
deal of an object for clerk 10 exercise
,onch care in his work, for when ms ms
+al,es are too frequent he is liable TO pc
,.o1l,,nad i'm the ranks, ii not discharged
on the fast mail the paper clerks eN.
,,,o;eo oreat care in the distribution OF
daily papers. because OF a nne imposed
an oach error. II the paper clerk throws :
= bundle of dailies wrong, the TACT IS u
aonrse. reported on his check by the cIeih
,aoa;vinp the wrongly thrown package.
M c1erk making the wrong throw IS
49,, charged at the publisher price
, .rt the papers delayed by being wrong
y. thrown. During the past montn Tue
,,onnr clerks on the fast mali were %
paaa,,,ate that not cent was coliecoeu
fnnno them. For the preceding h!ui1n
g f,,,.+I- cents was collected. ms lius-
t,atoc better than anything else tne pio. :,
eo;encv that has been acquired III 'no
postal service. 1.. orrors are hound
Tn distributing letters errors az = 49, 1a,,-
- nccnr. although the NUMBER Is aely
snail considering the large quahtI1'l 40
81 letters handled by the CLERKS.
TORS frequently stick toSetnei, ,.;417 -
o,.rors to be made. Inc slnlii'.ies ~
tho names of towns also Gauss l n
o,rors in the distribution OF po.ll les. go,
nd naners. With poor Hght' tiieu ytai
. and mich work before hlm' d poiv1r
a can hardly be blamed 1or lil1oM ,ta,s
hadlv addressed letter Iol 49, 9,,.
Z Kan to Horton, Kan, or a p To araid
Le ee4ane sA' Of this kind, every iettef s
mlsl .1s have the county on it as part o.
s s. daress. unless the town 20 winch
q Ute, aa is going is large one.
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-04-07
Coal Oil.

A mixed fuel consisting Of coal and
petroleum mingled together has been
tried for firing the boilers of an Ital-
ian man-of-war, with the result that
her normal speed Of fifteen knots was
increased to seventeen knots. Tt will
thus been seen that this new method
of firing may prove very useful in
wartime, when ship may have Jorun
away from a superior force. The in
creased heat is said to affect the
boiler plates injuriously, but this mis-
hap could of course be foreseen and
guarded against.
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-04-07
precision that is required in no other


business.
Then there is the matter of honesty
Temptation is on every side Letters
containing coin go through his hands
every day. His sense of touch becomes
so delicate that he can detect money in
letter every time. Magazines that he
would like to read are before him, but
not for him. A thousand other snares
are in his way. His pay is small.
Should he become dishonest few
breaks" will land him in the Peniten-
tiary To the credit Of the 5000 postal
clerks on duty for Uncle Sam, let it be
said that that worthy is seldom obliged
to put his legal finger on one Of them.
Danger is also always in front Of the
postal clerk His car follows the en-
CINE. In smash-up the postal car is
the first to be wrecked. Thirteen postal
clerks have been killed this year and
many others injured. Postal cars are
so crowded that, in case OF accidents,
the clerks cannot escape. Everything
considered, the life of the clerk is not
an enjoyable one.
But the train has been rushing on and
has now reached it's first stopping place,
Pacific. pouch of letters and three or
four bags of paper were put off and
stop consumed four or five minutes of
time. Then the train rushed on again.
Mail was delivered at the stations of
Washington and Hermann, but none
taken on. The next stop was made at
Chamois, about 100 miles out of st.
Louis. Here large basket of hot
lunch was handed into the letter car,
and the clerks from the other cars came
in to assist in disposing Of it. AS the
boys crowded around the basket the
clerk in charge noticed that one of the
boys was not present. where's Jim?"
he asked. Sick" was the reply. The
reporter was also suffering with
sea-sickness and was unable to do
justice to the lunch. Sea" sick
ness is of frequent occurrence
among postal clerks. Riding on the fast
mail is not riding in sleeper or on a
chair car by any means. The mail cars
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-04-07
Measurements.

All early measurement were of a
rude and simple kind, and in our
modern standards we have abundant
evidence Of the fact, us well as in
some ancient ones. The "cubit," for
instance. was the measure of mans
hand and arm from the tip of his
middle finger to his elbow. The
fathom was the height Of a tall man;
the palm. a measure of about three
inches, was the width of his hand;
and the "span," about eight inches,
was what he could stretch his hand
over.
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-04-07

Appointments to clerkships in the
postal service are made through the
Civil Service Commission. To test fit
ness for the service applicants for ap-
polntments are examined by local Civil
Service Boards appointed by the com
mission. The examinations are held
twice year in each State, and the APP
plicants are examined in the following
subjects: Orthography, copying, pen
manship, arithmetic, letter writing, the
geography of the United States, and
especially of the State or railway mail
division in which the applicant resides,
and In the railway systems of the State
or division. Applicants must be not less
than Is nor more than IS years of age.
Any clerk removed for intoxication can
not be reinstated. New appointees are
given a probationary term of six months,
with pay at the rate of $500 per annum
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-04-07
over.
The Hawthorn.

The hawthorn is still known in
Germany as Christdorn: and the ira
dition is current among the French
peasantry that it utters groans and
cries on Good Friday; while in Eng
land an old superstition that it is un-
lucky to uproot a thorn still fingers,
and belief that it is ill-omened to
bring boughs Of it into the house is
sometimes expressed. Before the
change Of style its flowers might
generally have been gathered on May
Day.
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-04-07

He who hesitates is Stuck" 1t does
not follow, however, that because man
has a good brain that he will make a
good postal clerk. A man endowed with
phenomenal power to memorlze may
have physical and mental defects which
reduce his adaptability for this service
TO the minimum He may be unaccus-
toned to manual labor, effeminate. OF
sedentary habits, impractical, wanting
in stamina, may have cultivated his
mind at the expense of his body, and,
therefore, be unable to endure the hard-
ships incident to a business requiring
continual physical and mental labor ana
strong muscular exertion. But no mat
ter how well equipped man may be for
this service in every other respect, ne
cannot hope to obtain the maximum OF
usefulness unless he is gifted with an
excellent memory and cult1vates 1t per-
sistently. Every clerk gets a "lay-off, >
NOT for rest but for study and examina-
tion. On the St. Louis and Kansas City
fact mail the crews made two round
trims in succession, taking four days Of
almost continuous work and then lie off
four DAYS. While off they put in the
time resting and studying. New post
offices are continually being established
and old ones are being established every
day. The railroads are constantly
changing the schedules of their trains,
and every change involves a change on
tbe postal clerks scheme, which he
must work and commit to memory.
The postal clerk must keep whole
volumes in his head, and knows that
forgetfulness is charged up. against him
every time. He cannot plead, as other
hrain-workers sometimes do. that his
brain didn't work right. He must re-
member, and remember instantly. with
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-04-07

rs in this car had been worked
Mates on Eastern routes and, as
'tre tor the far West, they were
eopened until nearer their des-
ms. The second car is devoted to
ENoQtlon Of letters and Missouri
+ The rear half of the car is
With cases for the distribution OF
T These cases look very much
S'olice boxes, and contain about
@seon-holes. Each pigeon-hole
|-lS a town or a postal route.
/ Stand in front of the cases and
FlterS into the holes with a
that is astounding. It looks
f. 1t is not play, however, but
work Of the hardest kind. Phys
@fancc isrequired also to enable
IA 10 stand in front Of the case all
94S and meet the swaying mo-
the ear.
method employed in asserting the
/ may be easily explained. In
" mere are ia counties. At the
Superintendent Lindsay is q
oI the States in his division.
1[iae Tor the State of Missouri
were the mail for each county
Nc sent, with all exceptions
lie clerks on the fast mail that
were supposed to know the
y. Missouri, with ia counties;
VIVA Log counties; Colorado, Sd
arkansas, "A counties; Ne
~ counties, besides having a
- OF what are known as
schemes" Of several other
vi the castbound trip the
~"SJ know, in addition to Mis-
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-04-07
A. yvuriyalled system.


s,b+ with the fast mail from st.
w. r. Kansas City was taken by %
~ for the Globe-Democrat the
~ornjng. The fast mail line from
1. viz 10 Kansas City is one of the
.mnortant lines in the service, and
.rorter had an excellent opportuni-
. ri+npssing the enormous work
.,ont upon the delivery of the tons
III That 90 over this line each night.
gaLcrks who go out with the fast
| "a Kansas City go to their train at
NJ seven hours before the fast
starts. On reaching the train
work commences. 1t ends at 1920
,syt morning. No eight-hour day
[ae postal clerk.
kan the start was made at 3 o'clock
nav was almost buried beneath the
|nrbe of sacks and pouches that
| app loaded into the car. The cars
Every long, each being about sixty
Each ear was so crowded with
/. and cases that barely room for
Jerks remained. Each car was
,iantlv lighted from overhead lamps
heated by water heater in the
rar. Except Mushrooms the cars
/ M eoaveniences. No chairs were
and the clerks would not have
time to use them if they had been
The boys all carry blankets and
swth them, and should they hap
b finish their work before the run
npIetel, they throw their blankets
able Of mail bags and doze off I'M
Kansas city is reached. This lux
8vayer, is seldom offered them on
Test-bound trip.
avork is all done in the two front
the rear car being loaded with
r.h mail. Most Of the sacks and
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-04-07
No Adyaltag Sc.

A man whose head was perfectly
bald sat down in q Griswold street
barber-shop with a grin on his face,
and as he was being lathered said:
Il suppose you have observed that
I am bald-headed?"
yes, sir; l have observed it, sab,
replied the barber.
Rather. got the advantage of you,
eh?"
"How, sah?"
"Why, you cannot well ask me if I
want my hair cut"
mo, sab, | can't, sab; but | wishes
to call your 'tenshun TO NY h'ar re-
newer-50 cents q bottle-a pint in a
bottle-make your h'ar grow in TO-
weeks, sahw-Detroit free Press.
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-04-07
The First Prize.


Mr.. J. Cromwell Splinter. the
notedSathlete, was loating away the
morniAg in Tom DeWitt's bachelor
apartments, when he noticed hand
some silver mug that stood on the
table.
Hello! Where did you get this?"
he asked.
THAT is a first prize and commem-
crates the only event in which | won
a cup" answered Tom.
You? Where?" calculated Mr..
Splinter in establishment. ooh! I
see the date-June :, 1861"
Eyes; that was my birthday"
mo wonder you won it, )" said Mr..
Splinter disgustedly; there was no
competition."
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-04-07

Texas train, which leaves that city at
9:15 a. M, about two hours after the ar
rival of the fast mail. Several large
sacks of newspaper mail were put off at
this point for Texas. Several pouches
of letter mail for Mexico were also
dropped at Sedalia. After leaving Sc
daily the train did not again stop until it
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-04-07
The More the N[errier.

Marie-so you are engaged to
Charlie Chester?
Claire (carelessly)-Yes.
Marie-Isn't he the fourth Charlie
TO whom you are engaged?
Claire Qistlessly)-1 believe so.
Marie-Good gracious, Claire, how
do you tell them apart:
Claire (sweetly)-I don't. Detroit
Free Press.
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-04-07
Judge

Mrs. Riley-Phwat is that bichlor-
ide av goold Oh hear SO much about,
Mrs. Foley?
Mrs. Foley-Oi'm not positive,
Mrs. Riley, but Oh t'ink it's new
koind ay dhrink tn foor hundred do
be afther takin'. Judge. :
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-04-07
A Great Scnene.

"That is a fine dog you have there,
said gentleman to Lum Cogburn
yesterday.
"Yes," replied Dunn, with chuckle,
that dog is a. dandy. I have been
living off that dog for over two years
now. He makes me good living"
What. You don't mean to say
that the dog keeps you, instead Of
you keeping the dog, do you?"
well, it's pretty much that way"
said Lum. "fll tell you how it is.
That is dernation f1ne-looking dog
and | have no trouble in selling him
for SIS most any day. | sell the dog,
get the money, and about the next
day the dog comes home. Then |
sell him again. BY disposing of the
dog two or three times a week [ sue
coed in making a right comfortable
living. But you must excuse me
there's a man across the street there
now who looks as though he might
buy dog. "-PunXsutaWney Spirit.
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-04-07
The Mystery solved.

Mr.. Wayback-Be yew the waiter?
Waiter-Yes, sab.
Mr.. Wayback-DeW yew know, I've
been a-wonderin' ali along why they
called these places chop-hoUses. [
know now Will yew please bring me
an ak? l want teW cut this steak. !"
TIldUa
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-04-07

! 1n ddt:uelnes for the States of
I've + n, Ohio, Kentucky, and
l6ioinSss eneral knowledge of sew
Issiya Is, ntates. AS the schemes
VAR Il me towns in the counties
sQiredV ts States, postal clerks
'Ot tho 20 commit to memory the
towns and the counties
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-04-07
What It Was.

Tailor-"Y bill is overdue, sir"
Slowpay- "Overdon't, you mean.
Come around next week. Exchange.
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-04-07
FAST MAIL TRAIN.
-. CLEANED IN AN ExCIT-
" ING NIGHT RIDE.

c;+, Reached from St. Louis in
md One-Raf Hours-Twe1ve Tons
ru Handled-How the Men Work
,uov They Are Paid.
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-04-07
The English of 1t.

Mr.. Rhoads when I was travel
ing down South among the crack
ers"
Miss Athena Hubbs (of Boston,
aYou mean among the biscuits, do
YOU not, Mr.. Rhoades? Puck
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-04-07
HUMOR OF THE WEEK.
STORIES TOLD BY FUNNY MEN
OF THE PRESS.

Many Odd, Curious, and Laughab1e
Phases of Human Nature Graphically
Portrayed by Eminent Word Artists OF
Our Own Day.
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-04-07

eney are in. The enormity Of this task
can De conceived when it is known that
mere are, about $500 postoffices in Mis-
souri,, 1890 in Kansas, 700 in Colorado
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-11
TIE KNEISEL QUARTET.

The especial distinction that the present musical
season in New-YorlS seems likely to win from the
activities Of the string quartet organizations has
already been made subject OF graduation by the mus
caly inclined of the city, To the considerable list OF
such organizations which have already challenged at
tenton now to be added Mr. Knesel and his three
associates from the Boston symphony Orchestra.
Messrs Roth, SvecensM and schroeder They gave the
first concert Of a series of four in Ehlckcrng Hail
yesterday afternoon. The projectors Of this class OF
concerts In NewYork seem TO have found some diff
Guilty in solving the problem the time and place
best adapted for them. The sunday afternoon OK
pertinent Of Mr.. Brodsky gave promise OF favor
last year. but has been abandoned this year in favor
Of evening date while there various for
dissatisfaction with many of the smaller halls in which
the different quartet organizations have held their con
certs Chlcherng Hall is certainly not an ideal place
for chamber music but Mr. KDelsels manager evil
IDENTIFY fortunate in fixing upon saturday afternoon for
there gathered there yesterday audience Of
obvious cultivation and genteness that well filed the
ball and showed keen and discriminating enjoyment
of the delightful playing Of Mr. Knesel and his COM
raniOns.
The programme included two string quartets, one
by Haydn In D-major more than usually suave and
placid Lerance OF that masters musical nature
and Beethovcns well-known one In F-mnOr. Op %.
There also Brahms's plano quartet In ANA jor,
Op. 90. The playing Of these four gentlemen was an
unceaSng delight il certainly is OF the very highest
estate Of this difficult and reconcile branch OF the art
Little be added 10 the expressions Of admiration
which they have by their fine skill and admirable
devotion. made known IN previous appearances In
NevYork. The siN glencSs and sincerity Of purpose
with which they work, the perfect beauty and balance
Of their tone, the abundant vlgor and the and
lovely sentiment of their readings falling.
In the Brahms quartet Mr.. Kneisel had the
sistance Of Mr. Arthur Nlksch pianist. The latter
nd lonely locad Amir IN Tho
minor but 10y no means easy work Of accompanying
singers his playing Of the arduOus task imposed in
this cOmpositiOnMr. Padcr-wsM heard IN 1t
hers last winter-showed altogether unlocked for
power. II was brilliant and incislve performance,
governed by fine instinct and temperament cyi-
IDENTIFY In deep sympathy with the salient ana in
dividual characteristics OF Brahms. As piece Of
semble playing II emnsauy worthy 10 be placed
by the side OF the other numbers of the concert
that Is awarding II high praise.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-11

stands the forms and rules Of the House He is
adroit, quick to seize an opportunity or to spy
a weak spot. lie has the Of the House, which
likes to be amused. He will be encouraged by
the Tories He does not allow his natural agility
and alcrtness of mind to be weighted by too
nice regard for some of the scruples which
interfere with the freedom of other mems actions
He has in his own view grievance, and in
others views grudge, TO pay off. Nobody is his
superior in organizing a cabal or in springing a
mine. He likes a confct-some say he lives for
it-and finds pleasure in providing his friends
with surprises These talents and qualities are
effective in the House, if not with the country.
The country does not very well understand the
tactics and manoeuvres practsed in Parliament
What the English people value is character. They
admire straightforward conduct. They respect
convictions. 1t is Mr.. Labouchere's business as
politician to take account of these things and ia
give due weight TO moral forces as to other forces
1t is his failure to do this which explains in part
his want Of influence and makes him with all his
cleverness so often the dupe of his own clever
ness and almost always an insure guide. Between
him and Mr.. Gladstone there can be little real
sympathy, little community of aim. There may
be, Of course, active political cooperation. Mr..
Gladstone has shown himself ready in times past
to accept il, if not to reward it. lie would &C
cept it again.
The question is whether Mr.. Labouchere will
now prefer to be humble ally or a more or less
open opponent with the chance of turning out
the Ministry or of keeping it in on his own terms.
Great causes are at stake and it is on such in
fluences and personal considerations as have been
describing that the success or failure of serious
political enterprises does in some measure depend
r. w