davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-11-17

1t was ablaze with light, and there GER
tainly must have been several thousand
lanterns, for candle power is the only
light use., III China. 1t may seem in
credible that Il nation of 400 ,0OO, 900, so
much older than ours, and with such
vast natural resources, should in the
Nineteenth century be practically with
out railroads, without IL telegraph, with
out telephone, without any postal scrv-
ice and without any governmental mint.
But it is still more incredible that they
should be without anything in the way
of light ut night other than candle power.
But the effect of this is certainly as
pleasing rs anything l have seen either
in America or i'll Europe. The light of
every candle shono through some gayly
colored lantern, and over the whole scene
there was that soft radiance which nei-
ther gas nor electricity can produce.
However we of America may attempt
to bclittle the Chinaman, there is little
justification for it, True it is he is far
behind us i'll many ways, but he has
abilities peculiarly his own, and what
ever he does attempt he succeeds ill.,
There Is Il great deal of what we call
red tape i'll this country i'll everything
official i'll China. You can get some idea
of the forlnality of things when 1 tell
you that before l reached the august
presence of Lii Hung Chang 1 was pre-
sentcd i'll turn to seven different officials.
each higher than the one who presented
me. Finally l reached the prime min
ister By that time l was very much
worked up, and scarcely able TO make Il
good presentation of my case through
the interpreter But any nervousness
that L may have felt was doubtless over
come by the rich presents brought, and
which were placed at Ii Hung Changes
feet with great ceremony
My instructions had been to walk ND
to the foot of the throne, bend my knee
and bow low. did this and remained
there until commanded to rise. Stand
ing before the prime minister I stated
my case with all the cloquence of which
was capable, and the fact that was
finally successful justifies me in part in
saying that eloquence won the day. Be
fore left Ii Hung Chang had promised
me all | asked for, and more. Return
ing from China | brought with me Of
fetal grants OF concessions more valu-
able perhaps diam any ono had ever OBJ
tanned. That they are not now being
pUt to practical Use is due only to the
fact that English capital, through its
American agents. las interfored and
temporarily Frustrated my plans. In
the end. however, am confident that
American Genius ard enterprise and
caiital will win the day even against
British gold ana British cunning"
WALTER WEIINAN.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-11-17

luggage and worked my way up to tho
prime minister of the Chinese empire,
and what with presents of costly silks
and diamonds at the end of two
months trip found that my expenses
had reached the enormous sum of twenty
five thousand odd dollars.
"a small fortune, You might say, and
i'll truth it was, but i'll reality it WAS but
the beginning. There has already been
spent OH these Chinese concessions GER
tainly not less than 100000, and it will
take as much more to secure them. What
will they be worth? No man can tell Mil
lions certainly, but how many: 1t takes
ones breath away in very truth when he
thinks of the possibility. Just think of
the value today of the entire railroad
system of the United States, the tclc-
graph reaching into every hole and cor
ncr Of the land, and the telephone sys-
tenn now ill nearly every city of any
size. Their value is billions of dollars
not millions. Such must ultimately be
the value of the same kind of property
III China, where there are 400, 000. 900
people, and where there is an area four
times the size of the United States.
L
don't care how small he is officially. or
how young he is in years, each and
every one of them is after the mighty
dollar. 1t matters not whether it is an
American dollar or British sovereign
or a Chinese tael. it is all the same to the
pigtail gentry of the empire. 1t is Il
very rare thing indeed for foreigner 10
secure an audience with the prime min
lister of China: in fact it was even more
difficult than securing an audience with
James G.. Blaine when he was secretary
OF state, and that, you know, was re-
garded as one of the most difficult things
in Washington.
Il had very indefinite idea of Chinese
customs, and had assumed, with my
American ideas, that being presented to
the prime minister coupled with it a
presentation to his immediate family.
But 1 was doomed to disappointment.
On my way from Shanghai to Picking
had heard great deal about the Won
derful beauty of the wives of Ii Hung
Chang, and had looked forward to the
pleasure of meeting them. But during
my entire interview with the minister 1
never set eyes on anything III the shape
of Chinese womanhood, Notwithstanding
the fact that he has some twenty odd
wives, each and every one of them with
asmuch curiosity as any American wom-
an that ever lived.
81 mentioned they had but one rail
road in all China, and that, too. but
twelve miles iii length. There is moth
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-11-17

ing. therefore, in the way of rapid transit
there. You either have to go by boat
or ride in a wagon train. Both are ex-
trenely slow, and an ordinary journey
occupies two or three days. The aris-
tocracy of China and all visitors who
come with proper credentials are carried
about the streets in litters. When l
reached Peking they took me to hotel
and gave me a sunptuous apartment in
which the predominating colors were
red and yellow. The house was built of
bamboo, the ceilings were low, but
must confess that everything about it
was well built, and the effect on the
whole could not help but be pleasing. l
have heard it said that Cinnamon know
nothing of the harmony Of color, but
my experience is that they usually get
an effect which is pleasing even to the
artistic eye.
81 shall never forget my first supper
i'll China. OF course l had TO eat with
chopsticks, and do not doubt that nv
efforts to impress the attendants who
were constantly about me with an idea
that l was thoroughly accustomed to
everything Chinese accounted largely
for the many subdued smiles noted on
the stolid countcnances Of those who
served me. | cannot say that this sup
per, or III fact any other meal of which
partook while in China, had that self
satisfying result that good old fash
Toned beefsteak and potatoes have for me
i'll America. TO be perfectly frank,
went hungry most of the time, and that
N I
presented to Ii Hung Chang, the p1 ime
minister of China.
shortly after dark high official Of
the government called upon me. and
through my interpreter informed me
that my presence was demanded at the
imperial mansion. had on my dress
coat, which made me all the more out
OF keeping with the elaborate costumes
of the richly clad Cinnamon about Inc.
thanked on either side by one of these
gayly dressed Cinnamon, marched out
and found litter carried by four sturdy
natives. The litter was covered with u
canopy upholstered in the richest of
Chinese silk. On either side stood a
swarthy Celestial, flaming torch in hand.
AS l approached tho men bearing tho
inter sank to their knees, so that might
step aboard. When was comfortably
seated the curtains were drawn, the men
rose, and the procession wendell its way
slowly to the house of Lii Hung Chang.
There was no crowd lg about by the
common people, as there is in America,
for the common people of China are sub
dued and disciplined like an army of
soldiers 70, \, IL
Il had heard that the palace was n
very beautiful building, but was not
prepared frr Ike sight that 49, ~ gaze.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-11-17

sonally more popular in Washington.
Several years ago the count conceived
the idea of going into that compare
lively unknown country of the ''heathen
Chinee' and of obtaining certain valu-
able concessions for American CAPT
talists.
1t never appears to have struck any
other progressive and aggressive Ameri-
can that this was the greatest field proba-
bly, in the world for Investment Here
was country with 400, 900 900 inhabit-
ants and an area so great that even the
United States would be comparatively
lost if placed in one corner. With all
this population and with all this terri
tory there was but one telegraph and
one railroad, not single telephone, no
letter carrier system, no government
mint, and, what was still moro surpris-
ing, no system of governmental revenue.
The count determined openetrate the
barriers which had been raised about
the Chinese empire principally by Brit
ish capital and British enterprise.
The greatest difficulty encountered by
the count III pushing his scheme was
really in America. He first had to over
come The natural prejudice in this coun-
try against foreigners. His scheme also
was SO far away, and at the same time
so gigantic i'll its conception and the re-
suits it promised, that many American
capitalists who We're approached were
startled by its very magnitude. The
first man to take hold of these Chinese
concessions was no less man than the
prominent banker, Wharton Barker, of
Philo1o1,,1,io ofa
had for its supporters such men as Colo
mel Elliott F. Shepard and the Chinese
minister at Washington.
So far the count has been unable to
produce these Chinese concessions and
deliver them over to his associates in
the enterprise. But he has by no means
despaired of accomplishing this result.
In fact he said today that he regarded
this as the work of his life and would
certainly succeed before he died. The
count claims that it is simply battle
between English and American enter
prise and capital, and that, as n natural
lied American, he is determined to see
the thing brought to q successful con-
cluslon. After many months of work
the count finally sailed for China, backed
not only by American capital, but with
the letters of introduction which guar
anteed to him an introduction and an
audience with Lii Hung Chang, the
prime minister of the Chinese empire
and the seventh prince, the uncle of the
emperor. The counts remarkable ex-
pericnce in China reads like fairy tale
and is best told in his own words. In
describing it he said:
"On my arrival at Shanghai was in
formed that shortly steamer sent by
the Viceroy Ii Hung Chang would be
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-11-17

FhEoENIED 10 THE PRIME MINISTER.
placed at my disposal. The vessel was
such as is used only by the royalty, and
from this was convinced that nv let
tiers of introduction to tho Chinese Off
Gals were Of the very best. l went
unattended, and was compelled to rely
altogether upon an interpreter whose
services secured i'll Shanghai. But it
seems that the viceroy had issued an Or
der that my person was sacred, and this
doubtlessly accounts for the universal
courtesy and attention I met with on
every hand.
81 do not doubt but what this atten.
ton was very largely due to the lavish
expenditure of money. 1t is univer-
sal custom in China to pay tribute to
everything and everybody. and in that
country no official considers it a crime
to accept bride. In fact they do not
consider it as bride, but rather as one
of their legitimate perquisites. l started
In with the Cinnamon who handled my
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-11-17
RAILROADS
n + q :. w Gg NorfoIksHestern R.R.

eChhDuhE IN EFFECT OCTOBER 30, 1892
~EsTBouND, LEAVE ROANOKE DAILY.
E4J A. m Washington and CHATTANOOGA Iimitcd)
Tor bristol and beyond. Stops only at Rad
i3rd. PULLMAN scepers to New Orleans, Mem
ooo pms anu Nashville. Dining car attached.
DIV ~. In. TOT Radrord, Pulaski, Drietol and all
atsu nt stations; also Tor Buclcld, Po-
cahontns, Elkhorn, Cllnch w ley Division
and Louisville via Norton Pullman slceper
to Louisville via Norton
1:5) p. III. for Radrord, Pulaski and Bristol olso
lot Bluencld-Ohio extensions: leaves Blue field
G1O u. III. daily for Kcnoyn Columbna and
me west Pullman eccpcrs to Memphis via
Chattanooga.
El5 a. m: for Petersburg, Richmond and
le45p. m. for Washington. Hagcrstown. phns.
delphia and New York. Pullman sccpc
Ronnokc to New York, via Harrisburg and
'2:46 p. m. daily for Richmond and Norfolk. PM
man parlnr chr to Norfolk, connects ut Lynch.
burg ONION siatiom with Durham division.
ClO -. III. Tor Buena Vista and intermediate sta
lions 10 connections beyond.
fih T.. III. iot richmond and Norfolk. Pullman
sleeper !" Norfolk and Lynchburg to Rich.
'2:4i night washington and Chattanooga linn
itcd) tor Washington, uagcrstown, Philadel.
phin and New York. Pullman secpcrs 10
New York via Harrisburg. Dining car
attached; Stops only at Basic, Shenandoah,
Luray, Shenandoah, Junction. Shepherds
town Anticam, Grimes and st. james
station) and BIB p. m. daily for South boston
and Durham and intermediate stations
Winston-Salcm Division--Lcavc Roanoke Ujnion
s'ationl 0:i5 ~ M daily for Rocky Mount
MAJ tir@vi'ir. Winston-Salcm and intcrmc-
tintc siuiiuiis.
For all additional information amply ut ticket
7dlco or 10 W g. BEVII.L
GcucTa' Passenger Agent Roanoke. Va.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-11-17
THE PlCKLED WALNUTS."
How an Iconoclast Satirized Some Sub
urban EntIs.
[Spcclnl Corrcspondence

Especial correspondence
MoNTCLAIR, N. j., Nov. 17-Not long
ago | took a jaunt out through upper
Montclair in order to loosen my Joints a
bit. was quite surprised to see such
beautiful villas on every hand, and soon
learned that this charming suburb is the
spot for the man who delights in wind
mills, reindeer, black swans and pea
cocks.
And 1 noticed also that every place
had q lame after the English fashion.
Even houses standing on fifty foot lots
were called Skyhurst, Cloudvale, the
Cedars, etc. While musing upon the alb
surdity of n ridiculous fashion met a
man. AS he had OF Il loud checked suit
and a single barreled eyeglass l con-
Guided that he must belong in that
region.
Good morning" said; 'do you be-
long around here:'
YES" he replied. 81 have belonged
around here for something like six years,
but am not going to belong around
here longer than the time it will require
to get to the station after the moment
my lease expires"
DOi yOti iihc liIt IL certainty
seems very beautiful"
cit is beautiful replied my friend.
at is altogether too beautiful for me.
l want q lonely old fashioned place.
You see these intensely English clothes
and the cyeglass:'
81 do" I replied.
"Well, he continued, - detest them,
but l have to wear them to match the
place in which live. also have to cut
the horses tail for the same reason,
and | just long to get out of here to get
into a homely suit of United States
clothing once more, and give the horses
tail chance 10 grow long enough to
brush the flies off the small of his back"
"The thing don't like about it, I re-
piled, sis this ridiculous custom of nam
ing the places. Now what sense is there
in calling a 5000 house on 5000 lot
'Cotswold?'"
"Do you know l antagonized every
one about here by calling my place
now what do you think called it,"
pine View suggested.
''NO; guess once more"
"HaZclhurst?" | vcnturcd to reply.
"No; you are wrong again. did not
call it by any picturesque, misleading
d, name; called it the Pickles Walnuts.
And 1 gave it this name to burlesque
the system Of naming small places at
ALL"
"And you say your neighbors didn't
like it,"
They did not, because 1 painted the
name OH Il stone AZ the gate. And then,
to get even with them, l called the stable
Blythedale Terrace, the dog house Nan
ticon Lodge, and the hennery the Slip
perry Elms."
"And what did the people say?"
III don't know what they did not say
think they are talking yet. And if
they are not they will be when they
learn that have called the ramshackle
house in which my coachman lives
Westminster hail. If You want to live
out here you've got to be English from
/ head to foot and wear single beveled
eyeglass and white duck uppers and
/ play cricket. But III get out as soon as
can, and When once moro get into IL
{ ten dollar suit of clothes, and grow Il
tail on the horse, III apply for papers
/ of American citizenship" Then he
passed on, trembling with emotion.
! Il. X. MU:;KlrTnici,..
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-11-17
VI. RADAM'S MICROBE KILLER
CURES ALL DISEASES.

1t is the only medicine that can be
taken in large enough quantities to stop
fermentation, destroy microbes (the
germs OF diselse), and not in any way
cause harm to the patient. 1t contains
no drugs whatever, but is a water
charged with powerful germ destroying
gases. 1t cures whore all othor remedies
fail. Book, giving germ theory of dis
ease, free. Johnson & Johnson. ags nus.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-11-17
Mu,t Go Before the Grand jury.

j. d. Fralin and William H. Edward.
who were arrested Tuesday in Salem.
charged with selling moonshine whis.
key, were given hearing yesterday
afternoon before Commissioned Rhodes
The forU er waived examination and
was bailed in the sum of $500 for his
appearance at the March term OF the
United States court at Lynchburg. The
latter had an examination and was sent
on to the grand jury. He was also bailed
in the sum Of $500 Tor his appearance in
March.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-11-17
BUSINESS COLLEGE

NATIONAL BUSINESS COLLEGE
~ Roanoke, Va.--The regular session
Of this popular institution, which has
been partially suspended during the
heated season, resumed yesterday, Sep
TENDER LIST, with full corps Of instruc-
tors. Remember that over rs per cent.
of the two hundred students who
entered the school and completed their
course are to-day filling positions sue
cessfully and most of them in this
Magic City of progress and enterprise
Young man, come here and prepare for
business. Send for our new illustrated
college journal containing full informa-
ton. Address as above. 111y
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-11-17
Tho Houso to be RebuiIt.

The house of j. P. Swallenburg, that
was burned on Commonwealth avenue a
few weeks ago. will be rebuilt
with brick, and workmen are
now engaged for that purpose. The
first floor of the building will be used
for storeroom, while the other part
will be used as dwelling. The work
Of rebuilding will be rushed and com.
pleted as quickly as possible.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-11-17
Produce aud Merchandise.

New YORK. Nov.lG-ISpecialI- Wheat
very dull, firmer; No. Q red, 76@764;
November, 76IS; December, 769S; May,
S3%. Corn more active, firmer; No. 2.
50@50&; options dull, closing SOL
higher, closing firm; December, 5ON;
MAY, 5a14 OATS fairly active. firm or;
Decem Der, 3616; May, 4 Is; spot No 2,
35h @35&; mixed Western, 35M@37.
Coffee, options closed strong, 5000 up;
December, 5.70@l5.S0; January, 1850
@l5.7o; March, l5.2O@15 35; spot Rio
active, firm: No. Z, 1G%.
Sugar, refined dull. steady Molasses,
New Orleans firm, fair demand; open
kettle, new, good to choice, 37@45
Rice steady, fairly active. Cotton seed
oil finn, quiet; crude % bid; yellow 80
asked. Rosin quiet, steady; strained,
common to good. 3o@135. Turpentine
dull, easier, 31@3l11. Pork firm, fair
demand. Peanuts quiet. Middles
quiet Lard firm, quiet; Western steam,
9.75; city, o.l5. Freights quiet. steady
Exchange strong at 4s5E@4ss. Com
mercial bills, 4S4@4S6 Money easy
AT 3@6, closing offered at B. Sub
treasury balanc ,s-gold, sos, a35, 600;
currency, 81, 900. Government bonds
lower-4s, ll4}9. State bonds quill
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-11-17

Cash quotations: Flour steady, un-
changed. No. spring and red wheat,
7lss; No. corn, 41H; No. 2 oats, 81;
mess pork, 10. 2001 %: lard, 0.l2@9.25:
short ribs, 7.5C@755; dry salted
shoulders, 7.3O@7 35; snort clear, 7.75@
$50; whiskoy, lis.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-11-17

ClIY OF RoANoKE, OFFICE OF TIE
~ Board OF Pubic Works, Roauotc. VA
Oct nth, 1S9a Sealed proposals. wil Nc r.
ceivcd M this oillco until II O'Clock Sow iih
1872, Tor furnishing all the necessary lni,u ana
materials for the construction of visintd brick
sidewalk slon.sidc tho Greene Mcmoc. Church
cludc the necessary stone curbing IN sunc. !.
DC covered amounts to about $50 square feet
All bids must he accompanied with 4, certified
check for $1,000. iiids must he enclosed i'm AZ
envelope, scaled and marked on the outside, .'Bid
for vitriiiod hi lex sidewalk
The right il hereby reserved to reject any or al
bids and to wnivc any informality in any bid II II
IL deemed to the interest OF The city to do 70
Plans and specifications can be sccu at this Office
Address b Gs to tins Office
ID. KIRK,
CLARENCE COLEMAN,
j. j. SHEEuAN
III 10 3ut Board oil Public Works.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-11-17
PROPOSALS.
CrTY OF RoANoKE.

CtITY OF RoANoKE.
~ OFFICE OF TUE BOARD or PUBLIC WORKS
ROANOKE, VA, October GOTH 1892
Sealed proposals will received ut this Office
until y o clock noon November 2ist, 1872 for
Except the terra Gotta and iron pipc) for tho
construction and completion OF the following
INES OF sewers in the city of Roanoke Section
Ul SIX. Putting in place II 12.inch terra Gotta
pipe from the point where the present sewer dis.
cnarges near the gas honsc to Lick at or near
Nicholson street. and there connecting with the
main outfall sewer by means OF an iron nine
ssiphon across Lick run Section ca seven Put
ting In place n 1s-inch terra Gotta pipe In Shcn-
andonh avenue from the sewer now In jefferson
street Mt Its intersection with Shenandoah ave.
nue. TO connect with the siphon on the north side
street bridge, Section tS eight Putting in place
asiinch terra Gotta pipe from tho point where
the present scwcr cmptcs into Lick run near the
junction OF Campbell with Norfolk avenue nionv
Lick run distance Of about 800 feet connecting
with the sewers from the Ronnokc Machine
Works and across Lick run by means nf an iron
pipe sipnon 10 conn ct with the main utfail
Each bidder must submit with his hid n CERT
hcd check for the sum of two hundred and iiity
dollars (S250). All work to he done III accordance
with plans, drawings and specifications ON file IN
this Occ.
The City Council reserves the r'yh' to reject
any or MI bids or an, part Of hiu: to com
memo or complete the work upon a,iy OF the sec.
lions enumerated, or any part any section
The CITY Council receives the right IA w,ivc
any defect or informnlity in any bill, II il he
deemc in the interest OF the city to do SO.
WITHIN ten days after The award OF the contract
the successful biudc. or bidonrs. must furnish
bond with approved securities, rcsidcnt in Vir.
ginia, IN pcnnly OF forty per cent. of tho con.
tract price, for the faithful performance OF the
work All bids received after the time stated
will be returned 10 the bddc's. Proposals mus,
be enclosed in sealed envelopes m.racd PRO.
posals for tho construction oil sewers an ,cc.ions
q, and III the city OF Roanoke al nddrc- .cd
to the Board of Pubic Works Roanoke, VA
j. u. KIuk.
CLARENCE 'oi ENAE
10 81 GOT Hoard Of ti,hi,c v-o,ks