davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-08
MARGHITA.
A SKETCH FROM LIFE.
written for THE MORNING. CALI.

She was only one OF great army of girls
and women In this city who wrest scanty
existence-it cannot by any stretch of i'm
agination be called living-from the world
by working for the shops where women's
and children's undergarments, wrappers.
dresses and cloaks are made. became ac-
auainted with her in the course of one OF
the dips into all sorts of phases of life that
so frequently come in the way of newspaper
workers to make / had wanted to know
something of the life of these women, and
forewoman in one OF the large shops had
sent me 10 Marghita.
''She is typical specimen" the busy
woman had said to me. There are lots
worse, but l don't know any better. and
she's a good worker, too" she added, as she
wrote down the address for me.
l found Marghlta away up on the top
floor of a tall building just on the outskirts
of Chinatown, in tiny nest of room,
barely large enough TO hold little bed, a
chair. the sewing machine that was her
chief dependency, and a big sink that en-
tirely filled one side of the place. 1t was
poor, meager place, its one redeemiDg fea-
ture being great window through which
the sun poured, warming the room ana
rendering IL almost cheerful.
The busy worker who occupied the place
was a slight, delicate-looking Spanish girl.
who did not appear to be more than Is
years old, although she told me she was Is.
She had evidently just arisen from her ma
chine to answer my knock. The bed and
floor were strewn with half-fnished white
garments and size held one in her hand as
she stood looking at me while / stated my
errand. She invited me TO enter, making
graceful embarrassed gesture of apol-
ogy at the poorness of the place, and prof
fered me the only chair. / declined it,
however, clearing for myself instead
little place at the foot Of the bed. where
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-08
The catcher.

be able to write the name of every pOstoffiee
on one side OF each OF large pack of cards,
and the name of the county and railroad or
railroad poStoffice on the back. After
memorizing the cards so as to tell without
hesitation what was TO be done with each, |
was required TO throw them into a case
which went TO make up a sort Of min iature
postOffice. There were 125 pigeon holes.
labeled TO lines and discs in that State.
What are discs? You see, n postoffice that
Is off the railroad Is supplied by the nearest
poSt0fiice that Is railroad station, and this
is called dis of that station. Sometimes
p0stoffices have 30 or 40 discs, and il that
Office is tho junction Of two or more roads,
you are Obliged To be so familiar with all
all train schedules as TO tell which route
reaches the objective point first. Remem-
Der. this Is from different standpOnts in the
State and at different hours in the day, as
trains are frequently behind time, and
when you think that clerks are required
on most OF the lines, TO know all the post
offices in four or five States and keep up
with the constant changes OF time-cards,
you will have some idea Of the magnitude
OF the work. There are 400 pOstoflices in
California, aud 1t took me just three hours
20 throw those cards i'm the case. / mis-
threw "a Offices the first time. But since
then have record OF 80. sc per cent, hay-
ing missed only two cards. and was just IS
minutes at the case.
ucoo tAdiUtDhllOUo OCcuT NJ regular Ill
tervals OF two TO three months ana keep up
as long as you are in the service. 1t Is study,
constant study. AS soon as you have been
put through the 'sweatlox you are given
new State to learn. and then it is the same
old story over again.
After running with the other clerks one
month | was allowed TO take trip alone.
And such trip. | shall never forget 1t.
IL seemed as il the moment the train
started my senses had left me. / was wild.
Just before the train started a man came up
to the door and threw about 80 letters all
over the floor. / had to get down on my
hands and knees and pick up those letters
! got my hands full Of splinters, and If l
had possessed a gun | would certainly have
shot that villani. After canceling these,
with about 300 moro letters, and distributing
them | opened the pouches, and then the
trouble began. i put off the mail for the
first station at water-tank five miles be-
fore reaching the station. / also caught
that water-tank, which was too close to the
track, on the mail-cateher. Zip! baug!
erashl A chunk of wood from the water
tank hit me ON the nose and knocked me
down, and, OF course, this added to my con-
fusion.
Il kept putting off mail just one station
ahead, and when i reached the last station
l had no mall to put off.
" heard from that trip. Every Post
master on the line reported to the superin-
tendent my mlSsendlng mail, but being my
first trip / was let off easy aud only fined
one days pay.
" soon found out that it took as much
muscle as brain. Some of the sacks of mail
are very heavy and take all clerk s
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-08
THE GERMAN INFANTRY.
How the Principal Division OF the I'm
periai Army Is Organized.
Harpers Magazine for May.

Hsrpers Magazine for May.
The infantry Is the principal arm Of the
army, not only in regard to numbers. but for
its capacity OF being employed at any time
and in any country. 1t forms, consequently,
the principal part of the army, and is organ
ICED, since October 1. 1890, in SIS battalions,
of which $40 are comprised in 173 regiments,
while 10 are forming independent lager bat
talions. The number OF infantry regiments
contributed by Prussia is 1873, Bavaria 20,
Saxony IL, Wurtemberg 8, aud jaeger bat
talons by Prussia IA Including the guard
Schuetzen battdlion), Bavaria 2, SaxOny g.
The regiments are differently described as
infantry, fusileer. grenadier regiments, also
a Schuetzeu regiment in the Twelfth Army
Corps, but they do not differ in armament,
training and employment. The names of
fusileers, grenadiers and schuetZen have
merely historical meaning. lu point of
fact the infantry in the German army is a
unity, which extends also TO the rifles,
although they have preserved some pecu-
liarities. The PruSsian rifle battalions ARE
mainly recruited from professional rangers
aud foresters, who, as rule, engage for
eight years active service, whereby they
establish claim for employment IN sub
ordinate positions In the Governments for
eStry service.
A regiment has three battalions, each bat
talon four companies. The regiment is
headed by colonel, each battalion by a
staff officer as battalion commander, each
company by captain as chief of company.
For internal service the company is divided
into inspections under the supervision of
lieutenantS, and IN c0rpOralS guards under
tie guidance of non-commiSsioned officers.
To the infantry belongs also the training
battalion at Potsdam, which is attached 10
the guard corps and to which officers, non
aop mis- Ia Htflpnre frDm n
fantry troops except the guard and Baya-
rian corps are detailed. generally for a
period of six months. During winter the
training battalion Is reduced to the size of
company.
Among the men levied for the army only
such are mustered into the infantry as are
able to bear arms and the fatigues of march
ing. They must have height of at least
1.57 meters (6l.S inchesl. The most alert
men are assigned TO the rifles. For active
service under arms each battalion draws
annually $50 recruits if it is kept on the
higher standard and 200 if on the lower.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-08

historic land, ! have never before come upon
any human being who 81 thoroughly Illus
trated the fact that in nearly every family
of good repute there somewhere runs the
curriSh strain of blood.
All this family who remain are rich
through miSerliness. The hard. stern nature
WAS not in Robert Evans. 1t began with
Isaac, the noyelists brother. who dropped
dead in his chair after all his niggardly
gaining. The peasant folk relate how he
watched in the hedges lest his laborers
might toss potato to hungry cottier or
tramp in the highway; how a poor cid
ssrVitor named Crabstock was chased
away from Cliff because ne let a
miners lad keep a turnip that had
fallen from his cart; and how another old
servant named Jackson hanged himself in
the farm offices behind Griff from sheer des-
perati0n at the niggardlinesS and brutality
OF Miser Isaac Evans. If you ever come 10
Griff and Walter Evans Esq. is still its
tenant-unless this picture OF himself may
change his nature-yOu Will be turned away
as have been myself and hundreds OF cthels
with the brutal and sOulless sheer that Grill
is no place for sentiment; people must keep
away; they bother the occupants and lessen
the value OF the rentals.
All. il was another sort OF soul whose
eyes once looked from those pleasant win
dows upon all who passed or came; whose
heart bled for the poverty and suffering
around her; whose tender spirit sought out
all who were In ignorance and dolOr; who
ministered 70 the sick, relieved the
needy and taught poor miners children;
until all the greed aud injustice that
have blighted the spot for the past 40
wears cannot efface the brightness that
one gentle presence left upon it; and in the
memories Of gray old men and women near,
for her sake alone, it is all but forgiven.
and Griff is still Griff with sad and tender
charm II will not be long until these few
hungry human crabs who bear Rn0ther's
deathless name will have passed away aud
have left for a day, as time is reekoned, a
little shadow here. Then all may come
with revereDt blessing for George Eliors
girlhood home.
To the literary pilgrim there are many
charming surprises in the neighborhood OF
Crit during a quest of Identification OF
places and persons with individuality OF the
| novelist. 1t is little more than 80 years
since George Eliot left Griff forever; quite
40 years since she babe farewell TO the
lovely home at Bird Grove" Foleshill,
Coventry.
Yet there are scores of folk remaining,
high and lowly, who knew her intimately
as maid and woman. Some who were her
playmates still survive. A few of those
whom she gathered into the cottage Of old
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-08
A Popular Contributor.

ut used 70 be-" Detroit Free Press man
was Informed by successful business man
OF some literary taste and learning, "that
wrote imaginative articles for the leading
magazines of the country" when you
were young, ! suppose?" commented his
companion. Yes. much younger than 1
am now" 'Were they accepted p "Never !;
but l presume with age and larger expert
ence and ripper knowledge ones style and
matter improve, and the work he does far
more meritorious." His companion showed
an interest not before observable. GU
don't mean," he asked, THAT you send any
thing 10 them now that is acceptable 2"
Oh, yes" he replied promptly. "there isn't
magazine in the country that isn't glad to
print my articles DOW, aud some of them
even solicit them. | have something in
some of them every month. II have never
noticed them" more surprised than ever.
Are they signedp' Yes by the firms
name. You will find them in the advertis-
I'M -
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-08
GEORGE ELIOPS EARLY HOME
Where The GirlhO0i Of The Novelist Was
Passed.
Edgar waksman's Description Of Grin, the
Farm Home Of Litersturs'S Fore
most Woman.
Correspondence of THE MORNING CALL

1t was not long ago that one Of the noolest
~ American women said 10 me:
"If there is any earthly influence that
might repress the presumption, impotence
and immodesty of that rapidly increasing
class Of nv countTywOmen who seem pos
sessed OF a mad craze to unseX themselves
for the pitiable reward of temporary pub
lie recognition or notoriety, it would be q
genuine study Of the genius OF George Eliot,
coupled with pilgrimage IL the localities
upon which her everyday life as maid ana
a woman left the grand Impress Oh her
personal worth
This much of an obiect-lesson would be
learned-if such women are capable OF re-
ceiVing grave and serious instructiou-as
would also result from a like study of the
genius OF Harriet Martineau, the Cary
sisters, Rosa BOnheur, Dinah MulOck Craik,
Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Charlotte
-Bronte, and all other women who are to re-
main among the immortals: That where
genius has been the original gift of woman,
in the precise degree that has been eventu-
ally achieved and accorded. has that woman
sbrunk. from offensive exhibitions Of her
own personality and Importance. Another
as impressive truth would have logical re-
yeslment Where any woman charges upon
the public with demands for its atten-
ton and homage. ia the same degree OF her
insiStence and clamOr Will II, III time, be
withheld and prove her doom to merlted
oblivion"
However this may be. remembering George
Fliots work which in It's hold upon the in
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-08
The Politest President.


Davy Crockett used to say that General
jackson was the politest man he had ever
met 1t was while Jackson was President
that Crockett paid his respects to the White
House. The President was glad to see me
and we talked long time" said Crockett,
''and finally the General asked me ii l
wouldn't like TO have drink. say
ing that he had fine brand that was the
rale old stuff, and Of course l could
not refuse the President So he went
and brought it out, and he didn't tell me to
pour out one. He didn't bring out any
glasses at all. but in genuine good. old.
true Texan style he handed me the demi-
john and then turned his back, and / swung
1t upon my arm aud began to pull at ii.
Such liquor / had never tasted. and
couldn't let 20, but the President never
turned around until l said Bob. and tell
you that is what | call real. true, genuine
politeness, and that is why / say that old
General jackson was the p0litest man ever
knaWS
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-08
THE MAN In THE MAILCAR.
lie Says That His Is a Life Of Study,
Constant Study.
Learning the Discs" Taking Care of the
Mikes" and Coming the Pages Of
That Awful Black Book.
Written for THE MORNING CALI.

The railway mail service, as seen from
the standpoint Of the man in the car, is not
so picturesque as 1t seems 10 an outsider.
Here Is what man who wears the uniform
says:
The day began work l was given an
outfit, which consisted of a postmarking
stamp, postOffice guide and a small book
OF instructions and rules, which, from the
color or its cover, is called by the clerks the
BLACK book / found the rules inside as
black as the cover. aud thought them still
blacker after being fined for some small Of
tense in after years. l was also given a
mail key with brass chain attached, and
was told that to let it pass from my possess
sion for an instant would be deemed suffi-
Gent cause for my removal. The first night
slept with that key under my pillow; L
dreamed about il, and woke I'D several times
and felt for it. Tie only uniform worn is a
cap, but as nearly all the clerks wear over
allS. that makes them still more distinctive
aboard the trains.
Il was told that would have to commit
10 memory the names Of all the postoffices
in the State Of California. would have 10
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-08
UNMARRIED PRINCES.
An Unusual Number of Eligible Roya
Youths in Euroue

An Unusual Number OF Eligible Royal
Youths in Europe.
The accession Of theyouthful Grand Duke
of Hesse- Darmstadt 10 the throne of his
fathers adds another name to the consider
able list of unmarried soyereigns. with
the Hessian ruler" says German paper,
"lhsre are now seven sovereigns Of more or
less power who have the enviable gift Of a
crown as their marriage dot to the fortunate
women whom they choose as wives. They
are the crazy King of Bavaria; Prince
Ferdinand Of Bulgaria; the Kings OF Servis
and Spain; the Queen of The Netherlands
Abbas, the Khedlye Of Egypt. and the
Grand Duke. The number is small CON-
pared with that of the unmarried heirs to
the throne, who still have to find their
brides. The Crown Princes of Denmark.
Sweden and Greece; the hereditary Grand
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-08
AN ELECTRIC WHIP.
An Invention to Be Used in the Tanning
of Animals.
Mechanic and Tradesmau.

mecnaulc ana lfa0eSnaO.
Waldemar Otto. editor of the German
paper Artist. has obtained patent for a
method to tame aud train wild animals by
means Of an electric whip. The cage has a
metallic floor connected with one pole of a
sufficiently strong battery, while the other
pole, by means of wire. Is connected with
the whip, while Its insulating handle has n
button with which the current can be tried
il desired.
Ii now the wild animal which was to be
educated shows obstlnacy, the trainer
presses the button, and this gives to the
animal an electric shock at every contact of
the whip. of which the severity Is regulated
according TO the requirements. Ii the cleo
tric current is not needed the button is not
pressed, and the effect OF the whip is re-
duced TO that of an ordinary one.
This is new application OF electricity for
educational purposes of a class of beings
which thus far has been the most inaceess-
BILE to impress with the advantage of civil
zatlon. In this way the lion may be made
to lie peaceaby with the lamb, even when
the lamb Is not inside the lion.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-08
AN ODD IDEA.
The Burial OF Small Cask OF Old Wine
IN New York.
III ANU " UN Hs
New York Commercial Advertiser.

In New YORK.
New York Commercial Advertiser.
There was an impressive ceremony in the
cellar of Jokn-street chophouse yesterday
afternoon. 1t was funeral-the burial Of
a small cask Of old wine newly arrived from
Oporto.
The proprietor Of the chophouse is a
young man, and three days ago he entered
into the bonds Of matrimony with a young
lady who had previously acted as cashier
for the opposition establishment across the
street.
The burial of the wine was the closing
event Of the festivities which marked the
occasion.
Six of the proprietors' friends were pres
ent, and divers drinks were drawn from the
cask before it was finally sealed up for In
terment.
The company was in a highly mystifed
state of mind as TO the reason Of it all until
the proprietor climbed upon q butt OF
sherry, and, with a glass in one hand and
the lantern in the other, addressed shem IN
this wise: Gentlemen, the caSk OF wine
that we are planting with so much cere-
mOny to-day is in for long period OF strict
seclusiOn, and, perhaps, may never see the
light again. IL it ever is TesuTrected 1t Will
be on the day Of my silver wedding, 70
years from now, when those among us who
still remain will tap il TO the extent OK a
SCukCSi ohliClbuSls II NO dAC Oil kOhCf VIC
wine is liable to lay hidden until some
Alaskan explorer OF the ruins Of New York
runs across it In the course of his exeaya-
lions. In closing, let me refer again to the
sentiment dear to the heart OF every Ameri-
can-Lets have one moreW
And this being done. the port was put in
its little earthen bed and carefully tucked in.
The hardest known wood is said to be
cocus wood. II turns tile edge OF an ak,
however well tempered, so IL is claimed,
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-08

strength to handle them. Talk about work.
/ have done the hardest kind Of farm work,
followed pillow or harrow and bound grain
after reaper all day, but was never as
tired as have been after hard trip in a
mailcar. Very often clerk is unable to
work all the mail assigned to him. This is
called going in stuck Very few clerks
will go in stuck IL 1t can be avoided, and
they strain every nerve to get through. To
do the work properly and rapidly the clerk
must stand ln an erect position at the cases
and racks. and in order to distribute into
the pigeonholes and sacks with accuracy he
must acquire the habit of meeting the mo-
tion OF the car, holding the muscles Of one
leg hrmly and letting the other relax ac-
cording to the changing motion of the car
The mind, the eye and tie whole body must
work In unison and instantly, as he is
Obliged TO discharge each piece of mail from
his Rands with the same accuracy and cal
culation III distances ana changing positions
OF the object aimed at as mounted sports
man shooting at objects thrown in the air.
was l ever held up by train-robbers?
Well, should say | was. 1t was the Sec
ond trip made with another clerk teach
ing me the mysteries of the service. 1t was
about midnight, very dark, and we were
passing through a lonesome, barren coun-
try, when suddenly the train stopped. The
engineer had been slgnaled by red lantern
being swung across the track. | went to
the door and leaned over on the mail
catcher to see what the trouble was.
soon found out. Several reyolvers were
fired off nearly under my feet. | tell you /
was frightened and thought at fist was
surely shot. jumped back about six feet
In the air, closed the door and fastened IL,
while the other clerk put out the lights.
There were only three OF the robbers, but
they kept up such an incessant firing that
thought there was a whole regiment Of them.
We had a pistol. but only one cartridge.
MY partner got out this pistol and said he
was going to fire our only cartridge Mt the
enemy. l begged OF him not to shoot at
them as we would surely be murdered II we
resisted. He finally changed his mind and
breathed easier. asked the clerk If this
wild-west performance gave an exhibition
very oftenson that line. He said, yes, and
you Will have to get used to it, found out
atterward that he lied, and that that was
his first experience also We laid there In
the dark expecting every minute that the
robbers would demand admittance, but they
didn't enter the mailcar and were satisfied
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-08
A way Gu, of the Dimculty.

II haven't seen your wife out lately, Mr..
Goodheart."
"No. She keeps at home these days."
rs she ailing?"
mo. The fact of the matter Is. i took her
home two of the handsomest Easter bonnets
l could find In town, ana said she might
make choice of either and / would buy it
for her. She has been busy night and day
ever since trying to make choice, and was
still as undecided as ever when l left this
morning"
you should help her out of her dilem-
ma"
How can I2"
and carry it back to the store. That'll be
the one she'll want"
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-08

downfall. but that was no time for aceusa-
tions or reproaehes. In her rough way she
was very kind to the sick girl, to whom she
seemed honestly attached.
There was very little that could be
done for Marghita, who was sinking fast.
and only begged not to be sent
to the hospital, but to remain with
Jess. One or two kindly ladies from
a neighboring mission, learning of the girls
sad case, visited her and did what they
could for her comfort, and in less than
fortnight after l found her the poor child
had ceased from troubling, and had gone to
Him who alone might pass judgment upon
her poor, blasted life.
ADELINE E. KNAPP
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-08
The Same Old Game.

What are you busy with now. Great
head?"
I've organized a society for the re-
formation of society"
1.-THE reformation of society," That's
rather n stupendous undertaking, isn't it?'
I'VE hope to be able to do something"
" But 1t will take money"
YES, but we expect to raise at least
$4,000 q year from the philanthropic
people,"
"Ten thousand dollars wont go far in
such an undertaking.
ut will be enough. There are only three
Of us In it. That gives salary Of 5000
year apiece and leaves thousand for ofhce
expenses and reformation"
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-08
Useless Diplomacy.

Her Lawyer-Now, madam, don't you
think that if we brought little pressure to
bear on him we could render the divorce
proceedings unnecessary?
Mrs. Mulyaney-1ndade an we couldn't,
Judge. Oi had him under tn kitchen shtove
wild me settin' an top av 1t fer foor hours
Yesterday, an diyil tn more dacinter he be-
kan