davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-05
PORTER'S WILL.
One Explanation of the Discrepancy
on the Face of the Document.


on the Face of the Document.
"The fact that the will Of the late David
POI ter is written on sheet of paper bear
Ing the water-mark 1882. ami that it pur-
ports to have been written on the 18th of
February. 1881, has In view of the recent
developments concerning Porter caused
some comment" said an ex-detectiye to
representative of THE CALL yesterday.
Have you any theory as to the discrep
ancy?" was asked.
well, yes; for you know that men who
have been in the business that l have been
in are always forming theories. Ny idea of
the whole business is this Porter in 1881
was, as it is generally supposed. in good
financial standing. At that time he had
means TO dispose of in the event of his
death, and he drew up his will leaving all
property to his wife, making no provision
tor his children, believing, no doubt. like
many other men, that the mother would
provide for her children. At the time the
VIII was made the children were II years
younger than they are now. all minors, and
it Is only natural that he should have be-
lieyed that 1t was better for the mother to
provide for them than TO allow the young
children to handle the money he might
leave.
Porter went into speculatinns. but like
many more was not successful, and 1t be-
came necessary for him to dispose OF his
mansionRon California street TO Jim Fair.
This money went where the rest had gone.
and he found himself only able TO keep up
appearances. He then used the Selma fund
to retrieve his losses, but without success.
The will which has been filed for pro-
bate, although it bears c0dieil dated Janu-
airy IA, 1891, has the appearance OF having
been written at the same time as the latter.
How do / explain this? | will tell you.
You note that the will WAS made ten years
before the codicil. and during those ten
years the children attained their major
ty. Porter, finding himself embarrassed
beyond hope of recovery. and knowing
hat he did not have anything to leave to
those he loved but the insurance on his
life, some $40. coo, added the codicil which
changes the mode of distribution of the
money from the mother to the mother and
the children share and share alike.
'In this codicil he. l am confident, made
some mistake in If. and he then rewrote the
instrument FROM top to bottom and wrote it
on a sheet of paper that he no doubt had
had IN his desk for many years. never think
ing at tie time that the paper bore water
mark | do not believe that he ante-dated
the WILL as one would be led TO suppose by
the discovery that the instrument bearing
date of 1881 is written on paper manufac-
tured in 1882. Ante-datng the document
could not have avaled the teStat0r in any
way. and, as / said before, l am con fdent
that he copied the original and the cOdicil in
the manner have told you. 1t is a reason
able explanation. Is it nOt?"
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-05
TASTE OF INSECTS.
Spiders Have Only a Slight Sense,
While Others Show More.

Chambers Journal.
Many experiments have been made in
order to find out what and where the organ
of taste is in the lower creation, but it is
easier to say where it is not. Crsyfsh and
worms seem 10 have very decided prefer
ences in the matter of food, though no spe-
cial taste organ has yet been found. Lob
sters like decaying food. The crab is mOre
dainty In its diet.
Snails and slugs show a decided prefer
ence for certain kinds Of food, as garden
lovers know to their cost; peas aud cab
bages, dahlias and sunfowers are great
fayoTites, but they will not touch the white
mustard. Some prefer animal food, espe-
eially if rather high. Spiders have only a
slight sense Of taste flies soaked in parafiine
seem quite palatabia to them, though one
species. the disdema. is somewhat more
particular. and refuses 10 touch alcohol IN
any form whatever.
The antenna Of insects do not appear TO
contain any organ OF taste, for wasps and
ants quite readily took into their mouths
poisonous and unpleasant food, even swal-
lowing enough TO make themselves III, while
some bees and cockroaches fell prey to the
temptation Of alum, EPSON salts and other
nauseous food placed in their way. These
substances were not, however, swallowed,
but were soon spat cut, the creatures sput-
tering sngrily. as if disguised with the
taste. The prObOscis OF the fly and the
tongues Of bees ana and ants are furnished
with numerous delicate hairs set In minute
pits; these are, perhaps connected with the
organ Of taste, but, though the exact local
ity Of this sense In insects is uncertain, we
know that groups of cells in the
tongues Of animals. called taste bulbs,
form IN part the ends of the organ
OF taste. These vary in number. increasing
IN the higher animals. They are very close
and exceedingly numerous in man, while
the tongue Of even the cow has some 80, 900
taste bulbs. IL would be interesting to
know whether each special taste excites a
special group Of nerves and that only-thus
corresponding to the auditory nerves.
These taste bulbs were discovered in 1861
Each one consists OF two kinds of cells, one
set forming an outer protective covering.
through an opening In which project from
five 10 ten Of the trne taste cells
Though important. they are aot appar-
emily an essential part OF the organ. for
birds and reptiles have none, but neither
have they keen sense of taste-except.
perhaps, the parrot. A boa-constrctor
that was nearly blind was once found to be
cOntentedly swallowing blanket for din
neT, instead Of a rabbit, which was also
within reach, aud it was only with great
difficulty that it was forced TO disgorge this
singular article Of food a snakes tongue
is, therefore, not an organ Of taste; nor Is ir,
as many think, sting. II is more prob
ably delicate organ Of touch.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-05

this our oveIca uti0us critic admits), and
when his location has been surveyed and re-
surveyed six times during forty-three years.
does he longer delay if he has the money to
construct?
Permit the fear that delay has an Interior
cbject-that object the Pacific Coast. the
Gull States, the great Mississippi Valley;
IN fact, all our country. objects to. AS to
the Nicaragua canal it has taken forty-three
years, as we'll as life and treasure to know
we are right. and the American people de-
mand action, and no more delay against
the interest of our people and the honor of
our country. WILLIAM l.. MERRY.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-05
Sentimental Uses of the Graphophone.
Kafa EIalntr w a.l.trn.nr


The granhophone is put to new and some
what sentimental uses by number Of
Washngtonians. A gentleman called my
attention recently to a collection of cylin-
ders carefully arranged in his desk apart
from others, presumably OF ordinary bust
ness import.
"You will be surprised" said he, "to hear
the sounds which issue from this machine
when those little rolls are placed in IT,
use them to perpetuate the small voices Of
my children.
Il want 10 preserve their childish tones
for the future. when time viii have wrought
its mysterious changes, and make compari-
sons between the voices now and then.
This idea may seem absurd and senti-
mental; but II it is folly / have The cOnso-
lation of more than ordinarily good CON-
pany. as several gentlemen Of my aequalnt-
ance are following the same plan.
Besides preserving the sounds OF my
children's voices at various ages / am also
making collection Of those of my friends
TO console me in possible hours Of l0neli-
ness"
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-05
CIVILIZATION AND SIGHT.
Wild Animals After a Period of Cap-
tiyity Grow Defec tive in Sight.


Brooklyn Eagle
The subject of shortSightedness In ami
mails was under consideration at a meeting
OF the Paris Academy of Medicine, when M.
Metals Of Augers maintained that this
defect In vision Is one of the products Of
civilization. An unexpected proof of this
view was found in the condition of wild
beasts, such as tigers, lions. etc. NJ. MOtaiS.
having examined their eyes by means of the
0phthalmoseoDe, discovered that those
captured after the age Of 6 or s months re-
tanned the long sight natural TO them, but
that those made captive before that age and
those born Ia 4 state of captivity were
shortsighted. Some time since a case was
published OF a horse in this country that
wears spectacles. The farmer who owned
him, having come to the conclusion from
various symptoms that the horse was short
sighed. got an oculist to take the necessary
measurements and had pair OF SpectacleS
manufactured for him.
They were made to fasten firmly into the
headstall, so that they did not shake out OF
place. At first the horse appeared startled
by this addition to his harness. but he soon
got used to his glasses and liked them. ia
fact" said the owner, when / turned him
out to pasture he felt uneasy and uncom-
Portable without his goggles. and one Sun
day he hung round the barn and whinnied
so plaintiyely that put the headstall and
goggles on him, and he was so glad that he
rubbed my shoulder with his nose" 1t is
thought that the vice of shying, which
spoils so many otherwise valuable horses,
is induced by shortsightedness The
animal cannot see some particular object
sufficiently plainly to feel sure that It is of
harmless nature and so SHES away fromit.
Owners of dogs may often prove that their
pets suffer from short sight. FOR it will often
be found that dog is unable to recogniZs
people with whose appearance 1t is most in
innate when they are little way off, while
another dog. at the same distance. has no
difficulty whatever in recognizing them.
Dogs have been provided with spectacles in
the same way as the farmers horse alluded
to. and have been conclusively shown TO
have derived great benefit from them.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-05
Nature Against Him.
Chicago Tribune.

lyon have been walking about this great
city for SIX weeks and haven't found
werkr sa,a r Ine sau the seedy man IN tina
kitchen. his mouth closing over wedge Of
pie. That's right"
"You are willing 10 work, dare say?'
"Wilin'. mum? I'd work my laigs off ef
| could git chance. Jest a leetle more
cream in the cavity. Thanky."
And you would doauy kind of honorable
work, / presumeT'
"Yes'm, anything that's in my line. I
b'Ieeye in every man stickin' to his perfes-
sion."
inlay ask what your profession isT'
"Pm a inventor. mum"
IAN inventory"
"Yes'm." said the seedy man. reaching
for doughnut, Inventor of a new process
Of curing sunstrokes.'
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-05
Packing Establishment Sold.

The directors Of the Boring Sea Packing
Company held a special meeting Yesterday
to open bids for the purchase Of its packing
establishment, located ut Ugashik, Alaska
There were only two bids, that Of the
Alaska Improvement Company and gen.
tleman whose name the secretary would
not disclose. His bid was S24, 900 but the
bid Of the company being $50. 900 the busi-
ness was sold 10 the latter.
The secretary Of the old company is to be
secretary of the Alaska Improvement Com
pany, and II is understood that the directors
will hold like positions in the new COM
pany
The reason for selling as given by James
Madison, the secretary. was that 1t was
useless TO work against the salmon trust
aIoue
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-05
ck-Crowing and the Weather.

The time-marking propensities OF the
common cock during the night session have
long been the subject of remark and con-
lectures as the cause very freely INDUCED
in. The bird, in ordinary crcumst ances,
begins to crow after midnight, ana he also
crows about daybreak, with usually one
intermediate effort. Ii seems impossible TO
overlook the connection between the times
OF Growing and the minimum temperature
of the night; nor can the latter be viewed
apart from the state of the dew point or
maximum degree of dampness. Other cir
eumstances, however, exercise an influence,
for it cannot be disputed that the times OF
Growing of different individuals are by no
means similar and that in certain states of
the weather, especially before rain, the
growing is continued nearly all day,
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-05
The Delaware Society.

The Delaware Society OF New York issues
by way of year book a tiny folded sheet
giving list Of the officers of the organiza-
tion and OF ''memb ers and persons eligible
to membership" There are about 500
natives of Delaware resident in this city.
besides some former residents of Delaware
not natives, but by the constitution of the
sends out annually considerable number
of young men to seek their fortunes. The
Delaware colony in Philadelphia is so large
that the local society has been able to set up
q clubhouse.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-05
STRIKING and SEASONABLE VALUES :!

Reduced to 51se q yard.
fabrics
Reduced Q
lave
fabrics that
Reduced q
sc and 15c
Reduced
Reduced to a
BLANKETS, California WOOL that
Reduced Each
81
Reduced $3.50 q
length
Reduced AZ q
q
WHITE FLANNEL.
Reduced q
bleached
Reduced
Reduced q
100 "a DAMASK NAPKINS Irish inen thai 90
Reduced Price
reduced half
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-05
Curiosities About Snow.

The pure white lusler Of snow is due to
the fact that all the elementary colors of
light are blended together in the radiance
that Is thrown off from the surface OF the
various crystals. More than thousand
distinct and perfect forms of snow crystals
have been enumerated and figured by the
various investigators in that line, One hun
dred and fifty-one different forms were once
observed by the English scientist, Glashier,
who carefully made engravings of each and
printed them In paper attached to the
report OF the British Meteorological Society
for tile year 1866.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-05
Prevention of Rust.
New York SIM


The fact that calcium chloride has an
affinity for moisture has lately been taken
advantage of for preventing rust upon fine
cutlery and edge tools. Tie arrangement
devised for this purpose Is OF simple
character, and, it is said, may be salts
factorily employed not only by dealers in
iron aud steel products, but by physicians.
housekeepers and others in absoT bling
moisture in places where dampness is liable
10 iDjure instruments, cutlery or fine textile
fabrics. etc. In practice a bottle with a
glass funnel Is placed in The case with the
goods and the tunnel partly filled with
Jumps OF calcium chloride, every trace OF
moisture being speedily absorbed. The ar
rangement Of the bottle and funael permits
the liquefied portion Of the calcium chloride
to trickle from the funnel into the bottle
drop by drop, leaving the salt exposed, and
In this way IL continues active until 1t en-
tirely dissolyes. The method is simple and
effectual and of course quite inexpensive.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-05
Dissolution of Partnership.

Philip Cowen OF the firm of ID wis &
Cowen, crockery merchants. 9l9 Market
street. wants to dissolve tho partnership
and for that purpose has applied to the
courts for the appointment of receiver.
Governs reasons are that the business Is not
paving, and as Davis refuses to agree to an
equitable division Of the estate, the only
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-05

remedy is through tie courts. In his com
plant Cowen states that he contributed
S4C9S in stock when the partnership was
formed and Davis Sl998. One-third Of the
profits were To go to Davis, one-third to
Cowen, and one-third to Governs son. who
represented him in the business. The part
Dership was commenced in 1884, succeeding
the firm of Davis & Leary. Cowen having
purchased Leary's interest The firm is
rated at from So, COO to $4,000
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-05
His Credentials.
Detroit Free Press.

A certain Congressman. famous priaci-
pally for his untidiness, was In the small
towns OF the district making a speech.
During the day a couple from up the creek
saw him out on the street corner.
Who's that, Hiram?" inquired the wife,
WHO was Interested IN all the sights.
why, Marthy." was the reply, don't
you know him? He's our Congressman"
"UghW she exclaimed uppishly. che
wears a powerful dirty shirt"
In course. in course" said her husband
but. Marthy. he's got to do somethin' to
show he's Congressman"
The Chicago FIRE insurance patrol has an
sS ered about 325 lirealarms since January /.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-05
In Great Form.

Miss Ann Gulaw-I wish you would tell
me how you keep your dresses in such pretty
shape?
Miss Plnmpette-Si by wearing them,
dear indianapolis journal.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-05
HUNG MOY'S CATS.
A Pagan Woman's Forty
Feline Pets.
EACH KNOWS ITS NAME.
A Curious Sight Witnessed in Mar
row Alley in China
town.

o one knows when she
sailed over the sea from
far Asia and came TO
this land Of plenty. Her
name is Hung Moy, and
she is an old blind
Chinese woman. She
has made no great stir
in this country, but there
has been at least one re.
suit of her coming, and
that is cats.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-05

a n electrical acidmeter or instrument for
measuring the amount of acid substance In
liquids has recently been perfected and Is
expected to come into extended use in refine
res, breweries and similar places.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-05
STOCK Taking Reduction SALE!
IMPORTANT INDUCEMENTS
HOUSEKEEPING GOODS !!

Ladies who appreciate genuine bargains should make
it point attend the great stock-taking reduction
sale that begin this week particularly if they require
housefurnishing goods of any descripon for supplies
be repenshed great saving by taking advantage
of the cearing-out prices ruling
The National tribune., 1893-12-07
MASSACHUSETTS Daughters of Veterans.

Mrs. John Read Tent. T. Cambridge, Mass,
celebrated the third anniversary of its organ
ization recently. Several National officers were
present as guests, and also the Departments
President of Massachusetts, Miss Addie A. York,
and staff all of whom made cOngratulstory adj
dresses Large delegations from nearby Tents
and s. of V. Camps were also present. and
general good time was enjoyed By all.
Applications for charters have been received
at Department Headquarters from interested
parties in Lowell and North AttlebOrO, and two
new Tents will probably be added to this De-
partment before the close of the year.
Abby Borden Tent, 16, Fall River, is arrang-
ing for an elaborate entertainment, to occur On
Dec. 9.
= Louisa NJ. Alcott Tent, 8, Fitchburg, had .
most enjoyable gathering a short time ago.
Supper was served from s TO 8, after which
Gen. John T. Kimball State Auditor of Mssss-
chusetts, delivered an interesting lecture on
the Battle of Balls Bluff"
Inspections and exemplifcations are the or.
der of the day in this Department, and the re-
suits are most gratifying, showing decided
progress in the work of this bright young or.
ganization.
Elizabeth r. Berry. Department. Correspond
emit.
The National tribune., 1893-12-07

Cantwell Corps surprised their President
Ph@be Z. Park, on q recent evening and pre-
sented her with a silver butter-dish, butter
knife. aud sugar spoon. in celebration Of her
birthday. Caiiie +. SOrgan making the prssenta-
ton speech. A nice luncheon was served
In General Orders. No 3. Department. Presi-
dent Josephine B. Lewis, Of Louisiana and
Mississippi, urges her associates to greater
efforts on behalf Of needy veterans and their
families. and thanks the Whittier Literary
Club for the proceeds of an entertainment for
the benefit of relief
COnTade J. c. o. Redingion. who has been
bnsy on a fine Charlottesville number Of the
Aeme Harersack. proposes TO given bis next
attention 10 N.R.C. souvenir number, to DO
out holiday week. He is about to print the
N.RC. Oies for free distribution, and has
plan, In this connection, whereby Corps can
add largely TO their relief fund bv communi-
eating with him. Address him at Syracuse IL
You would try it.
Department President Ella Jordan Mason. Of
Maine, announces the formation Of John n.
Crane Corps at Buxton Center and E d. c.
west Corps at Franklin. President Mason has
been conducting vigorous campaign for the
Maine Home, greatly encouraged by Depart
ment Commander Cushing and her associates
in the work.
Department Inspector Vests J. Shoemaker,
OF Ohio, reports very favorable retarns from
nearly all of the 3l5 Corps in the Department.
In most places extensive preparations are going
forward for a busy Winter of relief made i'm
peratiye by the distressing times In % Corps
Inspected by her personally over s. 600 had
been expended in relief for the year ending
Sept. /. 1898.
The Ohio Council Of Administration, GAR,
at their recent business meeting held in Xenia
were royalty entertained by Lewis Post and
Corps. There was full attendance headed by
Department Commander Williams and many
comrades were accompanied by their wives or
other members Of their families Corps % ar
ranged most sumptuous banquet, and the
tables were beautifully laid and garnished with
howers and National eolors. The Campfire in
the Opera House was an inspiring assemblage.
Most of the guests visited the SOdiers' and
Sailors Orphans Home, and were cordially
welcomed by Gen. and Mrs. Young. Mary E.
Bancroft, National Inspector, accompanied
her husband, Col. Carl NJ. Bancroft, Of the
Council Of Administration, and Sarah D. Wi.
mans, Chairman Orphans Home COMMITTEES, her
husband, Department Inspector J. Cory WI
mans.
The National tribune., 1893-12-07
CHRISTMAS BELLS.

The first Ginning of the Christmas bells came
to us from far-away Seattle. Then it was taken
up at the great metropolis of the inland SEAS
Chicago; and soon across the land from ocean
to ocean we shall hear the united music of the
W.R.C. sounding peace on earth, good will
towards men,"
The following Christmas can is from General
Orders, No. 3, of Jennie S. Holmes, Department
President of Washington and Alaska, who, by
the way, announces the institution at Elma of
Worthington Corps, No. 10:
My sisters of the Department of Washington
W.R.C.. the Christmas holidays are fast ap-
preaching, and we could select no more appro-
pirate season than this to remember the in
mates of the Soldiers Home. 1t is my earnest
desire that each and all donate a bound book,
upon the fy-leaf of which put the donors
name; also the name and number of the Corps
to which they belong. Let us also solicit books
from our friends who not members of the
WR.C, many of whom would be glad to con-
tribute to worthy cause. In this way we
will be enabled, at least, to form the nucleus of
q cary at the Home.
Each Corps President shall appoint sor
wide-awake women of her Corps to solicit
books from each member end forward the same
to Jennie S. Holmes, Department President,
Rainier and Oakley streets, Seattle, in time to
reach them for the Christmas festivities. All
books should DO sent before Dec. 10. Let US
The National tribune., 1893-12-07
Corrections.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In your issue
of Nov. %, on SOLDIERS in the Senate" and,
think. in issues before, you have never credited
Rhode Island with soldier Senator. Our
senior Senator, Nelson w. Aldrich, served as
private in Co. ID, 10th r. /. Also, in your
article on " Generals in the GA. r." you neglect
to mention Gen. Frank Wheaton. He belongs
to Prescott Post, l. of Providence, r. l., which
/ know, as we were mustered in the same
evening. Please stand corrected. and obige,
yours. in f., c. and L.-CHAs ID. COBB, 1874
Canal street, Providence Il. l.