davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-09-21

for her seclusion. Several very mag
nitlcent temples are within the limits
of the palace walls, the most remark
abe being that of the sleeping Idol"
and that of the Emerald Idol" The
Sleeping Idol is a statue 100 feet
long, oyerlaid from head to foot with
plate gold, in many places covered
with inscriptions and representations
of the transmigrations of Buddha.
Not far away is the palace of the
White Elephant, who is really
deity, and throughout Siam /; rever-
,enced as such. He has his court. his
attendants, his throngs of servants,
and is treated like prince. The
White Elephant is an albino, not
completely white, but here and the!e
having spots of cream color over his
otherwise dusky hide. The Emerald
ldol's temple is wonderful struct-
ure, of the utmost magnificence, the
doors and much of the wall being
plated with gold. The idol itself is
said to be solid emerald II inches
high by wide, the hair and dress OF
the rude figure being made of gold
studded with precious gems In spite
of their barbarous magniflcence, how
ever, the pagodas of Bangkok present
a wonderfully impressive appearance,
as, situated in large parks and COW
cred with porcelain plates and decor
atcd with bells which sway to and
fro Ginning with every breeze, they
gleam through the tropical foliage
and suggest that people which could
build such shrines as these should
not be designated as savages; for, al
though their civilization may be diff
ferent from ours, it is nevertheless
OF a kind that perhaps suits them
quite as well.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-09-21
SIAM AND ITS PEOPLE.
FACTS ABOUT THE LAND OF THE
WHITE ELEPHANT.
Causes of the Difficulty Between France
and Siam-Extent of the siamese Em-
pire-Its Great Natural wealth-Its Capt.
tai the Oriental Venice.


The trouble between Siam and
France, is only another rhase of the
overcoming and never-ending East
ern question, the difference between
thls and former appearances being
that in this case the trouble broke
out a little further east than usual.
For over 200 years the French have
been longing for an Eastern empire.
In the time of Louis NV. the dream
of empire seemed about to be real
lied, and but for the almost acci-
dental formation of company of
English traders the Empire of India
might have Teen French instead of
English. The marvellous growth
of the East India Company, the
equally marvellous success of its
armed agents in Hindostan, put an
end to the French hopes, and
until the pre-: :ent generation little or
nothing was accomplished. About
1877 the French, however, estab-
lished a foothold in the Indo-Chinese
Peninsula, and by treaty with the
government of Cochin China acquired
the island of PulO Condula and the
right to establish station on the
main land. The right, however, was
never exercised until 1915, when, a
dispute arising between the French
and the government Of Cochin China
Saigon, the capital, was occupied,
and the whole of Cochin China BE-
came French province. In 1862 fur
ther conQuests began, and the sur
rounding country began to suffer. IC
the following year the kingdom of
Cambodia was formally taken under
the protection of France, which then
began to extend its dominions still
further to the north. In 1884 trou-
BILE broke out, or was provoked, 1t
matters not which, between the peo-
pie of Tonquin and the French,
and after bloody struggle this
country, then dependency OF China,
was made a French province. This
lett the two French possessions in
this part of Asia widely separated,
and in order to consolidate them the
coast territory lying between them
and known as Anam was taken pos
session Of The area of Cochin China
is estimated at 23, 900 square mile S,
and its population at 1000, 900.
Cambodia has an area of 5000
square miles and an estimated popu-
lation Of 100000. Tonquin has
an estimated area Of 81, 900 square
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-09-21

Siam. The army is ofilcered by
Europeans, chiefly English and Danes,
the navy is commanded by Euro
peans, and of the many business en-
terprises in Siam, most of those
which connect it with the outside
world are superintended by Euro
peans. There is little love lost, how.
ever, between the native and foreign
elements of society, and the intense
hatred felt for all foreigners by the
large Chinese population may at any
moment prove disastrous to all for
eign interests. English, French,
German, Russian are all alike to the
low-clas Cinnamon, who cannot dis
tinguish between their languages,
and all are hated alike. There is
every reason to believe, therefore,
that the presence of hostile fleet in
the river may at any time excite the
passions of the populace to an uncoD-
trollable degree, and mob violence
in the East has a meaning which is
unknown in Western lands.
Bangkok is the Eastern Venice.
Formerly all its houses were built on
the land, but the p evalence of chol-
era many years ago SO alarmed the
Government that it ordered the
houses on the banks to be abandoned
and directed the people to live on the
river itself. Thousands upon thous-
ands of houses were consequently
built on rafts and moored to the
banks of the river, and although the
policy Of river houses has been to
some extent modified by the Govern
ment, no incOnsiderable part of the
capital is still on the waters of the
Menam. The houses are of slight
materials, constructed on bamboo
RATS, each attended by canoe, for
to the river resident of Bangkok
skiff is as indispensable as street
car to the suburban resident in an
Ameri ;an city. Formerly the right
to build on the banks was reserved to
the king, nobility, Clergy and priyi-
legged characters. This right has
been greatly extended and now Bang
kok has spread its limits on both sides
of the Menam. The most striking
features Of the city are the palaces
anu Tue IelupleS. Iuc lOTmer are
located in citadel securely fortified
against sudden attack or prolonged
siege, and comprise the palaces of the
two kings and variety of temples
and other structures pertaining to
the court. As the first king has about
5000 women attached to the court in
one capacity or another, the palaces
are, as may be con, ,ectured, very
roomy. Prominent among the at.
tendants are the amazon guards OF
the harems. They are women trained
to the use of arms AMI employed
to guard the kings wives, and when.
ever a lady of the harem az.
pears in public, she is attended
by retinue of these female
soldiers, who answer with their lives
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-09-21

cended the throne in 1868, and who
governs by means of council of six
Princes and from ten to twenty men,
bers appointed by himself. Nomi-
nally limited monarchy, there are
so many ways of setting aside the es
tablished laws Of the kingdom that,
although the Siame:e call themselves
the Thai, "the free," and their king
dom the Muung Thai, "the free king
dom," they are practically under the
same kind of government as most
other Asiatics.
The King Of Sijm is, comparatively
speaking, rich monarch, having an
annual revenue somewhat exceeding
$4,000, 900, of which sum e2S7, 600
come from the land taxes, eos, 900
from the taxes on fruit trees, 9lO0,-
600 from the spirit tax, G120, 900
from the opium tax, e100,O from
the gambling tax, Gl43,0 900 from the
customs duties, 800, 900 from the tin
tax, G27, 900 from the tax on edible
birds nests, and about the same
amount from the fisheries tax. AS
all the taxes are, however, farmed
out. and SiamCse tax farmers are no
more honest than the people of the
same business in other parts of the
world, his Majesty of Siam loses no
small sum annually from the pecula-
tfons and mtezzlements of his
agents, and it is even asserted that
scarcely more than half the amount
due reaches the royal Golfers. He
probably makes up the difference in
the personal service eXacted from all
Siamese natives, every Siamese in
habitant of the kingdom being re-
quired, if called upon, to give at
least three months labor in the year
to his sovereign. The result may be
beneficial, so far as the King is con-
cerned, but as he frequently calls for
this service at a time when the crops
should be planted, or cultivated, or
gathered, the result is far from bene-
fetal to either the agriculture or the
general prosperity of the kingdom.
A similar state Of things prevails in
regard to military service, all the in
habitants being required to render it,
exceptions, however, being made in
favor of the priests; of the Chinese,
who arc taxed instead; of slaves; Of
government officials, and of those who
are willing and able TO purchase ex-
emption by hiring substitute. The
whole kingdom is practically, there
fore, at the Kings command both in
time of peace and of war, and al
though it is, in some respects, one of
the richest countries on the globe, its
natural advantages lie unimproved,
and a territory almost the size of
Texas has thus an annual export of
only about $4,000, 600 a year, con-
si'ting mostly of rice, tea, pepper,
and other tropical products.
Bangkok a Singular City.
Bangkok, the capital, is in many
respects singular city. Its popula-
tion is estimated all the way from
500, 900 to 100000 and is curiously
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-09-21
An Ancient Eye-Brisbtener.

Compositions have been found in the
tombs of Egyptian ladies', whose num-
mics have lain in their catacombs up
ward OF 5000 years, which, when sub
lect to analysis, reveal, it is said, some
mysterious beautifying properties.
Among other things an artificial eye
parted to the iris Il beautiful verdant
sheen. The use of this artical may
possibly have given rise to that famous
classical expression - perhaps first
used by Egyptian bellies to their maids
upon the completion of their toilets
DO you see any green in my eye?".
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-09-21

mixed and cosmopolitan. Slamese
anl Chinese predominato in it's
streets, though the Malays are also
very numerous, and frequent Euro
reaus in its streets demonstrate
the presence of Western civil
lization and interest. They are,
in fact, the leaven of Siam,
and to their influence and the spread
of Western ideas are due the various
mprovement' noticeable in the great
city, from which political power pro.
ceeds to the utmost boundaries Of
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-09-21

IA 3::.a5 ,,,.. 81, ..''::.: '': ;:::,. :"g'o "a
y to anticipate plens-
ant greetings, which in reality would
be pleasantcr-no wonder that the
gayety Of their youth returned to
them as they started for their class de-
cennial
Maxwell, from leading his class, had
swept, run crrands, copied and served
papers for an attorney, but now had
an office, practice, and name of his
own Boynton, from being class poet
and editor of the Summary, had re-
ported fires and police court proceed
ings but now occupied n well-padded
editorial chair. Had these honors
come to them at once, they would
have found them fatigued by a sense
of their own merits, instead of, as
now, thankful to their lucky stars.
The Pierson train was that paradox
called an Accommodation, and n
crowded one at that, consisting of a
smoker and an ordinary coach.
The two friends entered this latter and
secured place directly behind party
Of three, It mother with her daughter
sitting beside her, and her little pale
faced son reclining on the forward
seat, the back of which had been
turned over. The matron was buxom
and comely, with that noble express
sion which consecrated maternity
gives. The maiden was slight and
fair, with an atteutiveness to both
elder and younger companion which
became her even more than the azure
of her eyes and the russell of her hair.
The seats rapidly filed, until only Al
single one in the corner by the filter
remained unoccupied. just RS toe
tram was leaving, half dozen rough
stalwart young men, surrounded by the
nimbus of grogshop, swung down the
aisle and grouped themselves careless
ly around the four who sat directl,
ahead of the little invalid. From nick
names and jocose blasphemy, there wa
an evident bond of sociality betwee
them.
Say" said one who was standin
by the rear seat, what's the matte
with me and Bill ployin' you aal Ton
game of cassen?"
'And what's the matter wiG putin
young bag o bones in the corner by
the freezer?' added "Bill."
"Well go yer, " was the reply, and
the men in the aisle turned toward the
little boy
The maiden grew pale and looked
around appcalingly; but her mother
showed that intrepidity which come
with unsalfish devotion. "You shal
not touch my son." she cried. ''He i
i'll"
"Rights is rights, ma'am," sal,
"Bill" doggedly. "And when seat
are skersc, even the cripple must tax,
pot luck. Come, stir your stumps,
sonny"
At this instant Boynton sprang from
his seat and laid restraining hand on
the rufhan's arm
''Whut be yer lookin' for scrap ??
And the man squared off while his
companions crowded about threaten
ingly.
"'Not at all, not at all, said Boyn
ton calmly. "Tm no pugilist, and yo,
could do me M in atwo-sccond round
I'm sure. But | know YOU men mr.
members Of The Nonparail fprofeg
sionGD Baseball Club. Now, just lool
at my card and see whether | couldn'
reciprocate.o
"Hcra's mine. too. n odlal lTovvol1
''and moy explain for he purpose Of
luciditv taat ! drew the contract
wherein Won bounl yopr .lv.s to .ob
stain from the use OF NJ! infoyicstino
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-09-21
A COLLEGE HERO.
EyzEss ANLES MAXWELL

I AMlIS AlAAM ELL
and his old class
mate, Herb c + I
Boynton, met by
appointment an d
proceeded to the
Picrson train. They
were both in high
spirits. 1t was so
unusual to he mp
town and idle in
the middle of the
day; to be able to
chat and to smoke
without a qualm of
consci e nee ; to
know that the NOR
row nud the day
after, and its fol-
lowing day, would
but increase in
careless freedom =;
to anticipate plens-
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-09-21
THE CONVERSIONS OF TRUTH.

THE CORNERSTONE OF TRUTH
When sunset rays have touched the earth
with gold
Oft have dreamed and built my castles
fair,
Thinking heard Loves story to me told,
Yet at the night but solitude was there.
But now l dream-at noon and darkest
night
Naught but gentle loving face see.
And time goes on-but leayeth Loves de-
light
My dreams are founded on reality.
-Flayel Scott Mines, in Harpcr's Bazaar.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-10-19

low smoldering fire. The dear hard
working judges, the legal and the illegal
ones, ere not getting any money for it
all
There's 100000 coming to them. $3.50
/ piece. Core or less. and not a cent
are they getting. Some of them have
gone home to recuperate and scrape
up few more pennies to live on while
they finish their work. ard Others have
gone home in disgust never more to re-
turn.
My. There will be fun by and by
when the flames get good and hot.
Near the horticultural building yes
terday heard a woman say to a guard
In which building is the pope:"
The pope is not here madam. s.
answered the guard.
Where is he:''
In Italy, Europe, madam"
Which way is that?" asked the wo-
man, in perpleXed manner.
The guard looked at her to see if she
were joking, and evidently decided that
she was, so he said loosely:
Three blocks under the lagoon"
How do 1 get there?"
l passed on. 1 don't know how the
guard eNtricated himself from the tan
gle of his joke.
What under the sun is Eugene Field
up to?
Yesterday I sat down in the manu-
features building TO watch for a few
minutes the passing crowd, Two girls
met each other just in front of me-.
One said:
''Oh, did you bring it,"
Yes, I did and let's sit down here
and look at ibid you bring yours?"
replied the other.
Yes" was the answer, and they took
a seat by my side.
They dived into the recesses of some
silk bags, and each brought out a care
fully wrapped photograph. Their heads
came together over them, and the first
girl said:
There! Didn't l tell you yours was
not his picture?'
Il can't understand it. They are not
alike, and yet the signature is the
same, Sincerely yours, Eugene Field
L wonder which one is the correct one.
What do you suppose it means? I
wrote to him for his photograph, be-
cause l do so love his poems
1 looked over their shoulders, for
which [ hope to be forgiven. One
photograph was the picture of long
haired, sad-eyed, Raphael-like looking
fellow, and the other was a handsome.
prosperous looking man, and neither
was the photograph of the famous
journalist and poet.
The signature was genuine.
Teresa Dean.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-10-19
HOT RADICALS.

The English radicals are hot over
the promotion of the queens son, the
duke of Connaught, to the Aldershot
command as successor of Sir Evelyn
Wood. Sir Charles Dixie claims that
this royal soldier would never be al
lowed to command an army in case of
war, and he is undoubtedly right. The
duke was promoted to the place over
the head of Lord Roberts, who applied
for the place, Notwithstanding that
Roberts is perhaps the best soldier in
the British service as his record in
India shows. But it seems that the
old traditions must be adhered to and
members of the royal family kept as
official heads of the army and navy.
One would suppose that the sorry spec
tacle of Louis Napoleon in the last
war between France and Germany
would have given the prestige of royal
military commanders considerable Of
a shock, but it was not so. In Ger
many the emperor prides himself on
being a soldier, and in England griZ-
zlel veteran is turned down" in ia
vur of / prince of the blood.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-10-19
EDISON AS A BOY.

Edison displayed inventive magma
ton even in his earliest years. A con-
tributor to st. Nicholas tells how upon
one occasion, astonished at the results
Of a goose sitting on a nest Of eggs,
the inventor thought to increase the
brood by a device of his own. One
day the boy was missed from his usual
haunts. Messengers were sent N search
of him and found him curled up in
a nest he had made in the barn. 1t
was filled with goose and hen eggs,
upon which he was sitting trying to
hatch them. Edison was more success
full in another experiment which he
made. His wanderings brought him at
seventeen years of age to the Cincln-
matt office of the Western Union, where
his absorption in electricity and pre-
dictions of his future power confirmed
the sobriquet Iuny," which chung to
him even until his fame was establish
ed. I'VE have the craziest chap in our
Office said the telegraph manager
to a Cincinnati editor; she tries all
sorts of queer things. I wouldn't be
surprised if he should be great some
day. Let me tell you his latest prank.
We had been annoyed for some time
by cockroaches. They infested the
sink. They don't now. 'Luny' fixed
them. He just ran two parallel wires
round the sink, and charged he with
negative and the other with positive
electricity breadcrumbs were then
scattered, and when Mr.. Cockroach ap-
peared and put his little feet Oh the
wires ashes were all that were left
TO fell the tale"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-10-19
FALL GOWNS FOR SCHOOL GIRLS.
There Is Nothing Better Suited OF
the Purpose Than the Elton Suit.

This is the time of the year to be
making fall school gowns for the chill
dren, for although the weather is
warm and summary just now, it is
quite likely to turn cool very suddenly,
and thicker clothing than the pretty
ginghams and linens, which are lust
the thing to wear at present. will be
needed. Last years frocks will sell
| dom answer for this years needs. for
! children grow so fast that old gowns
need great deal of alteration before
they can be worn.
! The prettieSt, most comfortable and
Simplest way of making Il school dress
for girl of from u years to 16 is
with an Elton jacket, blouse waist and
plain skirt. True, this fashion is not
new, but it is best suited to the angu-
lar form of the small woman who has
lost the plumpness of childhood and
has not yet taken on the round curves
| of womanhood. The Elton Jacket hides
Il multitude of defects of form. and
besides it can be made of such a small
piece of goods that it is economical.
A pretty suit for Il high school girl
is of warm chocolate brown. fecked
with red and white, with a vest of
bright plaid, in which pale blue and
deep crimson are the prevailing tones.
These waists seem to be made sleeve
less in most cases, and the Jacket
sleeves are tight to the elbow. with
dropping puff from shoulder to elbow
not the bouffant monstrosities which
a few months ago gave the fin de
steele girl the air of being about to
take wings with herself and fly away.
Dark green tricot makes natty
costume for a girl of Is or Ia. The
skirt is plain, of course; the Jacket
has pointed fronts and reverS more
than usually fiaring. A light simple
pattern in black passementerie gives
an elegant finish to the edges of the
jacket, revers and wide collar, nearly
covers the deep cuffs and follows both
edges Of the deep peasant girdle Dark
green, yellow, white and red, as repre-
Sented in the tartan silk blouse, make
the required touch of color in which
is one of the most stylish costumes
the gir,ish heart could desire
A variety among the endless jacket
suits is a gown of heavy twilled stuff,
navy blue with narrow stripes of white.
The skirt is perfectly plain, the basque
made full and ending at the waist,
without a belt About one-third of the
distance up from the waist the fullness
is stitched down with narrow plaits,
each of them braided in loops with
white sOutache braid. The sleeves are
cut full but made into tight puffs
by Plating and braiding in the same
way below the elbow. The looped SOU
tache also ornaments the edged of the
prim little rundown collar.
For an almost young lady black
tricOt combines we'll with rich red
and black plaid silk. The revers of
the inevitable Elton jacket are lined
with tartan, and cuffs of it also bright
en- the sleeves. The full vest and soft
crush belt are also of the silk This
is an excellent way of making over
an old black gown at comparatively
little expense.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-10-19
A SAD CASE.

Il see that you are in mourning again.
Have you had another death in the
family?' said Mr. Riverside Parke to
a Harlem widow.
Not that I know Of. The last death
in my family was that Of my husband
about a month ago"
But last week you were dressed in
bright colors."
yes; but that was a special occa-
sion'
what special occasion?"
II was going on an excursion with
some gentlemen UP the Hudson. Now
that that is over I have resumed my
habiliments of VICE." and here the poor
creature broke down and sobbed con-
Ullsively.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-10-19
SHE GAVE HIM A CHECK.

New York Sun: But for my hus-
band I might have gone to Jail once
laughed a bright little business woman
the other day. TT was in honeymoon
time, and, like many brides, I thought
all my husbands belongings were mine
and what was my mine was my own,
as the saying goes: During his absence
a man called with a bill for $50. /
GOT the check book and made out
check, signed my husbands name and
paid the account. The next day a
bank messenger came in with what
he said was a forgery, and for awhile
the air was blue. Finally I mustered
courage to explain, but since then /
have never signed my husbands name
to a check or opened his letters. I
fird the rule mind your own business
works as well at home as in the store"