davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12
True Value Of Platinum.

Popular opinion concerning the
great value of platinum is largely at
fault. One frequently hears the state
ment that platinum is more valuable
than gold--thst it is an exceedingly rare
and curious element. Nothing could
be further from the truth. Pure pla-
tinum is worth about So an ounce.
The price huctuates according to sup
ply and demand. In recent years it
has been as low as $6 an ounce. Once,
owing to speculative corner it reached
the top figure of SIT, but it soon fell
back to normal. Pure gold the world
over has a never-varying value of
S20.67 an ounce. Platinum jewelry,
which, by the way, is not so much in
vogue now as formerly, is expensive
because it is made from pure plati-
mum, but gold is always heavily al
loyed for jewellers purposes; the pure
article would be entirely too soft to
wear well. About three tons of plati-
mum IS annually consumed in this
country in the manufacture of incan-
descent electric lamps and for similar
purposes. At least another ton is used
in the manufacture of artificial teeth.
Chicago Times.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12

From birth to two years of age
white lawns, dimitles, nainsooks and
5cambrics are used almost exclusively,
although after eighteen months very
light-colored ginghams, daintily-
striped fannels and henriettas are
quite frequently worn. White guimpes
are made of tucked, feather-stitched
or lace-striped nainsook, and even for
. delicate children are sufficiently warm
If all-wool undergarments are used.
Every mother should understand the
Importance, even necessity, of cloth
ing her little ones, as we'll as herself,
in pure wool underwear. At two
years of age the skirts begin to
shorten, having mp to this time
reached to the instep, or barely es-
). capped the ground. At three they
reach quite mp to the knees, where
they remain until the prospective
woman has reached the mature age of
Z nine; then they are heightened an
inch or SO for each year until, at
1 about fifteen, they are down to the
boot tops.
The very fashionable ''touch of
black is given to many of the tiny
dresses, while others are of bright
colors only. All should be made 80
that they can be worn with guiinpe.
4 When this is done the appearance of
the gown may be SO altered that it
seems like quite another dress.
Many mothers adopt the very
charming but equally expensive fash
ion of gowning their little daughters
in white until they are five or six
years old; but such course is not al
ways satisfactory, as it necessitates
many changes and an almost endless
amount of washing.
Little maids are almost lost in a
bonnet which il the counterpart of
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12

fectly plain round yoke, which is con-
cealed by the deep collar which falls
over it, and is the distinctive feature.
It is almost impossible to tell exactly
in what manner it is made, so shall
merely say that the sections of linen
are slightly puffsd and joined by lace
insertion, which edges them com.
pletely around, and which is in turn
bordered by a frill of lace. The
straight skirt has band of insertion
just above the hem, and above this
four dainty tucks.
The last drawing shows what my
lady wears when she goes out for q
walk. The model-an imported coat
was of white bengaline, with trim.
mings of ermine, and Innings of white
China silks. In front it is shirred
across the "double breast" in order
to give the requisite fullness. The
arrangement over the shoulders acted
at once as collar, cape and epaulettes,
the back falling in stiff pleats.. Under
this and coming from the neck was a
large Vatican pleat, which gave the
requisite fuIlness to the back. The
cap was, however, the cutest thing
of white bengaline to match the wrap
and trimmed with stiff upright bows
of white satin ribbon and funny little
ermine tails. A band of this beauti-
full fur bordered the cap, and just a
trihle to one side was an ermine head.
The whole outfit was the prettiest
thing imaginable, and the pattern is O
lovely one to develop in broadoloth.
In this case get the color known as
mode, and make with velvet cape of
the same color, trimmed with narrow
bands of otter, and lined with pale
pink satin. The cloth could not, of
course, be shirred in front, 80 the
wrap would be simply double.breasted
and fastened with pearl buttons.
Washington Star.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12
Measuring EarthUuake Shocks.

The seismograph is an instrument
constructed for measuring the shocks
of the earthquake. According to an
eminent authority, the following is
the method of operation of this in
genious device: The seismograph is
so arranged as to take an instantane-
Gus photograph of the face of chro.
nometor at the instant of the shock.
An adjustment OF levers, batteries,
and magnets is thrown into gear by
the shock, 80 that an incandescent
electric lamp is lighted automatically
for about one-fourth of second while
the image of the clock is established
upon thu Photographic plate. New
York Dispatch.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12
Brick and Iron in Fire.

Some experiments were recently
made by the Building Inspection De-
partmsnt Of Vienna on the protection
against fire afforded to iron columns
by q casing Of brick built around
them. A wrought iron column,
twelve feet long, built Of two channel
beams connected by q lattice Of fat
bars was set up in q small brick cham
ber and subjected to q load by means
Of system Of levers. A brick wal!
four and one.half inches thick laid in
fre-clay mortar was then built around
the column; there was small air
space between the column and the
casing, and in this were hung several
pieces of various alloys, melting ct
different temperatures. A number Of
samples of stone concrete and other
building materials were also placed
within the room. Then the chamber
was filed with split frewood, which
was lighted and the doors immedi-s
ately walled up with slabs Of plaster
of paris. After the fire had burned
out, the doors. were broken in and
stream Of water from q steam fire en-.
gine was turned into the room for
awhile. When the examination was
made it was found that the walls of
the brick laid in Portland cement re-
tanned their strength, while the most
of the natural stones left in the
chamber had been destroyed. The
ceiling had been lined partly with
plaster of paris, and partly with terra
Gotta tiles, both Of which were dam-
aged. The inclosure around the iron
pillars was still standing firm, though
corners of the brick.work were Clipped
an inch or SO and the fre.clay mortar
was largely washed out OF the joints.
On removing the casing, however, the
column inside was found to be unin-
jured, even the paint being unscorched,
and the tusible alloys indicated that
the temperature had not been much,
if any, higher than 15o degrees Fab
renheit. it.-New York News.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12

ed ribbon. Sweet? I should think
so, and lots of other people were Of
the same opinion.
The design shown in the first illus
tration is very, very large-when the
tiny head inside is taken into consid-
Grafton. The material is palest blue
and white corded bengaline, with the
upper part of the crown eli puffed and
pleated and gathered until it is per-
feet marvel. Just in front is a per-
feet wilderness of pale blue ribbon
bows. while all around the edge is
band of dainty amarabout fur. The
full cape keeps every breath of air
away from the delicate little throat
and gives besides very picturesque
effect.
The small gentleman of one year
old wears for every day such dear
little gown of white null, or, rather,
India linen. Of course, he must have
q manish little ''turn-down collar"
but all gentlemanly severity is taken
away by the dainty frill of lace which
runs along the edge. The yoke is
square, with alternating bands of lace
insertion and very small tucks. The
skirt hangs from this straight and full
to the instep, where the only decora-
tion is made by the wide hem, dain-
tily stitched by hand. Another wears
q gown which is Especially pretty"
for dressy occasions. On this collar,
besides the frill of lace, is band OF
fine lace insertion, to the edge OF
which the lace ruffle is carefully
stitched The yoke is slightly puffed,
with q ssheading" of the lace inser-
tion. The skirt has two clusters of
tucks-two in esch-and rather deep
hem. Should a more elaborate effect
be desired, insertion may be very Of
fectively placed between the tucks, or
more and finer tucks be made.
For girl of five dear little gown
is shown in the second cut. India
linen is the material employed, and
the design is most simple. Merely
round yoke of alternating bands OF
narrow tucks and lace insertion,
hordered with full ruf1e of null en-
broidery. The other rufles are only
sleeve caps, and should be sewed IN
with the sleeve. The skirt is straight
and full, with bands of lace insertion
placed between the clusters of tucks.
This is one of the prettiest and
daintiest dresses I have seen, and
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12
Gladstone's Library Hotel.

As might have been expected, Mr..
Gladstone's bookkeeping has proved
very successful. he first of all
equipped library of 25, 900 volumes,
and then last month opened hostel
hard by for the use of readers and
students, who are charged $6.25 a
week for board, lodging and the use
of the library. Apart from the attrac-
tions of it's nearness to Hawarden, it
is within sight of the Welsh Hills,
good walks abound, and golf can be
had within easy reach. 1t is not to be
wondered at that the applications for
rooms have exceeded the supply.
What an example to other owners OF
Libraries! Instead of allowing books
to collect the dust on the shelves until
some spendthrift heir is short OF
money, when the volumes may so in
all directions, here is a means by
which the books are assured OF gooc
and useful employment, and poor stu
dents enabled to consult them at
minimum cost. Bibliophiles are gen.
orally selfish. How delightful to find
an exception. New York Churchman.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12
A lannon's Library.

In retired street of Csssel stands
IN old-fashioned, roomy house, the
depository Of the Natural History
Museum of Hesse. The most unique
md interesting of the various collec-
sionsis the so-called "Holzbibliothek,"
Or library of wood, consisting of 546
volumes in folio, octave and duodeci-
mo, made from trees growing in VIII
helmshire Park, and representing 100
genera and AL species, On the back
Of each volume is red morocco shield
bearing the common and scientific
name of the tree. the class and species
to which it belongs according to Lin
naeus, specimens of the moss and
lichen peculiar to it, q bit Of the rind
or bark, and if it is resinous, drop
or two Of the resin. The upper edge
shows the young wood cut crosswise
to exhibit the rings and pith, while
the under edge is of old wood, cut in
the same manner, to illustrate the
changes which take place in the tex
ture as the tree gains in age and size.
The top cover is of unripe wood, in
the rough; the front edge shows the
polished grain, and also the fungi, to
which the tree is liable when in the
stages of decay or disease. Attached
to the front edge is cubic inch of
mature wood, on which is noted its
specific weight when the sap is flowing
in the early spring, again in midsum-
mer, and still again when thoroughly
dry. Under this is given the degree
of heat obtainsble from a cubic inch
of dry wood in cubic foot of space,
that given out by the same quantity
when it becomes q glowing coal, its
diminished size and weight when
charred, and the properties Of the tree,
together with description Of the soil
in which it Aourishes best. The in
terror of the book or box contains q
complete history .of the tree, es-
peoially of the organs OF nourishment
and fructihcation. There are cap
sules with seeds, the germ-bud with
rootlets and first leaves, a branch with
leaves in various stages of develop
ment, the flower from the tiny bud to
the perfect blossom, the fruit from
the embryo to its full maturity, and,
last of all, skeletonized leaf. De
troit Free Press. ti !.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12
100 Cash, Emperor Wen Tsung, 1s51-1662.
Inscription prevailing Abundance. Cur
rent MJney"

"Son of Heaven"-is held too sacred
to be put in print, especially on coin
which passes through the hands and is
carried in the pockets of the common
people, and consequently name is
given to the period of the Emperor's
reign, called the 'Nien Hao," and
this name is put on all the coins is
sued during that reign.
The reverses of the cash present q
number of varities the most common
of which contain the name of the mint
of issue and the word money" in
Manchu characters; on others the
name of the mint is given in Chinese
characters to the right, and same in
Manchu characters to the Jeff. Others
have the name of the mint in Chinese
characters only at the top, right or
left side, and few have the value in
addition.
The insurrection which took place
about the beginning of the reign of
the Emperor Wen Tsung 1S51-62)
caused great drain on the Treasury,
and, among the various schemes de-
vised for the relief of the Government,
was the issue of coins of a larger de-
nominations than the cash heretofore
in use, having nominal value much
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12

enough to warn the nurse, but moi
loud enough to disturb the patient.
Obviously such signal would be as
effectusl in the dark as in the daylight.
A cord is attached to the bell with
which it is tied to the neck of the bot.
tie.
Those who know how many lives
are lost yearly through accidental
poisoning will appreciate the value Of
this safeguard. It has been submit
ted, we are informed, to most of the
coroners in the country, and many of
them, besides expressing the fullest
approval of 1t to the patentee, have
publicly recommended its use.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12

Diego, CAL, q twenty-year-old lass,
wishing to earn her own living, and
having fondness for the sea, has been
qualifying herself as a pilot for ocean
vessels entering San Diego Harbor.
In few months, says the New York
Times, she expects to pass the exam
ination required by the State Board Of
Pilot Commissioners and receive her
certificate as a first class pilot. Miss
Polhemus is the only woman in the
country, so old sea captains say, who
now attempts to guide great ships into
harbor. Of course, until she re-
ceives pilots certificate, Miss Pol
hemus guides the vessels under the
eye of veteran pilot, who stands be.
side her on the quarter deck. This,
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12
A Poison Signal.

A novel and simple device for the
prevention of accidental poisoning is
shown herewith, and it appears to
very effectively answer the purpose
for which it is intended.
It consists, as will be seen by the
accompanying illustration, of bell so
fastened to capped cork that, it is
claimed, the bottle cannot be taken
up, much less the cork removed, with.
out producing a tinkle, just loud
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12
Coloring Leather by Electricity.

In new process for colorins leather
by electrical action the hide is
stretched upon a metallic table and
covered, except at the edges, with the
coloring liquid. A difference of po-
tential is established between the
liquid and the metallic table. The ef-
feet of the electric current is to cause
the pores of the skin to open, whereby
the coloring is enabled to penetrate
deeply into its tissue. Atlanta Con-
stitution.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12

of much poorer quality, some contain
ing considerable iron.
The cash was all cast, the moulds
being made to hold two rows of coins,
with hollow running through the
centre, in which the metal was poured,
the moulds sometimes holding fifty
coins. ..,... ..-.. ..- ..
The coins are very similar in appear
ance, having on the diverse, or face,
the name of the period, or ''Nien Hao,
of the reigning Emperor, and the
words, "Current money" The name
of the Emperor of China-who is styled
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12
CHINESE MONEY.
LARGE COINS ARE NOTPOPULAR
AMONG THE CELESTIALS,
All Money in China Is 'sCash'' and the
Coins Are of Small D Denominations,
SO That Lot Of Them Pays
Only a Small Bill.

TN China they think nothing of car
rying out large part of their
/ ready money transactions with
coins as large as our silver
quarters, and which are worth less
than one.tenth of q cent each.
It takes as much money as a man
can well carry to pay bill of q
very few dollars, and transaction of
no very great magnitude may easily
require cart-load of money.
These coins are called "cash."
They are usually from seven-eights of
an inch to one inch in diameter, and
have square hole in the centre, and
except when used in very small amounts
are carried on strings.
Though coins of this shape and gen.
eral character have been in circulation
in China since the sixth century, B.
c., and during the larger part of that
time have been the only coins in cir
culation, the "cash" now in use is
principally that coined during the
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12

the republic. He subdued q danger
GUS rebellion and restored order with
out the exercise of that severity which
is a frequent and deplorable feature of
South American, conflicts. It is true
that disturbances continue in South
ern Brazil, but those border troubles
will no doubt be suppressed in time.
The new President is said to be ac-
ceptable to all factions, and it is to be
hoped that his accession will insugu-
rate an era of prolonged peace and
prosperity for the great South Ameri-
can Republic, which since it's dawn of
freedom has shown consistent and ex.
ceptional friendship for the United
States -... ....
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12
FOR LITTLE ONES.
HOW LOVING MOTHERS CAN
DRESS THEIR TOTS IN STYLE.
inexpensive But Effective Dresses
Reproducing the Latest De-
signs at Home-The Most
Suitable Material

/" KILLED artists and clever de-
~ signers have combined their
= energies and devoted the past
summer to new styles and pic
turesque fancies for the benefit of the
younger generation. In consequence
bright eyes and rosy cheeks are shown
off to perfection, and the babies look
as though they had just stepped out
of some beautiful far-away world,
where they and their belongings were
the only objects of any Importance.
Few of these lovely little wraps, bon.
nets or gowns are made with the
slightest thought of economy. Rich
silks, velvets, furs and real lace are
prominent features, and when the
mothers love and pocketbook are not
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12
Brazil,s New President.

President Moraes, of Brazil, has en-
tered upon his duties without riot or
tumult and amid general public re-
joicing. President Peixoto, to whom,
according to the New York Sun, great
credit is due from his countrymen and
from all supporters of republican
principles, retires from the Presidency
with the distinction of having ruled
his country successfully through 8
period full of peril to free institutions
and menacing to the very existence of
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12
A Remarkable Woman.

Countess Tolstoi, wife of the great
Russian reformer, is a remarkable
woman, who received diploma from
the Moscow University at the age of
seventeen, was married when she was
eighteen, and her husband twenty
years older, and is now, after thirty
one years of married life, the mother
of nine children, and her husbands
potent aid in his literary labors. Un.
til her children ore ten years old shs
makes all their clothes. She copies
and recopies her husbands manu-
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12

1t is reported that the fine docks
opened at Suez twenty-five years ago,
before the Suez Canal became avail
able, have fallen into q sad state of
disrepair. The quays are tumbling to
pieces and the basins slowly filling up
by the sand discharged from the
canal. The docks cost SIS, 900, 900 and
still have certain utility if kept in
fair condition.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12

of very much improved appearance,
and silver pieces of from five cents to
dollar size.
The names of the Men Hao, or pc
riods of the reigns since the advent of
the Manchu dynasty, are: Heavenly
Mandate, 1916; Heavenly Intelligence,
1927; Eminent Virtue, 1886; Com
plant Government, 1914; Peaceful
Luster, 1862; Agreeable Rectitude,
1923; Celestial Support, 1885; In
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12

those our great-grandmothers smiled
and blushed in when our great-grand-
fathers were courting them. The
one saw was made of rather dark
green bengaline, showing unusually
heavy cords, with finely shirred
lining of pslest pink china silk. The
only outside decorations were the
stiff upright bows Of dark green cord
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12
IN addition to the salary of $4,000

In addition to the salary of $4,000 a
year all French Ambassadors receive
large sums for official expenses. The
amounts run as follows: The Ambas'
sador at Washington, $4,000; Mad
drid, $4,000; Constantinople, $1S,'
600; Berlin, 500, 900; Vienna, $685.
600; London, $32, 900, and st. Peters.
burg, $34, 900 year.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12

present-known as the Ta.Tsing or
Manohu-dynasty, beginning with the
year 1916.
The coins are made of various alloys
of copper, zinc, lead and tin. The
authorized proportions previous to
1722 were copper 80, zinc All, lead
81, tin 2. After that time the proper
tions were changed to equal parts cop
per and zinc, but they were not always
adhered to, especially at the provin-
cial mints, great deal of cash being
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12

would make up especially pretty in
China silk, with ruff1es of lace.
The third gown is extremely pretty
and the design is altogether new and
odd. The dress is made with per-
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12

on good terms she will have to exer-
else all her love and patience. and,
with less expensive but not necessarily
less effective materials, copy the small
garments displayed for her inspection.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12

above their intrinsic worth. The coins
were of the nominal value of 5, 10, 20,
80, 100, 200, 800, 400, 500 and 1000
cash. They were not we'll received by
the people and very few were issued
of the values above 100 cash.
A new issue of coins, struck with
dies-not cast, as heretofore-has re-
Gently appeared. This includes cash
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12

Whale hunting is no longer SO dan.
gerous as Of old.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12

creasing Felicity, 1895; Luster of
Reason, 1921; Prevailing Abundance,
1851 ; United Government, 1862, and
Bright Beginning, 1S75.-New York
World.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12

script, a task the difficulty of which is
increased by the self-invented short
hand in which Count Tolstoi sets down
his composition.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12

Cash, Emperor, She Tsoo, 1644-1661. In
scrption: Diverse, Compliant Gov
ernment, Current Money" (Chinese).
Reverse, Fountain Head of Currency"
(Manchul.