davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-08-22

rigorous search had been instituted,
the gentlemen were locked in.
At last one of them who paced the
floor impatiently, beginning to think
that perhaps after all it was only
clever trick, cried out:
You ghost, you secret visitor, you
midnight thief, come out! There is
no one here but two gentlemen, and
myself. If you are afraid, I give you
my word that the police are not here"
1t was more in jest than in earnest
that Major Clifford-for it was a mill
tary man-shouted out this absurd
speech. His establishment, however,
was great, when, in reply to what he
had said, he heard voice, saying:
IF you have kept your word, 1 will
keep mine. Put out your light, and
then I'll COME
The major and his fellow directors
did not much like putting out the
light, but they were not towards, and
after some demur it was done.
When the light was out they waited
in silence, while the major grasped
firmly in one hand revolver. For
! little while low, grating sound was
| heard, then the falling of a heavy
| body. and the next instant man was
| visible, standing in the middle Of the
vault, with a dark lantern in his hand.
The man soon spoke for himself and
the directors listened in establishment.
1t appeared that he was a poor man.
and obtained a precarious living in a
strange way. When the tide was low
1t Is the custom of certain class Of
people unknown to refined society to
enter the sewers to search for any
articles Of value that may have been
accidentally washed down into them
One night he discovered an opening
leading to some place above There
was large, square stone, which he
found could be easily raised. He lis
tened for some time, and finding all
was silent, lifted up the stone with
out much difficulty, and found, after
some little investigation by the light
of his lantern, that he was in the
strong room Of bank,
He told his wife, who was a woman
Of much superior education to his
own, Of the whole affair, and then he
wrote, as we have seen, to the d.
rectors. -~.-..-
The mystery was now cleared W.
and the directors, calling for lights
examined the place carefully. and
fully verified the mans statements.
The directors felt that they owed
the strange man debt Of gratitude
There was incalculab1e wealth hidden
there, IN the shape Of not only notes
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-08-22
A COSTLY MISSING LETTER,

Barker" Instead Of Baker" Makes a
Difference of $5,s41 to Western Union.
The insertion of the letter "r'' in the
name of H. w. Baker promises to cost
the Western Union Telegraph company
about $4,000. In the suit brought by
Baker to recover $7,160, loss caused by
the delivery of dispatch from Austria,
liza to Abram Barker, a jury in; the
United States court yesterday returned
verdict for plaintiff for $5,S41.51, after
celebrating about an hour. Judge
Hanford instructed the jury that tele-
graph company was charged with the
duty of exercising high degree of care
as to promptness, and that any neglect
entitled the parties injured to damages.
Bakers measure of damages was the
amount he would have realized had he
| accepted cabled offer, less the amount
he received. The defense move, for
non-suit on the ground that the terms
of the telegraph blank especially ex-
entitled the parties injured to damages
either for mistake or delay, and also
as the error was made in Australia by
a connecting line, no responsibility
could attach, particularly as the cable
gram was addressed Barker" and was
actually delivered to Barker" Mr.
Lewis, for Baker, insisted that condi.
lions in a Geographic message exempt.
ing the company from losses could only
apply to a sender, not to one receiving
the cable; also, that, though the erro1
was made in Australia the Western
Union was liable, as it contracted with
the Australian company as it's agent.
and that the mere fact that the mes.
sage was addressed "Barker' could not
excuse the failure to deliver to Baker,
where the contents of the message
could show it was for the commission
merchant. The non-suit was refused,
The case will probaly be appealed.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-08-22
QUEER MONEY.

The Circulating Medium That a Tray
eler Found in Mexico. -.
Here is an amusing account of
traveller who went many years ago to
Mexico, and found the natives using a
strange kind of currency Says he: in
one of the small towns I bought some
lines, and gave the girl one dollar in
payment. BY way of change, she re-
turned to me forty-nine pieces of soap
the size of small biscuit. I looked
at her in establishment, and she re-
turned my look with equal surprise,
when a police officer, who had wit
messed the incident, fastened to inform
me that for small sums soap was legal
tender in many parts of the country.
II examined my change, and found
that each cake was stamped with the
name of town and of a manufacture
authorized by the government. The
cakes of soap were worth three farth-
angs each. Afterwards, in my travel,
frequently received similar change
Many of the cakes showed signs of hav-
ing been in the wash-tub; but that
discovered was not at all uncommon.
Provided the stamp were not obliterat-
ed, the soap did not lose any value as
currency. Occasionally a man would
borrow a cake of a friend, wash his
hands, and return it with thanks.
made use of my pieces more than once
in my bath, and subsequently spent
them. '-Harper's Round Table.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-08-22

Games" said Mr.. lmpecune, "to-
morrow will be the first day Of Au-
gust, and l shall leave the city for my
midsummer outing. You may remain
here. Probably there will be several
callers Mt the office during the day.
There will be men with folded slips Of
paper and documents Of various kinds.
They will be likely to inquire where
I am, and you can tell them I am
away on my vacation"
Eyes, sir" said the new office boy.
"How long will your vacation last?'
a., until the day after tomorrow" re-
piled Mr.. Impecune, lowering his
voice.-Chicago Tribune.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-08-22
WIT AND HUMOR.

Don't you know, prisoner, that it's
very wrong to steal pig?" II do now,
your honor. They make such row.
Tid-Bits.
Are you the man. who runs this
newspaper" mo, sir; I'm only the
editor; the citizens run the paper."-At-
lanta Constitution.
Judge-You say you have some means
of subsistence? Tramp-Yes, your
honor. Judge-Then why is it not WIS.,
ible? Tramp-I ate it.-Harlem Life.
Anna-I wonder what makes Mr..
Droopley down in the mouth tonight?
Gaybelle-Force of habit, I suppose.
He's dentist, you know.-Boston Cour-
Ter.
The Teacher-Now, who can tell me
(which travels the faster-heat or cold?
johnnie Bright (promptly)-Heat, of
eourse. Anybody can catch cold.--Tid
Bits.
Briggs-You say the phrenolosist who
examined your head wasn't very COM
plimentary? Hardly. He told me
was fitted to be leader in society,"
Life. ~.
Fuddy-I was talking to Johnson last
night Duddy-Yes. I saw him in
the morning. He was in q terribly
demoralized condition.-Boston Tran
script. .@-e
Miss Parique-In New York do the
prominent social lights smoke? Miss
Caustique-Yes, particularly after they
have been turned down.-New York
World. 81.
Papa" asked little Willie, isn't a
cynic man who is tired of the world?"
mo, my dear; cynic is man Of
whom the world is tired" - Chicago
Times-Herald.
J I'm going now; yes, Tn going, go-
ing" murmured Steigher. What an
excellent auctioneer you'd MAKE said
the heartless but tired Miss Nycegerl.-
Boston Courier.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-08-22
ERot their attention been more strongly
called to the subject by the following in

as an idle attempt 10 frighten them had
Esot their attention been more strongly
called to the subject by the following in
esdent:
u heavy chest had been forwarded by
faE,e Parcels Delivery company, directed
To the DIRECTORS of the Bank of Eng
tand.' The chest was, of course, opened
Before them a once, such a thing being
very unusual, and found to contain a
large packet of most valuable papers
and securities, which had been safely
deposited in the vault. With them was
:sghe following letter:
S'To the Directors Of the Bank of Eng
kand--Gentlemen: My husband, who is
an honest man, wrote to you last week
and told you he had found way
which he believes is known only to him.
self, of getting into your strong room,
and offered, if you would meet him
there tonight, to explain the whole mat
9er.
He has never taken anything from
that room except the enclosed box.
You set detectives upon him, and he
Rs,ok the box to show that he could
go there if he chose.
He gives you another chance. Let
a few gentlemen be in the room alone
and my husband will meet you there
mt midnight. Yours very respectfully
ELLEN Smith,"
The only thing that was evident was
that the writer, ELLEN Smith," was a
better scholar than her husband. The
detectives were shown the letter anc
acted accordingly. The cleverest mer
were posted in the room.
In the morning they told a strange
Thav said thov cau Gpht
about IL o'clock. It seemed to come
from a dark lantern; but directly the,
ran to the spot from whence the ligh
proceeded it went out and the strictes
search had discovered nothing.
Every night the .strictest watch wa!
set, but nothing turned up until, OF
the morning when the next sitting O.
the board was to be held, another let
ter was found upon the table Of tn
strong room. How it got there, con
sidering the room was guarded day AM
might, was a mystery. Its content
were as follows:
1T was for your own good that yo1
were warned that the strong room O
the bank is not really safe. At an
time any one can enter it. If w
wished to steal we certainly woul
never have told you about it or re
turned that box. :.
IF the police are there tonight W
will never explain the easy way Q
Eetting into your strong room. blu
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-08-22
most likely some one else will let you
know that we told the truth when they
help themselves to what Is there.


know that we told the truth when they
help themselves to what Is there.
-.." ~. II. 81
There were two things perfectly evil
dent--ene, that the writer of4sthe let
ter really had access in some myster1-
Gus way to the strong room and the
other that he had discovered that the
police had been put upon his track.
So it was determined that some of
the directors, who could conveniently
do so, should visit the strong room at
the time indicated IN the letter.
The plan was carried out. But. as
might be expected, the directors were
not alone. The police had advised
them too we'll for that; and half a
dozen Of the best detectives were
placed in such a way that any one
would have supposed that they formed
one group. - ~
They waited there the whole night
long, but nothing was seen or heard.
Their labor was IN vain. About four
o'clock in the morning the detectives
whispered that it was needless for the
gentlemen to remain any longer; they
themselves would wait as long as the
gentlemen choose, but the hour FOR
breaking into the strongest or all
strong rooms-if 1t could be broken into
at all-was long past.
The next morning the board held an
extraordinary meeting, in order to dis
| cuss the result of the efforts or the
| gentlemen who had been all night in
| the vault. After a long argument
about nothing, a porter entered with
a letter. which he stated had been
found on the table In the strong room
| It ran as follows:
you can do ass yeou like. Lars
night I herd someon speek to Mr.
Feldin. who I know is an hossiEer OF
the perlice. SOW Of course I did moi
come. as I mite ave dun. I give yeou
another chance. Coome to mite. II
two or 3 gentlemen are theare aloane
hi will be with UNI. If eny detective
is thear hi shall give it al up at"lst
Yeou may choose as yeou will
~. S."
Every suitable precaution was taker
when night came. The sentinel pacec
up and down outside; the detectives
were not far off; and after the mos
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-08-22
HIS MALADY FEIGNED.
California Courts Have No Sympathy
for Reporters who sham Insanity.


for Reporters who Sham Insanity.
A sad blow at Journalistic enter
prise" has been dealt by an unfeeling
Judge in California. An ambitious
young reporter on the Los Angeles
Herald, who had wearied of ordinary,
assignments, conceived the idea of win
ming fame by getting up sensation. So
he feigned insanity, was brought be-
fore the court for examination, was
pronounced subject for the asylum,
and was sent to the state institution at
Highlands. After staying long enough
to get material for a good "story," he
wanted to get out, but in order to Sc
cure his release, was obliged to tell the
whole story of his deceit. The judge
who had committed him cited him to
appear to answer the charge of con-
tempt of court, and sentenced him to
pay fine of 5000 or serve 100 days in
jail. The judge accepted the plea that
no disrespect for him personally had
been intended, but explained that con-
tempt of court was not an offense
against the person of the judge, but
against the government, because it is
an unlawful interference with the or
derby administration of justice by the
tribunals created for that purpose. In
this case the reporter, by deceit, had
caused the machinery Of justice to ba
set in motion, involving considerable
public expense, and when brought be-
| fore the court acted in disorderly and
| 1nsolent manner to induce the court to
make an improper and illegal order.
The judge proceeded to express these
views upon the plea that journalistic
criminal ought to be treated more
leniently than one not in "the profess
sion." Possibly from the standpoint
of a reporter, such conduct may seem
right and proper. It is possible even
that in some quarters an attempt to
deceive a court of justice, and by de-
ceit to procure an improper and illegal
order-an order involving the expendi-
ture of considerable public money, and
resulting In the sending of sane man
to an insane asylum-may be looked
upon as legitimate journalistic enter
prise. I hardly think, however, that,
upon sober second thought, any citizen
would so regard it. One who embarks
upon such an enterprise-an enterprise
which involves a violation of law, an
enterprise which involves the commits
sion of public offense- abide the
consequence.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-08-22
in A CHINESE THEATER,
Law Against Having Women OF I'll,
Stage Is Rigid and Unalterab.e.

Law Against Having Women OF the
Stage Is Rigid and Unalterab.e.
We entered the building assigned to
"The Ascending Luminous Dragon" by
a small side door and proceeding for
some distance along a very narrow,
whitewashed passage and down a flight
Of steep and narrow wooden steps we
arrived at the kitchen of the esta blish-
ment where Celestial" cooks were
busily preparing savory CO dishes for
the performing company. Our place,
however, was not there, so on we went
up two more flights of equally steep,
dark and uninviting stairs. Through a
door at the top we walked unceremo-
niously into the "holy of HOLES" other
wise the green ROOM" Here the act
ors were in various stages of personal
adornment, some applying cosmetics,
others dressing, while many more,
smoking and chattering, were rehear-
sing their peculiar parts, which to our
untutored eyes, seemed to be composed
of the most absurd and extravagant
antics. Here and there were scattered
small tables, around and upon which
those of the performers whose parts
were over listlessly reclined. Habili-
| ments and garments of wonderful cut
hung around the walls and were scat
tered about the floors and tables in
reckless profusion, while huge chests
containing property" were deposited
at intervals around the room. From
there was the direct approach on to the
stage.
The artists were exclusively Chinese,
and, despite the desperate makeup. all
men. No woman is allowed on the
stage Ct Chinese theater in any ca
pacity whatever. Strange as it may
sound, the omission is, however, hard
ly noticeable, for the get-up of the men
impersonating female characters is so
perfect that it is with difficulty one
can really be convinced that the I'M
| alterable law on the subject has not
been infringed Nevertheless, in it's
stern rigidity it is as unalterable a.; a
law of the Modes and Persians.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-08-22

and the most valuable securities, but
also in solid bullion and hard cash.
The very strictest search proved
that nothing had been taken besides
the box, which was returned intact.
When this point was fully settrvu It
was agreed by the directors that the
mysterious visitor should be rewe -ded
for his honesty, and it was currently
reported that they settled upon him
a liberal annuity, sufficient to support
him in comfort for the rest Of his
dayS.-Boston Globe.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-08-22

Mary" said Mrs. Hume to her Irish
domestic, take this tape-line and
measure the width of your room. /
am going to give you a new carpet"
In few moments Mary called, Mrs
Hume!'
Eyes, Mary"
IT can't measure it,"
"Why not?" ,-r..
"The tape-line isn't long enough!'-
Harper's Bazaar.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-08-22
En1bnrrassiHE.

jay Green-The next time 1 take a
trip on the cars Pm going to know be-
forehand the length of all the tunnels
on the line.
Mrs. Green (his mother)-Why, Jay?
Jay-B'cu it is kinder .embarrassin'
to Teller to start to change his shirt
in q tunnel and have the blamed tarin
bulge right out into daylight when he
has got the job about half DONE
Truth.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-08-22
Her Object.

eff you expect to see my mistress,
you'll have to hurry through your
business, because she's going out"
said the maid.
Indeed" replied the mysterious fe-
male visitor. "Then let me inform
you that have come to stay!"
So saying, she opened the package
and took out the corset she wanted to
try on her customer.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-08-22
His Best RecolIections.

"Well, what do you want, sonny"
asked the grocer
II most forgot what mamma sent
me for" replied the perplexed little
boy on the outside of the counter;
..but 1 think it's can Of condemned
.''-Chicago Record.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-08-22
An Interesting Anniversary.

Mrs. Watts-Why were you not at
the church Thursday night?
Mrs. Potts-I was out Of the city.
What was going on?
Mrs. Watts-We celebrated the sill
yer anniversary Of the boy evange-
lists work in the missionary field. oh.
we had a lovely time.-Indianapol
Journal.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-08-22
He Stood Higher.

Mrs. Bellefeld Ito her daughter)-Ml.
Dukane is over head and heels in love
with you, dear.
Miss Bellefield-So is Mr. Gaswell,
mamma
Mrs. Bellefeld-But you must remem-
Der that Mr.. Dukane is six feet tall,
while Mr. Gaswell is only about five
feet seven in height.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-08-22
Just a Wee Ripple.

Jones asked his wife:
"Why is husband like bought
He expected she was going to give
it up, and he was going to tell her that
it was because woman needs him."
but she said it was because he was
"hard to get off her hands"
Then the domestic entente cordials
was ruined.-Boston Globe.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-08-22
A Sympathetic Nature.

He-Why does my darling weep?
She-Because Mr.. Jones has given
his wife diamond breastpin that
cost $500.
''But why does that make you cly?'
"On your account"
"On my account?'
Eyes; 1 know how it hurts you to
spend money, and you will have to
buy me diamond brea stpin that costs
more than $5OO."-Texas Siftings.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-08-22
A False Alarm.

''He looks quite the gentleman, and
all that, yet he beats his wife"
"Great Scott! You don't mean it."
Eyes; they have a game Of chess
every evening, and he invariably beats
her,"-HuSvennen.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-08-22
The Authorities.

"And so you love this young girl?'
said the fin de steele mother.
Eyes," replied her son. "''You know
how beautiful and good she isl
'Of course. But her family. Have
you consulted the books about them"
what books:"
"Why, Bradstreet's and the blue
book. '-Washington Star.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-08-22
Not Wanted.

II have here, said the agent, "a
noiseless meat tenderer. No more
pounding in the morning and waking
the family"
" Don't want it," said Mrs. Hash
croft. IF didn't get the boarders
started by pounding that steak there
wouldn't be any of them up at ALL
indianapolis Journal.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-08-22
He Took 1t with Him.

Scene-A chemists shop in Holborn.
TO the assistant enters an Irlshman.
He points to a pile of sap.
Assistant-Well?
Customer want q lump Of that.
Assistant-Thank you. How will you
have II, scented or unscented?
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-08-22
A Wonderful Mind.

r. It-"Aw-speaking Of Twilby, aw-1
have taken a chicken, looked it
straight in the eye, aW-and l actual
ly hypnotized it-aw."
She-"Well, that shows that your
mind is stronger than the chickens."-
Judge.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-08-22
A Valuable Clew.

Inspector of Police-Is there any
thing special by which your missing
daughter can be identified?
Eyes. She don't chew gum, swing
her arms or wear her hair fat on top
and scattered to the wind on the
Sides"
'"rhen I guess We'll find her"
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-08-22

sbIn~ vow is all safe hand you're Bank
his safe. butt 1 knows bettur. 1 bin In
side thee Bank the last mites hama yo"
nose muffin abowt it. Butt hum not 4
chief, so hif yeo will NETT NEE IN the
sxret suuar rom, werh arl the money! is'
at tweIf mite lie ixsplain orl to yeo".
Lett oney l hor cum alown AMI say
nuffin to nobody. -Jno. Smlnl.
The detectives looked grave. There
was q plot at work. they saw. and with
their usual penetration they at once
penetrated the deepest depths OF tie IN
Equity.
There Is a very large room under
s,round where the huge wealth OF the
hank is deposited-nillions OF Ehgllsh
sovereigns, bars Of gold and hundred
weights of silver, with myriads or notes
tn an incalculable amount.
The detectives. of course. knew that
this room must be the place which the
writer of the letter had designated as
THE sret squar ROM
No one from outside could enter. but
OF course the police we'll understood the
trick. There must be some confederate
Within the Bank. and one or the con-
spirators, being more cowardly than the
rest, had resolved to betray his fellows
sa save himself.
All night long the detectives We're Sc
GREETED. in the room. but they saw moth
ing and heard nothing, with the excep-
tIon that some said they heard about
o'clock a strange sound which they
could not account for.
The next night was the same. and the
next, and the next; and when the ''boarc
day of the bank came around the di-
rectnrs would have treated the affair
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-08-22
Not So Difficult.

"It's hard to tell just what the pub
lie wants." said the theater manager
with a sigh.
ut hasn't struck me that way" re-
piled the treasurer. 1T seems pain
fully easy to me. In nine cases out Of
ten it wants it's money back."-Wash-
ington Star.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-08-22
Sad Indeed,

Visitor-What are you crying about,
my little man?
Little Willie-All my brothers hez
got a vacation, and amt got none.
Visitor-Why. that's too bad. How
is that?
Willie (between sobs)-I-dOn't 60
to school yet.-Life.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-08-22

'"Then, uncle, may tell mama that
you think there is no danger, even If
Charley has typhoid?"
"Of course. Why, when 1 was his
age had typhoid, and the doctor said
he was sure 1 would die or be an
idiot, and you see, didn't die"