davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-08-03

IS then pasted over with tiny slice OF
paper, camel's hair brush and some
gum arabic being the only utensils
used. So deftly, however, do these men
operate that only a practiced eye can
detect the fact that the letter has been
interfered with. In few instances it
becomes necessary to open a letter
where the back of the envelope meets
in it's center, that being the seal care
fully affixed by the sender But that
also presents no difficulty to the Rus
sian agents. They first use hollow
cylinder whose interior contains in
Vulnerable steel needles, and the soft
pressure of one finger on the spring at
the side of this cylinder suffices for a
cushion to drop and to group these
steel needles exactly in the same shape
as the seal or the wax. The wax is
now carefully scratched off, and the
paper is subjected to steam. After the
contents have been examined the steel
cushion does it's work once more on
sealing wax of the right hue, dropped
in the same spot where the old impress
sion was. The reproduction is perfect,
and it proves that there is absolutely no
way to avoid the scrutiny of the Rus
sian postal spies.
This system of letter censorship e1.
tends, naturally enough, to the diplo-
matte correspondence going to and
from Russia, and the foreign missions
at ST. Petersburg have often enough
complained to their respective gov
ernments about the rigorous espionage
kept up there. To enable them to send
to their own governments diplomatic
news and to receive instructions of i'm
portance without first having satisfied
Russian curiosity, the various embassies
and consulates have been forced to adopt
private postal facilities of their own.
Both the German and the Austrian, as
we'll as the French and Italian, embas-
sizes thus receive and send their mail
matter from st. Petersburg by trusted
express messengers from the German
border on to the capital.
The facts which l have cited above
seem almost incredible at this late day.
yet coming from SO unimpeachable
source, they must, nevertheless, be &C
cepted as truth. member of the Rus.
sian embassy in Berlin told me little
occurrence neatly illustrating the exact
methods of the black chamber men.
While stationed at Sofia, Bulgaria, dur
ing the last Russian war with Turkey
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-08-03

Of the censor" is withheld and never
reaches its destination, while the send
ers of it are reported to the police for
punishment. Exceptions, however, are
made when it suits the purposes of the
authorities to leave the addressee and
the sender both in the belief that they
have remained undiscovered. The
Russian laws on censorship are very
severe and comprehensive. They for
bid the mention of the car and of his
family in private correspondence as
well as in the press, and they forbid
critical remarks of a religious, philo-
sophical or military character. The
black chamber is intrusted with the
duty of watching that these prohibi-
tions are complied with:
1t is, of course, impossible to open
and examine every letter that is con-
veyed by Russian mails. But the
agents, inspectors and examiners of
the black chamber number in all sew
eral thousands, and they are slzillfully
distributed in all those towns and
cities where dissatisfaction with the
prevailing order of things is known to
exist, and very little escapes their lynx
eyes which is worth seeing. By the
government they are empowered to
commit any act of indiscretion what
ever which seems to be necessary to
accomplish their purpose, and the en-
ployes of the black chamber are no
toriously callous, shrewd and cunning.
That instinct which is a part of every
mans nature they bring into the serv-
ice when raw, but experience and
oh ctr 1rP%h lo
original amount of instructive knowl-
edge as to which letters to open and
which to leave alone to that extent
their judgment.
The number and percentage of let
tiers thus actually opened and read by
these agents differs, of course, consid-
erably, being much larger during pc
RODS of political excitement than dur
ing more quiet times, and the amount
of work done by them after some par
ticularly atrocious political plot has
been Matched or executed is said to be
hercu1ean. Generally speaking, though,
about every tenth letter sent in the
mails is opened by the men of the black
chamber.
The particular field worked by these
agents is, of course, the correspondence
that passes between Russian and for
eign parts As about nine-tenths of
this correspondence goes by way of
Lydt-Kuhuen and St. Petersburg,
specially trained corps of agents is al
ways on the express that runs in the
direction indicated, and during the
twenty-four hours the mail is in tran
sit between the German frontier and
the Russian capital, not piece of it is
not fingered or broken open and exam
ined as to its contents On arrival.
OF course, there Is no delay in ue-
Evering this mail, unless withheld
for reasons stated above. for them an
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-08-03
THE BLACK CHAMBER.
an Interesting Department Of
Russia's Secret Service.
How the Cars Agents Open Letters I'm
Transit Between the German From
tier and Russian Post Offices
Clever Work Well Done.
Especial Berlin Germany letter.


It is astonishing how little really is
known about Russia outside of it.
Who, for instance, has ever heard of
the "Black Chamber?' And yet this is
well-organized department of the
Russian secret police, and its workings
are known to every Russian of educa-
ton. 1 had the good luck to become
acquainted recently with the chief of
the black chamber, M. Nicanor Motto
witch, and with his assistant, M. J.
Konti, during an official visit they paid
the German postal authorities in Berlin.
From them l learned something about
this most remarkable institution; pos
sible only in a vast country ruled auto
cratically. l confine myself to repeat
ing, in what follows, substantially
what those gentlemen told me them
selves, and presume that may be &C
copied as truth.
As preliminary remark need only
say that the manner in which the Rus
sian government views the press is
pretty well known. 1t was soon after
the accession of the present car, few
months ago, when the leading journal
lists of Russia drew up a petition ask
ing for a reform of the worst abuses
they were suffering from, such as the
severe penalties inflicted for publica-
ton of unpalatable facts, the confsca-
ton of whole issues or the entire sup
preston of newspapers that had dared
to indulge in outspol1en language, etc.
This petition reached the young car,
but it was Indignantly rejected by
him, with the remark that newspapers
enjoyed all the liberty they deserved
in Ressia as it was. Some of the petit
TONERS, too were reprimanded for their
boldness. As it is with the press, SO,
too, it is with private correspondence
in Russia, only worse.
Each letter which passes through the
Russian mails is subject to a system of
espionage which is more thorough than
anything the world has ever seen. And
it is the province of the black chamber
to see to it that nothing offensive to
the government be carried by the
postal authorities without first being
noticed and remembered by the en-
ployes of the black chamber. In most
instances mail matter which runs
counter in its contents to the demands
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-08-03

this gentleman, whose court connections
had at that time rendered him slightly
suspicious, sent a private letter to 9
friend in Moscow, sealing it with a Bull
garian crest and securely fastening the
envelope outside with a net of fine
Irvine, again sealed in four places Be
fore dropping the sealing-wax on the
envelope he made his dragoman in.
scribe on the space below chilfre in
Turkish characters. The letter was
duly delivered, and as the friend in
Moscow scratched off the seal he found
the Turkish chilfre,stoo, but somehow
it was turned upside down.
WOLF Won SCHIERBRAND
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-08-03
A WORD TO YOUNG MEN.
Gits Of Advice Born and Bred of
Experience.
EzoIding a Government Office at Wash
tngton Kills Ambition StrangIes True
Manhood and Dwarfs the
Intellect.
Especial washington Lotter.l

The civil-service law has been bless
eng in disguise to many thousands of
our people. Prior to its enactment and
enforcement we were apparently be-
coming a nation of Office seekers. There
was no barrier in the way of. the seek
ers after public position save the limi-
cations of appropriations. It is true
that the annual appropriations were
ego,---clol1ues in excess of the necessities
ssof good government, because of the
hungry horde of place hunters who
were invisible, but none the less tangi-
BILE, urging their representatives to pro-
vide places for them. Senators and
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-08-03
SANITARY Item.

DR.. Flower having occasion to treat
the family of Sam Johnsing for malaria,
demonstrated with Sam for having the
pig pen so near his residence.
WAITS de reason ought ter put de
pig pen furder away frum de house?"
asked Sam.
Because it is unhealthy" replied the
doctor.
Reckon you is mistaken" replied
Sam; dat pen has been dar for two
yeahs, and dar amt been no sickness
yit among de hogs. Texas Siftings.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-08-03

thought of the long struggle for elf.
ents, the scarcity of patronage,
the probable hardships, and / held
fast to the Office. The day
of reckoning came, as it al.
ways does, and was out of office, with
a family on my hands. It was good
newspaper training proved my saliva.
ton. The Office was a snare, delu.
sion and a pitfa1 against which would
warn all others; particularly all young
men. Scorn and spurn it. You NAV
think you need federal office, but you
will do well to hearken unto the words
of wisdom which are born and bred of
experience. Go to your schools and col
leges at home. If you are poor, work
all the harder for your education. But
stay at home, ana remain with the
friends who are always willing to helm
the worthy and ambitious young people
in every community. Avoid politicians
and the allurements of their promises
of patronage. You do not need the
government to lean upon and support
you. 1t will always be found broken
reed which will pierce your hand. The
federal government is your strength
and your shield, just as your state and
municipal governments are your pro-
lection, for the upholding of law, and
the maintenance of order. You do not
need its official employment. Later in
life you may want prominent posi-
ton, and can command it; but you can
not afford to commence life as a civil
service clerk at the national capital.
Leave such places to those who are less
aspiring than yourself
SMITH d. FRY.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-08-03
A Born Detective.

Little JOHNNY know what tho
baby is goin' to be wen he grows up.
He's goin' to be detective.
Mother-Of all thingsi Because he's
so smart?
Little Johnny-No'm. Because he
never sleeps.-N. Y. Weekly.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-08-03
willing to Apologize.

Knjordan-Kajones, you are a gen
tleman. l told you a story yesterday
which now remember having told you
a few weeks ago, and you took it the
second time without wincing.
Kajones-I beg to assure you that I
did not remember that you had ever
told me the story before.
Kiljordan-Then take back my first
remark.-Chicago Tribune.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-08-03
A RapDiDe in Pain.

Our George is very tender-hearted, SO
when he saw bagpipe for the first
time the other day he cried out: "Oh,
mamma, that man is squeezing some
thing under his arm and is hurting 1t
Awfully. / can hear it scream. "-Popu-
lar Educator.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-08-03
Depended on circumstances.

Bass-And of which variety is your
wife, the clinging-vine or the self-as-
sertive?
CASA little of both When she
wants new dress or new bonnet she
generally begins in the clinging-vine
role; if that doesn't bring the money
then she changes TO the self-assertive;
and-well-she invariably gets the
dress or the bonnet Boston Tran
script.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-08-03
A Chance for a Dark Horse.

Sister May think if you should
propose to Grace she would accept you.
Brother Jack (eagerly)-Do you? Has
she said anything?
Sister May-No: but l know she was
deeply in love with Harry Maxwell, and
his engagement has just been an
nounced. -Brooklyn Life.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-08-03
His Idea of Bliss.

Ministerial Tourist (solemnly)-My
friend, have you, in your sinful and
ungodly life, ever enjoyed unalloyed
happiness?
AllSali Ike-Loolz yere, stranger! Do
you reckon I've lived in Oklahoma all
these years and never participated in
lYnchin'- bee?-Life.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-08-03
With Tears In uer Eyes.

She was thrown on the world.
''Merciful heaven!" she gasped.
Considera BILE turf was knocked off the
world where she struck it.
Before anybody could reach her she
had risen and was swiftly leading her
bicycle away.-Town Topics.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-08-03
The De Jarrs.

Mrs. De Jarr-You forget, sir, that
you are married to woman of educa-
ton. am mistress of many tongues.
Mr.. De Jarr-But not of your own
N Y Weekly.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-08-03
Artistic Appreciation.

Painter with dignityl-I am an art
list, madam.
Madam (effusively) oh, you poor
man. Here's a quarter to buy you
something to eat.-Detroit Free Press.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-08-03
No Cause for Anxiety.

Hotel Proprietor-What did Mrs
Jones say when she saw that woman
here whom she quarreled with SO much
last summer?
Clerk-She tried hard to rcpress .
smile of satisfaction.-Brook Life.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-08-03
A Denial.

Young Mani hear you are becom-
ing convalescent, Nine. Nurich.
Nine Nurich-What a storyl The
fact is I'm gettin' heap better.-Chi-
cago Record.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-08-03
Hfs Future Destination,

Jones-Bahi l hate your pipes and
cigarsl never smoked III all my lifei
Smith-You1l begin when you die.
though, won't you?-N. 4 World
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-08-03
WHY lie Loved His Father.

(Which do you love most, your papa
or your mammal"
Little Charlie love papa most.
Charles Mother-Why, Charlie, am
surprised at you; l thought you loved
me most.
Charlie-Can't help it, mamma; we
men have to hold ogether.-Jewish
Times and Observer
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-08-03
To nrr. Henneck.

Oh, thankless mai. pray why complain?
has not your gain been greatf
Think. you have found a captain. when
You merely sought nate
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-08-03
why He Is BELOVED.

s'AI the world loves lover" and de-
rives considerable amusement from
him, too.-Truth.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-08-03
FemaIe Amenities.

Are you going 70 the BrOWn8
dancer"
mo; l haven't been asked"
"Oh-I suppose it's quite young
peoples dance, you knowl'-Punch.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-08-03

sis?
Toms Sister-Maybe. What is it?
Tom-Lend me your bicycle costume
for to-day; mines torn.-Chicago REQ
ord
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-08-03
no Loneer q CrImo.

Tourist Gin Oklahoma)-H are
pretty cheap here nowadays, aren't
they?
Alkali Ike-CheapP They are so
blamed cheap that when we capture a
horse-thief we send him to the lunatic
asylum instead of lynchin' him.-Puck.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-08-03
INTERCHANGEABLE.

Tom-Do you want to do me favor,
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-16
LIVERNASH STILL REMAINS
The Attorney Will Continue to
Represent r. II. Nc
Donald.
Says That He Did Not Propose to
Provide the Munitions of
War.

Attorney Livernash still represents R.
II. Mcdonald Jr. He tried to let go last
Friday, but found the Mcdonald case like
a hot horseshoe without the good-luck
attachment.
On Friday Mr.. Livernash asked leave of
the court to withdraw from the case. Nc
Donald through his newest attorney, w.
H. Jordan, objected. There were questions
of money matters raised, and some differ
ence of opinion was expressed by the re-
spective combatants.
Yesterday Judge Murphy assembled the
bench with a firm resolve in his mind to
deny Livernash's request, and an equally
firm, written decision in his pocket on the
subject. The written decifion was not
read, but the mental resolution was carried
into effect.
Shortly after the opening OF court Attor-
ney Livernash asked leave to withdraw
his motion of Friday, and, of course, this
second motion was at once granted.
In addressing the court Mr.. Livernash
said:
I had no expectation that the McDonalds
would resist my application for release. To
clear away misrepresentation of my purpose
wish to explain that the failure TO abide by
terms OF contract came first from them. After
u
year without compensation l received a small
fee. l expressed a purpose to see him to the
end OF his trials without compensation. l had
no purpose of advancing the costs of his fight
It was understood | was not TO be hampered by
the want OF funds. was disappointed during
the perjury trial in that regard. In several in
stances 1 had to pay expenses out of my own
pocket. l was satisfied that while my client
was poor he was by no means so poor that he
could not respond to every demand l made in
his interest. was indignant at his niggardli-
ness.
informed the McDonalds that unless funds
were provided for the next trial l should hold
myself released. Neither funds nor release
were forthcoming, and being weary OF being
made fool of applied to the court for an
order terminating my attorneyship. The
McDonalds have given the impression that
$4,000 had been handed me for my own use
1t includes the fee paid me, part of the fee paid
my associate, Judge Darwin, the heavy outlay
in gathering hundreds OF affidavits and about
$1,000 was paid on orders of the McDonalds
for purposes in no way connected with the
criminal prosecution.
Mr.. Livernash says the funds must be
provided for the trial of the case.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-16
INDICTED FOR ARSON.
De winton on Trial for Setting Fire to
His Own House.


His Own House.
w. w. de Winton was before Judge
Wallace yesterday on Grand Jury indict-
ment charging him with arson. The ex-
animation of Fire Marshal Towe, who
worked up the case against De Winton,
consumed most of the afternoon.
The defendant owned an unoccupied
house on Dolores street, between Twenty
fourth and Twenty-fifth streets, which was
insured for $4,000. On the 18th of last Oc-
tober a fire broke out in the building,
which was only extinguished after the
structure had been badly damaged. De
Wlnton succeeded in collecting part of the
insurance. In the meantime Towe got to-
gether great mass of evidence to show
that De Winton set the fire with the end in
view of obtaining the insurance.
This evidence was placed in the hands of
the Grand Jury and an indictment found.
Pat Reddy appeared for the defendant.
Towe testified to having discovered GER
tain articles in the basement saturated
with coal oil. He explained by diagrams
the different parts of the building, and
told where, when and how the blaze must
have originated. A man named O'Shaugh-
messy testified to having seen De Winton
enter the vacant building at 6 o'clock in
the evening, only short time before the
fire broke out.
Joseph Binet, another witness, was ques-
toned as to the value of the property, and
gave his opinion that the house must have
cost about $4,000.
The case will go on this morning.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-16
oWNBY IN TOWN AGAIN.
A Scotch Terrier With a Fondness for the
Mail Service.


Owney, the Scotch terrier whose life for
the last eight years has been passed en-
tirely about the postoffices and on mail
trains throughout this country, is again in
this city. He came from San Diego about
four months ago, and has already made
quite a number of trips to neighboring
towns in the mail-cars.
He belongs to the postofice at Albany.
n Y, but that place can hardly be said to
be his home, for he remains nowhere for
more than two or three consecutive days
at the furthest.
His prediction for those connected
with the mail service is something most
extraordinary. 1t is simply impossible to
keep him away from postotfices, mail-cars
or mail-wagons. All attempts to take
him into other neighborhoods and lose
him fail signally. If he is taken away
and then deserted he simply waits till a
letter-carrier or some one connected with
the mail service comes along and he then
follows him to headquarters. He can tell
mail employees by their uniforms or any
part of uniform, such as a cap only.
He has not only been all over the mail
lines in this country and Canada, but has
made two trips to Europe on mail steam
ers. His next long trip from this city is to
be to Australia, unless he manages to
temptation for him. He has already made
an attempt to go to Portland, but was re-
strained by one of the local postoffice en-
ployes. Pending the departure of the
steamer he passed his time riding on the
mail-wagons between the postofffce and
the ferry landing.
Around his neck he carries collar that
has metal tags of all kinds riyeted to or
hung from it. On his last visit to the coast
they weighed about four pounds, and he
was relieved of their burden by some con-
siderate friend while East. The tokens of
this kind, however, nownumber and weigh
considerable. They consist of hotel tags
and metal checks inscribed with the names
of places he has visited.
Wherever he goes he is known and is
well fed and taken care of. He is never
known to have had sick day, though he
lost an eye by being struck with tag on
mail bag as it was being thrown into
mail car
Owney is a faithful watchdog and will
allow no one who does not belong to the
service to touch the mails while he is
about. In this way he is frequently of
great serVi ce
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-16

searched by the officers a six-shooter was
found in his pocket.
The woman was Mrs. May Lima, "a Eddy
street. She explained that Jones had been
annoying her with his attentions and
wanted her to live with him. She had told
him she was married woman and wanted
nothing to do with him, but he continued
to pester her
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-16
KISSING CURES DYSPEPSIA.
New Hygienic Theory of Popular PLY
sician.

Hostesses of a scientific turn of mind
may possibly be glad to introduce to the
notice of their guests new cure for that
terrible scourge, indigestion, which is GER
tain to conduce to the liveliness of any
dinner party where it may be practiced.
a well-known physician has recently ex-
pressed the conviction that as an aid to
digestion kissing is strongly to be recon-
mended.
new hygienic theories that it will be sur
prising if so agreeable a remedy for prev
alent and distressing trouble does not
Immediately become popular If one host
ess will have the courage to start the new
remedy she will assuredly find many fol-
lowers.-Lady's Pictorial.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-16

During one of the late severe storms in
Northern New York, Central switchman,
near the Batavia pillow works, emptied his
dinner pail on the platform of his shanty
to feed the hungry sparrows. While the
birds were eating, q poor, half-starved
mouse ventured into their midst to get
CT um of the feast, when the whole flock of
sparrows poupced upon him and killed
poor mousy in the twinkling of an eve.