davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The evening times., 1896-03-17
DEVICES FOR RoBBING MAILS.
wonderful Ingenuity Displayed by
Letter Box Thieves.
Cincinnnti Eaq,iirer,

Cincinnati Enquirer.
Improvements in our letter boxes have
pretty effectively stopped leticr-box thicv-
Iug in this country" said United States
Secret Service Officer Boian the other
day. but Inc authorities across the water
still have Il great deal OF trouble owing to
the Inferior letter boxes in Use in England.
To show you how systematic they are over
there. one OF the very last OF them who
was prosecuted TO conviction had with
him a book which contained fun iniorma-
tion rs TO a great number OF firms which
receive large numbers OF postal orders
from customers all over the country.
Now, as to the way in which they get at
the letters: Formerly their Ingenuity stop
ped short at Instruments very like curling
tongs or long-losed pliers with a very long
handle, or a piece OF lead attached to a
string. on the bottom of which was hirtliime:
but they have now gone be yonrShs in many
cases in their fishing operations in letter
boxes.
'onp oF Their innrlementS is most fIrr;-
bic gutta percha stick, at the end OF which is
a clip W hici will open or shut by means of
a spring worked from the bandle. and The
Clip has sharp claws which never fail TO
take up something. The piece of lead have
spoken of is worked quite in another way
in many instances now. 1t is made heavier
and the bottom OF it is studded with fine
steel points. When The lead is put through
the slit in he box ii falls heavily to the bot
tom, and the spikes generally go through
several letters at a time, and then. OF
course, the lead is pulled up By means OF the
string.
In all cases these men have n pair of
very long pliers with them to take the let
tiers off the lead when they have gotten them
nearly up to the slit. and another artic,e
they aiwnys have Is n small wire to Prop
up the metal covering to the letter aper-
ture.
''But all these things are as nothing to an
appliance winch a certain gang have called
to their aid quite recently. This consists of
box opening. to which is attached u bag OF
slightly siiffened silk netting. which opens
out as 1t lengthens. The metal can be so
fixed to any letter box that no one can see
that i. is rot tho ordinary nueniIg and the
bag Is put in the letter box itself.
''Thus a person might post letter and
have no idea that there wasanything wrong.
for the false metal opening fits beautifully
around the real one. and all letters fail quite
naturally into the netting, for II the letter
makes no sound the person posting il thinks
that the box must be pretty full. The
thieves. after leaving This ingenious contri-
vance for q certain time bet ween cuiiec-
tious. can recover 1. and the letters in the
bag.
american letter-box thieves don't work
that way, as Uncle Sam has taken greater
precautions. The only thing we have to look
out for is duplicate keys. but there are rot
many In the business now. and those who
are are pretty well spotted. and can't
work to advantage"
The evening times., 1896-03-17

vineyards, of da;ries. and poultry yards,
OF road ma King, and whatever else most
interests and concerns the farmer Bit
more stands foremost. The most eminent
specialists were employed by Mr Wander
biit in the construction of everything ap-
pertaining 10 the estate. At present nearly
1000 men are on his pay roll Experts
preside over every department of the
great domain. The public is free TO come
and go, and profit By all it sees, and when
ii is all finished il is TO be given over to
The public as n sort of legacy for their
Improvement and cdification
There are many ways in which million
airc may make good use of his wealth. and
iti TO the credit of America S sCruesusesthat
they have employed a portion of their riches
for the public good. Mr.. Vanderbilt has
struck out in new direction, and the dis
tinction is his that his philanthropy has
chosen the farming population for its object.
The evening times., 1896-03-17

grcss. are not idle, and wherever they see
a chance to further the good cause they are
not slow TO ma Ike good use Oft.
How exceedingly anxious the Spnniards
are to prevent any and every impression
that can bc made upon public sentiment
in this country is proved by the rumpus
they are raising over u proposed festival
in New York for the benefit OF the In
surgents. There are to be some tableaux
illustrative OF the war on the island. and
the Spanish officials are leaving no stone
unturned to prevent the holding of the
festival. Everybody. Of course. is amused
over their frantic endeayors which serve
TO advertise the affair, and to that extent
help the cause OF Cuba ubrc.
In few weeks the rainy season Will set
in. and that will compel Gen. Weyler TO sus-
uend operations in the field, though 1t will
gire the rebels the opportunities to re-
cuperate and gain new strength for the
opening OF the batic.
There is every reason why the Cubans
should take courage, for their cause is In
good shape
The evening times., 1896-03-17
l. Will Benefit the Farmers.

A great deal has been said and written
about the magnificent estate George Van
dcrbiit has created for himself near Ashe-
vile, n. c. He has spent millions upon it,
and his grand domain. comprising nearly
n hundred thousand acres. contains build
iDgs which for solid magnificcncc are not
surpassed anywhere. 1t has been the gen
eral supposition that all this expenditure
of wealth and labor meant simply the
qualification of the young milionaire's
whim, but gradually the world is learning
that whatever has been done was under
taken according to a well-defined, broadly
philanthropic plan, and in North Carolina
at least George Vanderbilt will In time
be looked upon as puhic benefactor and
his memory revcred as such.
His estate is in every respect n model,
an object lesson in everything that per-
tains TO the practical education OF the
a agriculturist. In the construction of farm
buildings, the management Of forests, of
The evening times., 1896-03-17
Pensions For Government Employees.

1t was TO be expected that a proposition
10 provide some kind or pension fund for
superannuated or disabled government
employees would follow in the wake, or,
rather, be advanced as logical part,
of civil service reform. Any system that
contemplaies tenure of office conditioned
upon faithful discharge Of duty and good
conduct necessarily includes some mainte-
nance OF employees when, after years OF
consecutive service. they find themselves
unable or unwilling to work any longer.
The creation of a pension fund, therefore,
would give rise only 10 the question OF
how best 10 establish it without going
counter TO the traditional national aver
sion to a civil pension list
Representative TawRey OF Michigan has
introduced bill, the general character of
which comincnds it To favorable considera-
ton.
1t does not contemplate te the appropriation
Of even a dollar of government funds. but
only the retention of a small percentage of
employees salaries. In this respect, there
fore, no objection could be raised against
It, on the ground that the people are taxed
and money is taken from tte Treasury to
support people who for years have been in
tine enjoyment of coed salaries. and ought
to have saved something for rainy day.
On the contrary, it will commend itself
The evening times., 1896-03-17
WHEN A MAN GOES OVERHEARD
1t Is Not Easy to Haul Him Back in
Rough Weather.
Boston Herald

Capt. Manuel Cation OF the Adams fish
ing schooner Sea Fox, just in from the
Georges fishing banks, tells thrilling story
of his adventures in the last gale ard SNOW
storm. " fil. the vessel was laboring in the
worst part OF the gale he ordered the crew
TO SET The mainsail, to work her away from
dangerous shoals to lecward.
..w hen the crew had cast off the stops"
said the captain, Il reached for the down.
haul to clear it as they hoisted. The wiud
Just at that moment caught the canvas, and
With a s,at it came to leeward, striking
me in the back, and in an instant 1 was
twenty feet away and overheard. 1
struck the water face down. but FORUM
ately, was to leeward, aud as came
up l saw the craft broads:ie on drift
ing toward ne. One of my men, named
Merton, saw me disappear. and quick as a
flash sent a coil OF rope spinning after me.
His aim was true, and as came up the
rope Lay against my arms and 1 grabbed it.
Il was soon alongside, but in the worst
part of my scrape. The Fox wa rolling fear
fully, whils1he cross seas threw me around
like a bali-one moment I would bang
against her side and the next be far away.
The reef tackle soon swung toward me, andi
grabbed it. but didn't find my new hold
any Improvement. ! was thrown in all di
rections, but held on. ! swallowed lots of
water. and the vrenching / got was fast
using me up.
MY R,ep would have hard work lifting me
up with my wet clothes had the vessel been
at the wharf, rs / weigh more than 200
pounds. and. excited rs they were. it was
useless for them 10 try it there. Itold them
couldn't t hold on much longer, and TO make
fast a rope and launch dory. After many
unsuccessful attempts they managed to get
a boat over The rail, but no one came in her,
knew could rot get in alone, and shouted
for some one to come in her.
"They hauled The boat back rs near s pos
sibie, and. making n daring leap, two
brothers. August and Manuel Louis. reached
the dory. which the others rapidly let drift
down tome. There was sstilldangcrpfacap-
size and having three men iu the water in
stead OF one; bat the boys. after a struggle,
got nc tn and we were sovn on the deck OF
the Fex.''
The evening times., 1896-03-17
NO SAFE BURGLAR PROOF.
Givo Burglars Time and They Can
Get Into Any Of Them.

A Sun reporter asked the manager OF
one of the biggest sale building concerns
in the world whether q sufe had ever been
buiH that was absolutely burglar PROOF?
"Thcrc never was" he replied. Most
big safes are called burglar proof, but they
are not. No maD can build thing that
some other man cInnot unbuild. Now.
here's q SAFE" he said, leading the re-
porter to the hack OF the store, THAT is as
near burglar proof as any made"
The safe he pointed to looked like u solid
block OF steel, with two enormous hinges
in front, and a steel lever that ran across
the block diagonuily. The door was
round.
'.That SAFE" said the manager, "is al
most what il appears to te, a EOlid block,
but a properly equipped burglar could get
into it, nevertheless, provided he had time
II is this question OF time that makes it pos
sible for us. to be more or less truthful
when we speak OF safe as burglar proof.
II requires 20 much time to get one OF them
open, tha tLcfore the work can be done
Il Is almost certain that somebody will
conc around, and then the jig Is Up.
BY the way, II is u mistake TO talk about
bio wing safe open. Most people have an
idea thut burglar comes along. puncnes
q hole In the snfe, ard throws In a lot OF
dynamite, which he touches OF. What
the burglars do Is TO drill u hole In the door
near the combl0ataon. ana then, by ex-
The evening times., 1896-03-17
How He Helped Himself.

Help yourself. help yourself. little boy,
Don't wait upon Others to wait upon YOU"
Grandma was hOldiug her afternoon chat,
Knitting and rocking away as ste sat;
Look at the birds. how they build their
own nests;
Watch the brown bees always toiling their
best;
Put your own hands TO the plow If you'd
thrive:
Don't waste your moments in wishing, but
strive
Up in her face looked a mischievons eli.
"Don't forget. darling" said she, help
yourself"
Afternoon shadows grew drowsy and deep.
Grandma was TRANQUILITY folded in sleep;
Nothing was heard but the old farmhouse
clock.
Plodding along with its warning tick-tock;
Out from the pantry there came loud
crash;
Pussy jumped out from the hearth in a
flash.
Back to her chair came this practical boy,
Steepcd to the ears In jam. custard and joy.
Frightened, he cried: please, I've upset
the shelf:
Grandma, minded, I did help myself"
The evening times., 1896-03-17
Only Know Him Slightly.

Doris-whats your husbands name?
Floris-Harry. Harry cashieigh.
Doris-The name sounds familiar. and
at Bar Harbor?
Florls-Ycs.
Doris-TaI, blue eyes and dark hair7
FlOris-Yes; but
Doris-with slight impeachment in his
speech:
Floris-I believe he has. Do you know
him:
Doris-very slightly. was only en-
gagged TO him one season at the seashore.
The evening times., 1896-03-17
Spoiled His Chance to Aim.

A recruit having been sworn into one
of the Su ssex regiments Of volunteers
was doing his class firing to make him
self efficient. Recruits first shot was yards
to the left of the target.
Sergeant lin charge of range Aim more
to the right there, young man.
Recruits next shot was still yards to the
left.
Sergeant-why the = don't you
aim more to the right?
Recruit-So l did.
Sergeant-Well, I'll stand close to you
and see how you hold your rifle. Now
aim. Why, you - - -, you are
shutting the wrong eye.
Recruit Wen. 1 can't see with t'other.-
London Sporting Times.
The evening times., 1896-03-17

plodins small quantity OF powder, or
sometimes only cartridge, smash the
continuation. This enable them TO work
at 1t with their fingers, and the opening of
the safe is not SO difficult Il job, though ex-
plosions OF this kind have been know to
lock safes tighter than they were locked
before; so tight, in fact. that they could not
be opened without a second explosion und
the use OF a largely increased amount OF
powder.
burglars will not, as a rule, take chances
on that, for, don't care how nervy they
are, the noise OF the first explosion never
faiis TO friEh;en thcm half 10 death"
The evening times., 1896-03-17
The Times Branch Offices.

Little NewsM
eaD secure their supply of AorninR
and Evening Times at The folio wing
branch offIceE
Frank Smith, 4th and G sts NV.
II. AcNu:fy, 1896 I4th 1T. NV.
H. Huge, 2153 Pa. ave. NV.
Joseph Linden. 4O6 sth st. se..
w. +. Mackay, GOO II st. NO.
Joseph Petiynat. 6O3 7th st. 81
w. Z. Lumsford, i24s 32d st. NV.
John Haynes. 2O22 7th st. NV.
The evening times., 1896-03-17
New CoIlarettes.

Many OF the most fashionable summer
gowns for this coming season will be
made with large collarettes.
Taffeta ccllarettes will be the most
effective, especially when they atiorn a
gown of grass linen. dimity or organdy.
One pretty idea is to have the coIlarette
cut in Van Dyke points and each silk
point covered with Van Dyke of lace.
Horizontal lines Of lace insertion also add
to the beauty OF silk collarettc.
The evening times., 1896-03-17
ASKED TOO MANY QUESTIONS.
Tribune Subscriber Wrote to White
law Reid, Being Aggrieyed.

Before Whitelaw Reid became minis
ter TO France he devoted good deal of his
time 10 the conduct OF his paper. The copy
editors who put up the headlines Of stories
OF the day fell into the habit of making
most OF them interrogative, as, for instance:
Was 1T Murder or Suicide?" or did She
Nil Him for Love-" or "Win the President
Sign IT." cic. The cntirc paper was specIel
With interrogation points. This thing had
been going on Tor weeks. TIL one day a postal
card arrived. addressed to Mr.. Reid and
marked personal. 1t read as follows:
I'm getting awfally tired of your
questions. Why don't you find out
something? great newspaper is supposed
to know everything and ought not to annoy
its readers with needless inquiries. This
morning you ask: VIII Mr.. Platt Consent!'
How the blank do know"
The evening times., 1896-03-17
Restriction of immigration.

The proposition TO restrict immigration
by means Of an educational test of the
intending immigrants is open TO objection.
Existing laws are sufficient to exclude
persons afflicted with contagious disease,
criminals. a,upers and those likely to be-
come charge upon the community. This,
il would seem, is about as far as we ought
to go at present. To carry the sitting
process to the point proposed in the pend
ing Senate hill, while no doubt 1t would
keep out a number Of not altogether dcsira-
BILE people, would also deprive US Of a
large class of industrious, well behaved
foreigners who, in time, come TO be counted
among the more prosperous OF our rural
population, and who discharge all the
duties of the citizen faithfully and conscien-
tiously.
The test which it is proposed to apply in
order to establish the educational ac-
complishrncnts of immigrants Is, as re-
Gently pointed cut in The Times, SO eS-
ceediBsly Grade, that 1t will amount to
little or nothing. As a matter of fact.
very good education who, after many years
of residence III the country. have remained
10 the spirit Of our institutions, while, on
The evening times., 1896-03-17
EPlIOME OF The NEWS
----ls The EdRAIhG Times,

II yOu miss any news in the evening
edition look in tEc list below. What
you're looking for WAS probably
published in this mornings edition,
and as The Times never repeats
you'll have to take both editions to
get all the news As quick as 1t hap
pens.
The evening times., 1896-03-17

because il tends to inculcate the habit OF
saving and AT the same time makes certain
provision for the thousands or families.
The withholdin gof per cent OF a govern
ment employees salary would work no hard
ship TO any, but from the very outset almost
would creat tc a very respectable fund. Right
here in Washington the government pays out
not less than $4,000, 900 year TO employees
IN the classified service. who, OF course.
would be the only ones that could be affected
by the law. This would give the first year
a fund of $4,000. Add to this the amount
withheld from like employees all over the
country, and 1t will be comprehended that
the pension fund would at once assume very
pethoric proportions.
There can he no doubt that the efficiency
of the service would be promoted by this
innovation, for he employees of the govern
mcnt, being assured of support after age
or sickness had disqualified them for duty,
would work more cheerfully and hence
more effectively. 1t goes without saying
that prov ision would have to be made
for the widows ard orphans of thuse who
had died while in government employ. This,
however, is a mere matter of detail. ard
the principle Of the bill makes 1t desirable
To have it enacted into la as soon as pos-
sible.
The evening times., 1896-03-17
Timely and 80.
Humorous
Consistent.

"oh, breathe no more that simple air.
he sang. as he shamblcd along with unsteady
gait. Judging by the mixed condition OF
his breath be had been practiclng what
he sang.
The evening times., 1896-03-17
PREMIER CANGVAS DENIES
Declares he Never Sent a Commu-
n:eation to the World.
New York Sun Offers One Thousand
Dollars to Cha rlty y II the W OF Id VIII
Produce the Original Dispatch.

New York, March 1.-THE Hcrald's Ma
1rid correspondent telegraphs as follows:
Il had an interview with Senor Caro-
| vas del Castillo, the Spanish prime minis
ter, his evening. regarding tile alleged
telegram from him published in the New
YORK World on March, Z. He absolutely de-
uies the dispatch. lie said:
...I tavc never sent or ;iut boriZed to be
sent any communication of any kind 20
the World. A casual conversation may
have been telegraphcd as an authoritative
stat tement from me, but the New York
Herald only has had correct expression
OF my views
.Senor Canoyas continued: 4 am pleased
that the only authorized interview with
me. which was published In the Herald,
has been so well received in the United
States. j believe the attitude assumed
by the Herald has been a most Potent factor
IN keeping peace
"yisconde de Irueste. Senior Canovas'
private secretary, absolutely denied hav'
ing sent any communication whatsoever
TO any American papcr, except the Herald"
New York. March 1.-THE Sun this
morning offers to give 1000 TO any
0lsisoA SaohS bsht
designate If the New York World will
produce the original of the cable dispatch
printed in the World OF March Z, pur-
porting 10 have been signed by Prime
Minister Canovas del Castillo OF Spain
The Sun adds:
Forged cables won't go this time
Nothing but the genuine article is recog-
nized in the Sun Office
Madrid. March 1.-THE representative
of the United Press In this city having sent
10 Senior CanoSas del Castillo a digest of
the prime minister's so-called ''staicment''
printed In the New York World of March
and circulated by the Chicago Associated
Press, and a copy OF the prime ministers
so-called authorization of publication
with the request TO he informed if they
were authentic. advising him at The sane
time that the New York World ciairEed
that the prime minister's statement As it
appeared in the World was both accurate
and authentic and that the World held
the prime minister's authorization for
the said publication" the secretary to
Prime Minister Canoyas del Castillo writes
as follows:
''Seuor Canoyas never tclegraphcd to the
World nor authorized anybody to use his
signature. Senor Canovas did not send the
message quoted by you. Senor Canovas had
an interview wit h a well-known correspond
ent of foreign papers. who. ii seems, cabied
It to the world. Senor Csnoyas did not
read the Dispatch before it was cab,ed.
but admits that the statements it contained
were accurate. with the exception OF small
errors easy to correct"
The evening times., 1896-03-17
TooiAnalyticai.

Maisie Ito Uncle Reginald, who is taking
her to walk)-What Is that?
"a COW, my dear"
"why?"
Now Uncle Reginald knows why he can't
bear children.
The evening times., 1896-03-17
Gain:
3,157 Times
In the Past Week.

Such was the record OF the circuia-
.ioa of THE TIMES for the last seven
lays.
ThiS Increase WAS not due to extra
editions, nor was II cainsed by my
news matter In which the public was
especially Interested.
The growth of THE TIMES Is not
contingent on umus sual circumstances
Its marvellous ,st rides in amount of ad-
vcrtising, number Of subscribers and
extent OF popularity are dnc to It's
value as II fearless, independent and
complete newspaper. 1t Is the true
exponent and reflector OF the largest
number of pecpie md their doiDgs-
ana for that reason alone
The evening times., 1896-03-17
rhf. Isatoft Ons.

''If yOu had been Lot and had your wife
turned to a pillar OF salt, what would you
have done. to her?''
'.Eidcr-down.edh her for being so frcsh.''
The evening times., 1896-03-17

There is doubt as to the ability of Sec
retary Carlisle TO properly fill that six
feet of girth should Growers mantle fall
on his shoulders.
The evening times., 1896-03-17
The One He Meant.

"Ailss Oldgirl near her childbood?. Why,
she's 60 IL she's a day."
II meant her second chilchood.''
The evening times., 1896-03-17

the other hand, there are many who,
though they must be classed among the
ilitcrates, are possessed OF SO much natural
intelligence as TO assume readily and dis
charge assiduously-the duties and obliga-
tons of citizenship.
II is not necessary 10 go among American
citizens of foreign extraction to discover
this state of things. We have not thou
sands. but millions OF naive citizens who
are illi,cratc; but yet. year after year. per
form all the functions OF citizenship with
fidelity and fair discrimination. 1t will
take many years before iliiteracy among
our native population is SO far uprooted as
to reduce IL to mere fraction. The time
will come no doubt, when the Intelligence
that is acquired by EDUCATION will be SO
general that the elimination of the Hitter
ate elemcn, from the polls will consiitnte
no hardship. and when TINT time arrives
an educational test will be in order for
natives rs well as immigrants.
Until then, however, 1t is as well to
he satisfied with the restriction that is
placed upon immigration by existing
statutes which are sufficient to ex-
clude those classes that would prove bur
dens 10 the State and to the communities
they might seicct as places of residence.
The evening times., 1896-03-17

nominee Tammany will doubtless indulge
in a son dance
The evening times., 1896-03-17

ability or his pockctbook. or he would not
have SO much trouble with his legislature.
The evening times., 1896-03-17

MAY BE To THE SOUpAN-
Commoners DIstrusiTul OF the Govern
ment's African Policy.
The evening times., 1896-03-17

HIS DEATH WAS DREAMED
on Mangled George Whcc!cr'S Body Wa
a Prophetic Letter.