davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-25
FULLY APPRECIATED.

During the past eighteen years our
people have witnessed many individ-
uals and institutions that for
short period of time would obtain
high place in public estimation, but few
indeed, like Mrs. DR.. Wegener's maternity
home, have held continuously throughout
so many years constantly increasing
public approval. This may be attributed
to her constant personal supervision TO
each and every detail of her large and per-
fectly appointed establishment. The doc
tor recently found it necessary to move to
more commodious quarters, and her
present sunny location at 526 Eddy street
was selected after it had been remodeled
so that every possible convenience and
medical appliance for the relief of woman
kind might be utilized in the shortest
time.
Mrs. DR.. Wesener does not rely upon her
professional skill and years of training and
experience alone. but has constantly in
attendance an efficient corps of trained
nurses and skilled family physician.
Special attention is given to travellers.
The private apartments of the new home
for ladies are not to be surpassed in this
CITY.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-25
SOME FOOLISH BETS.

Within the Year Some Curious Ones
Have Been Won and Lost.
The last six months have seen some
curious bets m ade, won and lost. 10 start
with, we have that of two Englishmen at
Monte Carlo, who ran a race Tor prize OF
1000 francs, the winner OF which, so the
conditions ran, had to i'm mediately stake
the losers money on the red at the tables.
OF the luck which attended the venture,
and the ''red" dinner which the favorites
of fortune afterward gave at the Savoy
Hotel, when the lights, decorations and
even the walters shirt fronts were OF YER
million hue, much has been written
already.
A foolhardy cycling feat, undertaken by
young Englishman named french, was
recently accomplished at Monaco Tor q bet
of $500. The object to be accomplished
was the descent from Monaco proper to
the Condamine quarter on a unlcycle
When the reader is informed that not
only is the path very steep and has three
turnings, but IS broken in several places
by steps, the difficulty OF taking uni
cycle over such course without the rider
falling off will be appreciated.
Another peculiar wager came OH at
Gourdon, q town famous Tor nuts and
trufies, in the southwestern department
of the Lot, when sixty-hve woman had a
nut-cracking race. There were twenty
three prizes, of which II francs and sack
of nuts were the best. The consolation
prize was not what you might call yalu-
able, and consisted of the debris of
the shells only. Ten kilogrammes of
nuts had to be cracked and prepared
ready to be put in cakes, and in 12K
minutes the race ended in dead heat.
One of the most startling wagers of the
half year-startling because it was made
in the House of Commons itself in open
debate-was that of Gibson Bowles, who
offered to bet Sir w. K. Shuttleworth that
his (Mr. BowlesO memory was better than
that of the worthy Baronet. Had the bet
been taken, which it was not, Gibson
Bowles would have had to deplore the loss
of one guinea, the sum he wished to wager
on himself as he had to acknowledge the
following day.-Spare Moments.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-25

some clerk In the State Department, was
sufficiently exact for ordinary occasions,
out not Tor extraordinary ones. And the
wise tourist prepares for both.
travellers who are not equipped with
any language but their own under the
passport system can be exposed 10 more
than petty annoyances, particularly in
the more unfrequented paths of Spain
and Russia. They may have trouble In
securing mail addressed to them or in
cashing money and express orders. And
instances are by no means infrequent
where travellers have been absolutely
stranded for lack of funds, which were
even then waiting for them at some
provincial postoffice, and they were saori-
feed to the elaborate scrupes of some
honest but obstinate village postmaster.
But armed with an identification book
one can refuse to be bulldoZed by an Off
cial for lack OF evidence of ones identity.
The matter of its official adoption by
the United States will come up for con-
sideration this winter in Washington.
Most OF the European countries have sue
cessfully tried tie system. France and
Italy we're the pioneers in the movement.
aud have shown no desire to return to
earlier methods.
The book OF Identification Is a small
paper-bou volume of a size convenient
for the pocket. 1t may be purchased at
GhJ pOobul1CS db oil outlay eQultdlcAb ~
10 cents. On the inner side of the cover is
placed a photograph of the holder, tied
firmly in place, and fastened by sealed
ribbon. To this is attached the signature
OF the holder. On the page opposite the
cover is declaration, signed by the post
Office official who originally sold the book.
attesting the genuineness of the signature,
the making of which of course he must
witness, and the correctness of the like
ness as set forth by the photograph.
The pages following contain the usual
verbal description familiar to the holder
of passports, consisting of "details as to
eyes, nose, mouth, forehead, chin, hair,
coloring, height, weight and particular
marks or scars.
1t also contains declaration to the
effect that son presentation of this book
and the signing of a receipt any postotfice
is required to deliver to the holder all
mail matter addressed to him." IL is inn
perative that the signature on the receipt
should correspond with that of the book,
and the better the photograph the easier
the hard path of the globe-trotter.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-25
NOT CAUSED BY AN OPAL.

Story of Fad Luck, the Cause of Which
Is Still Matter of Doubt.
Here is story showing how to account
for bad luck:
A man was shaking dice in store. He
lost.
mo wonder" said bystander. you're
wearing an opal. You never will have
luck
This set the man to thinking. Four days
later he slipped in getting off streetcar
and sprained his ankle.
This decided him. He gave the pin to q
friend who was on the Board OF Trade,
and who was too hard -he aded to entertain
any fool notions about the numbe Ii, or
black cats, or cross-eyed girls with red
hair.
Nevertheless, when this Board of Trade
man lost over 500, 600 on wheat he began
to worry. He didn't care much for the
pin anyway, and so one day when young
man in his office admired the fire in the
stone he said, Take it along if you
like it."
The young man overwhelmed him with
thanks. Then he waited with guilty
knowledge TO see what would happen to
the young man. He did not have to wait
long. The very next week the employe
was taken ill and he missed four days at
the Office.
The Board of Trade man was troubled
in conscience, SO he told his young friend
about the opal pin and the superstition
attaching to it, and the employe, after de-
liberation, decided that he would give the
pin to his girl.
The opal did very rapid and effective
work after it became the property of the
young woman. On the second day after
she began to wear it she ignited a curtain
in attempting to light the gas. The cur
tain was destroyed and the young woman
burned both of her hands in attempting to
extinguish the blaze.
The young man who had given the stone
to her felt called upon to apologize.
perhaps it was that opal l gave you"
said he. You know, an opal is supposed
to carry bad luck with it. didn't tell you,
because I'm not superstitious."
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-25
Typical Scene Along Line of the Atlantic and Pacific Railway

The run from Chicago to Los Angeles Is
made in the remarkably quick time of
seventytwo hours and in seventy-six
hours to San Diego. As an instance Of
the liberal methods of the Santa Fe peo-
pie it has been decided to charge no extra
fare, though west of Kansas City only
tirst-class tickets are accepted on the Cali
fornia Limited.
This train, which surpasses anything of
its kind ever attempted, connects at Chi
cago, Kansas City and Denver with the
principal fast trains of all lines at these
places, and also at the Needles, or Barstow,
with the train for this City. Of course
this is specially conducted, specially or
ganized hotel on wheels, representing the
highest flight toward perfection in passen-
ger service, and the company runs it in
addition to the regular daily through SER
vice to and from California, which trains
carry both palace and tourist sleepers.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-25

The large annual income Of the Fire
mans Fund Insurance Company Its vast
assets and net surplus, sufficient to guar
antee prompt payment of any future La
bilities, are apparent by the foregoing fig
ures The long-continued business oe-
preston has swept numerous insurance
companies out of existence, and numbers
of others have steadily lost money. In
the face of this the Fireman's Fund
stands fourth on the list in the United
States in the actual profits of underwrit-
ing from January l, 1885, to January.
1896.
The annual statement for 1896 shows q
capital of 81 ZOO, 600 and assets valued at
SO, 449095. The net surplus over capital
ana all liabilities was 1887, 205. The head
office in San Francisco is in their, own
handsome building, 401 to 407 California
street. There are branches in Boston, Chi
cago and Atlanta.
The average underwriting profits of the
few companies that have made money DUR
ing the last decade Is less than per cent.
When we contrast with this the phenom-
enal success of the Fireman's Fund the
conclusion is logical that it is due to the
wise and conservative management which
has distinguished 1t.
1t is fact worthy OF comment that the
principal officers of the company have
baen directing its prosperous career for
wears. d. ]. Staples has been its presi-
dent for more than quarter of a century.
w. J. Du,ton, vice. president, has been
with it since its organization. Bernard
Faymonville, second vice. president and
secretary, has given to it many years of
effective service. The marine secretary is
T. B. Levison, and the assistant secretary
Louis Weinman.
The general agent, Stephen D. Ives is
a familiar figure in insurance circles,
and b;s long and vaiuahIa aarvices IN the
Fireman's Fund Insurance Company are
~ oil rerOp niZed
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-25
BURNS DIED PENNILESS.
First Obituary Notice Calls for HeIr
for His Family.

for His Family.
When Robert Burns died the following
obituary appeared in the Edinburgh Ad-
vertiser of July 26, 1895. says the New
York Press: ION the 21st inst, died at
Dumfries, after a lingering illness, the cell
ebrated Robert Burns. His poetical COM
positions, distinguished equally by the
force of native humor. by the warmth
and tenderness OF passion and by the
glowing touches of descriptive pencil, will
remain a lasting monument OF the vigor
and versatility of mind guided only by
the lights of nature and by the insplra-
ton of genius. The public to whose
amusement he has so largely contributed
will learn with regret that his extraordi-
nary endowments were accom- panied with
frailties which rendered them useless to
himself and his family. The last months
of his short life were spent in sickness and
Indulgence and his widow, with five infant
children, and in the hourly expectation OF
a sixth, is now left without any resource
but what she may hope from the regard
due to the memory of her husband.
1.-THE public are respectfully informed
that contributions for the wife and family
of the late Robert Burns (who are left in
circumstances of extreme distress) will be
received at the houses of Sir William
Forbes & Co. of Messrs. Mansfield, Ram
say & Co. and at the shops of the Edin-
burgh booksellers. It is proposed to pub
lish some time hence posthumous
volume of the poeticaI remains of Robert
Burns for the benefit of the author $
family; his friends and acquaintances are
requested to transmit such poems and let
tiers as may happen to be in ther possession
to Alexander Cunningham, writer, George
street, Edinbursh, or to John Syme ESQ.,.
Ryedale, Dumfries. It is hoped that, in the
meantime, none OF his original produc-
lions will be communicated r. the public
through the channel OF newspapers or
magazines, so as to iniure the sale of the
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-25
NIGHT AIR.
It's Effects Considered, With Some by.
gienic Hints.

It's Effects Considered, With Some by
gIenic Hints.
In summer when the rays of the sun fail
almost vertically upon the earth's surface
the gradual fall in the temperature at
NIGHT comes as a welcome relief from the
heat of the day.
During the rest of the year the suns
rays strike the earth more obliquely and
are sufficient to warm only a thin crust at
its surface which loses its heat rapidly
after the sun has set and the temperatu re
of the air falls abruptly. Under these
conditions night air may become source
of danger. The sudden change in temper
'ature calls for extra protection OF the
body, and one should never think OF set
ting ont even on short journey without
extra wraps.
Except in severe weather it is not neces-
aary to care SO much for the extremities,
as the circulation of the blood Is main
tanned in these parts by their constant
motion. But the chest, as the seat OF the
bulk of the blood and the vitality OF the
body, should be protected from emil. Inc
so-called chest protectors are useful, but
nothing il simpler than to babituate ones
self to wearing wooden underclothlng,
shifting the weight to the season OF the
wear wool is a poor conductor OF heat,
and when worn next the SKIN aDsorpes the
..perspiration and prevents too rapid loss OF
:the body heat. -
Moreover, when the temperature falls
suddenly at night, the moisture present in
the air is condensed and falls to the ground
in the form of dew. The dampness and
chill form an additional source OF danger,
against which it is necessary TO guard,
especially in the matter OF footwear.
4 Thicker shoes and warm, dry stockings
should be worn.
The direct rays of the sun kill many
y. the microbes that are the specIhc
cause of disease. consequently nlgnt
is the favorite time for the evil gnomes OF
disease to collect their forces and make
their plan of attack against mankind.
Powerless against the warm, bright rays
OF the sun, they succumb in the unequal
contest; but at night, aided by the slight
dampness, they rise from their hiding
places and are borne away BY the con-
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-25
HELPED TO HOMES.
The Good Work of a Prosper
Gus Californian Insti-
tuition.
What the Continental Building and
Loan Association Off.rs to Thrift
and Industry.

The above design of an inexpensive and
elegant home was kindly furnished The
CALL by the Continental Building and
Loan Association, 222 Sansome street.
William Corbin, the manager, SAID to a
reporter yesterday: 1--WE have within the
past year assisted over 100 families to such
homes" He reports a majority of small
residence Improvements in the Mission
along the new Mission electric road ex-
tension. Rapid transit is working won
ders in that section. He shows for 1896
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-25

stantIy shifting currents of air upon their
errands of sickness and death.
Though this may seem to be more or
less fanciful, the study of the origin and
life of the various germs OF disease has
proved that the idea embodies truth,
and that night air is favorable to their
propagation.-You th's Companion.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-25

of 1877 miles. 1t would be difficult to find
a location where the effect OF climate alone
is more beneficial to sufferers from throat
and lung troubles
The Grand Canyon of the Colorado
River may be visited (via Flagstaff) dur
ing the summer and also during the win
ter season when the weather is favorable.
The principal industries along the line
of the Atlantic and Pacific are the borax
mines near Daggett, the salt mines near
Dandy, gold mining on the Clorado River,
lumber at Williams and Flagstaff. coal
mines at Gallup, sheep and cattle raising,
and fruit and vegetable gardens along the
line, and last, though among the most
i'm portant, the Arizona Sandstone Com
pany's quarry at Flagstaff, which fur
nishes the stone with which Claus Spreck-
els new mansion on Van Ness avenue is
built.
The portion in Arizona to be traversed
is land of prodigious mountain teri aces,
extensive plateaus, profound canyons, and
fiat arid plains dotted with gardens OF
fruits and flowers, patched with vast tracts
OF pine timber and veined with precious
stones and metals, alternating with DESC
late beds of lava, bald mountainous cones
of black and red volcanic cinder, grass
carpeted parks, uncouth vegetable growths
of the desert, and bleak rock spires, above
all WnlCQ WQlle pcdhS kiedn IdulduttJ III
almost perpetual sunlight. Here are
health resorts and winter sanitariums.
The altitude is practically the same as
that of the route through New Mexico,
undulating between 5000 and 1000 feet
above sea level
For the winter season OF 1867 the Cali
fornia Limited train will be operated semi
weekly between Chicago and Southern
California. Westbound the train leaves
Chicago on successive Wednesdays and
Saturdays, and eastbound leaves San Diego
and Los Angeles on successive Mondays
and Thursdays, as per timetable herein.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-25

The Rigors of Winter Are
Never Encountered in the
Semi Tropic Belt.
Elegant Palace Drawing-Room Pull
man and Tourist Sleepers on
the California Limited.

The Santa Fe route, which is popularity
regarded as synonymous with everything
that Is luxurious, convenient and delight
full in transcontinental travel, has entered
the field with vestibuled train service
known as the Limited.
So much has been written about the
route of the Santa Fe between California
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-25
One of the Homes Which Continental Budng and Loan
Association Helped to Bodd.

"I'll not wear fhe dreadful thing day
longer" said she.
So She didn't. She gave it to her
brother, who scoffed at the suggestion
that little stone could WELD any influ-
ence, good or bad. Nevertheless. when
he started for Cincinnati and the train
ran off the track and he was tossed half
the length of the car, he became con-
yerted.
"I'lI not give it to anybody else to be a
JONAH" said he. "I'll sell it to jew
eler."
So he went to the jeweler and said:
"What'll you give me for this opal?"
The jeweler looked at it and said: THAT
isn't an opal. That's a catseye. Chicago
Record.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-25

the best years record of hin company.
.In addition to assisting over 100 families
to homes, loans to the number OF ninety
were made to people who desire to i'm
prove existing homes.
s'To those who desire to lay by sys-
tematically given amount monthly the
company offers an installment stock.
which requires a monthly deposit of 30
cents per share. There are also special
features" continued Mr.. Corbin, (which
make it distinctly the Association One
of these is its paid up certificates of
deposit, which earn interest at the rate of
7 per cent per annum, payable in cash
semi-annually. These certificates are
signed jointly by the association and the
California Title Insurance and Trust
Company, making it one of the safest and
most profitable investments in the State.
Two important points are to be remem-
bered," concluded Mr.. Corbin: First,
these certificates are free from tax /;
secondly, the large monthly income OF the
company makes it an investment CONVEX
tible into cash at moments notice"
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-25
PASSING OF THE PASSPORT.

1t Is to Be Succeeded by the Identi fca
tion Book.
According to the New York Herald the
bulky old passport has had its best day. In
its stead the identification book Is now
growing in public favor.
While passports were intended for iden-
tification they did not always identity.
The mere verbal description filed in by
the owner prim arily, and then copied by
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-25
DEMANDED HIS OFFICE.
r. III. Webster Asks That He Be Put
in Possession of the Office of Super
intendent of Schools

Reginald H. Webster. who has been de-
clared by the Election Commissioners the
legally elected Superintendent of Public
Schools, made a formal demand for the
Office on Madison Babcock, who now holds
the place, yesterday.
Mr.. Babcock claims that recent deci-
sion OF the. Supreme Court makes him q
hold-over officer, and that he is entitled to
the position, despite the fact that Mr..
Webster received majority of the votes
cast for superintendent of Schools at the
late election.
The meeting was perfectly friendly on
both sides, and when Mr.. Webster had
filed both his oral and written demand he
was bowed out courteously by MIR. Bah.
cock.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-25
FIREMAN's FUND.
Record OF One of the Best Managed and
Most Successful Fire Insurance
Companies in the United States.

The distinction of being the only insur-
ance company organized on this coast
that ever achieved National standing be-
longs to the Fireman's Fund.
The development of this great company
and the increasing magnitude of its oper-
atoms can be seen at glance at the fol-
lowing tabulated statement:
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-25
CHRISTMAS AT THE oHUTEs.
Big List OF Attractions on Haight Street
This Afternoon and Evening.

LIEU OF Oh h5DH GOV
This Afternoon and Evening.
If the weather is pleasant the youngsters
will have great time out at the Cnutes
to-day. Every school child in San Fran
cisco and Oakland has been presented
with an invitation good for the holidays
and, of course, Christmas will bring them
out In force.
In addition to the regular attractions
Korto, who walks down the chutes on a
globe, and the animatoscope-a number
of features have been prepared
There will be ive-mile bicycle contest
on stationary wheels and potato race,
and in the afternoon Emil Markeberg will
make balloon ascension and parachute
drop.
The skating rink will be open all day,
and everything on the grounds will be in
full blast.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-25
viii Not Retire.

The Alliance Assurance Company OF London,
on and after the first day of January next, will
be represented on the Pacific Coast by c. F.
Mullins, as branch manager, the rumors as to
the company's retirement and reinsurance
being incorrect. The Commercial Union AS
surance Company Limited of London, now
represented by c. F. Mullins, and the Alliance
will occupy the same Offices. each company
issuing its own policies, and in every respect
being independent as to their affairs and BUSH
ness, the OILY joint interest being that Of
maragement and Offices.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-25

Teapots were the invention of either the
Indians or the Chinese, and are OF uncer-
tain antiquity. They came to Europe
with tea in 1910.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-25

In Malta bees are plentiful and bee
stings are in such repute as cure for
rheumatism that resort to this primitive
method of incubation has been a com.
mon practice in severe cases for genera-
tons, the result, it is said, having been
most satisfactory to the patients.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-25

Papa" said Tommy, "do you think
Santa Claus would be offended if I put a
note into the chimney and told him in
which toystors they kept the best fire
engines7' -Harper's Bazaar.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-25

Forests cover about 10 per cent of the
earth's landed area, and about 25 per cent
OF Europe. The highest yield is in the
United Kingdom-namely, 60 cubic feet