davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-06-23

One Of the most valuable and interest
ing pieces of furniture in Philadelphia is
owned by Dr. Roland q. Curtin and has
aplace of honor in his office, at % South
Eighteenth street 1t is Benjamin
Franklin's desk. the very one he used
for 20 or more years, and at which he
did most of his writing, and in which
he kept most Of his papers.
1t is big and broad, with a fiat top
and two tiers Of ample English oak
drawers and two drawers III the middle.
There are two fronts, making both sides
alike. The wood is the finest solid ma
hogany, the brasswork is handmade
and the desk was evidently intended to
last for generations A great stack Of
letters and cid newspaper clippings tell
the story of the desk.
After the death of DR. Franklin it
came into the possession of the well
known Philadelphia exchange brokers.
One letter is very curious. 1t is from
Rev. Edwin Town, TO whose uncle it
was bequeathed by Mr.. Whelen. That
letter is TO William Bradford, member
VI GOuuClls III 1000, dAlCl lAlc utSh Was
placed in Independence hall and attract
ed great attention. In il, after explod-
ing the theory that Dr. Franklin and
Mr. Whelen had private transactions
which led TO the possession of the desk,
Mr.. Town says: Il shall continue to be-
lieve, as have for the last 10 years,
that the desk was absolutely the proper
ty of DR.. Franklin and that Mr.. Whelen,
Sr., came into possession OF it either be-
fore the Doctors death or soon after,
when part of his effects were disposed
Of. including the old desk, which Joseph
Carr, formerly Of Barram's garden,
the errand boy of DR.. Franklin at the
time Of his death (1790), is positive he
remembers as occupying place in the
chamber ON the right Of the entrance
hall of the doctors mansion. which
stood at that day ON the ground now oc-
cupied by Franklin place. F"
DR.. Curtin got the desk from one of
the present members of the Town fam
lily. 1t has been estimated that it may
be l5O years old d-Philadelphia Times.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-06-23
And She Wasn't Extravarant.

One of the exhibits in a suit for di-
vorce tried in Baltimore, IN which,
among other things, the wife was charg-
cd with reckless extravaganza, had these
items as a sample Of one weeks expen-
ditures by the woman in the case: Hat.
5000; notions, $50; chewing gum and
tobacco, S24; brushes and paints, $40;
cologne, 50. 75; ice cream, s7.75; oys-
tiers, $40, and cigarettes, Sl.75. The
jury decided that this sort Of thing was
a trifle too much to ask any man to sub-
init TO, and helped, rather more than
anything else. to influence the jury to
give TO the man the separation he asked
for. Yet the defendant calmly asserted
that there was not purchase made in
that list but was absolutely essential to
her comfort This guilelcss young wom-
an positively prided herself on the fact
that extravaganza was one sin of which
she was absolutely guiltless. Detroit
Ia~S
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-06-23
Rsd Meat Made Good.

The subject of tuberculous meat Is
one of the greatest importance to tho
community at large in view of the fact,
which has been scientifically demon
strated, that it is possible for that dis
case to be propagated by the consump-
tion of meat so tainted.
Various projects have from time TO
time been suggested for the treatment
of meat to make it harmless to the COM
munity at large The safest plan is, of
course, the destruction Of such diseased
meat
A famous German scientist has, how
ever. proposed that tuberculous meat
should be divided into at least two
classes, and only that deeply impreg-
mated with the germs of disease should
be condemned absolutely and irTevoca-
bly, to cremation by the sanitary author
tiles Now, however, a proposal has
been made, based ON more accurate OBJ
servation, that the diseased meat should
not be thrown away at all, but should
be potted.
This operation is TO be performed at a
very high temperature and under steam
pressure, which would have the effect
of completely killing these hardy germs.
In this way much meat which would be
wasted can be rendered fit for human
food, and it may be taken with impu-
nifty. Sentiment will no doubt declare
against the use Of diseased meat in spite
Of the assurance Of science.-Pearson'
Weekly
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-06-23
Just a LIttIe OF the ur,....

An ex-Confederate soldier Of South
Carolina tells this story to writer in
the Detroit Journal; II had a friend
who was a chaplain in our army-a
good man, as such men should be. Sew
eral of his own church members were in
the same regiment He kept sharp eye
on us, and tried to train US in the way
we should go. And, when we were
rather short for rations, some Of the
beys brought in fine young porker.
Now, boys, that's wrong said he. 1t
is simply stealing. You ought not to
do it.
% Well, our consciences' don't trouble
us, and yours won't trouble you when
we get this meat cooked You will want
some of it too.
"'No, won't eat it. I'd as soon eat
stolen meat
''But we divided it up among the
boys and proceeded to cook ham in the
best possible style. The smell Of it fairly
made our teeth water, and when it was
cooked we Were more than ready for it.
=" There's a fine piece. Cut that off
for the chaplain, said one.
No, thank you,' said he. L said
/ wouldn't eat it, and / won't, but
passing MP his plate-'I'll take little
of the gravy"
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-06-23
HATS IN PARLIAMENT.
They Are Important Factors In the brit
isb Lower tIousP.

They Are Important Factors In the Brit
ish Lower House.
OF all the customs and traditions that
still cling to the house Of commons,
even III this matter Of fact age, the hat
plays the most important part. In the
last century one Of the speakers permit
ted the introduction of oranges, and
even nuts. if they were not loudly crack
ed. on the plea that they were not tan
after, this decision-was reversed by an
other speaker, who, ON high medical au-
thority, declared that as it would be
possible 10 support life on either of these
two vegetables they must be considered
tangible products, and their public con-
sumption would, therefore, not be per-
mitted. Out of this decision custom
arose, which, not being checked, slowly
deepened into a tradition. The dexterity
which Bobby Lowe exhibited in trans
ferring packet Of sandwiches from one
of the side pockets of the remarkable
coats he used to affect to the interior of
his hat and the way in which he would
use his headgear to conceal the process
of mastication were, it is said, sights to
behold.
The occupants of the ministerial and
front opposition benches are able to
moisten their throats during the delivery
Of a speech with little liquid, but, al
though the private member is Tot ex-
pressly excluded from the participation
in this privilege, no provision is made
for the consumption Of any lubricant he
may require. The traditions of the house
allow him to conceal sandwich or a
biscuit in his pocket, but not a bottle.
Any honorable member may have q
glass of water, but, while the leading
members of the opposition have the great
central table ON which to deposit their
glasses Of water-which is not supposed
TO lie qualified by the introduction of
any other liquid, aheml-the private
member is expected to hide his glass in
his hat.
1t is really astonishing what an i'm
portant feature the hat plays in the de-
hberations of cur Legislators. As no pri-
yate member can claim by right any
particular seat in the house, except in a
few cases where members are tacitly al
lowed to appropriate certain points of
vantage. hat has to be deposited be-
forehand as an intimation that the seat
is secured. On ordinary nights seat
can be retained by card being inserted
in the slip provided at the back of each
seat for that purpose, but when de-
bate of more than usual interest is ex-
pected the hat is the medium employed.
-J<npinp Mail
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-06-23
pirct Inhetitanee TaE.

Register and Re eorder James NJ. Cover
has received the necessary blanks and is
now prepared to collect the direct inheri
tance tax provided for by a recent act of
the legislature. The new law took eff, ct
May Il. and provides for tax Of two per
cent on the clear value all the personal
estates in excess of 5000, at the death of
the possessor. II does not apply TO real
estate nor to personal estates valued at
less than $500. The tax goes to the state
and is to be levied through the registers
Office where all estates are settled. As
soon as letters testamentary or letters of
administration are issued on an estate
the register is 10 make an investigation
To ascertain whether or not il is subject To
the inheritance tax. If he thinks it is,
he is required 10 appoint an appraiser
who shall make an official investigation
and report to the register and recorder.
If the estate is found TO he subject To the
tax, it is assessed and the money thus
collected is turned over to the state. The
register is required 10 make a report To
the auditor general on the first Monday
of each month of all estates ~ taxed. The
estates of persons who died since May ".
or of those who died before that time and
of whose estate the actual distributio n
had not been made before May II arc
subject 10 tax. Ii il believed this law
will give the state an incnme from much
property which has been exempt from
which is not returned to the assessors,
and which therefore escaped taxation.
II is difficult tn conceive how property
can escape this tax, rs all estates must he
accounted for by those who settle them
up. and must be returned to the registers
Office. The new law will likely be a
source Of great revenue To the state as
there are many estates that will be tax
able.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-06-23
NOBODY HEEDs THEM.
Public Indifferent To Signs Put Up For Its
Convenience.

Convenience
An onterprising advertiser once head
ed a long printed description of his
wares with the line. "Do not read this. "
and the avidity with which every line
was read stimulated other advertisers
TO resort to the same trick, until il be-
came old and worthless. Signs in public
places are treated by the majority of
people just the same as the catch line of
years ago Every horse car and every
car on the elevated system carries sign
warning passengers that they must not
stand ON the platforms, but in the busy
hours one rarely sees n car which docs
not carry all the people It can hold ON
the platform, and no conductor has ever
made any effort TO enforce the rule. Ev-
cry car ON the Madison avenne line has
signs painted On nc doors which give
orders to keep the front door closed, but
nobody thinks of paying any attention
&c the sign. and it seems to those peo-
pie who travel On that line that the
front door is used more ON the Madison
avenue line than ON my other.
III tlt Vi tAlt
railway stations the signs by which it IS
made known which PARTS Of the place
are for women might as well be removed
because no one seems TO take the least
notice of them, and the benches in the
waiting shed Of the Grand Central sta
ton, over which sign is posted, RE
served For Women" would be occupied
by men continually if the employees
did not call attention to the sign.
At most places where people buy
tickets, iH banks where there are crowds
of depositors or people who wish TO
draw funds from the institution, there
are signs showing ON which side the line
forms, and still there is never a day in
any Of the larger of these places when
some people do net make desperate eff
forts to form a line all by themselves
and work against the one which had
been formed before they came. They are
of the same class who refuse TO keep TO
the right, and when they come through
swing door ON the left side and re-
ceive a bump hardly appreciate the ser
mon contained in the few words which
the other man uttors: Serves you right!
Keep to the rightP'
But there is enc sign in public places
the disregard fer which has aroused
much comment 1t Is in regard 10 spit
ting, and the evil that has bocn wrought
by the practice has been so q oughly
discussed by scientific men that hundreds
of people have determined that they
would help to enforce the rules of the
health department and make at least
one sign more than dead letter.-New
York Tribune
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-06-23
As Bad as This?

WHO shall persuade coming ages, !"
asks writer in the Chicago Times Her
aid, that the busiest city in the world
harbors women who pursue whist as the
chief duty Of life; who screw up their
household finances TO the tightest posi-
bic point in order TO pay an expert SO
an hour for instruction in its sacred
code; who meet over card tables at Q
O'Clock in the morning, hurry up their
marketing and hush mp their children
in order TO attend whist luncheons it !,
come home again with vexed and wea-
ried brains to sit silent at dinner, absorb
cd in regrets for leads unreturned and
signals unanswered. and wind up the
unregenerate day by lingering over a
whist table until midnight"
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-06-23
our NATIONAL LEGISLATORS
Who Appeal In Certain Way TO Certain
People.


To him who in tie love Of the capi-
tol holds communion with its daily yis-
itors they speak various language.
Which, being interpreted, means that
if one frequent the capitol and listen to
what one may hear there he Will hear
some right funny things
Not a great while ago there was
small party of persons from some one OF
the outlying Maryland or Virginia dis
tricts. presumably the latter, rs the mud
ON their shoes was rc,lder than Mary
Land mud, who were seeing tie sights
of the magnificent bui'ding under tho
direction OF one OF those useful adjuncts
10 the cause OF education, a capitol
guide.
The party had got as far as the ro-
tunda and were gazing on the paintings,
works of art and so forth, in that cir
cular collection of movable md immov-
able creations. when handsome man
camc out of the entrance leading from
the house and passed in review
"'rhat." said the guide, designating
the gentleman passing, lis the hand
somest member of congress 4"
us that so?" responded the Oldest
woman in the party, one Of that sharp
faced, sharp tongued kind Of elderly
women one always wants 10 hear talk
and still is always in fear lest he hear
something that would cut hole in him.
Ther without waiting 10 hear what
further the guide might have to say on
the subject. she moved around where
she could get view of the beautiful
legislator as long as he was in sight,
and fairly feasted her eyes ON him in
fascinated silence
Some minutes later another "object
of interest" passed the party.
''There goes the smrtest man in con-
gress, said the guide
lis that so!" responded the elderly
woman in exactly the same tone as be-
fore, and she at oncc manifested an ex-
actly similar interest III this one and
watched him until he had passed out of
sight
For rs long as Eve minutes thereaft-
er she was silent and walked aimlessly
behind the others. locking at those Won
dcrful pictures On the walls, but not
seeing them
Whats the matter with mother?"
exclaimed a tall, gangling girl. turning
TO see what had become of the good
lady.
9TH amt nothin the matter with
ne, ;" she answered as spry as anything.
II was jest a-thinkin I'd like to be
purity. and I'd like TO be smart, but I'd
ruther be like what am than be q, con-
grCssman, deed ! would, and / don't
keer who knows It'll"
And she evidently didn't. for every
body within 90 feet of her could hear
what she said Washington Star.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-06-23

Gazzam--I'm going to have my neigh
boris chickens arrested. The roosters
waken me every morning at 3 or
o'clock and spoil my rest
Maddox-There is no law which au-
thorizes the arrest Of chickens.
Gazzam-Well, there's law which
f'Isbids the use of fowl Language. De-
trsit Free Press.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-06-23

80 you want TO marry Fred, do
you?" said the father.
YES, papa" replied the daughter.
with her arms abot his neck
And go away and leave me all
aloneT'
why, no. papai know Fred will be
willing TO leave mamma with you'll
Yonkers Statesman.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-06-23
DIR. Nansen's Wife,

OF DIR. Nansen's S wife not much infor-
nation has found its way into print.
She seems TO have a very imperfectly
developed taste for publicity, but what
is known of her is interesting and indi-
Gates that she is an uncommon woman,
both in talent and character. Ii is re-
corded by DIR. Nansen's biographers,
Brogger and Rolfsen. that his first meet
ing with his future wife was in the
woods about Frogner Seator. wLCro. o-c
day, Observing the solos of two feet stick
ing up cut Of the snow, be approached
them. with natural curiosity, in time to
see the head of Eva Sars emerge from a
snowbank. DIR. Nansen was married in
1889, after his return from his success
full expedition across Greenland. When
he started in the Fran, in 1898, his
wife, left at home at Lysaker, near
Christiania, with one child, turned for
occupation to the development and use
of her gifts as n singer and with notable
success
King Oscar of Sweden is one of her
admirers, and especially likes her sing
ing, which he has often heard, and since
she has been in England ithe compli-
ment has been paid her of asking her TO
sing before the queen. She is stanch
hacker of her adventurous husband,
whose departure ON his perilous GRAND
cost her anxieties and misgivings as to
which she said little at the time. Since
her husbands return she has sometimes
spoken in conversation of her fears and
has said that careful comparison of DR..
Nansen's diary with her record or re-
membrance of her own sensations bears
her out i'll the belief that the times when
she was the most concerned about him
were the seasons of his greatest peril
That implies telepathic communica-
tion bonn CT intense sympathy and so
licitude, the possibility of which science
seems no longer disposed to deny. Mrs
Nansen's father was Professor Sars,
well knt zoologist. Zoology. it will
be remembered. is branch Of science of
which DR.. Nansen has made a special
study.-Harper's Weekly.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-06-23
The First Biankets.

In the reign of EDWARD III there were
at Bristol three brothers who We're emf
ncnt clothiers and woolen weayers. and
whose family name was Blanket They
were tie first persons who manufactured
that comfortable material, which has
ever since been called by their name and
which was then used for peasants cloth
ing
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-06-23

john Bunyan fought ON the Round
head side during the civil war in Eng
land. This has tccn definitely settled by
the discovery cf his name IN several
places G, tie muster rolls of the parlia-
mortaly garrison Ct Newport Paqueell.
Some people, it seems, thought John
fought for King Charles
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-06-23

IAECEH CURE uon- but TO their sorrow Of 70
benefit DIR. Steiner; has removed ''seE of Ten
Years Standing and from persons - years OF age.
" his own neichborhood. Persons are requested 70
Czn has Office and the wonderful cures he has
made and which he has IN alcohol for safe keeping.
He hls 70 years pr4t;ice. and stands In the lore
n.osr :Sak OF LIS profession, The following Cases
ara = few Of those who have bren cured BY
hsAst. yezp. lLoek ~ atcvs e1;-l
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-06-23
EASTWAED.

For rates, maps, &C., call on Ticket Agents OF
address Thos. +. Watt, L. A. W. d., 80 tifth
AVenne, Piftsburg. ia.
j. y. Hutchins soD, j. r. MOI.
Gen. Manager. G-l-I Pas \
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-06-23

Mrs. Massiugberd. the president of
the Pioneer club, London, died recently
at Llandudno. She was the founder of
the club and its best financial friend.
Her loss Will lie widely felt, for Mrs.
MassingECId was woman Of many in
terests, and her wealth and influence
were ever at tie disposal of those of her
sex who were less fayorably placed than
herself Full Of charity, stanch and true
in her friendships aId unseliish, IL Is
difficult to imagine who will take her
place. Mrs. Massingherd was an earnest
advocate Of temperance and in favor of
woman suffrage. Ii is, however. as
founder and president Of the Pioneer
club that her name will be remembered.
She expended upward of f20. 900 in es-
tablishing and furnishing an institution
which has proved of the greatest value
to large number of English women de-
string IA rendezvous in the metropolis.
The Pioneer club is doubtless the
most beautiful and complete woman's
club in the world. 1t is delightful in all
its appointments. Every arrangement
has been made for the comfort of its
members. With view TO gratifying all
tastes, small room, charmingly fur
nished in the Moorish style, is dedicated
to the use of ladies who smoke.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-06-23

Nh cEtGsNs CTIO hheEAAu.
% Adams street. Ais 6. Thirteenth stises,
sheny. cancer Of lip. Pittsburgh. cancer ei
years. breast. years.
Mrs. Armburst. weaver's Old Stand, westrcr.-
land county. cancer Of leg. years. Mrs James
forsters. Coal Mining. Indiana county. Pa.
Of shoulder. years Mr. Roth. corner ThiTty-sixih
street and Penn avenue. cancer Of cheek. ycaTs-
Mo-. Horn. Hang street. Allegheny. cancer Of cheek.
,years. Mrs. Stew art. 80 Grace street. Mt Wash
irsten. Pittsburgh. cancer OF womb. years Mrs.
J. Kelly. West Pittsburgh street. Greeusburg. Pa.
tunioE Of nose, years Mr.. Stevenson. IS Para
Way. Allegheny. tumor on forehead. IS years Mrx
Lohde. e3o7 Shakespeare street. L. e. Pittsburgh
cancer II treas. years. Mrs. Beghaus. Cancer q
breast. years Mrs Muller. cancer Of breast. ,
yeAn. hfs- Hssn.iis. Of womb. yesrs.
Mrs Holstat. eaacer OF womb Yeas. Mrs Lang.
hGt. cancer Of womb. year. Mr.. MaiveT. setter of
eczema. 3 years hn Egsn. cancer Of the breast.
syeafs- Mrs Stese.y. Cancer OF womb. o months
o. Robinson street. Allegheny City. Pa Adam
Rack. cancer on lip. Sscbo station. Beaver county
Pa. Sir. Werner. cautsr Of reetaIn. eoL Forty-huS
street. Pittsburgh IA Mrs Apier Cancer on nose.
tfanksto~b asenLe. Z. L. Pittsburgh. Pa Mira
Mats. cancer OF the breast. g. yezrs Of age Curry
STATION: Bedhel township. Allegheny county. Pa
Mrs.. Muller. cancer oi the lip and tongue, yearA
AlfoTd' Somerset Coully, "a.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-06-23
DENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD.
EASTERN STANDARD TINE
IN EFFECT MAY IL, 1897.
coSDESsED SCHEDULE.
WESTWARD

Trains arrive and depart from the station at
JOhnstown as follows:
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-06-23
The Cancer and Tum0r Can Be
Cured Without the Knife.

10 rcmove the Ianccr has
been something that the medical
profcssion have never been sbls
to discover: but "a last DIR.
Steinert has discovered q rene
dy. which II applied will remove
IL Ia from 6 TO 5 days
There arc FIVE kinds OF Can
Gers, namely: the Rose Cancer.
the Spider Cancer. the FIssurs
Cancer. the Hone Cancer and
the Wolf Cancer. There have
been cases where patients have
paid ssso fer a single prescrip-