davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-02-06
"a CYCLE INDUSTRY.
Et Now Gives Employment to 10000
American Workingmen.

te Now Gives Employment to ISO,oOO
American w-orkingmen.
The history of the bicycle industry in
the states isin many respects the most
r~emarkable industrial record Of the
country. Prior to 1885 the number Of
domestic manufacturers of wheels was
only six, and in that year 1900 ma
chimes we're turned out. In 1890 there
were II factories, with an output of
$4,000 cycles. In 1894 the number of
factories increased at a rapid rate, and
1875 900 machines were made, In 1895
the production bounded up to 100000,
and the number of manufactures was
more than 500, counting none which
burned out less than 1000 machines a
year. The capital invested in these
larger factories is placed at $90,O0o,O 900,
ard the lowest estimate of the output of
the present year is 1000, 600 completed
bicycles, worth $50, 100000. The CAPT
tai invested in the Manufacture of BIZ
cles is about S125, 100000, and 10000
people are employed in designing, maxi
ing and selling the various products
appertaining to them. No, complete
cycles are now imported into the United
| States, and the American manufactur-
ers, in the half year ended June 80, 1896,
exported cycles and parts worth ST.
654,291, or nearly seven times the
amount sent abroad in the previous half
year. Nearly half Of this export has
gone to England, and j. is now said
that American makers actually stand
a chance of capturing the English mar
ket. If the American manufacturers
will build a somewhat stronger ma
chine, fitted with gear cases and mud
guards, it is looked upon as more than
probable that from 10000 to $4,000
american cycles win be sold in Eng
land in.1S97. In. 1895 the best bicycles
were selling at $40; nov the same
lqua1ity Of neutrality-suspicious. much bet
ter-sells at 500. More than 100000
bicycles are in use in the United States;
In other words, one person out of every
twenty-four has taken to the wheel
In France, the proportion is only one ir
two hundred and fifty. The wheel is
unquestionably going to reyolutionizt
the roads of the country. It has reduced
and in some places practically put az
end to the demand for horses and7car
riages, besides Affecting the income ..
street railway lines and livery stables
1.-The first two weeks of July the rail
ried $4,000 bicycles for outgoing passen
peers.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-02-06
bicycle Stable for scholars.

These is food for thought" in the
announcement that in the new high
school building in Detroit a room has
been set apart that will accommodate
not less than 300 bicycles. The idea
is not a new one, but this is believed to
be the first time that distinct arrange
ments for the accommodation OF cy.
clists have been made in the plans for
a school building. Public schools gen
orally do not need to provide bicycle
rooms, as the pupils live near them,
but such rooms are a necessity in the
ease of high schools and private schools
that draw pupils from a large area.
School authorities are beginning to APP
pr%eciate this fact, although some of the
conservatives are slow to accept a new
idea that seems to verge on ~thegreyolus
tionary.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-02-06
nloYcLE NAL cARRleRs.

The silent steed to he Recognized By thd
Post once Departments,
A new field is about to be opened to
the wheeImen of the United States-and
the wheelwomen, too, if they desire to
enter it. For years, in some cities, the
bicycle has been employed by carriers
to deliver letters from house to house
ewithin the limits" Now, according to
Assistant Superintendent Jackson, Of
Uncle Sans postal service, sstar route"
contracts are to be thrown open to bicy-
Clists, as we'll as to horsemen and stage
drivers.
"All the department requires" said
superintendent Jackson, lis that the
mail shall arrive and depart at stated
times, from each post Office. We be-
lieve that in many cases and on many
routes, better service a be got from
the bicycle than from anyother vehicle,
and there is no reason why riders should
not be asked to compete for contracts
to be let for carrying the mail between
Towns not reached by railroads. As
bicycle riders can make better time over
roads they can use at all than stage
drivers or horsemen, the wheel will be
given the preference, all other things
being equal. OF course, this decision
would not have been made but for the
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-02-06

nice little black and white sketches for
some of the newspapers.
Suddenly she threw down her novel
with a sigh. judith, I'm hungry" she
announced; 81 think I'll have a whack
at that pineapple cheese. A bit of bis
cult, a glass of milk and that cheese
will save my life. Come on, Wen pick
IN the Kitchen
she dragged me into the kitchen, and
telling me to get the milk and biscuit,
leaned half way out the window to
reach the cheese, which stood cheek by
jowl upon the fire escape with Elean-
ores parrot.
AT that moment a mans voice float
ed up through the soft summe air.
ssLook at that fire escape, Harry. |
tell you it's an outrage the way some
people crowd their fire escapes. Looks
like a tenement, Why in the mischief
don't they have a refrigerator? III bet
my head there's an old maid upstairs.
"A poll parrot and a pineapple cheese.
Well I'm blessed
ArpHef regis erves were yet shaky
from her illness or from rage at the
impertinence of the critic below stairs.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-02-06

do"-purposely raising her voice.
They've got my cheese, Mr.. Flynn,
and it's a.case of highway Fobbery. and
l think Twill go around t. the station
house and get out a warrant or some
thing"
Policeman Flynn looked at Peg in
amazement. AS for myself | could not
speak for laughter. And to cap the
climax, at this moment up the stairs
came a handsome fellow with a wicked
CLEAN in his eyes and bearing Oh a
silver platter the remains of Pegs pine-
apple cheese.
"Mr. ShePpard's compliments to Miss
Seymour" he said, ''and he has sent
home her cheese. He begs she win
count the pieces and see whether they
are all here"
With a scarlet face Peg shut the door
upon Policeman Flynn and the young
man. leaving the latter to eNpl9in ths
situation as best he could to the otice9
A burst Of SUPPRESSED Ma9eIHsaa fTfg sstia
Factory explanation was being supA
Piled.
Never said Peg, stamping a small
foot, never will l recognize that des-
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-02-06
Wood Frames Dlsplacing Steel.

L# A
The surprising displacement of steel
rims by wooden ones has led roanu-
f~acturers to experiment with wooden
frames. One company has put out
1000 of their wood-frame cycles, in
which the diamond" is "a single luml-
mated structure of hickory strips, one.
eighth inch thick, laid up in waterproof
cement. These frames are claimed to
be both lighter and stronger than steel
ones. There are in all about five com
panies in the United States which make
wooden-framed wheels, and one com.
pany at Trenton makes a rattan-frame
machine. In regard to the employ
ment of wood in the construction Of
wheels, although it is well known that
wooden rims are liable to warp, the
best-iDformed authorities are of the
opinion that it's real rival, for this pur.
pose at least, must be looked for, not
in steel, but in some other fbrous ma
terial, perhaps a MANILA paper.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-02-06

picable person Jack Sheppard. 1 call
You to witness, Judith, what l saw
Then she retreated to her bedroom and
shut the door on the tragedy Of her life.
Next day l came home early. AS |
let myself in at the side door, / was
startled by a low murmur of voices
coming from the drawing-room. Glanc-
ing through the h%alf-drawn portiers
saw Peg in close conference with n OF
the iniscreants from below stairs.
Il didn't want to take the bread from
your mouth, sweetheart he was saw
ing, nor yet the cheese. Twill be sat.
isfied with the Kisses
And then he helped himself.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-02-06

] cannot say, but as she took up the
cheese it slipped from her hands, shot
through the opening and went down
whack, bang on the head of the man,
who leaning from his window was
looking up to condemn the condition of
our decidedly disreputable fire escape.
There was a Mortified exclamation
from Peg, a muttering as IF distant
thunder from below, a sweet, imploring
"Oh! / beg your pardon" and Peg came
in through the window, her pretty face
as red as fire and tears standing in the
big blue eyes.
'The beast,'' she walled, ibid you
hear him? And ice 40 cents a pound.
AS if we could help being poor. An old
maid, indeed. I'll show him. And my
cheese, my beautiful pineapple cheese.
Don't talk to me. Judith, l could kiln
him. 1 wish it had knocked his hand
some, wicked head right off his shout
.deTs.' And to my great amazement,
pretty Peg sat down on a kitchen chair
and walled aloud:
"As if he hadn't made me trouble
enough," she sobbed, ITO come here to
live, and dog my footsteps, and call me
an. old maid, and steal my cheese"
who, Peg, who?" l cried, almost
shaking her in my excitement,
who? Why who could it belbut that
abominable, detestable Jack Sheppard,
dear old thing. No, no, JUDITH | don't
mean that. / hate him; / despise him.
A man has indeed sunk very low when
he steals the bread out of his former
sweetheart's mouth
but Peg, dear, it wasn't bread and
he didn't steal II. You dropped it. sou
know"
Well, he made me drop it with his
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-02-06
One Letter Omitted.

Did you ever hear of singing in
sects2" she asked.
Singing" he said, interrogatively.
"Yes. 4 have just been reading an
article to the effect that there are in
sects that sing"
1t was only after he had given the
matter his thoughtful attention for
something like six or eight minutes,
during which his mind reverted to ex-
periences at a number of summer re-
sorts, hat he suggested:
1t must be a typographical error.
There's evidently a II missing from the
word.N-Chieago Press.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-02-06

fact that sthe delivery of h mail by
bicycle in cities has been entirely salts
factory" v neFs ga w a
Whether many bicyclists can be in.
,duced to take up the business of the
carrying of mail is, however, an open
question, since the pay of 'star route"
carriers is small, and the carrier is
obliged to go over his route al specified
times, no matter what difficulties are in
the way, and entirely regardless of the
weather, or the state of the roads. Obi
viously, bicycle mail carrying cannot be
made a success except in the summer
time, in the country districts of the
northern states, In the fall and spring
the roads there are liable to be bottom
less qLagmires, and in the winter to be
blocked with snow. In those western
regions, where the~pony mail service
has hitherto been Employed it is hardly
likely thatfhe bicycle couldlbe used Id
yaRtageousfy d time OF the year
okthere the roads a~fe-often mere trails.
"A week is the longest interval elaps-
ing In any instance between mail deliv.
cries. Some star routeriders makeitwo
trips a day. The route between Bolton
landing and Lake George, N. Y, a dis
lance of 9A miles, is covered six times
a week, the schedule time between sta
tions being three hours. The holder OF
this contract must file q bond of 5000,
signed by two sureties, and the com
pensation is $156 a year. The route
from Garnet to ~Johnsburg, N. Y, is
|'7h miles long, and the trip is made
three times a week, the schedule time
between the stations being two hours.
In this case the carrier files a guarantee
bond of $500, and receives the munif.
cent salary of $500.
At the present time nearly all the
routes similar to these two are covered
by stage drivers. who are able to supple
ment the scanty pay received for carry
ing the mail by fees from chance pas.
sengers.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-02-06
IMPROVED B
Some Promising Inventions which Have
Been Exhibited Recently. L

Some Promising Inventions Which Have
Been Exhibited Recently.
Every. wheel manufacturer is con-
stantly on the lookout for a saddle
which has some claim to perfection. 1t
must be admitted that, notwithstand-
ing constant endeavor in this direction,
little progress mas beenmade, and small
hope is held forth that the, saddle Of
1897 will give anything like universal
satisfaction. One of thellatest inven-
tions is in the way OF a firm and easy
support for the saddle. 1t consists of a
piece of wood about a quarter of an inch
thick, one and a half inches wide and
three feet long, curved at one end and
extending back over the rear upright
rod of the wheels frame. The curved
end in front attaches to the frame at
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-02-06
Thn Wheel III BIC Rirlara.

Cycling has become very popular on
the Riviera among all classes of society,
and the trade in cycles has been greatly
developed. The British consul at Nice
states that up to the present the ma
chimes sold by the agents Of different
manufacturing companies are chiefly
OF English make.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-02-06
Al Il seemed to Him.

.How do they make these2" asked
.Tosr1ny after he had taken his allow
ana fresh cider from a tiny wine
gia&l :
y sBl4w them," answered his mother.
'.WhJ2'
sTHe Teller that blowed this one must
hayqibeer short of wind."-Detroit Free
~
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-02-06
Her Paachv ChaaL-

4 asked him for a new cloak to.
day" said the young wife, but he tried
to get out Of it by paying me a COM
pliment on my complexion"
What did he say?" asked her
mother.
He said; 'Welli You've got a cheek
that is a peaehl"-Cincinnat Enquirer.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-02-06
i'm CYCLEDOM.
a CYCLE TRYsT.

Cynthia. each sunny day,
On her cycle speeds away,
Laughing cheerily, to stray
Up the valleys winding way,
Merry. careless, bright and gay,
Blithe as sylvan sprite at play,
Idle nymph or woodland fay,
As fair, as sweet as budding Mayl
Rides she by the grand old tree
In the forests secrecy
Content awhile alone to be.
Yonder. soon, an eye shall see
Coming nigh, a wheelman free,
Laughing, singing tenderly
Eros song of sympathy
Should he pause, if you were hef
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-02-06
WINTER MILLINERY.

Large Hats Are Favored for Street Wear
49,. ac Only.
For elderly women the shapes are
more becoming than As usually the
case; they are, ali5ee lager than the
cap style, and cover thet!entire ton, of
the head. They all havestringss whicl.
are crossed at the back Of the head and
tied under the chin, made Of narrow
velvet ribbon. 1t is considered quite
permissible for women with gray hair
to wear puppies, the green's, and even
reds; and some very pretty bonnets
have the crown of embroidered velvet,
with a. soft ruching of plain velvet
around the face to make them more
becoming.
The edict has gone forth that tho
large hat shall no longer be worn in
the theater, and a woman who tries to
wear one is. made to feel so uncomfort-
able that she very soon takes it off, SO
HAT it is nowi a.well-accepted fact that
large hats are only for Street wear.
Worn with walking costumes, they ara
very appropriate, and if becoming, ex-
ceedingly SO. A great many plumes
are used in trimming them. All black
hats of this description are very much
i'm favor, sometimes made entirely of
velvet; sometimes the crown of velvet
with a brim either of plain or braided
silk, or even with q shirredsbrim OF
heavy satin; and while all black feathI
ers are considered very smart, ]
other different .colors, and ever white@
are very much used. All gray hats d
favorites this season, and one of sha
velvet made with quite a low croy
trimmed with two long plumes\
gracefully arranged, one falfipf
the brim almost down to the
With the hair arranged Pob
is now the fashion, these<
on slightly to one side. HSa
have the brim turnedA
at the left. But mar
which is curved z ~
per's BazaE
one, as M
phyeiolog fE Inn
perfectly .x..44aa
progressf
able BIZ
ward
the
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14
Foresters of America.

Court Golden Gate has decided to remove
from Odd Fellows building TO the Alcazar.
Court Sutro Heights on Thursday night had
an interesting meeting, which was attended
by Deputy Waller. who gave some instruction
in the new ritualistic work. During the even
ing the court had an initiation, which was
successfully carried out. A committee on
regalia for the new work was appointed. AS
the next meeting night of the court Will fall
on Thanksg wing night, a dispe usation was
night Under good of the order, there was a
medley OF music and speeches ana anecdot les
and the introduction of number of French
covered tnat there were not enough words In
The English language to express their ideas.
Last Friday evening Court Palo Alto had a
large attendance IN Native Sons Hail, TO wit
ness the rendition OF three-act farce comedy,
entitled Trials and Troubles" Dancing fol-
lowed the pleasing rendition of this pleasing
performance.
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14
NEW TO-DAY,
men RESTORED.
True hanlinesS Replaces the Worn Out
Nerves and iigOr.
REMARKABLE REMEDY THAT MAKES A
IAN YOUNG AGAIN.

thousands OF men to-day paying the
penalty OF earlier inattention to their streng n.
They have gone oryears gradually burning out
the fire OF natural vi gor, when suddenly they
break down. They look fairly we'll; there IS
not much outward evidence of decay, but tie
MIND knows all about il. 1t is a peculiar
form OF weakness; produces certain Sensi-
tlVeneSs that compile tely upSetS u man, and
makes him feel thuJ lie has lost goodly part
OF its brightness. There is a simple home
treatment put up bv well known institution
OF Kalamazoo, Mich, that imparts wonderful
degree OF strength 10 men who are seXually
weak Itis very powerful tonic that makes ths
nerves fairly tingle with enthusiasm. And TO
men who are prematurely old, appare ntly
worn out and gone TO seed, the remedy gives
tn at comfortable feeling impaired by cneer-
full CRATE fire when we frs come in of cold,
stormy night. By writing to the Michigan
Medical Co., los Masonic Temple, Kalamazoo,
Mich, they will send you full particulars re-
garding this remarkable tonic and strengt tn
ener, and also explain how 1t is to be used,
what it will do and all other information nee
essary to a complete, rapid and certain restor"
alton, enlargeme Mt and return Of manly Vlgor
1t is a home treatment; embodies all the prac-
tical results required for either young or old
man. and is just such curative as thousands
of men are looking anx. ously for All corre-
spondence is confidential and their envelopes
are perfectly plain, carefully sealed and mailed
under frSt-class pt Stage. No man need hest"
tate to write TO the Michigan Medical Co.,
they are regularly incorporated by the State,
have been IN business many years, are well
ra ted by the commercial agen c1es and have
first-clasS bank references
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14
,Junior Order American Mechanics.

The attendance at the meetings of James A
Garfield Council proves that the members are
active and hard workers for the order At q
meeting OF this council held last Monday
Japanese labor was the subject of discussion,
aud the following preambles and resolutions
were adopted by unanimous vote:
WHEREAS We the members of James A. Gar
field Nouncn 40. Il, Junior order American Me-
chanits Of California, have watched with alarming
interest the gathering together in midst OF
many re Japanese laborers than the times de-
mand; and whereas, they are menacns evil ON our
laboring class, since they work for such compen-
sation would be entirely inadequate for the
support of one of our own aborers: whereas, h ey
are not part OF community in IA social way
whereas they fill many places in kitchens
and offices that might be better flleI by deserv-
ing American girls: whereas, they will, in our
judgm ent soon prove bad If a worse incu-
bus our social moral and business life than
that under which present exist with the
hated Chm Sc in our midst; therefore be 1t
Resolved Tha. urge the passage and enforce
desirable immigrants.
The resolutions also ask all councils in Cali
fornia TO join in the movement.
The STATE officers visited Henry Clay Council
last Monday and U. S. Grant Council on
Friday and found both in good condition.
Tne National Council has appointed the
21st inst as day of prayer to be observed by
the council attending divine service. The
councils of this State have been notified by
proclamation OF the State coun cilor
National Organizer Borden has resigned.
The work Will hereafter be performed by State
organizers.
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14
Young Mons Institute.

The main hall of the Native Sons building
was crowded last Thursday evening on the
occasion of the entertai nment given by Golden
Gate Council. The features OF the evening
were the opening address by j. A. Dunlevy.
presid dent of the council, the address of Grand
President Samuel Haskins, a vocal solo by
William Donaldson, the singing by the very
popular Lyceum quartet which rendered to the
typical tune of Z4Dzibar 1.-THE Jolly Chief"
aud by request its trade mark, "The Jolly
Blacksmiths' Lay" mum Der that has won Tor
il wei l-merited praise. Miss Anneta George, g.
charming young soprano, the possessor OF
Jennie Dear, and for an encore gave
Coming Through the Rye" Miss May Stein
and Miss May Looney favored with piano
duet ana there were others who added TO the
evenings enj ,yment. The programme was
followed BY dancing.
Council l25 Will receive an official visit
from the grand officers on the evening OF the
9th of December.
Washington Council as elected W. j. Coyne
second wee president and John j. Bernhard
chairman of the executive committee. This
council will be visited on the 18TH by the
grand officers.
On the 23d inst, Mayor Phelan will visit
Sacramento and address Councils No. IL and
27 at an entertainment to be given in AID OF
the Christian Brothers school.
1gnatian Council has made extensive pre-
parations for The entertainment 10 be given
next Tuesday in Metropolitan Temple, In cele-
bration OF its ten III anniversary.
NJ ssion Council will give reception In
Mssi on Parlor Hall on the evening OF Tues
day. The 23d inst.
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14
The National Union.

The cat home" to the members of the San
Francisco Cabinet and the many friends o.!
the National Union given by Golden Gate
Council in is hall N Central block last Tues
day night a grand success. There was a
presentation of thirteen applications and the
imitation Of four candidates, the work being in
the full three for msfor the benefi of MAN. Who
had never witnessed more than two FORMS
The various lessons that are taught by the
several divisions OF the initiatory ceremony
council, and they created a strong preston
on the membership present. At the close OF
the work Norman K. Arter, president of the
the head of good of the order and Introduced
an interesting programme OF entertainment,
after passing around fragrant cigars to all.
There address on the OrCer, Its rise
in California, and the dOingS OF the recent
grand body of the order. by Senator Field of
the san Francisco cabinet He also gave some
ideas on the oTganiZ iZat1on OF a STATE body.
California Councils quartet, that also fur
shes sweet music ior Golden Gate Council,
entertained with mum Der OF choice Selec-
tions. John W. Winks of Pacific Council de-
liVered address on fraternity, and there
were also few moments with Mr. Foose, and
q rendition of vocal selections by the Bohe-
mian Quartet. Then aylor r gers OF California
Council delivered an eloquent address on the
growth OF fraternalism III the United States,
after which c. II. Van Orden favored with
solos that have made him famous wherever
he has given them. The exercises closed with
q story by w. A. S. Nicholson and the singing
OF Home, Sweet nome" California Council
represented py eighteen members and
there was fair representation from the other
local councils. Golden Gate Council now has
260 members and is growing.