davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-09-22

sent to the pressroom. Some of the
stamps are printed upon hand presses
and others upon revolving steam
presses. The day visited the Bureau
the hand pressmen were working upon
beer stamps. There were twenty of
these upon sheet, and the printer and
his assistant were enabled to turn out
from 700 to 800 sheets day. The
pressmans assistant is always young
girl, as n woman's deft touch is re-
quired to handle the thin sheets of
paper and place them accurately under
the press.
The paper upon which the stamps
are printed is made especially for this
purpose, and every sheet of it is
counted. In fact, from the time the
paper enters the press until it energies
a sheet of stamps in the storage rooms
it passes through fourteen divisions,
every one of which registers the sheet,
and these must tally rs to totals at the
close of the day before an employe is
permitted to leave the building.
Every time the pressman runs n
plate through his machine he removes
it and reinks it. Upon this largely
depends the perfection of the impress
sion. After mixing the plate he rubs
the surplus ink from the surface with
u brush. Then he passes his hands
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-09-22

patched on again, so az TO present
whole sheet to the next checker.
One OF the most interesting places
In the building is the room where the
stamps are examined and counted. This
is an immense apartment, filed with
long tables, at which several scores OF
young women are working. Piled
upon the tables in front of them are
stacks Of ten dollar, fifty dollar or one
hundred dollar bills, government
bonds and sheets of stamps. A rus.
tling sound like the whisper of the
wind through thousand trees fills the
room, as the counters rapidly turn the
bills and sheets, keeping mental tab
upon the number, while their eyes,
trained to the utmost vigilance, seek
out imperfections in the printing.
saw one young woman Mt work
counting and examining the stamps
to twelve thousand sheets day. Her
fingers seemed to fairly fly as she
lifted the sheets, and although IL was
but fraction of second during
which the stamps passed under her
gaze, her quick eye would detect the
least imperfection, passing over two
hundred stamps in that time. For this
skillful aud exacting work these young
women are paid from $l.50 to ~ per
day.
When the perfect sheets are thus as
sorted and counted, they pass to the
storage vault, fireproof and alright
structure. The Bureau keeps stock
of about six hundred million stamps
on hand constantly. They are fur
nished to the Postollice Department at
the rate of about twelve millions n day,
upon requisition by the Third Assist
ant Postmaster General. A steel
wagon, with padlocked doors and ac-
companied by a guard of armed men,
conveys the stamps to the Postoifice
Department. This wagon is also used
to transport currency and bank notes
to the Treasury Department, and goes
trundling along the street with mill
ions of money inside of il.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-09-22
Houses without Chimneys.

1t is curious, though true, that of oil
the houses, dwellings, stores, hotels
and other buildings that dot the ISL
and of Key West, Fla, from one shore
to the other, not one of them has
chimney or anything that will answer
the purpose of chimney. Handsome
residences and lowly novels are alike
in this respect, and from an eminence
gazing out over acres of roofs on all
sides one is struck with the want of
something to complete the symmetry
of the picture. Wood and coal or fuel
Of any kind are unknown quantities,
as the tropical atmosphere furnishes
all the heat required, and for cooking
purposes sticks of carbon are used,
which are sold by peddlers, who hawk
their wares about the streets.
tn Constitution.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-09-22

two billions would stretch if pasted end
to end.
All of the stamps used by the United
States are printed at Washington in
the Bureau of Engraving and Print
ing, the same institution that turns
out the paper money of the Govern
ment. Formerly they were made by
the bank note companies in New York,
but in 1898 Uncle Sam concluded that
as he was going into the printing
business very extensively at his capital
he might as we'll save the profits on
the stamp making The Bureau makes
the plates from which the stamps are
printed, does the press work and
manufactures the mucilage. Only the
paper and the ink are purchased in
open market. This preparation of the
mucilage is an art in itself, and is con-
Quoted upon purely hygienic prin-
oiples, for the benefit Of the several
billions of people who annually lick
postage stamps.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-09-22

over cake of chalk and rubs the plate
briskly with his bare palms. This
cleans the exposed parts of the plate
thoroughly and leaves the ink in the
lines which are to convey the impress
sion to the paper. The printer soon
becomes mass of ink from his hands
to his elbows, and sooner or later COM
municates it to his face, as well as
daubing it over his apron. A carmine
colored ink is used in printing the two
cent stamps, and the pressroom has
decidedly sanguinary appearance. The
young lady assistants average about
S1.25 day, while the pressmen run
from 81 to SO n day in earning capacity
Where the steam presses are used
four steel plates, each one printing
400 stamps, work upon an endless
chain passing in front of the pressman.
In this operation his duties are con-
fined to cleaning the plates with his
hands, as described above, the ma
chinery doing the mixing and press
ing. He can press about seven sheets
every sixty seconds, and has two young
women to assist him, one to feed the
press and the other to remove the
sheets.
The sheets of stamps are now ready
to be gummed, perforated and divided.
After the ink has been dried and the
sheets pressed fiat they are sent to
another room, where another gang
handle them. The cumming machine
is simple apparatus which distributes
an even flow of mucilage upon the re-
verse side of the stamp. 1t is done
automatically, so that there is no
waste and no surplus of ofmucilage upon
any part of the sheet. The mucilage
is composed of glucose and dexterine,
mixed in stipulated quantities and all
solutely harmless.
When the sheets are coated with
mucilage they pass upon an endless
chain through steam chest about
sixty feet long, where they are sub
jected to a temperature of about 1876
degrees, coming out after several min
utes thoroughly dried. Then they &c
to hydraulic press to be pressed fiat,
having become warped in the steam
chest. The sheets are are laid between
stiff cardboards and stack of them
put into the machine, where they are
subjected to pressure of 5000 pounds
to the square inch. There are nc
wrinkles left when they emerge from
this gentle squeezing.
Their next journey is to the perfora.
ting machines, operated by skillful
young women. This is apparently q
simple piece Of work, but it requires
close attention to feed the machine, &C
that the perforating wheels run
straight down the spaces between the
stamps. Even with the utmost care
slips occur, aud row Of stamps il
perforated down the middle. Every
spoiled sheet is preserved, however, tl
be accounted for. and II 20 much ~ {
corner Of stamp is torn of II must bs
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-09-22
postage stamps.

The operation of the manufacture of
postage stamps through the several
branches is an exceedingly interesting
one to follow. A small army of men
and young women, skilled artisans, are
employed in the work. and the great
red brick building on the banks Of the
Potomac under the shadow of the
Washington monu 4snt is busy bee
hive for eight hoLrs in the day.
The first step in the manufacture Of
postage and revenue stamps is the
making Of the plates from which they
are to be printed. The plate for the
ordinary two-cent stamp Of everyday
use 10 sheet Of steel twenty-one
inches by about thirteen inches. The
engrsver uses sheet Of soft steel upon
which he engraves the design Of four
hundred stamps.
The custody Of these plates. together
With others, 10 conAded " one man.
Every aftsrnoon the plates must be
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-09-22

blouse effect. The right-front over.
laps the left and closes invisibly on the
left side, which flushes with full
ruffle Of butter -colored lace. The
back Is seamless, with scant fullness
at the waist laid in close overlapping
plaits.
The model shows nm added basque
that is joined at the waist to the blouse
proper. These basques, or peplums,
promise TO be exceedingly popular
during the coming season, being ex-
hibited in the latest of Partisan impor-
tations. AT the neck is plain collar
covered with stock of ribbon edged
with divided frill of lace. The
sleeves are narrow and ft the arm
closely from the wrist TO the elbow,
above which the effect is slightly
wrinkled or mousquetaire. They are
finished at the top with puffs of the
same that are caught on the shoulders
in graceful and stylish effect.
Waists Of this description can be
made of novelties, plain, checked,
striped or plaid woolens or light
weight cloths, and may be trimmed
with either ribbon, braid, passemen-
terie or velvet. Silk, velvet and cor
duroy are also applicable TO the mode.
To make this waist for n lady in the
medium size will require two and
three-fourths yards OF forty -four-inch
material.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-09-22
BILLIONS OF STAMPS.
UNCLE SAM PRINTS AN ENORMOUS
NUMBER EACH YEAR.

All Kinds and Coiors, From the Pink Two
Center to the Lordiy one Hundred
Dollar Stamp-IIow They Are Turned
Out by the Washington Bureau.
Uncle Sam makes and issues in the
course of year postage and other
stamps to the number of more than
four billions. The exact number for
the last year of which record is OBJ
tainable, says the New York World,
was 4,243, $50, ,261. It is hard for the
human mind to realize the magnitude
OF sum as great as four billions A
better idea, probably, can be obtained
of the size of the stamp output for n
year by the statement that if they were
pasted together, end for end, the strip
thus obtained would encircle the earth
seven times around at the equator
There were all sorts and conditions
OF stamps in this aggregate of four bill
lions. There were postage stamps,
from the humble little one-center and
the familiar pink two-center that every
one sees ITO ;the lordly one hundred
dollar stamp that lives an exclusive
life and never shows itself to the vul-
gar herd. The latter is called peri
odical stamp. II is sold to the pub
fishers of periodicals, who present it
to the postmaster with so many pounds
of mail matter, and the stamp is then
cancelled and kept in book. Over
ten thousand of these were pointed last
year.
There were about one hundred mil
lion of the long green beer stamps used
in the internal revenue service, that
you see the barkeeper remove from
the bunghole when he taps fresh keg.
There were about four hundred mil
lion Of the little green stamps that seal
the end Of q cigarette box There were
more than half billion of tobacco
strip stamps, with countless millions
of other kinds.
The everyday two-cent stamp, with
its cheerful pink color and mucilaginous
back, was printed to the number of a
little more than two billions. If the
magnitude of this number is difficult
to grasp, it is easy enough to measure
two-cent stamp and figure for ones
self how many thousand miles those
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-09-22

practical commercial service of the
civilized American; heretofore the Eski-
mo dog has been used in all expedi-
tions through the Klondike country.
That the reindeer possesses tremend-
Gus advantages over the Eskimo dog
is illustrated in the matter of their re-
spective food. That of the dog must
be carried, while the reindeer paws the
snow from the roots on which he sub
sists. New York World.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-09-22

to the centre, closing with button and
button-hole. The skirt is hemmed
deeply at the bottom; narrow hens
finishing the back edges where the
closing is effected. An attractive fea-
ture is the fanciful bertha. cut in two
sections, that is included in the neck,
falling deeply over the sleeves and
forming an epaulette that adds to the
breadth of shoulders and is univer-
sally becoming. Both 1t and the neck
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-09-22

Figured dimity, embroidered edg-
ing and insertion were the materials
used in making this neat and simple
apron, but dotted Swiss, cross-barred
muslin, striped and plain cambric,
percale and gingham are equally suit.
able. The upper portion consists of q
short fitted body having a straight
lower edge. the neck being cut in low
rounded outline.
The skirt portion is simply gathered
at the upper edge and joined to the
body, band of needlework concealing
the seam. A belt Of insertion encir-
cles the waist and is carried forward
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-09-22
KLONDlKE PALACE CARS.

first Effort to Put Reindeer TO Use In
America.
The rush to the Klondike has been
the means of establishing novel
transportation line Mt Circle City,
Alaska. Twenty sturdy bucks have
been selected from the United States
Government reindeer herd at Teler's
Station and are now on their way to
the mining districts. This is the first
effort to press the reindeer into the
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-09-22

dark. Pedro is pretty red pigeon,
is three years old, and is owned by
Secretary Tallens, of the club. Pedro
is brother Of Lulu, the winner OF
The 5OO-mile race in Mississippi. Both
are imported birds. When Pedro r-
rived at Mishawaka he few straight to
his loft, seeming none the worse for
the journey.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-09-22
PRINCE OF PIGEONS.
He Few 1000 Miles in seventy-hve Hour.
and Holds the Worlds Record.

Pedro, the great homing pigeon
which broke the worlds record for
1000 miles in his swift journey in the
air from New Orleans to Mishawaka,
Ind, is the pride of the Mishawaka
Homing Club. Pedro's superb race
was made in seventy five hours total,
or less than fifty hours Of actual fly
ing. Carrier pigeons never work after
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-09-22
q shaping that is universally becoming.

q shaping that is universally becoming.
The fronts open upon vest of
white satin-faced cloth, and are
trimmed with parallel rows Of braid.
The vest is included in the shoulder
and under-arm seams, and closes
through the centre-fron with button
holes and small buttons. The neck is
cut in v shape, displaying linen chem
isette and white satin tie. An attrac-
tive feature is the neat coat collar, OF
the regulation tailor cut, the free edge
Of which are trimmed with braid. The
sleeves, presenting decided change
from last seasons models, are two
scanned, finishing with slight puff at
the shoulder. Cloth, serge, cheviot,
novelty and other similar fabrics are
all suitable, with braid or machine
stitching as finish. The model is
admirably adapted to early autumn
wear, and, in conjunction with we'll
cut skirt, will complete that most
practical and economical Of costumes,
tailor-made gown.
To make this basque for a woman
of medium size will require two and
one-half yards of forty-four-inch ma
terial.
Russian Blouse For Ladies' and Misses.
The stylish basque exhibited in the
large illustration, and described by
Mary Manton, is made of silk and
wool novelty in the new shade of tan
known as beige. The trimming is
black ribbon velvet that is applied to
the edge Of the right-front in single
bsnd that holds to position straps Of
the same width velvet having mitred
points. The sleeves are decorated at
the wrists with a band of velvet and
deep frill of lace, and fancy belt en-
circles the waist. The hat accompany
ing is brown straw Of sailor shape, the
severity of which is somewhat re-
lieved by q yelling Of spotted chiffon.
The blouse bodice is arranged over
a glove fitting lining that reaches to
the waist line and closes in the centre
front. The fronts Of the material are
smooth fitting across the shoulders
and bust, with the fullness ct the
waist arranged in gathers and droop-
ing over the narrow belt in slight
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-09-22

tion. The adjustment is accomplished
by single bust-darts, under-arm and
side-back cores and curving centre
back seam, all Of which are carried be-
yond the waistline in pointed outline,
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-09-22

During the year 1896 dead dogs to
the number Of 10000 were taken out
Of Chicago.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-09-22

Florida. OF all the States, has the
most water within i>s boundaries, 4440
square miles.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-09-22

are finished with frills Of embroidery
headed by bands Of insertion.
To make this apron for q child OF
eight years will require three yards Of
thirty inch material.
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1897-12-25
sngar-irowers Object to Annexation.

AMEs, NEB., Dec. 18.--The American
Sugar-Growers' society has prepared q
petition to Congress asking that body
not to be hasty In taking action on the
question of annexation OF Hawaii. Il has
issued q manifesto In which II proclaims
TO the country that the annexation will
seriously cripple, IL not utterly ruin
the rapidly increasing industry Of sugar
beet growing.
The manifesto declares that the
American farmers cannot grow beets
In competition with Hawaiian planters,
who use collie labor at % month. The
manifesto demands that the islands be
not annexed. With collie competition
out, the American farmer can harvest
sl00, 100000 worth Of sugar heretofore
imported. The petition Is signed by
president, vice-president, secretary and
treasurer of the Americana as
ISOLATION.
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1897-12-25

The Astrologers of the country have
been busy during the month making
prophesies for the year 1898.
One OF them says Queen Victoria will
suddenly pass away during the year,
and she is the last Queen England will
have.
Another says the year will be FORUM
ate for Cuba and unfortunate for Spain.
In reference to this country, one says
the spring will be hard on wage earners
but the year, on the whole, will be pros
porous. Another one goes beyond 1893
and predicts the death OF President and
Mrs. Mckinley before 1900 and the
election Of VIM. J. Bryan rs the next
President of the United States.
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1897-12-25
Boys May Fare Better.

CHICAGO, Dec. 20.Mrs. George M.
Pullman has decided to accept her
dover interest In the estate Of her hus-
band, instead Of abiding by the terms
Of the will. According to the will she
was given $4,000 In cash, the home
stead in Chicago, and the income from
81, 250, 600, during her lifetime, the sum
10 revert to the estate after her death.
Her acceptance Of the will would have
made it practically impossible for her
TO leave anything TO the two sons, who
we're practically disinherited by their
father. Her third interest Of the
dover gives her one-third interest in
the property held by Pullman.
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1897-12-25

payment life contract with a yearly
premium Of $4,000 ~ the end Of twenty
years the payments cease, and The prin.
cipal becomes due ut bis death.
Delegate Callahan will make an 81.
fort TO convince Congress that Oh lahoma
Is deserving OF Statehood. With a
population Of about 30o, 600 and natural
resources capable Of sustaining fuliy
5000, 600 Of people, he says. the destiny
OF the youngest territory In the Union
naturally includes adoption on an equal
footing with the older commonwealth,
Miss Herbert, daughter Of ex.sccre.
tsry Of the Navy, committed suicide a,
her home In Washington, d. G., Tues.
day morning, by jumping headtoremosl
from a third.story window Of her home
During the night she severed the ar.
terry Of her wrist with scissors, which
would have proven fatal, but being sos
slow, she fastened the decd by Jump
Ing from the high window. Miss Her
bert was quite society lady. She pre-
sided over her fathers home, while h.
was o member Of Mr.. CleYeland's cabi
net. She was thrown from her hors.
last spring while riding horseback ans
suffered from melancholia ever after
wards. Her remains we're taken /.
her Alabama home for burial.
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1897-12-25
John W. Daniel to the Senate.

Senator John w. Daniel, Of Virginia,
has been reelected TO the United States
Senate by unanimous vote Of the legsi-
lature.
The Republicans and the Populists
joined with the Democrats In making
his election unanimous. But that il
not surprising; the campaign for the
legislative ticket last fall was made on
this issue: Free coinage Of silver al
IS to and the return OF Daniel to the
Senate" The vote shows two things
The popularity of the free silver cause
Virginia and that Daniel Is the mos
popular man In the state with every
body and with all parties.
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1897-12-25
Miscellaneous Paragraphs.

Missouri farmers are staying thous-
ands OF rabbits for the poor at st. Louis
on Christmas.
The date OF the, National Encamp.
ment Grand Army Of the Republic, has
been fixed from September 9Th 10 10th,
and Is TO convene at Cincinnati.
Steps are being taken to hold q Rrea,
military carnival In Atlanta on July 22d
and 23d OF next year, when the Confed.
crate reunion takes place in that city.
The Senate committee on census has
appointed Senator Carter to report fay.
orably the bill introduced at the Ina,
session of Congress to provide for th,
twelfth census.
Secretary Gage has decided practi
cally 10 abolish the New Orleans min,
after January LIST reducing It TO III,
grade OF an assay Office and cutting ex
penses from 100000 to $4,000.
The Atlanta tGa.) Constitution say,
Hon. Thomas y. Watson, leader Of III,
Populist party will under no circum
stance carry the Populist flag in In,
race for governor next year.
An insurance policy for 81 ,ooo, 90,
has just been issued on the life Of Geo
W. Vanderbilt by the Mutual Life la
surance Company. Mr.. vanderbilt'
policy Is what II known Us o twenty
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1897-12-25

you now, that il you do not bring your
friends into line and stop this oppose
ton to Senator Hanna on their part
and lend all your influence In every
way to his reelection, which we all
deem to be necessary to the party well
fare, when you come up for reelection
you will be signally defeated, and we
will see to it that you are"
For retort, Foraker said. hotly:
"Mr. Vice President, il / am alive
and candidate for reelection, / may
be defeated by one OF many reasons,
and perhaps by the efforts of yourself
and those for whom you seem to speak.
But II 1t has come to pass that q coun-
ell Of Republicans cannot be held, and
men who have always been In the
trenches be talked to, persuaded on
pleaded with without the use OF threats
OF coercion and political extinction,
will make a few threats myself.
aTf am to understand that You ani
other leaders of the party are to guar
antee and encompass my failure TO sue
coed myself In the Senate, viii Ii
turn guarantee that there win not be |
single Republican Congressman elected
in Ohio next fall, and that Presiden
Mckinley viii not receive the vote o
the Ohio delegation nor any considera
BILE part Of it In the next Republican
National Convention"
Il The Vice President saw that he hat
taken an entirely wrong tack, ans
sought to retrace his steps, but will
fll-success, as the sequel will show.