davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1897-11-13
A BICYCLE ROMANCE.

IT WAS wretched-looking old bike,
and for antiquity would have taken
first prize anywhere. My disappoint-
ment was intense, and tears of mortifi-
cation sprang to my eyes, but forced
them back as noticed the look of anx-
iety on the face of the Old man beside
me, who inquired, with some emotion:
"Have you got cold, Kathie? Your
eyes are wet" "Yes, Uncle Thomas"
replied, "and summer colds are SO hard
to get rid of; but never mind my cold;
thank you so much for buying me the
bicycle"
well, dearie," he replied, "it's not
quite a new one, but / thought it would
do for you to learn on" Oh, how did
wish he would go away and let me have
a good cry; but as he hung about had
to mount and take few turns round
the garden, much to his delight, and
he rubbed his hands, exclaimiDg:
well done, little grill You'll be there
before any of them, you betl" At last
he went indoors, and, hiding myself in
the summer house, wept.copiously.
What should do? Get my prayer book
and keep on repeating the collect for
rain? Stay in bed the next day and pre-
tend my cold was worse? No, neither
of these resources would do; and even
If it rained all night, which was not in
the least likely, would have to put
In an appearance on the morrow Well,
there was one spice of comfort left
the roads were inches deep with fine,
white dust. i would start early and get
q good covering of it over poor uncle's
gift, and then perhaps some of its many
deficiencies might be hid; and then, be-
ing naturally light-hearted, / dried my
tears and went in to prepare tea, that
being duty did not allow our little
maid to interfere with. Ny mother
and had lived alone for many years,
my father, who had died when was
three years old, being only memory to
me. He had been captain and owner of
merchantmen, but he had only been
able to leave a very moderate independ-
ency for my mother, so we two had al
ways lived very quietly. and it was quite
an event in our lives when letter came
from Frisco telling that my mothers
only relative was coming home after an
absence of 40 years. had never seen
my quiet mother so excited over any
thing. He was her mothers only BROTH
CT, and she had only very dim recol-
lection of his going away.
NJ am afraid, Kathie," she said. athat
uncle is only poor man; for, although
he has corresponded with me at long in
tervals, he has never mentioned his af-
fairs. Still, 1 am pleased to think he is
coming" Well, Uncle Thomas followed
closely on his letter; and, true, enough.
his affairs did not seem to have -four
ished, for his clothes were quite thread
bare and his luggage of the scantiest.
Like most girls of the present day, my
great ambition was to own a bicycle.
but, unfortunately, the buying of one
was quite out of the question, although
could ride well enough, my compan-
ion. Florrie Floyd. the doctors only
daughter, having let me learn on hers.
So, after once more discussing the
Qatter over with mother, had to re-
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1897-11-13
CANNIBALs' QUEER ACTS.
interesting Statistics in Regard I,
Eating Human Flesh.

Interesting Statistics in Regard to
Eating Human Flesh. !,
Manuscript recently discoveredin the
neighborhood of Cairo gives some inter-
esting information in regard to canni-
halism. For thousands of years the
fashion of eating human flesh prevailed
in Cairo and the adjoining country. The
object, however, was not to satisfy hun
ger, but rather to honor the dead. Only
the arms and legs were eaten, and for
all we know to the contrary the remain
ing portions of the bodies were treated
with becoming reverence.
Taking this established fact as
starting point, Flinders Petrie, the
eminent English archaeologist. recently
set himself to study the psychology of
anthropophagy, and he was soon in pos
session of several other equally remark
able facts. For example, he learned
that of every 100 persons who eat hui
MAN flesh 20 do SO with the object OF
honoring the dead as well as of securing
their good will, and thus obtaining for
themselves perfect happiness in the
next world. Such is the custom of the
Thibetans, as well as of the Australian
and South American aborigines. The
Thibetans were especially wont to hold
most impressive religious ceremonies
while the cannibalistic feasts were go
ing on.
The Samoides do not hesitate to eat
their parents, and in defense of their
conduct they maintain that the dead
will thus live more happily and alto
gether more comfortably in the future
life. In ancient times certain tribes
invariably ate their deceased friends
and relatives, as they considered that
it would be monstrous thing to hand
them over to the tender mercies of the
worms. All cannibals, however, are not
actuated by such unselfish motives. Ac-
cording to writer in the Journal dea
Debats, many cannibals eat human flesh
with the object of obtaining direct BEN
efits thereby. Thus we are told thar
10 per cent. of them eat the most stall
wart warriors who fall in battle, with
the hope of increasing their own cour-
age, and that they also eat dead chill
dren, with the object of thus recovering
their lost youth. Again, ten per cent.
eat their nearest relatives through re-.
ligious motives, since they hope thus to
escape the wrath of the gods. Moreover,
five per cent. eat human flesh because
they hope in this manner to punish
those whom they are eating.
There is room for much further in-
vestigation in this direction, and those
who know Mr.. Petrie are confident that
he will in the near future discover many
more equally interesting facts regard
ing cannibalism.-N. Y. Herald.
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1897-11-13

"The Bible says it is not good fol
man to be alone" said the wife Of a
man who has a poor opinion Of women.
"Ya'as," yawned her husband. there
are times when man needs the help
of true and loving wife; when, for
instance, he has to look around for
some one to settle his property upon, IN
order to put it out of the reach of his
creditors. "-Tammany Times.
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1897-11-13
THE SECRET OF THE WOOD.
LOUISIANA

The barGs of old sang Already,
Where nimble dryads tripped the glen;
Al. would our hearts could wiser be.
Yet neep the olden JOY Of men!
For me the woods still weave spell
Within their aisles Of fragrant green.
And fancies come no doubt can Quell.
And whisper oft Of forms unseen.
Or nymphs, or elves, not mine to name
The beings strange feel so near;
A CULVER steals along my frame.
An ecrie thrill too faint for fear.
All, what was that? Aieafiet? No!
That glided through the dappled air.
felt 1t come, I felt 1t go;
It touched my cheek and stroked my hair.
IFS fed; and now murmur swells
Companioned by a scent so sweet.
! or rites mysterious II tells,
And viewless censors frail and fleet
strive to catch the whispered prayer
That. floats along the forest nook
Before 1t fades in cadence rare
Blent with the tinkle Of the brook.
Still deeper down the verdant way
A quaking leaf. not zephyr-fanned.
Lures on my feet; / must obey
The reckoning Of an unseen hand.
Such slender film two worlds divides.
No longer far that finer air
Within whose depths secret hides
Illimitably great and fair.
secret tits to soothe and bless
The aching thirst Of restless hearts
Who only feel LIES bitterness,
Unanswered longings. poisoned smarts
A secret It's ne chemists fire,
No philosophic search can wrest;
Twill only gladden. his desire
Who kneels and lists at Natures breast.
Though much be known, still more re-
mains:
We cannot tell what yet may be.
We dull our senses with fruitless gains;
With clouded eyes how can we see?
The Heaven we deem so faint and far,
Past planet mild or Milky Way,
Who knows 1t lies In some fair star,
And not around our path to-day?
Perhaps not in the sullied mart,
Where priests of fraud and Mammon
meet,
But in some purer place apart,
Where blossoms blow and light winds
greet:
Where hills and wales in verdure new
Stretch meath sky of perfect peace.
Or mid the isles of ocean blue,
Whose tuneful murmurs never cease.
1t may be SO: and when we go
Far from the crush of moiling men,
Where green boughs wave and brooklets
flow.
There may be forms around us then
BY us unseen, whose bosoms yearn
To minister and soothe our pain;
And that is why refreshed we turn
To lift the daily cross again.
Mid woods and fields how sweet II were,
At dewy morn and twilight bland,
To feel In summer winds astir
Caresses of some vanished hand;
To know the haunting fragrance mild
Was not the 6OWerets Gift alone
But came from lips that loved and smiled.
And love us still though silent grown.
Samuel Minturn Peck, in N. Y. Independ-
emit.
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1897-11-13

ing letter Is =
pretty strong
confrmationof
our claims
II had boen
sick for Ok
- months;
~ one doctor
N told me I
II would have
n to go to q
y - hospital
\ before /
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-19

in-law of the State Temperance union,
II these gentlemen would go down in
a body and ask Judge Hazen to pass
sentence upon Wil6erson, / think 1t
would be more productive of good eff
fects than if they pass some resolu-
lions. I know not why these gentle
men have been so careful and soconsid-
crate of Mr. Wilkerson. will leave
them to tell the public why, but per-
haps one reason is that the Wilker-
sons belong to the corporation crowd
politically and have rendered much
service to the corporations whose agents
contribute largely to the salaries of
some of the reverend gentlemen who
constitute this executive committee.
During the time [ have been gov
ernor of the state, no man convicted
of a crime has had his sentence abol-
ished or a conditional pardon granted
him. This administration isn't deal
ing in any chicanery of that kind.
Every man in the state convicted of a
crime and sentenced by a court has had
to go behind the bars, and there may
be a lurking fear in the hearts of these
gentlemen that when the court SEN
fences Mr. Wilkerson he will have to
take his place along with other law
breakers of the state.
Il think, further, that the moral ef-
feet of the resolutions passed by the
State Temperance union and by citi-
zens in mass meetings would be much
greater if they took some action in re-
gard to the enforcement of other laws
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-19
HINDOOs MAY STARVE
If They Depend on Getting Supplies
From This Country.

Washington, May 19.-The navy de-
partment has had so much trouble in
securing ships to carry the cOntribu-
lions of grain from this country to In
dia that it now has under cOnsidera-
ton the propriety of appealing to con-
gresS to amend the resolution under
which it was proceeding. That resolu-
ton requires the grain TO be carried in
an American vessel.
It happens that there are very few
American steamers outside of the regu-
lar lines, and the department is unable
to comply with the terms of the act
unless it turns to a sailing ship. Such
a ship could not reach Bombay in much
less than three and a half months, by
which time the famine sufferers for
whom the relief is intended, might be
expected to be either starved to death
or in possession of new crops Of rice
Therefore, unless an American can be
procured at New York within the next
few days, it is probable that congress
will be asked to remove the injunction
and allow the department to charter a
steamer of another nationality which
may be allowed to carry the American
flag for the occasion.
a steamer is wanted also at San
Francisco for a. like purpose, but it is
said that the need is not so pressing in
that case, for if the cargo is started by
the first of next month it viii serve.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-19

she remained there to study music and
French instead. She returns to Topeka
this spring.
Mr.. A. w. Tanner returned from st.
Louis yesterday.
The Eclat,' one of the recently or
ganized dancing clubs, will give a dance
at Hudson'S hall May rs.
Miss Alice Prescott will give bicycle
party this evening in honor of Miss Ri
der of Kansas City.
There will be q subscription dance at
VinewOOd tomorrow evening. Mr.. Jack
Newman and Mr.. Fred Gordon have
charge of it.
Miss Amy Kearney will entertain the
Indiana polls club this evening.
Mr. and Mrs. J. w. Bailey and son
Charles are spending a few days at Ex-
celsior Springs. No
The Topeka e. S. A. will meet at the
Commercial club rooms on Thursday,
o. m The members are earnestly re-
Quested to be present, to consider the
report of the committee upon joining
the Federation of Clubs.
Miss Lulu Thompson has returned
from a few days visit in Kansas City.
Mrs. w. S. Johnson left this after
noon for st. Paul, MINI, where she will
spend the summer with her daughter,
Miss Blanche Johnson, who will play
during the summer season with the Gift
fon Neil Stock company at the Metro
politan theater in that city.
Mr.. c. S. Eagle, Mr.. D. P. Elliott, Mr..
Albert Parker, Mr.. w. E. Edwards, and
Mr.. George LeiS of Lawrence left yes
terday for Cripple Creek to look after
their mining interests. From there they
will go to Colorado Springs where they
will be joined by Mr.. o. P. Updegram
and the whole party will then go to
Twin Lakes on fishing excursion. They
will be gone about two weeks.
The West Side Reading circle will
meet with Mrs. J. w. Bailey, Thursday
afternoon at her home, 61f West Sixth.
Mr. J. w White viii give stag party
this evening.
apolis are visiting Mr.. and Mrs. D. J.
Greenwald and Mr.. and Mrs. Snattin-
ger.
is visiting her sister. Mrs. W. J. Black
and Miss Nellie PETER
Mrs. c. A. Fellows returned from
The west Side Reading circle will
give a picnic the first of June.
Mrs. Susie Moore of Lawrence is Wis
iting Mrs. Margaret Witt.
Miss Aida Coughlan will give her de-
gree recital at Bethany one week from
tonight.
Sunday from New York to visit Mr.. W.
o. Tayman.
Mrs. Avrey Turner will return satur-
day from Hutchinson where she has
been attending the jubilee.
Mrs. StOnehin of Chicago is visiting
Mrs. A. Newman.
Miss Irene Mcneil will entertain a
few of her friends tomorrow evening.
Miss Nellie PETER will go to Leaven-
worth Friday to attend the cotillon.
She will be the guest of the Misses
AtchisOn.
Rev. Frances E. Brandt who was the
guest of Mr.. and Mrs. L. A. Fisher for
the past week left today for her home
in Walnut Grove, Kan.
Mrs. W. H. Reed has returned from a
two weeks trip with her husband
through Texas and Oklahoma
Mrs. George Wheat will entertain this
afternoon for Miss Jessie Jenner of St.
Marys.
Mrs. Will Whitton will leave in two
weeks for a visit with her parents, Dr..
and Mrs. Anderson, in Portsmouth, O.
Miss Madge johnson will attend the
cotillon in Leavenworth the last of the
week.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-19

such noble declarations against this
traInc during the campaigns preceding
con.Venqons of the Republican party or
Whlcn nave knowledge. That is the
great DIFFICULTY. Political parties fear to
confront the question. These reviva1s
always come in off years. When con-
Xenuons come Republicans and Popu-
nstS alike are frightened out of their
wits and want nothing said in plat
forms. Turning to Major Hudson and
MI. Iroutman. Mrs. DiggS challenged
her political adVerSarieS in no uncertain
tones, saying:
I Will join with either or all of you in
nItll lng meeting of this kind in this
city, or any other, the night before the
next state convention of the Republi-
cans or PopuIsts a success. The whisky
peopIe nave no cause for which they
can speak out in all Israel. Through
thef y. M. BIS and other secret ways
they sneak around. They have no
cause which decent men and women
can support But, we ask you tonight,
men and women of Kansas, regardless
OF party TO rise in your might and
crush out this curse"
Blshop John H. Vincent of the Meth
odlst church followed Mrs. Diggs TAX
ing occasion to criticise her statement
that II the women had the ballot no in
temperance would exist. He said: I'VE
90 not want the women to have the bal
lot IL would be like it is in Wyoming
Whefe the women vote and beer flows
freely. What we need, what we must
nave IS the removal of this power from
the control of weak, selfish and corrupt
men, When in New York I saw that
an open saloon has been found in To-
peka- L said to one of my trends: I'm
less L mistake the sentiment OF our
people public sentiment will not submit
TO the existence of that ubiquitous
place in Topeka Public sentiment is
now aroused and suspect that these
oIHcerS Will be compelled to enforce the
law or Vacate their positions. This re-
ViVaI must continue. We must not per-
init these selfish. seIf-seeking corrupt
and 1mpOtent men to destroy and dis
grace the state by neglect of duty
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-19
SUGAR GOES DOWN.
In Spite of German Laws Price Can't
be Kent Up.

Washington, May 19-Again the beet
sugar industry in Europe is facing a
crisis in spite of the various ingenious
and complex legislative remedies that
have been applied. From several of
the United States consular officers
Mann at Frankfort, Muth at Madge-
burg and Morris at Ghent-reports
have come to the state department de-
scriptive of the evil conditions that ex-
list in the sugar industry. Consul Muth
says that the last sugar law, of May
Is, 1896, has been disappointing in its
effects. Prices have declined even in
the face of a largely increased demand
from the United States. Consul Mann
says the law has actually increased the
beet sugar acreage. which was already
at it's extreme point of safe expansion.
Consul Morris transmits a copy of a
most urgent and desperate plea for
help of the Belgian sugar makers, and
each and all say the prospect is full of
gloom.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-19
Parsonal and Social

Miss Alice Prescott will entertain the
Pansy club Friday afternoon in honor
of Miss Maud Stacey.
Mrs. A. L. Redden left last week for
a trip through the south and east She
will be gone a month or six weeks.
Mr. Walter Noble went to Kansas
City on business yesterday.
All members and friends of the Raj
ston club are requested to be present
at the Y. NJ. c. A. parlors on Wednes-
day eve, May 10, at 8 o'clock. to mot
Miss Opal LIE Baron Mccartney, B. E.,
of Washington, D. CA. K. Rodgers,
president.
The washington Capital of last Sun
day printed a picture of Miss Clemma
Linn of Topeka in connection with a
fattering sketch. Miss Linn went to
washington two years ago to study for
the stage, but her health failed her and
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-19
a Picnic.

The German classes Of the high school
gave a picnic at Potwin yesterday af-
ternoon. Those present were Misses
Grace Mcclure, Mary McGifffn, Pearl
Burdge, Elizabeth Gregory, MOllie Ma
gill, Maud Van Houten, Ruth Trap,
Edith Niles, Ada Pulley, katherine
Graves, Maud Scheever, Mabel Cham
bers, Anna, Walgren, Mamie Smith, Sa-
die Downing, Nell Chambers, DoIlie
Tflford, Elma Irelan, Lee Redden. Lulu
Mckee; Messrs. Carl Sawin, Harold
Perkins, Aaron Hadley, Ray Wardall,
Max Wardall, Frank Smith, Paul Sweet,
Herbert Robinson, Terence Montgom-
cry. Mrs. DOran and Mrs. Scheever
were the chaperOnS
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-19
OSCAR WILDE FREE.
Was Let Out of Prison Today and
Goes to Paris.

London, May 19.-Oscar Wilde, who
was sentenced on May Is. 1895, with
Taylor, a companion, to two years i'm
been convicted OF immoral practices,
was released from prison this morning.
Wilde, who seemed to be enjoying ro-
bust health, goes to Paris Immediately.
He intends, however, to return to this
city to engage in literary work. He says
he does not intend to hide his identity
but will write over his own signature.
The Pail Mall Gazette this afternoon
says one of the first acts of Oscar
Wilde on regaining his freedom. was to
refuse $1,000 for a story of his prison
experiences.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-19
Abo1itionist Dies

Westchester, Pa, May 10. Williams
Thorn. who was conspicuous in the
ranks of the abolitionists, died at his
home in Sunbury yesterday, aged 81
years. He was a prominent agent in
the work of helping runaway slaves to
freedom by underground railroads.
Some years ago Thorn's land interests
led him to locate in North Carolina,
where, shortly after, he became q mem
Der of the legislature. During his mem
bership of that body he was most Wig
orously and persistently attacked by
southern members.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-19
A Luncheon.

Mrs. G. o. Wilmarth entertained a
number of her friends at luncheon yes
terday in honor of Mrs. Kinda. Chesney
The rooms were prettily decorated in
cut flowers of all descriptions. In the
dancing room yellow roses were the
prevailing flower. On the table was a
centerpiece of them, and one long stem
med rose was laid at each place. Those
present were Mrs. John Sargent. Mrs.
c. M. Atwood, Mrs. A. NJ. Callahan
Mrs. Wellman, Mrs. Poindexter, Mrs.
ChesneY and Mrs. W. T. Branstrup.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-19
stedman Club

At the meeting of the Stedman club
Monday night Mr.. w. H. Bradbury
concluded his "Reminiscences of an
English School Boy Mrs. W. H. RO-
by presented an original poem entitled
Spring" the secretary, Mrs. Downing,
read a poem, Destiny contributed by
Miss Laura N. Case of Girard, and
there were reviews by Mrs. Hargreaves,
DR.. Mary E. Stewart and Mr.. Downing.
A number of visitors were present.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-19
IN THE SOCIETY WORLD.
General Notes of Society and
Personal Items.
Recent Social Events in Topeka
and Vicinity.
Items of Interest About Topeka Peo-
pie and Visitors in Town.

The Spalding Reading circle gave a
novel entertainment at Leib's hall last
evening. The hall was arranged to rep
resent a train of cars and the audience
composed the passengers. Several
young ladies took the part of the train
men and cOlOred musicians with their
instruments initiated the whistle and
motion of the cars.
The train was supposed to be making
a trip to Sing Sing and when their deS-
tination was reached a musical pro-
gramme was given. Miss Irene Homer
took the part of conductor. The por-
tiers were Miss Blanche Joerger, Miss
Minnie Wingert and Miss Doyle.
Miss Isabel Boyle sold gum and can
dy and Miss Lorine Kinney was the
book agent.
There was a large and appreciative
audience and the affair was voted a
success by all present The following
programme was given:
l. ITO = MISSES w yalI
2. Piano Solo ..............M Miss O'Brian
8. Song .............. Miss Lucia Wyatt
4. Coronet Solo .......-.M Mr.. Swearingen
3. Song -.-..---.-.....-- Miss HOrner
Violin ObHgatO Mrs Frank Foster
g. Song ..-...------.-:.- MRS Reeske
Z. Concert Solo ........IIr Swearingen
8. Song ...........- Miss Madge johnson
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-19
Railroad Disaster

Cologne, May ia train conveying
a detachment of reserves from West
phalia to Metz, ran off the rails today
between HillSoheim and GrOshein.
Nine men are known to have been kill
ed and 50 injured The accident was
caused by the train breaking in two,
the rear portion subsequently overtak-
ing and crashing into the front part.