davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The herald., 1897-01-24
AN ACROBATS LIFE.
The Ups and Downs of Ara, Zebra
and Vora.

No one can be better qualified to speak
of the ups and downs of an acrobats
life than Harry Balcombe. or Ara"
of the Ara, Zebra and vora trio, the
famous English performers who appear
at the Orpheum this week. There is
hardly a branch of the profession at
which Ara has not had Il turn. When
a delicate lad of years he was appren-
ticed TO the famous Jackley troupe,
and he was put through the mill so thor
oughly that at this time life was not
all Colour de rose. There We're scarcely
any English music halls in those days,
and travelling troupes had to depend
upon finding concert hall at places
where they halted at or perform in the
open air; but, although the lad encoun-
tered many, he has never regretted
being brought up in so thorough, if so
hard, a school.
The peculiar professional names of
the trio are due to a whimsical notion.
They have selected the first and last let
ters of the alphabet, so as to run no
risk OF clashing with other performers.
They have won golden laurels in all
the principal cities of Europe, there be-
ing a peculiar quality of refinement
about their work lacking in that of
many other clever performers. Vora
is the youngest sister of the celebrated
Mosers, and is known in private life
as Mrs Harry Balcombe, and, like her
husband, has been all her life in the
business, for on her fifth birthday she
began Performing with her brothers
and sisters. The feats of the trio main
~ consist Of balancing tricks, among
these being one which Ara originated
Exceedingly difficult it looks, Ara bal
ancing himself upon his hands upon Il
small pedestal and supporting on hts
neck Zebra who in turn supports Vora
on his shoulders. To make the act
more effective, Zebra is attred as a
woman.
Ara SAYS that tumbling is the father
of all young acrobats. Eeverythi
must be attempted very gradually and
every feat however simple, done over
and over again until it becomes second
nature. II the learner is content with
just being able to manage a trick, he
will never shine in combined work where
quickness of movement and style are
essential to success. Ara considers 1t
possible for a young fellow of 16 or II
to become fairly proficient in one branch,
but ii boy wants to become an all
round performer he should start at no
later than 10 years old. One reason why
Europe produces superior acrObats Is
because the legal restrictions as to age
are not so stringent as in this country.
In twenty-one years of public ex-
hibitions Ara has had but two serious
falls, and suffered nothing worse than
broken arm. His pluck and acrobatic
skill We're once put to a very noble use
When he was a slip of a lad with the
Jackleys, performing in a small Eng
lish village, a fire broke out opposite
the hall just as the acrobats came on
the stage. The audience rushed pell-
nell to the street. followed by the per-
formers in their stage attire. Just then
woman ran down the stairs, pursued
by flames, shrieking that her baby was
In its cradle on the second floor 1t
was but the work of moment for three
OF the acrobats to climb upon one an
The herald., 1897-01-24
Lest the Indian Plague Secure
FOOthOld
NUMBER OF SUDDEN DEATHS
Give Rise to RumOrs That the Plague
Has Come
The Government Fully Alive to the
Situation and All Precautions
Are Taken.
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
MASEILLES, France. Jan. 23. Copy
right, 1S97)-The greatest feeling of
alarm prevails here among the masses
of the population on account of a num-
Der of sudden deaths which have oc-
Cured in one street. Some ten days ago
a report was circulated here that case
of bubonic plague had been discovered.
This was promptly denied and precau
tions taken to guard against the intro
duction of the plague were redoubled, es-
pecially in the vicinity of the old and
new ports, where the maritime popula-
ton congregates. In those neighbor-
hoods seamen and other from all parts
of the world are TO be found in great
numbers. and In the vicinity of the old
port especially the streets are narrow in
the extreme, lined with old, over -popu-
lated houses, and in every way un-
healy. the cobhlestone rosdways, as a
rule. having cutters, through which vile
drainage flows. Since the alarm steps
have been taken to clean the streets as
much as possible. and domiciiary visits
have been made by the health officers in
the most dangerous quarters.
Under the circumstances, it Is not ex-
traordinary that the authorities were
greatly alarmed when the report was
first spread that case of bubonic
plague had been discovered, but it was
not until today that the general public
became frightened. 1t was announced
that nine sudden deaths had occurred in
one street within few days, and of
course. the plague was proclaimed,
rightly or wrongly, in every case. The
health officers declare that all nine cases
were deaths from infectious pneumo-
nia,' but the public is very far from be-
ing satisfied. Dispatches received here
from Paris show that the government
is fully alive to the danger OF the situa-
ton. DEGREES have been issued forbid
ding pilgrims from leaving Algeria Tu-
mis- and Senegambia this year for Mecca.
and merchandise from India must, under
severe penalty. be imported through five
designated ports, of which this is one
At these ports OF entry Indian merchan-
disc VIII be allowed to land only after
having been most thoroughly fumigated
and otherwise disinfected Quantities
OF anti-plague serum and being sent here
and to other ports, and all ships from
the east Will be carefully examined and
quarantlned il necessary.
ITALIAN TIMIDITY.
LONDON, Jan. ga special from,
milan says that upon the arrival from
Brindisi of a railway train one of the
second-class carriages was sealed by
the Italian government An English
man from Bombay, who was in the car
rage, was refused a permit to cross the
frontier. The carriage was finally shunt-
ed to siding, where 1t remains pending
government instructions
The herald., 1897-01-24
A GHOST VISITS A SCIENTIST
Great Naturalist Who Declared He
Had Seen Spirits

Frank Buckland. the we'll known En-
giish naturalist was the last man in the
world whom one would expect to be su-
perstitious, but in remarkable letter Of
mis-, addressed to a friend in Selhurst,
Surrey, he solemnly declares that he
once saw ghost at Westminster Abbey.
says the New oYrk Press. Buckland' s
father was dean of the abbey and his son
liVed with him in the ancient house at
tached to the church, occupied by the
deans for hundreds of years.
One night, so Buckland declared, he
had returned home rather late after an
evening at the theater. He opened the
window and sat at it smoking a last
cigar before retiring. A curious legend
was attached to door almost directly
opposite the window. 1t was to the
effect that the door was covered with
human skins, and certainly dark frag-
ments of leather still hanging to it help,
by their appearance, to support this as
sertion. Buckland was sitting smoking
and watching the quiet cloisters, Hooded
with bright moonlight.
Suddenly he saw the dark figure of a
man come out of the door and walk
down the cloisters. Buckland knew that
no one should be around the abbey at
that hour, and, supposing it was some
interloper, ran down stairs and searched
the cloisters for the intruder.
To his surprise he could find no one
and. on trying the door, found it secure
ly bolted, having not been opened evil
IDENTIFY for years. Much mystified he re-
turned to his room and continued to
watch. In little while he saw the
same figure, which appeared to be dress
ed like monk, return along the closter
and enter the abbey by the same door.
Thoroughly alarmed, Buckland ran down
again and found the door in exactly the
same condition and still bolted on the
outside.
In the morning he inquired of some of
the old attendants around the abbey
and found that more than one of them
had seen or heard others speak of the
apparition. Some time afterward he
found among some ancient archives of
the abbey an account of the beheading
of one of the monks for terrible crime
and it was added that he was fayed and
his skin used to cover one of the doors
leading to the cloisters. Buckland af-
terward said he firmly believed that it
was the ghost of the monk which had
been seen,
The herald., 1897-01-24
WANTED EPIGRAMS
His Cook Couldn't Make Them, So He
Was Discharged

The story is told says the Youths
Companion, that certain speculator, ex-
ceedingly unlearned, took fancy to the
entertainment of literary people when
he made his fortune and set up a house;
and of course he wished to have and do
all the fine things that other rich men
had and did. After dinner one day one
of his literary" guests CHANGED to re-
mark:
Il dined at X, the poets, the other
night, and he gave us capital epigram
at dessert"
The speculator was Inundated He
mad no epigrams! After his guests were
gone he called his cook.
Didn't l give you carty blanchy for
this dinner?' he demanded.
Yes, sir you did, SIR" said the cook.
And didn't 1 tell you to have every
thing that anybody had?"
Yes, sir; you did, SIR"
Yes! Well. now. 1t seems that at X. 3
they have epigrams for dessert, and
good ones. too, and folks miss 'em when
they come here. Now 1 want to know
if you don't know how to cook epi-
grams?"
The unfortunate cook was compelled
to acknowledge that he could not cook
epigrams, and was discharged on the
spot.
The herald., 1897-01-24
RODRIGUEZ'S LETTER
Seems Likely to Produce Some Very
Important Results

| WASHINGTON, Jan. 23.-Senators
generally realize that the communica-
tion of Minister Rodriguez in regard to
the Nicaraguan canal franchises, which
was sent to the senate yesterday. is
liable to have immediate effect not only
upon the canal but also upon other
pending and probable legislation, in
Guiding the general Anglo-American ar
bitration treaty. Senators generally eX-
pressed the opinion that the first conse-
quence will be to send the bill back to
the committee on foreign relations. 1t
is matter of conjecture how long the
bill will remain in the committee If re-
committed, and in that event it is not
considered probable that it could be
reported in time to be considered during
the present session. Quite as important
as the effect upon the Nicaragua bill
itself, is the influence which the COM
munication is likely to have upon the
arbitration treaty. Many senators be-
lieve that the new position assumed by
the Central American powers is the re-
suit of British influence and the effect
is to cause those who hold this belief to
stand aloof from any alliance with Eng
land
Members of the committee on foreign
relations freely express the opinion in
private conversation that the effect of
the communication will be entirely
against the treaty. The committee on
foreign relations will hold special
meeting Monday to take up the treaty.
Late today the frineds of the Nicara-
qua canal bill were considering the ad-
visibility of amending the measure so
as to meet the objections made in Mr..
Rodriguez's letter and it now seems
probable this course will be adopted
The contemplated amendments would
provide among other things, for secur-
Ing to Nicaragua the contract percent
age of stock and for the proper represen-
tation of that country upon the board
OF directors. They think that with the
bill amended in these respects they can
prevent its commitment when a motion
for that purpose is made, as is very
likely to be early next week. 1t is be-
lieved this motion will be made by Sena-
for Villas
The herald., 1897-01-24
ADVICES FROM THE ORIENT
A Fatal Panic in q Kwang Fou Temple
Theater
Hundreds of People and Scores of Actors
Killed-The Hakodate Companys
Steamship Is Wrecked.

SAN FRANCISCO. Jan. 23.-The
steamer Gaelic from Hong Kong via
Yokohama today brings the following
advices:
Advices from Fouchow received at
Hong Kong on January report terri
BILE catastrophe in a temple at Kwang
Fou on December s. A theatrical per-
formarce was held for the first time in
the place and was attended by a large
crowd of natives and a few Europeans.
One of the temple lamps was overturned.
firing the building. The panic stricken
crowd tried to force way through two
small doors. In the crush 900 persons
were tramrled to death. The victims
were principally women and children
Of the forty actors, only four escaped
alive, and two Of the survivors are in
the native hospital suffering from in
ternal injuries from which they may die
contiagration, attended by disas-
trous loss of life, occurred at Yoshino.
Tsukui district, Kanagwa prefecture,
on the night of the 29th of December
The rlames burst out at the end of the
village, which was place of 10 houses,
and, famed by a strong wind, de-
vastated nearly the whole village. The
place is facing the Sagami river, and
high cliffs rise behind, and some thir-
teen people, unable to effect their escape,
were burned to death and nine seriously
injured.
The Hakodate Steamship companys
steamship HokkaiG0- Maru which left
Hakodate for the Kuriies in November
and had not since been heard of, was
wrecked in the neighborhood of Etrupp
The passengers and crew, numbering
go, were rescued by the Hokuyu- maru,
which was sent out to search for the
missing vessel, and brough to Hakodate
on the Sd instant.
The herald., 1897-01-24
PRETTY ILLUMINATED TREES

On Monday evening. at Huron, S. D.,
during the worst of the great wind
and snowstorm, the air was heavily laden
with electricity. The cottonwood trees
in front of the Chicago and Northwest
ern offices presented very strange and
novel appearance. The trees were bur-
led in snow almost to their tops, but at
sight was an electrical spark about as
large as a common field pea. On taking
hold of a twig the spark extinguished,
but on Withdrawing the hand the spark
reappeared.
Dispatcher Wilson, who wore glove
with a hole in the thumb, took hold of a
twig, and the spark transferred itself
The herald., 1897-01-24
ON THE WHEEL.
Results of Bicycle Races at the
VelOdrome.

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 23-The BIZ
cycle races al the velodrome today were
not very well attended, but the sport
was of the same high order that has
characterized the bicycle meetings on
this track, which is without exception
the best small track in the country.
Dave Shafer, who has managed some
of the best racing men that this country
has produced and who knows mere
about the game than any man in the
United States. said to an Associated
Press representative after the races thai
he had never seen better bicycl racing
than witnessed this afternoon. Mr..
Shafer is out here to form a racing
team for Morgan & Wright of Chica go,
and Is getting his men together from
his observations.
The stars in the amateur races today
were Kenna, Moot and Gooch. The first
two rode a dead heat for first place in
the one-third mile, riding the distance
sin the fast time of 43 seconds. Gooch
avon the half-mile handicap from the
t25-yard mark, defeating kenna in a
terrific sprint for the tape. Allan Jones
proved to be the winner of the one third
amile race for professionals, defeating
Hardy Downing and Harry Terrill. who
rode second and third. respectively.
The two-thirds of a mile handfcap
Tor professionals was an exceedingly
wen contested event and was won by
Fireman, who beat Wells by half
wheel Terrill finished third.
There were three exhibition rides.
Fred Loughead, who recently arrived
from Canada, rode a third mile
paced by triplet in the remarkably
fast time OF "a second. This was the
Canadians first ride in four weeks.
Otto Zeigler, jr., the San Jose crack.
rode half-mile, paced by the same
machine, in SO 1-5. which is within a few
seconds OF the worlds record. Percy
Mott rode half mile in 54 seconds.
paced by an amateur triplet team.
The Velodrome shield race was won
by Dan Whitman in 2.1S 1-5. defeating
Dow of Seattle.
Summary:
One-third mile, Observation-Disclosures
won, Downing second, II. Terriu third.
time, :46 As. -
One-third mile, amateur-Kenna and
Mott tied for first Alborelle third: time
:43 ''''N 'iiiie'
Half a mile handicap, amateur-Coocb
70 yards) Won kenna (scratch) second
Miller $3.50 third; time, LOS.
TWo-thirds mile handicap. profession
al-FTeeman eco yards) won, Wells Xix
yards) second. Bob Terrill (scratc
third; time, 20
BIG CYCLE SHOW
CHICAGO, Jan. 23.-The first bio nv
Gle show of the season opened tnnigb+
at the Coliseum. A large crowd trr1ed
out to get first view Of the bicvcles
whfcfr will be ridden during 1897 4 fan,
OF the exhibits will not be con1nlete nm
til Monday night
The herald., 1897-01-24

otners shoulders or, technically
speaking. to make 'three men high
with young Ara as top-mounter. He
reacneq windowsill with his fingers.
urew himself UP, and clambered into
tne room. The smoke poured out In
clouds, ana there was cry of horror:
but Ara reappeared, carrying the baby
10 the sill and resuming with difficulty
MS position on the shoulders of the next
man, he lowered his precious burden
10 the arms of its mother. There was
great enthusiasm, and the troupe had
10 stop in the place several days longer
tnan was intended, for throngs came
hooking from all adjacent points to
baby
The herald., 1897-01-24
IN COMMITTEE
publishers Make Objection to the Pro
posed Postal Reforms

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23.-The senate
committee on postoffices and post roads
resumed the hearing on the Loud second
class mail bill today. Orville J. Victor.
chairman of the New York committee
OF publishers, said the bill was to the
interest or the express companies and
opposed to the interest of the public,
winch demands good and cheap litera-
ture. victor called attention to the large
amount of government matter carried
Tree, which would, he said, go far tow
ards accounting for the postoffce de-
paftlneht deficit and created a general
!augh at the expense of the COMMITTEE
Ny Teaulhg newspaper extracts charac-
teflZing most Of this matter as 'congres-
SIohal buncombe." John Elderkin. of the
NEeW York Ledger, claimed that under
Inc proposed law such papers as the
Ledger would be excluded from the priv
llege Of being entered as second cIa SC
man matter S. S. Mcclure addressed
hifnself especially to Senator Chambers
The herald., 1897-01-24
EX-QUEEN LII
Travelling as a Private Lady and Has
No Plans

WASHINGTON,J Jan 23-Liliuokalani,
the Hawaiian ex-queen, arrived here
rather unexpectedly this morning. Her
intention to visit Washington had not
been anticipated and her entry was as
simple as any ones could be- Rather
fatgued by her trip, she retired and re-
fused herself to all callers.
Concerning her visit, Mr. Palmer said :
THE queen is travelling as a private
lady, and I have no doubt she will fol-
low the same rule here as she did in Bos-
ton, in declining any official attentions.
If she has any plans at all for the future
she has not taken me into her confidence.
I do not know how long she will be in
Washington, where she will go when. she
leaves, or whether I shall go with her"
The herald., 1897-01-24
WANTS HER PAY.

WASHINGTON Jan. 90 Suit was en-
tered here today against Richard Mans
field by Ethel Douglass, late of his COM
pany, to recover $500 alleged to be due
her for back salary. The suit is similar
to the one in which Miss May Saunders
was awarded judgment of 1880 against
Mansfield in this city about two weeks
ago. Miss Douglass real name is
Sprague, She is a daughter of former
Chief Justice Sprague and Mrs. Kate
5. Sprague, for many years prominent
in Washington society.
The herald., 1897-01-24
DlLLON'S MOTION.

LONDON, Jan. 23-At a meeting of
tne lrlsh parliamentary party today
JohH Dllloh, the chairman, presiding,
Michael Davitt presented a long rosoIu.
ton providing for the expulsion Of
any one publicly opposing the decisions
reached by a majority of the party in
meeting or in the parliamentary action
or the chairman in behalf of the party
or IN supporting q fund to maintain a
portion Of the party in rivalry to the
lrish National federation.
The herald., 1897-01-24
AWFULLY STUBBORN

PASO ROBLES. Jan. 23-The tight to-
night between George f. Green (Youns
CorbetD. welterweight champion of the
world. and w. Lewis. champion of South
ern California resulted in Lewis being
knocked out In the first half of the second
round. Lewis made a game and stubborn
fight but was no match for the clever and
hard hitting Green.
The herald., 1897-01-24

to his thumb and back to the twig when
he let go. There was no shock exper-
fenced In handling the twigs. and the
light did not waver or tremble, but was
quite steady.
The trees looked as liza colony Of fire.
flies had settled upon them for the pur-
pose of an illumination. The sight was
a very beautiful one, and trees In other
parts of the city presented a similar ap-
pearance.-Chicago Times Herald.
The herald., 1897-01-24
A CABINET CANDIDATE.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23.-The New
England senators have agreed to unite
in the recommendation of Hon. T. JEFF
ferson Coolidge of Massachusetts for the
office of secretary of tire treasury in Nc
Kinley's cabinet. This conclusion was
reached today after series of confer
ences in which the entire New England
delegation in the senate participated.
The herald., 1897-01-24
BOSTON FoRrY-NINERs

BOSTON. Jan. 2S-The New England
Associated California Pioneers, more COM
monty called the "Forty-ninsrs." held a
house today. Five hundred members and
guests from various parts of New England
were present. Edward w. Emerson, Geo.
A. Kimball, high sheriff of Franklin county,
John Everleth of Greenville, Maine, and
others spoke.
The herald., 1897-01-24
FITZHUGH'S SON.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23.-Gen Fitz-
hugh Lees son has been given an an
other chance to wear epaulets, owing
to the good offices of Representative
Tucker Of Virginia, who has reappoint-
ed him as a cadet at West Point with
the consent of the academic board. This
was the only practicable manner of
continuing him in the army
The herald., 1897-01-24
A TEXAS NEGRO LYNCHED

BRYAN Tex, Jan. 23.-Eugene Washing
ton, the negro arrested for the rape OF
Miss Dehart on Thursday near this place,
now hangs to the limb of tree on Main
street in this city. 1t being one of the most
the work of an infuriated mob at $50 this
evening. composed of the best people of
the county,
The herald., 1897-01-24
ANTI HIGH HAT LAW

CHICAGO, Jan 2s.--Mayor Swift this
afternoon signed the theater hat ordinance.
The measure will go into effect ten days af-
ter its publication. The measure pro-
vides for a fine to be imposed on any
woman who refuses to remove her hat in a
theater after complaint has been made
regarding 1t.
The herald., 1897-01-24
AN AWFUL DISASTER

NEW YORK. Jan. pa Kingston.
JaHaica special to the World saws:
ora ma been received here Of a terri
pie railroad disaster al Barbadoes. A
,raih plunged over a precipice, killing a
large number of passengers. No details
are given
The herald., 1897-01-24
TWO SMALL BOUTS.
NEW WORK. Inn 90 At tbo

NEW YORK, Jan. 23.-At the New
York Athletic club tonight Tommy
White of Chicago knocked out Jack
Skelly of Brooklyn in the fifth round
Frank Smith of California and Bobby
Wilson of Jersey City fought ten rounds
at III pounds. Smith was the winner.
The herald., 1897-01-24
ONE MANS LETTUCE CROP.

Mr.. John E. Garrell residing near
Wilmington. N. c.. is reputed to be the
most extensive single grower of lettuce
in the south. He expects to ship north
this season from 5000 to 10000 barrels OF
lettuce.-Chicago Tribune.
The herald., 1897-01-24
CROCKER's NEW BUILDING.

NV YORK. Jan. 23.-Plans have been
filed for the building to be erected at 70
to "a Broadway for George +. Oocker
the California millionaire, at cost Of
$9,0O0,OO0. The plans cali for a. twenty
one story fireproof brick stone, terra
Gotta and iron frame office building.
The herald., 1897-01-24
FOUND FAIR SHOOTING

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2S.-The president
returned from his duck shotting "trip late
tonight He spent the day at Col Waller's
FAMOUS ducking grounds at Whitewater
near Quantico, Va, and had n fair DAYS
luck. Commander Lamberton of the
lighthouse service was with him.
The herald., 1897-01-24
REV. BURLESON DIVING

MILWAUKEE. Wis. ian % Aa,.,o..
received here today state that Rev - -
Burleson' father of the Oneida Indian res
ervation and one of the most noted, Ems
copal ciergymen in this part of the United
The herald., 1897-01-24

Undellvered telegrams for: Madame
Forrest. Mrs. Asby Chouteau, Miss
Lynna c. Crook. S. Washburn, r. j..
Houghton. Clarence Lovelace; Jan, 90,
1897