davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-10

Mrs. George Wilson of 1911 Vestal avenue,
Binghamton, n. Y. The beginning of
this strange collection dates back many
wears. The first chair o. the set that was
decorated was owned by colored family
in Virginia in the middle of the last GEN.
fury. Gradually the chair passed from
hand to hand and from cabin to cabin
until at last it came into the possession of
Mrs. George Yancey, a colored woman,
who now lives at Ovid, N. Y, enjoying
that which so seldom comes to man or
woman, the beginning of her second CEN
fury of life.
This chair is noticea BILE in the accom-
panying illustration, which was drawn
from photograph, by its general Quaint
appearance and its particularly straight
back. 1t came from the banks OF the
James River when Mrs. Yancey had been
given her freedom and journeyed North
to New York State. She made a present
OF the chair TO Mrs. Wilson, and it was
with the idea of identifying and presery-
ing the furniture that Mrs. Wilson began
decorating with postage stamps.
Since this ancient relic of colonial DAVIS
has been adorned in the UNIQUE manner
shown in the picture, seven other articles
OF furniture have received similar treat
ment, until now the whole forms one of
the most peculiar results of the curio-col-
lector's art that is extant.
The collecting of postage-stamp s is some
thing In which many person are engaged.
Strange and unique are the forms the col
iections take in order that they NAV be
properly preserved. But Mrs. Wilson'S Is
the queerest of them all.
Included in the tiny specimens of stamps
which conceal every vestige of woodwork
about the furniture which they adorn are
stamps from everywhere that the interna
tonai postal system reigns and several
places where no exchange Of mail matter
has yet been agreed upon. All these are
arranged in manner as quaint as the idea
Itself. 1t must not be supposed that Mrs.
w hson's patriotism is OF so light an order
tnat she would permit any other than the
stamps OF the United States to be in the
majority. There are the faces of every
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-10

Gently captain of the New York Tourist
Wheelmen and is also a member of the
Excelsior Cycle Club. incidentally IL may
be mentioned that he acted as marshal OF
the two great cycle parades which recently
were conducted in New York by two of
the daily newspapers.
There is no doubt that the Count will
attend the Paris wonder, and it is quite
possible that he may do so in an official
capacity.
The Count consented to be interviewed
In connection with the Paris bicycle pal
ace and expressed himself as being assured
of its success
There is absolutely nothing impossible
in the scheme" he said, land it will be of
the greatest possible benefit to the wheel
ing world. Its effect will be far-reaching.
A great many American riders will not
only visit the exposition, but they Will
enter in the races and exhibitions for
prizes and compete in every way with
foreign riders and manufacturers. Amer
lean women riders will surely be there in
large numbers and will compete with
their foreign sisters"
When asked if he would go to Paris in
an official capacity. the Count said he had
not yet decided, but clearly indicated that
he had received an offer. At all events he
will take his famous bike there.
But no matter who the officers may be
or who the riders to appear there, the
building itself will surely be the eighth
wonder of the world. Its exact dimen-
sions have not yet been decided upon, but
Al. 81 Ill
commodate 1000 persons on the ground
floor. There is an aim at the Gothic in
exterior appearance of the building-that
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-10

IISONDON, ENG. Dec. Is, 1S96'-ln the
fEE pretty little blue and gold catalogue
EwHS of the renowned society of English
por;rait-painters there is list of men,
bers headed by the name of A. Stuart
Wortley and concluding with that OF
James Mcneil Whistler. Nothing could
be more typical of the representative esti-
mates of art in England. James Mcneil
Whistler needs no introduction to the
small art-Ioving public in America. A.
Stuart Wortley, it is possible, has not been
so remarkably advertised and certainly
has no equal claim either to fame or no.
toriety.
Mr. Stuart WortIey married daughter
of Sir John Millais. Mrs. Stuart Wortley
has established herself, in the stress OF
this modern life, as a dressmaker. Not
plain, everyday dressmaker, but very
swell person indeed, not to be addressed as
Mrs. Stuart Wortley, but as Nine. Vanite!
Mr.. Stuart Wortley has further claims to
public attention. He has remarkably
bad portrait of the Hon. Mrs. Fuller Matt
land, who must be woman entirely de-
void of feminine vanity.
He has another portrait of Mrs. Keep
pei, who is tottering under very large
bowl of violets, which she holds spasmodi-
caIIy with two very fat hands, and the
fear of dropping it has appare ntly given
her the expression OF fearful anguish so
truly rendered by The artist.
However, Mr.. Stuart may rest on his
laurels for a short time, for his principal
portrait is that of H. R. H. the Prince of
Wales. His Royal Highness is apparently
on the point of leaving for some state
function; there is no other way OF explain
ing his costume. He wears an Inverness
overcoat thrown back so as TO show his
blue ribbons and stars and orders; also his
knee breeches and silk hose and patent
leather shoes. Under one arm he has
crush hat tucked away and in his hand he
carries stout cane. The background sug-
gests the tapestred gorseousness, with
out which it would be impossible to repre-
sent prince. Mr.. Stuart WortIey> has
made of rather incongruous elements a
sufficiently dignified and manly portrait
We do not expect very good painting and
we do not find it.
On the same wall is the work of such
men as Sir John Millais, Llewellyn and
Lormer. The contrast does not make one
lenient.
Mr.. Whistler has sent only little water
color sketch entitled Rose and Silver"
The Princess OF Wales occupies some six
feet by four, and the little rose and silver
lady not as many inches, but there is all
the difference between a diamond and a
crystal as big as your fist. The woman is
IN silvery gray, with black boa, and the
rose is her pale face. She is putting on her
gloves, and the action is hardly more than
ind Gated with a few absolutely firm, alb
solutely delicate strokes OF brush as light
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-10

| is. as far as the Gothic can be produced
with the several parts of bicycle.
The ground surrounding the structure
will be circular, with paths like spokes
leading to the common center. All the
windows are to be circular, with "spoke"
frames, and with small colored circular
pane in the center, indicative OF the hub.
The main entrance will be entirely of
marble, cut in the form of immense BIZ
cycle forks, while overhead will rest a
huge handle-bar of Furnished steel. A
number of smaller rooms will lead off
from the main floor, separated only by
festooned curtains, which will be made
entirely OF network as the material used
in the wind guard on the woman's bike.
At either end of the main floor will be
monster wheel, with tire made of the
celebrated Cooks tubing, by which arti-
fetal daylight is produced. These mon
ster wheels will revolve from the time the
exposition opens until the close. Apart
from the light produced in this manner.
the only illumination will be large bicycle
lamps. There will be every conceivable
construction, from the old-fashioned
"king of the road" to the latest in electric
Examinations.
Every seat in the building will be made
of parts of bicycle. though many of
them will be so arranged as to be far more
comfortable than the very latest in sad
dies. Curved and straight handle bars
will be used for BACKS and cushioned
wheels in some cases for seats, while the
chairs will be held up by different parts of
the frame.
The rare exhibits will be guarded from
the visitors curious touch by series of
sprocket chains, and the lecturers, of
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-10
Partisan I ribute to
the Winged Wheel

EAHE Paris Exposition is to witness
Elk the GROWING triumph of the bi-
eyASS cycle. 1t will be in the form of a
bicycle palace, one which every wheelman
who sees it will regard as marking the
most important recognition that the cycle
ever received.
The plans Tor this remarkable structure,
which have ju,t been favorably consd-
cred by the committee on buildings of the
Exposition Universal, are the result of
the genius OF NJ. Paul Lemay, wheel
man of considerable note abroad, who has
worked upon this idea OF a bicycle palace
for months past. So brilliant are his
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-10

tory is plastered all over this furniture,
and the story that might be told about it
If the truth were known would no doubt
make it vie in interest in the eyes OF the
American people with the treasures of
Mount Vernon, the sacred relics at Spring
field, or those remem brances to which all
the world bows at Galena.
There is no particular method of ar 4
rangement of this nearly a million Of
stamps Noble and peasant are side by
side, and the commonest bit of postage
evidence is just as likely to have posi-
ton of honor as the big piece of gummed
paper with two figures on it. Evidently
Mrs. Wilson believes with the poet-that
rank is but the guinea stamp.
OF the foreign specimens of postal
necessities, there are very many, and as
odd as they are numerous. The queer
looking dark coloIed affair that comes
from the land OF the Cossack and of
Tolstoi seems strangely out of place,
lodged for life on bit of wood in town
where the very essence of freedom is in
the air itself. Properly enough, there
nestles close to the rem nder OF the Little
Fathers country the stately and benig-
nant face OF her Gracious Majesty on
whose empire the sun never SETS. Along
side of these two, is the jolly postal
emblem of Roumania, while the Kaiser's
youthful face looks out at you from his
neighbor that once brought letter from
the land that now is wr nched with the
tales OF Siam bouloff's assassination.
While the fame of Mrs. Wilson's queer
collection has been limited to a certain
prescribed circle in general, 1t has gone
abroad little, sufficiently so that Cornell
University offered the lady 5000 therefor,
and has several times made efforts to
induce her TO accept The tender made.
When the stamps were received, and
they cone along in job lots, Mrs. Wilson,
carefully washed and dried them, ard
then glued them on after the style of a
crazy patchwork quilt. She proposes ID
retain the result OF her labor, and will sell
it TO no one.
Unquestionably she has the most novel
collection OF foreign and domestic stamps
that is in existence.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-10

evidently reason to believe that the eec-
trio bike" is the wheel of the future and
that before long all the difficulties met so
far in regard to it will be swept away.
All OF the latest improvements will, of
course, be seen in the bicycle palace. and
this fact makes the venture especially in
teresting to Americans. All the bicycle
experts are delighted over the idea, and
one especially is Count Angelo de Julio,
who takes the greatest of interest in it.
Count de Julio. who boasts a noble
ancestry in Rome, has the proud distinc-
ton OF being the possessor of the most
expensive bicycle in the United States.
Over the usual steel frame is a thin layer
Of ebony, which is most exquisite!y nlaid
with gold and mother of pearl.
The Count lives at present at 6S West
One Hundredth street, New York City
He is member of the L. A. W., was re-
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-10
The Grand Bicycle Palace.

plans and so daring his conception that
both won the admiration of the building
committee, which at first was rather
doubtful as to the practicability of the
idea. All sorts Of schemes are submitted
TO these people, some of them as impossi-
Bile as they are daring, and at first NJ. Lee
mays plan was classed among these.
Investigation has shown that there is
nothing in the least chimerical about the
idea. 1t will, in fact, when com pleted, it
is believed, rank as one of the most inter-
esting features. This is the first time the
idea of M. Lemay has been made public
in the United States.
The palace itself will be remarka BILE
structure. The interior will not be broken
up into small apartments 10 any extent,
but instead the vast space, which is shown
In the accompanying illustration. will be
used for the display of the wheel in all its
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-10
Portrait of Young Girl ByJ. W. Watsrhouss.

vas is a masterpiece in black and white,
such as Velasouez loved to paint, and in
saving that it is of the greatest of all
painters that we are Immediately re-
minded, there is no invidious distinction
intended in regard to the work OF Mr..
Guthrie and his brave small boy standing
in his sturdy little black -stockinged legs
and staring boldly into the faces of the
crowd with that mixture of defiance and
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-10

to make them Joy. Sir John was evil
IDENTIFY quite content with the difficulties
OF painting these young, fresh faces with
truth and delicacy, without seeking for
added difficulties in the way of fantastic
arrangements of light and pose.
Monat Londau is name comparatively
unknown in America, but he is an excel
lent painter. In England his work is
most probably caviar to the public. He
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-10

forms, from the first crude two-wheeled
walking machine to the delicate mechan-
ism which will mark the improved wheel
at the close of the present century. OF
course, no one knows just what
that will be, but the past twelve
months show conclusvely that three
years are likely to develop some won
derful i'm provements in the wheeling
world. Experts believe that the motor
cycle will eventually replace the self-pro-
PEELED wheel. The experiments up to
now tried with gasoline and electric cy-
cles have not been sufficiently successful
to insure universal adoption, but there is
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-10

as that of the Japanese artists to whom
Mr.. Whistler owes so much of his nspra-
lion; but it gives the famished colorist a
new lease of life and strength to bear 1.-THE
sings and arrows of outrageous pictures.
The chief interest in the exhibition CEN
tiers around the old family portraits of Sir
John Millais. Some of them are from his
best period, notably one not included in
the family portraits, that OF the Earl of
Shaftesbury. Like the Prince of Wales.
be wears the blue ribbon across his chest
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-10
English PoraP and Their Work Exhibited the Grafton Art Ca

Alice" everything else in the portrait is
admirable. The muslin, edged with black,
of the scarf around her neck, the model
ing of the delicate transparent draperies,
that are white, in spite of being painted
in shadow, all these are almost mastery.
The Scotchman, James Guthrie. gives
one sensation of entire pleasure in his
picture of a little lad in thick white coat,
with black sash under his arms, big
white hat framing his little sandy-haired,
fresh-colored Scotch face The whole can
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-10

lightful examples of the finest type of
English beauty; large, clear eyes, nose
that is delicately aquiline. the mouth
slightly too small, abundant soft hair and
a complexion of milk and roses. The
pictures are a relief after innu merable
shadow effects and half-light effects and
no-light-at-all effects that give the I'M
happy model the color of one ''seven DAYS
dead" they are painted in full. clear
light, without subtle attempts that only
one man in thousand can render SO as
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-10
The Strangest Of All
Stamp Collections

President who has been allowed to be made
a sample of the steel engraver's art from
Washington down.
There are stamps that journeyed about
in the crazy postal conveyances which
carried the mail that was not Uncle Sans
during the days when civil war waged
relentlessly. Then there are stamps OF
the days when the missives from South
ern battlefelds to Northern homes
brought both joy and sorrow. the latter
quite as often as the former. There are
one or two stamps that were used when
California was the golden gate to so
many fortune seekers. The Nations his
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-10

HSHERE has just come to light in
XIX. Binghamton, N. Y, the most unique
eWgS collection of stamps which any one
ever heard Of Not so much does the odd
ness lie in the stamps themselves, as in
the method OF arrangement. There are
$50, 900 of them, and they completely
cover every portion of bedroom set, con-
slsting of bedstead, dresser, ommode and
chairs. The stamps are secured to the set
with the aid of glue, and then covered
with heavy spar varnish. The stamps
can be washed. in their present condition,
without injury.
This curio of collections is owned by
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-10

and Herbert Olivier contribute studies
that are very French, very well painted,
very cold and uninteresting. There are
any mum Der of studies, very honest and
not unsuccessful. OF people trying to peer
out OF the darkness
There is study by Mr.. Will Rothen-
stein of Gentleman. in a rather weak
kneed attitude, looking, with rather an
iiiotic expression. at little statuette.
Mr.. Will Rothenstein, If he will once
cease to be SO painfully original, will prob
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-10

ably develop INTO an unusually clever
artist. The canvas is full of refined values
and really beautiful color.
Maurice Greiffenhagen is another brother
to the yellow Book" He has an i'm
mense portrait of Woman in White. The
head is of the shape of peanut, and one
arm has evidently suffered from arrested
development, or it has withered in child
hood, and "c1rioser and curiouser,' said
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-10

has two d lightful portraits. one OF his
wife, one of Mrs. Bowles. both painted in
fiat tones and both of them representing
strong and individual types of women.
The portrait of Mrs. Bowles is hurt by
the suggestion of blossoms in the back
ground. In the insufficient light of these
dull London days it looks as though the
canvas had been out in the rain and had
been splashed with mud and water.
The Lady Fencer." by q. p. Jacomb
Hood, is charming figure of girl in
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-10

dark fencing suit, with her foil in her
hand. and al! the light concentrated on
her fresh, vivid little face. with sparkle
OF bright red hair; the hands are beauti-
fully painted and the color is rich and
dark. A fash of red lines the cap in her
hand-other wise there is no color but that
in the hilt of the foil and in the animated
head.
jules Stewart the American Partisan,
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-10
Portrait of a Chi1d-By James Guthrie.

and stars and orders, but how admirably
are these 'glittering baubles" subordin-
ated to the grave and powerful head,
simply but with full relief; and
how searching is the glance of the eyes,
that seem to be bordering all the trouble
and WEAKNESS of lie and weighing it in
the balance.
The family portraits, those of his three
are not only charming but de-
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-10
Good Measure.

An Englishman travelling in Ireland fell
into conversation with a native, and took
occasion to complain of the state OF the
particular road they were on and of the
roads oil Ireland generally.
"Well, said Paddy, 1--WE know they are
not the best in the world, so to make up
for their condition we give good measure.
Anyhow, eleven OF our miles are as long
as fourteen of yours. spare Moments.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-10

The Arabs claim that they are directly
descended from Ishmael, the son of Abra-
ham and Hagar, born 1910 B. G.
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-07-01

surprising that Ruddy wilson shrugged
Is shoulders and laughed VIXEN WI.
made the suggestion.
None Of that for me- he said
''th. wei, you needn't 90 ;i.ong unless
you want to- responded WIZ. inpatient
~. ''Ail this talk about Sui.:Iser's Hole
being havated il foo!;shGess.' WIZ WAS
very much excited. and several of the
! boys 1t once grew interested.
I'D hep" SAID Dick Lansing. "if was
SIRE there was any way of doing it,
"Ail right, Dick. wei. show en- put In
VIII. whose eyes fairly G,owcd with ex-
element. We'll Lave the Cd guns al up
here by the 70 nth and ii Wiz be a cc,e-
b"at:on worth seeing" When D:ck went
over. al Of tie doubtcrs except Euddy
went with him.
That night and the next evening they
iras eyed or rolled number of big dry
logs ana po.ss down to the edge Of
TIE pool. These they eat off into equal
| lengths ard fas;en,d together IN the form
Of huge raft that would support dozen
or more boys. AS carly on the afternoon
of the third day as possible the seven sid
| quietly ont o. the town and down the hill
to the pool They carried with them ropes
1
| long poles cut in the woods. besides ham
| mers and nails and other implements. TN
reaching the shore of the pool they mount
1 Cd the raft and pushed it out. Once out
on the pool they poied themselves along
| until they were about twenty feet from
| the shore.
One of the ropes with a big iron hook
on the end was let down in the water and
| dragged back and forth. AS long as there
was light they po.ed about the edges of
the pond with their dra:s. but with the
| exception of snags and weeds and mud
| they could find nothing at all.
| After two more discouraging afternoons
Of work 'Lank" Everson said he wasn't
going to waste any more Of his time.
Three of the boys agreed with him. but
Win Spencer was able to persuade Dicl;
and Jack to make one more trial
The next night Will was handling the
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-07-01

me ole black 10 count TURN stuff fur
money jes' kase I'm Il co.ored pusson.
Druther miss trav'lin f'reyer'n to tote
roun money made out'n ole tin k.ttles"
This description of the way Uncle
Joshway went en- is no eXaggcration.
i ne way down Sonth' country knows no
coppers. and their Introduction at various
depots for change Il few years ago was
an innovation bitterly resented.
BY the iounger's good natured interest
Uncle .Ioshway's ticket was disposed Of
to Monroe-bound man. and his piece of
money, as well as peace of mind. re-
stored. Then, picking up his coat and
saddle bags. he left in high dsdain, TAX
ing care, however, not to so home until
after the return of the supposed excursion
train. He gave a dazzling account of his
trip, and Aunt Anarky will never know
he spent his Foath July rambling around
huston abusing dem ole Swevepo:e rail
road folks"