davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-19

swindle appeals directly to those uneasy
rascals who live wholly by a dishonest en-
ployment of their wits In the first place
it requires little or no capital. The absence
of danger of detection is another point
which makes it popular. Accomplices are
necessary TO Swing it, but they are I'M
conscious accomplces, totally innocent of
any knowledge of the part they are play
ing.
Two pals are sufficient When the bunco
man IS ready to try his game, he first of
all invests in four necessary articles-an
accident policy, a piece of sand-paper, a
mustard plaster and strip of thin cheese
cloth With these simple implements he is
thoroughly equipped and ready to begin
opera tons. The thirty-six hour travellers
insurance tickets are the most desirable,
and al the same time less expensive.
After buying one of them the opera tor
boards a train to some nearby town. once
in the ear he retires to the toiet-room
rolls up his trousers leg or his coat sleeve,
as the case may be- and vigorously applies
the sandpaper to the part Of his anatomy
that he desires to injure. After rubbing
until the blood comes he places the cheese
cloth after moistening il, over the sand
papered flesh, and on top Of that spreads
The mustard plaster In five minutes the
action of the mustard has infiamed the
raw flesh and produced an ugly swelling.
Just before the destination is reached
the plaster is removed. and when the train
stops the operator arises from his seat,
walks half way down the aisle toward
the door and accidentally falls over a
sachel or trips over the legs of "A seat.
When he gets up he limps painfully and
falls exhausted into one of the seats
This always should be done in the pres
ence of the conductor "A brakeman or one
Of the trainmen. When they hurry to
assist him he has pulled up his trousers
leg or the coat sleeve and disclosed his
carefully prepared property wound II is
angry and terribly inhamed by this time.
and the fan has caused the blood 10 flow
afresh. The bunco man murmurs family
that he believes that he has been hurt
and the conductor or the brakeman helps
him from the train and hands him over
to the stationmaster who directs him to
some doctor and puts him aboard a street
car.
The doctor is the most important accom-
plice The victim OF the accident limps
into his office, apparently suffering in
tensely. and shows him the bruised OF
bleeding knee or elbow. Nine times Out
of ten the fake wound will deceive the
most experienced physician. He orders
that his patient keep absolutely quiet FOR
at least a week, and after prescribing a
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-19

into a train. 1t was cut square-necked
and was finished with a tiny ruche of
spangled white tulle. over the shoulders
fell epaulettes of the spangled tulle that
continued jabot fashion to the bottom of
the gown.
The fashion for black lace gowns is be-
ing revived. The effect is especially pref
ty for evening gowns, when the lace is
spangled. Some very pretty and inexpen-
sive corsages are made of spangled lace.
One of these simple black lace corsages
looked very smart worn with a violet satin
skirt. The lace was put on very full over
a lining of black satin, and was allowed to
blouse a trifle over the ceinture. 1t was
cut square-necked, and was finished with
a band of cut jet passementrie. From the
left side of the ceinture came two strips
of violet satin ribbon that We're knotted
into a tall bow over the right shoulder. II
was held with round strass buckle. The
sleeves were composed of two short frils
of the sDangled lace.
A long-sleeved dinner gown was made of
white satin, brocaded with purple pansies.
The skirt was a rather moderate godet
with the fulness laid in two box plaits at
the back. 1t was trimmed around with
nine rows of narrow purple velvet arrang-
ed in groups of three.
The corsage was sort of blouse with
short slashed basques. It had a broad vest
of draped mousseline de sole in a delicate
shade of rose. 1t was cut round-necked
and was finished with broad band of Vlo-
let velvet, with a ruche of the rose nous
seine de sole that barely came above the
velvet Around the bottom of this velvet
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-19

New York, Dec. 1.-THE following de-
scription Of an African funeral was furu-
ished by an eyewitness who recently Wis
tied "Waccamaw Neck" the peninsula
of South Carolina that was abandoned by
the whites at the close of the war. Wac
camaw Neck" sometimes known as Lit
tie Africa" Is Inhabited by a colored race
of a curious voodoo belief:
Wachesaw. s. Cod Daddy Hardtimes
had died.Qt may be well enough to remark
just here that the names used in this mar
rative are genuine-there is no romance
in the srory) Daddy Hardtlmes was a
leader" and a man of Importance in the
community In Africa he had probably
been a Prince Something, but he never had
any other name than Hardtimes in this
country. His demise was the signal for
a gathering of the hosts from the three
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-19

dancers" Their faces were now shining
with perspiration, and their eyes pro-
truded. The circle rose and fell with un-
even yet rhythmic unduations. The cele-
brants were breathing hard They were in
the esctacies Of religious fervor Pres
emily one of them fell from exhaustion.
Ready hands dragged her away--for Ii
was a woman.
"Gloryr shouted Sampit; 'Fasterl'
And faster went the mad whirl. Then
there were others that dropped out. But
as soon as a gap was made II was closed
up by a ready recruit from the outskirts.
The crisis was at hand The grave was
finished, and It was time to deposit poor
old Hardtimes within II. If they could
get a layer of earth over his coffin before
''Platt-eye" could slip into the grave all
would be well with his soul.
AS the flying figures whirled around the
open grave four strong men lowered the
coffin speedily and with haste began to
shovel in the earth. A few moments more
and a shout from Sampit announced that
the danger was over-"Platt-eye" and the
devil had been out-wltted! Hardtimes was
safe
The celebrants at the signal began to
drop away. Some of them fell to the earth
in holy trance" and were dragged Off
and loaded into the carts. Those who were
not completely spent in strength talked
at the pitch of their voices, exulting In
brother and exhorting each other to fol-
low his glorious example.
Filling the grave went on I'm a more
leisurely manner. after the first layer of
earth had covered the coffin. When the
mound was heaped and rounded, and after
the frenzy had somewhat subsidized the
mourners once more gathered in a circle.
This time they sang a slow melodious fare
well, and dispersed. At the conclusion of
the ceremonies it was nearly midnight
The pine knotes had been permitted to
burn low after the crisis had been passed:
they were now snuffed out, and In punches
of from three 10 ten the darkies wendell
their way to their village. each and every
one of them keeping both eyes wide open.
on the lookout for horrifying manifesta-
tons from the chagrined and disappoint-
ed "Platt-eye," whom they were sure must
be lurking somewhere in the neighborhood
and awaiting an opportunity to wreals
vengeance. l.. A. Beatty.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-19

remedy and poc6eting his fee tells him to
call again in day or two.
The bunco man promptly destroys the
prescription and applies the mustard plas-
ter again. In two or three days he writes
to the doctor, saying that il is impossible
for him TO call. describing his symptoms
and requesting another prescription. In
cidentally he mentions that he was lucky
enough TO buy an accident insurance pol
icy, and asks the doctor to be good enough
TO sign certificate to the effect that he
saw his injury, treated him for 1t, and or
dered him 10 remain quiet for at least
four days.
While he IS waiting for the reply. he in
forms the insurance company from which
he has bought the policy that he has
been injured and asks that his claim be
settled as soon as possible He gives as
his witness the doctor who treated him
and the railroad men who helped him
from the train.
Generally these witnesse are satisfactory
to the company, but if Il sees tit to send
its medical examiner to investigate the
case, the bunco man fools him in the same
way and Just as easily as he fooled the
physician and the trainhaud. The policy,
amounting generally to $50 a week, is set
tied in fun, and the bunco man remains
injured from ten days to two weeks or
as long as he can without exciting sus-
piCion.
The example cited is only a primitive
form of the swndle. 1t can be elaborated
so that. the rogue Will receive anywhere
from Sl,O0O to 5000, In fact, there is no
limit to its scope, and man who is clev-
er can live like a prince the year around
and never perform any work more arduous
than sandpapering his own skin.
The extent to which the newest game
is being played" said a detective for a
big accident insurance company the other
Ia mil tAA le IrenA
impossible to catch a man at it. We may
be morally certain that he is playing a
crooked scheme on us, and yet we cannot
prove it, The doctor has signed the GER
tlfcte in good faith, the witness to the ac-
cident swears that he saw the man fan
with sufficient force TO produce the injury
and there you are. We cannot produce
any witnesses to offset the testimony Of
the physician or the conductor.
in using the sandpaper and the mustard
plaster the man absolutely runs no risk of
sustaining permanent injury. The plan
is trivial, and. except for a little burning
when the plaster is applied the poor fel-
low suffers no inconvenience
Il have seen cases that l knew were
frauds. and yet were done so artsticaly
that a clinic could not discover it.
when the really clever men play, they
injure the knee in preference to other parts
of the body 1t is easier to affect a limp
than a stiff arm, aud by little judicious
touching up of the shin, sandpapering 1t
here and there, the effect obtained is pre-
cisely the same as if a man had fallen
and barked his leg.
They only play one company at a time
Should they buy three or four different
policies they would either have to swear
to a lie when we asked them If they were
insured in and other companies, or else
they would admit that they were and thus
lay themselves open to suspicion
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-19
Soldering the safest Profession.
From the London Mail.

AS IL Is by no means impossible that all
able-bodied Englishmen may have, in the
near future, to become defenders of their
country, 1t is reassuring to learn, on the
authority of statisticians, that soldiering
is about the least dangerous profession in
the world.
Protestant clergymen are popularity sup
posed to be the best male Elves" going.
But they die at a rate of nearly eleven
per thousand each year, while the British
army shuffles off this mortal coil at a
rate of less than five per thousand. Even
ladies' maids, who have usually a life OF
great comfort and little work, die faster
than this, departing this life at the rate
of eight per thousand.
1t might well be supposed that the troops
who do so much fighting as the British
soldiers abroad would be carried off in
large numbers. This was true in the past,
when the conditions favored disease, but
in these days war is by no mans as dam
gerous. For instance, in all of our wars
of the past twenty years the death rate
on the battlefield has been only fifteen
per thousand per annum.
Now solicitors cannot be said to be en-
gagged in very risky work, yet they depart
hence at the rate of sixteen per thousand
per aunum. Roman Catholic priests die
at the rate of twenty-six per Thousand.
Your chances Of DEATH then,if you become
a cabman, are five times as great as IL YOU
join the army at home, and nearly twice
as great as If you form part OF the fight
ing forces i'm India or Africa. And there
are scores Of trades-such as lead working.
glass blowing, match making, public house
Keeping, etc.--ever so much more dangers
! Gus to life than cab driving.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-19

place. Their eyes. distended with excite
ment, shone in the red glare, and their
teeth-all negroes have magnificent, pearl
white teeth-glistened in the light. The
torch-bearers might be compared to a
number of ebony statues with ivory eyes
and teeth, showing against a black back
ground and Illuminated with pale red
Greelt-fre.
The dancers" around the corpse lost
no time. They began at once a slow
chant, circling around the spot from east
to west, 'as de sun trabble." AT the same
time the grave digging was begun. In
q few moments the tune became a tri1e
faster and the circle began to travel with
more celebrity. Then there began to be
some gyratiOns of feet in the line. "TeclI
care" sang out Sampit mine how you
fling yo foot! You kin fling um how you
please so you don cross UNI; but If you
cross yo' foot de debble git you shor'
Around and around went the circle, with
ever-increasing momentum, and a hight
ening of the voices Of the singers and
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-19

of the skirt there was a broad trimming of
embroidered and spangled cream mousse
line de sole over white satin. 1t was cut
in scallops on the upper edge and was
bordered with a narrow band of sable.
The corsage was a square-necked blouse
or the green satin. Over the shoulders
were broad pieces of white satin that form
ed epaulettes with points reaching nearly
to the ceinture back and front. These were
covered with the spangled mousselne de
sole and narrow band of sable bordered
them all around. The sleeves were short
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-19

band were long square tabs of the brocad-
ed satin that were finished with rows of
narrow violet velvet ribbon. They were
faced with pale rose SATIN The sleeves
were long and close-fitting with a fall of
lace at the wrists Violet velvet was used
in making the draped ceinture.
At an informal little dinner Of eight COW
ers given by a charming young American
matron, the guests were treated to pref
tv little surprise. When dessert was serv-
ed. the butler entered with a fiourishing
rose bush poisoning with full pink roses.
The rose bush was passed to each guest,
who slipped one of the delicate life-like.
Dresden roses from the stalk, and behold!
1t was filed with frozen cream.
1t is a fad of one of the charming Amer
lean rnatrons to listen to soft music
through the dinner hour. Her latest pur-
chase is a set of caraffes that are placed
on the table at dinner time, and by lifting
them a trifle the music box, that is at
tached in an invisible way, plays soft airs
through dinner
A very lovely little gown for young wo-
man who will assist her mother is a white
China silk made over a stiff lining to give
ii body. The waist is a plain round one,
with a rounded sleeve, yoke and belt. The
skirt is perfectly plain, and would be Sc
we're upon any but a charming young fig
ure This is the debutante gown worn by
society girls ltlctE IlISl SCdSbil WHICH dtllilS
as New Year hostesses. The young girl
who wears it helps with the punch bowl
and stands by her mother to assist al awk
ward moments, and is the "all things to all
people" so necessary upon such occa-
sions.
There is a general tide back toward the
decollete for New Year gowns. 1t is by
no means very low, but still 1t is not the
stiff high neck of past seasons.
Nina Goodwin.
John Aliens Reciprocity.
ct am for more and a better currency"
said Private John Allen of Mississippi this
morning, after he had brushed the dust of
five states off his butternut suit, writes
the Washington correspondent of the Chi
cago Record "and I'm in favor OF doing
something for the relief Of the banks, also
| have never seen such suffering as APP
pears to be the fate of the banks. I don't
know what they will come to if congress
does not DO something for them, and for
one 1 am in favor of doing It right away
ION my way to Washington l stopped in
st. Louis and wanting to make a draw I
went to a bank where ! knew the presi-
dent and he told me about tia misery they
were experiencing. ! haven't had my sym
pathies so stirred up for a long time. 1t
was a heap worse than listenin TO the
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-19

puffs of the green satin that were almost
hidden by the long epaulettes. The draped
ceinture was of black satin.
An attractive girlish gown was made
of coral bengaline and mousseline de sole.
The skirt of the bengaline was close-f1tting
over the hips, with the fulness at the back
laid in fiat plaits. 1t was trimmed round
with three bands of cream lace applique,
graduating in width.
The corsage was a full blouse of coral
mOusseline de sole over a coral satin lin
ing. 1t was cut square-neclSed and had
short yoke Of the lace applique outlined
on the lower edge, with a narrow black
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-19

leans dinners with moderate number of
covers are the functions that are most
liked Those who have apartments even
too modest to give a dinner enjoy the
open house" with its outhanging latch
string. But either way not house Is
closed in the American colony on New
Years day.
Just the most ''ravissant'' gowns that
the couturieres here boast are worn at
this time. Whether the gown is decollete
or high necked is a matter of taste, or
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-19

perhaps more a matter of build. At any
rate the very thin woman may adopt the
fashion for very high-neck effects without
feeling that she will be alone in her choice
Of corsages. Sometimes, where the cor
sage is decollete, the high effect is sup
Piled with band of jewels or velvet
One Of the most elG norate of these gowns
made to be worn for Nev Year calls was
made of lettuce green satin. The skirt
was rather full, with the back cores merg-
Ing into demi-train. Around the bottom
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-19

scallops of the lace
The sleeves were composed of two frills
of moussenne dc sole, with the edges bor-
dered in black velvet ribbons. Mounting
these frins were high bows of velvet rib
bon drawn through tiny strass buckles.
The draped ceinture was of black velvet.
A princess gown to be worn by a state
" matrou was made of black velvet. It
was fashioned to cling rather closely 10 the
lines of her figure. with but the slightest
b. of flare The great fulness at the back
was supplied by number of cores that
were inserted az the waist line and merged
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-19

Paris, Dec. 9.-There are always New
Wear calls made in the American colony in
paris. but just now the American society
columns are describing swell dinners that
have been and will be given. 1t is quite
the favorite way of entertaining, barring
the afternoon tea.
It is custom here, as in many American
homes, either to invite few for dinner or
to keep open house all day for chance
quests In the moderate-sized apart
rents that are the favorites with Amer
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-19

woes of the original Mckinley men who
hain't got offices. 1 promised to do my
best to help EN- out, and I'm going to
stick TO my word
1T seems from the statements of bank
in frineds that they are now suffering
from too much money, in which we con-
gressmen know how to sympathize with
them After l heard my friends griev-
ances and his suggestions as to currency
legislation, ] told him l was willing TO do
all he wanted done for the banks ana more
too, provided the banks would agree to a
little reciprocity legislation.
What's that?' he was asked.
A law making it compulsory for banks
to loan money to congressman without col
lateral "
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-19
LIVING ON NOTHING a WEEK.

HOW ShreWd Hogues manage to Heat
the Insurance Companies.
From the Nebraska State Journal.
There was new swindling game in the
market. The insurance companies, of
course. are the victims. Every rogue and
crook out of a dishonest job and in need
of funds turns as naturally to an insur-
company for aid as a business man turns
to his banker. The companies are looked
upon asehis legitimate prey, and he feels
no more compunction in robbne them than
he would in lighting a borrowed cigar
There are several reasons why the new
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-19
DRESSES FOR new YEAR CALLS.
What to Wear When Masters, Tom, Dick
and Harry Call to Pay Their '9S Respects.

a
Lining-The in New Year Sleeves
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-19
vOODOO FUNERAL NSOUTH CAROL INA.
lamentations Performed to Illustrate
''Platt-Eye" and the Devil

de
Debble Git "-HuriaIs light by the
of e knot Torches.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-10-28
SHOUT FOR TRACY
But Vote for Van Wyck is the
Issued by the Republican Mana
gers in New York.
LOW MEN CHARGE 1T
And the Tammany Chiefs Con-
firm 1t.
Van Wyck Expects to Get 49,
600 Republican Votes.
GEORGE NAMES SUMS
Which He Declares Croker Has
Obtained Illegally.
Carter Harrison is Scored on
Ali Sides.
Van Wyck Expects to Get 3d.
600 Republican Votes.
GEORGE NAMES SUMS
Which He Declares Croker Has
Obtained Illegally.
Carter Harrison is Scored on
Ali Sides.

New York, Oct 2S.-The Citizens I'm
ion has issued a statement which con-
tains the remarkable charge: Ihat
the Republican organization has sent
out orders to its members to shout for
Tracy and vote for Van Wyck.
This report was confirmed by aprom-
inent member of Tammany, who sta
ted that Van Wyck stands to get about
"a 600 ReDubIican votes. That Platt
and Tammany will stop at nothing is
also shown by the facts established by
reports from many districts of the re-
peated but ineffectua1 efforts of the
machines to buy off Citizens Union
workers and local candidates and by
the false statements which have been
given to the press of defections among
district chairmen."
]. Kennedy, treasurer of the Citizens
Union has issued a statement to the
public saying that further contribu-
tions to the unions campaign fund are
not needed.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-10-28
JUSTICES FOR OKLAHOMA.
They Will be Formally Announced
When the Presidsnt Returns.

Washington, Oct 2S.-The Oklahoma
judicial slate is made, and the appoint
ments will be announced, it is conf
IDENTIFY expected, as soon as the PreSi-
dent returns from Ohio. j. H. Buford
is to be chief justice and J. c. Strang
and B. T. Haines associate justices.
While there has been some rivalry to
secure these places, the contest has
been mild compared with the fight over
the marshalship. 1t was expected un-
til recently that Judge Strang would be
made chief justice He is in good
standing at the White House, and was
highly complimented by the attorney
general recently on his judicial record
while on the bench in Kansas. Judge
Buford, however, has been a prominent
candidate for chief justice from the
start, and the announcement of his
forthcoming appointment creates no
surprise.
Haines is a brother of ex-Congress-
man Haines, of Nebraska, and has been
in the race for associate justice since
the Inauguration, having been in the
city the greater part of the time. He
is we'll known as a lawyer. Assistant
Secretary Davis was backing him.
The following appointments in the
Indian school service were made: Miss
Mary H. Baird, of Kansas, teacher at
Cheyenne River, S. D., $500 per annum;
Miss Belle r. Casey, of Tennessee
teacher at Fort Sill, o. T., $500 per an
mum; Miss Jessie NJ Bridgewater. of
Tennessee, teacher at Arapahoe agen-
of Missouri, teacher at Shawnee, o. T.,
$50.
The following were appointed railway
mail clerks: Lloyd NJ. Howe Wood
River, Neb.; Hugh B. Gridley, Mayday,
kas.; Edwin S. Gwinn, Slater, Mo.