davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-14
Travelling Libraries.


The railroad travelling library is Boston
notion. The expansion I'm the practice of
the work is most interesting. The earliest
railroad travelling library was an institu-
ton of the Boston & Albany Company. and
was opened in this city twenty-eight years
ago; the headquarters have. however. been
I'm Springfield for the past fifteen years
This mother library now numbers about
three thousand volumes. and they are kept
In very active operation. The expansion of
the idea in placing travelling libraries under
the care OF the State came from New York.
Four years ago the first State travelling
library began its work. starting from AL
bany. Half dozen States have followed
the Albany plan. whereby a selected num-
Der of volumes. usually from fifty to one
hundred. sent TO community to cir
culate among the people for few months.
this on the application of responsible par
ties. and the payment of transporta-
ton OF the volumes. This is somewhat on
the lines also of the Australian plan the
travelling library having been in circulation
I'm Australia for some time, based some
what on the Nude business enterprise of
London. which keeps great quantities of
books circulating through the three king
doms.
The travelling library OF the Baltimore &
Ohio Railroad takes long Journeys many
of the books going as far west as the Mis-
sissippi river. over three thousand miles of
the system in eight States In the past ten
years the fourteen thousand volumes have
been drawn twenty times over by readers
everywhere. There are plenty of technical
books among these, but there are
the reading of families OF rail-
road employees and others who re-
ceive them. particularly OF their children.
Standard works the sciences. well
as general literature, poetry. history, text
and other books of practical use to engi-
neers bremen and other railroad employes
are to be had. A well-known Baltimore Ii
brarian. commenting on this work. says
that corporations. nike individuals. rec
OCniZe that their duty TO those they en-
ploy Is not complete on the payment of the
stipulated wage: this is why all sorts of
helpful. organizations are encouraged by
corporations nowadays. ITO the section
hand ard his family living I'm rockbound
isolation. 10 the operator in his signal tower
waiting for the click OF his instrument TO
call him to duty. to railroad workingmen
everywhere these travelling books are bring
ing sunsnine.' and i'm the economy OF the
universe such sunshine is good for grow
ing content OF mind and entertainment as
any that can be found.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-14
THE TALLEsT RAILROAD.
Several Lines That Run to Very Great
Heights.
Harper's Weekly.

Harper's Weekly.
The Peruvian Central. Transandine or
water at Callao. From Lima, eight miles
ahead and 500 feet higher, Ii winds up the
haciendas and forgotten ruins. At Chosica.
gained bat $500 feet in elevation; but
within the yard limits OF that station be-
gins the 4-per-cent grade, which is steadily
maintained for seventy-three miles. The
Rimacs gorge becomes deeper and more
contracted. the little bays and benches of
cultivable land rarer. At the hamlet of
San Bartolole serious engineering begins.
plays the first 9V," the characteristic de-
vice so frequently necessary to overcome
the headlong valley. The maximum esi
10 the mile has in many places been
stretched. and the actual gradient is some
insufficient to meet the exigencies of the
quebrada, whose floor often greatly ex-
ceeds that slope. The only way to get
miles at full grade and then to shoot for
ward on the upper arm of the zigzag, Some
sloping shelves in the high walls of the
main gorge; some double and twist far up
TO single points. where the road has to give
five miles to gain one. the total percentage
Is astonishing. From Callao TO Oroya the
these seventy-six and a half (onet mile in
every three) are consumed in overcoming
the rise and this besides the unprecedented
maintaining of such maximum grade.
Four miles above San Bartolome and its
tropic side valley is the great bridge of the
Aqua de Ver-ugas. or water of warts. This
noble cantiever. built in New Jersey has
Q. length of $40 feet and a height of 250 The
old bridge was. in its day. the highest in
existence--and was meant to be. To that
end the center pier was sunk in twelve
foot pit. This pier was washed out by a
cioudburst in 1889. and for "A year traffic
was maintained by a cage swinging on ca
bles across the gap. The present structure
has been left far behind as to height by the
bridge over the river Loa. on the 60)-mile
Antofarasta Enc I'm Chili-the longest of
narrow-gauge railroads. and. with its thir-
ty-inch track. the tipsiest. The Aqua de
verrugas is not To be laughed down a
superstition. OF the grim reality i'm these
poisonous springs. which fill the unwary
drinker with frightful goitres. one may see
visible proofs in plenty The building of
the VerrugaS bridge cost "A terrible mortal
ity, and the cemetery of Bellavista Is full
OF it's victims. This strange and frequently
fatal disease of the warts, which haunts
many corners of the Cordillera, seems to
have relation TO certain mineral strata. 1t
Is alike unknown. in this part of Peru, be-
low 5000 and above 5000 feet.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-14

The Fatal Card" comes TO the Park
Thursday next, with a record OF extraor-
binary success in New York city IL will he
seen here with n strong cast and the eIabo-
rate scenery which accompanied the orig
inal production. "'The Fatal Card, Is a
play OF thrills, and contains much of
what has come TO be known as human
interest" There is a pretty love romance
running through it. and the hero is placed
in many dangerous positions and has
such desperate fight 10 right himself and
win his sweetheart that the ever-present
element of suspense is I'm evidence more
than in any ordinary melodrama that can
be called to mind. THE Fatal Card" ran
in New York for two hundred nights and
made an unmistakable triumph. There is
lynchlng episode. an explosion of an in
fernal machine, thrill and a start in every
scene, and a constantly recurring ripple OF
laughter from the bright and refreshing
comedy element. In the last act young
man has tracked the murderers of his
father. and discovers that the father OF his
affianced wife is the guilty man. He is
caught by the band OF which the murderer
Is the head. and. bound to post, is about
TO be killed by an internal machine. when
the girls father finds in the lovers pocket
one-half OF the ace OF clubs. This torn
card was given by the murderer some years
before 10 the lover, who rescued him from
a mob OF Iynchers in the Rocky mountains.
In an attempt 10 remove the Internal ma
chine and save the lovers life. the father
is blown TO pieces.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-14
Few Bicycles Are Out.

The weather for the last month has been
very unfavorable to bicycle riders and in
consequence few wheels have been seen on
the streets. This has also held back the
sale OF bicycle licenses by the city Last
year over 1900 licenses were sold, while
thus Tar this year less than one-tenth that
number have been taken out. The reason
OF this is that most of the wheels in town
are now stored in closets and attics await
ing the coming of good weather, and Ii
censes will not be bought until the weather
is suitable for using the wheels. The indi-
cations are that the licenses sold this year
will far exceed the sales of last year.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-14
CHINESE SHOES OF SILVER.
A New Yorker Finds Some Unique
Features I'm Oriental Money.

New Times.
A New York business man who has been
spending several months in recent travel
through China and Japan writes TO friend
I'm this city an interesting account OF some
phases of the monetary systems prevalent
i'm the Orient. In China money transac-
tons are puZZlng 10 foreigners because
of their unique. and. in some respects. kin
Shanghai interested the New Yorker great
ly. These shoes. which constitute currency
in Shanghai are ingots of silver, shaped
something like Il shoe and weighing about
These shoe Ingots are made current by
the Hong Koo, who assays the silver and
affixes to each ingot stamp recording Its
''toque," touch, and purity. The Hong
Koo derives his authority entirely from an
arrangement among the native bankers.
He is not an Official OF the Chinese gov
eminent. In large natiVe transactions these
shoes form the principal medium OF ex-
change. Throughout China they range In
weight from half tael 10 100 taels- Ac-
cording 10 official statements the Chi
nese money of account Is as follows: Ten
cash or Ii. one candareen: ten candareen or
fun or fen. one mace. ten mace or tsien,
one tael or lang. The lowest link I'm the
Chinese chain is the cash or II. which Is
represented by an actual coin. The canda-
reen. the mace and the tael. however. are
simply denominations denoting certain
fixed weights of silver.
This Ii is also called Yin ard by the Dutch
pitjes. But although supposed by some
foreigners TO be "A silver coin, the Chinese
Ii is made from an alloy of copper. iron
inch I'm diameter, with a square hole In
the middle. Around this hole are inn
pressed, on the diverse, Chinese characters
stating the reign. etc. on the reverse.
Mancbu characters. stating the name of
the mint. Originally the II represented
one-thousandth part o. a tael and nominal
ly IL continues 10 do 80 TO the present day.
one tael is equivalent TO about $l-39 United
States money. AT Hong Kong. Canton
and Focchow, chopped dollars which are
Mexican silver dollars. chopped or stamped
by the natives, are the circulating medium.
AT these ports, however. clean or unchOpped
Mexican dollars usually command small
premium I'm the market
Trade among the japanese - carried on
largely IN paper money, called klnsatsu,
which Is issued by the government AT
first this paper money was used on par
with gold, but subsequently II fell 20
heavy discount because the government
had failed 10 keep an exact record OF It's
Issue and was unable 10 redeem IL II
specie Paper yens have In recent years
been i'm circulation. The japanese unit OF
money is the yen. which was based on the
Mexican dollar and i'm silver was OF equiv
aient value. In United States gold coin the
yen is worth a little more than 80 cents.
and I'm silver IL is worth small fraction
more than our silver dollar. One yen con-
tains 100 sen. Since 1880 the japanese sill
yer yen of 4l6 grains. has become the mon
etary unit and has virtually supplanted the
Mexican silver dollar In that country.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-14
The Editor Defines His Position.

PcnQleIOn lseCOIu-
The day of editorial leadership is thing
of the past That is il is in our humble
opinion Possibly and presumably our enc
mics will be harsh enough to think that so
far as we are concerned that day never
was. Again we believe if such be their
judgment that they are certainly right
We do not presume 10 lead We are oniy
anxious TO give the news and our. readers
NAV draw their own conclusions. II we
think we know thing land in truth one
only thinks they know, we sometimes
urge it to the limit of our understanding
and there let the matter rest. But II there
are those OF our readers who imagine We
do not know "a Ratchet from a hand-saw,'
10 them we say-their frazzled intellects are
80 enveloped with inferior abilities as TO
make them judges of green cheese when
they ought to rather be piucking whiskers
rom the man in the moon. We know that
A Ratchet is-a Ratchet, and whether We
write editorials-so ponderous and weighty.
md dull and stupid-as TO be read by no
one but ourselves. Is no ones particular
business but our own.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-14
Notes of the Stage.

The Flying Jordans. whose aerial feats
were so long the sensational feature OF
Roster q Biars, in New York, will be at
the Park next week with a fine vaudeville
company. The sensational act of the flying
Jordans is difficult TO describe in words.
Perched on trapezes away up in the air.
they do a most remarkable series of leaps,
swinging jumps. single. double and triple
somersaults, with accuracy and fearless
ness. Ii Is certainly one OF the most re-
markable acts of its kind ever given in the
theater.
Seventy-hve pupils Of the High School are
hard at work rehearsing Gilbert and Sulli-
vans opera. The Pirates OF Penzance.'
which they will produce at the Grand FRI
day night, Feb. 70, and Saturday matinee,
FEB. q.
Jefferson De Angels has a new comic
opera by STANCE and Edwards called Poly
copss Wedding Day" which he is TO pro-
duce next month. Frank Murray Will be
his manager.
Lady Hope is TO open at Roster & Blaf's
i'm New York i'm four weeks. This Is the
young lady who. as May Yohe. was de-
scribed as the soubrette with only one
note in her voice
Flora Irwin. sister OF May Irwin. is to
star in the Widow Jones" rext season
under the management of Rich and Harris.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-14

radically different from anything now in
use that they appear as monstrosities.
Several Of these embody the triangle idea:
l. e.. a wheel with "a single triangle for
frame. the apex under the saddle and the
other two angles supporting the bearings
of the wheels. This makes the most mon
strous looking specimen in the wheel line
that can be imagined. yet there are a large
number of inventors with genius and long
hair who seem to think they will be the
wheel of the future
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-14
The LfIiputians soon Here.

One of the funniest incidents IN Merry
Tramps." the spectacular production in
which the Lilputians will appear here on
Feb. %. at Englishs Opera House, is the
pantomime in the second act, in the course
of which Frank Ebert takes a shower bath.
He appears, very tipsy, reads the sign
board on the bathing house and in express
sive pantomime makes it plain that he has
decided TO have bath. He takes of his nat,
overcoat and coat, but finding himself in
his shirt sleeves, he gives comical gri-
mace of mock modesty and retires behind
the shed. His bare arms place several other
garments into view. After he has retired,
Adolf link enters carrying an Z-rays Ian
tern, which he turns toward the shower
bath the sides of which at once become
transparent and disclose Ebert standing APP
right with his chubby back barred TO the
audience and vigorously rubbing himself as
II in a stream OF water. The uproarious
laughter with which this scene will be re-
ceived can readily be imagined, The Iili-
putians will stay here three nights, giving
q matinee on Saturday. Feb. q. This is
their first visit to indianapolis I'm two years
All the favorite little people will be seen in
'.lIerry Tramps-" Ebert. link and Selma
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-14
Buffalo Courier.

The excessive devotion of Englishmen to
out-of-door sports has often been criticised
but sometimes it shows to advantage. 1t Is
evidently responsible for the proposition
which is now made that every community
I'm the kingdom should celebrate the six
tieth anniversary of Queen Victorias ac-
cession by the establishment OF a garden.
park or playground In her honor 1t would
certainly be admirable means of Undue
Ing future generations TO rise up and call
Queen Victoria blessed. and also those who
paid her honor In 1S9z,
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-14
a Local show in March.

Indiana will not be behind in the matter
OF local shows. The people of Indianapolis
Will be able to see bicycles and bicycle parts
and improvements to their hearts content
next month. 1t was decided last week by
the local Bicycle Board of Trade to have
a show here this year. beginning March IS
and continuing three days. 1t will be held
in Tomlinson Hall.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-14
Empire-Cfty Sports.

Here is the way the truthful advance man
announces the engagement Of the City
Sports at the Empire this week: This
mastodonic organization, embracing all the
best talent in the realm of burlesque and
vaudeville and one OF such proportions as
requires brains and wealth to control with
any degree OF success. and yet Flynn and
Sheridan, the monarchs of burlesque and
vaudeville, have fearlessly announced such
a venture. Ii is marvellous combination
of new ideas, embracing, as il does. a cor
pulent pay roll, besides an investment OF
capital such only Flynn and Sheridan
have at command. A small fortune is alone
represented in the costuming and tho
scenic effects are said to be even more gor-
geous than some of the grandest spectacles
employ. 1t is with view TO make public
comparisons OF the various stages of bur-
lesque and vaudeville, from it's first intro
duction as an entertainment TO the highest
attachments up TO date, and incidentally To
still further increase their bank account,
that Flynn and Sheridan offer TO the gen.
erouS public the biggest kind of a festival.
which, by the way, includes all the good
few ideas as TO what the future will recog-
nize in order TO command agreeable consid-
Grafton In this country. What rot! The
Others are Fanny Lewis, Mile. Meza, con-
tortionist, formerly a feature of Barnum &
Balieys circus, roster ana Lewis, sketch
artists; Howard and Earl, in character
songs; Snyder and Buckley, musical
artists; Mile. Delmore grotesque dancer; j.
j. Mackie, the tramp. and johnson and
Dean
Among the many novelties that will be
introduced by the City Sports at the En-
pire this week will be burlesque on the
Bardley- Martin ball. Following the City
Sports at the Empire comes the New York
Stare. introducing frst-class stars.
The management of the Empire announce
that in addition to the regular performance
of the City Sports this week there Will be
presented fourteen of the latest animated
pictures, introducing the ''Cintermeto-
graphic" when is said to be a New York
Success.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-14

The Brownie Band, with Palmer Cox
himself at its head, is coming back TO In
dianapolis. Washingtons birthday. aud will
be here for two nights only. Frank Deshon,
Ida Mule. Robert Broderick, Marie Celeste,
Sol Solomon and the rest of the funny
brownies. with a big contingent of dancers,
singers and comedians. will be seen at Eng
lish's on those dates. The flying ballet, the
Oriental ballet the funny German band the
wandering MINISTRIES, the Brownies ship
wreck and all the glittering features that
made so much of a sensation here last sea-
son will be again in evidence, together with
new material in a scenic and speciality way.
The advance sale for this brief engagement
of the Brownies viii open next Thursday
morning at the Pembroke.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-14

Boston Transcript.
DIR. Abbott Is abundantly able TO defend
himself and will. without doubt continue
10 give his lectures on the Old Testament
His spacious church has been completely
filled during the delivery OF the lectures
and remind one OF the great crowds which
f,ied Plymouth Church during the PASTOR
etc OF the late Henry Ward Beecher.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-14

Goerner are the three tramps. The advance
sale for the Liliputians will begin Monday.
Feb. D. at the Pembroke Arcade.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-08-13
A AEiIlIonaIre,s Extravaganoe.

An example of extravaganza by 2 well known millionaire who built him self q castle in one of the English mid land counties is reported by The English Illustrated Magazine. The water of the place was pure and sufficient, but a case of scarlet fever occurring i'll the village at little distance from his residence he took 6 dislike to the local water sup ply and at a cost of over $I00, GOO pro vided himself with a fresh supply from adistanee of IS miles. Without children or wife and great traveller, he does not inhabit his own country place fol more than three months i'll the year. Although he drinks no wine, his water is an expensive beverage. Allowing only 3 per cent on the money, with l pel cent sinking fund, his water costs him $250 for every day he visits his castle. This supply, it should be added, is linn. ited to the one house. There is really no reason why it should be shared witt others, for the local supply is ample and of good quality.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-08-13
FIREFLY FLASHES.
The Method by Which the Insect Emits
 It's Beautiful Light.

The Method by Which the Insect Emits
 It's Beautiful Light,
 By what process do firefies produce the beautiful flashes of light?9 That is question frequently asked, and as en- tomologieal books fail to give a satis- factory reply the following explanation may be interesting:
 have made a special study of the light, and carefully examined the mech anism of the Illuminating segments in both male and female specimens. The light emitted, when tested by the spec troscope, gives q brilliant spectrum, which is continuous through all the eolers from the red to the violet rays The Illuminating organs consist of dis tinct spherical cells, each one of which is about 1.2000 of an inch in diameter, and the beetle has power to illuminate one or many of these cells at Will producing light of corresponding intensity. The cells contain fluid sat urated with phosphorus, and the cover ing of the cell is so thin that atmosphere coming in contact with it may affect the contents.
 u ASs9 boSH puSSesteu tidt tuS bSet16 produces the flashes of light or renders the phosphorus suddenly luminous by electricity-by the injection of warm fuids-or by friction. But it is certain that the flash of light is made in an other way. We may clearly trace q con- nection between the spiracles and traehea (spiral air tubes) of the beetle and each of the Illuminating cells, and find that the little creature renders the phosphorus contained ill the cells lumi- nous by forcing air upon them. The cells when thus excited emit light from their surface.
 We may initiate the act of the beetle by disseoting one and placing the illumi- hating organ under microscope, cov- cred by thin glass cover. When the cover is lifted so as to admit little air, the cells become luminous.
 We may add that the name afirehy' Is missioner, as the lightning buzz Is true beetle, belonging in the natural order caleoptera, and in the family lampyrida. D. k. Winder ill Detroit Free Press