davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-12
THE HELPFUL SHOPPER.
She Saves Time and Patience and the
Busy Store People Call Her
Blessed.

Now is the time when the helpful shop
per causes over-taxed store people to lise
up and call her blessed. Why? Because
she saves time, patience, tact, everything
that causes the wheels of busy days like
these to run smoothly and without jars.
This ideal woman does not start away
from home before she knows exactly
what she wants. She sits at ease in her
rocker in her quiet sitting room and let's
her brain go on "a shopping tour long be-
fore her body starts on its quest.
She knows what she wants to buy, for
she has been looking about her every
where. and is pretty well posted as TO
the inviting things that are on exhibit
ton.
Carefully and concisely she prepares her
list. maps out her route, and when at
length the last button is fastened upon her
glove and she steps out into the air there
is a general effect of helpfulncSS about her
that makes Eer very presence a tonic.
One preparation she has made that none
of her sisters should overlook at this sea-
son, and that is the writing of her full
name and address on a card which she
puts into her purse. Pickpockets are look
ing for their harvest now. of course, and
but hundreds Of purses are misllid, are
lost or dropped that would go Immediately
to the owner il they were only marked.
But as it is, all the stores have a lost
and found department TO which groups
of distressed people hurry every hour be-
cause they have carelessly laid their purses
down on Il counter, Il CHAIR or n table.
Then label YOU purse, my good lady, and
so keep your mind serene.
Another thing this helpful shopper does:
She takes with her a shopping bag and
carries in it all her small purchases, for
she has seen the significant sign: Please
take small packages with you and knows
that the most obliEinS merchants in the
world are sorely taxed at Christmas time
in trying not only to sell their goods. but
to deliver them untarnished to their buy
erS.
Arrived at her destination this helpful
shopper is seen at her very best; in the
aisles of the crowded stores she persist
entity keeps TO the right. goes steadily on
her way, does not dream of talking to Il
friend before she draws her aside from
the t~horoughfare and finally reaches the
especial counter she wants without the
least discomfort.
Once there she quietly waits her turn.
asks for exactly what she wants, has her
money right at hand, does not forget to
give a pleasant look at the hurried girl
who waits on her; takes her change and
her parcel with a smile, says thank YOU
whenever there is the slightest occasion
for il, and goes on her way leaving a
track of general comfort and rest that is
an untold relief to those whom she meets.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-12

object aimed at. 1t is a horrible sensation.
Shots flew in all directions, whizzinS past
my eyes. The most awful fact of 1t all is
that you cannot see where the shots come
from. The enemy may be miles away, but
the fire plays around you. threatening ev-
cry moment to cut he thread on which
your life hangs.
The thing which most surprised me In the
Eastern war was the callousnesS OF many
OF the soldiers. They joked and laughed
and smoked cigarettes as though war were
child'S play. and it was only when a COM
rade fell wounded or dead that YOU saw
that they had hearts to feel and eyes that
glistened. The Turks carried charms in
their breast pockets-long scrolls of paper
containing an extract from the Koran. L
have one on my table as l write. wildly re-
calling the white face and fearful express
sion of the dead soldier from whose pocket
l took it.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-12

William Wickward. one of the hermit
twins of Timber Island, n. j.. prays in his
conscious moments that he may cross the
dark river He is suffering in a pre-
carious condition in their thirty-foot sloop
that has sheltered them in their solitude for
SO many years.
The Wickward twins are 60 years old. Be
tween the mainland and their boat. the
sails of which are never set. it is nearly i'm
~passable. 1t is only at certain times in the
year that this point in Elmer's stream. a
small tributary of Black creek, near Bridge
ton, can be reached.
The Wickwards need not have labored
with their hands. so the boatmen in Black
creek say. because they are wealthy. The
hermits will not divulge the secret of their
strange lives. nor tell why they live apart
from the world.
If William dies" said Charles to a World
reporter. and he is not long for this world,
his desire 10 be buried beneath the waves
of the Delaware river shall be granted. and
the dust of his bones will dissolve in old
ocean"
The boat was fitted up in comfortable
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-12
Neckties to Match.

From the Youths Companion.
"Have you any neckties?" inquired a
dandified young man, addressing the pro-
prietor of the Cedarby corner store"
Then. turning to his companion. he said.
with n slight lisp. II have a fad for getting
neckties as souvenirs of every place I visit.
It's my own idea, you know"
"What color do you want. young MANI"
inquired the proprietor, surveying his Gus
toner through a pair of iron-bowed spec
tacles.
'Oh-ah-I'm very fond of having them
to match the color of my eyes" said the
young man. l~anguidly. opening his small
orbs to their widest extent.
got any neckties thatll do.
then. said the proprietor. shaking his
head decidedly. I've got plain blue ones,
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-12
CHEERFUL TYPE OF HEROINE.
h Has Banished h Shrinking. SUI
preventative Damsel From
Literature.

Beauty is no longer dissolved in tears
under even the most trying circumstances.
1t is hard for US to believe that sobs and
swollen lids once had esthetic value Du
Maurier has cast a glamour about the
Sweet Alice of the old song which makes
the reading world to-day condone the fact
that She
wept with delight If o CAV her q
smile,
And trembled with fear at your frown;
But his trait is now recognized as a dis
tinct drawback to her attractivenesS; and
the type is dead beyond description unless
it may be said to survive in the person of
Elsie Dinsmore.
The feast of sorrow is no longer spread
for the delectation of young lady readers,
says Lippincott's Magazine. Our own hero
ines, as portrayed in the illustrated mag
azines and elsewhere. are of a type which
may be called strapping. and unalloyed
checrfulness is depicted upon their counte-
naroes. AS a result, it is probable. of re-
action from what may be called the Era
enough. coincident with the times Of Scott.
JAM Austen. Maria Edgeworth, Charlotte
Bronte. Dickens, and Thackeray-there is
at present among young women a tendency
to affect hardness rather than softness of
heart, a gay audacity rather than mel
ancholy sweet and frair' and shrinking
seCsitiveneSS.
1t is doubtless due to this reaction that
the gentle women of Thackeray have tenn
porarily fallen into unmerited contempt
A short skirted girl flying along on her
bicycle with merely a mocking backward
giarce at the masculine world is perhaps
a more inspiring picture than Amelia weep
ing. over Georges letters. A calm-eyed
athletic college woman is certainly in many
ways superior to Lady CastlewOod with her
tender agonies. And yet-and yet-is there
not now and then 4 subtle sense of loss?
l for one confess that Thackeray's type
of woman is to me more charming by far
than the heroine OF to-day or her living
prototype. But both are extremes. and be-
tween them lies the golden mean which
we may see in Rosalind and Portia.
To-day'S fashion of hardihood will doubt
less pass like yesterdays fashion of ex-
cessive softness: but for the present one
IS almost tempted to say. after the Lady's
Book manner There is n void in the
bright armament of womanly perfection
alas for the Lost Pleiad of Sensibility!'
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-12
For n Flaky Crust.

A French chef gives the following vaIu-
able hints to the amateur pastry cook:
In this special branch of cookery. de-
tails. not OF ingredients but OF outward
circumstances. are of the greatest i'm
portance in helping to bring about II good
result. First. pastry should be prepared
in a cool place; when the temperature
is low, care is not so imperative, but in
summer. in nine cases out of ten, fail
ure is due to great heat. Then the -four
should always be dried and sifted. and
the butter Well pressed. to free it from
all surplus moisture: to this end it is
advisable in hot weather to wash the
butter in fresh water over night. roll it
tightly in Il clean dry muslin. beat it
gently with a wooden roller. and place
ii on a marble slab till wanted. When
lard is used it must be absolutely fresh
and worked in a cool room. Further. the
knife or cutter must be sharp. and when
the pastry is brushed over with egg or
not be dropped on any other part except
on that on which it is required. for such
a proceeding would prove detrimental to
the result. Lastly. the oven should be
kept well closed to insure n perfectly even
heat. otherwise the pastry will fall In on
the side where the heat is not so great.
and it is not until the pastry has risen
that n sheet of paper should be spread
over the top; then the ventilator may be
opened TO let out the moisture and to
completely dry the contents. A good way
of paper inside: If it turns yellow quickly
the degree is attained for puff pastry, and
that which is made with butter and with
yeast. Other kinds Of dough. ETC., succeed
better when the heat of the oven colors
the paper more slowly"
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-12
SHE MADE HIM TALK.
but She Established Her
tiOn as n Desirable Guest.


From the New York Tribune
please talk" said a pretty American
girl to a shy young Englishman who was
her neighbor at dinner. Mrs. A. invited
me here especially tonight to amuse you.
and she will never forgive me if you look
bored." The young fellow laughed.
II will do my best" he answered. "but
1 am a silent chap. l always sit as mum
as a church mouse; why, even now l
Neither have l." said the young wom-
an despairingly; but it is worse for me
than it is for you. for if l can't make you
talk. or at least seem interested; Mrs. a:
me here any more: and yet 1t is difficult.
| dc not believe we have an idea in COM
mon.'
Il suppose not acquiesced the young
man. c~heerfully. After that Il pause; the
EEglishman appearing content to devote
himself to the consumption of a particular
ly good entree which was placed before
him.. The girl pondered.
ID YOU know any poetry?' she said
suddenly, as if struck by a happy thought.
Not a line" said the Englishman.
But, surely, you know something. How
about nursery rhymes? Hickory, dickery,
DOCK" she continued persuasively. Tie
face of the stolid young man frightened:
Wasn't it something about u mouse?"
he asked.
Why, of course encouragingly. Don
you remember what it did?
Hickory, dickery. dock.
The mouse ran up the"
Clock" exclaimed the Englishman. and
he finished the rhyme without assistance,
and with considerable animation.
That's perfectly splendid:,' cried the
young woman, clapping her hands. I'VE
are all right now. You say one line and
then I'll say another. and Mrs. A. will
think it is all conversation. ] expect we
both know enough Mother Goose dog
serel to last through dinner"
What are YOU two laughing at?" called
out their hostess several minutes later. as
the young Englishman uttered a truly
British guffaw oyer his version Of:
"Baa, b,a. black sheep,
Have you any woOl?'
Then, turning to her next neighbor, she
SAID contidentially:
"Milly Brown is really a perfect treasure.
I can always depend upon her to make
a thing go off well, she has such a faculty
of converSing."
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-12
BURGLARY INSURANCE NO GO.
The Business DOESN'T Pny-ChicnEo
Thieves Lend the Pro-
fessiOn.
the New York Sun.

from the New York Sun.
The New England Burglary Insurance
Company. of Boston, has decided TO give
up business. 1t has found that it doesn't
pay. The company was organized about
two years ago. and its first reverse came
from the prevalence of crime in Chicago.
where II suffered heavy losses. These
losses caused the company to give up bust
ness in the West last May, and it has now
decided to give up altogether. All its pol
icics have been reinsured in the Fidelity
and Casualty Company, of this city.
The Fidelity and Casualty is now practi-
caliy the only company in the burglary in
surance business. All the burglary risks
of the United States Casualty Company, of
which former Superintendent OF Police
Byrnes was general manager. were REIN
sured with it in June.
w. p. Learned, superintendent of the bur-
glary department of the Fidelity and Cas-
ualty, said yesterday that so far his com
pany had not been able TO make burglary
country. according to Mr.. Learned, Chi
oago., in the matter of burglaries. is by
far the worst. This city. however. Mr..
Learned said. was making a bad record
in the matter of store burglaries, and sew
eral recent local losses of the company
occurred practically under the nose of the
nGliCe.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-12
Little Fellow Was Right.
rom the London Telegraph.

From the London Telegraph
At a school examination near Dudley one
OF her majesty'S inspectors was question:
ing a little boy in the lower standards,
md found that his knowledge OF arithmetic
WAS very deficient. The inspector had
asked several questions without getting a
satisfactory answer but. determined to
arouse the little fellows interest in the
subject. he asked:
III your teacher CAV you two rabbits
and ! gave you one how many would You
have?"
-Four. sir" replied the lad.
Impossible" replied the inspector, get
ting inpatient; two and one cannot make
four"
Please. sir" said the little fellow, I've
got a lop-eared one already"
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-12
LAUGHS AT THE LAWYERS.

A Tennessee lawyer tells this story OF
q darby freight hand OF a Southern rail-
way. 1t seems that Ben. the darky. had
been placed in charge OF a mule. whose
destination was marked on q tag attached
by twine to the mules leg. Before the
animal had been. persuaded TO enter Il car
and. before Ben could interpose, the mule
had the tag well chewed up. The old
man looked up the local freight agent and
asked in perturbation: Wat l goin' do
w'ere he's goin'?"
Daniel Webster's oratory was not al
ways of the ponderous order. OCCASIONAL
ly he would introduce a bit of humor very
effectively, an instance of which the Green
Bag gives as follows: Daniel Webster
when in full practice was employed to de-
fend the will of Roger Perkins. of Hop
kirton. a physician made affidavit that
the %testator was struck with death when
he signed the will. Webster subjected his
testimony to a most thorough examina-
ton. showing by quoting medical authori-
ties that doctors disagree as to the precise
moment when a dying man is struck with
death-some affirming that it is at the
commencement of the disease. others at
its climax. and others still affirm that We
"I should like to Know said the oppos-
ing counsel. what doctor maintains that
theory
great dignity. The moment We begin to
live We all begin TO die
Sir Nicholas Bacon had once to sentence
n number of malefactors to be hanged.
One Of these. by name Hocg. pleaded hard
for mercy. and among other pleas put In
that of kinship. Nay" SAYS Bacon: 'how
do you make that out?" Says the prison.
er: My name is HosS and yours is Bacon,
and Hogg has ever been kin to Bacon"
Not says Bacon. till it has been well
hanged" and forthwith confirmed the
sentence.
In a breach of promise case. The court
What Is your age. madam?
The p~laintiff-Must I answer?
The court-You must.
The plaiHtif-Why. Judge. thought
people didn't have to testify against them
selves.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-12
WORK OF GRAFTERs ON A TRAIN
A Young Man Defrauded and Accuses
A Well known ms
City Nun.
Sioux City Journal.

From the Sioux City Journal.
Grafters got in their work on a young
stranger who left Sioux City on the Mil
waukee train for Manila on Wednesday
night. The young fellow was on his way
to Kansas. In some way the grafters
learned the young mans destination. and
one of them made himself very agreeable
to the stranger. He was going to Kansas.
too. and was glad to find somebody else
who was goirg to make the long journey.
The CRATER and the stranger We're seated
together in the coach. and just before the
train pulled out the second CRATER came
hurriedly in. He accoSted the agreeable
one quite roughly, saying:
Aren't you going to pay that hardware
bill before you leave town.
Why, l can't" was the reply. II am
willing to pay it, but 1 have bought my
II for kansas and all my money is
oh. that don't GO said the Other fell
low o, YOU Q pay that bin or you'll never
The young stranger did not like to see
his new found friend in such Il predicament
and he came to the rescue by lending him
was profuse in his thanks for the accom-
modation, but before the stranger knew it
he had left the train-probably before it
got out of the yards.
There was nothing very unusual about
this occurrence. but the queer part of the
story is yet to come: BY the time the
traveller had come to the conclusion that
he had been coniidenced out of his money
and he complained to Conductor Jackson.
rs the man still on the train?" asked
the conductor. after he had heard the
story.
The stranger was confident that he was.
Well said Mr.. Jackson you just point
him out to me and if he has taken your
money l am pretty sure l can get it back
for you all right"
The conductor went into the coach with
the young fellow. who pointed out a grain
dealer from Kansas City, who was well
! Known to the conductor as a business
man of probity and honor.
1t took some time to convince the in
nocent young fellow that this could not
have been the man who took his money,
but there is no doubt he was robbed be-
fore the train left Sioux City. for other
persons in the coach saw the transaction.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-12
He Knew Her.

From the Detroit Free Press.
Darling. what shall L give you for a
Christmas presert?"
Well, my dear. you would better give
me a flying machine. 1 know III need it
when your bills come in"
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-12
Not We'll AdNcrtised.

She said her heart was like n bird,
Which sings its sweetest songs unheard;
hen she sat and waited in a rage,
Because no lover oped the cage.
Detroit Free Press.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-12

style. In the hold were sailed fish and
picked oysters in abundance. Their. store
of goods was to last them. through the
winter. But William is swiftly nearing his
end. A solitary figure will soon occupy the
cabin of the hermits' sloop. The dishes
from which the twins eat their humble fare
though neat and well kept. are old-fash-
Toned. They are evidently men of refine
ment.
Charles keeps vigil over his dying broth
er. attending to his few wants and doing
everything to make the final moments of
his strange life peaCeful. }
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-12
Fuel Item.

From the Detroit Free Press.
why do we call it soft coal2"
Because the man who buys 1t Is in luck
that he isn't paying for anthracite"
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-12
He Wasn't Dead,

From Rambler.
Two Irishmen were working In a quarry.
wien one of them fell into a deep quarry
hole. Tho other. alarmed. came TO tho
"Arrah. Pat. are We killed entirely? II
ye're dead. spake."
Pat assured him from the bottom by say
ing in answer. No. Tim. I'm not dead.
but I'm spachless."
Here's a great humanitarian scheme"
What's that "a corporation for assist
ing those well meaning women who start
out to buy their husbands and sweethearts
cigars for Christmas preSentS"-PhiladeL-
phia North American.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-26
HOUSEKEEPING IN HENRY-ST
THE NETWORK TENEMENT-HOUSE CHAf-
TER OF THE KINGS DACGH-
TIERS ENTERTAINS.

The Headquarters Of the New-York Tenement
House Chapter Of the Kings Daughters presented
a lively scene yesterday afternoon from the hour
Of 3 o'clock until g. the occasion being the house
warming of the new chapter-house. No. As Henry-st
The new house is great improvement on the
former quarters In Madson-st.. which consisted OF
only few rooms The entire building in Henry-st
will now be used for the purpose for which II has
been newly repaired and made as attractive as pos
sible. The first floor contains the recepuon-room
office and kindergarten room. and above are the
girls cubroom and Tothers room
Some Of the work from the children's sewing
classes which meet on Tuesday and Saturday af-
ternoons was on exhibition. and showed remark
able neatness and care There are also mothers
meetings held every Thursday the boys ciup
girls club and the kindergarten class.
In addition TO the regular work. the chapter fur-
nishes nurses during the summer TO Work among
the sick under the direction OF the Board OF
Health The new house is located in the centre OF
the tenement house district. and ample material
for the good work is furnished all sides by the
teeming population Of squalid women and children
Some Of the managers Of the chapter are JACOB
A Riis honorary chairman: Mrs. Julian Heath
chairman; Mrs. L. S. Houghton first vice,chair-
man: Mrs J. J. Seaman, second Vlce-cnairman,
Mrs, James r. Waterow third vice-charman
Miss Anna r. Beals corresponding secretary Miss
Charlotte A. Waterbury, recording secre.apE MISS
clara Field treasurer; Mrs. Charles Mcdowell
Mrs Charles II. Woodbury., Miss NJ: r. Woodbury..
Miss Nellie NJ Smith Miss Emma HaTa'o Mrs MISS
T. Burke Miss Alice Wolcott, David Willard and
MiseC L.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-26
IN BEHALF OF THE GRASSO FAMILY

The following communications In reference to
the welfare o. the Grasso family were received
yesterday at The Tribune office:
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: We beg TO notify you that through Mrs
6 J. Real Of No. q North Washir Gton Square, we
received to-day the amount of s65 and n receipt
for 80 paid by Mrs. Beal TO the widow OF felx
C;rasso making total amount OF $40, as a result
of the subscription that Mrs. Beal started through
your weil-credted paper. The s65 has to-day been
deposited with the Excelsior Savings Bank: In
trust of our L. Gandolf, and the widow VIII be
allowed TO withdraw 81 per week: The only RECEIPT
we could get from the Excelsior Savings Bank
for the amount deposited was the passbook, which
we keep in safe. Thanking you for your klEd
help we remain truly yours, ~
May 81. 1897.
To the Editor OF The Tribune. .
Sir After careful consideration ! have decided
for the Grasso family but to hand IL over TO MT
Gandolh. who will pay Mrs. Clara Grasso small
sum every week. you desired. Mr.. Gandoln VIII
deposit IL at and send you the bank receipt
] gave Mr.. Gandolh this morning 500 ana recclpt
for SO from Mrs. c. Grasso making $40 that mas
been given TO for the Grasso family. Mr. Can
doln has already given the brother work, and ha.
the aged people. All moneys sent TO me, elmer
from you or the public. shall deliver to MN, am
he Will send all receipts to you. consider MN
the ore best fitted TO act as trustee. Truly yours
WV S. j. BEAL.
No q North Washington Square. May "a
two-doar bill received yesterday at The
Tribune Office. 1t in an envelope without a
name
F. b. u. sent ST.