davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times., 1898-02-27

quired an honest, tidy. capable little
help, and she would supply the need by
a perfectly reliable child in any livery
desired. 1t did not take long for the
women so appealed to to find they had
a great need for these small, efficient
men servants. The philanthropist hired
them out at the rate of 81 for tending
the door and bringing up cards, the serv-
ice to extend from or to o'clock.
boy who had good voice for announcing
and skill at handing tea about was
hired out for s1.35, and in every case the
children were to receive at least a cup
of good hot broth and some meat sand
wches after the work was over.
Now, in n very short space the philan-
thropist found she had a big business on
her hands, and she made it her duty to
employ only neat, respectful absolutely
honest boys, and her object to secure
children who were willing to take school
ing in the morning and work in the af-
terpoon. According TO her own confess
sion she had very little trouble in in
structing and interesting the boys in the
duties necessary for their employers
and quickly did householders dis
cover the vast convenience of these
ganymedes that during certain months
of the winter the boys earned as high
as $40 week apiece serving in different
houses every afternoon.
At first only the women of very mod
est means called for the aid of pages
for the least pretentious fiat holder
found she could afford trim buttons
at less expense and vastly greater effect
than an extra woman in to help on re-
ception days; but eventually the phi
lanthropist, by very cunning device
caught the patronage as well of the rich
folks. She merely turned some of her
boys out in smart breeches, white silk
hose, buckled shoes and gay satin coats.
laced and braided. She rubbed lard and
flour in the little fellows hair. and
promptly got whole series of engage
ments for these specimens from the
smartest women in town.
So popular did this miniature hunkey
become. that in a progressive spirit she
inveigled into her service an intelligent
little darkey, tied his woolly head in n
vast turban. dressed him in a bright
scarlet cotton costume. left his legs bare
from the knees down. put his feet into
red leather, heelless slippers, and found
even more employment for him than her
ordinary funkeys. These, too We're even
called upon 10 serve at one of Mrs. AS
tors entertainments, the small negro, like
an 18th century African page. standing be
hind the mistress of the house, guarding
her fan, salts bottle and pet dog.
1t is needless 10 say that the boys
take happily to their profession. are
proud to learn. anxious to please, and
some of them have gone into regular
training to become expert buffers as
soon as they grow big enough. The ma
The times., 1898-02-27
AMATEUR PLASTER CASTS.
An Inexpensive Home Amusement
for the ArtfsticaIIy A Inclined

The art of plaster casting is so simple
that with a little patience anyone may
acquire it and get the most pleasing re-
suits. IT is an inexpensive amusement.
The plaster costs only 81 a barrel. ard
enough may be had for % cents to
last the most enthusiastic amateur for
months.
For the beginner who is not accus-
toned to the freaks of plaster. il is bet
ter to experiment on a cast before at
tempting to do anything from life. A
bas relief is the best thing to practice on.
The first thing TO consider in making
cast of n hand is to have the hand to
be experimental with in the best posSi-
BILE condition. The nails should be care
fully shaped and the cuticIe pressed into
place. The hand should be washed in
warm water so that the muscles become
relaxed and the fingers supple. and the
cold tap run over it long enough to close
the pores, rub the hand and as far up
the arm as the cast is TO be taken, with
glycerine. This will prevent the plaster
from sticking. Great care should be
taken not TO let the glycerine escape
any part 1t should be brushed under
the finger nails with small cameTs hair
brush.
The next and most important thing is
the mixing of the plaster.
For this take large bowl and pour
The times., 1898-02-27
LITTLE MEN IN LIVERY.
Picturesque Pages Who Are Rent
ed Ont for Recepttons

Pictu rescue Pages who Are Rent
ed Out for Receptions.
1t is philanthropc woman, interested
in the applicants at church employment
agency, who has discovered profitable
occupation for ambitious poor boys in
profession entirely novel on this side the
water, that of serving as private pages.
Now in England every household Of mod
crate means and some social standing
employees page. This is done where the
dignity of a masculine presence at the
front door on occasions OF entertainment,
is requisite and where necessary econo-
my will not permit of a butler in full
canonicals to attend on and announce vis-
itors.
Hitherto in America we have been quite
content TO have a maid servant answer
the bell, but in our big cities every wo-
man yearns after something more cere-
monious, and the phifanthropic person,
getting frantic note from friend, sud
denly deserted by her waitress, hustled
one of her small, poverty y-stricken pro-
teges into a suit of livery, gave him an
hours lesson in tending a door and sent
him to her afflicted friend.
The boy was promised a dollar for one
afternoons work. and so ably did he per-
form his duties that at the end of the lit
tie reception he was not only given his
dollar, but hearty dinner and told to
come back in a week and open the door
for the lady's second Friday at home in
November. Out Of the small beginning
the philanthropic person has built up Il
sort of small boys agency, has kept all
winter no less than one dozen little chaps
in the most profitable employment, and
says she is so encouraged that next WIN
ter she will increase her force to double
it's present number.
Her method of procedure in finding
occupations for her proteges was simple
enough. She informed all the women
she could of her idea for keeping the
boys busy asked them to call upon her
at any time their entertainments re-
The times., 1898-02-27

brought the claw up again it was
doubled up like closed fist. In this way
there was less resistance than if the
whole claw was kept open all the time,
and when the claw came near the shin
again it was opened and the toes forced
upward. By this means she laid hold
of the water in advance of her legs,
and got a firm hold. What nature had
given to the swan, study may give to
man
As to another interesting feature of
the afternoon-the tea and toast part
of the program-around the shallow
ends of the great bath Will be arranged
floating trays, like those used at the
famous German baths. and on each Of
these trays will repose dainty tea serv-
ice deuy After this novel manner
the tea will be partaken of with decora-
tions galore: flowers and seaweeds. in
white porcelain swans. and japanese fam
tail goldfish in crystal spheres.
The times., 1898-02-27
Answered.

(Frou; the Detroit Free Prcs7.)
There is little Piety Hill girl who is
deyout in her religious observances. and
opens each days campaign Of her busy
young life with the Lords prayer. The
other morning. after repeating give US
this day our daily bread. she hesitIted
for n moment, as il in doubt. and then
departed from the text to say. An. ..
Lord IFS jus -venient as not. we pray
Thee to make it gingerbread concluding
in regular form.
That her faith might not be shaken
she had n good deal more gingerbread
that day than WAS good for her. but she
received very imperative warning that
the prayer must be repeated a$ 1t had
been taught her. for the Lord did not
think it right that little girls should
have too much sweets. Since that she
has been going into her closet 20 pray
and the mother is haunted with fear
that her little one is growing skeptical.
The times., 1898-02-27
SOCIETY swELLs IN THE SWIM.
Tea Partics i'm Tan4s-An Astonish-
ing Lenteu Diversion.


ing Lenten Diversion.
A swimming party is society's new Len
ten diversion.
1t sounds rather a Klondike program
for chill winter and spring. but society
has set its seal of approval upon the
pastime, and therefore it is the smart
thing to do.
The swimming party originated in Lon
don, where her grace. the Duchess of
gurated the fashion.
London has a vast number of really
beautiful and picturesque swimming
baths, quite separate institutions in
themselves, where lessons are given and
where one may learn all the tricks. of
swimming for which water nymphs are
supposed to be famous.
The most extensive and luXuriously ap-
pointed swimming bath is in Buckingham
palace road, and here society meets
once or twice weekly for its swimming
party-all sorts of ornamental swimming
is ON the program, with master or
mistress of natation in attendance.
The swimming party, transplanted to
New York. is taking on unique and pic
turesque features, and before the Len
ten season closes u certain set of very
smart society women. all married women,
by the way, are to give tea party In
a tank, as one expresses it A SWIM
ming tea party sounds rather more
CONNIE il faute. perhaps, but quite as
mystifying; and the uninitiated is GER
tain to inquire what manner of social
function may this be.
The brilliant idea originated with Mrs.
Henry Sloane She intends to engage,
for an afternoon. the whole extensive es-
tablishment of swimming bath on
The times., 1898-02-27
svenSaiis for Bad Girls

(From the Chicago Chronicle)
The board OF managers Of the Wiscon-
sin industrial school for girls is consid-
ering a proposition to have hypnotism
used for the purpose of controlling the
incorrigibles of the institution. Mrs. J.
l. Kaine, secretary OF the board. believes
that under the proper conditions the use
of hypnotism would be of great benefit
70 the girls and would be n means Of less
ening the cares Of the matrons-
The recent experience Of the school in
having some Of it's girls take French
leave and get married while out on pa
role. inclines the managers TO adopt any
means which will give them greater
control of the inmates. Mrs. Kaine. in
speaking of the matter. said the other
day:
81 certainly think there could be no
harm in trying an experiment with hyp-
notism. always providing that the con-
ditiOns are proper
The times., 1898-02-27
Ther,rc Al Right

(From the Atlanta Journal1
But for the women Atlanta would have
had no celebration of Rober; l.. Lees
birthday this year. Eut for the women
George Washingt0ns birthday would
have passed unc bserved in Atlanta God
bless the women, After all. they are the
truest patriots.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-22
st. Johns and It's Keeper.

Richmond owes no little Of her fame as
a beautiful city to her Charming public
parks and cemeteries which, at this sea-
son of the year are all aglow with their
fresh spring dress OF livid green, with
trimmings" Of vari-hued flowers. And
not the least attractive OF these spots IS
old ST. Johns burying-ground. The no
Bile old trees and dazzling green OF the
grass present a welcome relief TO the eye
after traversing the streets. Mr.. Antoni
Griffigna, the superintendent, has adorn-
ed the grounds with a great many mag
nificent rose trees, some OF them of re-
markable size and beauty. Among them
the Dispatch man noticed Paul Neron
roses, inches In diameter, Jacqueminots,
Magma Charta, the pink Bonsilene. the
yellow Isabella Spront Malmaisons, La
France, bride. Marie Van Houtens, etc.
The extensive repairs that are being
made 10 the church edihce will greatly
improve IL in appearance. The Patrick
Henry part has now nice metal roof
in place OF the shingles, and the interior
is being thoroughly renovated and re-
painted.
Mr.. Griffin" as his many boy and girl
friends call the genial caretaker, has be-
come almost as much feature OF ST.
Johns as the building itself. He knows
the inscriptions on every tombstone and
monument in the place. and thousands OF
visitors from Maine to Texas remember
his inimitable recitals Of the same. His
recitation OF Patrick Henry's speech
would be- envied by Patrick himself. IL he
were alive.
Use Elastic Starch. Flat-ron trade
mark.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-22

ticularly in love with himself who wins
the prizes. 1t isn't right; the masculine
form divine should prevail.
Think over all these hints. OH we SCOT
fers of feminine vanity, and own up 10
your own guilt. And remember, above
all things, that no man has ever yet
been fashioned who was one half so
beautiful as the ugliest woman's little
finger. CNote: For this complimentary
climax and eulogium of the sex which has
bulldozed me for some threescore and
ten years, / expect the united thanks of
all womankind, TO say nothing OF many
worsted slippers and embroidered dress
ing gowns)
Our good housewife is angry, and says
she believes I've gone stark, raving crazy.
She does not understand why it Is that
at eventide / return 10 my domicile, and,
selecting a quiet corner, coo and chuckle
10 myself as if my sides would burst with
laughter. 1t always makes her mad when
l appear 10 know a thing which she
doesn't know, and If / refuse TO imp2rt
the information she is liable to get mad
der still. Now, the truth OF the whole
business is, that I'm a-grinning at some
of these war jokes I've heard; but, unfor-
tunately, the best ones are for gents only.
and 80 1 cannot ease the curiosity OF the
inquisitive dame. Downtown we don I
do much else but exchange war Jokes
nowadays. Some of these jokes are pow
erfully good, too; but they are not for
parlor enjoyment, and the class we have
to dispense at home are SO tame that we
almost blush TO repeat them. and feel that
We are stealing the humor Of Joe Miller.
The Commander in Chief is a very guilt
BILE party, and will snap at any catchy
thing you bait her with; but, unfortu-
nately. you have to chisel the point Of a
joke into her wise cocoanut before she
fully grasps It,
look that l remarked to her a few days
since that they had closed the Public
Library building in Washington.
'Why?" she peromptorily demanded.
ITO keep the magazines from ex-
ploding," 1 replied in spasmodic gurgle
OF glee.
She never cracked a smile, but assumed
the look OF a person who hears a foreign
quotation and doesn't know what II
means. Finally she admitted she didn'l
see anything funny in that witticism. so
l tried her again.
You have heard that the Chinese are
after Dewey. haven't you dear?" asked
with an innocent. sanctimonious air.
mo. what are they after him for?'
she snapped out.
why. to get his washing, of course
was my exceedingly humorous reply.
1t never touched her. She simply gave
a grunt, indicative OF the most supreme
contempt.
Determined to evoke a smile from this
mirthless individual. / remarked that
there had been terrible accident at Old
Point.
How did II happen?" she queried.
THE wind blew up the river" was my
1ocoso reply. as I went into commissions
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-22

NJ mirth over this whiskered relict OF
| Righteousness. o-
"you men are the biggest fools ] ever
saw" she remarked. unreservediy, anu
what's more, I don't believe those are
the Jokes you're laughing at wnen you
SIT grinning in the corner IKE a piuin'
Z blooming idiot" o.sor.
hut thew are not for the Daughters OF the
revolution or for the daughters OF any
body else. either. They are part and par
eel of the things which sometimes cause
women TO think that men can set aiohs
very well without them.
Does a strong, abIe-bodied man lose
his dignity by rolling baby-carr1age!
That is a question which has agitated
the public mind almost ever since pdDies
and baby-carriages were invented anu
has never yet been solved. 1here or
some meek spirits, crushed almost at the
incipiency OF their matrimonial careers,
who humbly submit to this Illuminating
duty. but others, tirnid and yielding IN
ALI things else, draw the line at this
infantile conveyance, and throw oowh
the gauntlet of rebellion. Why dintIeht
men should take such different views
about this matter is more tnan L. al
4 experienced old codger, can understand
TO my mind, there is but one stand 10
u, take. and that stand is dead against
, baby-carriages. When it comes to having
them swing on either hand-that Is, the
infants. not the carriages-or dangie on
the tails Of my cutaway coat. am al
submission, but never yet has this PROUD
American spirit OF mine been crushed 10
the extent of supplying motive power Tor
these piginy chariots. man pushing
a baby-carriage is as pitiful as rooster
with a brood of chickens, or woman
playing baseball. The ordeal seems 10
take all the spirit out OF the proud
brutes and to trail them In the very dust
of humiliation. No, no; a Thousand
times no / say TO the proposition. l
am willing to wear white socks. home
n,ede shirts, Irvine suspenders. and era
| watts Of my wifes selection, but there are
moments when even the worm VIII turn.
Some philanthropist, hoping TO solve
| the difficulties of the problem. has In
| vented a two-wheeied affair they call a
| "go-cart." but none but the most white
| liyered and henpecked will accept TINS
| compromise. 1t is simply case OF going
| from the frying-pan into the hre. That
1 which we call q baby-carriage by any
| other name will be as tortuous.
| THE IDLE REPORTER.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-22
NOT WITHOUT VANITY
THE IDLER AssAILS THE WEAK
NEssEs OF HIS OWN SEX.
LIKES TO SHOW HIS FINE POINTS.
Man is Not Averse to Parnding Them
I'm PubIic-War Jokes that Cannot
Hear TeIIing-To Push or Not to
Push.
Push.

Woman is the vainest creature on
earth, and next TO her comes man, with
a pretty close second. In fact. have at
times even been induced 10 think that
the tobacaco-using sex is entitled 10
first place in this respect, though it is
almost treason TO say it. We stern
brutes, who fear neither mice nor burg
lars under our beds, are wont 10 ridicule
the petty conceits of the caramel de-
stroyers, and to harp on the tricks they
use to show their good points. We SCOT
at them when they display their pretty
arms, or rounded necks or dainty hands,
or when they unconsciously invite atten-
ton TO their most attractive features.
But when we resort TO the same sub
terfuges ourselves. the matter passes
unnoticed, for that is a gray horse Of
another color. The athletic craze has
given me a deep insight into the weak
ness OF masculine character, for 1t is in
this line that man Is particularly vain
and loves TO show his splendor. There
never was a male creature yet who didn't
consider himself a superb specimen of
physical manhood, and expect all women
to concur in his opinion. And the recent
golf and bicycle fanaticism which has
swept over the country affords fine scope
for those happy individuals who are. TO
use vulgar but painfully expressive
phrasa. stuck on their shapes. To
appreciate the force of my words OF
wisdom, witness the bow-legs. the spindle
shanks, the obese limbs. and the broom
sticks now fiourishing around in short
pants and knickerbockers. The athletic
sports In which these varied species OF
legs indulge do not necessitate the liberal
display OF stockings to which we are
treated. but by what other means, dear
ladies', could we attract your attention
to our physical charms? 1t would be
cruel to deprive you of the sight OF our
magnificent limbs. sncased In checker
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-22
HIGHLAND SPRINGS NEWS NOTES
Personal and other Items from This
Pretty suburb-Literary Meeting.


Mrs. Charles Griffin is out again after
two weeks illness.
Mrs. Lydia Thorp is confined to her
room with rheumatism.
Mrs. f. ]. Harker is somewhat i'm
proved in health, though still suffering
with her old trouble, eczema.
Mrs. Powers has the sympathy of many
friends In the loss Of her mother, Mrs.
James Lacy, Of Richmond.
Mr.. Woodfin, Of Elko, has been visit
ing friends and relatives in this neigh
borhood for the past week.
Mrs. Willie Binford, OF Elko, is on a
visit to her parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Col
lier. of New Bridge.
Mr. Alfred Woodman, of Plainfeld' n.
H., has purchased the Morrison cottage,
and expects TO occupy it this fall. 1t vii
be known as the Louisiana Lou" cot
tage.
Mr.. Edmunds and family are stoppii.s
at Mr. Daniel Smiths until they can
purchase a desirably-located residence.
Mr. F. ]. Harker has accepted a posi-
ton with Mr.. Percy S. Read as agent.
Misses Banks and Hudgins expect 70
move into their new cottage, "Lourdes,
next month.
Miss Florence Garfield, Of Sunny
Bank, on James river, returned TO hei
home Monday after a visit TO friends
here She was accompanied by Mrs. h.
NJ. Raabe. who. with the young lady
and two boys, experienced frightful
runaway. Miss Garfield and Master
Howard Wade were in lady's road
cart and Master Harry Garfield and Mrs.
Raabe drove a phaeton. Miss Garfield 5
horse who was in the reap became
| frightened and collided with the phaeton
| throwing the occupants OF the cart
against barbed-wire fence with ire
mendous force, breaking the boys arm
| and rendering Miss Garfield unconscious.
| The horse, after a mad run, was caught
| and controlled by Mr.. Henry Harding
| who CALAMITY came to the ladies' rescue
| Miss Garfield received kindly atten
| ton from Mr.. Harding's family, and
| later was carried TO her home. At last
| reports all of those injured were doinl
l nicely.
The Literary and Musical Association
| held its last meeting for the season
| Thursday night. There was no pro
| gramme on account of the election OF
| officers and other business. The annua
month, the date not having been fixed
| Mrs. Raabe declined reelection TO the
presidents Office, and the election re-
| suited as follows: President. Or. G.. T.
| Collins; Vice-President, Mrs. Kate
| Raabe; Secretary, Miss Woodruff: Urea
surer Mrs. Il. S. Read. The association
I then adjourned until the first Thursday
| in October.