davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Philipsburg mail., 1898-10-21

appointed thereto upon application.
This was the beginning Of Major Stu
arts real career. He soon demon-
strated to the government that he was
especially qualified for the peculiar
detective work required of an inspec-
tor, and the department soon showed
its appreciation by intrusting some of
its biggest and most important cases
to his handling. He invariably sue
ceeded in what he went about. His
splendid work in ferreting out the ia
nous star route frauds in the west
secured his appointment as inspector
in charge Of the northwest division
in 1876, and this enlarged Major Stu
arts opportunities for fine achieve
ments. Through his efforts and by his
suggestions the postoffice department
succeeded in driving the Louisiana
lottery out Of the United States, Major
Stuart advising changes in the law
which would enable prosecution OF lot
terry companies at the point where their
mail was delivered. His most famous
achievement was his successful pros
ecution Of the principals in the noted
Fund w" and the Guarantee Invest
ment Company, two fraudulent con-
Germs which robbed thousands of per-
sons by the use Of the mails. In the
Fund w" case Major Stuart exceeded
his authority in his zeal to capture the
promoters. He held the mail OF the
concern, and as 1t piled up, the con-
spirators were frantic to secure it.
Their business was being ruined. Stu
art refused to yield. They offered him
$4,000 II he would simply keep his
hands off property he had no right to
hold, but Stuart smiled blandly and
told them to save the money for their
defense. After the iniquity had been
crushed the government thanked Stu
art and indorsed everything he had
done. 1t Is one of Major Stuarts proud
boasts-he rarely boasts, however
that he nsyer went after a thief ant
failed to get him. Although inspector
in charge, he takes immense satisfac-
ton at times in handling a diffic,lt
case personally. and some OF his tX-
periences have been OF thrilling sort.
The postal division in charge Of Major
Stuart embraces within its limits Il,i-
nois, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin ;tad
Michigan. While not the largest IN
area. one-six+h Of all the money-order
Offices are located in this division. and
The Philipsburg mail., 1898-10-21
Curious Advertisements.

Curionsly worded advertisements
that are funny without intent are COM
mon in the London papers, says FIT
Bits. Here are few examples: "A
lady wants to sell her piano. as She
is going abroad in a strong iron frame"
Furnished apartments suitable for !,
gentleman with folding DOORS" Want
ed, a room by two gentlemen about 20
feet long and 20 feet broad" Lost 4
collie dog by a man on Saturday ar
swer to Jim with brass collar round
his neck and muzzle.' "A boy wanted
who can open oysters with references"
Bulldog for sale; will eat anything.
very fond of Children" Wanted an
organist, and a boy to blow the same
Wanted, boy to be partly outside
and partly behind the counter" "I.ost.
near Highgate archway, an umbrella
belonging to a gentleman with a bent
rib and bone handle" ITO be dis-
posed Of small phaeton, the property
of a gentleman with a movable head.
piece as good as new"
The Philipsburg mail., 1898-10-21
First American MotOcyclc SHOW,

Among the novelties which will be
exhibited at the exhibition to be held
in October and November by the Mas
sachusotts Charitable Mechanic Asso-
citation OF Boston Is the Diesel motor.
Endorsed as the greatest advance made
In motive power since the day CT Watt.
The practicability Of wireless te,eg
raphy is to be illustrated, and the larg-
eF: X-ray exhibit ever shown in this
country is another feature. The ex-
hib!tion OF motor carriages will be tha
first Of its kind held in the UcIted
States.
The Philipsburg mail., 1898-10-21

ly equal to that made from Manila
hemp, and at cost of at least one
third less than the latter, Certain
kinds of rope will also be made from
this grass, especial attention to be CIV
en- to that kind which Is used for the
purpose Of tying up hides. 1t is the
purpose to use coarser varieties OF
grass in manufacture OF roughly woven
cotton bagging, of which an immense
amount is used in the south. 1t will
make, it is claimed, strong, durable and
cheap bagging. The finer grass will
be woven into mating, which is said
to make an excellent substitute for
Japanese mating. 1t takes dyes read
lily, and makes floor covering as
durable as it is attractive. Another
use to which 1t is claimed it can be
put to excellent advantage is that OF a
lining for carpets. and decided su.
periority is claimed for it over the
paper lining now used for that puv
bose
The Philipsburg mail., 1898-10-21
TO UTILIZE MAFSl: GRASS.
Company Formed to Manufacture from
| 1t Twine, Rope aad Mating.

Company Formed to Manufacture from
1t Twine, Rope aad Mating.
The tendency SO characteristic OF the
present age to put to practical use
what has heretofore been considered
largely waste or useless material has
found fresh exemplification in new
enterprise, at the head OF which is ex-
Senator Warner Miller Of New York.
throughout Wisconsin, southern Michi-
gan and Minnesota are thousands or
acres OF marsh land upon which grows
tall, rank, coarse grass, which is prac-
tlcally without any commercial value.
Some of the finer varieties are utilized
as hay, although without any pro-
nounced edible or nourishing qualities,
and occasionally some of the coarser
varieties are used as bedding for stock.
but as a rule only an exceedingly small
portion Of the million Of tons which
grow every year finds any use what
ever. All this, by the aid OF ingeni-
Gus machinery, can be readily con-
verted into number of cheap and
useful articles Of commerce, such as
oAAuiA6 lWIAC, AOpC, tOlloh ooooAHs'
mating, and substitute for carpet
paper, and promises to develop into an
industry in which thousands OF people
will find employment. The enterprise
Is called new one, although 1t has
been in successful operation for over
year, but it is only recently that plans
have been perfected for pushing 1t on
an extensive scale. Within the last
few weeks the large plant Of the
Northwestern Cordage company Of st.
Paul has been purchased by the new
company, and is being put in shape foi
handling the product, while contracts
have already been made for $4,000 or
10000 tons of marsh grass for use dur
ing the coming season. The grass,
which will be mostly used, is what is
known as wire" grass. which has
tough, hard, round stem, and is abso-
lutely without any value as food
product. This can lie made into
binding twine, which is said to be full
The Philipsburg mail., 1898-10-21
MAUD HASLAM.

play Anne Kruger with road company
presenting "The Charity Ball." Miss
Wheeler achieved success, both in this
play and in THE Wife," After tour
ing for some seasons Miss Wheeler
was engaged by Charles Hopper to play
Miss Fannie in "Chimmie Fadden," and
subsequently engaged for the leading
role OF Miss Arbuckle in "a Bachelors
Honeymoon" produced at Hoyt's the
ater. Shortly after this she married
J. B. Coleman and retired temporarily
from the Sage.
According to Hillary Bell the first
knowledge Of the modern system OF
acting was taught in London by Eleo-
nora Duse. But that system was I'M
derstood and pract!ced in America with
some success several years before our
acquaintance with the Italian. Minnie
MaGdern was it's first and still is its
most distinguished American exponent.
Df her disciples in this method Annie
Russell and Maude Adams are most
The Philipsburg mail., 1898-10-21
ALICE ATHERTON.


are only as old as they look, and, in a
secondary way, as young as they act.
Alice Atherton was an actress in Lydia
Thompson's burlesque company over
twenty years ago. Then, as the Ouch
ess says in THE Gondoliers," she was
"by no means beginner" Today she
dances with the ease and grace Of eX-
perieIce and the agility of youth. She
acts much younger than she looks. She
can turn an ankle with the spirit Of
half the youngsters in the Casino bal
let and with twice as much natural
grace as any OF them. Yet her own
daughter on the London stage is nearer
their age. She attempts more dancing
than May Irwin does. A few steps
that are as light as any that the adj
pose Peter Daley INDUCES in are Miss
Twins usual allowance. But Miss
Alherton takes as many as she needs
to, and does them as IL she were equal
to as many more.
Sir Henry Irving in closing his sea-
son at the London Lyceum announced
that next season he will produce
Richard H." and Sardou's "Robespier-
re-" The London Chronicle remarks
that the title part Of the Shakespeare
play should suit Sir Henry to a nicely,
and presumably Miss Ellen Terry will
play the queen. King Richard H."
was one of Charles Kean's most brill
liant spectacles during the fifties. Many
elderly playgoers still remember the
scenes of Westminster Hall, the lists
at Coventry, the privy council cham
ber, the garden and particularly the
historical interlude of the entry into
the wretched king. Edwin Booth was
the last American actor to play Rich
ard II. His one performance of it in
Detroit was given in May, 1876, at C..
J. Whitney's Fort street theater. Fred.
erick Warde was the Bolingbroke.
George II. Maxwell, after an absence
of ten years from the dramatic stage,
will return next season with his own
company in repertory. His season will
open September l., touring Michigan,
Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Each
one Of his productions will be featured.
All paper and scenery special, and he
will surround himself with a capable
company. The repertory will include:
"a Celebrated Case" "The Dead
Heart" THE French Spy" and "Ingo-
mar" A. A. Nudge will be business
manager. Cara Melbourne has beer
engaged for the company.
Richard Mansfield paid Bernard
Shaw $4,000 in royalties last season
for his two plays, The Devils Disci-
pie" and Arms and the Man." and he
thinks he has perfect right to "roast"
lne English dramatist occasionally.
He g!umbled somewhat about the
amount OF money he was forced to nav
Shaw, and Mr.. Palmer, his manager.
rcAino<j him that he ought to no
thankful for so good play. so 7
am thankful" replied Mansfield, $50
I am, and every night go down on nv.
knees and thank God for giving me
so good a play. But / must confess
I also say, oh, God. why did it havs
70 be by Shawn"
The Philipsburg mail., 1898-10-21


and honest, qualities which are de-
manded Of any man who aspires to fill
the place of an inspector in the post
office department. He came to this
country in 1851, when he was 10 years
old, and as soon as he could compre-
hend the meaning of legal terms he be-
gan to study law. He was a student
when the war of the rebellion broke
out, but he dropped his books for the
musket and went to the front as
sergeant in the Twenty-first Wisconsin
volunteers. The battle Of Stone river
made him a second lieutenant, Chick
amauga added bar to his shoulder
straps, and Atlanta made him a cap
tain. General Harrison c.. Hobart
then made him one Of his staff, and he
remained staff officer until the close
of the war. Major Stuart entered the
railway postal service in 1866, when
that branch Of the postoffice depart
ment was in its infancy. He gained
promotion rapidly, and in 1871 was
chief clerk in the railway mail service
for Iowa. He could have been super
intendent of the service, but declined
the place because 1t would necessitate
his removal to another part of the
country. The work Of the inspectors
department attracted him, and he was
The Philipsburg mail., 1898-10-21
Says Teddy Edwards, the champ on

Says Teddy Edwards, the champ, On
century rider: Since starting have
broken the records of Anderson, Jack
Knowles, and finally that made by
George OF Philadelphia, this latter hay-
ing been the worlds record for C5
consecutive centuries, which I passed
on March I. Since nay las.
century my condition has i'm
proved steadily. The greatest hard
ship in connection with my daily task
Is its monotony. This I try to over
come as much az possible by continu-
ally changing my route so that the
new scenery and the read, however
good or bad it may be, draws my at
tention from my feet. / have been
lucky in other respects. have had no
trouble with my wheel or my tires, ex-
cept a few puncturas, which have al
The Philipsburg mail., 1898-10-21

number for January 2, 1860, has a crit
ical review of Henry Irvins's reading
of Bulwer's 1.-The Lady of Lyons TO
us who now associate the name OF the
then unknown reader with the most
extraordinary achievements OF the
nineteenth century STAGE this frank
criticism will show some touch OF the
prophetic spirit:
We all know the Dramatic Read
ing" We have all-at least all who
have served their apprenticeship to
theatrical musements-suffered the
terrible infliction of the Dramatic
Reader; but then with equal certain
~ we have all answered to the neat
gentleman's call of might with
Shakespeare, with Readings, etc." and
have again undergone the insufferable
bore of hearing our dear old poet muir
dered by the aspiring genius. Think
ing somewhat as we have above writ
ten, the other evening we wended our
editorial way towards Crosby Hall,
where our informant circular assured
us Mr. Henry Irving was about to read
Eulwer's Lady of Lyons" We asked
ourselves, who is Mr.. Henry Irving?
and memory, rushing to some hidden
cave in our mental structure, answered
Henry Irving, oh! yes, to he sure;
how stupid. We at once recollected
that Mr.. Irving was a gentleman Of
considerable talent. and great favor
its in the provinces. We have often
seen his name honorably figuring in
the columns Of our provincial conteM-
poraries. Now We were most agree
ably disappointed on this present occa-
sion; for instead of finding the usual
conventional, espectable-looking me-
diocrity, We were gratified by hearing
the poetical Lady of Lyons" poetically
read by most accomplished elocution-
ist, who gave us not only words, but
that finer indefinite something which
proves incontestibly and instantane-
Ously that the fire of genius is present
in the artist. 1t would be out Of place
now to speak of the merits Of the piece
selected by this gentleman, but the
merits appeared as striking and the de-
merits as little so as on any occasion
of the kind in our recollection. Claude's
picture Of his imaginary home was
given with such poetic feeling as to
elicit a loud burst of approval from
his hearers, as also many other pass
AGES occurring in the play. The char
acters were we'll marked. especially
Beausant and Madame Deschappelles,
whilst the little part Of CLAWS was
very pleasingly given. Mr.. Irving was
frequently interrupted by the applause
of his numerous and delighted au
dierce, and at the conclusion was
unanimously called to receive their
marks Of approval.
Maud Haslam or Marion Giroux will
undertake the part in George H. Broad
hurst's "Why Smith Left Home to
which the ill-fated Berenice Wheeler
was first assigned. Miss Wheeler was
a native Of Kansas City. AS an anna
teur she gave sufficient promise to JUS
tify her ambition to adopt stage car
eer. She studied under John Staple
ton in Chicago, who paid her high
compliment when after a brief course
of study he gave her the leading role
in a special production. On this occa-
sion she attracted managerial atten-
tion, and was Immediately engaged to
The Philipsburg mail., 1898-10-21
H;tunlinous Coal Combine.

A combination OF all the bitumirous
coal interests, similar to that now
in existence in the anthracite trade. is
regarded as inevitable. Partial agree
ments are in negotiation or have been
concluded between operators in vari-
Gus districts, and their union into ons
vas. combination is almost certain to
occur
The Philipsburg mail., 1898-10-21
THEATRICAL TOPICS.
SOME SAYINGS AND DOINCS
IN STACELAND.
The Evolution of An Actor Henry
Iriving's Younger Days-lIow He APP
peared Before Fame Raised Him to
the Heights OF Olympus.

MONG the theat-
r c al plun II d e r
brought into view
by the recent sale
of a celebrated
eastern collection
was q copy Of The
Players" a weekly
theatrical jou rnal
published in Lon
don about forty
years ago. Ine
The Philipsburg mail., 1898-10-21

Smith, was surprised to hear tha
young Price had married that rich
widow; why. she is old enough to be
his mother" Jones-"Yes. OF course:
but you see. he was without none,
and she was without Price"
The Philipsburg mail., 1898-10-21
NOTES OF THE WHEEL.
MATTERS OF INTEREST TO DEv-
OTEES OF THE BICYCLE.
Tho Century Run of the IllInoi. Division
Was Il Very Sensational Anair-Frcd
Nelson coming to tho Front-The
Black Man and the Racing Track.

HE eighth annual
100 mile run of the
Illinois division of
the Century Road
club came recently
over the Elgin-Ge-
neva course. There
were 226 starters.
as against only 81
last year. The en-
tire course was
heavy with from
The Philipsburg mail., 1898-10-21

one to two inches of dust that was
whirlcd up in dense clouds and de-
posted thickly over the whole crowd.
The dust covered ruts and stones ana
the wheels skidded about among these
in dangerous manner, especially when
going down the hills. Blinded by the
flying dust, the century riders met with
numerous accidents, and punctured
tires, broken spChes, twisted and bent
handle bars, broken saddles, etc, were
common misfortunes. Because Of the
extreme heat and dust, few attempts
at record breaking were made. Frank
G.. Clark and John y. Adams the fast
tandem team of the First Regiment
Cycling and Athletic club, started out
to reduce the course record. but pune
tured at Oak Park and returned to the
starting point and made the run on
singles. AL F'lath holder Of the Elgin-
Aurora course record made an effort
TO create a paced record for the Elsin-
Geneva course, but his pacemaking
rulticycle became crippled at Hinsdale
and he had TO give up. +. II. WatrOus
covered the course twice, finishing the
double century in 23:40:00. Thomas
F'isken and William Harper left Mil
waukee the night before at l2 o'clock,
and arriving in Chicago at A in the
morning started with the crowd for
Geneva. After completing the run
with the Chicagoans, they returned to
Milwaukee awheel making triple
century. The best time over the CEN
tury course was made by T.. J. Ehle,
who completed the ride in Gao: 90.
William Kicker. made second time in
6: 43: 90, and third time honors were
awarded to T.. B. Hogan, whose time
was G:53 90.
Very near the beginning OF their
career, wood rims divided into two dis
tinct classes founded upon structural
difference, and while they were nat
urally united forces by attacking and
displacing their metal predecessor,
there has been unccasing competition
between the two for first place in pop
ular favor and use Into the merits
of the controversy between "laminat-
ed and single piece it is not our
purpose to enter AZ this time. Each
has established itself in favor and use.
and each has demonstrated in no small
degree its fitness for the purpose in
tended The increased use of one
relatively to the other. if such there is
or shall be, will be determined sim
ply by the superior fitness OF one or the
other. supplemented by considerations
OF cost
In match race from Chicago to
Blue Island and return Fred Nelson,
of the Chicago Cycling club. defeated
A. G. Laitner, OF Kansas City. who
however, was delayed by the breakage
Of his machine and a subsequent pune
ture in the tire Of a borrowed bicycle.
Nelson started at o'clock and Laitner
followed twelve minutes later At Blue
Island the latter had gained 40 seconds
and was riding well. Despite his acci-
dents and three changes OF mounts he
was beaten by only 1:13. Nelson's
time being lO0:39. and Laitner's time
was 1:O1:52. Laitner later challenged
Nelson to return match, but the lat
ter refused to accommodate him unless
The Philipsburg mail., 1898-10-21
THE MAJOR

his fellow competitors. Aside from
being in the front ranks as short
distance rider, he has demonstrated
that he is about as good as they maks
EN- at the middle distance game.
The Philipsburg mail., 1898-10-21
FRED NELSON,

the event could take place on the
track. I.aitner's forte is road racing,
however, and the match is not likely
to come off.
The Philipsburg mail., 1898-10-21
POSTMASTER IN CUBA.
FIRST MERICAN POSTOFFICE
AT SANTIAGO.
Presided Oyer by Major james X.
Stuart, Late Inspector OF the Chicago
Divisien-Story Of His Life--Personal
characteristics.

HE new postmas-
ter at Santiago,
Maj. James T.. Stu
art, is a Scotch
man by birth--in
all else, it might
be remarked, he is
an intense Ameri-
can. He has the
dominant traits of
the Scot; he is dis
Greet. persevering
The Philipsburg mail., 1898-10-21

celebrated. Many of our actresses
could not understand the extraordinary
hold which Miss Maddern and Miss
Russell exercised over audiences until
the arrival of Duse explained the fact
that unconsciodsly our two young play
ers had selected the right method in
artistic expression. Whereupon Geor-
gia Cayvan and Viola Allen set them
selves asiduously to the new style, but
they could not acquire it. The young
est, and, in popular sense. most sue
cessful, pupil of this system is Maude
Adams, and there can be no doubt OF
her prosperity in England. If our cou-
sins are pleased with Annie Russell
their opinion of American art would
be considerably broadened by study
of our Tess and Lady Babbie.
The New York Sun says that Alice
Atherton sings negro songs in success
full rivalry of May Irwin. II Love Dat
Man." is the refrain Of the ditty, by
no means exceptional, but which she
gives with variety and humor. She
puts more kinds OF expressiveness into
those four words than they would seem
capable of holding. Neither she nor
Miss Irwin ever lived in the south, yet
their naturalness is the best merit OF
their performance. Marie Dressler
fails to accomplish as much because OF
her exaggerations. She is too obvious
ly struggling to get the negro char
acteristic. But Miss Irwin and Miss
Atherton are self-contained and delib-
crate. They must have got their skill
from observation from a distance, or
at second hand. Miss Irwin is Cana
dian and had spent most of her time in
New England before going on the stage
twenty years ago. Alice Atherton may
have been born in the middle west, but
for years has lived in London. Yet
the negro unction is natural in both Of
these singers, whether they got it by
way OF the south or not. The age Of
actresses is a delicate question to dis
cuss. They. above all other women.
The Philipsburg mail., 1898-10-21

about that per cent OF the general post.
office business is transacted within the
division
The Philipsburg mail., 1898-10-21

ways occurred neGi home and allowed
NE to finish on the rim. My daily
runs are now averaging nine hours and
! am feeling Al, mentally and physic-
ally. Under good care and manage
ment see no reason why I should not
ce.-inu- riding indefinitely, without
impairing my health or strength or
undergoing any of the unpleasant ex-
periences sometimes felt by long dis
tance riders who do not live a steady.
systematic and temperate life."
The railroads which carry heated
humanity to cool mountainous regions
and to refreshing sea breezes are han
ding a large number OF bicycles at
present, amounting at some of the east
ern stations TO 500 daily. Judging
from the absurd swaddling which
many Of them have undergone, tourists
are evidently impressed with the idea
that the machines are thrown about
with as little regard as is shown steel
bound trunk. In reality they are han
died with as much care as time and
circumstances will allow.
Maj" Taylor, at Philadelphia.
added to his laurels by TAX
ing into camp the entire lot
Of the very best circuit followers
and the circuit followers at present in
clude all the best short distance riders
in America. In the trial heat he Shut
out Arthur Gardiner, the present leader
in the championship race, and in the
final heat beat out both Bald and Geo.
per by all kinds CT distance, doing it
fairly and squarely and by the pure
use Of plain, unadulterated speed. The
Major is a dangerous competitor. and
from present appearances, would have
the best chance of winning the cham
pionship OF the year We're 1t not for the
interference that he must suffer from
The Philipsburg mail., 1898-10-21
WORTH ONLY A DOLLAR.

This is Melville Graham, child who
was killed by the trolley cars, and
Who, Judge Gummere of New Jersey