davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-10-30
POOR BLIND TOM.
Inside Facts About the World
Famous Co!ored Musical
Prodigy.
Copyright. 1898. by the Author.l


In the heading Of the first chapter OF
David Copperfleld" Dickens makes the
hero say, 81 am bern" And so 1t may
be said Of Thomas Virgins, very much
better known as Blind Tom, that he
likewise was born, furthermore that he
was born in, Columbus, Ga, about 80
years ago, and moreover that he was
born slave, and that his owner was
General James Bethune, a gentleman
"of the old school," OF whom it may be
said with truth, in free paraphraSe of
the Duke Aranza's famous line In To-
bins great play, that he never laid his
hands on a colored person save In Che
way Of kindness.
General Bethune's daughter, whom
even TO this day Tom loves to talk
about as Miss Susan was a. fairly
good pianist when Tom was 10 years
old, and whenever she played on the
piano little Blind Tom, who Is now
very big Blind Tom. would sit rear. en-
joying the music. One day Miss Susan
was much surprised at finding the little
boy perched up on the piano stool and
giving the first evidence OF his marvel
Gus musical genius.
People may be surprised TO learn that
Tom has had teacher, but it would be
still more surprising If he mad not had
one In fact. Il would Of course be i'm
possible for blind man 20 play music
that he had net heard and memorized.
and TO hear It properly played II must
be played by an artist. Naturally such
difficult numbers as are included in
Toms repertory need TO be heard very
often to he memorized. Therefore for
% years did Tom have the advantage CT
the careful and artistic tuition and
training OF Professor Joseph Pozranski
a thorough musician and brilliant
pianist. who is at present the organiss
Of st. Ieo's church. New York city.
After TIE civil war Mr.. John G.. Be-
thune, son Of General Pethune. hal
charge Of Tom, and for FIVE morths In
every wear. when he and Tom rested In
New York. did Professor Pozna1ski re-
veal to Tom tire works OF the great
masters Thus It was that Toms re-
pertory came to include the following
numbers: Ccncertcs. Rubin1tein.
fourth in D minor: HenseN, r minor:
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-10-30

revived Jim the Penuaan" and "Dr.
Jekyll and Mr.. Hyde" In Philadel-
phia the Forepaugh stock company act
ed The Face in the Moonlight
''Rcmany Rye" was given in Boston
last week.
Augustin Daily has made a change In
his plans for the opening of Ada Re-
hans regular season at Days Theatre.
New York Instead OF prescribing
Mime. Sans-Gene" first, as previously
announced Miss Rehan viii make her
temperance as Portia in The Mer-
chant Of Venice" new role for her.
She will be supported by Mr.. sydney
Herbert as Shylock, Mr.. Charles Rich
man as Bassanio, and Miss blanche
Bates as Nerissa. The theatre will be
closed November IA and Is for renea--
sails, and the production will be made on
November Is.
Herbert Wille has joined the Doro-
thy Morton Opera company.
The Murray-Lane Opera company is
to visit Havana.
Washington Cd. CO attractions last
week included Della Fox in THE Little
Host" and Jefferson Do Angels in
THE jolly Musketeer.'
w. M. Wilkinson, who was formerly
manager for Alexander Salvini, will
produce on November Is a new comedy
entitled "A Stranger in a Strange
Land" The scenes OF the play are laid
in England, and the stranger is a Cher
okee chief, who has been taken over
there by a Western doctor as an ad-
vertisement for his Indian bitters. The
play was written by Sidney Wilmer
and Walter Vincent.
1t has been learned that the value
of the estate left by Fanny Davenport
was greatly overestimated at the time
of her death, when it was said that she
was one of the wealthiest of American
actresses. Her fortune was said to
amount to 100000, and it Is possible
that this would not have been too high
an estimate in 1892, when her will was
made, but before her death it had
dwindled to scarcely more than one
tenth of that sum. 1t is said that the
latter years of her career on the stage
were not successful financially partly
owing to the fact that her professional
tours were frequently interrupted by
illness. after she had expcNded large
sums in equipping her companies. 1t
is said that, in view of the reduced
amount of hoe estate. her relatives will
receive only about 100000 in legacies
and her husband, Melbourne Mcdowell.
about $4,000, besides her manuscript
plays. Under the provisions of her will
If the value of her estate had remained
intact, the husband would have receiv-
ed at least $500 900.
Attalie Claire is to be seen in vaude-
Vile
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-10-30

I'D q Z u : II(y sht
Will e l6nnd 80 ~ M Cunts esch,
ana Guns AZ tour cents Pei pair.
It IS olncfa1ly stated that there are
IN Germany three women employed as
chimney sweepers. IS as skaters, as
gunsmiths. IS as brass and bell foun-
deTs, so as paviors, 147 as coppfrsmiths,
379 as farriers and nailers, 300 linclud-
ing girls) as masons, s as stone cutters
and 1000 as marble, stone and slate
quarters. Even in sewers and playing
houses women are employed.
The English Amalgamated Society Of
Engineers is picking up the ground lost
in the recent prolonged dispute at the
rate 1000 per week. I'VE ended
the late dispute" says statement just
issued by Mr.. George Barnes, the gem
eral secretary, with \9134, 900 as the
remnant of the G360,000 we had in
hand when it commenced, and we have
now in hand about G180,000. Of course
l do not say it in any boastful sense.
1t will take us about a couple of years,
if trade continues good, to recover our
former strong financial position. Just
now trade is very good all over the
country with two experimentation
and Oldham-where the employers
seem rather vindictive. Apart from
these two places we have nothing to
find fault with. The employers are ap-
parently generally disposed to treat us
fairly, recognizing that it is for the
best that both sides should work har-
moniously There has been an advance
OF wages generally all over the coun-
try"
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-10-30

The number Of companies this year,
It will be seen, Is greater than that Of
Ia It season, and although the classes
OF companies do not vary greatly in
numbers as between two seasons, there
is still 3 noteworthy cs1ssng" y. several
respects. The companies for this sea-
son classed as dramatic" are far more
numerous than those Of the same class
last season. and there are fewer com
edv' companies this season than last
season; but the most significant change
is seen in the growth Of stock compan-
les. Last season there were perhaps
twice as many OF these organizations
in operation as during the season Of
1867, while this season there Is an in
crease in their number over last season
of over one hundred per cent--a show
ing most encouraging for those who be-
lieve that the stock system will do
much toward solving the problems that
confront the American theatre.
Modjeskats repertoire includes Cleo
patra," Macbeth" and 'Magta-"
At Boston last week ]. H. Gilmcur
plared Cyraro and Lillian Lawrence i'm
nersonated R0xane.
New York stock companies last week
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-10-30

South, is being erected at Firm Rock.
Nd, near Piedmont.
McMillen and Minshall, OF Piedmont,
are rapidly marketing lumber they re-
Gently purchased near Shaw, Mineral
county.
The e. j. Fredlock Building Com
pany, of Piedmont, have more build
ing contracts than they can complete
on time.
There will be a number of fine resi-
dences built in Piedmont early next
spring.
All the coal left in the old Borden
mines that are approached by openings
on the north of Frostburg, Md, has
been secured by Howard and William
A. Hitchins. of Frostburg, and they are
engaged in making preparations for
the mining of same.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-10-30
dl($S|P m gl6!
Matters Of Interest Pertaining to To-
cal Theatres.

rHB ATTRACTIONS DURING THE
PAST WEEK, AND THE BOOK
INGS BY MANAGERS RIESTER
AND FEINtER FOR THE COMING
SIX DAYS-STORIES OF THE
STAGE-GENERAL NOTES OF IN
TEREST PERTAINING TO THE
PLAYS AND PLAYERS.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-10-30


The attractive play. Darkest Rus
STA, will be the attraction at the
Grand, Monday. Tuesday and Wednes-
day, October 31st. November LIST. and
End. It is from the pen of H. Grattan
Donnelly, and produced under the per-
sonal management of Sidney R. Ellis,
and introduces very large and expen-
sive company, unequaled scenic effects
and beautiful costumes. Darkest
Russia" is one of the most interesting
dramas that has been seen in the past
ten years. It's story abounds in re-
nance, love and realism and the
scenes and incidents are faithful illus.
trations of the vast empire which
stands to-day so prominently before
the world as one of the most peculiar
ly governed nations of modern times.
Mr.. Donnelly tells dramatic story in
a clear and cheerful manner and has
instilled throughout the play happy
vein of humor. The characters of
Septimus Cobb, the American colonel
from Kentucky and Baroness Won
Rhineberg, young French widow, are
comedy creations that delight by their
drollery, repartee and sparkling wit.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-10-30

second act. when, amid the blare Of
trumpets and the beating of drums,
Old Glory is triumphantly waved, and
the vocal strength OF the entire COM
pany is tested to the utmost capacity
to be heard above the cries OF bravo
and the cheers with which the most
blase audience invariably greet this
stirring effect. The magnificent seen
ic pictures and the elegant wardrobe
which were marked features of its
original production are part and par
eel of the performance to be given next
Wednesday, November I'd, at the Opera
House.
James W. Rarkins, Jr., in writing
his latest play, Under Sealed Orders"
has again given evidence of the second
sight of the seventh son of seventh
son of a seventh son. In his play the
white Squadron" he depicted the
massing of a foreign fleet in the har-
Dor of Rio Janeiro, this came to pass.
Again in his Man o. Warsman." he
presents the United States engagement
in war with a power of Europe, once
more he has predicted Alright. In the
production of Under Sealed Orders"
last spring, Mr.. Harkins gave scene,
that while new and absorbing to a de-
gree. critics claim came under the
class of improbabilities. The scene
was an experiment by scientists to re-
tain life in the brain of the human
head. for an hour after it had been
severed from the human body, this
was last spring, to-day the leading
dailies in New York, London and
Paris. are teeming in columns and
nages with the news that DR.. Cinel. a
celebrated Partisan physician, has an
nounced to the civilized world, that for
: space of three hours after decapita-
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-10-30
PIEDMONT INDUSTRIAL.

Piedmont, w. Va, October 29.-En
gineer Frank B. Simmons is building
sn addition to his residence on Hamp-
shire street.
The Merchants Coal Company, of
Baltimore, have successfully put in
operation in their mines on Georges
Creek, the Chain Cutter" coal mining
machine. This company has taken
The initial step in this region with this
machine. The "Chain-Cutter" ma
chine consists of an endless knife
chain, which under cuts the coal seams
10 the depth of "a inches, and at the
same time cuts lengthwise for Al in
,hes. The machine will likely prove
decided success in the soft coal re-
gion.
The Mackie Lumber Company, of
Piedmont, report business unusually
good.
The coal mines of the West Virginia
Central Railway, at Elk Garden, has
not been working very steadily this
week.
a new Methodist Episcopal church,
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-10-30

@. A. Herrick, 1924 Market street,
sells the Capital City Dairy Co.'s "Pur-
ity" Butter. The highest grade Butter
made in America. Price 15c per pound.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-10-30

Monongah Coal has no equal. j. G..
Mckinley, sole agent. Office and yards,
Twenty-seventh and Main streets. Tel
ephone, 204.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-10-30

0. A. Herrick, 1924 Market street,
sells the Capital City Dairy Co.'S "Pur-
ity" Butter. The highest grade Butter
made in America Price 15c per pound.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-10-30

OPERA HOUSE-Monday night, I'm
der Sealed ORDERS Wednesday night,
Sousa's lei Captain"
GRAND OPERA HOUSEFirst half of
week, Darkest Russia" last half OF
week, Remember the Maine
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-10-30

John Phillip Sousa, the march king,
has many successes to his credit, but
up to the present writing he has done
nothing which has met with the I'M
bounded favor accorded to his tuneful
numbers in the everwelcome comic
opera eel Captain" One can hardly
grow weary of listening to the dash1ng
swinging measures with which the
opera abounds, the elimination OF
which is reached at the climax OF the
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-10-30

We promised not to say anything
about it, but if present plans do not
miscarry, there will be an attraction
upon the Grand Opera
House stage the latter part of Novem-
her
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-02-10

EVENING ATTIRE FOR YOUNG MATRoNs.
richer and most comfortable is the
long one, the handler is the short one,
and perhaps the short one is rather the
more youthful. One very beautiful long
wrap was made of mouse coIored cash
mere of the finest quality. It was lined
with shell pink china silk quilted in
wideafines much puffed up Nearly all
the quilting which, however, there
is limited quantity--is done in large
design to show up WE'LL The round
capuchin forms one of those wide hoods
made popular by Mrs. Cora Urquhart
Potter. 1t is lined with pink silk in
such way that tho shoulder part is all
pink and SO is the high storm collar.
This is bound with soft plucked raccoon
in natural color In front it is clasped
with two great steel and gold orna-
ments. The style was the principal
thing It was circular shape, but with
deep plaits at the very center Of the
back. These threw it into shape at
once stylish and dignified, particularly
as it was longer than the dress it COW
cred.
The new dotted swiss waists are
among the most attractive of all the
summer blouses. The dots vary in size
from pinheads to coin spots, but the
prettiest and most satisfactory will be
the finest and closest dots. They are
trimmed with lace IN narrow widths
ruffled until they look like ruching.
Valenciennes, lierre and new lace
called merode are all used. This last
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-02-10
NUMBER 27


The French peasant has an independ-
ent means Of existence. He owns the
soil he tills If he employs laborers,
they at least Will own house and gar
den and hope to own plot The Eng
lish yillager is either a small tradesman
or a laborer. A garden which be culti-
Yates but does not own is, as a rule, the
extent Of his possessions. There are two
classes in an English village, and these
may be subdiyided into various religious
sects. There is only one class in our
French commune fact which has
material bearing upon the social econ
omy of the community. Every inhab-
liant of the commune is proprietor of
something, aud all are bent on saving;
yet, with all their indiyidualism, they
combine for common and mutual inter-
est. This is illustrated by the organiza-
tion of the syndicate for buying at
wholesale prices. They unite for the
cultivation of the soil, lending each
other horses and making up teams.
Every commune has field, which is
common property and where, on pay
ment of trifiing fee, animals Craze.
After the harvest all the fields become
common property, and the gros betaiI
and the other betail are allowed to roam
at large. Contemporary Review.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-02-10
WOODBURY., n J, THURSDAY FEBRUARY 10, 1898

mentioned lace has very fine mesh,
with light designs wrought about half
way covering it. Between these are
open woven spaces, giving it a very
light appearance, lighter even than the
finest of the oriental laces which it
slightly resembles. Tosca nets will be
made into dresses and into full blouses
to wear over some bright color. Chan
tilly and Brussels and Russian nets, all
black, will be favorites. A new fancy
is to make them up over white or cream
taffeta or lightweight white satin. The
chantilly is the finest for this purpose.
Veilings are unusually ugly, having
wide open meshes and large silk or che
mile dots scattered sparsely over them.
When those are worn with the new
spring and summer fiat. the effect
will be almost comical.
The fats and the shepherdess, the
vatican and all the other kinds Of hats
with wide brims will have as nearly
the effect of the olden days when fats
were in vogue before as possible. They
are surrounded with numberless flowers
scattered in loose profusion, or they
have scarf and spangle by the whole
sale, topped with high punches of beau
tifully made flowers. One thing remark
able about the flowers is their absolute
truth to nature. The ribbons to put
upon the rough straws, when ribbons
are used at all, are plaids, stripes and
stripes laid over checks. The checks are
of black and white or very dark blue,
brown or bottle green, with satin stripes
in bright colors laid over. Red of al
most any shade, yellow in any shade
and in fact any bright color is liked.
Gamboge yellow and burnt orange are
among the new yellows. There are gauze
ribbons of every imaginable kind, many
of them striped, and some with cute lit
tie swivel woven flowers in natural col
ors. There are also handsome ribbons
with a lengthwise black stripe with
pompadour flowers between to match
the chintzlike pattern on many of the
organdies. There are shaded stripes and
bayadere and roman stripes in the gay
est of colors. These are by no means all
the ribbons. Black velvet ribbon both
wide and in very narrow widths will be
used very largely to trim the light
gowns and waists Black satin belts
with metal buckles will be popular for
wearing with wash dresses. This belt
ing is extremely heavy and thick and is
handsome and will not bend in the CEN
ter. HENRIETTE ROUSSEAU.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-02-10
THE SILENT CITY.


[The words t'Contscuere omnes, . from the
first line of the second book of the AEneid, .
were found scrawled ON a wall excavated at
Pompeii.]
s.Silent they all became strange words to be
Uncovered in the dust, where ages keep
Their ruins, old and deep,
Where in that buried city by the sea,
In homes they builded and no longer need,
Silent all are indeed
Did he whose pencil traced the letters there
Do it for love of the Virgilian phrase
In those far distant days,
Or see, by some presentiment, in the air
The shadow of the undiscerning fate
That laid all desolates
These silent people, these whose names are
fled,
Who day by day walked this deserted place
And saw each others face
We need not ask what human lives they led
Or with what prayers in that wild storm of
fame
Silent they all became
Men of our kind, they loved the earth and air
And joy of being, loved to buy and sell,
Loved pleasure overwell
Knew hope ambition, disappointment, care;
Called oft for help some all plying name !;
So till the silence came.
Out of the dust that slumbers on the ground
What sounds unto the poets ears arise,
What visions to his eyesi
Then in the presents loud, tumultuous sound
He finds what silences where men and walls
Are as the dust that falls
Samuel v. Cole in Critic
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-02-10
Women cannot invent, it ssaid. Yet
history shows that the first surgical in
struments were invented by woman.
THE STAMP OF STYLE.

Delicate and dainty tints and very pro-
nounced colors in evening dress appear to
be about equally popular this winter.
Braid and tailor button trimmings on
street costumes will be even more fashion
able in the coming season than they have
been this winter.
Many of the handsome three-q quarter
capes are both lined and bordered with
fur, and the outer fabrics show wide
range of colors and patterns.
The use Of bands, collars, revers and
vest fronts of white satin to give a very
dressy effect to coat basque or bodice is
still exceedingly fashionable.
A very satisfactory compromise between
silk and satin is peau de sole, which par
takes Of the nature of both fabrics, but
has not the Opaque .brillianey OF satin.
Wide latticework braids put ON the
skirt and bodice in crossing squares just
now rank chief among popular trimmings
other all wool fabrics.
Efforts will be made to give the Vic
torian, empire and other poke shaped bon
nets still greater vogue next spring, and,
conforming to the style of the small
sleeves and sheath shaped skirts, these
bonnets will be somewhat changed in out
line.
Black gowns remain and are likely to
continue in great favor. Very many rich
black costumes noted at fashionable gath
erings are relieved by artistic touches OF
mandarin yellow, green in many shades,
soft geranium pink, damask red, petunia
or blue.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-02-10
TOWN TOPICS.

Chicago's remarkable health record is
attributable to her rural habits of life
Cincinnati Commercial Tribune.
ST. Louis is agltating the anti high hat
ordinance. 1t is not agitation, but legisla-
tion, that is needed in that DIRECTION
Springfield Republican.
Indianapolis may be practical, but it is
certainly not poetical. 1t is now making
its factory whistles do duty as curfew
bells- Baltimore American.
Two Chicago burglars shot themselves
to death few nights ago, and Greater
New York is happy over the reduction in
her rivals population. - Cleveland Leader.
A school to teach the art of blushing is
to be established in New York. Blushing
was once common in that city, but 1t is
now counted among tho lost arts.-Peoria
Herald.
Pepsin, just over the Jasper line in New
ton county, ought to be able to attract the
favorable attention of dyspeptics who are
looking for health resort if it comes
anywhere near living up to its pame.-
Kansas City Journal
Cleveland is now in favor Of Toledo as
the place for tho centennial exhibition.
That makes two towns, Toledo being the
other one, that oppose Columbus. The
balance of the state is unanimous for the
oapital.--Ohio State journal.
Chicago has just grounds for complain
ing that Pittsburg is net her friend. A
few days ago party Of Chicago aldermen
made a tour cf PittsbnTg Sewers and the
Pittsburgers failed TO lug up tho sewers
while the aldermen were therein. Omaha
rld-Herald.