davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-05
THE SKIRT
Curtailed By Brave ;l, ~,
Woman.
THAT OR SHOPPING.
Mrs. Welby's Dilemma and
It's Solution.

The many friends of Mrs. Bertha
at the Park last week must have been
shocked Not that there was anything
out of the way in her department, ac-
tions and general bearing. Far from it.
The stranger would call her dress be-
coming and modest. But there was one
thing about it that would instantly have
attracted the attention OF one OF Mrs.
Welby's intimates. II was rainy, snowy
weather. The slush was ankle deep on
the ground, yet the actress actually
wore a long skirt, one which swept the
ground with long. swirling, dust
collecting train.
1t isn't an unusual thing for a woman
to wear a long skirt. Thousands are ad-
dicted to the vice. But in the case of
Mrs. Welby it is a noteworthy occur
renee. Mrs. Welby is founder and presi-
dert of the famous Rainy Day Club
in New York, whose sacred pledge it is
to wear nothing but short skirts on
rainy days. For Mrs Welby to appear in
q long skirt on rainy day is therefore
equivalent to w. C. r. u. leader to
break the pledge.
Mrs. Welby acted last week with
other members of her family in a de-
lightful little sketch entitled Little
Brick" Possibly the necessities of her
part compelled her to break the sacred
rule while indoors. But to render her
full justice it is only fair to say that
nothing could have induced her TO APP
pear on the street with long skirts
either rain or shine.
One rule Mrs. Welby has laid down
to her sex with inflexible sternness. The
skirt of a woman's street costume she
says, should not come less than four
inches above the ground or more than
eight, and these rules she conscientious
ly obeys. Four inches in her opinion is
the limit prescribed by comfort and
common sense. Eight inches is the
bound demanded by modesty. Between
these two extremes she thinks the well
dressed actress should adjust the length
Of her neither garment
The Rainy Day Club with which Mrs
Welby's chief fame is associated was
first thought of nearly ten years ago.
1t was designed to come to the relief of
the long suffering women in America.
The founder had all her life been at
tempting to solve the problem of how TO
succeed in walking down Broadway on
a stormy day with arms full of bundles
an umbrella held aloft and at the same
time properly hold up her skirts. All
this With only two arms and hands
Mrs. Welby tried many times and
failed. Finally the question resolved it.
self in her logical mind to one of two
alternatives. On rainy days she must
either curtail her shopping or her skirt
Mrs. Welby like sensible woman chose
to curtatl the skirt.
But it was impossible to start a dress
reform all alone Even the masculine
Mrs. Bloomer strove to make converts
and proselytes. 1t was in the days be-
fore cycling was common, especially
for women. Golf was unknown on this
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-05
BLISS
Was Once Locatedin
Worcester.
f
NOW RESPONDENT
In Sensational Berkshire
SANDER Suit.

Rev. Leon D. Bliss Of Great, Baming-
ton, who is defendant in a highly-sen-
sational suit for Islander brought in the
Berkshire county court by two Of thu
reverend gentleman's lady parishion-
ers during the past week. is well re-
membered. by Worcester people .s..
For nearly two years he was assist
ant paste at Central Church, under
Rev. DE-. Mertiman. lie came to Wor
cester from the west in the latter part
or 1889, and in the spring OF 1891 asked
the church officers to dismiss him, as
he wished to locate IN California
lie was given his dismissal as soon as
ne had made the request, but the
church officers were sorry to lose him
and 50, expressed themselves when they
accepted the gentleman's resignation.
Rev. Mr.. Bliss was at that time about
20 years of aga He made friends
wherever he went and was considered
10 be young man of great promise
lie was the first assistant Rev. DR..
Merriman had at Central Church, After
the latter had been connected with the
church number Of years. he found
that the duties were very e1cactinR and
asked for an assistant Mr.. Bliss an
swered the call. ~ t
Mr. Bliss went to Great harrington
four years ago, and as ha was young,
good looking and unmarriad the lady
members of his flock showed their I'D
mlration and settled it amoug them
selves that the reverend gentleman
must follow the Bible teachings. and
awake to a realization of the fact that
1t was not best for man To DO Alone
Matchmaking mammals worked hard TO
land the elusive dominic
Nearly every morning for seyera
H. - ~.
doorway of his bachelor quarters, let-
ters written by feminine hand, which
suggested that II would be we'll for him
to marry and that nearly all the girls
OF a marriageabla age in the village
were only too willing to become dom
inie's wife. 1.ft
The frequent appearance OF the LETT
tors extremely annoyed the clergyman,
and he took, the obnoxious epistles to
the church committee.
The affair was discussed behind closed
doors and incidents were re-
called which made it appear possible
that Mrs. Susan Hopkins Lnd her
daughter, Miss Frances Hopkins, who
were deyout attendants at divine wor-
ship when the Rev. Bliss was in the
pulpit, might know something about
| the authorship OF the many marriage
| requests.
The matter finally reached such .
pass that the church committee and
| Rev Mr.. Bliss called at the Hopkins
home and talked the matter over with
| the ladies OF the household. The ladies'
were indignant and declared that they
knew nothing Of the matter Shortly
afterwards they consulted a lawyer
and the church committee and the Rev.
Mr. Bliss were asked for ~ public re-
traction Of the insinuations
The request Of the two women WIS
ignored and then Mrs Susan r. Hop
kins through her attorney, brought
suit for SANDER and demanded 5000
damages.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-05

De Quache of the World Miss May
land Of the Press, Miss Ella Starr and
Miss Van de We're of the Tribune, Miss
Eva l.. Carson of the Times, Mrs. Her.
bert Knowles and Eva Sessions Tup-
per, space writer's.
I At first the wearing OF short skirts
was limited to rainy days. But of late
| it has been extended to the days Of
sunshine. 1t is recognized that dust
is as undesirable as mud. and modern
science attests that a sweeping train
and dragging skirts are among the
most common means by which the
germs of disease are conveyed into
dwelling houses The bicycle has been
powerful auxiliary to the clubs eff
forts. Mrs. Welby declares she has
never worn a long skirt on the street
since the Rainy Day club was formed.
Mrs. Welby is an interesting woman.
perhaps one of the best known women
in cosmopolitan New York. Her ia
Their, Henry O'Reilly, came from the
old Barresford family in Ireland. He
was connected with the first newspa-
per published west of the Hudson. He
perfected and carried out the Morse
telegraph with his own money and OPP
ened the first telegraph lines between
New York and Boston under the name
of the O'Reilly telegraph. This office
was at Broadway.
Mrs Welby married Alexander Kek-
sey Cutler of Rochester, Welby being
the name she assumed on the stage and
by which she will always be known.
Her father, who was contemporary
of Thurlow Weed and Col. Toilet, ex-
acted a promise from her on his death
bed that she leave the stage. She only
returned to it on advice of her ply
scians, who ordered a change of occu-
patton.
She formerly played with Edwin
Booth, Lawrence Barrett, j. T. Ray
mond, and many others. She starred
with her own company for five years
playing Julia, the hunchback," "Juli-
ct" Lady of Lyons" etc, her best
known part being in "Oliver Twist"
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-05

been found advisable to found clubs or
chapters" in other large cities. 1t is
now possible to find Rainy Day CLUBS
in Washington. Wilmington, Baltimore,
Syracuse and other large cities.
When Mrs. Welby, in the pursuit Of
her vocation, visits these cities. she
never fails to visit the branch of the
organization of which she mas acted
as mother AS q general thing she is
royalty entertained by the Rainy
Dayers." Letters are constantly being
received from all parts Of the world
asking how to found local clubs of sim
liar nature to the New York organiIa-
ton. But the Rainy Dayers have be
come conservative and exclusive, and
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-05
FOUR MONTHS.
Leo G. Cormier Well Punished for Insult
Ing Women and Children.

At the regular session of the central
district court yesterday morning, Leo
G. Cormier was charged with disorder
ly conduct and sentenced to four
months in the house of correction. The
misguided Individual took up position
at one end Of the windows Of the public
library, where he openly insulted wom-
en- and children as they passed. OFF,
Ger Thayer learned of the mans ac-
tions and placed him under arrest.
Thomas McTigue, charged with dis
turbing the, peace. was ordered to pay
a fine Of $40. The following DISPOSE
ton was made of the list Of drunk
cases: Bridget Rooney and John Pre-
gent, four months each in the house Of
correction; John Brown, John O'Con-
nor, Michael Moriarity and Thomas
Lind fined $40 each; William S. Butler
and James Mccartney, IS each; Isabent
Hanson, placed on file.
At the civil session Ilud G. Havener
brought suit against ID. Walter Rolston
in an action Of contract to recover S72,
alleged to be due in payment for BIZ
cycle sold the defendant. Rolston pur-
chased the wheel in 1898, and left a dia-
mond ring as security The wheel was
used several months, and then returned
to the dealer, when, as the latter claim
ed, it was too late In the season to dis
pose Of the wheel.
| Rolston claimed he had not kept the
wheel because he found it unsafe. He
| said It had broken down twice within
as many weeks. On one occasion he
was thrown head first in the street,
The case Of l.. c. Gallup VS.. EriclS
Erkson was an action Of contract 10
recover the sum Of $3.50. The plaintiff
claims that the defendant contracted
to build a house for him at stated
price. He claims that the work was
not completed, and what was done was
not according to contract, and that the
defendant owes him the above sum
which was paid for work done on the
building as the result OF suit brought
on mechanics lien. The defence Is a
general denial.
Decisions were reserved.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-05

side of the Atlantic. 1t required more
courage then to abbreviate skirts and
pantaloons than 1t does in these later
days of further enlightenment. So with
all her strength of purpose, Mrs. We'll
by wanted company and assistance in
the furtherance of her missionary eff
forts. Besides. she was generous
enough to want others IF her sex to
enjoy the advantages she hoped to
bring about.
That was the rason d'etre of the
Rainy Day Club. 1t was formed with
% charter members in New York about
two years ago. But the metropolitan
press favored it with such extended no
tees and so much free advertising that
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-05
CAROLINE C. ROBBINS.

Caroline c. Robbins of 5, Normal
street died at her home about 4 o'clock
yesterday afternoon, after a short ILL
ness. She was taken i'll about two
weeks ago with grip, which developed
into pneumonia, resulting in her death.
Mrs. Robbins was rs years old, and
was born in Worcester. She was the
widow of Wilson Robbins, and has
passed most Of her life in this city and
the adjoining town of oxford. She
leaves seven children, two daughters,
Mrs. Nettie Roper of Sterling and Car
RE Robbins of this city, and five sons,
Capt Henry E. Robbins of Engine s,
and Lieut.. George Robbins of Hose 1,
I'm the Worcester fire department Hugh,
James and Eugene Robbins.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-05

do not go in much for expansion. No
set of women is encouraged that are
not thoroughly representative and of
good standing.
Many prominent newspaper women
are members in New York. Among the
number who are members of the club
are Mrs. Harriet Hubbard Ayers Of the
World, Miss Mary Taft OF tho Sun,
Miss Helen Clarkson of tho Evening
Sun, Miss Paret OF the Herald, Miss
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-05
U. v. U. WHIST PARTY.

A card has been issued from the head
quarters of Gen. William S. Lincoln
command, Union Veteran Union, to
every member OF the command advis-
ing them of an important meeting at
G. A. r. hall Monday evening, March g.,
to which they are urged to be present.
At $50 there will be a whist party
until 1890, when four prizes will be
awarded. Friends of the soldiers and
lovers of whist are cordially invited to
the eninYments Of the evening. 81
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-05

at it's second meeting there were TO-
Regular meetings are neld at which
dress is the principal topic of discus
sion. But far from combining its ac-
tivities to so narrow a field, the club
frequently dabbles in the realms of
philanthropy, benevolence, literature
and art
Since the founding OF the original
club in New York. the fame IF the or
ganization has spread so that it has
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-05
WORCESTER THEATRE.

Manager Rock announces that those
who have ordered tickets reserved for
Francis Wilson, Monday night, must
call for them before o'clock Monday
or they will be sold. This rule will also
apply to all other performances this
season.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-05

A special offer is made to ladies hav-
ing gowns done this month on condl-
ton that they allow us to exhibit such
at our spring opening. Prior, irving
street
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-05

Angostura Bitters is known as the great
regulator of the digestive organs, Get
the genuine. Made by DR.. j. G. b. Sic
CERT e. Sons.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-09-11
ADMISSION TO GROUNDS rs GEMS.
SEACONNET STEAMBOAT co.

On and after Sunday, June IS. 1892
steamer Awashonks will leave Provt-
dence. foot OF Planet street. East Side.
for Seaconnet Point. oaiIy Sundays ex-
cepted). at . a. M. Bristol at l0:l5 a.
m. and Tiverton at 1880 n. m.
Returning. leave Seaconnet at 3 o. m
Pierce's wharf 3.35 p. m.. Humphrey &
Church's wharf. Tiverton. 1855 .. m.
and Bristol 1885 p. m.
SUNDAYS.
Leave Providence 10 a. m. Seacon-
net p. m. stopping at Pierce's wharf.
Tiverton and Bristol returning.
DAISY LADY ORCHESTRA.
Shore Dinners served in tie new din.
Ing hall. :.
STEAMER QUEEN CITY
VIII leave seaconnet for Providence
daily -lSundays -excepteO at $3.50 a. m.
Pierces wharf 1:l5 a. m, Newtown 1885
n. m. Humphrey e. Church's wharf.
Tiverton. 1850 n. m. Returning, leave
Providence $50 y. m. Tiverton 4:iO p.
m.
SUNDAYS.
Leave Providence $50 a. M. stopping
at Bristol. Tiverton and Plerce's wharf.
Passengers returning via steamer
Awashonks 3 ID. m.
Matinee excursion every Saturday
afternoon. leaving Providence $3.50 p.
m, Seaconnet y. m.
EXCURSIONS TO BRISTOL.
Leave Providence daily (Sundays ex-
cepted) at 2.30 p. m. via Queen City; re-
turning. leave Bristol 4:35 p. m. via
Awashonks.
Will land at Seaconnet. weather per-
mitting.
J. A. PETTY. General Manager.
y n Pox 1859 Providence r. I.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-09-11
PRESENTATION TO LEADER,
Numbers Of Tho Banda Napcl Give Maestro CAP
rome a God Tadce

A capital concert was given al r. r.
hall by the Banda Napoli yesterday
afternoon, which was attended by n
considerable number of the residents ~
the NaKan colony OF Atwens avenue.
The occasion of the concert was the
presentation to Maestro @. f.. Caprone.
leader of the Banda Napoli, by the tai
ians OF this city of a gold badge as a
token of the regard of his compatrlots
and in commentator Of the excellent
work which he did with the band AT
Crescent Park this summer.
Maestro Capons had previously been
made the recipient of a quite similar
badge at Crescent Park That which
was given him yesterday had upon lts
face I'm relief a Tyre surrounded by a
wreath OF laurel. on the reverse was
the Jnscriptfon. Preserved 10 Culio
T.. Capone for honors at Crescent Park
by the Italian colony Of Providence. 3"
The badge was pendant from a pin tho
front OF which was a bandmaster's ba-
ton.
The presentation speech was made bv
Sig. A. Lucianelli afscr which tho fol-
lowing numbers wefia rendered March
Aida" Verdi: Poet and Peasant g"
Suppe: overture. "Sprng Blossom Ga
Vote" capone. selection. "RigOlette ."
Verdi: Indian March" Serenick.
Refreshments were served at the
close OF the concert. The members or
the committee which had charge Of the
presenation were NincenzO Lunoli. A
Luc,anelM. Francis ~. Splcola and Win.
cerzO Gragnano.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-09-11
Cou'd Rss,ors lsgsIy Killed.

II is also asserted by DR.. Cunningham
that an ordinary industrial electric cur
rent. such as is used in performing le
gal executions i'm New York state. does
not produce instant death. and that If IL
were possible TO have I'm constant readi-
ness suitable apparatus. the suspended
vital functions and consciousness could
be restored.
Experiments. which he has made. ac-
cording to The proposition, establish th9
Tact that in cases where death follows
an electric shock. II is noe caused by
paralysis of the heart or by any other
causes TO which death has heretofore
Deen attributed. but TO nbrdlear con-
traction OF the heart, which results i'm
collapse OF the nervous system. In all
cases OF this kind. IL is claimed. death is
preceded by a period Of consciousness.
during which the recipient of the shock
feels. but at the same time it is m-
pi obable that there is an accompanying
sensation Of pain.
Or. Cunningham says that IL Is only
I'm the case Of an electric shock where
i'm the current is so strong that all the
lis sues are cooked. and the nervous
syItem thus destroyed that death is in
stantaneous.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-09-11
BROWN ENDOWMENT FUND.
W'ho Rislng The Rsaured Sum FIacs1 n The
Hands CT cnmmi'aas.

Ine work raising the Brown Univer-
sity endowment fund OF 1900 has been
placed in the hands of a number of
gentlemen who have the interests OF the
college at heart. and the following COM
mlttees have been appointed.
General executive ana Boston com
mittee-William V. Kellen. Ph.' d.. ~
chairman, No. 2O2 Commonwealth ave-
nue., Boston; George G.. Wilson. secrs-
tary, S6. Brown University. Provi-
dence; Benjamin c. Dean ESQ. isi.
Hon. f. A. Gaskill, &c. Ray Greene
Hgms. Sc. D., 80: A. - Mcclellan.
ESD. '13: George f.. Horr, ID. d.. '76;
Rev. Il. ID. Burr. 81
New York cOmmittee-Edward Jud-
son, ID. d., 65 Arthur Lincoln. 20:
Charles r. Hughes. 81 Gardiner Coll
by. 81
Philadelphia committee-Dr. w. w.
Keen, LII. D., SO; Dr. III. l.. Hansell
~ Harry NJ. Trask. 81
Chicago committee--Charles II. Wea-
Yer, 50; ID. l.. Morrill,, so: j. l.. Lincoln,
Jr.. '73.
FAN River committee Hon. A. J..
Jennings. '72; Henry II. Earle SO: Da-
vid S Slade so; Charles Il. Luther, 's3;
DIR. \. /. Connell. 'S7.
Woonsocket committee-Col. Frank
Harris. rs: Rev William Sneafe Chase
81 Frederick Earle Whitaker. 'SS
Rhode Island committce-R. c. Haz-
ard. chairman. IS: Prof. \. Hardness.
~ Darius l.. Con. so: Robert T..
Brown. II; Hon. r.. D. McGulnness.
80: Hon. w. T.. Shefiie.d.Jr.. ~: s. q.
Metcalf.'7S: Col Frank Harris. rs: Hon.
J. l.. jerks. 'Sl; T. +. Green, 81; Henry
u sharpe.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-09-11
ATE, THEN FOUGHT. 7.
Bernler Accused Of AssauIting Duffy,
Who Was His Host.
He Threw a Cuspldur Which Struck and
BADLY Wounded Duffy

James Duffy, who lives on Williams
street, yesterday. invited Robert Ber-
nier. who Is his next door neighbor, to
dinner and ii is stated that. beth dur
Ing and after the meal liquid refresh
ment was not spared. After talking
about number Of matters the two men
became engaged I'm an argument as 10
which was the better man. The lie was
passed and then Berner i'm order 10
enforce his remarks threw "A cusp dor
at Duffy inflictng some serious cuts
on his he'll.
There was considerable OF commo-
tion i'm the neighbOrhood over the af-
fair. and Sergeant Rowe of the Third
station was attracted To the place. He
sent Duffy 10 the Rhode Island hosp tai
I'm the ambulance. At that institution
the cracks i'm his head were repair ed.
Bernier went TO Wickenden street po-
lice station. Bernier was araigned I'm the
Sixth district court. today. and plead
ing not guilty. was held in $500 for trial
next Friday.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-09-11
HISTORY OF THE LEAD PENCIL.
Interesting Facts About the Nest Popular ard
Common Whiting Ifstrmart

The lead pencil. the most common OF
all writing implements is somewhat
over two hundred years old. The term
lead pencil" however is mlsnomer,
as, in a mineralogical sense there is not
a particle of lead i'm its composition.
The lead pencil originated with the dis
covery of the graphite mines in Eng
land, in 1864, during the reign OF Queen
Elizabeth. As graphite so greatly re-
semblcd gaena, the German name for
which was bleiglanZ. IL was gwen the
name VI blsi, or lead. In the early days
OF head pencil making the graphite was
sawed into thin sheets and curt into
strips smaller and smaller until they
We're OF a size TO be covered with light
wooden slips, and thus serve as pencils
The first pencils created much excite
ment. The graphite mines OF England
were considered OF inestmable value,
and were protected by law. But there
was great waste-first, i'm digging, for
many OF the pieces were too small for
cutting. and again in the manner Of
cutting the graphite. which was SO
crude that half the material was lost.
So a binding substance had 20 be in
vented. Glue. gum. ising glass and
other substances were tried. but the
Sraf4a+tn-NAaS- -eta4 -fend9EAl- lEd-An4
brittfe and Of uneven hardness. Its
marks were faint and indistinot, and
in those days IL the pOnt broke il was
quite an undertaking TO sharpen {
again. First. the wood had to be cut
away, and the graphite heated over a
light 10 soften il. after which II was
drawn 10 point with the fingers. In
1875, Conte, a Frenchman. came on the
idea of using pulverized graphite and
binding clay. This discovery resulted
in pencils OF varying hardness, accord
ing TO the amount of binding clay add
ed and each pencil was of exactly the
same hardness throughout Its length.
Soon after this discovery improvements
followed in y king. rolling and sharp
ening the graphite composition, which
was cut into lengths, placed in warm
oven 10 harden. and finally encased In
wood, as seen today.