davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-08

that the overpainting, which impaired its
value. consisted entirely of lime colors,
which could be removed by careful manip-
ulation without causing any injury to the
original painting.
A local specialist named Fridt undertook
to remove the overpainting and succeeded
SO well that the canvas now stands in all
the wonderful attractiveness that made its
early reputation. The minor defects, like
blisters and streaks, caused by too close
contact with cathedral lights. have been
touched up SO as to be unnoticeable. and
the painting is once more of great value.
Painted for Cnpucians.
1t represents the chapel of San Fran
els of Assist. known as the Portiuncula,
and which is still standing under the dome
Of the massive Church of ST. Mary of the
Angels, near Assist. in the Umbria valley.
about half way between Florence and
Rome.
Murillo painted IL for the Capucian
church, in Seville, 1t being one Of the
of that order. Early In this century the
.Portiuncula'' was taken from the church
in Seville by the infant Don Sebastian and
placed in his palace at Pau. 1t was from
his heirs. the Princes of Borbon. that the
Cologne dealer made the recent purchase.
The experts explain the otherwise unex-
the painting became dark and obscure.
hanging as II was for so many years in
the thick candle smoke in the church.
Some we'll meaning but misguided dauber
applied the lime colors to freshen up the
picture. and probably did his work in the
condition Murillo's ~"Portiuncula" was priz-
ed more highly than the most famous
works of Antonius of Padua, which hung
I'm the Cathedral of Seville.
The name 'Portiuncula" pertains partic-
uarly TO a feast of the capucian Order in
commemoration of a wonderful vision OF
ST. Francis. The SANCTUARY called the Por-
tiuncula was built by four pious pilgrims
from Jerusalem in honor of the mother of
the Lord during the pontiicate of Liberius.
S52-357 A. D.. The chapel, in which Il relic
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-08
Feminine WEAKNESS IN AFRICA
SOmaIi Women Made Happy by the
Gift of . Looking
Glass.

From the illustrated London News.
If you wish to nal a Somali woman
absolutely happy. you give her a look
ing glass. She will never before lave seen
one. but feminine instinct will teach her
how to use it. Mrs. Alan Gardner, IN
one of her big game shooting expedi-
items in Somaliland, gave a native wom-
an a looking glass for a Christmas pres
emit. She was so delighted with the first
clear sight of her dusky countsnance
that she sat through two entire days and
nights outside Mrs. Gardners tent. gag
ing with rapture at her own reflection.
On the morning of the third day the
fame of the looking glass had spread
through the country; and a row Of forty
Somali women. collected from far and near.
was engaged in taking an admiring turn
at the magic mirror. When Mrs. Gardner
came on the scene she was greeted by forty
feminine Somali voices Joined in chorus.
and each begging for a looking glass "all
to herself" But. alas. for the limitations
of a sporting outfit. the dusky bellies were
Obliged to content themselves with the
one communal mirror. And the woman
with the looking glass remained for many
weeks the most important person in So
maitland.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-08

could hardly see without the use of colored
glasses. and scarcely noticed that We had
anything under foot. Time seemed ages.
and after only twenty minutes our guides
suggested the return. I focused my camera
on my guide. seated on the petate. or rush
mat, ready to start down on. perhaps, the
most wonderful coasting in the world. and
then took nv seat behind him and had my
companion press the automatic shutter. In
fifteen minutes We were at the snow line
once more. whence We had been six
hours ascending. Our guides said they had
made the trip down in five minutes when
the snow was sufficiently hard. We found
some places so soft that my guide pulled
me on the improvised toboggan. We walked
to the ranch, and after light lunch mounted
our horses at 2 o'clock. looking up TO
the great dome of snow with a different
feeling from that which we had entertained
in the morning. We had been initiated
into its awful mysteries and should ever
after rave much more respect for Popo-
catepetl.
We reached Amecameca at dark and
found a freight train would cave for
Mexico City in a short time. After a
hearty supper we climbed into the caboose,
and at midnight were home. The trip had
been made in forty hours including 4 stop
Of two hours in Amecameca. witt twelve
hours in Tlamacas and six hours on the
freight in its forty-mile trip. Altogether
the journey is about sixty miles in length
each way. We were sunburned and tired
the following day, but felt no %inconven-
fence whatever.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-08
and enjoy the awful grandeur of the
scene.
Scene Of Grandeur.

SSShC vi
Before us was a great black opening Of
an oval shape, longest from north to south.
with its walls of obsidia to a depth Of
five or six hundred feet. Owing to over
hanging walls We could not see the lowest
point. On the farther side was a great
patch of yellow and from its crevasses
rose a cloud of steam, or, as We were told.
sulphurous gas: which had melted the
SHOWS above. The guides informed US that
this is where the sulphur rock was taken
out. and one said he had stayed down there
for. thirty days at a time, and the other
had made a trip each day from the sulphur
house to the crater. taking down the rock
to be refined at Tlamacas.
/ ound 1t took q great effort to walk
ures, some of which are here shown. My
body was as heavy as lead and my mental
powers seemed dormant. seemed as IL
time our breath came more easily and our
heartbeats became more natural. but yet
there was the dazed feeling. The snow
was too soft to permit our walking round
the rim, as it was liable to slide down with
the weight of n person. Hearing 4 strange
echo from our voices. I drew my revolver
and fired several shots into the crater,
really wonderful effect. followed in a mo-
ment by Il crash on the opposite side as
a great mass of rock and snow. ioosened
motion or possibly by Il glancing ball, fell
into the abyss. 1t was like a great peal
and roll of thunder amid the awful still
ness which soon settled over everything
as before.
We seemed to look over the top of Ixtac-
cihuatl, and as the clouds by this time had
covered the valley of Puebla almost en-
tirely it looked like a great white sea with
pillows rising and falling. The valley OF
Mexico was as a flock Of white sheep on
a hillside. go far below and SO small did
the misty clouds appear. Aiusco was a
great black island as the misty haze was
around the Cuernavaca valley. and the
little mountains or foothills looked like
ant-hills. We seemed as if suspended in
air. for so white and dazzling was the
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-08

made himself thoroughly disagreeable to
every one who came in ontac with him.
At the same time. his disease saved him
from punishment inflicted on chronic kick
ers at the prison.
Finally he became such a nuisance that
the prison authorities begged the board
of managers to parole him and get him
but Silvey did not have the s25 required as
n surety OF good conduct from paroIed
prisoners. His kicking went on until the
pair. the rule was waived, and Siiyey was
turned loose. His last act in the peniten-
tiary was to swear at his aged mother.
VINO came 10 help am home because she
balance men because they handled him
roughly.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-08
Freak. of sleep Walkers.

From London Titbits.
A well known physician gives an account
of an Irish gentleman who swan more
than two miles down a river. got ashore.
and was subsequently, discovered sleeping
by the roadside, altogether unconscious of
the extraordinary feat he had accom-
plished.
Professor Fischnell. of Bale, writes of a
young student Of Wurtemburg, who used to
play hide-and-seek while fast asleep. His
fellow students knew of his propensity,
and when he began walking threw holsters
after him. which he always eluded, jump>
ing over bedsteads and other obstacles in
his way.
A man was once discovered at 1 o'clock
in the morning in a neighbours garden en-
gagged in prayer. evidently under the im>
preston that he was in church. but other
wise in a deep sleep.
A young girl given to sleep talking was
in the habit of initiating the violin with her
lips. giving the preliminary tuning and
scraping and fiourishing with the utmost
fidelity. 1t puzzled her physician a great
deal until he learned that when an infant
the girl lived in a room adjoining a fiddler.
who often performed upon his instrument
within her hearing.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-08

from the tomb of the Holy Virgin was
placed, was dedicated TO Our Lady of the
Valley of Jehoshaphat.
Visits of Angels.
1t soon became famous because of the
many graces received in it by the faithful
and by the frequent visits of the angels,
who sang the praises of their queen there.
For that reason 10 the new church, SUISSE
Mary of the Angels. Benedictus took pos
session of the Portfuncula in the sixth ccn-
fury and had II restored. Ii had been al
lowed TO crumble almost 10 useIessness.
In the twelfth century. so goes the belief
OF the brotherhood. the prayers of the de-
vout Lady Plea. who was childless. were
heard in the chapel. Soon afterward she
became the mother OF st. Francis. of Assist.
AS he approached manhood ST. Francis
loved the chapel better than his life and
restored IT with his own hands. In 1t he
received the cal 10 the religious life and
later founded the franciscan order. Dom
Pietro. abbot OF the Benedictine monastery
of Mount SubaSio, chen presented tie por-
tiuncula 10 him under condition that ii
should ever remain the mother church of
the Franciscan order.
The story of the vision, as told TO the
writer by Father Bernardin. of Treves. one
of the present leading progressive spirits
in the Church of ST. Mary of the Angels. is
a. follows:
being sorely tempted by the devil TO lessen
his austerities. overcome the evil one by
throwing himself into a thicket OF briars
and rolling himself In 1t TIL his body was
ali torn and bleeding. AT the same mo-
full bloom. . heavenly brightness shone
snround and angels came to lead st. Francis
70 the Church of the Portiuncula. where
= Lord appeared 10 him In person. ac-
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-08
MURILLo PORTIUNCULA
1T HAS BEEN RESTORED aND is NOW
OFFERED FOR SAFE.
Famous Spanish Masterpiece of the
Wonderful Vision of ST. Francis
Now on Exhibition at Co.
IoSnc. Germany.
From the New York Press.

In all European art circles interest Is
ccntered at present in the restored painting
the 'Portiuncula.' by the famous Spanish
painter. Murillo, now on exhibition in Co.
logne. The canvas is one of the most re-
nowned of old historical paintings. but had
fallen into disrepute because of the faulty
overpainting that had been done on it. The
original colors were lost under the smears
which had been applied by unskilled hands
from time to time in attempts to restore
the work.
Therefore, the surprise and delight Of ar,
lovers are measureless at the knowledge
that the old picture has been restored to it,
first brilliancy and glory. and that 1t is on
the market. a Cologne art dealer bought II
from the Princes of Borbon in Madrid.
and, bringing il 10 Cologne, ii was found
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-08

From the London Chronicle.
The scholarship season at oxford is just
drawing to a close. Whether the sport
has been up to the average of previous
years we are not yet in a position to state.
The following missive. however. which was
received by the venerable head of a IA
nous college. seems to suggest a reincar-
nation of Mr.. Nerdant Green:
Dear Sir:-I propose to offer myself for
examination on the Goth inst. | shall be
obliged If vol will secure me a comfort
able and not too expensive lodging. and.
perhaps. you. could make it convenient to
meet me at the station. I shall arrive by
the $50 p. m. train. Yours truly. X. X.
What the head of the house said is not
recorded.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-08

tured in the clouds. European critics rave
over Murillo's angels. They agree that In
this picture in correctness OF composition
and individual beauty the groups are con-
sidered better than the well known Angel
glory of Antonius of Padua. Special praise
is given for one particularly beautiful
blonde angel. holding the edge of the Ma
donna's mantle. Two of the larger angels
at the right side of the " are iikened
suddenly transplanted into heaven.
The figure of the Madonna is. of great in
terest. principall: because it had been af-
fected by the wretched overpafnting more
than any other part of the picture. She
appears like a beautiful young maid, with
fine features and delicate nature. The
hands are of the most noble mold and the
entire figure stands out in strong relief
from the delicate blue mantle which serves
as a background.
1t is hard to believe that Murillo intended
that youthful figure to represent the moth
er of Christ. whom he paints next to her
as a strongly built. full-grown man. with
masses of dark, curly hair. a beard n
strikingly heavy lips. Three cherubs' heads,
directly behind the two principal figures,
were brought out by the process of restor-
rich. The lighting is distributed with an
artistic niceness and individual beauty over
the entire canvas never before equaled by
Murillo.
A fund is row being raised in Rome for
the purpose of buying the "Portiuncuia'
and placing It with the many other old and
valuable works in the art galleries of the
the painting for its musuem. Both will find
the keenest competition from the museums
of other large cities of the world when
the work of Murillo is offered for sale.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-08
In No Hurry.

From the Detroit Free Press.
There is a good Scotch lady in Detroit
who has long wished to revisit the scenes
of her childhood. and last fall her sons
that they could crafty her wish.
When informed of this the practical
mother replied:
"Aweel, aweel, I'm thinkin' I'll bide a
wee. It's heen a gaze wet summer. and
I've nae doo't the sea is unusual deep"
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-08
A ProfesaionaI.

From London Answers.
s~cene-Kailway carriage on Midland rail-
way.
Enter a colonel with game bag and case
of guns.
Colonel Ito passengers. enthusiastically)-
Beautiful sport. sixty birds In two hours.
and only missed two shots"
A quiet gentleman sitting In the corner
put down his paper. rushed across the COM
hand.
ALLOW me to congratulate you. sir? 1 am
a professional myself"
Professional sportsman"
mo; professional liar"
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-08

of gold and silver, enameled. The face
is almost impish in it's ROBUSTNESS, which
is added to-, perhaps. by two roses he
wears in his hair above his temples. He
seems to laugh at all the world, and to say:
II have conquered it; why trouble any
more?'
The pedestal adds much to the figure
uhe woman with the cloven foot. These
are made of cire perdu bronze. and above
them is a square of green marble. Upon
borders of incrusted bronze. while three
ivory goats heads, with horns of mahog-
any and laurel wreaths of gold, represent
ing Loves sacrifice. are placed at intervals
around it. The world on which Cupid
stands is made of Il fine piece of lapis
lazuli.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-08
MAcMoNNIEs' CUPID.
An Interesting Piece of Sculpture In
Ivory, Metal and Mar

An interesting piece of sculptor's craft
has just been sent from Mr.. Macmonnies'
studio in Paris to New York. This is a
kind of altar to Cupid. with the god of
love himself surmounting it. The ped
estal is made of precious metals and mar
bles, while the Cupid, which is about eight
inches in height, is carved out Of ivory.
The height of the cupid is said to be the
maximum size possible to obtain in a solid
piece of this material.
The little fellow is sturdy and well made,
and plants his conquering feet firmly upon
the world on which he stands. His right
arm is extended and his forefinger mis-
chievously raised. In his left hand is a
laurel wreath and bow of hammered gold.
The wings of Cupid are made of an alloy
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-08

The miraculous rosebushes grow with
out thorns to this day, and each of the
leaves is stained with spots like those made
by blood. The thornless roses grow in the
garden adjoining the church and are por-
tected jealousy from vulgar touch. 1t is
claimed by the brotherhood that great IA
vorS haye been obtained by the faithful
by the devout use of these rose leaves.
Catholic world the Portiuncula ranks
fourth. Devout pilgrims go there to eX-
perieace the truth of st. Francis words:
This is a holy spot: whoever prays here
devoutly will obtain what he asks for"
Muriiio's painting embodtes the features
of the vision. as well as the chapel itself,
ard is considered to be Il masterpiece.
Conferred in the picture is the altar or
the Portiuncula. with an embroidered car
mine cover and Illuminated by rays of day
light from the rear. st. Francis. bare
footed. kneels at the left. with hands ous-
stretched entreatingly. The figure is SD
perb, placed in an effective semi-illumina-
ton. its right side standing out with suffi-
Gent prominence to carry out the artists
idea focusing attention upon it. Murillos
fidelity to nature is demonstrated in the
feet of ST. francis. The ankle bones.
wrinkles and even the dirty-gray callous
spots on the soles are carefully brought
out. The poorly clad exterior of the monk
contrasts strongly with the glowing ecstasy
his face expresses as he views the vision.
Illustrated by the painter in the clouds
over the altar.
superb Groups of Angels.
Mary and Christ, surrounded by groups CT
jumping, romping, happy angels, are pic
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-08
Much Better.

From the Detroit Free Press.
Scritus-'I like 'Plater's companionship.
but I must say I don't care much for his
dinners"
Bristle-''What do you attend them for,
them
oh. they're better than nothing"
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-08
Enough.

From the Detroit Free Press.
Mrs. Ch~ipperton-'I've come to the con-
clusion that I will not say another word
against my neighbors."
Mrs. Witherby-''On the principle. I sup
pose. that there is nothing more to be
said"
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-08
More Trouble.

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
II see re have annexed an island chief
with fifty wives"
Thunder. let's hope he won't insist on
running for congress-"
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-08
Kicked HI. way Out OF Prison.

From the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Convict Garland Silvey, of Perry county.
has the enviable distinction of being the
only man who ever kicked his way out OF
the Ohio p~enitentIary. Silvey was a suf-
ferer from consumption and neanness. He
kicked at every possible opportunity and
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-08

The colored Autograph of which the
foregoing is a reproduction was printed
by the emperor's order for free distribution
throughout Russia on his majesty's saints
name day, December Is. For this, 500.6G0
copies were printed. The portrait of the
czar Is an excellent likeness. whereas the
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-08
MfrncuIou. Ro.ebushe..

companied by His mother and a heavenly
host. and granted him the indulgence Of
the Portiuncula."
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-08
Wild man OF AUSTRIA
THE MYSTERY OF HIS LIFE IS At
LAST REVEALED.
A Baron Becomes u DefauItcr. The
Takes to the Forest and
FriEhtens People Until
Arrested.
From an Exchange.

From an Exchange.
At last the wild man of the Austrian
forest, who has been at large so long that
he not only frightened women and chill
dren, the police and country authorities.
put actually caused learned professors to
declare him a rare specimen of atayism.
has been unmasked as a former Beau
Brummel, mayor, captain of artillery,
baron. lady-killer and defaulter. The I'M
masking was done by a posse of gendarmes
dispatched to Billach forest, the wild
mans abode, to capture him dead or alive.
for the benefit of science.
the wild man had terrorized the people
OF the Billach forest district for over a
year. This territory is situated in the
Austrian province of Kaernten (Carinthiay
and adioins the Tyrol mountains. The
population is Slavonic. much behind the
times and superstitious. Abou Christmas
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-08
His Confession.

He was not a professional tramp. and he
had not completely forgotten his language,
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-08

time last year wood
choppers and market
people who had to
pass through Billach
forest on their way
to business reported
having seen a mystic
ious person oamin
.mong the trees in
the ne~ighborhood of
a certain mountain
ravine, which is
thought to have been
the abode of cave
dWellers many hun
dred years ago. They
described the un-
known as tall. his
shoulders draped in
~
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-08
Superb Groups of Angels.

Mary and Christ, surrounded by groups CT
jumping. romping, happy angels, are pic
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-08

SuCl dS Hc
had robbed the coun-
try people of. should
be given to him. a
Meanwhile several II
professors came from n
Vienna to investigate II
the wild man. The!
talked learnedly o.
his shaggy name, hi!
matted beard. his n
claw-like finger nails v l.
and his disreputable NJ
complexion. They did N
not know how to ac- =
count for the wild
mans understanding
of the German lam HET
guage, but their the
cries with respect to
the one word which he SEE
to pronounce was elabor
schinken was derived froI
should be known to any
aborigine. Other men of SC
led the case inclined to the
thesis. They maintained tn
probably been a day lsborer
coal burner: that. submltt
basing influence Of a cheerl
gradually refrigerated from
tate to an animal-like &C
hadn't been caught and
civilization. these learned
might have SIX to the me
more, as the formation OF
clearly indicated.
Then came another wise
a barber. and he said: -
wash and shear the brute
see whether he is shammin
so they soaked and bathed
curry-combed the wild man
of green softsoap. and. p,
emerged from the tub and (
barber, he wasn't wild at
staring" look OF his eyes
his terrible face and teri
ance now showed up smil
natured. The police capital
wild man dressed in a good
shirt, standing collar and "a
tie. and then. holding a 10
fore him, said: NOW Will
ming?"
Then the wild man brok'
duiged in one of the most
known TO civiliZatioI-he
rather a succession of lies
himself a number of alias
seven or eight different plat
Now. in Austria every
registered with regard to |
ness. whereabouts, bodily
and brands. So the eX-wild
ly found out, and. driven TO
ly confessed.
His Confessis
He was not a professions.
had not completely forgotte
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-08
Visits of Angels.

from the tomb of the Holy Virgin was
placed. was dedicated to Our Lady of the
Valley of Jehoshaphat.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-08

From Judy.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-08

bloody. his feet and legs bound with straw,
his face half covered by hair from his
beard and head. and swinging a long club
In his hand.
The authorities shrugged their shoulders.
Somebody playing Santa Claus they