davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-02-17

ness that was truly royal. At these on
tcrtainments the choicest wines, the
inost expensive dishes, the costliest For
Vice and the sumptuous arrangements
were in evidence, while the table dec
orations consisted of the rarest and
most expensive orchids and exotic
plants. All the walters and servants
were dressed in liveries and everything
betokened wealth and affluence.
Such was the life of Anita De Betten-
court, who today is penniless and starv.
ing after spending millions Of dollars
obtained from the gullible public who
were willing to swallow her mythical
tales.
Little is known Of the true history
or this woman. Her birthplace is said
10 have been Barcelona and her early
life Is veiled in mystery. Forty years
ago she arrived in Philadelphia penni-
less and ignorant of the English Ian
guage. She had two children and was
known as Mrs. Folsom. To exc out
livelihood she worked as a dishwasher
In clearinghouse on Race street, be-
low Second. There she met John Nc
Murrow, an industrious sailmaker, who
boarded at the house. When her
daughter died, McMurrow paid the fu-
neral expenses, and over the little ones
grave they became engaged. Soon af-
terward she married her first benefac-
tor, and during her subsequent career
he was never heard Of although she
evidently had some little regard for
him, as his painting in oil hung in the
parlor of her house. Just how she en-
tered into the field of adventures is
startled all Philadelphia by her lavish
expenditure of money and wonderful
facility for borrowing that she came
under the public notice. Among the
goods which will be sold in Philadel-
phia at M. Thomas e Sons on Nov. 80
for settlement with the Atlas Storage
Company are some family portraits
and chest full of papers. 1t Is the
latter that is exciting the attention Of
the public at present, as the box Is
supposed to contain the correspondence
Of her victims. There is likely to be
some lively bidding for the possession
of the chest, as it is thought it will
divulge the names of many prominent
persons who advanced her money in
support of her claim whose connection
with the woman is at present unknown.
Since her arrest in 1892 the countess
has dropped from public view. At the
time she stored her pictures she was in
great need of money and she borrowed
a small sum on the warehouse receipts.
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-02-17

In the winter months people are fre
Quently brought together who have met
as strangers during the past six
months and who have drifted into a
semi-intimacy, and the problem pre-
sents itself in each case more or less
as to the proper course to take with
regard to keeping up an acquaintance
so informally made. 1t is impossible
to enumerate the various resorts where
these chance meetings occur on land
and on sea, at home and abroad, at for
eign spas, on yachting cruises and at
fashionable hydros, at palatial hotels
and modest hotels; be it where it may,
when some such acquaintance has
sprung up it naturally follows that it
does not terminate with the occasion
that originated it. The social world
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-02-17

one block. She lived In superb style,
servants galore, and home furnished
with the most lavish magnificence
Ihls was about 1876. Today she is
poor and needy, and her SO years is
telling on her vivacious personality.
Inc sumptuousness of her surround
lngs gave abundant color to the fairy
IKE tales she told her victims.
Her story, as related by one of her
dupes, was that she was the heir to
the Bettencourts, one of the wealthiest
ana Oldest families in Spain, who had
emigrated to Cuba in the early part of
the present century and owned vast
estates, which We're confiscated by the
government of Cuba during the revo-
tuition OF 1865 and 1866, to which the
countess had convinced the then gov
erhment of Cuba that she was entitled
to $4,000, 600, which would soon be
restored to her.
She played her part to perfection,
and to convince her dupes Of the legiti-
macy of her claim obtained an inter-
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-02-17

s~~~>"~~~~S~se~~.e.~>~
qualntances, and to determine whether
1ntroductions are likely to be appre-
clated, and, therefore, he generally lets
the matter slide, for, unless his wife
takes them up, he can neither visit at
their homes nor ask them to his own:
II his acquaintance is desired by men,
bers OF family he has met on his
travels, they should make a point of
expressing a wish to become acquaInt-
ed with his wife, and request him to
bring this about when occasion offers.
Many pleasant acquaintances are
round between married couples staying
at the same hotels. The husbands
meet in the smoking rooms and in
othcr public rooms. and in the course
OF conversation generally discover that
some relative Of the one is known to
the other. In this way the acquaintance
grows apace, the wives being drawn
into 1t also. Under such conditions
future meetings present no social dlf-
ficulty and intimacy is resumed at the
point where 1t had arrived. Intimacy
is the word which best describes the
companionship that ensues between
congenial people thrown together when
travelling in the beaten track or in
out-of-the-way places. At home the
hurry OF business and pleasure do not
allow OF much time being spent in the
company of comparative strangers,
whereas during the holiday season It
is promoted by both leisure and oppor.
tunity.
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-02-17

how an attempt at renewal OK intimacy
will be regarded. An acquaintance
founded on propinquity does not always
stand the test OF u mora intimate
knowledge. and those who drift into
semi-intimacy for want Of other COM
panionship, and because circumstances
further it, are equally ready to ignore
it under other conditions. Then, too,
here and there acquaintances are form
ed inadvertently, which ultimately
prove to be most undesirable, and
when this is discovered--as it gener-
ally is sooner or latter-it is difficult
to escape from the position with any
degree of satisfaction. The annoyance
OF having associated with those con-
cerning whom unpleasant stories are
atioat is only eQualed by the greater
one of having to abruptly end the ac
Cuaintance, and this more especially
so when little attentions and trivial
services have been offered and accept
ed The moral OF this is that ladies
travelling without the support of male
relatives should exercise a wise dis
cretion in the interchange Of civilities
with hotel visitors, however charm
ing they apparently are; heedlessness
in this respect often brings about many
regrettable incidents.
Now and again very pleasant friend
ships arise out OF chance meetings, but
in some instances no little tact is re-
quired to subsequently maintain them
on the same agreeable footing. When
husbands and wives travel apart, each
are likely to make acquaintances mean
while. In the case OF a wife travelling
with friends or female relatives, il she
meets pleasant people she cares to see
anything more OF she can mention
them TO her husband and introduce
him to them on the first opportunity.
But husband can hardly take this
independent line Of action. His wife
may not care for the new acquaintances
he considers SO agreeable, and thus
such introductions are seldom at
tempted by him. He has to study the
susceptibilities of both sides, those. Of
his wife and OF his newlynade ac-
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-02-17

damages from young woman because
he did not find her body under the sad
sea waves last summer. Capt. Reilly
was in charge of the life guards at
Banners pavilion when Miss Louise
King and her maid engaged compart-
ments, and Miss King disappeared and
the maid wept and said she had been
drowned. He searched the beach for
two weeks in vain and in his COM
plant alleges he suffered great mental
strain and was discharged because he
could not find Miss Kings body.
AS that healthy and much alive
young woman was in Philadelphia
after leaving the bathing pavilion and
corresponding with the man of her
choice, Reilly was not to blame, neith-
er was the young woman. Girls in love
have done stranger things than leave
their clothes in a bathing compart-
ment, don others and go and get mar
ried to the only man on earth. In
this case the only man was s. Lloyd
Chamberlain, and after a brief stay
with friends in Philadelphia Miss King
became Mrs. Chamberlain and her
family forgave her for the scare she
had given them. But the professional
life-saver's feelings are too tender and
his pride too great to be trifled with bJ
mere girl in love with somebody
else. 1t was worth $4,000 to his pride
to be searching for pretty young
woman in the flotsam and jetsam
thrown up by Coney's seas when some
other fellow found and married her ia
Philadelphia.
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-02-17
HOMES OF THE COUNTESS.

HOMES OF THE COUNTESS.
proven, and another of conspiracy was
brought. Since it could not be shown
that she had conspired with any one
this was never pushed successfully.
The most surprising part about this
fascinating adventures was her adap-
liability in being able to hold a social
position so much in advance of her
bringing up. Every movement of hers
was marked by a degree of dignity
usually seen in those only born to the
purple. Her entertainments Of EN-
peror Dom Pedro. the Spanish minister.
Generals Grant and Sherman and
others were characterized by a lavish
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-02-17
Peanut Buns.

One cupful Of milk, one-half cupful
Of yeast, flour enough to make a batter;
set warm at night. In the morning
mix one cupful of sugar one table
spoonful of melted butter, one of lard,
two eggs and add to the batter. Let
it rise until quite light, then add -four
to roll out to the thickness Of finger;
spread On one cupful Of currants and
one-half cupful Of peanuts; moisten
with the slightly beaten white of an
egg; roll up and cut off an inch in
thickness. Put in pans to rise before
baking in a slow oven.
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-02-17
A Little While.

Only q little while OF brave endeevor.
Only little while OF care and strife,
And then-the perfect peace OF God for
ever
And the pure glorics OF the fadeless
life.
Only little awhile of patient yearninB
For vanished smiles and voices hushed
OF yore,
And then-our loved ones with their Lord
returning,
And hands, now severed, clasped to
part no more.
0 blissful day! glorious consumma-
ton!
Lo, DER the hills the dawn Is breaking
fast
Come, Light OF life, display Thy full SAL
walton,
And speed the lonely pilgrim home at
last
S. c. Lowry.
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-02-17
He Had Lost His Cunning,

"Dere's no use talkin'," said the gray
haired burglar, I'm gettin' too old
fer de biz. I'm goin' to retire." ivy.
ole pal, wot's de trouble?" asked a fell
low professional. me glims failin' me.
dat's de trouble" replied the old man
as he tried to suppress sigh. Las
night spent tree hours crackin' safe
and when I fin'ly busted 1t open
'twusn't nuthin' but one o. dem measly
ole foldin' beds"
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-02-17

Is Hmall, and people cross each others
path again and again for good or for
Ill, by design or by accident, in crowd
ed spots or in isolated ones, and thus
the situation frequently becomes some
what perplexing. The advantage is al
ways on the side Of those whose social
position Is we'll known, and they have
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-02-17
THE COUNTESS,

lost 100000, a doctor who gave up
$125,0O0, real estate dealer who was
$4,000 poorer after his experience with
the countess, and list, in fact, that
would be startling IL they could all
be called to mind. One peculiar fact
about the affair was that it was doubt
full If crime was ever committed,
for these people all put up their money
expecting to get two or three times the
amount of the original back again.
Spanish gold had wonderfully at
the quaker city business men, who
readily produced, after hearing the
countess's story of fabulous wealth
coming to her in Spain of bonds val
ued at 36,000,000 pieces Of Spanish
gold that were hers, but which some
one else was holding away from her.
To further her plans she resorted to
extreme measures, and SO worked upon
the credulity Of Mr.. Barca, the then
Spanish minister to this country, that
he allowed himself to lend his assist
ance to the adventures. When he
discovered his error and realized the
position he had placed himself in he
committed suicide rather than give
an explanation Of his folly to the Span
ish government. Several prominent
Philadelphia lawyers lent not only
legal, but financial, assistance to the
countess, but none of them will now
admit his connection and refuses to
be interested in any way with her
present doings.
Spanish gold appeared to be more
potent charm than tn, countess per-
sonality. With the exception of Ell
mer Billings, New York dupe, none
of the Philadelphia victims appeared
to be smitten with her charms. She
appeared to experience no difficulty
whatever in securing all the money
she needed in furtherance of her plans.
She conducted her household in a
manner betting her supposed rank.
Her domestics included ten female
servants, fve men servants and two
priests, who lived at her house. Her
dainty feet never touched the side
walk, for coach and pair awaited
her bidding II she desired to travel
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-02-17
Peanut Scum,

Shell and carefully remove the skins
from the peanuts. Put two cupfuls to
soak over night in one quart Of water.
In the morning add two quarts of
water and boil slowly an hour: then
add an onion, stock of celery, and
boil until it is soft enough to mash
through a sieve. Return to the stove,
add two tablespoonfuls of lemon Juice,
teaspoonful OF salt, a dash of pepper,
and serve at once.
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-02-17

mensely becoming to the hand. The
upper part Of the sleeve is trimmed
with two bands of velvet, finished on
the outer side with small velvet ros-
cites.
The tucked sleeve Is still highly in
favor for street wear, and when fin
ished at the wrist with a ruff1e or Irish
point or chiffon is most effective.-The
Latest,
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-02-17
Elaborate Trimmings,

Nearly all costumes with elaborate
trimming ct the back OF the waist are
designed to be worn without wraps.
They are for visiting, evening or sim
liar occasions, and whatever outside
garment is needed usually takes the
form of a large cloak, opera wrap or
cape that neither crushes the trimming
nor is worn where round shoulder
suggestion would be observable.
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-02-17

Eleanor, when we are married. will
you love me enough to cook for me?"
"Yes, dear Henry; but you will have
to hire somebody else to do my cook
ing."-Detrcit Free Press.
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-02-17
Announcing tho Baby.

A new fashion in baby cards is to
have them cream white, with the
baby's full name written upon them.
In the lower left-hand corner should
be the date of birth. This card is en-
closed in an envelope, with the moth
ers visiting card, upon which is en-
graved her day at home or the special
date Of baby's christening party.
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-02-17
STYLES In SieevAS.

For the coming winter the elbow
sleeve is destined to be the most pon-
ular sleeve for theater and reception
gowns. They are worn with long
gloves. One Of the new French fash
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-02-17
Peanut Candy.

One cupful Of granulated sugar and
one cupful of nut meats. Melt the
sugar in spider, being careful not
to let it burn. Put the nuts into a
we'll buttered tin, and when the sugar
is melted, pour over them. Cut in
squares.
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-02-17

Ions zhows short sleeve with q full
elbow puff OF chiffon, showing the arm
underneath. The sleeve is cut in seal
lops and finished at the edge and
shoulder with jet beads. Another new
design shows the puff opening on the
inside OF the sleeve falling very full and
long toward the back of the elbow.
The two side seams are ffrtshed with
tiny frills OF lace. The sleeve Is orna-
r@nted top and bottom with bows and
bands of ribbon.
For street gowns the long sleeve is
still in favor; indeed. 1t can hardly be
too long or too close-ftting. One Of the
newest creations from Paris has a
sleeve cut with but one seam, faring
bell-shaped about the hand.
The bell is lined with velvet and i'm
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-02-17
FOR WOMAN AND HOME
ITEMS OF INTEREST FOR MAIDS
AND NATIONS.

How Chance AqaainfanceA Arc 17ade
and How Most OF Them Are Regretted
Some Notes of the Fashions for
the Young and Old.
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-02-17
LIFE-SAVER ASKS $4,000.

Capt. Thomas J. Reilly, formerly
professional life-saver at Balmers
bathing pavilion, Coney Island, has
now gone to court to demand $4,000
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-02-17

To Keep Her Own Gown Clean.
A pretty apron for little girl is
made Of white nainsook with square,
low-neck yoke Of embroidered inser-
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-02-17

no misgivings as to how recognition
from them will be met. The reverse is
the case when the social standing is
not up 70 the same standard. and
Aoubts aps then likely to arise as to
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-03-12
HUMPHREYS
BESSEMER.

Bessemer, March 11.-(Special)- The
"Martians' gave a large fancy dress ger
man at the Grand hotel last night. The
dancers were masked until 1890 O'clock A
number of pretty and striking costumes
were worn. The german was led by George
Houston. A large band from Birmingham
furnished excellent music.
Among those present We're Mr.. and Mrs.
p. T. Whilden Mr.. and Mrs. George Bow
en-, Mr.. and Mrs. A. C. Sharpley, Mr.. and
Mrs. N. L. Carpenter, Mrs. Judson, Mrs.
Golson, Mrs. Isaac Perkins, Mrs. Atwater,
Mrs. Walker, Misses Bessie Spencer, Kate
Giles, Myrtle and Mary Edmundson, Lulu
and Grace Judson, Ollie Golson, Mary
Hood, Kate Jack, and Misses Josie Cole,
George Thompson, Nettie Smith, Wilmer
Shelton, Lou Perkins, Sallie Mackie, and
Robertson, of Birmingham; Messrs. Eu-
gene Huey, II. L. Bains, NJ ]. Barts, S.
e. Jones, ]. and E. Reid, J. and G. Hous-
ton, T. r. Fulton, by. Brown. ]. Kirtley,
Earle Mcdonald, C. B. Willis. Alex Car
rol Hopkins, and Perkins, Smith and
Pierce, of Birmingham.
An interesting programme has been
nounced for the meeting of the Baptist
Young Peoples union Monday night.
Messrs. j. w. Gillespie, Dan A. Green,
]. p. Tillman, II. p. Burress and 1. w. Nc
Adory were all in town today in their evil
interests or those of their friends cam
didates for delegates to the constitutional
convention.
The contract has been let for the i'm
provement and enlargement of the Ala
bama Great Southern depot. a forty-foot
addition and a baggage room will be added.
1t is also announced that the streets in the
vicinity of the depot will be much i'm
proved by quantities of ebert, consumma-
ton devoutly to be wished, as the poor
appearance and inadequate facilities of the
depot with the disagreeabe surroundings
have long been a trial to Bessemer people,
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-03-12
OBITUARY.
Death of Mrs. +. X. Fulton

Mrs. Nina Fulton, the wife of Judge e.
X. Fulton, who formerly and for long
number of years resided in Birmingham,
died at her residence in Sumpter county,
Alabama, on Wednesday, the Sth day of
March, 1899. She was the daughter of DR..
C. p. and Mrs. Caroline S. Montgomery of
Starkvile Miss, where she was born on the
goth day of May, 1S49. She was married to
e. K. Fulton in 1878, and resided in Bir-
mingham from 1878 until Judge Fulton re-
moved in 1897 to his plantation, near Sump-
terville, in Sumpter county, Alabama.
She was a lady of educa ton and refine
ment, possessing a very gentle and sweet
disposition, which always won for her the
love and esteem of her many friends
For twenty years she was a consistent
member of the First Presbyterian church
of Birmingham, and was highly honored
and loved by the pastor and the entire men,
bership. Though weak and feeble in body,
yet she was strong in her Christian faith,
which shone out brightly in every trial of
life. So left a devoted husband and FAM
lily of children, as well as very many
friends, to mourn her departure and cher
ish her memory ELDER.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-03-12
MIR. HOWARD'S OPINION.
Says Southern Cotton Mills Cannot Com
pete With Northern Manufactures

Washington, March 11.-Robert Howard,
ex-secretary of the National Spinners
Union, was before the industrial commits
sion today. He said that the southern
mills could not be seriously considered as
competitors of the northern mills, because
they produced a different class of articles,
and because the southern workmen could
not be pressed to expedition as the north
ern operatives. He quoted a foreman in a
southern mill as saying that if he should
tell an operative in his institution to hasten
her work, she was liable to be after him
soon with a Winchester rifle or shotgun
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-03-12
IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
Judge Gibbons So Declares the Illinois
Civil Service Law.

Chicago. March 11.-Judge Gibbons today
declared that the act of the legislature of
Illinois passed in 1897. giving veterans of
the civil war preferment over other candi-
dates in civil service examinations is void,
because 1t gives a special or exclusive priv
ilege and because it Is inconsistent with
the basic principles underlying the nature
of our fzStitutions
John Maieney, a candidate for the office of
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-03-12

superintendent of the water meter mechan-
ical department, brought suit to review the
act of the civil service board In giving the
place to Aaron L. Brown, veteran of the
Seventy-first New York, whose examina-
ton average was thirteen points below that
of Maloney. An appeal was allowed to
secure final adjudication In the supreme
court.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-03-12
Mrs. winslow's SoothingSyrup

Has been used for over FIFTY YEARS bv
MILLIONS of MOTHERS for their Chill
DREN WHILE TEETHING, with PER
Feet SUCCESS 1T sOOr1ES the CHILD
SOFTENS the GUMS, ALLAYS all PAIN:
CURES WIND collie, and is the best rem.
edy for DIARRHOEA. Sold by druggists
in every part of the world. Be sure and ask
1or Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup" ana
take no other kind. Twenty-Five cents
bottle
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-03-12
No Wariiite Signs

Santiago de Chile, via Galveston, March
1.-THE officers belonging to the Argentine
training ship Presidente sarmiente, which
recently arrived at Valparaiso, are visit1nu11
this city, where they are being accord
cordial recention