davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-23
TRICK OF TICKET SELLERS

IF'rom the Atlanta Constitutional
" 'Short-changing' or m-famming,'
is practiced by an INSCRIPTIONS class Of
ticket sellers said an old-time circus
ticket seller. the opportunities that the
business offers being greater than that
of any other I know of. Everything is
hustle and confusion, a man loses his
head, doesn't think to count his change,
and becomes an easy victim, when I'M
der ordinary circumstances he'd detect
the fraud. I'll attempt to describe to
you one of the commonest tricks of
'f1imf1amming' on an extensive scale: A
man approaches the booth, hunts in his
pocket for change, and finally pulls out
a SO bill. The ticket seller takes the
preliminary performance in at a glance
and knows to a dead moral certainty
that a man hasn't anything smaller. He
looks at the bill moment, the sizes up
his cash, as if in doubt. Then suddenly
heturns to his victim and says:
g Is this the smallest you've got?'
1.-THE man tells him that it is. All of
this has consumed but a fraction of
minute, you'd say, but in point of fact
it has given the sharper chance to
fold the bill in such a way that none OF
the figures are visible, and there is
nothing to indicate what its denomina-
ton is. The bill is passed deftly from
the right to the left hand, in the palm
of which is concealed a 81 bill folded in
precisely the same manner. 1t is the
work of only a second to substitute one
for the other, the ticket seller apollo
giving all the while for his inability to
make change, and the victim walks off
unsuapectingly with 81 where he had
SO, and the chances are that he doesn't
discover his mistake until some mo-
ments later. And then he fails to get
satisfaction. for, of course, the short
change artist denies the fraud emphat-
ically.
The ordinary way of handing a
man short change in silver is beautiful
ly simple Say, for instance, a man
buys two 50-cent tickets and tenders a
So bill. Three dollars and a half in
small change is placed in his hand hur-
redly and he walks off without count
ing it. Eventually he finds out that
he's so cents shy, but it is too late to
make a kick The short-change man
knows who to '1im-fam' and who to
treat squarely He sizes up his man at
a glance and can come pretty near tell
ing whether hell count his money or
not before leaving. That's where his
knowledge of human nature comes into
play.
Ticket selling is profitable employ
A man can always count on finding his
cash So to Sc over at the end of the
day The percent of people who get ex-
cited in the confusion of the moment
and leave their change on the counter
is always great This overplus goes to
the seller, and the economically inclined
Snowman doesn't have to touch his sal
airy during the month"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-23
MUST CRACK ROCK.
That Will Be johnson Jordan's Occu-
patton In Hutchinson.

Hutchinson does not seem proud of
having johnson Jordan, the negro who
was hired to kill j. S. Collins remain in
that city The following is taken from
the Hutchinson News:
johnson Jordan, who won a great
deal of notoriety in the John Collins
trial at Topeka, seems very partial to
Hutchinson. While he seems to earn
estIy desire this place as a permanent
residence, Marshal Heddin believes that
Hutchinson would be better off without
this distinction. Last week the mar
shall requested Jordan to leave town
Yesterday he was found again in
Hutchinson and was in a game of cards
when discovered. He was arrested for
vagrancy last night and taken to jail
The city marshal says that if Jordan
stays in Hutchinson he must break a
few rocks every day to show that he is
in good faith
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-23
CIGAR BEAN OF BATAVIA.
(From Publfc Opinion.l

A very curious fruit has been discover
ed growing wild in Batavia, and sam
pie has been sent to a French professor
of botany at Paris 1t appears to be
species of bean resembling a cigar both
in form and color, though only about an
inch in length. But it has a peculiar
characteristic which renders it a unique
and interesting object. and this is the ex-
ceedingly energetic manner in which it
Scatters its seeds. If one of these little
fruits be thrown into a basin of water it
will rest quietly on the surface for from
two to five minutes: then it will explode
with violence. hurting most of its contents
into the air with a noise and splash Tor
all the world like small torpedo 1t IS
hardly necessary to say that this phe-
nomenon is caused by the pressure of the
elastic substance of it's interior overcom-
ing the resistance of it's hard outer shell.
If plucked before maturity and allowed
10 ripen in a warm spot it opens gradu-
ally from apex to base, making. as it
were, a pair of diverging horns starting
the plant-since the process is quicker
and the internal moisture greater-the
opening is sudden and accompanied with
slight noise. though this is much less
than that which takes place when it has
been placed in water In this case the
dry but porous tissue of the surface of
the fruit quickly absorbs the liquid, es-
pectally at the grooves caused by the
junction of the two valves or outer shell
OF the fruit. The internal tissue, being
very elastic, eXerts upon the latter a ten
sion which soon results in the violent
bursting already described.
E. c. HauDach, Manager
Topeka Carpet Cleaning Works
Next to Columbian Building. Tel. 7s9.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-23

itation, the water and gas questions. the
paving of streets, the street car system.
the class of plays at the theaters. the
nomination for mayor and the election of
school visitor in the 'Steenth civil district.
He either sleeps too much or he sleeps
too little. He has an idea that life is
conspiracy, and that he must preserve
eternal vigilance or the conspirators will
get him. He lives so much on his nerves
that he gets angry on slight provocation,
and thus wastes more tissue.
The true secret Of health and life and
success is cheerfulness. The who
does his appointed task without being
fussy will live a good deal longer. Don't
worry and don't be afraid" are two
very good rules to observe. The Ameri-
can people must learn these rules by heart
and put them into practice if they wish
to live long and prosper.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-23
MISSION WORK
AS Carried on by the National Con-
gregational Society

Hartford, Conn, May 23-The seven
ty-third annual meeting of the National
congregational Home Missionary So
ciety began it's sessions here today. The
summary of results in the United States
is as follows: The number of mission
airy laborers in the service of the socie-
ty last year together with those en-
gagged in experimenting the work is
1,84S, employed in A states and terri
tories. The number of congregations
been fully supplied, or where the gospel
has been preached at stated intervals
is 2875.
The number of those who have preach
ed in foreign languages 243.
The number of Sunday school and
Bible class scholars is not far from
146,604 The organization of 1919 new
schools is reported and the number I'M
der the special care of missionaries is
1864
The additions to the churches as near
~ as can be ascertained have been T.
Thirty-fOur churches have been or
ganized in connection with the 1abors
of the missionaries within the year.
Sixty houses of worship have been
completed and 101 are in preparation for
the gospel ministry
The society began the year with a
net debt of $106, 500. The receipts of the
national society during the year from
contributions, legacies and other
sources. were 1924, go.
The expenditures of the national So
ciety for missionary labor and expenses
during the year have been 1913. 1862 and
the auxiliaries have expended 1921, 575
in their various fields
The net debt of the society at the
close of the fiscal year is $133. 469, an in
crease in the debt during the year of
$26,96
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-23
FROM THE FRONT.
An Interesting Letter From Walter
Swartz, of Co. A

The following is taken from a letter
written by Walter Swartz on April z
to Chief Wilmarth. The Letter was Writ
ten in the trenches north of Malolos:
I'VE are 80 miles from Manila, right
in the heart of the insurgent country.
The enemy is about five miles in front
of US. We fought our way foot by foot
up to this point, taking town after
town, and driving the enemy ahead of
US. These people fight like demons
Our losses so far will show you that
we have run up against a pretty hard
game. Our whiskers are all grown
we are burnt black and look like a band
of brigands.''
When the fighting commenced Swartz
was assisting the captain of the port at
Manila and received double pay, but
he gave up the position to take his place
in the ranks at the front and has been in
every engagement.
The following is from letter dated
April 10:
Il hear Uncle Sam is stopping some
of the cigars sent home by the boys and
holding them at San Francisco for
duty. Hope he does not stop mine
Speaking about the weather, Kansas
never had any. We have torn down
some of the bamboo houses and made
roofs over the trenches, but we still suf-
fer. Mosquitoes are thick and all after
Americans, just like the natives.
1T looks like a long fight. These
people are regular demons backed up
by their religion. We may conquer
them, but never make them give up
unless We kill every one of them. They
are still burning houses, and as I write
I can see a big fire and hear the pop of
the bamboo, which makes a report as
loud as a rifle.
Our men who have been captured
lately have been killed and horribly mu-
tilated. 1t makes me boil TO think of
these people. They are disgusting, big
oted, and must have originated from
some tribe of devils unheard of in his
tory.
kansas is a half mile in front of any
other regiment All the volunteers, with
a few exceptions. have done enough
fighting. The regulars have done very
little in comparison to US. Frank Nc
Fadden and John Haisch are working
on the railroad. Charles Ramsey is
with me fighting, and Harry Wagner is
the boss looter. He dresses uD in
natives clothes to make his expedi-
tions.''
A letter from Harry Wagner dated
April 10. says: There is a rumor that
President Mckinley says that the vol
unteers will be home in so days, but 1
don't think many of the boys want to
go home until the war is over, and L,
for one, want to stay"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-23
Butte, Mont,
SIS, via Santa Fe Route.

If you have piles, cure them. No use
undergoing horrible operations that
simply remove the results of the dis
ease without disturbing the disease it
self. Place your confidence in Dewitt, s
Witch Hazel Salve. 1t has never failed
to cure others; it will not fail to cure
you Geo. w. Stansfie1d, w. H. Wilson.
A. J. Arnold & Son, A. ]. Kane & Co.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-23
Veterinary Surgeon and Dentist.

Chas r. Young, Veterinarian, Of
Western Veterinary college, Kansas
City, Mo, treats all diseases, and per-
forms surgical operations upon all ami
mails. Phone sos, barn 100 East Second
street.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-23

Don't think you can cure that slight
attack of Dyspepsia by dieting, or that
it will cure itself. Kodol Dyspepsia
Cure will cure it; it "digests what you
eat" and restores the digestive organs
to health. Geo. w. Stansfield, w. H.
Wilson, A. J. Arnold & Son, A. J. Kane
& Co.
phs-YaIe, special operator
at DoMning,s. Call and get ACQUAINTED.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-23
Trotting Stallion.

J. w. Mergan's trotting stallion AL
rnontonian, dark seal brown or black
horse. 16A hands high. weighs / ,25(
pounds Call at No. 223 Hancock street
after 4 p. m. for all information about
said horse.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-23

You will have 40 more saw edges on
your collars If you will send them to
the Peerless Steam Laundry.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-23

When the practice of economy is a necessity, the
cost of the soap used in year is important item
The grocer who has eye to larger profits, may not
suggest Ivory Soap but you insist having it. Ivory
Soap is pure soap, through and through That makes
it the most economical and best.
FLOATS.
EPRogRa MaLEcocmc uauu
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-23
California

$3.50. via Santa Fe Route.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-23

E. c. HauDach, Manager
Topeka Carpet Cleaning Works,
Next to Columbian Building. Tel. 7S9.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-23
Some Liners
For This Week.

LOT NO. 100 pairs Lace
Curtains, 3 yards long, AZ
inches wide, for..........
LOT NO. $50 pairs Lace
Curtains, SO yards long, SO
inches wide, for.......
LOT NO. 3-25 pair Lace
Curtains, 80 yards long, q
so inches wide, for. N
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-20
TeIegraphic Briefs.

washineton.-A bin was introduced In
the House by White (colored). OF North
Carolina, TO appropriate slbc0O Tor ne
gro exhibit at the Paris Exposition.
Springfield, Ill.-The Illinois Supreme
Court held the nti-department-store
law, passed by the last Legislature "
be unconstitutional.
ashington.-Admiral Schley's flagship
the Chicago. sailed from Bahia for
Ruenos Ayres. The Detroit has sailed
from Colon for Key West. The Dixie
from League Island for Norfolk.
yasbinatou.-The Senate confirmed the
rcminatton OF r. c. Fuller, OF North
rarolina. TO be Justice OF the Court OF
Private Land Claims, and the following
postmasters in Georgia.: j. u. smith, Gar
rollton: l.. Hamilton, Buford; u. IL. walk
er, Toccoa.
Washington Dewey. has re-
newed his request mat Tue Sh'hes ss,a WIZ ~
Manila Bay be given the right to enter
The United States free OF restrictions.
Ills request has been forwarded To Con-
eress by Secretary Long Tor considera-
lion.
Savannah. Ga.-At II o'clock Sunday
NIGHT Rishop H. NJ. Turner while In con-
sultatlon with his presiding elders, was
nrostrated by slight stroke Of paralysis.
i,ter a consultation OF physicians was
held and IL was given ont that no imme-
diate danger was apDrehended. The at
tack was caused by overwork
Washington.-Sen sullivan OF Mis-
sfssipp,. introduced bill authorizing the
acquisition OF right OF way Tor ne con-
Government OF the United States. and
giving power TO the President 10 nego-
tiate with Great Britain for the abrosa-
ton OF the Clayton-Buiwer treaty.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-20

and funds estimated at 100000 became
available from this source before the mar
ket closed. Under the influence Of this
abundance. yesterdays panic rates for
money were at no time approached. but
the demand for loans made inroads on
the supply, with seemingly Unsuitable APP
petite. The rate went 10 Is per cent. but
steadily declined from that point under
the Offering Of successive millions, until
II was forced down TO per cent. and In
the late afternoon fell to IL, 8, 3, and
at last 2 per cent.
THE TRUST COMPANY FAILURE.
With the subsistence Of the panic con-
ditions, saner and quleter view Of con-
ditions developed. A study Of the facts In
connection with the trust company
which came TO grief yesterday. and OF
the securities with which 1t was involved
showed them to be unique. and not TO be
taken as Justifying the wholesale fear
and distrust which were felt yesterday.
not only Of all trust companies. but Of
all Industrial securities Nevertheless,
there was abundance Of precaution and
discrimination shown to-day. against
many of the Industrials, especially In the
able as collateral, and money was not
easily procured for the purpose Of sup
porting them in the market.
RESERVE DISREGARDED.
The decision Of the banks was TO place
all their available resources at the dis
posal OF borrowers, without regard TO the
effect on the surplus reserve. The Clear
ing House Committee was in session du-
ring the day, but by the time the market
closed had come to the conclusion not to
call a meeting for tomorrow, though fur
Their sessions can be held at need.
The Clearing House Committee. at Its
session this evening adopted q resolution
asking the trust companies Of New York
TO deposit with or loan TO the national
banks United States Government bonds.
N "a hn Ct.lr aferaf
these bonds with the government for fur
Their deposits Of government funds. The
request was generously complied with
by the trust companies.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-20
SEVEN LIVES LOST.
People Burned to Death in Tene-
ment-House EIrcs.

NEW YORK. December 19.-Seven lives
were lost in two big tenement houses
which were destroyed by fire I'm this city
early today. Five ohorred bodies were
i..rl on the upper floors Of a burned ten
turt az l02d street and Third avenue
l1,gn as THE Mentor" and five women
al little girl, all badly burned. were
arisd from the blazing house 10 near
By hospitals. There IL thought TO be but
.gh, chance Of any OF the SKIS surviv-
rs
several other persons only barely es-
ap.l from the flames and dense smoke,
r.il cuts and bruises.
Few hours earlier a deadly fire attack
cd tho hve-story tenement on Tenth ave-
Iua burning 10 death Mrs. Martin Fox
fri her child, George, IL years old.
Il. charreu remains Of both were found
ai'fr The fire.
Ile nrst fire IS supposed to have start
q In The cellar. The air-shaft in the
building and the stairs aided the fire In
gaining such rapid Roadway that there
Was 10 successful fighting Of the flames.
which had gained tremendous Roadway
Tiel he firemen arrived.
The BUILDING was occupied by a liquor
sore on the first floor, and on the upper
flrs by families. When the fire was dis
uysred the flames were bursting out OF
iha hallway. and must have been burn
.rg az least twenty minutes. There were
no telescopes on the front Of the build
rg tut many of the inmates escaped by
n- rear. The loss on the building was
iD0o.
The other fire, in Tenth avenue, near
lhir'y-cghth street. started In the base
merit or hrst-hoor hallway. and when it
was discovered had made such Roadway
aat was impossible TO enter. The fam
Tiles 30 ihe upper part Of the house fed
70 NE rooi whence they easily reached
the street
IAs Foxes lived on the second floor, and
we woman and her child had succeeded
A getting up one flight before they were
overcome There were no others injured
The damage 70 the building by the fire
Vas c9mparatively small
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-20
Christmas Trees.
Chicago News.)

DaIntily decorated, beautifully ilumin-
ate and the fir trees laden with Christmas
mas presents came w us from Germany"
with the forest-lovins Germans the
Christmas tree has fOurlshed Tor centur-
les. A rough fir tree used 10 De cut iron'
the woods, placed in pot or tub, oeco,
raed with wool TO represent snow ara
plenty OF tiny reed tallow candles. on the
top was placed an angel WIN ou.stretch
ed wings while AT the foot or the Tree was
a rude representation OF stable with
the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph watch
ing over the Divine Child In the manBer,
while the kings, the wise men OF the East
shepherds and others croWeu Iounu
bringing their offerings OF crowns,myrrh'
and sheep as tokens OF gao nsJD,9'as o,oa-
times they were merely iil-shaped dolls
hut In other instances beautiful statu-
cites, in metals and ivory or IN WAY
often richly clothed with silks ana goid-
en- brocades made up 10 snow, the ng-
ures yaring In size frmo an inch or Two 70
perhaps a foot CIR more IN height. On the
branches of the tree presents Tor every
member OF the household ana near
friends were suspended. though oiuen
enough the naughty boy would nnd
fear-lnspiring or ugly scourge hanging 70
the tree with his name on II, ana u tne
sting twigs and leathern thongs MA Soou-
les. the hint that the birch ana scourse
held sweets as well as pains was ~
time. AS rule the head OF the house
hold would point out 70 the younger
children the mimic representations OF inc
glorious Christmas eve. and tell them IN
fomelv language the story or their raith'
Then the whole family stood round s'ns-
Ing carols before the treasures were as
tributed. c..
REPRESENTATION Of the first Christmas
eve has been common In most countries.
for n was deemed az impressive way OF
telling the wondrous story 10 children
and the unlettered. In early days most
churches OF southern France and italy.
the custom Is still observed. Until recent
wears one OF the side chapels or FAMOUS
church I'm MarseIlles was given up curing
the Christmas fortnight 10 representa-
ton of the creche; there were numerous
del,res In wax most OF them life-size.
Others no bigger than babies. WIN wn Az.
latter a mild attempt 10 represent as
lance was made. ..,s
ant the grotesque crept In when the good
monks were not content to collect peOpies
~ the East and Arabs In flowing robes,
hut introduced figures In Roman dreclah'
,ne,iiaeval and modern costumes ms
conventional Spaniard joslled the beau
from Paris. John Bull N beayerhat ana
ION boots. came side by side with the req
Indian. A mailed crusader ambied along
cnietiv with a nlneteenth-centurs dra-
,,son The Judge In his ermine, the priest
In his ca nonicals. were also there. In
deed there was hardly religions order
unrepresented. through tho Capuchins
(the monastery belonged TO the ordeE)
were the most numerous. The crypt ~
self was In darkness. only the grotto WAS
liz up By the beautiful miniature nsns-
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-20
SIGNIFICANT LABOR SENTIMENTS.
Federation Vote Against Wars OF
Conquest and Standing Army.

DETROIT. December 19-The signif-
cant feature OF the eighth day OF the
Federation Of Labor Convention was a
stand taken this afternoon in opposition
10 all wars Of conquest. The delegates,
representative Of probably 10000 men,
bers Of labor unions, voted unanimously
that such wars, whether waged I'm
Africa, the Philippines. or elsewhere"
greatly endaneer the liberties of the con-
quering peoples. The declaration closes
with a relteration Of q statement pre-
viously adopted in another form, viz:
THAT we are opposed 10 any increase OF
the standing army of the United States
beyond 5000 officers and enlisted men"
The Executive Council of the Federation
was directed 10 use every means 10 carry
out these sentiments.
Resolutions were also adopted declaring
against slavery or serfdom by ownership
or contract under the jurisdiction OF the
United States.
That part Of President Gomperss adj
dress relating TO trusts was endorsed by
the Committee on the Presidents Ad-
dress.
AS TO President Gompers's expressions
upon "our now possessions and mill
tarlsm," the committee deplored "the
eyer-sprsadins eneroaehmsnts being mace M, ,s
regarded as "a step backward in the evo-
luton Of freedom, which is fraught with
great danger"
The declarations made by those in au-
thority concerning .forcible extension OF
territory for the alleged purpose Of ex-
tending commercial interests were stated
TO be only a means for subjugation of the
inhabitants.
The convention adopted unanimously
the committees resolution against such
extension.
RAISE OF SALARIES
The convention voted to raise the salary
Of the president from 81 500 10 $500, and
of the secretary from $3.50 TO $500.