davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-10-21
The DOLLAR SIGN.
The Theory OF DR.. Marcus Baker rs to
Its Origin.

Its Origin.
Several weeks ago DR.. Marcus Bnfer
of Washington published in one OF
the magazines au account of the or
gin Of the familiar dollar sign. his
has long been in dispute. Al sorts OF
explanations have been given, the most
common of which is that the initials
of the United States are crossed. But
there have been seven or eight other
theories to account for the dollar sign
which are about as good. DR.. Baker,
in his researches in the library OF the
bureau of education, came across an
old book entitled "a Compendium Of
Federal Arithmetic Designed for the
Use of Schools and Especially Calcu,
lated for the Meridian Of the United
States" which was published at an
singburg, n. Y, in 1897. Its author
was the Rev. Chauncey Lee of Rut-
land, VT. In this book was set forth
n system of So called characteristics, "
by which one vertical stroke was to
designate the mill, two vertical strokes
the cent, these two crossed by one
curved stroke the dime; and for the
dollar sigh consisting of two verticals
combined with two curved strokes,
now 50 familiar, was proposed. At
that time the people of the country
were just emerging from the use OF
pounds, shilliugs and pence, each sep
arated in writing by space from tho
next denomination. 1t seemed nece :
sary to Mr.. Lee to have an arbitrary
mark for each OF the denominations OF
our monetary system. But he soon
found that one character. with the aid
of decimal point, was all that was
necessary, and in the latter part OF his
own book all of the elaborate system
OF symbols except the one intended
to mark the dollar was found to have
been dropped.
DIR. Baker certainly finds the dollar
sign in this old arithmetic, and does
not find it in use at any earlier date.
BY the time Adams arithmetic was
published in 1908, the symbol had be-
come we'll established. DR.. Baker,
therefore, regards VIZ. Lee as the in
NoHtOlS anu DcllcNOS tuO oiSh W hN' u
been absolutely arbitrary in its origin.
Since the publication OF his paper Dr.
Baker has received many letters Oh
the subject, but none in which his
conclusions are challenged. He in.
tends, for further veritication,to make
study of the departmental records tc
see when the dollar sign first appeared
in the treasury accounts. He also
| hopes to make more thorough search
of the old textbo ks to see if by
chance any use of this sign prior to
that Of the Rev. Chauncey Lee can BE-
discovered. Perhaps some of the de-
scendants of Mr.. Lee will be able to
find the authors manuscript, in which
case additional light might be thrown
upon the subject. 1t is certainly in
teresting to know the origin of thing
in such constant use as the dollar
sign. DR.. Bakers discoveries seem
likely to take all the sentiment Out of
the matter, but this is the common
result of modern historical research.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-10-21

There is sound logic underlying the
philosophy of OPTIMISM; nothing can
be accomplished without hope, which
is the foundation of success and in
separable from the optimistic view. 1t
is instinct which makes rs turn tow.
ard the sun and love gaiety and light
and JOY. The great workers, the men
who have headed vast changes, were
cheerful men, loving their joke, full
of mellowness and bubbling over with
good humor. They had their uncer-
tain moments, their fits of depression
and despair, but the indomitable spirit
conquered and courage aud hope were
never Tor distant. Our capacity for
JOY is far greater than for pain. Moth
thing is so easily forgotten as pain,
nothing so long treasured as the re-
membrane of supremely happy mo-
ment. The morality of optimism lies
in its energizing touch. 1t gives us
courage, it sweetens toll and makes
every effort seem light compared to
the goal lying beyond. - Woman
Home Companion.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-10-21
Both We're I'lruSed,

Professor Charles q. ID. Roberts,
the poet. reals the modern languages
very easily, but speaks them imper-
fectly. Alta reception held in New
York just prior to his leaving for Eu-
rope, Roberts was introduced to dis
tingushed French artist, who was
here on visit. The artist asked in
his own tongue: "YoL speak French?"
ono" answered the loet II am
sorry l do not, but l understand it
we'll when it is spoken to me-"
II am so glad replied the French
man; "you are the audience have long
wanted. / can talk to You all | please,
aud You cannot talk backn'-Philadel-
phia Saturday Evening Post.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-10-21

A story illustrative of the Spanish
American way of doing things comes
from Uruguay. Exactly two years
ago, when the anniversary of n,tional
independence was being celebrated in
Montevideo, n grocer's clerk stepped
out of the crowd and shot down Idiarte
Borda, the then president. Ever since
the Uruguayan courts have been con-
sidering the assassin's case, and latest
advices are to the effect that the pro-
ceedings have ended in an acquittal
con the ground that he obeyed pa
triotic ser'-London Chronicle.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-10-21
SAMPLE OF MIDDLE.AcE BARBARlsM
The Cruel Slavery In Which the Van
qulshed Oiseliers Were Held.

The Cruel Slavery In Which the Van.
qulshed Oiseliers Were Held.
In 1886 Godfrey of Bouillon, prior
to his departure for the Holy Land,
sold his ancestral castle to Ombert,
Prince Bishop Of Liege, France, who
thus acquired for himself and his fam.
lily very important stronghold on the
borders of their large estates. The
castle remained in the possession Of the
Bishop of Liege until 1884, when Re.
maud, Count of Bar, a descendant Of
the old counts Of Bouillon, took it into
his head to deny the legality Of the pur.
chase, and forthwith laid siege to the
fortress. Improved impregnable, how
ever, and Renaud was obliged to Sc
duce the garrison, who traitorously
let him in.
The reigning bishop, Alexander l.,
died OF grief, but his successor, the
cruel and licentious Alberon IT,, with
the assistance of the Count of Namur,
blockaded the castle, and in 1141 was
successful in retaking it, as the in.
mates fell short OF water. Alberon,
after having ordered the whole garri.
son to be we'll beaten, graciously
granted them their lives, but trans.
ported them all to farm called Ferme
DIES Oise'iers, where they we're stabbed
and treated exactly like cattle. Scarce
ly kept alive, forced to do all the most
degrading work, their condition of
filth and the privations to which they
were exposed caused them to contract
a peculiar kind OF leprosy, and they
sank into indescribable AFFECTION.
Their names and those Of their chill
dren were carefully registered, in Or
der that none might escape; and fifty
years after the memory Of the coun-
try people had so confused facts that
the Oiselers, as these poor wretches
were called, were supposed to be de-
scendants Of Jewish slaves, brought
back from Palestine by Godfrey Of
Bouillon, although neither Godfrey nor
his brothers had ever returned to Eu-
rope.
So long as these eminently Chris
tian bishops remained dukes of Bouil-
Ion. they kept the Oiseliers in the
most rigorous slavery. the greater part
Of them always inhabiting the Ferme
des Oiselers. Later on under the
Princes Of Auvergne, the Oiseliers be-
came practically free, but the infa-
nous record still existed, and was
Only destroyed in 1910, since when the
families OF these unfortunates have be-
come more or less identified with the
rest OF the population. -Cornhill
Marazine
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-10-21
4 French Joke.

A on Imam entered a coffee house
and 81, own near customer who was
reading the morning newspaper, W hicl
belonged to the establishment.
CATER you with the paper, if you
please" said the newcomer.
The other man nodded assent, and
went on reading, but at the end OF
half an hour had hardly finished the
first column. Just as the waitin g
customer was about to make renal k
of Impotence he noticed that the
reader had lost one Of his organs OF
sight His resentment vanished.
"Ah," said he in low voice, 81
am not surprised. The poor man has
only one eye and has to read every
thing twice over!"
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-10-21
To Cure Car Sickness.

Sufferers from car sickness have not
the secret of relaxing the body, and
so they unconsciously resist the mo.
ton of the cars. 1t is another proof
Of the advantages of letting things go.
Relax the body, keep the feet from
the floor either on another seat or on
a bag and there will not be nearly as
much strain. Lifting the feet from
the floor prevents one from feeling the
vibrations of the moving car.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-10-21
The Reaction.

"How is your new man getting
along?' asked the customer.
"Well," said the grocer, "I'll try
him for little while longer and see if
he will wake up. But just at present
it looks as if he had pat out SO much
energy in getting the job that he has
none left. "--Indianapolis Journal.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-10-21

The unconscious humors OF jour
nalism are often more amusing than
the best efforts of the funny men. "
A paper not long ago contained this
statement:
"Our friend, B. X. Jones OF H
street, is seriously sick. He is being
attende Il twice day by Doctor Smith
in consultation with Doctor White,
therefore his recovery is in grave
doubt. youths Companion.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-10-21

LUCAS COUNTY,. ' , a, =
FRANK j. CHENEY makes oath that he Is the
senior partner of the firm of +: x. CHENEY q
ty and STATE aforesaid, and that said firm will
pay the sum of ONE HUNDRED DoLLAhs FOR
each and every case Of CATARRH that cannot
be cured by the use of HALLS CATAnRH CURE.
FRANK j. CHENEY.
Sworn to before me and subscribed in my
i~~ presence this 9TH day Of December
(--\ Notdru Public
Halls Catarrh Cure Is taken internally. nd
acts directly on the blood and mucous surfaces
II the system. Send for testit onials. free.
+. j. CHENEY d. Co., Toledo, y.
Sold by druggists. ,5c.
Halls Family Pills are the best.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-10-21

"What's that monolith in your coat
tail pocket?" asked the ancient Egyp-
tian in a casual way.
The other ancient Egyptian paled.
''That's letter my wife gave me to
post" he exclaimed. "Thank you, old
man for reminding me OF it,"
Whence we see that while customs
vary from time to time, man in his
essential nature does not. Detroit
journal.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-10-21

suffering, Hl1u HOOu ueaI Oh DaCKaCNe,
but thought all women had these
things and did not complain.
II had doctored for some time. but
no medicine seemed to help me. and my
physician thought it best for me to 60
to the hospital for local treatment. l
had read and heard so much of your
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-10-21

A beacon light is to be erected off
Quart Point on the Isle OF Null, as q
memorial to William Black, the move.
list. Quart Point is the scene OF the
story Of Macleod Of Dars.h
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-10-21
LOG! Sight

Restored and tho eyes cured by using
Findley's Eye Salve. No pain, sure cure or
money back. 25c. n box. All druggists. or
by mail. J. P. HAyrEn, Decatur, Texas.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-10-21

Fits permanently cured. No fits or nervous
ness after first days use of Dr. Klines Great
Nerve Rrstorer 81 trial bottle and treat Use free
DIR. II. II. KLINE, Ltd, y3l Arch ST.. Phila., Pa
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-10-21

III GAVE little thought to my health writes MRS VIM V.
BELL, $50 N. Walnut ST., Canton. o.. to Mrs Pink.
ham. until found myself unable to attend to my
household duties
IL had had my days of not feeling we'll and my monthly
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-10-21

An international congress Of deaf mutes
is to be held in Paris during the EXPOSE
ton. NE42
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-10-21

The fare on Chinese railroads is
only one cent mile for first class
and half cent for second class.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-10-21
! A fW0.QUARf PAIL MYSTERY.


M that pestered
that I can't put
my hand to a
t h ing, an I
dunno when I'll
get settled in
my mind. Jason
H o b b 8 8 dogs
b e Q n q t IN Y
chickens? No,
sir, Jan I'd just
like to see them
do il. I tend
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-10-21
THOUGHT
LESS
WOMEN

Vegetable Compound that
my mind to try it. I was trc
falling of the womb. had sha
ovaries. leucorrhGa and pain
I was so weak and dizzy IL
often have severe fainting
took in all several bottles G
Pinkham's Vegetable Com
and Blood Purifier and USE
Sanative Wash, and am I
good health. l wish others
to know of the wonderful
good 1t has done me. and
have many friends taking i,
now. Will always give your
medicine the highest praise. u
Mrs. A. ToLLE. 1916 Hill.
ton ST.. Philadelphia. Pa.
writes:
"DEAR MRS. PINKHAM-
I was very thin and my
friends thought was in con-
sumption. Had continual
headaches. backache and
falling Of womb. and my eyes
were affected. Every one
noticed how poorly I looked
and ! was advised to take
Lydia E. Pinkham's Vege-
table Compound. One bottle
relieved me. and after tax.
Ing eight bottles ant now a
I-IAt... q
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-10-21

healthy woman; have gained in weight os pounds to I4o
pounds. and everyone asks what makes so stout"
The evening times., 1899-02-10
MUST STAY TO PAY AL1MoNY.
A Decree Against ShufeIdt in Fa-
VOr of His Wife

In The case of Florence Audubon against
Robert Wilson Shufeldt, her former hus-
band Justice McComas today ordered a
decree pro eonfesso to be entered against
the defendant. The plaintiff. Florence Au-
dubon, in February, 1898, obtained a di-
vorce from the defendant in the courts of
Maryland, the decree also stipulating that
he should pay her alimony in the sum
OF $500 per annum.
Last November she filed proceedings in
the Supreme Court OF the District of Co
lumbia,, alleging as the grounds that he
fore the first monthly installment fell due
Shufeldt removed beyond the jurisdiction
of the Maryland courts and came to reside
in the District of Columbia. She also de-
clared that she had reason 10 believe that
he intended to leave this country and go
to the East Indies, and asked the court to
restrain him from so doing.
The defendant, Shufeldt 1t will be le-
membered. some time ago filed charges
Of dereliction of duty against the United
States Attorney for the District Henry
T. Davis. because he refused TO present TO
the grand jury for the District testimony
charging certain witnesses connected with
the Shufeldt divorce proceedings with per-
jury.
After investigating the matter Attorney
General Griggs, to whom the charges
against Mr.. Davis were submitted, dis
missed the case, completely generating
Mr. Davis
The evening times., 1899-02-10
Municipal BreVities.

The resignation OF C. J. Gilbert additional
private OF police, has been accepted
Henry C.. Wannall has been appointed an ad-
ditional policeman for duty at the Lyceum
Theatre.
Charles 4. Keefe has been appointed an adj
dtional private of police for duty in connec-
tion with the District Health Office.
4 second-cIass steam engineers license has
been granted to George r.. Herbert, and third
class steam engineers license to E. F. Bryant.
The Commissioners yesterday returned Senate
bill 4571 for the extension of Rhode Island Ave
nue. to the President with favorable endorse
ment.
Senate bill 400, ''to receive arrearages of
taxes due the District of Columbia to July /,
1907, at per centum per annum,'' was yesterday
returned to the President with the endorsement
Of the District Commissioners.
The Commissioners have denied the request OF
J.'T Howard for the erection of lamps on Sher-
idan Avenue, from Nichols Avenue to the Mac
edonia Baptist Church.
The Capital Railway Company, which is about
to tear up the Brown system from its tracks
between the navy yard and the Anacostia
Bridge has asked the Commissioners whether
the provisions In their permit requiring it to
pay an inspector 81 day may be omitted. The
officials of the railway informed the Commits
sioners that they thought that the inspection
might be made after the completion of the
work, but the 4 Commissioners have decided
that this cannot be done work on paved
streets where there is considerable traffic.
The evening times., 1899-02-10
THE CLAIM REJECTED.
No Indemnity for Hungarian Strik-
ers Killed at HazIetOn.

The claim of the Austro- Hungarian gov
ernment against the United States for in
demnity on. account of the Hungarian
strigers killed in Hazleton, Pa, September
TO- 1897. by Sheriff Martins posse was
yesterday disposed of by a decision Of the
State Department, which declines TO rec
ognize the justice of the claim.
The claim has been before the depart
ment for a number of months and was in
the hands of Solicitor Penfeld. AS this
was the first case of the kind ever han
died by the State Department Solicitor
Penfield made an extensive study of the
law governing national responsibility in
eases of mob violence or rioting and it is
upon his opinion that the department
bases its action. Solicitor Penfield, after
going over the evidence produced in the
trial of Sheriff Martin, and all circum-
stances pertinent TO the case, concludes
his decision as follows:
THE strikers were disturbers of the
public peace and violators of the law.
They were rapidly drifting into q state Of
petty war. II was the duty of the Sheriff
to take measures to prevent as well as to
repress civil tumult and disorders. On
previous occasions he had commanded
them to disperse and they had obeyed.
They were perfectly familiar with his Of
fetal position and the nature of the au-
thority he exercised
If they had obeyed his lawful command
no blood would have been shed, and in
their lawless and aggressive conduct.
challenging the embodied force of the
State, they placed themselves beyond the
protecting pale of the law. To award the
wounded living and the heirs OF those
slain under such circumstances would be
offering a premium 10 lawlessness and
inviting renewed outbreaks and riots.
This Government is. therefore unable to
admit the justice of the claim"
The evening times., 1899-02-10
oNTARIO'S GOLD FIELDS.
American Prospectors Take Up Many
of the Claims.

A very interesting communication con-
cerning the gold fields of Ontario has been
received at the State Department from
Consul Shots at Sauit Ste. Marie, who
says:
The Michipicoton mining district is sit
uated on the north shore of Lake Superior,
about 130 miles northwest from here. and
comprises a tract of about 5000 square
miles.
Gold was discovered in quartz veins in
this district in 1891. Quite rush OF pros
pectors was made TO the district, and, up to
the present, about 500 claims have been
taken up, about 40 per cent being taken b.
citizens of the United States Two towns
-Michipicoton City and Wa-Wa City
have been started. each having postoffce,
hotels stores, etc. a government mine III
spector has also been located in the dis
trict
The gold is mostly free milling and
can be plainly seen in many places, but in
some instances it is blended With iron and
copper sulphides. Development work has
been done on number OF claims by sink
ing shafts twenty TO eighty feet With cross
cuts, but net enough has been done yet to
determine the value of the district. As
says run we'll up, and developments. so far
as they have gone, show satisfactory re-
suits; ii is generally thought that the dis
a prospeetor in this district must first
get miners license, which costs him s11,
and is good for one year only but may be
renewed or transferred. Having found a
claim, he may take up y IL or 10 acres
lying in square and, on recording it, he
must pay fee of s6 or $40, according to
the size Of his claim. This fee must be
paid annually for three years, or until he
| gets a patent.
ITO get patent. he must do develop
ment work to the amount of one hundred
| and thirty days labor for one man in eacf
! year for three years, or the work may hC
| done by any number Of men, and may al
| be done in one year.
The best time to prospect is from about
| the 18th CT April to the 1st of June, anC
! from the 1st of August until snow falls
which is usually in October.
THE surface is rocky and hilIy, and the
rocks are covered with thick growth o
moss which must be scrapsd of before Z
| vein can be discovered; and the soil is
| covered with a heavy growth of brush anj
/ timber which makes prospecting much
/ more difficult than in the mountains of tho
/ West.
| There is now one small stamp mill on
| the ground. principally for testing work
! and one or two larger ones will be on the
| ground in the coming spring.
TO persons desiring to prospect foI
/ mineral. / think the Michipicoton district
offers good chances of success. The eli
mate from about the middle of July is fin5
| and healthful, the streams abound in fish
and anyone desiring an outing might com
bine pleasure with profit by few months
prospecting and fishing.
! "a line of boats runs regularly from
| here during the season, and the Canadian
| Pacific Railroad passes through the north
ern part of the district
The evening times., 1899-02-10
CoLDEsT DAY IN MANY YEARS.
Scores of Deaths From Freezing in
the West.

Chicago Feb. 10.-Throughout the Mid
die West the weather is the coolest for
twenty-five years. Scores of deaths from
freezing are reported, and, the weather re-
tarding the railroads, coal famines are
threatening many towns. AS rule, people
were not prepared for such continued co d,
and the suffering at many places is very
great. Indiana towns are in danger of u
failure Of their natural gas supply, and the
pressure is SO low as to make il almost
useless.
The mean temperature here for the last
twentyfour hours has been 15 below zero
Reports show the following temperatures
below zero: Milwaukee, %; Winnlp &. As;
Minnedosa, so; Quappelle, 80; st. Paul, 80;
Duluth, 32; Huron, Sc; Des Moines, "a;
Davenport, "a; Sioux City, 2S.
Between the west line of the Dakotas
and the Ohio Valley it is growing colder
Cattle on the ranges OF Montana, Wyoming
and Colorado are dying rapidly. The loss
of stock, it is said, will reach % per cent
if the cold continues much longer. An
other blizzard has struck Colorado tnd
the railroads, which had just opened, are
again tied up.
The evening times., 1899-02-10
CITY BREVITIES.

The Board Of Trade will give its annual rc-
ception at The Arlington next Tuesday night.
At Odd Fellows Hall, Seventh Street north
west, this evening, the National Assembly. No
2as, Of the Royal Society of Good Fellows. Will
give Its first annual performance
Major Sylvester yesterday issued an order re-
quiring all the policemen detailed for duty as
clerks at headquarters to wear the regulation
fatigue blouse while attending 10 their duties.
The annual ball OF the Coachuen's Association
Of Washington viii take place at the National
Rifles Hail. in G Street, tonight The Marine
Band will furnish music, and repetition of
the popular dances given heretofore by this as
sociation is expected
The COachmen's Association viii give its an
nual ball at the National Rifles Armorv this
evening at o'clock. The music for the occa-
sion will be furnished by the Marine Band and
it is expected that there will be an unusually
large attendance
The Society of Perpetual Alteration, recently
organized in st. Patricks parish, began its
monthly service in the church editice yesterday
morning. Holy communion and low mass were
celebrated at 4:30 O'Clock yesterday afternoon.
DR.. Stafford preached and an elaborate musical
programme was rendered by the choir.
An en- masque surprise party was rendered
Mr. and Mrs. j. Donnelly, jr., S47 Massachusetts
Avenue northeast on Wednesday night Those
who participated in the musical and literary
programme were: Miss Mamie White Mrs
wilkins, Miss Mollie Rodgers, j. Dounelly,
Samuel II. jacobson. Dancing, cards, and re-
| frcshments followed