davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal., 1899-12-20
New york Up-Town Gossip.

New York: While it is true that the
stock market is in much better condition
than it was Monday, it is by no means
certain that the improvement has come to
stay. That the Syndicates have been hard
hit is no longer a secret. There is evil
in which they we're chiefly interested.
Some of the prominent members of these
SyndicateS have had a, narrow escape
from being carried down to financial ruin.
The panic of Monday was fOreseen weeks
ago by prudent conservative men who
kept close watch of the monetary situa-
tion and note of warning sounded
with stocks Had the local banks and the
treasury department pursued the right
course when the street was first threat
ened with a stringent money market, the
Christmas holidays would not have been
transferred into a season of gloom for
storm At no time has there been a scar
city of funds in Wall street but the eXOr-
bItant rates asked rendered it impossible
for holders of stocks to stand up longer
under their burdens. When the banks
fuse to accommodate their Oldest and best
patrons as they did on Monday, crisis
Is the natural consequence. Investors are
veritab bic harvest for them because they
can pay cash for the goods and not be
annoyed by calls for margins. The spec
ulatOr is handicapped by the seemingly
unreasonable margins insisted upon by
commission houses in general There are
many bargains in the railway list, is fact.
II one IS in a position to handle them, he
need not be particular as to a situation.
Very few houses Will have anything to do
with the industrials. The sooner this
class of securities is barred the better it
Will be for the general market.
The Topeka state journal., 1899-12-20
A TRIPLE SOMERSAULT.

[From the Minneapolis JournaL1
The most difficult acrobatic work in the
world IS to throw a triple sOmersault. The
double is comparatively easy. But to de-
scribe three complete circles in the air
with the body is a bigger feat than the
most expert acrobat of the day cares to
undertake Only three men have accom-
plshed it. although dozens have lost their
lives in making the attempt.
To perform a triple somersault one
would, of course. have to jump from a
spring board high enough to be able to
turn three times before aHghting, and
er to leap any higher than is necessary
to accomplish double The height is not
the only trouble. If it were, Ieaping ex-
perts, by improved appliances and prac-
uce would overcome that difficulty. But
after the body has turned twice the per-
former loses control of himself and the
law of gravitatiOn OvercOmes bodily dex-
terity. His head being heavier than his
feet he is apt to light on it first and
break his neck.
Only one of the three acrobats who have
already accomplished the great feat re-
fused to try it again, being assured that
his aHghting on his feet was an accident,
as he could not control his body after
turning the second time.
Another undertook the feat for wager
of $3.50 In his first attempt he turned
three times, but alighted on his hands.
and the money was rendered him. He re-
fused it, saying that the feat had not
been perfectly accomplished, and that he
would repeat it and alfght uDon his
feet. He did attempt to repeat it and fell
on his head, diSlOcating his neck
The Topeka state journal., 1899-12-20
TODAY's MARKET REPORTS

Chicago, Dec. 20.-WHEAT-A frmer
tone in Liverpool cables affected the 10
cal wheat market today, May opening 7se
over yesterday at -70l4-ssc- The volume Of
trade was small. Shorts covered sparingly
and when their bids were withdrawn, May
eased off to 691s6I70c. Receipts were larg-
er than the corresponding day last week
but still far under last year 5. Local re-
ceipts were 70 cars, 81 of contract grade.
Minneapolis and Duluth reported 353 cars
against 349 last week and S19 a year ago.
The market weakened later apparently
recovering from the war scare of Monday
which caused an advance of 17sc. The
market sold off to the end, May closing
CSC under yesterday at 69Ssd6972c.
CORN was steady with wheat and on
light receipts but trade was dull and feat
ureless. Receipts here were 15S cars. May
opened shade higher at 321sc.
OATS were duh and featurelesS but
steady. May opening a shade up at 241sc.
Local receipts were 76 cars.
PROVISIONS were active and higher
supported by firmer prices for hogs at
the yards. May pork opened 5 cents. up at
SO 80 and advanced to $10.35; May lard
shade improved at IS .55d5. .571a and May
ribs 215Q5 cents better at IS 4OQ5. .4212. The
market ruled steady at the advance.
FLAX-CaSh northwest 81. 4S12; south
west 81 .4S14; December s.: As; May 81; A.
RYE-Decembe- soc; May 5214@5212c.
I4EY-CaSh 361ad45c.
TIMOTH Y-D0cembe $2.47, February,
s.. so; March s. .55.
The Topeka state journal., 1899-12-20
THE STORY OF A FURNACE

TF'rom the Cleveland Plain Dealer.1
The host looked at his guest.
Come down to the basement" he
said. with a slight wink. I want to
show you my furnace"
The hostess glanced up with a queer
little smile.
Mr.. StiversOn is quite daft about his
furnace, Mr. Jouyboy," she said. I've
10 doubt he'll have you down there ev-
cry time he opens a damper"
The host turned away and choked
slightly, and then they stepped down
the stairs together.
Mr. Stiverson went straight to the
furnace room. and. reaching above the
bricked-in heater. pulled down a squat
black bottle and a small glass. He fill
ed the latter
Here's to the furnace" he said. with
Il hOarse chuckle, as he passed the glass
10 his guest Have to be a little care
ful. you know. on account of the old
lady. Best woman in the world, Of
course. but prejudiced. HOw's that2'
The guest gulped and took down the
contents Of the glass. Now, what
would you call that?'
We'll" replied the visitor. with a
horrible grimace. Ito be frank with
YOU, would call it a mighty good sam
PIE of spoiled cider vinegar"
'Eht What2" And the host hast
lily poured out a glass and took a
mOuthful- 'tWOw-W-WI So it is. Hang
1T all, the old lady has discovered the
hiding placei Wonder what in thun-
der she did with the real stuff? Heav-
ensl what a contemplate trick. Let's
90 upstairs" And they went
How did Mr. Jollyboy like the fur
nace2" inquired the hostess as she
looked up with a pleasant smile.
The acidulated guest did his best to
call up a smile in return.
It's a splendid furnish should say
furnace" he remarked. I don't think
I ever saw one with better appoint
ments outside and inside"
And on top, too?" queried the hos
tess, sweetly- Then she pointed to the
open register at her feet
It's quite wonderful" she added,
''how distinctly the sound of voices in
the furnace room below comes up
through the register. I could hear ev-
cry word you said"
Then she laughed softly.
But the men made no comment
The Topeka state journal., 1899-12-20
OPERA IN CHILE.
Tsantiago CO.. Chicago Record

LSantiago Cor. Chicago Record.1
To see the aristocracy of Santiago at
its best one must attend the opera,
Which is given four nights each week
during the winter season by an Italian
company brought from Milan, Italy,
and its performances are as perfect
here as there. The opera house, which
is one of the finest in the world, sur
passing everything in London, and
equal to anything we have IN the Uni
ted States, is owned by the municipal
ity, and equipped with costumes, pro-
pertieS and scenery for all the standard
operas and everything new that is sue
cessful in Paris or other European
musical centerS. The house IS furnish
ed free of cost and the city government
gives the manager a subsidy of $4,000
a year in cash The seats and boxes
are sold by subscriptions for a season
OF 90 nights, as in New York and are
paid for in advance. There is usually
a guaranty fund also to protect the
manager from financial loss. Those who
lease boxes and seats for the season
often Sublet them to strangers, and 1t IS
not considered an improperly, so that
people who are spending only few
days in the city can go to the box office
and obtain seats by paying the regular
rates. The same company appears 80
nights during the season at Valparaiso
under similar conditions and with
smaller subsidy. The singers in the
chorus as we'll as the orchestra are all
Italians, and the principal ballet dan
GERS also come from Milan. The SOLO
lists are hrst-class. The people will not
tolerate anything else and the audi
ences are quite as interesting as the
performers, for the dressing and the
display of jewels is equal to that seen
at the Covent Garden in London, the
Grand Opera House in Paris or the
Metropolitan in New York. It surpass-
es the displays at Berlin and other cit
les of Germany, where the people go to
hear the music and not to show their
clothes.
There is a large foyer in which the
people promenade between the acts,
refreshment rooms where ices, wine.
sandwiches and other light refresh
ments are served, a gentleman's cafe, a.
smoking room and other conVeniences
The president of the Republic has a
large box on one side of the stage and
the mayor of the city has one on the
other side, which are ex-off1cio, and a
novelty l have never seen before is
mourning boxes. protected by screens,
in which people who are not wearing
colors or going into society can see
without being seen. and enjoy the music
in retirement. Above the footlightS up
on the stage is a long row of tunnels
which communicate the music by tele-
phone TO different residences of the
city.
The Topeka state journal., 1899-12-20
PERSONALITIES.
From the chicago News.1

[FrOm the Chicago News
Cardinal Moran, the Roman Catholic
archbishop of Sydney, is an up-to-date
prelate. The angelus bell of his ca
thedral is now rung by electricity.
King Oscar has signed decree that
gives Norway a new national flag, on
the ground that he was obliged to by
the constitution, the storthing having
passed the measure three times.
Ladysmith is called after the wife of
Sir Harry Smith, formerly commanding
general in South Africa. She was
Spanish girl whom the general met
when he was a Subaltern in the PENN
sular war, and subsequently married.
darrismith is named after her hus-
band.
The president of the Orange Free
State, although not so well known as
a statesman. Grandson of the noted
BOer chief, Vessels, President Steyn is
himself BOer to the core, grew up
among the Beers and recognizes none
but their interests.
Gen. Maxine Gomez has collected a
very large quantity of manuscript
treating of the warfare in Cuba from
1868 to the present time, which he re-
CARDS as his greatest treasure. OF late
he has been going carefully through his
diaries and papers, arranging all data
bearing upon me subject, with the view
of writing a history of the revolution,
as he has known it internally and ex-
ternally.
The duke of Coburg has returned to
the palace in COburg from Hinter Riss,
his hunting seat in the Tyrol, and the
duchess and Princess Beatrice have
Joined him there from st. Petersburg.
They are all going to Darmstadt on a
brief visit to the grand duke and grand
duchess of Hesse at Wolfsgarten. The
duke of COburg will probably go to
England at the end of November for
about three weeks, most of the time
being spent at Clarence house, and he
Will pay visits to the queen at Windsor
castle, and to the prince and princess of
Wales at Sandringham.
George Bartle, for nearly half a CEN
tury the keeper of the great seal of the
United States in the state department,
died at his home in Washington, ~. c.,
Oct. %. He was IS years old and had
been in feeble health for more than a
year. Mr.. Bartle was born at Alexan-
dria Sept. "a 1914, and on the day of his
birth the British fleet, which had par
TALLY destroyed the capitol and the
White Houses sailed down the Potomac
past his parents home. Under the ad-
ministratiOn of President Polk he was
appointed an assistant messenger in the
state department by James Buchanan,
then secretary of state. In 1852 he was
appointed custodian of the great seal.
The Topeka state journal., 1899-12-20
POSTSCRIPTS.
TFrom the Denver Posi- I

LFrom the Denver Post.1
That little word if is being cruelty
overWOrked by defeated candidates
while telling how it happened.
John Mclean lost the governorship,
but gained a brother-in-laW to be
mighty proud of.
The priest who married Dewey was
once a sailor and knows how to tie
knot that will stay tied.
Gen. Otis now thinks he has Aguin-
aldo surrounded. The outcome may re-
call the story of the Irishman and the
Ilea upon which he placed his finger.
Thomas Bracket Reed has at asst
met man who is greater than he.
The distinguished ex-Speaker now lives
in a steam heated fiat presided over by
a kingly janitOr.
A young man from the country was
arrested in a New York hotel for re-
fusing to pay $S for meal. If he had
not been young man from the cOun-
try such a bill would not have been
flashed in his face.
Admiral DeWey'S pet dog died the
next day after the marriage. He evil
IDENTIFY could not brook a rival in the
affections of the master he loved so
Well
The echoes of the ballot fight are dying
fast away,
The air is clearing from the noise and
turmoil of the fray;
The stern antagOniStic frOWnS to smiles
are giving place,
And hands are clasped by men who
once were fOemen in the race.
L ne SWOllen pOSL-elecIIOn neaQS resume
their normal size
The redness slowly disappears from
bOUrbOn-painted eyes,
And on the corners of the streets, with
many a saddening sigh
The beaten candidates explain the
wherefore and the why.
Edward Atkinson announces that he
VII discontinue the publication of the
Anti-Imperialist on January / There
is no money in it. and less glory
The simultaneously appearance on
the New York stage of Hon. James JEFF
fries and Sir Henry Irving will afford
the critics of that critical town an ex-
cellent opportunity to draw comparisons
between local and imported talent of
high order.
A Wichita, Kan, man has begun suit
for divorce because his wife smokes a
cob pipe. Any thing beneath the digni-
ty of white clay pipe is regarded as
outre or de rigeur, or something like
that, in that cOrn-proud locality.
The spinsters of the country may not
look kindly upon the fact that a widow
captured the biggest hero in the bunch.
The Topeka state journal., 1899-12-20
ODDS AND ENDS.
TErnm the Chicago News

TFrOm the Chicago NeWs-1
Lexington, Mass. is making prepara-
tiOns for an elaborate celebration it in
tends to have April 10, 1900, OF the 125th
anniversary of the battle there.
The Princess of Wales, who has been
for some time the guest of the Duke
and Duchess of Fife at Mar lodge, Alb
erdeenshire. has arrived at Sandring-
ham for the winter. The Duke and
Duchess of Fife follow her to Sandring-
ham.
In an official report of a government
inspector of factories for COburg-GOtha
some interesting figures are given as to
the labor of children under IA years,
who make buttons, toys, etc, at their
homes. They work from four and one
quarter to six hours a day, and earn in
buttOn-makng from 1916 of a cent TO
to 1872 cents; from work on toys, rs
cents to IA cents.
Next year it is expected that Rome
viii draw as many visitors as the Paris
exposition. According to calculations
which have been made by the Vitican
secretary of state, at least 1900, 900 pill
grims will visit Rome-an average of
5000 a day. The amount of Peters
pence they will bring is expected to
reach $40 ,O00 600, while the amount of
money they Will spend in Italy is reck-
oned at S3OO,000,O0O.
1t is proposed, owing to the number
of accidents which occur each year
that the Maine Legislature pass a law
prohibiting the wearing by hunters of
buff--colOred clothes which NAV be
mistaken at a distance for deer. Or
binary hunting clothes are the worst
possible thing for a man to wear in
the northern woods. Accidents have
been most frequent and each year sew
eral hunters are killed. often being shot
by their friends who think they see a
deer.
A subject that is agitating CONNER
cial circles in Hdia and which has al
ready attracted considerable attention
Is the threat to the large industry of
indigo-planting contained in the re-
ported manufacture of artificial indigo.
The very similar trade in madder was
wiped out generation ago by an arti-
hcial dye made from coal tar which is
also the basis of the ingredients in
synthetic indigo, and vegetable dyes
are giving place to aniline dyes all
along the line. so that this is no mere
chlmera. 1t has ben definitely stated
in more than one quarter that the great
Baden factory has already succeeded in
putting on the market an artificial in
digo of a quality and price to compete
seriously with the natural article The
d1go-planting community in Behar
IS one Of the few nOnof1icfal circles Of
Engishmen resident in India. and if
the planters as a body are really
threatened with extinction it will make
a serious difference to the conditions of
both commercial and SOlfcal life
The Topeka state journal., 1899-12-20
ONE-MINUTE ROMANCE.
[From the Chicago Journal.l

LFrom the Chicago Journal
was ye out last night, Katie?" Con-
ductor Dan McGUffey stepped out on
the back platform Of his car when he
had finished collecting his fares, and
addressed the pretty girl with a fine
show of indifference.
I was" she replied, cooIy, holding
on to the brake with her little red dng-
ers.
q knew it,"
Thin ye might have spared yer ques-
tions."
I saw ye.. Dinnis held the car t. let
ye pass crossin' Madison"
Wen. if he hadn't he'd been ar
'Katier'
No answer.
"Oh, know dhrowing prudence to
the winds). Ye needn't tell me-
walkin''
Not waIl1in'r' Mr.. McGuffey clutch
ed the platform rail. Not walkin'? /?
Katie, ye niver war ridin' wild that
that
wild what? Mr. Guffey. sure We
ought to know, sein' ye saw me wild
tn two eyes in ye crOssin' Madison.
An it's a fine gentleman ye are, cuttin'
a mans throat in the back widOut
waitin' to meet himI I wasn't walkin'.
1 was at the thayter.''
Och, Katie girl be aisy on mel
saw ye, darlint, but yer swate eyes
blinded me so couldn't be SEEM amy
wan else Who was it thin, dear, tell
me won L suppose yON known
him longer than We have me. I thought
50! Well, gOod-by, Miss O'Brien.
must 'tind til me juty. I suppose We
like him better'n me. an-an mebbee ye
gave him a kiss-ye did
Mr.. McGuffey breathed out threaten
ings and slaughter, and then Katie said
softly:
"Oh-Dannyr'
'tWelli''
''Danny,wil ye promise not to murth-
er him if 1 tell We his name. Honest,
won't ye? Cross yer heart? Well thin,
father''
The Topeka state journal., 1899-12-20
THE MILLS DRY GOODS co.

finest work equal to $4,000 words on our
postal card of today, or all the words
of the new testament, over $4,000, on
four postal cards, was accomplished
ten years ago
He was ready enough to talk of his
accomplishment when seen at his home
in Belfast the other day. He said i
have spent twenty years to establish
my claim to the championship of the
world and I have spent a fortune to
hold it. My work is really extraOrdin-
airy. I do not use a magnifying glass
nor any special instruments. 1 merely
take an ordinary steel pen and Ordin-
ary ink and secure results for which
others have striven in vain for years. %
The Topeka state journal., 1899-12-20
Champion of Small Writer'S
LF'rom the New York Press.l


Who can write 46. 600 words upon a
postal card? Only one man in the world.
he is 81 years old but his nand is as
steady and his eye as keen as a young
mans Old Ria Kittridge of Belfast.
Me, is the champion small writer of
the world, and he stands ready to beat
any conner. To crowd the Lords pray
er eight times on a space no larger than
a scent piece is child's play to him.
He has written the whole of the new
testament. over $4,000 words on four
ordinary postal cards. The president s
message goes on one postal card. and
he still believes that the next time he
will do better than that
All of Mr. Kittridge's work is done
with an ordinary steel pen, in a hand
which is Steadier than that of many
of half his age. and with eyes helped
only by ordinary spectacIes which were
bought in one of the Belfast jewelry
stores No magnifying glasses or in
struments for the purpose are used for
the work.
Mr.. Kittridge was born IN Brattle-
boro, Vt, in 1872 In 1865 he came to
Belfast and went into the crOckery bus
mess which he always has followed
He is an early riser and can be found
at his place of business every morning
at $50 His love for the practice of
miniature chirography began in his
early me- and ne says he has gone
without his dinner many a time rather
than leave unfinished a piece of work
which he had started. He was how
ever. never induced to his utmost skill
until about twelve years ago, when one
OF the local papers received a postal
card on which the sender had crowded
500 words and dehed someone to beat it
This was enough to cause Mr. Kit
fridge to tax his skill to the utmost A
few days afterward he placed in the
hands of a local editor a postal card
with / GOO words on it, and this being
beaten, he produced one with 5000
words.
Nobody beat this one. yet Mr. Kit
fridge did not relinquish his efforts. but
Ter and smaller space-6.0 900. 10000, 20
600 words being placed upon a postal
card by this remarkable writer. His
The Topeka state journal., 1899-12-20

the excitement attending financial circles
and new buying IS on a small Sestis even &
at decline. The market seems to. be taAlIs
an evening up process during the holioay
season.
CORN was easy within a range OF &c
Western offerings still light. the slight
increase shown Monday and Tuesday dis
appearing today. The best selling mas
been small. Shippers say they could do a
fair cash trade If cars were available
Receipts light Market acts as If would
work a little lower.
OATS-There has been some selling OF.
oats by the corn professionals. The
American Cereal company also sold ele-
vator people December and bought May
It has been a small market with easy
tone
PROVISIONS early were firm but clos
ed with advance lost in sympathy with
weakness in other markets Offerings to-
day were much smaller than the lost two
days. The commission house buying was
of fair volume. There is no change IN the
legitimate situation which is strong from
cash standpoint. Provisions stocks are
light and not increasing much produce
should be a purchase on all soft spots
]. F. HARRIS.
The Topeka state journal., 1899-12-20
AUTHORS WIVES.

Few writer's have been more Loyalty
and sympathetically sustained in their
work than Rider Haggard, who mar
ried the WinsOme daughter of Major
Margitson, a Norfolk neighbor, when he
was a STRIPPING of q, without any
thought of literary fame. The wooing
and wedding were the episode of
short holiday and he took his brave
young wife to Natal to share with him
the exciting and dangerous times that
led to the crOwning disaster of Majuba
hill. Those were days of terrible sus-
pense for the young wife, for she lived
amid daily alarms and actually heard
from her homestead the sounds of bat
tie from Majuba hill.
No contrast could be greater than be-
tween those early days of danger and
the quiet of her Norfolk home, to
which Mr.. Haggard brought her when
the war was ended Here she is IDEAL
ly happy in the beautiful home OF her
girlish days, with her husband and her
children. Mrs HaggaTd, who is a WO-
man of considerable personal charms
with brown eyes and hair and gentle
features takes the keenest interest in
all her husbands work, has a passion
for botany and is equally fond Of horse
riding and travel.
Mrs. Marion Crawford, the daughter
of one of the heroes of the Potomac
army, is a woman of rare beauty, dark
eyed and gOlden-haiTed, with a figure
full of grace and StauesQUe beauty Be
fore her marriage Miss Berdan (aS she
then WaS) had Travelled extensively in
Europe and had been as much OF a no
mad as her husband Mrs Crawford
leads an ideal life with her husband in
their home overlooking the beautiful
Bay OF Naples. Her mornings are chief
ly spent in driving, riding and bathing;
the afternoons in yachting, and the ev-
enings she devOtes first to her children,
whom she adores. When the children
are in bed Mr.. Crawford generally reads
to his wife what he has written during
the day and she criticises it with rare
discernment and literary skill. Like
many authors Mr. Crawford draws
much Of his best inspiration from his
wife.