davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-26

People who have passed a certain
house on the west side early in the
morning in the past two weeks have
noticed a woman down on her hands
and knees induStriOusly cutting the
grass in the yard. She wears a large
SunbOnnet and when she sees any one
coming that she knows she either
darts around the corner of the house
or endeavOrs to get behind some tree.
People may have thought to them
selves that it was a shame for any man
to compel his wife to cut grass, but II
they had known all the circumstances
their judgment of the lady's husband
might not have been 50 harsh. There
is no compulsiOn about it. 1t is just
this way:
The women of the church this lady
belongs have agreed to each one earn
a dollar for the church. They must not
let their husbands give them the money
they must actually labor for it, so
that they may make some sacrifice.
This 1ady's husband has a habit of
paying fifty cents to a man TO NOW
the yard every two weeks. The lady
told her husband that if he would pay
her the money she would NOV the yard
twice herself He demonstrated, but she
insisted. He argued that the lawn
would look as though the grass had
been cheWed off, but she said she could
NOW it just as good as any man-mOst
as good, anyway. Finally he gave in
and the next morning she began her
work.
She did not make very good Roadway
with the lawn mower, so she discarded
it and has been working mostly with
a hand sickle. 1t is slow work but she
keeps a it. Her husband smiles Oc-
casiOnally as he notices the appearance
of the lawn, but he says nothing. She
has just completed going over the lawn
once, and where she began the grass is
large enough to cut again.
But these are only a few of the trials
she has encountered. The greatest one
has been the boys of the neighborhood.
They are all ambitious to earn a dime
or a quarter, and they look upon grass
cutting as a job that ought to be
theirs when they ask for it. One young
urchin happened to see her at work
one morning, and that afternoon he
communicated the fact that Mrs. B.
was moving her own yard to a half
dozen of his companions Immediately
the idea popped into the head of one
of them that there was a chance for a
job, and he put his idea into words.
In less than a minute six boys were
running a foot race to Mrs BIS
house to see which should get the job.
Two rushed up to the front door and
began pulling at the door bell. Three
others ran around the house and be-
gan a vigorous attack on the rear door.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-26

while the last one caught sight of the
lady Of the house through an open
window, and rushing up to it he
Mrs. B, don't you want to hire
somebody to cut your grass?"
Just as she was assuring him that
she did not, the door bell began to
jingle and sounds from the kitchen
made her believe that some one was
trying to break the door down. She
hastily opened the front door.
We want to cut your grass was
the announcement made by two excited
urchins both at the same time.
I don't want you to cut any grass"
she said as she slammed the door and
fastened back to the kitchen. Just as
she opened it the three boys were
struggling in their excitement to be in
front so as to get the best chance. The
result was that when the door was
suddenly opened two of them fell
across the threshold into the kitchen.
What does this mean?'' demanded
we want to git the job of cuttin'
your grass" blubbered out one boy
We'll, you can't do it," said the lady
decidedly, now thoroughly out of
patience, land I want you boys to clear
out of here"
They meel1Iy took their departure.
but that evening they held a confer
ence" on the matter.
'Mebbe she thought we would charge
too much" said one of the boys.
Say, Bud" said another, lets all
We'll do it for thirty cents-that'n be a
nickel apiece
The proposition carried without the
formality of a motion and the six
marched towards Mrs. BIS execut-
ing various maneuvers as they went
Bud, the leader, walking on his hands
much of the way
Mrs. B was tired and had started
to retire early. She was Just about
ready for bed when the door bell rang.
Burriedly slipping on a wrapper she
went down stairs and opened the door.
She started back in surprise. It looked
to her as though the porch were full of
boys, and she could not understand it
Then Buds voice broke the silence
We've come" he said, as another
boy punched him in the small of his
back, Ito tell you that Wen cut
your grass for thirty cents
I can cut my own grass said Mrs.
b.
Make it twenty-five Bud said an
other boy in very loud whisper.
TWENTY five" suggested Bud.
''See here" said Mrs. b indis--
nantly, I don't want you boys to cut
my grass, and I want you to clear
out" and with that she slammed the
door in their faces.
But her trials are not over yet. When
ever the boys pass the house thew talk
in loud voice about the way the grass
has been cut. and frequently call other
peoples attention to it.
If she was not afraid her husband
would laugh at her, Mrs. B. would
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-26
LOW GAS RATES.
Give Topeka a Chance to Secure
Them.

Mr.. w. J. Faulkner, the Chicago man
who proposes to establish a gas and
electric light plant here and give To-
peka gas and electric light at low
rates, does not seem discouraged over
the reception given his ordinance by
the city council last Monday night. In
a letter received here today, he says:
While my application for a fran
chise aroused a sentiment of a different
nature from what 1 expected, yet it is
not at all displeasing, and nothing
more, in my belief, than a conscientious
expression on the part of the council
men, admire a public official who
stands strong for the welfare of his
city and his immediate constituency,
but he should always season his adVo-
cacy with good business sense.
Il have no objections whatever to
amendments to prevent selling the
franchise, for it will not be for sale,
and as 1 have written before there is
not another gas manufacturer in the
United States would give a cent for it,
for at the prices quoted they could not
do business"
While the city council is undoubtedly
warranted in asking Mr.. Faulkner to
make a deposit as evidence of good
faith. still they should treat his pro-
position as a business one until it has
been proven different. Taking it for
granted that Mr. Faulkner has no
money to place in the enterprise per-
SOnally, If he can bring the necessary
capital to his aid in establishing the
plant, he is just as valuable to the city
as if he himself made the entire in
veStment.
Aside from the public ownership of
the waterWorks. there is no proposition
which strikes SO popular a chord in
Topeka as the reduction of gas and
can bring about such a reduction by
the establishment of a new plant here
the city council should certainly en-
courage the enterprise as much as pos
sible.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-26
WAR IN SUGAR.
CFrom the Buffalo Express.l

iETOm the BuIalO EXDreSS.
The cut in prices for sugar by the
American Sugar Refining company and
the Independent refineries on Monday
calls attention to a state of affairs
in this industry which contains some
instruction for the public. When the
reduction of three-sixteenths of a cent
a pound was announced, the Ar
buckles were not satisfied to do as the
other Independents did and merely meet
the reduction, but they increased the
cut so that it amounted to one-fourth
of a cent pound. The reductions sig
nifty more than would appear on the
surface, for they apply to all the or
ders now in force and which have not
been delivered. An estimate makes the
total of such outstanding orders about
100000 barrels, of which the trust is
credited with ], 100000 barrels, in COM
parison with 100000 each. belonging to
the Arbuckles. DOscher and the Howell
refineries. The loss to the trust in con-
sequence of the cut will be nearly
$1,000. OOO while that of each of the
three independent refineries will be
over 100000.
This is to be regarded as one of the
expenses of the competition which is
going on between the trust and indie
pendents. The refners guarantee that
grOcers and other buyers may give or
ders and take sugar in such quantities
as they desire, the agreement stipulat-
ing that there shall be no advance in
the charge on these orders, but that, if
prices decline. sugar, which has not
been delivered, shall cost only the low
est price that may be reached. The
trust guarantees only its own list prices.
while the outsiders guarantee both their
own and those of the trust. These ar
rangements have been considered nee
essary to satisfy buyers. In accord
ance with them the trust now has no
alternative. but to drop at once about
1000, 900. The Doscher refinery has been
cutting the price. There was evidence.
also of resales by grocers. The trust,
therefore. found that the grocers who
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-26

had bought exclusively from it were
placed at a disadvantage To save the
situation from greater Decentralization
and to protect it's trade, it accordingly
ordered the reduction. AS the Ar
buckles have gone still lower, there is
a possibility that the limit of the
trusts cutting has not yet been
reached.
1t is apparent from these movements
that the competition of rivals which
produce only a comparatively small
amount of sugar is both annoying and
serious to the trust. There is no mon
OpOly at present in the sugar business
and the competition Which exists is
protecting the people as effectively as
though all the companies were of mod
crate capitalization. The Sugar Trust
now stands merely for a very large
investment in one corporation. From
the history Of the trade, however, it
would be an unsafe prediction that
these conditions will continue.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-26
THIRTY YEARS OF FAILURE

The Brooklyn Eagle has been look
ing over the record. In 1868, it finds,
Tammany was for Judge Sanford E.
Church for the presidency; the Demo-
cratic national convention nominated
Horatio Seymour. In '76 Tammany
wanted Hendricks; the convention took
Tilden. In 80 Tammany was bowling
for Sam Randall, but the convention
preferred Hancock. In "a Hendricks
was again Tammany's choice, but Gro
yer Cleveland was the conventions In
's8 and '92 Tammany rooted" for David
B. Hill-unsuccessfully- Three years
ago Tammany stood out against Bryan
at Chicago, and its opposition only
made the western and southern dele
gates the more resolute in their pur-
pose. Whether it sends to the party
councils an orator like Bourke Cochran
or an adroit political wIre-puller like
William c. Whitney, the result is the
same. For over thirty years re-
marks the Brooklyn contemporary.
''Tammany has never gone to a nation
al convention supporting a man who
obtained a presidential nomination"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-26
JAYHAwKER JoTs.

Watermelon parties are now all the
go in Kansas.
Leavenworth has a suburb known as
Buttermilk Hill.
Salina claims to be building more
new houses than any other town in the
state.
If the coal trust gets too gay this
winter Kansas will have plenty of corn
cobs.
W. E. Stanley was arrested at Law
renee a lew days ago for rObbing 4
restaurant. No, he isn't the governor
Joke from Newton Kansan: Our OBJ
serving irl says that few bachelors
have better quarters until they get bet
ter halves.
Somebody up in Michigan wrote a
letter and addressed it to THE Corn
Carnival Town., and it came straight
to Atchison.
Now that Funston is in the hospital
and unable to protect himself" says
Charley Finch, the Atchison Globe is
abusing him again"
The Wichita Eagle says the hydrant
water of that town and ice water, 'alf
an 'alf, makes an excellent drink. Just
think of that in WichitaI
The Salina street fair people have re-
ceived the circus posters with which to
advertise their blowout. What the show
really needs is real good press agent.
The AtchisOn Champion has changed
editors again. John K. Reynolds has
IGLlIGQ anu the name OF James u. Day
appears at the head of the editorial
column
Mrs w. H. Bishop, of Salina, wife of
Major Bishop, late of the Twentieth
Kansas and now of the Thirty-sixth
volunteer infantry, will leave for Ma
Mia shortly to join her husband.
The longest serial story that has
been run in Kansas this year is one
entitled The Editorial Tour that has
been running in the Newton Kansan
for the past two weeks, and the end is
not in sight yet.
The army worm has appeared in
Brown county, according to Ewing
Herbert, who is an expert on agricuI-
turaI matters. The pest is too late to
do any damage to this years crops, but
if it stays it may injure the young
wheat.
Lawrence Journal: Formerly the
evening paper was a rehash of the
morning paper. 1t is different now
The rush of modern progress has made
it imperative for the newspaper to give
the news the day it happens. The de-
mand has been complied with, and from
every part of the world the news comes
in time to be printed in the energetic
evening paper. The morning paper fol-
same news, padded out in the office to
I'LL space, but no new facts added The
morning paper is a has been, a remin-
iscence, sad looking relic of anti
guilty.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-26
FUSION IN SIGHT.
Populists and Democrats Will Nomi-
nate B. B. KepleY.

The Popu1ist county convention is in
session at Weber'S hall this afternoon.
At 2:30 o'clock a motion providing for
the appointment of a committee to con-
fer with the Democrats in reference to
nominations was adopted.
The convention is in favor of allow
If either r. B. Kepley or Capt. r. NJ.
agree to the nomination.
The committee appointed on perma-
nent organization and order of business
recommended that no nomination be
made for the office of sheriff. G. c.
Clemens called attention to the fact
that a nomination would be necessary
to comply with the requirements of the
Australian ballot law as sheriff is the
chief officer, and the motion calling for
a committee of conference was substi-
tuted for the recommendation.
In a speech favoring fusion, Fred
Close said that the Populists and Dem
ocrats should get together so as to be
in shape to elect Bryan and Breiden-
thai in 1900. The expression was
greeted with much applause.
J. NJ. Hart is chairman of the con-
vention and z. G. Fowler, secretary.
This afternoon Bob Kepiey stated he
would accept the nomination of sheriff
only on condition that both conventions
were unanimous.
The Democratic county convention is
in session this afternoon at the Demo-
cratic fambeau club rooms. 1t is pro-
bable that ex-Sheriff Kepley will be
nominated without opposition.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-26
PETER WILL NOT SPEAK.
Report That He Will Open Populist
Kentucky Campaign Denied.

Frankfort, KY, Aug 26.-The Ken
lucky Populists have decided to open
their campaign Monday, September 4.
which is Labor Day. J. G. Blair, their
candidate for governor. will speak at
Harrodsburg, Mercer county, on that
day, and other speakers will be heard
in counties where county court meets
on that day
Ex-senator PETER of Kansas; Mayor
Jones of Toledo, and Cyclone" Davis,
of Texas, have accepted invitations to
speak for the Populist ticket, and will
announce dates later.
When shown the above dispatch Sem
ator PETER laughed. 1T is the first I
have heard of it, he said. You wish
to know if that is so? Well. if I could
answer all questions as easily as that
one I should be pleased. No. it is not
so and 1 know nothing about it" The
Populists of Kentucky have probably
forgotten that Senator PETER turned
Republican several months ago.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-26
find some other way of earning her

find some other way of earning her
dollar.
A young married woman in Topeka
was certain that colored women, and
especially old ones, were the best of
cooks and her principal reason was that
they We're so neat and clean.
Her husband differed with her but
was perfectly willing for her to have
some old aunty for a cook. The young
married woman searched the hedges
ana byWays for just such a character
as She wanted and found one. She
was one of the real before de war;
aunt1eS and the young matron was GER
tain she had a prize.
A Few days after the aunty COM
menced work the young wife called her
husband to one side as he came home
from work and said:
What do you think, I have found
that our cOlOred cook takes snuff?"
Why, L. am not surprised said the
husband.
Wen, am said the wife
NoCh1ng more was said about snuff
but the husband could not help but tell
few Of his friends
A few days later he returned home
and his wife drew him to one side. She
looked as if she were ready to cry.
Dear" she said in a solemn voice, ST
caught our aunty out on the back
porch smoking a pipe today"
Inc husband did what he could to
smooth matters over but he really
wanted to laugh He had to tell that
story to the same friends.
When he came home the next day he
saw an express wagon backed up to the
kitchen door.
wife.
The idol of his heart threw herself in
his arms and cried. Between her sobs
he heard our a-n-nt-ty (boo-hoO)
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-26


In a certain clothing store in To-
peka was a very bright red necktie
and that particular necktie caused
more trouble in that particular store
than mortgage could.
1t could not be sold. Day after day
when the clerks put away the stock
for the night that flaming red necktfe
would be there. 1t was considered a
Jonah. Whenever a customer for a
necktie came in that was the first tie
shown him. Not one would take it and
all asked to be shown others.
The proprietor offered a reward to
the clerk who could sell it. All tried
for the reward. A gambler wanted to
buy tie. 1t was shown to him, but
he said it was too loud. That settled
it. That one particular red tie was
bound to remain in the show case.
One evening when the clerks were
preparing to close the store, the tie was
missing.
Who sold the red Jonah tie?" asked
the proprietor with a smile.
The clerks all looked at each other
and nobody answered.
L left it in the case a few moments
ago. said one.
1T is gone" said the proprietor.
Nobody had sold it. It must have
been stolen, but the proprietor and the
clerks did not care much. They were
rather glad.
We'll we are rid of it," remarked
the proprietor with a sigh of relief. The
store was CLOSED ana the tie Forgotten.
The next day a young man came in
with that bright red tie. He wanted to
exchange it.
Where did you get it?'' asked the
proprietor, who waited on him.
Here" was the answer.
You didn't buy it here said the
man behind the counter with decision.
To make long story short, it was dis
covered that the son of well known
Topeka man had stolen the tie and
when he displayed it at home his moth
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-26
MOVEMENT OF TROOPS.
New Regiments Ordered to Proceed
to the Coast.

Washington, Aug. 26-Orders were
issued today directing the Thirtieth
volunteers, commanded by Colonel Car
diner to move from Fort Sheridan to
San Francisco on September /. Orders
We're also issued moving the Thirty
second infantry commanded by Colonel
Craig, from Fort LeaVenWOrth to San
Francisco on September 90 The four
regiments which were previously or
dered to move are making active pre-
parations to leave. The Thirty-f first is
leaving Fort Thomas. KY, today; the
Thirty-fOurth will leave Fort Logan,
Col. on the 2Sth; the TWenty-eig viii
leave Camp N eade on the 18th and the
Twenty-sixth will leave Plattsburg on
September B.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-26
RAIN AND WIND.
Topeka Visited by a Threatening
Storm.

The electrical storm which visited
Topeka last night was duplicated in
many sections of the state. The wind
which accompanied the electrical storm
here, however. was lacking in other
parts of the state except the western
portion. No reports of any damage re
sulting from either the lightning or
wind have been received at the railroad
offices here
A good rain fell in the middle and
southern portions of the state last
night, and a light rain in the eastern
and western portions.
The rain in Topeka amounted to %
of an inch, a little over a quarter of an
inch. A 2 p. m. the temper allure was
rs degrees. The maximum today was
So and the minimum, SO.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-26

baked so easily; they formed in line
and marched quietly out on the porch,
thinking to at least get a good look
at them. Hearing sound, the men
turned and were terror stricken to see,
what appeared to them, dozens OF
young women, bearing down upon
them. They did not lose their pres
ence of mind, but turned and with one
accord took to the street, and did not
stop until they were out of sight. They
the corner until they saw the last pet
ticoat vanish down the street before
they ventured back to the house.
A prominent young lawyer who lives
south of Eleventh street on Topeka av-
which he will remember as long as he
lives The moments of agony he endur-
ed can not be Obliterated especially
when he remembers that the result
might have been serious.
This man is an early riser. It was
probably a few minutes past in the
morning in question when he went
down stairs. He had left his shoes in
the sitting room and at once started to
put them on. His foot slipped into one
and it was laced up and the wearer
stamped on the floor to settle his foot
peated with the other shoe but when
he struck his foot on the floor his face
suddenly darkened and he made some
motions which could hardly be called
graceful.
Something had stung him on the end
of his great toe
With a cry of pain he attempted to
pull the shoe off but it had been Sc
curely laced. All the time the stings
of the insect continued. A COmanche
on the war path could not have exc
cuted a wilder dance nor have given
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-26
LOCAL MENTION.

The board of trustees of the G. A. r.
will meet tonight in Lincoln post hall.
Captain J. G. Waters and 4. F. DOran
went to Berryton today where they will
DR.. D. Rogers and his niece Geneva
Giles returned today from a three
months trip in Colorado, Idaho and
Wyoming. DR.. Rogers collected many
among them being a stone called by
miners the test stone" and shaped like
q boomerang
E. L. LaTkin came to Topeka from
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-26
FROM GALLATIN
New Pastor Comes to Take Charge of
Cumberland Presbyterian Church

Rev. II. F. Smith Of GaIlatin, No,
has accepted the pastorate of the Cum
berland Presbyterian church; this
church is situated on the corner of
Huntoon and Polk street. The com
pletiOn of paving and grading makes
it one of the best locations in the city
Mr. Smith is one of the most noted
preac cheers in the Missouri synod. He is
very active and energetic young man
Mr. Smith graduated from two
colleges, and also taught in a high
grade school for several years. He
comes well recommended and will be
successful This church has been with
out a pastor for four years. He will
enter upon his duties Sunday morning
by giving his initiatory sermon. He
wishes to see all the Cum berland Pres
byterfans in the city at this service
His resident is 511 Taylor street.
Hear the Modoc club in new songs
Tuesday evening, August 20, Garfield
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-26

one of the most remarkable features
of the coming Universal Exhibition at
Paris viii be the gigantic telescope, the
object glass of which viii be 90 inches
more than that of the celebrated Yerkes
glass at Williams Bay, Wis, and 1872
inches larger than that of the Lick
telescope at Mt. Hamilton. Cal. The
Buffalo News suggested that with this
telescope the French generals ought to
be able to discover the size and loca-
ton of the sacred honor Of the army"