davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-13
BAD Elton PENMANSHIP.
[From the London News.l

[From the London News.1
In the current number of THE Elton
College Chronicle" a sprightly article
is devoted to the question of Hand
writing" 1t appears that Elton boys
are notorious for their bad and illegi-
bic calIigraphy. and generally remain
so for the rest Of their lives. The writer
thinks this may be attributed to the
art being neglected when they first join
the school, but also naively suggests
that another cause may be the setting
of impOsitiOns. A third cause is sug-
gested in the frequency of the
trials" and in examination the boy
tries to cover as much ground as pos
sible with his pen. not caring much as
to whether it can be read or not. In
deed, possibly a boy may think it very
useful to confuse the examiner as to
whether he has written an "a or an
o." and an indicted ''i'' sometimes
serves a useful purpose in looking like
a 'u." At any rate, the examinee
might get the benefit of the doubt. AS
a remedy it is suggested that Elton
should again appoint a writing master,
or else the tutor, ''the kindly mother of
US ALL" should undertake the duty of
teaching how to hold the pen Hand
writing has always been the Cinderella
of the arts. When Wolfe said he would
rather have written that poem than
take Quebec he did not refer to the
pothoOk and hanger part of the bust
ness. After all, bad handwriting is
generally a delight to look at so long
as one is not asked to decipher it.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-13
IRISH SUPERSTITIONS.
LFrom Backwood's Magazine.l


On Infshkea a particular family
handed down from father to son
stone called the Ne-Ogue (prObably part
of some image, with which the owners
used to make the weather to their Hk-
ing. One day a party of tourists viSi-
ted Inishkea, heard of the Ne-ogue,
saw it, and wrote about it in the pa
pers. The priest in whose parish IniSh-
kea lay either had not known of this
no one else knew of it, but when the
thing was made public he decided to
act. So he visited the island, took the
Ne-Ogue and broke it up into tiny frag-
ments and scattered them to the four
winds. The priest was SacrOsanct, but
the islanders vowed vengeance, and an
unfortunate man of science who had
ed upon as certainly the person who
had made the story public. This man
after some time returned to complete
his Investigations at IniShkea, and was
warned of danger; but he laughed at
the idea, and said the people were his
very good friends, as, indeed, they had
been. However he was hardly out of
beat him so that he never completely
recOvered-indeed, died in consequence
of his injuries some years later.
Probably a like fate would befall any
one who touched the cursing stone on
Troy, which was turned on the Wasp
gunboat after she brought a posse of
bailiffs there to levy county cess; and,
Troy and lost every soul on board. Only
the other day I heard that a fish buyer
stationed there displeased the people;
the owner of the stone turned it on
him" and a month after the buyers
wife committed suicide.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-13
Grain Letter

Chicago, Dec. 13.-WHEAT-Our early
cables quoted the fact that either Liver
pool had received some important news
bordering on the Argentine crop or else
war news was having some effect as the
cables were quoted half higher. This led
to advance of sc over our previous
close and caused some renewal of the
outside buying which was quite notice
able yesterday. During the Session some
reports of sales for shipment all rail from
this point added to our firmness. The
tone of market has changed material
past few days and an advance generally
looked for as we not a better inquiry for
the cash property. Towards close some
little selling against calls kept market
from making more Roadway but with all
1t was firm at about top prices.
CORN has been steady. The shipping
100000 sold all rail. There continues verv
small movement from first hands Liver
pool was up Il to I'D. CIearances y, 600.
The Illinois state report makes corn crop
259, 900 against 1879 million last year EIe-
Vator people moderate sellers. Market has
a strong tone.
OATS-No fluctuations at all for May
There is little shipping demand and de-
c1dedly small western offerings.
PROVISIONS are higher all around
p9rk up zoe, lard up nc, ribs up IOc
There IS relatively more trade in provis-
ions than in any thing else on the. floor
Commission people have led the buvfue-
There has been continued increa sing of
lines by the local bulls, the Cudah and
others. The news inspection rules are
encouraging outside buying.
J. +. HARRIS
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-13
JOHNNY WATERS CASE.
Called Probate Court Down and Saved
Two Boys From Reform School

Clifford Music and John Hicks, the
boys who were arrested a, few days ago
for stealing coffin trimmings and other
articles from Blaclkman's coffin factory,
We're discharged in probate court this
morning. The complaint against them
charged them with larceny and Judge
DOlman was asked to send them to the
state reform school.
When the case was called for hearing
in the probate court today John Wat
ers appeared for the boys and called the
courts attention to the fact that the
probate court could not send a boy to
the reform school over the objection of
his parents, unless he had first been
convicted of a crime or misdemeanOr,
and also that the probate court can
not convict a person of a crime.
The probate court can commit a boy
to the reform school for incorrigibility
on complaint of the parents, or when
the parents raise no objection, but
when fight is made to such procedure
the boy first has to be convicted of
misdemeanOr.
Judge Dolman took this view of the
case, and nothing was left for him to
do but dismiss the case.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-13
SEVEN ARRESTED.
Raid on Joints by Police and What
Was Not Found.

Tuesday afternoon the police arrest
ed seven jointists and confiscated the
liquor found.
Six of the jointists belong in North
Topeka They are Mat Cave and Geo.
Head at GIL North Kansas avenue, Jack
Durkin and Buck Campbell at 6l2
North Kansas avenue, Al Curtis at 615
North Kansas avenue and S.. Merritt
under the Adams House. The only place
visited on this side of the river was
kley'S place on East Seventh street
where a colored man by the name of J.
B. Wiley was found.
At the North Topeka places a good
supply of liquors, kegs and beer pumps
was seized. All the men We're arrested
at the same time, according to the po-
lice docket, at 3:5o but in some very
mysterious manner unknown to anyone
of course, the proprietor of the East
Seventh street place seemed. to scent
the coming of the officers. When Off
Ger Walker walked into the place he
found pine bar and a very few lone
some bottles. All the rest of the fur
nishings" had been moved out A color
oman was in charge. The same col
ored man that has come in handy be-
fore when raids happened. For some
reason this colOred man is Johnny on
the spot" when raids are coming and
the officers are SO used to finding him
this particular joint without taking
him. OF course the proprietor did not
know the officers were coming. Oh, no.
He moved his wet goods out for fear
they would freeze. Not long ago the Of
ficerS raided this place and found only
a bottle partly filed with water. Who
is the advance agent of the police?
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-13
VIA a Two-Cent stamp Win Dc.

1t may not be out of place to give an
illustration of the vast distances a let
ter may travel on the strength of a
two-cent postage stamp. Suppose one
of the girl readers of The Companion
in Key West, Florida, had a brother in
the klOndike region, who has ris1ed all
to dig fortune from mother earth, and
writes to tell him the news from home.
She drops the letter in the pOstOfffce at
Key West, and it STARTS on its long
journey.
It does not, of necessity travel in a
straight line to its destination, but must
follow the tWistings and turnings of the
railroads, which have complete charge
of it until the northwest corner of the
state of Washington is reached. When
it arrives at Seattle it has passed
through fourteen states, and yet so far
as time is concerned, but one-fourth of
the journey has been accomplished.
It now takes a sea voyage from Seat
tie to Juneau, Alaska, and from the lat
ter place is carried, as 1 have already
described, to Circle City. 1t may be
taken from there by friendly hands
farther into the kIOndike country, and
finally delivered to the anxious brother,
who has been eagerly awaiting the ar
rival of the next party from the nearest
town in which postOffice is conduct
ed, in the hope that some one would
bring him a letter
This letter has now travelled in the
neighbOThOOd of seven thousand miles
by railroad, steamboat, stage, horse
back and, perhaps. dog-sIed-and has
been on the road for nearly forty days.
without a moments rest!
No profit, in money, accrues to the
government for delivering that letter;
indeed, each letter sent into the Klon-
dixie costs the government for trans
portatiOn many times the amount Of
postage charged; but in such cases,
should we reckon the profit only in dol
lars and cents2
Should we not consider also the hap
piness and satisfaction afforded this
brother as he sits by his fire, perhaps
homesick and lonely, but now with a
loving smile Illuminating his face, as
he reads and reads again every word his
thoughtful sister has written about
home. mother and father and perhaps
of someone else whom he holds dear2
When, finally. he places his treasure
under his pillow and seeks rest he is
happier than for many a day; and
Uncle Sam. who has contributed so
largely to that happiness, does not re-
gret the small pecuniary loss he has
sustained. - Ex-Postmaster General
James A. Gary, in the Youths Compan-
ion.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-13
NORTH TOPEKA.

Items Intended for this column should
be left with the Kimbau Printing COM
pany. SIS Kansas avenue
Get your magazines and fashion sheets
free at Costley & Post
Major r. w. jenkins was down to-
day from his farm near OnagO.
Miss Abby Dearborn Of Silver Lake
was a North side visitor today.
Canon NJ J. Bywater viii go to HOr-
ton Thursday to of1ciate at wedding.
C. Kaser. who has been quite i'll for
several weeks, is now able to be down
town.
The members of the Christian Sun
day school viii meet this evening at
the church to practice their Christmas
music.
Complaints are made that not enough
attention is paid to the quarantine
rules. as children who have had the
'chickenpOX" have been down town
when the scabs were still on their
faces.
The Episcopal ladies will serve dinner
and supper Thursday and Friday in the
Barrett Block Dinner % and supper
10 cents. Palm drawing on Friday
evening also a laughable play, Hans
Won Smash" Admission 10 cents
The ArgOnaut club held its regular
meeting last evening at the home of
Mr.. and Mrs. c. G. Nicholson, 919 Van
Buren, street As the president, Rev
w. b. Hutchinson, is absent from the
CITY. the vice president. Miss Grace
Root, presided. The history lesson for
the evening included the Hundred
Years War between France and Eng
land. There We're two papers. one by
Mrs f A SimerWeH on Joan Of Arc,
and one by Mrs. - J. Ashpole on
Francois COppee."
Mrs. Courtney has still on hand some
choice millinery goods in spite of a good
trade and careful buying. She offers
all millinery at cost Trimmed hats.
tams. caps. street hats, velvet hats and
over 100 shapes untrimmed, all must go
to make room for spring goods. Also
visit hair dressing parlOrs for scalp
and facial treatment, also shampOoing
and hair dressing, and then get your
picture taken for a. Xmas present.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-13
CANADIAN CANAL ROUTE.
Report Denied That the Syndicate Is
Acting For an American Rail-
road Trust.

Toronto. Ont. Dec 13-Richard Har-
court, provincial minister of education
and interested in the Connors Montreal
AII-Water Grain Export Route syndi-
cate. in an interview today emphatical-
" denies the report that the syndicate
was acting for a large railway trust in
the United States He says:
The bona fides of the enterprise will
be understood in a short time. The
distance is 100 miles less to the sea
board by the Canadian route. Our ca
mails are IA feet deep, compared with
the depth OF seven or eight feet of the
canals in the United States and the
time taken on a journey by the Cana
dian route is much shorter. The harbOr
at Port ColbOrne is as good as that at
Buffalo The agreement provides that
a certain amount of business must be
done We let the Montreal men make
their own conditions in this matter
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-13

Chicago. Dec. 13-CATTLF%Re
f6;QCy; choice cattle steady, others slow;
cy Christmas steers s.. 75dS so; beeVes 81 so
a f.5U; cows g ;O0a4-50; heifers 50 2505 .25:
Gamers Sl-y01t3-O0; stOckers and feeders
y -Otu4-4o; Texas grassers So .5OJ4. so; Tex
as fed beeves 81. 25d5. 80.
Receipts today 80 600: tomorrow
2, 600; left over 1902. Market steadz- to a
sh i5f higher Mixed and butchers 50 .S59
4.lz5z; good to choice heavy 50 9GlT4 10-
rough heavy 8. 80u3. S71z; light s. 85lt4 10:
bulk of sales g -95fI4. 05.
S1EEP--tecefpts 5000. Sheep steady 70
a shade higher; native wethers 81. O0d1 IS:
western Wethers 81 .00G4 60: lambs. native
"a ;0en5- 50; western S5-15d5. 50.
Onicial receipts and shipments for yes
terday: " ; -
cattle receipts 4 795; shipments s94
hogs receipts 81, $50: shipments I sou
SHEEP receipts 16, 428; shipments none
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-13
The wild puek as a Mother.


The wild duck is apt to be rather quaint
as a mother. She often seems to have the
most singular idea about site appropriate
1t is practically an essential for the well
being of her babies that the nursery
should be close by the waters side Tor the
little ones like to take to the water as
soon as Matched. They have small use for
rather restless. The water is their ele
some times choose for her nesting place
a spot remote by more than a hundred
will even choose the humble, but yet
considerable height of a pollard willow.
from these situations to the water is one
of those problems of natural history
which like the cuckOO's way of convey
ing her egg into a wren's nest, will prob
ably go on vexing till the end of time.
tainty. And often She viii make her nest
or lay her eggs for her notions Of nest
seems specially Selected for rs absence
of cover. And yet no one can say that she
is not IN affectiOnate, even an oVer-aTlX-
oeaf and start1e her off it she does not 20
away as a wise mother would, stealthily,
existence but with a flutter and a com
motion and often with an affection of
broken wing (as if to lead you off in pur-
suit of her rather than leave you looking
nest there. please do not 20 looking for
it, but come and catch me; I have
broken wing" She has charming idea
She has only too many reasons for her
over-anxiety. It is quite pitiful- She is
pitiful object herself, as she goes about
in her lame and incompetent fashion. But
the real dangers that menace her young
family are many and terrible. On shore
as soon as Matched, or even while still in
the shell. they are the most attractive
prey of rats. both grey and water voles,
and no sooner do they. take to the water
than hungry pike is looking out to COB
Bile them up or a. heron, Ostensibly bent
on fishing, is not at all above skewerinas
one of them his bayonet beak If it
should come his way So all these ade-
quate causes for most poignant anxiety
more than excuse Mother Duck for her
BUSINESS even if they be no excuse for her
habit of pitching her nursery tent in sites
that really are not very eligible
But this mother has chosen a fairly
secluded spot. For the most part she Will
be found sitting closely. if she be APP
preached with caution, or else viii move
Just foot or so from her. nest and re
main watching jealousy lest her eggs
take any harm And close beside her in
the same covert is Mother Pheasant on
her nest less suspicious and more trust
full, for she is something of domesticat-
ed person having been brought up under
a barn door hen and so learning the ways
of civilization. If the wild duck mother
could learn Onlysa portion Of her trust
fitness she would be a more contented
person.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-13
SHOWING IN KANSAS.

Snow and temperature are falling in
Kansas, northern Oklahoma, Colorado
and New Mexico this afternoon. In New
eMXicO and southern Colorado snow
commenced falling early this morning,
and the storm gradually spread east
ward. It is accompanied by a gradual
falling of temperature. Reports re-
ceived at the Santa Fe offices here this
afternoon state that from four to six
inches of snow has already fallen in
the mountains between Trinidad, Col,
and Las Vegas, New Mexico. In Kan
sas and northern Oklahoma the fall is
light
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-13
BLOW TO PROHIBITION
Ordinance Prepared by the State Tenn
perance Union Declared Illegal

Smith Center, Dec. 13.-Judge Picker
handed down a decision in the district
court here today, declaring the search
and seizure liquor ordinance recently
passed by the city council OF Lebanon
to be void.
This ordinance is a copy of the ordi-
nance prepared by the State Temper
ance union. 1t is held that inasmuch
as the law which authorizes cities to
pass ordinance prescribing police regu-
latiOns places the limit of fines which
may be imposed by the city ordinance
at 500, that this ordinance, which fixes
the penalty for its violation at $50 to
$500, is Illegal Judge Picker holds that
in its passage the city exceeded its
powers and it is. therefore, of no force
and effect.
The case at issue was one in which
Frank Post, a jointist, was convicted
by the Lebanon police court of main
tanning a nuisance and a fine of $3.50 and
costs were assessed against him. The
district court discharged him. It is
probable that this ordinance will be
amended by Lebanon's council so as to
avoid the points which were held in
valid.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-13
A SHORT SESSION.
Senate is Transacting Little Business
These Days.

Washington. Dec. 13.-At the begin
ming of tOday's session of the senate,
Mr.. GaIlinger, On. H. presented a bill
for the codification of the pension laws.
1t is proposed that the commission
shall consist of jurists and members
of the G. A. r.
A resolution offered by Mr.. Mcmillan,
(Mich.,) calling upon the secretary Of
war for information as to how many
days the St Marys canal was blocked
during the past season of navigation
and requesting his opinion as to the
desirability of constructing additional
canals was adopted.
At 1910 p. m, the senate went into
executive session.
At 1:21 p. m, the senate adjourned.
IN THE HOUSE.
Washington, Dec. 13.-The house met
today at II o'clock. The speaker an
pointed the following committee to join
with committees of the senate and
District of Columbia in preparing plans
for the centennial celebration Of the es-
tablishment of the seat of government
in Washington
Messrs. Cannon GlL); Grout, Over
mOnD; HeatwOle (AIinn.); Sherman On.
"; Hemenway, Ind): Gamble, Is.
ID Republicans, and Bailey CTex.) !;
Devries (Cal); Cowherd, CNIo.), Demo
Gratis and Bell (COl), Populist
The debate upon the currency bill
was then resumed Mr.. Bell (COlOra-
do) being the first speaker today.
In His Steps, cents. Benefits
zfr L "a
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-13

children. Vaccination, however, will
not make one immune from the disease
we have here
Another well known physician says:
I'VE undoubtedly have some cases of
smallpox in a mild form. The same
in other parts of the United States. It
is not peculiar to one locality. Many
Of the cases of sickness existing here
are probably chickenpox."
Another doctor says: THE disease
We have here is a mild form of small
pox. I have just returned from Maple
Hill. They have one bad case Of it
-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-13
WILL NOT PAY.
Insurance Companies Change
Their Minds About HillmOn
Case.

United States Marshal w. E. Sterne
said today that the report from Chi
cagO that the insurance companies
have decided to pay the Hillmon claims
is a mistake.
Geo. w. Barker, one of the leading
attorneys Tor the companies, came to
Topeka today and ordered Stenographer
Z. H. Nettels to prepare transcript
of the evidence for the appeal of the
pealS.
The fact that no instructions concern
ing the evidence were received until
today indicated that the companies
would pay the claim.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-13
Nov York Monev nTarEa.

New York, Dec. 13-MONEY on call firm
at Z per cent Prime mercantile paper 5ia
d6 per cent. Sterling exchange firm with
actual business in bankers bills at "a $40
ASIA for demand and at $4.S41z6I .S45A for
sixty days. Posted rates $4-S2d4- S21a and
81 IS; commercial bills $4.SGQ4. S0la-
SILVER - Silver certificates 59G60c.
Bar silver 59d591sc; Mexican dollars 4715c.
BONDS-GOvernmep bonds frmer; -.
registered 102; IS. registered 1095sc; coupon
1895; new As, registered 1S4; coupon 134:
old As, registered 1872; coupon 11s1s; IS,
registered 1925; coupon 1929.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-13
TWO NEGROES KILLED.
Washington the Scene of Two
Bloody Murders

Washington, Dec. 13.-This city was
the scene Of two murders today James
Lee, negro IabOrer, was shot and
killed in COOper-hop alley, by William
Stump, a white man employed on a ca
nal boat. The shooting was the out
come of a quarrel. Henry Bradley.
negro about 50 years OF age, was stab
bed in the breast near the corner of
Seventh and H streets and died before
he could be given medical treatment
His assaiIant is not known.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-13

Kansas City. Dec 13-CATTLE-Re--
ceipts 800 natives. 1.500 Texans Market
steady. Native steers "a. 25a6 50; Texas
native COWS and heifeTs - 2Sg74 x: stock.
ers and feeders s. 5o44. s.; bulls g. 0oQ3- 90.
HOGS-Receipts 1900. Market steady to
strong. Bulk Of sales 50 95d4. 90: heavy,
50 .90l4 90; packers s. 25u4.0O; mixed So 50
Gl3.971a; light S.. 921z04.o5 workers 81. 600
sos: pigs 50 SOS. 971a.
SHEEP-Receipts 1000. Market steady.
Lambs 81. 00Q5 40; muttons S. O0d4. Is.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-13
Kansas cir Prodnos nrarke.

Kansas City, Dec. 13.-WHEAT-May
e67sc- Cash No. 2 hard SIC: No. g. $3.50
No ? red 70071c; No 3, 65G69c.
CORN-Hay 291sc; Cash: No. mixed
OATS-NO. ? white 25c.
RYE-No- 2. 47c-
HAY-Coice timothy SO .OOqs. 80; choice
prairie 81. O0d7. 50.
BUTTER-C Creamery 22a25c; dairy 1Sc.
EGGS-Fresh 151sc.
RECEIPTS-Wheat IS cars.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-13
Topeka Markets Today.

CATTLE.
COWS-S2 SOFAS %.
STEERS-S3. 500 90.
HEIFERS-S3. 00I3 40.
HOGS.
LIGHTS. SOFAS. 20.
HEAVY AND MEDIUMS od3.75.
GRAIN.
NO. 2 HEAT-62I5d63c.
NO. 2 CORN-2312a24c
NO. 2 OATS-231aQ 24c.
HAYS. 50q6. 90.
PRODUCE.
EGCS-1Sc
CHICKENS .50d3. 90.
BUTTER-Country, zoe.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-13

matters as shall be submitted by spec
ial message"
The call for the special session tells
of the passage of the Atchison railway
taxation bill by the last legislature and
the declaring of it unconstitutional last
spring by the state supreme court, and
says. that because of that decision,
constitutional amendment is necessary
before laws can be enacted providing
for equal taxation of all property.