davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening journal., 1899-09-20
A TRICK CAMERA
One That Was Disguised as wicker
Basket and Used to Photo
graph Fortincations.

"a travelling photo salesman showed
me very Ingenious trick camera the
other day." said "a local dealer to the
New Orleans Times-Democrat 1t was
a box about six inches square, set in
side of what seemed to be an ordinary
wicker lunch basket. When desired,
the box could be pushed down through
the basket, so that its top was on a
level with the wicker bottom. The top
of the box was also covered with wick
er, and the basket would then appear to
be perfectly empty. The camera pro-
truding meanwhile from the under side.
An upward push would restore it TO its
original position, and the lens worked
through a small hole near the end. The
contrivance was evidently of foreign
manufacture, and the salesman told me
it had been made especially for an
agent who was sent to take pictures OF
Notifications on the French frontier
According to his story, which is q
little romantic, but which have nc
reason to doubt, the spy would saunteI
out, dressed as tourist, and carrying
the lunch basket on his arm. When
an officer came along he would push
down the box and show him that the
basket was perfectly e>npty. 1t never
occurred to the guards to turn The
thing upside down or it would have
been promptly confiscated. The pres
ent owner carries it around as a curio
and it is certainly the oldest little ma
chine ever laid eyes on. As far as
know, it is the only camera in th'
world that is mounted on disappear
| mo carriage
Evening journal., 1899-09-20
sweet sympathy,

A pretty story is told at Vienna about
Archduchess Valerie, youngest daugh-
ter of the emperor. 1t seems that when
travelling the other day from Linz to
Vienna she noticed on the platform at
Linz i4-year-old schoolboy crying Bit
terly. She has the conductor bring the
lad to her con. .7artment and, finding
that he was proceeding to Vienna 10
attend his fathers funeral, she insisted
on his travelling with her, paying the
difference in his fare, as he had only q
third-class ticket. During the trip she
devoted herself to the task of comfort
ing him, telling the boy, among other
things, that she, too. had suffered much
from the loss Of fondly loved parent
who had died suddenly in a foreign
land. IL was only when the boy reached
Vienna and was leaving the train that
he discovered that the kind lady wa'
Archduchess Valerie. \
Evening journal., 1899-09-20
THE soRRowFUL TREE.
1t blossoms beautifully hut only at
Night-suaIight DIights
It's Bloom.

There is a tree in Persia to which
thename "The Sorrowful Tree"is given.
Perhaps because it blossoms only in
the evening.
When the first star appears in the
heavens the first bud Of the sorrowful
tree opens, and as the shades of night
advance and the stars thickly stud the
sky, the buds continue gardually open
ing until the whole tree looks like one
immense white flower. On the ap-
proacS of dawn. when the brilliancy Of
the stars gradually fades in the light
of day, the sorrowful tree closes its
flowers, and ere the sun is fully risen
not single blossom is visible. A sheet
of faded dust, as white as snow, COW
ers the ground around the foot Of the
tree, which seems blighted and with
cred during the day, while, however, ii
is actively preparing for the next noe
turnal festival. The fragrance Of the
blossoms is like that Of the evening
primrose.
II the tree is cut down close TO the
roets new plant shoots up and attains
maturity in an incredibly short time.
In the vicinity of this singular tree
there usually grows another, which il
almost an exact counterpart of the sor
rowful tree, but less beautiful, and
strange TO say, it blooms only in th'
davfime.
Evening journal., 1899-09-20
WHERE BIG STEAMERS ARE
OWNED.

The completion of the great steamer
Oceanic has provoked numerous studies
in comparative statistics which have
laid the entire marine, past and pres
lent, under contribution. 1t has been
shown that in the matter of tonnage
the Great Eastern alone surpassed the
more modern wonder, which easily
leads>all existing rivals, and in this
connection it is noted that after the
Oceanic. 1900 tons, come the German
steamers Deutschland, 1880 tons;
Kaiser Wilhelm der Crosse, 14,S49 tons,
and Patricia, 1900 tons. Then follow
the British boats Lucania, 1882 tons,
and Campania, 1880 tons, and the
close competition between Great Brit
tain and Germany suggests an inquiry
into the relative standing of all ma
tions as owners Of big ships.
Taking the class above 10000 tons
register, Germany leads with total OF
19 against Great Britain's 9 and the
United States 4. In this list, besides
those already named, are the follow
ing: German, Pennsylvania, u, S91 tons;
Graf Waldersee, 1880; Pretoria, 12.-
500; Grosser Kurfuerst, 1880; Kaiser
Friedrich. 12,4S9, and Belgia, 11,1OO
British, Cymric, 1852; Medic, 1850
and Afric, IL ,S16. American, st. Loui:
and st. Paul, 1929 tons each; New
York 1854, and Paris, 1860.
The figures are especially interesting
for what they reveal concerning tn,
remarkable development of the German
marine in recent years. Though Grea
britain still retains a long lead in tn,
totals and has the largest boat afoat
the German exhibit in the first clasi
proves that England has a very ener
getic rival who is eagerly receptive o
modern ideas in shipbuilding and full!
! alive to the modern commercial spirit
: 1t is curious to observe also how small
the showing Of France is by comparison
with the showing she makes as a nava
] power. France stands next to Grea
= Britain in naval strength and ia
ahead of Germany, Both on sea an,
land she is subjected to a call for tn
{ support Of a military establishment
S that is not justified by her trade an
resources.-Chicago Herald.
Evening journal., 1899-09-20
GLAD TO GET A "HIrcB."
Corner Policemen Who stand All
Day become Very
Tired.

About six o'clock every evening at
Washington street and Fifth avenue
one sees policemen, all Of unusually
large proportions, jumping off street
cars, trucks, express wagons and We
hicles of every sort, and he wonders
what's up. The big men in blue crowd,
regardless of any attempt at regular
ity, into the old Times building says
the Chicago Chronicle.
It's only the central detail men-the
men who guard the crossings in the
downtown business district-returning
home from work. They are picked for
their size, intelligence, of course, also
being taken into consideration. But
the men will average 200 pounds in
weight. They go to their posts at seven
o'clock every morning, and, except for
o short relief for dinner, stand on their
crossings all day long. Two hundred
pounds resting on a pair of feet for ten
hours at q stretch wearies and tries the
feet fearfully, and when his work is
done the crossing man, while he could
continue TO stand perhaps for hours
longer without suffering finds walking
very painful.
So it is that he seeks any kind of an
old vehicle to get him back to the sta.
tlon for roll call II Is the hardest work
in the business, the policemen say
standing or a cobble crossing all day
Evening journal., 1899-09-20
DECADENCE oF THE DRAMA.

DLSAOENCE Of' ltE DtAMA4
The new school of indescribable
plays which is the vogue in England
and the United States, and specimens
Of which will soon be seen in Chicago,
seems to call for the kindly interfer-
ience Of the quarantine officers. We
have come to depend upon London and
New York playwrights and adapters
for most Of our stage literature. and
the present putrid state Of the Eng
lish and American drama may well
provoke the question whether dramatic
literature has not reached that condi-
tion of degeneracy which calls for the
interposition of a public censor to save
theatre-goers from being inundated by
an ocean Of smut.
The only parallel to the grossness of
these plays is to be found in the drama
of the restoration period in England.
1t was an age which made no secret of
its sensuality, and it's plays reflected
the unblushing indecency Of the period.
THE morals OF the dramatists were as
corrupt as the morals of the court
which tolerated their plays, and audi
ences considered everything dull
which was not improper. The native
plays were obscene and the borrowed
plays were seasoned to suit the salacious
public. 1t was an age which produced
Etherege. sed1ey, Lacy, D'Urfey and
the unspeakable Aphra Behn. Even
geniuses like Wycherley and Dryden
were tainted with the prevailing
coarseness. Has the stage Of to-day
degenerated and lapsed back to the
ineffable indecency Of the restoration?
1t looks like it.
The most outrageous feature OF this
business is the concealment Of the ma
ture Of these degenerate plays until
they are performed. Respectable peo-
pie are ignorant as to their real char
/ acter until they find themselves con-
. ronted with them. They are advertised
by managers who have a monopoly Of
plays to be performed in respectable
i theatres. The press does not always
know the character of these plays in
e dvance, and sometimes, even IL it did,
1t is too gross to be stated publicly.
e A gentleman who takes a lady, espe-
. cially young girl, to a theatre where
. uch plays are given soon finds that 1t
q S not a place where he should be, but
n what can he do? He does not like to
t get up and go out and make himself
= and his companion conspicuous. nor
e does he like to remain and endure
: lher modification. No manager has a
light to place respectable men and wo.
. men is such situation. But as q
. plain matter OF fact, no manager should
be allowed to produce plays the mo-
e tive of which is indescribably
5 vile and the purpose oi
which is to pander to depravet
! tastes by the display Of indecency n
I. language, scene and action. 1t Ii
!, ltime to call halt in this matter. The
e stage is again growing rotten. II thi'
wave Of indeceney cannot be stopped
n any other way than in the name o
decency, let us have Society for th'
II Impression Of Vice and shut up som'
# the theatres.-Chicago Tribune.
Evening journal., 1899-09-20
CRIMINAL sENTENCED.

Media, Sept 2O.-Judge Clayton sent
Eugene Williams a notorious colored
man, of Chester, TO the county jail yes
terday for a term of five years for as
sault and battery with intent to kill.
Williams victim was Perry Allen, also
colored. and nearly SO years Of age.
While drunk Williams went to the old
mans cabin at the foot of Welsh street,
Chester, and beat him into insensibil-
ity and left him for dead. Although the
assault was committed two months
ago the old colored man was still in
such a condition from the beating that
he had to be almost carried to the wit
ness stand. Williams has figured in
several shooting scrapes, and has
served about ten years in jail.
Evening journal., 1899-09-20
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES SENTIMENT.

EFFICIENCY-NOT SENTIMENT.
The friends Of General Otis, we are
told. desire that he should be given
another chance, and assert that it win
be a reflection on President McKinley's
administration to put at the present
ime somebody else in his place. If our
fairs in the far East are to be carried
on simply with view Of saving the
ersonal prestige Of certain individuals,
or helping out the administration on
the eve Of a national political cam
paign, then clearly we have taken
long step in the direction Of proving
ourselves incompetent TO manage dis
tant possessions. The Philippine prob
lem rises far superior to the reputa-
ton Of any man, or to the political
success or failure of any administra-
ton. We did not depart from Manila
after Dewey's victory. for the double
reason that we owed a duty to the ma
tive inhabitants, and that we wished
to use this old Spanish colony as
means OF increasing our influence and
trade on the continent Of Asia. The
American people are now paying the
bills and providing the soldiers, and
they have the right to demand of those
who represent them in the national
government that their lives and prop
erty shall not be unwarrantably
sacrificed out Of regard for the per-
sonal reputation of any general officer.
Either General Otis has been an effi-
cient commander or he has not II he
has. President Mckinley should make
declaration Of that fact, and state
hat he proposes to stand by him to the
Hast. If he has not come up to hllgh
plane of efficiency, and the presidenp4s
aware of this fact, the latter becomes
personally responsible for the loss OF
lie and the suffering, expense and dis-
ppointnent which may follow his re-
ltention in office. and no amount OF
ympathetic feeling will be able to rub
Mt this damning blot.-Boston Herald.
Evening journal., 1899-09-20
IN THE MATTER OF CONSOLATION


The great consolation to be drawn
from a possible defeat of Columbia is
that there will be more excitement in
recapturing the cup than there can be
in defending it. The contests over its
possession have become a trine mo-
notonous; because one side has always
won. Swift alterations OF victory
and defeat are what make an interest
ing contest, and after so many tri-
umphs there can be nothing humiliat-
ing to American yachtsmen or ship
builders in one little defeat. The lat
ter will simply have to try again. They
have modified their ideas OF construc-
ton considerably, and have drawn
nearer to British models than British
builders have to theirs The differ
ences are so slight now that success is
much more a question Of sails and sail
ing than of construction.
II Shamrock wins, the next race for
the cup, whenever it is sailed, will be
in English waters. That will not dis
tress inland Americans, but it will mol
please those who live so near New
York bay that they can go and see q
race which is sailed there American
yachtsmen should be glad however, tC
have an opportunity to cross the ocean
beard the lion in his den. and brinl
back the cup of 1851. The yachtsmar
who does that will win greater fam,
than the one who successfully defends
the cup. Many Of the Massachusetts
lyachtsmen will be pleased If shamrocl
wins. Then they will try to regain th'
cup. II they do, future races viii have
to be sailed of their coast, which thel
are convinced is a much better place
than off Sandy Hook.-Chicago Tri
bune.
Evening journal., 1899-09-20

There is an apparent desire on the
part OF the Mckinley administration to
do all in its power to humiliate Ad-
miral Schley and TO laud Admiral
Sampson. The latest evidence Of this
is the assignment of the admiral to
command OF the South Atlantic Squad
ron. This has brought forth a strong
protest, and a delegation Of prominent
Marylanders voiced it TO the president
on Monday afternoon. It seems strange
that such a man as President McKin-
ley should assume such an unfair at
titude towards the man who is uni
versally regarded as the real hero OF
the battle OF Santiago.
Evening journal., 1899-09-20
THE NEWS OF MILFORD
WRITTEN IN AN INTERESTING |
VEIN BY AN EVENING JOURNAL |
CORRESPONDENT.

CORRESPONDENCE.
Special Correspondence Evening Journal
Milford, Sept. 19.-The steamer Della
ware made special trip with load
Of tomatoes for Hancocks cannery, N.
j., on Sunday last. She carried be-
tween 1000 and 5000 baskets.
The endless chain in Reis' factory,
which carries tomatoes from the scald-
er to the skinners, broke on Saturday
last, causing considerable delay.
The steam yacht Sparta, owned by
parties in Lewes, was towed to Milford
on Tuesday. She was taken to All
bott's shipyard, and the machinery
which Is broken, will be repaired.
Rev. J. d. c. Hanna, d. d., of Will
mington, gave an entertainment in Ar
mory Hall on Monday in the interest OF
the Twentieth Century thank offering
The store recently built by A. ]
Cain, opposite the railroad station, will
be opened as a grocery on Saturday.
The Board Of Health of the towr
made several visits to the factories
and other places this week, and mad,
suggestions to property owners t
guard against any nuisances. Thes,
suggestions have been cheerfully com
Piled with
After an effort of more than twent,
years, a post Office has been establish
ed at Staytonville, Sussex county Tn,
mail route will be from Pennington
A horse owned by Mrs. Roudabusl
died Of lockjaw on Saturday.
Mrs. Anna p Williams gave a selec
party in honor of Miss Lizzie Denny. o
Dover, on Saturday evening.
Evening journal., 1899-09-20

The Phoenix Fire Company is one OF
our best volunteer fire organizations
and we feel sure that when it goes to
West Chester on October 13 1t will
make as fine an appearance as any
company in the line. It's members are
wide-awake and doing at all times
and the pride which they manifest in
is standing among the local companies
is most commendable.
Evening journal., 1899-09-20
WILL VISIT READING.

About forty-two members OF the Po-
lice Department and a number Of
friends will visit Reading, Pa, on Oc-
tober 9 next. A meeting was held last
night and the following committee was
appointed to arrange for the trip: Cap
tain Kane, chairman; Sergeants Dur
ney, Howgate, Evans and Lucas; Po-
licemen Aaron Rice, A. j. Sherry, d. G.
Aiken, j. H. Massey, J. J. Fox, j. ].
Payne, Hugh Mcbride. Carmine D-
Mare, ]. f. Welsh and w. J. Conner.
Evening journal., 1899-09-20

Judging by the manner in which
Governor Lowndes Of Maryland has
been drawing party lines in appoint
ing members of the school boards OF
the several counties, he must have
been talking to the galleries when he
said: Il believe that it is Of the high
est Importance that politics should be
eliminated from the practical manage
ment OF the public school system"
Evening journal., 1899-09-20
A WnMANs nnPARTMENT.

y. James Belt, the well-known drug
glst, has a most desirable convenience
for the women of Wilmington and the
surrounding country. 10 is the truss
and supporter department, to which
there is a private and separate en-
trance on Sixth street, where patrons
are waited on by a competent woman
attendant, who is experienced in the
adjustment of trusses, supporters, elias
tic stockings. shoulder braces. etc.
Evening journal., 1899-09-20
socIAL ANp PERSONAL NoTEs.

V. Hummell Bergkaus, Jr., formerly
of this city, but now a resident of Ath-
ems, Pa, and a student at Princeton
University, visited relatives in this city
yesterday.
On September q Horace G. East
burn will leave for Yale TO complete
his law studies by taking two years
course.
Douglass Hoflecker has gone to
Belts Academy, Stamford, Conn, to
prepare himself for college.
Joseph NJ Matner and family have
returned from the Blue Mountains
where they have been Summering.
Oliver Perry Mccullough is spend
ing his vacation on a farm in Cecil
county, Nd.
Mr. and Mrs. John G. Gray returned
from the Maine Woods last evening.
Andrew c. Gray and Harlan G. Scott
are home from the Adirondacks.
Captain Thomas Johnson and wife
Of Reeds Wharf, Va, are spending to-
day at Delaware City and will leave
for their home tomorrow.
Magistrate Medill. of Newark, is in
town to-day.
c. B. Hope, of Dover, was in town
yesterday.
E0-Collector f. d. Baldwin, Of Hoe
kessin, spent yesterday afternoon il
Wilmington.
Colonel Theodore Townsend, Of Mil
ford, registered at the Hotel Whining
ton last evening.
Chaplain of the House Joseph Brown
Turner, OF Dover, registered at th'
ClaytOn HOueq last ovqnfng
Evening journal., 1899-09-20
ANnrHER RIG HousE.

Before another big audience at the
Opera House last night "The King OF
the Opium Ring" was repeated, and
was we'll presented. The business oi
this piece in this city during the two
nights stand was remarkable, and haC
the weather permitted last night the
house would have been packed to sucf
an extent as to have broken all records
Evening journal., 1899-09-20
HOME ON A TuRLouGH.

Sergeant of the Signal Corps Service
Of the United States Fred w. Hoffman
is spending a part of a thirty days fur
Tough with friends in New Castle He
arrived at New York yesterday from
Havana, Cuba, on the United States
transport Buford. He is in splendid
health and expresses himself as de-
lighted with the service and Havana
Evening journal., 1899-09-20

Between the two Republican lines in
Delaware there are many men who
should get on one side or the other and
leave the field clear for the battle
which is sure to be fought next year.
This is no time for Republicans to be
hedging and trimming for the sake OF
expediency and regardless Of principle
Evening journal., 1899-09-20
GREAT BARGAINS AT HARMAN's

The old-established house OF J. &
j. NJ Harman, No. 41O King street, is
offering Unprecedented bargains this
week The firm is showing a handsome
velour covered couch, with all the
qualifications of a high-priced article,
at S12, guaranteed in every respect
Also a sideboard with beveled mirror
and carved back, two small drawers
and long linen drawer and closet with
shelf, at the same price. A feature OF
special interest to women is the sale oi
bird's-eye maple or oak toilet tables
swinging glass and shaped legs and
drawer, from Sc to $40 The company
is also disposing OF high-grade mat
tings at from SO to IS roll undel
price.
Evening journal., 1899-09-20

The radical improvements which are
now being made in Wilmington harboT
were made possible by the unceaslne
efforts Of Senator Kenney, For
mer Senator Gray and Former
Congressman Handy In one ses,
sion they secured more money for tn,
work than all Of their predecessors
combined. The trade interests Of tn,
city will hold them in grateful remem
brance for giving our city deep wate
and an adequate ietty system.
Evening journal., 1899-09-20

In connection with the marking Of
the Thames swans recently performed
by the royal swanherds, and by men
representingthe Dyers' and Winners
companies, it is stated that there are
now about 600 birds on the river.
Evening journal., 1899-09-20
CLEANING THOROUGHLY DONE.

One Of the best cleaning and scour-
ing establishments in the country Is
that of A. f. Borpot No. ZIG Market
street All kinds Of wear, from the
heaviest mems clothing to the dain-
test and 1uffiest laces, ribbons and
gloves are perfectly cleaned and press
ed. The French method Of securing and
dyeing is used.
Evening journal., 1899-09-20

It is a matter worthy Of comment that
the Milford. Bridgevflle. Millsboro
Georgetown, Frankford, Ocean View
Delmar, Laurel. seaford, Milton and
Lewes schools have become graded
schools. There is a steady and graft
flying advance in the educational affairs
Of Sussex county.
Evening journal., 1899-09-20

We wish our city officials a pleas
ant trip to Syracuse to attend the an
nual convention Of the League Of
American Municipalities. The commit
teemen, who have worked so hard to
maintain the deadlock, are especially
deserving Of a good. long rest.
Evening journal., 1899-09-20
HANscoMs FooD EXPosITION

At all times there is a food exposi-
ton at the Hanscom store, Seventh
and Market streets. All the newest and
best things for the table are always to
be found there. and at moderate prices
There is a long list of specials" this
week. OF which Wilmlngton's wise
housekeepers are taking advantage
Evening journal., 1899-09-20
CHEsTER's FILTRATION PLANT.

Chester, Sept. 2O.-The City Councils
Of this city have ordered an analysis
made OF the water of the city furnish
ed by the New Chester Water Com
paEy, and if it is found to be impure
there will be a demand for a filtration
plant in connection with the water
works.
Evening journal., 1899-09-20
HEARING POSTPONED.

Owing TO the inability Of United
States Marshal Short 10 get service on
j. Edward Addicks. the hearing in the
suit Of Jacob Edwards against the Bay
state Gas Company, when was 10 have
taken place yesterday before Commits
sioner Smith, has been postponed.
Evening journal., 1899-09-20

That the presence Of Senator Farlow
and representatives King and Clark
at the legislative reunion will mar the
pleasure Of the occasion is patent to
all, and must be to them. Despite this,
Senator Farlow and Representative
King have written letters to the COM
mittee signifying their intention Of ac-
companying the party. After their
disgraceful conduct at the last session
Of the General Assembly the people Of
the state have ceased to expect them to
be actuated in any movement by a
sense Of shame. Let them go, v they
will. Take them to Virginia, and. il
possible, leave them there, for this
state will be better of without them
Evening journal., 1899-09-20

In India only one male in ten and
one female in 100 are able to read.
Such a field would be a decidedly poor
place for the yellow journal circulation
hustler to strike