davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-25
THE BEDSTEAD
A Brief History of Its Evolution in
Great Britain

The late Lawson TAFT was a man of
many parts, and if he could not WELD the
pen SO skilfullv as the knife at any rate
as writer he was by no means to be de-
sDised. Perhaps the last article contrib
uted by him was on the Hygiene of the
bed room and bedstead." 1t traces almost
lovingly and in language picturesquely
descriptive the evolution of the bed room
and of that now necessary article of fur
niture in Great Britain, the bedstead it
SELF 1t tells us that in the days of the
cave jewellers, and through the various
stages of savage and nomHd life the
dwelling space was used for all purposes
in common, and that it was not until the
wandering hunter had, so to speak, set
tied down, that he saw the advantage of
setting aside portion of his dwelling for
sleeping purposes.
After brief reference to the times of
the Briton in Britain, the story brings us
to the Norman era in that country, and
shows US that the Norman-alheit Snis
castle might be grim and forbidding out
Wardly-yet had a very fair notion of
what constitutes a comfortable bed room
and bedstead, as well as more than rudi-
mentary ideas on effective hygiene. The
walls of their castles were thick and
solid, thus securing fair, uniformity Of
temperature, while the downfall of cold
air was modified by the hangings of ia.
pestry. For their bedsteads there was no
need of hangtngs. We are told that the
od&oH farmer, on the contrary, mad per-
force to live under very different condi-
ttons. His houses were of wood and as
ne was no adept at carpentering the
doors and windows were ill-htting and
draughts We're in consequence the rule
rather than the exception. Hence was
evolved that abomination of denominations
the four-poster bed, or, as Lawson TAFT
preferred to put it, "A small apartment
was constructed inside the bed room in
the shape of huge fouf-Doster hung
around with curtains, into which whole
FAMILY must have crowded, possibly with
the addition of occasional visitors" 1t is
shown how strenuously the conservative
Britisher chung to his time-honored four
poster until the fifties, when as TAFT sa-
tirfoally said, the dawn of domestic SAM
tation as we know it occurred and was
not fully appreciated till well on in the
seventies.
A pathetic picture is drawn of the
trials attending the unwary visitor to
London even in the seventies, when it was
the rule to have Vermin in all beds+eads
used by the public, and bugs were made
morous writings and pantomimes. The
story goes on to tell that the first step in
the right direction was the Introduction
OF metallic bedsteads. and TAFT raiated
that he remembered very well the Juror
of indignation with which they were met
for nothing annoyS an EngIishman SO
much(as any interference with his per-
sonal habits or belongings. 1t is related.
however, that finally all scruples were
overcome, and that at last metal bed
steads have had their way Thus is
traced in brief the evolution of the bed
stead in Great Britain.-New York Times.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-25
M0ODY'S IDEAL EVANG ELIST
Qualifications Necessary For
Successful Work in. His Field

Mr.. Moody once gave a reporter his
idea of what an evangelist should be.
He said:
1.-THE work is varied and a great va
riety Of men is needed for it. We need
scholarly evangelists and we need
evangelists who come out from the
common people, but every man to
succeed must have common sense,
an unblemished character, conse-
Grafton, large sympathies love
for his fellowmen, faith, patience,
enterprise, energy, familiarity with the
word Of God, and, most of all, the bap-
tism Of the Holy Ghost. Briefly, the
ideal of the evangelist must be the
preaching of the simple gospel in the
power of the Holy Ghost and the com
ing in actual contact with the peo-
pie"
His advice to the working neople of
Chicago in 1898 was:
First of all. seek the kingdom of
God and his righteousness; believe in
his promise, which have never known
to fail, that all things win be added
unto them; second, to pray to God for
work; third, to be as patient as posi-
BILE during times of hardship; fourth.
to look earnestly for work; fifth, take
any honest employment that offers it.
SELF sixth, study economy"
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-25
AVA'S GALLkNTRY
How English Peer Carried High
Ianders Word to Advance

A private letter from a colonel in high
command at the battle OF Elandslaagte
(says the London correspondent of the
Scotsman) mentions stirring incident.
Lord Ava, son and heir of the MARQUIS Of
Dufferin, reaching the camp at Lady
smith, found himself unattached. For a
time he belonged to the Seventeenth Ian
GERS, but has left the regiment. /Deter-
mined to see some fighting, he besought
his friend, Col. Ian Hamilton. to take
him on his staff as a galioper. The col
onel consented, and Immediately Gen
French led out the little force recon
noitering, towards Elandslaagte Here
was a splendid opportunity for the voun q
galloper. But a fundamental diflcnltS
presented itself. Lord Ava had no horse
and Col. Hamilton had none to lend him
However, he was not going to be out of
1t for the matter of horse Rifle in
hand, he did "galloping" on foot. carry
ing orders to and fro for hours through
the hot day. His last instruction was to
convey 70 the Gordons lying down on the
veldt under the trail of shell and rifle fire
the word to advance. Lord Ava con-
fessed that when he came up with them
ne was SO out of breath that he could
hardly pass the word. BY way Of REST
after the morning work, and as a nice
quiet way of regaining his breath he
Joined the Gordons In that dauntless all
tack on the rocky ridge, every line
manned with death-dealing Beers. When
one ridge was carried at the point of the
bayonet Others doomed up behind it. Lord
Ava came out of the fire unsingad. The
tale OF comrades shot on either side of
MN Is one OF the saddest catalogues of
the war. He told Col Hamilton that
through 1t all nothing struck him SO much
as the grim imperturbability of the High
landsrs fighting their way slowly up those
terrible ridges, "They knelt to fire" he
We're on parade"
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-25
OBSERVE A TRUCE
Boer and Briton win Suspend
Hostilities in Order 10 CeIe-
brate Christmas
3URGHERS CONTINUE
DIGGING TRENCHES
War Office Refuses to Allow the
Duke of Connaught to Serve
in the Field

London, Dec. 25 (4,8O a. m.)-The war
pffice has received a cable from Gen.
Forester Walker, dated at Cape Town
yesterday saying;
Have no further news of the gener-
al situation"
1t may be almost safely predicted
that nothing will develop today A
truce, either formal or informal, is be-
ing kept for the observance of Christ
mas by the opposing forces.
The Duke of Connaught again press
ed to be allowed to go to the front but
the government declined to give its as
sent. Then, waving considerations of
rank, he offered his. services to Lord
Roberts in any capacity as staff Off
Ger. Lord Roberts consented, but the
government again declined. The Morn
ing Posts correspondent at Chievely,
telegraphing on Monday December 49,.
and confirming intelligence already
cabled, says AT dawn today the
column struck camp and formed a new
one, three miles to the south, owing to
the scarcity or water'
A dispatch from Modder river, dated
December Is, says: The Beers con-
tinue extending their trenches. They
have nearly 20 miles of entrenched
works north of the bridge which also
is in position for the defence. as the
surrounding country is perfectly level"
A large number of Lord Methuen S
wounded have recovered and are ready
to take their places in the ranks A
dispatch to the Daily News from Mod
der river dated December IS, says
I'VE are now waiting until England
shah have realized the actual facts. 1t
has TO be admitted that, man for man,
we have found ourselves pretty well
matched; but the Boer always has the
choice of positions
Let England become alive to the
need of another 100, 900 men. Such a
force will prove the truest economy in
both blood and treasure"
Among minor news items it is an
nounced that Col. Macknnon has been
appointed to command the City of
London Imperial volunteers. The six
teenth Lancers have been ordered to
proceed from Bombay to the cape to
meet the pressing need of cavalry. The
Canadian colonies are appealed to. 1t
is rumored that the Free States is
about to move the seat of government
to WinbuIg. Papers are severely crit
icising the fact that Gen. Warren s
fifth division is being utilized to rein
force various points instead of being
concentrated at one
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-25
CUBA TO BE FREE
DoingS of the Past Week Point
Strongly to Ultimate
independence
CUBANS DELIGHTED
WITH TURN OF EVENTS
Judges Will Be ImpeaChed If They
Decline to Try Customs
Officials

Havana, Dec. 24.-The events of the
last few days have had a great effect
on Cuban politics. The circumstances
attending the arrival of Gen Wood and
the departure of Gen Brooke, taken
with the speech of the former at the
farewell banquet to the latter, in which
the intentions of the United States
government were re-stated, have salts
fed the Cubans that Cuba will certain
ly be independent within reasonable
time.
More than this, the arrival and public
and private utterances of Horatio Ru-
pens have increased the restful feeling
that now apparently exists among all
classes. Mr. Rubens has, without
doubt, considerable influence. Where
ever he goes he is cheered by the peo-
pie; his room at the hotel is thronged
with Cuban officials seeking an inter-
view, and altogether he is regarded
somewhat in the light of an oracle.
Every influence is being brought to
bear to stop the proceedings against
the custom house appraisers now I'M
der arrest on charges of fraud.
The judges, the supreme court Off
Gals and many other important Off
cials are related to the persons under
suspicion. Gen. Wood says that if the
appraisers are guilty they must be
punished, no matter who is hurt If
their relationship to the judges is such
as to disquaiify the latter from giving
them an impartial trial, a judge or
judges from some other province will
be assigned to try them.
Gen. Wood declares that If judges
decline to perform their duties they
will be impeached in Cuba, just as they
would be anywhere else. The Patria,
commenting upon Gen. Woods remarks
at the farewell dinner to Gen Brooke,
says; 1T was a most satisfactory
speech with a pleasing and military
simplicity. Obviously the United
States government intends to fulfil the
terms of the joint resolution, and Gen
Wood is the man selected as the in
strument for this task"
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-25
New Water Commissioner

Boston, Dec. Mayor Quincy has
rendered to Gen. A. p Martin the po-
sition of water commissioner, and the
general accepted the appointment and
will qualify in a few days, as soon as
superintendent Wells, now serving as
acting water commissioner, can close
the office. This appointment is not
subject to confirmation by the board
of aldermen. Gen. Martin takes the
office made vacant by the resignation
of Hon John r. Murphy Gen. Mar
tin is an ex-naayor and ex-police COM
missioner Of this city.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-25
characteristics of Twain

Last year, in Vienna, S. L. Clemens
mark Twain) sat talking with a
Scotch barrister named Guthrie.
do you ever smoker" asked Mr.. Gle
mems of Mr.. Guthrie
Yes, MI Clemens" replied Mr.. Gu
thrie, when l am in bad company"
You are a lawyer, aren't you, Mr.
Guthrie?"
Eyes, I am"
"Ah," said Mr.. Clemens, you must
be heavy smoker."-P Philadelphia
Post.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-25
How Spies Are Executed

''You can hardly realize what an awful
scene a battlefield Is. writes afgunner in
the Royal field artillery from Orange
river. THE most painful thing to see
was Dutch spy, who was caught trying
to poison some horses and he was tried
and sentenced to be shot The fellow was
over si If and III hen here We're twelve solI
diers marched out. who had to pick up
rifles out of a group of twelve. There
were six of these loaded and six unload
ed, so none Of the men knew who shot
him. The poor chap never said a word.
1t was all over in a few minutes. LON
don Daily Mail.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-25
Christmas Weather

Washington. Dec "a. - Ma,ae: Snow
Monday, coldss in western portions.
Tuesday: Fair; high easterly winds,
shifting to westerly during Monday.
Massachusetts: Colder Monday; fair in
western, rain, turning into snow, in east
ern portion. Tuesday: Fair; west to
northwest gales Monday
Rhode Island: Rain or snow and colder
Monday Tuesday; Fair; west to north
west gales Monday
New Hampshire: Snow, followed by
clearing and colder Monday. Tuesday.
Fair, high northwesterly winds Monday
in southern, snow, followed by clearing in
northern portion. Tuesday: Fair; north
west winds, diminishing in force Monday
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-25
Bust of Phillips Brooks

Boston, Dec 24-The bust of Phillips
Brooks was unveiled during the morn
ing service at Trinity church today. DIR.
Donald in his sermon made a reference
to the bust in speaking of the bless
ings to humanity by the lives of Phillips
Brooks and Dwight L. Moody. The bust
is of white marble, slightly tinted. DAN
lei Chester French was the sculptor.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-25
Found Dead in Ruins

Kansas City. Mo, Dec PA special
to the Times from Chillicothe, Mo-,
says: The charred remains of William
J. Thomas, a farmer, and three chill
dren, were found in the ashes Of their
home, IL miles southwest of here to-
day. The suppostion is that the chill
dren We're murdered by the father who
then Set fire to the place and took his
own life
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-25
KITCHENER AT MALTA
Sails to Gibraltar Where He viii
Join Lord Roberts

Malta Dee. 24.-Gen Lord Kitchener,
chief-of-staff to Field Marshal Lord
Roberts, arrived here today from Alex
dria on the British second class cruiser
Isis. He went Immediately on board
the British cruiser Didock, which sailed
for Gibraltar, where he will join Lord
Roberts
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-25
Mabel

Mabel's eyes are bright,
People stop and stare
When she walks along
With her stately air;
MabePs step is light,
Mabel's form is good,
But l wouldn't hug
Mabel if [ could.
Yesterday / looked
Into Mabel's eve;
Mabel didn't blush
Mon pretend to sigh!
O I'd hate to meet
Mabel in the dark
Mabel is the boss
Tigress in the park.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-25
D. S. Ford Dead

Boston, Dec. 24.--The death of Daniel
S. Ford Of the Youths Companion
occurred at his residence, "a Greenway,
this morning. He was n years old.
His death was due to a complication
of diseases, and had been expected for
some time. He is survived by one
daughter Mrs. William S. Hartshorn.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-25
THE APPETITE OF A GOAT

Is envied by all poor dyspeptics whose
stomach and liver are out Of order. All
such should know that DR.. Kings New
Life Pills, the wonderful Stomach and
Liver Remedy, gives a splendid appe-
tite, sound digestion and a regular bodl-
ly habit that insures perfect health and
great energy. Oaly CSC, at Brewer &.
CO. Is.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-25
Conductor Killed

Portland, Me. Dec. 24,-Frank Swan
conductor was killed, and Eugene Den
nett, brakeman, was fatally injured
here tonight as result of four freight
cars leaving the track near coal pock-
ct on the Portland and Rochester rail-
road.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-25
Deaths

BOWLES--In this city, 24th. Ida E., wife
of Frank F.. Bowles, 10 yrs. II mos 2
days.
funeral at her home Hudson street.
Wednesday, 1.30 D. m. Relatives and
friends are invited to attend.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-25

Constipation, which gives rise to graver
trouble, cured by
CARRIERS LITTLE LIVER PILLS.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-25
no CURE A coin IN oNE DAY.

take Laxative Bromo Quinine Tablets
All druggists refund the money IL 1t fails
to cure. E. w. Groves signature is on
each box. rs cents.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-25

Very small, action perfect.
CARRIERS LITTLE LIVER PILLS
Hutchinson gazette., 1899-12-14

Two things have happened affecting
labor interests In southeast Kansas,
which will have great effect In tho po'-
itIcs OF next year in this State, The
hrst was the imprlsonlng Of Reece by
Judge Williams for making speech
IL WAS not contended that the speech
was inndmmatOry or inCendiary, but
simply that his august and mighty
honor had commanded that all men
should keep their mouths shut In the
mining d strlctS during the strike un-
less the aforesaid mouths should es
pouse the cause of the mining corpora
tions. To be sure the injunction did
not reid IN this exact language, buV
that was the puTport and effect. 1t
should not take long for all lahorers TO
discover that these injunction laws are
Of republican Matching. The other
incident Is the declaring Of the scrip
law unconstitutional by the supreme
court on u partisan division. This law
which was passed by populist legls-
lature and was meant to destroy the In
famous practice OF paying miners In
scrip only good at "pluck me" ST. res.
owned by the mining operators, was
held valid by Judge Simmons, repub-
Iican district Judge and the popullst
court ofappeals. In the supreme court
on pretext of violating the Four
teenth Amendment to the constitution
ii was declared unconstitutional by
the two republican judges of the SUI
preme court, Judge DOster, populist,
dissenting To the lay reader II would
appear that anyone who can find line
In the Fourteenth Amendment TO con-
hlct with this law must be under pay
for hnding it. Perhaps the miners
will now see one of the fruits of q re-
publican victory year ago, Had
Judge Allen been reelected 1t would
have not been 80,
Hutchinson gazette., 1899-12-14

The issue raised against the Nor
mon congressman, Roberts, is some
what peculiar. He claims, and as we
understand, it is not denied, that he
simply maintains the wives he had be-
fore the Outlawing of polygamy in
Utah, that he could not in justice or
humanity turn them adritt. But Of
course while this seems plausible, it is
setting a bad example to admit man
to Congress who is guilty of the same
things for which many men are sent to
prison In other States and which are
detestable to American home life.
But whoever thinks Roberts is a cbump
or a man incapable Of taking care Of
himself in controversy is mistaken.
In his defense he says that while Con-
Rress has been awfully Jared, and the
whole land has been wrought up over
his case, the president has been ap-
pointing pclygamiSts to responsible
government offices over protests duly
filed and weighed. Why this discl i'm
ination? Ia Compress so much more
moral than the president, or is the
president 80 much less moral than the
people9 No. 1t is simply that an ag-
gressive newspaper man, formerly ed
Hutchinson gazette., 1899-12-14
SINCE Kansas at present is without

SINCE Kansas at present is without
anything resembling railroad law, II
ahiRht be interesting II some republican
would tell us what the legislature
should do. But they do not seem 40
inclined. APPARENTLY they are willing,
like the railroads to let the matter rest,
But We are not, 1t seems to be the
established rule of the federal courts
that II any law may be made effective
to lessen the charges of the railroads,
it Is unconstitutional, but we are in
favor of demonstrating this proposition
to q dead certainty by giving them All
opportunity to declare upon 1t IN every
possible form. The populist lawyers
that framed the court of visitation act,
affirm that il the case had been de-
Tended by It's friends, instead Of its
enemies, it would have been sustained
as every provision was backed by de-
cision of the supreme court 1t Can
scarcely be said 10 have heen defended
at all. 1t was the ardent wish Of the
attorney general, who pretended to de-
fend that II should be declared uncon-
stltutional.
Hutchinson gazette., 1899-12-14

"CoIN" Harry has just issued a new
book entitled. "Coin on Money, Trusts
and Imperialism" 1t follows along
the same lines as his other works OK
cept that 1t brings discussion Of the
issues up-to-date and brings under its
range Of observation the phenomInal
development Of trusts which has oc
CURED during the Mckinley admins
tration, and the issues growing out OF
the Spanish war. The book has hearty
endorsements from Bryan aud oil the
leading members of the democratic ma
Gional committee.
Hutchinson gazette., 1899-12-14
BREWER ON IMPERIALISM.

0 dear How the times do degen
crate. The world is full of copper
heads and here Is our own son of Kan
sas, the greatest jurist she ever haC
who now Is one of the judges on The
supreme bench Of the United States
breaks out with this kind of disloyalty
Judge Brewer should be mighty care
fnl, he Is giving aid and comfort Il
Aguinaldo and may be called upon tC
try himself for treason. He says:
III have no military education; dc
not know how to conduct a war; dc
not edit "yelloW" journal, and so
yield unquestioning assent to the
claims made by army and navy gentle.
men, that in case of war, coalnI sta
tlons in different parts of the globe are
desirable. And yet with the incredu-
lity and questioning spirit of Y ankee
| can not but notice that we have got
ten along safely for hundred years
without any coallng stations outside OF
our own territory. And, further, II Is
clear that for coaling station terri
tory as large as New England is not
essential. But, beyond that, is there
not such thing as overriding this get
ting ready for WARP
81 have noticed that a man who goes
about with chip on his shoulder Is
very apt to have many quarrels, but the
gentleman who minds his own business
is ordinarily left alone and goes
through his life without a fight,
1--WE have lived and prospered for
l23 years with handful Of regular
troops. We have preserved peace at
home and have been respected abroad.
Government by consent of the governed
has little need Of tho soldier. So the
world has come to believe and so Ii is
Are we ready to forfeit this high po-
sitionY Do we not endanger the very
foundation principles of this govern
ment when we make the blare of the
bugles and the tramp of the armed ba
tallion the music which attracts the
of our youthp
May God save the United States of
America and keep 1t from the road 30
often travelled by nations, Of increasing
territory, accnmulating dominion, rap
idly and easily acquired wealth, luxu-
rious splendor, growing separation
between the poor and the rich, decay
and death; and may we always hear
the solemn prayer Of Abraham Lincoln
born upward to heaven from the con-
secrated field of Gettysburg, that
government Of and by and for the peo-
pie may never perish from the earthp,
Hutchinson gazette., 1899-12-14

WE'RE II not for the fact that 81
many good American lives are being
sacrificed every day, and so much treas
ure, "wrung from the bard hands OF
PEASANTS" wasted, the war news from
Philippines would be almost as good
a piece of burlesque as could be pro-
duced by Mark Twain, The first Of
last week the headlines, ran about
like this: "AgunaldO about to sur
render, and ask for American protec-
tion. His army scattered and insur-
rection at an end" Then the last of
the week another headline read,
young Is safe, Reaches Vlgan after
a five hours battle with Tino's force of
insurgents in the mountains. The
seat Of war appears about to be trans
ferrer TO CavIte province where Agui-
naldo is expected to command In per-
son." After chasing Agunaldo all
over Luzon he hops up in force at Ca
vite, near Manila. Then this same
dispatch tells of an uprising in the
island Of Negros. Negros Is the island
that was announced a long time ago,
to have been passiaed, one In fact that
was claimed to have never been hos
tile,