davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The evening times., 1899-11-29
Methuen at Modder River.

Whatever may be said Of the situation in
Natal, it seems plain from our news this
morning that Lord Methuen is giving a
good account of himself in the western
field and that his advance toward kimber-
ley is being pushed with much address. He
reports a successful engagement with the
Beers at Modder River, presumably with
the whole force of General Cronje who is
understood to have moved south with three
thousand men to re-enforce General De-
larraye. II Methuen has inflicted as hard
8 blow as his account of the battle, as
published, indicates, the relief of Kimberley
begins to look feasible and likely to be soon
effected. But, granting the maximum eff
feet of the victory, if it prove to be sub
stantfal, it is not TO be assumed that the
path to the beleagured town is yet open.
Cronie will almost certainly make fierce
stand at Spytfontein, where the
ground would greatly favor him
and embarrass Methuen; and the
has inclined us to think that a turning
movement might be made from Modder
River by way of Jacobsdal, avoiding Spyt-
fontein. This. however. in the absence OF
sufficient information, is merely conjec-
tural. Present conditions may compel the
relieving column TO keep straight north by
the railway line.
Lord Methuen's chances are apparently
improved by the activity of Major General
Gafacre. He has advanced from Queens
town. Cape Colony. occupied Bushmen's
Hoek. and appears about to attack Moiteno,
Just south of Stormberg Junction, on the
strategic triangle, where the Beers are in
force. This movement is calculated 10
occupy the commands along the Orange
River. and prevent any Of them from at
tempting operations against Methuen's
rear The latter, It will have been seen,
is forcing the game. and We are likely to
hear of continuous fighting on his part IN
ill he either accomplishes his relief
mission. or suffers dsfeat.
The evening times., 1899-11-29
GENEROUS GIFT 10 a CHURCH.
Mr.. wanasalxer. Donates ssI 900 10
. sanctuary

Sanctuary.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Nov. 29.-The
largest sum Of money given to any church
in Philadelphia for years has been con-
tributed by John Wanamaker and wife to
the Bethany Presbyterian Church. The
amount was 1000. A check for this was
given to the church authorities last week.
The money will be used to renovate and re-
pair the church auditorium or Bible Union
room.
The Bethany Presbyterian Church con-
gregation has been contemplating repairs
for some time. There had been a mort
gage Of 81 500 on the church. Mr. Wana-
maker last spring announced to- the con-
gregaiiOn that he would give $4,000 to re-
pair the church il Zee congregation would
raise enough money to raise the mortgage.
The 81 500 was raised and the mortgage was
paid on. Mr.. Wanamaker then gave the
board Of trustees a check for $4,000.
When the members OF the congregation
gathered at the church one week ago last
Sunday a surprise awaited them.
Mr. Wanamaker walked up to the front
OF the church and told the congregation that
the contract for the repairs had been
signed. In making out specifications, 1t
was found that $50. coo was not enough and
to make the necessary repairs it would re-
quire s31 900. He said further that he would
add the difference to his former contribu-
tion The church board met one evening
last week and Mr.. WanamakeI raised the
amount of'his first check to s31, 900.
The evening times., 1899-11-29
The Hnrper A.signmcnt.

The difficulties with which the great pub
fishing house of Harper & Brothers has
been struggling for long time have cul-
the business which has been conducted by
a single family for three generations will
now be managed by Colonel Harvey, of
the North American Review for the
creditors. He, as Times readers are aware,
was recently elected president of the Har-
per Corporation. doubtless in the interest
he now represents.
According to friends of the house, its
troubles have been due to inherited con-
servatism, and a too great desire to keep
under pay servants who had outlived their
usefulness. There may be a considerable
basis for this theory. but doubtless it is
subject to modification. 1t is perhaps prob
able that the useless staff material was
largely composed of the same people whose
inherited conservatism destroyed the
chances OF the concern for success in the
active competition of the time. while it
did not reduce their or the corporation S.
expenses.
Whatever may be the truth in that res
pect, it certainly is beyond question that
the Harper periodical publications have
been losing ground rapidly for several
years. The editorial policy Of the mouse,
which seems to have been injuriously in
fuenced by the un-American views and
teachings Of individuals like Carl Schurz,
Edward Atkinson. George F. Hoar. and
even the late Grover Cleveland has been
notoriously unpopular, and il was recently
found necessary to change 'Harper's
Weekly from an out-and-out anti-impe
rialist organ, to an advocate of the Jeffer-
sonian doctrine Of national expansion.
Mugwumpery and hysterico- philanthropy,
added to the personal offensiveness of GER
tain writer's who have been permitted to
exploit their immigrant heresies in its col
umns. have operated to estrange much of a
constituency which had been constant and
appreciatiye ever since the first copy of
this journal of Civilization was placed
on the market. Under a new, more modern.
and more American policy and manage
ment, it is to be hoped, and may be safely
predicted. that the Harper publications will
quickly regain their hold on the public Of
the United States. The old house has done
much for the encouragement OF American
letters, has always enjoyed a high repu-
tation for straightforwardness and honor
in business, and has grown through the
many decades of its existence to be looked
upon almost as a settled literary institu-
ton. Its rehabilitation under repentance
and reform will be gratifying to the mil
lions of its old friends who will, now that
hard times have come to it, try to forget
its Filipino and other vagaries, and re-
member it only as it was in its prime and
may be again when redeemed by the infu-
sion of fresh blood, brains, and methods.
The evening times., 1899-11-29
Welded IN OLD AGE.
Henry Crider Married to Mrs. Bow
man at Frederick. Md.

FREDERICK, Nd Nov. 29.-Henry Cri-
der. aged sixty-nine years. and Mrs. Cath
arine Bowman, aged seventy-four years.
were married at the home of the bride. at
Deerfield, Frederick county, yesterday, by
Rev. W. Dougherty. pastor Of the United
Brethren Church OF that place.
The parlor where the ceremony was per-
formed was beautifully decorated with cut
roses and chrysanthemums. The wedding
which was a very pretty and impressive
one, was witnessed by large number Of
friends. The bride was becomingly attir-
ed in a dress of blue broadcloth and carried
a bouquet OF roses. Mrs. ]. B. Brown was
maid of honor, and J. B. Brown was best
man. John c. Lantz played the Lohengrin
wedding march as the aged couple entered
the parlor. and ooh, Promise Me-" during
the ceremony. The presents were many
and handsome. After the ceremony all
present were invited TO sumptuous din
The evening times., 1899-11-29
A REAPPRAISAL DENIED.
Decision of n Point InvoIvinE a He
quest to Mr. Depcw.

NEW YORK. Nov. ga motion of The
State comptroller for a reappraisal of the
estate of Maria Louisa Niven. daughter of
the late Commodore Vanderbilt so that a
beGuest of 5000 900 TO Chauncey NJ Depew
could be taxed, has been denied by Justice
Bookstaver OF the supreme court. The tes-
tatrix. Niven. died in June. 1886. providing
in her will as follows:
Il give and bequeath 10 my friend and
legal adviser. Chauncey NJ. Depew. as
mark OF affection and esteem and recosni
tion for his devotion to my interests for
many years, 100000
The surrogate confirmed an appraisement
in which il was held that as the bequest
was for services il was not taxable. No
appeal was taken from his decision be-
cause the appellate division had upheld q
similar decision concerning a bequest of
$500. 900 year to George Gould by the will
Of his father. Jay Gould. The court OF ap-
peals reversed this decision afterward and
held that the beaucst was taxable. The
comptroller moved in the present case for
-eappraisal. because his time to appeal had
expired. Justice Bookstaver holds that as
only question of law was involved the
only remedy was to have It appealed.
The evening times., 1899-11-29

but II some prying neighbor gets hold OF
the story, and spreadsJt abroad for the in
different to see and comment on, the
chances are that the breach will be wild
ened. II . young man or woman makes a
mistake in early life and afterward shows
disposition to do right. there is no reason
for raking up. that Old mistake ffye.a ten.
twenty. or thirty years afterward Such a
course has driven more than one youth
who might have been good man into
courses which led to destruction, when,
with a little kindly encouragement from
those who know him and ignorance in those
who were mere acquaintances, he might
have been a good and useful man.. ..5,.,.
There is another kind OF gossip which
Is merely annoying or maddening accord
Ing to the temperament of the victim, and
that is the kind INDUCED in by the chat
terer-the. person who spreads piece of
news all over town without thinking
whether 1t will do any harm or not; the
kind Of person who makes other peoples
lives kind of charade' to be solved with
the aid Of innumerable questions. Some
body once remarked that malicious, in
territorial gossip did less harm than one Of
these "constitutionally. leaky people be-,
cause the malicious one could be guarded
against. However that may be, the chat
terer should be trained in childhood to re-
press that particular trait. Parents are
often to blame in this respect. They pry
into their children's affairs and make the
youngsters feel that they are criminals IL
they keep anything to themselves. They
sometimes-worst of all-encourage the
children to discuss the affairs OF their
schooimates, perhaps out of mere curiosity,
perhaps out Of desire to learn the nature
of those with whom their sons and daugh-
tiers associate. All that is bad. 1t tends
to develop inability to keep a secret, espe-'
cially in impressionable girls.
There is. a third kind of gossip which
is rare, but ought to be common. The
man or woman who knows how and when
to tell true story of another persons
life may do a great deal Of good. 1t would
be useful thing in almost any community
for some one with leisure to get at the true
facts of disputed cases and take pains to
tell of them. But, like all altruistic
schemes. that one is likely TO wait some
time for its fulfillment
The evening times., 1899-11-29
AMERICAN BEEF IN GERMANY.
Consul Hughes Makes Suggestions to
the shippers.

Consul Hughes Makes Suggestions to
the shippers.
United States Consul Hughes writes the
State Department regarding American beef
in Germany as follows:
Il would call attention TO the opening
for American fresh beef in this consular
district, in spite of the regulations against
its importation. II some of the large Chi
cago concerns would establish proper agen-
cies-like those in any of the smaller towns
of the United States-and use them as feed
ers for the surrounding villages, the busi-
ness would. without doubt. pay from al
most the start. But the same amount OF
push Is necessary in Germany as at home
to make anything a success. l have re-
peatedly shown persons who have written
to this consulate for information how they
could do a large and paying business in
provisions. but they all want to send their
goods c. o. d. This cannot be done. Ger
man merchants wish to see the article they
are buying and also to have three months
credit. The local trader is honest. but he
must have time or he can not do business.
The poorer people in Thuringia live al
most exclusively on potatoes, black bread,
and beer. We take their dolls and china;
they want our beef; why not let them
have it,"
He also writes as follows regarding grain
and grass crops in Thuringia:
The grain and grass crops Of Thuringia
in the past season have been large and Of
good quality. AS many as three, and in
some favored spots four, crops OF clover
and grass have been cut on the same land.
the red-top clover being the best I have
seen in that part OF Germany. This is to
warn exporters not to ship hay, etc, on
as the present supply is
The evening times., 1899-11-29
HEAVY SUITS FOR DAMAGES.
Governor Pfngree md Others AIlege
Libel Against Newspaper.

hbei A&ainst n Newspaper.
DETROIT, Mich. Nov. 29.-The high
water mark in libel suits was reached
yesterday when Elliott C. Stevenson
attorney for Governor Pingree and friends,
filed libel suits against the .'Free Press"
newspaper. claiming immense damages.
The governor brings one suit for $3.50, 600
the bill containing thirty counts, all
alleging libel in connection with the
municipal ownership movements. John
Gallagher. foreman of the board OF works.
brings one suit for s25 900 for publications
of allegations made in the recent charges
against the board Of works. and d. W. II.
Moreland. president OF the board, brings
Two suits for s25 600 each for similar pub
locations.
Assistant Corporation Counsel C. d.
Josiyn brings two suits for $4,000 each.
on allegations made by the paper in con-
nection with Joslyn's handling OF the
grade-crossiDg movement Colo2ei f ir
Sutton brings two suits for $4,000 ca h,
his claim for damages being basel on le-
cations made By the paper in connect on
with the passage of the Mcleod municipal
ownership bill at Lansing. and the attempt
TO pass that measure through the COM
mon council here.
The evening times., 1899-11-29
Quaint London Rent. Paid.

Certain ancient and quaint rent services, &hich
are due 10 the crown by the corporation of Lon
don, were, in accordance with custom, performed
at the Offices of the Queens remembrancer in the
royal courts Of Justice, in the presence Of a
number of curious and interested spectators
George Pollock the rerembrancer, made the usual
explanatory. statement to the origin Of the
ants and occupiers Of piece Of waste waste ground
called The Moors,' in the county Of Salop, come
forth and do your service:2. The city solicitor
advanced and cut faggot Of wood with hatchet,
and another with billhook. Proclamation was
made next: Tenants and oecupiers of. 4 certain
tenement called The Forge in the parish Of
st. Clement Danes, in the eoanty-tof, siddlesex,
come. forth and do your service" The city So
liotor on this occasion counted nix horseshoes and
sixty-one nais-s The Queens remembrancer re-
piled. Good number" Faithful .snit and -seSyr
ice having thuse been rnidi, the ceremony ended.
The evening times., 1899-11-29
LOTTERIES USE THE MAILS.
Postmaster General Takes Steps
Prevent the Fraud.

Postmaster General Takes Step. 10
Prevent the Fraud.
1t has been brought to the attention of
the Postmaster General that the mails are
being used for the transmission OF lottery
tickets in violation of the statutes. The
companies mentioned in this connection
are W. Fodor & Co.. Budapest, Germany;
Lowenberg Co.. Hamburg Germany;
City. OF Hamburg Lottery, Chief State Lot
terry Of Hamburg; Lottery of the City of
Hamburg, Germany. and C. Won Schou-
holtz, Neustrelitz, Germany.
Such matter discovered In the mails will
be returned to the sender, or If the send
er's name is not known, to. the Dead Let
ter -0ffice, the word "Fraudulent"--to be
stamped on the letter or parcel in either
case.
A regulation affecting letters from SAIL
ors, soldiers, and marines of the United
States in service In any of the trans
oceanic possessions of the United States,
can be sent, home for the ordinary postage,
which shall be paid 8 by sthe recipient at
point Of destination. il the sender will
write Soldiers letter." Sailors letter."
or Marines letter upon the envelope
The evening times., 1899-11-29
GOssip.

The Eclectic Club, OF New York, has
passed resolution denouncing gossip; and
Ii is woman's club at that. This seems to
be intended as a staggering blow to ill-na-
turcd persons who have declared that the
women's clubs of today are simply refine
ments more or less scientific on the old
fashioned gossip mills which went by the
name of sewing societies and tea drinkings.
II must be admitted that any kind of
club. whether Of women or of men, is more
or less liable to condemnation of this kind.
There was probably, in our provincial days,
as much gossip around the stove at the
village store as at the Dorcas Society.
Human nature does like to discuss the
weaknesses and failings of other human
tendency so strong and SO well-estab-
lished. All the same, it ought to be re-
pressed. Kleptomania still exists and
there are great many plain, ordinary
people arrested every day for larceny and
other dishonest performances; but that
does not prove that. thieyery ought to be
condoned and encouraged on the plea that
II ID an iuSliuCt vi 1t is dS
much Of crime to steal a reputation as
to steal a pocketbook-indeed, the late
William Shakespeare once expressed
through the mouth of one of his immortal
characters the opinion that the former
theft was considerably the worse, yet the
fact remains that a great many people will
demolish another's reputation without
scruple. who would be sedulously careful
to avoid any infringement of property
rights.
There are two or three different kinds
OF gossip. The kind which ought to be sup
pressed with rigorous certainty is the ma
lcious type. When man or woman shows
a disposition to see evil where none exists,
to pry into the affairs Of others, to use
private knowledge to the detriment of the
innocent, that mar or woman ought to be
cast out Of decent society. The is no
reason why the private affairs of family
should be made public property. such
condition Of things usually causes the in
nocent untold misery and does not hur, the
guilty. II young couple disagree dur
ing their first rear of life together, and are
let alone to make up the difference as best
they may. in nine cases out of ten.. II they
really love each other. II will be made up;
The evening times., 1899-11-29
MEDALS FOR HEROES.
Secretary Lons May Ask This HOns
for Santiago Vict0rs.

Secretary Long May Ask This Honor
for Santiago VictOrs.
In his annual report Secretary Long will.
it is reported. have something to say about
the failure OF the Senate to act on the cases
of naval officers nominated for advance
ment on account of their services in the
Santiago naval campaign. The list in
cludes the names OF Rear Admiral Schley,
Rear Admiral Sampson, and the captains
of all the vessels that participated in the
engagement with Cervera's squadron.
While Secretary Long declines to tell
what he will recommend the indications
are that the nominations of these officers
will not be submitted for confirmation. One
Of the indications is that the Bureau of
Navigation, which is charged with the
preparation OF the naval nominations. has
not been instructed to get the list ready.
although Congress will assemble this day
week. 1t is believed in naval circles that
the Secretary will recommend that medals
be bestowed on all those whose names were
sent to the Senate at its last session.
The evening times., 1899-11-29
BRAVE DEEDS AT TABUAN.
How the sixth lE7 .ntry Routed the
Negr0A Baudits.

NegroA bandits.
The Adjutant General of the Army has
received from Capt. B. A. Poore. of the
Sixth Infantry an bmtial report of OPERA
tions eliminating ip the defeat of the Ne
gros insurgents or bandits near Tabuan on
October l.
Like Captain Bryan, Of. the same regi-
ment whose WONDERFUL night march and re-
markable victory over the Negros bandits
were described recently in The Times. Cap
tain Poore moved at night and reached the
bandits stronghold early on the morning
of the fight. The presence of the troops
was discovered as they were ascending the
slope to the position occupied by the BAN
dts Some of the enemy ran to the left
and it was while trying to cut of their re-
treat that First Lieut. Hayden Y. Grubbs.
Sixth Infantry, was killed. After firing al
the insurgents for fifteen or twenty minutes
the American charged and routed the ene-
my.
Capt. Paul Shellock, assistant surgeon. re-
ceived slight wound in the leg, and three
enlisted men were wounded.
The enemy left twenty dead on the field.
One bandit was captured. Before he died,
wounded insurgent officer told Captain
Poore that their force numbered $50. OF
whom 60 had rifles. Twelve rifles, 5000
rounds Of ammunition, and many bolos and
spears were captured by the Americans.
After the fight all material that could not
be carried away was destroyed.
The command reached Silay the next
day, having marched about forty miles In
all. Praise for GOODNESS and good judg-
ment is given by Captain Poore to Cap
tain Shellock, Lieut. II. A. Hanigan. First
Alfred Roeder. Concerning the last named
Captain Poore says:
He has probably been mentioned more
frequently in communications regarding
movements in this vicinity than any other
person. He again demonstrated his worth
as a soldier and as a man of most excellent
Judgment. His coolness under fire excited
my admiration. He has been recommended
for commission in the regular service and
for a commission in the volunteers. Such
advancement and recognition could not fall
to more deserving man. and / recommend
him for the most favorable consideration"
OF Lieutenant Grubbs. Captain Poore
says: THE death OF Lieutenant Grubbs
cast gloom on the party, for all the men
had had a chance to observe him and to
see the pains he was taking for their safe
ty and comfort He marched at the point
Of the advance all the time and with .
machete that he carried assisted greatly
in clearing away the thick jungle SO that
our detour could be made. In action he
was cool and brave, and his death has cut
short most useful career" Lieutenant
Grubbs was buried near where he fell.
The evening times., 1899-11-29
SUIT AGAINST T. B. LETTER.
The Defendant ii Patient at Moun,
Hope Retreat.

The Defendant n Patient at Mount
Hope Retreat.
BALTIMORE, Nov. 29.-T. Benton Lei
ter. patient at Mount Hope Retreat. and
a relative, Of Levi Z.aLeiter. has been sum-
moned to answer a, suit instituted in Chi
cago by Mrs. Levi e.. Letter and W. b.
Walker against, him and the State Bank
of Bloomfield. Ill. az
1t appears that Levi Letter endorsed the
note of T. B. Letter for 800, 900. made in
favor of Silas R. Cobb. Payment was Sc
cured by the conveyance of certain prop
erty to W. B.. Walker as trustee. In de-
fault of payment the endorser was required
to make good the amount, and the suit has
been brought to enforce the sale of the
property held by the trustee.
Mr.. Letter is said to be in critical con-
dition al Mount Hope Retreat. and it is
stated that his present unfortunate state
has been caused by financial reverses. He
has been at the retreat for some time.
The evening times., 1899-11-29

The Kaiser's visit to England has ended
in a vast improvement in the relations be-
tween Germany and Great Britain. He is
visiting the young Queen of Holland to-
day; perhaps to tell her that if she would
like to come in under shelter OF the
imperial German Eagle, and so become part
of the great powers Of the Continent. Queen
Victoria will not object. When Wilhelm
II returns to Berlin we may expect to see
diplomatic developments, and much hustle
among the neighboring cabinets. The in
ternational pot is still simmering, and the
Afghan, Persian, Morocco, and Chinese
questions are not yet things merely of his
tory
The evening times., 1899-11-29
Wise ms Well as Natural.
,C-ar. %ha Dl.,la alal.ksa I alrxorN

BY deciding to spend her winter vacation on
the Italian instead of the French Riviera, Queen
Victoria has followed woman's natural in
stincts, quite regardless OF diplomatic procedure.
After the gross insults which French caricatur-
lists were permitted to heap upon her she was
naturally averse to mngling with such people or
encouraging them by her presence in their coun-
try The French will look upon her action as
an insult to them, and will be all the more an
gry because OF the cool manner in which it was
taken, without apology explanation, the
Queen thus clearly implying that there is no
necessity for regarding France of any account
in the diplomacy Of Europe IT would not be hard
Queens abandonment OF Cimiez and the condi-
ton Of things in France as revealed by the
Dreyfus trial.