davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06

Notwithstanding the cheap labor In
Japan and strenuous efforts made to
manufacture watches by the Japanese,
that country continues to import great
numbers Of watches and clocks from
Switzerland and the United States. In
1897 $4,000 Of Swiss watches and
S1O9,610 of American watches were i'm
ported, while for the first six months
Of 1898 Switzerland supplied Japan
with watches to the value of 1854, 065,
and the United States sent watches
amounting in value to $S2,S45.
1t is stated that the American
watches are held in high repute by the
japanese, but the Swiss watches being
much the cheapest the latter are most
popular with the masses. n snowy
case counts for more than an accurate
tlmepiece with most people in that
country. Concerning the conditions
OF the watch industry and the price Of
labor, a leading paper of Tokyo says
"A member Of the Osaka Watch COM
pany says that the wages paid to the
workers in that factory are certainly
much lower than those paid in Euro
pean or American factories; yet, de-
spite this fact, the business of watch
making is not paying one in Japan.
Lack Of skill among the mechanics is
one Of the reasons given for this state
of affairs"
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06
Lord Rosebery's Tact.

Lord Rosebery has the reputation OF
being delightful host and also OF hav-
ing wonderful tact. This latter GIT
was certainly displayed on one occa-
sion when he was entertaining large
number of guests, amongst whom was
a farmer, who, tasting ice-pudding for
the first time. came to. the conclusion
that there had been some mistake In
the kitchen, and wishing to save the
other guests from a like experience
whispered to his host that by some ac-
cident the pudding had got frozen.
Lord Rosebery listened without
smile. tasted the pudding, and thanked
his informant; then calling an attend
ant said something to him and turned
with a relieved face to the farmer,
saying, ITS all right, they tell me
that 1t is new kind Of pudding, and
is frozen on purpose"
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06
Immigration for 1898.

The number of immigrants who have
come to the United States during the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1898, was
229,2 99, while the number for the pre-
ceding year was 23O.S32; thus it is OBJ
served that Notwithstanding the war
the immigration has not decreased to
any appreciate extent.
OF this number 44,473 were illiterate,
% per cent Of those above the age Of
fifteen years not being able to read or
write. More than half of these immi-
grants came from Austria Hungary,
Italy, Poland and Russia, while not
quite a third came from Great Britain,
France, Germany and Scandinavia.
1t is evident from the immigration
reports for the past few years that that
class of immigration usually consider
cd desirable is becoming fewer in num-
Der each year, while the undesirable
immigration is increasing at an alarm
ing rate. This Is accounted for by the
known fact that desire TO better ones
condition is the sole cause of immigra-
ton. So long as Industrial conditions
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06
Eight Hour Day.

| Oct. was celebrated as Eight-hour
day in Sydney. The principal feature
| of the celebration was the procession
| of trade societies through the streets
| headed by the eight-hour banner, and
! attended by their own banners and
half a dozen bands. The following
societies took part in the procession:
Seamen, Progressive Carpenters,
Coachmakers, Amalgamated Engin-
GERS, Typographical, Bookbinders,
Lithographic, Letterpress Machinists,
Coopers, Pressers, Glass Workers, Boil
ermakers, United Laborers, Butchers,
Bricklayers, Tinsmiths, Amalgamated
Carpenters, Gas Suckers, Australasian
Engineers, Furniture Trades, Painters,
Plasterers, Shipwrights, Bakers,
Plumbers, stonemasons, Ironmolders.
Punctually at 9 o'clock the head
marshal, Mr.. G. Moody, gave the Or
der to march, and the cavalcade, head
ed by detachment of mounted troop
ers, moved from the Trades Hall into
George, Park, College, Oxford, and
Bourke streets, and thence to the Ag-
ricultural Ground. All along the
route crowds lined the roadway on
both sides.
About $4,000 people attended the Ag-
ricultural Ground, Moore Park, to wit
ness the sports and military tourna-
ment, which began at 10 o'clock, and
concluded about 6. The military con-
tests were the feature of the day, some
excellent horsemanship being shown.
Other sports were we'll contested, and
the whole combined to make capital
days outing for those who invested
the "nimble bob"
The chairman, in proposing "The
Day We Celebrate" referred to the
progress of the eight-hour movement,
and he expressed regret that restric-
tive legislation in regard to the hours
Of labor was not more advanced in
this colony. Reference was made to
the rejection of the bill to legalize the
Art Union, which had hitherto been
a prominent feature in connection
with the demonstration. The bill
could have been opposed only through
ignorance, because the committee on
ly desired to have the same privileges
which were granted to artists in con-
nection with the holding Of art unions.
The Worker, Sidney, Australia.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06

In Australia, as in the United States,
school teachers need large discretion.
Here, for example, is a story from the
Sydney Telegraph: A New South
Wales country school-teacher set a boy
"A question in compound proportion for
home work one evening. 1t happened
to include the circumstance Of men
working ten hours day in order to
complete certain work" Next MORN
ing the unsuspecting teacher, in look
ing over the little pack of exercises,
found "Jim's" sum uninterrupted, and
the following letter attached to the
page: "Sur-I refuse to let Jim do
this SIM you give him last mite has it
looks q, me to be a slur at S-hour sis
tum emmy sum not more than s hours
he is welcum to do but not more. Yours
truly, Abram Blank, senr."
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06

At least fifty years ago. according
to Dr. L. o. Howard, a colony of Euro
pean hornets settled near New York
city. They have flourished, since their
Introduction to new country, but
have shown singular indisposition to
spread far from the original point Of
settlement. The greatest distance to
which they have been known to MI
CRATE, during the half century Of their
stay, does not exceed $50 miles. Their
ancestors in Europe are Inhabitants OF
have chosen hollow trees for their
homes.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06
The Municipal Problem.

While the citizens of American mu-
inequalities are crouching in fear, ex-
pecting momentarily to have their very
homes given to corporations seeking
franchises at the hands Of aldermen,
the people of European cities are dis
cussing very different problem. In
stead of corporations ruling the mu-
inequalities of the monarchies and mill
tary power of the Old World as they
do in the American republic the people
are there taking things in their own
hands.
Much has been said Of the municipal
gas and water plants and street rail-
ways of Great Britain, but now the
news comes that the great strike OF
laborers in Paris (Which was lost" ac-
cording to press reports), has resulted
in the discontinuance of municipal
contracts" and the direct employment
of laborers by the city in public works.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06
A MYSTERIOUS HAND,

Toward twilight, on an August day.
many years ago, two females were
seated by the open window of an an
cient house, situated in New Haven,
Conn.
One Of the women was an aged lady
of perhaps seventy, with a light,
CHEEKY face, the very portrait of good
nature and good health, and the other
by her side was Madeline Blackwood,
niece to the old lady, and a pretty,
mild-lcoking girl, whose years did not
exceed nineteen, whose face bore the
impression of loving, tender-hearted
girl, innocent and trusting in her ma
ture.
Eyes, dear Madeline. made my will
last night" the old lady is saying,
land l have made you my heiress,
Madeline"
"Oh, aunt, you overpower me with
your Kindness" Madeline answers. in
a pleasant voice.
Don't thank me, darling; I only do
as my heart dictates; poor dear, your
path has been a rough one. Four
years ago your father died, and 1 took
you here to my house. l have never
regretted that day 1 did So for l have
ever found you an obedient, indus
trious girl, and, as I'm an old maid"
and Miss Blackwood laughed, "and
have no one on earth to whom l could
beQueath my wealth, have selected
you as my future heiress."
The young girls face betrayed no
surprise, but a light flush overspread
it, and she kissed the ruddy cheeks
of her fathers sister, as that old lady
petted the girls curly head.
I'm not very sickly, darling" the
aged woman went on, nor am likely
to die very soon-at least DR.. CRANKY
says $3.50 you may have to wait
awhile; but while l live you shall be
my daughter"
ooh, dear aunt, please don't speak
that way. Don't speak of dying, my
best, my only friend. You cannot
conceive how deeply your words pain
me-"
"You do love me, then, darling?"
and the aged spinster looked tenderly
at her niece.
GAS I do my life, dear aunt" was
the girls answer, as she again kissed |
her aunt.
A few moments later the young girl |
left the room and her aunt was alone. |
For some moments the aged mis-
.ress of Blackwood house last buried |
in thought.
"She's good girl" at last muir
INJURED Miss Blackwood "and I've done
right in leaving her everything, and
she deserves it, poor girl. for her life
was checkered and ruffled one be-
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06

| Ihe Rain upon the Noofs
| Gan old favorlte)
| Long ago a poet dreaming,
Weaving fancy's warp and wool,
| Penned a tender, soothing poem
| On the Rain upon the Roof"
| Once I read 1t, and its beauty
Filled my heart with memories sweet
Days Of childhood fiuttered round me,
| Violets sprang beneath my feet.
And my gentle, loving mother
Spoke again in accents mild,
| CURLING every hayward passion
OF her happy thou6ktless child.
Then I heard the swallows twittering
Underneath the cabin caves,
And the laughing shout Of Willie
Up among the maple leaves
Then I blessed the poets dreaming,
Blessed his fancy's warp and woof,
And l wept DER memories treasured,
AS the rain fell on the roof.
Years ago I lost the poem,
But its sweetness fingered still,
As the freshness Of the valley
Marks where flowed the springtime rill.
Lost to reach, but not to feeling;
For the raln-drop never falls
Ger my head with pattering music,
But 1t peoples memorys halls.
With the old familiar faces
Loved and treasured long ago.
Treasured now as in life's springtime-
For no change my heart can know.
And / live again my childhood
In the home far, far away;
Roam the woodland, orchard, wildwood.
With my playmates still at play;
Then my gray hairs press the pillow.
Holding all the world aloof,
Dreaming sweetly as ] listen
To the rain upon the roof
Every pattering drop that falleth
Seemeth like an angels tread,
Bringing messages of mercy
To the weary heart and head.
Pleasant thoughts of years departed,
Pleasant soothings for to-day,
Earnest longings for tomorrow,
Hoping for the far away;
For I know each drop that falleth
Comes to bless the thirsty earth,
Making seed to bud and blossom,
Springing all things into birth.
AS the radiant bow that scattereth
All our faithlessness with proof
OF seedtme and a harvest,
So the rain upon the roof.
Mrs. F. B. Gage.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06

A twentieth century thank offering
Of twenty million dollars-one-half to
be devoted to the educational, the other
half to the charitable, enterprises of
the church-has been invited by the
Methodist Episcopal bishops. They
ask that 1t be subscribed and paid dur
ing the three years beginning the LIST
of January, and have named a COM
mission of clergymen and laymen to
carry the plan into effect. 1t is vast
amount that is demanded, vast enough
to test the faith and courage Of even
this great and generous denomination;
bat ours is not "day Of small things"
in Christian benevolence, and there
should be inspiration in the thought
of the great things that twenty mil
lion dollars will do.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06
Strikes In France.

The number of labor disputes ia
France in 1897 was 356. this number
being considerably less than in 1896.
in which year it was 476. but more
work people were directly involved
6S,S75 in 1897 and 49,S51 in 1896, and
the number of working days lost was
greater, being 72O,5ll in 1897, compared
with 3,006 in 1896
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06

The United States is generous and
pot disposed to harbor grudges when
the offending party is ready to admit a
mistake and shows a disposition toe
ward better behavior in the future.
Germany now processes friendship. II
1t manifests that friendship by a more
Just and generous spirit in its trade re-
lations with us the spitefulness Of the
Germans in uniform in the far east will
be overlooked, especially as no harm
was really done by it.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06

HAND"
fore her parents died. All, we'll, that's
ended now and Madeline shall never
want again, for when die she will be
rich
So unused Miss Blackwood in the
evening twilight, and Madeline Black
wood, shut up in her room in Black
wood house, lay ON her white bed,
thinking how she was to be her maiden
aunt's heiress.
AS three weeks went on there was
more company in the old house now,
for, at old Miss Blackwood's invita-
ton, her married sister, Annetta, and
her husband and eldest son, a young
man of five-and-twenty, came to pay
her a summer visit.
For couple of weeks the old Black
wood house was lively and full of Wis
itors, and Madeline never looked
handsomer, in the old aunt's estima-
ton, than she did in these days. B,x
this gayety and brightness was but
the prologue to an eventful event.
Late on a misty night in September,
after an evening of more than usual
pleasure among themselves, the in
mates of Blackwood house retired to
their various chambers, destined to
awaken in the morning on a scene of
great horror.
At the next morning the guests
and Madeline were seated at the break
fast table, when the housemaid came
screaming into the room.
"Oh, Miss Madeline! Oh, my-my-
poor, dear missus Is dead!"
With alarm, terror, and awe they
all hurried up to the old spinster's
chamber, and there, on the bed, with
an expression as If in calm sleep,
lay the old lady, dead.
There were no marks of rough usage
on her, nothing in the room was
touched; she had evidently died sud-
denly in the night by heart disease,
malady which the old lady had been
troubled with lately.
Madeline's grief at her aunt's death
was terrible to witness; people
thought she would go mad; but there
was one who took all quietly, who
passed in and out like shadow,
whose gray eyes were always fixed
strangely on Madeline Blackwood, for
days afterward, ara that person was
Paul Marsh, nephew to Miss Black
wood, whose strange death had boz
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06

The Shah of Persia owns the most
valuable armchair in the world 1t is
of solid gold, inlaid with precious
stones. At one time some of the stones
were stolen from one of the legs of the
chair, and the indignant Shah ordered
the arrest Of number of his servants
and held the keeper of the furniture re-
sponsible for the loss, with the intima-
ton that If the thief were not discov-
cred, the keeper would be beheaded.
The culprit, being eventually found,
was forthwith beheaded and his head
carried on pole by the imperial body
guard through the streets of Teheran.
It getarally turns out that broker
ldeaH always cracked.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06
The SUMS Changing Face.

For many years careful drawings Of
the shifting spots seen on the face OF
the sun have been made at the Kew
Observatory near London. This year
it has been decided to discontinue these
sketches, which were made by hand.
on account of the great progress re-
Gently accomplished in solar photogra-
ply. Photographs of the sun, which
are now taken every fair day. at va
rious observatories, present a more
complete record of old Soils changes of
countenance than the most careful
drawings could do.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06
Rivals.

"Why, what are you talking about?"N
mapped the telegraph to the telephone.
You don't compare with me. I'm the
ticket" ooh, but you're so old-fash-
ioned," replied the telephone. Look
at my connections. I'm received in
some of the best families" And the
telegraph simply dashed off in rage
and left the telephone to answer call
from one of the leading bells.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06

A prominent politician, having been
defeated in the late election, was ask
ed II he would now retire from poll
tics. NO." he replied, II have too
many friends to reward to go out yet"
In that reply was the whole philos-
ophy Of misgovernment.T The man who
is in politics for the sake of reward
Ing his friends is the very man who
should forever be debarred from the
public service.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06

Hobson has already done enough to
warrant-nay! to urge-the navy de-
partment in any effectual means for his
suppression. Enough to say that the
whole country is nauseated and exas-
perated, and that Hobson's retirement
from public observation will be the
most popular thing the authorities
could possibly contrive. He bores the
American people. Everybody, in and
out of the service, would be glad to
forget him for the next few years.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06

in the United States were far superior
to that of Great Britain. France and
Germany, the working people of those
countries immigrated to the United
States in large numbers, but when the
wage reductions and lack of employ
ment of the present decade became
known in those countries it was de-
batable question as to which Of the
countries afforded a native of Europe
the most desirable home.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06

William Onion is the rather rank
name Of a man who has been brought
before the London police courts one
thousand times on charges of drunk
enness and disorderly conduct. In
every city there are men-and occa-
sionally a woman-who thus go back
and forth between the saloon and the
Office of the police magistrate. On this
side Of the water we are gradually
learning to place under guardianship
and medical treatment those helpless
slaves of appetite who cry out, with
poor Roger:
My poor stomachs past reform;
And there are times when, mad with
thinking,
I'd give up heaven for something
warm,
To stop this horrible inward sinking.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06

Berlin dispatches announce that, ac-
cording to all reports from the Rhine
district, the vintage this year is most
unsatisfactory, both as to quantity
and quality. So small has been the
yield of grapes and so sour that many
winners have not thought 1t worth the
trouble to press their grapes, while
many more have not so much as har-
vested the crop. Reports from the
Moselle, Saar and Main districts are
equally unfavorable, Wurtemberg
alone reporting a fair vintage.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06
Wagon Loads of Homes.

Twenty-Five wagon loads of human
bones were recently buried in great
pit in the center OF the Municipal
square at Leipsic-the remains of the
French and Prussian soldiers who fell
in the assault on Leipsic, Oct. 10, 1873
A municipal commission has raised
1000 marks toward the erection of
beautiful monument above these re-
mains.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06

Careful weighing shows that an or
binary bee not loaded. weighs the
$1,000 part of pound, so that it takes
s 1000 bees to make pound. Blu. the
loaded bee, when it comes in fresh
from the fields and flowers. freighted
with honey or beebrcad. often weighs
nearly three times more.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06

One of the results of an earthquake
felt in the East Indies in September
last was the upheaving of new island
off the coast Of Borneo. opposite the
town of Labuan. 1t is only about $50
feet long and 500 broad, but it has in
creased in size since its first appear
ance.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06

Russia's standing army numbers
86S, 672 men and its size is the chief
cause Of the largeness Of the armies Of
the other powers. All Europe has
2.S54,5S3 men in arms, against 2.6OS,5S0
ten wears ago. The cost is now 1924
1873. 900 q year, against $75S,000,000 ten
years ago. Russia has only to set an
example Of disarmament in order to
effect the cars pious wish. He pro-
poses only a partial disarmament and
the other powers will be only too glad
to disarm in proportion as Russia dis
arms.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06

If crazy man should throw bricks
through the windows of the German
legation at Pekin, as actually happened
to the British ambassadors residence
in Washington, each brick would cost
China a province.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06

Mrs. O'Rourke-They say the MI
Faddens is putin on piles OF airs late
ly. Mrs. Nolan-Yis. they are git
tin into high society. Their boy Mike
has been hired by wan Nv them golfers
fer a caddy.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06
Slow.

THAT clock tinker is awfully behind
the times" why? Because his work
is in front of him." Worse than that
He is Just doing his spring cleaning"
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06
LABOR AND INDUSTRY
SOME ITEMS OF INTEREST TO
UNION WORKMEN.

Tho Eight Hour Movement In Australia
Tremendous Demonstration by the
Union Labor Forces of the City of
Sydney General Labor Notes.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06

Though woman be as much chased
rs ice in mint julep days, and as pure
as baking powder, yet shall she not es'
cape calumny.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06

Some warm protests may be expected
from our prohibition friends against
the scheme to make Dewey Full" adj
miral.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06

Milton and Homer were both blind.
This is conclusive evidence that out
OF sight isn't always out of mind.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06

The moth is not a society favorite.
even II 1t does frequently appear in q
dress suit.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06

The slip 'twixt the cup and the lip
doesn't prevent the mustache from get
ting into the soup.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06

The finger Of destiny Is undoubtedly
ON the hand Of fate.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06

A close student of human nature
never lends money to his friends.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06

Tho son-in-law is often the child of
sorrow.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06

There ia no earthly love 70 true and
inexpensive as q mothers love.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-06
In Her Line

In Her Line
my! how she puts on" We'll. what
can you expect Of milliner?"