davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1900-05-26
NEVER HEARD OF THE WAR.
Chinese Who Refuse to Believe That
Japan Defeated Them.

The ignorance In which the Chinese
government keeps It's people In respect
to its international relations Is demon
strated by letter written by Joseph
Walton, a member of the British par
lament, who has just returned to Lon
don from n tour in China. Japan, ko-
rea, Indo-China and India. Mr.. wal
ton says that in one of the most dense
ly populated provinces Of the Celestial
empire the war with Japan has not
been heard of, and the inhabitants re-
fuse to believe that their country has
ever been defeated. Mr.. Walton's let
ter In part Is as follows:
81 Travelled l,G00 miles up the Yang
tse to Shrinking. For the first l,OOO
miles | went up 10y steamer. and then
by Chinese houseboat up the rapids
and gorges of the Yang-tse. only ac-
complishng 20 miles In nine days.
Then | was met by Mr. Archibald Lit
ties launch. in which, In the same
period, | travelled $50 miles. The last
400 miles was through Szechuen. the
objective of the British Burma and up
per Yang-tse railway. On both sides
OF the river. which at Shrinking l
found to be three-quarters Of a mile
wide at low water, the country was
cultivated like garden.
al saw thousands and thousands or
commodious homesteads surrounded
by clumps OF bamboo and orange trees.
with patches Of ground Of the richest
alluvial soil, cultivated without weed
and producing two and three crops or
opium. tobacco. indigo, sugar cane, etc.
II was Il new world. whose people had
never heard OF the war with Japan ana
who refused to believe that China had
ever been beaten by that country. IL
was a land Of peace. plenty ana CIVIL
zation. walked scores of miles
through farms. villages and towns. and
was everywhere treated with courtesy
and civility.
at every place we touched the popu-
lation turned out en- masSe to see our
little putting launch forging Its way up
against the current. this being only the
second time that this part of the river
had been so navigated. afterward
came down the rapids In the launch-it
was the first time they had been shot
by a steamer-accomplishing the jour-
ney of 457 miles from Shrinking to
I-chang in 81 hours Of steaming. Over
and over again the little craft was
practically buried in the seething rap
ids. The possibilities Of trade in this
region are so vast that they can scarce
" be estimated. On the upper Yang
tse alone there are 5000 trading
junks. each manned by some 100 men.
making a total of 100000 persons en-
gagged in the carrying trade-fearless
men of fine physique"
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1900-05-26
Schwab's Rapid Rise.

Twenty years ago." says the Chlca-
go Tribune. Charles Nj. Schwab went
to work in the Carnegie iron works at
Pttsburg as stake driver at salary
Of 81 a day. Now he is president Of
the Carnegie Steel company, limited,
and draws a salary larger than that Of
the president Of the United States.
And he is only 81 years old.
"He was born in Pennsylvania and
had only a common school education.
At 10 years of age he went to work,
and he does not believe in college ed
ucatiOn for a business man. For a
year or two he drove mail wagon and
clerked in a grocery store. In his sew
enteenth year he got a job with the
Carnegie company. His first work
was to drive stakes for the foundation
of a new building. His rise was so
rapid as to be phenomenal. He be-
came chief engineer in 1887. general
manager little later and in 1896 a
partner in the company.
Years ago he was offered a salary Of
more than $4,000 a year to 60 to Eng
land and take charge of some English
iron and steel works. This offer he
declined at once"
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1900-05-26
Av.rv Unavoidable story.

Not so very long ago visitor to the
White Housc-not a guest Of the presi-
dent. but on business-had occasion to
use a Scrlptural quotation. and, some
question arising as to the exact lam
guage. a Bible was called for. One or
the numerous colored men was sent
after the White House Bible. But In
due time he returned with the lnforma-
ton that there was not a Bible upon
the premises The visitor was greatly
shocked, and before he left handed a
dollar to the colored man with orders
to purchase Bible and put 1t In some
place convenient for reference. Sad to
relate. the Bible has not yet made its
appearance. but visitors are Informed
on the slightest provocation that the
executive mansion of this Christian
nation il Bibleless.-Chicago Journal.
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1900-05-26
POINT OF THE JOKE.
A Wittieism Which Puzzled a Mum
Der of Persons.

A Wittieism Which Puzzled IA Num-
Der of Persons.
The following alleged witticism,
taken from the columns of the New
York Life, appeared In The News a
few days ago:
Teacher-And who was Cain?
Small Boy-I guess he must have
been the first Englishman.-Life.
Since that time many letters have
been received by The News from in
terested readers asking that the point
of the joke be explained. A well
known musician. who is an English
man by birth. called at The News Of
fee to get at the bottom of the joke.
He said that English people were said
to be slow in seeing the point of joke,
but that he readily saw the fun in
most of the current jests. This one.
however, he was unable to fathom.
Here are solutions suggested by a
reader:
at might be said that the charm of
this particular joke lies in its variety
of points. 1t might be that Cain was
like the first Englishman because he
killed his brother. This Interpretation
is given presuming that the reader is
familiar with the South African situa-
ton. Then. taking into consideration
the inability Of the English to down
the Beers quickly. 1t might be that Cain
Is like the Englishman because he
wasn't Abel. Then, too, Cain is like
the Englishman because nobody now
living ever saw either.
"The fact that Cain killed Abel with
a club or stick has some connection
with the Englishman who cannot see
a joke. for could not Abel have said
on being struck. That sticks meT
again, If the first Englishman was
as particular about his appearance as
the members of his race, both might
have remarked. Il want to be perfectly
killing baltimore News.
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1900-05-26
A eEwITCHCD BEEF STEAK.
Inventor Tripler's Funny Caper In
m Boatou II egtnuranf.

Boston u cftnurunt.
Charles +. 'rripler. the famous expert
menter In liquid air. recently went to
Boston to visit his friend, Elihu
Thompson, the electrical expert. He
took with him can Of llquefed air.
1t was a simple looking can and might
have held baked beans or cold coffee.
30 far as It's outward appearance went.
But 1t contained a fluid so cold that n
cake Of Ice acts on II like fire on wa.
ter 1t makes II boil. Ii Is so cold
that II freezes alcohol stin and turns
mercury into substance hard enough
To drive nails with. Ii was quart OF
the coolest thing on earth that MIR
Tripler had in his tin can. and he took
It with him 10 luncheon. where he put
II on the floor by his chair. They
Iunched In hotel cafe and ordered
steak. After II had been brought In
and while the walters back was turn
ed Mr.. Trlpler lifted II from the plat
ter, opened the can and exposed the
meat to the liquid air. When he put
It back on the platter, 1t was as hard
as rock.
"Walter." called Mr. Tripler. come
here" The waiter obeyed.
"What's the matter with this steakr'
he asked anXiously.
And he lifted II from the plate by
two fingers and struck II with his
knife. The frozen meat rang like a
bell.
az d-d-on't k-n-now. SIR" he faltered.
and he started for the head walter on
the run.
Mr.. Tripler. by the way IL one OF the
fiercest looking men In the inventng
business. His musinche Is OF the pi-
rate cut. and his eyebrows brlstle ana
meet In the middle Therefore the head
waiter approached him with almost
timldity.
ado you serve your steaks like this
as ruler" asked Mr.. Tripler as he
struck the time Of day on 1t.
ITS that fool chef" explained the
head waiter as he started for the
kitchen.
A few minutes later the chef APP
peared with the head waiter. He rec.
ognizpd the steak by sight at once
Then Mr.. Tripler took II up and made
It ring again.
Mercy Gracious" CIRCULATED the
chef. plously crossing himself. IL did
not do II. sure"
Then Mr. Tripler smiled. and Mr.
Thompson laughed. A new steak was
ordered. and the frozen one was car
ried below to fool the rest OF the kltch-
en.-Phlladelphia Evening Post.
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1900-05-26
Preached In the Dark.

The fact that daylight and darkness
are alike to the Rev. Mr.. David, a well
known northwest Missouri Baptist
minister, owing to his blindness, was
responsible for a rather unusual anG
somewhat amusing situation during
the services conducted by him in the
Maryville Baptist church on a recent
Sunday night. Mr.. David had but just
got started in his discourse when the
electric lights suddenly went out. leav-
ing the congregation in total darkness.
The minister. however, knew nothing
of it and preached right along. his
auditors remaining perfectly quiet I'M
til the close Of the sermon.
Then, following the announcement
Of the hymn, the chorister rose and
said. Brother David. the lights have
been out almost half an hour, and we
cannot see to sing" And then light
although not the one thar failed,
dawncd upon the sightless orator. and
he hurriedly pronounced the benedic-
ton and dismissed his congregation
Kansas City Journal.
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1900-05-26

Speaker Henderson" says Leslie's
Weekly, sis extremely quick at repair
tee-almost as noted in this regard as
his predecessor. His shafts. however
lack the biting irony Of Mr. Reeds.
AT one of Mrs. Henderson's recent re-
ceptions there were among the visitors
two sisters whose striking resem-
blance to each other and their mother
is widely commented upon.
How much Mrs. Y. and Miss W..
look alike! remarked the speaker to
Mrs. Henderson.
(which is the Handsomely spoke
up some one standing near by, much
to the embarrassment of the women.
Quick as a fash Mr.. Henderson
turned to the mother of the women In
question, a noted belle in her time and
still woman Of much beauty. Their
mother is more beautiful than either,
said the speaker CALAMITY"
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1900-05-26
THE FUTURE OF BREAD.
Curious Wheat Problem That the
World Has to Face.

If Sir William Crookes Is to be be-
lieved, scarcity Of food Is not by any
means remote 1t may come within
sight OF persons now alive. and these
not very young. The case may be very
easily stated. At present the dencien-
cies Of the wheat eating countries are
supplied by North America. especially
by the United States.
In 1913 the wheat crop OF the Unit
ed States was about 540,0OOOOO bush
els. OF this quantity 2l7,0OO,OOO bush
els were exported to Europe, where no
country, excepting Russia and Turkey,
grows enough for its own population.
The States are able to do this without
trenching on the home supply because
the total population is not more than
75,00O,000. In 1881. If the increase or
population goes on at the same rate
as that of the last 30 years, the 7o.OOO.'
600 will have increased to l30.000,OO0,
and the surplus for export will be no
longer available.
Whence, therefore. will the wants OF
the world be supplied? Russia at pres
ent exports largely. the total being
something more than two-ffths Of that
from the States. But 1t cannot be
hoped that Russia will come to the
rescue of a hungry world. 1t Is already
hungry itself, exporting food while Its
own people are starving. Any change
here must be in the way of distribu.
ton. This change will be the more
speedy because the Russian popula'
ton, In spite of its sufferings. In
creases. Indeed. the difficulty Of the
general problem is aggravated by the
fact that up to the point Of actual
starvation scarcity not only does not
check, but actually stimulates the rate
Of increase. A perfectly well fed, well
educated and generally comfortable
population has a tendency to diminish
rather than to grow.-London Spec
tatOr
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1900-05-26
In a Quaudnry.

A western member of the house is In
curious quandary. He wants to oblige
a constituent who is anxious to be mar
ried, and yet
The story is interesting. In the war
department is lovely girl who gets
$500 a year. She has a sister whom
she supports on the salary. Her af-
famed is the constituent of the con-
gresham, and they cannot be married
until the sister finds some employment.
The would be husband has told the
congressman that the proper thing is
to put the sister In the 81, 800 place, and
the congressman cannot make it plain
to him that this is an impossibility un-
der the civil service law.
But want to marry the girl, and /
can't until her sister gets a place"
complains the anxious lover.
So now the congressman is trying to
get the sister clerksbip in the census
bureau, and If he is successful the we'd
ding will take place. Washington Post
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1900-05-26
CHlCAGO'S NOTED RIVER.
II Not Washed Too Clean, 1t May BE
Seen Flowing Both Ways.

II Not Washed Too Clean, 1t May BE
Seen Flowing Both Ways.
That the drainage canal can flow two
ways at once may seem queer, but
Isham Randolph, chief engineer Of the
sanitary district. says it is entirely
possible. Not only is it possible, says
he. but in all probability there will be
half a dozen or a dozen times a year
when such peculiar phenomenon may
be observed.
A southwest wind following soon aft
er a northeast wind would almost GER
tainly create such a condition, accord
ing to mir. Randolph. AS every one at
all familiar with the whims and pecul
iarities of Lake Michigan knows, a
sustained northeast wind lasing sew
eral days will raise the level at the
Chicago end of the lake and send
great quantities of water into the Chi
cago river. A southwest wind has the
opposite effect, and the effect would be
most marked when brought about i'm
mediately after northeastern. The
wafer PAicO up III thC vi oihoSN NoAi'
would begin to flow to the lake with
the falling level-that is, the surface
water would. The actual flow in the
canal would be maintained owing to
the open sluice gates at the LockpOrt
end, so the two mile an hour flow to
ward Lockport would keep up, but be-
meath the surface. AS long as the
southwest breeze would last the wa
ter would be flowing the two ways at
once.
81 never saw that So clearly Illus
trated," said Mr.. Randolph In explain
ing the phenomenon. ''as one day when
we were pumping water out Of pool
in the canal when we were building it..
The pumped water was all rolled and
black, and it poured into some exceed
ingly clear water from a spring near
the Des PLANES river There was a
breeze, enough to create surface cur
rent on the clear water, through which
the current of yellow water could be
clearly observed flowing In the opposite
direction. Straws and chips thrown
out ON top of the clear water were
borne along Its surface one way, while
several feet below the CRIME and silt
of the pumped current were plainly
visible moving the other way."-Chi-
cagO News.
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1900-05-26
A Democratic Duke.

The Duke of Norfolk is noted for his
kind heart and for his utter disregard
for his personal appearance. So far Is
he from a proud and naughty DISPOSE
ton that he is known by the tenants on
his estates as Uncle Henry" Because
of the poor clothes which he wears he
has been the victim of some curious
and amusing adventures. On. one Oc-
casion he had engaged to distribute
the prizes to the pupils at convent.
instead of riding to the convent in
state he walked and was met in the
grounds by one of the sisters, who.
judging from his appearance that he
was an applicant for charity, expressed
her sorrow that relief was not dis
tributed on that day. II know. Sis
ter" said the duke. but you do dis.
tribute prizes. and | have come to dis.
tribute them for YOU"
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1900-05-26
Desperate Wheeling.

1t was In the north end Of Benton
county. a solitary wheelman pedaled
in the direction Of Corvallis. The
wheel was n sorry looking machine as
it trundled slowly along. Rags. buck
skin strings and wire clOthesline had
been applied to the various parts. A
man after four nights Of toothache
never looked more dilapidated than
did this wheel. Around the rim and
tire of the hind wheel was wrapped
about four miles of binding Irvine.
"The tire came off and ! fastened It
back with twine," explained the rider
to a passerby. Then the darned thing
lost its wind with puncture, and |
filed it up with oats, and now I'm 60
ing to ride to Corvallis or bust."-Cor-
wallis Times.
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1900-05-26
TITLES IN THE ARMY.
Officers Are Called "Mr." Until They
Reach the Rank of Captain.

OUlceTb arc 0hiltu MY bhth HWY
Reach the Rank of Captain.
People who are not versed in matters
of army usage often ask why certain
army officers are addressed as mister"
and not by their titles. To the men
who enter the service from West Point
the custom Is well understood, because
they know that, no matter how much
authority they may have or how gay
their uniform may be, they are sim
ply "misters" until they wear two bars
on their shoulder straps. A recent Oc-
currence in the Army building Illus
trated the matter. A man who had
service in the war with Spain had been
appointed to lieutenancy in the new
volunteer army and called at one Of
the offices at the headquarters on
matter Of business. There the officer
In charge presented him to a United
States army officer
"Major Blank, allow me to present
Mr.. Smith-Mr. Smith, Major Blank"
The volunteer officer limited In a
modest way, when the major had with
drawn, that it might have been well
to let the fact be known that he also
was an army officer. "Oh, that's all
right" said the officer who had acted
as host, everybody is mister until be
IL captain"
Even in service the first and second
ljeutenants are addressed "mlster" by
officers of higher rank. The custom is
so general that 1t is not unusual for
lieutenants in the regular service to
have their visiting cards engraved with
the "Mr" prefixed, thus:
"Mr. John Brown Smith, United
States Army"
The officer in the regular service also
shows a preference for civilians dress,
which the volunteer officer does not
always share. When not on duty. at
home on leave or on his way to post
the regular officer usually wears no
part of his uniform, and prefers to APP
pear as an ordinary citizen.-New York
Tribune
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1900-05-26
A KEYLESS LOCK.
IL Is the Latest Innovation Proposed
For PostOhice Boxes.

IL IL the Latest Innovation Proposed
For Postofice boxes.
There Is more than 100000 of the
peoples money locked up in postofiice
KEYS. each and every keyholder being
required 10 put up with the postmaster
a deposit for his key. the amount de-
posted being returned when the box Is
given up and rent paid. Postmastcrs
are required to keep n strict account OF
the key deposit fund. while the post
Office department here has regular d.
vision set apart for keeping this ac-
count. AS postal official puts II. there
is a great deal Of trouble and no money
In the transactions. and the final out
come Of the trial of the keyless locks
which are TO be- tried in the principal
offices of the country Is eagerly looked
for. The department has long wanted
a keyless lock. but none of the lock In
ventions until the present was regard
ed as IN any way calculated to prove
acceptable. Contracts have been made
for n supply Of the new locks. which
will first lie tried in New York. Boston.
Philadelphia. Chicago and st. Louis as
the largest and most important offices
and then in ST. Paul. Cleveland. Hart
ford. Madison. Wis. and Rockford, Ills.
These Offices will be- fitted out as soon
as the factory cnn complete the making
Of the boxes. II they prove In every
way satisfactory 10 the department
and to the patrons. they VIII be placed
In Offices throughout the country. but
not to the entire exclusion OF the lock
boxes II is the belief of the postofilce
department lock experts That the key
less box will prove blessing. Wash
ingtOu Times.
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1900-05-26
AN UP TO DATE CHURCH.
Lobby Like Theater and Prosoeni-
um Boxes Fer the DeacOns.


The new First Baptist temple Of Co
iumbus. o., which was dedicated re-
Gently. is one of tie unique edifices in
the west. In style II is modified form
Of Gothic, without cupola. dome or
steeple. Though it has beautifully
wrought stained glass Gothic windows
and arches. many RomanesQue fea-
lures are used in the minor parts. espe-
cially in the interior decorations, where
the arrangement Of the building is most
striking
Instead OF entering the house OF wor-
ship through small vestibule the Wis
itor steps through the gorgeously cary-
ed Gothic portal into long corridor,
on either side of which are offices, lee
ture rooms. nursery. parlors and sim
liar rooms. At either side near the end
of the lobby beautiful carved stair
cases lead to the balcony above.
The end of the lobby leads directly
into the main auditorium exactly as
the lobby of a theater.
From the wide aisle which runs
around the rear Of the room under the
circular balcony good view is had OF
the commodious stage which the Bap-
fist minister Is to use for his pulpit
and where are located the great organ
and the seats for the choir.
The proScenium arch is deliberately
decorated and lacks only the drop cur
tain and the flies to carry out the stage
effect. On either side of the stage pull
pit are a series Of boxes designed TO be
used for the deacons Of the church In
stead of the traditional "amen cor
ners." The pitched floor. with its cir
cular balcony. the boxes and the stage,
with their rich ornamentation and bril-
liant frescoing. give the heholder the
impression Of being in pretty little
fheater rather than in n church.
A tour OF the building will disclose
every modern convenience. including
electric lights, water plumbing, a room
for bicycles. cloakroomS. library, Sun
day school room. kitchen and lavato-
ries.-Philadelphi Inquirer.
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1900-05-26

A church in which only two services
are held during the course Of any one
year is n curiosity. yet such a one can
be found in tic middle Of large field
near the village Of Towton. England.
1t was originally erected as a memorial
to Lord de Clifford. who fell In the
battle Of Towton in 1861. Services
were instituted for the purpose Of
praying for the repose Of his soul and
those of his followers who fell in that
historic battle. They might have been
discontinued long ago did not the vicar
of Rythcr, in whose parish the church
is situated, receive the tithes from no
less than 1909 acres Of land that are
dedicated to the little sanctuary.
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1900-05-26
His Matrimonial Career.

George Wray. aged 1903. secured a d.
vorce In Columbus. Ind, on June 22
from Susan E. Wray. aged 80 He had
been married four times, OUTLYING
three wives. He said that his last wife
came to him and offered to take care
of him IL he would marry her. but that
she had robbed him Of over $1,000 in
gold since they were married, eight
years ago. He is the progenitor OF
great part Of the Wray family in south
ern Indiana. having several great
great grandchildren.
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1900-05-26
AReminder of Goldsmith.

Perhaps nothing in the career Of OIL
yer Goldsmith is so well known as his
affection for Mary Korneck, the "Jes-
samy Bride" Once he tried to thrash
a publisher for printing a libel about
her and was severely thrashed himself
for his pains. The other day In Lon
don some Of her bijouterie was sold at
public auction, among which was
locket containing a lock of Goldsmith's
hair. Mrs. Gwyn, as she afterward
became, died In 1910 in her eighty
eighth year.