davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1901-12-08
PHONES ON TRAINS.
One Rnnd out OF Chicago Puts Them
Into Operation.

novel plan for telephoning from
trains to different parts OF Chicago is
now being considered by officers of the
| Northwestern Railroad. The idea is TO
equip the overland limited train of this
line with telephones and connect them
with wires OF the Chicago Telephone Com
pany for the convenience OF travellers
who may desire to telephone friends OF
for business purposes after they have
reached the depot, but before the train is
started.
The overland limited is the great Cali
fornia train of this road being made up
entirely of sleeping cars. 1t departs from
Chicago at p. m. II has been demon
strated that many persons after they ar
rive at the station or have boarded the
train desire to telephone to friends or
others before the train starts. Articles
are often forgotten or some important
business neglected in the hurry to reach
the station. 1t has been found inconven-
lent to 90 up into the station to use the
public telephones, and in doing this there
is a liability of being left before the con-
nection is secured OF the business trans
acted over the wire.
II is now proposed to obyiate all in
convenience and liability Of missing
trains by connecting the entire train with
the central office of the Telephone COM
pany, the idea being to place phone in
every sleeper. BY such an arrangement
connection with any part of the city. may
be secured without the necessity of the
passengers leaving the train or taking any
chances of being left. The conversation
over the wire may be carried on until the
train starts. a simple contrivanCe being
used to disconnect the wires at the last
minute.
1t is further planned to equip the cars
with telephones to be used between the
different parts of the train while the lat
ter is running. This was done recently
by the Canadian Pacific road in the spe-
cial train used for the travels OF the
Duke OF Connaught.
The plan is 10 place small telephones
in every compartment and in one end Of
the open sleeper. In this way If 4 patron
desires something from the dining car. a
light luncheon. a meal served in the sleep
er. or even cigar or newspaper. all that
Will be necessary will be to ring up the
porter in the diner. conductor OF the |
diner or the news agent and order what |
Is wanted. This will obviate the neces- |
sity Of calling a porter and waiting his |
pleasure.
So far as can be learned the scheme OF !
the Northwestern IN the telephone line /
has never been tried by any railroad in I
the woTld.-ChiCago Chronicle
The Washington times., 1901-12-08
Italian NIOlins.
Che CoHnoisseur.)


Italian v!olins have not always held the
supremacy they now enjoy. II was not.
indeed. till the beginning Of the nine
teenth century that they came into vogue
TO any extent outside their native land.
Previously Jacob Steiner q621-SSj was the
fayorite maker. and his high model had
been almost exclusively copied by his fell
low-Germans and the different makers in
France and England When the elder
Corvette. who had been a merchant be-
fore entering the musical profession
cane 10 London. in 1888 he brought with
MIN some instruments By Stradivari. The
result Of this endeayor to introduce Ital-
ian work inio England fills one with
pathetic wonder; il is almost beyond be-
lief As he could not get as much as c5
f25j for yiDlonoello, he was Obliged to
send ihe instrument back TO Italy as
bad speculation. Five pounds for a
"Strad. and not a single purchaser 20 be
found This incident in Itself furnishes
sufficient testimony 10 the slavish follow
Ing OF the great German maker and the
strong prejudice III the viollnists Of thar
period iG favor Of The high model II ia
indeed, the players who are most 10 blame
for the slow adoption OF the fiat model
for the creator must make what Is neces-
STATED by the demand; but the eighteenth
century hddlcrs, AZ any rate ia England
France, and Germany. seem for the most
part to have been content that their yio-
Inns should possess a small sweet tone
never realizing the lack OF power and
sorority.
The Washington times., 1901-12-08
CHINESE MONEY.
Willy orientuIs plan 10 Prevent Cir
culaiion of Mexican Dollars.

Ever since Talking of Chi invented a
coinage instead of other means of ex-
change the Empire has used copper cash
as currency Formerly China used gold,
silver and copper but silver was the
standard. But the ounce and touch varied
endlessly in different places. This was
greatly to the loss and Inconvenience of
the people. When foreign trade began
the foreign coins gradually came into cir
culation in the ports. The Spanish dollar
and the Mexican dollar were the coins
used. These we're both seventy-two in
weight. but the Spanish dollar was purer
silver, and so exchanged for more cash.
The last few years the Spanish dollar is
gradually disappearing and the Mexican
dollar holds the field. The product OF the
Mexican silver mines is sent to the Unit
ed States, where il is converted into sill
yer bricks. It is then sent back to Mexico
to be coined, whence IL is exported to
China This Is exceedingly profitable to
Mexico.
Some copper is put into these dollars.
Now the Chinese officials are endeavor-
ing TO divert these profits into Chinese
hands. coming the dragon dollars in
weight and touch the same as the Mexi-
can. Hence proclamation are issued ex-
horting the people to use the new coins,
for the more they are used the fewer
Mexicans viii be imported. Recently an
edct was issued ordering the officials OF
every province to accept for taxes and
other Government dues. 80 per cent OF
dragon dollars, and to pay out in the
same proportion. The writer thinks that
IL would be much better to allow the
whole amount to be paid in dollars For
this 20 per cent In one coin and the bal
ance in another only opens one more door
for subordinates 10 peculate by manipu-
lsting the rate OF exchange
II the circulation OF dollars becomes
universal it is evident that the min,s
viii need 10 increase their output There
need be no talk. as was recently pro-
posed. about reducing the number OF the
mints by abolishing the NanIing mint.
The edict orders Liu K'un-yi Chang Chlh-
tung and Tao Mon to consult and agree
upon regulations for their several mints.
(The coins Of the HanRchow mint do not
find favor outside Fuklen and Chekiang,
Trans.) Although the dragon dollar is
nomnally equal in all respects TO the
Mexican, yet there is suspicion that its
touch is not equal 10 II, and hence the
dragon dollar does not make such head
way as expected. Probably this is due to
the a,arice Of the officials. Other things
being equal. Chinese viii prefer Chinese
coins. How is It then that they still pre-
for Mexican? There must be something
wrong with the dragon dollars. If the
people see the Government take every
thing in dollars. then they will have conf
dence in the new coins and their use
VIII become universal.-Shanghai Mer-
curry
The Washington times., 1901-12-08
FIRST ELECTRIC
LOCOMOTIVE.
An Interesting Feature at the Ma
tional Museum.
OLD MACHINE ON EXHIBITION
Made an Experimental Trip 90 BIa-
densburE i'm 1851, hut Was n
Fniiure-was the Invention of
Professor Charles G.. Page.

One Of the most prominent and inter-
estins features in the philosophical de-
pa-tment Of the National Museum Is the
electromagnetic locomotive. This curious
engine was the invention OF Prof Charles
G.. Page. who presented 1t to the museum
in 1851. The engine was, as few persons
probably are aware. the subject Of an In
teresting experiment on the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad az the time OF its In
vention. 1t was run on the tracks of that
company from this city to Bladensburg
and back.
The result Of the test was not salts
factory Prof Pnge explained. however.
that the run was made with only half the
power the engine and batteries we're eapa-
bic Of yielding. Each engine was esti-
mated By Prof. Gage at twelve horse
power, which would make the locomotive
twenty-four horse power.
Did Not Run Easily.
The locomotive. with batteries fun
charged, weighs ten and a half tons. with
the seven passengers taken on its trial
trip 1t weighed eleven tons. Under the
most favorable arrangements eight pounds
push is required to start a ton on a per
feetly level rail. and seven pounds will
barely keep a ton in motion. The mag
netic locomotive. the first OF its Kind ever
made, being imperfect and full Of stiffness
IN all It's parts. ran very hard
horse power. as usually estimated, Is
100 pounds. running two and half miles
per hour. or 375 pounds running one mile
per hour. The speed OF the magnetic To-
connective was fifteen miles per hour on a
level road. and its traction was 200
pounds. 1t was, therefore. estimated that
this locomotive developed eight horse
power when in notion But it had a
greater power at lower speed.
Porous Batteries Broke.
After the engine was on the road Il
was found necessary to throw out Of ac-
tion five of the heiices. and these at the
most important part Of the stroke This
difficulty could not be overcome without
taking out both OF the engines, which
could not he done at the time. Another
difficulty encountered on this expert
mental trip was the breaking of the por-
Gus cells in the battery, causing a mix
ture Of the two acids and the intercept
tion of a large portion of the power. In
all, seven Of the porous cells broke, which
took about one-half Of the power.
Going to Bladensburg the LOCOMOTIVES
was stopped Ave times. or the run would
have been made in thirty minutes. One
very important and interesting feature OF
this magnetic locomotive was that its re-
verslng power was greater than its pro-
pelllng power. nearly twice as great. In
fact, which Prof. Page had demonstrated
several years before.
The Washington times., 1901-12-08
EELs A MYSTERY TO SCIENTISTS
No One seems to Know How Thcy
Propagate.

1t is no uncommon thing for the Fish
Commission TO receive applications for
consignments OF eels' eggs wherewith to
stock pool or stream. The request is in
variably refused, not because there is any
intention to h. disobliging, but for the
reason that nobody in this world knows
whether eels lay eggs or not II they do.
man has never beheld them. and to get
hold OF any is quite out of the question.
In case you want to establish eels Ia
your water preserves, you can buy young
ones by the pailful at a cheap rate, and
they viii grow big enough to eat or send
TO market within three years. 1t may be
fairly said the eel as to It's breeding. is
the most mysterious animal in existence.
It's method OF propagation has puzzled
science for centuries, and has been a sub
Ject Of more or less superstitious specu-
lation among many people for thousands
oil years. The ancient Egyptians had their
own theories regarding the matter.-New
York Journal.
The Washington times., 1901-12-08

raise an argument with the person whom
| he directly addresses.
There Is also the very lnqulsitIye ren-
| tleman who wants to know more from the
guide than there Is time to tell him This
parsonage is bent on getting facts. and
should ne come in contact with the cynic
and the disputatious gentleman. he is soon
in condition bordering on distraction.
He produces n notebook Mt an early stage
Of the Journey and begins to make entries
therein He Is deep In this OCCUPATION.
and evidently highly gratiGed when tho
disputatious gentleman begins. aud weak =
ems his confidence in the guide by fatty
contradicting one OF that individuals
statements. From this moment the we'll
intentioned cleaner OF facts Is kent vi
hrating In anxiety and doubt between the
guide and the dIsputatious gentleman
The Cynic Aboard.
Then the cynic breaks in by scouting
asst after facts lapses into a state of de-
spair. in which he continues until the end
OF the journey.
The cynic. by the way. has an uncomfort-
able trick. which the unfortunate guide.
who holds forth in inOnologue at one end
of the car, learns to dread very soon. and
which persevcred in any great length OF
time would render that devoted function
airy a nervous wreck. He. the cynic. shows
his appreciation. or rather his detesta-
tion, of every witticism or fight of humor
essayed by the monologist. by a belated
and emphatic laugh. the bitter mockcry
Of which is intense. AS the purpose of
this laugh, the execution of which is quite
an artistic performance, is too evident.
the guides nerves are perceptibly shaken,
and he continues to eye the cynic In evil
dent apprehension, especially when his
monoloEue, which has been committed TO
memory. calls for another humorous re-
mark or unusual burst OF eloquence.
OEIcd by Pedestrians.
observation tour is furnished in the varied
expressions that greet one from pedestri-
ans on the sidewalks and streets
The car. as is probably well known. an
nounces its purpose somewhat ambig-
uously it is to be feared, in respect to
meaning. but very obtrusively in letters
over foot in height. painted gorgeously
on either side of the vehicle. The ex-
pressions of wonder and surprise, ming
led with much curiosity, that are 10 be
seen on visages of every style OF human
architecture. so to speak, are not a little
dlyerting. 1t would seem that persons
VINO had out moment before been
weighed down by grief and care or i'm
mersed in profound thought, pick up sur
at the sight of the observation
car, in which they seem instantaneously
to take the livelIest interest
So that, barring such exceptions as
have been noted in the cynic. and the
gentlemtn and their victims,
the observation car really creates a feel
ing of general satisfaction
The Washington times., 1901-12-08
AN AMBIGUOUS TELEGRAM.
TnhIction of "A Heavy Cost Upon the
Unfortunate Sender.

A good story illustrates the danger that
lies IN ambiguonsly worded telegraph
yer OF large means and adequate knowl-
edge of the value of the dollar had gone to
an auction sale OF laces, of which she is
inordinately fond. and had seen some
pieces which took her fancy. The price
was $1,000, and she hesitated to make the
purchase without asking her husband
whether she should do so. and received
this reply: ''No price too high
Madame promptly bought the laees. and
so struck was she by the generosity. not
to say gallantry OF her husband. that she
added to her store $1,000 worth beside.
When her husband returned that evening.
she learned that the despatch he had sent
read this way: mo. Price too high. -
New York Commercial Advertiser.
The Washington times., 1901-12-08

ton his place of destiny to visit Pa;a-
goDia. which is very little known. Some
parts, indeed, have never been explored
by white man. Whether he will reside
quietly in the midst of civilization or will
perish in the wilds of an unknown coun-
try, ne is not prepared to predict.
He takes everything philosophically. and
there is little chance OF his remaining
long in one place The wandering spirit
is too strong within him, and it is his
nature TO seek new scenes, new attrac-
tiOns and new experiences.
The Washington times., 1901-12-08
English Ms She Il. smoke.

clara-Did you cry out when the den
tist Was pulling your tooth?
May-No; l never opened my mouth.
Clara--How did he get 1t outg Through
your ear?-Cbelsea Gazette.
The Washington times., 1901-12-08
Likes To Argue.

There is the disputatious old man. He
is not a bit soured or cynical. but likes
an argument, and takes the ground that
he is right. and everybody else is wrong.
As he is original in his observations, and
has, moreover, an exasperating air Of pos
itiveness, be is eminently qualified for
raising a violent discussion. He has a
yeritsble genius for depression. and in
the course OF the tour discusses a null
titude OF subjects. from the potato crop
to political economy. Should he be near
the guide. unhappily for that Individual,
he starts a discussion at the very first ex-
planatory statement. As It would be
manifestly incJnvenient. not TO say un-
fair to the rest Of the hearers, to stop
the car TO argue the matter out, the
only course to pursue Is 10 disregard his
presence. But this is not so easy for
he singles out a victim from among the
passengers, and contradicts the state
ments of the guide audibly, until he can
The Washington times., 1901-12-08

In the new Parislan Sante prison. in the
Pont Royal boulevard. The Government
is even going to supply n band during
the summer months. The sante prison Is
sort OF glorihed Elmira, and IL only
TOR hrst-class misdemeanants
The inmates OF the Finnish prison in
Helsingfors are provided with what prac-
tically Is cheap and pleasant boarding
house. They may furnish their rooms as
they like. buy what they like. 20 out when
they like. The only restriction on their
liberty Is that they must sleep In prison.
and that when they do move abroad they
must be accompanied by warden The
latter. however. dresses always in plain
clothes. SO the prisoners social status
does not suffer
Games, beside work. are provided by
the authorities OF the Rauhebaus Juvenile
prison. at Hamburg. Music. mathematics,
languages, and gymnastics are taught.
The wardens are practically schoclmas-
ters. who live with the young convicts
and share their sports and work. There
are twenty-five houses. standing in the
middle of a beautifully-cultivated farm OF
couple of hundred acres. No prisoner
ever runs away from this luxurious con-
vict home.
But the worlds record for luxury be-
longs to the reformatory prison at Con-
cord. in the State of New Hampshire
where the prisoners have been allowed
by the authorities to form a club Ad-
mission to this club is by ballot, and
members can be expelled by a general
meeting. The club gives evening parties
which the prison authorities attend only
by invitation. The prisoners wear cor
rect evening dress. white ties. and flowers
in their buttonholes. There is capital
piano and songs and music continue till
IL o'clock.
Locks Not Needed.
One of the strangest prisons iu the
woria is the Australian convict prison
at Fremantle 1t has walls the biggest
perhaps of any prison in the world. They
are granite, and seven feet through But
they are no longer needed for guarding
the few tottering remnants of the once
immense convict population which inhab-
tied the place. When the Duke Of Edin-
burgh visited Fremaptle the warders who
went down to the wharf to meet him did
not trouble to lock the gates behind them.
and n few of the old convicts walked
down after them, and then returned
home There have been no new in
mates of the Fremantle Jail for many
years, and the old ones are all "lifters,"
who have been there SO long that they
know no other home. They potter about
and cultivate their gardens. and have al
together a much easier time than the
average workhouse inmate
Italy lately tried the experiment OF set
Ting about a thousand anarchists and
other undesirables upon the Island OF
Tremeti. In the Mediterranean The at
tempt was a CHASTITY failure Quarrels
began. and, throwing all their beautiful
theories OF humanity to the winds, the
whole number entered upon a savage bat
tie, which ended in the death Of four
and serious injury to a large number OF
others.-Jew York Press.
The Washington times., 1901-12-08
ON THE SEEING
WASHINGTON CAR.
People Who Worry the Guide and
Lecturer.
CYNIC ABOUT THE WORST.
His Snrdonie Laugh IrritRtes the
NonoIoEist-Thc Man Who Ar
gues-knothcr Who Dotcs on Col
lccting Facts-The Fair Passenger.

The observation car which is in opera
tion in this city on an electric railway
system is a notably amusing feature-it
brings persons out, in more senses than
one; that is. it develops character. Peo-
pie seen on ordinary street cars, people
who ride on business, conduct themselves
very much alike. They sit still, and
though, like the famous parrot, they may
think great deal, they say nothing.
But when passengers ride "on pleasure
bent" ii is different. All one has to do
is to keep his eyes and ears opeP.
The girl and women passengers gener-
ally persist in talking necessarily.
The Crusty Old Man.
As a contrast. there is the crusty and
Grabbed old man. who finds fault with
everything that the guide or lecturer
says. and declines to be pleased or en-
tertained. His voice rasps like file on
rusty iron, and he eyes everything around
him, animate and inanimatc, in the car
and out. with the leadliest animosity.
The old men sightseers present. per-
haps. the greatest diversity and iudi-
viduality. There is the good -natured and
garrulous old man who is accompanied
by his daughter, and who pipes brokenly
but cheerily all the way along He has
an intense desire to see them old slave
markets" which, to him, form the main
attractions of the city. He has come all
the way from a remote town. as is dis
covered by his conversation, probably for
the express purpose OF viewing the relics
of former Ethiopian bondage. He cranes
his neck so persistently and vigorously
that the observer expects dislocation will
follow. But he escapes without physical
injury, is thoroughly satisfied, and re-
marks to his daughter as he leaves the
car: I'm glad see them slave markets.
Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1901-11-21

from their beds and brought 20 the
occasion. tables were spread in the
Sunday school room, where all for the
second time that day enjoyed q
Thanksgiving feast. After an hour of
social discourse and song, the treas
urer arose and said:
"A few days since, our pastor had
received but mere pittance for many
months of faithful labor. While he
had wrought earnestly for the church
and its societies. so that. for the first
time in years, all were in prosper
Gus condition, he unselfishly forgot
his own needs. No no. Brother Nor
wood, you must permit me to finish.
Then one society and another. by
some strange coincidence. conceived
the thought of giving the pastor a
pleasant Thanksgiving surprise. It is
needless to say we have surprised
Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1901-11-21
The Returns. from Pembina.

President Cleveland once asked
Bishop Whipple what would be the
effect of making the Indians voters.
Then Bishop Whipple told him that
it had been tried. and after listening
to the story President Cleveland gave
up the idea.
In Dakota territorial! days law was
passed allowing Indians wearing civil
lied dress to vote. In the following
election. when both sides We're claim
ing the victory. some one said: SWAT
until YOU hear from Pembina.'' In
Pembina lived large number of the
Pembina tribe of Indians. and there
also dwelt the local political boss
"Jud" La Moure. famed for his seal.
skin overcoat and his qualities as 4
political fighter. When the returns
came in from Pembina ii was found
that the members of the tribe haG
all been put into hickory shirts anc
trousers on election day. between sun
rise and sunset, and after exercising
the inalienable rights of citizenship
at the dictation of the local boss. the,
returned again to their blankets. hav
ing decided the territorial election
Boston Transcript.
Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1901-11-21

each other quite as well. But best OF
all, find that in the few days of UNI
conscious cooperation, we have in
creased the amount paid on salary to
just $500. This shows what we can
do if we all work together. l move
you, as a congregation, that we in
crease our pastors salary from 5000
to $500 year,
1t was carried with a rush. even
Brother Cook asserting. Pastor Nor
wood arose. and. with tears of joy
trucking down his cheeks, thanked
them simply. Some said they sung
the doxology as never before; at least
there were two voices that rang out
with a new inspiration of faith.
When they were once more at
home, and the children in bed, Wesley
Norwood again took his wife into his
arms and opening his Bible at place
much marked and worn. they read to-.
gether with the guileless faith OF
children: And it shall come to pass,
that before they call. will answer;
and while they are yet speaking,
will hear."-Ram's Horn.