davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1901-12-22
METHODIST THANKS OFFERING.
Fifteen Millions of the Proposed
sum Secured This Year.

Methodists North are going to end this
calendar year with a round lj000,0 ,0Oo of
their $40, 600 Thank Offering Fund. OF
this large sum. all for Strengthening ex
isting enterprises. s. SOC, 900 goes to the
endowment Of colleges and seminaries;
$3.50 900 to the fund for the support Of
wornout preachers; s., ,0o0, 600 TO philan-
thropies and charities, almost wholly to
pay debts on buildings. and s6,950,000 to
pay debts on church buildings.
In scores of cities the debts OF every
Methodist church have been paid of or
are in process of being so. The mass
meetings designed TO ensure The raising
Of the remaining 5000 900 are TO begin
in January and are to be held in Boston,
New York, Philadelphia. Baltimore. Gin
cinnati, and Chicago. In other large cit
les no meetings are to be held, for the
reason that in them the task has already
been accomplished, and cities selected are
intended to be national. Speakers at all
of them are TO be Governors and United
States Senators.
a personal letter is now going out
signed by the bishops and addressed to
the presiding elders, urging action. A
small percentage OF such district leaders
are still holding back, and some OF their
enthusiastic rivals have gone so far as to
suggest lnai iEes De peDSlOned ana re-
tired in order to get them out OF the
way. There is some friction between the
Methodist Missionary Society and the
Fund Commission.
First IL was said the missions were loft
out OF the fund call. and the society IT.
tempted to tack them on, in the form OF a
supplemental appeal for S2.00000o. But
this did not go through. because the fund
was distinctively for the paying Of debts.
the piling ~ of endowments and the
like, whereas the society had in mind
current expenses.
a compromise has been arrived at in
the form OF what Methodists are TO call
an open-door emergency fund and com
mittee has been named 20 supervise she
collection OF the same. The sum is need
ed. so the society says in order to pro-
vide for needed increases in the work and
new property imperatIvely demanded in
some of the missions. The scheme is to
increase the society income TO Si,500 600
year. If possible. which would be an
advance OF about 5000 0C0.-Boston Tran
script.
The Washington times., 1901-12-22
Bavarin's BLACK Lady.

The royal house OF Bavaria has a black
lady, who appeared twice just prior &c the
death of one of it's late Queens.
For several centuries the Tuilerlcs was
| haunted by a dwarf known as the little
red mar So repulsiye was his appear
ance that Catherine de Medicis took up
her abode elsewhere. This apparition is
said to have appeared TO Napoleon cn the
eve of his departure for his disastrous
Russian campaign.
The unfayorable reputation of the Tal-
ace at Stockholm. the wcrst haunted
royal abode in Europe. is associated with
the assassination OF Gustavus AdoiPhus
III. who was shot at q masquerade Lali
by a titled conspirator, March Is, 1872.
The experience of this CHASTITY spectre,
whatever it may be, has been youchcd Cor
by every member of the household which
at present comprises one of the least pre-
tentious but most refined and intellectual
courts in Europe.
The fame OF ltaly's royal ghost, If it
possesses one. has not reached the shores
Of the Western world. The Princes Of
Savoy, ever mindful OF ;he moral and ma
teral welfare of their subjects. had
reigned gloriously for seven and a half
centuries when Victor Emanuel :. ascend
ed the throne of united Italy. Whether
or not the assassination of King Humbert
cast its shadow before has not been re-
corded.
The Washington times., 1901-12-22
woMEN's CLUBS IN SWEDEN.
Concerning Themselves With Social,
Educational, and Political Matters.

Mrs. Anna Lindmark, OF Stockholm, vino
is visiting the United States, Is a mem-
ber OF the National Council OF Women OF
Sweden and talks interestingly about the
organizations OF her country. There are
several clubs in Sweden and they all tend
TO the uplifting of their women and the
defence OF their country. One of the old
est societies was formed in 1873 and is
now the largest society. Of the land. II is
the Association for the Married Woman's
Rights in Sweden, the name Indicating
its object. The aim of the society was to
make knoown the injustice Of the laws
concerning tine married women and to en-
list sympathics for reform on this subject
in and out of the Riksdag.
The Fredrika Bremen Association was
founded in 1854 for the purpose of pro-
noting by the cooperation of men and
women a sound and steady development
OF reforms In the conditions of women,
morally and intellectually, as well as Sc
cially and economically.
Its specific objects were to make known
to women OF all classes the rights and
duties already conferred upon them So
cially and legally, TO work for educational
reforms and for he admission of women
to the managing boards of all institutions
where girls and young women are con-
cerned. to induce women to look upon the
principle of self-support as the only one
TO depend upon in the struggle for exist
The Washington times., 1901-12-22
THE DENTISTS ELDoRADo.
Great Fortunes for Tooth Carpcn-
tcrs nt the Russian Capital.

st. Petersburg is slowly becoming a
city OF toothless people. The Russian
capital should be, and eventually will be,
moved to Moscow mainly on that ac-
count This. at least is the opinion OF a
prominent merchant OF the city on the
banks OF tho Neva, who says he has heard
much talk along that line in the last few
years.
Vladimer Zorokoff. q tea importer OF
St Petersburg, who is in town. exhibits
a mouth devoid of teeth to show the ef-
fects of the climate OF his city. He says
the sight OF n person similarly afflicted
is a common one there. St Petersburg
citizens are readily identified in any nart
Of the empire. he says. By the absence OF
many or all their teeth.
There are two reasons for this condi-
iion. The first NJ. ZorokoH gives is the
atmosphere Of the capital city. The va
pors that arise from the marshes Of thc
Neya have the effect Of producing the de
cay of the teeth. Whether there is some
deleterious chemical property in the va
pors has not been discovered. but the re-
suit is declared to be due to the effluyia
from the swamps. Tie second reason is
the scarcity Of good dentists. The science
Of dentistry is practically unknown In the
city or the nation.
deld for good American dentists" said N.
Zorokofi. Perhaps by excellent treat
ment and the use OF preservatives the
teeth OF my fellow-citizens could be saved.
The city was largely built on land that
had been filled In. and the climate was
never very healthful. While ST. Peters
burg is the capital. tho centre Of culture.
wealth and refinement of the country still
remains at Moscow.
Gear Nicholas is himself said to be
fearful OF losing all his teeth. having had
much trouble TO keep them in good order.
From this fact, ] think the sentiment
that is being formed In favor OF re-es-
tablishing the capital in the city where
II was in olden times viii. in time, re-
suit in the abandonment OF st. Peters
burg as the imperial city.
"In no other centre of population in
Russia is the decay Of teeth so notice
able as IN the capital. II is only during
the past ten years that the subject has
attracted general attention. and recently
the feeling that the scat of government
should be changed has been growing
among the upper class. hope to see the
removal take place. Chicago Record
Herald.
The Washington times., 1901-12-22
IN PRISON FOR LIFE.
Means the Worst of Tortures In
Belgium.

A Belgian when convicted OF a capital
crime is not shocked TO death in the
electric chair, nor hanged on the gal
lows. Indeed. the death penalty is not
exacted at all In Belgium, the criminal
being sent TO prison for life instead.
This punishment is, however. the re-
fnement OF barbarlsm. Few criminals
can endure II longer than three years.
OF the actual torture of the wretch's
condition the following details give but
the most meagre idea:
The condemned man is placed not in a
cell. but in a dungeon. This is not only
dark and dirty and bare OF every yestige
OF comfort, but IT is so separated from
the other parts Of the prison that no
sounds penetrate its formidable Isolation.
From the moment the unfortunate male
factor enters II he never hears The
sound Of a human voice. never sees the
sight of a human face again.
His food iG pushed through a sliding
panel in the door OF his cell. Attentions
of other sorts he has none
The authorities have striyen to extend
the limit OF life by varying the prisoner S
food as much as possible. but in vain.
Those who are moderately or tightly
nourished gradually waste away, while
those who are generously fed 20 mad and
die raying maniacs. - New Orleans
Times Democrat.
The Washington times., 1901-12-22

ence. The society also aims to increase
the fields OF labor which women may en-
ter and carefully considers any moral or
social question concerning women and
their welfare.
Another important organization Is tho
Swedish Women's Association for the de-
fence OF their country. Its object is TO
manifest the Swedish woman's ardent
interest in the questions of gravest i'm
portance to her country and by her readi-
ness for sacrifices, as well as by her ex-
ample in general, to arouse everywhere
in the laud and to keep alive the senti-
ment for the liberty and independence
of the native country. and the lofty obli
cations incumbent on all, men and wo-
men. high and low. rich and poor.
BY the revised municipal acts OF 1862
women had the right OF voting at munici-
pal elections This right can be exercised
10y all women OF fair fame, regularly pay
ing taxes and registered in the eOmmu
nifty, and in Stockholm it is further stip-
ulated that the voter must be indepen
dent OF creditors and lawful owners OF
roperty.-Buffalo Express.
The Washington times., 1901-12-22
PERIL IN MEMS CLOTHING.
chicago Physician Declares Nearly
All Is Hcaith-Destroy

Clothes may not make the man. ac-
cordng to the old maxim. hui according
10 well-znown Chicago physician they
may unmake him with a faculty that
ought to turn the fooiRiller green with
envy.
Go into the big, modern furnishing
! house" said he, "and you can scarcely
put your finger upon an article Of wearing
| apparel that isn't either murdcrously
menacing or inconsistetly detrimental TO
health In the first place. We breathe
through our bodies just as truly as We
breathe through our nostrils. You may
prove this by vanishing mans body
and NOT all the work his lungs can do VIII
keeI, him from smothering to death.
Among all the muTderous forms OF
dress underclothing takes the lead, and
of this cotton and linen garments are the
chief offenders. The cotton shirt espe-
cially is vicious thing When IL has be
come damp with Terspiration II Is viz
tualIy alright. and a draft striking 1t
converts il into 4 cold storage lining
which could not be better designed for
penumonia
"The ..dinary vest. worn by all male
murdercus garments. The vest of a win
rrr suit IS especially heavy in front and
Is rnade nj wool at the back it is cotton.
Fan mer's satin or perhaps thin satin.
Such a combination could not better fur
ther all lung troubles.
Under the shoulder blades mans lungs
are much nearer to the surface than they
are in front and much more likely 10 be
attacked by congestions that follow cold.
II men had a proper regard for their
health they would insist that their tailors
make their vests OF the same material all
the way around.
Footwear always has been detrimental
to the general health. No portion OF the
body is more eXacting in the matter Oh
free pores than the feet, yet they are
covered often in cheap stockings, criored
with poisonous dyes, and then crowded
into tight pointed shoes that squeeze
them out of all semblance to natural
foot. Some of the brown polishes used
on summer footwear are poisonous, es-
pecially when applied to thin leather
"Garters as worn by men and women
are bad. BY compressings the veins of
the leg above or below the knee they
hinder ~the return of the blood 10 the
heart and lungs. and at time this conges-
tion is such as TO CONCEAL the blood in
the limbs with fatal results. The ordinary
suspender. on the face of things, should
be quite harmless. but 1t isn't. IL the
braces are narrow and of inferior rubber
they may prevent a free expansion of the
chest and If ones back Is weak they
tend TO bring about spinal curvatures.
What Is the one article OF dress that
can be recommended" he repealed. i
really DOM know-the collar button, per-
haps. Chicago Tribune.
The Washington times., 1901-12-22
EBODES OF ROYALTY
I1HUNTED BY 0PECTRH0
Reignng Houses of Europe All Have Their Traditional
Death Warning

Of Nuremberg. who. through the House
OF Brandenburg. is the direct ancestor OF
the IIohcnzollorns.
According TO another tale. the burgraye
informed the lady. already widow, that
-four eyes, meaning the eyes of his
opposing parents. stood between him and
an alliance with her. she believing him
TO refer TO the eyes of her children, suifo-
Gated the little ones. The burETaVc, ours
ing her for her bloodthirstiness, refused
TO marry her
She died of remorse, and for more than
450 years she has haunted the old castle
at Berlin, beneath which she was buried.
She is known in history as Countess
Agnes ven Orlomundc. AT rare Intervals
the countess appears nj midnight. gliding
about the castle. and her visits always
foretcll the death of some member OF the
house Of Hohenzoilcrn.
Old Fritz's Death Messenger.
1t was this ghostly herald who, it is al
legged. brought 20 Frederick the Great the
tidinEs that his days we're numbered. She
was seen not less than six times during
the century just closed. Ore notable in
stance was her visit toCPrincc Frederick
Of Prussia and number OF his fellow
officers. who left q sworn statement that
she appeared to them on the eve Of the
Princes death in the battle of Saaifcld
in 1906. The late Emperor Frederick was
an avowed believer in the white lady Of
his house. and collected all procurablc
evidence in regard to her.
Tie recently deceased Empress Freder-
lck. though practical and clever to the
highest degree, firmly believed that on
several occasions she saw the ghost Of
Queen Elizabeth in the library of Windsor
Castle, and her testimony is corro5oTated
by Mr.. Holmes. the scholarly librarian.
and other Officials of the castle. 1t is we'll
known that the appearance Of Mary.
Queen Of Scots, in the chapel Of Holy
rood Palace is thought TO foreshadow be-
reavemeut or misfortune 10 the British
royal family.
white lady less widely known has her
abode in the palace of the Duke OF Hesse.
at Darmstadt, whence Wagner drew the
incidents and inspiration for his opera of
IOleOgrln"
The Washington times., 1901-12-22

armed with stick and turned around sew
| eral times so that they are uncertain
just where the ola hangs Then the!
are allowed three strokes at the pinata
II they succeed In breaking it in tha
number of attempts they have the frs
choice OF the delugc of sweetmeats, whicl
fall as the earthern jar is smashed
II they fail, and they usually do, som'
other member OF the party is given &
chance to try his luck. This is kept "
until the pinata is broken and the chill
! dren have had a mad scramble for III,
/ sweet things that have fallen to the floor
! When this part Of the fun is over the
presentation of the giits begins. On the
| first posada nights these are trifiine
Things, but with each night they increase
in value until on the last they consist OF
valuable pieces OF jewelry as well Of
| the souvenir figures of the Virgin which
| depending on the wealth Of the families
| giving the posadas, may be made OF pre-
oious metals or of the finest pottery.
.a4 At the Manager.
On Christmas Eve, the night OF the last
posada, there is a slight change in the
ceremony of the journey. Then when
Mary and Joseph are admitted to shelter
the other members OF the party are not
| allowed in the room for a moment. When
they do go in they find lying in cradle
between the figures Of an OK and an ass,
an image OF the infant Christ. Then
prayers are made to the child as well as
to Mary and Joseph and the religious
ceremonies are longer than usual.
After each Of the posadas there is dane
ing and merry making which continues
until daylight. This last fact has led
some OF the church authorities 10 oppose
the celebration of the old custom. They
held that the posada should end with the
religious portion OF the observance. But
the people. for a wonder, have paid little
attention to the priests in this matter,
and there is not family in Mexico but
takes part in some posada.
In the families of the wealthy no eX-
pense is spared TO make the representa-
tion of the journey a gorgeous scene.
Some families here in Mexico City spend
as much as s25,OQ0 or coo on the cele-
bration. all their servants and all their
relatives taking part in the jollifeation.
The Posadns of the Poor.
This sum is modified with the wealth
OF the givers OF the feast until, moving
down the social scale to the peon. the
cost is but a few cents. little clay images
Of Mary and Joseph being used in the pro-
cession and the pinata containing only
few cheap dulces. But. no matter how
poor he may lie, every Mexican must have
some kind OF posada. and the poor will
spend their last cent to make as good a
dlsplay as they can.
The fancy DISCUSSES In which the ola
Of the pinata are hidden are sometimes
made by the members of the household,
but are more frequently bought from the
ft,s mo
at the Christmas season and then the Gov
ernment grSntA them the use OF some city
square for their market place. There. in
mprovised booths, they hang up their
wares and there crowds of merrymak
ers flock, each one trying to find the most
grotesque pinatas which the market af-
fords.
The Washington times., 1901-12-22
MARTIN LUTHER's STEIN.
Historic Drinking Cup Now in Eng
1ish NobIemaa's Possession

As the collecting Of beer stems has
become quite a fad, it may be interesting
to note that cne Of the most curious OF
these articles is at present in the possess
sion OF Lord Londesborough. 1t was for
merly owned by Martin Luther who. from
all accounts, was a remarkable trencher-
man. The historic stein is of ivory very
richly carved. and mounted in silver gilt.
There are six medalliOns on Its surface.
which consist. however, OF a repetition
of two subjects. The upper one repre-
seuts the agony in the garden and the
Saviour praying that the cup might pass
from him; the base represents the Lords
Supper, the centre dish being the bread
II is understood that some copies have
been made of the stein. On the lid, in
old characters, is the following; &C. NJ. L.,
MDXXIIU."
The Washington times., 1901-12-22
KneeIing at Prayer.

Joseph again pleads for shelter in the
same words. But II is refused him and
he drives the burro on to the next door
AS he does so the members Of the families
who have gathered form procession be-
hind him. and. carrying lighted candles.
follow him as he moves from door to door.
At each OF these he stops, knocks for
admittance. and at each he is refused
until the last one is reached. There the
same chant is sung and the same answer
made
Finally. out of pity for the woman. the
door is opened and the two are given
shelter.
In this last room an altar has been
erected and before this all the members
OF the family kneel. Then they chant the
"Litany OF Loretto" and after prayers to
the Virgin the religious part OF the cere-
mony is ended.
Once this is over the persons who
have taken tire parts OF Mary and Joseph
throw off their disguises.r the burro is
turned over to the servants and the fun
begins
First of all comes the breaking Of the
pinata. This is huge carthen ola
hung from the centre OF the room and
dlled with candies. nuts. and fruits. But
the DISCUSSES that the pinata assumes are
as varied as its contents.
The plainest of them are covered with
cloth and fancy papers until it is almost
impossible TO tell what they are. Thc
more elaborate ones are covered so that
that are caricatures of human beings. OF
animals. ships birds or houses. When
hey are made to look like human be
ng the huge ola forms the body and is
covered with a woman's skirt. mask
forms the face and artificial hair, hands
and feet add to the resemblance.
breaking the Pinata.
The breaking OF the pinata is the part
that pleases the children. They know
that all the good things in 1t are for them
and they are anxious to get possession.
As has been said the piuata hangs from
The middle OF the ceiling Of The room' the
ola being about the height OF a mans
head.
One by one the members cf thc party
are blindfolGed. taken near the pinata'
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-01-03
Retiring
~ Senators

At the end of the session of congress
which is soon to open, a considerable
number Of men who have achieved
more or less distinction in the senate
will retire. Some republicans will he
succeeded by democrats, some demo-
Gratis by republicans, and some of both
parties by men of their own political
faith. The senators who will leave
Washington next March, retiring to
private life, are Baker of Kansas, But
Ter Of North Carolina, Gallery of Lou
isiana, Carter of Montana. Chiffon of
Texas, Kenney Of Delaware, Lindsay
of Kentucky, Pettigrew of South Da-
kota, Sharp of Idaho, Sullivan of Mis-
sissippi, Thurston of Nebraska, Turley
of Tennessee and Wolcott OF Colorado.
There are several others who will be
opposed for reelection at the forth
coming legislative sessions who may
also be obliged to remove their sena-
torial togas, but whose reelection is
probable These are Chandler of New
Hampshire, Cullom of Illinois and Nell
son of Minnesota. Bacon of Georgia,
Berry of Arkansas, Elkins Of West Vir-
ginia, Frye Of Maine, Hoar Of Massa-
chusetts, Dolliver of Iowa, Mcbride of
Oregon, Mcmillan of Michigan, Martin
of Virginia, Morgan of Alabama, Sew
ell of New Jersey, Tillman of South
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-01-03
Six of the Is Whose
Terms Expire in
March.

Carolina, Warren of Wyoming and
Wetmore of Rhode Island either have
been or are sure to be reelected The
Globe published pictures of six of the
retiring members. OF these Wolcott of
Colorado and Thurston of Nebraska
are easily the most distinguished.
They have been counted among the
most brilliant and eloquent members
of the upper house, and their retire
ment is q loss to the republicans. Tom
Carter Of Montana has not added to
his reputation in the senate. His abili-
ty is mediocre and he gained his seat
as reward for clever campaign work
for the republicans. But he is genial
and popular. Butler of North Caro-
lima is the youngest member of the
senate. He was popular leader and
has made name for himself at Wash
ington as debater. Donelson Gallery,
the Louisiana sugar planter, was one
of Grover Cieveland's most ardent sup
porters and forfeits the senatorship be-
cause he is a gold democrat. Shoup Of
Idaho is a notable figure from the fact
that, although he has served two
terms, he has done nothing that has
made his name familiar to any except
the most critical students OF congress
sional life. He is republican, was a
stock raiser and mine owner and
helped establish Idaho in statehood.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-01-03
Circular Saw Mad. Of Diamonds.

A diamond circular saw for cutting
stone is described in London En-
cheering, and is said to cut hard sand
stone blocks at the rate Of five feet
per minute. The saw has dovetailed
recesses in which are fitted steel
blocks, each containing a diamond. A
hole is drilled into the block. but
stopped before running through. A
diamond is dropped into the hole, and
a steel wire peg driven in behind 1t.
The block is then put in an electric
welding machine, and when it is soft
ened, pressure is applied until the dia-
mond is firmly gripped and the steel
peg is welded into place. The front Of
the block is then filed away until the
diamond is exposed, and the sides are
milled to fit the dovetailed recesses
in the saw. The positions of the dia-
monds in the blocks vary, SO as to en-
able the saw to clear itself in making
the cut.