davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-01

mands of the publishers. She will have
dreams of fame and riches, and she Will
faster or longer hours than heretofore. But
the capacities of the human body and mind
are limited. The greatest genius can do no
more than certain amount of high class
work in given time. If he attempts to do
more, the quality of his work will degen-
crate, or nature will rebel and nervous pros
tration or some equally dangerous disorder
Will ensue. Among literary people, and eS-
pecially writers of fiction, the former result
seems commOnest. The powers of an indi-
vidual ought to increase, and, consequently,
the quality of his work improve with the
passage of time and the acquisition of ex-
perience. Yet there is hardly single nov
elist among the many who have gained
celebrity in England and America in recent
years whose writings have not grown rapidly
worse instead of better. Their early books,
written when they were striving to obtain
recognition, usually show some of the eff
fectS OF sustained effort and frequently
bear traces of the arts of style and
characterization. But those written under
the pressure of the publishers demands
almost invariably fiabby and phlegmatic or
painfully glittering in style, false to nature
and deficient in every feature. The books
of Kipling, Mary Johnson, the American
Winston Churchill, Booth Harrington. 'Mr
Dooley." indeed of almost every contem
porary English and American writer of hui
NOR or fiction, have suffered the same de-
generacy.
The conclusion is forced upon us that the
liberal treatment modern Publishers give
promising writer's does not tend to raise the
standard of literary production. Most au-
thors are accustomed to perjury. and when
one of them strikes it rich" he is seldom
able to stand prosperity. 1t would be very
disagreeable for the authors, but it might
be better for literature, IL professional writ
ers were relegated to the garnet and crust
of bread which constituted the Judgment
and subsistence of many of their great
predecessors. Perhaps society should pro-
hibit publishers from comforting prosperity
author until he has given the world
all the good things he apparently is capable
of producing.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-01
why authors Degenerate.

Kansas City Journal.
A recent dispatch from London may part
ly explain why so many contemporary au-
thors get to producing the veriest "stuff''
almost as soon as they have gained little
reputation, and quickly lose their hold on
the favor of public and publishers. Con-
stance Smedley is at present the most sue
cessful young writer in England. Although
she is but twenty-five years old. her works
are having an extraordinary sale In con-
sequence. almost every publisher in London
is praying her TO write something for him
To print so that ne may share in the popu-
Iarity and profits her books are bringing TO
houses that issue them. and Miss Sinedley.
il is said. finds it impossible to supply the
demand for the produce of her pen.
Ii does not require much prescicnce TO
foresee what effect this extraordinary con-
clifton OF affairs probably will have on Miss
Smedley's writings. Unless she possesses a
strength of mind and character such as is
allotted 10 few mortals, literary and other
wise. she win attempt to satisfy the de-
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-01
Literary Notes.

1t is calculated that lola made out of
the sale of his books alone 100000 in thirty
years, and he was paid G1,0OO for every
feuilleton. Altogether this estimate makes
his income some $1,000 a year. Yet it is
now said that his widow has been left In
adequately provided for, and his house and
effects both in the country and in Paris,
are announced for sale.
All the fiction that the late Sir Walter
Besant wrote has now been printed, but
there still remains a large part of his great
unfinished history of London and a post
humous volume of his essays is also an
as We May Be-" 1t is said to set forth
Sir Walters theories as to the improve
ment of the condition of the poor
''Claudius Clear" as DR.. Robertson Nicoll
signs himself. expresses in the British
Weekly this extraordinary opinion: IF
were examining in the literary history of
the early years of last century, 1 should
put but one me-, question, What do you know
Whittier" promptly asks the Springfield
(Mass) Republican, adding: 'Dr. Nicoll
ought to furnish answers with his exam
ination papers,.
Mr.. George Meredith is mentioned as
perennialIy youthful. II suppose 1 should
regard myself as growing DID," he says,
II am seventy-four. But 1 do not feel to
Il
still look on life with a young mans eve.
/ have always hoped L should not grow
old as some do-with palsied intellect
living backward, regarding ether people as
anachronisms because they themselves have
lived on into other times and left their
sympathies behind them with their years."
Margaret Sutton Briscoe, who wrote
those books of clever stores, "Jimty, and
Others" and 1.-THE Sixth Sense, and Other
Stories is the wife of Prof. A J. Hop
kins, who fills the chair of chemistry at
Amherst College Her home is delightful
one, set in the midst of extensive grounds
and overlooking vast range OF the Con-
nccticut valley. Mrs Hopkins has solved
the problem of how a woman may devote
much energy and time to her professional
literary work without sacrificing her do
nestle life in any respect.
The Boston Ruskin Club invites subscrip
tions to the Ruskin memorial to be erected
at Bournville. near Birmingham, by the
RuslSin societies of Great Britain. This is
TO consist of library, museum, classes
to encourage the revival of handicrafts
village lectures. exhibitions of pictures and
the publication OF reproductions OF great
pictures at low rates, etc. Those interested
in the work done by John Ruskin, and who
are DESTROYS of seeing his principles an
piled wherever possible, may send their
subscriptions TO George Willis Cooke. vice
president Boston Ruskin Club, No. is Ash
burton place, Boston, Mass.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-01
New Dialect Field.
Literary Bulletin.

Literary Bulletin.
There must still be an almost UNEMPLOYED
field of English dialect which would re-
pay the research of writers, if the follow
ing example from newspaper of Siam
may be taken as fair specimen: Shoot
ing Outrage. o! Fearful Agony. Khoon
Tong, one of Phya Songs staff, was on a
mission to lamDoon, and on his return in
stantly shot dead by some miscreants,
scoundrels. 0! Untimely Death. o! Fear
full. o! He'll. All friends expressed their
morne. The cowardice dog is still at large.
Six soldiers and six policemen were at
once dispatched"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-01
They Like the Country.

Literary Bulletin.
Most English literary men and women do
not live in London when they can possibly
avoid it. Mr.. Anthony Hope is one Of the
few who have stationary quarters in town.
Mrs. Humphrey Ward lives at Tring, Henry
Seton Merriman in Suffolk, z. Nesbit in
Kent, Elinor Glyn at Harlow, in Essex,
and so on through long list of country
dwelling authors. The habit is growing in
America, and already many of our best
known authors live outside the city. Mr..
Howells is an exception, being resident
of New York, but he escapes from the city
as early in the season as possible. Mark
Twain has settled at Riverdale, the
Hudson, just outside the limits of Greater
New York: Mrs. Mary Z. Wilkins Free
setts, but since her marriage has removed
to Metuchen, N. j.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-01

The shadow OF Dawn:
Stiffness and stars and overmastering dreams
OF Life and Death and Sleep:
Heard over cleaning fats the old unchanxins
sound
OF the old unchanging Sea.
Ny soul and yours-s
o hand in hand let us fare forth. two ghosts,
Into ghostliness.
Beyond-o beyond!-beyond. -
Here In the porch
Upon the multitudinous siiences
OF the Kingdoms OF the grave
We twain are you and 1.-two ghosts omnipo-
tence
Can touch NO moreno more!
wv. f. Henley
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-01

great deal to say on the subject. they have
pointed out over and over again the rea-
sons why they would like to see a reform.
But the publishers have been strangely
silent Why is it that they shrink from
parting with the old tradition? 1t may have
been legitimate enough in earlier days, but
it is obviously ill adapted TO the present
period, which has witnessed such tre-
mendous increase in the making of books.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-01

The certain thing did not blurs the sun
And glooms the way 60.
/ doubt me II the saddesf shining dome
Could haunt and hurt me So
-Theodosia Garrison. In Harper's Bazaar.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-09-10
An Imbecile Government.

According To information received at
Berlin the situation at Constantinople
is critical and the Turkish government
In helpless condition.
The Turkish Government has notified
the powers that the Porte cannot gual-
antee the safety of the legations at Cor
stantinople. This extraordinary state
ment was communicated without ex-
PLANTATION or qualifying details, in IT
spouse TO an inquiry as TO whether
German marines were among those
United States Minister Leishnan report
ed as having been landed at CONSTANT
nople. 1t is inferred at the German
capital, however, that the conditions al
the Turkish capital are not so bad as
the sultan's notification would imply,
but that the Legations have been warned
TO look out for their own safety, the
Porte disclaiming in advance RESPONSE
bility for any disorderly acf The
foreign office officials added that the
German embassy at Constant nople had
not reported whether German marines
had been landed nor whether marines of
any other power had been landed.
Complete official reserve Is maintained
on this point. Ii Is learned from sources
outside the foreign office that the Ger
man Government regards Turko-Balkan
affairs as having entered on an acute
phase. The Porte's inability TO take
energetic hold of the Macedonian insui-
rection is the worst feature OF the stus-
ton.
The French ambassador at CONSTANT
nople reports the embassies there are
constantly Ia danger of being attacked
by agitators or fanatics, but it does not
mention the landing of marines.
U. 5. Minister Leishman at CONSTANT
nople has received a telegram from
United States Consul Ravndal at Beirut,
saying that the authorities at that place
apparently have not yet secured the man
who fired at Vice Consul Magelseen, and
adding that the arrest among others of
fifteen-year-old boy seems to indicate
that they do not realize the gravity of
the situation. Mr.. Ravndal also refers
TO the general state OF insecurity at
Beirut, and suggests that the assailant
OF Vice Consul Magelssen was the same
individual who attacked Mr.. Magelssen
one night about year ago, with the
object Of robbing him. He was impris-
oned at the time and recently was lber-
ated.
1t is evident that the United States
Government does not share any appre-
hension that may be felt in some quar-
tiers that the Legations in Constantinople
are in danger.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-09-10
Cotton OYercnats.

The Geographic announcement the
present week that well-known New
England wooden mills are about to ex-
tend the use OF merceriz ID cotton IN
manufactures will cause no surprise to
toose who have followed the trend of
affairs in wool and worsted manufac-
tura OF late years. The use of combed
and calded cotton yarns that have
been treated with eaustie soda, which
is the basic principle in merceriZng,
or lustreing, to take the place of the
silk stripe in fancy goods AS well as
substitute for worsted in making the
entire fabric, has grown apace the past
two years and is evidently meeting a
want that has been unsupplied hereto
fore. Mention was mace in these
columns some years ago of consign-
ment of Clay wOrsteds that were sent
here by the Bradford manufacturers in
which there were no particle of wool,
warp and filling alike consisting Of long
staple cotton, so manipulated in the
weaving and finishing as TO deceive even
the expert buyers.
Large numbers of lightweight over
coats were said to have been made from
the material, and found a ready sale In
this and other markets. The domestic
manufacturers are doing now what the
English makers did then, but are ex-
tending their field into lighter-we ght
goods for mems wear. The coming fall
and winter will witness a larger output
than ever Of these cotton fabrics, design
ed for the clothing trade.-Boston Tran
script.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-09-10
The Fifteenth Maine.

Veteran Association Meets at Skowhegan
September and 10.
The annual reunion of the veteran AS.
ISOLATION of the Fifteenth Maine Infant.
ry Volunteers, is now being held here,
beginning yesterday morning.
The 10Th Maine was organized at Au.
gusta in December, 1861, to serve three
years. 1t left for Portland, Feb. 81.
1892 and there took passage aboard the
ship Great Republic for ship Island
Miss. The regiment was stationed in
Carroltown, La and Pensacola Florida,
until June 1868, when it went to New
Orleans and during the year was en-.
gagged in campaigning in that vicinity
and in Texas
On Feb. rs, 1854, three-fourths of the
original members reenlisted for a further
period of three years from that date.
Upon the reorganization of the army
the regiment was assigned to the 2nd
Brig, 1st Div, 10th Army Corps.
On the 18th of March the regiment
with Gen. Banks forces, took up the
line of march for and participated in his
Louisiana campaign. In June the regi-
ment was ordered to New Orleans where
1t took transports for Fort Monroe, Va.
Six companies were ordered to Burmu.
da Hundreds, the remaining companies
participating in a campaign up the
Shenandoah valley in pursuit of Early's
raiders. The veterans, who had reen-
listed in January were given their 50
days furlough August 10th and returned
to the field Sept. 9th, the regiment re-
naming in Virginia and Maryland until
May 1865, when it was sent to Charles
ton, ). g., when it was employed in
provost duty until July 1866 when it
was mustered out, being one of the last
regiments to leave the service, more
than year after Lees surrender.
John McClusky of Houlton went into
the field as colonel with Isaac Dyer of
Skowhegan as lieutenant colonel. Col.
McClusky was succeeded by Col Isaac
Dyer September Is 1852, who COM
manded the regiment until his muster
out, Sept. 9, 1865 Lieut.. Col. BENZ. B..
Murray of Pembroke commanded the
regiment from Sept 8. 1865 until the
date of muster out, given above.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-09-10
The Extra Session.
New York SUM-

II there were no other reason for the
assembling Of the Congress at Washing
ton before the regular December date
one Of surprising Importance Is afforded
by the situation at Bogota and in the
state Of Panama.
An extra session will be necessary II
the President thinks that the reasonable
time allowed by the terms OF the Spoon.
err act for obtaining the consent and
concurrence of Colombia will have
elapsed before the last Monday 10 De.
cember.
1t will equally be required il event:
on the isthmus render IL necessary for
us to negotiate with another principal
than the existing government of Bogota
The thing certain is that the incon.
veniences and disadvantages of an ex
traordinary session Of Congress this fall
are as nothing In comparison with the
danger of losing that route for n inter.
oceanic canal which nature ordairs anC
the commercial interests of the nation
and the world for long centuries to come
imperatively demand.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-09-10
TRAGEDY OF AN INSECT.
The Sand Fly Lives but Day After
Coming Into the Light.


Here Is the tragic story Of the sand
fly.
Il has but a da5 to live in TIE light
In order 10 earn the right to tlat daF
Of life 1t lives from one TO three years
IN darkness. down in the mud II tic
bottom Of lakes or rivers. Moreover.
the sand fly is perfectly harmless Il
hes not bite. 1t las no sting. Il can-
not even eat. All it can do IS 10 fiji
about for few hours, enjoying the
light Of day or the glare Of an electric
lamp.
The sand fly Is known 10 scientists
familiarly as the May dy. In scientific
terms 1t is called ephemerida. This
name is taken from the Creek word
ephemeros. which means lasting only
for a day. To the scientists the sand
fly is one Of the most interesting and
beautiful of insects.
The fly lives but a day AT most but
before It sees the light it has lived for
from one to three years under the wa.
ter in the form of what the scientists
call a nymph. This nymph can both
walk and swim As 1t grows II molts.
and after about the ninth mott tiny
wings appear on It's thorax. These
grow larger until the insect comes forth
from the water a sand fly. II then has
but one duty-to lay its eggs. This
done, the sand fly zigzags through the
air until its brief life is ended.-Chicago
Inter Ocean.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-09-10
The Coal Situation.

A Portland dealer explains the ap-
parent anomaly in the coal situation by
which coal has advanced and there is an
over production at the mines by reason
Of which some mines have shut down.
This over production of coal is con-
fined to the three varieties, rice, barley
and buckwheat. Rice coal Is not much
larger than a grain of that kind of vego-
table, barley is about half siz9 larger,
and buckwheat, which is classified as
one, two and three grades, is a little
larger.
These three grades of coal are the
washings of the domestic sizes OF ar
thraeite coal ana are used exclusively
with ordinary steam coal. Soft coal Is
so high In price, that the consumers
have found it cheaper to burn part of
these washings and part soft In the
| engines.
There would not be any over pro-
ducton of these varieties of coal were it
not for the closing of so many mills
about the country, which are the great
est consumers. The corner on cotton
has of course something to do with this,
and has made the mills shut down and
consequently overlooked the market
with coal.
There Is no overproduction in any
other kind of coal. The domestic coal
market Is now tighter, for Portland and
| Boston, at least than 1t has ever been
since the strike; 1t Is almost impossible
for US to get any domestic coal. The
prospect is improving but very slowly.
The place that Is receiving the hard
coal now Is the west, where the, rail-
roads and mills and factories demand it.
AS soon as the strike was settled
1t was seen that the west would
have to have the first shipments, and
last would come New England. The
stoppage of work at the mines caused a
shortage of IA 900, 900 tons of coal In the
west and this must now all be made up.
When the coal does get east in good
quantities, It will be high In price and
will probably remain dollar higher
than formerly. Since the Morgan syn
dictate got hold of the coal mines there
is no prospect of the prices ever being
where they used to be. This spring it
was Sc 90 and, beginning with April,
the wholesale dealers in New York have
put the price up ten cents ton a month,
until now 1t is 81. Instead Of ten cents
month the dealers of Portland and
Boston made two advances of % cents
each.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-09-10
A Kentucky Custom.

Mr.. Ansel Holway is in Kentucky
woking in the interest of Patrons OF
Husbandry. In letter to his children
here, written August 25 at Cynthianna,
he says:
1t was what people call County Court
day, and 1t is a custom TO- the farmers
to make it market day. Early in the
morning sll sorts of farm stock began to
arrive and be lined up around the Court
House Square. By 10 a. ~. cows, beef
stock, cattle. sheep and lambs, hogs,
horses, and mules were there in abun-
dance. Some were sold privately and
others at auction. Cows seemed to
bring on an average OF $35, horses about
$120, mules $3.50 to $400 per pair, mule
colts In The highest demand, quick sale
for about $50 each. These mule colts
bring better prices than the everyday
horse colt. Sheep and lambs, SO each.
Men women and children are here 10
large numbers-I should say there were
$500 people In town. | can't see why
the custom is not good one.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-09-10
The True Family.

The descendants of Moses and Betsy
(Goodwin) True of Industry, held a re-
union at the residence of Frank 6 True
in Starks, Sept. /, 1903. One daughter
was present, Mrs. Leonora Smell of Mad
ison, the only surviving member of the
family. Among others who were present
were Norris E. True and family of Mer-
Ger, Eli True of Industry, John NJ Craig
and family of Industry, W. J. Rackliffe
and \. O Rackliffe and families of N
dustry
1t was voted to make the annual re-
union permanent thing
Eli True OF Industry was elected presi-
dent of the association and Miss Lizzie
P. True of Mercer, Secretary.
1t was voted TO hold the next reunion
at the residence of John NJ. Craig Aliens
Mills, Industry, the last week in June
1904. T.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-09-10
Value of Light.

An English physician Of high stand.
ing recenA made an address before
the Manchester and Stafford Sanitary
association in which he said:
81 have spoken of light as purifying
our atmospheric environment and as
freeing us from certain superficial
parasitic distempers, and l wish to re-
mind you that 1t has still more deep
and intimate human relations of a
sanitary nature, for light is a necessary
condition of mental and bodily well
being. Its tonic physical effects are
everywhere recognized
Essential for all purposes of life,
light is universal stimulus. Failing
on the eye 1t sets up in the brain func.
tlonal activities associated with intel
lectual and emotional states, and at
tempts have been made to discriminate
the physical effects of its different ele-
ments. Whatever the therapeutic
value of the different rays of light
may be, white light, heavens own mix
ture, is the normal physical atmos-
phere, and variations In its intensity
have probably widely diffused consti-
tutional effects"
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-09-10
Portland Press The United States

Portland Press The United States
department. of agriculture is coming in
for considerable criticism because of its
Mark Tapley spirit in estimating the
farmers crops-especially the cotton
crop-in order to help the farmers with
larger prices; and the officials have even
defended this course. But this year the
department. over-astimsted the wheat
crop, and is bitterly criticised by the
producers, who have experienced lower
prices than the facts warranted. 1t
would seem as though the only way to
estimate would be to get rs near the
actual truth as possible, without regard
10 the effect on prices.