davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-17
THE PERFECT HOUSEMAID.


Philadelphia Inquirer.
A Chicago millionaire made the announce
ment that he was willing to give one mil
lion dollars on the day of his death to any
housemaid who would exactly fit his ideas
of perfection. The result is that he has been
overwhelmed with applica tons, much to the
dissatisfaction of that very large portion Of
the community which employs housemaids
and. so far from offering a million dollar 5
bonus, is barely able to pay the wages now
required. The Chicago man has laid down
lot of rules which we do not give here in
detail because ii would be useless and be-
side our purpose. In the large 1t amounts to
this, that the maid must be perfect in every
particular; never make the slightest mis-
take in serving any one in the house; be
possessed of tact and, in fact, be able to run
the household without the slightest friction,
and with plenty of time to make everything
agreeable.
The Chicago man has made a mistake. He
Is in need of an angel, not one of the ter
restrial kind, but one of those celestial be-
fngs with wings who know all things and
do all things we'll and are simply consumed
with sweetness and light. We regret to say
that the demand for these lovely creatures
Is quite beyond the supply. They are not to
be found either in the kitchen, the parlor or
the sanctum sanctorum of the home. The
offer of a million for such a sweet creature
is easily made and will never be filled
There is no human being that comes up to
the standards set down by this man, who,
apparently, does not want TO do his share of
the work in this world, but be carried to the
skies on f1owery beds OF ease. He deserves
no angel even If he could buy one-which
he cannot
The solemn truth is that self-help In this
world is the best help. 1t cannot be bought
with money. 1t cannot be secured by favor
We all of us have a lot of problems in this
world, and though they seem often very diff
ficult we are forced by reason, by history
and by a contemplation of the philosophy of
life to believe that in the end they are in
tended for our own good, and that we must
each perform our own part of the tasks,
even though at times they seem irksome.
If 1t were possible for money to buy all
the good things in this world we would not
see millionaires working daily at their
desks as If life depended on the profits of
the hour. We would not see the people who
seem to have a monopoly of all the virtues
STOPPING to get help from others. In fact we
all know that money, while IT brings many
things. does not always bring happiness.
often brings sorrow and degradation, and
seldom brings that perfect service for which
the Chicago man seeks. Not until he is a
real angel can he expect one as partner.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-17
Mb ILLUSTRATED W
m F A S II O n S N

silk coats are for the dressier gowns. but
white cloth loose coats are permissible with
any colored gown. On first consideration
there seems little to admire In a white
dressy coat as worn over a black or dark
skirt, but fashion has set her seal of ap-
prevail on ii, and familiarity will doubtless
make the combination seem all right.
Many of the coats are trimmed with white
silk braids and passementeries. Of which
almost countless new and attractive sorts
are shown. There are very handsome pat
terms in luster silk passementeries. Then.
laces are as stylish as ever, and many
coats are entirely of lace. Often a white
coat will be trimmed with a coffee-colored
lace, which is an admirable trick, as the
slight difference in colors seems to give the
coat more character. Very thin, soft silks,
such as China or Japanese, are used some
for coats, and if a woman desires her coat
box plaits, these silks are the most easily
handled. Some coats are of wooden cam
vases of very coarse mesh and look very
cool and comfortable. although the silk lin
ing necessary really makes them as heavy
as coats of thicker material.
New ideas in laces are cropping out, and
perhaps they will not be fine on summer
dress-upsl A brand new fancy is a point
Venice in which sprays Of color appear.
Then, the coloring of laces makes many old
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-17
A Woman Prison Chaplain.
Philadelphia Press.


The only woman in the world engaged as
chaplain in a prison is Mrs Mary Preston
Slosson, of Wyoming, and she is said 10
perform her duties with a zeal worthy OF
all praise. She is a regularly ordained min
lister OF the gospel and might be settled over
a prosperous church, but she feels that she
can better perform her duties among the
convicts at Laramie prison and has chosen
that as her field of effort. Mrs. Slosson re-
ceived the first degree granted 10 a woman
at Cornell University, where she worked for
two years after she received the master 8
degree at Hillside College, Michigan.
After graduating she accepted the profess
sorship of Greek at Hastings College, Ne
braska, and was married in 1891 to Prof. Ed
win T.. Slosson, professor OF chemistry az
the University of Wyoming, in Laramie.
In Wyoming the prisoners Of the state
penitentiary were at one time kept without
work on account of the opposition Of the
trades unions to their employment. Men de-
prived of the saving grace Of work, no mat
ter to what part Of the community they be-
long, soon become thrown out of their bal
ance. That happened to the prisoners. who
got into peculiar morbid and unruly con-
dition. 1t was because of that frame OF
mind that Mrs. Slosson conceived the idea
which the authorities permitted her to put
into practice. She arranged for a series OF
Sunday afternoon talks and experimental
lectures by the professors of the university.
She, herself, gave two lectures before the
convicts, and when the minister who was
acting as the chaplain left the town. the
prisoners petitioned the Governor TO appoint
her chaplain. He acceded to the request and
since July, 1899, she has filed that office not
only TO the satisfaction OF the authorities.
but, what is more important, TO the satis-
faction of those who are the enforced MEM
bers of her congregation.
The prisoners number some 90, and con-
sist, for the most part. OF young men who
have gone West from spirit of adventure
and have got into trouble through drink or
from getting the brand on the wrong cat
tie" as cattle stealing is euphoniOusly re-
ferred to by the men themselves.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-17
The widows Cow.
Kansas City Journal.

Kansas City journal.
At the meeting of bankers I'm Clay Center
last week Z. Z. Blake, responding Ia the
toast Securities, told OF a pretty young
widow who got into financial straits and
borrowed from his bank 500 on the security
heart. she said, TO pledge the animal. which
was almost as dear TO her as her children.
Then came a long period in which she re-
newed the note time after time, sometimes
paying interest and sometimes not and al
ways distressing the bank officers with her
sorrowful talk. zone day." proceeds the
story, "she showed up in more sOrrowful
frame OF mind than usual. and with more
tears, and wetter tears also, than usual.
announced that she had given up the strug-
gle The cow was dead and she was wear
ing her life out under the weight of a debt
unsecured and which she saw no prospect Of
ever being able 10 pay. She wanted IL dis
charged The cashier took 10 the woods.
telling Blake that il was no use for the
bank TO monkey longer with that paper: 10
treat the woman nicely as he could.
making her burden as light as possible dry
up the fountain OF tears then go over 10
the register of deeds Office with her and
have the mortgage released. AL Of which
Blake did In his smoothest and most gentle
manly way Just they coming out
OF the courthouse curiosity got the better OF
him, and more as a space-filler than any
thing else. he said:
Madam. now that IL is all settled. when
did your cow die and how did il happen"
She had wiped her tears away by this
time, and was radiant and smiling. poem
IN contradictions. Turning 90 him. she said
My dear boy, you tell that sweet cashier
OF yours that the butcher killed the COW
two years ago..
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-17
Women Scientists at Work.
Philadelphia Press.

Philadelphia Press.
The number of women who have recently
entered the field of science and gained
recognition in that line are many. The
scientist above all men works without blare
of trumpets, but that women of science
are doing meritorious work and winning
renown now it is becoming gradually
known. Astronomy has had great attrac-
tions for the feminine mind and numbers
more devotees among women than any
other scientific pursuit. Three. prominent
English women are among those who have
been attracted by the stars. They are Lady
Higgins. Miss Agnes NJ. Clarke and Mrs.
E. Walter Maunder. Lady Higgins is the
wife of Sir William Higgins, and it is ac-
knowledged that considerable of his success
in spectroscope work has been due to her,
his assistant
Her fondness for things astronomical
dates from early childhood. when she used
to find engroSsing occupation in sallying
out in the garden at night with a dark
lantern and star, atlas and naming the
consultations. AS a little girl she learned
photography and constructed her own spec
troscope with which, in spite of its crudity,
she managed to learn something about the
spectrum.
With Miss Clarke also astronomy was a
passion from early childhood. Before she
was twelve years old she had read all the
astronomical books she could understand in
her fathers library.
Both of these women were of Irish birth.
and the third, who has made a reputation
equal to theirs. Mrs. Maunder, is also Irish.
When the Royal Observatory at Greenwich
decided to appoint four women TO the staff
she worked for one of the appointments
and succeeded. In October, 1885, she was
married TO e w Maunder, head of the
solar department of the observatory.
Turning from astronomy 10 microscopy
Mrs. Percy FARMLAND is the woman i'm
mediately recognized the leader among
her sex in this branch of science. Elec-
| tricity claims at least one eminent woman
worker, Mrs. w. z. -Aryton, the wife of the
wel-known electrical engineer, being the
| best known in the work.
Geogra phical exploration is a pursuit
| which il might be imagined would be the
| last TO attract a woman's attention, or
| having attracted it, the last of which she
might hope for success. Mrs. j. +. Bishop
| however, proves that women may meet
with success in this or in other scientific
! undertakings. Mrs Bishop has won a fell
lowship in the Royal Geographical Society,
| and is the first woman TO be so honored
| She was the first woman to penetrate the
heart of Japan. She has familiarized her
| self with the Rocky mountains. the Sand
witch Islands. and has spent eight years in
| exploring scarcely known parts of Asia
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-17

white syirdle belt. wide In front. and In the
back the ends crossed, going about half
way up the back. where two cut steel
buckles secured them. From these the ends
fell to the bottom OF the skirt. 1t is hard
to see how a woman Is TO get into some Of
these belts. but the effect is all right
Some of the skirts of evening gowns
seem TO be divided :nto sections BY the
trimming, as If an attempt lad been made
TO get more trimming heaped on by this
means. and in many cases this is carried to
extremes. The limit in the amount of trim
ming has been reached. Often when the
extreme of a fashion has been reached
the pendulum swings to the very opposite.
so by another season meal bags may &C in
style. The fad for DANGERS has not worn
itself out as yet, and it is a common thing
to see danglers composed OF ornaments and
little rosettes of Gibbons tied together SO as
TO make a long string Of ornamentation
reaching below the knees Stoles of lace
and feathers are worn, and in the cooler
days have been very serviceable.
New York, May Il.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-17

laces look like new, so there is no end to the
temptations Of the lace counters. And the
impression created there is reinforced and
clinched by the pretty uses of laces shown
in model dresses. Take the left-hand dress
of to-day's second picture-it was natural
colored pongee, with green silk belt and
cluny lace trimmings, and altogether
enough to set a woman counting her money
to see how near to duplicating it she could
afford. Like tempters she'll find on every
side of her in the stores.
Wash materials take on renewed attrac-
tiveness with every fresh installment re-
ceived in the stores, and if woman feels
that she must not buy more summer goods
she should avoid the stores, for the dis
plays are so tempting as to prove IRE
sistible. And 1t is surprising how fast
money flies in summer goods. Panama
weaves are pretty and serviceable, as they
are firm enough to launder beautifully.
Many gowns in this weave come in en-
broidered pattern dresses. Those in the
whites are especially pretty. The supply
of liners is fine, and an occasional new
weave. such as the Chinese grass linens.
show that the supply is not yet exhausted.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-17

Wash gowns shown as models make the
shopper wonder how successfully they viii
wash. this because of their laboratories
and the delicacy of their materials. Com
mon prudence suggests limiting purchases
in this field TO entirely reliable stores and
careful consideration beforehand OF goods
and material. BY exercising CAT, Il there
should ce no new difficulty. A Pretty sum-
mer batiste mas place in the concluding
one Of these pictures. 1t was an embroid-
cred green weave, was trimmed with
darker green cord and had a silk belt
Belts are an interesting study 1t is sur
prising TO see how many variations of the
girdle ere being employed in one way and
another. Many of these telts seem, when
looking at the fronts, to be made OF soft
white elk. but the backs disclose the fact
that it is soft ribbon. for in the backs there
often are long ends of the ribbon some
times tied In fancy knot. again falling
straight from one or more buckles. A hanS-
some sxanple Of th1s last sort was in =
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-17

st. Louis Giobe-Democrat
The fad for the silence hour did not
end with Lent. 1t is on the increase, and
is under the patronage of wise and learned
physicians. as well as beauty culturists.
If you call upon madame or mademoiselle
In the morning during her silence hour, be
sure that, no matter how gladly and yearn-
ingly she waited to greet you whom she
has not seen for a week or a year, you will
just have to content yourself until the hour
is I'D
Everybody about the place has been or
dered not to dare approach her during this
CHOSEN and important sixty miuteS. Serv-
ants and children have their orders.
The beauty culturist gives directions that
We who are women and want to become or
remain beautiful must relax" sit, or, bet
ter still. lie quietly, thinking of nothing,
looking into space, but not too fixedly, each
day for an hour at least.
The learned doctors, too, say this is an
excellent nerve as we'll as muscle rest-that
we talk too much. Not sarcastically do
they say 1t, but recognize that it is a re-
quirement of society that we shall talk
much and well, whether we feel like it or
not.
During the silence hour one must not
speak a word. Even the children have
caught the fad.
Rosy-cheeked Dorothy, four years old,
sat In her little rocking chair with arms
hanging Imply at her Sides Several times
her mother called to her from the door
way, and received no reply, Mistress Dor
othy gazing straight before her.
Dorothy" she commanded, come and go
down with me to dinner or / shall leave
you"
At this threat the little girl turned i'm
patiently.
"Oh. muzzer," she exclaimed stamping
her foot don't disturb me. This is my
silence hour"
The business woman who goes up and
down to her Office every day tells me that
she finds no other opportunity than that
afforded my morning and evening ride
on the street cars for her silence hour but
she makes ii a rule to neither read, think
nor plan while making these Journeys, and
that even this sort of relaxation counts
for much.
Do not think, then, that your friends are
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-17

can be made by ruffiing crepe paper aror,s
ordinary strawberry boxes Inside ~.
place a cup TO hold the water and fbs
flowers, and there you are.
A beautiful flower vase Is made -,
swathing the stem of a goblet IN sr.Ss
paper and giving IL a wide fare at the forp
Candlesticks. II used only for decoratt,,a
purposes and by no means 20 hold uRhtsS
candles, can be beautifieo by a trfmnnins %
paper in like manner. The suggetior "a
made that cushions can be covered WITH =
Indeed, IL is not nearly so perishable =.
might be supposed.
For making dainty cabinets IL is ma1icsl
The toughest pine shelves will do Tor J.
foundation. and. once concealed by a svrath-
ing OF paper. will be just right for disnIsv-
ing pretty bits OF china and bric-a-brac
Pretty fans can be made by covering ~
binary palm leaves with the paper. gafbe--
ing 1t about the handle and tying wftb
ribbon.
And there are lots OF other WAYS I'm which
this decorative paper can be utilized which
will suggest themselves TO the woman ubo
loves cute knick-knacks.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-17

This is one way of washing handker-
chiefs: Dip them in warm water, soap each
one on both sides. fold loosely. and put
them in a pile in basin, without water to
soak for an hour or longer. Rub them on a
washboard with a large nailbrush dipped
in hot water. boil for a few minutes. rinse
in clear water, and dry. Begin the ironing
in the center. and not on the border.
When knives have steel blades thew
should be cleaned and polished after each
using. This is best accomplished II a small
basket is kept near at hand which contains
a potato, bathbrick and a polishing cloth
Scrape a little of the brick upon a board
dip the cut end OF the potato into il, and
use this to rub the blade OF the knife free
of all stains. Then polish with the cloth
and wash the handle in warm but not hot
water.
Nearly all these new waists have long
shoulder seams, the seam In some instances
lost altogether by having the yoke cut in
one piece forming the sleeve cap. Needle
work and lace are used in the decorations
The sleeves are profusely trimmed. The
lingerie waist is sometimes Joined at the
boned at the front and back. This hip piece
is to permit a secure fastening OF the gar
ment TO the corset A characteristic OF all
these waists is the collar, high, straight and
crushable.
Opinions often differ as to the digestive
qualities of bananas. especially for chill
dren. The banana is highly nutritious, and
satisfies the craving for starchy food which
fruit is usually eaten without being
chewed. and the stomach has hard work 20
digest the solid Jumps. A good way to
serve bananas at the nursery table is 10
cut them in small cubes, thereby preserv-
ing the taste. which seems to be lost when
they are sliced thinly. Break up fresh lady
fingers with them and serve with plenty
of sweet cream.
A gentlewoman in California has struck
out a new line of business for her
SELF or, rather, adapted an old one 10
existing conditions. Approaching the fact
that the modern mother gets little time TO
how TO darn and mend and do plain sewing.
she has opened a school In her house for the
little girls. Here her classes meet three
afternoons a week after school hours, and,
amid much socia bility, the children are
happily initiated into the homely but emf
nently useful sand feminine accomplish
ment of knowing how to look after their
own clothes
The forerunner OF the shirtwaist was
the Spencer. which was in fashion In the
'40s. The Spencer was a separate waist
with a plain back and a slightly fulled
front. and IL was usually developed in that
trimmed with black velvet. Now there is
a very plain skirtwaist suit for house wear
known as the Spencer suit. 1t has an un-
trimmed skirt six gored. with a gathered
or plated back. The waist is attached TO
the skirt and is cut like any plain shirt
waist. The one-seam bishop sleeves are
gathered into inch-wide wristbands. cling
hams, percales, dimities. and linens make
pretty Spencer suits, and with white en-
most attractive morning and country
Gown
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-17

Providence Journal.
Some one arises to remark that self-pos-
session. and not self-consciousness, in wom-
an is the result of good dressing.
This is just as true as the reverse. Ii all
depends on the woman. There would seem
to be no question that IL is every woman s
duty to dress just as well as she can, and,
despite the humorous shafts launched at
the vanity of the sex, the women who ex-
coed their duty in this respect are probably
not more numerous than those who neglect
IT, By dressing well we do not mean elao-
orately. nor extensively. nor conspicuously.
The little word well conveys far more
than many-syllabled adjectives. 1t implies
appropriately, with good taste and good ef-
feet.
Every mothers heart has at some time
ached for some awkward slip OF a girl rem
dered ten times more awkward by ill-fitting
gowns made out of iil-chosen material. Put
the same girl into dress which becomes
her, and marvellous transformation will
be seen in carriage and demeanor. The
same is true of her elders. No woman can
be graceful, no woman can do justice to her
conversational powers and other accom-
plishments, when painfully aware that the
hue of her dress is fatal TO her complexion,
and that its cut caricatures her figure. The
consciousness of looking her best undoubt-
edly has much to do with her power TO
charm.
And so we come back 70 the opinion that
1T Is every wOmans duty to choose her at
tire discreetly and with care. The busy
physician, the distracted business woman,
the worried housekeeper, the preoccupied
litterateur all of these should set aside a
small portion of precious time for the plan
ming of dress. Simplicity may be strictly
adhered to, and will, indeed, be found the
most effective, but if the garment under
consideration is only a morning wrapper or
negligee it should possess the merits of
being becoming in color and style and Of be-
ing well-fitting. Dress involves self-respect
as much as money involves character.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-17

larry supposed to be going around like the
roaring lion of biblical lore. seeking whom
he may devour. The routine and system
employed in the gathering of news is as a
sealed book 10 the general public. AS an
Illustration of this a reporter was inter
viewing costumer the other day gather
ing material for a Sunday article when a
young came In the shop and asked
for set of false whiskers. The costumer
didn't display sufficient alacrity to suit the
young man. who exclaimed sharply: IT
wish you would hurry. 1 am a reporter on
detective duty and l must disguise myself
at once" The costumer was evidently i'm
pressed by this information and the fake
rep rep Was soon S sui.sa, turning 10 the
said: You fellows must lead exciting
lives