davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-20
IS LONG LIFE Il BOON?
Man One Hundred Years Old Who
Danced Hornpipe.

LONDON, Dec. 19.-Opinions naturally
vary as to whether long life Is q boon,
despite the eloquent testimony OF Richard
birthday by dancing a hornpipe.
II don't think long life is a boom" said
a physician II have several old people
among my patients, and all but one or two
are almost always peevish and irritable
Long life Is neither a blessing to those who
attain old age nor TO those who live with
the aged"
Quite a different story was told by an
other medical man, who described the
period between seventy and ninety as the
ing that you have no physical ailments" he
said, and you are we'll fed comfortably
housed, and warmly clothed you have no
cares at all. You have not the energy TO
worry or to trouble about anything You can
enjoy as well as ever you can. but you can
or life In which prudence can be best ex-
ercised and the fruits of all the other vir-
tues enjoyed with the least opposition the
senses being then so subdued that man
gives himself up entirely 70 reason Such
are the words OF Lewis Conraro, Venetian
centenarian. who died on April %, 1856
Some sensual, unthinking persons" he
added. affirm that long life Is no great
blessing. and that his seventy-fft year
cannot really be called life. That is wrong
IL Is my sincere wish that all men would
endeavor TO attain my age, which OF al
others is most desirable. All my senses
are as good as ever and in the highest per-
lection; my understanding clear and bright
my Judgment sound. my memory tenacious
my spirits good, and my voice has grown
chanting aloud my prayers morning and
night"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-20
RUSSIA TRYING TO
AVOID Il RUPTURE

PARIS, Dec. 1s-Russia has made another
move toward avoiding a rupture with ia
pan. and there is reason to believe it will
be followed in few days by the submits
sion of a second proposition tending to amel-
iorate the present strained situation. The
action already taken consists in giving as
surances that the first proposition which
the Car approved was not In any sense an
ultimatum, or sine qua non, but was a pre-
liminary step tending towards pacific ad-
justment. This declaration is considered
by the officials here as removing one OF the
most dangerous aspects of the situation, as
II had been asserted that Russia's PROPOSE
ton was practically an ultimatum, which
on being rejected by Japan, made a rup-
ture certain. On the contrary, Russia's as
surances permit Baron De Rosen, the Rus
sian minister, at Toxic. to continue the ne
gotiations even beyond the terms of the
first proposition.
The Russian authorities have not yet def
nitely been advised of Japan's rejection of
the proposition, but IL the rejection Is OFF,
cially communicated another Russian prop
osition will be made. looking towards the
avoidance of a rupture. The nature of the
terms of this further proposition is not dis
closed, as it depends on Japan's reply, but
Russia's intention to make another propo-
sition is considered to be distinct amelio-
ration of the situation.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19.-The State De-
partment has received a cablegram from
Mr.. Griscom, United states minister at
Toxic, saying that Japan has received the
Russian reply to her ultimatum and re-
CARDS it as unsatisfactory. This is the first
cablegram the department has received
from Mr.. Griscom in some time, and is the
only information it has had in weeks bear
ing on the negotiations
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-20
JEALOUS WOMAN SENDS
BOX OF V|PERS TO RIVAL
Revenge of an Italian Countess
Whose Husbands Affections
Were Stolen.

PARIS, Dec. ia wealthy italian.
Count de P, and his wife recently came
to Paris on a visit. BY chance they met
Nine. Leonie v, an old friend Of the
family, with whom intimate relations were
resumed.
All went we'll until few days ago Coun-
tess de P became jealous of the marked
attentions her husband paid to Nine.
Leonie. She became so enraged that she
conceived a diabolical plan to revenge her
self on her rival. She obtained, says the
Journal a couple of vipers, in a state of
torpidity. packed them nicely in cotton
wool and placed them in a handsome box
bearing the crest of the count. This dan
gerous parcel was then sent with note to
Mime. Leonie
The gift reached her while she was still
in bed, but as the count had promised her
a pearl necklace she was only too eager 10
open the box. Scarcely had she undone
the covering when she let il fall with a
cry, and half dead with fright took refuge
under the bedcothes Revived by the
warmth the reptiles recovered from their
lethargy. and with raised heads lay on
the bed kissing ominously. The porter of
the house was requisitioned and with some
trepidation approached the vipers. armed
with whip. A successful blow ended their
existence and Nine. Leonie now ventured
to put forth her head. A note inclosed in
the box contained the words: when you
have read this letter the vipers will have
bitten you This Is the pearl necklace
which Countess de P presents to you
last act of the drama will be played In a
divorce
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-20
IRISH TOBACCO GROWING
People of Emerald Isle Will Raise
Their Own "Weed."

BELFAST. Ureland), Dec. liking Ed
ward, by the by, is taking a very active
part in obtaining the revival of the to-
bacco industry in Ireland Away back in
the reign Of King Charles III the growing
of tobacco in England and Ireland was
strictly forbidden by law, under penalty of
fine and Imprisonment, with the object Of
developing the prosperity of the royal col
ony Of Virginia. the staple industry Of
which was the cultivation and export of
tobacco. In England the prohibition has
always been maintained, although Virginia
has long ceased to belong to England.
About eighty years ago tobacco growing
was permitted In Ireland, and for about
two decades the cultivation was most sue
cessfully carried on, as much as $500 an
acre or net profit betting realized, while $500
per acre was the average clear profit. More
over. in 1880, when the distress was great
In Ireland, the only county that did not
suffer was Wexford, where the cultivation
of tobacco was an established industry.
But about the time that Queen Victoria
came to the throne the English govern
ment stepped in and forbade any further
growth of the plant, giving as a pretext
for this arbitrary measure fiscal reasons
and the difficulty Of collecting the revenue
on the tobacco, thus crushing a prosperous
industry and depriving a country whose
poverty has been almost proverbial of the
means of developing a good source of in
come.
Thanks largely to the influence and to
the initiative of King Edward, all restric-
tons are now about to be removed. and to-
bacco may become once more fiourishing
industry in the Emerald Isle. while Pat"
will derive additional satisfaction from his
pipe in the reflection that the fragrant
weed which he is inhaling is grown on his
native soil.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-20
HOLY SEES FINANCIAL
CONDITION is SAID TO BE
/ FAR FROM SATISFACTORY
Plus X Received Only $4,000
from His Predecessor by Be-
quest in Secret Will.
EXPENSES ARE. LARGE
1t Costs About $1,000, 900 a Year
to Run All Departments of
the Vatican.
PETERS PENCE NOW FEW
Contributions Gradually Dimin-
ishing-The Tribunals Story
Not True as to Time.
PETERS PENCE NOW FEW

ROME. Dec. I9.-The Tribunals state
ment yesterday that Cardinal Gotti had
turned over to Plus Y about 100000 Of the
late Pope Leo's wealth was true, but the
incident did not take place on Friday. The
money was surrendered some time ago. An
authorized announcement says the truth Is
that the present Pope. Immediately after
his ascension TO the throne, received S.
10000 as indicated In the part of the late
Pope's will which was not made public.
The delivery OF the money was effected by
Cardinals Gotti, Rampolla and Cretoni,
Pope Leo's executors, who brought the
larger part of the bonds from the Propa-
ganda, where they were kept. In denying
that any money was found behind the
hangfngs of Pope Leo's bedroom. the alb
surdity Of the story. as told by one news
paper. Is evident when it is considered that
100000 in gold would represent over forty
tons In weight.
The financial condition of the Holy See
Is somewhat unsatisfactory aud causes the
Pope preOccupatiOn. When the temporal
power fell Plus X. partly because he was
generous and partly because he sincere
~ thought the reoccupation OF Rome would
not last long. maintained the salaries of
all the clerks, officers and soldiers who did
not take service under the Italian govern
ment, which represented great outlay
Tor years. Recently salaries and pensions
were diminished. but even now the annual
expenditure of the Vatican amounts to
about 81, 10000. 1t Is further denied ,hat
Pope Leo left less money than was found
when he assumed the tiara. AT the death
of Pope Plus TX the amount at the dis
posal OF the Holy See did not reach $780,
COO Pope Leo might have left much more
II several financial enterprises undertaken
with the object Of permanently placing the
Pontin in a position where he would not
be dependent on the charity of the faith
ful had not failed. In addition, the contri-
buttons known as Peters pence" which
have been one of the chief resources of
the Holy See, have gradually diminished,
especially where the Catholics did not APP
prove OF the political attitude of the
papacy, as In France.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-20
NO U[HhATUh HAS YET
BEEN SENT BY JAPAN TO
RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT
Answer to Modified Proposals De-
layed Few Days Owing to HI
ness of Baron De Rosen.
CLASH TO BE AVOIDED
Russia May Make Further Con-
cessions in Regard to Man
churia and Korea.
BRITISH VOLUNTEERS
Some of King Edwards Army Of
hcers to Take Service with
the Japanese.

LONDON, Dec. ia report cabled from
Tien-Tsin to-day that Japan had sent an
ultimatum to Russia was contradicted later
in a dispatch from Toxic, which said
Japan's answer to Russia had not yet been
sent, owing to the indisposition of the Rus
sian minister, Baron De Rosen. 1t VIII
be probably delayed a day or two. Baron
Hayashi, the japanese minister to Great
Britain, also said this evening: "An ulti-
matum has not been sent"
Half a dozen British army officers leave
England next week for Japan to study the
Japanese language and become acquainted
with Japanese military tactics The War
Office forestalls any attempt to connect
their departure with the immediate Russo
japanese crisis by announcing that all The
arrangements therefor were completed with
the Toxic government some time ago. Other
British officers have volunteered their serv-
ices to Japan, in the event of war, through
the London legation. While expressing APP
probation, Baron Hayashi. the Japanese
minister to Great Britain, points out that
the rules Of the Japanese service preclude
the employment of foreigners active
service.
sensational report circulated regarding
British preparations for a naval mobiliza-
ton is declared at the Admiralty to be un-
founded.
The RothschiIds have heard nothing of
any suggestions that Russia will attempt to
raise q loan of $125,O0000O, or any other
amount, in Great Britain, and they declare
that the report is probably unfounded. Rus
STA, they say, could not raise a loan here,
and, judging from their latest advices from
Paris it would probably be equally difficult
for Russia to raise more money in France
II is stated in other quarters that, even
were a Russian loan issued elsewhere there
is little likelihood of any portion of 1t being
underwritten in London.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-20
GUARDED SECRET WELL
OF EMPER0R'S TROUBLE
For Eight Weeks Prior to Opera.
ton Only Four Persons Knew
of Kaiser's Malady.

BERLIN, Dec. 19.-Dr. Moritz Schmidt s
elevation by the Kaiser to the rank of a
privy councillor. with the predicate of sex
cellency," constitutes his reward, not alone
for his successful operation on the larynx
of his sovereign, but likewise for the dis
cretion with which he watched over his
illustrious patient for two full months be-
fore the knife was used.
1t is now known that the Emperor was
aware for eight or ten weeks previous
to the operation that there was something
serious the matter with his throat. There
were but two persons TO whom ne impaired
the secret-namely, to his wife and to his
principal physician-and so well was it kept
that not alone the public but even the most
trusted officials of his government and of
his court as well as the members OF his
family remained in total ignorance of his
condition until the day on which the opera
ton took place, and when the news was
finally impaired to the world at large il
was accompanied by an authoritative an
nouncement that the growth in the throat
was not OF malignant, that is to say, of
a cancerous character
During all those ten weeks the Emperor
was under the almost constant supervision
of Prof. Schmidt the most eminent. spe-
cialist in Germany-perhaps in Europe
and who was one of the most trusted
In the last year of the latters life The
professor, knowing the influence of heredi-
~ in the case OF generous ailments. was
afraid to commit himself until assured of
his diagnosis. The latter could not be given
with any absolute certainty until the OPP
Grafton had taken place. and the opera,
ton Itself could not be performed until
the growth had sufficiently matured
Yet SO cautious and discreet the
professor that no one at court dreamed
OF the secret, which the Emperor, the EN-
press. DIR. Luthold. and Prof. Schmidt were
alone To share, or had any idea of the terri
bic anxiety which all four underwent dur
ing those long and weary weeks until the
operation at length allowed the eminent
surgeon TO declare that the alarming
growth in his sovereigns throat was not
OF malignant cancerous character
Rarely has a secret been better kept. and
the German people are not unmoved by
the consideration which the imperial cou-
pie have manifested for their feelings In
keeping them In the dark about the mat
ter until they could at the same time re-
assure them as TO the nature of the mall
ady. -
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-20
LIKE 1.-THE DREAM
OF EUGENE ARAM y
Poetry Quoted by Counsel in Re-
markable South African Muir
der Case.

LONDON, Dec. 19.-The London Mail In
its correspondent from Cape Town, South
Africa, says: One of the most sensational
murder trials in the history of South Africa
concluded in a verdict of guilty against the
Englishman named Hart, who was charged
with the murder of his friend. James Arm
strong, in remarkable circumstances. Arm
strong, a native of Monteith, West Pert
shire, arrived in South Africa early this
year and shortly afterward mysteriousy
disappeared. In April his headless body
was found on the shore of lonely lake
near Cape Town. Suspicion fell upon his
friend Hart and at the inquest it came out
that he had told his brother that he had
been informed by spirits that the body of
Armstrong would be discovered near water.
Later Hart was seen near the spot walking
away with something in his hand, which
proved TO be skull. This he threw away,
but il was eventually discovered and 1t
was found that the jaw was broken.
The trial proved memorable one. The
judge and counsel liiSened the case TO that
of Eugene Aram. Armstrong; body had
lain for months by the shore of the lake
and had been visited daily by Hart. Coun-
sci quoted the following stanza from The
Dream of Eugene Aram' in reference to
this peculiar feature of the case:
One stern tyrannic thought that made
All other thoughts its slave;
Stronger and stronger every pulse
Still urging and
The dead man in his grave
The prisoner gave evidence declaring he
was gifted with second sight, and had dis
covered the body owing to revelations
vouchsafed from heaven. The jury re-
turned their verdict only after long delib-
GRAFTON, adding an unexpected rider that
the prisoner was of unsound mind though
this plea was not set up In his defense The
sentence that he should be detained
during his Majesty's pleasure. The case
has excited enormous interest owing TO it's
gruesome features.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-20
LONDON'S IDLE WORKMEN
IN STARVING CONDITION
Parade Streets All Night Long in
Hope of Picking Up Crust of
Bread from the Cutters.

LONDON, Dec. ia night spent In the
streets of London, even this early in win
ter, reveals amount of poverty at once
distressing and deplorable. 1t Is not till the
early hours of the morning. between and
2:30 that the ceaseless, struggling band
of the homeless begin their monotonous
parade TIL the last of the theater-goers
and the club men have gone home there
is always a chance of turning an honest
penny by opening cab doors. There are
warm looking shop windows to look into.
and in the hustle of the West End Incl
dental to the turning on. OF the theaters
there is always an hour of grace when a
tired man might snatch hours sleep in
a dark doorway what time the police are
elsewhere engaged controlling chaotic traf-
fic.
The wayfarer whose business or pleasure
takes him out into the deserted streets at
so early an hour cannot fail TO be struck
by the change that has come over the class
OF night wanderers. Not only have they
increased in number but the ranks OF these
sad battalions have been strengthened by
recruits who. shabby and worn though their
coats be. have an ar OF strangeness ana
novitiate.
Clerks. laborers. carmen. ex-soldiers,
workers IN almost every Drancn or Ire, VINO
a few months ago were In the receipt Of
wages and more or less comfortably housed
and fed-these are the recruits to the van
guard of vagabondage that nightly walks,
with downcast eyes searching the cutters
OF London for some small thing. whether it
be crust OF bread or cigar-end, wherewith
TO stave off the hunger. or induce mo-
mentary forgetfulneSs.
meeting of the Mansion House relief
subcommittee, which has done such good
work in the past. will be held to consider
the situation in regard TO the unemployed.
Inquiries at the Mansfield House Settle
ment Canning Town. revealed disheart-
ening state of affairs. Some OF our best
men, sober, industrious fellows, cannot OBJ
tain work." IL was stated, land In many
cases the living eked out at home by the
women is but the representation of death.
Nearly che whole OF the south of West
Ham is below the poverty line. and how
the poor win stand the coming distress
no one knows"
at Poplar relief works are to be under
taken, a years residence In the borough
being necessary condition Of employment.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-20
FRIARS NAY ABANDON
PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Few Will Remain Under American
Rule-No More to Be Sent
There from Europe.

ROME, Dec. 19.-The settlement Of the
friar lands question In the Philippines also
practically settles, ii is considered here. the
question OF the friars themselves. The
Franciscans. it is believed. will abandon the
islands altogether since they have no pur-
chase lands and have no other means of
support few OF the Recollects will re-
main, as they have still some property there.
The Dominicans will be looked after by
their university, and the Augustinians will
reoccupy the building erected at lola,
which is now used by the Americans as a
barracks. and will claim an indemnity from
the government. The Augustinians will Use
the building a school. 1t is believed that
the number of friars remaining I'm the Phil
ippines with the consent OF the new Amer
lean bishops will not exceed $50, but no more
will be sent TO the archipelago. owing to
lack of funds. Under the old regime Spain
paid for the transportation of friars to the
Phflippines
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-20
GIRL STUDENTS DRAW
LOTS FOR THEIR LIVES
CHASTITY Tragedy That Grew Out
of the Fickleness of a Young
Prussian.
AMERICAN DUEL FOUGHT

ST. PETERSBURG, Dec. ia tragic af-
fair, analogous in some respects to that
horrifying form of duel termed Amer
ican," by which the opponents draw lots
to decide which of them is to die. has oc-
Cured here in the students quarter. the
principals being two girl students.
The story is most dramatic. One Of the
girls made the acquaintance of a young
man of good family, and became secretly
engaged to him. Shortly afterward she in
troduced her fiance to another young girl,
an intimate friend of her own. AT this
point the tragedy commenced. for the tickle
lover Immediately fell deeply In love with
his fiancee's friend, and what was worse,
the attachment was mutual.
The girls, however, true to their friend
ship, had no secrets from one another, and
the newcomer confided to the betrothed
girl the fact that she and the young man
were In love. The two girls were in despair,
and at length determined that the death of
one of them offered the only solution Of the
difficulty. They accordingly resolved upon
fighting an American duel"
Locking themselves in room with re-
volyer they drew lots, and it fell out that
the betrothed girl had to shoot her friend.
The latter stood, calmly awaiting her
death, looking straight into the eyes OF the
girl who held the revolver, but the latter,
yielding to a sudden impulse, turned the
weapon against her own breast and nred.
The shot was a fatal one, and, bleeding
from a terrible wound, the poor girl fell
dead on the floor.
At this sight the girl whose life had been
spared snatched the revolver and attempted
to commit suicide, but her trembling hand
was incapable of properly directing the
shot, and she only wounded herself slightly.
Her courage giving way, she knelt In de-
spair by the corpse of her friend. crying
bitterly, and In this position she was found
by neighbors, who on hearing the SHOTS
broke into the room.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-20
GEN, LORD KITCHENER
IS IMPROVED IN HEALTH
Commander of the British Forces
in India Now Able to Attend
to Duties.
HIS LEG IS MENDING
HIS LEG IS MENDING

CALCUTTA, Dec. 19.-Lord Kitchener.
commander of the British forces in India,
one of whose legs was broken recently
while he was passing through a tunnel on
horseback, is much improved in health.
Although he will be confined to his house
for some time he is able to carry on
his official duties. When his lordship met
with the mishap in the tunnel the coolies
who discovered him lying with a broken
leg ran away, fearing they might be ac-
cused of causing the accident General
Kitchener therefore lay in the tunnel some
time without medical attention.