davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-07-31
Philip Payne
Eaf s Short in Latest

The Duchess OF Few Clothes
4 Philip Pa.ne. the young Chicago
newspaper man, has tried to live UP
to the reputation he established with his
The Mills Of Mea''-tried and failed.
Where the earlier work Impressed with
its nOvelt-- OF conception and virility of
workmanship tha second novel falls
fat through an exaggerated use Of the
very same qualities Of style. In his
initial effort Payne. drew very close
to- the fundamental aspects Of the
wOrkaday American life and the Oft
times metallic sou6idness of American
character; in this his latest story, the
author has attempted to bring out the
same characteristics through the me-
dunn Of some palpably impossible stu
atoms and an atmosphere palpabl Y
stilted and unnaturaI-
Conference is the great lacking in
Duchess Of FeE Clothes conference
and the true ring Of ndellty to the ac-
tual proba bilities Of human action.
Possessed with. the determination TO
exhibit some or the anomalies of the
present day social order. Mr.. Payne
has strung together into a story, suf-
lciently dreary. a series Of incidents,
disconnected, unbalanced, which have
10 center about the personality OF no
individual in particular and which lead
TO nothing worthy OF being denominat-
ed a definite conclusion. One Of the
personages Of his story. Alonzo A
Farson, is a caricature, pure and sim
pie, a translation Of Mr.. PeclIsniff into
the atmosphere Of windy Chicago, and
all Of the incidents. the dialogue in
which this character has part are
consequently unreal to the limit Of
farcical. As for the rest of his people.
Payne has tried TO instill the exalted
essence Of spirituality into lady ven
dor Ct cigars. sublimated Bohemian
ism into a very commonplace fiddler
and the delicate SAVIOR OF chivalry into
a buyer and seller Of meat on the hoof
The creatures Of his conjuring refuse
to show any convincing pulsations
They are. cardboard.
Nobody denies Mr.. Payne the premise
that under the dome Of the Pan
theon Hotel in Chicago there may be
life worthy of study and reflection in
a novel. Frank Norris found a stir
ring epic in dentists parIor here in
San Francisco. II the author believes
that In a cinderella Of Cigars" there
is the worth for a story, nobody can
say him nay. Only let him endov his
Duchess with sensibilities and ap-
precautions commensurate with her
mental caliber, In keeping with the
sphere Of life settled upon her by the
accident OF birth. and then go ahead in
the weaving Of q story shat may have
the stamp Of the natural about it. In
Duchess Of Few Clothes" Payne fails
70 write from the respective social
levels OF his characters. All are re-
hected through the single stereoscope
Of the authors narrow perception. c
(Rand, McNally & Co, Chicago)
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-07-31

RoBT.W.RIT0HIE

to show what Masson's hand can do
when he has more room to turn a Jest
or make path9s melting:
She was maid CT high degree.
AND quite severely proper.
l.sch man she met, 80 proud she.
" uuid love. despair. then drop her
hut there remained without demur
When all the rest forsook her.
An amateur Photographer.
And finally he took her
And this
Fame burst the door OF a poor mans heart
and ordered Love out one day.
My friend, h said I'VE two must part
Not room for Us both 70 stay.
The years dragged BY. and the haggard face
OF Fame looks cut through the glass.
tfou may see him yet II you know the place.
stu waiting for love TO PASS
Oife Publishing. Company. New
York; price 70 cents.)
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-07-31

himself at the start TO those types that
can be easily comprehended and re-
tanned by the beginner. This schematic
methed is gradually modified and rem
dsred practical b. the addition of those
variations which VIII be found in reg
ular practice.
In his discussion of electro herapeu-
tics the author is less pedagogic and
more advisory. It is a subject in which
the student who has mastered and is
practicing electro-d diagnosis can form
his judgments for himself. DR.. Cohn
not only permits but insists upon
skepticism as the attitude TO be as
sgmed In such mooted questions as the
curative power of the electro therapeu-
tic currents. whether it is purely
psychological. the result CT sugges-
ton. or physiological in its nature.
The character OF the work as an OBJ
ject lesson text book is greatly en-
HANGED by the eight anatomical plates,
with coverings of transparent paper,
upon which are Indicated in red the
points Of application of the electric
current. The book is thoroughly in
dexed.
The practical value Of DR.. COINS
work is thus briefly summarized by
Francis A. scratch,ey, NJ. D.. OF New
York, the editor and translator:
1t gives concisely all that is i'm
portant in electro diagnosis. and in
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS all that is of posi-
tive value. It places electricity exactly
where it belongs in a physicians
armamentarium, as a curative agent.
II viii commend itself because of it's
excellent plates. its precise and very
thorough explanation Of the method of
Investigation and how to make an cleo
trical diagnosis, and the careful in
struction it gives for. the proper use
Of electricity as a therapeutic agent.
1t presents 50 many good features in
such an admirable manner that it
shcAld readily I'll in this country the
same place it has flied in Germany"
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-07-31

~ IT'S saw Us
little book, sans parent but
q sturdny independent in the
gorgeous ochre of its cover,
would be none the less diverting and
much more interesting If it indeed re-
fiected what real Chinaman did see
in US. 1t is not the work of a China
man, however-that is patent upon any
close reading of it-but 1t is another Of
those yelled satires, posed under the
guise of gentle barbarians cogita-
lions, which have ever caught the fancy
since rare old Montesquieu stirred I'D
France of the old regime with his Per
sian Letters.
Though a foreword by Henry Pearson
Grafton OF San Francisco AYERS that
to him has fallen only the task Of
editing this breezy correspondence be-
tween a Chinese, late of the embassy
at Washington, and his curious friend
at home, and that the real author de-
sires to conceal his identity for reasons
sufficiently obvious, a gentle exception
must be registered to Mr.. Gratton's in
genious disclaimer. If he did not pro-
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-07-31

The Building Laws OF Human Char
acter," we'll called by its author, Will
liam H. Mccarthy, every mans mon
itor," is healthful little compendium
Of the preeepts Of great minds upon
human conduct. Under the headings,
Character" Health and Temper
ance, Thoughts, Words and Deeds,
etc. the compiler has arranged for
ready reference the collected wisdom Of
epic bard and newspaper scrivener
alike.
CIV. H. Mccarthy. san Francisco;
price So cents.)
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-07-31
The Authors
What They Are Doing

rs reported by Paul Elder & Co.,
~ the best selling works Of fiction
for the month past are as fol-
lows: In the Bishops Car
rage" Nicholson; THE Crossing"
Churchill; Memoirs Of a Baby"
Daskam; THE Yoke" Miller; Rulers
Of Kings" Atherton; THE Castaway,"
Rives; Inventions of the idiot"
Bangs. In general literature the fol-
lowing books have been the most
sought: .Spencer's Autobiography"
Lord Actions Letters" The Simple
Home" Keeler; Dollars and Democ-
racy," Burne-Jones; japanese Physi-
cal Training" Hancock.
The literary editor Of the London
Globe takes occasion to draw a very
pharisaical comparison between Ameri-
can literature and the sterling. hall
marked British article in the following
paragraph:
"A firm Of American publishers has
addressed a letter to a London paper
complaining Of the fashion in which
American books are treated by English
reviewers. The question affects the
whole subject Of criticism, and the
method in which reviewers are remun-
Grated for their laborious work by Ger
tain newspapers; but it also draws at
tention TO the larger and more i'm
portant subject of American Htera-
ture. 1t must have struck many OBJ
servers how very slight and inconsid-
cradle is the American contribution to
the eternal things of art. In labor
saving inventions, and in all the COM
mercial details of the shop and the
factory, the American nation enjoys a
reputation which is justifiably envied
in Europe. But their art and their
literature have not yet made any seri-
Gus impression upon the world. 1t is
true that Mr.. Henry James is an
American by birth, but he was edu-
Gated in France and lives in England;
and this is a qualifying statement
which also applies to those few brill
liant painters who were born in Ameri-
ca. There is proba ably some spirit in
the atmosphere Of the American con-
tinent which is antagonistic to art
There is no sense of age, very little
veneration, and an entire absence OF
restfulness throughout the United
States. 1t is quite certain that when
America does produce a work OF genius
it will need no service of the reviewer
to introduce it into Europe"
We, Americans, then. who sit in
darkness, probably do not get the genu-
inc British literary creme-de-la-creme,
judging from the works that are sent
over here.
Margaret Horton Potter, author OF
THE Flame-Gatherers," is in private
life Mrs. John D. Black of Chicago. She
was born in 1881. the daughter Of Orrin
". Potter; and on January 1. 1902. she
married a son of General ]. c.. Black
Although only %. Mrs. Black has al
ready written five books, all of which
have attained marked success. She and
her husband are very popular in Chi
cago society. where they have hosts OF
friends. After leaving Bryn Mawr. Miss
Potter spent a year or two in post
graduate studies in Latin. Greek, Eng
lish, history and philosophy with a pri-
vate tutor, and she is deeply versed in
the philosophy of most of the ancient
and modern nations. Perhaps the great
est distinction of her books arises from
their power to .recreate the color and
atmosphere and life of vanished civ
ilization.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-07-31

The August number of Sunset offers
its usual potpourri Of good things, salt
ed by one or two features OF especial
merit. Bill Magee Of Pine Nut"
story IN rugged verse by Sam Davis.
the Nevada bard. suits the fancy
powerfully. A story by Juliet Wilbor
Tompkins and a sketch by Mary Aus
tin, both OF the writers high In the
ranks OF magazine contributions. give
literary touch to the periodical
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-07-31

who Is the most popular American
novelist to-day?" asks G. X. Shorter
in the London Sphere, and proceeds to
answer his own question. I believe it
to be Miss Mary Johnston. whose works
have caught on in this country as well
as on the other side. I under
stand in reading her last book CSir
MortimerD why it is that America does
not want English romantic novels any
more-they are quite as well written on
the other side Of the Atlantic as they
are here" II an English critic OF Mr.
Shorter's authority has this faith in the
merit of American romances. why is it
that the British public cannot allow
them their due place in the literature
Of the day? That the public does not
is evident in the still comparatively
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-07-31

American wit is the best wit in the
world. That's not forgetting Irish wit,
for there are enough Irish over here TO
leaven the whole lump, and they are
part of u.s. The finest samples of our
wit. that find their way to published
pages, in word and picture, appear in
the New York Life. The latest of the
series of book compilations from that
brilliant stated periodical is a little
selection of verse by Tom Mason,
called "In Merry Measure" 1t is am
ply illustrated by those masters of the
crayon. Charles Dana Gibson, c. Allan
Gilbert and others following close to
prime in pencil craft. A sample or
two, short enough to quote, may serve
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-07-31

q tender delicacy of sympathy which
makes the reading of tia matter close
to the heart
q. C. Page & Co.. Boston; Illus
trated; price 81 SOD
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-07-31

duce the letters himself he knows in
his secret conscience that the one who
did does not wear his hngernails la
Chinoise.
Now, for example, does Mr.. Grafton
wish us to believe that a member OF
the diplomatic corps at washington. be
he ever so Chinese-smart, would write
TO correspondent who had seen few
Foreigners Mr.. Grafton explains
the following, taken presumably from
the lips of political boss?
Smart h retorted the boss
why. We've got smart men. Look at
our school teachers. Them guys is
crammed with CUFF and passing exam
inations all the time: but there amt
one in a thousand that's got sense
enough to run tamale convention
Despite the gauzy attempt at decep-
ton. AS a Chinaman Saw Us" con-
tains some good things. There are some
digs in it which leave the smart be-
hind them. TOO.
Cd. Appleton & Co. New York;
price 81 25)
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-07-31

A little booklet called The Coast
Country has just been issued by the
Southern Pacific Company. dealing
with points of interest along the coast
from San Francisco to Santa Barbara.
1t is the second in a series descriptive
of CALIFORNIA; resorts. the first being
California South of Tehachapi." The
publication is profusely illustrated and
the text is unique in being written for
the most part by the railroad agents
at the points described. on account of
their intimate knowledge of the re-
sources Of their localities. The work is
a welcome addition to the advertising
literature of this State.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-07-31

Mrs. Dillon, in her story of The
Rose OF Old Saint Louis" gives us a
historical romance which is what we
tritely term timely. for it fits in with
the st. Louis Exposition by being
novel of the period of the Louisiana
purchase. II Is built up out of a close
study of the best historical records Of
these days, and brings before US the
important men of the time-NapoIeon
Jefferson, Talleyrand, Marbois and
Lewis and Clark, also the famous In
dian chief Black Hawk, to add a touch
of picturesqueness There is, of
course, the usual pretty love story to
make the history part more appetiz-
ing.
Theresfs a particularly strong chap
ter in the book with the caption. DO
naparte Gives England a Rival" in
which the author interweaves with her
story an account of the manner and
bearing of the First Consul when max
ing the momentous decision that by
the transfer of Louisiana to us he
would make us great enough to keep
England's pride in check.
The romance gives US a glimpse Of
the social life of old Saint Louis, and
has some pretty Illustrations. which
are interesting specially at this time
when the period of the empire deciding
purchase is being celebrated.
(The Century Company, New York;
price 81 SOD
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-07-31

small sales Of most American novels
OF the other side.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-07-31
Stray Notes
and Random JOffings

* ms a Chinaman Saw Us" a
little book, sans parent but
sturdny independent in the
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-07-31
Richard GTeSHsm-
Unappreeiafed Hero

O.: Y. !. Is: 3. s = . / :: .:.5::
rnreI .R.ci,arl Grashar, IL
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-07-31

TERALDED BY the fulsome praise
~ of none other than ETA Wheeler
The Union Republican., 1904-10-28
The Man who Tired Carlyle.

There is a story of Carlyle in his old
age having taken the following fare
well in his broadest Scotch of Il young
friend who had had him in charge for
walks and who, while almost always
adapting himself to Carlyle's mood,
had on single occasion ventured to
disagree with him: 81 would have you
to know, young man, that you have the
capacity of being the greatest bore in
Christendom." The boredom had con-
sisted solely in the rather negative sin
Of not having been convinced of the
truth of one of Carlyle's dogmas, sin
all the more heinous BECAUSE instead
of standing boldly up to Carlyle and de-
claring his doctrine utterly perverse,
the companion had betrayed his weak
ness by an apologetic tone.
Now, Carlyle liked disciples, and he
respected antagonists, but he could not
endure being merely thwarted without
being thoroughly reused. lie felt in
that case that he had made no impres.
sion at all on his interlocutor; that he
had neither won him nor excited him
to resistance. And nothing bored him
so much as that. or course it is only
exceptionally despotic minds that are
bored in this way.-London Spectator.
The Union Republican., 1904-10-28
jim mie
Torrin Ston's
BY COLIN
BY COLIN
S. COLLINS
Copyright, 1901,
By r. c. Mcclure

When Jimmie Torrington proposed
amateur theatricals as a means of lift
ing the debt from the Kingston Golf
club and possibly supplying a founda-
tion for building fund the golf club
crowd decided that he must be crazy.
This belief was strengthened when
Torrington placidly consented to act as
property man and made no effort to
prevent Herbert Ranson's becoming
stage manager. 1t was well known
that Kittie Clausen favored these two
of her numerous train of admirers,
and Carson voiced the general senti-
ment when lie said
Jimmie is insane to permit Ransom
to be the stage manager. OF course
Ransom will cast himself for the hero
and make Kittie the heroine, and Jim
mie will be out in the cold"
If Torrington realized his error he
gave no sign. On the contrary, he
amiably insisted upon taking a great
er part of the work upon his own
shoulders. 1t was he who hired such
costumes as were needed, secured the
scenery and even induced a theatrical
friend to promise to make up the play
ers on the night of the performance.
Torrlngton was the type of man who
most enjoyed doing things for others.
He was not handsome chap in spite
of his bright eyes and clear complex
ion. He was rather short of stature
(dumpy, Ransom called HIM, and his
favor with Kittie Clausen had been
gained by his qualities of mind and
disposition. Ransom, on the other
hand, was as striking in appearance as
the hero of cheap novel. He made
an ideal hero for the play, and even at
rehearsals he put deal Of feeling
into the love scenes with Kittie.
Apparently Torrington was the only
one who did not notice the fervor
thrown into the rehearsal, and when
1t was brought to his attention he
merely smiled complacently and re-
marked that he hoped the speaker
might be able to play his part as well
on the fateful night.
Gradually this indifference was ac-
cepted as a silent admission that Tor
The Union Republican., 1904-10-28
'tDoN'T YOU DARE TO SPEAK TO ME LIKE
THATI SHE PAINTED.

Pington had withdrawn from the con-
test in favor of his more attractive ri
val, and when he was not around the
men began to speak of poor" Torring-
ton, while the women marveled at the
completeness and suddenness of his
surrender.
But Torrington was not worried. II
he was aware of the compassion Of the
men and the scorn of the women he
did not show it, and his moonlike face
was always lighted by a peaceful smile
as he sat by the prompter's table at
rehearsals and watched the proceed
ings. He acted as useful man about
the stage, reading the part of some
one unable to attend rehearsal, holding
the book as prompter or performing
any slight service asked him.
Ransom, who possessed considerable
ability as an actor, worked hard with
his cast of amateurs, but 1t is not
easy to teach the art of acting, and
when in the course of time the repe-
titiOn Of mistakes drove him frantic
he gradually lost command over his
temper and at the dress rehearsal he
had to apologize to the entire com
pany, including Kittie, at various times
throughout the evening.
The others absolved him, but that
evening Torrington walked home with
Kittie, to the great surprise of all.
Their astonishment would have been
greater had they known that the invl-
tation came from Miss Clausen her
self.
But if Miss Clausen had transferred
her favors to Jimmie in the hope of
finding him ready sympathizer she
that l.C.' f.c.ngs had been hurt, but
l.c WAS r.: prepared to admit that
Hanson wa. II blame. Oddly enough,
Lis defense of Ii"lson served to in
crease her sense of injury. When the
right OF tie performance arrived SIC
was scarcely civil to Tic stage man
ager aitl coanced into her dressing
room with so curt good evening"
that even Torrili2ton gasped,
Ransom looSe,l surprised, but there
was no time then for explanations.
and he went off to the dressing room
where the professional actor had in
stalled himself.
The shelf in front of tie mirror was
covered with sticks of paint of all
colors, boxes Of powder and the vari-
GUS implements OF makeup art. all
redolent Of the cheap perfume added
The Union Republican., 1904-10-28
LOVES BLACK
SHADOW
By HARTLEY WILLARD
Copyright. 1904, by c. B. Lewis

81 tell yo', gall tell yo' I'd rather
see yo' dead twice over than iined to
Abe Taylor Befo' / would see 1t cum
about I'd kill one or t'other of yo'
with my own hand. Whar's yo'r
pride? Whar's yo'r shame? Whars
the respect yo' owe yo'r dead mother?
If yo' was jined up TO Abe Taylor dye
reckon me an yo'r brother Bill could
hang around yere agln what folks
would say? Dye think we could look
our nayburs in the face arter that?"
High up on the side of the grim old
mountain father and daughter sat on
the steps of a humble log cabin on a
summers afternoon. He was man
of fifty, loose jointed and a typical
mountaineer; she was u girl Of nine
teen, with face and form that had no
equal for twenty miles around. He
sat braced with his. back to the jamb,