davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-24

The very tones of mans voice when
he speaks to a lady have lost the fine
gentleness that used to be in them. An
English society woman who visited us
last summer wrote in a British maya
zine after she went home that she
found American men the rudest and
most i'll bred of any on the earth.
1t may be that the great influx among
us of foreigners from lands where wo-
man is a serf and beast of burden has
led to the disappearance of courtesy
among our men. At any rate the evil
has grown to be very serious one.
Only mothers and women teachers can
check it. AS to the grown men, little
can be done to change a stubby, self
satisfied, set in his ways man-but with
boys it is different. Woman can infiu-
ence them to be courteous and chival-
rous to girls and ladies. Unless the
masculine sex in America is to lapse
into a brutal barbarism so far as its
manners to women are concerned, boys
and growing young men will have to be
trained in good manners. They can
still be taught that nothing in this
world is finer than a man habitually
courteous and polite to ladies, and that
ideal should be held up to them from
their schooldays on.
JANE MOSES.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-24
Jeannette Robinson
Murphy.....
Student Of
Negro Music and Philosophy

50 EFT me ak you sumpin, chile. Look
at me straight and tell me
homes Now, I gwine ak
- yer a question" She tip
toed to the door and looked up and
down the gallery to assure herself that
nobody was eavesdropping. then shut
the door tight and turned the key in
the lock and. coming back to me
stealthily. began in a whisper:
Now, tell me de trufe, chile. Dere
amt nobody gwine ter heah-only
Gawd am a-lookin' straight into yer
heart. So tell me now, homes. Did you
ebber see any man, specially any 'oom-
an, what wuz rale, puffectly happy
married? Umph!"
This is a specimen of the wisdom of
Aunt Susan. an old negro woman, the
mother of nineteen head o. chillun in
de Lawd." as reported in a book lately
written by Mrs. Jeanette Robinson
Murphy, a southern lady. Mrs. Muir
ply has spent years in gathering and
preserving the remnants of negro mu-
sic and folklore as these were in old
slave days. This music, these tradi-
lions, the very superstitions of old
slave days are today the most impor-
tant key civilization holds to the real
original character of the African race.
Jeanette Robinson. daughter of Mr..
and Mrs. Norman Robinson, was born
and brought UP in Louisville. AS a lit
tie child she felt a strong affection for
the black servants who ministered to
the Robinson household. Little Jean
nette was born with a passionate love
Of music and was a born singer besides
She heard the negro women singing the
songs of their own race. chiefly reli-
gious or 'spirituals-" The music ac-
companied with a swaying of the body
and patting of the feet, fascinated the
child She found that the body move
ments were quite as important as the
music. She says, Like David of old,
the negro sings to accompany his
dances" She found. too. that generally
the negro improvises his words to suit
the occasion, whether a camp meeting
or a social or domestic happening. The
airs. however, remain. being, as Mrs
Murphy feels sure, brought from AZ
rfca by the original slaves. These airs
have running notes and variations
trimmings" as the negroes call them
but they are ever the same and are
chiefly either barbaric religious chants
or weird charm lamentations used in
dark rites which today are secretly
practiced sstill among many southern
negroes
It is difficult for a white person to
catch a real negro melody. The intona-
tons, the rhythmic bodily movements
and the trimmings" are all those of a
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-24

greenish brass, the copper and the
pompic ware are very much more up to
date than silver, and the latter is TAX
ing a well earned rest.
And, speaking of wedding gifts, it is
no longer considered a breach of good
form to change them. On the contrary,
the incest thing to do is to inclose a
little note with your wedding gift say
ing that if it is not the right thing you
want her to change it and get exactly
what she wants.
This is certainly going to be a cop
per year. Even in dress and millinery
you see it. Brown is such a universally
becoming color that we are to have a
great deal of it again this season.
However, it will be of a slightly diff
ferent tone, more on the reddish yell
Iowish shades. Old gold is to be re-
vfved, and our ancient friend, terra
Gotta, appears under the French name
for copper-cuivre. In spite of every
thing that has been said, green has not
proved SO popular as fashion leaders
wanted it to be. The truth is it is not
apt to be becoming to the ordinary
American complexion, which is a trife
Sal1ow, 1 am sorry to say, from much
pie and candy eating. The true reds of
the dark cherry shades will also be
worn, but not so much as the brownish
and burnt sienna shades, some of
which in cheap materials especially are
bound to be very homely.
The small hat reigns. Believe moth
ing to the contrary. There are few
shapes half so charming as those neat
quaint little hats which show off so
well the contour of the head and the
masses of hair prettily arranged and
deliberately dressed according to the
demands of fashion. 1t is on the hat
that the touch of green goes better
than anywhere else, for it is a we'll
known fact that color can be worn
over the face which never could be
worn under it. However, it is fortunate
that all of us are not as sensitive on
the color question as the servant girl
who upon being shown her mistress
new green silk dress exclaimed: VERY
fine, ma'am. But 1 never could wear
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-24

enough to be his grandmother or even
a woman carrying a baby stand. A boy
doing such a thing thirty years ago
would have been "yanked" out of his
| seat in a hurry by the first grown man
who saw him. Thirty years ago the
man who puffed tobacco smoke through
his nostrils into a lady's face would
have committed an offense serious
enough to risk getting his mouth slap
ped. Today perhaps half the men on
our American streets do this habitually.
L Thirty years ago no gentleman used
a toothpick in the presence of others;
today villainous punches of wooden
toothpicks stand upon every restaurant
table and even upon some private ones
and are used in a horrible manner be-
fore all the world. 1t is considered the
top and climax of i'll breeding for man
at table to pick his teeth with a fork,
but, really and truly, is that any worse
than doing the same thing with
toothpick? Is it any worse either than
chewing a toothpick in a street car
in the eyes of all mankind? The old
time gentleman never cleansed his
teeth in public.
Then, too, what has come over the
modern American in regard to his feet?
AreShis lower limbs built different from
those Of his sex a generation ago that
Tit lis necessary for him to carry them
as nearly on a level with his arms as
possible? Again, observe the street car
animal. If he sit upon cross seat he
is not easy one second until he has
hoisted his feet upon the handsomely
finished seat opposite. He must know
that ladies wearing clean and costly
gowns will need to sit in the spot
where his greasy, dusty shoes are de-
posted; but he cares no more than
pig for that. You will many time see
II
unclean feet upon an empty seat beside
a richly dressed, refined lady-under
her very nose. A more outrageous
breach of common decency can hardly
be imagined than that.
B. It seems somehow a physical impos-
sibility any more for men to sit with
their legs in the correct position, their
feet upon the floor. If they occupy
seats along the side of a car, instantly
every man of them crosses his legs and
presents row of unclean shoe soles
standing out in the air for every lady to
wipe her skirts upon. They have no
shame as to doing this unpleasant
thing habitually. Once a woman leav-
ing a street car looked at the row of
dirty shoes and said to their wearers:
Gentlemen, do you want I should
wipe your shoes for your" You should
have seen those feet sneak toward the
f1oorl
Are mans feet so beautiful that he
takes every occasion to show them off
in public lifting them high lest by any
chance they should be overlooked? Or
what is it? And will the next writer
on etiquette for men give answer to the
question, What shall a man do with
his feet?
American men habitually crowd, jos
tie and push women out of the way in
order to run and get a seat for them
selves in car or public hall. In the
large cities a woman is even now and
then knocked down. On the whole it
is well American girls are going in for
physical culture. They will need all
they can acquire if the present line of
conduct from American men toward
women continues
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-24

wrought stem, or claret pitcher, suit
able as well for lemonade or ice water
Salad bowls for some reason seem to be
a trifle more expensive, but one can
purchase a very nice whipped cream
bowl. Bags of Powered silk for opera
glasses may be obtained for about this
price. More expensive ones are mount
ed in gold and r. furnished with tiny
change purses OF the same silk. A lace
handkerchief is mot to be despised if
the lace is real, and a, dainty chemise.
handmade yandc embroidered with the
brides initials is frequently given by
intimatesl of the family. Dainty little
clocks of china or gilt work are always
popular, but the newest thing is the
clock supported on an art nouveau
brass tripod representing lily leaves or
something eauaityrnaHtfstie. Both the
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-24

pressure comes equally ON heel ana
toes, and the ball of the foot is the cen
ter upon which the weight of the body
swings.
To walk well is an accomplishment
which vastly adds to the charms OF
dainty maids of high degree and YET Is
perhaps more common among ItallaH
peasant women and other toilers, VINO
learn the proper control of their limos
and muscles by having to carry loads
on their heads. Even in a market ons
often sees women, coarse and common
looking perhaps, but bearing tnelr
heavy loads with a dignif1ed carriage
that duchess might envy.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-24

a popular time for such affairs think
perhaps some of you would like the
benefit of my experience. ts0r
If you have about SO to spend moth
ing is prettier than some desk trinket
made out of a new green metal now
much in evidence. AS a matter of fact,
entire desk sets in twisted leaf designs
are made of this metal, and there is
also lamp for the desk to match, hav-
ing a shade like a pagoda trimmed with
green bead fringes- Jewel boxes of the
metal are wrought with a fretwork
over imitation jade, and there are
beautiful candlesticks which represent
a slender maiden rising out of a lily
pad. People who do not want to spend
more than IS may buy a pretty fruit
compete in cut glass, one of the new
shapes with curved cup and a long
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-24

race as different from the white as the
color of white is different from red
Little Jeanette Robinson lowered
around the kindly black servants and
begged and nagged them to sing. Amy
the nurse, was her especial victim, for
Amy was a marvellous singer. Amy
when nagged overmuch, was wont to
say:
Miss Nette, you's de pestifeses' chile
de Lawd evan made. Eff you don't quit
bein' so vygus de pinfeathahs IL sprout
out ovah you"
But she always sang the songs the
child begged for A prime favorite
among them was "See Heah, Ma Sis
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-24

to produce the goods. All the posi-
lions involving good hard work are
open to her. but when il comes to the
dignified posts which consist in occu-
pyfng a highly mahoganized desk and
doing heavy thinking part to deceive
the rest of the office force she is debar-
red because she is a woman. And, why,
indeed. shouldn't a woman occupy one
of these soft snap positions of dignity
where she can grumble and grunt and
snooze away her old age and be
treated with exaggerated dignity by
the ofiice boys and subordinates? Well
for one thing. even il such a position
were offered her as a reward for her
early labors. I don't think she could
stand it. A man can do nothing at all
with more dignity than any other crea-
ture on this earth A woman would
simply go crazy under similar circum
stances. She must hustle around and
create a stir of some sort. whether
mental or physical. of course there
are lots of lazy women. Dear me, yesI
But they want to be lazy comfortably
at home in their dressing gown and
slippers. and you don't usually find
them in an office.
Speaking about the woman who is
able to work and who in consequence
has 10. / shall never forget a story that
appeared in one of the magazines. 1t
was about a stenographer working in
an ONCE. She falls in love with one of
the Junior clerks in the same Office. and
they are engaged indefinitely because
he has two sisters TO support OF
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-24
81. LHEHzzzlHEN i f13 ~ L

course the sisters are of the non-self-
supporting class. The plucky girl
fiancee agrees to help her lover in order
that they may be married soon. At
this juncture one of the sisters mar
ries, to the immense relief of every one.
But unfortunately this relief is of
short duration, for just as the lovers on
the strength of it are about to get mar
ried, 10 and behold, sister returns to
the home fold, having separated from
her husband At this interesting juno
ture the lover dies of exposure to the
cold after a hard days work, and the
sisters fall Imply on the brave little
fiancee for protection, and. of course.
as she is capable of earning a living
and they are not CD, she takes the
brothers place and supports them to
the end of the chapter.
Now, can any story be more disas-
trous to the cause of female industry?
The reign of artificial hair is vivid
u.s. Strange and out of date is the wo-
man who is content with the small wad
that nature gave her, and the damsel
with straight locks puts by every
month certain sum of her income to-
ward having her hair dressed and
''Marcelled" into large and lustrous
waves. But over in England they evil
IDENTIFY go one step further, and, to my
horror, 1 read the following in a high
class fashion magazine: 1T somewhat
takes away the pleasure of holiday to
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-24

seems to have passed. Nowadays the
soft grays and tans seem to be the rule.
not to speak of purple, dark green and
blue kid ties to match the respective
gowns.
One comfort in the midst of the ex
.travagance of next winters styles, the
fur neck pieces will still be small and
therefore less expensive. 'Daintiness
viii characterize them rather than am
plitude, and all sorts of little tassels,
bits of lace and even velvet ribbon will
be used to exc out the fur.
:, New York, KATE CLYDE. =
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-24

green. 1t 81 al
ways gives me
a pain in my
Stummack."
If you have a
pair of brown
suede ties nurse
them carefully
so that they will
last through the
fall months, for
they will be all
the rage way
into the winter,
and they are
ever so much
SIN arter tn a n
the glace brown
kid. The day of
the plain black
and the plain
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-24

WIS a melancholy fact, but mighty
true nevertheless. that the woman
who is able to work is going to
- have to all her days. while she
who must either work or do without
and who chooses to do without doesn't
have to do without in nine cases out of
ten. Moral.-Don't be too clever if
you are a woman. and others viii have
to be for you
I certainly think the lot of the wage
earning woman is not one of lilies and
roses. For one thing, she has actually
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-24
SELECTING A LAMP.

Always insist upon buying lamp
with a heavy stand. a brass reservoir
with good tight screw and one with .
double burner and a sheath round the
wick. Burn good oil that won't explode
when warm and if possible see that
there is a self acting extinguisher. Use
a fireproof globe, and the lamp VIII
prove very safe if it is made of brass.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-24

h a V e to c url
ones hair three
or four times a
day. A wise wo-
man will there
fore dispense
with her curling
tongs and spirit
lamp and invest
in a couple of
natural looking
wigs and sever
al large hair
nets.
Alas and alack,
what are we
coming to? Are
we to be a race
of hairless OnaS
like the Next
can doggies
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-24
WHAT HAS BECOME OF
MASCULINE COURTESY?

ATExT time you ride in a street car
IN observe particularly the few men
who are polite to women. You
will note that they are almost invaria-
bly, men of forty or past, those who
were young when it was still the Gus
tom among American men to be chival-
rous to women.
Beyond a doubt courtesy to women
has gone out of fashion among men in
this country. A boy of fourteen will
keep his seat and let a woman old
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-24

his natural lines and his race blood
kept perfectly pure there would come
some day from this people one of the
greatest orators, one of the greatest
actors, one of the greatest romance
writers and surely the very greatest
musician that ever lived.'
MARILLA WEAVER.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-24
WELL DRESSED

To be well dressed is to wear that
which is fit for the work to be done
and which is otherwise graceful. be-
coming. lasting. healthful and easy, on
occasion splendid, always as beautiful
as possible.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-24

I like to be on the spot when a wild
wind blowing on the Scottish moors
watts away unfeelingly my lady's mat
ural looking wig hair nets and all,
amid the startled "Hoot, mon,'' of the
nativesi
The other day 1 had to hunt around
for a wedding present, and as the fall is
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-24
AN AUTUMN EVENING WRAP.

The elegant evening wrap shown in
the picture is of champagne satin. 1t
is made with two deep. full ruff1es.
over these ruf11es about the neck falls
pelerine of chantilly lace caught with
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-24
A PERFECT. TYPE OF FRENCH BEAUTY.

is a of Mme Maud
all
a
sof
I'm M
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-24

the
be
of
efec at
ofcl mouse end
a
the wit
s of red
Churchill standard. (Fallon, Nev) 1903-1908, 1904-09-10
Attlmots His Life.

A man known as @Shoftv, the
skinner attempted to end a
long and protracted debauch
last Friday night at Hazen by
cutting his throat. After per
forming bis rash act, he made
the night hideous BY unearthly
Yelling aad aWoke nearly the en-
tire population of the railroad
town. He was found under a
sidewalk and dragged out. He
WAS bleeding p~rotusely and it
was thought he would die, but
by hard work on the part OF
some of Hazen's people, he was
keptalivea aud brought 10 Fallon,
where he was attended bv Dr..
Gardner. rlle man was placed
in the branch county Jail on Cen
ter street aud Monday night at
tempted to end his existence by
beating mis- head against the
walls OF he all. Hefai}ea, how
ever. and at this writing is NJ
and around sore and sorry,
Churchill standard. (Fallon, Nev) 1903-1908, 1904-09-10
"DR." CHASER
HELPS HIMSELF
To Money That Did Not
Belong 10 Him,

Dr., Chas Chaser, veterinary
surgeon, because he SO wishes TO
term himself, has departed fer
other fields. The doctor did
not leave because the climate
WAS disagrceabie 10 him or vet
because he disllked the people,
but for the reason that he
touched = the cash register Of
the t'alion Drug Company late
SUNDAY night and gambled
away AID drank UP the money.
" Doctor" GlaSser was given
employment with the FalIon
Doug Company on account Of
his Inability to rustl" up any
business, due evidently TO tie
reputation he acquired i'll his
chosen profession upon 4 pre-
vioue visit To this valley aud
mainly. because OF the sorrow.
ful vale he told Oi course. his
salary was not p%rincelr, but
then he got what he asked for
his board.
Monday morning he opened
the store as usual aud soon dis
covered that eleven dollars had
been taken from the register
during the night. H %investi-
gated and discovered that tn
rear door to the drug stora had
been showed in by the burglar.
all of which must have been
ridicuonslv funny to him, in
view Of his connection with tie
crime. He ran up aud down the
street relating tn, story OF the
robbery and even told how he
had STAYED up until a late hour
the night previous watching the
strange and suspicious move
meuf> If = mpn who WAS hover
in about the piace. The doc
must have had u pleasant time
that niehgwatehing his shadow.
When his EMPLOYERS arrived he
tO'd them the Same tale he had
told the others. They had their
doubts. however. and i did not
take them long 10 fasten tn
blame on the "9Ottor.' lie was
openly accused aud like u man
n confessed his guilt. He was
given an hour to leave town, 1t
the eXnilatipn Of which time, if
found in Gallon, he was prom
Churchill standard. (Fallon, Nev) 1903-1908, 1904-09-10

Woodlifl has Just received 4
new and complete stock of @ent's
furnishings.
The Yale expositor., 1904-04-29
THE NEWS OF THE WORLD
AIexicu IL Done.

Vlceroy Alexien has applied by tele-
graph to the car Co be- relieved of
his position OF yiceroy Ia the far east.
IL Is expected the request Will be-
Immediately granted While no Of
ucial announcement has set been
made. there is reason 20 believe the
above statement Is correct
The immediate cause of the Vice
r0y's application O. reported Ia hc tn
appointment eft Vice Admiral Skryd-
luT. one of Admiral AlCNioffs strong
,,t enemies and sAurpost critic. as
.urrossor 90 che late Vice Admiral
MHkarUn iu command of the Rr.~ian
navy iu the lar east.
The Japanese LEGATION boz London rs
greatly Interested in the announce
m,ut cot Niccgoy N'rrinTs resignation.
The opinion q, cNprc,. "a tngt it bee hid
resigned six months ago there woul
Uyc been uu war, bat now thgt hos.
Utilities ARE Iu progress thr Japanese
would have preferred to see A,cNirit
ret aim control
The Yale expositor., 1904-04-29
The rn,nh nr.-rrntrd.

Astonishing vandalism has been dis
covered ut tie family tomb Of thc l.iN-
ingstuus. ou the ancient Livingston
manor place on ,hr Hudson. Thieves
broke into the tomb and stole the body
of the wife uf Gcu. Henry ". Living
stuu tFightiu- Harry famous halt "a
century ago for her beauty. wealth
and social prestige. and known. hc.
,vU~c ur her uudNiug fidelity GO Tie
memory of her husband. as IA" "Llds
MARY" The metallic coffin iu winch
thc body WIS sealed - years og" was.
carried III. That iu which Gen. Living
stou WIS l1'd quarter of century
earlier ue. demolished aud &C. bone
OF ta. dead soldier were ~tyrwu anuui
the vault The winding sheet 600 wHrr
Dee vJ~ wrapped auI which had 3I hu
cTUWhiri into dust. WIS thrown uU1u
.hD marble Huur and partially covered
thv skull
\ third collin. with ihr lu1y it con
tanned. Us gone uS comp, tciy a~ i~ that
of Mrs Livingston. AIl the other cU..
lius be fhc vault had been prIcd open
and the boHrs Of the occupants had
been dumped out.