davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-08
CHANGED WITH CORPSE.
Story of Joseph Sporn's Escape From
 French Guiana.

Paris Dispatch to the London Express.
 Among the next convoy of convicts to French Guiana will be a man named Jo- seph Sporn, the story of whose escape and recapture reads like chapter from Gaboriau.
 Sporn was sentenced in 1896 to eight years hard labor and twenty years exile for theft. The year after his deportation to French Guiana he was cutting rushes by the riverside near the penal settle ment. He had gradually but unconsciously wandered out of sight of a warden, when he saw floating down the river the corpse of dead sailor who he knew had been murdered by some of his fellow convicts a few days before.
 Sporn secured the corpse, changed clothes, and sent 1t down the stream again, dressed in his convict garb. Then he made tracks toward the rivers mouth. After some hours hard running he saw a small Dutch steamer, and made desper- ate signs that he wanted help.
 A boat was put off, and he was taken on board. where, in broken German he told the captain that he had been sh wreck ed and wanted to get back either to Hol- land or Dutch Guiana.
 Sporn Is an Alsatian by birth. and his dialect so deceived the captain that he landed him in Dutch Guiana.
 The convict then went to Venezuela, and became a servant in a clergyman s house. Amassing some money he opened
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-08
JUSTICE IN THE YAzoo DELTA.
Experience of Northern Man Acting
 Coroner in Murder Case.
From the Washington Post

From the Washington Post.
 In the rich bottom lands of the Yazoo delta, where the black population out numbers the white 30 to 1. the adminis- traton of justice is of necessity largely committed to the hands of the responsi- ble landholders. Large planters are usu- ally justices of the peace and deal with the shortcomings of their work people in a patriarchal way.
 Problems having to do with petty crimes and misdemeanors do not much worry the planters, but northern proprietor last winter found himself face to face with a murder case. One of the hands. well behaved, industrious negro, was found dead in his cabin, an anticipated shotgun beside him. his skull shattered by the discharge. His widow sat rock ing herself to and fro in the single room of the hut moaning continually. "Honey done shot hisse'f! Honey done shot his sef,' No more could be got out of her. ; The planter sent a nasty message to the coroner at the country town. nine or ten miles away. That functionary re- turned the answer that the roads were bad and that he was pretty busy, any way. and recommended that the planter impanel his own jury and conduct the inquest himself.
 Acting on this advice. the northerner summoned jury of three neighboring planters. and three of his own field hands. Arrived at the scene of the tragedy the jury began their inquiry, with the widow as sole witness
 Jimmy" asked the chairman, how was John shot? Did you see it?"
 'Yassir: An was jes' comin' in de do. an An see John shoot hissef-right dere on be haid."
 How did he do it?''
 "Why. he jes' reach down with his right han and push de trigger, an he shot his haid of and fall back on de haid. lak you see him; yassir"
 The chairman picked up the old shot gun. an old-fashioned. long barreled af- fair. He was 6 feet 1 and long-armed in proportion. but he could not reach the trigger while holding the muzzle in such a position as to bring his head with in the line of fire.
 A few more unsatisfactory replies from Jimmy convinced him that John had been no suicide. and he turned sharply upon the woman.
 ''Jinny. don't lie to me-" he said, you shot John.'
 Jimmy stoutly protested her innocence. but the inquisition went on. and grad
 'Nfistah -. An sho' would confess if An could think of any good reason!''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-08

Many readers await with interest the reading of the letters between Richard Wagner and Mathilda Wesendonk the woman who inspired that most impasslon- ed of Wagner's creations, his Isolde.
 This correspondence has just been pup lished in Germany and created sensa tion. The letters have been translated and will be published this month by Dodd, Mead and company.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-08

ually her denials lost force. until she whimpered:
 The chairman offered one good req son after another for her consideration, out all failed until jealousy was advanced, to be eagerly and liercely accepted A verdict was soon rendered in accordance with the confession, and the prisoner was remanded to jail.
 Later, when the W )unn was about to be put on trial for the murder of her hus- band. the planters lawyer waited on him for instruc.. .s {" her defense.
 Shall I try to get her off?' he asked
 "Oh, no: that would be bad discipline on the plantation. She ought to get about ten years on the farm" Mississippi main- tans a state farm for criminals.
 The trial was ended and tho lawyer came to make his report. His face wore a deprecatory expression
 I'm sorry, MT. --," he said. "I did
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-08

a stationer's shop, where he throve ex- ceedingly.
 The craving for Paris life, inherent in all Frenchmen brought about his down fall. He sold his business and sailed for Europe. He worked as a waiter at Ajac- cio, in Corsica. and later at Marseilles.
 Then he returned diffdently to Paris Nobody recognized him. The Paris detec- tives believed him to be drowned, and ac- cordingly no watch had ever been kept for him.
 Two years ago Sporn, under the name of | Andrieu, opened an office in the Rue Lewis and began to deal in stolen goods. His tricks attracted the attention of the police, and one day two detectives re- quested his company on a visit to the prefecture to explain some rather shady transactions in which he had been in- volved. While he was waiting for an au- dience with M. Hamard, the chief of the department, a detective. recognized him as Joseph Sporn, the man whom he had arrested nine years before and whom he had seen shipped to French Guiana. Prints of his fingers were taken, and they coincided exactly with those of the escaped convict.
 Sporn, or Andreu, in a few days will leave again for the convict settlement from which he has enjoyed an eight years holiday
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-08

 and eggs lying on the chair by your pillow-that's living. Thank the good God who only makes us stop meat and eggs in Lent but lets us keep on with our vodka. We have a clever trick for these jolly bedroom hours. You put the candle in a little dish of water, so when you booze off the candles burn on and on till the flame strikes the water with a big splutter and goes out. This trick was found out hundreds of years ago. and now we all know 1t; so everyone in the village can get drunk without danger of setting fire to anything.
 "We have different ways of drinking. The poor man who can only have one bottle he sucks 1t through straw, be- cause by drinking 1t slower 1t gives you the same feeling as if you had two bottles. But the rich Cossack who has tifree or four bottles-he can just pour 1t down in big glasses.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-08

When "Abner Daniel" was written Mir. Harben created two distinct and humorous country philosophers. Abner Daniel and Pole Baker. The character of Abner Dan iel was later amplified with great sue cess in The Georgians and now, in re- sponse to numerous requests from his readers, Mir. Harben has written another story of his chosen Georgia. Pole Ba- ker'' In which this kindly humorist plays the principal role. Here he is grown older, shrewd, kindly. and original philosopher with genious for meddling into other peoples affairs, but always for their own ultimate good Were 1t not for this tactful old meddler, the charming romance for which the novel Is concerned might not have ended happily. In the role of match maker, Pole Baker displays much rough tenderness and skill. and his humorous sayings. his power of keen observation of human nature. and his ability to tell capital yarns, will place him on equal footing with Abner Daniel. Pole Baker was published by the Harpers on Septem- Der 2S.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-08
THE cossAck,s HAPPINESS.
Bottle of Vodka While in Bed Is All
 He Asks for.

Ernest Poole, in his striking article in the October Everybody's, on present con ditions in Russia, which he has called Peasant Cattle" quotes a Cossack as follows:
 For what more can a man want than vodka? To close the door of your room to lie down your bed with a big gallon bottle of vodka lying across your stomach, and plenty of good cold meat
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-08

the best I could for you with Jinny but the inry-"
 They aren't going to hang her, are they?" asked the planter, anxiously
 No. sir; but they wouldn't give her mcre than ,wo years.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-08
Following a Fad.

From Tom Watson's Magazine.
 Beulah-She doesn't seem to take mo- ment's rest.
 Alma-That's because she's trying so hard to live the Simple Life.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-08
AnnOunCen7enf.

On or about Monday Oct l6 we expect to open Ladies Ready Made Clothing SfOre'' in the building being repaired for at l9l4-Thrd (3) Avenue.
 We will open store with complete assortment of Ladies, Misses and Chdrens Coaks, Suits Skirts, Waists, Furs Ladies Costumes Evening Coats and Neg igees. We say "CONIPLETE ASSORTMENT and appreciate the full significance of the expression
 Opening as late wll it has been possible for great advantage selection of our syles not when the was new and unsetteed but when the best Manufacturers of the Country KNEW what they doing therefore you may depend styles being right up to the minute.
 Watch the papers for opening. It will be an affair you will not forget
 Don't buy until you our styles and learn our prices.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-08

Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates" which the late Mrs. Mary Mapes Dodge wrote years ago, has held It's own ever since as one of the best and most pop ular books for children As a picture of the life of Holland 1t is as true now as when it was written and as story simple and straightforward. and delight fully human and entertaining-it has rare ly been equalled. Few people have under stood what children like to read so we'll as Mrs. Dodge and in Hans Brinker'' she wrote her best story. A new edition of this book has Just been announced to be sold at price of 75 cents
 "Renascence Portraits" is the title of a new book by Paul van Dyke. which has Just been published. Paul van Dyke is professor of history at Princeton univer- sity and Is brother of Henry van Dyke, whose new book called Essays in Appli- cation," will be published shortly. Pro lessor van Dyke has made special study of the renascence and has published an- other book on the same subject "Thc Age of Renascence" which appeared some years ago This latest book is made up of three essays on Aritino, Thomas Cromwell and Maximillian I. three men most typical of their period and repre- senting 1t in three different countries. England Italy and Germany. There is nothing at all adequate in English on any one of these remarkable men and these essays are very real contribution to our
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-08

oThe Mayor of Troy" This latest story by "Q" Is a novel of life in Cornwall, placed in the same little town of Troy about which his most successful stories have been written. He has never done more humorous and slillful piece of work. The characters of Major Hymen, the Mayor" Dr. Handsombody Miss Marty and of the militia company, called the Loo Orchards. are certainly the best character sketches he has ever done
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-08

''Sa' Zada Tales" by w. A. Frazer, Svo. illustrated by large number of draw ngs by Arthur fleming. These are stories of the lives and adventures of such ami mals as the black leopard, the white -eared elephant, the king tiger, the cobra and the wild boar. and are supposed to be told by the animals themselves as they are gathered to gether at a ZOO in India MT. Fraser spent nine years of his life In the east and is thoroughly familiar witt his subjects.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-19

much better without these borders as a
the selection of a border they seem to
make the rep look pretentious and cheap,
whereas without the border, finished with
braid of the same color, the effect of
portieres Is exceedingly good
In the same class with the rep are the
small figured wool and linen damasks, all
OF one color and OF about the weight of
rep. These also are more truly beautiful
without trimming
Figured, embossed and brocaded velours
are also shown among the handsonler ma
terials. They are not so frequently fin
ished with coiored border as the plain
velours. Although they are all in one
color still the heavy embossed figures give
the effect of variety, and these velours are
best finished with a border of chenille Of
the same color set in from the edge, as
also are the colored borders.
Lighter weight curtains and portieres,
which are yet very magnificent In effect,
are shown in novelty silks. The most at
tractive of these are of one color, inter-
woven with dull yellow and dull gold The
gold has no sparkle, except occasionally
when the sun strikes it 1t has beautiful
furnished effect. which gives great rich
ness to the coloring
Some of these novelty silks, and perhaps
the most beautiful ones, are of green silk
and gold, the green rather vivid in itself
but enriched and deepened by the heavy
Interviewing of furnished gold. The de-
signs are large. irregular and unobtrusige.
so that one gets an effect of green and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-19

gold richness with no particular idea of
design.
Alice blue has invaded the realm of the
fimsy light weight curtain material which
is suitable for sash curtains.
Alice" Ii is true, Is tribe diInmed IN
comparison with her appearance in dress
goods Nevertheless, ii Is the same Alice
who has now embodied a SILK and linen
material with a dull finish, somewhat more
substantial than China silk and. In fact, al
together admirable for sash curtains. 1t Is
shown in other hues than Alice blue but
Alice Is most prominent of all the many
hues in which the fabric has been devel-
oped.
In bed rooms the most fashionable por-
there's and curtains now employed are OF
Powered chintz cretonne, pompadour silk
and cretonne applique. The chintz and
Powered cretonnes are really in better
taste than the more expensive lowered
silks. which are merely an effort to make
a pretty and simple fashion more expen-
siye But the fact Is, oddly enough, that
neither large nor small lowered patterns
are so pretty In silk as in the eretonnes
or chintz. The silk Powered goods is more
fussy and lacks the fresh, crisp quality OF
the cotton.
For small curtains, sash curtains, &C.,
the most popular decoration at present is
ribbon work, which is used for all sorts Of
fabrics in floral and ribbon designs. For
very elaborate rooms, where Powered
damask Is used for draperies, plain damask
or heavy satin with ribbon work decora-
tons is used for sash curtains.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-19
NREIE cHEFoN "a RSE aCWN.

as embroidered and spangled effects on the
body Of the skirt. Princess effects, al
ways becoming to slender figures. are car
ried out In all materials heavy and light.
while rows of shirring or bands of lace
entredeux make the waist line appear as
small as possible Small waists being ire
mendously popular once again, every effort
is made to reduce the number of inches, il
not by lacing, then by the arrangement of
trimming-the shirring, the lacing or the
draped satin bodice. So much depends
upon the cut of the waist and the At Of
the belt or bodice that it Is not remarkable
that women are willing to pay high prices
for the simple gowns that are effective
from their good cut, rather than from the
material or trimming.
The pointed waists are immensely fash
ionable, but, unlike last year. they are not
the only possible style, for the round
waists are also to be seen, although it
must be admitted they are still in the
minority, The smartest evening waists
are made so that 1t is impossible to tell
whether there is bodice or If 1t is the
material of the waist itself. Short-waisted
and empire effects are sometimes seen.
They are on the picturesque order of dress
and are often included in very elaborate
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-19
E9s5E PTl3K @HTDN GOWN fsr YouNS GIRL

falling In two points. Again must the most
becoming fashion be chosen. rather than
some style that Is popular without refer
ence to the wearer.
Tulle net and gauze are ideal materials
always, so far as appearances go, for
debutsnte's ball gown. The plain effects
and the embroidered are both I'm demand,
and It may be questioned IL there can be
any prettier and more effective evening
frock than one made of white. blue or
pink tulle, with the entire waist of satin
the same shade or with so wide draped
bodice of the satin that Il looks ike 4
waist. 1t is so becoming TO the figure.
too, this style, and the full tulle skirts, ia
contrast to the satin Of the waist, look all
the more thin and transparent. Absolutely
nothing Is needed to make such gown
effective. but the waist must lit well and
the skirt hang well.
Embroidered and spangled nets or gagZcs
are considered correct fashion for young
girls, where formerly they were only con-
sidered correct for older women. The
simplest designs should be chosen and the
gowns made on as simple lines as possible.
In order TO have them look different from
the more elaborate models that really are
intended for older women. Embroidery in
chiffon and silk on net tulle or chiffon Is
carried out In colors. wreaths and gariands
OF roses worked in the exact eoiors Of the
flowers and most beautifully executed. ana
then entredeux md inserted Iledalhons or
blond lace make the nghtest and ATTEST of
fabrics. These are made up over-white or
colored Innings and are very smart and be
coming. In order TO carry out the idea OF
white for the debutante the embroidery In
daisies Is a favorite design, but the gar
lands of pink roses are always effective,
while the shade OF pink looks best IL not
too vivid in tone.
White lace gowns are TO be included In
the category but here again care must be
taken that the effect is not too old. The
light laces and combined with net or chif-
fon or the lace founces on a net founda-
ton are the smartest. Extremely simple
must be the model chosen, and the only
color can be In the spray of flowers on the
waist Again must the sleeves be small.
one puff with a fall of lace or shirred at
either side, and the waist cut round rather
than square or V-shape. The round cut.
showing the top of the shoulder, Is more
youthful than the square or N-shape ana
is as a rule. more becoming also What Is
known as the baby waist is one of the
most becoming models to a young girl. the
material gathered or plated into the band
around the shoulders and against ths
waist and this always looks charninglv
girlish and youthful. The fashion so popu-
lar now of the pointed girdle Is combined
with this design for a waist, and the soft
folds Of net or tulle look especially well
in sharp contrast with IT,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-19

young women, who should never so much
as hear of anything beyond healthy
fatigue. Our late hours rob the long even
ings of their charm. menace our vitality
and are really blow at the weH-being or
the community. The effort should be made
to get together earlier and to separate at
a reasonable time. The arbitration of this
is In the hands, not of the men, but OF
women, who are the true social queens.
who In this country manage everything that
has to do with home and friendship, and
who may, IL they like, make It the fash
ion to live more simply and with less dis
play than is at present the custom. Any
If women are IN earnest In the strife for I'M
provement.
Another urgently needed reform is In the
line of expenditure. There is no reason
why our pleasures should cost so much
as they too often do. Because we can
afford to spend little, some OF us decline
to be hospitable at all. Yet there have
been In New York and In other cities gath
erings OF refined and agreeable people
evening after evening, in the winters of
the past. where the only refreshment Of
fered was a wafer and q cup Of tea, and
where there was no display either of
dress, OF costly catering or OF riotous lux
ury in American beauty roses. Republican
simplicity should he a characteristic OF our
hospitality when We dispense IL in the
long evenings. There IS the most winsome
attraction in the cordial greeting in the
showing by voice and eye and hand that
the home Is glad in its heartbeat when
friends come in of an evening.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-19
Gelatin Dishes.

A Dainty Pudding.-A simple and some
what novel pudding is made OF half a box
of gelatine dissolved in cold water and
three cups Of milk boiled with three-quar-
tiers of cup of sugar. Pour on hot milk
enough to dissolve the gelatine. then boil
all together for ten minutes. When cool
slice and stir in four bananas, and cool
Serve with whipped cream.
Cranberry Gelatine.-Rub pint OF cook
ed cranberrfes through a sieve while still
hot and add to them one cup of granu-
lated sugar. Have ready dissolved half a
box of gelatine which has been softened in
cold water. and add to it the berries while
they are hot AS soon as the sugar and
gelatine are thoroughly dissolved set the
dish containing the mixture in a pan of
chopped ice and beat until 1t begins to
thicken. Add one cupful of milk and a
cup of cream whipped light. beat thorough
Iy and turn into mold Set on the Ice to
harden. and serve with whipped cream or
custard-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-19

are very adaptable, and are always appro-
pirate. For ball gowns and thin light ma
terials seem always the most appropriate
net gauze, lace and chiffon are all fash
ionable fabrics, and It is possible to ring
many changes on each. They can be en-
broidered in different designs. spangled
with different-colored pailettes, trimmed
with lace entredeux and medallions or with
applique effect, or can be made with no
trimming in the waist excepting a lace
bertha or spray Of artificial flowers, or
can be very much more elaborate in de-
tail
Silk. satin and velvet are materials than
as rule are relegated to older women,
but the debutante of the present day is
allowed far greater choice OF both ma
terfal and color than was the case ten
years ago. and even chiffon velvet is not
beyond the possibilities of what she may
elect to wear. There Is so much to recon-
mend in silk or satin for a ball gown that
1t is not wonderful that at least one such
gown Is included In the winters complete
outfit. A thin fabric stands so much more
chance of being torn or injured, even at
one dance, when silk or satin will last
through entire season.
White taffeta with the softest imaginable
finish makes up most charningly, while