davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1905-04-21

In Birmingham, Ala Their married
life was unhappy and they separated,
Phillips coming to Chicago, where he
committed suicide in hotel
Thirteen years ago she went to New
York to make a living as stenog-
rapher Within three years she was
the head and sole manager of the
largest typewriting establishment IN
New York with 40 girls working for
her. Her Offices were besieged by men
who mad important work to be done
accurately. From an expert operator
she became a superintendent of oper-
ators. In 1896, according to her story,
she was sought by Senator Scott and
Congressman Manley, then bossing the
Mckinley campaign, to take charge OF
certain private correspondence.
After that, work piled in from Wall
street. Several important assignments
came to her (she was then Miss Ella
Rawlsl from the city For Reporting
the work of the Venezuelan boundary
commission she was endorsed, she
says. by the late William l.. Strong
]. Kennedy Tod, and others. Every
thing was prosperous for the young
woman who had come from the soutr
with nothing but ambition.
She went TO London in 1899 and be
Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1905-04-21
MRS. ELLA r. READER. THE WOMAN IN
THE SANTO DOMINGO CASE.
FROM TYPEWRITER TO DIPLOMACY
Interesting Story Revealed by the Senates Failure
Pass Treaty with President Morales-Agreed to
Place Country on Sound Footing in Re-
turn for Important Concessions.

Washington. Imagine a treaty be-
tween two republics, one of them yonr
own, negotiated by a woman. Then
imagine her after the successful con-
clusion of the pact, controlling the
finances of the other party to the
agreement, paying its debts and viz
tualiy running the country, and you
have the goal for which one Of the
"gentler sex" was recently striving.
One would almost as soon expect to see
a woman seated in the presidents
cabinet as mixing in such interna-
tional affairs.
Would Finance Republic.
Nevertheless had the plans of Mrs
Ella Rawls Reader successfully ma
tured she would to-day be financing
the republic of San Domingo and at
tempting to place the country on good
terms with it's neighbors; but when
everything seemed to be progressing
favorably her deal was rudely nipped
by the failure Of the United States
senate to ratify the treaty which had
been prepared.
1t was just before the adjournment
of the special session of the senate
that Senator Morgan, of Alabama,
made public some interesting informa-
ton regarding the San Dominican
treaty and which has served to show
that Mrs. Reader, although practically
unheard of before, is without doubt
one of the most daring promoters of
the day. She is woman with re-
markedly interesting history. Her
husband is Athole B. Reader, formerly
of New Zealand, Morocco and Ceylon
but now citizen of the United States
He has ably assisted his shrewd wife
In her undertakings.
Life of Mrs. Reader.
Mrs Reader is said to be so years
old, but she looks younger. Her com
plexion is a wonder; her figure is girl
ish She was born in Marion. Ala. OF
family closely acquainted with Sen
ator Morgan and other statesmen.
At Is she married a man named Phil.
lips, who was clerk in candy store
Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1905-04-21

came connected with the firm of ]. G.
White & Co. She had not wasted her
time in Wall street. The sultan of
lahore came to London. He had up
his sleeve the contract for the building
of the lahore railroad, costing $5,000,-
600. Miss Rawls met the sultan So
cially. ]. G. White G. Co. got the rail
road contract
The tuppenny tube had been built in
London, but was troubled with vibra-
ton, There was a call for somebody
who could cure this evil Miss Rawls
was associated with the Sprague Null
tiple Control company. She took a
look at the vibrations, and in 1901 the
Sprague company got the contract for
stopping the shudders.
Her Second Husband.
Miss Rawls was still in the employ
of j. G. White & Co. when, in 1901, she
met and was won by Mr.. Reader His
career had been quite as interesting
as her own. He was born in New Yea
land, British subject. He is rather
short, very dark, with black eyes and
mustache. He could pass as South
American any time. He IVES private
secretary to Sir Charles Ewnn Smith
the British minister to Moroceo, in
1892. In 1897 he became private secre-
tary to Sir West Ridgeway, governor
of Ceylon. Various circumstances
caused him to become familiar with
affairs in Peru, and while he was still
interested he met Miss Rawls in Lon
don and married her. Together they
have worked since then, and together
they now stand. Mr.. Reader has the
deep mind Mrs. Reader the quick wit
They worked out great scheme Of
mining improvement in Peru and in
terested the western copper million.
aire, James B. Haggin According tC
Mr.. Reader, he and his wife were &c
have 10 per cent. commission for pro
noting this scheme and, according tC
the same story, the plans went through
beautifully, except that the 10 per cent
was not paid
! The Peru financial arrangement i!
Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1905-04-21

than one, ana they are called secret
agents because, although representing
tne same government, they are nearly
always unknown to each other. The
reason of the existence of these secret
agents need not be stated here, but
they are considered necessary to the
safety of every president of Santo
Domingo.
"The gentleman in question was a
friend of ours. At this time we were
engaged in exploiting mining property
which we owned in Peru. Mrs Reader,
at that time, had been invited by the
president of Peru to act as his agent
in this country, and the papers APP
pointing her fiscal agent were being
prepared by William Nelson Cromwell.
"She was about to go to Peru with
these papers when she was requested
by Perez, as he claimed, with the con-
sent of Gen, Morales, to try and have
me interest myself in the affairs OF
Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1905-04-21
COLD CAUSED BY MIcRoBE
Scientific Authority for the State
ment That Exposure Has No
Bad Effect.

The common theory that all colds are
the result of exposure of some sort
is a great mistake. Exposure is not
the direct cause of the disease. Sci
entists say that colds are caused by
hostile microbe. which gains foot
hold when vitality is lowered by ex-
posture, and that if one is Injured to
exposures he has an effective remedy
against the microbe of cold as well
as many others. There are many evil
dences to prove this theory. There
are many places where it Is impos-
sible to catch cold, because there is no
cold to catch.
Nansen and his men, during the
three years they spent in the arctic
regions, were immune from cold.
though they were constantly enduring
exposure of every kind They passed
day after day in clothes so saturated
with perspiration that by day they
froze into a solid mass, so that they
cut into the flesh. And at night, in
their sleeping bags the first hour was
spent in thawing out. They returned
to civilization none the worse in
health, but soon contracted severe
colds upon reaching there. 4.
Then there is the remarkable in
stance of st. Kilda, that lonely rocky
island which was visited by DR.. John
son when he and Boswell were max
ing their famous tour OF the Hebrides.
There are about 100 inhabitants on the
island The coasts are SO precipitous
that for eight months of the year it
is practically inaccessible Several
vessels from the mainland call there
during the summer. And, strange to
say. whenever ship reaches the is.
land from the mainland every inhabit.
ant, even to the infants, is seized with
cold. This fact has been known for
more than 200 years, and was of great
interest to DR.. Johnson. who was
skeptical concerning it.
The question Of this st. Kilda cold
long puzzled men, who never dreamed
that it was an infectious disease, and
that without the possibility of infsc-
ton It is impossible to catch it. no
matter what the exposure may be.
That is to say, it is due to micro-or.
ganism, and without the presence of
this micro-organism the disease can
not be contracted.
Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1905-04-21

we were not only assured of an i'm
mediate hearing at Washington, but
of the strongest financial backing in
the United States to deal with the
concessions which he proposed to give.
Il was presented to Mr., Prichard,
his minister of public works, and to
Mr. Sanchez. his minister of foreign
affairs. l had an extended converse
ton on the matter in hand with Mr..
Sanchez, ana the president invited me
to visit him again in a day or two.
"On New Years eve | attended tho
ball given at the Union club. Presi-
dent Morales was at the ball, and so
was United States Minister Dawson.
The next day, Sunday | spent in pre-
pairing with greater perfection of de-
tail the documents On Monday, Tues
day and Wednesday | had interviews
with the president at his house. and
with his foreign minister at the palace,
and we discussed everything. The for
eign minister and | were instructed
to draw up the necessary papers for
signature by the president and mis-
various secretaries of state, and it was
arranged also to obtain the signatures
of the president and secretary Of con-
gress.
These matters occupied week, and
on January | cabled to Mrs. Reader
in New York: Expect 70 obtain
hi IN, al
Deal Is Called Off.
"On that very day Mr.. Perez learned
that the president had received a COM
munication from United States Min
lister Dawson, and had in consequence
paid him a visit, but what the nature
of the interview was | did not learn.
On Monday, January 8, when | called
al the place, Mr.. Sanchez informed me
that they had communication from
Mr.. Dawson not to proceed with my
negotiations, but to deal direct with
Washington.
Il asked him if this was not very
sudden and unexpected, and he seemed
| confused and anxious to avoid giving
offense
Il saw the president and asked him
Why he had proceeded so far with me
had accepted everything. and had gone
SO far as to make out the telegram
appointing Mrs. Reader as his fisca
! agent and representative in Washing
| ton. il he had not intended to complete
his arrangement,
President Morales also seemed con.
| fused and unable to give satisfactory
answer"
! AS to the cause of the sudden dis
4 continuance of the negotiations lnt
! the rejection of the treaty ty the
1 United States senate. several eXplana
/ tons have been given. Mr.. Cromwell
declares that he is not and has never
been interested in any San Dominicai
! affairs.
1t is the verdict of a great many
of the most prominent newspaper.
that the Readers would have male al
utter failure of their undertaking. III
they have never been able to conviHc,
the two 'larins promoters of that. Mr.
Reader declares: I'VE would have ou
Santo Domingo on a new inancia
footing. The country would have nj
more trouble with foreign countries
Its debts would have been attendet
to and we would have arranged
treaty with The United States"
Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1905-04-21

said to have stopped threatened rev.
olution in that country.
Dealings with San Domingo.
This is the early history of the
Readers and brings them up to the
time they began their dealings with
San Domingo. Their statements re-
garding their dealing with President
Morales concerning a treaty with this
country. and their relations with Will
liam Nelson Cromwell, the well-known
New York lawyer, who played such a
prominent part in the Panama deal
make interesting reading. 1t is said
that they are more than little sus-
picious chat it was Mr.. Cromwell who
betrayed their dealings with the dis
tressed republic to the Washington
government and caused the bargain
they thought they had made to be
knocked in the head.
1T was in the fall of 1904" said Mr..
Reader, that one of the secret agents
Of President Morales, located in the
city of New York. was q young man
named Perez, native of San Domingo,
These secret agents, by the way,
who represent Gen. Morales IN the
United States. principally reside in
New York. There are always more
Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1905-04-21

Santo Domingo. He stated to me that
he had heard of the success of Mrs.
Reader in conciliating both sides of a
revolutionary outbreak in Peru and
practically establishing a government
there without a civil war. We could
Domingo suggestions owing to our
Peruvian engagements, but, Perez and
Gen. Morales continuing their invita-
tons and stating that they desired us
to represent them in this country as
Intermediates with the United States,
we finally consented to do so.
Upon the. suggestion of Mr.. Perez
the papers for that purpose were pre-
pared. and at the invitation of Gen
Morales | prepared to proceed with
Mr.. Perez to Santo Domingo to have
the papers executed, acquaint myself
with the conditions, and receive his in
struc lions.
Says Cromwell Knew of Deal.
THE papers were submitted by Us
to Mr.. Cromwell for his approval, and
it became necessary to explain the con-
ditions to him under which we were
led to consider these agreements. All
the things which are set out in this
statement were made known to Mr..
Cromwell and talked over at length
with him. and he advised us that he
considered it was a favorable enter
prise. that these papers would place
great deal of power in our hands
and that he had no doubt that the
| concessions which they were promised
| by the Dominican government in re
| turn for our services would be of great
value and could be readily exploited
with capital that could easily be pro-
cured in this country, and that our
| official status and our friends in this
country would enable us to deal with
out any difficulty with the heads of the
United States government.
"Mr. Cromwell also promised that
on my, return with these papers prop
erly executed he would take me to
Washington and introduce me to Mr.
Hay; he explained to me, especially
with respect to the desire of the United
States to procure the bay of SANTANA
as a coaling station, what authorize
tons and instructions | should spc'
cially see that | got from the Domin'
lean government SO as to enable hin
with full and complete credentials tC
negotiate with the United States gov
eminent for the sale of that bay to 1t
with these papers left New York
accompanied by Mr., Perez, on Decem
Der q, 1904 These papers provided
for Mrs. Reader to be the fiscal agen
of the Dominican government in the
United States, and authorized and en-
powered her to negotiate with th'
United States government for the salt
of the bay of SANTANA and for all dit
ferences between the Dominican gov
eminent and the United States ant
other foreign governments, with fal
power of attorney to represent thu
Dominican government.
1T was arranged with Mr.. Cromwell
that as soon as these papers wer'
signed by President Morales the sigma
lures should be verified by the Un!,eC
States minister at Santo Domingo, ant
that as Mrs. Reader would then b.
the authorized fiscal agent of III
Dominican government in the Unite'
States they should be cabled to he
and to the authorities at Washington
Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1905-04-21
Then Mortification Set Tn

Professor Ito his ciass)
have to apologize for a short delay
in beginning this lecture. | have un-
fortunately left my manuscript at
home, and my son-whom have sent
for twill be here shortly.
Professors Son (returning) Mother
couldn't find the manuscrt.t, and so
she has sent the book you copied It
from. Bita
Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1905-04-21

less inebriated husband and HOUSE,
full of children, once said to me, Poor
people do not so into the divorce court.
They pick up their load and carry It
on the best way they can. Somehow
they know 1t will all come right at the
end of the day."
The rich and the idle among women
and men in this country are largely
the ones who are bringing the stain
OF easy divorce upon the republic. 1t
is the woman with several homes in :
which she does not live, haunting Eu-
rope instead, and the society man who
is an idler from choice, who are most
to blame, These people have grand
weddings, marry with great flourish
of trumpets, and soon find the condi-
tons of life intolerable. The next step
is to establish residence apart and
through legal technicalities obtain
divorce. Next, in hot haste, the we'd
ding bells are rung again. II child
has been born the trail of its misfor-
tune seems nothing to its selfish
parents
We need not be too pessimistic. A
house divided against itself is a house
built on quicksand The ultimate
good sense of the nation makes for
righteousness. The nation is COM
posed of units. The individual who
scorns the right and chooses the wrong
is less influential than his neighbor
who stands firmly for loyalty, good
faith and pure living The nations as
a nation abhors whatever initiates
against the stability of marriage and
the security of home life. Our strength
is in the unobtrusive, comfortable and
contented home. In city and country
the plain home is the bulwark of the
nation. Thousands of people who
never gave 1t name, are living the
simple life, which is also the hallowed
and beautiful life. Until truth and
honor are lost, and graft and corrup-
ton take their place, divorce will re-
main exceptional. Nevertheless, ton
ing up of public sentiment is needed,
and If practicable, some uniformity of
legal enactment should be sought for
the salvation of the American home
and the protection of our good name
and fame
A present distress may seem insup-
portable, but it were well Tor those
who feel that they cannot endure a
momentary i'll to take glance at the
future. Shall the day ever dawn when
the son or daughter in the cradle, or
playing on the nursery floor, having
arrived at years of adolescence will
ask an explanation that it may be hard
to give?
Has mother the right to cast away
what may be suspicion or shadow on
the bright future of her innocent
| daughter, in that future day VIXEN the
daughter shall be sought in marriage?
Parents cannot live for themselves
alone. They nave given hostages to
fortune and treasures to the state when
they have called children into being.
Could they lift the curtain from the
coming years they might stand aghast
at the unmerited misery they are heed
lessly inflicting on innocent children
by their selfish and ill-considered re-
sort to divorce.
Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1905-04-21
WHY DIVORCE IS BAD
THERE is ONE WORST" TEA
TURE ATTACHED TO 1T.

Game of Changing Partners" in the
Ultra Fashionable Set - Idleness,
Caprice and Passionate Desire for
Personal Enjoyment" Responsible
Strikes Cruel Blow at Integrity of
the Family and Happiness of Child
hood = The Wrapgling Over Chill
dren-Causes Which Make Legal
Separation Necessity.
Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1905-04-21

and that Mr.. Cromwell and Mrs,
Reader should then proceed to Wash
ington and commence negotiations
while awaiting the arrival of the pa
pers and my return from Santo Do
mingo. 1t was understood with Mr..
Cromwell that at Mrs. Readers request
Gen. Morales should appoint him her
legal adviser as the fiscal agent of the
Dominican government and himself be
the counsel for the government of that
reDubliC
Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1905-04-21
BY MARGARET Z. sANGsrER.

III.
copyright. 1905, by Joseph b. Bowes)
Pulpit and press and even fcuon are
calling attention to the widespread
evil OF easy divorce. brilliant Eng
llsh novel, recently published. intro
duces no less than four misflt pairs,
who. however, settle their differences
IN one way or another, outside the
courts Judge Grants deeply interest
ing work. The Undercurrent, is a study
OF American life, which shows in
startling colors the tendency TO rush
to divorce, not merely when it is, like
surgery, in extreme cases necessary to
save life, but when it is prompted, shall
we say, by mere idleness and caprice.
REINFORCED by passionate desire for
personal enjoyment.
In certain Understandable set, 1t
seems no longer TO excite more than
passing comment, when A, growing
tired of his wife, and coveting BIS,
secures a legal separation from her.
In an increditably short space of time
the bond that unltes the BIS IS prob
ably broken and another marriage
takes place; possibly two marriages
take place. The thing is almost like
the chlldren's game of stage-ccach, in
which seats are changed with headlong
haste. The evident prearrangement is
shocking and awakens disgust.
This changing partners Is still re-
garded in some conservative states of
our union, notably in the south. as dis
graceful, unless It be for cause which
In itself dissolves true marriage. In
some OF the older northern states and
In some states Of the newer west al
most any f1imsy excuse suftjces to
separate those who have been united
by the sanction of the law and the
church. Marriage is regarded by the
church, or speaking strictly, by the
| Roman church and the Protestant
| Episcopal communion, as a sacrament.
For the protection of society and tho
| safeguarding of tho home it were well
II this view were more generally taken.
1t is not very many years since it would
hardly have been possible for decent
people to air their quarrels and grew
ances in the public eye withou. shame
and without reserve, as too frequently
is now done. Nor is it very long since
slight stigma, shadow. If not a
stain, inferred in the very thought of
divorce, so that respectable people
shrank from it with horror ard pre-
ferred to endure almost any suffering
rather than have recourse to SO heroic
remedy.
Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1905-04-21
Morles Willing to Negotiate.

"Mr. Perez and | arrived at Santo
Domingo on December 80, 1904, and
were met on board of the boat by Gen,
Morales. who gave us hearty well
come. 1t was not long before had
a private talk with the president,
thanked him for his invitation to come
to Santo Domingo, sent through Perez,
explained the reasons why Mrs. Reader
could not accompany me, and told him
Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1905-04-21

A curious obscurity must come over
the mental vision of a fathe. who de-
sires to snatch his children f,om the
mother who bore them, and strange
alteration Of reason has seized the
mother who would teach her children
that their father is their worst enemy
No one can deny that causes exist
which render legal separation mourn
full necessity. Among these. infidelity.
desertion, nonsuppor and drunken
ness must, of course, be included. and
to these some thoughtful people add
incompatibility of temper. In The lat
ter case it is often discovered shat the
incompaubility is superficial and not
vital, and that it could be overcome by
patie1ce and self-control on either
side. In too many instances the gist
of the matter is that the infelicities
of marriage spring from idleness, love
OF display and self-indulgence. A
Woodworking woman, with more or