davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-08

however, would be a mistake since the
book, which has only a thin disguise of
fiction, is for the most part q serious
discussion of the labor and religious
problems Of the day. The book largely
reads like a scrapbook collection of
newspaper reports and editorials.
speeches and sermons. in many cases
the proper credit being given to Bishop
Potter, the President, Chicago Com
mons, and various men and publications
There are some dramatic chapters. how
ever, of rioting, strikes mob meetings.
fires. and lynchings, but most of these
seem only texts for a neWsDauer editor
ieI or Christian Socialist sermon. Chris
tian Socialism, as interpreted by the
Rev. Stanton Of the story. means little
more or less than the brotherhood of
man. What the world needs is more
love between man and man. The labor
ing mans position Is forcibly and at
times pictureSquely presented by the
labor leader, Harvey. On one occasion
he touches upon a subject at present
under diseussion-that of rich mems
gifts.
And then to ease their conscienees one
or two of them, after putting up coal Is
cents a ton or oil cents a gallon, be-
neVoIently contribute an additional
amount of the peoples money to some
college, university, or missionary society
and get the credit for being great Chris
tan philanthropists. The universities
are good thing, perhaps; but if the
truth were told, over the doorway of
every new building ought to be inscrib-
ed the words This building was erect
ed by the money paid by the common
people to meet a rise Of 2 cents per gal
lon on oil, or 25 cents a ton on coal, or Z
per cent share on railroad stock as
the case may be.
There is also an interesting chapter
on a new system of running a grocery
store, some of the rules of which fol-
low:
All goods are sold at cost after $3.50
profit for the day has been made.
Premises personally guarded against
fire to save the amount of delivery. No
delivery.
To the poor all goods are sold at cost
at all times.
It will thus be seen DR. Sheldon has
given some things to think about even
If he has not written an absorbing
piece of fiction. and his new book is
likely to incite discussion. That he him
self is hopeful of the future may be in
ferred from the fact that in the end of
his story most Of the rich men are con-
verted and endeavor to practice Chris
tian Socialism"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-08

stories ''At Close Range" It seems
superfuous to say that the nine little
tales contained in the book are good.
They have nearly all appeared in the
magazine and will be welcome in the
more permanent form.
The stories have to do with the au-
thor's travels and they show very clear
~ his insight into human character and
the every day life of humanity in gem
eral
The book is illustrated this time not
by Mr.. Smith himself but by his son.
Rev. Charles NJ. Sheldon of Topeka
has a new publisher, His latest book,
The Heart Of the World: A Story Of
Christian Socialism" is published by
the Fleming H. Reven company of New
York.
This is what the New York CONNER
cial and Advertiser says about it:
In the opening chapter of 1.-The Heart
of the World: A Story of Christian
Socialism" by Charles NJ Sheldon
(RevelD, the Rev. Frederick Stanton is
found finishing the manuscript of a
book which is to have a. great popular
success and is to create a. sensation
but which win cost the author his pull
pit. The book is called 1.-The Christian
Socialist and when Dr.. Sheldon des-
cribes its triumphant course through
edition after edition he doubtless has in
mind the remarkable success of his own
former book, In His Steps," The chan
ter in the present story in which is out
lined the beliefs of Christian Socialism
is headed ITO Be Skipped by the
Thoughtless." To skip this chapter,
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-08

looked up in a puzzled way.
Mr.. Bowser set his face toward the
tenement district, but he had not gone
a block before he met an old woman
with a basket on her arm. She looked
to be a beggar, and he stopped and ac-
costed her with:
my good woman can you tell me
if
from mel" warned the woman, as she
backed off
why, woman, am no highway rob-
Der. I stopped you to simply ask
And don't you be stopping me or I'll
scream for the police. It was only two
nights ago that an old villain of your
looks stopped me to ask question and
then cllOked me and took away my ten
cents. Back with you, or 1 yelli"
Mr.. Bowser backed, or at least stood
still while she passed on He was
trifle discouraged, but he kept on until
he came to a saloon. There were five
or six men in front, and when he en-
tered they followed him.
Whats it to Beg" asked the barten-
der
L want to know If you know of a
woman around here whose husband is
Il do" was the reply-"three Of
them"
had followed him in.
This woman has "a pitiful mouth.
'fThe same"
And her eyes are full of tears"
ssThat's right, and after we have ha
a drink I'll tell you where she lives"
But I'm not here for a drink" softly
replied Mr.. Bowser. I'm here to-
9'You are not going to treat the
crowd?''
"Of. course not. I called in here
"Rouse nit him, boysi" exclaimed the
bartender. Hes some old hyena who's
got stuck on a woman and wants to
run her down. Give him the grand
bounced"
And Mr.. Bowser got it. He was run
out doors and lifted Off his feet and
chucked headfirst into a snowbank, and
when he crawled out he found it neces-
sary to strike a gait Of a mile a minute
to leave the crowd behind. Mrs. Bowser
was reading when he softly opened the
front door.
well, have you found the woman
with the pitiful mouth2'' she called.
No answer
And have you got those incontro-
vertible and incontcstibls proofs?''
No answer.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-08

little book Of more than ordinary
interest to Topeka and Kansas people
came today from the press Of Crane &
Co, Topeka The author is Myra Viii
nams farrell, a well known Topeka so
ciety woman who has made a reputa-
ton as q writer Of bright. refreshing
little stories.
The book appears under the title Meg
Of Valencia" but the scene is not in
the little village west of Topeka from
which the name has been borrowed, for
this Valencia is city of 10000 while
1t might be difficult to enumerate 80
citizens Of the Shawnee county village
which bears the name. But all this is
immaterial. The reader will not care
around what locality the plot has been
WoVen-he viii think only of the charac-
tiers which have been created by the
author for they are really flesh and
blood people, and the time given to
reading the book will be a visit well
spent with half dozen interesting peo-
pie you have never before met.
The central figures are Robert Na1lOy
and Margaret Anthony the Meg of Va
lencta- The hero has lived for twenty
dVe years in an atmosphere divided be-
tween a close proximity to his mothers
apron strings and a boarding school He
knows little Of the World-fn fact almost
too little for real modern life-and early
decided to enter a monastery. The
mother idOltzed her son whose father
was dead and though she by no means
approved Of his decision which would
take him from her side forever. she
did not wish to interpose any objection.
Her brother, Robert Spencer, was not
so backward and his plot to rescue the
young man furnishes the motive of the
story, This is what ne says:
1T tell you it's tommy-rot. And it's
all because you wouldn't call him Bob!
How the deuce do you expect a boy you
have called Robert for twenty-five
years, to have any worldly sense 90
Further on he adds:
Now, look here. Suppose you had
called him Bob There would have
been no long curls or dOll-rags for him
1t would have been baseball, marbles,
fresh air, boy friends. And now, hang
1t all, look at him now. If he wasn't
so handsome and lovable I wouldn't
care; but to think of all those virtues
being shut up in monastery, makes
me wish I were profane man, so I
could ease my mind by swearing"
Uncle Robert invites the young man
and his mother to visit him at
Valencia and there the young man
meets his fate Here is q fragment
that tells of the meeting:
Mr.. Spencer had seated the two
young people together, for he rightly
concluded that the ice would be
broken sooner, over soup and fish,
with the assistance of warm candle
light and flowers, than in drawing
room with the accompaniment Of
voices no longer young.
In taste. Robert was no acOlyte, and
he gave little sigh of satisfaction as
his eyes took in the exquisite details
Of the table Of polished, massive ma
hogany. with cleaning silver and
glass, the bowl of gorgeous, rich red
roses and the candles with their red
shades.
Turning, he met the eyes of his
companion, and involuntarily thought
that she fitted with the environments.
Her hair had a decidedly reddish cast,
and framed a face which was small
and white, with a refractory red
mouth and an insignificant nose.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-08

uufoIded the story Of Narayan Lal ana
the six trials whereby the hero. daring
death and worse than death. proved his
Kshattic blood. And when the story
teller said: Thus endeth my tale, y
Splendor of the EARTH the great king
replied: so also my sickness; for thy
words of wisdom have taught me that
a man may be in the grip OF death ana
may yet escaped"
The critics liken the story to The
Arabian Nights One of them says
Thus much in the manner and spirit
of the Arabian Nights" Beyond the
Oriental feeling ana imagery common
to both countries and both peoples, The
Verdict of the Gods is Indian rather
than Arabian. for instead of Bagdad
the scene of the story is a city on the
Ganges, and ParameshWar, not Allah,
is invoked. The thread of the story is
this: The king discovers Narayan Lal
exchanging amorous glances with the
Princess Devala- Instant death was too
mild a punishment for such crime;
but Narayan LaI refuses the fate of a
common criminal. claiming to be Of
royal birth and Kshattic blood. The
king and the court are incredulOus, but
Narayan Lal is granted chance to
prove his assertion. The king assigns
him six tasks to perform, each more
perilous than the last. If his claims are
true he will escape all harm, for the
gods take care of their own. In the mar
rative of the six trials many of the mar
vels of Indian jugglery are described
and discussed. both from the Oriental
For purposes of fiction the Oriental
point of view is surely thrilling enough.
Through Hall Stationery Coz
The Scribners have brought out F.
Hopkinson Smiths newest collection of
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-08

The face of that poor woman was in
delibly impressed on my memory. The
cook says that it was an old woman
who called here half an hour ago for
stale bread. I say it was the young
wife of the dying man, and that she
was asking for a few pennies to buy
him medicine or some sdelicacy- She
was heartIessly turned away, just as 1
dreamed"
That's all nonsense. You have got
a dream and some story you have read
some time all mixed UP. In the first
place, if the man lay dying, as you
think you dreamed, he would have no
appetite to eat anything.
Mrs. Bowser, don't try ridicule nor
sarcasm on me, for I won't have It.
When this woman passed me at the
gate I saw her pitiful mouth, her tear
filled eyes, her look of desolatiOn and
despair It was the same woman Some
where within half mile of US her hus-
band lies dying, and you, among others
have heartlessly turned her from your
door"
Mrs. Bowser went to the head of the
basement stairs and called the cook UP,
and when the woman appeared at the
sitting room door she asked:
Bridget, was there any one at the
basement door just as Mr.. Bowser came
home?'
There was, num-
"And who was it?''
THE old woman who comes around
for stale bread"
.eTVbv not. mum? She has been here
so times. and tonight when I said 1
had nothing she called me liar to me
face"
THAT will do, Bridget
When the cook had disappeared MRS
Bowser turned to Mr.. Bowser with a
question on her face.
= understand it ALL" he replied
Bridget is either mistaken or is a liar;
1t was the woman Of my dream, ana
nothing on the face of the earth can
make me believe to the contrary Ine
same eyes, the same mouth, the same
despair. And if am not mistaken
and / don't think I can be-she moan
ed out as she passed me: win no one a
in this great city give me nickel TO
save my husbands Ife?'
s'Then why didn't you give her a
niekel2 am sure 1 should.
Because it came upon me so sud
denly that did not know just how TO
act"
"But you know now, and if you go
wandering around the streets asking 1oE
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-08
BOWSER'S CHARITY.
He Goes Looking for Some One to
BestoVy 1t On.

When Mr.. Bowser reached home
the other evening it was raining and
blowing, and the figure of a woman
VINO had called at the basement door
crowded past him as he entered the
gate. AS soon as he had gained the
Bowser:
WAS that woman whom I saw at
the basement door just now a neigh
No was the answer. st did not
go down, but I heard the cook telling
her that we had no stale bread. I
presume it was a. beggar.''
But do you know whether it was
or not?"
It win find out Did she ask you
for money!"
Never mind whether she did or
not, but ascertain her identity"
The cook said it was an old woman
who came around every day or two for
stale bread, and when Mr.. BoWser was
informed of this he had no more to
say, and went down to dinner. Dur
ing the meal he was silent and
thoughtful, and after trying in vain to
draw him out, Mrs. Bowser concluded
that something had gone wrong at the
office, and gave over her attempts.
When they reached the sitting room he
walked up and down for two or three
minutes and then said:
Mrs. Bowser, is our cook a Har?''
why, of course not!'' she ex-
claimed. That's a funny question to
asks"
1T may seem funny to you, but I
assure you that there is no humor in
it. The woman asked for stale bread.
did she?"
''The cook says she did,
But do you know whether she did
or not2 Were you down there to hear
her words ?"
''I told you I was not. I heard her
voice, however, and know it was an
old woman who often calls here. I
think she gathers UP stale bread to
feed q few chickens on. How does it
come about that you are so greatly
interested in her %
"a night or two ago had a dream.
I dreamed that a man lay dying in a
garnet room, and that his weeping
young wife started out to beg for
money to buy him food. I saw those
two people and that room just as
plainly as see you. In my dream I
saw that wife turned away from door
after door, and as I followed her she
staggered down to the river and
! leaped in. AS the waters closed over
her I awoke with a shout on my lips 81
TITS curious that I didn't hear your
shout, and that you said nothing to
me of the dream observed Mrs
| Bowser.
1T may be curious, and it may not
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-08
You Must
Sleep.

If you cannot, it is due to an
irritated or congested state Of
the brain, which will soon de-
velOpe into nervous Prostration.
Nature demands sleep, and
it is as important as food it
IS a part Of her building and
sustaining process. This period
of Inconsistencies relaxes the
mental and physical strain, and
allows nature to restore ex-
hausted vitality.
DR.. Miles Neryine brings
refreshing sleep, because it
soothes the irritation and re-
moves the congestion.
1t is also a nerve builder; it
nourishes and strengthens ev-
cry nerve in your body, and
creates energy in all the organs.
Nothing will give strength
and vitality as surely and
quickly as DR.. Miles Nervine.
During the past winter I had two
very weak, and IN bad condition. I
was SO nervous I could not sleep. Ny
wife, after trying different remedies
went for a Doctor. The doctor was
out, and a neighbor recommended Dr.
Niles NeryIne. and she brought home
3 bottle I had not slept for some time
and had terrible pains in my head.
After taking 4 few doses Of Nervine
the pain vas not so severe, and I
slept. I am now taking the second
bottle, and am very much improved .
HENRY II. SMITH, Underhi1, Vt
Dr.. Miles, Hervine Is sold BY your
druggist, who will guarantees that Fse
Hrst bottle VIII benefit lf Il falls, he
viii refund your money.
Miles Medical Co., Elkhart. Ind
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-08

q me Reader AIagazin The writer mar
I rates the events just preceding and dur
lIS, MS tflalss and tells a story of Judi
Stdl proceedings so astounding that they
sol 4 De unbelievable were Mr.. Powers
statements not borne out by court rec
oLos- IN the time that has ELAPSED since
sLlS S1oeDel tragedy many readers have
ttoIsolten VINO Caleb Powers is, or have a.
nay ldea that he is simply a murderous
lug whose punishment has been too long
delayed. It might, therefore. he well to
state mere that Mr.. Powers was at one
tlIne superintendent Of public instruction
II! N hehtucky, having previously been a
tSacner in the public schools At the time
o. ms arrest he occupied the office of sec
IstaIy OF state, having been elected with
governor Taylor and the remainder of the
6epupncan ticket at the election wherein
senator Goebel was the defeated guber-
Mr.. Powers won political recoe1ition as
ne won his education-by sheer force Of
CHARACTER and individual effort. MY own
Der -A4A-A
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-08

an old woman who collects stale bread
to feed her chickens you will probably
hear of her.
by the horn spoon, woman, you have
a heart of f1intip roared Mr.. Bowser, as
he almost jumped up and down.
Il deny it. I have just as kind O.
heart as any woman, but I'm not taken
in by dreams and beggars.'
And the inference is that I amp
"In this case you are raising a row
about nothing. There is no dying nus
band-no wife with a pitiful mouth. It's
an old woman weighing about two hun
dred pounds, in the best of health, who
is after stale
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-08

Her eyes were peculiar, but very
beautiful, large and full and greenish
in color, shaded by Iashes so long and
dark that they gave a dazzling bril-
lance to her face.
As she met his eyes she smiled and
said. as though he had spoken, Yes.
isn't it pretty2' Then she added
But L am a gOurmand. I like the
pretty surroundings and a good din
ner, but if had to choose between
the two, would take the latter"
After the ice is broken the Wav is
clear OF course Robert didn't enter
monastery-wh could after that
and of course they were married.
The end leaves nothing to be desired.
It IS just as the reader would have the
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-08

Mr.. Bowser started down the hall
toward his hat and oVercoat.
Where are you going?"
He slowly made ready to go out, and
then turned and said:
f'Ihave been told in my own house that
I'm a visionary-a dreamer-an idiot.
MY story about a fearful woman has
been laughed to scorn. 1 am going to
prove that I am right in this matter,
and when I have proved it-when I
have furnished the most incontroverti-
Bile and incontestible proofs that I am
right, then, Mrs. Bowser, then"
And he was gone.
Poor Mr.. Bowser,'' sighed Mrs. Bow
ser, as the door banged after him, and
the cat came and rubbed her foot and
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-08

Then she went out into the hall and
found tracks leading upstairs-greaE
big tracks-tracks Of mud. Mr.. Bowssr
had lodged the issue.-(Copyright 1876,
by T. c. Mcclure.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-08

Kansas City and Return s2.TO via
Santa Ee
Account English grand opera. Tickets
on sale April 10 to Is. Final limit
returning April lie
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-08

Rev. Cyrus Townsend Brady's new
novel, 1.-The Two Captains" is not Illus
trated with half-tones, as are most novels.
but in the more decorative method of line
drawings. Many people of taste maintain
that pen and Ink work is a finer art than
wash drawing, and Mr.. Arata's pictures
afford a pleasing variety from the illustra-
lions in the average novels.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-08

Canadian editions of the following Of
Little. Brown & Co.'S spring books have
already been arranged for: My Lady
Clancarty," by Mary INLAY Taylor; On
the Firing Line" by Anna Chaplin Ray;
Justin Wingate, Ranchman," by John
II. Whitson; "A Knot of Blue" by Will
liam r. A. Wilson, and The Freedom of
Life" by Annie Payson Call.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-08

Booth Tarkington's new book just
from the press of Mcclure Phillips.
The six stories contained in this vol
une are entitled In the Arena" They
have appeared in magazines during the
past year, but will be reread for the
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-08

Topeka is considered a good field for
book agents. A great many limited edi-
ton sets are bought here. One Topeka
man has two books in his library for
which he has refused 81 200. The work is
Monumental Egypt
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-08

Scribners for April is a special Spring
number. with a gay cover in colors, a
special Spring frOntispiece, by Blendon
square in April, BY Guerin; and with a
most distinguishes list Of contributors, in
GLIDING Richard Harding Davis, Thomas
Nelson Page, Edith Wharton, Margaret
Sherwood, Mme.- WaddiHgton and jose
phine Daskam Bacon.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-08

story close There are no regrets or
condolences to be exchanged.
The worldly and Indifferent wife ap-
pears in the character of Mrs. Charles
Walker who neglects her home, her
husband and child to devote herself to
music and to her clubs. Through it
all the husband idoIizes his wife and
suffers uneOmplainingly for fear of
causing his vain, foolish wife any in
convenience. The Walker family is
one Of Mrs. JarrelIs best creations.
The book is beautifully printed on
good quality of paper and has 1877
pages. There is an excellent draw
ing of Meg by Albert T. Reid as a
frontfspiece.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-08

The Scribners have brought out F.
Smiths newest collection of
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-08

The third article Of My Own Story1' BY
Csaleh Powers accused of complicity in
the ssassinaf ton Of Senator Goebel of
KentucIzv. annears In the Arril number