Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-04
BOOSTING QUEER INTERESTS
Many Freak Newspapers ~ which
the General Public Knows
Little.

III Inese progressive lays every profess
sion, trade, calling, avocation, interest,
cult-what not-has its organ, more or
less reputable and authoritative. but nearly
interesting to the curious. 1t would
appear that the publication of freak
periodicals, magazines and journals finds a
profitable field throughout the world. in
asmuch as a goodly number Of them have
their birth in foreign countries, though the
United States furnishes it's due quota.
The first of the odd sheets devoted to
the interests of engaged couples APP
pesred a few years ago in Paris, and
while at first thought it might be sup
posed that its field would be quite limited,
1t nevertheless prospers. Agents in the
service of this journal are employed at
various points I'm France collecting items
of interest 20 folks who have contracted to
marry. In each issue there are sec forth
In the paper the names, addresses and
other information concerning engaged
couples. Each maiden mentioned receives
a free subscription for a limited period.
The real beneficlaries of this publication
are the tradesmen taking the paper, mas
much as they are able to approach the
girl intending to aTrg with more or less
alluring inducements IN the way of ma
terials for trousseaux. etc.
Against the papers for the engaged there
may be cited as an effect a journal for
bachelors, printed in the United States.
This periodical was the idea Of members
of a bachelors club In an eastern city and
its columns are given over to articles from
the pens Of gentlemen fond OF
in support of the blessedness of THE
Single Life" which is, in fact, the name
of the paper. A standing caption in this
paper is a quotation from Rudyard Kip
ling, who, as a bachelor, declared that 'he
travels farthest who travels alone"
The original sheet devoted exclusively to
the Interests" Of beggars was born in
Paris. This paper, entitled lie Bon Guide,
affords daily a complete list Of the bap-
tisms, weddings and funerals to take place
in Paris on that day, in order that It's
patrons may be well posted as to favor
able localities wherein to pursue the days
work"
For begging letter writer's lie Bon Guide
publishes a list of the addresses, arrivals
and departures Of travellers known to be
Of charitable dispositions.
The beggars in London, too, have their
organ, but 1t is not of so thigh class" a
nature as the Partisan publication. The
English Beggars' Journal is a weekly and
PiNNCo AeSClA Ou lnc exclusive character of
its information. 1t is unique in that it is
written. not printed, by a mimeograph, the
paper employed being the coarse brown
variety commonly used by butchers and
grocers in which to wrap their wares.
There are lots of other papers for beg
gars published in various foreign countries,
and in the United States. too, but the
French and English sheets are remarkable
nv raaanp Of fbatp .,r,,o, zLz--t.
lists and for the unquestionable influence
they exert.
Another queer French journal, which died
not long ago, was lie Bien Etre, whose sole
object for existence seemed to be an old
age pension scheme. To subscribers who
should die at the expiration of forty years,
LIE Bien offered a free burial.
lie Courier des Baigneurs Gathers
Courier) is the product of a we'll known
French seaside resort. 1t is printed on
waterproof paper, the inducement to buy
being predicted evidently on the idea that
the bather may take his journal into the
ocean with him and so enjoy its perusal
while bathing.
Publications. obviously not Of a particu-
larry cheerful nature, are the Undertakers'
Journal and the Hangman's Record. both
published in the British capital. 1t is diff
fieult to assign a reason for the latter.
but as 1t is of respectable age, there must,
Of course. be a demand for the grim sort
of news it dispenses.
The New Moon, most appropriately
named is a paper published in the United
States by a certain institution for the i'm.
sane IL any one supposes that its columns
are devoid Of interest for a sane Individual
/ fhan he 9a ,,,aI g.4.1- F.
from the pens of inmates OF the asylum
frequently evince literary ability of nc
mean order.
In the matter OF mere untillty the palm
must be awarded a newspaper published
In a fishing town of Norway. This journal
points with pride to the fact that It is
printed upon paper of so tough a quality
when read, it may be cut in strips ana
twisted into a most serviceable rope, which
Is no small inducement when the CALLING
OF the villagers is taken into consideration
An odd periodical in his country is The
Walters Friend, which presents the unique
appearance of being printed in five Ian.
guages-English, French, German, Italian
and swedish-arranged in alternate col.
umns.
Another product Of American ingenult,
!" hHN way VI IIedh papers Is one pub.
lished in a southern city in the interest OF
paper hangers. This odd organ is Of excel
lent typographical appearance, but tn,
paper wherein II is printed is no othe,
than wall paper, or rather the cutting,
remaining of wall paper used for the usua
purpose. Trade pride. presumably. is to b,
assigned as the reason for this strang,
notion.
One enterprising owner in an Ohio town
conceived the laudable desire TO provid,
persons with weak eyes with a journal tina
would incur no injury or fatigue to them
This was to be done by means of greer
paper and white ink. The scheme was, how
ever, unsuccessful, and the paper died az
early death.
Among other American papers of IN,
freak kind the following, whose titles az
ford a sufficient hint as to their purpose
there may be mentioned the following:
The Divorce Seekers News, How to &c
a Government Office. How Mother Use,
to Cook II. Help for Those in Hard LuoJ
and the Lovers Friend.-st. Louis Globe
Democrat.
Two Men KIIIed TnafaasN-