davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-01

| llOOu
"Well, what do you think Of it?"
asked the singer as he paused to lay
in a fresh stock Of growls and roars.
TT wish you wouldn't" answered
Mrs. Bowser, as she turned from the
instrument.
what! What's that you wish ?"
"I wish you wouldn't become one
OF the Big Four. I'd much rather
you'd be one Of the Little Five
"But what in thunder does this
mean? Are you finding fault with
my singing?"
"No-o-o, but it seems to be such
an effort on your part. Mr.. Bowser,
was reading only the other day of
man who busted open while sing
HBusted be hanged! Nothing of the
kind ever happened. Let me repeat
those last two lines"
And he growled and roared and
Numbered to the air of Buffalo
Girls as much as any other, and at
the finish the cat took a run for the
hall, and those on the backyard
fences set up a wall in unison. More
than that, some hoodlums passing the
house stopped and one of them was
heard to yell out:
"They's got an old bull In the
house, and the bull is mad about iti''
.eWel1?" queried Mr.. Bowser.
won't you please say you'll give
It up?" pleaded Mrs. Bowser.
"Giye it up! Woman, what means
all this nonsense? You talk about the
danger of strainfng my voice, and
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-01
INTERESTING
Facts About Cooper Were Related
Last Evening.
Travelling Man Was in Chicago Dur
ing Young Mans Recent Visit.
His Preparations Were the Subject
of Much Comment.
SAYS HE CREATED SENSATION
1t is Probable He will Stir I'm To-
peka in the Same Way.

A rather interesting account of the
Great Cooper, as he Is called, who
Is reported as about to visit Topeka,
was given last night by a gentleman
VINO sS spent some time in Chicago dur
Ing Coopers recent visit to that city
Mr.. Charles B. Beatty, a travelling
salesman, was talking in the lobby of
the Throop and said: 'I made Chi
cago during the last week of this man
Cooper's stay in that city, and I was
surprised at the amount of talk that
went on about him. I heard it on every
side-in hotels, in street cars, on the
streets, and even the men I called on
In business way, had something to
say about him.
1.-The papers were full of his doings,
and from what heard, he must have
either a very remarkable medicine or
else some peculiar power to win peo-
pie into believing in him.
Il went around, out of curiosity, to
the drug store where his preparation
was sold and I never saw anything like
1t in my life. I stayed only a half
hour. During that time the crowd was
positively packed in the place, waiting
to buy the medicine. Every clerk in
the store was busy wrapping up the
Cooper preparations during the entire
time was there, and I was told 1t was
like that all day long.
ct heard that Cooper had done ev-
erything but make the blind see and
pose it was largely due to exaggeration
that these tales got abroad.
IT am in no position to say just how
good his preparation Is, but I do know
that he seems to be q generous cuss
and gave money to poor people hand
over fist
He is an unusual man, and If he Is
as successful here as in Chicago you
will see something interesting, as peo-
pie seem to go crazy over him wherever
he goes.
i'Whether Topeka people will be as
susceptible to the some sort Of spell
that this man seems to cast wherever
he goes, remains to be seen"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-01

about a man busting UP and all that.
and then ask me not to become one of
the Big Four. What sort of a game
are you trying to play"
mo game, dear, but-you see
7: IT see nothing, but want a plain
answer to plain question Is my voice
all right?"
'eYes-for talking
"But for singing?"
II wouldn't try to sing if I were you
not at present. You-you don't seem
to carry the tune. and your time is
way off. You see you haven't done
much singing since we were married.
tI don't seem to carry the tune! My
time is way Off" he echoed as he stood
back and folded his arms and assumed
a pose. 81 have voice for talking
but not for singing, and you advise me
not to try any morel This to me-te
Samuel Bowser!"
but don't get vexed, dear"
"This to me-to me, who was singing
in public when you We're a child grub
bling for strawberries In the grass. BY
the seven one-horned bulls of Basham
Mrs. Bowser, but this is too much-tot
rnuchi"
seBut you said you wanted a plain an.
swer to a plain question. don't think
YOU can sing, but perhaps there are
others who Will think you can; It's no
against you, you know There are
thousands and thousands of people
who can't sing a note
This to fne-to mel" unused Mr.
Rowser as he walked slowly down tbs
hall with long, dramatic strides.
Are you going out, dear?"
"iTo me-to mel and he clapped OF
| his hat. got into his overcoat and wal
He didn't know just where he was go
| ing to. and when he reached the corne
| he stopped and leaned up against tn
| fence He was leaning and th1nkin;
| when a policeman came along and halt
ed to say:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-01


the week which is closing by Miss Alice
Robinson, the soprano, who has been
singing at the Novelty. Many singers
have been heard In Topeka but it is
not remembered that any Of them had
a more pleasing voice than has Miss
Robinson. In the upper registers there
is softness to her tones that is quite
as remarkable as it is delightful. The
range of her voice is unusually extern
sive and she has technique that shows
most careful training as is evidenced
by her exquisite trilling. Miss Robin
son is blessed with youth and an at
tractive stage presence and that she
has a rather brilliant career before her
there is little doubt. She is Chicago
girl and this is her first year In vaude-
vile. During the past couple of years
she has been in concert work on the
Chautauqua and lyceum circuits and
previous to that she had a part with
the musical stock company at the Peo-
pies theater in Chicago Miss Robinson
has gained a warm place in esteem Of
Topekans by her singing at the Novelty
this week and there were many who
attended the show two and three times
Just to hear her again.. W
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-01

"And I might strengthen it hum
dred per cent Just give me the
chords of the Old Kentucky Home on
the piano, will you? I want to see
II my voice is in good trim
dear, and / don't thiukI remember
the chords either. -
well, try once / believe 1t goes In
the key of &C.
Mrs Bowser turned to the piano,
and with chill clutching at her
heart she played the chords of John
Browns Body Mrfl Bowser cleared
his throat and began to sing about his
Old Kentucky Home just the same as
If the chords fitted it. 1t wasn't whas
Caruso would call warbling. The
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-01
MUSICAL BoWsER.

After dinner the other evening Mr..
Bowser sat down to his newspaper and
cigar, but after five minutes he began
to hitch around uneasily, and at
length, when Mrs. Bowser was watch
ing him, he said:
"If you were only a different sort of
woman I'd like to talk with you for a
few minutes
"Well. III try and be different" she
replied. what is it that you wish to
speak about?"
"You know I Joined the Beethoven
club two weeks ago?"
''Was it the Beethoven club?"
"Of course, it was. / told you at the
time"
Eyes. think you did. Has anything
happened to the club since you Joined
it ?''
st has happened that they want me
in the Big Four quartette to sing bass,
and that's what I wanted to talk with
you about this evening"
Mrs. Bowser looked up and turned
pale. The cat was just purring himself
to sleep, and he suddenly opened his
eyes and rose up and turned around
three times. If there is one thing Mr.
Bowser can't do it is to sing. He can,
even make stab at it. He can't read
notes. and his time" Is like the hoof-
beats of drove of cattle running
around barnyard. Mrs. Bowser in
stantly realized that If he had been
invited to make one of a quartette ii
was a put up job, and that she had a
work of diplomacy on hand to rescue
him from humiliation.
But you will decline the honor?'
she queried, as she saw him regarding
her suspiciously.
why should I? I Joined the club
because it is singing club and I wan,
the practice"
But you are subject to hoarseness
and if 1 were you I shouldn't want to
strain NV throat
''There'll be no straining. Any doc
tor will tell you that singing strength
ems the throat. The trouble has been
| that I haven't sung enough. They
want my bass, as said, but I've been
wondering if hadn't better sing bari
tone altogether. That's what I wante ]
! to talk to you about. However, IL you
are busy watching that yaller-eyed old
cat we, can let the talking go. What
ails the miserable reptile. anyway?"
The cat was having what looked like
| fit. She stood up and bumped heI
back, and then she lay down and rolled
| over and over and coughed and sput-
tered and kicked. rs AIS
ST gave her ffshlhead about two
hours ago, and perhaps she got 8
bone in her throat" explained Mrs
Bowser. but blushing with guilt al
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-01

"Oh, here you are. Your name 70
Bowser? Have you got a grizzly bear
chained up in your house?"
What nonsense, sirI What do you
mean by such a question:" was the re-
ply.
ct mean that the neighbors on each
side of you are now down at the sta
grunts and roars and growls emanat-
ing from your house, and / mean that
they have got to be stopped or you'll
find yourself In the cooler before morn
ing! Take my advice and go home and
turn that bear out DOORS
But Mr.. Bowser didn't. Instead, he
took walk about that covered seven
miles in an hour and a half, and all
the time he was thinking how he could
get even with Mrs. Bowser for keeping
him out of the Big Four-(Copyrighte
1908, by T. c. McClure.)
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-01

There's no doubt in the minds of the
patrons Of the Novelty theater that the
vaudeville shows there are improving
with each succeeding week and S. R.
Wells, the manager of the house, is of
the opinion that the show he has been
able to book for next week will far sur
pass anyone that has yet been at tho
house. Every act on the bill has the
reputation of being a top notcher and a
decided novelty will be provided by Lii
Kerslake's educated pigs. This is one
of the star animal vaudeville acts that
is now touring the country and during
last summer it was the hit of the great
Carl Hagen beck's animal show.
Among the other fine features on the
bill will be Al Joslen, a black faced
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-01

This damsel actually created a furore
and doubled up nearly everyine in the
audience with laughter. That's more
than high salaried comedians can do.
But this woman did it and without ap-
parent effort. And it is safe to say
that the great majority of the audience
is laughing yet Miss Haha is no
spring chicken when 1t comes to years.
From her looks she might be thirty
five years old or she might be forty
five. Anyhow she is plenty old enough
to have broken into vaudeville before.
This hiding of her light under a bushei
Haha is of the brunette type and for
her turn last night she wore a sum-
mer-girls suit of white duck. which,
while not appropriate to the season,
is something Of genius for the piece
she sang was composed by herself,
both words and music, and was en-
titled paste Ten Dollar Smile on
Your Face" 1t would take a teacher
skilled in voice culture to classify Miss
Haha's voice and then he might make
a mistake. 1t verges on the contralto
with few mezzo tints running each
way. Anyhow it is a wonder as is the
Miss Haha followed up this great eff
fort with an imitation of a cornet solo
Of Marching Thro' Georgia" using
only her mouth to make a noise like
cornet. Some of her pipes must have
the stage after her vocal solo, for as
cornet she was not even a screeching
, success, but nevertheless she increased
her popularity with the audience and
when she followed the stimulation of the
cornet up with an Irish Jig. a pande-
monium Of enthusiasm reigned. Some
gentlemen in the upper left hand box
became SO greatly excited over Miss
Haha's efforts that they had to be re-
strained from throwing their pocket
books. diamonds and jewe1ry at her
feet as tokens of their appreciation.
Miss Haha won the prize in a walk and
her delighted audience would have been
applauding yet had not the lights In
the theater been put out and forced
them to go home There were three
other amateur acts on the bill but they
did not amount to much because of the
wonderfully successful performance Of
were black faced turns by Olga Stanley
and Willie Eyer. another black faced
turn by Frank Merveden Fessinger, in
| the course Of which Frank did not get
much Of q chance to show off because
of the applause Of the audience and
what was to have been a monologue
by Arthur l.. Benedict Mr.. Benedict
| turned his monologue into dance. be-
cause his voice refused to work and
| his dance was a scream.
| There's no use talking but amateur
night at the Majestic Is the popular
vaudeville night in Topeka. The house
was packed last night and this in the
! face Of the fact that a blizzard was
raging out doors and Topekans are
anything but agile In getting to shows
when the weather Is bad.
Miss Alice Robinson.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-01

comedian who has few if any equals in
his particular line of business. He gets
a larger salary than any single act
which has been seen in this city and
that should be a guarantee of his merit
as an entertainer.
And then there is the Columbia Com
edy Four, a quartette of singers and
comedians, who will be sure to make
bid for carrying off the honors of the
show. This aggregation of fun-makers
was seen in Topeka a year ago and
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-01

noise started in a low grow1 at his
shoe tops and gradually worked up
until 1t became the roar of lion
seeking for his prey. Then it drop
ped to the deep rumble of bull look
ing at a tramp on the. top rail- Of a
fence, and finally died away in the
distance like the sounds OF a passing
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-01
Grace Cameron Pleasing.

As was predicted. Little Dolly
Dimples' as presented at the Grand
last night by the Grace Cameron Opera
company was a decidedly entertaining
musical show. In fact 1t was a good
deal better than the average of the
almost countless shows Of this type
which have been here this season. And
1t surpassed most of them in the quail
ity OF its specialties. These acts il
taken all by themselves would pro-
vide as good vaudeville show as has
been seem in these parts. Among the
speciality stars were Rose Olah Faber,
a Hungarian violinist; Emma King, a
Russian dancer; AL Lawrence, a great
mimic: Eva W. Spears, the human
flute; the Shubert String Trio and the
Cardownie Sisters, dancers.
There was little or nothing to the
plot of the play. and this same thing
Is appropriately said of most musical
shows but there was lots OF good ran-
sic In It, good looking chorus that
could sing and wore any Quality Of
fine clothes. There were also q num-
Der of good songs, one Of them being
Goodby Old Home which was sung
by Miss Cameron, and "Gfoodby Jennie
Jones'" sung by VIII PhiIbrick and the
chorus. PhilbFick is the comedian Of
the piece and Is a fun maker Of no
mean abtlit.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-01
suffering and Dollars Saved.

E. s. Lopez of Marilla, N. Y, says: s1
am a carpenter and have had many Sc
we're cuts healed by Backlen's Arnica
Salve. It has saved me-suffering and dol
lars. 1t Is by far the best healing sa1ve
have ever found" Heals burns, sores, ul-
all druggists.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-01

she said SO. "I think, II you decide
to join the quartet, you had better
stick to bass. I am afraid of your
throat, however, and 1 hope you will
consult the doctor first. You might
lose your voice by straining it,
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-01
Miss Haha a True Star.

vaudeville stars may come and
vaudeville stars may go but none viii
ever appear in Topeka that will elicit
as did Francis Louise Haha- Who mn
on turn at the Majestic last night IN
the regular weekly amateur contest,
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-01

their return will be welcome for they
made a tremendous hit when here be-
fore. Other acts On the bill include
West and Van Sicklen, a noted team of
musical artists and Morgan and Nc
Garry in songs and dances. For the
illustrated songs Mr.. Irwin will sing
Yours is not the only aching heart"
and Miss Parfitt will sing Tho you're
gone, you're not forgotten" Two SER
les Of high class moving pictures will
also be shown.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-01
OIymnic,s New Bill.

A vaudeville bill without a defect
is of course. an impossibility and one
uniformly good Is rarity, but that to
be presented at the Olympic next
week, commencing with tomorrow's
matinee, will be a scream from start
to finish. Manager Bryant makes a
specially Of booking acts that contain
comedy-that's what the people want
and next weeks bill. is no exception
to the rule, and capacity houses Will
no doubt be proof that the spirit of
the old town still stalks abroad. The
Burton Sisters will open the pro-
gramne with comedy sketch with
the crippled title IAN old Maid From
Arkansaw." They have been featured
over the Orpheum circuit as one of
the funniest sketches in vaudeville,
and will no doubt be roaring success.
Frank Marshall. the sweet tenor. will
sing Fetch Over the Canoe which
will be attractively illustrated. Happy
Doc Holland" better known as "the
destroyer Of sorrow" Is a comedian
OF much ability and he will appear in
tramp monologue that is bound to
convulse anyone with laughter. He
has line of jokes that are not rusty
and the manner in which he shoots
them over the footlights is bound to
be amusing to the lovers of good fun.
Harry Newman. who labels himself
1.-THE Eccentric English Comedian
direct from the concert halls Of Lon
don, has an act that is seldom seen in
Topeka vaudeville and If you want to
laugh, don't fail to see him. Zeck and
Zeck, known in the vaudeville world
as the Two Wonders" have high
class novelty feature act that Is very
pleasing and entirely different from
any other seen in this city. The pro-
gramme will be concluded with q
comedy set of moving pictures entitled
Buying a ladder and 1.-THE Ser
wants Revenge" Manager Bryant
new machine, the Olympidrome, Is
making decided improvement in the
pictures OF Late. The above bill is an
offering that is seldom seen for 10
cents and will no doubt be a pleasure
to all who witness 1t.
Hereafter beginning with Sundays
bill. the Olympic will give four shows
daily. Matinee at p. m. and three
evening performances, 7:15. S:16,
9:15. The price Of admission will re-
main the same. all seats 10 cents.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-01
Hair Loss

Consult your doctor about yous falling hair.
IF he sdy,, "Ayer Hair Hisor Is the best. "
then begin today. Do as he says.
Suppose you send this advertise
ment to your baIdest friend! Every
body should know that Ayers Hair
Vigor promptly checks falling hair,
destroys dandruff, keeps the scalp
clean and healthy. Does not af-
feet color OF hair. Formula with
each bottle. Z Ls e; AZ. 10 e.:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-01

Miss Alice Robinson.
One Of the real successes that has
been made In vaudeville in Topeka this
season has been accomplished during
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-03-11
LOWER EGG PRICES.
Hens Overworked, Cause Drop 0
 51s Cents Per Dozen.

New York, March 1.-The ob- server of Lent who has forsworn a diet of meat for the next thirty or more days, will learn with satisfac- tion that the busy hen cackling money into the coffers of western farmers, egg collectors and egg op- orators. has been working overtime during the last few spring-like days. The result of her efforts to furnish food for the egg hungry was shown on the floor of the New York mer- cantile exchange in the most violent decline in eggs recorded in a year. Prices dropped F cents a dozen be- fore the close of the call, and at the end of the day F cents a dozen was top. Holders in the early hours of trading got panic stricken and threw large quantities of the produce on the market and accepted any reasonable bid.
 The close on Friday was 27 cents a dozen. No large sales were made at that figure, but the incipient snow storm coupled with light receipts en- couraged the belief among light op- orators here that supplies would be short of actual requirements. But with clearing weather on Saturday and telegTams from most of the western sections announcing heavier supplies on the way, the bear ele- ment on the exchange worked coup. Operators crawled out from under a load of eggs that left, after settlements were made, eonsidera- ble percentage of loss to be faced, and larger profit to the jobbers carrying contracts to supply retailers with stocks.
 II is estimated in New York that based on the reports from the west the receipts in this market for the coming week will run more than IT, 00O cases. The receipts for tie week just ended figured up to s2.621 cases- This is an average of little more than 5000 cases a day. com pared with an average daily arrival in the corresponding week last year Of 15.00O cases.
 With nearly ss.O0O. GOO eggs in sight for delivery this week the msn who eschews meat can feast on hsn fruit at reasonable cost provided the retailer bases his selling cost on ths slump in the wholesale rates Ire average retail price on the western stock Is on the basis of 25 cents q. dozen Many retailers. it is sain. are unable to take advantage of the dne1fna sr wholesale for the reason they have contracted with fobbers for the season at around 25 cents a dozeu. Many of these contracts have some time to run ret. so that the break in eggs ehrOnicIed here is like Iy to be news eNDuTEsted from the sCruss-the-oounter gossip of the eor- ner grocery man
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-03-11
SELF-MILKING COWS.
Farmer Claims He Has Rigged a Suc-
 cessful "Nfilker."

Harry Cassidy. one of our up-to- date dairy farmers, is exhibiting to admiring friends the most moder l milking and separating appliances ever put into practical use. The unique feature is that MT Cassidy has taught the COWS to milk them selves.
 He first bought an electric miiker, but the cost of operating this and the separator was so great that he was ready to go back to the old sys- tenn of milking by hand when a bril- liant idea struck him.
 Rigging up a treadmill he geared the fly wheel with a dynamo, and this, in turn, was attached to the patent milker. When all the cows were rigged up one was sent upch the treadmill. and in a few seconds the dynamo was in operation.
 It was great success; all the COWS, including the one that operated the machinery. being milked in ion minutes. The milk being run into a tank, the separator was then put in motion. and in another ten minutes the cream had been collected in q can. ready for shipment to the creamery.
 Mir Cassidy says that with his ap- plianee he can produce milk for ] cents a quart without labor. IH- deed. the milking and separating are now done while the family is at sup- Der.-Philadelphia North American.