davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-04-23
DETECTIVE AMONG
GHOSTLY BEINGS
THE SINGULAR AND ORIGINAL
OCCUPATION OF A Ml,WAU.
kEE PRIVATE SLEUTH.
INVESTIGATES SHADE WORLD
For the Purpose of Science He Watch
es and UncoVers the Deceptions
of Mediums and Fake
Spiritualists.

Milwaukee. - Being a detective
among ghosts is perhaps the most
original occupation pursued by any
living American. A good many per-
sons earn their bread and butter by
playing the sleuth among mortals, but
so far as is known one young man in
Milwaukee is the only exponent of
Sherlock Holmes in the shade world.
This detective is the general super,
intendent of the Citizens Detective
agency of Milwaukee. He was retained
by "a psychical research society to
serve as an investigator of spiritualis-
tic and mediumistic matters. Just as
the agency's general men are en-
ployed to unearth and search out cases
of ordinary dishonesty, so this super.
intendent was retained to run to earth
the receptions practiced by profess
siOnal spiritualists who use manual
deXterity and mechanical devices to
raise tables, materialize figures and
do the other miracles" which anyone
can witness at innumerable seances.
On the occasion of a recent study
near chicago OF the alleged 1nterpreta-
tons of a celebrated medium whose
mysterious case has been under the
observation of men like Prof William
James and Sir Oliver Lodge for many
years past, this superintendent was
found to be thoroughly enthusiastic.
He said
ut is because / believe that such
phenomena do occasionally occur that
| am anxious to expose the frauds.
Only by so doing can we hope to reach
the genuine phenomena. The proper
ton of fraudulent to authentic / have
tried to indicate in my reports, the
larger part of which is given up to the
former class"
This detective has exposed almost
numberless devices of mediums by
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-04-23
MODEL FOR "PoLLY" GOWN.
Simple Costume That Can Be Made
Extremely Pretty.

Polly gowns are much prettier
than their extreme simplicity would
seem to warrant in these days of
elaborate gowning. The original is
a simple muslin costing not more than
II cents yard, sprigged with tiny
clusters of roses. There is nlne-lnch
straight ruffle around the bottom and
at either side of the seven rows OF
shirring across the front breadth is
group of finely-laid plaits, not more
than five inches deep. The bodice is
round waist with the neck closely
shirred, and plaits like those in the
skirt, extending in yoke fashion from
shoulder to shoulder. The sleeves are
puffs gathered in at the wrists The
touch of modernism is found in the
arrangement of the sash of Powered
ribbon, which is caught slightly above
the waistline, giving the merest sug-
gestion of an empire effect. This same
model is being made up extensively In
pretty lowered silks and trimmed with
bands of velvet ribbon, with ruchings
of narrow silk ribbon and with lace.
Naturally enough they lose their sim
plicity of detail by this treatment, but
it is retained in the outline and is one
of the favorite models for the softer
fabrics.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-04-23
Puffs LOSING in Favor.

1t is safe to predict that the fad Of
finger puffs is nearing an end, and
that milady's couture in the near fu-
ture will once more present pretty
and natural appearance in place OF the
artificial and trying deliberately dressed
hair From the mere fact that yard
or so of puffs may be purchased at
any well-regulated notion counter for
a sum below the dollar mark comes
the conclusion that their day is done
for the ultra fashionable. This passing
of puffs is a thing to be hailed with
joy. The long rows of sausage-like eX-
crescences, usually several shades
''off" the rest of the couture, and also
often dull and dry looking, while the
rest of the hair is a bit, at least,
glossy, are an eyesore. Especially is
this true when through the separate
strands of the pompadour one catches
glimpses of a rat or hair roll of a
still different shade.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-04-23
MANY Shapes in Hats.

Happily, the choice of millinery is
considerable this season. We are not
tied down to one shape, as we were
last summer, when SO in every 100
women appeared in huge mushroom
cloche. 1t is strange that many fash
ionable women remain true to the
cloche shape. But the milliners do
not recommend that the woman who
has to economic, invest in cloche
shapes this spring, as this style has
been done to death, and it is impos-
sible for it to remain in style much
longer. The cloche shape, slightly
turned up in front and at one side,
continues to be amazingly popular,
and this shape is wonderfully be-
coming. The upturned brim allows
the hair to be seen to advantage, and
attractive effects may be gained by
an artistic arrangement of soft feath-
ers around the crown.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-04-23
Uncle Eben'S Mistake
Copyright. by Daily Story Pub. Coz
By Clara Fl. Holmes

Ebenezer Crossman and his wife
Lucinda, were at outs. There's no
dom thing to please We! Yer as
cross as two sticks" complained Aunt
! 'Cinda.
"Ye don't try! Jest look at this
| toast-burned to smut on one side,
and tother hain't been next or near
the fire." he grumbled.
I've he'd to cook for We for nigh on
to so year, an We amt goin' to IN
struct me in cookin' at this late day"
replied she.
He arose from the table, leaving his
breakfast untasted, and throwing his
chair viciously across the room left
the house.
Aunt 'Cinda looked after him with
troubled eyes. II don't know what's
got into Eben lately-ever since
Mlindy came back" she said with a
sigh.
When Uncle Eben came in to dinner
he had in no wise regained his good
humor
Fat pork and cabbage! I'm jest
sick of that kind of fodder! If things
amt better I'll go to M'linda's to live"
Melinda was his niece.
81 wish't you would; mebbe then
one would hev' a minutes peace; now
it's nothin' but jaw, jaw, jaw, from
mornin to night" angrily retorted his
wife. "Shoo. Shoot" waving her
apron at a flock of chickens.
"'Pears like we might hev' fried
chicken once in awhile-M'Iinda he'd
great platter full for dinner; she asst
me to stay, an if I'd a-known we vas
to hev' this mess, I'd a-done It,"
eye better trot right back, Eben
Crossman; | raised them chickens to
buy me a new dress; amt had moth
In bettern calico in ten year, an I
won't hev' 'em ct, so there!"
From the time OF her marriage Aunt
'Cinda had been obliged to practice
the most rigid economy, as their only
capital had been health, hope and
willing hands. Little by little they
paid for their farm, and in the same
way they had accumulated a compe
tency, but the habit of persistent econ
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-04-23
Looks.

There is a certain demoralizing ele.
ment introduced when woman allows
herself to look slovenly, and no mat
ter in what manner she is employed
she must learn to keep herself phys
ically and mentally in good condition.
During the social season probably
every woman takes good care of her
appearance, and particularly of her
hands and face. But when Weather
friends go out of town and enervating
weather tends to bring carelessness in
many duties, how many women real
ize the necessity of continuing the
strict course of treatment they have
followed during the winter? Yet if the
skin is to look well next fall it must
not be neglected during the spring and
summer. Remember that, and do not
subject it to rough usage.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-04-23

which Standardization" of spirits Il
purposed to be accomplished. He has
discovered the cleverest imaginable
schemes for smuggling clothes into
cabinets, and has found that the self
playing guitar, which strikes the aver
age audience as wonderful, often sim
ply contains a music box to do the
work.
A ghost whom this superintendent
once detected proved to be young
man entirely covered by black tights
except his right arm, which was bare
half way between the elbow and
shoulder and was powdered with pull
verified luminous paint. With his
face masked in black, this phantom
luminous arm seemed to float in space
while it wrote spirit messages, thrust
them into the pockets of sitters
played a guitar and performed other
miracles which appeared real to the
credulous.
The sleuth has frequently been a
witness of the phenomena of gradual
undertaking" and Misunderstanding
on the floor in front of a Gordon of sit
ters. To the audience it looks abso.
lutely astonishing to see small ball
Of light, projected before them, grow
gradually into cloud and increase in
size until a phosphorescent spirit like
a woman wavers before their very
faces and eyes.
But trick underlies the whole per
formances. The human confederate
who accomplishes the illusion removes
all her clothing, draws on long black
chemise which reaches her shoe tops,
nuts on a pair of white stockings and
white slippers. Her head is covered
with a black mask She puts lumin-
GUS robe into black bag and then
slips down a ladder into a carefully
prepared cabinet.
BY crawling under the curtains OF
the cabinet she exposes on the floor
a little portion of the robe doubled up
to form a luminous ball. Out of the
bag the glowing robe is shaken gradu.
ally, producing the effect of a swelling
cloud. The woman then gets on her
knees, pulls the robe up over her face
and throws off the black mask. The
figure rises gradually until it appears
the full size of a woman. The robe is
next adjusted and, by slight noise, a
signal is given to have little light
turned on.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-04-23
Cherry Tints.

The cherry tints are favored among
reds for spring and summer wear and
promise to have a great vogue. Charm
ing silks and sheer fabrics are being
brought out in cherry and coral
tones and touches of both appear in
the new millinery.
1t is essentially a spring color and
loops of cherry ribbon as a back
ground on a flower or feather-trimmed
hat will be most effective, particularly
to the dashing brunette or to the
blonde who needs a bright color to re-
fleet roses into her cheeks.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-04-23
Little Noise in Berlin.

Berlin is said to be the most quiet
city in Europe. Railway engines are
not allowed to blow their whistles
within the city limits. There is no
loud bawling of hucksters, and a man
whose wagon gearing is loose and rat.
Ting is subject to a fine. The courts
have a large discretion as to fines for
noise-making. Strangest of all, piano
playing is regulated in Berlin. Be-
fore q certain hour in the day and
after a certain hour in the night the
piano must be silent in that musical
city. Even during the playing hours
a fine is imposed for mere pounding
on the piano.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-04-23
DRESS ACCESSORY.

The dainty accessory here shown
can be applied to any passe waist with
good effect.
The shoulder pieces and sleeve caps
are of heavy filet lace, the edges being
trimmed in a conventional design the
color of which it we're well to make
a contrast to the waist with which il
will be worn. Velvet ribbons rur
across the front and are drawn tc
empire height at the back.
The buckles are made of heavy
buckram covered with cloth Of GOLD
and topped with the heavy net.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-04-23
COFFEE EYES.
It Acts Slowly But Frequently Pro.
duces Blindness.

The curious effect of slow daily pol
Boning and the gradual building in of
disease as a result, is shown in num-
bers of cases where the eyes are af-
fected by coffee.
A case in point will illustrate:
A lady in Oswego, Mont, expert
enced a slow but sure disease settling
upon her eyes in the form of increas-
ing weakness and shooting pains
vivid that nothing else could be seen
for minutes at time.
She says:
This gradual failure of sight
alarmed me and | naturally began a
very earnest quest for the cause.
About this time l was told that cof-
fee poisoning sometimes took that
form. and while l didn't believe that
coffee was the cause of my trouble,
concluded TO quit it and see.
Il took up Postum Food Coffee in
spite of the jokes of Husband whose
experience with one cup at neigh
boris was unsatisfactory. Well, /
made Postum strictly according to di-
rections, boiling it little longer, be-
cause of our high altitude. The result
was charming. l have now used Pos
tum in place of coffee for about 3
months and my eyes are well, never
paining me or showing any weakness.
| know to certainty that the cause
of the trouble was coffee and the cure
was in quitting it and building up the
nervous system on Postum, for that
was absolutely the only change made
in diet and 1 took no medicine
my nursing baby has been kept in
a perfectly healthy state since 1 have
used Postum.
Mr.. --, friend, discarded cot
fee and took on Postum to see if he
could be rid of his dyspepsia and fire.
quent headaches. The change pro-
duced a most remarkable improve
ment quickly"
There's Reason" Name given by
Postum Co.. Battle Greek. Mich.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-04-23

omy had merged into miserly parsi-
mony, especially was this the case
with Ebenezer.
Aunt 'Cinda's very soul hankered
for new carpet, and the old cord bed
steads with round posts nagged her
desire persistently. Uncle Eben grew
wrathful at the mere mention of her
wishes.
Them bedsteads hev' been good
enough fur so years, an they're good
enough now; you're jest bein' ct up
with new tangled notions. If We want
a carpet why don't We make one?
There's rags enough in the garnet fur
half a Dozen
Il don't want no rag carpet!
M'linda don't hev' that kind of floor
kiverin', an yer allus quotin' her to
me-" retorted Aunt 'Cinda.
Il amt got nothin' to do with her
Housekeeping" snappishly.
"Oh, 1 thought mebbe we had, We
mention it so frequent" answered
Aunt 'Cinda sarcastically.
so can't hev' single thing as / want
it! And 'Cinda's all the time naggin'
fur gingerbread furnitur' an SIGH use
less truck, till I'm sick of it,, grumbled
Uncle Eben to M'linda, of late he went
to her with all his grievances.
Il wouldn't stand it if 1 were you.
You come right along and live with us,
and it shan't cost you a cent You
know you'll be perfectly welcome -
| said she.
Two weeks later Uncle Eben moved
his belongings to Melinda's. He had
installed her in the house opposite the
home place-which- Aunt 'Cinda was
| to retain.
81 wisht the house was a mile off, -
muttered Aunt 'Cinda, her old voice
thick with tears.
"'Cinda shan't hev' it to say that
took the best end of the bargain, .
remarked Uncle Eben in a tremulous
| tone.
For the first month there was no
| friction, but after he made a deed, Civ
| ing Melinda the house and ten-acre
/ lot for his keep someway things were
not so smoothly. For one thing Uncle
Eben was not used to children, and
Melindas four boys were entirely be-
yond restraint, and delighted in teas
/ ing and annoying the old man. Then
if he pulled off his boots and put his
feet on an opposite chair, as he had
been accustomed to at home, Melinda
would sarcastically remark: 'It's
easy to see when people have never
had a bit of good furniture." And il
he filed his cid cob pipe for a com
forting smoke: "Oh, goodness. That
filthy tobacco is enough to turn ones
stomach" So he would put out the
fire with his stubby fore finger and
silently leave the room.
There appeared to be no change IL
Aunt 'Cinda's mode of living, but
when she sat down to breakfast and
glanced across at the vacant place, she
set her cup of coffee down untasted
"'Pears like hain't no appetite late
". Shoe! shoe, there, ncw!" to the
chickens. I've a good mind to cool
one of We. What does an old woman
want of an, thin better'n calico. any
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-04-23
Most Fashionable Silks.

Without doubt the most fashionable
silks for spring and summer street
wear will be foulard and Shantung.
The foulard silks are finer and more
supple of weave than ever and are
adaptable to the present style of dress
where many plaits, numerous folds
and wide skirts require a texture of
chiffon weight to give the necessary
lightness and grace of line. The pref
ty coin-dotted foulards which make up
so effectively are shown in white dots
on navy and Copenhagen blue grounds,
on tan, gray and black, as we'll as
blue and black dots on white grounds.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-04-23
The Thunder Cloud.

Rt. Rev Chauncey B. Brewster,
D. D., bishop of Connecticut, told an
interesting story not long ago of a
colored clergyman, who was far from
being brilliant preacher, and had
the habit, when exhorting his breth-
rem, Of shouting in a very loud tone
of voice. The bishop thought he
reprove him, SO suggested kindly that
perhaps his sermons would have as
good an effect It delivered more soft
~ But the coloreJ minister replied:
well, you see, it's this way, bishop,
has to make up in thunder what
lacks in lightning. "-Harper's Weekly.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-04-23
A Boy on CIerqymen.

Bishop Potter, at an ecclesiastical
dinner in New York, read Coopers
town schoolboy's essay on Clergy
men," The essay, which created much
amusement, was as follows:
There are kinds of clergymen
bishups. recters and curates. The bish
ups tell the recters to work and the
curats have to do it, a curate is thin
married man, but when he is a recteI
he gets fuller and can preach longer
sermons and becums a good man.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-04-23
Materials with Borders Used.

One sees the bordered goods every
where. In choosing them, the average
woman will find those more becoming
that show figured or dotted surface
rather than the stripes on a back
ground of a solid color.
The stripes are usually so broad anc
the coloring so vivid that only per
feet beauty, both in form and colorlng
would carry a gown of such strong
contrasts successfully.
There are lots of pretty goods IL
stripes that have been toned down by
the scattering dots of small conven
tional figures to select from.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-04-23
The Farmers Retort.

What do you call yeour red auto
er at the drawbridge.
1.-The Fool Killer" bantered the
man in goggles. Il call it that because
it kills all the fools who happen to
cross in front of it.
The old farmer cleaned his pipe
with straw and then replied, evenly:
THAT so, mister? WALL is there
any chance of it blowing up and kill
ing the fool inside?"
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-04-23
Old Boots Made Valuable.

The Gaulois of Paris has been en-
PERTAINING its readers with a patent
leather boot story. 1t seems that
every six months each sewer man of
Paris receives a pair of heavy boots.
At the end of the period these articles
are worthless as far as the original
purpose is concerned, but they have
actually increased in value. The old
boots are sold to the leather dressers,
it is said, as the conditions under
which they have been used make the
leather peculiarly adapted for con-
version into patent leather for dress
shoes
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-04-23
Scented Hair Pins.

Scent fountains in the hair are the
latest fad in London. They are made
in the form of hairpins, which at the
slightest touch of a spring at the head
give off tiny spray of scent. BY sim
ply patting her hair or adjusting a
hairpin woman may release fresh
supply of scent. These scented hair
pins are made in gold for blondes, tor
toise shell for brown hair, dark amber
for auburn and silver for gray hair.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-04-23
$40 Bill Torch: Stops Train.

Lake City, Ia.-With his foot caught
in a cattle guard, and train rapidly
approaching, Stewart Dunbar of Des
Moines ignited $40 bill and, waving
it above his head, succeeded in at
tracing attention of the crew. He es-
capped death. He had some $40 bills.
but they would not burn because they
were green.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-04-23
A Work Dress.

A pretty work dress is made OF
chambray in pink or gray-blue with
trimming bands of white. 1t is cut on
the simple kimono lines, the front and
back sections being gathered to the
straps at the shoulders and neck, and
also into the belt at the waist line.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-04-23
Explicit.

This is an age of STEEL" said the
after-dinner speaker.
Permit me to suggest" interrupt
ed the chairman. courteously, that
for the benefit of the reporters pres
ent you spell that last word
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-04-23
STYLES in Laces.

Colored laces are gaining favor, in
shades of dark blue, browns, grays,
greens, violet, etc. Fflet lace, guipure,
Irish crochet, the new Irish filet lace
are all in favor Gold and silver filet
lace. handsomely embroidered, is used
for trimming evening dresses.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-04-23
Great Stadium Completed,

London has completed the steel
structure of its great stadium where
the Olympic games are to be held this
year. 1t is designed to accommodate
10000 spectators.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-04-23
cnlorinn Brass.

A color resembling pewter may be
given to brass by boiling the casting
in cream of tartar solution containing
a small amount Of chloride Of tin.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-04-23
New Eoulards.

The newest foulards show the usual
ring and dot design, as well as geo
metric Communications, with ground
that is crossed with stripes.