davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-09

80 years will cover the life of actual
railroading as it is now known
The use of electricity is another case
in point. The wise scientists, philoeo-
pliers and other observers witnessed
the effects of lightning from the be-
ginning of time, yet none of. them
seemed competent to make use of the
power displayed before them in every
thundercloud. 1t remained for the
American philosopher, Franklin, to
show that lightning. or electricity, could
be controlled. yet his demonstration
was made but little more than a CEN
fury and half ago. And yet, strange
to say, almost a century elapsed be-
fore any real use was made of his dis
covery, SO far as this country is con-
cerned, for the first electric telegraph
was from Washington to Baltimore,
and was put in operation in 1874
While wonder may be expressed that
the ancients and the moderns failed
to discover some way to make use of
electricity there is still more reason to
wonder that 90 years passed after
Frankhn's demonstration before his
countrymsn put his discovery to real
use. Now when electricity Is in daily
use everywhere and for almost every
thing there is a cessation Of wonder
at any new development Of its 20 Ner
and utility. The only wJuder is why
human beings were SO long finding i.
out. Strange, is 1t not, thar steam and
electricity, two of the mJst mighty
agents used by man, are yet in their
youth? Many other INVENTIONS of q
modern date might be referred to but
enough have been mentioned to ST
that mans inventive powers we're very
slow in developing.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-09
LIYHZWKER IOTS

There's a pear tree in Wichita
which is now blooming for the second
time this season. And still another
remarkable pear tree in that town is
one which is credited with having
yielded twelve bushels of fruit.
"Enterprising railroads are furnish
ing sob rooms at all ~important sta
tions," says the ElDorado Republican.
"A sob room is where kin can bid each
other goodby before entering the cars,
bors."
After years of close. observance, the
Erie Record remarks sageiy: "A
bunch of a half dozen women. of the
right sort can develop enough all
ments in half hours conversation to
keep the medical profession steadily
employed for six years. Tg1.7a e.
AT the last meeting of the Larned
city council an ordinance was passed
providing that automobile licenses
should be issued, and each machine
numbered. Up to this time twenty
three autos have been registered and
numbered. There are a number of
machines that have not been number
ed as yet. 1t is believed there are fully
thirty-five autos in Larned. --F
A real romance, said to be true, is
told by the Walnut Valley Times:
Here is a real story of a real farmer
girl out in Rosalia township, and her
name isn't Name, but is a good, sweet
address on an egg and the single word
under, Unhappy. The. egg made its
appearance in Colorado mining town
in the possession of a grocer by. the
name of Williams. He was widower
without children. Just see how nicely
this simple-very simple-practice of
girls writing their names on hen eggs
(goose; duck or guinea eggs are just
as good) works out the unspoken
longings of the disconnected and IN
happy. The grocer had surreptitiously
thought that he would some time mar
ry again, and here was an invitation
what else could it be? He carried
the egg to his desk and after he had
looked at it two or three days-note
how nicely this works out-he wrote
to the egg girl that she was a fool and
that by jus. such feolfshness as she ha q
INDUCED in she might wreck her life
with some sentimental man who had
only sentiment to bestow, alds that
sentiment never buttered- anybody s
bread. Then he went out and popped
the question to a widow was accepted,
and they were married Sunday, Sep
TENDER 20; and the girl is engaged to
a level headed. brawny young farmer
of Glencoe. This egg writing business
doesn't all end alike"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-09
GLOBE SIGHTS.
(From the Atchison Globe.)

(From the Atchison GloDe.)
1t is a rare man who will not abuse
his partner or employer.
One way a man has of abusing an
other is to praise his enemies.
Every man thinks he has a. right to
read the letters his wife receives.
The trouble with giving women
spending money is. they spend 1t.
Some people would trace their an
cestry back to Adam if they knew his
last name.
1t makes a banker as mad to go be-
hind his. counter as it does grocer
to take an apple.
This is the season of the year when
Young Things look at the Failing
Leaves and Get Sad.
When a man is badly in need of a
shave, and his beard is of a sandy
color, he looks worse than if his beard
is of any other color.
Nearly everyone is afraid OF a can
GER. 1t would be a good deal more
sensible to be afraid OF a bad liver,
and do something to avoid 1t.
mans dancing life is about six
years long. A woman's is twenty
years long. and, If she doesn't have
too many babies, it is prolonged thirty
years.
An Atchison girl has the artistic in
stinct all right. She has just COM
pleted two angels in oil. with their
arms as big as a washerwoman's and
their faces as fat as the face of the
butchers boy when he has the
mumps.
After saying that her husband had
always been very good to her, an
Atchison old lady admitted that he
nirted occasionally, drank sometimes,
scolded a great deal. never went to
church, and was hard to cook for, but
he had always been a good provider.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-09
QUAKER NEGOTIATIONS.

IFrom the Philadelphia Record.1
It's a poor rule that won't work our
way.
The aeroplane should rise to the oc-
casion.
If you are going to lend a hand be
sure II isn't empty.
There is no particular reason why
blonde should be a light sleeper.
Some things are not worth fighting
for, but peace isn't one of them.
No, Maude, dear. crumbs of COM
fort do not come from eating crackers
in bed.
Any man can give advice, but It's
quite another matter to demonstrate
it's value.
The one thing a man is always will
ing to share with others Is his good
opinion of himself.
wigwag-"I feel that need some
thing to sharpen my appetite" Guz-
zler-"Have cocktail" Wigwag-I
don't drink" Guzzler-"Then try
razor strop."
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-09
POINTED PARAGRAPHS.

IFrom the Chicago News.1
The open season for hammocks has
drawn to a close.
And it's never too often to kiss q
girl who is pretty.
A lazy man is soon done for IL he
has no one to do for him.
Women know a lot about raising
children II they haven't any.
Many a man has quit drinking
when he couldn't hold any more.
Sometimes woman's GROWING
glory is pinned on for the occasion.
The man who hesitates is lost-as
far as the leap year girl is concerned.
Nine out Of ten persons who say
they are pleased to meet you" when
introduced are liars.
When womanS husband Is un-
usually kind to her she always thinks
he has been up to some mischief.
The man with the corrugated fore
head is now figuring on the probable
cost of his wife's new fall outfit.
When a bachelor minister comes to
small town every married woman
therein begins to sit up and take no.
tice.
If you hear a man say that he
doesn't know what to do with his
money, it's doughnuts to fudge he
isn't married.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-09
JOURNAL -ENIRMS

A man who thinks he was born to
command will do we'll to remain single.
There's only. one kind of a cake that
hobo will look askance at and that's
cake of soap.
Misery's company is generally enter
tanned with an excellent line of hard
luck stories.
n y
One of the unpopular things of life
is being compelled to listen OCCASION
ally to reason.
After a man has been married some
time he usually has left at least the
ciphers of his original fortune.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-09

AS was to have been expected Mr.
Botkin, the Democratic candidate for
governor, emphatically denies the
allegation that he has entered into a
compact with Cyrus Leland. a de-
feated Republican candidate for the
gubernatorial nomination, whereby
Leland was to throw his strength to
Botkin on election day in return for
Botkin's support of him for the
governorship two years hence. This
was assuredly a sensational political
tale but it did not ring true for If such
a deal had been made the chances are
great that neither one of the parties
to 1t would have told a living soul
about 1t. Any one who knows Leland
would appreciate at once the I'M
reasonableness of the story. He does
not make deals of that kind.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-09
Wealthy Man Shines shoes.

If you had $4,000 slowed comfort
ably away in bank. would you shine
shoes at 10 cents a clip seven days,
year in and year out? 1t is not very
likely you would, bur that is just what
Al Shartle, one of the most unique
financiers Of Dayton, is doing, and
moreover, he is happy and can't be
induced to quit his job. The only
time Shartle gives up his 'shine box
is during the autumn, when, accom-
panied by his brother, he makes the
rounds of the county fair. conducting
restaurant under the grand stand.
This is his vacation. It gives him a
rest from bending over the muddy
boot, and at the same time he is
adding to his fortune and having a
good time, which means something to
fellow who is making thousands of
dollars, 10 cents at a time.
Shartle began his strange money
making career In Dayton in 1867.
when he discovered that there was
more money in polishing pair of
boots at 10 cents than in cooking
meals for which some one else obtains
ed the profit. He had been a cook as
a youth. When he changed his trade
business was small at first but grad
ually he increased it, until at the
present time his. clientele is sufficient
to keep him busy all day--esery day.
When sShartie shines your shoes
they reflect your face and the heavens
above. Most OF his trade is confined
to office buildings and large stores.
Money making is habit with him.
He likes it. He claims he does not
care to anass big fortune like some
of the money kings of the country, but
he wants to get what he can When
asked why he continued to shine
shoes after becoming well to do, he
replies: ITO make another fortune"
Shartle, will not tell what he is worth
but 1t Is stated in his home city that
he has 81, 600 for every. year of his
life. He is 81 years old. His money
is invested in real estate, from which
he receives a good return. He was
never known to sDeculate
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-09
KANSAS COMMENT
THANKs no lady MARY.

AHANh MS TO LADY NARY. -
It is the ambition of Lady Mary. who
writes syndicate letters to the big pa
peIs, 70 prlng the most exclusive and
sissant LONDON society right to the
doors or the huTnblest women in the
land, and the women who glance over
Inc ~paeprs, While rocking the baby to-
sieep, or read bits from the papers on
tnelr pantry shelves as they are clean
ing the nantry, know all about the do
mss OF the grandest people in London,
thanks TO Lady Mary
just now Lady Mary is terribly ex-
cited over the marriage of Winston
Cnurchlll, the son of Lady Randolph
Cnurchlll west. Lady Mary says that
winston (she knows al these people so
wen mat she calls them by their flrsI
names) is marrying for Love, and that
the king said Gady Mary always gives
the idea that the king is very confiden-
tai with her) he never gave Winston
credit Tor being so romantic as to
marry for love, and that he liked Win
ston all the better for his chivalry.
Lady Mary says Winston does not
want big wedding. There the woman
rocking the baby, and the woman
cleaning the pantry shelves think,
Just the way my husband was" And
Lady Mary says that when Winston's
bride-elect said that the bridesmaids
must have new frocks Gady Mary
loves to say frocks). that Winston
said: "Goodnes, why can't they wear
their summer dreesesw Right here the
woman rocking the baby finds he is
asleep. and puts him down, and the
woman cleaning the pantry shelves
thinks, Heavens, will never get done
with these shelves" AS they leave
Lady Mary's grand folks they think,
How like man to think II would be
all right for those girls to wear their
old summer dresses" And so Lady
Mary's ambition is gratified.-Atchison
Globe
THIS FUNNY, FUNNY WORLD.
There was great excitement in
Olathe the other day over the discov-
cry that Mrs. Christine Johnson, the
aged So had been criminally assaulted
in her barn, her head tied in a gunny
sack, and left there to die. Neigh
bors got out their old muskets and
bought new ones; they left their
fields and cattle, and changed their
occupation of farming to that of hunt
-ers of men.
Now it is announced that Mrs,
Johnson was~not criminally assaulted;
that she hasn't q mark on her head
to show where she was beaten down:
and no footprints are found near the
barn save those THAT Mt her own
shoe. 1t was a mystery before: 1t is
a mysterious mystery now.
Could Mrs. Johnson, tired of the
monotony of farmers wife's life.
and living with her mother-in-law,
have tied the sack on her own head
to convince her husband that 1t was
unsafe for a woman to live on a
farm ?-Atchison Globe.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-09

The New York newspapers have re-
Gently told that a woman who is di-
vorcing her husband on account of an
"ahnity'' dined with her husband and
the "afinity" and the lawyers on both
sides Of the case, and the whole party
discussed the whole matter of the
divorce quite amicably and pleasantly.
"Get the divorce? Why. what differ
ence does It make whether she gets 1t
or not?" asks Winifred Black. who is
something of a sociologist. "She's
never been really married" adds Miss
Black. 1.-THE wedding ceremony. no
matter how it happened, can not make
a woman Of such disposition a real
wife. even If it is performed dozen
times"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-09
Ensign Got the Worst of 1t.

The following story of German mill
tary officialism is published in London.
One Ensign Flugge claimed compensa-
ton for damage to. kit caused by a
mouse having gnawed hole in his
best tunic. The officer who had to
decide the point dismissed the claim,
and ordered the ensign to be severely
punished, on the ground that, con-
trary to orders, he had hung his best
tunic, on a nail. when going to guard
at night in an inferior garment, in
stead of packing it in his knapsack,
thus enabling a mouse to gnaw a hole
in it. without having to overcome
the slightest impediment"
Ensign Flugge appealed, and, on
further hearing, it appeared that the
officer who first dealt with the case
was mistaken in the facts, the tunic
having been slowed in a knapsack
at the time when the mouse defaced
it, and not hung upon a nail. The
first decision was, therefore, set aside
by higher authority, and ensign
punished for having slowed his tunic
in his knapsack, instead of hanging it
on a nail, thereby giving opportunity
to the mouse to gnaw a hole in it,
under cover of the darkness The
sentiments of Ensign Flugge are not
recorded.-New York Evening Post.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-09

The New York Evening Sun, ever
most erudite, remarks on the rolling
wave of siccity in Ohio" This is an
unhandy way of calling attention to
the fact that a large number of coun-
ties in the Buckeye state have gone
dry. liquorally .speakinR..
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-09

This is sad. Richard Harding Davis,
the universal patriot and author, has
had his dignity injured again. Three
horses were stolen from his barn re-
Gently. This did not matter SO much
but Mr.. Davis had lately been ap-
pointed deputy sheriff for the coun-
ty in New York state where he re-
sides and the defiance of his sheriff's
authority is what hurts him SO. Cheer
up, Dick! There's likely to be a war
in Turkey where the services Of war
correspondents who can lead armies
will be in great demand.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-09

Chicago comes to the front with a
new legal holiday for itself, at least.
The city fathers, in their great wis
dom. have decided that october IL
shall be set apart in the Windy City
as a holiday. to be known as "Colum-
bus Day" in honor Of The dfseoyerer
of America. But when D city declares
a legal holiday the only effect IT has is
the closing up of the city offices, and
probably the employees in the various
branches of Chicago's government
need another day to rest. in. Surely
they do II they are worked so awfuIly
hard as are the city employees here
abouts
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-09

Talk Of the right kind is being in
dulged in at the great convention of
the Trans Mississippi commercial con-
gress which is in session now at San
Francisco. 1t is bound to crystalline
in movements that will mean much
for the upbuilding of the great and
magnificent western section of the
country. -e. lis rtgvy 70 -0-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-09
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR
(From the New York Press.)

(From the New York Press.)
A girl would rather have soulful
eyes than be able to see straight.
Most men try to be successful ia
life by the way they brush their hair.
Nobody ever thinks he ought to be
as good as other people ought to be.
Most of the fun we get out of things
Is spending money on instead of maxi
ing 1t out of them.
Either a man growls because his
wife doesn't give him good meals or
because she does and they cost him
so much.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-09

When Mr.. Taft and Mr.. Bryan ex-
changed warm greetings in Chicago
the other day one thing is certain.
The next president of the United
States was shaking hands with his
chief rival for the honor
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-09

The October weather that is being
furnished for the delectation of the
people in these parts these days should
be enjoyed to the limit for it is a long
time before another October rolls
around
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-09

Reports are coming in a little slow
ly but the evidence at hand would
seem to indicate that the pawpaw
crop is as good as could be expected
under the circumstances. This may
be cheering news to some but IL the
truth must be told they have perverted
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-09

The baseball season is only over in
theory. Practically twill be con-
tinued until the clubs get busy again
next spring by the ardent fans in their
discussions Of the justice of the de-
cision of the national league COM
mission in compelling Chicago and
New York to play Off a tie game af-'
ter the season was officially closed.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-09

No wonder Korea is not much of
progressive country. It's 100000
Inhabitants consume S40,000,000
cigarettes in a year.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-09
FILL LEASED WIRE REPORT
OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The State journal is a member of the
Associated Press and receives the full day
telegraph report OF that great news or
ganization for the exclusive afternoon
publication in Topeka.
The news is received in The State Jour
nal building over wires for this sole pur-
nose
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-09

How to arrest depopulation in
France constantly taxes the minds of
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-09
Cocoanut Shells as Fuel.

Mine is rather a curious business"
said a man who owns a small ware
house and shed down near the docks.
"I deal in cocoanut shells, and last
year 1 sold more than $4,000 bagfuls
of them as fuel
ct buy thousands of cocoanut shells
from stallkeepers all over London,
from confectioners, from cocoanut oil
extractors, from market sweepers. and
others. won't tell you the usual price,
but sometimes I get them for moth
ing-for carting them away, in fact.
sell them at 4d a bag, most of my GUS
toners being poor people. who mix
them, when broken up, with slack
coal. But in scores of hotels and large
houses a quantity is bought to be mix
ed with Goals as firelighters. For the
immense amount of oil in cocoanut
shells makes them take fire at once.
81 have rivals in the business in 9TH
er parts of London, and some of the
makers of patent fire lighters mix
large quantities of the shells in their
compositions. "-Tit-Bits.
Proof of Japanese Enthusiasm.
The spectators at wrestling matches
in Japan pelt the winner with their
hats. This is a custom with the Papa
nese for showing their appreciation of
the skill of the winner. The hats are
gathered up by the attendants and
handed to the champion.
Eventually, the owners come forward
and redeem their hats with presents Of
various kinds. The custom in question
is 1t is explained. due to a recognition
of the fact that enthusiasm is likely to
cool down shortly after the event which
excited it is passed. So to prove the
genuineness of his admiration the Jap
gives his hat as a pledge. to be redeem
ed In his cooler Observation-Disclosures
Sun '7z'<-~ssa'.sza s-s --
The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1908-08-20
CaAzED MAN KILLS FAMILY
RELIGIOUS MANIA PROMPTS a
TRIPLE MURDER.
Los Angeles (caI.) Father Stays Son
and oaughter-Then Tries to
Commit Suicide.

Los Angeles. Cal, Aug. 14.-Driven
insane by religious mania. II. j. Duffy
so years Of age. Thursday attacked
and killed bis son and daughter with
an ak and then cut his own throat, with
a razor. He will probably recover. The
tragedy occurred in the extreme north
western part OF the city. Duffy lived
st the home of his son, Fred Duffy.
lie had been on the verge OF violent
insanity. II is said, for weeks from re
ligious enthusiasm. Wednesday night
he attended a religious meeting and
worked himself into a frenzy.
When he arose Thursday he was
suddenly seized with a desire to kill
Securing a sharp-bladed ak he stealth.
!ly entered the bedroom Of his son
While the latter lay asleep He crept
close to the side Of the bed and rails.
ing the weapon aloft brought 1t down
With terrific force across the neck of
he son.
The blow was delivered with such
tremendous force that the head OF the
'ictim was severed completely from
he body. With maniacal shout, Duffy
rushed from the house and down
he street waving his bloody weapon.
Peaching the house at 451 Northwest
! AXE avenue, where his wife and
laughter resided. he opened the front
Goor and entered. Mrs. Ada Lacomb,
tbe daughter, with her mother was in
4 rear room. Proceeding cautiously
to this room, the murderer opened the
connecting doors. Mrs. Lacomb stood
with her back to him. Without a word
or warning he swung the ak high In
the air and cleft his daughters skull
Her whole head was crushed In from
The blow. Mrs. Duffy fed through
rear door. closely pursued by the
maniac striking at her with the ak
The woman succeeded In eluding him
but not before she had received a
severe gash on the elbow from the AK
swung by Duffy as he chased her
Mrs. Dufty's cries finally attracted the
attention of neighbors who came to
her aid. Duffy then walked to the
street, where he drew a razor from his
pocket and slashed his own throat, In
hicting frightful injuries. Several
weeks ago Duffy went to the Ever
green cemetery and purchased a lot,
explaining that he wanted It for him.
self, son and daughter. Three days
ago he purchased coffin for himself