davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-17

1t is the first indication of the serious
ness of her illness.
Has she abdicated or is Prince Chun to
be coregent? or more possible, is he
merely to substitute for her until she re-
covers and can assume control again? All
the next day these questions are debated.
Out through the Chinese and the Tartar
cities there Is not a sign among the people
of anything unusual. The gate keepers
of the Temple of Heaven are as uncon-
cerned as ever, as they pilot you over
the paths and up the marble altar that
Gwang Hsu has often trod in offering
sacrifices to his Father, the Ruler of
Heaven. They as calmly accept the small
fee you give them for showing you the
beautiful park. But your statement that
you believe the emperor dead elicts no
excitment.
mot dead. but fiercely sick" they
answer.
Another edict comes that evening. It
tells little, but you know that in the
palace they are preparing to announce
the death OF the emperor. It paves the
road.
1t tells how the many doctors sent I'm bv
viceroys, governors and Tartar generals
from every part of the empire to treat
the emperor have all failed to helm him.
All ye faithful officials. send in more
doctors, 1t concludes, and successful
physicians and their sponsors shall be
heavily rewarded.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-17

this method the students literally live the
principles and the methods they are
taught.
The dedication this month does not mark
the opening Of the building. As a matter
Of fact it has been in use for residence
purposes since the summer school term in
1905, while the practical work in the labor
atory was begun with the opening of the
fall term last September. The building will
accommodate from forty to fifty women
in residence and the laboratory tables are
sufficient for use by forty students at one
time. Board and room with unstarched
laundry may be had by students in the
building for $50 a month.
The dedication has been set for next
week that the women who will be at the
state farm for the annual meeting of the
Nebraska Home Economics association and
the sessions of Organized Agriculture may
have the benefit of the program. The
formal dedication service will take place
Thursday evening, January 10 and Prof
Ellen Fl. Richards Of the Institute of Tech
nology Of Boston will be the principal
speaker. Prof. Richards is recognized
as one of the best known scientific women
in this country and is counted the best
authority that could be secured for this
important occasion.
The annual meeting of the Nebraska
Home Economics association will be held
Wednesday and Thursday of next week
and Prof. Richards will speak before
the session Wednesday afternoon. An in
vitation has been extended to all women
of Nebraska interested in raising the stan
dard Of home life to attend the dedication
of the new building and tho sessions of
the meeting which will follow.
The development of the Department of
Home Economics is an interesting chap
ter In the history of the University Of Ne
braska. 1t had its beginning in the school
of domestic science which was organized
in the fall of 1896. This school consisted
of a two years course partly subfreshman
and partly collegiate. In 1906 it was super
coded by a four years collegiate course
under the name of the General Home
Economics Group, leading to the degree
of B.. Sc. and a three years subfreshman
course in the School of Agriculture. These
courses include home economics, language,
history, literature, philosophy and science,
thus giving the students who undertake
them intellectual discipline and breadth
of view equal to that afforded by any
other university courses.
In tho preparation Of the courses OF home
economics two classes of women have
been kept In mind: first, those who are
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-17
Death of the Empress DOwaRer.

Still rumors fly about, now regarding the
empress dowager.
Yes, they took two funeral carriages
into the Forbidden City last Thursday, -
whispers your Chinese friend who is in
wireless touch with the household staff in
the Forbidden City when the possible death
Of the empress is mentioned. TWO, not
one" he looks significantly. Although
the second might be for the emperor's
widow. The widow of the Emperor Tung
Chih killed herself by starvation" I'm
perlal wives have often killed themselves
on the death OF their consorts.
And two portrait painters went into the
palace last week. Not one" volunteers
another OF the Chinese company from the
opposite side OF the square table where
you aye drinking tea.
One OF the last things done before an
imperial death is to have the subjects
portrait painted. The coming Of the two
artists is therefore a portent Of evil, The
coming Of two would seem to involve the
empress.
THE temple halls in the Coal Hill park
were swept out and put in order last
week" adds another.
The Coal Hin is an artificial hill OF five
small peaks, just north OF the Forbidden
City, itself closed to all but the elect.
The:e is a tradition that enough coal has
been buried in this mound to supply the
imperial family in time Of siege. At its
foot on the north side are The temple
buildings, where imperial bodies lie in state
during the long period preceding burial.
When clouds of dust begin to roll out Of
temples and halls you may know that
things are doing in China.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-17

There is therefore a rush on the BARRIERS
Heads are being industriously shaved in
the few crowded little shops and in the
available hooks on the streets by the num-
berless travelling BARRIERS, who carry their
little red stool for the patient. and their
steaming bCX of charcoal heated hot water
and their cleaverlike razors, all on a pole
balaned on their shoulders: It is the last
time for 100 days.
All morning, too. and, in fact, all day
yesterday. until late in the evening, closely
curtained sedan chairs. carried by sweat
ing coolies, have been dispatched post haste
by many anxious bridegrooms to the homes
of fair damsels 10 fetch them to their own
homes for the suddenly appointed we'd
ding. Wavering SWANS nave been brought
TO quick decisions, flutterlng and timid dam
sells to hasty trousseaus, by the necessity
Of the times. No GongS. no horns, no
drums, the usual accomplishments, may be
used in wedding professions.
Haste and hurry have left some dismay
and some entangling alliances, too, in their
wake, Poor Chun and Wang. two youthful
suitors betrothed to sisters in a village
just out of Picking, sent their chairs with
all speed for their brides, Both chairs ar
rived at the sisters home at the same
time Inc brides departed, the two we'd
dings were performed. Horrors-at least for
a foreigner! Not until the marriages were
all over was it discovered that Chun had
married Wangs wife, Wang had married
Chun's.
Never mind. All right. Let it go" cried
the satisfied quartet.
Bride and bridegrooms had never seen
each other before; the exchange was
agreeable.
Again at the palace east gate The yard
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-17
Emperor's Death Announced.

Strange are the ways of the middle king
dom. The emperor is dead or beyond
recall. Yet is he still inditing literary
essays, for the edicts must come in proper
order and with dignified indirection.
Through the Hou Men. the back gate OF
the palace, away up in the northern city,
that same gate which shu behind the
empress dowager and the emperor when
they fled 400 miles into Shansi province
before the approach OF the allied relief in
1900, a constant stream Of speeding officials
are driving in this dark evening. 1t is a
night Of epoch making state councils,
Down the smoothly paved street of twin
Killing shop lights and tiny oil street lamps
electric lights are soon to make their way
up from the south OF the city-come the
cavalcades OF ~silhouettes. A mounted
herald shouting out Of the road the slow
moving citizen OF Picking ever totally OBJ
liyious that he may be in the way as he
crosses the street precedes a Changing mod
ern coach. The dark outline of the great
mans form inside seems composed except
for the slight leaning forward OF the BODY
as he stretches out his arms to rest on
either side OF the coach.
Jaunty aigrettes. stretching out TO the
rear from the dome and upturned brim of
official hats the stiff lines Of well made
Chinese clothes, next appear black against
yonder dim oil lamp. as a Gathering, los
thing company Of retAiners follow the
coach. They gallop through the one open
door OF the gate and the extra soldier DO
lice on watch give the rifles hung on straps
over shoulders another hitch shift.
Otherwise the streets are quiet. Inside
the wall the imperial city looks deserted
after the officials have passed on their
way to the forbidden city within.
By midnight Of Saturday came the real
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-17

studying for the sake of acquiring gen
eral information and culture and who de-
sire to make their lives more helpful and
efficient in the home, and second, those
who likewise desire Information and cul-
ture but who expect to become teachers
or undertake for means of support some
other work for which their training has
fitted them.
In the establishment and maintenance of
this department of the university the aim
is to raise the standard of home life among
the people generally and to help the indi-
vidual in the home to become healthier and
happier and to acquire a greater power for
good in the intellectual and moral life of
the community. The students are helped to
understand that the physical, intellectual
and moral phases of life are so closely in
terwoven that ii is impossible to abuse, neg
lect or even be careless about the physical
side without doing actual injury to the
moral and intellectual sides.
The work in home economics includes the
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-17

But hold, here come two edicts, late this
Friday evening. No physicians bulletins,
no death announcement. But by iudirec-
tion, that beloved Chinese method of an
nouncing events, you may conclude that
all is not well with the emperor, and for
the rest may picture a bit OF oriental his
tory winding itself out inside those big
palace halls. whose yellow roofs you See
over the wall. Here is the first:
An edict reverently received by Us 0he
EMPEROR.
1t is the excellent will of Dzu-hsi-gWan-
yu-Kang--djao-yu-djwang = cheng . shou-
guRg-chin-hsien-chung-hsi, the empress
dowager, that Dzai Feng, prince OF Chun,
be appointed prince regent
And the second with il:
An edict Ieyerently received by Us:
1t is the excellent will of the empress
oW-age hat Pu /, the son Of DIAL Feng,
prince OF Chun, be taught and reared In
the palace and that he study in the upper
QmperiaD school room.
The emperor will never recoverl Behold
the infant, to "be taught and reared in the
palace and TO study In the upper school
ROOM" the emperor TO be!
Prince Chun regent! Why? Is not
Hwang Tai Hou (her r~eigning name), the
empress dowager. regent enough?
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-17

Here is the young man Prince Pu-Lun.
son of the aged Prince Ching and grand
son OF the first son of Dao Gwang. Pu-
Lun has a most pleasing personality, Is
we'll liked by the foreigners who have met
him, is progressive, has been outside Of
China and is old enough-nearly 30-to
think and act for himself without the evils
of a puppet government worked by wires
from behind the scene pulled by a regent
ruler. Not a man of especial brilliancy,
yet he is Independent and intelligent
Prince Ching, his father, now old, MEM
Der Of the grand council and head of the
Wet WI Blu, the Foreign office, though
not a particularly strong man, is one Of
the three most prominent men In China.
Second on the list is Prince Gung, grand
son OF the sixth son Of Dao Gwang. Little
is heard or known OF him and he is not
considered very possible.
The empress dowager has kept the mat
ter very secret" said one who could speak
with authority on that first Friday Of
rumors. Few know who her appolntee is
to be. But 1t is generally regarded that the
most likely candidate is the S-year-old son
OF Prince Chun."
And thus the old empress dowager, her
self very I'll, keeping her hand on the gov
eminent For all, at this time, expect that
she will recover from her Illness, take hold
Of the middle Kingdoms destinies again,
with the government practically unaltered,
merely one small detail changed. a baby
in the place Of a nominal ruler. Wise old
dowager. Prince Pu Lun passed over for
an infant!
II is hardly considered that the empress
dowager's illness is critical enough to pre-
vent her recovery and assumption of COM
mand. so the excitement centers about
the emperor. Is he alive or dead? Not a
word enlightens.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-17
Quiet in Pekin.

duIet IN Pek1ns
December 2-The nation Is now mourn-
ing For twenty-seven days the period OF
deepest mourning continues. while official
mourning remains for 100 days and half
mourning for twenty-seven months. The
schools closed for three days. Theaters
and amusement places must close for the
twenty-seven days. One that opened was
fined $500.
Inc legations have cancelled social en-
sagements and are wearing mourning arm
oands for twenty-seven days. Unneces-
sary drumming and noise making is for
hidden, and even for the coming eclipse OF
the moon no gongs and cymbals will ba
permitted to sound out a chorus to frigbten
the toad from devourlng that orb" Th-
ambassadors viewed the coffins a week
after the deaths. The array Of white
robed officials was impressive. The doctors
"ho attended their late imperial majegties
have been degraded one step.
The only event which even approached
excitement was the run on the cash shops
Immediately after the intelligence OF the
dCwager's death. Confidence in paper
money was lost. The people wanted cash.
Most of the shops suspended payment.
Several failed. At midnight on Sunday one
could see in the shadows OF the small
incandescent street lights anxious spirits
with immense globular paper lanterns
knocking at the closed doors of shops. No
interest from within was discernibIe. The
price of 2 silver dollar measured in the
constantly fluctuating standard OF copper
pennies fell down with a bump.
Chinese spreaders Of false rumors we're
warned then hustled off to jail. Still the
umors Travelled. They had Yuen Shih Kal
first poisoned, then merely confined a pris-
oner in the imperial palace. Down Nanklng
way, where the hot-blooded citizens of An
hui remember that they were once the
capital Of the empire, a few Disconnected
souls among the soldiers thought the ru-
NOR true. So they had a little party, with
a riot thrown in. Result in the telegraphed
report' Leaders caught and beheaded
Peace restored"
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-17

HAIY tiful new Home Economics
VI hall on the campus OF the
k- university at Lincoln January
.GgMS6V 10 the University of Nebraska
49, makes its formal bow among
the institutions best equipped for the
teaching Of that science, now recog-
nized among the most important and
the most dignified of all sciences-home-
making.
The building is a school house in the
truest sense, as it includes the equipment
not only for instruction in the home arts
and sciences, but for their actual demon
s]tration as well. Three stories in height
and built of gray pressed brick, it is one
of the most imposing buildings of the
group at the farm. 1t stands to the left
of the driveway as one enters the grounds
and just to the north Of Agriculture
hall, with plenty of room on every side
and light and air and surroundings or
lawn and plants and ~shrubbery, consistent
with the most approved ideals of >physi-
cal environments. The lower floor is de-
voted to the offices, reception rooms,
cooking laboratory, dining room and
kitchen. The second and third floors are
occupied with bedrooms, bathrooms and
pariors for the use of the students, with
the exception of the large, well-lighted
room occupying the whole north wing on
the third floor, which is used for the do
nestle arts. Several Of the bedrooms are
arranged in suites of two and three, so
that they may be used singly or together
as occasion may demand. The remaining
rooms are single apartments. The lower
floor is finished in oak and the upper
floors are in hard pine with oak finish,
excepting two suites which have been
given a light finish to correspond with
light wood furniture, such as curly birch
and bird's-eye maple. The furniture of
these rooms has been selected with utmost
care to illustrate the best and most sub
stantial as well as the most beautiful,
artistic and consistent in the art of home
finishing. Variety has also been sought.
that in the study of this branch of do
nestle art examples of good taste may be
constantly before and a part of the daily
surrounding of the students. From top
to bottom the building has been equipped
with the most modern and the most prac-
teal appliances for housekeeping. Oak,
walnut and mahogany are employed in
the furnishing, and in the equipment of
the building convenience and good taste
have been kept constantly in mind that
1t may be a constant object lesson. BY
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-17

branches that have to do with the we'll
being of the home. Houses are planned and
furnished. In this study special attention
is given to sanitation, convenience and
beauty, and careful consideration is also
given the financial side of the problem. The
heating, lighting and ventilation, together
with the water supply. each receive due
share Of consideration. In both the planning
and furnishing OF the home careful consid-
Grafton is given to the saving of steps, so
that the homework may be accomplished
with the least possible labor. In all of this
work the aesthetic side is constantly kept
In mind, so that the house and all its fur
nishings, even though small and ineXpen-
sive, shall be harmonious in form and color,
and in good taste throughout.
A study is made of textiles, with reference
to their source, manufacture, wearing quail
tiles and financial values. Measurement
are taken and garments drafted, cut and
made. Thus the hand is trained in skill and
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-17
Funerals I'm March.

The coronation of the emperor took place
today, when many prisoners were pardoned.
The peculiar grace granted those con-
demned to death, according to one Chinese
paper, was the extension OF their existence
on earth 70 one year. Families OF brothers
who have dwet together in harmony for
five generations and those who had seen
seven generations were rewarded.
The imperial funerals are to come next
March. And 10000 taels, about 800 900
gold, it is said, has been appropriated for
the cost, The slxty-four coffin bearers for
each Of the imperial collins, are practic.ag
daily in carrying the hearses. These must
be borne so perfectly level that the resting
spirits may not be disturbed when they
are carried TO their tomb. For practice a
cup OF water must remain Lnspilsd sush
Is the rest after lives Of rsstlsssnsasi
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-17
Inue.. of the Emperor.

II was on Friday morning November lS'
that the rumor OF the death OF the en-
peror, Gwang Hsu. became insistent All
summer he had been unwel. In the last
three weeks he had become very ILL.,
HWang Tai Hou. the empress dowager in
the last two weeks had been sick and in
capacitated. The entire government had
been In a chaotic state.
The court doctors, the old-timers' chinese
trained, had been supplemented by others
OF reputed skill Of the same kind sent In
from the provinces. Two foreign trained
and educated Chinese medical men had
been called. but a week before Friday they
had been dismissed.
No official news, no bulletins came
from within that forbidden and foreboding
red palace wall. But It was known that at
2 o. M, OF before, the emperor had been
carried into the Dying hall from his palace
In the west garden OF the Forbidden CITY
and It was thought certain that he was
sither dead or dying.
r death will not be announced until
The new emperor is selected" said ths
Chinese.
Successor? Who Is he? Whom has Tae
empress dowage singled put TO receive
her instructions in government" people
asked.
Many are the great-grandsonS Of Dao
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-17
Emperor's FareweII Address.

And now this Sunday noon comes the
official announcement of the emperor's
death. It is Gwang Hsu's farewell address,
dated the day before. recounting his efforts
for the peoples welfare. announcing the
appointment Of his successor. commanding
obedience to the program already drawn
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-17

practical art is acquired.
Food is studied with reference to its seleo-
ton and preparation, including practical
cookery. Both the nutritive and financial
values of foods are carefully considered;
likewise food authorizations. 1t is this sort
of study and demonstration that brings flu
ture housewives and teachers to a realiza-
tion that proper food balance is as essen
tial to people as to cattle and hogs. Young
women through this study are trained to
economize time, strength and materials,
thereby enabling them most wisely and
easily to husband the resources OF the
home.
The home economics department OF the
University of Nebraska is under the dlrec-
ton Of Miss Rosa Bouton a recognized au-
thority and teacher In her line. Miss Bou-
ton has been in charge almost since the be-
ginning of this work at Lincoln, and to her
work Is largely due the high standard and
standing of the present department.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-17
+ its ruler in this

cratic China speaking of its ruler in this
wise:
"Hao 1 der! Ming bal / dier!" Giles
good a little. Understands a little!")
Not an overburdening amount of knowl-
edge is attributed to him, but a degree Of
that commodity. In other words, He'll
do"
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-17
Crisis Long Expected.

o
Crisis Long Expected.
A letter explains. and 1t is soon con-
firmed by those who know.
The empress dowager is deadl
The national crisis, whose approach has
been feared and dreaded, is upon China
The fate of the Manchu dynasty is being
decided at this very minute. Four hun
bred and forty millions Of people are in
terested, or would be II they knew. And
yet not a ruffle of disturbance, hardly a
sign even of excitement, this evening in
Peking, the center of government and Of
interest! Only there continue to flash past
you plate glassed and rubber tired modern
coaches with changing exaggerated bicycle
bells, and hosts of galloping retainers In
their wake, now silent, now shouting or
rolling, humping. springless Picking carts
bearing calm looking officials into the
throng OF conveyances at the palace east
gate, whence they disappear inside the
wall.
what they are thinking OF, what they
are doing, how they are fixing up the rent
in the fabric of a none too strong dynasty,
well nigh lettering, is not for you to
know. Few know and but a very few
more will ever know. You can only wonder
and be amazed at the easy transition. the
we'll oiled smooth gliding over a tremendous
cause for upheaval into perfect tranquil
ity, and murmur Remarkable ability. won
derful organization and skill" Then you
continue to ask the old. old question. varied
but a little:
whats going 70 happen. not when she
dies but now that she is deadf"
The unexpected quiet and tranquility ao-
companying an event long associated with
uprlsings and revolutions sets people high
and dry on the rock of mystery, withal a
trifie disguised. Here is the great event
and nothing has happened.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-17
Quiet Gloom at Pekin When Emperor and Dowager Empress Died

Gwang, the emperor third before Gwang
Hsu, who reigned until 1851. His nine sons
have left many candidates of the genera
ton out Of which is to come his success
sor. but three are prominent.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-17
Continued from Page one,)

friend in turn has an uncle employed in the
imperial household and is up on Forbidden
City news. is calmly interested.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-17

Y THE dedication Of the beau
tiful new Home Economics
hall on the campus OF the
university at Lincoln January
10 the University Of Nebraska
makes its formal bow among