davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1922-12-10

pire, few, indeed, have had more To-
mantle history than Countess Cassini, and
few have met such sudden rebuffs of
Fate. Her origin even to this day Is COW
cred by charitable mystery that has
followed her throughout life. >'..
Her career started while still q little
girl just budding into womanhood, when
Count Cassini was the Ambassador from
his country located at Pekin, China. IL
appears that the Count was implored by
the child's aunt, Nine. Schell, who was az
that time a protege of Count Cassini, to
take her with him to his newly appointed
post In China. But this was not quite
according to the usages of proper diplo-
matte society, 80 the Russian Ambassador
refused. Finally he was prevailed upon,
when Nine. Schell said she would 70 along
with her little niece, who was known at
that time as Marguerite Desplanques.
This plan worked out very we'll, and
little Marguerite, while only fifteen years
Of age, had the remarkable distinction of
becoming an interpreter for Count Cas-
sini and Ii Hung Chang when they met
to draw up the first papers that eventually
gave over Manchuria to Russian suzer.
ainty. The regular translator for the dip
loniatic Office happened to be out at the
time, and the little girl was brought In
from the garden and her Chinese play
mates, from whom she had learned enough
The Washington times., 1922-12-10

the Countess her place in their circle, In
spite of the valiant fight she was making
for her own good name.
Lord Pauncefote, British Ambassador,
and then dean of the diplomatic corps,
issued invitations for a dinner party with
Count Cassini and the Countess among
the guests. The Countess was assigned
to table place among the other young
women present. place that was easily
understood to have no official signifca-
ton.
Following came dinner by M. Camboh
at the French embassy, in which the
identical procedure started at the English
embassy was carried out.
Then came similar affair at the home
of the German ambassador. which seemed
to settle. so far as the diplomatic circle
was concerned, the young lady's social
aspirations in Washington.
The following Summer Count Cassini
returned to this country with the news
that the young lady had been made a
Countess In her own right and that he had
adopted her. In this way he hoped to
overcome some of the exceedingly frosty
receptions his niece had been receiving.
But the dashing Countess soon found
that her uncle's finesse had only succeeded
in stirring up another rumpus. Diplomats
of long standing, who were then making
their home in Washington, politely but
frigidly called Count Cassini's attention
to the fact that the title of Countess Is a
very high one IN Russia and that no
woman had been elevated to that position
since Gar Paul I. bestowed the title on
Nine. de Lieven. ~,s l..,- r..
Wher, Theodore Roosevelt became Pres
ident, she enjoyed the highest point Of
her career and became one Of the moving
spirits Of the little eoterie OF society
bellies that handed down lively reputa-
ton for social eseapsdes during Presi-
The Washington times., 1922-12-10
Career in Washington,

Chinese, 10 II eventually turned out, to
help the diplomatic mission Of Count
Cassini and the famous Chinese states
man.
|. : The success of Count Cassini's ad-
4 ministration IN China was so great that
q he was promoted to the United States.
y When he arrived the young girl, who
y came with him and who at that time
was only seventeen years of age, was
introduced as Countess Cassini, his
niece. The Ambassador explained that
she was the child of nephew Of his who
h.: died and that she was an orphan.
After the Ambassador had established
himself, cards were sent out for the first
afternoon reception Of the season. His
Diplomatic colleagues and their wives and
daughters were asked to view portrait
of his niece, Countess Cassini, by the Rus
sian painter, Makowt,sy. After the guests
arrived they had the pleasure of compar-
ing the canvas with It's original model, who
was present.
The Arst glimpse Of the Countess re-
vealed the hostess Of the day as of me-
dium height and beautifully formed. Her
large eyes were soulfully expressive and
easily the most distinguished feature of
hnr countenance. She were wealth of
brown hair and had beautiful milk-white
skin, with an exquisite rose-tinted COM
plexion and somewhat voluptuous red lips.
But she had not been In Washington
very long before she became to be re-
rarded as the algebraic x Of the diplo-
matte circle. And she lived to see the
time when few women have been so merci-
iessly pilloried by the gossip Of her own
sex. Even Count Cassipi became embar-
rassed by the Icy stares levelled over cold
shoulders that his niece met with every
where.
Led by the female members Of the other
diplomatic circles, the Countess's place at
A., p,,,.n s,.nu R,,,r,,d.
The Washington times., 1922-12-10
The Careless Butterfly OF
Fashion Who Spent $4,000.
in a Single Washington :

dent Roosevelt's time. Among her friends
in those days were the present Mrs. Payne:
Whitney, Mrs. Joseph W. Wadswo'th, Jr.;
Mrs Murray Crane, Mrs. William Sterling,
now of England, and Mrs. John W. Gar
rett of Baltimore, who was then Alice
Warder. -
After the Russo-Jap War, Count"
Cassini was removed to Spain. There the
mystery of Countess Cassini's origin be-,
gan to give him so much trouble that she
finally decided not to 60 with him TO >
Madrid, but to take up the cultivation OF
a rather pleasant voice at the studio of
Jean de Reszke in Paris. While there the
overshadowing mystery of her place in
her uncle's life pursued her. Something
of a commotion, so the new dispatches
of the day state, was caused the fash
ionable singing school condu, - by Jean
de Reszke. because of the expulsion Of
one Of the most prominent pupils without
explanation. II was learned that the ex.
PEELED pupil was discovered to be the
author of a number of anonymous letters
addressed to M. de Reszke and attacking
the character of Countess Cassini.'
Jealousy of her success was given as the
only motive for these communications,
which the Countess discovered we're writs'
ten by one of her supposed friends.
Under M. de Reszke's tutelage the
Countess learned many opera roles, but
II appears that her talents as a singer
were destined to come as big a cropper
as her social aspirations. A little out-of-!
the-way theatre in Paris was the scene Of
her debut. x
A failure was soon scented, and the
Countess retired to the quiet of her beau;
tiful apartment in Paris. There mis:'
fortunes began TO assail her. Her uncle,I
Count Cassini. gave up his diplomatic post
and went back to ussia, and soon after
stopped sending her the rather substantial
sums Of money that had hecn ri: cu& ON
Debts piled up fast. and the Countess kept
her creditors away ;onf by tie hope t!,at
size would marry some well to-,lo noble:
man or american with more money than,
brains.
At that time she had many courtieI1::
but since no engagement materialized into
marriage, her creditors ccme dom on Eef
apartment one day, seized valuahles worth
about $4,000 and sold them for the mere!
pittance Of $4,000 to satisfy the Countess =.
debts. ~ .. :"
Broken-hearted, the Countess tried once
again to win fortune with her voice.
Under the name of Nine. Fabia she ap,
peared in second-rate Paris music hall
where she knew none of her former
friends would be likely to discover her.
But she, could not stop the downward
plug In her affairs. @ :
The war brought on renewed hardships
and now she has just been discovered la
her little dressmaking room where she IS
glad to sew for her American friends
and display her gratitude for their
patronage with the same charm that made
her famous In Washington in the heyday
Of her youth; beauty and power. =
The Washington times., 1922-12-10

Photograph of the Young Countess
Cassini, Showing a Dog-Collar
of Pearls With Diamond Clasp, a
Long Rope of Pearls, Large Soil.
taire Pearl Earrings and Star of
Blazing Diamonds-Now Gone,
-, All Gone.
TFHE gorgeously gowned, richly be-
jewelled young Countess Marguer-
tie Cassini, pet of Washington So
ciety in President Roosevelt's administra-
ton, intimate companion of his daughter
Alice and chatelaine of the Russian EN-
bassy, is earning her living as a sewing
woman. The furs and jewels and 81 900
gowns are gone-all gone.
The careless butterfly of fashion spent
$4,000 in single Washington season for
her own personal pin-money. Now she
runs at the beck and call of American
tourists, going out by the day to sew for
them at the hotels and boarding houses in
Florence, Italy, or taking mending back
to do in her humble home.
She trudged each day from the Russian
refugee quarter to labor with needle,
turning hem, stitching bodice or tack
ing on a piece of lace for bustling, un-
sympathetic tourists who frequented the
local hostelries.
II does not seem so very long ago when
Marguerite Cassini, at the time when
most girls of her age still wore short
dresses, became the mistress Of the proud
R,,ssian Embassy, where her imperious
uncle, and afterward adopted father,
ruled as Ambassador. She quickly be-
came the intimate of that fun-loving set
of which President Roosevelt's daughter
Alice, Mathilde Townsend and Helen
Hitchcock were the leaders. This in spite
of the air of mystery that gave certain
piquancy to her early life.
wheeled around Dupont Circle by
nursery governess, had the dashing
Countess pointed out to her. A few days
ago that girl, now grown to womanhood
and holding a prominent place in Wash
inpton society, unpacked her trunks after
a transatlantic trip and showed her
friends beautiful gown made by the
niece of the ex-Russian Ambassador.
Then the story Of Marguerite Cassini
was out.
After the war she became a refugee
from her native Russia In Strengthened
circumstances, her one object seemed to
be to lose her identity in the shabby dis
trict of old Florence, given over to
hordes of her countrymen who had be-
come residents of Italy after the fury of
Bolshevism had broken on the heads Of
the old Russian nobility and aristocracy.
Thirty-six years of age and still cher
ishing the remnants Of that beauty that
once made her the belle Of Washington,
Countess Cassini, who had already tested
her voice on the professional stage and
scored q failure, realized that her ability
TO sew was all that stood between her and
starvation. So she hired out chiefly In
the hotels, or with some progressive mid
die class Italian family ready to profit by
the Countess's exquisite taste in gowns.
Certain incidents In happier times give
n very good inkling how Il happens that
the Countess came to attempt renewal
of her fortunes through the needle.
While in Washington she was noted for
the number Of hats she wore-all the prod
uct Of her own nimble fingers. Besides,
The Washington times., 1922-12-10

tons, since he was q
bachelor of some years
standing, did not seem
to satisfy the feminine
element of diplomatic
society. He was final
ly put to the test of
fighting for the social
prestige Of the little
seventeen-year-old girl
that he had raised to
the honor place Of his
establishment.
During President
McKinley's administra-
ton, with a strategy
that left It's marks on
her soul, the wives Of
the different ambassa-
dors sought to teach
The Washington times., 1922-12-10

the head of her uncle's establish
ment was not recognized, especially
when it came to the matter of social
procedure.
"Who is this pretended Countess
anyway" was the query that the
ears of Count cassini could not
avoid hearing. And his explana-
The Washington times., 1922-12-10

tc iss, y Ap.nen w,.siy Inc er,s, Britain hshs hs'sr
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-25

ieisureIy was driving the boat at a
pretty good clip.
Grandfather" spoke up the young
man rather anxiously, there are =
lot of shoals in this river"
'1 know every shoal in the st.
Lawrence, my son."
No sooner had the old man said this
than the craft hit a rocky bottom and
reared to the right.
There's one of 'em now" ne said,
never lessening the speed of the boat.
Judge.
A dusky rookie was doing guard
duty for the first time. Along came
one of those officers who wear silver
chickens on their shoulders. The
rookie naturally got excited and flus-
tered.
''Halt!' he yelled, and then
stopped.
well. what are you going to do
next?" inquired the colonel after he
had remained on the spot like a
craven image for some seconds.
''I amt sure. boss" admitted the
darby. Then he added dangerously;
But, by golly. yo' better STAN right
what yo' is till thinks what it is Ise
to do."-American Legion Weekly.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-25

things Mary watkins did was drop
her box rite on the pavement saying,
o deer. look wat did. 1 bet they're
all broken, mamma will scold me ter
ribiy, o deer.
Looking as IL it wouIdent of took
mulch more to make her cry, me say
ing, Well, Ill pick them up for you.
And I picked up the box and handed
it back to her and she sed. o deer I
don't know wat to do. heer I haff to
take home a lot of broken eggs and
you'll have all hole ones.
PROPERLY being hint, and sed.
Well hay. Ill tell you wat, you tell
your mother I was carrying them for
you and I dropped them, Ill take all
the blame. Mary watkins looking
more and more vulnerable as if that
wouldent do her mulch good. and I
sed, Well all rite, Ill tell you wat, lets
look and see how meny are broak and
then Ill take half the broken ones and
give you hole ones insted.
o Benny, aren't you wonderful. Mary
Watkins sed. And she opened her box
and heer none of them wasent broak
at all. me saying, G, you're a CRATE
dropper all rite, not meny people could
drop a duzzin eggs without breaking
eny.
I always was kind of graceful.
Mary Watkins sed. And kepp on go
ing home with my duzzin. feeling CRATE
on account of having offered to swap
some for her broken ones and even
greater on account of not having to.
and I kepp on feeling CRATE till
tripped over our door mat and dropped
the box and broak eggs, 2 being jest
broak and being ruined.
Proving there's no use feeling crate
too soon.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-25
HEART AND HOME PROBLEMS
Written for The State Journal
BY ELIZABETH THOMPSON

Dear Mrs. Thompson: am a young
married woman and love my husband
very dearly. We see a, great deal of
another married couple and the girl
is my dearest friend. My husband
likes her husband very much, too.
Everything would be all right only
her husband drinks and when he Is
drunk he seems possessed to make
love. His wife says that he will make
love to any woman no matter who she
is or how ugly. She says that she has
never had a girl friend that he has
not insulted and of course this makes
her feel very badly.
Very often he comes over to our
house when he has had too much to
drink and at such times he usually
comes without his wife. Until lately
he has not paid any attention to me,
but the last time he came he made
such charming speeches that 1 was
embarrassed. My husband said that
he was not himself ana as long as he
went no further should ignore what
he says The thing that worries me
is that he has started in this way.
because at first he was very respect
full.
What would you advise me to do
in this matter? RUTH MARIE.
Take the f1attering remarks seri-
ously ana with dignity. If the man
goes too far, reprove him, of course
think, however, that you will find
it enough to keep your dignity and moi
respond in any way.
How Inundated the poor wife must
be to have her husband act in such .
fered more than any OF her friends
l1rnnxy
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-25
JUST FOLKS
BY EDGAR A. GUEST.
WHEN REDSKINS BIT THE DUST.

WHEN REDSklNS BIT THE Dust
Do you remember the days that were.
The days of Chunky and Bill and Joe,
And you and 1 and the thrill and stir
1.-THE trashy things" as our parents said.
And frequently burned in their deep dis
gust,
And the joy of us as we sat and read:
"Then two more redskins bit the dust!
Those were the days of the Golden West,
The days of Custer and Buffalo Bill,
When we followed the scouts to the noun
tain crest
And hreathlessIy watched them shoot to
kill.
We knew the meaning of curling smoke,
The signs to fear and the guides to trust
And we thrilled with joy when the rifles
And two more redskins bit the dust.
Out In the barn in those golden days,
In secret place were our pamphlets
Ana there we followed the trappers' ways
And gloried in all that they said or did.
Adventure gripped at each youthful throat
For we know the meaning of savage lust,
But this was the line that we loved to
quote:
"Then two more redskins bit the dust -
Now we have boys and they're reading
books,
Books Of spIendor and books of worth,
But the tales we kept in our secret hooks
Have passed away from this bettered earth.
And sit and smile as watch them there,
And I think of the days when our tales
were Just
The bark of rifles upon the air
And two more redskins bit the DUST"
Copyright, 1922, by Edgar A. Guest)
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-25

The legislatures of forty-three
states will meet during the coming
year and the automobiles of the
country are preparing to swoop down
on them in the interest of what car
owners regard as needed legislation.
Officers of highway commissions in
the forty-three states are busy pre-
pairing drafts OF new, or amendments
to old legislation for submission to
legislative bodies when they convene.
These drafts are expected to contain
suggestions with reference to the
bringing Of state laws in line with the
federal aid law, the question of theft
prevention. motor car registration.
legislation controlling headlights. auto
matte signals, and having to do with
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-25

The Montreal Gazette" thinks that
by the time the validity of the Daugh-
erty liquor ruling has been deter
mined by a judgment from our su-
preme court the fate of the ship sub
sidy bill viii be known, Elm which
event an adverse decision from the
supreme court would doubtless be re-
ceived philosophically by the admin
istration." The paper continues:
"one OF the motives back OF the
Daugherty ruling is said to be a de-
sire to propitiate the prohibitionist
vote in congress and thereby strength
en- the chances of the ship subsidy
bill. The prohibitionists will not vote
to substitute a wet fleet and the ship
ping board have protested that a dry
fleet cannot compete with wet rivals
An order whose effect would be to
make state-owned vessels and their
competitors also, dry. would satisfy
the prohfbitionists and the shipping
board" This is the view of an out
slider looking in but there are persons
in this country who hold similar
views.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-25
REFORMATION FOR ALL READERS OF
THE TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL.

Each reader of The state journal is Of
fered the unlimited use Of the largest in
formation bureau in the world.
This Service Bureau 10 located In the
national capital. where It II in immediate
touch with all the great resources OF the
United States government.
It can answer practically any question
YOU want to ask, butt can't give advice.
or make exhaustive research.
The war forced so many changes in the
daily life of the American people that the
service of this Information bureau will be
Invaluable to all whS use 1t.
Keep in touch with your government AZ
all times 1t can help you In thousand
WAYS II your wants are only made known.
The State journal pays for this splendid
service in order that every one of It's read
ars may take advantage of 1t. You are
welcome to use IL as often as you like.
Write your request briefly, sign your
name and address plainly, enclose 2-cent
stamp for return postage and address the
TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL INFORMA-
TION BUREAU.
ton, D. c.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-25

mo form of merchandise advertis-
ing is equal TO, or a substitute for,
newspaper advertising; it not only
helps sell the goods but incidentally
helps build goodwill" was the adj
vice. given to 1000 members of the
American Gas association by John f.
Weldon, superintendent of advertis-
ing of the Peoples Gas, Light & Coke
company of Chicago. at a meeting
held this week. Newspaper space
should be used continuously thruout
the year" Mr.. Weldon said. Spas
modic advertising activities produce
only. spasmodic results. Keeping ever
lastingly at it emphasizes a faith in
your institution, your service, and
your goods that is eventually trans
ferred to the public thru the insistence
and persistence of your announce
ments."
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-25
LITTLE BENNY'S NOTE BOOK
BY LEE PAPE

Ma sent me out for a duzzin eggs
this AFTERNOON saying, And for good
Miss sakes be careful, you know how
you are with eggs. now remember If
a single egg is broken you don't get
an exter peece OF pie for dizzert to-
mite.
And I went to the butter and egg store
and who did meet in there but Mary
Wartkins, saying, I'm buying eggs, wat
are you2
Eggs, sed. And we each got a
duzzin in a box and started to wawk
back with them and one OF the ferst
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-25

taxes and fees in the operation of mo-
tor vehicles. still otner subjects to
be given consideration will concern
the question of declaring motor We
hicles to be common carriers, uniform
traffic laws, elimination of grade
crossings. highway enforcement leg
islation. snow removal, in addition to
dozens OF other pertinent and impor-
tant related matters. The car owners
are becoming a power in the land.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-25

DIR. Nicholas Murray Butler, who in
times past has aspired to become his
party's candidate for the presidency
and has failed. now urges the forma-
ton of new party to be called the
metropolitan party. 1t is
doubtful that the elephant could be
brought to affiliate with the donkey.
besides, the country has experimental
once with a college president in the
White House and probably will be in
no hurry to try it again.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-25

Secretary Wallace of the federal de-
partment of agriculture is telling the
people of Kansas that the margin be-
tween producers and consumers of
meat is too great and is to be reduced.
Results of the secretary's campaign
eagerly are awaited. At present cured
ham is being retailed in Topeka res
taurants and cafeterias approximate
" at the rate. of 81 a pound.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-25

Democrat women of Missouri have
organized a league having for its pur-
pose the defeat of Senator Jim Reed.
The prospectus saysi HE bolted the
national Democratic platform, the
national Democratic administration
and the Missouri Democratic platform
and the Missouri state ticket and the
national Democratic ticket in 1920.
Hence, we exercise the same right of
individual judgment and will refuse
to support James A. Reed for sena-
tor. His party record gives him no
claims to party support" A record
like that should commend the senator
to all dissatisfied Republican voters in
the state If there be any such.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-25

The cables carry an announcement
that the Turks are preparing to de-
mand the restoration of Mesopotamia.
But when they undertake to make
England give up anything on which
she has obtained a grip they will find
that they are dealing with a PROPOSE
ton wholly different from any to
which they have been accustomed.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-25

Because the tariff on certain nuts
was increased 10 cents per pound
some of the candymakers advanced
the price of candies containing nuts
rs cents. That is at Ieast 1 8 cents
prof.teering in the view of the sup
porters of the tariff legislation. But
what Mid the tariff advocates expect :?
What is tariff for if not to enable
American producers to raise the price
of their products to the consumers ?
Increased burdens on the consumer
always have been the result of in
creased duties. Candy is only an in
cident. Every other highly protected
article will increase in price at an
equal or a greater ratio.