Evening Star Newspaper, May 30, 1896, Page 22

22 THE EVENING 9! TAR, SATURDAY MAY 80, 1896—-TWENTY-FOUR PAGES. GRAHAM BELL TALKS Inventor of the Telephone Tells the Story of a Hoax. DISCOVERY WHICH HE NEVER CLAIMED Persistent Efforts to Wrest From Him Supposed Honors. —_>—____. RAY THEORY x AN HEREBY HANGS A moral. But first the tale. It had been some time since I had any news of the prog- ress of Prof. Alex- ander Graham Bell's or to convey ble image or impression by means of a telegraph wire, and I called to ask the professor as to ) his suc I did this, you understand, in all innocence of heart. I had been read- ing of Prof. Bell's experiments along this line and was curious to know whether or not he would be able to do for light waves wat he had for sound waves, and transmit ‘he image of a face just as through his telephone he now does the sound of the Now, Professor Bell, it happens, is a hman and has one of those healthy, laughs that sound like a gust blown ¢ banks and braes of Bonnie Doon. much to my surprise, my question excited one of t When it had sut sided Professor Bell said to me: “I will tell you the history of a famous hoax.’ this s electrician sai from ‘88 to trical world. done, new almost rs along the ele © be the full and autrentic | case. You may read u like. Professors Ayrton and Perry had been long before me in the discovery, he, in turn, had been long in the field before Professors Ayr- ton and Perry. My memory is a trifle in- distinct, but if I recall aright there were several other men of science who appeared to do battle for the credX of this great dis- covery, all of whom, you will understand, had hit upon the thing years and years be- fore the man who hed made the last claim. “Well, in the course of time the matter got cut of the scientific journals and into the public press. The London Globe had a long article reviewing the case, which was afterward copied in a Boston paper, with the result that the matter came to the at- tention of American inventors, and with a Ike result to that produced in England. Wrangle of American Claimants. “In a leading scientific paper in New York Mr. Sawyer, now dead, and a very well- known electrician in his day, came for- ward to say that upon such and such a time he had made announcement of the discovery of the principle in question, which dis- covery, it weuld appear by reference to the files of some paper, was made years before that of Ayrton and Perry, years before any claimant who had up to date appeared in emed to give a final quietus to the case. But it was not to rest here. Follow- ing Mr. Sawyer's letter, t scientific journal entered the d'scussion to say that, highly as it esteemed the talent of Mr. Saw- it was its regrettable duty to announce ‘al years before the date assigned by the latter for his di ry a young man of genius had filed with it plans, descrip- tions and specifications of exactly how to send an ima; through a telegraph wire, and therewith this journal republished in full the article to which it made reference. 1 am not sure whether the discussion died down at this time or not. In all probability it did, for it is clear that had it continued the actual date of the marvelous discovery of a means to tra it images by wire would have soon retired to a period before the flood. he Facts in the Case. “All tnis, you will understand, was about sixteen years ago, and in conection with the matter I point you to the following facts: First, that I had never up to that time, so far as I can recall, made any ex- periments whatever upon the subject in question; second, that the paragraph an- that I was engaged in such the result of a curious and a , third and finally, that eans to do just this 's by wire—has not ndreds upon hundreds entors have, I doubt not, been at work on this problem without, up to the present time te discover thing—to tra yet and in spite of these fac nd about once a year the an- is made by news] per friends experiments in this direction are and that I should soon lay them complete, ev day, and others that had been made some little while before were then coming into general use. T perfected and was over the country, ele ning to supersede gas, telegraphers had found a way to send more than a single | message over the same wire simultaneous- ly, and people were talking of the da when the electric motor would run street ‘ars and railroads and do all sorts of things. Electricity was quite literally in the air. The Origin of the Hoax. “It was slight wonder that with all the marvels and miracles to be scen right un- der one’s eyes, many attempts to do ab- scrd things should be made, a great many absurd announcements put forth. To il- lustrate this, a newspaper paragrapher in- ¥ented an item to the effect that a Dr. H. E. Lix of Maunch Chunk, Pa., or some other prosperous town, had found a way to ‘see through a wire’ and had been able by this means to convey the image of a pussy ¢at and throw the picture on a screen be- fore the delighted audience. The paragraph was full of technical electric terms and of proper names founded, like that of the al- leged inventor, Dr. H. electrical words. “It would seem as though any one with @ gleam of humor would have seen the evident satire of the paragraph. But no, it was taken with perfect seriousness and was duly copied from one paper to an- ether as the latest wonder in electricity. “Now it happened just at the time that I was at work upon a series of Investiga- tions Icoking toward the conveyance of sound by means of rays of light. I had fairly perfected an instrument for this pur- pose when I was compelled to drop my in- vestigation for other work. It seemed to me that I had made a discovery of some importance, and, while not wishing to an- nounce it, I wanted to fix the date of my discovery, and I therefore filed a sealed package containing a full description, with ihustrations, of my investigations, in the Smithsonian Institute. Just why or how I do not know, but the fact of my having filed this package soon came out, and along with the paragraph concerning the wonder- ful ‘Dr. H. E. Lix’ and his discovery went another item concerning the marvelous Professor Bell and his discovery, which latter mysterious affair had been sealed up in a package in the Smithsonian Institute. Claims of European Scientists. “After traveling the rounds of the Amert- can papers, big and little, the two items duly tock thelr way over to England, and, as it happened, made their appearance to- gether, the one following the other, in an issue of the English scientific publication, Nature. I think that the items must have been slightly garbled and rendered obscure, else the mistake which occurred could hardly have been made, but at any rate in tho very next issue of Nature came an in- @ignant letter from Professors Ayrton and Perry, assailing me in the most violent manner. As they had read the items, it was I and not the mythical Dr, ‘H. BE. Lix’ who was claiming the discovery of a means of transmitting Images by wire. But my gicry was not to last long. Professors Ayr- ton and Perry made haste to lift from my head my hard-earned laurels and place them on thelr own. They, not I, it appeared, Were the real discoverers of this marvelous Process, and to them belonged the laurel ene crown. “Well, as it took a fortnight or more for the English Jourrals to reach this country, I remained in blissful ignorance both of the fact that I had claimed to be such a dis- coverer and that J had been thu ruthlessly shorn of my prize. Meanwhile the war went om. In the very next number of Nature appeared a second letter from an- ether inventor or scientist, whose name [ @o not now recall, claiming that he was true discoverer, the first to have thought the great and yaluable principle for transmission of images by wire. If E. Ltx (helix), upon | | the subject | and commend it for before the public. Now, I will not say that I have never made any such experiments: In point of fact, I was forced to take up in sheer self-defense. It was obviously absurd that I should give the newspapers no justification whatever for reiterating the imminence of another great discovery which I was to make in the realms of electricity. But I have made no experiments whatever in the last four or five years, whatever I may have done in the way of thinking " Parenthetically, in view of all the discov les which they have made concerning me, it has seemed to me not a little curious that these clever newspaper men should never have suggested to some scientific in- vestigator the possibility that the new X Tays may perhaps offer a solution to this intricate problem of the transmission of images. I make this suggestion seriously, consideration, , “But all this aside, the story which I have related of the famous hoax is one which has always interested me, for, be- side its personal bearing, it secmed to me not only a curious tale, but one with a point. Whenever I read of the claimants to this and that discovery, or, especially, to some invention upon which’ another man has got a patent, whenever I hear of the ‘true discoverer’ of the Roentgen rays or of the electric light or the telephone or some other useful device, I recur to my story of the host of claimants who arose to wrest from me the honors of a discov. ery which I had never even remotely claimed to have made, and which has not been made to this day.” Which was the moral I referred to at the beginning. DR. H. F. JOKOSA. es The Ruling Passion. From the Youth's Companion. : It was during the terrific December gales of a year ago, writes a correspondent, that a Yankee schooner, flying signals of dis- tress, sailed into the Bay of Gibraltar. Almost immediately the American vice consul, with a friend, put off from the Calpe Rowing Club piers, to visit her. As they clambered up the ship's ladder they were welcomed by the captain, a jolly Yankee from Plymouth, and by his rather gloomy crew. “Captain, are you in trouble? What can I do for you?” asked the vice consul, at the same time remarking that his friend had that morning arrived from New York on the “Fuerst Bismarck.” “Wal, sir! The Lord knows we've hed our troubles, bein’ fifty-four days out o’ London, an’ no nearer New York than this. Two of the lads went over the side in that last blow, an’ our topsails went when them spers did. This Pesky cargo o’ chalk hes strained her, so she's takin’ water this minute. Thar's a sight o’ things we needs done, an’ we'll be obleeged for your help, ©’ course, sir. But if this here young man hes just come from New York, he can tell us what we want to know afore he does anything else.” The sailors crowded around their cap- ay and listened intently, as he contin- w “What we want to know 1s, haow did that there Harvard-Yale foot’ ball game come out in November?” +o+—____ Chinese Junks at San Francisco. There are a number of Chinese junks sailed by Chinese crews, plying in the waters about San Francisco. They are mostly employed in the fishiag trade, and their principal business is in catching and drying shrimps, which are shipped by the mail steamers to China. The customs au- thorities have lately seized several of the junks for violation of the navigation law, Which forbids any but an American mas- ter to command a ship engaged In domestic trade. It is alleged that the Chinese cap- ing the junks put up a dummy American in applying for a li- cense. ON TO WASHINGTON The Cry of Christian Endeavorers Throughout the Country. PENNSYLVANIA'S BIG DELEGATION One Thousand Expected From the City of Philadelphia. ——+——_ FROM THE EAST AND WEST Preparations are being actively pushed throughout the country for organizing delegaticrs to attend the fifteenth interna- tional Christian Endeavor convention In this city in July. Excursion managers arc busily engaged in issuing circulars and in- formation pamphlets, receiving and an- swering inquiries from intending delegates and speaking to public meetings of En- deavorers, telling about their plans and arousing an interest in the coming gather- ing. When two Christian Endeavorers meet, these days, usually the first question asked is: “Are you going to Washington?” At least that seems to be the state of feeling among the members of the organization in Pennsylvania, and is fairly indicative of the interest existent in all parts of the United States and Canada. Pennsylvania’s delegation will be the largest of any at the convention. Prob- ably eight thousand will have Washington for their objective point when the July days come. Philadelphia, unique in the henor of having the largest local union In the werld, swelling the hosts from the keystone state. Arrangements for the excursion of the Philaglelphia Union are about complete, and a handsome booklet of sixteen pages has been issued, giving detailed informa- tion of the itinerary, arrangements for ac- commodations during the convention and full particulars of a side trip, which is to be taken immediately after the conven- tion's close. A Thousand From Philadelphia. It is confidently expected that at least 1,000 Endeavorers will represent the Quaker city in Washington in July. More than eight hundred attended the Boston convention last year, so the estimate seems very conservative. There ts great interest manifested, and it {s constantly Increasing. Careful planning is necessary in order to have everything in such a large deleg y and pleasantly. ¥ - charge of the angements delphia delegation’s visit to the convention nd he visited the city early and often to complete arrangements that will, he believes, as compared with previo effort: prove more isfactory in every particular. The t portation manager made all his arrangements here in person, and also went over all the ground to be covered by the proposed “side trip.” ‘Avapectall train, tmatle-up) otf twocaeetions; has been secured, and will leave the city of brotherly love Wednesday morning, July 8, shortiy before noon, over the B. and 0, R. R—Royal Blue Line—coming through without stop, and arriving about 3:30,:thus giving ample time, no matter how large the delegation, for the members to become nicely settled in their temporary homes be- fore the open s of the convention ening. Iquarters of the Phitadel- be the Arlington Hotel, ing distance of thé ‘con: tents in the White Lot. But be- the convention city is so close at nd such a large delegation will rep- Philadelphia, no one hotel, no mat- how large, would be of sufficient size to provide for all who desire such accommoda- ticns. The Hamilton House has, therefore, been secured, in addition, for the exclusive use of Philadel and these two well- known hostelries, within a few squares of each other, and of the convention meeting places, will be the centers about which the from Pennsylvania's metropolis cause A Reception Planned. One of the pleasant annual features of the Philadelphia Union's trips to Christian Endeavor conventions {s a reception, which is held after arriving in the convention city, to which are invited the officers and trus- tees of the United Society, the officers of the Pennsylvania Union and hosts of others. This year’s reception promises to be one of the most brilliant and successful ever held, and as at the Arlington, with its commodious and beautiful parlors and ban- quet hall, an ideal place for the reception is assured. No pains will be spared by the advisory board of the union to make the coming event an occasion long to be re- membered. It will be held Wednesday night, July 8, immediately at the close of the meetings to be held earlier in the even: ing In the various churches. Another re- ception will be attended by these delegates Saturday evening, July U1, at Calvary Bap- tist Church, which is headquarters for the entire state delegation from Pennsylvania. The Side Trip. The morning after the closing session of the convention—Tuesday morning, July 14— two hundred of the Philadelphia contingent will start upon the annual convention side trip. For three years past the Philadelphia Union has had {ts annual side excursion, personally conducted, each in turn pro- nounced in every way a success, but the trip planned for this year promises to eclipse all previous efforts. Bright and early Tues- day morning, before 8 o'clock, a special train will leave over the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, and its first stop will be at Harper's Ferry. The excursionists will remain there long enough to see the site of the old John Brown fort, and to view the magnificent stretch of scenery in the three different states, which there come together. Leay- ing Harper's Ferry, and passing over to the Norfolk and Western railroad, the train will journey down the historic and pic- turesque Shenandoah valley, until the Cav- erns of Luray are reached. Several hours will be spent in visiting the cave, and the midday meal will there be served. About 4 o'clock in the afternoon Luray wiil be left behind, while the excursionists push on toward the Natural Bridge, which is sched- uled to be reached about 7 o'clock in the evening. After a night spent at the Natural Bridge hotels, the party will spend the entire day— Wednesday—in sightseeing, leaving for heme Thursday morning. After a seven. hour ride, this city will be reached, and sufficient time will be allowed during the stop-over here in which to eat a square meal and collect anything that may have been left behind before taking up the Vir. ginia excursion. Before dark the special train will make its final start for the dele- gates’ home, and Philadelphia will be reached by about 9 o'clock. The entire trip, as planned for Philadel- phia delegates, including the post conven- tion excursion, will occupy eight days. The actual expenses, exclusive of the side will do her full share toward | trip, range from $15.50 to $24.13, according to the accommadatjons desired. Connecticut, New Jersey and Dela- are. While not arganged on such an exten- sive scale, other delegations are completing Preparations for the journey to Washing- ten. Coanecticyt expects to be represented by about 800 délegates, and there is much enthusiasm in the state over the prospects. Its party will leave Wednesday morning from New Haven, transferring to New York by steamer, ‘and arriving in this city by the Royal ‘Blié Line in time for the preliminary meetings in the evening. Connecticut’s headquarters will be located at the National Hétel, and the Metropoli- tan Presbyteriah Church will be the church home of the delegates. A special excur- sion after the tonvention is over has been planned to Lufay,’ Natural Bridge, Rich- mond and Fortress Monroe, covering four days and nights, for an exceedingly moder- ate rate; or those who prefer may return north by way of Harper's Ferry and the Gettysburg battlefield. In New Jersey special “Washington '96" rallies are being held, and the interest taken throughout the state assures a large delegation, which a conservative estimate places at 1,200, An enthusiastic meeting was held last week in Newark, at which F. E. Fenning, president of the society in the First Presbyterian Church, which will entertain the New Jersey delegation dur- ing the convention, was present and gave an idea of the plans for the great gather- ig. The special train bearing New Jersey Shristlan Endeavorers will start for the convention city Tuesday and arrive late in the evening. An excursion to Mount Ver- non has been planned for Wednesday, so that these enterprising delegates will get in some of their sightseeing before the con- vention meetings begin. Although small in area, Delaware's inter- est in the convention is large and growing, and the transportation committee is doing everything to insure the delegation a pleasant Journey and comfortable accom- modations. One of the societies will give a “May party of 1776," which probably is intended to lead the audience from colonial days through George Washington to thoughts of the city named in his honor. Another will have a lecture on Washington by Rev. Howard Wilbur Ennis of the West- ern Presbyterian Church, illustrated by stereopticon views. Still another will take its friends and members on a preparatory trip to the convention city on an Imaginary air line, bringing them safely home again the same evening, after an hour-and-a- half’s enjoyment of the prospective pleas- ures that are in store for them. From 300 to 500 delegates are expected from Dela- ware. From the West. From the west, no less than from the east, some large delegations will journey to the nation’s capital. Michigan expects to have at least 300 in her party, and an attractive route for the excursion has been planned. As announced to the state con- vention held early in April, the delegation will rendezvous at Detroit Monday, July 6. A convention rally will be held in that city in the evening, and at 11 p.m. the wolver- ines will leave by steamer across Lake Erie for Cleveland, arriving Tuesday morning. From there a special train over the Penn- sylvenia lines will bring the delegates into this city about 8 o'clock, leaving a whole day for sightseeing before the city becomes overcrowded with visitor: Out in Kansas the watchword is “On to Washington,” and it is expected that more than 100 delegates will represent that state. The route has not yet been selected, but at the state convention which meets early next month provision will doubtless be made for completing the arrangements. Kentucky is making every effort to se- cure ‘a darge representation at the coming convention, for Louisville Is in the field as a candidate! for convention honors in’ 189%, and Kentuckians ate giving their city loyal support. The outlook at present is that 500 will come singing Kentucky’s song and The delega- cin- marching under her banne tions will center in Loulsville and Cin nati, and proceed frem the latter city one party. Intending visiters are ménts—the St.'James Hotel and‘Ryland M. Church—add great interest is mani- fested in the preliminary preparations. In the Far Southwest. Mississipp! and Arkancas, though in the far southwest, will be represented. Arkan- sas 1s hopeful: of bringing a delegation of 100, and has spcuréd hotel accommodations at the bbitt, where the headquarters of the United Soclety will be located. Missis- sipp!, the “baby state” tn Christian En- deavor, will have a delegation of 50 or more, and will join with one of the delega- tions from some southern state in making the trip. It is propased to stop over at the Natural Bridge, Luray and Harper's Ferry en route. Misstssippians will be distin. guishable by their badge, worked in. the state colors, red and white, and bearing the state flower, the cotton bloom, conspicu- ously displayed. The flower was selected on, account of Its extensive cultivation in the state, and the colors were suggested because the cotton bloom is white in the morning and red in the evening. In other states interest In the convention {s growing, and preparations are being car- tied toward completion for attending Washington's gathering. The outlook for a large attendance and a successful con, vention fs exceedingly bright. ee No Faith in Lawyers, From the London Household Words. A Durham miner, aged seventy-three, visited a Newcastle lawyer, a bachelor, for the purpose of making his will. The old man’s property consisted of two small cot- tages, which had cost him £150, and a ttle furniture. The lawyer having asked his client how he wished to dispose of his prop- erty, the latter replied: “Ma old woman hes to have all se long as she's ma widow. Etter tsat ma baimns gets “What age is your old woman?” asked the lawye “Seventy-two,” replied the miner. “And how long have you and your wife been married?” asked the lawyer. “Over fifty years,” replied the miner. Thereupon the lawyer suggested to his client that he should give his wife the in- terest during her life, whether she con. tinued a widow or otherwise. “Hinney, aa winnot; aa’ll way,” said the miner, “But, surely,” replied the lawyer, “you don’t expect your old woman, seventy-two years old, would marry again? The miner, looking the lawyer full in the face, answered, with much solemnity: “Wey, hinny, ther’s nae knaaing what young cheps like yourself will de for money.’ hey ma aan How to Start the Thing. From the Chicago Post. “You say you are thinking of running for office, and want my advice?” said the old campaigner, inquiringly, “That's it,” replied the young man. “I seem to have a Rood opportunity to get into politics now, I work it right, and I don’t want to make any mistake that will queer me later. What ought I to do first?” “Well, timeg. have changed somewhat since I went Irrto politics,” returned the old campaigner; “and now I should think the first thing for 70 ‘to do would be to get a good photograph 6f yourself taken, so as to make a good impression upon the public through the newspapers. Many a man has neglected thissand been killed by his cuts.” H. W. Phillips in Lite, FABLES FOR THE TIMES. H THE MERCHANT AND THE FOOL. A merchant of horses was driving his stock to the market. ,who offered to buy his entire stock. gald the intended purchaser, “I will take your horses now, and will send you the money for It.” venerable old fool, “Tt fs this wa: whenever I find use for one, On the road he met a ‘Now the gods be lenient to folly!” exclaimed the indignant merchant “Man, man! where in the realm of idiocy did you get your knowledge of business? “I ran a-pay-on-publication journal for ten years,” said the fool, with asperity, But the merchant had vanished in a cloud of oaths and dust. THE TIES THAT BIND Marriages of Russians and Amer- icans That Turned Out Well. AN EXCEPTION T0 THE RULE — The Czar Righted the Wrongs of an American Woman. 2+ FOLLOWING PETER THE GREAT —_+—___. Russia has had her innings this week in Washington. Between interest in the gor- geous ceremonies that have just taken place in Russia and the beautiful coronation fete given at Beauvoir, near this city, nothing but Russia has been talked of in socieiy. And ef all the countries of Europe the ties that bind America to Russia are perhaps the most cordial, both politically and so- cially. Russia was our faithful friend dur- ing the civil war, and there has been much intermarriage between Russtan diplomais and American girls, and these marriages have turned out happily, except, perhaps, in the case of Miss Genevieve Ward, the daughter of Dr. Ward of Albany. In this particular instance the Czar of Russia stepped in and compelled his subject to right the wrongs of the American woman. Miss Ward was an all-round genius. As a singer, an actress, an artist, she achieved great success In Europe. Added to her oth- er gifts s the all-conquering one cf beauty. While cultivating her voice in Paris Miss Ward made the acquaintance of a distinguished Russian nowleman, con- nected with the embassy there. After a short courtship, they were married accord- ing to the rites of the Roman Catholic Church, This ceremony, Genevieve Ward was as- sured by her titled lover, was valid in Rus- ria. In a short time the ardent Russian ed of his American bride, and, to ternation, he informed her that d no legal claim whatever on him, the Roman holie ceremony not being recognized in Russia. Thereupon he bade her a formal good-bye. The Czar's Actio: But Miss Ward, with true American pluck, had no idea of allowing herself to be thus disgraced for life. Accompanied by her mother, she went direct to St. Petersburg, where, through the interest of the American minister, she obtained an audience with the czar, who listened in a sympathetic manner to her story. The nobleman who had so basely deceived Miss Ward was ordered to appear before the emperor. In his august presence the mar- riage ceremony according to the rites of the Greek Church was performed, and, furthermere, the czar was about to con- fiscate the € ject states of his dishonorable sub- and present them to the American wife. But Miss Ward declined to rec one penny from her recreant husband. foon as the marriage ceremony was over ehe left him and Russia and went direct to Milan, where she achieved wonderful success in opera. She lost her voice for singing, but the histrionic instinct was strong Within her. She devoted herself to the sta and a tragic actress wor fame. In America she scored her greatest suceess in the character ef Jane Shore. The Bodisco love story has been told so often that we are all familiar with ft. It was a May and December marriage, and yet turned out‘ happ: Baron Bodisco sleeps his last sleep in ( his wife is at rest in England. The Bodisco mansion still stands in Georgetown, in a pretty fair state of preservation. Another International Marriage. The successor of Baron Bodisco, M. de Stoeckl, lived in Washington a number of years, being attached to the Russian lega- Hill cemetery; tion. He finally reached the highest grade —that of minister. Like Bodisco, M. de Stoeckl married an American. His wife was a Miss Howard of Springfield, Mass. The home of the Russian legation in the time of the Stoeckls was in the house on the corner of 17th and Connecticut avenue, now the property of the Misses Myer. Dr. Edward Ma3 nist of great reputation in th y, was also an inventor. He v to offer his rifle to that government. While in St. Petersburg Dr. Maynard had the oppor- tunity of doing important dental work for the czar, who at the time was suffering greatly from defective teeth. A large payment was tendered Dr. nard for his services, which he declined. The caar then presented the American den- tist with a miniature portrait of his maj- esty set with diamonds, and as a further testimonial of gratitude Dr. Maynard was decorated. Married a Washington Girl. About a fortnight ago news was received here of the death of Mr. Waldemar de Meissner, first secretary of the Russian legation at Lisbon. M. de Meissner was another Russian diplomat who succumbed to the charms of the American girl. He married Miss Sophie Radford, daughter of Admiral Radford. Medame de Meissner has won considerable literary fame. She is row in St. Petersburg, where her son is a member of the Nicholas corps of cadets and a page of the court. There has been a deal of comment on the precedent set by Mr. Breckinridge in ap- pearing in a sort of court dress at the coronation ceremonies. But such a thing as the millinery in which an official may appear at so august a ceremonial as the coronation of a czar is considered of vast importance in Russia. It is sald that more than a hint was given the Amesican rep- resentative that he must look to his attire on this solemn occasion. It is said to have been the subject of a correspondence be- tween our ambassador and the State De- partment. And all who know Mr. Breckin- ridge feel fully assured that his manner will fit his clothes. The Russian Customs, The blood of Russia is autocratic, and the czar of this fin-de-siecle period evidently has ideas of the Peter the Great sort. In looking over some old chronicles of Russia, there was found an amusing de- scription of the manner in which Peter the Great undertook to civilize his subjects. He considered one of the most effectual modes was to make them change their style of dress. The court ladies were ordered to adopt Erglish fashions, and to reward them for the sacrifice Peter issued an ukase permitting women to attend public enter- tainments, weddings and parties with men —a privilege never before enjoyed in Rus- sia. He further directed that the evening should wind up with music and dancing, as he had seen in foreign countries. ‘The ancient chronicle amusingly says: “He usu- ally attended all these entertainments to see how his subjects conducted themselves; whether the beards of the gentlemen were really shaven and the ladies arrayed in the prescribed English fashion.” There were grumblers at these innovations, for there always have been and always will be people who cling to old customs as something sa- cred. May- Wise, but Obstinate. But Peter was a very wise king, and also a very obstinate man. To prove to his subjects that changes were constantly going on, though almost imperceptibly, he made the occasion of a marriage at his court the opportunity to show the courtiers that “the fashion of this world passeth awa: He ordered all his principal nobil- ity and distinguished foreigners to be in- vited to the wedding, and commanded that every person should be dressed as were their ancestors two hundred years before, and that the marriage ceremony should be performed in the same antiquated style. The whole affair made a most amusing episode. The object lessun had the de- sired effect. The costumes and ceremonies were so absurd and ¢xtravagant that the most conservative Russian noble felt con- vinced of the wisdom of Peter the Great. Lag Paper Telegraph Poles. From the Chicago Times-Herald. -Paper telegraph poles are the latest de- velopment of the art of making paper uge- ful. These poles are made of paper pulp, in which borax, tallow, etc., are mixed in small quantities. The paper poles are said to be lighter and stronger than those of wood, and to be unaffected by sun, rain, datipness or any of the other causes which shorten the life of a wooden Pole. Highest of all in Leavening Power.— Latest U.S. Gov’t Report Real ABSOLUTELY PURE ININE BACHELOR A Chicago Experiment on th -Op- erative, Self-Governing Plan. From the Chicago Daily Inter-€ in. A unique club for bachelor women has just been organized on the South Side. lis headquarters will be in a large flat building on Bowen avenue, between Vincennes ave- nue and Grand Boulevard, Last night an advance guard of a dozen young women tcok possession of the new quarters, each proud of the possession of a latchkey. The club has been founded by Mrs. Alice Asbury Abbott, and is the only one of the kind in the city, although it bears some re- semblance to Miss Addams’ Jane Club. It will be run on the co-operative plaa, and Will be self-governed. The building is a fine stone front, in one of the best neighborhoods in the city. It is one of three flat buildings adjoining each other, and owned by Mrs. Abbott. There are eight flats of eight rooms each, four of which are now available for the uses of the club, with a probability that the others can be secured during the summer. The plan of management is th oh young woman who becomes a club membe Pays a minimum price of $3.0) per week. The club ts to be her home, and this pays all the expenses of her board and lodging. This is the price, provided two women share one room. For a single room the price will be from $4 to ) per week. For each suite of eight rooms there is a large double parlor, fitted up handsom: Besides this there is a big, plain room set | apart for sewing, darning, handkercief | washing and the like. | The bed rooms are furnished in oak. with | | ! | | rugs and brass beds. The building h steam heat, ges, hot and cold b will be a common dining room, at le Ul the club is more settled. I the club member for the election of office club regulations. a house mother, a d by a committe For this position Abbott hints that she hopes to persuade a cultured and cially independent woman of the c ity to be- come responsibl Who this is she will not Say a t itis woman who unteer to live in the club, superint workings and chaperon the or girls. A cook and Janitor are already on the s, and the o' Tr servants will soon nged for. The leaders of the various clubs thro out the city are intere meeting was neld Saturd matter with Mrs. Abbott Letters sent to the lezding working women of the | ‘arious clubs, and thi are tak’ Guestion among themselves. At present | Mrs. Abbott is assuming the financial rm sponsibility, as this has long been a pet scheme of hers Just what the club will be n be decided, but it is probable Altrui,”” suggested by Mrs. Sherwo. be accepted. One feature a larg bly hall, which can be used for meeting lectures, ete. It is also the plan of Mr Abbott to allow young ladies who w: furnish their rooms wholly or in part, ac cording to their individual tasies. The cl ths a few is admirably situated as to ear lines, being within a short distance of three down-town lines. — ——— CARE OF BEDS AND BEDDIN A Few Observations an rydny Topi From the Germantown Tele 5 There is a vast difference in the way | different housekeepers manage and care for their beds. Some of them fully believe in the fresh air theory and during pleasant weather, as soon as their toilet is made, up | goes the bed room windows and the pillows | are lald upon the sill for an airing; th bed clothing, if not removed ani thrown | on a chair, is turned down over the foot | of the bed. If a feather bed ts used, that | is also well shaken up and left until the bed is again made up, sometimes in the forenoon. This management is in strong contrast to the usual plan of ne | ing a slept-in bed until it is for the sleeper, yet in the ite: there is perhaps ro discernible in The children living in ho: of squ and wretchedness, whose bedding 1s per- haps not changed once a mouth, are quite | as healthy and cheerful who sl in bed linen changed daily. The Cninama: who sleeps on his rillow of wood is quite as strong and usually less nervous than the “Mellican man” who r his head upon downy pillows. Howey this is no excuse why beds should not re. 2 proper | care and @ thorough airing frequently, if | 9 not daily. It is certainly a matter’ of | habit, and the daughters usually in this line follow the practice inculcated by their | mothers. | Bed clothes that are stored aw be aired several times each year, as moths and the carpet bug will raise sad havoc with them if not properly attended to. | Camphor gum or fine tobacco scattered by tween each fold will keep out the former, | but cannot be depended upon as a panacea | for the carpet bug. If mice are known to | be about the premises, traps should be properly baited and placed near their haunts, as at nesting time they will riddle bedding to make a roft nest. A close-fit- | ting chest or trunk makes the safest sior- | ing place for all unused clothing, bedding, &c. A large plain trunk can usually be purchased for a small sum, and will pay its cost every year in the safety of its contents, ee THE SPRINKLE DOLLAR. The Kentucky Man Who Coined His Own Silve: From the Chicago News. Hardly any one knows what the “Sprin- | kle dollar” was. Josiah Sprinkle, the man in question, lived in one of the roughest sections of Lewis county, Kentucky. Wash- irgton, the county seat of Mason, was then | a thriving town. One day Sprinkle, then | an old man, appeared at Washington with | a buckskin pouch full of silver dollars of | his own make. | In every respect they appeared the equal of the national coin, The weight was more thant at present, and the quality and ring were all that could be asked for. He spent | them freely, and everybody accepted them | upon the assurance of Sprinkle thai the were all right, except that they were not made by the United States mint. Upon being asked where he got the silver, he re- plied: “Oh, it don’t maiter. Vhere is plen- ty of it left.”| The inscriptions on the coins | were rudely outlined, and in no wise was an attempt made at imitating the national coin. On one side of the coin was an owl and on the other a six-poii star. The edges were smooth. ‘The cyins were con- siderably larger and thicker than the Unit- ed States coin. Wheacver Sprinkle came to town he spent the dollars of his own | make. i] At one time he v red the informa- | tion that he had a silver mine in the west, | but the old man refused to tell any cne where it was located. finally the govern- ment agents heard of the matter, and came on to investigate. Sprinkle was arrested and brought into court, but the dollars were proved to be pure silver, without al- loy—worth, in fact, a trifle more than §1 each. After an exciting trial he was ac- | quitted. When the verdict was announced Sprinkle reached down in his pockets and drew out a bag cf fifty of the coins and | paid his attorney in the preseuce of the us- tonished officials. Sprinkle was never af- terward bothered, and continued to make the dollars until the time of his death. He | died suddenly and carried the secre: of his silver mine with him. This was in the early '30’s, and it has been twenty years since a Sprinkle dollar has been found. a Horrible Case. From the Cincinnati Tribune. “I told you that you would be seeing snakes if you didn't stop,” said the physi- cian, “Snakes?” shrieked the suffer>r, his teeth chattering; ‘snakes are not in it at ail. I wouldn’t mind snakes. I see modern art sters.” Peand the trembling victim buried his head in the bedclothes and shrieked and moaned and gibbered. €nee with the Americar. spirit of Baking Powder AMERICAN SOLDIERS FOR CRIMEA, Many Natives of This Country Enlist. ed for the British Army in Russia, From the New York Press. Henry Labouchere the following odd ¢ London Truth te ncident of *uring the Crimean wer I was at the Washirgton le Was above forty rs pose that I am ¢« “lo: secrets ing what they occurred. We cec ders to recruit a force for the Cri Was a fad of Lord Panmure’s then war minister. Sir John Cra minister, vainly wrote to cx might get us into trouble witl States government. The only attache jon, and as this D1 ¢ rs an order (o obey owe did. 1 ow nt to New York to look after the recruiting there. We had a ship in the narbor we fourd no difliculty in fill! cruiter got $5 per man and the companied with many pror things. When the shiy t. Nova Scotia, where an old scldier, with ihe repu able to knock any regiment The government of the United got wind of our »roceedings at and at Niagara, where we hal it amployed to slip recruits frontier. t was that of the t Washir consuls at New York an Peces received their pas ticularly amused me was th at New York had had nothin the matter, “But we had elaborated a far crander scheme We had found a sort of ere ing geners], who nad with severa nd reeruited fr and th ern states, were to b 4 by the g The negotia off } because we were pre ive him th ik of ge e Crime insisted upon bei wiat he called a full general in the army, To this we could 1 r could ¢ © of my York reer in Nova Scotia rward the geverncr telex 1 belied, and th to 1 steps ton disciplinc i “This governor wes somewhat « « - derheaded man. We wanted (1 why) ast Sen from N« b a to We cipher ary, but I could not find a > I aphed for and gover he telegraphed s} lc 0; again ¢ rring him to m’ —acre.’ Finally we to se nese senger with a letter. soe - Crisix for the New Wom From the Detroit Tr “We shall soon know th hem tered. He nervously fii 6 ar isis for Montagu and ¢ 2. “O, wherefore art thou, Romeo?" 4, “Parting is such sweet sorrow.”