Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, December 23, 1894, Page 13

THE INDUSTRIES OF JAPAN Rapidly Moncpo'izing the Matting Markets of the World. VIEWING THE WO! D _RFUL RUG 'FACTORIES The Work, Wages and Modo of Liviag of | Skl Unskitlod Laborers—luters estng Facts Abont the Live- llest Nation of Asia, (Copyrighted, 1504, by Frank . The new treaty between Japan and the United States, which is now in the hands of the senate, will probably make a big differ- | ence in our trade with the Japanese. Hereto- fore all our business has had to be done through a limited number of the ports of the country. It has been impossible for mer- chants or importers t travel through the empire, picking out their own goods and buying direct from the manufacturers. All business has been dono through middiemen, Who are Japanese. By this treaty Americans can go into business anywhere in Japan. They can set up factories and employ Japan- eso cheap labor to make goods for America, and they can buy where they please. The mew treaty will make a great change in Japan, and it will probably be the most pros- perous country in the world during the next five or ten years. The settiement of the Chinese war will bring a great amount of money into the country. The biggest cities are already building factories, and foreign trade is being cultivated In every possible way. The Japanese have for some (ime re- alized that the markets of the world are open to them. They are now studying our tastes, and they are manufacturing for our markets, They are fast becoming a nation of inventors, and during the past summer 1 spent some weeks In looking up their new industries, especially those which are spring- ing up with a view to American markets, One of these was the business growing up in Japanese rugs and matting. It Is really wonderful what they have done within a few years in these branches of trade. The Jap- anese had no rugs before they began to take up the new civilization. They are now mak- Ing the most beautiful rugs in the world, and also the cheapest. There is an American firm in Kobe which is shipping vast quan- tities of rugs to the United States, and which is introducing the manufacture into Japan in a curious way. Perhaps the most ex- pensive book ever made was produced by this firm. They had artists go to all the great museums of Burope and copy the colors and patterns of the finest rugs in the world. They bound these patterns into a book, which they sent out in Japan and put into the hands of the workmen, and now these famous rugs are being copied in jute. The jute was brought from India, and the new rugs are equal in colors to the originals. They sell for a song in comparison with the Turkish rugs, and there is a possibility that the Japanese will take up the making of woolen rugs. If they do so, they will crowd the eastern rugs out of the market, for they are born artists, and every child in the em- pire is a genius as to the manipulation of colors. There are villages in Japan that make nothing but these rugs. I visited one known as Sakal, near Osaka, and I was in- troduced to the biggest of the manufacturers, a man who employed 3,000 hands. The work was done almost altogether, by hand, and in houses which looked more like stables than anything else. The proprietor's name was Mitani, and he was a very bright Japanese indeed. He had 200 houses in his establish- ment, and he took me to a number of these. Some of the children who were working at rug making were under 6 years of age, and thero were a number of girls about 10. They receive from 7 to 8 cents in silver a day, and they work from 8 in the morning until 6 at night, having an hour at noon for lunch. They work Sundays and week days, but have fwo holidays during, each month. 1 talked with Mr. Mitanl as to the prices of the rugs, and it Is wonderful how cheaply they can be made. Take a rug three feet wide by six feet long of the kind that is used for hearth rugs In the United States, and_which costs when sold at home about $2.25. It takes a Japanese four days to make one of these rugs. The jute has to be imported. It must pay a duty on coming into Japan, and the rugs, I think, pay a duty an going into America. Altogether out of this $2.25 there come about sixteen profits, and the wages are so low that the Japanese can afford to make them. The Japanese are making some very curious rugs now. Their cotton rugs are good and cheap, though the best, which are very closely woven, cost about as much as our imitation Smyrna rugs. NEW JAPANESE MATTING. 1 talked some time with Mr. George Flood, the head of the American firm, about the matting industry which has recently sprung up in Japan, and which is now driving the Chinese matting out of our markets, He says that it is only four or five years now since the Japanese began to export this ar- ticle, and that we already take 250,000 rolls a year. The matting comes from near Hiro- shima, where the emperor has been holding his court during the war with China. It has been used for years by the Japanese as @ covering for their floors, but it was made only in white patterns, and the mats were put together in the form of cushions about three feet wide and six fect long, and the houses were 50 bullt that a number of these mats just fitted into each room, and the size of a room in Japan Is known by the number of mats it takes to cover it. Very little of the matting such as is sent to America is used in Japan, and the industry has grown up just for the export trade. Theso mats are mow woven in colors, and they are, if anythifg, thinner than tle Chinese matting and are much more beautiful in their artistic finish. Some look as though they were woven of threads of gold, and others are as fine as a Panama hat. The Japanese origl- nate new patterns every year. They don't like to work after the old” styles. Different workmen exchange ideas, and they produce new things every year. This matting is made out of a reed which grows without knots. It is much like rice, but it produces no seed of value. It has a market value, and is sold by the pound. It needs a warm climato. 1t is harvested like wheat, and is well dried and bleached before it is sold, The mats are dyed with aniline colors, and theso are imported. It Is woven very much like cloth, and all of the pieces have to be put in by hand. After it is finished it is clipped with a palr of scissors, and after leaving the machine It has to be again dressed. The work 1s so carefully done that two with an assistant can make only from two to three rolls per month, and the rolls are worth from $3 to $10 in silver in Japan when they are ready for shipment. ‘This Is from §1 to $5 In gold, and thus you see how cheap the wages must be. CHINA VS. JAPAN, 1 asked Mr. Flood as to what was to be the future of this matting industry. He re- plied: “I belleve it will eventually drive the Chinese matting out of the market. It is much prettier than the Chinese matting. It is clean and healthy. The cheapest varietics can be put into America for about 7 cents a yard, though the more expensive kinds are, of course, very much dearer. As I said be- fore, it was almost an unknown industry five years ago, but It now employs thousands of men and women, and there are whole coun- ch practically live off 1t."* ‘s trade with America seems to be Carpenter.) and 1t will The Japanese are studying the world, and they are going to make all sorts of cheap goods. They make as fine paper as you can find in America. and their silk e 1s good. There are 120,000 silk looms in Kiota, and they now compete with France in all kinds of silk. It would surprise you to know the number of curios that are sent away from here. Phere 1s one firm In New York which im- ports $160,000 worth every year, and you find them for sale in all the stores in Ameriea. I have never seen anything like these Japanese. They are wonders in the way of industry. The whole family works, and the more the children the bigger the incoms Japan is, in fact, about the most perous country in the world today. fans, pretty girls and curio shops. This 1s & great mistake. These are but the incidents of the life of Japan. This is a big business natidn and it is business from the word go. The chief industries of the country are de- voted to supplylng the goods which the people need for themselves, and the curio merchants are like the antiquity dealers of other countries, and do riot constitute a big business part of the nation.” SOMETHING ABOUT JAPANESE SILKS. There are quite a number of Americans in Japan who are now engaged in buying silks and shipping them to the United States. Several large factories have lately been erected. One which was built a year or S0 ago cost $500,000, and it is operated largely by women and girls, who receive from 10 to 20 cents per day as wages. The best of the male operators are paid about 50 cents per day, and these people are working with modern machinery. Japan is now Im- porting quite a large number of cocoons, and she raises them by the ton every year. 1 was very much interested in the process. It is different from that used in China. The eggs of the silkworm are placed on pieces of paper and hung up in a warm room about five feet above the floor. As soon as they are hatched they are sprinkled with bran made from mil- let, and after a short time they are fed with mulberry leaves, which are cut up Into little bits, and the pieces are increased in size as the worms grow. They are fed eight times every twenty-four hours at first, and as they get older their meals are cut down to four. It takes 2,000 pounds of mulberry leaves to feed the number of siikworms hatched from one sheet of eggs, which varies from 45,000 to 60,000 in number, and the frames upon which they are laid have to be changed every day. They must be kept in warm rooms, and they eat their biggest meals at night. When they are full grown they begin to make thelr cocoons, and the butterflies are de- stroyed In the cocoons, from which the silk is to be made. The caterpillars and butter- flies are often killed by steaming the cocoons, and the cocoons are sorted =0 as to make the silk of an even fineness and color. The cocoons are bolled before they are reeled, and there s a vast deal of work in making a single thread of silk. As to the reeling of silk, the greater part of it is still done by hand and by the rudest sort of machinery, The motive power for turning the reels of some of the factories consists of men who walk around in a circle, like a horse in a tannery, pushing two poles, which, by a serles of cogs, run the works in the rooms below. These men receive about 10 cents a day for their work, and the silk reelers, who are skilled laborers, get about 15 cents a day. There are two sorts of looms on which the silk is woven, and these looms are of the rudest construction. The women do the most of the weaving, and silk crape is made by twisting two threads in opposite directions, thus producing the crinky appearance of the texture. The most of the silk used in Japan is for its own people, and you find large silk stores in all of the cities, and there is hardly a girl in Japan who has not a silk dress. We have an idea that the people are loud in their clothes. This is a mis- take. The ladies of Japan seldom appear on the street except in the most quict colors, and the Japanese gentlemen wear soft grays and black. One of these Osaka silk stores has dozens of clerks, who squat down on the floor when they sell you the goods. There are no counters. The brokkeeper sits flat on the floor and figures all his calculations on a box of wooden buttons strung upon wires. He moves these up and down, and can tell you the price in a moment, and he seldom makes a mistake. NEW JAPANESE INDUSTRIES. A number of new industries are making their way into Japan, and a great deal of Japanese wallpaper is now shipped to Amer- ica. It looks much like Lincrusta Walton, and some of it has the appearance of leather. I believe that the Japanese letter paper would sell well in the United States. It shines like silk, and it is wonderfully strong. Indeed, some of the sheets made at the gov- ernment paper mill, near Tokio, are 5o tough that a man can stand in the center of a sheet and' be lifted up by others who have hold of the corners. There is a big modern paper mill now in Kobe, Japan, and the wrapping paper of the country is much finer-than anything we have. It {s as soft as cloth, and they have a way of making the paper so that it has al! the qualities of cloth, and is by no means offensive to one’s touch when used as handkerchiefs. Japan is now publishing some of the most beautiful books of the world, and there Is an establishment In Toklo which will com- pare in size with those of our big publishers’. The prices for printing and engraving are wonderfully cheap, and I believe that our offices could make money by having their plates prepared in Japan and printed there or here. 1 don't know as to the copyright law in this respect, but you can get the finest of half-tone work, such as is used in our best magazine illustrations, for 15 cents per square inch In American money. Such lllustrations cost from 40 to 50 cents per square inch in this country. JAPANESE CANDIES, It is a wonder to me that the Japanese candy 1s not imp:rted into the United States. I believe that some enterprising man, like the fellow who got up these digesting chew- ing gums, could make a fortune by shipping a Japanese sweet, which is known as mid- zuame, into the United States. This is a delicious candy, much more palatable than gumdrops and of about the same nature. Tt is said to be excellent for dyspepsia and scme people take it after their meals. It Is made also in the form of a sirup and it looks like a thick golden molasses, and s much better to th> taste. It could be used for cakes and the babies could eat it without danger. It is made frcm rice and wheat and it is believed that the same sweet could be made here from Indian corn. Other candies are made of beans, and all of these sweets could be imported to the United States and sold at good prices. There is hardly anything we use that the Japanese could” not” make cheaper than we do and there are very few things which they cculd not make as well. They are now building watch factories. The wages are o remark- ably low and thelr workingmen can live like lords on what our laborers would starve on. SOME JAPANESE ECONOMIES. The people of the far east have ncthing like our wants. A workingman can furnish bis house there for lesy than $10 and they save In every possible way. It 18 a very poor American laborer indeed who has not $50 worth of furniture in his hcuse. He has tables that cost all the way from $2 to $10 aplece. His chairs cost him from 50 conts upward. His carpets are expensive and lis cooking stove eats a big hole into a month’s wages. The Japanese uses only mat- ting and he carpets his house of two or three rooms for as many dollars. His pots, pans and stoves cost him, all told, not more than $1.50, and I have seen It estimated a couple can go to housekeeping on $5.50, Chopsticks are by no means so expensive as knives and forks, and his pillows are of wood, costing about a couple of cents aplece. He has n bed and he sleeps on the floor, and so you seo that he saves every way. Think of the saving on rocking chairs and lounges! Take all the beds and cooking stoves in America. What an immense amount they must cost! Suppose our laborers wore straw sandals and_ well-to-do men trotted about on wosden clogs. Suppose our stockings were thrown away and we used foot mittens that only come as high as the ankles. Suppose for the next ten years the 65,000,000 people of the United States would not need to wear under- clothing, and_ suppose, instead of living oft beefsteak and all sorts of other expensive meats, we should confine curselves to ric fish, vegetables and tea, oYu cdn see what an immense saving thero would be. Remem- ber, I do not advocate these changes, but they enter as factors in the competition which is bound to ensue with these people of Asia in the future, when, by mcdern ma chinery, they will begln to manufacture for the world. THE LABORER'S DAILY LIFE. I asked some questions in western Japan as to how the working people live. I wa: told that nearly every man had his ow cottage or house, and that the rent wa sometimes as low as 40 cents a month, and the house sometimes consists of only one room. Still, it is wonderful how happy the people are. and how they laugh as they work. The average workingman rises 6, and has his breakf: ting of rice and tea. The rice is often cold, and it may have been left over from last night’s dinner. He pours hot tea upon it to warm it, and eats it with chopsticks. At 8 he begins work, and at noon he has a lunch of rice, furnished by bis employer. At 6 he s his dinuer at home. This consists of plenty of rice, a little dried fish and clams, if they are in season. are practically no beggars and the people are bhappy and well-to-do. The gen- eral idea of Japan is that it s made up of In the evening he smokes, chats and gossips with the neighbors, and probably goes to bed early. He has two suits of clothes, one for OMAHA DAILY BEE: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1894. LATEST FROM JAPAN. Rugs and Screens direct from Kobe just in time for Christmas—artistic and useful. working, and the other for holldays. He goes to the public bath about once a day, and there parbofls himself in connection with the other men and women of his acquaintance for about eight-tenths of a cent. There are 800 public baths In Tokio alone, fn which 300,000 people bathe daily, at the cost of 1 cent a head, and though the workman may omit his dinner, he will seldom omit his bath. You find public baths is all the citles, and these are full every evening. Both men and women bathe together in the country districts, and a whole family goes to the bath house, and babies and all steam them- selves until their pores are clean. Within the last few years there has been a separa- tion of the sexos fn the big city bath hous but it has oniy been by running a fence about three feet high through the pools, and the men bathe on one side, while the women wash themselves on the other. SOMETHING ABOUT WAGES, 1 am told that wages have been Increasing since the modern civilization has come into Japan, but they are still very low, and the reduction in the price of silver just about cuts them in half. The figures which follow are in nese currency, and If they were in American money they wouid be just half of what is here given. Common laborers re- ceive from 10 to 20 cents a day, and the men who pull carts and practically take the place of our dray horses, get from 10 to 15 cents In the cities the prices are higher than these, but farm laborers often receive less than 1 cents a day. Carpenters get from 40 to 50 cents. Head cartmen receive from 25 to 40 cents a day, and paper hangers get from 40 cents upward. Blacksmiths are paid from 23 to 38 cents, and painters about the same. I saw many boys working for about 10 cents a day, and I was told that the clerks in the stores who got $15 a month thought they were doing exceedingly weil. Many clerks work for their board and their clothes, with the understanding that after an apprentice- ship of about ten years the merchant will give them a small stock of goods and allow them to start out for themselves. C\?ng l\. Cg,{wwz i G SHERIDAN. More Kind and Flattering Words from ator Hamlin. Senator Hamlin in an interview in the “Rock Springs Miner” has this to say of Sheridan: “Of Sheridan and its people 1 cannot say enough, and, while a stranger, had he the heart to do so after the splendid re- ception he is bound to receive might take issue with some of its people in their pre- diction that it will be a city of 100,000 souls inside of sixty days, still no one can go there and look over their natural resources and advantages without entering to the full extent into the confidences which her citizens entertain in the future of their city. That Sheridan is destined to ba the metropolis of northern Wyoming and one of the largest cities of the state, goes without saying. It located in_ono of the finest agricultural por- tions of Wyoming. This section is bounti- fully supplied with numerous streams well adapted to irrigation both on a large and small scale, and its people are not slow in utilizing them, as is shown by the fact that Sheridan county already has about a quar- ter of a_million of acres of land under ditch. Drouth has no terrors to the Sheridan county farmer, and the completion of the Burlington glves him an uniimited market for his sur- plus product, especially since agriculture has proven a failure in Kansas, Nebraska and Dakota. In addition to this, Sheridan is sur- rounded by an ample supply of good coal, which is being already opened, the largest being the Sheridan Fuel company, which I had the pleasure of visiting. Its output is already about fifty cars per day, and finds a ready market. ‘There are also promising gold properties near Sheridan, and while they are as yet largely undeveloped, if they fulfill the expectations of their projectors they will constitute a great factor in building up the town. ‘“Above all, Sheridan has the right kind of men to make a city. They are energetic and aggressive. They have unlimited confi- dence in the future of their town, and are willing to stake everything they have on their judgment in this particular. They have already succeeded in interesting outside capl- tal to a greater extent, I believe, than any other town In the state. Two large flouring mills, a planing mill, and a fine electric light plant, a beet sugar factory and a woolen mill are aiready being agitated. “The completion of the Burlington to Blllings gives it a forough line between the Pacific and the Missourl river. It is also a division point on that line. I have little doubt that this line will build west from Sheridan through the Big Horn basin in the near future, which will open a splendid ter- ritory and make it tributary to Sheridan. In addition to this, it is generally conceded that the general shops of the Burlington for this portion of its system will be located there, If these elements will not make a city, what will? The reception which I recelved at the hands of the Sheridan people beggars de- scription and makes me look forward to the time when I shall be able to visit them again.” —_—— MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC. Rhea is rehearsing a comedy by Victorlen Sardou called *“The Parisians” and is to pro- duce it In three weeks. M. B. Curtls has glven notice to the mem- bers of his Sam'l 0'Posen company that his tour will close immediately. Ben Teal has been engaged by Jacob Litt to stage a new melodrama which is to be produced in Philadeiphia in February. Julian Eduards, the composer of “Madelelne, or the Magic Kiss," also the musical director, is at work upon a new opera, the book of which is by Aubrey Boucicault. Mr. Beerbohm Tree and the full stock com- pany of the Haymarket theater, London, will sail for this country early in January. He will open his American tour in New York. Miss Nebraska, a young singer of Scan- dinavian descent, whose parents now reside in St. Paul, Minn., is credited with having made an operatic hit recently in Dresden. Canary and Lederer are to produce ‘‘The Twentleth Century Girl” at the New York Bljou theater January 14, when the name of the house will be changed to the Galety theater. Father T. Conway, who was recently pastor of the Roman Cathollc church in Dickson City, Pa., has become an actor and is a member of a company that is soon to appear in Dickson City. Jacob Litt, proprietor of “In Old Ken- tucky,” paid $150,000 for a theater in Minne- apolis the other day. The profits on *“In Old Kentucky'" this season will, it is said, run close to $100,000. The fiftieth celebration of Hans Dalatka's musical career will be celebrated at the Chicago auditorium early in March, The services of 1,000 singers will be enlisted and an orchestra of 120 performers have already volunteered. Paganinl would never let any one hear him tune his violin and it is believed that many of the extremely peculiar effects he produced were obtained by his tuning the violin half a tone lower or higher than the ordinary pitch. Miss Isabel Irving, who fs now the lead- ing lady in Daniel Frohman's Lyceum Theater company, has already justified her selection as Miss Cayvan's successor by her admirable and sympathetic performance in Sardou’s “A Woman's Silence,” a pay, by the way, that did not make a success at the Lyceum. Ebenczer Prout, B. A., who has been ap- pointed to the chalr of music of the Uni- versity of Dublin, {s in his 60th year. He was graduated at the University of London in 1854 and is the author of works on the “Theory of Mus “Instrumentation,” “Counterpoint,” “Musical Form” and “Harmony.” 'He succeeds Sir A. P. Stewart. Joseph Herbert of Chicago, now the clever comedian in “Rob Roy,” the latest operatic success of Smith and De Koven, has written a libretto entitled “The Birth of Venus.' Edward Jacobowskl, composer of “Ermine," will furnish the music. The opera will be produced February 1 in Buffalo, N. Y. It is understood the cast will embrace Miss Adele Ritchie, Miss Cora Tanner and the author will appear in the leading role. A wreath beariug the inscription “The Na- tional Conservatory of Music of America’s Tribute to Palestrina, Antonin Dvorak, Director,” has been forwarded to the Royal Philharmonic Roman academy, to be laid upon the bust of the great polyphonic writer upon the occasion of the services in com. memoration of the 300th anniversary of his death, which will be beld in Rome some time during the present month. | itations in honor of the most sacred anniver- | & HOLLY FIR AND MISTLETOE Custom of Decorating That Dates Back to Antiquity, AND THERE'S REVERENCE PAID THE GREEN Manner In Which This Decorating Materiat 15 Secured by the Dealers — A Protty Legend from the Dim Past Con- cerning the Mueh:Prized Holly. | As the passing of December days brings the | world nearer to the holiday season, tho eye of | the pedestrian is attracted by the bright | colors with which mankind decorates its hab- | sary. They are conspicuous everywhere, Bunches of holly, radiant with the fruit of red berries, nestle In the shop windows and | Invite the attention of holiday purchasers Huge bolts of evergreen wreathings are dis- | played on the sidewalks and the commission houses are permeated with the crisp and | grateful odor of the Christmas trees that are stacked in every vacant corner. The custom of Christmas decoration camo to America in the Mayflower, and so univer- sal is its observance that people regard it as a matter of course. Just how and when it originated is not in evidence, but it does not require a close observer to conclude that there Is something in the human heart which wel- comes the advent of the holly and evergreen as naturally as it offers homage to its Cre- ator, One night not many days ago the rain w falling in cold, blinding sheets, as the doo of the shops and the 'stores were opened for the crowds of employes whose day of toil was ended. They wrapped themselves in over- coats and mackintoshes and hastened across the dripping pavements to escape the deluge which pierced their coverings. At the corner of Thirteenth and Harney streets a couple of little girls were picking their way actoss the gutter, through which the water rushed with its burden of offal and refuse of the street. No covering protected them from the pelting drops which fell unrestrained on their shabby little gowns and soaked into their wind-tossed tangles of scrubby hair. One of them carried a basket which rontained two or three stunted apples and other bits of fruft, which had evi- dently been rescued from the gutter. As they passed the corner one of them es pled a tiny spray of green that was being carried down the terrent in the street, Re- dless of the feet that were protected by a pair of dilapidated shoes, she waded through the incipient deluge and snatched the prize. It was only a stubby branch of evergreen that some shopkeeper had tossed away. It was soaked with water and foul with the ac- cumulations of the gutt:r. But to the friend- less waif it was a gift from Providence. She cleansed it carefully in the cleanest pool that the pavement afforded, then wiped it dry on the inside of her ragged shawl. Regardless of the drenching rain, the babies stopped un- til the sprig of evergreen was restored to Its natural guise and then it was tucked away in the basket and carrisd:off in triumph. It might be that the eagerness with which the wisp of green was prized by the forlorn and ragged waifs was but the reflection of the hu- man_instinct which oauses the luxurious acs, as well as the cottage of the humble r, to be arrayed in the colors of the springtime as the anniversary of the Saviour's birth draws near. THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND. However that may be, during the past two weeks carloads of matcrial have be:n shipped into Omaha, to be fiséd in arraying the busi- ness places, churches,and residences with the colors of the season. As a rule the d:alers have not ordered as extensively as in pre- vious years. The Thankegiving trade was a disappointment from start to finish, and this cperated to prevent the dealers from laying in a very liberal stock of Christmas decora- tions. As far as can be learned, five carloads of Christmas trees have, been shipped to local dealers, dnd it is expected that these will be more than sufficient. to satisfy the demand. As a rule, an ordinary car will carry upwards of 500 trees, but where the trees are very small 1,000 may be crowded into a single car. The demand for trees has perceptibly de- creased during recent years, and there is but little call for anything but the smallest shrubs, which are used purely for decorative purposes. These retail all the way from 25 cents up, according to size. Most of the supply is obtained from the northern counties of Wisconsin, where the growth of fir and spruce is not so brittle as in localities further south. This product stands shipping and handling well, and most of it is shipped to Chicago, and from there it is dealt out to other cities. Prominent among the materials used in the holiday decorations are the sprays of holiy which are now in stock at all of the green houses, as well as at the commission houses and some of the large dry goods establish- ments. It is claimed that the best holly comes from Tennessee, but it is also found in Maryiand, Delaware and in Wisconsin. That which is on sale in Omaha is bought direct from Chicago dealers, and most of it is of the southern variety. 4 The holly this year is unusually handsome. There are more berries than usual and the leaves are very thick, glossy, and spinulous. Not all holly is equally supplied with these spines on the leaves, but the long spines make it much more attractive. In some seasons the berries are not so plump as at others, nor so deep a red, while the leaves are occasionally mottled a little in siiver or gold. Once in a great while the berries are pure white, but this is an ab- normal and rare development. If it was sufficiently frequent to make such freaks a commodity, they would, no doubt, command a premium from “holly fanciers” who are able to gratify a taste for this sort of thing. AN EARLY LEGEND. No one can tell when holly was first used for Christmas decorating, though it was cer- tainly at or soon after the Christian era. In- deed, it may have been long before, for some of the traditions concerning it have an ap- pearance of antiquity about them which can not be ignored. Thus it is said that holly Is, or was, a sacred tree, to destroy which was to insure discase or disaster. An early legend, or fairy tale, runs in this way: A youthful hunter lost himself in a forest, and his supplies running out he was in danger of starving. No game could he discover, and in the midst of his distress a wild beast, the like of which he had never seen before, appeared. Taken by surprise he seized the bough of a tree, tore it off and prepared to defend himself with it. It chanced to be a holly tree, and the moment he disfigured it he fell to the ground and was turned into a stone. His brotlier, after many months' searching, was informed by a friendly fairy of the mishap that had befallen his brother, whose body, he was told, would be found lying under the bough he had torn off. A charm was given the searcher to enable him to restore the headstrong youth to life, and after a long journey the task was accom- plished and the two brothers were reunited. Legends such as ‘these have been handed down from generation to generation, and in some of the most ignorant sections of Eng- land even now holly is seldom cut by day- light, and even after twilight the cutting is done carefully and with as littie destruction as possible. Both the practice and the cau- tlon are doubtless encouraged by the se- verity of the land owners, who are not par- tial to trespassing of any kind, who drive off with little hesitation any “Christ- mas" cutters found on thelr premises. The actual tennants are supposed to have an a: sumed title to the holiy-cutting, and the cottagers derive quite a good deal from the perquisite, often selling tha bunches to their actual owners, as well as hawking them among the neighboring gentry and towns- people. Mistletoe is the rarest of the Christmas greens. A few bunches are purchased to Lang in convenient places in parlors where the unsuspecting maiden will be most likely to find herself liable to the penalty which attaches to being caught under it, though it is but little used bere for general decora- tons. The dealers have small stocks which The pleasure of giving is greatly increased when a handsome present.can be made at such small expense. Screens from $4 to $8, before at double the price, None so handsome “very Rug in our house has been priced for this Christmas Sale. Open evenings. Orchard & Wilhelm Carpet Co. cither holly or evergreen. It can not live ex- cept by feeding upon the sap of another tree, and hence it is generally high up above the sround, rendering the cutting process lengthy and tedious. In this country it is found in both north and south, generally on poplar and elm trees, It is gathered by local residents and by them sold to dealers, who ship it to trade centers. It is difficult to ap- praiso a heap or load of mistletoe, for it is commodity the cost of which fs regulated almost_exclusively by the laws of supply and demand. _Exceptionally severe Christmas weather reduces the supply and increases the demand, whereas a green Christmas is apt to bring down the price very considerably. A very popular decoration in Omaha is the evergreen *“wreathing” which comes in bales like hay or cotton. This is chiefly composed of the pine and spruce of the northern for- ests, which is bound into long strips with light wire, and retailed at 10 cents per yard. Dealers generally are not particularly de- sirous of the trade in this commodity. They have to send a man or two to put it up, then a man to collect the bill, and by the time they get through, what little profit remains on the sale has baen eaten up. Now that the big dry goods establishments have gone into the holiday decoration business, the small dealers find that their trade searcely amounts to_enough to pay them for their trouble. The greenhouse men find their greatest revenue in the sale of palms, ferns and other potted plants for decorative purposes. As the holidays approach their stores are filled with plants, and most of them are disposed of by Christmas morning. A down town flor- ist told a Bee reporter that he did not ex- pect to have onme left out of the Immense bank of plants which filled one side of his store. Most of these are sold outright, but many of the larger and more expensive ones are rented for the holiday period, and then returned. There is considerable demand for these from the churches, most of which have their chancels and organ lofts banked with potted plants. Lycophodium, “bouquet green,"” sometimes known as is a_favorite decoration in the eastern cities, but there is almost entirely supérseded by smilax, which is easier handled, and retains its attractiveness for a longer period. e AT THE THEATERS, Sol Smith Russell will follow the present attraction at the Boyd theater for an en- gagement of three nights. Such announce- ment can be depended upon ‘to arouse a far reaching Interest among theater-goers, as it has been two years since this genial and popular actor was seen in this city. Mr. Russell's position on the American stage 1S a very unique onme; there is mno other actor like him; his style Is peculairly his own and there is a quaintness and dry- ness about it which defies imitation. His plays are bright, clean and of a kind which provoke plenty of genuine amusement as well as giving an insight into the pathetic side of life so vividly and realistically that the spectator very often finds his laughter checkmated by "an incident so intensely human as to turn the tide of merriment into a serious channel. Tho repertoire has been arranged in the following order: Monday, “The Heir at Law;” Tuesday evening, ‘‘Peaceful Valley,” and ' Wednesday evening, “A Poor Rela- tion.” The sale of seats will commence Thursday morning. No brighter or better farce comedy has ever been presented in this city than that performed by Freeman's company of fun makers under the title of “A Rallroad Ticket” at the Fifteenth Street theater last season, and which will begin a six nights' engagement at the new Empire theater, starting with a matinee today. Special mat- inees will also be given on Tuesday (Christ- mas day) and Wednesday. The company presenting the plece this scason s entirely new, with the exception of those two funny fellows, Harry Porter and James T. Kelly. The newcomers are William Blaisdell, late principal comedian of the Pauline Hall Opera company; John P. Carroll, who played the opposite part to Dobby ‘Gaylor in “Sport McAllister;” Frank rdiner, a wonderfully clever grotesque dancer; Alice Carle, the handsome comic opera prima donna so long with the Carle- ton Opera company; Jeaneite Bageard, who scored a big hit at the New York Casino this past summer in “The Passing Show;’ Hattie Waters, a vivacious soubrette, and Marie Bach of last season’s company and Mrs. Louls Heck, ir., of this city, Doubtless the fates spoiled a bad trage- dian in making a famous comedian of Stuart Robion, for it is a fact not generally known that Mr. Robson's dearest wish at one time, long ago, was to become a rival of Forrest or the elder Booth in the line of tragedy. Little did he dream at that time, before experience had plainly indicated to him the right road to choose, that he would one day share with that prince of actors, Joseph ~ Jefferson, the highest honors the dramatic professlon can afford—that he would become celebrated s the most hilariously eccentric exponent of the great- est comedy creations of Shakespeare, Sheri- dan, Goldsmith and other master minds in English stage literature, At the Christmas matince at Boyd's Mr. Robson will appear as Mr. Dionysius Dimple in_ Buckstone's comedy, “Leap Year.” On tomorrow (Monday) evening Mr. Robson will open his engagement at the Boyd in hls famous character of Tony Lumpkin in “She Stoops to Conquer. On Christmas and Wednesday nights “The Henrictta” will be the bill. 'No' more delightful Christmas attraction than Mr. Robson and the full repertoire he will offer could be furnished the patrons of the Boyd. This (Sunday) evening Daniel Sully will close his engagement at the Boyd by gly- ing the fourth performance of his new play, ‘O'Nell, Washington, D. C." This Is one of the best plays that Mr. Sully has yet presented to the public, and his support is correspondingly good. - Mr. J. K. Fowler, secretary and treasurer of the Corinne Mill, Canal and Stock comns pany, of Corinne, Utah, in speaking of Cham- berlain's Cough Remedy, says: “I consider it the best in the market. I have used many kinds, but find Chamberlain's most prompt are disposed of at the rate of five or six small sprays for a quarter, and this is about the extent of the trade. IT COMES RATHER HIGH. Mistletoe 18 very much more costly than and effectual In giving relief, and now keep no other in my home.” When troubled with a cold or cough glve this remedy a trial, and we assure you that you will be more than Pleased with the result, NAGS ON THE LITTLE PAPPI0 A Erief Deccription of One of Nebraska' Model Trotting Horse Industries.. A CANCE FOR THE STALLION KINGDOM Joe Patchen Skedaddles Wost—The Kiug of Pacers and Quoen of Trotters— Curtous Comparisons with the Old Times. A trip to the stock farm of Clinton H. Briggs is all that is necessary to convince the most skeptical that the trotting horse industry in Nebraska Is an enterprise of no inconsiderable moment and magnitude. This farm is located just seven miles west of the city, and Is accessible by either the Dodge street pike or Leavenworth street road, lying between the two with the Little Pappio skirting its western borders. It is what is known as the old MecArdle place, and embrac:s 200 acres of as lovaly pasture land as lies outdoors. Mr. Briggs has expended both time and money unstintedly on the place, and today can truthfully boast of as complete and modern stock farm as can be found in the country. It is as cleanly and pleasing to the eye as a newly swept floor, and with its mile track, spacious buildings and broad pasture lands, is a most attractive point from either highway. The training stable is a model. Fashioned after the most modern improvements of the big Kentucky and California stables, it can- not fail to catch the eye of any passing horseman, but in addition to this, it combines in its architectural and structural finish many original ideas of its live and enter- prising owner. It stands on the western slope of a slight acclivity, and commands a birdseye view of the whole farm, including the race track and hazel bordered meander- ings of the river. It is a substantial frame building 196x88 feet in dimensions, and is supplied with every convenience that could be suggested or desired, with a spacious court in the center where the horses can bo exercised on windy or Inclement days with- out exposure. There are sixty-two stalls, thirty-two inside the main structure, and thirty without. All of these stalls have been bullt with an eyo to the comfort of their occupants, with sealed walls, and an abun- dance of room and ventilation. In the bulld- Ing proper is a well appointed office, cart and carriage sheds, grain room, with its tiers of bins, harness room, and, in fact every concomitant to ' the great in- dustry into which Mr. Briggs has entered with such zeal and enthusiasm, and stock or horse men contemplating improvements on or about thelr own premises would save money and gain much knowledge by making the place a visit. There is a voluminous nat- ural spring bubbiing from the hillside just east of the barn, and a system of piping con- ducts the pure fluid to all departments. The bulldings arc substautial, and the board fenc- Ing which surrounds the whole place has been painted a dull red, which contrasts well with the yellows and greens and browns of the autumn scenery, At present Mr. Briggs has something like forty head of horses, trotters and pacers, stallions, brood mares, yearlings and wean- lings, all combining in making as handsome and as valuable a group as can be named in the whole western country. They are all under the intelligent charge of Charles Merri- man, tried and true in the service, and his corps of assistants, and the person who imag- ines that the caring for a lot of valuablo horses like this fs a snap should spend part of a day at the Briggs farm and make a note of the " operations of owner, trainer and attendants, At the head of Mr. Briggs' list, of course, stands that peerless trotting stallion, Alamito, who stands a good show in another year to return with the crown which now decorates Directum's sable brow. The possibilities for Alamito are limitless, as every well posted horseman in the country will admit. He is a magnificent roan, 5 years old, and was sired by Eagle Bird. He made his first race at the beginning of the scason at Davenport. Iio was fresh from the stud, but beat such celeb- rities as Phoebe Wilkes, , and Walter E, 2:10. Phoebe Wilkes won all the free-for- alls after Alix hauled off last July. Alamito won this Dayenport race in 2:131% taking the third, fourth and fifth heats, the last one being made in 2:15. The betting on the third heat was 100 to 10 against the handsome roan, and there were some hard falls experienced by the all-wise touts on the track. Alamito has done his quarters in 291 seconds, and with a galloper at his heels can reel off his mile In 2:10 any time, Newsboy, a dun gelding, 1s a horse of no mean pretensions, holding as he does a trot- ting mark of 2:20 and a pacing record of 2:12%. On trial he did a mile trotting in 2:15%. Kate Cafrey, 2:18%, is by Charles Caffrey, sire of Robble P, dam Eva, by Tippo Bashaw, and 15 the dam of more in the 2:30 lst than any mare in the state. Nellie Cobb, 2:21%, a beautiful seal brown, by Charles Caffrey, dam Julla, by Happy Me- dium, Julla is a full sister 10 the ex-stallion King Maxey Cobb, 2:13% Charlie Boggs Is a stylish black fellow, and a full brother of Kate Cafirey, which is speaking volumes In his favor. He worked a mile in 2:17 in his three-year-old form, and Is Indisputably the fastest horse in America, without an exception, without a mark. He can step his mile in 210, and the green horse that can beat Lim has not yet faced the public Fred P. is one of the strain, and to a high-wheel sulky he made a record of 2:45% as a yearling, which was the state record. Mesa is a beautiful yearling by Alamito, dam Kate Caffrey, a speed inberitance that is bound to assert itself. In looks this filly would be hard to match. Hurly Burly, 216, by Ru by Jay Gould. Lucla is one of the brood mares in histroy, having six in the list Hurly Burly can’ step off Lis mile in 2:12 He Is the sire of Wilbur, & green horse who Charles Caffrey or, dam Lucla, stepped out last fall and won five straight o8 driven by his farmer owner, Lucla, Burly's died a few months ago, but when 14 years old brought $2,000. His grandsire, Geory M. Patchem, was four times stallion king, %, and s one of the most royally bred hor: in America. No gamer animal ever looked through a bridle, and during all of the last campaign he was never behind the money until he went lame and was sent home. During the season he lowered his record from 2:19% to 2:16%. He is a race ho every inch of him, Topsy Tury is a Hurly Burly colt, a beauty and a natural trotter, the consequence of his superb breeding. He steps across the lot almost daily at a 2:30 clip. There is a large number of yearlings and weaning colts on the farm, the get of Alamito and Hurly Burly, that are sufficient to make any horseman's ey water. The list of brood mares is a large one, and cons tains some of the very best in the country. Among theso aro such mares as{ B dam of Kate Caffre; 2:181; Eddle Mollie G a iIs the greatest producing mare in the state of Nebraska. Mollie G., 2:28: Nellie Cobb, 2:21%. Carrara by Hinder Wilkes, dam Revenna by A“;‘Incups. Revenna is the dam of Glycera, 2:20%. Moneta by Monwood, dam Streamlet by Grand Sentinel, 2:2714: sccond, by Happy, Medium; third,'by Membrino Patchen. Burlytina by Hurly Burly, 2:16; dam Maras tina by Slander; second ddm by Gen. Knox. Pepita by Anteros, dam Mollle G., 2:28. Auburn Maid by Red Wing, dam Jennie. Jennie is the dam of two in the lot. Lena Cobb by Hurly Burly, dam Kate Cobb, Kate Cobb is by Maxie Cobb. The match race between Joe Patchen and Ryland T, which was scheduled for Jiansas City last Thursday, failed to come off. Joe Patchen was shipped to Los Angeles Tues- day, much to the disgust of the local horge- men. The excuse advanced was that Fatchen is matched for six consecutive mutches with Robert J in California. Four trotters and five pacers go Into win- ter quarters after having beaten the race records of the best animals of tholr age. Robert J, with a mark of 2:01%, quits the season as king of pucers, while Alix, 2:03%, carries off similar honors among the trotters, The latter includes Abdell, the yearlinj, by Advertiser, with a record of 2:23. This Call- fornla youngster: is said to be in fine fettle and something scnsational 1s anti:ipated from him next season. Oakland Baron, a 2-year-old colt by Baron Wilkes, has the honors In his class at 2:14%, while Ham. lin's 4-year-old daughter of Chimes, the long-legged Fantasy, has 2:06 to her credit. The other champions among the pacers a Directly (2), 2:07%; Sidmont (3), 2:10%, and Onling (4), 2:04. The wonderful strides being made by harness horses is well shown by the list of performers that have gone miles in 2:10 or better. It was in 1839 that a pacer koewn as Drover, of unknown breeding, went a mile in 2:28. The feat was so unheard of that it was generally discredited. In 1845 the gray mare, Lady Suffolk, with a saddle record of 2:26, trotted a full mile In 2:26, and great was her fame. There were not wanting those who firmly belleved and ex- pressed the conviction that no one would ever see another such mile, The advance did not quite stop there, for in 1866 there had been twenty-nine heats trotted in 2:30 or better, and In the elght years following 231 heats were trotted In 2:30 or better. Up to the close of 1873, 318 horses had beaten 2:30. At that time two had records better than 2:17, two better than 2:18, two better than 2:19, and a total of nine that had beaten 2:20, Then the record was for a trotter at 2:16%. Up to 1884, ten years ago, two horses had beaten 2:10, The trotter was the great Maud 8§, and her record was 2:00%, while the pacers had Johnson to represent them with 2:06%4. At that day the young champions at the trot and those of today compared as follows: 1884, 1804, Yearlings 123 Two-year- Thret Four IFive-year-olds Dick Chandler, one of the cleverest and most popular reinsmen of the day, has been in the city since Tuesday. Dick may be found at the head of Clinton H. Briggs’ stas bles during the coming campaign. 01 Bob Kneebs, a well known horseman informs me, is not on his way (o this coun= try after all. He has been released on bail, but 1s kept under such close police surye lance that it will be impossible for him to get away from Berlin. ——— WHAT A PITY, Harvard Lampoon. We had paused to watch the quiver Of faint moonbeams on the river, By the gate. We had heard something calling, And a heavy dew 1s falling, Yet we wait. It 1s no doubt very silly To stay out In all this chilly Ivening mist hesltating q e plainly waiting : Klssed, 8t For I iing her So 1 stooped to take possession Of the coveted concession On the spot. But she draws back with discreetness Saying, with tor ting sweetness: “I guess not. Her wi ole manner I8 provoking, Y0, wi I, 1 was only joking, 1 reply She looks penitently vn-lly, As she answers: “What & pity! Bo was L et Oregon Kidoey Tea cures all kidney trous bles. 'Trial size, 25 cents. All druggists, e The intelligent coroner's jury in New Ore leans finds that Andy Howen came to his death by violently colllding with an une padded floor. The future safety of the mauls ing art demands that the floors put on gloves before attacking a professional,