The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, February 7, 1897, Page 19

JURTe THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7 19 % 10 Montgomery street,” the mantle of prophecy had fallen upon the shoul- of some one who had described to his iates the San Francisco of the pres- ent time, that prophet would nave bee indeed, *'without honer in his own coun- try,” since no one would have believed him. That the growth of our City in a material | way has been phenomenal all acknowl- edge, but the facts concerning its growth in other directions are not so well known. | It bas been rather of a fad with some of | our Eastern friends, and, indeed, with | some of our own people, to speak some- wuat slightingly of our attainments in artistic, literary and mausical lines; but those who are in touch with the inner life of our best circles know that this is uD- merited. In no way is our City’s progress more clearly shown than by s glance at the list of our women’s clubs. There is certainly { F, in the days when the water came up 1o City in the world of San Francisco's b surpasses us in the number, ciency of our women’s or- not including the and purely social so- over a hundred literary, political, be- nal associations positions and do veral lines. ne Century, Soro- i Philomath are the widely known. The he palm of seniority, zed eleven years ago. It 1ip of 100, 1s dis- T i its aims and counts s members, past and present, | se most talented and accom- | f our San Francisco ladies. rg, president of the so- t two years, has by her | e specially endeared herself to | members, while she hes done | nce their interests. Mrs. a native of Mobile, Ala., and ed ata convent at Cape Girar- | Coming to Francisco with her ts while still a young cirl, she made rly and very happy marrisge and for was absorbed in home and so- ng little time to anything e charitable work in which she interested, and ng special articles to the Ingle- s ogress, California Magazine and other publications. Three years ago Mrs, Lowenberg founded | the Philomatn, which is noted as being | one of the weslthiest, most exclusive and most snccessful of our women’s organiza- , and which expends its ample funds most liberally in securing eminent »eukers, writers, musicians and arusts to add to the interest of those meetings which are not devoted solely to sell- development. Mrs. Lowenberg is a slender, dark-eyed iady with a bright complexion and a charming manner. Almost fragile in ap- pesrance she does an immense amount of work, as she is not only president of the two clubs mentioned but is also one of the managers of several charitable or- ganizations and is indefatigable in dis- charging the many duties devolving upon her. | The Century, long known as ‘“the” woman's club of San Francisco, is only a year younger than the Laurel Hall. Mrs. | Pncebe Hearst was its first president, and it was her generosity as well as her tact ! and general loveliness of character which laid the firm foundation upon which the club has built so wisely and so well. A clause in the constitution forbidding the seeming seeking of notoriety in any | way has raised somewhat of a barrier be- tween this association and the outside world, but the privilege of membership has been discriminately bestowed upon over 200 ladies, and prosperity and har- mony have characterized each year of its existence. s. P. B. Cornwall, who is president | this year, is a fitting representative of the | broad culture, refinement and gentle cour- | esy characteristic of its members. Mrs. Cornwall has been in California since 0d .and is certainly one of our most charming adopted daughters. is exceptional, attending to her social duties, e many, and to the requirements sition in tbe Century Club, she, ng secretary of the San dies’ Protection and Relief nds to the entire correspond- | bedy, which has under its | )0 children. The Sorosis Club, organized in 1893 with twelve members, has now 115 on its roster. iation is built on practically the | the New York club of which | ke, and has achieved much | during its four years’ existence. | W. B. Carr is president, Mrs. Irving having retired alter two terms of . rs. Carr is a Massachusetts | woman born and bred, but her married | life has been spent in California, where sbe has endeared herself to an exception- aliy large circle of Iriends. She is a lady | at executive ability and was one of | organizers of the club, concerning | ich she felt aspecial interest because of | the fact that two of her aunts are promi- | members of the parent organization York Pacific Coast Women’s Press Asso- ciation, now in its seventh year of exist- ence, has been exceptionally fortunate in presidents. Mrs. Nellie Blessing er, widely kunown philanthropist, teacher and author; Mrs. Emily Browne Powell, one of our few true poets and a graceful prose writer as well; Mrs. C. P. Stetson, famed for brilliant speech and versatile pen, and Mrs. Ada Van Pelt successful editor and lecturer, have each filled that prominent and responsible position and fillea it well, The present occupant of the chair is Mrs. P. T. Dickinson, wife of Colonel Dickinson of Alameda, a lady who has won distinction in many different lines of literary work, and whose gracious dignity, | fine tact and charming versonality par. | ticularly fit her to perform the duties of her office. | Mrs. Dickinson, better known to the reading public by her pen-name, Hester A. Benedict, comes from Massachusetts | stock on the paternal side, although she | is a native of Portage County, Ohio. Her father, Harvey Baldwin, was an enter- prising and successful business man, and r mother, a beautiful Kentuckian, was among the first of American women writers ana contributed for many years to both the religious and secular press. Mrs. Baldwin, who has reached the age of 83, lives in “Cleveland, Obio, and in her happy o'd age can realize that she has - built for her-eif two enduring monuments, since the Baldwin chapel and Baldwin hospital, in Korea, were both founded by her. Mrs. Dickinson's first poem was a quatrain, written at the age of 7, and she declares that to its kindly reception of gr the | phia and New York papers. In No Way Is the Progress of Our Western Metropolis More Clearly Shown Than by a Glance at the List of Our Women’s Organizations quent successful literary career. At 16 | che “'saw herself in print” for the first | time, and thenceforward. contributed poems, specials and stories to Philadel- In 1871 Mrs. Dickinson published Vesta,” a volume of poems which wa Y £ S ADAME L A SORBIER b PRES wWE &SV | by ber gifted mother sho owes her subse- | in Philadelphia, was Mrs. Dickinson's | first husband, and one of the great sor- | rows of her life was the loss of a lovely tittle daughter born of this union. Her | marriage to Colonel Dickinson was fol- lowed, in deferencs to her husband’s wishes, by a long period of literary idle- ness, but latterly she has overcoms his JAND C 5 ‘ %Enfiswgrh\ R ONORESS /ASSS - two years was president of the Century Club. dent of | Woman's Congre: | lent societies. features in both papers. Among the many publications to which sheis at present contributing prose and | verse are Lippincott's Magazine, Home Journal, Golden Age, Cuildren’s Hour, Saturday Night, Brooklyn Independent, Burlington Hawkeye and the leading dailies. Mrs. John F. Swift is a woman who has generously given much of herself to pub- liclife. Born and educated in New York, | she spent & numbver of years in Japan, to | which country her husband was United States Minister, but since returning to San Francisco she has become a leading spirit in all movements tending to better the condition of women. She has beeu called, most appropriately, “a sister of women.” Clear-headed, firm and practical, she is yet sympathetic, un- seltish and warm-hearted, and wins for nerself the affection as well as the hearty co-operation of her associates. | For three years Mrs. Swift was president | of the Woman’s Exchange, of which Mrs. | John Curry 1s now head, and for the past \fl “'|‘ W\ Lba SUFFRA At the present time she is presi- the State Suffrace and the | s associations, and fills | both positions with grace and dignity. Her private charities are extensive, and she is an active memberof several benevo- Mme. Louise A. Sorbier is filling her fifth term as president of the Woman's | Educational ang Industrial Union, an as- | sociation which helps women to help | themselves. > Mme. Sorbier was born in Paris, but came to this City with her parents when a little child, and was educated here, partly in a conyent and partly by private tutors. Meeting with reverses of fortune in 1877 | she went bravely to work to support her- | exceptionally well received, and two years | objections and taken up her pen again. | self and three children and soon devel- later went to New York, where she be came a prominent member of one of the | most brilliant literary coteries of that | city. Durinz her stay there she took a | course of dramatic training, and subse- | quently gave a very popular series of read- ings in our large cities. Harmon Benedict, for many years man- | | ager of the T. 8. Arthur Publishing House ! warmly praised even by ususlly severe critics, and is meeting with a large sale. During a vear's residence in Japan Mrs. Dickinson was special correspondent for | the New York Mail and Express and the St. Paul Daily Globe, and her keen ob- servation, quick perceptions and felicity ciation, and is president of the First Equality Club of the Thirty-ninth Dis- trict. 1 There are three chapters of the Daugh- | ters of the Revolution in San Francisco and Mrs. Henry Wetherbee, four of whose ancestors—Captain Amasa Mills, David Merrill, Eli Lewis and Dr. Ssmuel Rich- | gl MRS HENDYMET{iSRBEE. RES. SEQUOI%A CHAPTER D.O-R = ards—helped fight the battles of our coun- | of an exceptionally winning and g | “Fagots,”” her 1atest volume of poems, is | oped into a practical and shrewd business | try in those stormy days, is regent of the | presence, Mrs. Wetherbee is truly “‘well- prominent in the highest musical circles, and has devoted much time and attention to “the divine art of melody.’" Mrs. Wetherbee was one of the organ- izers of the Ladies’ Relief dociety of Oak- land and also of the Women’s Exchange of this City, of which society she is vice- | president. Unselfish in disposition and ous woman, making investments of her busi- | original or Sequoia chapter, which was | beloved” by all who know her, and her ness profits which enabled her some y since to retire on an assured income. Mme. Sorbier has been s ars | founded in 1890. | Mrs. Wetherbee is a native of Connecti- charity is as wide as 1t is unostentatious. One of the youngest of our really suc- eflicient officer | cut and came as a bride to California to | cessful women’s clubs is the Women's | of the French Beaevolent Society, St. Vin- | reign over one of the most artistically ele- | Federation, which was organized a little | centde Paul Society, Woman's Congress | gant homes of the coast. Gified with un- | over two years ago, and is composed of | Association, State Suffrage Association | usual mausical talent and a fine soprano | delegates from such of our various of expression made her letters special | and the Constitutional Amendment Asso- | voice, she has always been especially | women's socicties as feel specially inter- HOW THE UNWARY ARE FLEEGED AJ SURETHING GAMBLING GAMES 'How Gheating Is Garried on in Some Quarters by the Aid of Ingenious Inventions—Descriptions of a Few of the Most Remarkable Devices for Luring Dollars Into Tricksters' Goffers havitually played with money at % stake, where the element of chance | enters largely into account, there are | probably but few. if any at all, in which there is not practiced a greatdeal of fraud. The sleight-of-hand performances of those slippery-fingered zentlemen, who have such faculties for dealing *pat” hands are be- wildering in the extreme to those unaccus- tomed to such maneuvers, and to the un- initiated the tricks of a loaded die are as- tonishing. But the game-loving public has been 30 often cautioned and the known methods of cheating have been so repeatedly exposed that most of those who play to any great extent are more or less familiar with the established codes of crookedness and are perpetually on the alert to detect any attempt on their legiti- mate chances of gain. There are, however, a great many in- genious contrivances for cheating at vari- ous games which differ widely from the ordinary methods of dealing crooked cards, and these devices, got up with mechanical skill and known only to those who employ their agencies, continually deceive the public and defy detection. It would seem, with the ruinous disadvantage to which the players are subject in all percentage games, that the most greedy ‘‘bankers’ would be satisfied to deal ‘“‘square” and there would be no desire nor necessity of committing the wholesale robberies which are so persistently perpetuated with the aid of Yankee ingenuity. 1t is to those who indulgein the *friend- Iy” game of “draw,” who plunge on the “'bank” or tempt fortune on the “wheel”; 1t is to those who travel and accept of the enticing hospitality of fashionable gam- bling-houses that the following description of some devices which have been brought to the writer’s attention may prove inter- esting and instructive and of possible pecuniary advantage to the few to whose wisdom a word is sufficient. Probably the most popular and univer- sal game in America to-day is that of “draw poker,” and there iz so much skill Tequired in playing it successfully that it is usually considered more ofa game of skill than of chance. In California, for l%:\‘ all that great variety of games instance, the laws against games of chance bave been construed by the courts as hay- ing no bearing on “draw poker,” and while such games as ‘“faro” and ‘‘rou- lette”” are generaily suppressed the public poker-rooms are run openly without inter- ference. Itisin this game that crooked cards and false deals are so often resorted to, but it is not generally believed that there exists any mechanical device by which cheating can be carried on in po- ker while a correct “‘deck” 1s used and the dealing is fair. Such a device does exist, however, and its mechanism is so perfect that it can be operated continu- ally to the tremendous advantage of those using it, without, creating the slightest suspicion, and always leaving the *“deck” in proper shape for the closest inspec- tion. This ingenious device is shown in the illustrations of this article, and consists of an ordinary appearing poker-table, which is, however, very different in construction from how an ordirary poker-table should be. In figure 1, a represents the top of the table, covered in the usuzl manner with green cloth and neatly set in the hollow frame. (b) Between the top and the frame, in front of the operator and his confederate, are two slight openings (c) sufficient in width to allow the passage of a card, but not wide enough to be notice- able from the general fitting of the top and frame. Journaled ‘o turn in the cen- ter spindle of the table is arod, d (see fig. 2), at the upper end of which is pivoted a lever (E). This lever is provided near its outer end with a spring clasp (), which will nicely grip and hold a card when in- serted. The lever (¢) is guided by the groove (g) in the inner face of the frame (see figs. 2 and 4), so that the clasp may be brought up just beneath either of the openings (c). At the bottom of the roa (d) is attached an arm (h), which is moved by the feet of the operator, the bottom of the table on his side being opened sufficiently to allow his toes to exiend beneath it. Now if the operator desires a certain card to fill his hand and discovers, by means of a system of signals, that his confederate possesses the same, he first moves the (h), so asto bring the clasp beneath own opening, (¢); then by standing his cards on edge, belween his hands and himself (as is usually done by players in looking at their cards) he gently, with his | Fres thumbs shoves adiscard, through the open- ing and into the clasp; then by moving the arm (k) with his foot he guides the clasp over beneath the other opening and | the discard is brought up into the hand of | his partner, who replaces it with the de- sired card ; the arm (h) is then again moved and the clasp is brought back and the card | taken by the operator. This is all done in much less time than it takes to tell it and without any perceptible movement. It will be seen that by the above means each of the two confederates have the pick of both hands and the cards which both may draw, and as each is dealt five cards at first and is entitled toadraw of five cards they should be able to collect some remarkable hands. Among the ‘“banking” or percentage game in vogue two very popular ones are ‘““faro” and “roulette.” In both of these games cheating is carried on very exten- sively, though “roulette’’ is generally supposed to be run fair. The ‘brace’” game of “faro” has been often exposed, and can usually be de- tected by carefully keeping ‘‘cases” or tally on the cards as they are dealt. But when your cases do not correspond with the cards at the end of a deal it 1s well to | pocket your losses and say nothing, as you will invariably get the worst of any aispute on that score; and then, (0o, you may have made a mistake yourself in tallying. Crooked “faro” dealing is mostly ex- pert manipulation of the cards, which are alvays made especially for the pur- pose, and consists in shuffling so that the dealer retains a knowledge of the re ative positions of some or all of them. Then by dealing two cards instead of one ne can at any time change the order in which they will win or lose. “Roulette” is a more fascinating game than “faro,” and determines the good or ill fortune of the player at every whirl of the wheel. 1t is a pretty sight this re- volving top, with its little ivory ball trav- eling round and round it; and in watch- ing them spin it is hard to conceive how any outside influence can be brought to bear to dictate into which of the thirty- eight small pockets the ball shall subside. But sometimes the bottoms of these pock- lets are made movable, and are skillfully ' attached to a system of levers in such a manner that when the wheel is in motion, and until the ball subsides, any set of lev- ers may be operated to raise the botioms of the corresponding pockets. This pre- vents the ball from entering these particu- lar pockets, and it must of necessity locate in oneof the others. Alsoelectro magnets may be concealed beneath any of the pock- etsand a small piece of iron contained in the ball. Then by connecting the circuit in any convenient manner the ball may be at once precipitated into one of these mag- netic cells. It will be seen that roulette may be thus run so that the player shall never win except by the magznanimity of the “‘banker,” and with wheels carefully con- structed it is impossible to observe the fraud. An extremely ingenious device in this line of trade was got up by an Eastern inventor, and its most peculiar charac- teristic was that it was designed to beat the *‘banker’” instead of the publ It was used in connection with some ex- vensive machines, resembling the tele- graph ‘“ticker,’ These machines gave out promiscuous quotations on wheat and stocks, and the players could bet as they chose—on their rise or fall. Several of these machines were rented to different gambling-houses, and the inventor con- trived the following means to insure him- self against loss of rent through bad-pay customers. In each machine he concealed an elec- tric battery and a magnet, so arranged that by connecting the circuit he could cause certain known quotations to suc- ceed each other. In setting up a machine he would connect the battery to two tacks concealed in the carpet, and when- ever his rent became overdue he would attach a piece of metal to the bottom of the heel of his shoe and then go and stand upon the tacks and play the machine until he hed won the amount of his rent. As he must, of necessity, have been put to considerable trouble in collect ing his rentin tbis roundabout fashion- and money overdue is entitled to interest, it cannot be authoritatively stated that THE FOREMOST WOMENS GLUBS OF SAN FRANGISGO AND JHEIR LEADERS B ested in working ‘‘for the public good." Progressively philanthropic and educas tional bodies are chiefly represented in the association, and the different mittees into which the membershi divided have accomplished much in their several lines. Mrs. Eva E. Bates is president of the federation, a gentle-voiced, unassuming little woman whom nothing short of an unmistakable ‘“‘call” to help bear the burdens and lighten the sorrows of others could have forced into public life. A native of Massachusetts, Mrs. Bates was educated in Boston, where she lived for some years after her marriage, sur- rounded by a congenial circle of friends and fully occupied with the pleasant duties of her home life, her books and the care of her little son. Coming to this City she lived a very quiet and retired life until almost three years since, when she became convinced that there was work waiting for her out- side her own doors. ¥rom that time, although the home has never been neglected, a portion of each day has been devoted to the interests of the poor and friendless. To Mrs. Bates’ New England birth and breeding is due that spirit of sturdy inde- pendence, modified by strict adherence to priaciple, which has enabled her to make a success of undertakings beneath the burden of which weaker natures would faint and fail. 1t is owing in a great degree to the en- thusiastic and untiring efforts of this practical philanthropist that the House of Refu.e for homeless women and children recently established by the federation crystallized from an idea to a reality. The Portia Club, a law club for women founded by that brilliant and successful woman lawyer, Clara S. Foltz, is doing good work under the able leadership of Mrs. Kate F. Willats, who is also grana secretary of the Order of the Eastern Star. The absence from the City of Mrs. Foltz, who is dean of the society, is a matter of regret to its members, but they are doing her credit by their perseverance and ap- plication, and are accomplishing much in a quiet way. FLorENCE PERCY MATHESON. AN ORIGINAL ZOUAVE. An Interesting Sketch of the War Experience of Louis James. A variedly picturesque career has been that of Louis James, the actor. Loais’ parents were anxious about his future, and as in the case of all families had formed plans for his career—plans that all miscarried, by the way. Mrs. James wanted tim to follow the church. Her father was Bishop of Illinois and she had fond areams that her stalwart son should follow in his grandfather’s steps. His father came of a family of lawyers and naturally wanted to see him read law. They were counting without fate—that meddlesome arbiter who spoils so many well-iad plans. While attending sghool in Chicago Lounis met Major Ellsworth, founder of the famous Ellsworth Zouaves, the first company of its kind organized in America and one that was to play quite an im- portant role in the events of its country. Louis was a fine, big fellow for his age, and clean and strong of limb. Naturally the company captivated his imagination and he loved to watch the drills and evo- lutions of this band of athletic ypung men. One day Major Ellsworth told him there was a vacancy in the company, and in- vited him to join. Louis, who bad watched them often and was a natural athlete, soon excelled all his companions in the manual of erms and those athletic practices which distinguished the corps. He was soon the crack drillsman and “show” man of the company. At times war rumors were rife, and the war spirit blazed out. Major Ellsworth took the company for a tour of the country, and its magnificent work, brilliant skirmish drill- ing and general bearing was the means of starting amateur zouave companies from one end of the country to the other. Their lightning execution of the most complicated tactics evoked unfailing en- thusiasm and heiped to foster the war- like spirit which had grasped the Na- tion with a gathering hand. After this tour of the country Louis was. sent on a visit to Binghamton, N. Y., where his father's family lived. His fame as an Ellsworth had preceded him, and he was welcomed by a delegation of young men, who begged him to orgsnmize a zouave company. The first meeting of this band of brave young spirits was held in the town hall, and the city was requisitioned for arms and accouterments. The city could not provide them, but petitioned the Governor of the State for the arms, Before the State was able to recognize the company, Mr. James was compelled to leave to join the Ellsworth Zouaves in Boston, where they were to give a series of arills and exhibitions. Then ne went back home to Chicago. The James Zouaves became the nucleus around which was made up the Forty-seventh New York In- fantry, and in recognition of his work Mr. James was gazetted with the breyet of major. At that time James’ father had removed to Washington, where bis friend, Lincoln, had secured him an office in the Department of Justice. When the Forty- seventh New York Infantry arrived there, Louis, who had not dared tel! his father of his entering the army, donned his regi- mentals and took his place at the head of his regiment. The blow struck the elder James with particular weight. He was passionately fond of his son and seriously opposed to his entering the army. Ha moved all the powers within reach and secured the nuilification of the commis- sion. Louis was equally disappointed, being resolved to serve his country on the bat- tlefield. Soon after thwarted in hisde- termination to join the New York reci- ment in which he bad been gazetted he ran away and enlisted as a privaie in an artillery regiment, also from New York. { He served in this regiment in the Army of the Tennessee, and was afterwara as- signed to the quartermaster's Jepartment of the same corps and stationed in Louis- ville, which was the recruiting headquar- ters for the army. It was here that his love for the stage became the absorbing dream of his life. He had the good for- tune to meet Barney Macauley, then man- ager of the Louisville Theater Stock Com- pany, and the young soldier was one day accepted for small parts in that famous organization, and thus began his stage career. His first public appearance was made in “Mazeppa,” and as he facetiously re. marked recently it was the most vratetul part he ever played, for all he said was, “I thank you, my Lord.” he scrupulously limited himself to taking, the exact amount he should have other. 'wise received. Ex-PLUNGER. il Aol MUY 68x80, fine white blankets $5, worth $8 50. City of Faris. . &