RECORD OF THE RED CROSS ,
Only Humane Society Eitablislied and Sup
ported by International Treaties.
A BALM FORTHE SOLDIER IN WAR
How It OHliuiu a-ll4 KyMeinntlu
OpcintloiisVhiU in Hone In
TlnicHof I'raco In tills
Country.
Talk With Cini-n Itnrlon.
The ear of the whole world \3 \ familiar
tvitli tile name Hud ( ross 'oeiety , and in
times of war Its nets of tomler care of
sick and wounded combatants have
claimed the earnest attention of the
iiumano and tender-hearted In every
corner of Christendom. Nevertheless
there are very few who understand the
workings of this society , its origin , the
ficopo of its operations , or what it does
in time of pence. Tin * visit of Miss
Clara Barton , president of the Hcd Cross
of America , to this city a day or so ago ,
afforded a representative of the HII : : a.
good opportunity of laying before the
public some interesting tacts connected
with the society.
" Itsonlyobject"said tliedistiuguishcd
lady , who organized , and has really
maintained the existence of the lied
Cross In this country , "is the relief of
the Hick and wounded in war. It was
started in 1801 in Geneva , Switzerland ,
by delegates from all nations in the civ
ilized world , and the personelle of this
memorable and historic meeting included
crown-heads , scions of royalty , bends of
governments , military leaders , etc. The
representatives of Amcriqu on this occa
sion wore Mr. Fogg , diplomat at Berlin ,
nnd Mr. Henry Brooks , the well-known
banker of Paris. "
run socnrrv ix AMPIIICA.
"There was no organi/ntion perma
nently effected in the United States until
188U. Tills dilatorlness was caused prin
cipally because the society is founded on
international treaty , and is the only as
sociation for charitable purposes in the
world that is ; also some obstacles were
thrown in the way l y the distance of
this country from the scene of the early
action of the Ued Cross , and on account
of the difference in the languages of the
countries engaged In its operations. I
worked under it in the Franco-Prussian
war , where llio lied Cross did all that
was done for the sick and wounded. IJy
request ot the nations of Europe I laid
betore the government of the United
States the nature of the work , to sco if it
could conscientiously adhere to the
Treaty obligations entered into by
other nations. This was in 1877 ,
and it IOOK tive years before
the United States wheeled into
lino. It was of course a matter that could
not bo rushed into existence , tor an net
of congress w s required changing the
treaty relations ot the country with all
the governments of the world and , more
over , the articles of war relating to the
medical department of the army had to
be radically altered. Finally consent was
obtained and adhesion given to the treaty
under the administration of President
Arthur and the United States was the
thirty-second nation to act under the sav
ing sign of the Ued Cross.
Tin : NATIONAL SOCIETY.
"A national society had been formed in
this country in 1881 such as all nations
may operate according to their local
desires and needs without reference to
outsiders. At the request of the late
1'rcsident Garliold I was made president.
Of course there is a vast difference be
tween the last mentioned association and
the Hcd Cross proper. The latter is
international one nation with all
nations. Wounded or siek soldiers , who
come under the Ued Cross , become noncombatants -
combatants at once , no matter how
inimical they may have been in health.
It neutralizes all the rigors of war. The
unfortunate on both shies of the bloody
contest are taken care of by the Red
Cross as tenderly as if they fought under
the sumo ilag ; all supplies for the sick or
wounded stamped with the Uud Cross
have to bo forwarded to their destination
no matter where found , even in the
cam ] ) of the bitterest enemyno wounded
nor sick man in care of the Ued Cross is
subject to capture , its surgeons must be
ullowed to enter any lines to care for the
ailing even before pcaco is declared ;
wounded men under tills treaty cannot
bo hold as prisoners of war if their side
of the conflict bo able to oaro for thorn ;
no surgeons of the Hcd Cross uro subject
to capture ; it made but one hospital Hag
throughout the whole world where before -
fore there wore as many as the armies of
nations. There are ten articles in this
international treaty creating the Ued
Cross and it must bo under that badge
that the aforesaid amenities nro available.
It was
LITTLE swi rziii.AN : :
that first called upon the nations of the
earth to behave bettor when angry. It
was its government that gave the Red
Cross its sign. Wo could not take her
colors so nobly ami patriotically won
the white cross on a red background.
So , said the nations with one assent , Jot
ns reverse it and use a red cross on a
white ground. Tims the yellow or other
colored lluga wcro taken from all the hos
pitals In civilized countries and the little
insignia of the Hcd Cross adopted for the
protection of the sick and wounded
everywhere. There can bo no mistake
now , no matter how iierco the battle
rages , the Red Cross silences the cannons
aim musketry unit sheathes the sword.
The regular army of the United States
has changed its hospital Hag that was
handed down from the days of the revo
lution. With the mark of the Ued Cross
upon it , a box of supplies can bo sent
from one corner of , the world to thu other
Mifoly , and the sohilor will find a friend
in need , though thousands of miles from
the laud to which ho owes allegiance. "
MISS lIAUTON'b WOUK.
"Something of your personal history ,
Miss Barton , " suggested the reporter ,
"would be of interest to the public. Are
you a native of Washington , whore you
now reside ? "
"Oil , no. I was born In good old Now
Lnjjland , in Worcester county , Massa
chusetts. I know full well that my per
sonal affairs would bo of little moment
to your loaders , and what is more , I do
not cure to speak of myself at all , I wish
I could toll you of the Hcd Cross and
omit the personal pronoun altogether , as
the Hon. James Bluiiiu did in his mem
orable eulogy on Gurllold. In fact , I
would not bo Interviewed at all wore it
not that I know the workings of the Red
Cross are not properly and generally un
derstood , audit is to the press we have to
look for our principal aid. "
"How did you como to bo engaged in
thn work in which you have expended
your largo inheritance and all your time J' '
"Well , I wont to the front with the
Sixth Massachusetts , which , you will re
member , was mobbed in Baltimore. My
lirstwork was in nursing the noor follows
injured nn that occasion , and afterwards
1 nerved during the entire rebellion , I
never was connected with the sanitary
commission because I commenced work
long before it was organized , 1 cannot
njprcss in words the kindness of Presi
dent Lincoln and the high civil and
lalJIurv authorities to mo during the
war. It did not make any difference
wlmt I naked big or little favors they
were granted without the least hesita
tion. 1 could go anywhere , had traua-
port boats and trains at my disposal
whenever I desired them. "
UJ TIMES OK TRACK.
"Miss Barton it would seem that your
society is essentially n war association.
Wo havn very few conflicts in this coun
try. How ilo you work in times of
peace ? "
"I expected you were goinjr to ask
that question. You are right , the United
Slates is not cur-od by a war fever and
1 hope there will he loss in the future
than we have had in the pa l. But in
Kiiropo there Is always a skirmish of
some kind and of course thn Hed Cross
hero alls the Hed Cross llioro , The
fiocielios of Hnropo work only during
war times. There was nothing to hinder
us Ami'riraus doing some irood civil
work , so uu organized an independent
feature of thn Hed Cross in tliis country
to render assistance in cases of dire
calamities , such as plagues , overflows of
rivers , great fevers grasshopper vi ita-
lions , olc. , where the suffering commu
nities have to rely on outside assistance
for food , raiment , shelleranil fuel. There
was no oiganizod system in this country
to meet llin requirements of those calami-
lios. The church and benevolent socie
ties were not strong enough and perhaps
had enough to do in their respective
homo localities. So It wius that the Hed
Cross , being of International existence ,
saw an opportunity to do good work in
timed ef peace. "
rir.i.u orncr.ti Hummi. .
"This is Ihe reason we have u Held offi
cer , whinli position is hold by Dr. Hubbell -
bell , As soon as a calamity is reported
In1 immediately visits the spot nnd makes
n thorough investigation , If there is
really need of assistance and no means
of procuring it near by , ho telegraphs mo
at Washington and I notify all the socie
ties in the country. They liavo never
failed me once in sending money and
supplies , which under llio Hed Cross are
sure to reach their destination The lirst
work the doctor nnd the society did of
this kind was during the Icrriblo forest
( Ires in Michigan in 1881 before the treaty
hail been made. The UcdCrossdldgreat
work at that timo. You remember the
lirst great overflow of the Mississippi in
183J. Wo went the entire length of the
liver with supplies of all kinds. Kvery
auxiliary society in the United States re-
Mionclcd most generously , especially
those in VIeksburg , Memphis and St.
Louis , and the ox tires * and freight offices
were overstocked with goods ot all kinds
sent on a moment's notice to the suffer
ers. In 1883 , when the Ohio overflowed ,
the Hed Cross repeated its good work.
Wo got donations from all quarters as
soon as the exigencies of the case wore
made known. Among llio most liberal
was $10,000 worth of coeds given by Hi
ram Sibloy of llochesler , NV. . ,
lo bo planted when the waters
would subside in districts that had
lost every vestige of a crop. These seeds
were judiciously distributed by Dr. Hubbell -
bell , and hundreds have testified that
their growth to a good harvest saved the
unfortunate section from starvation.
When the next great overflow of the Ohio
occurred 1 determined to go myself and
see what \ wng Jiko , I woyjd not have
realized ine real state or ii ur3 ! Vvei'o I
not on llio scene. It was heartrending.
I telegraphed all the societies to send aid
to the headquarters of the Hod Cross in
Cincinnati , where the water was flowing
into the third-story windows on some of
the streets. As quick as the railroads
could bring supplies wo had them from
all parts of the country really moro
than we needed Wo took a boat , loaded
it , and accompanied by a committee of
kind ladies , went the whole length of the
overflowed district. At that time the war
department was authorized to expend
$150,000 in aiding the sufferers. But only
certain things could DO furnished under
llio law , such as rations , medicine : ind
blankets. The Hed Cross selected just
these things that the government could
not give , and side by .sido the boats pa
trolled the overflowed districts , bringing
sustenance , joy and comfort to thou
sands. "
NO END TO TIIH SUI'I'LIHS.
"For four months this good work was
carried on among the unfortunate of the
Ohio river districts , and the amount of
supplies distributed by the Hod Cross
was over $175,000 , with a grand surplus
remaining in the freight and express
offices at Cincinnati. In fact wo arc still
giving aid to people who su tie red from
these great Hoods. The attention of the
Hod Cross was called to the epidemic in
Virginia a. few years ago , and Dr. Hubbell -
boll was sent to investigate the matter.
He found that the dire visitation was
caused by the faults of the suflbrers , their
utter disregard of sanitary measures ,
etc. He also was thoroughly satisfied that
the community nlllicted was able to
support and aid its own sick nnd suffer
ing , consequently the Rod Cross rendered
no assistance. This is the one great char
itable society in existence that has the
courage to publish to the world the true
state of facts , and to tell the good people
what applicants for assistance do need
and do not need to placard as it wore before
fore the world the worthy and unworthy.
In the Galvcston lire wo did good work
nnd placed on their feet again many suf
ferers. "
sEuvo-norOAniAN WAR.
"One great feature of the Red Cross is
that the pnblie know now the medium
through which to distribute their chari
ties judiciously and with absolute cer
tainty of the money and supplies reach
ing their proper destination. A striking
example of Ibis could bo seen in the
Servo-Bulgarian war. The society in
America aid not take any very active
part , simply distributing the circulars
sent out from Geneva , but many of the
subordinate societies responded promptly
and their donations wore forwarded at
once to the front. For instance , friends
of the Bulgarians in St. Louis wanted to
send $500 to the sick and wounded sol
diers. The Hed Cross was notified , and
the amount aforesaid was cabled to the
field immediately , nnd before sundown
of the day the application was made the
suffering soldiers had the benefit of that
$000 raised by llio good people of St.
Louis. So with the citizens of Now Al
bany. Ind. In consideration of aid wo
had extended them in cases of need they
wanted lo do something for the Hod
Cross in the Bulgarian contest. Mr. Do-
paux , president of the American Plato
Glass company , and the man after whom
Dopaux college is named , telegraphed a
substantial amount of money , $000 , to
our headquarters in Washington , nnd it
reached its destination through the same
channel and just as promptly as the St.
Louis funds. Bankers never make any
charge for exchange or forwarding , but
telegraph and cable companies do.
TIIOSI : UACK OF Tin : itr.n citoss.
"Back of this soointy and ex-olllclo at Its
head in this country are the president ,
the cabinet officers and heads of depart
ments down to the surgeon general.
Should any occasion require it I , as pres
ident of the Hed Cross , have the power
to call these high government officers to
moot for the discussion of ways nnd
means , or any other business of impor
tance in the premises. Should J drop
out of the ollico the president of the
United States becomes the uxeoutivo head
of the Hed Cross , or lie can appoint any
one he deems proper with the approba
tion of the heads of the departments ,
who are its trustees in this country. It Is
in no shape or manner n money making ;
association , Wo have no funds on hand
at any time , and the emergencies are mot
by simply notifying the subordinate so
cieties , who never fail to respond gen
erously. It is not a secret society , but a
grand hunnmo agency. There are very
few subordinate societies in this country.
The first great work was to establish the
government relations , and then to in
struct the people thoroughly in ita work
ings , nnd to accomplish the latter \vO \ de
pend upon the press , "
VATIIKR OK Till : ItKI ) CllOSS.
"Ibo organizer of this grand society ,
and the man who has been the interna
tional president since Its birth is M , Gus
tavo Moynlcr of Geneva , Switzerland ,
Ho possesses immense wealth , nnd with
a few associates , who also ha\c great
fortunes , ho devotes himself entirely to
Hed Cross work. It is really the first
successful step towards "beating the
sword into a plowshare" and silencing
the sounds of war torovcr. The wealth
of the heads of the Hed Cross places
them above all cupidity. There is no
question of their beintr trusted with the
contributions of all the world , anil the
nations want no local representation at
Geneva. "
A SIIOWEK or .irwti.s. :
After leaving Miss Barton many inlor-
pstlug facts in nor lifo were learned from
Dr. Hubbcll and several prominent veter
ans who had known her during the war.
She carries the Iron Cro , which is the
highest insignia of Prussia and was pic-
settled lo her by Ihe emperor'and em
press personally while Miss Uarton was
the guest of their only daughter at
Baden. She also received a cro s of re
membrance from thu grand duke and
duchess of Baden , also n court jewel from
the latter j a court jewel from the queen
of Servln and co tly mementos from al
most all the bends of government in the
world , besides engrossed resolutions , di
plomas , etc. , without end. She is un-
doubtcilly one of the most prominent
characters among American women and
better known in the high places of En-
rope than any of her sex who claim this
country as a home. She has spent much
money in Hed Cross work mid all her
lime , never having received any compen
sation. Wliile establishing national cem
eteries after the war and discovering the
fate of 80.000 missing soldiers she ex
pended over six thousand dollars of her
own money. This congress repaid , but
never another cent lias MIC received from
the government , nor does she ask for any.
It is unuct'cssari to say that she will u ti
leading figure in the national encamp
ment that opens in San Francisco , Tues
day , August 3.
HER HAIR WAS FRIZZED.
But Slic I'osed an a Circassian Iteanty
Two Days Only.
Springfield ( Mass. ) correspondent of
the Boston Globe : A few days ago one
of the Main street stores was rented to
parties who said they wished to open a
( time museum. Satisfactory figures hav
ing been arranged , the proprietors
agreed to rent the store and the goods
were accordingly moved in. The show
was in no way great , but there wcro
monkeys , snakes , birds and several cages
of tropical animals , besides an old hand
organ and a young girl who acted as a
snake charmer and a manufacturer of
wax flowers , a man , the proprietor of the
show who did tricks in magic' , a cannon
ball act and other works on a small stage.
They did a good business and all wont
well until last night , when a young man
named Uardlncr came from Longmoadow
to the police station hero , when ho com
plained that his wife , a pretty plump lit
tle Frenchwoman , had been enticed away
front her homo nnd had joined the dime
luD&oum and that the w-op.notor refused ,
to give up his Wife's clothing and otjie ?
goods which she had leftlhorc. Harding
is a slender-built follow , perhaps twenty-
eight years of age , but so angry was ho
that , fearing that he might do violence to
the mighty canon ball thrower , he wished
to have the aid ol a policeman. Headed
by Officer Evans , the husband and wife
sorrowfully took their way to the dime
museum , whore Ihcy found a stage per
formance in progress. The proprietor at
first refused to have his Miow interrupted
but the olliccr soon softened him and he
hunted up the young woman's luggage.
Ho said , however , that the woman had
como and remained of her own free will ,
and that she had not represented that she
was married.
Mrs. Harding , it seems , had become
tired of the humdrum lifo with her hus
band on the farm in Longmoadow , and
wished to pass before an admiring world
as a Circassian beauty. In proof of this
one side of her head siiowcd'that her hair
hud been beautifully frizzed. The friz
zing had taken four ilays , and Mrs. Hard
ing , under an assumed name , was to have
received $0 a week for her services. Hut
to all this the husband objected , and after
some persuasion the two sorrowfully
started for Longmcadow in a farm wagon
to-day , Mrs. Harding promising to be a
faithful wife in the future.
SAM JONES IN NEW ORLEANS.
The Georgian llcvivnllst Sluices n
Kcinarkablo Impression on u
Reporter.
Now Orleans Times-Democrat : Sum
Jones is a slight man , small in stature ,
sum-faced , a face as sharp as a swift
yacht at the prow , and n nose to second
the impression. Ho has a black jot
moustache , the only hair on liis face a
face worn with work , with a half pensive
determination , retreating brow , jet black
eyebrows , nnd unimimired coat of rather
short , silky-looking hair ; face rather
wedge-shaped , and indicative of going
through things. Ho talks with a naive
egotism , and witli a delicious half con
sciousness of young childhood.
One sees some scones he draws , nnd his
descriptions arc as vivid as pictures on
canvas. His voice nn avers now , ami
pious laughter broatts. but no tears. The
two former seem mechanical. His turns
in thought are nssuddonnndscintillating
as a bright broad Hash of sunlight on
brilliant birdsswings as they turn in
flight and the radiance strikes them.
It is impossible to tire of the pathos ,
anecdote , illustration , imagery , sly
humor , and broadest comicality that
dance on the stream of Ins speech like
the sea at sunrise , crinkling with the
swiftest , multifarious scintillation in the
bright light , with clouds sunlit and radi
ant , helpintr the wonderful effects by ray
ing down their variant elfulgoncios to
variegate the glory.
Ilo unrolls himself like avast panora
ma. Sometimes the pulpit seems like a
circus ring , and then it is transformed ,
In an instant lie is back to drollery again.
What u strange cue ho gives to laughter
by his dry. quaint laugh , ns though ho
wanted to dupe vou into merriment , but
ho does not , for the reporter has to break
out into laughter himself us he takes his
notes.
It is evident that the theatre has lost
one of the best low comedians extant.
His expressions ot low humor are fol
lowed by bits of pathos. One laughs and
cries by turns. Sometimes his black eyes
seem to hcinlilato in his swarthy face
like lirellios In n dark night , and ho grits
Ids teetli and frowns unddrolly scratches
his head , and talks in adrnwliii nasality ,
and jumps around in action , in change
of tone like a well-trained monkey at the
organ grinding of ms master.
Ho says he has talked an hour or more
nnd ought to quit. The audience won
ders If U can bo so. Any dignity BO fur ?
Yd , brief strokes. Decision y Lots of it.
His gesticulation is so free and wide and
sweeping that the minister behind him
dodges to escape the wild-moving swlns
of his arms. Now he tells a plaintive
tale of his father , and the tone simulates
the tear , but the latter is not in thn eye.
Ilia face docs not seem pertinent to such
subject matter. The look that ought to
bo soft and tender is not there. Long
indulgence in the expression of broad
humor seems to have put its seal upon his
lineaments , nnd to have incapacitated
him for the facial flexibilities of tender
mood.
That ho makes everybody laugh Is ap
parent , for it can bo heard. How many
weep at the softer aspects.of his case is
not known , Anyhow , he is the wizard of
the pulpit , and one of the greatest p.roto-
uus of thu tinier in that sacred sphere ,
FINE PICTURES AND PRINTS ,
The OiowtU of Art Study and Art Collec
tions in America ,
SPECIMENS IN THE WEST ,
Notes I-'rom Omaha Collector1 * An
Increasing Demand Tor Hotter
Painting anil llet-
tcr Prints.
The Increasing interest in art nnd the
study of art in the United States has been
one of the mot marked features of our
developing civilization during llio pasl
liltcen years. Like other branches of
collecling and study , only possible where
leisure gives time for careful selection
and wealth means for ils'gratilicatlon , It
has been especially stimulated by the
growth of largo fortunes. The galleries
of the Vanderbllts , SUnvarts , Morgans ,
Wolfes , Walters , Corcorans and Cliig-
horns' , the growth of scarcely two dee-
ados , wcro all llio result of the expendi
tures of princely fortunes. But the
exhibition of 1870 , witli the great loan
colloctionsof New York In that year , gave
nn impetus to the study of pictorial art
and awakened an enthusiasm which made
itself felt throughout the country. Since
that time moro money has been spent for
pictures in the United States , notwith
standing the financial depression , ihan in
the fifty years previous. American art
dealers have scoured the foreign markets
for the masterpieces of French , Spanish
nnd Gorman artists , and the long - neglected
lected American school , which counts
among its brightest lights such geniuses
as Wlntridgo , the Inncsscs , Shirinw ,
Page , the Dellaases , Chase , Moran and
Church , lias found a rising and a slcady
market for its productions.
Possession of Iho best paintings is only
possible for heavy purses , but the en
graver's and llio printer's art , joined to
the use of the photographic camera , now
place faithful reproductions of llio best
work in colors within the reach of all.
There are few individuals or families so
poor that they cannot possess a first-class
line engraving , a meritorious olching or
n photogravure of some artistic master *
picec. In nothing lias there been a
greater advance than in the line of black
and" white art representations. Even our
illustrated magazines show the effects of
the advance and prnt each month illus
trations many of which might well oc
cupy posts of honor in our houses.
The west , and Omalia with the west ,
have felt the impetus of the increased in
terest in art which has swept over the
V'liolu country. H'hoiiQ ' tire geycral collec
tions in Omalia [ which would do oromt (9 (
much larger cities. Perhaps the largest
is Unit of Mr. G. W. Liningor , chiolly
collected by himself when abroad , mid
which shows ral'o taste and discernment
in its selection. The paintings include
several excellent Specimens of the old
masters , with a-nnniber ot line examples
of the modern scliopl.
The house of'Mr. Herman Kounlze is
filled with valuable and beautiful works
of art. The exquisite Lc Brim tapestry
is one of the finest examples of this class
of art work in the , country , and is valued
by its owner at , $8.01)0 ) , a figure which it
would probably readily command , at
public sale in Now York. Mr. Kountzo's
parlors contain in addition a number of
carefully seleeted paintings of the mod
ern school , with many line prints.
Mr. James Woolworth is another of our
citizens with a line sense of artistic ex
cellence and a collection which , though
not largo , is rare , and valuable because
rare. His paintings , though unpreten
tious in size and subjects , are all worthy
of study nnd the work of artists of repu
tation. In line engravings Mr. Woolworth -
worth has one of the most judiciously
selected collections in llio city.
Mr. Popplcton , Judge Savage , D. V.
Barkalow , Airs. Crary , Lewis S. Heed and
J. II. N. Patrick , among a dozen others ,
have devoted time and attention to the
collection of prints. There is a steadily
increasing demand for the best in this
line of artistic productions and art sub
scription works , editions do luxe and
limited editions of illustrated literature
find a steady and growing sale.
Mr. W. F. Parker , of Florence , has
what is perhaps the most varied , as it
certainly is one of the most interesting
art collections in the west. Mr. Parkoi *
has been collecting for years , from the
time when lie studied in Paris and Homo
and traveled over the continent with
artist's knapsack ami Alpineslock. His
home is a veritable curiosity shop , with
the rooms hung in every available inch of
wall space with photographs , engrav
ings , sepia and wash sketches , copies of
old masterpieces in colors , paintings ,
mostly the work of Ins own brush , and
bric-a-brac which ho
carefully arranged - - ,
has plckeii up in his travels. One room
is frescoed with life-size paintings from
the antique mingling with copies of
modern artisls. Another is lined with
photographs , mounted by himself , which
faithfully reproduce the marble master
pieces of the Louvre , the Luxembourg
and the Vatican , while shelf nnd book
cases are filled to overflowing with prints
and etchings , photogravures and photo
graphs of the exhibits of the Salon and
Academies. In llio rear of his house ana
embowered among the ample shade of
llio grounds in which it stands , Mr.
Parker has fitted up a studio , in which ho
sketches at his ease , models In clay when
the ianoy strikes him , or bestows his at
tention upon Jiis camera , in whoso use ho
is one of the best skilled of amateur pho
tographers in the west.
There are n score of other homes in
Omalia whoso occupants , while they do
not claim the title of connoisseurs or col
lectors , are possessed of a judgment
which knows the host when they see
it , and pocket-books which , though not
heavy , open not. " reluctantly at moderate
bargains in unpretentious works of art.
This , after all , is the class which leavens
a community artisOcallv , because they
mingle with a greater number and which
may bo looked to to stimulate a demand
for something bijitur than the trash of
glaring uhromos , wretched lithographs ,
and the product of worn out plates with
which the markets nVo Hooded.
at a Bride.
Atlanta Constitution : The custom of
throwing nn old shob'aftor ' a newly mar
ried couple come/ ; from the ancient
Jewish custom handing \ a siioo to n
purchaser ot Innd'oii ' the completion of a
contract ( vide Huth , iv. , 7) ) . Parents ulso
gave a shoo to the husband on a
daughter's marriage in token of yielding
up their authority , Urquliart , in his
"Pillars of Hercules , " states ; "At a
Jewish marriage I was standing by the
bridegroom when the bride entered , As
she crossed the threshold ho stooped and
struck her with the heal of a shoo on the
nape of the nook , I at once saw the in
terpretation of thii passage of scripture
respecting the transfer of the shoe to
another m case the brother-in-law did
not exorcise- his privilege. The slipper
in the east , being taken off indoors , is at
hand to administer correction , and is
here used to .signify obedience of the
wife and the supremacy of the husband.
The Highland custom is to strike forgood
hick , as they say , with an old shoo. Little
do they suspect the meai " r implied , "
THE
-WILL OPEN AT-
502 , 504 , 506 and 508 , South 13th Street ,
-WITH A COMPLETE LINE OPT -
T OOD
Jewelry and Fansy Goods ,
NOTIONS , CROCKERY ,
Cloaks , Blankets & Comforters , Glassware , Woodeiiware , Tinware
504,506 , and 508 S , 3th Si.
. "HELLO , TDERE , CENTRAL ! "
Something About Telephone Girls and Vfliat
They Do.
The Mysteries of TSielr "Work The
Apparatus ? Their Trials and Trib
ulations Facts and Fig
ures or Interest ,
The Telephone Girls.
An unsophisticated stranger , stepping
into the central telephone exchange , in
the second story , northwest corner Fif
teenth and Farnam , would , on first im
pression , be apt to believe that ho had
wandered into a female lunatic asylum ,
whoso inmates amused themselves by
shouting numbers at each other and
sticking little pegs into a big board full
of small holes. Later on , however , ho
would probably repent the nngallant
turn of his thoughts , when lie learned
that the institution was the "central
oftico" and that the young ladies were
telephone operators. *
There is no class of beings who work
harder , and at the same time nro less ap
preciated , than the telephone girls. They
are at their post of duty early and late ,
and while they do worlc , have scarcely a
moment's rest. Yet the arduous charac
ter of their work is not appreciated , and
if a subscriber over thinks of thorn , it is
only to anathematize them for notattond-
ing to his calls quickly enough to suit
him.
There are cloven telephone girls in the
local exchange , including u head oper
ator and a night operator. In addition
to this , there is one young man who helps
during the noon hour and after supper.
There are rarely moro than six or seven
working i't the same time , the others
being held in reserve for relief duty.
To fully describe the apparatus manip
ulated by these young ladies would , in an
article of limited scope , bo impossible.
Hut a general idea of it can easily bo
given , The wires centra from all parts
of the city in the tower on top of the ex
change , and pass thence to an instrument
known as an answering board , at which
a young iady stands witli her ear to a
"phono. " The moment u subscriber rings
liis boll and calls for a number , n small
valve on the answering board , showing
the number of Ins telephone , drops open.
The operator at the answering board re-
pouts the number calling and the number
called , and the connection is made by a
girl standing at the "switch board , " with
which all the wires are connected. The
switeii board is full of little holes , num
bered to correspond with the differ
ent wires which enter there , and con
nection is easily established by moans of
pins , which are attached to wires center
ing in what is known as the connecting
rod. By this means the electrical con
nection is established and the two
"i > honcs" are placed in communication.
The disconnecting is done by two young
ladies sitting at what is known as the
"clearing board , " who watch until the
subscribers arn through talking , and then
by moans of a delicate contrivance "break
the circuit. " TIKI whole apparatus is an
interesting and intricate one , worthy ,
certainly , of more extended mention , did
space permit. Mr. K , U. Smith , a gentle
man of lone experience and sharp busi
ness tact , is otlicp manager of the ex
change , and occasionally when the fora >
is short turns in and "makes connections"
himself.
The "calls" for suburban towns are an
swered at an instrument upart from the
others , which is in charge of a young
lady especially detailed for that duty.
The average working duy of the telephone -
phone girls is one of eight hours. Some
times she docs not work BO long as this ,
while at others bhu is compelled to work
longer occasionally ton or twelve hours
a duv , UQCU or twicer u week slip has a
"half-day" oft' ; every eighth Sunday she
is assigned to do a halt-day's work , and
on the Sunday following , a full day's
work. So that , on the whole , the length
of her average working day is not ex
cessive.
The telephone girl possesses many vir
tues and but few faults. She must be
( juiek to think and equally quick to act
Those are the primary essentials of a
good operator. A girl may possess in-
tclliucnco in n high degree , but it will
avail her nothing if she bo not 'rapid in
thought and action. She must bo able to
catch the subscriber's call on the instant ,
and place liis wire in connection with the
"phone" lie desires to talk witli , and that ,
too , without hesitation or error. She
must bo cool-headed and clear , without a
liability to lose her self-possession amid
the volley of calls which at times pour in
upon her.
Above all the telephone girl must , and
with rare exceptions does , possess the pa
tience of Job. A subscriber may lese his
temper and occasionally say hard things ;
but the young lady at the other end of
the wire must sit calm and unnillled at
the operating board , and answer his testy
call for 10,71'J or some other number.
Occasionally , however , she will forgot
herself and say in tones slightly tinged
with acerbity : 'Mil , I do wish you would
take oft'that push-button "
your linger - ,
or111 , will you ever remember what I
tell you about ringing that bell ? " or "For
gracious sake-111 , can't you hold on a
miiiutov" But the calm is only temporarily
rily disturbed , and a , moment or two
afterwards she is again lost in a sweet
resignation to her duties.
But though the tulophoncgirl is an incar
nation of many excellencies of charac
ter , and in many respects far superior to
her sisters in other avocations , .sho docs
not receive a princely salary. The best
paid girl in the local exchange is the head
operator , who receives $50 a month.
1'rom this lignro salaries are graded down
to $20 a month , at which salary the be
ginner starts. The operator of fair abil
ity and average experience receives from
ifSO tot10 n month. The head operator
has been in the service five years , anil
during that period has repented "hollo"
moro than two million times. Some of
the other girls have been in the exchange
nearly ns long , while others are compara
tive novices.
The beginner at the business has a hard
row to hoc. As already noted , she starts
in at $20 a month , Sho' is placed by the
side of nn old hand , who initiates her into
the mysteries of the "switch board , "
"answering board" and "clearing-oil"
board. " For the first throe or four weeks
she is voted both by subscribers and her
associates , "more bother than she is
worth. " She is clumsy , forgetful , and
very apt to Jose her head at the most
critical moments. But gradually all this
is remedied by practice ; she acquires ox-
porlence , tact and deftness , and before
two months have passed away , is no
longer considered a "grcon hand. "
Owing to the fact that many of the girls
boeoma thoroughly worn out by the
arduous labor , or retire to seek exchange
of work , now additions to the force are
constantly being made ,
Important Omission.
Washington Test ; "drover , slop hero
for a moment , please , "
"Yet. dear , what is it ? "
"Grover , did you wrltn that letter to
Albany that one right there , that my
linger is on ? "
"Yes , darling , ha ! hal pretty well
turned , dontyon think so ? "
"Have they printed it just exactly as
you wrote it , braver ! Just look It over
carotully , "
"Why , yes , dearest 1 thought it would
please 'cmyes , that's Just as 1 wrote it ,
Jove wliyi"
"Well , Grover , it remarks ; 'In present
surroundings and all that the future may
have In store I must rotor to the time 1
lived in Albany as the happiest period of
my life.1 Is that as you % vrote it ? "
"Certainly that isdidn't they put it
out -hang 'cmI limy loft that oil'l I added ,
'excepting the inst six or seven weeks. ' "
"Aro you pur-foct-ly su r you added
tlml , Mr. Cleveland ! Very well ; I will
formvu you , then. "
Tlio Magnificent Bequest of a Mil
lionaire IMIlmalcnr.
Few Americans realize the progress
whieli is being made in the cause of
higher education for women in other
countries than the United States. A
recent issue of the Illustrated London
News certainly surprised many persons
in this country by describing and illus
trating the magnificent college for
women which was opened the last day of
Juno by Queen Victoria at Eyhinn , near
London. The noble proportions and
striking beauty of the buildings , as pic
tured , were enough tooxcito lliocuriosily
of thu moat casual reader , and Ins interest
was curtain to deepen on further investi
gation. The college has been Greeted
with funds bequeathed by Thomas Hollo-
way , the Englishman who made a great
fortune in pills. In 1870 a line tract of
ninety-live uorns , kiiown as Mount Leo ,
was purchased : it Kghain , and since then
the princely sum ot § 3,000,000 has been
expended in improvements. The main
building is 550 foot long and 070 feet
wido.o ontaining nearly 1,000 rooms , and
is constructed in an elegant and substan
tial manner. There are pictures worth
$4.1iOOOJ in the reception room , and the
college has a line museum , a lecture-
room and theatre , a library , gymnasium ,
cliappcl , and all the appointments of
a model institution ot its kind.
The buildings are lijrhtod throughout with
incandescent electric lamps , and all sup
plies are convoyed from the public road ,
half a mile distant , by an underground
tramway. After the lavish expenditures
which have been made there remains of
Mr. IIolloway'B bequest $1,000,000 , for the
endowment and further equipment of the
college. This magnificent institution is
to be conducted on a strictly nonsectarian
rian but religious basis. Its founder has
done Ins utmost to insure its manage
ment upon broad and liberal Hues , and
the "Iloyal Hollowuy college for women"
ought to have treat usefulness and fame ,
Its opening marks a jjicat stride forward
iij the cause of Inglmr education for
women , and all lovers of progress and
truth can take pride in the noble monument
ment of the British plllmaker.
Pay or I'aua.
Newark Call : There isagenoral Inter
change of passes among railroad men ,
and the president and vice-president of
the Pennsylvania railroad have pusses
all over the country President Roberta
is a very strict man. One very stormy
day in winter he got on the New York
division and took a seat in the middle
car. The conductor know him , ns wo nil
do , and when ho passed him the presi
dent siinply'nodded. Jt was a catch , and
Roberts was only trying to see if his mini
would break the rules and not make him
show Ins pass. The conductor full into
the trap. When lie passed through thu
train again Hobnrts arose from his sent ,
and , tupping him on the shoulder , suld :
"hoe hero , you have not soon my pass. "
"No , sir , " fullered the conductor ,
"but but I know who yon nro "
"That makes no dilloroneo , " retorted
Roberts with a frown , "tho rules are made
to bo obeyed and not to be broken. The
rules laid down for your guidance say
that any passontror who has neither u
ticket nor a puss must pay Ids faro or
else you must eject him from the train. "
"I know it , " replied the conductor
but "
"No 'butb , ' Now you may fjo. "
"I haven't seeuyour pass yet , though , "
demurely remarked the tiokcl-punclicr ,
wishing to demonstrate the thoroughness
of the lesson.
"That's right , " nfpliud Hoburts , ap
provingly ; "make no difference between
the procident of the road and the poorest
passenger. "
Ho reached in his inside cor.t pocket
and then into his vest pockets. Ills face
grow rod and he fumbled around his hip
pockets. The conductor grinned. Hob-
ens' sullow complexion grow palnr and
then redder , Ho went through his pockatd
ugaln , but no passes. Thu coiuluetor'a
smile grow more Rxpunsivo.
"Humph ! " exclaimed the president.
"Singular ! Just stop us yon pus * this
way again. "
The conductor stopped , and the presi
dent dryly handed him u live-dollar Dili
mid told him to take out .the tare. He Lnd.
Ictt his book of pusses at nib ollico.
