Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 102, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 April 1912 — Page 3

Would you rather be robbed by a woman ?

by STERLING HEILIG

5 JMk HOSW who recognize her bolt their bedroom C# HjxJ doors. Then they examine the bolts. _ ■ It is needless; tampering with bolts is , V*“rats’ ” work; and / \ Countess Manola has 1 I abjured all made co-op-V J eration. “Men are poor creatures,” she said,' on quitting the Abbey of Clairvaux in the Ulustrons Valley. “Men are clumsy, noisy, big-mouthed, violent, impulsive, ■without patience, without self-control. If you want trouble, take a man.” None will recognize her In Cairo, Naples, Rome, Vienna, Botzen, St. Moritz, Como, Lugano, Madrid, Tangiers. The severe elegant, intellectual great lady, well on toward middle age, will promenade her melancholy hauteur to only sympathetic and admiring glances. American tourists, beware; death Stalks invisible beside her, mystery, suspicion, loss of Jewels, travelers’ checks, bank notes and letters of credit She can strike at a distance. After she has left a fashionable resort, rich tourists who admired her may wake of a morning, safe in their rooms, and Cnd they are robbed, stripped, destitute. Let them be happy that they wake. The gouine is out and loose again upon the world. The Jirmouichs are jailed and scattered; but the shadowy filocheuse de colls, the “glider in the hallway," has her choir of wicked virgin nymphs to Btay behind and do her ■will, while she moves on, with the new perfume in their hands. By day, they may be English old maids, French blue stockings, plain dressed yet with an air of ease, cold, aloof, yet capable of impulsive kindnesses when touched by friendship lor the rich and inexperienced. They may be pathetic young widows, Russian or Italian, seeking forgetfulness round Casino gambling tables, at concerts, teas, subscription balls and hotel dances, where the most modest tourists flash their diamonds. If an observer, you might be struck by their eyes, the eyes of nyctalops, of great or little animals that see by night, the eyes of mice, mice, mice! The great old mother gouine loved to frequent the Villa des Fleurs at Nloe or the public rooms at Monte Carlo, where fortunes are won in an evening, too late to be banked. She moved from table to table, noting the great winners, smiling as the roulette ball whirled. Then the Countess Manola nods an aristocratic good night, pulls her sables about her, steps into the autolimousine and speeds home to the rich botel. So the haughty English old maids, severe French bluestockings, feverish Italian widows, with their eyes of nyctalops. They lock their bedroom doors and ■wait. The noises cease, the lights go out They doff their frou-frou dinner gowns, however sober, crackling paillettes, tinkling Jet rustling batißte and silk. They dress again, you would say for deep mourning; black stockings, black slippers, black gloves, black skirt and coat of softest wool, and round their heads, covering their faces, covering their mouths and noses, a veil of black mousseline descending below the neck and carefully tied round the shoulders. Is It the Countess Manola? Is it the Honorable Helena? Certainly no; It is gouine who turns out 4 the ■electric light of her bedroom. A feeble light struggles through the transom to the ceiling like a phosphorescence. ■Gliding past the long mirror of the wardrobe, she glances at it and doeb not see herself. Satisfied, she turns up the light Naught Jars in the costume. From her trunk she takes what seems a curling irenof-dull bronzed steel, .only both pincers are convex; and then another with the pincers longer, •similar; and a little instrument with -steel teeth, like a comb, that push bff«ir on slight pressure and spring out again, marvel of mobility and changing forms; and then three slim steel picks, as if for dentists. Each slips into its compartment of a velvet bag, not to tinkle or rattle. Finally, she takes a phial of liquid. She turns out the light again and stands before the mirror. All is dark and silent. Hve minutes pass. ' Ten minutes. Is it Countess Manola? Is it the soft. Sorrowing Marcheea? No. certainly; for she begins to see herself, quite clearly, in the darkness, in the mirror. It is the nyctalop who opens her room door with a ferocious smile—the hotel mouse who glides -down the corridor. / She knows the plan of the hotel. She has picked out three rooms to try —rooms of big winners, rooms of <Mr\ tentatlous tourists sporting diamonds, rooms of heavy spenders, cashing large notes; rooms of modest, solid tourists who have shown travelers' She is before the victim’s room. Most travelers imagine it a safeguard

against pick locks to leave the key sticking In. In truth, It permits the use of the oustiti pincers. Feeling her way delicately with them, the gouine catches the key barrel in a grip of steel —and tranquilly, silently, gently unlocks the door. Footsteps In the corridor? Upright, Immobile, she presses Into the corner, where fall the black shadows. Weary guest or sleepy chambermaid pass and see nothing. Noiselessly she opens the victim’s door, slips in and shutß it Is there a dim night light? She glides to a flickering shadow, listens to the sleeper's breathing. It Is regular; and she glides toward him. She has the phial in her band. Even now, oppressed by alien presence, should wake and struggle to a sitting position, she has time to back out like a filmy blackness, before he collects his thoughts and touches the electric light She wants no struggle. She Is no Jirmouich, armed with stiletto or eelskln sandbag. The gouine has but her phial of liquid, and her ear for rhythmic breathing. Should the victim vaguely wake she will wait in the shadow or the darkness for the sleeping rhythm. Now she is close to him. She has wet one of his towels with liquid from her phial. She holds her head away from it in fear. Even that filtering veil of mousseline might not protect her from the fumes of the new perfume. Now she has him inhaling from the wet towel! Bending over the victim with the vulgar chloroform was the clumsy jirmouich, the male, the hotel rat, always covered h*s mouth with a rubber band, not as self-protection against fumes, but not to wake the sleeper at the critical moment by breathing on his face or neck. Most sleepers are peculiarly sensitive to such a sudden local change of temper ature. The mouse, of lighter breath, had her veil instead of mouth band, and it remained as a pure air breathing Back and partial filter against fumeß when she got the new perfume into her wicked hands. How did the old mother gouine get hold of it? Mystery, some say, of old friendship; other pretend that.a criminal figure called “the mage,” a scientist perverted by a Sadie streak, is cynically making the bad perfume for its adepts, who must be all women in black, who have abjured men, as busbands, brothers, lovers. Its effects are more rapid than chloroform; two Indrawn breaths put the sleeper in a sort of coma. The dampened towel is spread under his chin; and the terrible woman tranquilly collects the valuables. On quitting the room she throws the window open and replaces the towel on the rack. She does not wish the victim to succumb. She dreads the scandal of a death, which very seldom happens. The pare air of the open window revives the stricken one and chases the faint, fragrant fumes away. He awakes In the morning, sunlight beating on his eyeß, and asks himself* astonished, “Now, how did I leave that window wide open?” Is it not better than stiletto or black-jack if you happen to turn in your sleep? Such were the resources

Spendthrift Wife Grilled

A Chi®*® o woman brought suit Igliut her husband tor failure to support her. It was testified that his income wss $291 a month, but even with that he declared she spent money so lavishly that he could not pay be? hin« And it seemed that was the situation, so the judge discharged the husband. There is not much sympathy for a speadthrlftwife. it Is a burden to a man who has are. It Is simply beyond all excuse for i

of the male hotel rats who were scattered or rounded up with Countess Manola and Baron Frandin at Nice in 1908. Previously they had made a trip to Algiers, where a well-known American millionaire went to bed, locked and bolted his door, heard nothing In the night, and awoke bereaved of rings, studs, buttons and chains worth $90,000 and $6,000 cash. In any case, one night at Nice Inspectors Henlc, Benoit and their men smashed In two bedroom doors, flashed lights and discovered Monsieur Bawqr In black tights, a rubber'band over his mouth, stiletto and - eelskln at his belt, filling a black silk sack with Jewels and money. The man they belonged to spored on peacefully. His face looked queerly pink and white. Quickly Benoit pulled the race off— It was a chloroform mask, most reckless and brutal death risk. In a nearby bedroom Frandin pst up a terrific fight, laid out a plain-clothes man with his eelskln (sand hag), jlu-jitsued Henic to a broken arm and almost got away by stabbing, when a hotel porter knocked him down. In his room were found the gang’s utensils. Today the brutal males are still In jail or frightened out of the business. The “King of the Hotel Rats” operating at this moment in Paris seems not to have done a single job In the 1$ fashionable hotels of the American quarter where he made such rich hauls. But as his sublime sneaking utilizes certain mechanical effects of the true jirmouichs, it Is Important to be posted. Besides, the stalwarts will get back to work one of these days. The male rat laughs at bolts. He tries to get a room next to his victim’s. European hotels are built with communicating doors, that any number of rooms may be thrown into a suite. These doors are kept locked and bolted on both sides. Of course, of course. The rat’s first work Is to gimlet tiny peep holes Into a door or partition. If decided to go on the job from what he sees, be unlocks the communicating door when the victim is out, jimmies the inside bolt, injuring it as little as possible, enters, removes the screws, replaces short screw tops, putties, paints the dummy bolt as “shut,” and slips out the room door on the corridor, where a confederate Is on guard to keep the coast clear. In the old days, if the rat could not get an adjoining room he picked the corridor lock In the daytime, when the victim was out, and “fixed” the corridor bolt In the same way, warned by confederates. An accordion was the 'outside signal. Striking up a certain air meant that the victim was returning. Finally, If Interrupted, there was the stiletto —and the jirmouich knew where to strike. Wbuld you not prefer the modern work of ladies? The old gouine and her choir of virgins in black veils seem almost sympathetic, scattering perfume. Yet as you slept the door swung open as the nail heads quit their holes. In slipped the stalwart, garbed In black tights, sandbag and stiletto at his belt To rise in bed meant death. To lie still meant the brutal chloroform mask held tight as you woke struggling to the sound of deep hells ringing in your ears; and then forget fulness—perhaps forever. Bolt your room door today, the hotel mouse will pass you -by. The mouse Is all for gentleness and confidence. A bolted door already means suspicion.

woman to spend $3,000 on a $2,00( salary. There Is nothing that so takes the starch out of a man as to have that kind of a wlfo. It makes a soda* sneak out of him, and be goes abouf with his heed down and Ms face in * half scowL He cannot help it Tin wife can, though, if she cheerfuilj regulates her wants by the size oi his wages. That is a sensible and way, and really the oaQ way to be happy.--Ohio State Journal

SALMON SALAD WORTH TRIAL

Always Good, This Method of Preparation Is Recommended as Better Than Ordinary. Salmon salad, always appetizing ts well made, Is particularly so made by this rule : Remove all skin, bones and other undesirable parts from a pound of canned or cold cooked salmon. Break It with a silver fork Into small pieces. Mix into it the Cut-up yolks of three hard-boiled eggs and a tablespoonful of chopped olives, pickles and capers. Arrange on lettuce and just before serving top with a mound of mayonnaise. This variation of the familiar potato salad, too, will be found specially delicious without any sacrifice of Bubstantiability. Prepare the potatoes as for potato salad, boiling them fresh. Rub a bowl with a slice of onion and mix the potatoes in this bowl with ■some tender nasturtium seeds, a little cut-up cucumber and some finely shredded sweet green pepper. Dress It with a sauce made of rlclfwhlpping cream, combined carefully with lemon juice, salt and white pepper until the cream thickens. Mix with the potar toes and serve on lettuce.

CORNER FOR SAVORY HERBS

No Matter How Small the Garden, These Cooking Requisites Must Have a Place. Every garden, however small, should have a corner for the savory herbs that are so much more savory when gathered fresh for Immediate use, or put up by oneself with no loss of flavor and no admixture of foreign substances. Summer and winter savory are standbys, and are uneqnaled for seasoning pork and lamb, or as stuffing for fowlß. It used to be considered the only possible seasoning for the old-fashioned lamb broth, thickened with rice. Lamb suggests mint, which should surely have a place among the sweet herbs. Sage and thyme are well-known favorites. Parsley Is deservedly popular, as It can be used green or dried, and for garnishing as well as seasoning. Tarragon glxes a pungent relish to vinegar to be used for salad and fish sauces. None of these herbs need take much room, as one or two plants of any variety will give seasoning enough for an entire year.—Woman’s Home Companion.

HOUSEHOLD QUESTIONS

To insure kerosene lamps giving a clear and bright light, boll the Interior parts of the lamp In vinegar and soda at least once In two weeks. When washing oilcloth a tablespoonful of painters’ size added to a pailful of water will give a glossy surface and make It wear much better than when washed In the ordinary way. Skimmed milk and water, with a bit of glue In it, made scalding hot, Is excellent to restore old’ rusty black .crepe; If well squeezed and pulled dry jllke muslin it will look as well as or ( better than new. To clean white enamel furniture remove all dirt marks with a flannel ■dipped in methylated spirits. Then ■wash at once with tepid water, to ’which has been added a little fine oatmeaL Never use soap or soda. _ As a compromise between ironing sheets all over and not ironing them at all fold sheets once lengthwise and twice crosswise, then iron out seledges and the hems, Ironing the outside as you fold them to lay away.

Sunday Supper.

For a luncheon or a Sunday night supper have cold boiled fish ready. Shred it and mix it with chopped cucumbers and radishes, with just a suspicion of onion, and the result is a most appetizing one. When the left-over happens to be a pint of cold boiled Brussels sprouts proceed with them in the following form: Drain thoroughly, sprinkle with chopped onions, olives, walnut meats and capers, using an eqnal portion of each, and two tablespoonfuls of lemon juice. When these ingredients Have been thoroughly mingled add an excellent mayonnaise in generous quantity.

Simple Butter Making.

When you have a small amount of sour cream on hand it may be churn- 1 ed, making a nice little cake of butter. ■■. ~; v-; Place the cream in a deep howl and beat with a Dover egg-beater. In a very short time it will become stiff. Immerse the bowl In a vessel of warm water and collect the small grains of batter Into one large lump. Knead the butter with a spoon until the water Is separated from 1L Mold into a cake ready for use.

Green Pea Broth.

Drain liquor from a can of peas, cook them until very soft, then rnb through a colander. Thicken a quart of milk with a tablespoon 'of floor rubbed into one of butter. Stir the mashed peas into this, boil np once, stirring steadily; season with salt and a teaspoon of sugar and serve.

Tarts.

Soak f or 10 common crackers until real soft, place on a cake rack, put large piece of butter on sack, and bake la oven until real brown. Remove and place a small spoonful of preserves on each. Of course yon can put the cake rack in a baking pea.

FOR WEAR ON STREET TWO HANDSOME DESIGNS FOR WALKING COSTUMES. Dark Green Face Cloth Is the Material Employed for the One on the Left, Navy Serge Suggested for the Other. The first costume pictured is in dark green face cloth and has the skirt made with *a double front, turned back in a revers at the left comer faced with black satin. The Russian coat has a long basque joined to the bodice under a satin band, terminating in a bow at the Bide; the revers, collar and cuffs are also of the satin. The coat is high to the neck and has a stand-up turn-down collar. Hat of black satin, trimmed at side by wings of the same. Materials required: -Six yards cloth 48 inches wide, one yard satin 20

inches wide, six yards silk or satin for lining coat The second would make up well in navy serge; it has the skirt trimmed with a braided piece added at the sides and a panel down front. The semi-fitting coat has wrapped seams to correspond with those on skirt; it is single-breasted and fastens below the collar, which is braided, so also are the pocket flaps and cuffs. Hat of black satin, trimmed at side by. a large button and two quills. Materials required; Five yards serge 46 inches wide, two dozen yards Russia braid, four and one-half yards silk oy satin for lining coat

CLEVER WORK IN IMITATION

How One Woman Got a New Hat, In 4 Height of Btyle, In an Economical Way. An ingenious woman, with the imperative need for remodeling her picture hat in mind, paused before a display of Imported headgear, and, with wistful eyes, took in the detail of one fascinating black and white “creation,”

PLUMES NOT YET DISCARDED

Despite Rumors to the Contrary, They Are to Be More Used Than in Previous Beasons. While one party declares that feathers will not be seen oh hat* for summer, in the opposite camp the plumage of the ostrich is used in more various ways than ever before. The Prince of Wales plume appears in every possible guise. On several small turbans seen in a millinery exhibition last' week a single long slender feather with the peculiar carve that places It ip the Prince of Wales class was caught directly In front on the extreme' edge of the brim, and on larger hats there were cocardes formed of many small feathers, having foe same form. Feather bands are used for bordering hats, especially the tricornes, and usually curl over the edge like a thick, soft binding. One wide hat has a little band under the brim — it is hardly more than half an Inch wide —formed of short ostrich fines caught over a tape, with both ends secured The ostrich tassels, which made their appearance during the winter, have oeased to be a rarity and are seen in more fanciful shapes than formerly—New York Tribune. : !

Light Spreads.

: The heary bedspread ia not the favorite today. A spread of, dimity or other lightweight material not only looks Quito as well hot Is infinitely easier to launder; In fact, washing and ironing one

Fashion's Fancies

which was trimmed with heavy white' silk ribbon, woven with very narrow black velvet stripes. Anything eves approaching the quality of that ribbon or giving the handsome effect of It would be quite beyond the small amount which she would be able to srend on the renovating, but an idea came to her as she stood there, ah# when she returned home she put it. into swift execution. In her box of wide ribbon for girdles and sashes was some of heavy white silk, and among her stores she had laid aside several bunches of the narrowest black velvet ribbon, once used for little collar “dangles," but still in perfectly good condition, needing only to be passed —pile upward—across a fairly warm flatiron. This velvet ribbon she stitched In exact, even rows along the heavy white silk sash-ribbon selected for tho purpose, and the desired trimming for; a very up-to-date and most becoming chapeau was hers without any es penditure whatever.

A convenient handkerchief case Is made from two yards of 6-lnch ribbon, cotton batting and sachet. The ribbon should be of two colors or a figured and plain effect: The strips are overcast together to within five inches from the top. The opposite end is turned in to the depth of ten inches and has a layer of the scented cotfoot slipped between. This double fold Is then overcast to the rest, of the silk to make a 10-inch pocket, leaving a turnover of an Inch of the stitched strip, and the separate points to fold over the pocket like the flap of an envelope. The separate ends of jthe ribbon. ial<* in fine plaits about half way down the end, are cut In a bias line or a point, as preferred. These cases are so qnickly mads that they make excellent gifts at any time.

Skirts are still attached to a slightly high belt, unless It is better to accentuate the waist line for those who* are not slkn and. straight. In a word, to the woman who has increased ins weight nothing will be more becoming than the softly draped surfclice waist, which cannot be surpassed in grace, and a skirt unbroken in length. She can create on this foundation, as her fancy may dictate, a thousand original ideas —panels of lace, bands in lengthwise strips—hut always must: bear in mind that good results are achieved only when, the lines are long and simple. The best-gowned women recognize this unfailing rule, and cleverly adapt the French designs.—HdfpSPb Bazar.

So many of foe Mfiart little taffeta coats accompanying dressy costumes have threequarter sleeves that long silk gloves will be sure to have great popularity this summer. The shops are showing delightfully dainty glovewear in this line — long wristed affairs of champagne colored silk with embroidering in self color, or of white silk with white embroideries or small cameo patterns embroidered in black.

mer hats all hare a rolled or upturned brim, either in front or on tbg| side, and a stunning example of the latter is pictured, taken from a model in black picot straw. Its only deeo-. ration is a rosette of fine -white lafijl placed on the right aide where tha roUed brim is fastened to crown.

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Novel Handkerchief Case.

For Stout Women.

The Long Glove.

STUNNING BLACK HAT.

Bedford Cord for Girls.