davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-11-12
The COquette.

The coquette, says Punch, is grad
uate in the science of Irritation, has
taken every degree from her alma mater
who is so good mistress of arts that
she no longer needs a tutor, and is COM
petent to manage her own affairs with
out the aid of chaperon. She is a
psychological curiosity-undergoing two
changes before arriving at maturity
from the sunset of the school period she
becomes the chrysatis of the ballroom,
whence she emerges from beneath the
wing of her chaperon to flutter forth the
full grown butterfly, or cOquette. She
has scale of attractions by which she
measures her department toward differ
ent individuals. She can, at a moments
notice, be intensely agreeable, or quietly
repellent. She can smile with one side
of her face upon new conquest, and
frown with the other upon his warning
rival. She knows instinctively the ex-
act moment when to commence a firta-
ton; and, having no passion, no feeling,
can adroitly break off an ineligible one,
even if the wedding liveries have been
ordered. Flattery is her food, and Ca
price her rule of conduct. She may win
our astonishment by her boldness, in
genuity and protean changes of demean-
or-but not our admiration or esteam.
The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-11-12

At the present moment the astrono
mers of the world are gathering in Sc
lected stations i'm the Eastern Hemi-
sphere and the Southern Ocean to observe
the transit of Venus. That planet now
shining so brilliantly in our evening sky,
and very nearly the size of the earth,
will pass directly between ms and the sun,
necessarily casting its shadow toward us.
Being so much smaller than the sun, it
will appear as small, round spot pass
ing across its face. Now, suppose that
in the midst of the transit we should
start, with the speed of light, and travel
directly toward the planet Venus. AS
we approach it, it would apparently
grow larger, covering more and more of
the sun, until finally, when we have
come within somewhat less than mil
lion miles of it, it would appear exactly
large enough to cover the entire face of
the sun. We should then be exactly at
the end of the shadow. Beyond this
point we could see the sun around it (;
beyond this point, it would entirely
eclipse the sun. At the end of the shad-
ow the light which strikes the eye from
one side of the sun just grazes that side
of Venus, while the light which strikes
the eye from the opposite side Of the
planet forms triangle. As light
moves in straight lines, we can rep
resent this upon paper. We draw q
circle to represent the sun. At the
proper distance we draw smaller
circle to represent Venus. Then we
draw straight lines just touching the
edges of the sun and Venus, and the
point where those lines meet will repre-
sent the position Of the eye at the end OF
the shadow,-Cor. Ne,o York Herald.
The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-11-12
The Texan DrOver.

The drover is usually man who has
spent many years of his life under the
cloudless skies of Western Texas, rarely
sleeping beneath roof, and for months
together seeing no human face. At home
he isan easy-going, temperate, decently-
hammered individual, fond of his cattle
and the rude labor of caring for them.
But when he drives his cattle northward
he appears to change his disposition
wholly his honor is sensitive to that ex-
tent that one may hardly address him for
fear of provocation and he looks upon
all vulgar tradesmen, menial manufac-
turers, and starveling agriculturists in
the settlements through which he passes
as his natural prey. His ideal of heroism
is the man who can shoot first his test OF
courage is an unblanched face when re-
volver is pointed at it. Whisky becomes
his constant consolation, and impels him
to dozens of criminal eccentricities which
he could not imagine without its aid.
Yet this same man will blush like child
If girls eyes rest for moment upon
him, and will dof his hat in lady's
presence with grace which the fashion
able gentlemen cannot always initiate
Ncc York Times.
The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-11-12
Bret Harte on COnfucius-.-COnfucius
and the Chinese Classics.
TRANSLATED ny KI.Po TAI.

Chinese Cosmogony.-In the begin
ming of the world, the world was Ktse
Kiang, who died. His blood became
rivers, his bones granite; his hair, trees,
ETC., and finally, the insects which in
tested his body became people.
COnfucius-His Habits.-ln talking
the Master usually put one foot before
the other; when he rested it was generally
on both legs.
If in walking he came upon stone,
he would kick it out of the way; if it
were too heavy he would step over or
around it.
Happening once to kick large stone,
he changed countenance.
The Superior Person wore his clothes
in the ordinary manner, never putting
his shoes upon his head, nor his cap upon
his feet.
He always kept the skirt of his robe,
before and behind, evenly adjusted. He
permitted not unseemly exposures of his
under-garment of linen at any time.
When he met his visitors he rushed
toward them with his arms open like
wings.
His Poetry.-The following was writ
ten in his sixty-ffth year, on leaving
Loo:
"Oh, fain would still look toward Loo,
But this Kwei hill cuts off my view
With his AK will hew
This thcket all through
That obscures the clear prospect OF Loo"
In later years the following was COM
posed by his disciple Shun:
"There once was sage called Confu-
Cius, whose remark were not few;
He said, Il will hew
This blasted hill through
While his friends remarked quietly, Do"
His Ethics.-The Master said Gone
virtue goes great way. In jar of
chow-chow, properly favored with ginger,
even dead mouse is palatable."
On Wau asking him if it were proper
to put dead mice in chow-chow, he re-
Piled, at is the CUSTOM"
When he heard that Chang had be-
headed an entire province, he remarked,
"This is carrying things to an excess"
On being asked his opinion of impale-
ment he replied that " the end did not
justify the means"
Hop Kee asked him how to tell the
superior man. The Master replied,
How, indeed!"
The Duke Shang asked him one day,
"What constitutes the State?" Confu-
cius replied, "The question is asinine."
His Jokes.-One day being handed
two-foot rule, Confucius opened it the
wrong way, whereupon it broke. The
Master said, quietly, that "it was poor
rule that wouldn't work both ways"
Observing that Wau Sing was much
addicted to opium, the Master said
"Filial regard is always beautiful"
"Why?" asked his disciple. "He loves
his poppy" replied the master, changing
countenance.
"Is that nankeen?" asked the great
Mcncius, as he carelessly examined the
robe that enfelded the bosom of the
fair Yau Sing. No." replied the Master,
calmly, "thats Pekin. ."-Nasfs AZ
nldndc.
The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-11-12
Mark Twain's Adventure.

/ got into the cars, took seat in jux-
taposition to a female. The females
face was a perfect life insurance com
pany to her. 1t insured her against ever
getting married to any person except a
blind man. Her mouth looked like a
crack in dried lemon, and there was no
more expression in her face than there is
in cup of cold custard. She appeared as
ifshe had been through one famine and got
two-thirds of the way through another.
She was old enough to be great grand
mother to Mary who had little lamb.
She was chewing prize popcorn, and
carried in her hand yellow rose, while a
band box and cotton umbrella nestled by
her side. / couldn't guess whether she
was on mission of charity or going
West to start saw MILL was full of
curiosity to hear her speak, 80 ! said !:
"The exigencies Of the time required
spection in person who is travel
ing" What3" says she. "The orb
of day shines resplendent in the vault
above" says /. She twisted around un-
easily, and then raised her umbrella and
said: "I don't want any of your Sass
git out I" And did get out.
The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-11-12
MY BOOks.
BY JOHN q. SAKE.

All well love these books of mine,
That stand 80 trinity on their shelves,
With here and there broken line
Fat "quartos" jostling modest "twelves y
curious company, own,
he poorest ranking with their betters;
In ief---a thing almost unknown
pure Democracy---of Letters.
A motley gathering are they;
Some fairly worth their weight In gold
Some just too good to throw away;
Some scarcely worth the place they hold.
Yet while love them one and all,
These friends 80 weak and unobtrusive,
Who never fail to come at call,
Nor III scold them) turn abusive!
III have favorites here and there,
And like monarch pick and choose,
never meet an angry stare
That This take and that refuse;
No discords rise my soul 10 vex,
:, Among these peaceful book-relations,
Nor envious strife Of age or sex
To mar my quiet lucubrations.
And they have still another merit,
Which otherwhere one vainly seeks,
Whatever may be an authors spirit,
He1ever uninpied speaks
And shoula he prove fool or clown,
Unworth the precious time you're spending,
How quickly you can "put him down" /"
Or shut him up" without offendingl
Here---pleasing sight--the t0uchy brood
OF critics from dissensons cease;
And---stranger still i---no more at feud,
Polemics smile, and keep the peace
See! side by side all free from strife
(Save what the heavy page may smother)
The gentle " Christians who, in life
For consciences sake, had burned each other
i call them friends, these quiet books,
And well the title they may claim,
Who always give me cheerful looks
(What living friend has done the same p
And, Tor companionship, how few,
As these, my cronies ever present.
OF all the friends ever knew
Have been SO useful and SO pleasant?
The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-11-12
frightened her greatly; for she, among
the rest had heard the tales ahonf the

frightened her greatly; for she, among
the rest, had heard the tales about thu
devil, and about the company of devils
rushing up out of the sea. But she hat
also heard that there was some one whom
the sick man was waiting to see, and
must see before he could die; and she
did not seem to think il anywise strange
that that one should turn out to be her
self, whom his wife had 80 often fetched
over to the house before. Agnes sister,
told her, too, that one must always try
to do what dying folks wish and that il
she prayed nicely to God, nothing could
do her any harm. She believed this, and
let them dress her to 60.
1t was cold, clear evening, wherein
she could see long dark shadows follow
ing, and hear echoes of the harness bells
sounding far off in the forest; On the
whole, she felt it was rather dreadful, and
she sat saying her prayers, with her hands
folded inside her muff. She did not see
the devil anywhere; neither did she hear
any company of devils rushing up out OF
the sea while she rode along the shore,
but she saw many stars above her, and
light shining straight before her upon the
mountain peak. Up around Botolfs
house all seemed dismally quiet, but the
old peasant woman came out at once and
carried Agnes indoors, took off her
travelling dress and let her warm herself
at the fire. Meanwhile the old woman
told her she need not be anywise afraid
of the sick man, but must just 60 into
him with good courage and say the Lords
Prayer to him. Then, when Agnes got
warm the old woman took her into the
sick room. Botolf lay there with long
beard and hollow eyes, and he gazed at
her intently, but she did not think he
looked dreadful, and she was not afraid.
"Do you forgive me p he whispered.
She supposed she ought to say eyes"
and she said eyes," accordingly.
Then he smiled, and tried to raise him
self in the bed, but his strength failed,
and he remained lying.
She began at once to say the Lords
Prayer; but he made a movement as
though to bid her pause, and pointed to
his breast. So she laid both her hands
there for this is what she thought he
intended her to do; and he directly laid
one of his clammy, ice-cold, bony hands
upon her little warm ones, and then
closed his eyes. When she found he did
notsay anything after she had finished
the prayer, she did not venture to re-
move his hands, but just began to say it
again.
When she had said it for the third
time, the old woman came in, looked, and
said:
"You can leave off now, my dear
he's gone"-Saturday Journal
The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-11-12
SENSE AND NONSENSE.

SOME people complain about their
children being non-observing, but we'd
like to see the child who won't observe
how the family pie is cut and who gets
the biggest piece.-Detroa Free Press
A YOUNG lady in North Carolina re-
quested to be released from her marriage
engagement on the ground that when
she contracted it she believed her lover
ga duck" but has since found him to be
a goose.
Chow is it that you have never kim
died flame i'm any mans heart ?'' asked
rich lady to her portionless niece. 81
suppose, aunt, it is because Pm not
good MATCH" meekly replied the poor
niece.
THE most amusing man in the world
is Frenchman in passion. BY gar,
you call my wife woman three several
times once more, and / will call de watch
house and blow your brains like candle,
by dam !"
A CLERGYMAN recently asked girl
concerning her intended, els he in his
conversation and carriage consistent
ChristianY She replied, "In his con-
versation he is very piOus, but / never
saw him in his carriage"
JOSH BILLINGS says eff yu are going
to Civ man emmy thing Civ it to him
cheerfully, and quick, don't make him
git down on hiz kneeze in front of yu,
and listen to the 10 commandments, and
then give him 8 cents"
THE Hartford Post says this off life
insurance companies had been in busi-
ness in Palestine at the time, wouldn't
Methuselah have been heavy risk--life
policy, for instance, annual premium
from his twentieth to his nine hundred
and sixty-ninth year"
THE charge is now made against Rev.
DIR. Swing by brother clergyman, that
he is simply pantheistic Arion of the
Entychian type, who does not preach the
Apangasmal brilliance of eternal glory"
We had no idea that it was half so bad.
Burn him alive.-Louisvile Commercial.
TWAS sitting beside
My destined bride,
One still sentimental day;
"How long," said i,
"But to make you cry,
And I'D kiss the bright tears away"
Fair Cecily blusb'd,
Her voice was hush'd,
thought she would cry to be sure:
But she isp'd to me,
Pouting prettily,
prevention is better than cure ~
In hospital at Montpelier, France, is
a patient who has just swallowed ther-
mometer left on his table, while suffering
from temporary delirium. They have
great deal of trouble with him now.
When he drinks hot coffee that ther-
mometer flies up against the roof of his
mouth hard enough to lift his hat of,
and when he eats ice-cream it gets down
in his boots and worries his corns.-Mt-
,caukee Sentinel.
The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-11-12

THE other day a Newark, New Jersey,
man who went to his we'll to draw pail
of water, found that it had strong min
eral flavor. A chemist analysed 1t and
found IL to contain excellent medical
properties. The neighbors came in,
drank some, and smacked their lips with
gusto. 1t was big thing, and no mis-
take, said the proprietor. Alas! day
or two later 1t was discovered that one
Of the watts in neighboring patent
leather factory was leaking, and the fel-
lows who had been taking dozen glasses
every morning for their health are now
talking Of bringing suits for damages
against the well-man.
The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-11-12
sHADOws.ON THE WALL.


wrote poem long ago
With such inspired pen
thought had been favored by
The Immortal Nine---or ten.
But the respectful" editor
Thought Il too ripe for use
marked my shadow on the wall,
1t looked quite like goose.
watched my love in dancing swing
The intricacies fine,
But jeal0usly saw her cling
To other arms than mine.
/ saw her sweetly smile on him,
My spirit put on Grape,
And then my shadow on the wall
Looked something like an ape.
/ waited on Dulcina Dobbs
For two or three long years;
At length dared TO tell my love
With many hopes and fears.
She quietly observed, az don't
Think much of you," and sighed
saw my shadow on the wall
Was very donkeyfied.
And when told in trembling words
The fair Amelia Dills
That If she'd promise me her hand
I'd foot her earthly bills,
And found she was engaged to Smith,
felt so very small,
And so oproDortionately slim,
cast no shade ut all.
But when at Polly Jones' feet
l laid my earthly store
An empty pocket-book, some debts,
And promises for more;
al
The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-11-12

YoUNa man, you feel superiority to
the whole human race, as you stand at
the altar with your fair young bride.
You would not change places with the
President. Yet few short years, few
whiskings Of broom handles, an untimely
stoppage or two of waited flat-irons, and
your weary body will rest under the
swaying willow, while some young gal
liant will bring your late afflicted partner
out to the cemetery on calm Sabbath
evenings and whisper love in her ear, as
together they strew peanut shells on
your grave. "Oh why should the spirit
of mortal be proud p
The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-11-12
A HIGHLANDER Mt Sea.

On one occasion Highlander sailed
in the packet from Aberdeen to Granton.
It was the first time that Donald had
been on board ship, and the novel scene
interested him greatly. So long as the
vessel was in smooth water he enjoyed
the sail very much, but ERE long squall
came on, causing the ship to pitch and
roll in manner which to Donald was
very alarming. Irritated by being
bumped about, and suffering, beside,
from certain disagreeable internal sensa-
tions, he made his way to the deck to
find out the cause of the ships bad be-
havior. Arrived there, he was taking a
survey of the scene, when his eye lighted
on the steersman. The latter did not
work by the wheel, but by the old-fash-
ioned, long-handled rudder, and, after
eying his proceeding for minute, the
cloud of wrath on the Highlander's brow
grew black as night. He advanced to-
ward the steersman in a stealthy way,
and the instant he was within reach
knocked him down by blow with his
fist, exclaiming as he did so: "Tak' that,
you villiaz, for kittlin' her tail wi that
stick, and maxim her jumpw
The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-11-12

THE attendance Of Drew Theological
Seminary, New York, (Methodist), Is
about one-third larger than last year.
There are students from all States Of the
Union, and from several European
countries,
The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-11-12

THE Brooklyn Presbytery Is COM
prised of the Presbyterian Churches in
Kings and Richmond counties, and has
under its care fifty-six ministers. twenty
seven churches, and 9,100 members. The
amount of their contributions for the
past year to religious objects was $685.
600.
The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-11-12

COLORADO claims that one-half of its
population consists Of reconstructed in
valids.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-04-17

A lille boy having heard beautiful sto-
ry about little boy and hatchet, and
how, because the little boy wouldn't tell a
lie, he, in time, got to be President OF the
United States, was very much impressed
by II. Now, it 80 happened that the last
day Of March, he was Just ten years old,
and his father asked him what he would
like TO have for birthday present. Very
naturally the boys answer was, "a little
hatchet, If you please, papa"
The father bought him a little hatchet
ed that he actually took II to bed with him.
Early the next morning he got up, Dress
ed himself, took his little hatchet and went
out into the garden. There, as luck would
have 1t, the first thing that caught his eye
was his fathers favorite cherry-tree. "My
eyes ~ exclaimed the little boy TO himself,
"what time my father would make if
fellow were to cut that treer ~ 1t was
wicked thought, for ii led him into tempta-
ton. There was the tree-tall straight and
fair-standing invitingly before him, just
the thing for a sharp little hatchet. And
there was the hatchot, strong, sharp and
shining, just the thing for favorite cher
ry-tree. In another instant the swift
strokes of an axe were heard in the still
morning air, and, before long, small boy
was seen running toward the house. His
father met him at the door.
any boy, what noise was that heard
just now7 Surely you have not been at
my favorite cherry-tree ?"
The boy stood proudly before him, but
with downcast eyes and flushing cheeks.
"Father." he said, "I cannot tell lie.
That cherry-tree is -"
"Say no more" said the father, extend
ing his arms. "You have done wrong my
son, and that was my favorite treo, but you
havo spoken the truth. 1 forgive you. Bet
Ter to -"
This was too much. The boy rushed in
TO his fathers arms.
"Father!' he whispered, april fool! 1
haven't touched the cherry-tree; but 1
most chopped the old applestump TO
pieces"
"You young rascal, you" cried the ia
ther, "do you mean to say you havent
chopped my cherry-tree? April-fool your
old father! will your Take off your coat,
sirv
With a suppressed Sob that little boy
obeyed. Then shutting his eyes, he felt
his fathers hand descend upon his shrink
ing form.
my son." said the father, solemnly, as
he stroked the little shoulder. "It is the
First of April. Go thy ay."-From Jack
in-Me-pulpit, 81 Nicholas for april.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-04-17

Do LEw1s.-Professor Dio Lewis will do
us the justice to confess that we have never
denied that he was a fool, and we do not
now positively deny it. We hope that he is
not an out-and-out fool, as his precedent
public manifestations would lead one 10 in
fer, because he is so mixed up with the very
extraordinary aquarian movement which
now is stopping over the land where some
saving grains of sense are so much needed.
Mr.. Lewis has hitherto been chiefly known
as the apostle of reformed system of dress
and diet, the first based on the principle of
ugliness, and the last on that of emptiness.
good many of that type OF New England
women who wear spectacles and cut their
back hair short have adopted Dio Lewis's
systems of attire and feeding 10 the terror
of their households and their neighbor-
hoods, but they soon famish and pass away.
So the Leuten regiment OF the Doctor does
not bid fair 10 root ont the old-fashioned
New England devotion to flesh pots and
pork and beans. If he had confined him
self TO these chimerical and visionary out
givings we should have had only q word of
regret for the fools who starved themselves
because the Doctor had 4 weak stomach, or
limited their personal embellishments to
flannel petticoats and brogans because the
Doctor was without any sense of the beau
tiful. But he emergeS upon a wide aud
more important apOstleSnlp, ana wants
looking after. We believe he claims to
have Invented prayer as applied to publi-
cans. We have no objection to his assump-
ton of patent on this device, nor upon
his exaclion of a royalty of so much night
for his patent, with his presence and palaver
thrown in but the female aquarians ought
to be permitted to exercise their discretion
as to when and where and under what cir
cumstances they will uplift their voice of
supplication. But the Doctor seems to
think his advice and direction is necessary
on that point. He thinks they should go
''in parties OF FIVE" Sin the forenoon;"
"onen the best way" he says, sis to kneel
in the corner Of the saloon and pray ear
nestly in silence" If on a second visit
they be denied admission, "let them pray
for the proprietor kneeling close by the
door," Our own hope is that the women
who engage in this work will take counsel
of their own good sense and delcacy of
feeling, and not be led into absurdities by
this bumptious, bean-consuming apostle.
Without his intervention the movement
may retain whatever of force or dignity it
has ever possessed, but under his direction
it will. speedily become mark for deris-
ion.-N. Y. World.