davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-06-11

We've comfortable home of our own, my dear
And we're free from worry and care
No more house hunting" nor moving about,
And no merciless landlord comes here.
We've beautiful house of our own, my dear,
With its parlors and chambers so nice,
Its Easements and attic, and room to spare
For grandma, God bless her, for life.
We've nice green yard, all our own, my dear
Where the children can romp and play, -.
And no big ugly boys F" can break Jessie's doll
Nor scare Lizzie's kitten away.
We've garden all planted with truck" my
And a beautiful bed of flowers, :.
Wen have currants, gooseberries, and plums, 1
they bear,
And all this nice homestead is ours.
:, Yes; wen have wet daysand cold, dry days ant
But what care we for sun, wind, or rain,
We've roof Of our own, on this bright little spot
Then let's Danish all sorrow and pain.
We've spare bed or two, II company comes,
And place for Ella and Johnny all right
Also, Anna and James, II they choose to come
With their babies, to stay all night.
We've parlor for Matte and Jen to sit,
II young man should happen to call,
But we'll not be In hurry for that quite yet,
Two lessons are enough--the young rascals--
that's all.
Then let us be happy and gay, my dear,
Nor wrinkle our brows with care;
We've place of our own, and no rent to pay,
No merciless landlord comes here.
The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-06-11
Literary WOrkmen.

There are men who are not geniuses,
regiments and regiments of newspaper
men, for instance, fair scholars, of good
tastes, doing good work every day upon
a certain level, who are never betrayed
for moment into any over-estimate OF
their own abilities, and who are only too
glad to find market for their wares,
without harboring any nonsense about
fame, or any cares for anybody's praise
except that of the gentleman who EN-
ploys them. IF they have good name
in their profession, are regarded in the
trade as skilled workmen, that is suf
ficient for their souls They have a
pride of their own. They like money,
but they would not have Mr.. Tupper's
standing in the business for all the gum
eas which he has received through his
booksellers from a defrauded public.
No amount of praise ever cheats them
for a moment in a delicious dream OF
their own greatness. Gradually they
acquire a great distaste for seeing their
names in print, and are fretful and indig.
nant whenever they happen toxbe puffed
Theirs may not be very elevated de.
partment Of letters, but, upon full con.
sideration, we are inclined to think il
one of the pleasantest and healthiest.
The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-06-11
Under Difficulties.

Those jealous Christians who cannot
believe in the existence of religious
duties outside the walls of church,
may be entertained by the following
story: ga lady called upon the wife of
a stOker, in order to ascertain why she
and her husband did not attend church.
The woman conducted her visitor to the
little kitchen, where her husband sat by
the fire. He had Just come home for half
an hour to have his tea, and was, of
course, in his working clothes, and his face
and hands were of a deep oily black, after
the manner of stokers. " Now, ma'am,"
said the woman, pointing to him, "you
see that there man; we'll that's my hus-
band, and Pm bound to do part by him,
aint Iw "SuIely," said the visitor,
anxious to uphold. the principles of mat
rimony. Every well, then would you
like to know how pass my Sundays?
A washing of he! Never blessed mo-
ment has he to wash himself through the
week, out early and late, and half the
night, too, and blacker nor any crow all
the while. Well, on Sundays it is fitting
and proper that he should look like a
Christian if he can, so he sets me to it
after we eats our breakfast, with a
bucketful of soapsuds and scrubbing
brush, and rub at him, off and on, all
day, till my arms ache, and he amt
much better than he wor; and after tea
l goes at him again, and sluices him
down till you'd think born niger 'ud
come out white; and if you will believe
me, madam, when polishes him of
with dry towel afore he goes to bed, he's
only light brown after alp What
was to be said to such stubborn facts ?
especially when the good woman fin
ished with the unanswerable argument,
$50 you see, ma'am, them as wants to
live religious has best not marry a
stoker."
The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-06-11
A LOngfellOw AnecdOte.

A writer describing visit to Longfel-
low, say: Among the paintings, the
one / observed most keenly was the one
by that poet of the pen, pencil and chisel,
Thomas Buchanan Read, engravings of
which, a few years ago, were as prOfuse
as falling leaves after the first autumnal
frost, and even now are found on many
walls. This picture is the one known as
'Longfellow's Children fault in the
artists drawing, it will be remembered,
giving rise to the belief that one of the
poets children was born without arms.
which belief U had almost said super
stition) of this kind clings to people
somewhat bigoted in adhering to already
formed opinions, Mr.. Longfellow related
an incident of comparatively recent
occurrence, quite as amusing as it was
annoying. His brother poet and most
intimate friend, James Russell Lowell,
was in Mount Auburn horse-car, and
on the opposite seat sat a party of
women, one of whom, sort of chattering
magpie, acting the part of a chaperon,
said, as the car approached the old
Craigie Mansion: This is where Long
fellow lives-the poet you know. Funny
such nice people should have such queer
notions about some things. l should
have thought he'd have wanted to build
new house. But spose it's true that
poets all have crazy spot somewhere in
their heads Then, after pause, during
which some immaterial remark was made
by one of her auditors, she continued +:
what pity that one of his children, a
pretty girl otherwise they say, was born
without arms!' Mr.. Lowell thought
there was good opportunity to stop, in
one circle at least, the current of so
absurd story, and said in his most gen.
tlemanly manner. Il beg your pardon,
madam, but 1 am an intimate friend OF
Mr.. Longfellow's family, and can assure
you there is no truth in the story about
his child I beg your pardon, sir, the
lady retorted, all the clannishness of her
strata of development Transforming her
into human porcupine, beg your
pardon, sir, but / have it from a lady
who had it from Mr.. Longfellow himself.
Then selfsatisfed arrangement oi
drapery and triumphant adjustment OF
her bonnet warned Mr.. Lowell that the
ground was dangerous, and he discreetly
| said no more"
The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-06-11
Preparing for the Future.

One of the most curious facts in human
life is that the average of people spend it
in getting ready to live. We never real
ize how time flies, and, instead of doing
the thing we should most enjoy to-day,
we are getting ready to do something
else in the future. We collect libraries,
meaning to explore their treasures in
some coming days Of leisure. We cut
speeches and lectures out of newspapers,
thinking that we have no time to read
them to-day, but we shall find it, here.
after. We plan the pleasant country
home where we will pass our declining
years and, meantime, solaced by that
anticipation, we work on to the end
among the paved streets and brick walls
of the city.
said the poet; and he hit upon profound
and universal truth. Practically we aci
as If we were sure of an earthly immor-
tality. We say to ourselves, we will have
much goods laid up for many years--and
we 60 on laying them up until suddenly
the end comes, aud we 60 off the stage
leaving our toilsomely accumulated
properties behind us. We will have more
time for our friends, by-and-by,we think
and 80 the ties which bind us to our fel
lows are weakened through our neglect
Life would grow richer II we could live
more in the present, and less in the
future-if we could remember that we
shall never have any more time than to
day; and that what we do not do this
year we are quite likely to leave undont
forever.
The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-06-11
valuing Beauty.

The Persian Ambassador Mira About
Hassan, while he resided in Paris, was an
object of 80 much curiosity that he could
not go out without being surrounded by a
multitude of gazers, and the ladies even
ventured so far as to penetrate his hotel.
On returning one day from a ride he
found his apartment crowded with ladies,
all elegantly dressed, but not all equally
beautiful. Astonishsd at this unexpected
assemblage, he inquired what these Euro
pean odalisques could possible want with
him. The interpreter replied that they
had come to look at his excellency. The
Ambassador was surprised to find himself
an object of curiosity among people who
boast OF having attained the acme of civ
ilization; and was not little offended at
conduct which, in Asia, would have been
considered an unwarrantable breach of
good breeding. He accordingly revenged
himselfby the following little scheme:
The illustrious foreigner affected to be
charmed with the ladies. He looked at
them a tentively, pointing to them with
his finger, and speaking with great ear
ness to his Interpreter, who he was
well aware would be questioned by the
fair visitors, and whom he, therefore, in
structed in the part he was to act.
Accordingly the eldest of the ladies,
who, in spite of her age, probably thought
herself the prettiest of the whole party,
and whose curiosity was particularly ex-
cited, after his excellency had passed
through the suit of rooms, coolly inquired
what had been the object af his examina-
ton.
Madam" replied the interpreter, I
dare not inform yon."
"But wish particularly to know sir !"
Indeed, madam, it is impossible"
Nay, sir, this rererve is vexatious. /
desire to know"
"Ohl since you desire, madam, know
then that his excellency has been valuing
you!'
"Well that's whimsical enough; and
how much may that lady be worth ac-
cording to his estimation p
"A thousand crowns"
And the otherT'
GIVE hundred crowns"
"And that young lady with fair hair T
"Three hundred crowns"
And that brunette?
The same price"
"And that lady who is painted"
"Fifty crowns"
"And pray, sir, what may be worth in
the tariffof his excellency's good grace p
ooh, madam, you must really excuse
me, / beg"
"Come, come, no concealments"
"The prince merely said as he passed
you"
"Well, what did he say ?' inquired the
lady, with great eagerness."
"He said, madam, that he did not
know the small coin of this countryp'
The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-06-11
A Cautious Youth.

A widow lady in Scotland had an only
son. On him she expended much, to
enable him to acquire an education. He
was absent from home for long while,
attending school. Having completed his
course of studies, he returned to his good
old mother.
"Come, john" said she, on the night
of his arriving home, and when they
were about making preparations to retire,
"you've been long time away from me,
my son, and have studied much. Iknow
We are good lad, but have never heard
We pray. Try it, John; for ye surely
must know how, with all the learning ye
have got"
Accordingly John complied made q
long, humble, and, as he supposed, sat
isfactory acknowledgment Of his sins
and general unworthiness, and of his
great Indebtedness to his Maker.
"Well, mother" says John, how did
it suit yep
Pretty well, pretty we'll, john" re-
piled the old lady; "but why didna ye
gle the old dell slap or twor'
Ahp says John, "not /, not / fol
ye know, mither, there's none of US know
whose hands we may sometime fallintoP y
The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-06-11
Sedentary Habits.

A man may be healthy without be-
ing strong, but all health tends more or
less, towards strength, and all disease is
weakness. Now, any one may see in
nature, that things grow big simply by
growing; this growth is constant and
habitual exercise of vital or vegetative
force, and whatever checks or diminishes
the action of this f0rce---say harsh winds
or frost stop the growth and stunt
the production. Let the student, there
fore, bear in mind that sitting on chair,
leaning over desk, poring over book,
body grow. The blood can be made to
flow, and the muscles to play freely only
by exercise; and if that exercise is not
taken, nature will not be mOcked.
Every young student ought to make a
sacred resolution to move about in the
open air at least two hours every day.
If he does not do this, cold feet, the
clogging of the wheel of the internal
parts of the feshy frame, and various
shades of stomachic and cerebral discom-
fort, will not fail in due season 10 inform
him that he has been SHINING against
nature, and, if he does not mend his
courses as bad boy he will certainly be
fogged; for nature is never like some
soft hearted human masters over
merciful in her treatment. But why
should student indulge so much in the
lazy and unhealthy habit of sitting? A
man may think as well standing as sit
ting, Gften little better; and as for
reading, in these days when the most
weighty books may be had cheaply in
the lightest form there is no necessity
why person should be bending his back
and doubling his chest, merely bacause
he happens to have book in his hand.
A man will read play or poem far more
naturally and effectively while walking
up and down the room than when sitting
sleepily in chair. Sitting, in fact, is a
slovenly habit, and ought not to be in
dulged. But when man does sit, OF
must sit, let him at all events sit erect,
with his back to the light, and full,
free projection of the brest. Also, when
studying languages, or reading fine pas
sages of poetry, let him read as much as
possible aloud, practice recommended
by Clemens, of Alexandria, and which
will have the double good effect OF
strengthening that most important vital
element, the lungs, and training the eal
to the perception of vocal distinctions, SC
stupidity neglected in many of our public
schools. There is, in fact, no necessary
connection, in most cases. between the
knowledge which astudent is anxious tt
acquire and the sedentary habits which
students are apt to cultivate.
The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-06-11
Accomplishments.

So-called accomplishments are sort of
mansard roof clapped on the sounder
structure of the average English educa-
tiOn. Why they are thus denominated,
when in the possession of them so little
is really accomplished, it is difficult to
determine. Their material is generally
as unsubstantial as that of the thing to
which they have been compared, and,
subjected to the fiery tests of life and ex-
perience, they are almost as readily de-
stroyed. The requirement of little
knowledge of music, certain rules of
drawing, the process of mixing colOrs,
and few foreign phrases, are oftenest the
result of much misapplied industry. If
music, drawing and painting were studied
becoming thoroughly proficient in them,
good, practical stead, then the time de-
stead of being mental fOlfols in which to
deck their ill-clothed minds in public,
these attainments would be of deep and
lasting satisfaction to their possessors,
even though not put to any severer trial.
Few girls care enough for music and
drawing to pursue them after being freed
from the restraint of masters, and many
would never begin such study were it not
for the ambition of parents, guided by a
society that demands all girls to be
nodded after one model. This idea is so
obviously impossible as to be absurd
Countless good gardeners, milliners, dress
makers, hOusekeepers, have been spoiled in
poor piano-players, simply because knowl-
edge of the piano was considered an ele-
CANT acquisition; while an understand
ing of the other things was regarded as
something that only necessity should re-
quire. The hours of strumming on un-
responsive instruments (unresponsive be-
cause touched by no sympathetic fingers),
which, otherwise employed, might have
made capital cooks, are incalculable.
The original design Yas good-to en-
able women to impart pleasure and i'm
provement to themselves and others; but
it signally fails. Seldom are girls willing
to play, or exhibit the work Of their pen
Gil to critical ears and eyes; and when
good nature impels them to, what have
they to offer? Ordinarily the merest
smattering--morer repellant to ripe judg-
ment than total ignorance would be.
1t is evident that an acquaintance with
the alphabet Of many branches is not so
great an aid to intellectual improvement,
as being thoroughly versed in one. In
this short life, it is much to know even
one thing we'll. If thoroughly under
stood, everything from steak-broiling to
oratorio-composing, should be considered
an accomplishment.
The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-06-11
Always Lovers.

Married people should treatl leach
other like lovers all their lives--then
they would be happy. Bickering and
quarreling soon break off love affairs
consequently lovers indulge in such only
to very limited extent. But some
people, men and women, both, when
they have once got married, think they
may do just as they please, and it will
make no difference. They make great
mistake. II causes all the differeece in
the world. Women should grow more
devoted andImen more fond after marriage
If they have the slightest idea of being
happy as wives and husbands. It il
losing sight of the fundamental truth
which leads to hundreds of divorces.
Yet, many man will scold his wife who
would never think of breathing n harsh
word to his sweetheart; and many a
wife will be glum and morose on her hus-
bands return who had only smiles and
words of cheer for him when he was her
suitor. How can such people expect To
be happy?
The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-06-11
Mullen's Night In n Tree.

One night last winter young Mullen,
of New Castle, who feared that the young
lady he loved was entertaining an ad-
mirer, determined to climb tree in the
yard, from which he could see into the
sitting-room in the second story, where
the young woman was supposed to be.
Just as he got himself fixed in comfort
able position commanding the window,
some one upon the inside pulled the cur
tain down. Then Mullen made up his
mind to descend. 1t was very dark, but
just as he began to slide down the trunk
Mullen heard dog barking furiously
beneath, and looking down, he saw huge
animal capering about, apparently very
eager to nip Mr.. Mullen's legs.
Then Mullen suddenly climbed up the
tree again, and endeavOred to drive the
dog off; but the more he spoke to the
brute the more it danced around and
barked. Then Mullen came down rs low
as he dared and tried to coax the animal,
but this only made him hop about and
howl more furiously than ever. So it
became apparent that Mullen would have
to spend the night in the tree. He fixed
himself as comfortably as he could in a
crotch of the limbs, and kicked his legs
and moved his arms to keep himself from
freezing to death. Several times, when
he thought the dog was asleep, he at
tempted to descend, but each time the
brute awoke and began to caper about.
By the time daylight arrived Mullen
was so benumed with the cold that he
could hardly use his hands; but as the
sky grew brighter, he leaned over to ex-
anime his prosecutor, and to his amaze
ment he found that it was his own dog,
which unknown to him had followed him
to the tree, and had barked and capered
only to express his delight at the pros
pect of Mullen coming down and going
home. The suddenness with which
Mullen reached the ground is said to
have been remarkable, and the language
used by him bad. He has some Of the
rheumatism which he got on that night
in his bones yet.
The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-06-11

BEER" Hans" said his grandfather,
one day, "take this jug and 90 out and
get me some beer" '"All right, give me
the money" "Oh, it is easy to get beer
with money; the thing is to get 1t with
out money" Hans goes out and soon
retnrns with the jug. His grandfather,
after trying in vain TO get drink, says,
Hans, this jug is empty" $50 much
the better" replied the urchin; "it Is
easy enough to drink beer when the jug
is full; the thing is TO get drink when
1t Is empty"
The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-06-11

"OHl Mary; my heart is breaking"
said an Aberdeen lover to his Highland
Mary. "Is IL, indeed 2 So much the
better for YOU" was her quiet reply
"Why, my idolg Because, Mr.
McSmith, when it's broken, out and out
you can sell the pieces for gun-hints."
The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-06-11
WOmanly Defense OF Dress.

"a Young Lady" writes to New York
paper in defense of the present mode OF
dress adopted by women. She says:
Gall the attacks made upon our dress at
the present time are founded in ignorance.
Years ago our women wore paper shoes
and board corsets. Of course, these
were unhealthy. But nowadays we wear
thick shoes and corsets that are no more
injurious than mems waistcoats. What
nonsense, then, to attack woman's dress
for reasons that have now become Obs0-
lete. / claim that our dress is rational
because it is becoming, and that is the
chief object of woman's dress. We hang
our skirts on our hips, and not on our
shoulders, because our hips are made for
the purpose, and because the plan of
wearing skirts suspended by braces from
the shoulders is impracticable, except for
flat-chested old maids. AS your cores
pondent, Mrs. r. S. has said, our skirts
are so arranged that they keep our bodies
cool, whereas trowsers would produce the
opposite effect. If women were intended
to jump fences and ride astride, there
would be reason for dress REFORM As
they were not intended for any such pur-
pose, insist that their present dress is
just what it should be, both in point of
health and appearance" This young
lady evidently knows what she is talking
about. She wears dresses, and according
ly speaks from experience; while Dio
Lewis doesn't wear dresses, and so merely
speaks from theory. And it is quite
certain that she, like some other young
ladies, is going to wear just what she
pleases anyhow.
The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-06-11

To RESTORE RANCID BUTTER. - Wash
it well, first with good new milk, and
next with cold water. Butyric acid, on
the presence of which rancidity depends,
is freely soluble in fresh milk. Rancid
butter may also be restored by melting in
a warm bath with some fresh burnt and
coarsely powdered animal charcoal (thor.
oughly sifted), and straining through
clean flannel.
The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-06-11

To cure ear-ache put little black
pepper in some cotton, saturate in sweet
oil, and insert in the ear.
The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-06-11
SPEAK GENTLY TO THY WIFE.

Speak gently, kindly to thy wife,
She knows enough Of sorrow;
o, seek not rom each little III
An angry word TO borrow.
The early light Of household love
Has more than golden worth,
Which from her heart one smile OF thine
Can call In beauty forth.
When thou art distant, stern and cold,
And through harsh words Of thine,
Its sunny ray Of gentleness
AT home may never shine.
Upon the heart such cold words fall
And chill loves tender lie;
o! ever, when home trials come,
Speak gently TO thy wife.
Far nobler In life's battle scene
Is he who breasts the storm
With manly courage when abroad,
And loving words at home.
Than he, who groveling all his days,
A traitor to his kind,
A petty tyrant proves at home
The meanness OF his mind.
The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-06-11

Nor only have we green peas and
lamb to mark the change of the season,
but the papers bring information of the
fatal injury of big boy at base ball, and
the severe clawing of little boy at a
menagerie by lioness. These signs Of
the return of spring are not to be misun-
derstood. The bat of the base ballist is
raised in the land, and the poster of the
circus man adorns the barn doors. Ac.
cidents are in order, and the medica,
profession is looking up.