davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-09-10
What He Was Waiting For.

The wit OF the many unthanked
! gentlemen who give up their seats to
thankless ladies in the cars is continu-
| ally contriving new rebukes, and the
people publish them gladly. A recent
letterwriter says
a gentleman of our acquaintance,
aged about fifty, took the cars for a
long ride. He secured good seat il a
not crowded car, and put therein his
bag and various conveniences. After
some hours he left his seat for refresh
ments, leaving ample evidence therein
OF It's occupancy. On returning to the
train, he found ghly-fnished woman
sitting in his place, and in tie midst of
what Western people would call his
piunder. He paused at the entrance
and looked wistfully at the woman.
=" Do you wish anything, sir ?"
=" Yes, madam, my carpet-bag, if you
please. Thank you"
He still waited and looked.
" Is there anything else, sir ?"
eyes, madam, my umbrella, if you
please. All, thank you p
Still waiting in a respectful attitude,
the lady grew restless.
SIS there anything more z"
4" Yes, madam, I will take my cane
and the papers, which I fear you are
sitting upon"
These were hastily offered, and as
the gentleman still stood respectfully
at the entrance, she turned upon him
with some emphasis
"Well, sir, what else are you waiting
for ?"
" Madam, 1 was waiting to hear you
say, THANK you for the seat I"
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-09-10
Proposed Dangerous Experiment.

A correspondent of the Baltimore
american writes from Atlantic City:
"I paid visit to the celebrated Paul
Boyton, who has become 30 extensively
known throughout the country as o
pearl-diver, life.s saver and man-fsh in
general. He is apparently ~ years OF
age, and good-looking, and although
not above the average size, is an excel.
lent specimen of graceful development.
In manner he is affable and gentleman
ly, talks pleasantly and intelligently,
and displays most decided infatua.
ticn for his business.
"The equipment OF the life guard is
simple and consists only OF Merriman's s
life-saving suits and an inflated rubber
life-coat, the invention of Paul Boyton
which, although only about eight by
five in size and weighing but 20 pounds,
is claimed to be capable of easily sus-
tanning 20 persons of the average
weight. It is of a novel construction,
and its arrangement is such as to make
it matter of indifference how it floats.
1t has no special position and is al
ways in condition for instantaneous
use. The rubber suits or armor are
also of a peculiar pattern containing
compartments which, when inflated,
are able to float over three pounds.
Their weight is something less than
fifteen pounds when the air is intro
duced, and it can be properly adjusted
within three minutes. It consists of
rantaloons and boots, and jacket and
hood attached. Seven small tubes with
mouth-pieces are connected with the
cir chambers in different portions of
the dress. The hood, as it becomes
inflated, is drawn tightly over the face,
leaving only the eyes, nose and mouth
visible, and making a perfect air pillow
for the head, which is not only COM
Portable but also serves to keep the face
constantly above the waves without the
slightest exertion. The swimmer, after
having donned the dress, lies fiat upon
his back in the water, and by means of
either double-bladed paddle or blades
strapped to the arms he contrives to
propel himself over the waves with re-
markable rapidity.
"Paul Boyton's engagement here ter
inmates in Sept. Is, when he will pro-
ceed to New York city to make arrange
ments for what might reasonably be
termed hazardous undertaking. Tue
patentee of the life-dress, has offered
$500 to Mr.. Boyton to make a sea voy-
age i'll his suit, in order to demonstrate
to the public it's merits as life-pre-
server. He has accepted the proposal,
and on or about the 25th of September
he will be carried from New York by an
outward bound steamer to distance
not less than 200 miles from land, when
he will be dropped and left to the mercy
of the waves until he shall meet with
passing vessel. He will carry with him
in a rubber bag sufficient rations, con-
sisting OF dried meats, etc., for one
week, as well as good quantity of
fresh water. He will also carry signal
lights and flags with a sectional staff
twelve feet long for raising them, all of
which are to be slowed away in the un-
limited portals of the rubber bag,
which is about two feet square, and is
title or no inconvenience, strapped to
md hoated at the side OF the swimmer"
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-09-10
The MOdOcs and their new Home

A correspondent recently visited the
survivors of the Modoc tribe of Indians
at their home in the Indian reservation
at Southern Kansas. The Modocs now
number, all told, 14S. OF these less
than fifty are men, all that remain of
the little band that for so long time
kept six times their number at bay in
the lava beds of Oregon last year. The
chief of the tribe is now Bogus Charley,
whose name will be remembered in
connection with the war. Among other
participants in that campaign whom
the correspondent saw and with whom
he shook hands were the "old familiar"
Shack. Nasty Jim, Hooka Jim, and
Scar-Faced Charley. The tribe live in
tents, apparently preferring the open
plain to the shelter of the woods. They
are resigned to their fate, and while
many of them speak English, the others
are endeavoring to learn the language,
so as TO be able to communicate with
their white neighbors. The correspon-
dent found them all comfortably dressed
and adapting themselves, as far as was
possible in their situation, to the wavs
of civilized life. Major Jones, who is
in charge of the agency, lives with his
family among the Modocs. Govern
ment provides partly for their sub
sistence, but clothing is furnished them
by the Quakers and other charitable
persons. The correspondent visited
the widow and sister of Captain Jack.
The former, Lizzie, received him seated
on her throne of skins and sticks, and
the latter, Mary, a neatly-dressed and
pleasant-looking woman, stood by. She
looked at the visiting party, shook
hands with them, and then sadly cov-
cred her face with her hands. Since
5he removal of the Modocs to their new
homo nine of the number have died,
md four have been born. They express
10 desire to go back to their old lands
lround Lake Tula and Lost River, and
Jay that they fought because they loved
heir hunting grounds and the graves
II their fathers, and there wanted to
Gay.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-09-10
"Tipping - i'm England.

In addition to the ordinary expenses
of bed and board IN London must be
reckoned large tribute paid to the ini-
quitous European system of "tips. 4"
1t is strange enough to an American.
wonted to the lavish liberality of our
theatrical managers, to be obliged to
pay for the programme he uses at the
theatre or opera. And also SO strange
that probably he will not at first com
prehend it is the daughter-of-t f-the- horse
leech look which the usher who shows
him his seat at the opera or theatre
gives him if he does not voluntarily
slip sixpence into said usher's palm.
You cannot inquire your way in the
street that, in all probability, the in
terrogated will not reply, az can't de-
scribe the way, but I'm just going there
and will show you." That means a
shilling-thirty cents in American cur
rency, although only twenty-four in
American coin. You see one can take
a cab almost as economically as to in
quire the way. The waiter who brings
me single cup of chocolate in a cake
shop hangs about my presence as if re-
sponsible for the one spoon with which
l. oAP ohO DOfCiaSo I'LL l. UCSlu w buluh
myself that 1 am in the Land of the
Leeches and give him his experienced
"tlp. If L cross the street, a filthy
wretch darts before me with stump OF
broom, and, stirring up all the dirt
possible in SO short time, to make my
passage triumphal march of dirtiness
and my raiment like unto the rai1nent
OF the Confederate army in color,
stands whining for his tip. 1 cannot
call cab that another loafer does not
dart forward to open the door for me
and stand with a mouthful of curses
ready if l fail to render him tribute of
a penny or two. One cannot 90 into
many of the city churches on week days
that some one, verger or pew-opener,
does not force companionship upon
you to the tune OF a sixpence. London
Letter.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-09-10
On the Beach.

If one does not fancy O surf bath in
proprid persona, it is curious pastime
to watch the bathers from the hotel
piazza. or-~if you chance to be thus
favored-from the sea-overlooking
window of your own room. Before us
lies the long. level, sandy beach. The
tide is steadily rising, and soon the
great billowy waves will dash over the
pure white sand within a few feet of
the hotel. The sunlight silvers the
restless surf, and the ceaseless voice of
the waters seems an invitation to ap-
proach. The bathers begin to appear,
running down from the hotels and bath
houses in all sorts eff nondescript gar
ments, for this is q very democratic
waterlng-place, and people give them
selves the largest liberty in the matter
OF attire. Bathing suits are of every
hue, from black to white-many being
strangely striped and checked-and of
every conceivable style, from the most
tasteful to the most outlandish. How
marked is the difference in feeling as
the bathers tonch the water Some
plunge in boldly, with evident jollity
some step in daintily, not exactly fear
full, but quivering little with the
prospect OF the first splash of spray of
over their shoulders some tremble on
the brink, and need some coaxing
friend, whose steady hand will guide
them amidst the breakers. The little
folks who have once been in the waves,
and know how jolly it is to tumble
about in the surf, rush in without
thought. The scene becomes exhil-
arating when the slight shock of the
first wetting is over. Shouts arise as
the crested billows roll over the bathers
and they 60 out into deeper water.
There Is no danger on this safe level
beach, yet there are strong and friend
ly hands ready to help the weaker ones.
We notice one bather in particular who
seems always skillful and prompt to
give guidance to any who feel more Sc
cure under some protection. But there
is no mistake about the enjoyment of
the maioriy in the surf it is a tonic
that acts Immediately. All the bath
is over for some, and one after another
they step, dripping, on drier sand.
Does any body look handsome when
rising from the sea in a dripping bath
ing suit? Perhaps but the cases are
too rare to mention. A quick run up
On the white sand, and the wet figures
disappear in the bathing houses. Can
they be recognized an hour later at
dinner
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-09-10
A Chance for Saving.

ga penny saved is penny earned. "
is one of Poor Richards proverbs,
worth remembering by everybody. Any
OF our readers, when tempted to form
the habit CT smoking, will do well to
think how much they can save by keep
ing out of the habit. Here is q mod
crate estimate of the saving:
A young gentleman of my acquain-
tance concluded to commence smoking
cigars on his twentieth birthday, but
resolved. that he would never exceed
eight per week, nor pay more than ten
cents each for them. I asked him to
reckon how much money would be
saved by the time he was sixty, if he
should place the eighty cents per week
in the savings bank every six months,
and let it lie there, drawing seven per
cent. interest. Being quick at figures,
he made the calculation, and found the
amount to be eight thousand three
hundred and eleven dollars. "Put
that in your pipe and smoke it," young
man,
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-09-10
Matrimonial ThOrns.

Prentice Mulford says, in one of his
London letters to the San Francisco
Bulletin: "Young man and young
woman you think that the divine in.
toxication of courtship is to last for.
ever. You think it is always going to
be an ecstatic pleasure to trudge mile
through mud and rain to buy Seraphine
Ann paper of pins, But this state of
things can't last. It's too high pres
sure. 1t must cool down. When you
are married, and she is yours and you
are hers, and the novelty of the affair
is over, and you are fairly settled down
into 'old married folks, then comes
the test, Then, if you have been a
grabbed old bachelor, full O little
whims, habits and peculiarities as is
the fretful porcupine of quills, then
will como the tug OF war. Don't You
recollect how, when single, and you
came home after some tedious business,
heated, tired, irritable, and disgusted
with the world, aid got alone in your
room, that you used to fling books and
backing brushes about, and swear and
thrash around for an hour or two be-
fore you simmered down into compare
tive calmness Well, matrimony won't
cure ssthis-at least at first. But you
mustn't cut up so now. Even q tenn
porary raving maniac is not proper or
q pleasant person for any young woman
to be alone with. Aud if, on entering,
she sees trouble written on your face,
and asks you whats the matter p and
you reply, 'Oh, nothing because you
don't want to be spoken to, and, above
all things, it annoys and irritates You
to be so interrogated and still she
persists in asking whats the matter p
and still you try to say 'Oh, nothing
as mildly as you can, only it won't be
said mildly, and it comes off your
tongue as pistol-shot, and you would
just then like to bite somebody's head
won't you at such time Won
der where the amiability, the oil, the
sugar, the honey, the sunshine of
courtship has all gone TOP And how
will you feel, you who have been accus-
toned to go in and out of your vile
bachelors den without inquiry or him
drance? How will you feel as you
start to go out for the purpose of get.
ting drink around the corner, to hear
her say Where are you going?' and
this dozen times day, and every
time it is asked you must stand and
rack your brains for a new lie. And
those girls on the opposite side of the
street who are always at the window,
and with whom, before marriage, you
carried on sort of optical Irritation,
which, to be sure, went no further than
the eyes-how do you feel now as you
catch yourself still looking into those
windows and find your wife regarding
you in peculiar manner, and you
know that she knows that you know
low she knows all about your goings
IN at those windows ?" .
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-09-10
Method Of Eyading Debt.

We have before us, says the Milwau-
kee Wisconsin good illustration OF
the ingenuity of commercial travellers
in making themselves the real mer.
chants of the country. A commercial
traveller sold some goods for q Milwau-
kee house in Iowa, and the Iowa mer-
chant made the contract to pay when
the commercial traveller came around
again, but for some cause the latter
absconded and will never be seen again
in these parts. The Milwaukee mer.
chant wrote to the Iowa trader inform
ing him that he wanted his pay, but
the latter replied that he agreed to pay
the commercial traveller, and he should
not pay the debt until that identical
fellow came around again. Finally the
demand was sent to lawyer in that
State. He tried to collect it, but found
it unavailing, as the Iowa merchant de-
clared that his contract was to pay the
commercial traveller, and him only.
Perhaps this will be good defence, as
the commercial traveller has power to
make contracts in any form he pleases,
and he has frequent opportunities to
make all the contracts for goods he sells,
as if he were the head of the house.
This has been one of the chief objec-
tions to that system of commercial trav-
cling which has cost the merchants
such enormous annual expenditures,
and which has involved them in so
many bad debts, one of which they
might escape if they would reach the
merchants through the country press
instead of by agents.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-09-10
Catching WOOdchucks.

The Newburyport Herald relates the
following story: Woodchucks are
most intolerable nuisance in Rowley,
some years cutting off half the pump.
kin crop. One enterprising farmer
made a formal declaration of war
against them, and bought a dog that
was reputed to be the champion wood
chuckist. Bose did shake the life out
of half dozen of the varmints, Just to
show what might be done in case of an
emergency; but his interest declined,
and he didn't seem to take much stock
in woodchucks. One morning at break
fast the farmers little daughter, nine
years old, told her father that she be-
lieveG she could beat the dog at his own
game, and he replied that she should
have quarter apiece for all she would
catch, and the champions belt if she
brought home more chucks for the next
week than Bose did. Accordingly,
after breakfast, she went out with no
arms except what nature had endowed
her with, and no traps except her cum
ming hands, and within an hour re-
turned holding what appeared to be the
grandfather of all woodchucks, per-
feet monster, by the hind legs, carrying
him at arms length, while he struggled
to get free, and scratched and bit to the
best of his ability. The farmer patted
his daughter on the head in apprecia-
tion of her prowess, and then patted
the woodchuck on the head also. The
girl caught another in the afternoon,
and within a week caught five, beating
the dog and claiming the champion
ship. Her method was simply to lie
down back of hole and patiently watch
the appearance of its tenant. grabbing
him by the nape of the neck as soon as
his head emerged above ground. The
farmer would dispose of the dog at O
reasonable price, but that girl isn't for
sale.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-09-10
The Wheat Crop OF Europe,

The Mark Lane Express, in its
weekly review of the breadstuffs market,
says
Bad weather has prevailed through
out the past week, but our farmers
have kept sharp lookout, and hav
secured their crops. There are no re-
ports of sprouting, though much
wheat was stacked in poor condition,
in consequence of high winds and low
temperature. The same weather has
ruled on the Continent. This will
bring good samples. to the front, and
increase the value of old stock. There
is little difference in prices since last
reports, although the tendency is down
ward. France is sending back here the
cargoes shipped hence. The crops here
and in. France are mostly secure,
and the dependence of both countries
on foreigners is materially lessened.
The latest estimates put our crop at
seven per centum below the average.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-09-10

VENTILATION. In a report made by a
committee of the British Association,
it is asserted that there cannot be
a perfect system of warming and ven
t, tllatlon in building having separate
to any of the following particulars q
means of moving through the building
steadily the definite quantity of pure
air known to be required the proper
distribution of this air to the different
rooms and compartments suitable
method of diffusing the air in each
room, as well as discharging the vitiated
air; proper means of giving to the air
the desired temperature, and also of
securing the fit moisture. 1t is further
argued, that the more the apparatus
employed is rendered self-regulating,
or independent of the constant watch
ing and interference of attendants, the
better it is likely to be, both as to per-
formance and economy.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-09-10
Money Musk.

In shirt OF check and tallowed hair
The fiddler, sits in the burush chair
Like Moses basket stranded there
On the brink of Father Nile.
He feels the iddle's slender neck.
ficks out the notes with thrum and check
ana times the tune with nod and beck,
And thinks it weary while.
All ready Now we give the call,
ories, Zlonor TO the ladies !" All
Inc Jolly tides of laughter fell
And thinks it weary while.
Begin" Down comes the bow on ever,
string,
" First couple join right hands and ,pino ~
AS light as any blue-bird's wing
S'otng once and a half times round
Whirls Mary Martin all in blue
Calico gown and stockings new,
And tinted eyes that tell you true.
Dance all to the dancing sound
She fits about big Moses Brown
VINO holds her hands to keep her down
ANA thinks her hair golden crown
And his heart turns over once!
His cheek with NTarys breath is wet,
1t gives second somerset!
He means to win the maiden yet,
Alas, for the awkward Ounce!
Your stoga boot has crush ed my toe!"
ld rather dance with one-legged Joe;"
You clumsy fellow ~ " Pass belo,r ~
ana tho INST pair dance apart
linen forDard sir ~ advance, retreat,
Liko mldPes gay in sunbeam street
lis M',ney Musk by merry feet
And the Money Musk by heart!
=" Three quarters round your partner s,ri,q ,,
Across the set ~ Tie rafters ring.
The girls and boys have taken wing
And have brought tbei- roses out!
lis " FOr'cara sir !" with rustic grace
All, rarer far than" Stoing to place! !"
Than golden clouds of old point-ace
They bring the dance about
Then c'asping hands all" Right and left ~
All swiftly weave the measure deft
-arzoss the woof in loving weft
And the Money Musk is dono!"
'oh, dancers OF the rustling husk.
Good night. sweets, it's growing dusk,
Good night for aye to Money Musk,
For the heavy march began!
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-09-10

For MURDER. is the way they
do it in Paris A father of family
took his children, two little girls and a
boy, out for a walk, and conducting
them to the banks of shallow stream,
he threw them in and held their heads
under the water till the two girls were
dead and the boy insensible. Think
ing he had finished his work, he con-
cealed the bodies under some bushes
and went away. The warmth Of the
sun revived the boy, who hastened to
the village and told his story, and the
unnatural father was arrested and is to
be tried for the murder of his little
daughters.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-09-10

One of the queerest duels on record
was that In which Sainte Beuve was en-
gagged. 1t began to rain slightly after
he had taken up his position, where
upon he coolly held his umbrella over
his head with his left hand, while hold
ing the pistol with his right. The ex-
postulation of his witnesses had no
effect upon him. "It is all very we'll
to be killed." said the famous essayist,
"but I object to catching cold in my
head"
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-09-10
Overcast.

A little cloud came into the noon,
And darkened the whole broad daylight soon
Far flew the shadowd across the plain,
And the golden morning has set in rain
A little cloud came into our noon,
And darkened the love of lifetime soonl
We never shall find our faith again,
For the golden morning has set in rain
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-09-10

He who freely praises what he means
to purchase, and he who enumerates
the faults of what he means to sell,
may set up partnership with honesty.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-09-10

The woman who writes the addresses
of her letter catticornered" is the
especial tormentor of post Office clerks.