davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-02-11
How Custom Was Procured.

The following is going the rounds of
the Berlin newspapers: young con-
fectioner of that place having, like many
other business men at present, to COM
plain of hard times, boldly resolved to
get married; whether in spite or per-
haps because Of the poor sales OF his
marengoes and baisees partly because
she on whom he had cast an eye was in
deed pretty maid as well as that she
commanded some wealth. She was the
daughter of master baker in a little
town in the suburbs. AS is generally the
case the two little folks were agreed
But papa had not yet given his consent,
and wanted first to see whether the bust
ness of the future son-in-law was pros
porous. He thought he would con-
vince himself of the state of
facts and appointed some afternoon
when he would pay a visit
to our young confectioner at his saloon,
and there count how many cups of cot
fee, chocolate, ETC., etc, were called for,
and how many puff pastes and maren-
goes were consumed. The confectioner
well understood that many an afternoon
he alone could drink more coffee than all
his customers Not knowing what to do
he consulted with one of his standing
customers, who always knew how to de-
wise ways and means for any emergency.
But how great was his surprise when the
other, with smile on his co untenance
informed him that it would be no diff
cult task to fill his room with customers
BE of good cheer" he said to him; I" let
your future father-in-law come OIL will
attend to the rest" The afternoon so
much feared finally came; and, behold!
here too came the baker accompanied
by his wife, and ate and drank heartily
When observing the stirring business of
him who it was now settled was the ac-
cepted son-in-law, every doubt in the
mind of the baker vanished. He departed
fully satisfied. But the young confec-
tioneA to his great establishment, noticed
that nearly all the customers, whether
ladies or gentlemen, seemed to go away
disappointed. Quietly smiling to him.
self, the customer, flushed with victory,
asked the young candidate for conjugal
life: "Say, do you know, young man,
how managed to fill your saloon? an
swered all the different advertisements
for marriages, all the personals for rem
devious as young man, young lady,
widow, or anything you please, assigning
them to meet me at your confectionery
establishment. Did you not notice that
each and every one, whether lady or gen.
tleman, bore flower or some other mark
of distinction? / wrote more than eighty
letters in your behalf."-1ranslated for the
ST. Louis Globe.
Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-02-11
A Lost Child.

A ball was given at Camptonville,
Yuba County, Cal, on New Years Eve,
which was attended by certain lady
who resides some distance from that
place. She had a baby that could not
be left at home. Arriving at Campton-
Vile early in the evening with her baby,
she put up at the Globe Hotel, kept by
one Jones. She told Jones she was de-
sirous of attending the ball IL she could
find some one who would take care of
her baby. Jones, being an accommo-
dating fellow, proposed that he would
" father" the eyoung 'un" Gd interim
The lady accepted the offer with joy,
and, putting the babe TO sleep, laid II
down gently on Jones bed, and then
went to the ball. Up to midnight Jones
made frequent visits to the room to at
tend to the wants of his precious charge.
From that hour the babe, SO far az Jones
or its mother was concerned, was left
alone, for Jones fell victim to sleep.
1t happened, however, that stage
driver was asleep In room nearly oppo-
site to the one occupied by the babe.
About one o'clock a. M, says sthe North
San Juan Times, the babe began to cry
fcarfully, and to appease 1t the stage
driver took It to his own bed and kept it
quiet the remainder of the night. He
was up and off by day-break, before the
mother had returned from the ball, and
before anyone was stirring in the house,
leaving the babe fast asleep in his own
bed. An hour later the ball broke up,
and the mother returned to the hotel.
She went straight to Jones' room to see
her babe. Lo and behold it wasn't
there, neither was Jones. Soon the
whole house was in an uproar and search
was made for the missing babe; but all
in vain. In the meantime the whole
town was startled by the information
that child had been stolen and carried
away Finally it was remembered that
the stagedriver had slept in the house
that night and that possibly he might
know something about the missing child.
He was telegraphed to on the subject at
Downieville and in the course OF few
minutes reply was received from
him, which read as follows: Frank
Ramppin-You will find the child in my
bed at the hotel" On the reception of
this telegram the mother rushed up fran
tically to the age-driver's room and
found her precious babe lying in his bed,
fast asleep.
Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-02-11
A Maniac's Wonderful Escape.

About quarter before ten this morn
ing pedestrians on Sacramento and
Montgomery streets and occupants of
Donahue 81 Kelly's bank and the Offices
over it were Mortified to see man, nude
all but shirt, emerge from window in
the fourth story of the Alta boarding
house and sustain himself at this dizzy
height by clinging to the window-sill.
His screams of murder and the cries of
the gathering crowd who expected every
moment to see him lying mangled
corpse on the pavement beneath attract
ed the attention of the Post editors in the
adjoining building. On seeing the mans
danger the first thought was to throw the
moose of q rope over him. He succeed
ed, however, in making spring from the
window-sill over nearly three feet to the
perpendicular water conduit of the Post
building-a pipe of six inches diameter.
From that he made another spring and
caught hold OF the large signboard of the
Post. How he accomplished the feat of
holding to SO large pipe with one hand,
even for minute, is inexplicable. When
he reached the signboard he passed him
self along hand over hand until he
reached the iron balcony of the corner
window of the Post building, and raising
himself with great strength until he
came within reach of some of the editor
ial corps of the Post, when he was
dragged into the room, to the great re-
lief of the crowd below. The poor fell
low, painting and trembling, told terri
Bile story, how he had been attacked
by dozen masked men who had MUIR
dered all his companions and had at.
tempted to chloroform him, stab him,
and in other ways put an end to his life,
and how two, ten, and 1000 men had
been murdered by these assassins,
until his chamber was drenched with
blood. The poor fellow was evidently
crazy from some cause, and officers were
sent for. After procuring his clothes
from the lodging house ne was removed
to the City Hall. On examination by
the Commissioners on Lunacy he was re-
manded to the Home of the Inebriates
for few days that his mental condition
might be ascertained. He gave the name
of Thomas Allen, aged twenty .four, and
said he was native ofIreland; also, that
he had been working on the railroad in
San Mateo County, and had come to
town yesterday He repeatedly declared
that he had only drank three glasses Of
ale, and had gone to bed sober; also,
that after short sleep the attacks on
him began, and had been continued all
night. Few of those who saw the poor
fellow in his peril will easily forget the
blood-curdling sensation this maniac's
performance gave them.-Sdn Francisco
Post, Jan. 81.
Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-02-11
The Counts Choice.

The Troy Times says: Syracuse,
briny, picked and wrinkled as it is, does
sometimes turn up a fresh, ripe and
wholesome sensation. Its last is one of
decided interest in the social line. On
the 28th of December Count Tinus Ed.
wardus, N. B., from Cassel, Holland, put
up with his two servants at the Temper
ance Hotel. just opposite this hotel, in
the Downer block, lives mechanic
named Mitchell who was blessed with a
pretty sixteen-year-old daughter named
Effie. With her the Count quickly be-
came acquainted, and the result was a
wedding on Tuesday last. The bride
was elegantly dressed, wearing sky
blue silk trimmed with applique lace
costing $3.50, present from her grand
mother. Orange blossoms also added
their beauty to that of the bride, while a
fine diamond necklace and fine gold
watch and chain, presents from her hus-
band that is, helped to complete her
loneliness. But not satisfied with these,
fine cluster diamond ring also was
placed on her finger, while in her dress
pocket she found $4,000 in gold and, just
before the ceremony certificate OF de-
post In one of the city banks for SIC, 900
was handed this lovely girl by her gen.
erous Count This formed her marriage
portion; but as he has an annual income
of $4,000 she may not be obliged to
draw very much from her portion. The
happy couple will visit the Holland
home of the Count in the spring, but
Syracuse is excited over the rumor that
they will settle in that city. This me-
chanic's daughters good fortune is in
pleasing contrast with that of the
wealthy young ladies who go to Europe
In search of titled husbands and bring
home penniless frauds to prey upon the
fortunes of their toiling fathers"
Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-02-11

aDo you wish us to send your things
to anyone?"
"Cuss anyonef'
"Do you realize" continued the
nurse, "thst you are very near the
grave?"
"Cuss the gravel" was the moncto-
nous reply.
No further questions were asked, and
during the next hour the strange old man
dropped quietly asleep in death, uttering
no word and making no sign. When
they came to remove the clothing and
prepare the body for the grave, what do
you suppose they found, carefully
wrapped in oil-skin and lying on his
breast. A daguerreotype picture OF a
little girl! 1t was taken years and years
ago, and when the child was five or six
years old. The face Of the little one was
fair to look upon, and the case which
held it had been SCARED BY bullets:
There were dozen scars on the old
mans body to prove that he had lived a
wild life, but there was not line among
his effects to reveal his name or the
name of the child whose picture he had
worn on his breast for years and years.
Who was she? His own darling, per-
haps He would not have treasured the
picture so carefully unless there was
love in his heart.
No one would have believed that the
wolfskin coat covered a heart which
could feel love or tenderness, but 1t did.
He might have been returning home
after years of weary wandering, or he
might have left the frontier to be sure OF
Christian burial and hoping that no
unsympathetic eye would fall upon the
picture.
Some said keep it, hoping to make
it identify the old man, but others laid
it back on the battle-scarred breast
which had preserved it SO long, and it
was there yesterday when they buried
him.--Detroit Free Press.
Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-02-11
"DOmestics'' and "ImpOrted."

From the advance sheets of the yearly
official report of the tobacco trade the
following interesting statistics have been
gathered: The report is for the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1874, and will be
completed about March 1. There was
exported from the United States, of ma
tive leaf tobacco, 318,097, 804 pounds,
amounting IN value to $50, 399, 1S1. Dur
ing the same time there was imported
into the United States, and entered for
consumption, 9,213,8 800 pounds of leaf to-
bacco for use in the manufacture of
cigars, and 50, 800 pounds of stemmed or
prepared tobacco, amounting together in
value to SIS, 1872, 548.41. During the same
time there was imported into the United
States, and entered for consumption.
845, TIA pounds of cigars, or, at an aver
age of eleven pounds to thousand, 49,
1888, 900 cigars, amounting in value to 49,
030, 62S.79. In the same period there
were manufactured in the United States,
of foreign and domestic tobacco, and
tax paid, 1850, 1851 900 cigars. Allow
ing thirty pounds of tobacco for
every 1000 cigars manufactured, there
was used 53,428,8 $50 pounds of foreign
and domestic leaf tobacco in the manu-
facture of cigars in the United States.
The comparison shows there were twen-
ty-three domestic cigars manufactured in
the United States, and the tax thereon
paid, for every cigar that was imported
and paid duty during the same time. A
close scrutiny reveals the astounding
fact that the average number of cigars
smoked in the United States during each
twenty-four hours is 5,168,O00. The fol-
lowing amounts of duty and taxes on to-
bacco and cigars of all kinds were re-
ceived by the Government for the fisca
year ending as above: Import duty on
leaf tobacco for cigars, gold, 1924, 7S7.-
80; import duty on all other kinds of to-
bacco and snuff, gold, $53, 1871 .1S; import
duty on cigars, cigarettes, ETC., gold,
So, 872 ,091.47; tax on cigars, cheroots,
etc, currency, $9,333, 1924; tax on man
ufactured tobacco, currency, $50, 9O0,-
509.67; tax on snuff, currency, $1,03S,-
1852; tax received from all other
sources from tobacco, currency, $1,970,-
327.79 total amount of import duties
paid in gold, $3.50, O60.41; total amount
of taxes paid in currency, $33, 242, 1852;
grand total, $39, 392, 936 03.
Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-02-11
A Devoted Wife.

The Cincinnati Commercial gives an
account Of the recent doings of one w.
b. Sargent, of Rochester, N. Y, who was
arrested in Cincinnati some days ago
1t seems that Sargent, who was mar
ried man, became acquainted with a
young lady in Rochester, and at the
same time exhibited manifestations of his
desperate love for her. AS the acquaint-
ance ripened he was constant caller at
her house. Finally an elopement was
planned, and the young lady sent her
trunk, containing clothing and jewelry,
to the house of friend preparatory to
taking French leave" of the paternal
mansion. The day for the elopement
arrived, and Sargent obtained an order
from the young lady for her trunk. In
the meantime he had concluded that it
would not be the correct thing to run
away and leave his wife, and after get
ting the order he got the trunk, and with
his wife fled to Hamilton, Canada, where
he obtained situation as cashier in a
billiard saloon, and tried to forget his
Rochester love. After a variety of adj
ventures they reached Cincinnati, where
they were arrested. Detective Rogers,
OF Rochester, started for home with Sar.
gent in charge When informed that
her husband would be taken back to
Rochester Mrs. ). declared her intention
of going along, and the detective, in the
goodness Of his heart, decided not 10
separate them. When Sargent was taken
out of the cell the detective was about
to place handouts on him, when Mrs.
Sargent begged that she be handcuffed
with her husband, in order that he might
have one of his hands free. Her request
was, after some hesitation, complied
with, and she marched out of the station
to the carriage, apparently very happy
in being permitted to accompany her law
less lord.
Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-02-11
A Warning to Husbands.

THE observations made by Mr.. Justice
Brett, the other day at Chester, when
addressing u woman named Mary Lam
caster, found guilty of the manslaughter
of her husband, will be read with deep
interest In many family circle where
the poker on the domestic hearth Is used
by the head of the household for the
double purpose Of stirring the fire and
battering the skull of shis wife. The
prisoner in the dock had been good and
industrious wife, but had been cruelty
ill.treated by her husband. On the 18th
OF September he came home drunk and
kicked over the meat she was preparing
for dinner. He then thrashed her, and
In moment of passion she threw at him
a sharpening-steel, which caused his
death. 1t can hardly be said that Mr..
Lancaster was any great loss to society.
Indeed, Mr. Justice Brett remarked that
he had seldom heard of "a greater
brute" than the prisoners husband.
All the real right in this case, said the
Judge to the prisoner, twas on your
side, all the real wrong on your
husbands, and God forbid that should
punish you. i will be no party to 1t. I
will not even make the judgment com
plete. / will not allow It to be said by
anybody that you arc convicted felon
for conviction Is not complete until a
sentence is passed, and / mean to pass
no sentence at all" (Here there was
loud cheering In the court, which the
officials, las usual, vainly endeavored to
suppress. The Judge continued: 81
shall merely ask you to enter into your
own recognizances to come up for judg-
ment IL called upon, and nobody in the
bid bid Ii they ever should h dn Here there was
renewed cheering, and amidst burst Of
ise le. the ao6k Inns
binds. who, when thrashing their wives,
viii run frightful risks of Injury unless
protected by the law.--Pall Mall London
Gazette.
Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-02-11

Empress was due to her attainments !.
letters no less than her beauty. a. sha
had received thorough education frnre
her father. The marriage was cs,a
brated with great pomp and cere
mony, and the expense ATTENDING :.
it was said to have amounted ~
between fifteen and twenty miIl,ona
This wedding. however, included tha
taking OF other wives besides the Lad,
Alute, the Emperor being also compelIsS
to take to wife three ladies of the firs,
degree, nine of the second degree and
twenty-seven of the third degree and
nine times nine, or eighty-0ne, concn.
bines. Previous to his majority, on Dec
81, 1872, the Emperor entered into the
full discharge of his functions as Hiob
Priest of the Empire. In the Chinese
ritual the winter solstice is sacred dav
and is described by them as Yih Yong
Seng, the birthday of the year." and
is consecrated to the worship of heaven
On that day the Emperor was borne in
his car, or chair, OF state, which was COW
cred with yellow satin, and carried on
the shoulders OF thirty-two men, clad in
robes OF scarlet silk, to the sacred in.
closure or temple, where he was to re.
ceive his initiation and make his vows
duu UACliuSS. AuCIC uc pdSScu the Qay
in fasting and publication, and the night
in vigils. At dawn the next morning he
assembled the steps of the high altar, and
after bowling his head to the ground
eighty-one times concluded by offering
bullock, which was consumed as 4
burnt sacrifice. This was done by the
young Emperor as a preliminary to as.
Stunning charge OF the Government. While
the first festivities of the reign were
just commencing the news was brought
of the complete subsection of the Mo-
hammedan kingdom in the Southwest.
the PanthoZ State, as 1t was called, which
for many years had disturbed the peace
of the adjoining provinces. This was
held to be a good omen and was said to
indicate that long and prosperous reign
might be expected. OF the personal
character of the young Emperor little or
nothing was known outside the yellow
tiled walls of the palace. He is said to
have been childish in his tastes and
amusements, and was surrounded by all
that was calculated to foster idleness and
sensuality. The deceased Emperor was
the seventh of the Using or pure Mant-
choo or Tartar dynasty. and his success
sor to the throne is a prince five years of
age.-Neao York Times
Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-02-11
Wanted to Make Sure Of 1t This Time.

YESTERDAY tall and masculine. APP
pearing female, who chung to diminu-
overlooking specimen of a man whom
she called husband, entered a Griswold
street life insurance Office and requested
to see the insurance man. The agent
ushered the couple into receptiOn-room
and asked them to be seated. In a few
minutes the woman opened the CONVEX
sation with: Mr. Insurance Man, I'll
tell you my business here. You see that
man there" pointing to the pigmy who
was quietly seated at her side; well,
he's my husband--my third husband,
and / want TO insure his life for $3,0UO'
The smiling agent, with an eye to bust
ness, rubbed his hands complacently and
politely requested the little husband to
go with him to the Office of the COM
panYs examining physician, short dis
lance up the street. After the Lilipu-
tian had been rigidly examined the doctor
wrote out certificate as to his possess
ing the necessary qualifications which
entitled him to life insurance, when
the two returned to the insurance office,
where the Amazonian female was i'm
patiently awaiting them. A clerk hav-
ing drawn up the necessary papers she
took out roll of bills and paid the first
installment on the policy, which docu-
ment she folded carefully together and
hid in the depths of her skirt pocket.
On taking their departure the prudent
wife turned to the insurance agent and
thanking him for his promptness in max
ing out the policy remarked that she
wasn't going to be fooled this time" The
agent politely asked for an explanation
OF this strange remark, whereupon. she
replied that her first husband had died
on her hands before she knew of the ex-
istence OF such an organization as a life
insurance company; her second husband
was blown up on steamboat after they
had been married o week and before she
could get a policy made out; and now
that she married Joseph Chat very morn
ing she wasn't going to run another such
risk, and therefore concluded to have
things rixed up at once. Now. Joseph:
dear" said the affectionate wife as She
hustled her spouse down the stone steps
leading to the sidewalk, "you and me
can spend honeymoon just like two
loving turtle doves" -DsttO1 Free Press.
Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-02-11
Died Among Strangers.

He sat on the steps of the City Hall,
head in his hands, and one could not
help but notice him. He wore coat of
wolfskins, and bearskin cap, buckskin
breeches, and his grizzly hair hung down
on his shoulders in tangled mass. He
had drifted East from the wild frontier,
and he had fallen sick. No one knew for
a long time what allied him, as he would
not reply to inquiries. but finally, when
policeman shook his arm and repeated
the inquiry, the man slowly lifted his
head and replied:
"I'm played!"
His face was pale and haggard, and it
was plain that he was going to have an
attack of fever He was sent to the hos
pital for treatment, he making no inqui-
ries and answering no questions. This
was month ago. He had his personal
effects in sort of sack. These were q
breech-loading rifle, a Ratchet, knife
and several other articles, and when he
had been laid on bed In one of the
wards he insisted that the bag be placed
under his head. They offered him medi.
cine, but he turned away his face and
no argument could induce him to swal-
low any.
"But you are q sick man." said the
doctor, as he held the medicine up.
"Cuss sickness replied the old man.
Sand you may die!"
"Cuss DEATH"
He grew worse as the days went by,
and was sometimes out of his head and
talking strange talk of Indian fights and
buffalo hunts but not once did he speak
Of family, friends nor of himself. He
would not let them undress him, comb
his hair or show him any attention be-
yond leaving his food on his stand. A
raging fever was burning up his system,
and when the doctors found that the old
man would not take their medicine they
knew that death was only a matter of
DAYS.
He must have had an iron constitution
and heart like warrior, for he held
death at arms length until the other day.
When 1t was seen that he could last but
a few hours longer the nurse asked him
If clergyman should be called,
"Cuss clergymen" replied the old
man, those being the first words he had
spoken for three days.
However, two hours after his mind
wandered, and he sat up In bed and
called out:
81 tell ye, the Lord isn't going to be,
hard on Teller who has fit Injuns!'
He was quiet again until an hour be-
fore his death, wheE the nurse made one
more effort and asked:
"Will you give me your name?'
"Cuss my namep repliedthe old man.
Haven't you any friendss"
"Cuss friends!"