davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-02-10
How Frederick. the Great Cured a Prima
DunUD.

Donna.
There is a curious story told Of the manner
in which Frederick the Great could deaf
where other men had failed, with prima
donna OF the period who was inclined 10 set
too little store by the public. This great ar
list seemed to clch cold, which had the e.
feet of rendering her hnlgSc ana consequent
/ " unable 10 sing, whenever any p1uy or thlnG
had diSpleQscd her.
One laV q certain opera was 20 b" perform.
I'd 4, Berlin before he King himself At the
appointed hour the manager came forward
and said: Ladies and gentlemen, we grieve
TO inform YOU that our pgima donna has sore
throat, and that the representation announced
cannot therefore take place" The stOlid leu
tonic audience seemed NJ whit surprised, and
was moving cut tranquility, when the klng
rose and commanded the musicians to keep
their places. The audience sat down again
and waited patiently on events.
In less than a quarter of an hour the man.
ager reappeared and spoke as follows: La
dies and gentlemen, have the most unieign-
ed pleasure in informing you that our prlma
donna is completely cured Of her sore throat
and will have the honor TO sing before you
tonight" Surely enough the famous singer
soon appeared, and never had she sung bet
ter. Her triumph was complete.
The Kings prescription had been q very
simple one. The prima donna, having dis
missed the unhappy manager, was sitting
comfortably before the fire IN her own room
and rather pleased at the idea of having
spoiled the pleasure of several hundreds OF
persons, when the door was violently thrown
open, and there entered an officer followed by
tour dragons. Mademolsclle," quo,h the
officer, "the King, my master, has sent me to
ask after your health" 1.-THE King is very
good; | have a bad sore throat" His Ma
Ijesty knows it, and has charged me to take
you at once to the military hospital, where
YOU will be cured in few days" Mademoi
selle turned pale. You are jesting," she
simpered: but Prussian officers, she was in
formed never jested The lieutenant gave
the order to his men, who selZed Mademoi
selle and carried her out of the theatre,
A coach was in attendance; the lady was
deposited therein; the officer took his place
beside, after shouting his address to the dri
yer, THE military hospital" and off they
went the Dragons riding alongside. In a
few seconds, STAY said the lady; think
feel better" "The King is anxious, Made
moiselle, that you should feel quite restored
and even that yoc should sing tonight 81
will try" murmured the prisoner. Back to
the theatre cried the officer to the coachman
Arrived there, MademoIselle began to think
she had yielded too easily. II will sing
since his Majesty commands me- she said
"but God knows how" You will sing
replied the officer, like the great artist you
are" 81 shall sing like on artist with bad
cold" 6 think not" And why' Be.
cause a couple of dragons will be in attend
ance behind the scenes, and at the least c0uac
they have orders to arrest you and carry you
off again to the military hospital" The
hoarseness was now completely gone.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-02-10
FAITHFUL DORA.

The blood red ribbons of the storm threat.
ening sunset were tuttcring in the west; the
huge oak trees and pines of the forest were
murmuring ominously, and the one chimney
of the small farmhouse on the edge Of the
woods sent up It's blue column of smoke, like
CHEEKY hand beckoning to the wayworu
traveller, over the hill. And how bright and
cosy the interior of the kitchen looked, as
Dora Klein stood on the threshold, cold, hun.
cry and lneXprcssibly weary. A little girl
blue eyed and blonde haired, scarcely yetsix
teen, with shy aspect and a shrinking men
she had walked all the way from the city
seeking vainly for work at the various places
that she had passed, and now at night fall
she was nearly discouraged.
"a glrl;' said Mrs. Myers, obviously, as
Dora Klein proiiered her meek request al
did talk abou. hiring girl, but don't know
anything about you"
"Please try me-" faltercd Dora. al am SC
tired, and | know no one in all this country
and, indeed, Will do my best TO serve you
Mrs. Myers turned TO her husband, who sal
by the fire, ,rotting chubby two year old or
his foot. "What shall do, james,"
She total stranger" said Mr. Myers.
But she looks SO weary and worn ont,
said the wife.
We'll, let her come in and stay all night
bowl of bread and milk and one night.
lodging won't break us"
SO Dora Klein was admitted into the farm
er's small family, and so neat and handy wa.
she about the place, so light and agile in hel
movements, so quick to learn and steadlast Il
remember that good uatured little Mrs. Myer.
had engaged her before she had been in Ia,
house week.
"You women are so impulsive," said tn,
honest farmer, shaking his head. "Suppos,
she should turn out bad."
How can she. James," SAID Mrs. Myers
Indignantly. "She has face as innocent
a baby'sr
"My dear, don't believe IN physiognc
my"
Klein"
And as days and weeks went by Mr. Mey
ers was Obliged to confess TO himself that 5
far, at least, his wife's judgment, or ins,inc
had been correct
The last November leaves were fluttern
down one clear, cold afternoon, when Mr.
Meyers stood at the door, ready 10 Join b,
husband and baby In the wagon, TO attend
merry making at the nearest village, son
miles beyond, while Dora Klein was TO T
main at home 10 keep house,
"Mind you feed the chickens at five o'cloc
Dora, and dom; forget the little calf In q
pen; aud If you have any extra time, you CT
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-02-10
How our Lives arc Endangered.
New York Graphic.


1t is the duty of the press to warn the pub
lie of possible dangers. The flaming theatre
is not the only horror imminent. Having ac
cess 10 certain tables OF casualties through
the courtesy Of famous statlSucian we lnu
the following enumeratlons:
Since 1910 1000 people in the nited States
have met their deaths through lurstlg blood
vessels by immoderatc laughter.
Allowing 800 for the number destroyed III
1911 by the burning OF the Richmond Thea.
rc, the recent Brooklyn and other minor
casualties, we find the danger in slxty-tive
years from laughing at comedya and farce TO
be twice Us great as.that by fireor panic. 1t
seems conducive TO the public safety, there
fore, that managers put only serious dramas
on the stage.
At least this would seem SO we're it not for
the appalling fact that 1900 people have died
in sIx:y-livc years from hypochondrla super
induced by watching such playsas Hamlet"
"Thc Robbers and Lear" Therefore, the
danger from witnessing the melancholy dra.
ma is four times greater that from fire or
panic.
Following these tables further we find that
IN G5 years 1000 women have been choked
by swallowing pins held in the mouth. Either
the manufacture of pins should be discour-
aged or women should be taught not to make
pin.cushiOns of their mouths, for the danger
from this source is ten times greater than by
theatre fire or pane.
The following are the risks for sixty'tive
years;
Careless handling Of firearms ......... 5000
Swallowing oxalic acid by mistake 10000
| Wearing thin shoes 100000
Cut in halves IN saw-mills. COCO
| (The damage of attending saw-millS
is then ten times greater than going TO
| theatre)
Swallowing rotgut. 236OOOO
Disappointed affections. .............. llcOOON
| Better go TO the theatre every dayin
the year than take the chances 10 lie
Of falling in love.)
| BY falling from windows .............. 10000
Struck 10y lightning ................... 800
| Killed hy overturned coaches......... 5000
Found dead in bed. 1850
| Beware Of the bed. 1t is IL times
more dangerous than the the theatre.)
Killed by slipping on an orange peel. 1000
| BY drinking lce-water in hot weather. iOOOO
/ lice water is 500 times more danger
Gus than the theatrel
Sewed TO death on shrts............ lOOOOo
Chewed up by imprudent familiarities
with menagerie tigers and elephants ~
| Fell down shafts. ............... ...... 4,SVV
| Blown up shafts .....................: SVV
'G and e damp OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES ee'eop.u 75OOOJ
/ (Hence IL will be seen that the cold
I church is 10000 times more dangerous
than the hot theatre)
The FREE TRADER aud PrSiI1s Farmer. one
J year, for S365.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-02-10
onrs VA FREE rsA DER; SATURDAY, FEBRUARY TO- 1877.

CoNKLING,-A correspondent OF the n. ~
Times gives the following clever sketch of
Couklng, "the Adonis Of the senate" as he
appeared on the occasion Of the delivery of
his recent great speech oa the arbitration
bill:
He rose deliberately, with n full realization
of the fact that 2,0OO people were waiting for
his appearancc. Every detail of his entree,
so 10 speak, was carefully considered; "the
properties" were all in their place, and they
were of the most effective and striking char
acter. A copy of the Constitution, from
which the great actor quoted, was gl!t-edged
and bound in dainty form. His notes were
written upon cream tinted paper; everything
was IN order, everything in It's place. Mr..
Conkling was faultlessly alfred.
His coat and vest opening down 10 the
waist displayed his chest and shoulders to
the best advantage. His hands, white as any
maiden's, were irilled with spotless linen, and
mis- hair, the golden splendOr of which daz
zled many a bcholder in the days that are
gone, was thrown back from the broad mass
i've brow with studied carelessness which
was the very perfection Of art. AS he took
the floor he carefully pushed two obsructlng
chairs out Of his way, and then he STOOD ior a
moment calm and self-possessed, six feet and
two inches Of manhood, filled to OVERLOOKING
with conscious greatness.
He was about to speak-lndeed he had just
opened his mouth-when page, with fran
tic haste to gain the proud mans approba
tion," rushed to his side with a glass of water
For an instant he looked at the child as if he
would have crushed him, and then, remem
bering the audience, he gently waved him
aside, and commenced his speech. Why he
rejected the water which the poor little page
offered him was soon apparent, for he had
hardly commenced to speak when his own
body servant entered, bearing silver salver
upon which was gold edged cup, filled with
fragrant tea Having partaken OF this, the
Senator went on with his speech. 1t was q
wonderful etfort-there can be no doubt about
that; wonderful because of It's real sophistr,
and false logic, and because of It's apparent
candor, frankness, good nature. courtesy, and
high minded, dsinterested craftsmanship
Principally, however, was 1t remarkable be-
cause of the wonderful power of memory
which the Senator displayed IN its delivery
He had carefully studied, committed to heart
and rehearsed every word in the Grafton, AID
at the same time he so played his part as to
lead many of those who listened to him into
the error of believing that it was eXtempo
raneous
With well.studied affecation, he paused
from time to time, as If to collect his thoughts
gently pressing his temples the while, seem
ingly TO quiet his Overworked and troubled
brain. Then, with increased energy, he utter
ed the well.roanded sentences which for days
had been fixed in his mind. Everything con
sldered, his speech was the greatest specimen
of "the art which conceals art' that has ever
been displayed in this country.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-02-10

The custom is well known in London OF
hrlr fruit for dinner parties, all that is not
eaten being returned to the green-grocer.
Some little time ago, at certain dinner par
ty some gigantic pears were displayed, which
we're neither expected nor intended 10 be eaten.
How ever, the next morning the lady of the
house informed her husband Of the lament
able fact that one CT the pears, for which
most extrayagant price would be charged,
had been used. "Who cut the large pear"
piled his wife. "Mind that he is never invlt.
ed TO dine here again" was the hospitable
reioInder. And yet the cost of that wretched
pear, high as il doubtless must have been,
could not equsled half the expense of the
mans dinner and wine, for which not
grudge was felt.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-02-10

tins chamber until there Is a pressure OF 2,OOo
pounds to the square inch, A screw regulates
The power of the discharge Of air, and dial
shows the exact force used Both guns were
fred thirty times each, thus beating by far
any magazine gun. il bullet is put in alter
each discharge, and pulling trI gger opens
a valve which furnishes the air and closes al
ter the discharge. Mr.. Hug says that 100
shots can be fired with these guns Without
reoadlng There is no recoil. They can be
made to carry 800 yards.-N. J. S'1l.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-02-10

Sort SoAP.-A farmer says: "Ai;er the
family soap has been made in the spring, the
grease that accumulates and is laid aside
during the summer often gets maggoty. To
avoid this the following is good plan
Have kettle full of lye, and throw all ba-
con rinds, etc, into this kettle, and when fall
comes you will be surprised at the nice lot OF
soft soap YOU will have; and even If "a,
falls in, he will be changed into soap jus,
the same"
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-02-10
OVER THE HILL FROM THE POOR
HOUSE.
A sequel to Over the Hill to the Poor House
BY RACHAEL a. SMITH.

BY RACHAEL a. SMITH.
Over the hill at the poor-house,
In the twilight SO dim and gray,
A woman is quietly lying
And breathing her life away.
All alone IN the sick ward.
With nobody near to aid,
And no one to care but our Father,
Vino heareth the prayer she salu'
"God bless them my heartlcss chlIdreh'
They Gait help but feel reinoTsc III. ..i,,
When they look at the shroud ana "h''' VIA
ings
That cover my stificned corpse.
"They'll some on 'em come to the funeral
My'Charley and his pretty wife
And they'll wish, as they cry by my CONN.,
That i could come back to life
"Farewell to my dearest children,
did Just the best could;
Iknow that raised 'em all thrifty,
tried hard to raise 'em good.
"But children will never listen
TO half what their mother says;
And maybe whipped EN- too seldom,
And gave 'cm too ready praise
The last fond excuse was spoken,
And still was the wintry air,
But the spirit had left the poor body,
And only corpse was there.
The poor master sent the message
To each of TIE children five:
"Their mother had somehow, quite lately,
Been grumpy, and didn't thrive.
"And so she had died that mornn'--
Would be buried that followin' eve
And any might come to the funeral
Who could most conveniently leave"
But Charles and his wife were travelling,
While Thomas was 'shamed to 90,
And said he never could stand 1T
To be among folks so low"
Rebccea and Ike were distant,
And Susan would 20 If she could,
But then they were usin' the horses
To haul the winters wood
Over the hill from the poor-house
funeral winds its way
And the mother OF .hve firing chttlrcn
Is buried by STRANGERS to-day.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-02-10
French Novelists' Devices for Heating theii
Publishers.

From the Galaxy
1t is said that a dialogue OF Dumas the
elder created a revolution in the French mode
of paying romance literature. Dumas, who
was reckoned by the line, one day introduced
into his tsuillet0n this thrilling passage:
My son
MY mother!
Listen
Speak!
Seest thou!
What?
This poniard.
1t is stained
With blood,
Whose?
Thy fathers.
Ah!!l
After that Dumas was paid by the letter
10 say sOothe, the same incident, with dl1
terent catastrophe, is related of Ponson Du
Terrail, who one day, in his "Resurrectlon
de Racombole," filled about a column with
dialogue OF this character;
Who?
l.
You?
Yes.
He shuddered.
Accordingly, as the story goes, the author
being summoned before the editor of the
Petit Journal, was notified that if this mono
syllable chat went on, he would be paid by
the letter. every WE'LL" replied the obliging
novelist, 81 will change my style;" and the
next day NJ. Millaud was astounded to find
the feuiileton Introducing a pair of stammer-
ers talking in this agreeable fashion;
"Wou-wou.wouldy you de.de-de. deceive me,
YOU wr.wr-wretch?" said the old corsair ia a
tone of thunder.
81 nenene.never de-de.de.deceived an.an
Ian.anybody," exclaimed Baccarat, Initiating
the others defect IN pronunciation.
"Wh.wh. where is Ro-ro.rocam-hG hole"
"You ne.nenever will kn.know.'
ale will make all his character S'n'tel
soon," said Milaud. I'VE had better pay
him ly the line
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-02-10

The FREE TRADER and Prsi,Is Farmer. one
year, for s365.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-02-10
3Jronsslpual cards.
A IT o r N < v 8 .

~ NcJOUGALL, Successor to Cameron
~. McDOugail) Attorney and Counselor at Law. Ofe|
in Clio ~ COOKS Block, Ottawa, us Also U. CoII
missioner. dec216|
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-02-10

A. RICuoIsoS. d. b. sNo
IL Counselors at Law. Wil practice in the courts
Sale and adjoining counties. Office, west oil Court
Ottawa, Ills. nov
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-02-10

7 IL. FL EMING. Attorney and Counselt
y. Law, Ottawa, Ill. Otice In Clancy's block, north
OF Court House tebl<
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-02-10
MUCH &
MANY
THIN

That housek eepers want can be found az my Druga
Store-pure Cream Tartar, Spices. DC. Z. \, Oh
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-02-10

NDWIN N. LEWIS, Attorney and Couns
Il at Law, Glover 4 Cooks Block. Ottawa, LII. ~
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-02-10

ID T.. LINCOLN, Attorney at Law. Office
ID. No. 10 La Sale street, west SIDE Of the Court no
Ottawa, Ills. july3'I
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-02-10

~ EORGE -. ELDIt EDG E, Atto
" at Law. Office In z. y. Block. ottawa, Iii. api
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-02-10

rIAs. II. BRUSH, Attorney and Coun
VA Illinois mari
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-02-10

DIP. JONES. L. W. BREW
| ION las, ~ BR ICW Err, Attorneys and
sellers at Law, Ottawa, Ills. office, Rooms NOS.
second loor, Metropolitan Block. octls
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-02-10

~ GORGE NJ. LELAND ID, Attorney
VI Counselor at Law, and Solicitor In Chancery.
over Benefits store, west OF Court House. mayl
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-02-10

IL. DKUITI', Attorney and Counselor
H. Law, Ottawa ILL., Office, NO Is La sale street, ov
Philips Bros grocery store Wlll attend promptly to d
business entrusted Is care. special attention paid
collections. augl-6mosI
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-02-10

HIRAM Il. GLIB II RI, Attorney at L
II Room No. Post office Block. sep25'
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-02-10

DRANK i. CRAWFORD, Attor
l. Law. Room 1850 Clark St., 5. W. cor. Monro,
csgo. Notary Public. mar
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-02-10

ID X. 81 q. A. LEILA ID, Attorneys at L.
l. Rooms formerly occupied by DR.. bascom. IL Zoe
Leands BLOCK, northwest corner oil Court House SQui
ottawa, LII. deci-
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-02-10

nR. X. NJ. McARI'H UR, Ottawa, III
~ Oiice-Rooms 5 Il Z. o. Block. Open from o
AN. to O'Clock +. NJ. Residence on Benton Street,
of Illinois Ave. jan.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-02-10

- II. DA Wis, Counselor at Law. Rooms a.
-. Opera Hall Building. L. SAFE, IL. special care Civ
to Insurance Gases. June lO-ly
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-02-10

RITZ UR LOCKW Justice {
N Peace Ottawa, Ills. ONCE on Columbus, a lew
north OF the post office. Win thank his friends Tor al
ness pertaining TO his office, and engages TO attent
promptly.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-02-10

LII NJ. ISASCcN. NJ. d., Physician az
IL. geon, Ottawa III. Office I'd door north OF post
Residence. Washington St., north OF the convent. (
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-02-10

nR. GILBERT D'EPISY, Frenc
~ sician. 81 years OF practice, the last ten years
Louis Mo. Office, La Sale St.. over X. Wolfe and ID.
ard. Residence, Washington ST., lnorth OF Supreme
Bock.) once hours, from . to IL O'Clock A. NJ, and
ROBIN. nayl
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-02-10

HRNRY MAYO. John Ii. VIDA
MAYO ~ wIbM CIt, Attorneys al Law
In ice In Natting0 iock corner OF La sale ana
streets. front room up stairs ottawa. Ill. 81
The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1877-04-27
On. sI,,isa asln l....
Sitting Bun. the Oearala chief.

Sitting Bull, the Ogallala chief, who
has been employed by the Agent at Red
Cloud in guarding public property, is
reported killed. 1t was to him that
President Grant gave a handsomely
mounted and engraved rifle, while on a
visit to the Great Father, and his valu-
able present was at last his ruin. Al
though at peace with the whites he was
hostile to their allies, the Crows, and at
one time succeeded in running off
some of their ponies The sole clue of
the victims to the identity of this bold
marauder, lay in the glimpse they had
of his silver ~glistening rifle. Sitting
Bull was an influential Ogallalla, and
was one of the delegation sent by Gen.
Crook to the camp of the hostiles. AT
the conclusion of his unsuccessful mis-
sion he went to our cantonment at the
mouth of the Tongue river, for r%ations,
and with q flag of truce in his hands
was permitted to enter the lines undis-
turbed until his bright rifle betrayed
him to some Crow scouts in the employ
of Col. Miles, who Immediately killed
and scalped him.
The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1877-04-27
A Phenomenal Foot,

In all the recent raids on the ranches
Of Laramie county stock men in which
they have lost horses there seems to
have been a ~long-footed Indian present
as leader. Sometimes he has on moe
casins and sometimes the track is
found where he has taken a few steps
barefooted. The foot measures just the
length Of the stock of a needle gun, and
certainly there are not two men in the
Territory who have so much Of them
turned up on the ground, and we sug-
gest that a general examination of feet
at the Agencies be ordered by the Gov
eminent. There is a Sioux Indian
whose name is "Longfoot," and he
may be the guilty party. But if the
foot is as long as the cowboys say-as
long as a gun-stock-one of the red
thieves should be easy Of detection.
Editorial courtesy forbids a sugges-
ton to examine the extremities of a
certain white man in this community,
If a gun-stock of sufficient length can
be found.