davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-11-07
The Misfortune of Memphis.

For nearly ninety days there has been
no business in Memphis except to pass
out with a liberal hand the charitable
contributions of the world to the sick
and destitute. The stores and ware
houses on Main and Front and other
streets have been closed. The goods
owned by the tenants of those stores in
many instances have deprecated in value
to less than their first cost. The men
who own those buildings-some of them
millionaires- one duty to sufferers
in the great calamity, and that is to
cancel the rents due during the period
of the epidemic. The maj .rity of the
property owners have resided in safe
places. We have no doubt they will all
have the manhood to stand up and bear
a share of the common calamity. Resi-
dence property should also be exempt
from the collection of rents during the
same period. 1t is safe to say that the
mass of refuge tenants have found it a
difficult matter to obtain food, without
the additional burden of paying rents
for houses which they have not occupied.
The men who stood in Memphis facing
death every hour of their lives do not
expect to receive any reward this side of
heaven. But they believe the rich citi-
zens will give, in some form, slight
pecuniary tribute to alleviate the gener-
al restitution.
After the death and burial of our
friends, the next sad fact is the destitute
condition of our poor whites, who are
too proud to apply for relief. Some
have large families. They will suffer
the pangs of hunger and starve before
they will apply for charity. Many of
them were once well-to.do, or living
comfortably, on good salaries or in off,
cial positions. There does not seem to be
any remedy. "Suffer aud be strong" is
their only Observation-Disclosures Ava-
1n4ache.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-11-07
Riddles and Otherwise.

The Paris exposition is rich in musical
relics and instruments, which have a
special interest of one sort or another,
historical or personal. The collection of
old and obsolete stringed Instruments
viols, viols d'amour, lutes mandolins,
theorboes, crowths, and the like-is very
large, and there are virginals, clavecins,
spinets. and all the varieties of keyed
instruments. Some of those are very
curious, and one or two remarkable; the
most so is, perhaps, a large Italian cla-
vecin in carved and gilded wood, made
for ella donna OLYMPIA Maidalchini,"
sister-in-law to Pope Innocent x. The
carving of the case represents the sports
of the Maids and Tritons; the instru-
ment, which is in the form of grand
piano, is supported by three Tritons
swimming. Under the clavecin are
two nymphs, and back of the instrument
a child seated on conch-shell. The two
principal figures are Galatea and
Polyphemus, the latter playing on
the bagpipe; he is seated on a
bronze rock, which is intended to be
also the seat for the performer at the in
strument. Galatea listens to him fas-
cinated, standing close by him. The fig
ures are life size. There are some SUI
perb violins, examples of the work of
Stradivarius, Amati, Guarnerius, Stein
er, Maggini, Gagliano, Rugger, Bergonzi,
and other makers. Many Of the instru'
ments have names of their own; thus
magnificent Stradivarius is known--lke
the Mozart Symphonies the "Jupi-
ter" another as the "Stentor," and the
third, the property of Mr.. Alard, which
cost $4,000 francs, is known as the
Messiah" Perhaps the most interest
ing of all is Stradivarius, bearing the
date 1877, inlaid with ivory, and richly
carved. 1t is supposed to have been the
g masterpiece" Of the maker such =
work as each apprentice had to make
when he was received a master-work-
man.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-11-07

ployed. nearly hundred worknen, be-
sides q number of women and girls,
whose business it was to polish the COL
ored stone and line the false pearls with
fish scales and wax. The scales of the
roach and dace are chiefly used for this
purpose and form considerable source
of profit to the fishermen of the Seine in
the euvirons of Corbeil, who bring them
to Paris in large quantities during the
season. They must be stripped from
the fish while. living, or the glistening hue
which We admire 80 much in the real
pearl cannot be initiated. It was, how
ever, to the "cultivatioh of the dia-
mond that M. Bourgignon devoted his
ingenuity, and, had he detailed the mys-
teries of his craft, some of the most
singular histories of "family dia-
monds" and "heirlooms" would have
been brought to light.
Not only was domestic deception car
ried on by means of M. Bourguignon's
artistic skill, but he was often called
upon to lend his aid to diplomatic craft
likewise. Numberless were the snuff
boxes, "adorned with valuable diamonds
which issued from his atelier in secret AZ
the reward of public service or skillful
negotiation; innnmerable portraits, "set
in brilliants," which were mounted
there to gladden. the hearts of charge
d'affaires, attaches and vice consuls.
| A visit to some of the workshops will
inspire the mind with wonder to behold
the perfection with which art can be
made to initiate the most exquisite pro.
auctions of nature. The lustre of the
diamond, the richness, the double re-
Fiction of the ruby, even the caprice
and deviation in the form and color Of
the pearl, escape not the cunning eye Of
artist. Some of the parures are valued
as high as 5000 to 5000 francs. The
workmanship, however, is as tasteful anc
costly as any produced by the first jew
elers in the world. The setting is al
ways of pure gold and the fashion of thu
newest kind. A tiara from these store
of the price of 5000 francs will rival ii
effect and delicacy of finish its nei ghbor
which may have cost 20 times as much
None can tell the difference but thos,
who have been allowed to handle it, ant
breathe upon it, and touch it with tn
tongue, and apply an acid to it, in orde
to see whether or not it becomes tai
nished
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-11-07

BOSTON papers say that the apple crop
now being gathered in the central nd
eastern counties in Massachusetts, is SIM
ply enormous, the trees being laden to
the ground with fruit. In the first men
toned counties the crop is the largest
for many years, and the farmers, in
gathering it, find in some cases that their
products are double what they expected.
Consequently the price obtained for the
fruit is very low. They are being pur-
chased at important points for shipping
to England and various parts of the
United States for from 81 to $1.25 per
barrel. The poorer quality of apples are
being sold for making cider at 10 cents
DER buahel.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-11-07

TIE Live Stock Journal decides gen
eral questions as to COW food: we
have seen pumpkins fed quite freely
with excellent result in quantity and
quality of milk; butt is not tit or econ
omicai to feed too largely OF any one
food Potatoes fed in moderation are
excellent for milk, but given in too great
quantity they will reduce the yield.
furnips or beats must not pe gwen TOO
literally: corn fodder, given as a sole
ration. is improbable, but fed with half
pasture, will keep up the yield of milk
and add largely to the profits OF the
season."
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-11-07
Titles IN ENGLAND.

The Importance of titles in England,
even to the afixing of Esquire" is
thus set forth by a London correspon-
dent of the Baltimore Sun:
Woe be unto the writer of letter to
non-city man who omits esquire. It is
an evidence of the underbred or ignor-
ant. You may fatter a city man by
giving him this afix to his name, but
you will not offend him by the prefix of
simply Mr.. In the case of the non-city
man being addressed by letter as Mr.,
offense is created. You would hardly
think that this matter is dwelt OF so
strongly in this age 1t is; and I know
of cases of friendly relations being sew
cred by the application of tradesman
"Mr." to the impecunious West End
gentleman who demand "esquire." In
the plays of Massinger I remem-
Der numerous illustrations of this
distinction. Yet as far as my
reading goes, and must confess to a
weakness in reading old books and SUBJ
jects, I cannot recall single evidence
that the word freeman was not prior in
its creation to the word gentleman. But
Mr., a corruption of master, an employer
of apprentices in trade, is an after appel
lation to either. In the time of Edward
III. "a city man was Mr., but no gen.
tleman,' and to-day the distinction Oh
tains, more or less discriminative. At
parties, dinner-parties especially, you
will see the plain Mr.. singled out for the
minor places if he be out of the three
liberal professions, divinity, law, and
,>hvcso ov,l Sf ha no -, ID
member on one occasion wealthy bank
er, now of some note as the successor to
great American financier and philan-
thropist, whose bronze effigy is in the
shadow of the Royal Exchange, being
a secondary place at the dinner table to
a glowingly uniformed captain in the
navy, who could not put penny side
by side with every thousand pounds
of the banker, who had not
an equivalent proportion of brain
or pedigree, but who ranked
the banker in his status by rea-
son of his profession. One was plain
Mr., the other a titled captain. One
was city man, the other gentleman.
Not until you 60 into English society
thoroughly do you learn how rigidly
the lines are drawn in such weak trifes.
Some say they are growing weaker and
less. Others say the contrary. Of a
rank so vague and so difficult of clear
and concise definition AZ that of gentle
men, comprising as well those who have
superior specific station by birth and
manners as those who, if they possess
any at all, possess no other, it is very
awkard how to determine precise period
of English society when the word origi-
mated. For ages after the Norman
forays here you cannot find the word
used, and / am at a loss to say when
the fine old English gentleman so rare,
ETC. first appeared on this soil.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-11-07

vaniAs are earnestly searching for Two
trsiaps, who Sptered theyi|lags school antlf
the childrepa lad been dislnissed, seized tke
'eaeher, AT Kennett, I'D ersssly ASA @
ed her; and Then, -to prevent hef telling The
story, cut out her tongue. The young wo.a-
al managssd ~ reach TIE black boa.d,s wrote
the circumstances of the terrible affair and
descriptions of the scoundrels, and then
died.
1T is alleged that James II. Wheatley,
proprietor of the sugar refinery Of Brook.
Ign, is missing with nearly a quarter of \
million Of trustsfuads. .rx
DErwrf,ER &kWEtsH, owners OF the Mar
ket street flour mills, Philadelphia, have
failed. Liabilities about 100000.
\ MEETING of prominent New York mer-
| chants and others was held ON the 3lst ult.
to consider the question of inviting dele
gates from all the states to assemble in New
York on the Goth of April next, the nine.
tieth anniversary OF the Inauguration of
Washington as president Of the United
States, and also proposition for holding the
exhibition of industry of all nations in New
York city in the year 1880, or sooner. An
| VAcCutASe Co1AuAttoc VI tcu nave LAkeu Tue
matter in charge.
SIX hundred delegates were in attendance
ut the thirty-second annual convention of
the American missionary association at
Taunton, Mass, on the 3Oth. The annual
report showed receipts for the year, $685.
COL; expenses, $lss,o79; balance, 1882 !;
current receipts not equal by 81 $3.50, $40 to
the preceding year. The falling of is main.
ly in legaoies. The debt which two years
ago was $93, 900, has been reduced by gifts
and pledges to $26,29S.
L..D.aSNK1L + Co., provision and cheese
merchants, New York, have failed. Labil.
tiles, between $4,000 and 100000 OF
which $S5 900 is secured.
DEPoslToRs thronged about the Marhat.
tan Savings Institution of New York city op
the 2Sth, and were informed that their
money was all right and would be paid il
needed at the end of 60 days. Circulars
have been issued setting forth the numbers
and other particulars of the stolen bonds
No arrests have yet been made.
The Harvard and Yale crew are to row
an eight cared four mile race soon.
A PLOT was discovered on the 2Sth, for q
wholesale release of prisoners from the
state prison at Concord, Mass. Adischarged
officer was arrested for carrying things to
the prisoners without permit. 1t is sus
pected he is the chief mover in the plot.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-11-07

MILWAUKEE, November 1900 P. NJ
Flour-In better demand to-day and prices
strong; choice spring extras 81 25@4 Is;
common $3.25@3.50. Wheat-Better; No.
SEC; No s1@}S2hc; No. Tie; No. 4 &c !;
December No. S4}4@8456c; January85H@
S5Ac. Corn-Quiet ut SAC. Oats-Dull at
1870. Barley-Tame; Soc cash; December
87Nc: No. 8 45Hc: Pork-Firm at $7.25:
Lard-At SIC. Hogs-Active at $3.50
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-11-07
Chicago.

CHICAGO, November 2-l:3O p. NJ
Wheat-Lower and steady; No. red at
S6Hc; No. 2 spring at 82c for cash; S37sc
bid for seller December. e-Corn-Lower at
33hc for cash; 32Hc bid for seller Deem
Der. Oats-1ower at 1870 for cash; 1876
for seller December. Rye-Unhanged
Barley-At 90c. Pork-Lower; $3.50 fol
December. Lard-Lower; $3.50 asked TO,
seller November; $5.s7H for seller Deem
Der. Whisky-At $1.0S. Hogs-Receiptt
$4,000 head; dull and weak: SC lower; light
at So 0O@3.05; packing at $2.95@3.15; ship
ping at $@.05@3.25.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-11-07
THE MARKETS.
N CIV York.

NEW YORK, November 300 P. M
Cottun-Quiet at 8 7.l6c for n,iddling up
sales L., goo bbls at $3.7O@3.S5; extra:st tie at
$S70@5. 90 in round hoop. Wheat-Quieter
and A@}ac lower; receipts 180, 600 bus; No.
2 red seller November at $1.34X@l.35H.
Rye-Firm. Corn--h@1c lower; receipts
$1,000 bus; sales 100000 bus at 4GH@47c.
Barley-Dun. Oats-Steady: receipts 49,:
600 bus; sales s., 900 bus at 26@3lc for mixed
western; 29@35c for white do. Pork
Quiet at $3.50. Lard-Dull at $6.22h.
Whisky-At $l.lO. Petroleum-Crude at
Sc; refined at &c. Coal-Dull. Leather
Quiet. WoOl-Firn,. j.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-11-07

OLEoPATRA's Needle, brought from
Egypt and set up in London with much
trouble and expense, is showing q dis
position to crumble after its exposure to
salt water and the climate of ENGLAND.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-11-07

1T seems almost incredible, but is
nevertheless, stated as fact, that after
the recent terrible theater panic at Liver
pool, by which over a score of people
lost their lives, the proprietor of the
house publicly announced his intention
of opening the doors as usual and giving
the customary performance. The indig-
nation which this proposal awakened was
intense, and there were threats of wreck
ing the house if performance was
there attempted within "a hours of 80
great calamity. In consequence of the
danger the mayor forbade the opening of
the house and the manager finally &C.
uuiesced.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-11-07
FOREIGN,

LONDON, November 2.-12 80 P. M.-Liv.
erpool wheat market opens firm. Float
ing cargoes dearer;on passage dearer. Good
cargoes red winter wheat of coast at AS I'd.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-11-07
DAVIDSON 1 WHEELER, Publishers,
VARIOUS TOPICS.

YOUTHFUL Frenchmen, with more
title than ready cash, are skirmishing
about Paris very lively in search of
American ladies whosepapas are wealthy,
for wives.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-11-07

Two ladies died in Iowa last week
who had lived Michigan, Wisconsin and
Iowa territories and in Iowa state with.
out change of residence. One of them
had lived constantly on the same farm
through all these changes.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-11-07

In 1881. at New Haven, Prof. Sill.
man drove into small maple tree sta
pie on which to hang lantern. The
other day the staple was found inside a
block of wood, and for while people
wondered how it got there.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-11-07

CHIN Ian PIN, the Chinese minister
at Washington, tells some tea merchants
who ask him to discourage the exporta-
ton from his country of arti6cially col
ored teas, that the Chinese will gladly
stop the coloring business if the forei On.
ers will stop calling for the colored
article, which is both less palatable and
moro exnonsive
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-11-07
THE DEBT STATEMENT.

WASHINGTON, November 1.-The follow.
ing is the public debt statement for Octo.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-11-07

TAKING 10000 letters, which gives
round numbers for every letter, the
alphabet is used in printing in the Eng
lish language in the following proper
tions: a, $500; b, 1900; c, 5000; d,
4,4oO; e, 10000; +, $500; 6, 100; h,
6,4o0; i, $500; ], 400; k, 500; |, 1890;
m, 5000; n, 5000; o. 5000; p, 1900: q,
500; r, $500; $, 5000; t, 5000; u, s,4oO;
v, 1900; W, 1000; x, 400; y, 1000; z,
200.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-11-07

ONLY one of the big trees of Califor-
MIA has been felled by the hand of man.
To accomplish this it required the work
of five men for twenty-five days, not
chopping, but with long augurs, boring
1t down. After the tree was completely
severed, the veteran stood still unmov-
ed, refused to fall, until by ropes, pull
legs and wedges the enormous trunk was
brought to the earth. This tree was
found to be over 800 feet long, So feet in
circumference at the base and sound to
the very heart.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-11-07

ROBERT 4, PEDR1ek. VIE deirauded his
cloths and silks, New York, of $l0s, 900, and
by means of forgeries swindled the customs
'of ddty amountinsg to $40, 900, sent , con.
tfession through the mail Of the Associate d
Press. Hesaysh his wrong doing was brought
aboat by3sPeoulaaion, ivsteckssst,sl
A'cHitD aged ~ years ditd Ut Pittsburg,
Pa, on the End inst, from fright occssiontd
by beholding> the bsheading trick in
Humpty -Dumpty. A young woman name d
Mary Sharp Wal similarly affected on the
same pecaaiop, but xeceyared on bainG taken
honksl Un NHH5l II a. 80
ACCORDING to dispatch from Port Jer.
Wis, the people around Thompson, Pennsyl-
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-11-07

A GREAT work has recently been fin.
ished in Hungary by the completion of
drain for the famous Schemnitz mines,
which was commenced as far back as
1882 by the Emperor Joseph II. The
drain is about l0t miles long, mostly in
very hard volcanic rock, and intersects
the mine at depths varying from 800 to
1000 feet. The point where the juno.
tions Of the last sections were effected is
about 1000 feet below the surface, being
under mountain pass.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-11-07

GEN. RoHLFs, who is to lead an expe.
dition from rripoli into the wilds of At
RIGA, is flooded with letters from people
who wish to accompany him. One cor
respondent, a professional musician, pro-
posed the formation of band, at the
head of which he would, by the per-
Torrance of sacred melodies, subdue the
untutored negro tribes, and thus open
the way to scientific explorers. He had
taken altogether literally Congreve's
poetic idea that music hath charms to
soothe the savage breast"
Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1878-05-03
Lecturers.

The fees of prominent lecturers, accord
ing to the American Literary Bureau,
are as follows: Cough, $3.50; Beeeher.
$500 to 5000; Tilton, $3.50; Eli Perkins,
800; Philli ips, $500; Scott-Siddons,
$3.50; Bret Harte, 1925; Bayard Tay-
lOr, S125, Reductions are, however, made
from these figures for small towns.
Beecher is worth $500 simply because
he Will draw that amount. Cough will
draw 5000, Anna Dickinson will draw
125, Mark Twain will draw $3.50, Eli
'erkins will draw s125, and Mrs. Scott
Siddons is worth $3.50. Readers are not
worth as much as original thinkers, simply
because they are not original. They are
copies. They simply read what the dra-
natist or humorist has written. Their
material is not fresh. 1t is good, but old.
The audience have read it over and over
again, and fun and pathos is so delicate
that, once listened to, Its force is gone
forever. You can laugh at the same
humor, or cry at the same pathos but
once. So the original humorists like
Nasby, Ward, and Tom Hood, have al
ways the advantage. Their platform
humor is a sealed book, which no reader
can reproduce. The books of thehumor-
ist are public, and the readers can read
and re-read them before sleepy audiences;
but they keep their best things for their
lectures. Their lectures they keep out
of the magazines and newspapers, that
they may appear on the platform with
fresh and original fun-delighting the
ears of the audience with side-spitting
humor, or moistening their eyes with
heart-tOuchino pathos.
Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1878-05-03
Rare Girls.

Young ladies who make themselves in
dependent by honest and noiseless means
are not so common but they are worth
mentioning and praising.
1t will be small drop of consolation
to the thousands of honest housewives
who look upon servant girls as nuisances.
to learn that there are four working girls
in the city of Detroit, whose plans and
deeds are worthy of public mention. One
of them the oldest, came to this country
from England about seven years ago. She
was followed after time by second and
a third, and fourth, and during the last
three years the four have held places in
families in the same neighborhood.
Each one began saving money from the
first. They have made every effort to
please the families employing them, and
have consequently been paid extra wages
Every garment purchased by them has
been for comfort and long wear, instead
of show and style. Each one can sew,
patch, darn, put up fruit, make preserves,
cook any dish, tack down a carpet, put
up stove, harness a horse, make her
own clothes, and trim her own hat. Each
one has bank account, and for several
years past have had a grand object in
view.
That object isnow almost accomplished
A few weeks ago they united their saw
ings and purchased lot in the northern
part of the city, 4Ox19O in size. They
then contracted with a builder for a cot
tage, which was ready for occupancy only
two or three days ago.
The eldest sister then gave up her sit
uation and moved in. The furniture was
bought here and there, where cash would
secure a bargain, and is good, if not
snowy. Many little things were contrib
uted by friends, and the little home is as
neat as pin.
The eldest sister will now become a
laundress, having already more work of
that kind than she can do in four days of
the week. She will keep house, and be
a mother to make home for the rest
All own a share, and if sickness comes to
one of the three still acting as servants,
she has place to go to and some one to
care for her
Each Sabbath day they will gather
there to feel that it is a home, and to visit
with and advise each other, and letters
from father and mother, across the wide
ocean, will be opened and read again and
again through fearful eyes. Are there
four other such girls in all this land p
Detroit Free Press.