davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-08-08
Hotel Fires.

The fire at the Lawrence house Fri
day morning came very near being
repetition of the terrible disaster at the
Southern hotel at st. Louis, on some
what smaller scale, but none the less
terrible to every victim. The flames
spread with incredible rapidity, the
elevator serving as fue and air-feeder
to fan the flames and give them an open
way from floor to floor. The house
was 80 quickly filled with smoke and
flames as to cut off all means of exit
except from the windows. 1t required
the utmost efforts of the fire depart
ment to handle their ladders in time
to rescue the inmates, and even then,
some were scorched, one man severely
injured by jumping or falling from
fourth story window, and with scarcely
an exception all the inmates lost every
thing but the clothes on their backs.
One cannot but shudder at the peril
so narrowly escaped, but unfortunately
it is uot without numerous presidents
and with every probability of many
repetitions in the future. For unless
all hotels are compelled by law, and a
vigorous public sentiment, to provide
better safeguards against fire and better
methods of escape, the progress in that
direction will be very slow. We be-
ieve, however. that public opinion can
do much to bring about the necessary
remedy, and that it is the duty of the
press to agitate the matter and intensity
public sentiment.
In the case of the fire Friday morning
the night clerk of the hotel, when he
discovered the fire, had the forethought,
after giving the alarm to Waterman
near by, to rush up stairs and arouse
the sleeping inmates. The smoke and
flame, however, soon drove him from
this duty and the fremen, who were
quickly on the spot, found it impossi-
BE 10 enter the building above the
first floor and were compelled to devote
all their energies to the rescuing of
shrieking people by ladders from the
windows. After all were rescued the
fire department then threw water and
found nc trouble in quenching the fire.
Now, here was condition Of things
that very clearly points to the essential
safeguards that ought to be provided
in every public inn. l. A system of
electric bells in every bedroom which
could be rung instantly and simulta-
neously from the hotel office. This
would be reversing the ordinary cleo
trio call bell system now found in all
first. class hotels and could be made an
attachment of the same using the same
wires for that purpose. 2. Every ho-
tel should be provided with per-
manent escapes of some kind. There
are various devices for this purpose; the
difficulty is that very mahy of them are
never put in service. They cost money
and SO are neglected. 3. Elevator ways
ought to be trapped to prevent the
rapid spread of fire. 4. Every floor
should have water supply and hose,
and chemical fire extinguishers. These
precautions all involve some outlay and
supervision, but human life is worth
all the cost and trouble, and an ap-
preciative public will quickly learn how
to discriminate in its patronage.-Hauh-
Ego.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-08-08

PLEASURES OF READING.-Theg great
est pleasure in'life is that OF reading
while we are young. I have had as
much of this pleasure, perhaps, as any
one. As grow older it fades. or else
the stronger stimulus of writing takes
off the edge of it. At present ! have
neither time nor inclination for it, yet
l should like to devote years entire
leisure to course of the English nov
elists, and perhaps clap on that sly
knave, Sir Walter, to the end OF the list.
It is astonishing how used to relish
the style OF certain authors, at time
when I myself despaired OF ever writ
ing single line. Probably this was
the reason. 1t is in mental as in natur-
al ascent, intellectual objects seem
higher when welook down from any
given elevation above the common
level. My three favorite writers about
the time l speak Of were Burke, Junius
and Rousseau. l was never weary OF
admiring and wondering at the felici'
ties of the style, the turns OF express
sion, the refinement of thought and
sentiments. l laid the book down to
find out the secret of so much strength
and beauty, and took it up again in de.
spair to read on and admire. SO l
passed whole days, months, and l may
add years, and have only this to say
now, that as my life began so / could
wish that it may end.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-08-08
Fleeing from q Crocodile.

An English officer Who was foolish
enough to battle in an Indian river 1.-THE
Narbuddha), while on AN excursion
with party of friends, met an adven.
ture that nearly cost him his life. When
about three hundred yards from the
bank lie caught sight of the snout of an
enormous alligator, and at once began
to swim for his life toward land. At
first he seemed to be undiscovered, but
he soon knew that he was chased, and
every time he glanced over his shoulder
he saw that terrible reptile was rapidly
gaining on him. The rest he tells as
follows:
In quarter of a minute I looked
around again. The alligator was very
close to me then. saw his eyes, for
he had raised his head partly out OF the
water, and I heard the slight swash of
the river as he forged through it.
But another sound was in my ears
too a sound like the ringing of bells
and the beating of blacksmith on an
anvil. The blazing sun and the terri
BILE exertion were doing their part, and
l knew that in few minutes should
be unable to swim any further.
Then came an inspiration, the recol-
lection of the triumphs had achieved
in diving in days gone by. Twas down
in q second. Of course remained un-
der as long as could.
When came up was, perhaps, fifty
yards from the shore, and hasty back
ward glance showed me that the alliga.
tor had stopped on losing sight of me,
for l had gained considerably in the
race.
He saw me the moment came to the
surface, and was on my track again. l
swan few yards, but he was so close
to me that, though terribly tired, I went
under again.
was unable to stay under this time
more than twenty seconds, bnt that took
me fifteen yards nearer the shore. When
I came up he did not see me so quickly
as he had done before, and l swan a
little distance before l saw him once
more in pursuit.
1 was now hardly able to swim, and
neither lad l strength to go under.
The reptile was so close to me that
expected every second to feel his teeth,
and in utter despair l stopped swimming
and let down my feet.
They touched the bottom, for the
bank shoaled, and the water was not
higher than my waist. With last effort
1 plunged forward, and at the same
time, the alligator, feeling himself get
ting into shallow water, surged around
and swan back.
I think that should have then con-
cluded the adventure by being drowned
in foot and half of water, for l had
not sufficient strength to stand on my
feet, but my friend and the driver and
rushed into the river and caught me in
their arms as 1 fell.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-08-08
The Women of To-Day,

Eight of the States now admit wo.
men to practice in their courts.
Studying elocution is more popular
with Paris young ladies than learning
to play on the piano.
The Empress of Japan interests her.
self in silk raising, has established q
silk mandatory within the. precincts
of the imperial palace, and has secured
the cooperation of many distinguished
ladies.
Miss Corsen, the " cookist," says that
her best pupils are the Swedes and Nor
wegians, who are perfectly docile.
Next in rank she puts the Germans, af-
ter them the French and Italians, and
last of all the Americans.
Mrs. Polk, the venerable widow Of
President Polk, thinks that the dust of
all the de ad Presidents should be re-
moved to Washington, where, if gath
cred in one place, she thinks q suitable
memorial to them could be erected.
At the twenty German universities
during the semester just concluded
there were 1878 young students. Of
this number 2,437 were studying
theology, 5,106 law, and 1857 medi-
cine; 1861 being inscribed in the phil
osophical faculty.
The Queen of England presented to
the King Of Siam last year the order
of St. Michael and the cross of st.
George. An embassy is now on the
way to England from the King to in
vest the Queen with the order of the
White Elephant, in return for her COM
pliment.
Twenty six women were admitted to
the University OF London last year,
after passing most creditable examina-
tions. One of these young women is
now not only supporting herself, but
one brother at the University Of Dub
lin, and another at the University of
Cambridge.
An English journal commenting on
the annoyance of servant girls, de-
scribes America as country where
the domestic service difficulty assumes
proportions as far beyond our little
troubles of the same kind here in Eng
land, as the volume of the Mississippi
is beyond that Of the Thames"
On the Continent many fields of La
Dor are open to women. They manage
large shops, and have hotels of their
own; are in railway offices, government
and nearly all have some trade or en-
ployment of iheir own, and IN many
cases IN France the husband boards
with his wife-and pays his board,
! too.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-08-08
An Unpublished Letter of Burns.

Not far from this structure Carrick
Hill rises abruptly from the road, and
from its crest wide view is revealed of
the Firth and its mountain boundaries
in purple haze, Ailsa Craig out toward
the sea, the town on the bay, and the
village at the foot. These scenes will
always have an interest from their asso-
citation with the poet but his family is
on the verge of extinction. Two maiden
ladies of advanced years, the Misses
Begg are the only survivors. They
live very comfortably in little cottage
called the Bridgeside, within two miles
Of the old kirk, and Hospitality receive
visitors who are interested in the poet,
though they possess few "reminiscences
of him. General Grant, and Henry M.
Stanley the explorer, had been among
their recent guests and through their
kindness We were allowed to copy the
following interesting and hitherto I'M
published letter of Burns to his brother
William:
isle, Tuesday erening.
"DEAR WILLIAM:-In my last rec
commended that valuable apotbegm,
Learn taciturnity. 1t is absolutely GER
tain that nobody can know our thoughts,
and yet from slight observation of
mankind one would not think so. What
mischiefs daily arise from silly garrulity
and foolish confidence There is an
excellent Scots saying chat A mans
mind is his kingdom. 1t is certainly
so but how few can govern that king
dom with propriety The serious
mischiefs in Business which this Flux
of language occasions do not come i'm.
mediately to your situation ; but in an
other point of view-the dignity of
man-now is the time that will make or
mar. Yours is the time of life for lay
ing in habits. You can not avoid it,
though you will choose, and these hab.
its will stick to your last sand. At after
periods, even at SO little advance as my
years, It's true that one may still be
very eharp-sighted to ones habitual
failings and weaknesses, but to eradi
cate them, or even mend them, is quite
a different matter. Acquired at first by
accident, they by-and-by begin to be,
as it were, Unnecessary part of our exist
ence. l have not time for more.
Whatever you read, whatever you hear,
of that strange creature Man, look into
tho living world about you, look to
yourself, for the evidences of the fact
or the application of the doctrine.
am ever yours,
ROBERT BURNS.
"Mr. WILLIAM BURNS, Saddler, Long
town."-W II. Riding, in Huper's
Magazine.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-08-08
Francis Joseph and Wife.

A Paris paper apropos of their silver
wedding, gives an interesting account
of the first meeting between the EN-
peror of Austria and his wife. Some
twenty-five years ago the young En-
peror Francis Joseph visited Carlsbad
for no special reason, but simply to
amuse himself. There he met bis three
beautiful Bavarian cousins-the Prime
ess de Thurn ct Taxis, the Princess
Elizabeth, and the Princess Marie
Sophie. Very lovely in the evening, in
the animation of the waltz, the Princess
Elizabeth was even more fascinating in
her black cloth habit and riding-hat
with its green veil, as she galloped on
her English horse with the elegance
and daring of a huntress of ancient
times. 1t is related that one day her
magnificent hair, which it was difficult
to keep confined, fell down over her
shoulders, and covered her like royal
maetle. Her confusion was indescriba.
BILE, while the EN- error glanced from
the escaped tresses to the blushing
cheeks of his cousin. She fastened
home. After luncheon she found on
the table an immense album. Francis
Joseph placed it before her, and pointed
out some views of Austria, of the Tyrol
and of Hungary. What beautiful
scenery What a lovely country !" she
exclaimed repeatedly, in her admira-
ton. The emperor whispered: "Would
you like to make them your own? Are
you willing to reign there?" And as
she trembled and did not reply, he held
out to her bunch of edelweiss-the
flower of betrothal. She took it, and
put it next her heart. A few weeks
later she became Empress of Austria.
APIECE OF PRINTERS "PI. Between
the reports of the races, the report of
the Presbyterian assembly, the type
settlers and a "pi," the following para
graph was accidentally constructed and
would have appeared in one of yester-
days city papers, but for its timely dis
covery by proof reader: L" The as
sembly was opened and Rev. DR.. Sher-
lack led in prayer up to the quarter
pole when Trinidad pushed up leading
for a moment soon succeeded by Strath-
more, who yielded the floor to DR..
Acklett, who wished to state to the as
sembly that the committee on bills and
overtures joined the strangers in their
belief that the Tennessee crack would
prove sure winner. Falsetto was
next with motion to call up their re-
port when DR.. Blackenight moved to
amend by forcing the pace which was
exceedingly hot. Rev. DIR. Winggers
offered resolution in lieu of that, as
the committee on synodical records were
punched. At this point Rev. L. G. P.
Gladdis knocked Lord Murphy to his
knees. but the bonnie Scotland was on
his feet, calling for the previous ques-
ton. The ayes and noes being taken,
victory was declared in favor of OAR
den's Lord Murphy, with Rev. DR..
Cranball second to the motion and
neck-aud-neck with One Dime. Paris
mutuals paid the foreign mission in
time 2:3S."
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-08-08

The ex-Empress Carlotta has an in
come of S36O,00O. Her cure is hope
less. She occupies herself with writing
and painting, her correspondence being
almost entirely addressed to sovereigns.
She imagines constantly that she is
still at her NJ exican court, receiving
ministers, generals and ambassadors,
and talks with these shadowy grandees
as if they were indeed around her.
She talks but little to her attendants,
but enjoys exceedingly the presence of
the Queen of Belgium, of whom she is
very fond. The unhappy lady wears
extraordinary toilets, and seems to pre-
fer the most garish colors.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-08-08

A PREssMAN IN LUCK.-Mr. Frank
Miller. an employee in the press. room
OF the Hs'ald, has fallen heir through
his wife to 50 900, 900. Mr.. Miller mar
Red Miss Azelia Dore, granddaughter
OF Jean Louis Champagne, who recently
dled IN Texas, leaving a princely for
tune to he divided among his heirs. Mr..
Miller is brother in-law of the late
Gen. Alfred Mouton, of Louisiana, who
was killed at the battle of Mansfield,
both having married sisters.-Da!laS
(TeN Herald.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-08-08

A FAMILIAR NIcKNAME.-Jack does
not come from the French Jacques, but
from Jehan, or John, through the vari-
Gus 1Eges of Jakin, Jacky, Jacke and
JaeK: As regards the prevalence of the
two diminutive forms, Jack, the more
French of the pair, has already been
most current in the south of England |;
while Jock, the genuine national nick
name, has survived in the northern
counties, and, above all, in Scotland.
That Jack is q favorite name is indicat-
ca 10y various popular phrases, such as
Every man Jack of them" and Jack
OF all trades and master of none" The
vulgar habit which nicknames the knave
OF cards 1.-THE Jack" bears witness in
like manner to its universal applica-
blllty. A common seaman is still a
jolly Jack tar. Nor can pass by, even
in this brief review, the meat jack, the
boot-jack and smoke-jack, the Oft
quoted cases of the black jack, the
Jack-fool and the jack pudding or the
extension Of the name to the animal
world in the jackdaw, the jack or pike
and the jack an-apes.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-08-08

The demand for American beef, both
dressed and on the hoof, is increasing
to such an extent in Holland that com
pany has been organized for the prose-
cution of the trade. The Dutch port
of Flushing is the headquarters Of the
project.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-08-08

The honest man who Is out Of debt,
and has enough to eat and drink and
wear, and = place to sleep beneath q
tight roof, belongs to the aristocracy.
With the smile of God and a place to
labor, he has nothingio desire save the
crown that awaits the promoted.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-08-08

A SUDDEN DIsAPPEARANCE.-A q
menagerie in st. Louis. last Friday
night, Brazilian leopard was left in
one apartment of performing cage
and two lions in another. The keepers
heard them growing during the night,
but such noises are common in that
family. Saturday morning, when the
attendants made the round of the cages,
the cage lately containing the lions and
leopard had only two occupants, and
they were both lions, while the door
between the compartments was open.
There appeared q good deal of blood on
the floor and bars, a good deal of hair
every where, and heap of bones at
one side, and the cause of the dissp-
pearance is no mystery. This is the
pair of animals that killed keeper in
Philadelphia some years ago.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-08-08

The chief properties of wisdom are to
be mindful of things past, careful Of
things present and provident of things
to come.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-08-08

You cannot dream yourself into q
character you must hammer and forge
yourself ons.-Fr0uds.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-08-08
An Intractable Disease.

Notwithstanding the increased atten-
ton given, for the past year or two, to
the prevention of scarlet fever, it is
doubtful whether anything has been
discovered of real value in providing
immunity against it. 1t is contagious,
but the contagion disseminates itself
slowly, and fastens itself only on those
who are predisposed to it. Still, its
tenacious vitality often sets all proven
tive measures at naught.
This dangerous disease has become
fixed in our large cities, and in spite of
the best efforts of our Boards of Health,
readily becomes epidemic. Thus, last
year, in New York, during July, Au-
gust, September and October, it aver
aged thirty-nine cases month. Dur
ing November it arose to ninety.
During December, January, Feb
ruary and March it averaged over enc
hundred and ninety-two month. Says
the Medical Record, our chief authority
in this article, "This has occurred in
spite of sanitary regulations, and We
can only have the satisfaction of know
ing that it would have been worse with.
out them"
Belladonna has been longest relied
on, but confidence in its efficacy is now
in inverse proportion to physicians
experience. All the newer remedies,
including those suggested by the germ
theory of disease, have been equally
disappointing.
We are thus, for our main depend
ence, shut up to complete isolati on Of
the patient. plenty Of fresh air in the
sick room, and thorough disinfection.
Greasing the body, and warm baths
during convalescence. are help, since
they safely remove much of the scarf
skin, minute particles of which. in
hailed by others, are q frequent, if not
the most common, source of the infec
ton.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-08-08

The French journalists are making
fun of the French bonnets. They say
that they have continually before their
eyes the most hideous and barbaric
styles, exaggerated copies of invalid
hats or of the shades worn by sufferers
from cataract; caleche shaped bonnets
and other queer shapes which have no
meaning; and they pathetically ask if
the panier is to bring back the fright
full heads of hair which caused doors
and carriages to be too small. They
add that they are continually reminded
of stories brought home by travellers,
who tell how the women in the savage
state appropriate the most uuheard of
things for head gear, and of how whole
cargoes of baskets or hen .coops have
been thus Incorporated, and they
ask if civilized woman knows how ride
ulous she appears when she follows out
absurd fashions to the letter.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-08-08

Kentucky mules are being ex tensively
purchased by British agents for ship
ment to South Africa, to he used in the
Zulu campaign. The Kentucky mule,
armed cap-a- pie, from tooth to toe nail,
is about as effective projectile as was
ever invented for carrying war into
Africa
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-08-08

An Englishman who has recently ar
rived at Philadelphia is shocked to see
so many left-tailed dogs in the streets,
and feels it his duty to direct public
attention to the fact: Your excellent
American oysters" he writes to the ed
itor of the Tie Telegraph, "your roast
beef poultry, and superior shad, have
/ fear, caused a very provoking attack
of govt, which will prevent me from
visiting the Bench Show of Dogs, to
open on Monday next. If the dogs to
he exhibited prove to be no better breed
than the dogs I have noticed along your
streets, the exhibition will rot prove
very creditable. At least 90 in every
100 dogs l have noticed in this city curl
their tails to the left, an evidence of
low breed and danger. Dogs that curl
their tails to the right are never affl icted
with hydrophobia. That fatal disease
prevails only among dogs that curl
their tails left. No gentleman in Lon
don or in any city of the Continent will
own dog or allow dog to follow him
that curls its tail to the left"
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-08-08

London is spread over about 1000
square miles. There is one death there
every six minutes, and one birth every
four. The growth of the population is
at the rate of IS 900 a year, or 2O5 each
day. The total length of streets in
London is about 900 miles there are
built every year about 5000 new
houses, by which the length of the
streets is increased by twenty-eight
miles. In the jails there is an average
of $4,000 prisoners. The foreign born
residents of London number about
100000; but 81 per cent of the whole
population were born out of the city
COruHih Magazine.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-08-08

Two CARELESS BoYs.-They didn't
mean to-" but see what their careless.
ness did. Boys who are thus careless
are criminal.
Miss Nellie Griswold, a young lady
about nineteen years of age, was fatally
shot at the residence of Geo. Searle in
South Norwalk, Conn.,, by a sixteen
year-old son of Mr.. Searle. who had in
his hand q pistol supposed to be un-
loaded. Another similar case occurred
in house at Norwich. A little boy
visitor in some way obtained small
revolver. In sport he pointed and dis
charged at the boy whom he was visit
ing. The bullet struck the lad in the
mouth and tore away three of his teeth.
But for the teeth probably the ball
would have entered the boys brain and
made fatal wound.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-08-08

A teaspoonful of salt will weigh about
one ounce.