davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-01-08
piniug with the Dead.

A mysterious dinner party was given
some time ago by an elderly gem
tleman, in the Hotel Demuth, at st.
Petersburg. One morning the gentle
man in question called on Mr.. Pintscher,
the manager of the Demuth restaurant,
and ordered luxurious repast Tor six,
of which he himself made out the menu,
selecting from the wine card the costh-N
est vintages. He asked for an estimate
of the dinners cost, paid the amount of
his bill in advance, and requested that
everything should be prepared for the
entertainment of his guests at 7 o'clock
precisely, the same evening. At that
hour he entered the room reserved for
his banquet and took his place at the
head of the table. To the chief waters
respectful inquiry, whether he expect
ed his friends to arrive soon, as the
dinner was quite ready" he replied,
"They are all herei Let the soup be
served forthwith By his express
command the puzzled attendants
then proceeded to help the abb
sent guests to course after
course, setting down full plates be-
fore the empty chairs, and pouring out
precious wines into thegroups of glasses
stationed before each untenanted place.
The gentleman ate and drank cepiously,
now and anon blinking his glass against
the masterless goblets ranged upon the
table to his right and left. With the
first round of champagne, he arose and
made speech to his imaginary friends
from the tenor of which Grafton the
walters gathered that they had been en-
gagged in attending to personages long
since defunct. When the gentleman
had concluded his remarks, he again
went through the blinking formality,
drained the contents of his glass, and,
turning to Mr.. Pintscher, chilled that
amazed functionary's blood by the fol.
lowing ghostly statement: "To-day ]
celebrate my joyful meeting with my
beloved relatives-my dead wife, daqgh'
ter, and three sons, two of whom fell II
the last campaign. Do not be afraid;
am not mad. It has done me power
of good to spend this happy hour or Sc
with my family. You may look for m'
again on this day twelvemonth."
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-01-08
historical Position OF Palestine.

The position of Palestine on the map
of the world has fitted it and its success
sive peoples for remarkable place in
history. Here is little country, with
only 5000 square miles, or 1000 less
than our State of Vermont, which, if
we measure it by the scope of its his
tory, the remote antiquity of its htera-
ture, and the great forces it has started
into irresistible movement, we must
place among the foremost in the
ancient family of nations. 1t is practi-
cally the meeting place of three conti-
nents-Africa, Asia, and Europe. If
Belgium is the cockpit of Europe"
W lere many of the chief battles OF
modern times have been fought, Pales-
tine holds the same relation to the an
cient world. Her plain of Esdraelon
has been the battle-ground of nations
and civilizations from Abraham's day to
Napoleon Bonaparte's. This little
country was the pathway of the nations
on land, while on the sea it was her
Ph9nicia which planted colonies all
around the shores of the Mediterranean,
created Carthage, rival of Rome. and
dared to send her ships as far north as
Britain. There is something, too, akin
to magnetism in this wonderful little
land. It gave certain measure of his
torical Importance, and, indeed, of i'm
mortality to every people and land it
touched. Take from our knowledge
of Egyptian history all we have learned
| from the Mosaic narrative, and there
| will be marvellous diminution of
the fund. It is only where Assyria in
| an early day came into relations with
Syria that we get something of def
mite knowledge of that great Oriental
power. We find Rawlinson, in his
+" Five Monarchies," and Wilkinson, in
| his Manners and Customs of the Egyp-
tians," constantly appealing to and lean
ing on the scripture history, In order
to treat the subject in hand In consecu-
tive form. It is Palestine that brings
all great ancient countries within our
vision. It is our best telescope for a
view of the remote past. We read the
fortunes of other peoples through her.
| OF right she did not possess the Greek
language. It was foisted upon her
through Alexander's conquest, and yet
SO carefully did she learn the new
tongue that it became the receptacle
for the new faith from Him of Naza-
reth, and the medium of its communi
cation to the remotest shores known tc
men. Palestine long resisted Rome
and finally suffered destruction through
Titus. Her acres and faith were bar
tered like piece of merchandise, ani
were, in turn, owned by Canaanite, Jew
Assyrian, Greek, Syrian, Maccab@aI
and Roman. But in three centuries
we find Bethlehem supplanting Rome
Christianity held the scepter on tn
Seven Hills, and paganism became
thing of the country village. or pagets
-HarDer's Magazine
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-01-08
Practical President Lincoln.

In incident is related by Mr.. Muir
doch, the tragedian, of Abraham Lin
coin. Few who lived through the war
have yet forgotten the poem of the
"Sleeping Sentinel" /" which was written
by Janvier in commemoration of an
act of clemency by Lincoln in pardon
ing young Vermont volunteer at the
very moment when he had been led out
to be shot for sleeping at his post.
The first public reading of this poem
by Mr.. Murdoch took place at the
White House, the President, the poet,
and large assembly being present.
Before reading the verses aloud Muir
doch privately pointed out to Mr..
Janvier q slight poetic license where
he had described the arrival of the
President with the pardon as being
accompanied by the sound of rolling
wheels, whereas Lincoln had ridden on
horseback to the place of execution.
Janvier thought it matter of very
trihing consequence, and the reading
proceeded. At the close the President
and many of the party we're In tears.
Lincoln, wiping the tell-tale drops from
his cheeks, then said hastily in a
smothered voice, every touching, Mr..
Janvier, but did not go in a coach. I"
"Oh, well, Mr.. Lincoln" said Senator
Foote, of Vermont, "we all know you
would have gone on foot If it had been
necessary" Eyes, but the fact is
and let us stick to the fact-I went on
horseback, " insisted Mr.. Lineoln.-Phil-
adeEphia Times.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-01-08
Fortunate DeIiyeranee.

Mr.. Powell, the Commander of the
Queen Charlotte, was, in the year 1917
fortunate enough to recover from arock
twenty-one miles northwest of Nooa-
heevah, one of the Marquesas, man
that had been its solitary inhabitant for
nearly three years. His account stated
that, early in 1914 he proceeded thither
from Nooaheevah with four others, all
of whom had left an American ship
there, for the purpose of procuring
feathers that were in high estimation
among the natives of Nooaheevah; but,
losing their boat on the rock, three
of his companions in short time per-
ished through famine, and princi-
paly from thirst, as there was no
water but what was supplied by
rain. His fourth companion continued
with him but few weeks, when he
formed resolution of attempting to
swim, with the aid of splintered frag-
ment that remained of their boat, to
the island, in which effort he must have
inevitably persisted. He had once him
self attempted to quit his forlorn situa.
ton by constructing a catamaran, but
failed, and lost all means of any future
attempt. They had originally taken
fire with them from Nooaheevah, which
he had always taken care to continue,
except on one occasion, when it be-
came extinguished, and never could
have been restored but by a
careful preservation of three or
four grains of gunpowder, and the
lock of a musket, which he had
broken up for the construction of
his catamaran. The flesh and blood of
wild birds were his sole aliment; with
the latter he quenched his thirst in
seasons of long dryness. The discovery
made of him from the Queen Charlotte
was purely accidental; the rock was
known to be desolate and barren, and the
appearance of fire, as the vessel passed
it on an evening, attracted notice, and
produced an inquiry which proved fort
unate to the forlorn inhabitant of the
rock, in procuring his removal to Moo
aheevah, whittier Mr.. Powell conveyed
him, and left him under the care of a
| European of the name of Wilson, who
had resided there for many years, and
with whom the hermit had had pre-.
vious acquaintanced.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-01-08
Singular Freak Of an Engine.

An accident occurred on local rail-
road that is probably without parallel
in the history of railroading- Illinois,
at least. As a train on the evening of
the day was near Glassford, going at
the speed of nearly forty miles an hour,
a COW suddenly bounded in front of the
engine. There was no warming what
ever; the front of the engine passed
over the animal, and in doing so was
lifted clear of the rails and uncoupled
from the tender. Going at such high
rate of speed, it continued some twenty
yards on the ground, tearing it up, and
even uprooting stump in its mad Ca
reer, and, what is very strange, kept on
its wheels until it came to standstill,
where it stood clear of the main track.
The remainder of the engine and train
kept the track, and ran past the engine
about quarter of mile, when it was
brought to stop with brakes. The jar
of the engine was SO light that but few
passengers were made aware of the ac-
cident until told. The engineer sat on
his seat throughout the affair, a mere
spectator of the queer freak of his en-
gine. No one was hurt, or even scared,
-KeoktIk (Ioloa) Gate City.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-01-08

able details of his encounter at the
Porter House, incarceration at the lock-
up, etc.
Heptalina was more affected and in
terested at the recital than either of the
others, and wept and laughed alter
nately, her sympathies all with Jeremy.
well, Jeremy, you have found
good haven at last. will be glad to
have you with me as long as You can
content yourself. and viii pay you for
helping me on the farm, my work being
little behindhand."
This Farmer Smythe said, patting his
young friend on the shoulder in very
friendly way.
Jeremy said he would remain week
or two and then return home, as no
doubt his parents were anxious about
him.
At the end of month Jeremy started
homeward, with his great heart over
flowing with happiness. He and Hep
talina had made contract for life.
Just one month from then she would
become his bride.
He was not long walking the twenty
five miles, and as soon as he was in
sight of the old homestead his father
and mother both hastened to meet him,
and rain tears of love on his neck.
Jeremy was reminded of the account
given of the Prodigal Son, still was
aware that their cases varied, as he had
not wasted much in riotous living. Nor
was the fatted calf killed, although the
Joy of those parents hearts was great
at his return, for Jeremy had been a
good, obedient boy, and was all their
dependence.
He could not gather courage, at first,
to tell them of his engagement to Hep
talina, but when he did he was told by
them both that the old house should be
enlarged, and that they would all live
and die in the same place.
| Thus Jeremy resumed his labor on
the old farm, never leaving it again to
secure an agency.
After haying he brought home his
bride, and all went merry as mar
| rage bell"
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-01-08
y Forests and Climate.

In an interesting pamphlet by s. V.
Dorrien on "The Protection of For
ests," the author points out these bene-
fetal effects of forests upon climate:
First, forests increase the amount of
moisture in a region by promoting the
formation of clouds and causing more
frequent precipitations, at the same
time retarding evaporation. Second,
they reduce the extreme heat of sum-
mer and the extreme cold of winter.
Third, they prevent, in steep mountain
sites, the fertile soil from sliding down,
and protect against avalanches and
landslides. Fourth, they are, especially
on the coast of the sea or in mountain
GUS regions, an impossible barrier
against drying winds and sand-drifts.
Strange as it may seem, adds MIR. Dor
rien, that q protection against drying
wind should be needed on the coast, it
is, nevertheless, in the main, correct.
During the seasons when vegetation is
in active progress, and drying winds
are apt to do the greatest harm, the sea
has generally lower temperature than
the land; hence the sea breezes are
cool in comparison with the atmosphere
over the land. The warmer the air
grows, the greater will be the capacity
o receiving vapor without being sat-
rlrated and followed by the formation
of clouds or the precipitation of moist
ure. In other words, the relative
moisture of the air decreases as its
temperature grows higher. Conse-
quently, the air carried in by the sea-
breezes, becoming warmer by being
brought into contact with the land, alb
serbs a portion of its moisture, and
thus has drying effect. Experience
shows that this effect extends oyel
many miles from the coast, unless for
ests or mountains serve as cover.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-01-08
From Vienna to Paris on Horseback.


By dint of keeping constantly in the
saddle and having relays of horses all
along the road, the Prince de Ligne
contrived to cover the miles between
Vienna and Paris-over 500 as the crow
fies-in six days This performance
was outdone by the Count de Maik
tenay, who rode the whole dis
tance on one horse, without dis
mounting. The Count, one of the
most accomplished horsemen of his
day, was attached to the mission sent
by Napoleon to negotiate for the hand
of Marie Louise, and was deputed to
carry to his impatient master the formal
consent of the Emperor of Austria to
the marriage, and the miniature of the
unwilling bride-elect. To expedite his
Journey, six of the finest horses in the
imperial stables were dispatched to diff
ferent places on theroute, that the Count
might change his mount; but the Hun
garian roadster he bestrode at starting
went SO fast and staid so well that the
relays were not called into service, and
the matrimonial messenger arrived at
his destination long before he was ex-
pected, but so exhausted that he was
fain to crave permission to be seated in
the Emperor's presence, as he delivered
up the all-important mission, and re-
peated the Archduchess' message to her
future lord. Ajeweled snuff-box, 60, 900
francs and the good steed he had rid
den rewarded the Count for his expe-
dition. The Count de Maintenay's
feat was repeated in 1874 by an Aus
trion Tieutpnant who undertook to
ride his horse, Caradoc, from Vienna to
Paris in fourteen days. He was un.
lucky enough to lose his way in the
Black forest, and SO waste seven hours
and was further delayed by an accident
to his horse; nevertheless, he accom-
plished his task, with more than two
hours to the good.-AU the Yea'
Bound,
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-01-08
Clever Recovery.

Several years ago two ESQ Bank
of England notes were taken from the
dining-room of Mr.. Terrett, trades
man of Bristol. A servant was charged
with stealing them, and the charge was
dismissed; but, on Mrs. Terrett search
ing the ashes of fire-grate, there were
found particles of tinder which, when
submitted to microscope, we're ascer-
tanned to contain the number and trace
of the water-mark of the notes. The
ashes were sent to London, and there
subjected to further examination, with
the result that the bank refunded the
money.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-01-08
PITH AND POINT.

The latest thing in boots-Stock-
ings.
AT spelling match one man spelled
"pasnip," and got beet.
A POST in the ground becomes decade
wood at the end of ten years.
The BARRIERS razor took hold OF his
beard with vengeance, when he looked
up and said. apologetically: My dear
sir, came in to get shaved-not to get
tooth pulledl"
A LITTLE girl, on being told some
thing which much amused her, ex-
claimed, emphatically: "I shall remem-
Der that the whole of my life, and when
I forget it will write it down.
TIE donkey is pretty bird,
SO gentle and 80 wise;
It has Q silky little tail
With which to frisk the flies.
Upon its head two ears it bears,
So silky, long and soft,
That, when its tail can't reach the flies,
The ears can whisk them or
@CAN you cure my eyes?". said a man
to DIR. Brown. "Yes," said the doctor,
Of you will follow my prescription
@Oh, certainly, doctor" said the patient;
at will do anything to have my eyes
cured. What is your remedy, doctor ?"
"You must steal horse" said the doc
tor, very soberly. 4Steai horse, doc
tori" said the patient, In amazement.
aFow will that cure my eyes?" aYou
will be sent to State prison for five
years, where you could not get whisky;
and, during your incarceration, your
eyes would get well," said the doctor.
The patient looked somewhat incredu-
lous, but he did not adopt the doctors
remedy.
"YoU play poker, of course, . said one
gentleman to another, who was shufaing
pack of cards in such a scientific man
ner as to betray an intimate acquaint-
anee with the articles. No, I never
do" was the response. Indeed" ex-
claimed the questioner, thought eY-
erybody in Eureka played poker"
am the solitary exception" "And how
is that ?''-@ Well, you see, I got into q
big game; had an ace full and lost
$500; then I held four queens and goi
beat out of $500 more. I then said tc
myself, Old boy, this amt your game
there's no money in it; you'd better
stick to solitaire; it amt SO exciting
but it's safer; and so I've stuck"
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-01-08
JULIUS cEsAu.

Now Julius loved a pretty girl,
And when he wished to please her,
He grabbed her up in both his arms,
And shrieked, q See Julius seize her!"
-tSeubenviHc Herald.
And when her mother hovered near
And saw how he did squeeze her;
She dried the quickly flowing tears,
And yelled, "0h, Julius, ease heri"
-SyrGcuse Times.
The old man also bent his pride
And beggel him to release her
"Oh, no." the ardent youth replied;
She's such jewel, you see, sir.'
-Bufdlo Sunday Timer.
" Your racket STOP" the maiden said,
"a For me tbs Just the cheese, sir;
While it is that's being squeezed,
Never shall Julius cease, sir."
-Keokuk Gdfe Cky.
And then they entertwined again,
And tell you-honor bright, SIR
So mixed were they, the old man said:
Why look, now-Julius, he's herw
--Rokouo Tribune.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-01-08
b. C..

i believe you are as old as I
am, ;, said Smith to girl whose age was
rather shady.
Indeed, I'm not. Why, if some one
were to brush the dust of ages from you
he would find you labeled, B. O."
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-01-08

Business cards of Ave lines or less So per aunum.
Local notices 10 ceuts per line each insertion.
Simple announcements Of marriages and deaths.
sld church and benevolent society noi1ces inserted
free. Any additions to obituary notices viii be
charged Eve cents per line.
Fnyors must be handed in as early as Tuesday
morning to insure insertion the same week.
Communications upon subjects of general or Local
Interest solicited
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-01-08
ss Wanted to Know"

Whether false rim glets can be properly
described as "curls of smoke"
Whether q row in rookery deserves
the definition of " caws and effect"
Whether the sailor who wanted to
know what time it was has gone to sea.
Whether misnaming a baby at a
christening may be called turning rite
into wrong.
Whether the plainest woman alive,
when she reaches the age of II, will be
pretty old one.
Whether it is not preferable to fall
out with your banker than to lose your
balance with him.
Whether when horse takes his meals
he has them at his table.
Whether sweepstakes are sootable
food for sweeps?
Whether when you give child bal
it will be likely to give you baaot.
Whether dumb man always keeps
his word.
How READY some men are to go TO
law. So empty thing as banana skin
has caused many one to bring his suit
against the pavement. And what did
he recover? Not even his equanimity.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1880-12-01
,Vhe NIhIEfst Revolution.

"A large number Of Nihilist placards have
just appeared upon the walls IN St. Peters
burgh, some Of them in the most frequented
parts Of the city. They proclaim in flaming
characters the beginning OF . fresh reVo-
lutionary movement, beside which all former
agitations will be considered puerile and in
significant. Ominous warning is given that
the throne of Alexander will be vacant ere
the dawn of another year. Vigilant search
has been made by the police authorities to
discover the source of these placards, and
many houses thought to contain secret print
ing establishments have been visited. Some
arrests have been made and others are x
pected. People live in constant fear OF tall
ing under the ban of suspicion, and between
the plots Of the Nihilists and the descents OF
the police they are in q state Of exaggerated
terror. Thus far, however, the police seem
to have been unable to discover the audacious
leaders Of the threatened conspiracy.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1880-12-01
AT THE TWILIGHT HOUR.

Into my arms, when the twilight is fading,
Climbs my wee darling, with drowsy blue eyes,
Into my arms, as the robins are calling
Honeward their mates meath the darken1ng skies
s.Sing to me mamma, the sweet lips are pleading,
While round me closely the dear arms entwine;
All! can listen with ears all unheeding,
Watching the love-light in baby eyes mine?
No! 40 I fold her still closer and nearer,
Pillowing the small golden head on my breast,
Singing the song that is sweeter and dearer
Both to my heart and the darling at rest:
"Hush, my child, lie still and slumber;
Holy angels guard thy bed;
Heavenly blessings without number
Gently fall upon thy head"
Low and yet lower the white lids are dropping,
Shutting the love-light within the blue eyes;
Angels of slumber and glad dreams come trooping
Downward SO softly from Slumberland's skies.
| Yet in my arms still she lieth; it may be
That | am jealous Of pillow and bed,
Since | am %happiest, oh my fair baby,
When on my heart lies your dear golden head.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1880-11-24

They had seen her many times and
had made many attempts to capture
her, and succeeded in taking her a.
ter the most persistent efforts. When
taken she was placed in the museum
at Toxic and remained there for q
year and a-half. She had been heard
By the fishermen to sing a peculiar
song while on the rocks, but never
spoke, except to feebly try to articu-
late after her capture. She was fed
on a peculiar sea-weed, the secret Of
which is known only to the japanese,
and thrived under the great care h.
ken of her. Mr.. Doyle purchased her
from the authorities of Toxic at the
e%xtravagaut figure of 5000 satA o.
dollars. The purchase was made to
a sudden desire to possess the
creature, and Mr.. Doyle does
not know what special advantage he
in being M of the very few
men who own a mermaid.-&. Louis
Globe Democrat.