davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The National tribune., 1881-11-05

When Jones reached his room, he found, await
ing him upon the dressing table a little note,
scented, in three -cornered envelope sealed at
the back, dainty cream in color, and dainty
ladys writing on the front. Jones knew the
hand at once; it was from Madame de Slecal,
but the sight of it did not please him, as was
once the case. He snatched it up, and tore it
into little pieces, without troubling to see what
it contained and dropped the fragments ON the
floor
Fool that | am! have thrown my life away
for such as her while happiness has been waiting
at my doors! If could only have my time over
again, if | could only unlive the life that have
lived-bah! Tomorrow morning | shall be a
dead mana dead scoundre for | may have
broken Agness heart! To think that / love my
love, and she loves me, and yet l am standing
face to face with this awful thing! Oh, God, it
cannot BET"
Mr.. jones' sitting at his dressing table, put his
hands before his face to think
To be continued
The National tribune., 1881-11-05
A PERFECT CUP OF COFFEE.

Coffee is the fine issue of Eastern hospitality
the climax of the visit. One recognizes, on en-
terng the sound of the cOfTee-nOrtar for in every
properly y-reguated household in the East the COT
fee is not ground, but pounded to an impalpable
powder, having been roasted that morning each
day its provision, and pounded the moment it IS
needed. And no one who has not drunk it there
and thus can presume to judge Of the beverage
In England we roast it till it is black, grind II
as we would cattle food, boiling it like malt Iof
beer and when We drink the bitter and unaro-
matte fluid which remains say we have taken our
coffee. The Eastern coffee -drinker knows all the
grades of berry and preparation a silk merchant
knows the quality of silk the cafeejee knows
that to roast it a shade beyond the point where
it breaks crisply under the pestle is to spoil 1t,
and when the slow pulveriZing is done, each
measure goes into it's little copper ibrik receives
it's dose of boiling water ust one of the tiny cups
full rests an instant the Goals TO restore the
heat lost in the ibrik and is poured into the egg
shell cup and so it came to us, each cup in gold
enameled holder. The rule in these lands seems
to be that few things are worth doing, but these
few are worth doing we'll and there is no waste
of life or material by over-haste.-PaH Mall Ga
zete
The National tribune., 1881-11-05
limbs.
A HOME THRUST.

1t is related of George Clark, the celebrated
negro minstrel that being examined as a witness
he was severely interrogated by the attorney,
who wished to break down his evidence You
are in the negro minstrel business believe 2"
inquired the lawyer. eyes, SIR was the prompt
reply. Isn't that rather low calling?" de-
manded the lawyer. II don't know but what it
is, sir" replied the MINSTREL but it so much
better than my fathers that I am proud of it."
"What was your fathers calling?" "He was a
lawyer" replied Clark, in tone of regret that
alone.
The National tribune., 1881-11-05
ALL SORTS.

One day gentleman found a little girl busy at
the ironing table smoothing the towels and stock
ings. Isn't it hard work for your little arms?"
he asked A look like sunshine came into her
little face as she glanced toward her mother who
was rocking the baby 1t isn't hard work when
l do it for mamma" she said softly.
A naked negro potentate on the west coast of
Africa wore a crown made out of a cast-away tin
can. 1t was labelled concentrated gravy"
An Irishman, just landed, was asked what
party he belonged to. Party is it?" said he :;
I" 1 suppose you've gotta government? Thin I'm
agin it."
You cannot get honey if you afraid of bees
nor plant corn if you afraid OF getting mud
on your boots. When we can dig fields with a
tooth pick, blow ships along with fans and grow
plum cakes in flower pots, then it will be nice
thing for dandies. Above all things avoid lazi-
ness.
AS he sat on the steps on Sunday evening he
claimed the right to kiss for every shooting star
She at first demurred, as became modest
maiden, but finally yielded. She was even so
accommodating as to call his attention to flying
meteOrs that were about to escape his observa-
ton, and then got to calling" him ON lightning
bugs, and at last got him down to steady work
on the light of a lantern that man was swinging
about depot in the distance where trains were
witching.-Herschel's astronomy.
The National tribune., 1881-11-05
CURIOUS ITEMS ABOUT TREES.

A certain grove in California contains 1880
trees, none of which measure less than six feet in
diameter. The tallest trees in the world are in
Australia. a fallen tree in Gippsland measured
435 feet from the root to the highest point of the
h-oror-z. mother that still stands in the Dun
teora- t ict, in Victoria, is estimated to be
the ground to the top. The largest
ha-s...-.s in America is growing on the farm
as Sol eH Ierkle, in Berks county, Pennsylva-
s1s early forty feet in circumference at
.t .a-. ne top of the tree is reached without
danger by steps that are fastened between the
limbs.
The National tribune., 1881-11-05
MY WIFE AND CHILD.
r. J. JACKSON.

The tattoo beats-the lights are gone,
The camp around in slumber lies;
The night with solemn peace moves on,
The shadows thicEen DER the skies;
But sleep my weary eyes hath flown,
And sad, uneasy thoughts arise.
] think of thee, my dearest one,
Whose love my early life hath blest;
OF thee and him-our baby SON
Who slumbers on thy gentle breast.
God of the tender, frail, and lone,
Oh guard the tender sleeper's rest.
And hover gently, hover near
To her. whose watchful eye is wet
To mother, wife-the doubly dear,
In whose young heart have freshly met
Two streams of love so deep and clear
And cheer her dropping spirits yet.
Now, while she kneels before Thy throne,
Oh teach her, Ruler of the skies,
That, while by Thy behest alone,
Earth's mightiest powers fall and rise,
No tear is wept to thee unknown,
No hair is lost, no sparrow dies.
That Thou cans, stay the ruthless hands
OF dark disease, and soothe its pain;
That only by Thy stern commands
The battles lost, the soldier slain;
That from the distant sea or land
Thou bringest the wanderer home again.
And when upon her pillow lone
Her tear-wet cheek is sadly prest,
May happier visions beam upon
The frightening current of her breast;
No frownng look or angry tone
Disturb the Sabbath of her rest.
Whatever fate those forms may show,
Loved with passion almost wild
By day, by night, in joy or woe
By fears oppressed, or hopes beguiled,
From every danger, every foe,
Oh, God! protect my wife and child!
The National tribune., 1881-11-05
could not but eaten

could not but eaten
1T has been very happy time, but why do
you speak as if it would soon be over? You are
not going away"
"Not-not-" Jones's voice was rather choky
he had something tosay, and he was not quite
sure if he would be doing right in saying it mot
at present. Before | co go, / trust-I trust that
you and | will have understood each other bet
ter
"Do not we understand each other nOw?"
This was question asked innocently and
when Miss Cheshire saw the meaning which it
might convey, she could have bitten her tongue
out for speaking. She hlushed red as a rose. the
more so as Jones seemed i'll no hurry TO give an
answer. The mOonbeams took no pity, but shone
down brightly on her crimson cheeks But MI
Jones spoke at last.
q hope we understand each other It is that
thought which has been very pleasant to me-
but-hut ere long, hope we shall understand
each other even better. Miss Cheshire-Agnes
-" for the first time he called her Agnes. and
pausing stood face to face with her beside the
sea; whatever happens, whatever comes believe
believe the best Of me-"
Miss Cheshire looked at him surprised There
was something in his face and in his words she
did not understand. He had taken her hand in
his, and held it still, they close together
"What is going to happen? What is coming {?
OF what are you afraid?n
Afraid !" he replied giving her words another
meaning. Il am not afraid" Then, giving
way to sudden impulse which he could not
resist-"Agnes. Agnes. tell me-ten me- darling
that You love me!'
Silence. People had gone on and left them
standing there The sea broke gently against
the wall and that was the only sound The
moon and all the stars were keeping watch, while
the tale of love was told again beneath their
light. She bent before him; she would not meet
his eyes; she trembled she acted as maidens
have acted times beyond knowledge before to-
day. Then she raised her head, and the light
which was in her eyes needed no words to tell
the story.
George you know l love you"
My love! My love! My own own love.n
Jones put out his arms, and, spite of all who
might be there to see, clasped her to him. raining
kisses on the lips which, as of course found out
the way to his. There was passion in his en-
brace, clinging tenderness, prompted by some
thing she did not know
When they parted that night his farewell words
were these: God bless you, my darling, and
keep US both alive"
They, and the manner in which he said them
fingered long after in her memory, when the
light of after events disclosed the meaning which
was hidden to her then. In her prayers that
night she included that of her lovers that God
might keep them both alive
The National tribune., 1881-11-05

II destroy your reputatiOn?" began Jones'
But the opening of the door, and the entrance of
fresh spectator, prevented his concluding.
The new conner was Mr.. Lyme. He started, as
well he might, astonished at the scene which met
his gaze There was Monsieur de Slecal lying
full length upon the floor. Madame bending
over him, study of agonized beauty, Mr.. Jones,
glaring at them both, pink in the face with rage.
a call you to Witness" shouted Jones directly
he entered that he struck me first, and that
knocked him down, and that of all the nonsense
/ ever heard of, this is out and away the biggest
tom-foOlery."
Mr.. Lyme perceived that, before making any
remark, and thereby committing himself to
either side the best thing he could do would be
to offer his assistance. Crossing to where Monsieur
lay, he offered his arm
Il trust that Monsieur de Slecal is not in ured.
VIII Monsieur permit me to assist him in risng?"
Monsieur permitted him, and, with his aid,
reganed his feet. He was little the worse for
his adventure, save, perhaps, that he smarted
slightly, and had been more shaken than he
cared for Outwardly he was stiff and cold as
ever
"Monsieur Lyme is witness to Monsieur
Shoone's words; he has struck de Sleca There
can be but one termination. Am [ to address
Monsieur Lyme as Monsieur shoone's friend?"
"Do you think L" began Jones again; but
Lyme stopped him.
If you take my advice you will say nothing
further at present. With Monsieur de Slecals
permission I will give him an answer at his con-
venence"
Putting JOnes's arm within his own Mr.. Lyme
marched him out of the room. They went up
stairs to Joness bedroom; when they reached it.
and Lyme had closed the door, MI. Jones gave
vent to all that was upon his mind.
did you ever hear of such thing in all your
life? Do you know that that idiotic French
man pretends that [ have behaved improperly
to his wife! He called me candiHe, and don't
know what, sir. He actually struck me with
his cane! What do you think of that, sir?"
Il think" replied Mr.. Lyme, affably smiling
at his friends heat, that man can hardly f1irt
with woman, and knock her husband down.
without expecting something to come of it fur
ther. presume he means fighting; am to act
for you?"
"Fighting!" Mr.. Jones gasped; it was more
than he could relish. "Do you mean fight
duel!"
"And why not?" Mr.. Lyme shrugged his
shoulders He saw no objection; it would form
a pleasant variety in his travels, and should it
become worth his while to publish his journal
the incident might be embodied in a telling
chapter "Of course you might run away, but
that would hardly look nice; besides, he might
run after you"
Ther2 was ld-bloodedness about Lyme which
was not to Jones's taste. Had any one told him
The National tribune., 1881-11-05

of Bret Hartes stories of rufians numbering right
and left with smiling eyes and sentimental poe
try coming from their lips He concluded that
they were types of Americans in general, and
that Jeffrey James Lyme was moulded in their
likeness
In the end Mr.. Lyme was commissioned to re-
ceive all communications in his name. and to act
on his behalf This was comfortable for Jones.
who, when he was left alone was plunged into
the deepest melancholy. He proceeded to make
his will as he told himself goomily in case any
thing might happen" bequeathing half his world
" wealth to his mother the other half to Miss
Agnes Cheshire. expressly inserting that the lat
ter would have had his heart as we'll had he been
left alive to offer it. This document he signed
with his finest handwriting, inscribng it The
Last VIII and Testament Of George Jones, Esq.
late OF the Office of Public Works, Spring Gar
dens London, 5. ". To be opened in case of
accident"
Then he decided TO write three letters-one to
his mother, one to Miss Cheshire, and one to his
head clerk at his office, explaining how having
died in defense of his honor he was unable to re-
turn to his duties On the appointed day. But being
at loss to decide which OF these epistles should be
written first, he left them all alone, and paced
from wall to wall, from door to window wonder
ing how Mr.. Lyme was getting On.
In the course Of an hour and a half Mr.. Lyme
returned. Jones, as he received him, sitting Oh
his bedside, would have made a good study for
picture OF Misery. Lyme opened the subject at
once.
It's all right" Joness spirits plucked up
I've seen re Slecal he has rafarraI mo 10 q
friend, d General Calonbert. He declines to ac-
cept any apology-even if we offered one-and
we have arranged for it to come off tomorrow
morning on the Sand Hills"
Joness spirits sank again. He was aware he
and his friend took different views; to him it
seemed all wrong.
And you call that all right? Very well, if he
kills me, or | kill him, it will be clear case of
murder" Mr.. Lyme laughed pleasantly
There is still one course open-you can run
away"
Run away! What Go you mean by your in
situations, sir? An Englishman never runs
away. l may be fool, but hang it, sir! the man
who calls me a coward will have to prove his
words"
Very well, said nothing. Had [ thought
you coward, should not be acting for you
now. You and de Slecal will meet as before;
your little differences are not intended for the
benefit of the public
=" know that as well as you do don't [? Do
you take me for an idiot? I'm as capable of hold
ing my tongue as de Slecal, or twenty like him.
Mr.. Jones was excited, but his friend, making
allowance for circumstances, took no notice His
next remark was made while ne trifed with his
The National tribune., 1881-11-05


halfclosed eyes.
"By the way, fancy Miss Cheshire has got
wind of something In the air. She has been ask
ing if you and de Slecal have quarreled, and by
her manner l am inclined to think her sympa-
thies are" he paused" on your side"
"What's the use of talking about that to me
now? Once l might have had hope-hang it,
Lyme, are you quite heartless? Don't you see
that l am marked man."
Mr.. Lyme induged in that favorite trick of his
shrugged his shoulders.
"And why? | would take an even bet de
Slecal is left upon the field"
"What fool I am" solioquized Mr.. Jones'
when his friend had left him again alone. "Com-
ing out for little holiday, falling in love with
one woman, flirting with another, and getting
murdered by her husband. Upon my soul be-
lieve Agnes likes me- and I'D give every pen
ny / have in the world if the De Slecal's had
been at the bottom of the seas before they had
come across my path. Just as there really comes
a chance of love, a wife and happiness, throw it
away. Well, there's one thing, | only have my
self to blame"
That night there was ball at the establish
ment. Several of Madame BOutiton's b0arders
were there, and among them Mr.. Jones and Miss
Agnes Cheshire. They had one or two dances
together and on the whole, seemed to eniOy each
others company You would not have thought
Jones was about to fight duel in the early morn
ing The band struck up a final waltz, VALID
teutels very last.
Let me have this last one?" pleaded Jones,
suppliant to Miss Cheshire: 1T may be some
time before you and dance again together"
Miss Cheshire said yes. There was rosy tinge
upon her cheeks, a happy light shining from her
eyes as she gave him her consent. AS he placed
his arm about her waist and drew her to him
their breath mingled and sweeping round to the
insidious strains she leant ON him more than was
absolutely needful. The music tempted them to
Fairyland, and their rhythmic movements COM
pleted the charm.
"If life were all a dance if the music was al
ways playing, whom would you choose to be your
partner?"
She gave answer, but, STOPPING her head
little lower, the bushes mounted to her cheeks.
She understood what Jones conveyed and he, for
his part, needed no reply. But everything has
an ending, dances included. The final dance was
over, and the people passed into the moonlit
night. But the intoxication of the scene lin
gered when the scene had vanished, and Jones
and his partner bore it with them as they went
out together. 1t was beautiful night The
moon hung in full summer glory in the cloud
less, starlit heavens and the sea lay like silver
mirror at their hand There was the calm of a
perfect summer night upon the world and this,
coming out of the whirl of music and Of voices,
was not without its charm. Jones and Miss
." -' - - aGs4-,G....E ~
The National tribune., 1881-11-05
When lawyers fail to take Il fee,
And juries never disagree;

ftIIU JUTItS IItNtE UIStiBFtt-
When politicians are content,
And landlords don't collect their rent;
When parties smash all the machines,
And Boston folks give up their beans;
When naughty children all die young,
And girls are born without tongue;
When ladies don't take time to hop,
And office-holders never flop;
When preachers cut their sermons short,
And all folks TO the church resort
When back subscribers all have paid,
And editors have fortunes made;
Such happenings will sure portend
This world must soon come to an end.
-HotIser Shjpjon
The National tribune., 1881-11-05

hen is not immortal, and yet her son never
sets.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-07-08
Sentimental People.

Oh 4! how / detest your sentimental
people who pretend to be full of feeling,
who will cry over a worm, and yet treat
real misfortune with neglect. There are
your fine ladies that have seen in dining
room, and when by accident an earwig
has come out of peach, after having
been half-killed in opening it, one would
exclaim, "Oh poor thing You have
broken it's back-do spare it can't
bear to see it suffer Oh, there, my Lordl
how you hurt it stop, let me open the
window. aud put it out" And then the
husband drawls ont. Z" NV wife Is quite
remarkable for her sensibilitv; I mar
ried her purely for that" And then the
wife cries. "Oh, now, my Lord, you are
too good to say that if I hnd not hal n
grain Of feeling, ! should have learned
IL from you." And so they go on prais-
ing each other and perhaps the next
morning, when she is getting into her
carriage. poor, half-staryed woman
begs charity OF her, and she draws up
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-07-08
Only Half Wise.

Spiridion Gopcevich, in his amusing
book upon Upper Albania, accounts for
the diiapidated state Of Scutari Castle
by the following narrative, the anthem
tlcity of which he guarantees In the
spring of 1874 the Vail of Scutari hap
pened to hear that 100 years or so ago,
a Giaour named Franklin had invented
au instrument, by the judicious use If
which lightning strokes might be rem
dered harmless to human life and prop
erty. Forthwith he resolved to become
possessed Of one Of tuese wonder work.
ing contrivances but, upon inquirin9
Its price, lac found that the resources OF
his exchequer would not avail TO defray
the cost of the complete apparatus. He,
therefore, orderedfrom abroad the super
ticial portion of u lightning conductor,
deeming its subterranean complement
OF wires supertuOus 4; and, when it ar
rived, caused 1t to be set up exactly over
the powder magazine of the castle, in
order to insure perfect immunity from
electrical dangers to the explosive con-
tents of that repository. An unusually
long spell OF fine weather succeeded the
erection of the instrument, much to his
EACcAlcuSy NOAhIioh Ou1 az ioHBbu,
one sultry day, heavy clouds gathered
rapidly over Scutari, and the exLtant
YAH, fortunately for himself, hurried
down from the citadal to the tower i'll
order to watch the'etfect of the first flash
from window of his serai commanding
a fine view OF tire neutrality-suspicious.
He had not long to wait for u coup that
surpassed his widest expectations. A
fiery streak darted from the sky, followed
by tremendous conclusion and when
the smoke cleared Off it was the Pasha' 5
melancholy privilege to behold his be-
loved citadal in ruins. The Wallis morti-
hcation may be better conceived than
described, especially when it reached
his ears that q leading notable Of Scutari,
commenting upon the result of his scien-
titic experiments, had observed: "God
is great, and the Vail is an ass He has
swallowed the Giaours' dirt, and paid
them for it to boot. His face is black
ened for ever. Allah's will be done ~
LOn0O,l IeIeOrQDH.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-07-08
When MarkSmen Miss.

This is French story: 1t is we'll
known fact that the best marksman's
aim is often unsteady when he has an
animated target opposite him. One of
these "crack shots was showing off his
skill before a numerous company, and the
ground was soon strewn with the rem
nants of the plaster figures he had sue
cessively brought down. All present
were in raptures except one spectator.
standing apart from the rest, who after
each shot observed, in a perfectly-audi-
BILE tone, " He would not do as much if
he had man facing him."
This remark, several times repeated,
at last SO exasperated the performer that
he turned toward the speaker and in
quired if he would he the man to face
him ?
Certainly" was the reply, "and what
is more, you may have the first shot"
AS every one was curious 70 witness
the re ,ult of this singular duel the
whole party adjourned to the Bots de
Vincennes, and, the word having been
given, the hero of the shooting gallery
fired and missed. His adversary
shrugged his shoulders and fired in the
air.
what did tell you ?" he said, and
walked away as unconcerned as if moth
ing had happened.