davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-02-11
A. II. Stewart.

was talking with q gentleman who
had been an intimate friend OF A. L.
Stewart, the greatest merchant perhaps
that this country ever knew, and he
threw new light on his history. Contrary
to general belief, Stewart started with a.
comfortable fortune, and did not work
his way from the ground up. He came
to this country as young man, sent on
pleasure trip by his father. He was
close observer and leisurely traveller, and.
went home thoroughly posted as to this.
country. Having to return to America.
very soon, he recalled the fact that there
was fine margin of profit between the
prices eff laces in the old country and
this. He, therefore, invested $25, 900,
his patrimony, in laces and brought.
them over on his second trip. This
speculation turned out so well that he
had another lot sent over, and opened a
shop from which he might dispose Of
them. This was the beginning OF his.
mercantile business.
Stewart was q man of confirmed super
stitiops. He would never eat at table
at which thirteen people were seated,
and on one occasion, when guest.
had declined coming to his usual Sun
day night dining and afterward came
when his place had been filled, he de-
clined to receive him as he made the
number thirteen. He finally determined
to overcome this superstition, and dined
at table at which thirteen were seated.
He died few weeks afterward, but i
very much doubt if that was what killed
him. He never wanted to have his pho
tograph taken, saying people who.
buy goods from me think L am o.
noLle-looking man with flowing
whiskers and gray beard. They'd lose
faith in my prestige if they became
familiar with my insignificant face. He
was a shopkeeper all his life, and the
shopkeeping instinct never left him. He
once dropped into Tiffany's and saw a
friend examining some pearls that he
was thinking of buying for his wife.
Stewart caught hold of him and hurried
him out before he had time to close the
trade. Once down stairs he got him in
to his coupe, and insisted on his going
to his store with him. He hurried him
upstairs to the lace department, took
out an especial pattern and said: Nov,
that's what you want to buy for your
wife |" and he sold il to him. At this.
very time Stewart was worth millions,
and would have given the friend he had
caioled into buying, twenty times the
price of the lace, but the selling instinct.
was stronger in him than anything else.
l learned from my informant that Stew
arts body had never been recovered.
Judge Hilton could have had it ut al
most any time, provided he would have
paid the required ransom. He refused
to do this, however, on the ground that
if he did SO the business of grave-rob-
bling, having proved profitable, would
have become popular among thieves
NeaU York letter.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-02-11
General Houston, His Pony and His
Razor.

1t was on his departure for Mexico
"to revel'-as he had said-'in the halls
of the Montezumas," that he again met
with Maj. Rector, generous and genial
man known as the original of the "The
Fine Arkansas Gentleman" In company
with Maj Arnold Harris, also well known
in New Orleans, who was then perhaps
Deputy Marshal, they journeyed to
Southwestern Arkansas, to which point
their route was the same. Gen. Sam
Houston rode an Indian pony very dis
proportionate to his own tall stature.
This was II source of considerable annoy
ance to him. He had become thoroughly
Disguised with Indian life, was intern
perate and ill-tempered. His constant
theme of discussion was the unworthy
appearance he would present in foreign
country, mounted on an animal SO igno-
bic, with frequent appeal to Arnold
Harris to swap his large bay mare for his
Indian pony. These proposition were
discussed for several days with all the
energy and eloquence of the general, one
Of whose favorite ordinations was:
"This ID bobtailed pony is dis
grace. He is continually fighting the
flies and has no means of protecting
himself, and his kicks and contortions
render him ridiculous. L shall be the
laughter of all Mexico. 1 wish a steed
appropriate to my own stature. Irequire
steed With his natural weapon, a flow
ing tail, that he may defend himself
against his enemies as his master has
done. Harris you must swapT
AS the result of persistent expostula-
Il e
"boot, effected and guaranteed by Maj.
Rector, the general acquired the broom
tailed mare, and recovered his dignity
and good humor
When they came to part, Maj. Rector
said he was sorry for him. He knew his
worth and felt for his misfortune. He
had got so low, said the major, that he
couldn't stay with the Indians. He was
desperate aud Incorporate, and was go
ing among the Mexicans, so that would
be the last he would ever see of poor
Sam Houston.
They dismounted to take last drink of
whisky together. General, said Elias,
''you said you liked that razor of mine
when you shaved. You are going where
1T may not be convenient to buy one, and
i can get another when 1 get back; sup
pose you take it along?" So he took
the razor out of his saddlebags and pre-
sented it.
Gen. Houston opened the razor, strap
ped it on his hand, looked at its edge,
and rs he shut it carefully up. and re-
placing it in the case, said: "Maj. Rec
tor, this is apparently q gift of little
value, but it is an inestimable testimonial
of the friendship that has lasted many
years and proved steady under the blasts
of calumny and injustice. Good by.
God bless you. When next you see this
razor it shall be shaving the President
of a Republic.
The lastwords Maj. Rectorremembered
distinctly. They were impressed upon
his memory by the battle of San Jacinto,
the recognition of Texan independence
and the election of Gen. Sam Houston
to the Executive Chair.-New Orleans
Picdytne.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-02-11
Vocabulary OF the Indian Sign Lam
guage.

An important and interesting work is
being done by the Bureau of Ethnology
in collecting and publishing the vocabu-
larry of the Indian sign language, which
is common means of communication
for both the red and the white inhabi-
tants of the plains. 1t will be one of
the most remarkable contributions to
chronological knowledge, and will sug-
gest also a common language like that
which persisted at the Tower of Babel,
if that structure can be said to be any
longer tenable against the assaults of
science. The Specification and form of
sign communications are not identical
with all the tribes of Indians, but they
have this in common, that they all de-
rived from the natural pantomine of the
object to be described, and in many in
stances are as graceful and beautiful as
they are graphic and expressive. They
are the more readily learned, as they are
not merely arbitrary like the sounds of
spoken language, but have always been
treated with reference to the thing
which they indicate, and person of
quick eye and vivid intelligence can
readily interpret much the Indians are
saying to each other with deft gestures,
or at least can very rapidly learn their
meaning. Some of the signs are new
revelations of the power to express mean
ing by gestures, which would be valua-
BILE to Delsarte in teaching the gram
mar language of dramatic art. One can
not see pair of Indians carrying on an
animated conversation by means of free,
rapid, and graceful gestures without
oatfinn n batter idaa of tba axnraoa,ye
ness of the human heads and arms, and
what are used merely as the illustrations
to spoken eloquence than if he had wit
messed the dramatic action of Fechter.
or the most accomplished and animated
actor of the stage, and he learns how
much disuse can detract from or use
give to that means of expression.-N.
Y. Commercial Advertiser.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-02-11
A French PEASANTS Vow.

A French pasant saw in the river a
floating egg. He thought he could
catch it with his hand, but in the at
tempt fell in the water, and the egg
escaped him. The water was deep, and.
he could not swim. In terror, he believed
that God was thus Furnishing his greedi-
ness. To propitiate his fate he vowed
that if he escaped he would never eat
another egg. Instantly branch of "a
tree presented itself to him, by means of
which he gained the banks of the stream.
Shaking himself, he said: 81 suppose,
o Lord, that you of course understood
me to say raw egg"
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-02-11
DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.
East.

Five large buildings in Philadelphia
were destroyed by fire, causing total loss Of
about s2sO,000.
By the destruction of house in Com
mercial street, Boston, Mrs. Johanna Hanlan
and her son William were roasted to death.
The boiler of the steam-yacht Carrie
exploded in the harbor of Baltimore, four men
being killed.
The failure is announced Of Loomis &
McMaster, carriage manufacturers, OF Bath,
N H., with liabilities at 100000.
George Smith and Catherine Miller
were executed at Wiliamsport, Pa, for the
murder of Andrew Miller the woman's husband
John Browns Sons, manufacturers Of
cotton goods in Philadelphia, have failed for
s75O.0OO.
Mr.. William Fl. Vanderbilt has paid
the entire cost Of transporting the obelisk, ped
estal and steps from Alexandria to New York,
and erecting them in Central Park.
John J. Berry, the embezzling bank
cashier Of Hackenssck, N. j.. has gone TO the
State prison fol five years.
Albert, who won second place in the
recent pedestrian match at New York. has been
selected by O'Leary TO walk against Rowell,
next month.
West
Ex-Gov. Scott, of South Carolina, has
been indicted for the murder of Drury, of
Napoleon. Ohio. but will be admitted to bail.
Three of the Mexicans who murdered
Col Charles Potter, of the geological survey,
were taken from Jail at Albuquerque, New
Mexico, and hanged by citizens.
II. w. Fairbanks, of Petrolia, Ont, a
student at the university at Ann Arbor, Mich,
shot himself dead III a hotel parlor in that
city, in presence OF two women who had gone
from Detroit to see him, one of them claiming
to be his wife.
The reservoir back of FrankfOwn,
New, gave way and made clean sweep of the
place.
The Sheriff at Battle Mountain, New,
in blissful ignorance of the responsibility he
takes, is seizing @ ntral Pacific mail cars for
delinquent taxes amounting TO S24.000. The
property of the company in California is as
sessed at CSC, 600, 900, under the new constitu-
ton. but no taxes have been paid.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-02-11

would fly! Then he would make stop
of perhaps two or three hours In front
of some prominent mans house. Then
he would be off again, and SO keep it up
for whole day and night. We got to
know him, and kept an eye about, and
after the horses began to get jaded a.
fresh pair would be run to the place
where he alighted and a change made
Why, $50 job was always certain with
Col. Scott. He was a wonder"
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-02-11
POLITICAL POINTS.

-Four low-tax Democrats in the Ten
nessee Legislature joined the Republicans in
electing James Nolan Comptroller and d. A.
Num- Secretary Of State.
The Woman's National Anti-Pclyg-
amy Society met at Salt Lake City and passed
resolutions urging Congress to sustain Gov.
Murray in unseating Cannon.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-02-11
An Active Man.

Col. Thomas SCOTS activity has been
great enough to wear out three ordinary
men. Some idea of it may be gathered
from the loquacity of man who sup
piled him in Washington with horses
and carriages. cit is no unusual thing, ="
lie said, "for Col. Scott to keep car
riage for twenty-four hours. He would
order the team and drive as il he was
behind pair of iron horses. How they
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-02-11

A FASHIONABLE paper says, gathered
waists are very much worm" If men
would gather the waists carefully, and
not squeeze so like blazes they would
not be worn so much.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-02-11

WAS there ever better example of
the witty and concise form of expression
common to the real Western American
than the answer of the grim man of the
Sierras, who, when asked about the
character of a neighbor, sententiously
replied, "Mister, L don't know veiy
much about him, but my impression is
that he'd make first-class stranger !
A CALIFORNIA young man OF twenty
six years, has recently married widow
of seventy-two years.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-02-11
WASHINGTON NOTES.

THE following is the public-debt state
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-06-29
Malone Settled.

The determination of the straight-out
Republicans of Virginia to put a sep
arate ticket of their own in the field
drives the last nail in Gen. Mahone's
political coffin. Even if he could count
on the undivided support OF the entire
Republican party Of Virginia, he would
have little hope Of success; but with
the Republican party divided, Malone
and readjustment are beaten before the
canvass begins.
General Wickham's honest determi-
nation not 10 have any dealings with
Malone and his adherents Is in the
highest degree commendable, and car
rled out as il is IN the face of opposing
influences in bis own party, marks him
as a man Of strong nerve, as well as
high integrity. Although his refusal
to become party to the unhOly ALI
ancs proposed by Malone necessarily
precludes the idea of Republican sue
cess in Virginia, as an honest man he
will have the satisfaction Of knowing
that be has been an important instru'
ment IN Kidding his State Of danger
GUS pest, and giving final quetus to
the agitation of the debt question:
Raltim0rean.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-06-29

The Bedford Star says: The Malone
ticket, 80 far az we have been able TO
ascertain, does not BY any means meet
the expectations of the Readjusters of
this county, and we think 1t safe to pre-
dict that it will poll very small vote
nj Bedford. II there is a Republican
ticket in the field, and we suppose there
will be, the negroes will vote to man
almost for the Straightout Republican
ticket.
The Virginia People says: We wish
our friends to knom that we make a
vast difference between Readjusters
and Mahoners. The former have meyer
abandoned their Democracy nor their
principles. The latter never had any
to abandon. The Mahoners have ever
been pliable 10 seli-intcrest, and Of easy
virtue. They will gyrate and evolute
to any sort of music to render them
selves consequential or Influential IN
State or national politics.
The Charlottesville Chronicle says:
ITO win in the approaching election
we msst enlist the undivided Import
and the active cooperation of the best
people of Virginia, and to secure that
the Convention must select candidates
Of high personal character, unques'
toned ability, and free from the sus'
piclon Of reputation tendencies"
The Lynchburg Adcance says :"Give
Us a flrstsclass ticket-pure Democratic
the very biggest man that can be got
ten for each office-men with clear
personal and political records. Look
everywhere into public and private
life till they are found: A statesman
for Governor, and jurls! for Attorney
General, aud then you will see what
the true Vlrglnians will do"
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-06-29
Mexican Railway Disaster.

CITY OF MEXICO, June 26.-Tho fol-
lowing additional facts are learned
touching the accident OH the Nor clos
Railway: A temporary bridge over the
chasm at Malpals, on the recently
opened Morelss Railway, was washed
away, anda tram carrying the third
battalion Of infantry plunged down the
abyss. One hundred and ninety-fve
privates and thirteen officers were
killed.
CHICAGO, June IA special dis
patch from the City of Mexico says the
accident loses none ofits borrow through
the receipt Of fuller and more accurate
advices. For some time past the dis
trict where il occurred has been swept
by fierce storms, swelling the creeks
into torrents und laying waste many
fertile fields. The bridge spanning the
river at the point mentioned, although
known to be unsafe, was still in use
when the lated train, bearing battalion
OF soldiers, attempt its passage.
The result was IA crash as the under.
mined supports gave way, and the en-
CINE aud cars were hurled headlone
down the chasm. Scarcely had the
magnitude Of the disaster become appar-
ent when new horror was added. In
the freight vans comprising portion OF
the train was a consignment OF alcohol
This took fire, and the consequent ex'
plosion contributed much to the loss of
life. The few who escaped uniDjured
at once applied themselves to the rescue
OF their unfortunate comrades, but il
was some hours before the exact extent
Of the disaster became apparent. 1t Ia
now known that Is officers and lo1
privates were either killed outright BY
the fall or roasted to death, Will 90
others sustained hurts of more or less
serious character.
The train was entirely consumed.
When information Of the appalling ca
lanity reached this city the excitement
was unbOnded, and crowds thronged all
the news centres anxiously awaiting
particulars. Never in the history OF the
repablic has 80 trightful casually been
chronicled, and its occurrence, it is
feared, may still further prejudice the
popular mind against railway enter
prises. However, Los Gringos, as the
natives term all outside barbarians, can
come in for no shape Of blame in this
connection,
The Morelos Railroad 10 q narrow
gauge line, built by government SUBJ
vention, and is entirely the work oil
Mexican engineers. II was 6rst OPEN
ed to the public on the 18th inst. In
addition to the loss Of life already men,
toned. 1t appears that the engineer
and fireman of the train were scalded to
death.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-06-29
The Virginia situation.

A Star reporter met on Pennsylvania
avenue to-day the editor Of leading
Democratic paper Of Virginia, aud
asked him what effect the action Of the
Republican State Committee would
have in the coming election. He re-
piled: ut leaves Malone out OF the
fight. The colored voters generally
will support the Republican ticket, and
I do not believe Mahene's party viii
poll as many votes as last year. The
contest is betwsen the Democrats and
Republicans" Speaking of the Re-
publican State Committe. he said ;
General Wickham is determined
man, and Mr.. Lewis will not gain any
thing by his sudden change in the date
of his call for meeting Of the Repub-
lican Committee. Wickham has a
a majority with him, and will hold q
meeting Of the committee every day ii
1t is necessary TO beat the coalitionists.
Wickhan is the choice of his party for
Governor, and he will be nominated"
KdShin0ton Star,
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-06-29
From the Cincinnati Commercial, Republican
ABeautiTuI New Party.

Itis delightful to hear Of the new
third party. Grant, Conkling, Ben
Butler, and Malone are among those
who are TO lay the foundations. The
main thing is to be personal merit
The presidency of the United States is
to be assumed as a bore and admins
tered as a perquisite. The Treasury
of the United States is to be handed
over to the first favorite. No "cold-
blooded sneak" who would refuse a
TREND chance TO make himself rich al
the public expense, is 10 be admitted.
Each State Is to have sovereign boss,
and in that way State sovereignty
Is TO be protected. The President is to
have all be wants for his personal pur-
poses, and for his cousins. and his
uncles, and his aunts, and the bosses
will take care Of the rest.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-06-29

CLEVELAND, June 22.-shortly after
3 o'clock this afternoon an east bound
train on the New York. Pennsylvania
aud Ohio railroad, when about twelve
miles from here, struck buggy in which
were riding Thomas Garfield, uncle OF
President Garfield, and Mrs. AlOnzo
Arnold, sister Of DR.. BoYnton and cous-
10 Of the rresieent. Thomas Garfield
was iusta ntly killed and Mrs. Arnold's
skull was 80 badly fractured that her life
is despaired Of. The buggy was dragged
about 200 feet before the train was stop
ped. Mr. Garfield was 80 years old.
He leaves seven children. President
Garfield and Dr. Boynton were TELEGRAPH
ed to at Long Branch.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-06-29
Mr.. Vennors Second Guess At
July.

Mr. Henry G. Vennor. in a letter
to newspaper in Ottswa. Canada,
Of the 23d in slant, says: 81 believe
that the present summer Is one in q
triad of similar summers, probably
the middle one. 1t is likely to re-
semble that of 1880, and to differ
in some of its minor details. The
approaching month Of July will give
q great deal Of rain, as in 1880, over
large portion of the United States
and Canada, while in Great Britain
the weather will in all probability
be likewise stormy and wet. The
storms Of wind, thunder and light
ming are likely to be severe and
frequent. The heaviest rains for
New York and vicinity would locate
after the goth, and probably on the
2lst or 22d dates; between the 10th
and 18th days an exceedingly hot
terms is likely to be experienced in
both the United States and Canada.
Within few days from the close
of the month. probably about the
9th or 18th. a cool wave will occur
carrying frosts in Canada and cool
weather generally, with storms Of
wind and rain throughout the
United States. Where storms have
been severely felt in the western
a, d Southwestern States during
June, there also will the severe
storne of July be experienced.
Notwithstanding these frequent and
severe storms during the month
tsequent alterations of fine hot
weather will counterfeit to great
extent the damage done to crops in
general in the West. The entrances
Of July in Canada, and also to a
considerable extent in the United
States. will be cool and showery,
and the present lookout tor the
Fourth is not a yeay promising
one.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-06-29
t Of 1872, but thinks it may be

ct Of 1872, but thinks it may be
that of 1907, the return Of which
was not expected by astronomers
for seventeen hundred years. He
believes it is the same comet as
seen about June 3 by DR.. Gould in
South America. The apparitlon il
exceedingly interesting, and will
be wached every night by the corps
of astronomers at the Cincinnati
Observatory.
Owing to the cloudy skyline accur-
ate observations were taken at the
Naval Observatory on Friday morn
ing, but from a memorandum m dc
by the night watchman the follow =
ing bulletin was produced Approx
innate position Friday morning, at 3
o'clock: Right ascension, Oh. 50n.;
deelination, 1928. Slight motion in
right ascension. Moving north
about 40. 8 per day. In two OF
three days will probably be visible
all night.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-06-29

THE Republican committee has de-
posed Its chairman Jno. F. Lewis, and
has ealleda convention to nominate a
straight out Republican State ticket
If the Nahoneites can succeed in cap
turing this convention, they will be
able to make a fight, and their dis
truction will be postponed until the
election. II they should fail in this. the
Mshsnsites will be defunct organizs-
ten. They make little noise, but
they will not be able to deceive even
thoss VIE followed them last year.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-06-29
THnLARaEsr Hea AND Cow

THE LARGEST HeG AND Cow.-It
is reported in some Of our exchanges
that the largest hog IN the country is a
Psland-China, four years old this
Spring, lately on exhibition at juno
ton City, Kansas. His length is Z
feet; girth OF neck, 81 feet; girth Of
chest, II feet; girth OF center, 8 feet;
width across the hips, 30 inches, and
weight 1852 pounds. Posey county,
Indiana, claims 10 have raised the
largest COW in the world. Her name is
Lady Posey; breed, mixed Durham
and Big English. Her measurements
are: Greatest height, 5 feet 10 inches ;
girth, s feet 9 inches; length, 10 feet
6 inches, or including the tail, II feet.
Her form Is good, and though not fat.
she weighs 5000 pounds. Her color is
red and white, red prOdomlnating.
Age, 6 years. Her present owner lives
ia Starke county, Illinois.