davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1881-02-17
The Uses OF Slang.

Is "slang" always reprehensible !?
Let us consider what slang is. The
word only marks relative condition,
like the words "dirt and tweed. !"
Aristotle long ago told us that dirt was
merely "matter misplaced" and Prof.
Gray, asked to define weed. said "a
flower in the wrong spot" So slang is
merely common word in unfamiliar
relations-a word plucked up by the
roots and planted in new spot. A cor
respondent writes us rs follows: ed
ltor Of -iadrtrs' american Queen:
: Is It slang to say Not if know my
self =" Answe,-Not if it be said seri-
ously, though it would. perhaps, be bet
ter to say something else. John Milton
said. "Not if l am acquainted with my.
SELF Considerable so-called slang is
classic. Escaped with the skin Of nv
teeth" is from Job. The phrase che is
brick" is from Plutarch- historian
telling Of King Of Sparta who boosted
that his army was the only wall Of the
city, land every man is brick" We
call IN honest citizen "a square man, !"
but the Greeks, 1000 years ago, de-
scrihed the same sort of person rs stet-
ragonos-a four-cornered man. Web
ster defines slang to he Glow. vulgar.
nnmeaning language definition quite
too sweeping. 1t is often low, some-
times vulgar, but very seldom unmean-
ing. On the contrary, slang, being al
ways mctaphoricL language, is general
~ compact and its meaning very clear.
Its use may have originated with gyp-
sizes, or criminals in need of q disguise
for their speech but it is not the less
true that good many Of the most use
fnl words in the language were original
IN slang. now adopted into the full tel
lowship Of linguM purity. The use Of
the word "mob" was denounced by Ad-
olson and Swift (both OF whom used
some slang Of their own), but we should
scarcely know what to do without it.
We do not. 10y any means, advise the
young to use slang Unfortunately ;
they had better err in the other direc-
tion. At the same time, slang has q
useful function to perform. II is the
great feeder Of vigorous expression the
reservoir from which languages draw
strength and keep from getting enfee-
BLEED. As enlightenment brings culture
at the expense Of virility. 50 languages
always tend to diffnseness and feeble.
Mesa tendency which slang inclines
to counterfeit. So the use of slang.
while sometimes nuisance and some-
times disgusting, has an important office
III keeping languages alive and their
Veins full Of the blood Of youth.-.An-
dreWs' imerican Queen.
The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1881-02-17

life mlssrcnt, An incomrlctei mission,
house oil void u merry laugh
IertAin unto that fractional condition
Of man without better hull.
No one 70 cheer him In this worlds unrest
And soothe debt bcmuddied brain:
No love with fertile fancy 10 suggest
semo way 10 raise the wind" again.
No one 10 laugh with him when I'll II bright,
Nor weep when joys seem over gone
Alas. no iinEcrs, sl~it AMI white,
10 sSw missing button on.
No pure white brow. no iovc-iit ryea of blue
No trcsses moved by summer breeze;
All me. no dcwy lips of ras. hue,
No ling'iing, roft, white hand TO squeeee
No sympathetic hopc 1t morn Of life,
Nor memory when he ID Old
80 sad the thought no meek and gentle wife
To sheer 1t when the codcc's cold.
And duties over, when the long day dies,
No need Of gentle wifeiy toies,
No ono to mex with glad, expecting eyes,
Dear, did you get the best Of Jones'"
OF earthly joys and pleasures he 10 bars>
He hrs no hope Of heaven withAl;
No school for Christian resignation where
lie never hears baby souall.
The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1881-02-17
USEFUL HINTS.

THOSE who object to tea-leaves for
sweeping tho carpets can use freshly
cut grass instead. It answers the same
purpose for preventing dust, and gives
the carpet fresh, bright look.
TnE Young Scientist states that
leather and cloth can he rendered water
proof by being well smcared over with q
preparation Of parafiine and drying oil,
made by adding about one-tenth port Of
the latter to melted paraffinc.
Ir you want good starch, mix II with
cold water; add boiling water until it
thickens, then add dessert-spoonful Of
sugar and small piece Of butter. This
makes stiff and glossy finish equal to
that Of the laundry.
FoR hanging pictures use copper or
silver wire. Moths eat out the inside Of
the cord. Water in which onions have
been boiled, rubbed lightly over the
frames, will keep insects away from
them.
NEPIuNITE is a recently patented col.
orless substance held in solution for the
purpose Of treating silk, wooden md cot
ton fabrics, paper, feathers and other
materials, rendering them water repcl-
'ant and proof against dampness, mildew
md moths.
FoR damp closet or cupboard, which
is liable to cause mildew, place in it
saucer full of quicklime, and it will not
My absorb all apparent dampness, but
,weeten and disinfect the place. Renew
lie lime once fortnight or as often as it
becomes slaked.
IT Is not economy to have too few
hrooms-one for the sleeping-rooms up
stairs, one for parlor and sitting-room,
and one for the kitchen are not too ma0y.
As they are worn they may be passed
Town grade at a time, the new ones
always being reserved for the parlor.
If the new broom is allowed to stand
IN cold water for twelve hours, afterward
Trying it, it will last much longer. A
broom should never be permitted to
stand on its brush, Is il makes it one
sided and ill-shapen. Hang it up by
loop in the handle.
A WATCH cannot 60 for an indefinite
perio! without being repaired or cleaned.
At the expiration of certain time the
oil dries up, dust accnmulates, and wear
and tear are inevitable results to the
whole machinery. the functions becom-
ing irregular. and frequently ceaslng to
act altogether. A person possessing .
watch Of good quality, and DESTROYS Of
preserving it, should have it cleansed
every two years, at least. Aud care
should be taken to contide this cleaning
or repairing to carefulIhands !; an incapa-
ble workman may do great injury to
watNh even Of the SIMPLEST construction,
The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1881-02-17
REMORsf.
II i. the I'D familiar hand

II Is the I'D FAM liar hand
I We seen II 1T ard Oft again,
And touching memories fill me when
Each dainty little page i scanntd.
She pcnned me lines no gnileful art
Appeared In what was writ and spelled
But oh, In every sentence welled
The pleading Of q trusting heart.
She trusted me with woman's trust,
Aud I-rOor. tiihing ehufiling knave-
Accepted Of the trust she gave
With soul more generous than just.
For weary days wronged her sore
ltramplcd on her trusting heart,
Until found that We must part,
Al she could never trust me more.
read this Missive she has sent,
Writ IN the old familiar hand:
" can not trust you longer, ana
I'm going to sue you for your reat.
--Eaasas City 7imes
The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1881-02-17
A Terrible Disaster.

American news via Paris
Most horrible |"
An accident atrocious comes to have
place on the line of the Great North
western. at the States United.
1.-TWO trains are encountered them
selves shocked, and 30 for to say re-en-
tered the one in the other in leveling
himself completely.
"There Dies not rest Of q survivor
many more than mechanism.
Arrived at the station, we do not
know how, all the world throws itself
on him we interrogate him. feverishly.
Him. very calm:
"Oh, there has not had large thing.
he two trains have made telescope r.
The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1881-02-17

WHAT becomes Of all the "oll war
horses after the campaign is over and
the President is elected? Do they go
back to the pillow? And echo answers,
Neigh they 60 to the trough"
The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1881-02-17

The Detroit Free Press wishes to
know why colofed ladies do not wear
white court-plaster on their chins.
The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1881-02-17
Prof. Guilmettc's French Liver Pad

Will positively cure Fever and Ague, Dumb Ague,
Ague Cake, 81 icus Fever. Jaundice, Dyspepss. and
ali diseases Of the Liver, Stomach and Bod. PriCo
$3.50 by mail. Send for Prof. Guimette's Ireattas
on the kidneys and Liver, free BY mail Addross
ER ENCM PAD Co.,
Toledo, Ohio
sold BY Dr. J. J. CLEMMER druggist, Cresco, 10.
The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1881-02-17

hoard. He hardly dare hope she had
left him cent, and yet he was her only
relative.
THAT remains to be seen." was the
unsatisfactory reply he received to his
question. "But don't you cherish no
hopes, for amt left yon q cent"
A bitter smile curled Toms lips. but
he made no reply.
I suppose you think me peculiar in
not leasin' you my money, seem you
are the only kin I've got" went ON Miss
Silence. "but you've taken such pre-
cious care to convince me that you don't
want It, that I've believed you and acted
accordin'."
Tom went home and repeated the con-
versation to Prissy, who shed few tears,
but tried TO cheer her husbands droop-
ing spirits with hopes Of more law bust
ness in the spring.
That night Miss Silence died, and the
whole town turned out TO her funeral q
few DAYS later.
expect Wolfboro Academy will find
itself able to erect new building when
Miss Sllence's will is read" said old Mr..
Craig. "She's told me she'd consider
the matter, and ! know she was I'M
pressed with my arguments.
:" rather think you are mistaken, I"
said Squire Darby. "for l feel .~oraliy
certain she has left her money to found
library
The minister, who stood near, smiled
70 himself. He had not tho slightest
doubt that the debt which hung over his
church like pail would now be lifted
through Miss Silence's will.
Tom did not want to go to the reading
OF the important document, but Ptissy
insisted, 80 they went together, though
neither Of them looked very cheerful.
Mr.. Simons made no objection to the
presence Of Squire Darby. Mr.. Craig
! and the minister chuckled as Deacon
The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1881-08-31
StenhenSOn When a BOY.

Railway traffic, as it exists, was not
even conceived or imagined century
ago. The man who gave us wings, who
taught us to beat tho racehorse, to sur
pass the flight OF the swiftest bird, and
to make hugo argosies, with multitude
nous passengers, skim over the earth far
more easily, swiftly, and obcdiently than
over the sea, was such as modern phil
anthropy loves to look down on as the
object Of compassionate aid. He was
the son of an engine tonter at colliery.
The surface works of n pit or mine may
be curious, but they are not picturesque.
1t Is hard to believe that the heap of de-
briS and wrecked machinery now form
ing Sheffield Manor was once the most
pleasant of all the prisons of Mary
Stuart But a hundred years ago the
colliery engine was a very poor, rickety,
aSthmatic creature, compared with an
engine of these days. Putting and blow
ing and blowing, shaking and changing,
it was always moro or less ont of order,
to be stopped every now and then to see
what was the matter with it. sympathy
is the soul Of all goodness and greatness,
and, as good shepherd must love his
sheep, II good groom his horse, and n
good sailor his ship, so anybody en-
ployCd ON an engine must have genu-
inc affection for it, and a deep concern in
its troubles. He must learn to feel its
pulse, look into its mouth, and inquire
tcnderly into its poor inside, il he is ever
to do it any good. There was much OPP
portunity for mechanical pathology i'll
those days. George Stephenson became
n little man, rs pit engine boy at I'd n
day. No wonder, when much coal was
sold only sixty years ago at 5s II ton at
the pits mouth. He had absolutely no
education in the departmental sense Of
that much-abused word He only learnt
his business. That was all. At eighteen
he began to read, and had the luck to
fall in with two teachers, one of them Il
Scotch dominic, who could teach him
something more. He then became stoker
and brakeman-that is, he had to feed
the furnace and libcrate or stop the rope
at the right time. Most men Of genius
would hardly think it their proper sphere
to throw Goals on fire or to keep their
eyes constantly fixed on rope going up
ana down ; but George Stephenson had
to go through this ordeal, and found ex-
ercise for his mind i'll it. An opportunity
came A condensing pump engine had
bothered the engineer He volunteered,
for loves sake, restored the patient to
perfect health, and having reached the
root of tho disease, effected IL permanent
Improvement in the constitution. Then
he became al engine man, and married
on 12s week. So he went on, curing
the diseases Of engines and wagon ways,
and took trains under ground Indeed,
they would 60 anywhere with him. But
his benevolenos was diffusive. lie mend
ed everything that came in his way
clocks, watches, shoes, and even the cut
of pitmen's clothes. .--LOntion Times.
The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1881-08-31
Caught by Il Bunch of Oranges.

A gentleman destiny threw him one
day, alone and unprotected, in the i'm
mediate vicinity of two artificial oranges
attached to brown chip hat. The
scene Of this drama was Broadway ON
nibus. The oranges, potent to attract
and concentrate the attention of the
passers by, were powerless to conceal the
humiliating fact that their wearer, for
some cause or another, was wanting in
that most excellent thing in woman, q
porte -monnaie Owing to the absence
of this trivial appendage, the brown
chip hat might have been ignominiously
expelled from the vehicle had not the
gentleman, without once removing his
eyes from the oranges, gallantly deposited
in their behalf five cents in the money
box, process which gained him o
charming look Of acknowledgment from
pair of bright eyes, peeping from un-
der the brown hat, as we'll as q droop-
ing wave OF recognition from the golden
fruit of the Hesperides. Some time
alterward tho hero Of the omnibus ad-
venture found himself on a boat bound
for Newport. An unexpected palpita-
ton of the heart caused him to turn as
a bonnet brushed past him. On such q
point there could be no possible illu-
sion. The oranges again-and an init
mate friend of his own providing for
them an eligible nook on the deck Of the
steamboat. A passport TO the society OF
the chip hat one legitimately obtained,
such progress ensued in the line OF its
ultimate subjugation that when the
oranges were invited to transform them
selves into wreath Of orange blossoms,
without murmur they consented to this
retrogressiye movement. Hour.
The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1881-08-31

TuE miscellaneous collection of articles
ot the White House, consisting OF beds,
medicines and nearly everything elso
under the sun, sent from all over the
country for the benefit of the President
and his family, is a most ridiculous one
including as it does two white mice, q
.tuffed humming bird, ".o relieve the
mopotony of the sick-room," and the
blood of a black cat. But it would be
unkind to laugh at it, as, notwithstand-
mo the absurd character OF many con-
tributions, it represents the outpourins
~ the national heart Doubtless the
I.dv who sent the stuffed bird did what
she thought was the best thing she could
do Just exactly what the cats blood
was sent for is not clear, but there are
many people in this country who believe
in the working Of charms, and as 1t was
doubtless intended to promote some
GOOD to the patient, we should give the
q sender credit for carrying out the dicta-
.;ors Of an honest opinion. As to the
white mice, they may amuse the cnil'
dYer ..
The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1881-08-31

THE salt Lake Hcrald tells remark
able story. Among the many pros
pectors in Utah year ago were four
young men, who were rewarded by the
iiscoveryof valuable mine near HALEY.
One of the young men had lady friend,
and it was decided to name the mine
after her, and to 80 fix the title that, in
case of their death, it should be hers.
Last winter, while working upon their
claim, the whole party was buried be-
meath snow-slide; and now the young
lady is planning what good she will do
with the $685. that has been offered
her for her neat little legacy.
The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1881-08-31

THE hip pocket is having things all
its own way in Chicago. They don't
consider it much of a day now when
there isn't at least one murder in that
CITY. and in most of the cases they never
seem to find the fellow. When now and
then some one declines to make his
escape, and is locked up in Jail, the
ladies in Chicago overwhe.n him with
bouquets and go on so abc'' him that
the average Chicago man i',f!9 around
with a well-loaded hip po"i.'.s for no
other purpose in the world, seemingly
than to improve tho first opportunity
TO make himself pet of the ladies
who, in Chicago, just dote on murder
ers Up to date no law has been made
N prevent people making fools OF them
selves.
The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1881-08-31

to find Mrs. Howells house? suppose
] could go by and restore this glove to
its owner"
Maggie thought this unnecessary
trouble; but she gave the required Iii.
rcction, and he went out saying to him.
self: /" 1t can't be my Katy, of course;
but the glove shall go back to its
owner.
Mary and Lizzie went to church that
Sunday morning Katy declared she
couldn't CO. having but one glove. |
stayed at home with her, and offered to
keep Mrs. Howell's schildrcn for her, and
so persuaded that worthy woman to at.
tend worship with the girls.
And this is how it came about, that
while we We're having u frolic on the
carpet with the children in Mrs. How
ellis room, we heard ring at the door,
and Bridget having taken herself Off
somewhere, there was no help for it but
for one of us to answer the summons.
"Yon go, Katy" whispered ], in dis
may, Z" can not appear"
Katy glanced sereAely at her own
frzly head in the looking glass, gave a
pull at her ovorskirt and touch to her
collar and opened the door.
Immediately afterwcrd | was shocked
by hearing her utter II genuine feminine
scream and seeing her drop on the
floor; and that man, perfect stranger
to me, gathered her up in his arms and
began raving over her in n manner that
astonishod me. He called her "his
darling" and "his own Kate and ac-
tually kissed her before could reach
her.
[ was surprised Mt mysclf afterwards,
that | hadn't ordered the gentleman
out, but it never occurred tc mo at the
time, and when Katy "camc to- and
sat up on the sofa and heard his
speeches, she seemed so well pleased
that | left them and took the children
up to our room, feeling bewiIdcred all
over.
What shall say further? Only that
Katy lives i'll the pretty house i'll the
town known as DIR. Craig's residence,
whore we three " factory girls y have n
home whenever we want it. And there
arc no liquors found ON her sidcboard
nor Mt her table.
One day | heard Arthur say "You
We're q silly child, Kate, to run away
from me. should have gwen up the
point at last, know"
"But there would have been the
splendid cellar and the ten thousand u
year." answered she. at would havo
been such temptation. We are safer
as it is, dear"
The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1881-08-31

Work on De Lcssep's canal is not
progressing satisfactorily. -Four en-
ployes have died, NJ. Etienne, sub-con-
tractor, at Aspinwall, of softening of
the brain Mr.. Bertrand his Secretary,
of malaria, and Messrs. Barrier and Di-
lembowski from overwork. The eli
mate is malarious, the rolling stock anti
quated, and the engineering poor with
work unsystematized. Americans will
have to do that job yet.
The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1881-08-31
National Beverages.

France is gradually changing its ma
tional beverage from wine to beer. In
Paris alone the consumption has in-
creased 293, 900 hectolitres in sixteen
years What the effect of the change
will he is nice question in ethnolOgy
which the savants will probably study
we'll The world is divided ms much by
It's drinks as by it races or its geogrnphi-
cal boundaries. The beer country is
almost entirely German, coming to
focus at Munich where the best brew
and the best examples of purely Gothic
civilization are to be found. England's
alc is practically beer with as little
change in the fluid as there is in the
English tongue. All the Teutons drink
brcwed liquors; all the Latins wines
a|l the Cclts whisky, all the Sclavs vod-
ski. In the far Fast, coffee in Arabia
End tea in China take the places of the
alcoholic beverages. In fact it is easier
10 distinguish man by his tipple than
by his tongue. Every change in race
tojds has been followed by change in
race character, and France will lie no
.%rcption to the rule. If beer continues
H. djrplacc wine we may look forward to
hc growth Of steadygoing, conseryn-
yc element III Gallic life which will
n,iast and direct its cntlusiasms
,hich will add to it that staying, stable
ppNcr, which is the one thing France
Iarls to lead the world
The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1881-08-31
A New Way to Kill Stage Robbers.

As there is no reason to suppose the
stage robbers intend to retire voluntarily
to the shades OF private life very soon,
and as there is not much dan
ger Of their being compelled to
do so, we, ourselves, have determined
to put stop to the business. We
have written to persons in Western
Texas whom we suspect Of designing 10
send us original poetry, to forward the
manuscript in . Registered package BY
stage. The stage robbers are in the
habit OF opening and examining regis
tered packages. After this, whom .
stage is robbed, and any Of our original
poetry is stolen, I'll the suthcgi6ss will
have to do will be to send out . wagon
to the sceno OF tho robbery, end bring
in the bodies Of the highwsymeu who
have been bored to DEATH They deserve
all they get-Tsxas SVtings.
The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1881-08-31

WE ARE shocked at the Cincinnati
Gazette. It says: "It is sorrowiul
fact that tho barrooms are more honest
with their lemons than the temperance
picnics." This is q sad commentary.
We knew that the church had had q
,imilar charge set over against it, but we
never thought it would go any further.
The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1881-08-31

The "Mellennium Springs" in Ar
kansas, makes those who drink of its
waters, hug, and kiss and frisk about.
1t also makes them drunk. People have
been doing these things too much since
the time of Adam and we oan not forthc
life of us see what good can como Of the
discovery. We shall all be a pack of
fools some day.