davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-03-04
An Effective Poem.

1t is a common saying in Washington
that the most eloquent speeches in
Congress influence no votes. Each
member votes with his party, and is
Indifferent to facts, or logic, or pathetic
appeals from the leaders Of the other
side.
Oliver Wendell Holmes, however,
enjoys the rare credit of changing the
policy of the jackson administration,
not by speech, Int by poem. The
frigate Constitution, the most famous
vessel in the American navy in the war
with England, 1S12-15, was an old hulk
in Boston Hsrbor, and it was decided to
take her to pieces, and put any good
timber In her to other uses.
Boston patriotism was reused by this
report, for the Constitution was looked
upon as specimen Of New England
skill, and monument of Yankee cour.
age. DIR. Holmes, then an enthusiastic
young man. fresh from college, shared
the general fervor. and put it into a
ringing poem, called "Old Ironsides."
The poem became very popular, and
was copied into all the papers of the
land. 1t was struck oil on hand-bills,
and circulated freely in Washington.
The administration did not care to re-
sist the popular feeling, and the orders
to break up the old frigate were count
ermanded.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-03-04
John Bright's Critic.

John Bright's oratUry las the rare
trait Of mprehensivenesS. 1t touches
The i.eart. the conscience, ana the in
tellcct. In the Judgment OF the mass
of his countrymcn, he is the prince of
English speakers. His thoughts are as
clean cut US die. They are expressed
in such English as delights the scholar,
while the workingman easily under
stands him.
Perhaps lis clearness of expression is
due to the early training he received
from Mr.. Nuttall, an intelligent work
man. When Mr.. Bright first began to
speak in Public, he was nineteen years
of age. He began by committing his
speeches to memory. But finding this
method clumsy, he abandoned it. and
substituted impromptu rehearsals be-
fore Mr.. Nuttall, hand in his fathers
factory.
At odd hours, when the mill was
quiet, JOAN would recite to his critic,
who didn't spare him, though he was
his masters son.
John had the good sense to see that
what pleased the workman would be
apt to take with the common people
who made up the bulk OF his audiences.
1t may be that the clear English which
delights scholars, and is easily under
stood by the people who listen to Mr..
Bright, is due in no small degree to
the workingman' criticisms.
A great French dram atist found it
expedient to read his plays to his SER
vant-girl. When she laughed or cried
he was assured that the piece would be
applauded in the theater. If she did
neither, he retouched them, knowing
that unless he did, the audience would
neither cry nor laugh.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-03-04
Only q Pair of Guinea Fowls.

In the "good old times" Sunday was
strictly kept in Connecticut. But it's
neighbor, Rhode Island, was inclined
to hold very liberal views rs to Sabbath
keeping. Natives of - Little Rhody,"
who had settled in the "land of steady
habits" were not unfrequensly placed
by their Sabbatarian laxity in conflict
with their more strict neighbors.
One of these settlers was Benjamin
Wilkinson, who kept one Of the best OF
taverns at Thompson. He was man
Of much public spirit, and had done
many things to beautify the town. Be-
fore his advent the ground on which
the meeting house stood, was covered
with bush, old etumps, and rock. he
transformed it into an attractive com.
mon and training-feld.
He was a generous man, and wished
all to share in the good things OF life.
So he planted peach pit by every rock
and along the roadside, that boys, trav-
elers, and church corners might have q
free supply OF peaches.
On winter Sundays, Wilkinson's tav-
ern, being near the church, served as q
"Sabba' day house." The shivering
congregation-there we're no stoves in
Westinghouse in those days-found
warmth by the glowing hearth and, it
may be, in something from the bar.
But Wilkinson was not strict Sab
batarian. His neighbors overlooked
sundry failures to keep in harmony with
their ideas, seeing that he had been
brought up in Rhode Island, and was q
worthy citizen. But one Sunday the
aggregation was disturbed all through
the morning service by what sounded
like the creaking of rusty-handled
grindstone. The noise came from the
tavern yard.
That was the ounce that broke the
back of the much enduring Thompso.
mans. Not even the best inn. keeper
in the State could be tolerated in dis
turbing divine service. Accordingly
at noon the deacons and the selectmen
waited upon Wilkinson, and charged
him with turning q grindstone on the
Sabbath day.
81 deny the charge" he promptly
answered.
"Why, we hear it now retorted the
officials, as long-drawn, creaking
sound startled them.
"Come and see for yourselves" said
the landlord, smiling mischievously,
and leading the way into his yard.
Gentlemen he said, "1et me intro
duce to you the first pair of Guinea
hens brought into Thompson"
1t was their doleful cries which had
ruffled the serenity of the congregation.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-03-04
Foot MuHS.

am much pleased with a present
just received through the mail, says q
correspondent-the work of younger
sisters. 1t is pair of foot NUTS,
to be worn in bed on cold nights.
They are great comfort to a person
who has the care of small children, and
is liable to have to step out of bed
more or less during the night. They
are of clouded zephyr, knit on wooden
needles, garter fashion. Forty stitches
are set up, and the knitting proceeds
back and forth across the needles, until
the strip is about ten inches long
Bind it of, and double it together, and
make it into bag, whole at the bottom
and with seam at each side. The
seams in my" muffs are crocheted to-
gether. but they might be loosely
sewed with zephyr like that used in
knitting. With coarse crochet needle
make loops around the top of the bag.
crocheting a long stitch into every
thirI stitch around the top OF the bog.
and joining them together by chain.
stitch. These loops are for q rubber
tape about ten inches long. Crochet
scallops around the top, as ornamental
as you like. This bag does not look
much like boot, shoe. or slipper, but put
it on your foot and it answ ers nicely for
a foot. warmer. A pair of foot muffs
would be q very suitable Christmas
present for an invalid. The number
of stitches required would depend mp.
on the size of the needles. The knit.
ting should be loose and elastic
I American Cultivator.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-03-04
Josh Billings Wisdom.

correctly spelled, from his "Cook Book" "
The man who gets bit twice by the
same dog is better adapted for that kind
of business than any other.
There is great deal Of religion in
this world that is like life preserver,
only put on at the moment of immediate
danger and then half the time put on
hind side before.
Experience is school where man
learns what big fool he has been.
The man who doesn't believe in any
hereafter has got dreadfully mean
opinion OF himself and his chances.
There are two kinds of fools in this
world-those who can't change their
opinions and those who won't.
\ good doctor is q gentleman to whom
we pay three dollars visit for advis-
ing us to eat less and exercise more.
The world is filling up with educated
fools-mankind read too much and
learn too little.
Every man has his follies and often.
times they are the most interesting
things he has got.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-03-04
Hufy People.

One OF the oldest things to witness
if not one Of the most disagreeable to
encounter, is the faculty some people
have of taking offense when no offense
is meant-taking " h uff," as the phrase
goes, with reason or withdrawing
themselves and every one else uncom-
Portable for nothing deeper than a
mood or more than a fancy. Huffy
people are to be met with of all ages
and in every station. neither years nor
condition bringing necessarily wisdom
or unsuspiciousness. But we are bound
to say that the larger proportion will be
generally found among women, and
chiefly among those'who are of an uncer-
tain social position, or who are unhappy
in their circumstances, not to speak Of
their tempers. Hufiiness, which seems
to be self-assertion in what may be
called the negative term, and which the
possessors thereof. classify as high
spirit OF sensitiveness, according %
they are passionate or sullen, 10 in real.
ity the product OF self-distruat. The
person who has self-respect and moth
ing to fear, who is of an assured social
status, and happy private condition,
is never apt to take offense, Many and
great are the dangers OF action with
huffy people, and you are sure to
founder into the bog with them, while
you are innocently thinking you are
walking on the solidest esplansde. The
dangers of speech are just as manifold.
The dangers Of testing are. above all,
great. It may be le;d down as an alb
solute rule which has no excepHon
anywhere, that no huffy person can
bear joke good-humoredlyior take it
as it is meant. If you attempt the very
simplest form of chatting, You will soon
be made to find out your miatake, and
not unfrequently the whole harmony
of an evening has been set wrong be-
cause a thin-skinned, huffy person has
taken a pleasant jest as personal
sffront, and either blazed out or
gloomed sullenly, according to his or
her individua disposition, and direction
of the wind at the time Household.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-03-04

STEwED TRIPE.-Cut in small pieces
one pound Of tripe (costs eight centsl,
half quart each Of potatoes and onions
(cost of both. five cents) and put than
in layers in u pot, seasoning them with.
one tablespoonful Of salt and one level
teaspoonful of pepper; mix quarter ota
pound of -four with water, gradually
using three pints of water, and pour Il
over the stew 1.-THE -four and seasoning
will cost two cents; put the pot over
the fire aad boil it gently for an ho1e
and half. It costs about fifteen cents.
and furnishes a good nutritious meal,
the onions and flour making up any
lack of nourishment in the tripe and
potatoes.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-03-04
The Growth of Suicide.

Hcanuot DO denied that the habit Of
suicide has grown in our society very
upidly of late years, and it is i'll great
part explained by the diminution OF re-
Ggious antipathy to it. 1t IL tho re-
liSious objections to self-murdor that
have chiefly controlled it in the past,
and they alone are believed to BE Cd
pablo OF controlling it in the future.
Advice does no good. As recent writer
In Bldekssood observes, all the piles
Of books which have been written about
suicide, all the moral, philosophical,
lsgal, medical, statistical. aud devo-
hoaal trsatises which have been
composed in oil languages, with respect
to il, have failed to exercise the faintest
effect upon it; even laws of barbarous
,sSssrity have been insufficient to stop
And tho explanation furnished is,
"because il Is one Of the forms OF the
pursuit. OF happiness; because it is
an outburst OF the universal appe-
tito for calm; because every mau
Who wilfully terminates his life
does 30. necessarily, with the idea of
improving his condition. This is I'M
Questionably at the bottom of it. There
u really no other satisfactory explana'
zion Of suicide, Tho world has never
invented more active fashion for
man to better his condition. and unless
he is religious man he is liable to be
powerfully reached, at some period OF
his life or another. by its Influences,
In the days of the Roman Empire sui
eide was so universally reckoncd meri-
torious and honorable that it was found
necessary to resort to unusual methods
to stamp it out. Nothing but posltiv"
and direct religious convictions have
proved equal to its arrest. II is a
dear revolt against divine law: meet
ing against the arrangement and
Means of Divine Providence. We es-
cape from nothing by It, ana We only
make matters as much worse AZ pos
ible.- Mass. Pioughmin.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-03-04

LARGE CITIES. The modern signi6-
canoe of cities is the coming together OF
mulhtudes of men for the purpose Of
money getting. Such coming together
involves confict--an opposition OF the
interests of each individual to the in
terests of all the rest. OF course the
discovery 10 speedily made that the in
terests of the individual are often best
promoted by temporary and partial CO.
operation with others; but this fact
does not affect the general principle.
Each man has his own way to make,
and he will and mustmake it, if necas-
sary at the expense of the rest. Look
out for number one" and Charity be-
gins at home" are the msxims which
are at the bottom of all human com.
mercial intercourse. The consequence
is, that every one arms himself against
his fellow. To be good business man
is' to be-not dishonest, indeed, fol-
honesty is the best policy-but capable
of dissim ulation, of concealing ultimate
designs, OF habitually maintaining q Ger.
tain conventional demeanor, which
must needs often be at variance with
the feeling underneath.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-03-04

AMB1rIoN.-Thst life 10 . poor ON
which is without ambitien-which h.
no object to work for. no height 70
strive to reach. a person may 10
good and kind .hsaited while willing
to live in idle ignorance and let tho
world 60 on growing in wealth and
wisdom without his taking an acfivs
part and interest in it, onward move
msnts-he may be good, but mose
certainly he 10 dull Of mind and alag
gish OF body, No individual destitute
Of ambition will make his mark In the
world. He will come and 60; few will
note his coming, and few win grieve at
his going. Ambition II ID that gives
men the energy and the will and the
determination to accomplish grsas
things.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-03-04

SEM MAscuL1Ns D1Rss.--A rectoi.
OF Philadelphia in sermon 70 woms1
says; 81 object to oigarstte hats and
long-tailad jackets or coats. Man, vho
is logical. may wear ENTHUSIASTICALLY
cut garments. but . Christian woman
should not appear to be mannish.' =
Then, rs il to be talked to from the pnl-
pit were not enough, the Philadelphia
Press makes an attack on those who
wear the cigarette or tall beaver hats.
as follows: IS We admire the beaver
hats, because girls who have mere than
the usual quantity Of nose, or who have
ugly ears, can conceal their nisfortune
beneath the brim, and those who have
no store braid can likewise hide it,
Absence" Nothing more wonderful
or hideous, for street wear was ever in-
vented than the stiff beaver hat, which
was introduced only for equestriennes
to wear riding, but with the American
idea Of utility, now it 10 too cold Tor
horseback riding. is worn o the street:
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-03-04

A CABINET OF "DAM LITERARY Eel
IEAs. Dear General:-You have chos'
en- wisely. The Ha,okeye man would
make a most excellent Secretary Of
State. He knows the crowned heads,
and can twist them round his little fin-
ger. Yhe Dan6ary man would manage
the Interior with credit. Hs has At
tended 10 his own Interior all these
years, and knows inst how to regulate
it in an economical and satisfactory
manner. The NovvistoDa man would
run the War Department up TO the
handle. He has been lighting humbugs
all his life. and thoroughly under
stands canans with one n. The Free
Press man (albeit We presume Demo.
craft would keep the navy together in
o most cxeditable style. Having been
blown up himself, he knows how to
preserve tho pieces. You want q per.
soc accustomed to letters for the Post
Office, and Bourbon Ballads" is just
the very man. Puck would make Q
splendid Attorney General, being ac.
customed to deal out justice impartial.
~, and he needs robe badly. Thanks,
We could not accept the Treasury; we
have too much money already, and we
should not know what to do with it. A
quiet sinecure is all we want-Minister
to England, or something where there
is plenty to eat and nothing to do bat
smoke and play poker. We shall see
you later.-[Nev York Commercial
Advertiser.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-03-04

The Edingburgh School of Cooking
was recently opened by distinguished
company of ladies and savaus. DR..
Beddoe delivered an address la wheel!
he declared that the best woman, TIE
truly virtuous woman, now, AZ in Sol
onions days, is she who, while Intel
lectually and socially able 70 rightly
I'LL her position and to apple late
great ideas and unseltish ailns, Knows
also hov to cook and sew AID lurse,
and how to direct those who DO these
things for her. In housekt eping, if
they do not themselves know how a
Ahing should DO done they cannot ex-
Aaeot to have it we'll done for them. To
rule household we'll requires very
considerable talent and skill, and
we may depend upon it that
the woman who can cook good
dinner is no fool. Contrasting the
art of cooking with that of music he
said an idiot might be IA good musician,
but he detied an idiot to be good
cook. There IS plenty of room for the
exercise OF higher education of cook
ing.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-03-04

Ifa person of fair complexion exposes
himself to the ele:tric light for some
time in examining the action Of lamps,
the hands and cheeks will saog ell the
symptoms of "sun burn even in mid.
winter, and he VIII develop freckles on
his countenance as quickly as when he
goes about unprotected by a sun UNI.
brells in midsummer.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-03-04
The Panama Canal.

Heavy subscriptions are making
in New York, for Lesseps' Panama
Ship-canal, and Secretary Thompson, Of
the Navy, has resigned for the purpose
of becoming head of the company.
We have studied the matter for many
years, and we can not see how any man
should be willing to put his money into
such scheme, though folks who ex-
poet to derive good salary may recon-
meGd other folks t. put their money
in. The cana! is possible, there, ol
course, but its Jst would be SO enor-
mously beyond its supposable value
when done, as to practically sink its
capital. The difficulties in the way are
prodigious and approach the region Of
the lnsurmountaoie, when regarded
from business standpoint. The Mic.
aragua roGte, on the contrary, is easy
Of construction, and far more desirable
as to climate, distance from ports of
arrival and departure, ald cost of con-
struction. The Inference i'll favor OF
the Nicaragua route is so great, that
one is astonlshcd that the Panama plan
should attract dollar Of capital. by
the way, We nave received from the
.ScieHtJic .lneyican, request that We
will say u word upon Captain E.ds'
project for railway TO take ships bod
lily across the isthmus and run them
into tue water on the other side. We
have studied the plans and descriptions
as we'll IA We know how, and are free to
say that the scaeme is one of the most
care fully elaborated pieces Of moon.
shine which has come along this way
for IL twelve, month. 1t is worthy of
Jules Verne lowell Vox Populi,
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-03-04

Thus talks an old farmer about his
boys; From sixteen to twenty they
knew more than ! did; at twenty five
they knew as much; at thirty tEey were
willing to hear what l Lad to say; a.
thlrty-tise they asked ny advice; and !
think when 'hcy get to be forty they
viii acknowledge that the o., H.a .3ots
know s)mcihinP.'
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-03-04

Humility is virtue that all preach,
few practice, and yet everybody is con.
tent to hear. The master thinks it good
doctrine for his servant, the laity fol
the clergy, and the clergy for the laity
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-03-04

In the youth OF State arms do
flourish; in the middle age Of State,
learning; and then both Of them to.
gether for time; in the declining age of
State, mechanical arts and merchan-
disc.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-03-04

Thy TO PLEAsE.- art OF pleasing
Is one worthy Of cultivation 10y young
ana Old. Says the Congregati0nalist
The late George Merriam, the pub
Usher OF W.bster's Dictionary, whose
early life, though spent in poverty,
gave token by its diligence. purity, and
kindness to his mother. OF what true,
noble man he would become, said, when
he was an old man.
SO trace my success in life to de-
sire to please. To try to please was my
great aim; first, my father. and then for
his sake my employer. l lived with
my mother, and took four or five ap.
prentices to board with her, and if at
the end of the year she came out short,
l evened it up
"The one who tries to please makes
many friends. and, therefore. has wide
influence. One need never sacrifice
principle, but can always be kind.
"' What is tie secret of the success
of Miss ---?"-one of the bellies in
Washington last winter-we asked of Il
friend. She does not appear remark
ably intellectual, AMI she is 70. very
beautiful
:" no. said the person addressed,
bH- she tries to please people.
An" .ais wNg III" stcret OF E@r beia2
. Yel.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-03-04
Basutoland, the natives of which hay

Basutoland, the natives of which have
been for some months past in state OF
Tinsurrectlou in consequence of the ILL
advised policy Of the British authorities
Of Cape Colony in Withdrawing the
arms which they had previously grant
ed them, Is territory north OF the
Orange river of about seven thousand
square miles. and Containing popula-
ton Of some 100 900 souls. Mountains,
from seven 10 nine Thousand feet high,
bOup0 the region on the south aud
east. while what are called tho plains
are table lands, five thousand feet above
the level of the sea. 1t is very fertile
region. producing large quantities of
cereals, and including some excellent
pastures, well adapted for general
stock-raising. Minerals, especially coal,
copper AMI iron are said to abound.
Ouce before, in 1852, British soldiers
had an opportunity OF testing the cour-
age and strategy of the Basuto tribes.
Sir George Cathcart then found them
to be formidable enemies. They have
been several times at war with their
neighbors OF the Orange Free State,
ana in 1860, while one CT these con
tests was IN progress, they made q raid
into Natal and carried off good deal
Of stock ana other property, for which,
however, they were subsequently COM
PEELED to. make compensation.
In 1868 they were taken under British
protection, and in 1871 they were an
noxod to the Cape Colony. From that
time until the beginning Of the present
trouble they have been generally indus
tIiops and welibnhayed-the fact that
thcy were allowed to have arms, even
when the 4 llu war was going on, being
evidence III their iavor-and the mis-
siOnaries have found Basutoland more
successful field o: labor than any OF the
other native territories.