davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-03-17
A Qnrious Mission.

Count Constantine Branicki and
Baron Robert de Billing leave Paris
shortly, says Figaro, upon an interest
ing mission. They are going to visit
the Sahara and the Red sea in order to
take observation regarding the difficult
ties which lie in the way of Nj. de Les
seps' projects. The indefatigable M.
de Lesseps has long designed pouring
the waters of the sea upon the sands OF
the desert, and converting the Sahara
into vast ocean. This enterprise must
temporarily yield to the construction
of the Panama canal But it is dear to
to the heart of the illustrious engineer.
He will certainly execute it sooner or
later. M. de Lesseps loves Africa like
fatherland. His father, M. Matthew
de Lesseps was twenty years consul
general at Tunis, and he himself was
born there.
The voyages of Count Branicki and
the Baron de Billing has also an artistic
object in view. The soil of Africa
hides in its depths many souvenirs OF
antique art. Last year, among the
ruins of Carthage, an admirable statue
of gold was found, which Russian had
the good fortune to purchase for 25,OOO
francs-just the value of the metal.
Merimee's famous Venus d. Ille is thus
outdone: A divinity of gold intact,
without mutilation. 1t is enough to
prevent our antiquarians from being
able to sleep.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-03-17
Henry Olays Dog.

Mr.. Clay had a fine Newfoundland
dog that was presented by an admiring
friend who lived in Nova Scotia. The
dog was very intelligent, and the ''Sage
of Ashland'' trained him with his own
hand to perform number of wonder
full tricks, one of which is as follows:
In one of the pastures in which Mr..
Clay allowed his finest stock to run was
a fine well, with large trough attach
ed, by means of which the cattle were
supplied with water. The water was
drawn from the well by the bucket-and-
spindle system, but it required great
deal of manual labor to keep it in opera
ton. To avoid this Mr. Clay construct
ed small treadmill, attached it to the
spindle of the well with an iron crank,
and then trained the dog to walk the
treadmill. In this manner the trough
was kept constantly filled with water
and the clever dog became so accustom-
ed to the performance that, without the
necessity of being bid, he made it his
duty to watch the well constantly and
see that the trough always had in it
sufficient supply of water to keep the
coppers of the blooded stock cool. Mr..
Clay loved the dog, and was fond of
watching him go through the perform
ance. He would always have the per-
formance exhibited to his visitors, and
when the good old canine finally gave
up the ghost he had him respectfully
buried, and erected at the head of his
grave an elegant marble slab.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-03-17
Solomon and the Blacksmith

B'ackSmltn anu W neelwfiSnG.1
The story goes that. during the build
ing of SolOmon's Temple, that wise
ruler decided to treat the artisans en-
pioyed on his famous edifice to ban
quet. While the men where enjoying
the good things his bounty had provid-
ed, King Solomon moved about from
table to table, endeavoring to become
better acquainted with his wOrkmen.
To one he said
.My friend. what is your trade?''
ga carpenter"
''And who makes your tools?"
''The blacksmith - replied the carpen-
ter.
To another Solomon said
What is your trade?' and the reply
was
"A mason"
..And who makes your tools?'
''The blacksmith" replied the mason.
A third stated that he was stone
cutter, and that the blacksmith also
made his tools. The fourth man that
King Solomon addressed was the black
smith himself. He was powerful man,
with barred arms, on which the muscles
almost as hard as the metal he worked.
''And what is your trade, my good
man?" said the king.
BLACKSMITH laconically replied the
man of the anvil and sledge.
'.And who makes your tools?''
'.Make'em myself" said the black
smith.
Whereupon King Solomon immedi-
ately proclaimed him the king of
mechanics, because he could not only
make his own tools, but all other arti-
sans were forced to go to him to have
their tools made.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-03-17

it any more. I never can help loving
you, and for all that's come and gone,
believe you do love me a little
Then Polly found courage to put her
hands upon his shoulders, and whisper:
''Oh! Dick, 1 believe I do"
They were married in a very little
while, and it was only after the we'd
ding that Mrs. Cranstone, with a very
solemn face said she had a confession
to make.
81 haven't lost my money at all my
dears," she said. I'm half afraid of
it, for it seemed to bring unhappiness
with it. Yet still it's comfortable to be
rich. And now you are married to an
honest man, that chose you when you
were poor; my dear, we might as we'll
make the best of it, and all 90 over to-
gether to the big house, the servants are
keeping for us, thinking we're off on q
journey. l shall never blame myself,
and L don't think any of you will blame
me, either.'
Dick looked at Polly, but she only
threw her arms about his neck and hid
her face in his bosom and said:
''The money can not make me any
happier than l am, Dick"
And even Mrs. Dempster declared:
''The house don't seem too fine to me
now, for there's love in it, and truth in
it, and my Dick is as happy as the
day."
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-03-17
Rose Michel" "

The Figaro gives some amusing anec-
dotes about the historyof s'Rose Michel, -
play so well known to American read
ers that the following translation can
not fail to interest them:
The role of Pierre Michel was Great
ed by Charly. He was terrible in it.
That poor man had several great sue
cesses during his career. Pierre Michel
was one of them. Naturally enough
when M. Chabrillat resurrected the
play at the Ambigu, he thought at once
of making Charly take his famous role
again. But where was he? Charlyldid
not lead the most regular of lives. The
director sought for him in vain.
One day Gil-Naza came to the theatre
to secure two seats.
''Ah! you are the very man 1 want to
seer' cried Chabrillat. ''You must
know where Charly is, for you were one
of his friends
81 should, rather say so! have just
left him.
s.Where?'
cat the cemetery-I have just buried
him.
In order to replace him M. Chabrillat
engaged a rather obscure actor whom
he had remarked in poor Bertrand's
troupe WnIle praying aG tne 1neaCfe ueS
Nations-M. Mortimer.
But at the rehearsal the stage man.
ager was in despair. Mortimer looked
altogether too honest.
cit is no use trying" he said to him.
''You might fix up forever, and blacken
your eyebrows in vain; you will never
be able to look like real cut-throat"
Then they tried to educate him. They
took him to the criminal courts, to the
prisons, to all the worst resorts in Par
is; they organized pleasure parties for
his special benefit in the Carrieres
d dAmeriquc; they gave him wicked ad-
vice; they introduced him to wicked
people; they introduced him to Felix
Pyat before the latter left for Brussels;
and the only result was to disgust him
TO such 4 point that he now looks much
more honest than before.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-03-17
Longfellow's Kindness to Children.

Concord Monitor.
Prof. Luigi Monti relates pleasant
story of Henry w. Longfellow. For
many years this gentleman has been in
the habit of dining with the poet every
Saturday. On Christmas Day, as he
was walking briskly towards the old
historic house, he was accosted by a
girl about II years old, who inquired
the way to Longfellow's home. He told
her it was some distance down the
street, but if she would walk along with
him he would show her. When they
reached the gate, she said: '.Do you
think l can go in the yard?" ''Oh,
yes," said Signor Monti. '.Do you see
the room on the left? That is where
Martha Washington held her receptions
100 years ago. If you look at the win
dows on the right; you will probably
see a white-haired gentleman reading
paper. Well, that will be Mr.. Longfel-
low" She looked gratified and happy
at the unexpected pleasure of really sec
ing the man whose poems she said she
loved. As Signor Monti drew near the
house, he saw Mr.. Longfellow standing
with his back against the window, his
he went in, the kind hearted Italian said,
..Do look out of the window and bow
to that little girl, who wants to see you
very muchr' "a little girl wants to
see me very much-where is she?" He
fastened to the door, and, beckoning
with his hand, called out: .'Come here,
little girl, come here, if you want to see
mer' She needed no second invitation,
and asking her name, he kindly took
her into the house, showed her the 'sold
clock on the stairs,'' the chair made
from the village smithy's chestnut tree.
presented to him by the Cambridge
children, and the beautiful pictures and
souvenirs gathered in many years of for
eign residence. l am sure that child
will carry all her life delightful memo
ries of her Christmas call at Mr.. Long
fellows.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-03-17
Hinta to Callers on the Sick.

1. Only call at the door unless you
are sure your friend is able to see you
without harm.
2. Enter and leave the house, and
move about the room quickly.S
8. Carry cheerful face. and speak
cheerful words.
4. In order to cheer, you need tell no
lies.
g. If your friend is very sick, do not
fall into gay and careless talk in the at
tempt to be cheerful.
6. Do not ask questions, and thus
oblige your friend to talk.
z. Talk about something outside, and
not about the disease and circumstances
of the patient.
8. Tell the news, but not the list of
the sick and dying.
9. If possible, carry something with
you to please the eye and relieve the
monotony of the sick room, flower,
or even a picture, which you can loan
for few days.
10. If desirable, some little delicacy
to tempt the appetite will be well be-
slowed; but nothing could be a more
complete illustration of mistaken kind
ness than the common custom of tempt
ing sick persons to eat such unwhole-
some things as rich cakes, preserves,
sweetmeats. etc.
IL. Stay only moment, or q few
minutes at the longest, unless you can
be of some help.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-03-17
Two Ways of Looking at Things.

New Haven Register.
Two boys went to hunt grapes. One
was happy because they found grapes.
The other was unhappy because the
grapes had seeds in them.
Two men being convalescent were
asked how they were. One said: 81 am
better to-day The other said: 81 was
worse yesterday"
When it rains one man says: ''This
will make mud" Another: t'This will
lay the dust"
Two children looking through colored
glasses; one said: 1.-The world is blue"
And the other said: cit is bright
Two boys eating their dinner; one
said: Il would rather have something
other than this" The sther said: "This
is better than nothing"
A servant thinks a mans house is
principally kitchen. A guest, that it is
principally parlor.
man. Il am sorry that must die,"
says another.
II am glad" says one, ''that it is no
'.that it is no better. ,"
One man counts everything that he
has gain. Another counts everything
else that he receives a loss.
One man spoils q good repast by
thinking of better repast of another.
Another one enjoys poor repast by
contrasting it with none at all.
One man thinks he is entitled to
better world, and is dissatisfied because
he hasn't got it. Another thinks he is
not justly entitled to any, and is salts
fed with this.
One man makes up his account from
his wants. Another from his assets.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-03-17
The Iron chancellor.

Prince Bismarck, they whisper, is un-
happy. 1t is not, says the London En-
pire, that he can not drink his favorite
brown beer as of yore. 1t is not that
the malignant neuralgia twitches his
martyred jaw. 1t is not that his favor
ite dog is moping, or that his favorite
nuisance at Varzin, who stands in the
same relation to him as the Tiverton
butcher did to Lord Palmerston, is more
insolent than ever. No! 1t is private
grief that vexes him, it is true, and a
small one at that; but these small pri-
vate griefs have a power of annoyance
ludicrously ydispropeI'tionedt to their out
ward significance. Under the pressure
of great calamity one can fold his to-
ga, decently exhibit fortitude, and flat
ter himself that he is playing the noble
Roman. But those petty trials worry
like the stings of wasps, and put the pa
tient of most heroic mold into high
fever. 1t is one of those which crosses
the temper and impairs the digestion of
the awful chancellor. He covets an
English decoration-either the Bath or
the Garter; he is not particular as to
the shade of ribbon. If it be really
true that this trife disturbs the equan-
unity of the great man (and we own we
doubt it), the sooner he gets either dec
Grafton the better for the peace of Eu-
rope. But precedent is omnipotent,
even in this instance, and he has to
learn that he will have to bide his time.
Meanwhile he can console himself with
the thought that he can load his breast
any day he chooses with a neat and ap-
propriate selection from the four hun
dred and sixty-six orders he is entitled
to wear. Some of these came to him
er obfcto; others poured in as custom
ary international compliments; one,
that of the Red Eagle, he received for
the curious excuse that his daughter
Maria had made a capital marriage;
but in all this mass of gewgaws there is
prominent for its modesty the simple
''For rescue from danger"
To his credit be it spoken, the iron pol
itician is prouder of his humble disc of
metal than of all the insignia lavished
upon him by kings. He earned it when
a cavalry officer with the Star@ard land
wehr squadron of Uhlans, in the sum-
mer of 1912. by saving, at imminent
risk, his servant Hildebrand from drown
ing in the lake at Lippehne, in the Neu-
mark. This was the only decoration he
possessed for many years. 1t has often,
among diplomatic grandeeS, excited
curiosity, and on one occasion, with a
celebrated ambassador, even ridicule.
To this diplomatist's sarcastic prayer to
be told the meaning of the medallion,
The grim chancellor, with look which
went through his questioner, replied:
II am in the habit, your eXcellency, of
saving mans life sometimes
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-03-17
A Romance in British High Life.

Many years ago. says me 10r0nt0
Globe, young man made his appear
ance in Stratford, and passed few
weeks at the tavern which then existed
to afford shelter to stage-coach travel
ers. Whence he came, and what was
his business, none could guess. Direct
ly opposite the tavern stood the small
cottage and forge of blacksmith
named Folsom. He had a daughter
who was the beauty of this village, and
it was her fortune to captivate the heart
of the young stranger. He told his
love, said he was travelling tncog;; but,
in confidence, gave her his real name,
saying that he was heir to a large for
tune. She returned his love, and they
were married a few weeks after. The
stranger told his wife that he must visit
New Orleans. He did so, and the gos-
sips of the town made the young wife
unhappy by disagreeable hints and
jeers. In a few months the husband re-
turned but before a week elapsed he
received large budget of letters, and
told his wife that he must at once return
to England, and must 60 alone. He
took his departure, and the gossips had
another glorious opportunity to make the
contiding woman wretched. To all but
herself it was clear case of desertion.
The wife became a mother, and for two
years lived on in silence and hope. By
the end of that time letter was re-
ceived by the Stratford beauty from her
husband, directing her to go at once to
New York with her child, taking moth
ing with her but the clothes she wore,
and embark in a ship for home in
England. On her arrival in New York
she found vessel splendidly furnished
with every convenience and luxury for
her comfort, and, two servants ready
to obey every wish she might express.
The ship duly arrived in England and
the Stratford girl became the mistress
of a mansion, and, as the wife of bar
onet, was saluted by the aristocracy as
Lady Samuel Stirling. On the death of
her husband, many years ago, the STRAIT
ford boy succeeded to the title and
wealth of his father; and in the last edi-
ton of ''Peerage and Baronetage," he
is spoken OF as the issue of '.Miss Fol-
som, of Stratford, North America
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-03-17
Farmers Gardens.

AS general rule farmers do not pro-
vide themselves with good gardens. at
least not as good as they should. The
excuse for this neglect is generally the
same with all of them-they have not
the time to bestow on them. and yet it
may safely be asserted that an acre of
ground appropriated to garden, will
he more profitable To the farmer than
any other ten acres on the farm. The
interest of the farm on the comforts of
his family, the good condition and
health of his whole household, requires
such garden on every farm in the
country, and it should be Il garden, not
mere excuse for one, a mere weedy
patch. 1t should be one, SO managed
and arranged that every vegetable of a
wholesome quality for human food,
should be raised in it in plentifulness
and at the earliest season. After a win
ter's diet on generally solid food, the
human constitution requires the deterg
ing operations of free vegetable diet.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-03-17
Getting Even with the Ooachman

1t is related that on the occasion of q
large party Mrs. Chase-Sprague sent for
her coachman and told him that she
expected him either to open the door OF
assist in the cloak room. The coach
man impudently answered that he was
hired to drive the horses and not to help
in the house. Every well," said Mrs.
Sprague, have my carriage at the door
at o clock" At clock the carriage
drove up. BLANKET the horses and
wait until send further word.'' From
8 o'clock of chill Winter evening un-
til clock of colder morning the
coachman sat with stiffening arms on
his box, and when the last guest had
gone his orders came to drive to the
stable.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-03-17
The Lucky Horseshoe.
A farmer travelling with his load

:
A farmer travelling with his load
Picked mp Il horseshoe in the road,
And nailed ii fast to his barn door,
That luck might down upon him pour,
That every blessing known in life
Might crown his homestead and his wife
And never any kind of harm
Descend upon his growing farm.
But dire Ill fortune soon began
TO visit the astonished man.
His hens declined to lay their eggs;
His bacon tumbled from their pegs,
And rats devoured the fallen legs;
His corn, that never failed before,
Eildewed and rotted on the floor;
rs grass refused to end in hay;
In short, all moved the crooked way.
NJ tSpring great drouth baked the sod,
A roasted every pea in pod;
III beans declared they could not grow
So ong as nature acted so;
Re andant insects reared their brood
To ctarye for lack of juicy food;
The slaves from barrel sides went OF
AS If they had the whcOpins cough,
And nothing of the usual kind
To hold together felt inclined,
In short, it was no use to try
While all the land was in a FRY.
One morn, demoralized with grief.
The farmer clamorei for relief;
And prayed right hard to understand
What witchcraft now possessed the land;
Why house and farm in misery grew
Since he nailed up the '1ucky" shoe.
While thus dismayed DER matters wrong
AM. a
To whom lie told, with wormw o0d tears,
How his affairs were in arrears,
And what desperate state of things,
picked up horseshoe some times bring.
The stranger ssked to see the shoe,
The farmer brought it into view;
But when the old man raised his head,
lie laughed outright and quickly said,
"So wonder skies upon you frown-
You've nailed the horseshoe upside down.
Just turn it round, and soon you'll see
How you and fortr3e will agree"
The farmer turned the horseshoe round,
And showers began so swell the ground;
The sunshine laughed among his grain
And heaps on heaps piled up the vain
The loft his hay could barely hold,
His cattle did as they were told;
His fruit trees needed sturdy props
To hold the gathering apple crops;
His turnip and potatoe fields
Astonished all men by their yields;
Folks never saw such ears of corn
As in his smiling hills were born;
His barn was full of bursting bins
His wife presented him with twins;
His neighbors marvcled more and moro
To see the increase in his store.
And now the merry farmer sings
''There are two ways of doing things;
And when for good luck you would pray
Nail up your horseshoe the right way"
dnles Z. Fields in Hd,,ei's Magazine for |
)ecember. |
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-03-17
A Remarkable Mountain of Magnetic or
Electric Rock"

Salt Lake City Tribune.
Some time ago the Tribune had occa-
sion to call attention to the Ada mine,
on Snake Greek, in this Territory. It
will be remembered that mention was
made of strange kind of rock found
in the tunnel of that mine that emitted
a bright glow, as phosphorus does,
when rubbed or hammered on with
hammer or pick. This was at the time
classified, for want of a better name, as
phosphuretic rock. The miners in the
district called it ''helrs fire rock" and
the tunnel is known in that neighbor-
hood as ''helrs hole" r. N. Baskin,
owner of the mine, recently forwarded
some samples of this strange rock to
the professors of chemistry at Yale Col
lege. On careful analysis it was found
to contain no PHOSPHORUS, as at first
surmised. The gangue was easily de-
termined; but the subtle power that
gave light to the rock baff1ed the sages
of New Haven, and the broad term
magnetic or electric rock was given to
it. This is something new in mining.
Miners sometimes get struck by light
ming, but this is the first well authenti-
Gated instance on record where a miner
has struck lightning. Again, in this
progressive aye, Wneh gas anu coai OH
begin to take back seat, this discovery
of a mountain of ready-made electric
ity may become source of incalculable
value to its owners. Our local tele-
graph offices need only run wire from
the Ada tunnel to their instruments to
obtain permanent supply of electric
ity. The trouble end expense of replen-
ishing batteries, replacing broken jars,
etc., would be entirely dispensed with,
and ..helrs hole'' homemade lightning
kept on hand free of charge. The bene-
fits to be derived from this discovery
can be well imagined. but it is not nee
essary at this time to point out all of
them, as Il more complete description
of the property and various uses to
which its strange power can be applied
will be given at some future time. upon
the organization of the HelPs Hole
Ready Made Lightning Company.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-03-17

Henry Chisholm, of Cleveland, has
paid the penalty for his gross assault on
a newspaper reporter a little over
year ago; first, by an amount of obloquy
that fairly made him wish that he had
never been born; and, lastly, by paying
the reporter the sum of $5, 600 and all
costs to discontinue the case in all
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-03-17

Ex-Gov. Bullock, of Georgia, has
given over politics altogether, and in
tercsts himself only in his business.
He is quoted as mentioning the time
and money he had ''lost'' in the execu-
tive chair, and adding: Il was unfor-
t,lnate enough to be elected Governor
of Georgia once. l never sought the
office, and it was the only one l ever
held. have never been politicians
am simply . business man."
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-03-17

A clerk was discharged and asked
the reason, You are so awful slow
about everything" said the employer.
..You do me an injustice" responded
the clerk. There is one thing that l
am not slow about" 81 should like to
hear you name it," sneered his employ
er. ;.Well,' said the clerk, slowly,
nobody can get tired as quick as I
can.n - ~