davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-01-08

to all how readily and how permanently words
might be acquired in this way. He condemn
cd the spelling. book as "a wicked thing" BY
his own method child could be taught to
spell almost every word correctly IN three
years, but he challenged any one to produce
similar instance of success by the spelling.
book method All good things were of slow
growth, and usually the slowest growth was
the fastest in the long run. Object lessons
were condemned as pernlcious and repressive.
TOO much was required of the child and the
facts given them by the teacher were often con-
fusing There should be no represslve or set
way of teaching Accurate description was
the thing to be aimed at. Everything a child
gains il gains for itself by It's own mental &C
tivity. II took q child long time to see n
thing we'll He advocated the use of animals
and plants in teaching children the language.
Children were especially interested in animals,
and favorite way of his was to get them
there to tell what they could about those they
were the most familiar with. He thought
there was a vast difference between school
keeper and real teacher The one was always
al a standstll, while the other was continually
growing. Natural objects were the best to be
used in the instruction of children A bird, a
flower, plant, were all great helps. Two
birds brought into the school.roCm could be
Icompared with much benefit by the pupils.
There was nothing like comparisons for dc
veloping u child's power of observation and
testing its knowledge Of the language. Bring
the child face 20 face with animals and cause
il TO exhaust its powers of description upon
them. IL should be taught 10 find out every
thing for itself One excellent means Of &C.
Touring habits Of observation recommended
was the keeping of diaries. This induced a
habit Of care and methodical way Of accumu'
The Osceola times., 1881-12-03
THE SPRAGUE ESTATE.
How a Grand Property Was squandei

How Grand Property was squandered
In the year lS43 the elder Amssa and
the elder William Sprague were co part
ners in trade, doing an extensive bust
ness both manufacturing and selling
goods-cloths as well as prints. In the
same year Amasa died, leaving two sons,
Amasa and William, who to-day are
active members Of the A. x W. Sprague
Manufacturing company. After the
death of his brother, the elder William
continued to carry on the business as
before. He was man of indomitable
will and great executive power, and the
business grew immensely up to the
year 1856. Shortly before his death,
which occurred in 1856, he associated
with himself in active partnership Lis
own son Byron and Amasa and William,
his nephews, children Of his brother
Amasa, and whom we Will call the
Younger. In 1913 Susan, daughter of
the elder William, married Edwin Hoyt
Four children were the result of that
marriage-Sarah, the present wife Of j..
Bowers Lee, William 5. Hoyt, Susan S.,
wife Of Charles q. Francklyn, of New
York, late agent of the Cunard steam
ship company, at whose Elberon cottage
Presid ent Garfield spent the days pre-
ceding his death, and Edwin Hoyt, jr.
A most amusing circumstance is con-
nected with the affairs of the Spragues,
in the fact that, with all their great busi-
ness faculty and training, there appears
never to have been, upon the death OF
any of the Spragues any proper settle
ment of the estate in any court of pro
bate. Nothing was done, the business
was continued along as though no
Sprague had passed away, and the mem
bers remaining drew their living from
the common fund. Their affairs pros
pered marvelously until when the
present William, then scarcely in his
25th year, 1860, or thereabouts, became
enamored of political life and political
| honor. In the pursuit of these feeting
and transitory honors he squandered his
time and money without stint, a single
election costing him, it is said, some
$4,000. These political strifes engen'
dered many enmities, notably the ami
mostly of the great house Of Brown q
Ives, who looked with contempt upon
| the pleban Spragues. So bitter waxed
this contest between the rival firms that
once when the now ex-Gov. Sprague,
almost desDairing at the odds against
which he was contending, sought his
mothers advice, she, as the Spartan
mother of old, babe him 'go and win,
even though it cost the Baltic mill" lat
that time easily worth Sl,000,000). The
young Amasa, on the contrary, became
interested in horse racing, and the pres
ent Narraganseit park was built at an
outlay of over $250,000 Of his money.
No business, however remunerative, can
long run of itself. The estate embarked
in distant and hazardous enterprises in
Maine, South Carolina, and elsewhere,
and became gradually involved. Fl
nally, in 1873, the end came, when it was
found that they rolled up an indebted
ness of 100000 and were constrained
to suspend payments. Through the long
years intervening the estate has been in
litigation.
The Osceola times., 1881-12-03
A street Car Drivers Opinion of Women.
New York Tribune

a street Car Drivers Opinion of Women.
New York Tribune
"Where do the bad coins come FROM
was asked.
That's more'n | know-where they
come from in the first place. It's most
ly women that give 'em to us. You see
Snen man gets hold of a bad hail
dollar he don I feel just like passing it
off himself, so he just slves it to his wife
and don't say anything about it. And
even ii she does know the piece is bad,
il doesn't make a mite of difference. A
woman, young man, is one Of the queer
est things in the world--one Of the quee-
e-rest things in the world. | often
stop and say to myself Wei, now, what
in thunder did she do that for? A
woman has no idea OF other peoples
rights at all. So when she gets hold OF
half "A dCllar, she just naturally passes it
of again. Dishonest? Why, ble.s you,
no, she doesn't mean to do anything
dishonest; its Just her natur; she can't
help it. She don't want the half dollar
of course she don't-so tferc is Just
one thing to do, and that is TO pass II of
on someone else. But | tell you, you
have 10 be powerful careful how you
treat woman. Some of 'em want you
TO help 'em on the car, now, and others
won't let You touch 'em. So, either Way
you do, you're sure to make halt of EN-
mad. / stopped the cart was only
yesterday mOrning-;o lei a woman Oh:
gave her plenty of time, and she got
both feet on the ground, then the car
started, but she wanted ii to wal unit
she was yard away, so what does she DO
but jump on again, and make the cu
come to a dead stop. There is no ar
conntiu' for 'em no way"
Most Of them 90 by the elevated road
now do they nol?'
Yes, good many of 'em do. Before
the elevated road was built | used tc
carry the girls 10 the Normal school
every morning. They used "1me all
al once, so many Of them had th st in
one another's laps. That made iyur
rows, and just tell you they looked as
fresh and sweet rs baskel of peaches,
all ranged in rowe. But | don't see
much OF them now."
"Iou regret that ! supoo,e?"
We'll, now, don't knoF. I'd rather
carry ear full of men any dnv. They
know What a conductors bu Iess Is, and
don't get mad for nothing. They give
US lever counterieits, too. Why, have
a glass dollar up at the house now that n
woman gave me. / was a fool to take IT,
but III pass il off on some man again.
When the car is pretty lsrA they wont
notice it. You see they're not used 10 it,
as | am"
The Osceola times., 1881-12-03

where these are extensive, the patient
experiences SORT Of asphyxia-seems TO
be smothered to death. Even burns Of
slight depth, il embracing a large sur.
face Of the body, almost invariably prove
fatal. 1t il against the rule in many
mines for the operatives TO work with
out shirts, and it would be well to en-
force the rule in all the mines, and re-
duce the number offatal cases at least 10
per cent. There is great temptation to
throw off clothing in some mines, es-
pecially those which are very deep, as
the temperature rises ! deg. for every
80 feet in depth, aud in many mines the
air that is forced into the chambers be-
comes heated by the steam pipes in the
down cast, and loses much of its vitaliz
ing quality before reaching the limits of
the mine But where there is gas, strip.
ping is dangerous. Thomas Riley, who
died on Saturday, owes his death to cut
ting off the sleeves of his shirt and leav-
ing it unbuttoned in the back.
The Osceola times., 1881-12-03
Damascus Blades.
saturday Roviewl

All old work has disappeared from
DlmaScus) and any thing really good in
pra's, steol or silk is as rare as it is val
able. TIE manufacture Of the peculiar
LcaVy silks Of shot c0lors has now died
out, not being able to survive the com
petition of third rate goods from Euro
pean looms. The Damascus sword blade
has passed into the category of things
we often read about, but seldom see, ami
the brass workers seem TO have lost tkeif
cunning. Their present productions are
rude in the extreme, and of no artistic
merit whatever. At first il may be o
matter Of surprise that more relics nt
past excellence should not come into
the market, but this must be accounted
for by the supposition that there an,
foreign agents always on the watCl.
70 puy for Csirene trade. In no other
way can we explain the notorious fac
that, while year or two Of residence ia
Damascus will not be likely TO produce a
respectable purchase in brass or silk
beautiful specimens of both these
branches OF extinct art are always on
view in Egypt, aud are replaced as soon
as sold. The silversmiths are also poor
workers, and their bazlr is lisappo int.
ing, containing little that is tempting
except, perhaps, some Bedouin giri's
massive silver necklace, which, IN spite
Of its resemblance to a dog collar, We
have seen worn by an English woman
with good effect As a rule, however
harbaric ornaments do not become Eu-
roprans, since they snow only to iull gl
vantage on their righilul owners. Fr
bright keha we want an Arabs ftc.
and eye, and every one knows how dif
lcrent clumsy silver bracelet look o.
a white arm compared to the same on
f. .lahah's brown skin.
The Osceola times., 1881-12-03
The Youthful Printer.

Johnsons typographical Advertiser
There is probably no class Of young
men for whom more valuable sugges-
tions have been made and sound practi
cal example given for their benefit and
guidance than the rising apprentice. In
most conditions he is surrounded by
helps in those who have become adopts
in the art which he aspires to learn,and
to whom he may have ready reference in
cases where mature judgment is neces-
sary. How far these privileges and ad
vantages may be appreciated and
grasped for the moulding and produc-
ton of the master workman will be
found to lie entirely in the power of the
aspirant himself.
Confning our attention to the art Of
printing and the young man starting his
path in life in this industry, experience
can but prove as all well regulated
offices are governed by unexcepiionable
rules for the guidance and tuition of
their apprenticeship advantages re-
quilting from strict conformity to all the
charges contained in them will prove
TO be enormous. both in the acquiring
knowledge Of his art and the conse-
quent independence in his ability to
earn livelihood.
The young apprentice sh.uld show,
not only an eagerness 10 learn, but a
willingness 10 make himself generally
useful. He should become familiar
with every article in the office. and
know where everything can be found
and see that everything is kept in its
proper place; in fact, be acquainted
with every nook, crook and Granny and
be labor saving machine TO the office
in whatever position he may be placed
lie should endeavor 10 be thorough in
every duty that falls 10 his lot. No
work in the offics should be considered
by him to be out of his sphere. Atten-
tion to minutest detail will gradually
open the road 10 greater achievements.
Washing the rollers, sweeping out the
office. and sorting the pi, be will find TO
be good initiative steps. He should
consider it his duty TO keep the place in
order. and to keep the stone clear OF all
unnecessary matter. He should be
Courteous aud obliging. He should ex-
ercise care in distribution. In so doing
he will become acquainted with the va
rious faces Of type and their adsptability
TO the many different STYLES Of Job work.
He should observe the adjustment of
crooked and curved lines. He should
make a study Of all display letter, and TO
acquire that quickness of conception,
combined with good taste, which mark
first-class jobber; becoming so perfect
as to select at glance the most desir-
able and suitable lines. either in con-
dehsed or extended type, that will be
suitable for the work in hand. As he
advances, his work should become a
study-a study 10 secure originality of
design, the harmonious blen ling of
types, and the Producing Of artistic ef
fects. He should eDdeavor t. improve
on the efforts Of Others II youth fails
tolearn his business, ii will be his own
&ult He who does not ain high will
The Osceola times., 1881-12-03
The Age of Tunnels.

This is the age Of tunnels. IL is there.
fore not strange that the double piercing
of the Alps has directed attention to the
Pyrenees. The natural barrier between
France and Spain is no less imposing
than that between France or Switzer.
land and Italy. 1t is also equally in the
way of traffic. The Spanish govern
ment seeks now the cooperation OF
France in the construction OF a passage
between the Canfranc pass. This is one
of the depressions near the center of the
chain, and is principally traversed by
smugglers and travellers bound for Ma
varre aud Aragon. On the Spanish side
railroad exteLds from Saragossa TO
Huesca, and needs TO be prolonged only
a few miles to reach the foot of the pass
No surveys have been made, but the
length Of tn" proposed tunnel must
equal that OF Mt 81. Gothard On the
Spanish side the Pyrenees are remlrka-
bly, PERCEPTIONS, but the passage IS favor.
ed by the existence of sharp transverse
clefts, The French frontier presents a
parallel ridge, and one through which it
is easier to make way. The tunnel would
shorten the railroad journey between
Paris and Madrid by sixty miles, and
would bring before the tourist a range
of mountain scenery till now practically
unexplored, but equal 10 almost the best
afforded by the Alps.
The Osceola times., 1881-12-03
Wise words.

Language is revealer Of character ,anl
that which man would conceal by hi-
arts ard manner he cannot hide in bis
words
There never were in the world two
opinions alike no more than two hairs
or two grains Of wheat The most uni.
versal quality is diversity.
They who are weary of life, and YET
are most unwilling to die, are such that
have lived TO no purpose-who have
rather breathed than lived.
Goodness, in whatever way we look
al it. never sleeps. 1t is holy life
singing always the Divine psalm OF
love.
Consideration cannot be too careful
forethought cannot be too circumspect
prudence cannot be too discreet; but the
best wav TO insure these results is to con.
fine them strictly within their proper
limits, and never to permit them to in
terfere with the promptness of action
with integrity Of purpose, and with fl
deity to all engagements.
Though you NAV sleep all day the sun
still shines. Though TO YOU the noun
tain may be draped in mists it has not
unloosened its granite roofs. Though
you may be carght amid the swirling
SHOWS the spring is Fastening on, Though
you may die, or though you may DOUBT
Gods word about the world has been
spoken, and every passing year is hurry
ing to add its syllable to its magnificent
significance.
The Osceola times., 1881-12-03
shirts as Life Preservers In Mines.
Scranton, Pa, Republican.

Many men burned in the mines by
the expl' sion of gas owe their deaths to
the fact that they have persisted in
working without any shirts or other pro-
lection for their bodies save pantaloons
Often it happens that an explosion OF
gas occurs which would prove compara-
lively slight in its effects but for the
great surface over which the burns ex-
tend. The treatment closes all the pores
of the skin over the burned parts, and
The Osceola times., 1881-12-03
A POETlCiL COBBLER.
The Life and Works of the Laureate Of
wamp-poodle.

The Life and Works OF the Laureate OF
swamp poodle.
Philadelphia Times.
Philadelphia can point with pride to
one thoroughbred poet Yesterday re-
porter might have been seen tramping
In the direction Of poodle, where
the bard lives. Over acres Of goose
pastures dotted with rustic pig-sties,
through rows Of delapidated tenement
houses, past innumerable saloons and
crowds. of tough looking citizens the
newsman marched until Huntingdon
avenue and Twenty.sixth street was
reached and his eyes rested on sheet
Of tin bearing this inscription:
The Osceola times., 1881-12-03

A miller in Peru, Ind, Tell asleep in
his mill and bent forward till his hair
got caught in some machinery and was
yanked cut; and. ofcourse, it awakened
him, and his first bewildered exclama.
.ian was: "nn,n IL, vile, what's the mat.
ter now9r--Boston Pest.
The Osceola times., 1881-12-03
Cbica.D Iu,,.

"Ies. Mabel, forever and ever
1t was Herbert Mcintosh who spoke
these words in the tender thrilling tones
that one hears only from the lips Of an
ardent lover, and the fair young rosebud
of pirlsh teauty to whom they were
addressed placed her arms gently around
his neck and kissed him as a mother
kisses her babe-a long, lingering kiss
that would adjourn Methodist confer
ence instanler. Herbert had told Mabel
Of his love for her many moons ago,
when the ice cream freezer was in bloom
ard the deadly livery stable lured young
men to financial destruction. She had
given him in return true, wOmanly at.
fection that never faltered as long as the
buggy riding was kept up, but now the
dead leaves of autumn were being blown
over the brown heath by the chilly
winds Of an early fall and she had asked
him if he would always love her. His
answer we have heard.
Kissing her again, Herbert hailed
passing street.clr and was gone.
Sitting by the rudy light of the CRATE
ire, whose Pickering served only to il-
light that one sees 80 often in one of
Rembrsndts best works,or a saloon afler
II o'clock, T. NJ. Mabel was thinking Of
him who had just left her. The door-bell
rang. and in an instant a servant ush-
cred into the room fair-halred young
man, whom Mabel greeted cordially.
They talked OF commonplace subjects
or awhile. but finally George W. Simp-
son spoke the words that 4 been in
his heart so long-told Mats 81 of his
strong, deathless love for her, AID how
he should never be happy until he felt
that it was returned. When he had said
this George stood silently by the piano
and gazed, with a fixed, steady gaze at
the toe of his LEFT boot. Rising from
the chair in Shich she had been seated,
Mabel went to him, and placing her
hand in his, said in low, tremulous
voice: 81 have seen your growing love
for me. George, and have reiOiced in it.
| am proud to know that | have inspired
the most tender sentiments of which
the heart is capable in the mind of one
so noble, so true as you are. Yes, George,
| am proud of your love and love You
in return"
Placing his arm around her waist,
George drew TO bis heart the beautiful
girl who had said those sweet words,
and together they walked slowly to an
open window, and we're soon standing
on vine.embowered porch.
Here, sweetheart" said George,
"here, with the stars in all their purity
looking down upon us, let me give you
our beirothal kiss"
While these words were being spoken
Mabel's father had come silently into
the parlor, and seeing the window open,
had stepped TO it and heard all.
Five minutes later George was on the
corner waiting fort street car. A friend
came up.
"Are you going to the ball this even
ing2" he said.
"No," answered George, while panied
look fitted across his features; II am
going TO the couaty hospital"
The box-toed boot had done its dead.
y work well.
Local improvements are being active
The Osceola times., 1881-12-03

Professor Revel of Florence, has
Published new Italian version of the
New Testament, in the preparation OF
which he has been engaged for ten
years. The version now in use is about
700 yean old.
The Osceola times., 1881-12-03

Local improvements are being active
ly pushed in Greece at this time. The
canal across the Isthmus of Corinth, is
in progress, and railroads are projected
in all directions, one of which will trav-
erse the nymph-and -satyr-haunted do.
mains of Arcadia. The Shrek % the 10.
comotiye will soon silence the pipings Of
Pan. If these enterprises are well car
ried out, an immense striie will have
been taken by the Greek kingdom on
the road TO civilization. The history of
the four-mile railroad between Athens
and the Pireus, is encouraging to the
projectors Of the new lines. Construct
ed originally at a cost of si,000,000, its
capita is estimated at 100000.
The Osceola times., 1881-12-03

THAT virtue which requires TO he ever
guarded lie scarcely worth the sentinel.
The Osceola times., 1881-12-03
ii. CASS,
Poet and Writer.
Shoes repaired with neatness and
Dispatch.

The poet, with the exception OF
fringe of Jet black hair around the base
of his carsnium, is as bald as a billiard
ball and his face as smooth as an egg
plant. He is 60 years of age, stout and
undyspeptic. His work room is adorned
with pictures cut from illustrated papers,
theatrical Autographs and circus bills,and
his work bench is arranged so, he ex-
pressed it, II can see all the pictures in
The room at once without squirmin' my
head around if want to look at any
particular one"
Thirty years ago Cam began grinding
out poetry, and since then he has com
posed thousands of verses, from simple
obituary eems to comic cries fifty verses
in length. Then he writes advertise
ments in verse, ballads, letters. com
positions-in fact, anything that is want
ed. When the demand for poetry falls
off, as il invariably does at this time of
the wear, he gives Punch and Judy ex-
hibitions in schools and churches, and
occupies his spare time in making and
repairing shoes.
In reply 20 an inquiry he said; "Oh,
! can reel off poetry just as fast as | want
to, but the trade amt what it was, so !
have to si,cS 70 my business (shoe-mak-
ing')
Here he dropped the shoe he was last.
ing, and, diving under the desk in front
of him, fished out an old aud massive
portfolio, filled with printed proofs and
newspaper clippings of many of his
editions.
The Osceola times., 1881-12-03
SOME PRIZE POETRY.

"No,I can't say as care whether write
sentimental or comic. Sometimes one
thing pays best; then, again, another
will. used to make power of money
writing things like this and he read
the following words in praise Of dent
ist.
The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1881-11-17

suagot 10 some NJ our nfms doing busincss
In any N our blocks " experiment In this
particular Put down IN front Of your places
NJ business The bcst pnyomonls IN the
city and lead 10 them by high, durable,
iirsi-olass crossings and our word for IL, II
II will be but short time tlll the fashona-
aud best trade Of Dallas will seek your
quarter, We cannot be what our popula-
ton and business entltlo us TO, u real, attrac-
tive modernizod city until this Inn
proyement Is attended to. At our present
position such movement Is as unqucs-
tionably demanded at the hands of those
who are our public servants or
managers, as an addition is TO n merchant
stock or business house upon any consid-
cradle increase of traffic and Is dictated by
just the same and just as sound business
principles. Our city council should reflect
upon and Investigate this subject, and ought
to show themselves equal to the emergency,
wise enough and bold enough to do what
common sense and common justice as well n.
the wishes ola majority of their constituents
demand. If some mayor would only take
this course regardless Of the consequences,
we could not only soon obtain what we need,
but such officer would raise monument to
his administration that would last as long
as Dallas. That he would be endorsed by
the people, and that in no uncertain way,
there can be..no shadow Of doubt. In view
of the experiences here for several msnth,
past, and notably for some days past, what
question ought sooner to engage attention
and continue so to do than this?