davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The National tribune., 1881-12-24

Kanghoa Island Hugh Mckee led the naval
battalion, and was the first man over the ramparts.
where he received mortal wounds The fort was
thereafter named Fort Mckee, and his death was
suitably avenged. He was twenty-seyen years
old and Mackenzie twenty-siX.
On the other side of the church is the tablet to
Lieutenant John c. Talbot and three men of the
United States steamer Saginaw, which was
wrecked on Ocean Island at the time wrongly
marked in the charts. Lieutenant Talbot vOiun-
teered, as did four of the crew, to fit out the
whale boat and to seek assistance. The Sandwich
Islands, the nearest inhabited land, were 1900
miles away. The boat was unseaworthy, but in
1t the little crew reached the island of Kauai, on
the 10Th of December, 1870. She was swamped
in the breakers as they attempted to land, and,
weakened by long exposure and want of food,
Lieutenant Talbot and three of his companions
were drowned. One man, now serving as a gun
ner in the navy, managed to cling to the boat
and was saved by the natives. King Kalakaua,
who lately visited New York sent steamer to
Ocean Island and brought off the ships crew.
These lines conclude the inscriptions
Greater love hath than this
That man lay down his life for his friends"
Near is the tablet erected by his shipmates-as
were all those mentioned-to the memory Of En-
sign Jonathan M. wainwright. A pirate ship in the
Gulf of California had committed many depre-
datlons on the Mexican coast. The United States
steamer Mohican, then in the harbor at Nazatlan.
started in pursuit OF the pirate and succeeded in
destroying her, and making her crew captive
In the assault Ensign wainwright was particularly
gallant, but received mortal wounds AS a me-
Alfred Force" is the beginning of the inscription
on the next tablet. Lieutenant Force lost his
life IN very brave attempt to rescue his COM
manding officer and boats crew from drowning
i'll the surf off Greytown, Nicaragua In the
naval cemetery, near the Academy, is the grave
Of the gallant Cushing, only one of whose extra
ordinary exploits was the destruction of the con-
tederate ram Albemarle. His daring was almost
past belief Ii will be remembered that he ran
steam launch past miles of confederate batteries
up to the side of the Albemarle and destroyed
her with torpedo, and his own boat at the same
time, and escaped by swimming. The list of his
teats is a long one. Among them it is told
of him that he walked into a confederate fort
unrecOgnized, found his way into the comman-
dantS tent, put pistol to his breast and forced
him, with threats of instant DEATH to walk arm
in arm to Cushing's boat, when the daredevil
lieutenant rowed him captive to the Federal ship
anchored outside.
The National tribune., 1881-12-24
For THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE.
GOOD DEEDS,

This world is over-full OF woe
Men garner less OF wheat than chatf-
Yet It's our duty here below
To bear life's burden with laugh,
Or strive
To keep our hearts alive
To what is honest. just and true,
For others sake. as well as ours,
And keep the bright side e'er IN view
Screening cares nettles Ger with fow'rs.
'Tis hard to do il, Wen admit,
On all occasions, for the years
That follow where Times pinions fit
Bring anxious thoughts and burning tears;
And yet,
Fen though our eyes be wet
If we but strive TO do our best,
We may succeed in lifting up
The weight from some heart seeking rest,
And turn TO sweet griet7s bitter cup.
If thus we help one single soul
cts written in the book of fate
Ourselves shall feel, beyond control.
The subtle power, soon or late,
OF deeds
We've done for others needs,
Which, like winged messengers. return,
Their voyage ended, bringing cheer
To him whose heart was made to yearn
Since first he saw them disappear.
-GRIF.
The National tribune., 1881-12-24
HISTORIC MONUMENTS.

In the centre of the grounds OF the Naval
Academy, at Annapolis, Md, half way between
the Superintendents residence and the cadets
quarters, there an obelisl ofgray granite twenty
feet high, surrounded by chains passing through
upright cannon, with the inscription on one side,
civilian Lewis Herndon" and on the other.
September -, 1857" 1t was erected by sub
scripti0n among his brother officers, among them
the present Admiral c. r. p Rodgers to the
memory of gallant officer who lost his life in
the wreck Of the Central America, on the date
given. Commander Herndon was the father-in-
law of Chester A. Arthur, now President Twenty
five years ago officers of the navy were assigned
to the command OF American steamers owned by
private persons, PARTICULAR y to the command of
those of the Panama line, then largely owned and
controlled by the late Cornelius Vanderbilt
Commander Herndon was Captain of the Central
America, of this line. The testimony would 90
to show, it is said, that she was unseaworthy. In
any event she foundered 100 miles from our
Atlantic coast. Captain Herndon bore himself
very gallantly. He saw the women and children
in the boats, and, only when the ship went down,
secured life preservers for himself and crew They
were in the water all night, and schooner that
happily came that way, found herselfi in the early
morning sailing through group of men in the
sea- struggling to secure the attention of those on
board They were all rescued with the exception
Of Captain Herndon. He had exerted himself
greatly in providing for the safety of his passen
gers and crew, and was dead of exhaustion when
picked up. Congress passed resolution
THAT Congress entertains a high sense Of the
devotion to duty, the c00lnesS courage and the
conduct Of Commander William Lewis Herndon,
in command of the steamer Central America
during the prevalence of hurricane on the 18th
of September, 1857; that to his widow be appro-
priated sum equal to the salary of a commander
for three years of full sea service Miss Herndon,
her daughter, was married to Chester A. Arthur,
then young lawyer, seventeen or more years
ago. She died two years since
There are two other monuments in the yard,
and in the beautiful chapel are FIVE tablets
commemorative of conspicuous acts of gallantry
by officers of the navy On the right as you enter
is that to Lieutenant Commander Alexander
Sldell Mackenzie. He was Oh the Asatic service
in 1867, when news was brought to the Admiral
that savages the Island of Formosa had in
captivity the crew of an American vessel wrecked
on their coast. Commander Mackenzie was
detailed, with force to attack them. Leading
the assault he was struck down by lance. The
tablet has on it bas-relef pcturing the scene Of
his DEATH by Larkin Mead.
Next is that to the memory of Lieutenant Hugh
Mckee. The Coreans in 1871 had badly treated
the crew of an American vessel, also wrecked on
their coast 1t was determined to punish them,
and an assault was ordered their citadel,
The National tribune., 1881-12-24
POPPING CORN.

And there they sat a-pOpping corn,
John Stiles and Susan Gutter;
John Stiles as stout as any OK,
And Susan fat as butter.
And there they sat and shelled the corn.
And raked and stirred the fire,
And talked of different kinds of ears,
And hitched their chairs up higher.
Then Susan she the pepper shook.
Then John lie shook the pepper,
Till both their faces grew as red
AS Saucepans made of copper.
And then they shelled and popped and ate,
And kinks of fun a-poking;
And he haw -hawed at her remarks.
And she laughed at his joking.
And still they popped, and still they ate
Johns mouth was like hopper
And stirred the fire, and sprinkled salt.
And shook and shook the pepper.
The clock struck nine, the clock struck ten,
And still the corn kept popping:
1t struck eleven, and then struck twelve,
And still no signs of stopping
And John he ate, and Sue she thought;
The corn did pop and patter,
Till John cried out: The corn's a-fre!
Why, Susan! whats the matter"
Said she: " John Stiles, it's one O'Clock!
You'll die ofindigestion =
L m sick of ali this popping corn,
Why don't you pop the question:"
The National tribune., 1881-12-24
THE BIGGEST DIAMOND oErHE cznn,nx

On Saturday night one OF the greatest diamonds
of the world the largest which has been fo1nd
this century, was exhibited. 1t was discovered
in the claim of Mr.. Porter Rhodes in the Kimber
ley Mine, South Africa, and by its remarkable
whiteness completely dispOses of the charge
against Africa of being the nurse Of tawny dia-
monds. The surface diamonds had indeed. a
yellow hue, but now that the miners have gone
below the trap, they find in Jagersfontein and
other famous regions of the Griqua diamond-felds
the clearest blue-white stones The Porter Rhodes
diamond was brought to light Oh February II.
1885, and before it left the diamond-feids $500
(which placed to the credit of the local hos
pital) had been paid by spectators admitted to
see it, and 100000 had been offered for it in vain
by syndicate of London jewelers.. 1t weighs
80 carats is still uncut but is so cloven that the
table" and one Of the "steps" are already formed
and it will lose less than most diamonds in the
cutting, being expected to produce net weight
OF about 100 carats, when it assumes the form Of
brilliant. Mr.. Rhodes says he will not take
100000 for the diamond 1t was shown to the
Queen early IN the year, and Her Majesty on the
occasion presented Mr.. Rhodes with watch
Fancy giving 100000 for a gem-thst is to say,
at 5 per cent, paying $4,000 year or 500 a
week, for the privilege OF wearing it. It's great
purity of color and compactness of shape make it
beautiful object, even in its present rough state
Mr.. Streeter shows near it models of other
famous diamonds, the Koh-i-NoOr (1O6 lie carats)
with which Mr.. Rhodes has been enabled to COM
pare it at Windsor, the Star of the South the
great Brazilian stone, the Dresden Drop, &c,
together with the unique jewel, the MackeI
diamond, in which q smaller stone has been
embedded by some freak of nature. Here also is
the red diamond, like the ruby, but shooting
back the rays of the electric light with a direct
ness characteristic Of the diamond; the green
diamond, with the stone of Ceylon, smaller
stones carried for years in pith box behind
negro's ear, great milk-white pearls, and the
lustrous shells from which they have been taken;
pink pearls and the topazes which display a
luminous star blazing in different quarters Of
their convex hemisphere as the lights fall on
them differ ly-LOndop Times
The National tribune., 1881-12-24
TONGUE TWISTERS,

Jaw-breaking words that may be found below.
The German Switzers who live in the French
cantons recently formed a political society, the
members of which are called:
The Winterthurerhandwerks
grupp.
A Welshman, having seen the society's name
reminded an English newspaper that there is a
small village in North Wales called:
Llanfairpwilgyngllgogerpwillllandypilw
Just across the sea from that village is town
in the Isle of Null known as:
Observation-Disclosures
When the German scholar saw the Welch words
he took long breath and brought out the follow
ing immense fellows, both OF which he found in
an old book:
Constantinopolitanische rdudelsackspferferges-
ellschapts
Observation-Disclosures ellungszusammenmisc-
Observation-Disclosures
ThereupOn an American professor points to a
Greek work of Is sylIables and 1863 Greek letters.
1t may be found in Aristoplanes in the ''Ekkle-
siazonsia," and is as follows:
Lepadotemachoselacho Observation-Disclosures
HpotrimmatOeilphiOp aomelitok atakeclumm-
enokichlepi kossuphopaattoperiste ktruonopt-
egkephaltkigklo peleiolagoos oosiraiobaletraganorte-
rugon.
Polyphrasticontinomim is also
good round mouth-filling word, but very likely
the readers jaws are unhinged by this time and
so no more will be presented to-day.-Fh7adel-
phia Times.
The National tribune., 1881-12-24

What? What? cried every one eagerly?"
"A baby" answered the Yankee, with the
solemnity of perfect conviction.
At this there was a shout of laughter so up
roarious that passing steward peered amazedly
into the smoking-room to see what all the fun
could be about But the gentleman from Cape
Cod was not a whit abashed.
Laugh as much as you like, boys but what I
say, | stick to. Every day, regular, at breakfast
and at tea, I've seen that air critter, after he'd
had his share, start for his state room with cup
of milk ard hunk o bread, and if that don't
mean a baby somewhar roun', Pm q Mexikin!"
There was a general start for we now remem-
beTed to have seen the stranger do this and Won
dered that we had not noticed it before
For few moments every one was in high glee
at the apparent solution Of the riddle; but the
remorseless New Yorker speedily blighted our
newborn happiness.
"Guess you're consdable out there, stranger y
objected he "For the baby that could be four
days aboard ship, or anywhere else, either, with
out raising one squall, has got to be discovered
yet I've got three of 'em myself and l guess
ought to know.
This unanswerabIe argument threw us all back
TO where we were before, and sullen silence fol-
lowed, broken at length by dashing young
sophomore from Harvard-one of the briskest
and boldest spirits of our company.
"Baby or no baby" said he, firmly, "Tm
bound to get at the ins and outs of this job,
somehow Either I'll know what's inside that
box before it goes ashore, or I'll never wear the
crimson of old Harvard again -
But this valiant pledge seemed likely to go
unredeemed after all; for, as if the man of mys-
terry had known of the plot Matching against
him, he seemed to be- if possible, more vigilant
than ever.
Day followed day, until at length we came in
sight Of Queenstown, where the stranger was to
land, and the secret of the box was a secret still
But the time came at last. Breakfast was
hardly over that morning, when steward (sent
on purpose by the ingenious sophomore tapped
at the door Of the stranger-whO had retired as
usual with his milk and bread-announcing that
the captain wanted him Scarcely had he dis
appeared when the Harvard youth popped into
his room.
The next moment terrible cry startled us all,
and, rushing to the spot, we found the mystic box
open, and the sophomore struggling in the coils
OF hugh black -and-White snake!
For moment all was confusion, but the stran-
ger, who had Just returned, sprang like light
ming to the breakfast table, filed cup with milk
and set it in front of the snake Instantly the
latter unwOund itself from It's captive who reeIed
helplessly against the wall.
You're more frightened than hurt, young fell
ler" said his rescuer, coolly, for this snakes
quite harmless sort, and as tame as pet cat
into the bargain. l kept him dark while could,
for l didn't want him hurt, after stumpin' all
Louisiana to git him for the London Geological,
but you'd best not touch him in, for bis breeds
mighty fond of a fool and guess that's why he
was so spry to git hold of y0u!n
The National tribune., 1881-12-24
TOM CoRWIN's BIT OF AMERICAN s,,v

The statement that the ladies of PhiladeIDhia
are engaged in encouraging silk culture in this
country, and that they propose presenting Mrs
Garfield with dress made from the first
cocoons spun by American silk-worm Iarvp is
no" one OF the current paragraphs Of American
newspapers Silk-worms were at work in this
country as long ago as 1871 and no further away
from cincinnati than College Hill. At that time
"i' l. ). Labolteaux cultivated six acres Of
lnoi''S lnuiticaulls on farm nine miles from
CINCINNATI. Here were grown the siIk-wo7ms
ana here on primitive looms Mr.. Laboiteanx
manufactured silk. For his determined enter.
prise the Ohio Legislature voted him nurse of
money and resolutions of thanks and Hani1+o,
county awarded him silver medal. which is
still held in the Laboiteaux family Among the
interesting relics of Tom Corwin !, q vest nat.
tern cut from piece of silk woven on the
Laboiteaux farm.-Ciacinna6 Enquirer.
The National tribune., 1881-12-24

An ancient and remarkable clock has been
recently set up in the reading-room of the mu-
nicipal library of Rouen. A single winding
keeps it running for IA months and some odd
days, 1t was constructed in 1872, underw ent
alterations in 1916, was bought by Rouen for
1000 francs in 1888, and has recently been re-
paired and just set going.
The microscope shows the hair to be like a
coarse, round rasp, but with the teeth extremely
irregular and ragged.
The National tribune., 1881-12-24

don't believe it will ever be a handsome walk
but whenever father looks at it he will think
what good boy have been, which will give
him more pleasure than hundred new askfelt
walks.-HGrper'S Young People,
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-04-04
NEW GOODS AND NEW DESIGNS.

]. g. G.. Johnston's regular opening occurred
last week and was attended with unusual interest de-
spite the stormy weather which prevailed The whole
s,ore has been restocked and all the departments
are sunnled with the newest goods The s and millin
were the centre OF attraction TO shoppers and
many handsome creations were displayed large
nnmber of costumes shown from the Paris houses OF
Worth and pIngat but some OF the handsomet dresses
were from designer new 9pth 10 Pars ana neN,lOL'
Nine Dusuzesu Another Parls uressmaker vas IePIe-
sened by costume Of black surah satin ana btocade
nv Perdoux one OF Dusuzeaus hsndsomest dresses was
Of soft gray satin. shading on moon'on'the.lake'
trimmed with omhre embroidery on Grape
was a lkng-drcss Of black satin, elhDofateN Unineu
With wide real Spanish lace. The lace was used as
nounces. and formed pan'e ehect IRON ,ne
bridal dress OF ivory white satln was enDroueod Ia rose
design In white beads on the train ana corsage ana
the panels that EXTENDED from me ws1 70 w o
exhibited in exclusive designs aud soft naterials
great variety OF imported nantes In satin DC Lyon ana
fne softer Surah satin was shown richy tlumeu Win
passementere and Spanish lace . .
The millinery display was npe Nearly all OF the pats
ana bonnets were imported and those 3m IIeVee ana
Virot were noticeable small bonnet made
with fun wreath Of heather-Dtils that
fell over the brim and duehesse ace formed te srngs
large poke DOnnets trimmed with pfoiusion Of
osfr1ch prmes Ia omtre shades and ombre nbbon was
used Tor sfrings Large round hats were trimmed With
ostrich plunes also, almost 10 tho exclusion OF
flowers or o,htr garpltnre new Inc OF
csmels hair and India shaws was shown The SIX de-
parmert bright with oil the newest shanes ana de
signs Ombre stripes arc On the newest anu nro
rhe trimming department contains 81 the newest
memories .riDg-s and ornamenIs ia steel Jet and
ombre Desds as well as fu OF rear sees IN
anes 40 used al present. The glove mas
Men enlarged This house noted for the eIeeency OF
sunderwear and the style aud quality OF the materials
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-04-04

EEV STYLES At ALIUANS.

No regular opening will be held at Altman's
large establishment at sixth-ave. and SineteenhsL
this spring The demand for costumes and NANTES has
been 90 great that II was deemed advisable TO place
them before customers as they received
finished 30 the house may be said to be holding an
opening every day the week dresses and goods
are constantly replacing those sold or taken down 70
mako for later styles. This house has lately been
enlarged and altered suit the increase OF trade The
second noor Il cited up immense parlor, and IL de-
voted costumes and outside garments OF all descrp
tons. The underwear department. IL on this floor also
speciality s made o. ths underwear department ard
imported garments OF sk and linen are always kept as
well a. the pisner garments at very low 1gnres-
Several handsome costumes were on exhibition ytster-
day and there large assortment of white suits Tor
summer These were mostly short suits OF nDe
eambric mule, trimmed tastefully With lace aud EN-
broidery black satin walking drcss was ornamented
with steel passemenfcrie. fringe and tassels. steel
ornaments were some of the handsomest mantleS A
large OF dress trimmings Is always kept by
this house. and this spring unusually fire display IL
made Steel 10 conspicuous In 'hese trtmmlnEs. In
eassementeies rnges and single ornaments, although
lot "a still much worn The new paras0ls are unique 40
share and design. As many three coors are seen IN
tho lining OF some Of the newest The square paraso
with IL Alternate LARGE aud small gore 70 the latest STYLE
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-04-04
WHAT rs TO BIZ SEEN IT 0NEILHS.

III. O'Neill g. Co.'S annual spring opening
began oil Thursday and continued through The week
The house il situated at sYth.a'e aud Twentcth-s,
and IL one OF tue largest retail millinery establishments
In the city, special feature Ia made Of uutrimmed
nonuets and hats aud all kinds Of trimmings and orna
ments used In millinery. The regular millinery depart
mept IL on the second floor, and occupies two large
rooms which as few DAYS have been more than
fun OF the hats ana bonnet Most OF the 1Onues
were shown. A pretty little bonnet WAS called the
Cricket and OF garnet porcuDine straw with hgh
round crow trimmed with loops ana tOlds OF ouTc
rthhou Gang ut with buckle the eft side bunch II
small beiike flowers Was placed low on tDc lett see
No strings seen on this bonnet s'of Bonner OF
fancy braid was trimmed WIN a t'So careless
hand of silver ribbon crossed IN The back 10 form
tie strings cluster OF ostrich tips fell over the eit
side OF the crown. The canine was quaint bonner
~ fancy lace straw with rolled brm and dentcd crown
IL was trimmed with soft folds OF rbDon On the LiI
side above the brIm placed single snnhower with
The anti department was filled with handsome cos.
Tunes and wraps made after the latest designs short
dress OF pOka-1Otted Sarah SILK was made Win coat
basque with double pleats IN the back The skri
lad The entire front and sides at the kneea shred IN
very fine shirnngs; The back was lrelti{ dIspel'
Another poka-dotted dress trimmed with pfoiu-
sion Of French lace. The front was covered with knie
pleatings edged with lace and lace used "a trimming
for the basque aud sleeves walking dress OF DlAck
srosgrain silk made With coat basque The front
OF the basque prettily trimmed with French lace
and iet passemenerie to simulate jacket. The skirt
go ahe WITH rUo rows OF Xii peatnc IN the bnck
with wide side breadihs lad IN boxpleats ana isliug
loose Tic front had vandyke Of plaid silk set In the
and silk dinner dress OF black satin was made with
pompadour corsage and deliberately trimmed with
steel passemen,ere and fringe.
Ia kent this firm both for millinery uses ana dress
eanures great deal Of taste is displayed Ia tue ar
thrse garuitureA Beautiful roses and lilies
ARE much used In combinations Every department has
been resOcked with the newest goods and Tue WhOie
estabishment looks bright and pleasant in lis spring