davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-04-20
The Light Literature Of Travel.

The spy-giass or the powerful field
glass is a part of the equipment Of every
explorer, and as we read BY our fresides
the larger volumes OF adventure aad re-
search we know thnt there has beea-
brought to US the gnme which vB taken
thus at long range; but there b ntsra-
ture Of travel which grows out of the re-
verse use of the glass, when the trsvsaer
has amused himself by n1inifying the
landscape, and making that which b
close at hand seem to be leagues swsy.
The most successful book m this class
was De Maistre's Voyage autouf dc ma
Chambre, and Alphonse Karr's Voyage
autOur de mon Jardin WAS initiative on
ly in title; the matter was original
There was, to be sure, in both of these
books, and in the many like ones which
have followed, a light fancy, which boF-
rowed Its humor from the grave dignity
OF books OF travel, yot, aside from this
whimsey they record exploits in minia-
ttlre. and the reader, making his tour On
snaii-back rather than mounted on an
elephant or dromedary, has delight
frl sense of journeying with contracted
mind.
We can imagine traveller now max
ing 8 trip around the world in the wake
Of those who have brought back mighty
volumes, and displaying his treasures in
some dainty book big enough to hold
only the airy nothings which have float
ed idly in the air across his track. The
very familiarity which we are acquiring
with the countries of the world helps
such trayelers, for they may take much
for granted, and leave unsaid all the cy-
clopedic matter which tyrannical lit
erary conscience might demand It is
surprising how poet or an artist will
CLEAN after the harvester of facts, and
we shall turn to him as if he were the
first discoverer. We suspect that in this
field Americans have the best opportun-
ity. The hospitality of their minds. the
difficulty of their being insular, the knack
which they have of falling in with the
mood of the cline where they chance to
be, the readiness with which they are
pleased-all these qualities make good
light travellers; and when we add to this
their haste to discover something new
and their equal enjoyment of whatever
is hoary, outside of the conveniences Of
their own life, we easily find reasons for
believing American literature will show
growing shelf of books of light travel.
atlantic Nouthlu.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-04-20
A Cheap Apnle Orchard,

In many places in the west wild crab
apple trees abound. They often grow
along the sides OF streams and ravines,
and are sometimes found on the sides OF
forests Some of them are of large size
and produce considerable fruit. 1t is OF
little value, however, for either human
or cattle food. Experiments made in
grating these trees with scions from
other kinds of apple trees have not been
very successful. In some cases a good
union can not be formed between the
scion and the limb, and in other cases
the graft becomes of too large size tc
be supported by the limbs. When this
is the case the branch breaks off when
there is violent wind or when it con-
tains considerable amount of fruit.
Experiments made with gratis of the
Bethlemite apple have been very sue.
cessful in this vicinity. A strong union
is made, and though the grated portion
outgrows the parent stalk, there is nc
danger of its breaking off by the force OF
the wind or by the weight of fruit.
When trees are grated there should be
considerable open space about them, Oh
the branches will be small and produce
little fruit. Each tree should have nearly
as much room SIS it would be allowed il
growing in an orchard. 1t is hard tc
graft crop-apple trees, but if scions Of
Bethlemite apples are inserted they will
pay well for the trouble. They viii
grow quickly and come into bearing
early. The fruit is medium size, fiat
smooth, aromatic in flavor, and sub
acid. 1t is good in its season for the ta-
bic or for cooking. The apples can be
kept till spring and are in their prime
from December to February. AS they
are unfit to eat in the fall there is little
danger of their being stolen if raised
at distance from the house.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-04-20
The Little Ohildren's Watches.

Yesterday an old man entered a Little
Rock store, and, taking from his pocket
an old buckskin pouch, he emptied two
coins on the counter, and then, after re-
garding the silver for few moments
said:
mister, l want to buy some goods to
make dress"
That money is mutilated, old gentle
man. This 25-cent piece has notches
filed in it, and this 50-cent piece has
been punched. You see, they have been
abused, ! can't take them"
Abused said the old man abused"
and he took up the 50-cent piece and
looked at it tenderly. "And you won't
take it on account of.the holes? Heaven
grant that did not have to offer it to
you. Years ago, when my first child
was little girl, | punched hole in this
coin and hung it around her neck. 1t
was her constant plaything. At night
when she went to bed we'd take it off,
but early at morning she would call for
her watch. When our John-you didn't
know John, idyou? No? Well, he used
to come to town a good deal"
''Where is he nOw," asked the merchant
not knowing what to say, but desiring
TO show appreciation of tho old mans
story.
''lie was killed in the war. 1 say that
when John was q little boy strung this
quarter around his neck. One day his
watch got out of fix, he said, and he filed
these notches in it. He and his sister
Mary-that was the girls name-used
to play in the yard, and compare their
watches to sec if they were right. Some
times John wouldn't like it, because
Mary's watch was bigger than his, but
she would explain that she was bigger
than him, and ought to have a bigger
watch. The children grew up, hut as
they had always lived in the woods, they
were net ashamed to wear their watch
es- When young man came to see
Mary once she forgetfully looked at her
so cents. What are you doing?' asked
the young man, and when she told him
she was looking at her watch he took it
as a hint and went home. After this
she did not wear her watch in company.
Well, Mary and the young man married.
John went off in the army and got kill
ed. Mary's husband died, and about
two years ago Mary was taken sick.
house she was dying. Calling mo to her
ed over, and taking something from I'M
der her pillow, she put it around my
neck and said: Papa, take care of my
watch" The old man looked at the
merchant. The eyes of both the men
were moist. '.Do you see that boy out
there on the wagon?" he said ''Well
that is Mary's child. 1 wouldn't part
with this money, but my old wife, who
always loved me, died this morning, and
have come to buy her shroud,"
When the old man went out he carried
bundle in one hand and the watches
in the other.-LittLe Rock Gazette.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-04-20

A good story is told of the lecturers at
the exhibition of electricity. which was
held at the Palais de PIndustrie last
year. The savant was at the time offer
ing few concluding remarks to the
bystanders who had gathered round the
Gramm machine to listen TO him, when
good-lookirg elderly gentleman ap-
proached and inquired: is not this the
Gramm machine, Sir?" Yes" was the
ready answer, land an admirable inven-
ton it is" Here the lecturer again
launched out into a theoretical eXplana-
ton of its parts, substantiating his dis
course with ''integrals," ''potentials, :"
"Webers," "Holms," ''resistances, :"
"Volts,'' aud such like scientific abstrac-
tons. The serene-looking old gentle
man heard all the lecturer had to say,
then quietly remarked, while a smile lit
up his placid countenance: 'Indeed, sir,
all you have been saying is very learned,
but, you see, my name is Gramm, and L
would merely remark that l never made
use of all those fine things to construct
my machine" The other stared wildly.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-04-20
None Genuine Without Signature.

''This, SIR" expounded old Daddy
Winterbottom, holdingup bottle; ''this,
sir, is the finest gin that comes into the
market"
sit looks clear" commented old Uncle
Wotherspoon, who had dropped in to
see his friend for q few moments. Il
guess that's pretty good gin.''
Try some," said Daddy Winterbot-
tom, holding out the bottle and glass.
''It wont hurt ye. Bless your soul, man,
there isn't a headache in a gallonr'
''No, don't suppose there is'' con-
ceded Uncle Wotherspoon. ''Wall, here s
healthr' and down it went.
And they drank and drank until they
were both sick st their stomachs, and
when they parted it was with fuddled
expressions of distinguished considera-
ton and mutual promises to have it
out on similar basis some other night.
And yet these two old innocents had
only been drinking a preparation of salt
and rainwater which Mrs Winterbottom
had put up as g. hair-restorative, and
about which the only suspicion of gin
was the label on the bottle.
None genuine without signature. "
BTOOELu7s E00Ie.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-04-20
Eannala Enuu

A rather laughablc spectacle was pre-.
sented upon the avenue this afternoon.
4 certain lady who had just finished g
new rig for herself, but who has been
waiting for a favorable opportunity and
pleasant weather to exhibit the same,
sailed ont to see what effect it would
have. just as she crossed Wabash av.
enue another lady fell in behind her,
about six feet to the rear, whereupon the
vain lady reached around with her right
hand to the left side, back way, and
grasping q handful of her outside dress,
raised it SO as to expose about foot OF
delicate white skirt, trimmed with white
rich lace, and looped up with purple.
The lady behind no sooner saw this when
her nose flew up to, and kept at As de-
grees, and the two marched along the
avenue and vanished in the distance, at
tracing the attention of many as they
went along ng-NGtiORGL Weekly.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-04-20

Timblethorpe came home lato the 9th
er night, and went into the dining-roOm
for the purpose of getting something to
eat before retiring. The sound of voices
engaged in earnest conversation came
up from below through the dumb-waiter
opening, and presently he was sure he
heard the grutf tones of a manly voice.
Timblethorpe knew that his swife was OPP
posed to masculine followers" of all
kinds, rs far Us the servants were con-
cerned, and SO he called down the kitch-
en- stairs, johanna. who have you down
there with you?" Presently a voice re-
piled, "Plaze sor, it's the girl from the
next dure." Tmblethorpe did not an
swer at once, but when the odor from q
very strong pipe, evidently of tho I. D.
variety, met his nostrils he made feint
of going down stairs, remarking at the
same time, ''Hasnt Mrs. Smiths girl
got a very bad cold?' He received no
response to this, but the back door WAS
suddenly closed, and the noise of a thick
pair Of soles on the sidewalk beneath in
hurried retreat told story that would
have thrown Mrs. Timblethorpe into
Mysteries if she were not blissfully enjoy
ing her first nap.-BoStOn Courier.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-04-20
Salt for the Throat.

In these days when diseases of the
throat are so universally prevalent, and
in so many cases fatal, we feel it our
duty to say word in behalf of a most
etrectual, if not positive cure for sore
throat. For many years past, indeed,
we may say during the whole of life
of more than forty years, we have been
subject to dry hacking cough, which
is not only distressing to ourselves, but
to our friends and those with whom we
are brought into business contact. Last
fall VIC were induced to try what virtue
there was in common salt. We COM
mcnce1 by using it three times day
morning, noon and night. We dissolved
large tablespoonful of pure table salt
in about half small tumbler-full of
water. With this we gargled the throat
most thoroughly just before meal-time-
The result has been that during tho en-
tire winter we were not only free from
cong chs and cold, but the dry hacking
coug Oh has entirely disappeared. We at
tribute these satisfactory results solely
to the use of salt gargle, and most cordi-
ally recommend trial of it to those who
are subject to diseases of the throat.
Many persons who have never tried the
salt gargle have tho impression that it is
unpleasant, but after a few days use no
person who loves d nice clean mouth and
first rate sharpener of the appetite,
will abandon it.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-04-20
An Incident of Wall Street.

There are many mysteries in Wall
street transactions which will always re-
main such to the uninitiatcd. Occasion
ally some of them are explained, but the
public continues to be deceived as much
as ever. A writer in Truth, explaining
how quotations donot represent transac-
uons, and that the amount of sales re-
ported has very little to do with actual
business, gives a good illustration of
this fact, which would-be spectators
will do well to remember. A gentleman
of ample means left an order with o
broker for the purchase of l 900 shares
of an active stock, and deposited $10,-
600. The stock which had been firm
Immediately declined, while others adj
vanced The quotations were getting
down to his margins, when hewas called
on for more money. Not satisfied that
his judgment had been at fault, he re-
solved to purchase stock and take it
home. He received the second note
from his broker, with notice that he
would be sold out at l o'clock that day.
Putting the money in his pocket he
walked to the office and begged for q
little more time, as 5 per cent. of the
margin yet remained. He simulated
poverty and professed to be ruined
man. The broker was inexorable, and
smiled at his pleadings. Well said
the investor, "Ill take that stock home,
please pass it out" at the same time
taking the currency from his pocket.
The broker was dumbfounded at this
unexpected outcome, and asked for time
to go over to the board, for he had new
er purchased the stock. The investor
objected, and having learned the etfica-
cy of a revolver as revenue officer dur
ing the war, he took 8 navy six from
his pocket and said: Gentlemen, it is
my turn now want that stock this
very minute or every cent of the money
left on deposit" 1t is needless to say
that he received a check for the full
amount. Globe.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-04-20

There are still Indians in Florida. The
tribe that had fought the Spaniards
for two hundred years before our own
troops tackled them was not entirely
crushed by the jackson campaign; about
two hundred warriors with a few squaws
and children took refuge in the western
Everglades, and after several years of
negotiations and Congressional debates
the Hon. Jefferson Merrill informed the
government that they seemed inclined to
keep the peace and might be permitted
to remain. The truth is that it would
not have been quite easy to remove them.
They have little village on the western
shore of Lake Okcechobcc and some
times visit the Charlotte Harbor settle
ment, being about as social as the half
wild deer that are petted by the guests
of the st. Augustine hotels; but, like
those deer, they are rather fond of wood
land ramhles. and in case of need would
soon retire to regiops where no hunter
could follow them.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-04-20
Evening Dress and the Laws Of Health.


What has physiology to say TO evening
dresss Decency hid her head in shame
long ago at low dresses, and has been
silent. Physiology says how such dresses
are a violation of the laws of health.
Let it be granted they do not entail
much harm in the heated atmosphere of
dining-roorn and drawing-room, yet
what of tie drive backwards and for
wards, even with the help of numberless
rugs and wraps? What remarks have
been made from time to time about the
long tsrrying IN cold ante-rooms, halls
and passages of royal drawing-rooms!
OF colds and chiils, and OF unprotected
lungs injured therebyp 1t beseems us
not to parade the horrors of q ''drawing-
ROOM here; but the fact is well enough
known that many a residence along the
shores of the Mediterranean has boon
the long outcome of such exposure
Whether it be shat he is q less esthetic
creature, or that convenience presses
more strongly upon him than upon the
gentler sex, man certainly escapes the
grave charges of dress seen in the other
sex. He mildly oscillates from the weak
ness of pegtops or knickerbockers to
combinations of a fan-like character,
where the trousers almost conceal the
boot, as in the apparently permanent
fashion with our blue jackets. The lap
pei Of the coat covers the tip of the lung
just where the low dress leaves it ex-
posed, as if inviting disease to settle
there. The shirt front is exposed in
very liberal manner in man, but we'll
starched linen shirt front is no bad pro-
lection against rude blast, provided
the exposure be not too prolonged. Even
when there is no low dress the upper
portion of the chest in women is often
far too thinly clad. Fair reader, my
connection with hospital for diseases
of the chest tells me somewhat about
female underclothing, or perhaps rather
the want Of it. In private practice, too,
opportunities are afforded for observa-
ton of the scanty and utterly insufficient
underclothing worn by many whose
means do not prevent their indulgence
in proper raiment. If ladies would only
wear something approaching the merino
vests, etc, seen in gentlemen's hosiers'
windows, they would not require the
heated rooms at present rendered neces-
sary from the insufficient attire now in
vogue. To be sure, this admits of heavy
undertaking being worn when out OF
doors-clothing jackets, furs trimmed
with fur, and all the paraphernalia Of
costly outer attire in which the female
heart rejoices. But stouter underclothing
would be far, far better every way. 1t
would admit of lighter outer clothes, and
be compatible with healthy stroll, even
for those who are not unfamiliar with
carriage.-D. j. Miller FothergitG, ia
Good Words.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-04-20
a Brusuue Poet.

A young lady, says a Boston CORES
pondent, who sat next me at dinner the
other day, asked in a sort of awe-struck
tone, as though she had suspicious of
her idolized statue being after all some
what faulty and irregular: ''Is it true
that DIR. Holmes is brusque and rude to
people whom he meets?'' And I told
her no, l did not think it was exactly
true. The poet has, of course, q world
wide reputation, and, unlike Whittier
and Longfe1low. who are as modest and
free from snobbishness as they are
gifted, Holmes shows self-conscious-
ness that is distressing, We are always
willing to bow down before genius, but
we do not want to have the talent and
its Accomplishments thrust in our faces.
Holmes can be genial and full of good
humor at times, and is so, but he has an
unfortunate voice, a harsh-perhaps die
tatorial-style, that has made moro than
one gentle woman say to me: II wish L
had never met Holmes, for my illusion
is destroyed" '|What business have
young scribblers to send me their verses
and ask my opinion of the stuffP'' he
asked one day. They have no more
right to ask me that than they have to
stop me on the street, run out their
tongues, and ask what the matter is with
their stomachs and what they shall take
as q remedy" And then again, on
another day, he made the remark: ''Ev-
erybody that writes a book must needs
send me copy. It's very good of them,
of course, but they're not all successful
attempts at book-making, and most of
them are relegated to my hospital for
sick books up stairs,'
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-04-20

ly citizen. But, after ali, handsome is
that handsome has"
Mr. Werewolf, who had taken the fair
Delilahs address. lost no time III calling
on her. He fourd her at cheap board
ing-house; but tat, in his eyesssaas no
disparagement, for his soHl delighted iss
economy.
The courtship of two such matter-of-
TACT people was little likely to be roman
tic. as might have been expected, it
was brief sd business-lilIe; and one
morning early Baruch Werewolf, the
crown of his hat barely reached to Miss
Daglock's shoulder, led, if in any sense
he could be called the leader, that lady
to church, where the twain were made
one flesh.
The honeymoon passed, and the bride
made no allusion to her bank-stock
Several times Baruch dropped hints
about it, but they met with no encour-
agement. One day she went out and
left the key of her trunk in the lock.
Baruch had reason to suspect that the
stock was in the trunk.
There can be no harm in looking at
it," he said.
''He turned the key and raised the lid.
Sure enough there was the bundle of
certificates. and they footed up hun
dred thousand dollars, just as his wife
had said; but-and there was where the
Joke didn't come in-the bank had bro
ken years before! He dropped the bun
die back and let down the lid
81 see it all! The confounded will was
only trap to catch me-" he groaned.
And perhaps he never said truer
thing.
He bore the blow without complain
ing. Indeed, he stood in wholesome
awe of his amazonian wife, and didn't
care to come to explanations which he
knew must involve the disclosure of the
means he had employed in making his
discovery.
Don't you think. my DEAR" he ven
tured to remark one day, you might as
well carry out your original intention
and leave that stock to the Hottentots?'
81 think I'll leave it to you, hubby
dear" she said, with chuck Of his chin
which he would gladly have lodged
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-04-20
The Vine Easel,

A vine easel is lovely support for a
picture, particularly the portrait of B
dead friend whose likeness is so cherish
ed it is pleasant to surround it with fresh
growing plants. Bamboo must be the
wood of the easel, as it is hollow and
will hold tins made especially to fit into
apertures which should be cut at equal
distances apart-say eighteen inches.
Fit the tins and fill with good soil. In
these plans free-growing vines. Trades-
canti0 and LygoNiuna Scandens are the
prettiest. Moss over the Sits. When
the vines are well grown the bamboo
will be garlanded and most charming
easel made-for handsomer than if ebo-
ny or gilt. A portrait resting on it will
be literally framed in vines.