davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-07-22
The Successful Casujst.

Arithmetic is terribly puzzling sometimes,
and when ones interest is involved in the mat
ter it is almost impossible to add up a column
OF figures correctly A gentleman who lives by
his wits. and it must be confessed gets very
fair living. when in the country last summer
wanted TO borrow some money Of plain. good.
natured farmer. Il want TO borrow Sc" he
said. the farmer only had So. and SO the man
OF wit said, well. / wish you would owe me
the other SO and We'll settle up i'm few days"
When the day OF settlement came the farmer
was befogged. bepuZZled and somewhat dis
gruntled by this conversation. The farmer
said, You owe me IS. don't your" Certainly
DO. was the reply. swell. will you pay me?"
WELL my dear fellow, / think our account is
about square / wanted to borrow So you re-
mernber. You let me have So and said you'd
owen the other 50. Now then you haven't
paidthat So and consequently still owe it to
me II owe you IS and if you will give me the
Is yea owe me will instantly pay you the 50
owe you Nothing could be iairer than that,
Think.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-07-22
Its Fathers COMPLEXION.

FROM the Memphis Ledger.
Mr.. Blanket sat looking at the baby with a
wistful, far-of look in his eyes, trying to think
of the usual idiotic, unmeaning and unmeant
things that people say about new babies, and at
last, in a spasm of originality. remarked that
1.-THE baby had it's fathers complexion" Then
all sat and looked at the rich cardinal hues that
made the wrnkled countenance of the uncon-
scious infant glow like mountain sunset and
nobody said anything until feeble voice from
an adjoining room said: ut was a good thing
that the baby had it naturally, then, as it re-
quired about fifteen years steady practice and
the cooperation of three scientific clubs and
five political campaigns to acquire it," Then a
sad, quiet smile stole over the room again. only
broken by the hard breathing of the baby
father looking at the thermometer to see what
time it was, while Mr.. Blanket. feeling that he
could add nothing to what had already been
said stole down the stairs. softly whispering to
himself about some Old FOOL but the company
couldn't catch the name, and the company didn't
know whom he meant
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-07-22
Small Change in Mexico.


In one of the small towns I bought some
lines and gave the girl 81 in payment. BY way
of change she returned me torty-nine pieces of
soap, the size of a water cracker. l looked at
her in astonishment and she returned my look
with equal surprise. when police officer who
witnessed the incident fastened to inform me
that soap was the legal tender in many portions
of the country for small sums. ~ examined my
change and found that each cake was stamped
authorized by the government. The, cakes of
soap were worth T. a cents each,
Afterward in my travels l frequently received
similar change. Many of the cakes showed
signs Of having been In the wash-tnb but that,
l discovered, was not at all uncommon. Pro-
vided the stamp was not oDliterated. the soap
did not lose any value as currency. Occasionally
a man would borrow a cake of q friend, wash
his hands and return it with thanks. I made
use of mine more than once in iny bath, and SUBJ
sequently spent them. = b.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-07-22

The scarcity Of Good Work men.
Frow the New York Herald.
What can be done by any system of appren-
ticeship in country where it is the fashion for
boys of any wits to look down on the mechanic
arts and to seek for some short cut in the road
to fortune? Boys generally graduate from the
public schools when fifteen or sixteen years of
age. If they cannot 60 to college, but must do
something toward supporting themselves, they
almost always prefer to enter store or office,
where they have long hours, small pay, more or
less abuse and very little chanceof learning any,
thing. To know any business perfectly is to
have fortune within reach; but instead Of be-
coming thorough carpenter, mason or
plumber, as any boy of ordinary sense can do,
our boys prefer to take their chances in callings
where the term Of apprenticeship ia necessarily
about twenty years instead of four or five and
where. they are almost forced to COPY the dress
and habits of their superiors. although their
pay is utterly inadequate to the demands made
upon it.. While they are only boys their life is
not intolerable. but no sooner do they become
men and want to marry than they realize their
utter lack of means and prospects. From that
time forth they are either disheartened and mis-
anthropic or tricky and untrustworthy. A
competent and honest young mason or carpenter
can, with very little capital-money that he
can have saved during his apprentceshp-be-
gin business on his own account; but the
lawyers clerk or the store boy can do nothing
out stay where he is and curse what he calls his
luck. There never was a time in which q pen
niless but ambitious American boy had brighter
prospects than now: but he must seek them in
work, not in some position where he can merely
keep up an appearance without the slightest
chance Of ever doing more.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-07-22
Outwitting a Yankee skipper.

Captain Farrow, of Islesboro', Me-, told re-
porter of the Bangor Wing tho other day of an
experience at Key West. It was case where a
Yankee was outwitted by a sontheEner. The
captain was trading in small, vessel and had
been up the coast to Tampa bay, where he pur-
chased twenty dozen chickens. paying "a per
dozen. The chickens ran all the way In size
from few days old to fnlE-grown ones. At Key
West hotel landlord came alongside and asked
the captain how he sold his chickens. The cap
tain replied: ''If you pick them out shall
charge you Sc per dozen; il you let me pick
them you can have them for s3 per Dozen" '.All
right, said the hotel man, '.you pick them out. !"
The captain selected several dozen of the smaller
Sizes when the man said: go ahead, want
more" The captain was now among his largest
fowls and wished the man would stop. but he
still said go on" The captain saw the point
at last. The man kept him selecting until he
had purchased the entire lot at loss OF $50 to
the owner. After this the captain sold his
chickens on different plan.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-07-22
In Sickness

In Sickness.
All the long day seem to float away
Through the gray msts that hide both sea and
sun;
hear the plash of waves, I feel the spray,
And still my boat is drifting further on.
Love cannot reach me, death and night alone
Are with me, and with ever deepening shade
Curtain me round, till darkness thick has grown
And helpless hands are stretched In vain for
aid.
God has forgotten, only pain has life,
And weakness stealing soul and sense away.
God has forgotten, and amid the strife
hear the unknown sea and feel its spray.
Faint through the darkness shines tender light;
Soft falls voice cannot help but hear
Through waters deep thou passest, yet thy sight,
Full soon shall know thy Lord was always near.''
Drift as thou wilt my boat, If, as the tide
More swiftly GIBBS and bears thee out to sea,
That love unchanging may with me abide,
That voice still sound, that light still lead to the
Thee.
HELEN CAMPBELL, IN Our Continent,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-07-22
The "war Horse ,, at Alexandria.

The " War Horse - at Alexandria.
1t was the Yankee Admiral floating In the bay
Where froncl ads at forts OF sand blazed savagely
away;
His only reason to be there was just to see the
sport,
hold the fort
=" Be careful how you shoot - he cried to the be-
leaguered town,
For If shot shall touch my ship, I'll blast you
with frown.
Or II frown won't blast so far, from thick and
foggy weather,
I'll fire upon you with my gun, or strike you with
a feather"
And when John Bull had smashed the forts with
balls which weighed q ton,
{As one might plug at hunming-birds with buck
shot-loaded gun.
Only to see the little bird, which he desires to
snare,
Fly swiftly DER the summer fields unframed and
free airy,
Our Yankee sailor steered his ship past oil the
British fleet,
And cheered the massive ironclads for Arabi's de-
leat -BoStOn 4 advertiser.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-07-22
Marie AntOinette's Furniture at the
Hamilton Sale.

Hamilton Sale.
From the London Times, June Dist
After this came three beautiful pieces of Marie
Antoinette marqueteric furniture. of which the
little writing table was taken first and placed
before the crowded audience with a round OF
applause. 1t is an oblong writing table, en-
suite, with drawer fitted with Inkstand, writing
slide, and shelf beneath, an oval medallion of a
trophy and flowers on the top. and trophies with
four medaliions round the sides. Stamped j.
Riesener, and branded underneath with cipher
OF Marie Antoinette and ''Garde Meuble de la
Refine" These specimens were executed for
Queen Marie AntOinette. In both the wood and
metal work the utmost perfection of design and
execution is displayed at the eliminating pc
riod of French decorative art, and in all proba-
blty the suite of furniture, as a whole, is the
most important and beautiful work of its kind
produced in the age of Louis XVI.
The first bid was 5000 guineas the next 4. eco
guineas, and then 500 guineas after which the
biddngs advanced by hundreds up to IS, 80.
and then by tiftes to $4,000. at which sum the
hammer fell to Mr.. Werthermer's bid.
The next piece was Louis XVI upright Sec
retaire, made for Marie AntOinette by Riesener
signed by him, and dated 1880. On the front is
an oval chas!ngin OrmOlu by Gouthiere of doves,
with culver of arrows and flowers in shield
shaped panel of marquetere, and wreaths of
flowers in cOlOred woods; baskets. Of flowers.
fruit and ornaments, with borders OF flowers and
ments of flowers and mouldings elaborately
chasad and finely executed by GOuthiere the
most famous cisule,n of his time. 1t is branded
on the back with the cipher OF Marie Antonette
and ''Garde Meuble de la Refine" and measures
4feet inches high by 3 feet inches wide. Put
up at 1.5O0 gnineas it speedily reached 400
guineas (f4.620). at which sum it was knocked
down to Mr.. Boores bid.
The cOmmOde, en- suite. also made by Riesener.
and signed by him. with date 1791-one year
later-was put up at bid of 1000 guineas, and
advancing with the same spirited biddings from
the great dealers present, paused for a moment
at 1900 guineas, when NJ. Stettiner bid 4, 100
guineas, and was declared the purchaser.
Thus. in less than ten minutes, these exQuis-
tie and unique specimens of old French furni-
ture, which had been companions in the palace
of the French Queen, and had remained so many
years preserved in the palace of the Hamiltons,
were separated. probably never to be brought
together again. The three pieces brought, al
together, ETA. 925, making a weighty addition
to the proceeds of the day, which amounted to
f23, 4S5. This, with the two previous days,
gives total OF E9l, 1888.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-07-22

At recent dinner given. by lingo, at which
Francois Coppee was present, the.oid poet chal-
Ienged the younger bard with his glass and re-
marked pleasantly:
other" -.
.sOh, master, replied coppee With due mod
estya fhere u only one poot herulr
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-07-22
I'm Melon Time,

In Melon Time,
Some are pashel to de apple, oddahs clamor TO- de
plum;
Some mn Joyment In de cherry, oddahs make de
peaches hum;
Some git flashed to der onion, oddahs Tub de
a'uchoke;
But my taste an watahmilnon err bound by
pleasant yokel
Chorus-Hit er meller, hit er Juicy,
Hit er coOltn', hit er SWEET
Hit er painleS ter de stummick-
Yo' kin eat, an eat, an eati
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-07-22

too, and means to be bridesmaid no doubt.
All" she continues, shaking her head cheerily.
.thev thought the old woman was a fool. and
took it all to herself but she didn't by any
means. She saw the whole mistake; but as
chance gave her the opportunity of a first inter-
view, she took it, and received the proposal
for her niece"
You're brick!" says Mooney, going to her
and slapping her on the back with so much
force and gusto that the old lady's one remain
ing tooth seems to quiverin her head; ''I'll
never call you Tab any mere; and as May is
too stupid to offer me as much as ap introduce
ton to Mr.. Calcott, why-in go and shake
hands with him without it." e.
"Well," says Letitia, bursting into my room
two hours later. and throwing herself upon her
honest knees beside me as sat in a day dream
of happy thOughts-'I wish you Joy. Miss May;
and good luck to your aunt. for 1 never seen an
old lady do a job so neat. She was cocksure the
pop was for herself, and she turned off her dis
appointment like an angel or a saint"
But to this day-Ernest is so loyal have
never been able to find out whether or not what
Lettla said was true.
MAMIE POWER ODoNOGHUE.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-07-22

Dj4 We steal the dog? .Yes. Judge" said the
prisoner, II admit that the back Of my trousers
we're tangled in the dogs teeth and that drag
Ged the animal away, but IL You call that steal
ing dog no man on earth Is safe from commit
ting crime. r-Bostoa Post
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-07-22
A woman,s Refusal.

A WOman's Refusal.
No, Impudence, you shant have one.
How many times must I refuse?
Awayl
SayI
Or else you'll sure my friendship lose.
/ cannot bear such forward fun,
So quick, begone II not I'll run.
Why, now I'll have to be severe
NO, not kiss to sou I'll give.
Take carel
swear
I'll tell papa, as sure'S live.
never saw a man so QueerI
But-are you sure there's no one near7
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-07-22
Causes Of High Prices for Food,

Causes Of High Prices for Food.
From the Louisville Post.
A gentleman who has been familiar with the
workings Of the produce market for years says
that the whole cause of the trouble is in the
wild craze for specializing. Nothing is free
from the touch of the Spectator. The back
wardness Of the season, that caused scarcity
In vegetables opened the doors for spectators,
and they rushed in. Meats and vegetables OF
all kinds are held in quantity by Spectators,
and while they are making money the masses
must suffer. "Sooner or LATER said the gen.
country to keep the hands of spectators off of
the necessities of life"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-07-22
An 8. r. C. A. Carol.


Speak gently to the herring, and kindly to the
calf,
Be blithesome with the bunny, at barnacles don't
Give nuts unto the monkey and buns unto the
Never hint at currant jelly ii you chance to meet
q hare.
Don't tantaze the tortoise nor sacrifice the stoat
Don't prosecute the parrot, nor grumble at the
But give the stranded jelly-nsh shove into the
sea-
Be always kind to animals wherever you may be-
Be lenient with Holsters, and ever kind to crabs,
And be not diSrespectful to cuttle-flsh or dabs;
Chase not the cOchin-china, chan not the obese,
And babble not OF feather beds In company with
geese.
Be tender with the tadpole, ana let the limpet
thrive, .ssss - q 5et,.- g.
BE merci!ul to musses, don't skin your cells alive;
When talking TO q turtle don't mention caiipee-
be always kind TO animals wherever you may be.
Henry Betvh, according to the Chicago Tribune.
---S~>-.e--- -. !. - "a - -
An honest bourgeois Is entertaining his wife
at dinner at restaurant, and at the c0hcluAioti'
OF the meal treats himself TO sAitfeArs re"0ne.
franc, " almost screams the wafiAn.. looking It
the box: sswcil. Alfred, do ffibh8 yon are eu-
ioying Yourself" NY dear, says Che hus-
bard ma3e1fioolly, snofhipg & too good Is be
|eE4ered Nnep me- Invites lady - 1inne!zs
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-07-22

show him in'
Ibid my aunt tell you to do so?" ask with
dignity.
'.She did. fax:" says Lettia, offended ga
note come with them flowers last evening, and
she fecked it quick into her pocket; and when
went up with her hominy, I'm blest if she wasn't
sittin' in her nightcap, writin' an answer to 1t;
and sent me out scuddin' to the post, with the
tail o my gown over my head"
Can you remember the address on the letter,
or the namc-the manner" l ask eXctedly, as
new light breaks suddenly in upon me.
Ion, hang the address, remember" says Lee
titia, looking puzzled, "but I'd know the name
again. Wallnut-or some such like
lay down my knife and fork, and fairly roar
with laughter; and Letitia stares with open
| mouth, and evidently longs to know the cause
of my mirth Nor am long in telling her. My
lover has 0een making love to my aunt! not in
tensionally; but being unaware that we possess
the same name-at least that we are both Miss
Marlands-he has neglected to write my Chris
tan name upon the envelopes intended for me;
and SO they have been carried straight to my
| relative.
Good glory!'' says Letitia, in an ecstacy of
laughter, ''if he han't proposed in one O. them
letters, he's going to do it to-day. Crikey! won't
there be fun! I'll put my ear to the jaw of the
| door, and hear 1t ALI" She means the jamb, but
| there's no use in correcting her.
Not less amused than she. spring up-dash
off note to Mooney, telling her to come round
at Once-dispatch Letitia with it, with orders not
10 stop 10 gossip With Hall Tie parish Oh the way
and busy myself clearing off the breakfast
things and tidying up the room. My tasks are
scarcely accomplished and Letitia returned.
| when my aunt comes down. She is evidently
equipped for conquest. Her wig is newly curled
her best scarf Is over her shOulders-and from
| the black satin bag which hangs upon her arm
an deliberately laced and perfumed kerchief Is
protruding.
She kisses me demurely and sits down with
her back to the light. It is clear that she il
| furried and nervous; so l tell her she looks
pale, and bring her q glass Of port, for which
she seems thankful.
Then Mooney comes, and she and go into
the little back room. and shut the folding
DEMONSTRATING the old lady to await her Wis
| itor's arrival.
At twelve great knock Is heard, and Lett
tia's heavy foot pounds along the hail. and
| somebody inquiries for Miss Marland, and he Is
| ushered into that ladys presence. Mooney and
hold our breaths, and cram our handkerchiefs
| into our mouths to smother our mirth, whilst
confused murmur OF voices arise in the adioin-
ing room; question and answer-and discussion
and finally, laughter-pleasant laughter, too
land my aunt throws open the folding door
and calls US In.
Here is somebody wanting Nou, May she
says, as Ernest and meet with some euahar-
nspnents lyon know what be Nents zhncyy~-
and HIS N0oney. fhinlE kneWe u ahpp Is
q
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-07-22


chance Of doing SO at last. so begin at once.
1t is not very long story, nor particularly
interesting, except to myself alone had gone
on visit to Colchester a few weeks before. and
had there met a young lieutenant of dragons
Ernest CalcOtt-whO had fallen I'm love with
me-Or said he had-and l with him; and we
had walked. and danced, and taken moonlight
walks together, and gaZed at one another in
church across the backs of the high Old-fasll-
Toned pews. and pressed one anOthers hands,
and said soft things at parting-but he had not
proposes TO me, although he swOre he loved
Inc. and had not seen him since. to speak to-.
but knew he had come up to town. for had
seen him go by yesterday and to-day looking
hard IN at the window, too; but he had not
called, and did not know what to make of it.
''Humph." says Miss Oliver, when my recital
! Is finished: Has he never written to you all
/ this timer
.'No."
81 wouldn't give much for his love. then. 81
says Mooney shortly; but perhaps he's afraid
| OF the Tab. Does he know of the existence OF
that sweet old feline specimen
"Oh. for shame, MONEY!" l say, laughing In
spite. of myself. ''Of course he does / told
him was living here with an aunt"
THAT accounts for it," says Mooney. saoely.
"Men are afraid of Tabs. Does he know she's
one?"
81 can't tell, I am sure. Inever said whether
/ she was q Mrs. or Mss"
"Rght!" says Mooney; "I'd always pretend
if were you, that some man had once had the
| bad taste to take her. for men are shy of Tabs .
| $50 you think Ernest is IN earnest 2" she pres
entity says. ''What is he like, my dear %
take out the worn envelope again. and slowly
and blushingly produce photograph, which
represents brOad-sh0uldered young man, will
honest eyes and big dark mOustache.
swell, he's not bad looking" says Mooney
| with her head on one side; s'though his nose Il
not quite straight; but can't see his mouth
with all that hair over it, and It's always BY thu
mouth that I judge fellow. II there's Al
iresolute look about It. cut him short, my dear
the moment he opens It TO propose to you.
always do. "
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-04-13
THE LATEST FASHIONS IN LYNcHING

1t seems that the administration of
Lynch law is in these days of general pro-
gress being brought down to quite fine
point, and that when it is practiced most
deliberately the effect is not much less
impressive than that OF a legal execution.
For example, at Kokomo, in Indiana, on
the 81 instant, mob surrounded the jail
where man charged with an assault upon
a child was confined, broke down the
doors, took out the prisoner, and marched
with him to a neighboring bridge. There
the proceedings were opened in the most
orthodox way, for the dispatch states that
az the Rev. Mr.. McClane was present and
offered prayer" After the prayer had
been offered the prisoner WAS invited to
confess his guilt, whereupon he admitted
that he had stolen horse and watch, but
denied the graver charge. Then the mob
mounted him on a box, tied his hands and
legs, and asked him if he had any remarks
to make. He responded by singing
with great compcsure, "See that My Grave
els Kept Green" Whether the mob
pledged itself to obey this injunction does
not appear, but it would seem probable
from the general thoughtfulness and con.
sideration which it showed. The prisoner,
having finished his hymn, and thus showed
a somewhat classical taste in dying, like the
tabled swan, in song, requested the crowd
to hang him decent, and this last wish
was forthwith scrupulously carried out.
The mob in this case appears to have been
troubled with no sense Of embarrassment,
and to have gone about its work with q
curious confidence in the legitimacy of its
purpose. 1t may be judged from this that
at Kokomo the practice of lynching ha:
been kept up by frequent experiments, and
it also follows that the regular process Of
the law in that part of Indiana must have
fallen into contempt and distrust.