davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Connecticut western news., 1883-01-24
Taking in the Situation.

''I was playing in a minstrel troupe one season and travelling through Texas. One night, think it was in Palestine, we missed connection and were com pelled to lay over. Frayne was then playing sSi Slocum, with his wife acting as Lucy S1ocune. AS he was to occupy the Opera House that night, I, accom-, panied by several of our troupe, went over to see the show. The hall was 8 miserable tumble-down frame shanty, lighted by candles and lamps. The light, you may be sure, was not the best in the world, but, nevertheless, the audience, which completely filled the house, seemed to thoroughly enjoy the play, and mani tested their approbation by loud shouts and huzzahs. When the time came for Frayne to shoot the apple from his wife's head, she was brought on the stage blind folded. She was nervous and excited, and shook like my bass drum when l give it healthy whack. The light was too poor for Frayne to see distinctly, and it was plainly to be seen that he had mis- givings of his own power.
 "The audience seemed to take in the situation. Suddenly one of the auditors, a big, burly cowboy, with 8 sombrero as wide as the Tabor stage, jumped pfrom his seat and pointed pistol fair at Frayne, saying out in a firm voice :: Don't shoot, or I'll pulverize you ! Frayne glanced down at the resolute-' looking stranger, and seemed to be glad of his intervention. The whole house took up the cry, Don't shoot! and the affrighted woman tore the bandage from her eyes and said in pleading tones !: Don't attempt to anger that gentleman, Frank; he means what he says
 "'Bet yer boots, gal, I do" replied the stranger That part of the play was omitted for that night, and the Indians had to be killed twice to make up for the cutting of the programme.
Connecticut western news., 1883-01-24
Why They Kept Quiet.

On their way to the Capitol in Wash ington street car an oldish gentleman, in a kindly, patronizing manner, looked up as Representative Smalls, of South Carolina, got in, and said: ''Mr. Smalls, I never saw so good order in the House as when you sat in the Speakers chair. I think everybody recognized that you were an able Speaker"
 "No," said Smalls, "they kept quiet for greater reason than that
 "What was it p
 "White men don't like to be ordered by colored man to be quiet. That is why they kept quiet
Connecticut western news., 1883-01-24
Practical Farm Notes.

A Connecticut correspondent tells the ~. H. Mia7 or how he raised good corn in spite of severe drouth:
 "I plowed and rolled the ground, spread manure on and narrowed 1t in; put handful of hen manure and fine bone composted in the hill; cultivated flat; did not hill any. When the drouth come cultivated often but very shallow; the result was good crop. On another plot the manure was spread on the sod and turned under without any fertilizer in the hill, and was almost failure My neighbors report very fair corn on land that the manure was spread on af- ter blowing and fertilizing- in the hill"
 The same writer reminds the boys that "plenty of manure and patient labor will bring onions every time." Of his own practice and observation he says:
 ssI blow shallow in the fall, cover with the best stable manure; in spring harrow in the manure and put on hen manure at the rate of one bushel to the square rod, rake off and SOW seed and roll; it is very important to roll down the bed or seed-rows hard Put in radish seed with the onion seed, as that comes up first. Plant the same land every year, and if you will manure and cultivate you will raise crops that will surprise lazy folks. The largest yield ever saw was on land that had been used to stay hay on. It was hood over and g hundred pounds of Peruvian guano raked in. No weeds were grown and the onions almost covered the land.'
Connecticut western news., 1883-01-24
Local News a Speciality.
TERMS |:
MY LESSON.

sat alone at evening. Wildly raging, The elements put forth fearful strife, Pomona with the evil powers was raging
 war of death and life. The morning came. Adown my garden path way
 Lily and rose and vine were bruised and broken. Around me everywhere, prostrate there lay,
 Of beauty, many token. dead bird near the lilac bushes told me fearful tale. Peeping in the tree, My eyes were full my heart stood still (don't scold me.
 They were my pets, you see). aAlas alas r' in bitter grief cried, tWhy is it thus? Why should the storms lay low Our garden beauties, flush with life and pride And fill bird lives with woe ?'' For answer came the fragrance of some blos- soms,
 Mangled and bleeding on their messy piers ; But ns'er plaint of grief from Natures bosom Came to my human ears. Just then bird sang gayly from the wall; A fallen vine around it's stem was twining; "A rose smiled through it's tears. What meant it an2
 Ilooked-the sun was shining. Now, can list the chilling rain-drops batter And hear the storm-winds blow, and feel no pain; Hear the wild thunder crash-what does it mat ter?
 The sun will shine again. Only weak, human hearts cling to their crosses,
 And keep alive the wounds that Time has made; Only wise Nature smiles upon her losses,
 Hopeful and andismayed.
 MATTE N. BROWN.
Connecticut western news., 1883-01-24
THE CLOSING OF A LIFE.

No one is more missed from the Senate Chamber than Matt Carpenter, writes 8 Washington correspondent His name is oftener quoted by lawyers than any other. He is regarded as one of the greatest lawyers this country has ever produced. He was in no sense poi- tician. Had he cared for his physical health he might have lived to green old age.
 His constitution was an iron one, and only succumbed after years of the most continued strains. His partner, MT. Coleman, says that it was Mir. Carpen- | ter's habit for years to do all his study ing at night. He would begin at eleven o'clock with strong cigar and bottle of champagne tc keep him up to his work. From one o'clock to four he kept awake and bright by taking sips of brandy. Then he would go to bed and sleep until nine, and arise As fresh as if he had obeyed all the laws of health. For twenty years he went on in this way without having even headache. All at once he broke down and could do noth- ing. The closing year in this great mans life was tragic one. His disease was of such nature that the space of his life could be exactly indicated to him. He was told by his physician that he must die within year. MT. Carpen- ter told no one but his partner of this death-warrant. He went about his 'busi- ness each day as usual. He never com plained. He never said that he regret ted the shortening of his own life by past indiscretions. He studied his case as clearly as he would that of stranger. Each day he would say in quiet way tc his partner, ''I see I have so many more days to live," pointing to the register he kept. I remember calling upon him one summer night at his office three months before his death. He was in an easy chair, with a black slouch hat crushed down upon his shaggy gray mane of hail shading his eyes. He was gravely DO lite. He talked over the political cam. paign then going on, showing the clear est comprehension of what was the real condition of affairs. Although absorbed in contemplation of his death he was as considerate as in his best days. He used to spend many of the evenings oi the latter part of his life alone. With no gas lighted beyond mere star out in the outer office, MT. Carpenter would sit in great easy chair, thinking, quietly studying the case death was so rigorous ly prosecuting. Two or three days be. fore he died he was down at the office. He consulted the register that told the story of the condition of his blood, and then said simply: Coleman, I see I have not more than four days to live. I dc not think I will come to the office any more."
 Then he walked feebly to his carriage and was driven home. Then only did he tell his family his real condition. He carried the burden alone until nearly the last.
Connecticut western news., 1883-01-24

AN old man would not believe he could hear his wife talk distance of five miles by telephone. His better half was in a country store several miles away, where there was telephone, and the skeptic was also in place where there was @ similar instrument, and on being told how to operate it, he walked boldly up and shouted: Hello, Sarah '" At that instant lightning struck the telephone wire and knocked the man down, and as he scrambled to his feet he excitedly cried. That's Sarah, every timel''
Connecticut western news., 1883-01-24

BEET SUeAR.-According to the Jour aaaI des Fa6rdca'ats de Stscre, the pro duction of beet-root sugar in Europ, this year amounts to 1,92O,OOO tons, al increase of 137, 800 tons over last year Germany is still the greatest producer heading the list with 675, ,OOO tons Aus trian Hungary ranks next with 45O,OO tons; France third, with 41O,OOO tons Polish Russia fourth, 275, 900 tons.
Connecticut western news., 1883-01-24
AMERICAN FABLES.
A NIotherly GOOse-The Wolf and the FO4
 The Clipped Horse.

On the beginning of certain New Year motherly old Goose felt it her bounden duty to do something for the betterment of the World. She there fore took 8 stroll down to the Swamp and sought an interview with the Fox.
 "Well, what's on hand this morning ?" asked Reynard, as he came to the front.
 ''To-day is New Years, if you remem- Der p
 "Oh, certainly"
 ''It is the day on which all Fowls and Beasts should solemnly resolve to break off some bad habit.
 t'I have appointed myself a committee of one to wait upon you and ask if you could not make at least one good re- solve?'
 "Well, yes, I think can," replied Reynard.
 "That's nice. What resolve will you make ?''
 ooh! I'll let up on the flares this coming year and go for the Geese P And he ate her on the half she'll MORAL. Don't ask man to stop chewing to- bacco and become drunkard. PLAYING THE HOG.
 A Wolf and Fox were travelling across the country in company when they dis covered piece of meat attached to a string.
 My eyes are the sharpest, and saw it first p exclaimed the Fox.
 My nose is the best, and smelled il long before you could see it, replied the Wolf.
 "Well, we'll divide even up."
 ''Not exactly, my friend, I have the longest stomach, and must therefore have the largest share. will eat what I want and what is left will be sufficient for you"
 The Fox being the weaker party had to sit and lick his chop while the Wol1 devoured every ounce of the meat and sighed for more. The Wolf was signing with satisfaction when sudden pain racked his body, and in moment more he knew that he had been poisoned.
 "Well, well" unused the Fox, as he saw the other struggling with death ''one doesn't always miss Good Thing by letting some one else gobble up his Dinner" THE CLIPPED HORSE. A man who owned fine Horse had him clipped in mid-winter, and the shiv- ering animal turned around and asked him:
 "Why do you deprive me of my coat in such cold weather ?"
 "Oh it's to make daisy of you, , was the reply. As soon as the Horse was attached to the cutter he began kicking, and did not stop until he had demolished the outfit.
 "What on earth possessed you to do that ?' asked the owner.
 Because daisy of Horse would look bad before a cheap Gutter, was the reply. "And may as well smash that if you are going in for looks you'd better get your Hostler to hold the reins behind me. ."-Detroit Free Press.
Connecticut western news., 1883-01-24

To ENCOURAGE SOLDIERS. Sewell gave notice in the United States Senate that he intended to offer an amendment to the Army Appropriation bill providing for an annual appropriation of six hun- dred thousand dollars to be distributed among the States and Territories upon the basis of the comparative number of regularly enlisted, organized and uni formed miitiamen in such States or Ter ritories, for the encouragement of citizen soldiers and their education in military tactics for utilization by the nation in mite of emergency.
Connecticut western news., 1883-01-24
And then both ladies stood in the hall

And then both ladies stood Ill the hall and waited breathlessly.
 eff could only get the old shotgun that hangs in the kitchen" thought Mrs. A., ''I would soon put an end to this suspense"
 eff I could only reach the janitor's bell" ," thought Miss B., and then, as she heard Mrs. A. making for the kitchen, "that burglar makes an extraordinary amount of noise.
 The two ladies neared each other swiftly and silently. Just as one was about putting her hand on the janitor's bell the other passed. Two awful screams followed, and Miss B. started for her bedroom, with Mrs. A. in close pursuit, determined to be alone no longer. The room once en- tered, mutual explanations followed, and they determined to march together to the attack. The gun was secured, and both ladies started for the drawing-room. A key grated in @ lock Horror! The front door was observed to open eau tiously and then suddenly close. ~ "Thieves p howled both ladies down the elevator hatchway MT. A., who for twenty minutes had been trying to get in quietly, now opened the door and stepped into the hall. The muzzle of the shotgun met him in the hands of his mother, while Miss B. acted as reserve with poker. ...-
 ''What in thunder is the matterP" he asked. "You are rousing the whole neighborhood.
 "There was burglar in the house, but he escaped, faintly said both ladies, as they again retired, leaving MT. A. with the gun and poker to 'sit up and watch the house until morning"
 OUR POPULATION.
 A stranger leaned over the bar of & Detroit saloon the other day, says the Free Press, and whisperingly inquired:
 Partner, what is the population of the United States ?"
 Hard on O,OOO,O ,OOO, believe" was the reply.
 "It's over 3O,OOO, ,O5O, anyhowP
 "Oh, yes."
 "You'll bet on that? ?"
 "Td like nothing better than to put | up BIO on it."
 "Well, you'll have chance. There's chap down in the shoe store that claims that we havnt got 35, 900, 900 population, and he is blfing everybody. I'll bring him up if you'll make bet and bring him down peg" , "Bring him along,
 The stranger went away and returned with the buffer, who had no sooner en- tered the saloon than he called out:
 ssWhere's the man who says this country has got over 40,0O0,000 popula- tion ?"
 The saloonist modestly replied that he was the man, and in less than 8 minute the two ten-dollar bills were put into the hands of the first caller.
 "There's new map in the store across the uay which has the last census figures on it," said the saloonist, and all went over to see the matter settled.
 The figures showed that the beer seller had won by large majority, but nothing on that map, nor above, below nor behind it could tell what become of of the man who held the stakes. Indeed, it was only after the man who had lost had also slipped away that anybody re- alized that they were confederates. Then the victim started out with a club to hunt the world over and reduce the population by one, but his search was in vain.
Connecticut western news., 1883-01-24

A LITTLE girl recently went to visit her grandfather in the country. She is fond of milk, but firmly refused to drink any while there, without giving any reason. When she returned, she was asked, "You had nice milk there to drink, didn't you?" "I guess I didn't drink any of that milk" she indignantly replied. "Do you know where papa got it? I saw him squeeze it out of an old cowl"
Connecticut western news., 1883-01-24
THE JOKERS' BUDGET.
WHAT THE HUMOROUS PAPERS
 HAVE TO SAY THIS WEEK.
A Burglar Alarm-Our Population-Livins and DyinR-The Tme-Where They
 All Are. etc.. etc.
WHERE THEY ALL ARE

"Why not accept this place yourself, Judge?" inquired Senator from Routt County
 "Oh, well-now," stammered the Judge, blushing very deeply; "I-well- you know-ah-I-I m--yes-totally unprepared for that sort of thing, you know"
 "Of course you are" said the Senator from Routt County; "but you embody all the qualifications demanded and I'm going to announce you as candidate !'
 "No, no, no ]" cried Judge Hallet, catching the Routt County Senator by the coat tails. Don't do that, my dear sir, don't do that But I'll tell you what you can do. Come this way moment. !"
 The Judge dragged the Senator into the darkest corner of the lobby. There was meaningful glitter in his eyes, his bosom heaved with conflicting emotions and his voice was strangely hoarse. He stood up on his toes and whispered in the Senator's ear:
 "You can say I am in the hands of my friends. ."-Denver Tribune. "wHAT TIME WAS TIP" Four clerks in Summer street dry goods store were lounging about after lunch one day not long ago, when busi- ness was dull. They got to telling stories.
 "The other day." said one, Ca New York business man started from here in hurry to the Providence depot. He wasn't sure of the way, and when he got to the corner of Washington street he asked boy. The boy directed him, and got ten cents for his trouble. Al the corner of Fremont and Boylston streets he got stuck again, and asked another boy which way to go. The boy told him, and the New York man gave him ten cents also. Arrived in the depot all out of breath, he asked third boy I what time the next train started fol | Providence. The boy told him, and the man gave five cents. What time was it ? "Two and half," said one of the three attentive clerks.
 A quarter past" suggested the second.
 "Quarter to three,' exclaimed th'
 third, t,iumphantly.
 "Keerect said the fiend who per
 petrated the yarn.-Bosto's Globe. l LIVING AND DYING. John Smith was eke goodly man
 As ever lived on earth, I The world admired aud loudly praised His truly pious worth i His life was full of charity And free from sinful pride, But scarce had reached to thirty-four, When one dim eventide l mule kicked at him playfully, And Smith soon after died
 John Brown, knave of deepest hue, l Dwelt in the self-same town; grosser, meaner, viler scamp There never lived, than Brown. ! He cursed, he swore, he smoked, he chewed | He even keno played,
 And down in Texas years ago | They say man he slayed. Yet he lived on contentedly And lots of money made, Till, finally, a gray-haired man, John Brown to die was laid His wife and children gathered round, A preacher lingering nigh And the only token of his death Was quiet, gentle sigh, We'd like to live as did John Smith, Revered by all the town; Bnt when it comes to dying, we'd l Prefer to die like Brown. -DenUeT Tribune.
Connecticut western news., 1883-01-24
WHY A WISCONSIN EDITOR SHED.

WHY WISCONSIN EDITOR SHED. The proprietor of Peck's Su,a, who lately visited the metropolis for the first time in twelve years, observes:
 The greatest change in New York is the Elevated Railroad. I am mashed on the "L" road, as is every person who has toiled up and down town in street cars and stages. The memory of those old rides on crowded street cars, on cold days, when you were lucky if you got in and still luckier if you got out alive, and | with your pocket-book still with you, seems like dream. Now you can go up pair of stairs and get into a comfort able car that will seat about eighty pass engers each, and little steam engine will whirl you up or down town at the rate of twenty miles an hour, over the heads of the people in the streets. l "shied" little at first at the elevated trains like country horse that comes to town and sees steam fire engine, and felt like taking the bit in my teeth and kicking the dashboard, and running over an apple stand, but soon got used l to it, as all the other horses do here, and now you can drive me right under a train and all do is to prick up my ears and prance little.
 BURGLAR ALARM.
 Two nervous women lay awake til midnight in New York ''fiat" the other night in separate rooms opening off the same parlor, with 8 premonition tha burglars would break in. A young mar belonging to the family and servant were both out One of them, Mrs. A. unable longer to endure the suspense arose and went cautiously through the hall. The scene which followed is thuI described in the Herald:
 Miss B., listening, with her door ajar heard Mrs. A., slammed her door ant locked it. Mrs. A. with equal prompt ness retired to her own room and did th' same Satisfied, after a few awful mo ments that she must have been mistaken Mrs. A. went out to the hall again ant started for the dining room with mattel in her hand. Miss B. opened her doc and peered cautiously forth. At the mo ment of her seeing Mrs. A. s match Mis- B. heard her door. The light went out 7 Burglars P gasped Miss B.
 T Thieves l" whispered Mrs. A.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-06-13
VEDDINGS YESTERDAY.

Miss Charlotte Elizabeth Hale. daughter Of
the late Benjamin L. Hale married last evening In
Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, 10 Phio scoyl Hager OF
the firm OF Collins Downing Co., OF this city. The
church was decorated with profusion OF palms. ferns
and eyercreens The Rev. Henry Ward Beechor per-
formed the ceremony. The ushers were Sidney Guion
Francis Pitt William Porter and George Gourdon The
,,doso,oids Miss Matte Haze, sister OF the BRIDE Miss
lena Harris Of w-London, Conn. Miss Susie Pultzs
and Miss Tda Chapman wore dresses OF soft white sk
made OF walking length and trimmed with lace mo
corsaqes were cut high Ond the sleeves long Ihelr
ornaments were diamonds and they carried large Dou
ouets One was OF Nephetos another Jacguemlnot the
third Marechal Mel and the fourth Bon siene roses
rho bride who walked in the arm OF the groom. wore
touet NJ heavy white ottoman silk made with a full
court train the front being OF embossed white plush.
The oorsage was cut square and filled IN with Nalen-
cienues lace which also trimmed THE dress The long
veil OF tulle was fastened by diamonds ana spray OF
orange blossoms which also draped the dress her p0u
met was composed OF white roses ana Hnes-0l-t.h
valley reception for about 100 friends ana relatives
yes 3eld at the house of tine brides mother NO W Co
rrnha Heights The floral decorations were elaborate
and beautiful The bride and groom received congrhu
Renenth The doorways swung bow ana Drrow OF roses
and bali OF the same flowers. while smax ana vases o
anwers we're placed everywhere Tue Drlde anu bIOonl
dcparted on their wedding tour amid shower OF rice
and the traditional ola slipper Among tne Go ess
and Mrs H. b. Beecher. Il. d. Lincoln, OF CINCINNATI
and j. d. Lincoln, of Plalnvie, Mass. bota unees s Oh
1e hride w T. Hale OF Cincinnati brother OF te niIus,
Mr. and Mira Joseph Hager, parents OF the groom, MINIS
Hagcr and Richard storrs eger Walter Earle OF los
Ton sas Downing. Henry Q. Collins Eugene Ci.rke'
george Collins Mr.. and Mrs r. ID. Blake, MT and Ms
I Eynns Mr. and Mrs. HOraiiO o. King MI anu MIs
Gcorcs Fargo Mr. and Mrs. ]. Is. Hutchinson, MT ana
Mrs Arthur Wltsie aud Mr. and Mrs. Henry PratI
Miss Lydia E. Spencer, daughter got the late W; r. =,
snencef was quietly married yesterday afternoon 20
I1Wia, W Morrill, at the house OF her mother, No $50
West one-hundred by me h .M
DR. Lobdei rector OF St Andrews church. lar J o
Tie ccyemony which private, took place OF 5'3o
y m There sgere bridesmaid. The ushers were ~
EccIeston tjalnher william ID. J.. Boughton ana ben
,sn,,, IN Mumford. j. Angus shaw was the best man
The bride ore travelling dress OF navy blue sh NJ
= nonrot to correspond A reception was hed uhtii
acIock Tho pArlors we're decorated WIN cut mower
and refreshments were served. Inc guests "oi0 '" "
sfives and intimate friends only.