davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-01-05
Lord Dufferin's Good Work.

The work which has been performed
by Lord Dufferin prior TO and during
the British campaign in Egypt cannot
but be regarded as being far more inn
portant than that which has been ac-
complished BY either Admiral Seymour
or Sir Garnet WOlseley. From the mo-
ment the expedition TO Egypt was de-
cided on il became an object OF the
highest moment to keep the Sultan
quiet-to prevent him, on the one hand
from sending II force to Egypt to do all
/. the work himself, and from openly de-
claring himself, on the other hand. in
favor Of Arab 'Pasha. ii he adopted
the former idea, he might reconquer
Egypt for himself, which was contrary
to Europeanpolicy. while if he embraced
the latter, he would he able to aid in the
defense of Egypt with 10000 men. The
task before Lord Duflerin was one of the
highest difficulty. He had no means of
persuading the Sultan, who was moved
BY other reasonings than those which
influence diplomatists, while If he SIM
ply threatened him there was no GER
tainty that he would not. in an excess
of sudden rage, declare war, and SO
double the magnitude of the task before
the British Government. The Sultan,
as Lord Dufferin well knew, would be
obeyed. however rash his order might
be; while so distracted was his mind
with fear. rage and sense of humilia.
ton, that he could hardly be restrained
from outbreaks. of dangerous, though
apparently childish, spite. His Majesty
was harder to deal with than any child,
yet he still retained such strength that
an order from him might set the whole
Eastern world on fire, and compel Eu-
rope, while still unprepared, to sudden
and therefore probably disastrous. set
Element of the Eastern question. Lord
Dufferin, though dealing with men
whose language he did not understand,
hampered by the jealousies of half u
dozen courts, and surrounded by spies
and tale bearers, managed the Sultan
successfully, mingling advice, argyll
ments and threats SO dexterously, and
with such an appreciation of the whims
Of his opponent. that he first stopped the
descent on Egypt, reducing it to mere
form, then extracted q formal though
insufficient condemnation of Arab
Pasha and, finally, compelled the Sultan
to apologize for his insulting orders and
rescind them. All this, too, he accom-
plished without an open quarrel, with
out leaving u loophole for his rivals to
interfere and without for one moment
lowering the character of his country.
Several times during the negotiations
less skillful man would have compelled
the Sultan to declare for Arab, and
twice a less decided one would either
have been compelled to accept an insult
or to take steps which would have pre-
cipitated an armed collision. Lord Duff
ferin has served his country with the
most brilliant and complete diplomatic
successes which have ever distinguished
British or any other diplomatist.-
BroOkIUn E00le.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-01-05
Followed Directions Too ulosslx.

A young actress who had been told
to study her part very carefully and fol-
low the stage directions. explicitly, had
to do "fall' in q fainting fit for the
first time in her life. The stage direc-
ton read, Helena falls prone across
the body of Theodore" She practiced
it hundred times on bolster until
she thought she had got it perfect The
actor pointed to knot hole in the floor
where he intended to tumble, and ev-
erything was in readiness. As the time
approached. however, she began to get
nervous and heartily wished that she
had the bolster instead of the actor to
fall upon. There was no help for it,
and she let herself 60 according to the
authors directions, exactly across The
odore, rs she had done with the bolster.
The actor was in abundant bodily con.
dition, and when she struck him he
grunted so loud and drew up his short
legs so comically that the curtain went
down amidst perfect rOars and storms
of laughter from the ticklcd audience.
The fat actor was boiling with rage,
and the manager swore and threatened
her with dismissal for spelling the best
scene in the play by following direc-
tons too closely.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-01-05
Marrying Under Difficulties.

Elaborate preparations for marriage
ceremony had been made in Providence
The other night. The minister was pres.
ent to tic the nuptisl knot, the guests
had arrived, and the bride. with palpi-
tating heart. awaited tho arrival Of the
man who was to be her partner for life.
The marriage was to have taken place
at O'Clock and the groom went away
q short time before. stating that he
wished to don another suit OF clothes.
The time for the ceremony arrived, but
the groom did not appear. The bride
grew anxious; the guests gazed upon
the good things and wondered at the
delay. Finally scouts were sent out.
The Central station was visited in the
belief that. in the excess Of his happi-
ness. the would-bc husband had imbib-
ed too freely Of the oil of JOY. but the
guardians Of the peace had not seen
him. After considerable time spent in
search he was found and brought to the
house. Matters began to look bright
and immediate preparations were made
to complete the marriage. But it was
not to be, for the groom discovered that
he had forgotten. his marriage license.
Again he started on the run to procure
this passport to his future happiness,
with which he returned after some de-
lay, and at half-past 10 o'clock the knot
was tied. and everything went rs mer-
rily rs marriage bell.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-01-05
Forty DAYS Of Snow.

The following statistics of the good
old winters are curious: In 40S the
Black Sea was entirely frozen over. 10
76l. not only the Black Sea but the
Straits of the Dardenelles were frozen
over; the snow in some places rose fifty
feet high. In 1922 the great rivers Of
Europe--the Danube and Elbe, ETC.
were so hard frozen as to bear heavy
wagons for month. In $50 the Adri-
attic was frozen. In 99l everything was
frozen; the crops totally failed, and fam
inc and pestilence closed the year. In
1867 the most of the travellers were fro
zen to death on the roads. In 1888 the
Pc was frozen from Cremona tn the sea;
the wine casks were burst. and even the
trees split by the action Of the frost with
immense noise.
In 1886 the Danube was frozen to the
bottom, and remained long In that
state. In 1916 the crops wholly failed
in Germany; wheat, which some years
before sold in England at 6s the quarter,
rose to E2. In 1889 the crops failed In
Scotland, and such q famine eusued
that the poor were reduced to feed on
grass. and many persisted miserably in
the fields. The successive Winters OF
1892 1854 were uncOmmonly severe. 1t
once showed forty days without inter-
ruption. In 1863 the wine distributed
u the soldiers in Flanders was cut with
ha:chets.
In 1854 the Winter was excessively
cold. Most of the hOllies were killed.
Coaches drove along the Thames, the
ice of which was eleven inches thick.
In 1909 occurred the cold Winter. The
frosts penetrated three yards into the
ground. In l7l5 booths were erected
and fairs held on the Thames. In 1744
and l745 the strongest ale In England,
exposed to the air. was covered In less
than fifteen minutes with ice an eighth
of m inch thick. In 1909 and again in
1912 the Winters were remarkably cold.
In 1914 there was fair on the frozen
Tha' mes
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-01-05
Chicken Houses,


Many mistakes have been made in
supposing that the principal hindrance
to egg production is tho effect of cold.
The trouble Is usually due to dampness.
Fowls do not suffer as much during the
times OF extreme cold in winter as they
do in the latter part of the fall This
is apparent TO NIL who are familiar with
the habits of poultry,a as it Is well known
that the warmest and most comfortable
quarters will not tempt them to remain
in their houses on clear, dry days, seven
when the temperature is in the neigh
borhood Of zero. Al such time, it
well fed. they win keep in good health.
and the production of good eggs. will be
quite satisfactory. On the cold, damp
days, however, they suffer very much.
especially If such weather Is continn-
GUS. 1t is at this time that roup puts in
an appearan and makes such sad
havoc with the flock. Such breeds rs
the Polands and the Houdans. which
are ornamenled with crests, become
''water-soakcd;" and seldom fail to con-
trac. roup in some form. To obviate
the difficulty is to induce the fowls TO
remain in their quarters on damp days.
This they will not do unless such places
are very clean and free from Odor. They
dislike the fumes of ammonia, and al
though they retire to such quarters at
night. for want of something better,
they leave as early in the morning as
possible, preferring the disagreeable
weather outside to the escaping gas in
side. They also love the light, and will
not stay in dark places during day
light. The quarters should therefore
be furnished with windows to admit
plenty of light. A small shed, open to
tue south, with floor of loose dirt to
dust in, is o favorite resort, and should
be attached to the poultry house, which
would make the expense but little, and,
besides affording shelter during storms.
becomes u sunny. sheltered resort du-
ring the clear days Of winter. The
fall Is more critical tiM0 than winter,
and little preparation at this time for
the comfort of the fowls will reward the
poulterer with an increase Of the egg
supply.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-01-05
And Moro Lsh.

A dozen years ago = farmer came In.
10 Detroit. says the Free iress with .
load Of potatoes and sold them 10 u
grOccr. A dispute arose as to the guam
tity. The farmer felt himself cheated
out Of two bushels and he loft the gro
Ger with black eye. The grocer was
u man who meant to keep even with all
men. lie therefore took his affidavit
10 whip that agricultural toiler within
an inch of his life, aud the longer he
waited the madden he got. At the end
Of u month. seeing no prospect Of catch.
ing the farmer in town. the grocer pro-
cured horse and ICY aud drove out
To the farm to have 1t out. When with
in three miles Of the place he encounter
cd man on the highway and inquired:
Can yon tell me where old Silver
livesp"
Eyes; going to buy cattle of himr'
"No, sir! I'm going to pound him
out Of his bOotsr'
Il guess not! I'm old Stiver's son
and you've got to whip me tirstr'
The grocer jumped out and battle
resulted. He polished the son ofi. but
it was tight squeeze. He had not
gone half u mile when man who was
husking corn near the fence hailed him
with:
Did you have fight down there"
"Who whipped?"
II did"
"Well. that was my brother you were
fighting; and may be you think you
can mash me. toOr'
A second fight took place, and proved
draw. The grocer was somewhat dis
Outraged, having several loose teeth
and nose as big AS his wrist, but he
drove on TO the next house. A strap
ping fellow about "a years old was cut
ting wood mt the gate, and the grocer
drew up and asked:
'How far is it to Stiver'sp"
(which Stiver?''
why. the old liar Stiver's."
Stranger, the man who speaks that
way of my old dad has got to be- pound
ed," remarked the chopper. and third
fight was soon on the boards. This
time the grocer had his fill. and, after
brushing the grass out Of his hair, he
asked:
How far is it to Mr.. John Stiver'sP''
Two miles"
Zone more question. I've met and
fought with three Of his sons. Is there
another living between here and the old
man's?"
Another? Why. there are three. and
besides there are two single ones at
home who could turn you wrong-side
out in twenty seconds
The grocer drove slowly back to the
city and went to bed for u week. His
mistake was in not waiting to catch the
Old man home some time when all the
boys were off fishing.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-01-05
Jules Ianin's Story.

Jules Janin tells story Of the cele-
brated diamond, the Sancy, q stone Of
the first water. and worth an enormous
amount Of money. One night, at q ball
at Nice, the Princess NJ. to whom it
belonged. let it fall. Janin picked it
up and the Princess requested him to
put it in his pocket for safe keeping.
He did so and thought no more about
it. Two days afterwards the Princess
met Janin and asked laughingly for the
diamond.
what diamond?" said Jnnin.
"What? That Iconfided to your keep.
ing the other evening"
"Ah, that il true; had forgotten It.
1t was o real stone. thcn?'
"Real? Yes. Only the Sancy."
1.-THE Sancyr' cried Janin, and he
rushed home like . mailman. He
searched everywhere. Not a sign of 1t.
All at once he remembered the coat he
had worn that night where is it?"
'.At the washcrwoman's." The wash
erwoman had found nothing. Janin
was in despair. On the bank Of the riv-
or child was throwing stones into the
water. Among pile Of pebbles at its
side was the Sancy. Tho world was
again bright TO Janin. The Princess
smiled serenely.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-01-05
Fifty Thousand Dollar Checks as Wedding
preaanta


One of the old veterans Of Wall street
was the other day giving some fatherly
advice to one of his clerks, about 10 be
married, and in closing his sermon he
said:
directly after the ceremony there
will be banquet, of course. When
your wife turns her plate she will find
check for fifty thousand dollars under
it,
'.Do you really think sop
.'Oh, ! know It. That's the prevailing
style nowadays. The check will be
passed around and finally given to you
to pocket"
'And next day will draw the money
on it."
'Oh. no. you. won't"
"Why notP'
because there won't be any to draw.
Don't make dolt Of yourself by rush.
ing to the bank"
"But l thought
mo matter what you thought. Save
the check to frame and hang up. When
l was married thirty years ago my wife
found one under her plate. I've got it
yet. ] thought too much of her father
to mortify his feelings and / know he
has always respected me for 1t. That s
all. my son. II you run short on your
bridal tour telegraph me-"
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-01-05
MINNESOTA Iars1L1eEaoE.

Zacheus Fuller, eighty years OLD,
Of blooming Prairie, has been held TO
tae district court on charge Of at.
tempting To burn the residence of 10.
sepli Browning.
The board Of commissioners of
Morrison county recently issued 8 per
cent iWnds vi that county in the
sum of &35. 600 to the Little Falls &
Dakota Rsi:road company.
The county attorney of Wilkin
county Is intending 10 she Otter Tail
county for 840, 900 taxes paid by
settlers in range A. now claimed 10
lie a portion of Wilkin county.
The safes of Mai. Clark and the
MelrOse Record were blOwh open
Wednesday night. Clark lost 500. a
gold watch and some jewelry. 1920
being taken from the Record office.
Gov. Hubbard has commnlt! the
sentence of John J. Ring. ii,r .ie.
faulting treasurer Of Scott. cunyiai"d
and sentenced to two years ND SIX
months. SD that his term will expire
on Feb. s..
The Spring Valley Mercury asserts
that Mr.. I'ieI man. Democratic randi.
date for Congress In the First dis.
trict, rceivel nd nsed 500 OF RE-
publican money ut the late election.
from u Dnnnell source.
The committee appointed l'y the
st. Charles board oftra,lr to agtate
the establishments ut u creamery fiDd
that the milk Of 800 cows car, lie se-.
cured, and solicit correspondence
with PARTIES with capital.
William Otto and lgnatz Grell. who
killed Richter, were found guilty "f
manslaughter in the second degree in
the circuit court at st. C!ord. and
sentenced to FIVE years and six
months imprisonment each.
DIR. James Austin of Duluth. the
Industrious land sprc,lator, has just
sold about $23 900 worth Of pine land
down the north shore In Lake coun.
ty. to capitalist of the State of
Michigan. He paid $1,000 for the
property.
Erick Erickson, while in Cokato
on Tuesday, lost pocket book con.
tanning 800 in cash and 300 in notes.
part OF the money belonging to the
school district Of which he is treas.
urer. John Peterson has been ar.
rested on suspicion Of taking the
money, but he is not believed to he
guilty.
The editor of tho Murdoch Herald
Is unfortunate. Last March his wife
died. and on The l4.h ult. he was to
have been married to Miss Della
Archer. The day came around all
right and so did the guests, but tho
fair damsel had changed her m. md and
and did not put in an appearance.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-01-05
Dissertation of a Chill.

l had the pleasure, the other morn
ing. Of huge chill. Reader. have you
ever had chill? II you haven't, you
just ought to have one. What exqui-
site sensations they. produce! As soon
us felt the approach Of the chill pre-
pared for the attack thus: cut off the
ends Of two pods of pepper and swal-
lowed them, and then cut open another
large pod and rubbed down my back.
Already dressed in . thick vest and
cont, went 10 bed without disrobing,
and covered closely with two thick
quilts. But all in vain! When the chill
attacked me, though I was burning up
within and without, could not feel
warm. o. what is there in this wide
world like chill? The bare thought Of
one transports me into an ecstasy Of
horror. (Gd.J NetD South.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-01-05
Another Danger to Iron ships.

A rather singular occurrence has
been discovered BY the officers of the
steamship Carmona, now in port at
Montreal. Lately, while the vessel was
pitching in heavy sea, daylight be-
came visible In the iron rudder between
the screw and outside rudder frame.
Closer inspection revealed the fact that
very large hole had been eaten into
the rudder nearly four feet by three in
Dimensions. notwithstanding this, she
steered fairly, and arrived without any
drawback. The only solution Of the
problem what caused the hole In tho
rudder IL that 1t is due to the galvanic
action of large brass nut at tho end Of
the propeller shaft, and this having dis
integrated the iron Of the rudder, the
action Of the water washed away the
iron pieccmeal, until at length the large
and dangerous hole was noticed. This
Il another of the difficulties iron ships
have to overcome. - Montreal Ritacss.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-01-05
sot Solde, for the SCOTCH.

Sir Stafford Northcote knows how to
fatter the vanity of the Scotch. In re-
turning thanks recently TO the Glasgow
corporation for presenting him with the
freedom Of the city, he quoted Burns
more than once, referred to characters
In Scott, and was. In fact. more Scotch
than the Scots themselves. He then
launched into high eulogium of the
city Of Glasgow. and, while descanting
TO its commercial prosperity, thought fit
tosneer at the development Of the great
cities of America. when I hear OF
the growth of these mushroom cities"
said the orator however great they
may be. and however they may threat.
en- the prosperity Of my own country I
shall always remember and say: ''Don't
speak to mel am . citizen Of elias
gow."
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-01-05
Dressing tina Bows,

It is q problem with some mothers
how to dress the boys warm enough
without making their clothing burden
some to them. All children now are
supposed to wear knit wrappers and
drawers; then long stockings, of the
hcay Ter grades Of yarn. and thick shoes
clothc the lower limbs. For boys from
5 to 8 or 8 it is q good plan to utilize
their outgrown blouses Of flannel. Rip
out the pleats and make plain shirt
waists; at the side seams the buttons
which hold their stocking supporters
can be securely fastened. Additional
buttons can be put on at the back and
front and the knit drawers be b,ittoned
to his waist. With n coat Of ordinary
thickness, closed to the throat, the chest
will be sufficiently protected.-M T.
EUening Post.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-01-05

Real estate item: HE was a real
estate agent. and complained that he
had three adjoining houses to let since
last Fall. and couldn't get rid Of them
on any terms. whats the cause?"
asked friend, .Malaria?' No"
''Rum mill on the corner?' NO"
''NeighbOrhood infested with cats?"
mo" '.What then?" SWELL. there's q
man who lives across the way with his
daughter" and hos trying to make an
American prima donna Of her." Brook
Inn Eu0lc.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-01-05
For Old Times Sake.

'COMe In. Ben" said the governor
Of Arkansas addressing an old c0lore,l
man who presented himself ut the door
Of the executive chamber. The old man
dropped bis hat. bowed and entered.
''What can do for you Benz
The old man was silent for few mo.
ments. At length, rubbing his head in
that manner characteristic of his race,
he replied:
ut Is \ mighty strange mission what
has fetched de ole man inter dc pres.
ence oh de gubner, an ! hopes dat YER
self will listen ter me wild dat kind ear
what you has alters hill open to dc old
cOlored man. Mars Tom. we was boys
tergedder. Years ago, we chased the
same grasshOpper an cat de- ash cake
outen de same hearth rock. We crowd
up ter be chunks oh boys an ulster ras-
sle wild each other. Rasselin' was the
pride oh our lives. Now. we il ole men.
We won't LID much longer on dis earth.
Do angel what has been 'pinted ter
summons Us has dun put his mouth on
de great dinner horn oh eternity. 'se
all crippled up an won't live rs long us
yerscf. Now Use got dyin reques' To
make oh yer, an dat il. in de name oh
yer, old father an my ole marster. dat
yer'll 10 out in do back yard wild me
an rassle few falls. No ruler can re-
fuse de dyin' request oh ole man who
was raised wild him.
"Why Ben, il would be disgraceful
for a governor to even rassle with the
secretary OF state. You certainly can't
presume upon old friendship and the
recollection Of childhood to such an ex-
tent. Go on away"
MARS Tom, in de memory oh de time
when we stood an heard de clOds fall
upon de coffin, when we looked through
tears an saw dc misty form oh friends
an relatives; in de memory oh kind
face an de gray hairs what dc damp oh
do grave have long since robbed oh its
beauty; get back oh de state house.
down by de riber, an no one will see
u.s."
''Old man." exclaimed the governor
with enthusiasm 81 cannot refuse YOU,
although know the performance will
be ridiculous. Come on" and the two
men sought the back yard. A few min
utcs were spent in arranging prelimina-
ries and they grappled.
''Cut yer cupers, Tom," and the ne
gro lowered one hand and grasped that
part Of the governors trousers, which
may be politely termed the junction.
"Hold your mutton, old man. hold
your mutton" said the governor. secur-
ing the looseness of Ben's raiment.
They struggled for few moments and
the governor went down with Il thump
that caused the secretary of state to re-
mark to clerk: IF that countryman
throws any more logs over that fence,
I'll have him arrested"
When the governor returned to the
executive chamber. old Ben leaped
over the fence, and exclaimed: "Dar.
Use won de bet. Gimmy de money.
He had made a bet with party of
men that he would go TO the state
house and wrestle with the governor.
The men stationed behind the fence,
bad witnessed the performance.-Ark.
TrdCeier
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-01-05
A Guaranty Of Credit.

A Connecticut merchant who applied
to New York house for goods on cred
it was met by the reply that he had fail
ell, and paid only ten cents on the dol
lar. Every true" he replied. shut I
am the only merchant in the town who
ever paid over six" didn't you allow
your paper to 60 to protest last winter?''
Eyes, but the doctors said couldn't
live twenty-four hours just then, and
wasn't thinking Of earthly things."-
Haven't you put all your property in
your wife's nanie?" "Well. yes, but she
knows more about business In five min
utes than I do In half q dsyr' He was
given credit for $500. - Wall Street
News.