davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1883-09-20
THE LOWER BERTH.
George w. Peck's Experience in a
Palace Car.
[Peck's SUM-

Peck's Sun
1t is great study to travel on sleeper
and watch the different kinds of people. 1t
is great thing to feel that you own lower
berth, and that many of those around you
are only common, ordinary, upper-berth peo-
Pile, who have to take tire escape and
crawl up to the roof after you have got to
sleep. / always have lower berth until
bed time. 1t has been a habit with me for
years to telegraph ahead for lower berth, and
get it, and sit in seat until bed time, and
then have real nice gentleman come to me
with a story about poor woman who is i'll,
and who is sentenced to sleep in an upper
berth, and asking me il l had not just as
soon change with her. And the poor woman
says she is so sorry to ask it, and then l say
had just as soon sleep in an upper berth,
and she can have the lower berth as well as
not. Perhaps it is wrong to peril ones i'm
mortal soul by lying so, when he knows he
will not sleep wink in there, but it makes
the sick woman feel better. How do these
sick people who get upper berths know a
man who will give up his lower berth? Can
osity in my face that tells them they have a
soft thing on my berth? There were six
teen lower be1ths, if remember right, and
yCU lAC OCuCI VSiC SdlC III lACh
possessions, because they had faces that
showed that they had made up their minds
to sleep down stairs, and after looking them
all over, the searcher for lower berth fas-
fens on me and l weakened. In such cases
usually lay awake all night and listen to the
peaceful slumber of the occupant of my
berth, and speculate as to whether l will
strike the floor head first or feet first if
fall out. Last Thursday morning at day
break, when woke up l found my left
ear on nickel-plated cuspidore, one leg over
the bell-rope, the train stopped, and the con-
ductor and porter trying to find out what l
had stopped the train for, and the woman in
my berth snoring as peacefully-that is,
peacefully for an invalid-and they took me
up and let me sit ON a marble wash
stand in the toilet room until the passengers
got up. / went out On the platform while
crossing the Missouri river, and when exactly
between the two States of Nebraska and
Iowa, where an oath wouldn't be binding,
swore with uplifted right hand, and left
hand ON the place where where struck a
hard traveling-bag when l fell, that by the
great bald-headed Elijah, would never tele
graph for lower berth again, and that here
after I would only travel in sleepers with
three rows of berths and take the top one,
and fence myself in with barbed wire.
H3nceforth the lower berth will only be.a
memory to me, an ancient superstition, and
/ resign forever my claim to a lower berth
to those who are sick and have got cheek.
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1883-09-20
CUT HIS ROPE.
W onderfuI Adventure of an Artist who
Paints ON Precipices.

"Gve me good silk rope-silk, because
very small silk rope will carry man, and
painter don't want to lug a heavy rope
around with him-and I'll paint your name
on the highest precipice that ever was.
when Pm sitting down, my brush has
got a seven-foot swing and set out to paint
the words Loves Lung Lozenges" in seven
foot letters I don't care if it took me a
week, I wasn't going to be bluffed by those
Tombstoners.
well, sir, / was brushing away and sing
ing to myself like mocking-bird when a
stone came down and lit fair in the paint
pot, splashing paint all over my sign. l
looked up madder'n hornet and there I see
two dirty Apache heads grinning at me.
II didn't say anything, but the sight OF
them took the life out of me so that l
dropped my brush, and l could hear it
bounding along from rock to rock until
finally it struck bottom. It seemed to me
ten minutes from the time that brush left
my hand until it struck the ground. Every
time it bounced from one rock to another l
seemed to say to myself, You'll strike there
and there and there
Il knew the Indians were Apaches the
minute saw their heads, and knew, too,
that the Apache is the bloodthirstiest animal
on earth.
They grinned at me, with their heads
stuck over the precipice, and then one of
them swung out his right arm and began
making passes at the taut rope with a
butcher knife in his hand.
II watched that knife flying around up
there with its sharp edge always turned
toward the rope, until it made me sick, and
l looked down for relief. Below me there
was nothing but little mesquit bush grow
ing out of the precipice about half way down,
and that under powders.
Suddenly l thought of something, and
whipping my whiskey flask out ofmy breast
pocket, 1 held it up toward them. They
stopped grinning, the knife stopped wheel
ing around, and saw in minute that they
were two thirsty Indians, and that I had a
chance yet But like blamed fool, was
too sure, and didn't take enough care of the
bottle, and the first thing that knew it
slipped from my hand and smashed to film
ders on the rocks below.
The Indians gave one howl and then zip
went the knife across the rope, and followed
the whiskey bottle.
Did get killed? Well, not hardly. You
remember that mesquit bush? Well, the
end of the rope managed to get wrapped
around the bush in the fall, and it brought
me up so sudden that the shock broke out
four of my front teeth"
But you were still hundred feet above
ground, and your rope only fifty feet long"
ITO be sure; but everything was plain
sailing now. l just Skinned up the rope to
the bush, got the rope out of snarl and un-
ravelled it so as to make two ropes, only
half as thick each as the other was. See?
The rope was plenty strong enough to bear
me, thin as it was, and down came like
creased lightning, and then footed it back
to Benson, where bought new outfit and
went on ahead to Frisco
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1883-09-20
Sham Antiquities.

Is is now stated that much of the old oak
furniture which has been SO eargerly pur-
chased by hunters for the antique in Eng
ing taken from broken-up chests and bed
steads, made over and disfgured by modern
carving. The principal shops for the sale of
such wares are in Wardour street, London,
and from this fact it takes it's name The
East End of London also does large trade
of this kind and Dutch, Belgian and Flem-
ish workmen are extensive employed in the
manufacture Of the modern antique. The
same difficulty is presented to the pur-
chasers in New York, where the most pal
pable frauds are advertised asgenuine works
of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth centuries.
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1883-09-20
Art Teachers.
New York World (

The present condition of art teaching in
America was unpleasantly illustrated by the
attempt of the Harpers to obtain prize il
lustration for a Christmas publication OF
Dometts "Christmas Hymn" The prize was
limited to artists under twenty-five years of
age. The Committee of Award consisted OF
F. Swain Clifford, F. D. Millet and Charles
Parsons, and they have reported that none
of the designs Justify the award of any
prize whatever. With this testimony to the
lack of art education in America we must
expect America to look to Europe, during
another generation at least, for the chief
supply of art inspiration and art work a
statement which means great deal intellec-
tually, morally and financially as well as
asthetically.
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1883-09-20
Women.

Some one has said that woman OF fifty
years of age to-day is tresher and more at
tractive than she was twenty years ago. AT
present women dress more youthfully; they
they do not plaster their hair in wide bands
over the cheeks they wear more sensible
clothing in the way of thick boots, water
proofs, ulsters, fannels and high neck
dresses, which tend to preserve their health
They read, travel and have more congenial
occupation than formerly, and it is no longer
considered "unlady dylike"-thatf feeble, namby-
pamby word-if women have rubber boots,
self-reliance, common sense, and few
opinions of their own.
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1883-09-20
A Prize Story.
louisville Courier-Journal.

Louisville Courier-Journal.
Sam McCurdy, the robust liar of Kentucky
relates this story: He was sitting meath the
shade of tree talking to some friends, when
his attention was called to hen with brood
of young chickens and large rat that had
just emerged from its hole and was quietly
regarding the young chickens with the pros
pect of meal in view. AS the rat came
from the hole the house-cat caught sight OF
it. At the appearance of its ancient enemy,
the cat a Scotch terrier quietly made for the
place where the cat stood. At this moment
boy named Andy Quaid came upon the
scene The chickens were not cognizant OF
being watched by the rat, nor did the rat see
the cat nor the feline the dog, who had not
noticed the coming of the boy.
A little chick wandered too nigh and he
was seized by the rat which was in turn
pounced upon by the cat and the cat was
caught i'll the mouth of the dog. The rat
would not cease his hold on the chicken, and
the cat, in spite of the shaking she was get
ting from the dog, did not let 60 the rat. 1t
seemed to the boy that the rat was about to
escape after time, and getting a stone he
hurled it at the colony. The stone struck
the dog right between the eyes. The terrier
released his grip on the cat and fell over
dead. 1t had breathed its last before the cat
in turn let 60 the rat and turned over and
died. The rat did not long survive the enc
my, and by the side of the already dead
chicken he laid himself down and gave up
the ghost.
The owner of the dog was so angry at his
death that he is said to have come near
making the story complete by killing the
boy that killed the dog that shook the cat
that caught the rat that bit the chicken in
the yard on clay street.
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1883-09-20
A Satisfying Dinner for Seven Cents
New York Letter.

I found on Mulberry street the we'll
known cheap Chinese restaurant kept by
the solemn, jovial Oriental whose name is
Fun None. "Cbinese dinner, seven cents"
was the sign outside. "I'l try it if it kills
me-" thought l, and l went in. Zone din
ner," said. Yip!-alle light" F. NJ. an
swered. surreptitiously smelt Of the but
ter. 1t seemed good. tasted it. 1t was
good. He brought generous plate Of roast
beef hot and reeking. Good enough" 1
thought, and tackled it. He brought on a
dish of beans-good beans. He brought
coffee-prime Java. He brought boiled po-
tatoes. Beautiful" / thought. I slyly
whistled in my napkin. 1 dispatched them
He brought me small piece of pie and
cheese-I hadn't expected that, really. 1
Immediately entertained them. "S-e-v-e-n
cents" kept saying to myself Why need
people 60 hungry"
"How muchee?" I asked gracefully falling
into the Chinese language.
"Folty-eight cents" IF orty-eight cents.
Great Scott. You said seven cents"
"That1e for Chinaman. No goodee. Nell
can hung]y. No muchee for seven cents.
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1883-09-20
What Constitutes Dancing.

The proprietor of the Trocadero Palace,
variety hall in London, was recently sued
to recover penalty for permitting dancing
on the stage while holding no license for such
exhibitions. The defense was that the per-
formances complained of-clog dances, eccen-
trio and acrobatic acts etc.-were not dane
ing Justice Cave, in summing up, de-
fined dancing to be movement of the legs
and feet, rythmical and graceful. Grotesque
antics, under which term he included the
clog dance The jury agreed with the Judge,
and the defendant was acquitted
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1883-09-20
Planted now by the northern path

Planted now by the northern path
Are homes of q million men;
The red mans trail is the reaper,s swath,
The school where the lodge was then.
Homes by the thousand! Beautiful homes,
Follow and mark the way;
Ever as westward the steel track comes
Are harvests in rich array.
We gather now, in this mountain wild,
TO witness the closing scene;
Around us the wondering forest child
Watches what all can mean;
lis the latest link in the fateful chain
That reaches from sea to shore;
Spanning tie northland from main to main,
Till the far west is known no more.
What Of the Titans who lived of old?
What of great Hercules?
What were the tales in far Araby told
Compared to works like these?
Homer and Virgil recite the deeds
OF heroes and kings OF old
Men have fought for their faith and creeos'
But never a tale was told
Equal i'll wonder, in courage brave,
In wisdom and weight OF veal,
10 this wedding of iron from wave 10 wave
This knitting of states with steel.
Men with grandeur of brain and mind,
Toiling for many year;
Wealth of Ormus and Ind combined
Bring the oceans together here;
Science and art with mighty power,
Divine in their subtitle skill,
Lent of their chivalry here the flower
To further mans mighty Will
Straight as an arrow across the PLAIN
Spanning the widest stream
Piutonian depths they sought oft and again
TO work out the wonderful dream
dream now no longer! This fateful day
Brings the east and the west aiike;
The closing act in the wondrous play
Is-Griving the Golden Spike
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1883-09-20
The Money Mania.
New York Letter.


Il have just been figuring up, and l find
that l have $4,000 year income, but !
don't see what good it does me. I have no
health, my sons are scapegraces and can't be
trusted with my business, and don't see
what I am to do" He spoke in the whining
tone of a ruined man. He was pincher of
other men and screwed the salaries of every
one in his employ down to the last notch.
He was all encysted in money-making. He
had no blood in his heart for anything in
Gods world beside accumulating money.
"Did it ever occur to you,' said the man
who was content when he got what with
care would keep him as gentleman the rest
of his life, did it ever occur to you that the
money mania in New York was a form of
insanity--pure asylum insanity ?n
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1883-09-20
Babies of the Old Country.

The Swedes and Norwegians ''swaddle'
their babes; that is, pin them up in tight
bandage, because it keeps them from kick
ing around and makes them easier to handle.
They always take them to church, but, in
stead of taking them into the house of wor-
ship, they make hole in the snow outside
in the churchyard and bury them in it, leav-
ing small aperature for breathing purposes.
The babies are kept splendidly warm, while
their friends within the sacred building
have their boards frozen to their fur coats by
the freezing of their own breath.
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1883-09-20
The Century.

A subscriber asks, I'm what century was
the year 1902" In the eighteenth century.
The year 100 completed the seventeenth
century, and the eighteenth century began
the following year. When the year 1900
expired the eighteenth century was complete
and the nineteenth century began on Jan.
1st, 1901. The present century will close on
December 31st, 1900. BY the same rule a
boy is in his teens" until he has completed
his twentieth year. From nineteen to
twenty his age is nineteen and fraction.
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1883-09-20
Electricity Admitted Into Medical
Science.

The London Lancet notes a very important
new departure in medical science. DIR. de
VAUDEVILLE has been appointed physician at
St. Mary's Hospital to the electro therapeutic
department. In other words, the most pro-
gressive and successful of the smaller Lon
don hospitals has, after long struggle, ele-
waited electricity as medical agent into the
sphere of accepted and acknowledged science
The experiments Of DR.. de VAUDEVILLE with
electricity were for a long time derided by
the medical faculty, but now he is accept
ed as one of the highest authorities in all
nervous diseases. He has been ten years in
accomplishing this result
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1883-09-20
Mr.. Peterman'S Beard.
Kansas City Times.


Charles Peterman has probably the long
est beard possessed by any man in this city
or vicinity. He is a rather short man, and
the beard, which is over three feet in length,
falls way below his knees. But few people
would notice anything peculiar about his ap-
pearance because he keeps his hirsute ap-
pendage tied up in curl papers and hidden
away within his vest. In addition to its
length, the beard, which covers almost the
entire face, is very thick and is surmounted
by an immense mustache.
"How long have you been growing that
beard 2" he was asked.
"Oh, this is only seven years growth. l
have had it nearly as long before, but
it was so inconvenient that cut it Off Its
length now is due to my friends, who insist
upon seeing how long it will grow. My wife
puts it up in papers every morning as re-
ligiously as she puts up her own hair"
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1883-09-20
A Paper Ship.

Paper wheels, paper ties, and paper rails
are a few of the uses of paper but the
most noteworthy experiment is steam
launch, built for the Westinghouse Machine
Company, which has sheathing of paper
three-eighths of an inch thick, which is
strong enough to repel revolver bullet fired
at distance of four feet A paper vessel,
with hull of the same thickness as that of
the launch, was kept in the water for eight
months, and though without paint or other
protection, remained without sign of mois-
ture outside, or any evidence of disintegra-
ton
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1883-09-20
A Curious Test.

A curious test of the relative value of
beer and water as beverages is about to be
made in England. Farmer Thomas has bet
e25O that he can do more and better work
in the harvest field, supported by his favorite
ale, than can his neighbor Richards, whose
drink is oatmeal and water. The contest is
exciting much interest in England, many
Londoners are to be present, and the Tenn
perance Alliance have engaged an artist to
picture the scene.
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1883-09-20
She Was Too Modest For Anything.

Louisville Courler-JOurnal,
A youthful couple from the wilds of Mari
posa county recently paid visit to San
Francisco, and of course took in WoodM ard Is
Garden. As they were coming away the
swain asked:
did you see the camel's humpY 10
"No, indeed, didn'tw she answered with
a chicken-liver blush, Il wouldn't look at
such thing"
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1883-09-20

Ii is forty years, to this very year,
Since the first bold wagon train,
With mans deep vow aud woman. tear
Struggled across the plain.
Brave Whitman piloted the way
As on four months they pressed
They pass the plains with summers day
With autumn gain the west;
Those heroes of giant mould
Made paths from sea to sea
And, with their giant will, controlled
The far shores destiny.
Two score of years are gone since then;
But, known the world around,
Another race of fglant men
This northern way have found.
From early east to sunset cline,
BY use of II odern ways,
The toilsome months of Whitman's time
Are but as many days.
Not long it seems since these northern lands
Reaching fro1.l ca to sea;
lay as long cycles had run their sands,
Savage and wild and free;
laundering herds ofthe buffalo
Trampled the waving grass;
lie was daring man would go
Through the wild northern pass.
All was so weird, so still, so slow;
Savage, il lay asleep.
When Clusters fate with deadly blow
Left the world to weep.
Dakota then was name but known
As borne by savage hOrdeS;
Montana S pastures did not own
Their thousand tiocks and herds;
Far Idaho and Washington,
With mountains, stream and plain,
Were looking to the setting sun
Yielding no golden grain;
No wealth from thousand garnered fields,
As now by rail and shore;
Coumbia's harvests did not yield
Bread for the worlds scant store.
And many year they toll and wait,
Hoping this work were done,
Whose homes are by the western gate,
In fruitful Oregon.
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1883-09-20
THE LAST SPIKE.

"a. CLARKE IN WILLAMETTE FARMER.
Read us the omens, mighty seer,
That crowd the northern sky!
Strange. ARE the sounds that reach the ear
The sights that meet the eye!
There's gathering of fiery clans
Along the Midland shore,
Old Orient proclaims the band,
There's Occident no more;
A noise is on the plains as though
thousand steeds rush past;
Wild tumults in the mountains grow
Tuned to tempest's blast.
From ocean to far ocean, loud
The east calls to the west;
Like some cyclone yon moving cloud
Climbs to the mountain crest.
We see the swift steeds of the fates,
Harnessed with links of fire.
Champing beside the mountain gates
They move at mans desire.
The midland waters are awake;
From sleep the ages long.
They see the iron courser slake
thirst like torrent strong.
This is the age when giant mind
Controls the air, the sea:
When brain and will power are combined
To solve earths mystery;
Where lakes and fountains of the north
Blend as they southwark go,
Their Titan forces giving birth
To Mississippi's flow
Where inland ocean at Duluth
Reflects the drifting sky.
Or mirrors in their living truth
The storm clouds as they fly
Where the great river takes its leap
Over the basalt wall,
And gathered torrents after sweep
IN grandeur past st. Paul
Gathering from far and marching on
To reach the glowing west
The northland forces, all as one,
Join in a common quest.
Some warrior Sioux ween was laid
Long since to silent sleep,
And wakes to see a pathway made
Where iron courSerS sweep;
From burial night he gazes round
The harvest field below
His war steed crossed with rapid bound
Many year ago.
All not for him the harvest field,
Thereaper's clanking tread.
The golden sheaves the binders WELD
To give the nations bread;
Before him is the cottage home
Groved by the running rill,
The distant citys silver dome,
The ever grinding MILL
The while he looks a thread of smoke
Thwarts the horizons blue
The iron steed with lightning stroke
Appalls the warrior true.
Better to rest oh warrior bold,
Than wake, with wondering eye,
To question with that look SO cold
Years that have passed thee by.
The silver state. [volume] (Unionville, Nev.) 1870-1903, 1883-05-25
AN EauIyoCATIsG WITNESS.


"Do you know the prisoner well''
asked the attorney.
"Never knew him SICK" replied tho
witness.
"No levity," said. the lawyer.
sternly.
"Now, sir, did you ever see the pris-
oner at the BARI"
'Took many drink with him at the
bar"
answer my question, sir, :" yelled
thelawyer. "How long have you known
the prisoner.
"From two feet to- FIVE feet ten in
ches."
"Will the Court make the"
II have, Judge" said the witness,
anticipating the lawyer; 81 have an.
swered the question. l knowed the
prisoner when he was boy two feet
long and man five feet ten. :"
"Icar Honor"
Z" It's fact. Judge. I'm under oath. !"
persisted the witness.
The lawyer arose. placed both hands
on the table in front OF him. spread his
legs apart, leaned MS body over the
table, and said:
'Will you tell the Court what you
know about this case:"
That Amt ms name." replied the
witness.
"What amt his name?"
Case"
"Who said it was:"
"You did. You wanted TO know
what | knew abont this Case. His
names Smith"
"Your Honor, howled the attorney,
plucking his beard out by the roots,
"wll you make this man ssswer!"
Witness" said the Judge, "you
must answer the questions put TO you. -
Land O. Goshen, Jedge. haint been
a dom it, Let the blamed cuss fire
away. I'm all ready"
"Then,f said the lawyer. "don't beat
about the bush any more. You and
the prisoner have been fgiends?"
Never" promptly responded the
witness.
"Whatt Wasn't you summoned
here as friend?"
'No, sir; / was summoned here as a
Presbyterian. Nary one OF us was ever
Friends. He's an old line Baptist,
without drop of Quaker in him."
"Stand down." yelled the lawyer in
disgust.
"Heys'
''Stand down"
Can't do it. III sit down or stand
up"
Sheriff, remove that man fromnthe
box"
Witness retires muttering: "Well.
II he aint the thick-headedest cuSs i
ever laid eyes on.