davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-08-02
A Struggle for Life.
BATTLE BETWEEN A BEETLE AND
A YOUNG ALLIGATOR.
Cincinnati Enquirer.

A YOUNG ALLIGATOR.
Cincinnati Enquirer.
AN alligator not more than six
inches long is securely housed at 100
West Seventh street. He was born
an orphan last winter in New Or
leans, and during last spring came
north, to spend the winter in an aqua
rum. 1t is only within the last few
days that he has become reconciled
to the climate OF Cincinnati and be
gun to develop an appetite for things
terrestrial, such as flies, diminutive
bugs and other objects of interest to
entomologists.
A short time since an enormous
beetle few into the house where the
alligator is being entertained, and
fell to the floor. One of the occu-
pants of the house scooped up the
intruder on her fan and fiirttd it off
into the aquarium. The water in
this ornamental vessel is very shall
low,so much SO that when his alliga-
torship stretches his six inches along
the bottom his back and tail are not
submerged. Luckily for the beetle,
he landed we'll up on the alligator's
tail, high and dry; so high that the
gator couldn't double up aud nab
him. Che reptile dashed the water,
and in his contortions described
nearly all the alphabet, but to no
purpose; the beetle hung on and APP
peared to enjoy the Tide.
During a moment when the alliga-
tor was at rest the rider appeared to
let 60 his hold to secure one more re-
liable, when quicker than lightning
he WAS shaken off and was founder
ing i'll the water. Instantly the ga
tor whirled to secure his prey, when
his tail again touched the drowning
insect, and again there was IA pas
senger aboard, elated over his mar
row escape. Not contented with the
perilious position from which, "a mo-
ment before, he had been thrown,
the beetle began crawling up the
back of his enemy to what appeared
more secure quarters. With the sa-
gacity of fox the reptile now laid
quiet, evidently abiding the time
when the death walk would be sure
to end. Slowly the beetle crawled
fastening his feelers, one by one, in
to the youthful scales of his enemy.
The gator moved not muscle. He
did not even breathe while his eyes
shot for the malignant hatred of
basilisk.
The beetle finally reached the ugly
shaped head, which was held well up
out Of the water. Ina twinkling the
head was ducked, the beetle again
was in the water, and in another in
slant the insipient teeth of the rep
tile had crushed down through the
stiff-cased wings Of the bug, and the
struggle was over. The alligator
made no effort to devour the ele-
phantine bug. He simply held on to
him, half of the corpse in his mouth
and the other half in the water, and
not until an hour after daylight on
the next morning, did he spit out
the mouthful, and evince desire to
have his usual breakfast Of half-dead
flies.
Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-08-02
A Astonishing the Natives.
AN EASY THING TO DO IF YoU HAP
PEN TO KNOW JUST now.
San Fran cisco Pos,

San Francisco Post
A lot Of summer tourists were on
the beach at Los Angeles the other
day watching some fancy shooting
by party of professional otter hun
tiers, who had come from the Chan
mel Island for a Sunday lark. These
really wonderful marksmen, most of
them native Californians, were kill
ing gulls Oh the water, breaking bot
ties and hitting dollars thrown in
the air with greet eclat, when dud-
ish-looking young man from Frisco
yawned in "a bored manner, and re-
marked in a very audible voice to a
companion that he didn't see any
thing very wonderful in that sort of
shooting.
This produced series of sarcasti-
Cal retorts on the part of the origi-
nal lords of the soil. Perhaps the
gentleman could show them some
thing better"
swell, don't know" replied the
young man, languidly taking one Of
the hunters Winchester. 81 might
if somebody would hold a cork or
something on his head for me-"
The riflemen showed their white
teeth with amusement.
Doubtless" said one of them,
winking at his companions, doubt
less the gentleman's friend will
oblige him."
"Why, to be sure," drawled the
dude, looking around. But his fell
low dude had sauntered off and was
standing some 800 yards further way
on the beach, meditatively smoking
a long nine.
"Ah! there's Cholly," said the
languid party, cooking the gun.
"Let me see. You observe that ci-
gar he has in his mouth ? Very
well. I'll put hole through that,n
and, taking careless aim, he fired.
AT the report the smoker gave sud
den start, took out and examined his
Havana, and then shook his fist an
grily.
The entire crowd ran toward him.
Sure enough, there WAS a hole right
through the centre of the cigar, al
most cutting it in half.
THAT'S the fourth cigar you have
spoiled for me-" said the smoking
dude, in vexed tone. Il wish you
would stop that sort OF thing ~
AS for the other hunters, they look
ed at each other in mortified silence
for IA few minutes, then climbed into
their boat and set sail.
That's the most wonderful shot
/ ever saw" said all old gentleman
to the shooter the next morning.
"Such terrible risk, too"
Nothing wonderful about it,
said the California Tell, confiden-
TALLY. "All you have to do is to
have your confederate cut "a hole in
the cigar with pen-knife, before
hand. It's boss scheme !"
Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-08-02
A FOiled Diplomat.

George, dear" she said to the
Brooklyn Eagle man, as she entered
the parlor with her bonnet on, 81
guess we'd better take walk; papa
is expecting company tonight"
Very well,' added her lover, APP
prehensively, recalling the expen-
sive consequences OF previous walks.
Before they had gone half block,
however, an idea struck him, and he
said:
II was reading such an interest
ing article in the paper this morn
ing"
Yes; what was it aoouty"
About the danger Of eating ice
cream You can't imagine how
many people have died from 1t, Liz
zie. In eight cases out of ten it is
rank poison"
"Oh, my, how glad | am you told
me, DEAR" exclaimed the innocent
girl, with Chicago twinkle in her
eye; ''you buy couple OF quarts Of
1T and I'll take it home to kill rats. !"
Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-08-02
Important.

When you visit or leave New York
City, save baggage expressage and car
riage hire and stop at the Grand Union
Hotel. opposite Grand Central Depot. Fl
eeant rooms fitted up at a cost Of one
million dollars, reduced to ST. and up.
wards per day. European plan. Eleva-
tor Restaurant supplied with the best
Horse cars, stages and elevated railroad
TO all cepots Families can live for less
money at the Grand Hotel than az any
other first-class hotel in the city.
Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-08-02
Bloody Bill, The Terror.
Houston Post =.

houston fOSt.
"Whoop-la. whoop ~ Numbered a
hairy, herculean, heavily armed ter
ror of terrible fellows, as he kicked
open the rickety door of the Frontier
saloon and glanced threateningly
upon the quiet crowd within. With
quiet swagger and many horrible
oaths he advanced to the bar and
said:
CLOVIS biz ter-day, Toddyman 7"
"Dull, Bill, dull. Can't yer help
me out ?"
"Of co'se I can-an' WILL" an
swered the Terror.
Turning, he called out to the loaf
ers scattered about the room:
"Come up hyer, come up, yer id
coyotes an treat yo'se'fs, an me
too, at yo' own expense. That's
right" he continued, as ten or twelve
persons addressed sprang nimbly
from their keg perches and smilingly
expressed their willingness to accept
any invitation, however worded, the
said terror might extend.
"Hump'er long, So, an in
hurry" he growled, savagely, as he
noted one solitary exception to the
unanimity of the acceptances, "or
by the crook of my elbow III hurt
yer; hurt yer bad"
The single exception, however,
quietly retained his seat, and neither
by gesture nor speech did he show
the slightest consciousness OF the
presence and the language of the
most infamous, desperate and dread
ed devil that ever frightened Yves.
tern Sheriff into temporary civility.
Great was our Terror's amazement
and greater his wrath when he be-
came convinced that it was actually
the intention of the rash stranger to
ignore him and his mandatory in
vitation. With huge, self-acting
revolver in hand, he started toward
him. AS he approached nearer the
silent unknown uncoiled his long
legs, and extended himself gradually
upward, and upward, and upward
until at last he represented to our
astonished vision the towering form
of the tallest and thinnest mortal we
have ever seen.
When within three or four feet
the Terror paused and said: 81
gives yer tn understan' I'm Bloody
Bill, the terror of the Sherrufs an
the pattern saint of undertakers.
Dyer hear me ?"
ooh, yes; I'm not deaf" was the
reply, in a cool, steady voice.
"An' I'm the favorite of hell an
the rival of de'th and docktors. /"
continued the desperate.
"First-rate record, that" was the
reply.
"I'm a jumping jumbo--am the
very fe'ther that broke the camel's
back-I'm a Texas steer stampeded
Pm Curnel straight from Arkin-
saw-an' ---- yer look out
fer | I'm goin' ter shoot!'' Sinultan-
eously with the elevation of the re-
volver, the strangers foot flew for
ward and upward, the ball meant
for his heart went crashing harm
lessly through the roof-and then
with a rapidity of movement that
gave to his russell brogan the appear
ance of chunk of lightning in a
mighty hurry he kicked Bloody Bill
Eunder the chin, behind the ear, in
Ithe stomach, in the back, on the
lchin, with first one foot and then
4 ho ,>.bar ap5 en- pffaptuallv tno
Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-08-02

To keep flies from tormenting
horses, rub the legs, neck and TANKS
with a solution made by sleeping a
a pound of walnut leaves in a quart
Of water, and after standing awhile
boil the same for a few minutes.
When done strain off and put in a
bottle for use.
Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-08-02

In fattening sheep for market,
Days Horse and Cattle Powder is
the thing to give them. Stock rails
ers knowing this buy it. Price
twenty-five cents per package of one
pound, full weight.
Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-08-02

Mr.. Levi Hottie, Coydon Indiana,
says, he suffered from pains and iu-
flammation, resulting from frac-
tured clavicle, and after trying var
ious remedies, without relief, he
tried st. Jacobs Oil and was cured.
Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-08-02
AN admirer Of the Chambersbur,

AN admirer of the Chambersburg
Band, on Saturday, presented that
organization with a stock certificate
Of $4,000 in well-known Philadel-
phia mandatory, which it is said
will yield an annual income of 81 900
to 81, 200. Truly, Emusic hath
charms.n
Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-08-02

Fast Mail runs daily from Hagerstowr
20 Harrisburg. and southern Mail from
Harrisburg to Hagerstown.
J.F. BOYD, Superintendent
II. b. GERnARDT, Agent.
Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-08-02

Can sorrel team be set down as
a pair of red drawers
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-04-10
The Phrase "Better Element"

The term 'better element says
the Boston Herald, has no relation to
partisan politics or to any classification
of men based upon wealth, education
or social position. A voter belongs to
the ''better element" no matter with
which party he acts or what may be
his station in life, who has an intelli-
gent interest in good government and
who discharges conscientiously all his
duties as citizen. A man belongs to
the '.worser element" again, without
respect to his party affiliations, his
property or his rank, who has selfish
or dishonest interest in his government
or who seeks to mislead or defraud the
voters in the election.
Some of the wealthiest men are
among the worst citizens. They either
shirk their political duties altogether
and thus prove themselves undeserving
of their birthright of freedom and self
sovereignty or they use their money
and their talents to corrupt and mis-
lead voters for selfish or partisan ends.
Some of the poorest men-those who
depend upon their daily toll for their
daily bread and have a scant supply of
even the necessaries of life-are among
the best citizens, for they vote stead
fastly on the side of honest and eco
nomic government for the best men,
without regard to party, and often ut n
sacrifice of time which they can i'll
afford to make.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-04-10
A Dual Existence.

A woman, giving her name as Mrs.
o Brien Luttrell, living at Stony Road,
Paterson, n. j., was before the Record
er oflthat city to invoke his assistance
in relieving her from peculiar affiic-
ton. She says there is a society of
men who have the power of taking
away the souls of people and subjecting
these souls to all sorts of unpleasant
treatment, returning them to their
owners when through with them. Her
soul has thus been taken away at times
and she wants this sort of thing stop
ped. About two years ago her soul
was taken away from Patterson to India
one night, and was there dragged into
chapel and united in marriage to a
of spiritual boy, year old, who is. a
fine, healthy little fellow, but she is
not permitted to bring him into the re-
alistic world, much as she desires to do
so, to show him to her friends.
The woman, who is represented as in
other respects perfectly sane and kind
and affectionate, thus lives strange
double existence, one phase of which is
to her as real as the other 1t is incon-
venient at times. for some days ago
she sent for physician to whom she
related how she had been cruelty as
saulted and beaten, so that she was
sore all over her person. He found her
bandaged from head to foot, and on
making careful examination found
not sign of injury. 1t then occurred
to her that the assault had been
made by the spirits, and that, of course,
he could not find on her natural body
any signs of their bad treatment of her
spiritual body, but she felt much pain
nevertheless She is single woman,
but uses on all occasions the name of
the British colonel TO whom she be-
lieves herself united spiritually. The
Recorder told her he could not issue
warrants for the arrest of the ring
leaders of the society who interfered
with her soul, and he did not believe
any power short of the Supreme Court
of the United States could afford her
relief in the premises. She differen-
TALLY agreed with him, and says she
will bring tue matter to the attention
of that gust tribunal.-N Y Times.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-04-10
The Worth of Their Money.

An amusing incident occurred last
night at the Arch street theater. The
doors of the theater had just beenopen-
ed when there appeared at the box Of
flee two middle aged men, who asked
the price of good front seats. The Pc
culiarity of their attire bore striking
resemblance to the wonderful suit of
''.store clothes which Barney McAuley
wears in the last act of the Jerseyman.
That they were from the country was
self-evident; that they were specially
gotten up for a visit to the theater
was apparent, and their demand for
two front seats exhibited disregard
for expense sometimes seen in the
Young man from the country who has
come to town for the purpose of max
ing night of it. 4
1.-The cost will be -" began the
ticket seller. a-....t
''Oh, blow the cost. Let's have the
cards" one of them interrupted.
Taking their tickets they were shown
to seats on the first row in the orches-
ira. The green curtain ordinarily used
at the theater being away for repairs
the drop-curtain-an elaborate repre-
sentation of Diana and her nymphs ON
the Island of Delos-had been lowered
in place of it. -
'I swan, Jabez," said one, s'ef that
amt the pootiest picter ever seed"
''It's a big thing" replied the other.
"A nice gal is the big one." .a
Eyes, but look at the one blowing the
horn for dinner"
"Oh, my" was all his companion
was capable of saying.
Silently they inspected the curtain
for a while, and then the first speaker
broke out with the remark:
Il calkilate we've had the wuth Of
our cash-let's 60"
They arose to leave the theater. On
their way out they came across Mr..
Samuel Ruhe, the veteran usher, to
whom they expressed the opinion that
the painting was n great thing, but a
| trife expensive. Ruhe saw the mis-
take and told them that the perfor.
nance had not yet begun.
Dew tellr' exclaimed one. sHev
you got anything to show. sides that
big picter?'
More in sorrow than in anger did
Ruhe remove the veil of ignorance from
the eyes of the rural visitors. Back to
their seats they repaired, and during
the performance of lie Voyage en-
Suisse they attracted the greatest at
tention by the hoartiness of their laugh
ter and the strength of their applause.
AS they arose to depart one of them re-
marked:
E.Well, thar. That knocks cats and
dogs clean out O. the circus and gives
Squire Tums's yarns the push. Can't
beat that in York, I'm thinkin'. It's
this town shows the best sights, chip
| Ph5l0deL31hiG Bulletin.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-04-10
The Way of the World.


There safe crow on a lofty tree, -
Watching the world go by;
He saw throng that swept along
with laughter loud and high.
IN and ont through the motley rout'
Pale ghosts stole on unseen.
Their hearts were longing for one sweet
word s
OF the love that once had been,
But never lip there spoke their names,
Never tear was shed;
Inc crow looked down from his iofty tree,
Ills the way OF the world" he said.
A singer stood in the market place,
Singing u tender lay, .-
But no one needed his sorrowful face,
Nc one had time to stay. ..# -g
He turned away; he sang no more;
HOW could he sing in vain? ,.1 ~. .
And then the world came to his door,
Bidding him sing again,
But he rocked not whether. they came or
went,
He in his garret dead.
The crow looked down from his lofty tree,
's'Iis the way OF the world he said.
There safe Queen by cottage bed,
Spake to the widow there;
Did she not know the same hard blow
The peasant had to bear?
And she kissed that humble peasants brow,
And then she bent her knee:
'God of the widow, help her now,
AS thou hast helped me-" .s-.-. ..-.-..-..
Nov God be thanked" said the old, old
crow,
AS he sped from his lofty bough:
1.-The times are i'll, but there's much good
In the way of the world, trow."
F. Z. Weatherly,
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-04-10
She Knew She Was Right.
sis the gentleman of the house I'M
he asked.

lS tHo ScuIIcuItIi VI IlIo Housc III:
he asked.
''Yes, sir; he air.
''Can | see him moment?"
''No, sir; you can't see hide nor
hair of 'im"
''Why can't l, MADAME / would like
to speak to him on business.
elf you was dyin', an Jim war the
only doctor in Dakoty, you couldn't sot
an eye on him till he gives in an talks
decent. At dinner, while ago, he tole
me to pass i'm the apple soss, an /
to' him it wasn't soss, but sass, an
l toP him that wen he TUX notion
that little apple sass'd feel soothin'
to his stomach, to say so, an he said
he'd have that soss er die. Then l toP
him I'd defend that sass with life, an
he made a break up through the scuttle
inter the loft. Wen his senses come
to him an he gives in that sass is sass,
he kin cum down, but if he makes a
break afore that. off goes the top of his
head. Thar sets the sass, stranger, an
thar's Jim up in the loft. an that's the
way the matter stands jist now, an
reckon you'd better mosey along an
not get mixed inter this row!''
AS the gentleman moved away, he
heard her voice saying:
Jim, wen you get tired O. yer darn
foolin' an want this sass, jes' squeal
outr'
And gruff voice from the darksome
garret responded:
sr'-Bism10rcE Tribune.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-04-10
Wives of Ensland's Premiers.

Nearly all the recent Premiers of En-
gland have enjoyed the advantage ef
having had wives of great devotion
and consideral lc ability, to whose ten
der care and sympathy in their ambi-
ton they have been largely indebted.
The devotion OF the Countess OF RuS-
sell, who is still living, an, the Count
ess of Beaconslicld, had something of
romance Mrs. Gladstone, who is
nearly the same age as the Premier,
accompanies her husband, as did Lady
Beaconsheld, every where, and fre-
qucntly remains in the ladies' gallery
to the close of the nights sitting. Lord
Palmerston, more than perhaps any
other first minister, however. was in
debtcd for his position and its mainten-
auce to his wife, who was physically
and mentally remarkable woman.
Up to her death in 1869, ut So, four
years after her husband, she could read
without glasses, and talked with all
the fire and energy of a young. woman
of 20. Her voice was most CHEEKY,
musical, and soft. Her eyes were of
bright blue, and in spite of very evil
dent wig she was very handsome old
lady. She had some peculiarities; al
ways shook hand with her left hand,
and pronounced gold '.gould," and
china ''cheeny."
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-04-10
The Cathedral Of chihuahua.

The Cathedral City, as this State
Capital is named, has very little of con-
spicuous interest unassociated with
yonder great piece of architecture,
which, SO thickly shrouded in snow to-
day, has no equal in architectural view
on the Western Hemisphere. 1t has its
history. That history is associated
with the Santa Eulalia mine, which, up
to 1929, or the date of the expulsion OF
the Spaniards from Mexico, has yielded
$265, 100000. The great cathedral was
constructed by tax forced on the
mine of one real, or twelve and one
half cents, out of each marc, or every
50. by order of the Royal Government
of Spain. The edifice cost $1,000. 900.
Doubtless another $250,000 was con-
tributed by the people in labor and ma
terial. 1t would require So, 3,500,000 to
CT, c. it in our time. The cornerstone
was laid in 1925.
Architecturally, the grand cathedral
stands peerless, as far as magnificently
symmetrical proportions are to be re-
garded in America. The great cathe-
dral of the City of Mexico covers more
ground. Still, in design, attractions of
Harmonious blending of three schools
of architecture, it is blunt and bum
CLING and unsightly piece of work COM
pared with this masterpiece of Cristov-
al de Villa. He passed more than half
of his business life constructing this
great church. The design is the tri-
partite schools of Corinthian, Doric and
Ionic. The rear or great dome end,
which faces the west, has q width of
1881 feet. The front on the grand
plaza, crowned by the twin towers, has
width of eighty-tive feet. The au-
dience capacity of the large auditorium
is 5000 people. The principal Or front
facade is elaborate in the Doric school
of architecture. 1t is faced with elab-
orately carved columns, interspersed
among which are the statues of the
twelve apostles and San Francisco de
Aziz, patron of the Chihua-
hua Cor. Kansas City Times.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-04-10

A thrilling story is told of the narrow
escape of Peter Scanlon and Tim Horn
from being swept over the American
Falls at Niagara. They were at work
on a mill-race trying to raise an ice
blockade, when they were thrown by
the springing of some plank into the
water. In a moment they were carried
into the swift current above tho Goat
Island bridge toward the falls. Near
where the men were working and below
the bridge was a large cake of ice.
toward which they were carried. In
their desperation they attempted to
catch hold of the ice cake, and when
found half an hour later they were
hanging on to it for dear life. Ropea
were procured and they were hauled
ashore.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-04-10

New York City has just got twenty
five cheap cabs. One thousand are
needed. The fare will be % cents a
mile and 25 cents for every fifteen min
utes the driver is kept waiting. Hith-
erto the fare for the shortest distance
has been 81. To put twenty-five cabs
on the street ready for use, cost $780,
600. sE,--~.