davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-08-20
A Telling Temperance Lecture.

Two colored BARRIERS, one an old man
and the other a young one. The young
one took off his apron and started out
of the door.
"Yo's gwan to get a drink, Jim?'
asked the elder
''Dat's what rs gwan to do"
"Go and git yo drink. yoost ter do
de same ting when wuz young. When
l wuz fust married dab was a gin mill
next to de shop wha' 1 wicked, and !
spent in it fifty and sebenty cents day
outen de dollah an a half l earned.
Wall, one mawnin' l went inter de but
cha shop, and who shood cum in but de
man wat KEEP de likker shop.
Glib me ten or twelve pounds OBJ
po'terhouse steak he said.
''He got it an went out. l sneaked
up to de butcha and looked ter see wat
money | had left.
What do you wantr said de but
chah.
''Gib me ten cents wuf OBJ libber,
wuz my remark.
at wuz all l cud pay fur, Now 700
go an git yo' drink. You'll eat libber,
but de man wat sells yo' de stuff will
hab his po'terhouse steak. De man be-
him de bar eats po'terhouse-de man in
front eats ibber. l amt touched de
stuff fo' thirty yeahs, an I'm eatin' POI
terhouse myself"
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-08-20
THE BOX CONTAINED A MAN.
Bulky Express Package Found to Hold a
WelI-Armed Citizen

These particulars are learned of an at
tempt to rob the American Express car
attached to the Chicago train on the
Omaha road which left Minneapolis at
noon on Friday in charge of Major Pierce,
the messenger: AT Black River Falls,
Wis, a large black box was put on
board. In some way Pierce was led to
suspect that the box contained human
freight. He piled boxes and bundles
upon it and telegraphed to Elroy for a
posse. At that place six men boarded
the car and proceeded to smash the box
with an axe. At the second blow an
opening was made, through which a
mans knee appeared. A loaded revol-
yer was thrust in and the question asked,
care you armed?"
There was no answer, and the question
was repeated with threat to shoot. At
this sullen eyes" was the response.
Gland out your weapons, "was demand
ed. Two revolvers were passed out
through the slit. The box was then
broken open and man released, attired
only in his underclothes.
He was apparently SO years old, and
had sandy moustache. He was escorted
to the lookup, and chained to the wall.
The box came by express from Eau Claire
on Wednesday to Black River Falls,
where it was called for by the man who
was SO cleverly captured. The box was
taken to his room at the hotel. Short
ly before the train arrived he told the
hotel people to put his box on the train.
He then went to his room, undressed,
got into the box, and fastened the lid.
He had also with him, beside the revol-
vers, billy, bottle of acid, and bot
tie of chloroform. Two supposed con-
federates were also arrested on the train.
A common bed cord encircled the box,
and to common observer the lid had
every appearance of being securely
fastened with screws, the heads of which
were visible, but the points failed to
penetrate through the board, the cover
being held down inside by means of sew
eral hooks.
A similar plot was concocted at Camp
Douglas about the middle of June to rob
the express car, but the robber was de-
tected in his box before it was placed
aboard and effected his escape The
express messengers and route agents on
this end of the Chicago, Milwaukee and
st. Paul and Omaha roads will go armed
in the future
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-08-20
IRON AND STEEL PRODUCTION.
Statistics Gathered by the American Iron
and Steel Association.

The American Iron and Steel Associa-
ton has received from the manufacturers
complete statistics of the production of
pig iron and Bessemer and open hearth
steel in the United States in the first
half of 1885, together with the statistics
OF the stocks of pig iron on hand and
unsold at the close of this period. In
the first half of 1885 the total production
of pig iron was 2, $50, 916 net tons of
1000 pounds, against 2, 267, 592 tons in
the second half. 1t will be observed
that in the second half of 1884 more pig
iron was produced than in the first half.
The production of anthracite pig iron
declined in the last half of 1884 as COM
pared with the first half, but the pro-
duction of charcoal and bituminous pig
iron increased. In the first half of 1885
the production of all kinds of pig iron
declined as compared with the last half
of 1884.
The stocks of pig iron on hand and
unsold in the hands of makers or their
agents at the close of the first half Of
1888 amounted to 692, 916 net tons,
against 500, 900 tons at the close of 1884
and $50, 800 tons at the close of 1888.
The aggregate increase in the first halt
of 1885 was nearly 100,0 tons. From
the close of 1884 to the end of June last
charcoal stocks increased 20, 90S tons.
bituminous increased ia ,406 tons, and
anthracite decreased 40, 1913 tons; net in
crease, SO, 916 tons. From these statis-
tics the Secretary of the American Iron
and Steel Association concludes that pig
IRON manufacturers, especially the West
ern bltumlnOus makers, have been max
ing too much pig iron during the first
half of the present year. The rolling
mill troubles in the West are doubtless
wholly responsible for the accumulation
of bituminous stocks. Obviously it would
be unwise, he thinks, to increase the gap
that now exists between production and
consumption unless furnace men DELHI
erately wish to make pig iron and hold
1t for rise, and are able to hold it.
The production of Bessemer steel ingots
in the first half of 1885 was 1853, 344 net
tons, against 1873, $50 tons in the second
half of 1884, and $40, 945 tons in the
first half of 1884. AS compared with
the last half of 1884, the half year Just
closed shows gain of 1854 net tons,
which is due in part to the demand for
Bessemer steel for nails and other pur-
poses. AS compared with the first half
OF 1884, however, the first half of 1885
shows a decrease of SO, 601 net tons.
The production of Bessemer steel rails
in the first half of 1885 was 452, 446 net
tons, against 523, 251 tons in the last
half of 1884 and 500, $40 tons in the first
half. The falling off, as compared with
the first six months of 1884, was 40, 924
net tons, and as compared with the sec
ond six months it was 20, sos tons. The
production of open hearth steel ingots
in the first six months of 1885 was S.
S39 net tons, against SO, 1878 tons in the
second half of 1884, and II, IA tons in
the first half
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-08-20
The WilmOt PrOyisO.

Ben Perley Poore, in his "reminiscences,
says:
The Wilmot proviso, which was des-
tined to play an important part in poll
tics, originated at the dinner-table of
political club in the city of New York,
which met weekly. 1t was composed of
Democrats opposed to the extension of
slavery, and among those present on the
day in question were John Van Buren,,
Samuel J. Tilden, John A. Kennedy,
Isaac Fowler, Andrew III. Green, and
other well-known Free Soil Democrats.
Mr. Howe, a western member of Con-
gress, was guest, he having visited New
York to confer with the Democratic OPP
ponents of slavery. During the consul
tation John Van Buren, said that the
protest against the extension of slavery
introduced into Congress was not
worded right. He suggested that the
exact words of Jefferson in the famous
ordinance of 1888 and 1887 should be
used. This was agreed to. Mr.. Howe
stated that it would be difficult to intro
duce the proviso, as the Speaker would
not give the floor to any one friendly to
freedom. Mr. Tilden, as the chief or
ganlZer of the movement about to be
made, proposed that ruse should be
played. 1t was agreed that each man
composing the little body of sixteen OF
eighteen Free Sellers in Congress should
have a copy of the proviso in his pocket.
Each should spring to the floor at the
first chance and shout ''Mr. Speaker !"
1t was thought that one of them would
be recognized. Mr.. Tilden, with other
members of the club, went to Washing
ton to aid in carrying out the plan. At
a time agreed upon the Spartan band,
each with the proviso in his hand, sprang
to the floor and in concert shouted, "Mr
Speaker!' The Speaker was bewildered.
He could not ignore the whole crowd
He selected Judge Wilmot as the most
moderate of the party, and so the Will
mot proviso passed into history.
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-08-20
A Story Of old Army Shoes.

''The old army shoe" said slender,
dark-haired man, twas a good institu-
ton. have pair at home that have
preserved, not as mementos of any long
march, but as landmarks in venturous
life. 1t was custom among the poorly
shod Confederate troops to remove, after
a battle, the shoes from the dead Union
soldiers. This was not done In any
spirit of vandalism or heartlessness. The
shoes was taken off to supply men who
had much marching to do in inclement
weather. We simple change old worn
out shoes for good ones worn by those
who fell in battle. On one occasion !
took a pair of nicely polished No 6's
from man who must have been in life a
model soldier. l had worn these shoes
with great comfort through the four or
five remaining days of activity incident
to the battle before had any opportun-
ity to examine them carefully. When
we were again in permanent camp and
were allowed to remove our cartridge
boxes and shoes at night, Imade start
ling discovery, or rather 1 was greatly
startled by discovery Ihad made one
morning as took up the shoes to put
them on. On the under side of the flap,
or tongue, was written in a clear, round
hand my own name. l was confident
that 1 had never written it there, but
there on both shoes were nay initials and
my family name, and had taken these
shoes four days before from the feet of
a man killed in battle. The inference
was l had stolen the shoes of a man re-
lated to me in some way. 1 could not
put them on. / walked in my stocking
feet to the commissary Department, Sc
cured pair of new shoes, and 1 have
the other shoes yet The affair troubled
me for long time. l had no opportu-
nifty for making satisfactory inquiry in
regard to the man who bore my name,
but in due time l did learn that there
was no family relationship whatever.
He had come to this country from Eng
land, and had been in this country only
a few months when the war broke out.
He enlisted through spirit of adventure,
and l was the means of giving his rela-
tives definite information as to his fate
The only evidence 1 had bearing on
points inSwhich they were interested
was pair of old army shoes. y Chicago
Inter- OcanD
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-08-20
William the COnquerOr.

On the boat going up the river
the other day was a couple of whom
everybody soon took notice. 1t was
plain enough that they had had row,
and that the wife was mad as a wet hen.
When she had taken a seat the husband
walked up and down and glowered at
everybody, and seemed to murmur
threats of vengeance. On the deck, sit
ting by himself, was a red-haired, big
listed giant of chap about 40 years of
age. Presently the woman gathered up
her parcels, and walked over and shook
his hand and sat down beside him, and
began cheerful chat, explaining, how
ever:
"My husband is terribly jealous of me,
and | want to bother him."
"All right, marin, replied old Hercu-
les. Gust chatter and chin to yer
hearts content, and I'll larf and larf and
slap my leg where the applause should
come in"
The bold action puzzled the husband
for few minutes, but presently he walked
up and said to the man:
care you an old acquaintance Of
hers?"
IGllldIh was, yum
honor. Knowed her for the last thirty
odd"
Him. Who are you?"
''They call me William the Conkerer
when they have time; when they don't
they cut it short to Bill the Conk. And
what may yer own handle be?"
''Humphl Mary come with me-"
''rm entirely comfortable" she re-
piled.
''Mary, want youP'
(Which is to remark" said William,
as he rose up, ''that when lady puts
herself under my protection, and a gent
comes around with his chin music, Bill
the Conk is in duty bound to perfect her.
Stranger, you skipp'
sSirw
(Which is to say that you will skip or
swim!"
William reached out, but the husband
retreated and sat down at safe distance,
and for two long hours he must have
suffered torture. The wife chatted,
William slapped his leg, and the passen-
gers winked; and as the couple landed
at one of the club houses the man in the
red shirt handed the lady ashore like a
cavalier and called out:
81 tumbles to the object, my lady,
and if William the Conkerer kin ever
be of assistance again jist gin him blast
on your fog horn and I'll be thar till
death. "-Detr0it Free Press.
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-08-20
Beating O Powder House.

''They tried the gum-game on me
down in Pennsylvania" said the old
tramp as he got fresh brace on the
fence for his back, "but came out
ahead, considerably ahead"
Chow was it2"
"Well, l struck the town of York one
day, and didn't look bit like gentle
man. My buds were old, my complex
ion ruined, and l was all run down at
the heel. Ever in York;"
'tNo."
"Well, the people there neither send
money to the heather in Africa nor waste
sympathy on the tramps of America. l
struck thirteen houses in succession and
didn't get a bite; and / was looking
around for scrap-iron to stay my stom-
ach, when along comes an officer and
gives me the collar. He was taking me
to the cooler when wagon drives up,
and the chap on the front seat calls out
that he will give me steady job at
dollar day."
"What at?"
"You wait minute. I didn't banker
for work, mind you, but 1 didn't care
for the jug, and SO, as the officer was
willing, climbed into the wagon and
away we went. That job was in the
powder houses which blew up the other
day. The manager thought he had a
big joke on me, and though didn't like
the idea of working over a volcano,
turned to and put in three days before I
quit"
"Why did you quitl''
"Well, on the third day, as was
carrying powder to the storehouse, the
manager came into the building. There
was busted keg on the floor, and l was
smoking my pipe. He didn't notice
this until he got past me and l had him
cut off. Then sits down by the busted
keg, pulls away at my pipe, and says 1:
" Mr.. Manager, if we gets there at the
same moment you must give me fair
show
'W-where p says he, his face whittier
than snow.
AT Heavens gater answers.
'With that he wanted to know if
hadn't rather take $40 in cash-all the
money he had with him-and go West
and run for office and become a great
man, and l didn't know but l would.
He tossed me his wallet, remarking that
the train would leave in about five min
utes, and 1 picked it up and walked off.
I reckoned on being pursued, but he
didn't even yell after me. The last l
saw of him his legs were giving out at
the knees, and snowy landscape was
no comparison to his complexion. He
may have picked up another tramp since,
but I guess mott guess not. "-De-
troit Free Press.
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-08-20
Returning from Strange Lands.

Jones had been in Europe for three
months, and as he landed at the station
on his return home, and proudly grasped
his valise that was covered with foreign
steamship and railroad labels, he felt
that the admiring welcome he would re-
ceive from his friends and acauaintances
would fall little short of an ovation.
The first friend whom he met said:
''Hello, Jones. Going away?"
'Going awaym repeated Jones, with
some disgust. GIVE been away. Eu-
rope. Three months. Took in London,
Paris, Vienna Berlin"
81 think of going away MYSELF in
terrupted his friend. 81 think week
at the seashore-"
"Good morning." said Jones, hurry
ing on.
The next man he met said:
''Been away, Jones"
eyes" he replied, with lessened en-
thusiasm, "been in Europe for three
months. Was all over the Continent,
and saw everything worth see"
''Come to think of it. l believe did
hear something about your being in Eu-
rope. Well, 50 long old man."
The next person Jones encountered
asked him when he expected to take his
summer vacation, and by the time he
reached his home his enthusiasm was so
far cooled that he gave his left hand to
his wife, and bestowed a grateful look
in the direction of the dog, which stood
on the porch wagging welcome with
his tail.
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-08-20
The Difference.

The Hanceburg Courier says:
The following interesting conversation
occurred between a Maysville attorney
and witness in case, in which a GER
tain tree played prominent part:
Lawyer-'Did you see this tree near
the roadside?"
Witness eyes, sir, I saw it very
plainly"
Lawyer-'T twas very conspicuous,
then2"
Witness-Well, 1 can't say that. Isaw
the tree very plainly, though"
Lawyer-"Well, now would like tc
know why, if it was plain, it wasn't con-
spicuous. What is the difference be-
tween plain and conspicuous3 Answer
that, will you2"
"Well," replied the witness, cit il
this. come into this court room and
glance over the bar. 1 see you plainly
among the other lawyers, although you
amt darn bit conspicuous"
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-08-20
Tin Cans in Colorado.

1t is said by old prospectors that there
is not a mountain peak in Colorado on
the tip top of which there is not tin
can. Tourists and mountain climbers
have habit of taking up with them a
tin can to be left at the summit for the
disposition on slips of paper of the names
of all who ascend the mountain after
them. 1t is also said that one may wan
der to the utmost depths of the wilder
ness into places where the foot of mortal
man has apparently never trod, and
there will be found the inevitable tin
can. Indeed, it would seem that the
can, rather than the axe, is the pioneer
of civilization.
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-08-20
How Flying Fish Fly.

A correspondent writes to Nature.
AN excellent opportunity of observing
the arlal means of propulsion in the f1y-
ing fish was afforded me during six
days calm lately when crossing the Bay
OF Bengal. 1 watched day by day some
hundreds rise under the bows of the
ship. The water surface was a CLASSY
calm: As each fish rose it spread its
wings at once, apparently beating the
surface with them two or three strokes
before they steadied out. I say appar-
emily, for it was not definite beat so
much as a struggle to rise. The tail
which, of course, under water was in
rapid motion, to escape from the ship,
now gave ten or dozen rapid beats,
which could be counted by the ripples
on the still surface, and the fish was off
in aerial fight. As each fish lost the
impetus of the first rise, which generally
happened at about forty yards, the binoc-
ulars showed us the anal fins, which had
till now been fully extended, dropping to
feel the water.
Gas soon as the surface was felt the
tail was quickly introduced, and five or
six smart strokes, also indicated by tip
Pios, OlOuSnI IAo lLA pcIuS up again anu
carried the fish about another thirty
yards, when another droop sent it on
again, and so forth, some of the older
fish travelling in this way 400 or 500
yards. The younger fish frequently fell
awkwardly in this attempt to regain i'm
petus. Where waves are running it re-
quires clever fish to gain impetus by a
few judicious strokes on the crest of a
wave, and many fish tumbles over in
the attempt.
II once saw fish rise close to the
ships quarter, and it few parallel with
the ship, pursued below by dolphin or
bonita. The latter followed every sway
of the flying fish, keeping almost under
it. At the nrst dip of the tail the pur-
suer made dart forward, but missed it,
and again logged its prey by keeping
just under it. On the second dip the
tail went into its pursuer's mouth, and
there was an end of the flyer. 1t always
struck me that it seemed strain on the
fish to keep the wings extended" a..
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-08-20
The Horses Petition.

Whilst making an earnest appeal to
the public on behalf of cab-drivers,
Lord Hampden also appeals to the cab
drivers ON behalf of their horses, COM
mending to their best consideration the
following lines, entitled, "The Horses
Petition to his Driver" which his Lord
ship said he had always made point of
hanging up in his own stables:
Up hill-whip me not.
Down hill-hurry me net.
On level road-spsre me not.
Loose in stable-forget me not
OF bay and corn-rob me not.
OF clean water-stint me not.
With sponge and brush neglect me not.
or soft, dry bed-deprive me not.
Tired or bot-leave me not.
Sick or oold-chil me not
With bit and rein-Oh, Jerk me not.
When you are angry-strike me not.
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-08-20

IT KILLED HM-The hummer who
wished to drink without money in San
Francisco saloon had once been circus
performer, and he thought that when
somebody offered to pay for all the
whisky he could swallow while standing
on his head the task was easy. He in
verted himself and gulped up glass of
spirits The second was drunk with lit
tie difficulty. The third choked him
terribly, brought on hemorrhage of the
lungs, and killed him.
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-08-20

JoKINe.-Irreverent jokers put a gal
lon of whisky into the bapistry of an In
diana church, after the water had been
fixed for the immersion of a reformed
drunkard. But their trick was turned to
serious account by the victim, who,
standing on the edge of the tank in his
dripping robe, described the outrage to
the congregation and delivered a ring
ing speech for total abstinence.
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-08-20
Reconstruction Completed.

The Atlanta Constitution tells this
little story: At the Kimball House
Boston man said: 81 spent a week in
Atlanta in 1866 and thought that your
people would never get reconstructed.
Ten years later l stopped over couple
of hours in passing through the city and
then made the discovery that you had
overcome your sectional prejudices en-
tirely." One of the listeners at this
point asked: "What led you to that
conclusiong The Boston man smiled
quizzically, and replied, "Why, I passed
a number of restaurants aad saw baked
beans and Goldfish balls displayed in the
windows. AS soon as saw that felt
that the country was safer'
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-08-20
We Caution All Against Them.

Inc unprece dented success and merit of
hay-fever, and cold in the head-has induced
many adventures to place catarrh medicines
bearing some resemblance in appearance,
style or name upon the market, in order to
trade upon the reputation of Ely's Cream
Balm. Many in your immediate locality will
testify in highest commend alton of it. Don't
be deceived. Buy only Ely's Cream Balm.
A particle is applied into each nostril no
pain; agreeable to use. Price soc. Druggists
Hay-Fever l have been great sufferer
from Hay-Fever for Is years. 1 read of the
many wondrous cures by Ely's Cream Balm
and thought l would try once more. In Is
minutes after one application l was wonder
fully helped Two weeks ago 1 commenced
using it and now feel entirely cured. 1t is
the greatest discovery ever known or heard
of-DUHUMAL CLARK. Farmer, Lee, Mass.
Price SO cents
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-08-20
Her Fortune Told.

A Boston woman went to a clairvoyant
for her fortune. The clairvoyant told
her that she was going to Bar Harbor in
a black suit with just little yellow,
that she was going to a certain hotel,
and that the FIRST man who spoke after
she stepped into the door was to be her
future husband. She came to Bar Harbor
as had been foretold. She stepped into
the door, when quick as a wink Mr.
Clerk shouted, "Ring the gong" So
Mr.. Clerk is to be her future husband,
and Mr.. Clerk is now married She
has been walking about as woman in
trance ever since, and Mr. Clerk feels as
bad about it as she does.-Bar Har6or
(Me) Tourist