davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-03-15
A Queer Sort Of Schoolgirl.

One of the most singular cases Of
vision on record is found in the fourth
grade OF our schools, in the person of
Belle Kinney, little girl - years of
age. Shortly sfter entering school her
teacher, Miss Ella Ely. discovered that
she always read with her book upside
down, and that while writing she in
variably placed the copy in the same
position and wrote backward, with the
letters inverted and with her left hand.
Not knowing whether to attempt acor-
rection of the habit, the teacher sent
for Dr.I. N. Hamilton, one of our PROM
inent physicians and President of the
Board of Education, who tested her
thoroughly yesterday with figures, pict-
ures, reading and writing, and discov-
cred that she was equally skillful with
her books in any position, although the
child herself had never particularly no
ticed her popularity, but expressed a
desire to use her books as others do.
The doctor says it is the most remarka-
BILE case OF the kind of which he ever
heard.-MarysUille Letter to the Cincin-
matt Enquirer.
Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-03-15

litical and the social problem. He be-
lieves that English society can only be
reformed by abolishing the aristocracy,
and describes himself in conclusion. as
bound to America by the memory of
great, untiring, and most attaching
Kindness. So the smartest man in En-
gland has good word for the people
he expects to lecture to next year.
A fashionable Chinese lunch consists
of little bits of cold chicken with sauce,
little bits of hot chicken boiled to rags,
morsels of pork with mushrooms, frag-
ments of cold duck with some sort of
fungus, watery soup, scraps of pigs
kidneys with boiled chestnuts, very
cold rice, picked cucumbers, garlic
and cabbage, patty of preserved
shrimps, all in infinitesimal portions. so
that, but for the plentiful supply of
rice, hungry folks would find it hard to
appease the inner wolf. All these are
eaten with the deceptive chopsticks,
which are as easy to use as two Faber
leadpencils. Tiny cups of wine, follow
ed by more tea, complete the repast-
Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-03-15
just as the Baby Wore 1t.

Among the faded, moth-eaten but
priceless treasures displayed at the Ex-
position in the Louisiana historical ex-
hibit is little child's dress with small
handbag to match, cap and inen-em-
broidered mittens. 1t is an absurdly
old-fashioned thing with long, point
ed waist, lots of gathers and full puffs,
and no one ever saw the like of the tiny
stitches; here and there the yellow bits
of thread lay upon the faded fabric like
fine powder of gold. There are
creases in the cap-strings-that quaint,
old-fashioned cap-and the embroider-
ed mittens make one think long time
ago they were tossed aside hastily for
the last time. And this is SO. Fifty
years ago, the ticket on the dress re-
lates, little child, coming home from
church with her mother, suddenly died,
and ever since the mother has kept,
just as the baby wore it that last day,
the dainty frock and cap and bag and
mittens.-New Orleans hcayune.
Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-03-15
Society in the South.

The society girl here has no more to
say than northern belle, but she says
it better. Conversationally, as in
every other way, she is graceful, arch,
and in excellent taste. She is not
eloquent, but her eyes are, and the
thick play of light and shadow in her
face, the unobtrusive action of her sug-
gestire little hands, and the ever
changing emphasis and infection of
soft-syllabled words, put world of
meaning into her most ordinary re-
marks. The only respect in which her
haste is questionable is her unlimited
use of cosmetics. have yet to meet a
pretty girl who does not endeavor to
enhance her beauty and succeed in
fastening its destruction, by the assist
ance of the powder puff-or married
womsn, or an old maid! They all do
it. II you keep your face clean you
are a Northerner and barbarian
NeW Orleans Times Democrat.
Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-03-15
An Arab Household.

He was grand-looking old man, and
looked all the more so in his pictur-
esque Arab costume. Following him
through small lobby We ascended .
dark and narrow wooden staircase. At
the top of it we found ourselves in an
arched gallery running round a small
court Here few goats were wander
ing about, and from behind curtained
doorways numerous dark faces were
peeping at US. The principal lady of
the household received us at the door
of the sitting-room, and soon we were
surrounded by at least a dozen women
and lots of children, not two of them
dressed alike. The poor children were
all perfectly laden with bracelets, ank-
lets and nose-rings, while a few had
even nostril-rings. Indeed, many of
them looked queer little objects, with
patterns painted on their faces in scar
let. yellow or white. Some of the wo-
men, too, had white spots painted round
their ears. l thought these extremely
ugly. for they strongly resembled rows
of teeth. One exceedingly smart baby
was dressed in yellow silk dress with
a bright crimson border and a little cap
surmounted by turf of feathers all
the colors of the rainbow.
His arms and legs were perfectly
laden with jewels, and his little neck
smothered by rows and rows of beads,
from which were suspended all sorts of
charms and talismans. Several of the
women were afraid to shake hands with
me. and one little fellow, with an enor-
nous nose-ring, screamed most Justify.
This led to our discovery that they were
afraid of my dark hands. for had on q
pair of brown gloves. 1t was the first
time that any of them had seen a pair
of gloves, and the whole party were
very much astonished when | took
them off to find that my hands were
white. Miss Allen produced a scrap
book, and handed it first to the old
gentleman. He commenced looking ut
it at the wrong end, as Arabs always
do, and evidently enjoyed the pictures
quite as much as the children. Shortly
after our arrival the servants brought
Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-03-15
Took the Hint.

George" said a country young
lady to her beau as they snuggled into
a seat, ..it's nice to ride on the cars,
amt it?"
'.Yes, Sarah"
George, if you were going to travel
you rather go?"
ITO Chicago or California. Where
would you rather go?"
ITO Florida, by all means"
''Why?"
'.Be-because, You know, George, be-
cause-because in Florida they have SO
many orange-blossoms. you know"
On the return trip they sat still closer
together, and she laid her pretty head
upon his big shoulder. He must have
taken the hint.
Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-03-15

A London paper offered a prize for
the best poem on the number Of days in
the months on the plan of Thirty
days hath September, April. June and
November" The winner was an in
genious bard who, in rhyme, counted
the months on his knuckles, beginning
January with the knuckle of the little
finger, February between the little fin
ger and the third finger, March the
knucklc of the third finger, and SO on,
July being the knuckle of the forefin-
ger, then going back to the little finger
for August, ending with December on
the knuckle Of the second finger. 1t
will be noticed that this method of
counting brings all the long months. or
months with thirty-one days, on the
knuckles, while the short months are
counted between the fingers.
Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-03-15
Boots Eclipsed BY Caters.

I'VE make ten pairs of CATERS or
buttoned shoes to one pair of boots
nowadays" said shoemaker. .Twen-
ty years ago nearly everybody wore
boots"
"What was the reason of the
change?"
There are various reasons. Caters
are much more handy than boots, and
they look neater. Then, again. they
cost much less, and they are easier on
the feet. No one ever wore boots in q
walking match"
'Any other reason?"
''Yes, on the shoemaker's side.
There is more money in CATERS. They
are more readily made, sell more quick
ly because they are cheaper, and there
is less waste leather about them.''
'.Have boots any advantages?'
''Yes, trousers set better over them,
and for rough travelling they wear bet
ter. They are not so likely to be pull
ed out of shape"
Where are boots worn most?"
':1n the country. Farmers wear
boots almost entirely. You can't wear
CATERS in a plowed ."-New York
Sun.
Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-03-15
Mexico as a Winter Resort.

Arriving at Cuautla, we found an ex-
cellent hotel, the San Diego, directly
across the plaza from the railway sta
tion. The landlord was a German, and
had been in the country about thirty
years. The hotel was one-story
structure. built around large court,
the rooms opening upon tile-roOfed
veranda. In the court was tall date
palm. with sprays of rich, orange-hued
blossoms rising among its graceful
plumes of dark green.
hardly expected to meet in an OBJ
scure Mexican town party of Ameri-
can tourists passing the time in placid
ease, just as they might be encountered
at n nice Swiss inn in some Alpine val
ley. Yet we encountered at the San
Diego most delightful company of
our compatriots. One. an eminent art
ist, who was something of an invalid.
was enthusiastic over the delicious air
and glorious scenery of the place.
These winter days in Cuautla were all
like our ideal June weather at home, he
said. There was no intense heat, while
cold and chilliness were absolute
strangers. Mexico he regarded as SUI
perior to Florida as a winter refuge.
In these warm lands, beside the endless
scenic variety, there was an unchang-
ing climate all through the winter; at
least on the Pacific side of the noun
tains.
'.And then there are no mosquitoes
here" said another friend. Il lave
never seen land so free from them.
The few insects one meets here are
really contemptible; feel inclined to
pity them for their feebleness."
1t is, indeed, great mistake for peo-
pie to come to Mexico from the North
in the winter, and contine themselves
to the capital. They experience the
chilly weather which now and then Wis
its the high regions of the central ta-
bleland at that season, and with the
abrupt transitions of cold and heat
from morning to noon and night they
at times feel more discomfort than in
their wintry Northern homes, where
genial hearth-fres glow, until at last
they perhaps leave for home in disgust,
anathematizing the whole country. All
this is a mistake, when on every hand
are pleasant places like Cuautla within
easy reach of the capital by rail, jour
neying to which might fill many weeks
with round of health-giving pleasure,
novel scenes greeting the eye every
where. There is much of the greatest
interest to tourists to be seen in and
around the capital, but there are pleas
anter winter ahiding-places near by. 1t
is, however, good central point from
which to make agreeable tours all over
the country. Now that railway COM
municatior with the United States is
completed, there will be many pleasure
travellers to Mexico When they come,
they should remember that there are
rich, warm valleys down below, close
at hand, where simple existence seems
luxury, amid the delicious airs of
genuine tropical surroundings.-SyL
tester BAXTER, in March atlantic.
Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-03-15

General R. E. Colston, formerly hey
in Egypt, contributes the opening il
lustrated article in the March Century,
from which we quote the following de-
scription of portion of the present
seat of war: ..He who has not travel
ed through the desert cannot form
just idea of that strange and marvellous
region, in which the ordinary conditions
of life are completely changed. 1t is
essentially a waterless land, without
rivers, creeks, rivulets, or springs.
Once away from the Nile, the only sup
ply of water is derived from deep wells,
few, scanty, and far apart. Long
draughts are frequent. When l ex-
plored the great Arabian Desert be-
tween the Nile and the Red Sea; it had
not rained for three years; and when 1
travelled over the Suakim route and
through Kordofan. no rain had fallen
for two years. Between the twenty
ninth and the nineteenth degree of
latitude it never rains at all. Water
becomes precious to degree beyond
the conception of those who have never
known its scarcity. Members of the
Catholic mission at Ell Obeid, where
water is much more plentiful than in
the deserts, assured me that, the sum-
mer before, water had been sold as
high as half dollar gallon by the
proprietOrs of the few wells that had
not dried up. When long droughts oc-
cur, the always scanty crop of doura
fails away from the Nile, and the great
er parts of the flocks and herds perish,
as well as considerable part of the
population. 1t follows naturally that
when undertaking journey through
the desert, the paramount question is
water. A supply must be carried sutii-
cient to last to the next well, be it one
or five days distant. 1t is usually car
ried in goat and OK skins suspended
from the camels' pack-saddles. These
are the water-bottles of Scripture,
which become leaky from wear, and
always lose considerable portion of
their contents by evaporation. The
first thing after reaching well is to
ascertain the quantity and quality Of
its water. As to the former, it may
have been exhausted by preceding
caravan, and hours may be required
ioi no" supply " ooAo III oin' ~
to the quality, desert water is general
ly bad, the exception being when it is
worse. though long custom enables the
Bedouins to drink water so brackish as
to be intolerable to all except them
selves and their f1ocks. Well do re-
member how at each well the first skim
full was tasted all around as epicures
sip rare wines. Great was the Joy if it
was pronounced 'moya hel,0a,' sweet
water;; but if the Bedouins said moosh
tayib.' not good. we might be sure it
was solution of EPSON salts. The
best water is found in natural rocky
reservoirs in deep narrow gorges where
the sun never shines. As to live
springs l never saw more than half q
dozen in six thousand miles travel"
Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-03-15
An American Audience.

The dominant characteristic of the
American audience seems to be impair
tiality. They do not sit in Judgment.
resenting as positive offenses lack of
power to convey meanings or diver
gence of Interpretation of particular
character or scene. understand that
when they do not like a performance
they simply 60 away, SO that at the
close of the evening the silence of a
deserted house gives to the manage
ment verdict more potent than audi
bic condemnation. This does not ap-
ply to questions of morals, which can
be. and are, as quickly judged here as
elsewhere. On this subject l give en-
tirely the evidence of others, for it has
been my good fortune to see our audi
ences seated till the final falling of the
curtain. Again, there is a kindly feel
ing on the part of the audiences to-
ward the actor as an individual, espe-
cially if he be not complete stranger,
which is, presume, part of that re-
cognition of individuality which is SO
striking q characteristic in American
life and customs.
Many an actor draws habitually q
portion of his audience, not in conse-
4uence of artistic merit, not from capa-
city to arouse or excite emotion, but
simply because there is something in
his personality which they like. This
spirit forcibly reminds me of the story
told of the manager of one of the old
Circuits, who gave as a reason for
the continued engagement of an i'm
possibly bad actor, that "he was kind
to his mother" The thorough enjoy
ment of the audience is another point
to be noticed. Not only are they
quick to understand and appreciate,
but there seems to be a genuine pleas
ure in the expression of approval.
American audiences are not surpassed
in guickness and completeness of COM
prehension by any that l have yet
seen, and no actor need fear to make
his strongest or his most subtle effort,
full acknowledgment at their hands.
There is little more than this to be
said of the American audience. But
short though the record is, the impress
sion upon the player himself is pro-
found and abiding. To describe what
one sees and hears over the footlights
is infinitely easier than to convey an
idea of the mental disposition and feel
ing of the spectators. The house is
ample and comfortable, and the audi
ence is well-disposed to be pleased.
Ladies and gentlemen alike are mostly
in morning dress, distinguished in ap-
pearance, and guided in every respect
BY a refined decorum. The sight is
generally picturesque. Even in winter
flowers abound, and the majority of
ladies have bouquets either carried ir
hand or fastened on the shoulder or
corsage. At matinee performances
where the larger proportion
of the audience is composed of ladies,
the effect'is not less pleasing to the
olfactory senses than to the eye. Cour-
teous, patient, enthusiastic, the Ameri-
can audience is worthy of any effort
which the actor can make on its be-
half, and he who has had experience of
them would be an untrustworthy
chronicler if he failed, or even hesi-
tated, to bear witness to their intelli-
gence, their taste, and their generosity.
Henry Irving, in the Forthnightly
RepietU.
Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-03-15
Boots Eclipsed BY Caters.

1--WE make ten pairs of CATERS or
buttoned shoes to one pair of boots
nowadays" said shoemaker. "Twen-
ty years ago nearly everybody wore
boots.
What was the reason of the
change?''
There are various reasons. Caters
are much more handy than boots, and
they look neater. Then, again. they
cost much less, and they are easier on
the feet. No one ever wore boots in
walking match"
'.Any other reason?"
''Yes, on the shoemaker's side.
There is more money in CATERS. They
are more readily made, sell more quick
ly because they are cheaper, and there
is less waste leather about them"
Have boots any advantages?"
"Yes, trousers set better over them,
and for rough travelling they wear bet
ter. They are not so likely to be pull
ed out of shape"
"Where are boots worn most?'
.':1n the country. Farmers wear
boots almost entirely. You can't wear
CATERS in plowed field. "-New York
Sun.
Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-03-15

A Boston lady, who is now in New
Orleans. went by the way of the river
to the Exposition. On the boat was
party of four young girls and matron.
all strangers. One of the young girls
gazed earnestly at the Boston lady and
then said: please excuse me. madam,
but what is the name of the shawl you
have on?" ut is an India shawl"
..And what did it cost?'' about S2,-
0OO." MADAM, will you be so kind as
to let me show it to my companion?
Neither they nor l have ever seen an
India shawl before. 1he lady kindly
agreed and the girls were made happy.
-NeU Orleans Picauune,
Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-03-15
Costly Fancies in Whips.

"What is the latest thing in whipsp"
asked reporter, as he entered the Of
fee of a well-known manufacturer in
West Thirty-third street.
"Well, English holly holds its own
yet" replied the maker of the scourges.
English holly or yew, with light
lash. For gentleman's whip to go
with dog cart this is a very neat
thing" holding up whip whose stock
was of native whalebone, polished and
mottled, with an ebony handle and
gold mountings. THAT will cost you
about $35. Here's neat one for about
twice the money. Not so much gold
on it, but the handle is q species of
basket-work, formed of whalebone in
terwoven. The highest-priced whips
run up to 500 or S125. They are
sticks which nature has shaped to the
hand, crabbit-sticks, as they are called
by the trade. This is a four-in-hand
whip, a holly stock, with q sixteen
foot lash of horse-hide."
'.Isn't that what the novelists call
the irony of fate, to whip an animal
with a lash made from the skin of his
own species?" asked the reporter.
"Yes, l suppose so, but all lashes are
made of horse-hide now. Buckskin is
about played OUT
"How long since the old-style whale
bone whip went out of fashion,"
swell, that's hard to say. You see
the change was gradual. got the
first order for holly sticks in "a from
Syracuse. To fill it l got every one
there was in New York-just three
and l wouldn't pick 'em up to-day if I
saw them lying in the street, they
were SO big and clumsy. Malacca-
cane and whange-w-h-a-n-g-e--yes,
that's right-are used a good deal now;
in them you get length and strength
with ightness. A good whip of En-
glish holly or yew costs about Sc.
those things that you are looking at in
the case are English hunting-crooks.
No man who respects himself will be
seen on horseback without one. This
loop of white kid on the end is the
keeper. When an Englishman rides to
the hounds he has long lash attached
to the keeper, with which he Furnishes
the hounds when necessary. As there are
no hounds in Broadway or in the park,
we dispense with the lash but retain
the keeper. The hunting-crook has al
together taken the place of the riding
whip, which is now only used by ladies.
The highest-priced riding-whip we
have made in sixty years of business
cost $685."
Before going the reporter was shown
through the factory, where were whips
in all stages of preparation. In one
corner was a machine which upon turn
ing the crank moves a web more intri-
cate than that of the fates. This fur
nishes the covering for the whalebone
whips. These are formed by glueing
four pieces of wood about long strip
of whalebone. The whole is then
worked down to the requisite size and
taper, after which it is put through tie
and comes out . full
fedged whip.-N Y. Tribune.
Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-03-15
English Ballet Girls.

Mr.. Hollingshead, l see, has contrib
uted his views of the ballet to cotem-
porary. According to him, ballet
girl ought to be pretty, and it is all the
better for the manager if mashcrs como
to look at her, while, if they wait for
her outside the stage door, it is no
business of his. That a ballet airl
Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-03-15

The House of Representatives of
South Carolina consists of 124 members.
When in session we sent around roll
to ascertain the number of children
each member could boast Of One menu
ber has fourteen. One has eleven, one
ten, three nine each, and SO it runs on
until the total is 402 This is a small
average. One Senator, only As years
old, and who has been married only
once, is the happy father of sixteen liv-
ing children. Is. CO. Medi-
oJSp,
Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-03-15

Tiberias is the only town of any size
on the Sea of Galilee to-day. 1t is
rlainly Hebrew settlement of 5000
or 1000 semi-barbarians, surrounded
by ruinous old wall that is manifestly
Roman. Half dozen tired-looking
palm trees rise above the roofs of the
squalid buildings. serving only to en-
phasize the universal desolation. The
lake itself is really beautiful.
Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-03-15

END naroer lesson yet-for what has
been taken. In this silent communion
we softly steal upstairs, where the two
older girls have been preparing for
rest. These kneeling at our feet. lisp
"Our Father which art in heaven, and
the old, yet wondrous new words kindle
into flame by the Interpretation of our
own love-till "Our Father" vibrates
on our lips, and we become-thank God,
even if it is for brief space-children
once more, and sink to rest with his
name on our lips and his joy in our
hearts. Boston Globe.
Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-03-15

Senator Bayard is famous among the
epicures of the National Capital for
his skill in preparing terrapin for the
table. The Senator always goes into
the kitchen and prepares the terrapin
with his own hands for his invited
guests. He has the knack of impart-
ing peculiar delicacy and flavor to
the dish which none of the professional
cooks can initiate. He flavors it SO as
to render the dish more than usually
enhancing to the palate.