davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-23
AMERICAN HUMoR.

Bob Burdette observed the other day that
town where he was engaged TO lecture bad
cancelled the engagement on account of an
outbreak OF smallpox, aud Bob dryly added
that they preferred the snallpox to the lee.
ture, and were to be "pitied" for their
choice. In this laughable expression may
be found the distinguishing characteristic of
American as opposed to English wit, namely,
plsy upon words and an unseemly famil-
iarity with things terrible or uncommon.
Herein lay the power OF Artemus Ward,
though, indeed, an element OF burlesque
was also added to his utterances. Are not
he same characteristics also discernible in
Mark Twain, and the best productions OF
Puck and Life? Even what wit or humor
there may be found in the vulgar and coarse
productions OF Nasty have root in the
source We indicate. So, too, with our
caricsturists, Gillian. Mast and others-there
is an element of familiarity with the uu-
common, the oDtfe,. running through all
their work. We have az yet produced no
wit or humorist of the highest class, no
Dean Swift nor Sidney Smith. Oliver Wen
del Holmes i> our nearest approach to a
real Wit.
In the realm of genuine humor. we
have, as yet, given the world nothing that
can compare with the "Eliana" of quaint
and dear Charles Lamb. His essay on
Roast Pig will not be equaIed on this side
OF the ocean IN our day We have not had
enough of leisure yet in this country; We
are just now too busy in dealing with the
material problems involved in building
cities, warehouses and railroads to enjoy
anything other than loud laugh. After
awhile the delicacy aud refinement of the
En- gIish wits will be grated into our Ameri-
can stock, aud We will have wits and humor-
lists who will live-bnt as yet We have them
not. In the same manner, the broad effects
which now mark and mar the work OF the
American etcher of cartoons will later on
give way TO that close attention to detail
and that approximate reproduction of ma
ture and life, for long time characteristic
of the English worker in that field. It is
not the breadth and width OF Mast and Gil
lam and Ksppel that give immortality, but
that keen insight into nature best portrayed
by The delicate touches of a Bogarth or
Cruikshank
The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-23
wHo STRUCK BILLY PATTERSON

y 4
This question is not fresh one. Every
native born American of seventeen years
must have heard it asked. Within the last
half century it has travelled in sundry Ian.
guages, around the globe and until now,
never been answered. Rere is the origin OF
the expression:
About 1885 one Billy Patterson, OF Balt-
more, while visiting in Habersham, noun
tain county in Georgia. fell into fight with
one OF the natives. In the progress of the
figh; some person came to the rescue of the
native by striking Billy Patterson on the
head. But so large was the crowd and so
intense its interest in the setto that no one
saw from whom came the blow. The mys-
terry of the source of the blow so exercised
the crowd as TO break up the fight.
Billy Patterson turned his attention
from his open Antagonist to an
effort at finding who had secretly struck
him. When, sf.er weeks OF fIuitless ia.
curry he returned to Baltimore, he left
friends ID continue the search. Patterson
and his friends agitated the question until it
came into general use over the entire ooun-
ny 4nC Au6n was NG46U over tie
affair through life, and in his last will ard
testament is clause rtciting that the sd-
ministrators on his estate pay 500 to any
person who should furnish proof OF who
dealt him the clsdestine blow.
A short time since one John Dyer, OF Ha.
bersham County, died at the age of ninety
nine. Only little while before death he
- -,
Billy Patterson.
Nospeculation has yet appeared as to what
this answer has to do with the extraordinary
blizzard, the interruption of transportation,
the excess Of catastrophes by rail and other
recent disturbances. Bot even il the answer
precipitated these commissions, we can en-
dure them patiently when remembering that
We, at least have solved that problem of
worldwide moment "Who struck Billy
Patterson"
The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-23
oeoree q. WendlinR.

One of the finest audiences that has as.
sembled in this city throughout the season
greeted Hon. George r Vending al the
Meridian Street Church last night. Every
seat was taken and oil available Standing
room utilized, and If there ever was any lee
tule which repaid one for standing two
hours TO listen TO Il was that delivered By
Mr.. Vending LAST night on the subject.
Does Death Eod Alp Mr.. Vending, be.
sides being a fine writer, is a rare orator.
and II is a delightful pleasure 10 sit under
the magnetism of his eloauence. No better
Illustration Of his power TO enter
tain is needed than the expressions
heard by those who remained standing
last night during the entire lecture that
they could have stood there until mid
night" Mr.. Weddings lecture is q dis.
course on the assurances that there is life
hereafter, and be deduces the proofs entirely
from nature snd establishes mans spiritual
existence much after the msnner Of the
author OF -Paley's Natural Theology" TIE
lecture is repleIe with beautiful thoughts,
striking and pathetic illustrations nd many
magnificent oratoricRl climaxes Although
an ella subject it is one that viii ever be 20
II IN OF the deepest interest while love kisses
the lips Of death, and Mr.. Vending has in
vested 1t With pleasing freshness OF srgu-
rreut
The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-23
The WorId,s Fxnn.itinn

New ORLEANS, FEB. 1T still fourishes
and grows brighter and more beautiful every
day, Notwithstanding evil prophesies and
croskings. An immense number Of visitors
from Iowa held an informal meeting yes
terday at the States headquarters in the
Government building TO give expression to
their views and feelings as to this exposi-
ton. Some of the speeches were listened to
by your correspondent, especially that of the
Hon. Barlow Granger, OF Des Moines City,
and the united EXPIRE ssion Of speakers and
visitors was that this is tie grsndest display
OF the worlds products ever made, and is
worthy of the highest admiration and praise
that can he bestowed upon it by intelligent
people. They adopted the following resolu-
ton Resolved. that We the people of
Iowa, assembled at the headquarters of
said State, do express our admiration
TT the magnificent display now on
exhi bition, showing the great resources OF
our common country and the world az large,
and that We earnestly commend it to the
favor the people OF our own State, the
United States and the world" There are
much larger buildings and a far greater
bumOer OF articles on eX Inhibition than there
was at Philadelphia in 1876, and toe cost has
only been one.third of the amOuntexpended
there. But while the management of this
exhibition deserve great praise for their
wonderful energy, strict economy and sound
judgment, they have made the usual mis-.
lake OF OndsTestimatiDg the probable cost
which has involved the enterprise in debt,
and left them without the means TO com
plete some very important parts of the great
work. They have very reluctantly been
forced 10 apply 10 Congress for
further aid, which [ hope will be
elantfd promptly. It only requires
c0OOOOO IN money to make this exposition
The gTandest thing the world ever So p, and
plscs this country and our Government be-
fore al the nstions of the earth as worthy of
The highest admiration and respect 1t will
gain for as higher distinction and q more
bonoraole mention il history than ali our
success IN war since the Revolution.
This exposition should not only be
promptly sforded the money required to
complete its grandeur and beauty, bat be
kept open until June, 1856 This is really
and truly National enterprise, in the sue.
cess OF which not only our National but each
State government, as well as any citizen
iIom Maize to California and to the last
The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-23
PERSONALS.


THE late Mrs James Russell Lowell was a
relative of the distinguished Senator, Will
lam Pitt Fessenden.
MARY ANDERSON is so prosecuted by
impertinent stsIers at church on
Sundays that according to the London
Court Journal, ''she has been com.
pelied 10 change her place OF worship.
LULU Hurst now attributes the loss of her
magnetic power to the fact of her having
been interviewed by pretty much all the re-
porteIs in the country. but then the news
papers took sll ths magnetism out Of the man
up in Maine
PHILLIPS BaooFS OF Boston, boasts that be
rever yet has employed the professional as
slsttnce of lawyer or doctor. aud as he is
six and one-hsif feet high and weighs 30
pounds he has not yet called in the help Of
Professor John L. Sullivan.
YOUNG farmer from Dracut was riding
with girl the other day, when he asked her,
by way OF making talk, if che could milk.
She Reluctantly responded: mo" but after
long pause she sweetly but coyly added:
But can learn. Lowell Courier.
A BosToN lady recently invited DR.. Oliver
Wendall Homes to enc of her small recep-
tions, and then half spologized to him, fear
ing he might think the invitation was in
spired by double motive. oh" said he,
in his Tsual kindly manner 'Hse me Just as
YOU please. II can bs of any service to
you, shall be very glad"
Tuppr IL "A loast c,o ,,,,r 10 bo,,,,. e.
gotten his New Years resolutions. He was
observed st a late-0r early-hour holding
an earnest argument with a tobacco nist's
sign, and was heard to close the discussion
with the remark 81 tell yous sno ush;
shworeof smok n drink'n lash New Yearsh.
Shoe and Leather Reporter.
PORE LEO Nil. celebrates the fitch an
niyersary of his entrance to the priesthood
by league of prayers for the triumph of the
Church and the proloDgation OF his Holi-
ness life; by an exhibition at the Vatican
Of all the offerings which will be made, es-
pecislly of objects relating to public wor.
ship; by an aims for the mass, made up OF
offerings from the entire Catholic world;
and by pilgrimage to the tomb OF the Apps
tles.
CHINAwoMAN who recently arrived from
China was seated in the United States Cir
cult Court yesterday awaiting hearing of
her petition TO be allowed to land on habeas
corpus. She was neatly but not gorgeously
sttired, and was close observer OF the pro-
ceedings in an action for damages on trial.
She attracted considerable attention from
the bystsnders because of her small feet,
which were incased in CHR csc shoe, fitting
like glove. For the qualification of Dis
trict Attorney Hilborn aud other attorneys
the fair dsmsel was requested by the court
interpreter to stand up, which request she
gracefully complied with.-San Francisco
Bulletin.
The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-23
DANVILLE. ILLTNors

We deyote considerable space this morning
10 setting forth the interests OF DAnville. Ill.
The showing made is based upon facts and
the natural advantages OF that thriving city
should attract the attention OF manufacture
ers. Cheap fuel is a great saving. and Dan
Wife, it seems, enjoys this rare inducement
70 settlers. It's citizens are more than the
average in enterprise, aud their local pride
impels them to many undertakings subserv-
ing the general good.
The country tributary 70 Danville is rich
in timber and soil. TIE railroad accommo-
dations constitute prominent feature, and
from the facts az set forth, it would not be
unreasonable to prophecy . 600 inhabitants
for that city within the next ten years. Her
citizens are deserving and hospitable, and
their treatment of our representative is in
keeping with their character. Messrs. John
P. Norvell, a. s. w. Hawes, Alderman John
Beard and Mayor Dicksson are entitled to our
special thanks, as are also the Directors Of
The Business Mems Association.
The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-23
CURRENT NOTE AND COMMENT.

IT may be paradox, but it is not the less
truth, that what is given to sleep is gained
to labor.-saginaw (Mich.) Courier.
The "well-informed Washington CORE.
spoDdent' is classed as doubtful as soon as
he hits too hard on either party.-Detroit
(Mich.) Free Press
ANY sort of a dwelling in New York
where the rent amounts 10 highway robbery
is termed fiat. All others are residences
Detroit Mich Free Press.
AN experienced party thinks that whisky
should be taken straight or. if you must
drink it with something, drink it with ALAG.
rity Christian at Work.
FAyORITE copy set by writing teachers
for their pupils is the following because it
contains every letter in the alphabet: "a
quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog"
A LARGE black whip hangs in the Courant
q flee at Randolph, n. Y, bearing on a card
attached the following inscri Upton: "This
bslor IS to the chap who wrote that article
ABOUT you. Are you mad? How do Won
like IT."
FOEI1 Ol tD6 SiAIf udyS VI THIS 5eSSlOu Ol
the Legislature have sped, and the only leg
islstien so far is bill to pay for horse that
fell through a wharf and was killed. This is
a wee tiny mouse to be brought forth by
such large mountain.-Ssn Francisco Cal )
Alta.
A FEW years ago money could be loaned
OBJ good security in this county at from to
3 per cent. a mouth. just because it was
scarce. Now it is difficult to loan It at Is
per cent. per annum. Twelve per cent. may
be called the ruling rate OF interest.-Llke
City Fla Reporter.
THE air in South Florida is taking on q
faint odor of orange blooms, and very soon
the pearly white OF the flowers will mingle
With the golden yellow of the fruit and the
emerald green of the foliage to make the
groves bouquets of incompatible beauty
Jacksonville Ella Timss Union.
GENERAL LOGAN is a rampant protectioniss,
and yet iree-trade Repu bllcans of Illinois
give him their support for reelection to the
Senate. The two Republicans who refuse to
support him put their objections On entirely
different grounds. Republicans refuse to
break their party to pieces on the tariff ques
tion.-St. Louis Republican.
TIE State of New York should take the
Niagara Falls property, paying what is fair,
and wasting neither time nor money on the
sharks Of that famous spot. The sharks get
OF ohesply, after long term Of extortion, If
they get the actual worth of the domaia
they mosopolzs and are not obliged to &C.
cept sum that would involve some rstri-
button for their spoliations.-Syracuse
Stan dsrd.
COMPARISON OF the occupations repre-.
sented in the present Legislature With those
OF the Legislature Of 1856 reveals some differ.
6nces. With the same number in each
branch, there were in the Senate eleven
farmers to four at present, seven lawyers to
nine now. four merchants to three now.
Among the Representatives were seventy
two farmers, against thirty.six in the pres
The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-23
extremity of Florida, are deeply and ALSO.
Iutely interested.
/ have Just made 3 visit TO

extremity of Florida, are deeply and ALSO.
lutely interested.
have just made q visit TO
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.
where I found display OF fruits that was
wonderful. Such oranges. apples pears,
peaches, lemons, Japan persimmons grapes
prunes. apricot and plums / never saw be-
fore. In corn, whest. oats, hay, grasses OF
all kinds, clovers and all varieties of vegeta-
bles, Los Angeles aud other counties in
Southern California beat the world AstaIk
of corn is eighteen feet. and oats ten feet.
kind of hay, called Alfalfa, which presents
fneappeaTance. and is said to be sweet and
very nutritious. produces from eight to
twelve tons TO the acre, and two crops svery
yesr. A small Tree growing on the Majavo
Desert in Los Angeles County. makes the
bsst of paper. The pulp, plant and sections
of the tree are on exhibition. The exhibit
of honey is very extensive and the quality
splendid A beehive is on exhibition from
which $50 pounds of pure honey was taken
last year. The chief industry in one county
is beans. of which 800 carloads were shipped
from one small valley last year. A beet from
Santiago county weighs eightyO one pounds,
smother from Les Angeles pulls down the
scales at fifty-hve pounds. II Holland
can show better beets they ought to be here.
A pumpkin that weighs ODD pounds is
beauty. The puIest olive oil in the world is
made in Los Angeles County. The speci-
mems Of dessiceted fruits and vegetables by
the vapOrating process are as near perfect as
they can be made. The enterprise aud liber-
ality displayed by the people of that favored
section IN sending 10 this exhibition such
splendid EXHIBIT of the products of their
farms and orchards, is not only commeada-
bic, but ii viii add to the future prosperity
and q vslopment of the country, by attract
ing into its borders people in search of rich,
productive lands and delightful climate.
The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-23
Eleventh Congressional District.

LspoTte Argus-LapOrte County
J. Q. Henderson, of the Kokomo Dispatch,
is seeking the appointment OF Collector OF
TIE eleventh District. and We believe his Sc
lection for the place would give general
satisfaction. He isa young man OF except
ioDal ability, and the situation is such that
his appointment would be peculiarly apprO-
priste.
michigan City Dlspatch-LapOrie County.l
J. o. Henderson, of the KokomO Dispatch,
is, We understand, an aspiranI for the Office
of Collector of Internal Revenue for this
revenue district. Ii is needless for rs TO say
that Mr.. Henderson Is both worthy, com.
petent and deserving, and the Dispatch has
no besitancy in saying that no better Sc
lection could be made for this position.
The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-23
BEN BUTLER.
Out of Politics UntiI Another Opening or.
fers
Nav N,NrH rFaT

Out of Politics Until Another Opening OF
fers
New York Special
General Benjamin FRANKLIN Butler held
an sfter-breakfsst levee of two persons in his
sumptUous private psrlo- at the Fifth Ave
nue. Hotel this morning One of these was
Graphic reporter. The battling eyes of the
ex workiDgmen's candidate seemed TO be
smiling, RnG his button. hols bouquet was
fresh and sweet. He was asked to ex-
plain his present relations TO an anxious
public. "Humph" said he media
lively, II don't think have any.
that is any worth speaking Of
nov" The General cogitated q while
on this bare and unwilling truth.
Then he was urged TO Talk about tie indus.
trial situation. "Ah, that said he ''is in
volved To di:cuss It would take mora time
than I've got, and wouldn't be worth while
at this time'-at which suggestion that the
Genera was rsserving bis political economy
10 spriog on the next National C0nveatioa.
his companion looked pretesnaturallv pro-
louDd. Politics" continued the General
are still plain sailing It's easv enough
now to see the shoals gnd reefs, end no man
need have any trouble steering clear Of them
in the future. Bat, pshaw," be added has
tly, Pm out OF the swim, sir" Are You
going to open law ofics in this city, Gen
eralf''
Pardon me, said he with anxious gray.
ity, mot a law-office, a plain unvarnished
office where l can see people who want to see
me without putting them to the trouble of
coming up here. Pm going to look at it
now"
Cesar the colored valet who always fol.
lows the General, held up his rich overcoat
invitinely. His master euveloped himself,
and went down and got into carriage which
drove him 20 the snuggery where the plans
OF the next campaign can be quietly laid
out. One needs only to poke him with the
stick of al interview to see he's long way
from dead cock in the political
The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-23

we msy bave lost the old tune. But per.
hsps some one OF our correspondents can
represent the desired sound by the use of
musical formula, and, If So we shall be
pleased to receive il and forward it to our
New England friend"
We sgsin renew our solicitations that the
musical formula" might be referred to our
esteemed and risky fighters in peace times
already kindly named in the foregoing.
The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-23
Moody Notes

Mr.. Moody, accom- anied by Professor and
Mrs. Towner and E. W. Munhall, viii reach
the city at $40 this morning.
The indications are that holders of Nom
day tickets will nearly al aim 70 uze them
at night. If this is true many viii be disap.
pointed.
Children ought rot to be taken 10 any OF
the sessions OF the convention.
The first session begins this morning at 10
o'clock. The doors will be cpen at $50 for
ticket holders, and at 9:4j for all.
Every body should bring a copy OF Gospel
hymns I. 2 and A..
The morning and afternoon sessions are
most desirable for those who can attend
them.
The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-23
TIE REBEL YELL

A New Highlander writes to the Charleston
IS. G News and Courier for information
concerning the "Rebel yell" but that paper
says that the yell was once familiar, but
that the editors had been "hollerin'" 50
long for the old lag that il had faded away.
We should think that the New Highlander
might get the desired information from the
Chicago Tribune, the Commercial Gazette or
the Indianapolis Journal These papers so
frequently refer to il that they reevidently
posted-theoretically at least We have
observed, however, that the chaps who are
fighting "the solid South" SO valiantly now
a-dsys and through campaign seasons, did
not do much sighting when the
battle was on" Like the war horse
of tie Bible-they snuffsth the battle from
sfar-unlike him, they never got there. The
Charleston paper answered the inquiry re-
ferred to as follows: "A correspondent in
New England writes to the News and Cour-
Ter that he desires very much to be able to
express on paper the famous rebel yell, and
asks rs to describe it so rs 10 enable him to
have it understood or reproduced Our
correspondent evidently heard the yell in
question, which be describes as the South
ern battle cry, 3 piercing sound which
caused shivsrs to ruE down our spines,' and
We could not possibly describe II more freely
or forc'bly than he has done in those few
words. As TO- reproducing it, even on pa
per, We could not think of such thing. IL
has been long time since We heard IL, and
We have been hollering so many years now
Tor the Old flag and an appropriation that
The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-23
Thirteen at HI. Dinner.rable.

Mrs Winks-It's perfect outrage Mr..
WInks. The idea OF inviting those gentle
men 10 dinner when you knew the house
was full of company. Why, il will maze
thirteen at table.
Mr.. Winks-Surely you are not supersi-
tious about that Having thirteen al table
won't worry me in the least
Mrs. Winks-Well, il will when you zee
what small roast the butcher sent.
The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-23
why Man spent Two Days Under Bed.

Clarence Gray, the murderer OF r. Il.
Scott, bid Under bed in the Paradise Hotel
for two days and nights. Hunger gnaved AT
bis vitalS The night before his capture a
iodger Was put into his room. AID the
springs being very low, were pressed down
By The weight of the man in bed, pinning
Cray to the floor. He was lying on his side
He remained IN that position until the msa
went to sleep. BE then crawled out. stole
horse, and tried 10 escape, but was Obliged
hy hunger 20 apply for food. whersupon be
vas caught
The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-23
Warning for Dana's Cat.


Along with the painful news that a mouse
jumped suddenly into q cats thrOst AID
choked II to death, comes the alarming in
telliReacs that Mr.. Cleveland has been Wis
tied By Mr. Randall and Mr Carlisle with
refer' nee to his inaugural address which &c
IS bUsilY preparing.