davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-02-18
A SOUTHERN GENIUS.
Atlanta Constitution.

While visiting the beautiful little town
of Buena Vista, some time ago, | tumbled
on some "reminiscences of the brilliant
genius who wrote, "All quiet along the
Potomac tonight" Poor Thad Oliver
Bright, fascinating brilliant and dissipat-
ed. He could make the finest speech of
any man at the bar. He was better half
drunk than his brethren were at their
coolest moments. His puns, his epigrams
and jokes, to say nothing of his sweet
little poems, were quoted by large circle
of enthusiastic friends. But he lived out
his days before he had time to fulfill the
promise of his youth.
can well imagine how that sensitive
soul was moved to formulate that grand
poem, as he stood picket at some lonely
post beside the dark Potomac river.
The stars up above, with their glittering eyes,
Keep guard for the army is sleeping.
He had no accurate notion of the value
of his work, and the scrawl was passed
from one to another of his comrades, and
around the camp fire they read and com
mented upon it. They were true critics.
One of his comrades told me that he had
been moved to tears by the lines:
mere Is only t0e SOUND Oh the lone sentry tread,
As he trampa from the rock to the fountain,
And he tn 8 of the two on the low trundle bed,
In the cot far away on the mountain.
And when the battle was over, when poor
Thad mad been roughly saluted by the
grim messenger and lay in an unknown
grave on battle scareed slope among the
Virginia hills, then the literati read and
then wondered. First one and then
another of the sweet singers of the earth
were credited with this masterpiece of
poetry. And there lay the author, I'M
needing the wrangling and the conflicting
criticisms of those who wisely sat them
selves in the seat of judgment.
ITgfkl was it the night wind that rushed through
the treesf
Vast the moonbeams so wOndrously fashngf
1t looked like musket Ha! Mary good by!
And the life blood wa ebbing and spashing.
All quiet along the Potomac to night;
No sound save the rush of the river;
While loft falls the dew on the face of the dead;
The picket's off duty forever!
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-02-18
THE WHITE HOUSE.

The cornerstone of the White House
was laid, with Masonic rites and ceremo-
MES, on the 18th of Oct der, 1892, and the
structure is, therefore, nearly one hun
bred years old. President Washington
end large concourse of people witnessed
the important event. The building was
completed in 1893, at total cost of
$333,207, and after the interior was par
TALLY burned by the British troops in
1874 a further expenditure of 100000
was required in reconstruction and refur-
nishing. The architect of the building
was young man named HOban, who won
the prize of $500 offered by the Commits
sioners for the best design, and who was
subsequently employed to superintend
the construction at a salary of one hun
dred guineas per year. The design is in
close resemblance to that of the palace of
the Duke of Leinster, in Dublin, which
the architect had seen, and followed. 1t
is of the Grecian order of architecture,
and has two stories and basement, and
is surmounted by a wide balustrade. At
the main entrance is grand portico of
Ionic columns and at the rear a semi
circle colonnade. The material used in
construction was Virginia freestone,
painted white. Adjoining the house on
the west is a conservatory, containing a
choice and varied collection of plants and
exotics.
The famous rooms of the White House
are the East room, the Red Blue and
Green rooms, the Library and State Din
ing room. The East room was originally
the banquet hall'' but is now one of the
public reception rooms. 1t is the largest
apartment in the house, being forty by
eighty feet with lofty ceilings and mag
nifcent appointments. Three massive
crystal chandeliers hang down from the
three profusely decorated panels of the
ceiling, and eight long, beautiful mirrors,
supported on carved mantels in white and
gold, are placed on the four sides of the
room. The carpet, hangings and uphols-
terry are exceeding rich and co, tly. Full
length paintings of General and Martha
Washington hang upon the walls. When
evening receptions are gi, en- by the PR g.
ident the room is fragrant and beautiful
with flowers, aud when thus adorned
under full food of gas-light. with the
added effect of beautiful women in even
ing toilets, it presents scene rarely
equaled in brilliancy. The Green, Blue
ana he'd rooms are nam d from the col
OTIS OF their decorations and hangiDgs,
ana all belong to the suite of reception
rooms. The president r. ceiyps his guests
IN the Blue room, which is the center of
the suite and oval shaped. 1t is the most
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-02-18

The situation of the mansion could not
be more beautiful. The grounds are fill
ed with flower beds and well kept lawns
and adorned with marble fountains. The
rear, or south front, looks out over a
gradually sloping park. extending to the
river bank, opening far-reaching pros
pect of the placid Potomac and the blue
hills of Virginia. Stately oaks, sycamores
and poplars give the grounds in summer
q most beautiful sylvan appearance, and
the official mansion is then almost hid
den by expansive foliage. In the summer
afternoons, when the famous Marine
band gives concerts in these grounds,
throngs of people come to listen to them,
and frequently the occupants of the
White House enjoy the brilliant scene
from the south porch. 1t was Carter
Harrison's humorous picture of the de-
lights democrats would experience when
their turn came to ''cock their feet on the
balustrades and listen to the music" that
saved these concerts to future generations
and the Marine band from strangulation
in the 4th congress, when rigid economy
was the slogan of the democratic party.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-02-18

ters which it is necessary for the president
to see, and turns the others over to the
clerks whose duty it is to answer and file
or destroy them. A large portion of these
letters relate to affairs of the various de
part1nents, and they have to be endorsed
over to the proper official. President
Arthur kept clerk who took charge OF
all the hundreds of newspapers received
at the mansion, and cut out and placed in
scrap-book kept for that purpose all the
good, bad and Indifferent things said of
his administration. The book was laid
before the president every mornitg for
his information. But President Cleve-
land dispensed with the services of the
scrap book clerk when he came to the
White House. Still it would hardly be
safe to assert that he don't know what
some of the papers say. 1t is the duty of
one set of clerks to keep a complete re-
cord of all appointments, the con-
firmations and reflections by the senate,
and the removals from Office, so that the
history of every case can be readily as
certained from the record books. Up to
the present time President Cleveland has
made 1880 appointments, which has in
volved good deal of labor, yet there are
patriots who would like to see him and
his assistants work good deal harder.
To receive and dispose of the vast
throng of callers every day-men who
want Office and delegations who want to
recommend somebody for office-is the
hardest task for the executive and his
chief assistant. The ante-rooms are
usually well occupied by ten o'clock in the
morning, and each visitor thinks his is an
important case. 1t is proper for any one
to call on the president on public bust
ness or simply to pay respects. Regular
reception hours are from 10 a. m. to p
m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Satur
days. Col. Lamont the presidents pri.
vate secretary, is young man of re-
markable qualifications for the place
He made himself SO indispensable to Mr.
Cleveland at Albany by his acquaintance
with politicians, quickness in understand
ing men and their purposes; and his great
t.ct in conducting the affairs of the ante
chamber, that when the governor was
about to become president he concluded
that he could not get along without Dan
| At first the latter was disinclined to come
to Washington, and the president said tC
him one day, swell, Dan, if you don't go,
I won't, and that's all there is about it,
SO Dan came. Mr.. Lamont joins the
president when the thousands of govern
menl clerks are hurrying to their desks
at nine in the morning. He is with HIN
for an hour, disposing of the morning
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-02-18

mail. The rest of the day is given up
mainly to the reception of business WISH
tors, who can communicate their affairs
through Mr.. Lamont, or secure, by his
powerful intervention, the favor of a
special interview with the president him.
self. Late in the afternoon they ride out
together. Their relations are to-day pre-
cisely what they were at Albany. They
have not yet quite accustomed themselves
to political changes and promotion, for
among intimate friends the president is
as likely to speak of his private secretary
as "Dan," and the secretary to refer to
1.-THE governor" as eithor is to speak more
formally and accurately. The secretarys
work is not done at night, for he spends
the hours until twelve, or even until one
or two in the morning, at the desk of the
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-02-18

THE WHITE HOUSE.
A MODEST OLD STRUCTURE,
SCARCELY SUCH AS
WOULD BE ERECT
ED TODAY.
HOW 1T IS FURNISHED AND WHAT
Is DONE THEREIN WAYS OF
DIFFERENT OCCUPANTS AND
THEORIES OF VISITORS
wHATIT COSTS TO RUN
A PRESIDENTIAL
MANSION.

The executive mansion, popularity
known as the "White House,, was erected
in the days of "Jeffersonian simplicity
and while it was then considered mag
niicent affair, adapted to the needs of
future greatness, it is to-day considered
scarcely suitable ''palace" for the exec
utive of sixty millions of people, ranking
among the first nations of the earth.
Surrounded by beautiful grounGs-a plat
of twenty acres-it appears like fine
old country seat. Aside from it's modest
appearance and limited capacity, the
structure is crumbling away from old age
During the past twenty years the
amounts expended in repairs, refurnish-
ing, redecorating, etc, run well up into the
hundred thousands, so that the interior
presents an aspect of moderate splendor.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-02-18
REsPECTABLE DRUGGISTS

Never deceive the public, but beware of the Cheap
John druggist Who offer you q plaster called
the genuine Benson's Capcine Plaster or even
better. They ask lees for the imitation, for il
costs less: but as a remedial agent it is absolutely
worthless 7 he reputation of Benson's az the only
ttteT nossessing actual and high curative quail.
t.tsis he result of many years experiment and
onorable dealings on the part If the proprietors;
I'd 5dGD nbygicians, pharlnaclsts and druggists
endorse it as the best ever made Protect Yourself
against detention by buying OF reputable dealers
81, and avoid mistakes BY personal examination
The genuine plaster has the ''Three Seals trade
n,art Ind in he centre IL cut the word "Capcine."
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-02-18
BEFORE THE WAR.

DAYS OF THE LOG CABIN AND THE
YELLOW KIVVER.
Richmond State.
"Tell me something about the political
campaigns in Richmond before the war;"
asked State reporter yesterday of Su-
perintendent John H. Knowles, who, dur
ing the seventy long and useful years of
his life has often mingled with the people
of Richmond, and perhaps knows more of
her history for the past fifty years than
any other citizen.
''The subject is inexhaustible," he re-
pied, in his most polite and accomIno-
dating way.
''What is the first campaign that you
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-02-18
THE COUNTY's CASH.

The following amounts are in the county
treasury to the credit of the funds men
toned
Court house and Jail, $1,8S6.90.
Permanent school fund, $1,000.
General fund, $508.59.
Road and bridge fund, $405.12.
The Trans-C Continental Land and Cattle
company have paid the second payment
of $1,000 in advance for lease of the
county school lands.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-02-18
THE LIBRARY,

president, assisting him in clearing up
the vast amount of business which can
not be disposed ot during the hours
given up to the never-ending throng of
callers.
The cost of maintaining the presi-
Dental establishment is about $4,000 per
year, exclusive of the presidents salary of
$4,000. The private secretary receives
$3,250 and his first assistant $4,000. Two
executive clerks have $4,000 and the other
clerks, with the stengrapher, stewart,
ushers, messengers, doorkeepers. and
watchmen, aggregate something like $27,-
600. In addition there is an allowance of
$4,000 for contingent expenses, $4,000
for lighting the house and grounds, So
500 for the care of the conservatory and
$25,000 for other expenses. When JEFF
ferson was president he made his tours
about the city on foot, or upon the back
of a sedate slow-going horse, but in our
times the president maintains fine stable
of costly horses. Grant and Arthur had
several of the best horses in the land,
worth hundreds of dollars each, and Pre-
sident Cleveland is not much behind.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-02-18

Dakota, with her 100000 square miles,
is less than three-fourths as large as Cali
fornia, with 100000, and only little more
than half as large as Texas, with $4,000.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-02-18
ECZEM MA
And Every Species Of Itch.
ing and Burning Diseases
Cured by Cuticura.

L'CZEMA, or ALT Rheum, with its agonizing
~ itching and burning, instantly relieved by a
warm bath of Cuticura Soap, and single applica-
ton of Cuticura, the great Skin Cure This re-
peated daily, with two or three doses of Cuticura
Resolvent, the New 5lood Purifier, to keep the
the hoW vo on e thp iVer an @ t AUNT
cure Eczema letter, Nngyorm, Psoriasis, Lichep,
Pruritus, Scald Head, Dandruf, and every species
of Itching Scaly and Pimply Humors OF the Scalp
and Skin, whom the best physicians and all known
remedies fail
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-02-18

PHYSICIANS PRESCRIBE THEM have nothing
but the highest praise for the results obtained from
your CuTIcuA REMEDIES, of which i have sold
more than of all others Of the kind
M0NRO BOND, NJ. D.,
$500 n. Broad ST., Philadelphia, Pa,
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-02-18
POLITICAL GEMS.

The two following poems we're found by
one of the scribes of The STATESMAN in a
very elegant scrap-book of attractive and
beautiful literary selections, in this city.
Both the poems were written by southern
young men, and while some of our readers
may have read and heard one of them,
many others have not, and as they are
both poetical gems they are here given:
BE VIoLETS LIST'NERSl
Make me grave when die
Aside some humble stream
River or rill, go it passeth by
You-vision of my hfe's vain dream
Rohed in lilies be its vergef
oh, no-THEY symbol purity.
Be violets list ners to the dirge
Ever walled by wind and tree;
Round the rest
OF tired breast
Tell no pray'r,
Only a tear
Shall my spirit crave of thee.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-02-18

Sold by all druggists Price: Cuticura, 50 cts,
Resolyent, Si0O; Soap, % cts. Prepared by the
Potter Drug and Chemical Co., Boston, Mass.
Send for Pamphlet
DIT TTTIFY the Complexion and Skin by
LII n " using the Cticnra Soap
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-02-18

Mrs. ISAAC PHELPS, Rayenna. o., writes. "For
the last year have had species of itching scaly
and pimply humors on my face To which have APP
piled great many methods of treatment without
success, and which was speedily and entirely cured
by Cuticura.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-02-18
A DOMESTIC EPISODE.
Clinton Scotland.

you've ceased to love me- John, fear
great change has come over you;
You do not sit besse me dear,
And hug me az you used to do
"You use to praise my eyes, my hair,
And often kissed my lip and brow
When we sat on one rocking chair
Dear John, why don't you do so nOwf
"You used to call me your delight,
Said you were proud my love to win,
And kept me at the gate at night
Till ma would come and call me in.
''You called me then your ownest own,
Your popsy pet, you did, you know;
That happy time is past and gone
All, dearest, what has changed you sol
John laid his paper on his knee,
And heye a SIGH and said: 81 fear
Whatever changes there may be
You've brought about yourself, my dear.
"This much, at least, you must confess;
Whene my visits would pay,
You did not meet me in the dress
In which you'd been at work all day.
"Your hair was not in paper curls
Your slippers Mapping on your feet;
You were the prettiest of girls
With everything about you neat.
ga snow-white collar then you'd wear,
Al d at your throat pretty bow
A flower OF some kind in your hair
Now, darling, what has changed you soY'
From the Boston Courier.
PEACE.
All, what is peace?
Is 1t the last long sleep,
That slumber deep
Which turmoil canhOt reach,
Nor teEderest human speech,
Nor kind or unkind deed?
Or is this peace?
The green fields and the sky,
With Love anigh,
With apple blossoms sweet,
Make all the air replete,
And nowhere is sound.
Oris 1t peace
When, midst the worlds loud strife,
A human life,
Which seek but others gain,
Builds from all joy and pain
silent spot for rest!
Laura NJ. Marquand, in February Overland.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-02-18

MAX PAUL closes out for this
season the entire stock of Mems and
Youths Clothing and Boots at 25 per cent.
off, including 20 gents fine imported black
suits, at $500, formerly $2S.00; also all
the blankets, bed comforts and winter
dress goods at 20 per cent off; sells A
Fruit of the Loom Domestic at 7aIc per
yard; Sea Island, at &c; lest calicos, at
DC; worsteds at sc per yard; long oil
coats at $1.50; double ones, at $500:
A suger, SIC; all kinds of beans, peas.
dried apples, hominy, grits, oatmeal, Fox
starch. ETC., all &c per pound; choice Rio
coffee at 12%c; Snowflake crackers at
l21@c: bacon. 6Mc.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-02-18

The losses by fir in 1885 in the United
States nd Can ida are estimated at 1884,
10000 or $15,0O0,000 less than for 1884
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-02-18

Mr.. JonN TuEL, Wilkesbarre, Pa, writes: ~
have suffered from Salt Rheuni for over eight
years, at times so bad that | could not attend 10
my business for weeks at time. Three boxes Of
Cuticura and four bottles Resolvent have entirely
cured me of this dreadful disease"
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-02-18

If afflicted with sore eyes, use DR.. Isaac
Thompson's eye water. Druggists, 20 cts.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-02-18
VALENTINES AND DROP LETTERS.

VALENTINES AND DKOP LETTERS.
Numerous valentines and drop letters
are held in the postoffice in this city for
additional postage. Valentines and drop
letters in an Office with the carrier deliv-
cry system must have two cent stamp if
sealed. Many persons think that a one
cent stamp is enough for a drop letter or
one addressed to any one in the city, but
that is a mistake, as stated when an
Office has a carrier delivery two cents
must be put upon every sealed letter.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-02-18

CHAs. HouaHToN, Esq, lawyer 20 State street,
Boston, reports case of Eczema under his obser-
walton for ten years, which covered the patients
body and limbs, and tn which all known methods
of treatment had been applied without beneht,
which was completely cured solely by the Cnucura
Remedies, leaving clean and healthy skin.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-02-18
HIS FESTIVAL

took its rise. In the early days, however,
the highly colored, cheap and the elabor-
ate costly missives now sent out we're not
known, but instead small presents such a.
gloves, handkerchiefs, garters and other
articles. 1t was also custom to have the
names of number of one sex put into q
other and thereupon every one drew q
name which, for the time being, was his
or her Valentine. To-day the postoffice
will be filed TO overlooking with missives
from love-slck swans and maidens, to say
nothing of horrid, highly colorcd Garcia
lures sent out by the irrepressible small
boy to persons against whom he harbors
ill will.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-02-18

WILL McNoH.LD, 25i2 Dearborn street, Chicago,
gratefully acknowledges cure of Eczema or Salt
Rhcum, on head, neck, face, arms and legs for sew
and knees, for one year; not able to help himself
for eight years tried HUNDREDS OF remedies doctors
pronounced his case hopeless permanently cured
by Cuticura Resolvent blood purifer) internally,
and Cuticura and Cuticura Soap (the great skin
cures) externally.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-02-18
ST. VALENTINE

st. Valentine, who lived and fourished
ages ago, was good old man, but never
theess it is supposed he was beheaded.
He was SO famous for his love and great
charity that the custom of choosing and
sending Valentines upon
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-02-18
NIB.

IN" for Mamie and "B" for Ben;
! see them now rs | saw them then
In the bark of the oak tree we'd
She sat waist deep in the clover white
And the liquid gold of that June sunlight
Shown over her sweet young head
And stood carving the letters twain,
Which time and tempest have all in vain
Striven to blur and blot;
But they live in the oak trees dusky grain,
Stamped as their memory on my brain,
Changing but fading not.
Oh, the VOWS that vowed that day.
Their broken shafts in my bosom stay,
Wounding it hour by hour.
Could prove false to one so trueE
Dared be cruel, my love- to your
Oh, Mamie, my lily flower!
Ere the snow had whitened those letters twain,
In the old church porch you hid your pain,
As and my bride passed by.
Your eye was brave, but your cheek was white
The cheek that | should have pillowed that
night
Where it never now may liel
Little Mamie you are now at rest;
The buttercups growing above your breast
Close by the churchyard gate;
And have learned to rue the day
Gold tempted my steps from love astray;
Yet mine is the sadder fatel
would give the rest of my life tonight
TO see you stand in the clover white
The sun on your locks Of gold,
And carve them now, as | carved them then:
an for Mamie and ''B' for Ben,
In the bark of the oak tree old
UNDER THE MAGNOLIAS
Reused by a clear-voced trumpeter of dawn,
In joy seek the golden courts Of day;
The dusky cohorts of the night have gone
Far down their western way.
winding forest path invites my feet,
Low winds are calling from the dewy aisles:
Before me lies the herOn's dim retreat
y maze of leafy miles
Some power occult so moves me that cross
The sleeping garden where bananas lean,
And win, through hoary oak groves draped with
moss,
The woodlands wide demesne.
A hooking bird sautes me as 90,
An oriole greets me as press along;
l feel in all my veins quickeninG glow,
Companioned thus by song.
Through interlacing boughs of pine and palm
| catch brief glimpses Of turquois sky;
Below, as softly as an evening psalm,
The river ripples by.
gain ere long the royal forests heart,
And pause, where proud magnolias lift in state
Their wealth of blossoms whose pale petals part
Sweetly inviolate.
Here in the early legendary days,
Beside these mighty, time-defying boles,
Gathered around their campfre's ruddy blaze
The swarthy Seminoles.
And through the trembling shadows round me cast
My startled fancy pictures, even now,
A stealthy chieftain gliding slyly past,
With bow of stont ash Dough.
Recalling memories of persisted time,
While thus stray through changing glow and
gloom,
| do not heed how trumpet creepers climb
Or golden jasmines bloom.
But taking leave of present thoughts and things,
| voyage on years that swiftly backward flow,
And dwell with those who regned as forest kings
Two centuries ago.
Clinton Scollard