davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Middletown transcript., 1886-02-26
THE FoRsAKEN FARMHOUSE

| Against the wooded hill It stands;
! Ghost of a dead home, staring through
Its broken lights on wasted lands,
| Where old-time harvests grew.
! Unploughed, unsown, by scythe unshorn,
The poor forsaken farm-fields lie,
Once rich and rife with golden corn,
And pale green breadths of rye.
OF healthful herb and flower bereft,
The garden plot no housewife keeps;
Through weeds and tangle only left
The snake, its tenant, creeps.
A lilac spray, once blossom clad,
Sways bare before the empty rooms;
Beside the rootiess porch sad,
Pathetic red rose blooms.
His track, in mould and dust of drouth.
On floor and hearth the squirrel leaves,
And in the fireless chimney's mouth
His web the spider weaves.
The leaning barn about to fall
Resounds no more on husking ewes;
No cattle low in yard or stall,
No thresher beats his sheayes.
So sad, so drear 1t seems almost
Some haunting Presence makes its sign
That down yon shadowy. lane some ghos
Might drive his spectral kinei
John Greenleaf Whittier, in the Februdr.
Atlantic.
Middletown transcript., 1886-02-26

An Active Man.


Greatest man to jump into town
and get acquainted with the folks I
ever saw, Jap johnson was," said a
travelling man.
"Give Jap a night and day in a
country place. and everybody would
call him by his first name, and he'd
call everybody the same way, even
the girls. In forty-eight hours he'd
know every man, woman, child, dog,
horse, and car in the town, and could
tell who married who, who got drunk
once in a while, and who had fits Of
rheumatics Give him three days in
a place, and he'd have every bit Of
the gossip and old musty scandal that
ever went over the back fences of that
town down iner'n silk. He was a
wonderful man, Jap was, and he'd
sell goods like house afre.
"The biggist thing he ever did,
though, was about four years ago.
He had four hours to spend in a little
town out in Western Iowa. In that
time he sold two bills of goods, was
invited to dinner by the Mayor, de-
cided four bets, was referee in a dog
fight, proposed marriage and was ac-
cepted by the belle of the town, bor-
rowed five dollars from her pa, beat
another man two games Of billiards,
and, it happening to be election day,
he capped the mansard by sailing in
and having himself elected Town
Clerk by majority of eleven votes.'
Herald.
Middletown transcript., 1886-02-26

| Mr.. Brown closed his eyes and
made a hasty calculation. His life
had been worried out-of him, to use
a mediocre expression, by capricious
housekeepers, inefficient cooks and un-
trained servants. At last here was a
gateway out of all his tribulations !
"My DEAR" he said, 81 should like
to have you come here and live"
CAS- cook, Cousin Brown"
"No, as my adopted daughter and
housekeeper. 1 need some one to
take the helm of my affairs. By Ju-
piter r he added, as he recollected the
favor of the giblet pie, 81 have not
eaten such a dinner in ten years."
"But my mother" hesitated Elean-
or, "and my sister Lucetta."
"Let them come, too" said Mr..
Brown. "Bless your heart, my dear,
there's plenty of room in the house.
Can they cook, oo?"
"No, Cousin Brown confessed
Nelly.
Well, perhaps it's just as we'll"
said Mr.. Brown. There cannot be
more than one head to a household.
| hope you have preserved the receipt
ofthat gibbet pie. my dear. 1t was
really something extraordinary"
So the Torrance family found a
comfortable refuge for the soles of
their feet, and Nelly's despised ac-
cemplishment proved the sword where
with she opened the worlds oyster.
And Lucetta sighed and wondered
why she, too, had not taken lessons.
"Nelly is the old mans first favor
ite," she said. "He'll leave her his
money when he dies. And because
she accepted his ridiculous offer of
turning cook for a living"
Mr.. Brown, however, looked at
this matter in a different light. |
Nelly is a trump" he said. "Nel-
ly is not like the typical young lady, |
who is too lazy to work, and tooproud
to beg. She is one who ennobles the
humblest task, and does with all her
might whatever her hands find to do"
So the old proverb came true
9 Heaven helps those who help them
selves" |
Middletown transcript., 1886-02-26
Cuban Courtship.

One pities the Cuban young mar
who is in love. He cannot see hel
alone, and cannot come regularly Il
the house until fair understanding
Of his intention is arrived at. Ant
when at last he has attained the felicity
of being daily expected, he must d.
all his courting in the presence Of th,
family, and utter his sweetnesses across
the critical ear of his future mother
in-law. Until they have been tt
church, they two are never left alone
The whole family take sly turns in
watching them. There is a regular
detail made, I think, from the older
servants of the house, to keep an eye
upon them.
But there is human nature every.
where, even in Cuba, and the two are
always getting off to window seat or
a distant pair of chairs, though, with
equal certainty, somebody sidles off in
that direction and mounts guard, The
smitten pair do not walk together in
the evening. He does not accompany
her to the theatre or to mass. They
enjoy all the bliss they can under great
difficulty, and with all mankind look
ing on.
The indirect result of all this es-I
pionage, of course, nobody in this land
of custom has ever observed. There
are great many small intrigues and
innocent endeavors to circumvent the
detectives. There are eloquent glanees,l
signals, fan talk and the sly inter-
change of notes. Then the iron-guard-I
ed window, instead of being protec-
tion, becomes, a great convenience. 1t
is more than the front gate is with us.
She knows when he will pass by, and
stands inside with fair hand clasp
ing the bars of her cage, and waits for
him. They stand there with the iron
between them and talk. Every day
it is so, and if mamma wishes to stop
it, she must come and stand in the
window also.
There are respects in which the
young man has a hard time. He must
come every day. He must, and she
holds him to the strict letter of this
aw. he is bound to show, by every
means in his power, that he holds all
,ther women in contempt and detesta-
ion. He must not dance with any
,ther, and had better not be caught
holding on to any other window bars.
n any other street. He tells all his
riends about it, and she all hers, and
he matter is diligently discussed. IfI
lie should fail to come around re-
,ularly every day he has to tell sat-
sfactory story. I have known. her to
end her brother after him. he takes
lis revenge after marriage.-From |
Cuban Sketches" by james W.
steele.
Middletown transcript., 1886-02-26
How New Jersey Lost Staten Island.

How New Jersey Lost Staten Island.
It has been matter ofsome curiosi-
ty how it came to pass that Staten Is
land is included within the control of
New York State while its territory is
SO much nearer and only separated by
a small kill from New Jersey.
In 1864, Charles II granted to his
brother, Duke of York, all that terri
tory lying between the Connecticut
and Delaware rivers. He at once sent
expeditions out and settled Elizabeth
town and Newark. with Middletown
and Shrewsbury in Monmouth county.
In the meantime he sold his claim west
of the Hudson to Lord Berkeley and
Sir George Carteret. The boundary
was not specified with reference to
Staten Island, and the proprietorship
became doubted question, although
the island had previously been held
by the Dutch and Swedes as we'll as
the English colonists. Its geographi-
cal position, it was agreed, allied it to
the nearest mainland, while on the
other hand it was maintained that the
waters of the Hudson flowed west of
it. The Duke of York finally settled
it, by declaring that all the islands of
the Hudson that could be encompass
ed within a days sail belonged to
him. Capt. Billop, favorite of the
Duke, accomplished the feat in the
ship Bentley, and was rewarded for
the service with the gift of the south
ern part of the island now known as
Bentley's Manor. Thus the island, so
unimportant then, was wrested from
New Jersey, and has become of so
much consequence as to attract the at
tention not only of Legislators, but of
congressman in the struggle for right
ofway to it.
Middletown transcript., 1886-02-26
Lacking in Disposition.

Two tramps, one of them young
man, the other well advanced in life,
had just left a house where they had
been supplied with bountiful dinner.
81 say, Bill" queried the younger of
the two, +" where do you s'pose we'll
get our support" The old tramp turn
ed on him in disgust.
"Here you've just had your din
ner," he said, and you begin to WON
der where you'll get your supper. If
that's the kind Of disposition you've
got, young feller, you had better quit
the profession and go to work :"
-Life.
Middletown transcript., 1886-02-26
Barley.


The papers are saying that one Of
our largest brewers is willing to con-
tract for one hundred and fifty thou.
srnd bushels Of barley at the price
prevailing to-day. and are advising
the planting of this excellent grain.
We do not vouch for the truth of
the statement; but do concur in the
advice to sow more barley and less
wheat. Not that we think on every
farm barley would be the more prof.
table, but that it will be a change
and a partial rest to the ground. To
grow barley successfully, a farmer
must have soil adapted to this grain.
On our hard, dry adobe soils, barley
is not the crop to plant; but on the
moister, candy, loamy bottoms, it
fourishes and yields abundantly. In
the San Louis, valley, barley can be
raised easily, and the yield is wonder
full. If the land that can now be ir-
rigated in this valley could this year
be planted to barley, we have not a
doubt but FIVE million bushels could
be harvested and the time is not far.
distant when this valley will raise
ten times the quantity of this valuable
grain that will be needed in this State
for malt, and st. Lonis will draw from
there a portion Of the grain that she
now gets in California, to make
therefrom the famous beer Of that
city.
Barley is not alone good to make
beer from, but is as good a feed for
hogs, horses and cows as is corn, On
some of our farms more barley can be
raised per acre than corn, and the
price is much better. Barley straw
IS as good for fodder as most of our
native hay. We advise planting more
barley, whether brewers want it or
not.-Colorado Farmer.
Middletown transcript., 1886-02-26
BABY, OH MY BABY.
By R. ). HURDErrn.


There is no joy In the world like you
No music sweet as your .goo-ah-goo."
No skies as clear SO your eyes OF blue
Baby. oh my baby.
But when you ground on the secret pin
And open your valve and howl like sin,
Nogong can equal your little din,
Baby, oh my baby.
Ny heart is glad when your face see,
Myjoy Is full when you come to me,
laugh with you in romping glee,
Baby, oh my baby.
And oftentimes my midnight snore
Is broken short by your screaming roar,
And till morning ,dawns we walk the t1oer;
Baby. oh my baby.
Brooklyn Eagle.
Middletown transcript., 1886-02-26
Heard it Before.

Deacon Bucrag had been invited tc
address the Sunday school, and as he
was a poor talker, plunged at once
into the story of. Jonah and the
whale.
"Now, dear children" he concluded
:" is not that nice story?"
"Yessir,' replied one of the small.
est of the dear children, its a nice
story, but it's chestnut" New York
Times,
Middletown transcript., 1886-02-26
AN ORIENTAL FErE.

/ hihOuS Aurhisu Festivities uOn5 per-
haps surpasses in magnifcence the
Bairam. This pageant is crowded
with etiquette" and at this triumphal
season Eastern pomp finds opportunity
for an extreme Of ostentatious dis
play.
There is satisfaction in seei
for ones SELF" writes our bus
traveller, g and through the q
Of officials in power I had thai
pleasure.
The Sultan and his chief officers
perform their deyotions at ST. Sophia
at six o'clock in the morning, and it
was with great magniicence. of equi-
page and splendor Of dress that this
royal company of worshippers set
forth /; the housings Of the horses were
especially rich and gaudy. His Im-
perial Majesty the Sultan rode Is
splendid charger, whose housings
glowed with rubies, topazes, pearls,
emeralds, and other precious stones,
the combination forming the flowers
of mass of golden foliage. Imme-
diately following him were chiefs Of
the black and white eunuchs, and
then corpulent dwarf of ferocious
visage, apparelled like pasha, and
occupying toward his master the po-
sition of the testers of the Middle
Ages. This dwarf bestrode a gigan-
tic horse, much too broad for the
short legs Of the pigmy rider. On
every side we're multitudes of soldiers,
keen-eyed, vigilant fellows. pompously
appreciatiye Of their high Office.
g This Sultan was born, according
to our reckoning. in 1928. Such a
noted parsonage, abroad in his pride
cognizant Of his power, and holding
sway over the bodies and souls of his
subjects, was a sight to look upon:
seldom do strangers have more than
one such opportunity.
This ceremony of the Bairam is
of two hours length, giving one am
pie chance to study details of dress
and general arrangement.
In his fez the Sultan had clasp
Of diamonds, thus royalty securing the
plume of heron's feathers-the sign
Of supreme power a kind of surtout
Of dark blue material, held in place
BY buckle of brilliants. partially
the embroidery Of bis superb
Uniform; in addition white satin trou-
sers, polished leather boots, and ex-
luisitely fitting straw-covered gloves
q costume which in its rare
oitrivalled the gorgeous
of subordinates.
His impassive countenance APP
oeared to express feeling Of pro-
ound safety of power. One could
llso trace in the Sultan's face an ex-
oerience of settled and intense ennui:
10 play of thought made itself mani
est;anexpression always Interchangeable
md eternal sthesnowsofthe mountains
ormed a mask Of marble-like stern
less; very pale were his cheeks; the
orehead was large and full his beard
vas soft brown in tint, imparting
he only point of sotness and delicacy
liscernible; his eyes can find no it
no one can but say of
hem they we're like unto nothing but
uns Of black set in sky of dia-
nonds."
Middletown transcript., 1886-02-26
CuriOus.


A paper makes the following cur
ious statement: All fruits that grow
with pit, core, or with seed, can be
made to grow without them, when it
is understood. It is accomplished by
reversing the scion-rooting the top
end of the plant. To do this you
bend the scion to sprout down, and
cover it with dirt. After roofing cut
it loose and let the root end be up.
Apples are grown without cores,
peaches without seed, and grapes and
other vines also, by simply reversing
the plant. It is true, and can be done
to certainty.
Middletown transcript., 1886-02-26
Her Despised Accomplishment.

Old MIR. Brown stood in his privat'
office, with his back to the fire and hi
coat-tails balanced in either hand
he was bald-headed old gentleman
with ruddy complexion, keen blacl
eyes and leg of mutton whiskerE
which were white as snow. And Mis-
Nelly Torrance sat looking at him
timidly from the depth of the big arm
chair in which he had beckoned her to
seat herself.
$50 you are my cousin Adrian's
daughter?" said he, after a long
pause.
"Yes,' said Nelly, wondering what
was in all those mysterious tin boxes,
and whether the monster iron safe
was full of gold and silver pieces.
And you want want something to
dop
Yes, pleasep
"Humpp said Mr.. Brown
But" she added, with some spirit,
IL am not asking for charity. I am
willing to work for my bread !"
You mean that you would like to
daub canvas, or sew yellow sunfowers
on green plush screens" satirically
observed the old gentleman" I don't
call that work."
"Nor either" retorted Nelly.
'' Then what do you mean |" said
Mr.. Brown.
II mean that I shall be glad to
undertake any sort of honest work by
means Of which I can earn my own
living
Hump again interjected Mr..
Brown. "Can you cookY'
eyes," Nellie answered.
Z" / don't believe it
But I canl"
" Very WE'LL" said Mr.. Brown, re-
leasing his coat-tails and sitting down
at his desk as if the question were
definitely disposed Of my cook
went away this morning. I haven't
any one in her place. You
may come this afternoon and see what
you can do for me-"
Mr.. Brown fully expected that his
young cousin would recoil Indignantly
rom this proposal, but she did moth
ng of the sort. She simply said
: Yes, Cousin John )" and asked him
or his private address.
Mind you're punctual, my dear T |
aid he, as he handed her the penciIed
ard.
am always punctual," calmly
Nelly.
Mr.. Brown watched her out Of the
flee with quizzical twinkle in bis
ye.
"She won't come" !" he said to him
elf "I'se seen the last of my fine
elation."
And Nellie Torrance went home to
little second floor room, the cheap
st which the widow and her daughters
onld possibly find.
Mrs Adrian Torrance was dressed
q black, fair delicate piece of hui
nan china, who had been like the
lilies Of the field, in that she toiIed
ot, neither did she spin, and Lucetta,
be older daughter, was trying unsuc-
to trim a black Grape bonnet,
y the window.
They had come up from the country
t Lucetta's suggestion to appeal, in
heir poverty, to this rich cousin Of the
cad father and husband, but none of
hem anticipated any very satisfactory
esults from the experiment.
"These rich people are always mis-
rly," said Miss Lucetta.
And I've understood" said the
emile little widow, that he was not
leased when poor dear Adrian mar
led rne instead of Miss Goldbags, the
ch pawnbroker's daughter"
"Well ?" cried Mrs. Torrance I,
agerly, as Nelly entered. Ii
What does he sayf" questioned
'ucetta, dropping the fold of Grape
1
Middletown transcript., 1886-02-26
A sure Sign.

What is it sign off, he asked as
he halted lawyer on Griswold street,
"When your finger nails grow out
like this in just two weeks Z"
The lawyer took the outstretched
hand and looked at the talons for o
moment and then replied
sIt's sign you'll have real estate
enough to raise fifty bushels ofpotatoes
next year III you don't clean 'enl Pr
Detroit Free Press. z
Middletown transcript., 1886-02-26

At recent convention of physicians
it was proven by analysis that Red
Star Cough Cure contained no danger
GUS narcotics. The test was so con-
yincing that the most sceptical were
satisfied, and physicians everywhere
now recommend the remedy. Only
I25 cents.
Middletown transcript., 1886-02-26
For the Transcript.
oCoMFoRT ME NOT:

o comfort me not,
For my heart is breaking,
And the winds hollow voice
Is song of regret;
o comfort me not,
For I know the forsaking
Of every sweet choice,
And the ways I forget.
o comfort me not,
For feel the endeavor
But weakens my hope,
Makes sorrow more keen,
Ocomfort me not,
Sad now, and forever
I fain would aye grope
For the days that have been.
MINNIE C. BALLARD.
Middletown transcript., 1886-02-26

If we would have powerful minds,
we must think if powerful muscles,
we must labor il sound lungs We
must take DR.. Bulls Cough Syrup.
Price 25-cts.
For cuts, bruises, sprains, burns,
scalds, frostbites and chilblains nothing
equals Salvation OH. It annihilates
pain. Price 25 cents q bottle.
Middletown transcript., 1886-02-26
>glistellantons Entertainments.
SEASoNABLE GOODS
AT
w. H. MOORE 8 CO.'S
Fancy Goods.

- SSA30J
/: A beautiful assortment of Pretty,
/: Useful and Ornamental Things, such
as Mirrors, Toilet Boxes in leather and
/: plush, Pincushions, Ladies' Hand
!: Satchels in alligator and plush, Easels,
+: Tides, Christmas Cards, ETC., Etc.
/: Linens.
/: If you want Table Linens, Napkins
and Towels, we have them. Come and
see.
/: Hats and Caps.
/: This is Headquarters for Hats of
the Latest Style; also, Fur Caps for
/; Ladies, Men and Children.
Cloaks.
The Best Fitting and Best Made.
Our sales have been large, but our as
sortment Of both Ladies and Children's
Coats is yet good.
Clothing.
Heaps and Piles Of Clothing. Good
Clothing. Warm Clothing. Big
Clothing. Little Clothing. Cloth
ing you will buy If you see il.
Carpets. /
Tfyou want a Carpet we can sell
you. If you wish to see, we can show
you more than one hundred different
designs. We have great many kinds,
and great many prices, and sell
great many Carpets. Prices 25c. per
yard, up.
Groceries.
All Kinds of Groceries. Also,
Raisins, Gurrants, Prunes, ETC., Etc.
Middletown transcript., 1886-02-26

To temporize with your health in
stead of promptly using DIR. Bulbs
Baltimore Pills is supreme folly.
Positively. the best, Days Horse
Powder. See that you get no other.
All druggists keep it.
The 'sbaby's best friend'' is the most
appropriate title for DR.. Bulbs Baby
Syrup: It is guaranteed to be free
from opium and Iaudanum.9,
Middletown transcript., 1886-02-26
Handkerchiefs.

Handkerchief in abundance. All
kinds. Linen Handkerchiefs, Silk
Handkerchiefs, Pongee Handkerchiefs
Embroidered Handkerchies, Hand
kerchiefs with Printed Borders, Muf-
flers, Etc, Etc.
Middletown transcript., 1886-02-26

pdThelbest remedy for Insomnia is DIR.
Henlsy's Celery, Beef and Iron.
Middletown transcript., 1886-02-26

cage cannot wither it nor state its
infinite variety" Flesh is hardly heir
to an ache or pain which cannot be
cured by using Salvation Oil.
1t is painfully annoying to be dis
turbed in public assemblies by some
one coughing when you know DIR.
Bulls Cough Syrup is only 25 cents.
Middletown transcript., 1886-02-26

Nine times out of ten, the woman
who is worth her weight in gold mar
ries man who is not worth his
weight in scrap, iron.
Middletown transcript., 1886-02-26
Rubber Goods.

Ofall kinds. Stock Full. Electrif-
ed and Transparent Ladies' Gossa-
mers. Beautiful and Good.
Middletown transcript., 1886-02-26
Boots and Shoes.

Our stock of Boots and Shoes in
Ladies Mems and Children's is COM
plete. You can get just what you
need. We call special attention to our
Wedge Heel Shoe" in Ladies and
Misses. They are made Of the very
best stock, very easy to the feet,
and every pair is guaranteed. Try
them and you will buy no other kind.
Middletown transcript., 1886-02-26
Gloves.

Ladies' and Gents Kid Gloves,
Scotch Wool Gloves, Castor Gloves.
Cashmere Gloves, Buckskin Gloves
and Fur Gloves Desirable and Cheap.
Middletown transcript., 1886-02-26
Dress Goods.

A large stock of Dress Goods, out of
which you can get just what you want
and at a much less price than you
ever bought them before.
Middletown transcript., 1886-02-26
Carpets.
Groceries.

All Kinds of Groceries. Also,
Raisins, Gurrants, Prunes, ETC., Etc.
Middletown transcript., 1886-02-26
Linens.

Ifyou want Table Linens, Napkins
and Towels, we have them. Come and
see.
Middletown transcript., 1886-02-26
aNeckwear.

A full line of Ladies' and Gents
Neckwear. The Newest and Best in
the Market. Prices Low.
Middletown transcript., 1886-02-26
Hats and Caps.

This is Headquarters for Hats of
the Latest Style; also, Fur Caps for
Ladies, Men and Children.
Middletown transcript., 1886-02-26
Cloaks.

The Best Fitting and Best Made.
Our sales have been large, but our as
sortment Of both Ladies and Children's
Goats is yet good.
Middletown transcript., 1886-02-26

Heaps and Piles Of Clothing. Good
Clothing. Warm Clothing. Big
Clothing. Little Clothing. Cloth
ing you will buy If you see it.