davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-06-24
CALIFORNIA; CoNQUERoR.

Colonel Jonathan ID. Stevenson, tho
Founder of Great Commonwealth.
For the first time in forty years Colo
mel Stevenson has visited the East. The
name of Colonel j. d. Stevenson is
not we'll known to the present genera
ton, but his history is an extremely in
teresting one. He is the conqueror of
California. The Goth of September,
1876, in command of one thousand
volunteers he start d to take posses.
sion of the land in the name of the
United States. To use his own Ian
guage: 1--WE went around Cape Horn,
and were one hundred and sixty-three
days out. My stipulation when !
raised the regiment and went out was
that l should take possession of the
State, which then belonged to the
Mexican<, and stay there with my one
thousand men and COLOMBO it. l
landed there the 10th of March, 1S47,
and have never been twelve hours
away from it until l started on this
visit. Then San Francisco hadn't =
name scarcely; it was my sons and my
self who named it San Francisco.
There were only thirty-four houses
and about two hundred and fifty in
habitants. Now there are forty thou
sand houses and the assessed value of
the property amounts to $500
Co.," Colonel Stevenson is eighty
seven years of age. but still hale and
hearty, his health giving evidence of
the strength and hardihood that were
his in early manhood and which CHI
abled him to encounter and successful
" overcome the difficulties of the set
Element of a country already in the
possession of . people who were antag-
onistic 20 US in every way. and who
opposed our progress with all their
power. Chicago Tribune.
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-06-24
A Satisfactory Apology.

Old Nose and another old darky
were standing on = corner discussing
matters and things, when jim Web
'ter happened to pass.
"Dar am forty regular chicken steal
srs in dis town, including Jim Web
ster," remarked the old man.
Jim overheard the remark, so he
came right up to Nose and threatened
to eliminate him II he did not take it
back.
"Den dar am forty regular chicken
stealers in Texas not inclu1;n' lin,
Webster. Is yer satisfied now?"
Jim said. very much affected: ..Uncle
Nose. when . man 'pologizcs, he less
iisarms me right dar. Shake, old man.
Iaint often nowadays dat ANYBODY
Eaters me as you has jess do1e.".
Texas Sitlinqs.
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-06-24
TIE RUG CRAZE.
Interesting Information Concerning the
Products of Persian Weavers.

fnteresting Information Concerning the
Products of Persian Weavers.
1.-THE present style of decorating the
interior of dwellings," said a Broad
way dealer, .'has done much toward
increasing the business in Eastern rugs
and carpets. Ten years ago Persian
and Smyrna rugs were only in use
among the wealthiest people, but now
a-days families of moderate income
manage to buy one or two. even if they
do come higher than domestic
"Do the Eastern rugs last longer than
those of American and English manu-.
facture?n the dealer was asked.
'.In one sense they do. l have seen
rugs made in Persia over q century
ago that still retain their beautiful col
or. These rugs always look well to
the last bit. If the colors fade at all,
and they will sometimes in the case
where aniline dyes are employed. the
effect is still more harmonious. Age
only softens and beauties the color
ing.
"But," said the dealer, ''you must
bear in mind that in this country we
are harder on carpets than the natives
of Persia. When they come home they
always take off their shoes and put on
slippers, often with felt soles. which
can do no injury to the delicate text
ure of the rugs"
care the Persian rugs ever used by
the natives for any other purpose than
covering the f1oor?'
Eyes; the finer grades are used to
cover divans and tables, and often as
portieres. The best rugs are seldom,
if ever, laid on the floor, except in the
palaces and dwellings of the nobility.
There is one kind of rug made in Persia
that you seldom see in this country. I
mean the rugs made of silk. They are
very costly, and run in price from what
would be five hundred dollars in our
money upward"
The dealer continued: ''Here is q
felt carpet from Persia. They are not
very popular in this country, as yet.
but there is no telling when popular
taste will change in their favor. If
people only knew what they were about
they would lay in supply of these
carpets for cold weather They are
much thicker than any other kind,
and delightfully."- soft to walk on
''How are the felt carpets made?'
1.-THE process employed is a peculiar
one, and differs from any other methods
of manufacture. The operator makes
a frame of the thickness intended, or
digs out place in the hard clay floor
of the depth and size required. He
lays the hair for the rug in this sort of
mold, as you might call it. and beats it
into cohesive mass by the use of wooden
mallets. The design in colored threads
is then beaten into this surface"
care the rugs made by this process
artistic?''
''Some of them introduce very
pretty effects. The designs are
naturally plain, but they are principally
noted for being warm and comfortable.
They last a long while and present a
clean appearance until they are worn
out "-Ninneapolis Com mercial Eulle
tin
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-06-24
Fire and Damp-Proof Paper.

Anew German paper, capable of re-
sisting fire and damp, is mentioned.
the same being produced by adding to
the pulp during the process of grinding
in the rag engine solutions of certain
salts. which. by mutual decomposition,
form insolublc compounds. The solu-
ton which is first added contains zinc
sulphate or chloride. or calcium chic
ride, or acetate. after which tallow,
soap, glue and alum are added. After
having been thoroughly mixed, the
mass is formed into paper-which,
however. before being dried. is once
more passed through bath of the
same or similar composition to the So
luton employed for mixing with the
pulp in the rag engine, and ultimately
impregnated with q solution of catechu.
~ 7. Sun.
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-06-24
HE RIGHT KIM.
Hints to Young Men Who Arc Looking far
O Better Half.

Say. young man, suppose you are
looking about for a wife-one that will
help you to get along III the world
one that will be happy and contented
with you-one that will meet you at
the door of your nice little cottage with
a kiss and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
look on her sweet face, as you come
home from your work at night-one
who viii watch your interests and see
that all is done that can be done for
your comfort and happiness-One who
will have "a nice, clean, substantial
supper spread for you on table COW
cred with spotless linen, with a
clean, white napkin neatly put through
the silver ring on which is engraved
Frank or Charley-one who is as neat
and tidy as the repast she sets before
you.
Where can you get such wife? All,
my boy, not while you are hanging
about the front gate that opens to a
stone-frOnt house on the avenue with a
la-dc-da sort of girl who shippers and
laughs and talks about Carrie r. or
Flora Cone who knows all about the
latest swell wedding or party uptown,
and whose head is full of the latest
fashions, and who talks glibly about
the new hat or dress that she is about
to come into possession of, and tries TO
entertain you with stories about poor
little Fido, or the beautiful and lovely
pug that pa has just bought for her.
No. sir; don't take that girl. She
won't do for you, for she won't know
any more about real life than horse
does about chewing gum. You couldn't
support her three months on 8 reason
able salary or any sort of fair trade
that you may have worked up fat your
young store. That white hand and
those taper fingers will not do for a
Monday mornings washing, or to chop
your hash for breakfast.
No, sir, don't spend your time on
any such a girl-don't hang about her
and tell your companions that she has
a rich old dad. Ten chances to one,
before you will be ready to hitch up
and trot in double harness with her,
the old gent will get on to the wrong
side of pork, and be busted fatter than
a griddle cake. Drop her, and if you
really feel as though you must get mar
ried, go out early in the morning on to
one of your main streets and select
one of those nice, bright, rosy-cheeked,
trim shop girls that one sees tripping
light-fooled down to her work in the
morning. and is in hurry for fear she
will be late at her place of business,
where she handles the cash or meas
ures tape; that's the sort of girl for
you. She wants a home and stands
ready and willing to make you happy
in one. She can handle your washing
and chop your ''hash" without any
remarks. When she talks to you she
will talk sensc-she will cheer you up
when you come home at night feeling
blue over poor days business or a
note from the boss, stating that in con-
sequence of dull times your salary has
been reduced trihe. Young man.
You want help-mate-one that will
willingly put her shoulder with yours
to the wheel of life and make you
cheerful and happy. Isn't that SOP
Cor. Peck'S Sun.
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-06-24
HUMOROUS.

-Barnum had to dispense with the
services of his g!ass-eater because the
man discovered an inclination to dine
off the tumblers in the ring.-Boston
Transcript.
When grocer advertises every
variety of raisins, does he include der
ricks, pulleys, jack-screws, yeast. rope
and tackle, bent pins and mustard
plasters?-Eransrlle argus.
After CheStnuts.-
40, where are you going. my pretty maid?"
I'm going a-chestnutin9, sir she sad.
And sue spoke sober truth. ia soOth. for 10!
Sue had Il ticket for the minstrel show.
The JudJe.
-" The doctor said he'd put me on
my feet again in two weeks" 'Wcll.
didn't he do it?' '.He did, indeed. L
had to sell my horse and buggy to foot
his bill. "-Teras SJtings.
Her little brother (holding up the
cat-"Say Boo MIR. Smith" MIR.
Smith-"What for. Bobby?" ner little
brother-'1 want to know if you can.
Sister says you can't say Boo to
cat
his girl at the garden gate just as the
old man approaches remind you of 4
love scene at the theater? Because he
is hugging his girl before the foot
lights. Pacific Jester.
-'.Smith," said Court street lawyer
to his young clerk. ''why weren't you
at the office earlier this mOrning?"
BEG pardon, sir. but l am reformer.
I believe that the office should seek
the man, not the man the office."-
Boston Courier.
Little Tommy-"Can / eat anoth-
or piece of pie?' Mamma (who is
something of a purist)-'I suppose
you can." Tommy-..Well, naaY I?''
Mamma-''No, dear, you may not"
Tommy-''Darn grammar, anyway
Chicago Rambler.
Il shall teach Won to speak properly.
and then to write as you speak, said
a teacher in the public schools. Poor
Billy " ilcoxr' said little voice, APP
parently invOluntarily. ''What about
Billy?" asked the teacher. please,
ma am. he speaks through his nose
he viii have to write through his nose.'"
N. y. Ledger.
Yes. indeed, Miss Clara" con-
tinued Mr.. La Dedah, giving an ac-
count of his travels, Il have been in
great perils, don't you know. One
time on railway train out West,
don't you know, we were stopped by
the train robbahs, don't you know,
and one fellow, terrible brigand he
was. you know. he put his pistol to me
head. don't you know, and he said:
Your money or your brains!' and pom
me soul. Miss Clara, had nothing for
him. '-Burdette.
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-06-24
PRETTY FANCY woEN.
Palm Leaf Hand Screens That Can Ne
Utilized In Many Ways.

Palm Leaf Hand Screens That Can 0a
Utilized in Many Ways.
Applique will be the best sort Of
work. as requiring few stitches. The
appliques can easily be made of bro
caded silk or gauze. These may also
be cut out of chintz or good cretonne.
and carefully placed so as to look
artistic, and then fixed in position will,
q little embroidery paste or gum.
With a very fine needle and silk work
around the edges with fancy stitch.
Sometimes thin cord is used to finish
them off. laying it round and stitchino
it down invisibly with fine silk of the
same color. But great care will be
needed or the leaf will tear.
The screens are, however, more often
painted or gilded than worked. But
If not intended to be retained as hand
screens there are several other ways of
utilizing them. By means of a soft.
loose piece of satin box-plaited top and
bottom, sort of bag may be made for
a wall pocket. The leaf part should
first be covered over smoothly, and if
preferred the bag part may be plain
instead of full, and stretched over a
semicircular piece of card. Either OF
these styles offer spaces for embroid-
cry or painting. A working tidy may
also be made by dividing the fan at its
widest part into three divisions, the
two outer ones being made into small
bags, gathered in fiat against the back
with piece of elastic. These are in
tended to hold cotton, tapes, buttons.
etc. Between them is placed strap, as
in work basket, for scissors. thimble
and all necessary utensils. Over this
falls sort of flap the size of the fan,
in the center of which is 4 monster
suntlower pincushion. The edge of the
fans must be trimmed either with lace
or some of the pretty pompon or tassel
fringe now so varied. The handles are
turned upward, and can be prettily
decorated with bows of ribbon, or
wound around with cords, finished off
with tassels. OF course the backs will
need to be lined with silk, or less eX-
pensive materials. as the stitches will
not look we'll showing through.-M Y
Star
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-06-24
ABOUT TRUfFLES.

How Dogs Arc Trained to Hunt These
Mysterious Hidden Plants.
Truffies, like mushrooms, belong to
the great family of the Fungi, but are
distinct and very peculiar genus.
They are cryptogamic (hidden) plants,
and subterranean in their habits, their
position beneath the soil varying from
two or three inches to two or three
feet in depth. They have no root,
stem or leaf, and vary in color from
light brown to black. They are some
what globular in form, and vary in
size from a filbert to large duck s
egg. Their surface is watery, and
covered with skin. Their exact
method of growth is unknown. They
are regarded as great luxury by the
epicure.
Truffies arc mentioned by Juvenal,
Piiny. Plutarch and Martial. The
Athenian epicures were acquainted
with them, and story is told of bon
viUant who manumitted a whole fami-
ly of slaves for having invented de-
licious method of preparing them.
France has the credit of producing
the finest trutiles. Dogs are common
ly bred to hunt them, and are called
"Loulous.
1.-The method of breaking them"
says writer, sis to give them for a
time pieces of truffies every morning,
before they are allowed to partake of
any other food. After certain period,
when their appetite for truflles in
creases, pieces are hidden in the
ground and they are made to find
them. Thus they are gradually taught
their business, though it often takes
as long as eighteen months before &
dog becomes skilled in the practical
art A first-rate trufiie-hunting dog
will command as much as twenty
five or thirty dollars, and it appears
that of late years the search for the
tubers has been pursued by many per-
sons in France as a branch of sport.
The action of the trufilc-man in
stirring up the earth is said to stimu-
late the growth of future generation
of tubers, though, as above mentioned,
it is generally considered that such dis
turbance of their habits late in the
season is no: beneficial.
lin some parts of France-Poitou
and Perigord, for instance-pigs are
trained for trufilc-hunting, and it
seems that they have better noses than
dogs for this work, probably because
the truff1e is naturally more esteemed
as an article of food by the pig than
the dog, and a pig can do quite as long
a days work as the hlost lasting
hound - Youths C0ninnnion
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-06-24
WOMEN IN PRUSSIA.
An Increasing Preponderance of the Fe
male Over the Male Sex.

An Increasing Preponderance of the Fee
male Over the Male Sex.
The census of the German Empire
taken last December-the official re-
turns of which have just been pub
Observation-Disclosures the fact that the
preponderance of the female over the
male sex is increasing in Prussia.
While the male population numbered
13,893,6 the female population was
IA, 42O, 145-an excess of $685. 57 fe-
males on total of 2S,313.S33, persons.
Since the census of 1880 the excess of
females has increased 77,078, and
since 1867 the increase has been no
less than 297, 900, or 1876 per cent.
The fact is remarkable and naturally it
is attracting much attention in Ger
many. 1t is recognized that this grow
ing preponderance of the female sex
can only partially be attributed to en-
igration, though it is well known that
far more men than women leave
Prussia for other countries. Out of
every 100 persons who were enumerated
in the census of Prussia in 1867 1852
were males and LAS females, but now
the proportion is 1907 and 50.93 per
cent. respectively-the excess of fe-
males having increased from 0.96 to
1.86 per cent. in eighteen years. OF
all the provinces of Prussia only
Rhineland and Schleswig- Holstein
show a small prePonderance of the
male sex, while in East Prussia, Posen
and Berlin the greatest preponderance
of females is to be found. In Berlin
alone, with its population of roughly
1,3O0, 900, there are 50, more fe-
males than males Chicago Tribune.
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-06-24
A scnlLLEREsQUE BALLAD.

a lover placed golden ring
Upon his lady's hand.
"Dearest!" he vowed, my love for thee
Endless till time doth end shall be!
lis like this golden band"
Time fed. The lover faithless proved.
No more fond words he spoke.
Another pressed his lady's hand,
He squeezed too tight one evening, aud
The golden circlet broke!
" Ia! hal" the maiden cried, in scorn,
1.-THE ring is like his love!
The end has come. ana he has gone,
Bat never mind, the thing I'll pawn,
Twill pay for one new glove"
But lack-a-day! her fair intent
1t never came to pass.
Loud laughed old Isaacs when she came.
What geer five tolar for that same?'
The ring was gilded brass!
-SOmerriUs Journal
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-06-24

Blankets, if only occasionally Used
during the summer. may be kept either
in . large trunk with bits of camphor
in it or laid between two mattresses.
the latter method being preferred by
many housekeepers who have no large
closet for slowing such articles
Cleveland Leader.
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-06-24

"A boy fourteen years old was found
in charge of the boilers and engine
room in q Brooklyn manufacturing e.
Enlistment employing over one hum
dred hands by the boiler inspector VI
that city.-N 7. Sun.
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-06-24

-Sunfowers are grown IN Wyoming
Territory for fuel. The stalks when
dry are as hard as maple wood and
make hot fire. and the seed-heads with
the seeds in are said to burn better thai
the best hard coal
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-06-24

The circus bill has come, and again
we are haunted by question which
makes us wake up in the middle of the
night and think and wonder, namely.
Does the hippopOtamus keep his mouth
open all Misunderstanding ID. IT, Bell.
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-06-24

-Smith-..That dog, of yours keeps me
awake nights bowling Jones-'.Why.
have no dog. 1t must be my daugh-
ter singing. Smith-'.Is that so? Ex-
cusc me. l am sorry. l don't suppose
she can be shot, eh:-Judge.
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-09-03
CAN IMAGINATION KILT
The Question Answerca from n Medical
Point of Wow.
Tanrat

This is, perhaps, hardly the correct form
of question that the British and Colonial
Druggist puts TO itself In discussing the
death OF the young women at Hackney
in which certain insect powder largely
figured. AS the powder appears, by Dr.
Tidy's experiment, to be perfectly harm
less, the suggestion is not unnaturally
made that the deceased, who was
possibly OF hysterical, highly
Imaginative turn Of mind, took
the powder In the inll belief that by its
means her death might be accomplished.
The writer of the article In our contem-
porary, we think wrongly, brings forward
two remarkable Instances of what may
be regarded as practical Jokes with mel
ancholy examinations. In the case Of the
convict delivered over TO the scientist for
the purpose Of psychological expert
ment CHE man was strapped to
table and blindfolded, ostensibly
to be bled to death; a syphon
containing water was placed near
his head and the fluid was allowed to
trickle audibly into vessel below II, at
the same time that trlfing scratch with
needle was inflicted In the culprips
neck; II is said that death occurred at the
end OF six mlnutes), fear must have
played no luconslderable share in the ia
tai result, and we do not know whether
all the vital organs were 10
sound condition, they were presumably
so. The old story OF the case
of college porter Is also one IN
point. The students entrapped him
into a room at night, mock inquiry was
held, and the punishment OF death by de-
capitation decreed for his want OF con-
sideratlon to the students. 1t Is small
wonder that, under the dominion OF fear
and belief In the earnestness OF his tor
mentors, the sight Of an ak and block,
with subsequent blindfoldng and neces-
sary genunexion, smart rap with wet
towel on the back OF his neck should have
been followed by the picking up OF
cOrpse.
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-09-03
HILLSBOR0.
A Painful Accident Foot Amputnted,
Special to the Gazette.

A Painful Accident--Foot Amputnted,
Special to the Gazette.
HrLLsBoRo, TEX, Sept. 2.--J. L. Nc
Intire, living twelve miles southeast Of
Hillsboro, started yesterday to visit
friends living near Milford, When mid
way between Brandon and Milford his
little boy, Lemuel, Eve years old, in get
ting out of the wagon, fell and the hind
wheel passed over his left thigh, fractur-
ing the bone. His father brought him to
Hillsboro and placed him in charge OF
| DR.. Kennedy, who was assisted by
Doctors B. Knox and Buie. The little
fellow is doing we'll,
DR.. Marshall Knox, assisted by Doctors
B. Knox, Kennedy and Buie, amputated
half OF the foot of JEFF Watson, colored,
who was caught and mashed while jump
ing freight train last Tuesday. lie is
doing we'll.
Mr.. f.. II. Price, one Of the leading
merchants of Hillsboro, was married at
p. m. to-day to Mrs. Mamie Crews, and
left for Tennessee on bridal tour.