davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-03-18
A Commission on Drinks.

A tall man with sad, dropping
mustache led several young men into a
liquor shop on Baltimore street one Sat
urday night. The party braced up in
front of the bar, and the tall man looked
knowingly at his companions, and then
bestowed sly wink at the party in the
white knit jacket.
What are we going to have?" asked
the tall man.
All hands took whisky. The tail man
drank his with an air of satisfaction.
As the party was leaving the tall man
fingered.
This is one whisky on the slate for
me-" he said to the barkeeper. 'Tll
drop in on Monday and get it,
The barkeeper nodded assent and
marked up something on a slate After
all had gone out an habitue of the place
asked the barkeeper what the tall man
meant.
"Oh, him." he replied, ''he's cap
per, stool-pigeon. He's in with the
house. He's well known about town,
and he makes a business of steering his
friends in here. We pay him COM
mission on drinks. The size of his COM
mission depends on what his friends
drink. For that reason he never goes
any lower than whisky. There's not
enough profit in beer to allow much
commission.
did you notice his ears" the bar
keeper continued, chow they sit out
from his head? This is because he is
always listening for an invitation to
take drink. "-Bdltimore Herald.
The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-03-18
OTsetting "a Claim.

In one of the northern counties of
Michigan P @. Smith bobbed up Sc
renely before the board of supervisors
with a claim of $3.50 for alleged services
rendered the county in the capacity of
extra deputy sheriff during a recent mis-
understanding between capital and
labor.
The chairman of the board reflected
moment and said: Mr.. Smith, you
were indicted by the grand jury in this
county some years ago, were you not?"
Yes, sir" modestly observed Smith.
sYou were convicted and sentenced
for three months?'
''Yes, sir" replied Smith, without os-
tentation.
Your case cost the county S125?"
Il guess So" stammered the extra
deputy, doubtfully.
You have at two different times
served sentences in the county jail, at
an expense to the county of S54"
Smith was silent, as he began to see
the drift of the chairman's remarks.
1--WE will pass your claim to the
credit of your account. You still owe
the county S29.
As Mr.. Smith CROPPED in a dazed sort
of manner toward the door the board
proceeded to elucidate the true inward
ness of the next claim.-DetrOu Free
Press
The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-03-18

looking within. Like an old gentleman
of whom | once heard, who, when he
went with his daughters shopping,
would stand outside the stores, take his
cane and knock upon the window.
When the clerk would appear and ask
what he wanted, and for him to please
walk in, j" he would reply, mo. thank
you. you be so good as to send me that
and that, and that. with the bill, point
ing with his finger to what he wanted.
When his girls would demonstrate with
him on his singular way of doing, he
would answer: when | stay outside
they can't coax me into taking what |
don't want and can't afford.
In the evening when Mr.. Brown az
rived at home, and saw the happy
faces of his wife and daughters, and
heard his girls play upon the instru-
ment, he enjoyed himself SO much that
he entirely forgot all about his club,
wine and cigars.
And on the evening of the concert
when his little Mary took the prize, and
he was complimented on her beauty
and talent, there was not in all that
great city happier man than our once
injured Mr.. Brown. On his way home
he said to his wife:
.Jane! l am very thankful for one
thing"
And what is that, dear?" asked his
wife, suspecting, but not willing to un-
derstand.
why, bless my heart, woman! Can't
you guess? 1t is that bought our girls
that piano
The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-03-18
Bring up Young Men.

Some three years ago, in an editorial,
we advised our manufacturers to select
one or more boys from good and tried
families-boys that bid well to become
staid, energetic business men. Send
them to some institute where they can
get the training you desire to fit them
for your work. Open an account with
them; when you send them away, charge
the expense to them as you pay it out;
and when they graduate, and you put
them in the mill, give them to under
stand that if they prove themselves
worthy of the trust, you will
make them sharers of the profits
You will get blank once in
a while, but as rule you will
get young men who will help to carry
your burden, while you do the thinking
And your business secrets will be kept
Besides, to have half dozen Young
men coming home in this way will ele-
vate the tone of your works. Instead of
one owner going through the mill once
or twice day, there viii be an owner
somewhere in sight all the time. You
can then use your skill and experience
where it will produce the most money
Wdde'S Fibre and F'd6rtc.
The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-03-18
IT BOTHERED HIM

Bill Nye says of his experience at the
Fifth Avenue Hotel: 81 found something
yesterday at the table that bothered, 1t
was new kind of silver dingus, with
two handles to it, for getting a lump of
sugar into your tea. [ saw right away
that it was for that, but when [ took the
two handles in my hand like nutcracker
and tried to scoop up lump of sugar
with 1T L felt embarrassed. Several peo-
pie who were total strangers to me
smiled.
"After dinner the waiter brought me
a little pink glass bowl of lemonade, and
a clean wipe to dry my month With, [
reckon, after / drank the lemonade. 1
do not pine much for lemonade, anyhow,
but this was specially poor. 1t was just
plain water, with lemon rind and no
sugar into it.
Zone rural rooster from nittsburg
showed his contempt for the blamed stuff
by washing bis hands in it. 7 may be
rough and uncouth in my style, but I
hope L viii never lower myself like that
in company"
The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-03-18
Not So Very Green.

"Bovs, it isn't always safe to gamble
on the greenness of country chaps" re-
marked drummer in the smoking car;
''only last week | was in a little town
down in Missouri, and the bar-room of
the hotel was full of the gawks of the
town. | worked several smart little
snaps for drinks that would not have
caught single sucker in city, and
had begun to think myself in luck. Aft
er awhile heard a couple of fellows dis
putting about something and | asked
them what the row was about.
Jim, here says one, declares he
kin 60 out and pace off a quarter of a
mile an come in two feet of the actual
measurement. He's braggin', and kin
never do it, stranger. I've just bet him
S. he can't; will you hold the stakes?'
I'D a good deal rather put up $25
against him. says l; there's no man liv-
ing can pace off so correctly as that.
g 60 you the S25,' says the fellow
they called Jim. promptly pulling out
his money, and of course | couldn't
back out. So the $50 was staked with
the landlord and we went out to see him
pace. We hunted around and found a
twenty-foot pole, and Jim went into the
middle of the street in front of the hotel
and asked me which way he should go
| told him didn't care, and after we
had marked the spot he started of pac-
ing very deliberately and with much
caution. We followed him up with the
pole, measuring after him. Pretty soon
he stopped, stood still and waited for
US, calling out that that was his quarter
mile limit. In few minutes we had
measured up to him, and what do you
suppose the distance was? Thirteen
hundred and twenty feet to an inch
exactly a quarter of mile. / had lost
as clear as whistle, and / thought it
the most wonderful feat | had ever wit
messed. Before leaving town, however,
l discovered how the thing was done
Jim was able to pace that quarter of a
mile to an inch because he had carefully
measured it off with the same pole we
had used, and marked the two ends in
a way known only to himself. More
than that, he had measured from GER
tain spot in front of the hotel in three
directions, and was thus prepared to go
any way his victim might select. The
fellow who bet the S. with him was a
roper-in, and | wasn't the first man they
had made a sucker of, by long shot.
I'll have revenge on that town if / have
to start up skin faro layout or drug
store there, you see if l don't. u Well.
man, IN ChicdQO Herald.
The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-03-18
Perils Of the City Baby.

The question arises, What is it in
cities that is so hostile to infant lifeP
The subject is complex one, and in
its ANALYSIS we must consider the vary
ing conditions surrounding the differ
ent classes. Distinctions of rank are as
definitely marked among infants as
among adults. There is none of the
democracy which obtains in the coun-
try. We have the infant of aristocracy,
the infant of the middle classes, the in
FAINT of the poor, the infant dependent
upon charity. Each of these inherits an
environment peculiar to itself; its house,
its nursery and sleeping apartment, its
nurses and attendants, who solve the
problems of its food and raiment
Take the matter of inheritance, not of
money or lands, but of constitution
The extreme classes found in the city
and not in the country, the very wealthy
and the very poor, are likely to bestow
on their offspring latent tendency to
disease. The ultra-fashionable mother,
the self-indulgent father, hand down to
their children overwrought nervous sys-
TENS and weak physical powers, which
result in early death, or more often a
lowest classes the untoward effects upon
the children of poverty, intemperance,
and moral obliquity are incalculabie.
The city infants belonging to the middle
classes often suffer Because of the strug-
gle of their parents 10 maintain q foot
hold in society. and to mount the steps
in social life which will bring them to
distinction. 1t would be long discus
sion to enter into all the questions of
heredity which influence to fate of a
child. They are vital questions, how
ever, which require the utmost delicacy
in handling, but which are of tran
scending Importance to the individual
and to the race. Very little of the COM
mon sense which prevails in preserving
and rearing choice stock exists in rela-
ton to the human animal. If by chance
the infant is well-born-that is, has the
germ of a constitution which will un-
fold untainted by scrofula Or epilepsy,
or any other foul disease which will rob
it of healthy mental and physical
development as life unrolls before it
such Inheritance is unequaled. DR.. Ire
land has shown the effects of heredity
as seen in tracing through three hum
dred and fifty years the health history
of the house of Spain. The children,
though born to a kingdom and a crown,
were cursed with an hereditary ner-
vous taint which sometimes passed
over a generation only to appear again
in various forms and intensities as epi-
lepsy, hypochondria, ,melancholia, mania
and imbecility, till at length it extin-
guishel the direct royal line Grace
Peckha1n, in Popular Science Monthly
for March.
The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-03-18
Only An Incident.
A few evenings aro. writes

A few evenings ago, writes a South
ern lady, the conversation turned upon
suitable times and places for courtships.
l said had once been an accidental eQe-
aoitness-shall call it?-to . proposal
on the cars. ''Oh, tell us.'' please do
let US hear!' exclaimed ten young voices
and two mature ones. | could not re-
sist, and after the recital, which was
suitably applauded. lady, whose opin-
ion value, begged that would send it
to Harper. l hope the parties-un-
known to me-will take no offense if
they recognize the courtship as their
property. | have heard, though, that
at such an absorbing moment the iden-
tical words used are seldom remem-
bered.
was sitting on train about to leave
Richmond, Virginia, for Petersburg.
when bridal party came on, and one
OF the bridemaids occupied the vacant
seat by my side. The coach was crowd
ed, and her special escort could not
find seat, but contented himself by
standing in the aisle at her side. convers-
ing about the events of the day. 1t be-
came dark, and l closed the book | had
been reading, and leaned my head on
the window, and closed my eyes, simply
to rest them. Nothing was farther from
my thoughts than to be an eaves-drop-
per, but SO in the event l proved to be;
for in the darkening twilight the abb
sorbed couple, supposing me to be
asleep, settled into cloves low Tone"
each word of which struck upon my ear
clear as bell, for in his earnestness he
90 M on tfa han Of
OF us, his face, as you can picture for
yourself, forming with the lady's ear
and mine an equi-lateral triangle. In
free America, and on public convey
ance, l did not think it necessary to re-
mind them of my presence. Presently
he bent closer, and whispered: "You
must know by this time what my atten-
tons to you mean. May | hope that |
may claim you as mine?'
After a little pause she said, Il am
very sorry, but l am afraid that our
paths through life will have to d,vergen
He expostulated, of .course; then,
heaying q deep sigh, walked away.
The twilight deepened, and l still
rested my eyes. After a while the dis
consolate lover returned, and renewed
his suit, saying: Il have spent fifteen
wretched minutes. Can you give me no
hope?"
Her voice in the cleaning sounded
like music to him, have no doubt, as
she answered: Il have been thinking
over what l told you. No one knows
what will be in the future, and perhaps
our paths may concerge."
just then the whistle blew for my sta
ton, and gathering up my possessions.
l was preparing TO depart, when be ex-
claimed, joyfully. DO you get off here2
Allow me to help you with these. ;" And
with shining eyes he took my satchel
and parcels, and helped me off, even
controlling himself SO far as to bow re-
spectfully as left.
On looking back i could see the lady
in my seat by the window, and the hap
py lover sitting by her side. The whistle
blew, the train started, and-the curtain
fell.-Harper's Magazine for NareA
The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-03-18
Clerical Error.

Jim Webster was on his way home
one day last week, when he met his
friend, Sam Johnsing.
"Whar's you gwine, Sam?"
''Nowhar's in pertickerler, jim"
"Come home wild me and habe some
dinner. We has got some yeller legged
chicken for dinner"
Arriving at Jim Webster's house, they
failed to find Mrs. Webster in, but on
looking out the back door they per-
ceived her hanging some clothes on a
line to dry. She was not alone. Stand
ing in front of her, with heavenly
smile on his features, casting admiring
glances at her, and patting her gently
on her saddle coiored cheeks was Rev.
Whangdoodle Baxter, pastor of the Aus
tin Blue Light tabernacle. Sam Johns
ing nudged his friend in the side, and
asked:
Il say, Jim, hopes you amt suffer-
in from de green-eyed monstrom; yer
has puffec coincidence in yer wife,
hasn't yer?n
You bet has puffec coincidence in
Berlindy. She's all right, but 1 don't
quite trust dat sainted pasture, Whang-
doodle Baxter. He's de one | hasn't
got no conferdcnce in. ."-Teras Sift-
tn0s.
The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-03-18
THE FOUNDATION OF SHER.
MANS EORTUNE

John Sherman was the subject of some
conversation IN my presence recently.
when one of his friends said: Sherman
Is one of the longest lived public men,
and he has retained the confidence of his
party and state, and, nevertheless, the
lmputation is constantly being made
that he has vast we ,lth, and the inference
is sought TO be conveyed that it was ille-
ultimately made. He is not worth any,
thing like as much as rumor claims.
HIS property has been made in the main
by accident. He lived in The town of
Mansfield, which for good while seemed
to have no great future before it. John
Sherman married the daughter of Judge
Stewart, of that place, who had consider
able real estate. He owned a large farm
at the edge of the town. When the
Judge died, his daughter, Mrs, Sherman.
was particularly solicitous that his debts
should be paid, and to crafty her, Sher-
man unerdtook to carry that property,
rather against his will. He called the
creditors of his father-in law together,
and they agreed to give him plenty of
time and let him go on aud work tho
property ont of Its embrassm, nts Naw,
Sherman had been surveyor, carving
rod and chain on canals and railroads.
He began to divide the land up into build
ing lots and disposiug of them, keeping
large alternate portions. ln a little while
the PENNSYLVANIA and Ohio railroad after
ward called the Pittsburg Il Chicago,
came along to Mansfield, and that place
started up a railread center. Sherman
took little of the stock, to bring the
railroad there, and, as he could afford to,
he bought more and that stock has ap-
preciated, while not only the farm of his
fatberin law, but other farms he bought
in the vicinity of Mansfield. have settled
up and made him comfortably we'll off.
The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-03-18
Swindlers as Bible-Distribut tors.

The ubiquitous swindler has evolved
a new plan by which to swindle the
honest farmer. A chap in clerical broad
cloth and white choker enters farm
house and asks for lodging or dinner,
as the case may be. During his stay he
announces himself to be travelling
Bible-distributor in the service of re-
ligious institution, and he generally goes
so far as to present to the family hand
some Bible from well-filled valise. He
is careful to say that his society requires
its distributing members to pay their
own way, and exhibits vouchers there
for. After partaking of the good folks
hospitality he prepares to leave, and
asks for his bill. He is generally told
no charge is made, but he calls atten-
ton to 1.-The rules" and insists on pay
ing 25 cents per meal. Then he mildly
requires receipt on his blank form, ''a
voucher, you know" and he gets the
farmer to sign it. In ninety days there
is notice from neighboring bank to
the pious farmer to call and pay the
note for S12620 which it bought and
which bears the farmers signature
Madison Hfs.) Journal.
The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-03-18

AS everybody knows, Mr.. Rarey g sys-
tenn OF tanning visions horses consisted
mainly in throwing them down on the
ground and keeping them there by
means of straps. The New ZeaIanders
have much simpler and more effective
method. They simply decoy wild
morse into swamp until ail bis legs are
securely embedded in it. They then pro-
ceeded to "gentle him." Well may the
author say: 'Rarey's plan is nothing to
this. There was nc leg swinging about to
hurt anyone; the colt could not batter his
bead on the ground; the very babies
could jump on his back with Perfect
safety, and they were not slow to avail
themselves of the opportunity. The
women sat On him, the men got astride
him, and then put little log under his
tail" "The women shook their dresses
In his face" Best of all when the horse
was dug out, he was quite tame.
The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-03-18

INVESTIGATION shows that tie limit OF
temperature at which men can work de
pends upon the length of their exposure,
the amount of exertion they put forth,
their condition, and the nature of the
atmosphere, particularly as to it's degree
of moisture. 1t is stated that men have
been employed on railways at 104 de
crees, in mines-under very favorable
conditions-at 125 deg, and are said to
work occasionally iu the stoke holes of
tropical steamer at I56 deg. Professor
Dubois is reported to have estimated
that temperature of 142 deg, can be
endured when the air is as dry as posi-
ble, but that even 104 deg is likely t.
be fatal in an atmosphere saturated with
moisture. 1t is also considered certain
that men cannot become accustomed
to stand for any considerable time high
er temperature than from 145 de :. to
165 deg. even when they keep perfectly
still and are in quite pure air.
The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-03-18

DIR. ZUKERToRT tells good story on
man who has brother residing in
Philadelphia. and whom he said. intro
duced himself as the champion chess.
player OF Indiana, residing at Indiana
polls. The meeting was in Philadelphia.
They sat down to play. The brother
was very fine player, and was a locker
on. Zukertort saw that occasionally the
brother would, with his foot, reach under
the table and tap the foot Of the Indiana
polls player whenever be was about to
make bad play, Zukertort said nothing.
but awaited his time. After time Zuk
ertort got IN close quar- ers, and saw that
II his adversary moved his knight, he
would be in worse condition. Twice
his opponent reached out his hand to
move the knight, and each time the doc
tor touched his foot under the table, aud
each time the hand was withdrawn
without moving the piece. Another
piece was finally moved, and the doctor
won. The brother rpbraided him for
not moving the knight. and as he was
trying to frame some excuse the doctor
laughlngiy told what he had done, and
they acknowledged the corn.
The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-03-18


A CHARMED SPIDER While gentle
man watching some spiders last summer.
It occured to him to try what effect tun-
ing-fork would have on insects. He sus-
Pected that they would regard the sound
made by fly. And sure enough, they
dii He selected large, ugly spider,
that has been feasting on flies for two
months. The spider was at one edge of
theweb. Sounding the fork, he touched
a thread at the other side of the web, and
watched the result. MIR. Spider had the
buzziug sound conveyed to him over his
telephone wires, but how was he to know
on which particular wire the sound was
travelling? He ran to the the centre
of the web very quickly, and felt
all around until he touched the thread
against the other end of which the fork
was sounding; then, taking another
thread along, just as man would take an
extra piece of rope, he ran ont to the
fork and sprang upon it. But he retreat
ed a little way, aud looked at the fork.
He was puzzled. He had expected to
find buzzing fly. He got on the fork
again, and danced with delight. He had
caught the sound of the fly, and it was
music to him.
The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-03-18
The Snow Flower of the Sierra.

Upon the affairs of the upper air
The heights whereon no other hower-shape
grows.
glorious fairy plant of crimson hue
Blossoms amid dreary waste of SHOWS.
On those eternal peaks where winter reigns
And cold and fUosts their icy Splendors shed,
Like drops of blood ON pallid banks of snow,
This hyacinthe blossom lifts its head.
4 pyramid of tiny tongues of flame
Darling from out the riffs of dazzling white
a strange, bright phantom born of ice and
fire.
Flushing pale wastes with CLEANS of GRIM
son light.
Plucked from its frozen bed, the wondrous
flower,
Which blossoms alone upon the heights sub
lime,
viii weep its life away in icy tears
Ere il can reach softer, SUMMER cline.
'Tis said that when holy man of old,
Bearing the cross on sacred mission bent,
beheid upon the mountains snowy crest
This blood-red hower-his pious fancy lent.
A charm miraculous, and kneeling there
In alteration. on the mountain side,
With heavenwaFd gaze, and hands upraised in
prayer:
"Sangre de Cristo"-blood of Christine
cried!
Sarah j. Pettinos in San Francisco Bulletin.