davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-11-19

If it is slang, is is really classical slang
And yet of the thousands who use the term,
how few-how very few-know its origin, or
its primitive significance. Truly it is heroic
thing to say of man to call him a brick
The word so used, if not twisted from it's
original intent, implies all that is brave,
patriotic and loyal.
Plutarch, in his life of Agesiaus, King of
Sparta, gives us the origin of the quaint and
familiar expression.
On certain occasion an ambassador from
Epirus, on diplomatic mission, was shown
by the king over his capital The ambassa-
dor knew of the monarch's fame-knew that
though only nominaly king of Sparta, he
was yet ruler of Greece-and he had looked
to see massive walls rearing aloft their embat-
tied towers for the defense of the town; but
he found nothing of the kind. He marveled
much at this, and spoke of it to the king.
"Sre," he said," have visited most of the
principal towns, and find no wall reared for
defence. Why is this ?"
Indeed Sir Ambassador" replied Agesi-
laus, Chou canst not have looked carefully.
Come with me to morrow morning, and I
will show you the walls of Sparta"
Accordingly, on the following morning,
the king led the guest out upon the plains,
where his army was drawn up in full battle
array, and pointing proudly to the serried
hosts, he said:
"There thou beholdest the walls OF Sparta
ten thousand men, and every man brick"
The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-11-19
Shad Propagation In 1886.

The following interesting summary of the
propagation and distribution of shad during
1856 is from forthcoming bulletin of the
United States fish commission: The total
distribution of shad fry for the season 1886
aggregates over 90,000,000. AS the entire
number OF shad taken for market is some
thing less than 100000, it will be seen that
for every shad taken from the waters this sea.
son for market, 15young shad have been arti-
ficaly Matched and returned. The entire cost
of production and distribution has been less
than $4,000; and therefore, the young fish
have been produced and distributed over the
entire United States at the cost of about $215
for 100000, or 46 young fish for each cent
of expenditure. Another interesting fact to
note is that for the entire time up 10 and in
Guiding 1882 there were produced by''artificial
propagation only 200,000,0O0 young shad,
while for 1886 alone the total production was
over 90,000,000. These facts indicate that we
are certainly getting TO point where the
work may be regarded as profitable from a
commercial standpoint. Fiftytwo millions
five hundred and sixty-two thousand were
placed in the tributaries of Chesapeake bay.
The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-11-19
A Queer Little Western Railroad.

There is little narrow gauge railroad in
| Central Illinois which is rather amusing. 1t
runs through rich farming country and is
owned and managed by wealthy farmers. The
conductors, engineers and brakemen are far
mers' sons who have grown weary of raising
cattle and corn and who have taken TO rail-
reading as relief The various stations
along the line of this little railroad are of no
consequence whatever, except to their score
or more of Inhabitants and to the farmers of
the neighborhood. A train starts from each
end of the road every morning after breakfast,
runs to the opposite end of the road by din
ner time, returns again for tea, and ties up
for the night. AS there is no telegraph line
connected with the road nobody at any of
the stations knows when a train is coming
until it arrives in sight AS the rails are laid
on ties placed on the flat prairie, and as no
grade exists from one end of the road to the
other, the tall grass has an awkward habit of
getting under the wheels and stopping the
train. Not infrequently, also, the light rails
spread apart and the cars run off the track,
and go tumbling along on the virgin prairie.
Whenever a little accident of this kind occurs
the engineer, conductor, brakemen and pas
seDgers jump to the ground and lift the cars
into place again. The passengers ride in a
car reserved for them in the rear of a long
line of freight cars. Half of this car is par
titioned off in order that it may also serve for
carrying mail bags, express matter and bag
gage. Not infrequently passengers walk into
village ahead of the train and announce that
the cars will follow them in an hour or two,
providing they can be kept ON the track long
enough. Sometimes a locomotive gets stall
ed on some one of the several gentle hills
along the line. The trainmen thereupon
quietly wait until the other engine appears.
Then the two engines draw the train up the
hill. Notwithstanding the oddities which
exist in the management of this little railroad
it hauls large quantities of freight and is
making money for its stockholders.
The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-11-19
Occupation.

What glorious thing it is for the human
heart Those who work hard seldom yield
to tancied or real sorrow. When grief sits
down, folds its hands, and mournfully feeds
upon its own tears, weaving the dim shad-
ows, that little exertion might sweep away,
into funeral pail, the strong spirit is shorn
of its might and sorrow becomes our master.
When troubles flow upon you dark and
heavy, toll not with the waves, and wrestle
not with the torrent rather seek by occupa-
ton to divert the dark waters that threaten
to oyerwhelm you, into thousand channels
which the duties of life always present Be-
fore you dream of it, those waters will ferti-
lie the present, and give birth TO fresh flow
ers that will become pure and holy in the
sunshine which penetrates to the path of
duty in spite of every obstacle. Grief, after
all, is but selfish feeling, and most selfish is
the man who yields himself to the indulgence
of any passion which brings no joy to his
fellow-men.
The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-11-19
pnetica1.
NOVEMBER

The year is waning! Solemn sounds are heard
Among the branches of each.wind-tossed tree;
Brown looks the grass no floral gems we see;
Forsaken nests by Winds alone are stirr'd,
And not by wing of bird
The skies look old-wind-driven clouds scud by,
While fitful gales whirl sere, dry leaves away;
Fair once like friends who come to us one day,
Creep to the heart, bring love-light to tho eye,
Then droop and fade and die.
Yet, while winds chill and summer Joys depart,
A host of otner pleasures now doth come;
Brothers and sisters scattered, all come home,
cheer abounds, while fond smiles
start,
AS heart responds to heart.
Then, curtains down, around the fire we press,
To sing and jest, to romp and laugh and play;
But while the fun goes round, each heart can say
November brings Thanksgiving. Lord, we bless
Thee for our happiness u
Sophia L. Schenck, In RrooklVn Magazine.
The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-11-19
SpOngeS.

1t used to be a great puzzle to the natural
lists to tell whether sponges were plants or
animals An ordinary observer, looking at
them as they grow in their natural state,
would surely be much more likely to consid-
Ell them to belong to the former rather than
the latter kingdom of living things. For
sponges, like plants, are fixed organisms, not
being able to move about from place to place.
Then there are some kinds which are branch
ed and mounted upon stalk just as plants
are. But to the scientific observer these
points ofresemblance would not have much
weight. because there are many other forms of
life which have the same character, but are
well known to be animals. But even when
they applied the more fundamental tests it
was hard matter for the naturalists to tell
the nature of sponges. 1t was not, indeed,
until the miscroscope was discovered that
their true nature was known.
1t was then found that spongcs have char
acters almost precisely the same as those of a
little organism that lives everywhere in pools
of stagnant water, and has long been known
to be a true animal.
The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-11-19
Ages of Chinese Children.

The Chinese do not reckon their age from
the day of their birth, but from New Years
day. 1t is on this account sometimes difficult
to find out the true age of young children.
Here is tiny shaven-headed bundle of hui
manity, scarcely able to stand alone for
moment, and you are gravely assured that he
is three years old If you have left the sacred
rules of propriety at home, you venture mild
ly and politely to cast just faint shadow
of doubt upon the statement; or ifyou do
not discredit the parents assertion, but are
still unacquainted with the mode of reckon
ing, you probable condole with its parents ON
the slight degree of progress he has made to-
ward maturity. Should child arrive in this
world at 1855 on New Years eve, the fond
father will proudly assure you the next morn
ing that the new arrival is two years DID, and
never so much as think that what he says Is
untrue,
The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-11-19
The Lines on the Hand.

The principal line on the hand, in this
creed, is the line cline of Life" which can
be traced round the root of the thumb, known
as the Mount of Venus, till it more or less d.
rectly joins the "Line of Head" the lower of
the two lines the other is called the Lime
of the Heart" which crosses the palm just
below the "Mount of Jupiter" at the root of
the first finger, and of Saturn, Apollo, and
Mercury at the root of the others There Is
no corresponding mount left for Mars or for
the Moon, SO the former is supposed to run
into the Mount of Mercury, by the little fin
the wrist. These mounts" and ''lines" are
the basis of palmistry. the idea being that ac-
cording to their development and peculiari-
ties the qualities indicated by the various
planets are detected.
The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-11-19

NO man for any considerable period can
wear one face to himself, and another to the
multitude, without finally getting bewildered
as to which may be true.
The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-11-19
I7S. NORTH GAY STREET. I7S.
Samuel 8. E1y's
BOOTS! BOOTS! BOOTS!

Closing out our Winter Stock at greatly re-
duced prices. Now is the time to buy.
LADIES' BOOTS AND SHOES at all prices.
Heavy Boots reduced to $500; Mems Fine Calf
Boots reduced to $780, my own make of Gents
Shoes and Caters reduced to $3.50. Every pair
Warranted. A new pair given for every pair that
does not turn out as represented at
SAMUEL 8. ELE'S,
M TT MD
The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-11-19
EORD'S BAZAR.
81 w. BLTIMORE STREET,

Oh w. BLthMORE SFREET,
Is now offering special bargains In nearly every
department They have reduced the regular
$3.50 hanging-lamp to 81 100, and the regular $40
polished brass hanging-lamp, with prIsms, to
$2.75 and one still better, with decorated shade,
for 1926. One very fine for $3.50, worth 5000.
We sell the regular 81 90 stand-amp, with Finch
Electric stand lamps SLIPS, $3.50 and $l.75 We
have more than one hundred different varieties
of stand-lamps hand-lamps and braoket-lamps,
at wholesale prices.
Silverware.-we have reduced our 81 80 Castors
TO $100, and the 800 to 500; good IS 90 castor
for $3.50. A set of good silver-plated knives, 95
cents. A set of good nickel plated teaspoons for
rs cents and tablespoons for 80 cents; q set Of
Rogers Bros. teaspoons $1.00, worth 81 80; set
of Rogers tablespoons $500, worth So 90 set of
Rogers u Bros. triple-plated teaknives $l.5O,
worth $500. good, round nickel clock 90 cents !;
good nickel alarm clock $1.25; q fine eight-day
clock 1926. good musc-box 70 cents, worth
$I.b0: q very fine four-tune music-box $1,000,
worth $500. A set Of good knives and forks 30
cents; q set of knives and forks 70 CENTS worth
$l.75. Ladies' and gents satchels ali styles and
sizes. Bird cages and picture frames, all styes.
Ornaments, statues and vases. Jewelry, dolls,
doll-carriages and wagons.
The greatest variety of fancy goods for we'd
ding presents, birthday gifts, &c.
Also useful and ornamental household goods of
nearly every description.
Baby carriages in great variety.
Albums at half price. fancy glassware and
glass shades, brackets, stand-tables, and thous-
ands Of other articles at the lowest prices.
-F0RDS BAZAAR
81 W. BALTIMORE STREET, BALTIMORE.
The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-11-19

WIVES AND POCKET BooKs-Brides, re-
member nothing is easier spoiled than a hus-
band. Hewill settle right down into letting
his wife wait on him, and she will be apt to
be the burden bearer to the end of her days.
Attend to things in your line and your depart.
ment, but don't go beyond. The money
question is apt to cause the most trouble
Really, the best way is to have the family
purse where the wife can handle it at any
time. She will be so pleased with the conf
dence reposed in her, and 80 armed by the re-
sponsibllity, that the money will be wisely
spent 1ngersoll says when he sees men trust
ing their hearts and their honor, but not their
pocket books, to their wives, he always
knows which of these articles the men think
most valuable.
The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-11-19

Applied Science.-Miss Joy-'Madam,
Mr. Foster has come to take me for drive,
May go, MADAM ?" Madam-"You know,
Miss Joy, the rules of Vassar do not allow it,
unless you are engaged-are you engaged to
Mr.. Fosterp" Miss Joy (doubtfully y "N-no,
buff you will let me go shall be by the
time we get hackn
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-02-27

their value as attractions to the dudes was
thereby enhanced. At the annual meet
ing of the Society for the Suppress
sion of Vice, which Is Anthony Com
stocks organization, the subject of risky
stage costuming was discussed, and the
heavy hackers Of Comstock-the element
from which he gets his potent moral and
financial support agreed to support him
in crusade against tights. He Is, there
fore, likely to do something radical if not
effective.
A diverting side issue is the discussion of
Henry Ward Beecher's presence at the
Academy of Music last Monday afternoon,
when mixed show was given for the ben
eft of H. A. Thomas, an artist. Beecher
was a friend of the beneficiary, and he
volunteered to make an address introduce
ing party of draughtsmen, who made
sketches on the stage. He did that
service happily. and then took a
place in proscenium box, where
two young ladies of his family sat. He
seemed to enjoy the vocal and acrobatic
doings that ensued. At length the time
came for an Amazon march by the
chorus from Evangeline." 1t was out of
this troop of carefully selected pretty
girls that Sadie Cortelyou recently re-
tired into disgrace and death; and it
was with them that several hundred Pro-
duce Exchange brokers lately had a
famous guying time, after the historically
humorous manner of the Count Joannes
tragedies. Beecher did not quit his box,
but he retreated so far behind the dra-
peries that he was visible to only a
small portion Of the audience. and
the best obtainable evidence is that
he turned his back on the parade
of the twenty unclad girls On the fall
of the curtain he went into the corridor.
and stayed there talking with acquaint,
ances during the encore temperance of
the burlesquers. He declines to be drawn
into talk on the subject for publication, but
inhmates that he will soon define his posi-
ton regarding theatricals in a sermon.
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-02-27
Written for the REcoRD-UNIoN.l
WHITHERs

Whittier: Through skies OF night
The yearning thought takes flight
From star to star it royes through purple space
And seeks, but all in vain
Amid the glittering train,
Some token Of our lost one S dwelling place
In WEAKNESS and pain
We turn to earth again.
And question Nature mid the glow of day;
But sad, and cold, and stern,
The truth we there discern
All things Of earth andtime must pass away
All things to ruin tend,
All life in death must end
In Natures realm is written everywhere.
The rose-the hearts own flower
Has but its one brief hour.
And sheds its leaves touched by the softes. air.
Whither2 Deep be thy knell,
II thou hast nought to tell.
Oh, earth mo hint. no sign. of endless life
If DER our loved ones clay
Thou givest no hope, no ray
No comfort to the heart with anguish rife
Oh, mind of heavenly birth.
Why yainly cling to earth7
Amid times fleetiDg things why droop and pine
For thou art greater far
Than tree, or flower. or star.
And DER them all hast mastery divine.
IT'S given to thee to save
From dark oblivion's grave.
All precious things that earth or time bestow.
Oh. mind of mystery,
The rose aye blooms for thee,
Ana Still for thee the sacred lilies glow
Whittier? Oh, yearning breast,
Rejoice that to thy quest
No voice of earth or starry space replies.
Rejoice that DER the reach
Ofsight. or thought, or speech,
That land of soul In undreamed beauty lies
Sacramento.
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-02-27

border-land with Shay, himself q married
man and the father of family. Criminal
ing letters between the pair came into the
possession of Brown by accident. and, after
repeated warnings by word and by letter
to Shay to leave his family alone, he loca-
ted, by a letter to Mrs. Brown, meeting
between the pair at the Nevada restaurant,
on Pine street. He at once came down from
Healdsburg, shot Shay as he sat at the
table, Shay dying from the wound, Brown
was defended by Hon. w. w. Bishop and
Hon. Pat Reddy. The result of the trial
the verdict of Not guilty"-is already
made known to the public, and is what
alone could have been anticipated.
THE WAR OF THE BOSSES
In this city is something of puzzle be-
cause honest people cannot bring them
selves to believe that these fellows would
really quarrel, except perhaps over the
division of the spoils after the spoils are
secured. As against their common prey,
the people and taxpayers, they are sup
posed to be hand-in-glove. The seceders
from the Higgins banner are, with the aid
of Buckley's cohort of toughs, capturing
the Republican clubs one by one. and one
after another, in opposition to Bill Hig-
gins. Meantime Boss Higgins remains
apparently supine, and if there is really the
antagonism represented as existing be-
tween him and the Chute-C onroy gang, the
willy old fox is probably laying low
for blue flies, and will at the
proper moment spring on these po-
litical noyitiates some scheme that will
knock the club system out of existence at
one fell blow. Still waters run deep, and
Bill Higgins is not to be squelched by the
bluffing of tyros in politics who would
never have been heard of but for his tutor
ship, unless it be that such squelching is
prearranged. If curses, like chickens,
come home to roost, perhaps the obese and
willy William may think that his lessons
given in political dirt may have come home
to perch on his own shoulders. Meanwhile
the respectable element looks on and ex-
claims. I" A plague on both your houses"
But, like all respectable elements in poll
tics, it looks, and permits the toughs to
nominate and vote the tickets for the ex-
preston of its political preferences.
There is just now noticed also an agita-
ton against boss rule in Sacramento Such
a movement is more likely to succeed there
than here, because, having less mixed
population and possessing men who will
put their shoulders TO the wheel, instead OF
doing all ak and no work, the professional
politicians can be brought to understand
that there is a line beyond which they can
not go and power beyond their control.
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-02-27
Written for the REcoRD.uS1os.I /
A FRA0MENr.

The weak alone are ever changint sides.
~ Ius only change As change the wtpds and tides;
Inc lucy aimiess drin upon shoreleS eea,
Consistent but in inconsistency &
II we but know which way their minds are bent.
We know the course of public senFmenf
As the slight vane upon the house(op shows
Inc points from whence the vaEfng zephyr
saints l with the pious. fiends with te debased,
Each impress they receive is soon efased
As oceans tide, far sweeping DER TIN land
Blots out the lines we write upon ~ sand
ret VIII they strive by many an artAd chow
TO compensate for what they fail to know;
But all their efforts serve but to imtness
Us with the force Of their own littleisss;
The world will value at its proper woRht
Zach action so diverse and complic8e
The great are simple, and we ever SEQ
True greatness is but simplicity;
Seitconscious OF their worth, they d0eaot feel
Grand Is their every end, and grand tich aim;
They seek not, yet they gain an hondted name;
They rise superior to each Circumstance.
And prove success lies not in birth or lhance:
That tbs not from without, but from Within,
Must come the power that aids the heat to win
What though the while some royal desDot reign,
And rear his golden statues on the plan;
They will not bow the head nor bend the knee
Though flames of persecution they may see,
Lit by the hands of envy, round them rise,
All eager waiting for the sacrifice.
Such were the men who once their sails I'M
furled.
And turned their course unto new-found
world
And found upon this side the stormy sea,
A home from tyranny and tyrants free.
Oh, noble heroes your example Will
Live on, increasing in its power till
Each despot stern shall tremble on his throne,
And gloomy bastile crumbie stone by stone.
For Liberty her torch has lighted here
That shone so dimiy through each passing year,
Until 1t seemed its feeble, fickering light
Would sink into the gloom of endless night
Oh, may the zeal with which we guard its fires
Prove the worthy sons of worthy sires!
1T. J. Richards.
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-02-27
THE WAR ON TIGHTS.
New York Managers Inaugurating Cru
SADIE Against Abbreviated Dresses.

SaU0 Against ADDrevl0Ie0 Dresses.
A New York correspondent of the In
dianapolis Journal writes: Sharp warfare
has broken out between art and burlesuue
in tteatricals. Not since the original
Black Crook" shocked and entertained
the New York public has there been so
loud an outcry against stage impreprieties.
The managers of the three legitimate stock
companies, Wallack, Palmer and DAILY.
have banded together in an onslaught upon
indecorously costumed burlesoues and
comic operas, and the first battle is set
down for next Thursday afternoon. They
have prepared benefit matinee perform
ances for the actors fund.- and from the
entertainments, which will be given in
their own theaters- Wallack's, DAYS and
the Madison Square-unskirted actresses
are to be rigidly excluded /" Engaged"
The Rivals" and Love on Clutches
will be performed, but the companies will
go the round of the three houses. giving
one act of their plays on each stage, SO that
an audience will get third of every
be singing-but all in conventional
clothes-and the three-leagued mana
gers will make addresses, in which they
are expected to define their position as to
what they have already characterized as
pernicious amusement Palmer and
Wallack have, in published interviews.
denounced the current taste for actresses
in tights, and this peculiar matinee is
under the personal direction of DAILY.
That they have suffered from the COM
petition of the entertainments which
they condemn is mentioned as a selfish
animus of their present proceedings
but circumstances have combined to
create much sentiment on their side of
the question. Exploits of small but very
conspicuous minority of burlesque and
comic opera actresses have lately scandal
more notorious the persons become the
more they were forced forward, because