davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-03-28
Western Farm Mortgages.

The Chicago Farmers Reoiew pub
fishes summary of reports from its corre-
spondents on the sub ject of farm mort
cages. Summarized by States the follow
ing figures are given.
Ohio-Forty-tive counties report an
average of twenty-three per cent. of farms
under mortgages; sixteen counties report
farm mortgages on the increase and
twenty-four counties that are decreasing.
Acknowledgements counties report
twenty-six per cent. of farms mortgaged
eighteen counties report mortgages in
crcasing and fourteen decreasing.
Illinois-Seventy-fve counties report
twenty-seven per cent. of farms mort
gagged; thirty-seyen counties on the in
crease and thirty three on the decrease.
Iowa-Sixty-nine counties report an
average of forty.four per cent. of farms
mortgaged; fourteen counties report
mortgages on the increase and ten on the
decrease.
Nebraska--Thirty counties an average
of fifty one per cent. of farms mortgaged;
twelve report farm mortgages on the in
crease and seventeen on the decrease.
Wisconsin TWENTY-FIVE counties re-
port thirty-two per cent. mortgaged;
eight report mortgages increasing and
seventeen decreasing.
Michigau--Twenty-six counties report
m average of fifty per cent. OF farms
mortgaged; eleven report mortgages on
the increase and nine on the decrease.
Kcntucky--Eighteen counties report
an average of twenty three per cent.
OF farms mortgaged; eight report farm
mort Cages on the increase aud ten on the
decrease.
Dakota Twenty seven counties report
ffty-nine per cent. Of farms mcrtgaged;
fifteen report them on the increase and
twelve on the decrease.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-03-28
The Fate OF O Tombstone.

Nothing goes on in an uninterrupted
career in this world, however, and even
gravestones come now and then to
strange uses. In a village in Maine, for
instance, farmer having waxed in for
tune until he was able to replace the slate
pravestone in his family burial lot By
marble ones, was too thrifty to throw the
old slabs away. He therefore utilized
them as door stones, so that all visitors
to the kitchen and dairy trod upon in
scriptions gradually fading away, which,
with scriptural phrase and the cheerful
overseeing of triangular visaged cherubs,
recorded the names, the virtues, and the
untimely taking off of the forefathers of
the thrifty farmer. --R3Ssn Globe.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-03-28


In minute saw Mr. Stevens on the end
OF bench. SO told him as still us /
cou'd that his house was on fire. But he
inst shouted and rushed for his horses.
and everybody followed him.
':Mrs. Stevens said something real
quick about ravy, and ran too. The
man th,,t was speaking came down, and
Aunt Anna, who do you think it wasa
:'The governor
81 thought he would be drcadfully
angry with me for making such a dis
tufhauce in his meeting, but he wasn't,
and got in fathers wagon and rode with
us down to Mr.. Stevcns's. When we got
! there, there was n whole line of men
! from the well to the house, aud they
were pumping water and handing pals
! from one to another Just as fast as they
could. But there wasn't much left Of
the Kitchen
+ 'Wherc was Davy?" asked Amt
Anna.
! "Oh, dear me! He was on bed they
had brought out, and the doctor was
pulling him around and talking about
the shock to the system He was not
faint any more and he smiled little
welk kiud of smile, and said I'd given
him ride for the Fourth of July.
"By.and-by the fire was out, and Mr..
Stevens came and shook hands with
me, and the Governor stood up in a
wa ron and said he would make them a
little supplementary speech. What is
Supplementary Aunt Anna2 I've just
remembered that word. And he said
maybe they didn't all know why the
whole house wasn't burned down, and
Davy in it. And then he told them"
"Told them what?"
"Why-about-wha I did, you know.
I was so ashamed And then Mr..
Stevens lifted me into the wagon, and
the crowd cheered."
"Wkat did you think about, Susy?"
"Wcll, Aunt Anna, was a little
afraid that my face was dirty, running
so fast in all that dust: aud was
it's silly, know, but was-I mean
1 didn't exactly like to stand up there
with that blue ginghan on. And father
asked him home to supper. Just think
the Governor and he talked with mamma
ever so long. That's all, auntie."
"Well, my dear, your story is rather
like the old saying about 'the play of
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-03-28

Professor Medele;ef, of Berlin has ad.
vanced the theory that petroleum is of
mineral origin, and that its production is
going on and may continue almost indei-
nitely. He has succeeded in making it
artifcially by q similar process to that
which he believes is going on in the
earth.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-01
No Signs of a Strike.

READING, Pa, Dec. 31.-Up to noon
to-day there were no signs of strike on
the Reading railroad in this section.
The company's car and machine shop,
which each employ in their several de-
partments 800 men, have not been as
busy as now for ten years. Heretofore i'm
the winter time many suspensions were
made and the employees retained were
reduced to eight hours day.
Now every man has ten hours
work, and many make overtime.
Several Knights of Labor assemblies
of this city held meetings, and the pre-
vailing sentiment of the members was
that strike would be ill-timed and not
advisable, and that nothing would be
gained thereby. There was a notable
decrease in the number of coal cars
which passed through here so far to-
day, commencing with this morning, and
is attributed to the troubles in the coal
regions and the stOppage at Gordon and
Mahany Planes. General Dispatcher
Bertslet said this morning: 1--WE
are in excellent shape. We ran out
twenty-five full coal trains from the
coal regions last night, about an aver
age run compared with the same day
two weeks ago. Our trains, of course,
are not running as fully, but it is safe
to say that we sent down fully 1900
loaded coal cars last night. There were
seventeen trains of empty coal cars
passed north through Reading, destined
for the mines"
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-01

what larger scale. This was in April,
1887. A general good feeling was mani
tested by the thousands of regular
patrons Of the house, that Col. Allen
had been succeeded by so experienced a
hotel man. His popularity, evidently,
was great, as the house retained all its
old patrons, and great number of new
ones, who nowhere feel more at home
than in it's familiar lobby. Nearly the
whole clerical force was retained. John
Dodge, chief clerk. who has been con-
stantly in this hotel for twenty-three
years; f. f. Snow, the bookkeeper, who
came in 1881; James w. Shearen, the
night clerk, who has lived and Ia
bored under this roof for some
fifteen years; and John Lawless, who
presides at the bar, where many, many
thousands have sought relief, all re-
NAMED to serve the present proprietor.
And it is safe to say that no set of hotel
men in the world are more cheerful,
more cOntented, or have more friends
than these. Much of the success of the
Merchants must be credited to them.
Then in May, "a few weeks after Col.
WelZ assumed command, John Ford
came over from the Ryan, and added
largely to the strength of the force. If
John Ford has an enemy in this world
he has never shown his face.
The Merchants hotel is the politica
headquarters of the Northwest. 1t is
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-01

here that the most important conclaves,
in secret caucuSeS, hatch the greatest
schemes in this corner of the world. A
politician cannot feel at home anywhere
else. And the pioneers-thOse sturdy
souls who made Minnesota habitable-
always direct their steps toward the
Merchants. The Old Settlers associa-
ton (or '49-ers, as they are called, from
the fact that all members must be resi-
dents since 1S49), make this hotel their
place of annual meeting. In short, the
guests of this house include the most
noted meu in the country. Its reputa-
ton has extended even to the ''Old coun-
try" and the stories told give 1t ro-
mantle interest to many young travellers
from Europe.
There is accommodation for over 400
guests in the house, but time and again
people by hundreds have been turned
away for lack of room. 1t is marvellous
what a great number of people have
stopped here, and depend upon the
Merchants for accommodation for they
always come again. And we'll they
might, for better appointed hotel is
not to be found in the country. The
dining room is literally a banquet hall
in its everyday equipment and spread.
The cooks are famous, and the attend
ance without fault. No delicacy that
may be obtained at any hotel in the
West will be found missing on the bill
of fare.
In greeting: ''Here's to Col. Well,
the Merchants and his guests"
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-01

close, and calling up incidents of New
Years days long gone by. Col. Well,
the warm-hearted landlord, will dis
tribute himself around among his happy
guests, and receive the cOngratulatiOn
OF every man IN the lobby
who can get at him, with
cordial grasp of his good right hand.
Col. Allen will be there to meet old
friends, too. And John Dodge will
smile his most benign. Snow and Ford
will make the statesmen feel that their
chances for greater elevation POLITICALLY
spealing) are exceedingly good. Jimmie
Shearen will do his part, and all will be
merry as wedding BELL
And just here will be a good place to
say word about the hotel itself and it's
proprietor. The Merchants was estab-
lished in 1913. Since then it has changed
hands number of times, it's popularity
steadily increased, and in 1878 Col.
A. Allen took possession and held
it until last April, having built
it up to its present importance and
magnitude. Col. f. r. Well for four
years conducted the Clarendon, at
Sixth and Wabasha, which he made
popular by courtesy, substantial COM
fort and general disposition to do
everything possible for his guests.
Disposing of the Clarendon, the colonel,
with a good round fortune. went 10 the
..'Fatherland' for years happy So
jOurn. Returning to St. Paul, he pur-
chased the Merchants hotel, and once
more was landlOrd-but on some
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-01
AN APPEAL
Made by the Local Assemblies of
the Reading System.

Made by the Local Assemblies of
the Reading System.
NEW YORK, Dec. 31.-A conference
of delegates representing the different
local assemblies of the Reading system
in this city this morning adopted the
following appeal, which will be submit
ted to the district assemblies at Read
ing:
To the wOrkmen and women of Amer
lea and outside of it, who are interested
in the solution of the great question now
occupying the attention of the entire ma
tion:a We appeal to you to sustain us by
rendering US practical assistance in this
most StupendOns struggle. 1t has been
asserted that we are partly responsible.
That may be: we are only human, but
we deny that we are responsible. Ii to
be honest, too severe, too ignorant, too
undiplOmatic, is culpable, then we plead
guilty. We are not sufficiently tricky.
sufficiently dishonest, sufficiently edu-
Gated to successfully engage in a game
of diplomacy with men who practice
nothing else, and who live in
luxury for their superior ca
pacity to deceive and plumber.
We thought that we were dealing with
honest men, who had honor enough to
at least keep their word, and when they
entered into verbal agreement with
us we had confidence in them. But
alas. we were deceived. You know the
rest. You know how they manipulated
the telegraph; how they prevented us
from gaining access to it, and, owing to
this monopoly Of public necessity, how
completely they had us at their mercy.
We were unable to communicate with
our people, while they, the aSsnts of this
monopoly, did it in our name. Actually
sent out forged dispatches, thus causing
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-01

conflict with the barbarians, prancing
steeds with snowy TANKS, that memory
OF their lost loves dwelt in their equine
heads, 1t may be that these fellows in
the shape of white horses are still fol-
lowing red-headed girls around.
There is do denying the fact that
when red-headed girl is pretty she is
pretty-pretty enough to faScinate
white horse or any other living thing
such red-headed girl, for instance, as
we have the authority of Soule Smith
for saying aboundS in Kentucky. "Her
skin is softer than satin and whittier than
snow. Her form falls away in vOluptuous
curves that makes a man dream of the
down upon their golden boughs
and dumbly pleading to be eaten.
Her brown eyes are bright with
latent fire quickly enkindled from the
touch of love, and burning with soft
heat that meltS the heart of man amid
the sweet SavOrS of delicious spices.
Her walk is light but languOrous. The
yloletS upon which her little foot presses
die in ecstatic pain about her instep Joy
ing to have been so blessed before an
Initiation. And the red blood which
mantles her rounded velvet lips makes
them glow until the roses turn pale in
ouoHIC dG IilC QulliicSS VI JU6lr COlOr."
Surely man of taste, whether in the
form OF horse or not, would follow
such girl as long as he had the power
of locomotion, and the explanation
above advanced is satisfactory, pro-
vlded there is anything to explain. We
have made thorough investigation of
this matter, however, and have found
that, while white horse may be gener-
ally discovered in the neighbOrhoOd of
read-headed girl, he is also Invariably
to be seen whenever bow-legged man
is observed.
Watch it and see if we are not right.
This being the case, theory which
will explain the presence of the white
horse in one instance will hardly an
swer in the other, and is accordingly
untenable.
Is it not time, then, to let up on this
white horse business? He is no more
loyal to the red-headed girl than the
bow-legged man. Besides the white
horse has become chestnut.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-01
Caste Distinctions.

brakes Travellers Magazine.
Mrs. Rooney-Ah, Mrs. McCarty, is ii
you?
Mrs. McCarty-It is, Mrs. Rooney, and
how are yeez to-day, ma'am?
Mrs. ROOney-O'ive nothing to COM
plain Of, Mrs. McCarty. But l didn't
see yeeZ last night at the ball at Patsy
Noonan's. Oh was there and we had an
Elegant tonne, ma'am, wild foive kegs
OF beer and great bowl of rum poonch
and tObackey as free as dirt, ma'am !;
yeeZ missed it if We hadn't an invite.
Mrs. McCarty with great dignity
Oh thank yeez, Mrs. Rooney, the Noon
ans had the indacency to sind me a
letther of inviction, and OF had the
pleasure of sindin' it back Immediately.
Oh know how to kape me place, ma am,
and bad cess to the day Ord lower me-
self by goin' to ball at the Noonans
whin Patsey Noonan is nothing but a
common lab'rer at dollar an fifty cints
a day a-worrukin' wild the same gang
over which me ould man is boss at a
dollar and seventy-foive cints dayi
Ord not wipe me fate on the Noonans
now.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-01
TERRIBLE GAS EXPLOSION.
Two Men Killed and Several In
jured by a Bursting RetOrt.

NEW YORK, Dec. 31.-Two exhaust
ing engines and one full gas retort in
the works of the Equitable Gas COM
pany exploded at II o'clock tonight
with deafening report. The works
are situated on First avenue and ex-
tend from Forty-frst to Forty
second streets. Nearly every
building in the vicinity of the
works was more or less damaged and
some of the stores were totally wrecked.
The engine house in which the engines
were located was totally demolished and
the engineer, Frank Traisted, burned in
the ruins. Two others were injured.
Their names could not be ascertained.
The driver of a passing car was blown
off and fatally hurt. Immediately after
the explosion a fire broke out. The
cause of the explosion is supposed to
have been leak in the large connect.
ing pipe from the eXhauSting engine.
Frank TraiSted, the engineer, was seen to
cross the yard from the boiler room,
carrying his lamp with him. A few
moments afterwards the explosion oc-
Cured. The building which contained
the exhaust engines was 100X50 feet and
two stories high. 1t is now believed
that a number of persons were more or
less injured, butt is Impossible at this
hour to ascertain the casualties.
Among the buildings in the neighbour
hood that were badly shaken up was the
piano factory of Krakow & Co. The
shock of the explosion was distinctly
felt half a mile away.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-01

large extent, unknown factors In the
diplomatic calculation. France. indeed,
has acted with wonderful quietness
through a prolonged crises, which threat
ened year ago to throw all Europe
into confusion. But no one, either In
France or elsewhere, is convinced that
the calm which is apparent there now is
the result of the removal of the causes
of disturbance. On the contrary, it
represents exactly the same sort of
tacit agreement between French pOliti-
cal parties to POSTPONE a conflict which
for some years marked the international
relations between Prussia and Austria.
There is on the one side Nj. Ferry, rep
reSenting the tradition of the govern
ment, not perhaps without a suspicion
on the part of his enemies that the mon
archical camp is in the next field. While
opposed to this school of ideas is that of
NJ. Clemenceau, behind whom, whether
he likes it or not, are NJ. Rochefort and
his friends, the
APOSTLES OF THE COMMUNE.
The position is that of compromise.
Nj. Ferry is in the background and the
Radicals are excluded from the minis
try. NJ. Ferry is blding his time, but
the Radicals are impatient. The Radi-
Gals, by voting in body for M. Carrot,
placed him in the presidential chair, and
they are annoyed that he called upon the
RouVlerS, the FolliereS and the TirardS
TO form ministry. to the exclusion of
their own party. Thus NJ. Tirard'S cab
met holds office during the pleasure of
the Right and Left. That is so long as
neither OF the extreme sections cares to
turn them out. Their programme con-
talns series of neutral mea SureS to
which neither party particularly OBJ
lectS and which will be very good for
France if they are ever carried out.
From the European point of view the
danger to be apprehended from France
is not from the intentions
of the ministry, but from the uncer-
tainty of Its retention in power and the
absolute impoSSibility of foretelllng
what will succeed it. In the East the
danger of war comes from Russia.
as there are no indications of
any disposition on her part to
abandon the political aims which bring
her into opposition with Austria.
Russia still aims at position of Suprem-
acy in the Balkans, which is incom-
patlble with the existence of Austria as
great power. This is the really I'M
settled question, and until it has been
answered there will be no assured peace
In the east of Europe. Alliances and
diplomacy may postpone the struggle
more: and in all probability tn present
generation will see, not indeed the It'll
mate settlement of the ques ton of the
Balkans and of COnStantinop!a. hut the
decision whether the future develop
ment of the southern Slavs shall take
place under Russian or under Austrian
influence.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-01
GENERAL GLOOM.
Less Reason Than Ever for Believ-
ing That Peace Is Possible.

Copyright Cable to the Globe.
LONDON, Dec. 31.-With the excep-
ton of the Pail Mall Gazette, all of the
London dailies and weeklies insist that
the year ends in general European
gloom. The spectator declares that
there is now less reason than ever for
believing that peace on the continent is
possible. The Saturday Review gener-
ally commends the German policy, and
says that Germany and Austria have
been studiouSly peaceable for
twelve years past, meanwhile Suf-
ferlng constant menace from Russia.
Bismarck, who has become nervous
over the persistent strain, is tired of the
suspicion thac has arisen, and although
the powers profter peace, is not averSe
to embracing the present opportunity
of war, and in this way settle the vexed
questions. The Review sees a single
tangible peaceful glimmer in the de-
ciSion of the ear to permit the publish
ing of the forged documents in Berlin.
It's rumored tonight that the imperial
New Years speeches at both Berlin and
Vienna will partake of moderate and
hopeful tone, as rar as concerns the
car, and that they will afford material
assistance towards smoothing over the
present situation.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-01

what appeared to be the Generalization
of our people. This was all premedi-
tated by the heads of the corporation.
They bad entered into negotiations
with the head OF another organization
two weeks ago to supply them with
skilled labor IN case of an emergency.
Employment agencies were appealed
to and their owners well compensated.
Hundreds of men were kept on hand to
put them in our places the moment we
dared to assert our rights. Knowing
their strength, the company forced the
issue. With this brief statement,
cast a asde v appeal petT to eys Ga to
your petty quarrels, to look upon this
as fight to disrupt the organization,
throw us back into darkness, into de-
spondency, yes, into slavery. Every
corporation in the country is arrayed
against us; the press will be against us
tomorrow, il not to-day. The 'law" is
opposed to us. Pinkerton's thugs are
at our Threats; the police, the military
powers are all on the side of capital. 1t
is true that the militia are our people,
in many eases workingmen. We have
confidence in them. An appeal for unity
is then made and the address continues ::
Our monarch is money and our Caesars
Wv ohO wi plIo uilu Nouluo. IiiO piOoo
OF the nation is entirely in the hands OF
these powers. Extracts from the ed
itorial utterances of leading newspapers
throughout the country, advocating eX-
IRENE measures for the suppression of
the Knights of Labor are quoted as in
stances of the opposition of the press to
the cause of labor, and the address con-
eiudes as follows: "You, MessrS. Cor
bin, Gould & Co. who are the represent
atives of society to-day, in your mad
ness, but succeed in arOusing the slum-
bering demon, we have nothing to lose
but our chains.