davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-22
Aroma of an Asafetida Desert.

Eight or ten miles of fair wheeling across
the plain, through tho isolated village of
Mohammedabad, and the trail loses itself
among the rank, dead stalks of the asafetida
plant that here characterizes the vegeta-
ton of the broad, level sweep OF plain. The
day is cloudy, and with no trail visible,
my compass has to be brought into requisi-
ton; though ofttimes finding it useful, it is
the first time have found this article to be
really indispensable SO far on the tour
The atmosphere of an asafetida desert is
among those things that can better be
imagined than described; the aroma Of the
fetid gum is waited TO and fro and assails the
nostrils in a manner quite the reverse Of
"Araby, the blest." The plant is sturdy
specimen among the ANIMALS; its straight,
upright stem is but three or four feet high,
but often measuring four inches in diameter,
and it not infrequently deies the blasts of the
Khorassan winter and the upheaving thaws
of spring, and preserves its upright position
for q year after its death. The thick, dead
stems and branching tops Of last years plants
are seen by the thousands, sturdily holding
their ground among the rank, Young shoots
Of the new growth.-Thomas Stevens in
Outing.
Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-22
showed His Ignerance.

/, Is very difficult for the man who Is not a
tailor % estimate the number az stitches that
go to the making Of q coat How easily you
earn your bread and butteri- said business
man TO q Journalist. Il arr in my Office nina
hours day. while you ST. down at your dssk,
dash OF few anecdotes or fsncies, and get
well paid for them"
did i. ever occur TO you that ny work Is
Of the sort that Is never doaeF asked the
newspaper man; or that l never take cue
step or glance which ! don't sttenp. 70 util-
izeF
well, no; there seems 20 be something
Fpontareous about your work You co IL
when you happen TO feel Ike il; there's 10
grind ab0at IL
@Oh, indeed isn't the-si Ny friend, I
never see stranger without wondering IL
bis faes or form viii woTk into 8 ssory:
never hear q conTsrsstion ~ithou, separating
tie WHEAT from TIE chat, 10 US as material:
never see anything lovely in nature without
longing 20 pus il n words for ether eyes 20
ENJOY, tArossn tie EaeGtcm If q printed
pzga
Dear me, ycz Go make 9 grind Of III but
doa't behave that first class gs-sgs- do.
voc know. TEsy i1ss st down AID wr.se
what CONES % eta, sbsy don't CRIB Aks
thai
There's q curiozs rexUhisnce O. certzln
points between gszi-ses and newspaper men
said the osAe-. rz1<in-fy. -For iEzs.ancs, Tn
perfectly certain that /. hssr&ry Sentns
were preaer. as tbs cc1vsrra.Oa be woaA
mentally take down your r~1zarfs - . yalu-
able illustration @ Los o5EzE~-ssess a the
human animal And tken be s0251 TxaEs !.
-1sss a 49, = essss Gs-sgslxss
Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-22
Wanted in ferhe PanhandIe.v

The northwest corner OF Texas is called
"The Panhandle" and there is town there
with the same name, and in the town a news
paper in which appears this notice: "Wanted,
Immediately, 100 single young women who
are prepared to rough it for time, to come
to the Panhandle and marry our thrifty
young men who have located on GO acres Of
land and are now living in dugouts, tents and
cabins. We can speak good word for every
one of the boys; they are all noble American
citizens except one, and he is a little unfortu-
nato in being the son of an English lord.
Girls, this is a good chance. Besides this.
married life viii beat blessed singleness every
time. In few months time the dugouts
will be turned into cellars, and comfortable
houses erected when the railroads bring in
iumbern-New York Sun.
Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-22
Open the Windows.

The great snatomist, Langenbeck, says:
am sure now of what l suspected long ago,
viz: That pulmonary diseases are nearly.ex-
rlusively IF We except tuberculous tenden-
cieS inherited from parents, say quite exclu-
Eively) produced by the breathing of foul air.
The lungs of all persons, minors included,
who had worked for some years in close
workshops and dusty factories, showed the
germs of the fatal disease; while even con-
iirmed inebriates, who had passed their days
In open air, had preserved their respiratory
organs intact, whatever iproadS their excuses
had made on the rest of their system. If l
should go into practice, and undertake the
cure of a consumptive, l should begin by
driving him out, and prevent him from
entering house for g year or two.-Sani-
tary Era.
Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-22
PUNISHMENT FOR BRIBERY.
An Assemblyman of the Empire State
Thinks Confiscation the Right Thing.

An Assemblynan of the Empire State
Thinks Confiscation the Right Thing.
Assemblyman Mccarthy, of Syracuse, who
is a manufacturer, has given law practical
study, and has ideas on that subject which
are frequently expressed forcibly in groups
where puplic affairs are discussed.
In talking about the Sharp trial Mr.
Mccarthy said: "There is growing convic-
ton in my mind that the punishment for
bribery is inadequate in that it does not seize
the plumber. Now, take Jacob Sharp as an
example His accumulation OF wealth at his
age could have only one object-to leave
big property for his family. He was willing
to run the risk Of year or two in prison and
small fine to insure them great fortune.
Even If he serves his time in prison the money
Will he theirs and his. There viii be no
special public condemnation of them. The
public viii hardly regard them as disgraced
by the old mans Imprisonment. But, suppose
the law provided that for such crime all
his plumber and all his property should be
confiscated Do you think he would then
make any attempt to bride anybodya Not
much There would be a risk he would not
care to incur. While l was abroad few
years ago was told of family of Americans
an important financial trust. He deliberately
stole $3.50, 600 under circumstances that made
the maximum punishment for his crime
years imprisonment in the penitentiary. lie
was willing to serve that length of time to
make such provision for his family for life.
OF course, i'll such cases if the money can be
identified it can be recovered. But shrewd
rascal will take care Of that So l think confs-
cation would be about the right thing"
Another man told of case that had come
to his knowledge. A firm had bookkeeper
embezzle $1,000. He had been working for
$3.50 year. He was sentenced to two years
imprisonment. The firm offered to petition
for his pardon if he would restore the money.
The man told them he thought 81 500 a year
was better than $3.50, even if he was obliged
to spend the time in prison, and refused their
offer--New Y ork Tribune.
Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-22

In my business we learn to detect the foibles
and weakness OF men and women, but in the
Jail you would not expect to find any vanity
in the matter Of personal appearance. Never
theless there are many prisoners who take a
pride in securing good negative. Ordinary
prisoners never object to the process of
'mugging," because they are too ignorant to
understand the advantage Of picture in the
hands Of the police High toned crooks from
the east always object. Maxwell will sit all
day for you and then take the negatives and
examine them critically, as ne is something
Of a professional, having dabbled IN chem
icals at home / have twelve different pict-
ures of him and he would cheerfully sit for
as many moro if ! gave him chance. So
phia Lyons, the famous New York shop litter,
cried and raved like a fury when brought be-
fore me, but finding the detectives inexora-
bic, she dried her eyes primped her hair, ad-
justed her bonnet, dabbed a little powder on
her cheeks and told IRE to go ahead, that, if
she couldn't help it, she would have good
portrait Jane Cosley, another big shop
litter, sat smiling as sweet as an angel, after
having made desperate fight, clawing like
catamount, and her face is one OF the prett-
est in my collection-Police Photographer in
Globe Democrat
Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-22
Gen. Buffers Eavorfte Theme,

Gen. Zen F. Butler has one subject that the
reporters can always find him ready to talk
about, and that is yachting. No matter how
busy he is he will put aside business few
moments to converse on his favorite theme.
He is as familiar figure at the Fifth Avenue
hotel $50 old timers say as was Horace Gree
ley, who frequently stopped there. Gen.
Butler has a faithful colored servant who
rarely ever leaves his side, no matter where
he goes This colored man rays the bills for
the general wherever they happen 70 stop,
and sees that various and sundry people co
not intrude upon the aged lawyer. A re-
porter not long ago sent his card up TO But
Ter. He sent word that he was too busy 60
be interviewed; besides he did not care to
talk politics The reporter sent his card
back with this written on it: General, de-
sire 20 ask you something about your yacht,
the America" The answer was Immediately
received TO come up to his room. 1t is need
less to say that the reporter was given val
liable points about yachts, but did not get n
word edseways about polilcS-New YoEk
Nal and ExpreSs
Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-22
Wedding in Pioneer Times.

A good deal of horse play would often fol-
low the wedding ceremony. To undreSs the
bride, or, "to put the bride TO bed" was one
of the amusementS of the occasion. She was
accompanied to the nuptial chamber by the
other married women present, who disrobed
her and placed her in bed, the while infcting
on her such suggestions and witticismS as the
occasion suggested. A little later the mascu-
line element had its turn. The bridegroom
was accompanied to the bed chamber by his
roaring friends and showed with many Jokes,
mysterious innuendoes and quaint Sugges-
tons through the door Of the room. A little
later, as likely as not the room would be in
vaded by the guests, and the couple would
be subjected to another course Of hilarious
torture.
Now and then some of the neighbors, not
invited to the wedding, would improvise
serenade known as g ''horningn or ''shiv-
aree," and which consisted in getting in front
of the house, hammering tin pans, blowing
tin dinner horns and the playing OF horse
fiddleS. The latter instrument Of melody is
one not in use by Thomas, Gilmore or Arditi
1t consists of an empty dry goods box with
the top removed, across which scautling,
well covered with rosin, is drawn by stall
wart hands. and which produces a din that
stirs up the very marrow of the listener.
Wedding trips were unknown. There was
usually Second day wedding" which took
place at the residence of the groom's parents.
The trip from the house of the wifes parents
to that of the groon's relatives was the only
journey made III connection with the mar
riaGe.
Twenty-four, or at most forty-eight, hours
after the ceremony the wife was installed in
her new home, and was as hard at work milk
ing, cooking, washing, sewing. scrubbing, as
If she had been married dozen years. -"Po-
huton III Chicago Times
Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-22
Dangerous Tasks That Must be Done,

In minissering to the wants Of the majority
OF mankind, tie minisSrants are often called
upon TO discharge dangerous tasks The IN
armed policeman, for example, IS expected 20
tackle the armed burglar and % his creii: be
1t said that he usually fulfils the expectation;
the bricklayer works at dizzy height, while
the boy and maid OF all work must brace
their nerves sufficiently 10 be able to clean
the outside Of third or fourth story window.
whether tie feat be performed by standing
on narrow sill or parapet, or sitting on the
sill with sash drawn down 10 the Lap. Tie
discharge of each OF these duties has ere now
proved fatal; but IN defense Of them this can
at least be urged-they are not risks wRutouIv
run, aud are encountered In the exercise of
legitimate ca.linxs. n some cases. too. the
-Steeple Jack" is Of use. though many Of lis
peTilous aScents sire simply sensational. Tie
s,eeple chase jockey and ths colt breaker
are men whom insurance Offices would proba-
big not insure az ordinary rates; though they.
Ike the people siore mentioned, riss their
necSs and their lives in the prosecution Of
generally accepted callings, Of which tie dan
ger may or may net be uagniaed-Londoa
kieid
Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-22
Vest Button Photography.

The process of instantaneous photograph
ing is rapidly becoming an evil. We hear
talK already about specialists in photography
for instantaneous pictures since the "Detect-
i've Camera" as it is called, YVES put upon the
market. The box is so small that it can bs
carried anywhere without the slightest incon-
venience, and, as the littla lens at the bottom
is always ready for use, an instantaneous pic
tare can be taken 1T any desired moment.
In Germany, Herr Stirn recently produced
before a Photographic society enlargements
TO size Of forty centimeters from such pic
lures. ard all were remarkably distinct and
well defined. These plates can also be taken
a. different distances and always sharply cut
Tired. Young men take their lady friends on
promenade to be uncoasciously photographed.
People, young and old, who have never en-
tered artists studio or Photographic gal
lery VIII be astonished to see their pictures
freely circulated. Most Of all, it is to be
feared that the legitimate business Of the
photographer will be injured by these cam
eras. Any possible mania or desire for
photos can soon be gratified at trif1ing ex-
pense and after a short term OF practice by
means of this invention. Photographs can
soon be so multiplied as to become a positive
nuisance, and from the various considerations
that enter into the matter, it does not seem
SO very easy to answer our query-"Wha
Eextp-American Lithographer.
Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-22
A Fine Melon.

~ want the biggest and best watermelon
in that lot" he said as he surveyed great
pile of watermelons in front OF a Woodward
avenue grocery.
eyes, sir-here it is-best melon I've seen
this year"
"Plug it," was the brusque command
ayes, sir-splendid red core. Shall put
it on ice."
The purchaser drew from his pocket flask
of port wine andsproceeded TO pour the con-
tents into the orifce. The melon readily alb
sorbed the liquid, and when the plug was re-
placed the man chucllled: "He: he! hel 1
want that melon sent to -, the temperance
fanatic! Say nothing, and it will be a big
joke on him"
A couple of days later the man came around
to the store again and asked:
'eVell,' the melon was sent up!n
"Oh, yes"
"And the boy didn't give my little plot
away?"
"Ob, no, but we heard from it."
You did! Hell he! he! What did he say?n
die and his family were of up the lake,
but the hired girl and coachman said it was
the finest melon they ever put tooth intol"-
Detroit Free Press.
Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-22
Sunday in LouGnn.

IL London is the dulless city in Europe
Sunday the country surrounding it and the
river cannot be called quiet ON that day. The
greater part Of the middle class people Of
London make it a point to get out of the city
on some kind Of frolic every pleasant Sun
day during the summer. Every place Of
amusemert ia London is closed Sunday, and
extra price is charged ct the Geological gar
oens, and everything made as dismal as it IS
poSsibla To the very great number Of Lon
don drunkards, however, concession is
made. After church is over in the morning
every liquor saloon, or public, as they cali
them. Is open until midnight So by the time
evening comes about the only persons to be
seen on the streets aIe either drunk or well
on the way to being so. This kind OF q
crowd naturally drives respectable people to
the suburbs, and the favorite picnic places
are Maidenhe2d and Richmond. both Of
which have good facilities for boat.nc.-Lon-
don Cor. Chicago Tribune
Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-22
SOMETHING UNIQUE in WARFARE.
A Struggle ia Which the Old We're
Pitted Against the Young Men.

a Struggle Ia Which the Old Were
Pitted Against the Young Men.
DR.. Wolf, the explorer of tho Sankuru
river, has just told some curious facts about
the Baluba tribe, who are becoming dis.
tinguished among ell the millions Of the Con-
go basin for their eagerness to accept from
the whites all the ways of living and the in
formation that they think will benefit or
improve them. Long before the whites knew
them they were regarded by the neighboring
tribes as most remarkable people, and they
are keeping up their reputation.
Until within the past fifteen years the Ea-
Tuba kept themselves strictly separate from
their neighbors. They had no intercourse
whatever with any other tribe This is very
unusual, for the tribes throughout Africa, if
not QuGrreling with their neighbors, gen.
orally have many commercial dealings with
them and even in time Of war the women OF
the hostile tribes sometimes Iningle in perfect
unity, exchanging their commodities.
The young men among the Baluba finally
decided that it would be better for their
tribe to cultivate relations with their neigh
bors and open the country to traders with
other tribes They had the support Of their
chief, but the old men and grey boards of the
tribe set their faces sternly against the inno-
walton. With the conservatism Of old age
they declared that such a step would ruin the
tribe AS long as they lived, they said, they
would never consent that the DGluba should
mix with other peoples.
Zach side was determined to have Its way,
and the quarrel grew more and more bitter.
until finally it resulted in civil war. 1t was
one Of the most remarkable wars ever waged
for on one side were ranked TIE Old men, the
fathers and counseioys OF the tribe, while on
the other side fought the youth and lusty
strength of the Baluba. The sons were pitted
against their elders, but in this case as in
others that might be mentioned, conserve-
tism was simply unprogre5Sive narrowmind-
edness, and wisdom was with the younger
party.
The struggle was short and furious. Il re-
suited in the complete overthrow Of the old
men, TIE hatred engendered by this unnat-
ural war was 50 intense that the vanquished
were nearly exterminated. Almost all the
old men were killed or were thrown with
their women into the Lulus. Then the young
men opened their doors TO cornmerce.-New
York SUn
Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-22
IN SAN ANOREAS VALLEY.
PecuIiarities of Lower California-The
Famous Damiana PlaDt-A Village.

PecuIfarities of Lower California-The
Famous Damiana PIant-A Village.
San Andreas valley is one of those beauti-
full places in an uninhabited country which
always viii be welcomed with delight by a
weary traveller as an Arab would welcome
an oasis in Sahara 1t is twelve miles inland
from Rosalia bay, though the canyons,
ravines and bills make the distance appear
twice as great.
The country in the vicinity Of the ocean is
quite rough, with q scanty vegetation, which,
however, improves as we proceed farther in
the interior. On the sandy patches l see the
celebrated plant OF middle and southern
Lower California-the famous damiana-
about which there are curious stories current
among the Indians Of the peninsula. These
aborigines, who live to very great age here,
attribute many excellent qualities 10 the
plant They assert that a man may prolong
his age to a very great period by using daIni-
ana as one uses tea-that is, drinking it with
milk and honey. They say there is an Indian
near San Borjas mission 100 years old and his
wife 90, yet child was born to them only
eight years ago.
As proceeded farther into the interior l
saw quite an abundant fora, prickly bushes
of rutilla covered with red berries and
fuguiera splendens being most frequent
Cacti are common, also the tall yucca Scott
Here and there a graceful antelope would
look curiously at me and then quickly vanish
behind hill This animal is found in great
numbers here, and in the mountains the
mountain sheep, whose meat is said to be de
licious. Rabbits are very common. OF birds
remark only large black ravens, which
seem to find food enough in this vicinity, as
they are seen in great numbers.
1t was about 2 O'Clock in the afternoon
when / saw two gigantic and rocky mesaS, or
rather mountains, at the foot OF which, in
the rays of sun, shone water. This water is
however salty and these two mountains
form a deep canyon, or entrance to San An
dreas valley. The water in the canyon is
dead level of emerald green, and the noun
tains of dim brown and yellow rise TO heaven
searching attitudes The mighty ridges are
covered with immense candelabra cacti,
which grow on the edges and form an en-
erald crown for the brow Of two giants on
both sides of the ravine.
The entrance in the valley forced, found
myself on a beautiful mountain plain, COW
cred with green verdure between which were
visible few houses and hutS. They COM
posed the village Of San Andreas, belonging
to an English company, which proposes to
start here the manufacture of paper out OF
the fibrouS stem OF the datilillo plant-Lower
California Cor. San Francisco Chronicle
Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-22
An Ex-Manager's Superstition,

"1'l give you tip" said J. +. Donnelly,
formerly of the management of the Bijou
opera house, in New York, recently. IF a
man offers you fair price for your horse or
dog, or any favorite or pet of the kind, take
it. 1 am superstitious upon thai point. 1
once lost valuable horse the day after had
refused a big offer for him, and on Saturday
last a man fell in love with my Irish collie,
and actually denied him when he rubbed
wad of 500 under my nosel The dog was
q great pet in my household l brought him
from Ireland when pup. Yesterday be got
caught by the cowcatcher of a Sea Beach
read locomotive and was instantly killed. I
wish now that I had accepted the mans roll
of bills. Don't you ever refuse an offer I'M
der like circumstances You watch the pa
pers. You Wal notice when the death is an
nounced of great racer that the day before
his owner had been offered 3 fabulous price
for him. 1t isn't any reportorial finishing
touch. It's fact. ! know, and give you
the ip."-New Orleans Times Democrat.
Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-22
Let man know bis worth and keep things
under his fset-Emerson.
Cutting Down Expenses.

@Pullem.s said Dakota real estate agent,
in a town which Is enjoying boom, TO his part
ner, Il closed the deal with that man from
Philadelphia"
rs that soi"
Eyes, he takes the Eve lots, and pays
$1,000. Let's figure up and see how we came
out on them
well, they cost c, 81 ,o0os
@Yes, and /. took about 500 to trea. and
entertain that man from Chicago whom we
tried to sell to-
And let the ST. Paul man beat me out OF
$500 at poker in toe hope Of selling 20 hirn7
Then | cashed bogus draft OF $50 for
that man from New York, and then ne
skipped out without buying
Then tia. Iowa man took up two days Of
our time at $50 o day
YES, and said he wanted 70 think about il
before buying And than tbs ST Louis man
took home to dinner with ne, be stole silver
ware To the value OF SIS and skipped hike n.
rest
And paid $40 drunk and 6isords-iy enc
for the Milwaukee man
We mustn't forget to figure in about SO
for livery balls
NO, nor Is for Spending half day % 20
TO church wisa thas Boston man
And pot down 500 for Advertising ard $50
that had to pay Jones for keeping SrL wbsa
Is accidentally overheard ne ted this nan
we sold to tast tie marsh just behind the loss
vas 81 artificial lAhs pSs In BY fhe city st a
cost Of So 600
Let's see-.osal s., nco-prof.s g. $50 That
won't hardy Go-ws've &C.. % make zaore
than that