davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-05-03
A Purist in an Agony.

What is slang? Some one once
hazarded the assertion that all lam
guage is slang. 1t would be nearer
the mark to define slang as, essentially,
the application of an illustration ludi-
crously incommensurate with the thing
to which it is applied, and, accident
ally, the familiar use of a technical
expression in the sense for which il
was not intended originally. Slang
is. in shortas giving nicknames to
things. ''Mr. B." (says the report of
the boat race) ''tubbed the crews well
and stroked them to Iffley." Most
persons acknowledge the absurdity of
lawfully jolly" and of other similar
freaks of boyish exuberance. Young
ladies, too, have slang of their own.
A small thing is "wee" or ''tiny;" a
pretty thing is ''bonny;" the children
at a school feast are a ''goodly num-
Der" and they are .'regaled" on tea
and cake. Slang is everywhere. Why
should ''big" be reiterated when we
mean Large. OF mighty" for
..great?" What is gained by calling
a panic ''a scare, u folly "a craze. a
hoax "a SELL" ship (or a soldier) ''a
liner" or by saying of horse or a
watch, lit is good goer," instead of
saving, '.it goes well?' Even writers
in the foremost rank are sometimes
guilty of extraordinary solecisms. The
Addison of our day, in one of his
charming novels, relates how his
heroine had ''laid awake all night. "
The eloquent and accomplished painter
in words describes how ''the Dead Sea
laid IyaVeless beneath him" /" Dickens
has lent his sanction to "Our Mutual
Friend" Phrases like these are plen-
tiful: 1.-The reverend prebend, ''the
learned antiquarian, whether or no, u
equally as good as" ''more prefer
able than" etc. When those who
lead the way offend thus, it is no won
der that an invalid, recommending a
couch, writes, at is most luxuriant, "
or that a servant says, The cup must
be stood on a slab. b."-NdtiOndt Re0ieW.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-05-03
Petrihed Trees.

A correspondent writing from Sill
eett, w. T., to the Asotin Sentinel
says: H. Schram, who is herding for
Fuller & Walker. made a discovery
that will give sufficient food for lots Of
hard study. On the dividing ridge be-
tween the gulches Powaka and Garner
he found the broken fragments of a
large petrified tree. The tree was
about three feet through and the frag-
ments are beautiful specimens of
petrifaction. They vary in size from
minute particle up to pieces weighing
200 pounds. One piece, aknot, can be
seen distinctly; also the pitch can be
seen on the knot. One piece was de-
eayed before being petrified and is
very natural: also chunk of yellow
clay. which is found around the roots
of trees, is here exposed and petrified.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-05-03

Oh, how can my face be winsome and bright,
When my heart throbs heavy and slow?
And how can my feet be graceful and hghtS
Oh, why do my lips tremble so9
"a hl mists that cool my fevered brow,
Lull softly to rest my dear ones now
And stars of France long vigils keep
Ger my peasant friends, asleep
What care for the blaze and glare2
My heart is III France so dear;
And what that my face Is surprising falr,
1T ii win not fortune, monsieur
tYes. call me thrice, and I'll bow ana smile,
And pirouette; but mine eyes the while
Are dim with tears. How misty the Ream
And the glare of lamps through teardrops
seemJ
You call me wicked, and weak, ana vain,
But oh! how long for the humble cot
Where my life began, for the field, the lane
And that vale where the world is not,
(Ahl lady. you cheer me; with dainty hand
You pet me a day, SO l watt you kiss;
You greet me, monsieur, with smile SO
But fear, fear your hiss1
I give you smiles, and you give me gold,
For worthless smiles that are bought and
sold
The smiles of dancing girl
(YOur costly flowers, yuur Jewels rare,
Your mCcking sneer, or your senile glee,
Are not worth thread of my amber hair,
They are all the same to me,)
The lights grow dim; the hour is late.
Farewell To you all a farewell, and for
ever.
I sought not your love. so reck not your
We meet again. greet aeain-never!
tSoon, soon shall l. win what is dearer. ]
dream
OF loved ones united, of wandering Der.
I'll rest there content.--Ah! the vision serene
I'll be a danseuse no more.)
Alice NJ. Bradford.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-05-03
Improved Diamonds.

Many persons have been puzzled to
understand why the diamonds worn
ia earrings by ladies nowadays main
tain such ceaseless quivering motion.
1t makes no difference that the head
of the wearer is in perfect repose, aud
that she is even speechless, and there
fore exerting no muscle of face or
feature The ceaseiesS twinkle of the
diamond goes on, enhancing greatly
the flashing beauty of the gem. The
secret is in ihe setting of the diamond
and the method is patent device.
The patentee is reaping royalty of
$50 apiece from every manufacturing
iewelier to whom he sells the privilege
of using it. The stone is set in the
usual manner, except that band like
handle of a diminutive basket is at
taehed to the framework. On the
other side of this hand is a cup-like
cavity. On the lower part of tile hoop
is projecting pin pointed with
rhodium, metal which never wears
out-somewhat like the Iridium with
which gold pens are tipped. Now.
VI hen The diamonds are put in position
Oh the hoop The rhosinIm ,,oirl rrh-
| i+cts into the cup. The result ia hat
seien lists would call d condition of
unstable equilibrium Like the pea
blown wit, nipe by school-boy, the
diamond is gwen no rest, with tne
difference that no effort is required TO
keep it dancing, The metal point
never ears out.-S.. LoTsls Spectator.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-05-03
John W. Mackay does not appear t

John W. Mackay does not appear to
be made of the common clay OF which
most millionaires are composed. A
writer il tue Salt Lake Tribune once
heard the bonanza king. say when d
strike was threatened in Virginia City:
II am sorry that those men who are
receiving s. day do not save more
of their money. 1 rolled rocks in uba
River fourteen hours day for months
at time and went to camp every
night soaked to the bone, and did not
average 81 a day, bat no one ever
found me quite broke or ever heard
me cOmplaiR
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-05-03
A Strange Old Weapon.

l saw when in Santa Fe some time
ago, remarkable firearm that | think
is entitled to description. 1t was
shown me by VIM. H. Ulanderfeld. an
old resident of New Mexico, and it had
been in the possession of the family
from whom he obtained it for many
years. 1t was pistol, and it was sup
posed that it had been brought to New
Mexico by some one of the Spanish
cavaliers who caracoled across the
old plaza with Coronado. The weapon
was about two feet long, with two
barrels, one above the other, and so
heavy that it must have been fired by
both hands. Under the hammer were
two nipples, and after firing barrel
with one nipple. spring had to be
pushed to bring the other nipple. con-
meeting with the, second barrel under
the hammer. There was long hook
on the butt of the pistol by which it
was hung upon saddle or to the belt
of footman, suppose. Then direct
ly back of the hammer of the thing
was concealed spring, and pressing
that the butt came away from the
barrels, leaving in the hands of the
soldier stout dagger. This could
have been used in close quarters with
great effect, and it evidently had been,
for the blade was dark brownin places
with blood-stains that had been there
probably for centuries. Ulandertield
| has had several offers of money from
euriosity-hunters for the pistol, but he
refused to sell it.-St Louis Globe
| Democrat
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-05-03
A man who went from Arkansas to

A man who went from Arkansas to
Colorado ten years ago, broken in
health and poor, won 500 at poker" "
invested the moneT il mine, and is
now worth several millions. This shows
the value of knowledge OF poker over
a college education, A man who knew
how to speak all the dead and living
languages might have gone to Colo
rado, broken down in health and
pocket, without accumulating enough
money in ten years to pay his own
funeral expenses.--Norristosea Herald.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-05-03

Mark Twain was recently asked by
a young Philadelphia newspaper-man
il he would look over a serio-humorous
skit submitted to him in manuscript
and give candid opinion as TO its
merit. Mr. Clemens answered as fol
lows: Certainly; send it right along.
And be sure to put it between couple
of shingles, or sawed-otf boards. or a
couple of grindstones, or anything tc
keep it fiat The man that rolls .
manuscript ought to go to the devil
and he will. 5"
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-05-03

Omaha man-''Living in Southern
California. Ell? / have heard it's de-
lightfuI climate. but poor place to
make money" Stranger-"Poor place
to make money? I'm just overrun
with business. Can't half fill orders.
Going East now for more men. You
aree My starsi What business are
you in?" s,Im an undertaken ''-Onsa-
6a World.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-05-03

The Rev. Mr.. Gamble OF Harrisburg,
Pa. predicts that the world will come
to an end in 1900. This. will be un-
welcome Intelligence to the detectives
who are 90 hard az work upon the Tas>
eotk case.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-05-03

Dry goods clerk (to lady looking at
mourning goods)-Ihat is an excel
lent piece Of goods, madam. Lady
Will it do up nicely? Clerk-O, yes,
madam. I sold some of that crepe to
Mrs. Smith several years ago. anu to-
day she is wearing itfor her third hus-
band.--1id-Rats, ~t - :.
Huntsville gazette., 1888-05-26
LEATHER BOARD.
An Article Extensively Used by Makers OF
Shoddy Footwear.

An Article Extensively Used by Makers OF
Shoddy Footwear.
The use of leather board in shoe
manufacture is one of the shoddy feat
ures of the business. One kind is
used for tapping and veneering taps.
The material is made to look like leather
and to cut like leather. A thin split
of true leather makes veneer that
satisfies the demands of the buffing
machine.
The best board is made of such board
stock rs jute, MANILA and the like, and
this is used for counters, or boot and
shoe heel stitfenings and for box toes.
When properly treated and manufac-
tured, these counters do good service.
When leather board is backed with a
leather split and nodded into a stiffen-
ing, the product is union counter.
Even chair seats are made from this
board 1t is worth five to twelve cents
a pound.
A cheap leather board, worth three
cents per pound, is used for inner soles.
shanking, filling, and so on. Steel
shanks are also covered with this, and
inner soles, backed with cotton duck,
are made of it. This is used not to
cheaper the cost of making the shoe.
it is said, but to save the time of gath
ering and arranging leather scraps
Paper World. 4-sti
Huntsville gazette., 1888-05-26

"A curious incident in Brooklyn
variety theater is cited by an OBJ
server to prove decline of American
patriotism. One of the performers
was young woman who posed in mid
air, first in one costume and then in
another Her appearance as Scot
tish Highlander drew plenty of ap-
plause, bat when she appeared as Erin,
the house fairly went wild. There was
an outburst of enthusiasm when she
posed as Germania, but when she ex-
hibited herself arrayed in the Nation
al colors, as Columbia, not single
expression of approval came from
the crowded house The audience
gazed in cold curiosity. 1t was evident
that the theater was supported by the
foreign Americans and could hardly be
regarded as fair test of American pa
triOtism.
Huntsville gazette., 1888-05-26
RARE AND REMARKABLE.

y "A PENNSYLVANIA man has O sheep that
tho other day gave birth to four lambs.
A MAN at Garden City, Kan, has q herd
of thirty-tive bisons, thoroughly domesti-
Gated, docile and thriving.
In Westboro, Mass, recently hen laid a
double yelked egg daily for eight consecu-
tive days, the weight of the whole being
twenty-seven ounces.
A FARMER of Green County, O., has four
young hogs that can't hear 1t thunder.
They will stand perfectly still while gun
is fired right over their heads. They have
no ears and no signs of any, though in
other respects they are well-shaped pigs.
A MICHIGAN lady, it is said. formerly had
a servant girl who was SO deaf she could
not hear a sound, but, when at the table,
the lady easily summoned her from the
kitchen by rubbing her boot-heel on the
carpet, the girl plainly feeling the vibra-
tions caused by such slight movement.
ABNER DoRsETT, a negro living in Hick-
ory Mountain township, N. c., has prob
ably the largest head in the State 1t is
thirty-two inches in circumference, and
makes him somewhat "top-heavy," for at
times, when the head topples over to one
side, he is obliged to push it back into posi-
tion with his hands.
A MAN who lives near Pennington, W.
Va, has lamb in his flock with one mouth,
two noses, two separate sets of teeth and
four eyes, all fully developed and ready for
use 1t is great curiosity, and bids fair
to become as famous as the little lamb that
Mary had. The same man not long since
had a chicken hatched with four feet, two
tails and several other appendages
THERE is living in Chennubbee, Sumpter
County, Ca, a country girl named Irene
Wilkinson who is quite a curiosity. She is
twenty-four years old, weighs seventy-one
pounds, measures feet 2 inches around the
head, 2 feet 4 inches around the waist, 8
feet inches high, and has arms and legs
only fifteen inches long. She is quite iDtelli-
gent, does good needlework, and also the
cooking for her aged father and mother.
Huntsville gazette., 1888-05-26
AN OBllGING FISH.
To Obiige a Generous Man a Pike Skins
and Roasts Himself

They were swapping lies.
Il was out a-fishing the other day.
Fished all day and didn't even get 8
nibble. Oh, you needn't look up ir
that way. It's fact. l always. ain
to tell the truth, even if it does &c
against me. Night was coming on. ]
was as hungry as bear, and not :,
house in sight, but l found piece OF
cheese and a few crackers in my pock-
cts, and pulled to the shore to kindle
fire by which to toast my cheese.
While munching away disconsolately,
caught sight of most beautiful pike
swimming near the shore, and sticking
its nose out of the water as if to get a
Whit of that cheese, and, mind you,
'twasn't limburger either.
II jumped into my boat to get a
hook and line, but, Banks of New
foundland, there wasn't one to be
found. Must have dropped off some
where. That's always my luck, and /
was so mad that l had no appetite for
that cheese and threw it at the pixies
snoot, hoping it would be strong
enough to stun it. But, will you
believe me, that fish caught it in it's
mouth, swallowed it at gulp, and
then swan about leisurely, wiggling
its tail as though it had never tasted
any thing quite SO good. Then it
became so overpowered by my seeming
generosity that it jumped right out of
its skin, dressed itself in the latest
fashion; lay down on the glowing
Goals of my fire, and when one side
was nicely Drowned, Topped over, and
then stood up and shook out its bones.
l tell you. boys, that was the most
obliging fish l ever saw. and l never
ate better.
"Say, what kind of whisky did you
have aboard?"
''Sho. now! Go off, will you? How
drd you know | had any9"-Detras
Free Press,
Huntsville gazette., 1888-05-26

"A college student was invited one
Sunday to occupy the pulpit in little
country church. After what he con
sidered mastery effort on the sub
ject Of Lazarus and the Rich Man, )"
he called on good old brother to
pray, and was somewhat electrified to
hear the following: 20 Lord! we
thank thee that we are not like this
poor despised beggar Lazarus who
we've jest ben a-listenin to!'-Boston
Journal
Huntsville gazette., 1888-05-26
VIZ are informed that new and DOW

VIZ are informed that a new and powerful
ly-written story, delineating college life in
America, and the remarkable religious ex
perience of former inhdel and other stu.
tianity are dealt with in manner calculated
TO interest all readers, has just been written
expressly for the Christian Herald, by Rev
l.. S. Keyser, author of the famous and pop
ular story, "The Way Out" The first chap
ter appears May "a, under the the title of
1.-THE Epochs of a Life" and will be con-
tinued from week to week. This journal is
now the most popular and extensively-read
Illustrated religious paper published. For
sale or can be ordered at al news-dealers.
Price, &c. Subscription price, 81 so per year
Address 63 Bible House, New York
Huntsville gazette., 1888-05-26

Sad as it may seem to some, the
formation of coal-trust wouldn't t
make it a bit easier for some men to
get trusted for ton of coal
Of Education.
Huntsville gazette., 1888-05-26

IN another column of this issue will be
found an entirely new and novel specimen
Of attractive advertising. 1t is one of the
neatest ever placed in our paper and we
think our readers will be well repaid for
examining the SUPPOSED display letters in
the advertisement of Prickly Ash Bitters.
Huntsville gazette., 1888-05-26

A WRITER says that an ordinary beetle
can draw twenty times its own weight. 1t
ought to go on the road as theatrical star.
Huntsville gazette., 1888-05-26

The profes sional philanthropist is
a man who will assist any worthy per-
son if other people supply the means.
Huntsville gazette., 1888-05-26

LADIES who possess the finest complex
ions are patrons of Glenn's Sulphur Soap.
Hills Hair and Whsker Dye, Soc
Huntsville gazette., 1888-05-26

If AFFLICTED with Sore Eyes use Dr. Isaac
Thompson's Eye Water. Druggists sell it 25c
Huntsville gazette., 1888-05-26

FREE! A 3-foot French Glass, Oval
Front, Nickle or Cherry Cigar Case, MER-
CHANTS ONLY. R.W .TANsILL & Co, Chicago
Huntsville gazette., 1888-05-26

MADE ont Of whoIs cloth-porous plas-
terR-Pnck
Huntsville gazette., 1888-05-26

THERE is always hitch in the teamster's
business Pittsburgh Chronicle.
Huntsville gazette., 1888-05-26

THE man who wears no collar is never
troubled with a tie-up.-N Y Journal
Huntsville gazette., 1888-05-26

Dry paths tend to comfort outside
the house and cleanliness within.
Huntsville gazette., 1888-05-26

A WINDING stare-watc ching your best girl
as you hold her skein of floss
The Grenada gazette., 1888-05-12
OLIvER'S WOOlNG.
Now 1t Was Gut Short by an e minenuy
Practical Chicago Girl.

Practical Chicago Girl.
"Alvira, have planned a surprise
for you.
A bright smile lit up the face of the
Young woman as she listened to the
softly-spoken words of the youth, and
she adjusted her head more comfort
ably on his left shoulder and waited to
hear more.
With delcacy Of touch acquired
by long practice Oliver P cduncle pat
ted the glowing cheek that reposcd SO
near his own, and smoothed the golden
hair of the lovely girl without disturb.
ing the integrity or general arrange
ment of single bang,
MY own,' he went on, the secret
has weighed upon ne so long that
must now share it with you Alvira,
we have sometimes spoken in gencr.
al way of the home where We expected
to set up our earthly paradise, and
you may have wondered that | have
had so little to say in regard TO its
location. plan and interior arrange
mcnts, yet in these casual CONVERSE
tions I have managed to possess my
self of your IDEAS, even in many of the
remo.est particulars
The young man paused moment,
IS If contemplating a picture that rose
sivialy before his minds eye, and rr-
sumed with all the overllowing ardor
of impassioned nature turning itself
loose regardless Of expense:
"Alvira, in beautiful suburb be-
yond the sordid grind and discordaut
rumble of a selfish city's traffic, away
from the communicating smoke Of a
thousand factory chimneys and the
unutterablc dctilnment of highways
through which worlds human Off
scourings pour untouched, whore nat.
ure smiles on every hand, where the
sun of an unrqualed sky beams
through an atmosphere of purify and
where the sparkling and radiant
waters # our noble lake bathe the pcb-
blv beach in the foreground and
| stretch in illimitablc vaStneSs toward
dreamy Orient, rohc citing In the dane
ing waves the blue of the blest, and
murmuring a glad some melody that
touches the heart with a pleasure al
most akin to pain there, Alvira, have
built home within whose walls
hope -
Oliver" interposed the young lady
with hard, dry sob, as she straight
ened herself up and looked mourntully
at the impetuous youth, 4 could
never be \ loving, trustful wife Of
man who doesn't live on Prairie
avenue" - Chicago Tribune.
The Grenada gazette., 1888-05-12
PARIS BANK RUNNERS.
How Notes and Drafts Are Collected In
the French Metropolis


Certain employees Of the Bank OF
France wear gray livery that is
well known in every part OF the city.
/ refer to those who are intrusted
with the work of presenting and COL
lecting notes and checks. They carry
a leather wallet fastened to the body
by stout steel chain. that is pretty
sure to be filled often with a very
large sum Of specie, and occasIonly
they are called on to defend this wal
let at the risk of their lives, as was
the case of ''habit gris' who was
attacked and stabbed in the neck the
other day in house on Rle Tique-
tonne, where he had gone TO collect Q
note, or draft, or something Of that
sort. Some days in the month these
"garcons de recettes' have to be
more than usually active, as for in.
stance on the 1st and 18th. when there
is always q deal of paper falling due.
and besides these there are four or six
other "jours d echeance.' 1t is not
at all unusual for a runner to have
one hundred and fifty such notes te
present in single day and as in
most cases he has to 60 up several
flights of stairs TO do this, he has plen'
ty of hard work by three
o'clock at which hour he mus,
be back at the bank tc
receive those whom not finding at
home he has notified by means OF q
slip that he holds a note for collection
which must be paid that day or it will
60 to protest. At the bank each
"garcon de recette" has an office,
sort of an iron cage, just largr enough
% hold him and an assistant. These
'bureaux' are in large room called
me galerie, and to which no one is all
United who can not show "tche.
as the slips are called. Each 'habi
girls" has district of the city assigned
to him, and unless there be somt
special reason he never changes it
The salary he rece ives is small, anC
although he gives 10 security it Is
rule with the bank not to appoint an!
one to the position who is not able t
show that he possesses some prlyat
means of his own. He is held respon
. sible for all mistakes made. and if hi
cash does not balance at the end o
the day he must make the detcienc..
good. If unable to do this himsel
there is fund or deposit at the ban
formed by contributions made by al
the collectors on which he can draw
: and it is but due to the corporation t
add such thing as the bank loslnt
any thing through the dishonest &C
of one of these habits is as yet un
! known in the history of the institu
tion.- N O. Picayune.