davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-11-03
A REMARKABLE STORY.
Novelist Gable Tells of a Louisiana Re
nance of Slavery Days.

Novelist Gable Tells of a Louisiana Ro-
nance of Slavery Days.
George w. Gable said to q newspaper
reporter the other day: at is interest
ing that So many short stories have
their scenes laid in and around New
Orleans and Louisiana. 1t is a roman
tic country. A friend in New Haven
told me some time since that while
rummaging around among some old law
reports he found an account of a slave
girl who secured her freedom by learn
ing that she had no colOred blood, as
she had always herself supposed. 1t
was a noted case at that time, but had
passed from the memory of the present
generation. Iapplied to an ex-Justice
of the Supreme Court of Louisiana, and
he knew nothing of the case until he
searched and found it in the records.
The case was first tried in the lower
court, which declared the girl slave.
The Supreme Court reversed the finding
at once. Its decision substantially said
that if the girl was black that fact would
be proof enough of her slavery, but as
she was white the girl could not be
compelled to prove her right to free
dom, but she must be assumed to be
free, and her negro blood and slavery
must be proved. That could not be
done and she was no longer a slave.
The court records possess by courtesy
of the court to which l must return
them. These records of the case tell
fascinating story OF the girls life.
In company with her parents and sis
ter she came to America from the
French province of Alsace. The ship
was captured by mutineers, and her
father was killed. The mother died
soon after landing, and the daughter
experienced various adventures among
the Indians, where they were cast by
the mutineers. They finally were sold
into slavery and became separated.
She was at last recognized by some of
her relatives, who had followed her
family to America. Her identity was
proved by startling resemblance to
her mother and by birthmarks in the
shape of blackberry signs upon the in
side of both legs, just above the knees.
| believe that she is still living, an
aged woman, in Sacramento, Cal,
where she has a family, and where her
strange history is unllnOwn.-NdShCtlLe
AnleTicGH.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-11-03
WONDERS OF THE SEA.
Remarkable Scene Viewed From n Yes.
sci in the China Sea

A Remarkable Scene Viewed From Yes.
sci in the China Sea.
G. r. Berwick, the second officer OF
the British steamer Strathliven, has
forwarded from Port Said, to the Hy-
geographic Office in this city, story
of an unusual phenomenon in the Chi
ma sea. He says:
On March II, latitude 459 north,
longitude 106.26 east. at 9:45 p. M,
strange PHOSPHORUS light was observed
coming from the eastward and passing
over the ship in crescent-shaped waves.
and could be seen some distance to lee
ward. Shortly after another lot seemed
to be coming from the westward, but
these did not get across the vessel. BY
this time the easterly one had under
gone several variations, shifting its
center sometimes more to the north
ward, and sometimes more to the
southwark. At 1912 the whole ap-
pearance changed, and, instead of the
two, there were, as it seemed, three re-
volving lights, two to the east and
southeast and one in the west, two to
the starboard and one on the port
beam. They seemed like three electric
projecting lights, only that you could
not see the center, and that the beams
of light were brightest at the end near
est the ship; they kept revolving some
times the one way and sometimes the
other, and at one time those on the
starboard side going one right-handed
and the other left, so you could see the
easterly one passing over it's fainter
rival in the southeast. The ''beams of
light were passing over the steamer
at about seventy-fve beams per min
ute, though at times slower | think
they were at their brightest at 1920 p.
M, after which they gradually grew
dim. AT 1920 p. IN. steamer passed
through a large patch of what appeared
to be greasy water surrounded by cir
cles of luminous matter, which did not
break as is usually the case, and later
on a large patch of luminosity OF
irregular shape, which was swelling
and contracting in a violent manner,
though too quickly to be caused by the
sea or swell that was on at the time,
after which nothing more was seen. TIC
see the full effect and beauty of the
early part of the strange phenomenal it
was necessary to remain on the upper
bridge, where | seemed to be higher
than the light and could see the
''beams" passing over our dark avn
ings and likewise see all motions which
those on the main deck missed. 1t was
sight that have never seen equaled,
even surprising the finest of Southern
Lights" which, by the way, this very
much resembled, only that one has the
heavens for BACKGROUND" and this
had the sea, and in this the light did
not seem to be under any lawn T..
Letter.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-11-03
MY DARLING'S COMING.

What makes the sky so bright and blue?
The earth around so wondrous fair?
The woods and fields are full of song,
thousand sweets are in the air.
The golden sunbeams fill the place
Where once the heaviest shadows lay,
And all outdoors seems glad because
My darling's coming home to-day.
But yesterday twas dark as night,
And full of desolation, too;
And thoughts OF ill, SO dark and chill,
Appeared with every breeze that blew.
But with the morn message came
That drove the shadows all away,
And right along I've sung this song: =
My darling's coming home today
How long and wearisome the time
That we were doomed apart to dwell!
All, was it months? or was it years?
Alas alas! l can not tell.
Each day appeared a century
OF loneliness and bitter pain;
My heart at war, and longing for
My darling to come home again.
And now the waiting time is DER;
Hopes sweet fruition fills my breast;
And dismal doubts and gloomy fears,
Those evil birds, have fed their nest.
All things around a radiance wear,
As if in festival array,
And smiling so they surely know
My darling's coming home to-day
-,JOselSti,le Pollard. in N. Y. Ledger
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-11-03
MOTHER GOOSE'S AGE.
Interesting Information Concerning Amer
ica's Most Popular Authoress.

Interesting Information Concerning Amer
ica's Most Popular Authoress.
Mother Goose was not a mythical
person, nor a nom de plume, but a
real live woman, who, although she
may not have had so many children
that she didn't know what to do, and
was not compelled to live in shoe,
had children, grand
children, and probably great grand
children Of her own before she died at
the advanced age of ninety-two. Her
maiden name was Elizabeth Foster; she
was born in the year 1868, was married
to Isaac Goose Cor Vergoose as it is
written in the description of her con-
tanned in the probate of her wilD in
1898, and died in 1857. The first edition
Of the songs, which she sang to her
grandchildren, was published by
Thomas Fleet, in 1861. There is an
edition of her works published by
Houghton, Osgood & Co., of Boston,
well worth perusal by all mothers who
would like to know about the good old
lady who wrote the lullabys and melo-
dies which are now sung and will con-
tinue, doubtless, to be sung for ages
yet to come.
Mother Goose resided in Charleston,
where she was born, until her mar
riage. She then moved to Boston,
where her husband had home ready
to receive her on what is now Wash
ington street. She was Mr.. Goose's
second wife, and began her maternal
life as step-mother to ten children.
This numerous fact was probable the
cause of her writing the touching
melody of THE Old Woman Who
Lived in Shoe" especially as we
learn that she afterward had six chill
dren of her own. One of her own
children became the wife of Thomas
Fleet, the publisher of the Melodies
by Mother Goose" and when Mother
Goose's first grandchild was born she
insisted on going to live with her SON
in-law as nurse to his son. She sang
her ditties to this grandchild from
s@%ning till night
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-11-03
THE RACE FOR WEALTH.
Why Good Men and Women Should Re
fuse to Participate In 1t.

fuse to Participate In 1t.
The well-known philanthropist, Mrs
Elizabeth Thompson, who gives her
entire income, which is very large, to
various enterprises for the benefit of
humanity, retaining for herself only
enough to meet the simple needs of her
quiet home life, writes me as follows,
and think the words so golden that |
wish every woman in American would
heed them. Coming from such
source, these words have peculiar
weight, for Mrs. Thompson is one who
lives her belief, and knows it's blessed
ness by every day experience: 81 wish
the women of the world would call on
the men to give up this wild, ungovern-
able chase for more money, and the
women govern themselves accordingly.
Who is the happier for such extrava-
gance in dress, furniture, useless deco
rations, grand equipages, etc.? Are
they not more or less procured at the
expense of the moral and spiritual ma
ture? What is there that many men,
and women too, will not sacrifice for a
few dollars more to be spent for that
which enriches them not, but makes
them poor indeed? Are they wiser.
better or in any way happier for hav-
ing gained this surplus sum? In my
experience | have found more health.
more contentment, more kindly feeling
among the better laboring class, than |
have ever seen among that class
who make money merely for the sake
of display. There is more truth than
poetry in the saying that enough is as
good as feast Few realize the C,ue
significance of industry and economy.
But why do talkP | am so weary of
words, words, words, and yet some
good may come of words. Are not all
great and good things simple? And
might it not be well for more people to
set the example Of a simple and we'll
ordered life, that the young might not
be tempted into such extravaganza as
is now the bane of life?n -Frances h
Willard, in Union Signal.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-11-03
LIFE IN GOSSIPVILLE."
Where Rumor Is Divinity Worshiped l
the Old and Young.

Where Rumor Is a Divinity Worshiped by
the Ola and Young.
There are many Gossipvilles scat
tered about the country. One can
scarcely go fifty miles in any direction
without Pumping into GossipvilIe.
From some cause or other, the name
has been omitted in the gazetteers, and
untraveled persons may possibly con-
slider this circumstance prj1na facie evil
dence that the places referred to be-
long only to the topography of Dream
land. But as we know that many vii
lagos described and depicted on paper
have no existence in fact, why should
not villages that exist in fact be some
times uncatalOgued on paper?
That last suggestion is thrown in for
the benefit of inductive philosophers.
Practical men are well aware that every
county, to say the least, has its Gossip
vile. The specimen of the genus we
have in our minds eye at present it is
unnecessary to locate. We will merely
describe the peculiarities of the in
habitants, and any community that the
cap fits is respectfully invited to put it
on.
The misanthropic individual who ac--
quired a fortune by minding his own
business would be out of his element in
Gossipville. There the inhabitants
magnanimously neglect their own af-
fairs, to attend without fee or reward to
those of their neighbors. The woman
kind are so unseltish that they will
leave the most pressing household work
unfinished, to canvass confdentially, in
committees Of twos and threes, the say
ings and doings of their dearest friends.
Rumor is very potent in Gossipville.
In fact she is the tutelar divinity of the
place, ''whom all in public and in
private worship" EXaggeration is
cultivated there as one of the fine arts,
and the legend of the three black crows
would be considered a very feeble at
tempt at application by the Cos
sipvillians.
Reader, if you have ever been among
them, we need not tell you what deep,
not to say enthusiastic, interest they
take in the private concerns of the
stranger within the gates; how skill
fully they examine and cross-examine
him; how they watch his mornings
and outgoings, and what unpleasant
theories they get up in relation to his
antecedents, his means, his motives
and his morals.
DR.. Franklin, who knew the Gossip
Williams well, was accustomed on enter
ing their territory to display card
which forestalled inquiry. On it were
inscribed his name and age, manner of
life, the object of his visit, and such
other information of personal nature
as he supposed to be in special request
at Gossipville. This is very excel
lent plan, and we heartily commend it
to all who may have occasion to sojourn
among these inquiring people.-M Y
Ledger.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-11-03
Experience Teaches.

"Mister," said a countryman to a
Sixth avenue dry goods dealer, 81 want
to git shawl fer a purity little girl
down at Starin's Corners. You needn't
saw nothin' bout it to the newspapers,
cos want to keep it quiet, but we're
goin' to be married in a month an I'm
thinl1in' of givin' her shawl. Suthin'
bang up-han'some."
81 can show you fine line of India
shawls, sir.
"N-no, l guess 1 don't want them.
had pair of moccasins onct, an I'm
dinged if the beads didn'tall come OIL. "
N Y Sun.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-11-03
A SINCERE OPINION.
IN Anecdote of the Earl of Dorset and I'M
mortal John Dryden.

y mortal John Dryden.
1--WE talk of writing easily and dash
ling off impromptus; how say you if we
should try it now? Here are six of us,
who are all thought to have some
knack of that work; and here are pens,
ink and paper ready to our hand, Let
rs see who can write the best impromp-
t."
He who thus addressed the gay
group of London fashionable wits as
sembled in the chief room of Wills
coffee-house Cat that time their favorite
place of resort) was tall, handsome
man in the prime of life, who still
lives in English history as Charles
Sacllville, Earl of Dorset. one of the
kindest as well as richest men in all
England, the friend of all distressed
poets, and himself possessed of powers
that would have made him poet of nc
mean rank if he had but had the luck
to be born poor.
Agreed" cried the rest, with one
voice; land glorious John here shall
be our umpire"
The last words were addressed to a
plump little old man with very large
bright eyes. who was sitting in a snug
corner by the fire, and seemed to be
treated with great respect by the
whole company, Notwithstanding his
ather shabby suit of threadbare black.
FOR was this without reason; for this
Quiet old man was no other than John
Dryden, the greatest poet whom En-
gland had produced for whole genera
ton.
Dryden readily undertook the Office
Of Judge, and to work went the whole
six with paper and pen. But to the
amazement even of those who best
knew his ready wit and wonderful
fuency, Lord Dorset finished and
folded up his contribution almost be-
fore his companions had begun theirs.
You see now, gentlemen" said a
laughing voice "why Charlie proposed
this trial to us; he had his 'impromptu'
ready beforehand. "
Thou canst scarce rail at me for that,
jack" retorted the Earl, "for men say
thou hast once written an 'impromptu'
which took thee month to compose"
The papers were handed over to Dry
den, who had hardly taken time to
glance over them when he pronounced
that the best was that written by Lord
Dorset. All the other competitors
looked surprised, as well they might
but the wonder ceased when the contri-
buttons were examined, and DOrset's
effusion was found to run thus:
PAY to John Dryden, on demand,
the Sum of One Hundred Guineas. -
DORSET. "-DaUjd Ker, IN Harper'S Mag
aztRe.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-11-03
WAGGINa THEIR TONGUES.
A Three Minutes Conversation of Six Girls
Overheard by Quiet Scribe.

Three Minutes Conversation of Six Girls
Overheard by a Quiet Scribe.
"What on earth did you do with my
needle, Lou?"
at wasn't me. had LILIES. Don't
pull the floss like that''
Can l help it? Do move your chair
little so l can get my feet up
'Jen's shoes are just like yours'
'Jen's shoes never saw the day they'd
look like mine; nor Jen's feet, neither y
'Just see how my hands are tanned.
The sun was blazing on the water"
"You had gloves on"
81 hadn't.
"You had, too. saw them"
"What! yesterday"
"Yes-yesterday."
mo such thing-not yesterday"
"Well, I've got eyes, hope. When
we stood on the pier there, before you
got into the boat, you had those long
brown channels"
THAT was Thursday"
at was yesterday! Maud, didn't Lii
have gloves on yesterday"
81 guess you are thinking of me. ]
wore old dark ones"
I'm positive Lii had gloves on when
we stood on the pier any way"
mo, that's mistake. didn't really.
My brown gloves were in my gray coat
pocket. Honor bright!''
80, suppose I've got to believe you.
l must have been hallucinated then, for
certainly saw those gloves"
"No; you saw mine; your brains all
right so far, Nell. You mistook the
hands, that was all"
"There goes the Maggie Who took
her out this morning?'
''That isn't the Maggie.
''Will Manning took her out"
"Of course, its the Maggie [ should
think ought to know the Maggie ~
"You ought to- but you don't. That's
the Mystery "
90 listen-the Mysteryn It's the
Maggie.
It's the Mystery.' "
"It's the 'INaggie,' and VIII Manning.
He's got those Reilly girls on board.
hope he'll steer them back to their
native isle"
Twill Manning couldn't sail the
Maggie He couldn't sail a tub"
He'd be a mighty clever seaman il
he could, Miss Lii"
II know I'd be awfully scared to go
out with him."
$50 would l."
81, too
81 wouldn't dare go out with Will
Manning. Would you, Laura?"
"Well, that's too bad, girls. He
wants us all to go. He told me to ask
my party and he'd run us down to Cliff
House for lunch"
80 my! he didn't. Did he, really?"
Yes, he did, and it's the jolliest
place for lunch-lots of Yale boys. But,
of course, if you are all afraid"--
''Afraid?"
"Who's afraid?"
''There isn't any danger in the Mag
gier"
"rn 60"
I'm going"
"The idea of being afraid. I never
said | was"
"Well, he's putting in now"
''Goody! sure's you live"
''Let's go down to the pier"
80, let 81
Rustic, scamper, general stampede
and grateful silence. Madeline S.
Bridges, IN Image.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-11-03
"Goosie, goosie gander,
Where do you wander?
Up stairs and down str

And in my lady's chamber" ETC.
until her son-in-law become alarmed
at the fertility of her genius for MAX
ing this kind of rhyme. Mr.. Fleet took
down the various songs she sung until
he had a book full, which he printed.
This book had a great sale, and, it is
needless to say, has increased in popu-
larity until this day, so that there is
scarcely child in the land that does
not know Mother Goose by name and
her melodies by heart. She was left a
widow in Chicago Mail.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-11-03

Pullman says he can build sleep
ing cars containing six nice bedrooms,
but passengers would have to pay six
dollars instead of two dollars per night
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-11-03

"A drummer who has been to the
Cincinnati Centennial reports that he
saw the Kansas corn towering above
that of the other States, and he heard
an old lady remark as she gazed at it:
''You needn't tell me that corn grew
that tall in one year. There is two or
three years growth there. '-Co6cy-
vuLs (Kan. Sun.
The weekly messenger., 1888-08-18
Equal Rights Platform.

Adopted by the National Equal
Rights Convention, Des Moines,
Ia, May Is.
Relieving that the disfranchisement of
women has much to do with the growing
influence Of crime in the nation. we, the
women of America, by their representa-
tiyes here assembled, do pledge ourselves
that if our party and candidates come in
to power. equal rights shall be meted out
to all citizens, without regard to sex or
cOlOr-a fair ballot and an honest count.
We shall ask congress to pass an ena-
bling act giving the women Of this ma
tiOn the right to vote in all election pre-
cincts of the United States, as women are
citizens amenable to the laws and liable
to taxation.
That the settlement Of estates shall be
the same in the courts Of joint property,
and in the case OF the death of wife her
heirs shall receive the same cOnsidera-
ton as that of the husband without con-
sulting his interests. In the case Of the
decease of the husband, the wife shall be
administrator and guardian Of her chill
dren without any process Of law.
We pledge ourselves to the cause OF
temperance and are in favor Of arbitra-
tion by international commission instead
Of the sword, although under the circum-
stances Of the late war our Union SOL
diers and sailors we're inspired by the
purest patriotism and the principles OF
right, and we will demand Of congress
tomension them each and every one if
they need help.
That we urge measures to be taken to
stop the immigration Of the scum OF Eu-
rope and Asia to our shores, and that we
protect our wOrkingmen from cheap for
eign labor by protecting our home mar
kets and manufacturers.
That the lands owned by foreign land
lords and wealthy corporations be heavi
ly taxed to support government and put
sugar and lumber on the free list. And
abolish taxes on whisky and tobacco, al
it makes the government partner ii
their excessive use-the evil OF the cen
tury.
That in our candidates, Belva A. Lock
D wood and Alfred H. Love, Of Philadel
, phia, We have every confidence lin thei
ability, integrity and firmness in carry
ing ont these grand and glorious princl
3 Piles.
The weekly messenger., 1888-08-18
Town Talk Says.

That town talker was given half
chance at the leap year hop.
That our District Attorney was favO-
rite at the leap year party and was in
good luck.
That the boy from AvOyelles was not
there, but she seemed to have had 4
splendid time.
That one Of the members of the caval-
cadc had terribly hard rider and the
next morning wore spectacles.
That the typo whose dance was swap
ped. and who "Chique Poteau' during
that waltz, made quite a comical face.
That shark proved to be quite good
bait, and the fishes seemed to be biting
quite nicely, and bit every where.
That the girls who rushed and invited
the Iberia boys for dances remained on
the benches when those dances were
played. The boys had disappeared.
Nothing very flattering.
The weekly messenger., 1888-08-18
The Late Pere Jan,

On Wednesday,. Aug. 22d. at st. Mar
tinsville, la, there will be celebrated, at
9 o'clock a. NJ, a Solemn Requiem Mass
of Anniversary. for the repOse of the soul
of the Very Rev. Pere Jan, late rector of
that parish.
At the death of Pere Jan, the whole
village of st. Martin mOurned. Business
was suspended until after the funeral,
stores and offices closed. The church
bells tOIlcd dismally-even the bells OF
the neighbOring Protestant churches
While his remains lay exposed in the
church, hundreds touched them with
beads, medals, etc, to preserve as relics.
The voice of the people prOclaims him
a saint, and he certainly led the life of g
saint among them. life Of prayer, pen
ance, and labor. He was a man Of splen'
did education and fine intellectual abili-
ty, well qualified to occupy an import
ant and higher position, yet he chOOs'
for the love of God to wear out his life il
a simple country parish.
He was perfect gentleman in hi
manners, and was as gentle and graciOu
with the humbIest Of his flock as witt
the highest in the land. He was disin
terested to fault, and his charities wer
unbound. That he might be better abl
to help the poor, his dress and food an
sleeping room were those of pauper.-
Morning Star.