davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-11-28
Why Kill Snakes Z!

The utter horror produced In almost
every one at the sight of snake L con-
ceive TO be the result of education.
From my earliest recollection, when
going into bush pasture for the COWS
or for berries, my good mother would
caution me TO "look out for snakes" or
don't let the snakes catch YOU" and
during those early years / heard awful
stories about snakes, which created
fear of them from which have suffered
much, and L suppose that has been the
experience of the average New England
boy. Now, L earnestly protest against
that kind of education, as it proves an
element of great discomfort to chill
drtn in after life. Snakes are perfectly
harmless excepting TIE venomous
species) and as timid as birds, and
children should be taught so, and they
should no more be allowed to be cruel
TO snake than to frog or turtle.
When young L heard the maxim, If
you kill the first snake you see, it is
sign you conquer your enemies" And
also, Break the first brake and kill
the first snake, and it will insure good
luck for the year" Unnec ssary cruelty
to anything that has life should be CEN
sured.
1t is now to me pitiful sight to see
a man turn aside to pursue a little in
nocent snake, as harmless as q fly and
not half 50 annoying, as though some
dire calamity was to be ayerted by his
success in destroying it. Although
must confess to having done the same
thing and practiced much cruelty to-
ward them, it was simply the result of
education; and now, since L have thor
oughly made their acquaintance, L feel
disposed in some small measure to
atone for my past indiscretions. In
youth / was taught to regard toads
with disgust, no less than the snake,
but not with the same dread. / was
told that to handle them would cause
my hands to be covered with warts,
etc / have since known people who
were fond of playing with them, and
now call to mind u lady of culture and
refinement who would catch toad and
pet it, tell it what pretty eyes it had,
call it one of Gods beautiful, beauti-
full creatures, and lay it against her
face as child would pet bird. Toads
and snakes are equally harmless, but
neither of them have any attraction for
me; still l can be merciful toward
them - Forest and Stream
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-11-28

She makes much OF her clothing also. al
though she has "a household full OF seam
stresses. and often takes their new hats To
pieces. and trims them over according to
her own taste. The Empress has a knack
with the needle. and makes beautiful en-
broidery. The Metropolitan OF the Russian
Church. the great high priest. on cere-
monial occasions OF great Importance.
wears. among his other vestments, cape.
or something OF that sort. embroidered Dy
her hands. She Joined the Greek Church
before she could wear the crown. but there
was prejudice against her when she was
crowned Princess because other Protestant
ism. to which she chung. After tho assas-
sination OF the late Gear she placed herself
under the instructions OF one OF the priests
at the palace. and finally decided TO accept
the religion OF Russia. so that she could be
crowned.
The Empress is bright and witty, and IL is
from her instead of her husband that little
Georgia gets her keen wits and tongue;
but she has led very sad life, surrounded
by dangers. being constantly reminded OF
the peril i'm which she lives by the presence
OF detectives and guards. and says she Is
never perfectly happy except when she re-
turns to her old home in Denmark, whore
no nihlists come. The entire family is in
the habit of visiting Copenhagen every
year. and remaining for six weeks or two
months for this reason. 1t is convenient
journey by sea and takes only couple OF
days.
Tho Car is devoted TO his wife. and they
arc seldom separated. even for n day. When
he goes TO Petersburg from the summer
palace she is always with him; when he
goes out to review his troops she is ever at
his side; they ride together in the parks
surrounding the palace; sit together upon
the deck of the imperial yacht as he cruises
around the Gulf of Finland. and she seems
TO fear TO have him leave her for any pur
pose. There is cloud hanging over her
life, and it is apprehension for her hus-
bands safety
One day the little Swear old prince.
boasting about his own bravery. looked up
10 the Car and remarked: If any man
should shoot you. papa. L would kill him. :"
The Gear laughed and pattcd the little
boaster upon the head. but the Empress,
never willing TO Jest or even smile when
such topic is alluded 10. added: And |
should kill myself.
We visited the palace at Tsarsk o9- Selo.
in which the Gar and Czarina spent their
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-11-28

good days work before tho rest or the
household are out Of bed. He takes per-
sonal interest in all the affairs of the army
and tests all new arms and equipments him.
self.
Not long ago Maxim. the gun maker. went
to Petersburg with u new invention. and.
after an interview with the Minister OF War.
obtained an invitation 10 visit the Car. He
did not take his models with him. as the
War Minister requested him not to. saying
that the Gear was very much pressed for
time. had no end of important papers be-
fore him. and If he got hold OF new gun he
would do nothing else until he had satisfied
himself OF its merits or dement's. Mr..
Maxim reluctantly left his models at his
hotel and took only photographs with him.
Where is your gun?" asked the Gear as
soon rs the Introduction was over.
Mr.. Maxim explained that no had not
brought il owing to "a hint he had received
from the War Minister that the Gar would
not have time to examine 1t. The Gar ex-
pressed his disappointment. but Mr.. Maxim
at once sat down with his book OF photo
graphs and began TO explain the merits OF
his invention. He says he has seen all the
great soldiers OF this generation and dis
cussed guns with them. but he never found
so attentive or intelligent "a listener as the
Gar. The interview lasted two hours. and
was renewed the next day at the request OF
the Emperor, who made another appoint
ment with the understanding that Mr..
Maxim should bring his gun with him. Mt.
Maxim says that no one can look in the
Cars face without being convinced OF the
absurdity of the stories that are printed
about his drunkenness and brutality in tho
English papers. He was offered brandy at
the close of the interview. but the Emperor
took none himself
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-11-28

large. splendidly built man. and moves like
an athlete. There 10 strength In every mo-
tion OF His hand and every glance OF his
eye. There Is no face among all the great
men OF Europe with more character In It's
lines than his. and the chief characteristic
Is determination. He Is a man OF most In
tense convictions. He hates and he loves
very strongly: never forgets an injury or a
kindness. but has n sympathetic disposi-
ton. and Is inclined TO look upon crime AS
"a disease.
This point was alluded to recently in con-
versation with an official or the Govern
ment who has TO do with philanthropic in
stitutions. He told me that the Gear had
always shown the greatest interest in the
humane treatment OF the insane. and had
several times expressed an opinion that
most criminals were partially or wholly out
OF their minds. He is much moro lenient
toward the nihillsts than his police. and IL
was through him that tho last batch ar
rested were sent 10 Siberia instead OF be-
ing executed. He considers the young
men. the students who engage in conspira-
cies against him, as fanatics. and is in
clined To treat them generously: but an OF
ficer OF the army who is guilty OF con-
spiracy or treason he will never forgive.
In the Cars mind hanging is too good Tor
him.
The religious element in tho character OF
the Emperor is exceedingly strong He has
always had a serious temperament. even
when boy. and has taken greater interest
in religious matters than his father did. or In
fact any of his predecessors. He is scrupu-
lousy exact in the performance of all his
religious duties. attends mass every morn
ing of his life. and. as L have said. always
goes to the icon OF the Lady OF Kazan before
attempting any great work or deciding upon
any great question.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-11-28
face was enwrapped with a veil, in the
now stvle

face was enwrapped with veil. in the
new style.
We'll, Ada" said the possibly ieal-
Gus actress, what makes you hide
yourself behind veil in that manner 2"
ooh, that is after the manner of She,
the miraculous heroine of Rider Hag-
CARDS story"
And do you impersonate She before
her second exposure to the pillar of
fire." was the placid but vicious ques-
ton, cor afterward?"
Something like that question is al
ways raised by thick veil Is the
concealed face young and beautiful,
like that of the wondrously preserved
She, or too old for sightliness, like
that creatures countenance after the
wrinkles of thousand years had sud-
denly appeared?
Current feminine interest is now con-
centrated indoors, very largely, be-
cause the season OF social assemblages
has begun. Costumes for balls and
receptions range all the way from the
simplicity of debutante's gown, as
shown in the picture above, to the fur
thest venture into daring picturesque
ness, as portrayed in the next sketch
below. There is no limit TO the whims
in which some women will indulge
themselves. For instance, at one of
the weeks drawing-room events, a GER
tain married belle appeared with cir
clets of leaves and vines laid on her
bare arms with gold leaf The design
had been wrought out for her by some
artistic hand, and then somehow made
adhesive to her skin. But such eccen-
tricities are only to be mentioned as
news-not recommended for imitation.
Even the loosewaisted gown in the
cut might properly be considered n
trihe too pronounced in style. 1t was
worn at very swell reception. The
material was soft, plant, India silk,
which gave a statues lue effect of
drapery. Across the breast, around
the waist, encircling the hips, and
finally tied loosely at the left side, with
the ends hanging down, was a heavily
braided rope of satin.
IL is declared that Mrs. Harrison
will oppose decollete dresses at the
White House when she gets there; but
whether her influence shall then be
felt or not, it is certain that there is no
reform to be expected this season.
The corsages of ball and dinner dresses
range as low as ever, and the pictures
in this article are drawn so as to show
the newest ou.l lines for waists of gowns.
The shape is much the same as last
winter in front, and there is a rope l.
tion of sleevelessness; but an altera-
tion is often made at the back, where
the opening runs down to a very low
point. This is illustrated in the cases
of the two young ladies' portrayed with
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-11-28
A Diabolical Stringed Instrument.

The Chinese "urh-heen" is one of the
principal musical instruments of that
backward nation in everything as re-
CARDS music. Their instruments are
the same, many of them, as those of
centuries ago, and with their preju-
dices against revolutions in their fore
fathers customs they retain some Of
the most diabolicll stringed instru-
ments. The "urh-heen" has four
strings fastened to pegs coming from
the top of small tube, extending
from one end of long wooden box
with bridge in the center. The
sounds emitted are crude and nowise
pleasing, except it may be to the
Chinaman's own ear. In u Chinese
theater, where every known instru-
ment is collected and made to howl
forth it's dismal or screeching strain,
there comes no relief to the sensitive
ear but an ultimate departure. Globe
Democrat
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-11-28
The Imperial Family.

The Gar was married in 1857 TO the
Princess Dagmar Of Denmark, then i'm her
twentieth year. They have four children
living and have buried one. The eldest, the
crown prince, is Nicholas. aged II; the second
is the Grand Duchess Georgia. aged ~ the
third is the Grand Duchess Nenia. aged .;
and the young st the GraEi Duke Michael.
aged g. have photograph OF the family,
taken shortly before the last child was born.
The Czarina is three years younger than
her sister. the Princess of Wales. Tho
Grown Prince Nicholas is COLONEL of IA regi-
ment OF the Horse Guards, which Is always
commanded by the Crown Prince from
the minute he is born till the crown Of
Russia is placed upon his head. Then he is
supposed 70 take command not only of the
entire armies ana the navy. and become the
head OF the church as well as the state. but
is Captain OF n company of bombadiers and
Colonel OF the Regiment of the Transfgura-
ton. whose duty Is TO guard the Winter
Palace-the finest body of troops in the
service.
The young Prince rides at the head OF his
troops from the time he can sit on saddle.
even when his horse has TO be led: has his
aids and his staff and is supposed TO issue
orders like "a real colonel OF cavalry. He is
old enough now TO take an active part i'm the
military maneuvcrs, and spent good part
OF last summer in camp with his troops at
Tsarskoe- Selo. He has been educated by
English and Russian tutors. and is said to
be a warm hearted, affectionatc boy. great
favorite with every one. and quite demo-
cratic In his notions. At the same time he
has his fathers imperous will. and does
not ike TO have his plans interfered with.
The boy and his father are very fond of
each other. but sometimes their intentions
conflict. when a struggle. comes and one of
them has TO give way. 1t is said that the
Gar commonly yields first. for the boy al
WAYS has an ally in his mother.
The Princess Georgia is an ordinary-look-
ing child-in fact. none OF the children are
handsome-but she is said 10 be uncom-
monty bright. and her witticisms are quot
ed in the courts OF Russia. Denmark and
England. She has considerable artistic
talent. too-sketches and paints well. and
her fathers library is full of her work. In
tho little palace at Tsarkoe-S elo / saw "a
pen and-ink sketch from her hand that
would attract favorable comment in any
collection. She is her fathers favorite of
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-11-28

leaves showing at each corner. The
handkerchiefs are in the brightest
mixture of color, and in rich silk.
Others are in the form of gigantic
green nut, with the nut made in satin,
the calyx in velvet. The newest
handkerchiefs have broad borders com
posed of several lines of silk thread In
bright colors, and the edges finished in
tiny scallops, buttonholed in the same
colors. They are of the finest batiste,
and the colors are principally red,
blue, yellow, and mauve. 1t is a Gus
tom now to carry several handkerchiefs
at once, disposed in different pockets
or other receptive places in the toilet,
and these are taken out, for use or dis
play, according to hardness or the
within of the belle. The fashionable
tendency of floral decoration is toward
more simplicity and more artistic
arrangement. Refined people are be-
ginning to recognize that flowers
should not be tortured into impossible
and ridiculous shapes, and that the
more natural the effect produced, the
more beautiful. Much Importance is
now attached to the auxiliaries of the
JOllti, dllu III Wow VI ble lhCb tlldI tIitY
supply the effect of the same they can
not be held insignificant. OF the orna-
ments worn in the house, the old
fashioned buckle with sharp teeth
for holding the belt and ribbon
is again in vogue, and comes into play
upon many stylish gowns. Stones in
real jewels are mounted in snowy de-
signs, as, for instance, blue topaz in an
elegant buckle of crescent shape, and
Arizona garnets in one of star shape.
A ruby, catseye, q diamond and
sapphire ornament, a buckle shaped
like an agrafie, the stones being cut in
Cabochon style. without facets. A new
fan is TO have odd coins from foreign
countries mounted up as pins to hold
draperies or girdles. The Peruvian
collar affords a pleasing specimen, be-
ing particularly handsome in design.
There are no great changes in jewelry
this season. Flower pins, in small
shape, continue to be worn. The new
est pins more closely approach the open
brooch-shape worn by orr grandmoth-
ers than anything recently made. Single
pansies, single daisies, small passion
flowers and sweet peas are all popular,
but the newest pins are little open cir
cles and plaques of white or blue
enamel, set with diamonds, turqu discs,
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-11-28

their backs turned to the observer.
One of these plates, more ,yer, belongs
70 an actual dialogue. A dude APP
peared at ball WITH his hair singu-
iarly cropped. The French fashion OF
short hair standing stitily upright all
over the top of the head has been in
vogue for several years with men quail
fed by the possession of hair in guam
tity enough for the purpose. But this
chap had varied the fashion by cut
which left the hair standing rather
higher at the sides, az in the sketch.
"How do you like it ?" he asked of o
girl acquaintance.
1T is very odd, at least" She re-
piled.
81 am told that it makes me look
like NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Is. real dew
ilish."
Indeed! 1t hadn't struck me that
way. / fancied that it suggested quite
another being with abnormal ears"
AS to what may be called the attri-
butes of evening toilets, some of the
bonbonnieres are very pretty. They
are in the shape of large silk hand
kerchiet tied cornerwise and having
sprays of green and purple grapes and
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-11-28
The Cars Billiard Room.

Adjoining the library is the Cars bill
lard room. in which is "A large carved oaken
chest filled with choice wines. liquors. and
cigars. In another room is a roulette table.
for the Car CANDLES like all other Rus
SLAMS. They do not regard the habit with
any more aversion than smoking or whist
All ladies rs we'll rs gentlemen gamnle and
smoke. The billiard-rQom connects with a
pair OF handsomely furnished drawing
rooms. which are arranged with great taste.
and by the Empress herself. who designed
most OF the furniture. One is at once struck
by the absence Of the gold leaf that IL so
prevalent i'm other palaces.
Beyond the drawing rooms are the apart
ments OF the Empress. series OF half a
dozen rooms. furnished in cretonne of Diff
ferent tints and figures. the walls being of
the same. Her sitting room is sunny and
coy. and adjoins the sewng-room. Then
comes her boudoir and bedroom. with u
bath and little chapel adjoining. This
chapel. not larger than hall bedroom.
contains a dozen or more icons or the diff
ferent saints. several photographs OF the
Gear and the children. a water color OF the
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-11-28

Matters OF Especial Interest to Ladies'
Who Desire becoming and Fashionable
Toiiets-The Art Of Dressing Economi-
caily and Well.
NEW YORK coRREsPoNDENcE.l
In New York, the fashionable woman
is Just betwixt cool and cold weather
She is loath to put on the wraps of win
ter, because, however beautiful they
may be, they are necessarily less stylish
aud symmetrical in shape than tight
bodices. Therefore, she arrays herself
for the promenade in toilet decorated
by devices calculated to look like a
warmth which they do not produce.
The illustration explains this idea at
glance. The figure of this young wom-
an is good enough to excuse little
vanity, and to advantageously display
representative December costume.
The hat has fur and feathers on it, and
the same spoils of robbery from beasts
and birds cover the front of the gown
from collar to hem. The art of adorn-
ment in dress is applying itself to dec
orative uses of fur and feathers COM
blned, and all the effects of embroidery
are produced with those materials, as
in this instance. The design of the
dress itself is in the fashion of Louis
XVI, pure and simple, the redingote
bsing of dark-gray velvet, while the
embroideries and garnitures of fur and
feathers are intelmixed with silk and
steel. The small turban hat of gray
velvet is almost hidden under the mas
of gray fur and ostrich feathers. The
tiny muff is mixture of the same color
in fur and feathers, with bit of blue
velvet to match the same touch of color
in the Eonnet
There is one freak of fashion not
shown in that picture, and deserving
of suppression in every way, although
it has come into considerable favor.
That is the revival OF thick and ample
wells. These are not only made to
cover the face, but they are swathed
across the back of the head and around
the neck in an inartistic manner. Be
sides, they suggest that the wearer has
n face which will not stand bright day
light exposure. A bit of acecdote is
appropriate. Ada Rehan the favorite
actress of the DAILY Company, is forty
years old and over. She makes up
fairly for girlish roles on the stage, and
her famous "prattle of maturity" en-
ables her to act the frivolous girl adj
mirably. But at close sight, in the cold
light of day, she shows her age. A
friend met her in Broadway, and her
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-11-28

10 the Gear than any man know. but
never heard him tell one. lie Is partiou-
larry Interested on an scientific and po-
litical topics He will listen as intentiy to
discussion OF tho political situation In
America as that In Europe. and the de-
scriptlon of any new discovery will delight
him. lie will inquire infinitely for the de-
tails. and will then ask where ne can find
further information. Small talk and gossip
never interests him. He will change the
subject at once and abruptly as soon as IL
Is begun. He cares nothing for newspapers
and seldom reads them. but has secretary
who reads every journal OF Europe OF any
Importance. and Is aide To tell the Gar what
he wants TO know OF current events.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-11-28

billiards with him. had assisted him in his
correspondence. and had frequently been
the escort OF the Empress as well as her hus-
band i'm their travels. The other was from
verbal sketch in great detail by u Danish lady
who had also been attached TO the household
for several years, and was brought from her
old home in Denmark by the Czarina soon
altor her marriage with the Car. What
they told me was indorsed by Minister
Lotfrop in IA great part. both from per-
sonal knowledge and the information he
had acquired
Instead of being brutal libertine. cruel
60 his attendants and neglectful of his wife
and children, as he Is represented by the
English papers and the publications OF the
nihilistS, the Gar is the most domestic and
devoted OF husbands. the most generous
and considerate of masters and is the only
ruler Russia ever had who has not kept a
mistress. Every one of whom L inquired
from the United States Minister 20 the serv
ants at the hotel, agreed that the personal
habits of the Car and his marital relations
were above Ieproach. He is not and never
has been guilty of the eXcesses which
stained the life of his otherwise estimable
father. and even before his marriage there
was never "A reflection upon his conduct. L
was told again that he was about the only
man in Russia who had no record as roue.
OF his brothers. the Grand Dukes Nladi
mir. Alexis. and Sergius. the less said the
better. Alexis can be seen in the streets OF
feterSDuTE UTMOST any uly IN an open car
riage with u woman whose relations To him
the talk of the drosky drivers. The
paiace in which she lives belongs TO the
Government. and her expenses are paid
from the allowance he receives from the
public treasury. His brother Sergius has
been almost as bad. but the VIII, OF Sergius
is "a woman OF more positive disposition
shan the wife of Alexis. and whatever he
does nowadays is 'on the sly" These things
are. however. not regarded in Russia as
they are with us. for the morals Of the poo-
pie are more 'Frenchy" than those OF the
populacc OF Paris itself.