davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10
JOSIAH ALIENS WIFE
Hnd No Particular Design in Choosing Her
Nom De Guerre.

Had No Particular Design in Choosing Her
Nom De Guerre.
I.really do not think can give any very
good reason for choosing the nom de plume
of "Josiah Aliens Wife" I remember
when chose the name had become rather
weary of the more fanciful pseudonyms
adopted by literary women, and had a
great liking for heseusIble names OF George
Eliot and Artemus Ward. When l chose
the nom de guerre, 1 did not expect itwould
ever become widely known, but wished to
choose a good, plain, sensible name, one
that would if ever it became famous, have
a solid, substantial sound and be adapted to
the characters in my stories. I took great
pains in the selection, and thought for long
time before the right name suggested itself
to me. Finally it came to me, and Of my own
creation. And thus "Josiah Aliens Wife"
came into the world.
MARIETTA HoLLEY.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10
And this is the story of 'Oliver Optic"
WILLIAM T. ADAMS.
PRETTY OCTAVE THANET
Got Halt Of Her Name From n Freight


Got Halt of Her Name From a Freight
Car.
Some years ago was on train going
from Boston to Chicago. had written a
few newspaper articles, and was ambitious
for magazine work. had not enough con-
fdence in myself to use my own name, and
was casting about in my mind for a
pseudonym. just at that moment nv eve,
rowing over a row of freight cars, fell on the
name "Thanet" written in chalk on one of
the cars. L forgot now whether it was
place or a mans name. Anyhow, 1 adopt
ed it on the spot, because it might be
Scotch (there is 1 think, an Isle of Thanet),
or it might be French. And wanted to
use the name of my roommate at school for
the first part ofmy false name. Octave il
a mans name in French and woman's in
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10
THE BOYS FATORITE.
How William T. Adams Adopted the Name
of Oliver Optic.

XIV" IL AuoRteu kue NaLuG
of Oliver Optic.
The words of the name SOLVER Optic"
have no meaning in themselves, and 1 can
best give you the information you require
by copying a paragraph from the Boston
Past and Present, for which furnished the
material many years ago:
Mr.. Adams nom de guerre had its origin in
this wise: The Boston Young Mems Total Alb
siinence Society was more literary than
temperance organization. Its meetings were
for lectures, poems, debates, ETC., by the mem
bers. Governor Banks was a member, SO was
Rev. Mr.. Studley tMethodist), Hon. ]. NJ. Lin
coin, Rev. ]. A AmcS, some Of whom here be-
gan their career as Speakers and literary men.
Mir. Adams wrote poem for this society. which
was published in the Flag Of Our Union under
this caption: 'l95l. A Poem Delivered Before
the Mutual Admiration Society, by Oliver
Optic, NJ. D."
This was the first time he ever used the name
of Optic. A drama, written by "a gentleman of
Boston," was performed at the Museum, In
which was a character, a philosophical ply
siclan, played by W. H. Smith called "Dr.
Optic" MIR. Adams used the name with the
alliterative prefix of ''OliYer" without think
ing he should ever do so again. He next used
il in couple of essays in the WdUerLey Md1d-
zine. The domestic stories under this name
were SO popular, that he felt obliged to con.
tinue the use of it even when he desired to
drop il.
And this is the story of ''Oliver Optic"
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10
bow Mnx O,RrlI Cnnie by &c.

My grandfather was an officer in the French
army, and was called Max Blouet. During the
Napolean war he was taken prisoner by the
English and sent to England where he met an
Irish girl, Miss o'Rell whom he loved, couTted,
married. and brought back to France. Such is
the origin of my nom de plume. first used it
on the title page of John Bull and His
1sland." PAUL BLoUET
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10
IeS FinrAre

Seem creeping along the back bone Of the IN
dividual who feels the malarial chill. Don't
wait for second attack, friend, but away with
you TO the nearest drug store or dealer where
Hostetter's Stomach Bitters can be procured.
That's the article that will enable you to snap
yauf fingers at chlis and fever. Use 1t, also,
fdr rheumatism, indigestion. liver complaint,
debility, nervousness and kidney Inactivity
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10
GUT IT BY MISTAKE.
A Careless Printer Gave TO the World TX
Marvel.

Marvel.
1t was in the winter of 1S46-47 that, at the
instance of Henry j. Raymond (then man
aging editor OF the New York Courier and
EnQuirer), wrote some rambling letters
from Washington, d. c. To the first, and
without much thought, 1 appended the
signature of "Jk Marvel (sic). The New
York compositor, however, misread the mat
ter, and printed elk Marvel" which
seemed to me an Improvements; so Tx
allowed it to stand thenceforward through
out nv correspondence and at the front of
my earlier books. 1t is a short story, and
not much worth, but here you have it all.
DONALD g, MITCHELL.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10
ARrEMUS WARD PLAYED GODFATHER
And Gave Melville d. Landon His Name of
Eli Perkins.

Artemus Ward spent several weeks with
me on my plantation in Louisiana in 1865.
It was here that, when in very funny
mood, he would cali me Eli Perkins. The
name Eli Perkins was never-endlng
source of amusement between us two.
Whenever Artemus wished to describe a
certain character he would say:
''Oh, he's q regular Eli Perkins Of a
man."
An Eli Perkins kind of man was a dry,
humorous statistical man, with odd concep-
uons and clumsy movements.
It was thus that 1 came by the nom de
plume of ELI Perkins," Artemus Ward
gave it to me. MELVILLE d. LANDoN.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10

English. Sol pat the two names together,
and first introduced the psudonym to the
public in connection with story published
In 1873 That is the whole history of
"Octaye Thanet." ALICE FRENCH.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10
Fron Caus,lo Nym CrinkIe.

The words "Nym Crinklen we're put together
With the one purpose Of Disgusting my person
allty with an odd but euphonious combination.
than has been conferred upon it BY the articles
60 which it has been appended.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10
whence Game Naughty Ouida.

Ny pen-name was born from the lisp Of
little girl--a relatiVe-who, calling me by my
frst name, Louisa, lisped it to sound w eedle."
I took the pronunciation from the child's lips,
dressed II, and it became, as it has remained,
OUIDA.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10

HAuLING soNaa.


Somewhat similar to these, yet having
peculiar features Of their own, are the haul
ing songs which are in general use al over
the world: These are Of two kinds, one y
tor the Short haul, F" when the men stand
in line and pull on the ropes 'shand over
hand. Then there is the long pull chanty,
used when there are many men who ''walk
away with the rope. In the short pull''
chanfy stress IS laid upon particular words,
at which signal the pull is made. One Of
these IN use among English sailors Is the
chorus:
"0hI shake her up, and away Ws'ii 20,
SO handy, my girls, so handy,
Up aloft from down below
So handy, my girls. so handy.n
"Reuben RauHo" is another song very
popular among sailors. 1t is the history Of
a sailor who became captain. Another,
''Topsail Halliard Chanty,b much used By
the crews of the timber ships at Quebec, is
sally ROehet," whose chorus Il 6Chesri1y,
no; cheerily, cheerily, men, ssWhisky
Johnny" is known among sailors every
where:
Oh, whisky makes me pawn my clothes,
Oh, whisky gave me a broken nose
And 50 forth, ad libitum, with the chorus
after each verse Of:
OF whisky; OIL Johnny
"TOmmy's Gone to Hilo" is a we'll known
Liverpool chanty, with long dragging
chorus Tin measure). 'T'm Handy Jim,
from Caro- line" with its chorus Of so
handy me boys, SO handy" details an IN
fortunate eourtship with a certain ssSambO
Jones. Although the history of "Rsuben
Rauzo" may not be easily traced, historical
characters better known are the subjects Of
the sailors songs. Like Santa Anna,
Napoleon is thus immortalized under the
name Of Boney. The "Chanty'' runs:
OBJ, Boney was warriorl
Chorus:
Wac, hey, hui
and tells us many, surprising things about
him; for instance; that he was not French
man, and that he went to Elbow, wherever
that may be.
Sometimes these songs were used only for
hauling or particular ropes. or for some
other especial task The bovline songs ara
Of this clan, one Of which is the best known
"ehanty" Of all.
Haul on the bOwlin', the fore and mainsOp
Haul on the bowlin', the bowfin' haul
The word haul is the signal for long and
strong pull. or the same class is the Dan
ish ballast-throwing soug, detailing the adj
ventures Of hunter, with its nonEsnsieal
chorus:
Hall, halo. hall. halo,
We sail and we pull
Ja-ial hall. halo, hall, halo,
We sail and we pull
Russian sailors have an especial song for
holystoning the decks, and there are others
used for special purposes Singing is espeei-
ally encouraged in the Russian service, and
the national hymn, "GOd Save the Tsar,s
is frequently heard from the decks Of their
ships.
The principal motive in these "chanties"
is sound, time and melody. Not much at
tention is paid TO sense, as far as the words
are concerned. +. s. BAssETT.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10
LEEDLE YAWCOB STRAUSS.

The Name Fitted n Poem and Pleased the
Public.
hardly know why happened to adopt
my nom de plume, except that the name is
thoroughly German, and fitted we'll into the
stanzas OF the poem. 'Leedle Yawcob
Strauss" as originally blocked out. The
name was received with favor, and found
the name of the poem so strongly associated
with my own that retained it; hence the
nom de plume of ''Yawcob Strauss."
CHARLES FoLLEN ADAMS.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10
PETROLEUM v. NASBY.

A Combination of Ancient and Modern
Names.
My fathers nom de plume, hardly
think, has any particular significance. The
word Nasty" was coined probably from a
remembrance of the battle of Naseby.
About the time the Nasby letters were COM
menced in the Toledo Blade the petroleum
excitement was raging in Pennsylvania,
and Vesuvius was used for euphony. Faith
er never gave any other explanation OF this
pseudonym than the above.
ROBINSON LOCKE.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10

HE mail has brought
to me a letter from
q girl who asks for
advise as to how to
firt. Now, if 1
were writing for q
magazine, 1 should
reply :''Take Punch's
dire ection, and
don't. >" But q
newspaper doesn't
care to have matter
so ancient and mean
ingless as the maga-
zines take, and SO 1
will try to instruct
the fair reader Of
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10
AMERICAN BOAT SONGS.

On this side Of the Atlantic such songs
are not 50 common. In Canada, however,
they continue to be heard, and Moore's "Ca-
madam Boat Song" is but q specimen Of a
class of them. A recent traveller in Brazil
describes the Amazonian boat songs: "The
best wit on board starts the verse, improvis-
ing as be goes on, and the others JOIN in the
chorus. They all relate to the lonely river
life, and the events Of the voyage, the
shoals, the wind, how far they have 70 90
before they 60 to sleep, and so FORTH" The
boatmen of the Nile are particularly adept
in the songs, having one for each separate
occupation. Hindoo, Chinese and Japanese
have them, and no boat is rowed in the
South Seas, among the many islands, with
out a song, consisting of q short solo and
chorus. Wilkes exploring expedition
found them using one with an undOubted
reference to Captain Cook:
'Cook tells you, pull away;
will do so. and SO must you"
The true sailors chanty is of the same
class as these boatman's songs. There are
many such in use among mariners OF all ma
tions, although English, American and
scandinavian sailors take the lead in this
nautical minstrelsy. A noted italian writer
on these themes says the Italian sailors
bring the English songs home and sing
them in preference to their own. These
chanties are of various classes, adapted to
each class of work. First, there are the
anchor songs, used in weighing anchor.
These are best known to landsmen, because
most frequently heard. The true capstan
song is generally in "long meter" and the
airs are rather pathetic in their melody.
One of these best known Is that given below:
"Yo, heave hoI
Round the capstan 20.
Round men. with q viii:
Tramp, and tramp 1t still;
The anchor must be heaved,
70, heave hop'
In the days of our clipper ships and sail
ing liners, there were many popular songs
of this class, such as "ValparaisO." Round
the Horn" "Santa Anna" and "Rio
Grande." The latter consisted Of any num-
ber of solo verses, with resounding chorus,
as,
soIo-were You ever in Rio Gfandef
Chorus--Away you Rfol
Solo-O. were you ever in Rio Grande.
Chorus-I ain bound to the Rio Grande.
Away you Rio, away you Rio,
Fare you we'll you pretty young girl,
am of to Rio Grande.
The history of the pretty milkmaid who
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10
DROPPED HER HUSBANDS NAME.

How MRS. Hector Became the Famous Mrs.
Alexander.
When I made my first venture and wrote
''The wooing OF" had but faint hopes of
success; and, not liking to have my name
associated with failure, 1 determined to use
only the first half of it. have (as is the
fashion with you as well as with us, 1 be-
lieve) my husbands first and second namei
and am Mrs. Alexander Hector. there
fore only dropped the latter. My first book
was published in Temple Bar, 1872.
ANNIE HECTOR,
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10
A MOTHERS MEMORY
Led to the Adoption of the Name Of Fanny
Fern,

When she had finished her first article
she tried to think of some nice name to sign
it; but got no further than Fanny" which
she wrote down on another piece of paper.
Then her thoughts wandered to her mother,
and to her mothers extreme fondness for
ferns, and how often she had gathered large
bundles of sweet fern for her when they
were in the country together. So, at last,
she said to herself, "Why not Fanny Fern?
1t is a pretty name" And it was Fanny
Fern" JAMES PARTON.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10

even were it so; for he was driven to his
bloody deeds, and was not bad at heart
JOAQUIN MILLER.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10
FLIRTING A FINE ART.
Clara Belle Reduces Society Flirta-
ton to an Exact Science.
MAN is A SUSCEPTIBLE CREATURE.
Unique Hobbies of Our Fashionable and
Wealthy Women.
THE AUrOCRATIC POWERS OF A BUTLER

,coHprspoNpENcz or THE D1srAToH.1
NEW YORK, November 8.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10
Hall, halo. hall. halo,
We sail and we pull
Ja-jal hall. halo, hall, halo,
We sail and we milf

YOUNG and old, what you need for your
cold is DR.. Bulls Cough Syrup. 25 cents
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10
A SOCIAL AHB1rER.

Sometimes there is a struggle to secure his
services, for a well-trained butler can do
much toward building mp the reputation Of
a family just beginning its acquaintance
with fashionable society. This is particu-
larly the case with buffers who are imported
from some titled English family. In some
instances such buffers have been known to
exercise the functions of social arbiter in
matters OF taste and etiquette.
"New York has not finished laughing
over the revelations Of butler imported
direct from the family of noble British
Duke. He soon left the service of his i'm
porter and found more congenial employ
ment with another family of more established
social standing. After his initial dinner
party with his first employer, he was taken
into the library and consulted concerning
the manners of the guests, and his opinions
were so highly regarded that those guests he
criticised were not invited to the second
party. :.
"There Is another point about buffers, I"
continued the agent. "They must be over
feet 10 inches tall. The sight of o short
man in knee breeches, back OF the table, is
ludicrous in the extreme, and such unfortu-
mates seldom find their services in demand.
There are many exceptions to this rule, how
ever. know one instance where family
have been obliged to take their butler to
Europe with them every summer as a valet
because they found it impossible to place
him in another household. He was valued
servant, and feeling of sentiment prevented
his discharge" CLARA BELLE.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10

comes on of himself, and don't get angry
when he withdraws. Two more: Don't let
him think you don't know that he is COM
ing on, and don't let him think you notice
when he withdraws. One big one for always:
Use your head and not your heart. Save
your heart for the time that win not be
filtration.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10

To test the value Of THE DISPATCH as an
advertising medium we insert the following
advertisements to-day. The offer made is open
only 20 those who mention, in their letters to
us that they saw this advertisements in THE
PITTsBURG DISPATCH
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-05-20

the Speaker to take the reins Of House gov
eminent IN bis own hsnds2 Is he to be the
MASTER Of the peoples representative, and
override the Federal Constitution If it
stand in the way of the revolutionary de-
sigos Of the Republican leaders?
We have seen enough of the QUAY-DUD-
LEY-HARRIs0N methods to know that the
r publican leaders viii stop At nothing to
carry their point. and they viii carry out
this revolutionary So ems if they have the
chance. Aud the chance they have already
in a bare majority.
VIII the Democrats allow this plot
against popular rights to come to a success
fol issue? They are forewsrned. They
have a good leader, 10 the absence Of the
Speaker. in the person Of Clerk CLARK.
lie mus. be sustained
This ia not the concern Of the Democrat
ie South slooe. 70 concerns the Republican
North As we'll. Speaking Of This Republi-
can scheme, the Richmond Dispatch saws;
The pepeui.y OF our free government de
ponds uron the freedom Of the balioi-boX. II
the southern people De enslsved. and their elee-
tions De taken out OF their hands, the northern
neople viii soon find themselves in ike condi-
ton Of helplessness. The chains that bind us
viii be- long enough and strong enough 10 oino
them. This country cannot exist half slave
aud hair free said NJ. Lincoln II # was true
in his day. it is surely true in this day.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-05-20

New wool Selling Freely-Prioes Firm
and High.

New wool Selling Freely-Prioes Firm
and High.
NEW YoBE, May ls.-Bradstreefs say
new wool is beginning to sell freely in the
producing districts, where prices are very
6rm and comparatively high. There ls, as
usual at this season, no little speculative
activity. Two or three representatives oil
Boston houses have bought quite largely
AZ San Antonio 20 1Sa22c a pound, and
Eastern buyeIs are also operating at San
Francisco. Dispatches from st. Louis re-
mort a strong market for the clip Of that
region, and in New Mexico and Texas gem
orally values are somewhat above last
years quotations.
This state Of things is rather out OF keep
ing with the continued dullnees Of the
seaboard markets, where there is little IN
the demand for wooden goods to encourage
manufacturers. and the strongest element
is the comparative meagerness OF stock.
Wool. however, is firm at Boston, New
York and Philadelphia. Buyers do not
hesitate 70 take all desirable selections OF
old wool at current prices, bearing In mind
the still greater strength at the West, the
shortuess Of supplies locally, and the pos
sibility of better trade in goods next sea-
son.
There is no change in the state Of things
at Boston. Values are easily supported
with moderate activity, stocks beng very
small. While the heavyweight season
has been a disappointment in many re-
spects, most of the New England mills
have been kept under full Roadway until
now. Ohio deeces have sold in larger
quantities than last week, and Michigan
wool is in some request. Delaines and
combings are quiet. Little is doing IN
Territory selections. ard the demand for
foreign wool hss reached no great proper.
tious. Current quotations are "a follows,
in comparison with last year and the year
before.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-05-20
GRAFTON.
MeGraw's Resignation Creates - ssnsa-
tion-LOcal News-PersOnaL
-------.- --------------- LIZ ~ IN. Ecn-.-..

MeGraw's Resignation Creates - ssnsa-
tion-Local News-Personal
special C1rrrcsp0r,daics Of he Register.
GRAFTON, W. Va, May 19.-YOur spe-
cial telegram from Washington giving
Hon. John T. McGraw's resignation, as
10 lies in the hsnds of the President,
created ID sensation hers, as no one, even
bis Immediate friends, expected such a
course. Democrats, however, concede it
wise and proper decision on the part of
the ever-pleasant Colonel, while Republi-
cans who expected deputysbips, clerk
ships. gaugerships and numerous other
ships see the handwriting on the wall, y
namely, the last glimmering hope Of their
idol, S. p Mccormick, fade and vanish
Sam has paid no attention 90 reports OF
A. b. Whites selection aud hss persist
emily held TO the idea that he Is the larg-
est man In the z. 0. p. Of West Virginia,
barring none, and therefore would get
eradication
Workmen are engaged in quarrying and
cutting stone for the abutments and piers
Of the suspension bridge that viii span the
river an5 railroad tracks between Grafton
and West Grafton, thereby connecting the
two towns aud giving the farmers Of the
west side facilities for marketing their
products. no matter what the stage OF
water may be.
The game of base ball between the
Adelsous, Of this place, and the Arctics, OF
Parkersburg, to be played here on May 30,
promises TO be o lively struggle as both
clubs are in active training, and so far as
the home team Is Concerned. eager and
anxious for the Fray We understand
that the Arctics have employed a Wheel
ing catcher named G5ode, rs Parkersburg
contains no one who Is able TO hold Crow
ley's cannon curves.
Mayor Chambers has been doing an
Oklahoma business since he took hold
of tine reins of government, he having col
lected no lesl than $3.50 in fines since
April LIST.
About fifty members Of Hiawatha Tribe
No. 3, l. o. Il. NJ, accompanied by the
Grafton c0ruet band, went down 20
Rowelsburg Saturday end instituted a
new Tribe to be known "a Pawnee Tribe
No IL A grand time is reported.
The C.. & G.. schedule changes this
morning, the train leaving at $40 a. IN.
and returning at p. m. This viii give
the people Of Phillippi and Beverley theil
mail one day earlier, and passengers frOG
Wheeling can leave home at $50 in The
morning and be IN Philhppi at II a. M.
besides it viii send the REGISTER up OF
the day OF publication.
The new schedule OF the b. X o. give
great satisfaction TO the people here, IS Il
brings taeir REGISTERS as early as city
folks enjoy the same All REGISTERS fol
Clark burg, Weston, Buckhsuuon ant
other points reach their destination sly
hOurs earlisr. as the officials have decided
to hold train No 8 for transfer.
Reno Post Ma. are making extensive