davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-12-28

starch, the tubs Of hominy and beans
alone read the lines of anguish Time in
one short halliday had chiseled upon his
brow; but after that-while the turkey
for his own dinner was taking upon it.
self beautiful brown and the potatoes
nesting close by grew mellow to their
very hearts in the oven of the brilliant
| new range upstairs, old Nick fought a
! hard battle with himself.
1t was fearful and ugly army he had
to face; an army whereof Modification,
Bitterness, Disappointment, Grief, Hate,
feir !eyity, Misery, Rancor, Wrath, Dis
gust and heGf>t we're the rank and file,
with Despair for their leader-strong,
gaunt, gigantic Despair!
His very soul at first shrunk at the
awful onslaught; around, about, behind,
before him they charged-cutting at his
self-esteem, beating down his manli-
ness, hacking hard at his goodly store of
principles, until, human worm that he
was, he writhed and turned upon them
all. Single-handed he met them, daring
them to do their worst!
And as the good fight went on-as one
and slew them, until not even Disap-
pointmens livcd-the light little feet
above stairs, in their dutiful round,
were beating upon the floor soft re-
Yeille that sounded clearly in the war
rior's cars, reveille that turned the
echoless, empty rooms Of his house and
heart into home where love and life
and Joy and peace and sweet content
were made welcome from that hour!
Two doors were opcned-two forms
entered into that humble arena whore
just now the battle OF life had been
fought-and won; but no signs of the
bloodless affray were there TO horrify
the two women, who both advanced,
smilingly, until they stood outside the
counter just opposite pretty paneled
Autographed lady who held out to them
bar of superior soap.
claws, Nils Newcomb, jest couldn't
wait till / could run up here and sec for
myself what effeck the great news had
on yer spirits. reckon you read the
postal?"
"Yes, Mrs. Pimlott, did"
".hen, in the name of all that's good,
hOV kin you take it SO quiet-like?"
"Why, Mrs. Pimlott, he was very old
and feeble. really didn't expect him
to live that long. don't wish W seem
disrespectful TO the dear old gentleman;
but am too happy to let his death cast
shadow over me now"
"Aumph! We don't gin'rally let tine
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-12-28
A Chinaman ON Muddy Feet.

Nobody ever saw q Chinaman with
muddy shoes, no matter what the
weather, unless some hoodlums had
pushed him into puddle. We take care
of our feet instinctively, and get into a
habit of walking carefully. If you watch
on muddy crossing you will see one
American after another pick his way
over cautiously, and yet land on the
other side with mud on his toes, while
Chinaman will walk along after them at
his usual gait, and, seemingly, not no
ticing his feet, stepping on the other
curb with not a particle of mud on the
tops of his shoes. But when he crossed
the street he did not walk as the Aineri-
cans did. Had he done SO, no would
have been as muddy as they. They
stepped along gingerly on their toes, or,
at least, the front part of the foot. In
this way they put all the weight of their
body on the thinnest part OF thoir shoe,
from top to bottom, and when it fat
tened out with each step the mud
touched the leather. Tho Chinaman
walked over with the weight of his bod.
on the heel and instep OF the shoe and
the toe barely grazing the ground. The
foot of the shoe that felt his weight was
firm and UNFOLDING, and did not spread
into the mud.-St. Louis Globe-Demo-
crat.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-12-28
THE SCHEME WORKED.
How Two Clever Young Men Bamboozlet
u Smart Bar-Reepcr.

How Two Clever Young Men Bamboozied
Smart Bar-Keeper.
A stranger entered a well-known sa-
loon on Woodward avenue the other day,
and after imbibing weak drink he said
to the proprietor:
II want to wait here few minutes
for man who borrowed some money of
me-"
He was motioned to a chair, and when
an hour had passed away he was asked:
''Are you stranger in the city?"
"Yes, SIR"
"Did you lend money to stranger TO
you?"
81 did"
"How much?"
''Forty dollars"
"Humph. Under what circumstan-
ces?"
"Said he had freight bill to pay and
couldn't get into the bank. He gave
me this check for two hundred dollars
to hold as security. Said he'd meet me
here at eleven o'clock"
my friend, you have been bam-
boozled."
MOI.
Yes, you have. mat is the old
freight bill dodge. That check is worth
less, and you'll never see the man
again"
''But / can't believe that. He looked
honest and talked straight"
80 they all do. Sorry for you, but
you must read the papers,"
"Say! | don't pretend TO be awfully
smart, but I'll bet atchap was honest"
You will! Whatll you bet?"
'Even twenty. / do honestly believe
he will come here by eleven o'clock and
pay the money"
The bet was taken, the money put up
and the greenhorn sat down to wait. At
five minutes of eleven man came in,
handed him $40, expressed his thanks
and took the check and placed it in his
wallet
II told you he was honest" said the
greenhorn, as he reached for the stakes.
They were handed over, but half an
hour later, after much serious thought,
the bartender suddenly slapped his leg
and exclaimed:
81 see through it now! They were
pals, of coursev'-Detroit Free Press.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-12-28
puNegNr PARAGRAPHS.

--"There, I've forgotten my medi.
sine" "Well, you want to be careful,
first thing you know you'll be getting
well."--Life.
--Full-blown Rose-"What q pity,
dear, you are engaged so young! You
will never have the fun of refusing
man." Bud-"No, but I've had the fun
of accepting one."
"A bore who has called upon busy
author asks: "Are there not times when
you can not think?" 80, yes; when
have caller. ."-Arkansas Traveller.
Edmund Clarence Stedman, It is
said, does not look like a poet. The
trouble with the average verse-slinger
is that he doesn't write like poet.--St
Paul Pioneer.
-Humorist-"I suppose this little joke
will go at regular rates If accepted?"
Editor-"Yes, guess so. 1t is too old
TO travel for half. fare any longer. y
Terre Haute Express.
Mrs. Closehall-"Do you know that
I've induced Mr.. Closehall to give up
cigars?" Dovetail-"Really? Why, I've
known him for ten years and never
saw him give up one yet."-Judge.
Whom man gets married, he is apt
to think everybody should give him
present, but how he hates to buy pres
ents for his friends when their day at
the altar comes round!-Atchison Globe
MIR. Sampson--"I have spoken to
your father, Miss Clara, and he has
given me permission to speak to you"
Miss Clara" Excuse me, Mr.. Sampson,
but / can not entertain any second
hand offer of marriage. Epoch.
-"How did the new preacher impress
you, Mrs. Fluting?" 'He seemed very
eloquent and used no notes whatever"
''And how did the choir sing?" "Well,
just as the minister preached. "-Phila-
delphia Saturday Review.
Mr.. Dumpsey Ito the wife of his
bosom) Maria! here, I've gone and
sat down in that chair L vanished for
you this this morning." Mrs. Dumpsey
swell, for once you've stuck to your
work. Huntington Free Press.
Mrs. Oldboy-"O, you needn't talk,
John. You was bound to have me. You
can't say that / ever ran after you"
Oldboy-"Very true, Maria, and the rat
trap never runs after the mouse, but it
gathers him in all the same. ."--Bostop
Transcript
In New York the question, "Will
electricity kill" seems to have resolved
itself into this: If the subject is mur-
derer and deserves death, it will not
kill; but if he is an electric light COM
pany employe, and is innocent of crime,
it will knock the breath out of him with
neatness and dispatch. - Norristown
Herald.
Mrs, Younglove--"Dearest, wish
you could afford to buy me q seal
sacque." Mr.. Younglove-''Why, my
own, didn't know you cared for such
extravagances." Mrs. Younglove--"You
know very well that it is not the gar
ment that / care for; but" Mr..
Gounglove-"Then why do you want
it?' Mrs. Younglove-"So gentlemen
will offer me their seats when the street
cars are crowded. America.
Wife lin sudden alarm) - "John!
John DO wake up! 1 hear somebody
moving about in the house!" Husband
lin greater alarm)-"Wh-what Some
body in tho houie? If didn't have the
so blamed bad, Maria, I'd
-" Wife (disgusted)-"Say! You
burglar down stairs! When you've got
all tho plunder You want L wish you
would come up here and carry off this
thing that calls itself man!"-Chicago
'u;I
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-12-28

demise o. rich relatives grieve as over
much. Wealthy, wasn't he2"
''No," answers voice, that from
some strange, new quality 10 has
gained strikes oddly upon the ears Of
the two women. Both turn toward
Nicholas, who coming from behind the
counter, makes his way to the side ofihis
puzzled little bride and puts resolute
arm about her trim waist. 'No, he was
poor, poverty-stricken gentleman
madame, who was sent by his parishion,
ers to South America as missionary.
You will understand, Mrs. Pimlott,
what mean when emphasize the word
missionary, and know why ask that no
reference hereafter be made to the
deceased relative of my wife. He is a
man who is dead and gone--I am man
who is alive and here-and very
hungry man, too. Mercy, dear! Shall
you invite Mrs. Pimlott and me to
dinner soon, do you think? Take my
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-12-28

arms, ladies' and let me escort you both
to dinner. But first let me turn the key
in the lock that no one may interrupt
our feasting-there we are-set here,
Mrs. Pimlott-that's right, Mercy, take
her bonnet-what?"
81 said," whispers the Widow Pimlott,
as Mercy carries her wraps into the next
room, Il said simply this: would you IA
did it, old Nick, would you "a did it If
you'd "a knew it was mistake-would
you "a did it any how?"
''Bless your soul and body" says old
Nick, the vast differences of the old and
new regime contrasting themselves
agreeably, and actually forgetting that
fate has cleverly triclzed him into his
present beatific state-"bless your soul
and body-yes"
'Well, may I neverw says Mrs.
Pimlott.-Eva Best, in Detroit Free
Press.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-12-28
ynrlety in Domestic Life.

The evenings of great numbers of fam
lilies are monotonous humdrums. They
involve the assemblage of the same peo-
Pile, the same surroundings, the same
paterfamilias yawning over his paper,
and the same querulous mamma over
laden with family cares. Fresh people
with fresh thoughts fresh atmosphere,
any thing to stir up and agitate the pool
of domestic stagnation, are sadly needed
and sadly scarce. There needs to be also
constant succession of such fresh peo-
pie to bring about these results. The
world is full of men and women, and in
better regulated life it would be the
business after the days work was done,
to entertain each other, and give each
other fresh life. AS it is now, hundreds
if not thousands of our households are
little better then cells for the incarcer-
alton of each family. Thousands are
thus worn out prematurely from utter
lack of domestic recreation. There might
be written over the graves of hundreds
of thousands, ''Bored to death by the
stagnation of domestic life. Farm and
EireSide.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-12-28
,rHE AMERICAN GIRL.
WeirdIy Strange Ideas Regarding Her In
the German Mind.


the German Mind.
A German young man does not consider
1t much of trick to kiss an American
girl. A commonplace chat in ball
room waltz and promenade, and he
is ready to try his luck tho first chance
he gets. This temerity is not generally
tho result of infatuation, for an Amer
lean girl rarely approaches to German
young mans ideal of beauty and breed
ing. Her voice is too lSeen her face Is
too mobile; her shoulders are too mar
row. Little in her face, figure or man
ner attracts his fancy or appeals to his
sentiment. Consequently, he does not
kiss her for the ordinary reasons which
movo men to kiss women. He kisses
her simply because he thinks she ex-
poets him to kiss her. If he is left
alone with her he feels at once that she
expects him to do something, and so he
does it.
The German young man gets these
rather curious ideas from German news
papers and light magazines, which often
go out of their way to prove that Amer
lean girls are as devoid of true German
man honor. The extravaganza of many
of the stories used to illustrate the de-
sire of American women to kiss every
thing in trousers is almost incredible.
Not six months ago, reputable dailies
like the Frankfurter Zeitung and tho
Borsen Courier gave detailed descrip-
tions of kissing bees, which, they said,
were being held in tho large western
cities of the United States for the benefit
of church societies. This story has been
crowded out of favor by "The kissing
SCHOOL, (copyrighted). by Hans Wenter.
In this sketch professors teach young
girls how to kiss. The scene is laid in
Philadelphia. The great mass of conti-
nontal German readers, who firmly be-
lieve that all American women kiss and
flirt just as all American men specu-
late and lie, swallow it whole.
Their writer's have recently told
them that fourteen-year-old school
girls in New York always wear some
$1,000 or $1,000 worth of diamonds
on the street, give afternoon teas and
evening receptions, have their own
tailors and caterers. and carry on all
sorts of high iinks with the private sec
of the hen-pecked papas. There
fore, kissing school or kissing bee, or
any other harum-scarum social eccen-
tricity of the same sort, is supposed by
them to be the necessary outgrowth of
the monstrous American method of rear
ing children, especially young girls.
German newspapers and magazines
have been publishing such stories as the
three cited ever since they began de-
scribing the ways of Americans and
American women. Every German who
reads at all has read such stories ever
since his legs were Strengthened and he
began to be big boy. 1t is, therefore,
hardly surprising that the German
young man supposes an American girl |
expects him to kiss her the first chance
he gets, especially since German young
nan is invariably guided by what he |
'eads rather than by what he sees and
experiences himself.-Berlin Cor. n. Y.
sun.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-12-28
Intoresting Surgical Experiment.

DR.. l.. II. r. Tetamore, New York
physician, has performed an interesting
experiment in the way Of providing o
now nose for a female patient. He sub
stituted for the natural cartilage, eaten
away by disease, the cartilage from the
breast bone of chicken with portion
uf the bone attached. He divided the
skin OF the sunlSen nose OF the woman,
and, cutting the bone OF the cartilage
from the breast OF live chicken, placed
them under the skin Of the woman's
nose covering them with skin drawn
from the forehead. 1t will take two
months to determine whether the OK
pertinent is success or not Cincinna. !,
Commercial.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-12-28

QOWWHu, anu WHeH bne InelOulOuS HOiSt
, grew louder-when the smart livery
: rig came clashing harmoniously up to
the farmers pillared porch, there was q
commotion within doors, and scudding
upstairs of every one save Mercy Num-,
who, when loud knock sounded out
side, went to the door, opened it, and
admitted-her lover.
And in an hours time the bells went
jangling down the lane again-but now
old Nick was not alone. Miss Mum was
about to pass the judges stand, and
leave the two blooming Misses Wheat
field two weeks and three days behind
her!
am certain that not even the glories
OF home beyond the sun could have
dimmed the radiant present that now,
upon this mundane sphere, encircled the
meek little old maiden, as she felt, for
the first time in all the considerable
period of her life, SO tenderly cared for,
so protected, so guarded during that
long ride home.
Every breath was frosty delight;
every sparkling ice-covered twig was a
gem for her bridal day! When, at last,
the solemn rite was actually gone
through with, the minister had pocleted
his neat fee, the grocery was gained,
the stairs ascended, and the newness,
brightness and luxuriant furnishings
of her new home dawned upon the small
woman. she could bear it no longer: but
leaned bonneted little head against
the Widow Pimlott's ample shoulder
and wept for ioyl
The first of January came with noise
and clatter and chime of bells-witb
promise of iov and gladness so full and
rroat that ali tbe little shadows hid
themselves from sipbt. and the Golden
SIM of NTercv's life rose with the plad
Now Year.
After brealfast-after coffee. rich and
and omelette-as n SORT of n literary
dessert n nostal card is handed across
the nrottv round table TO the bride he
hind the coffee THINGS. She reads it. and
looking straight into the ewes of her
lord and master. saws:
"Poor dear old uncle, He never was
very stronr. Nicholas. alwavs frarile
and inyalidish. When he could preach
no longer the church made IN purse
and sent him to South America for his
health-besides, it was cheaper living
there, and you know to very poor per-
son that is a question of great moment"
'Miss Nunn-Mrs. Newcomb-mercy
will you-won't YOU"
'Why. what is it, Nicholas?"
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-12-28
AN ORDERLY REVOLUTION.
The Peaceful Manner in Which Monarchy
Was Abolished In Biazil.

WAS ADOliSneu
Brazil, the only country of South
America which has long possessed a
stable government, concluded to dis
pense with the services of its constitu-
tional Emperor the other day and re-
public was accordingly declared. Good
Dom Pedro and his family submitted to
the new order of things without muir
mur. Being told that their presence in
Brazil might cause discord, they sailed
for Europe with the understanding that
they were never to return. Thus began
and ended what is perhaps the most
orderly revolution in history.
The peaceful manner in which slavery
was abolished in Brazil was not less re-
markable than was the orderly over
throw Of Dom Pedro. The dire explo-
sion which slavery caused in the United
States furnishes strange contrast to
the event in the South American coun-
try. The leaders of the people of Brazil
apparently are themselves guided by
reason rather than by passion. 1t is
useless to look elsewhere for parallel
to the peaceful action of the people of
Brazil in the two instances mentioned.
For fifty years the public men in
Brazil have imbibed the political doc
trines of the Emperor, who was the
most liberal and most progressive of
rulers. During that time there have
been no reprisals among factions. Dom
Pedro has led them all forward to the
door of the republic, has opened it for
them, and then has stepped aside. No
other wearer of monarchical authority
can be compared with him as respecter
of the rights and wishes of his people
save the lamented Frederick III. of
Germany.-Chicago News.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-12-28
New Year in China.

New Years morning the streets in
China are very quiet. All the shops
are closed, crimson cloth hangs in fes-
toons along the street, and crimson
sheets of paper with the word "Hok"
(happiness) written upon them, give
benediction to the passer-by. Here and
there strip of blue paper is the silent
token that death has entered this home
during the past year. From twelve
o'clock till three the streets are full of
callers decked out in gorgeous apparel.
The visiting card for the New Year has
generally stamped upon it emblems of
the ''Samhok, or Three Happinesses,"
viz: offspring, official employment, and
longevity. Gentlemen are seen carrying
in their hands red visiting cards, seven
inches long, as they go to present their
good wishes to kinsmen and acquaint-
ances. On entering a house every
body within sight and hearing shouts
Kiong-hi (congratulations). After an
exchange Of formal and flowery COM
pliments, the caller takes his departure
to 'bestow the illumination of his dis
tinguished countenance" on other
friends. The New Year is the time for
exchange of presents between friends.
Tradesmen send gifts TO their custom
ers, and parties who have been
estranged may venture peace Offering
to each other. The most common gifts
arc rare fruits, sweetmeats, fine teas,
silk stuffs, or ornaments OF various
kinds. Very little work is done for a
whole week. Englishmen and others in
China, holding this great National cele-
bration in contempt, have sometimes
tried to ignore IL, and go on with busi-
ness as usual, but China declares she
will not work for at least week, and
the foreigner must therefore take a
holiday also.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-12-28
why He Couldn't Hold Him.

Iuquiring Friend Where's your horse?
Haven't seen you drive him lately
Short L sse-O, had to let him 90,
couldn't h,ld him, you know.
Inquiring Friend - Indeed, why ]
thought he was so gentle-"
Short Purse Yes, but old Isaacs had
= chattel mortgage on hi@ -Munsey's
Weekly
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-12-28
Accomplished Servant.

What do you wish?" asked the serv-
ant who answered the ring at the door.
"Baron de Veauminet."
"What do you wish to see him for?'
''Itis in relation toa promissory note. I"
1.-The baron went out of town yester-
day."
''Now, that is too bad wanted to pay
him the amount l owe him."
But" added the servant, ''ho returned
this morning. g."-French Joke.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-12-28
OLD NICK'S NEW YEARS
Sensible Way in Which He Ac-
copied His Disappointment

If it hadn't been fol
the inquisitiveness
of Deborah Ann
Pimlott, it would
never have hap
pened; but Curiosity
her well-beloved
familiar-stole in
with the letter car
rier and perched
upon the table close
beside n newspaper
and letter for one
of her dodgers, Mr..
Nicholas Newcomb,
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-12-28

The lao Wilkie Collins never passed
day without taking up one Of the Wa
verify novels. He had very warm ad-
miration for the gepius OF this elder
Dumas and Of Balzac. but especially the
former.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-12-28

An American who spent ninety-two
days in France says he only saw two
pies in that whole country, and these
were in Paris and had no upper crust. =
Detroit Free Press.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-12-28

violets; we have drunk
Cool water from the rock, and n the shade
Sunk to the noontide slumbcr we have
pluclied
The mellow fruitage of the bending tree
And girded TO our pleasant wanderings
When the cool winds came freshly from the
hills;
And when the tinting of the Autumn leaves
Had faded from its glory we have sat
BY the good fires of Winter. and reioiced
Over the fullness of the gathered sheaf.
God hath been very good" 'Tis He whose
hand
Nodded the sunny hills, and followed out
The shelter of the valleys, and doth keep
The fountains in their secret places cool;
And it is He who lcadeth up the sun,
And ordereth the starry influences,
And tempered the keenness of the frost;
And, therefore, in the plenty of the feast,
And in the lifting of the cup, let Him
Have praises for the well-complcted year.
WILLIS.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-12-28

The way 20 pronounce Mpwapwa-.
take mouthful Of hot coffee and try To
say papa" without swallowing 1t.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-12-28

--"Anti-squeak," is the stuff they
now put in shoes. 1t looks like shoddy
hut is more costly than leather.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-12-28
THE NEW YEAR.

LEETLY hath passed
the year; the seasons
came
Duly as they were
wont - the gen I'll Q
Spring,
And the delicious Sum-
mer, and the cool
Rich Autumn, with the
nodding OF the grain,
And Winter, like an
old and hoary man,
Frosty and stiff-and
so are chronicled.
We have read gladness
in the new green leaf
And in the iirst.blown