davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-23
A CURIOUS TALE.
A Sword 500 Yenrs Old the Heirloom of a
Mohammedan Prophets Family.

Mohammedan Prophets Family.
New York SUM
Here is story that is told by one of our
esteemed fellow citizens: "When I sat
down to breakfast in Delmonico's no ticed
at the other side of the table queer looking,
gaunt-faced old man, who did not seem at
ease in his suit OF New York clothes.
After time I made a friendly approach to
him by offering him small courtesy at the
table, accompanied by few words. He
did not understand English, but 1 found
that he spoke French in a curious way. We
struck up acquaintance, and before our
coffee pots were empty we were on conf
Dental terms, which seemed to give him
great pleasure. He was stranger in New
York, to which he had just come. and did
not know anybody in the city.
"He grew so friendly that after breakfast
he invited me to a room which he had taken
the previous day. He there told me that he
was Calmuck in the Russian service, and
that during leave of absence he had come
to New York, which he had been anxious to
see. I noticed a pair of Turkish trousers
hanging on the wall, and beside them a
curved short sword Of peculiar form, and
destitute of the regulation hilt or handle.
As looked at it he said: Take it down
draw out the scimetar, and you'll find
thumb ring by which it can be used.' did
as he directed, found the ring spoken OF,
grasped the weapon, and began to handle it.
While doing so bent it, and noticed that,
instead of springing back when tbs pressure
was taken off, it returned gradually to its
proper form. 1t had evidently been forged
from an untold number of steel rings welded
together like old Damascus blades. When
asked about it he told curious tale.
One day, he said 40 years ago when
I was in the Caucasus under Voronzof, a
cloud of Circassian cavalry under Schamyl
suddenly came upon us in a pass. A
Circassian with drawn scimetar galloped
toward me, and raised my sword to guard
my head, but he cut it in twain with single
stroke as he would have cut a carrot. AT
that moment his brain was pierced by one
of our Calmuck bullets, and sprang from
my horse to get his scimetar. Next morn
ing SchamyI sent messenger to our camp
to ask General Voronzoff for the body of his
brother, who had been killed in the previ-
Gus days fight, and he asked also for the
scimetar, which, however, could not be
found. That is it. 1t had been an heirloom
in the family of Schamyl the Mohammedan
prophet, was said to be 700 or 800 years old,
and had probably been made in the Cau-
casus out of Damascus steel.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-23
PICKPOCRETS OF PARIS.
The Skill of the Different Nationalities MS
Light Fingered Gentlemen.


London Globe.l
The majority of the Paris pickpockets
and pickpockettes, according to M. Mace,
are foreigners, the English and the Italian
being the most numerous. The English
pickpocket is the best known; one meets
him everywhere; but he is by no means the
cleverest. He has obtained a reputation
his movements, and, although very clever
with his hands, he has too much of the
national hegme about him. But he is an
indefatigable walker. He will visit all the
principal crowded points in Paris in a
single day, and fairly tires out the detect
ives, who follow him. He is as wise as
serpent, and never lets himself be enticed
from the path of prudence by temptation to
dangerous attempt. He never remains
more than 10 minutes in one crowd, and
seldom makes more than one victim in the
same place. The race course is his favorite
field of operations. All the pickpockets of
the north, English, Russian, Polish, Ger
man, are cool, methodical and tenacious,
and seldom let victim go before they have
emptied his pockets. The German is excel
lent at the method known as a Pesbrouffe,
which consists in hustling the victim vio-
lently and robbing him during the contu-
sion which ensues. He also excels in the
'vol au misunderstanding the attention of
a shopman and then annexing the contents
of the till.
But the north is not alone in supplying
Paris with pickpockets. Italy and Spain
furnish a numerous contingent. The Spanish
picketpocket deserves special mention. He
combines theft with devotion, and when ar
rested makes revolving display of hypocri-
sy protesting his innocence by all the saints
in the calendar. The italian is extremely
clever, is conscious of his superiority, and
can often snap his fingers at all the detect
ives in Europe. Full of confidence in him.
self, and rejoicing in his triumph, he never
theless, ends in running himself If the
Italian only had the prudence of the En-
glishman he could laugh at the entire police
of the universe; but, carried away by the
southern fougue he gets caught through
renal ming to repeat his triumph in the
same place.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-23

difference. BY the way, the sandwich man
considers that the buffet cars have taken
the bread and butter from honest mems
mouths. Buffet cars are rather fraud, es-
pecially about chicken. I remember order
ing cold chicken for breakfast. They
brought me almost whole fowl 1 ate Just
a little. At luncheon 1 ordered cold
chicken. They brought me the same fowl.
recognized it, took little more from it
and meekly paid for it again. The same
racket was PLAYED at supper. wept softly,
took another slice and again paid for the
whole. At breakfast 1 paid for it for the
last time. Then, on leaving the train, 1
gently but firmly demanded the remains,
paid for them and took them off with me. 1
wasn't going to have that chicken paid for
right straight through eternity.
The dining car is u variation on the buffet.
There you go into separate car, the move
ment, heat, smell of cooking make you quite
ill. You pay 81 for dinner. The bill of
fare is liberal, but you take water crackers
and glass OF milk, and escape as soon as
possible. That's how dining cars make
money, and keep their colored walters 50 fat
and sleek.
IMPERTINENT STRANGERS.
ISL IL iuuuy uOW udu 10 lucllueU W
impertinence at table. remember travel
ing~once-one of party. 1 went into the
dining car alone. A man ahead of me sat
and stared till I thought Iwould have to
scream. Just then, through the mirror, I
saw gentleman of my party enter and seat
himself at table back of me. 1 began to
write note at once on the bill of fare. NV
admirer looked cheerfully expectant. 1
sent the note to the gentleman of my party.
My admirer seemed surprised little. The
The note read, "Will you be good enough
to glare at the man who is staring at me?"
My friend grasped the situation and began
most stony regard of my admirer. The
latter fdgeted, spilled his soup, got red,
choked, and left the car, followed by the
fierce, fiery glances of NV good friend.
There is nothing that Will so nonplus one of
these smart fellows as stirring up mans
attention when he is trying to attract a
woman's.
Sometimes when you ask for your bill the
waiter will grin and say the gentleman over
the way has paid it, There is just one way
out of that. Give the waiter the amount OF
tine bill, say in low, clear voice: ''Take it
to the gentleman over the way, and if he
will not have it you may keep it." Then
get up, and with all the grace and air you
can command, sweep from the car without
waiting to see whether the waiter gets it or
not. In either event the gentleman over
the way can hardly help wishing himself
well kicked. CLARA BELLE.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-23
POOR LITTLE FROG.
When Mr.. Snake Gets a Hold ON His Leg
He's a Gouer.

When mr. Snake Gets n Hold on His Leg
He's Goner.
I have never seen a snake charm a frog,
though I have seen them catch frogs
often, says writer in the St. Louis Report
er. They are more than a match for the
frog in foot race, consequently they have
frog legs to eat whenever they wish, pro-
vided the frogs can be found. The greatest
trouble is to swallow the frog after catching
him. The frog is swallowed heels first.
Whether this is q preference on the part of
the snake or whether because this is the first
part overtaken and laid hold of do not
know. When caught, the poor frog cries
out in the most pitiful terror. Then the
struggle of life and death begins, with de-
termined animal instinct on the part of the
snake-nay, I might say with devilish tri-
umph, for he knows that victory is sure in
the end-and almost human horror on
the frogs part. The instant the snake
seizes hind leg it is swallowed, and the
hard part of the job is to get hold of the
other leg without releasing the one he al
ready has.
The frog soon finds it is useless to strug-
gle to release the leg already swallowed by
the snake, and seems to realize that its only
hope is to keep the leg that is free out of
that horrible mouth, which has such won
derful sucking power. once saw garter
snake push frog over 30 yards, endeavor-
ing to force the leg of the frog that was free
against some obstruction that it might get
hold on that also. 1t finally succeeded and
tie struggle was soon over after that. When
both hind legs are once in the snakes power
a deeper horror seems to take possession of
the poor little creature who has battled so
hard for lie, its eyes dilate with ter ror and
assume a CLASSY stare, its whole body is
stupefed. paralyzed with an awful dread of
its impending fate. The snake does not
swallow; it crawls over its prey. It does so
by means of strongly contracting muscles in
tie throat,
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-23
THE LADY LOST HER HEEL.
An Accident That Caused Both Indignation
and Embarrassment.

and Embarrassment.
Detroit Free Press.l
A dapper little man stepped into a
Woodward avenue car, and as he did so he
picked up tiny pyramid >of brown leather.
"Now look at that" he said with several
infections to his voice, as he showed his
treasure trove to the gentlemen next to
him. "What is it?" asked the other man,
adjusting his glasses, and taking the object
in his hand as if it might be alive and bite
him. "It's the heel from some fool woman's
shoe. Now try to think how she must have
wobbled-for she could not have walked
on that French heel. I'd give something
to see her getting home without it,
81 suppose the effect depends on the size
of the foot" said the other, handing it
back; "that looks as if it came of pretty
neat shoe, hey old fellow?'
"It's a barbarism-a wicked shame to wear
such a thing" retorted the other lndig-
nantly. "Why, the doctors say that more
cases of curvature of the spine are oc-"
eff you have no further use for it I'll
thank you for my heel" said a sweet
voiced, pretty little lady opposite at this
moment.
The indignant individual had Just
dropped it in his pocket, but he plunged
in after it and gave it back to its owner,
and talked to his companion about the
weather.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-23
A PRODUCT OF THE EAST.
Where the Haircloth Comes From Used I'm
Covering furniture.

Where the Haircloth Comes From Used In
Covering furniture.
New York Evening World.I
Yes" said furniture man on the Bow
cry few days ago, "the manufacture of
haircloth has fallen off considerably, chiefly
because it Is not used to such great extent
as it vsed to be. Furniture covered with
halrcloth used to be very popular, but other
materials have superseded it. And, speak
ing of haircloth, many people are ignorant
of where the hair comes from that was used
In the manufacture. The first piece of hair
cloth that was made in this country was
made in Railway, N. j., in 1918.
Two New York men were the patentees
and it was called Taurine cloth. II was
made from the hair of cattle, with mixture
OF wool. The sources of supply for horse
hair were Siberia, which probably furnished
6O per cent of the amount used, and South
America, which furnished about 25 ner
cent. The rest was collected in other coun-
tries
What is collected in Tartary. Siberia
and other Russian possessions is brought to
Tobolsk, where there is an annual fair. in
which the sale OF this hair is one of the
principal articles of merchandise"
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-23
HOW TO BATTLE.
Some People Mako Too Much Trouble
About II.

Some People Make Too Much Trouble
About II.
Joe Howard in the New York Press,
Everybody washes his face and hands.
Reflect for moment upon the extraordi-
nary refreshment given by that ablution,
and then multiply it a thousand fold, and
you have an idea of the good gained by a
daily morning and daily evening all
over-bath.
But how to bathel
Many people find bathing physical dis
tress, a burden, discomfort, by reason of
the trouble they make about it. There are
thousands and thousands OF unfortunates
here who have no bathing tubs, but doubt
if there is laborer's family SO poor that
movable tub cannot be afforded, and water
runs in all our tenements. With the aid
of a sponge the poorest equipped man may
provide facilities for himself, his wife and
his children in this line OF refreshment, but
the ordinary user is where bath tub is
at his disposal. For such, simple plunge
is the best mode, and a vigorous rubbing
with heavy crash towel Immediately after.
Too much stress cannot be laid upon this
recreative operation. 1t opens the pores, it
removes the dead skin, it sets in motion
that marvellous system of exudation upon
which health so largely depends, it gives
the whole body tonic candfreshens every fac
ulty. I have been using for many years a
sedative water suggested to me by my old
friend DR.. Otto Fullgraff, for 20 years at the
head of one OF the largest dispensaries, and
to-day standing at the very head of eclecticism
with all that that suggests. Take a whisky
bottle, or any other utensil of that capacity,
put In it cup of sea salt, half ounce of
camphor, half ounce of ammonia; fill the
bottle with hot water, and let it stand "a
hours; then when prepared to bathe with
sponge, put teacupful of this mixture,
well shaken, into your basin to bathe your
SELF
You will be surprised at the dirt that will
come from the cleanest skin!
The ammonia will cleanse the pores, the
camphor and the sea salt will impart
tonic, and the whole produce beneficial
effect which cannot be exaggerated. Do
this night and morning, and you will find
yourself not only beautifed in skin, but
made strong and sturdy, healthful and,
therefore, good natured.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-23
Would do for a sub.fitute.

Chicago Tribune.J
Got any lemons?" asked the customer.
Sorry, but we're just out of lemons. {"
said the grocer.
ANY pickles?"
mo pickles either"
well, give me some of those three boxes
TOR quarter strawberries.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-23
A Remarkable Family.

Buffalo Express.l
'There are queer people in this world, !"
SAID street car conductor wearily, as he
punched one fare on the card after he had
taken two. "a woman rode on q car going
out to the park about an hour ago with i've
children, and she swore that they were all
under years of age."
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-23
He Didn'r Insist.

New York Sum-
Ella-How do you like Mr.. Mash? I
hear he called the other night.
Ethel-I think he's fearfully horrid. He
asked me if could play on the piano, and
1 told him that couldn't play much.
"And what them"
"That was all"
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-23
Story of n Delayed Letter.

Detroit Free Press.l
A letter proposing marriage to CASTLE,
N. Y, girl remained in the coat-tail pocket
of proposer for eight months, he suppos-
ing it to have been mailed. When he
finally did mail it she was married, but she
gave her husband the shake and eloped to
far off Connecticut.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-23

Photographer-My dear sir, can't you
assume q more smiling countenance and
throw off that jaded look /?
Rev. V. V. Heighton-Take me as am.
need a vacation this summer. and these
pictures are for distribution among my
parishioners.-LVe.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-23
VERY DAINTY BEDROOMS.

The sleeping rooms open out OF this, some
have private snuggeries attached. These
sleeping rooms are dainty enough for girls
of 16. There are pretty chamber sets of
light wood with dressing casss and what
women would call little sewing chairs.
Each room has some prevailing tint, rose or
blue, which is accented in luxuriant duvet
folded across the snowy beds.
But most young men have to do their own
furnishing, and the taste they develop, for
not only luxury but even feminine adorn-
ments, is marvellous. The other evening it
was my good fortune to see the rooms in
which two young doctors make themselves
comfortable, and they event had two covers
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-01-11
Dakota Letter,

PLANKINToS, DAKOTA, Jan. ,, 1889.
Editor Herald:
Having received numerous letters OF in
ouirv from nv old friends around Wood
stock, take this plan Of giving to all a
general idea of Dakota and its resources.
live near the southern line of South Da-
kofa, in Aurora county. twelve miles from
Plankinton, the county seat. The coun'
try e gently rolling as we call it here but
a level plain as compared with Shenan-
dosh county. Hundreds of farms in this
county have fields of grain the entire
length of the quarter section without a
break by hill or slough. The soil is rich
black loan with a porous clay sub-soil
which il remarkably rich in lime and mag
nosia.
We have had good crops every year
since came her in -. Last years crops
Of all kinds were excellent and prices we're
very good. 80 that many farmer who was
compelled, a few years since, to mortgage
his land in order to get start, ~ now
owner Of his lGO or 800 acres, closr The
principal crops here arc wheat, corn, oats
flax, barley and rye 4 Il manner OF root
crops, such as potatoes, beets, turnips, etc,
grow to an enormous size. The farmers
are rapidly going into the cattle and hog
raising business which, with a packing
market at Sioux City, only hundred
miles distant. is profitable. We receive
for live stock just as good prices a. the
people Of the eastern states where land
costs ten times IA much a. here. have
no hesitation in stating that the average
land here in Aurora county is fully as
good for all purposes IA the very best
river bottom land in Shenandoah countTi
and say this without tho least disparage-
ment to my old county. Farm lands may
be had here very cheap and on liberal
terms. Any letter Of inquiry addressed ia
j. NJ. AUDI at Plankinton, or to myself at
Flynn z. o., will be cheerfully answered
Yours respectfully,
+. NJ. LAMBRRsON.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-01-11
EDINBURG NOTES.

Mrs. Matte f., wife Of J, o. Grandstan
died on last Monday morning after an i'll
ness Of several months Of that dread dis
ease. consumption. The deceased was
twenty.nine years, SIX months and nine
DAYS old. She leaves husband and three
small children, who have the sympathy Of
the entire community in this their sad be-
reavement.
We were somewhat impressed with the
last question the minister, TO whom We
listened to on last Sunday, propounded to
the profcssed Christian; GLOW much Of
Christ like do men see in your every day
life ?"
Sewel has left Red Banks and the tears
shed there are many. Do not mourn far
one. Sewell will call occasionally to com
fort and console.
ID. w. =. Hutchinson, we are told, has
gone into the hennery business near town.
We hope this may be a success with our
friend Press. This suggests to us the fact
{ hat pleasant little Rose has for some time
been running Henry, and we think very
successfully, too.
Bob Burke is quite proud in the posses
sion of beautiful robe, presented to him
as a Christmas gift. This robe, Of course
was the handwork and gift Of some good
lady.
The west bound train Of Tuesday
brought to our town "a happy bride and
groom, Miss Yirgie c. Spengler and Mr.
William b. Rutherford Of Winche-ter.-
They are the guests Of Mrs. K. W. Burke
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-01-11
mccauley Escapes from Jail.

George McCauley alias George Bailey
made his escape from the county jail in
this place yesterday morning. lie was
given his breakfas by Mrs Shull between
eight and nine o'clock. This he ate up
stairs with his fellow prisoners. When
he had finished he brought his dishes
down stairs as usual. This was the last
time he was seen.
One of the inmates noticing that he did
NOT return up stairs as soon "a usual went
out into the yard, which during the day
time they have access to, to look Tor him.
McCauley was not there. He then sus-
pected what had occurred and told Mrs
Shull of his suspicious. An alarm was
given and an investigation made. 1t was
found that be had scaled the rear Jail wall
by the aid of a rope How he obtained
the rope is MYSTERY. BY some 1t Is
thought that in some way friend gave
him rope which he secreted, while Others
think that the confederate by agreement
threw the rope over the wall this morn
ing, thus aiding him TO escape.
Persons went to search for HIN, but up
to this writing his whereabouts are IN
known.
McCauley is described as tall raw
boned man, with sandy hair and whlskers'
He is generally regarded as dangerous
character. He had been in jail just two
weeks, and was awaiting trial for at
tempting to kill bis wife with an axe
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-01-11
ON Wool and a Yard wide.

When great business house, of worle
wide reputation for honesty, far dealing
and financial responsibility, feels warrant
ed In attaching its certificate of guarantee
to its goods. such action furnishes the best
possible evidence that the products are be-
lieved to be just what they are reported to
be. Such confidence on the part Of manu-
facturers and vendors naturally begets
confidence in purchasers, and hence It IS
that there has grown to be, all over this
great country, such an unprecedented de-
mand for and such implicit confidence in
that most popular liver, blood and lung
remedy known as DR.. Pierco's Golden
Medical Discovery, as no other medicine
has ever before met with 1t is sold by
druggists, under a pssitire guarantee from
the manufacturers, that It will either ben
fit OF cure In every case OF disease for
which 1t is recommended, or the money
paid for it will be promptly refunded. 1t
Is manufactured by the Worlds Dispen-
sary Medical Association of Buffalo, n.
Y, well-known aud financially solid
business corporation. No other response
BILE manufacturers of medicines have put
their remedies to such severe tests as to
warrant them to give satisfaction, or re-
fund the money paid for them. "Golden
Medical Discovery" cures oliver com
plant" or billiousness, Indigestion and
dyspepsia, all humors or blood taints,
skin diseases, sc rofuous sores and tumors
and pulmonary consumption (Which Is
only scrofula Of the lungs) if taken in
time aud given fair trial. Chronic ca
tarrh in the head, bronchitis and throat
diseases, are also cured by this most won
derfnl blood-purifer and invigoratlng
tonic