davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-10-25
THE RUSSIAN CAPITAL.
The City Gear Peter Built on the Deadly
Marshes of the Neva.

The City Gear Peter Built on the Deadly
Marshes of the Neva.
There was q sublime ruthlessness
about the Gar Peter which reminds
us at every step of the operation
of the forces of nature. What rocked
he how many of 10000 serfs, whom he
impressed every year to build his city,
persisted in the marshp AS little as
the earthquake which engulfs a city or
the typhOOn which desOlates province.
He was an elemental force embodied in
human form-and what force! No
one can properly appreciate the colos-
sal energy of the man until he has had
some acquaintance with the unconquer-
able inertia of the people whom Peter
set himself to force into step with ma
tons hundreds of years in advance of
Muscovy. Even to this day his coun-
trymen have not quite made up their
minds whether he was a fiend or an
archangel, antichrist, or new ava
tar. But surely in all history there are
few more pathetically tragic spectacles
than this tremendous battle with mud
giants on the part of this modern
Thor, struggle constantly re-
newed by his unconquerable. will,
but constantly thwarted by that stu
pidity against which the gods them
selves contend in vain. suppose Mr..
Auberon Herbert would see in the
story of Peters heroic attempt to
knout a nation into reform a telling
object lesson as to the faulty of all
efforts to force the pace of nature. But
Peter himself, with his fiery energy
and unconquerable will, was at least
as fundamental a piece of nature as
the sluggishness and superstition with
which he waged so sore a war. 1t is
true he failed in much, and many
things have not turned out as he
hoped. Even St. Petersburg is now
admitted to occupy by no means the
most desirable site n the Russian sea-
board. The mortality among the levies
whose labor built the city was great,
but the number who perish by the un-
healthiness Of the site year after year.
even to this day, is still more appall-
ing. The death rate of st. Petersburg
is nearly double that of London, and,
even if all allowance is made for the
difference of sanitary science, the NOR
tality due to the site selected by Peter
can hardly be less than 10 per 1000
per annum. AS the population OF the
capital is 100000, this is equivalent to
an annual hecatomb of $500 victims
sacrificed to the names of the Desp0t-
Reformer.-C ontensporory Reviesp
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-10-25
AN article in the NORTH China Her

An article in the NORTH China Her.
aid upon Chinese benevolence, shows
that it is very generally practiced.
Whenever great floods or famines oc-
cur great soup kitchens are estab-
lished. There are societies to pro-
vide collins for those who can not buy
them, for gathering human bones
which have become exposed and CIV
ing them suitable burial, for distrlo-
uting plasters and drugs, and for pre-
senting virtue books"
The British Consul at Bussorah.
on the Persian Gulf, states that since
the cultivation of date and wheat has
been substituted for that of rice, a re-
markable improvement has taken
place in the climate of the country
around Bussorah. He says that "the
malarious fever, to which Bussoran
gave it's name, is now comparatively
rare; and sallow compilations and worn
looks, which several years ago were
universal, are now no longer seen'
The northwest wind, which prevails III
the hot weather, instead OF Delng
moist and clammy, as it used to be- Is
now dry and hot"
Queen Louisa of Denmark, who Is
called the ''mOther-in-law OF nan
Europe" has remarkable gifts OF las
cination and diplomacy. and mas
brought up her children we'll, having
personally attended to the education u
her daughters, the Princess OF "ales
and the Czarina of Russia She is salu
to have a great influence over nor
sons-in-law. She has steadily set ne.-
self in the direction of peace, ana -
said to be one of the ssmost success1ui
peace-makers of our generation.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-10-25
ROUND ABOUT WATERLOO.

Reminiscent View of the Famous Old Bat
tle-Field.
Waterloo and the villages near by
must have increased three or four fold
since the Hundred Days. Progress
shows her portrait in divers adver-
tisements of sewing machines and
patent fuel and infallible pills, and
what not. stuck up on walls or mold
ering boarding. You have left the
town behind you. and an awful stretch
of rough paving that has wrung your
ankles most horribly. The white
clouds are sailing in the blue sky.
The cornfowers nod their blue heads
upon the bank. The tall ears of the
wheat bend and mes tie before the fresh
breeze blowing over from distant
Hougoumont. Luckily you can boast
doing your five miles an hour, and so
can soon outstrip the worrying crew
of photo sellers that try to follow
yelping and bawling at your heels.
Now you are up on the top of the hill
again and can look down upon the
field. See to the left the modest house
behind the light gate whore Petit
Caporal slept the sleep of the unjust
the night before the great battle.
The peasants brought some bundles of
straw and chair to the knoll nigh by
(the butte de Rossomme), and there
he sat coming the maps and question
ing the old farmer who stood by him
nightcap in hand. Well! well! the
fight was fought and won; and the
dead sleep beneath the field and the
wheat grows just the same-only. per-
chance little richer than it did a
hundred years ago.
A pretty land. too, by the way, is
this land of Brabant. Now and again
red tile roofs are to be seen amid the
somber slate. In the chill months
teams of sturdy oxen pillow the curry
ing slopes. Yellow-haired, close
cropped little ones play in the cottage
doors. And when the evening shadows
lengthen, the Angelus comes stealing
over the still fields, and the rough
laborer lays down his spade. and, cap
in hand, listens to the music with a
half-murmured prayer upon his lips.
It is evening now at last as you make
your way down the hill into old Gen.
appe. In the long street the children
are playing. AS you halt a moment
to look at the quaint little shrine out
side the church. the balmy fumes of
incense float through the half-opened
door. ave Maria gratia." the simple
folk are singing within. You picture
to yourself that day when Uxbridge's
men charged down the hill and pistol
shots and saber points even splintered
the lattice of the humble homes by the
roadside. En- bien! that is a long time
ago. Now the country is quiet enough,
and the children are playing in the
street. But yet mushroom growth
of star forts is rising on the frontier,
and the rattle of wheels and tumbrils
is heard ever, where on the roads.
And who can tell what the future may
bring forth?-St. James Gazette.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-10-25

tective. said. in tone of cool villainy:
Il have played my game and l have
lost. 1 wish you JOY of your victory"
Then pointing to the PROSTATE fig
ure of Hortense. he smiled sardonical-
ly, and left the room with the we'll
bred ease so characteristic of the true
aristocrat and head waiter.--N. Y.
Evening Sun.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-10-25
IN CASE OF SNAKE-BI
Measures to BE Taken When No Helm

Measures to Be Taken When No Help Is
Near.
/ am often asked what l would do if
bitten while far from help. If the
wound be at the tip of a finger,
should like to get rid of the part by
some such prompt auto-surgical means
as knife or a possible hot iron af-
fords. Failing these, or while seeking
help. it is wise to quarantine the
poison by two ligatures drawn high
enough TO stop all circulation. The
heart weakness is made worse by
emotion. and at this time a man NAV
need stimulus to enable him to walk
home. AS soon as possible some one
should thoroughly inf trate the seat
OF the bite with permanganate or other
agents. By working and kneading the
tissues the venom and the antidote
may be made to come into contact
and the former be so far DESTROYED.
At this time it becomes need .ul to re-
lax the ligatures to escape gangrene
This relaxation of course let's soma
venom into the bloodhound, but in a
lew moments is is possible again to
tighten the iigatures, and again to in
]e4t the local antidote. If the dose Of
venom be large and the distance from
nelp great, except the knife or cautery
little is to be done that is of value.
But 1t is well to bear in mind that in
This country bite in the extrem;t;os
rarely causes death. | have known
OF nine dogs having been bitten by as
many snakes and of these dogs but two
died. In India there would have
oeen probably nine dead dogs.-Dr. S.
Weir Mitchell, in The Century.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-10-25

"A well-know1 travelling theatrical
manager has implicit faith in the be-
lleI That II deadhead is the first per-
son to enter a theater it will bring bad
LUCK While on the road recently two
young ladies holding complimentary
'lckets were the first to present them
selves at the theater when the doors
were opened. The managers brow
lowered when he saw the paper, and
20 the amazement of the ladies' he
requested them to wait in the lobby
until some tickets had been sold at the
box-offioe.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-10-25
VERY OLD CUSTOMS.
Origin and Significance of Modern Forms
of SALVATION.

Origin and Significance of Modern Forms
of Salutation.
Most modern forms of salutation
and civility are derived from chivalry,
or at least from war, and they all be-
token some difference. as from a con-
quered person to the conquered, just
as in private life we still continue to
sign ourselves the Every humble SER
wants" of our correspondent. The I'M
covered head was simply the head I'M
armed, the helmet being removed; the
party was at mercy. So the hand I'M
gloved was the hand ungauntleted.
and at the present time it is an inciv-
ility to shake hands with gloves on.
Shaking hands itself was but token
of truce, in which the parties took
hold each of the others weapon-hand
to make sure against treachery. So
also a gentleman's bow is but an offer
of the neck to the stroke of the adver-
sary; so the lady's courtesy is but the
form of going on her knees for mercy.
The general principle is marked, as it
ought naturally to be-, still more
strongly in the case of military Sd
lutes.
Why is discharge of guns salute?
Because it leaves the guns empty and
at the mercy of the opponent. And
this is so true that the saluting with
blank cartridge is modern invention
Formerly salutes were fired by dis.
charging the cannon balls, and there
have been instances in which the com.
pliment has been nearly fatal to the
visitor whom it meant to honor. When
the officer salutes he points the drawn
sword to the ground, and the salute OF
the trooper is even at this day called
presenting arms"-that is, present
Ing them to be taksn.-Troy Times.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-10-25
A Frank Exnlan.tto.

mr.. Dashaway," said one of the real lady
ooarders, as she polished her plate with her
NAPKIN, II hope you will pardon me for mon.
uoning it, but we ladies have been remarL;no
~ laee tnat you never appear at the table
Twice wearing the same necktie.
Inc tact Il, madam" said Dashawav es
ne glanced grimly at Mrs Slimdiet the isnd
lady, II must have some variety. m-1goth;er
and Furnisher. o'nie'
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-10-25
Ground Floor Prices.

now much are strawberriesn she wear;lz
asked woodward avenue grocer.
Ten cents, ma'am."
Isn't that highr'
higher" '<''" W gu
do you think sog"
why, certainly. If Austria and Rnss;a
~ :" war, as now seems probable, strawber
RES VIII jump to fifty cents a quart in no
time" Al uo
ies, spose so, and 'spose Charles will
agree that ought to buy now Won nav
give me pint detroit Free Press
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-10-25

what do they do when they in
stall a mlnIster?" inquired a small
boy; do they put him in a stall and
iced hlm?" mot always" said his
ia1ner; sometimes they harness him
70 Inc church and expect him to draw
it alone"
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-10-25
A Fellow ree,,r-

King Milan is fearfully short Of morev
snd utterly without credit" When Broke,
icy read this he thrust both hands into HE
pockets up to the wrist, and exclaimed melo
o. q. .amatlcally; Now know what it is to f.,
IKE kingl"-Niegende Blaetter.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-10-25
-..Accept nv hand, Augusta. :" And

Accept my hand, Augusta. And
the maiden looked at the hand, which
was something smaller than the aver.
age-sized salt-fish, hesitated a moment
and then said sweetly: 'sIsn't there
discount something off, where you
take so large an order. Boston
Transcript.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-10-25
A Complete Set Of FOrefathers Put Up at
Auction in London.


A Complete Set Of Forefathers Put Up at
Auction In London.
81 went one day into the store of Ag-
new, the famous picture dealer, and
Ound there the whole portrait gallery
OF one OF the Oldest families in England.
The founder was ennobled centuries
ago for distinguished services as a sol.
der, and there was his portrait and
those of the Earls and Countesses and
Lords, and ladies, many of the former
famous in arms and craftsmanship, and
the latter as beauties in their time.
down to the present holder of the title.
1t was the most brilliant opportunity
ever offered for suddenly rich
man, who was in doubt as to the iden.
tity OF his grandfather, to buy ready
made ancestry of the purest blood.
The most curious development of this
unique exhibition was that the DO
traits OF the ladies were valued at from
ten to twenty times more than those of
the men. While the Cabinet Minister
OF Lord High Admiral was priced at
say $1,000, his wife, if by Sir Joshua
Reynolds or Gainsborough, might be
valued at $4,000. go
'SOme of these ancestors had served
as Admiral against the Spanish Ar
NADIA, as Generals under Marlborough,
and as gallant officers at Waterloo,
and the ladies had stood high in the
favor of Queen Elizabeth, and been
famous favOrites at the court of Queen
Anne. They were all arrayed in the
costumes of their several periods,
which best showed their rank and i'm
portance, and died in the belief that
they would forever hold their places
in the family gallery which would be
continued until the end of time. It
wildly recalled that incident in one Of
Gilbert & Sullivan's operas where the
recent purchaser Of an estate, pointing
to a collection of old tombstones and
monuments. says: These are my an
cestors, l paid for them The one
subject which an American, If he IL
wise. never starts on the other side Is
the question of ancestry. The nobility
Of all the countries of Europe reckons
any family parvenu which had not
worn spurs, crests and title before our
American revolution, and whether we
are of yesterday or earlier does not In
terest them. This sentiment has its
compensations, because an American
man or woman il valued at his or her
own merit, and not on account Of the
distinction of some remote ancestors. =
Tho absurdity Of apply ing'tAe title
'.Aister" to al sorts Of men, On al
ports Of occasions. Il well illustrated
. recent issue d 6outhweotorn
paper. In which It was declared that
The late Mr.. Hank Brown was Aau8od
yeeeerday Ia tho presenco e : laxeo
40 intersetea and =
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-10-25

Mother-Dar. now. done tole you not to
play wild dem white childeua Dey lick all
de- lasses of yer bread and den call yer mig
geri-Texas SiftipRae
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-10-25
WIT AND WISDOM.

The desire of appearing to be wise
often prevents our becoming so.
Zen people say that a thing ought
TO be done where one will propose to do
it
Good things have to be engraved
On the memory; bad ones stick there o.
themselves
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-10-25
STRENGTH OF ROPES,
Result of Experiments Made by q Frencl
Scientist.

scientist.
The quality of the workmanship.
strength, extensibility and elasticity OF
round and fiat ropes of hemp and aloe,
md of iron and steel wire, have been
experimentally investigated by A. Du-
boul, and the results of his experiments
published in the Bulletin de la Sosiete
Encouragement des Arts, Paris. In
his experiments Mr.. DubOul used a.
horizontal hydraulic press and a weigh
ing apparatus consisting of steelyard
and sliding weight, by which tension
of from one to 10000 pounds could be
recorded. For higher pressure gauge
on the body of the press was used.
Specimens were fastened by winding
each end on grooved pulley of special
construction. The usual length of spec
linens for testing was thirteen feet.
The results of all the tests gave for
the average tensile strengths of ropes
the following:
Lbs per So. inch.
Tnrred he mp. ...........-........ 7,7U to s.4O0
Wnite manila. ........... ....... 9,SUO TO 1850
Flat att Jared hemn or manila " $50 to San San
A factor of safety of 4, or even in
some cases, is considered safe ropes.
A rope of unannealed wire has an
ultimate tensile strength of about
$4,000 pounds per square inch of Sec
ton of metal; when annealed the ulti-
mate strength is reduced to about
$4,000 pounds, but the elongation is
nearly doubled, being II to Is per
cent. in annealed wire. The best wire
ropes for mining purposes have a
much higher tensile strength. An
other writer ON the same subject says
that the tensile strength of wet rope
is only one-third that of the same rope
when dry, and that rope saturated
with soap or grease is still weaker
Mechanical Nescs.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-10-25

II positively refuse"
''Enoughr'
The lady stretches forward her
dainty jeweled hand and touches a
golden bell. A stately butler enters
with noiseless tread.
johnson. tell Mr.. Simpson / will
see him here at once"
The butler disappears and in the
next moment ushers in Theophilus v.
Simpson, the famous detective. He
bows politely to Mr.. and Mrs. Mont.
morenci and stands waiting in silence
you have followed my instruc-
tionsr" inquired Hortense, eagerly. Of
the detective. >:
have. madam"
And you succeeded"
II did"
"And his businessP" she asks. rising
part way from her golden Louis XIV.
chair in her increasing excitement.
There is dreadful pause, and a 81
lence SO intense that it seems to 81
the room to suffocation and be irwin,
to burst the limits of the walls and "a
cape into the world at large. Thi,
lasted fully thirty seconds; then the
detective leans forward, and in q voice
trembling with the intensity of hi,
emotion. says in q hoarse whisper:
he Is the head waiter in q Conev
Island hotel"
with the smothered shrek Of 3
st'nea maniac Hortense fell prone
upon the Assyrian carpet.
Herbert arose quietly. calmly light.
60 2 clgHrette- and. TURNING to the da-
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-06-06
srsSsrs Axp srwsKs.
An overhead Crossing at Lnncnst'
Avenuc-O Diner Basinesns

An overhead Crossing at Lancaster
Avsnuc-Oihrr Basinesn.
The directors OF the Street and sewer
department met 10 special session las nigl .
week. The secretary was instructed to
notify tho Baltimore 4 Ohio railroad that
the department Intended TO improve Lsn'
caster avenue In order to allow the extern
sion OF the Front q Union street railway,
aud directing the company to make ar
rangemants for placing an overhead GROSS
ing at that point.
The chief engineer was instructed to
make survey OF the route OF the pro-
posed intercapting sewer along the Bran
DIVINE.
The contract for printing the annual
reports OF the department was awarded
to J. Miller Thomas, 800 copies Of each,
at 81. 40 per page.
The Wilmington Goal Gas Company
was directed 60 proceed 10 change oil
lamps to gas lamps as per the list fur.
nishsd BY the directors.
A. j. Hart, who owns the old Norris
property at Eighth and Broome streets,
was directed to have his stable removed
from the bed of the street in order TO
make room for the new Eighth street rail-
way.
On MIR. Gawthrop's motion. Q clause
was added 10 the annual report that
$2S, 900 Of the departments funds were
diverted 10 the public lighting and pay
ing salaries mot contemplated by the
original bill,
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-06-06

City Councilman Erwin o. Moore, who
has been member OF Conncii FOR eight
years and ten months, hsv'ng bseu tisst
elected in September lsSt, viii retire
this year, having declined reelection.
Ihursday was also the 59th anuiv rssry
of his bitth, and in CONTAMINATION VI
this svent and also OF his retirement from
City Council, he that night sutertained
his fellow. members, city officers aud press
representatives with Az excellent eapper
at W. g. Farrhs ice cream pArlOr8. Presi
deht OF Couucii Farra on behalf OF the
guests, warmly thanked the host FOR hi
klndness hul referred to the pieasant 70
lations existing between Mr. Moore aud
his otficial colleagues Mayor harrington
responded to the tnast, "Tde city Gov.
srnment, Councilman Wiliinm H. Quinn
to The City C5anoit, 2 AMI George ".
Roberts Of tbs Bgrni3lq Nsus to The
Press" OoGnoilren Mc0oDigal aud
NeGAi also compimanted Mir. Moore
and wished him success IA LIE. The oc-
oaaion vas a very plessaut one to I'll
present. Mr. Moore has been appointed
superintendent Of the Diamond Aiatch
Compsny's works in this o5ty.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-06-06
THE NEW PHDDLHss, ptl1.
Ths Document which is she sub,.,

The Document Which il the subject
OF AnteseAttug Comment kts
Salient Points Given.
The new law 10 regulate peddline in
the State Of Delaware pHssed at the re-
cent session OF the Legislature comprises
the following eRlient ppinta: First de-
zines peddler as any person who carries
pack, drives wagon or in any other
way carries goods from which sueh mer-
cnandizs is retaiied shall be called ped.
der in the meaning of this law.
The license for one man to carry n pack
ON bis back Tin any part OF the State)
from which PACK goods are retailed is
YOU. From wagon with either one OF
two horses 500, and $50 for each addi-
tional horse.
The license to peddle olooks watches,
coifess or teas, $50 in addition to the
above licenses when carried by man or
In vehicle.
Each license shall be numbered con-
Beoutively from one up In figures not loss
taan three inches in length. such license
TO be displayed on pack, wagon, cart, or
vehicle.
Any person holding such license is
obliged to exhtbit IL to any person asking
70 see the same.
Any person who shall be found ped
ding articles without license shall, on
eonyietion, be faed $500, ona half the
hne to go the State and the other half to
The person Informing.
4 All petBons obtaining peddlars' license
unjust furnish bonds in $500 each.
Any person peddling goods raised,
grown, or manufactured in this State by
the person offering same for sale, ia ex-
smpt from the above psddlsra' license
Law.
The sale Of fish and oysters in any part
of the State is also exempt from this law.
Nor does the law affect wholesalers who
sell goods TO stores. It forbids the ped
ding OF drugs or medicines.
The term retailer Is not defined in the
bill, the common and accepted under
standing among business men Of such
term being one who sells goods direct TO
the customer.
The ''ilra sale" law was passed by the
Legislature at the same time as the ped
dleRs' license law.