davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
Testing Diamontls.

1t doesn't require an expert to tell
whether diamond is genuine or not
The test is very simple, and can be made
in any place and in moment AN you
need is piece of paper and lead pen
Gil With the latter make small dot
on the paper, then look at it through the
diamond If you can see but one dot
you can depend upon it tina: the stone is
genuine, but if the mark is scattered. or
sh-ws more than one. you will be per
fectly safe in refusing to pay ten cents
for stone that may be offered you
at $500 blue stone may be tested BY
a bath in alcohol Many yel!sw stones
are made blue by an application of
anaIine. and this is overcome by the
alcohol st Louis Globe Democrat
Surprised Clergyman.
The following incident il related on the
authority of W [. Bright. NJ. p: Mr.
Bright went into an agricultural district
one day and he had to walk fromthesta-
ton long way into the village On the
way clergyman who was driving in
dog cart came up to him and the two
men passed the time of day The cier-
gyman offered to drive Mr. Bright into
the village. and Mr.. Bright accepted the
offer The clergyman was Tory and
he had been reading a speech Mr.. Bright
had made the previous night. and turn
ing to Mr. Bright he said: Have you seen
the papers to-day. sir7
ayes. said Mr. Bright What's in
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
Not So Prosperous. After All.

At religious convention held in a western
town each minister was required to give an
account of the condition of his charge, and if
prospering receive congratulation, or, if not,
to receive advice and encouragement, with
perhaps aid.
In his turn arose very deliberate speaker
and reported that his congregation twas
lookin' up" Before he could add another
remark the next delegate in order was called
for his report, and SO on until all were heard
from. Then came the chairman's remarks tc
each delegate. When he came to the afore
said deliberate speaker he said he must con
graduate his brother from the far west upon
his being able to report that his congregation
was Cooking up" whereupon the deliberate
speaker arose and said that he should prob
ably have added that, as they were flat on
their backs, it was the only way they could
look. "-Philadelphia Press.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
What He Would Have Said.

A certain lady in Paris gives periodical
dinners, at which assemble most of the
best known wits and literati of the day
The rule of the mansion is that while
one person discourses no interruption
whatever can be permitted 1t is said
that nj. Renan once attended one of these
dinners, and. being in excellent vein,
talked without break during the whole
repast. Toward the end of the dinner a
guest was heard to commences sentence,
but he was instantly silenced by the
hostess. After they had left the table,
however, she at once informed the ex-
tinguished individual that, as NJ Renan
had now finished his conversation. she
would gladly hear what he had to say.
The guest modestly declined; the hostess
insisted. Il am certain it was some
thing of consequence" she said ALAS
madame" he answered. lit was. indeed:
but now it is too late. should have
liked little more of that iced pudding. "
San Francisco Argonaut
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
Not Real Live Frogs.

A good story is told concerning the
proprietor of the Hotel Bellevue and one
of the well known wits of the Clover
club. 1t appears that some time ago a
private dinner was ordered in the hotel
at which frogs legs la poulet was to
form an important course. On the day
of the dinner, by some piece of i'll luck,
it was found that the supply of frogs had
failed, and the question of where to OBJ
tain any more became an important one.
In this emergency, as the proprietor of
the hotel was bewailing his hard fare.
our Clover club friend approached and
asked what was the matter. He was
told the sad state of affairs.
"Ohr' said he, sweetly, ''if you want
frogs. that's all right have two dozen
large ones in the fountain on my place in
Germantown. You can have them if you
like. Send your man out now and I'll
give him note to my gardener" The
offer was accepted with ELUSIVE thanks
The man was duly called, given the note
and dispatched for the frogs, and both
proprietor and guest wished him god
speed.
In about two hours he returned, and
his face wore sort of puzzled express
sion. "Have you got the frogs?" said his
master. No, sor," said the faithful SER
want.
Weren't there any there?" inquired
the Clover club man, meekly. "Shure
there was. sor." said the other, ''but, sor,
they were iron frogs" How very stupid
of me not to have mentioned the fact be-
FORE" remarked the wicked joker as he
departed from the hotel Philadelphia
Times
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
A New Aliment from Wheat

According to LIE Genie Civil, DR.. Du-
jardin-Beaumetz recently exhibited at
the Paris Academy of Medicine a new
alirnentary substance - 'fromentine'-
which is obtained from wheat by the aid
of special millstones. Fromentine is the
embryo of wheat reduced to flour and
deprived Of the oil which i. contains.
The substance contains three times more
heterogeneous substance than meat, and a
strong proportion of sugar Thus, the
amount of nitrogenous matter in it is 81
per cent, while that of the richest meat,
mutton. is but 81 per cent, and the pro-
portion of digestible substance reaches
81 per cent. Of the total weight. Hence
it would appear that it might advan-
tageously replace powdered meat as
concentrated food. 1t can be used for
making soups, and even for making bis
cults, the taste of which would not be
disagreeable.
The wheat germs employed are a by.
product in the Schwietzer process OF
manufacturing flour which can be kept
for long time without detericTating.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
Burned at the Stake.

What little way we are, after all,
from the dark ages! How many of my
readers are aware that it is only 10C
years this month since the last criminal
was burned at the stake in London-and
that criminal woman2 Here is the ac-
count of that event which correspon.
dent has sent me: ION the 18th of
March, 1885, nine wretches were ex-
ecuted at Newgate-four for burglary.
one for theft and three men and one
woman for coming After the men
were turned off, as the phrase went
the wretched woman was brought out
tied to stake. and burned to ashes,
after the form Of strangling her had
been gone through by removing the
stool wherein she stood and so throwing
her weight on the cord which bound her
throat to the stake. Christian Murphy
was tso far as | can discovery the last
woman burned alive in London though
possibly later victim may have been
executed in some country town. Lon
don Truth.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
Their Mother.

my boy sat looking straight into the Goals.
from his stool at my feet one day,
And the freight FURNISHED the curly head.
And painted the cheeks with dash of red.
And frightened his very eyes, as he said,
In a most confidential way:
Mamma, think, when I'm growu-up man.
shall have just two little boys"
smiled, he was six. but he did not see
And said: YES how nice that win be-,
But II one were a girl, it seems to me.
1t would add to your household joys."
well, yes" refectively. that would be nice,
And III tell you just what I'll do;
III name one Robbie, for me, you know"
Inen the bright eyes shone with deeper glow,
AND there's just the two Of us now. and SO
III name the girl. Annie. for you"
But how would their mother like thar9" asked
DO you think that she would agree
For us both to have names while she had noues"
With the mystiied, puzzled look of one
Wholly befogged, said my logical son,
Their mother! Why, who is she?'
Good Housekeeping.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
Surprised Young Ladies'.

Miss Celia Childs. of Seattle. was sur
prised, to say the least, when somebody
dashed bucket of cold water in hel
face as she was standing in drug store
A hanging cigar lighter had touched off
the inhammable forest of millinery sur
mounting her bonnet. and an excited
clerk adopted that mode of extinguish
ing her
One of the most accomplished young
ladies of Selma. Ala, was hailed on the
street by bystander. who very politely
knocked a rat off her hustle, where il
was enjoying delightful ride. AS the
varmint struck the ground and the lady
saw that it was actually live rat, she
had a lively foot race for some distance
washington Avalanche.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
MIR. Vanderbilt Got In.

A good story is told about one Of the Maine
Central engineers. Last summer, when the
Vanderbilt car was at Bar Harbor, the
manager Of the Maine Central sent an engine
down there to take the car to Portland The
run was made in very quick time. and at
Brunswick the train stopped to take on water.
While there Mr. Vanderbilt got out and said
to the engineer that he didn't want him to
drive SO fast. The engineer the veteran
Simpson, looked at him a quarter of a min
ute, and then said: 81 am running this train
under orders from Payson Tucker to be in
Portland at :07. II you want to stop here
all right. If you want to go to Portland get
in He got in.-Bangor Commercial
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12

Tho smoke in Vaster volumes rollA
The fever tieud takes larger tolls,
And sin tiercer grip of sOais.
In London day by day
Still Bnggins buid OH swampy site.
And Eiffel houses block the light
And make town OF dreadful night
or London day by day
In fashion long and busy street
The outcast foreign harlots meet.
While Robert smiles upon his beat,
In London day by day
Still modest maiden cheeks are stung
With foulesi words from wanton's tongue
And oaths yelled out with leatheru lung.
In London day by day
Wealth riots In mad excess.
While thousands, poor and penniless
Starve in the mighty wilderness
OF London day by day
Wrong proudly rears it's wicked head,
While Rights sad eyes with tears are red.
And sluggard Justice lies abed,
In London day by day
The liar triumphs, and the knave
Rides buOyant on the rolling wave
And Liberty makes many a slave
In London day by day
Yet Hope and Trust and Faith and Love
And Gods fair bowers from above,
Still find a branch, like Noah s dove
In London day by day
And onward still, though slow the pace.
PresSs pilgrims of our grand old race
Who seek The Right with firm set face.
And shed Truths light by Gods good grace
Ger London day by day
George T. Sims
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
tleu1T

them!
"'Why. that rascal John Bright has
been making another speech.
land what was it aboutT asked Mr.
Bright.
"sWhy, so-and-so and so-and-so. and
he went on to relate the Incidents of the
speech. They discussed the topic and
Mr. Bright said:
"'Well. it is Just possible that Mr.
Bright may have been right and that he
was only expressing his honest convic
tons. There may be something in it.
"'Oh. no. there can't be. said the irate
clergyman If | had him here I'd feel
just like shooting him.
Neither revealed his identity. but be-
fore they separated the clergyman in
vited Mr. Bright to go to his church next
morning, and Mr. Bright promised to
60 And he kept his word, as he always
did The clergyman took for his theme
Mr.. Bright's speech, and at the conclu
sion Mr.. Bright thanked him for his very
able sermon As he was going home to
dinner a friend of the clergyman met
him and said: You have been preaching
under distinguished patronage this morn
ing then.
"'No,' said the clergy man.
"'Oh, yes, you have, said the friend
You had John Bright among the con
gregation. You must have noticed him
in the front in the middle pew. know
him perfectly well. and l assure you it
was Mr.. Bright.
"'Why. said the clergyman. i drove
him to the village yesterday in my dog
cart and called him rascal and exc
Grated him in all the moods and lenses
and he never said word. He kept per-
fectly calm and cool | have insulted
him. ! must go and apologize at once. >"
st. James Gazette.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
STYLES in Shoes.

Button and lace shoes are not only
going out OF style. but out of use. The
only thing that can save the lace shoe
will be the invention of fastening
for the ends of the .laces which will do
away Will, the tie and at the same time
be popular. There have been several in
ventions of this kind. but none Of them
were practical The principal trouble
with the gaiter hitherto has been the
bad quality Of the rubber used in the
sides or cores. These are now being
made with new kind of rubber, in
vented by Connecticut man. called
''kelgum. 1t is made Of vegetable
oils, and is said TO be much more
durable than the rubber that has been
used. The gaiter is popular because
it can be put on and taken off SO
much more rapidly than the other
styles of shoe, and physicians recon-
mend its wearing because it does not
weaken the ankle as the lace and but
ton shoes do. st. Louis Globe Demo-
crat
"A Modest Request-rhey were
going home from the opera. and as she
had occupied the most prominent seat
in the box. carrying his $12 bouquet
and been seen by every one she knew
she was in most amiable mood.
Dear Charles" she said, softly. ''yOu
have been very kind tonight. Is there
any thing (nestling closer) that can
do for you before you go?" Yes.
Mabel" was his eager reply, as he
looked at her rosy lips. '.you can, il
you-you will, lend me ten cents to
pay my car fare home. "-Philsdelphis
Inquirer.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
The Wrong House.

He was keen, sharp looking young
man. and he said to tho lady of the
house on Second avenue as he stood in
the hall.
Madam, have called for the suit of
clothes which needs brushing and fix
ing"
"What suit?" she asked
"Your husbands Sunday suit. ma'am.
He called as he went down this morn,
ing"
"And he said l was to let you have
them?"
"Yes'm."
Ibid he appear in good health and
Spirits"
"Why. certainly"
Look and act natural?"
"Of course. Why do you ask"
because he has been dead eighteen
years. and have some curiosity on the
subject!'
81 have made mistake. perhapsr'
stammered the young man.
perhaps you have. The man you saw
20 out of here an hour ago is my brother
You may have better luck in the next
block with the old fashioned confidence
game. Good mornlng!'-Detroit Free
Press
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
Strange Animals.

1t cannot be denied that "a rose by any
other name would smell as sweet" but
certainly it would not be as available for
poetry if called by some pretentious. sci
entitic term Indeed, the names of sci
ence, when heard ty ears unfamiliar
with their meaning. have often a terrify-
ing sound
Two young men were studying. under
the microscope, the bacteria found in
ditch water. and one of them proposed
that they should take their work home
from the class room, after the usual hour
for remaining there One of them, who
lived with maiden aunt, said that he
was sure she would allow them to use her
dining room table. where they would
have plenty of light, and on arriving at
the house he made his request
"Why don't you look at your live
things at school, and leave them there?'
she inquired, with manifest distaste for
the whole subject.
Because we've found such beauties
today. we can't bear to stop looking"
said her nephew Let us have the ia
BILE, won't your"
"Ye-yes. you may have the table" was
the somewhat grudging response, and
the young men, wondering why auntie
was SO peculiar, set to work Presently
she appeared again, this time holding
her skirts gingerly about her ankles. that
they might not touch the floor
Boys" said she, taking a careful
glance in every direction. do be careful
of those things, won't your
''What, the BACTERIAL
Eyes. Don't let any of the creatures
get out, and hide about the room, 80
that you can't catch Them Youths
Companion.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
Ready In Ansxae.

'Camp meeting" John Allen WA
always ready with retort for friend
or foe, sometimes scathing, and al
ways humorous. After his CONVEX
sion. he met all old minister, who piled
him with very searching questions as
to the genuineness Of his experience
and the young man complained of the
severity Of tbs catechism.
IF the tree be we'll rooted. " said the
minister, lit will not be harmed if we
shake it.
But" said the convert, the Mas
ter said to his disciples, Feed nv
lambs, not Go and shake them"
At another time. when Mr.. Allen
was about to begin his sermon in q
new place. former pastor said to
him:
Are you long preachera"
Give feet seven inches, was the
immediate reply
At a meeting of ministers. Baptist
was invited to give his views on the
subject of Methodist economy, and at
once rose. saying that, although there
were many excellent things in Metho
dism, it seemed to him to have too
much machinery.
Mr.. Allen was on his feet in a mo
ment
THE Methodist church NAV have
more machinery than the Baptist, +" he
replied, but it doesn't require as much
water to run it.
A lawyer of opposite politics said to
him. about the same time Mr.. AL.
len, on which side are you going to
vote9 for shall vote against you
ION the right side" was the an
swer (which side is yours?"
One morning at Methodist camp
meeting young man arose, and said,
pompously:
81 do not believe in singing oh. to
be nothing | propose to be some
thing, and | want people to know it, ="
Brother Allen instantly rose. and
repeated the verses:
IF man thinks himself to be some.
thing when he is nothing, he deceiv-
eth himself. But let every man prove
his own work, and then shall he have
rejoicing in himself alone. and not in
another"
The question of ambition was not
discussed further that day.-Youth's
Companion.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
De,,cate treatment Of Constituents.

The other day western congressman came
into the senate restaurant With two constitu-
ents, good men, but little rustic in appear
ance and manners and unused to convention
alities and points of etiquette that are un-
known in Wayback. The restaurant was full
Of ladies and gentlemen As the congressman
seated himself he of course removed his hat.
A moment or two later he noticed that his
untutored friends had not removed their
hats. He hastily put his own hat back on his
head and wore it during the meal. Chester
field could not nave done anything finer than
that. Washington Post.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
The Most Valuable Metal.

"If gave you pound of metal and
ordered you to make the most out of it.
what kind of metal would you select"
asked well known jeweler Gold, of
course" was the prompt reply I'D
prefer pound Of steel" said the jew
eler, land I'd have it made into hair
springs for watches. pound of such
springs would sell for an even $40. 900. :"
buffalo Express
She Wants a Spring Suit.
The maiden has dotted her seal sacaue,
For the bright days Of spring have come bacoue
And she wants papa's cheque
Her person to decque
Il his funds will sustain the attacdue
Boston Courier
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12

In Ecuador it is understood the
the employer shall board the cooks
family. The case is similar in Amer
lea only l.. employer doesn't UNDER
stand it.-l>ake's Magazine
The last words of great men are
ail recorded in the books. but the last
words OF women, great and small,
nave always been too much for the
historians Journal OF Education
-Rescuer Ito man he has just 1T
DOWN The boys lynched yer, pnd
lett yer fur dead, did they? Well, how
40 yer feel now?" Half-hanged man
Quite unstrung. Boston Beacon.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
A Smart Boy.

"You see, my boy. that even the noble To-
connective, the rugged iron horse, seldom lasts
over thirty years, from being constant
smoker said wise father to his tempted
son. Eyes, dad" replied the boy, but it
don't seem to work that way with some of
the noble chimneys we have read of that
have stood it over three hundred years"
Readiness e. reply in young people is always
entertaining. Boston Globe
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
Practical PHILOSOPHY,

Al.-Say, why are you always treating
that Miss La Fattee to ice cream in winter2
Ed.-Because cold contracts, you know,
and | thought by applying it inside when
the weather was applying it outside, might,
perhaps, get her reduced SO as to put my arm
around her-Detroit Free Press
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
FINN in Philadelphia.

Omaha Boy-Did you have much fun last
Fourth of Julys
Philadelphia Boy-No: we're not allowed
% shoot fire crackers an things ON the Fourth
in Philadelphia.
you're not?'
s'No; and we can't blow horns or make any
noise on New Years eve, either.n
BY gum. What do they let you dor
We'll, they allow US to plant trees on Ar.
Dor day. n-Omaha Work.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
A Dangerous Undertaking.

Life Insurance Agent-Madam, our com.
pany has never failed to pay single claim,
and when you consider that one-sixth of our
holders die every year, you
Madam-So many -die Really, l can't
think OF taking policy; don't think it
would be safe.-Harper's Bazaar.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
A Safe Place.

Conductor OH the wrong train.
This ticket is for Montreal. We're going to
st. Louis.
Napoleon of Finance-Great heavensi How
di make such mistaken Ienlnle off No,
go On. Its all right. I'll never be suspected
OF leaving Chicago to go to St LouiS-Chi-
cago Herald
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12

Tramp pfteously )-Please helpa poor Grip
pie.
Kind Old Gent (handing him some money
Bless me, why, of course How are you
crippled, my poor fellows
Tramp pocketing the money)-Financially
crippled, sir-New York Sun.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12

Mr.. Weepleigh twho has come around the
corner unexpectedly,-Good moring, Uncle
Philip!
uncle Philip-Good mornin', squire; good
mornin, sah' war jist comm up to yo'
mouse Ter ter warn yer dat dey's new family
90 coons moved in ODER on d. hill, an dey q
nDie Ter be fond ob chick'ns. How's 20
Legnorns gittin' long. saha-Judge.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
Age of Parents and Vitality of Children

Age of Parents and Vitality of Children.
MIR. J. Korosi, director of the Hunga-
rian bureau of statistics. recently read "A
memoir before the Hungarian Academy
of Sciences upon the Influence of the
Age of Parents Upon the Vitality of
Children" and in which, taking "a .OOO
cases as basis, he reaches the following
conclusions:
Children whose father is less than %
years of age have weak constitution
The issue of fathers of between % and
40 years are the strongest. while the de
scendants of fathers of over 40 years are
weak. The heaIthiest children are those
whose mother has not yet reached 81
years Those born of mothers of be.
tween 81 and 40 years of age are pei
cent. weaker. and those of mothers OF
over 40 are 10 per cent. weaker The
children of aged fathers and younger
mothers have, as a general thing, a
strong constitution; but if the parents
are of the same age, the children are
less robust. Revue Scientifique
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12

Book Agent-How do you do, madimi
Will your dog bite!
Madam-Waal, l reckon he will
Book Agent-Would you have the good
ness to speak to hims
Madam Certainly. Sick IN, Tige, sick m
-Harper's Bazaar.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
Misery Ahead.

Now daily milder grows our Cline,
The fields in green are dressed;
Springs here, forerunner Of tho time,
When flies become pest.
Boston Courier.