davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-09-28

hibiton of their method Of descending by a
rope thrown about the waist, their down
ward velocity regulated by a rope held in the
hands They also unanswered the English
fire engines to demonstrate their lightness
and facility OF movement.
After the maneuvers the captains were in
vited to President Carnot's platform and
decorations and medals were bestowed The
political reporters did not fail to note that M
Grabezensky, representing Russia, received
marked attentions, and when he came to the
front the people shouted, "Vive la Russie ~
Maj Heath, commanding the English fire
men, also received many compliments on the
life saving apparatus and general efficiency
Of his corps.
1t is to be regretted that tho Partisan pa
pers say no more Of the American flremen
than to merely mention their presence, as
there is deep seated impression ION this
side" that America rather leads the world in
that line. Indeed, one Of the first things a
stranger generally hears In new city is that
they 'have an unusually good fire depart
ment." But in American cities the buildings
are so much higher, as a rule than in Eu-
rope that totally different methods Of life
saving must be adopted, OF course the rope
fire escapes now required by law for hotels
in many states, and the upright escapes
anchored into the walls, are excellent, but
they require some presence Of mind in the
one who is TO use Them and, unfortunately,
three persons out Of four 60 wild rs soon az
the house they are in takes fire
For these and many other reasons heroic
acts Of life saving have abounded in all the
annals Of American Hremen, especially in
New York city. The exploit of James r.
Mount March II, 1852, on the Bowery, was q
famous subject of talk for years. He reached
the third story Of paint and paper store
over burning stairs and rescued two nersons
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-09-28

"able remarks. - after which they gave three
days TO demonstrating what they couiu uo'
and closed the proceedings with the usual ex-
cursions and banquets.
The gathering of spectators was immense
and the Parisians were much impressed Inc
visitors, on tho other hand, admitted sur
prise at the serious, solemn ways OF the
French firemen, especially at the custom OF
calling the names Of those who died in ac-
tom When their names are sounded at the
regular roll call some one responds, Died at
the firer'-"Mort au feuln The various uni
forms of the foreign iremen made the review
n scene Of great interest. There were present
Portuguese, English, Luxembourgers, Hun
earians, Italians, Russians, Americans and
some others
The English delegation attracted special
attention because it contained company OF
"firewomen" from Manchester, that is, wo-
men devoted to the life saving department OF
the work. They were young, agile and
dressed In what would once have been called
the "Bloomer" costume. They gave elabo-
rate expositions Of the best methods OF rescu-
ing women from the upper stories Of burning
buildings. BY one method cord is dropped
from the window (all hotels are now sup
posed to keep them and by 1t a long, stout
sack-a tube Of stout sacking rather-is
drawn up and fastened, the lower end Is held
out by the flremen and the rescued woman
slides gently but rapidly to the ground. This
when no fireman can reach the window In
case it is accessible however, other methods
are practicable. A British fireman exhib-
tied the plan Of going down ropes with
woman hanging on to him in style that de-
lighted Paris.
For the free-for-all final trial IN immense
scaffold was erected before the official stand
Of President Carnot, the scaffold or open
frame representing a six story building;
then, at the fire signal the firemen OF the
different nations represented their methods
of removing the inmates and saving the
building. BY the universal voice the palm
was awarded to the English in all particu-
lars. The English women then gave All ex-
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-09-28
M. N. ARMSTRONG,

NJ N. ARMSTRONG,
Attorney at LdU. -
AIOrICE.-EsTATR OF ARTHUR j: JOHNSON. u
N Cx.sHp-Noticei Is hereby given that the under
Signed Administrator with the will annexed. OF tne
estate OF Arthur j. Johnson late OF the county OF u
sails and state of Illinois, deceased, will appear Deiore
the Probate Court Of said county on the third Monasy
being the 18th day. Of November 1883 at the froos.e
Conrr Room in Ottawa in said county, when and wnere
ali persons having claims demands against saa estne
are notified attend and present the same ID ~r'ns
Dated this 9th day Of September; A. D. i SyS
septli-Sw Auhnnseo-.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-09-28

The average white man who lives TO be 20
years old has spent over year of his life in
shaving and two more on top of that in get
ting his hair cut This Is where the Indian is
long way ahead. He hasn't any whiskers,
and lets the coyotes chaw his hair off when it
gets down 10 his tomahawk handle.-Detroit
Free Press
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-09-28

IREMEN'S week
at the Paris exposi-
ton was ind G e d
IA great week, and
nearly all the civil
lied world was rep
resented - "ev en-
America included, "
says ILLUSTRATION,
rs II il we're a sur
prise for Americans
to get there. The
international fire.
mems congress paid
their first respects,
Of course, 10 Presi-
dent Carnot, and
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-09-28
George 8. Merrill.

The accompany
ing portrait o +
George S. Merrill,
of Massachusetts,,
who has been men
toned for the office
of United States
pension agent, ! S
from a recent pho
tograph. As will
be seen, he is a fine,
soldierly 10 ok ing
man Of mature age.
Mr.. Merrill b a 6
been a Grand Army
man from the be-
,~S-n;pn ~ tho pr.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-09-28

ARCHBISHOP RYAN BISHOP FEEHAN.
Ex-Gov. CARROLL. CARDINAL rASCHEREAU.
The attendance at the congress will be very
large. Any Catholic organization that can
gain the appreciation of the bishop of the do
cese in which it exists can send delegates, and
most Of them are taking advantage Of it,
In the making up Of the permanent officers
of the congress the archbishop and the bishop
are each allowed to name vice president
It is now very certain that the congress will
become a permanent body, with the control
Of its offices largely in the hands Of iaymen,
as in Europe, and 1t is the hope Of those who
are starting it that it may eventually be able
to cover wide and useful field Marking as
it does practically the centennial Of Catho-
licity in America, or at least in the United
States, this particular meeting has an histor-
ical interest for US just now when we are
scarcely through with thinking over past in
cidents Of history as drawn out by the CEN
tennial of Washington's inauguration.
One hundred years ago, when Bishop Car
roll was raised to the purple there were but
a handful of Catholics In the United States.
There are about twice as many Catholic ne
groes alone-some 150,000-in the United
States now as there were Catholics Of all ma
tionalities and races in this country in 17S9.
The Catholic population Of the United States
is generally rated at 100000 Besides there
are l cardinal, 10 archbishops, Il bishops and
| 5000 priests, So it will be noted that the
congress that will represent this great organ
ization will be no small affair. Its proceed
ings will undoubtedly attract wide interest.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-09-28

The model of proposed statue Of Capt,
James B. Eads, which was recently placed on
exhibition In the st. Louis exposition is the
work of st. Louis sculptor, Mr., +. w. Ruck-
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-09-28

leaving two men. two women and two chill
dren In one room. The stairs were nearly
ready to fall in when he dashed down, and
with his coat wrapped around his head for
the smoke was sti6ing) went up the ladder
which had been spliced. ]. was several feet
TOO short The firemen below raised that end
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-06-21
Dickens ON Our Office Seekers.

In 1869, during visit, never to be for
gotten, paid to Charles Dickens at Gad's Hill
Place, the myriad minded novelist, referring,
among other things, to office holding and
office seeking in this country, said: son the
occasion of my visits to America, my first
visit especially, saw, when at Washington,
that the members of both houses of congress
regarded the offices of the government as
their special and individual property. Men
crawled over each other like ants, buffeting
one another, fighting, wrangling, scrambling
for place-all engaged in common assault
upon those whom they were seeking to dis
lodge and dispossess all the time cringing
and trucking to the politicians, who seemed,
by undisputed right, to take control of the
public places and dispense the governments
substance.
''The brutality and selfishness which marked
the rule of the office mongers was more dis
gushing and offensive to decent men than the
sway Of any bloated aristocracy that ever
cursed a nation. 1t was calculated to con-
taminate, pervert, destroy sensitive and deli
cate minded persons; it was wholly vicious"
And then laying his hand upon the unfin-
ished chapters of "The Mystery of Edwin
Brood" the great novelist, replying to my
question, said: SIT is not the barnacle system
or the methods Of circumlocution that the
people of America want; not the systems
which try the patience of the people on this
side of the water and call for lash of scor-
pions, but system that will take places from
the grasp of tricksters and put them within
the reach of all decent men who need not sur
render their manhood to gain public employ
ment. "-R. R. Mcmahon in North American
Review
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-06-21
Praise in Slang.

The use of slang is increasing to such an ex-
tent that it bids fair to become the universal
language before much Wanted Volapuk gets
fair start Sometimes slang sounds oddly
by reason of the surroundings. Last Sunday,
for instance, quite well known business
man accepted an invitation from the pastor
of one Of the leading churches to attend his
services. 1t was a somewhat unusual expert
ence for him to be inside of church, but he
seemed to enjoy it, and listened to the music
and the sermon with rapt attention. After
the services had closed he went up to the pull
pit and shook hands with his friend, the pas
tor. 81 tell you what tits, pardner," he re-
marked, you've got great joint here-a
great joint-yes, sir, old man, for a gospel
foundry this beats anything ever landed in,
And say, now, that sermon of yours was just
to the queens taste-it'a a great joint you
have here, a great joint. "-st. Paul Pioneer
Press.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-06-21
Cranks at the White House.

The White House attracts cranks lille a
magnet. There are more cranks i'll this world
than is dreamed OF in the average philosophy,
and greater numbers of their kind find their
way to this building than even the newspa-
pers are able to discover. The sergeant has
nothing to say save when we ask him ques-
ton, and then he remarks that scarcely
day passes in which he is not called upon by
the dictates of prudence to stop some sus
picious or unpleasant looking mortal at the
gateway to the presidents abode. Not that
there are many dangerous appearing persons
lettering about, but many who bear in their
faces the marks of an ability and intention to
create scenes if given but half a chance
There are plenty of character studies here-the
self important, bustlingStatesman who PUSHES
in as if his business would spoil if delayed
single moment; the weary and sad eyed oandi-
date who has waited and waited and lost his
nerve and his ability to sleep O. night, all on
account of the office that never comes; the
timd and gawking countryman who is not
quite sure that he dares walk in an open door,
and who stops to ask questions and say he is
afraid of intruding; the loquacious fellow
who has been always good Republican and
who imagines everybody about the White
House is interested in his story and possessed
of influence that could help him If it were but
exerted in his behalf
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-06-21
Birthplace of BENJAMIN West.

Surrounded by grove of old trees on a
corner of the great campus of Swarthmore
college, and within stones throw of some of
the college halls, is the old mansion in which
Benjamin West, the great American painter,
was born in 173S. The interior of the house
was partially destroyed by fire few years
ago, and the historic dwelling would doubt
less have been entirely burned but for the
efforts of brigade of college students. The
interior was then somewhat remodeled, and
it is now occupied by two of the Swarthmore
professors. But the exterior of the old cot
tage is practically unchanged, with its an
Gent hipped roof and the old fashioned over
hanging point roof running above the win
dows of the first floor quite around the house.
The West mansion is built of stone Of
rich, warm hue, and the walls are of great
thickness, the stones being laid fiat and not
on edge, as is so often the case nowadays.
The old garnet, with its tiny gabled Win
dows, between which is stone with the date
1874, is well preserved. It was here, as
Hawthorne's pretty little story goes, that
West had his amateur studio with his cats
hair brushes and crude paints, and in the low
ceilinged rooms of the first floor the popular
tradition of the little boy painting his baby
brother was enacted This was Vests first
picture, and from it he rose to be president of
the Royal Academy Of England. The college
authorities preserve the house with great
care, and it is quite an object of interest for
yiSitorS-BOSton Transcript
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-06-21
Strange Companions.

The first public exhibition of a "Happy
Family" in England was given about fifty
years ago, when there were shown a monkey,
cat, several rats and three or four pigeons
in one cage. The monkey was on excellent
terms with the cat, so long as puss would
allow him to warm himself by cuddling her.
Otherwise he would show his vexation by
slyly giving her tail nip with his teeth.
The birds perched on the cats back and
pecked at her fur, and the rats were as
friendly with their natural enemy as if she
were one of their own sort.
A lady walking on the Isle of Wright OBJ
served a little kitten curled up on messy
bank taking midday nap. As she stopped
to stroke it a hawk swooped down, and pounc-
ing upon the kitten, hid it from sight.
The lady, fearing for the life of the kitten,
tried to rescue it, but the hawk firmly faced
her, stood at bay and refused to move. She
fastened to fisherman's cottage and told the
inmates of the impending tragedy.
Its always So" said they, laughing; "that
hawk always comes down if any one goes
near the kitten. He has taken to it, and
stays near at hand to watch whenever it goes
to sleep"
The lady, greatly interested, made further
inquiries and learned that the kittens mother
mad died, after which the nursing was missed
for several days. One day the hawk was
seen about the cottage picking up scraps of
meat and carrying them to the roof of the
cottage
The fisherman climbed up and found the
lost kitten nestled in hole in the thatch and
thriving under the care of its strange foster
father 1t was brought down and restored
to the cottage. But the hawk would not re-
sign his charge and was always at hand to
rescue the kitten from the caresses of stran-
gers.-Youth's Companion
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-06-21
Stimulants of Writers.

Balzac stimulated with coffee while he
wrote, De Musset with absinthe, De Quincy,
Dean Miner, Coleridge and others with
opium. Addison had bottle of wine at each
end of the long gallery at Holland house, and
as he passed up and down composing his i'm
mortal essays he refreshed himself with
glass from time to time. Byron wrote under
the inspiration of gin, and Schiller was never
far from his flask of Rhenish. Other famous
writers have not needed quite such question
able stimulation. A canto of "Faery Queen"
was sufficient for Gray, while Corneille fired
himself with the perusal of Lucan. Mon
taigne was never quite satiied unless his cat
was on rug near him, where he could occa-
sionany stroke his glossy back. Button was
helpless without spotless shirt and starched
frill, and Do Quincy tells us that James
Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd, could not write
In his happiest vein unless he sat down to his
task with his boots and spurs on.
DR.. johnson, with his usual bluff common
sense, ridcules such fancies and calls them
unworthy of any sensible man, for his theory
was that any man who had the power of
writing could write at any time if he would
''set himself doggedly at it." This is true
enough, but the trouble is that many of the
writers mentioned had to have some stimulus
in order to make them set themselves dog
gedly at it. "-Chicago Herald.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-06-21
A Dashing Hersewoman,

The most dashing figure on horseback that
one sees in Washington is the wife of Senator
Davis, of Minnesota. She is tall and per-
fectly proportional, with complexion Of
pure red and white, dark curling hair, and
big hazel eyes trimming over with fun. She
would attract attention anywhere, but on
horseback she is feast for the eye.
Mrs. Davis is out early every pleasant
morning, and has explored the country all
about the capital. She has no horse Of her
own, but rides Senator Plumb's. She has
modelled for herself an original riding habit.
1t is of Jersey cloth, cut princesse, with q
double skirt. She wears high boots that
reach nearly to her hips She rides at any
gait, but likes pacing horse best.-Wash-
ington Cor, louisville CQurier-JournaL
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-06-21
Wouldn't if He Could.

have been what is known as ssbaseball
crank" for over six years, and have been
asked hundreds of times why don't s'shake
it off," Every afternoon can spare spend
at professional ball game, to say nothing of
several afternoons which I cannot really
spare. There are at least 100 of us in st.
Louis, and we always get to games on time,
so as to secure seats In what is called the
cranks' corner. Not one of US can play ball.
but some Of US think we could make better
umpires than the average official l have
over five hundred score cards in scrap
book, and keep on adding to the collection.
You can call this nonsense or anything else
you hike, but at the beginning of every sea-
son the old fever breaks out again, and there
is no medicine to subdue it. And even ie
there was not one out Of dozen would take
it.-St. Louis Globe Democrat.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-06-21
ORGANIZED 1899.
A Woman's Discovery.

"Another wonderful discovery has been made
and that too by q lady in this county. Disease
fastened its clutches upon her and for years
she wthstood its severest tests, but her vital Or
gans were undermined and death seemed immi-
nent. For three months she coughed necessarily
and could not sleep. She bought of us bottle of
Dr. Kings New Discovery for Consumption and
was so much relieved on taking the first dose that
she slept all night and with one bottle has been
miraculously cured. Her name is Mrs. Luther
Lutz." Thus write w C. Hamrick & Co., of Shell
by, N. c. Get free trial bottle at Hughes Bells
Drug store. mar 22-1t
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-06-21
LANDING A BIG STURGEON.
An Exciting Time with Fish Nearly as
Long as Man.


Recently was putting in an afternoon at
Petaluma creek fishing for salmon trout or
anything else. 1t is tide water stream,
emptying into San Pablo bay, and during
good portion of the year it is frequented by
variety of salt water fishes. The sturgeon is
sly bitter, and sometimes mouths" the bait
ten or fifteen minutes before taking hold.
On this occasion had baited with a small
smelt and thrown into deep water from
small wharf. The wind was blowing gale,
so it was hard to tell when one had bite
The poles were scattered along the wharf
taking care of themselves, when one of them
began to act queer The line would slacken
slowly several inches, then grow taut, the tip
Of the pole bending, then the line would
slacken again. 1t did this for several min
utee Without change, and could not make
up my mind whether to pull or not. Then
suddenly the line slackened several feet. This
is almost a sure indication of a sturgeon.
Quick as possible l struck and felt the hook
stick into something distressingly like a snag,
it seemed SO heavy and sluggish; but you
cant most always sometimes tell"
Slowly something below seemed to wake
up, for all the world like locomotive NOV
ing heavy train. Then, as it gained head
way, it got madden and madden, and the reel
hummed louder and louder, until it screamed
like little fiend. Two hundred feet of
line ran out in few seconds, and then, with
a splash as if horse had fallen into the
water, three feet of big, drab colored fish
plunged into the air. He was evidently too
big to jump out all at once Then he started
back up stream, and, in spite of all the strain
| dared put on him, ran out nearly every foot
of the line from the reel My heart was in
my mouth for fear of an accident, but he
stopped just at the right time. This fish
fought like demon for one hour and half
actual time and seemed determined not to
come to gait.
A Frenchman happened along just then,
and begged him to use the gaf. He stepped
on rock near the waters edge, but the fish
came up, and, seemingly with malice afore-
thought, with one flap of his tail wet the
kind helper from head to foot. He stepped
up and out as gracefully as possible. The
fish was finally landed and found to weigh
exactly forty pounds and to measure fifty
eight inches in length. While making
slower fight than the trout, the surgeons
mad rushes are thrilling and exciting, and
believe the most fastidious angler will vote
him a game fish after he has once landed
big fellow with light tackle
Frequently have taken them on an eight
ounce split bamboo fly rod, with smallest gut
hook baited with worm. Then their fight is
particularly pleasing, but would not care
to try one above four feet in length on that
kind of tackle, as half day is too long to
take in landing one fsh.-American Angler.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-06-21
The Verdict Unanimous.

w. d. Suit, Druggist, Rippus, Ind, testifes. 81
can recommend Electric Bitters as the very best
remedy. Every bottle sold has given relief in
every case. One man took six bottles and was
cured of rheumatism of ten years standing.
Abraham Hare, druggist. Belleville, Ohio, affirms
"The best selling medicine l have ever handled
in my twenty years experience is Electric Bit
ters" Thousands of others have added their tes
timony, so that the verdict is unanimous that
Electric Bitters do cure all diseases of the Liver
Kidneys OF Blood. Only half-dollar bottle at
Hughes & Bells Drugstore. mar 22-lt.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-06-21
THE RosEBuD's MESSAGE.

A rosebud laid on the gateway
By hand so dainty and white,
Its petals inclosing message
In beauty appraised to the light.
A dear little maid in the garden
Hal kissed it, all blushing with dew,
And had softly whispered this secret
From her heart SO faithful and true:
"If he loves he will take it. "she murmured,
And my heart will have nothing to fear.
To- Ill put it just where he will see it,
Then hide when his footsteps draw near"
She fingered not long in the sunlight,
For bthely came singing along
Tho lad she awaited and looked for,
Heart joining with lips in his song.
He smiled when he saw the sweet rosebud,
And CALAMITY took it away;
They were married soon after, and never
Has my lady regretted that dayl
Virginia B. Causey.