davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-01-04

The discovery of what is true and
the practice Of what is good are the two
most important objects OF life.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-01-04

- nhhE are some fools in this country
e =, all An incident connected with
sne sale OF Lord Sackville's effects is
maa o os proof. Among the articles sold
~, 40 F" w'1tlng-desk. There was nothing
''' THIS desk worthy Of special men
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-01-04
LETTER FROM THE CORNERS.
prom the Chicago Ledge
NECK OR NoTHIN' HALL, I
KILKENNY Corners 4

marin lowed as how you'd
be proper glad to here
frum the Corners. So /
take my pen in hand to
drop you Il few lines. I
thought l couldn't, but
the schoolmarm she SEES
Why, Mis- Scooper, l
jest think you kin write
letters too perfectly lovely
for ennythino." an then
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-29

% when the former is so welded to its neigh
Dor that they seem to be one dwelling, is a
matter of extreme difficulty. A good deal
of delicacy is necessary in the matter of Sc
lection, as the lady who lives in No. q will
feel degraded if them folks next door" get
her letters, while on the other hand the fam
lily at No. % regard the exterior of their
mansion as so much more respectable than
that of No. q that any mistake is looked
upon by them in the light of direct In
suit. The alleys are crossed by one or two
causeways of sound earth, but these are
hard to find and hard to follow. The greater
part OF the surface consists of mud, beneath
which are various strata of cabbage stalks,
potato peelings and miscellaneous matter,
such as lobster tins and old boots. Yet in
the midst of all this dirt and disarrav there
is human nature in these alleys-ioyous
spirits, deep feeling, honesty and industry.
These people live here but for while. By
and-by their natural qualities will carry
them to the surface out of these murky
depths. Their rise is only matter of time.
THE LETTER THAT NEVER CAME.
At one of the houses girl came out with
a wan, wistful face. "Any letters for me?"
she asked; and when answered in the mega
1--WE, sue ulI ueE up anu tuIHeu away VIII
lingering look at the carriers face, as
though still in hope he might be mistaken.
''She has asked me that question every
day for the last three months" the carrier
said. 81 wish to heaven she would not look
at me like that; it freezes me up like. 1 al
ways feel ashamed of myself when have
to tell her that there are no letters for her."
1t was the day for the delivery of the
Irish newspaper mail. There was a paper
for Mrs. Doherty, who lived in a yard up
another alley. The carrier groped his way
up the narrow passage into the yard, and
cried out, "Mrs. Margaret Doherty."
There was dead silence. A lean, spite
ful-looking cat came out OF back door,
and picked its way gingerly over the uncer-
tain surface. That was all. Again the car
rier cried, Mrs. Margaret Doherty."
This time an upper window was lifted,
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-29

up with fine residences. Between the
times of these two conditions it had a pc
riod of occupation by small gardeners and
others who lived in the humber kinds of
homes, some of which we're mere huts on the
rocks. The grading of the streets left some of
these structures at conspicuous elevation,
and the artists of the magazines and the
other illustrated periodicals were fond of
sketching these picturesque views. The
poorer shanties were occupied by squatters,
but the next grade better yielded ground
rent, however slight it might be, to the own
ers Of the land. But there came point in
the extension Of the city's builded limits
when, by means of city ordinance, these
objects were swept out of existence.
The early moon Of an August evening was
shining on Elmwood Hill and was favora-
bly, lighting it up as remarkably close re-
semblance of a rural scene in Ireland. On
the shelving rock stood two cabins, COM
posed of miscellaneous collection of ma
terials, yet formed into rude semblance Of
cottages. Vines covered some of the lack of
architecture, and the moon was not severe
in exposing the points of ugiiness. They
leaned against each other, back to back, as
though for mutual support, each being con-
scious Of its own structural frailty. A pig
sty was close by, and pen for goats, while
small patches of garden had been made of
the soil which covered a portion of the
stone. Up the ledge a stairway led, by
means Of an interspersion Of rock-hewn and
board-built steps, from the street to the
cabins. Up this ascent climbed policeman
in uniform. He had been detailed to serve
notices of ejectment to the inhabitants of
Shantytown, as the neighborhood was
commonly called, and his days task
had reached into the evening, end
ing with this visit to the homes
of the O'Rourkes and the Beggs.
The occasion was, indeed, like that of
an eviction in Ireland. There had been
plenty of warning, however, and when
Phelim o 'Rourke, smoking in front of his
door, saw an officer approaching, he knew |
the errand before it was delivered, The |
visitor simply handed paper to him and !
delivered similar one into the adjacent |
premises of. the Beggs. O'Rourke put on |
pair of iron-bowed spectacles, shielded the |
flame Of match with his palm, and by the
Pickering light slowly read the formal
notice. A learned man in his way was
O'Rourke. He had once taught school in
his native Ireland, and his head was full of |
book learning which was of no practical |
value to him in actual utility. He was
vague dreamer, an inventor of wildly i'm
practicable theories and altogether a man |
entirely unsuited to earn living in city |
where adaptability is the first element Of |
personal success. Instead of making and |
simple plans for the support of |
himself and his wife, he gave his thoughts to
almost it not quite irrational philosophiz- |
ing. 1t was different with his son, Donnell |
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-29
POCKETS FOR POKER DECKS.
Convenient ReceptacIes in Which Extra
Cards May be Hidden.

Cards May be Hidden.
Chicago MAIL,
II don't remember exactly what it was,
but I know was telling poker story when
the tailor said:
BY the way, do you want any poker
pockets in this suit?'
81 looked at him rather inquiringly and
said:
"'Poker pockets?'
Yes he said, pockets for poker
81 told him 1 didn't know what he meant,
He laughed, and said:
"'I mean special pockets for playing
poker
81 told him had never heard of such a
thing and asked him to explain. Then he
said:
"'I make clothes for a number Of solid
business men and the club men who like to
play poker. They also like to win-most
poker players do. So make special pock-
cts in different parts of their clothing, Just
big enough to hold a playing card. For
one man make pocket in the right leg of
his trousers about midway between his hip
and his knee. The opening of this pocket
is in the seam and Is not discernible, and as
the man plays along and gets card that Is
likely to prove useful, he quickly buries it
in this pocket by dexterous move, which
he has practiced till he has it pat, and when
he needs this particular card, he springs it
and SCOOPS the pot.
"'For another customer 1 make pocket
in the top of the left coat sleeve at the
cuff'o
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-29
CASTLE OF TIE DOUGLASEs.
Now the Property of Sir Hero Dalrymple,
of the Court of Sessions.

Now the Property of Sir Hero Dalrymple,
of the Court of Sessions.
October Harper's.l
But now, as we turn our back on the
Bass, another ruined castle. grander and far
more massive and lofty than Dirleton, fills
the eye. On lofty jagged cliff that seems
to run out into the sea, and is washed on
three sides by its waters. stands the far
famed castle of Tantallon. Sir Walters
description of it in. "Marmion," if not the
highest style of poetry, is wonderfully
correct word-picture. The origin of Tan
talon Castle, the renowned stronghold of
the Douglases, is unknown. For centuries
it was the great citadel of the family on
the east of Scotland. Its situation was
so remarkable, the structure so strong, and
the means of defense so skillful, that it
seemed to defy military attack. In 1479 the
barony of North Berwick and the castle of
Tantallon having been fortified some time
before by the Earl of Douglas, were given
by james ". to the Earl of Angus, the
famous ''Bell-the- Cat" of Scottish history,
who figures in "Marmion' as the lord of
the place.
IN the days Of the next earl the castle
stood a siege by King james v, but the
King was unable to take it. In 1859, how
evF, it was taken by the Covenanters;
thereafter Cromwell's troops besieged it, and
after feeble defense it was taken again.
About $50 years ago the castle became the
property of Sir Hew Dalrymple. Lord Presi-
deit Of the Court of Session, in whose family
it till remains
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-29
NOT MUCH OF A. FELLOW.
A Hoosier Farmer Thinks Christopher
Columbus Didn't Amount to Much.

A Hoosier Farmer Thinks Christopher
Columbus Didn't Amount to Much.
New York SUM-
"On my last trip through Indiana" said
New York drummer the other day, three
or four of us put in night at the tavern in
a small town. 1t was kept by dreadfully
innocent-looking old chap, and in order to
guy him bit the boys put him on that I
was Christopher Columbus, the discoverer
of America. The old fellow gave me con-
siderable attention, fixed up the best room
in the house and introduced me to his aged
smoking cigar he came along and queried:
''Let's see. What did you do?''
discovered America, soberly replied.
"Oh, yes."
He looked disappointed as he went away,
and in about ten minutes he returned to say:
"I've had it all wrong about you"
"How?"
"Why, L kinder had it that you was from
Washington, and was thinking you might
get my boy Sam into some Office"
.'No, I'm not"
'You are only Christopher Columbus?"
''That's ALL"
"All you ever did was to discover Amer
ica?"
"That's all"
"Humphl I'll have to charge you extra
for them three billed eggs this morning, and
the old woman thinks she ought to have an
extra quarter for making real coffee for you.
You orter told me last night that you didn't
amount to nuthin'G'
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-29

O'Rourke. handsome young fellow, who
Joined him. His hair had the auburn of
Ireland in its close-cropped efforts to be
curly; his face bore the open good humor of
his race; in peasant costume, instead of
the clothes of New Yorker, he would
have looked like veritahle "broth of a
boy" but his tongue had lost the brogue of
his native land, for he had emigrated in
childhood. Even his fathers Irish speech
was but family characteristic, as he handed
the document to Donnell, and asked him
what he thought of that.
81 think it is time we quit the shanty and
the rock anyhow" was the spirited reply.
''I'ms earning $12 q week, as LAWYERS
clerk, and in year I'll be a lawyer my
self. If YOU can somehow bring in as
much, father, we can afford to live in better
quarter"
The one lacking thing to complete the
Irish-American scene agreeably was pretty
colleen, and she came into it from the resi-
dence of the Beggs. Wide-open gray eyes,,
with dark lashes, had Nora Begg, and the
clear white of her cheeks was freckled like
the stipple of, an engraved face. She
seemed younger by two or three years than
Donnell, who was 20, and like him she had
been brought across the ocean too early in
life to leave the brogue OF Ireland on her
tongue, A modest girl, and a neatly
dressed one, was this New York colleen Of
Elmwood Rock. Close dwellers there had
she and Donneu been, and closer yet had
their hearts become. When she was told
that the eviction was certainty, and there
upon Donnell asked her to walk with him,
she blushed little, but took his arm, and
itwas evident that their conversation would
relate to the question Of future home.
Even the abstracted Phelim O'Rourke
vaguely understood that as he watched
them out of sight.
While Phelim O. 'Rourke was still meditat-
ing UPON the document his neighbor, Micky
Begg, zig-zagged up the stairway. Mlcky
was sad example of intemperance, and he
had Just returned from the "berren" of old
Peter McGlathery. As the bottle was
passed around very freely, after old Peter
was put under ground, Micky was full to
the back teeth. To show his sobriety he
called upon O'Rourke to see him jump
from the three-legged stool, which stood by
the doorstep, to the bottom of the washtub.
He put himself in position and said: "See
me lep, and then say it I'm dhrunk, Hur-
rool''
Are you comm in, Micky?" came in a
woman's feeble voice from within, for pour
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-29

cause the people are not expected to accept!
wish the expanding minds of children
could be inoculated with the vast import
ance of sincerity in speech and action. I
wish they could be indelibly impressed
with the idea that to make ever so small a
promise, or to give ever SO casual an invi-
tation for the sake of creating a pleasant
Impression upon the recipient, is as repre-
hensible as passing spurious coin.
Morals are matters requiring several gen.
erations to rectify, and human beings grow
more moral in tendency with every century.
The passions of men and women are vast
emotions which only the Creator and time
can control and improve. The most strictly
educated and carefully trained men and
women sometimes become the most immoral
In after life, and in our search for good,
whether in our own hearts or our neighbors,
we are constantly surprised by stumbling
upon hidden propensities for evil. We are
all working out toward something higher.
But as we go, we might help the growing
generation by teaching it to be sincere above
all things, and strictly accurate in keeping
its word. ELLA WHEELER WILCOX
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-29
The ROCK ON ELMW00D HILL.
AN IRIsH-AMERICAN ROMANCE.
WRITTEN FOR The P1TTsBuRG D1spATcH
BY
WILLIAM ]. FLORENCE.

Mrs. Begg was helplessly, hopelessly bed
ridden invalid.
"Divil step till O'Rourke sees me lep
from the tub to the stool. can lep like a
goat, me darlfn'." And giving spring
In the air, Mickey came down with thud,
nearly crushing goat that was comfortably
sleeping near the cabin door.
"A nice example you are, Micky," said
O'Rourke, solemnly, Ito come from fu-
neral as drunk as piper. Get mp, Micky,
here comes the priest.
Sure enough, Father Hanley, who was
returning from old McGlathery's funeral.
came along. Micky had picked himself up,
brushed the mud from his clothes, and put
himself on the stool before the Father came
up.
"How are you, Phelim?" said the priest.
"And the children? Well, hope, God
bless themp'
Eyes, Father, they are well and hearty,
and can eat as well as any childer on the
rocks. I wish you would spake to Micky,
Father. He wasn't looking after. To-mor-
row morning he has to be up bright and
airly. for we're going to be evicted. Look
at him-as drunk as fiddler"
"Yes," said the priest. 81 watched him
at the funeral. The death of old Nc
Glathery should be warning to him. That
sinner did not draw a sober breath for many
months. Do you hear me. Micky?" said
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-29
NOVEL PISCATORIAL CONTESTS.
How Pegged- Down Matches Are Conducte,
by New Orleans Anglers.

How Pegged.Down Matches Are Conducted
by New Orleans Anglers.
New York SUM-
In New Orleans the anglers amuse them
selves with competitive fishing contests; the
like of which are known nowhere else They
are called ''pegged-down Matches" The
method of conducting them is as follows:
Two fishermen of repute choose sides COM
posed of not more than 20 persons each. The
day for the ematch having been decided opon,
lots are drawn for positions on a certain long
bridge. Each man has a number marked
upon stick, which is nailed to one of the
piles of which the structure is built. When
once assigned TO place an angler cannot
move a greater distance than 80 feet either
to the right or the left.
The fishing commences at an early hour
of the morning and continues throughout
the day. The worth of the fish is given
in figures from 100 down to 3. The
tarpon is marked at the highest number
down to sorts of the smallest value. The
contest is decided not according to the
amount of fish taken, but in relation to
their excellence as expressed in numerals.
The defeated party at the close of the con-
test gives supper to the conquerors. No
New Orleans angler has as yet taken a
tarpon, called there silver fish, with rod.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-29

oneiday, for he's strengthening his head By
good work. while. you're dulling yours
with your philosophical rubbish"
While the priest was speaking Doll Begg
came up the stairway, gave to the prizes.
none too respectful agood evening" and
slouched into his humble home. He was
not an Unlocking fellow, but bis manner
betrayed bad habits and reckless DISPOSE
ton. The three men eonyersed few min
utes about the impending eviction. Then
they were startled by an outcry. 1t was the
feeble yet shrill voice Of Oonah Begg, and
they hurried into her cabin to find out what
was the matter with her. She lay with her
eyes closed and exhaustion expressed in her
thin, wan face. Dolf Begg, her hulking
son. sat in q chair tipped back against the
wall, with his arms folded hard, one leg
crossed stifiy over the other. and bis scoEI-
ing brows SO lowered over his eyes that only
half their evil light was visible.
What is it?" Father Hanley asked, tax
ing a seat on the edge Of the bed, andfbold-
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-29

ing one of the inyalid's hands. ssHas the
boy been doing anything to you2"
"That's rightF' Dolf exclaimed. ssAsk
her-dou't ask me. OF course she'll tell
you the truth, and won't"
"Did he strike you?" the priest asked.
seeing a red mark on the woman's wrist, a.
though she had warded off blow.
"He didn't strike me-" she responded.
"He tried TO rob me. He knew my hundred
dollars had been drawn from the SAVINGS
bank-that had it here under me pillow.
It's part av what the railroad folks gave
me fer the accident, and now we've got to
use it fer the hirin' of q place to live in.
When he thought I was fast aslape he comes
in on tip-toe, and feels fer it But I was
awake, and scramed with all my might
which wasn't much. I'm sorry to tell it Of
him, but, sure, the priest ought to know il.
And had to call fer hilp, fer he'd av
stolen me money"
The priest patted the woman's hand, and
said soothingly: Never mind it--never
mind it" But turning to the young man.
he addressed him with bitter emphasis.
"Dolf, knew you were a brute. How il
came to be so don't know, for your diving
mother here is q good woman, and your =
fathers one fault is the drink. I have
known of You striking your poor, helpless
mother, and that is both ferocious ard
cowardly. Now you've turned thief-s
most contemptible thief-for you'd steal
the very money that she received in pay
ment for her life. Doll, take my warning.
You'll come to some bad end II you don't
reform yourself"
Dolf said nothing, but sullenly unfolded
his arms, uncrossed his legs, PICKED nm his
hat and slouched out of the cabin. IA
stamped down the stairs to the street. and
bent his steps toward the rroOrerv whn~.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-29
LUNATICS AND LEGISLATORS.
Ons of the Unfortunates Thinks There's
Little Difference Between Them.

Ons of the Unfortunates Thinks There's
Little Difference Between Them.
Albany tGa.) News.l
representative Reed, of Putnam, was one
of he Legislative Committee sent to inspect
thd asylum. There was dance on the
night the committee spent in the investiga-
tiod, and Mr.. Reed took for partner one
oflhe fair unfortunates, to whom he was
Introduced:
Fl don't remember having seen you here
bdore," said she. "How long have you
ben in the asylum"
f'Oh, I only came down yesterday" said
tie gentleman, "as one of the Legislative
cjmmittee."
f'Of course" returned the lady. 'sHow
stupid am However, 1 knew you were
.ither an inmate or member of the Legis-
ature the moment I looked at YOU. But
how was I to know? 1t is difficult to tell
which,"
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-29

sights carrier comes across in his rounds.
None of them very dramatic-none of them
very emotional, because the emotion
and the tragedy are not displayed
upon the doorstep. 1t is in her
lonely room that the poor wife weeps
for her recreans husband; it is in her cozy
kitchen, surrounded by her little clan, that
Mrs. Doherty recalls old places, and
chuckles over old names, as she reads the
veracious pages of the Skibbereen Eagle.
The rich man receives his bad news in his
study, among his books and papers. None
can see the weak side of his character there;
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-29
PAGES TO 20.

grand ladv. Won't that be a satisfaction to
you, for you know that you haven't long 70
remain with her. Think it over, Oonah.''
Father Hanley emerged from the cabin
to find Phelim O'Rourke and Micky Begx
engaged in dialogue in which the talk Is
ali being done by Phelim. That learned
and erratic man was discou-sing upon .
subject which, so he was telling. he had
elucidated il speech on the previous even
ing before the Kosmic Klub. That was .
body which met in the back room Of sa-
loon, and was composed Of q dozen all but
irrational theorists, each one Of whom con-
sented to listen to the Whimsicalities Of the
rest for the sake Of being heard patiently
when his turn came. They were 80 thor
ouehly at variance with all established
things that they wouldn't even spell the
name Of their club in accordancs with the
Dictionary. and at times they took to adopt
ing long resolutions directing how the az
fairs of the universe ought to be conducted.
Phelim O'Rourke was about the oldest Of
them all. In the address that he had deliy-
cred, and about which he was talking TO
the befuddIed Micky, he had forwarded
theory which, even to his companions,
seemed singular indeed. It had kept them
so interested that they had neglected the
conyiyial function Of the club. Their beer
glasses had been empty for quarter Of an
hour before he finished but upon his con-
cIusion the mugs were quickly filed, and
the overtopping foam ran down their sides
to the table.
"Here is to the hope" said one. shat
Mr.. O'Rourke's theory may never be tested
on O'Rourke's sell" That was drank with
noisy laughter, so O'Rourke confessed in
his account to his neighbor; and yet he de-
clared that he had impressed his fellow
members immensely.
you've brains enough and to spars,
Phelim," said the priest, after listening to
enough of the concluding narrative to I'M
derstand that O'R0urke was full Of some
new, strange and impracticable doctrine Of
his own invention. "Why don't you use
your education sensibly, as your son Don-
nell does? He'll be successful lawyer
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-29
TIED TO THE DOOR BELL.

Novel Scheme to Prevent Youngster From
Wandering Away From Home.
Detroit News.l
A 5-year-old youngster living of High
street is in the habit of making excursions
down town every time he has an opportunity
Of getting out of the house. As his sojourns
are unattended and,'as far as his parents are
concerned, unannounced, they have occa-
casioned the latter no end of anxiety.
Recently, however, the young adventur-
er's papa hit upon a scheme to check these
undesirable wanderings. One end of
clothes line about 30 feet In length was
fastened to the front door bell, and the
other end secured about the youngsters
waist and thus he is allowed to play about
the front yard. If he tries to get away
ring Of the door bell exposes his guilty in
tentions. It's pretty hard on the bell, but
it saves his parents good deal of anxiety.