davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-06-07
Author Murray.

A gentleman who has just returned
from six months residence in Lon
don, where he spent much of his time
among the literary men, has some in
teresting gossip to tell concerning one
or two of the novelists which will
bear repeating. Speaking of David
Christie Murray, the author of oval
Strange" Joseph's Coat. and number
less other stories, he said Murray is
one of the most interesting men in Lon
don. He has had the hardest of work
to attain his present position. From
boyhood he has made his way unaided
and like many other writers of fiction
he came up from newspaper work, and
his early journalistic training has
been of inestimable value to him.
After working for long time on The
Birmingham News, he resolved to see
London, and arrived in the city with
but little to keep body and soul TO-
gether. While casting about forsome
road to fortune he wrote an article on
"lmpecunious London" which was
printed in one of the weeklies and
served to open new field of work to
him. The paper, it need hardly be
said, was founded upon his own expe-
rAnces, and its success encouraged
INN later to set out on an extended
tour as an amateur tramp. To put it
out of his power to enjoy creature
comforts he mailed bank note to the
care of post Office nearly 100 miles
away and started to walk to it. He
had not a penny to buy lodging or
food, he stopped at many of the poor
house hotels which lay on his path,
worked a bit when nothing else would
secure food in true tramp style, and,
arriving at the longed for postotfice,
secured his money and reveled in lux
urious comforts. He is a member of
the Savage club, London, and one of
its shining lights. philadelphia
Times.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-06-07
Centennial SnObS.

The tramp and our American aristo-
crat have the same title to distinction,
and that is that neither works for a liv-
ing. They are the only persons in the
country that do nothing. The prepara-
tions for the centennial Inauguration
ball in New York April 80 have brought
to view an amount of snobbery in Amer
lean life that is sickening.
In a republic, who are the best people,
any way? Can it be anybody else than
those Of cultivated brains, refined man.
ners, clean hands and honest, gentle,
kindly hearts? But we have a class
who, not having these requisites, have
endeavored to set up another standard,
the standard of wealth, pure, idle, vulgar
wealth. It is little to the credit of our
republic that these people have succeeded
as far as they have. Every man, and
especially every woman, who ever gives
a thought to the good of our country
should stand like adamant against this
aristocracy Of wealth. It is mean, false
and vulgar. It leads to untold tempta-
ton and crime. It means stealing, en-
bezzlement, dishonor. 1t covers even
our highest public offices with the finger
marks of what famous American editor
has called 1.-The big, greasy hand Of
boodle."
At the first inauguration ball, in Wash
ington's time, all decent people who
bought tickets and paid for them were
entitled to admission. 1t is simple re-
publican fashion that cannot be improved
on now, hundred years later. The
New York centennial committee are
making fools of themselves by trying to
depart from the old plan and force on
the public their peculiar views of aris-
tocracy. They are the laughing stock Of
the country They ought to be.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-06-07
The Anticipating Society.

An organization is talked Of whose
members are to pledge themselves under
no circumstances to give fee to sleep
ing car porters. table walters or others
in like places.
The fashion is a great and growing
nuisance, the founders Of the organiza-
ton say. 1t was imported from Europe,
the country of monarchies, despotisms
and aristocracy. 1t has no fitness or
reason for existing in republic, but is
a badge of menialism It is a tax on
him who gives and doggish degrade
ton to him who receives. 1t is nothing
more nor less than form of beggarly
charity. insidiously sapping all the
springs of square out and out manhood
in the porter or waiter. 1t makes him
cringing and fawning to those who fee
and insolent and scantly civil to those
who do not fee.
Either the hotels and railways pay
their servants or they do not. If they
do pay them, then the waiter or por-
ter gets more than he earns. He
thus imposes constant and unjust
tax on the traveller, who in this coun-
try already pays amply for all the
accommodations he gets, either on
the rail or when housed. IF proprietors
and companies do not pay their servants
enough, then they present themselves
and their whole corporations in the as
pect of beggars, throwing themselves
and all their dignities and honors on the
public charity. Now. it is either one
way or the other, and there is no other
way out out of it. The porter of sleep
ing car informed the president of the
Anti-Tipping society that he often got
5000 a month from the public in the way
of fees. over and above his wages, which
were very small in consideration of this
very thing.
The society say that the whole bust
ness of fleeing is an imposition and an in
justice Therefore the public, railway
companies and servants who have any
regard for their own manhood, ought to
set themselves against it.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-06-07
Rev. Edward Beecher.

Many heart has been saddened at the
news of the accident to Rev. Edward
Beecher, the 85-year-old brother of Henry
Ward. He was erect, snow-white haired
and handsome, preaching still with much
of his youthful vigor. The amputation
of his foot is most to be lamented because
it will deprive him of the walks he en-
joyed so much. Buddhism and the doc
trines of reincarnation by the same spirit
on this earth are somewhat fashionable
tenets of belief at present. But Edward
Beecher was the pioneer in America of
the doctrine of pre-existence. He said a
previous existence for man on this earth
was the only way in which he could rec
oncile the inequalities of the present life
with the mercy of God. This doctrine
he declared to be quite consistent with
orthodox Christianity. He set forth this
view in his book, the Conflict of Ages"
about forty years ago. The work made
a sensation at the time.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-06-07
Too Much for the Mosquitoes.

w. A. Sanders thus expresses HIM
self in defense of a tree upon which
there has of late been a disposition to
open warfare: Il have more of these
trees eucalyptus growing than can
be found anywhere else in the San
joaquin valley great monsters 12O
feet tall, containing over a cord of
wood each, grown from seed in the
past ten years. You can see my euca-
lyptus groves from the cars of the
Southern Pacific railroad from Goshen
to Fowler, distance of over twenty
miles, | wish to add fact to your
recommendation of this tree-a fact too
Important to be overlooked. The euca
lyptus globulus, when grown in large
quantities. gives entire exemption
from mosquitoes. Here at my home
we have acres of dense shade, big,
sluggish ditch that is always full Of
water, and in all of our prolonged
summer and autumn heat never a
mosquito, while among the willows of
Kings river, two Mules away, they
swarm at times in clouds and literally
devour their unprotected victims.
Tulare (Cal.) Register.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-06-07
May the Church Forbid Tobacco?

Way the CnurCn FOrDIO Tobacco
''Will you wholly abstain from the use
of tobacco?" is one of the questions put
to the Methodist Episcopal candidate for
ordination to the ministry. The matter
was left optional with the different con-
ferences up to 1880. Then. at the gen.
eral conference, the pledge to abstain
from the use of tobacco in all forms was
made compulsory on the preacher. Along
with his declaration of belief in the Trim
ity and the atonement, the young Meth
odist candidate must set his seal to a
promise that he will never smoke, snuff
or chew
A little breeze that threatened to bring
storm arose on this point in the New
York conference recently. Bishop NAL
lalieu examined the candidates for Or
dination. He put the tobacco pledge in
its usual form. All took it except two
They declined quietly, but steadily.
Surprise and disturbance appeared in
;>l the faces, the bishops included. At
length the bishop said: II hope the
brothers will see fit to change their opin-
IONS" One of the two refractory young
men then said: 81 do not use tobacco.
never intend to use it. simply ques-
ton the right of any one to exact a
pledge from me in matter of expedi-
ency."
There was all embarrassing pause.
very. Then the bishop returned to the
attack, mildly persistent. The young
men finally agreed, as matter of uni
formity, to take the pledge. But the
incident made marked impression.
Many preachers thought it was serious
question how farthe church could con-
troll their personal liberty.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-06-07
ARCADIA IN A CANYON.
A Queer Colony of observation-disclosures
Women Members of 1t.


Women Members of It.
The route from San Diego to the
desert slope on the eastern side of the
county's mountain ranges, which was
partially described in Wednesdays
Sun. stopped midway at Ballena, 1850
feet above the sea- From this point
the road ascends through narrow
canyon shaded with ancient oaks,
which soon open out into a great valley
of surprising beauty. Turning south a
side road leading to San Vicente runs
down long canyon where some inter
esting people, devotees of the vegeta-
rian cult, have made their homes.
They, too, wandered down from Col
ton, a distance of 100 miles or more,
nearly three years ago.
The party comprised Mr.. LIE Beuf,
his wife, and their ward, Miss Hadley,
all from st Louis, Mo. Mr.. LIE
Beuf pushed large wheelbarrow be-
fore him filled with their possessions,
and the women-notable for their
short hair and bloomer dress-trod
cheerfully along beside him. They
were seeking location for home on
government land, and they chose it in
the widest part of the canyon. Mrs.
LIE Beuf's health had broken down in
kindergarten work at St. Louis, and
for this reason they came to the coast.
The invalid had found the weight of
ordinary clothing intolerable, and
both of the women had therefore adopt
ed the bloOmer costume, with high
shoes of gray cloth buttoning up the
leg instead of the usual trousers Mr..
LIE Beuf went to work clearing the
land, and in a short time had stretched
a circular canvas over the saplings for
their dwelling, making it resemble a
bee hive. Linseed oil was rubbed on
the cloth to make it waterproof. Fur
niture was constructed of the natural
woods with their bark and MOSES. A
garden was planted and grain sowed.
Then Miss Hadley found a pocket
in the rocks little higher up the can
yon, which pleased her, and she filed
a presumption claim to eighty acres.
A canvas dome also arose on her
clearing, which is now a marvel of
productiveness. Miss Cook, another
vegetarian, came out from Missouri to
assist her. These industrious young
women now have one and half acres
in grain, with not weed on the en-
tire place. They make their own -four.
They have sweet peas, onions, lettuce,
celery, etc., with blackberry bushes
and various other small fruits. They
chiseled ten steps in the granite rocks
leading down to spring which breaks
a assure in the rocks. A cellar built
in the bank contains some 200 bottles
of a peculiar grape cordial, which is
their only drink. 1t is boiled down
without being sweetened, and is con-
sidered sort of grape cure.
These resourceful people manufact-
ure all their own garments, including
shoes. LIE Beuf's garments are some
what like bathing suit.
Several years ago man named
Weidenmiller, also vegetarian, ap-
peared in the canyon, and week before
last he brought Miss Hadley down to
San Diego in the stage, and here they
were married. Miss Cook continues
to reside with them. The two men
work on the ranches Whereabouts as
opportunity offers, while the women
devote their leisure to books and the
cultivation of the gardens.-San Diego
Sun
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-06-07
Canada ana the United States.

Mr.. Erastus Wiman, the missionary
of commercial union, says it is great
misfortune that a line of demarkation
was ever erected across the center of the
continent. He declares it has retarded
the growth of the greater half of the
continent towards the north.
Mr.. Wiman is a Canadian who has
grown rich in the United States. He
declares that under commercial union
New England would be greatly benefited
by the cheap coal and iron from Nova
Scotia. England might object to the
free admission of American goods all
over British America, while her own
goods would enter Canada under duty
regulated at Washington. But England
would have to decide then whether the
best interests of 100000 subjects in
Canada should be sacrificed to 10000
English manufacturers.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-06-07
The Lantern Slide.

In proportion to the skill and labor
involved in its preparation, the Ian
tern slide confers greater pleasure
upon the amateur photographer than
is embodied in any product OF the
camera and dark room. 1t and Its
counterpart, the transparency, are
sources of an enjoyment in which
profit to the artistic sense forms very
large percentage. The manipulation
of the lantern slide calls for simpler
processes than is the case with the
negative destined for the making OF
prints, and these processes can be car
rried on successfully with less care as
to the light employed. The slide Is
pre-eminently calculated to give salts
faction to the amateur whose home ap-
pliances for developing are not OF the
best. Once made and ready for the
lantern, the slide is an epitome OF
prints. The flood of light poured
through its translucent glass and the
image thereon becomes, upon the
screen, life size picture, possessed OF
a fidelity and clearness OF detail thata
Meissonier could hardly hope to equal.
In this form the slide appeals to the
eye with a potency no print can pos,
sess. and stands next to natures self
in reproducing the beauties Of land
scape, the charm and majesty OF the
ocean, the subtle power Of architecture
and of sculpture, or the portraits OF
men and women loved and esteemed
by their fellows, or of childish beauty
caught unerringly by the instantan-
eous process.
There is no end to the variety of
charm possessed by this form of photo
graphic art, and the rapid increase OF
interest among amateurs, in this dlrec-
ton, must make the lantern slide
dominant feature in the art. The es-
Enlistment of the International ex-
change for the encouragement of Ian
tern slide exhibitions, vastly widens
the scope of this adjunct to amateur
photography. The portability of the
slide renders it available in this direc-
ton. A hundred slides can be sent
half way around the globe, to show
forth, at the distant point, the scenes
familiar to the eyes of the senders, yet
so novel and interesting to the recipi-
ents. The dweller in Calcutta can
look upon life size portrayal of the
most interesting establishments Of
Pittsburg, and episodes of social life
in the East End can re laid before the
members of an amateur society In
Paris, or Berlin, or Vienna.-Pitts-
burg Bulletin.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-06-07

The overflow from Oklahoma will have
opportunity to wait for the opening of
the next land in Indian territory. This
will be the Cherokee strip" 1t will
contain 100000 acres. 1t will not be
more than sop to the land hungry
thousands yet left Still it will be some.
thing. There are several tribes to be
treated with before the Indian title is
altogether extinguished. but the COM
missioners hope to have it ready for set.
Element June 10. But that will be too
late for a crop this year.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-06-07

1t is often mentioned as a reproach to
our native American parents that they
do not have half or quarter such large
families of children as foreigners do.
But Col. Carroll Wright. the eminent
statistician, has figured out that the
children of native parents are more apt
to live than those of foreign parents.
They are also healthier What is the
good of bringing a dozen or fifteen chill
dren into the world if they are to die off
like ill starred kittens before they are
wears old?
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-06-07

queen Victoria is said to have ac-
quired marvellous fuency in Hindoo-
stance, in which language she con-
verses freely with her turbaned Indian
servants.
Women walters are increasing in
the Paris restaurants, much to the dis
gust of the garcons, who have SO long
been the real monarchs of the tray and
napkin.
"A Hindoo journal says that one Of
the most difficult feats under the sun is
to Identify Europeans, because they
are so much alike with their loud,
glaring colors.
"A wealthy, though eccentric, ho-
tel-keeper Of Buda-Pesth. Hungary.
was so pleased at receiving divorce
that he celebrated the event by found
ing a Charitable institution.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-06-07
An interesting competition is going Oh

An interesting competition is going on
at present among contractors and build
ers. They are endeavoring to see who
can build the most picturesque and con-
venient home for 81 800. The result will
improve architecture in the homes OF
people of moderate means An expert
enced builder says that a very fair esti-
mate of the cost of a house may be had
by counting it at so much per cubic foot
and finding the cubic feet the house con
tains. Count outside dimensions, exclu.
sive of garnet. The cost will be about
twelve and a half cents per cubic foot,
more or less, according to the locality.
The cellar costs little less than half as
much as the rest of the house.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-06-07

"A st. Louis oeaIer e. sacoslries
says that such things as tarantulas.
centipedes and ella monsters have a
market value. and are quoted regularly
by curiosity dealers. People collect
every thing, and there is ALWAYS a de-
mand for these reptiles.
"A woman of Isle OF Hope, Tenn.
to encourage her hens to lay, placed
china nest eggs in half a dozen nests
NOT long afterward the eggs disap-
peared' and where they went was a
complete mystery until the other dav
when chicken snake was killed pear
the hen house. and in the snake were
found two Of the china eggs,
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-06-07
The Race Problem.

Figures are cheerful characters. They
will not lie, perhaps, but they can be
twisted to suit statistician's wishes in
any direction. The Atlanta Constitution
declares, with solemnity that touches.
pathos, that there is not a state in
the south in which an "unscrupulous
white minority" could not lead the ne
groes and easily hold the balance Of
power against the world, the flesh and
the demon. The New Mississippian, of
almost the same date, on the other hand,
shows by figures from the last census
that only three states, South Carolina,
Mississippi and Louisiana. have black
majorities.
The Atlanta Constitution AYERS carr
estly that the south does not want to Le
solid, that its best industrial interests tie-
mand that it should divide. yet in the
face of the appalling negro majority, for
its own protection it must remain solid.
Hear now the lively young New Missis-
sippian again, on the other hand. 1t
tells us that Louisiana is receiving SO
much white immigration that she will
soon have white majority. South Caro-
lima and Mississippi will then be the only
states that will feel the disturbing influ
ences of the negro vote. "What was
once question as broad as the south has
narrowed itself down to the compass of
two states" says TIE Mississippian. Nc
outside aid will come, and Mississippi, SO
far as that state is concerned, must learn
to take care of herself and her own ne
groes. Both of the enlightened journals
quoted deplore the solid fact of the solid
south. But The Mississippian sees pros
pect of its disintegration in increasing
white population.
Meanwhile in Florida the race problem
seems in process of solution. AS soon as
both parties cease to regard the negro
race as political factor, and let it alone
to make its way up through ordinary in
dustrial channels, as the rest of the world
does, the question will settle itself, in the
opinion of correspondent who writes OF
the negroes in northeastern Florida.
The correspondent mentioned says that
in one bank alone in jacksonville, Fla,
there are over 1900 colored depositors. ~
They seem to have conquered the spend
thrift instincts of their race. There are
common laborers and washerwomen who.
have saved more than 81, 900, dollar or
two at time.
They are very proud Of their bank ac--
count. They generally purchase with 1t.
a patch of land and a mule and 60 to-
farming in a small way. There is stllf
homestead land in Florida. The former
land commissioner at Pensacola, MI
Rollins, of Jacksonville. says that dur
ing his term of Office forty or fifty home
stead claims were entered by negroes
every month. When black family ge'
hold of land they are so proud OF II 'la'
they rarely let it go.
Where the spirit of property owner
ship is developed, intelligence follows
not long after. The property owhe'
wishes to learn how to take care OF hi'
possessions.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-06-07
Women Voters in Kansas.

In February. 1887 Kansas followed
the example of Great Britain and grant
ed school and municipal suffrage to wo-
men. The women began voting at once,
and have kept it up ever since. In the
election just passed, no less than DO, 900
women voted. At the election two years
ago woman was elected mayor of Oska-
loosa. and the women had their own way
in the selection of town officers. Oska-
loosa liked it so well that this year the
woman's ticket was reelected. At Cot
tonwood Falls and Rossville, two small
places, all the officers elected, from
mayor down, were women. Whole fam,
ilies-father, mother, sons and daugh-
tiers, in some instances-went to the
polls in a party and cast their ballots
In Topeka the women were more inter-
ested in election than the men. Clean
streets and good schools were something
that appealed to them directly, because
of their homes and children.
Women shared all the perils and hard
ships of the war for free state in Kan
sas in the beginning. That fact appealed
SO strongly to the chivalry of the men
who adopted the Kansas constitution
that they invited woman, Mrs. Mich
OILS, to speak in the convention. She did
SO, and asked for equality of rights for
women with men in the matter of prop
erty and the control of children. It was
granted.
In Topeka alone 1890 votes were cast
by women this spring. Colored ladies
were conveyed to the polls in carriages
by their white sister voters.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-06-07

"Best society" in Boston and New
York is different. In Boston it is the
literary people. the artists. college pro-
fessors and the people of brain and Gull
ture. In New York it is the 400 who are
now quarreling among themselves and
with the rest of the world. They base
their claims to aristocracy on the fact
that no member of their family has
worked for living or engaged in any
business for two generations.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-06-07
MISCELLANEOUS.

-Nine-tenths OF the telegraphic err
rors are attributed to poor handwriting.
"A grammar-school boy became SO
obstreperous that his teacher, new in
her vocation, young and pretty, de-
termined to try the plan Of keeping
him in. After school she sat with
grim determination until It became
dark. and then let him depart. What
was her establishment to find the youth
awaiting her at the gate. He greeted
her with: ''It's too dark for young
lady to be alone in the streets. viii
you allow me to see you homer"