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

Lloyd Breeze, who is Russell's bust
ness manager, Clipped in and told a
story on their stage manager, j. HI.
Fitzpatrick, who is an old timer and
very conscientious. He would send
the scene plot for the piece to no one
but the stage carpenter of the theatre
at which they were to play, always
drawing it off and addressing it to
that worthy. One day Breeze reache
little California town to herald the
show, and on his drive up to the hotel
he passed the Office of the stage coach
line which ran from that point to
Yuba Dam or some other equally pro-
fame point Of the compass. In front
OF the Office he saw an old native
holding paper at arms length and
regarding it wonderingly. At a glance
he recognized it as one of his stars
scene plots and he at once made in
quiries Itappears that the document
was directed to the stage carpenter"
and that it had been delivered to the
man who did the carpenter work
for the stage company. The lat
ter thought for time that
he had discovered plot tc
rob the company, as he did not under
stand the peculiar drawings, but
Breeze set things right by turning the
document over to the janitor Of the
opera house" no such official as
stage carpenter" being known there
--Chi"a0O Herald
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
Treacherous Memories.

When man can say, II was there,
and saw it., he ought to be believed,
one would think, provided he has
reputation for speaking the truth.
What shall we be sure of, if not of the
things we have seen with our own
eyes2
Yet experience proves that it is pos
sible to remember what never hap
pened, and remember it, too, with the
utmost distinctness and popularity.
This fact has been abundantly
brought out by the war "reminiscences
so numerously published during the
last ten years. AS one writer remarks,
every book and magazine article is
followed by notes of correction, or by
extended article of refutation, so con
stantly does one veterans recollection
of an event contradict another's, while
both of them, it is likely enoug h, are
proved to be wrong by the official rec
ords.
The late Col. Scott, who had charge
of the war records of the government,
relates that one day an officer came
into the room in state of great ex-
element.
slave you said that l was not in
the second battle of Bull Rune" he de-
handed
mo, not exactly that" said Scott.
"Well, Bob Scott, l was told you
said so, and | came in to put daylight
through you if you stuck to it. :"
'.Oh no, replied Scott, II never
said you were not in the battle. What
| said was that you yourself, in an
official report dated on the day of the
battle, had said that you were in the
Cumberland valley. hundred miles
from Bull RUM
Col. Scott called clerk, and order
ed the report brought. The officer
read it twice through in silence, put
on his hat, and went away without
word.-Youth's Companion.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
Her Nose Wasn't Plumb.

have been making study of noses
lately. and really it's astonishing to find
how large u proportion of the noses arc
twisted to one side or the other Try tc
find the median line of a persons face
by tracing it from the tip of his nose and
see how you come out! Many people
who imagine that their noses are per-
fectly straight would find by close in.
spection that those appendages gee OF
haw little-perhaps to their amusement
and maybe to their chagrin.
A Portland dentist tells a story to the
point Says he: After had fitted IA
set of false teeth to a lady, she exclaimed,
Why! you haven't got the middle of the
set in the middle of my facet
Il looked again. and thought had.
But just look at my nose!' said she.
The middle of the set certainly is not
in line with the middle of my nose.
THAT may be-, said |, but youl
lido you mean to tell me that nv
nose amt straighty
IL think you will find that such is the
case
"'How much is your bill? I'll pay il.
and you can keep your old teethr
"She paid the bill, threw down the
set. and f1o,lnced out, as angry as al
angry woman could be- She went home
her friends told her how foolish she was
she lay awake all night, and the next
day came back, apoIogized. and had he,
work finished. Lewiston Journal.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
PERSONAL AND lMPERsONAl.

Miss Fannie Macaulay. who died a
few days ago at Brighton, England, at
the age Of eighty, was the last sur
viving sister of Thomas Darlington
Macaulay.
One of Murat's daughters. Tulsa
Marchesa Rasponi, is said to be still
living. at the age of ninety-two, in
Ravenna. Italy. She was. therefore.
nineteen in 1915, when Napoleon |. was
dethroned and her father shot.
Assistant Doorkeeper Bassett has
been in the employ of the United
States Senate for fifty eight years. He
recently celebrated his golden we'd
ding. and was then made the recipient
OF handsome present from the Sen
ators.
e. B Ball, the nearest living
relative of George Washington, oc-
cupies stall in the south corridor of
the Pension Building at Washington.
where he sells cigars and fruit to the
clerks. He is nearly eighty years old,
and bears a striking resemblance to
the Father of his Country.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
Expensive Fun.

A physician of St. Paul related the
following little incident in the career
of a fellow student The appearance
OF the latter was not such as to i'm
press the casual observer with the idea
that he was all Esculapius in the sci
ence of medicine, and when he swung
his title IN. D." out in the chilly
breeze, it attracted little attention
from the sick and suffering. The man
also became an unconscious butt Of
some OF the more light hearted young
ladies. Several of the holder ones
finally concocted a scheme designed
to bring him to irretrievable humilia-
ton. A messenger was dispatched in
haste to summon the young Galen to
set fractured limb. Quickly gather
ing the bandage and instruments nee
essary, the doctor followed. Arriving
at the house designated, he was met
with due gravity and informed that
his patient was in the rear yard,
whittier he was at once led. There
upon the ground was rooster which
had been unfortunate enough to break
its leg-or shall | say limbo Amid
hardly suppressed CYCLES, he was in
formed that here was the patient
Comprehending the situation in an in
slant, the doctor gravely and expe
ditiously set the broken member of
Chanticleer, putting it in a plaster
bandage with all the care usually
vouchsafed to humanity, and for once
a fowl with broken leg was in luck
instead of in the soup. The young
Ladies were greatly pleased over their
adventure. and proclaimed it among
their friends with great gusto, but
when some days later bill for S25 for
for reducing fracture was received,
the laugh died away. In vain they
asserted that it was joke, and that
they were only in fun. The prescrip
ton writer said he wasn't in fun and
there was no joke in it for him-noth
ing but the fee, and he proposed to
have that if he had to sue for it. He
got it. and pocketed it with a little
observation on laughing about sun
down instead of in the forenoon. :
st. Paul Pioneer Press
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
A NEW MRS. pARTINoToN.
5hillaber's Famous Character in Real LII
in Massachusetts Town.

ylaillaber's Famous Character in Real Life
in u Massachusetts Town.
Mrs. Thrifty, an excellent and pros
porous widow woman, who keeps a
store in famous and favorite Massa-
:husetts town. has genius in Ian
guage which would set new Mrs
Darlington up in business She used
to come to Boston with great regular
ity to make her purchases. Nov, !"
she said not long ago to city visitor
there amt much need Of my goin to
Boston with SO many of these drum
mers comm around And yet I'm
goin' there soon tc refurnish my stock
of dittoes.
"Your stock of what, Mrs. Thrifty2"
''Dittoes All sorts of things. you
know"
''Oh. yes
The visitor could imagine what dit
toes were. But it was the first time
she had heard them called by that
name.
YES" Mrs. Thrifty went on, u
like to 60 to Boston FIRST rate. When
git there the first thing ! do is to
take one of them ere hoodlums and
then drive all round town.
The visitor was about to faint. The
spectacle of the excellent Mrs. Thrifty
driving around Boston with hood
lum was too much for her composure
And she looked so much at loss to
know what was meant that Mrs
Thrifty explained:
why, / mean one of those new
tangled one horse cab carriages.
want to know if you don't know what
hoodlum is!''
s'Oh. Mrs. Thrifty. you mean a her
dicl'
IA what9 Well, when l was there
they called 'em hoodlums.
Useless to try to convince her; and
no doubt the next time she comes to
Boston to buy dittoes, she will
stand in front of the Old Colony sta
ton and call for hoodlum.
When her conversation with Mrs
Thrifty had reached this point the
city visitor thought best to change the
subject, and related her own expe-
rience during her last summers vaca-
ton, when she went up the Hudson
IlFCT d i>lOuT II1O
Adirondacks
"And did you climb the cascadess"
asked Mrs. Thrifty.
'1-I-oh, the cascades were very
beautiful. Mrs. Thrifty-very beauti-
full"
The city visitor felt that she had got
out Of scrape with this evasive an
swer. But she doesn't know to this
day just what the excellent woman
meant by climbing the cascades"
This lady was not related TO the one
who, after looking over the books on
the counter at one of the book stores
the other day, stepped up to clerk
and asked:
Have you 'comethT"
Cometh, ma ana l don't know
of any book by that name"
'Oh, don't you2 Well, saw a
book here called Goethe and
thought likely there was companion
book by the name Of 'Comethp "-
Boston Transcript.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12

"Mr KaJones," said young sprin9bv,s
clearing his throat. II t.sye called to ask no.
mission to pay my addresses to your danvt.
ter
(which one, Julius~ inquired Mr.. Kaionss
Miss Maria, SIR"
The father looked ixedly at the young man
What are your prospects in life, Juliusc
he said
ITO tell you the truth, sir" Acknowledged
young Springbyle, II have no prospects worth
mentioning am in moderate circumstance
and have no resources except knowledge Of
my business, good health, and steady habits
just so, Julius" unused the father "your
income, dare say, Isl
about 81 200 year."
And on this, my young friend, YOU would
expect to support yourself and a young wo.
man who has lived in home where she has
never been used to anything like privation or
even judicious economyf'
1T does seem presumptuous for me to tbint
OF it" faitered the youth, land as see if doos
not meet with your approval will say no
more about it and ask your pardon for'-~
"Stay, julius" exclaimed Mr.. Kaionos
somewhat hastily. 81 only asked Won tboSs
questions as a matter of form If Won want
Maria, my boy, you can have her!" And he
shook the young man warmly by the hand
MIR. kajones, it may be proper to state. has
eight unmarried daughters besides Maria
Chicago Tribune.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
self in this periious manner.
Rut (IiseIe insisted.

self in this perilous manner
But tiisele insisted
VERY we'll said Robert coldly, 81
will enter the. cage. if Bidel will allow
me to do SO, rs soon as the spectators
have departed do not wish to give a
public exhibition of my courage he
added. with tinge of sarcasm in his
tone.
"Ah! knew you would CONSENT" ex-
claimed Giseie with apparent delight.
Il will arrange the matter at once.
said Robert.
He went to Bidel. with whom he held
a short conversation, then returned, say
ing:
THE lions will be fed in few minutes
I will enter the cage then with Bidel."
By this time the spectators had de-
parted. Robert, Langle and Gisele ap-
preached the cage. Presently the lion
tanner joined them. He told Robert that
he was ready to feed the lions and invited
him into the cage.
mo, Robert. do not CO." said Gisele.
II do not wish you to enter the cage. |
asked YOU to do so only because wanted
you to seem ready to expose yourself to
any danger for my sake"
"Pardon me. Gisele. for not acceding
to this new caprice of yours as to the
first" replied Robert. 81 have resolved
to enter the cage and shall do So.
Robert turned away from Gisele, and
a moment afterward he and the lion
tanner entered the cage. The lions, eight
in number, moved hither and thither.
obedient to the command of their mas
ter, but their large golden eyes showed
their establishment at the presence of
this intruder who accompanied him.
GiseIe and Langle looked ON in silence
and in agony. Gisele, who was very
pale, was only prevented from giving
voice to her anguish by the fear of
aggravating her lovers peril. Her eyes,
which were big with fright. were fixed
on Robert He. on the other hand, was
quite calm, at least in appearance. Like
Bidel, he was armed with bar of iron
and a rawhide. He was thus doubly pre-
pared to repel the lions if they came toe
near him.
Robert was in the cage about five min
utes. Then he left it and rejoined Gisele,
who. radiant with JOY, her hands ex.
tended. exclaimed:
"Oh. Robert! how l admire you'll how
Robert took one of Giseles hands in
his, and, interrupting her, said, in calm
voice:
DO not praise my exploit so much
for the act which you applaud was per-
formed for my own sake rather than
yours. If am brave, as now you evi
IDENTIFY think me, confess that ! am not
without fear that shall net always be
able to accede to your desires, and as il
would pain me to cross so charming q
woman, renounce the honor of being
your husband"
AS soon as they returned to the cottage
the party started for Paris When they
reached Gisele's home Robert babe hel
good-by with a profound bow. On enter
ing the house Gisele found the supert
bouquet which she was accustomed tt
receive each day from Robert: it was the
last. Gisele has never married. Trans
lated for The Epoch from the French.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
All About Pneumonia.

Netter has written quite an exhaus-
tive article on the subject Of pneumo-
MIA. in which he reviews the epidem
les of that disease which have been
recorded. He draws the following
conclusions: Pneumonia is a conta-
gious disease, and the essential germs
can be communicated, not only direct
ly from an infected person to others
brought in contact with him, but they
can be transmitted through third
person. They can, also, as in the case
of scarlet fever and measles, be con-
veyed in clothing and in many other
articles such as are found in the sick
room. They are diffusible in the air,
but one must come within ten feet of
a patient in order to be within range
of infection.
The pneumonia germs are quite long
lived How they remain capable OF
doing their york has never been de-
termined, but three years is set as the
extreme limit. Pneumonia is ''catch
ing" at any time during its entire
course, and even after recovery
Where a person is exposed to the dis
ease and becomes infected by the
germs of ii, the first symptoms. as a
rule, appear between the fifth and
seventh day; but exceptional cases are
many. and an infected person may be
taken down with the disease the sec
ond Or third day after exposure. or he
may carry it about with him for near
ly three weeks before it breaks out. I.
A person who has once had the dis
ease retains for years liability to have
other attacks, for the germs of it re
main with him and may be found in
his saliva Hence, such a person is
not only dangerous to himself, but to
others with whom he is brought in
immediate contact 1t is held that this
in part explains recurring epidemics
in certain families, and, also, while
the same person frequently suffers
from severe attacks during his life
time. Considering the fact, now
clearly evident, that pneumonia is a
contagious disease, the proper precau
tons against infection. should Of
course. be taken,
1t is true that this disease is not
nearl y so contagious as the most of the
other diseases Of the same character
but it is enough so to warrant a Ger
tain amount of care. A patient i'll
with pneumonia need not be held so
dangerous that a rigid quarantine
must needs be established, but those
who are brought in contact with him
should use reasonable amount OF
caution-not take his breath" ETC.
Perfect ventilation is alike important
to them and TO the patient. Handker
chiefs and the like should be thorough
~ disinfected. and if ''spit cup" is
used, it should always contain some
disinfectant to destroy the germs in
the sputa. Boston Herald.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
IN ne DARK.

When kissed her that night In the hallway
Twas SO dark that nothing was plain;
And not being sure but I'd missed her,
Why. twas right should kiss her again.
There was darkness on everything round ~
I was reaching In vain for the door.
And the while was seeking an exit
1t 80 happened kissed her some more.
And wasn't quite sure as left her.
As 10 whether she liked It or not;
But know that sighed to be back there
The farther away that got.
And the next time called It SO happened
That we stood in that hallway once more:
And the gaslight fell over and round US
As quietly moved to the door
But her red checks SO roguishly dimpled,
Aud her eyes shone SO wickedly bright,
That guessed where her thoughts were astrayine
And ! reached up and turned out the light.
Arthur Stevens.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
To Prevent Lamp Explosions.

Mix your petroleum carefully, and you
need not fear an explosion. You have
only to be cautious as to the amount OF
atmospheric air you blend with the ex.
plosive vapor Experiments made since
the explosion of petroleum vessel in a
French harbor show that a mixture al
one part OF petroleum vapor to five O,
less OF air does not explode. With six
parts Of air the mixture is feebly ex.
plosive, with seven to twelve, violently
so; with sixteen parts, feebly explosive
and with twenty parts of air is not likely
to explode. New York Telegram.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12

-Duilard-'NOw this is outrageous
Here's Casket has charged the widow
Jones $500 for her husbands funeral -
brlghtly-s'Well. you must ALWAYS ex-
pect a'stiff bill from an undertaken.
lowell Citizen.
Family meatman-"I understand
Mr.. Smith. that your eldest daughter
was married yesterday. Permit me TO
tender my congratulations Smith
Thanks; if you would do the same bv
your meat. however, it would be more
gratifying. Huntington Free Press
The coal man he whistled melody pav
AS he fixed up the scales in fanciful wav
And he nodded and smiled while he carn,.,
this lay:
AS we journey through life, let us live bv n.
weigh ~ 'ae
Merchant Traveller
Mrs. Temperton Henry. father
wrote me yesterday that he wants to
get a typewriter What is the hast
kind. do you thinkf" Temperton Gm-
mersed in stock questions)-.I like
'em about twenty-four with dark blua
eyes. '-Munsey's Weekly.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
THE COMING FARMER.

He Will lie a Man Competent to Bring
Forth New Ideas.
The coming farmer is on the way. He
is the ncw-schOOl farmer, the one who
is cutting loose from the ancestral ways
and stepping far in advance of his fell
lows: he is adopting and bringing forth
new ideas. putting into practice
methods which will eventually double
and treble the productive powers of
the soil. The coming farmer will be a
man of thought rs well as of Drawn.
Specimens of him may be occasionally
seen in the retired merchant who takes
up farming as happy means of put
ting in his closing years. That force
OF thought which gave him success in
mercantile life he now applies to till
ing the soil and to the various depart
ments of agriculture. and thereby
proves that thought is as profitable in
farming as in any other business. One
OF the leading characteristics of the
coming farmer is that he will be
specialist. He will devote his efforts,
his thoughts. his whole energies to one
line of agriculture as much as the mer-
chant who twenty years ago kept
general purpose store. The most sue
cessfrl farmers of the present. time are
those who are pursuing special lines,
whether in the production of dairy
products, of draft horses. road horses.
special breeds of sheep, cattle or hogs.
The coming farmer will send forever to
the block the scrub sire in all classes
ol'stock, Wnich1s now a greater curse
to Wisconsin than all the monopOlies
which prey upon the people. The
coming farmer will provide his wife
all those modern appliances for doing
her work, which will make her life one
of comfort and happiness, and tighten
her labors as much as the most modern
appliances tighten the labors Of the
farmer. The coming farmer, viii make
the whole country smile under the
tillage of wisely-directed effort guided
by the intelligent thought of we'll
cultivated mind, thoroughly trained
hrain.G. g. Gordon, at Wisconsin
Farmsers' institute.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
why Washers Are shortsirhted.

Yet another cause for shortsightedness
has been discovered. A German pro
fessor declares that it is often due to the
wearing of tight collars, which prevent
a normal and regular flow of blood tc
the head Now we know why the com.
bination of eye glass and "masher" col
lar Is so common among our gilded
youth. London Globe
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
She Thought They Were Snakes.

One of our townsmen relates that a
friend OF his, while stopping at the
seashore, caught a number of very
line eels, and thought it would be nice
If they could be brought home. II
was difficult to find just the best means
OF transportation, but an old oil cloth
covered hand bag was procured, and
the cells placed in it. The man board
ed the train, and placed the carpet bag
under the seat, and thought nothing
more OF it until some time after the
train had started. when suddenly a
woman who sat about four seats in
front OF him jumped up on the seat.
drawing up her skirts, and yelled
"Snakesr" The man looked that wav
and saw one of the largest of the eels
slowly wriggling across the car and
as there was by this time general
commotion throughout the car he
picked up the gripsack, and, remark.
ing that ''he did not care TO stav in q
car where the conductor allowed
snakes to run about the floor" made
his way to the smoker, and has never
heard yet whether the s'snake" was
caught or not. = Waterbury American
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
Didn't Like Their COMPANY.

D1dn't Like The1r Company.
Little Johnny was paying his first visit TIC
a Friends church. He soon became dis.
gusted with the quaint old hats and bonnets,
and the ''thees" and ''thys' of the preacher,
and was just about to leave when the preacher
exclaimed
81 want all those who wish to enjoy the
eternal life of the beautiful home above to
rise to their feet''
The congregation rose in body, but
Johnny remained seated. The preacher no.
ticed the little sinner and exclaimed: "What,
my son, doesn't thee wish to go to heaven"
''No siree," said Johnny, with emphasis;
mot if this crowd goes Philadelphia Press.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
A Candid Criticism.

''Miss Doddleton," said young man, Ibid
you read the poem that sent you?'
EYES," replied the young lady, rather Ian
guidly.
"How did you like its"
II had only one fault to find with it."
"What was thats"
sit was a little bit too long-there were
just about two verses too many.n
And the youth sat down in the corner and
sadly remembered that there were only two
verses to the composition. Merchant TRAY
eler