davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-11-22
BRIGHT SCOTTISH BIRDS.
they BoycOtted n Sparrow Whose voics
Got Out of Tune.


Got Out of Tune.
A correspondent of the Scotsman.
who has been devoting some attention
to bird language, with view to ascer-
tain 10 what extent birds really com
municate with one another by voice
note, rela es a curious, circumstance
which recently came under his notice.
A brood of sparrows. he says, had been
Matched under the caves of a house
contiguous to mine, and on leaving the
nest the family came en- naasse to my
strawberries for several consecutive
mornings. One of the young birds,
which had a singularly grating and
disagreeable chirp. was Systematically
boycOtted for several days. but at last
the parent birds, evidently taking pity
on the poor forlorn creature, came with
the rest of the brood. and taking up a
position in fir tree a few yards from
the laurel in which the disconsolate
fiedgeling was sitting, all commenced
to chirp most vigorously in perfect
unison. The poor little fellow for some
time tried strenuOusly, but vainly, to
initiate the sound. At last he began to
lower his'tOnes by most delicate sys.
tenn of semi-chromatics, till. in response
to the apparently encouraging cries of
his friends. he hit the real note. Then
his tones became simply blatant. but
continued perfectly correct, and he was
at once welcomed into the family group.
and all flew off in high state of excite,
ment and jubilation on feeding ex-
petition. l am sorry to say that on
several occasions the young sparrow
has relapsed, but. by the aid of his
friends, he always manages to get the
correct family note, and the same re-
joicings are repeated over the return
of the lone that had gone astray."
In recent Sumber of the Dumphries
Standard another interesting story is
told-of a tomtit's nest with five young
ones in the ietter-box of Mr.. M Adam
at White Park, near Castle Douglas.
The little sOngster seemed determined
to bring forth it's progeny in a place
IL WOulO OC oCCuIC lTOul Gllc pry-
ing eye and ruthless hand of mischiev-
Gus youth. At first it began to cover
the bottom of the box with soft green
moss which the owner removed several
times. Apparently, however, it had
faith in his kind heartedness and by its
persistence conquered him. 1t then
built very neat nest in the centre of
the box, and laid five eggs all of which
were safely Matched. During the in
cubation letters were frequently found
right over the little dame, who sat
patiently under the load. On several
occasions it had by some means man.
aged to push some of the letters out at
the aperture by which the postman
had put them in. When Mr.. Madam
happened to open the box himself. it
sometimes raised it's wings and Kissed,
as if angry at the intrusion. On the
other hand, when his niece went, as
was generally the case, it was quite
pleased, allowing her to stroke its
plumage.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-11-22
THE BLESSED SLEEP.
Misery Comes at It's ~ orst When Stun oea
EOrsMk the BOdy.

Misery Comes at It's ~ orst When Slumoea
FOrsmkes the Body.
Nothing could show the universally
and humanity of hakespeare better.
and the greatness of his power of ex-
preston. than all his knowledge and
assurance of the blessing of sleep, the
misery of the want of it, the horror
filling it with raching dreams when
mind and body are at war. or the soul
and sorrow have struck hands. For to
most of man and wOmankind comes
time at last when such dreams alight
about the edges of sleep like foul crea-
lures, and the night becomes ones famil-
lar. as if it were some medieval demon.
care sitting beside the pillow. anxiety
tossing the clothes. suspense and sor-
row Tapping CHASTITY wings about the
bed. and the worn and weary nerves
tOrmenting the flesh like so many little
red-hot pinchers of torture. when the
very disease for which sleep would be
a remedy drives sleep away, and the
sufferer travels all night in vicious
circle, more panied and weary jaunt
than all the witches of mid-air ever
took upon their broom sticks.
1t is not the easy, well-digested. care
less nature that knows the torture of
wakefulness; fat men, as a rule, are
''such as sleep o nights and one of
Sh akespeare's people exclaims:
Thou hast NJ figure nor fantasies
Which busy care draws in the brains of men,
Therefore thou sleepst so sound
But it is the worrying soul that can
not find sleep. that frightens sleep
away. that wears sleep thin and wears
it out, till there is no sleep for that
poor soul.
1t has come to be generally admitted
that worry does far more harm to the
wOuld-be sleeper than work ever does;
that work, even in undue quantity. does
but fatigue the body, and makes sound
sleep the surer. But worry fatigues the
nerves. and in fatiguing them excites
them to the point where the thickest
blanket OF the dark that can be drawn is
penetrated by their sharp stings. The
nervous system, when all is said, is I'M
derstood less than any thing in the earth
beneath or IN the heavens above it; it
is the most difficult of all tasks to regu-
late it when it is once out OF order; it
is that part of humanity which should
be most carefully kept and considered,
and tried as little as possible.
To tell a person of nervous tempera-
ment not to worry is work Of superer-
ogation; rather should one help to make
things so that there should be nothing
to worry about. 1t is almost impossi-
BILE for such person to help worrying
over every pins prick. But just as soon
as worry can be REMIT I'd and appre-
hension forgotten does sleep become
possible, sleep, the only sovereign
power which can lay its cool hand upon
the burning brain, and bring it from
wild unrest to deep repose and the
sweets of life. Bazaar.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-11-22
or "THE JOURNAL"

1t is proposed to shortly establish ex-
tenaive works at st. Hyacinthe, Quebec,
for the manufacture of locomotives. The
City Council will give subsidy of $780,
600 and free site for the erection of the
works, which will give employment to
400 men.
Hamm, the oarsman, has openly
charged in a confession that Teemer
drugged Gaudaur and himself last Feb
-uary. The two latter were trying to put
I'D a race ON the general public and
Teemer was trying to beat the whole
party. The disclosures have created q
nsation.
Near Mackes Greek, Camden county;
Mo. Saturday, a company of five hunters
brutalIy whipped sixteen-year-old boy,
whom they accused OF stealing their
game. The BOYS father, Edwin Hurst,
accompanied by Wheeler Green, later
visited the camp, and were shot dead in
the quarrel which ensued.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-11-22

The Surest Wav TO please il IN

-1he surest way to please is to for
get ones self and think only of others.
There is one thing about death: il
never complains that it doesn't know
how TO take some people.
Happiness is perfume you can not
pour on others without getting few
drops yourself. Selected
Occasionally you see a very rich
man who is so economical that he
would enjoy being poor. -Atchison
Globe.
When Death, the great reconciler.
mas come, 1t is never our tenderness
that we repent of. but our severity.-
George Eliot.
Where you find one man who is a
DAY ahead OF the time in which he lives
you will find million men who are ten
years behind it.
-Flattery is foolishness, and whose
ever Is deceived thereby is not wise:
nevertheless the discreet woman NAV
use little of it for her husbands sake
1t is better to use money in one 9
lifetime in benevolence, and have the
enjoyment OF the giving and of it's re-
suits, than to devise it by bequest.
vance.
There may not be any such thing
as the elixir life. but the youth thinks
he has found something very near it
when he kisses the girl he loves for the
first time. Boston Courier
We do not all of us learn wisdom
as we grow older. but some of us learn
how to look wise and say nothing. and
III most cases that serves our purpose
quite as WE'LL Somerville journal.
If man only does that for which
he receives credit and gratitude, his
benevolent work must be very small.
The rule for all of us must be to do our
duty without thinking of the compensa-
ton.
be good natured my boy. Be low
ing and gentle with the world, and
you IL be amazed to see how dearly and
tenderly the worried, tired, vexed
harassed old world loves YOU R. j.
Burdette
Friendship has a noble effect upon
all states and conditions. 1t relieves
our cares, raises our hopes, and abates
our fears. A friend who relates his
success, talks himself into new pleas
ure, and by opening his misfortunes,
leaves art of them behind him.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-11-22
TO SETTLERS.
Important Modification of the United
States Land Laws.

The following important changes and
notifications of the U. S. land laws were
approved by the President, March 4,
1850. Ali persons desiring to take
advantage of the same will have their
claims promptly and efficiently looked
after and attended to by addressing,
either in person or by letter, Paul
aHeirry, who has lately associated him.
self with w. w. Newlin, Esq, in the
conduct and care of U. S. Land Office
business. See subjoined card:
Parties who prior to March 4, 1889,
entered homestead claims, and for any
reason failed to make final proof on the
same. can make new homestead entry.
Parties who entere homestead claims
and failed to make final proof on same,
and who have since filed presumption
claims, can have the latter changed to
homestead upon application.
Parties who prior to March a, 1889,
entered homestead claim of less than
80 acres, may enter other and addi-
tiOnal land lyme contiguous o the orig
inal entry, which shall not with the land
first entered and occupied exceed in the
aggregate 100 acres. Proof of residence
and cultivation will not be required on
such additional and, and if final receipt
or patent has already been issued, such
party will be entitled to immediate pat
ent for such additional land. This does
not apply to any person who at the date
Of making application for such addi.
tional contiguous land does not ozOn ana
occxty the lands owned by his original
entry.
Parties who prior to March 4, 1859,
made final homestead proof on less
than 100 acres of land, and who are
unable, or do not wish to enter con-
tiruous land, as above stated, may
enter az an additional homestead 20
much additional land as added to the
quantity previously entered by him shall
iet exceed I6o acres. But before patent
ear issue for such additional entry (nton
lands not contiguous the same proof OF
residence and cultivation will be re-
CURED as in the original entry.
Parties who prior to March 4, 1859,
have entered a homestead of less than
80 acres, but who have not yet made
Aaal proof, and who either cannot
obtain or do not wish to make additional
entry on contiguous land, can, after they
make final proof on lands so now held
by them, obtain the benefits of the pre-
ceding section.
Parties who are unable, by reason of q
total or partial destruction or failure
Of crops, sickness or other unavolda-
BILE casualty to secure q support Tor
himself or those dependent upon him
upon the lands settled upon, may receive
leave of absence from said land by the
Register and Receiver for a length OF
time not exceeding one year, and forfeita
no right by such absence.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-11-22

-Sa.nuel Colt. the inventor of the
revolver that bears his name. was
originally a blacksmith, rough. un-
euucated. coarse. but genius in his
way A company was formed for the
manufacture of pistols. but Colt had
% terrible Il temper and was SO un-
reasonable that no person could get
olong with him. so he bought out the
company fof song and set up for
-. ul"seH A lucrative contract from
.ne government during the Mexican
"a. was the foundation OF a magnif-
cent FORTUNE.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-11-22
LUTHER'S WEDDING RING.

A Curious Relic of the Great Reformer
Owned bv Newark Man.
Adolph Seeman, of Newark, N. j.,
has a rema rkable relic in his possess
sion. 1t is nothing less than the ring
which Martin Luther, the founder of
Professionalism, placed on the finger of
his bride on his wedding day. The
ring is of pure gold, antique in design,
curiously wrought and fully 365 years
old. The claims in favor of the au-
thenticity of the relic are certainly
strong.
Seeman. who is professional con-
jurer by occupation, is the son of the
late Baron Harding Seeman, of Sweden.
The Baron was famous conjurer in
his day and nation. AS Seeman tells
the story. an elderly noble woman
died thirty years ago in a castle in the
suburbs of Stockholm. As there were
no claimants to her property the State
took charge of it and sold the castle
and its contents at auction. A gentle
man named Hammer purchased the
entire collection of jewelry, among
which was the ring referred to.
Not being familiar with the history
of the ring. he disposed of it to Baron
Seeman for S.. A few years later,
when the Baron and his son were visit
ing America. a copy of the German
monthly Gastenlaube. published at
Dresden, came to them, containing an
illustration of a ring for which the city
OF lsleben. Germany. the great reform
er's birthplace, offered a reward of
$1,000. The illustration and accom-
panying description Tailed exactly
with the ring in the Baron's possession,
and the latter at once started for Ger
many to lay claim to the reward.
There was no difficulty in establish
ing the fact that the ring was in reality
Luthers wedding ring, but upon Sec
ond thought the Baron concluded not
to sell for the amount that had been
offered. Accordingly he returned to
America with the remarkable relic
adjoining his finger and three years
ago. when his death took place, the
ring became the property of his son,
who to-day would scarcely part with it
for mint of money.
AS an illustration of the skill ex-
hibited by the artisans of three centu-
rles ago. Luther's wedding-ring fur
nishes marked example. Although
considerably worn by its long period of
existence. it is in almost perfect con-
dition. Upon one of the broad yet
delic.,tely-constructed sides the cruel
fixion of Christ is admirably delin-
Gated.
The figure is stretched on the cross,
with the nails in the feet and one in
either hand. as famiiarized by the old
masters. A spear scourge. cap of
Roman soldier, all emblematic. and
even the dice with which the garments
OF the Saviour were gambled for. are
all clearly depicted. On the opposite
side the pillar of Jewish temple is
presented with the sword of Justice
overheard
A ladder rope-the latter winding
about the pillar-a sponge and ham,
mer, suggestive of every incident in
the death scene, are clearly shown,
and on the cross-tree appears the let
tiers. Il. N. R. l." (Jesus Nazarenus
hex Judea). A powerful glass re-
veals the initials M. L." on the in
terror. while the whole is surmounted
oy small ruby, beautifully set. and
supposed to typify the blood that
flowed from the Saviour's side.-N. 7.
Mail and Exprcsa
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-11-22
DEPEW AND FOREPAUGH.


to Many Ludicrous Mistakes.
The resemblance between Chauncey
M. Depew, the distinguished New York
railroad president and statesman, and
Adam FOrepangh, the circus king, is
wonderfully striking, and Brother
Chauncey is frequently taken for
Brother Adam. and vice versa This
similarity has led to a number O:
ludicrous mistakes.
Last winter while Forepaugh's big
show was in winter quarters in Phila-
delphia, one of the baby elephants was
''rented out" to the management of an
opera company, it being utilized to
give realism to an Oriental scene The
opera company closed it's season the
latter part of March, and the baby
elephant was shipped back to Phila-
delphia, in charge of the agent of the
company. The elephant was left in
the car, and the agent went down to
the Continental Hotel, where he had
an appointment by mail to meet Mr.
FOrepaugh, whom he knew and had
frequently met.
Brother Channcey happened to be at
the hotel at the time. He had been
invited over to Philadelphia to a din
ner given by the famous Glover Club
and when the opera cOmpanys agent
entered he was standing near the desk
talking to one of the clerks. The
agent instantly spotted him for
Bro. her Adam.
Good morning." he said; ''I'm glad
to see you
"Delighted, I'm sure" answered
Brother Chauncey. with puzzled look
on his fac. as though trying to remem-
Der where he had seen the agent.
You got my letter. of coursep"
mo yes!-well, no, l can t say that
did, and the puzzled look deepened
on Brother Chauncey's face.
20. WE'LL said the agent, sit doesn't
make any difference--the baby's here. :"
'The-baby' s-here-p'
why, yes; it arrived this morning;
what shall l do with itP''
do with what?"
why, the baby"
''What baby?"
The baby elephant"
A light broke over Brother Chaun-
cey's face. my dear fellow" he said.
''who do you take me for?''
For Adam Forepaugh.'
Brother Chauncey began to laugh.
Great Caesar" he exclaimed, that 9
the fourth time I've been mistaken for
Mr.. Forepaugh since I've been in
Philadelphia, and in every town |
strike have at least one experience of
the kind. My names Depew-Tm
Chauncey Depew."
Then they both laughed and the
agent went off to find the real Mr..
Forepaugb. -Philadelphia Letter
The kind and correct thing to saw
to the comer-home is, Il hope you
feel rested from your vacation" No
body says crested by your vacation, :"
except those who haven't had any,
Boston Commonwealth.
The Buffalo Commercial states
at secondhand. of course-that Mrs
Frank Leslie sleeps in black silk
sheets. the top one hemstitched
and run with coral ribbons to match
her autiful night-robe of ebony silk.
The pillows are cased in black silk.
and over the couch pendent the
chandelier hangs cluster of Spanish
rosaries carved from fragrant wood
and joined with bits of jade. Her bath
is a study in custard-colored thing.
The trimmings are done in plated
tlver. all the plumbing is open. the
tub is coffin-shaped and pictures orna-
ment the wall.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-11-22
It is calculated that more than 10000
j .ws have been expelled from Russia
within the last eighteen months.

within the last eighteen months.
The directors of. the Southern Califor-
mia Railroad are mo"tly local men whose
money has gone into the enterprise, and
they resent having foisted upon them a
set of officials selected by bankers in
Boston.
Rich coal veins have been discovered
in Elsinore district, in the San Bernar-
dino mountains. Experts say the coal is
equal to the best bituminous coal of
Western Pennsylvania, and there il
enough to supply the whole coast.
The Pomona Tmes-C Courier says: A
very gratifying fact to the people of
Southern California is the steady stream
of returning malcontents from the East
ern States people who went back East
last spring thoroughly disgusted'> with
Southern California.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-11-22
LOOKING FOR EDEN.
America Given a Chance for the Honor OF
Holding the Site.

America Given a Chance for the Honor OF
Holding the Site.
Still another theory Of the site OF
Eden is given by Chicago correspond
emit: have read with interest the an
sWers and correspondence on the above
question in your valuable columns. liz
addition to the opinions already given
permit me to suggest the following:
The difficulty in fixing site of the
land of Eden is to make it correspond
to the description given in Genesis,
which is either inspired or traditional;
l believe it is the latter.
AS the result of careful investigation
would place the land of Eden north u:
the Gulf of Mexico. including, at leas,
the States of Louisiana and Mississippi
The garden planted eastward in
Eden" was on the west bank of the
Mississippi and below the mouth of the
Arkansas river. The river that event
out of Eden to water the garden was
the Mississippi, in the description called
the Euphrates, which after passing
through the garden, became into four
heads" The name of the first river
was "PisOn" (the Arkansas) (which
compasseth the whole land of Havilah
(Kansas and Colorado), where there is
gold. bdellium and onyx stone" The
second river was 'Gihon" (the Mis-
sourD, (which compasseth the whole
land of Ethiopia or Cush," missouri,
Iowa and Nebraska). The third river
was the ''Hiddikel (the Ohio) which
goeth eastward to Assyria' Qndiana
and Ohio); and the fourth is the ''Eu-
phrates," that "went out of (passed
through Eden"
When Adam and Eve were "sent
forth from the garden and ''Cheru-
BIN was placed at the east of the gar
den," they settled near the Yazoo river
in Washington county. Mississippi.
where the remains of their home may
still he seen. When Cain was about 100
years old he left home with his family,
two wives and their children, and went
to dwell in the ''land of Nod, on the
east of Eden (Tennessee and Ken
tucky), where he built city called
after the name of his eldest son. Enoch.
The remains of this city exist at the
present day, as we'll as many other evil
dences of the cities and homes of ante
diluvian Cainites aud Sethites, from the
Gulf of Mexico to the Northern lakes
and from the Alleghenies to the Rockies
in the United States, and throughout
Mexico, Central and South America
Chicago Inter Ocean.
The landlord of hotel at fash
ionable summer resort asked witty
guest who was about to leave ii he
would not write some sentiment below
his autograph on the hotel register.
The wit Immediately wrote: Il came
here for rest and change. The waiter
has the change and the landlord has
the rest.
OF GENERAL INTEREST.
"A redwood tree. twenty-eight and
q half feet in diameter. was recently
cut in Tulare County, California
"A tin peddler who travels through
Canada can exhibit forty-one scars
where farmers dogs have taken hold
OF him to see whether he was dummy
or live man.
"A girl of fifteen, of Remove. Pa,
became insane Immediately after
drinking glass of ice water q few
days ago, and died soon after. The
doctor attributed the result to the
effect of ice water ON her brain