davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-10
AN ECCENTRIC MILLIONAIRE.

He Ate at Free Lunch Counters and Always
Had His Niece Cut His Hair.
Philadelphia Times.l
For years and years he was shaved in
Blanks barber shop, on Elbow Lane. Bar
Der Blank, in speaking of Isaiah William
son, his millionaire customer, said:
"He was generally the last customer of
the day to come in, said he, land no mat
ter how hot the day might be ne would in
sist upon having all the doors and windows
shut tight. 1 believe he would have even
stopped up the keyhole, so great was his
dislike and fear of draft. Entering the
shop he would nod, and then slowly divest
himself of his coat and vest, collar and
necktie. and hang them up on a peg. He
required no assistance in this. He was ex-
ceedIngly negIectful of his personal appear
ance. He wore an old-fashioned stock until
it became greasy and tattered. believe he
would cling to a necktie for a year. His
collar 1 would be ashamed to wear. While
being shaved Mr.. Williamson never talked
nor did he encourage it in his barber
He was never guilty, during the eight
years that he patronized my shop, of hair
cut. His niece, he told me, always cut his
hair was always sure of my 10 cents for
my shave, but no more. And he never re-
membered me at Christmas, but 1 suppose
he never thought of it. One evening about
z o'clock he came into the shop, and was
more feeble than usual. had to hang his
coat and vest up for him. As I placed the
vest on the peg saw fiat wad of green
backs sticking out of the upper pocket, and
there staring me in the face was a 81 900
bill. He must have had very large sum
of money on him that day. When he left
and went into Elbow Lane it was pitch
dark, and 1 thought how easy it would
have been for even boy to have robbed him
then"
About noon it was Mr.. Williamson's
custom to go to saloon and call for glass
of beer. He would get near the free lunch
and eat a good many crackers and some
cheese. He never drank up the beer, and
it was the supposition that he frequented
the saloon for the lunch he got. Alter his
cracker and cheese dinner he would fire.
quently 60 back to his Office and fill out
check for some charity. When he became
so feeble that he was obliged to set up a
carriage he ceased drinking beer and took
to spirits, always sending his coachman
into the saloon for punch about noon.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-10
Religious Tranlps.

This city swarms with religious tramps. They
are ''artful dodgers of duty. They have con-
science enough to go to church somewhere, but
not enough conscience to go steadily anywhere.
They are sensation hunters. Every Sunday
morning they ask at the breakfast table,
Where shall we go to church to-day?" And
they answer it by going one Sunday to hear the
Rev. Mr.. Skyrocket and by visiting on the next
Sunday a revival meeting to hear a famous
evangelist, and by starting early on the follow
ing Lords Day to feast their ears with the su-
perD music at st. Cecilia's. Like the ancient
Greeks, they have itching ears. They seek not
spiritual profit, but worldly entertainment.
They go to church as they go to the theater
and the operator amusement.
Only they pay for their secular pleasure
They sponge their religion. If these people
were poor no one would grudge them crumbs
from the Lords table. But they are not DOOR,
They dress well, live well, pay well, through
the week. 1t Is only on Sunday that they force
mercy on your stingy souln'
The average church is characteristically
hospitable. Strangers are welcomed with both
hands outstretched. But it costs something to
this expense. The whole body of worshipers
should meet it. That which is burden to the
few would be easy for the many. But religious
tramps, like their kindred on the sidewalks,
abuse hospitality. Every self respecting
church-goer is under obligation to have a
church home-needs one as much as he does a
domestic roof tree. Every such person should
feel it to be less duty than privilege to bear a
fair share of the burden incidental TO spiritual
housekeeping. 1t is Just as dishonest to
swindle a church as it is to cheat the butcher
and the baker. Do not ecclesiastical Arabs
come within the statute which forbids the pro-
curing of goods under false pretenses? If not,
why not?
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-10
and started her off to sea on Friday. The ship
was never heard from.
An English View Of America.


Prof. Bryce. of Oxford, has just published
notable book. viz: 1.-The American Common
wealth." 1t is elaborate and exhaustive, not
exhausting. The critic is competent. MI
Frederic Harrison, in the Nineteenth century
Magazine, thus characterizes him: HE mas
drawn the portrait of a nation, by virtue OF
ms being at once an accomplished jurlst an
experienced politician. learned historian, an
acute man of the world, and an indefatigaple
traveller" What such an Admirable Cr1cnton
should say who would not read?
Of course, Prof Bryce's deliberate portrait
ure suggests the earlier but wonderful Work Dy
Tocqueville, written so years ago and a hand
book still. But while Toedueville is prophet.
Bryce is an historian. The Frenchman gives
the foresight. the Englishman the hindsight,
and each with national charaeteristicness.
The entire absence of State religion and
does all European observers. He finds, how
ever, the social and economic position OF the
clergy in the United States above that OF the
priesthood, taken as whole, in the Roman
Catholic countries, and of all denominations.
Anglican and non-conformist i'll England. The
dependence of the minister for support on
his congregation does not impair to any
great extent the spiritual and intellectual
Independence. Intolerance is rare, benevo-
lence widespread: the influence of religion on
all classes a notable fact. No passage, how
ever, in his volumes, unless it be the closing
pages, is more eloquent than that in wh1cn ne
emphasizes the special need of the American
people for religious culture, and their special
dependence on that moral and religious life
which must be the foundation of any govern
ment which rests, not on armed force, but on
the will Of the people"
The accomplished critic above referred to
observes but does not understand why our
best men do not gointo politics. To Americans,
the reasons are obvious and adequate. They are
summed up by current reviewer In the 1ol-
lowing comprehensive statement: "Politics are
relatively less interesting in America than in
Europe. and lead to less, while other careers
are more interesting and lead to more"
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-10
Church Evolution.

1t is a historic fact that Christianity got on,
and thrived, for over 200 years, without syna-
gogues or temples. 1t was not until the end of
the third century that Christians reared editices
set apart for public worship. Our Lord prayed
and preached in private houses, in the open air,
by the wayside, from the deck of a chance
shing-smack-anywhere, everywhere. So did
the apostles. So did their successors. There
is no sanctity in brick and mortar. Nothing
makes place sacred but Gods realized pres
ence; and that makes any spot holy ground,
from the aisle of the forest to the aisle of the
cathedral.
AS churches grew in number and wealth. it
was found necessary to provide them with
special houses. The private houses of dis
ciples were not large enough. The open air
was too much exposed to wind and weather.
Hence the meeting house came into being. Its
father was necessity, and its mother was suit
ableness. And since nothing is too good for
God, the Christian world does well to build
splendid structures for public worship. 1t
would be shame to house divine service
meanly when the home is magnificent with
tresco and sculpture and bric-a-brac and
luxury, and when trade lives in palace. Our
churches should be a little finer than our
homes and our palaces of business.
But they ought not to be rooted and coiled
and fioored with debt. Is it really quite right
to dedicate church to God which is really
owned by yonder insurance company on the
corner? Is there not point in the late DR..
Hollands suggested formula of dedication:
I'VE dedicate this church to Thee, o God-sub-
ject to a mortgage of S50.O00?' Are not our
Roman Catholic brethren justified in their re-
fusal to dedicate a church until it is free from
debt? Is 1t honest to give to God what we do
not own?
Churches which are plastered with mort
cages are your unrivalled pastor-killers, and
ter's tombstone this epitaph might Justly be
inscribed: Murdered by the church debt.''
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-10
RELIGIOUS SUMMARY.

THE Cumberland Presbyterian Church has
ISL .929 communicates, an increase for the year
of 6,7S3
NEWS has been received of the death of
Isaac 6. Bliss, D. D., of the Bible House, Con-
stantinople. 1t occurred at Asiut, Egypt, Feb
ruary 16.
IT is estimated that there are in London 314,-
900 persons wholly dependent on casual labor,
and nearly 1,000.0O0 who never go inside a
church.-Ihe Pacific
THERE is nothing higher in the world. there
is nothing happier in life than humbly to do
our duty in the name of God, and to accept
whatever he sends us for Christ's sake. Such
a life can never be failure in Gods sight,
whatever II may be In mans. In such life
God is always seen, and there is no such thing
as Characterization World Pulpit, London.
He who would go heavenward, or go Christ
ward, cannot go with the crowd; for the crowd
is not going in that direction. And this is one
of the sorest trials of the Christian life. 1t
Separates the Christian disciple from many
companionship which would otherwise be de-
lightful to him. But the choice must be made
between conformity to the world and consecra-
tion to Christ.-Sunddy School Times.
THERE probably never was time when more
work was being planned in ways without num-
Der, for promoting Christian enterprises than
now. All this means more sacrifice and devo-
ton, unless there is neglect. 1t means more
being outlined than can be performed. There
are great many irons in the fire. There are
organized and individual enterprises multi
plying faster than the increase in the working
forces.-The Wdtclsnadn.
THE divine love of the Savior is shown quite
as much in the way he receives gifts from us as
the way he bestows them upon US. He never
refused the humblest offering. The thanks of
the leper, the oaves and fishes of the little lad,
even the sponge soaked in posca held up to him
or the cross we're all accepted. Whatever
men had to give he stood ready to take and
USE very often to multiply and enlarge, until,
like the loaves in the wilderness, they feed
great throng. Here is thought for the dis
couraged Christians.-Ihe Golden Rule.
In one sense a church is the house of God;' in
another it is on the same footing as a club
house. People invest money in the fabric, the
furnishing, and the salaries of those who
serve, and those who do not so invest have
really no right to partake of privileges they
don't or won't pay for, People who pay pew
rents can obtain pews, and those who habit
ually attend free churches can generally be
sure of seat Tramps and hearers with itch
ing ears who beat about about from one church
to another. who have no "quetness," but
great deal of confidence" must not be as
tonished if sometimes they meet with less at
tention in a church aisle than habitual wor-
shippers and steady, consistent supporters
The QburcltnI0n.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-10

vote that eNow is the winter of our. .discon-
tent made glorious SUMNER" and agreeing
that Kissimmee is most emphatically the
Mt Helicon, where dwell the muses. of song
and dance. The Italian organ grinder
turns the crank, and the strains,of Home,
Sweet Home" are waited from across tne
waters of Tohopkeliga; two dusky ARABS,
who during the day sold Jerusalem ware
(made in New York6 beat their bagplpes
in happy cadence to the jingling coin IN
their pockets; the. melodies of the convoy
resound from a distance, while tne WelTu
songs of the negro come from their temple
of worship" With true Yankee curiosity
we follow the strains of "Roll, Jordan,
Roll" and for the first time STAND before
the doorway of a typical negro church. Inc
night is warm. the moon hangs like great
electric light oyerh cad, the little shanty is
crowded with somber-tinted worshlpers-
religious fervor is running high, ana we nnd
it pleasanter outside.
CATCHING THE YANKEE.
Standing at the window we listened to the
pray-haired patriarch exhort, to the walllng
HYMNS and sobs and groans OF the penltent;
then the collection is taken, which seems to
he the most important part of the pro-
gramme. for it is repeated often in order to
catch the changing Yankee audience tnat
stands outside. All is life and pleasure in
this land of bowers. Orange picking, moon
light sailing and fishing parties are In
happy fashion. The wltchery OF the air
and the enchanting beauty of nature are
each year weaving such tangled web OF
loyeliness that pleasure seekers, health
seekers and prospective settlers are easy
prey.
Like half the settlements in Florida, the
origin of Kissimmee is Indian, wrongly
pronounced by Northerners, with the ac-
cent on the second syllable, but by natives
KissG)mee, which recalls an incident
freouently related among Kissimmeans. A
crowd of travellers waited at little station
for the northbound train. A Southern
maiden, in conversation with staid old
Yankee deacon, suddenly, in a pretty. be-
witching accent, asked: care you going to
KissOmee?" The poor old gentleman was
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-10
BIGGER SHOES In SPRING.
Corns and Wet Weather Bring Custom to
the Merchants.

Corns and Wet Weather Bring Custom to
the Merchants.
New York Tribune.l
'I like this warm spring weather" said
the proprietor of fashionable shoestore
yesterday. 'It's good for trade. Have you
noticed how many of those shoppers are
limping slightly this afternoon? Their
shoes are pinching them, as their feet swell
a little with exercise in this warm sun.
Women that can squeeze their cold feet
into 2H shoes and endure the torture
in winter are forced to wear IS in spring, if
thew walk much. I sell more IS tlan any
other size in women's fine shoes; 313s and Is
come next in general demand in this city,
and almost the same proportions rule all
over the country among well-to-do people.
A good deal of wit has been poked at the
Chicago women on the alleged large size of
their feet, but the wholesale houses will tell
YOU that the average size there is no larger
than anywhere else.
Women wear out more shoes than men, in
proportion to the walking they do, because
they take many more steps to the mile than
a man. 1 had a Canadian lady come in
here Yesterday and ask for buttoned boots.
1 did not know what she meant at first but
discovered that she wanted high buttoned
shoes. When suggested shoes she thought
I meant low-cut Oxford ties. It appears
that in Canada what we term high shoes
tbey call low boots, and what we call boots
they call high boots. Our low shoes are the
only things they cali Shoes Queer people
ND in the backwoods there-very much be-
hind the rest of the world, I should say, sir.
Goodby, sir.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-10
Great Thought. of Great Minds.

Growth will make man out of q boy but
growth will never make good man out OF Dad
one.-Mdrtyn.
would not give you a5cent nickel for all the
comfort of all the religions that were ever
Matched out of the human skull, or came up as
malaria from the pit. l want religion tnat
can sail not only on smooth river at noon.
when all the paddle wheels drop opals, and
emeralds, and sapphires. but all the sails are
white as seagulls, but religion that can calmly
ride a midnight freshet-PauPs religion of the
dungeon, Johns religion Of tempest lashed
Patmos, Daniels religion of lock- -jawed lions.-
TdLnGge.
Christ is the best of paymasters. He bor-
rowed Peters boat to preach from. and at the
close of the sermon gave him such draft OF
fishes as he had never had before.-George Q.
Needhdns
Heart work must be Gods work. Only the
great heart maker can be the great heart
breaker.-BdLteT.
If you are filled with prejudice, though Christ
himself should walk at your side, you would
not see him. The larger your faith and hope
and desire, the more you are determined to see
goodness, the more you will see; for it is there,
in all things and in everybody; and it only needs
the seeing eye and the open heart to behold 1t.
George DdaoSon
There is something better than a revival, and
that is a Christian life that does not need to be
revived-Moody.
Beneicence is running stream. If cash
flows out of good mans pocket, it will almost
miraculously flow in again. Just as water
rushes into a channel whose waters have to
gush out. Many good mans purse is like a
syphon, the very emptying of which insures its
reflling-4Tthur Ed1OdrdS.
1t is worth thousand pounds year to have
the habit of looking on the bright side of
thngs.-Dr johnson.
The boy doing the Fathers business at Il, did
the Fathers loftier business at 80, because He
did the Fathers lowlier business at l2-Wuy-
land Hoyt
AS in the suns eclipse we behold the great
stars shining in the heavens, so in this life's'
eclipse do good men behold the lights of the
great eternity burning solemnly forever
LonqfeLLotO.
Some men, remarks Seneca, are like some
pictures-fitter fdt corner than for full
light.
A shrewd observer of morals and manners
dips his pen in the ink of foreknowledge, and
writes: HE that laughs at me to-day will have
some one TO laugh at him tomorrow"
''They can conquer" sings Virgil, "who be-
lieve they can" Success in war, trade, relig-
ion, is in close alliance with confidence. In any
good word or work, never let IL dare NOT, wait
upon II would"
Trust in God and do the right"
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-10
HE LOST THE WAGER.
Because His Name Was Not Worth ms Much
as n Good Story.

Because His Name Was Not Worth ns Much
as Good Story.
Book Buyer.l
There is an old story which relates that
in the early days of Mr.. 7. B. Aldrich's
editing of the Atlantic, his publisher, Mr..
Houghton, who had or pretended to have
some vague literary aspirations, remarked
to his new editor, with an air half serious
and half jesting:
"I am going to send you story have
Written, but shall send it under fictitious
name"
''Then," was Mr.. Aldrich'B remark, "I
advise you to send it to fictitious editor. !"
1 have never inquired whether the story is
true, but it came back to my mind the other
day when 1 heard the story of wager
which had Just been decided. A literary
man, whose name is pretty we'll known was
arguing with brother author the obviously
foolish proposition that acceptance goes by
1avor, and being of a disposition which. he
will pardon my saying. since 1 do not name
him, is at least unusually firm, his support
of his view of the case became the more de-
termined as he proceeded.
"I'll tell you what I'll do" he said at
lenStn. L We TWO SuOIG Stories uOuc, anu
one is to end better than the other. They
are written on the typewriter, and I'll
send the worst one over my own name to a
magazine and the other over an assumed
name; and I'll bet you SIS that my name
carries the poor one while the better one will
come back.
The wager was accepted, the MS. sent of,
and the event waited. By all considera-
tions of poetic justice the young author
should have won his wager; but as matter
of fact, he did not. The story with bis
name on its back, declined with thanks"
to how many luckless wretch, writhing
under disappointment, has that printed
phrase seemed the very essence of cruel
irony!-while the other was accepted and
the editor wrote the author kind note adj
dressed to his nom de guerre, evidently be-
Iieving that it was his good fortune to have
discovered new writer. Whether the edi-
tor was amiable or not when the matter was
explained to him I do not know, but the
moral is obvious.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-10
An Absurdify.

There is no greater absurdity in church
methods than candidating. A pulpit is vacant.
A clergyman is invited to occupy it for Sun
day. He comes. He breaches show sermon.
The congregation sits in criticism upon his
gestures, infections, literary style. What
should be divine service is transformed into
a performance. The inevitable selfconscious-
ness on both sides is fatal to worship.
Nor can a minister be judged in this way.
The very self-consciousness would be an om-
barassment to any sensitive and refined nature.
He would be his worst, not his best self. On
the other hand, man of brass might make a
great impression and get a call.
Why not send out a judicious committee tas
wise churches dol, to hear such preachers as
may be available in their own pulphs? Thus a
home view could be gotten. The average ex-
cellence of the preacher could be tested. The
sermon would be drafted from the field of work.
Imagine Paul, Luther or Wesley. under fire as
a candidate.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-10
WHY HE CAVED.
A Conductors Kindness Thwarts
Granger's WelI-Laid Plans.

COn0uCLOrS NAuohcse
Granger's WELL Laid Plans.
Detroit Free Press.1
A train over the Bay City. Road, bound
into Detroit, picked up an old man at a
flag station, and when the conductor took
up his fare he. asked:
"How fur could person without money
travel on this train?"
"About half a mile"
"And then you'd put 'em Off"
"Yes."
"Would you put woman of?"
"I'd have to. :"
snThanks. That settles it. Ny. old
woman didn't want me to go to town, and
she said she'd foller me to the end of the
earth. She'll try it, but she amt got a cent
to travel on, and when the conductor drops
her along about here 1 can imagine the
look
''Oh. in that case, should let her ride"
interrupted the official.
"You would?"
''Yes."
'sThen, if you'll kinder slack up when
YOU cross at SINNERS, I'll kinder drop off
and hoof it back. 1 reckon she's got the
bulge on me and might as well cave"
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-10

Even in America. which is Mosaic Of
races and peculiarly cosmopolitan, we know
the force of race prejudice. To-day this
prejudice is overcome. The exclusive doors
of the M1kado's domain are flung wide open.
The ears and hearts of the people are hospita-
BILE to Christian truth. Tens of thousands OF
church members-hundreds of native pastors
and helpers, schools by the score, theological
seminaries, colleges for the higher ed
ucation. positions of influence under the Gov
ernment filled by Christians, the whole Empire
inquiring and expectant. Such are the results
of the victorious campaign of the Prince Oh
Peace. The Japanese are the Americans OF the
Orient. They are quick-wItted, nimble-footed
and have brains in their fingers. Ttey know
good thing when they see it. But the crown
ing glory of the situation in Japan is the oDlit-
Grafton of sectarianism. The Presbyterian,
Reformed, and Congregational bodies are
combined in one church. This union was forced
by the Japanese themselves, who perceived at
glance this serious defect in European
and American Christianity. They could not
understand why religion of love should be
split up into warning fragments, each swearing
OF the missionaries, and against the immemor-
1al custom of the foreign boards which sent
them out, the keen natives took the good and
rejected the bad of Christianity. They would
not allow the propagation of sects in Japan.
Hence the three great denominations above
named came together, and by mutual eonces-
slons, which did not touch central Christianity,
they formed the UNITED Church" of Japan.
What beautiful return for the Gospel it
would be if Japan should teach Europe and
America how to solve the problem of the unity
OF all believers, and thus remove religions
most serious reproach.