davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-03-06

towel placed in front of it to hide the
blood (?), rests the head of the subject.
The receiver is now removed and placed
on small cabinet, and the head is seen
resting there; it moves and speaks, and
is the head of another person made up
to represent the first one, and who sits
behind the mirror in the cabinet, and
pops his head up through hole in the
top of it as soon as the receiver is placed
there. This cabinet is shaped like a
safe, and contains several apparently
deep shelves. In reality the shelves are
shallow, a mirror of proper size being
placed in it in such a position as to
leave about four-fifths of the cabinet
vacant.
The very latest decapitation is the
one now being used by Hermann in his
''Black Art" In "Black Art" the stage
is peculiarly set, the interior, from the
first to the third groove, being COM
pletely hung in black velvet or felt,
back, top and sides. In place of the or
dinary footlights row of gas-jets is
usually placed across the stage just on
a line with the inside of the boxes, and
another row carried around, but outside
of the arched entrance to the black
chamber. The effect of this arrange
ment of light and shadow throws the
stage into impenetrable gloom. Her
mann appears suddenly clothed in white
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-03-06
A Charitable Senator.

Senator Brown, of Georgia, was
wealthy before he came to Washington
to represent the State of Georgia. 1t
was known that he had hundreds of
thousands, if not millions, and that he
was benevolent. The impecunious gen.
teel paupers of the capital were not long
in making his acquaintance through
devious ways. During his first session the
Senator gave away in charity nearly five
thousand dollars. When he came to take
his seat for a second term the demands
upon his charity became monOtonous.
He hired private detective, and there
after when demands were made upon
him by individuals for small sums he in
variably asked them to call on the NOR
row and he would do what he could for
them. Meantime his detective was
looking up their records. Although he
expended about seven hundred dollars
for this secret service he saved many
thousands, and his charities were never
misdirected, as they often had been be-
| fore.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-03-06

ence from the vulgar crowd who call
themselves the best society (heaven
save the mark) of Stover's Mill. Even
wedding does not appeal to their sense
of decency, and for good reason. En-
vious of the brilliant event at the Ben
sons, at which was assembled fair
women and brave men, they gathered
about the house like so many hyenas
and made the welkin ring with their
untimely yells and catcalls. Their un-
couth references to your correspondent
are passed by with whitening scorn.
Whether or not we changed our socks
for the wedding is none of their affairs.
1t is presumed we know the usages of
good society or we would not have been
there. Looking at it in its most chari-
table light, it was an impertinent ques-
ton to shout through the open window,
and we take this occasion to say that
the wretches who did it do not know the
first principles of what constitutes the
true gentleman.
The brides costume was tasteful and
becoming, made largely, we under
stand, by her own fair hands, and the
remarks of these would-be social leaders
of StoVer's Mill concerning it were out
of place and insulting in the extreme.
sect onto der jug Ridge weddin' slip
persr' ''Smell de bars grease on de
brides f1owin' ringlets!" were express
sions that these low ignoramusess seemed
to think was the essence of wit and
good humor. We do not so regard them.
Two or three of the better people
from Stover's Mill were present at the
wedding by invitation, and their efforts
to excuse the conduct of the gang on the
outside led, as a matter of course, to
some high words. Luckily their ne
farious attempt to get our fiddler intox-
icated was discovered and nipped in the
| bud. Soon after this discovery one of
the supposedly better people from the
Mill was promptly knocked through a
dining-room window. He had the ef-
frontery to want his wedding present
handed out to him through the window,
but the bride, with true spirit, declined
to yield it, and instead hurled chair
leg at his offending head. Served him
right, say we.
The gallant young bridegroom stepped
out on the porch and announced in no
uncertain tones that he could whip, one
at time, any two ours in the crowd,
and it is noticed that his peremptory
challenge was not accepted, notwith-
standing he offered every inducement in
the way of fair play. The Stover's Mill
yellow-hammers bark great deal about
their fighting qualities, but with very
few exceptions there has been no social
event on the Ridge this season when
they did not get the everlasting day
lights knocked right out of them, and
the same can be done again. In proof
of our assertion we have only to cite the
Brayfogle nuptials, the Dobson dance
and the Applegate taffy-pull. Their
game now appears to be to lay out in
the grass and howl until such time as
the beautiful chocolate color fades out
of the vicinity of their eyesight--New
York World.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-03-06

crosswise on it, one from the inner edge
of either arm up to the top corner of
the opposite side. thus making broad y.
The subject being seated in a chair, a
large helmet or receiver" is placed on
his head. The helmet is of any bright
metal, has vizor in front, and is open
at the back.
After it is placed over his head the
vizor is lifted to show that the head is
there, but in reality dummy head is
seen, made up to represent the subject
AS the performer closes the vizor he
tilts the helmet forward little, while
the subject at the same moment draws
his head out of it and presses it back
against the back of the chair, which
gives way under the pressure and a
triangular space opens, the two sides of
which are formed by the lower portion
OF the Y in the padding, the base being
on line with the chair arm, where this
swinging portion of the back is
hinged on. On this flap, the opening of
which is concealed by the receiver and a
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-03-06

Then Mephistopheles appears so sud-
denly that it seems as if he had jumped
out of space, but really coming through
an opening in the black cloth. Then
comes a lightcloa and a pretty woman
in evening dress. This latter being
Mrs. Hermann, dressed in a peculiar
way. She first clad herself in black
domino of the same material as the
stage hangings, leaving her arms and
head free. Over this she slips a frame
work of light wire covered with fine
evening dress. This framework has no
back and she can slip out from it behind,
leaving the she'll with dress.
For the lady to sit on, two pedestals
suddenly appear. These are white, and
appear by having a cover of black pulled
from them quickly. One of these is
about two feet high and the other about
i've feet high. Tue lady sits on the
smaller one and Mephisto orders Herr
mann TO cut her head on. After some
demurring he finally seizes a carving
knife, places a light cloak over the
lady's shoulders and cuts of her head.
Taking it with one hand under the
chin and the other holding her hair, he
carries it across the stage and places 1t
on the other pedestal, she walking
along with him, having slipped out be
hind the framework, leaving it upright
on the smaller pedestal She walks
across the stage in her black domino, OF
behind black screen shoulder high
only her head showing, and finally
stopping with her head on the pedestal
that is about five feet high. To replac'
the same gliding back is again EN-
ployed, and she again resumes her dres'
case. and the trick is over.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-03-06
Not AFTER THAT Kind Ola Job.

Past Commander James S. Fraser, Of
the Grand Army of the Republic of this
State, says the New York Star, told
some friends the other night a story
about man he sent down to the Gus
tom-house to get job as night-watch-
man. Collector Erhardt sent the man
to the civil-service board to be exam
ined. The man was quite intelligent,
and answered the questions put to him
until he was asked what the distance
was between the earth and the sun. He
hesitated for time and finally acknOwl-
edged that he did not know.
''You don't knowr' asked the commits
sioner severely.
Mister" said the applicant, 81
didn't think I'd have to answer a ques-
ton like that. I'm looking for a night
iOh y
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-03-06

zation was all their anticipatory dreams
had pictured it. The groom was MIR.
Wagner Wallace, one of our best-known
young men. "Wag" never looked hap
pier in his life, and well he might. All,
"Wag," you are a lucky dog to thus
capture such a charming bride! The
scribe's warmest congratulations are ex-
tended to you and yours, and you have
our best wishes for happiness and pros
perity as you journey eH- in CB down
the matrimonial sea!
The dance after the wedding was a
Jolly affair and will long be remembered
by our best people. 1t is hardly ex-
pected that any irst-class social event
can come off in these parts without
meeting with ungentlemanly interfer-
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-03-06
DODGING A TORPEDO.
Adventures on Board the Bloekading
Steamer alag"


Steamer Flag"
Mr.. Frank B. Butts, writing of his ex-
perience on board the blockading steamer
Flag during the civil war, corrects the
common notion that men on such duty
had little danger to face. On the con-
trary, he says, they could never lie down
at night with feeling of security.
Their great dread was of being blown up
by a submarine torpedo.
Our first experience of night alarms
came in the form of floating torpedo,
which had been made to drift out upon
the tide from Charleston. The sloop-of-
war Housatonic, sister ship to the fam
Gus Kearsarge, was destroyed by such
torpedo one night while at anchor only
a short distance from our vessel, and
more than half her crew perished.
So constant were these alarms, and so
frequently were the results fatal, that
often wished myself at home or in some
safer part of the world. To give an idea
of what we many times experienced, 1
will copy from letter written to my
parents just after one such adventure:
cit was about midnight. lay slum-
bering in my bunk, when was swak-
ened by an unusual excitement OH deck,
and while was yet in a kind of stupor,
trying to realize what it could mean, l
heard our strong-hearted boatswain's
mate in greatest excitement run for
ward, shouting, Slip the cable! slip the
cabler
''In moment was on my feet, and
seeing that no alarm had been given be-
low, 1 sprang to the rattle, gave the ma
chine a twirl, and then rushed to the
spar deck. There was dim moonlight
and the sea was calm.
Near at hand and to the windward, /
saw bearing down upon US floating OBJ
| ieet that filled every soul with dread
We were casting loose a broadside gun,
when 1 heard the boatswsin's mate
again.
"'Back her! back herr he shouted.
She's right under our bowsr
81 jumped into the netting, looked at
the clouds, expecting to take my next
breath among the stars, and stood on
tiptoe Swaiting the ascent; but as the
vessel backed, the torpedo glided in the
swift current harmlessly past.
"a shot from one of our guns cut 1T in
two, and the torpedo proved to be a
mass of floating seaweed-
''The first salute was by my friend,
Mr.. Bayland, whom 1 had crowded out
of the rigging, and who now called the
attention of the whole company to my
elevated position and my scanty ward
robe.
81 turned the tables by pointing to
the half-dressed figures on the quarter
deck, and especially to the master-at-
arms, who in his haste had run his legs
into the sleeves of pea-jacket and had
the skirt buttoned round his body
| Youths Companion.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-03-06

tiles and lay silently through the night,
while the reptiles crawled over and
about them, until morning dawned at
last. The sensation of a man lying on
his back and allowing the Shiny
creatures to crawl over his face and
body, while every now and then the
footballs of squads of the hostile army
could be heard moving about the river
bank, can scarcely be imagined. Toward
daylight the hunter who had first dis
covered the presence Of the reptiles
contrived in some manner to entlce
them to the mouth of the cave and gave
the doubly imprisoned twenty-one men
chance to move their joints. They
escaped from their dangerous position,
and most of them lived to tell the tale.
Squire Bauder supplements this tale
with another. He says that during a
hot fight in the war he was sent by his
Captain to look for a man who had
Jagged out of the line, and found him
comfortably ensconced behind rock.
The laggard was drunk, and rattle
snakes head was within an inch Of his
hand. Bauder called him away, and
threw a stone at the snake, missing 1t.
The reptile Immediately coiled itself up
and prepared to strike. Bauder threw
another stone, cricket fashion, and
struck his snakeship in the neck. The
animal darted at him and struck his leg,
but failed to insert its fangs in the flesh,
and dropped dead.
A Clevelander, recently returned from
Nebraska, says he was removing the
yoke from pair of oxen, on the sand
hills Just south of Bookwalter's claim,
when big rattlesnake stung him in the
calf of his leg. The young man heard the
rattle and was looking for the snake when
it sprung at him, and consequently
caught it by the body about as soon
as he felt the bite. He brought the
snakes head down upon one of the
horns of the nearest OK, killing 1t, and
then started on run for the chicken
coop. Hastily binding a newly killed
fowl upon his leg to draw the poison, he
jumped upon the back of a wild bronchC
and rode three miles to town, where a
quart of whisky was secured and the
narrator of the story went on his first
drunk. His leg by this time had swol
len to twice it's normal size. he ewent
to hotel, dragged himself to room
and swallowed whisky until he did not
know whether he stood on his head ol
his feet. His last recollection is fruit
less search for the bottle, which stood
on a table beside him. When he awokt
the swelling had begun to subside, his
friends weEe doing what they could fol
him and in few days he was as good a!
| nAW
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-03-06
THREE SNAKE STORIES.
Caressed by RattIers-BOiling Down
CoiIer-Bitten by Snake.

Caressed by Rattlers-BOiling Down q
CoiIer-Bitten by a Snake.
Captain George Mckay tells story in
which war and snakes are mingled in a
fashion which is interesting. His regi-
ment. the Seventh Ohio, while in West
Virginia in the late disagreement, be-
came entangled with an entire brigade
of the Confederate forces and hard
fight of several hours duration ensued,
with chances against the Union regi-
ment, outnumbered as it was, eight to
one. Toward night Captain Mckay got
away with twenty of his men and made
tracks up a branch of the Kanawha
river. They moved cautiously along
one bank while the opposing forces
were following them on the opposite
side of the river and silently gathering
about them on all sides. The beleagur-
cd Unionists finally reached sheltered
spot in the side of hill where . cave
like hollow afforded them refuge.
They dropped wearily upon the ground
10 rest, but they slept little that night
One of them, after few minutes quiet
exclaimed, in low voice:
1--WE must have got into some old
woman's cucumber patch Can't you
smell 'em?"
Several of the men noticed the pecu
liar smell, and one experienced hunter
after smiling about, exclaimed:
sTie still, every man Of you. II yor
make a move you're goner. Thcm'i
| snakes-Tattlers, too"
| The man resisted the supreme impulss
| Of eYery nen Of Adam to fight the rep
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-03-06
RANDOM SHOTS.

CHARLES II. HACKLEY made the city
of Muskegon. Mich, gift of $4,000, to
be used in the erection OF soldiers
monument.
SINCE the organization Of the Depart
ment of Massachusetts, the posts of the
Grand Army of the Republic there have
expended over $500, 600 in charity.
CALVIN s. BRICE, the new United
States Senator from Ohio, is veteran
of the late war. He is member Of the
Grand Army Of the Republic and Loyal
Legion
PENNSYLVANIA still maintains its po-
sition as the banner department" oi
the Grand Army of the Republic. The
membership is little short OF 5000 81
present
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-03-06
CLEVER TRICKS.
Herrmann's Famoue Feats at
'Sleight Of Hand
His Wonderful and Puzzling "Deceplta'
tion" TrIek-HOw 1t Is Done
Simple Enough When You
Know How

For a number of years the master
pieces of Hermann have been his two
decapitations. The first one he usually
used in his magical sketch, where a
countryman with ''a sorter buzzing" in
his head has it cured by cutting off the
offending member. The subject takes
seat in high back, upholstered chair.
The long back of the chair is thickly
padded and has two silk cords running
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-03-06

He marriage OF the
lovely Miss Ange-
lin e Be ms on,
daughter Of our
popular citiz e n'
Peter Benson, was
solemnized Thurs
day afternoon in
a very gay man
ner. Ridge society
has been looking
forward to thi s
event for som g
time, and its reali-
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-03-06
The BENEFIT of F.nurs.

Bagley-Too bad about Turner fail
ing.
Bailey-Yes; too bad.
Bagley-What are the liabilities?
Bailey-The liabilities are that Tur'
ner viii make q clean twenty thousand
out of it.-Judge.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-03-06
sonethInr Now.

Chumplie-I have something new in
cigars, Mr.. Chappy. Try that.
Chappy (who has tried Chumplie's
cigars beforel - Tobacco? - Munsey's
Weekly
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-03-06

Madam" said the turnpike tourist
at the kitchen door, as he coughed re-
spectful cough and removed something
that looked like a hat from his head,
''you will pardon me for asking II the
grateful odor that comes from the meat
cooking on your stove is not that OF
fried ham?' ''It is, SIR" replied the
large, swarthy woman with the project
ing teeth, placing her arms akimbo and
planting herself squarely in the door
way. "Have you any other questions to
ask?'' ''None at all, madam" said the
pilgrim, as he backed out toward the
gate. None at all. merely wished
to crafty natural feeling of curiosity.
thought it must be ham. 1 find my
conjecture was correct That is all l
have the honor, madam, to wish you
good-day."-Chicago Tribune.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-03-06

-"Well, have you farmers had rain
enough?" he queried Of farmer on the
market Saturday. Hardly" was the
reply. "You haven't? Why, it has
rained almost every day for two monthsl"
"Yes, 1 know. I'm running q skif
around the farm now, but If We had a
little more rain / think could put on .
fiat-boat and carry bigger loadsp-De-
troit Free Press.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-03-06
UN JUG RIDGE.
A Wedding at the Bensons-A
Great Society Event.

- HE marriaoe of tbe
Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1890-09-27

The registered vote at PocateIlo
will be over 700.
About 80 voters took out their
second papers in court Thursday.
The NEWS Is grateful that the
campaign, so far, has been compare
lively a clean one. The speakers on
both sides, have been fair and have
dealt hon0rably one with the other.
A few newspaper men ard few
nameless correspondents whose own
records are not to the olfactories OF
intelligent readers as heliotrope, iocky
club, and tea rose perfumery, have
tried To raise a stencil about the tiOk.
cts, but no one noticed them and they
shamefnlly quit. This speaks well for
both parties and The News is proud
Of II.
A Republican said Yesterday "Ii
We elect Mr.. Siandrod Judge and
should have contest in the district VT
can rely ON him" Ny God What
an admission. Are We electing a Judge
for party purposes? Then let justice
spread her wings and fy away, anC
let the people shun the courts unit
another four years roll around.
Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1890-09-27

When the Conclaycs first organized
The NEWS took occasion TO say their
power would be felt in the coming
election. We were laughed to scorn.
The action of the Pocatello conyen-
tion verified our prediction. To-day
we can tell our Republican friends one
other thing and they may laugh at
that too 1t is this When the elec
tion is over they will be able te
"catch ON" to the reasons why one
or two men on their ticket outrsr
the rest. 1t will not help them any
to know at that date but they will
know all the same.
Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1890-09-27
Eve, Ear and DeFOrmitles.

Dr. T. J. Eaton, formerly of the
Surgical Tnfrmary of indianapolis,
will visit Pocatello Monday and Tues
day, October 9th and 7th. Rooms at
Pacific Hotel, and Eagle Rock Satur
day, October 4th.
DR. Eaton has for the past twenty.
Ave wears made a specially Of the eye
ear and deformities, and has straight
ened more than one thousand cross
eves All iniamed and sore eyes car
he cured unless disorganization ha'
taken place Artificial eyes inserted
and the most efficient braces for th'
enre OF crooked limbs, club feet spin
Al diseases, etc, etc, furnished,
Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1890-09-27
StandrOd's Letters.

In letter dated July 20, address
ed to a Democrat in Oneida county,
lac says
IL have talked with a few Demo
Gratis here and We have decided 10
call Democratic mass meeting TO
select delegates to the State conven-
ton. sincerely trust you will be
here. Please let the Democrats on
Rock Greek know of this.
In another letter dated August II
addressed to a Bingham county Dem
ocrat, he says
You know how hard We worked
together in the convention at Belle
vue. You know how hard | worked
for Mr.. HALEY, but you do not know
the sadness felt at his defeat. | look
upon the course Of the Democratic
clubs with great pleasure. IL the Re
bublicans ascertain that they are ia
the minority in the State, they viii
be ardently bidding for the Mormon
vote. II is n mystery to me why the
Democrats should not nominate m'
for district judge. II the Republicans
then saw iit to endorse me it woulC
insure my election cannot sec
where the objection lies unless IN!
Democracy is doubted. and il tina
should be the case, rather than hav'
a doubt cast on my Democracy,
would remain on probation as pri
yate citizen"
August 18th 10 Hon. Frank W
Beane
IL will not accept the nominatio
from the Republicans for any office.
Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1890-09-27
c. T. WOODALL.

The Democratic candidate for As.
SCISSOR and Collector is the very best
man who could haye been named for
that Office Mr., Woodall is an affable
gentleman, a successful business man
aud man who knows the value OF
property. His popularity wherever
known 10 the county insures him a
big vote, Every voter should see u
Il that the name G. 7. Woodall is on
his ticket. and, IL not there, TO place
il there He is fully competent to dc
the work himself and will not bC
forced TO hire clerk help ON his books
Vote for Woodall.