davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-03
A Music-Loying Canary.

Rev. Mr.. James, of London, writes as
follows to the Pittsburgh Dispatch of a
remarkable canary bird: Immediate
ly begin to play upon the flute she
chirps about as if enjoying the music.
If open the cage-door and leave her
she will come as near to me as possible,
but not attempt to fly to the music; but
if l put her upon my desk and lay the
flute down she will perch upon the end
and allow me to raise the instrument
and play. often take her into the
church and play there upon the organ,
and she will perch upon my fingers, not
withstanding the inconvenience of the
motion of the hands, and chirp in evil
dent delight at the sweet sounds"
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-03
Do Athletics Pay?

Although a man may succeed in plac-
ing new records to his credit for run
ming, walking, jumping. etc., and derive
a great deal of pleasure in SO doing, the
question naturally arises, Does it all pay?
What benefit is it to a man in after life
if he was in his youth able to cover a
short distance of ground in less time
than any of his rivals? Does it do good
to any man if he can walk a mile in a
few seconds less than it has ever been
walked before? Athletes who have done
these things say that it does; that the
habits of training inculcated in their
early athletic days still stay by them
and physically they are in better con-
dition than they would have been had
they not gained the habit of taking care
of themselves. A strong man is always
at greater advantage in the world than
is weaker one, and is apt to keep up
his early training all through his life for
that reason if for no other.-Scribner's
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-03
A Good Word for the Sparrow.

I am not careless, or casual, OBJ
server of nature, but a close one, rather,
and have been for the last two-score
years and since the English sparrow
came to this country, and particularly
since the cruel war against him began
to be waged. have watched his habits
and proclivities and have never seen
him doing aught amiss. l have seen
him busily destroying caterpillars and
grubs on trees and shrubs; I have seen
him sharing with blue birds, robins and
native sparrows the food that nature
and my own hands provided for the birds
frequenting my home, and I have seen
him pugnacious only with his own kim
dred. l believe he does much more good
than i'll, and the trees in town and
country, wherever he has found lodg-
ment, bear their own testimony to the
ebOve.-BOstOn TRANSCRIPT
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-03

NOW an Innocent-LookingO Old Fellow VI
timized Two Horse Sharps.

HOW an Innocent Looking Old Fellow vic-
timized Two Horse Sharps.
One of our boys was over in the Mo-
hawk Valley one day, and on that same
day q couple of chaps came into VII
lage on tin peddler's wagon. They
were driving horse which could have
fooled no one but hayseed. Any one
posted on the points of trotter would
have put him down as good for less than
three minutes. This was in the olden
days, when a horse showing a clip Of
$3.50 was looked upon as marvel.
The peddlers found the usual crowd at
the village tavern, and it didn't take
them two hours to get up match with
the boss trotter of the neighborhood. It
was best two in three for $50, and the
tin-wagon horse won both heats in 1855.
1t was evidently put up job to skin the
rustics, and, as they were headed our
way, we determined to be ready for
them, sent hundred miles after q.
trotter, scraped our dollars together,
and the day the peddlers arrived we
had our nag drawing manure with
cart The peddlers arrived at about
eleven o'clock, and after dinner, as we
all sat on the veranda, one of them care
lessly inquired:
Got any thing in boss flesh to brag Of
here?"
Zone purity fair hoss," replied the viii
lage cooper, who had dreadfully inno-
cent look on his fatherly face.
"Can he go?''
"Wall, he's cleaned 'em so fur"
sour old boss does mile fairly we'll"
"Yes?"
sand, just for the fun of the thing, we
sometimes trot him."
"Yes?"
''Can't we get up go?"
"Wall, our boss is no cheap animal.
We'd want to make it a hundred at
least"
"We'd rather make it $3.50"
In ten minutes we had the money up
and the race agreed to. We had no
track, but the highway was broad and
smooth, and it was to be a mile straight
away. The peddlers brought in sulky
they had left just out of town, our horse
was provided with another, and every
man, woman and child in that town
turned out. The race was square up
and up, and our horse got the first heat
by three good lengths. We saw that
the peddlers were puzzled and anxious,
but they had sand and each put up his
watch for 500 more. 1t was fair, even
start on the second heat, and the pace
was even for a quarter of mile. Then
our horse began drawing away, and
when he went under the string he was
thirty feet ahead. The peddlers gave
up the stakes, sat down by themselves
and had talk, and then the spokesman
finally moved over to where the cooper
stood and said:
''We see through it, and we can't
squeal. AS for your getting an old
ringer to match ours we haven't any
fault to find. but what harrows up our
souls and makes us long for rest beyond
the grave is the idea that we were taken
in and done for by such benign old
cuss as you seemed to be, but amt! I'll
tie both feet and one hand and fight
you for the boss and wagon!"-N. Y.
SIM
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-03
His Head Was Level.

A tramp who was rubbing Woodward
avenue lamp-post the other day struck a
pedestrian for dime, saying he wanted
to get bite to eat.
''Why don't you try some of these
houses around here?' was asked.
''I've tried all but that one on this
block, and the people are either away or
down on the purfesh."
''But why didn't you try that one?,'
'I'm no fool, mister. l may not be
purity, but I've got some common sense. {"
"Wellr'
'Well, follow the street sprinkler and
you can't 60 wrong. When it leaves a
dry spot in front of mans house you
just keep away from that man. That's
where they tie ropes around the chill
dren's bodies just before feeding. De-
trOit Free Press.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-03
Novelties in Jewelry.

A ragged portion of peanut she'll
represented in old gold forms unique
scarf pin of recent make.
Alligator skin represented in lady's
square silver belt buckle by oxidized
etching promises to become fashionable
this season.
The forefeet of horse curved into a
horseshoe with diamonds and rubies
mounted alternately is gold scarf pin
that is meeting with favor.
A pretty and attractive wedding pres
emit consists of pair of silver saltcel-
lars, each representing pineapple and
resting in pulled, silk lined case.
The ace of clubs formed by double
tape of black enamel and having clus-
ter of white pearls in the centers Of the
projections forms pretty lace pin
jewelers. Weekly
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-03
HAUNTED HOTEL ROOMS.
Cases of Suicide Always Cause Troubl
in a Public House.

Cases of Suicide Always Cause Trouble
in a Public House.
Eyes, a man who commits suicide in
a hotel causes a vast deal of trouble"
said an old hotel clerk. eff the num-
Der of the room in which the deed was
committed gets out we always have to
reminder the room before we can get
any body to occupy it. 1 recall an Incl
dent of few years ago that is inter-
esting. A well-known Richmond man
had committed suicide in one of the In
dianapolis hotels. About the time the
corpse was removed some of the cleo
afternoon travelling man was occupy
ing a room several doors from the one
in which the suicide had occurred.
Every time he would call for boy the
register on the clerks desk would point
to the number of the room in which the
corpse had been removed only
few hours before. A bell boy
answered the first call, and
came back white aso sheet
with the announcement that no one
was in the room. 'Ting-a-ling-a-lin
went the call bell again, and once more
the register pointed to the room in
which the suicide had occurred. A
second bell boy was sent to the room,
and he came back as badly scared as
the first, with the statement that no one
was in the room.
Its the dead mans ghost said
guest who had become interested in the
proceedings"
Again the bell rang, and for the
third time the register pointed to the
suicides room. 1 ordered third bell
boy to go up and make surs that the re
was no one in the room. Not much; he
wouldn't go. Said l wasn't going to
steer him in among spooks. / screwed
up my own courage and stated up stairs
to make an investigation myself. My
breath was beginning to come short
when met the travelling man on his
way down stairs, Tuning because his
calls had not been answered. It &C.
CURED to me in moment that the wires
had become crossed. indianapolis
News.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-03
LOVE TO TALK HORSE.
a Sure Passport to the Good Graces Of
Some Imminent Men,

|
Some Emminent Men.
Would you like to see grim million
aire lose his look of absorption and
grow young, eager and voluble in an
instant? Mention horse to him. 1t
does not make the slightest difference
whether he wears the repelent look of
Vanderbilt, the stony reserve of Hag-
gin, the senatorial taciturnity of
Hearst the inherent reserve of Bel
mont or the social veneer of Lorillard.
Horse is enough. A stranger of wide
distinction or man of imposing title
would receive formal nod from these
men, while they'll turn boys in the
presence of racing people in whom
they recognize the kindred love for q
horse. I have seen August Belmont
lean heavily on his stick and wrangle
with red-faced insistence with trainer
In check jumper for half an hour, in a
stable yard, over the particular quality
OF bran that should be given to a colt,
while the same man, In his house, bank
or club, wore an air Of such icy reserve
that to approach him meant a Fremont
tory symptom of chills.
One day, when was boy, 1 hap
pened to be on the piazza of Gabe Cases
old road-house watching the trotters,
when old Commodore Cornelius Van
derbilt drove along in a small road
wagon with his jaws set hard and his
brows drawn together in thoughtful
scowl. As he came along an old horse
man with wisp of whiskers on his
chin wandered out of the door of the
hotel and, catching sight of the great
railroad king, suddenly started forward
and yelled:
Hay! Cornell! come in here; 1 want
t see yer"
At the sight of him the Commodore
half refined in his horse and, losing all
his look of worry and anxiety, cried:
"Hullo, Bill! When'd y'u come t
town? Can't stop now. Glad t. see"
Come on in here, I tell you," said
the stranger.
Nearly every body was abashed at
any man addressing the greatest citizen
of New York in that fashion. but the
Commodore seemed to think it was all
right.
II will stop minute" he said.
The two men shook hands, but before
the Commodore could speak the old
backwoods horseman said with gilt
tering eye:
''You know the chestnut colt?"
"With the white stockings?"
1.-THE same"
"Well?"
''Well," said the rural visitor, with .
smile that spread all over his face,
she's only done eighteen, that's all.
An you put him out of yer stable"
''He amt trotted in eighteena" said
the Commodore, excitedly.
Hes done that same"
"Bill," said the railroad magnate,
thoughtfully, but with an air of over
whelming conviction, 81 must say that
when it comes to boss, you're a
daisy"
The stranger accepted the great COM
pliment modestly, and then the two
men sat on bench and talked about
crossing different breeds for speed with
the animation of school-boys. The
richest man in New York was absolute
ly oblivious to time and his surround
ings. and it was seven o'clock when he
suddenly bounced up and started for
home on the discovery that he was al
ready an hour late for dinner.-Blake-
ly Hall, in PHILADELPHIA Times
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-03
Water Lilies as Food.

The water ilyis said to be largely used
in some parts of India as food stuff
The fruit of one species that grows plen-
tifully in the lakes of Cashmere is rich
in starch, and has much the flavor of a
chestnut. If the nuts are dried they will
keep a long time, and, when ground,
may be made into cakes or porridge, OF
they may be soaked for some hours and
boiled. The seeds of the lotus are also
much used for dietary purposes in India.
New York Telegram.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-03
Going with the Buffalo.

In ten years more, unless laws are en-
acted to prevent, the sight of live, free
alligator will be such variety as to
cause public comment. There Is no
longer a safe retreat for him in the
United States, and hunters are some
times on the watch for whole week be-
fore one can be secured Nature made
him for some special use, and his extinc-
ton may bring some sort of revenge
no@-,o;+ Er,oa D,-occ
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-03
Foc:isb Questions.

Father whom Bobby has induced to take
him)-Now, Bobby, don't quite understand
this. Ii the man who throws the ball fails to
hit the club after three trials, does that put
the umpire outs
Bobby-Pa, do you remember why you
sent me to bed last night at o'clock
Father-Why, n-no.
Bobby-It was for asking foolish questions
New York Sum-
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-03
A snIendid Subject.

Metropolitan Editor-Write an able article
carefully reviewing the topography and pop
ulation of Central Africa, the dangers incl
dent to travel from men and beasts, give
the line of Stanley's probable march and
your conclusions regarding Stanley's prob
able fate.
Assistant don't know anything about 1T
.sNeither does any one else. It's splendid
subject for fine writing. Omaha World
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-03
We would not seem to imply tn

We would not seem to imply that
all who make speeches are thereunto
impelled by the fatal gift of CAB; not a
few are unwilling victims to the popu-
lar delusion that life without speech
making is not worth living. But the
evil lies in making this habit or custom
q National inst tuition, as much part OF
our existence as the food we eat and the
huid we absorb. The evil has become a
serious one. Private talk or converse
ton need not be Objectionable. If q
man does not like 1t he can 60 home.
But guest at public banquet, semi
public reception, or private dinner
can not decently clap on his hat and run
when the walls of oratory are uncorked.
He must stay and SOU rm. Enter the
Society for the Suppression of Americas
Chin. Advertiser.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-03
Spite.

Clara-So you are really engaged to
Tom, are you? That's pretty ring
you have, but it is not the same one
returned to him after we quarreled.
Sophie-Tom said it was new one.
Clara suppose Tom is in earnest
this time, SO he got struck with fit of
economy. and sold the other ring and
bought this one, and put the balance in
the bank. -Harper's Bazaar.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-03
THE CLARET COUNTRY.
MedOc, One OF the Great Wine-Produ
ing Districts of France.

MedOc, One of the Great Wine-Produc-
ing Districts of France.
The district known as Medoc. or
''Twixt Water" Ia contraction of in
medic aque, the name bestowed upon
it by its rulers when Bordeaux was the
the chef-lieu of a Roman colony), ex-
tends from Bordeaux to the sea, roughly
speaking-morec correctly, from Blanoue-
fort to Soulac-and lies between the
Garonne-Gironder river and the DEPART
ment Of the Landes. 1t is a tongue of
land, undulating in outline, the soil of
which is partly slice gravelous, partly
calcareous, about fifty miles in length.
and from five to six in breadth. All
along its water boundary VINEYARDS
fringe the river banks, sweeping down
to the waters edge from the crests of
the low hills-their local style and title
is croupes-of the Haut-et-Bas Medoc.
The communes into which the river
side section of the district is divided are
fraught with pleasant remembrance and
hopeful anticipations to every experi-
enced claret-drinker; st. Julien.
Margaux, st. Estephe, Pauillac and
Cantenac. All these, and others in
which superior classified and bourgeois
growths are plentifully produced, we
passed successfully in our smart little
steamer. which. being of light draught,
was able to keep sufficiently inshore to
afford us tolerably near view of the
handsome chateaus, for the most part
standing on high ground, on or near the
SUBMITS of the vine-clad slopes. but
here and there nesting among symmet-
rically-planted vineyards on the lower
levels. half way between the river and
the croupes
Woodland is comparative rarity in
the MedOc, the soil of which is "under
grape" wherever the vine will flourish:
even the marshy lands or palus have
been drained, protected from the river
floods by massive entertainments, and
largely planted with vines, while the
upper lands, with scarcely an exception.
have been cleared of timber and utilized
for viticultural purposes. The chief
chateau proprietors, however, have kent
up the small woods and coppices that
happened to be situated in the imme-
date vicinity of their residences, to the
general picturesqueness of which these
"backings" or semi-girdles of forest
trees and high covert contribute in no
inconsiderable measure. A few of the
wealthier and more enterprising Wig
nerons have even adorned their estates
with vigorous young plantations at
pecuniary sacrifice which can only be
appreciated by those who have learned
how profitable every rood of Medoc soil
that will grow grapes is to its owner
EortniQhtlv Review.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-03
Sprung q Leak.

It was his first visit to the city. AS he
stood on the curbstone shaking his sides with
laughter he was accosted by one Of New
Ravens finest:
whats the fun, strangerp'
"Funi Can't you see iti Just look how
that thing pointing to watering CART
leaks; why, the blame fool won't nave drop
left when he gets home. New Haven News
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-03

Helen Here, Jack, is q red rose for
you. That means my best love. you
know.
Jack-You darlingl Do get that
flower in your other hand, tool
Helen-No. That's for Tom, my
other adorer. It Is myrtle, and means
constancy and fidelity Pittsburg Bull
lntin
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-03
She Called at His ONCE.

Irate Wife-Where is my husband?
Cashier-He is in his private Office
with his typewriter
Irate Wife-The horrible wretchl
What business has he sitting around in
there with his typewriter?
Cashier-He's repairing it, while the
operator is away on her vacation.
Irate Wife-Oh! That's different. =
Light
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-03

Embroidered handkerchiefsh had come
into use in Shakespeare's time, as is
proved by the important part which
Desdemona's handkerchief or snap
KIN" as it is called-plays in the TRACE
oy OF "Othelo." But as yet the pos
SCISSORS of handkerchiefs were lords and
ladies. Even in the Seventeenth CEN
curry the common people knew no such
luxury. Z
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-03
seventy-three Roses ON His Comm.

Seventy-three Roses on His CONN.
A pretty little episode in the life OF
the late DR.. Byford was revealed at bis
funeral The noted doctor had many
devoted friends, and among them were
DIR. and Mrs Henrotin. The latter has
for a number of years been in the habit
OF sending DR.. Byford a white rose on
bus birthday. She carried the rose to
him on the last anniversary, and he
then said to her: 'sYou must bring
seventy-three roses next year, for !
shall be that many years old" The
doctor died before his seventy third
birthday arrived, but Mrs. Henrotin at
tended the funeral and brought the
seventy-three white roses which were
. laid On his casket. Chicago Herald.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-03

Real Enthusiastically declare to you.
Marie, the new dentist is such charm
ing man that now I really am delighted
when I have toothachs. "-Fliegends
BlatteA
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-03
Az .,..:...sxES:S A--u-srt,

Blank City Child You look disappointed
Omaha Child-Your ma wrote that this
was city. 1t isn't It's only town.
"Tispt a town; it's city. It's names
Blank City, so now there
"Don't care what its name is, it isn't city.
See how clean and smooth the streets are. If
this was city the streets would be all torn
up 30 you couldn't get around Omaha
World"
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-03
A Fitting Smile.

Kate-Isn't young Dudley de We're just
as handsome as picture? A perfect
poem of mani
Jack-Right you are, sisl That's just
what he is He's been rejected no end
of times. -Pittsburg Bulletin.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-03

-Wibble-"What sordid, unsatisfy.
ing thing it is for man to devote his
whole life to the mere pursuit of wealth. "
Wabble-sE Especially if he doesn't got
tk"-Terre Haute Express.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-03
Giving the Boys a Chance.

The editor of The Register left for Bloom
fngton last night to attend a meeting of the
Illinois Press association at Bloomington, the
home of Office seekers Hence the paper gets
out on time-Paxton QIls) Register.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-03
Rational Architecture.

The very art element of architecture
has been the cause of its degradation
From the most useful of arts it has be-
come mostly ornamental. From mean
ing and expressing the utility of an edi-
fee it has come to refer to its appear
ance only. People have forgotten that
it arose from the necessity of man for
shelter, and view it as a product of
the study or of the studio in which
beauty and aesthetic effects are the only
ends sought, while utility, convenience.
expression of intention, have all become
secondary considerations. Nothing could
be more erroneous, nothing more fatal
to the production of sound architecture.
Architecture is not the product of the
imagination, but the result of experience
and foresight. The painter in his studio,
or the sculptor in his, has nothing to die
tate to his thoughts or force them into
certain channels. His fancy is free, and
he allows it to carry him where it will
The architect, on the other hand, is linn
tied by innumerable requirements and
difficulties, all of which are real and
physical, and all of which must be over
come before his work can be success
His creations are not intended for the
decoration of gallery or to be preserved
under glass, but they must stand the
test of time and of climate, must bear a
relation to the manners and customs of
the ay.-Barr Ferree in Popular Science
MONTHLY.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-03
Cora PEARLS Stolen Jewels.

"A citizen who was passing by q
house on Indiana street the other day
observed smoke coming through the
roof near the chimney, and he rushed
up to the door and knocked an alarm.
''What do you want?' asked the woman
as she appeared. Madam, don't get
excited, but must tell you" ''Oh, I
sha'n't get excited" she interrupted.
81 always keep this handy by" And
she lugged out big revolver which
hung on one Of t he pegs of the hat rack
and continued: mo clocks wanted, no
rugs wanted, NO books wanted, no sew
lag machines wanted, NO cold victuals
nor old clothes to give away. Travel"
And he had to retire to q position OUT
aide the gate to inform her that the
roof was on fire.-Detroit Free Press.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-03
AS Usual.

E.-Where are you going in such >
hurry?
FIN going to see Mr.. Krank.
'sWhy, he is pessimist who is always
saying that he has nothing to live for. !"
eyes. that's when he is well."-Texas
6iftings.