davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-09-26
Gen. Fisk's Boomerang.

Maj. Ford H. Rogers tells an anus
ing anecdote of the late Gen. Clinton
B. Fisk. The general was addressing a
Sunday school convention One of the
speakers had reminded the children
that it was Washington's birthday.
Children" said Gen. Fisk, ''you all
know that Washington was Q general.
Perhaps you know that l am also a
general. Now, can any one tell what
was the difference between Gen. Wash
ington and myself2"
II know, SIR" piped small boy in
the back part of the room.
"Well, what was the differencew
said Gen. Fisk, smiling at the lads ca
gerness.
George Washington couldn't tell q
lie, SIR" cried the boy in exultant tones.
Screams of laughter followed, in which
the general joined as heartily as the
reSt-Detroit News
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-09-26
Took Him at His Word.

Slowpay Ito collector)-I can't pay you
to-day. Please call again.
Collector-T is very annoying.
don't want to do that.
Slowpay-Then stay away; but don't
say that / didn't invite you.-West
Shore.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-09-26

A gentleman in Paris, Tex, owns
horse which makes a habit of eating
young chickens. Every time young
chicken comes within reach OF the
horse it is sure to be swallowed.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-09-26
An Honest Man.

Bronson-I suppose / may as well
charge up that S25 you owe me to profit
and loss. Rrokeley-My dear sir. l am
= man of honor. will pay you that
money. sir. it have to steal it-Aun,
lsy's Weekly
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-09-26

The Chicago Tribune affirms that this
sign is displayed on State street in that
city: Columbus Laundry. Come in and
get your shirt washed and ironed while
you wait"
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-09-26

Two Russian climbers Of Mount Ara
rat found in perfect preservation mimi
mum thermometer, which was left there
last year. It registered 80 dogs. below
zero.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-09-26

Gen. John c. Fremont, who has had a
slight attack of influenza, is able to take
short walks. This is the first illness
1.-THE Pathfinder" has experienced, al
though he is in his nth year.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-09-26
THE CHURCH AND THE LODGE.
Alarm at the Iuroads Made Jrpon RI,
ligion by Secret Orraniza..

Alarm at the Iuroads Made upon Re-.
Igion by Secret Organizations.
What shall be the attitude Of the
church toward the secret orders which
have multiplied so rapidly throughout
the country during the.last few years9
With many of our churches no problem
is more serious, or beset with greater
complications. The problem would be
simplified somewhat if these organiza-
tons were made up entirely of men
who have professed no allegiance to
the church, but the place which the
lodge holds in the affections of many a
church member is what gives rise to
great anxiety. Sad though the confess
sion is, it must be acknowledged that
some men whose names are on the
church roll habitually give precedence
to the secret society over the church
If the meetings conflict the successful
competitor for their presence is the
former. They have no time to SPARE
for the great religious gatherings like
those at Saratoga, but they will 90 a
long distance to be present at con-
clave of their fraternity.
At the meeting of the Vermont Con-
gregationalists at Rutland the subject
aroused the lveliest discussion of the
whole session. Resolutions mildly dep
recating the absorption of some Chris
tians in such interests were set one
side, because a few thought that the
formal protest would be considered a
declaration of war, and would embar-
rass them in their efforts to counteract
the baneful influences Of csc societies.
Yet not man who spoke failed to ad-
NIT that Christian concerns in his own
community were suffering on account
OF them. Several who live in towns of
only few thousand inhabitants re-
ported from twenty to forty thriving
orders.
We believe that Vermont is not ex
ceptional in this respect. The lodge
using the term to include the meetings
of the various secret orders-will be
found strongly intrenched all through
the country, growing in numbers and
power, and everywhere detaching the
devotion of Christian men from the
church, and too often, we fear, from
the straightforward service of their
master. Recent figures, carefully COM
piled, show that Boston has 243 church
es to 599 lodges; Brooklyn, 355 church
es to 695 lodges; Washington, 1871
churches to 316 lodges; Chicago, 1884
churches to LOSS lodges, and the same
proportion obtains in other Cities
Congregationalist.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-09-26

Never touch vine that has three fin.
lgered leaves that is, leaves divided into
three parts. Vines that show five fin,
lgered leaves may be handled with safety.
Poison ivy hae three Gggerk
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-09-26
The Art of Fast Walking.

Persons who have never been trained
to walk fast generally quicken their
gait by bending forward and lengthen-
ing the stride, at the same time bend
ing the knees very much at each step.
It is pretty safe to say that no one can
possibly adopt this style and keep a
fair walk at faster gait than six miles
an hour. The fast walker must keep
himself erect, his shoulders back and
chest thrown out. He must put down
his forward foot and heel first, and
with the leg straight. He must take
strides SO quick that they look short
He must, if he expects to get good
stride, work his hips considerably, over
coming the sidewise tendency of the
tip movement by compensatory
swinging of the arms. The length of
stride in fast walking is astonishing to
those who look at il. -Harpers Weekly.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-09-26

The many accidents which have
been caused by the ignition of alcoholic
vapors discharged during the operation
of vanishing the interior of beer casks,
which arise from the exposure of the
illuminent required, can now be pre-
vented. The ordinary lanterns used are
being replaced by the electric light. An
incadescent light of small candle power
is surrounded by strong iron frame,
which protects the lamp without OBJ
structing the light. The frame of the
lamp is provided with hook, by which
it may be hung in the belt of the work
man or suspended from the wood of the
cask. The lamp is very handy and is
supplied with current from a storage
battery which will operate for twenty
four hours without being recharged.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-09-26

the streets man dead drunk, his face
exposed to the blistering MONDAY sun.
A Christian woman passed along, looked
at him, and said, "Poor fellow!" She
took her handkerchief and spread it
over his face and passed on. The man
reused himself up from his debauch,
and began to look at the handker-
chief, and lol on it was the name of a
highly respectable Christian woman of
the city. He went to her; he thanked
her for her kindness; and that one
little deed saved him for this life, and
saved him for the life that is to come
He was afterward attorney general of
the United States; but, higher than all,
he became the consecrated disciple of
Jesus Christ.
Kind words are so cheap it is won
der we do not use them oftener. There
are tens of thousands of people who
are dying for the lack of one kind
word. There is business man who
has fought against trouble until he is
perfectly exhausted He has been think
ing about forgery, about robbery, about
suicide. 60 to that business man. Tell
him that better times are coming, and
tell him that you yourself were in
tight business pass, and the Lord de-
livered you. Tell him to put his trust
In God. Tell him that Jesus Christ
stands beside every business man in his
perplexities. Tell him of the sweet
promises of Gods comforting grace.
That man is dying for the lack of
Just one kind word. Go tomorrow
and offer that one saving. omnipotent
kind word. Here +. 4 aoul that has
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-18
GOING TO THEATERS.
opinions and Advice Of Four Great
Religious Teachers.
DIR. CUYLER SEES ONLY TIE EVIL.
Cardinal Gibbons and DR.. Armitare Are
More Liberal.
BISHOP FOSTER OPPOSES THE STAGE
DR.. CUYLER SEES ONLY TIE EvI
BISHOP FOSTER OPPOSES THE STAGE

WRITTEN FOR THE DIsPATcH.1
How far protesting Christians may be-
comingly indulge in worldly amusements
has been vexed and much debated question
ever since Christianity shed its first lumin-
Gus rays over the pagan hearts OF ancient
Rome, more than 1900 years ago. The
early fathers of the church, in their anxiety
to gain converts to the new faith, did not
deem it advisable to prohibit the less harm
full diversions that the heather religion had
countenanced, but they strove to impart to
them something ofa religious character and
to associate them in some way with sacred
persons or things.
From that time to the present there has
existed among Christians of all shades of
belief wide diversity of opinion as to the
propriety of certain worldly amusements.
Prominent among such is theater going,
which, while it has been violently de-
nounced and strictly forbidden by some
sects, has been tacitly countenanced if not
openly approved by others. Thus the Pres
byterians. Methodists and Baptists, espe.
cially in years gone by. have bitterly opposed
it, while the Episcopal and Catholic
churches have not forbidden indulgence in
1t, and have welcomed to their communion as
members In good standing, many persons
connected with the theatrical profession,
evidently taking that view of the matter so
gracefully expressed by the late George
Vandenhof in his poem. "The Little
Church Around the Corner"
What is there in the players art
Should close the fount of lover
He who on earth acts well his part
May hope a seat above.
With view to ascertaining the present
status of the various denominations with re-
gard to this matter, recently propounded,
to the most distinguished and representative
clergymen OF each, the following question:
'Is it wrong or inconsistent for a Christian
to visit the theater?" Four Of the answers
will be found below. FRANK FERN.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-18
WRITTEN FOR rHE DISPATCH. {

Under an old willow tree, whose grace
fully dropping branches hung low over the
clear waters of broad lake, sat little Carl
playing with the daisies and buttercups,
which grew near, and making friends with
the grasshoppers and katydlds sporting so
gaily about him. As he sat there in the
deep grass, the wind blowing his fair hair
and his blue eyes shining with childish
pleasure, he might have been taken for one
of the woodland tairies, who were thought
to have their home in the grove nearby.
/ As he turned moment from his play,
and allowed his gaze to wander over the
water, he wished, as he had so many times
before, for boat, in which he could glide
over the smooth surface of the lake And
he looked through the forest, as if half ex-
pecting to see the little elves coming in a
body carrying the desire. of his heart. But
no one appeared, and an old rotten plank
which had been washed ashore was the near
est approach to boat that was to be seen.
To this the boy was afraid to trust himself;
but he continued to look longingly over the
water, and thought when he grew large he
would build a canoe, and then he would
spend osS RES night on the dancing waves
Suddenly his attention was attracted to
large, white swan far out on the lake,
floating majestically on the water. How
proudly 1t swan; now this way, now that,
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-18
Of man Al The .nd All Is directed toward

OF man at the end. All 10 directed toward
this supreme elimination. All bends toward
the accomplishment OF this supreme result.
A man sets up some distant ideal. Here
Is purpose which be binds himself TO win.
Every day he works with that end In view.
This he learns and that he leaves, here he
goes and there turns away, a. for the sake
ofthe supreme purpose OF his life. Gradually
he gains the object which he strives after.
We look back over his life and we see what
many strange things about 1t really meant.
The purpose interprets them. All In.
telligent work, indeed, Is gradual
shaping OF things toward the edecting
of some desired purpose. And here Is the
cause which is behind all lie, working Just
as the worthiest man works, shaping all ex-
istence, step by step, toward the climax OF q
great world-drama.
Wherever we see that kind OF working,
wherever we find this shaping of things
toward an end, we say at once, "An intel
ligent will is doing this" We turn away
from the little marks of design which we
were studying, and which we found very
wonderful, and behold a mighty universe,
marked through all its reaches Of time and
space with the evidence OF design infinitely
more wonderful. The doctrine of evolution
confirms and emphasizes the argument from
design. tbs contribution to religion.
AN EXTRACTING CAUSE.
Evolution not only supports religion in
its affirmation OF an intelligent will behind
all existence, but it goes farther and asserts
that the cause from which the world proceeds
is not only intelligent and selfdetermining
but is ever-acting. The world, as inter-
preted by evolution, is evidence that this
intelligent will, instead of making the uni
verse, and completing it years ago, and since
then sitting down somewhere on the outside
of it, and working in it only by miracle.
Is forever acting all along. The world has
grown, says evolution, by natural selection
seizing favorable variations. But what has
caused these favorable variations, and what
is this natural selection which has seized
them? What is this persistent and ever
acting cause, without which the doctrine of
evolution cannot stand? Religion calls this
intelligent, self-determining and ever-acting
cause the living God.
There have been two conceptions of God
among men. Some have held that God is
far away, outside the circumference of our
horizon, sitting on a geld throne, and only
looking on at human life. Others have
maintained that God is close at hand, think
ing in all thought, working in all work, in
whom we live and move and have our be-
ing. 1t is this higher idea of God which all
doctrine of evolution emphasizes.
The doctrine of evolution takes the argu-
ment for God and confirms and strengthens
it. GEORGE HODGES.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-18

I thought. The desire, however, became
stronger and stronger. His bright face
grew pale and sad; but when asked the
reason would say: III am only tired;
shall soon be better"
The fairies grew anxious about their little
friend, and brought him all kinds of dainty
food; but he could not eat. Then they tried
new games in order to please him; but all
in vain.
Carl now spent most of bis time in the
garden on the shore OF the lake. One day
while here there suddenly appeared before
him a hIdeous old woman with brown face
and glaring eyes. The boy was much fright
ened, and was about to cry for help when
the ugly creature, in shrill voice, said: 81
know your trouble, and that you wish to go
home. Now it you will bring me handful
ofpearls from the palace shall take you to
the village for short time, then bring you
back, and tine fairies will be none the
wiser"
"Out Of my way, old witch, I" cried the
boy. II shall never leave my friends with
out their consent; and shall not rob them
of their Jewels"
The old woman disappeared, and in her
place stood a beautiful fairy. "I have
heard your Words" she said, land for your
fidelity to us you shall have your wish, and
return to your home tomorrow"
Although Carl shed tears at the thought
of leaving the fairies, yet he fell asleep that
night thinking of the joy that was in store
for him. When he awoke the next morning
ne was lying under the old willow on the
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-18
COST OF BUILDING.
The Widespread Notion That Archi-
tects Estimate Too Low.
PLANS FOR A NEAT COUNTRY HOME.
II 10 Imposing and Convenient and Can
be Built for $500.
ALL THE MODERN ACCOMMODATIONS
PLANS FOR A NEAT COUNTRY HOME
ALL THE MODERN ACCOMMODATIONS
lwnlrrrs ron Tn. DI.rArcH.I

WRITTEN FOE TIE DIsPATcH.I
The prevalent belief thatarchitects' esti
mates are too low, fostered by these whose
interests such belief will serve. is it2ior
tunate for owners, because 1t leads many oi
them into signing contracts that are toe
high. That there are occasional mistakes
in estimating, and that there are few
architects who habitually estimate too low,
is admitted, but to accuse the entire pro-
fession is as absurd as to say that all physi-
clans are incompetent and dishonest be-
cause there are "quacks" found in their
ranks.
The imitators (and they are few are the
''quacks" of the architectural profession.
Never having originated design they are
unacquainted with the materials and labor
required for construction. Usually they
abuse other architects, especially those from
whom they have borrowed most literally,
and they proclaim their Originality" with
great vehemence. If the intending builder
will avoid this small class he can hardly
make mistake in consulting architects
anywhere.
Following will be found brief descrip-
tion of the design illustrating this article:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-18

library. Kitchen and bathroom wainscoted.
Interior woodwork finished in hard oil.
Colors-Clapboards bronze green. Trim,
blinds, sashes and rain conductors. dark
red. Outside doors. dark red with bronze
green panels. Versnda floor, dark olive
drab. Veranda ceiling, lilac. Brick
work, Indian red. Wall shingles, dipped
and brush-coated red; veranda roof shingles
a darker red.
Accommodations-The principal rooms
the plans. Cellar with concrete floor under
whole house. Laundry under kitchen.
Attic plastered and finished as large play
room; space for three or four bedrooms in
stead, if preferred. Heater pipes and regis
ters in all rooms. ALI sides of the house
equally presentable. Open fireplaces and
mantels in hall, parlor and dining room, and
set range in kitchen included in estimate.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-18
EATING WITH THE FINGERS.

Table Etiquette in the Days When Forks
md Their Use We're Not known.
Harper's Young People.l
Did you know that Queen Elizabeth ate
with her fingers? You may have known thai
she loved show and style, that she was SC
fond of fine clothes that when she died she
lett 3.OOO dresses and any quantity of Jewels
but did you ever imagine that such a great
lady could be SO inelegant as to eat with her
fingers? But she did, and so did Shakes.
peare, and Chaucer, and William the Con-
queror, and King Alfred, and everybody
else who lived before her time. These last
were more excusable than she-they had no
forks; but even she was not without excuse.
for though she had several, they had been
given her as curiosities, which, suppose.
NOBODY expected her to use. There was one
oil crystal garnished with gold and sparks of
garnet, another of gold with two little rubies
and two pendent pearls, and still another
of coral.
Why didn't she use them? vou ask.
Well, because she had never seen or known
anybody that used one, and they were some
tnlng new; and, besides, there was a preiu-
dlce against this invention Just from Italy.
But you must not think because there were
no forks that the old-fashioned dinner made
no pretentions to elegance or refinement
Ihe guests had knives and they had fingers.
and with these two implements they man.
aged nicely. From their old books of eti-
quette we learn how they did it. In the
hrst place, the fingers must be publicly
washed before beginning the meal. even If
this had just been done privately, it must be
repeated at the table, that no one might feel
uneasy in eating after his neighbors' fingers
had been in the dish. To aid further the
meat was prepared as far as possible before
1t was brought on the table. If in a stew.
as was usually the case, it was in bits; if
roasted, it was cut by carver, and passed
In large plates with knife.
AS to the way Of helping himself each
guest must choose and keep a particular
part of the dish for his own. He must helm
himself daintily from this place, using only
three fingers; afterward, in carving the
food to tine mouth, which, of course. was
done with the hand, these same three must
be used, taking care, however, not to touch
the nose with them, to do which was ex-
tremely inelegant, and showed a lack of
good breeding. of course all this soiled
the hands, and in refined households at
various intervals bowls Of perfumed water
and different napkins were passed, and no
one must refuse to wash. This old fashion
ot handing round a silver bowl or dish of
rose water is still sometimes seen in Europe.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-18
OVER 100 MILES FOR A DENTIST.
The Mnn With Toothache in n Very UnpIeas
mt Position.

The Mnn With Toorhache in n Very UnpIeas.
ant Position.
Lewiston Journal.I
"When 1 hear a man talk about den.
tistry," said Mr.. Fuller, "I am reminded oi
my experience in Nevada.
81 had the toothache. had it bad. II
ached days and it ached nights and it woke
with me in the mornings. The miners die
what they could for me. They tried to dig
the tooth out with their jack-knives and pry
it off, and what suffered under their ma.
nipulation no tongue can tell. 1t was furi.
GUS. One day they suggested that put
some acid in it that they used in testing
rock and tried that and it eased it for few
hours, when it began again with redoubled
fury. Ii we had pincers we would have had
it out, but decided it no go, and had to
give in aud look forward to tramping to Aus
tin.
On the morning of my leaving 1 found a
man who was going up with pair of cattle
and pair of wheels. 1 went along with
him, sick and weak from lack of sleep. 1t
was $50 miles to Austin-fve days and
nights of travel. For five days and nights
1 suffered. l walked most OF the time, rode
some on the wheels; slept at night on the
edrtu Will piie VI sduu scOopeu up IOE d
pillow; had awful dreams; was exhausted
by pain and worn to the bone. At last 1
struck Austin. Despairingly I hunted for
a dentist There was none. Finally L
found doctor who had an old pair of tooth
plncers He sat me down on a soap box in
a grocery store and he went Tor me, and, as
it seemed to me, after two hours of agony
he pulled that tooth from its socket, and I
rose for the first time in many days happy
in relief. Since then 1 have never looked
a dentist in the face without thanking God
for their dispensation and that 1 am sur
sounded by them"