davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-21
BY THE sTRAws THEY TELL.
A Peculiar Custom ON Christmas Eve Il
Rnlisl,

A Peculiar Custom ON Christmas Eve in
Polish Villages.
1t is customary in Polish villages to strew
straw over the Christmas eve supper tables,
and for the young people, blindfold or in
the dark. to pick out each straw there
from. Should the straw be green the lucky
maiden expects to wear a bridal wreath or
the youth to lead a blushing bride to the
altar during the approaching year; but a
dried straw foretells to either long waiting.
possibly even until death.
In other rural Polish districts on the
"Christs eve" wine. beer and water are
placed by q girl between two candles on
table. She then retires into corner or an
ADJOINING room to watch the result reflected
In mirror hung for this purpose. If, as
the clock strikes midnight, man enters and
drinks the wine, she is happy. for her
wooer will be rich. Should he drink the
beer, she may be content, for the wooer
will be ''well-t0-do." If the water be
chosen, her husband will be very poor. But
II. as the clock strikes, no man comes to her
table, the anxious maiden shivers with
more than midnight terror, believing that
sne is doomed to be early the bride of
Death.
Poland is peculiarly rich in these observ-
ances, spreading themselves throughout the
in this respect. On New Years eve the
young unmarried men place themselves be-
lore IRE, and, bending down. look beneath
their legs. Should woman appear in the
background 1t is the one they will marry !;
put, II they see shape as Of coffin. it for
BODIES Tor them death during the year close
at hand.-Chambers Journal.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-21
STROLLING PLAYERS.
A Class Who Are Delighted With
Little.

The srtolling players who visitour villages
and small towns are dear to the hearts of the
people. The demands of these rustics are
small. and they are delighted with modest
returns. Tinsel, spangles and stage scenery
painted at the rate of Id per square yard are
to them spectacular splendors, and common
places are regarded with kind of awe il
delivered in velvet cloak and buskins in a
stately Ciceronian style. These rustic au-
diences have no touch with the great world,
and If knowledge OF it, past or present, shall
be had by them. it must be imported. The
strolliog player in a sense becomes one of
their benefactors, teaching them tho deep
records OF history and leading them through
the enchanted realms of romance. Puck,
Ariel and the Fairy Nab convey them to the
sweet lands which they have never seen
since their childhood's days-and then only
in dreams. They cheer with Henry V at
Agincourt and with grim satisfaction,
thank the destiny which Stays Richard III
at Bosworth Field. What a Charming
witchery has been wrought for them BY
these magicians Of the stage! What a bridg-
ing Of the centuries! What a resurrection
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-21
HORSEPOWER.

A False Unit of One of the Most Impor-
tnnt Measurements in the World.
When men first begin to become familiar
with the methods Of measuring mechanical
power they often speculate on where the
breed OF horses is 20 be found that can keep
at work raising $4,000 pounds one foot
per minute, or equivalent, which is more
familiar to some mechanics of raising 800
pounds 100 feet per minute. Since IS. 600
pounds raised one foot per minute Is called
one horse power, it is natural that people
should think the engineers who established
That unit OF measurement based it on what
horses could really do.
But the horse who can do this work does
not exist. The horsepower unit was estah-
llshed by James Watt about a century ago
and the figures were fixed in a curious wey.
Watt found that the average horse of his
district could raise $1,000 pounds one foot
per minute. This, then, was an actual horse
At that time Watt was emploved in th.
manufacture Of engines, and customers were
so hard to find that all kinds of artificial in
JUDGEMENTS were necessary to induce mower.
users to buy steam engines. AS method
OF encouraging them Watt offered to sell en-.
gines reckoning $4,000 foot pounds to a
horsepower. And thus he was the means
OF giving false unit to one of the most i'm
portant measurements In the world,-N. Y.
Times. ~ =
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-21
Overra,ed Import,nc..

The sudden death from overstrained nerves
OF one of the chief operators in the Western
Union telegraph service gives point to the
observation Of physician in one of Rud-
yard Kipling's stories. More people are
killed by oyerwork," he said. than the i'm
portance of this world justifes.''
The value OF the world to man who has
killed himself or made his life burden by
overwork or overworry is relatively so small
as to make 1t source of constant wonder
that human beings will persist in paying so
much for so little. The searching inquiry
OF the great moral teacher: "What shall
1t profit man though he gain the whole
world and lose his own soul?" might well
be asked oftener concerning the material
things which stand for worldly success.
The Importance of this world certainly
does not justify man in killing himself
with overwOrk, either ON his own account or
for others. OF all bad bargains none is
more foolish than that in which health.
peace Of mind. q good conscience and COM
fort and joy in living are sacrificed for the
sake OF getting rich quickly or of living up
World,
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-21
Blewup His Chantsr.

An amusing episode recorded OF the Pc
ninsular War seems to prove that even the
charms of our beautiful national pagpipes
fail to soothe these savage beasts! 1t hap
pened that while one of the Highland regi-
mentS was marching across a desolate part
of Spain one of the pipers, for some mex
plieable reason, found himself separated from
his comrades. Hating on a lonely plain
he sat down to eat his breakfast. when,
to his horror, he saw wolves approaching.
When they came very near ne flung them
all the food lie had with him. fully con-
scioqs, however, that this meager meal
would not stay their advance for many
seconds. With the calmness of desperation
he then said: "As we've had the meat yell
ceeded to ''blow up his chanter." No sooner
did his unwelcome guests hear the first
''skirP' of the pipes than they turned in wild
terror and fled as fast as their long legs
would carry them. "Deil hae YEP said the
piper; 'had thocht We were so FOND O. the
music We wad hae gotten if afore meat, in
stead O. afterW Then, hungrily, he went
his way. not forgetting from time to time to
blow blast so wild and shrill as might
etfectually scare any providing foes.-Temple
Rar
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-21
MORNING CALL SUNDAY DECEMBER 81

OF history making events! Agncourtl King
Henry Y! Why, here they are. this very
night, rubbing shoulders with the monarch.
and within touch of the fateful fight that
contributed SO much to make England's
greatness. Or mayhap they have defect
table glimpse or pastoral life so like that in
the hamlets, dales and woodlands of merry
England. Beyond the footights there, re-
Ginning on ths grass by a huge bOie of an
oak collage and vegetation hastily impro-
yised, but no matter), the melancholy Jaques
moralizeS on human life
All the worlds a STAGE
And all men and women merely players.
They see Rosalind cleaning like heavenly
vision among the shadows of the wood ard
in the sharp wit of TouchstoDe and the
wholesome laughter OF Audrey hear echoes
OF their own round of life. and. as they go
home to dream again of "As You Like It,"
they begin to realize that. after all, the
Forest of Arden is not so far removed from
them, and that Jaques and CORN and Touch
stone and Audrey aae wondrousy like them
selyeS.-The Gentleman's Magazine.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-21

purpose of gown at night TOO
much changing of clothes was bad
fur the health" he said. and there was
no reason to fear that his health was going
TO suffer efom any such cause. Once asleep,
think the house might have fallen down
about his ears without awakening him.
Mrs. Hance had found this out when she
wanted to call him one evening about
o'clock to drive the bull ont OF the door
yard. She gave up in despair, and the bull
remained master of the situation until
morning. When she told AMI Of her efforts
to awaken him, he said:
Pears like / did here some one call me
in, the night I'm awful sorry, Mis- Hance;
why didn't you call louder or shake me
That would woke me up. I'm a VERY
light sleeper, Pm.o
AS Mrs. Hance had shouted In his ear
until she was hoarse, and had shaken him
by the shoulder until she was afraid she
would push him out Of bed, she did not
share the opinion that he was a light sleeper.
However, 1t was seldom that he was wanted
in the night, so she was glad that he did
sleep so soundly after his hard DAYS work.
Although he slept soundly he awoke early.
AMI arose with the dawn.
can't lie abed till sunrise" he would
say. there's too much good light gone by
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-21

that time. When dawn breaks at half past
three can get a heap O. work done before
the air gets hot with the sum-"
Until Mrs. Hanee got rsed to his early
hours she used to think that tramps had got
into the house, for it seemed to her some
where about the middle of the night that
she heard the back stairs creaking under
the muffled tread of Amzi's bare feet One
the dawn, but the breakfast hour came and
he did not return. Maggie, the greenhorn,
who did the rough work about the house,
was sent out to look for him, but he was
where she could think of about the place,
and then. taking the old tin horn down
from its nail behind the kitchen door, she
blew blast that would have brought
blush of envy to the cheek OF fish peddler.
IF he don't hare that" said she, as she
hell nivver hare auld Gabreps horn, in
dade."
"Have you looked everywhere. Maggiep"
asked Mrs. Hance.
place haven't bin over. Hist awhilel l
wasn't at the wOodshed beyant" and away
she darted for the woOdShed by the barn.
In moment more Mrs. Hance, who was
standing in the kitchen doorway, heard
cry such as had never reached her ears be-
fore. 1t was like the wall of a lost soul.
She ran as fast as her trembling limbs
wonld permit towards the woodshed, whence
the sound proceeded. and there she saw
Maggie wringing her hands, the picture of
terrified ignorance, and Amzi stretched out
upon the ground. apparently unconscious,
The blood flowing from a wound in his bare
foot and staining the white chips that lay
about it.
He's killed, the poor crathur," ex-
claimed the girl, with another wall; but
deep groan from the PROSTATE man dis
credited her diagnosis. =
Mrs. Hance was equal to the emergency.
The bloody ak that lay by Amzi's side told
how the gaping wound had been made.
Excitement often gives US strength to ac-
complish that which in our calmer moments
would be impossible The two women sue
ceeded in getting the unfortunate man to
the house, and there they laid him on the
settee in the sitting-room. While Mrs.
Hance washed the wounded foot with cold
water aud tied it up in strong bandages,
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-21

II We aiow our bodily infrmties to make away
win US through neglect, have we such an immense
liiorai advantage over the deliberate suicide
oea'ceiy for example. the deadly progress Of
nf'snls disease diabetes. acute nephits ana gravel
Is snre-often terribly swift In thu cat.s,s..ss
MOST people OF average information know tbat ,nt.
Is tne smple unvarnished truth in regard to tbos.
widely prevalent maiadies. To delay iudie,on. m Il.
ication Is specially suicidal in such cases TIE
means OF restraint Is to be found In Hostetters
the kidneys with this safe and relfable nra,,a :,
me iniant complaint is shorn at its birth Of tina
power Tor evil Allow it to grow and anticinat . ~
worst The Bltters which annihilates these orou.
ing trouples also eradicates dyspepsia rheumatism.
vigor are also promoted by 1t, ''p - sa1
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-21
CHAPTER I.

MI CROW was an optimist.
I. There could be no doubt on the
IN subject, yet / should not like
~ to have told him so TO his face,
/l for am afraid that, with his
S 3limited knowledge of what he
described as ''dixonary words. he would
have thought that l was calling him hard
names. AMI was an old colured man who
lived with his family IN RosetoWn and
farmed s'on sheers" for the Widow Hance.
who owned a well-kept farm on the
Reckiesstown pike. Ever since she had
been left widow, Mrs. Hance had great
deal of trouble with her farm. All the good
farmers IN her neighborhood had farms of
their own which kept them busy.
so she could get none of them to
help her. When she put on her best silk
gown and got her last years bonnet out Of
its box in the big mahogany wardrobe in the
spare room," and went to Philadelphia in
quest of help" she always came home
completely discouraged. The advertise
ments that took her to Philadelphia were
the most alluring that could be imagined.
but when she saw the competent farmer"
who could take ''entire charge" she usually
found him to be an incompetent person who
could not be trusted to do more than drive
the COWS home or scare the crows from the
fields.
Her success nearer home was little better.
She hreu man and his wife from Reckless
town, and found some comfort IN the ar
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-21

once, for though he hardly could have be en-
called handsome man. even of his race, he
had an honest open countenance, particu-
larry about the mouth. His nose was the
broadcast of its kinda discouraging nose
fer the influenza should say, but admir-
ably adapted for seeming new mown hay or
any strong odors about the house. Not
particularly keen nose, but homely useful
nose That made up in breadth what it lacked
IN prominence. His eyes were not large.
and their whites had that peculiar reddish
yellow color noticeable in the ewes of ne
groes. but their expression was benevolent.
Amzrs figure betokened strength rather
than elegance. He was tall and brawny. ana
his arms were unusually long. Ordinarilysat
gentle as child, should think that if nm
justly attacked those long arms and sinewy
hands Of bis would be as deadly as 90
rilia's. There was a great deal of gray in
his hair aud in his scraggy beard. Ones
belief in the Oar winian theory was strength
ened BY his appearance, and / cannot say
that his Intellectual development altogether
contradicted it, But he was good man
and did his duty according to his light.
We'll, Amzi," Said Mrs. Hance, 81 hear
good accounts Of yon from Dr. Bloodgood."
THANK zee. ma'am," replied the negro.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-21

show, too, what use can be made Of most
unpromising building material, hich, how
ever, is fittingly adapted to climate and
conditions. The railroads staff fill quite
are more fields to the south. Chinese do
the gardening instead of the former poems,
who are now railroad laborers or working
over the river. There are more adobes and
more people-ab0ut 5000 now against 1900
thirty years since. The stores are not much
larger. There are more eontraband goods
about; everybody smuggles in Mexico
There are more ruffians and rowdIeS also.
and they are generally from the American
side. Drinking and dancing places are too
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-21

Henry Labouchere says that the funds Of
amount to 500, 900, are deposited In banks
at Paris in the name of Mr. ParnelI, but no
check can be drawn by Mr.. Parnell without
the assent Of his leading colleagues; neither
can the latter draw out a single penny with
out the consent OF Mr.. Parnell.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-21
THE AMERICAN BORDER.
An Old Town ON the Rio
Grande River.

The old Mexican town Of Paso del Norte
on the Rio Grande River is now known as
Juarez. 1t has a good deal TO interest the
sight-seer. In the place is a Mexican gar
rison, and not far away, on the American side
of the stream, is Fort Bliss. Juarez has not
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-21
A VOICE
FROM The rail,

k1nafaetarss Of The Great Sierra Kidney and lus, cu,st
Having been in the
railroad business, conductor, for
years, contracted very serious disor-
ders OF my kidneys and bladder. was
getting weaker daily. and did not leave
my bed for three months; also was
despaired of by my doctors. | was
lucky enough to hear of your GREAT
SIERRA KIDNEY AND LIVER CURE, and
sent for one bottle, as you we'll know.
! have used five bottles and am now
out, around and able to attend to INV
work. Your valuable remedy has
saved my life. and to you | owe NV
heartfelt thanks. Yours trul,
49,, EUGENE GUY,
With Leek Glove Co., 52l Market ST.
San Francisco. Cal.
Sold by all druggists.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-21
CHAPTER TT

AMI believed in the old proberb, 'Early
found him stretched upon his cot under the
caves in the open attic. 1t didn't take him
long to get to bed nor long to get to sleep.
Such word as night-gown found no place
in Amzi's vocabulary. The old flannel
shirt that he wore during the day served thu
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-21

changed. outwardly, great deal in the past
thirty years; but the changes were few in
the previous 800 years. says the Globe
established early in the sixteenth CEN
tury, and there was an Indian pueblo
OF Importance at this point for long
time before that. The old church is the
quaintest structure in the city, homely as it
is; while the handsome adobe-built depot
and Offices Of the railroad are interesting
because they indicate the new life, and
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-21

The new hotel which William w Aotor;s
building on the northeast corner of Eiftv :
ninth street and Fifth avenue, New Yorf
will be seventeen stories high. o'A'
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-21
Rich rr.pp,nss of Medieval Times. n

When the Duke de Valentines, son of
Alexander vi, visited Louis XII Of France.
his horse was loaded with gold leaves, ac-
cording 10 Brantone. and his cap had double
rnbies that threw out great light. Charles
OF England rode in stirrups hung with 321
diamonds Richard III had coat valued mt
$4,000 mar ks, which was covered with balas
rubIes Hall described Henry VIII on his
way to the Tower, previous TO his corona
tion. as wearing ''jacket of raised gold,
the placard embroidered with diamonds and
other rich stones, and great bauderke
about his neck of large balasses. Dry
goods Chronicle.
The students of Haskell Indian Institute.
in Kansas, consumed 131 chickens, l? GAL
Ions OF mince-meat and barrel of cranber-
ries on Thanksgiving day.
The National tribune., 1890-12-04
statIstIcs OF Tnrnndnes.

Lieut. John p Finley IN ne September For'su'.l
The tornado, with hardly an exception, occurs
in the afternoon, just after the hottest part Of
the day. The time Of greatest frequency is
from 800 10 o'clock. The tornado season in
cludcs March, April, May, June July, August
and September, but storms OF this nature may
occur IN any part Of the year The months Of
greatest frequency, as determined from record
Of POS years, April, May. June and July.
The single mouth Of greatest frequency is May,
April following next in order. The State in
which the greatest number Of tOrnadOcs has
occurred is Missouri. followed next in order by
Kansas and Georgia. A record Of more than
500 tOrnadOes and windfals" Il. e. paths Of
tornadoes through forests in Wisconsin con-
siderably exceeds the number from any other
State, but little weight can be given this COM
parisOn, owing 10 the want of thorough inye5ti-
cation Of the subject 0T windfals in other States
From a careful investigation Of the origin Of
tornadOes and their geographical distribution,
there Is every reason 70 believe that these
storms were as frequent and violent 200 years
ago rs now. Moreover there appears To be no
cause for any unusual change in tine annual
frequency Of tornadoes for q ike period TO
come.
The National tribune., 1890-12-04

There has been considerable anxiety In the
State Of New Hampshire, caused by the re-
mOval Of George Dickey, tho Clerk of the
Legislature, from the State, the question at
issue being who would make up the list Of
members elected to the Legislature. Mr..
Dickey has solved the problem by resigning
aud this simpli1es the situation. His success
sor will probably be s J. Jewett, who will re-
ceiye tho full Republican support for Clerk at
the opening OF the special session. which will
soon be called. The Democrats will be united
IN opposition TO the passage Of the bill instruct
ing the Clerk rs 10 the method Of preparing
the roll Of the next House, and il is said there
will be enough Republicans who will take the
same position and therefore prevent the passage
OF the measure, aud there will be little done at
the extra session except the election Of the
Clerk and his assistant
The National tribune., 1890-12-04
A WAR RELIC.
The Hair nd Autographs CT HanT DlstIngulshs

The Hair nd Autographs CT HanY Distinguished
Men.
The following communication has been
handed US by Gen. Veazey for publication. If
any Grand Army Post desires to purchase this
valuable war relic, they can communicate di-
rectly with the writer of the communication.
LEwANEE, TENN, Nov. 4, 1890.
GEN. VEAZEY: l take the liberty of calling
the attention Of the q. A. r., through you, 70
q very interesting memorial or relic Of the war
period, which has been in my hands since
1864.
IL consists Of a hair wreath made from the
hair OF 40 Maj. and Cabinet Officers of
that period, aud is ceompanied by small al
bum containing seven photos and 30 auto
graphs OF the persons whose hair Is in the
wreath. 1t is exactly as it was sold TO a men,
Der of my family by the then Little Nellie
Grant at the Mississippi Valley Sanitary Fair.
1t vas rallied and We won it. Its geuuineness
is attested by several of the autographs and it
is / believe the only thing of the kind in the
world. As personal relic Of these brave men
it deserves TO be highly priced.
The key to each individuals hair was stolen
from US By Confederate spy in the Fall Of 81 !;
but it could probably be replaced by the lady
who made the wreath, whose name Is doubtless
on the record Of the Sanitary Commission. We
have not examined, but possibly it is ON the back
OF the wreath, the frame Oh Whlch mas never
been unsealed.
Two reasons impel me to offer it for sale {:
One, the fact that it is Of national interest," the
other, that | am in need of the money it is
worth. If you or any OF your comrades desire
to purchase it, am open to offers.
The following are represented in the wreath
and by photographs or autographs or both.
Winfield Scott, U. S. Grant, VIM. II. Seward,
Chief Justice Chase, Gideon Welles, Geo. b.
Mcclellan, John G. Fremont, w. t. Sherman,
~ Blair, z. NJ. G., John A. Dix, Dan'l ID. Por-
ter, John A. Logan, ID. G.. Farragut, Geo. IL.
Thomas, John SedgWick, w. S. ROsecrans, Jno.
A. Dahlgren, Jas. Il. Mcpherson, s. Il. Curtis
W. S. Hancock, Edw. Bates, Il. p. Heintzelmau,
J. /. Usher, Lew. Wallace, III. Hamlin, Q. A.
Gilmore, b. ii. Griersou. j. ID. Peek, Bland (?),
G. K. Warren. Otto G.. Marble o. Rob't Ander-
son, AbneF Doubleday, ID. A. Hunter, SiIas
Casey, w. II. French, VIM. F. Smith, JnO. Pope,
John A. NeCleFRaud, d. c. Buell.
VIM. NJ. HARLOW.