davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-17
A RIM OF STEEL
It's All There Is Between a Railroad Pas.
senger and Eternftv

senger and Eternity.
II tell you what it is" remarked an
old railroad man, lit used to be that
they couldn't turn wheel any too fast
for me, but it's different now. The wav
these fellows run nowadays make INV
hair stand on end. We used to think
that twenty-five or thirty miles an hour
was high running. People were just as
we'll satisfied, if not more so, than now,
and there weren't so many accidents.
Those days when man got on the
ground there was some chance of his
getting away a i've, but when you touch
ground on one of these fast runs now
you're mighty liable to stay there Peo-
pie are getting to look upon mile a
minute as common tn ng, and are lust
bowling mad at a road that doesn't
make it. They never stop to think of
the danger. All they think about is to
get to their destination.
'Why, when stop and think of being
whirled across the country fifty or sixty
miles an hour, down hills and around
curves, with only an inch and a half of
iron between me and eternity, l get SO
scared l swear never to get on a coach
again. What do mean by an inch and
half OF iron? Well, you know what
passenger coach is, don't you? You
know how they're built. A coach is a
pretty solid thing nowadays, and to
look at one person would think they
were pretty safe, but that's because you
don't know any thing about it. The
coach itself is all right as far as it
goes, but it's the wheels. Did you ever
look at the wheels? If you did you may
have noticed how they're made good
size, broad enough and heavy enough,
and with tire of the finest kind of
steel But, on the inside of the tire,
you see sort of rim or flange. That
fange is about an inch and half thick
and about the same depth. 1t doesn't
look as if it amounted to much, that
little piece of steel, but that's just what
the lives of all the passengers depend
upon. That iange keeps the wheel to
the rail and keeps the coach from run
ming off the track.
well, now, when train is going
fifty miles an hour around curve you
see how much depends on that fange.
! - S WOiSAU duu Spc0O VI inc
train is against that flange ON one side,
the outside of the curve, and it is all
that keeps the coach from whirline
from the track. Suppose the fange
broke, or, as is often the case, was worn
down and had been missed by the car
Inspector. The chances are ten to one
that the flange couldn't hold, but would
climb the rail and there'd be another
accident. The reporters would be told
the rails spread or something of that
kind, and no one but the company would
know what caused the accident.
There are a good many accidents
that happen that way, but it doesn't APP
pear to be any of the public's business.
AS general rule coach wheel is
watched mighty closely, and the min
ute flange begins to wear new ones
are put on, but many time an inspect
or will miss wheel and then the
chances are big that there'll be an acct
dent. kansas City Star.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-17
THE WORLDS CENTER
Cities That Wish to BE Recognized as tin
Mid-Spot of Our Planet.

Cities That Wish to BE Recognized as the
Mid-Spot of Our Planet.
For several centuries different cities
In the Orient have contested with each
other for the honor of being recognized
as the mid-spot Of our planet. Quite
recently London geographer issued
an elaborate work in which he tries to
prove the British metropolis to be the
center of the landed hemispheres
Jerusalem and Delphi, notwithstanding
the fact that neither of them is situated
on the equator, have for ages been the
two great rivals in this mid-spot discus
sion. William Simpson, of the London
Society for Exploring Palestine, tells
US that Herr Schick has sent home
drawings of the Jerusalem center of
the world. 1t exists of course, in the
Greek Church of the Holy Sepulcher,
not in the Latin Church. The spot is
identified less by physical science than
by prophecy. 1t is written in the
Psalms: God is my king of old, work
Ing salvation in the midst of the earth. "
This can only refer to the scenes of the
passion and of the holy sepulcher, and
the midst of the earth must therefore.
be found where the holy sepul-
cher is considered to be by the
Greeks. The belief that the center is
there. or thereabouts is ancient, for it
occurs in work by st. Ephrem, quoted
by John Gregory in referynce to Noah's
prayer. Here st. Ephrem saws that
Adam was buried sin the middle of the
earth" Homer calls Clypso's island
the navel of the world, the center of
all the seas" In Eschylus a certain
round stone in the temple of Delphi is
the navel" or center of the earth. and
here does Orestes take refuge when pur-
sued by the Eumenides. Pindar has
anticipated Eschylus here, and. after
IN era, Pausanius Qike Herr Schick)
had the pleasure of seeing the only gem
uine central hub at Delphi. 'Tt is
made" he says, ''of white stone, smooth
and polished, and is the middle point of
the whole world" Delos, as we'll as
Delphi. claims to be one of the sacred
places perforated by the earth's axle.
and probably other cities, in all ages.
have looked upon their places as de-
serving OF the same distinction. There
can be no closer analogy, however, than
that which exists between the hall of
stone in the Church of the HOLY SEN
ulcher at Jerusalem and the round white
stone at Delphi.-St Louis Republic.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-17
JACKS COSTLY RIDE,
An English Tar Mounts the Bronze Ste
of Peter the Great.


of Peter the Great.
Among the most famous sssights" of
st. Petersburg is a fine equestrian statue
in bronze of its renowned creator, Peter
the Great. The fgure-which stands,
on the left bank of the Neva, opposite,
the Senate House-is appropriately
mounted on huge block of grey granite
from East Finland, which was one of
Peters first conquests. The great Car
is represented as sitting erect ON rear
ing horse, and pointing with his right
hand to the spot on the opposite bank
where he built with his own hands in
1904 the first house of his new capital,
while beneath his horses hoofs lies
crushed the serpent that typifies the
grovelling ignorance and superstition
which impeded his grand designs. Now,
it happened that one cold autumn night
an English sailor, who had just landed
from a newly arrived cargo steamer,
was strolling back across the Senate
have it, stopped to take a passing look
at the imperial statue. ''Well, if that's
the thing they make such fuss about,
don't think much of it," cried Jack, dis
painfully. cts nothing like so big as 1
thought twas. Why; Icould climb to the
top of it myself; and I will, too" No
sooner said than done. Over the ratings
went bold Jack, and, clawing his way
nimbly up the roughened surface of the
granite pedestal. he succeeded in clutch
ing first the tail of the serpent and then
that of the horse, and found himself in
a trice astride of the latter, close behind
the bronze figure of the Gar. So far so
good, but just at that critical moment
the moon clouded over, and poor Jack
could not see how on earth to get down
again. What was to be done? To stay
where he was perched on that cold
bronze, would be little better than sui
eide on such bitter night. To descend
would be to risk breaking his neck or
limbs; and to call for help would de-
liver him OF once into the hands of the
police. But the question was unexpect-
eddy settled for him. His muttered ex-
CARNATIONS of dismay caught the quick
ears of a passing patrol, who at once
turned their lanterns upon the monu-
ment, whence the sounds appeared to
issue, and, discovering Master Jack in
his elevated position, promptly sent for
ladder and hauled him down. A night
in the tehast (police lock-up) rewarded
our hero's exploit, and the next morn
ing stern-faced Project of Police sem
fenced him to fine which left poor
Jacks pockets as empty as his head,
silencing the culprits remonstrances by
saying, with grim smile-'if you will
ride with the Gar, my friend, you must
expect to pay high for mount. Cas-
sells Saturday Journal
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-17
A FABLE DlSPELLED.
Elephantine Memory of Faces Is in No Sens
Remarkable.

Elephantine Memory of Faces Is in No Sense
Remarkable.
There is another fable of our early
childhood which certain young man is
able to dispel with absolute authority,
having made long and careful series
of observations This is fable about
elephants and their wonderful power of
remembering faces and avenging in
juries. The young man, who, even as
youngSter, was of a reflective and ex-
perimental cast of mind, began his ex-
periments at very tender age by dis
respectfully twisting the nose of one of
the elephants in Central park Not the
whole of this proboscis, you know, the
youth was too small for an army con-
tract of that kind, but just the extreme
tip of the trunk, as it was held out to
him in friendly salutaton.
The big mass of meat roared and ouiv-
cred with pain. 1t was evident that
wringing the end of an elephants pro-
boscis was like wringing the nose of a
man. Here was new sensation both
for the boy and the elephant, and one
that the former proposed to follow up
as long as the latter was not at liberty
to demonstrate. The next day he tried
1t again. Now here was chance for
the elephants memory to step in and
protect him from a repetition of yester-
days indignities. But it didn't. Just
rs before, the trusting animal put out
his proboscis in greeting, and just
as before the bad boy gave it
twist that brought tears to
the eyes of the enormous creature
why not elephant tears" as well
as crocodile's?-and made him howl
with pain. Day after day this young
ster would go up to the park and prose-
cute his researches in the psycholo gy of
the elephants mind and every day the
kindly creature assisted in his studies
by giving him his trunk to experiment
on.
Once during the month it happened
that the elephant did break his cage and
get away. The inquiring youth stood
near Now, he was sure that the ele-
plant had begun to remember and that
his own little special Judgment day had
come But the elephant rushed past as
II there were no such things in all the
world as inquisitive small boys. And
then for the first time the boy began to
doubt the eternal remembrance of an
elephant But still he was not wholly
satisfied. 1t might be that there was
some mental popularity of this particu-
lar elephant the youth reasoned, and so
from time to time he went on twisting
elephants trunks whenever he got a
chance.
And as he has travelled much during
these years that he has been getting
older, he has probably had more chances
and twisted more elephants trunks,
both in Europe and America, than any
other living being. Moreover, he has
set his friends to experimenting upon
elephants. whenever it was possible,
and of no fact in life is he more certain
than that the beautiful story of the ele-
plants lasting memory is clear and
unmitigated MYTH. Y. Evening Sun.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-17
A Dudes Joke.

Fweddies wardrobe suffered severely in
the ire at the Southern hotel. His friend
Cholly, meeting him on the street, observed:
"Good gwacious, Fweddiel Whatevah have
you done with youah good clothesa You
look like a twamp,.
"Deah boy, my clothes are ssoaked.'n
"Deah mel Didn't know you were in such
straights, my boy. What did you get on
them?"
"Watahl Ha-haI"-Ch Chicago Tribune
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-17
One More Disappointment.

Employer William, you have now worked
for me three years.
eyes, SIR"
sand have always found you industrious,
painstaking and honest"
81 have tried to be, SIR"
Snow, I desire to show that appreciate
your fidelity
s'Thank you, SIR"
"For the next two months you will work
on the books until II o'clock every night. l
do not fear to leave you in the office alone at
all I have great deal of confidence in
you."-Lincoln Journal
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-17
His One Fault,

''He's an awfully nice fellow and
good friend of mine, but he has one
grievous fault-he is always quoting
French and Latin and all the other
languages"
''And doesn't know one suppose?"
"That's just it; he does know them
and don't Judge.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-17

The increase noted in leprosy in the
West Indies is attributed to the fact
that lepers are permitted to walk about
without restraint, to beg, and to mix
with healthy people. In the four years
following 1878 twenty-five deaths from
leprosy were registered there, while
thirty-four deaths occurred in the three
years preceding 1883.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-17
The Proper Punishment,

''What are you stringin' the poor Teller
up for?" asked Texan, as he came upon
alynching party.
''He lowed he'd sing Little Annie
Rooney an we couldn't stop him."
'Sarves him right! l thought mebbe
he'd only killed man or o."-The
Jury
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-17
PrlyiIeged Cbaracters.

Little Nell-Aunty took me to the
matinee to-day, and all the idiot asylum
inmates were there. The manager sent
them free tickets, and put them all in
one part of the theater, in a whole Lotto
seats by themselves.
Mamma-Indeed? And how did they
act?
Little Nell-Oh, just as if they had
box.-N. Y. Weekly.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-17
Why He Didn't Want II

"Darringer, have you half dollar that
you don't wantg"
"Why, certainly. Here it is"
The next day:
Say, Darringer, that half dollar you gave
me was a counterfeit
Yes. Bromley. You asked me if I had a
half dollar that ! didn't want. Life
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-17
-"Cyrus, I want YOU to 90 down-to,

Cyrus, want you to go downtown
with me. l want to pick out new
necktie for you" "Have we time
enough before the shops close, Emily?''
replied the capitalist consulting his
watch. Eyes, if we hurry. It's only a
little after one o'clock" s.All right, my
dear. Go and get ready. I've got to
step around the corner and buy rail-
road. I'll be back in ten minutes. -
Chicago Tribune.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-17
A Death Blow to His PopuIaritv

First Western Politician-I don't want
20 see the Colonel elected. How can
we contrive to spoil his chances? Could
we get up baby show and appoint him
Judge?
Second Western Politician-Naw, that
dodge is played out Let's get up a
baseball match between the LAWYERS
ana business men of the city, and get
him to umpire the game.-Munsey's
Weekly.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-17

General Ely S. Parker, civil engineer
of New York, who served on General
Grants staff during the war, is full
blooded Seneca Indian, and is said to
have suggested the main features of a
design that has been adopted for mon
ument to Red Jacket, the great Seneca
chief.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-17

"A young man in Findlay, o.,
whose af1anced died about year ago,
has now set all the gossips there talk.
ing by clipping with the girls mother, q
woman almost fifty years old.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-17

you have good word for every
body, aunty," observed Miss Ophelia
SHOW suppose you could even COM
mend the burglar who breaks into your
house" SWELL" replied aunty, "he il
. man of enter prizes. Ocean.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-17

Chinese pheasants were introduced
into the woods of Oregon only eight
years ago, and there are now said to bo
nearly Q million Of them there
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-17

"A monument to Arnold of Brescia il
to be erected in Rome, on the very spot
where he was burned at the stake
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1890-08-30
LenroSY.

The only case Of leprosy ever known to have
been cured by any medicine, James Ksvanaugh
jr is now entirety recovered and is back in New
Orleans We are treating five other cases OF Lep-
rosy, all Success ully.
Fifth District, New Oflean' July 20, 1oSO.-To
VIII m it may concern: 1 positively assert that
my son was afflicted with that most hideous of
diseases, Leprosy, and of q character most malig-
nant Any persons who may be skeptical regard
ing this case are most cordially invited to cal and
see him now or at an early date, at my residence,
No 157 Eliza street. Algiers, Fifth district OF
New O,leans. b cause if not seen and he continues
to improve, as he has since beginning the use of
William Rsdam's Microbe Killer, they will not
have an opportunity Of giving an honest verdict
concerning tie case. Respectfully,
JAMES KAvANAUGH.
Algiers. Fifth District of New Orleans, July "a,
1889 Il, the undersigned, do hereby declare that
have been afflicted with leprosy for over four
years My sickness has been declared leprosy by
the loading phys cans a1d the public generally,
being entirely abandoned an let acne to die but
thanks to Mr.. Radam, whose medicine, or Microbe
Killer have been using for five weeks with the
most beneficial results. / am satisfied that by
continuing his great and most wonderful remedy
few months longer shall again be abe to set to
work and support my poor aged father, upon
whom l have been a drawback in his declining
wears JAMES KAvANAUGK JR
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1890-08-30
Complicated Diseases


William Rdddm's Mcrobe Killer Co.:
Gentlemen-I take pleasure in adding my testi-
monia to that of others who have been cuTed by
the virtue of your medicine. have been s1hicted
for several years, ana for the last three or four
years have not been able to work, having been
confined to my bed good deal of the time. MY
system was so thoroughly poisoned from catarrh OF
over thirty years staading,in connection, with the
alarming symptoms OF mslaria and diseased liver,
that life was burden. Az result the liver, Kid
uey. urinary organs, heart, bronchial tubes, and
lungs. were all involved, causing dyspepsia neu-
rslpia and rheumatism with many alarming IN
describ,ble symptoms Have been under the
care OF physicians and have taken all the popular
paten. physics and medicines Of the day and belts
batteries, and baths, without avail, and had al
most given up hope of relief. But o. OF COOS
good and perfect gifts to man (through the H.
strumentality of MANI was made known to me oy
a letter to my wife from her father, man OF 10,
in Albany, Mo-, stating that William Radam's NIL
crobs Killer was curing all diseases, given up by
nhysicisns and advising me to use it and not give
mn until cure was effected Coming from Inc
source it did l at once o dered two gallons eA-
press, d from st. Louis, Mo, costing me IS per
gallon, BIT the cheapest medicine ever tooA.
Commenced taking it in December last. have
taken seven gallons and have ZEN improving
slowly, but surely. Have now gained my usual
weight and feel better than for years. Am over
60 yesrs of age No money would induce mo 70
be without it in my family. hear many good
reports from those who are now using it.
Yours respectfully, &c,
L. L. GODDARD.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1890-08-30

meats that have been thoroughly roasted and
boiled, and yet, when taken from the ovens pans
grid.irons or pots, the microbes have been found
to be yet alive and propagating, thus showing that
even cooking has no effect upon them.
Professor Tyndall says of the Microbe: They
are found in myriads and countless shape, float
ing in the air, destroying man as well as beast
and vegetation. The virtual triumph OF the an :
tiseptic systems OF surgery is based on the recog
milton of lying contagia microbes, as the agent
of putrefaction, and this discovery made, it be-
hooves the closest study of tho subject by the
physician, surgeon, chemist agriculturst, in fact
by all men, to endeavor to discovered gaseous sub
stances that will penetrate through every tissue of
the human, animal or vegetable system and etiec-
tualy destroy that death dealing pest, the Mi
? crobe
The word microbe was first Int, oduced by Pro-
lessor Charles Sedilot, and endorsed by the great
philologist, Littre, who caused its adaptation BY
the Academic des Science of France, and thus had
it admitted as a scientific term to be used by all
scientists.
Science has taught US that the direct causes of
contagious diseases are directly attributable to
minute, invisible, yet death-dealing insect, feed
ngliving the germs of corruption Inhaled, ab-
sorbed in the system, Whether human, animal or
vegetable.
It is designated in science as tho microbe, the
most deadly of all anmalcule, p -opsgatng oy mil
lions and spreading disease wherever it makes its
appearance. The GENERALIZATION of that curse to
the human race has taxed the ablest scientists,
who have devoted hours OF study in each and
every branch of their different researches to check
the frightful inrosds by the microbe upon what
ever it attacks.
William Radam, florist aud botanist of Austin,
Tex. who from his earliest boyhood had been
brough up to take of and watch tenderiy
over the plants, seedlings and slips, that were ex'
teusively grown in his fathers world-famed nur'
series, having frequently seen many of his favor
lite plants Suddenly droop and die was the first to
make the Microbe his special study, and its ex-
termination the object of his life.
Fortunately for William Radman, he was able
to command the means that enabled him to pur-
chase the instruments needed to peri ct his ex-
periments as he patiently advanced in his studies
OF the ,nicrobe. He was not the man to rely
merely on book learning, although no closely
studied the theories advanced by scientists
william Radman after years of patient study
and analysis, found the true origin Of the germs
of disease and by secret inspired by Natures
close study, was able to produce what will be read
below as that exterminator of the dreadful
scourge microbes recommended by the greatest
authorities, and world-fsmed authorities, on the
subject who all admit that to exterminate that
pest aud scourgs requires such liquid snrcbarg-
ed with gases, as William Radam's Mlcrobe
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1890-08-30

20 that you can write to any of them. Do not for
get to inclose stamp, and you will certainly re-
ceive an answer We have great many other
testimonials in our Office, and have the consent to
show them to the afflicted, but have no authority
to publish them From tho following testimony
you can sec at glarc, that this medicine cures
every disease:
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1890-08-30
Kidney Troubles
PHILADELPHIA, March 30, 1889,
g. E. corner Fourth and Market streets

PHILADELPHIA, March 30 1889,
g. E. corner Fourth and Market streets.
William Raiam:
Dear sir-I have had kidney troubles for three
years, accompanied with pains and aching acrc s.
my back and hips. Suffer ed very much AZ times :;
at night had pains across tho lower psrt Of my
abdomen hsd considerable Inflammation At the
neck of the bladder. In general it almost broke
me up | ud get no relief from anything hsd
taken until I commenced with your Microoc
Killer. | feel now like q new person. ! WI!
further exp ain my case to any one writing me
Would advise any ono with a1y disease Of the
kidneys TO use the Microbe Killer.
ELwocD PICKETT
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1890-08-30
Other testimonials furnished on application.

Since the succ S of Radsms Microbe Killer has
been proven, no less than fourteen spurious imita
tiors have been placed on tho market, the prcpte'
tors of which expect to the sell same on thu reputa
ton of Radams Microbe Killer, They are called b.
various and sundry names, such as "GERNl'
eide" "GERMETEUR GERM FXTERMINA-
TOR ELECTRO GERMMICIDE," "MICB0-
eide" MICRO, and various other names They
are self-markei counterfeite and it ia hoped the
public will not be deceived by them. These arc
the usual attempts to desraud the people By u "a
ting successful and meritorous article Nc
warn the public against all such.