davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-12-17
At THE WINDOW.
The Clerk in the Village Post-Omco Has
n Life Full of ExpertenCe.

Life Full of Experiences.
The life of post-office clerk In town
OF 1000 or 5000 inhabitants Is full OF
pleasantness and all his paths are peace.
He has nothing under the sun to ruffle
the placid serenity Of his amiable tenn
per, and consequently his disposition
soon becomes as sweet and mild as the
perfume Of magnolia grove waited on
the gentle breath Of summer. All he has
to do is to engage in exhilarating con.
versation like this:
SIS there any thing here for Sarah
Bilkins?"
Nothing, madam" ~
"Are you suro?"
'Quite sure, madam"
"But you didn't look. How do you
know without looking?"
II have looked over the letters in the
'B' box 700 times to-day, and l remem
Der that there were no letters in it ad
dressed to YOU"
swell. now, that's strange. should
have had letter yesterday, and
thought it would come to-day sure. d.
you suppose it could have been lostT'
''It's possible"
"Do many letters get lost?'
"About 5000, 900 annually"
"Oh, my! What is the reason?"
r "By reason Of incorrect or illegiblt
address, insufficient postage and othel
causes" "''
Goodness! And I suppose lots O
them had money imp"
"Yes. Twenty-eight thousand Of the
lettsss sent to the dead-letter Office las
year contained money, amounting in, al
to $4s, 642; 1000 had Enclosures Of posta
notes aggregating $500, and 27,oO'
were found to contain drafts, checks
notes, commercial paper, etc.. in thu
sum of S1,471,s71."
my land! And who gets this money!
IF the letter contains the address O
the sender it is sent back to him; but il
over 5000, 900 cases out Of 100000 NJ
address whatever is gwen by the writer.
"Then perhaps my letter has gone II
the desd-letter Office, or is held for post
age or something like that?"
Perhaps" ~.
swell, don't you think" ~
MADAM, will you please stand asid'
Q moment until wait on the peopl
who are crowding around the window?
And as madam departs she mutter
spitefully that she "never saw such q
insolent, overbearing, unaccommodatinI
fellow as that post-oflce clerk. He can
even answer civil question, and an
going to have HIM reported to the de
pArtment this very day."-Punxsataw
ney Spirit.
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-12-17

its precepts. Often" he says, the relig'
ious teachings Of my childhood were
banished wholly by business or pleas
ure; but after awhile they came more
frequently, and staid longer, until al
last they were my first thoughts on
waking and my last before going to
sleep" He added: II could not Danish
them il 4 would"
snow and then like to 60 into Q
church" said young man, apologet-
ically, to companion who was deriding
the idea. 'Priestcraft! Priestcraft"
exclaimed his companion. "Tell me,
what possible good can it do you?"
Well" said the young man, somehow,
when / hear those hymns, it is like
hearing the pleading voice of my mother
as left home to become the graceiess
fellow l am now. l can not tell
you how they move me, or how
they make me wish l were better.
If ever do become better it will
be because can not separate them
from all that seems. in my better mo-
ments, worth embodying in the word
home" Walter Scott said to his SON.
in-law, when he was on his death-bed:
"Be good man, Lockhart-be a good
man: nothing else will give you any
comfort when you com 9 to lie here"
1t would be easy to cite many in
stances in which earth's gifted and
greatest have borne similar testimony,
after having tested all that the world
had to offer as an equivalent for that
peace which passeth understandings
N. Y. Ledger.
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-12-17
Fever Preventer% I've just come from
where 1t was prevalent. Thanks! Please

Fever Preventer" I've just come from
where 1t was prevalent. Thanks! Please
resume"
The agent was moving uneasily in his
chair, and appeared to hesitate about
pressing the matter further. But he
made last rally and said: II have
here, sir, few statistics, which show
the financial standing Of our company.
It is the frmest and most reli-"
He paused; and frightened look was
on his face, for the merchant was on the
aoor, writhing and twisting as though
in an awful At. 'D-don't stop, sir" he
managed to gasp to the terrified agent,
who was collecting his papers and maxi
ing for the door. "I'm just having
little epileptio fit. Qu-quite subject to
to them, you-you know, I'll be all
fright in min-minuter'
But the agent had fed, leaving .
long, blue vacuum in the atmosphere,
so fast had he gone.
"Well," chuckled the busy merchant,
arising and brushing the dirt of his
clothes, lit is hard work, and 1T soils
ones clothes; but. by Jove, / knew the
scheme would do the business. shan't
be bothered with any more Of those
agents for some time now. I'll be as
cool as a cucumber in minute, after
I've had drink Of that good old-'Con.
sumption Cure Ha, ha! Consumption
Curer Wonder what the Kentuck:an
who distilled this prime old rye would
say, IL he heard 1t called that! Well,
here's go!"-Paul @. West, in Light.
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-12-17

the Squeehawken Mutual Life lnsur-
ance Company-capital, s6,Ooo,ooo. I've
called to see If you would not take out q
policy, and"
"Sit right down." said the busy me..
chant. "and we'll talk it over. Excuse
me; but will you hand me that bottle
labelled Cure for Consumption" It's
my time to take it.. Thanks! Go on"
1.-THE rates are exceedingly low,' con-
tinued the agent, ''and-for Heavens
sake, sir! Shall call doctor?"
"Oh, no, thanks!" feebly moaned the
merchant, picking himself up from the
floor; for he had fallen out Of his chair
as If in faint. cts only slight at
tack Of heart disease or pacalysis-1
don't know just which. Pm quite fire.
quently affected. Now, please go on"
The agent was not quite so enthusi-
astic, but he went on.
"As said, the rates are scarcely any
thing; and, in your case, we would be
pleased to make discount, SO you see
-"
EYES," interrupted the merchant.
"Plesse excuse me again; but won't you
hand me that box marked yellow
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-12-17
FOR SUNDAY READING.
sTEPPlNG.sToNES.

How do we climb the z ,lden stair,
And reach the heights where angels are,
Where love Is law, and law is love,
And lives In sweet obedience move?
How do we learn to heed the signs
OF burdened ones and sympathiZe
With sorrow Of the heart and mind
Aud daily cares of human kind?
No chosen cell Of clustered calm
In penance sore and vigil drear,
The voice of God shall not hear.
He meets me in llfe's common ways,
The toll and tumult of my days,
And If sigh for faiths strong wings,
Gives stepping stones of earthly things.
Mid bridal bells we hear His voice,
He gives His wine while we rejoice.
He teaches us to pray and praise q
By childhood's winsome wiles and ways.
And by the clasp OF childhood's hand
Our Fathers love we understand.
He hath His own consuming fires
To burn away our proud desires, .s,rtt
Aud make us as the children are,
And thus We climb the golden stair.
CLARA Thwaites, in Sunday Magazine.
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-12-17
Good Words Cost Little.

y 1t was said of Edward the Confessor
that he could deny request so sweetly
that his mo" was pleasanter than the
Eyes" Of other people. 1.-THE love and
admiration" says Canon Kingsley
(which that truly: brave and loving
'man, Sir Sidney Smith, won from every
one. rich and poor, with whom he came
in contact seems to have arisen from
the fact, that without perhaps having
any such conscious intention, he treated
rich and poor, his own servants, and
the noblemen his guests, alike, and
alike courtcously, considerably, cheer
fully, affectionately-so leaving a
blessing wherever he went" "Sir Wal:
ter [Scott] speaks to every man as If he
were their blood relation" said q
Scotch peasant seventy years ago Of
the great story-teller.
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-12-17
TRUE CHRISTIANS.
William Seekers Description of Sanctified
IT, Men and Women.

William Seekers Description of Sanctlhed
10 Men and Women.
Here, in twenty particulars, is Will.
lam Seekers description Of the charac.
teristics Of 'sanctifled men and women:
1. Sanctifed Christians do much good
and make but little noise.
2 They bring up the bottom Of their
life to the top of their light.
8. They prefer the duty they owe to
God to tho danger they fear from man.
4 They seek the public good Of others
above the private good of themselves.
g. They have the most beautiful con.
VIBRATIONS among the blacklist persons.
g. They choose the worst sorrow rath-
or than commit the least sin.
Z. They become as fathers to ell in
charity and as servants to all In humil-
ity.
8. They mourn most before God for
their lusts, which appear least before
men.
Q. They keep their hearts lowest
whom God raises their estates highest
10 They seek to be better inwardly
in the substance than outwardly in ap.
pearance.
II. They are grieved more at the dis.
tress Of the church than affected at their
own happiness.
II. They render the greatest good for
the greatest evil"
Is. They take those reproofs best
which they need most
IA. They take up duty in point Of per.
formsnce and lay it down in point Of in.
dependence.
Is. They take up their contentment
in Gods appointment
16. They are more in love with the en-
ployment Of holiness than with the en-
joyment OF happiness
H. There are more employed in
searching their own hearts than In
censuring other mems states.
Is They set out for God at the be
ginning and hold out with Him to the
end.
10. They take all the shame Of theil
sins to themselves and give all the glory
of their services to Christ.
20. They value Heavenly reversior
above an earthly possession. .,.....
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-12-17
A False Prophet.

Apropos of a prediction which Colonel
Robert e. Ingersoll made ten years ago,
Chaplain McCabe, the well-known
Methodist clergyman, has sent the fol-
lowing note to the doughty unbeliever:
"Dear Colonel: Ten years ago you
made the following predictions: Ten
years from this time two theaters will
be built for one church. The time is
up. The MethOdists are now building
four churches every day-one every six
hours. Please venture upon another
prediction for the year 1900"
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-12-17
EARLY IMPRESSIONS.
Tho Teachings of Childhood that Are
Never Wholly Lost. .--

Tho Teachings of Childhood that Are
Never Wholly Lost. .--
1t is seldom that any person who was
brought up on the good old Zion-hymns
fails to be moved to the depths of his
soul when he hears them sung from the
depths of the singers hearts, and per.
haps feet moving on unholy errands
linger on their way past the church
door. as the melody floats out upon the
air. ~, ~.
Sometimes a man who has wasted life
and energy and talent which might
have blessed mankind, on hearing one
of those sweet old melodies. is car
ried back in Imagination to the days
of his childhood, and kaeels with
head upon his mothers lap while
she sings that same hymn, which will
never grow old, about 'the beautiful
river" His eyes moisten as he thinks
how panied she would be. were she liv-
ing, to know him now. The hymn
ceases, and the low benediction follows,
and as the worshipers emerge, he recol-
lects himself, and, with an impatient
''Pshaw" passes on, vexed that he
should have been so moved, and NUT
tering: II have outgrown all that"
All! bu. he has no. outgrown it 1,
is there 1t 'ciU come to his conscious.
ness, whether he desire 1t or no; come,
in spite CT all his efforts to laugh oil
reason it away; come, as it did
to John Randolph, who. afteI
years of atheism and worldliness and
ambition, left on record that the only
men he ever knew we'll and approached
| closely, whom he did not discover to be
unhappy, were sincere believers OF the
Gospel. who conformed thor lives, a:
! tar as the nature vi man can permit Il
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-12-17
ENCOURAGE OTHERS.

Speak Words OF Cheer to Your NeighbOrs
III That 1t May Aid Them to BE Strong.
Isaiah tells US Of people welded to
idolatry who felt it incumbent to make
new gods, and as community such was
the general impression of the impor-
lance Of the work "they helped every
one his neighbor, and every one said to
his brother: BE OF good courage" This
cooperation and sympathy were used in
wrong cause, but are not thereby. dis
credited, Matthew Henry we'll says it
is hard If we may not sometimes avail
ourselves Of what has been done and said
for evil to enforce what is good; and on
this passage he remarks: DO sinners
thus hearten and quicken one another
in the ways Of sin? and shall not the
servants Of the living God both STIR up
one another to and strengthen one an
other in His service?"
It is we'll when help and encourage
ment 20 together Mere words are
proverbialIy cheap" and yet when
one has nothing else to offer, II they
come from the heart they may accom-
plish great good. Many lonely Ia
borer In both the home and foreign field
has gained new inspiration by letter
expressing sympathy and calling him
to exercise faith and. hope. So none
can tell how many pastor laboring for
limited compensation and in "hard
field" has been cheered by a kindly
word Of prophecy concerning his work.
There are circumstances in which OK
hortations to courage under adverse
conditions are mockery. James in his
epistle describes man as saying to a
destitute brother or sister: BE We
warmed and filled, while he gave moth
ing to meet their necessity. So some.
times earnest Christian workers receive
many kind words which might be &C.
companied with real help, but those
who give these fair speeches seem en-.
tirely oblivious of what they might dc
to comfort the heart and strengthen the
courage of sorely-tried laborers
In many ways we may help and
stimulate others. Men must be sanguine
to work with ardor. How often we find
our Lord melting His disciples to cour.
age by the command Fear not" A
great requirement for the successful &C.
com plishment OF any Christian work is
courage, Peter realized its importance
when as the very first thing after faith
he put courage. add to your faith
virtue" or as 1t may be translated
courage" energy" Paul exborted
men tocourage: Quit ye like men, b
strong. He felt himself the influence
Of sympathy. He 'took courage when
it was manifested, and evidently was
depressed when nc man stood with him
Many Of the most successful worker,
would have abandoned grand. enter
prises il no word Of cheer had come !,
| them. '-''e 'f
Let every reader who knows of thos,
who may apparently have cause for des
pondencysein their work be ready Il
Speak acheering WORD. Many mis-
sionary pastor or Sunday-school paste
may be helped If one will call to him t,
be bravo and full Of faith, and othe~
who are ready to give up in despair ma.
take heart again If they find they ART
those whose sympathies are enlisted il
their behalf Whenever we can, let u!
''help every one his neighbor' and ever.
one say to his brother: "Be Of good cour
age."-Christian Inquirer.
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-12-17
A STRAY BIRD.

The Strange Little -Esathered sCresture
Helen and fBerta Found inFths Cherry
Tree. a.-rk..-a
One summer morning Helen and Berta
went out under the cherry tree, to watch
Mrs. Redbreast up in her nest They
listened and thought thoy could hear a
little Peep, peep"
Running into the house they called
!, Uncle Burr. He climbed the tree, and
found four slittles featherless brides.
with, four litae'wideopen moaths. call
ing Tor their breakfasts" ''-''- '---''- 4,
He only stayed in the tree moment,
for Mr.. and Mrs Redbreast came flying
back with food for their babies. y Il
Helen and Berta watched the nest
every day, and it was, not long before
they could see four little bald heads peer
ing over the side Of the nest. In few
more DAYS they saw them sitting on the
de of the nest, while MI. and Mrs. Red.
breast were trying to coax them to ny,
but they were too timid to start out.
g Soon Helen came running into the
house calling:
''Oh, mamma, mamma, something is
the matter with one of our baby robins,
he is all over -FOUR Sure enough,
when mamma went to look there were
three brown brides and one white one.
They could not account for it for some
days. Uncle Burr fixed sieve, and
caught the little white fellow; and sure
enough it was a real robin.
He was soon at home in a nice brass
cage, happy and contented. He grew
very tame, and was allowed to flv
around the room. He would eatdainties
from the little girls fingers, as they al
ways fed him regularly, and never
frightened him.
He grew very fast, and before white,
had his full plumage; and strange one
| it was for q robin redbreast He was
pure white all over, except his plump
little breast which had just the lightest
shade of salmon on the tips Of the
feathers. His bright little eyes were
pink like those of white mice.
He sang the same notes of his darker
brothers and sisters, and seemed to en-
joy himself just as much. He was Ger
tainly surer of having plenty to eat ant
of not getting hurt than he would have
been out-doors.-G. b. Green, in Ou
Little Ones.
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-12-17
THEY SHRUNk AWAY.

How Little Girl Accounted for the Loss
of Two Of Her Dolls Garments.
'sDear me, Kittie, how your dress has
SHRINK in the wash" said mamma, as
she buttoned on Kittie's new gingham
dress, freshly washed and ironed.
Rittie looked down at her little feet
and legs, showing so plainly below the
short skirtssnd asked: do you mean.
mamma, that there isn't as much of my
dress as there was before it was
washed?"
Eyes," said'mamma, lit has all drawn
up"
just then Aunt Chloe came in to get
the soiled clothes.
Kittie sat down upon little stool and
watched her mamma count over the
clothes, and then set down the number
Of Articles upon o wash list. Chloe tied
them up in great bundle and, placing
it upon her head, started away with it.
Kittie followed her to the door steps,
where Chloe put down her bundle to see
what the little girl had to say.
d..Aunt Chlos, "ssaidg Kittie. grsvely,
do you want to take in any more wash.
ing?"
mo. honey" responded Chloe. "What
wild all dem white frocks what you wear
every week, Use mighty nigh wored out
washin' what does now"
But this is dollie's washing" said
Kitty. 1T isn't very big and she doesn't
get her clothes very dirty" 90 ''-'''' ..''-'
Chloe smiled till all her while teeth
shone. y 6gaBRgFh fEf&
Twill give you } nickel week to
wash them" sid Kfttie,~ with quite a
business air. ''or asdollar II you don't
think a nickel is enough"
Chloe laughed till her fat sides shook.
Bring EN- along, honey. l amt 60
in. to charge you nothin'. I'll wash
EN- fur de sake Nv dat pretty face. and
dc sweet little 'howdys' you got fur me
when comes every Monday mornin'."
Kittie got the sheets from dolly's lit
tie brass bedstsad and spread them up.
on the floor. Then she counted into
them the little garments gathered up in
her apron.
Then she got pencil and q scrap Of
paper, and on the paper she made twelve
stubby little marks, oust like these-1
1111111111.
There's exactly twelve pieces, Aunt
Chloe. Don't you ses?"
Chloe counted the marks one by one,
| pointing to each as she did so with hel
black forefnger
Oats right, little missile. I'll fetch
'em all back Saturday."
Saturday morning Chloe brought back
a neat little bundle, pinned in the doll
baby sheets.
| After mammals clothes had been at
tended to, Chloe and Kittie proceeded
to count dollie's. The scrap Of paper
it'll its twelve marks was brought out
and the dolls clothes carefully counted
There were only ten of them. Again
they were counted, Chloe lifting each
little garment as Kittie named the mum
4 Der of each mark. Still, when Chloe GO
through, two marks were left upon the
paper.
~ mustch lost EN-" said Chloe
regretfully, 'dey wuz so little. Dat:
too bad" rI.e"
mo. Aunt Chloe" said Kittie with
great dignity, and earnestnsss, II spec
they shrunk in the wash" And pattinf
Chloe's cheek, she added, consolingly
Course you COULDN'T help. You SCI
they were so very tiny that when they
shrank they shrank to nothing."-M. E
Saffold, in Detroit Free Press q,
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-12-17

Mr.. Whitehead (who had just slapped
stranger on the back)-O, I beg yo' paw.
don, sab; thought it was my fr'en'
Smithers. Yo' hab on de berry same clos
he gen'r'ly wars. t 20 ti X.
Stranger-Yes, Smithers attinded de
same pokah pawty did last ebening.
He am at present confined to his room.
Life, ,.'t.....
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-12-17
Consist ency Not 0 Jewel.

Actress queen in extravanganza)-It
seems ridiculous that ! should wear
diamonds about an inch in diameter.
Manager-You will have real dia-
monds tonight; l will also provide real
poison in the grand spectacular queen
poisoning scene.-Jewelers Circular.
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-12-17
Art Criticism.

"There's Verestchagin, remarked
one visitor to another in the Portland
exposition art gallery.
$50 it is" was the reply; very shock
ing indeed. It's a shame the hanging
committee passed such pictures. West
Shove
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-12-17
Like Cures Like.

Mrs. Staggers-George, Mrs. Jaysmith
says her husband says that you use a
good deal of corn juice. What do you
do that for?
Staggers-O-er-for my corns, Of course.
You know how they trouble Newest
Shore.
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-12-17

Cadley-How do you manage to give
your friends such low rates on coal?
,Dealer--It is this way. l knock OF
go cents ton because they are friends
of mine, and then I knock of 200 pounds
on each ton because I'm friend Of
theirs.-Jury. -......, rr.
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-12-17

Young Wife Saying an affectionate
goodbye to her husband Now, darling,
you can't enjoy moment while you are
gone, can you, dearest?
George (ofi for few days yachting)
We'll, m'dear, can't tell lie.
Young Wife-Oh, darling, please dol
Herpers Bazar
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-12-17
The Dear Departed.

Little Girl-Your papa has only got
one leg, hasn't he?
Veterans Little Girl-Yes.
Little Girl--Where's his other one?
Veterans Little Girl-Hush. dear; it's
In Heaven --Rabyhood.
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-12-17
A Patient Man.

mo, Mr.. Trotter," she said firmly, II
repeat it thousand times-no!'
"Well, keep on" he remarked, pleas
antly; that's only twice, and by the
time you reach the sixth hundredth
you'll be glad to vary it with yes
Will you kindly begin?" - Munsey's
Weekly
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-12-17
An Eject OF the Mckinney Bill.

Binks-Why do you wear your glasses
SO high on your nose. Jinks?
links who reads the papers)-The
Slasher says that the tariff has made
eyeglasses 20 u2.-Jewelers' Circular.
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-12-17
Misleading.

Freddy Fanrle-Papa, couldn't tho
old patGiarchs afford 10 buy their clothes?
Fangle-Ccrtainiy. Why2
Freddy Fangle-Because the Bible
says, TheY rent their garments.-Judge.
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-12-17

Druggist-So you want to be drug
gist, eh? Have you had any experience?
Young Bilson (cautiously)-Some.
Druggist-Do you know the difference
between Epson salts and oxalic acid?
Young Bilson (promptly)-oh, yes,
sir. One kills you and the other doesn't.
Golden Days
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-12-17

said Bessie, after she had dropped from
her perch into Eugene's arms
'lf it had been a bear 1t gould have
climbed up after you, and this is the
way he would have Rugged you," said
Eugene, suiting the action of the word.
when we get the books Inpacked, I'll
show you the pictures in my Parley's
Animals and then you will see that a
black bear is one thing and an old black
hog is another. Clara Marshall, in
Christian at Work
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-12-17

Louise-Her face is her fortune.
Isabel-Well, it is one OF those rare
cases where it speaks well for one to
have inherited ones fortune, and not to
have made it ones self.-Harper's Bazaar.