davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-08-09
Another Woman and a Tiger.

The other night lot of people were
talking about Sidney Rosenfeld's play,
"The Stepping-Stone." Frank Stock
ton was present, and somebody asked
him what he thought of it. He said:
"Well, 1 will tell you story. In far
off country, we won't say where, and
we won't say when, there was railroad
station where there was just box for
the ticket Office and long, straight
platform. Now there whole party of
people, we won't say who, waited to get
on the train. After while they dis
covered they had missed it, and had to
stay all night on the platform. They
consisted of thirteen young women and
thirteen young men and an elderly
lady as chaperon. She didn't know
exactly how to arrange her charges for
the night, and she was a bit nervous,
because she knew there were a great
many tigers roaming around ready to
chew up people who looked as if they
might taste good. She did the best
she could under the circumstances.
The thirteen young men were all laid
down in q row like wooden soldiers,
then came the thirteen young women,
then, at the extreme end, the chaperon.
However, after they were all fixed, and
just as she was closing her eyes, she
thought if tiger should come he would
probably eat the person on the end, so
she got up and placed herself just in
the center between the young men and
young women, and slept the sleep of
the just, feeling that her duties as a
chsperon had been properly performed.
When she awakened in the morning
she discovered that the tender young
woman at the extreme end had been
gobbled up by a ferocious tiger during
the hours of the night Now, just the
way that woman felt when she realized
that she might have been decorating
the interior of tiger is the way felt
when it dawned on me that had not
written %The Stepping-Stone. '"-&
Louis Republic.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-08-09
Lion Loose.

One night, when old Dan Rice was
exhibiting his circus in an Ohio town,
it commenced to rain about the time the
performance was over, and hundreds of
people stuck to the tent for shelter.
Dan didn't want to be mean, but the
canvas must come down, and so he sent
three Of the men through the crowd to
whisper:
Don't get excited and make a rush,
but I must inform you that the
Numidian lion has escaped from his
cage. Please go out quietly"
The people went fast enough-all but
a few unbelievers. There was farmer
and his wife and five children, and he
got them in a circle in the ring and
placed four or five pickles, three or four
hard-boiled eggs, and paper of salt in
his straw bat in the centre. One of the
men came up and inquired:
What are you doing here, old man? ?"
"Waitin'," was the reply.
Didn't you know the lion was loose"
"Yaas, 1 heard 'em say SO. Is it
true?"
"Of course it is"
Regular lion ?"
"Yes."
Regular Numidian 1ion?"
Eyes"
Healthy and fat?"
%Yes."
WAL, that's what we're waitin' fur.
We're calculatin' to eat the burned
critter sfore we leave, and I wish you'd
hurry him up."-NelU York Sun.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-08-09

In recent discussion among some Of
the young ladies about to conclude
their education, so far as it Is given IN
the public school system of this city, OF
the question of adding a four years
course at one of the universities, . SYM
postum worthy of the Twilight Club
was had, says the Saint Paul Daily
Globe. The relations of advanced cul-
ture to the life and influence of women
in society were considered in many and
varied phases. The most notable and
effective point adverse to the collegiate
course was made by bright and
vivacious member of the party. She
said she had thought of going to q
neighboriDg college, and would enjoy
the course, but had decided against il
for the reason that she had discovered
that the higher education was virtual
barrier to matrimony. Figures were
adduced from a magazine article show
ing that in the case of the New England
colleges the records kept show that In
the twelve years after graduation, the
limit of the matrimonial period, virtually
less than one-fourth of the educated
ladies married; and, in cases where the
education has been in strictly female
institutions, without mixture of the
sexes, only 14S per cent. married be-
fore passing into the desuetude of the
spinster state. Some figures of New
York institutions also were given Of Q
very similar character. It was shown
that this was not chiefly due TO the lack
of marrying men, as those who stopped
short of the higher course had at least
so per cent more chances of marrying.
The young lady was frank to say that
she believed in matrimony, and was
Old-fashioned enough to hold that it
was, in theory at least, the ideal state
for woman. She was not specially
solicitous about her own fate in this
connection, but did not propose to di-
minish her chances by the loss of four
years. She was ambitious. If she
went through the higher course she
would try to keep up with the male in
tellects. Her observation was that
men were slow in marrying women who
seemed to be brighter and knew more
than they did. Then the higher edu-
cation was apt to give the girls dis
taste for domestic and household duties.
Even the few years in the high school
had In her own case made the home
sphere less acceptable to her. Others
of the company insisted that the young
woman of to-day should fit herself for
self-assertion and support in life, with
out regard to marriage. That might
be accepted as possible incident, but
should not be sought; or, at least,
should not be regarded as essential to
usefulness or happiness. Still, it is
intimated that the number who will
take the further course was consider
ably diminished.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-08-09
THE OLD CHURCH.
By Il 81 JOHNSON.

What tear the old church down, you say. and
build a modern one,
That We can look with pride upon and boast of
With lots Of little rooms below for festivals and
fairs,
And one big room for preachin', with it's pews
and easy chairs?
What's wrong about the dear old church we've
worshiped in so long?
The walls are good, the elepboards tight, the
windows sound and strong;
IN own he roof is leakin' some, but that can be
made right.
A shingle stuck in here d'there will make the
old roof tight.
tell you brethren, that old church seems like
a lifelong friend;
Sweet memories clusterin' there will last TIL
life shall end.
Each timber, joist and board and nail seems
speakin' with tongue
And tellin' OF the good done here since you and
were young
Beside that dear old altar there, just nifty years
to-day,
knelt and begged for pardon, and Christ washed
my sins away;
And though old Time has thinned my hair and
bleached it white snow,
That altar is as dear to ME as fifty years ago.
The sermons that wS've listened to from holy
men OF God
Whose bodies now are lynn cold beneath the
churchyard sod
Seem ringin' in my ears to-day, and full of Cos
pei truth
As when iistended to them in the merry days
of youth.
seem to hear the preachers voice say, @Breth-
rem, let US pray"
And all the congregation kneel in the old-fash-
Toned way;
seem to hear the thrillin' shouts of GLORY"
and Amen"
Bespondin' from the peoples hearts and echoin'
again.
seem to hear those old-time hymns we all so
loved to sing
That used TO swell from ev'ry heart, and made
the old church ring.
There's one now ringin in my ears: Let angels
PROSTATE fall
Bring forth the royal diadem and crown Hin
Lord Of allF
'TWould seem too much like sacrilege to tear
that altar down;
I'm traid God wouldn't bless the deed, but
rather on it frown-
No, brethren, not dollar will you get from my
old hand
I'd rather give five hundred more and let the old
church stand?
So 1 beg you, let the old church stand and when
this old, gray head
Shall lie beneath the flowers in the city of the
dead,
Then you can tear the old church down and
build one new and grand;
But while live, oh, heed my prayer and let the
old church stand.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-08-09
Living en- ms wig.

A wel-known sporting man was tell
ing . group of friends recently of the
strange people he had encountered
late at night in the streets when the
ordinary routine of life seems to be re-
versed.
~The strangest of them all" said he,
%was little Billy Sprague. Billy was
the funniest little chap you ever saw.
He weighed not less than two hundred
pounds, although he was scarcely five
feet high. Literally, he was almost as
broad as he was long. His face GER
tainly was broader than it was long.
The most singular effect was caused by
the fact that Billy had not a single
wisp of hair on either his head or face
NOT even an eyelash or eyebrow. He
was -awfully sensitive about his not
having any hair, but couldn't seem to
get used to wearing a wig. His pate
was like an exaggerated billiard bal,
and Billy used to say the wig made him
want to scratch it all the time.
when he was about twenty-five
years old Billy fell in love with pretty
girl who worked in big candy store in
Sixth avenue, and he straightHay set
out to win her. He went to the best
wig-maker in town and had q fine
brown curly wig made. It cost heap
of money, but Billy would have it. He
paid diligent court to the girl, who
toyed with him awhile and then sent
him about his business. Billy took it
sorely to heart and began to drink
heavily. In short time he had spent
all his money, and had lost his situa-
ton, and was very much of q loafer.
The only valuable thing he had left
was his wig. Finally, he could not get
along without his liquor, and liquor he
could not get without money.
Zone night Billy started a beautiful
scheme for getting all the rum he
wanted. Going into saloon he conf
dentially told the barkeeper that he
had no money to pay for drink, but
that if he were supplied he would leave
his wig as security for its payment.
The wig was taken and Billy got his
drink. No barkeeper could have
doubted that it was good security after
seeing Billy's bald head, Going out
Billy strolled to another saloon, in
which he told a sad tale of having his
wig stolen. His shining scalp was the
best kind of evidence that he needed a
wig, and everybody felt sorry for him,
he looked so forlorn. The hat went
around and Billy raised about three
dollars for another wig, besides being
asked to drink twice. Returning to
the first saloon Billy redeemed his wig
and went his way rejoicing.
"By selecting his basis of operations
carefully, Billy lived for two years on
that wig-lived too well, in fact, for at
the end of that time he died on the
Island from an attack of delirium trem-
ems. "-NelU York Tribune.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-08-09
The Good Old Times.

Under Henry L coiners of false
money were punished by the loss of
their right hands, and other mutilations
of various kinds were In common use,
says Al the Year Round. In 1160 we
hear of heretics who had refused to abb
jure their faith being handed over to
the church by the civil authorities to
be branded with hot iron on the fore
head, have their clothes torn off from
the waist up and be whipped through
the public streets. Boycotting was at
that time q legal practice, whatever it
may be now, for the said heretics were
not only forbidden to worship a. they
desired, but forbidden to enter the
houses of orthodox believers, or even to
purchase the necessaries of life.
The popular notion of the crusaders
as an army of Bsyards, sans peelr re-
proche," is hardly consistent with the
code of criminal law which Richard
Ceur de Lion enacted for the especial
behoof of those with whom he set out
for holy Palestine. If any one Of them
were convicted of theft, boiling pitch
was to be poured ever his head, then
pillow full of feathers shaken over him,
and he was to be abandoned at the first
port the vessel touched. Whoever
killed another on board ship was to be
tied to the corpse and cast into the sea;
whoever killed another on shore was 70
be tied to the corpse and buried with Il
A blow was to be punished by three
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-08-09

to lawyer Jones's. He'll aunt this
thing down Just for fun. Hes q good
one, tell you to ferret ont crime. ]
hsd q calf stole once and he took hold
Of the case fur me and blamed If he
didn't find out all about it seven years
after. The calf had grown up and
been killed and ct for beef and the thiei
had enlisted in the army and been
shot, so that I never got anything, but
it was always 8 satisfaction to me to
know what became of that calf"
Miss Wolfort was glad to accept this
aid. She was tired, and her feelings
were lacerated. She wanted to know
who had toyed with tender sentiments
behind an incognito, and was even
willing to pay q lawyers fee for the
refreshment of little sweet revenge.
Lawyer Jones took hold of tie case
with aVidity. He liked above all
things to uncover the covered; and
before night he had traced this cor
respondence with Miss Wolfort to its
proper source.
Kelly admitted it all after e1-
posure became certain, and having
through the same lawyer ascertained
that Miss Wolfort's; wealth was mostly
laid up where moth and rust could not
reach it, he declined to meet her; but,
inasmuch as he had, after q sort, COM
mitted forgery by using the name of q
man he had not known existed, he was
induced to pay handsomely for freedom
from legal action, and thus the wounded
feelings of Miss Wolfort were soothed
for the time being, and the angel OF
peace fluttered near to get in more OF
her work if possible.
JohnMerriweather's oxenwere getting
very hungry, and were paving the soil
in expression thereof before their owner
could make up his mind to start for
home.
I'll tell you what you'd better do,
Miss Wolfort," he said Just as the moon
climbed up from behind distant hay
stack. You've been fooled like smoke
in this writin' business, and it's pesky
shame. To be sure, you've found John
Merriweather, but he amt just the bird
O. paradise you'd pictured, though 1 do
say it, he's an honest man. Now,
under the circumstances, hadn't you
better take this John for better or
worse, seem as how you can't find the
other? And you are away from home
and on expense. It'll cost you like
smoke to pay carfare back agin, and
you can just as we'll ride back to
the farm with me as not. If you
say so, we'll go over to the parsons and
get married this evenin' at my expense,
blamed if we won't"
Miss Wolfort, as we have before re-
marked, was no chicken. This style of
love making was not exactly in accord
ance with Marquis of Queensbury rules
she knew, but she had also learned that
''life is real, life is earnest" and she
saw through the corrugated exterior of
this romance good home with plenty
to eat, and prospective quietude from
the storms of life. So she put her
little hand in the large one of John
Merriweather, and when the oxen
reached the Merriweather farm, the
three boys and the two girls were for
mallv introduced to a new mother, and
were, of course, pleased to see their pa
so happy.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-08-09
DIR. ColIyer's Experience in America.

1t is exactly forty years to day, as 1
write these lines, since l came here my
self on that same old errand-to find
my way into an ampler aud finer life;
and in this time it has fallen to my lot
beyond that of most men-and our
friend, it may be, among the rest-to
mingle with our people far and wide
and to know them, as we say, like
book-as workingman in the shops
for about nine years, and then as
minister in two great cities, and
lecturer all the way between oceans
and to stand with them shoulder to
shoulder as a citizen always; to stay
with them in their homes wherever
would go, and talk with them freely on
all the burning questions of the old
times and the new, and never to lose
my love for England or my pride in her
and Joy; going about, indeed, with
chip on my shoulder" touching what
might be said of her which was untrue
to me or unfair; and the result of it all
is this: that / have not found what
should feel free to call the hatred Of
England, except in here and there
man who stands as the exception to the
rule, if we leave out of the account the
troubled years of the war for the Union,
when our people believed England
would and did strike below the belt.
Then our people did hate
England, for in the smoke and thunder
of the war this was England with blat-
ant voice cursing the American repub-
lie. One of the noblest fellows I ever
knew, and leader in his great city,
said to me then: Darn herI we will
never forgive her while the world
stands, though he was not apt to swear,
and think the angel of the records
knew that as we'll as 1 did.-Robert
ColiyeT, in North american ReUieo0.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-08-09
a RACE COURSE EPISODE.
Inc Gambler Is Capable - . Good DEED
II Occasion Calls for It.

~-O--&,cA - SSPaoLo - = GOOA AScoA
II Occasion Calls for It.
Much has been said and written a. to
the generosity of the gambler gem
erosity which is the twin brother of
recklessness and is born of chance.
The gambler never knows what
moment fortune may turn against him,
and he may be temporarily thrown into
position which will make him
dependent upon the assistance of others,
and just as he spends his money
lavishly In good living and rich attire
he gives freely with half superstitions
feeling that such giving will bring him
fortune and also with a conscious
ness that it has become one of the
traditions of the guild to which he be-
longs to make up In some slight way
for the hsrdships they infict upon one
person by relieving the distress of an
other.
1t was at Washington Park, Chicago,
last summer. The bell had not yet
rung to call the horses for the first
race, but drivers were moving q score
of magnificent animsls back and forth
for preliminary exercise; thousands Of
eager devotes of the turf thronged the
stretch and gathered about the betting
stands where the monotonous calls Of
pool sellers and book makers found
ready response. Every mans hand
was in his pocket, and every man was
thinking only of gain. Suddenly there
came through the main gate of the park
somber vehicle which had some Of the
characteristics of an ambulance and
some of those belonging to a milk
wagon without being quite like either.
This drove to the back of stand, and
halted; from is alighted two black
robed figures, Little Sisters OF the
Poor, and passed slowly and silently
through the throng of. laughing, smok-
ing snd betting men, until they en-
countered pat" Sheedy, once the
manager of John L. Sullivan and as
thoroughly sporting man as anyone
can find in a months search. One of
the sisters spoke to him in a low tone.
Pats hand went into his pocket.
Hold your apron" said he, and
twenty dollars in silver clicked music
ally into it.
Now come with me"
Sheedy took the two women under
his wing and began the grand circuit
of the betting stand. At each he said:
Here, you fellows, here's couple of
Sisters that will bring you luck. I
want you to chip in and not be small
about it, either. Nothing less than ten
goes"
There were forty-two stands of this
kind, straight pools, Paris mutuals and
book makers; and when the circuit had
been completed the Sister found it
necessary to hold the corners of her
apron very closely together, for she
had more than six hundred dollars in
silver and paper. Then Pat took the
two ladies to their wagon, saw them
safely in, persuaded a policeman to
ride with the driver until they were
well away from the track, and returned
to his vocation.-Detroit Free Press.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-08-09
A Daneerous Clam

The giant clam is the largest bivalve
known. In Northern Australia this is
considered an edible species and is re-
gularly sought after By the natives.
Mr.. Denton, of the United States Fish
Commission, he's seen clans containing
40 to so pounds of meat, and it is a
matter of record that individuals, weigh
ing 300 pounds. have been observed.
The giant clam lies almost concealed in
the reefs, just showing the beautiful
blue and green of its mantle above the
coral. The crushing power of this shell
is startling. Mr.. Denton thrust a stick
as big as mans leg between the valves
of one of them, and it was broken short
OF. A mans foot would be crushed as
easily as pipestem. The natives have
wholesome dread of stepping I'M
awares into one of these formidable
traps. They kill the animal by stabbing
it with long sword and then remove
the meat without disturbing the shell,
thus saving themselves q vast amount
of labor and Observation-Disclosures Sun.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-08-09
She Was Scared.

Birdie McGinnis- So he has proposed
at last?
Esmerelds Longcofin-Yes, indeed.
Birdie McGinnis-Did you maintain
your presence of mind?
Esmerelda Longcofin-No, 1 didn't;
1 got so scared and nv heart palpitated
so loud that twice he stopped in the
middle of his declaration, and, looking
at the door, said "Come in" He thought
somebody had knocked. Sun.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-08-09
home Helm

Small Daughter-It's most school
time and I've mislsid my geography.
Cultured Mother-Well, tell me what
the lesson is about, and I'll write out
the answer for you to learn.
Small Daughter-The lakes Of
Africa.
Cultured Mother-Um-er-ify you've
mislaid your geography, you careless
child, you can just hunt till you find it.
-NelC York Weekly.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-08-09
A Proper Epitaph.

Widow wish to order tombstone
for my husbands grave, and / want
nice epitaph on if.
Stonecutter-Yes'm- May I ask your
husbands business?
Widow-Well, he was . professional
card player.
Stonecutter-H-m-m-m. How would
Waiting for the last trump" suit, do
you think, madam ?-JesteT.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-08-09
a Double Event.

Mrs. Moriarity-Sure, it's Just her
Iuckl Did you hear Az that, now, Tim ?
Tim-What is it, mother?
what is it? Fax, Mrs. Brannigan
got five t'ousand fran the road for her
b'y's leg. All thin, it's the fine airs
she'll be putin on now"
~Nivir mind, mother; well bate that,
begor. I'll get the two taken aft and
that be tin thousand"
%Blessin's on yez, darlint. It's always
the good by you was TO help your poor
ould mother"
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-08-09
No Infeurfona

A man with bundle under his arm
stopped at fruit-stand on Congress
street with the evident intention of
making purchase, but before he had
said anything a person standing near
beckoned to him and asked:
Were you going to buy q banana? ?"
%Yes, sir"
%Going to eat it on the street?"
@Very likely"
%Going to drop the skin on the side
walk?"
mo, sir. I've got seven children at
home, and I can't afford any such ex-
trsyagance. Detroit Free Press.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-08-09

Popularity is like the brightness of
q falling star, the fleeing splendor Of .
rainbow, the, bubble that Is sure to
burst by its very imitation.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-08-09

A WREN at East Bradford, Pa, built
nest In the sleeve of garment that
had been hung up In the yard to dry.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-08-09

THE humble and contented man
pleases himself innocently and easily,
while the ambitious man attempts to
please others sinfully and with diff
Guilty.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-08-09
Surgeon Parks's DimInutive swe

If DR.. Parke, the plucky young sur
geon who accompanied Stanley, Is more
impervious to beauty than his chief,
not so is the fair sex in regard to him.
When Stanley entered the forest of the
pigmies, young female dwarf showed
herself. She would have nothing to say
to Stanley, but conceived great affec-
tion for the doctor. She replied to his
signs, insisted upon sleeping at his
tents door whilst the explorers were in
the forest, and when they left it, she
wanted him to go with her to her peo-
pIe.-LoTIdoTl Truth.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-08-09

duckings in the sea and the use Of the
knife In 9 quarrel caused the aggressOr
to lose one of his hands.