davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1891-01-23
Knew What He Wanted.

Customer want some kind Of door
spring, one that won't get out of Or
der.
Hardware Dealer-A door spring?
Customer-Yes, and one that won't re-
quire the strength of an elephant to
open.
Dealer-Hem!
Customer-And yet 1t must be strong
enough to bring the door all the way to,
and not leave 1t swinging open couple
of inches.
Dealer-I see.
Customer-And when the door closes
don't want 1t to ram shut like cata-
pult, with jar that shakes the house
from its foundations.
Dealer-Yes; you want one that will
bring the door all the way to, and yet do
it gently.
Customer-That's the idea But 1
don't want any complicated arrange
ment that requires skilled mechanic to
attend to it.
Dealer-No, of course not; you want
something simple, yet strong and effec-
tive.
Customer-That's the talk; something
that can be put on or taken off easily;
something that will do its work quietly
yet thoroughly, and won't be eternally
getting out of order.
Dealer-I see. / know exactly what
you want, sir, just exactly.
Customer-Well, show me one.
Dealer-We don't keep door springs -
| N. Y. Weekly.
Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1891-01-23
RELIGIOUS AND EDUCATIONAL.

Most people believe in Heaven,
but good many of them live as though
they didn't.
When God tells us to give, He don't
mean that we shall lose our riches, but
that we shall put them in safer place
- Rams Horn.
In London the attendance of school
children is not satisfactory, rarely ris-
ing above so per cent. so that every day
some 81, 900 children are absent.
"A Christian who engages in any law.
full business is honoring God. He may
be just as heavenly minded in trade as
in preaching the gospel Porter.
During the last academical year at
Cambridge 1,O24 students matriculated
and 1,546 degrees were conferred, both
being the largest number on record.
Ten thousand children were taken
from the streets of Chicago and placed
in the schools, last year, through the
operation of the compulsory education
law.
Following the lead Of the United
States Australia has adopted the custom
Of tree planting by school children on a
certain day in each year, to becalled, as
here, Arbor Day.
An Indian industrial school will be
established at Mt. Pleasant, Mich. The
Government appropriates $685. for its
establishment. 1t will be modelled af-
ter the one at Carlisle, Pa
The religious statistics of the British
army which have just been issued, are
interesting They show that out OF a
total of 199, 473 non-commissioned officers
and men, 1877, 973, or 677 per thousand,
belong to the church.
i am convinced that throughout the
Bible the expressions concerning the
heart do not mean the emotions, but
they mean the will, the mans own CEN
tral self. 1t is not the feelings of the
man God wants but the man himself. -.
II. w. Smith.
1t is the custom of the English
missionary societies to send deputations
frequently to visit the folds in which
their missionaries are at work. The
purpose is official inspection, and also
the encouragement of those who are
laboring in the remote parts Of the
world.
The following statistics are gathered
from the annual report of the American
Board: Number of missions, 20; stations,
96; out-stations, 962; places for stated
preaching, 1,4O2; average congregations,
65, 1856. Ordained missionaries, includ.
ing 10 physicians, 1888; 10 male and fe-
male physicians not ordained; number
of women laborers, 333-152 being unmar.
ried; native pastors, 174; total native To-
bors, 2417; total of American and ma.
tive, 1850. Number of churches, 3S7;
members, SO, 256; added during the year,
1854. Number of theological semin,
aries and station classes, IA; high
schools and colleges, 68; pupils, 4,S47
boarding schools for girls, SO; pupils, s.,
18O; common schools, $50; pupils, SO, ia
whole number under instruction, 1899
Native contributions, $11T494,
Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1891-01-23
BERTHA'S PLAYFELlOW.
A Little Girls Comments on Bishop
That Made u Noise.

A Little Girls Comments on u Bishop
That Made u Noise.
Bertha was very fond of play; in fact,
she was little inclined to be romp,
and the more noise she made the better
it suited her.
Bertha's mamma did not allow her to
play with some of the boys in the neigh
borhood because they were rude, too;
but there was one gentle little boy who
lived near, and he and Bertha had fine
times together.
Once Bertha and her mamma were
spending the day at house where a
Bishop was visiting. The Bishop
was small, boysh-looking man,
and he was extremely fond of
children, so he and Bertha were
friends directly. And what merry
time these two had! Bertha seemed to
have found playfellow after her own
heart, and the Bishop appeard to enjoy
their frolics as much as she did.
When the time came for Bertha and
her mamma to leave, the little girl
walked up to the Bishop and said:
81 wish you would come and play
with me some afternoon. Mamma let's
me play with nice boysl"
Then she added to her mamma, in a
coaxing tone:
He's real nice, mamma, If he does
make noise"
And Bertha wondered why every
body laughed. Youths Companion.
Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1891-01-23
CHlLDREN'S SAYINGS.

Mamma" said Willie from the depths
of the bath-tub, you'd better get me
new sponge. This one leaks awful
Harper's Young People.
A little Maine girl, to whose family
there came an addition, remarked with
sigh "Now we will have to cut the
pie in six pieces. boston Journal.
Little Girl lin church) Why does sc
many people pnt those little envelopes
on the contribution plate?" Little Boy
-"Thems to keep the pennies from
maxim so much noise" IN. Y. Weekly.
Little Mabel described graphically
her sensation on striking q dimpled
elbow on the bed carving; "Oh, my!"
she sighed mamma, I've struck my
arm just where it makes stars in my
fingers, "-Babyhood.
Little Hans Ito his mother, who is
anxiously looking for his smaller
sister, 10, don't be worried, mamma;
they will be sure to find Elsie when
they clear up the rooms in the morn
."-Fliegende Blatter.
Johnnie looking at HgnJnlng rou on
barn)-"Td like to know why II
branches out into two parts after II
gets upon the roof" Willie with su.
premeocontempt for the others igno'
rance)-"To catch the forked lightning,
of course"
mamma, what is the use Of keep
ing the whip for use on me behind th
motto: God Bless Our Homer" Can
you suggest better placer" "Yes
mamma; put it behind the motto:
Need Thee Every Hour. Central
West.
Fred came home with quite rue
full look on his face He had been pun
ished at school, and though 1t had been
deserved, felt very much abused. 'The
teacher rules with an iron hand, ehP"
asked Fred's papa with smile. His
hand isn't iron," Freed demurely re-
piled; "but it seems to me his ruler is."
Youths Companion.
Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1891-01-23
WIT AND WISDOM.

When good woman gets as sweet
as sugar look out for sand,-Denver
Road.
Men exist for the sake of one anoth-
er. Teach them or bear with them
Marcus Aurelius.
If you were to take the conceit
out of some people, the remains would
defy Identification. St Joseph News.
How slight clue ones public char
acter affords to the profounder sym.
pathies of his nature. Margaret Fuller.
"A genius is a person whom nature
lets in on tho ground floor, and whom
circumstances force to live in an attic. -
Puck.
Somehow or other the man who
snores the loudest always seems to go to
sleep first in a Pullman car. -Elmira
Gazette.
Suspicion is very often an index of
character. What man suspects in 9TH
ers he would very probably do himself.
Pittsburgh Dispatch.
There isn't mansion in Heaven
but what would be thousand times
hotter for the sinner than the lowest
place in the pit.-Ram's Horn.
A Poor Tenant -Richards-"You
clothing is badly rented" Hungry Hig-
gins-"I know it, have been the ten
ant for many weeks" Boston Herald.
| Bibbs--Well, Impecune, what song
are you going to sing this winter? I'm
pecune-That one which begins "All
o loan, my watch Pm keeping. brakes s
Magazine.
you haven't heard any thing until
you have heard both sides," says a
writer This may be pretty logic, but
the base drum refutes it.-Bingham-
ton Herald.
Wanted One More. e.--Customer-
What is this, waiter? Waiter-Just
what you ordered, sir-pea soup. Gus
tomer-Please bring me another pea as
side dish. Boston Herald.
knowledge must be gained by our
selves Mankind may supply us with
| 1dCbS, Dub OuS EeSulI, cN0l ii IuSy dRIoo
with previous ones, must be the work OF
our own minds. Earl of Beaconsfield.
Duty is never uncertain at first. II
Is only after we have got involved in
the mazes and sophistries of wishing
that things were otherwise than they
are that it seems indistinct. Robert
son.
Said a-matter-of-fact man to an @s
thetic damsel who was talking about
"beautifying property" "The mcst
charming decoration for a plate is good
beef-steak, 4with well-cooked potatoes
and just suficiency of gravy. 1t will
beat trailing vines or sunfower any
day in the week. Newcastle Chron
icle
Having an easy time of 1t, is the
hardest life a man can live. Hardship
and struggle are essential to that devel
opment of character that alone make
life worth living, or that can command
admiration and regard from Others
King Alfred the Great said wisely: M
wise man should desire a soft life, If h
careth for any worship here from tn
world, or for eternal life after this lif
is over" Yet how few OF Us are afrai
OF ''soft life" for ourselves or for ou
children, or are longing for 3 hard on'
The s, s. Times,
Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1891-01-23
VEGETABLE SILK.
The Spinning Worms Product Rivaled
hv an AlosLo plant

Ihe spinning worms Product RiValeu
by an Alaska Plant.
The latest addition to William Bendt's
collection Of ourios from the North is a
bunch Of fluffy little bolls that are de-
serving of more than the casual inspec-
tion Of the curious, for the reason that
they may lead to a new industry Of valu-
able proportions Wild cotton, the
sailors call them, but much more APP
propriate name would be vegetable silk.
No material more resembles the floss
that bursts out Of the pod at the tips OF
the stalks of this strange Alaskan plant
than would similar-sized bunch of the
finest cocoon silk. The bolls are from
an inch and half to two inches in di-
ameter, and the threads have about the
same length. There are thousands OF
such threads in each boil, and each
thread is as fine as the finest thread OF
the silk-worm. They possess great
doal more luster than silk, and the
threads have just about as much tensile
strength.
The coloring is as rich as that of a
south-sea sunset A breath parts the
ball to the very heart just as the fur OF
sealskin separates under the same in
fiuence, and the roots of the threads are
disclosed to be of light orange, which
shades through rich tea-rose color tc
silver-gray at the tips.
The support of the bolls is single
slender stem, hollow and leafless, and
of pale-green color. A tiny pod, scarce
ly quarter of an inch thick by hal
long, incloses tho floss until 1t burst;
under the influence of the sun.
The plant was discovered by party
of deer-hunters, from the sealing
schooner c. II. White, while visiting
the interior in quest of fresh meat. They
plucked few specimens, and repor
that it grows so thickly that pedestrian
can not help treading it under foot, an(
that beds of it cover countless miles o
| Alaska soil. Chicago News.
Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1891-01-23
THE HEIGHT OF COURTESY.
Pair of Old Ladies Compare Ages on a
Street Car.

Street Car.
A street car incident seems to illus
trate the Inconsistencies OF apparent
age. An old lady on entering crowded
car caught the strap, and by chance took
her stand directly in front of lady pas
senger apparently as old as herself.
The possessor Of the seat was up in a
moment
Have my seat madam" she exclaim-
ed, with audible courtesy. you are
older than l am"
"Older than you'll" retorted the other,
II beg thousand pardons for contra
dieting my elder, but indeed, madam,
you are mistaken. Keep your seat"
''But ! am sure you are older than l.
"And l am equally sure that am not.
Will you be good enough to resume your
placer"
Not while an older woman stands"
The situation was growing interest
ing; but though all smiled, no one seem
cd moved to relieve matters by offering
a second seat
Both old persons were pretty we'll
warmed up by this time. First one
shifted, and then the other, as old
ladies sometimes will when sorely
tried.
The vacant seat was still before them.
Finally, an overture of peace came
from the owner Of the seat, the last
speaker.
II don't want to be disagreeable, mad
am, and If I'm older than you I'll sit
down. Let's tell our ages, and the older
yields"
The aggrieved woman did not relish
this much, but the pressure of an audi
ence forbade retreat.
"Well, madam" she replied, forcing
the semblance Of a smile, 81 shall be
most happy. VIII you announce your
age2 Then l shall take pleasure in tell
ing mine"
II was born in March, 1917. And
you?"
What, March, 1917. Good heavens!
So was l. And what day did you arrive,
pray?"
.'The 7th. And you?" There were
bright red spots on the cheeks of both
old ladies now.
81 have nothing moro to say" was
the reply; my birthday is the 9th. lam
much obliged for the seat"
And with admirable dignity she sat
down amid considerable laughter
Brooklyn Citizen.
Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1891-01-23
NUMBER Is.

waited outside, talking to friend, that
the children might be free to make
their selections. A pretty basket hung
on Margery's arm. 1t did not take long
to decide what the baby would like,
and the clerk rolled up tho white rab-
bit and gave 1t to Robbie, who
CARED 1t tenderly; tin horn
was Robbie's purchase out of his
own money, which stuck out of his
pocket as If indignant that it was not
used. Margery felt sure that the baby
would like two little dolls, which she
crowded into her pocket without wrap
pings, "cause dolls don't like their
heads wrapped" she said.
Robbie, if you tould have just what
you 'anted, 'ouldn't you have that love.
ly doll that jumps so beautifully when
you 'aise the lid of the boxP" inquired
Margery pleadlngly.
'Iruther have that big el'phant," an
swsred Robbie.
Margery looked down as she said, with
q"tt0ii"A A,ps' avn v lAho el pnanUr,
but dolls is"
Lovely" interrupted Robbie; "of
tourse. Buy it, Marcy"
'You weally and truly like it?" she
aske1, eagerly.
'Of tourse, If you do" was the an
swer, and soon the children were hurry
ing home at trot.
AS soon as they were in the house,
Margery pushed the round box into
Robbie's hands, crying: "You is fooledl
twas for you all the time" and she
danced and jumped with glee about
Robbie, who flushed as he said: "You
is very good to give me this"
In his innermost heart Robbie was
ashamed Of the doll, but all the morn
ing he played with 1T while Margery
pulled and carried the red cart and
brown horse wherever she went. There
were only bright smiles and happy
voices in the house. and when Margery
and Robbie went round to Robbie's
house to dinner each carried openly the
presents they received from the other,
while their faces were so bright and
happy that the people who saw them
thought: well, they have what they
wanted most Lillian w. Betts, in
Christian Union.
Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1891-01-23
OUR YOUNG READERS.
A RIDE WITH SANTA CLAUS.

Whats Christmas Day, I'd like to know,
more than another day?" cried Joe.
THE bells chime louder, admit,
But fellow needn't lose his wit,
And crazy grow because of itl"
A moody boy was Master Joe,
Matter of fact and dull and slow.
What he Inclined to was the real,
He never scared to the ideal.
So when he went to bed that night,
He saw no fairer, purer light
In stars that glttcred DER the snow;
His heart ne'er felt warmer glow
For all Gods creatures here below
The bells rang out their merry chimes,
He'd heard them ring hundred times;
But their voices were the same to him;
Joe's Inward ears were dull and dim.
Il nope they'll not keep me awake,
Those bells; sleep I'd like to take"
Sighed Joe.
"Hal Ha! now for my round
aly sleigh's at door, Come! in Wen Soundv'
Twas Santa Claus. Joe knew ann wen,
That myth OF whom he'd sneering tell,
When smaller iads were by to hear.
"Hol No! Come Joe, my time is near.
Christmas is real Up and Off
To think at Christmas you could scoff"
1He SllNery DellS DeSal 10 JlnSlei
The frosty air began to tingle.
Away they flew, by mansions great,
And homes of humble, low estate;
But every face they saw within,
The rosy fair, or pail and thin,
Beamed with sweet, expectant light,
AS If they looked upon that bright
And fadeiess star of long ago
Which shepherds saw, watching belowi
And oh the grace, the lovely beams
On little faces in their dreamsl
"What's Christmas Day, you'd like to know
More than another2 All friend Joe,
Howe'er it dawn, whate'er its skies,
We see 1t with our hearts-not eyes!
The breath of kindliness it's air!
Its sunlight-smiles of children fair
Good deeds It's flowers, mid winter chilli
Oh, day that brings Peace and Good WIFI
Its blessed memories we save
For the dear sake of Him who gave" EE.
"Call me myth, and at me sneer!
If myths make life more glad, more dear,
Long may they flourish!
Ho! Ho! step outP
Joe woke up with happy shout;
And it is very safe to say
That he kept well that Christmas Day.
George Cooper, in n. Y. Independent.
Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1891-01-23
General scott,s Remedy.

A military order issued during the
summer of 1882 has just been brought TO
light in which General Scott proposed
new remedy for intemperance. Cholera
bad made its appearance on Rock ISL
and. The commander believed that the
ravages of the disease we're duo todrink-
ing, and he ''peremptorily orders that
every soldier or ranger found drunk be
compelled, as soon as his strength will
permit to dig grave at a suitable
burying place, as such grave can not
fail to be soon wanted for the drunken
man himself or soms drunken compan'
ion." The order was given, the Gen.
eral adds, as we'll to serve for the pun
ishment OF drunkenness as 10 spare
good and temperate men the labor Of
digging graves for their worthless sog.
panions"-Chicago Tribune,
Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1891-01-23
PLAIN-SPEAKlNG PEOPLE.
They Have Ne Business to Mlngle In Con
teel Society.

tUcA SUbtCtys
1t is not the least Of the signs of q
finer civilization that courtesy of man
ner is an absolute requirement of the
day, and the crude and the rude in
speech may be held to be almost as
much without the pale Of good society
as the criminal To tell unpleasant
truths in an unpleasant manner used to
be held as one of the privileges Of fam.
lily and friendship; now 1t Is not toler-
ated, and the true ethics that the near
or tho social relation the more scrupu-
lously careful, II any thing, should peo-
pie be, is the code of polite life The
truth is, too, that while Christian char
ity may be properly drawn on for the
criminal or the wrong-doer in less de-
gree, there is no law, human or divine,
that need enforce it for the boor. The
penalty for rudeness is social ostraciam,
and 1t Is just one No form of rude
ness merits severer penalty than that
which expresses itself in the guise of
letters. The stranger or acquaintance,
as may be, who thrusts upon one bis
rebuke or admonition for some real or
fancied error, is guilty of an imperti-
nence, which should result in the swift
elimination of his name from ones list
of friends. Unasked advice is the worst
OF vices, and the person who can be
guilty of such rudeness reveals not
only lack of familiarity with average
courtesy, but coarseness of nature
that renders any form Of communica-
tion an impossibility. The person who
presumes to rudely intrude an unpleas-
ant and irritating admonition or ques-
tion because, indeed, he is youf friend,
has yet to learn the alphabet Of friend
ship. Coui Yesy is the very basis of all
social intercourse, the only conditions
under which 1t is possible, and the one
who violates this law merits, as he must
invariably receive, social ostrscism.
The crude idea that used to be more or
less tenaciously held, that what was
called plain speaking" was an attrib-
ute of friendship, and the'plainer-which
really meant the ruder-the speech the
greater the friendship, is one that is
wholly swept away by the finer social
demands OF the present, when courtesy
and charm rank among the cardinal
virtues Of polite hfe.-Rcston Budget.
Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1891-01-23
VOLUME VII.
BUT ONE TALENT.

Ye who yourselves Of larger worth esteem
Than common mortals, listen to my dream,
And learn the lesson Of life's cozening cheat,
The coinage Of conceit
The angel, guardian Of my youth and age,
Spread out before me On account-book's page,
Saying; This column marks what thou dost
owe
The gain thou hast TO show"
"Spirit," said, 'T know, alas, too well
How poor the tale thy record has TO tell.
Much receivcd-the little have brought
Seems by It's side as naught.
Five talents, all Of ophir's purest gold,
These five fair caskets ranged before thee hold, 4,
The first can show few poor shekels' gain,
The rest unchanged remain.
Bringing my soanty tribute, overawed,
To Him who reapeth where he hath not strawed,
Itremble like culprit when count
My whole vast debts amount
What will He say to one from whom were due
Ten talents, when he comes with less than two?
What can do but shudder and await
The slothful servants fatoY'
As looks mother on an errtng child,
The angel looked me In the face and smiled:
trive
To count thy talents fivei
"Thesc caskets which thy fattering fancies
gild
Not all with Ophirs precious ore are filed;
Thy debt is slender, for thy gift was small;
One talent-that was all.
"This second casket, with its grave pretense,
Is weighty with thine Ignorance dark and
dcnse,
Save for single glow-worm's glmmering light
To mock its murky night
"The third oonceals the Dullness that was
thine.
How could thy mind its lack Of wit divinef
Let not what Heaven assigned thee bring thee
blame;
Thy want Is not thy shame.
"The fourth, so light to lift, SO fair to see
Is filled to bursting with thy Vanity,
The vsp'ous breath that kept thy hopes alive
BY counting one as FIVE.
"These held but little but the fifth held less
Only blank vacuum, naked nothingness,
An idiots portion. He who gave 1t knows
Its claimant nothing owes.
Thrice happy pauper he whose last account
Shows on the debtor side the least amounti
The more thy gifts, the moro thou needs must
On life's dread reckoning day"
Humbled, not grieving TO be undeceived,
woke, from fears Of hopeless debt relieved:
For sparing gifts but small returns are DUE
Thank Heaven had so few
oliver Wendell Holmes, in Atlantic Monthly.
Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1891-01-23

For sheer economy and good style a
chevoit cloak of darkest blue, black OF
heather purple, with detachable cape,
lined with feecy flannel or warm, rich
plaid, finished by velvet collar, inside
cuffs and girdle, will be admirable while
it lasts. Tho soft flannels are used fol-
Innings on account of their rich color
ings, which give picturesque relief
to plain mantels. Buffalo Times.
Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1891-01-23
lust Like All of Them,

The second-floor roomer was com.
planning again, Mrs Small" reported
the chamhermaid.
well, never pay any attention to
rumors," replied the !andlaiy ~nest
Shore,
Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1891-01-23
A PaternaI Trust ComnanI

Papa, give me a dollar?"
"What for?'
"0h, just to own"
"All right, Johnny. You can own this
dollar have in my pocket, but I'll play
I'm trust company and keep it for
you, "-Harper's Bazaar
Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1891-01-23
A Road to Fortune.

Hollow Hankins (the tramp)-Can't
you help me little, Boss? lhain't had
nothin' to eat for three days
Mr.. Knox-Why don't you get an on
gsgement to fast in dime-museum2-
Puck.
Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1891-01-23
Peddlers Require Them.

Have you a license?" asked man Of
Pittsburgh wheelman.
"a license" asked the bicyclist, in as
tonishment What do need license
forF'
ITO pedal. Pittsburgh Chronicle
Telepranh