davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-10-03
THE FIRST IRON BRIDGE.
1t Was Erected Hundred Years Ago
Worcester, England.

1t Was Erected a Hundred Years Ago in
Worcester, England.
At the present day, when we are ac-
customed to look upon iron as the chief
constructive material with which civil
engineers and architects all over the
world DEAL the first iron bridge that
was ever built is a curious sight. This
bridge, the arches of which were made
was erected in 177S. 1t spans a little
river in the county of Salop, on the rail
road line from Shrewsbury to Worces-
ter, in England. At the present day
the structure is surrounded by a thriv-
ing little village, which took its name
from the bridge. Several iron found
ries have been established in the neigh
attempt at what has since developed
into an extensive industry. There are
three supports: two of them are very
small and cross a narrow country road,
while the third and largest one spans
the bed of the river. 1t is about ninety
six feet long and weighs three hundred
and seventy-eight tons.
The braces We're cast at Coalbrook-
dale, every bar being composed of two
segments. Stephenson, the great civil
engineer, wrote as follows on the con,
struction of this first iron bridge
"When we bear in mind that the man.
ipulation of cast iron was at the time oi
its erection in it's infancy we can not
help but feel convinced that unblushing
hudacity alone could conceive of such
an enterprise, and the intelligence with
which the details are outlined and exc
cuted is equal to the boldness of the
conception" The bridge is constantly
used and is in excellent condition, a
fact which disproves all the ominous
clamorings of cranks that the pernicious
influences of rust will sooner or later
bring danger to the iron bridge of to-
day.-Baltimore Sun.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-10-03
a MlsDlREcTgD LETTER.
The Lesson In Kindness ~ brought FRO
IL

The Lesson In kindnesa ~ brought From
an Unexpected source.
The wind was blowing through the
streets with the fercencss of March
though the calendar said it was April
titnid, uncertain ring brought mem
Der of the household TO Tie door, who
found standing on the stoop an old wo-
man. Her dress gave every evidence OF
self-respecting poverty. Her face was
wrinkled, but as though kindly smiles
and sympathetic tears had been the
tools used by Father Time to etcb her
life history thereon.
"Duzc a lady named -- live here?'
The name was so mispronounced that
it was asked again, and then hurriedly
followed the reason Of the call: "She
did not send this letter to the right
place, to be sure! This place is a coal
yard-shure, nobody lives at a coal
yard, she interjected, seemingly as
tonished that the location of the coal
yard was not known. This letther,' ''
she continued, holding out letter the
listener recognized as having mailed
the evening before, 'the posthman gave
me to-day. Sometimes | resave a letter
not often, sure-and he knew this
was me name, though l live at So,
and this is 1872, and l tore it open,
never looking, and when | read it,
and it was to a milliner to come and
make a hat, sez l to meself, 'Shure, this
| is Friday, now, and the lady will be
disappointed, she wantin' her hat for
Sunday; and I'll jist go over and tell
her, as she didn't know how to direct
| the letther, and then thought maybe
and here an appealing look came into
the kindly face and an entreating tone
in the voice-I was afeared that some
gurl, who would be glad of the work,
would lose it, belIase the lady thought
as how she didn't attind to her business;
and ye know she couldn't. Shure, il
she didn't git yer letther.'"
The listener stood dumb. A walk oi
over mile in that raw, fierce wind, tc
benefit two people whom she had never
seen?
"You are very kind" began the lis
tener.
"Shure, what else are we here for but
kindness? Deed, it might make great
difference all round; for if the gurl go
this work, she might get more, and y,
might not be so happy if ye did no
have yer hat. I've seen time l cared
it don't matter now I'm old. I've go
nothin' to do now but the little things
me stren'th is gone, but not me heart
thank God! That's where it ever was
Dye think ye can find the gurl, anc
give her the work? Shure, I'd be glaC
to hunt for her; I've lived on that street
thirty years Could L find her for ye
dye think? She'd have time to make
it to-morry, Saturday, and then ye'c
both be happy" And the kindly face
was full of hope and interest.
And only the day before the worlt
seemed so inhuman, so Indifferent
whether brother stood firm or fell by
the wayside! The kindly, shabby figure
went down the street, never dreaming
of the lesson she had taught-ChristiaI
| Union
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-10-03


something. A short distance from
their companions they struck another
trail, and as they were looking up and
down the sound of an approaching
horse greeted their cars. Hastily con-
cealing themselves behind bowlder.
they were surprised TO see their miss
ing Mexican ride up and pass along on
the trail.
THAT chap is up to some mischief"
said Morgan. We'd better get back to
the others and get out of this country
as soon as we can. I've heard that you
can't trust grcaser, and darn me if
don't begin to believe it."
When they unfolded their story to
Hank he was as apprehensive as they
but thought the best to be done was go
ahead and tackle whatever came.
"Confound fool, anyway growled
Hank. when you catch me wander
ing about a strange woodpile again you
can hang me for a hoss thief. This
fooling about in heather land is all
right for some, but I'm no missionary"
The pack animals were loaded again
and the party resumed the journey,
not in the best of spirits, as can be
imagined
The afternoon had nearly waned
without an incident, and the party was
almost feeling secure from interrup.
tion, when, as they were riding along,
the bushes beside the trail suddenly
| parted and Mexican with a revolver
in ench hand stepped forth.
"Hands up, senors!"
| Morgan was riding in advance of the
others, and the sudden greeting startled
him. even though he had been half eX'
| pecting some such command. He made
no motion to obey it, however, but
bowed and smiled with perfect assur'
ance and not sign of fear.
''The senior has nothing to appre'
hend," replied Morgan. ''We are only
travellers; we are not highwaymen, and
he can put up his pistols"
Glands upv" sternly repeated the
man, as another fellow emerged from
the scrub with pair of pistols in his
hands, and took place beside the first
one.
"What? You still doubt mel" ex
claimed Morgan. '"rhe senior is hare
to convince. See, you have frightened
all my men away"
The Mexicans, at the first call, hat
almost broken their necks, so great
was their haste, to gain the seclusior
of the bushes, and left the three Amer.
leans alone.
"You do not know me!' exclaimed
the highwayman, still covering Nor
gan with his pistols. 81 am Migue
Alcatraz!" and he Strengthened up a
he. gave his name, as though he eX
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-10-03
FAMOUS GOLD MINES.
The Most Reliable of Them Have Yielde,
Very Low-Grade Ore.

The Most Reliable of Them Have Yielded
Very Low-Grade Ore.
A mine to be good company mine"
should be large one and worked on
large scale. In order to pay dividends
on shares numbering from one hundred
thousand to one million, the profits
have to be considerable or the dividend
per share becomes insignificant and dis
appointing. 1t is seldom for instance
that the California corporations, oper-
ating mines mainly in Nevada, offer
their shareholders less than twenty
five-cent dividends, which on the usual
capitalization of ten million dollars on
one hundred thousand shares would
mean the very respectable sum of
twenty-five thousand dollars. One such
dividend year would be creditable
exhibit for a mine owned by one or two
persons Thus to be a promising pur-
chase for proposed corporation, mine
ought to be one which can be worked
by a considerable force to insure stead
mess of output. A rich but narrow
vein where only limited number of
men have room for stopping, may
be the best for individual owner
ship, since running expenses are low;
but it is not so good for company as q
large deposit of lower grade, capable
of being extensively opened and pre-
senting large breasts in the slopes, with
more regular output. The most re-
| liable gold mines have been of very low
grade but with large and regular de-
posits In California fifteen dollars a
ton is considered a very fair basis for a
company mine if the ore is in quantity;
but very much lower tenor has been
worked with great profit in the eXcep-
tionally large deposits of the Black
Hills and Alaska, where five dollars a
| ton would leave liberal margin for
dividends. In fact most of the famous
mines have not been of high grade, the
gold ore rarely showing any metal to
eye, so that most miners have a preju-
dice against what are called specimen
mines" The same thing holds to a less
extent, with silver and dore mines On
the Comstock the heart of "the big
bonanza" (the greatest ore body ever
known) only averaged eighty dollars
per ton, including the rich streaks, and
that was thought to be very high The
great silver mines of Montana have not
averaged any thing like as much There
have been exceptions, notably in Ari-
zona, Colorado and Utah. where high
grade ores in comparatively small
amounts have produced largely; but
speaking generally, the celebrated
mines have not been of that class
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-10-03
AN EARLY BIRD.
But He Did Not Get Up Early Enough TO
Get o Pnss.


But He Did Not Get Up Early Enough TO
Get % Pass.
A man who had succeeded after sew
eral attempts in gaining admission to
the room of the superintendent of "A
well-known railway, bowed with great
respect and thus began to harangue the
busy man of affairs:
81 hope that your road will pay es-
pecial attention to the worlds fair and
that"
Yes How did you get in here?
John, yelling at the boy) have told
you dozen times that | am busy.
Now, what do you want?'
~ was trying to tell you what want
when you broke in on me, Now, don't
be impatient" he added. when the
superintendent began to twist in his
chair. "For one time in your life, if
for no more, be reasonable and listen to
something that will be to your interest "
There was so pronounced an air of
earnestness about the fellow that the
railway man looked at him with a
mild degree of forbearance. "Well, go
ahead"
"All right. AS started to say, your
road will pay strict attention to the
worlds fair; that is, you will offer adj
vantages that will induce people to go
over your road. Now, as the represen.
tive of my community, I am here to
make arrangements for my people. IT
may seem little early to you, but my
people, sir, are known as the great
American early birds"
"Where do you live?"
cat Richville, Indiana"
"What's the population of your
town."
unfortunately, Mr.. Porter had a
prejudice against our town and did not
give us as large a population as we are
entitled to. He put us down at foui
| thousand, when any man can see that
we have at least four thousand five hun
dred. But let me tell you that every
mothers offspring of our people will
come to the fair, rand what l want is tc
get a half rate.
"All right; you shall have it,"
81 thank you profoundly, sir, and
will hasten back and tell them before
they agree to arrangements with an
other road. a train leaves on your roaC
about three o'clock, doesn't it,"
Yes"
Albright: will go on that train. Tho
fare is about four dollars, | believe"
81 think So" the superintendent an
swered, looking about as if he were il
search of some one to wink at, but fail
ing, squinted for his own satisfaction
AS man of experience, he evi IDENTITY
knew what was coming. 1t came.
THE truth is said one of the great
American early birds, 81 haven't, as il
has strangely happened, money enough
to pay my fare, l shall esteem it grea
favor if you give me pass, and l will
pull all the harder for your road anc
may succeed in whipping other commu
mites into line. What do you say
Colonel?"
81 say good bye"
But what about the pass?"
Nothing whatever"
But won't you give it to me? Re
member that want to leave immediate
ly."
81 am as much interested in you
leaving Immediately as you are, but
can't give you pass.
"All right; but perhaps | can make
dicller with you after all. l have here
a corn salve that will"
Get out!' the superintendent
stormed
Il will go, sir, but 1 want you t.
remem ber this. Not one of the earl,
birds will ride on your road. We will
hold you in a just contempt. Farewell.
--Arkansaw Traveller.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-10-03
TIMING BIG STEAMSHIPS.
How the Record is Kept and the PointI
of Observation.

How the Record Is Kept and the Points
of Observation.
The British governments has man
stationed at Roche's point, who is paid
to record in a book the exact time these
steamers pass his signal station, both i'm
ward and outward bound. Since the acute
rivalry between the feet ships of the
White Star and Inman lines has sprung
up, this man has been even mere than
ordinarily careful in carrying out his in
structions, In passing Roche's point,
the vessels go through II channel hard
ly three miles wide, and as a general
thing they pass within an easy mile OF
the government signal station.
Since the fast ships began to reckon
their speed so carefully, this signal otli.
Ger has timed them from the moment
they were exactly abeam of his station.
The outward bound vessels usually go
past him at full speed. What becomes
of them after that is of no concern to
the signal man. He Immediately tele-
graphs his record to the steamship
agents in Queenstown, whence it is for
warded to the main office at Liverpool.
Both the Inman and the White Star lines
have man of their own on Roche's s
point to make observations and figures.
Sometimes they differ But if by any
possible chance the question of ves-
sells actual time came up in a British
court of law, the government signal
mans figures would stand.
In similar way the official time OH
the other side is taken the moment the
vessel is abeam of Sandy Hook. The
line is set by the compass, and the tele.
scope does the rest. The moment OF
crossing is almost as clearly defined as
in the case of the running horse on the
track Passengers on the transatlantic
steamers date the time of their passage
either from Lands End or from the time
the vessel starts until she comes tc
anchor. The steamship companies dc
not take this into account at all in their
official records. They know the time
of course, that a vessel leaves Liver.
| pool, and of her arrival at Queenstown.
But this is not considered in the record
of her passage, The subsidized mai
boats-the White Star and Cunard-
usually anchor at Queenstown, a mil'
or two futher inside Roche's point thar
do the Inman boats and other Atlantic
liners which are not obliged to awai
| the arrival of the Irish mail at Queens
town, except for a stray passenger ol
two. The mail boats are usually the
last to get away from the harbor.-
Pittsburgh Dispatch.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-10-03
Our Life Work.

Death will be to us, not a comma, not
a semicolon, not dash, but period.
If our work at that time be rounded, it
will stay rounded, If it be incomplete,
it will stay incomplete, like the national
monument on Calton hill, Edinburgh
"a row of pillars showing what the build
ing was meant to be, but is not. How
many there are drawing out diagram
of their life, but they never fill it up,
They remind us of Coleridge, of whom
Charles Lamb said; "He had at his
death forty thousand unfinished manu-
scripts" At the door of the future
world, the architect puts down his
plane, and the carpenter his adze and
the mason his trowel, and the merchant
his bank-book, and the minister his
sermon, Not one bargain after that,
though million voices were bidding.
Not one sermon after that, though
nations We're dying. Done! Done, for
ever!-Talmhge in n. Y. Observer
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-10-03
TRACK WALKERS,
Lonely Lives of Many Men who Guard the
Tracks of Continental HighwaYs.

Lonely Lives of Many Men who Guard the
Tracks of Continental Highways.
After nighfall, along the three thou
sand miles of the Canadian Pacific rail
road, no matter how bare the prairie
nor how wild or desolate the mountain
or lake shore, any one standing on the
rear platform can see every few miles a
lantern in the hands of track walker,
who, after the train passes, resumes his
duty along the track. 1t is rule on
this road that after the passage of each
train the roadway shall be carefully in
spected, and particularly the bridges,
for fear that some spark from the loco
motive may have set fire to them
Along hundreds of miles between Otta-
wa and Winnipeg, over the prairies Of
! Assiniboia and Alberta, and through the
mountain ranges far west, the humble
hut of the railroad track repairer or
| guard is often the only human habita-
tion that is seen for long stretches. In
the wild region north of Lake Superior
one sees these log cabins every few
miles Often the employe has family.
who lives with him in this almost unin-
habited country, practically cut off
from human society.
The log cabins are only one story
high, and very low at that There is
no sign of a garden near them, and all
supplies are brought by the trains.
Sometimes it is necessary for the men
to travel twenty or thirty miles to per-
form task assigned them, and for
these journeys they use the railroad BIZ
| cycle, a contrivance with two wheels to
fit the rails. A seat is rugged between
them and lever imparts motion to the
small cogwheels, which rapidly turn the
wheels on the track. The men can
easily travel twelve to fifteen miles an
hour on these little machines. When
they hear train coming, off they jump,
take their bicycles off the track, and no
sooner has the train passed than they
resume their journey.
The lives of these railroad hands are
particularly lonesome and unenviable
The women who share the solitary lot
of the track walkers must find life very
dull, if they care anything for the com
panionship of their own sex. Probably
many of them do not see another wo'
man for six months at time, except
through the car windows as the trains
| whiz past.-N. Y. Sun.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-10-03

"We make larger wages, said bell.
boy at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, than
many boolskeepers and men who hold
other clerical positions. The salaries
are small, but the tips are large, es.
pecially if boy knows his business and
is smart enough to be polite. We get
from twenty to twenty-five dollars a
month and in the busy season, when
the hotels are full, our tips often amount
to as much as from three to five dollars
per day OF course, in addition to our
monthly salaries we are boarded and
lodged. l know any number of bell,
boys who make over one hundred dol
lars a month. Many Of them are mar
ried and have families, who they pro-
vide with good homes and support in
good style. have known several of
the boys to take trips to Europe. No,
sir, it's the fault of the man if he gets II
position as bell-boy in first-class hotel
and then fails to make good wages."-
n. Y, News.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-10-03

THEY SAW THEIR MISSING MEXICAN.
likely that we will be troubled, though
it is not beyond The range of possibil-
ity."
When this conversati on was going
on, one of the Mexicans had been lying
by the fire, rolled up in his m0ntd, APP
parently asleep; but as soon as the
American turned into the tent for the
night, he unroIled himself and snealSed
off into the bushes.
The next morning, bright and early,
breakfast was served, the tent struck
and the journey resumed. Upon count
ing noses, it was discovered that there
was one missing and with it the Mex
lean whom it belonged to. The other
Mexicans disclaimed all lSno wledge OF
his departure, Morgan did not fancy
that incident, but Hank passed it off
by saying that the fellow had got home
sick and gone back home.
When they made a halt for lunch
and short rest in the middle of the
day, Morgan and Mark took their rifles
and strolled off, intending to shoot
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-10-03

Entire dresses of silk jersey webbing
woven in fine rep are among the novel.
ties of the late summer. They come in
old-rose, pale gray, beige and other
light shades, and are embroidered with
fine jet beads. The bell skirt of this
clinging fabric is without seams except
that taken bias down the middle of the
back, slight vine of embroidery bor-
ders the foot, and "a separate pettieoat
of silk is provided The bodice is fitted
with all tie usual seams over silk lin
ing; even hip seams are used for adding
roat skirts. Short revers daintily em-
broidered extend only as low as the
darts, and "A vest similarly beaded ap-
pears between. A narrow vine, like that
on the skirt, edges the collar and cuffs,
--Harpcrs Bazaar.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-10-03
Letter to Ills Mothor.

A New York business man was clean,
ing out his desk the other day and tear
Ing up his old letters, when the colored.
porter, who was in the office, spoke up
and said: Boss, gimme one oh dem let
ters?" What do you want it for?n ~
promised to write letter to my old
nanny in Norf Car'lina, but as hasn't
lahned to write yit can jess send her
one OBJ dem letters you hadn't got nc
use for, Hit will make her feel good
hit will" The gentleman gave the af'
fectionate son patent medicipc anti
fat circular, which was duly mailed
and addressed Chicago Nall.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-10-03

small party together tor an early morn
ing start on a long journey. AS the
last notes of the call died away, three
Americans, followed by half dozen
MeXicans, entered the yard, all booted
and spurred, ready to be off. With the
customary shouting and chattering,
the horses and pack mules We're brought
out, and with many dtos, the caval-
cadc set forth.
The Americans were bound for the
interior, where, near Tehuacan, they
were to look over tract of
land recently purchased by one of
them, Jack Morgan. The other two
Americans were friends of Morgan
taken along for company, and also be-
cause they were somewh at acquainted
with greasers and greaser ways, while
Morgan was not The MeXicans were
hired to go along as guides, guards and
to do the work. Morgan was typical
westerner, and knew the ins and outs
of life on the plains as well as the best
of them. He was one of those chaps
who are quick on the trigger and cool
under all circumstances. He spoke
Spanish fairly well, but, as stated be-
fore, had never been far into the in
terror of Mexico.
The first days travel was uneventful,
and the Mexicans selected fine camp
ing place for the night. After supper
the pipes were brought out, and seated
about the fire the Americans discussed
the first day of their journey.
'It's all right, so far" said Morgan.
10
as we have to-day l shall feel all right.
Tomorrow we'll go through the worst
part of the trip, and the consul at Vera
Cruz said if we were not molested in
going through the hills we would stand
good chance of getting through with
out a hold up"
Why" asked Mark, one of the
Americans, ''are we likely to be held
up?"
unfortunately we are. There are
gentlemen of the highway on this side
of the Rio Grande as well as the other.
IF you knew this, why didn't you
bring larger crowd? Did you know
it, Hanll?"
''Of course / knew it, and am pre-
pared for it,"
"Then, as you was sort of outfitter
for this expedition, why didn't you hire
more Mexicans?" queried Mark.
''For the simple reason that six Mex
leans are as good as field full. If you
are going to run up against road agents,
the more you hire the more of the
gang you will be likely to have along
with you to turn against you at the
critical moment. But it is not at al