davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1891-01-08
CACTUS PEcuLiARITiEs.
1t Does as = Plant Just What the Camel
Does as an Animal.

1t Does as Plant Just What the Camel
Does as an Animal
+ The cactuses are very peculiar plants
AS peculiar structuraHy as they are
bizarre and grotesque in outer appear
ance. They have spared no pains and
shrunk from no sacrifice in accommodate
ing themselves'to their niche in nature
In the first place they have no true
leaves. What looks like leaves in GER
tain jointed cactuses are really flattened
and extended stems II this seems at
rsthearing hard saying the analogy of
the common stonecrops, where stem
and leaf are hardly distinguishable,
will help to make it little less incred-
ible. In other ways, too, the stonecrops
Tor sec ums as the gardeners call them)
throw much light upon the nature OF
the cactuses.
All these rock-haunted or desert
plants naturally get very little water
except at long intervals after OCCASION
al showers. Honce only those can sur
-viye which form themselves, as 1t were,
into living reservoirs to retain all the
moisture they once absorb. As soon as
the rain falls in the arid haunts the
roots and rootlets eagerly drink it up in
great hurry and store it away in the
soft and spongy cellular tissue Of which
the main part Of the plant is wholly
formed. For this purpose, both in
stonecrops and cactuses, the stems have
become tleshy and succulent, and being
also green and Ieaf-like they resemble
true leaves. But they are covered ex-
ternally with thick skin, which resists
evaporation and keeps the moisture.
once collected, at the plants disposal
for an unlimited period. In short, the
cactus does as plant just what camel
does as an animal North American Re-
view
The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1891-01-08
G FORK OVER YOUR STUFF"

out MOTEL book, fastened it open at o
blank page and scrubbed, as we'll as his
situation would permit, few hasty
words.
Hurry up, there cried the inn
promptu highwayman.
"All right" said sNyburg; 'let me
bring you the money. Don't shootr'
He dismounted and hastily slipped
the book inside the bag In which were
the bills and gold, then fastened the
bag by stout string to the saddle-horn.
lie started toward the robber leading
his horse in such way as to get him
almost past the point in the road which
Riddle held. Then as soon as possible
ne gave the horse q singing cut with q
rawhide and lodged behind tree. Of
dashed the horse at furious rate.
Bang, bang went Riddles firearm.
The horse rushed on and Nyburg was
unhurt * Riddle was armed only with
his old horss-pistol the other kns v THAI
The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1891-01-08
\ PUTTING The SHOT.
A Branch of Athletics Very Popular In 4
Parta of CANADA.

A Branch of Athletics Very Popular In All
Parts of Canada.
When most of us think OF Canada 1t is
as land of sport and there pass before
our minds eye visions of snow-shoeing
and jolly, toboganniDg and skating and
fishing; and If we have seen a match OF
lacrosse Canada's national game be-
tween an American and Canadian
twelve, we remember the easy manner
in which our friends from across the
border threw goal after goal, and proved
their supremacy over us in that branch
OF sport
But there IS another branch Of ath-
letics in which Canada excels us-and
not US alone, but our English, Irish and
Scotch cousins across the water as we'll.
Irefer to putting the shot"
For the benefit of those of my readers
who are not familiar with this branch
of athletics, / will explain that the
s'shot" Is ball Of iron or lead weighing
from twelve to fifty-six pounds The
weight which is almost invariably used,
however, Is the sixteen-pound. Putting
consists simply IN pushing or showing
the shot violently out from the shoulder
to as great distance as possible.
The shot is usually nut from ont Of a
circle seven feet in diameter. A curved
toe board" about two feet long Is
placed on the circumference, and the
athlete stands with his right heel ON
that part OF the circumference directly
opposite. The shot is held On
the palm OF the hand near the ear. Al
tor balancing carefully on the RIGHT leo
a quick, short hop is taken, then q short
The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1891-01-08
FEMALE employees.


There Are -Four Thoussnd In the Depart.
nhents at MashinRton.
There are more than I, 900 women Ia
the employment Of the Government al
Washington, and General Francis b
Spinner 10 their patron saint. During
the war 1t was impossible to obtain 4
sufficient number OF men to I'LL the
clerical positions in the departments
Finding the force growing smaller every
week, General Spinner, who was then
Treasurer Of the United States suas.
gested that women might be employed
on much OF the work. His suggestion
was acted upon, and the first woman
went to work In the Treasury Depart
ment counting money.
The salaries OF women in the depart
ments range from 5000 to 81, 800 year,
and there are quite number who re.
ceive the latter sum. Mrs. F. +. Chand.
Ter, who is employed In the chief clerks
division OF the Pension Office, receives
salary Of 81, 800, and Mrs. Emily v.
u. Miller, who is a stenographer In the
Pension Office, receives for her work
salary Of 81, 600 year The greater
Number OF women in the departments
are employed as copyists and typewriter
operators, and for this work they
receive 5000 year. Many women
are now finding employment at the
Census Bureau. The Census Bureau
is not under the Civil-Service, but
Superintendent Porter has established
civi1-serviee examination OF his
own which all appl cations for positions
in his bureau must pass All Of his ap.
pointees start to work at $72O year and
take their chances of prom otion for
merit Work in the Census Bureau is
not 80 much in demand, because it is
only temporary and must cease in a
year or two, when the work of the
bureau is complete. Still there are ten
to twenty applicants for every vacancy
under Mr.. Porter.
There very few instances OF the en-
ployment Of husband and wife In the
Government service. There was at one
time strict rule against it in theSde-
partments There is at least one man
in the Government service who wishes
thatrule was in force now / saw let
ter short time ago. written to a mem
Der Of the Cabinet by an employee Of
the department. asking that his wife be
removed from the position she was then
holding. salary of 81, 800 q year,
he wrote, was quite enough for both Of
them, but SO long as his wife was receiv-
ing an independent salary she neglect
ed her household duties He wanted
her made dependent on him again. Be-
fore the head Of the department had an
opportunity to act on this strange request
he received another letter from the hus-
band recalling the first letter and stat
ing in explanation that the removal Of
his wife from her position would cast
stigma on her name which she might
find difficult to remove. Once a Week.
The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1891-01-08
THE BROKEN DESK.

why Little Josephine Hid In the Old Gym
naafum.
Remember, Josephine, never oclimb
up on the leaf OF the desk"
This was what father had said only
1t already. That was why she lay sob
bling on the floor, in grief and dismay.
looking up once In awhile at the ruin
she had wrought Fathers desk was
his most sacred possession, after you
had named mother and the children,
and she knew how 1t would hurt him to
see 1t broken; and she knew 1t would
hurt him more to see that Josephine
had forgotten his injunction. But she
had seen, up on the high shelf, the
''5cauty-cup" which she loved, and she
did want 1t so. She had gathered few
late flowers, and they would look so
pretty in that cup. Poor posies, they
lay scattered about wishing, no doubt,
that they we're back again in that shell
tered garden nook where she had found
them. In her haste she had forgotten
fathers words, and, pulling out one
slide, she had let down the lid and
cilmutu upon ~ Inc bVouh lbtAo
hinges did their best to hold up miss
Roly-poly," with the help Of only ono
slide. but gave way under the weight,
and down all came in heap. The
crash brought mother to the scene
gentle mother, who never could speak :
harsh word to : sorrowing little one;
but such accidents were happening al
together too often TO this impulsivc
child, and something must be done to
stop II.
Josephine" she said. with earnesa
gravity and serious shake Of the
head, II don't know what father will
say to this. TIM afraid he will give you
seyare reprimand."
Josephine shiyered with apprehension
and bowed her head still lower in abject
sorrow
There, daughter. don't cry any
more, added mother. $50, wash your
face and run out Of doors.s
%. dear me. q. dear me suzl'' cried
loserhlnc, making her way slcwl5
down she steps with her apron over ~.
bend ) 1pn't tsent father 70 give M
The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1891-01-08
TRAVELLING statesmen.
Origin and Developments of the Mode
Commercial Drummer.

Origin and Development of the Modern
Commercial Drummer.
So recent is the origin of the modern
commercial drummer that, Hike the
forty-niner," representative pioneers
in this line are yet in the land of the
living and still on the road. As con-
cocter OF colossal yarns and a never
failing fountain Of anecdotes and humor,
the drummer has no rival, at least not
in the general estimation OF the public.
His fund OF spirits is no small portion
OF his stock in trade, and this, together
with his acquired and nimble knowledge
of human nature, make him as dextrous
foe and as successful an advocate,
commercially speaking, as the trained
lawyer is in the legal forum.
A drummer's story of the commercial
changes in the life and conditions of
this country within the memory of some
of these veteran knights of the road
would make an interesting and pictur-
esque volume, and one sure to be widely
read. Here is an opportunity for the right
man to make the most of. One of these
old-timers, who began his lifelong career
as commercial traveller in 1886, and to
whom his brethren are soon to give q
testimonial, in speaking of his experi-
ence the other day, and OF the changed
condition OF travel, etc., remarked:
In 1889 took . trip South, utilizing
every possible mode of locomotion by
land and water. by horseback and by
foot as we'll, it taking me 226 days to
cover the territory between Montgom-
cry, Ala, and Colum bus, Miss. Now
go about in vestibule cars and put up
at palatial hotels instead OF tenting or
staying in log hut I ascend the
rivers in magnificent steamers, whereas
! used to be glad to get keel-boat trans
portation. send telegram and get
an answerin an hour. Formerly had
to wait two months for answers to my
letters used to write with quill pens
and seal with wax waters Since have
been on the road have seen the inven-
ton or perfection of the railroads, the
telegraph, the screw-propeller, the sub
marine cable the telephone and the
electric light. ---.-.,----.-.--..
The American drnmmers' story is yet
to be written. To be done we'll 1t should
be done soon, ere some of Its most char
acteristU links are missing and its chain
Of events hopelessly broken. Merchant
Traveller. = -,
The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1891-01-08
The Penalty Of Greatneaa.

A New Yorker WHO has recently spent
some time in the literary circles OF
London says that there must be at least
one hundred biographies of Mr.. Glad
stone already in manuscripts. awaiting
the event of his death, at which time
they will be ready for publication in
book form. Besides these manuscripts
there are to be found in the pigeon
holes of all the newspaper offices
sketches of the aged statesman's life,
in readiness for the dispatches announc-
ing the end OF his career. that may be
received at any time. 1t is said that
Mr. Gladstone has seen some of these
biographies and sketches. and he him.
self has prepared memoranda for the
use Of some Of his biographers - Boston
Post
The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1891-01-08

now he must be without loaded piece.
so from his retreat behind the tree be
exclaimed: Riddle, you are making an
awful big fool OF yourself, haven't !
cent Of money about me, and your pis-
tol is unloaded. You can't get either
my money or my life. know who Won
are, and you might as well acknowledge
that am right"
How do you know who amp de.
manded the ruffian.
II saw you at the station and I know
your voice. Surrender or=Is Il blow y0ur
brains out" Nyburg started toward
Riddle, pointing at him his large lack.
knife, the blade Of which, glistening Id
the dim moonlight had much the np.
pearance Of the barrel Of small re-
The robber auaileda Don't fire.s he
cried, in undisguised terror. ..pll give
up
Get of your horse then and give me
your pistol" demanded the new master
OF the situation. The order was prompt.
| ly obeyed.
Now" said Nyburg. taking the
bridle-rein Of Riddles horse, s'you
march pretty straight TO town. sa
1t was comical procession which q
little company Of Nyburg's friends came
upon as they hurried along the Badger
creek road. A would-be robber or as.
sassin, cowed and captured, marching
in front of his intended victim, who was
| mounted on the real victims horse.
/ When Nyburg's nag gafioped into the
barnyard at home, a neighbor, just
across the way, came over to see what
was the trouble. He found the bag
fastened to the saddle horn with money
and notebook safe. Out OF the con-
fused, irregular pencil Something's he
| deciphered the words '.waylaid,'
bridge" Riddle" and the signature.
He soon had together little company
OF half dozen men, armed with pistols,
shotguns and other nipple ments dan
gerous to life, one having merely big
club. They were all we'll mounted,
and when they found nothing at the
bridge they came on up the road, where
| they soon overlook Nyburg and his
prisoner. A few words Of explanation
The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1891-01-08

were given, and then three OF them
cond ucted Riddle the remainder OF the
way to the place used as county jail.
At the trial he pleaded guilty and
was given to n years in States prison to
mediate upon his escapade and to de.
wise more skillful plan of operation
for next time. The evidence brought
forth at the trial furnished the large
crowd in attendance with great deal
of merriment especially when Nyburg
told how frightened the robber was at
his jack-knife.
Many are the tales of pioneer life
which the old settlers of that region
love to recount, but none Of them is
softener told OF received with greater at
tention by the children than the anec-
dote Of Henry Nyburg and "Robber"
Riddle. Fl. E. MILLS.
The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1891-01-08


farmer, highly respected by all who
loafer who spent much time about liv-.
cry stables where occasionally he made
ahorse trade. He was known as bud"
Riddle. Nyburg charged Riddle with
having moved corner stone so as to
change the ownership OF valuable
spring This Riddle denied. and the
court ordered new survey, which gave
the spring and several acres of land to
Nyburg. The stone had clearly been
moved, but they could not fasten the
deed upon Riddle, although no one in
the community doubted that he had
done il.
From this time he developed per-
sonal hatred for Nyburg which displayed
itself in the countless little annoyances
which vicious and spiteful neighbor
can infiict.
In a few months railroad was pro-
jected through that county from Chi
cage.
Tho farmers collected together sever
al carloads of live stock and produce
and sent them to mark ct under Ny
burg's charge.
They found ready sale, and in a
couple of days the tenn porary com mis-
sion merchant returned with some
thing over five thousand dollars
The train should have reached his s ia
ton at four in the afternoon but sever
al delays hindered its arrival till after
seven.
The trainmen and usual foafers were
about the station as he stepped from
the train, and at the further end of the
platform in the dim light he CHANGED to
catch sight of man whom he thought
to be bud" Riddle. The fellow at
once disappeared in the darkness and
an indescribable foreboding seized Ny
burg that all was not right If that
scamp has gang Of fellows out watch
ing the road, it may go hard with me,
he said to himself, "but if he tries any
game alone ! amt afraid of him."
The most of Riddles schemes were
clumsily devised and awkwardly man
aged, but he had all the yiciousness and
ayarice Of an accomplished villain. .......
Nyburg tried to drown the presentf-
ment of danger in the thought that fear
was useless and SO, mounting horse
The had left at friends stable near by,
e he galloped toward home. thinking how
3, his wife and little ones would be over
joyed at his return. -
AS he entered narrow strip of tim
Der, through which the road ran for
about mile, the first light of the rising
moon began to make objects about in
distinctly visible. He had nearly
reached the open ground beyond when
suddenly at little turn in the road he
was confron ted by q man on horseback,
booted and spurred, masked and armed.
Your money or your life." exclaimed
the man, pointing at Nyburg's head
something which that benighted travl
eler thought to be pistol. Fork over
your stuff" he added in husky voice,
which Nyburg at once recognized as
Riddles.
4Grasping the situation, he cried:
Don't shoot, don't shootl Just,swait a
minute"
He began to tumble in his pockets as
though after his money, but he drew
The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1891-01-08
"a LITTLE NONSENSE"

There, John, that is an OK. The
shoes on your feet are made from the
hide OF an animal like that" 81 don't
see how that can be. My shoes are
black He's q russell leather OK
Harper's Bazaar.
Goals Of Fire. Grocer = whats
that about the dozen eggs you bought
this morning?" Brown-"They were all
bad except one. and I've called to see
how much extra / owe you for the good
one IN. Y. Sun.
--Fuddidud-"O, you may talk about
Niggleston not being in his right mind,
but / know better I've talked with
him two or three times lately" Smart
Yes; but have seen him since you
talked with him. Boston Transcript
She lat 11:s0) -"It is very late. What
II papa should wake up?" He-"Oh,
he won't mind. He's been here him
self" She (anxiously)-.'And I'm
afraid he'll be here pretty soon again
! think ! hear Jhim Yankee
Blade
"A love letter written by some great
man 400 years ago was recently sold in
England for $780, A love letter recent
ly read in court I'M divorce case was
worth IS, 000-to the fair plaintiff. ]"
And its writer is still living. and COM
paratively unknown. too!--Norristow,.
Herald.
Sweet Confidence Mrs Young
.'T'm afraid my husband is killing himself
with overwork." Mrs Odds-"How is
that?" Mrs. Young-"Why, when we
were first married he always got home
from the Office at FIVE, and now he's
often kept until tenl' Munsey's
Weekly.
"A Strange Piece Of Information. ~
An Ohio man claims to have wife who
never asks him for money. He neglects
to say whether the woman has been
speechless from birth or whether she
simply holds him down and goes through
his pockets without wasting breath
Rams Horn.
DO you know" she said, that
clock reminds me OF you every time
look at it Do you notice any thing Pc
culiar about it?" why, no; really
can't say that do" he replied, as he
drew nearer, except that it doesn't
go" Then he got red in the face, and
in few moments vanished. ~ Washing
ton Post
To Catch the Wolf. Friend Of the
Family-''What in the world arc You
setting that trap on the front steps for?''
Young Hopeful-ssTo catch the wolf.
Pa said that If ma ordered any more OF
those California peaches we should have
the wolf at the door. and she's gone and
done it for heard her. -Burlingto
Free Press
For Sale.-<A new and most useful
invention. Agents wanted in every part
Of Germany. Light blankets with large
labels for pigs cows and horses, 10 pro
tect these animals while feeding from
| the zeal Of the short-sighted and jealous
amateur sportsman Easy terms 10
farmers with large stocks Names
| printed distinctly In red. blue or black,
On white ground, fast colors and can
beread from . long distances sfiiegsnds
BIAtten
The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1891-01-08
--Richard Blackmore, whose g;

Richard Blackmore, whose name,
Notwithstanding many later novels, is
associated with Lorna Doone,' is .
lineal descendant of good old DR. Dod-
bridge, and resides at Teddington on
the Thames He is averse to notoriety
and is known among his neighbors for
his success In market gardening and
fruit raising. rather than BY his literary
triumphs. He Is now past sixty. and
lives retired life in his lovely home,
surrounded by rural scenes In the
composition Of his novels no exercises
the greatest care and sometimes pro-
duces only single paragraph at u sit
ting. an Y. Ledger
The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1891-01-08

The guest sat down, but rose hurried
~ with an expression of alarm on his
face. ire
Il ara afraid, madam" he said, II
have sat down on the wrong chair"
Its only Tommy's pigeon eggs" re-
piled the lady, pleasantly. Don't
mind 1t Mr.. Jones' He has plenty
more of them "-Chicago Tribune.
The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1891-01-08

Warden-Well, what would you like
to work at while you are here?
New Arrival-At my own trade, II you
please. SIR
Warden What Is that?
|, New Arrival--pm an Arctic explorer.
sir West Ahpse
The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1891-01-08
4 had Failure.

Staggers-Y Yes, sir; marriage Is fall
ure with me.
Snooper -Ah?
Staggers- Yes sir; was led to be-
lieve that the girl loved was worth ten
Thousand dollars After the ceremony
I found she had only one hundred dol
lars in bank.
Shopper That is bad failure Just
one cent en- the dollar. wasn't It2'--i
Judge.
The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1891-01-08
THE POWER or LITTLE THINGS.


rcall 10 mind some little things,
H,geil TO mountains great;
The III perhaps" and by and by"
"50me day, also too late,
They have commanded weight and power.
Although so small they seem;
They are, indeed, the hope deferred,
OF many golden dream.
one needs more patience, will and strength
Their inroads to impede,
Than heroes on the field OF war,
4sfsfsfs battle on to lead -
They eatsand rancor In the soul;
They check the daily song;
They drink the JOY OF life till lips
Cry out: How long how longr'
The heart grows sad and sick and faint,
The hair will whiten fast,
with waiting for the @by and by"
That day so oft forecast.
How many hopes hang breathlessly
Upon one little word;
And life or death will rest upon
A hair suspended sword.
One little stitch dropped here or there.
The work Is all undone
And have you thought how small cloud
VIII hide the glor Gus sun?
Hannah M. Kohans, In Inter Ocean.
The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1891-01-08
/" R0BBEIRs . RIDDLE.
A Story of Pioneer Life in Gen.
trail Illinois.
written for This Paper.I

4 aE early
settlement of
Central Illinois
a dispute arose
bet W Q 9 n t W o
men over the
dividing Ii n o
between their
T, Q 8 p Q c | We
claims. One Of
t h Q part i Q $,
Henry Nyburg,
was a straight
forward, thor
nunh1y b,,o,paco
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1891-07-11
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Editor and
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