davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-18

From the st. James Gazette.
The returns Of some Of the large friendly So
cieties for 1880 are now coming in and no.
outstanding the increased expenditure
caused by the influenza epidemic in the early
part Of the year the figures in most cases show
large increases, both in members and funds.
The Ancient Order Of Foresters. numerically
the largest, with its zoo, GOO members, added
II ,587 to its number and f159, 1903 to its funds
bringing the reserve capital up to "a, 500. 900
This society appears to be rapidly 'leveling
up" its actuarial deficiency, the returns show.
ing that proportion equal to 1874 Of its men,
bers are now paying graduated contributions
The Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows comes
slightly behind the FOresters in respect to
numbers, but occupies far and away the front
rank Of all societies in wealth, its invested cap
ital reaching the magnificent amount Of
e., 25O,0 900.
The Hearts Of Oak, the largest centralized
society without branches, has been advancing
Of late years by leaps and bounds. It's annual
report just issued shows that in 1890 it added
10000 to its membership, which now numbers
10000, and f76.0oO to its funds, totaling its
reserve capital up to Fl, l57,5lS This society
admits no one to its membership over thirty
years Of age and is chiefly recruited from the
ranks OF small shopkeepers, clerks and skilled
artisans.
In the aggregate these three societies total
up an eouit membership OF 1,5OO, 600, with
IA 600 Juvenile members and gross invested
capital Of over els, 600, OOO
The great burial collecting societies consti-
tute quite another class, at the head of which
stands the Prudential, with assets worth El2,-
600 900, and which claims to have 5000, 600
policies in force. The Prudential Il 9 Joint
stock limited company, which began With q
capital of g., 500 about forty years ago: q few
years since this grew to E200, 60O According
70 statement recently made by Sir Herbert
Maxwell In the house Of commons the share
holders in 1887 received dividends equal to 400
per cent ON the original capital, besides
bonuses amounting 70 ES99, 600.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-18
How He Swore OF.

From the Chicago Tribune
As strange rs it may seem, there was once q
judge Of the district court Of San Bernardino
county, California, who disapproved of liquor
and wine drinking, and lost no opportunity in
sternly holding up to public gaze all persons
who had committed crimes or misdemeanors
while under the influence of strong drink.
There lived in that town at the time this ex-
emplary man sat upon the bench q good many
men who look upon the wine when it was good
and red. and who often frolicked with John
Barleycorn until they got the worst Of il. There
was one young man in particular who belonged
to good family, who was wont to paint San
Bernardino scarlet when funds were not too
low. This youth entered his honor's study
one day and exclaimed:
Judge, m going to swear of, and want
'.All right, all right; know know. I'll
take ten minutes
And tickled nearly to death. the Judge made
out a satisfactory document, the Young man
quickly subscribed to it, and then swore never
again to drink anything Intoxicating. Then he
asked:
How much do 1 owe you, Judge?"
"Owe me? Heavens and earth, young man,
you don't owe me anything. Confound it!
owe you! You have made me supremely happy
l can never repay your
NOW, see mere, Judge, tnat won do. have
taken up your time, and I'm going to pay you"
Never, never, never! My dear boy, I will
not take cent?
But you must"
"Neverr'
We'll, you are the best man ever saw"
That's all right"
And l am determined to demonstrats my
thankfulness in some way'
mo, no, mop
Yes, yes, yes! I'll tell you what wen do,
'What?'
Lets 60 and have q drinkr'
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-18

From the Grand Amanach Francais.
Adutiful husband wished to give his wife q
handsome lace scarf for . present, and 70
make sure of getting one to her liking he
asked her to buy one herself on the pretenss
that it was for q lady friend Of theirs The
finest Honiton. valenciennes and Brussels lace
goods were spread out on the counter, but
madame thought to herself:
'what is the use Of spending 20 much money
on a present for Amelie?''
Some embroidered lace was shown next
Even these were too dear. At length shs e.
lected very plain and ordinary scarf.
'Quite good enough, too," she thought, and
took it home to her husband.
asked.
ooh, yes, very pretty"
''ls it just what you would have chosen 70,
yourselfr'
''The very thing"
''Then, my dear, you may keep II. I intended
1t for your exclaimed her husband, delighted
with his little scheme. Curtain.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-18
Some Good Advice,

From the New York Sun.
There was young man in a seat by himself
who betrayed such impotence every time the
train stopped that the old man in front Of him
finally turned and inquired:
Anything special on yer mind to make We
act so narvous? Heard any bad news?"
mo, sir"
Didn't know but somebody was dead"
mo, SIR I'm to be married at O'Clock this
afternoon in Buffalo"
''Shoo! You don't say SOP"
"Yes. SIR"
'And it makes We narvous?"
Somewhat: suppose"
"Good-looking galI"
''Yes."
'LOts O. money!"
Then it's case Of love?'
Eyes, sir-pure and simple, a. I am proud to
say"
.'In other words, you hain't got nuthin', she
hain't got nuthin', and you don't either Of you
expect nuthin' from nobody"
WAL, young man, that's the way with lots
o folks. and it can't be helped. Started in that
way myself. 1t hain't none o. my bizness of
course, and probably this thing has gone too
far to let you back out, but let me give We some
| advice. I've tried both sorts. fast married q
| cake and barley coffee. She died and married
widow for forty acres Of land, six cows
three horses and ffty-four sheep, and I'm
| highway commissioner, postmaster at our
| corner, school trustee and referee of all
jumpin' matches in the country. II it hain't
too late when ye git to Buffalo just move that
the meeting do now adjourn. and then peel yor
| eyes fer widder with q farm. Love hain't
nuthin' but q sort Of mist anyhow, and it
passes of sooner or later. but when We kin 20
out and lay yer hand on land worth ESQ an acre,
and hear the HOSES, COWS and sheep cavortin'
DER the downy lea. you know you've got sunth-
in solid back of ye in case yer bones ache with
| ager."
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-18
MEXICAN MEsCAL.
a Triple OF Lowly Origin. but . Head
spinner All the same.

spinner All the same.
From the Phoenix CAri. Herald.
The humble, but inspiring mescal Ia derived
from such imposing scientic terms 40 the aguAve
Americana, maguey and American aloe. In
his report to Agricultural Secretary Rusk.
Special Agent Poston Of this city saws the
plant is a species Of the numerous family Of
cacu indigenous to Arizona, Southern Califor-
MIA, Texas, New Mexico and Mexico. The Ar
tees, when found by the Spsniards,
used the plant for cordsgs, mating,
brooms, brushes. shoes, bedding and various
domestic purposes. They roasted the pulp for
fooc aud fermented the Juice into s.pulaue %
The latter has been improved BY modern civil
izatior into that strong but not repulsivs drink
called mescaL The maguey plant natures in
seven years, becoming cabbags-headed in
shape, with prickly guards. IL weighs from
twenty-five TO fifty pounds. The various LAYERS,
as roasted by the natives, are nutritious and
Purgatve. The pulp is fermented IN q raw
hide vat. The City OF Mexico drinks 250. 900
pints OF pulque daily, or . pint per capita,
when ratio prevails generally throughout
Mexlco, pulque being the national beverage,
like wine in France, beer in Germany or
bulge in fankeedom. Mescal flowers make
excellent honey. Deer and antelope seek them
eagerly The stalk Of the plant grows twelve 20
twenty feet high, and 10 used in Mexican do
nestle architecture. Mescsl distilleries are very
simple and more secret than moonshiner's still
Maguey has been immemerislly cultivated in
old Mexico, but is not raised north OF the line
In Arizona for twenty-five years past mescsl
has averaged S2.50 per gallon new with 81
added for each year Of maturity A higher
grade article is called tsquiis, and is worth owes
el0 Der gallon
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-18
What Broke Bismarck's Boom.

Prom the Minneapolis Journal
Everybody up in North Dakota has heard Of
FARMER" Wallace Of Bismarck. one OF the
most famous boomers Of Bismarok's palmy
days. he is one Of the landmarks along the
N. p, and the only reason why people outside
OF the state are not familiar with the Farmer"
Is because he never got mixed up In politics.
and 80 seldom received mention BY the news
papers. Farmer" Wallace was very enthusi-
sstlc as holder OF Bismarck real estate In the
days OF the boom He did not conhne In
holdings to inside" property, but invested in
suburban" property. because he was sure ID
would all be needed by Q thriving population
m q short time.
He was in the governors room 81 the capitol
one day in company with two or three VS.
itors, and. as is his custom when discourping ON
subject In which he 10 greatly interested he
assumed an oratUrical manner. The governor 9
room Is very pleasant, having an outlook Of
several miles on two sides OF the capitol being
located on q little eminence some distance from
the center Of town. He was outlining the
great future OF Bismarck TO the visitors told Of
his holdings and what he should realize. and
then referred TO valuable suburban property
that he controlled and would sell
Where 10 that located2" inquired one Of the
gentlemen, who was getting reused up 10 the
buying point
Farmer" Wallace marched over TO the win
dow with an "Iu show you" on his lips and
threw out his finger in the direction Of his
acres. He was evidentlys little disappointed
in the atmospheric conditions, for, with an i'm
patient gesture, he turned a. his eve swept the
country for q distance Of five miles and said:
I'm sorry, gentlemen, that its hazy today,
but, by Cd, If il was clear we could see It, {"
Farmer" Wallace was never able TO under
stand, until recent years, why they smiled a
this. They had expected 10 see some acres
pointed out adjoining improved property. after
Wallace's harangue. but when informed that IA
took clear day to see suburban property in
Bismarck they lost their nerve and went back
east. Tradition says that this speech Of VAL
lace's broke the Bismarck boom.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-18
Women Architects and Builder.

From the Ladies' Home Journal.
The Zulu weman IL the architect and builder
Of the Zulu house, and the style Of architecture
il known in the colonies 90 'wsttle and daub."
II looks like IN exaggerated beehive, for the
Zulu mind has this popularity. that 10 cannot
grasp the idea Of anything that 10 not round or
eliipitical in form. There are no squares In
nature. To build her house the woman traces
circle on the ground fourteen feet In diam
branches, she sticks them firmly into the
ground and then bends the tops over and ties
them with 6ber obtained from the numerous
creepers or monkey" ropes.
Then she twines thick creepers IN and out Of
these sticks, all around the circle OF spaces
about twelve inches apart, and then taking
waffle q kind Of coarse grass or rssd) shs
matches the edifce, leaving . small hob - the
top for Q chimney and another hole three feet
square for . door. In front OF this shs builds
Q covered way, extending outward about three
feet and the exterior Of the house 10 finished
BY coating Of "daub" or mud. She then seeks
the nests Of the white ant, and digging them
up obtains quantity OF white clay, which she
beats to powder, dries and then, mixing it with
water, kneads il until it 10 quite smooth. This
she spreads all over the ground inside the hut
and beats IL carefully until il ID quite hard and
free from cracks This hoor o good house wife
will scour twice day with smooth stones until
it 10 like piece Of polished marble.
Inc fireplace - near the door, ana n SIMPLY
Q ring Of this clay 10 confine the embers In one
place The other necessaries found in . hun
are bundle Of spear shafts drying, some to-
bacco and several punches Of millet hanging
from the roof. Grouped around the walls are
the three smas 70 species Of sour milk) jars,
the native beer Jars and open jars holding
grain OF course, the dense wood smoke rising
coats the roof, millet and tobacco, with SCOT
and long '.fngers" Of il hang in every direc-
ton; but the floor viii be clean enough 20 ess
on, and - long ~ that IL % the seuinl ArA
Grundy Of the Zulu h satis6ed
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-18
A RUSSIAN ROMANCE.
Walter Besant's Shortest Story and One o
His Best.

Walter Besant's Shortest Story and One Of
| His Best.
| From the Philadelphia Press.
Walter Besant. the English novelist, in note
received from him yesterday, says Here is a
true story which does not belong to my cores
pondence, but think it very interesting. I
| give it as it was told me: certain young Rus
sian, of good family, fell in love with village
| girl, whom he wished to marry. His father,
| Directing on the ground of social disparity,
| made arrangements by which the girl was be-
trothed to young peasant of her own class.
Now, it is the custom in some parts of
Russia for the bridegroom and his friends to
begin drinking early in the day of the marriage,
| SO tn at when the time comes for the church
| ceremony the groom has often to be led to the
altar and supported by friend on either hand.
This happened on the morning of the marriage
| of the girl. The bridegroom was led to the
altar and supported by two men. of whom one
was the young gentleman himself.
Now mark his craft and subtlety. When
| the time came for joining hands he put out his
| own hand, the groom being too far gone to
| notice anything, and SO was joined in matri-
mony to the girl. The certificate of the mar
| riage had already been written in the register
| before the ceremony, precaution obviously
| necessary.
1.-The wedding over, the young noble took the
| girl from her people at the church door, drove
her away, and took her to Paris, where they
| lived together in amity for several years.
'Then the father died. and it became neees-
| sary to return to Russia, and, if possible, for
| the sake of the children, to get the marriage
| duly acknowledged.
''This business was intrusted to a lawyer,
who visited the village and saw the register
| He returned, stating that it was impossible be-
cause the marriage was entered in the books
as between the rustic and the girl. Being,
| however. assured that something must be
done, he returned, got possession Of the regis
| ter and clumsily erased the name of the rustic
bridegroom. This done, heat this point you
ask what he did, and everybody says Filled in
the other name No, he did not; he wrote
again over the erasure the name Of the village
swain. He did not, therefore, forge the record,
but il his noble client afterward found it desir-
able to assert that some one had done SO the
fact Of the erasure would be apparent"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-18
Emperor Williams Rambles In Disguise
From the PhiladelphIa Times.

Emperor Williams Rambles In Disguise,
From the Philadelphia Times.
People who imagine that his imperial majesty
passes all his time in christening newborn sons,
meditating on the wickedness Of Prince Bis
marck and quarreling with Count Won Valdez
see are very much mistaken. He likes his fun
also and takes it. There is a certain music
hall in Berlin where the emperor enjoys ad-
ventures worthy Of the Caliph Haroun Al
Raschid. Whether he is recognized or
not l cannot say, as his majesty is an
adept in the art of making up" How
ever, policemen, detectives and others are far
too wise to express suspicious in case they
have some idea they are in the presence Of the
Lord Of Germany. 1t is confidently said that
the other day, in the guise Of Hebrew ped
dler, his majesty wandered through the haunts
OF the Jewish community in his capital and dis
cussed with a number Of working tsraelites the
condition OF their race in his own dominions
and the effect OF the harsh measures recently
promulgated against them in Russia.
On another occasion the emperor il said tc
have passed many hours Of the night wander
ing among the saloons used by sailors and
common soldiers, arguing and inviting crit
cism on the life OF q private in his army or al
A. b. seaman in his navy. All these things
doubtless assist the young sovereign In his
endeavors to act as the father of his people
but occasionally tho fact that he is q young
man bursts upon him, and he is apt to Join in
vigorous dancing and play high jinks generally
as enthusiastically as the latest Jack ashore.
Then, in the middle Of a can-can or q schop-
pen, comes the memory, Itch bin der Kaiser, u
and his temporary boon companions are sur.
prised to see their new comrade suddenly
draw himself up, turn on his heel and leave the
place, followed by a couple Of, till that moment
supposed-to-be drunken chums.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-18

Five Enormous Building. Intended for fvs-
waite Residences, but Unit

waite Residences, but UNIT.
Prom the San Francisco Call.
A morning contemporary announces 90 .
matter Of news that Mrs. Hopkins sesrles offers
her residence on California street for sale IL
might have added, as . companion item. that
the pilgrim fathers had landed on Plymouth
Rock. There has been no time for many wears
that the Hopkins mansion on California street
has not been for sale. though, IL public rumor
be believed. the owner has not been distracted
by many offers 10 purchase. II is. in fact. DIFF
dcult to conceive who could want 10 become lie
possessor at any price.
The spectacle Of Mob Hill. with palAtiAl piles
browning its ridge. fills the stranger Who visits
California with mild smazement There are
nve big buildings there which were built
private residences, and are a. unit for
that use as could bel conceived. They were
apparently modelled ON the plan Of the palaces
OF the old world, which were erected 20 be the
homes of feudal baron. and all their r.tainers
In the middle sgee every noblensn supported
a swarm OF dependents. He had 20 fnd quar-
ters Tor them and Of course his lodgings had
70 De large. In our day rich men do not main
tain much larger households than their neigh
oors. Individually they cannot occupy
more than . dozen rooms. and as many
val lodge all the servants they can
employ. More rooms than this are OF no
possible use. Conceived in ostentatiou, their
DESTINY 10 20 become lumber closets. In the old
iendai castles Of Europe the modern poescssor
e lost; It gives him a nightmare TO wander
through maze Of rooms which are never 90
enpied save by mice and spiders aud he fees TO
Jake refuge in q bed room and parlor at club or
MOTEL IL must be much the same In the man
sions Of Mob Hill
IL they have any destiny, 10 must be 10 be-
come some day public buildings museums OF
hospitals. Even for that use thew would have
70 oe donated by their owners. fer the CITY
could build suitable edifces for lees money
'nsn they would cost il they were bought
IL seems odd that men with the ssgaoitv TO-
CURED TO build transcontinental railroad and
70 acquire vast fortunes should not have nm
derstood that q house that Is too big NAV be
as announcement as a house that Is too small A
very small quantity of shelter 10 ell that the
richest and greatest Of Us can want bed
room, q dressing room, . reception room Q
psrior, dining room. q library, and perhaps a
ohiaro room-what more than this can Cr,r.u.
occupy, though he counts his riches by the
hundreds OF nillions2 Yet rich men 20 on pil-
ing stone upon stone and bricks upon mortar
until they have exchanged what might have
oeen snug home for = bsrrsck, and in the
doing OF Il they generate a mass Of envy and
grudging which follows them TO their grave.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-18
Saved by His wife's Ready Wit

Prom the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
The Rev. DR.. Clinton Locke, the popular
Episcopal clergyman Of Chicago, made a bad
break the other day, but was helped out by the
quick wit Of his wife.
On the day in question he saw . lady about
to call whom he was anxious not to meet So
he said to his wife: Now I'm of, my dear.
I'll run up stairs and escape till she goes away"
After about an hour he quietly tiptoed to the
stair landing and listened. All was quiet below.
Treasured, he began to descend, and while
doing so he thoughtlessly but emphatically
called out over the baluster:
well, my dear, has that old bore gone at
last?"
The next instant . voice from below caused
the perspiration to bedew his ministerial brow
and rooted him to the spot. There came re-
Spouse which sounded inexpressibly sweet to
him just then. 1t was the voice Of his wife,
who: with true womanly tact, replied;
"Yes, darling, she went away over an hour
ago, but here is our good friend, Mrs. Blank,
whom sure you want to meet"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-18
No Public Watch.

He was proving around the depot with Q
white-wash brush in his hand and step-ladder
over his shoulder, when q man who had lust
come in on the train inquired:
"What time of day is it, uncle?''
The old man leaned the brush against the
fence and laid the step-ladder down on the
walk. Then after q long search in . ragged
pocket he produced . galvanized old watch
ear. Then, without looking ct its swollen face,
he said:
sits haf-pas-karter-arter. VIVA don't yer
keep or watch yosef an not be gwine roun'
botherin gemmsn2 ] amt no town lock
nohow."
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-18
Much Ado About Q Can't.

From the Wichita Eagle.
The smallest deposit ever made in this city
was that Of Postmaster Jewett who yesterday
placed cent to . special account Of Co.
manche county postmaster in the wichita Ne,
tional Bank, who in his quarterly settlement
last fall was found short this amount The do
partment will be duly notified Of the credi,
made. The second assistant postmsster zen.
efal viii notify the auditor Of the treasury snd
in turn viii demand receipt from the treas
urer Of the United States at New York, who vii
send this receipt in triplicats to the Postmaster
General, the treasurer Of the United States and
DISQUALIFICATION Office!
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-18

Solo COmfort 1t Last Tor Bald H0o0D,
Prom the Philsdslphia Record.
The skin grating physician Of Reading, Dr..
Eye, who has successfully demonstrated by
practical tests that It il possible to turn black
man white, has made known his real object in
conducting these experiments The doctor
does not think that there are any colored peo-
pie in the world who would be foolish enough
to submit to the skin-grafting torture
in order to be classed with the white folks, but
he does claim that thousands of bald
headed people are willing and anxious 10 wear
. genuine head Of hair. This can be &C
complished by the skin-grafting process. DR..
Eye stoutly asserts that bald head can be COW
cred with scalp, teeming with healthy hair
He has several letters in his possession from
persons anxious to undergo the operation.
The wonderful process opens up . world of
possibilities. The sensitive red-haired man
could trade scalps with some black headed per-
son who Is anxious to get rid Of . cowlick.
Dame Fashion might decree that polka dot was
the proper caper in hair and the new process
would be harbor for the ultra fashionable.
Again, by utilizing the hide Of Q blue skye
terrier the 9Th of July orator could mako An
impression upon his hearers BY wildly tearing
out handsful Of red, white and blue hair.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-18
Strong whisky.

Yfom The ehssta (Cal- Courier.
ere broke out in the Mott post ONCE one
night last week, destroying that building and
three others In one Of the buildings barrel
Of modern whisky was stored; the head and
slaves of the barrel were burned, but the con-
tents stood upright - . monument In ths
aahsa. solid block Of ico.