davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Forrest City times., 1891-01-30
To bs Cntia,,sG.l
Thackeray's Great-Gr,ndmo,hes

Inc little old house was aS pleasant within as without; big blue china pots stood in the corners of the sitting rooms and of the carved staircase with its low steps. In the low-pitched front parlor hung the pictures Ca Sir Joshua Reynolds among them) of generations not so far removed in my childish days as they are at present. being now buried away by succeeding lives -''ou sous son pere on retrouve encore son pere comme ronde sous londe dans une nor sans fond"
 My fathers great-grandmother, Mrs Becher, had sat to Sir Joshua in her youth-shc died in 1925 at eighty-nine years of age. Her name. which tho writer has inherited, was Anne Hays ham before she married, and we have copy of the Sir Joshua portrait. rep reseuting stately dame in the flowing draperieS of the period. She lived in the old house at Fareham. after her husbands death; shc was the mother of many daughters and tempestuous sons. Tho sterner rule of those Spartan times did not always quell the wild spirits of thcir rising generations. My grandmother has often told me that Mrs. Becher never called her eldest daughter anything but Miss Bechcr;" her little granddaughter was Miss Nancy She used to como and 20 leaning on beautiful tortose-shell. headed cane. have played with tho cane. though it's owner died long be- fore l was born; as for the great-aunt. l remember her perfectly well, little old lady in q tlaxen front with apple cheeks and blue shawl, holding out her welcoming arms to the third gen. eration of her brother Johns descend ants. When she died she left her brothers picture out of the parlor to my grandmother, his only surviving daughter and now in turn is hangs with its rcd coat upon our parlor wall. We arc all very fond of our great grandfather, with his nice coat and lace ruflies. He is, in the portrait, young man of some twenty-five years of age with an oddly familiar face. impulsive inquisitivc.- so he strikes me at least. His name was John Harmau Bechcr, and he too went out to India and did good work there, and died young. as did so many others those days. He was born in April. l764. and died about 1900.
 Fareham itself, with it's tall church spire and peal of Sunday bells across the cowslip meadows, Was a Miss-Aus- teu-liko village. peopled by retired naval officers and spirited old ladies who played whist every night of their lives and kept up the traditions of En- i gland, not without some asperity, ss well remember. Among other things which my grandmother has cften de- scribed to us was the disastrous news of Nelson's death. coming to them all. in that same little parlor whore. few | years after. little William Makepeace , Thackeray sat. laboriously writing to his mother in India -AnRe 7haceeray Rltchie, ia St Nachotds.
The Forrest City times., 1891-01-30

tough looking 10 Dc en,ertafuAa oi whether l was generally supposed to be morally oblique. In either event it wA sn entirely erroneous impression. Pos. sibly the propristors thought that I would he ungrateful. like the fable of the trapped serpent. which, upon beng warmed In the bosom of tho generous peasant, blossomcd forth into an un. grateful jag.
 However it may have bcen. 1t was . good lesson to ms aud broke mo almost entirely of the use of plug tobacco. dur ing the litany. It also teaches us that even Chicago. free and hospitabls as she was then. proud Of the fact that she was West. and pointing the cold finger Of scorn at the hsuteur of Boston. yet was not above kicking the life out of the horny -hsuded. but crude pelican of the Great Still-Farthsr West
 Even ns Laramie City society turned up her nose at the rsnchers of Red Bu.tcs who came to our Jese cAampstrcs at, Laramie, with their feet done up In Javs coffee sacKing. so even did Chicago turn coidly away from my blue morocco top boots. with gold stars on the legs aud my broad aud mellow hat. with ban gles on the brim and leather heirloom for band. in the shape of the now use. less crupper of dear dead mule --R.U Ma, In (hicuqo Xera!d
The Forrest City times., 1891-01-30

tuous feast that afternoon; and. aS we passed here and there we heard t.lcse re marks:
 "I thought it was Il great lady coming 10 Waverland, but 1t is the swate angel who came to me when l was sick"' or, "It's the swate teddy who told me how to make breadr' and, Its the goyerncss who was here and came with Ter little box of medi- cine and docktored my Jammic then he had the measels, SO it isl''
 All united in calling her tho "swatc teddy" The children gathered round Lady Wayerland for a kind word. No one was overlooked. Most of them Stella knew and remembered their names Shc had peculiar faculty of gaining chldrcn's love. had often noticed when in rcSm full Of strangers, the children would soon find their way to Stellas side
 While we were busy seeing that our peo- pie were having good cheer, the invited guests were enjoying themselves according to their own tastes and inclnations. Some were busy with ball and nallet st croquet Others with bow and arrow were sending forth joyous peals of laughter at the mis- takes or good hits of their companions. One and all were having q good titn.>. Sir Wren was in an ecstacy of delight, and seemed the youngest of the party, giving passing joke and friendly greeting to every one he met. As he and 1 were standing together and Stella was engaged with the little ones, said
 You see, Sir Wren, that there is no dan ger but that Lady Waverland will be pop ular with our people She has won their love and trust as she has won mine, by the goodness of her heart. have no fear but that it will continue"
 You are very fortunate Lloyd, in secur- ing such lovely wife. l congratulate you with warmer heart since have seen her among the people Her gentle influence will have great force for their good"
 Ill the evening Lady Waverland was no less favorite than among the humber classes. The rich and naughty were glad to claim her for an acquaintance on ac- count of her noble birth and great wealth I thought as l saw some of the grand la- dies and gentlemen who had formerly stung her sensitive heart with cruel words, now trying to win more than a passing greeting from her, how diGercnt their con duct would have been had she returned IS simply governessl But wealth and posi- ton are powerful agents with those who have no higher aims in life than show and fashion.
 Lady Waverland was equally favorite with rich and poor and made every one who came into her presence feel at ease
 A few days after our return the people gathered to hear Mir. Paruell and to choose Il candidate to stand from our district for member of parliament. Our district was one of the most extremely nationalist of any in Ireland When MT Parnell came he found a remarkable gathering. It was thoroughly representative; people of all trades, merchants, mechanics, professors. laborars and uoblemen had met to see and hear the "uncrowned king"
 The applause and cheers that greeted Mir. Parnell were loud and hearty, but some hisscd and many flourishcd tho black thorn shillalah. That is practical weapon in the hands of m Irishman and has convinced many man against his will
The Forrest City times., 1891-01-30
Round Shoulders.

Round shoulders are almost unavoid- edly accompanied by weak lungs. but may be cured by the simple and easily performed exercise of raising ones self upon the toes leisurely. in perpeu- dicular position. several times daily. Take perfectly upright position, with the heels together and the toes at an angle of forty-iive degrees. Drop the arms lifelessly by the sides animating and raising the chest to its full ea- pacity muscularly, the chin well drawn in. Slowly rise up on the balls of the feet to the greatest possible height. thereby exercising all the muscles of the legs and the body; come again into standing position without swaying the body backward out of the perfect hne. Repeat the exercise first on one foot, then on the other.- Halfs J0urn0l et HcatN.
The Forrest City times., 1891-01-30

When 1 came form had siso . new hat, In those days men wore . small spoon shaped hat, which ia greatly af. fected by the low comedians on the atago At present. looked like < butterfly of fashion when l came into the sunlight. l buried my black ensmelle6 grip near where Dr. Cronins body was fouud. and by evening had resolved to 70 to the best hotel and stsy day or two. sm glad did. for Il gave me polish which is still noticeable eve in Inc court cir cles of Europe and Joliet
 So say that even in Chicago clothing makes 6 florence. The artist has shown that the Improvement was hardly enough to warrant the change in my reception. and yet l got the bridal chamber nt one of the bcst of hotels. burned out whole lot of gas. did not get up tili long after breakfast was ready. and finally went home without my Gordon press ,o brag over my season at Chicago.
 Yesrs hsve added to the sir of naivette, polish and bonhomme thus so fortunate. ly iuaugu~stcd and now am often asked while gassing with . maid of honor At court. or chIuning some csckIiag old Plymouih Rock dowsger of Europe. where l got m 10 inst easy cir of aploma. 1 reply that it wss in th. corridor Of . Chicago hotel that l arst realized my social value after having been shown that had none. and all tass hAs besa brought about within a few years. too. Ws have Tn the meantime marched along together. the Chicago hotels snd l. tilt the hotels. at least. are full al of the time.
 never knew whether l wAs regarded Ay ths hotah V tAsss sssly dAss e ses
The Forrest City times., 1891-01-30
BILL AND HIS BRONZE wnisKEns

BILL AND HIS BRONZE wnisKEnS.
 wore ss nearly as i csn now remcm- Der. . set of bronze whisHers with . lit tie alkali dust in them. soft, rather widish aud slightly debilitsted hat, worn with rakish air, on cue side. re. member that wore my overcoat s good deal more than other people did but this was partly because had foryatten my beneath coat and hated to go about the streets of Chicago in my shirt sleeves.
 had . new pair of boots that thought . great deal of. for they were 60 small and sy m me trical and expensive, that did not mind tho pain they gave me. The beels were high and tar~ring. Inc ins,cp nrched and graceful and the tops vere of beautiful bronze morocco. laced up with ecru correct strings of the nme.
 My manner was frce and dehonnalr, though had been justice of the peace. and had money enough in my purse to bay Gordon job press and small linc of ornamental type for card and eQues. trisu work at home.
 l can zee now that the clerk at the desk always hesitsted about signing me room. even before he had retired to look over his tally sheet at the rear Of the office In this way 1 went to one hotel after another, signing my name smaller and smaller. less and less like my own and more and more like "Denuis' until the grey of dawn came gently across tho cold. blue bosom of the lake. Gradually the hush that lay along tho river ths grim and tAllowv river, was broken and business on Clark street awakened. l went in at first to the sbop Of a barber. and. shaking hands with my bronze wbiskeis for the last time. 1 fled them away in the dim garret of the past. Then went to shop where clothes were being sacrificed jn-t as they are to-day. l bought n few togs that were quiet and laid sside the fortissimo tYous. ers l had. taking care. however. to re- place them wita others before emerging to the etreet.
The Forrest City times., 1891-01-30

When at little distance from the depot we were met by carriages full of people; it seemed as though all the country had put on it's holiday garments and were having 8 jubilee.
 As we were passing through the gate way Stella said;
 70, Lloyd! you have copied that poem of gateway from one we saw in Glen Eyrier'
 "Yes, I tried to make it like that, as . memorial of the love found awaiting me in that far away land. And may it ever be a pleasant reminder of the happy hours we passed there" I said.
 Myrtle was in an ecstacy of delight at being home again. and seeing so many peo- pie about
 Sister Stella" said Myrtle, nestlng in her arms, you will never go away again will yous"
 No, darling, I am at homo to stay with you now" she said.
 And Lloyd toos asked Myrtle.
 "This is our home, all together now, lit tie sister," l said as we drove up to the doorway.
 The old butler and his wife met us as we entered the great hall He was more pomp- ous than ever in his enormous wig, high coat collar and cravat while his wife. who was the housekeeper, looked smart in . new cotton gown and fancy cap.
 And it's welcome home, ye arc, Lord Waverland; and long life to yes, and my Lady," said the butler, making most profound bow, as we entered tho house.
 Sir Wren, Annie and the Colonel were soon with us, and friends from every drec- tion came to offer their congratulations. The broad beautiful lawn was full of peo- pie. Soon Stella and were in their midst shaking hands with them. and receiving thoiR God bless ys'si''
 It was merry company that gathered z = the lpng tables to partake 0f tho sumD
The Forrest City times., 1891-01-30
 Colonel Ingcrsoll's $t ,OOO nili.

Colonel R. q. Ingersoll is one of the lawyers to whom his profession yields fortune every year. A quarter of million is small valuation to plarv upon his receipts and hs is oue of the few men who shine either as n plcader or counselor. He has accumulated great wealth. which. it is safe to say. uo one who knows him begru,l-cs hiu.
 His face and form are familiar to all Wall and Broad street men. aud his offices on Wall street are handsomely fitted up and elegant. They arc com fortable offices. just as the genial Bob is comfortable man. Great numbers of stories are told about him. Hero is one guaranteed to he new.
 A stranger went to him one day. and without suy reference to the matter of the retainer. began. My father dictl' and made . will. and then went ou to toll about his trouble with th. will
 Do you understand the ease nowf" asked the stranger.
 No. sir;' responded Mir. lngersoll.. ''l do not"
 Somewhat embarrassed the stranger went away. He told a friend of his experience with the phlloso. .sical law yer.
 Go back to him." said the friend, ''lay q. 0oo bill ou his iesk. and then talk"
 The advice was followed. He was received as QUO who had never been iu tho oaice before. He laid the big bill down aud said: My father died and made \ will"
 Mir. lagersoll was at once Interested. Hs interrupted his new ciicst. How" said he, ''could your father dio aud make wiia Do you not mean that he made . will and theu died?"
 Business procerdpd
The Forrest City times., 1891-01-30
Not Worth Counting.

In California. it is said. they have no smaller coin in circulstios than a nickel. Puopl-'i in that land ef sudden fortunes and wholesale incomes can not appreciate the turning of a penny or even the chase of the .'nimhls six pence" A San Francisco paper illus trstes the contempt of Califoruiaas for peunies by the following:
 Give me silver for thiA please. /" said an eastern tourist yesterday. as he dumped double handful of l-ccas pieces oa the counter of | prominent money broker.
 "I don't want them. They're not worth counting. l wouldn't give 50 cents on the dollar for tiem." was che reply. Il never took lhem but oncc. And then l had to. A fellow owed mo 6 and after repeated duns offered payment in coppers. indignantly refused. The next day he came in, and. showing copper cent into my hand. asked me 10 give him credit for that amount upon tue debt. He kept that up. making | payment oi one cenl every morning. noon and aight--three cents every day-uniil accumulated cigar box fu l of o,ppers. They rs here yet and they'll stay here until some one comes aioag wha has mora time than money. won't count them "-- lo1tas conpa~ion-
The Forrest City times., 1891-01-30

"Dut why did yos put fAs blades ia the exact place where Eazdy gets over the fencef
 Now femme tell you dat in killin' squirrels you got ter go whar dc squir reis is. never could kill no squirrels whar dAr want none."
 And you ssy that the squirrels ran against the knives and killed them selvesy"
 Yes. sah. jes ripped dasclfs wide open. Wy. tells you da wuz almos ready ter fry when da fell offen de fence, an you oughtcr sec dem squirrels whut l wuz gwinc fetch you. MT. 'Turney. So fat ds couldn't hardly waller. I wan, goin ter charge you nuthin' fur em, pufher"
The Forrest City times., 1891-01-30
NH. PRUETT EXPLAINS.
HE COULD CUTWiT THE SQUIRRELS
 BUT NOT THE COURT.
How sn Ingenious DArksy Can Ereuse AI- moot Any Act of Which He May Bs Thought Guilty.
One of the most pronounced charac

One of the most pronounced charac teristics of the Southern negro is his amusingly unhappy knack of excusing a criminal act committed by hImseif No matter how squarely confronted he may be, and no matter how plain his guilt may be made to appear, he never fails to catch at the very last thread of excuse. l had recent opportunity for studying his peculiarly 'colored" characteristic. While visiting ''crossroads" eommuni- ty in Mississippi was invited to attend . trial that promised to stir up the most refined circles of negro society. On the day of the opening ot the trial any one passing through the neichborhood might have thought that the President of the United States had just arrived and was holding a general reception. The cot ton pickcrs, tiocking from Inc fields. marched towards m old camp ground where the trial was to be held
 The court assembled under the trees. The Judge sat down behind slab table and began to thumb greasy book; the township constable threw stone at c bin SOW; an old family mare kicked a negro boy into whirling streak of black; the prosecuting attorney blew his nose with a loud snort and then the court was declared opened Pretty soon a little old negro was brought into the circle. He was s wirv old rascal, and was comical in expression despite look of extreme trouble that had settled on his face
 Mus set down?" he asked. noddng At the Judge.
 ''St down." said the Judge.
 ''Thankee. sah; thaukee. Want spectin sich perlitencss on dis day, but l we're em say dat perliteness ain't lost eben cf you show It ter CT goat, but l doan know bout dat. fur one day l met ole Mir. Goat in the road an bowed ter him. l did. an jest den de scoundul hauled of an buttud me ofTcn de face O de Lawd Ulmighty's yeth."
 That will do" exclaimed the Judge
 'Ef you says 1t will do sah, knows in reason dat 1t will, the prisoner re- piled. Il allus pays CT teution ter whut you tells me. Sorter likes you no how"
 The great crowd of negroes pressed forward. expecting every minute to see the old fellow hanged. aud some of the women had begun 10 groan out a sort of swinging chant when the Judge demand ed Slleacc.
The Forrest City times., 1891-01-30

''-ow. LYNNE TELL YOU Borr DAT" detmeut. What have you to say abou, ilf'
 The old fellow joi,cd himself with s rrunt Now dats CT strange thing. l thought dis yere wuz CT free country but ef 1t sint. wy l is williu' ter 20 an lib summers else. Man ksin't kill CT few squirrels widout de white folks come CT dletin' him."
 Kill few squirrels" exclaimed the Judge.
 Some fofNs likes ter sho.t squirrels. but 1 don. De way l does is dis. Drive some knife blades in de top rail O do fence sn sharpen em ez keen CT you kin. Den go down de fence m sorter mosey roun till you git CT squirrel on de feace. an skear him an make him run up de fence, all tune on de top rail, sn' wen he gts ter de knife blades he aiu't gwine ter see 'em but will run CT gin 'em an rip hisscif wide open. Den you ain { only got de squirrel desd. but you got him mighty nigh cleaned. All you got ter do is ter snatch de jacket ofIen him. Now. sah. had been kiliin' squirrels dar sll day. sn eE l tended ter come back in de mornia' ter git some fne ones fur dc proseculin' 'turney. here-an' wsn't gwine ter charge him CT cent far 'cm. nuther--I thought 1t wouldn't be wuth while ter take de knife blades out. hut long in de ebenin' yere come pol Mir. Sandy --an' de Lswd knows l lub dat pusson--an' cuts hisse'f nightly. ds tclls me. Doan you zee It wan't no fault Q Dinef Dosn yea see dst ' jest on innnroonk as any chihnYs
The Forrest City times., 1891-01-30
BILL ME ON CLOTHES.
hE CHANGES TOcs TO SOME PuR.
 POSE AT 4 CHICAGO HOTEL.
Being Hefased Quarters, He Bays . Shave and New Sais and 1s Vel. Oomsd.
0omsd.

Chicago either has better hotel accom- modations than she used to have. or ] present . more inviting appearance at the hotel desk than l did remember of landing in the city \ few years ago from the West. came to buy new job press and some colored ink for printing calling cards and wedding stationery in my mountain home. can only remember dimly the costume l wore, but now believe that my general appearance had something 10 do with my failure to secure good quarters and as result it gave me false impression of Chicsgo's hospitality.
The Forrest City times., 1891-01-30
Total length of trip.

Thus one can leave home July 1. soc all the wondrous beauties of tho Afri- can continent. spend two weeks hunt ing elephants and visiting the natives. and be back al his desk Sept. after having crossed the equator six times We shall expect very soon 10 see tho country flooded with circulars of tho Tippoo Tip African Tourist company (iimited). which will issue reund-trip tickets for the journey, furnish guides and all useful information. attend tourists on littie hunting side tripA and secure front sestS at canuibal feasts. All this eau he easily accom- piished for $500 tho great point in cheapness being that the shops of ccn- gal Africa are not such as to tempt the tourist 10 unload his wealth. La dies particularly will not return with their trunks full of central African costumes.
 The above estimates of time and cost may seem overdrawn. but 1t is prob able that before this decade Is ended they will be found to be too high. And after Americans once get into the way of taking jsunt into central Africa goodness knows what development may take place in that benighted re- glou.
The Forrest City times., 1891-01-30

Amelia B. Edwards the famous En- glish woman now lecturing in this country, divides with the Princess Dora dIstria of Italy the honor of being the most learned woman h tho world
The Forrest City times., 1891-01-30

Tho German army supplies arc cane ing Il constant anxiety. lt is found ai. most impossible |" get firms to furuiSh them honestly. and again and agsis the most reliable companies arc found Q suA11ituts inferior axticlsA
The Forrest City times., 1891-01-30
A TRIP TO CENTRAL AFRICA
h . Few Years Such a JoWrney win Bs
 Common Enough.

The latest news from the Congo states that the railroad to connect the port on tho lower Congo with Stanley pool. where navigation of the upper Congo begins. is now in process of con- struction. aud that everything is pro- gressing favorably. The entire length of the line is less than 800 miles and only twenty-five of these present eu- gineering obstructions of any difficulty whatever. and these have already been overcome. If all goes we'll the line ought to be completed in three years. says the Philadelphia Iaqnlrer. By that time express steamers will be put on the Congo. so that n trip to central Africa will be easily, made by every summer tourist
 Thus we will suppose n Philadclphian desires to visit Stanley Falls. the head- quarters of Tippoo Tih situated direct ly in the heart of the dark continent If he is in hurry he can plan his trip about this way: