davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-27
The First Confederate Gun.

A Chattanooga correspondent Of the New
York Suu says: The first gun made for the con-
federate government is owned by Mrs Il. l..
Miller Of this city. The owners of Libby
prison. now in Chicago, are in correspondence
with Mrs. Miller for the purchase of the historic
relic. The gun was made by Mrs. MilIer's
father, w. 8. McElwaine. at Holly Springs,
Miss, in the summer of 1861. 1t was carried
through part of the war by q young man of
Holly Springs, friend of Mr.. McElwaine.
Originally it had a riied barrel About the
middle OF the war the barrel was injured by a
ball, and the gun was returned to Mr.. McEl-
waine. who cut it of at the injured point and
bored it for a shotgun.
MIR. McElwalne was a native of Pittsdeld
Mass. where he learned the trade Of a ma
chinist. Afterward he worked in q gun fac
tory In New York, and then moved to San
dusky, Ohio, where he engaged in the foundry
and machine business. In 1859 he went to
Mississippi on prospecting trip. He settled
at Holly Springs, and in a crude way began the
foundry business with two partners. When
the war began the company hada well-eouipped
establishment, which Jefferson Davis induced
the owners TO convert into an armory. Small
arms were badly needed and Mr. McElvaine
planned and made the necessary machinery for
manufacturing them. With his own hands he
made the first gun, which his daughter now
preserves.
When the battle of Shiloh was fought in 1862
the plant was turning out twenty-five stands of
arms day and employing 500 hands. The
armory was afterward sold to the confederate
government for S15O, 600, in addition to the
S6O, 900 paid for converting it into an armory.
The plant was shortly aftervard removed to
by the confederates Q raid was made on Holly
Springs and the buildings were burned. After
an eventful career the maker Of the first gun of
the confederacy died in Chattanooga in 1852.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-27
Dickens Youngest Son.
From the Pail Mall Gazette.

FROM TIE Pall Mall Gazette.
Mr.. Edward Buiwer Lytton Dickens, the
youngest son OF the novelist and the member
for wilcannia in the parliament Of New South
Wales, is for the most part silent N. T.. but
recently he made an unhappy excursion into
cussion on certain alleged attempts to bride NJ.
P.'s in connection with the famous Broken Hill
silver mines. Young Dickens is reported to
have said that "he knew much of the Broken
Hills as any member of that house, and had
there been any attempt at bribery it was more
than probable he would have been approached
in the matter" This naive confession, Of course
evoked a general roar of laughter. A few more
such maladroit remarks, and people will come
to accept the unkind criticism Of a brother leg
islator that 1.-THE honorable msmber has nothing
Of his ulustrious father about him-save the
nose"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-27
THE FIRST TEAS"
An Ancient Custom That is Universally Fol
lowed Today.

An Ancient Custom That is Universally Fol-
lowed Today.
From the Detroit Free Press
The custom of tea drinking is as old as the
Chinese empire, and as early as 500. A. D., a
duty was levied on the tea that grew wild on
the Chinese mountains. But it is within two
centuries that its use was adopted by the Eng
lish, when the East Tea Company imported and
it was sold at S25 a pound. Its use was confined
to the royal household.
In the reign of Henry VII q refreshment
consisting of tea and cakes was called a voide.
On the occasion of the marriage dinner of
katharine of Arragon and Arthur Prince of
Wales, the court chronicler wrote: 1.-THE even
ing refreshmen: called voide was brought in bv
fourscore earls. barons aud knights, walking
two and two. lpocras and comfits were offered.
One noble servitor presented the golden spice
plate, the second the cups, while a third of
lower rank filled the cups from golden ever E"
Since then what Washington Irving calls the
'motherly teapot" has become Q power in the
world. People have learned how to make tea as
well as to drink it. In its first stage one En-
gllshman had 1t served up as greens, the water
in which it was boiled thrown away
There has never been discovered q good SUBJ
stituts for tea. During the war of the revolu-
ton our forefathers adopted liberty tea, -
which was made from four-leaved plant
called 'loose strife" This plant was pulled up
like flax; its stalks, stripped of their leaves.
were boiled; the leaves were then put into an
iron kettle, and the liquor of the stalks poured
over them. After this process the leaves were
land upon piatters and carefully dried in q
brick oven heated for the purpose.
Tea, favored with vanilla and rum, is a pop-
ular drink In Germany. The rum prevents the
tea-drinker from lying awake at night.
DR.. johnson and Sydney Smith were both in
veterate tea drinkers. The former said that
"he never gave his tea kettle time to cool. !"
while the latter gave as sure recipe against the
prevailing epidemic Of his time, melancholy.
"a tea kettle simmering upon the hob
Now, that some calculating soul has iscov-
cred that 4Oo cups OF tea can be made from a
pound. We may expect very mild decoction of
the cups that cheer but not inebriate," as the
Poet Cowper sang.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-27
An Elephant That Could Count Twenty.

From the Spectator.
Mr.. Arthur Clay sends the following instance
Of the sagacity of the elephant. 1t was told me,
he says. by Mr.. Quay, at the time a con-com-
missioned officer in the first battalion of the
sixtieth rifles, but now one Of her majesty
yeomen of the guard. In 1853 his regiment
was m arching from Peshawur to Kopulvie and
was accompanied by a train of elephants. 1t
was the duty of the mahout in charge Of each
elephant to prepare twenty chupatties or fiat
cakes made of coarse flour, for his charge
When the twenty chupatties were ready they
were placed before the elephant. who during the
process OF counting never attempted to touch
one of them until the full number was completed
On the occasion related by Mr.. Quay one of
the elephants had seized the opportunity Of
his mahout's attention being distracted for q
moment to steal and swallow one Of the chu-
patties When the mahout, having finished
the preparation, began to count them out he
OF course discovered the theft, and presented
his charge with nineteen in place of the usual
number. The elephant instantly appreciated
the fact OF there being one less than he had
right to expect, and refused to touch Them
expressing his Indignation by loud trumpet
ings. This brought the conductor of the ele-
plant line with whom Mr.. Quay had been in
conversation on the scene. Having heard the
explanation of the mahout the conductor de-
cided that the mahout was in fault for not
keeping a better lookout, and ordered him to
provide the twentieth cake at his own cost
When this was prepared and added to the pile
the elephant at once accepted and ate them.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-27
Slayin Spelling for n Fight.

Frank P. Slavin has authorized Billy Madden
to match him to fight or box any man in Amer
lea for any amount from s., 500 to $4,000
side, the championship belt and the champion
ship Of the world. Slavin says that he will give
John L. Sullivan $1,000 if he fails to stop him
in six rounds. He also agrees TO give Jake Kill
rain s3. 900 if he fails to knock him out in six
rounds, providing Kilrain boxes fairly. S,a vim
also agrees to make Dominick McCaffrey a
present Of $500 to box him six rounds, or he
will give the same amount to George Godfrey
Slavin does not forget either Jim Corbett or
Peter Jackson in his sweeping offer. He agrees
to box either ten rounds, or tight them accord
ing TO Police Gazette rules and forfeit 50 600 if
he fails to knock either Of them out In the ten
rounds. Slavin will arrive in New York next
month with Charley Mitchell and stand ready
to deposit IS, 900 to back up these propositions.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-27
THE FRENCH RATHER LIKE 1T.
orleans Youthful Escapades Have Not Mad
Him Unpopular.

Orleans Youthful Escapades Have Not Made
Him Unpopular.
special cable dispatch to The EVENING STAR
from London says: There is now little doubt
that the Duke Of Orleans was in Paris last
week, as asserted by lie Mdtin and l. Intransige-
d'at In spite OF the feeble denials OF the French
ofhciai press. The story published in the Times
to the effect that the prince is in Tis is entirely
without foundation. In going to Paris incog-
nito he has only initiated Prince Victor Ma
poleon. who boasts of his frequent visits in
disguise to the French capital 1t is now adj
mitted that NJ Poacher, the faithful tutor who
has so long been in charge Of the erratic prince.
resigned because he found that he could no
longer control the latter's movements. The
same conviction has forced itself upon the
various agents of the Count of Paris. who is
himself at the present moment quite in the
Ozark as to his son whereabouts. The youth s
escapades. however. have not injured him with
the French people, who rather admire his
spirit of adventure.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-27
A NEAT LITTLE LUNCH.
But It Brought Tears Into the Eyes Of the
Young Man Who Gave 1t.

Young Man VINO Gave 1t.
From the Chicago Post.
1 have friend who is one Of the most
talented young men in the west. The other
day he came into my Office and made q cold
blooded bluff about taking me out to lunch, at
the same time flashing 800 bill before my as
tonished eyes. took him up, right then and
there, Of course. We went to the Richelieu
and ordered in the neighborhood of SIC worth
Of food and drink, and pitched into it as if we
hadn't had anything before for twenty years.
1t was a safe bet that this remarkable exhibition
of generosity meant that was to be called
upon to give up something, and sure enough, /
was.
"By the way" he remarked as he was light
ing his cigar, 'fby the way, old man, want to
get you to do something for me-"
''All right" replied promptly. A friend
who blows you off to S16 dinner il entitled
to soft answer. ''What is it?''
slowly at the cigar. II am devilish diffdent
about asking favors of my friends, but you
can do this. and don't think that it will give
you very much trouble. You know 1 have
never struck you for any kindnesses, long as we
THAT'S So" answered go ahead, I'll do
anything can for you"
"Well, you see, he went on. '.it's like this. /
am-no," he broke off, suddenly, 81 can't bear
to ask it of you"
There were real tears in his eyes.
Don't let yourself be disturbed, old fellow, :"
l cried, very much affected. Remember, I'm
your friend"
mo, l can't do it," he said, when he had re-
covered his composure. 81 can't bring myself
to ask you right to your face"
By this time was very curious to know what
the trouble was, and SO proved a soft mark
He had counted on that.
'No, he continued, 81 can't tell you to your
face. Perhaps might be able to write it down
and go out OF the room while you read it. Will
you promise not to look at it until I have got
clear outsider"
OF course promised. What else could do?
SO he wrote four or five words on the back of
the wine card, folded it up and handed it to me.
Then he shook my hand e1fusively bald would
never know how grateful he was to me for my
kindness, and went out dissolved in tears.
When he had shut the door behind him, and
not till then, unfolded the card. And this was
what he had written:
please pay for the lunch"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-27
The Heroism of q Child.
From the Chatterbox.

From the Chatterbox.
In the Bodleian Library at Oxford 10 q most
touching record of heroism and self-sacrifice on
the part of child.
The lower door of st. Leonard's Church.
Bridgeworth, was left open and two young boys
wandering in were tempted to mount to the
upper part and scramble from beam to beam.
All at once joist gave way. The beam on
which they were standing became displaced
The elder had just time to grasp it when fall
ing, while the younger, slipping over his body,
caught hold Of his comrades legs. In this fear
full position the poor lads hung, crying vainly
Tor heip, for no one was near.
At length the boy clinging to the beam be-
came exhausted. He could no longer support
the double weight. He called out to the lad be-
low that they we're both done for
Gould you save yourself if were to loose
you, replied the younger lad.
II think could, }" returned the elder.
Then good-by, and God bless you'll" said
the little fellow, loosing his hold.
Another second and he was dashed to pieces
on the stone floor below.
His companion clambered to . place Of
safety.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-27

THE STAR Is the La,gesf paper
published in Washington, with a
general equipment and printing facil-
tiles three-fold greater and better than
those of any other Washington paper;
and, having the full Day Reports
of both the New York Associated
Press and the United Press, supple
mented by an unequaled service Ct
Exclusive Special Dispatches from an
prominent points in America and
Europe. it prints more and fresher
Telegraphic News than any other
Washington paper can possibly sup
ply, furnishing at the same time .
greater amount and better quality Of
Local, Domestic and General Intelli-
gence, and a Larger quantity aid
higher grade of Original and Selected
Literary Miscellany than any papa
in the District
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-27
About All Feather.


From the Cornhil Magazine.
The biggest of all really powerful fying
birds are, believe. the wandering albatross
and the South American condor-for the roc
l reject outright worthy only of the most
restricted Arabian and nocturnal ornithol-
ogy. Seen on the wing, or even with the
wings expanded merely, both these great
existing birds have a most majestic and
colossal appearance. But feathers in such
cases are very deceptive; they make fine
birds out of very small bodies. For
example our well known little English
swift which looks imposing in flight
as il passes overhead with pinions
poised. is hardly as big when plucked
as a mans top thumb joint, and weighs only
half an ounce. So, too. the albatross, though
its e1panse of wing is said to exceed that of any
other known bird, amounting sometimes to
nearly ten feet from tip TO tip, does not aver
age In weight more than fifteen pounds, which
Is just exactly the poulterers state
ment for my last family Christmas
turkey. As for the condor, while he spans
from wing 20 wing some eight feet, his length
from beak to tail is only three and a half, and
doubt if he would pluck into anything corre-
spending to his magnificent outer show
though am bound TO admit that have never
personally tried the unpleasant experiment.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-27

Among the several hundred cases OF grip in
Lima, Ohio, that affecting Miss Mary Christ
man is peculiar. She was taken with the dis
ease Monday and in the evening was seized with
q violent fit of sneezing, which has continued
ever since without intermission. Pbysicians
are powerless. The girl is weak and diving.
sneezing to death.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-27

The funeral of John A. Mackay. the actor,
took place yesterday afternoon in Brook
lyn and was largely attended BY mem
bers Of the profession. The pallbearers were
the Mohican and the Five AS clubs. The in
terment was in the Cemetery Of the Holy Cross
at Flatbush.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-27
An Old Bostoniau Dead.

Silas Potter, one of Boston's oldest wholesale
shoe dealers and bank directors, died wednes-
day. He was a liberal contributor to charitable
and religious societies Of Boston, and he aided
largely in the cause OF negro education in the
south and in the establishment of schools and
churches in the far west
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-27

Among the immigrant who arrived In New
York the other day was Alcids Waldorf, . youns
Greek, who four years ego was left q, 000, 900.
and then came pennies 10 these shores 10 look
for work. He made application to the Castle
Garden labor bureau and secured Q positiop
- waiter in downtown restaurant. Valdors
e finely educated, speaking seven languages
nuently.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-27
Oldest!
Largest!
Cheabest!.
Best I!
The Evening Star

is the Oldest and most firmly estab-
lished newspaper published in the
District of Columbia, having won the
high position it holds in the conf
dence of the people of Washington by
forty years Of faithful and answering
devotion to their interests, without
regard to any other influence or con-
sideration whatsoever.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-27
WILL PROBABLY BE LYNCHED.
Three Negroes Who Kindled Fires in Ala
bama.

Dam0.
The fire at Russellville, Ala, Tuesday
night caused loss of s75,OOO, with only
partial insurance. The fire was incendiary and
three negroes have been arrested charged with
the crime. 1t is expected that they will be
lynched.
The Sterling Emery Wheel Works at Tiffin,
Ohio, was damaged to the extent Of $4,000
Wednesday night by escaping natural gas ig-
hitting from a watchmans lantern. The watch
man was badly but not fatally burned. Insur-
ance on the building is S12, 500.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-27
Davis supplants Washington.

The ife-sized portrait of jefferson Davis
which the clerk Of the Arkansas house was a.
thorized during the early part Of the session to
have painted was received Yesterday st Little
Rock and placed over the speakers desk. II
took the place Of the portrait Of George WASH
ington that had been hanging in the hall for
the past twenty years.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-27
A Small Haul for q Road AGENT.

A San Antonio special says: 'News has
reached here that a stage carrying United
States mail was robbed between Comfort and
Fredericksburg by q lone highwayman. He
received less than "a from the stage driver and
the passengers. There was no registered mail {"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-27
AN ARMY RUMOR.
Gen. Stanley to Be Promoted AMI Succeeded
by Maj. Forsyth.

A Galveston dispatch says: The report is
current in military circles that Gen. Stanley,
commander of the department of Texas, is to
be promoted to major general and ordered to
the Pacific coast for duty. The report further
states that he will succeed Gen. Gibbon, now
commanding the department of the Pacific.
who is to be retired shortly. Maj. Forsyth,
who took prominent part in the recent Sioux
campaign, is mentioned as the probable sue
cessOr OF Gen. Stanley
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-27

To Prevent Intimidation Of Weskmen.
The Maine house Of representatives passed .
bill yesterday providing for e500 Ane or two
years imprisonment for preventing by intimi-
dation or force any person from entering OF ~
raining n any Dnn,s employ.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-27

Gov. Merriam Of Minnesota Yesterday vetoed
come under the provisions Of the state banking
law.
Gov. Pattison Of Pennsylvania yesterday is
sued proclamation designating Friday, April
10. and Friday, May l, 70 b observed a. arbor
days
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-27
Opposing . Worlds Fair Exhfbi..


The Tennessee senate has rejected the &250 900
appropriation for an exhibit at the worlds
fair. The house, however, passed q bin allow
for exhibits at the fair.
In the Arkansas senate yesterday the bin an
propriating $4,000 for the worlds fair pur-
poses was defeated.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-27

Being delivered at the homes Of
regular subscribers for the .-ihing
sum Of ten cents per week, THE STAR
is much the Cheapest paper published
in the District, quantity and quality
of contents being considered
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-27

Twenty-six hundred and six Immigrant were
landed in New York before 10 o'clock yesterday
morning, !, 1876 from Rotterdam, sos from Ham,
burg and est from Naples.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-27

The export of nitrate from Tarspaca, Chilli,
in March amounted to !, 500, 900 francs in value.
It is expected that the amount will be doubled
in April. II Il in this way that the parliament
tarians augment their funds TO carry on the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-27
Murder Followed by Lvnch,pr.

At Cumberland Gap, Tenn, . few miles from
Middlesborough, Ky, J. A. Burke, telegraph
operator, was shot and instantly killed yester-
day by Tom Hunter, colored. Sixty armed
men took Hunter from the officers and hanged
him to tree.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-27

The best sugar industry q being worked nm
In Central kansas BY DR.. sveitwiler Of Ger.
many. Who = bore arranging for 500 experi-
mental tss6 n di9sesat COUNTIES Mn fscsiea
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-27

THE STARS circulation In the City
of Washington is more than three
times larger than that of any other
newspaper. and the number of its
readers more than five times as many.
1t is therefore in that (or even greater)
proportion the Best advertising med.
ium in the District. On this point
there is no ground for argument OF
doubt, even. 1t IS the common testi-
mony of the business community. and
generally admitted
Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1891-11-23
A WAR STORY.

In the latter part of 1892 the 157th
Pennsylvania volunteers were sta
toned at Washington, preparatory
to moving toward Richmond. For
some unknown reason their salaries
had been delayed for two months and
the boys found themselves strapped
pretty closely for money.
Among the members of Company d
was a wild, harum scarum sort of fell
low, hailing from Lancaster county.
For about a week he had been with
out an ounce of tobacco. From every
body he received the same answer:
Haven't an ounce: money all went a
month ago"
The poor fellow endured the agony
for awhile, but finally becoming des-
perate, he got leave of absence from
camp one morning and started up G
street in the direction of the White
House. Arriving there he stopped for
awhile, looking over the fence on to
the grounds surrounding the executive
mansion, and presently caught sight
path in front of the house. just then
a bright idea struck him. Mastering
up his courage, he stalked into the
garden and presently neared the pres
ident.
''Good morning, Mr.. President" he
said, touching his cap.
"Good morning, my man." replied
"Old Abe,' "what can do for you?''
The soldier hesitated for while, but
noticing the presidents kindly look,
finally said:
''The fact of the matter is, Mr.. Pres
ident, we haven't had any money for
two months now, and every one of us
is dead broke, and I am almost dead
for chew of tobacco"
A smile lit up the face of the great
war president as he received this in
formation, and then his hand went
down into his pocket. Drawing forth
a silver dollar he handed it to the
'Ebroken'' volunteer, and said:
sIt shan't be said that one of my
soldiers died for the want of some to-
bacco. 1 need his services too much
for that. Buy some tobacco with this,
and think that by the time it is gone
you will have received all the money
that is due you.''
With a gratified ''thank you, Mr..
President" the soldier lifted his cap
and passed quickly out of the grounds.
The back salary was paid shortly after
the occurrence.