davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-10-01
FOOD OF THE BLACK BASS.
The Remarkable Appetite Displayed BY
These Game Fish.

The Remarkable Appetite Displayed BY
These Game Fish.
Last summer some workmen caught
six mice which induced them to bring
in and throw to my fish, says George
Hamper. Five of the mice were alive
and kicking, and as soon as they struck
the water, each was promptly caught
by bass and swallowed The sixth
mouse had been killed in the catching,
but before it had stopped the motion
caused from throwing it bass had it
The fish held the dead mouse only a
second or two, when he spit it out;
none of the fish would eat it
A boy once brought me live spar
row, full feathered and nearly full
grown, which I threw into the tank.
The bird was struggling in the water.
and within five seconds from the time
it was thrown in one of the large bass
caught it-and he swallowed it, too.
The sparrow was big mouthful for
the bass, but slowly and gradually /
saw the tail feathers disappear.
The capacity of the stomach of q fish
is wonderful My oldest bass one day
came to my hand seventeen consecutive
times, taking and swallowing q three
inch sinner each time Sometimes
when their stomachs are filed the bass
continue to catch minnows, squeeze and
kill them and spit them out
What fisherman OF any considerable
experience has not been tantalized by
having run after run. when the bass
simply squeezed and killed his min
nows and then dropped them? And
when this tiger possesses the fish, what
can equal the satisfaction the fisher
man feels when he beats the bass at
his own game, and captures him by
spinning dead minnow?"
In August, 1889. I was attacked with
sickness, and for four weeks was un-
able to go after food for my pets.
During ten days my fish had received
nothing to eat, and they were ravenous
They certainly were hungry enough to
eat fresh meat if they could be made to
eat it at any time, so tried them and
threw in some pieces of fresh beef. As
fast as the pieces of beef struck the
water they grabbed for it like a pack
of hungry wolves Every bass in the
tank snatched a piece of beef, and
every one of them spit it out again.
The bass, when hungry, appear to be
willing to swallow anything that wrig-
giles, but they certainly refuse to swal-
low anything that does not show some
signs of ife.-Nature's Realm.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-10-01
Chronic Homesickness.

Among the patients of the Melbourne
City hospital was a young Danish sailor
whose ailments had long puzzled the
medical fraternity till their diagnoses
were modified by an intelligent nurse.
In the silence of the night she had heard
the young stranger moan and sigh in a
way justifying certain conjectures re-
ferring to a portrait which the problem
attic patient was wont to hide under his
pillow. That portrait. however, proved
to be the photograph of an old woman,
and the young Dane at last confessed
that the cause of his ailments was moth
ing but chronic and unconquerable
homesicknesS Contrary to common
belief, the natives of sea-coast countries
and of airy highlands are about equally
liable to an affection rarely caused by
the meuentoes of a fat inland region
like Russia or Central China-The
Voice
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-10-01
FOR USE IN CHURCHES.
Collection Bags and Boxes and Plates OF
Wood and of Metal.

Collection Bags and Boxes and Plates OF
Wood and of Metal.
In some churches, years ago, the col
lection was taken in small close
meshed nets with short handles. The
latest thing made for this use, the col
lection bag, is a modification of the
old-fashioned net. It is cone-shaped
plush bag seven inches in diameter and
seven inches deep. 1t is secured by a
hoop to which is attached handle two
feet or three feet long, as may be de-
sired. The collection bag sells for four
dollars. 1t has been in use for about
one year.
Collection boxes were at one time
used in many churches. The old style
is shallow open box about seven
inches long by five wide. 1t is lined
with velvet and has handle attached.
Boxes of this style are still used, but
collection boxes are now generally
made circular in form. They are seven
and half inches in diameter and two
and a half inches in depth. A plush
mat is laid on the bottom, and the box
is provided with handle two feet or
three feet long. Such a box of oak sells
for three dollars and half. Not many
boxes are sold nowadays.
Collection plates have for long time
been in general use. One of the older
styles Of plates was of brass, nickel
plated. Plates of this kind were sold
at from five to seven dollars each. At
the present time collection plates are
made of wood and of various kinds of
metals. The wooden plates are the
more popular, and they are commonly
used in city and country. Usually they
are of oak or walnut; oak is now the
wood most favored. A plain plate OF
CHARTERED oak may be bought for three
dollars. It is eleven and one-half inches
in diameter. Its fiat rim is one and
three-quarter inches wide and the
plate is one and One-quarter inch es
deep. A plush mat is laid in the center.
A plate of the same size having p text
carved upon the rim costs five dollars.
Various texts are used. ''God lovet,l a
cheerful giver'' is the one most often
selected. A receiving basin of wood.
into which the collection plates may be
emptied. is fifteen inches in diameter
and two inches deep, and the rim is
two and a quarter inches wide. Carved
with an appropriate text and with a
plush mat, a basin costs twelve dollars.
Collection plates of metal are usually
made of brass or bronze. Brass plates
range in price from five dollars upward
They are eleven inches in diameter,
one and three-quarter inches in'the rim
and one and three-quarter inches deep.
They are inscribed with texts and are
stamped or embossed in a variety OF
designs The metal plates are used
either with or without mat. Bronze
plates cost twenty-five dollars and up
ward. Metal receiving basins of brass
or bronze cost from twenty-five dollars
upward More expensive metal plates
are made to order. Some are of solid
silver. The cost of silver plate de.
ponds on its weight and the work upon
it; fifty dollars would be about. the
lowest price.-N. Y. Sun. -
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-10-01
REPUBLICAN, HUMBuGGERY.
Suppression of Truths the Money
Question.

Question.
Since the adoption of their national
platform in 1850 there has been no more
brazen attempt to humbug the people
than was made by the New York re-
publicans Wednesday. Since the pass
age of the silver law of July IA, 1890,
there may have been ground for ex-
cusing citizens ignorant of its terms.
But the discussion thereon has of late
been so extended and thorough that
ignorance may no longer be pleaded.
New York republicans assert in the
sixth plank of their platform: 1.-The
act of July IA. 1890. provides for the
purchase of silver product and the is
suing of the new treasury note, pro-
tected by a reserve of one hundred
cents worth of silver for every dollar
issued" The statement is unqualified
ly false. There is no such provision in
the act, and there was not prominent
politician in the convention at Roches-
ter who was not aware of the fact. But
the platform was framed in accordance
with the hint contained in Senator
Sherman's speech. It is intended to
cover the fact that in many states re-
publican conventions have pronounced
in favor of free coinage of silver. By
such a plank New York republicans
seek to hold allies who have been es
pecially favorable to the political am
bition of Ohio's successful financier.
The simple facts of the case are SO
plain that republican organs have
small excuse for not presenting them
to their readers. But it happens not
to be convenient to let the plain people
have too much truth just now. Light
shed on republican tactics might dis
gust too many honest citizens with a
political organization they have ad-
hered to because of its older record.
The purchases of silver made under
the authority of the law of 1890 are
paid for in treasury notes issued for
that purpose, and being by the same
law redeemable at the discretion of
the secretary of the treasury in either
'sgold or silver dollars" There is no
possible chance for difference of
opinion on this subject. It has been
conceded by republicans in and out of
congress, and by statesmen in and out
of the silver ring. The notes thus is
sued are nothing more or less than a
silver certificate, calling not for one
hundred cents worth of silver, but for
a silver dollar. Any pretense to the
contrary is made for the purpose of de-
ceit. But the republican organs will
no more dare print for the edifcation
of their readers the text of the law thus
misinterpreted than they will tell the
truth as to the discussion of the Nc
Kinley bill by the worlds fair commits
sioners--Chicago Times
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-10-01
FOR THE SUMMER GIRL
Chunks of Advice, . Little Late. But SIN
In Season.

Chunks of Advice. /. Little L.ts. But stzn
I'm Season.
Never tell your age to anyone, ex-
cepting only your dearest girl friend
1t will be unnecessary. She will tell it
for you
Always remember that your father is
a prominent merchant Anumber Of
clever ways to drop this into converse
ton will readily suggest themselves to
you, and will be much better than
frankly giving away the poor old gen.
tleman's financial difficulties Moreover.
1t will be in the great majority Of cases
perfectly truthful A merchant can be
prominent through success. failure
honesty, fraud, bankruptcy, or a num-
Der of things
Remember. also, that your mother is
likes young men, is very clever Gust
like YOURSELF, and when young was
very beautiful (also like yourself).
When asked to marry, feign surprise,
blush if possible. Do not appear too
delighted 1t will give you away. Tell
him mother must not know of this;
and really papa will be very angry. "
At the same time do not fail to tell pa
pa and mamma about it by the first
post You will probably be able to
work the old gentleman for a new dress
and an increased remittance.
When asked your preference regard
ing a ring. say merely: "a solitaire,
dearest" Say it loudly and distinctly,
putting a special emphasis on the
enough to buy the cheapest they can
find
When engaged act with great caution.
Everyone will be watching you. and
they will be valuable witnesses in
cases of a possible breach of promise
suit Permit him to buy you only a
few simple presents. such as candy, ice
cream, flowers. gloves. fans, and
and lot just yet
on the string in case of a rainy day.
Should the engagement be broken,
which, according to the last census. il
is ninety-nine times out of every hum
dred. retain all presents He will, OF
course, return all the little gifts you
have made him, if any, and will be toe
embarrassed to call or write You are
not expected to waste your time for
hOthhlSs CSpSSldAAl dS - NSAs
valuable to you at your age Your
father will attend to the breach OF
promise suit
When not engaged let every one
understand distinctly that your mother
thinks you are too young to be engaged
yet, and go to the sea, the mountains
and the summer hotel merely fol
much-needed rest after your winter:
work for charity.
Should you happen to have any &C
complishments be sure to tell every
one. Your best girl friend will Away:
think that you wish to keep them secret
| if you tell but her, and may even go 81
| far as to say you have none.
Memorize a few choice quotation!
from Browning for use when will
intellectual young men, Study the
baseball reports in the daily paper
carefully for use with all other men,
If your dresses are not as good a.
those of other girls it might be well t.
feign an abnormal intellectually ant
a deep-rooted coetempt for the friv
| olities of social life.
Cut this advice out and memorize i
in your leisure moments--Brookly1
! r
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-10-01

Arabs thigh where his bullet entered,
ask what it all means.
Roberts, who is under the impression
that the banner was the prize coveted
by Macpherson and that his care for
the Arab is an afterthought, remarks
that the game was hardly worth the
candle. But Macpherson, looking up
for moment. says, pointing to the
wounded Arab:
'sMy brother"
Instantly the men, most of whom
have heard the story of the coloneFs
bereavement, crowd around the
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-10-01
A STRUCTURE OF HYPOCRISY.
Frailty Of the Now York Republican Plat

EFailty Of the New York Republican Plat
form.
No finer whited sepulcher In words
was ever built than the republican plat
form framed at Rochester, and put
forth as summary of the performances
of the party in the past, q statement of
its promises for the future. Against
1t, in contradiction of its truthfulness,
plank by plank and line by line, fact
after fact arises until the whole long
and wearisome document becomes q
challenge to the intelligence of the
people of this state, q cynical assump-
ton that the voters of New York, as
Thomas Carlyle said of the American
people. are mostly fools"
On the tariff the platform commends
NcKinleyism for the creation Of new
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-10-01

The French are now painting their
war-vessels dull, sulphurous gray, ex-
actly the color of smoke as it arises
from cannon. They say this color has
the advantage of being as Elusive and
indistinguisl able in fogs, and sea
mists, and darkness as during the
smoke of battle. It is more battling to
the search igh: than any other tint
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-10-01

L,
= sail up the same old river. look at the
same old pyramids-no modern addi-
tons or imprOvements-see the same
oabomina BILE old images that have worn
the same grotesque aspect for fifty
centuries. and broil on the same un-
comfortable decks, and all because that
boy of mine wants to become known
as an Psychologist. To the deuce with
beetles and sacred cattle. I'm tired of
lit ALL
Out of breath with the exertion
necessary to this long sentence, Col.
lavish MACPHERSON leans back in his
comfortable armchair and closes his
eyes for a nap. The cause of his
trouble is not very apparent, and as he
= sits there under the awning, with his
half-pay running on at the horse
guards. with the rents of his deer for
ests and sheep farms in the Highlands
faithfully collected and accounted for
by the factor, and with his member
ship fees paid up to date at the Carl
ton and United Service clubs, one
could imagine that even Egypt would
appear something other than house
of bondage. The coloners dahabeeh.
with her big three cOrnered sail
trimmed to the breeze that ruffieS the
waters of the Nile and bears her on
ward to AssOuam and the Great Catar-
act, is as quiet and restful albeit pic
tureSque an object as one would care to
see, as on this December evening of
1870 she creeps up the river, the look
. out man on the bow watching that the
channel is followed, and the sherman
impressive as mummy. leaning upon
the long handle of the tiller
Forward on the deck, tace down or
curled up in all sorts of odd positions,
lie the crew, a motley collection of
Arabs, NubianS and OsmanliS. There
is nothing stirring. The mark of the
desert is on all around. Even the sun,
now nearly on a level with the Nubian
mountains away on the horizon, looks
tired and dusty. The intense quiet
bothcrs the colonel; SO he yawns and
grOwls once more. He is a widower
with two children-the elder a lad of
eighteen, who has already made some
thing of Ii reputation as a student of
Egyptian remains, having been enam-
ored of the land since the evil day
when the colonel first proposed to win
ter on the Nile. The second is gen.
tie lad of ten years, we'll liked by every
body. He gives his vote for Egypt
every winter, because Jack asks it as
"a favor. They are ashore now after
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-10-01

When peeling onions keep your
hands and the onions both under water
and you win escape much annoyance.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-10-01

stretcher. Sure enough, the reSem-
blance cannot be disputed.
''See,'' says Macpherson, becoming
less constrained as the intense strain of
the last few minutes is relaxed: 81 can
trace on the back of his right hand the
outlines of an anchor. l remem Der
when he put it on he was q very small
cub. His hand looked as if it was
poisoned, and he came to me and got
me to Scrape most of the ink out again.
That's why the mark is SO faint. Rob
erts, send man out there to bring in
the big fellow 1 shot. That was Aboo,
and think you will find bullet in his
head
Tee last words are spoken family,
and Macpherson falls back into the
arms of soldier. Where he stood
there is pool of blood, and on exam
ination it is found that he, too, has
been wounded in the thigh.
They were an odd-looking pair, the
brothers, as they walked together in
the garden of the army hospital at
Cairo. It was fortunate that Jack
knew Arabic, for his long-lost brother
had to learn English over again, hay-
ing never heard word of his mother
tongue from the night when Aboo,
after gagging him, tumbled him into
the boat lying astern of the dahabeeh
until his brothers bullet brought him
back to civilization. Of his wander
ings he could tell little except that his
captOr and he had been wayfarers for
years in the Soudan and along the
desert highways until the insurrection
broke out, when he was pressed into
the mahdi's service, Aboo being volun-
teer. After awhile, he told his brother,
he became rather fond of fighting.
''Humph!'' said the colonel, as his
elder son translated these remarks,
there is some of the MACPHERSON in
him yet, then" He nodded paternally
toward Bob, and then, turning to Jack,
said tenderly: ''God bless you, my boy,
for bringing back my Benjamin even
with bullet. Toronto Globe.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1891-12-11
Beautiful Oklahoma.

The exciting incidents of the two
great invasions of Oklah oma Territory
by home-seekers, April -, 1889, and
September -, 1891, have given that
section deserved prominence as a
place in which to cheaply obtain one
of Uncle Sans farms. The lands re-
Gently opened are in the old Iowa,
Sac and Fox, and POttawatomie re-
servatiOns, lying directly east of
Guthrie and Oklahoma City, on the
y. II. d S. +. r. r. They now con-
stitute counties "a" and "B", with
Chandler and Tecumseh as respective
county seats-both large and rapidly
growing towns. Claims can be
bought at reasonable figures. For the
raising of corn, cotton, wheat and
fruit Oklahoma is uneXcelled.
Write to G. Il. Nicholson, G. p. &
II. y. Topeka, Kansas, for a specially
prepared folder, giving full informa-
ton relative to Beautiful Okla
hOma.n
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1891-12-11

"What would you do" asked one
woman of another who is wise in the
ways of bread-winnlng, IF you were
a young girl and had your living to
earnP"
II don't know" was the answer.
but can tell you some things l
wouldn't do.
Il wouldn't teach unless the CALI
was almost deafening. because then |
should be carrying my little napkinful
of talents to market sadly over
crowded.
Il wouldn't study stenography or
typewriting unless | knew or had
opportunity to learn two or three
modern languages besides English,
and unless was to start uncommonly
well educated; for unless l could fit
myself for one of the few extremely
good places | should find the other
places had little money in them.
Il wouldn't go behind a counter
unless l needed 81 or s. or Sc a week
so urgently that couldn't do without
it while was learning better bust
ness. If | did turn saleswoman |
wouldn't do my work languidlv or
negligently. for hope | should know
that the question of who should con-
tinue always to earn Sc and who
should earn $40 would be conditioned
by that other question, out Gt 800 or
1000 who were the half doLr, that
had most intelligence and capac,. for
application.
Whatever l did l wouldn't DO =
with an eye to that and nothing more.
/ would remember certain assistant
bookkeeper who does her work with
perfect exactitude and puuctuality. vet
sees every lad who enters the Office
promoted above her head, because tho
lads open their eyes ia many direc-
tions and are ready and eager the
moment there is chance for advance.
while every afternoon the bookkeeper
rolls up all thoughts of her work with
the methodical rolling of her soap aud
white apron. She isn't really inter-
ested in it, and once her sense of duty
Is satisfied she goes home to embroider
things for charity fairs and absorb
herself otherwise. She is absolutely
faithful. and. like majority of women
workers. absolutely without intelli-
gent ambition.
Whatever l did, | would remember
the saying of one of Brooklyn's big
dry goods men: OF all my employees
the best women are the very best. but
the average woman ranks far below
the average man.
If L wanted to succeed with any
success beyond u bare living | wonlJ
try hard not TO be an average woman"
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1891-12-11

of tho candles which lit up its quaint set
| ting. \ strange and awful picture she
made there,-gaZing with such lingering
tenderness on the portrait of her own
/ beauty,-while surrounded by the
Wondering collins that silently an
nounced how little such beauty was
worth,-playing with jewels, the foolish
trinkets of life, in the abode of skele-
tons, where the password is DEATH
Thinking thus, gazed at her, as one
might gaze at dead body,--not loath-
ingly any more, but only mournfully,
My vengeance was satiated.
could not wage war against this vacantly
smiling mad creature, out of whom
the spirit OF devilish intelligence and
cunning had been torn, and who there
fore was no longer the same woman.
Her loss Of WIZ should compensate for
my loss of love. l determined to try
and attract her attention again. :. l
opened my lips to Speak,-but before the
words could form themselves, that odd
rumbling noise again broke on my ears,
this time with loud reverberation
that rolled overhead like the thunder OF
artillery. Before | could imagine the
reason of it,-before | could advance
one step towards my wife, who still sat
on the upturned coffin smiling at herself
in the mirror,-beforc | could utter 4
word or move an inch, 4 tremendous
crash resounded through the vault
followed by stngiEg shower
of stones, dust, and pulverizei
mortar! l stepped backward
amazed, peechleS,-inIiS-
tinctively shutting my eyes.
When / opened them again oil was dark
MESSIAH was silent. Only the wInd
howled outside more frantically than
ever,-a sweeping gust whirled through
the vault, blowing some dead leaves
against my face, and heard the boughs
of the trees creaking noisily in the fury
OF the storm. Hush.-waS that faint
moan? Quivering in every limb, and
sick with nameleSs dread, | sought in
my pocket for matches,-l found
them. Then with an effort, MASTER
ing the shuddering revulsion of my
nerves, l struck light The flame wsS
SO dim that for an instant l could see
nothing. l called loudly-''Nina" There
was no answer.
One of the extinguished candles was
near me; l lit it with the trembling
hands and held il alOft then
i uttered wild shrek of horror! :.
o God Of memorable justice, surely Thy |
vengence was greater than minei An
enormous block of stone, disloiged by |
the violence of the storm, had fallen |
from the roof of the vault fallen sheer |
down over the very place where she had |
sat . minute or two before, Enthusiastically |
smiling. Crushed under the huge mass, |
crushed into the very SplinterS of my /
own empty coffin, she lay-and |
vet and yet / could /
see nothing, save one white
hand protruding,-th hand on which
the marriage ring glittered mOckingly.
Even as | looked, that hand quirered
violently. beat the ground