davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-18
A SUIT OF CLOTHES FOR s1.as.
Not Exactly Swell, but Brand-New, Nice
Looking and Durable.

Not Exactly Swell, but Brand-New, Nice
Looking and Durable.
A CONGRESSMAN WAS SEEN THE OTHER
"A day swelling along Pennsylvania avenue in
what was evidently a new suit Of clothes. In
response to a jocular comment upon the I'M
usual dudesqueric Of his carriage and apparel
he grinned and said:
How much do you suppose I paid for this
suit? One dollar and thirty-fve cents was the
price. got it for triie less because we
statesmen have right to expect reduction.
The dealer told me that when he let me have
the pants for forty-nine cents he wasn't max
ing decent prof. on them Fifty-fve cents
was the regular retail price and the coat was
seventy-ive cents. didn't get any reduction
on that. Vest? Oh, didn't ge. one. 1t was
thirty cents more, and I don't set up for
swell, at this season, anyway. But
You can see for yourself that tho suit
Is very respectable one. such as
man might wear in fall or spring and not be
ashamed of his costume. It's none Of these
cheap, fimsy summer garments, but a good
suit Of clothes for any season. May be it isn't
wool, but it looks like it. No. it isn't wood
pulp. There's wear in it, too. The man who
sold me the suit said that if it wore out in
three months he'd give me another.
What want to say is how much excuse is
there for anybody's being shabby when good
suit of clothes can be bought for 51.35? Where's
the mystery in the manufacture? Machinery
does it all. 1t might almost be said that human
hands don't touch these garments. from the raw
material to the finished product. The cloth is
cut out in patterns. a thousand at a time, with
knives; the button holes are made by machin-
cry and the buttons themselves are stamped
upon the cloth instead of being sewed. It is
like the pig that is put into one end of piece
of mechanism. with its throat cut, ard comes
out at the other in the shape of sausages and
tooth brushes.
"Furthermore-and mark me when say it
the people who made this suit Of clothes l wear
got more for their labor than any workmen be-
fore them oyer received for the same sort Of
toll. The dsy against machinery, alleging that
it robs the laborer with hands. has been going
on ever since the invention OF the printing
press. 1t began long before that. But the fact
is that workingmen and working women get
twice the wages they did thirty years ago.
Even of the sewing women this is true and the
Song of the Shirt ought to be sung an octave
higher than generation back. Talk of prices
before the war; Why. for everything that is
bought, save few staple commodities. prices
are one-half what they were then So let
us appreciate the advantages of a mechanical
civilization and enjoy the privilege of wearing
clothes at 5l.35 suit This is an age when
even the tatterdemalions at the street corners
can afford to be well dressed il they choose 1t
is only for want Of ambition nowadays that
every beggar is not swell"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-18
A New Style Of Bird Shot.


From Forest and Stream.
''Say. boys, did you ever hear the story they
tell on W."
mo. What is it?'
swell, two years ago three gunners we're
after ducks at G. It was late in the season.
and ducks were flying 80 high that it was
almost impossible to get enough to keep tho
table supplied. One day W. proposed a bet that
he would kill on the following day more ducks
than N. ana 5. together. He was promptly
taken up. Now, ". had procured u supply
Of buckshot cartridges. and after filing his
belt with them he retired trusting to luck and
buckshot to win his bet. As soon as NJ. and 8.
were sure he was asleep they proceeded to re-
move the shot from all the aforesaid shells, fill
them up with bread, wad them. and replace
them in the belt.
''The next day W. took stand in some tan
grass few yards from big slough, on the OPP
concealed. Soon small flock of redheads came
sailing along over WIS head, away ont OF range,
but that made no difference to him. SO he blazed
away with both barrels at the specks in the
sky. while N. and 8. on the other side rolled
1a. ha hes grass uD Sns ~ssn Set
sat up to shake hands over their bet
your-life-sure-wager, to SEQ the whole flock
dropping in the grass around W., and he
thrashing around as il he had seen snakes. Az
It was too near dark for NJ and 8. to 60 around
the slough TO where W. was, to see what was
turn. Pretty soon along he came loaded down
with ducks and easily won his bet"
"Yes, that 10 all right about the bet, but why
don't you tell u how he got those ducks?''
"Oh, that IL easily enough explained. When
". would nre couple Of shots at the ducks
they would como down after the bread and he
would knock them over with the butt Of hil
gun"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-18
A Past Captains Eight.

Past Captains Eight.
From the New London Day
For week or two after the boat races the
humorous incidents Of the occasion came to
the surface. Here is one by Capt. Allen of the
Yale varsity eight Of 1880. A former captain Of
Yale crew. for fun and to while away the
time. started out TO find an eight that could be
relied upon to look like the genuine thing.
There is a cut about rowing man, and more
especially one who has been in the varsity
eights that cannot be initiated. SO that the
seeker after Drawn and muscle found his work
no light task, and when he had succceded in
finding material the prospective crew was
found to be composed Of past captains OF Yale
exclusively. So there could be no mista king
either OF them for a captain of O barge" in the
wilds Of Coventry or Phenix Centre
After borrowing clothes, SO as to look as
much like Yale crew as possible, the past
captain crew shot up the river, the stroke cali
ing each man in the boat by the name of the
real Yale crew. When near the Harvards'
quarters glasses were suddenly found to be
leveled at the disturbers Of the rivers placid
ity, and in wondering tones those on the bank
inquired Of each Other il that could possibly be
the real varsity eight But the game was soon
mp, as the Harvards were onto the herculean
form Of the coxswain.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-18
TOLD BY AN OLD MINER.

How the Mexican Bandits Knew He Had
Been Handling q Lot OF Gold.
From the Helena Journal
THE good old days are gone" sighed the
forty-niner, land they'll never come again.
When youths pulse beats high with pleasure,
when the sky il clear and there arc no black
and lowering clouds on the horizon. when, in
short, a man feels that all he has to do to &C.
ouire controlling interest in the earth ia to
apply at the Office and hand in his name, therl-
why, then life is worth living"
Whats the natter" inquired
i've been thinking again. tell you. nv
boy, it doesn't pay an old man to think. If he
can remember without thinking he's all right.
but when he gets to comparing the present
with the past, he's in q bad way, and he's sure
to get downhearted."
'California?'
Yes. Can't help it. I will be thinking OF
the days Of 40, spite Of all can do Here I
am. getting on toward three score wears and
ten. and I've only got enough money to pro.
full for that? Who is grateful for roast beef and
potatoes when he has an appetite for terrapin
and champagne! And yet once l had more
money than could have spent during my
whole life
SIN 1851 was prospecting in California and
struck 1t rich. My partner and / located a
claim that had millions in it. apparently We
didn't have capital enough to work it and so
VIC went up to Frisco to find purchaser. We
found him. too. His name was Moore and he
was a wcll-kn character on the coast He
had made a couple Of millions working mine
he had bought for $500. Well, we Convinced
him we had good thing ana he gave US
S20o. 900 in gold coin for it, l was afraid to
deposit. my share anywhere, 80 l loaded it in
-four bags on a cart and drove down to San
Jose. In the hills back Of the town was a cave
had discovered year before. It was so situ !.
ated that it couldn't be discovered except by
accident.
II buried the money in q corner Of the cave
and went glecfully back to San Jose. As soon
as got into town a party of Mexican bandits
captured me and informed me that il didn't
conduct them to my buried treasure was a
dead man. Life was sweet to me ut that time
and didn't hesitate. They dug up nv $780,
600, gave me eco to keep me from want anu
rode Of to the southwark l never saw any of
them again for ten years, when met one OF
the band in Los Angeles We had q friendly
conversation, in the course Of which I asked
him how he and his companions knew that I
possessed the treasure?
"'You couldn't have seen me carry it to the
cave said, for if you had there would have
been no need OF taking me prisoner
".No, he replied, it was your hands,
"'My hands?'
Eyes. was in saloon where you were TAX
ing drink and saw your hands were tar
nished.'"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-18

From London Engineering.
The old proverbisl purity Of snow has been
taken to task by chemist st Malvern. The
clean snow on melting was fairly bright Il
gave on analysis: Total solids, ~ grains Per
gallon; chlorine, trace; free ammonia, ols
parts per million; slbuminosd ammonia, osl
parts per million. Iron was also present, giving
water would be totally UNIT to drink Il being
an established fact that water 10 purified by
freezing, these facts would tend 20 show how
well snow fulflls its function - an air alter,
bringing down the organic impurities sus-
pended in the atmosphere and 90 doing its listis
toward the prevention OF foes
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-18
His Name Was William

From the Detroit Free Press
What is youy name, my little MANI"
willie when I'm good an William when I
get licked
''How old are you?"
Ask nav"
Where do You livey"
"To home"
"lou look like bright boy?"
Ien ye mister, I'm way ont o. sight an
don't you forget il"
Don you think that so bright boy as you
are ought to be more mannerly?'
say. Iooky here, I'm in it, l am. an amt
goin 10 let no old duffer pump me on private
matters. By-by."
And the precious child put his hands in his
pockets and waited himself down the street
whistling Annie Rooney"
The kind old gentleman happened TO be his
uncle, Just returning from a long residence
abroad, and when Willie got home that night
his name was William.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-18
How Dressmakers Use Beer

From the New York Herald
Beer is absolutely indispensable to our bust
ness nowadays" said fashionable dressmaker
the other day as she noticed my glance of in
quiry at basketful Of empty bottles that a
servant WAS taking out.
''oh, dear, no. l never drink it. nor the girls
either. with my permission. but we use a good
MANY bottlesful every day, nevertheless"
How
why, to wash silk in. 1t gives old silk n
luster and a new look. almost like goods fresh
from the loom. Then. too. it gives il a little
body which lasts for awhile. long enough for
our purpose, anyway. At least half NV trade
is in making over dresses. and SO much better
does the silk look after going through the beer
ing that my business IL increasing wonderfully
1t was n discovery of my own, and it has been
worth good many thousand dollars to me al
ready"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-18

Of the complexion. Every pretty woman
should surely have hand glass of rock crystal
Near Lake George in New York state great
quantities Of small and very pure rock crystals
being mounted in jewelry and sold to tourists
Many OF them are whittier than any
diamond and frequently - brilliant and
transparent A specimen with . drop Of
water inclosed win sometimes sell for as much
as $50. Certain mines Of them at Little Falls,
N. Y, are worked by tapping the rock until q
hollow sound is heard, indicating cavity, and
within such cavities the crystals are discovered
sometimes as many as bushel. In one cavern
years ago were found several tons Of these
feetlong and six feet high, being completely COW
cred with them. The sale OF such stones in that
region amounts to fully s10, 900 per annun. At
Hot Springs, Ark, clear rolled pebbles from the
Washita river are sold in Quantities, being
more highly priced than the ordinary rock
crystals. The demand for them IL 30 great
that the inhabitants whereabouts have learned
to produce them artificially BY putting num-
Der Of crystals in a box and keeping them re-
volving for few days by water power.
PEARL FisHERfEs.
The most important marine pearl fishery in
America il carried on in tho Gulf Of California,
where the true pearl oysters are pIentifully
found. Recently the fisheries have been let BY
franchise from the Mexican government to the
Tedrl SHeu company OF San trdnclscO. Inc
beds were first discovered 800 years ago by
fernando Cortez when he discovered Lower
California. He took possession Of them and
sent q number of fine pearls to the King of
Spain. Divers gather the oysters and strict
police system is maintained to guard against
theft. After the bivalves have been opened
and any precious contents removed the shells
themselves are cleaned and sent to Liverpool,
London and Hamburg, where they sell at
from 10 to 20 cents a pound. The pearls
from this fishery at one time brought from
el5O.OOO to 100000 year, but the beds
have been 80 overworked that their value
has been much diminished. An enormous
pearl, the pride Of the Spanish regalia, weigh
ing 400 grains, was secured there as we'll as
hundreds Of other beauties of great value
Fresh-water pearls are found in many streams
OF this country in the shells Of mussels called
''unios." More than $4,000 worth of them
were sent TO New York at one time within three
months from Wisconsin. one specimen being
sold for $500. Nearly two bushels of unto
pearls we're dug out Of an ancient Indian mound
In the Little Miami valley half dozen years
ago. They were all SO much decayed. however,
as to be of no commercial value. It is believed
that ordinarily pearls are formed by the de-
post OF secretion of the mollusk around
particle Of sand o. other foreign body which
mas found lodSment within its shell, but in
stances have been known where very small
nshes have got into an oyster and have been
enveloped in a beautiful nacreous covering,
being thus transformed into pearls themselves.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-18

From the London Queen.
At Vienna on Monday q postage stamp mu-
scum was opened to the public. The address,
we may observe, is Plankengasse No. /, In the
very heart Of the city. The museum will be
open to visitors daily and gratuitously. In one
room are shown chronologically all stamps Of
which specimens exist from 1910 to 1891
Among the postal curiosities shown are balloon
letters, pigeon post and submarine post letters
a. they were sent during the siege Of Paris in
1870. A collection Of forged stamps 10 also very
interesting to the collector. Among the en-.
rions objects shown are letters Of the Anthro-
pophagi in the Dutch Indies. pieces Of wood
covered with hierogiyphics. and post cards
which have made tho tour Of the world. For
one Of these with . penny stamp, which tool
li9 days 70 return to its starting point an Offer
OF l 900 forms has been made.
There 10 also . case with Q collection Of I'll
the coins struck during the Emperor Francis
Joseph's reign. The finest object In the col
lection II believed TO be Dundee stamp, worth
E6o0 sterling, and Cape OF Good Hope stamp
valued ct El00 The exhibition comprises
500, 600 stamps and other objects connected
with the post
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-18

We took our dinner at Rinconado and ate
with dozen Mexican farmers. who wore their
black somtreros at the table. pretty Mexi-
can girl. with mantilla around her head. sat
opposite me and smoked n cigarette after her
meal, and hungry-eyed Indians looked curl
ously into the windows of the hacienda and
watched us eat. As we left the station we saw
pillow was pulled by oxen, which were har-
messed to il by the horns EVERYWHERE in
the fields and in the houses we saw
the signs OF the great superstition OF the Next
can peasants. Most of the corn and wheat
fleids Fad crosses stuck up in them to keep the
devii OUT OF the crops. and many Of these
matched huts had crosses covered with flowers
and paper stuck In their roofs or in the ground
surrounding them. As we neared the foot Of
the mountains We found the vegetation again
changed and We passed by great trees, from
the branches Of which hung the bean from
which the vanilla extra 10 made, and
the cocoanuts hung from the palms
As we went on We found more naked children
and little babies Of two and three toddied
around looking at us with wondering innocent
sun gilded their bronzed little bodies and their
teeth shone as they smiled when We went BY
saw pretty girls Smoking cigarettes
as they dawdled. half dressed, out
side OF these huts under the sun. and the half
naked men who lounged round them were typ
vites to repose. aud where the chief thing in
life is dolce far niente.
THE OLD NATIONAL ROAD.
We left Jalspa at about seven in the morning
and we reached the end of our journey about
three In the afternoon. Allowing two hours
for stops. We made the seventy-two miles in six
hours. or an average OF twelve miles an hour,
by no means a bad record for street cars and
mules During this ride We used twenty-eight
mules and we changed about every eight miles.
The ride back ;.om Vera Cruz to Jalapa is said
to take twice as long. and the trip will
be made in three hours BY the new
railroad. The railroad trip, however, will
not compare in historic interest or in natural
scenery with this ride on the street cars. The
Journey - like one taken in a comfortable car
riage. for the track is smooth and the seats are
comfortable. The old road over which il goes
has been In existence for hundreds of wears.
and II was over IL that the Indian peasants
carried their heavy packs of merchandise
before this street car line was built. and
FOR hundred Of years all tho mule trains
and man trains which carried the inn
ports received at Vera Cruz to Mexico
city had to pass over this road The road i,
now as safe as any road in the United States
but only lew years ago 1t was infested BY
briSands and travellers were often robbed ana
killed. or rather killed and robbed uuou n
You may still see wooden crosses by the road.
side with heaps OF stone about them and Won
may know that each of these crosses st:nd,
above the bones OF murdered man and tha,
the stones have been cast by the supersfition,
passers by upon the graves as monuments.
FRANK q. CARPxNrrr
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-18
THE CxAR.s CAR n snorPRoor.

And IN Army Guards the Railway when Hs
Travels.
From the PhfladeIphia telegraph.
When the car travels in Russia the precau-
lions taken for his safety could not be greater
II he were in an snemy's country. A battalion
of infantry is detailed for every two miles OF
distance, and, allowing 500 men as the effective
force Of each battalion, every spot OF ground
on both sides Of the track is covered BY senti-
nels within easy distance Of each other. The
car 10 suddenly whirled OF to the station, &C.
companied by the chosen twelve Of his body
guard, without pomp or circumstance. swiftly
and silently. The car always travels in . train
Of i've carriages His carriage il built in Pc
culiar STYLE
The windows. while ample for light, are hieh.
90 that person sitting down is invisible from
the outside, and the sides Of the car are forti-
ned with plates Of steel concealed in the orna-
mental woodwork, but strong enough to resist
carriage, one at each end, and each looking
out at an opposite side from the other. The
guardsmen on duty in these apartment are
shut In from any observation Of the interior of
the carriage. but at intervals of about two
feet, the whole length Of the saloon are cleo
tric buttons communicating with the guard
chambers as well as with the two carriages,
one containing the suite and the other, in the
rear occupied by the guardsmen not on duty
30 far, therefore, ~ the train itself is con-
cerned. the czar could be no more secure in St.
Petersburg.
The train speeds on to its destination without
. halt, except on account Of accident. At dis
lance Of not less than five miles ahead is a
pioneer train. in which the imperial director of
railways and the chief engineer Of the particu-
lar railway on which the car il travelling al
ways ride. As the pilot train whizzes by me
reserves along the line rush to arms and guard
the sides Of the railway, waiting until the i'm
periai train has passed, SO that the spectacle is
present OF continuous lines OF soldiery for hun
dreds OF miles. Arrived at the end Of his Jour-
ney, the czar is escorted to the quarters In
tended Tor the imperial family.
1he streets arc guarded by special consta-
Dies In the attire of citizens Every property
owner has been called upon to supply one or
more OF these men at his own expense to do
DUTY when the sovereign makes o public ap-
pearance. The constabes average one in t. n
OF the crowd that throngs the streets, and being
IN ordinary dress they can mingle with the peo-
pie note what is said, and perhaps, do some
tnlng that will obtain them regular employ
ment among the secret police. With one tenth
the population engaged spies upon the re-
malnder, with troops enough concentrated to
stand formidable siege, and his faithful
guardsmen DIGGING every STEP the car goes
tnrough the forms Of a visit to the ancient cap
itai OF Russia or whatever city he may choose
to honor.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-18
Had an Object

From the New York World
One OF the sitters on one Of the benches at
the entrance Of the Bridge promenade was try
ing to read ragged newspaper which he had
picked up, when policeman observed:
you'll spoil your eyes trying to read in this
gloom"
Yes, sir" was the reply.
Perhaps You want TO. continued the officer
as the man kept on squirting.
Il do. sir l don't want to become quite
blind, but d like to spoil 'em enough so that
every nickel will look as big as quarter to