davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-03-13
"I THINK KILLED HIM"
Dramatic Incident OF Life In til
Black Belt of the south.

Black Belt of the south.
On road in Mississil pi we met n
young lady on horsebace-plan look
ing girl about 1S years old. We werc
in wagon, and as we met the driver
halted his mules and saluted:
"Mawnin', Miss Libbe
"Mawnin', Sam, she replied
"Gwine long up?"
"Nes"
All the folks toleroble?"
"Yes.
with that she rode on and our team
started up The road was rough and
wound through the woods and we had
proceeded about 30 rods when we heard
the report of pistol.
"Quick-we're needed" shouted my
companion, and he flung down the lines,
leaped TO the ground, and took the back
track at n run. followed him. and di-
r'ctly we came in sight of the girl She
was Oh her feet, working at the bridle
of her horse, and lying on the ground
rot 10 feet away was the body Of n me-
gro, hatless, coatless, and barefooted
"He was hidden behind that tree,
explained the girl. "IIe got hold of the
bride, and broke this rein. l think
killed him.
A small revolver lay on the ground
beside her We went over to the body,
and were about to examine it when the
legs began to kick, the eyes opened, and
the fellow scrambled to his feet He
seemed dazed for moment, an as Ic
stood before us l saw blood oozing out
over his chest Then, of sudden, he
wheeled and bounded away into the
thickeL
You didn't dun kill him. Miss Lib
| lie, y said the driver as we went over to
her.
ITS better, perhaps" she replie |.
Here, Sam, give me lift"
lie helped her to the saddle. and rs
she gathered up the reins and cantered
off she waved her whip as II farewell,
and was out of sight in two minutes
"She's got nerve, observed, as we
stood looking after her.
"IeS," he replied, in an absent way.
but none to bragof. She orter flashed
him after she got off the hoss. - D..
troit Free Press
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-03-13
Two Geniuses in Conjunction.

Richard Wagner generally received
his visitors in medieval costume, suc
as he wore when composing. Alexander
Dumas, calling upon him one day, was
highly amused at the masquerade.
You are all dressed up to play Cess.
ler" he said with a laugh, which, in
spite of its good nature, rather hurt the
composers feelings.
Nevertheless, he returned Dumas's visit
when he was next in Paris. After some
delay the novelist appeared magnifi
Gently clad in dressing gown with 6
large flower pattern, helmet with
flying plumes, life belt about,his waist
and enormous riding boots.
Pardon me-" he said majestically,
"for appearing in my working costume.
! can donothlng if l am not dressed in
this manner. Half my ideas live in thi:
helmet, and the other half are lodged il
my boots. The latter are indispensable
to me when ] write my love scenes. I"
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-03-13
The Modern Method,

"Was their match case of love at
first sight?"
"Not exactly. 1t was case of mar
riage at frs. sight. Puck.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-03-13

A st. Louis lady has named her pet
cat Mine Pie, because it keeps people
awake. i Yonkers Statesman.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-20

ment? Why, they come here nearly every
day and in considerable numbers to look Tor
lost ancestors. Sometimes they find them
that Is, some of them find their ancestors,
but the chaps like him never do. / suppose
it is because they never had any. oh. no,
of course this is not a repository for col
lection of foreiathers," the gentleman
hastily added, as he observed the reporter
gaze wandering among the piles OF volumes
that fill every nook and corner of the place.
They come here to look up the records.
on see we haYe no 'peerage, upon whose
pages are emblaZoned the names OF the
great or those whose folks before them were
great. Sake says American aristocracy is a
bridge across hundred years. It's little
more than that now. In some sections 1t
dates from the Mayflower. But to establish
claim to blue blood beyond dispute it is
but necessary to find an ancestor who
fought in the Revolutionary war. That s
what this young man was looking for. lie
has wearied himself for many hours looking
over the records OF the Revolution for an
ancestor.
"Since the establishment of the Sons of
the Revolution many young men have been
seized with a desire to hunt up revolution
AIRY ancestors. And the mania is not con-
fined to men; with the women it is perhaps
stronger, for the Daughters of the Revolt
ton are prouder than the sons. Mind you,
don't discredit it; it is a proud distinction
to descend from revolutionary stock. But
| would remark that living under repub-
lican form OF government does not exempt
us from pride of blood.
The rooster of the revolution is our
'peerage.' 1t is the disappointment of those
who do not find their ancestors that is both
humorous and pathetic. They should re-
member, however, that the records are in
complete, and should comfort themselves
with this, as do. There was n sword and
a tradition hanging up in my old home, but
cannot find the warrant for either in the
preserved roster"
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-20
WEAPONS OF WAR.
Objections That Have Been Raised Against
the Use of the Lance.

Objections That Have Been Raised Against
the Use of the Lance.
During the Afghan wars many of our
foes would throw themselves on the ground
out of reach of saber cuts. and when our
horsemen had swept past rise to deliver a
fatal shot from behind, or mdrtally wound
men or horses with their razor edged swords
and knives as they galloped over them.
During the recent Soudan campaign. too.
the men of the Tenth and Nineteenth hus-
sars were glad to arm themselves with
spears taken from the Arabs, for their
horses would not 60 near enough the bush
w here their dusky foes had taken refuge TO
enable them TO utilize their swords. Even
in European campaign the same difficulty
would often be experienced where cavalry
got in among the guns of hostile battery.
1t is extremely difficult TO get horses 10 20
close up to guns, and the gunners, crouch
ing behind the WHEELS, are usually perfectly
secure from the attack OF any Sw0rdSman.
1t has been objected to the lance that at
close quarters it becomes useless, and that,
therefore, in the melee which sometimes
succeeds charge soldiers armed with it
alone would be more or less at the mercy of
those who handled Saber. With regard
to this, it should be remembered that any,
thing like melee is usually of very short
duration indeed, and that practically, when
sQuadroBs charged one another, one side or
other gives way before actual collision takes
place at all. The casualties which swell the
returns of killed and wounded generally &C.
eur during the pursuit of beaten foes, and
hand-to-hand contests and feats of skill at
arms are extremely rare in the rush and tu-
multi of the fight. The arrangements adopted
by the French, however. appear admirably
calculated TO obyiate any objections on this
score. for the front rank could rely on the
moral effect and length of reach of one
weapon, while the rear rank would supple
ment its deficiencies with the other. Even
enthusiastic swordsmen will admit the eff
cheney of points as against cuts.-The Satur
day Review.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-20
Point LOboS-aYe. Corner Lots.

NE. cor. Point Lobos and 18th aves.; 32:6xl0O;
$3575.
NE. cor. Point Lobos and sth ayes; IS :sxI0O;
5000.
On all OF the above lots Point Lobos-ave. sewer
assessment is paid. Certificates Of search go with
the above lots.
Lots north of California ST.. near Lake; 25xl22;
first payment, $50; easy instalments. SIS to $50
Lots 18th ave-, the elevated ground, close
to Clement St, with the grand marine view which
never can be- obstructed; 25Xl2O: these will be
choice resident sites; $50 first payment $50 INSTALL
ments,
Pretty residence on (sunny side) n. side
of Pine NO 26I2), W. from Steiner. with
large lot, 34:41ax13s:6; a choice location;
sun in every room; fine garden; easy of
access; between two lines of cable-cars;
house w eII-buiIt in every particular and
very conveniently arranged; the pl umbing
Is the very best; contains 6 and
bathroom and outhOuses this is
ppnrtunity to get such nice home with
lot of this size and on the sunny side;
$4,000; easy terms can be arranged.
House and lot on w. side Frederick, 1877 IS S. from
Geary: lot 25x100. running through to St. Joseph
ST.; rooms and bathroom; $4,000; easy terms
be arranged.
Deyisadero f. SIDE N. of o'Farreu; lot 25x1OO;
$3.50; easy terms; good business location, and
Will increase III values this Is a cheap lot.
Lake-st block. on sunny side, from 18th to 18th
aves; beautiful tract of land. elevated and slightly:
very little grading required: the marine view is
sublime; this is acknowledged to be the choicest
piece OF property in Richmond; Lake st. Is now be-
ing graded. macadamiZed and severed the whole
length Of the street: $l4 500; this is fine invest
ment; easy terms; one-fourth cash; $500 abstract
goes with the block Apply to
w. j. QUINN,
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-20
ACROSS THE BAY.
Funeral of the Late Rev. O. C..
Wheeler at Oakland.
An Exciting and Mortal Combat Between Two
Sparrows at Alameda - The Pied
mont Cable Is Broken.

The funeral of the late Rev. o. G..
Wheeler, DID,, LID, was largely attended
yesterday afternoon. Theremains were es-
corted to the Asylum of Oakland Comman-
derry, No. IL, Knights Templar, by Compan-
les A and + of the Fifth Infantry Regim ent,
n. 6. c., headed by the Fifth Regiment
Band. The pail bearers were Sir Knights
Morgan, Spaulding, Gillette and Lathrop.
The body was borne by six Sergeants Of
the Fifth Infantry Regiment. AT the close
of the services by the commandery the re-
mains were taken to the undertaker's par
lors, from which place they will be sent this
morning to Sacramento for interment under
an escort of six Sir Knights and the detail
OF six SeTgeants of the Fifth Regiment
The ri oneers attended in body, and so did
tue Veteran Masonic Association. The
floral offerings were numerous.
The closing day of the Oakland schools
for the year has been fixed for May 29th.
The Piedmont cable broke down about
o'clock yesterday afternoon and left large
number of people at Piedmont. 1t is under
stood an inexperienced brakeman failed to
''let go" in time and severed the cable.
A dam is to be placed across Pinole
Creek, near the station Of the same name,
to create reservoir 20 furnish water TO sup
ply the manufactures along the bay shore
from Point Isabel 10 Port Costa. 1t is said
that the improvement will cost over
S1,000,000
Rev. E. r. Ollie, DID,. of Oakland has
been asked to represent the Methodist Epis-
pocal Church at the International Associa-
ton Of Christian Eudeavor Societies at
Indianapolis, Ind, in June.
&. W. Album, the railroad night-watch-
man accused OF shooting a little boy named
Willie Day in the leg while he and other
little fellows were playing in the West Oak
land wards soma time has Dnnn held
answer before the Superior Court, with
bonds in tile sum of $1,000.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-20
$3.50 FOR A WIFE.

| That Is the Sum for Which a Husband
Disposed of Her to a Friend.
Henry w. Miller is known to nearly all
the people OF this city. About three years
ago he was married to pretty Annie Sui,
| daughter Of a merchant. TWAS apparently
a happy and suspicious union, and every
thing looked favorable for a prosperous
married life. 1t was supposed that Miller
| was satisfied and contented with his lot.
But he was not. The marriage, which had
| appeared such promising one, turned out
a failure, says a Wilkesbarre (Pa.) dispatch
to the Globe Democrat. What the original
cause of the trouble between them was does
not appear. 1t does not seem that
| he had any particular cause or COM
| plant against his wife. Her faithfulness
| was not questioned, but he grew
very weary of his life, and finally
suggested to his wife that they agree to sep
| arate and take each their own path III life.
| She fatty refused to do anything of the
| kind, and Miller for time was nonpuSsed.
| But one day brilliant idea came into his
head. He went to John Roberts, friend,
and who before Miller's marriage was
rival for Miss SulPS hand, and said TO
Roberts that he noticed that his wife
seemed very favorably impressed with him.
He was good-looking, jolly young fellow,
and seemed to be as much attracted to Mrs:
| Miller as she to him. The scheme seemed
a promising one, and one day Miller drew
Roberts aside and made proposition TO
him.
.'S See here, Jack" he said, q am tired of
married life. l have got frst-rate little
wife, but l don't care for her and she don't
care for me. How would you like to have
her?"
Roberts was dumfounded at first, but adj
mitted that he liked her aud thought she
liked him.
"Of course she Does" said Miller. "rve
heard her talk OF you MANY time. Now
ri tell you what ri DOLL let You step
into my place and take the wife and all |
have here for $3.50. l want to 20 out West,
and I'll 60, and you'll never hear anything
of me any more. You'll have good wife
and comfortable home all for $3.50. What
do YOU sayY
Roberts liked the idea, but he said he
didn't have that amount OF cash. Miller
studied awhile and then said:
well, you needn't pay me all cash. Give
me $50 down and the balance in three
months. have some business here to set
tie up, and l wont 20 West for three
months"
Roberts accepted the terms and said that
if the wife were willing it should be done.
Miller at once went to his wife and talked
the matter over with her. She says now
she did not agree to the sale, but Miller
says she did. Anyway, he told Roberts all
was satisfactory. and Roberts paid the $50.
Miller then left the house, and Roberts took
his place as head of the firm. Roberts, how
ever tailed in his payments. He promised
to send $40 monthly. Miller threatened to
Roberts fled from the house. Mrs Miller
WAS now alone. She Went to Alderman
DOnOhue and told the whole story. A war
rant was issued Tor MIller's arrest.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-20
CHEAP GAS IN LONDON.

Only 661a Cents per Thousand, Yet the
Companies Pay 3 per Cent dividends.
The recent semi-annual reports OF the
companies that supply gas to the people of
London may probably be examined in con-
necton with the question whether the COM
bnation OF companies in Brooklyn shall be
enabled TO escape the provisions OF tue law
which forbidS them to exact more than
81 % per thousand after May 1st, says
the New York Times. The cost of making
gas in London was considerably increased
last year, owing 10 the exceptionally high
price of coal, but the companies continued
to pay dividends of Is per cent, and the
price of gas to the consumer was not in
creased. The price of gas supplied by the
Gaslight and Coke Company was 661sc per
thousand, and consumers who used the gas
of the South Metropolitan Gas Company
were required 10 pay only 5412c. The H.
crease In the cost OF coal was about 81 per
ton.
The distribution of the earnings of these
companies is governed by law which per-
mtS dividends to be increased only when
the price of gas to the consumer is de-
creased. Under the operation OF slid
ing scale, as provided in the statute,
the companies have been able not only
to raise their dividends to - per cent,
but also to accumulate large reserve funds,
the reserve of the Gasligbt and Coke
Company having been s.. 1855. 9I5 at the end
of the last calendar year. Owing to the
largely increased cost OF coal the companies
have been obliged to draw upon their reserve
funds for part of the money required for
the dividend recently paid The law would
have permitted them to increase slightly
the price OF gas, but they preferred not to
do this.
The price of gas to consumers in some of
the other cities of England is much lower
than it is in London. In the last ten
years there has been notable move
ment in Great Britain for the regulation
and restriction OF the profits OF gas-sup-
plying corporations, aud in some cities
the business has been taken up by the
municipalities, to the very perceptiblc adj
vantage of the people. Where the business
has been retained by the corporations, as in
London, it is carried on under statutes
which regulate prices and profits, subject
the books to frequent examination by char
tered accountants, and provide other safe
guards for the protection OF the consumers.
1t is noticeable that the price for which
the Central Company IN Brooklyn sells its
gas to the other companies in that city for
distribution through their pipes-57 cents
is less than the price paid by consumers for
the gas of the Gaslight and Coke Com
pany in Lordon and only "a cents
more than tile price of the South Metro
politan compauy's gas. But in Brooklyn
the consumer must pay 81 30 for the gas
which the Central Company sells to its de-
pendent branches or allies for 81 cents.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-20


The election returns will be canvassed
this evening and in all probability certif-
Gates will be issued Immediately to the Of
fceis-elect. The retiring City Trustees are
MessrS Everett Volberg and Peckham,
whose chairs will be filed by Messrs.
Stephenson, Randolph and FOrderer.
A dog belonging to Bert Fitch of Bay
street Station was poisoned last Friday by
Frederick HUFF. The dog bit Bufs son, 81
years of age. who was teasing him, and he
decided that the CANNES life must be sac
rifced. After lie had administered the
poison Hut tried to purchase the DOG, but
Fitch refused to sell him, and the latter in
tends to sue the poisoner for the value of
the dog.
A curious scene was witnessed yesterday
at the corner of Park street and Webb
avenue. On the caves of the building there
is a sparTow's nest, and sparrow which
did not belong there made an attack upon
the occupant The attack was resisted and
fierce combat followed. The TWO birds
fought in a most exciting manner, and
finally fell from exhaustion to the sidewalk
below. A large crowd was attracted to the
spot, and, although the spectators crowded
within ten feet of them, the pugilistlc birds
paid no heed, but picked at each other until
one gave up the ghost. The victor did not
fly away, but continued to pick the dead one
Tor more than an hour afterward.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-20
RUSSIAN CRAFTINESS.
a Bibuious Bridegroom Neatly Euchre

A BibuIous Bridegroom Neatly Euchred
Out of His Wife to Be.
Walter Besant, the English novelist, in a
note received from him yesterday, says
Here is a true story which does not belong
to my correspondence, but l think it very
interesting. l give it as it was told me: A
certain young Russian of good family fell
in love with a village girl whom he wished
to marry. His ia Their, Directing on the
ground of social disparity, made arrange
ments by which the girl was betrothed to a
young peasant of her on class.
Now, it is the custom in some parts of
Russia for the bridegroom and his friends
to begin drinking early in the day of the
marriage so that when the time comes for
the church ceremony the groom has often
to be led to the altar and supported By a
friend on either hand. This happened on
the morning of the marriage Of the girl.
The bridegroom was led to the altar and
supported by two men, of whom one was the
young gentleman himself
Now mark his craft and su6tlety. When
the time came for joining hands he put out
his own hand, the groom being too far gone
to notice anything, and so was Joined in
matfimOGy to the girl The certificate of
the marriage had already been written in
the register before the ceremony, precau-
ton obviously necessary.
The wedding over, the young noble took
the girl from her people at the church door,
drove her away, and took her to Paris.
where they lived together in amity Tor sew
eral years
Then the father died, and it became
necessary 10 return TO Russia, and, if posi-
bic, for the sake of his children, to get the
marriage duly acknowledged.
This business was intruSted to lawyer,
who visited the village and saw the register.
He returned, stating that it was impossible,
because the marriage was entered in the
books as between the rustic and the girl.
Being, however, assured that something
must be done, he returned, got possession of
the register, and elumsily erased the name
of the rustic bridegroom. This done heat
this point you ask what he did, and every
body says, Filled in the other name No,
he did not; he wrote again over the erasure
the name of the village swain. He did not
therefore forge the record, but If his noble
client aiterward found it desirable to assert
that some one had done so, the fact of the
erasure would be apparent"
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-20

the eyes of the skeptic with ten crisp, clean
$1,000 bills Ten thousand dollars on thi,
end and the same ante on the other. Beats
a money belt all hollow"
81 was held up by the James and Younger
boys in Blue Clay cut one day, and jim
Younger ran his hand over my body and felt
the money belt, and / handed over inst
$1,000. But what thief, or son of thief.
would look twice at 50-cent necktie?
'They might corral it if it was red or
yellow. or even sky-blue. but plain black is
too unobtrusive, for those chaps run to high
color This plan is better than the porous
plaster scheme, too. Never heard of it?
well, the next time you travel with more
ready cash than you care to have obtainable,
step into drug store and buy two porous
plasters. Fold your wad neatly and fiat,
wrap around it piece of oiled silk, and
stick plaster over it and on to the outside
of the other plaster. Then slap the double
deck plaster on your chest, and no ones
the wiser.
''But tine four-in- hand racket's the best"
and the man with the $4,000 necktie gave
it final twist as he tied il around his col
lar. slipped ON his vest and coat and walked
out. serene and secure with twenty $1,000
bills snugly hid away in his queer safety
deposit vault.