davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
, 1891-02-03

An Italian has just arrived in London
with an instantaneous, self expanding,
life ss ring belt" by which he expects to
enrich himself from the pockets of the
people who are nervous at sea. 1t has
already been adopted by the principal
steamship companies Of Italy. The
unique feature of this new life saving
belt is that it may be worn around the
body while promenading about the decks
during the day, and is not even taken
off in bed. 1t weighs about twice as
much as one OF the ordinary canvas or
leather belts sold for general use.
In its finished state it is about the last
thing in the world hat a prudent man
would place confidence in if he was to
attempt to jump for his life from the
deck of a sinking vessel into the sea.
But the moment the belt touches the
water two chemical substances contained
in it are instantly united, and it begins
to initiate with gas. What these sub
stances are is the inventors secret. He
claims that n belt will keep the most
heavily clothed person afloat for forty
eight hours. For ladies the belts are
made Of silk, for men of canvas.-Bos-
ton Transcript.
, 1891-02-03

Mr.. Daggett bore himself in his official
residence at Hawaii as if it had been his
editorial room in Virginia City. saw
Mr.. Daggett tho other day. He had
come down from his ranch at Vacaville
to visit his former royal chum. Agri-
cultural life agrees with the ~ex-journal-
ist and diplomatic. He used to be fat,
but now he looks like a pugilist in train
ing
Everybody" he said, seems to be
shocked at my l~eanness, just as you are
Judge Mesick was quite scared this
morning. 'Daggett, says he, it isn't
natural for you to be without jowls and
a paunch. 1t amt exercise. but disease
that's the matter with you. See a doc
tor. You're dying
dying, says /, I'm as strong as an
OK. Lot me show you. Give mo some
thing to raise-an anvil or anything
and | barred my arm Just let me raise
something for you.
"'All right says Mesick, go out and
sec If You can raise me $1,000"
| am told that when Mr.. Daggett sent
in his ard TO King Kalakaua at the
Palace hotel, his majesty turned to Lord
Chamberlain McFarlane, and said with N
gesture Of high command:
Let him be admitted, and the draw
bridge raised. Drop also the portcullis.
We are at home to none else today -
Virginia CEev.) Cor. San Francisco
Chronicle.
, 1891-02-03
Adolph nsIe-.. rre.entiment.


Here is 3 true, strange story of Adolphe
Belot, the writer of a shelfful of novels,
who died a few days ago. About a fort
night before his death he called at Den
tu's to settle an agreement for a new
story. When the matter had been ar
ranged he suddenly exclaimed: 81 want
you to add another clause to that agree
ment." What is that" 81 want you
to undertake, when 1 die, to pay for my
funeral" But, my dear sir" replied
the i~nterlocutor in establishment, what
ever are you thinking about? We could
not think of inserting such a clause in
an agreement for a new book" But"
objected Belot, walking up and down
the room with his hands in his pockets,
IL is a very small matter for you. /
have made inquiries, and find that a
funeral such as 1 want will cost only
e25."
But it is impossible" Very we'll,
then" Belot resumed; shall we ana
it another way? Will you undertake to
pay a thousand francs to the person who
will present a demand for that sum. in
my name, the day after my death?" The
publishers were still astonished, but they
undertook to make the payment, the
partner with whom the conversation
took place saying it hardly mattered,
since the obligation would not fall upon
him, but upon his successors. "How do
you known said Belot, as he went out;
you may AVE to pay good deal sooner
han you expect" And SO it happened.
Paris Figaro.
, 1891-02-03

Twenty-eight hours labor is a pretty
high price to pay for q New Years
dinner. But hat is what a blue coated
messenger boy says that he had to give
for the privilege of eating his dinner
that day at home. There were two
messengers who sat near me in a street
a Saturday discussing their affairs in
the breezy way peculiar to district mes
sengers and newsboys.
"You doin' time yet up in that Twenty
eighth street slaughter house2"
Yep"
Get Crismus er New Years Off"
Mop"
"Dju try?"
"Yep. Told 'em my grandmother was
sick, but 'twonldn't work. Dju get off,
Got off New Years. Had turkey fer
dinner. Got off four hours, but had to
work four hours extra fer nothin' every
day fer a week to make up fer it"
"Geel That's tough, amt it2 Well,
I've got ter get off here, S'long."-New
York Star.
, 1891-02-03

ldr. BalfouT. IN his Leaves from My
Chinese Scrap Book, says that a most
amusing chapter in the history Of official
etiquette in China might be written
under the heading Of The Emperor is
Thanked" He says Se is reminded by
this Chinese formality of a pedagogue
who always insisted on his pupils thanks
on every occasion. If he asked a boy
what time it was, the proper form for
his reply a "Half-past ., sir, thank
you"
The constitutional maxim, THE king
ran do no harm" might, in Chinese
official language, be translated, The
emperor a do nothing that is not be-
nevolent."
An amusing incident occurred not
long ago in connection with a Manchu
officer of high rank, Wulahsich-ungah,
the president of the board of ceremonies.
This gentleman returned thanks for the
honor of having been invited to a sacri-
fetal feast by the emperor, and the next
day a terrible snubbing was admins
tered to him.
1t appears that the emperor had not
invited him at all. and was much aston
ished.
'IIis name. says the decree, does
not appear in the list of guests approved
by rs, and in thus thanking us he has
been guilty Of a great piece Of careless
ness
The committee Of the board Of punish
ments allotted a penalty to poor Wulah-
sich-ungah, who should, according to
etiquette, have been grateful for that
also, though his thanks are not recorded.
, 1891-02-03

The baseball field Is not the place
where one looks for literary wit, yet
now and then it happens that a good pat
saying is heard there which shows not
only readiness but familiarity with lit
erature.
1t was on an occasion when "a college
nine was playing the nine from a fitting
school, and the shortstop of the latter
was IN absurdly tall and thin fellow
named Brown, apparently some ten
years older than the boys with whom he
was associated. He played very badly,
muaing and fumbling, until 1t was sug-
gested that he was only put on the nine
for the joke Of having so long a man as
shortstop.
He is like the Ancient Mariner" one
Of the college nine said. che is long and
lank and Brown"
He is more like the Ancient Mariner"
quickly and wittily returned the friend
TO whom the remark was made, ''be-
he st0ppeth one of three. ~
Youths Companion"
, 1891-02-03

Sunday while a little boy was wan.
dering on the beach at Island Cove he
was startled by seeing a large and strange
looking object approaching the land,
wash. The little fellow raced home,
stating that something came after him
out of the water. This was sufficient to
attract older persons to the beach, where
they found a huge squid or cuttlefsh
high and dry. Its extreme length was
thirty-two feet. the tentacles alone meas
uring twenty-one feet. The body was
much larger than that of an ordinary
horse, and the pelt three inches in thick
ness. 1t was cut up before being re-
moved. We believe that this is the
third cuttlefish which has come to grief
in this n in this bay within the
last few years, one having become strand
ed in Smiths sound, and another was
similarly unfortunate near Catalina
Trinity IN. F.) Record.
, 1891-02-03

4 while ago a lady in passing down n
crowded t-horuughfare was relieved Of
her pocketbook. 1t was two hours be
fore she missed it. After two hours
more Of search. and returning 10 places
where she might have carelessly left it.
it occurred 10 her suddenly that she had
been ilstled by five or six men ut a street
corner. The circumstance made no par
ticulnr impression upon her mind Mt the
time, only that she glanced around with
the thought that the street was un-
usually crowded. and that tho men were
taking Up more than was neces-
glry. sine reported her loss to tho police.
and in r~elating the incident she de
scribcd tlrae Of the men so accurately,
their fr.Eures, their clothing, and even
the design on one Of their neck lmndker.
chiefs, that they were recognized imme-
diately n. being the most notorious pick.
pockets in the city.
The porketbook was found rifrd Of the
money, bat with the valuable papers in
tact, i'll tie engine room Of a prominent
building. The engine room had a sky
light that opened into the alley near the
corner where the men had crowded her.
They kindly lifted the screen and drop,
ped it upon the marble floor near the en-
gineer. She was not indebted to the art
Of obsery ng closely for the loss or the
return OF the pocketbook, but a slight
hint was given Of its value in the unveil-
ing of The brain picture. Of which she
was uncoi scious of receiving Chicago
Herald.
, 1891-02-03

This Is a boys essay on his family re-
lauons: Ma is my mother. | am her
son. Mas name is Mrs. Shrimp, and Mr..
Shrimp is her husband. Pa is my father.
Ny name is John George Washington
Shrimp. Therefore pas name is shrimp.
50 is mas.
Ny ma has a ma. She Is my grandma.
She is mother-in-law 10 pa. Hike grand
ma better than pa does. She brings me
dimes and bolivars. She don't bring any
to pa Maybe that's way he don't like
her.
Aunt Jerusha is my aunt. When pa
WIS a little boy she was his sister. /
like little sisters. Dicky Mopps has a
little sister. Her rame il Rose. 1 take
her out riding on my sled. Aunt Jerusha
don'thk her. She calls her that Mopps
girl think Aunt Jerusha ought to be-
ashamed Of herself
Aunt Jcrusha lives with MS.
Aunt Jerusha has a state of health.
too. On washing day she has the head
ache, and does her head up in brown
paper and vinegar. and have to make
toast at the kitchen FIRE. make some
for myself. too,
Aunt Jerusha SAYS nobody knows what
she has lone for that boy. That boys
ne again. ! told pa what she said. Pa
said 1t was just so-nobody did know.
Ma says Aunt Jerusha means we'll. and
that she is pas dear sister. | don't see
why that's n reason she should sColl
me when | ent cabbage with a knife
Golden Days.
, 1891-02-03
Novel colonl.aAon csnss.,Ion.

A ON what novel colonization scheme
Is in the hands of Gen. Herman Sturm.
The concession provides that Mr.. Sturm
shall establish four colonies in different
parts of the country. the government
obliging itself to sell him for the pur-
pose 250,60O hectares Of surveyed public
land in the states Of Durango. Coahuila,
chihuahua, Oaxaca and Michoacan. The
first colony, consisting of 200 persons OF
either sax, must be established within
three years from the date of the promul-
CATION Of the concession. The ~colonists
are TO be selected preferably from among
the residents of Mexican descent in the
American states OF California and Colo
RADIO, and the territories of New Mexico
and Arizona
The ~colonists will engage in stock
raising Ito which end the free importa-
ton OF a limited number of head of
stock for breeding purposes will be al
lowedl in the manufacture Of barrels
and coopers' goods generally, Of beer,
spirits and perfumery. But the most
important feature of the scheme is the
erection OF "a paper mill in the federal
district and the agreement CT the con-
cessioBaire TO sell the paper, manufact-
ured there at a maximum price Of $3.50
for common triple printing paper, $3.50
for superior printing paper suitable for
books, and $40 for glazed paper. An
other feature is the project for putting
-HP-B-geEatable, fruit and fish canning
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Finaucier.
, 1891-02-03

AT a grand hotel in Italy a guest had
arrived who made a great display of
wealth, and Of whom none could learn
anything. At the table d'hote one day,
helping himself to an olive with his fork,
it was decided he was only a com
mon pleOeian, for olives are handled only
with the fingers among civilized people
throughout C~hristendom. Table man
ners at many OF our best hotels in u
principal cities invariably shock the
sensibilities Of those accustomed 10 the
graces Of polite society. 1t is conceded
that there is an e~xhilaration in the at
mosphere Of Paris, of Vienna and of
Berlin that draws out any refinement
one may have in his or her nature, and
~elevates to a higher plane than ever be-
fore experienced.-Cor Boston Tran
script.
, 1891-02-03

The only connection between Rogers
City and Cheboygan two Michigan
towns-during the six months exile of
the former town when navigation closes,
is by a stage line sixty-fve miles long,
and the grizzled old man who drives
ave sixteen miles by a whizzing ride
across Black lake, six miles long. The
ride is as thoroughly dangerous as exhil-
arating, and six people nearly lost their
lives there the other day. The horses
dashed into an airhole zeal the middle
of the lake, and the stage went to the
bottom. Fortunately it struck a sand
bar, and the passengers rescued them
selves and the horses.-Exchange.
, 1891-02-03

Two gentlemen from Gmunden as.
cended the Traunstein successfully,
though with great difficulty. When
they left Gmunden, at $50 in the morn
ing, the thermometer was 90 dogs. be-
low freezing point. When they reached
the summit at l o'clock it was 40 degs.
below freezing. One of the climbers
says that the view from the top was the
most extensive one he has yet seen, al
though he has assembled the Traunstein
fifty-one times. The tourists could not
remain long at the summit, as the north
wind was very sharp. The descent tool
only an hour and a quarter. The Traun-
stein peak is $40 feet high.-Vienna
Cor. London News.
, 1891-02-03

There are upward of 5000, 900 orange
trees in seed bed in this county. This is
over three times the number set out in
orchard form in the county. But each
year the demand for trees increases. At
the present ratio of increase two years
from now l,OOO,OOO will be planted an
nually in this county alone. As many
trees are shipped into San Diego and
other counties, and if all the trees now
in seed bed should mature to a condition
for planting, there will be but little dan
ger of an overstock. But many of these
trees will be killed by frost and from
neglect and other causes.-San Bernard
inc CCal) Times.
, 1891-02-03

A singularly beautiful oak plank-in-
tended as a jamb of a clothes closet
came to the Pulitzer building recently.
Its rare markings evidently escaped the
eye of the sawmil man. 1t is about 8
feet long and IA inches wide. Near the
outer edge the longitudinal grain of the
wood resembles ridges of sand on the
seashore. The middle is a combination
of birds eyes" that at a distance APP
pear to stand out in relief, and elliptical
lines d~elicately shaded from a deep
brown to a white. The graduation Of the
coloring is exquisite, and looks to be the
result Of art rather than of nature. The
eyes are perfect and resemble inlaid
mosaics. There is not a split nor a flaw
in the entire plank. Its beauty lies in
the fact that the markings are finer than
those found in maple, and ithas all the
satin like appearance of that beautiful
wood. Instead of adjoining the mantel
of a broad throated fireplace its prosaic
place will be as the guardian of over
coats and " hats.-New York World.
, 1891-02-03

The judge of Birmingham county
court is driven to despair by the I'M
truthfulness of the parties who come be-
fore him. In commenting on a case the
other day he declared that this was the
fifth instance that morning in which
more or less respectable persons had been
guilty in the witness box Of "the most
deliberate lying" To such a pass have
things nov come that he described him
self as going home sick at heart, day by
day, from hearing people give each other
the lie direct in matters about which
there could be no possible mistake. Hap
PLY the state of things at the local quar-
ter sessions is not quite SO bad, though
according to Mr.. Neale, the recorder, it
is bad enough.-London Tit-Bits.
, 1891-02-03

In this unknown land bear, elk and
the noble black tailed deer exist in al
most countless numbers, and in all but
perfect fcarlessness of man, and here,
from the great difficulty of access to
their domain, the enterprising sportsman
may find them ages hence. Until the
summer just passed no hunters, pros
pector's or explorers rifle had ever awak-
ened the echoes of their hills. This
hunters paradise is the peninsula lying
west Of Puget sound. and embraces all
the territory west from the sound to the
Pacific ocean, and the Straits of San
Juan de Fuca south to the northern line
of Chehalish county, comprising the en-
tire counties of Clallam and jefferson,
and is locally known as the Olympic
range country" A glance at a map will
best inform the reader of the extent Of
this territory, where, until last summer,
the noblest game on the continent has
lived in undisturbed peace.-Tacoma
Wash Letter.
, 1891-02-03

The Grand Duchess of Tuscany has
not gone into mourning for her missing
son John Ortiz" or Archduke John,
and at the Austrian court there is a sus-
picion that this eccentric prince is mere
ly in hiding. He did not secure to him
self all the obscurity he wished when he
assumed the name of John Orth, for by
that name he was known to the whole
world, and everybody persisted in treat
ing him like an archduke travelling in
cognito. John Orth's friends say that
this worried him considerably, and they
think it highly probable that he has now
assumed another name and is living in
South America. Some also think that
his mother is aware of this and has com
municated the fact privately to the en-
peror, but that the-secret will be kept so
far as the public is concerned Pail
Mall Gazette.
, 1891-02-03

There is such a thing as carrying econ
omy even beyond the borders of parsi-
mony. Here is n case we youch for as
actually occurring, we will not say
where. Three years g a certain per-
son purchased as a Christmas gift for
his 2-year-old daughter a little chair,
painted red. In 1899 he had the chair
painted blue and rave it to her as a
brand new Christmas gift. Last year
he had the same chair giIded, and worked
it off again as a Christmas gift on his in
nocent and helpless child. In a very poor
household such an incident would be
pathetic. But this father is by no means
a poor man. Buffalo Commercial.
, 1891-02-03

Another popular manifestation of
F~renchmen in favor of Russia took place
recently in the Brest theatre, where sew
eral French officers and the commander
and n lieutenant of the Russian battle
ship Mimi were watching the perform.
ance from a box. At the request of a
French captain the orchestra began play
ing the Russian national hymn at the
end of the first act. Instantly the audi
ence rose, and led by the French officers
in the box cheered repeatedly with
might and main: Long live Russial
Long live Francel Long live the ALI
ancel"-Paris Letter.
, 1891-02-03

l WAS on a steamer going to Norfolk.
l had a young Laverack gyp, which l
consigned to a waiter to take care of for
me. That night just before retiring /
hunted her out and found her tied to a
block at the extreme bow of the steamer,
right between the two hawser holes,
through which the anchor chains run.
The oriice was as large as n stovepipe,
and as it was blowing a gale outside, a
current Of air as strong as that of a blast
furnace rushed in and blew every hair
Of the dog upright. The poor brute was
actually numb, and l am certain she
would have died that night had l not
rescued her and placed her in a sheltered
warn spct.-Week's Sport.
, 1891-02-03

The first thought of almost every one
on hearing a good story is to find some
nj else to whom it can be told. Some
people make a few stories stand them in
good stead for a long time. and a tale is
told Of a Vermont man who had just one
story, and who told that on every posi-
be occasion
1t was an excellent story, without
doubt, the story of a gun which had
one belonged to a friend Of his, and he
told it well, though perhaps it might
have been improved by a little condensa-
ton. But his anxiety to bring forward
this tale never ahated, One new listener
in a group of people was quite enough to
encourage him TO give his gun story
in all its details.
1t is Sid that be always brought the
conversation around to guns as soon as
possible; then he would say. And speak
ing Of guns reminds me of a good story,
and then begin his narrative.
There Is q legend IN his native town
that on occasion a number Of peo-
pie who were well acquainted with this
thrilling tale end9vored to keep guns
out OF the conversation at a dinner
given by a club Of which he was a mem
Der to a distinguished visitor.
In vain the gun man tried 70 bring
the talk round TO his favorite weapon,
and as time went IN his expression be-
came gloomy in TIE eNJFFTHT. AZ thr.
guests rose from the table al last, so the
story ruus, ne stamped violently on the
floor as he approached the distinguished
guest, ans then said. Just a little
cramp from sitting so long, my dear sir.
but that sounded almost like gun; and,
speaking Of guns, reminds me"-aud
linking his arm in that OF the visitor. he
bore him triumphautly from the room
to the music Of his cherished aueclote.
Youths Companion.
, 1891-02-03
AFEW REASONS

Why you should try the celebrated DR.. h.
WAgners methods OF cure.
l. NDr. H Wagner Is a natural physician"
q. s. FOWLER,
The Great PhrenoloRist
? you are wonderfully proficient in your
knowledge of diseases and medicines"
DR. ]. MArHEws-
3 Few can excel you as a doctor"
l. "The AFFLICTED ind ready relief in your
presence" DR. ]. SIMMs.
5. ID H Wagner is a regular graduate
nom Bellevue Hospital, New York City; has
had very extensive hospital practice and is
thoroughly posted on all branches OF his be
8. adj. II. Wagner has immortaiized himself
BY his wonderful discovery OF specific RENE
dies for private and sexual diseases-"-Vir-
gtnia City Chronicle.
Thousands OF inyalids flock to see him."
san Francisco Chronicle.
.. The doctors long experience as n spes
cialist should render him very successfuI.h-
Rocky Mountain NeWs.
, 1891-02-03

Mr.. Fro lde's story about Sir Robert
Peel having once asked "a distinguished
friend" to carry a challenge to Mr.. Dis
raeli is a most -nonsensical romance, and
it is wonderful that ne could print such
rubbish. The truth is hat Mr.. Froude's
fiction is ! used upon the fact that there
was once a atorny scene in the house of
commons between Mr.. Disracli and Sir
Roberts lrother, Gen. Peel. which
would cert tinly have resulted in a hos
tile meetinG bnt for the Intervention Of
friends, Mr.. Froude has simply con.
fused Sir Robert with his brother, but
his story is all wrong, for the general
commenced hostilities by informing Mr..
Disraeli that he had told a falsehoo2.
The whole affair was over in less thal
half Al ho1s, as the aggrrssor frankly
HpoloEized. Lord George Brntinck wa,
Mr.. Disrael"s Friend" and Admiral
Rous acted for Gen. Peel -LondoL
Truth.
, 1891-02-03

A new flashlight fire alarm has re-
Gently appeared in Copenhagen. 1t con-
sists of a small cartridge filed with Ben
gal light composition and provided with
n fuse which carries a small capsule of
strong sulphuric acid. When the tenn
perature of the room rises above the
melting point-ef paraffine the sulphuric
acid is liberated and ignites the fuse
which in turn sets fire to the Bengal
light. The device can be supplemented
by a piece of fusible metal which in
melting will establish an electric current
and ring a bell.
, 1891-02-03
This Pie Was n whale"

1t is not a violation of the bylaws and
constitution to say that the pumpkin pie
that Mrs. John Robinson fetched to us
was a whale. A big sweet pumpkin
pie on Christmas day is like meeting an
old Pennsylvania away out in Califor-
mia after you haven't seen a man in two
years that knows there is such a place.
A fat pumpkin pie is a holiday treat any
day, and a good one is deserving of all
the credit that can be given it. And the
women who pumpkin pies make grow
where none grew before are b~enefsctors
% the race.-Brockwayville Pa.) Record.