davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1891-02-14
Describing n Thief.

A while ago a lady in passing down q
crowded thoroughfare was relieved Of
her pocketbook. 1t was two hours be-
fore she missed it. After two hours
moro of search, and returning to places
where she might have carelessly left it,
it occurred to her suddenly that she had
been jostled by five or six men at street
corner. The circumstance made no par
ticular impression upon her mind at the
time, only that she glanced around with
the thought that the street was un-
usually crowded, and that the men wero
taking up more room than was neces-
sary. She reported her loss to the police,
and i'll relating the incident she de-
scribed three Of the men so accurately,
their features, their clothing, and even
the design on one of their neck handker-
chiefs, that they were recognized imme-
diately as being the most notorious pick
pockets in the city.
The pocketbook was found rifed of the
money, but with the valuable papers in
tact, in the engine room of prominent
building. The engine room had 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 observing closely for the loss or tho
return of the pocketbook, but slight
hint was given Of its value in the unveil-
ing of the brain picture, of which she
was unconscious of receiving.-Chicago
Herald.
The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1891-02-14

Ihe ftelnttonS OF johnnie Shrimp.
This is boys essay on his family re-
lations: Ma is my mother. am her
son. Mas name is Mrs. Shrimp, and Mr..
Shrimp is her husband. Pa is my father
My narno is John George Washington
Shrimp. Therefore pas name is Shrimp
80 is mas
My ma has ma. She is my grandma
She isnother-in-lawt to pa. Ilikegrand-
ma better than pa does She brings mo
dimes and bolivars. She don't bring any
to pa. Maybe that's why he don't like
her.
Aunt Jerusha is my aunt. When pa
was little boy she was his sister. l
like little sisters. Dicky Mopps has a
little sister. Her name is Rose. take
her out riding on my sled. Aunt Jerusha
don't like her. She calls her "that Mopps
girl" think Aunt Jerusha ought to be
ashamed of herself.
Aunt Jerusha lives with US.
Aunt Jerusha has 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 done for that boy. That boys
me again. told pa what she said. Pa
said it was just so-nobody did know.
Ma says Aunt Jerusha means we'll, and
that she is pas dear sister. don't SEQ
why that's any reason she should scold
me when | eat cabbage with knife
Golden Days.
The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1891-02-14
uumor on n Sick Bed.

While reading one of the humorous
papers a few days ago came across a
sunny story which carried me back
to months ago when, sitting in my room
one evening, was summoned by mes
senger to the sick bed of friend. He is
perhaps one of the best known funny
paragraphers in the country, and his
work finds ready sale wherever offered.
Upon arriving at the room of my friend
l found him in a high fever, tossing on a
bed of perfect agony. had not sat long
by his side when, turning over, he said
to me: "My dear fellow, my copy is
due tomorrow morning at the Office of
-. Won't you take pad and write
down some paragraphs at my dictation?"
l took pad, and for half hour my
friend dictated to me continuous string
of jokes, many of them SO funny that l
could scarcely repress laughing myself.
One story | especially remembered as ex-
ceedingly bright and witty, and yet it
was dictated between groans. There
are indeed people in this world who suf-
fer to make others laugh.-Edward W..
Bok's Letter.
The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1891-02-14
The Great Irist, Famine.

As winter advanced the distress grew
deeper and tiercer. twas hard winter,
cold ruins and SHOWS alternating. 10
famine and fever was added cold. Hun
dreds of cabins in County Cork had
nothing on their earth floors save a few
rotten bundles of straw-not a blanket,
"not stick of furniture" Neither
could tho people afford in many cases
even the cheap peat fires. The men
tramped barefoot through the snow to
the relief works. Their rags hardly COW
cred their bones. 1t was the commonest
thing in the world for men to be 'struck
with the cold" and die i'll a day or two.
All over the country men and women
could bo seen "redigging the potato
grounds, in hopes of finding some few
remaining" They were bending over
the fields which the sheep had deserted,
trying to find turnip roots. Families
were known to have lived for weeks ION
the flesh of horses that had died"
A Skibbereen man with family Of
five had nothing for them all to eat from
Saturday to Thursday except eleven and
one-half pounds of potatoes and a head
of cabbage. He walked several miles to
tise works and the superintendent gave
him q piece of bread; he tried to su,al-
hw it and dropped dsad.-Octave Tha-
Ut in Century.
The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1891-02-14
Xhero Air La Sold.

Tho Bible house of Constantinople has
been often described. | was conducted
through it by the son of DIR. Bliss, SO
many years in charge of it, and who but
a few months before had died at Assioot,
on the Nile, as described in former lot
ter The Bible house is very we'll
adapted to its purpose, marked in all its
departments by evidences of American
energy, and also by indications of con-
servatiye management.
Looking out Of one of tho upper win
dows, perceived long. low block by
the side of the Bible house, and said to
Mr.. Bliss:
"Does the Bible house corporation
own that blockT'
at does not"
when that is removed, il buildings
of the character of tho others in the
street are erected your magnificent views
from these windows will be cut of"
"No," said he; "they cannot do that.
We own the air"
"What does that mean?"
"There is custom in Constantinopls
of selling the air above the houses, which
makes it impossible for the owner Of the
building to build above a certain point,
and we have taken pains to purchase tho
air between here and the end of the
block. DIR. j. NJ. Ruckley in Christian
A.1->>~-A
The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1891-02-14
Speaking Of Guns,

The first thought of almost every ono
on hearing good story is to find some
ono else to whom it can he told. Some
people make few stories stand them in
good stead for a long time, and tale is
told of Vermont man who had just one
story, and who told that on every posi-
BILE occasion.
1t was an excellent story, without
doubt, tho story of gun which had
once belonged to q friend Of his, aud he
told it well, though perhaps it might
have been improved by . little condensa-
tion. But his anxiety to bring forward
this tale never abated. One new listener
in group of people was quite enough to
encourage him to give his "gun" story
in all its details
1t is said that he 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 legend in his native town
that on one occasion a number of peo-
pie who were we'll acquainted with this
thrilling tale endeavored to keep guns
out of the conversation at dinner
given by club of which he was men,
Der to a distinguished visitor"
In vain tho gun man tried to bring
the talk round to his favorite weapon,
and as ti1no went on his expression be-
came gloomy in the extreme As the
guests rose from the table at last, 90 the
story runs, he stamped violently on the
floor as he approached the distinguished
guest, and then said, "Just little
oramp from sitting 80 long, my dear sir,
but that sounded almost like gun; and,
speaking of guns, reminds me"-and
linking his arm in that of the visitor, he
bore him triumphantly from the room
10 the music of his cherished snecdsAa
Youths Companion.
The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1891-02-14
The Spectral Elect.

The legend Of the spectral fishing fleet
Of st. Mary's Bay is of modern or
igin. In 1862 fishing feet, ho1neward
bound from the Grand Banks, was driven
by stress of weather into st. Mary's Bay.
The storm increased in fury, and 100
boats went down on that August day in
the storm tossed waters. There are now
hundreds of fishermen ready to swear
that ever since. when they have sought
shelter in fog and storm in st. Mary's
Bay, they have caught glimpscs of a
phantom fleet, heard the Tapping of the
sails and the shouting of the s,ilors when
no fleet was there. This may be ac-
counted for by the fog, which nearly al
ways hangs about tho bay, for any one
who has sailed in fog knows that he
can see and hear almost anything he
ploases in it.-New York Tribune.
The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1891-02-14
Not Taking Small Tins.

A gentleman who is not averse 10
tipping waiter when he happens to
have the requisite small change had a
curious experience i'll Il we'll patronize,l
restaurant in Sixth avenue few nights
ago. He took his wife into tho r,st;,,,-
rant after the theatre and enjoyed re-
freshnents, the cost of which footed up
Sl.95 Ee bad not a penny of change.
and he handed his waiter IL two dollar
bill Will! which to pay his check With
out waiting for the five cents change he
started to leave tic place. His wife and
himself had got as far as the door when
the walter overlook them and rendered
the gentleman nickel oh! keep
that, aai'l The man indifferently mo
thank you, sir" 0id the waiter very
politely, 81 l,", sss1 ssz>.n but can.
not accept it.
why not?" IT,: ',r gentleman some
what ima:tiently.
Because, sir, am not allowed to
take y tip Of less than ten cents The
walters here have II pool, and one of the
rules is that 10 member Of the pool shall
take less than a dime hy way of Il tip. ct
The gentleman, somewhat embarrassed
explained that the nickel was the only
bit Of change that he had, whcrcupon
the waiter blandly remarked, "Oh. that
is all right, sir; you can hand it to me
tho next time you como in"-New York
Times
The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1891-02-14
PRAY FOR THE DEAD.

Oh! pray, pray for tho dead,
kneei In thought where the withered grasse
Rustling sway DER once bright head;
Summer dies, and the dying flowers
Sigh, Remember your loved and deady"
Fading, fluttering, whirling, falling.
Leaves come down with sob of pain.
Come to cover the dear ones lying
Under the cold November rain;
Cold as clay when the soul hos fed:
Oh! pray. pray for the dead'
Oh! pray, pray for t1s Head:
Every second death is calling,
Dear ones fall like the autumn leaves;
Where's the grove that has lost no garaudl
Where's tho home where no mourner grievesi
Grieves for those who perhaps in ansa1hA
Barred from glory arc doomed to roan
Voicelc.ss, helpless Oh, you loved th.-3
Beg our Father to call them home,
Home from suffering, darkness. dread;
Oh! pray, pray for the dead
Oh! pray, pray for the dead.
Pray for those whom the yawning pillows
Swallowed down In their fearful wrath,
Those who, scorched by the breath Of fever
Tell like grass in the mowers path;
Those who dropped by the way unnoticeG
Those who died in the battles din;
All are loved by our Lord, and holy
All must suffer who stoop to sin;
Plead for rest for each weary head.
Oh! pray. pray for the dead,
Oh! pray, pray for the dead,
Buried friends, can we e'er forget you.
You who felt for our veal or woe!
God be with you, our silent slecpers,
Lying under the turf so lowl
Useless, vain Is our weak bewailng,
Vain ore murmur and sob and tear;
What oh what can C,,r pr;nf ovoil
Lifeless dust that was once SO dear?
Hark! sigh from each lowly bed
Oh! pray, pray for tho dead:
Michigan Catholic
The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1891-02-14
MIR. D,sraell and Sir nohc,. p,.,

Mr.. Froude's story about Sir Robert
Peel having once asked "a distinguished
friend" to carry challenge to Mr.. Dis
raei is most nonsensicl romance, and
it is wonderful that he could print such
rubbish. The truth is that Mr.. Froude's
fiction is based upon the fact that there
was once stormy scene in the house of
commons between Mr.. Disraeli and Sir
Roberts brother, Gen. Peel, which
would certainly have resulted in hos
tile meeting but 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 falsehood.
The whole affair was over in less than
half an hour, as the aggressor frankly
spologized. Lord George Bentinck was
Mr.. Disraeli's "friell" and Admiral
Rous acted for Gen. Peel. London
Truth.
The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1891-02-14

Gen. Butler had great practice be-
fore the war. For years he had two
Offices, one in Boston and one in Lowell,
and a partner in each engaged in the
preparation of cases. He was trying
cases in court almost constantly for nine
months in the year. Then, as now, he
was punctual and methodical in his COM
ings and goings between Lowell and
Boston. When the war broke out he had
one of the most lucrative practices in
New England-worth probably s25, 900
a year. He was trying case in court
whom the order came for the Sixth regi-
ment of his brigade to muster on Boston
common in readiness to proceed to
Washington. By the courtesy of the op-
posing counsel and the court he was
allowed to leave the court, and the case
Was stopped at that point.-Boston Ad-
veSt3eer,
The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1891-02-14
BATTLING WITH AN OCTOPUS.
Difficult Fight with Monster Having
Seven Foot Tentacles.

Olnicult Fight with Monster having
Seven Foot Tentacles.
Three young men aged about 1S years
had an exciting encounter with an octo-
pus, or devil fish, under the old wharf
belonging to tho Myers Canning COM
pany, at West Seattle. It resulted in
the frightful creature being killed after
a fearful struggle. It was necessary to
sever completely every one Of the hor-
rible creatures tentacles from its body
before it gave up the struggle. The
fight was witnessed by quite a number
of spectators.
The boys were fishing for tomcod from
the front of the wharf when they no
ticed considerable commotion in the
water under the wharf. One of them,
Dick Smith, took q long pole and climbed
under the wharf, to find out, if possible,
the cause of the disturbance. He had
not gone far when in the se1ni-gloom he
discovered strange shape and saw
pair of small eyes glaring at him. In
his fright he poked ut the animal with
his pole, but to his horror and amaze
ment it was wrenched from his hand rs
easily as though it had been straw.
Young Smith gave a frightened yell
and climbed to the top of the wharf to
give the alarm. Several boys, arming
themselves with poles and spades,
climbed down under the wharf to inves-
tigate this marine monster and if pos
sible capture it.
After the eyes of the boys had become
accustomed to tIe olo,,n tbov 1,ohald %o
their wonder and surprise that the Great
ure with which they had to deal was a
huge devil fish, lashing tho water into
foam with its merciless arms, which
were spread out for distance of about
seven feet in every direction.
The boys attacked the creature with
poles and spades. One boy made strike
at the animal, cutting it slightly with
spade The infuriated creature seized
the spade i'll its grasp and threw it far
out among the piles.
The fight continued for some time, the
animal scizing everything that was
thrust at him. Several times one of the
boys narrowly missed being caught and
drawn beneath the surface by tho mon
ster of the deep.
AT length, by united pull at several
poles which the octopus has seized in his
blind rage, he was drawn from the
water, but even then he kept up the fight
with unabated fury, striking viciously
at everything within reach.
One after another the tentaclcs were
severed from the frightfully misshapen
body. Even after tho last arm had been
severed the animal did not give up the
fight, and when any ono approached it,
glared at them and caused it's body to
culver in Il manner that induced IL thrill
{ I fear to run over the bcholder, even
with a knowledge that it was harmless
The devil fish was finally dispatched
with spade. The arms were carried
away by the several boys who had sever
ell them as trophies of the fight, but the
body remained Oh the ground and was
viewed by many people during the re-
maindcr of the afternoon. Press.
The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1891-02-14
Metals tho Pyramid Builders Lacked.

Apparently we are ignorant, and like
y to remain 80, of the mechanical power
which erected the pyramids. Neither
do We know by what process the granite
was cut and polished. With us, having
steel and steam, this is easily done. In
many OF the American cemeteries are to
be seen shafts, pillars, pedestals and
plnths of red granite, which is extreme
ly hard, but can be cut into any shape
and polished to the smoothness of look
ing glass by simple machinery. Now,
though tho ancients sometimes used
iron, and got the metal out of the ore by
great and long continued heat, they did
not know that by adding carbon to it
they could convert it into steel, which is
hard enough to cut all other metals. Be-
sides iron the ancients were acquainted
with copper, gold, silver, lead, quick
silver and tin-that is, with seven me tails,
whereas We have over ffty.-Thomas ].
Bowditch In Troy Times.
The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1891-02-14
Tie Chatter.ns Kaiser,

The rapidity with which the German
emperor talks when delivering a speech
has been determined by DIR. Engel. who
is one Of the chief reporters in the reichs-
tag, and who has stenographed the en-
peror's speeches very often. According
to the doctor he speaks very rapidly in
deed-about 275 syllables in each min
ute, and occasionally the rate Mt which
he talks is even 800 syllabies in minute.
VANITY Fair.
The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1891-02-14
Origin of q STYLISH craxat.

At the battle of Steinl1irk, which took
place Gu the morning of Aug. 8, 1892,
the French mobiles were surprised in their
sleep, and hastily rushing out of thei1
tents, they arranged their lace cravata
i'll the most careless manner. The French
were victorious, and to commemorate
their victory it became the fashion after
this to wear the neckcloth in neglige
manner. Hence the origin of the Stein,
kirk cravat, as it was afteryrard called.
-Clothier and Furnisher.
u ss -
The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1891-02-14
A curieu. Eating Custom

The Dyaks divide in pairs when the
hour arrives for taking food, the father
and mother at one platter, two sisters at
one and still two brothers at another.
When tho family is not equally divided
as to sex a brother and sister may cot to-
gether, brt this must always be the
youngest and Oldest Of the fa,nily.-St.
Louis Republic.
The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1891-02-14
Pensions for Jud,c,., Services.

There are number of notabiities
who are enjoying a pension for judicial
services in England. The Earl of Sell
borne and Lord Herschell receive each
e5, 900 year as ex-lord chancellors, but
sit with the lord chancellor and the
lords of appeal in ordinary for judicial
business. Lord Blackburn, many years
a judge of the queens bench division
and for eleven years lord of appeal, en-
joys an allowance of e3750. The PEN
sion usually granted to q puisne judge
on retirement after not less than fifteen
years services is e3, 3,500.-London Tit
Bits.
The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1891-02-14
Pair of nubbers Sixty Years Old.

L. F. Barton has secured couple of
curiosities for the display windows at
his store. One is pair of slippers made
OF rope, the work being done by a sailor
on board a oalsteamer running between
Philadelphia and this port. The second
article is pair of pure gum rubbers,
which have been in use in one family in
this city for sixty years.-Newburyport
Herald.
The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1891-02-14

To teach a dog to "speak" hold como
dainty before him when he is hungry.
At first he will not know what is wanted;
but say "Speak!' to him, and when he
barks, which he is pretty sure to do when
he finds the morsel still beyond his reach,
feed it to him at once. He will soon as
sociate the word speak" with the bark
and the dainty.
The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1891-02-14

Frederic Harrison says in The Forum
"In matters literary, have but one ad.
vice to give. Keep ont of literature, at
least till you feel ready to burst. Neve1
write a line except out of a sense of duty
nor with any other object savc that Of
getting it off your mind About litera.
ture have nothing to say. have al.
ways felt myself more or less of al
amateur. Nor do remember to have
wasted an hour in thinking about style
or about conditions of literary success"
The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1891-02-14
A Self PreaerYer.

she-Who is that hearty, well pes-
served old man?
Hello is living monument to tho
value Of taking care of ones self.
She-Well. who Is he?
He-ue's Il French duelist.-Pitts-
burg Bulletin.
The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1891-02-14

An interesting sight in some of the
cemeteries of Kansas is the pine board
advertisements of undertakers and tomb
stone manufacturers tackled up on the
trees by enterprising advertisers.
The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1891-02-14

The largest and heaviest building stone
ever quarricd in England was taken from
the Plankington quarry, near Norwich, in
February, 1889. 1t was in one piece,
without crack or flaw, and weighed over
thirty-five tons. 1t measured 10 test
long, 6 feet high and 5 feet wide.
The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1891-02-14

In 1920 the sea at Acapulco ran off
FROM the coast, leaving the roalstead
dry for two hours, and then rolled in
fourteen feet above its ordinary level
and destroyed part of the city.
The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1891-02-14

If you put q spoon in glass before
pouring in the water the glass will not
crack, even if the water is boiling. But
if there is no spoon used it takes new
glass to every hot drink.
The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1891-02-14
Queer Uenledies.

For cramps a ring is frequently worn
upon the finger, but to possess the re-
quisite virtue it is necessary that the
ring should be made Of some metal taken
by stealth, without discovery. The great
Boyle recommended for certain diseases
"a little bag hung about the neck, con-
tanning the powder made Of a live toad
burnt in new pot. ."-London TitBits.
The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1891-02-14

Sir John Lubbock kept queen bee
for fifteen years, test proving her eggs
to:be just as fertile at that age as they
1Ee twelve years before
The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1891-02-14

The use of face powder originated i'll
the fancy of a French mountcbank, who
dredyed his head with -four in order to
emphasize his idiocy.