davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Russellville Democrat., 1891-07-30
Tho rmproyised Planist.

A few weeks ago a dancing party was given at one of the largest clubs in Vienna The regular pianist did not turn up. A message came to say that he was i'll What was to be done2 A porter ran out. hailed a cab and said to the driver;
 "Drive me-faith. don't know where
 "Why. what is it you wants"
 Il want piano player. Do you hap pen to know of one in the neighbor- hood?"
 Il should think did in fact, close at hand. You needn't trouble to get into the cab"
 s'Where is he2"
 Right in front of you. play the piano myself fairly we'll, and shall be glad to accommodate you"
 Cabby got down from his box, took his seat at the instrument and kept the visitors dancing till break of day. What IS more, he declined to accept any pay ment; he said he had come as an anna teur and for the love of the thing He considered himself highly honored to have been allowed to spend night with "such grand company" Where but in Vienna could you hope to find such a sample of musical training, civility and disinterestedness among the cabbies?- Le Monde Artiste.
The Russellville Democrat., 1891-07-30
Governor stephens. Last Act.

Governor Alexander Stephens-dying few years ago-persisted in having all business matters brought to his bedside. There was on the table a petition for the pardon of distinguished criminal; the petition was signed by distinguished men. There was also on that table a letter from q poor woman in the peni- tentiary, written and signed by herself alone. Dying" said the great governor. You think that because have been i'll so many times and got well that shall get well now, but you are mistaken; will not recover. Where is that. letter by that woman in the penitentiary? l think she has suffered enough. As near as can tell she has no friends. Bring me that paper that may sign her par don"
 A gentleman standing by, thinking this too great responsibility for the sick man, said, "Governor, you are very sick now, perhaps you had better wait till tomorrow; you may feel stronger and you may feel better" Then the eye of the old governor flashed, and he said, Il know what am about" Putting his signature to that pardon he wrote the last word he ever wrote, for then the pen fell from his pale and rheumatic and dying hand forever. How beauti- ful that the closing hours of life should be spent in helping one who had no helperl-Dr. Talmage in Ladies' Home Journal
The Russellville Democrat., 1891-07-30
Cheer for the filling.

A physician who has noted the dreari- ness of the typical waiting room for pa- tients and it's evil effects on people al- ready in an unhappy frame of mind from bodily ills has devoted some time to making his reception rooms as cheerful and lively as gool taste will permit. In place of bare, white walls, with an odd print or two upon them. bookcase con taining dry medical works and stand filled with stiff looking bric-a-brac, he has an abundance of we'll executed paintings or prints, the subjects of which are of an interesting and cheerful nature The center table is covered with copies of the latest novels, illus trated magazines and files of the humor- ous weekly papers. The furniture in cludes several large easy chairs, so rest full that when once settled in one of them person is reluctant to get up again.
 ''It costs something to do all this,r . said he, but it is certainly good in vestment. Waiting in dull, cheerless room is very trying to the nerves, and most visitors to doctors office are nerv- ous and irritable. Like all reforms. however, it is carried to excess by some physicians. know several who have the walls of their reception rooms com pletely covered with oil paintings, so that the room looks like badly crowded picture gallery. But the idea is good one and is rapidly gaining ground."- New York Telegram.
The Russellville Democrat., 1891-07-30
shook t,,e Deacon.

In the course of his sermon Rev. Mc- Leod told the congregation that if any among them were asleep they had better wake up or they would miss hearing a good story Much to the amusement of the congregation one old man left his seat advanced a few steps up the aisle, grasped another old man by the shoulder. and, after giving him . sound shake. whispered in his ear sufficiently loud enough to be heard in all parts of the church: Brother B.i Wake upl The elder is going to tell . story. If you would keep better hours Saturday nights you would be able to keep awake during church services" The unlocked for scene caused an audi ble litter in nearly every pew in the church, which in many cases had not en- tirely ceased when the benediction was pronounced. Sun Prairie (Wis.) Coun- tryman
The Russellville Democrat., 1891-07-30
A Tanners strange TnfntuatIon.

The incident in reference to the wheel. wright's infatuation for Miss Gabrielle Greeley, even after she decided to marry, led to the publication of similar story in Halifax, N. S. When Professor Schurman was dean of the Dalhousie college Pictou county tanner conceived the idea that Mrs. Schurman was in love with him, and would desert her hus- band to become his wife. When Dr. Schurman became dean of Cornell uni versity the tanner visited New York state every few months to fondly gaze upon the lady on the street or in her pew. The tanner even went to the fa- ther of the lady, George Munro, the New York publisher, and declared his conviction that his passion was recipro- cated, and asked him to interfere in his behalf. Cor. Chicago Tribune
The Russellville Democrat., 1891-07-30
An Opal Worth . Million.

The most famous opal in history was that which was worn in ring by the Roman senator Nonius. in the day of the triumvirate. It's size equaled that of medium sized hazel nut. Yet it's beauty and brilliancy rendered it a mar vel among the dilettanti of Rome, es- pecially when it was known that the goldsmiths and money changers had set it's value at $1 .000, ,000
 Mark Antony made overtures to Nonius for its purchase. intending, it is thought, to present it to Cleopatra, but the senator refused to part with it, and for fear that it would be taken from him by sheer force sought safety in flight Here history loses all trace of this ia nous gem, there being no record of its transferenee from Nonius to any of his family St. Louis Republic.
The Russellville Democrat., 1891-07-30
rrIa,s ~ nn Aufbor.

There cams to man who has had q Snccess In literature which we should envy did we not s.ll agree he deserves if, lady who WAS neither young nor fair, hnt who had tho assurance of youth in combination with the obstinacy of ad- vancing years
 sI have tlecided,s she said to hisn, ssthat must earn my living by writing poems l sent poem to the Blank Magazine. and they returned it with D printed slip Now 1 want you to write to the editor. ana tell him that he made mistake, '
 It naturally seemed to the author that he had to deal with humorist or mad woman; but the lady was certainly in earnest and apparently sane. He en- deavored to show her that it was not his business to interfere with the decisions of the editors of magazines. who might be supposed to know their own business. The lady insisted, however, and in the end he was forced to decline point blank to do what she asked Thereupon she turned upon him and declared that he was one of those who endeavor to keep others out in order that they may have the field to themselves, and who are meanly jealous of other authors who sse sure to eclipse them if they are but heard.
 "It Is all ring she declared with vehemence "I have been told so be- fore, and now l am sure of it can't make you do justice to me. but l can show you up"
 Her method of showing him up" has been to send letters of bitter invective to the papers, one of which fell into my hands. Of course nobody would print them, but she perseveres, and in addition to this she sends to the Iuckless author, whose crime is that he did not make the editor of the Blank Magazine print the rhymes of an unknown woman, letter once week. Of course he burns them unopened. and it is not easy to see what satisfaction it can be to the woman to keep on with this sort of thing, but the fact remains that she does. The story is not of profound importance. but it throws curious bit of side light upon the life of the successful author of today. .-Arlo Bates in Book Buyer.
The Russellville Democrat., 1891-07-30
THE FARMERS ORGANIZE.
The Farmsr1 Association of Jsnersor County Meet and Adopt Hsso-
 lutfons.

County Moot ana A0OpS 6eoo- lutions.
 At . meeting of the farmers of Jefferson county held at Pine Bluff, July 23, Capt. M. G. Sennett was elected chairman, and John M. Oracle, secretary.
 After . gener informal discus sion of the condition of the farming interests of the county, it was de- cided to organize an association to be known as the 'sFarmers' Associa- ton of Jefferson County" The object of the association as expressed by suitable resolutions is "for the mutual benefit and protec- ton of both the farmers and laborers of Jefferson county, in order that we may be enabled to make the farm at- tractive and self-sustaining, thereby giving just and profitable returns to the efforts of both the farmer and
 laborer. That we each pledge our
 selves to encourage and foster unity of action among the farmers of the
 county, and sgree to abide by the
 will of the majority in everything pertaining to our organization" The following resolution was also
 unanimously adopted as expressing the sense of the meeting:
 Resolved, That it is the sense of
 this meeting that the price of cotton picking for this season shall not be over 50 cents per lou pounds, and we pledge ourselves not to pay more than this price either for ourselves, our customers or our tenants, and we each and all agree to do all in our power to enforce this price until oth-
 erw ise altered by this association. The meeting adjourned until Thursday, August 80, at 8 o'clock p.
 m, when a permanent organization,
 with constitution and bylaws, will
 be adopted.
 The city and Little Rock papers
 were requested to publish these pro-
 ceedings, and request a full attend
 ance of the farmers of the county at
 the adjourned meeting.
 There was represented at the
 above meeting s26, DO acres of culti-
 vated land. The articles Of sssocia-
 ton were signed by thirty-two of the
 leading white and colored farmers of
 the county, and 1t is expected that at
 the next meeting fully three-fourths
 of all the farmers of the county will ] join the society.
The Russellville Democrat., 1891-07-30
A Queer Provision in a win.

The following will, though not espe- cially curious in itself, throws curious light on the streets of London in the Seventeenth century. John Cooke, among other bequests, left one pound sterling "for the maintenance of Ian tern and candle--to be eight in the pound at the least-to be kept and hanged out at the corner of St. Michael's lane. next Thames street, from Michael mas Day to Lady Day, between the hours of Q and 10 o'clock at night until the hours of or 6 in the morning. for af- fording light to passengers going through Thames street or St. Michael's lane. "-- All the Year Round
The Russellville Democrat., 1891-07-30

- tneu6elVeS, put tnoy tfuOth fully sit forth the attractions of my show-a show, let me here observe, that contains many Twin wild animals, every one of which has got Beautiful Moral
 Them hanbills is sculpt in New York.
 & annooaIly repair here to git some more on 'um;
 6, bein' here, tho't I'd issoo Ad- dress to the public.
 Since last meyandered these streets, have bin all over the Pacific Slopes and Utah. cum back now, with my virtoo unimpaired. but I've got to git some new clothes.
 Many changes has taken place, even durin' my short absence, & sum on um is Sollum to contemplate. The house in Varick street, where used to Board, is bein' torn down. That house, which was rendered memorable by my Twin into it, is s'parsin' awayl parsin' awayw But some of the timbers will be made into canes, which will be sold to my ad- nirers at the low price of one dollar each. Thus is changes goin' on contin- erly. In the New World it is war-in the Old World Empires is totterin' & Dysentaries is crumblin'. These canes is cheap at dollar
 Sammy Booth, Duane street, sculps my hanbills, 6 he's artist. He studid in Rome-State of New York.
 I'm here to read the proofsheets oe .-.. hanbils as fast as they're sculpt. Yes have to watch these ere printers pretty close, for they're jest as apt to spel wurd rong as anyhow.
 But have time to look round sum & how do find things? return to the Atlantic States after a absence of ten months, & what State do find the country in? Why, don't know what State find it in. Suffice it to say, that do not find it in the State of Jersey.
 Them who think that cane made from the timbers of the house once boarded in is essential to their happi. ness, should not delay about sendin iGc money right on for one.
 My reported captur by the North American savijis of Utah led my wide circle of friends and creditors to think that I had bid adoo to earthly things and was an angel playin' on golden harp. Hents my rival home was onex- pected.
 It was il, P. M, when reached my homestid and knockt healthy knock on the door thereof.
 A nightcap thrust itself out of the front chamber winder. Qt was my Betsy's nightcap.) And voice said:
 "Who is itr'
 ''It is Manr' I answered, in a gruff vols.
 Il don't blieve itt' she sed.
 'Then come down and search me-" replied.
 Then resumin' my nat'ral voice, I said, "It is your own A. w., Betsy? Sweet lady, wake! Ever of thou!'
 .Oh," she said, tits you. is it? thought smelt something"
 But the old girl was glad to see me-
 A few days after my return I was shown young man, who says he'll be Dam if he goes to the war. He was set tin on barrel, & was indered Loath- sum objeck.
 Last Sunday heard Parson Batkins preach, and the good old man preached well, too, tho his prayer was rather lengthy. The Editor of the Bugle, who was with me, said that prayer would make fifteen squares, solid nonpareil.
 A. WARD
The Russellville Democrat., 1891-07-30
The Towers of Silence,

In Persia stand two towers called by the Parsee the Flowers of Silence" Ac- cording to the religion they never bury their dead. but have the body exposed on the top of one of these towers until the sun and the rain and the fowls of the air have cleaned the bones of all flesh. The bones are then collected and placed in the other tower. These Parsees, who are followers of Zoroaster, and very devout, have almost disappeared as a people, there being only about 5000 of them at the present time. Detroit Free Press
The Russellville Democrat., 1891-07-30
No Tyro at the Reins.

l saw big three horse dray in Four teenth street the other day, the driver of which admired very much. He was backing the truck down, and before him was the trio of powerful, gray, half-bred Percherons. He used his reins merely to give the direction of the desired swing to his horses. and for this touch sufficed. Then he would speak to them, and they would move as he wished, most intelligently. When they backed the reins lay idle and loose, mere Come back herel' being sufficient Any man who has the sense to manage horses in this fashion is man worth knowing New York Telegram.
The Russellville Democrat., 1891-07-30


 assortment Hedges, however, is not in it, % to speak. Ho stands no chance whatsoever for the office. The Republican leaders pnderstand him thoroughly and will have nothing 10 do with him. The leading men of tho treasury department know as well as it is known in Texas that Hedges permitted the negro CuDey in Galveston to slap his face without protest. The party who slapped Hedgea' face is now collector of cus- toms at Galveston, but Hedges has not made much progress in the pub. lie service. From present appear ances Dam McCauley will be made chief clerk.
The Russellville Democrat., 1891-07-30
nf.nuer. .n,l socIetv.


 Fine social intercourse is really tho finest of the fine arts; and if painting and sculpture and architecture are worth cherishing, SO is that higher standard of manners without which thcse things are merely misplaced fringe for baxbarism. It is true that manners jolned with nothing better arc disappointing. It is true that hungry man would rather dine with boor on vension than with Duke Humphrey on his proverbial dinner --that is, on nothing. But if the boor- ishness destroys ones appetite, where is the good of vension? and "a dinner of herbs where love is''--or even where re- fnement is--turns out the better bill of fare. The true charm of fine manners is best seen in poverty, when attainable there; but wealth is doubtless the better school for them at first, and this is one reason why men are tempted by wealth.
 The English word means" or the phrase ia man of means, is very instruc- tive, for it views property but as means toward something more important. And though many men go no further than the means, yet it is something that we have this great truth recognized in Ian guage. So all the love for fashionable novels is really an expression of long ing after the refinements of life. And though the society columns" are often made up largely of the doings of the so- cially obscure, and though the socially prominent usually try to keep out of them, yet they are no doubt humble school for good manners to those readers who distrust themselves. The young girl who with vague admiration reads of Mrs. As and Mrs. B.'s entertainments perhaps acquires the wish that when she also is annexed to some matrimonial letter of the alphabet, she also may have an attractive home.-T. w. Higginson in Harper's Bazar.
The Russellville Democrat., 1891-07-30
A Question af Form.

Mrs. Wayuppe Your enthusiasm, my young friend. marks the vulgarian. Utter repose of manner and perfect con cealment of all emotion is the highest type of good form.
 Miss IngenueThen the stolidness of the noble red man entities him to be re- garded as the type of your highest breed ing Pittsburg Bulletin.
The Russellville Democrat., 1891-07-30
A slight MIsunsIer.tanding.

Irate Individual What did you mean by telling Smith that had been in jail?
 Calm Individual--I did not tell Smith vou had been in jail I simply said you ought to be in jail.
 Irate Indiyidual (calming down)--I beg your pardon. l must have misunder- stood him. Texas Siftings.
The Russellville Democrat., 1891-07-30
SURRENDER OF coRNwAIL1s.

It was customary in many of the in- land towns of New England, some thirty years ago, 10 celebrate the anniversary of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis by a sham representation of that important event in tho history of the Revolutionary War. A town meeting would be called, at which coinpany of men would bc de- tailed as British, and company as Americans-two leading citizens being selected to represent Washington and
 <nwallis in the mimic surrender.
 1Ee pleasant little town of W, in whose schools the writer has been re- peatedly corrected, upon whose ponds he has often skated, upon whose richest orchards he has, with other juvenile bandits. many times dashed in the silent midnight-the town of W, where it was popularly believed these bandits would "come to a bad end," resolved to celebrate the surrender. Rival towns had celebrated, and W determined to eclipse them in the most signal man. ner. It is my privilege to tell how W succeeded in this determination.
 The great day came.
 People poured into the village from all over the county. Never had W experienced such jam. Never had there been such an onslaught upon gin gerbread carts. Never had New Eng land rum (for this was before Neal Dow's day) flowed so freely. And W---'s fair daughters, who mounted the housetops to see the surrender, had never looked fairer. The old folks came, too, and among them were several war scared heroes who had fought gallantly at Mon- mouth and Yorktown. These brave sons of '76 took no part in the demon stration, but an honored bench was set apart for their exclusive use on the pi- azza of Sile Smiths store.
 At precisely o'clock, by the school masters new "Lepeen" watch, the Amer ican and British forces marched on to the village green and placed themselves in battle array, reminding the spectator of the time when
 Brave Wolfe drew up his men
 In q style most pretty.
 On the Plains of Abraham
 Before the city.
 The character of Washington was as- signed to Squire Wood, well to do and influential farmer. while that of Cornwallis had been given tc the village lawyer, kind hearted but rather pornp- ons person, whose name was Caleb Jones.
 Squire Wood, the Washington of the occasion, had met with many unexpected
The Russellville Democrat., 1891-07-30
The ereaA orlan plamond.

The great Orloff diamond which sur mounts the Russian imperial scepter is the first in size and the third in value in the world. It once formed the eye of the idol in a temple near Seringham, India, and was stolen by q French ad- yenturer It weighs l85 kafMte. and is valued at g ,399. All in United St4tos cur rency.--St. Louis Republic.
The Russellville Democrat., 1891-07-30

A cubic inch of any of the stones from which the palaces, churches and fine res idences of Paris are built contains hun dreds of thousands of fossils, so that it may with truth be said that Paris, to- gether with its pavements and quays, is composed entirely of the shells of the miliolo@.
The Russellville Democrat., 1891-07-30
Metaphyslc..

Oliver Wendell Holmes was class mate of Dr. Clarke at Harvard, and ac- cording to the "reminiscences of the lat ter, the "Autocrat of the Breakfast Ta- ble" was as witty then as now. One day the two were talking of metaphysics, when the bright tongued little great man exclaimed: "rll tell you, James, what I think metaphysics is like. It Is like a man splitting q log. When it is done he has two more to splitr--San Francisco Argonaut.
The Russellville Democrat., 1891-07-30
-EDR. sPRINGsTEBN's-s> WONDERFUL DISCOVERY yos vIAvI woxxx
The Greatest Known Uterine Tenis

An easily applied. positive and permanent .enrc for m diseases of the womb, irrigulaYities of manstruation, tronbles ariisrng at turn of ias. and fwhen taken in time) CANCER of the womb. Every woman, old or young. who wfp nsc VIAvI and carefully follow directions, m be CURED Highest testimonials from prominent ladies In this and other States furnished on application.
 Our SANG ia positive cure for PILES ol every kind. Used by malo and female end by inc you gest child with best of results. sddross l.. SHADEL q CO,
 Little Rock, Ark. Or. MRS. o. P. HkNxY,
 Agent for Russeilvilie. Ark.
The Russellville Democrat., 1891-07-30
A Ready pebater.

Fond Uncle--Jack, you extrayagant rascal, I'll cut you of without shilling.
 Jack tthe inccrrigiblel-A the moro reason for letting me have the five hun dred now. " Munseys Weekly.
The Russellville Democrat., 1891-07-30

those Of the honesty of the benefici- sry would be to pervert tho reason- Ing which justiiies discharge upon any ground.