davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1892-08-11
Eastern and Western Swimmers,


The seashore is supposed to be the
home of fine swimmers. but as matter
of fact the denizens of the coast cannot
compare in this respect with our south
westerners. l have seen it tried time
and again, and always with the same
result. Men from Missouri, Illinois,
Kansas and Texas are, almost without
exception, feeter and more graceful
swimmers than those who We're born
and brought up on the New England
coast. The reason for this is the differ
ence between fresh and salt water
When one who has learned to swim in
fresh water gets into the ocean he feels
as if he could never become wearied
The denser water so buoys his limbs that
they appear to weigh nothing and he is
astonished at the speed he attains.
Another notable fact is that the pro-
portion of men bred on the seaboard
who cannot swim is very much greater
than among inlanders. At New Bed
ford, famous shipping point, not one
sailor in five can swim and the same is
true of other points on the New England
coast. With the people from the south
west, certainly with those who were
bred in the country, the nonswimmer is
an exception. The cause of this is that
the weather is warm enough for out
door bathing during more months of the
year in the southern and southwestern
states than on the sea coast, and scarcely
a farmers boy is unacquainted with the
art. In one respect alone are the east
erners ahead and that is in their lady
swimmers, with whom we have few to
compete.-St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1892-08-11
A Remarkable Tree.

Up on the east side of North Seventh
street, about midway between Poplar
street and Girard avenue, stands strik-
ingly curious tree, which attracts the
attention of every passer by. 1t stands
Just in front of a stable yard, and the
employees of the place say that dozens
VI people come to them every week and
make remarks or ask questions about
the strange growth. From the thick
hess of the trunk at the base the tree is
probably about forty years old, but its
branches and foliage are new and fresh,
and look as though they were but the
growth of year or two. The trunk
runs straight from the ground to a height
of about fifteen feet.
Above this for a short distance is a
thick, globular mass of foliage, the
leaves appearing to grow directly ont of
the wood. Above this growth run up
three thick stalks or stumps six or eight
feet high, also covered with a dense,
close mass of foliage. When the tree is
viewed from the north side it presents a
startling resemblance to a giant human
hand protruding from the earth. The
three big stumps at the top represent
the three middle fingers. and upon
either side of these can easily be seen
configurations of the surrounding foil
age which correspond to the little finger
and thumb.
The explanation of the phenomenon is
a curious one. The tree was once full
grown and vigorous, but was attacked
by blight or some other disease and the
dead trunk was pruned down to its pres
ent proportions, whereupon the present
new growth developed.-Philadelphia
Inquirer.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1892-08-11
Where Organ Grinders Congreeate

The industry-if that word can be
used in such connection-ofo organ grind
ing is one of considerable extent. This
city limits the number of licenses to 30t
at dollar each. This does not by any
means cover the number of Italians who
at certain seasons of the year live here
and make their living by grinding. Like
theatrical people, these grinders make
New York their headquarters, and Null
berry bend is their Rialto. There or
any sunny, warm morning they may be
seen lounging indifferently along the
narrow, crowded street, stopping to say
a word with the pretty black eyed girl
who sells ice cream for cent glass, OF
to borrow cigarette from a passing
acquaintance.
In this latter respect alone they resem-
BILE the loungers of the other Rialto uI
town. They don't wear patent feathers
or spats or carry big canes, but they
make up for these appendages in ciga-
rette smoking.-New York World
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1892-08-11
BRIEF AND STRIKING STORIES.
Some are Funny and Some are Not.
ARsrRDITIEs oF DRESS.

st. Louis Globe-Democrat.
81 think the ancients exercised vastly
more Judgment in the matter of wearing
apparel than do the moderns," said
Thomas B. Lindsay at the Southern
Compare the dress of Roman Senator
with the haberdashery of member of
the American house of millionaires.
The former was graceful, comfortable,
picturesque; the latter is the reverse OF
all these We do not realize how incon-
gruous and inartistic the modern male
costume is because we have become ac-
customed to it. A high silk hat, spike
tailed coat and baggy trousers consti-
tute our ideal of faultless attire, yet 1t
is sufficient TO give an artist an attack OF
the mulligrubs. Seulptors avoid it as
they would the plague; artists frequent
ly resort to gross anachronisms to get
around a combination which makes a
man resemble nothing created by the
Almighty and destitute of single line
of beauty We are continually lectur-
ing the ladies on the subject of dress;
yet they have preserved some of the
beauties and comforts of ancient cos
tunes, while we have sacrificed them
all and are proud of it as an Indian
squaw who has traded buffalo robe for
second had pair of soldier pants. Even
the extravagances of male costumes
during the Middle Ages were infinitely
preferable to the stupid garments of the
present. We will probably never return
to the toga of the Romans or the gauzy
colors of the crusaders, but the baggy
trousers, the spike tail coat and the idi-
otic plug cannot last forever. Soma
genius will yet lead us out of the will
derness of absurdities into which we
have fallen"
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1892-08-11
A Cowardly Husbands Refuge.

A friend who once Travelled with the
circus told me this: MANY years ago
was a clown in Forepaugh's. One OF
the lion tanners had a sharp tongued
wife who was SO insanely jealous of him
that she kept the poor man in a constant
Etate of trepidation. One afternoon she
caught him talking to a pretty bareback
rider, whereupon she secured horse
whip and chased her husband until
finally he took refuge by jumping into
the lions cage and holding himself be-
hind the animals. Ugh! you miserable
coward she cried, angrily tugging at
the bars, come out and face me if you
darer Boston Home Journal.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1892-08-11
A KICK ON THE GAS.

Detroit Tribune.
They sat with bowed heads about the
table while the minister invoked the di-
vine blessing.
"More light, o Lord" arose the prayer.
"Send more light to guide our halting
footsteps"
The small boy at the foot of the table
moved uneasily.
amen"
1t was the mother of the household
who made fervent response to the preach
er's petition.
MA, do"
She managed to subdue the small boy
until grace had been said.
What is it, Willie?"
She spoke with excessive indulgence,
as mothers are wont to do in the pres
ence of company.
"Do you mean it,"
"Mean what, my child?''
"That you want more light"
The minister beamed cordially upon
the youthful face. 1t pleased him to
note signs of a religious awakening in
the boyish mind.
Certainly" my DEAR" the mother de-
clared.
1--WE all need more light" the man of
God smilingly insisted.
The lad pondered moment.
"Well," he observed at last, positive
ly, sail l can say is that you'd better
look out"
"Why, Willie?"
It'll go hard with you if you get more
light, Cause pa said if the gas bill got
any bigger somebody would get scalped.' >
For several moments afterward con-
versation tagged.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1892-08-11
STUMP SPEAKING.

Chicago ws-RecOrd.
Once in while speaker gets wrong
impression as to the wishes of his audi
ence. During the campaign of 1880 l
was addressing a mass meeting in
grove one evening. The chairman had
informed me tnat after my speech the
audience would be addressed by two or
three local speakers, who were then sit
ting on the platform, but whose names
he did not mention. After had talked
for about an hour and was about to
close | made point that seemed to
meet with marked approval, for several
persons in the audience cried out,
hight. right" 1t was pleasant to be
thus indorsed, 80 / talked on little
while longer, and when another period
was reached a hundred voices shouted:
fright, right. right" l said: "Yes,
gentlemen, am surely right, as you
say, and am glad you agree with me,
but | must not talk all night, as there
are other speakers to be heard. But be-
ing so completely en- rapport with the
audience felt disposed to to crafty
their wishes still further. So l talked
on, for about twenty minutes longer,
when there came still louder shout
of fright! right" closed and sat down
with self satisfied feeling. ImInedi
ately the chairman stepped forward and
said to the audience: "The hour is quite
late, but in accordance with your ex
pressed desire you shall now be favored
with short speech from our candidate
for State Senator, Mr.. Wright"
Then it was that the cold truth dawn
ed upon me and l realized that had
been most cruelty self deceived as to the
temper and wishes of that audience.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1892-08-11
Many Languages in German Colonies.

The Germans are trying to count the
languages that are spoken in their colo
NAL possessions. In east Africa they
have found fifty languages. in southwest
Africa, twelve; in Cameroons, twenty;
in Toga, five or six. These figures do
not include large number of dialects
which are almost equivalent in some
cases to another language. The Ger
mans have no idea yet how many Ian
guages are spoken in their South sea
possessions, but they have thus far
counted fifty. Their missionaries and
agents are hard at work reducing the
languages which are most used to writ
ing and making dictionaries of them.-
New York Sun.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1892-08-11
Arranging Pansies.

You must pluck pansies every day if
you would have them bloom continually.
There is not so great field for their ar
rangement in the house as with many
other flowers. l have a low, shallow,
faring basket of amber glass in which
lay them.
A pretty way to arrange them is this:
Along the edge of shelf, bracket, man
tel or whatever it may be, put in a row
of small vases straight up and down.
little yellow match jars shaped like a
mug without handle (Which you can
find in any store where Japanese goods
are sold). and into these put your pam
sizes with faces upright looking over the
edge. only three or four in each. There
is room for all sorts of delicious COM
binations and contrasts of colors in this
arrangement.-AIrs. Celia Thaxter
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1892-08-11
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvOR.

Harper's Weekly.
Those who say there is nothing new
under the sun would be sorely put to it
to find the counterpart of the Young
Peoples Societies of Christian Endeav-
or. When, before this year of grace, has
the earth thrilled to the tread of 1,5O0,-
900 young people bound together with a
single pledge do what? Elect Cleve-
land? Elect Harrison? Pedal a bicycle
or swing a tennis racquet? No; to read
the Bible and pray every day, to take
part regularly in prayer meeting, to sup
port their own churches, and engage in
active Christian enterprises. There's a
new aspect of young America for you!
Young America? | should rather say
Young World.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1892-08-11
MEDICAL HUMBUGS.

Boston Gazette.
A young Boston man had slight
cold and sore throat, and meeting his
cousin, who is physician and some
thing of a wag, he asked him what to
do for it.
"Oh, I'll write prescription for you, y
was the answer. He wrote it, and the
gentleman glanced at it before taking
it to the druggist. 1t read: "Aqua pura
;chloride sodium-ounce. Shake
well before using and gargle with it ev-
cry half hour"
"How much is it?" queried the patient
as the druggist handed him the bottle.
1.-TWO dollars" was the reply.
Some weeks later the young mans
throat was sore again, and remembering
the efficacy of his Cousins prescription,
he took the bottle to be filled again.
Another clerk waited on him, and
when he inquired the price he was as
tonished at the cheerful answer: "Oh,
we don't charge anything for salt and
water"
He had paid two dollars for an under
standing of two simple words.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1892-08-11
It Should be in Every House.

J.B. Wilson, 81 Clay ST., Sharpsbnrg,
Pa, says he will not be without DIR.
Kings New Discovery for Consumption,
coughs and colds; that it cured his wife
who was threatened with pneuminia af-
ter an attack of la grippe, when various
other remedies and several physicians
had done her no good. Robert Barber,
of Cooksport, Pa, claims DIR. Kings
New Discovery has done him more good
than anything he ever used for lung
trouble; nothing like it; try it; trial bot
ties free at Pattersons'. Large bottles
soc and 81. )
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1892-08-11
The Groom Was All Right.

A lady once sent me a message that
her footman had not been confirmed and
that she would like him to join some
confirmation classes which were just
being formed. One of my colleagues
went to call on her with a view of
making the necessary arrangements.
Just as he was leaving it suddenly oc-
CURED to her that she had a groom, and
very likely he was not confirmed either.
So she rang the bell and told the butler
to go over to the stables and find out
whether JAMES had been confirmed. In
a few minutes the man returned and
stolidly announced: "Yes, miss, it's all
right. He's been done twice" OF course
he meant vaccinated.-Cor Maga-
zine.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1892-08-11
Electric Bitters.

This remedy is becoming so well
known and SO popular as to need no
special mention. All who have used
Electric Bitters sing the same song OF
proise. A purer medicine does not exist
and it is guaranteed to do all that is
claimed Elestric Bitters will cure all
diseases of the liver and kidneys. will
remove pimples, boils, salt rheum and
other affections caused by impure blood.
Will drive malaria from the system and
prevent as well as cure all maiarial
fevers. For cure of headache, constipa-
ton and indigestion try Electric Bitters.
Price SOC and 81 per bottle at Patterson
& Sons drug store. 5
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1892-08-11
\ CURIOUS CREATURE.

st. Louis Republic.
The chameleon has for ages been an
object of curiosity, not only on account
of its ability to change its color at will,
as one might suppose who had read ac-
counts which mentioned only that one
characteristic, but also on account of a
remarkable power which admits of the
creature instantly changing its form
At times it takes upon itself almost the
exact form of mouse; again, with back
curved and tail erect, it is the exact
counterpart of miniature crouching
lion, which no doubt gave origin to its
name, chanel leon, which clearly means
"ground lion" BY initiating its sides
and f1attening back and belly, it takes
upon itself the form of an ovate leaf, the
tail acting as petiole, the white line
over the belly becoming the midlib.
When thus expanded it also has the
extraordinary power to sway itself over
so as to present an edge to the observer
greatly adding to its means of conceal
ment As is well known, the least ex-
eitement, as in handling, will cause a
change in the color. In its normal state,
it is of light pea green. When excited
the ground work remains the same, but
transverse stripes about thirty in mum
ber-appear on the body. These stripes,
which are of a very dark green, to begin
with, soon change to inky blackness.
The prevailing idea that the chameleon
takes upon itself the peculiar hues of
whatever he is placed npon is as curious
and widespread as it is erroneous
Placed in boxes lined with red or blue
silk, they retain their pea green color,
with leaning toward the brighter hues
of the surroundings.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1892-08-11

M'KINLEY'S BLOW AT FREE TRADE.
Pittsburgh Dispatch, Aug. s.
Governor McKialey, of Ohio, yester-
day, sounded a pean of Protection which
was as truthful as forcible, and as logica'
as brilliant. The words which he utter
ed to $4,000 people in Nebraska almost
the geographical center of the land
will reach every corner of this Republic,
and can not fail to carry conviction
wherever they meet with reasoning
readers. He emphasized the fact that
the issue of this campaign is more clearly
defined between Protection and Free
Trade than ever heretofore. He showed
how the Democratic party almost went
out of it's way at Chicago to express its
contemptuous disregard of American
industries. 1t deliberately struck out
all consideration for American labor in
the discussion which resulted in the
most RADICAL free trade plank ever
apopted in the platform of a party
claiming national Importance.
The ridiculous plea that Protection is
unconstitutional is unanswerably re
futed, and the pleaders appear hardly
less foolish than inconsiderate of nation
al welfare. Chapter and line are quoted
with display of the opinions of illus
triouS patriots to show that the absolute
constitutionality of Protection not only
is indisputable, but that it has never
been seriously questioned by loyal
American citizens. The curious analogy
between the years Democratic Free
Trade plank and the ordinance of nulli-
fication passed in South Carolina sixty
years ago, together with the Confederate
Constitution of some thirty years past,
is so strikingly pointed out that its mere
coincidence becomes an impossibility
And the Democratic party asks, for
sooth, that the war shall 60 for nothing
and that the prosperity directly induced
by Protection shall be counted as naught.
But Mr.. Mckinley and the friends of
Protection and American industrial in
to mere proof of its constitutionallty
or asseverations of its advantages. They
adduce an array of statistical facts
which can be answered by no simple as
sumptions of might-bes. They do not
confine themselves to verbal contradic-
tions of the party of negation and
calamity, but exhibit the condition of
the country and trace back its prosperity
step by step to the cause of it all in
Protection. The country can have no
excuse for mistaking the question before
it, and must in all reason again commit
itself to Protection and affiuence, rather
than to Free Trade, false economy and
a competition with European wages that
would be ruinous even to the verge OF
industrial notification.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1892-08-11
Bought Up Offending Orrans

A story is related of the composer
Verdi that has to do with organs. One
time a friend while visiting him was
shown through the composers home.
When the door was opened into one
room it was found to be filled with bar
rel organs of all sizes and patterns.
'What on earth are you doing with
all these:' asked the astonished friend
Those are a few that have ANNOYED
me with La Miserere, answered the
great artist, ''and they will never do SO
again. New York World.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1892-08-11

two feet apart. All sorts of crisscross
and diverging combinations are made
with the matting-it is supported here
and there by stakes making, when it
is set, geometrical puzzle that might
well challenge the ingenuity of man.
The trap is baited with live pig, which
is placed in pen in the center of the
labyrinth. BY and by along comes the
boa constructor. 1t is easy enough to
get in. He scents the prey; he is very
hungry; the pig is devoured, but here
the boa comes to grief. For hours he
tries to release himself, but finally he
grows tired and stretches himself out
for nap. Then is our time. We opon
the labyrinth and catch him.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1892-08-11

sfrains run daily. tDaiy except Sunday. +Daily
except Monday.
Accom- train leaves Columbus at 30 d m daily
except Sunday; Newark 5 10 III; arrive GAINESVILLE
IS pm, Cambridge so pm.
Columbus x Sandusky Accom-. leaves Columbus
Il 20 a IN; arrives Sandusky II 30 pm.
Sleeping and Dining Cars on all Through Trains
All trains daily except Sunday All trains make
close connection at St. ClairsVie Junction with
trains running East for Baltimore, Washington,
Philadelphia and New York, and with trains run
ming West for Columbus, Cincinnati, Chicago, and
all points West.
For further Information call on b. & o. ticket
agents. OF address o. 7. MeCarty, Asst Gen. Pass
Agent, Cincinnati, Ohio; l.. ). Allen Asst Cen
Pass Agent, Chicago, Ill.
EOBT. b. CAMPBELL, CO SCULL.
Gen Sup't. Genl Pass Agent
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1892-08-11

Your uncle Thomas B. Reeds parlia,
mentary rulings are being nobly vindi
Gated nowadays by the troublous fioun-
derings of Democratic house. 1t is
the refinement of justice that the very
men who, one short year ago, were in
sisting that Reed was all wrong in rules,
are proving by their conduct to-day that
he was all right. This is progress with
a large majority behind it.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1892-08-11
Steam from Wasted Heat

The quantity of heat wasted by Stag
has suggested projects for utilizing it il
raising steam, but nothing practical has
been attained until recently. At mine
in New South Wales the molten Stag is
run into the bottoms of iron chambers
that can withstand internal steam pres
sure, and jets of water are forced on the
Stag. In short time the chambers are
filled with steam that can be utilized III
other parts of the works.-New York
Sun
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1892-08-11

EVERY letter that Grover Cleveland
writes contains few words or SEN
tence about the "patriotic duty" OF
Democrats and others to vote for the
Chicago nominees. We fail to see how
patriotic sentiments can be aroused by
contemplating at the head of the Demo
cratic ticket a man who sent a substi-
tute into the Union army, and at its
tail an ex-member of the Golden Circle
who was too much of a copperhead to
eye hire a substitute.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1892-08-11

A lecturer in Cork once began an adj
dress by remarking very solemnly
Parents, you may have children, or il
not your daughter may have" and con
cludei with, There is no man, woman
or child in this audience who has ar
rived at the age of fifty years but that
has felt these mighty truths laundering
through their minds for centuries. In.
dianapolis News.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1892-08-11
Judas Colorcd Hair"

The adjective Judas colored hair
and many similar illusions are often
met with in writings of the older auth
ors. In GAS You Like It. Rosalind says
of Orlando, "His very hair is of that
assembling color" to which Celia re-
plies, Something browner than Ju-
das." st. Louis Republic.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1892-08-11
How Mr.. Over Catches Seals.

Mr.. Dyer lives on small island near
Seven Hundred Acre Island, Islesboro.
He takes pole several feet in length,
to which is attached number of COM
mon Goldfish hooks with lanyards several
feet in length. The hooks are baited
with herring. This contrivance is
anchored and buoyed, the hooks being
just below the surface. The seals in
swallowing the herring become hooked.
Mr.. Dyer has taken a large number in
this manner Eastern Argus.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1892-08-11

1T is asserted by the Albany Argus
that under President Harrison "there
has been distinct and perceptible de-
terioration in every branch of the public
service" James," said the old Quaker
to the horse jockey, 1T is too bad that
telling whoppers is a sin, it seems to be
so necessary in thy business"