davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The St. Johns herald., 1892-05-19
A PLEA FOR THE UGLY GIRLS.
They Do Not Have 8 Fair Chance in the
 Struggle of Life

StrugS10 or Llkes
 It does not matter much to a boy whether he is good looking or the re- verse, remarks a writer in Lippincott's. He is not obliged to wait for somebody to ask him to dance and his matrimonial prospects don't appear to suffer any serious discount from personal shortages that would send girls stock away down below par or even put her out of the market altogether. One never sees Q man so hideous or repulsive but that some woman is ready to marry him, if he will only ask her; but men are less philanthropic and so the ugly girls are generally left to run to waste as unap- propriated blessings. The handsome is-as-handsome-does" theory won't hold at all after we get out of the nursery, and little experience soon convinces us that it is fraud and delusion, like that other domestic fiction about the drumstick being the choicest part of the fowl, with which our elders used to inn pose upon the unsuspecting simplicity of our childhood.
 We ugly girls never get any drives in
 
 and as for ice cream and French candy, no matter how handsomely we deport ourselves, we shouldn't know the taste of either if we waited to have it be- slowed upon us as a reward of merit. Indeed the responsiveness of being an ugly girl is one of the worst things about it-there are no perquisites. We get none of the plums out of life's pud- ding, for under present conditions men do all the carving, and, as one of them says: 'All the fine things we think and say about women apply to those only who are tolerably good looking grace full
 Now, suppose the same rule applied to men, and that only the good looking ones could hope to attain to wealth and distinction; suppose, in fact, that bald head was sufficient to blast any mans life as effectually as it would any wom- an's-I think most of the middle-aged men, at least, into whose hands this paper may fall will admit that that would be a little hard. And, in fact, isn't it just little hard that anybody's destiny in life should be made to depend irretrievably upon an accident over which they have no control, such as having been born with a red head or pug nose? But this is the law under which women have lived since the be- ginning of time and it doesn't give the ugly girls fair chance.
The St. Johns herald., 1892-05-19
SLEEPING WITH A PANTHER.
Experience of a Marshal Seeking Shelter
 in a Deserted Indian Cabin.

Experience of a Marshal Seeking Shelter
 in Deserted Indian Cabin.
 Deputy Marshal Tom Smith, who has just returned from trip in the Indian territory, tells of an adventure he had one night last week, writes a Paris (Tex.) correspondent of the Memphis Commercial In the Indian country ac- commodations such as one may wish are not always to be had Sometimes it is long distance between houses, and traveller has to sleep out under a tree with only blanket for cover and saddle for pillow.
 Night overlook Marshal Smith near an old cabin, but as the Indian custom of burying the dead in their houses and then moving away flashed upon him, he decided to sleep under tree some little distance away, and thus avoid a possible interview with an aboriginal spook.
 During the night rain set in and he got up and went into the cabin and shut the door to keep out the wind and water. He wrapped his blanket around him and lay down. Presently he heard a growing and a whining, but paid no attention to it. The growls and whines grew fiercer and louder, but he lay still trying to sleep. The animal ran around the walls, scratching and yelling in a way to make one feel very uncom- fortable, and made such thing as sleep impossible. It was panther. Finally Smith concluded that the beast was not going to be quiet and let him rest, so he got up and opened the door and let it out. Then he lay down and slept without further. disturbance.
The St. Johns herald., 1892-05-19
TO BE A DEFECTIVE.
Necessary Qualifications for That PerIlous
 Calling.

Calling.
 A man to be good detective must oe born so. He may acquire much useful knowledge in connection with the busi- ness, but to be successful officer from every point of view he must have nat ural ability. says the New York Jour- nal. His knowledge of human nature is an important factor in his makeup. Then he must be a good schemer and have plenty of executive ability. He must be able to deceive, and in this re- spect his capabilities are little less than those of an actor. \ detective, like wine, grows better with age and experience. The wider knowledge he has of crin- inals ard the manner in which they have been caught, the more valuable are his services.
 His knowledge of human nature is mostly acquired, but his perceptibilities must be such by nature that he will have no trouble in reading character. Take an old-time detective and he will not be long in telling you the character of man by merely looking at him and hearing him talk a few minutes. A mere glance is often sufficient. He has in his mind q large rogue's gallery of criminals whom he has seen in his work as detective, and whom he will never forget. They are never lost sight of until they are landed behind the penitentiary walls, and when they have ended their terms the authorities are notified and are once more on the lookout for them and any depredations they may commit.
 A good detective knows by sight every well-known crook in the country. He has his description and his photo graph, and if seen in crowd acting suspiciously at any time, in twinkling be is in the clutches of the law.
The St. Johns herald., 1892-05-19
, THE MUTUAL FRIENp.s,.
4 Great Factor in the Love Making oi
 South America.

A Great Factor in the Love Making oa
 South America.
 All the love making in South America must be carried on through third per. son. If youth desires to marry he does not speak of it to the girl whom he wishes for wife, but to his own father. The latter, if he approves, goes to the father of the young lady and the two discuss the matter together. Each tells the other what he will do for the young folks, and between them contract is drawn up respecting settlements and all such things.
 The intending bridegroom is not per- mitted to see his fancee for moment before the wedding. As soon as that event has taken place there is a we'd ding breakfast, and, usually without the formality of preliminary tour, the couple settle down to living, either in an establishment of their own or more often in the house of the parents of the bride or the groom.
 One drawback about marriage in South America, says the Cincinnati Con- mercial Gazette, is that in taking girl to wife it is apt to be considered mat ter of course that the young man mar ries her whole family also. He has no occasion for surprise or disgruntlement if, together with his bride, fifteen or twenty people come to share his house. hold and domestic comforts, including all her available relatives and their servants.
 These Latins are very clannish race, and father is apt to be willing to adopt raft of sisters and cousins and aunts, not to mention mother-in-law, rather than have his son or daughter leave the family roof. It is due to the strength of family attachment among them that hotels in South America are only for strangers from afar; the na- tives always find hospitable entertain ment among the kindred.
The St. Johns herald., 1892-05-19
The Phosphorescence of Diamonds.

| In a recent article on Precious Stones" most beautiful experiment in the absorption of light by diamonds which was carried out in Paris during the exposition was referred to. On this occasion a collection of one hundred and fifty diamonds was placed in a dark room. In a side of the room was in- serted lens, outside of which an arc lamp was hung. The lens, which was employed to concentrate the light, was covered with violet-colored glass so that only ultraviolet rays fell on the gems, of which but three of the entire humber proved to be phosphorescent. All the others assumed beautiful violet tint. The two stones whose phosphorescence was most marked were perfectly transparent white stones, one having bluish tinge. The phosphorescence exhibited by these stones is described as extremely beauti- tul and remained visible with gradual ly diminishing intensity for fifteen minutes after a metallic cap was put over the lens
The St. Johns herald., 1892-05-19
ANTS AS ARCHITECTS.
Surprising Intelligence Displayed by che
 Insects

Surprising Intelligence Displayed by the
 Insects.
 All sorts of wonderful stories are told of the works of ants and especially of their engineering powers. It is of course within the knowledge of the most casual observers, says the Brook lyn Eagle, that the ant is most sur prising insect in point of what we call intelligence, and it's simpler feats are amusing to all. One of the most recent incidents we have seen related of the ants power in the way of engineering, planning and building is that which is credited to Glasgow source. A pastry cook in that city found his shop invaded by colony of ants, who feasted night ly on the delicacies deposited on a cer- tain shelf. After cudgeling his brain for some time in order to discover a plan for stopping the depredations of the active insects he resolved to lay streak of molasses around the tray containing the coveted food. In due time the ants came forth in their hun- dreds, and were led toward the feast by their chief. On reaching the line scouts were then sent out to survey, and eventually the word of command was passed. round, and instantly the main body of the ants made for a part of the wall where the plaster had been broken by nail. Here each snatched up tiny piece of mortar and returned to the spot indicated, where their burdens were deposited upon the molasses. By this means and after an infinite amount of labor a bridge was formed, and the triumphant army marched forward to partake of the fruits of victory, the baker meanwhile standing by filled with wonder.
The St. Johns herald., 1892-05-19
IMPROvISING A DRESS SUIT.
An Americans Experience in a London
 Theater.

Theater.
 "About eight years ago." said an American traveller, II was in London, Eng. One day bought stall to see Patti at the Royal. A stall corresponds to our boxes. When the evening came took the ladies around and walked in at the door. But didnot get far.
 You cannot come in here,' said the doorkeeper.
 Why not?' I asked, in surprise; here are my seat tickets
 "'Well, you cannot enter, he replied, decisively; your coat is frock, and nothing but dress suits are allowed
 'I expostulated. told him that my hotel was long way off and that the ladies would be greatly disappointed. I was an American and did not know the rule of the theater.
 Finally he told me to go into the dressing-room, where the attendants might be able to fix me out all right.
 II went, expecting to pay two or three crowns for the loan of coat. The fellow looked at me second, whipped a pin from his lapel and pinned my coattails back, and found myself in evening dress!
 '1 gave the man half crown"
The St. Johns herald., 1892-05-19
Penny Wise and Pound Foolish.

Man, in his greed for gain, not infre. quently kills the goose that lays the golden egg" This is illustrated in the conduct of French peasants, who. when the price of land increased enormously, cut down the hedges and substituted thin fences. This result has been to de prive the birds of nesting places and. consequently, to drive them away. Con- sequently, insects, in the absence ot their natural enemy, have rapidly in- creased, and are destroying the crops wk.ch formerly were protected by the birds.
The St. Johns herald., 1892-05-19
Lake Nearly a Mile Deeu.

By far the deepest lake known in the world is Lake Ball1il, in Siberia, which Is every way comparable to the great Canadian lakes as regards size; for while its area is over 5000 square miles, making it about equal to Erie in superficial extent, its enormous depth of between 4,000 and 4,5O0 feet makes the volume of its waters almost equal 10 that of Lake Superior. Although its surface is 1850 feet above sea level, its bottom is nearly 5000 feet below it. The Caspian lake, or sea, as it is usually called, has depth in its southern basin of over 5000 feet, Lake IIa- .iorc is 5000 feet deep, Lake Como ncaclF 3,o20 feet, and Legodi Garda, arother italian lake, has depth in cert places If 1900 feet. Lake Const2u2e G over l Y 3 feet deep and Hu~Ca a-G AlSalss.n reach depths Of eco crd l.oco rect.
The St. Johns herald., 1892-05-19
California Boriueg.

In boring artesian wells on the Pa cific coast great depths are reached be- fore striking water. At Jaral and Monclara the wells are 1,536 and 1,2S0 feet in depth. The supply is mex haustible. but the water has to be pumped. In Texas water has been struck at 2,O31 feet at Haskell. 1870 at Longfelder and 1,603 at Spofford. The water is good, but it did not flow in August. In the California desert water was struck in one well at a depth of 1, 400 feet and another at $50 feet, but it was brackish.
The St. Johns herald., 1892-05-19
A Queer English Custom.

One of the customs of the English court prevails nowhere else. It is the solemn announcement at the beginning of each coarse of the name of the cook who has propared the dishes served. This a7uoanccment is made in audible tone, for the benefit of her majesty, by one of the clerks in waiting-of-the kitchens. The origin of this custom dates back to the reign of George II.
The St. Johns herald., 1892-05-19
Abrasion of Gold Coin.

Gold while in circulation is handled less than any other medium. It is usually kept in vaults of banks for de- mand rarely made, and for this reason the loss by abrasion is but E of 1 per cent. in twenty years. In a S2O gold piece, the standard weight of which is 516 grains, the government allowance for loss by abrasion is 2.5S grains
The St. Johns herald., 1892-05-19
The Friday superstition.

The governor of southern state is in correspondence with the governors of all other hanging states, hoping to make an arrangement by which no one shall be hanged on Friday. It is thought that if other days shall be selected the superstition which generally attaches to Friday will soon pass away.
The St. Johns herald., 1892-05-19

Ear marks: Clean split from root to point left car, upperbit in right ear Wattle (varuga) on jaw, under mouth. C on left jaw (cheek) bulls C on left cheek only. Flooded stock c on left cheek and c on left ribs.
 HENRY HUNlNG Post office: Show Low, Arizona. Range: Show Low creek, Silver creek, Laguna Ortega and Lsguna Salada.
 Horse brand C C left shoulder.
The St. Johns herald., 1892-05-19
BULL & STONE.

Post office: Taylor, Arizona Territory. N Range: Lower Show Low. Horse Brand J s left shoulder.
The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-11-15
BETTER HIGHWAYS.
Preparing to Petition Congress for
LeeisIafiou

Preparing to Petition Congress for
Legislation.
Albert A. Pope, the Boston advocate of
improved country roads, has prepared
the following petition to Congress-
To the Honorable Senate and House of Repre-
SentdtlUes an Congress assembled
We, the undersigned, citizens of the United
States hereby most respectfully petition that
there be founded in the city of Washington, in
the District of Columbia, a Road Department,
similar to the Agriculture Department, for
the purpose of promoting knowledge in the art
OF constructing and maintaining roads, and
we ask that in such department provision be
made for teaching students SO that they may
become skilled road engineers.
In connection with this Road Department we
request that there be established a permanent
exhibit, in which shall be shown sections of
roads illustrating various methods of constrnc-
ton, and also the best road materials and ma
chinery.
We further petition that Congress appropriate
funds sufficient to erect a building at the Words
Columbian Exposition for the purpose of a COM
prehensive road exhibit,
In sending the petition out for news
paper comment MI. Pope explains his OBJ
lect as follows
DEAR SIR-Permit me to invite your attention
to the enclosed copy or a petition which / have
sent to college presidents, railroad presidents.
postmasterS and others, with the request that
they sign 1t and also aid in getting others to
sign.
The time has now come when the people are
thoroughly aroused to the importance of i'm
proving the highways. Let us all together en-
deavor to DO something practical to secure
better roads. The establishment OF q Road De-
partnaent, an institute of road engineering
and a permanent road exhibit in the city of
Washington, and a comprehensive exhibit of
road construction and maintenance at the Chi
cago Fair would accomplish much in the way of
practical results. This is asubject of both local
and national interest.
viii you not earnestly request all to favorably
consider this petition, advise people to sign it,
and suggest that superintendent of factories.
proprietors of hotels, merchants and others
place these petitions 10 their establishments so
that they may be generally signed? Copies of
this petition will be sent to any person inter-
estei in the subject. Very truly yours,
ALBERT A, Pope.
The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-11-15
Our Girls Growing Taller.

Professor Charles Devine. of St. Louis,
has related to the Globe Democrat some
interesting observations ON the develop
menr Of American women. He says: ..The
women of this country are unuuestion-
ably growing taller. This is especially
true Of the women of the great middle
class. The tall girls are not SO plentiful
among the plutecrats and the yery poor
but a majority of those young ladies
whose parents are in comfortable circum-
stances are above the medium height.
My theory Is that the growth of the yerv
poor Is stunted by bad food and hard
work, and that OF the very rich BY d sur
feiting and lack of proper exercise. The
middle class girl has plenty of wholesome
food and is required to lead a moderately
active life. The result is that she grows
up tall and graceful. with the easy car
riage of an athlete. / believe that the
young ladies of today will average an
inch taller than their mothers. The men
of America are also growing taller. but
the advance is not so marked as in the
case of young ladies. I attribute this
bacgwardness to the very general use of
tobacco or liquor, or both, by the boys Of
America
The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-11-15
Kicks and Kickers.

Palma's' next engagement will be with
the Elizabeth A. C. The boys are anxious
to have another go with the Seton Hall
College team and are sanguine that with
full team they can balance the accounts.
Yale boasts of the finest code of sig
nails ever worked on a football field. They
will devote two days to practising the
signals alone before their meeting with
Harvard on Saturday. In the game with
Harvard they will not work all their sig
nails aud give Princeton a chance to catch
IL. The Yale team is confident of dis
posing of Harvard without any serious
trouble.
Yale men are offering long odds on
their winning the game with Harvard,
but the Harvard boys do not seem dis
posed to invest.
Yale boasts that it could have doubled
its score in the game with the University
of Pennsylvania.
Men stood in line all night to secure
choice seats for the football game at
Springfield on Saturday. Yale had 10000
tickets to dispose of and at noon yester-
day only 500 tickets remained, and there
were 800 men in line waiting for their
turn to buy.
The Middies and Cadets will meet at
West Point on Saturday, November %.
Cornell failed to induce Princeton TO re-
consider its decision in regard TO playing
the game scheduled but cancelled by
Princeton. Cornell could not persuade
the team of the University of Pennsyl-
Vania to play,
The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-11-15
ger was assaulted by Bangs without pro-
vocation. He was admitted to bail.
JUST A "JOuRNAIn FAKE.

The s'Outrage'' in that Greenville Row
Was All on the Other Side.
On Saturday the EUentng Journal pub
Iished q blood curdling story of an assault
made by two Greenvilie policemen upon
Mr.. Frank Noble of No. 81 Myrtle ave-
nue.. AS is usually the case with "exclu-
sive'' stories publisned in that paper. this
was worthy to be classed with Baron
Munchausen,
The policemen who are charged with
making the assault are Roundsman
Roundsman Dougherty and Patrolman
Dunnigan. The story told by eye wit
ressesis as follows:-
On Wednesday morning, Sergeant Far
rington, Dunnigan and Dougnerty
started out to celebrate the glorious
Democratic victory. Sergeant Earring
ton and Dunnigan carried brooms and
American flags, and walked down Ocean
avenue. Dougherty was on the other
side of the street. AT Myrtle avenue
they met Noble who is a Republican.
Noble, it Is alleged, was feeling very
jolly and called Harrington and Dunnf-
gan vile names and tore the flag from
Dunnigan's broom. Dunnigan then
called for Dougherty, who placed Nolan
under arrest, On the way to the station
uOuoSs ItO1hu SuQuchly IaiSoS MS lCOb,
tripping Do1ghertg: The Rounds,
received an ugly scalp wound.
Nolan then started In to "do upn Dough-
ertv. Dunnigan came running up at this
point and as Nolan did not desist the
policeman struck him once.
When arraigned before Justice KIM
meriY, Nolan said his name was Smith.
The policemen had nothing to do with
registering him as Frank Smith.
Dougherty ana Dupnigan interceded
for Nolan and he Was discharged.
The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-11-15
HOBOKEN SCHOOL TRUSTEES.

Trustee Cannon Objected To Paying
Teachers absent on Business.
At a meeting Of the Board of Education
last night Trustee M. J. Cannon opposed
the idea of closing the schools Friday
next on the occasion of the meeting of
the Teachers Institute in the German
Club, Hoboken. He said he knew Of no
State law which made 1t compulsory on
the Trustees paying the teachers
for their absence from school
while attending the institute meetings.
Trustees hess and Reid said they were
surprised at Cannoh's stand. They
thought 1t would be very bad policy to
have teachers present 10 Hoboken Friday
and Saturday mex from all parts of the
county and to nave the Hobuken teachers
absent. 1t was decided to close the
schools Friday and Saturday. Miss
Adele Mcneil resigned as music teacher.
Miss E. B. Clinton applied for position as
teacher in High School. Miss E. L.. San
ford applied for Increase of salary, end in
creases were granted the Misses Z. l.,
Jackson and Katie McCord. Miss Gourlie.
vice principal of School No.
2, who has been on leave
of absence owing to ill-health
for some months past. reported that she
would resume her duties November Is.
An amendment to the manual was adopted
providing that hereafter the meetings Of
the teachers be held at School No. 6.
The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-11-15
Popular Superstitions.

We all laugh at superstltions, and yet
the most of us feel at least uncomfortable
when we find that we have sat thirteen at
the table, or have seen the moon over our
left shoulders. or have done any OF the
thousand and things that are sup
posed TO Dortend evil. The most sensible
and practical people in the world will
often take particular pains to skim off a
patch OF bubbles that has risen To the top
of their tea. because some one in Jest has
said it is a ''sure sign of money!
It requires a distinct effort for many
persons to pass a pin on the sidewalk
because of that absurdly bad rhyme:-
See a pin and pick it up,
All the day you'll have good luck.
II at the table a little salt il spilled be-
tween two people the way to avoid n
quarrel is for each to take a pinch and
throw it yer his left shoulder. Salt
always has seemed a wonderfully power
full mineral from the time when we were
small. Which of us when u child did not
firmly believe in that old joke about put
ting salt on a birds tail?