davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-02
Unexpected Thanks.

A correspondent sends the Youths
Companion a "true story" Of street-car
politeness, and we publish 1t with
much pleasure.
An electric" was passing down a
suburban thoroughtare, when it was
hailed by an old woman, evidently
from the country. The car stopped,
and after much bustling and putting
the woman got in, at the same time
asking the conductor to please take
her to certain street.
BY circuitous route the car soon
reached the street she had asked for,
and the conductor gruffiy announced
the fact. Overcome with JOY to find
herself at her destination, she
squeezed out, saying to the conductor
as she passed him, her face beaming
with gratitude:
II thankee very much, sir. I'm
very much obleeged to We. 1 hope We
didn't have to go fur out Of yer way
to get me here"
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-02

GaWen Browne was an ingenious
mechanic, and his name appears In
the newspapers OF his day as a clock
and matchmaker In State street, for
merly King street.
In 1777 the town clock, which had
been for many years on the old brick
meeting. house near the head OF King
street, having become much out OF
order the town Of Boston voted TO
send TO England for a new clock.
Browne offered to construct one
upon a plan of his own, which he
guaranteed should be equal to any
that could be imported, and should
cost less. He was permitted to do
so. When completed 1t was set up in
Faneuil Hall, and exhibited at the
town meeting following. 1t gave en-
tire satisfaction, and the town voted
to pay Browne f1OO for 1t and gave
him permission to raise as much more
as he could by subscription among the
inhabitants. He always complained
that he had not received enough to
compensate him for his work, and pc
titioned the town many times for
further remuneration, which, after
some time, was granted.
When they came to set the clock
up in the place assigned for 1t, it was
found that there were insurmOunta-
able objections to placing 1t in the
"old BRICK and 1t was decided to put
it in the Old South steeple, as being
the more substantial structure, where
it has remained to the present time.
Browne lived to quite an advanced
age. He was considered the most
cross and ill-natured person In Bos.
ton, and died grumbling that he was
never half paid for his work. He
died August, 1907, aged S2.-Boston
Transcript.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-02

toric appropriation OF $40, 900, with
which Morse's experimental telegraph
line was built from Washington to
Baltimore half a century ago. OF
course, II the appropriation is made,
the chances are that IL will be squan-
dered or stolen outright by some cleo
trical takers who are always on the
lookout for such opportunities.
Nevertheless we believe In Senator
PETERS idea, and do not hesitate to
predict that the day Is not distant
when the entire labor Of preparing
and tilling the ground, as well as that
OF seeding, harvesting, threshing, and
transporting the crops to the nearest
railway station, wherever done on a
large scale, will be performed by elec-
| trio motors, at cost as much below
the cost OF animal-power as the latter
has proved to be below the cost OF
manual labor. The emancipation OF
the car-horse will be followed at nc
distant day by the emancipation OF
the farmhouse, and the results OF the
substitution, in the purely agricul.
tural districts Of our country, will
constitute an industrial revolution OF
almost inconceivable magnitude
Engineering Magazine.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-02
Philosophical.

An old schoolmaster, venerable
disciple of good old Izaak Walton,
once told this pleasing tale Of his life
as an angler:
remember, when was a boy, go
ing out one morning before sunrise to
fish for pickerel. / had just hooked
a big one, when along came a coun-
tryman. He said nothing, but with
mouth wide open, stopped to see the
fun. The contest had lasted more
than half an hour, when suddenly,
Just as 1 was about to land the prize,
the pickerel, with one last rush for
liberty, made good his escape.
With a lump in my throat, l in
stinctively turned to the countryman
for consolation.
"Waal, I'll be hangcd!" he ex'
claimed. "Yew held on ter yoor end,
young Teller, but he didn't hold or
ter his'n!"
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-02
Dropped the Wrong Coin.

1t was 9th avenue IL" station.
Past the ticket box came portly
man with the paunch Of an alderman
and the mien of a pharisee.
The yellow hospital collection box
caught his eye, and after fishing
through both vest pockets he ostenta-
tiously dropped single coin into it.
Then he walked up the platform
with a smile Of perfect contentment.
Suddenly his expression changed to
one of dank despair and clapping one
hand against his perspiring brow he
dropped upon bench with a thud
that was passably dull and moderately
sickening. A train passed, but he
needed it not, and when he had been
left alone on the platform again he
ambled back to the gate and applied
one eye to the orifice in the collection
box. Then he returned to the bench
and mopped his brow.
For fifteen minutes the fat man
sat and illustrated the rise and growth
Of a soul-rending sorrow; then with a
sigh and a parting glance a: the col
lection box he rose and boarded a
train.
"Gee," snorted the gateman, "I'm
glad of that. That Teller lives just a
block from here an he's worth twenty
million, but he dropped a gold piece
instead of a nickel an now he's
sufferin' from compound fracture Of
the heart! Gee! I'm glad. CONNER
cial Advertiser.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-02

The Donna, called Familiarity by
its patrons the Sisters pudden
board" sells daily, throughout the
winter, hot nourishing food, at half
cost, to unemployed London laborers.
The men and women who seek its
street-stand to buy basin Of soup or
a roll OF pudding are as unfortunate
as cold and hunger can make, them,
but they are never uncivil, and al
ways grateful.
One lady who serves at the Donna
counter gives, In Longman's Maya
zine, the following touching instance
of true gratitude on the part Of a
man who, almost penniless, yet
wished to make some return for the
kindness OF those who had enriched
him by sympathetic speech and act:
Zone cold, windy day, / saw among
the men a poor fellow whose misera-
BILE appearance made him noticeable
even among so many sad-looking
creatures. The way In which he
shuffied up to the counter, laid down
half-penny and asked for a slice OF
'pudden' showed that he was utterly
out of heart. / gave him what he
asked for, and an extra slice as well,
saying: I'm sure you could eat this,
too
ale looked up thoroughly surprised.
fancy 1t must have been long
time since any one had spoken a kind
word to him. Then, with mumbled
thanks, he went away to eat his din
ner. Presently, while still busy cut
ting up pudding, / saw my poor
/ friend hastily approaching. He just
glanced at me, and hurriedly laid q
pair of boot-lacings on the counter at
my side.
That's for you, lady, he said,
and walked off without another word.
Il am by no means sentimental
person, but / really think L must
keep those shoe-lacings always, al
the most touching gift ever re
ceived."
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-02

1909, and with MS
first appearance became famous. He
played In Boston and In Southern cit
les, and, though less than Is years OF
age, was acknowledged to be the first
of American actors. In 1913 he went
to England and was received with
favor by immense audiences. Thence
he went to Paris, and while there
was offered f100 by the managers OF
Drury Lane Theater, OF London, for
an English version of the "Maid and
Magpie," then the popular play OF
France. He accepted the offer and
made an engagement to reside in
Paris and translate French plays. In
this business he continued for mum.
Der of years. Then he went to Lon
don and commenced writing plays.
Among others which he produced was
"Clari, the Maid of Milan, which was
put upon the stage for the first time
at Covent Garden, London, in 1928
In this opera was the song, Home,
Sweet Home" 1t at once became
popular, and in less than year 100,'
900 copies Of it were sold. Payne
continued to reside in London until
1885, when, at the solicitation Of
friends, he returned to America. Ir
1912 he was sent as United States
Consul to Tunis, and reappointed IN
1851. In June of the following yeai
he died, and was buried in Tunis. Ii
March, 1883, his remains were disin
tered and brought to this country
and they now repose in Oak Hi
Cemetery at Washington.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-02
What Satisfied Her.

~Uncle" Obed Wilson never could
bear to hear evil spoken Of any one.
His wife used to say sometimes,
"Sakes alive, Obed, folks'll think We
don't know what's what ef We Amt
keerful." The old man had nephew
who was famed throughout the neigh
borhood of Jeffstown for his "shifless-
ness" His farm was capable Of yield
ing good returns, but it amounted to
nothing in his hands, and Uncle
Obed's soul was greatly tried; but no
one, not even Aunt Polly, could get
him to say anything severe about his
nephew Frank.
The only response he made to Aunt
Polly's vigorous and scornful remarks
was to say, gently, Easy there, naow,
Polly; easy there, my gal. Frank
does lack Judgment, mebbe; but then,
who don't?"
Lack jedgment!" Aunt Polly would
say, incapacitated by her wrath for
further speech; and there the CONVEX
sation always dropped. But one day
Aunt Polly had her revenge, and was
forever after contented. Whatever
her husband might say, she knew
that for once she had heard his real
opinion in regard to his shiftless re-
lations.
Uncle Obed came home from hi;
nephew's late in the afternoon, drove
into the barn, and stopped to attend
to the milking before coming into the
house. Aunt Polly went out to speak
to him in great vexation Of spirit
She had planned to ask him If ht
really cal'lated any Of Franks folks
was with losin hot supper fer;" but
when she crossed the barn threshold
she changedsher mind.
There, seated on the milking-stoo
before old Bess in most detected at
titude, looking abstractedly at TIT
big lantern which stood beside hin
on the floor, was Uncle Obed. HI
did not hear her approach, and as sh'
stood for a moment in the doorwa.
she heard him say:
"Tne farms lookin'-an' they'r
lookin', tn whole lot on 'em-
mustn't say so, o. course-mustn't lie
Polly know, in special-but they suit
tinly air lookin' like tn last o. Pc
time over t Frank's!"
AS he settled to his milking with
sigh, Aunt Polly stole softly from tn
barn, and when Uncle Obed's wor
was done he had good supper an
not cross word with it.
Aunt Polly never found any faul
with Franks folks" to her husban
after that, and whenever she hear
Uncle Obed defending what SIN
termed the RECKLESS doin's" at hi
nephew's, her face wore a calm an
inscrutably satisfied smile whic
greatly puzzled her mild-spoken oil
spouse.
IL aint never grudged him n
d'slres to speak well of EN-" sh
! would say to herself at such times
"but was scat f'r fear he was losil
, his sense; an naow Pm satisfied b
! amt lost IL no more'n l hev."
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-02
Grading Tea In Japan.

Tea sorting is one of the common
occupations of young girls in the tea
farming districts of japan. They
carefully pick out all the seeds, weeds,
bits of bark and other rubbish that
unavoidably fall into the baskets dur
ing the picking. The sorting is done
after the tea leaves have been fired;
that is, dried by being placed In a
tray, with stout paper bottom, and
shaken over a charcoal fire for a time,
and then placed on the top Of an oven
built for the purpose, when the dry
ing operatives twist the leaves by
hand. The pickers, besides taking
out the rubbish, in many cases sort
the leaves into different grades, the
better qualities being taken out and
sold at very remunerative prices.
The Japanese teas are divided into
eight grades, but unfortunately the
best of them are not sent to the
United States.
After the tea has been dried and Is
ready for picking, 1t is carefully
sifted, and then packed in lead-lined
chests and in caddies. The dust from
the siftings is saved, and large guam
titles are sent to America every year
1t is sold much cheaper than the per
| feet tea. The dust only costs from
five to ten cents pound wholesale
and by careful admixture with gooC
tea can be made to retail at dollar
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-02

and all other work connected with It, we
find that the farmers of the United
States are keeping at least 100000
more horses than would be necessary to
perform the same work II we had good
roads. These horses have a value
of about $3.50, 100000, and are
sustained at an expense OF not
less than $4,000, 900 annually. Be-
sides this, the necessary number or
horses are idle a month or more In
a year, waiting for the roads to become
dry. This costs, at the least calcula-
ton, STAG, 000, 900. To this we may add
S10O 900, 900 for increased wear and tea r
on harness, wagons and other vehicles.
This makes the sum Of $500, 900, 900 loss
to the farmers annually under the pres
ent condition of roads. Good roads will
save this $500, 200, 900, and would in
crease the value of the farmers land at
least S., 500, 900, 900, which makes an in
crease OF $4,000, 900, 900 In the financial
condition OF the farmers alone. To this
we may add as much more as the In
creased financial condition OF those en-
gagged in other industries. This makes
the immense sum Of $4,000, 000, 900,
which is sufficient to construct 100000
miles OF smooth, hard and durable road,
Draining the Roads.
The drainage Of road Is very I'M
portant part In Its construction. Both
sides ahould be perfectly drained, either
by ditohes or tile title are the best and
an occasional cross drain is beneficial
This will prevent the softening of the
roadbed, thereby making the surface
uneven. In order that no moisture
whatever may remain on the roadbed \
Is essential that 1t should not be shaded
All particles of water whichSt woulc
otherwise remain would be evaporatec
and leave,a perfectly dry surface.
To secure good roads needs only the
hearty co operation OF all to whom they
would be beneficial. The State, being
the largest body polite that takes cog
nizance Of such matters, should through
its Legislature formulate plan for the
systematic improvement of the roads o.
the State. which plan should require
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-02

of any one Of the vast continents OF
earth have checkered it's broad expanse
with the arteries of trade. By this
means man has been and Is being edu-
Gated in the truth, that the interests OF
all.men of all nations OF the earth are
interviewer. The welfare OF the whole
family of nations Is dependent upon the
veal OF each, which in turn Is reflected
from the condition of its individual
members.
Advantages of Good Roads.
Through this influence of trade the
nations arrive at better understanding
one with another We think we are
justified In believing that the dawn Is
fast approaching when nations will
make war no more, but Peace on earth,
goodwill toward men,, will rule In
stead. What these great improvements
that make commerce possible between
nations are doing, good roads would
facilitate between the people Of any
country or community. They are not
only an evidence of civilization but a
means to that end.
Attendance at church would be more
regular, and whatever tends to promote
the assembling of friends and neighbors
In pleasant intercourse is factor for
good. The ride to church, TO neigh
boris, or to social gathering, either on
a bicycle or other vehicle over good
roads, would become a pleasure easily
acquired and highly priced.
II, instead of being subjected to the
almost superhuman task OF walking
through muddy roads, or Of jolting over
them when made exceedingly rough by
freezing, we had smooth, hard roads to
drive over, churches, schools, literary
societies, lyceums, and all the kindred
institutions intended to christiaaize and
better the condition of man would be
more numerous. Society would then be
benefited by the advanced measured
adopted for Improvement Of the mind
the expansion OF the intellect, and the
promotion of happiness. Good roads
would, among farmers especially, pro
mote sociability and create desire 10
eelf-improyement, both moral and intel
lectual.
The thousands OF persons confined T.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-02
rhe Daughter OF : Debtor.

swell, did you have any luck?" said
the merchant to the young clerk
whom he had sent out collecting.
Some
Il suppose you got the amount Mr..
Fatherington owes. You said he was
a personal friend Of yours"
mo, / didn't get the money; the
fact is. don't exactly know what 80
make of my experience there"
slow is that?"
Il went in and said to him:
@sMr. Fatherington, called 70
speak about matter
Il didn't get any further when he
said:
That's all right, my boy; she is
yours; take her and be happy"
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-02
A...nt-M,naed People Are clever.

While, luckily for the world, all
clever people are not absent-miDded,
nevertheless an absent-minded per-
son is almost invariably clever per-
son and very often Is a really intel.
lectual man or woman whose absurd
alterations are therefore all the more
laughable and conspicuous. One OF
our prominent men, who Is noted for
his urbanity and easy way Of dealing
with "the boys" had call week or
two ago from a local politician whose
influence was more or less important
in his ward. AS he was leaving,
Mr.. accompanied him into the
hall and, picking up his own brand
new spring overcoat with a polite
"Let me aid you," helped the man
into it despite the latter's rather
feeble protestations. "You will need
it, the air is so keen," said Mr.. -
blandly, as the man, accepting the
situation, walked away, doubtless
thinking it delicate way OF procur-
ing vote. A few minutes afterward
Mr.. - discovered his mistake, but
his new $50 top coat was gone for
ever. Another clever man who was
extremely forgetful as well as absent
minded left the hotel at Lakewood
not long since, arriving at the station
with some friends short time before
the train was due. "By Joye!" he
suddenly exclaimed. Il left my
watch in my room. will just have
time to run back and get It,, +" he con-
tinued, pulling out Of his pocket to
the amusement of his friends the
identical timepiece, gazing att wildly
for a second and then starting at
rapid pace for the hotel. Not until
his friends shouted after him with
laughter did he realize that he hao
timed himself with the watch itself
New York Tribune.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-02

the cooperation OF the several counties,
each to pay fair share of the burdens
imposed, according to the benefits de-
rived from the Improvement.
In constructing a road a careful sur
vey of the tract, including the relative
levels of the different parts, is a neces-
sary preliminary in order to make bed
nearly level. What Is the best method
of constructing road Is much de-
bated question, but perhaps no better
road can be made than one constructed
of stone. In case that stone cannot be
procured, vitrified brick, the manufac-
ture of which has been recently estab-
lished, may be substituted with nearly
IL not quite as good results, as they are
made in all sizes and shapes necessary
to requirements In road-making.
The roadbed should be from sixteen
to thirty feet wide, as may be required
to accommodate the traffic, and thor
ou0hly graded, 80 as to be slightly
higher in the middle than on the sides;
this would shed all water, but should
not be inclined enough to obstruct traffic
on any part Of it's width. After grading,
a foundation foot or more in thickness,
according to the kind of soil upon which
1t is laid, should be made of large
irregular, insoluble -stone. Upon this
should be placed a layer OF crushed
stone, not more than an inch In any
dimension, to thickness Of from four tc
six inches. These small stones will i'll
the spaces between the large ones, anc
will in a short time become pressed int
solid, smooth, nonporous mass. Such
a road cannot be softened by water o.
cracked by frost.
The use OF convict labor for construct
ing roads, as is now proposed in some
the States, would make these burden
comparatively light. To secure tn
blessings of good roads the matter shoul'
be agitated among the people. Meeting
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-02

indoor work In factories, offices, stores,
etc. need recreation and exercise. In
this they have comparatively little time
TO indulge; but with good roads this
time could be used to the best advant-
age in bicycle, horseback, or buggy
riding.
Commercial Benefits.
Among the commercial advantages
Afforded by good roads we note:
The rapidity, ease and convenience OF
transportation at small expense.
The opportunity afforded those re-
mote from commercial points to take adj
vantage Of the market without great loss
of time.
The possibility OF conveying great
weight with a comparatively small
amount of power.
Obviating the fluctuations of prices on
account Of a rush of products to market
when the roads are good, to be followed
by scarcity when the roads are bad,
as traffic is often delayed for weeks at
time.
Good roads rank as one Of the fore
most causes Of increasing the value OF
property. The uninterrupted means Of
frafic il alone sufficient 70 cause an In
crease of so per cent; incidentally
building good roads increases facilities
for drainage, which progressive farmers
will admit is of itself OF almost meal
oulable benefit. Good roads would en-
courage and increase some OF our mos
Important and extensive industries.
The manufacturing of bicycles would
be increased by them until 1t woul'
rank as one Of our foremost industries
both in extent and value.
Another important industry would b
developed to an extent and value o
which few have any conception. e,
the manufacturing of carriages and otha
light vehicles, which are practically Q
little value except on good roads. Evei
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-02
Am Important subieet.

Quite good deal of space has already
been given to the subject OF good coun-
try roads, but, as there is nothing more
deserving of attention than the condi-
tlon of the public roads OF our country,
further discussion of q matter so Inn
portant Is surely not out OF place.
Good roads are a potent factor in the
material, intellectual, moral, and social
well being of a people, and any plan for
their systematic Improvement should
meet with the hearty corporation OF
all, without regard 10 class or occupa-
ton.
Perhaps nothing has contributed so
much toward the civilization Of the peo-
pie of the earth as commerce has. Tho
barriers of old ocean have long since
disappeared. The east, west, north and
south of continent are no longer
known, except in the happy interchange
OF the products of each. The perse-
verance and skill OF man have practical
" removed the barriers that old ocean
interposed. The same forces that have
brought nearer to each other the people
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-06-02


John Howard Payne. Author OF the
beautiful Melody alone. sweet
Home"
Few sweeter poems have ever been
written than that simple but beauti-
full melody, "Home, Sweet Home. !"
1t has been translated into many
languages and sung the world over,
and It's tender, touching words have
moved to tears the rich and poor
alike.
The author, John Howard Payne,
was born in New York in 1892, and
came of q family that occupies a
place of honor in American history.
At the age of II he became clerk in
his uncle's store in New York, and
while thus engaged published articles
in weekly paper which attracted