davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1892-06-24
HISTORY OF THE YARDSTiCK.
An Arbitrary Standard Adopted by En-
gland and the United States.

An Arbitrary Standard Adopted by En-
gland and the United states.
do you know anything about tho
history of the yardsticR?" said gentle
man in the City hall recently. The
speaker and his companion were in
speeding the beautiful old building and
had paused in the inner corridor before
the standards of length which are cut
into the stonework
They are inscribed federal stand
ard English standard" and "Amster-
dam standard" The two latter are
given. but the federal standard measure
is left blank, none having been adopted
at the time the old City hall was erected.
The person address sed admitted that
he knew nothing whatever about the
standard and that he would be pleased
to be enlightened upon the subject.
ut really is ridiculous, remarked the
first speaker 1--WE are using to-day as
a standard of measure an inaccurate
copy of what is represented to be the
length of the arm of King Henry L.,
taken by his express order in 1l20.
''The original measure was kept at
the Exchequer in London for many CEN
turtles. 1t was examined by "A royal com
missioner in l742, who in his report of
it, said: "A kitchen poker filed at both
ends would make as good a standard.
1t has been broken and then repaired
so clumsily that the joint is nearly as
loose as a pair of tongs.'
'For the uses of the British govern
ment an accurate copy of this arbitrary,
clumsy, broken standard was prepared
in 100 and this copy. by act of parlia-
ment in 1924, was made the legal meas
ure At the same time it was ordered
that if destroyed it should be restored
by comparison with the length of the
itude of London.
SIN 1888 the copy was destroyed by
the great fire at the parliament house.
Attempts were then made to find the
length by means of the pendulum as
already arranged. but the methods were
found utterly impracticable and the
English government was compelled to
make use of such copies of the destroyed
yardsticIl as they supposed reliable.
The United States government was
not only unwise enough To- adopt the
inconvenient and inconsistent English
measure. but sent "A special messenger
abroad to secure a copy of the yardsticlS
for the use of the coast survey. The
copy secured was made by London in
strument maker. who certified TO its
correctness. Strange TO say, however,
the American standard is one one-thou-
sandth OF an inch longer than the Brit
ish standard yardstick.
"Of course" said the speaker in con-
clusion, 1--WE should have adopted the
metric system. Its equal divisions are
consistent and simple, and it commands
the respect and praise of scientific men
everywhere. N. Y. World.
Trimmings for Wash Fabrics.
The prettiest trimmings for French
L l.. H..
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1892-06-24
DRINK FOR WORKINGMEN.
A Damaging Influence in the struggle fol
Independence.

Independence.
The past quarter of century has
been noted, so far as the relations of
labor and capital are concerned, by an
immense growth of labor organizations.
While these are euphemistically de-
scribed as being for the improvement
and advancement of the working
classes, the only line upon which this
People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1892-09-09
TO BE CONTINUED. |
BIG NOSES.
They Often Indicate Superior Mental De-
velOpment.

They Often Indicate Superior Mental De.
VelOpment.
1t has come to light that children
with accidental affections of the nos.
trils which grow chronic become stupid.
An ill-working mucous membrane is
enough to make child a Ounce. II
may be that snuff became the rage in
Europe toward the end of the seven
teenth century, because it stimulated
this member in the noses of august and
illustrious persons. Bonaparte, who
was a man of keen and quick percep-
ton, never chose, if he could help it,
a man with poor nose for a place of
great responsibility. He had remarked
that when the nose was large enough
to be a good ventilator to his lungs,
elasticity in troublous circumstances,
resources and general efficiency might
be looked for. The man with INSULT
cient nose ventilations was liable to
get into the blues, to lose presence of
mind, to have heavy head, and to take
brandy to keep himself up to the mark.
Marshal Ney had poor nose and a
weak character He was incapable OF
conceiving plan, and needed the slim
illus Of battle to clear the cobwebs
from his brain, Massena, the most re-
sourceful Of all Bonaparte's marshals,
was large-nosed. So was Bernardotte,
the most clever in intrigue and the
least given to hero-worship. Gambetta
had large nose and a small amount OF
brain. The same may be said Of the
greatest literary artist that France ever
produced Renan. Jules Ferry is
small-brained and big-nosed. Jules
Simon has big brain and big nose,
and is, taken all in all, one of the ablest
OF living Frenchmen. Princess
Clementine, woman of great capacity,
has the large hooked nose of the seven
tenth century Bourbons and Condos.
People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1892-09-09

ally prepared to do that, and when
VIII came to our house she managed
very well, by one device and another,
to keep me out of his company, general
ly sending me to the kitchen to assist
Aunt Mary, there to remain hour after
hour, though Aunt Mary declared she
did not need me and would rather have
me out of the way.
viii and | contrived. however, to
spend great many hours together, and
he plainly showed that he retained a
preference for my company over that of
my sister; and many were the we'll
meant compliments he paid to my char
acter and personal appearance. True
to his promise, he always spoke of my
hair as auburn or golden locks, and he
never failed to address me as Agnes or
Aggie. He was so kird, and so consid-
crate Of my feelings, that | grew to love
him more and more as the days passed.
One day, after ! had known viii
Hanley for several months, my step
mother was, for some cause, in an I'M
commonly bad humor with me, and, be-
sides slapping and knocking me about
numerically, applied tome all the vile
epithets Of which her tongue was mas
ter. She berated me for a hundred
faults of which | was innocent, and
spoke in the most sneering and abusive
manner of my looks. do not know
why it was, but for some reason | felt
the reproaches she heaped upon me
more keenly than / ever had before,
and could not tamely submit without
offering word of protest Her words
stung me to the quick, and for the first
time in my life l dared to speak in self
defense.
What you say is not true" l said,
fatty, when she ceased a TRADE of the
bitterest accusations.
do not know how | ever had the
courage to utter that speech, and no
sooner was it out of my mouth than
was struck dumb with establishment at
the thought of my audacity. My step
mother, too, was evidently surprised
almost out of her wits, and for a full
minute she stood staring at me, her
face picture of wonder.
'Well," she said, at last, the look of
wonder giving place to fius,. of anger,
show dare you? How dare you say
LIEF"
My courage rose as her anger in
creased, and with warmth retorted:
Because l am not guilty of the mean
things you say Of me, and I'm tired of
being beaten and quarreled at for
things amt to blame for"
My stepmother made no reply, but
stood looking very hard at me, her face
flushing and paling alternately. knew
People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1892-09-09
HORRIBLE, HORRIBLEl!

Mrs. Brown lived but little distance
from our house, and the neighborhood
being in the country and sparsely set
tied, there was a great deal of passing
and repassing between the two fami-
lies. Mrs. Brown was visitor at our
place every week, and sometimes more
frequently, and William Hanley often
came with her. so that he and l had
opportunities to become better ac-
quainted, and the friendship we had
formed on so short an acquaintance
broadened and deepened week by
week.
My sister formed a great liking for
my new friend, and, he being five years
her senior, treated her much as he
would baby, petting her and giving
her little presents, but never showing
her the interest he did me. Mary was
quick to notice the distinction he made
between us, and feeling that had nc
right to be liked best even by one per.
son, she grew jealous, and pouted and
complained, and often went to her
mother to pour out words of reproach
against me-
My stepmother was not at all pleased
70 have the elegant city lad show pref.
erence for me, but she had no means
of controlling his tastes, and so her
only resource was 10 vent her diSpleas.
ure on my unlucky head, which she did
at every opportunity, making my life
more Of burden than ever it had
been.
Il am not to blame for VIII liking
me" | once ventured to urge in vindica.
ton Of myself when my stepmothel
was soundly abusing me for being fay
'ored by him above her daughter. 81
don't make him like me- and can't helr
1t if he does think the most of me-"
Eyes you can help it," my stepmoth
er snapped out spitefully. IF yor
wasn't always putting yourself in hi:
way and forcing yourself on him
he wouldn't take so much notice o.
You. I've watched you when he wa,
here, and I've been perfectly ashamed
of you when I saw how you put your
self forward to demand his attentions
Ishudder for Mary's reputation wher
you are grown up, for know you viii
disgrace her. never saw such for
ward, shameless creature as you are
Never" .... t
Twas too young, then, to understand
Che meaning of my stepmother's words
but they troubled me deeply, notwith
People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1892-09-09
STANDARD GAUGE

SlAHDARD GAUGE
TRANS-RocKY MOUNTAIN ROUTE
Over which superbly equipped trains run da,Iv
THROUGH WITHOUT CHANGE TO and rom Sal,
Lake City, Ogden and San Francisco. THE IocY
ISLAND e also the Direct and Fsyor.te Lin, % ,na
from Aanitou, Pixies Peak and all other snlt,rv ana
scenic resorts dcitss and mining in ooor.da
DAILY FAST EXPRESS TRAINS
From 81 joseph and Kansas City TO and from All Inn.
porant towns tcsand sections in Southern Nshr,sts
Kansas and the Indian Territory. Also vi, LLBKEf
LEA ROUTE from Kansas City and Chloago 10 water.
town, Sioux valls MINNEAPOLIS sad 81. pAUI.
Connecting for all poln north and north vest between
NE lake. and the Paci6o Coast
For Tiekets Maps, Roltss or desired inforuatiou
apply 70 any Coupon rsk Once in the United ststsa
or Canada, or address
e. ST. JOHN, JOHN SEBASTIAN.
Gent Manager, Cent Tkt. L Pas. Agt.
CHICAGO. Ill.
People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1892-09-09

when was sorely tired, and when nv
burden of trouble seemed heavier than
could bear, | thought of the great day
OF reckoning, and bore patiently on,
knowing that there was time coming
In which my wrongs would be adjusted
1t was several days after NV mis-
fortune before | knew the full extent
OF the infection had suffered. Aunt
Mary had made it appear as light as
possible, and she had taken care that
should not have glass in which 10
view my reflection, knowing, as she
afterwards said, that the knowledge |
should gain would only serve to aug
ment my misery.
When at last ] saw my face in a
mirror, and viewed the ravages the
fire had wrought, ! was shocked be-
yond description. felt that the
bitterest part of my punishment had
Just come, and that the pain | had
suffered was nothing. was disfrured
so that | looked frightful, and had no
doubt would remain so for life. All
what bitter sorrow my appearance
caused me to feel and what tears 7
wept as looked upon my reflection in
the glass;
mo one will ever love me now" I
moaned. mo one-no one"
Then | thought of viii Hanlev and
my grief surged up afresh, submerging
me completely. How could he look on
my face, all Scared and drawn, with.
out a feeling of revulsion? How could
he like me now, when had become so
repulsive that / could not look upon NV
own image without shudder?
He will not, he will not" I cried
burying my face in my hands and pour.
ing forth my grief in a flow of tears.
He will never like me again, and I
shall be all alone, with not one friend
in all the world"
thought then that would never
have the courage to meet VIII again.
Tor felt that it would grieve me be.
yond recovery to have him turn from
me with loathing, as thought he sure
y must when he saw my disfgured
face. felt that | must keep away
from him, hide from him, and never
never let him look upon my features.
Yet how could bear to do that? How
could live without his friendship and
his cheering words? There was a Bit
ter struggle in my heart and was ex-
quisitely miserable. knew not what
to do, and in any case there was only
suffering before me.
Twas still weeping when l heard
footstep on the stairs. listened, and
my heart began to beat wildly. | knew
that step was not Aunt Mary's, and |
could associate it with but one person.
1t was, it surely was, ] thought, the
step Of VIII Hanley. Iwould have fled
from the room, but that was impossible,
as he was already at the door. looked
about for place to hide and there was
none, and all could do was to sink
down by the bedside and bury my face
in the covers. was resolved that he
should not see my sadly altered fea.
lures.
People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1892-09-09

standing. ] knew that their import,
whatever their meaning, was to mis-
represent and libel me, and that was
thus prosecuted because I had succeed
ed in gaining the esteem of one person
out of all l knew.
l remember l thought it very hard
that ! could not have this one friend
without him being grudged to me, when
my sister had the attentions and love of
everyone else. thought that with all
she had, l might be allowed the pleas
ure of one friendship uncoveted, and
for the first time in my life was
slightly inclined to contend for nv
rights Not that did contend in the
least, by word or act, but simply that l
felt the inclination.
From that day my stepmother took
every precaution she could to keep VIII
Hanley and I separated. She never
permitted me to go to Mrs. Browns if
she could prevent it, and she was usu-
People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1892-09-09
WEATHER SIGNS.
Living Indicators Of Approaching Storms
ut Sea.


Birds are very largely associated with
the weather by seafarers. In the Eng
lish channel the fishermen regard the
fight Of the curlew on dark nights as a
certain precursor of an east wind. The
gales of the spring equinox, says Lon
den It'd Bits, are called Gowk storms,
because they follow the cuckoo-almos.
everywhere regarded as a weather
prophet. The appearance Of the sea-
new promises rain and high southwest
winds Seagulls in the field mean a
storm from the southeast. The stormy
petrol is a bird Of i'll omen. But all
these and other bird traditions may be
traced to old Greek and Roman tradi.
tons, and possibly even still further
back.
Then as to fishes, the appearance OF
dolphins and porpoises around ship is
an old sign OF storm. Shakespeare re.
fers to 1t, as do several Of the old play
writers. And again we may find the
explanation in the ancient mythical
character Of the dolphin. In old my
thology the dolphin typifes the moon,
and the moon is the weather maker.
An old belief Of sailors that TO cut the
hair and nails during a calm would Ger.
tainly bring on storm is plainly refer.
able to the Greek maxim that the nails
must not be pared before the gods.
People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1892-09-09

has happened to dat po' chile dat she's
all burned to death?"
"She fell in the fire through pure
awkwardness, my stepmother replied,
unblushingly. Take her away" she
continued, land do something to stop
her screams and groans. 1t distracts
me to have such fuss"
Aunt Mary looked at my stepmother
as though she had something in mind
she would like to speak, then mutter-
ing some incoherent words which I'm
sure were not complimentary to that
lady, she advanced and took me tender
ly in her strong arms and carried me
out of the room.
Aunt Mary was an excellent nurse,
and she applied remedies with such
good effect that in time my pains began
to subside, and l fell asleep from ex-
haustion. When / awoke the faithful
old servant was by my bed, watching
over me with the tenderest care.
"How does yo' feel, now, honey?" she
asked. Better, specks, don't you?"
Yes, much better, Aunt Mary. The
pain is gone, now"
"Po' chile" she continued, 'it must
hurt 20 jis awful"
1T did, Aunt Mary replied, land
it was an awful thing for her to do"
What dat, honey?" and the old serv-
ant looked at me wonderingly. what
dat yo' say was a awful ting to do?"
why, for stepmother to hold me in
the fire and burn my face"
Aunt Mary threw her hands up and
stared at me in blank amazement.
"Sho'ly, chile" she said at last, "you's
mistaken Sho'ly, sho'ly missus
wouldn't do dat"
"She did," l replied "She caught
me and dragged to the fire and held my
face in the flame till l thought l should
surely die"
For an instant Aunt Mary could say
nothing, and even then she could only
calculate:
go de Ian sake! May de good Lawd
hab mussy on 'er!'
People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1892-09-09
NOVEL METHOD OF EXECUTION.
The Sultan of Keddah's Plan for Putting
Convicts Out of the Way,

Inc sultan OF heddah's Plan for Putting
Convicts Out of the Way.
The sultan of Keddah, in the MALAY
peninsula, has a remarkable method of
carrying out the sentence of death upon
condemned convicts. 1t is doubtful if
this method of execution is practiced in
any other part of the world. The sui.
tan is the ruler of a country containing
about sixty thousand people.
On the morning Of the day fixed fo
the execution the sultan, followed by
his ministers, goes about mile and
a hall from the place to a vacant
space reserved for the execution Of
criminals. Nothing can be seen in
this place excepting the graves of the
condemned and large tree which is
called the tree Of execution. The sui.
tan takes his seat in chair at the foot
Of the tree, while his ministers grour
themselves around him on the ground.
Then the condemned man is brought
forward and made to kneel at dis.
lance Of about forty feet. His arms are
tied behind his back and he is naked &c
the waist. ....
The executioner places upon the left
shoulder Of the condemned man piece
OF cotton cloth. He then takes in his
hands the lance of justice, which is very
richly ornamented with silver, puts the
point upon the mans left shoulder and
grasps the handle firmly with both
hands When these preparations are
made he looks at the sultan, who is
holding the sword of justice in his lap.
The sultan suddenly raises his hand,
and this is the signal for the fatal blow.
At this moment the executioner, who
is always Hercules in strength. with
one vigorous blow drives the lance
through the mans shoulder and into
his heart He dies as quickly as though
he had been shot through the heart,
and probably is not conscious Of suffer
ing any pain. The executioner then
withdraws the weapon, and stanche:
the small amount Of blood fioi ng from
the wound with the cotton cloth. in con.
formitY with the rites Of Islam. Usually
the body Of the victim is turned over tc
his family, who purify it by additions
and hold elaborate funeral ceremonies
Mr.. Jules elaine, who recently wit
messed one Of these executions, SAYS
that in his opinion tho spectacle is not
nearly SO revolving as that Of some
methods Of inhicting capital punish.
ment-N. Y. Sun.
People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1892-09-09
A HEAP OF DUST.
Along the village road he came.
An old man etoonad o,d -.

Along the village road he came.
An old man stopped and gray:
But ne stopped before heap of sand
That In his pathway lay.
"he sunlight came through the windblowl
leaves
AND with alternate shine and shade,
ltpalnted the mound and danced in the print
That a boyish foot had made.
And tears came into the old mans eyes,
Hecouldn't go on just then,
That mound and the print of boyish foot
Brought his childhood back again.
de seated himself by a moss-grown stone,
His burden Of years slipped away;
Again he was a carefree boy
A boy in the dust at play.
II seemed that he scooped 1t into his hat,
In its gold he buried his feet,
Yet paused to list through the dewy air
To the lark S song, purely sweet.
Once more he let down the pasture bars,
And drove the cattle through;
Then stopped in the shade Of the maple tree
To see where the robin few.
Again he was down by the hurrying brook
Where the evening shadows were long
Where the waters murmured "Hush, hush
AS they Tapped against the stones.
Again the dust Of q summer day
Was left in its water sweet,
Again he leaned, boys face TO see,
'Mong the bubbles about his feet.
And then away through the twilight air,
As clear as the moonlight shone,
A voice, the voice of his mother, he heard,
Calling the children home.
Lower the old gray head had sunk,
Till it lay against the stone;
But light, not that Of the setting sun,
Over the wan face shOne.
And forgot were the toll and the loneliness,
The long, long day was done.
Slowly his lips formed the answering words:
"Yes-mother-we're coming home"
Cara Barnes, in Western Rural
People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1892-09-09

enough of her to realize that | had
stirred her anger to the bottom and
that | should have to pay dear price
for my daring speech, yet my courage
did not wane, and in sheer desperation
| continued:
You all hate me, and you beat me
worse than people beat their dogs, just
for nothing. You accuse me of being
mean when I'm not, and you tell people
things about me that amt true, so they
won't like me. Mary has all the love
and all the favors, and l get all the
abuse, and yet I'm as good as she is,
and better, too, because VIII Hanley
says So"
will Hanley?" my stepmother re-
peated in harsh, grating tones.
Eyes, viii Hanley, replied, nothing
daunted HE says I'm better than
Mary and prettier, too. He calls me
Agnes, and says my hair is not red but
golden, and he likes me-"
| uttered these last words with a
proud defiance that must have been ex-
tremely exasperating. never saw any,
one so affected by speech as my step
mother was by mine. Her eyes fairly
sparkled with anger while her face
grew livid. She was wholly possessed
by passion that was uncomfortable.
She did not speak. l was standing
before an open fire roasting coffee, and
she came toward me with firmly COM
pressed lips and set teeth. l shranlz
from her, for l saw hatred as deep as
death written in her features and &C.
tons, and l feared for my life. She
grasped me by the hair and without a
word dragged me to the fire. She
placed my face in the flames and held
it there till l sank down breathless.
Then she dragged me away and left me
lying on the floor to writhe and moan
with the most excruciating pain.
Oh, what suffering, what sufferinel
What agony racked me from head to
FOOT / longed to die, and begged my
stepmother to kill me. She stood by
and looked on unmoved. even think
she enjoyed seeing me suffer, and would
rather have added to my pains than to
have done aught to alleviate them.
We'll see now" she remarked. with
a tinge of satisfaction in her tones,
whether anybody says you are prettier
than Mary. Well see who talks about
your golden curls, too. think it will
be awhile before you set yourself up
as a beauty again; and guess you
won't want to accuse one of lying any
more, either"
l believe my stepmother even smiled
as she contemplated my plight, and I'm
sure she enjoyed my sufferings. NV
sister, am glad to say, was less heart
less. She was shocked and grieved by
the severity of my punishment, and set
up such a wall that Aunt Mary came
hurrying to the room to discover what
it was about.
20 de good Ian sake" the col
ored woman cried, as soon as her eyes
rested on me. "What on dis yeah yeath