davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1893-12-11
PLAYING Cards.

The Chinese, who. according to their
histories, invented everything before
anybody else, claim the merit of having
first designed playing cards and devel-
oped the games arising out of them. The
Emperor Som Ho had many wives, who
naturally found time hanging heavily on
their hands, so the emperor devised
amusement for them by inventing cards
that is, if we are to put any belief i'll the
words Of the Chinese historians. There
were 30 cards in each of his packs-three
suits of nine each and three extra or SUI
perior cards. The Chinese cards were
oblong as ours are, while those of the
Hindoos were round.
Surprising though it may seem, it is
nevertheless true that the queen in our
suits is comparatively modern innova-
ton. The picture cards were at first
entirely military-king, knight and
knave. The Italians were the first, it is
said, to give the lady place in the pack.
New York Herald.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1893-12-11
Possessed of Excellent Habits.

A fond parent residing in small
New York state village wrote recently
to an old friend OF his. Worth street
merchant of this city, making inquiries
regarding the habits of his son, who
was in the old merchants employ.
~ trust he keeps good company, "
the letter said, and is cutivating no
bad habits. Do you know where he
sleeps at night?"
To this the merchant replied: Il do
not know where he sleeps at night. But
don't worry yourself on that score.
From the amount of sleeping he does
in the store in the daytime IN warrant
he gets sufficient rest. New York
Herald
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1893-12-11
SUDDEN DEATH!
The Community Shocked.

!" Last evening, just after tea, while Mr..
Thomas Hartman, a prominer and highly
respected citizen, apparently III the best Of
health and spirits, was reading newspaper,
the sheet suddenly fell to the floor he
placed one hand over his heart, gasped, and
sank back in his chair, evidently uncon-
scious The family were stricken with con-
sternation, and Immediately summoned a
physician. But it was too late. The old
gentleman was dead. Physicians gave heart
disease as the cause -Hoi6rook Herald
Every day the papers contain statements
similar to the above. Even youth is no de-
Tense against heart disease, and the awful
rapidity with which it is claiming victims
forces upon all conviction Of its prevalence
Reader, if you have symptom of this
dread disease do not hesitate a moment in
attending to it. Delay is always dangerous
and in heart disease too often fatal. Some
symptoms of heart disease are shortness of
breath, huttering, or palpitation, pain or
tenderness in left side, shoulder, or arm, ir-
regular pulse, smothering, weak or hungry
spells, fainting spells, dropsy, etc.
Charles Raven, York, Pa. writes II suffered
from heart disease % years Frequently my
heart would seem to jump into my mouth, and my
gave me no relief. became 20 much worse that
was not expected to live, but was induced a.
last resort TO use DR.. Miles New Heart Cure. The
"a days az. 81 fs {in ssy ny gratitude
Joseph RocLveii unionto.n: Pa. aged 81
ming the use Of Dr.. HiisS New Heart Cure was
afflicted with heart disease IN very severe form.
Had taken all so.called cures. but with no benefit
until msed Dr.. Miles remedy, one bottle OF which
J. D. Bethards, High Point. Ia. makes the fol-
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1893-12-11
Her Scheme Failed,

The latest instance of crime bringing
its own punishment comes, on the au-
thority of DR.. Leonard Guthrie from
Italy. An Italian woman had hus-
band, and the husband had the dropsy.
But the dropsy did not work quickly
enough. The woman put toad into
her husbands wine to poison him. But
the poison which the toad's skin Sc
cretes has an active principle--phrynin
which much resembles digitalis,
which is the best possible remedy for
dropsy pending on heart disease. So,
instead of killing her husband, she re-
stored him to health. -San Francisco
Argonaut.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1893-12-11

The fashionable circles of Fort Scott
Kan, have devised decided novelty
in the line of entertainments. They
are called "onion sociables, and this
is how they are conducted; Six young
ladies stand in row, and one bites a
chunk out of an onion, then the onion
is turned over to the young men for in
spection. The one who guesses which
one of the young ladies bit the onion
kisses the other five ladies. If he fails
to guess, he is allowed only to kiss the
girl who bit the onion. York Re-
corder.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1893-12-11
Queen Marie AntOincttc Wanted
to Escape to Maine.

There is building in Eigecomb. Me-.
an old square, white house. concerning
which an Interesting story is told. This
tradition is that at the time Of the
French Revolution, and inst before the
unfortunate Queen Marie An oinette
WAS thrown into prison and afterwards
beheaded, Capt. Samuel ClouSh. the
owner of the house, who sailed Il ship
between Maine and France, was engaged
to bring to this country no less valuable
treasure than the unfortunate queen,
Marie Antoinette, and that quantities of
rich stutlS. furniture and silver were put
aboard his ship for the use OF the exile
whose destination was to have been This
same house which then stood in West
port. it having been removed to the
main land on raft sixty years ago. 1t
is yet occupied by Capt. Clough's
descendants, and is in II good state Of
preservation.-B oard Of Trode JoarHai.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1893-12-11
Such Variety Of Christmas Goods were never
this section Of the State.
A M O NC
Our Special Attractions
We MENTION OUR
We MENTION OUR

Elegant Silver Tea and after dinner
Coffee Sets; Ice Pitchers, Filters and Wat
Sets; Butter, Berry and Nut Dishes; Soup
Tureens and Baking Dishes; Cake Baskets;
Sugar and Cream Sets; Smoking Sets;
Breakfast, Dinner, Pickle and Individual
Casters; Fancy Pepper and Salt Shakers
Sugar Sifters; Bon-bon Spoons and Trays;
Goldlined Cups and Saucers; Glove and
Handkerchief Boxes; Jewel Caskets; Card
Receivers and Cases; Syrup Pitchers; Nap
kin Rings, in solid and plated; Tooth Pick
Holders; Cologne Sets; Vases; Ink Stands !;
Woven Silver Purses; Silver Book Marks
Etc, etc.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1893-12-11
Waves on the Great Salt Lake.

A strong gale of wind was blowing
over the lake and driving its surface
into low, white capped ridges, while
along the shore the foam lay like fiat
banks of new fallen snow. If it had
passed across lake of fresh water of
equal extent, that wind would unques-
tionably have produced such an agita-
ton of its surface that navigation in
small boats would have been difficult
if not highly perilous.
But the waters of the Great Salt lake,
although driven into ridges as just re-
marked, showed a curious resistance to
the wind and the waves, rising TO only
a slight elevation, moved along with an
appearance of lethargy that tho eye
could not but notice.
Yet there was an immense momentum
stored up in those low, heavy, slow
moving waves. Venturing into the
water at point where the depth did
not exceed four feet the observer found
that it was impossible to stand against
them. Their sheer weight swept him
resistlessly along.
The curious buoyancy of the water
containing % per cent of salt in solp-
ton, increased the helplessness of the
bather He was not submerged, as some
times occurs in the Atlantic breakers,
but was lifted and carried like cork.
1t would probably have been impos-
sible to dive through an oncoming wave
after the manner practiced by bathers
along the Atlantic coast In the Great
Salt lake people are not drowned through
sinking, but strangled while still afloat.
The bitter water may enter the air pass
ages with fatal effect, but the body con-
tinues to float until it reaches the shore
or is picked up. Youth Companion.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1893-12-11
rhe Largest Snake In the World.

Naturalists say that the largest SER
pent of which accurate measurements
have been taken in modern times was
an anaconda which DR.. Gardner found
dead and suspended in the forks of a
tree in Mexico. It was dragged out
into open ground by two horses, and a
careful measurement with a tapeline
proved that it was 81 feet in length
st. Louis Republic.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1893-12-11

Senator Palmer of Illinois, chairman
of the Committee on Pensions, although
a Democrat is II fair minded one and
therefore disagrees with the President
He says: 81 am inclined to think that
the Presidents idea concerning fraudn-
lent pensions is wide of the mark. be-
lieye my acquaintance with Old soldiers
and the pension list of the country is as
extensive rs any one man | am pre-
pared to say that the number Of fraudu-
lent pensions is .lingly small and
the clamor raised against them has very
little foundali,u do not believe two
per cent OF the pensions issued are
fraudulent
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-07-21
-------
G.. A. X. AND PENSIONS.

The Pennsylvania Department OF the
Grand Army Of the Republic, recently
in session at Gettysburg. has proven
itself 10 be a pension-grabbing organlza-
ton pure and simple. It cares nothing
for patriotism, nothing for honor In
It seeks is pensions, no matter how they
are obtained.
This was clearly proven by the reso-
buttons adopted by that body on Tuesday
last, one Of which condemned in forcible
terms "the attitude OF the administration
on the pension question" while another
calls a halt upon" the infamous and
cowardly onslaught upon poor and de-
serving soldiers. Now what is there in
the attitude of the administration on the
pension question? 1t simply proposes
to drop from the rolls the names Of all
men illegally and improperly found there
on. All who really deserve and arc en-
titled TO pensions will not be interfered
with by the administration, but all
alleged soldiers Illegally pensioned be-
cause they have bald heads or two
corns on one toe, or have been injured
out Of the service, and are still able
TO make a living, will be dropped, as
they should be. Even In dropping them,
however, the utmost fairness is observed,
for no pensioners name is taken from
the list until he has had ample oppor.
tunity to prove his claim.
Then the Pennsylvania Grand Army of
the Republic denounce 1.-THE Infamous
and cowardly onslaught upon poor and
deserving soldiers" The administration,
as we have seen, is making no such on,
slaught, but, on the contrary. is seeking
TO uphold deserving soldiers by making
the pension roll. upon which their names
are found a roll Of honor, and by in
no way seeking to deprive them of the
pensions TO which they are justly en-
titled. 1.-THE poor and deserving soldier"
is, therefore. under the special protec-
ton Of the administration, which is try
ing 10 secure him in his rights. and TO
remove him from all contact with bounty
jumpers ueserterS, camp-followers, and
all other kinds of frauds.
The Pennsylvania Department Of the
Grand Army of the Republic is so evil
IDENTIFY intent upon grabbing pensions,
that 1t does not take time to reflect upon
the true attitude OF the administration
toward real and worthy soldiers. If
other branches Of the order are of the
same way of thinking. then the whole
concern has ceased TO be anything but
an organization formed TO get all the
money possible out of the Treasury by
any means possible. In that case, 1t will
soon cease TO have any idea OF patriot
ism connected with it. and will rapidly
degenerate into a body unworthy of the
slightest consideration.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-07-21
THE DISPATCH GETS IN DEEPER
AND DEEPER.

There is nothing like discussion for
arriving at truth. The Dispatch says
that the Supreme Court OF the United
| states decided that the act OF Congress
imposing tax OF 10 per cent. on the
issues Of State Banks is constitutional
| exercise OF authority by Congress. and
| that the act must therefore be conceded
| 10 be constitutional. We shall not deny
| that the Supreme Court has made this
| decision. But we reply that prior 10
| the war no man who had the slightest
regard for his reputation as a constitu-
tionai lawyer would have claimed that
Congress had any power whatever 10
pass such an act; that II was passed
during the war by revolutionary Con-
gress 10 aid in concentrating In the hands
of the Government. for the successful
prosecution Of the war. all the financial
resources OF the country; that the decis-
Ion OF the Supreme Court was made d.
rectly after the war. when the minds OF
all men were more or less infected by
the new view Of the Government. which
the war had forced on them. and that 1t
was practically. therefore. a war de-
cislon and that as all men who know
anything whatever of the Constitution
Of the Government know perfectly well
that II was never contemplated at the
beginning TO confer any such power
upon Congress. II is the duty Of all good
citizens TO cry aloud at all times for
the abandonment OF this war doctrine
and the return Of the Government TO its
old and wise landmarks. We say. there
fore. notwithstanding war decision OF
war Supreme Court. that the act is
wholly foreign TO the purposes. inten-
lions and limitations OF the Constitution,
and that 1t should be repealed.
When the Supreme Court decided that
piece of paper into dollar by making
Il a legal tender for a dollar the war
and revolutionary Congress passed an
act authorizing President Grant TO pack
the Supreme Court with "Greenback"
judges. He accordingly did So and the
packed court reversed the first decision
and decided that the Constitution did
confer upon Congress the power to do
this unheard Of thing. Does the Dis
patch think decision Of the Supreme
Court thus made stops the mouth of
the intelligent citizen and forbids him
TO clamor by day and by night to his
fellow-citizens that IT violates every
principle OF our Constitution and lays
the foundation for the total overthrow
OF the Government thar our ancestors
intended to establish If the Dispatch |
thinks this. The Times does not. and It |
trine while II has life.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-07-21

Laces and organizes. and dotted mus
Inns and lawns, and all the other cool.
sheer materials rave been used to good
effect this summer. The lace nouncing
and the satin ribbons that have trimmed
them have been put on In so many ways
that one day the dressmaker sat down
I'm despair, for she realized that she had
come TO the end OF her resources There
wasn't an idea left IN her head. She felt
perfectly sure that every possible way
OF draping and trimming had been ex-
hausted, and that there was no chance OF
a new effect.
But behold a maiden tripping into her
parlors with beamlng face! She has an
idea; she has been awaiting one for sew
eral days and at last II has come.
Here is the result OF Il, as she and the
dressmakn worked It out together.
A creamy ogandie, with pale yellow
tints in the sprays, was thrown over a
delicate yellow silk. A deep houncing Of
point was caught up high on the sides Of
the skirt with rich velvet bows of burnt
yellow. In the front the lace fell lower.
caught with another bow. over the
slightly gathered bodice a Marie An
tionette fchu was caught together az the
bosom with another knot of the velvet.
and two rows went around the waist. one
glancing off lower down. and each adorn-
ed with a chou.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-07-21
FRIDAY. JULY Il, 1893.
SIX PAGES.
METTINGs TONIGHT.

Washington Chapter. Masons. Masonic
Temple.
Hines Lodge. X. Of p. Schiller Hall.
Damon Lodge. X. Of j., Corcoran Hall.
Myrtle Lodge, x. of F., Central Hall.
Union Lodge. l. o. o. f.. Odd-Fellows'
Hall.
Unity Lodge. I. o. o. f., PowelPs Hall.
Opochisto Tribe. !. o. r. NJ, Cersley's
Hall.
Manocan Tribe. L o. r. NJ. Jr. o. U. A.
NJ. Hall.
Richmond Lodge, X. OF H. Elletts Hall.
Virginia Lodge. Golden Chain, Elletts
Hall.
New South Council, Jr. o. U. A. NJ, Jr.
O. u. A. M. Hall.
Rescue Council. Jr. o. U. A NJ, Jr. o.
y. A. III. Hall.
Shockoe Council r. A. Central Hall.
Court No. 6S. Z. i. OF A., owens Hall.
Sidney Lodge 1. o. c.. T., Belvidere Hall.
East-End Lodge l. o. G. T., Springfield
Hall.
Richmond Lodge. X. G. r, Eagle Hall.
Lee Lodge, Golden Shore. Central Hall.
Friendship Lodge. X. Of r., Toney's Hall.
Company "a" First Regiment Armory.
Y. e. Lee Camp. c. ", Lee Camp Hall.
Fulton Lodge. Tonu. Powhatan Hall.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-07-21
Mako Haste 10 Defend Yourself

II YOU live in a locality where malaria
is prevalent with a preventive that eX-
perience indicates as the most reliable
Of medical eguards-Hostetter' Stom-
ach Bitters. Entirely free from the OBJ
iections-and they are valid ones-which
attach TO the mineral alkaloid quinine.
IL is far more effective, and It's effects are
not even scant. but lasting. unlike those
OF the drug. There are portions OF our
land-and none more beautiful and more
fertile-which at no season OF the year
are entirely exempt from the malarial
scourge. In such regions Hostetter's
Stomach Btters has undergone a con-
tinuous test for the past forty years,
with results which have established its
reputation beyond all cavil as a special
defense against every form OF malarial
disease. For .nousness also, II Is an
acknowledged specific. and IL is potent
remedy for constipation. dyspepsia. rheu-
matism and an impoverished condition
OF ne blood
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-07-21
A DOUBTFUL ,TCCFsTro~

A press dispatch from Washington
represents that Mr. Horace White Of
New York. editor Of the Evening Post
has prepared a bill adapting to the pres
ent national banking system the old
New York State banking law which is
10 be brought forward In Congress as
soon as 1t meets. What is assumed To-
be the especially valuable feature Of
Mr.. Whites bill is a provision obyiating
necessity upon the part Of the banks
TO deposit United States bonds TO secure
their circulation. and securing the cir
culation. instead by a safety Sund ,c-
quired from a tax Of 10 per cent. on their
circulation.
we cannot look with favor upon a
proposition OF this character. Such q
tax on the circulation of the banks must
come out OF the borrowers of money.
and 1t must therefore make interest that
much higher.
The world will learn some Of these davs
that paternal and protective government
Is at war with liberty and civilization
and that the true security for sound
banking, as 1t concerns circulation as
well as the safe keeping OF deposits. is
IN the character OF those who manage
the banks, and not in statutory REQUIRE
ments, with government spies 10 secure
observance OF them.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-07-21

HEAR BOTH SIDES.

We have heard advocates Of free silver
often assert that they could not get a
hearing In the "venal gold bug press"
These gentlemen seem TO think or pre-
tend to think that a part Of the con
spiracy against silver was the use Of
British gold in corrupting all the leading
newspapers of the country, and was to
make them advocate a gold standard, and
declare as their belief that sixteen ounces
OF silver are not worth as much as one
ounce Of gold. The Times, although ear
nestly believing in a gold standard, and
equally earnestly believing that sixteen
ounces of silver are not and cannot by
any legislation Of the United States be
made TO be worth as much as one
ounce Of gold. has always kept its col
umns oper for the communications of the
best and ablest advocates Of free silver
We have several times published the care
fully prepared articles OF Mr.. w. p. ST.
John, the most distinguished supporter
of free silver among the bankers Of New
York. and to-day we give space to an
article from Mr.. W. c. Elan, the we'll
known editor of the Wing, in Readjuster
days, who takes up the cudgels for free
silver at 16 for /.
Without reviewing Mr. Elam's argu-
ments we call his attention to an mac
curacy in his statement when he says:
"a quarter Of a century before the late
war Congress limited the legal tender
capacity of silver coin to sums of five
dollars" This sweeping statement should
be qualified by inserting the word Sub
sidiary" before the words silver coin"
That Is. only five dollars could be le-
gally paid in dimes, quarters and half
dollars. The dollar Of our daddies"-the
full-sized silver dollar-has always been
a legal tender for any amount.
Beyond all doubt our present calami-
toUs condition has been mainly brought
about by tie action of the people at
large themselves, who. having lost faith
in the wisdom and honesty Of the silver
legislation Of Congress, began TO Lose fairh
in everybody. especially in banks, and
50 enormous sums were WITHDRAWN, the
banks crippled, trade checked and many
factories suspended. Let Congress adopt
such a simple. straightforward, honest
course about gold and silver as to re-
store to the public mind confidence in their
integrity and good serse. and money.
which is now locked up, will come 10
light, and business Of all kinds will re-
sumo normal condition
We cannot too often or too emphat
cally assert that the people who have the
money which all need in business have
lost faith in the juggling, shifting.
meddiing methods Of Congress in its
treatment of our whole financial system
and they have by degrees withdrawn both
cash and credit, and so we see the suffer
ing which is brought upon all classes from
the rich capitalist to the laborer. but
worse on the laborer than the capitalist.
II there is any class of people who should
abhor and execrate the wild and des-
perate free silver demagogue, It is the
man who on wages has been working
from day to day, and whose employment
has been taken away by reason OF the
financial stringency."
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-07-21

| would practically obliterate that country
as a buffer for her In that quarter
She may yet contemplate offering se-
| rious opposition TO the complete fruition
OF the designs OF France. though, since
| Frances ultimatum to Siam. II would
| seem that she must interpose speedily.
II she hopes TO make her interposition
effective.
Great Britain naturally shrinks from
a controversy with France, which might
lead TO war between those two countries
over an occasion seemingly so trifing as
that OF the quarrel between France and
Siam. But while Frances demand on
Siam is ostensibly for no more than an
indemnity for national insult and GER
tain injuries TO French citizens, the OBJ
server who keeps informed knows per-
fectly well that IT is the Interior design
OF France TO push the western boundary
OF her dominions in Anam TO the Me-
kong river. by which she will aggrandize
herself, at the expense Of Siam. by
acquiring the very large and important
territory lying between.
II is a matter Of small moment TO
England whether that territory is pos
sessed by France or Siam. But the whole
power OF her immense fabric in the
East turns upon her prestige II the
idea goes abroad amongst the Asiatcs
that another European power has ap-
peared there which snubs Great Britain
at its pleasure and seizes on the ter
ritory of her allies and humiliates them
whenever ready, she may look for some
manifestations from the sluggish Asiatic
mind that will foreoode no good for her.
At our distance from the scene Of action
we can look on at the development of
events with unrufled serenity. But it is
not possible TO view the action OF the
French otherwise than as that of an
aggressor, and when we think Of the
enormous good TO mankind which Eng
lands occupation of and Just government
in India has produced. we are compelled
TO admit that the world is far more
interested in seeing her sway there left
undisturbed than 1t is in seeing France
acquire more territory at the risk Of
melting domestic troubles for England In
India.