davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Russellville Democrat., 1893-04-20
No Moon Atmosphere.

Why the moon-unlike most globes known to us in spaces should have no atmosphere bas long been perplexing question. Sir Robert Ball, of Cambridge University, states that this may now be ex- plained as a necessary consequence of the kinetic theory of gases. This theory teaches that any gas is com. posed of molecules in very rapid motion. Ths molecules of hydrogen arc the most active of all, and at ordinary temperatures they move at an average rate of more than 6000 feet per second.
 The average motion of molecules of oxygen and nitrogen is much less, but individual molecules frequently attain velocities greatly in excess of the average. This latter fact is i'm portant.
 The mass and dimensions of the moon are such that if a body were projected from it at the rate of about mile per second lunar attraction would be overcome, and the body would not return. With an atmos- phere of oxygen and nitrogen, the moon would by its attraction keep the molecules when at average ve- locity. But occasionally the mole cules in the upper air would dart out ward at more than a mile per second and be lost in space, and, as this would be repeated continually, such an atmosphere could not.be perma- nent on the moon. On the earth a copious atmosphere is retained for the reason that our globe is so mas sive that a projectile could escape from it's attraction only when given an initial velocity of about six miles per second--a rate seldom or never reached by molecules of oxygen or nitrogen Colorado Springs Ga zette.
The Russellville Democrat., 1893-04-20

New York on April 15. The duke is lineal descendant of Columbus in the thirteenth generation, and was born at Madrid in 1887. His full name is Don Christobel Colon de Toledo de la Cerda y Gante, Duke de Veragua, Marquis of Jamai- ca and Admiral aud Adelantado Mayor of the Indies. Spaniards honor him because he is the de- scendant of the discoverer of America. After taking a de- gree in law at Madrid, he en- tered the Cortes in 1871 and became one of the leaders of the liberal party. He dislikes public life, and has never accepted office except from a sense of duty 10 his party. He is an authority on agriculture and cat tic breeding, and the Veragua bull, famous for it's ferocity, is most highly prized for the national amuse- ment of bull fighting. The dukes income is $50, ,000 year, so that his fortune is considerably smaller than that of some of the more ancient families of Spain. His title is de- rived from the grandson of Colum- bus, and he possesses unbounded in huence in the counsels of the liberal party.
The Russellville Democrat., 1893-04-20
TablecIoth Pad.

There are pads and pads. One of the very best is made of wool felt. An ingenious woman has one of these pads cut out to fit a round table, which is quite large enough for family of four persons. This pad is bound with an edge of heavy cotton, and through this binding is run strong tape. When the cover is on the tape is drawn up tightly and tied so that the edges of the cloth come under the slightly pro- jecting top of the table. This has its convenience in that 1t is impos- sible for the tablecloth to be dragged or slid off the table, as it sticks to the soft cushion. This is better than the double-faeed canton flannel felt usually sold for this purpose, It is, of course, more expensive, but it is most durable. It can be washed by throwing it into a tub of hot water in which is dissolved half a cup, of washing soda. Press the felt into water, raise it again and again, but do not squeeze or rub 1t. After standing some minutes, pour off the water and rinse in clear, warm water-if rainwater, 50 much the better; lay the felt on the grass or on a smooth surface to dry, with out wringing. When very nearly dry, take it up with care, lay a thick cloth over the table and tie the felt in place, smooth and press with the hands, then remove it and allow it to become thoroughly dry without getting out of shape. Highly pol ished tables are injured by dampness, and, therefore, the felt cannot finish drying on the mirror-like surface.- Iadper
The Russellville Democrat., 1893-04-20
Timely Appearance.

May l ask you, madam" in quired the gentlemanly caller at the front door, removing his hat, Eff there has been large and success ful cooking school in this neighbor- hood for some weeksf"
 "There has, replied the lady.
 "Some member of your family has been in attendance, perhaps, l" he yentured.
 "Yes. Two of my daughters at tend it."-
 "Ahl" rejoined the caller, pleas antly. "A good cooking school Is one of the adjuncts of an advanced civilization. 1 am always inter- ested to notice the advance of community in the knowledge of the gentle arts and sciences that go to make up the sum of human happiness. But have allowed my self to forget the business upon which I have ventured to call," he continued, briskly opening a small vaiise. "I am introducing small but comprehensive work, entitled ",rhe Horrible Curse of Dyspepsia and Indigestion; How Cured and How Removed The price is only seyent v-fve cents and l can assure you. madam Thanks. Good morning v'--Chicago Tribune,
The Russellville Democrat., 1893-04-20
Rehearsing For a Position.

"Supposing," said an upholstery dealer to candidate for a vacant position, ''that a lady came in and asked you if you had any chenille curtains, what would you say7"
 The new man smiled ghastly smile. Imagining the scene and drawing long breath, he started as follows:
 "Yes mann" says he, five keep chenille curtains. This way, please. Here's something rather handsome. You don't like the pattern, chi Something in smalleri An, yes. This way, please. There you are. A doorway. l see, and with a little red in it.
 "As understand you, then, you wish small-6gured- chenille with a. little-redin-it. How's thatf $S. 50. Too highi Something cheaper, eh , With dado and wide as possible. Something for $4 50f
 "As 1 understand you, then, you wish a smau-hgure-bright wlth-a- bit ot-red-in-it, $4 chenille cur tain, wide and with dadoY That s as near as 1 can come to it. Not enough individuality, chi Some thing to harmonize with sage green rug that your dog lies on and com. bine with the flare from the oLen grate-something moody and thoughtful, chi Something sug- gestive of reposef
 "As l understand you, then, you wish small-igure- -bright-with -a-bit. of-red -$4 50-chenilIe- for a doorway, wide and with dado, with a beery, sleepy, don't wake me-up- till-morning sort of a style about it, to harmonize with pugnosed pup and conflagrationf Let us start all over again, mam'"
 And the candidate got the iob.- The Upholsterer.
The Russellville Democrat., 1893-04-20
FOES IN AMBUSH.
By Capt. Charles King, c. 8. A., Author of ssrhe Coloneps Daoghtsr," "1Iarion's Faith,' "Ettty's Con
 qaest." "A Soldiers
 secres,~ Etc.
lcoggrIqAl. Is2a. sg cAarIs. KIng )

The sun was just going down, a hissing globe of fire and torment. Already the lower limb was in con tact with the jagged backbone of the mountain chain that trimmed the desert with purple and gold. Out on the barren, hard baked flat in front of the corral, just where it had been unhitched when the paymaster and his safe wefe dumped soon after dawn, weather beaten ambulance was throwing unbroken a mile-long shadow toward the distant Christobal. The gateway 10 the east through the Santa Maria, sharply notched in the gleaming range, stood days march away-a day $ march now only made by night, for this was Arizona, and from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same anywhere south of that curdling mud bath, the Gila, the only human beings impervious to the ferceness of it's rays were the Apaches. "And they" growled the paymaster, as he petulantly snapped the lock of his little safe,
 'they're no more human than so many hyenas." <"
 A big man physically was the GUS todian and disburser of government greenbacks-so big that as he stepped forth through the aperture in the hot adobe wall he tucked his head to avert unwilling contact with it's upper edge. Green glass gog- gles, a broad brimmed straw hat, a pongee shirt, loose trousers of brown linen, and dust. colored canvas shoes
The Russellville Democrat., 1893-04-20

1 "You did, sir, and then you un.
 did it," was the prompt and sturdy
 reply.
 The paymaster stood irresolute.
 Through the shading spectacles of
 green bis eyes seemed devoid of ex-
 pression. His attitude remaiued unchanged, thumbs in the low cut pockets of his wide-fapping trous- CTS, shoulders meek and dropping. "W-e-ll," he finally drawled,
 "you understood 1 wanted to get on to Camp Stoneman by sunrise, didn't youi Didn't my clerk, MT. Dawes, tell youi"
 "He did, yes, sir, and you don't want to get there no more than 1 do, maj, But I told you hatfooted if you let Donovan and those other men go back on the trail they q find some excuse to stop at Ceralvo's, and, confound lem, they've done it"
 Don't you s'pose they'll be along presently"
 "S'poseY" and the -blistered face of the cavalryman seemed to grow a shade redder as he echoed almost contemptuously the word of his superior. "S'posef Why, major, look here l" And the short, swart trooper took three quick strides, then pointed through the western gap in the adobe wall to the gilded edge of the range where the sun bad just slipped from view. "It's ten mile to that ridge, it's ten minutes since l got the last wig. wag of the signal flag at the pass. They hadn't come through then. What chance is there of their getting here in time to light out at darkf You did tell me to have every thing ready to start, and then you undid it by sending half the escort back. You've been here in helPs halfacre three days and I've been here three years You've never been through Canon Diablo !; I've been through a dozen times and never yet without a fight or a mighty good chance of one. Now yon may think it's fun to run. your head into an ambuscade, but l don't. You can get 'em toe, easy without trying here. I'm an old soldier, major, and too free spo ken, perhaps, but l mean no disresl ,ect, only l wish to God yoa'd listen tc me the next time"
 "You wouldn't have had me le we those women in the lurch back: at the crossing would youf" asked the paymaster, half apologetically.
 "Why, don't believe that st. ,r at all, :" flatly answered Feeny; ''it's s some plant that fellow Donovan's s springing on you--a mere excuse to ride back so they could drink and gamble with those thugs at Ceralvors. They've just been paid of, and had no chance for any fun at all before they were ordered out on this escort duty. That money's been burning in their pockets now for three whole nights, and they just can't stand it 80 long as drop of liquors to be had by hard riding. No soldier is happy til he's dead broke, maiTo r. none I ever see.
 What makes you doubt the
The Russellville Democrat., 1893-04-20

made up the outer man of person.
 ality as distinctly unmilitary as it
 was ponderous. Slow and labored
 in movement, the major
 was correspondingly sluggish
 in speech. He sauntered
 out into the glare of the evening
 sunshine and became slowly con
 scious of desire to swear at what
 he saw that, though in a minute or
 two the day god would "douse his
 glim" behind the black horizon, no
 preparation whatever had been made
 for a start. There stood the ann
 bulance, every bolt and link and
 tire hot as stove lid, but not a
 mule in sight. Turning to his left,
 he stfolled along toward a gap in
 the adobe wall and entered the dusty
 interior of the corral. One of the
 four guadrupeds drowsing under
 the brush shelter languidly turned
 an inquiring eye and interrogative
 ear in his direction, and conveyed,
 after the manner of the mule, a
 suggestion as to supper. A Mexi-
 can boy sprawling in the shade of a
 bale of government hay, and clad in cotton shirt and trousers well nigh as brown as tho skin that peeped through occasional gaps, glanced up at him with languid interest an in- stant, and then resumed the more agreeable contemplation of the writhings of an impaled tarantula.
 Under another section of the shed two placid little burros were dream fly blinking at vacancy, their gr,z- zled fronts expressive of that ineffa. ble peace found only in the faces of saints and donkeys. In the middle of the enclosure rude windlass coiled with rops stood stretching forth a deerepit lever arm. The whippletree, changing from the end over the beaten cir eular track, seemed cracked with heat and age. The stout rope that stretched tautly from the coil passed over a wooden wheel, and disap- peared through a broad-framed aperture into the bowels of the earth. Close at hand, in the shade of undiscovered "leanto," hung three or four huge olias, earthen water jars, swathed in gunny sack and blanket. Beyond them warped out of all possibility of future use- fitness, stood what had once been the running gear of a California Behind it dangled from dusty pegs portions of leather harness, which all the neat s-foot oil of the military pharmacopeia could never again ra. store to softness or pliability. A newer edition of the same class of vehicle was covered by a canvas " 'paulin." A huge stack of barley bags was piled at the far end of the corral, guarded from depreciation (quadrupedal) by barrier of wood on slats, mostly down, and by tat tered biped, very sound asleep.
 "Where's the sergeant" asked | the paymaster, slowly, addressing no 1 one in particular, but looking plain l lively around him.
 Still leaning brown chin on a nearly black hand, and stirring up ! iis spider with the forked stick he | lsld in the other paw, the boy sim
The Russellville Democrat., 1893-04-20

ply tilted his head toward the dark opening under the further end of the shed, an aperture that seemed to lead to nothing but blackness be- yond.
 "What's he doingf"
 No sa-a-be,n drawled the boy, never lifting his handsome eyes from the joys before him.
 f.Why hasn't he harnessed upi"
 A shrug of the shoulders was the only reply.
 nIIevf"
 "No sa-a-abe," slowly as before.
 "What's your namef"
 "Jose.n
 Well, here, Jose, you go and tell him l want him.
 The boy slowly pulled himself to- gether and found his feet started reluctantly to obey; glanced back at his captive, now scuttling off for freedom; turned again, scotched him with his forked stick, and then with a vicious "huh ln drove the struggling araneid into the sandy soil. This done, he lounged off to- ward the dark corner in the wall of the ranch, and dove out of sight.
 Presently there slowly issued from this recess a sturdy form in dusty blue blouse, the sleeves of which were decorated with chevrons in far faded yellow. Under the shabby sloucli hat round, sun-blistered freckled face, bristling with week old beard, peered forth at the staff official with an expression half of languid tolerance, half of mild irri- tation. In most perfunctory fashion the soldier just touched the hat rim with his forefnger, then dropped the hand into a convenient pocket. It was plain that be felt but faint respect for the staff rank and station of the man in goggles and authority
 Sergeant Feeney, l thought told you l wanted everything ready to start at sunseti"
The Russellville Democrat., 1893-04-20
KNOWLEDGE

Brings comfort and improvement and ends to personal enjoyment when tightly used. The many, who live bet CT than others and enjoy life more, with ess expenditure, by more promptly dapting the worlds best products to he needs of physical being, will attest he value to health of the pure liquid axative principles embraced in the emedy, Syrup of Figs.
 Its excellence is due to its presenting n the form most acceptable and pleas mt to the taste, the refreshing and truly ,enehcial properties of perfect lax tive; efectually cleansing the system, lispelling colds, headaches and fevers md permanently curing constipation. has given satisfaction to millions and net with the approval of the medical profession, because it acts on the Kid leys, Liver and Bowels without weak ming them and it .s perfectly free from very objectionable substance.
 Syrup of Figs is for sale by all drug gists in 50c and $l bottles, but it is man fractured by the California Fig Syrup 10. only, whose name is printed on every iackage, also the name, Syrup of Figs, md being well informed, you will not aecept any substitute if offered.
The Russellville Democrat., 1893-04-20
Progress in Germany.

The first high school for women in
 Germany has been opened at Weimar.
 No girl will be admitted unless she has completed her fourteenth year and already acquired a certain amount of knowledge in the higher girls school. During the present year sort of intermediate class will be formed, and during the subse- quent five years one class each year, so that the whole of the high school for women will be working by the year 1893. The instruction will be arranged exactly as in the high schools for toys. A society has several times attempted to start a high school for women or a higher girls school at Berlin, but all the municipal authorities have been against the plan. Baltimore Herald,
The Russellville Democrat., 1893-04-20

story, sergeant It came straight enough. {"
 Ut came too straight, sir that $ just the trouble It came straight from Chihuahua Pete's monte mill. It's only hook to draw 'em back, and they played 1t on you because they saw you were new to the coun- try and they knew Twas asleep; and now, unless Lieut.. Drummond should happen in with his troop, there's no help for 1t but to wait for to. o.mofrow night, and no certainty of getting away then.
 "Well, if Mir. Drummond were here, don't you suppose he'd have gone or sent back to protect those peoplei'
 "Oh, he'd have gone- certainly that's his business, but 1t isn't yours, major. You've got govern ment money there enough to buy up every rum hole south of the Gila. You're expected to pay at Stone man, Grant and Goodwin and Crit tenden and Bowie, where they haven't had cent since last Christ ! mas, and here 1t Is the middle of May. You ought to have pushed through with all speed, so none of these iawhawkers could get wind of your going, let alone the Apaches. Every hour you halt is clear gain to them, and here you've simply got to stay twenty-four hours all along of a cock-and- bull story about some stage load of frightened women fifteen miles back of Gila Bend. It's a plant, major, that's what 1 be- lieve.
 Old Hummer kicked the toe of his shoe into the sandy soil and hung q reflective head. "I wish you hadn' t shut your eyes, he drawled at length. 'sI wouldn't, sir, if 1 hadn' t thought you'd keep yours open. You slept all night, sir, you and MT. Dawes, while l rode alongside with finger on trigger every minute ' Absorbed in their gloomy conver- sation, neither man noticed that the wooden shutter in the adobe wall close at hand had been noiselessly opened from within, just an inch or two. Neither knew, neither could see that behind it, in the gathering darkness of the short summer eyen- ing, shadowy form was crouching.
 "Then you think we must stay here, do youf" asked the paymas- ter.
 .Thinki l know it. Why, the range ahead is alive with Apaches, and we can't stand lem off with only dozen men. Your clerk s no count, major '
 Old Hummer stood irfesolute. His clerk, consnmptive and broken down relative, was at that moment lying nerveless on rude bunk within the ranch, bemoaning the fate that had impelled him to seek Arizona in search of health. He was indeed of little q count" as the paymaster we'll knew. After moments painful thought the words rose slowly to his lips:
 "Well, perhaps you know best, so here we stay till tomorrow night, or at least until they get back" Gro BE ooNTINUED.)
The Russellville Democrat., 1893-04-20
Divorce ssa.is.ics.

A statistician who has been look ing into the matter of divorce has found that the proportion of divorces to population is least in Ireland- only one divorce to every 400, ,000 inhabitants. In the United States the proportion of divorces is omi- nousIy large, 88.7l tc every 100, GOO population, the largest known, in fact, save in Japan, the figures for that happy empire being COS. 45 divorees to every 100000 popnla- ton. Buffalo Courier.
The Russellville Democrat., 1893-04-20
ALL rHe RACE ln LONDON.
A south American Who Dses Wonderful
 Tntnrn op tie Tight Wire.

FtA-- - -'-
 A south Amerioan who Dses Wonderful
 TsinFs op tlse Tight Wire.
 The one special thing in it's line that seems to be most pleasing vaude- vile audiences in London just now is tho remarkable performance of Caicedo, the tigbt wire dancer. Tight rope and slack wire per- formers there are galore, and clever enough are their achievements, but of tight wire performers there are none save Caicedo. Even on the tight rope and slack wire, which Caicedo smiles at as well enough for amateurs, his feats are hardly duplicated. His wire is mere thread, invisible when sta tionary, except from very near the stage, and wholly so even to Caicedo, when vibrating, as it is most of the time. It is stretched tightly as a fiddle string some ten feet above the stage. On this he per. forms all the ordinary feats of the ordinary performer. Dressed in tights and carrying balancing pole, he walks backward and forward, dances, leaps and turns somersaults. But all this is preliminary. Late1 he dons military uniform and heavy riding boots, with high heels and immense spurs, does all the feats over again, and adds others that are simply astounding.
 He marches across the wire with giant strides, bounding in the air three or four feet at a step. He jumps away up in the air, coming down first on one foot, then on the other. Then he makes prodigious leaps-seven, eight feet and more in the air, and lands lightly with both feet on the wire. A peculiar thing is that as soon as he lands on the wire it stops dead, and he stands as firmly and steadily on it as though poised on granite pedestal He makes a great bound, assisted by tho spring of the wire, six or seven feet into the air, and comes down sitting sidewise on the wire. Then comes his greatest feat. Bounding up from the sitting posture still higher skyward, he turns somersault high in the air and comes down with his feet firmly planted on the slender thread of wire easily and with more grace than many an acrobat lands on a mattress. All this, with clumsy, thick soled, high -heeled, spurred riding boots on his feet. The boots have been investigated and found to be just the ordinary kind.
 Caicedo is South American, born in Popayan, Colombia. He has spent all his life in circus ring, and was an expert fancy rider before he tried the tight wire. He prac- ticed tour hours day for nine years before he could do his feats, and all the time folks said he would never succeed. After three years practice he continually fell from the wirs, and after five he could just walk and dance with a balancing pole. He does not know how he preserves his balance, or manages to come down just where the wire is. He does so un- consciously. He says, and truly, he cannot see the wire. No one can, for it vibrates like harp string. He says he sees with his feet. Just now he is making $200 week and a reputation that will be worth very much m 5re soon unless every one's expectations are real ized and he breaks his neck. = Exchange.
The Russellville Democrat., 1893-04-20

prised. "Ob. yes; certainly. 1t killed" he replied Bat, then, may be it was all for the best He might have lived to tell the story It's probably just as well, he added, looking at the old soldier Milwaukee Sentinel.
The Russellville Democrat., 1893-04-20
.lA Yeather in Hla Cap ,,

In 1899 it was lawful in Hungary that only he who had killed a Turk should wear a feather, and for every one slain he was allowed to wear one feathe r in his cap. Hence the origin of the term, as ap- rlied to success of achievements IA feather in his co p."
The Russellville Democrat., 1893-04-20

When a man inherits portion of a goodly estate he has no trouble in finding people ready to take bis part. '-Yonkers Gazette.
The Russellville Democrat., 1893-04-20
R. J. WILL SON, AGENT.
SPAIN AT TIE FAIR.

The Duke de voragua, the Spanish Com-
 missioner, at the Chicago Expedition.
 Spain's exhibit at tho World s Fair will be under the charge of the Dnke de Veragua, who will reach