davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Van Buren press., 1893-06-17

finest, II not the finest, of all stage
representations, but as the great mas
terpiece in his own repertoire. In
rivalry with it is, OF course, Bob
Acres, and these two characters, as
Joseph jefferson has presented them,
would have been sufficient to have es-
tablished a lasting fame without any.
thing else.
Everything, however, this comedian
has done has been super-excellent, MIR.
Jefferson is an actor by lineage and by
education. His father and grand.
father, both of them named Joseph,
were noted dramatic artists.
The subject of this sketch began his
career at the early age Of three years,
when he took the part Of the child in
"Pizarro, or the Death Of Rolla" at q
theater in Washington. Joseph Jeffer-
son was born in Philadelphia, Febru-
ary 20, 1929. His earlier years, espe-
cially after the death Of his father in
is43, were spent as q strolling player
In various parts of the country. He
went through Texas and at the break.
ing out of the Mexican war he followed
the army of the United States into the
land of the Montezumas. Returning
TO the north he acted at and managed
various theaters, at one time being in
partnership with John Ellsler.
Before he was twenty-one he began
10 think seriously Of settling down in
life and was married to an actress
named Loclger. His elder brother
strongly opposed the match, but young
Jefferson was persistent and the we'd
ding took place in church in Phila-
delphia, Barney Williams and his wAe
being present. Mrs. jefferson died in
March, 1861, and, in consequence of that
sad event, Mr.. Jefferson broke up his
home in New York and started for Cal
ifornia, taking with him his eldest
son. The trip extended to long tour
of several years duration, embracing
Australia, South America, England
and the continent The Australian
portion of the trip was particularly
pleasant and profitable. While at the
convict settlement. Van Deman's
Land, now called Tasmania, Mr.. JEFF
ferson played the character of Bob
Briefly in the "Ticket-of Leave Man"
The actor in his autobiography says he
can never remember with anything but
the most extreme pleasure the effect he
had upon that audience, made up for
the most part of convicts They were
In perfect sympathy with poor Bob in
all his trials, and aftcrward when on the
streets he would chance to meet one
ne was always greeted as lone of
them"
The list of characters MIR. jefferson
has played in his time is a very for
nidable one. He played Bob Acres
many times in the early days, and never
The Van Buren press., 1893-06-17

time on December 20, 1857, to Miss
Sarah Warren, q relative of William
Warren, the comedian. He has ever
been liberal in the extreme to his breth-
rem In the profession. giving time and
money whenever he was called upon.
1t was Joseph jefferson who first prof
fered his assistance to the family Of
George Holland after the death of that
genial comedian.
It was Mr.. Jefferson who went with
the son of the dead actor, at Mrs. Hol-
lands request, to the pastor of her
church to ask him to hold the funeral
services in his church, but who refused
upon learning the profession the de.
ceased had followed. II was to Joseph
Jefferson this minister of the Gospel
said that though he could not hold the
funeral services of an actor in his
church there was ia little church
arouni the corner" where the funeral
services could possibly be held. In re-
lating the event Mr.. jefferson did
not appear to care about the slight
yes, insult-to himself as q member of
the deposed profession, though there is
no doubt he did feel 1t keenly, but 1t
cut him to the quick to have his dead
friends son hear such a slight put upon
his father. Mr.. Jefferson was probably
never SO much incensed in his life as he
was at that unfeeling minister.
Joseph Jefferson is in these days rest
ing upon the laurels he has SO well
earned. He confines himself to two
or three Of his favorite characters,
mainly rip Van Winkle" and Bob
Acres" and it is hardly probable he will
ever again essay any new role.
He is not perhaps too old, for though
he is eS years of age his health and
general physical condition are excel
lent. He does not spend SO much OF
his spare time at his plantation In
Louisiana as formerly. He is inter
ested in politics and is warm personal
friend of Grover Cleveland. Although
man Of much liberality, he was never,
like his father or his grandfather, i'm
provident, and is now worth about
$500, 1000. The last new venture he en-
tered into was with the late ''Billy"
Florence, when they organized q COM
binatlon to produce line Of the old
time comedies. The venture was high
ly successful, from both a financial and
artistic point OF view. and was in oper-
The Van Buren press., 1893-06-17
JOSEPH JEFFERSON.
Character and Work Of Americas
.o Greatest Comedian.
Early Struggles Succeeded by Unparalleled
Triumphs = Versatility which Seems
Marvelous-The Actors Famous
ROles-His Later Years.
Especial Letter.l

lopcSidi hctttTI
The true delineator of dramatic
characters must learn sooner or later
that strong contrasts are the effects
which arouse enthusiasm in an audi
ence. 1t was to the deep impression
this thought made upon the mind of
Joseph jefferson that the world is
Indebted for one of the greatest char
acters ever enacted on the stage; and
although not wholly, but in great
measure, to that same impression is
that famous comedian indebted for the
crown OF glory which he SO deservedly
wears. Joseph jefferson would with
out doubt have become a great and
famed actor in any case, but his
stumbling, almost accidentally, upon
the character of Rip Van Winlklc was
certainly powerful auxiliary to the
success he attained.
Joseph Jefferson was nearly thirty
years of age before he secured any pub
lie recognition. This was in 1858 at
Laura Keene's theater In New York
city, as Ash Trenchard in Tom Taylor's
play of "Our American Cousin" He
made great hit and for the first time in
his stage career enjoyed the pleasure
ble sensation of seeing his audience
moved on the instant from laughter to
tears. II gave him sense of power
which his dramatic instincts warned
him to cultivate. In the summer of
1859 the actor went to farm in Para
disc valley in Pennsylvania for his va
cation. He was in fever of unrest
because he was not able to find just the
character he wanted. While at this
farm one rainy day, lying in the loft of
the barn, on the hay, he was reading
'"The Life and Letters OF Washington
irving" Suddenly the remembrance
of the "Slsetch Book" came to him and
from that his mind turned to the quaint
character of Rip Van Winkle.
He went to the house and got tho
book and began reading the story. The
result was his gathering up such ma
terial as he could from three previous
dra,natizations and by adding some
ideas and situations Of his own. He
produced play which was both satis-
factory and disappointing to the
author. 1t was not until some years
later, when in London, that Dion
Boucicault revised the work, making it
the representation as the public
knows it to-day.
Mr.. Jefferson's Rip Van Winkle must
always stand, not only as one of the
The Van Buren press., 1893-06-17
PLANTING AN OAK GROVE.
A Fifth Century ArbOr Day In the Swiss
City of Brugg.

Fifth Century ArbOr Day In the Swiss
City Of Brugg.
The origin of Arbor day is attributed
to the state of Nebraska, and certainly
this state seems the most enthusiastic
and industrious in celebrating the OBJ
servance, for since its Inauguration no
less than four hundred million trees
have been planted by the school chill
dren and citizens of the state, and
prizes have been given to those plant
ing the largest number Of trees. But
in an old Swiss chronicle IL is related
that away back in the fifth century
the people of a little Swiss town called
Brugg assembled in council and re-
solved to plant a forest of oak trees
on the common. The first rainy
day thereafter the citizens began
their work. They dug holes in the
ground with canes and sticks and drop
ped an acorn into each hole, trampling
the dirt over them. Upward Of twelve
sacks were sown in this way, and after
the work was done each citizen received
wheaton roll as reward.
"Great oaks from little acorns grow"
II is said, but for some reason the work
was all in vain, for the seeds never
came up. Perhaps the acorns were laid
too deep, or it might have been the
trampling of so many feet had packed
the earth too firmly. Whatever the
cause the acorns refused to sprout,
and the towns-people sowed the
same ground with rye and oats, and
after the harvest they tried the
acorn planting again-this time in an
other way-by plowing the soil and
sowing the acorns in the burrows. But
again the great oaks" refused to grow;
grass came up instead, and the people
were disappointed. But an oak grove
they were determined to have, SO after
this second failure few wise men put
their heads together and decided to
gain the desired result by transplant
ing. A day was appointed lin October),
and the whole community, men, women
and children, marched to the woods
dug up an oak sapling and transplant
ed it on the common. At the close
Of the exercises each girl and boy
was presented with roll, and in
the evening the grown people had
"a merry feast in the town hall.
This time the trees grew, the people
of Brugg were pleased and satisfied,
and instituted the day Of tree-planting
as yearly holiday. Every year as the
day came round the children formed in
line and marched to the oak grove,
bringing back twigs or switches, thus
proving that the oaks were thriving,
and every year at the close OF the
parade the rolls were distributed to be
eaten in remembrance of the day.
This festival still exists and is known
as "The Switch Parade" but you will
recognize that our "Arbor Day" is only
an old custom revived. at
Work.
The Van Buren press., 1893-06-17

away the pail of water with which she
mad been washing the glass floors OF
their home, and one of the small Rain.
bows fell into the water.
Optic ran to the scene of trouble, and
her first thought was: "What a care.
less little maid. to be sure!" But when
She had looked for a moment at tho
pail and the dripping little Rainbow
through those powerful glasses, the
whole affair seemed SO small that she
put Rainbow, Jr., into dry clothing in
twinkling, and quietly reproved the
little maid, who inwardly blessed her
and determined to be very careful in
the future.
At Pessie's home matters were very
different.
10 begin with, her husband was
called Indigo because he was always 80
very blue-and no wonder! He had
found he could not please his wife, try
as he would, and so he had long ago
given up trying; and as no man can be
expected to be happy who has not a
happy home, he was just about the
bluest man the world has ever seen.
Then there were the little Indigos.
The only streaks of real sunshine that
ever came into their unhappy lives
shone when they were permitted to 90
on visit to their Aunt Optics.
When they were at home, IL a dress
was torn or a knee worn through, their
mother would look through her glasses
sharply and declare that it was "done
on purpose to make her more work,
when goodness knew she had enough
to do, anyway and the offending In
digo would be sent to closet or a cor
ner to mediate upon the great wrong
he had committed.
No willing little maid could be found
to work for Pessie, although Mr.. Indi-
go had secured the country to find one.
Pessie and her glasses were pretty
well known, and people called her 1.-THE
cross fairy" 80
After Optic and Pessie had used their
glasses for long time, they became
enchanted so that Optics glasses would
magnify only the pleasant things and
make the unpleasant ones look very
small, and II used in any other way
would make everything look confused
and blurred.
Pessie's glasses. too, could only be
used as she had used them, and were
worthless If looked through in the op-
posite way.
One day magician named Dispo
Sition disguised himself asa beggar for
the purpose of gaining possession of
the wonderful glasses. lie went to
both Optics and Pessies houses, and
soon afterward disappeared, and with
him disappeared the two pairs of magic
glasses!
He took them to his home, and made
a great many like them, and distrib-
uted them all over the world. z
But everyone has the power of choos-
ing one of the two kinds, and those
who choose the Kind like Optics are
called Optimists, while those who choose
the kind made like Pessie's are called
Pessimists.
Which sort have you decided to
wear?-Julia ID. Cowles, in ST. Nicho-
las
The Van Buren press., 1893-06-17
INSECTS AND FLOWERS.
explanation OF the Peculiar BrilllAncy Of
the Flora of the Higher Alps.

explanation Of the Peculiar BritllAncy OF
the Flora OF the Higher Alps.
A curious instance of what might be
called device of nature to secure the
continued existence of certain forms Of
life under disadvantageous circum-
stances has recently attracted atten-
tion in discussion of the brilliancy Of
the colors of Alpine flowers. 1t Is
known that insects are most important
agents in the fertilization of flowers,
and this is true Of the flowers that
bloom among the SHOWS Of the Alps as
we'll as of those that cover the meadows
far below.
But it has been observed, at the same
time, that the bees and butterflies
which ascend the mountains In order
to visit the brightly colored flowers
growing there perish by the thousand
In the sudden cold that envelopes the
peaks and glaciers at nightfall.
1t is only the extraordinary attrac-
tiveness of the beautiful mountain
flowers that induces their insect admir-
ers to venture into the perilous realm Of
snow and ice.
Here then, according to the view Of
Doctor Jolly, the principal Of the sur
vival of the fittest in the struggle for
existence comes into play. Those
Alpine flowers which possess the most
vivid colors succeed in attracting the
insects whose visits are essential to
their propagation, while the less beau
tifully colored blossoms are neglected.
The result is that only the brighter
flowers are able to survive, and hence
the peculiar brilliancy of the fora of
the high Alps Youths Companion.
The Van Buren press., 1893-06-17
H5oo EA7-

wainscoting. The entire house will be
piped for gas and furnace.
Electric bells will be provided and
placed in the kitchen, connecting with
push at the front and kitchen doors.
The shingles for the roof will be extra
Star A Star.
The tinting OF the vestibule will be
Of maroon color. The reception hall
walls will be Of dark yellow and the
ceiling will be Of a light yellow. The
parlor walls will be Of dark peacock
blue with light blue for the ceiling.
The dining-room walls will be dark In
dian red and the ceiling will be tinted
a salmon color. There will be picture
molding in each room.
The owner will furnish mantels, COM
position carving, shelf hardware and
stained glass. The painting through
out the interior and exterior of house
will be three-coat work. The roof will
DO painted color to represent slate.
GEORGE A. w. KINTz
The Van Buren press., 1893-06-17

eenters; joist 2x10, 10 on centers; sill
6x10; wall plates 2xl2.
The ends OF the porch will have
stone columns supporting the roof, as
shown by perspective. The siding will
be inch o. G., laid 81 inches to
the weather. The chimneys are to be
OF pressed brick above the roof, capped
with stone cap. The apex of the
gables and the dormers will have com.
position carving.
The end of the gables will have
round butt shingles. The plastering
throughout the entire house is to be
two coat work. The reception hall,
kitchen, pantry, dining-room and vesti-
bule will have sand finish. The finish
will be of pine and pilaster trim with
corner and base blocks. American
glass double-thick is to be employed
throughout. The entire house will be
sheathed with matched fencing over
which tar paper will be placed. The
exterior of the house will be painted y
dark brown. The kitchen will have q
maple floor. gray enamel sink and
The Van Buren press., 1893-06-17
POINT LACE AND SEALING WAX.
Renaissance of Elegant New Old Fashions
In Polite Society.


All sorts of old-fashioned gentle arts
arc revived In the great renaissance.
There is the wearing of old laccs, which
calls for fine and accurate knowledge
of meshes and patterns and refined
taste in preferring bit of adornment
that is real and beautiful in itself
rather than a profusion of machine
made decoration. Even in the days Of
the greatest decadence in the wearing
of lace, when the precious lengths Of
gossamer thread were folded away in
blue paper in many woman's treasure
box, there was certain caste of liter.
ary gentlewomen that made of it al.
most an insignia of rank, as it WINS al.
ways a feature Of their full dress. Julia
Ward Howe wears bit of old point
plated in the neck Of her plain black
gown, and another woman reformcr
carries to the meetings when she pre-
pearl sticks and cover of point duch-
esse. Another gentlewoman of the
old school, reduced in circumstances,
adds an indisputable touch of gentility
to her plain, homemade gowns with
scarf of point or frills of fine old Brus-
sells lace, which, With her quantity set
old-fashioned diamonds, small but brill
liant, somehow makes the most modish
French gowns look crude and common
place beside her palmer attire.
Now another old new fashion, sur
vival of the days of elegant ease and
moderation, is that of sealing letters
with wax stamped with ones seal or
crest Any woman can scribble off the
modern note and fasten the gnmmed
envelope without much care, but there
is something individual in the seal. 1t
calls for delibcration, is opposed to vul-
gar haste, and savors of graceful leis-
ure and elegance. The new sticks of
wax are large like the old ones; tho
seal is large and round and requires
deftness in manipulation, which dis
tinguishes the note elegant from the
grocer's bill or the business letter.
The taper in its silver stick is pretty
addition, too, to the writing table,
N. Y. Sun.
The Van Buren press., 1893-06-17

succeeded in making much Of II until
he did what was cons,dered nothing
less than sacrilege, ying portions Of
"The Rivals" over to suit his own
ideas. The world at large has long
since passed its verdict upon the mat
ter. Excellent as was Sheridan's ORR
ginal play, Jefferson has certainly pro.
dnced version more to the public
taste. "
Mr.. jefferson has played and made
great successes in tho characters of
Salem Scudder in 1.-THE Octoroon,"
Newman Noggo in nicholas Nickle-
BY" DR.. Ollapod In "Poor Gentle
man." DR.. Pangloss in the "Hcir at
Law" and Caleb Plummer in "The
Cricket on the Hearth"
In character Mr.. jefferson is one of
the most genial men in the dramatic
profession. He was married the second
The Van Buren press., 1893-06-17
A CHARMING RESIDENCE.

by IA feet inches, all chambers being
provided with large closets.
One feature of this house is the Or
rsngement Of the fireplaces, all hav-
ing one common chimney.
There is sliding door between the
reception hall and parlor, the two
parlors and also between the parlor
and dining-room. The vestibule is 6x6
feet. The stairway leads to the second
floor from the reception hall. The
dining-room is divided from the recep-
tion room by cased opening.
There is an entrance from the recep-
tion hall into the kitchen, through the
passage leading to the basement. The
pantry is 5x11 feet @ inches and is provid-
ed with drawers and shelves. The dining
room is provided with q large china
closet. The front veranda is sx34 feet.
The basement wall will be of, rubble
10 inches thick. Studding 2x4 16 on
The Van Buren press., 1893-06-17
OUR YOUNG READERS.
HAVE COURAGE.

Have courage to do right;
NO courage is like this:
" proves sword Of might.
goodly shield 1t is;
Inc host Of sin It helps TO slav.
nave courage, child, be brave TO-DAY
Have courage to do right;
MY boy, the words for Won:
Treat not my counsel light
Twill help to bear you through.
Twill help you put old Satan down.
Twill help you win the yictor's crown
Have courage to do right;
MY girl, the word s for you
Now while the morn is bright
Now In your youths first dew:
BE brave to-day, be brave and strong
Gainst all the hosts Of sin and wrong.
have courage to do right,
Though fierce and strong the foe:
The Lord Of grace and might
VIII help you lay him low
Deem not my counsel vain or light.
Have courage, children. to do right.
Anna d. Walker, in Christian Inte,,;oenc.,
The Van Buren press., 1893-06-17

alton when brought to close by the
death of Mr.. Florence.
Besides Mr.. Jefferson's ability ~ q
comedian he is both a writer and an
artist. There are various paintings on
exhibition which testify to his genius
In the latter line, and If there were
nothing else to recommend him in the
former, his autobiography in the Cen
tury Magazine, well written and full
OF sparkling humor, established his
right to high rank.
JOHN j. FULLER.
The Van Buren press., 1893-06-17
A LeesOn In Patriotism.

Little American Girl-Did you see
the Goddess of Liberty?
Visiting Boy-No. Where?
"Oh. you must have seen It. Its
awful big, and stands on an island all
by itself, holdin' up light. The ferry
boat goes real near it."
"Wots it for?''
For? Why, to make folks patriotic.
to be sure. She's real American lady.
Her dress was made In Paris. Good
News.
The Van Buren press., 1893-06-17
HOMES FOR THE PEOPLE,
Perspective and Floor Plans for a
Charming House.
II Contains Nine Large and weil.Arranged
Rooms and Presents an Excellent
Appearance-Material to BE
Employed.

This nine room house will cost s., 900
II contains nine rooms, all of which
are large and conveniently arranged.
The sizes of the rooms are as follows:
Reception hall, 10xeo feet; parlors IS
feet by ID feet O inches; dining-room,
10 feet by Is feet 9 inches; kitchen, II
feet 6 inches by II feet 9 inches; one
chamber, 12x12 feet, and three IL feet
The Van Buren press., 1893-06-17

Jingle.
Said German professor old Her Won Klotz.
i've heard that the leopard can change his
spots, .-
And 80 I IN going out 10 the Zoo,
10 find out whether OF not TIA true.
The Leopard reclined In narrow space:
Hut soon he was crouched In another place,
And then in third !-When Herr von Klotz
Cried; Bless my SOUL He has changed his
spots!'
st Nicholas.
The Van Buren press., 1893-06-17
Four Million Farms.

This country has 1000, 900 farms, hav-
ing $50, 600, 900 acres, and valued at sl9..
oO0. 1000. 900.
The Van Buren press., 1893-06-17
Steel Barrels.

The manufacture has been com,
menced, at Barrow, of steel barrels for
the carriage of petroleum in the place
OF wooden casks. The barrels are
made in halves by means Of dies and
compression while the thin plates Of
steel are hot. These halves are welded
together by means of electricity, and
the barrels, when produced, are to be
used in the petroleum trade in hot eli
mates. The new process is one possess,
ing great interest, not only to those
engaged In steel manufacture, but to
those engaged in the shipping trade,
and particularly the bulk petroleum
trade.--Scientifc American.
The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1893-01-26
FALSE REPORT.
The Farmers of Rockingham We're
Told Falsehoods

a citizen of Winston is in receipt of
a letter from his brother who is a
large and successful tobacco raiser in
Rockingham county. Among other
things the Rockingham man says that
the farmers in his section have been
led to believe that the recent fires in
Winston have and will affect the to-
bacco trade, as the money will be in
vested in improvements that other
wise would have been used in the man
ufacturing business.
This report, which is entirely false.
was sent out. it is said, by the ware
housenen of Greensboro. The fact is
that there is not single tobacco man
ufacturer or leaf dealer affected by
any of WinSton's fires. 1t is true that
one or two manufacturers had inter
ests in a few of the buildings burned,
but this will no way whatever inter
fere with their tobacco business. The
indications are now that more tobacco
will be manufactured in Winston this
year than ever before. 1t is also true
that there are as many leaf dealers if
not more, on the market as during any
previous year.
Yes, Winston-Salem will put up
four or Fl &c times of much leaf during
1898 as the market Which is credited
with sending out report to the con-
trary.
1t can also be said with truthfulnesS
that this market will pay as much, if
not more, for leaf as any market in
this or any other State