davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-04-07
A Pigeon with a Memory.

1t seems really impossible to extin.
guish the homing instinct in a good
pigeon. A wonderful story is told by
a pigeon fancying journal of French
carrier pigeon which was captured by
the German soldiers during the siege
of Paris in 1870.
The bird was being carried In q bal.
loon from Paris to some point in the
country whence it was expected to re.
turn to Paris with a message. It was
taken to the German headquarters and
presented to the commander, Prince
Frederick Charles, who sent it to his
mother in Germany. Here it was placed
in splendid roomy aviary and care.
fully fed and nourished !; but although
it was kept here, living in the lap oi
royal luxury for four years, the French
pigeon did not forget its fatherland.
At the end of that time the aviary
was left open one day. The pigeon
flew out, mounted high in the air. few
about for o moment, as If to find tho
points of the compass, and started in O
straight line for Paris.
Two days afterward it beat its wings
against the entrance to its old loft in
the Boulevard de Cliohy, There it was
recognized. and its case being brought
to public attention it was honored as o
patriot returned from foreign captivity.
It remained at the Paris Jardin d'Ac.
climatation until it died in 1873.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-04-07

Shought of the nice little sum of money
they would bring in, drove away much
of the gloom and desponlency that
had settled down over poor Mrs Trent.
The children were wild with delight.
They roamed the prairies far and near,
aud came home laden with cacti. The
hand sled came in good play. and baby
Joe was obliged to amuse himself at
home.
At Thanksgiving Malvina counted up
her store Of dollars and found she had
thirty -five-all, all her own. She fairly
danced for joy.
"Oh mamma, they are yours--I give
them all to you but two; those are for
my flower garden. May I have one.
mamma dear 2
Yes, darling, you have earned it.
God bless you for being SO generous.
The next spring found Malvina's
wishes fulfilled. She sent for cata-
logue, selecting her seeds and plants.
and as the season was particularly fa-
vorable, her labor was not in vain.
Pansies grew and blossomed in the
shade of the dugout, which bade fair
to rival those in the pictures, and vines
ran riot everywhere, morning glory and
cypress, and she had mignonette and
alyssum in every nook, where they
breathed their fragrance on the air un-
til the whole place seemed perfumed
with odors of "Araby the blest.
Mrs. Trent's face lost its look of care,
and Jared Trent, although pooh-pooh.
ing the idea of the flowers at first, grew
interested, and would stand by the gar
den while Malvina explained how this
Or that plant was cultivated. The
lowers were a mission of gladness to
the whole household. Every one was
the happier for them. The fame OF
Malyina's garden spread through the
neighborhood. and other little girls
we're taken with floral fever. It was
soon observed that the flowers had re.
6ning influence on all in that little com.
munity. With few plants grown in
their gardens to cheer and brighten
their paths, the burden of holding
down claim" was in a measure re.
moved, and because of one little girls
desire for flowers. many were made
comparatively happy.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-04-07
A Journalist on the Rampage.

Rosseau. the originator of the Comic
Tribunals, amused himself frequently
of an evening along with few friends,
in pulling down the signboards and
changing their places. Next day he
would ask in the papers:
when will the prefecture of police
rid us Of the gang of ruffians that dis
turb the public peace and annoy our
worthy shopkeepers?'
The authorities, thus put ON their
mettle, set few extra detectives al
work, with the result that Rosseau him.
self was arrested and taken before the
prefeot.
Your name?" inquired that function.
ary, with frown.
'Rosseau.
Your profession?"
ACTRESS at the Odeon.
"What2"
Actress at the Odeon."
MY dear sir, this is not the place to
carry on the silly jokes that you have
been practicing in the streets; you
might have to smart for it, you know"
Monsieur le Prefect," said Rosseau,
"the pretty women at the Odeon theatel
are not to be prevailed upon to take the
parts of old ladies, and the manager
has decided to engage few gentlemen
for the purpose, and I am among the
number. was therefore quite correct
in saying that I am an actress at the
Odeon."
The project gravely wrote, M. Ros.
seau, actress at the Odeon."
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-04-07
Catching at n Straw.

The women spies of Russia generally
belong to the educated classes, and are
especially useful because of this. They
are recruited in tile simple and ingen-
ious manner peculiar to that country.
An official dies-ninety nine out of
hundred Russians are officials-before
he has served long enough to entitle
him to pension. His young wife pc.
titions the ministry for an allowance,
and she receives sum varying from
one hundred to five hundred roubles.
After the lapse of some months she pc.
titions again, and is told to call at tine
police office, where about one fifth of
the former sum is given to her, and she
is encouraged to hope that in two
months time something may be done
for her again. When she next returns she
is informed that as her husband did not
earn pension she can not expect to re.
ceive any further assistance; that the
authorities, in fact, possess no funds
for the purpose, but that they are will.
ing to give her q little light employ
ment which will entitle her to monthly
allowance, sufficient to save her from
social shipwreck. She usually catches
at this straw, and seldom has leisure or
calmness enough to discover that it is
not even a straw, but golden chain
that drags her down to unfathomable
depths. She is then introduced into
various families, visits the semi-public
halls and places of amusement, and
forwards regular reports to the third
section, and visits the department peri.
odically to answer questions and take
fresh orders.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-04-07
Did His DUTY,

An old gentleman on the Rochester
and Pittsburg railroad anxiously in
quired OF the conductor whether the
train stopped at a little cross road town
on the line. 1t did not and the old
man seemed very much disturbed in
consequence.
"Oh, what am I going to do ?" he
asked mournfully.
Did you want to get off there p O
sympathetic passenger inquired.
mo; but you see I've got box OF
clothes pins that / wanted to leave of
there for my dsrter."
why. you can drop them off the
rear platform" said some one.
As they approached the little town
four or Ave people followed the old
man out on the rear platform of the
train, where he descended to the lower
step, and asthe tfaip sped past q shanty
be leaned forward until the alarmed
conductor grabbed his coat tails. The
box struck the end of a log, and q
couple Of gross OF clothes pins shot
into the air as though fired out of q
gun, and scattered like shot from the
muzzle of bell l-pointed blunderbuss.
For q moment the old man was q
picture OF perplexity, but when he
looked back up the track ahd saw tha
bis dapghtar and grandchildren had
witnessed the mishap and were hurry.
Ing out with the evident intention Of
picking up the scattered merchandise
he turned and entered the car, and
glancing with an amused expression at
the laughing passengers he said as he
took his seat well, I'm glad them
pins are delivered. - 49,.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-04-07
THE LITERAL-MlNDED MAN.
How Mr.. Depew Was Caught In Plain
Prevarication.

l dOW AepeW WAS NduShU u ldlH
PrevaricatiOn.
1.-The most curious person in the audi.
ence of story-teller is the literal
minded man, said Chauncey NJ Depew.
When General Dix ran for governor
there was great discussion as to his age.
1t was one of the controversies of the
canvass. His opponents claimed that
he was too old to fulfill the functions OF
the Office. Singularly enough, the bi.
ographical dictionaries differed about
ten years. was making a speech al
Watertown to very big audience. L was
running at that time as a Liberal Re.
publican for lieutenant governor upon
the same ticket with Francis Herman. II
was an immense outdoor audience.
In front of me stood a man who
watched me during the three hours OF
that speech for the purpose of catching
me on some material point. l finally
took up the question of General Dix's
age, gave the dates of the various bio.
graphical dictionaries and encyclope
dias, and based a theory of how old he
must have been in the war of 1872,
hLCLO AO Nsto u llCulShttlUy anu Ilhu11y
said that the only real authentic data
had been revealed by some recent re.
searches i'll the colonial records of Mas.
sachusetts. 1t had been discovered thai
when the Pilgrim Fathers landed on
Plymouth Rock they found General Dix
standing on that historic spot and shout.
ing that unless they made him justice
he would go over and join the Indians;
the point of which was that the general
had changed his politics several times,
and every time he got an Office.
"My critical friend saw his opportunity
and grasped it at once. He sprang up
with shout that could be heard to tie
Canadian border: 'Mr. Depew, that is
liep
Il looked at him o moment to see
whether he had swallowed the bait, and
found that he had taken it in hook and
line, bob and sinker, hole and all. Then
[ stepped to the front of the platform
and said, with great emphasis.
"Sir, have told that historic anec-
dote from Montauk Point to Niagara
Falls to hundreds of thousands of the
intelligent and educated people of this
great Commonwealth, and you are the
only man who ever had the audacity to
deny it.
"'It amt true, Mr.. Depew," he re-.
piled, because that happened more
than two hundred and fifty years ago.
Il was told when in Watertown last
fall that, although this happened in
1872, that man had never been able to
come into town since.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-04-07
A Short Fable for Men.

Once there was widower, left with
three children, who concluded instead
of rewiving to take bachelor brother
to superintend his house and be as far as
he could house parent to the little ones.
If you come to me, says widowe1
John, Il will do as we'll by you as I did
by Mary. You shall reign supreme in
my home, and I will lay my fortune at
your feet.
Fortune; where is it?" says innocent
bachelor William. will you make it
over to me in writing?"
Il mean," says John, explaining.
"that will provide the table liberally,
dress you handsomely, get you meer-
schaums and canes, and generally do
my best to make you happy"
But that wouldn't do, says bachelor
William. Il have never been consid.
cred extravagant in my habits, but I
can imagine desires to arise which
neither meerschaums, canes, nor unlim.
tied credit at my tailor's would wholly
cover"
"Oh, don't be afraidr' says the wild
over. kindly. If you learn how to coax
as we'll as Mary did, you will get no end
of odd change to spend in your little
vanities. You are my youngest brother,
and I have always been fond of you.
just lay your sweet hands in mine and
trust to me"
1T wouldn't do" says William; 1T
would kill my self-respect. [ would
rather have fifty dollars month at my
own disposal than five hundred dribbled
out to me for the asking"
Il am disappointed in you, brother,
said the kind widower. Il had thought
that there was such beautiful frater-
nal relation between us that you would
be above caring which of us held the
money. Mary didn't mind"
Are you so sure of that?" said the
bachelor brother, thoughtfully,
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-04-07
Good Roads.

One of the best arguments for good
roads is contained in calculation re.
Gently published in ona Of the engi-
neering papers. II states that on the
worst earth roads, not muddy. but
sandy, o horse can draw only twice as
much as he can carry on his back; on O
fair, earth road, three and half times
as much; on good mscadamized road,
nine times as much; on smooth, plank
road, twenty-five times as much; ON o
stone,,track way, thirty-three times as
much, and on metal rails. fifty.four
times as much, The men who use the
country roads can therefore make
money by improving the roads. rather
than by buying new horses every year
or two
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-04-07
MONKEYS PRACTICAL JOKES.
Amusing Tricks Played by Lively SimiaD
on Demure Companions.


on Demure Companions.
That simians have deep sense OF
humor no one will deny who is familiar
with their conduct and motives. 1 have
witnessed in many instances, writes
Mr.. Garner, practical jokes worthy Of
human beings.
In large cage in the Philadelphia
garden were kept at one time about
twenty monkeys. Among them were
two Entellus monkeys. which species
is quiet, sedate, rather wise-looking,
with gray beard and hair, and the mein
of stole. He he's very long, straight
tail, and habit of sitting high up from
the ground and allowing his long tail
to hang OF full length. In the same
cage were three OF four brown Cebus
monkeys who devote much of their
time to exercise and fun. While an
Entellus monkey would cling to the
side of the cage or sit on perch some
ten or twelve feet from the ground, one
of these little brown monkeys would
stealthily creep up to him, and sud-
denly grasp the end Of the long tail
and swing with all his might. o.
course, the Entellus monkey could no.
lift his tail because of the weight of the
little monkey clinging to it, nor could
he reach it. The only thing that he
could do was to climb down the side Of
the cage with his unweildy caudal bur
den until he could reach the floor.
During this operation the brown
monkey kept swinging until his own
tail touched the floor, at which instant
he would release his hold and spring
for life to the top of the cage, followed
by the Entellus monkey amid the
screams of the others. By the time he
would reach point where he could at.
tack his little tormentor, who would
show some signs of resistance and
cause him to pause for moment, an.
other brown monkey would seize hold
of the long tail and swing like prize
boy at a Sunday school picnic.
l have watched this game for an hour
at time, and been as much amused as
the little monks themselves. I observed
that they took their turn in catching
the tail with almost the same re ,yularity
as base ball players take their turn at
the bat.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-04-07
Good Looks.

Good looks are more than skin deep,
depending upon healthy condition of
all the vital organs. If the liver be in
active, you have bilious look, if your
stomach be disordered you have dys-
peptic look and if your kidneys be af-
fected you have pinched look. Secure
good health and you will have good
looks. Electric Bitters is the great
Alternative and tonic acts directly on
these vital organs. Cures pimples,
blotches, boils and gives good COM
plexion. Sold at L. r. Kinks drug
store, soc. per bottle.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-04-07
The Worlds Most Useful River.

The Nile is probably the most useful
river in the world. 1t has turned an
arid wilderness into the richest land in
the world. 1t has provided at the same
time an admirable commercial high.
way, and made easy the transportation
of building materials. The ancient
Egyptians were thus enabled to utilize
the granite of Assuan for the splendid
structures of hundredga Thebes
and of Memphis, and even for
those of Tunis, ON the Mediterranean
coast. At a time when the people O:
the British Isles were clad in the skins
of wild beasts, and offered human sac
ri6ces upon the stone altars of the
Druids. Egypt was the center of rich
and refined civilization. Most of this
development of Egypt was due to the
Nile. which not only watered and ferti.
lized the soil annually, but was and is
one of the greatest and best natural
highways in the world. From the be.
ginning of winter to tue end of spring
that is, while the Nile is navigable
the north wind blows steadily up
stream with sufficient force to drive
sailing boats against the current at
fair pace; while, on the other hand, the
current is strong enough to carry boat
without sails down against the wind,
except when it blows gale That is
why ancient Egypt did not need steam
power nor electric motors for the inn
mense commerce that covered the Nile,
nor for the barges carrying building
material for hundreds and hundreds Of
miles.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-04-07

The story comes from England that
q besotted Irishman was lolling ia one
of the apartment carriages, and every
time the train stopped, out would come
string Of oaths. At last the lady op-
posite could stand it no longer, and
hesitatingly reproved the son of Erin.
Don't you know, sir. that it is impolite
to swear before lady ?" The Irishman
looked dazed for a moment and then re-
piled "Sure. mum. beg yer pardon.
But Oh didn't know ye wanted to
shwear first"
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-04-07

My wife was confined to her bed for
over two months with a very severe
attack of rheumatism. We could get
nothing that would afford her any
relief, and as last resort gave Cham
berafn's Pain Balm a trial. To our
great surprise she began to improve
after the first application. and by using
it regularly she was sO1n able to get up
and attend to her house work. F. H.
Johnson, of G., J. Knutson &'Co. Ken
sington, MINI. so cent bottles for sale
by f. t. Reynolds.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-04-07
Misunderstood.

AS an early morning train drew up at
station on one of our railroad lines q
pleasant looking gentleman stepped ont
on the platform, and inhaling the fresh
air, enthusiastically observed to the
guard, isn't this invigorating?" mo,
sir, it's Boston" replied the guard. y
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-04-07

The company who contracted to
build the Bohemia bridge is subject
to a forfeit of $50 per day since
December "a, the contract time for
it's completion. The bridge will cost
the county upwards of $4,000 Now
deduct $50 per day for say 70 days
and the cost will be reduced So 500.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-04-07

importers, Jobbers and Retailers of DRY
GOODS of every description, includiul
Dress Goods, Silks, Linen Goods, Mourning
Goods, Laces, Velvets, Embroideries, Quilts
Blankets, Shawls, Flannels, Domestic Cotton
Goods, Ladies', Misses and Gents Hosier.
and Underwear, Gloves, Notions, Ladies
and Misses Wraps, Ginghams, Calicoesi
Sattines, Embroideries, Trimmings, SC.
Samples promptly sent, when we receive
Instructions of what is wanted, colors pre-
ferred, about the price required. &c., &c.
HAMILTON EASTER & SONS
BALTIMORE, MD.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-04-07
ManY Persons

Are broken down from overwOrk or household
cares Browns Iron Bitters
rebuilds the system, aids digestion remove5 ex-
cess Of bile, and cures malaria. Get the genuine;
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-04-07
NOT HIS SWEETHEART,

A young man on q summer morning
turned down Yarmouth row. 1t was
q long, narrow row, and the sun THAI
cleaned at the quay end made its
shadow even less enviable.
He was fine, handsome young fell
low, somewhat shabbily dressed, and as
he walked he carelessly took stock Of
his surroundings.
Near the bottom of the row win.
dow was open, and, by geranium that
was in a pot, the first and only flower
he had seen, girl was leaning lightly
on her elbow. Her soft, hazel eyes
were fixed on the opposite doorway.
Here woman with red face, and
brandishing broom in her hand, was
barring the entrance against herculean
man in glistening oily frock.
Il ak you agin, John Wade, shouted
he of the oily, IF you're a-going to
sea?"
"An' I tell you agin, skipper, re'
piled a dogged voice from the interior,
II amt a-going to sea.
Then" cried the giant, wildly, "what
am I to do? Here's the vessel ready to
sail an you a-skulkinR. But, as sure as
my name is Bill Thompson, I'll perlice
ye."
He looked so big and helpless in his
muddle that the girl at the window,
who seemed used to such scenes,
smiled. Looking up at her and seeing
for the first time that she was in deep
mourning, the young man smiled also.
Then thought appeared to strike him.
Am I any use?' he said to the
wearer of the oily. Il want job.
The skipper looked at him doubt.
fully; he thought he was joking.
IF you're ready an willin', my lad.
he said, you're of use. But if you
amt. you amt. Dye want berth. -
II want everything" answered the
young man, in low tone. I'm home
less and penniless. But I'm lands
man"
THAT amt a bit of consequence
What dye say2 Will ye go? 1t is fol
eight weeks"
II don't care if it's for eight years.
There's nothing to stop me here
"Come on, then," cried the delighted
fisherman. "But, stop. Who's goin
to take your pay card =? What's you,
name, my lad p
John Smith," was the answer, and
his hesitation escaped the skipper.
"Well, Smity, for fear of accidents,
some one had better take your money.
Who'll ye leave it with ?"
The young man again looked up al
the window at tho sweet, pure face
above him. The gaze of the rough sea
giant beside him followed his glance.
"Oh, I see r. he exclaimed "you're
going to ask it. miss. Well, you know
where to go. Old Tom Price is the
owner, an the name of the vessel the
Saucy Lass. Come on. Smith. no more
hankyin'; your sweetheart 'ull take you,
money" and he seized the newly ship
ped by the arm.
At the word sweetheart" the cheeks
of the girl at the window grew as red
as the geranium by her elbow. In 6
startled manner she leaned over the sill
mo. no." she cried in confusion, 81
do not know the gentleman. IL
But already Smith, with the hand oi
the skipper on his arm, had been hur
ried out of earshot, and before she
could reach the door the two had van
ished down the road.
h
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-04-07

cent suit of clothes, and he seemed
pondering which way to go. At last
he wandered on to the seashore. Deep
in thought, he strolled by the edge OF
the white crested breakers till he came
to the Danes. Finding q spot where
pale blue violets lay among the sea
grass, he flung himself down and pulled
out an envelope.
1t contained a postofice order
wrapped in piece of note paper, and
on this was written katherine Perry.
The amount was the sum due on his
pay card. He had been to the house,
but found her gone. Yet here was his
money left by her in this form.
He lay in the sun and tried to solve
this mystery, but no solution came. and
with the murnur of the seq in his ears
he romantically kissed the order.
Then he rose and walked back.
On his homeward way he stopped to
buy morning paper. They were but
Just in, and the shopman was sorting
them. Suddenly he caught his breath.
His gaze was riyeted on an advertise.
that read thus:
George Neal is earnestly requested to com.
munIcate with Messrs. Furness and Wapp,
solicitors, LINCOLN Inn Fields, when he will
near of something to his advantage. Any one
KIN owing of the whereabouts Of the said George
ABOVE firm, will be suitably rewarded"
At noon that day John Smith had
shaken the dust of Yarmouth from his
feet and was on his way to London.
Arrived there he hailed cab and was
driven to the solicitors office.
AS no burst into the office carefully
dressed old gentleman stepped forward
to greet him. This he did by almos,
shaking his arm of.
why, my dear George, how glad
am to see your he cried. 1--WE have
been advertising for you all over the
country. How is it you haven't seen
our advertisement before?"
Il have been at sea-in q fishing
smack, replied the visitor. "
"Seal-fshiqg smack gasped the
lawyer. "You, George?"
In few words the young fellow told
his story. The old solicitor listened
with much interest; then his face
grew grave.
so you have not heard the news
my boy?" he said.
What news, sir?'
Your uncle is dead
The y9tng man STATED violently,
"DeadE he repeated, "and We parted
in anger because refused to follow the
profession he had chosen for me-"
If We thought oftener of the kine
Of terrors there would be fewer quar-
rels, said the lawyer.
But he too was sorry, though wher