davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1893-01-05
The Palmetto of the South,

The graceful palmetto, that grows so
profusely in the Southern States, has re-
Gently become factor in the industries
of the South, for its wood is hard enough
to carve and its fiber is strong enough
to make excellent cordage and useful
substitute for sponges. In Jacksonville,
Florida, factory has been started for
the purpose of making brushes and
brooms of the fiber, and elsewhere sink
brushes are being made of the wood,
half of whose thickness is being convert
ed into bristling points. The young
leaves of the tree make salad that the
people are beginning to appreciate. and
the taste of it is likened to that of chest
nuts. Bears knew about it long before
the people did, and it is favorite diet
among them, the black bears climbing
the trees and browsing on the fresh
shoots as eagerly as they browse on wa
termelon.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1893-01-05
One Mans Pessimism.

sThe pesslmism of some men is sim
ply astounding" said visitor in the
city. Why. know fellow who actu
ally insulted another man for saving his
life The way it happened was this:
"a devillsh. bright but knockabout
sort of chap named Whitaker was one
day sitting on the veranda of country
hotel in a southwestern town chatting
with a number of friends Some one
happened to call him by name. and all
old white whiskered gentleman stand
ing near by came waltzing up to the
crowd, and holding out mis- hand to Whit
taker said:
"'is your name Whitaker
"'Yes, was the reply,
".Ain't YOU little Willie Whitaker
of BalesviIle. Ark.T
"'Yes, again.
"'Well, don't you remember the time
you fell off tiatboat into the river about
twenty years ago, and how you'd a
drowned If | hadn't dived IN and saved
you?
"'Yes, Whitaker said | do, you old
fool What good did it do? I've been
playing poker for twenty years and never
won a cent. I've been kicked and cuffed
over fourteen states and I'm out of a
Job now. Goodby. And the really In
dignant Whitaker stumped of down
the steps, leaving his innocent bene-
factor aghast with surprise. ST. Louis
Republic
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1893-01-05
Last of the Seine Swimming Baths

The great floating baths which from
their large number form so conspicuous
a feature of the Seine in Paris will be-
fore very long cease to exist. Under an
order of the prefect, dated some years
ago, they are gradually disappearing.
No new ones are allowed to be built, and
the old ones must not have any substan-
tial repairs done to them. but must he
broken mp when no longer, if the term
may be permitted, seaworthy.
The largest of all is called LA Samar-
itaine," and as this does not seriously
impede river traffic, and it is owned by a
number of small shareholders, whose in
terest in it is being gradually extin-
guished, the new rule about repairs is
less rigidly enforced than in some Other
cases. La Samaritaine is, moreover, con
sidered as in some sort public estab-
lishment, inasmuch as it grants tickets
at greatly reduced rates to children in
public schools and to the poor of Paris.
London News
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1893-01-05

because its strength can only be the
strength of the weakest point. The
whole country will be at the mercy of
inefficiency, or inadequacy of appoint
ments at any of the local quarantines,
until a uniform. well equipped and
thoroughly organized national quaran-
tine is established. 1t is the duty of
Congress to provide this without further
delay. That body should at once enact
first, a quarantine at all the ports and
borders under national control; second.
the stoppage of all immigration while
the cholera continues in Europe; third,
strict inspection, isolation and disln-
fection of all vessels passengers and
goods from any infected section fol
the same period.
1t is time for Congress to show, and
that without further delay, whether the
protection of the country against fatal
epidemic is of equal Importance in its
estimation with the ordinary results OF
partisan squabbling,
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1893-01-05
Dickens as a Dancer

My father insisted that my sister Ia
tie and should teach the polka step to
him and MIR. Leech My father was as
much in earnest about learning to take
that wonderful step correctly as though
there were nothing of greater impor-
tance in the world. Often he would prac-
tice gravely in a corner, without either
partner or music, and remember one
cold winters night his awakening with
the fear that he had forgotten the step SO
strong upon him that, jumping out OF
bed. by the scant illumination of the old
fashioned rushligbt and to his own whis-
tling be diligently rehearsed its lone,
two. one, two" until he was once more
secure in his knowledge
No one can imagine our excitement
and nervousness when the evening came
on which we were to dance with our
pupils. Katie was to have Mr.. Leech,
who was over six feet tall. for her partner
while my father was to be mine. My
heart beat so fast that could scarcely
breathe. WIS so fearful for the success
of our exhibition But my fears were
groundless, and we were greeted at the
finish of our dance with hearty applause.
which was more than compensation for
the work which had been expended upon
its learning ng.-Mamie Dickens in Ladies
Home journal.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1893-01-05
A Popular Wedding in'Paris.

Theodore Child, in Harper's Magaziue for Jan.
A marriage is always a great event
in popular Paris, and whether it be that
of working man, of shoemaker, or of
a well -to-do manufacturer who gives a
handsome dowry to his daughter, it at
facts the attention of the whole neigh
borhood.
In order to get duly married in popu-
lar Paris there are three formalities
which tradition has made absolutely in
dispensable-going to the town hall for
the civil marriage, going to the church
for the religious marriage, and going to
the Bois. In closed carriages or in
open landaus, in omnibuses or breaks
drawn by three or four horses, according
as the wedding is more or less distin-
guished, the party rides out to the Bois
de Boulogne, makes the tour of the
lakes, and haltS at the Cafe de la Cas-
cade, or at the cheaper cafes outside the
gates at Suresnes. The program is in
variable. While the coachmeD take
drink, the cortege visits the cascade,
that little artificial Switzerland which
the genius of NJ. Aiphand has concen-
square yards. The bride, the bridegroom,
the bridemaids, the groomsmen. the pa
rents and the guests climb up the steps
and pass along the gallery under the
cascade, whose waters form a liquid
crystal curtain, through which is seen
the magnificent panorama of the plain
of Longchamps and the soft hills of
Suresnes and Saint Cloud. Then follows
further driving in the fine avenues of the
Bois. the Avenue des Champs Elys6es,
and the boulevards, and so to the vari-
Gus restaurants of different grades that
make a specially of wedding feasts-
-Gillet, Lemardelay, Velour, or the
more modest restaurants of the environs
and of the faubourgs. The table has
joyous aspect in all these establishments;
it is laid with art and served with appa-
rent abundance, whatever the price may
be, and the wedding guests are joyous
and noisy until order is called for the
speeches and songs. In a popular Par
islan wedding the bride has to sing her
little song like the rest. The poet of
the family recites some verses, and ev-
erybody has something to say, to sing,
or to do, insomuch that wedding din
ner is often merely preteXt for elo-
quence and amateur hiStronic talent.
Are not the Gauls essentially artists and
orators, as Julius Caesar remarked cen
turies ago?
The great day for popular wedding in
Paris is Saturday. On that day the stu
dent Of character, physiognOmy, gesture,
and expression has only to wander about
the mein thoroughfares of the capital
and 60 and sit at the cafes of Suresnes or
at the Cafe de la Cascade in order to see
more varied and amusing collection of
human creatures i'll their best clothes
than can be seen anywhere else in the
world.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1893-01-05
Ordering His Own Tombstone

A countryman called on sculptor in
Tilsit and ordered tombstone in the
shape of cross, and gave full instruc-
tions as to the lettering and the date of
the decease and promised to fetch it
away himself. He failed, however, to
turn up at the day appointed, and the
sculptor wrote to remind him of his
promise. Th, >ther day the man turned
up at last, bu said that he wanted the
date erased. On being asked his reason
for the strange request the countrynan
answered that gypsy woman had told
him that he would die on the day which
he had ordered to be inscribed on the
cross; the prophecy had not, however,
come true, and he now wanted to take
away the monument, but without the
0ate.-Deutsche Wor+n
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1893-01-05
The Welfare of Children.

There is distinct advance in intelli-
gent grownup interest in child life.
Mr.. Howells. Miss Larcon and Edward
Everett Hale have all given US interest
ing books embodying their own recollec-
tions of childhood. Mrs. De Land is
writing charming novel whose main
interest is in problems of childish psy-
chology. and Mrs. Burnett promises a
similar volume. During the recent
meeting of the Association of College
Alumna it was evident that one of the
most interesting branches of work taken
up by college bred women is systematic
and scientific study of the development
-physiologic, psychologist and ethical
of very young children. This recogni-
ton of the interesting points of the
young human animal is significant. j.
not only promises better things for tt
child, but better times for his elders
Kate Fields Washington.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1893-01-05
ALMOST A CHOLERA SCARE.
An Iuciden; of the Peculiar Fright Tha
Seized New York City.

An Incident of the Peculiar Fright That
Seized New York City.
Let me tell you how came near be-
ing the innocent cause of big cholera
scare" said well known lawyer TO a
reporter one afternoon. 1T happened in
this way: | was breakfasting alone in
East Twenty-eight street at private
Italian boarding house filed with the
leading people from several comic opera
companies, including Robin Hood and
'Puritania.' NJ landlady, Mime. S.,
whose English pronunciation is at once
the delight and despair of those who
seek to initiate or understand it. came in
and said: 'Mista John. writa me una
note. Say Aida WON are down. Com
ma queek You putta ma nom alta bot,
Sophie
Il was in haste to get down town, :"
continued the narrator, land wrote it
out as | understood it, All the women
are down: come quick thought
that the message sounded odd. She
said, however, that it was ALA rat,
and sent it to DR.. \. around the corner
LCAlHSlbI dNCIuC. udl "OAlA
young physician glanced at the note, and
thinking that it opened the way to fame
for him informed the board of health
that he had discovered an outbreak of
cholera in an up town Italian boarding
house. He telephoned the same mes
sage to several newspaper men of his
acquaintance.
I'm less than twenty minutes squad
of burly policemen appeared in front Of
the house, followed by the doctor, six re-
porters and several officers of the board
of health, whose instincts had been
wrought up to white heat by the mes
sage. Nine. S. answered the incessant
ringing of the door bell in person.
She was attired in becoming morning
gown, and being large and remarkably
handsome woman, presented a dra-
matte appearance as she explained the
situation: gentleman, who eata brik-
fast now, no undastanda me. tell him
olda WON are down, slippa down, you
undastan? Olda WON worka for me
Falla downa de stair Hurta her side.
No WON down here at all. Dey ALA
out Goodaday, gentleman, goodaday.' >"
New York Tribune.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1893-01-05
The Origin of Profanity.

Swearing, 1t Is presumed, came IL
with the original man. for as Adam was
an agriculturist it is not presumed thai
he was free from the TRIALS and troubles
vexations a~d weaknesses OF other farm
ers. The Old Greeks and Romans were
most proficient and picturesque swear
ers, and were accustomed to rattle NJ
their gods in the most finished style
when things weren't coming their way
To speak colloquially, 1t was cold day
when the Olympian deities did not heal
their names taken in vain by the i1npa'
tient mortals who pursued their ordi
nary duties or paved the way to classic
textbooks for future generations. This
reprehensible practice has prevailed IL
the Latin countries to the present day
and the French woman says mon
Dieu," and the Italian or Spanish woman
swears by the sacred properties with e
little compunction as Octavia or Corne
liza would have emphasized the name Of
Jove or coupled the altar of Vesta with
an ordinary statement OF fact.-NeW
York World.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1893-01-05
Forest Planting.

In the coal regions of Pennsylvania
nearly every piece of available timber
has been cut away to form props for the
archways and for various other uses in
connection with coal mining Nearly
every stick and every piece of plank
used in these regions now all have to be
brought from a distance. The Girard
estate has endeavored to solve the pro-
blem by making some small plantations
as test. Eight years ago a large num-
Der of larches and Scotch pines were
planted: plow burrows were simply
driven through the underbrush growing
up where the old forests had been cut
away, and one-year-old seeding larches
and pines planted The larches now
average some seventeen or eighteen feet
high. and are particularly healthy and
thrifty. There can be no doubt. from
these experiments, that forest planting
in these regions would be an undoubted
success.
1t may be noted that the larch was
the most popular of forest trees in the
early planting on the western prairie
but the leaves were attacked by fun
gus; the timber therefore did not prop
erly mature. 1t finally fell into dis
favor for forest planting. On these early
experiments the larch has suffered much
in reputation, but it must be remem-
bered that the western prairies furnish
unfavorable conditions for the larch
1t is a mountain tree, one thriving in
comparatively poor soils, and the low
altitude and rich earth of western prai-
ries were entirely foreign to its nature.
The Girard paintings are some l.4OO
or 800 feet above the level of the sea;
these are the conditions of its own home,
and the remarkable healthiness of these
trees shows that they appreciate the po-
sition in which they find themselves
Meehan's Monthly.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1893-01-05
Cruel Indifference.

''The other day woman who spends
thousands of dollars year on dress sent
for me and gave me an old garment to
make over for house wear, says dress
maker. There were trimmings and
Innings to buy, but she gave me nc
money. Of course it was taken for
granted that would furnish those. That
was all right When the work was done
the bill amounted TO S11.30, and had
less than 81 in cash. wrote an apollo
getic little note to my customer when
sent the dress home, asking for the
amount of the 5ill-if convenient. NJ!
messenger returned empty handed. He
waited in the hallway of the rich wom-
ans house for half an hour, and receiv-
ing no answer to my note ventured tc
speak to one of the servants about it.
The servant kindly said that she would
inquire about it. Soon she returne
with the message that Mrs. - said
that she had no time to bother with petit
bills then. In consequence my little
family had very skinny Sunday din,
ner. New York Times.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1893-01-05
aseI,,tn,,t Gltrn,1tclP.
PUBLIC OPINION.
CAN THE DOORS BE CLOSED.

CAN THE DOORS BE CLOSED.
Pittsburgh Commercial Gazette.
1t is said that the Mexican govern
ment will not only not object to the
landing of any number of foreign immi-
grants at its ports, but will gladly wei
come them. 1t is suggested that Mexico
needs some fresh blood, and that thous-
ands of immigrants, especially those
from Southern Europe, would no doubt
take kindly to the indolent methods of
living common to the Mexicans. There
is no doubt of this; and it may be
equally true that the best classes would
eventually find their way into the
United States; but should our nelghbor-
ing republic consent to establish a new
Castle Garden for the benefit of foreign
shipowners and to enable them to evade
the laws of the United States restricting
or prohibiting immigration, the act
would be anything else but friendly and
might lead to very serious consequences.
1t certainly would not be tamely sub
mitted to should cholera-infected immi-
grants be sent into this country through
Mexico
The bills now pending in Congress
should be discussed in the light of all
probabilities 1t may not be difficult to
pass a bill prohibiting all immigration
for year, but could such law be en-
forced? This is what is proposed in
Senator Chambers bill, the only ex-
ception being in favor of South Ameri-
can countries. The bill of Mr.. Stump
provides for rigid inspection at foreign
ports, consular certifcation, and, in ad-
dition, foreign quarantine and total sus-
pension whenever the President may
deem it necessary to prevent the iotro-
duction or spread of contagious diseases.
The better plan would probably be to
adopt a restrictive rather than a prohlb-
itory measure. By attempting too much
we may fail to accomplish any practical
results 1t would be useless to close the
doors at our own ports of entry if Others
are to be opened in such close proximity
to our borders as to offer but little i'm
pediment to the continued influx. To
divert the stream is not to stop it.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1893-01-05
81 AM TARIFF RRFoRM s.

New York Press.
The Boston Herald is authority for the
statement that Mr.. Cleveland has finally
decided that the new Tariff bill shall be
an administrative measure" and that
following the example of the Walker
tariff, a measure drafted by Southern
anglo maniac who was converted by the
sophisms of Golden, it shall be prepared
by the Secretary of the Treasury, "with
the oversight of the President" This is
the latest Democratic illustration OF
government of the people, by the people
and for the people," What the Demo
cratic party went through the form OF
choosing members of the House of Rep
resentatives for last fall is left to con-
lecture 1t should be remembered in
extenuation, however, that legislation is
prepared this way in England.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1893-01-05
WHY GOLD GOES ABROAD.

New York Press.
This is the season of the year when we
usually export cotton and breadstuffs,
and should therefore import gold. Be-
cause we happen to be exporting gold
instead this year the prophet of evil
Jumps to the conclusion that this is a
sign of impending calamity. He takes
it as evidence that foreigners have lost
faith in our financial stability; that they
are returning American securities in an
enormous volume, and that drain of
gold is at hand.
Yet study of our foreign trade sta
tistics, the true score of information on
the subject, fails to reveal anything re-
markable. much less indicative of danger
to our currency, in the export of gold at
this time 1t is true that our exports
exceed our imports, but that of itself
does not warrant the expectation of gold
imports. To bring gold hither it is not
enough that exports merely exceed i'm
ports of merchandise, but such exports
must be enormously in excess. The bal
ance of trade in our favor was lighter
throughout the autumn months. That
is sufficient reason for the moderate
shipments of gold that have been made.
If we extend the comparison back to in
clude July and August we find that the
balance has actually been against us to
the extent of S2,275, ,430, while last year,
during the same months, it was in our
favor to the extent of $l04, ,962, ,401.
During the last years period we i'm
ported gold, but nothing like the amount
that was to our credit on the merchan-
disc account. There was due us nearly
S105,000,000, but we received only $27.-
279,319. In effect, the foreigner first
deducted from our bill against him the
cost of the services his ships had per-
formed for us, the amount of interest
and dividends owing on his capital in
vested in this country and several other
similar items. The balance was the
S27,000000, which he paid in cash.
This year, instead of the foreigner owing
us S105, 100000 on merchandise account
at the end of the five months trading
we owed him S2,275, ,430. To this must
be added the items of indebtedness for
shipping and banking services rendered
this year no less than last.
1t is plain that our Indebtedness to
foreign nations must have been cOnsid-
cradle at the end of last November, and
it is in payment of that Indebtedness
that we have been exporting gold. The
real wonder is that we have not had
to export more. Just at this time large
remittances are usually made to foreign
countries in payment of interest and
dividends, due at the end of the year.
These remittances are usually set off
against the balance in our favor on
merchandise account, but this year that
balance is so slight as to necessitate sup
Elementary shipments of gold. The
condition is not flattering to US, but it
satisfactorily accounts for our loss of
gold and skaters the theories of the
alarmists who have persisted in inter-
preting the gold exports as due to de-
fects in our currency laws and who
have trumpeted them forth as the fore
runners of an impending monetary
crash
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1893-01-05

Y0UN6 MEN-who have become victims Of soli-
tary vice, that dreadful and destructive habit
which annually sweeps to an untimely grave thous-
ands of young men of exalted talent and brilliant
intellect, may call with confidence.
DRS. FRANCE AND 0TTMaN. after years OF ex
periencc, have discovered the greatest cure known
for weakness in the back and limbs involuntary dis
charges, impotency, general debility nervousness,
languor confusion Of IDEAS paptation Of the heart
timidity, trembling, dimneSS of sight, giddiness
diseases of the head. throat nose, Skin, affec-
tions of the liver lungs, stomach, or bowels-those
terrible disorders arising from the solitary vice OF
youth-and secret practices, blghting their most
radiant hopes or anticipat,ons, rendering marriage
impossible Take one candid thought before IT is too
late. week or month may place your case beyond
the reach of hope. Our method OF treatment will
speedily and permanently cure the most obstinate
case, and absolutely restore perfect manhood.
TO Ml0DlE-AG60 MEN.-There are many from
the age of 80 to 60 who troubled with frequent
,ions of the bladder, often accompanied by a
slight burning Smarting sensation weak ening the
system a manner the patient cannot account for
On examination of the urinary deposits, a ropy
sediment will be found, the color will be a thin or
milkish hue. There arc many men who die OF this
difficulty, ignorant OF the cause, which is second
stage Of seminal weakness. We will guarantee a
perfect cure in all Suoh cases. and healthy
restoration of the genito-urinary organs
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1893-01-05
THE DUTY OF CONGRESS.

Pittsburgh Dispatch.
After Congress has got over its holiday,
il should address itself without further
delay to the protection of the country
against epidemic next year. Advices
from Europe place it beyond question
that there is stubborn survival of the
germs of the cholera there. Nothing
but the most fatuous stupidity can pre-
vent the knowledge that only the most
stringent measures can protect this
country against the danger of infection.
1t is also an established fact that our
present quarantine system is weak one,