davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1894-02-08
The Final Splurge.

Arthur Quiller- Couch's story called
"The Pauper" contains the description
of a poor old couple who give the last
little entertainment TO their friends be-
fore going into the workhouse. 1t seems
to be the usual thing for Cornish folks,
whose hospitality even under the most
disadvantageous circumstances is pro-
verbal. They like to make a splash be-
fore going under. Miss Scantlebury
did it better'n anybody I've heard tell
of, say these gossips. when she fell
into redooced circumstances. she sold
the eight day clock. that was the only
thing o. value she had left. Brown o.
Tregarrick made it, with very curl
GUS brass dial, whereon he carved full
rigged ship that rocked like a cradle
an went down stern foremost when the
hour struck. Twas worth walking a
mile to see. Browns grandson bought
it off Miss Scantlebu1y for guineas,
he being proud of his grandfather s
skill, an the old lady drove into Ire
garrick workus behind pair of grays
wi the proceeds. Over and above the
carriage hire she'd enough left to adorn
the horses wi white favors an give the
rider a crown, large as my lord. Aye,
an at the workus door she said to the
fellow, said she: All my life I've
longed to ride in bridal chariot. an
though my only lover died of decline
when | was scarce % I've done it at
last said she, an now heaven an airth
can undo it!' -
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1894-02-08
Notebooks Not Allowed.


HE was the best surveyor and drafts
man in my employ" said well known
civil engineer, referring to man whom
he had just discharged. Il discovered a
short time ago that he was keeping q
private notebook, and after notifying
him that he must stop it and again learn
ing that he was continuing the practice
| was obliged TO discharge him.
"a surveyor" said he, ''in doing
piece of work makes minutes as he goes
along of the lines he runs. of the various
points marking the bounds of tue lands
he is surveying and all such data as is
not only necessary for the drawing of
his plans, but also incidentally that
which may aid him in the case of any
other survey being made later on.
This data, you see, really constitutes
sort of capital or stock in trade, for if
the party owning the land ever wishes
another survey of it for any purpose he
will naturally apply to that same sur
veyor, who, having these old memoran-
da, can do the work easier and more
cheaply than any other surveyor. Often
times. after many years have elapsed
and old landmarks have passed away,
those minutes become very valuable.
Consequently civil engineer always
wishes to keep these in his own hands,
and men in his employ are not allowed
to make copies of minutes of surveys
which they make while in his employ
Otherwise an old employee, in leaving
and setting up in business for himself,
could carry away large slice of his en-
ployer's business. New York Herald.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1894-02-08
Making Billiard Cushions.

The making of billiard cushions is an
important industry, but is carried on
by two or three firms alone, and while
the story of the difficulty which has
been overcome in preventing the ball
from sinking into the rubber and thus
destroying the angle desired to be taken
is an interesting one it has been told
before and will not be repeated now.
In the early days of the industry the
manufacturer employed valve rubber
and obtained much better price for it
when it was worked up into the cush-
ion.
Then the cushion maker set his wits
to work to get the valve rubber cheap
ly, but in those days it was strongly
held, and none was allowed TO pass to
that industry unless it paid the en-
hanced royalty. Finally the combina-
tion was broken by firm in Pittsburg
ordering the valve rubber ostensibly for
ordinary use, but shipping it back to
New York for the intended purpose.
SO skiIlfully and patiently was this
done that great quantity was accumu-
lated, and the valve rubber man threw
up the sponge. Now billiard cushions
are made of nodded rubber, an evolu
tion which came along later.-Hard
ware.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1894-02-08

The earth does not travel at the same
rate all through its journey. Its orbit
being elliptical, it must at some time
approach nearer to the sun than at
others and will take less time in NOV
ing through one part of its path than
through another. In winter the earth
is nearer the sun than in summer. and
moves through space more rapidly. On
Jan. l the earth is about 5000, 900
miles nearer the sun than it is on July
1, and as the velocity of a planet in
creases with it nearness to the sun the
earth passes over one-half of its orbit
in less time than over the other half
Between the vernal equinox, which
happens on March 81 and the autumnal
equinox, which falls on Sept %. the
earth is 1S6 days in accomplishing that
half of her journey round the sun,
while the other half occupies only l79
days. 1t has been said that, owing to
the friction caused by the tides and
other reasons, the earth Is moving more
slowly than it used to do, and that the
days are consequently lengthening, but
as this is only to the extent of half a
second in a century it will be long
time before there will be any apparent
difference. Brooklyn Eagle.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1894-02-08

forgotten TO water the pots, and then
opened the window. and Jane called me
about the jam. and have never been in
/ the room since.
Good gracious. Monica. it is a mere
that we have not been murdered in our
beds. There WAS house broken into at
Forest Eli last week Shall We 20 down
and shut liz
Il dare not 20 down alone, dear. but
If you will come with me. Put on Your
slippers and dressing gown. We do not
need candle. Now. Bertha, we will go
down together"
Two little white patches novel
vaguely through the darkness. the stairs
creaked, the door whined, and they were
at the front room window. Monica
closed it gently down and fastened the
snib.
What beautiful moonw said she,
looking out I'VE can see as clearly as
if it were day. How peaceful and quiet
the three houses are over yonder. 1t
seems quite sad to see that To Let card
upon No. l. wonder how No. will
AhO 'ASA SolHS. rOT my part cOulu
better spare that dreadful woman at No.
8 with her short skirts and her snake.
But. oh, Bertha. lookl look, look.' Her
voice had fallen suddenly to quivering
whisper, and she was pointing to the
Westmacotts' house. Her sister gave a
gasp of horror and stood with clutch
at Monica's arms, staring in the same
direction.
There was light in the front room,
slight wavering light such as would be
given by small candle or taper. The
blind was down, but the light shone
dimly through. Outside in the garden,
with his figure outlined against the
luminous square. there stood man, his
back to the road, his two hands upon
the window ledge and his body rather
bent as though he were trying to peep in
past the blind. So absolutely still and
motionless was he that in spite of the
moon they might well have overlooked
him were it not for that telltale light
behind
Good heavenr' gasped Bertha. ''it is
a burglar"
But her sister set her mouth grimly
and shook her head. I'VE shall see,"
she whispered. "It may be something
worse"
TTO RE CoNTTNU-ED I
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1894-02-08

will be enough TO cover everything, and
it is all my own"
Your own? Where did you get it,
dadg"
Tut. tut. See what it is to have q
CITY man TO deal with. 1t is my own and
fairly earned, and that is enough"
Dear old dad Harold squeezed his
gnarled hand And you, mother! You
have lifted the trouble from my heart, |
feel another man. You have saved my
honor, my good name-everything. !
cannot owe you more, for | owe you ev-
erything already"
So while the autumn sunset snone
ruddily through the broad window these
three sat together hand III Lie ul, with
hearts which were too full TO speak.
Suddenly the soft thudding of tennis
balls was hear |, and Mrs Westmacott
bounded into view upon the lawn with
brandished racket and short skirts flu.
tering in the breeze The sight came as
a relief to their strained nerves. and they
burst all three into hearty fit of laugh
ter.
''She is playing with her nephew" said
Harold at last. The Walkers have not
come out yet think that it would be
well if you were to give me that check,
mother, and were to return it in per-
son."
Certainly. Harold. think it would
be very nice"
He went in through the garden Clara
and the doctor were sitting together in
the dining room. She sprang TO her feet
at the sight of him.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1894-02-08
National Handwriting.

If individual character influences in
dividual handwriting, national charac-
ter should influence national handwrit-
ing. Authorities tell us that such is the
case; that the art of the Italian. the
pride of the Spaniard, the vivacity of
the Frenchman, are all displayed in
their penmanshlp.
1t may be so. but as a rule it would
take an expert or an enthusiast to tell
the difference between the writing of
the shrewd Scotchman, the staid Eng
lishman and the lively Irishman. Ger
man handwriting. however, is truly in
dicative of the national character; it
requires nearly as much patience to
read it as to write it.
On the other hand, one seeks in vain
to discover the temper of a jew from
the dots and points of Hebrew or to de-
cipher the character of Mr.. Pitman
from the phonetic alphabet.
bers' Journal.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1894-02-08
CHAPTER XVI.
A MIDNIGHT VISITOR.

Now all this time while the tragi-
comedy of life was being played in these
three suburban villas, while on a COM
monplace stage love and humor and
fears and lights and shadows were so
swiftly succeeding each other, and while
these three families, drifted together by
fate, were shaping each others destinies
and working out in their own fashion
the strange, intricate ends of human
life, there were human eyes which
watched over every stage of the per-
formance, and which were keenly crit
ical of every actor on it. Across the road
beyond the green palings and the close
cropped lawn, behind the curtains of
their creeper framed windows, sat the
two old ladies, Miss Bertha and Miss
Monica Williams, looking out as from
private box at all that was being enacted
before them.
The growing friendship of the three
families, the engagement of Harold Den
yer with Clara Walker, the engagement
of Charles Westmacott with her sister,
the dangerous fascination which the
WluOW tAoTClStu over Iue uOCUOr, Uile
preposterous behavior of the Walker
girls and the unhappiness which they
had caused their father, not one of these
incidents escaped the notice of the two
maiden ladies. Bertha, the younger, had
a smile or a sigh for the lovers; Monica,
the elder, frown or shrug for the
elders. Every night they talked over
what they had seen, and their own dull.
uneventful life took warmth and col
oring from their peighbors, a., n..,.s
wall reflects beacon fire.
And now it was destined that they
should experience the one keen sensation
of their later years, the one memorable
incident from which all future incidents
should be dated.
1t was on the very night which suc-
ceeded the events which have just been
narrated when suddenly into Monica
Williams head, as she tossed upon her
sleepless bed, there shot a thought which
made her sit up with thrill and gasp.
Bertha" said she, plucking at the
shoulder of her sister, 81 have left the
front window open"
mo, Monica, surely not" Bertha sat
up also and thrilled in sympathy.
IL am sure of it. You remember had
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1894-02-08
La Foutaine,s Opinion of Himself.

La Fontaine, said one of the most
brilliant critics and wits of the famous
fable writer time, lis such fool that
he does not know he has more genius
than Esop or Phadrus.
In truth, he was a severe critic of his
own work. He attended the first presen-
tation of his 'Astree, and sat near
some ladies who did not know him. At
some of the important passages he ex-
claimed: THAT is wretched! That is
absurd!'
When they protested that it was
good, and that it was by the great La
Fontaine, he rejoined:
THAT makes no difference. The
piece is bad. ! know tnat La Fontaine
you are speaking of. He's stupid fel-
low. He's myself"
Then he went out, entered cafe and
went to sleep in corner. Some of his
friends found him there and inquired
why he wasn't listening to 'Astree. "
Oh" said the author, rousing him
self and sitting yawn, II inst came
away. The first part displeased me
greatly. No one agreed with what l said
about it. but didn' care to hear more.
admire the patience of the Parisians. "
Youths Companion.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1894-02-08
He Was Safisfed.

The old boarder, after an experience of
20 years or more, at last got into a place
which seemed to him to be as near the
ideal as he cared about. When he had
been there week, he went one night to
a religious service, and one of the work
ers approached him.
Are you Christian?" was the first
question.
Il hope So" he replied humbly,
though don't belong to the church"
''Ah, my friend. there is where you are
wrong"
''Possibly am"
Don't you feel that you are a sinner"
'Well, I'm not perfect, suppose"
''Don't you want to go to heaven?"
The old boarder braced up.
''If you'd asked me that 10 days ago"
he said, II should have answered yes
promptly. but now I'm in a boarding
house where they don't have stewed
prunes, skimmilk, hash, paralytic coffee,
dried apple pies, soiled napkins, tough
meat, piano on each floor, gossiping
boarders and a lot more discomforts. and
I'm afraid to take any risk in leaving it,
and the worker gave him up as hopeless.
Detroit Free Press.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1894-02-08
ITO BE CONTINUED.
POINTERS ON THE GRIP.
A Description of the Disease by One Who
Has Suffered.

Has Suffered.
Ever had the grip? | will give you
few pointers. You will imagine you
have bad cold, and you can wear it
out, but you need not try it. The grip
has fastened his fangs onto you and will
not let go. You have got to give up, go
home and go to bed In a short time
you will realize Beecher's dream of hell
You will think your head has been re-
moved and an old beehive with the
empty comb left in its place. Your
mouth will taste like pail of sauer-
kraut. You have the grip.
The doctor comes, looks you over,
puts his thermometer in your mouth.
finds your temperature 104 degrees in
the shade, your pulse going at the rate
of two miles and three laps to the sec
ond. He orders you TO stay in bed and
gives you medicine that is so strong and
sour that simply setting the bottle ON
the clock shelf stopped the clock He
will tell your wife that she may give
you warm drinks and try to get you
to sweat and take his leave. Now, all
WIVES dIC ldlulIy uOClOIo NY ElSUI vi
their position in the house, and as you
have gone to sleep, delirious and ex-
hausted, she begins her treatment by
putting belladonna plaster across your
lungs, faxseed poultice on one side
and mustard poultice on the other,
hot fatiron and jug of hot water to
your feet, and sack of boiled corn in
the ear, piping hot, to your back. You
sleep and dream of being away to the
far north in search of the north pole or
out in the center of some beautiful
sheet of water, like Lake Superior or
the lawn tennis skating rink, helpless
and alone, with the ice breaking all
around you and you slowly sinking.
You finally awake, burned, blistered and
baked. The doctor calls. finds your
temperature about so degrees at the
north side of the house and your pulse
normal, not needing pacemaker. He
pronounces you better, convalescing;
orders beef tea, chicken soup. Cruel
and toast as diet. You take the big
rocking chair exhausted. tired, dis
couraged and ugly: you feel like lick
ing your wife, kicking the dog and
breaking up the furniture. but you
won't do anything but sit there day
after day weak, helpless and tired
Winona Mimi Herald.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1894-02-08
NlGHTINGAlES.

Beautiful must be the mountains whence ys
come,
And bright in the fruitful valleys the streams
wherefrom
Ye learn your song.
Where are those starry woods? Oh, might
wander there
Among the flowers, which, in that heavenly
air,
Bloom the year long.
Nay, barren are those mountains and spent
the streams.
Our song is the voice of desire that haunts our
dreams
A throe of the heart,
Whose pining visions dim forbidden hopes pro-
found.
No dying cadence nor long sigh can sound
For all our art.
Alone aloud in the raptured ear of men
We pour our dark nocturnal secret, and then
As night is Withdrawn
From these sweet springing meads and burst
ing boUghs of May
Dream while the innumerabe choir of day
Welcome the dawn"
Robert Bridges.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1894-02-08
GRAINS OF GOLD.

Despair-Hope gone astray.
Integrity is the first moral virtue.
Nothing is law that is not reason.
The cornerstone of sin is unbelief.
There can be no shadow without light.
One of the worst things to fatten on is
envy.
Moral beauty is the basis of all true
beauty.
Children have more need of models
than of critics.
Wherever the speech is corrupted so
also is the mind.
Custom may lead into many errors;
but it justifies none.
Virtue is the beauty, and vice the de-
formity, of the soul.
Behavior is mirror in which every
one shows his image.
Youth is like virgin parchment, capa-
ble Of any inscription.
A chronic grumbler can be set down as
a person who loafs too much.
Good manners and good morals are
sworn friends and fast allies.
An easy chair for a diseontented man
is not to be found in any market.
a talent is perfected in solitude;
character in the streams of the world.
Age has deformities enough of Its
own; do not add the deformity of vice.
Hatred is active, and envy passive
disgust; there is but one step from envy
to hate.
The world is never interested in man
who talks about his wrongs, or woman
who talks about her rights.
Such as thy words are, such will thy
affections be; such thy deeds as thy af-
fections; such thy life as thy deeds.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1894-02-08

'N@~-
"Oh. Harold. have been waiting for
you so i1npatiently," she cried. Il saw
you pass the front windows half an hour
ago. | would have come in if | dared.
Do tell US what has happened"
Il have come in to thank you both.
How can repay you for your kindnessf
Here is your check, doctor. have not
needed it. find that l can lay my hands
on enough to pay my creditors"
THANK Godr' said Clara fervently.
THE sum is less than thought and
our resources considerably more. We
have been able to do it with ease"
with ease!' The doctors brow grew
clouded, and his manner grew cold. Il
think, Harold, that you would do better
to take this money of mine than to use
that which seems to you to be gained
with ease"
Thank you, sir. If | borrowed from
any one, it would be from you. But my
father has this very sum-e5, ,000-and, as
| tell him, owe him so much that
have no compunction about owing him
more"
No conjunction! Surely there are
some sacrifices which son should not
allow his parents to make"
Sacrifices! What do you mean?'
SIS it possible that you do not know
how this money has been obtained?
81 give you my word, DIR. Walker,
that have no idea. asked my father,
but he refused to tell me-"
81 thought not" said the doctor, the
gloom clearing from his brow. Il was
sure that you were not a man who, to
clear yourself from a little money diff
6culty, would sacrifice the happiness of
your mother and the health of your fa-
ther."
Good gracious! What do you mean?"
1T is only right that you should know.
That money represents the Communication
of your fathers pension. He has reduced
himself to poverty and intends to go to
sea again to earn a living"
ITO sea again! Impossible!'
1T is the truth. Charles Westmacott
has told Ida He was with him in the
city when he took his poor pension about
from dealer to dealer trying to sell it.
He succeeded at last, and hence the
money"
He has sold his pension" cried Harold
with his hands to his face. my dear old
dad has sold his pension" He rushed
from the room and burst wildly into the
presence of his parents once more. II
cannot take it, father" he cried. "Bet-
ter bankruptcy than that. Oh, if had
only known your plan. We must have
back the pension. Oh, mother, mother,
how could you think me capable of such
selfshness? Give me the check, dad, and
will see this man tonight, for / would
sooner die like a dog in the ditch than
touch a penny of this money!"
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1894-02-08
Why She StoDoed.

Marie-Professor. l did enjoy my Span
ish lessons SO much, but have to give
them up because eggs are so high.
Professor lin profound astonishmentl-
Because eggs are so high.
Marie-Yes. You see learned to ask
for eggs in Spanish beautifully, and
then, of course, we had to have them
three times day so l could ask for them.
New York Times.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1894-02-08
BY H.ONAk DoYLs

coprs,erI Aurross ALLaAsck A.. ,,.s-.
Tne manager started ana sprang down
from his high stool
My name is Admiral Hay Denver.
There is my card And here are the
records of my service | don't. you un-
derstand, want to push any other man
from his billet, but if you should chance
to have berth open l should be very
glad of it. | know the navigation from
the cod banks right up to Montreal a
great deal better than know the streets
of London"
The astonished manager glanced over
the blue papers which his visitor had
handed him. Wont you take chair,
admiral:' said he
Thank you But l should be obliged
if you would drop my title now. l told
you because you asked me, but I've left
the quarter deck, and | am plain Mr..
Hay Denver now"
May / ask" said the manager, ARE
you the same Denver who commanded
at one time on the North American sta
tom
Il did"
Then it was you who got one of our
boats. the Comus, off the rocks in the
bay of Fundy? The directors voted you
800 guineas as salvage, and you refused
them"
1t was an offer which should not have
been made" said the admiral sternly.
We'll, it reflects credit upon you that
you should think so. If Mr. Henry were
here, am sure that he would arrange
this matter for you at once. As it is,
shall lay it before the directors today,
and am sure that they will be proud to
have you in our employment and hope
In some more suitable position than that
which you suggest"
Il am very much obliged to you, sir"
said the admiral and started off again,
well pleased, upon his homeward journey.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1894-02-08
CHURCH DIRECTORY.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH-Rev r. Alex
ander, pastor. Public worship every Sabbath
morning and evening: Sabbath school :O0 a. M !:
young peoples society of Christian EndeayOr Sun
day evenings; general prayer meeting, Wednesday
evening. Strangers welcome TO all services
HETIIODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH-Rey
arvey Webb pastor. Sabbath preaching, 1890
l. IN; p in.: young peoples meeting, Monday
VcningS: general prayer meeting, Wednesday eve
I:nss; Sabbath school $50 am. Strangers cor
lialy invited to all services.
UNITED PRESBYTERIAE v CHURCH-Rey.
Thomas Baph, pastor. Sabbath school, 10 a. M
pullie worship, II a. m; weekly prayer meeting,
Friday p. IN. monthly prayer meeting, last Satur.
day OF each month"; D. IN; woman's missionary
society, last Saturday of each MONTH d. m: dis
tEiet prayer meetings, first Tuesdays, Wednesdays,
Thursdays and Saturdays each month, D. m;
young women's prayer meeting, second Saturday
ZACH month at the parsonage, p. m.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1894-02-08
Tons of Petrified Fish.

In the northwestern part of Colorado
there is region several hundred square
miles in extent which is literally vast
deposit of petriied fish of all sizes and
shapes. These fish beds-shale contain
ing fish remains-are about $50 feet in
thickness and extend up and down the
Green river for distance of $50 or 200
miles. Detroit Times.