davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-18

columns, and sometimes we failed in keep
ing him at work. He seemed to have no
realization of the value of money, and
seldom hesitated in making any purchase
that suited his fancy, whether be could at
ford it or not. His wife ook charge of the
family finances and kept the accounts,
otherwise he would nave been obliged, as
he once said, in one of his letters, to have
gone into bankruptcy and pay fifty cents
on the dollar several times in his career.
MIR. Beecber occasionally accepted an
invitation to 90 riding with me behind my
fast trotters, and he was just as lively and
full of good spirits as a boy would be
when enjoying such an outing. On one
particular OCCASION remember taking him
behind Dexter, and he was as much tick
led as boy would be with new toy. or
little girl with a new doll As we were
driving through Court street, Brooklyn, he
saw the Rev. DIR. Storrs with whom he was
very friendly at that time) walking along
the sidewalk. He made me stop several
minutes at the curbstone while he told,
with great enthusiasm, what a wonderful
horse Dexter was.
81 have dealt with great many story
writers and journalists. | am sometimes
asked what think of the chances for sue
cess in the literary profession. My answer
is that 10 this respect the literary profess
sion. or, as some one has happily called it,
the trade of authorship, stands precisely
on the same footing as any other vocation.
Some succeed and some do not. Like he
dry-goods business, some men will prosper
while others will fail, and great many
will only earn q bare living. 1t is the
same in journalism and authorship. MANY
fall because they oyerestimate their abil-
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-18
WORST OF THE ARGUMENT.
Cheap Land Suited the Old Settler
Better Than Was Expected.
st. Louis Globe Democrat.


"The " orst | was ever dOWne6 in an
argument" said Colonel Dick Austin, of
Piedmont. to the corridor man at the
Southern. was in Southern Virginia. l
was making speeches, trying to induce the
people to vote for county subscriptions to
the capital stock of proposed railroad.
My first speech was at Gladeyille, and |
pictured the grandeur OF the scenery. the
Salubrity of the climate, the fertility of
the valleys and the immense deposits OF
iron and coal In the mountains. l grew
eloquent, and referred to it a. the treasury
OF the world, needing only the key of
capital with which TO unlock its vaults
and pour forth its millions for the enrich
ment of mankind. / told them that we
wanted NO subsidy or donation. but only
asked them 10 exchange bonds of the
county for those of the railroad company,
Tor we ourselves had sufficient confidence
to place our own money and that OF our
friends. We wanted them to go into
partnership with us in order that we might
have their good will and cooperation. If
our millions made money their hundred
thousand dollars would make money. Ii
we lost the county would still be at mo
risk, for the increased values would more
than pay the bonds at maturity.
Il sat down, we'll pleased with MYSELF
and the prospects for success at the polls,
When, TO my surprise, a long, tank, lean
mounta neer, without coat, vest or shoes,
arose from front seat; and. depositing a
quid of tobacco on his chair for future
reference. began: Now youn's all know
me. an knows youp's: We DON know
this city Teller. He SEES this air the
treasury of The world, an reckon he's
right. What he wants is to be 'lected Secre-
tary of the Treasury. Railroads is ali
very we'll in city, but this hyar amt no
city. A hundred thousan' dollarsi hev to
sell up every man in this county TO pay it.
He ses it won't increase taxes. for it will
raise price o. lam. Well Ihain't got all the
LAM want yet, an I've lived here fer
forty var, an if they raise the price of
Lam in this hyar county, thar amt a man
that kin ever git enough to buy a farm
He had me, and left the town: next day."
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-18

negotiated with her to become contribu-
tor to the Ledger the Harpe had pub
llShed a popular story written by Der
called The Deserted Wife This book
particularly attracted my attention.
Mrs. Southworth'> first story was writ
Ten Tor the National Era, Washington. 1t
was her intention To complete it in one
number. but she wrote installment after
installment until she had written ten.
Her first novel, 'Retribution,' was written
IN the same way. This was republlShed
by the Harpers and is said to be the first
novel that was ever reprinted from news
paper OF magazine. She has said that all
her novels are founded on facts. The Idea
OF 'CapitGla' was suggested to her by
paragraph In the paper stating that nine
year-Old girl dressed in boys clothes and
selling newspapers had been arrested and
sent to some asylum in Westminster County.
Inls incident was taken with one that had
occurred when Mrs. Southworth was
child. An old nurse had been met one
night by two masked men who blindfolded
her and took her up to house. She was
conducted to room where, few hours
later. child was born TO young woman.
The nurse refused 10 make away with the
child, although brides were offered her.
The young mother also insisted that the
infant should live. Finally, the mother
being discarded by her family, brought up
her child, who was well known in Wash
lngton ana turned out well. Inc adVeD-
lures of Capitola were taken from real
life, and her bright speeches to Old Hurri-
cane were suggested by conversation be-
tween Mrs. SOuthworth's sister and her
old uncle in Mississippi. Der adventure
with Black Donald, her duel, her encounter
with ienOir in the woods and the ruSe by
which she escaped were founded on similar
experiences in real life. This S -ory was
one of Mrs. SouthwOrth's best productions.
When she went to England. soon after
writing it, she found the story as popular
there as it had been IN America. There
were Capitola boats, Capitola racehorses,
Capitola hats and other Capitola fads.
For thirty years she wrote for the Led
ger, each year providing the paper with a
new novel. The Hidden Hand was a
very popular story; "Self-Made, or out OF
he Depths was also very much liked. L
began by paying her $50 an installment,
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-18
then increased the rate to 500, and, after

then increased the rate to 500, and, after
that. to $50 an instalIment.
1.-The only novel written by Henry Ward
Beecher was contributed to the Ledger at
my suggestion. II was entitled Norwood
or Village Lille in New England and Mr..
Beecher received for it $4,000, the high
est price any publisher in this country ever
paid for a novel.
''He was very slow 10 begin the work,
and kept putting it off from time to time.
In one of his early letters he speaks about
a visit be paid TO President Lincoln and
ailudes to bis commencing work on the
story:
Feb. 8. 1865.
My Dear Mr.. Bonner: / have just returned
iTem abG and WasbngtGR had
Stanton, Chase and Fesseuden and learned
much which il was needful For me TO know.
Abraham told me three stories; two of which
forgot, and the other won't bear telling
knew that Haie* would please you. He is
thoughtful good fellow, and jOyial companion
long. gaunt and witty.
Next Monday l begin. l feel like boy fish
Ing in washtub with PIN hook and twiue
Don' believe 1 shall catch much, but will try
On; II could M Ike story as easily as can a
The Phil Ledger is not much to be promised
How could II say less?
*Edward Everett Hale.
His copy for the printers was written
in a small almost effeminate hand, but was
legible and seldom required much editing.
Occasionally one would run across a wurd
that could not be deciphered. but it could
generally be easily supplied from the COP
text.
Although Mr.. Beecher was very slow
IN getting at the work and disappointed
me several times In regard to commencing
1t, when he did get started he went along
steadily; but, to be sure that there would
be no hitch in the publication, | did not
begin to print the story until three-ouar-
ters of the story was in hand. When the
story was being printed from week to
week. be was encouraged to work harder
than ever and complete it,
He loved outdoor lie and disliked
sedentary work. 1t was only through the
constant teasing of his wife and the fire.
quent demands from me that he could be
induced to furnish his quota to the Ledger's
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-18
LITERARY RECOLLECTIONS.
robert Bonner Talks About Some Famous WI

contributor to the Ledger would, in those
Gays, during the agitation of the slavery
question, have had the effect of losing all
our subscribers in the South; il would
nave been like shaking red flag before a
bull.
when Paul Morphy was at the height
OF his fame / engaged him to edit a chess
column which, for time, was a regular
feature of the paper Henry Ward
Beeeher, besides writing his novel, con-
trlbnted series of of articles, Thoughts
as 1hey Occur, by one who keeps his eyes
and ears OPEN John @. Sake, one of the
most popular poets of the day, wrote
poem every week for twenty years. n. Z.
Willis and George p. Morris, wrote poems
Tor my paper, and William Cullen Bryant
translated a novel which ran through
several months. Edward Everett was
frequent contributor to the Ledger. l en-
gagged him in this way: He was visiting
different cities and delivering his lectures
on Washington, tie proceeds from the lee
ture being given toward the purchase of
Mount Vernon. i wrote to Mr.. Everett
Offering TO give him $4,000 for a Mount
Vernon fund If he would write one article
week for the Ledger for year. He &C
copied the Offer He wrote on great
variety of non-partisan subjects. Everett
was considered by most people to be
very cold man, and so he ap cared in pub
lie, but In private life he was really
warm-hearted, genial man. as is proved by
the many pleasant letters l received from
him.
Public lectures were very popular just
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-18

before and after the war. Such men as
Henry Ward Beecher, Rev. DR.. Chaplin,
Wendell Phillips. John h. Cough and
others drew large audiences 10 hear them
speak on questions of the day or subjects
of special interest. In one of Everett's
letters to me March 10. 1862 he wrote:
As 10 lecturing, l began it forty years
ago. l was the first individual in the
country 10 give start TO lecturing on pub
lie topics to miscellaneous audiences. ana l
have probably done more of this work
than all the other lecturers put together.
1t is but lately that it has begun to pay
when General Grant was running for
the Presidency / induced his brother to
write series of articles on the DoyhOod of
the general. He told some very curious
anecdotes about the famous military
leader. Here is one The old man once
sent his son to a neighbor with whom he
was uego iating a horsedeal. He told the
boy TO offer the man S25 TO boot; if he
could not get the horse for S25 TO offer him
$50. Ulysses went TO the neighbor and
promptly opened the negotiations by say
ing: Father says he will give you S25 TO
boot, but if you won't take S25 10 offer
you $50
Horace Greeley contributed special
articles of timely interest, such as a sketch
of Edwin NJ. Stanton, or a sketch of An
drew johnson. and tue like. 1t was at my
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-18

Willis, was the daughter of Nathanel
Willis, printer and editor of newspaper
published in Portland, Maine. Her first
husband was Charles ii. Eldredge, cashier
of the Merchants Bank. in Boston, who
died nine years after his marriage, leav-
ing two children. She was a sister of the
poet, n. p. Willis, who was quite Beau
Brummel in his way, cultivating the So
cleJy OF the rich and aristocratic and re-
fusing to recognize his impecuniOus sister.
de did not want the public to think that
he had any poor relations. At one time
there was quite a public discussion as o
whether or not she was really the sister
Of \. Z. Willis. Ii was during this dis
cuSslon, and while she was a widow, tina,
she wrote communication to the New
York Tribune, IN which she said that by a
sudden dispensation of Providence, she
had lost her husband by death and her
brother, though alive, had long been
practically dead TO her.
when Fanny Fern became a widow
she found herself DeDniless, certain bust
ness enterprises in which Mr.. Edredge
had been employed just before his death
having proved disastrous. Fanny Fern
had never been used 10 work, and had q
very hard time to earn money enough to
support herself and children. She at
tempted sewing without success, and failed
to secure an appointment as a teacher.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-18

behind IL as it passes up the street, their
eyes iDtently riveted upon its contents
and waiting for a stray lump to fall out
When one does fall out there is a shout, a
rush and general scramble among the fol-
lowers To- secure the coveted prize.
When boys sack is full the happy
owner plOds slowly on his homeward way,
dragging his heavy load behind him. filed
with the proud consciousness that he has
done his part in the general providing for
the family comfort for one day. If he is
what bis companions term "hoggish" he
will return for yet another sackful, but
fnere is an unwritten code among these
lads that the lucky one must desist for the
rest of the day and give bis less fortunate
fellows chance. Wood, as we'll as coal,
must be provided. and an hour or twO's
walk along the front or beach will reward
a searcher with enough of that fuel to last
for several days. Should this supply fail
there are always the new buildings which
are being put Z in different parts Of town,
and where building is going on there will
the small boy and his sack be found.
When f0raging for the latter article two
sacks are generally carried, wood being
much lighter and easier to handle than
coal.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-18
Copyright
WORK FOR THE UNEMPLOYED.

What charity? No, thank you. sir!
haven't come TO that!
Pm poOr-in want but I'm OF here
A-holding out my hat
I've two good arms, willing strength
I'm not the man to Shirk;
/ don't ask aims, sir. All l want
Is just chance TO work.
I'm not beggar. sir thank God
/ only ask my right
a chance TO earn what and mine
Require. and In the sight
OF felowmen TO be man.
And hold my head up straight,
whose child your chlld, sir, could not Scorh
AS an associate.
My wife and child need food and warmth
And can give them all
They need, with work-and help, as well,
At any neighbours call
But Idle hands are helpless, sir,
Aud so ask of you
A chance TO show what mine are worth
Some honest work TO do.
Pm only one of thousands-and
W Q are not beggars, sir
We're just as willing now to work
AS good men ever were.
Don't treat u.s. sir, like mendicantS
whom you would fain avoid,
But give, tor GODS sake, If you can,
Work for the unemployed
-harper's Weekly,
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-18
Over, Edward Everett, Henry Ward

DYER, Edward Everett, Henry Ward
Beecher and Bishop Clarke.
when / engaged Fanny Fern she had
great reputation as writer. Her BOOK OF
snort sketches entitled Fern Leaves had
had an immense sale both in the Uni'ed
States and in England. l opened negoila-
tons by writing her a note Offering her $50
a column for a ten-column story or
series Of sketches. She wrote back
declining the offer. l then offered her
$50 column: she declined That PROPOSE
ton. | then offered her SO column and
she still refused To write for me- Mason
Brothers were her bOOk-publishers. One
day she said to one of them. L wish you
would go and see this Mr.. Bonner. have
never met BIN aud know nothing about
him. but rather like him for his persever-
aDce. Explain to him that 1t is TOO late IN
the season for me 10 write long story Qt
was the month of May, but you can tell
him that later on l will write for him
story of about ten columns for 500 col
umn - $1,000 If be viii run the FISK
whether it will make nine columns or
eleven The Ledger in those days, in
common with the rest OF the papers, was
published in folio form, the columns being
four or five inches longer than they are at
the present time. When Mr. Mason made
me this proposition / at once accepted 1t
and contracted to give Fanny Fern $1,000
for her contribution whether IL turned out
to be nine or eleven columns long. Strictly
speaking. it was not story but series of
her peculiar sketches strung together by
thread of narrative. 1t ran through sew
eral numbers.
LAS feat of newspaper ENTERPRISE it at
once became widely known. One fact i II
connection with the epis de did not, how
ever, become publ C, and that is that l ad'
TO borrow the thousand dollars to pay
for the story.
Fanny Fern, whose real name was Sara
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-18
YOUTHFUL PROVIDERS.

How the Pot Is Made to Boil in
Some San. Francisco Families.
: There must be probably dozens of fami-
lies in this city that never expend cent
of their earnings in the purchase of wood
OR coal for fuel, ard yet have sufficient
and to spare Of both these CONN cd tiles at
all times. But this happy knack of re-
dncing to practice the theory that penny
saved is penny earned must Of necessity
be confined to those fortunate people who
rejoice in the possession of a son and heir
who is not aft cted with too pronounced
dislike of work.
. Any one passing by the coalyards on. the
water front on a pleasant day will. see
hordes of the small bov specie. their -agss
ranging anywhere from 6,tO y, standing at
the gates with sacks on their shoulders,
waiting for an outgoing cart. AS a cart
comes out three or tour will form in line
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-18
A Missouri Governor.
Washington Post.

"Out in my State." said Missouri Con-
gressman, I'VE used to have a Governor by
the name of Stewart. This was way back
when was boy. In. those DAYS eyery-
body was accustomed to drink whisky. and
Stewart had entirely yielded to the habit
of his day. They tell how Stewart. among
others, was once entertaining the Prince
of Wales. on the occasion many years ago
when that aristocrat, then callow youth.
visited this country. They gave great
ball N Wales honor in ST. Louis. Stewart
came down from jefferson C w to do credit
to 1t. Our Governor in the course of the
evening became very happy, very proud,
not to say enthusiastic He and the Prince
were stationed on little platform raised
Tor them at one side of the hall. So
Stationed, the beauty and briliancy and
blue blood of st. Louis swept by them in
dazzling review. TIE Spectacle elevated
stewards feelings several notches. His
bosom swelled. Finally, in tremendous
Impulse born of glow and glory. ne ad=
ministrated mighty slap 10 the royal back,
and exclaimed:
Prince. don't YOU wish you was Gov
ernor of Missouri 2"
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-18

bis 'Recollections of Busy Life DIR.
John Hall, DR.. McCosh. ex-president of
Princeton College. and George w. Childs
also wrote "reminiscences.
"a striking feature of my paper in those
early days was the column of answers
to correspondents. This was a somewhat
novel feature ia American journalism at
that time. We had questions on all sorts
of subjects, a large proportion of them
referring TO lovers qnarrels and mat
rimonial disagreements. For ten years
Rev. John Hall answered about half of
the correspondents. Questions of q senti-
mental nature were answered by different
editors: Fanny Fem, James Parton, Oliver
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-18

Finally she thought she would try writing
for the press. a scheme which should have
suggested itself to her at the outset, for
her compositions al school were noticeably
good. Very few periodicals in those days
paid Tor literary matter. and those that did
pay gave very small sums. The usual rate
was 81 OF 81 a column. while So was con-
sldered fair price for story.
"Her first sketch, written in her own
peculiar style, entirely different from that
OF any other writer. was called The Model
Minister She sold 1t to Boston naga-
zine called The Mothers Assistant and
received 80 cents for 1t. All the articles
she wrote were for years copied by all the
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-18
Chicago Renort.

"Mr. SmartIey.' said the professor IN the as.
tronomy class. "lfow far should we let ourselves
be guided by the theories OF Gopernicus %
Gas to that" replied Mr.. Smarfley. sI
should prefer to intrust so important decision
entirely to you, sir"
Between 1859 and 1867 the English. Gov
eminent sold $50 "'ps af all
classes as useless.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-18

The first war vessel captured by an
American ship was the Edward. taken by
the Lexington. August II, 1777
Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-06-01

Gov Flower appears to agree with
the Boston Herald that the Stars and
Stripes are mere textile fabric" en-
titled to no special consideration.
Consistency is a jewel, even in the
great Presbyterian General Assembly.
A motion to take action relative to
Breckenridge of Kentucky was dismissed
as being no part of the business of the
assembly. But they took up the case of
a telephone girl who had to work Sun
day or lose her position, and considered
expelling her from the church.
The Mugwump papers are bewailing
The action of the Democrats in the House
in cutting off the appropriation for the
Civil Service Commission. They are the
ouly ones surprised, as every man, not
Mugwump, knew that the Democratic
professions were only for the purpose of
catching votes.-New Bedford Standard.
Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-06-01
Sewer Pipe, Cheap

about 1000 feet of sewer pipe, from to 10 inches,
that must be closed out now. 1t will be sold in
lots to suit customers. Take advantage of this
rare opportunity. Call at plumbers SHOP on Sill
yer Street, Bennington, VT. Sewer connections
made on reasonable terms.
w. D. NEWTON.
Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-06-01
TO nnMN SpOOKS

A wealthy bachelor declared that a
horrid bag had glared at him through
the night. His friends laughed at him,
but he insisted that the house was
haunted. He grew i'll, complaining of
extreme heaviness in the stomach, his
(appetite failed, he grew sallow, ema-
kiated and Respondent, believing he was
hing to die, the spook being warning,
declared he could hear funeral bells
ing in his ears, and even limited at
2. A friend induced him to use
Ece's Golden Medical Discovery,
apidly grew well, spooks and all
>ssing symptoms disappearing.
"a liver and dyspepsia caused his
JHng and the medicine cured both.
= he Discovery is the only remedy for
biQliousness and indigestion, or dyspep-
sid, so certain in its curative action as to
warrant its sale on trial. A Guarantee,
in p Print, wraps every bottle.
Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-06-01
TWO LIVES SAVED

Mrs. PHOEBE Thomas, of junction City,
ILL.,, was told by her doctors she had Con
sumption and that there was no hope for
her, but two bottlesDr. Kings New Dis
covery completely cured her and she
says it saved her life. Mr.. Thos. Eggers.
1875 Florida st. San Francisco, suffered
from dreadful cold, approaching Con-
sumption, tried without result every
thing else then bought one bottle of DR..
Kings New Discovery and in two weeks
was cured. He is naturally thankful.
1t is such results, of which these are
samples, that prove the wonderful eff
cacy of this medicine in Coughs and
Colds. Free trial bottles at G. D. Glib
sons Drug Store, Regular size SOC. and
S1,00.