davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1894-06-04

stood up and said he had reached the total
nobody knew more than the contents of the
| first box.
Somebody is bound to be disappointed.
! the recorder said as ii he were responsible for
1t. He readiusted his glasses and mopped
| his head afresh, and went on. "but reckon
the quicker 1t comes the better. The official
returns give Johnson 96S votes. Riggs 942,
| and Greer 16.
Johnson's smile almost broke the profound
silence. Riggs glared at the recorder and
Sam dropped his shoulders and showed his
hands to the bottom of his pockets.
Riggs. Sam said after moment, didn't
you hear the result of the election n little
sooner than you thought you wanted to?"
| Before Riggs could decide what sort OF
reply to make Johnsons band played Dixie"
while Riggs flies and Greer's banjos skunk
ayin the darkness, and the Reform howled
Riggs shook hands with Johnson, and SO did
Sam, but most of Sans energies were busy
wondering what had become OF the scores and
scores of voters that had been promised him
Internationally.
When the victors had wearied of rejoicing
and had gone in for the night. Sam still wan
dered in the stiffness under the stars. He
was trying to make up his mind whether he
had been counted out. whether there had been
an honest mistake. or whether his professed
friends had deliberately deceived him. And
in the end he came to the conclusion that the
people, and not himself. were to blame;
wherefore, he was not crestfallen. This was
hardly an original conclusion.
He came out the next morning as fresh as
Il flower, and when he and johnson met any
one would have thought that two mayors
had been elected.
"How are you feeling?" johnson asked.
BEST in the world" Sam replied II didn't
want to be mayor. 1 just wanted to intro
duce myself to the public so they would
know me when run for the legislature next
fall. Glad you got it. old man. and if you
need any help reforming the town, call on
me-"
Sam Greer ran for tho legislature under the
spur Of an unforgotten defeat He stormed
screamed. sighed, raved, and prayed. and he
was more successful than before. Nearly one
hundred votes were cast for him. and. recog-
nizing his increasing popularity. and not in
the least disheartened by two set-backs, he
Immediately declared himself a candidate for
county court clerk, although tine election was
some months OIL.
After a long wait and bitter fight he gra-
ciously accepted eighty-four votes and the
deputyship to the Office for which he had
contended.
Outside of school and a debating society
and running for office. Sam had never worked
two days in succession In his life, and the
practical use Of money was known to him
through hearsay. The novelty of work kept
him interested for awhile. He escaped worry
on the money count by leaving his salary in
the hands of his superior. He was beginning
to prosper.
But prosperity induced rashness and be-
fore he was conscious OF the fact, he was in
the field again, and he was elected, to be the
husband OF nice, thoughtful wife. He went
The Washington times., 1894-06-04

He had no constituency. He reasoned that a
constituency was bound TO come. And being
without instructions he talked about birds
and trees and farms and ancient history and
the eternal survival of heavens knows what:
Of the lives OF great men reminding him, and
of Spartacus and the gladiators, and other
people and other things. Occasionally he
mentioned the race for mayoralty and said he
ought be put in the place ebecause-because he
wanted it. Then he would reiterate the state
ment with choice quotations to illustrate it.
Wherever the music was going there was
the bulk of the crowd.
An unveiled July sun heated election day
up into the nineties but when johnson and
Riggs and Greer walked from ward to ward
they went at a gait that would have been
proof against blizzard. and when anon they
greeted sundry citizens they assured them
that the walk to the polls was a relief from
sitting in the shade. Talk, talk, talk, the
town quit work to talk, and at sundown it
had reached the conclusion that Greer had
dropped behind.
The fire in the sky slowly smouldered out
and left only glittering sparks, and Recorder
Moor seated himself behind the big green
table in the county judges Office. johnson
stood on his left, near the door, With knot
Of the high priests Of reform about him.
Riggs was at the other end Of the table, sur
rounded by the driving wheels of the ma
chine. Greer was everywhere, with nobody
around him.
"Gentiemen, gentlemen" Judge Moore
said, hopping the perspiration from his bald
head and tanning himself SO vigorously that
one Of the lamps on the table went out,
stand back and let me get breath OF fresh
air. Open up, there, gentlemen. or I'll not
count a vote tonight"
.'Stand backl Stand back, therer' Sam
Greer took up the word, land let's see how
this thing has gone. How can you expect q
man TO work when he can't breatbe?"
.'Reckon you needn't be be such hurry"
Riggs said, as Sans hand pressed roughly
against his shoulder. You might not be so
anxious to hear the result of this election as
you think you are.''
''Ahal' that's better" judge Moor sighed,
as the ghost Of breeze reached him. "And,
now, let's see what we've got here.''
He laid the fan on the table, placed the
handkerchief atop and unlocked a ballot-box
The yellow tally-sheet was lifted out and
spread on the table. and the recorder read:
''Geer, 16; johnson, 81; Riggs. 90" Then,
lifting his eyes from the white page on which
he was setting the score and lowering his
head so as to see over his spectacles. he said:
Little behind there, amt YOU, Sam?''
.Never mind, judge" Geer answered pleas
antly. "Ill catch up. Just open up another
box
Johnson passed his fingers through his
scant beard. Riggs looked delightfully."- un-
con noerned, and the machine men smiled.
Another tally sheet was brought to light, but
the figures were not given out. They were
placed under the others on the white page.
and the recorder turned to the third box with
the request that Sam keep the crowd back,
Johnson and Riggs helped Sam, and so sue
cessful were they that when Judge Moor
The Washington times., 1894-06-04
Th8 Mayor.
IBy Kassim.i

It came from over the mountain, or il
floated up from the valley, or maybe it was
propagated in minds naturally inclined to
strife. 1t called itself Reform" and its
ayowcd mission was to sweep the 'machine''
from the face of the earth. Its prophet was
William Jackson, a sometime church men,
ber. sometime politician. and bolter by
birthrisht. The mayorality Of Uptonville was
1t stake, and the prophet predicted that the
besmirched escutcheon Of Tennessee would
be cleansed. Alexander Riggs, the duly
chosen representative Of the organized party.
said the escutcheon was not besmirched. and
that johnson and his supporters were prepar-
iEg slide down which the world would dash
TO everlasting chaos-unless his hands were
upheld TO scatter the false gods ere the slide
was finished. But before either OF them
spoke. and even before the Reformer's ex-
istence. n young man had come who followed
II high ambition engendered by debating
society. He was not known in the haunts Of
the un;erri1ed, nor had he the grip and pass
word to the conclaves to the newly annointed.
HIS name was Sam Greer, he said and Sam
Greer wanted to be. and intended to be-
mayor of Uptonville; and Sam Grser's plat
form was: "Bo good to yourself, and make
Sam Greer mayor" On this he planted his
dusty shoes, and from !. his voice rang high
"Icver to cease until the sun set on a glorious
victory for his cause"
Uptonville attended manifestations every
night. Johnson's stand was in one corner Of
the courthouse yard. and he had engaged the
town band for the season to the exclusion of
all bidders. Here the machine was revealed
"a hideous snake of many coils, and just
disappearing in Its awful jaws was poor r,strug.
Cling, innocent Uptonville. Charges of cor
raption, bribe-taking, pandering to whisky
Interests, eyes closed to open violations Of
law, fell from the speakers lips like inspired
rereintioh. He pleaded for decency, honor,
home, purity and the salvation OF souls with
the understanding distinctly implied. that he
was tie personifcation OF all these things.
iigys had established himself in another
corner OF the enclosure. His orchestra was
composed OF fife and drum-two fifes-and
the burden OF his incantations was what he
termed ''the pusillanimousness OF that dis
gruntled politician, his opponent" Above
this. from time to time, rose the cry. ..Where
would the country be II it were not for the
machinery of party organization? and what,
oh what, fellow-citizens, would the state and
national party do IL its foundation stones we're
scattered TO the four winds Of heaven?"
Away on dry goods box under the locust
trees ut the edge OF The square, Sam Greer
and two negro banjo pickers held forth. Sam
had no henchmen. He felt in his soul that he
was born politician, and that was Sufficient.
The Washington times., 1894-06-04
Easy to Make n Strong Cigar.

Irroi tne nhdueipnih hecotuI
A tobacco manufacturer who moves In Sc
lect coterie Of tobacco-loving friends was re-
Gently told by one of those connoisseurs that
he had yet to find cigar that was too strong
for him to enjoy. Acting on the suggestion.
the manufacturer took occasion to have ci-
gar specially constructed OF stems and neatly
covered with rich, appetizing Havana leaf,
rolled into points at both ends. This he pre-
sented to his friend with the wish that it
might prove strong enough to suit his taste.
Suspecting nothing. the friend proceeded to
smoke. and was soon surprised to see Goals
like red-hot nails exud1ng from the end OF the
cigar. As the skin peeled Off his tongue his
brain began to reel, and he soon gave up in
en- old-fashioned attack of nausea. He no
longer boasts OF his capacity before people
who are In the business.
The Washington times., 1894-06-04
A NEW YORK BEGGAR.
He Looks Like Mephisto and Matches Hin
For Suavity and Check.

He Looks Like Mephisto and Matches Him
For Suavity and Check.
new mumper has appeared among the
besgars of City Hall park within week. he
is craftier than any other member Of the fra
ternity there. He is highly skilled in the art
OF circumventing the unwary pedestrian. His
face bcars the most extraordinary resemblance
to that of Mephistoheles in Ritsch's pictures,
says the New York Sun. he has the expression
and leer of Mephisto; he has the manners OF
the same.
He suddenly turns up in presence of his VIC
tim. offers him his hand, halls him as friend:
zone word. SIR" as he opens the left side OF
his mouth, squints TO the left, with bent head,
links his arm with that of his victim and
takes few steps with him ii he cannot stop
him. Just word; do you know, sir?" or
what do you think, sit?" as he makes known
his dire need.
The beggar can be shaken of only by main
force. to which. however. he yields in good
order and then looks cut for another man or
woman whom he thinks ne can make dupe
or The pedestrian crossing City Hall Park
who describes the approach OF this counterpart
of Mephistopheles had better quicken his foot
STEPS, But nc man ever described mis- ap-
proach; he is alongside of you. If you are the
right man for him. before you know it. He is
about 40 years old, and is not badly dressed.
The Washington times., 1894-06-04

tance sixinches. At Martin. he went fox hunt
ing; ut Beechwood. he took prominent part
in a revival; and ut Salem. he organized a
picnic.
whole month still remained when Sam
began work in town. He had been away from
the office for days at a time. but no protest
had been made: which is politics, YOU know
Minnie had missed her husband, but she had
kept her loneliness to herself. Sam had not
thought once about his absence from either.
He had not thought about ANYTHING except
that he was going to be tax assessor of Up
ton county DE spent half of each day in the
office. and the clerk, who was candidate for
reelection, did likewise. thus keeping the
doors open u proper length of time. The
outside work went gradually on, while the in
side duties went by default.
"San," Minnie said, some days before the
elaction, you've been drinking"
Eyes, my dear. 1 have been drinking
steadily for a number Of years
''But l mean you've been drinking some
thing besides water"
'Why. OF course have. often do that 1
am politician, follower of political ways,
and drinking, you know, is the first requisite
OF success"
Il didn't know that. You didn't drink when
you used to run, did you?"
''That is why l was not successful. But
I've got it all fixed this time, and am just as
sure to be elected rs l am to live. il Then I'll
quit"
But when the election was over Sam Greer
went right on drinking, principally because
he had nothing else to DO. In one fell mo-
ment he discovered that he was not elected,
and that his deputyship was taken from him
by cruel people who were OF the opinion
that Upton county needed anew circuit court
clerk. And all but 372 OF those people wanted
their taxes assessed by another than Sam
Greer.
Sam stood around and whistled until hun
ger was in his household. Then ne went out
with his characteristic election zeal. and by
nightfall he had agreed TO 30 to work the
next day ut the furnace at a living salary.
Minnie's eyes fairly talked when she heard of
it, and thereafter she used daily every power
in her knowledge to have her husband work
as hard at his new business as he mad done so
many times to attract public favor. Sam half
assured her that he would, and he half tried
to make the assurance true; but he could not
Danish the idea thfst he was born politician
end that 372 men ought to have deal of in
fuence.
Another pending election tempted. He
yielded. It presented him with another de-
feat And then he was discharged from the
furnace for neglect OF duty, and even that was
not sufficient to put an endt to his public
career.
The records OF Upton county for fourteen
years. beginning with the election OF William
johnson to the mayo rally OF the county seat,
show that Sam Greer was candidate for
political preference twenty-onc times, and the
list includes every office in the town and
county. Not once was he the representative
OF any organized party, and he was never
known to ask advice of anybody, or take any.
He worked harder than his opponents, and
The Washington times., 1894-06-04
NEW
TURKISH BATH.
Hot sea salt bath. 1899 G ST. NV. apls-1yr

into the Office at once. established his home
in a cottage in the skirts OF the town and
unto himselfthe ways of the newly married.
He painted the house inside and out with his
own hand. put flowers in the yard, built boxes
around the trees on the sidwalk, and did
many other things that were commendaSle.
And SO deeply interested was he that he failed
to notice the vast change that was coming
over Uptonville.
The town had been discovered by eastern
capitalists. the old iron and coal mines up
Marin creek had been reopened, and an i'm
mense furnace was being erected in sight OF
the square. new population was drifting
In. new business blocks were replacing old
ones. and real estate Offices were becoming
numerous. Minnie saw in the change great
possibilities and she watcher developments
eagerly until she noticed that her husband 3
eyes had begun to look beyond his immediate
surroundings.
1.-The boom gives a mighty good opening
for young men," she said one evening when
she and Sam were sitting on the front porch,
land if were you, I'd go and get a position
man of your energy could rise right to the
top"
on the mines. and you know the mines had to
be abandoned before. But I'll tell you what
it will do. 1t will make the tax assessors
Office fat thing next term, and the new pop
ulation can be led to vote for any man that
will work it right. 1t would be- the easiest
thing in the world, and 1 intend to do it,
shoot me if DON'T"
''Sam, don't like politics, and it seems to
me you've tried 1t enough to be satisfied. You
would just bave to accept another deputyship,
and I'd heap rather you would have some
position in business That's what made me
mention it. want you to cult politics.
''But, Minnie, think how nice 1t is to hold
Office. There's a lot more money in 1t, and q
great deal less work. Everybody knows you
and you know everybody. We could live
over on Main street and have horse and
buggy, and move in the best society in
town."
''But it's too uncertain, and it doesn't last
long enough, and it amt nice anyway. wish
you would quit politics."
"Once become popular, and you can get
anything you want. And, besides, should
make enough money in one term to last a life
time''
"But you ought to know better than any
body just what it means to get elected-I
mean to try to get elected"
II do know, and that is why the thing will
be so easy"
Sam began the canvass by series of social
visits to all parts Of the county, and when he
could think OF no new plan he started again
at the beginning, this time making speeches
supplemented by overtures toward winning
the personal friendship of every man who was
old enough to vote. At Harmony he found
the eleven voters Of the village under the
trees that shaded the public hitching rail,
engaged in a jumping contest. He waited
quietly until one had outjumped the otherS;
then. taking heavy stone in either hand, he
stepped up to the mark and raised the dis
The Washington times., 1894-06-04
from the London Daily NewsI

There is living at present in the village Of
UrussoIka. in the Russian government of
Tula. a Woodworking and industrious peasant
family. the head of which is l04 years OF age,
and was formerly body servant to Prince
Schakoiskoi. There are nine sons, whose
ages range from so 10 so years. Two of them
performed the long military service Of twenty
five years under Car Nicholas. The father
is still comparatively as active rs his younger
equal share of the field and farm work. No
member of the family is total absrainer. but
father and sons have always led a temperate
and frugal life. The patriarch himself in his
gay moods is still accustomed 10 execute with
astonishing verve and agility some of the
favorite national Gances-dances which always
require a sgpleness of limb Of the dancer.
The villagers invariably consult the old man
in their troubles.
The Washington times., 1894-06-04
Electric Headlights for London Buses

n ffOH TUG LOhuOn UhIIy IeIegraphI
Some Of the omnibuses and trans in London
are now fitted with the electric light in very
ingenious manner. Not only is the interior
well Illuminated. but outside, high up, beside
the driver, a large globe is placed. containing
a brilliant lamp, which sheds white light on
the passengers on the seats behind, enabling
them to read Il newspaper comfortable. while
in front is a colored glass which serves to in
dictate the route the car takes. The innova-
tion is of immense service at nighttime not
only to those already in the vehicle, but to
people in the street, who can see at once that
the bus or tram they wish to enter is coming.
The Washington times., 1894-06-04
The Cat as Cause of Insomnia.
IErom The Medical Record

An ingenious Brooklyn statistician esti-
mates that United Brooklyn has over o hum
dred thousand cats, OF which more than one
half are unsheltered. He considers it as a
conservative estimate that 10 per cent. OF the
one million inhabitants of our sister city are
kept awake at night by the bowling OF the
one hundred Thousand. This makes one case
of insomnia per cat, and leads one to the con-
clusion that Brooklyn is a very sleepless city.
II cats and insomnia prevail with equal
virulence in other cities it would follow that
there are 6.000.000 cat, and 6.0G0, 600 OF in
somnIa in America. Yet no notice is taken of
this pathogenic factor by systematic writers
on sleep
The Washington times., 1894-06-04
Young Supreme Court Lawyers.

Chief Justice Fuller was speaking the other
day Of the large number OF brilliant young
lawyers that were appearing before the Su-
preme Court of late. 1t was formerly the
rule to intrust Supreme Court cases to vete-
rams. and until recently men under fifty years
of age were very seldom seen at that bar
Younger men might prepare the briefs. but
old men were called in to present them. But
Of late the younger generation of lawyers are
arguing their own eases. and Justice Fuller
thinks there are more brilliant youngsters at
the bar OF the United States than in any other
country Of the world.
The Washington times., 1894-06-04
Snakes il Ireland.

Mr.. Rohn, Grand Parade, Cork, has on ex-
hibition snake which was killed at Mr.
Lanes. Veroon Mount. lately. 1t attacked
children playing in the fields. The children
raised an alarm. and the snake was killed
II is not so large as the snake killed Oh the
banks Of the Tramore some time ago. but it is
OF the same species and is said to be poison
Gus. How these snakes came to the Douglas
distric; is enveloped in mystery.
The Washington times., 1894-06-04
Two Old Families.

from Ine LOnuOn SLaNUaru.I
Mrs. Letetia Turner. now living in a cottage
at Fordham ST. Martin, near Bury st. Ed
munds. has Just passed her one hundred and
fourth birthday. She is is in fairly good
health. and retains her faculties. She has
five daughters and enc son living. The
daughters are aged respectively rs, "a, 70. &C.
and Ga: the son is 81.
The Washington times., 1894-06-04
Columbia Park.

Gem Of Washington Suburbs
Your choice of any lot S25 for 10 days only; on
Pennsylvania X r.: also on Chesapeake Beach
r r. now building; communication fare 61s cents;
excursions daily; cash or installments; send for
circular COLUMBIA PARK CO., No. 6s3 F St
NV ie4-f
The Washington times., 1894-06-04
RUpfUr6SI |
Z5. 900 Ruptured People Are
Killed

yearly in America alone from the severe and
unnatural pressure Of trusses.
Severe truss pressure causes tumors, alb
scesses, kidney ami bladder diseases, nervous
debility, varicocele, impotency, rheumatism,
spinal brain, ana other serious fatal diseases.
If you are ruptured and have been disappointed
In physicians and trusses, let me euro you
can do II without operations, pain, or detention
from business Cures warranted. Thirty years
in rupture practice. Free examinations every
day from to o'clock
The Washington times., 1894-06-04
SUMNER RESORTS.
BUSINESS CHANCES.

I'oR SALE-A SMALL WOOD, COAL AND
L feed business on a main thoroughfare: ex.
ceptionel advantages; now paying running ex-
penses; price complete only 500 cash; good rea-
son for disposition Address COAL AND FEED,
Times Office. my25-2w
The Washington times., 1894-06-04
VariGOG8l8I |
The Great Impedlment to
Marriage.

II you are nervous, despondent, tire easily,
have soreness In the -eins Of the sac or they ar
enlarged, pouched, knotted or hard, or you have
dragging down feelings in lower part Of abdo-
men, or dull or sharp pains extending up or
down in the pelvis, or If you have lost or are
losing your power, have failing memory and
ambition, you are suffering from varicocele and
should seek relief before 1t Il too late. euro
varicoce,s without operations, pain. or deten-
ti0n from business. Cures warranted Exami-
nations free every day from TO o'clock
The Washington times., 1894-06-04

SHAREs IN THE UNITED STATES BUILDING
- and Loan Association, 1913 + ST. n. W., are the
safest and most profitable investment for small
sums OF money. Cell for pamphlet ie9-imo
The Washington times., 1894-06-04
STORAGE.
STORAGE.

Separate rooms II desired Goods hauled.
packed. and shipped Lowest rates. EAST END
EXPRESS d. c. SMITH Il CO., General For
warding Agents, sth ST. and Md ave. ne.
rnyl5-tf
The Washington times., 1894-06-04

EIRsT AND SECOND TRUST NOTES DIS
L counted
Apply at once to
ies-at L. c. j., care TINES
The Washington times., 1894-06-04
DIR. PARKER. liza G Street N. w.
MISCELLANEOUS.

EoR sALE-LOTs, 18TH ST. BET. s AND
II sts n. W., sub-lots "a and rs. % 1911; To-
1s.3xl00 IT, to alley; price per II, ss A. CAY
WOOL, 1898 9Th st. n. w. je3-3t