davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1894-05-06
Make 1t a Bower of Beauty.

Look after your deserted fireplace. It offers
great possibilities in decorative way At
present it is the most forlorn spot about the
or the merry crackle of burning logs. and the
japanese umbrella, though extremely gay In
tint and design, hides in stiffest fashion the
yawning gap made by the absence Of cold
weather cheerinesS.
II you live in the country, or Just upon the
suburbs Of a big city, you will not have very
much trouble to secure fresh-looking grasses
and bits OF flourishing scenery the only out
lay being little time. strength, and energy.
As most women consider it fun rather than
labor to attend to decorative Details the bit
Of woodland beauty smuggled into the home
in this way is an altogether fascinating affair.
When obliged to depend upon the florist for
aid you can fit up fireplace fernery at a
comparatively small cost by using a little judg-
ment. Select your ferns and let them be
hardy ones The tender varieties are worth
less. A trip through the city market some
sunshiIy morning wi II give you a very pretty
choice Of foliage plants, and you will find
them less expensive than those sold in the
shops.
You must first get box long enough and
wide enough to fit the fireplace. This rests
on the floor. 1t is also punctured with sew
eral holes for drainage, and a shallow pan is
placed under the box to receive water. The
front OF the box may be decorated in any way
preferred. Sometimes it is enameled in a
pretty shade OF green, and sometimes deco
rated with brush and paints. Fill the box
nearly to the top with rich soil and then
plant your ferns. Vines that thrive in the
shadiest forest nooks are the ones to select.
Let them be good runners, so that they may
be trained to climb over the mantel. Ivy is
especially pretty for this purpose.
The Washington times., 1894-05-06

was necessary. Life in the city must be given
up. and some work undertaken that would
employ all his time and keep him away from
running influences.
About this time a musical instrument
maker advertised for agents to open business
for him in several towns Of the state, and
Carl, who was passionately fond of music. as
well as a skiilful performer, thought this
would just suit him. He opened correspond
ence with the advertiser and secured the
agency for Fairfax, and entered at once on
his duties. One of the first sales he made was
fine church organ to be placed in the new
Baptist church, the choir OF which was then
forming.
While the organ was being put in position
the minister's daughter, Nettie, who was to
be the organist. was frequently present, and
after Carl had declared his work finished she
sat down before it to try the instrument,
Several selections were sung by those who
were assembled to hear the new organ, and
Carl's fine tenor voice added much to the
harmony He was invited at once to Join the
choir. and Netties bright eyes seconded the
invitation.
This was the beginning Of a delightful ex-
perience to Carl Lawrence. For the first time
in his life a woman's face had power to thrill
him. This sweet, shy girl could move his
heart as no handsome city beauty had ever
done.
CARTS music rooms soon became the center
of attraction to lovers of the beautiful. For
not only was it o place where music held
sway, but sister arts lent attraction to the
emporium.
Nettie Farnham spent many happy hours In
the pretty rooms, for few days passed but she
was asked to come in ana try a new song or
to give her opinion as to the tone of q new
instrument, or to the placing of some new
picture in a proper light.
These interviews were very delightful to
Nettie, but there came time when the cause
OF her pleasuree was revealed to her; then her
visits suddenly ceased.
Her continued absence caused Carl to real
ize the great love that had risen in his heart;
his future happiness seemed at stake; he felt
that life was not worth living apart from
Nettie's love and sympathy. And having
come to this conclusion, he visited the par
sonage and asked permission to win her for
his wife. How much should he tell this
grave, quiet minister of his past life? He
dared not lay bare the whole Of 1t before the
eyes Of this doting father.
81 have lived wild life," he said at last,
feeling that some Of his history must be told
IL he would be honest, "but feel that 1t is
far behind me. The future shall redeem nv
past folly, and my union with your daughter
will be a perpetual barrier against the tempta-
tions that have hitherto crowded my life.
feel that the future will be bright for both
Of u.s."
Few men can look back on their past and
The Washington times., 1894-05-06

| card table, and CROPPED his way to the door,
| and as 1t creaked on its hinges the horse
turned his head, and with a snort, shook from
his body the white mass that made him look
like grotesque drift.
"By Jove! a hoss! Must be that city chaps
anamile! Guess the creeter must be mighty
cold by this time" There must have been
some latent goodness in the heart OF this half
drunken card player, or the condition Of the
poor brute would not have aroused his pity.
Putting his head into the room he ex-
claimed: "Say, mister, you'd better go out
an blanket yer hoss II yer goin' to make a
night of it.: It's mighty frosty outside, let
me tell yer."
With a cry that startled all to their feet
Carl rushed to the door and out into the snow.
''My wife! my wife! God forgiver me!
What have done!''
Sobered instantly bv the knowledge of his
criminal negligence, he reached the sleigh
and brushed away the snow that covered his
wife's body; then. with terrified cry, he
lifted her form in his arms and carried her
through the startled crowd and into the
warmth Of the barroom, and, giving hasty
glance around, In search Of place to lay bis
precious burden, he finally laid the hfeless
form Of his wife down on the liquor-staine ed
bar.
Could there be a more fitting place to lay
out a rumseller's victim than along the bar
over which the poison has passed that had
caused her death?
Terror and remorse were in Carl's face, as
he cried:
"Oh, my darling! my precious wife! Awake
and say you forgive me, II nothing more"
and he rubbed and chafed her frozen hands
and face.
"Oh, God, what have donel How could
leave my precious wife to freeze while I sat so
near her! Am dreaming or am crazy, that
seem to see my wife dead before my eyes2"
The men stood awe-struck by his side, and
those who had loving wives at home thought
of them now.
Carl could not believe that death had indeed
robbed him Of his dearest treasure, SO he
worked In an agony Of despair In vain for
some signs Of returning consciousness It
was a vain hope, and the frantic cries Of the
husband chilled the heart OF every hearer.
A group OF bottles that stood near her head
were silently removed to q remote corner, and
the cards and glasses disappeared from the
card-table just as silently.
For the most hardened felt that they were
out of place in the awful presence Of death.
But the wretched husband still bent over
the white face and stroksd the beautiful hair,
which had once been his pride. but which
row lay in q wet, disordered mass around her
head, and then turned aside to wiring his
hands and groan aloud in anguish. And well
may the strong. rough men turr and hide
their faces from the sight OF such agony, for
The Washington times., 1894-05-06
that sum, and its contents never goes out Of
fashion, II it Is O classic.

that sum, and its contents never goes out Of
fashion, II it is a classic.
About those Summer excursions, which will
soon be at their height, and which are en-
joyed 80 much by everybody who "can't get
away" there is a word to be said for the
benefit Of the working girl, who for the time
becomes one of the daintiest and takingest of
our Summer girls.
She Is sure to be there, and to look charm
ing, ard to contribute the biggest end Of de-
light to the occasion. We hope she will not
good deal OF healthful recreation out Of 1t
and come away unharmed. That will all de-
pend upon how she carries herself.
A modest, self-respecting American girl
can go anywhere she pleases, even without
a chaperone, If she so carries herself as to re-
pei familiarity and to compel respect. While
1.-TWO is company" the excursion season is
not the best time to ignore ones friends, who
might enjoy the day or evening with you,
and their presence will save all possible
chance for either scandal or mishap.
The young woman who earns her own
bread always has our good will and sympa-
thy. Some Of the would-be benevolent have
wondered why she has not chosen the shell
tered relation Of domestic life, instead OF the
one she has.
Well, I am not going to answer, with all the
things that suggest themselves to me, save
only by giving one or two which seem to me
to be points well taken.
As things are-I do not mean as they should
be, but as things are-domestic life in some
body else's kitchen does not seem to NEON
its present basis of consideration by the mis-
tress at home or the public Mt large-as SO
very overwhelmingly attractive.
The cook or housemaid's days work begins
at anywhere from 6 a. m. and ends anywhere
after p. IN. before midnight unless they
lodge away from the house they are employed
In. While the whole fraternity Of women's
wage-earning occupations outside Of your
modern kitchen do not begin before Z, and in
most cases they end hours before IL. And
then. where are the skilled mechanics, the
young business man, the clerks, who want to
choose q wife from out either your or my
kitchen, delightfully."- slight" rs the work may
be?
Perhaps the timo will come when house.
work will stand on the plane Of clerical work,
but 1t will be after Coxey has marched away
home-however long ahead that event may
be. AUNT EMILY.
The Washington times., 1894-05-06
Other Ways TO Use Strawberries.

Sponge Cake with strawberry filling-Bake
plain sponge cake in two tins. Mash one
coffee cup OF fine berries with one cup of
powdered sugar and the white OF one fresh
egg beaten stiff. Beat all together fifteen
minutes and put between the layers and on
top.
Strawberry Pudding Sauce-One box of
berries, one and one-third cups OF powdered
sugar one and one-haf tablespoonfuls of
butter. Beat sugar and butter to cream.
Add the berries, few at q time. and beat till
well mixed. This is excellent with any light
pudding.
Strawberry Shrub-Over nine pounds
fresh berries pour three quarts best cider
vinegar let it stand twenty-four hours, bring
to a boil and strain. To every pint OF juice
add pint and 4 half OF granulated sugar.
Boil together for five minutes and strain. Put
up in self-sealinS pint cans. To use add
tablespoonful or two to glass of ice water.
This drink is very grateful to the sick and the
well seldom refuse it.
Preserved Strawberries in Jelly-One quart
red currant juice. two pounds granulated
sugar; boil slowly twenty minutes. then drop
in, one at a time. a pint OF ripe, wild straw
berries, which are clean and unbroken. Boil
gently four minutes. then pour into glasses,
carefully distributing the berries. The next
day cover with thin layer OF melted paraf1ine
or tie over thick paper wet in white OF egg.
Store In a cool, dry place.
The Washington times., 1894-05-06

A NEEDLESS CALAMITY.

Few men have entered life with brighter
prospects Of success than did Carl Lawrence.
Born of n good family and possessing suf-
fcient wealth to make lie pleasure. with q
lair proportion of good looks, coupled with
an engaging manner, it was no wonder that
his presence was welcomed in every circle.
Since leaving college, through which he
passed with honor, he spent his time much as
young gentlemen of leisure usually do, in
having good time generally. No pleasure
parry of any kind was complete among the
set in which he moved unless his presence
gracsd the occasion.
Il never occurred to him that. during these
good times, he was sowing seeds that would
yield a fearful harvest-a harvest of heart
aches. of troubles, and remorse.
i was long before he could be made to see
his danger. but not until he had bowed his
sis!er head with shame and wrung his
mothers heart with grief did he realize how
low ne had fallen. Then he tried-oh, so
hgri-to break the chains that bound him,
only TO find how strongly he was fettered.
>Several times he broke away from the tolls
THAI seemed closing around him and sought
re.r5e End strength in some secluded country
town. ana then he fought with himself, and
faith In himself grew strong again, believing
he had conquered his appetite, but only to
fall once more, when temptation surged
around him.
Only those who have gone through the
seme furnace OF aff1iction can form an idea
OF the anxiety and misery which his mother
aid sisters endured on his account or how
earnestly they pleaded with him to sign a
pisdgc against all intoxicating drinks. or to
ION one OF the many societies which had total
g. stinenee for its platform.
Bat Ike many others of his class he had
no.hing but ridicule for the total abstinence
clause OF the various constitutions: he pro-
iessed supreme contempt for Bill Jones, who
was found dead drunk In the gutter as often
a. he could obtain the money to purchase the
liquor that would surely put him there, yet
be saw not the slightest connection between
himself and Bill Jones. He would never fall
so low rs that But did any man who has
turned ont to be a common drunk ever in
tend TO fall so low? 1t is the "occasional''
glass that Stays its thousands. Having fed
to the country to sober up, after indulging in
a spree that made Carl himself blush to think
OF, he gave his own case thoughtful study.
and at last admitted that change In his life
The Washington times., 1894-05-06
Qrt uotes.

The Corcoran Art School will hold its an.
nual exhibit in the schoolroom in the rear oi
the gallery on Tuesday, May a. There has
been a lively competition for the gold medal,
there being some twelve candidates for this
honor, and the evenness Of the work offered
will make it difficult matter to decide who
deserves 1t most.
| I !
The corner stone OF the new Corcoran Art
Gallery will be laid on Thursday Of this week,
at o'clock. with appropriate ceremonies. OF
both civil and religious character.
Bishop Paret will conduct the religions ser
| vices, and the president Of the board OF trus-
tees DR. J. C. Yelling will deliver an address.
Only guests who have received formal in
vitation will be admitted to the platform.
The Art Students League will hold their
ninth annual exhibition ut their studio, sos
Seventeenth street. on Thursday evening Of
this week.
The exhibition will be open to the public on
Friday and Saturday following from 2 to
| o'clock. The league has enjoyed very pros
porous season Notwithstanding the hard
times.
Prof. Andrews is now sketching in life
| size portrait Of Senator Voorhees, for the new
| Library building.
He is also painting very interesting por-
| trait OF child with flowing blonde hair, who
is dressed in knickerbockers Of dark green
velvet.
Miss Minnegerode, of the Corcoran Art
| School, expects to Join William Chase's Sum-
| mer school at Shinnicock Hills, L. l., during
the month of July.
Miss Minnegerode is painting portrait Of
Prof. Dudley, late president OF Georgetown
college. Kentucky, by order Of the alumni as
| sociation.
Mr.. Herman viele leaves for Europe this
week. He intends to visit the mountainous
regions only.
I
faculty, makes only flying visit to Europe,
not to study methods OF work." as has been
| stated, but to refresh his memory and to see
the recent work Of noted artists. He is to
devote himself to portraiture in the school.
! I
Mr.. z. G. Ierser has severed his connection
with the Art Students League by resigning.
He will probably have an out-of-doors sketch
class during the Summer months.
I :
Mr.. Macdonld, OF the Barbizon studio
building. is at work on several portraits. He
does not affect out-of-door studies.s,
I
Mr.. Richard n. Brooke, OF the same build
ing, expects to sail for Europe in June.
Probably early in the month.
I I :
Miss L. 81. Palmer is making study In oil
OF buffaloes In the Smithsonian museum. Her
work in ST. Nicholas magazine illustrating
Prof. Hornaday's interesting series Of articles
on American animals has attracted consid-
cradle favorable comment from artists here,
+ I
Mr.. v G. Fischer will leave for New York
on Thursday.
I 7 :
The average daily and evening attendance
at the Corcoran school during the past year
has been over one hundred.
!
Mr.. John Henry Miser has been spen ling a
few DAYS in the city. While he has portfolio
full of fine water-colors he has not held an
exhibit. He came merely TO fill orders and TO
look over the field. He is delighted with his
New England home, and some of his most
pleasing studies are Of the scenery peculiar TO
that region. Mr.. AIiser will leave for home by
the last of the week
The Washington times., 1894-05-06

| feel that they have made no mistake" replied
Mr. Farnham, passing his hand over his brow
as If to brush away unpleasant memories.
During the few months you have been
amongst Us have seen nothing that would
make me think you unworthy OF the trust |
place in you when give my daughters hap
| piness into your keeping"
This was the substance Of the interview be-
| tween Carl and Mr.. Farnham, and soon Net
| ties engagement was generally known, and
all agreed that it was a ''good match"
Carl's family heard OF his approaching mar
rage with feelings of pleasure Hope whis-
| pered that by this union the one dark spot on
Carl's character would be obliterated.
Several months of quiet happiness went by,
and II ever Carl thought OF his former reck-
| less life it was with strong conviction that
he would never be tempted to repeat it. No
great temptation had come to him as yet, but
| be felt he was able to Withstand his old enemy.
and that the wine cup had lost its charm for
| him.
It became needful, after time, for Carl to
go the city on business matters of import
ance, intending to be gone but few days,
and on his return he was to accompany his
| wife on visit she was planning to make to
| some Of her relatives in the next town. Carl's
| city friends soon found out his presence
among them, and he was greeted with more
than usual warmth on account of his long alb
Sence and MS recent marriage. COngratula-
| tions were warmly expressed, and he could
never explain how it was, but he soon found
himself among a number of old friends, in
one of their usual resorts. with glasses and
bottles, preparing to drink to the health of
his bride, but he little understood the danger
when he told his warning conscience that he
would drink but one glass and then excuse
himself on account of business, just this one
glass. lest he should offend his friends.
But the sleeping appetite only needed that
one glass to arouse 1.-THE demon OF drink
was fully awakened.
How he reached his hotel that night he
never knew. but he had faint impression of
being carried up the stairs and laid upon the
bed, where, at late hour the next day, he
awoke and found himself.
Oh. the shame and remorse Of that awaken
ing!
No safety for him in the presence Of his
friends! He had sense enough to know that
one more day spent amongst them would
undo all his late efforts at reformation; SO,
when he had become sufficiently clear headed
to transact the more pressing details of his
business, he hurriedly boarded the train for
home his brain in whiri and his nerves un-
strung by his late indulgences. If his wife
noticed his strange manner she did not divine
the cause thereof, but FASTENED her prepara-
tions for their journey.
It was Winter and great quantity of snow
had fallen, yet they hoped to find the roads in
The Washington times., 1894-05-06
Children and Their Prayers.
From the Lady's Pictorial1

IfrUH IHIy fIctUrIHLI
heard an amusing story the other day. 1t
was told me by one of our best-known writers.
He said that little niece of his had been a
very naughty little girl, and her aunt had to
punish her very severely. When she came to
say her prayers at night her little mind was
still full OF wrath against her aunt, but yet
the child did not lik to leave her name out of
her evening devotions; so she comprised mat
tors by saying: Pray Godi bless father and
mother" etc.; then after long pause, she
added, 'and bless Aunt Julia, too-but not
much" do not think 1t is SO natural that
little children should expect their small sup
plications to be answered literally. l can so
sympathize with the little boy over his sums,
who said to his governess in a puzzled, half
indignant voice: Il can't do my sum. l can't:
and did ask God to help me, and He's made
three mistakes alreadyr'
The Washington times., 1894-05-06

wind or to the driving snow. that was fast
covering her like winding sheet.
"Ohl what has happened to you, my deal
CarR Have those rough men killed YOU OF
why do you leave me SO long in this bitter
storm? But bark! Surely that was his voice
heard just now. Surely he will be here In q
moment and explain his long ABSENCE" and
she tried to draw the robes around her freez-
ing body. "How strange his voice sounds, u
she thinks, as it is again borne to her ears.
Another spell OF weary waiting. and cour-
age, born of desperation, seizes her, and she
exclaims:
81 must 60 after him and see what has
happened" She threw her robes from her
with an effort. and tried to step out of the
sleigh, only to find that the feet refuse to
hold her weight. The truth comes to her
slowly: her feet are frozen.
Am freezing to death, wonder?" she
murmurs family. "Oh! 1 must not. Carl!
CARL Come to mer'
She does not realize that her voice Is only a
soft whisper. as she keeps repeating again
and again the name she loves; and still the
wind howls dismally among the treetops.
The horse, more human than his master,
turned his head and uttered a short whining,
as If to tell her she was not quite alone, and
the sound aroused her for a moment. "Poor
Dick! you are freezing, too. Oh! that had
dared to drive on or back or could even reach
the door, which is so near, but is, oh! so far
from my reach"
She tried to gather up the reins, but dis
covered that her hands were powerless, and
she sank back like leaden weight against
the seat.
An hour passed, and still she sat notion
less. Another hour, and the wind, having
shrieked itself out, now begins to die away,
leaving the keen, penetrating frost to finish
its work.
ltAnother hour. and still the reckless laugh
ter grows louder, and angry voices are added
to the sounds; but they are unheeded by the
waiting figure in the sleigh. And Carl, sit
ting with his back against the wall to steady
himself never once thinks of his wife, whom
he has left to perish, not fifty yards from the
door.
But she Is not suffering now; sweet sleep
seems stealing over her; n strange feeling Of
warmth seems to pervade her being. She
fancies she Is at home, in her mothers sitting
room. She hears her fathers voice Offering
up the evening prayer for safety through the
coming night. She murmurs "Amen'' Mt its
clase, and then-blessed oblivion. Yes,
blessed indeed, since it hides from her the
knowledge Of her husbands downfall, and
saves her from the disgrace of being a drunk
ards dishonored wife.
Better far to die even in this neglected
manner, than to live and experience the hor-
rible realities that cause go many drunkards'
wives to die daily. At last one, whose losses
had somewhat sobered him, rose from the