davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-03-18
w GOODS DELIVERED IN ALEI-
ANDRIA.
Woodward & Lothrop,
10th, 18th & F Sts., n. w,
WASHINGTON. D. c.
FLOUR.

Hollow-eyed and pale,
At the window of the kitchen
Sat the little yalicr boy
Whom his Ma had just been switchin,
For he had been on errands
For this tenderest Of parents
And had let the Grocer. man
By word of mouth
Induce him to lake -four
From his soap be. scented bower,
Which WAS neither "TENNEY'S BEST"
Nor UR NEW SOUTH"
So this family lost breakfast
So loved by those who test us
On our bands made from the
Waving golden grain
That is raised in fair Virginia,
Or by Maryland brain and sinew,
And for which the buyer
Always CT mes again.
So that Ma took yaller Simon,
Whom she'd destined TO be pie.msn
To his royal highness, Grover Cleveland,
U. s. A,
And with willowy pear-tree switches
She dressed his little breeches.
Simon ne'er forgot to bring NEW SOUTH
Next day.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-03-18

NEW ALMONDS, walnute. Pecans Fill
IN berh and Brazil Npts, received today
py J. C. MILBURN.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-03-18

NEW YORK, Mar. 18.-Flour-State and
Western quiet and steady Southern quiet and
steady: common to fair extra 81 90a2 rs {;
good to choice do So S0a3 25. Rye Flour
dull; superfne so 95a3 20. Wheat-No :.
red fairly active and weak; May 81 7.16a
614s. Rye nominal western 5Oa57. Corn
No 2 dull and weaker; May 50lba50a.
Oats-No dull ,,and nominal May 335s
asked; State 37a4112; Western 35a41la.
Pork quiet and steady; mess S13 90 to
S13 90: Lard quiet and steady; steam rem
dered ST 90.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-03-18

BALTIMORE. Mar. 1S.-Flour firm. Wheat
dull and easy; No 2 red spot and March
603sa61 April 81 bid; May 61asa611a ;
steamer No 2 red 57a4a5S; southern wheat
by sample 60a62 do on grade 58hs611b.
Corn steady; mixed spot and Mar 49A a49as !;
April 49lsa49A; May 49a. steamer mixed
4SAa49as southern white so: do yellow
49%aa5O. Oats firm; No 2 white Western
36iaas7 No MIXED do 34laa35. Rye
good to choice timothy S12 SO to $13 90.
Provisions quiet.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-03-18
Linens, Cotton Bedwear, Blanket
FIanneIS, White Goods, SC.

There are bargain opportunities this week
thstiyou'll do well to investigate
LINENs.-20 pieces 6S-inch Bleached
Damask Sold regularly at 75c yard. This
lot 62l5c.
Irish Satin Damssk Napkins .. size Sold
regularly at $3.50 dozen. This is lot 81 -.
COTTON EcWEAR-Hemmed Sheets.
m sde of good reliable muslin, 12l2c to SOC.
MATTREs; PADs-Mat;rcss Pads. Each
500.
FLANNELS.-Our entire spring and sum-
mer line of Scotch and French Shifting and
Psjama Flannes, 81 inches wide Now SOC
to 60c yard.
WHITE GOoDS.-Pin-dotted swisses, a..
rect from St. Gall Switzerland b inchcs
wide Yard 30 to 75c.
COTTON CREPON.-The new Tcuranic
Crepon. Silk finish Yard 1Sc.
Second floor. I'LL th-st building
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-03-18
alexandria Market, March is.

There were no changes in prices at the
opening of the wholesale com mercial markets
to-day. Flour is still very firm, tending high
er. Wheat is very scarce and all offerings are
taken at full figures; sales at So go, 81. 60
and 63c, as to condition of the samples. Corn
is fairly active at 49. 40 and SOC in carload
lots, former for mixed. Rye 80 to $40. Oats
341a to 37c. Eggs II to 12iac Butter is
wanted at 1S to 23c. Other produce is in
constant demand Groceries, Provisions and
Millfeed are steady. Rye Straw in bales is
quickly sold and receipts are small.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-21

rush line of foot ball team and still proud
mothers. with infants in their arms.
soothed their babies in one breath and
priced fancy articles in the next. The en-
frances to all the big stores were fianked by
baby carriages whose proprietors had
brought them along to do double duty in
carrying their progeny and their Christmas
bundles as well. The irrepressible colored
sister was out in force, and last evening
one of enormous breadth and shining, jolly
face. overcame the crowd like an avenginS
jpggernaut.
'Whar dat place you git dem hankycheefs
at?' she inquired loudly. Il boun' ter git
dat man o. mine summer dem yaller silk
ones wild de nishul in de cornder, en- eff
scrouges de wife foxes dey mus scuse me-.
1t seemed as though there were thou
sand purchasers for every one of the ten
thousand articles and when it came to
toys and Christmas tree ornaments and
holiday fxings generally the demand was
prodigioNs. Wise and wide awake fakirs
had foreseen this condition, and along the
business streets were scores of them who
had temporarily forsaken their regular
lires of greasc-spot removing soap, razor
strops rheumatism remedies and what not
to deal in cheap toys, Christmas tree
spargles. imitation moss and variety OF
other wares of the tinsel variety. A shrewd
colored boy had gone down in Prince
Georges marshes and gathered a lot of
mistletoe, and he did thriving trade SELL
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-21
and on the pavement, and also in great |
strings.
A COlOred PHILOSOPHERS.


Most of those who sold the evergreens
were quaint colored folks, and the convey
ances they used in bringing them to town
were as quaint as their owners; even the
patient OK being, in some cases, their mo-
tive power. In some instances, it appeared
that the load of trees and evergreens meant
the only means of obtaining the wherewithal
Tor merry Christmas for the simple mind
ed people who brought them to town. Said
enc Old colored man to the reporter: Dis
hyar load of stuff, sab, means a new dress
fur de ole woman. some little things fur de
chiPren. an eff has good luck, sab, a tur-
key fur de Christmas dinner An more'n
dat, boss. drap Of de coed ole stuff to send
dat turkey an de trimmins down in de good
ole Nfrginny way, sab. You see, boss, folks
long bout dis time don't stan cents.
An dey amt pertckler like bout dere
ain [, fur OATS de way we pore folks make
right spectacle ting out of dis hyar stuff.
De white folks dey got to hev EN-, an deg
amt, as l says, tail SquintiSh bout de
price, an don't seem to riccolec' dat dey is
titled to dere change more'n once in
vile. Now. tween you an me, sab, de
whole load of stuff dat / brung in hysr
lars, sah but Use tellin' you dat Use got
more'n dat now. an you see dat load amt
half gone yit, sab. It's de right way. boss,
of putin dat Scriptur sayin' whar de good
Lawd say To him dat has shall be given,
an to him dat hasn't shall be tuken way
Dis Is de way folks puts it desc times:
TO him dat has shall be tuken way, an
vile 1 isn't questionin' de wisdom of de
Good Book, sab. it do seem to me dat de
way folks put dat sayin' at dis season of de
year is de way to put it de year round"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-21

brass with cellulold and rolled plate collar
buttons dear to the bachelor and the
despair of every married man whose wife
persists in sewing buttons on his shirts
where they are unnecessary. Other fakirs
may desert their chosen fines at holiday
times, but the collar button merchant never
does, and maybe the reason is there is al
ways money iii it.
"Give me one of those cards. young
man. said an energetio-loo},ing fellow, with
a sweet-faced woman on his arm. We'll
put en- i'll the box" he explained to his
companion. Collar buttons are some
times mighty badly needed in the country.
I'm glad that youngster met US, because l
didn't have EN- on my list
Box! List, What a host Of pleasant
thoughts those two magic words inspire at
this time of the year. Who has not re-
ceived / Christmas box and enjoyed the
seventh heaven Of delight exploring its
contents and discovering it's surprises. It's
almost as much fun sending one off to the
far-away relatives-but the coming Of a
Christmas box! My! that's the penultimate
of bliss.
What a commotlon there is in the house
when the box arrives! What a pell-mell
tumbling over each other there is to get
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-21

that grasped it and turned 1t around and
around steadily a rheumatic elbow
would permit. The other arm was southern
dust long ago. and a leg had kept it COM
pany, but the arm and the hand and tho
bent body and the shock-covered head, ard
the mOurnful eyes, were all there, and the
hurdy gurdy tried its best to play THE Blue
Bells of Scotland"
Passershy, bright with Christmas antici-
pations. gave careless glance that changed
to one CT feeting sympathy, and pennies
and nckels. with now and then more gen
erous dime, ratified into the little tin box
The mouth grew less pensive and drawn; a
CLEAN of something like pleasure beamed
from beneath the shaggy brows, and the
tune changed to Marching Through
Georgia"
A big porter stopped and looked down at
the stopping figure.
How're they comm, Tom?'' he inquired,
kindly.
"Purty good, purity good" replied old Tom.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-21
COYOTE AND DECOY DUCKS.
How n Poultry Farmer nt Last Caught
the Culprit.


Flom the st. Louis Republic.
Although the coyote is essentially the
plains representative Of the great wolf
family. he sometimes invades the forest
lands, greatly to the prejudice of the forest
farms.
Cunning and treachery being its marked
characteristics, the coyote is no disgrace
TO his kind. Picture an ordinary prairie
wolf with a MISREPRESENTATION ex-
preston on his thievish countenance, his
teeth habitually exposed to the yellowing
influence of the arid region sun. and a
spirit of gaunt hunger pervading his every
look and action, and you have a good idea
of Mr.. Coyote of the plains.
His cunning is illustrated by the follow
ing incident:
poultry farmer living in the Pinon
timber, near Rio Piedre, tributary of the
Rio Grande, had constructed large reser-
voir for the double purpose of affording
water in time of drouth and furnishing a
swimming place for a fine lot of Muscovy
due ks. This brings us to the point Those
ducks were the pride of the coyotes heart,
ard more especially the stay of his stom-
ach. His visits to the duck pond had the
merit of regularity and the charm of sue
cess.
The farmer is great sportsman, and
has, among other field accessories, a case
of wooden deccy ducks. With these and a
little scheming he proposed to annihilate
the coyote.
Having placed the decoys in a sedgy
place in the lake. and kept his ducks con-
fined all day. he lay in concealment, ready
to shoot the coyote. but the rascal was too
smart and never showed a hair. The
farmer gave it up in disgust, but neglected
to remove his decoys. The next night the
wolf went his rounds, and, finding the
painted decoys, carried them to the far
thest point on the lake, for what purpose
do not know; but when the ducks were
released in the morning they Immediately
made for the decoys. The coyote was
there, as If keeping an appointment, and
curtain.
Fixing his heart on vengeance and a per-
cussion cap on his muzzle loader, the farmer
made a systematic hunt for the coyote, and
found him asleep on a ledge of rocks. The
thief got half-ounce ball in his stomach
which. being unable to assimilate, he car
ried off hundred yards, where it caused
his death.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-21
Then and Now.
From the Chicago Tribune.

From the Chicago Tribune.
CHAPTER l.
Young Archibald Ashcraft ran his fingers
through his hair, folded his arms and gazed
at the sheet of paper before him.
"Therew he exclaimed, exultingly. 'It Is
complete. 1t has cost me many a headache
1t has robbed me of my sleep. filled my wax
ing hours with unrest and rendered even the
food that has passed my lips distasteful to
me, but have no regrets. 1t Is worth the
sacrificeH'
He had written his first poem.
CHAPTER II.s
Il will take fifty copies of the paper, If
you please
1t was the tremulous voice of Archibald
Ashcraft He seized the papers eagerly,
threw the money in front of the Clerk and
rushed out.
The Daily Bread had published his poem
CHAPTER III.
yves" said Mr.. A. Ashcraft, hestating-
ly in reply to a question of friend who
had found scrap book in his desk and was
wrote some years ago. I had forgotten
about having pasted it In that book"
CHAPTER w.
"Archibaldr' exclaimed Mrs. Ashcraft
what is the matter? You seem excited
NO" replied old Ashcraft, throwing
his hat and overcoat on the lounge. II have
had a little trouble with an impudent caller
that's all. He came into my Office just be-
fore 1 started home. Said he used to work
on the Daily Bread. Threw up to me a poem
wrote for that paper twenty-five years
ago, and 1 kicked him out! Dinner ready?"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-21
HE GOT PITCHERS.
Small Boy Who Has True Histrionfc
Art in SchcminE.

N small 10y w no Has True HtStrtOntc
Art In Schcming.
A new scheme was worked out on Penn
sylvania avenue southeast. A small boy
with a broken pitcher entered a store, and,
between sobs, told how he had been sent
for milk for the baby with the last nickel
in the house, and had fallen and broken
his mothers only pitcher. He was afraid
to go home. He received two nickels with
which to get a pitcher. and went out Of
the store rejoicing. A little later man
came in and said: II saw a pitiful case
just now. A little boy had fallen and
broken his pitcher, and
Did you give him a nickel?' asked the
storekeeper.
Il bought him a new pitcher" was the
reply but didn't finish the story"
"Oh, We know the story. He was here"
Within an hour several came in to tell
the little incident of life among the poor,
and, after comparing notes and making IN
quires, it was learned that the boy had
collected forty nickels and ten pitchers in
one afternoon, with outside precincts not
heard from.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-21

turued II Oh lis erstwilile chum.
You Sc de meaEeS Niger l ebber see
You don't want nobody ter have
nothn'"
Then there was a wild waving of arms
and two small bodies came together and
Christmas cheer was lost for awhile in
Juvenile Carnage and lusty cries of anger.
Their Little One Is Lost
Where in the worlds Annie. Jack?" ex-
claimed frightened woman as the crowd
separated after the boys were parted. The
Rig countryman's red face grew white as
his wife's.
II thought you had her." he replied
quickly. Then he burst here and there
through the crowd like a young giant.
Some man expostulated.
Stand aside" Kissed the countryman.
I've lost my child" and he showed the
other back.
Then a plaintive little voice went up
above the noise of the street. Mamma,
mamma" The big mans face grew flush
ed again. ard he had her in his arms In
an instant. The mother was there. too,
and when that family followed into
the big store little tears looked like dia-
monds through the smiles that the hay
crcp money bought in soothing gifts. And
away out in the country last night the
neghbors We're told how Annie had got lost
in the city, and grandma told how she had
Eeen lost once in town when she a lit
tie girl. and in the far-off years to come
maybe Annie will sit at the Christmas
circle and tell her grandchildren what an
aWfu time her papa and mamma had to
find her when some bad people tried to
steal her for a Christmas gift in Wash
ipgton once on time.
Collar Buttons and Christmas Boxes.
collar buttons! collar buttons! You need
'em as much now as you ever do. Get
some for your husband or take a card to
your brother! Collar buttons. collar but
tonsp'
Yes; he was there, too. Who, indeed,
ever saw crowd whereof the collar but
ton fend was not vocal and voluble por
ton? Where humanity Is gregarious there
you will find the vender of collar buttons,
with his coat three sizes too big for him:
with his nasal twang assailing every ear
drum, and his soied fingers holding out
blue pasteboard slips lived with bone and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-21
THEATER EGGS.
A Variety That is Still i'm Demand n
Some Sections.

A Variety That is Still i'm Demand IN
Some Sections.
From the Chicago Evening Post.
The man with the fur-lined coat stopped
before the principal grocery in an interior
town and casually inquired:
How are eggs today?"
well. they're a little high" replied the
grocer.
Because of a big demand or a small
coat.
Small supply" answered the grocer
The hens seem to be taking things easy
in this vicinity just ncw."
The man with the fur-lined coat nodded
his head. as If he approved of the action Of
the hens, and then asked:
ANY bad ones?'
Bad onesr exclaimed the grocer.
Yes. Any of the ancient, cd orous vari
ETY. that We all know so well?''
mo, sir, not in this shop" returned the
grocer, emphatically.
"Sure?"
sure, OF course I'm sure"
do you suppose there are any in town."
asked the man with the fur-lined coat, anx-
iously.
NO. sir We pride ourselves on our
fresh eggs up in this neck of the woods,
and it wouldn't be safe for any one to keep
bad ones"
I'm glad to hear it," said the man with
the fur-lined coat. with evident relief, as
he continued his stroll down the street
The grocer looked after him for a minute,
and then great light Suddenly came upon
him.
'Sayw he yelled.
"Well?" came back the answer.
Ibid you mean eating eggs CT theatef
eggs?"
"Theater eggs?" exclaimed the man with
the fur-lined coat stopping short in his
walk.
YES The farmers never bring In their
theater eggs until the afternoon before the
show. l was thinking of eating eggs all
the time, but If it's theater eggs you want,
there'll be eight or ten crates of them on
sale in about an hour"
Then lie went back into his store and told
his assistant that any jay actor who tried
to pump i'm was bound to get the worst
of 1t every time.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-21

with emphasis. These here times keeps ME
on tn jump day n night. An then 1 amt
got mon two dollars ter git tn whole family
Chrismus gifts"
She Knew He Didn't Shave.
A young girl came tripping along with her
arms full of bundles.
II declare l don't know what to get Tom"
she chirruped to her boon companion. who
trotted along with her. Louise bought her
VIII a shaving set. but poor Toms face is as
smooth mine-at least, it felt-oh what
was / going to say!'' and she blushed vio-
lently
I'm going to get Mr.. Jones silk muller"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-21

ia" Crowds in the Stores.
Shy, half frightened women Rugged close
to the counters and at last, in despair, made
purchases they had never intended in order
to get through and escape from the crush.
Proud mothers with half dozen assorted
sizes of children strung out behind them
went valiautly through the mass like the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-21

said the other. with practical expression.
They're selling 'em at cost down on Tth
street, and there's a perfectly lovely one
laid aside for me"
A thin, tall woman had passed them and
entered one of the big stores.
No" the clerk was saying, I'VE do not
put three-for-a-dollar neckties in a fancy
box"
But 1 want them for a present." she per-
sisted.
Cant help it. maam very"
I'm no .maam,' I'd have you know, sir
L"
BEG pawdon, miss-only give fancy boxes
with the doler kind
II never saw such mean stores in my life"
CALCULATED the woman. Why, even in Nor
folk they put reckties in fancy boxes no
matter what they cost. Who wants to send
anybody a neckte, I'd like to know, done
up in an old piece of store paper!' and she
flounCed away indignant.
But her place was quickly filled by others
and the necktie counter did thriving trade.
"Sell many of emp repeated a clerk who
had just been relieved We'll l should say
Pears to me as if pretty near every man IN
Washington's going to get some sort of a
recktie for Christmas gift, the way the
wcmcn are buying EN-. Yes, all sorts and
styles and coors till you can't rest VIII
the men wear EN-? Not on your life There
amt one man in ten thousand who'd wear
a Christmas gife necktie, and that goes
Il wish you'd go or down to the other end
of the store while l buy this umbrella for
your Christmas gift" said a handsome girl
with wel-asSuined pctulance to her grin
ming c:cOrt. Men have no better sense
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-21

win u VI ave dlttiii ~
at chccriness. They
treats me purity good
roun' erbout Chris
mus times. | wisht
they w allus here.
The poor old organ
grinder unconsciousiy
voiced the wish OF
thousands of others 81
thousand times better
of than he, but the
porter echoed t h c
other thousands who
n o | d the opposite
view.
'Derned eff I duz.
them" he returned.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-21

ing the kiss-inspiring parasite to the
crowds that pretended to need some such
inspiration. The streets We're scarcely less
crowded than the stores, and the gay and
the grave. these who had plenty and those
who had naught. jostled and pushed and
showed along in good natured democracy,
careless for the time being of everything
but Christmas times. and even envy found
but little place in the motley throngs that
hustled on.
Two little ragged negro boys fattened
their noses against the brilliant window of
a candy store and held wishing feast
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-21

the Ratchet and the hammer! What su-
preme joy fills every bosom when the lid is
priced off! Slippers for grandma! What's
this for Tom? A horn. as I'm a sinner.
And the host Of other things for every
body. and the candy and nuts and sweets
for all. Oh. this is Christmas sure enough!
And to think that that scene will be re-
peated in thousands of homes all over the
broad world within the next fortnight Is
enough to warm the cookies Of a heart Of
adamant.
Where to begin and where to end a sketch
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-21

[ II a n to go pokinC
along with a girl who
S trying her wits in
the effort to get them
something" she con-
Iinued, as she picked
ont q handsome horn
handled silk umbrella
ard ordered it sent to
her own house. Then
she re DIN e d the
young man and they
va | i mt ~ fought
through the crowds.
One big store was like
another so far as the
crowds were concern
ell. and in each the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-21

S~e"es, ~Al.stI-i<..i scenes! Crowds, Christ
mas crowds! Both simmer and Shiver and
disappear Follow them home to the hut,
where the penny toy Is to be clutched with
joyous frenzy by the shadowy hand of a
fever-stricken child follow them home to
the palace, where the Christmas tree bends
beneath its wealth of golden fruit-and at
the end of every path you will find shaft
Of the radiance that fell on Bethlehem!
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-21

i wish 1ur dat Dig
cake wild de reezins
in hit" said t h e
blacklist one.
Il dun wisht fur
dat cake fust," re-
turned the other in a
warning tone.
Den l wish fur all
dat choclit in de big
COLE box" said the
first one.
Il dun wisht fur
dat fust. too" re-
joined his companion.
The blacklist boy
wit hdrew his f a C e
from the glass and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-21
1t WINS q Relief.

From London It'd Bits.
"Oh, DOCTOR" said the mother, I'm glad
you have come! We have just had such
scare! We thought at first that Tommy
had swallowed half sovereign
And you found out that he hadn't" re-
piled the doctor.
Yes; 1t was only a half-penny."
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-21
where to end a sketch

- - 40 49, = AZ tAS SNNkASo
is the difficulty; but
the same effulgence
permeates them all.
In the howell Of st.
Giles; in the palace
Of st. James, the
light that fell on the
m a n g er penetrates
a n d illumines. 1t
heightens the pale.
thin face of W a n t
a n d brightens the
rosy cheeks Of plen-
ty; 1t aureoles mis-
cry with the halo Of
hope and deifies joy
with the sunburst of