davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-15
GEORGE: DU MAURIER TALKS
The Artist Author Tells How He Came to
 Write Novels.


 Write Novels.
 Nobody more than myself was sur prisod at tho great success of my novels, " said George Du Maurcr recently II never expected anything of the sort. I did not know that 1 could write. I had no idea that had had experiences worth recording. Tho circumstances under which I came to write arc curious. was walk ing ono evening with Henry James up and down the High street in Bayswater 1 had made James acquaintance much in the samo way as I have mado yours James said that he had great difficulty in finding plots for his stories Plots, I ex- claimed. l am full of plots, and I went on to tell him the plot of 'Trilby.' But you ought to write that story cried James. I cant write, l said. I have never written. If you like tho plot so much, you may take it.. But James would not take it.---He said it was too valuable a present. and that 1 must write the story myself.
 Well, on reaching home that night I set to work, and by the next morning had written the first two numbers of Peter 1bbetson. It seemed all to flow from my pen without effort in full stream But l thought it must be poor stuff, and do. tcrmincd to look for an omen to learn whether any success would attend tbis new departure. So I walked out into the garden and the very first thing l saw was large wheelbarrow, and that com- forted me and treasured me, for, as you will remember there is wheelbarrow in the first chapter of Peter Ibbotson,'
 Some time later 1 was dining with Os-' good, and he said, T hear DuN Maurier, that you are writing stories, and asked me to let him see something. So Peter 1bbetson, was sent over to America and was accepted at once Then 'Trilby' fol. lowed, and the boom came-a boom which surprised mo immensely, for l never took myself au serioux as novelist. Indeed this boom rather distresses me when l reflect that Thackoray never had boom. And hold that boom means nothing as a sign of the literary excel. lcnco, nothing but money.
 Il usually write on the top of the piano, standing, and l never look at my manu- script as I write, partly to spare my eyes and partly because tho writing seems lit erally to flow from my pen. My best time is just after lunch My writing is frequent ly interrupted, and l walk about the studio and smoke, and then como back to the manuscript once more Afterward l revise, very carefully now, for am taking great pains with my new book The MartiaDs' is to be very long book, and cannot say when it will be finished. Me. Clure's Magazine For April.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-15
I;ismarcl,,s Neat Answer.

When he was young man, Bismarck was for some timc an official reporter for ono of the courts of justice In those days his temper sometimes got the better of him, but upon one occasion at least his wit saved him from disgrace.
 This was, when questioning a witness, the latter made an impudent retort, where upon Bismarck exclaimed angrily:
 "If you are not more respectful, l shall kick you out of tho roomr'
 Young man." said tho judge, inter rupting the proceedings, Il would have you understand that this is a dignified court of justice, and that if there Is any kicking to be done tho court will do it. 7"
 ''Ah, you sec. |" said Bismarck to the witness, If you are not more respectful to nc, the court will kick you out of thr room. So be careful. very careful. sir. "
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-15
HOW THE "4oop WAS BORN.
It Was Used In an Interview With Ward
 hIcAlIister In 1888.


 The famous phrase, "the Four Hun drcd, which has become synonymous in American ears with the most fashionable and socially exclusive set in the population of New York in particular and of other American cities and big towns in general, was born on March %, 1888, when there appeared in The Tribune d long interview with Ward McAllister.
 The article was headed tSecrets of Ball Giving, and in its opening paragraphs it treated of MT. McAllister's ancestry and his position in New York. When the in- terviewing part of tho story began, Mir. McAllister told of the organization of the Patriarchs' ball in 1873 and related vari- ous llttlo episodes of interest connected with the gentlemen who were among it's first subscribers. Finally he reached this point: Society is an occupation in. itself. Only man who has a good dcal of lei- sure and taste for it can keep up with it's demands and with what interests it. Say what you will, the modern leader of society must still have considerable of tho old courticr and chevalier endowment to make success of it. Numbers of people arc in troduood in fashionable society who can not and do not make success, and they fall out. They cannot float themselves even when some one gives them good start. Tbeso people have not the boise, the aptitude for polite conversation, tho pol ished and deferential manner, the infinite capacity of good humor and ability to en- certain or be entertained that society de- mands. He paused for n moment, and when hc spoke again, lo the famous phrase fell from his inspired lips:
 Why, there arc only about 400 people in fashionable New York society If you go outside that number, you either strike people who arc not at ease in ballroom or else make other people not at case See tho point? Of course there are any num- Der of the most cultivated and highly re- spectable, oven distinguished, people out sile of fashionable society. When we give large ball like tho last New Years ball, for 500 guests, we go outside of the exclu- sive fashionable set and invite professional mon, doctors, lawyers, editors, artists and the like. But the day when fortunes ad- mitted men to exclusive society has gone by. Twenty or thirty years ago it was otherwise. II
 From that point to the end Mr. McAl- lister talked about famous dinners and suppers in tho history of New York B fash ionabe entertaining and also of tho most captivating dishes for such feasts of the socially elect. Within n fortnight his statement about tho number of persons in the fashionable set bad been copied all ovor the eastern part of the country, .and 1t gradually became solidly ingrafted into tho popular colloquialisms of American slang and catch phrases. Mr McAllister not long afterward, in another interview, qualified his estimate by explaining that ho intended to convoy tho idea that thero were 400 households in the city the mem bors of which were in fashionable society, but his qualification never got sufficient currency to kill the original estimate. New York Mail and Express
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-15
WRITING LESSONS IN JAPAN.
The Instructor Must Not Speak to His
 Princely Pupils.


 Princely Pupils.
 One of tho most remarkable occurrences one meets in Japan is the instruction in chirography given to a daimio, member of the Japanese military nobility.
 Tho writing teacher who is called a professor thero as well as here prepares the copies in secret so they can be used only for the little prince in question. swarm of maids is busy waiting on the daimio, fetching and preparing what pu- pil and teacher need. At the appointed hour the professor makes his appearance. Without saying word, and with the most funereal countenance, he approaches his pupil. A white napkin covers his mouth, so that his breath cannot offend the little prince. The Japanese are very sensitive in this regard. After exhausting every possible form of silent greeting tho professor sits down, rules the paper and begins the instruction. When the daimio has scribbled over several of the lines, it Is the duty of the teacher to go into rap lures over the wonderful talent of the youngster. Tears of joy must fill his eyes, but all must be done in silence; not a word must be spoken to the daimio. All the professor is permitted to do is to call the head maid, commissioning her to ex- press in proper language his most devoted admirGtion.-S Louis Post Dispatch
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-15
HORSES FASCINATED BY FIRE.
The Animals Seized With Strange Mad

.. ..S- --- .s.
 The ranic that is inspired in the minds of horses by phenomenon so strange as fire can be understood only by those who have witnessed n fire in a large stable where numbers of horses are kept Tho sccno that ensues is ono of the most fright ful that can be conceived. Tho horses arc rescued from the burning building with the utmost difficulty and only with tho most serious peril to tho lives and limbs of tho rcscuers. Tho animals go mad with flight renr kick and dash from sidc to side so wildly as to mako an attempt at rescue as perilous as an advance on hostile battery. When rescued, they will often break away from those who hold them and charge back at full speed into the burning building, thero to perish in tho flames. They resist every attempt to tako them out. They have been known to tear their resoucrs with their teeth, to throw them to the ground and trample on them, to kick out their brains
 As the fury of tho flames increases so does tho panic of tho unfortunate animals, They scream out in their agony as tho fire reaches their bodies, yet will they not for all that sock safety in tho open air. They arc crazod with fear and ct remain to be burned 10 death when n ton seconds run would carry them to liberty But they never nalzo tho run, and, IS a rule, aro burned alive in their stalls, whoro alcno they seem to fancy they can find security There is but ono way to got thom out, aud thHt is to blind thom with some conyen- tent cover sts-h as a coat or a blanket, and thus, unable to see the dangers about them, trembling in every limb, apparently ready to fail to tho earth with feur they may bo led out. But the cover must not bc too quickly removed from their eyes in fnct, it should not be taken off until the animals are out of sight of tho burn ing building; otherwise they will break away from tho persons leading them, and, in spite of tho stoutest efforts at restraint will dash back to perish in tho flames. St. Louis Globe Democrat.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-15
WHERE HIS BRAVERY foRsooK HIM.

 He had tramped the wilds of Africa and seen the wild giraffe And had gazed on lions fierce with greatest brashness. He had listened with tranquility to the striped byenas laugh And faced tigers with courage that was rashness. He had scrapped with big prizefighters in the zenith of their fame And had fought a dozen dues with the great est of temerity. He had entered burning buildings and saved women from the flame And had swum Niagaras rapids with celer ity. He'd played quarter back at football and had come out safe and sound And had wadcd through gunpowder with candle that was lighted He had rescued prsoncd miners in the caverns underground, And in scenes of slaughter he was much de- lighted. When no one know just how the cloth that's bullet proof would work, He had worn it while the maker experi- mented. There was scarcely known danger his cour- ageous heart would shirk And the more the risk the more he was con tented. But one bargain day, while sauntering past mammoth dry goods storo When the weather was a-sweltering and a-simmering, And his friends dared him to try to pass the women round the door, He refused, for all his courage went a-gim- mering.
 Charles J. Cotton in New York Sun.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-15
THE ART OF REMEMBERING.
Each Fact Should Ce Slowed Safely Away
 Like a Library Book.

Each Fact Should I.e Slowed Safely Away
 Like Library Book.
 A noted medical writer likens the brain to vast library and each idea or name or incident to tho volumes composing it. Tho memory, he says, acts as librarian and tucks away each volumo in some pe- culicr niche of its own.- Now, when we call on Librarian Memory for one of these volumes he usually knows whoro it is and hands it to us instanter, but occasion ally Inc, liko other offlccholdors, forgets his duties. Wo call on him suddenly, waking him from his nap perhaps, and he cannot remember where he put the name of Smith or Jones, or the little fact regarding tho tariff, or Aeamemnon's wives, or some thing or other. Sometimes he finds it after moments search and sometimes not for days. But ho keeps up a still hunt for the missing volume, even while you forget all about it. and some time, when you arc least expecting it, presto! there is the very thing you werJ trying to remem ber
 For instance, somebody asked tho writer of this paragraph tho other day suddenly for the name of a lady and her daughter staying noar Boston Tho name was Q perfectly familiar one, being that of an acquaintance, but with the question it suddenly vanished. It was. impossible to answer Librarian Memory was asked for it three or four times during the evening, but it eluded his efforts completely and for day or two the event was forgotten. Finally, coming down town on an electric car, with the mind absorbed in other things, tho little librarian jogglcd our elbow. Hero it is Smithson, volume 1,523, shelf 217," ho whispered. As usual, when one ceases to want tho thing it turns up, An, if ono could only change librarians when tho old ono shows signs of weakening Now York Advertiser
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-15

with tape, or should be, tho tape being nearly an inch broad and well impregnat- ed with insulating material to keep the ..,,.=.i5 ia ,.i.. t,.l laoaeD4.i o,.t. Soiao- times, if ono looks up at wires in the street stray ends of loose tape can be seen fluttering in the breeze, like rags from a sore finger. A great deal of electrical mas chinery is wound up with tape to preventa burn outs, and the street railway eoln- panies are wisely fond of lberally wrap ping up their car motors in this way. It would in short, be difficult to find mod ern department of electrical work in which tape is not an indispensable and ready means for helping to maintain the integ- rity and efficiency of the circuits. Detroit Trihune.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-15
A HOLE IN CHICAGO.
Experience of Traveller Who Went Driv
 ing In the Windy City.


 ing In the Windy City.
 Whatever may be said of New Yorks streets as to their uncloanliness,'' said traveller, acan bo more than matched by that city of sooty faces and soiled linen, Chicago, and tho streets there are afflicted with more things than mere dirt. 1 was out driving there one winter night with Chcagoan, who was showing mo the sights The horse spirited hackney, was bowling along at pretty good clip. The vehicle was ono of those two wheeled affairs which hoist the occupants about five feet from tho roadway. My friend and wero engaged in conversation, when all of sudden there was a mighty crash. Tho wheel alongside me gave thump and a bump, was thrown in the air about two feet, my hat was jammed over my eyes and my glasses flew of my nose. When landed, my companion foll on top of mo, completely knocking out what little breath had left. Fortunately be kept a good hold on the reins for the horse had taken fright and was running away.
 Tt took about flvo minutes to stop tho horse and remove the memories of the in cident from his mind. I have them still in mino. After 1 had recovered my glasses from tho bottom of tho carriage and got my collar into position, likewise my in- tcrnal organs. inquired what in the namo of something quite profane it was that wo ran into.
 "'Oh,' replied my friend, only n fire
 '' Firo be hanged, said l. How could fro throw us around like thatf I didn't see any fire anywhere.
 "'Well, you don't understand Chicago yet, said my friend. You soc, we are now driving on wood pavement. This part of the town is not populated with tho richest class of persons. Sometimes they go broke, to use colloquial term, and flrewood gets low. When the bin is empty and the thrifty laborer finds that 1t is case of having fire at tho city's ex. ponso or going cold, he generally chooses the former He then waits for nightfall, and with a crowbar and pickax goes out and digs up couple of yards of the street and Jugs it homo. Tho wood is always covered with tar and makes tho finest kind of narewood. It was ono of tho holes left by ono of those enterprising fellows that wo fell into
 II snid nothing more, but merely ached and thought it over. Now York Sun
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-15
His Prophecy.

The Chief Baron Pollock is very fond of telling tho following story about himself,
 When ho left St. Paufs school some. what unexpectedly and in way which gave some otfense to the high master the latter parsonage gave it as his opinion that he would live to be hanged.
 After brilliant career at Cambridge Pollock came out senior wrangler and was elected fellow of Trinity. On hearing this his old master said:
 T always foretold that he would fill a very exalted station. ."-London Standard.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-15
Insurance.

Insurance solicitors can get point from one of their kind down in Greenwich, Conn, who has hit upon novel method of securing people to tako out policies in his company. He mails circsllar to those whom he thinks will insure, stating that, as their time is worth $50 a day, he in closes check for 15 cents, which will pay for tho timo consumed in reading tho ac- companying insurance propositions. He caught one man for S10, 900 who would probably never have read the circular but for the accompanying check. k.-Phiadcl- phia Ledger.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-15
IiDelOuS.

Is it unlawful to quote Scripture' Yes, in some cases and for somo purposes.
 Tho Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that a grand jury ill Ohio indicted man for sonding slanderous postal card to ono of his debtors. Tho objectionable matter consisted of three Biblical quo~.tions:
 "Owe no man anything"
 Let us walk honestly.
 Many days and years shall ye be trou' bled."
 The grand jury, it appears, did not ad- init tho right of man to call his neigh bor thief even in Scriptural phrascology.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-15
Q. T. DozIER, M. D.,
Specialist.

This well-known Institute, which was established several years ago in Bir- miDgham ID, is under the immediate su- pervision of Dr. or. Dozier, a graduate of every branch of the medical and surg ical sciences, a man eminentin his pro- iession and foremost among all southern Specialists in his remarkaole and suc- cessful treatment of all chronic, nerv- ous, blood, skin and genito-urinary diseases.
 Dr. Dozier gives his individual study and efforts to the diagnosing and treat Inent ot every case, prepares all medi- cines and gives all directions and advice, thus securing to every patient the high est professional skill and privacy, as well as security against mistakes and the use of inferior drugs.
 All Kidney, Bladder and Urethral troubles cured in tho shortest possible timc.
 Neuralgia, Sciatica, Nervous Head aches, Insomnia, Lumbago, Rheuma- tism, 'Catarrh, Eczema, Palpitation of ,he Heart, Pale and Sallow Com plexion, Nervous Prostration, Varicocele, Stric- ture, Gleet and Gonorrhms, Cystitis, Psoriasis, Tetter, Syphilis, Erysipelas, Leucorrhea, Failing Womb, Suppressed or Painful Periods, Piles, Fistula and Fissure, Weakness, Failing Memory, Lost Power, Impotence and all results of Indiscretion, contagion or inherited diseases which vitiate he blood, impair the eneryes and destroy the strength are specialties ill our line, and we can point with pride to our established reputation, founded on skill and grounded ill the gratitude of thousands whom we have cured.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-15
A Famous Scandal Recalled.

Edward Fox, the journalist recently drowned in an Australian yachting acci- dent, was involved as friend and pos sible second of one of the principals in the Coleman Drayton- Borrowe affair, gave the story of the proposed duel to the newspa. pers and later fought duel himself with Borrowe. The pending Drayton versus Drayton divorce case is the outcome of the scandal. Mrs. Drayton was an Astor be- fore her marriage
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-15
Eugene Field and Mrs. Humphry Ward

Mir. Eugene Field once in London took Mrs. Humphry Ward in to dinner. Mrs Ward was monumental and impressive, and several courses passed in a decent and orderly silence. Finally sheturned to MT Field and said:
 "Tell us of Chicago, of your habits and customs. have never known any one who lived there.''
 And MT Field replied, beginning thus: Well, Mrs. Ward, when l was caught, l was living in a tree. '-Chap Book.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-15
CONSULTATION FREE,
 CURES GUARANTEED

and private matters sacredly inviolate. Easy payments and moderate charges. Persons who cannot visit us in our office can, by sending their name, receive our "Perfect Question Blanks" which will enable us to treat them successfully by. mail. Send cents for question list and cur Book for Men Duly" Send 2 cents for question list for females.
 To Out-of-ToWn Patients:
 Since the establishment of the South- ern Medical Dispensary in this city several years ago, and which, by the way, was the first medical institute in Eirming gham--as the files of the city papers will show-our success has been so pronounced ss to encourage other less competent doctors and self styled "old reliable specialists" to inn itate our mode of advertising, and by their specious pretensions aId heroic self praise make capital for the mselves by their questionable methods. We therefore advise all those who may not be personally acquainted with Dr. Do- zier, before submitting their cases to any specialist, to consult their own in- terests and safety by first making an invt stigation of the home character of the man that they would have treat them.
 If you are 8 member of any church, or if you are Mason, Odd Fellow, K. of H., K. of P, or belong 10 any order or organization, then write to some leader, fficer or mtm mher of sue church Or order in Birmingham and Inquire concerning our professional, social and financial standing. After doing this, write to us plain state- ment Of your case and inclose a stamp dor reply. We will give you then our opinion, terms for treatment, etc.
 Our system of mail treatment is he best ever devised, and enables HIS to cure tho,lsandsTevery year whc cou'd not otherwise have been reached by us It will cost you nothing more than a stamp to get our opinion of your case, which may prove va,nab ble indeed to you.
 We will send in plain sealed envel ope our "Book for Men' and Question List for Pc stamp; Question List for Ladies for % stamp.
 All correspondence will be consid- cred confidential and be kept sacredly inviolate.
 As pointer, please read this from a recent issue of the Age Herald:
 IA gentleman from another town came to Birmingham one day last week to place himself in the hands of a specialist. As wise man woulddo under the circumstances, he made in- quiries among the citizens of Birming- ham. He asked a score of men, and nearly every one referred him to Dr. O. T. Dexter, head of the Southern Medical Dispensary."
 "Do you etch on, bud?''
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-15
"A Bad Mark From God"

During the trial of case in New York recently Lottie Goldberg, a mere child, said she knew the nature of an oath. She was then asked if she knew what a sin was. Yes, ]" she replied, "a sin-is bad mark from God"
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-15
ob,ected to the Question.

Among the questions sent out by a school commissioner was the following ex- ample in arithmetic:
 If one horse an run milo in min ute and 90 seconds and another a milo in 9 minutes, how far would the first horse be abead'in n match race of two miles?"
 A teacher returned tho question with this attached: Il will have nothing to do with the race problem. ''-Atlanta Jour nal.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-15
Iana hy the Mile.

At first blush it would not seem likely that electricians would have much use for tape, but as matter of fact they employ it literally by the ton, especially of late years. The electrical circuits are of wire, and every time joint is made it is served
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-15
ProperIy ru..

Watts-Well, how are you todayS
 Potts-Only sew sew. -have had aa stitch in my back for two or three days Indianapolis Journal.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-15

Pythagoras directed his disciples not to wear the skins of animals in any form, and so their shoes were mado of the bark of trees.