davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-10-01
EXPENSIVE NoNcHALANcE:
Experience of IN Innocent Young Man
with o Hungry Girl.

Experience of IN Innocent Young Mar
with Hungry Girl.
"A certain young man living on the
North side went out to call the other
evening upon young woman of his nc.
quaintancc whom lie especially de.
lighted 10 honor lie was quito q
young man, says the Chicago Tribune,
and his experience with florists had
been neither deep nor varied. It oc-
cured to him, however, on this partic-
ular evening to stop at flower mcr-
chants and choose some blossoms for
the pretty girl towards whose homo he
was vending his way.
Give me bunch of roses" he said,
carelessly, to the man of nosegays.
Yes, sir; how many, plcase?"
20, couple of dozen or So"
In a'few moments they were ready,
and the purchaser was feeling in his
vest pocket for two-dollar bill to pay
for them. .'IIow much?" he asked be-
fore the bill made its appearance.
Eighteen dollars, SIR" replied the
florists assistant, with what his hear
or said afterward seemed diabolical
glibncss.
The young man felt giddy for mo-
ment. He had unwittingly selected
roses that were seventy-five cents
apiece. But, as has been said, he was
very young, and it seemed to him a
very serious thing to go down before
that flower clerk. So he paid his
money and took his bouquet, 'and,"
he says, II spent the next hour
watching pretty girl nibble and
chew up eighteen dollars worth of
roses"
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-10-01
LANDING ON 4 FOREIGN SHORE.
Tho Traveller on Arriving Wonders VIVA

Tho Traveller on Arriving Wonders What
to Do First.
When our steamer lands us in for
eign port-it matters little whether It
Is an English-spcalsing port or not
the traveller who has not taken the trip
| to Europe before wonders what to do
first, according to writer in Hnrper's
Bazaar. Having donncd our shore gar
mcnts, packed our steamer trunks and
given it to the room steward, who
brings it to the custom house for us.
and having given our fees to this same
steward, our stewards, our table stew
ard and deck-steward, we have moth
Ing to do but wait with our hand bag
gage until the gangway is placed in po-
sition and we can go ashore.
With our fellow-passengers we enter
large room, where custom house oilic-
ers abound on every side. They stand
behind long tables, upon which our
handbags and rolls are placed, and
which we should prepare ut once to
unlock. A cheerful compliance with
the request to open NIL packages does
much to make our passage through all
custom houses pleasant and easy, and q
person has no disngrccable experiences
who obeys the requirement of the law
OF the country she is entering.
Travellers. as rule. and American
travellers especially, are treated with
consideration. They will ask you, in
French, German or Italian: "IIave
you anything dutiable?" and rs cigars
and brandy are what they seek, one
can truthfully answer in ono word:
"Nothing"-a word easily learned in
all three languages. When our hand
baggage has been examined, one Of our
party usually stands guard over 1t, In.
some out-of-the-way corner, while the
others, with trunk keys in hand, wait
for the trunks to be brought from the
steamers hold. One claims them as
they appear, and they all must be
opened Us rule. As the place for ex-
amining trunks is large, distinctly
marked trunk is necessary.
A red ring or cross on the end of a
trunk is seen ut n great distance, when
Initials are not distinguishablc. Great
patience works wonders in custom
house, and when rough hands plunge
into every corner among our small
number OF treasures, we IRE supposed |
to smilingly approve. The hat tray is
always attractive to these guardians of
the peace, and then woman is allowed
to make known her feelings by n gen
Tie "Prenez garde, sill vous plait!" or,
Bite, in acht nchmen!" or, again, the
soft Italian: "Badate, per piacercl''-
al of which is simply: please, take
care" If a person preserves calm in
and does not attempt to VIC
ate their laws, there Is nothing to
Tread in these places of custom. But
no fee is ever offered custom house
official.
After passing the customs, a porter
carries our luggage to cab, or, If we
have too many trunks for one-horse
carriage, we must take a larger one. A
cab can carry comfortably
two people with their hand baggage,
and two small trunks In front with the
lriver. We direct the goodman to the
hotel previously decided upon, our de-
'ision having been reached by our red
bound Baedekcr.
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-10-01
Great Swimming Feat.

Martin Sullivan, a white sailor on
the cruiser Minneapolis, now at the
Norfolk navy yard, was ironed recently
for desertion. lie escaped from his
cell the other night and while hand
cuffcd leapcd overheard and swan
across the river to Berkeley, half mile
away. He hid under raft while tn.
cruiser swept the water with her search
lights. When they were turned off he
made his way to Berkeley, where some
negroes filed his handouts off. lie
then exchanged his uniform for citi-
zen's clothes and engaged to work his
passage to New York on a barge. When
q launch from the yard passed the
barge he hid in boiler, but was sub
scGuently captured.
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-10-01
Estimating a Horse, Height.

The Arabs have two methods of esti-
mating the height to which colt will
grow, the first being to stretch 4 cord
from the nostril over the ears and down
along the neck and compare the meas
uremcnt with that from the withers to
the feet, aad.thc other method being to
compare the distance between the
knee and the withers with that from tho
knee to the coronct. In the first
method it is considered that the colt
will grow rs much taller as the first
measurement exceeds that of the sec
ond, and the second method, if the pro.
portion is as two to one, the horse will
grow no taller
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-10-01
POLITICAL COMPETITION.
A Pleasant PastIme OF Literary Folk In
Cl,fnn


China.
The Chinese have at least one very
gentle and highly civilized amusement
competition in making verses.
Tcheng- Ki-Tong says, in his book,
'"Fhe Chinaman at Homes" "Instead
OF shooting, or playing lawn tennis, or
croquct, our literary folk, as soon as
certain number of them have little
time to spare, meet together in turn ut
each others houses, and give them
selves up to poetical tournaments"
This is done in oil parts of China, but
especially in the province of Fukien.
AS soon us the players are ready, q
vase IS passed round, and out of 1t each
draws slip Of paper, on which is
written q word denoting what part he
is to take. He may be examiner, copy
ing clerk, or competitor.
When this formality is over, one of
the examiners takes up book and
opens it at random. Another examiner
calls number, say nine. The first ex-
arniner reads the ninth line of the page
at which he has opened, and from this
line phrase or word is chosen us the
subject of composition.
Then second vase is placed upon
the table, to which bell is attached.
A thread hangs from the bell, and ut
the end Of the thread is lighted stick
of incense. In about half an hour the
stick burns out, tho thread ignites, and
as it snaps, weight drops, which at
at the same instant rings the bell and
closes the lid of the vase.
The time is up, and no more verses
can be put into the urn. Now the clerks
pour the manuscripts out of the urn,
copy them all on the same sheet Of pa
per, to secure anonymity, and SO SUBJ
nit them to the examiners. The ex-
aniners compare them, decide upon tho
best and the second best, ana one Of
examiners mounts kind of desk and
reads or intones the best one.
Each candidate may write and drop
into the urn us many poems us he
pleases--bcfore the bell rings-but has
to pay small fec for each entry. The
money is spent for paper, ink and prizes.
A second trial follows Immediately.
and the two winners of the first trial
are madc examiners in the second one.
This may go on for an entire after
noon, and in the evening dinner
brings the fete to an end.
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-10-01
coRNsTALK cELLULosE.
It Promises to Take tho Place of tho I
ported Cocoa

AZ 1roAlScs TO rake tho Place OF tho Inn
ported Cocoa.
Secretary Herbert has ordered that
cornstalk be used to fill the cofferdams
OF the two big battleships Hos. and 8,
the designs of which are being COM
pleted. Thus, says the Washington
Star, purely American product will
replace the imported cocoa cellulose,
which is largely used in all of our mod
crn naval vessels The order was is
sued as the result of careful test of
the relative merits of the two kinds Of
cellulose, conducted by special board,
headed by Constructor Linnard. Two
identical iron tanks were filled with
the cellulose, one with cocoa and the
other with cornstall1. Six and eight
inch shells were fred clear through
them, and then the tanks were filed
with water to ascertain to what extent
the cellulose fulfilled its function of
preventing thcleakage of water through
the shot holes into the interior of the
vessel. In few minutes the cocoa was
letting stream through at the rate of
half gallon minute, while at the
end of an hour and half not drop
had leaked out of the cornstalk tank.
This settled conclusively the water-rc-
sisting merits of the new compound.
Another important test followed, in
tended to compare the infammability of
the TWO substances, a matter that has
come to be regarded as of the first order
OF Importance since the Chinese war
ships We're set on fire by the explosion
OF japanese shells. When small shells
were exploded in the cocoa, it smoul-
dered first, and was then famed into
flames bya light breeze. The cornstalk
ccllulose was slightly charred, but
could not be be ignited, and SO scored
another point.
Next the tanks were filled with
water and left in warm place for
several weeks to determine the chemic-
al effect Of their contents upon the hull
plates of ship and upon the hygenic
conditions. The cocoa destroyed tho
paint, corroded the iron plates, and
finally decolnposed itself. The corn
stalk only slightly softened the paint.
did not affect the iron plate more than
pure water, and, save for a slight
Wondering and the emission of an am
inoniacal smell, was unchanged and still
serviccable. The board also found that
cornstalls ce]lulose cost but seventeen
and one-half cents per pound as against
twenty-five cents for the cocoa, and as
it is lighter and less is required to fill
the cofferdams, it really costs but two
thirds the price of cocoa.
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-10-01
"oLE DAM"
Hc Had n Close Call, But He wasn,a
Quite Licked.


Quite Licked.
There is an old raftsman on the Sus-
quehanna river whose proud boast it is
that he has never been whipped in a
fight This means good deal, for the
sturdy rnttsmen are all splendid speci-
mems. Fights over the most trivial
matters are of daily occurrence. cole
Dan" as he is called, says the New
York Journal, has now grown very
feeble and rheumatic, but he is never
tired OF recounting his exploits us q
lighter when he was young man.
The old fellow always stoutlv aflirn1s
that he has never been licked, but after
n good deal of pressing he can some
times remember that he once came
very near being soundly thrashed.
"Yes. sir, the nearest / came to be-
ing whipped was over twenty years
ago. l was carting a load of logs up to
the mill one powerful hot day in Au-
gust. The sun was a-shining fit to
sizzle your brains. AS was goin along
side OF wood which threw shadow
just half way across the road l met a
man in buggy coming straight at me.
Turn out, SEE he.
Turn out into the sun yourself, seq
We'll, after that we came to words,
Bimcby we came to blows.
I'VE fit till the sun went down and
then turned out"
"oh, you did turn out for him then,
DAMP"
Yes, when the sun went down the
shadow was all over the road. Ididn't
care then. That was the nearest ever
came to being whipped"
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-10-01
CAN THIS BE sARoAsmq
Bicyclists May Think So and Feel d
poaed t~, Nronr. a Don,-

Bicyclists May Think So and Feel Dis
posed to Make Reply.
correspondent of the Rider and
Driver says that he was recently panied
to read in that publication an article
referring to the bicycle in flippant and
contemptuous terms and proceeds to
express his trouble as follows:
such sentiments are inspired by
people who, while able to ride a mere
horse, have not the hands, the seat or
the nerves to master bicycle. A man
who has only known the pleasure of
crossing a country at the tail of the
hounds cannot understand the intoxi-
eating delight and exhilaraton of spirits
engendcred by working well-man-
nered bicycle along the road-particu-
larry when dashinR up hill or through
deep going. Have we not seen them
with their backs inclined in a graceful
curve, with their faces flushed purple
with pleasurable exertion and their
protruding eyeballs fixed with childish
eagerness on point in the road about
half a mile ahead? If he is run over
and squashed under an ice wagon he
has the satisfaction of meeting an end
worthy of true sportsman and of not
'aping the English
THE horse is doomed. Shrewd
judges assure us through the columns
OF the daily press that in five years he
will be extinct, with the exception of q
few specimens preserved in menageries.
How our nerves will tingle at the sight
OF the Keenes' and Belmonts' colors, in
grueling finish, borne struggling
through the stretch on safety bicycles!
Bicycle shows will be in order, and
each November the garden will ring
with applause as the winner is an
nounced in the class for road bicycles
OF not over sixty-fve-inch gear; man.
ners and conformation to count fifty
per cent, ETC., ETC. Bicycles with nine
teen different gaits will be invented to
suit our friends in Kentucky and, al.
though the hunter and jumping classes
will have to be abandoned, we look for
an increased number of entries in the
tandem classes. When out riding we
will meet our cook, arrayed in her Sun
day boomers and mounted Just as we
area condition of equality exceeding
the fondcst hopes of our forefathers.
Down with the l,orsocracy!"
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-10-01

General Geo. w. Jones, 1owa's
grand old man of Dubuque, has for
some time been afflicted with catar-
acts on both his eyes, and his sight is
now SO poor that he is unable to re-
cognize his most intimate friends cx-
cept by their voice. The right eye is
totally blind and the other is fast be-
coming so. He is, however. undergo
ing treatment by an oculist. who hopes
to be able to save his sight at least in
one eye. This announcement will &C.
casion general regret throughout the
state and nation. Recorder.
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-10-01
South African Gol,l

The south African fields have gone
ahead OF this country in gold produc-
ton. The yield in Africa this year will
reach fifty million dollars and much
higher in 1896. One popularity about
the African gold is that it is taken from
sedinentary rocks, and the processes
have been so much improved that only
ten per cent. of the metal is lost. In
the African mines forty-two thousand
natives and six thousand European
workmen are employed. But fifty per
cent. OF the gold was saved by the
processes used nine years ago. This is
an instance of wha t science and in
genuity are doing to increase the gold
supply.
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-10-01

Where is the advantage to the United
States to have big crop of corn? If
it is fed to stock, even then there is
not 80 cents a day to the farmer for
his work in raising the corn and feed
ing his stock. Is it any wonder that
farmers look back beyond the present
time to those days when they got fair
prices for what they produced? Is it
any wonder that they are studying this
money question, and is it not reason
able to expect that they will vote
when the time comes for leinstate-
ment Of the monetary system under
which they prospered a few years ago?
Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-10-01

The gold scare is being skillfully
worked up to support another outrage
upon the American people. No one
will be surprised if the scheme sue
ceeds, for the immunity enjoyed by the
perpetrators of the preceding robber-
les has emboldencd the ring and made
its members believe that thieving on
a vast scale from the people is not
looked upon as a crime, but is really
considered in the light of successful
financial operation.-San Francisco
Chronicle
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-10-01
A Nlarvelcus Progression

"They may talk about their iron
age" the cashier softly murmurcd, as
he altered the combination and shut to
the door, but what is that compared
with the age of steal?"
Saying which he put large dark
colored incognito into his valisc and
boarded steamer for South America.
IN. Y. Recorder
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-10-01
Quito Incredible.

Gibbs Did You know that the latest
census returns in Chicago show that
there are about one thoraand deaf
mntes living in tho city, Industrious
and accomplishing.
Nibbs-I don't believe it! A man
can't live in Chicago uncomplainingly
II he never has Il chance to talk about
what great town it is.-Detroit Free
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-10-01
Advertising in a newspaper is Pc

Advertising in newspaper is Pc
culiar in that it is the best-reaches
the largest number of people-reaches
them at their homes in way they like
to be reached-and for these reasons
has permanent effect upon them
which, as any business man knows. is
worth money. 1t pays to advertise,
but every shrewd, level-headed bust
ness man knows it pays best to adj
vertise in newspapers.
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-10-01

Wife tsnapp;shly)-Why do you
smoke those horrid cigars?
Husband because can't afford to
buy Paris bonncts and Havana cigars,
too.--N. Y. Weekly.
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-10-01
IhotoSrap.lcr Was Wise.

Herr Filzingcr Ia skinhint) = What
shall have to pay for the likeness?
Artist I'D rather tell You that later
ON. l want you nov to look pleasant.
-kattowitzcr Zcitung.
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-10-01
Taking "a Rest.

"Who was the gentleman who sat b
you and stared into your face all even
ing?"
"He's celebrated nind-reader."
ION his vncation?"-Life.
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-10-01
Happy 1'hougnt.

She ION the evening of the wedding
day)~-ol larry, just look what large
piece OF the wedding cake has been leftl
Whatever shall VIC do with it?
1e-i tell you what, my dear. Ill
send 1t to the night watchman at our
works, then ! shall be sure he Won't
-a.--s-- -. n.1.ht ..1,;....
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-10-01
She Had EN-.

What were your husbands last
words?"
'He hadn't any," sobbcd the widow,
II was with him."-Tanmany Times.
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-10-01
Why lie Did 1t.

Minlls (wlo boards)-We had an old
fashioned chicken.-N. Y. Weekly.
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-10-01
S:itcrs-in-Ia,u

JinLs--What tender care vonr wife
takes OF you. Always worrying about
your hcllth. i.
Blinls-Y Yes; have my life insured
In favor Of my ysister.-N. Y. Weekly.
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-10-01
Placing the Responsibility

ne-Hili you De my wife?
She-Oh. this is such surprise!
He--I can't help that. 1t isn't my
fault that you've never heard anything
like it before.-Life.
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-10-01
Two Dishes.

Winlss (who keeps horse)-We had
an old-fashioned potpie for dinner to-
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-10-01
NIclanci,olIa.

Tho watermelon causes 10y
Among both white and colorcd folks.
And hanoris.s their time employ
In writing lncion-cclic jokes
IN " Haraid.
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-10-01
THE ALLIANCE STORE GALLERY

Is the place to get your Photos taken
The second story has bsen fitted up
in the most complete manner for first
class work, and we will send out moth
ing but the very best. II always pays
to get tho best if you do have to pay
a little more, then you will have a
genuine work of art which you will
not be ashamed to present to anyone.
Everyone is invited to call and see US
aud examine our work whether they
wish anything or not. w. BROWN.
The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-10-02
I'll WEATHER.
why People Feel This Way That
II rs Needless Clearly shown.

''WNhy is 1t that so many people feel
under the weather have tired feelings,
and complain of chilly sensations at this
time of the year?"
This is a question that is very easily
answered. People naturally feel weak
run down after the heat of summer
because it thins the blood and lowers the
vitality. The chilly weather of fall and
early winter finds them unprepared to
Withstand the change of temperature,
and hence they suffer. This fact is
plainly proved by the following opinions
of some people who speak from practical
experience
No. 9o3 Goldengate avenue,
San Francisco, Cal.
81 have been using Duffy's Pure Malt
Whissey for some time and 1t does all
remedies for my complaint, but none, OF
them lasting. The only article That
seems to be successful is Duffy's Pure
Malt Whiskey. Respectfully,
J. M. MARTIN"
Mr.. John w. Crosby, S,A7 Kensington
avenue, Philadelphia, says:-l nave
used Duffy's Pure Malt Whiskey for loss
OF appetite and tired feeling and must
say l have received great beneflt from
it," 1870
Nothing has ever equalled this whiskey
blood in healthTul motion and invigora.-
ing the body. Thousands of people testi.
fly to its splendid tonic effects in cases OF
extreme weakness. On this account no
inferior limitations should be accepted
from grocers or druggists who attempt
TO substitute something inferior. There
is nothing that car take it's place.
The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-10-02

favor fast riding; and where is the rider
who does not seek these conditions. and
avoid the reverse whenever IT. is posi-
casionai stes~ hi, p rather than be al
ways held a~ek by a low gear.
when travelling at anything ap,
down movement Of the legs required by
low gearing becomes very exhausting;
while the slower movement of the pedals
where a high gear is used has several
example. pedal properly, which he can
not do when the pedals revolve at high
speed; he car regain his pedals more
easily i he has taken his feet off them
at which he is going by back-pedaihns;
and the steering win be found to be
easier controlled, since the rapid play or
the legs demanded by a low gear, when
wobble.
When it comes to bac~k-peda!ling. both
a sign and low win Fears q h hisS s seeir
owing to- the slower revolution
of the pedals, the rider can more
easily keep his feet upon them, and do
the pressure may not be overly eft1ca-
cious. With a low gear the pressure be-
comes more effective, but II the machine
once gets beyond control the pedals may
revolve so rapidly that the rider cannot
catch them. Gearing. in the END, De-
comes largely a question of strength OF
limb against activity in pedalling.
cranRs and heavy machines an help to
make low gears advisable. While the op,
posfte conditions naturally favor high
gears. Gears can, of course be TOO nlgn
as well as too low, and when too high
the result viii be. the tirlng ana olssusir
ing of the man who rides. But y Is
quite as necessary to warn the unlnisa-
ated against low gears. as SO many
mentors have found it advisable to warn
them against high gears"