davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1895-01-23
HE WAS EXcUSABLE.
The Bitter Rivalry Between Two Bud
ding Towns in the Far West.

In the former days of the southwest,
when there was bitter and bloody
rivalry between the budding towns OF
Jacks Valley and Level Plain, fifteen
miles up the river, there was a man ar
rested for stealing horses, says the De-
troit Free Press. Not exactly stealing
either, for under those circumstance
the arrest would hardly have been
made. The evidence was not at all
conclusive; it was so weak that even in
this section it was thought only fair to
! give the man a chance. He was before
the court, and the judge was sounding
him.
"You say" said the judge, "that you
never stole hoss?"
'Never in my life, jedge."
"And you wouldn't do stitch thing?"
The prisoner hesitated a moment. He
was an entire stranger, and all they
knew of him was that he had been seen
in Level Plain, which was of course
against him.
"Well, yer onner," he responded,
that depends"
This was poser.
Boys" exclaimed the Judge, "an't
that evidence enough? Go and git the
rope"
A rush was made for the hemp, and
the prisoner began to get scared.
"Hold on, yer onner!" he yelled.
"lset me explain that"
The judge succeeded in getting order
among those who had gone for the
rope:
you've got minute and half to do
it in, )" said the Judge politely.
IL said, yer onner," proceeded the
prisoner, ''that it depended whether I'd
steal a hoss or not and it does. Now,
eff | was in the town of Level Plain and
couldn't git outen it no other way than
by stealin' boss to ride, I'll be derned
eff | wouldn't steal the hoss."
Then a great shout went up, the
judge came off the barrel he was bench
ing on and shook hands with the pris-
oner, and they took him out and gave
him the best entertainment the town
afforded
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1895-01-23
HE LIKED DETROIT.
Never Had So Much Fun I'm SinRIo Day
and Didn't Dream of Kicking.

"Am correct in my suppositionp" he
softly inquired as he entered the Gra-
tlot avenue station at II o'clock at
night and stood before the sergeant's
desk.
"What is your supposition?" was
queried in reply.
THAT this is police station?"
"You are correct"
very well. I reached this town early
this morning and set out to see the
sights. Inside of an hour I was watch
less. In other words, some one grabbed
my ticker and chain"
Yes, replied the sergeant.
81 had $17 in cash in nv wallet.
While was having fun with the boys
some one got the Doodle"
yes"
Il had satchel with suit of clothes
IN it. l was taking a drink in a saloon
and swapping stories with the bows
when some one lugged it off,"
yes"
Had an overcoat which cost me $2O
only last week. was in saloon with
the boys and took it off to wrassle and
have fun, and when looked for it, 10!
it had disappeared"
Eyes"
Il am dead broke-cleaned out
hungry and cold"
"Ill take your complaint and see
what can be done"
Complaint I have no complaint to
makei"
Don't you want the parties arrested
and your property recoveredp"
Not this evening-no, sir-e-e-ei I'm
no squealer."
Then what did you come here forP"
demanded the sergeant.
Happened to be going by and
thought I'd drop in and say to you that
I've been in Chicago, st. Louis, Buffalo.
Cleveland and Cincinnati, but of all the
towns ever struck Detroit takes the
cake for having fun with the bows.
Cleaned out-busted up-dead broke.
but never had so much fun in one day
in all my life. Goodnight, old man
don't worry about me. Had fun with
the boys all day-going out to sell nv
shirt and have more fun. See?"
And he winked and grinned and
nodded and backed to the door, and
added:
Better get out and learn your town,
old man! Best town and most fun in
all this world. I'm going to stay right
here with the boys till 1 haven't moth
ing left but my chest protector. y
Detroit Free Press
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1895-01-23
Morris Was Not There.

Between Cincinnati and Indianapolis
is Morris small station on the Big
Four. One train in the schedule gets in
Morris toward the hour of midnight,
and the brakemen and conductors are
compelled to call out the name of the
station. Their voices are neither sweet
nor low and the dozers in the cars are
rudely aroused from their cat-naps.
AS the train approached Morris one
OF the brakemen yelled in the back
door: morris, Morris!"
He had barely finished his little speech
when the forward brakeman joined the
symphony with his chorus: Morris,
Morris!"
The conductor wasn't going to get
left in festival like this and he wound
up in the finale with shrek louder
than all the rest: Morris, Morris!"
Then gruff passenger who had been
rudely awakened answered and said:
"Oh, shut up! Morris amt in here. ("
Cincinnati Tribune.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1895-01-23
Agreed with His Cross-Examiner

Mr.. James Hyde, once lawyer in a
small town on Long Island, tells good
story about himself. He says:
at was when I used to practice law
in little town near the center of the
State. A farmer had one of his neigh
bors arrested for stealing ducks and
was employed by the accused to en-
deavor to convince the court that such
was not the case. The plaintiff was
positive that his neighbor was guilty be-
cause he had seen the ducks in the de-
fendant's yard.
Glow do you know they are your
ducks?' I asked
go, I should know my own ducks
anywhere!' replied the farmer; and he
gave description of their various Pc
culiarities whereby he could readily dis
tinguish them from others.
"'Why,' said 1, those ducks can't be
of such rare breed! / have seen some
just like them in my own yard
"'That not at all unlikely, replied the
farmer, for they are not the only ducks
l have had stolen lately. ."-I'sdiamapolis
Sentinel
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1895-01-23
OF What Use.

Very absurd are the exclamations
sometimes made by people from whose
sails the wind has been temporarily
taken and we are often obliged to laugh,
while we mentally excuse the speaker
by thinking that he doesn't mean half
he says" The following anecdote. from
"Glimpses of the Nations Struggle" )" is
thus to be enjoyed-with grain of
salt:
Stringent orders had been issued in
regard to foraging. The products of
the country weuld be drawn upon, along
the march, by regularly organized par
ties of men under responsible officers,
who were to give receipts for every
thing appropriated, the accounts to be
afterward adjusted by the proper per-
sons in authority.
One morning during halt tall,
brawny soldier approached an officer
and asked:
Lieutenant, what is this order about
foraging? Can't man forage?"
mo; orders forbid private foraging.
"Well, lieutenant, can't l go into a
house and help myself"
"No."
Cant / even take chicken?"
"No."
"Can't take anything?"
no"
"Well, then," he exclaimed, with an
expression of intense disgust, Il wish
somebody would tell me the use in be-
ing soldier!"
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1895-01-23
A Country Boys Visit to New Yorl

A little fellow sends the following
story, in which he tells of an imaginary
trip to New York:
"My name is Willie Roberts. I was
born on a farm in remote mountain
district. two miles from small village.
There came to our village teacher
from New York, to whom / went to
school.
"At recess she used to entertain us by
telling us about that very busy city and
Brooklyn bridge and l said as listened
that when was IA years old l was go
ing to see New York. Now am going
to tell about my trip.
"When 1 was IA years old 1 walked to
The nearest railroad station, which was
ten miles. I can remember how tired
was how comfortable the seats felt
when sat for the first time upon them.
81 rode eighty miles on that car. when
| came to a junction about the size OF
Atlanta. The noise and confusion al
most made me think about going home.
l walked the streets for two days. The
second day left, arriving in New York
the following morning at z o'clock.
q went to restaurant and ordered
breakfast, but L could not eat any for
watching the white walters waiting up
on the table.
"Then 1 visited Brooklyn bridge, and
as l sat and watched the people going
from New York to Brooklyn and from
Brooklyn to New York | compared it
with our bridge across our creek at home.
"The next place of interest l visited
was Central park, where l saw many
kinds of animals. There L took my din
ner in lovely little summer-house.
While eating dinner l thought of cou-
sin | had living in Brooklyn on Wakofi
and Bond streets. but dreaded to 90
and see her, because did not know how
her proud daughter would receive her
country cousin, but | assure you l was
received very kindly. Aniese Corbett.
Twelve Years Old. :"
ATLANTA Constitution
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1895-01-23
so OLD NEPTUNE HELD TO HIS JOB.
Convinced His Master That There Must
Be Two Parties to Discharge.

Not long after the war old Neptune
Burgess drifted up in Illinois from his
plantation home in the South, and was
so well satisfied with Goods country"
as he was pleased to term it, that he
settled permanently in Mclean County,
becoming a fixture upon the farm Of
Ezra Miles, well-to-do planter.
Neptune was gray-haired and lazy
WHEN he bargained for this place, and
time did not improve his value as
servant. He was good-natured, faith
full after his fashion, and apparently
attached to Mr.. Miles, but nothing could
persuade him to initiate the bee in in
dustry.
One year passed and another, and
still Neptune remained, while his con-
tentment was real comfort to behold.
Nothing in the world troubled him ex-
cept delay in serving his meals, and
as this rarely happened his serenity
practically remained unbroken.
The negro was coal black when he
first entered Mr.. Miles home, and he
hair whitened. But the latter was the
only sign he gave of advancing age. He
was thin. tall, erect, and active-when
moving toward the house at dinner
time. Day after day, though, he be-
knew him that declared he had reached
the lowest possible descending point in
the first year. Mr.. Miles even, who
was one Of the most forbearing men in
the world, could finally stand it no
longer and resolved upon drastric meas
ures. Coming up with the darky in the
barn when he should have been out in
the held, he said sternly:
"See here, Nep, you are not worth
your salt. You are discharged. Get
yourself off at once"
The old negro, who had been leaning
out of window looking dreamily upon
the landscape. now turned about, re-
garded Mr.. Miles half curiously for a
moment, and then shook his head neg
atively:
"Kain' do it, Marse Ezry. 1t tecks
two ter meek er barg'in, m I aim eE
gwine ter fling erzvay er job rs hilt
nigh onter twenty years, cemin' mex
Jinnerwerry. laiks de place mighty
| well, m reokens I'll stay ontwen I
dies" Here Neptune turned to 60
away, having rejected what he consid-
cred an undesirable proposition.
"Ceme back here" cried Mr.. Miles,
angrily, eff you talk to me that way
III thrash you"
The negro halted, moved half about,
and answered. redectively:
dat you kin do, Marse Ezry, bekase
/ it ont tecks one ter do the lammin'; but
| it sho'ly do tex two ter meek bargain,
m / amt sich er blame fool 8 ter frow
up dis er place"
And stay old Neptune did to the end
of his days, persuaded to the last that
the right of the employe to remain was
as potent as that of the employer to dis
| charge. Chicago Tribune.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1895-01-23
Was Supplying the Deficiency.

In his youth and inexperience it oc-
Cured to him that he might with profit
address few inquiries to the small
brother of the being he adored.
what did sister say" he asked, when
she was told l was waiting for her?"
"She said," answered the child, SIM
ply, "that she hadn't the face to come
down but she's trying to fix one up
now"
And with that he smiled sweetly as lit
tie folks are wont to do when they have
stabbed people to the heart.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1895-01-23
SHERLOCK HOLMES IN REAL LIFE
Interesting Story of an Incident In Sir
Ashley CoOper's Life.

The marvellous qualities of dissection
and analysis with which Dr. A. Conan
Doyle invests his mythical character.
times by individuals in real life. Prob
ably it is due to the possibilities of the
occurrences that make DR.. Doyle's
stories so attractive.
An actual case of accurate analysis
and Judgment is reported in an old
time medical journal of Sir Astley
Cooper, the famous London surgeon of
fifty years ago, between whom and our
own DR.. Valentine Mott there existed a
warm personal friendship and some
slight professional rivalry, each having
performed for his time wonders in surg
cry.
1t is related of Sir Ashley that ne was
once called to perform an almost hope
less operation upon a Mr.. Blight, who
had been shot by an unknown assassin.
The prominence of the man and the
mystery surrounding the shooting rem
dered the case celebrated at the time of
the occurrence.
Mr.. Blight was unconscious at the
time of the examination, and nothing
could be obtained from him. The mo-
ment Sir Ashley examined the wound
he turned to his assistant and said: "A
pistol has been fired at him with the
left hand" Then he explained the rea-
sons for his conclusions.
While he was still engaged in this
Mr.. Bight's partner, a Mr. Patch, a
man esteemed as reputable, entered the
house and was shown to the room.
Something about his manner and his
countenance attracted the attention of
Sir Ashley, and he whispered to his col
league: IF that gentleman were left
handed 1 should suspect him of the
crime"
The next instant he turned to Patch
and said will you kindly hand me
that lint?" Patch did so, utilizing his
left hand. Mr.. Blight died. Patch
was accused of the murder, and upon
being tried and condemned on circum-
stantial evidence confessed his guilt.
He was duly executed.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1895-01-23

One fatigues of the futility of exhort-
ing the giant incapables of the railways
even the humber stupidiots of the
trolley lines. While talking with the
superintendent of one of these lines the
other day in one of his cars, I saw, con-
spicuously displayed, the following no.
tifcation: Passengers must not get
on OF off this car while in motion" +"
THAT is insupportable! 1 said-"that
is an intolerable piece of English COM
position 1t should be this way"-and
writing my version on card l sub
mitted it: Passengers in motion must
not get on or off this car" Would you
believe it?-that unlettered hind re-
tected the amendment!-Saf Francisco
En.r1a1 i1lel,
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1895-01-23
Effects of Fear.

Snakes kin charm birds, and no mis-
take" said the man with the ginger
beard. 'Ieastwise, it is more of a skeer
than it is anything like the bird gettin'
stuck on the snake or anything that
way. I know it by rescuin' hen of
mine oncet that wus charmed by a
blacksnake"
Il s'pose her feathers turned gray in
a single night, eh?" asked the grocer.
"Naw," said the man with the ginger
beard. But the aig she laid the next
morning was petrified with the fright
she had. ."-I,sdianapOLts Journal.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1895-01-23
TOOK A LEAP FOR LIFE.
Forty Feet Into Trout Pool to Escape
From a Rattlesnake.

James H. Budd, the democratic can
didate for governor of California, re-
Gently told San Francisco Chronicle
man the following story of an escape
from the bite of a rattlesnake which he
once had: 81 was up in Calaveras
county fishing along the Stanislaus. !
had been told of an almost inaccessible
pool up the river at the base of the per-
pendicular cliffs and fairly alive with
trout. / found the place. and also
found that there was only one way to
get hook into the pool. | had to
climb on my hands and knees up a
steep path to sort of shelf on the cliff.
On the other side of the shelf was a
sheer drop of forty feet down to the
pool. Just as l dragged myself upon
the top of the ledge the whirr of rat
tlesnake startled me. Naturally
jumped to my feet, exhausted as was,
but dropped my fishing rod. The coiled
rattler was within two feet of me and
preparing to strike. Either [ had to
get down on my hands and knees again
or jump forty feet into the pool. As
saw the diamond head of the snake
draw back to strike I decided and
jumped. Just as l sprang the rattlel
struck. 1 had a pair of moccasins or
nay feet, and the fangs of the snake
fastened in the one nearest him. As
went down l remember seeing the snake
flying over the other side of the pool.
Its fangs had caught and l had carried
it with me. Just what happened in the
second or two after l struck the water
in my dive of forty feet don't know
Fortunately the pool was fairly deep
AS dragged myself upon the rocks a
its edge, l realized with thankfulnes:
| never knew before that l was not only
alive, but had escaped the snake anc
broken bones. l was badly bruised, bu
not seriously hurt. What became O.
the snake | don't know.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1895-01-23

Treated birch becomes mahogany of
rare beauty, and soaked" maple goes
into all ebony" pianos now. So cleV-
erly is the fake" wood weighted" that
nothing short of boring will prove the
deception. Mable mahogany is soaked
through to depth of four inches, and
will polish even better than the genuine
wood.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1895-01-23

Grandma, may I take that piece Of
chocolate you left on the tableg will
be so goods" "Yes, you may take it."
The little girl does not move. why
don't you 60 and get it9" "Oh! grand
ma, dear, 1 ate it tirst.-L'AnnunEta-
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1895-01-23

Australia harbors one species of kan
garoo no larger than rat.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-24

to be n favorite model for piques ana
stuffs of n like ik.
The English box-coas, that falls loose
over n waist OF silk or null, is a becom-
ing design for the jacket
Short cut-away shapes. with frilled tails
and Etons. however, will be worn. Skirts
of these gowns are smartly fared with
godet backs and Tapped seams; II the
gown is trimmed, the skirt seams may De
completely outlined with braid. Sleeves
are large, dropping mutton-iegs.
WAISTS, SKIRTS. AND SLEEVES.
Fragile textures. such as muslns or
CANDIES. and Swiss. are made with bouf-
FAINT effects, waists round, and sleeves
pulled and short.
Skirts are trimmed, and an easy and
becoming model for any of these dainty
textiles Is q deep Spanish tlounce that IS
put on full and headed by rose quilting
in taffeta ribbon.
Check ginghams and grass linens. which
last are now shown In weights and de-
signs never seen before, have leaning
to plainness.
A smart little summer morning gown.
here illustrated, is OF dark-blue and white
check Bingham.
The bag vest under the little Eton, with
it's pointed revers and dashing sleeves in
double puffs. IS white null; the plain skirt,
In five cores, Is stiffened at the inside
bottom with heavy linen.
FOR EARLY SUMMER.
The costume pictured with the shirt
waist with pleated front Is Of linen
grenadine," which Is declared to be the
newest and coolest thing ever created
for woman.
AS It's name would imply, linen grena-
dine has an almost open weave, and this.
together with the soft earth and wood
tones In which II comes. makes IL spe-
cially suited for dog-day wear. 1t can be
found plain. striped, and spotted, though
only in the linen stores
The skirt Of the gown shown has a
sage surface spotted with brown. The
waist, which IL Of the natty shirt order.
Is of the same, with collar, cuffs. and
pieat Of plain sage; the smart belt Is
yellow leather.
The bodice has only under-arm Innings,
and the skirt, which is also unlined, needs
10 be worn over a much-hounced silk
petticoat. This is an excellent model for
a midsummer shopping-gown.
NINA FITCH.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-24
His Course bic.
Norfolk NirglnianD

Governor O'Ferrall need give him self
no concern over the episode al the Gov
errors Mansion on the occasion of the
recent visit Of the Massachusetts Legs
latiVe Committee. His course in the
matter is above criticism. He maintained.
under the mos; embarrassing circum-
stances, the official dignity OF the Chief
Executive of Virginia. Ii was not the
time or the place for scene. II pre-
medltated, the visit OF the Massachusetts
committee 10 the residence Of the Cover
nor. including the negro member, was an
unwarranted outrage.
II was a disreputable social breach,
an indignity TO the hospitality OF the
Governor. The Virginian IS loath To
think the offence was intended by the
white colleagues OF the negro representa-
tive Teamoh. 1t is Of the opinion that
IL was the plot OF the negro Mitchell,
editor OF the Planet. of Richmond. The
Governor may well feel indignant, but he
need not worry further over the matter.
His course under the circumstances was
admirable
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-24

dI,nly. I've bright. little orange, out IL 10
n much more mysterious anu cnai 'ii'"e
tone dian it sounds. .,o ,,,,
Another delightful yellow mas 'ne IN,
pudent fash OF a canary's winS' 49,
~. Tin, French organdie and the indian
dlmlties. with their irasile VIZ -
sIIlxv elistening surfaces, are most oeau
tiful. ,,, co,tons
fail short In color charHi'
WASH DRESS-PATTERNS.
WITH hu, ono execution all the grada-
,Ions I'm this shade yet seen seeineu Gu
ord ,nIovely-showed the wicked oiuet IN
aucpce-the single exception being u gen
t,e faded blue. that was demonstrated III
a nattern OF dotted muslin, WHICH win
ouaint little trimmings OF pam niaiLe
,nusIin I'm scalloped killings, was 10 NC
.o,d unnade in n box. Other WASH dress
natterns nut I'D In this convenient fashioh
are the embroidered ginGhams men,
toned. perforated muslins, IN White anu
tints. and chambrayS. as me as hanuno
chiefs. and with biscuit-lace III curious
swirl designs. appiiqued IN the ueep 81
',',I,h which IL to be made up without
cores. A plain piece comes for the BODY
a narrow lace at the top of the skirt-
width being torn off for trimmings
HFNSTITCHED CHAMBRAfS.
An adorable late summer frock, whose
nrototype In other tints may be found IN
any of the shops at from SO 10 go inc
box. IS of chambray that has an APP
nlinued skirt decoration in slantlng pafs'
and a rich brown-yellow tint. inc ueep
hem Is outlined with hemstitcnins, an
the rest of the round bodice IS entirely OF
biscuIt-lace. From this turn back fouhc-
ing revers Of the chambray, winch has "
CLINT Of silkaline. A very dress-up ehecS
IA made by d belt and throat-knots Oh
white taffeta ribbon.
NOVELTY TRIMMINGS.
Taffeta ribbon, 1t Is to be remarked en-
passant. Is to be much used TINS summer
especially for trimming musllns' WIN
plain materials ii Is most effective WIZ"
figured, though the same gown anu fio-
bons may boom with posles'
When combined with the thin, net-like
laces with scalloped edges that are also
being introduced for muslin trimmings
they are most effective
Moreover they are inexpensive. me
lace can be bought plain or Killed. ana Is
nut on in the shape or narrow ruiIieS on
the skirt and as rever edgings for the
bodice.
A SYMMETRY FROCK.
An enchanting little frock made In this
way. and that will doubtless ravish some
summer-hotel piazza later on. Is OF pale
apple-green dotted muslin that Is as sheer
as Swiss.
Taffeta ribbon, with a border Of pale
green and a wreath OF pink apple-blos-
SONS down a white centre. form the belt
and bodice knots.
POMPADOUR COSTUMES.
Pompadour muslins often have vests
and cuffs OF plain puslin In tucks.
Pompadour August fr0ck In exquisite blue