davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-08
Explosive Power of Nitroglycerin.

Whoever works with high grade cxplo-
sives must take his life in hand. Some of
tho accidents that have occurred in the
course of the manufactures and handling of
such materials are as interesting as they
are shocking. Recently man driving
two horses to q wagon carrying 1000
pounds of nitroglycerin met with some
accident and upset his load. The team,
wagon and driver were simply reduced to
understandable atoms. A fragment of the
mans clothing, found over u mile from
the scene of explosion, Gas all that could
be traced rs having belonged to n human
being. Bits of the horses were found miles
away, and some small pieces of the wood
and metal Of the wagon. In the adjacent
fields cattle were killed by the shock, and
in towns around the country horses ran
away with fright, windows were broken
and buildings were shattered. Almost all
of the window glass in the houses for sew
eral miles around was broken, and hole
was made in the earth Is feet deep, 60 feet
across at tie top and So at the bottom.
When such explosions occur with the en-
tirely uncontined product, it is not diff
cult to imagine what might happen were
this dangerous compound shut in and cir
cumscribed by rigid bounds New York
Ledger
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-08
M. ZOLA'S THEORY.
Tie idea In support of Which He Has
Written For Twenty Years.

In speaking of his career to Boston
Herald correspondent, NJ lola said:
Tho one thing of which am really
proud is that for 90 years l have stuck to
one theory, and that have carried my ar
gumcnt in support of that theory to le-
Ultimate conclusion"
This theory is that if marriages were
contracted on irrational instead of purely
sentimental basls--if men and women
stopped to consider whether or not they
were mentally and physically fitted to live
together and produce children before they
mated and made tho selection of their life
partners neutrality-suspicious. the race would
gradually become race of giants in brain
and body.
Later, as we spoke of music, he remarked:
Il have always wanted one of my novels
put into operate form. should want the
story to be sung to plain dramatic music
-Wagneran. l would not permit sin
gle Italian aria, complicated chorus or
other musical folderol."
The day on which one of Zola's books is
published in Paris is a gala time for the
keepers of the little kiosks which take the
place of the American newstands over
here. The first days sale is always cnor-
nous. The announcement that q book by
lola is to be placed on sale Mt noon Is
enough to cause IA crowd to gather about
the places where it is to be obtained hours
before the time osrits appearance there, like
the crowd which forms in line before the
Metropolitan Opera House box Office win
dow ON the morning of the day when a ia
vorllc opera Is to be sung. There is great
rivalry among buyers as to who shall Sc
cure the early copies. Great piles of yellow
bound paper books--all of Zola's novels
are issued first in paper-arc visible on ev-
cry kiosk's counter. They disappear like
magic, and practically all other business
IS suspended by the booksellers until the
lirst lola rush is over
1t Is said that Xola's name is mentioned
more IN the newspapers of Paris than that
d any other man. A few weeks study of
hem will convince the stranger of tho
ruth OF this statement. Indeed, one gets
% believe, after one has been in Paris for
short tiinc that lola is the most persist
.htly important man here. Friends and
GOES must alike admit, at any rate, that no
man OF the ago has had greater influence
III literature than no.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-08
Luxury.

1t is strange that the authors who have
written so much about luxury, whether
they praise it satirically, or condemn it
very seriously, or merely inquire into its
history and traditions, should never have
been struck with the amount of discom-
fort it entails. In modern, as well rs in
ancient times the same Jealous pursuit of
prOdigality results in the same heavy bur-
den of undes irable possessions. The youth
full daughter Of Marie Antoinette was al
lowed, we are told, four pairs of shoes IA
week. and NJ. Taine, inveighing bitterly
against the extravagances of the French
court, has no word of sympathy to spare
for the unfortunate little princess, con-
dcmncd by this ruthless edict always to
wear new Shoes. Louis XVI had 80 doc
tors of his own, but surely no one will be
found to envy him this royal superfuity
Chicago Tribune.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-08
THE FlNlCAL MAN.
How He Ordered His breakfast of tn.
knowing Waiter.

A man afflicted with the disease of fin
details, was giving his order for breakfas'
to hotel waiter. The man was finical il
tho extreme, and the exactitude of his or
der respectfully amused the waiter, who
was somewhat of judge of human Ma
ture, inasmuch as he had served brcakfas
to many men.
Breakfast time is invariably when yol
get down to the bedrock of mans true
disposition. 1t is too early in the day, an6
he is too close to nature itself to have put
on the little Disgusting frills that he be
gins TO assume along about II o'clock. AT
all events, the waiter understood and tool
his order respectfully, even servilely, with
out losing his own estimate of the man.
Tho man had morning cough and sip
ped ice water lis he gave his order.
Bring me a pot of coffee" he said
"And mind it must be hot-hot ant
strong don forget to have it strong. Ant
sirloin steak, rare-,cmcmber, have i
rare and no fat. l can't bear the sight o.
fat in the morning"
"Yessir, yessir. No fat" replied thu
waiter
"And bring me some dry toast, hot
mind you-hot toast-and have it mad,
from stale bread. 1 don't want it toasted
outside and soggy within. Now don't for
get that"
"No, sir; all right, sir; not soggy in
side, SIR" echoed the waiter.
"And let's sec! Yes, bring me som,
fried eggs. Fresh eggs, you know, per,
fcctly fresh, and 1 want them fried OIL
one side only. Don't forget that
"Yessir fried on one side. And which
side, sir?"--kansas City Star.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-08
CITY PEOPLE LIKE HAY.
Maybe q Load of It Reminds Them Of the
Pretty Story of Maud Muller.

"Hellor' said the policeman to the re-
porter on East Main street the other day.
The reporter stopped, and the policeman
drew him into doorway. "Do you see
that load of hay" said he as he pointed to
big wagon standing near the curbstone.
"Well, if you want to see something funny
just watch it for few minutes"
The two stood there, and soon a well
dressed man came along, evidently in deep
thought. He got opposite the hay wagon,
looked up, stopped and then took piece
of hay and went on in deep Thought Pret-
ty soon well known business man hap
pened along, saw the wagon, stepped up to
it and took three pieces of hay. He began
to chew one Peditatively and carried tho
others off with him. A middle aged wom-
an came next, and she, too, pulled out
piece and carried it with her. Then pref
ty girl in blue striped shirt waist and a
straw sailor hat with blue band came
along and had nearly passed when she saw
the wagon, and, after looking around to
see that there was no one whom she knew
watching. stole over and carefully selected
a long. slender bit, which she carried with
much care After that everybody, from a
dirty faced urchin with baseball bat to
a nurse girl with baby carriage, stopped
and selected piece of hay and departed
happy The policeman and the reporter
stood in the doorway for 20 minutes and
watched the procession.
"Strangc, isn't it," said the policeman.
give been on this beat for three months,
and I've never seen "a man, or n woman, or
a child pass without taking piece of hay.
1t is not so with straw. Why load Of
straw could stay there for whole day and
not one person in five would think of tax
ing piece. / think that the reason so
many people take hay is on account Of the
sweet taste it has, for piece of hay, when
it is in good condition and not too dry, is
really very nice thing to chew on. Peo-
pie who would rather die than chew a
toothpick on the street think nothing of
going down the street with long piece of
hay in their mouths as unconcerned as
three schoolgirls walking abreast. Funny,
isn't it?"
The reporter agreed that it was and then
left As he passed the hay he involuntarily
reached out his hand and before he was
aware OF it hc had Ia long piece of hay in
his mouth. lie beard queer noise, and,
looking around, he saw the policeman
pointing his club at the wagon and then
at him and laughing. But when the re-
porter returned iii about half an hour he
saw bluo clad figure strolling down the
street with something sticking out in front
of his shoulder. 1t was the policeman, and
tho reporter smiled us he passed him. He
had % big wisp Of hay and was chewing
it ike tho rCst.-Rochester Post-Express
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-08
ELECTRIC LIGHTING.
The System Has Come to Stay, but 1t Is
Still Crude.

An expert points out that while in the
carly days of electric lighting people
Thought much more OF the mere fact OF
having the electric light than of the actual
efficiency they derived from it, the consum-
er.of today is usually perfectly well able
to tell whether he is getting full value in
light for the money he is paying the CEN
trail station; so that between the strict ex-
action of the customer and the competi-
ton Of rival lighting systems an electric
light company can only hope to succeed by
the best possible service.
The whole subject of lighting is in a
transition state. In factories and large
shops the practice Of allowing the rays of
the arc lamp to fall downward will proba
bly, socn be discarded. 1t is found that by
inyerting the lamp and throwing the light
to the roof, which should be whitewashed
or white painted, the powerfully reflected
rays arc SO different throughout the build
ing as to give the maximum efficiency
without straining the eyes of the work
men. Much of the present outdoor light
ing is condemned as crude and unscien-
tific. Tho street arc lamps dazzle and
strain the eye, throw sharp shadows and
waste light The next improvement will
probably be the use of lower candle power
lamps, placed at shorter intervals and
having rejecting hoods. The bottom half
of the globe will be scmiopaque and pos
sibly tinted n deep orange color. This
would noutralize the painful glare of the
arc lamp and give the streets the effect of
being Illuminated with Chinese lanterns
In domestic lighting shades having
prismatic corrugations ON their surfaces
are coming into vogue. They give good
diffusion Of light, with but little absorb
ton. An authority on decorative lighting
says that, although many new ideas have
sprung up in the distribution of masses of
light il interiors, none has yet superseded
in beauty and effectiveness the system of
putting lamps oct of sight and lighting
the room entirely by diffuscd and possibly
colorcd light This will probably be the
method of illuminating churches in the
future. In churches where it has already
been adopted the effect is described as so
infinitely rcstful and appropriate that in
comparison the ordinary methods of church
lighting seem garish and barbarous.-
New York Times
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-08
SHYLOCK PROPITlATED.



Edwin Booth told the following story:
Once during the days of his early strug-
giles, young Booth was "barn storming"
down in Virginia, at Il place called Lees
Landing. The improvised thcater was a
tobacco warehouse, and it was crowded by
the planters for miles around Booth and
his companions had arranged to take the
weekly steamer expected late that night,
and between the acts were busy packing
up. The play was 1.-The Merchant of Ven
ice and they were just going on for the
trial scene when they heard the whistle,
and the manager came running in to say
that the steamer had arrived and would
leave again in half an hour. As that was
their only chance for q week of getting
away they were in terrible quandary.
IF we explain matters, - said the man
aeer 'the audie2ce will think they are
being cheated and we shall have free
fight The only thing is for you fellows to
get up some sort Of Embellishments
ending for the piece and ring down the
curtain. Go right ahead ladies and gen
tlemcn, and take your cue from Ned here F"
And he hurried away to get the luggage
aboard.
Med, of course was Booth, who re-
solved TO rely upon the ignorance of the
Virginians of those days to pull him
through. So when old George Ruggles,
who was playing Shylock began to sharp
en- his knife on his boot Booth walked
straight up to him and said solemnly,
You are bound to have the flesh, are your"
'YOu bet your life, !" said Ruggles.
snow, III make you one more offer !"
continued Booth. I'm addition to this
bag of ducats I'll throw in two kegs of mig
gerhead terbac, shotgun and couple Of
the best coon dogs in the state"
''1In bowed if I don't do it, responded
Shylock, much to the appreciation of the
audience, who were tobacco raisers and
coon hunters to a man. "And to show
that there is no i'll feeling put in Portia.
well wind up with Virginia reel. !"
When the company got aboard the steam
or, the captain, who had witnessed the
conclusion of the play, remarked: I'D
like to see the whole of that play some
time, gentlemen. I'm blessed if thought
that fellow Shakespeare had SO much snap
in him. "-Lifo's Calendar
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-08
IRISH suPERsrITIoNs.
r.iries and Witches Abound In the "in"'
of the People.

An ruroI communities IN the old world
arc snnerstitious, and Ireland is no eAcep-
ZION to the rule, writes q foreign ooii -,
snondent. Fairies are supposed 70 w. ~
an awful power over person NE. -
can fake fine healthy babies from .heil
mothers arms and leave sickiy weahi,nS
in their place. They can spirit chl.u
away from its father for certain lehs'n
of time and restore him when IL pleas,
their fairy highnesses. They can s.e.'i
ICES from husbands and parents 1foii.
children besides working all 1nalher VI
n;scbief in minor matters, such us .uih
inc now milk sour, preventing cream ,io. -,
..cominp causing disease ana oea'i.
omono poultry and cattle and a most VI
other caIamities, for the warulng Oh VI
which they have numerous charihs'
Tn rho little town of Ballinasloe llveu
wow his wife and an only child. by some
unhappy chance the good people cas1
covetons ewes on the mother ana pore her
away on a gray horse, allowing her TO re-
tnrn Mt midnight for short tiiie 10 see
bar habv. This she did regularly, the
husband taking it all rs q matter OF course
and asking no questions.
Her brother, however, CHANGED to meet
her on the threshold one @ght, ana by
asking where she was going broke the en-
cbantment, and she returned to the world
once more and lived. perhaps Is living
still TO tell her storS;o the wondering
noiohbors gathered around the glowing
turf fire to smoke their pipes 20 peace.
The belief in spirits and spirit walking
is inst about rs firmly rooted; perhaps in
deed moro so. If II man is anhappy after
death. his relatives are constantly remind
ed of the fact by his frequent appearances
to them and until they have done their
very utmost TO perform the duty which he
left unfulfllcd they are liable to be an
moved by his visitatisNs, which, however,
cease when it is accomplished. The trans
migration Of spirits into the bodies of ami
mails is another article in Il peasant creed.
The writer has known servant maid who
left a situation where she was happy and
comfortable because on her way into town
she was obliged to pass large black re-
triever dog, which she vowed was pos
sessed of an evil spirit
Tho banshee is believed in universally.
1t is the spirit by which death is foretold.
Its cry, which resembles the bowling of
dog in pain, but from which it can b,
readily distinguished by true born son o.
the SOIL, Is repeated three nights IN success
sion, and forebodes certain death. 1t j,
said that the spirit takes the form Of q lit
tie white robcd woman with naxcn hair,
which she is busily engaged in combins
while emitting her dismal death wall
Should a mortal approach her she van
ishes, but if he attempts to touch her she
hurls her comb vindictively at him, and hC
falls e victim.-Chicago Dispatch.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-08
Base Ball Notes.

Two new pitchers Will Pr ,bably accom-
pany the kennebtcs when they return to
Maine.
The Maine cluns will give thu western
clubs harder tussle this trip than ever
before.
The Lewistoas are paying great h.
. now, and with the addition OF Mahonsv
% their frees ought Co stand we'll pn
with the leaders at the close OF the season
y Wsdnesday's Commercial: We must
have t,day's game in order To start for
Massachusetts well into third place. II
we get 1t 1t will ha thu first time we have
had n percentage above bco.
Sorry Wa c>ulda's accommodate ron.
Nav Dedtotd Mercury: Doe saws he
will wipe up TIN earth with the down
east clubs nxs trip. They are a lot of
old wafa-n ssiT' the cap and dead
cinca : rhsv sr loakias Ia, - wild ws.r
show and our c'nb will farnish the runoh
riding lfthare is nos c niple of funerals
in Maine 5 ION Do will miss his guess.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-08
A Eeathered Rohher Band.

There is large feed store on Fourth
avenue just above Thirticth street. and u
floc'- of pigeons hover about. a dray horse
W. -ating his midday meal yesterday,
shaking IA few oats out of the fccdbag over
his mouth to the street. The grain didn't
fall fast enough for the pigeons, and one
circled about the horses head, alighting
fairly between his ears. The horse gave an
upward toss to his head and lost about
half his dinner.
The feathcred robber-for it looked as
though the whole thing was arranged
and his pals didn enjoy the fruits of their
victory, for stableman scooped up the
oats and put them back in the nosebag,
and the feathered rascals withdrew for
conference. New York World.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-08
sKEEMER's GREAT SCHEME.
Plan to Get Rich at the Expense Of the
Elevated Railroad.

Ron ing ing eieNateo railroad has hau 10 I''y
'-o,ooo because ono OF its guards attachou
PASSENGER ana smashed him In inc is'ce'
sdl" MI ekecmcr to Mr., Plotz. Now
i.Nc scheine. You and me aren oolhs
iny'hihg Just now, and we might put IL
'nso practice.
VIVA, Mn't Is IL! demanded Plotz.
IL get Job as brakeman on the exc,
va.eu' you get ON my train, and then III
attack you. AS soon as see you l become
uncontroliable, make wild dash for you'
hlok you IN the stomach, knock out your
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-08
A Queens Gentle Rebuke.

Speaking Of the womanly qualities of
Queen Victoria reminds me of q good story
told of some onc-I forget the name for
the molncnt-s'ho has the hereditary right
10 wear MS hat III the presence Of the SOW
erelgn. Awaiting himself of the privilege
In the presence of the queen, her majesty
quickly noticed the incident and quietly
remarked that although gentleman
might have the right to wear his hat in
the presence of his queen it was not usual
for one to do so in the presence Of a lady.
-Ladys Pictorial.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-08
TIE WATERMELON NET.
A Convenient Contrivance For Carrying
Home the Massive Fruit.

The invention of the watermelon net was
duo primarily to a change in tho shape Of
watcrnelons Years ago tho great major
ity Of watermelons were much longer than
they were thick. Then when u man car
ricd homo the watermelon which he had
bought the dealer took IA turn around ono
end OF it with stout cord, carried the
cord along to the other end and took an
other turn there and the connecting length
of cord between the loops served as han
die while the shape of the melon kept the
loops from slipping off But with the
change of the melon to the shorter, club
bier shape now prevailing this plan was
no longer possible, and so the net came in
six or eight years ago.
Tho watermelon nets are made of jute
Irvine called melon Irvine. They are of one
size. They are big enough for any melon
and with small melon in a net it is easy
to take up the slack. They are made alto
gether by hand at odd times by people
accustomed to net making. They are sold
at wholesale at 81 hundred. The melon
dealer used to charge cents for net, but
now most dealers give the nets away.
Notwithstanding their bulk many mel
ons are carried home by the purchaser
Tho suburban resident may spot particu-
larly fine melon and take it right along
with him in net A man living in the
city may do the same thing. Whatever the
circumstances under which a man wants
to take melon with him the net is a
great convenience. 1t beats carrying the
watermelon under the arm out of sight.
But while many melons are thus carried
in the course of the season still the great
majority of watermclons are sent home
just like other things, and so, after all, tho
sale of watermelon nets amounts to only
few thousands annually.-NGw York
Sun.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-08
Baked Cucumbers.

Wash good sized cucumbers and OUT
them lengthwisc down tie center. Re.
move the seeds and soft part. For three
cuculnbers use half cup of bread crumbs.
butter the size of a small egg, salt and
little cayenne pepper. Mix well and refill
each half of cucumber, place in drippine
pan with n little water and bake three
quarters of an hour, or until tender and n
iiSht brown. Serve with parsley around
them
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-08

very cold but Gid not take any cold. and
never had .gy .f.sr-pain or any other pain.
Ii was all due 10 God and Dr. Pierce's Fa-
vorite Prescription and Compound Extract
4 Smart Weed This is the eighth living
hid and the largest OF them all l suf-
feisd everything that flesh could suffer with
ne other babies. always lad doctor
nd then he could not help me very much,
but ills time ny mother and my husband
were aIaue with me. My baby was only
seven days old when got up and dressed
and left my room and STAYED IN all day."
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-08
Baked Tomatoes.

without peeling cut off the top, take on,
the inside and chop it with part of Gu.
cumber, season with salt and pepper and a
Few drops Of onion juice, add little melt.
ed butter and thickcn with bread crumbs
MI the tomatoes with this mixture, sprin.
kle bread crumbs over the top. heapinp
them up, and bake about half an honr
stick piece of parsley in each one and
serve on the platter around broiled chops.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-08

A novel and attractive way to serve tar
tar sauce for fish is as follows: Take fair
sized cucumber and cut off one side, scrape
out the center and fill this cucumber canoe
with tartar sauce. Place on a dish some
delicate lettuce leaves ard on top of these
leaves lay plenty of parsley. Then put the
cucumber on this bed of green.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-08
OF Some Irse-

for? SOW
Dealer-Wcll, t'be honest with We, he's
little too bony fur mountain trout an,
not quite tough enough fur cornod bee,
put he'd can up like daisy fur spriue
chicken.-Clcyeland Plain Dealer.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-08
The Vesuvius Path.

An improved path has been made up
Nesuvius which starts from Pompeii. 1t
IS managed by the directors of the Hotel
Diomcdc at Pompeii, and to a good pedes-
trian The labor is not excessive. The ascent
is made on ponies to the base of the cone.
the same as in the cable road on the other
side of the mountain, but the cone itself
is reached on foot.