davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1896-05-03
"GoD's ACRE" BY MISS E. OSBORN.
The Most Popular Picture Painted by Woman.

America when quite young and got most
of his art education in the wilderness on
the shores of Lake Erie. He spent the
last years OF his life IL London.
The great portrait-painter. Gainsbor-
ough, has produced two pictures that 1--we
in the hearts of the American people, al
though the subjects are distinctively un-
American. Cottage Children" depicts
two little tots in rags, but they have sweet
faces that lose none OF their charm in the
reproduction. 1t is somewhat difficult TO
conceive why the American people should
buy portraits of the Duchess of Devon
shire" To be sure it is a picture of q
beautiful woman with q kindly face, but
that hardly seems to be reason enough Cor
the sale of thousands of copies annually
for period of forty years.
The list of popular pictures might be
continued, but those mentioned are enough
to give an idea of the taste of our people.
popular pictures in this country have been
painted by English artists, who seem to
have the ability to paint simple subjects so
that they can be appreciated by the people
of every nation on the face of the globe.
1t may be that the most of those who
bought these pictures did not know that
they were the works of English artists.
Most likely they did not care who painted
them. They bought them because there
was something that pleased them. They
could see more in "The Soldiers Dream"
and News From Home" than in fine
piece of technique. All of which goes to
prove that "art has no country"
There is no disputing the fact that the
American people want the pictures of the
English school. And yet American paint
The San Francisco call., 1896-05-03

ward man and successful lawyer in Chi
cago,
The name of Johnson gained no luster
through the male descendants OF President
Andrew Johnson. His three sOns-Charles,
Robert and Andrew-never took life in
serious way, and their lives were short
and OF little significance outside of very
narrow sphere.
The prominent figure among the john
son children was Martha. She was mar
RED In 1857, at the age of 20, 10 Judge ID.
L. patterson, a man much older than her.
sell, who was prominent in the politics of
the time and who was sent to the Senate
from Tennessee. Mrs. Patterson was lady
OF the White House during the admins
tration of President Johnson, and was
graceful and popular hostess. Her father
left her by will a large estate near Green
vile, Tennessee. Her husband retired
from politics and spent his last day on the
farm which has since been the home of his
widow. Mrs. Patterson's chief delight
and care is in the little grandchild, whom
she has had with her since the death of
the child's mother-her daughter Belle.
Mrs. Patterson's son. Andrew. Johnson
PATTERSON, holds O consulatesh1p at De-
merara, British Guiana. He is of an esti-
mable character, but is lacking in am
bltlon and individuality.
Mrs. Patterson has always exerted the
influence of strong and beautiful charac-
ter. Her father found In her the attrac-
tive feminine qualities that he appreciated
In the daughter, and she took the place
that his sons should have taken in the.
serious affairs of the family. She inherited
president Johnsons brill fancy in CONVEX
satlon, and even now, while she leads an
almost excluded life, and is rheumatic
invalid, she is by no means lacking in in
hqence. She has outlived her sister Mary,
who was three times married. Her first
husbaud was Daniel Slower, q rich and
prominent man. After his death she mar
ried w. r. Bacon. Her son, Andrew John
son Stover, lives in Carter, Tenn, and is
helpless invalid.-Chicago Record.
The San Francisco call., 1896-05-03
0VNNNSMzMN11NNs-0V1- is -Or1NIPOTENT-
E MORROW

which his mother had laid, the young
man entered the cathedral. He was ig-
norant alike of the two women who stood
with beating hearts behind the portiere
leading 10 the vestry and of an equally
silent and stealthy auditor who crouched
near him behind bench against the organ
rail, where, lingering the keen edge of an
ancient sword which he had taken from
the Kings armory and sharpened Tor this
nights work, he held handkerchief to
his mouth to smother the rasping breath
that whistled in his windpipe.
The two women. had quietly let them
selves into the cathedral through private
entrance and had made no sound that dis
turbed the throbbiug ears of the bell
ringer, and he was as ignorant of their
presence in the vestry lobby as were they
of his in the organ loft. The young man
was accompanied only by faithful SER
want who came to pump the organ. The
night was moonless, but the stars shone
with a fine brilliancy, and their light,
sfted through the high stained windows,
filed the vast and solemn chamber with
a radiance so gentle that the definition OF
all objects was vague and uncertain.
Eolie had embarked in the adventure
partly through lack of fear long banished
by similar escapades in the past with the
bellringer partly through idle curiosity
and partly in hope that her old friend was
really a genius of the order she loved.
Hence her anticipations were keen and
anxious. Every nerve in her exquisite
organization was eager and alert. Her
lips dumbly framed fervent prayer for
the fultillment of her hopes. As thus she
stood absorbed and waiting, the hard,
shrewd woman who accompanied her ac
knowledged to herself that she had never
seen picture so radiant and beautiful, so
full OF grace and sweetness.
The first note stole softly through the
edifice. Others followed; the great un-
conscious struggle with tate had begun.
The strain upon the anxious mother was
severe. Though herself having neither ear
nor soul Tor music, she had believed her
son when he had told her that he had
composed masterpiece that would send
his fame ringing throughout the earth.
AS he progressed steadily into the heart of
his composition she stood with bated
breath anxiously watching the dimly
seen face of the radiant maiden beside her.
To her unspeakable dismay Eolie, at
first eager and transfixed, soon began to
relax and shrink within herself. A moan
OF disappointment escaped from her lips.
She was listening merely to wretched
tumble OF incongruous commonplaces, in
which outlandish harmonies were mis-
The San Francisco call., 1896-05-03

sequentlv led to choose it for the location:
of the National capital. This is the very
spot which he, in 1796, designated as the
location for the University of the United
States. .-'
Braddock's rock has been known by this
name ever since the time of Braddoeks
departure, and is still so known by old in
habitants of the vicinity, among whom
are several who remember when it was
touched by the waters of the Potomac,
since diverted further southward. In the
report of the Washington Astronomical
Observatory for 1871, appendix No. 4, is a
reference to Braddock's rock under this
name, and to the fact that it was from
this point that Braddock marched toward
Fort Duquesne. 1t is also recorded here
that Colonel Peter Force, the weIl-known
antiquary, during his lifetime, repeatedly.
pointed out this as the rock on which
Braddock's landing was made. Further
authent tication can be found in Braddock' s
journal of this xpedition.-Buffafo Com.
mercial. -
The San Francisco call., 1896-05-03
U L b . ~ a ia
: TIRES |:
- y
HAT NIeYeR =
GRoV0IDs5E

original still holds the place of honor.
1.-THE Broken Window" by w. II. Knight.
and stepping g-stones," by Wetherlngton'
are pictures that for many years were used
in the public-school books. Engravings of
them are still in demand, but not as much
as formerly.
The most popular picture ever painted
by woman, and also one of the first to be
engraved, is Goods Acre" by Miss Os-
born. She painted it in Germany in the
latter part of the sos and it sprang into
favor in this country just after the war.
1t IS distinctively a German subject. but
the sentiment in it appeals to all. No
knowledge of art is necessary to make the
beholder sympathize with the two little
girls who are Drawing the blizzard to Law
flowers on the grave of some departed
loved one. This appears to have been
Miss Osborn's most important picture, as
further trace of her cannot be found in art
history. 1t may be that she married and
painted under her new name, although
such is not customary.
The "Children in the Wood" is the title
of painting by John Thomas Peele,
painted in England about 1850, that has
never lost favor. The sentiment of the
work is most pleasing, although the exc
cution is not what it might be. Peele was
born in England in 1892. but came to
The San Francisco call., 1896-05-03

II y Of

est hold on the American taste, and more,
OF the reproductions of their WORKS are
sold IN this country than those of all the
other nations put together. .
WIN the exception of few patriotic:
pictures American artists have done very
httie IN the way of catering to the tastes.
OF the people. Very few of their works
nave ever been popular, and to-day there.
Is no demand for any except compare
once painted picture called 'tMumbIe
the Peg" that can still be seen in many.
homes, although it might be difficult now
to find copy on sale. There is not much
sentiment In this work, but the two bows
Old Oaken Bucket held the public taste
for awhile, but is mighty scarce now.
The reproductions of the works of
French, German, Spanish and Italian
painters have been almost entirely sold to-.
people who are highly educated on art.
matters.
The San Francisco call., 1896-05-03

taken for the expression of wild emotions
and furious passages resembled the bur-
lesque rawlings of clown. The mothers
heart sank within her.
All at once, however, a wonderful
change came over the playing. 1t was like
passing instantly from a ballroom into a
battle. The inane echoes of the common
places to which they had been listening
were smothered in the remoter angles of
the catht dral by grand outburst of pas
sionate music such as no ear had ever
heard before. Memories of Liszt and Grieg
were crowded out by the less sane but
mmeasurably more appealing strains that
now sprang full-armed and terrible from
The bowels of the organ.
Eolie's attitude was now that OF un-
speakable rapture. This music was the
quintessence of all for which her soul had
yearned-was the full, rich meat that fed
her spirit so unstlntingly where Liszt and
Grieg had only tantalized it with morsels
that did not satisfy.
Thus she listened for an indefinite time
to this wonderful rhapsody, laving and
gorging her soul in its rich, unearthly
harmonies. Her beauty assumed the
character of her inspiration; it was inde-
scribably radiant and uplifted. While the
mother was regarding her with triumph
ant satisfaction stealthy figure slipped
through the portiere and brushed her
skirts in passing. 1t was that OF man
with rebellious hair, shaggy brows and
cleaning eyes. In one hand he bore a
sword, in the other an unnamable thing
that transformed the mother into ice. IT
was no larger than a mans head, and
though the light was dim, it's resem Dlance
to that object and to a particular one most
precious in all the world to ner made the
mother sink senseless to the floor as the
crouching figure disappeared into the
deeper rear recesses of the church.
Still Eolie stood listening to the un-
earthly music, which now was growing
wilder, less coherent and fainter. From
the creation her spirit turned to the crea-
tor. Unconscious of the inert form ly-
ing shapeless on the floor beside her, she
pushed her way past the portiere and in
trance socght the organ loft. Up in that
dark retTea: was all that her nature loved
and loEged for, sitting concrete and en-
bodied az pouring out to her the wild
raptures ii that love for which her nature
had so bl indy yea-ned. Blessing God for
the unspeakable happiness which he had
brought into her imperfect and starving
sife, she assembled the steps to the loft.
hardly breathing, pressing a hand upon
her sitting heart and constantly whisper
ing thanks and praises to Almighty God.
She approached the organ seat. Her
lovers forn:-her own lovers, now and
forever-was family discernible as she
neared it. 1t was swaying unsteadily just
as the music was becoming disorganized
and unintelligible and soulless. With no
thought of the maidenly modesty that
was so strong a part of her, she threw her
arms about the player in a transport of
love at the moment when he was toppling
The San Francisco call., 1896-05-03

current in which Eolie's musical
taste flowed he unconsciously turned
his own attention thitherward, with
no intelligent purpose in the act.
He studied Wagner, Liszt and
Grieg, and forced an unnatural belief in
his mind that they really opened up a
wonderful vista in musical conception.
He could not realize that their productions
were utterly and irreconcilably antagon-
istic to everything in his nature, and yet,
Like one who in grief or despair turns
to hashish for relief, he saw in the music
of those masters 4 OF the true philosophy
which inspired 1t, but a confusion of fan
tastic, unwholesome and intoxicating pic
lures. 1t was upon this intoxication that
his nature, urged by something which he
could not define, fed gingerly at first and
then ravenously.
The result was that he eventually pro-
duced a composition of his own, which, in
his opinion. contained the essence of all
the elements that had fascinated Eolie
He practiced it increasingly on the cathe-
dral organ, never suspecting that two
burning gray eyes watched his every
movement and expression with unfiagging
patience, haired and vindictiveness. What
thoughts may have forced themselves
through the dark and deformed mind of
the bellringer will never be known to NOR
tai man. We can infer nothing except
what was indicated by the fearful denoue-
ment.
Charles mother was aware of her sons
actions, for 1t was necessary to his weak
nature that he should have a confidant,
and that the keeper of his trust should be
woman. She was strong, able and diplo-
matte. Why should not her son aspire to
become the husband of Princess? True,
from her point of view Eolie was merely
willful, selfish creature, lacking in the
wholesome graces of womanhood, and alto
gether unworthy of the respect of WELL
regulated persons; but it is something to
be mother-in-law to Princess and in time
mother TO Prince Consort, with the reins
OF a great Government held securely in
hand. As for Eolie's vagaries, the severe
discipline OF a mother-in-law would be
sufnclent to clip their wings and prevent
their soaring.
This able woman knew that her son was
IN love with the Princess, that he was un-
aware of the fact, that he had turned bis
attention to strange music for the uncon-
scious purpose of winning her affections
and that he hoped by his production and
execution of this composition to accom-
plish that end. With all tact she encour-
aged her son, getting closer and closer into
his confidence. With infinite skill she lot
Eolie into the secret by degrees without
the knowledge of her son. At last, after
tedious intriguing too wearisome for the
telling, she arranged with Eolie to visit
the cathedral with her on a certain night
when Charles, who had now mastered the
difficult technique of his com position, would
be able to play it successfully, and so, un-
willingly, make the finishing stroke.
All unconscious of the innocent plot
The San Francisco call., 1896-05-03
CHILDREN OF PRESIDENTS.
A Daughter OF Andrew johnson Still
Living in Tennessee.

Daughter of Andrew johnson Still
Living in Tennessee.
The living representative OF the blood OF
PRESIDENT Taylor is the daughter OF Jetfer-
son Davis, although Miss Winnie Davis
main source of pride is in her title OF
Daughter OF the Confederacy" more than
In the fact that her grandfather was IN the
Whlte House. Report says that the
breaking of the engagement between MISS
Davis and prosperous business man IN
Central New York was brought about by
her flance's objection to the publicity
which goes with such popularity as the
handsome and attractive Southern woman
enjoys. Mrs. Davis, who is her constant
companion, is her stepmother. Mrs. Davis
was the rich New Orleans woman, owner
OF "Bevoir," fine estate in Mississippi.
She was fervent admirer of Jefferson
Davis, and made a will leaving her large
property to him. He decided to occupy
the estate before the death of the widow.
and SO he married a second time. Mrs.
Davis has written biography OF her nus
band, but on account of the failure of the
publishers, Belford Clarke & Co., the en-
terprise was very costly one for her.
Robert t. Lincoln is the only surviving
child OF his great father. He was married
soon after the assassination oil PRESIDENT
Lincoln TO Miss Mary Harlan, the daugh-
ter of Senator Harlan of Iowa. Harlan
was Secretary of the Interior under Lin
coin.
Robert Lincoln has been successful. In
MS position as Secretary OF War during
he administrations of Garfield and Ar
hur, and as Minister to England, under
Harrison, he has been greatly aided by the
social talents and popularity OF his charm
inn xr1Fa j 6 &c nicffN sr
son, Abraham, has cut off his branch of
the family from continuation OF the
family name.
The two daughters of the family are in
teresting women. Mary, who is the wife
OF Charles Isham of New York, has fine
boy years old, who bears the name of
Robert Lincoln Isham, and who is as full
OF promise as may be in one OF his tender
years.
Jessie Lincoln, the other daughter. is 10,
very attractive, very intelligent and a
good musician. Robert Lincoln is Har-
The San Francisco call., 1896-05-03
THE MIDNIGHT CALL" BY SIR EDWIN LANDSEER.
The Most Popular Picture in the World.

favor of the public ever since it was put on
the market. 1.-THE Woodland Gate,'' by J.
Collins, has also been a favorite that con-
stantly grow in popularity.
The Wolf and the Lamb" was painted
by w. Mulready in 1S4S and was followed
by many others that have never been lost
sight OF. Constable produced his VALLEY
Farm in 1S49, and although it was typi-
caliy English in character it has always
been favorite in American homes. It is
acknowledged TO be one of the finest land
scapes ever painted.
In the year 1850 three pictures were pro-
duced that at once became famous and
have never lost favor. The best known is,
perhaps, " Blindman's Buff" by Sir
David Wilkie. "Lady Godiva," by S.
Jones, and The Tired Soldier" by Good
all, are both still in great demand.
The Dead Robin" by H. Thompson,
painted in 1852, is a picture that has been
initiated by dozens of artists, but the
The San Francisco call., 1896-05-03

ers as a rule condemn British pictures as
"bad art" These men copy the tricks
and fripperies of the French school and
wonder why they cannot sell their pic
lures, while the American people are
spending millions of dollars annually for
reproductions of the works of English
painters.
Nor does the American taste show any
disposition to change, for the most popu-
lar modern picture in this country to-day
is ''Wedded," by the late Sir Frederick
Leighton. 1t has been painted about ten
years and engravers and publishers still
have all they can do to supply the de-
mand. Welded is similar to other pic
lures that have held the public taste. 1t
is picture with classic background, but
with sentiment that is always modern.
In this case the sentiment is presented in
a pure and beautiful manner and the
painting is perfect in execution. The
other British painters also have the great
The San Francisco call., 1896-05-03
Jenny Lind Sang for Him.

Edward v. Eccles, the veteran musi-
clan, who died within the past week at his
home on North Thirteenth street, was
fond of telling this anecdote of his youth:
ut was about the beginning of the war"
he invariably began. 81 was then a clerk
in large music-publishing house. on
Chestnut street. One day a well-dressed, ,
quiet little woman entered the store and
asked me to show her some music of. a
classical nature. We struck up quite a
conversation, in the course of which" I
asked her if she had heard the great
Jenny Lind, who was then the talk of the
The San Francisco call., 1896-05-03
PRESERVING BRADDooKs ROCK.
Where the British General First Landed
in America.

Where the British General First Landed
in America.
A movement mas been started in Wash
ington by the Sons of the American
Revolution for the preservation of
Braddock's rock on the Potomac, where
the British first landed in the district,
The historic spot is in imminent danger of
being covered by the dumping of refuse. :
Braddock's rock is upon the site occus
pied by the British and provincial troops
in April, 1865. The British troops landed
there from their transports, the Sea Horse
and the Nightingale, and there pitched
their tents on April a. 1855. 1t Is matter
OF tradition that Washington, then. an.
aid-de-camp to Braddock, was camped
also on this very hill, and was so i'm.
pressed with the beauty of the site and of
the surrounding country that he was sub
The San Francisco call., 1896-05-03
Helped the Fish over a Dam.

Water in the Des Moines River at Des
Molnes is higher than for three years past,
and millions of fish have come up the
stream. having been able for the first time
In several years to pass the dams below
the city. The big dam here effectually
barred their further progress, and great
shoals OF small and large fish swarmed be-
low the dam. A large number of sports
men went to the dam with seines and nets,
and even buckets, and tossed thousands of
the fish over the dam into the calm waters
above. 1t Is estimated that 600, 900 fish,
mostly small, were helped over the dam in
the last two days 1t is the first time that
any considerable number of fish have been
placed IN the waters above that city.-St.
Louis Globe-Democrat.
The crocodile hears remarkably well and
The San Francisco call., 1896-05-03

from the stool and they rolled together to
the floor. She whispered her love, but
there was neither voice nor pressure II re-
ssponse. She sought the handsome face
that she might rouse it 10 consciousness
and recognition with her kisses. A warm,
found that her lovers head had been sew
cred and was gone. After that the doors
OF an asylum for the insane closed upon
the history of the beautiful Eolie.
The San Francisco call., 1896-05-03

tDr. Entrefort was greatly startled when 1
asked him this question: sis it not possible
that: a person may conceive a purpose so
absorbing and. overmastering and so deeply
grounded in violent passion that it will per-
:sist:: for an .appreciable time even after the
supervention: of death?'' "Why do you ask
that?" he exclaimed excitedly. Then 1 told
him OF q singular occurrence which had fallen
under my observation. In brief it was that OF
a man who; after his aorta had been severed
by a knife in the hands of an enemy, pursued
his adversary: fora third of mile and then
fe Il dead, AT the autopsy, which attended,
the surgeon; remarked: :'"This man had been
dead some: time before he fell, and while he
was still. pursuing his assailant" ''What ne
really meant" said Entrefort thoughtfully,
''was that the. man had been virtually not
really, dead; but he had uttered remarkable
truth. unwittingly. Have you not observed
the wonderful power of the will over the body?
Have you not seen death held al bay for hours
by sheer viii force and witnessed its unneces-
sary advent by succumbing of the viii
The subject is exceedingly complex and
mysterious, as I am. able to- show you by mar
rating q: strange occurrence" He thereupon
told me the spbjOined story.l
The San Francisco call., 1896-05-03

town. She laughed and said. sOh. YES. T
have heard her. Have your I told her
that hadn't had that pleasure, and that
had very little prospect of hearing her,
the price OF admission was so high. She
laughed again, and then she handed me a
song she had picked out, and asked me to
play the accompaniment for her while she
tried IL. She sang so beautifully that 1
played like one in a dream. When she
hao nnlshed she thanked me, and with a
rare smile, she said, You cannot saw now
that you have never heard Jenny Lindp
She thanked me again and left me du M
founded. The Philadelphia Record. i,
In the American civil war one out of
every Slxty-tive men was killed, and one
In each ten wounded. In Napoleon's
early wars one out of each twenty-eieht
was killed, and in the early British con-
nlcts as high an average as one death to
each nineteen engaged is reported.