davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Van Buren press., 1896-02-15
DELAWARE SHAD.
Some of the Big Ones That Have Been
Caught In Former Years.


Caught In Former Years.
The reader who is interested in fish
and fisheries can find in a report of the
PENNSYLVANIA fish commission, recently
issued, deal of matter about old and
new methods of taking fish, stories
(authentic) of big catches and big fish,
and descriptions of the methods adopt
ell by the pirates who deplete the
waters regardless of the rights OF
others.
In the early days of the Delaware
settlements. neither the Dutch, German
nor English settlers on the lower part
of the stream cared enough for shad
to use nets of any kind in taking them.
1t was not the proper thing socially
to eat shad. If anyone of social dis
tinction was led by liking for the
| flavor of the fish into eating it, he had
| to cook it and eat it on the sly.
And there is the story of the use of
shad in Philadelphia. The low prices
tempted many master mechanics to
keep their apprentices almost alto
gether on fish diet. The apprentices
objected to shad. and bitter. wordy
strife ensued. No strike followed, but
the youngsters triumphed so far that
tie law relating to indentures was
| changed so that the boys were not to
be fed on fish more than twice week.
| The exclusion of the shad from the bill
of fare was followed by an evil they
| knew not Of What was known as the
| Merino sheep craze swept over the coun-
try about that time; sheep became
cheaper than fish, and the boys got
mutton and molasses in generous guam
titles instead OF shad.
If it was not in good form socially.
| to eat shad on the lower Delaware, it
was nevertheless quite the proper
| thing to do so on the upper waters of.
both the Delaware and Susquehanna..
Country folks from a radius of so
miles came to the Susquehanna to get
their winter supply"
The record for days catch belongs
TO Tullvtown creek, in Hadley, Pa., for
"on the first day of May, 1888, 10000
shad were taken"
"rhe fish also ran very large in my
young days." said one of the veracious
cid inhabitants. "Eight-pound fish
were very common, and often they ran
larger"
One story is related of man who
traded 20 barrels of shad for "a good
Durham cow" But sometimes so many
of the FISH were taken out that The price
went TO three and four cents each, and
one case is noted Of great catch that
brought but one cent each.
It is worth nothing that in describ-
ing the size of the fish three ere re-
ferred to that weighed 13 pounds. The
very largest of an was taken by Charles
Vansciver, at Badgers island. in the
Delaware. 1t weighed 1879, pounds, and
was purchased by Christian Larze-
lere, Esq, a judge in Burlington coun-
ty."-Philadelphia Times.
The Van Buren press., 1896-02-15
TIPS ABOUT PEOPLE.

A monument TO the late Bishop Way
man (colored) will be erected in Balti-
more.
1t is not generally known that the
wife of Sir Philip Currie, the British
ambassador in Constantinople, is the
lady known to the world as Violet
Fame.
Capt. Thomas Morley, survivor Of
the charge of the Light brigade, Libby
prison and Ford's theater disaster, is
living in Washington and is in good
health.
Mrs. Mary Rochester (colored) died
in Newcastle, Del, county almshouse a
few days ago at the reputed age of 1o4
years. She had lived in that vicinity
during most of her life.
Mrs. Samuel Craft, living near Nc
Gees, Simson county, Miss, is just ~
years old. and has had 20 children, IA
of whom are living. This is considered
something of a record in that section
Sandow. the strong man, has big
brain as well as a big body. He is quite
an ingenious fellow, and among his in
ventious are an improvement on the
bicycle and a combination trunk and
bathtub for travellers.
DIR. Thalburg, the physical director
and Miss Ballentine, the gymnasium
director, at Vassar college, have for
hidden the students there from engag-
ing in long distance running matches
They say such contests are more likely
to be hurtful than helpful.
Barring Gould, the novelist, lecturer
and historian, is keen antiquary. One
who knows him writes that che wal
lows in il. You should see him on Dart
moor with his shovels and wheelbar-
rows, unearthing some forgotten domi'
cile, and then you would see the rsal
man. Give him an old church register
and he'll spin you yarns about 1t BY
the hour"
The Van Buren press., 1896-02-15
"While the lamp holds out to burn
The vilest sinner may return"
just What They Wanted.

The editor of the Chump Book
haughtily waved his hand.
81 tell you we do not care for it, he
repeated in a lofty tone.
''But,sir," pleaded the poor but strug-
Cling author, ''if you do not accept my
article then indeed | am lost, for al
ready it has been rejected by every
other publication in the country"
as that SOP" cried the editor with
awakened interest; then let me have
1t Instantly"
Whereupon it appeared in the very
next issue of the Chump Book, accom-
panied by two indistinguishable Illus
trations by Weirdsley, the celebrated
contortionist.-N. Y. Recorder.
The Van Buren press., 1896-02-15
limself to Mr.. elevelaad,s policy.

himself to Mr.. GlevelhNd's policy. I
don't like that | have never seen Mr.
Olney, but his picture in toe last Re-
view of Reviews looks belligerent. He
looks smart, but if he was a dog he
would bite. Maybe he has been 1mpru-
dent in his correspondence. At all
events the sober, reflective people OF
these United States are not going to be
carried away by wac cry. They are
going to discuss the matter calmly.
The argument is not exhausted,
But what's the matter with The Mail
and Express? What made it flop SO
suddenly? It has been our most viru-
lent and spiteful enemy for years, and
now all of sudden wants one of our
patriotic x-Confederates on the COM
mission, and names Gordon and Morgan
and Hamptol and Daniel and others,
1t uses adiectives on US and calls US
chiyalric, undaunted, patriotic and
speaks of the valor of the Southern Con
federacy. What is going to happen?
The New York Sun Sided into praise
and compliment by degrees, 1t was a
month or two on the road, but The Mail
and Express got ahead of Dana in one
day. That's all right If 1t sticks. The
New York Press moves very slow in
that direction. It's editor says We
needn't feel that we deserve to have our
disabilities removed, for our crime is
just as heinous and traitorous today as
it was when we committed it, and it is
only out of grace that we have been
civilly pardoned. He cautions us to be
humble and thankful. How is that as
peacemaker? But we still have hope
Let them como over one by one if they
can't all come at once.
"While the lamp holds out to burn
The vilest sinner may return"
Now, let us go to work and build up
our navy and fortify our coasts. Let us
dig that great canal at Nicaragua and
fortify it like a Gibraltar. Let the
whole nation settle down and quit quar-
reling. | wish that the constitution
was changed so that the president could
hold office for ten consecutive years and
so a tariff, when it was fixed, should
stay fixed for twenty years. The nation
is tired of these changes and political
agitations. They are fun to the poll
tieians but death to the people, Bill
Arp, in Atlanta Constitution.
The Van Buren press., 1896-02-15
First Sight Of a Railway Train

A country boy who was brought up
In a remote region of Scotland had oc-
casion to accompany his father to a
village near which a branch line OF
railway passes. The morning after his
arrival, when sauntering in the garden
behind the house in which they were
staying, he beheld with wondering eyes
q train go by. For a moment he stood
staring at it with astonishment and
then, running into the house, he said:
"Fayther, fayther, come DOT! There's
smiddy ran off wi row O. houses
an its ava doom by the back O. the
town. London Telegraph.
The Van Buren press., 1896-02-15
till the men could bring him in and pu.

him to bed. The leadin facts in the
but when the news did git started it
spread like fire in the piney- woods
before high wind in March.
1.-THE naked, unwashed truth is mighty
and bound to leak out, Rufus, and
never could see wherein it ought to
hurt anybody" says Aunt Nancy as she
went down into her thanky bag and
came forth with another pipe load Of
smokin tobacco. 1.-The plain truth Is
that two of the Watkins boys had like
wise also went to town the day before
Christmas, and amongst other things
they had bought some new pocket
knives. And on that day it come to
pass that whilst the Watkins boys was
returnin back home from town they
found old man Lige Runnels drunk and
down along the big road So far back
as | can remember boys have always
been boys and the Wadkinses amt a
blessed bit better than other people.
AT any rates, the Watkins boys dis
mounted and got down right then and
there and took up fool notion that
they would have some fun out of old
Lige' Runnels. They went to work they
did and made doll rags and gun patehin
out of old man Lige's breeches. From
what the men that found him say, they
must of cut port holes and bay windows
a1 nd s0ct trlu al lxTt tool
out about three solid sections at the
gable end thereof.
"And that's how come old Lige to
turn up missin and raise such a terrible
eonfusionment amongst the neighbors
When he come to his senses about day
light the next mornin there was toe
many rents in his higgins for him to be
trayellin along. the big road. lie want
fitten to go home, SO he backed out
down there in the pine thicket and
struck camp. No doubts he would of
been right there till now if the men in
the settlement hadn't turned out and
hunted him down. know from what |
have seen myself that it takes power
lul Bood pair OF SCISSORS 10 make
smooth cut through homemade jeans
with every thread wool, warp and woof
and film. reckon that is how come
the Watkins boys to try the mettle of
their new pocket knives on old man
Lige's breeehes.
"And that's how come the old man lost
for three days and nights, and that's
how come he wouldn't return back home
till he got wagin to ride in. Old man
Lige didn't know till il leaked out in
the settlement who had done the devil
ment, but he was so foamin mad about
it till he swore out the necessary papers
and had the Watkins boys arrested.
The trial is comm off next week, and
consequentially l must be at home by
that time in orderment to keep up with
what mought come to pass"
That amt all the news we got from
Panther Creek, but it would take book
to tell you all the things that Aunt
Nancy has told me.
The Van Buren press., 1896-02-15
In "a Restaurant.

Look here, waiter, this piece OF
cheese is moldy."
The waiter looked at the piece of
cheese and perceived that it was really
green and blue on top, and did not look
nice. Taking it in his hand he turned
it upside down on the plate, so that the
good side was uppermost, and re-
marked:
"There, that's the way it belongs.
There is nothing the matter withit now,
is there ?"-Texas Siftings.
The Van Buren press., 1896-02-15

behold heard
a very familious
fuss and eacklin
goin on at the
house, And in
the midst of the
general eonfu-
siontnent | like
wise also caugh t
the smell of a
pi pc s tro n g
and clear and
Sc arc b in. |
The Van Buren press., 1896-02-15

could tell from a distance off that it
was one of these old clay pipes what
you read about, and not right new and
fresh by whole tremendous big lot.
Aunt Nancy Newton, by the twelve
epstles," says l to myself, and then
presently when returned back to the
house bless gracious Aunt Nancy she
was thara
The Van Buren press., 1896-02-15
Another Cnntrnrrr.r Itreal,s nnt

The Ear of Corn-When l get down
TO Is cents a bushel I'm worth some
thing for fuel, and you amt.
The Potato-No, I'm only good for
food. They burn you in one part of
the stove in order TO bake me IN the
other.-Chicaro Tribune.
The Van Buren press., 1896-02-15
An UnmanIv New woman

"What do you think?" exclaimed one
emaucipated woman.
81 don't llnowl" was the startled re-
joinder of another. "What do ?"
"Our president, Miss Tomasa Buoy,
has taken to smoking cigarettes"
"What! We must impeach her at
once. The idea of her doing anything
so unmanly l"-Washington Star.
The Van Buren press., 1896-02-15
Alasi For n Lass.

Alas I'm in love and would marry;
I'm really quite anxious 10 wed;
And single no longer I'd tlrry,
l long to be double instead
But the paths through which Cupid has
led me
Have burdened my heart with regret.
The girls whom I'd have will not wed me,
While 1 don't want the ones ] can get
Il A. w Bulletin
The Van Buren press., 1896-02-15
Smelling Gnnpowder.

Professor-Why, in making gum
powder, is saltpeter used as COM
ponent part?
Tom Anjerry-To make it smell bad,
reckon. so the soldiers can say that
they smelt gunpowder. Pa is always
Dragging about the egunpowder he smelt
during the war.-Texas Siftings.
The Van Buren press., 1896-02-15
just His Luck.

"There's no doubt that Jones killed
himself?"
"None whatever"
"What caused him to do itP"
''He got a divorce from his wife on
Tuesday and on Thursday she Tell heir
to $780, O00!'-Chicago Record.
The Van Buren press., 1896-02-15
Somewhat Embarrassing.

The tryingest time Tor man. / ween.
And trials are always "A plenty,
Is when lntroductious must pass between
His second wife who Is seventeen
And his daughter who Is twenty.
Il. A w. Bulletta.
The Van Buren press., 1896-02-15
It nnd 1Ynrkcd ln IlIs 90.

Mrs. scrapp-Winy is just like yon;
so wavward that nothing can be done
with himi
scrapp-Well, I don't see what We
can do, until we marry him oif.-Ppch,.
The Van Buren press., 1896-02-15
DOWN ON PANTHER.
e Mighty "Confusionment' Owe
One Lost Man.
Amt Nancy Newton "Spreadin of the
News"-Lige Runnels Drunk and Down
for Christmas-The watkins Boys
Made Doll Rags and Gun Patchia
Out of His Breeehes-New
Year Resolutions
Copyright, iS96. }

Copyright, fg96.)
On the third day of January, some.
where's along in the shank of the evenin,
was down to the lot fiddlin and foolin
around amongst the stock. when 10 and
The Van Buren press., 1896-02-15
Sensitiveness.

just as a stylishly dressed woman,
particularly inclined to embonpoint,
was about to step foot on a Chestnut
street car at Ninth street yesterday
the conductor bawled out a mighty:
"Move up front, pleased"
The woman took this as a deliberate
insult. meaning that room would be
necessary on account of her bulk.
Il won't get on your car now" she
cried. I've got your number, and
you'll learn not to insult ladies. Phil
adelpbia Call.
-Wife-"I mentioned to dear Kittie,
in my letter, about the dear duchess
calling upon us. and how sweet she
wasl" Husband-'I suppose you did
not say that her grace called for a
charity subscription" Wife-"Well,
no. I did not think that sounded in
telesting. Fun.
New-York tribune., 1896-05-31

feeling ought always to prevail In the select So
ciety Of the liveried companies. But 1t Is not
equally clear that the citizens of LONDON have
cause to regard with affection and pride these
fantastic organizations with their medieval ira
ditions although it is unquestionably true that
they do much benevolent and useful work and
support many almshouses, technical schools and
colleges The liverymen have their dinners and
their perquisites and they also retain their time
hcnored supremacy over the government Of the
ancient city. and thereby sway the destinies OF
the Greater London with It's 100000 or 6,OOO.OOO
of Her Majeety's subjects.
because an organization like the Cordwainers
Company has been in existence for six centuries
1t seems to have warrant for perpetuating itself
and demanding an historic institution I'M
munty from destruction. Once week the beiis
of St. Martins in the Fields are rung, because
Nell Gwynne who was buried there left
legacy providing that it should be done The
jostling throngs in Trafalgar Square and the
Strand take no note Of the poor creature VINO
made the beQuest. The bells have been rung
generation after generation. and so they Will be
while the sides of the belfry hold together. Some
of the dinners eaten In the livered halls are pro-
yided for under medieval bequests for masses
for the dead, with entertainment TO follow the
religious ceremony. The Reformation stopped
the masses but the dinners go on under the be-
quests. Their God is Precedent" said Emerson
of the English; and 1t vas true saying
/ N +,
New-York tribune., 1896-05-31
THREE GENTLEMEN FROM ILLINOIS.
From The Washington Times.

funny thing happened involving three OF the ILL
nos members during recent season OF unanimous
consent in the House The dificulty of securing
recognition for the attempted passage OF any bill
cannot be exaggerated. and Mr.. Burrel of Illinois,
had realized this fact to the full OF sorrow
while trying 10 secure action a little private bill
which ne had in tow for one Of his constituents He
had been the Speaker number of times be-
Reed Welded and ted him 10 be on time the next
morning with his hill In his hand standing some
where so that he could catch the Speakers eye.
Mr. Burrell did not neglect the advice to be con-
spcuousy on hand. he stood in his seat and at the
first available opportunity waved the bill In the air
when a suitable opening came said: The gentleman
from Illinois Is recognized
A page started tranticay up the aisle 10 get the
bill and bring IL 10 the clerks desk but seeing Mr.
hand and az ne came from the State designated the
mage rushed up to him, took the bill and hurried II
10 the desk The Speaker did not in the least relish
this error as Mr. Connolly would probably be one OF
the last men he would favor with recognition, but
making the best OF a bad bargain the measure was
Mr. Reed then looked over in the direction of Mr.
Burrell and again said: - .
.srhe gentleman from Illinois"
Speakers eye, but into Mr.. Graf, also OF Illi-
nois who had been haunting the first seat of the
middle aisle for more than month waiting TO bring
a bill up. and this was taken 10 the desk and read
The Speaker looked considerably annoyed but per-
Burren given chance 10 slip his bin through.
and for the third time said:
1.-The gentleman from Illinois"
This time the page found his way 10 the proper per-
members smiled to themselves as they reflected on
the fact that two unexpected bills had received at
tenton on the strength OF the recognition promised
Mr.. Burrel
New-York tribune., 1896-05-31
MY NEW INVENrIo,,.

Because Of my new invento,
In Crown and Bridge Work !
am able to adjust my prices ;.
that anybody can afford to com.
to me and get the best work :.
which I am capable witbo,,
feeling that my charges are -
orbitant.
My experience covers so man,
years Of actual work, and | ha,.
been so entirely successful tb,,
| have on my list Of patients ii.
very best people in New Yor,
and surrounding cities.
l can give you teeth w;.h
which you can EAT as we'll >.
with the natural teeth, WITH.
OUT UTTHEUSEOFApIArp
IN EITHER UPPER I'D
LOWER PART OF THR
MOUTH AND ABSOLUTE.
LY WITHOUT PAIN. ;
Don't neglect your teeth; no
part Of the face has more to do
with its beauty than perfect
teeth,' and if you haven't good
teeth, let me supply them. Ex.
animation and consultation FREE.
L. T. SHEFFIELD, D. MD.
26 West 32d ST., N. Y.
New-York tribune., 1896-05-31

member who was po.ing over huge japanese NJ
ume In this reading-room. Il like II much" was IL
answer. Il think America ahead among all nation
in progress. But Japan learns, too We make nov
good bicycle for $l2" he added enthusiastically
then stopped with expression OF face that seemed
10 mean that he would say much more but knew
not how This young man, small, dapper. bright
him to finish course in political economy In Cour.
bia College.
In an elevated fat in East Eleventh-st q certain
law student. full Of energy and desiring to mako
money 10 exc out MS expenses has established a
Informal intelligence office. known only to the L.
itiated, where people In want Of japanese men ser
wants can secure them and where those Of his coun-
trymen desiring such positions hear OF them Hi
modest study is full Of books and looks but little l1S
the average employment bureau.
New-York tribune., 1896-05-31

superintendence of schools. The highest fee paid
for attendance a. single meeting is five guineas
and the lowest is half guinea. The courts Of
the chief companies meet once month. Where
the business is large. committees are appointed
for special purposes. and in some cases the men,
bers receive extra fees. 1t Is not uncommon for
members Of the courts to receive much as
81 500 year individually in court fees. II does
not follow that these ancient companies abuse
their privileges and corrLptly managed.
They are controlled by wealthy and honorable
men, and they discharge many useful public func-
tions especially in the management Of charities
end the promotion OF technical education. Their
income Is very large. and custom sanctions the
diversion Of a considerable portion of 1t to costly
entertainments and perquisites and emoluments
Of various kinds. There is perhaps nothing
scandalous in the management Of the companies
with their great estates. but there is an anti
qrated system surviving from the Middle Ages
which ought to be reformed and brought into
logical relations with the conditions OF modern
progress. On this account it was remarkable that
Mr. Chamberlain should go down to the City and
sound the praises OF the ancient and honorable
liveries
NOT BELOVED BY THE LoNDoNERs.
These statements Of fact are not made at
random but are taken from the report OF the
Royal Commission. They furnish ample evidence
that Mr. Chamberlain was right when ne told
the Cordwainers that the ancient guilds tended
20 promote ood-fellowship amcng the members.
with frequent banouets in the splendid halls,
loa4 With court tees In constant circulation. good
New-York tribune., 1896-05-31
he READS HIS PAPER A-WHBE@
From The Kansas City Star

From The Kansas City Star - q "A
man who lives on the South su. Sids snc o.stins NJ
ardent wheelman pursues the Sa swbeeing from
his Office to his home. He comes ,h uR R.ndS os ihs
from Eighteenth to Fourteenth, ootn looking
Sp when he comes to car tracks he puts one sops
on the bar and steades his machine Sss.r Sses ne b
really reading or making bluff for admisas mn syenta
man tOowsd .Sd him 5insnSrave on wnes 10
E;rh,.enih 70 rroost and up Troost to ndsSth
The following expected t9 se Ss m ss Sn;
nn h,s uav recklessiy and without harm m1dd his
turned down a side street Then n 70 hS front
paper, put 1t in his pocket ana coasteo
gate. ia, ,,.roaance The res11
ing blcycst probably had peen IN sne hs subsitutea
the bicycle for the cars he could not s''
newspaper habit.
New-York tribune., 1896-05-31

West are at handclasp across the separatins
track Aside from the row OF expectaht oao,.S .aiSa
waiting under the porch cover on tne .. ou.o ~,
there has been no particular demonsiatioi -
moment The red-capped information lnesssn mes ~.
gers have increased in number perhaps, anu a'e
waiting at the end of the passenger ways an
Two baggagemen in charge OF the gate OF en-, en-,
trance to the long receiving-room stano qule.iy
behind the wire screen looking out zen SUI
denly from between the dark skinned siahts ~
the rail- each with its one red eye unnincnihsS
facing the characterless white or the arc ou.h
ers there emerges a hurry -burly OF human De,
ings and In an instant people from East anu
crowd rushing for the exit. The capmeh arr
thoroughly awake now and there rises nish
above the clamor Of exit that one word pro,
nounced as IL Is pronounced nowhere else IN al
the world, "Ca-abr First 1t Is Ca as In cave,
and then "ab" as in absent. but closely strung
together making a single word or most singular
infection All the voices are attuned alike ana
sound singly and in chorus. Suddenly there is
solo effect. One Of the immortal elght notes d
man of rather imposing appearance, ana ms u,
manner and voice change. "Kerrldge. kerridge
he calls insnuatingly but the inferei tial hatery
falls fiat and he at once returns TO the geneIdi
refrain while the traveller lesurely swings nlm-
self into the stairway that leads to the elevated
road.
NOW FOR THE TRUNKS.
The last of the passengers takes his shadow
across the threshold, and then there Is another
awakening Great double ended trucks appear,
each having a bluff blouse-wearing porter at
either end The wheels are silenced with rubber
tires. but the tracks are hardly more silent than
the men at the handles. With the swiftness or
trained actors In the exciting scene, they move