davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times., 1896-02-12

Benz. North, residing on the farm of
Mrs. Moffit, near Blanco, had the mis-
fortune to lose all his household effects
by the house burning down on Friday
morning, between and 4 o'clock, and
the family themselves barely escaped
cremating. The fire started in the
lower part of the house and had full
possession of it when they awoke,
escaping only by climbing out of the
upper windows. They saved nothing.
They hadn't time to secure clothing.
bed or anything, so hurried had to be
their exit, and Mrs. Elisha, the mother
OF Mr.. North, who had a vendue a few
months since to quit farming, was un-
fortunate enough to have her papers
burnt up. A subscription was taken
up to secure them wearing apparel.
Mr.. North lost $25 in money and Mrs
Elisha $40.
Smyrna times., 1896-02-12

VIM. G. Hill has received at Clayton
his usual large supply of clover and
timothy seed for spring use, advertised
in another column.
Smyrna times., 1896-02-12

Next Tuesday will be pancake day
Shrove Tuesday. The significance OF
this is that the next day will be Ash
Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.
Smyrna times., 1896-02-12

Grown and bridge-work, gold, alumni
mum, Weston's metal, rubber and gold
lined rubber plates DR.. T. l.. Grier.
Prettyman Building. =
Smyrna times., 1896-02-12
The alarm of Are on 4rbnysdov ovo

The alarm of fire on Thursday even
ing proved to be burning chimney at
the house of BENZ. Hollis, colored. on
Pearl street. flhs big sparks or flakes
came rushing out the top of the chin
ney IN profusion, and caught by the
high wind were carried away with the
speed of arrows. It was an alarming
night for fire, but Hollis had a rem
edy himself. Taking a small bag of
table salt and getting on top of the
house by some means, he threw the
contents of the bag down the chimney
thus extinguishing the flames, and
when the hose company (Which made
good time) got there the fire was ex-
tinguished and nothing, fortunately,
for them TO do. But for the rain that
fell little while before, the roof would
doubtless have been in flames.
Last week was a week largely of
storms and an end to the virtual
drought, which had prevailed since the
early summer. The rain and heavy
sleet of Monday, which melted Tues
day, attended by chill, muggy day
Wednesday, had no connection with
the storm that ran into it on the night
of the last named day. This last one
originated down on the Gulf of Mexico
ON Tuesday, and came driving up the
coast with a speed of from sixty to
eighty miles an hour, increasing in in
tensity as it went, its greatest damage
being about New York and Boston.
The rain commenced falling here a lit
tie before 10 o'clock Wednesday night.
and from that until noon the next dav
when it broke off, the wind had mucb
the properties of hurricane. and after
1t shifted to the west in the evening.
the blow through the night was nearly
as severe. The third rain came Satur-
day afternoon with hail but little wind
breaking off Sunday morning. The
rainfall which came from the Southern
coast Thursday and was of course
warm, amounted to the unusual fall of
81 inches. The entire water fall of the
week was over five inches.
Smyrna times., 1896-02-12
l3 Good Mich Cows. oQ

l3 Good Mich Cows. o7
o., =, These Cows are as good as the hos,
i' ies'er County Sow Il Sboats ,v,icbirs
HOih lO to 100 pounds each ''''e
Farming Implements. &C..
Peanh Rs iI,i9ws WS Farm Wagons. Peach WAGONS
riaSe wagon Bodies, DearbOrn Dav,or 60
WhitaIv cttleSS fole. .Deering Folding. .bsr Rinder
row atfs scbSN 49, NioWer, Corn Planter with check
Wheel Rsta y Land Roller, 2 Randall Hsr;o,gs
tie Diamora ,Dpekeye Whsel O1ltiyators lit
Plows. Hsrness "heei Cultivator. Wheat Drill
Sary on large farm. every article neces-
SuseiI9la Snd rhS and Kitchen Goods-Iarco Iihrsyv
ana ppiia pais,HSl ,HSloset, Tables. Chairs Bedsteads
Kitchan Oook Stove and Fixtures,
WiSh Utensils, Cooley Creamer
MIX Cans, MIX Buckets. Cbnrn
o.oa 40 Acres of Wheat, subject 10 one.balr rent
Co6ps s9 81 1a sailed Meat, Chicken and Turkey
dc,o ,s9n9s stan9s OF Bees In simplicity and
o'e''aiied Hives 80 Empty Hives
arc m, ne ne stocN and Agricultural Imnlements
'e1Neep'iohsliy fine and in good order
vii lnIkhR1Is.--All hd sums of $40 and under cash
10 months ,r,iYH' over that amount a crefit of
viii be given by nurchaser giving
security. '0'ese aaded' with approVeu
ros'ponement ON account of weather.
R W., ]. FRANK DENNEY, Atty. I
Smyrna times., 1896-02-12

noon by DIR. w. ID. Gentry, of Las
Vegas, New Mexico, who gave Stere-
optican lecture ON ''The Life of Christ. -
and In the evening the same gentleman
gave very interesting chemical object
lesson and discourse upon the nature
and effects of sin. On Monday even
ing he delivered Stereoptican lecture
on his native country, New Mexico.
The proceeds were for the benefit of
the Sunday SchOol-clearing $15. At
the close a vote of thanks was rendered
DIR. Gentry, which was unanimous.
On account of sickness a few weeks
since involving the vocal organs, Wal
ter o. Hofecker, who has been the
leader of the NJ. E. Choir for some
years, has been advised by his phvsi-
clan to desist from singing for a time.
thus throwing the responsibility of the
music on the hands of L. NJ. Price. the
assistant leader, who, to fill up the
ranks of the choir which has been 9TH
erwise depleted, is securing a number
OF the younger element not heretofore
identified with it, to assist in the
choral services. 1t has been the mr.
pose OF the choir for some months to
take the course that is now being taken
and Mr.. Prices action in this matter
IS with the full concurrence of the
leader Mr. HOdaol1o,
Smyrna times., 1896-02-12

A bill is before Congress which aims
to secure the delivery of mail by car
rier at small pOstoffices. 1t was intro
duced by Congressman Sperry of Con-
nectlcut, and provides that, on the
petition OF twenty patrons of any post
office, the postmaster shall establish n
carrier service which shall deliver let
ters at a cost of one cent, to be paid bv
the recipient. The acceptance of the
service Is voluntary on the part of each
individual and is not to cost the Gov
ernment anything One of our old
farmers of Duck Creek hundred insists
that the government should deliver the
mail at their residence at least once q
week.
How quickly the years roll by! One
year ago, February eth, will be remem
bered by all our readers as the com
mencement of the great blizzard. when
for four or five days we We're cut off
almost entirely from the outside world.
when railroad trains North and Soutb
OF us, with their precious living freight
were blocked by the mountains of
drifting snow. 1t was terrific storm.
the like of which none wish a second
time to experience. Many are the in
cldents we might recall to mind as
happening during the great storm that
visited this Peninsula one brief wear
since; and sad-very sad-to many are
some of those memories.
Smyrna times., 1896-02-12
THE MARKETS.

Try can of Hopkins Steamed Homfp.
ulled Corn.) 1t is delicious. Ful ot 1o..
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-26

nest made of fluffy wool, all interviewer
with dainty threads of silk, containing
four or five cute baby mice, with ewes
tightly closed and little pink noses SMELL
ing around for their own dear mother.
Eight-year-old Jack begged SO hard to
be allowed to keep them that she con-
sented. So he got small pasteboard box
hlIed with soft cotton and in this they
carefully placed the dainty nest setting it
down beside the bureau so mother mouse
might find it.
The next morning Jack ran the first
thing to look at his strange pets, but
found that they every one had disap-
peared. Here was a mystery. What
could have become of them? No one
knew.
After Jack had gone to school and the
morning was well spent, his mother had
occasion to open the second drawer of the
bureau, and there, cuddled up snug and
warm on one of his baby sisters soft
gowns, lay the cute little animals fast
asleep.
The mother mouse had not been satisfied
with the home Jack had provided for her,
and must have carried her offspring one
by one back to bed of her own choosing,
just as a cat carries her kittens
AS it was impossible for Jacks mamma
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-26

scratches a young child, no matter how
much mauled by it. Besides-.heing ir-
ritable, they are moody and subject to
epression-probably a physical reaction
from the former condition. Princess,
though not a sullen cat, would sometimes
forsake the hearth or veranda and pass
DAYS by herself on garden wall or under
a bush, not i'll or out of temper, but out OF
spirits, morbid and wishing for solitude,
instead of the sympathy which she al
WAYS sought in her real ailments and be-
reavements.
Her peculiarities, both of race and indi-
viduality, were remarkably defined. even
when she held them in restraint, but with
one exception, all the cats have known
are captious Their instinct when Ill or
sad is TO be alone, but this is entirely neu-
tralized by petting. They become as de-
pendent on caresses and sympathy as chill
dren, and much wiser than children when
they are i'll or injured as they apply for re-
lief with the most unmistakable sugges-
tons, sometimes indicating plainly where
they are in pain and presenting the suffer-
ing member for treatment. They are not
so patient as dogs in taking medicine or
submitting to surgical care, but show their
recognition of its benefit by coming back
for it under similar circumstances.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-26

sad lady, "give to me a little child and /
will be your slave ever after"
Even so, ;" said Titania; follow me, and
after you have seen the things which
shall show you, ii you still long for the
hope of your heart | will grant it TO you,
but upon one condition only" The Queen
waved her wand of gold and silver, and as
she did so the sad lady was waited into a
lovely garden; here a bed of roses here a
cluster of snow-white lilies; there violets,
both white and blue; while all around
strains OF sweet music, now sad, now
cheerful, came to the lady's ears.
Streams OF water sparkling with jewels
rippled at her feet. Fairy voices fioated
above and below. Little boys darted here,
little girls ran thither, while over the
green, messy sward came the swelling
notes of myriads of birds, keeping time to
the steps of the fairy dancers. The sun
shone bright over all, kissing the dew
drops that dangled from the rose leaves
and glistening the tear drops that hung on
the sad ladys cheeks. Mortal" said the
Queen, and her voice sounded far away,
tthese are the children of Joy and of
love. This, the garden of happiness and
peace. Wilt thou remain with US and
share the pleasures and delights of this
happy garden, or wilt thou return to thy
home with but one little child to bless and
to lover"
The sad-eyed lady knelt at the Queens
IeeJ, murm urlng, ~ beautiful queen, q
life here would be one perpetual Joy, but.
Queen Titania, let me return to my home
with one little child to bless me and l will
be content"
Thou shalt have what thou desirest,"
the Queen answered softly. She waved
her wand, when the soft bed of violets
parted, and in their place stood a tiny
basket. Lifting it up the Queen gently
placed 1t in the hands of the beautiful
lady, saying: Queen Titania bestows
upon you little child, one who will guide
and bless your declining years. But thou
must not open or look into the basket
until thou hast reached thine own fire.
side"
"oh, I viii promise you that" cried the
now happy lady.
Remember said the Queen, as she
waved her wand, zone look into the basket
and thy child is gone" The ladv was
slowly waited to the messy seat where
Queen Titania first found her. How hapny
she felt when, looking down, she saw the
tiny basket still in her hands, and jumping
upjoyously began to retrace her steps to her
home. She had not gone far when a tiny
sprite, dressed in flaming yellow. stood be-
fore her, bowling low. He said in soft
tones. Most gracious lady, l am
the lord high messenger of her
Majesty the fairy Queen Titania The
Queen bids me tell you that she revokes
her order and that thou NAV st open the
basket whenever it doth please thee"
The lady was so happy to hear these words
spoken by the messenger that, without a
moments thought, she lifted the lid of
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-26

and women than dogs are; they have
moods and their nature is COMPLEX A
dog is very much of piece; he is a good
dog or bad dog, brave or cowardly, hon
est or sneak; the canine intelligence is
much higher than the feline, but the dis
position is simpler
Cats are exceedingly irritable by temper
ament, sensitive to changes of the weather,
and naturally disposed to bite and scratc h
when at play; there is curious tendency
IN them; as in Unbalanced or overstrung
human beings, to lose their heads when in
high spirits, and the seIf-command most of
them show when full grown in resisting
THESE influences is striking proof of con-
scious responsibility.
A full-grown pet cat scarcely ever
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-26

One" which tells all about the dusty
bee" the "cuckoo pint" the little lambs
that play always" and the dear old moon
in heaven"
Ten silvery peals were rung out by the
watchful clock; mamma jumped up, say
ing, Dear me, how lateP' and then she
took the tired seven-year-old boy to bed,
where he very soon dropped off to sleep
P. S. to Donald's birthday. Isn't that a
strange thing, postscript to birthday
Well, Donald really did have one, and
this is how it happened.
A couple of days after the birthday was
all over, when the postman came in the
afternoon, he brought Donald long, white
box, that was almostfalling TO pieces.
Poor box. it had been travelling in all the
storm, and had tried it's best to get here in
time for the fun, but had come too late; ;
not too late, however, to give Donald lots of
pleasure, for it contained the game of
"battledore and shuttlecock," box of
colored crayons and harmonica Now
the house is filled with the sweet music
trilled forth from the throat OF the golden
canary, and the music, not quite so sweet,
made on the harmonica by the golden
haired bow.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-26
The Rainbow.


Nature must needs have two helpers
when she paints the gorgeous rainbow
against the wintry sky-the sun and the
rain. Besides, these two must work to-
gether, for one alone could produce no
such grand result.
We've had bounteous supply of life
giving showers during the last few weeks
and enough of sunshine to hang many
times over the gray waters of the bay the
ever new, mysterious rainbow.
Wonderful indeed it is this masterpiece
from Natures hand, with its delicate
standings of color as it fades so gently on
either side into the brown bosom of
Mother Earth or down into the deep, deep
waters of the bay.
How close it seems to US, and still when
we enter our tiny boats and try to ap-
proach near enough to stretch forth our
hands and grasp little of its glory we find
1t always lust beyond
Then, that POT of Gold p
Don't the sight of the many-hued bow
always set you to thinking about it?
Under which end it lies buried2 And to
wish the elusive bow would remain Just
long enough to allow some poor mortal to
nnd and mark the exact spot at which to
dig or dive for the treasure?
Rainbows and pots of gold
sunshine, rain, color promise; work
strife, hope and disappointment
Almost all OF life-yet this know, hun
dreds of noble men and women there are
whose hearts are so filled with sunshine.
1T matters not how drear the day or how
stormy, their lives shine out like beautiful
Tainbows of light and promise, cheering
the way and feeling anew with hope and
courage the hearts of the poor weary seek
ers after the pot of gold.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-26
CATS AND THEIR WAYS.
Some Characteristics of This Popula
Household Pet.

Some Characteristics of This Popular
Household Pet.
Cats do not take punishment as dogs
do; their temper rises, and if struck they
are apt to strike back; but beyond gentle
cuff to kitten, now and then, find a
scolding or an exclamation OF rebuke
enough, says a writer in Temple Bar.
They are also less intelligent and forgiving
than dog if unintentionally kicked or
trodden on. There is no more beautiful
expression in dogs face than the look
be turns to the friend who has involun-
tarily hurt him, before there is time to ex-
plain; his whole demeanor expresses t he
highest magnanimity, not only the fore
gone pardon but the eager desire that
the offender shall think no more of the
matter.
In many respects cats are more like men
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-26

the basket, when 10! the tiny messenger
and basket disappeared, and Queen
Titania stood before her.
Mortal said the Queen, sadly, thou
hast broken thy promise, and for thy mis-
deed age after age blood-red tears shalt
flow from thine eyes. and as they fall
sinking deep and ever deeper into the
ground, they shalt be turned to stone and
the stone shalt be called the garnet. For
its great beauty many men will risk their
lives; and behold, even now where thy
tears fall, a lowly flower bursts forth
the snowdrop, which shall be the child of
consolation to all sorrowing mothers and
to the weeping world. And all children
who seek the earth in the month of Janu-
airy shall have for their heritage a crown
of garnets and garland of snowdrops."
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-26

Legend of the Garnet and the Snowdrop.
Hundreds of years ago there lived in the
heart of the forest a beautiful lady who
was sad and lonely, for year after year
passed by and no little boy or girl came to
bless her home. Nightly she would wander
forth looking at the beautiful stars, the
tail trees swaying gracefully in the wind
and the pretty flowers growing at her feet
and all around her. Yet these beautiful
things did not make her happy, for the
pain was still in her heart and she could
not drive il away.
One January night she wandered farther
into the depths OF the forest than she ever
had before. At last growing weary she
sank down on messy knoll. Suddenly
beautiful light shone, and out of the light
stepped the fairy Queen Titania, who
coming up close to the beautiful lady thus
addressed her, so mortal, why dost
thou look so sad and why weepest thou?"
Then the lady answered: For these
many years l have longed and waited for
little child who would cheer and brighten
my declining days. Now my life on earth
Is almost DER, yet, as the years go by, the
pain in my heart grows deeper and deeper.
For the remaining few years of my life I
am doomed to roam the forests and sit in
my home alone.' Mortal" said the
Queen, If thou wilt do as l desire l shall
grant TO you the hope and longing of your
life
80 most gracious Queen" cried the
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-26

Ex-senator John ]. ingalls, has resigned
from the Loyal Legion because the order
refused to raise him from the third class
to the first class on the ground that hel
was ineligible. A member of the Illinois
Commandery, however, gives a more SEN
satlonal account of the matter. "Ingalls,
he SAYS, twas chosen member of the
third class few years ago in the face OF
considerable opposition. He got In, how
ever, and that was the end of 1t. Lately
he became ambitious and began pulling
wires to become member OF the hrso
class.
He was clearly not entitled to this, but
his fool friends set up some claim about
his valiant services as commissary- general
on the staff of the Governor OF Kansas, or
chief butler. or something OF a similar
character during the war, and urged his
election as a member of the first class In
consequence. 1t was too good a chance
for the members who had all along BEEN
opposed to his admission to the order IN
any class, and they did not overlook 1t.
When the matter of transferring him to
the first class came up they mustered their
forces, and not only succeeded in defeating
mis- promotion but passed a resolution ex-
polling him from the order altogether.
That was all there was to 1t, and the talk
about his resigning because OF a failure to
get into the first class is all moonshine. -.
New Y ork Tribune
The Great Western Railway the other.
day brought to Paddington London, three
and half tons of gold that had been
brought over from New Y ork TO Plymouth.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-26

tanned, and talked much together about
the hne chicken dinners OF which they
had partaken
AT last Archie was invited TO spend the
afternoon and evening with Philip.
1t happened that in the forenoon of that
day some friend of Philips mother had
sent her particularly fine cut of roast
beef SO she had ordered it to be served for
dinner, instead of the customary chicken.
Now, Archie, of all the boys, prided him
self on his politeness, and tried very hard
to observe all the rules of etiquette.
While Mrs. Stevens was carving the
roast, she asked Archie which part he pre-
terred. meaning, of course, an outside or
an inside piece
ond Lord Chesterfield, whose mind was
hlled with thoughts of tender chicken,
politely answered: 1.-The leg, if you
please.''
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-26
A DoII,s House.

Two hundred years ago a rich old lady
took il into her head to have a perfect
model of house made. with dolls 10 rep
resent the different kinds of inmates.
Probably she intended it as a gift for some
favorite little girl; but. at any rate, now it
is the museum of the Dutch city of Ut
recht. Great artists were paid to paint the
tiny pictures on the walls and to decorate
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-26
An Amusing Incident.

Philip had great many friends; real
nice boys they were too. All perfect little
gentle men.
Philips mother enjoyed very much
having her little sons friends visit him.
AS she was an Invalid she never felt equal
to the task of entertaining them all at the
same time, so she gave Philip permission
to once a week have one of them to dinner
Several of the boys had been SO enter
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-26
The Man in the Moon.

IN, the man IN the moon has crick In his
" Wheel back
Whimmi
Amt you sorry for him?
mole on his nose that is purple and black;
And his eyes weak that they water and run
If ne dares to dream even he looks at the sun;
so he Just dreams OF stars, as the doctors advise.
Ny!
Eyes!
But isn't he wisel
To Just dream of stars as the doctors advise.
And the man in the moon has boil on his ear,
Vince!
Wiling,
What a singular thingl
] know, but these facts are authentic, my dear
There's a boil on his ear, and a corn on his chin
lie calls it a dimple. but dimples stick in;
let 1t might be dimple turned over you know;
WhanE!
Ho!
Why, certainly so!
II might be a dimple turned over, you know.
And the man in the moon has rheumatic knee;
Gee!
Whizz!
What pity that is!
And his toes have worked round where his heels
ought TO be:
SO whenever he wants to go north he goes south,
And comes back with the porridge crumbs all
round his mouth
And he brushes them of with a Japanese fan;
Wiling!
Wannl
What a marvellous mani
What very remarkable. marvellous man!
j. W. Riley in Indianapolis Journal.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-26

Where did it go?
Oh, oh oh,
Just my luck,
To go and get stuck
Said sorry little thumb,
When all the harm was done.
Decide dee, said the finger,
Decide dunn, said the thumb.
NJ. w. r.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-26

You find a pin,
I'll stick it in,
Said naughty little thumb.
IS That'll make him hum
/" Decide dee" said the finger.
Decide dum,'
Said the thumb.
The finger found the pin,
The thumb stuck it in.
Did it hurt the fly?
No, no, no,
For he climbed up high,
With a wink of his eye,
And didn't even cry.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-26

and Mrs. Mouse to agree under the circum-
stances, the neighbours cat had fine
dinner that day.