davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-12-08

ACCORDING to SecretaryICarlisle's es'
Inmates, which are always less than ac-
tuals, the expenses of the government
for next year will amount to nearly half
billion dollars, so that the fifty fourth
Congress bids fair to exceed the famous
billion Congress of Mr.. Harrison's ad.
ministration. That's the way the
money goes.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-12-08
Rumorcd Cabinet appointment.

MILWAUKEE. Dec. S.-Henry C.
Payne has resigned the vice.presidency
of the electric railway and light com.
pany, with which he has long been
connected. The fact is taken as q
certain Indication that Mr.. Payne is TO
take place in the cabinet. Nothing
less than this, it is said: would have
induced him to give up his position
with the COMPANY.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-12-08

THoUGH the President acknowledges
that the ingurQent negroes and scala
wag4 in Cuba have none of the attri-
butes Of government. he does not think
the bands Of incendary aud .murderouH
hooters OF whom they are composed
should be compelled by Spain to sur
render before she makes terms with
them. But the late President Lincoln,
whom Mr.. Cleveland processes to adj
nire, refused TO treat with the Confed-
crates, though they possessed each and
all the attributes OF an efficient gov
eminent, upon any other ground than
previous complete and entire surrender.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-12-08

A COMPARISON Of the wages of the
miners in this country and in Canada,
England and Belgium, shows that not
withdrawing the tariffs on, and trusts
In, and high prices of coal here, the
wages of the men employed in digging
it out Of the mines average forty.three
per cont. less than those of the men en-
gagged in similar work in the other
countries referred to. Instead OF increas.
ing the tariff, the duty on all the nee
essaries of life should be reduced, and
revenue raised by tax on luxuries and
on surplus incomes.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-12-08
Death of the Largest Land Owner

Death of the Largest Land Owner.
NEW Boston, ILL.,, Dec. S.-Wlliam
Drury, the largest land owner in the
United States, died at his home here
yesterday aged eighty years. MIR.
Drury had landed possessions extending
into thousands of acres in various parts
of the south and west, principally in
Nebraska, Colorado and Texas. He
leaves no heirs except his widow.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-12-08

Daniel w. Fair, the retiring treasurer
of DeKalb county, Ind, is S13, 500 short
in his accounts.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-12-08

CHICAGO, Dec. S.-Whest-Dec 1873
Jan 77la; May 8OAaSO. Corn-Dec 227s
Jan 231s; May 26. Oae-Dec 1876 May
211sa214. Pork-Dec So rs Jan 81 60;
May 81 90. Lard--Jan SD S71a May $4 10.
Ribs-Jan So Sly May 81 90 bid Wheat
opened weak and from 3 to &c under yes.
terday Corn opened weak with wheat.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-12-08
Alexandria Ma rket. Decemb

Alexandria Market. December =.
The market to-day is dull snd heavy with
light receipts. There are no changes to note.
however, in quotations. though decline in
conformity with them in other cities is e1-
pected.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-12-08

BANQUET LAMPS.--An entirely new
ID line Of Lamps and Silk Shades Just re.
ceived, and at low prices at
E. MILLER & sON'a.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-12-08

NEW YoRK CATTLE MARKET. Dec =
Beeves-steers quiet and generally easier
oxen and dry cows lower; naive steers So SIS
a5.15, stays and oxen $2.75a4 %, bulls
S2a2. 60, dry cows S1.3Oa2 IS per 100 lbs.
Calves-veals slow and lower; grassers firm
Westerns steady; veals $4a7 per 100 lbs;
srassers 81 ( 4Oa2.75 per 100 lbs; Western
Lambs-market slow and lower sheep ga
$50 per 100 lbs: lambs 81 25a5 per 100
lbs. Hogs-market lower st S3.50a3.80 per
100 lbs
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-12-08

BALTIMORE CATTLE MARKET. Dec. t.
Swne.-The receipts this week were 1S,047
head There is heavy run of hogs and the
market is quito dull and 81 ade easier, fewer
hogs selling at our top quotations. The re.
ceipts are heavier than for several months
past. Far Western hogs sell at SO TOAD, and
others at So 60a3.S0 per 100 lbs gross, and
few at the latter figure
Sheep and Lambs.-A fairly good trade is
reported for both sheep and lambs where
good others are dull. Sheep sell at 2a3aac
per ID, and few extra shade higher.
Lambs 3a4a4c per h., and few extra shade
higher, being A4aiac advance.
Calves.-Trade is very dull. Prices range
3s5 lhc per ID for veals
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-12-08

A MOTHER lot of Sweet, Orr &. Co.'s cele,
II brated OVERALLS and JACKETS, Just
received by
A. C. sLAYMAKER's.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-12-08

The barn of Mr.. Francis Carter, near
Middleburg, was burned yesterday
m0rninp
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-12-08

inc committee, ne SAID, ne proposed that
Virginia and the District of Columbia
should pay one-half Of the expense and
inc government the other halt, but that
proposition was not adopted. The
b:ll, ne said, provided for only $780,
COO, but everybody knew that il
would cost at least 81, 900, 900.
While some Of the democratic Sena-
tors have not greeted Senator Palmer
after their long separation, none of
them has refused to recognize him, and
Senator Daniel Of Virginia made it his
business to greet him warmly. But the
head of the late decoy ticket now finds
his most congenial associates on the re-
publican side OF the chamber.
1t is needless to say that the Virginia
delegation in Congress is not etfusive
in it's approval of the Presidents mes
sage. OF two of the House part of the
delegation asked about the Cuban sec
ton oft day, Messrs. Tyler and Mere
dith, the former said it presented four
aspects for four different sorts of OBJ.
servers, and the latter, that the Presi-
dent should "put up or shut up"
There is no doubt of the fact that the
majority of the membert of both parties
in the House are against Spain. The
Pennsylvania members were inter-
viewed on the subject to-day and near
ly all of them expressed themselves as
in favor of interfering in behalf of the
insurrectionists.
1t is the purpose of Mr.. Powers,
chairman OF the House committee on
Pacific Railways, to arrange with Speak
or Reed for an carly consideration of
the Dill to adjust the Indebtedness of
the Pacific roads to the government.
This indebtedness falls due within a
few weeks, and President Cleveland re-
ferred to it in his annual message which
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-29
A COUNTRY NEWsBoY.

such pleasant surprise waiting for her
So she hurried to the kitchen, her face
beaming with smiles, to get the delicious
fruit which she was sure would prove so
refreshing to her dear mother.
Oh, imagine how surprised and shocked
she must have been when she saw in the
dainty basket only brown stem! All the
grapes gone! She sat down on a chair ana
if she hadn't been big lady she would
have had good cry. AS it was her eyes
did fill with tears as she shook her head
saying '"Oh, dear; oh, dear; those two,
those two!"
OF course, when Jack and Mary came
in, or, rather were brought in, they knew
nothing about it; but the spotted table
cover, ashamed eyes and dropping heads
told another story.
Then two sorry babies stole out of the
room very quietly once more; but they
did not 60 through the door which led out
to the silvery stream. the pretty flowers
and the lovely trees. Oh, no! This time
they went through a door which led to a
room where two little white cots stood.
And now you know that they were pun
ished by being sent to bed in the daytime,
while the great big sun was still blinking
and winking in the blue, blue sky; and
poor grandma had no nice, cool grapes.
M. w, R.
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-29
A Singing Hen.

J. W. Walker of McConnellsville, Ohio,
has a remarkable hen. Ruby, as she is
called, is genuine Plymouth Rock fowl,
and she has taken more than one prize for
the purity of her breed and other good
qualities. What is not generally known
about her is that she sings, AS soon as
Ruby hears the sound OF the piano she
will start on the run from wherever she
may be and scamper up the steps and en-
ter the house by the door or window as OPP
portunity serves. She is a great pet with
the only child of the family, and if the lit
tie girl wishes for her company or desires
to display Ruby's talents she will take her
up on the piano-stool beside her, where
from that much priced position Ruby will
hold forth.
She will roll her head from side to side,
croak and Groom, sometimes softly and
sometimes loudly, but always following
the music and apparently with rapture at
her own performance. Nor is she soon
tired of singing either. She will keep it
up as long as the accompanist is willing
to play, and even after lengthy perform
ance retires reluctantly. = Philadelphia
Times.
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-29
EUGENE FIELD.
A Country Newsboy.

Living in town far away from any large
city are four little boys. These little boys
have very happy lives, but the best hour
of the day is when their governess takes
them into their mammals sitting-room.
l shall tell you how they spend this hour.
These small boys know that about this
street with the evening paper. He is
hailed with many smile and nod while
the one whose turn it is runs out to get the
paper for papa
But I must not forget to tell you also
how the boy dog, Snip, greets the donkey
boy Snip comes tearing around the house
and over the fence, barking all the while
Ships barking makes him very angry.
Then you should see him kick! The
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-29

be found. And so 1t went on for several
weeks the hidden musician Ginning IN
with my playing and singing, but success
fully concealing his identity and place OF
abode.
"One morning, finally, right after l had
ceased PLAYING and the little minstrel had
struck up with his own song, | casually
noticed that the cellar door, opening out
of my room, was aiar. was passing the
portal at the time, and the idea suddenly
crossed my mind that the singer very
likely was secreted in the cellar staircase.
So, without noise, I stepped to the door
and peeped within. AT first L could see
little in the obscuriry of the passage, but,
opening the door peg further, caught
glimpse at last of my musical friend.
There, perched upright in the shadow
on the chine of a barrel, sat my singing
mouse, and he was as cool as you please,
singing right along as fearlessly as ever.
He appeared not at all alarmed by my ap-
proach. 1t was plain from the movements
OF his jaws and the trembling OF his tiny
whiskers that the wonderful musical
strains came from him. [ listened full
minute while the songster went on with
his lay, and then sudden and unpremedl-
tated movement on my part startled my
small friend, and with whisk of his tail
he darted behind his barrel After that l
tried to capture the singer, but 1nettectu-
ally
While singing mice undoubtedly are
quite as rare as white black birds, never
theless, MIR. Martin is by no means the
only person who has heard mouse sing.
Not long ago singing mouse was the
wary pet and prime attraction OF a grocery
in the seashore village of Mystic, south OF
this town. 1t was white mouse, too It
sung usually in the evening, standing
erect on a dusky little shelf above the
molasses barrel at the back of the store.
The notes were as thin and fine and
sweet as the melody struck off from the
tlniest wind harp. At times the mouse
sang every evening for week, and again
it was silent for week or ten days. The
storekeeper was very proud of the musi-
clan, which not lnfrequently, when the
grocer was alone and all was very quiet in
the shop, tuned up little concert for his
sake alone. It's best singing, however,
was done on winter nights, when the
great baseburner threw showers of heat
and radiance into every corner of
the store, and the cracker barrels
there were tiironged with stalwarI, cow
hided, longshore marines, who forebore
to spin yarns momentarily or omitted
their plug tobacco artillery practice be-
cause they wanted to hear the mouse sing.
The singing mouse lived in the store for
more than year. The grocer has notions
that the grocery cat has ideas about Its
mysterious disappearance.
Still another singing mouse has been re-
ported in the history of the Nutmeg State.
1t sojourned in village dwelling in the
Connecticut Valley, but history has been
culpably remiss in recording this singers
cOmpiishmentS. In another home IN
the valley mouse built its nest and lived
some time in young womans piano, but
the mouse did not sing.
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-29

donkey boy puts his papers in his mouth
and holds on to the reins as tight as he
can to keep from falling off. The little
boys think that he is very brave, and they
watch their donkey boy until he turns the
corner. Although they are sorry to see
him go, they know that another pleasure
is in store for them, and that is to see the
electric street-lamp lighted. AS soon as
its bright rays shine out through the dark
ness the four small boys pull down the
curtains; then, drawing their chairs around
the fire. ask their mamma to sing to them.
After a while we hear good night" and
our four little boys march to "Shuteye
town" TO play with the chocolate cat"
and the gingerbread dog"
J. NJ. KENNEDY.
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-29
THREE MICE THAT SANG.
One Now in the House of Norwa.
Music-Teacher.

MuS1C-IeaCher.
George H. Martin, the veteran music
teacher of Norwich, Conn, says the New
York Sun, has a wonderful singing or
chanting mouse in his home on Williams
street. The mouse is quite as retiring as
any human musician, and as it kept itself
in the background, inhabiting a crevice in
the cellar, long time passed before Mr..
Martin knew that he had the prodigy. To
a reporter Mr.. Martin said:
II recently read an article stating the
effect that music has upon different ami
mails. and it recalled an incident that oc-
ing after playing upon the piano and
singing several songs when the whole
house was quiet, it seemed TO me that l
heard music in the distance. | listened
and heard 1t distinctly, wee, fine note
like the Ginning of a little glass. After a
moment it died away; then it tinkled
again. Now and then it rose little higher,
and it seemed to me it must be the voice
OF tiny canary in a remote part of the
house. But the song was sweeter than
any canary's, sweeter than any bird S note,
and 1t was different, too.
'For long time l tried in vain to To-
cate the place whence the strains came.
After a while the music ceased, and l gave
it up for the time. But it was not many
days before the singing came again.
had been playing and singing as before,
and had stopped suddenly, when for a
second time | heard the tiny notes. They
continued for a minute or more, then
ceased, and again L sought unsuccessfulIy
the place where the singular singer was to
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-29

All the fields glow with poppies,
Poppes on the hills;
Waving swaying golden poppies,
Poppies by the riIls;
Poppies, poppies everywhere,
Blooming in the balmy air.
Aren't they lovely, and isn't it fun to
get right down in among them and feel we
NAV have as many of them in our arms as
we can possibly hold?
In the great flower parade OF the year on
our western coast there is none better
known or loved than the California poppy
or eschscholtzia There, [ didn't mean to
call il that at all; but that's its biz"
name. all the same, but you do not need
to learn it or use it unless you choose. l
can remember so well the day 1t was in
troduced to me- We were having a spell
ing examination and it was among the
words and was missed by the whole class.
Nv, what fun our professor made OF US
because we could not spell the botanical
name of our own flower! We bad to spell
it every day for a week and "Ive never
forgotten 1t.
Amapola and copa de orc are other and
prettier names which have been given to
this brilliant favorite. You'll be sur
prlSed when tell you tnaI 1t is not true
poppy at all, nor are its fame-painted,
satiny cups kissed by California's sun
alone, for we also ind it in great numbers
in Oregon and Washineton Nevada, Arl-
zona and New Mexico; while the very
largest and most gorgeous specimens are
found on the little island of Santa Catalina.
From. now until fall the orange poppy is
the glory of our hills ard fields, dazzling
the eye by its wonderful richness of color
and sheeny brightness as if it were the ex-
preston of the store of gold which lies
hidden in the bosom of the land where it
so freely blooms.
During the fall it fingers along as if 10th
to leave, but blooms a very different poppy
than the great, deep orange one of the
earlier year, growing low to the ground
and having only small, shallow cups OF
light yellow.
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-29
The Rock-a-By Lady.

The Rock-a-By Lady from Hushaby street
Comes stealing; comes creeping;
The poppies they hang from her head to her feet
And each hath dream that is tiny and fleet
She bringeth her poppies to You, my sweet,
When she tindeth you sleeping!
There is one little dream OF 6 beautiful drum
''Rub-a-dubl" it goeth;
There is one little dream OF a big sugar-plum,
A nd 10, thick and fast the other dreams come
OF popguns that bang and tin tops that hum,
And a trumpet that bloweth!
And dollies peep out of those wee little dreams
With laughter and singing:
And boats go a-hoatng on silvery streams,
AND the stars peek a-bCo with their own misty
CLEANS,
And up. up and up where the Mother Moon
beams,
The fairies go winging!
Would you dream all these dreams that are tiny
and fleet >
They'll come to you sleeping;
So shut the two eyes that are weary, my sweet,
For the Rock-a- By Lady from Hush by Street,
With poppies that hang from her head to her feet,
Comes stealing; comes creeping.
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-29
he little ones were wild with delight,

The little ones were wild with delight.
California's sunny hillsides ana gentle
slopes are now dotted here and there with
many fine vineyards, but in those days
there were very few. SO grapes were con-
sidered great luxury.
What kind man was Mr.. Stevens. He
had not forgotten one of the family but
had sent bunch for each, even for little
John and Mary.
They took theirs outside under the trees
and ate them Just as slowly as they could.
which was about as slowly as little piggies
gobble their food.
Alter the last grape was swallowed they
ran back to the house, hoping to get few
more from their mamma or sister, but
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-29
She Only Cracked It.

Little girl goes with her mother to the
grocer's. There is a basket of oranges at
the door. The little girl looks at the
oranges and thinks she would like one.
Her mother being some time in the shop
the temptation becomes too strong and
she takes one and puts it in her pocket.
Her mother still has not finished buy
ing what she requires and the little girl
has time to repent and puts the orange
back.
When the mother comes out the little
girl begins crying and tells her, and then
says:
81 didn't break the commandment
mamma. I only cracked it."-Youth' s
COMPANION.
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-29

Let's Just take two-one for you and
one for me" were the words which the
naughty thought popped out of the little
girls mouth.
"All wight said Jack, and two fine
bunch into the little greedy mouths.
Two more soon followed, then two more,
still another and another. until oil were
gone.
The tiny thieves began to feel little
sick, and frightened, too. They wished
they had not touched the grapes.
They thought MIR. Stevens was a real
naughty man to do things to make so
much trouble. Then two very quiet babies
stole out through the open door.
When grandma came back, tired and
warm, after long tramp over the hills,
mamma felt very glad to think she had
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-29

200 Styles The import
Wash Dress ed S b e e r
Fabrics. weaVeS for
airy summer dresses, in
patterns and colorings
that rival silk-the best
domestic products-most
comprehensive stock in
town and we believe the
lowest prices. Both stores
for Wash Fabrics.
NOVELTY DIMITIES-Dresden floral
effects-large brilliantly colored Persians
stripes, dots. checks-100 patterns.
1212c yard.
STRIPED GRASS CLoTHs-Natural
linen color-5 patterns in new striped ef-
fects cyard.
GOLF SUITINGS-Woven checks, stripes
and dots-golf mixtures in cotton, closely
copying their wooden namesakes-3O mai
terms. 15c yard
IMPORTED SCOTCH DIMIT1ES-Light
or dark grounds-figures, stripes, buds,
sprays-Oriental designs. 25c yard.
WHITE DOTTED swIsS-Embroidere
dots, in several sizes--an extra quality.
Csc yard.
FANCY COLORED DOTTED SWISS
Pink, navy or blue embroidered dots-
high novelty. 35c yard.
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-29
The Letter-BOX.

Letters, letters, lettersl Why, my box has
been filled to overfowing two or three times
this week, and in consequence I've been very
very happy, but little bit puzzled. too.
know you enjoy having your letters pub
lished and this week there are so many that it
Is Just impossible for all to appear.
Please don't feel badly, but keep on writing,
always remembering that your letters are
carefully read and enjoyed by your editor, and
some bright Sunday one of your letters will
surely be printed in "Childhood's Realm
wish you all to read the first letter that is
published to-day, and tell me the next time
you write If you are not glad that 1 published
that one instead OF yours
SAN FRANCISCO, March 23 1896.
Dear Editor: think have solved your
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-29
Answers Received.

Correct answers to questions of March 15
have been received from: May Seadler of Sac
ramento, and Augusta Williams, Gertrude
Murray, Emmie Houston and Alice Bell
OF San Francisco. To questions OF March
y: From Lois Leonard of Orovllle,
Priscilla Waters and Cecile Heller OF Oakland,
Willie MeGann of Golden Gate, and Joseph
Hannon, Ronald Macmillan, Harry and Willie
Stafford, Lola Cook, Hilda Mayer, Katie Stone,
Arthur E: Snyder, Marion ]. Hamilton, Joseph
Bowen, Alice Bell Albert Moeller, Alma Barth,
Ellen Abelee, Flora Poole, May Seadler, Annie
flsher, Hllda Lippie of San Francisco and
Hazel Brock of Santa Clara
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-29

Teachers are quite apt to ask questions,
and they sometimes receive curious an
swers. This question was as follows:
NOW, pupils, how many months have
twenty-eight days2"
"All of them, teacher" replied the boy
on the front seat.
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-29
BERKELEY. Mon

Dear Editor: Last Sunday night papa brought
se enes
hoods Realm" I enjoyed it so much that
asked papa to bring it home every Sunday.
/ have tried the puzzles and hope they are
right. Yours sincerely, KATHRYN ROBINSON.
2425 Durant avenue.
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-29
Room to Cry In.

In Sweden, according to travellers who
have resided in that country, it is a house
hold custom to provide rooms where the
children may go and cry and scream and
make all the noise they need to. In all
other parts of the house they are expected
to be quiet and mindful of the presence of
their elders. On the whole it seems rather
a good plan-good for the children and
good for the elders, too.-New York
Times
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-29

Easter The Market st.
Dress store makes some
Goods. remarkable offer
ings of up-to-date Dress
Goods for this weeks
buyers of Easter costumes
-identica1ly the same
grades of fabrics at one
third less than downtown
stores can afford to sell
them for.
FANCY vIGOREAUX SUITINGS-42
inches wide-pure wool and mohalr-pat-
terms in advance Styles-all the leading
colors for spring and summer '96. Easter
Offering at $4 so suit.
BROCHE MOHAIR NOVELTIES-44
inches wide. Everything in mohair is
eagerly sought for now-thls is one of the
prettiest fabrics-light or dark effects.
Should be SO, but special Easter Offering
at So rs suit.
BLACK MOHAIR DRESS GOODS-54
inches wide-real English production
fancy figured effects-don't wrinkle-won't
hold dust-should be So a yard Special
Easter Offering at So 75 suit.