davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1896-01-05

"Well," said I, suppose some sum mer day balloon came sailing along and dropped a few torpedoes of dyna- mite or melanite into those barracks over there?"
 "The noise would be great" said Jacques, "and the patrol there on the bridge would be frightened"
 Nonsense" said De K; ''it is possible thing; but really believe that before she came in sight of Montmedy we should know of her coming by sig nals and would riddle her with bullets or blow her to pieces with machine guns before she did any harm."
 But if she came by night?"
 ''That would be misfortune for us" said De K, quietly. "still you noT tice that our searchlights are busy among the clouds, even in time of peace"
 By noon of the next day it seemed to me that had seen a great deal of the fortress, but l was informed that, in comparison with what was forbid den, had seen nothing-and actually nothing, description of which would serve as a guide to anybody.
 Ramparts, towering walls built into the solid rock, barracks and bastions, meats and bomb-proofs, and every where the half-concealed glitter of ma chine guns-these are my memories of Montmedy. Once, following narrow rock-walled gully dominated by can non, we came to Q portcullis. Through this I had an indistiDct view of what appeared to be a city square. The street was broad and paved, filled with soldiers of the fortress artillery, engl- neers, hospital corps and adminlstra- tion corps. To this day do not under stand why, but Jacques evidently did not wish to take me in, for he eyaded my questions with: "Oh, it's not at all interesting" and knew better than to insist.
 The view from the north rampant was not at all like that from the south, for now at our feet roads, bordered by white stucco walls, cut in and out among fruit gardens and wooded slopas. From somewhere, miles be- yonG. the horizon, came the dull boom ing of cannon. On a hill to the west something glowed in the sun; it might have been a battery. Everywhere be- low us troops were in motion, the red of their trousers staining the green landscape like blotches- of blood. Jacques called my attention to some soldiers mounted upon bicycles. They were spinning along the road, leaving a trail of white dust behind. Suddenly, while we were looking, cloud of eha'- seurs-a-cheval burst from a wooded slope to the east. Half dozen of them trotted down the slope. but, being blocked by the wall, began caperlng about in great agitation. Then the of fcer pulled up sharp, the troopers sprang to the ground and two of them ciambered upon the wall, unslrng thclr carbines and began popping away at the bicyclists. who were eyiAenSlH
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1896-01-05

Miss Marguerite Merrington, who is a college professor, wrote her first play
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1896-01-05
ART OF WAR IN FRANCE.
Robert w. Chambers Describes
 Some of the Latest Devices.
A Bit of Brilliant Description-Th The Bal- loon Question < Maneuvers of the Bicycle Corps-Dogs as Scouts
 and Messengers.
COPYRIGHT. 1896

Signalling was going on from the hills as our diligence creaked along the highway which leaves the National road at Chauvency.
 We were in the middle of the spring maneuvers. On every hiilocl fluttered little flags. Some of the signal men were mounted, some on foot, but the flags wig-wagged their messages with the same rapidity in either case.
 Down in a hollow to our left. sur rounded by soldiers, stood a strange machine bearing distant resemblance to fire engine Over it lowered a bal loon from which a cable hung. The cable was being paid out from the en- zine and the balloon rose gently, like a great rosy bubble lighted up by the
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1896-01-05

astrakhan and he wore red morocco surgeons case slung under his elbow. His attitude suggested absorbing inter est in the cooking.
 When I caught glimpse of bis pro- file, l said "Does it smell like roast beef, Jacques?" and, pivoting on his spurred heels, he grasped both my hands ir astonishment.
 He had been at the Val de race while I lived in the Latin quarter, and our acquaintance had budded in the cafe Vachette.
 He told me he was attached to the --th of the line, in garrison, and re- ceived with enthusiasm my proposal to visit the fortress. It was growing dark when the table was ready, and we sat down with three of his brother o1fi- cers, de k, of the artillery; B., of the engineers, and little B---, or the Chasseurs-a-Cheval.
 Light the lamps, M. Perron, Ii you please!" they cried to the landlord' and instantly, as though by magic, the room was filled with a light so White and dazzling that it blinded me for a moment. They all laughed at my as- tonishment. It was not magic, only a coincidence. One of the powerful searchlights, mounted somewhere in the fortress over us, had been turned upon our house.
 Jacques intimated to the others my desire to visit the fortress, and they agreed I should see all that any for eigner was allowed to see. So many of my brother artists had been arrested for innocent sketching in the vicinity of military works that was glad
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1896-01-05

thrown into confusion by this maneu- yer. One of them. however, keeping on, but close beneath the overhanging bank, slipped under the blue-jacketed chasseurs and escaped. The others were considered hors-du-combat by the rules of their game of war and dis mounted sull1ily enough.
 You ought to make ;1 sketch Of that,' said Jacques.
 Shall put spiked helmets on the cyclists to make it more interestingly" l replied.
 It was curious to see that pensive ex- pression steal over his face as I spoke. He seemed silently interrogating the clouds as though they were those storm clouds which have so long brooded over the frontier, black, menacing, stitiing in their depths the thunder which one day will shake the world.
 "A few years ago." I ventured, mo one thought that cavalry would, one day, have to contend with cyclists"
 Cyclists" said Jacques, "are not in- tended to take the place of cavalry. They do entirely different work-or the same work differently. The prime object of cavalry is to charge. We have to-day IT regiments of cav airy of the first line, and 148 squad rons, or 37 regiments, of the second line. What is the particular power and function of this force? To charge. Cyclists can't charge. They are really only mounted infantry. The bicycle is merely a convenient means of loco motion. But it eats nothing, is never sick, moves with speed and silence and costs little. For scouting and means of communication it surpasses cavalry. A corps of cyclist infantry moving as skirmishers can repel cav airy by dismounting and forming the zereba, with cycles resting on handles and saddle, and wheels kept spinning. No horses can charge that. Should the zereba, however, have to stand a con centrated earbine fire or a few shots from q machine gun, the cyclists who got off unscathed would have to do so on foot. As for equipment, a cycle can carry everything necessary, even the carbine, although we have not yet de- cided that point. Those fellows be low us that the chasseurs were after
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1896-01-05
WOMEN AS PLAYWRIGHTS.
Many Popular Plays Of the Season Were Composed by Women.
What They Say and How They Say It. Pen Pictures and Personal Sketches. All Parts of the United States
 Represented.
 COPYRIGHT. 1896.

In the year which has just closed women have been for the first time claiming recognition as successful dramatists. Not that women never made plays in the past, for the feminine playwright figures far back in dramatic history. To go no further than the time of Sheridan, "the famous Mrs. Truhbold' wrote plays that won her worldwide renown, and "Ingomar" was the product of a woman's pen.
 But these were only isolated cases- the exception that proved woman's $ gen
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1896-01-05

for E. H. Sothern. Capt Letter blair" was given an elaborate produc- tion two seasons ago at the Lyceum, where it ran successfully for many weeks. "Good-by" and "A Lovers Knot" were Miss Merrington's next successes. At present she is engaged on q play which Mr. sothern expects to bring out soon-an historical drama called Bonnie Prince Charlie" She also has under way play for Sol Smith Russell, An Everyday Man," which will contain fine character study in which Mir. Russell anticipates making a decided sensation.
 Miss Warrington received the first prize of $500 from the New York con- servatory of music for the libretto of "Daph1Ne," comic opera. The music will be furnished by Mir Arthur Bird, pupil of Liszt. So far, this brilliant woman's contributions to the stage have been noticeable for unique charac- ter sketches and great skill in con- struction.
 One of the present seasons great sue cesses, according to critics and man. sgers, was the production of "Christo- nhar- IT." at the I1nnnira After eroys d.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1896-01-05

eral inability. As q rule, especially in America. the plays that brought fame to the author and the almighty dollar to the manager were written by men.
 Suddenly, however, with scarcely q note of warning, women have invaded the field. Three of the most successful plays that New York has welcomed this season are from feminine hands, and two of these were brought out to re- place plays ny well-l1nown masculine dramatists that had signally failed.
 Miss Martha Morton is one of the c1everest American playwrights, and has an exceptional record extending back seven or eight years. Her filst play was 'Hcloine," produced at the Fifth Avenue theater in 1899 Clara Morris afterwards starred in it for sev- eral years under the title of "rhe Refu- gees Daughter "Thc Merchant. how ever, was the play which brought Miss Morton most prominently before the public. 1t was first brought out at the Union Square with Selina Felter, E. J. Henley and Nelson Wheatcroft in the cast. Subsequently it was purchased by Thomas McDonough, who put it on for an extended run at the Madison Square theater, and later sent it out as a popu- lar attraction on the road.
 Jeffrey Middleton" her next play, was brought out in Minneapolis By Augustus Pitou. This was so success ful that it brought her an order to write a play for William H. Crane. This she called Brother John," and Crane had a prosperous season at the Star thea;er with it. At Chicago "Blotber John" had an almostunprecedented run, yield ing $90,000 in six weeks.
 Miss Morton's latest play, "IJis Wife's Father which made such nit recently at the Fifth Avenue with Crane as the star, is undoubtedly her best, and, indeed, one of the best plays ever written by a woman.
 Miss Morton is New York girl, and received her education ut one of the public schools of the city. She began writing short stories and poems for magazines when quite young, but soon found her dramatic instinct too strong for such limitations, and i'll her first dramatic efforts proved herself to pos sess a knowledge of stage craft that amounted to genius and is usually ac. quired only after years of experience and drudgery.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1896-01-05

touch with dramatic matters, is a Cali fornian by birth, and is the wife Of Romualdo Paeheco, one of the most dis tinguished men of the Pacific sIope-a man who has been state treasurer, lieutenant governor and governor of California, and at present is minister to Central America.
 Mrs. Pacheeo's first play, Betrayed" was brought out in the old California theater when John Mccullough was manager. The play, however, in which she first made distinct hit was s1n- cog"
 'fhe play was practically written in week." Mrs. Pacheco said, recently, "and it's wonderful success was quite t surprise to me. It ran for 100 nights in New York, secured the same record in London later, and is now being played throughout the English prov inces. It has been translated into Ger- man, and will soon be produced in Bcr- lin.''
 Mrs. Faeheco has written several clever, romantic dramas, but her latest decided success is 'sTo Nemesis" which Rose Coghlan brought out at the Star theater, and which is at present being played on the road. Just now Mrs. Paeheeo is collaborating with Meltzer. the dramatic critic, upon serious work for Nat Goodwin. entitled "Don Roberto" The constant variation in the style of her dramatic work is very remarkable.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1896-01-05

Who has seen "The Bowery Girl" with it's pathos, it's quaint slang, it's profound knoeledge of human nature, and it's realistic finish, and not instant- ly recognized 1t as one of the cleyerest of modern mehodramas? It was first produced last September at the Grand opera house. New York; and when on the opening night, Miss Ada Lee Bas- com, from her eozy corner in the au- thors box, saw the house packed from orchestra to family circle, she realized for the first time something of the joy of being q successful playwright.
 When Miss Bascom was asked recent ly if she were not delighted with her good luck, she turned to her questioner, with little tragic gesture and tighten ing of the lips, and said: Do you call four years of constant struggle, of de- prfsatioc, of unsatisfed ambition, of battling without friends or influence, of living in spite of the world, not be- cause of it's help-do you call the result
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1896-01-05
Mrs. C. A. Doremns. the wife of the

Mrs. c. A. Doremus, the wife of the distinguished physician and professor Of toXieology. is southern woman. member of q famous old Kentucky fanl- ily. Her first dramatic work was done in collaboration with Mrs. Burton Har- rison. One of Lotta's favoritc com edies, Franks" was written for her by Mrs. Doremus La Charbonnier" was brought ont in fine style by Brooks and Dickson several seasons ago. The Fair Bohemian" at Madison Square. New York, and ."fhe Wheel of Time" m Philadelphia. were both in Mrs. Dore- nus best style. But the play which caught the public fancy and will al- ways contribute most largely to the fame of the brilliant Kentucky woman. is "The Circus Rider the comedy in which Rosina Noiles never failed 10 cap ture an audience in city or country.
 Mrs. Paeheee, who usually spends her winters in New York in order 10 be in
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1896-01-05

recently given 1t up, her plays are tech- nically perfect. Her rule is to write plays that are practical, always with due consideration for the pocket of the manager, who is to produce them.
 Mrs. Ryley's home charmingly re- fleets the artistic taste of the hostess. Fine oriental rugs, beautiful Bagdad draperics, and piles of cushions, large and small, form an interior at once luxurious and unique. Mrs. Ryley has just finished a play written to order for Nat Goodwin.
 Miss Mary Stone, who is reader" at the Garrick theater, New York, is sweed-faced, charming-mannered Phil adelphia girl. She ss a regular first nighter" at New York theaters. Her work as "reader" demands that she familarize herself not only with all new plays, but with the popular dra- Inatic taste as well.
 Her first work for the stage was a drama tization of Stanley Weyman's "House of the Wolff for Richard Mans field. Her success, however, came with the production of "The Social High wayman," by the Holland brothers in September. This play was dramatized from a story by that name that ap- peared in Lippincott's, July, 1895, and would have been brought out by Rich ard Mansfield had not his recent severe illness interfered with his plans. The Holland brothers are at present mak- ing a successful tour with it through the United States.
 Miss Stone is much interested In woman's progress.
 "Ilhe Brooklyn Handicap" produced ct the Grand opera house in New York iD 1894, and at present running in Chi cago to crowded houses, was the first sporting play written by a woman. When Miss Alice Ives was asked by a New York manager, 2 couple of years ago, whether she could write morse play" she replied: ''I certainly don't know much about races; but can try"
 And to use Miss Ives' own words: Trying meant almost living on the race track for couple of months fol lowing. l read all the sporting papers, and talked about the turf with all the sporting men 1 could meet Why, just to get one fact, the chest measure of horse, I spent days visiting veterinary surgeons and livery stables. Finally I had to carry tape measure and meas ure vicious looking brute myself. You see an amazing incident in the play hinged on that one thing; and I wanted my audience to laugh at the play, not at the author"
 'Lorine," in which Maida Craigan starred last season, and "Lavarre'' are two delightful plays by Miss Ives, and the Flower of the Hill," which was given at the BerlSley Lyceum last fall, is another of her dramatic successes. d.,er style is up-to-date and realistic in -eA extreme.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1896-08-20

action as will require all candidates
upon the Legislative ticket to commit
themselves upon the Question OF legisla-
ton to carry out the meaning and pur-
pose OF this resolution.
6. We view with apprehension the
growth Of corporate power in this coun-
try, and especially are We opposed to
trusts and combines which during re-
cent years have steadily multiplied, seek
ing 10y unjust and illegal means to stiie
competition, and thereby, while lettering
the producer, to extort extravagant
prices from the We pledge
the party and its nominees for congress
and the senate 70 use all efforts toward
their destruction.
:. Whereas, complaints are made by
the people concerning the manaSement
Of the grain elevators within the state;
Therefore. we demand that the coming
legislature make a thorough lnvestiga.
ton into the details Of such manage
ment within this state, and by proper
legislation provide adequate remedies for
the evil that may be found TO exist.
/ 8. We invite every voter who is a low
er Of good government and who desires
the return OF prosperous and goCdtines
to .oin with us in the election of the re-
publican ticket IN county, state and ma
ton.
In addition to the platform as above
quoted, the convention adopted also tie
following re solutions:
Resolved, That since the assembling of
the last republican convention of South
Dakota the Supreme Ruler of the uni
verse has removed from the active scenes
OF earth our honored ex-governor. Ar
thur G. Mellette; and that Ia his death
his family has been deprived of a devot-
ed husband and father, our state which
he so faithfully served q public benefac-
or, the republican party of cur state a
champion Of masterful ability. fidelity
and courage, and the nation ore of the
nob,est works Of God-an honest man.
Resolved. That in boiling the St. Louis
convention Senator Pettigrew has ceased
20 lie in touch With the republican par
ty Of this state. and that he has forfeit
ed its political respect and esteem.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1896-08-20
Republican Platform.

The republicans of South Dakota, in
convention represented, affirm their full
faith In and ALLEGIANCE to the declaration
OF principles adopted by the national
republican convention at st. Louis in its
entirety, constituting a platform OF a
great and progressive party, proud Of its
past record and achievements, courage
GUS in it's championship Of the right and
unfaltering in the maintenance Of it's po-
litical tenets.
.. We recognize in William McKin-
ley, our candidate for president, and
Carrot A. Hobart, the nominee for vice
president, two typical Americans, tried
in the public service and found able and
true, pure in their lives, untarnished in
their honor and close to the people in
their experiences and s~y mpathies, and
We pledge to them our most hearty and
willing effort and support, with the full
vote Of South Dakota in the electoral
college. With such a platform and in.
vinclble leader we enter the contest with
AN 'dopAAotioA Va q Suio RioPuCCy VI
victory at the polls 10 November next.
3. We commend the present republi-
can administration Of governmental af-
fairs OF this state as honest and econom
ical, and especially commend it's steady
purpose and effort in exposing and
bringing to speedy punishment a former
~defaulting state treasurer, and recover
ing back for the state 80 large a porpor
ton Of the stolen funds; and we demand a
passage OF an act by our legislature bro
viding adequate punishment for defalc
tions OF public officers.
4 The republican party having al
ways been the friend of labor and labor
ing men, deplores 1.-THE frequent strikes
and conflicts between employers and
employed, resulting at times in the de-
struction Of life and property and great
injury to those Immediately concerned
and the public generally, and favors the
settlement OF all questions of dispute
arising between labor and capital by le-
gally constituted arbitration by which
all parties interested shall be bound.
5. We believe the transportation cor
poratione OF this state are the peoples
public servants; We oppose any and all
harsh or unjust legislation concerning
them, but we do demand such legislation
as will clothe the board Of railway com
mlssioners Of this state with full power
and authority to correct evils, right
wrongs, and in general to prevent all un-
just Determinations, and to provide a
reasonable maximum tariff Of passenger
and freight rates.
We recommend that each county con
vention Of this state, for the nomination
Of members for the legislature, take such
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1896-08-20
BRIEF BITS OF NEWS,

The total wheat yield in Illinois il
estimated at 2l,5l4,J4l bushels, G,
$500, 600 more than 1895.
Professor F. Nicholas Crouch, autho,
of kathleen Mavourneen,' died sud.
denly at Portland, Me, aged S..
Miss Helena Hartnett Mitchell, a
teacher Of Delsarte and an actress of
some ability, will take the stump for
Bryan.
Hon. w. d. Balfour, who was speaker
in the Ontario legislature, and a few
weeks ago sworn i'll as provincial score
tary is lying at the point of death.
Thomas Hill, a landscape painter OF
national reputation, was stricken with
paralysis a few days ago at his studio
i'll the Yosemite and is now lying at the
point of death.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1896-08-20
Counterfeit Coin Found.

ELDoRA, Ia, Aug. 2O.-At Eldora
Junction Brakeman Bell picked up a
bag containing a large number OF coun-
terfeit dollars, halves and quarters. 1t
is Il mystery how the coin got Oh the
track, unless a counterfe!t gang ar" at
work in the neighborhood, as counter
fcits are freely i'll circulation around
hG2. The lind has been reported to ti-v
NMEfrMmlNt
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1896-08-20
Cowslip and Bachelors Button.

Tie name Of cuckoo flower is given
to at least 10 different plants, cowslip
to 8 or 8 and bachelors button 10
more than 90. 1t is the same all over
the world. Sir Joseph Hooker says that
Throughout his travels he was struck
with the undue reliance placed upon ma
tive names Of plants, characterizing it
as San erroneous impression hat savage
and half civilized peoples have an accu-
rate knowledge Of objects of natural his
tory and q uniform nomenclature for
them. DioscOrides made the same OBJ
%servation, and Athenaus before him
complained that the same plant was
called by different names in different
parts Of Greece.
1t Is. indeed, we'll known that plants
have exchanged their names largely.
The forgetmenot is a good instance OF
this. In all the old herbals the name is
given to the ground pine (Ajuga chamo-
epitys) on accoun Of its offensive smell,
and sometimes, also, TO the speedwell.
Mills, in his History Of Chivalry," in.
vented the legend of the drowning
knight throwing the flower to his lady
and liked the name on the pretty blue
flower which had previously been called
house ear, from its old Greek name
muosotis, ard both name and flower be.
came popular, but Punch, going bach
to its original associations, suggested i
as . delicate name for the onion, aid i.
Mexico the same name, mo me divide, ;
is given to en orchid. Clote IA anot.,n
name that has been given to varica
plants. In the old glossaries ard herbal!
it always means the great brrdocl, IL
it was gradually attached to othsr La
leaved plants, aud in D1rsctshire :: j
now given 4 the yellow water III.