davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1896-12-17
How to Make a summer Dessert.

A novel and delicious dessert is called
stone cream TO make it dissolve half
an ounce of gelatin in a little water and
a pint of sweetened milk in which
lemon peel has been boiled. AS soon as
il Is cold pour over layer of jam in a
deep glass dish. When the mixture sets,
stick strips of blanched almonds into
the cream, place on ice and serve.
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1896-12-17

The blue violet is symbolic of love
and the white of modesty. In Germany
either is considered as symbolic of reti-
cence. A Silesian lover can make his
sweetheart no more acceptable present
than a bunch of violets.
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1896-12-17

Rats and mice are generally very
active ard noisy just before storm.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-11-06
MILLION TO ,,r,eur
GEORGE VANDtRbIli'

er annoy the owner of Biltmore. and
he does not feel that he has any ter
ritorial boundaries. Except for this
one farmer!
This old man sold his estate to
George Vanderbilt, but carefully
marked off one section of it for him
self. He did not sell quite all he
owned. There was still narrow strip
left. Upon this he moved his little
farm house and stubbornly refused to
bulge. Every year immense sums
have been offered him to sell the little
farmhouse and live elsewhere. But
there he lives, placidly smoking his
pipe, tilling his two or three acres and
enjoying the shooting and fishing Of
| his neighbor, whose land dips down in
to valley just there, making the old
mans farmhouse a veritable spying
| ground
Austin Corbin bought his immense
country estate more craftily than most
millionaires know how to. For months
before he built his house he had old
! farmers going around with their pants
tucked in boots saying to the farmers
around "Wall, l guess I'd like to buy
a strip of that land O. yourn"
Think O. settling hereabouts?" the
farmers would ask.
"Wall, ye--es, if you don't hold your
land too high"
| And so his crafty agents got hold OF
many and many a hundred acres at
the regular market price.
But there was one old farmer in the
interior of the forest land who said
nothing, but sawed wood. When the
make-believe farmers approached him,
he answered:
81 guess l won't sell just yit. In the
! spring this here wood'll all be gone.
Then I'll sell the place ter ye."
We've got him cinched." said the
wise agents. THAT wood is good for
only this seasons chopping."
Meanwhile they bought up enough
land to make handsome park, and
began to turn stone for house; put
in the spring the old man thought diff
ferently about moving.
Guess I've thought better Of it," he
chuckled.
The ground was broken. the stone
carted, and the mansion completed.
Then came the stocking Of SO great an
estate.
my boy" Corbin used to say to his
young friends. my boy, do you see
those grouse running around. and can
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-11-06

General LABOR ana
Carpenters receive 81 a day in the
city of Mexico.
The first leather shoe factory in ia
pan was recently established.
The undertakers' employees Of New
York are the latest organization.
The newsboys of Portland, Ore, con-
duct cooperative newspaper.
The shipbuilders who struck at
Wheeler's yards in Bay City have lost.
The strike at the Brown Hosting
works. Cleveland, is still in force.
Sixty cooperative shops were opened
in New York by the striking tailors.
johannesburg, South Africa, carpen-
tiers recently struck for f6 week, $50.
The United Hatters of North Amer
lea is the latest international to join
the American Federation.
Unions represented in Chicago Build
ing Trades Council were successful in
forty strikes in the short period from
July 10 to August Is.
All branches of the stove making
business are reported greatly improved
during the past week at all the princi-
pal points of manufacture.
The reason wages in China are so
low, says the Labor Journal, is because
in the event of a strike the strikers
until recently were decapitated.
The journeymen BARRIERS interna-
tional convention was held recently at
Evansville, Ind. 1t was the largest and
most important in the history Of the
craft.
Among the delegates to the recent
convention of Locomotive Firemen in
Galveston were twelve lawyers. After
being admitted to the bar they had
abandoned the law for stocking.
Chicago will soon have trades
union library and free reading room.
1t will be located in the building owned
by the bricklayers and stone masons,
who donate one entire floor to the Ii
brary.
During the last two years the boiler
makers expended lean ,han $4,000 for
strike benefits, and in ten of the prin-
cipal strikes secured advances in wages
aggregating $4,000 per annum to their
members.
Cincinnati has a new central labor
body called the culinary council, and
composed of delegates from the unions
of walters, bartenders, cigarmakers,
stage employees, musicians, and bakers.
1t was organized for the purpose of
forming a closer combination of those
trades for mutual protection.
Edward McHugh, of England, who
arrived in this country two weeks ago
to effect a federation of American and
British dock laborers, declares the idea
of strike of dock men over the entire
world has never been conceived. The
men he seeks to federate are the long
shoremen, firemen, sailors and all 9TH
ers who work in the shipping world.
The British Trades union congress
adopted two important resolutions.
One provides for the naturalization
of public monopolies, and the other de-
mands an educational system that will
prepare the rising generation for citi-
zenship in a cooperative common
wealth. This session of the congress
was watched with keen interest by the
British politicians.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-11-06

A Kansas girl of II years recently
won the prize in an unusual contest in
competition with two men. She had
learned to turn horseshoe in black
smith shop, and at an entertainment
for the benefit of a church she matched
herself against two Of the most ex-
perienced blacksmiths in the city.
Three portable FORCES were placed on
the stage, and each contestant was al
lowed a helper to blow the bellows.
Both men and the girl wore the leather
apron peculiar to their calling. They
smiled indulgently at their girl rival
as they waited for time to be called,
but became anxious, then alarmed, and
finally discounted when she turned a
perfect horseshoe before the audience
and judges in less than four minutes.
The curtain went down on a pretty
tableau of glowing forges and the smil-
ing girl victor, who speedily appeared
among her friends daintily clad In
white.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-11-06

Detroit Free Press: Notwithstanding
the cigarmakers' convention by special
resolution urged the Trades council to
organize the BARRIERS Of the city, there
is little prospect that anything can be
accomplished. Most of the BARRIERS are
working on percentage, and these can
see nothing to be gained by a return
to the minimum wage without percent
age. The BARRIERS and retail clerks are
epidemic in their unionism. Both for
merly organized large unions in a very
short space of time and after accom-
plishing their purpose disbanded. The
Sunday closing law was secured by the
BARRIERS, and earlier closing by the
clerks; then they subsidized. Just at
present the clerks are recognizing, and
large numbers are added at each meet
ing. In the occupations more easily
acquired there seems to be lower av-
erage of income and uncertain tenure
of place, which operates against the
stability of the organization.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-11-06

All summer the man worked out do
ing chores. and when winter came he
housed up, only going out to do odd
jobs. Spring dawned, and with 1t came
the agent The old man by this time
was ugly. "You can't hev that thar
house fur less than $4,000" said he,
"and cash at that"
"I'll pay It," said the agent. II will
be here tomorrow with the money and
a lawyer"
Next morning came the agent, the
lawyer and the money. But when they
approached the house they saw some
thing had gone wrong. The chickens
were running wildly in all directions,
the windows were broken and the door
hung mournfully upon one hinge. AS
they stopped to gaze at the strange
sight a wildly disheveled figure came
rushing around the house crying:
Money, money! Where's the money?
Let me eat it! Let me eat It" 1t was
the poor fellow, gone stark. -aving
mad with Joy at the prospect of sudden
wealth. Three months afterward he
died in the madhouse!
Not all such tales have so tragic an
ending. Upon the very border of Bit
more, George Vanderbilt's North Caro-
lima estate. there dwells a farmer. fat,
ruddy, and contented. knowing as he
does that the owner Of Biltmore would
give q cool million any day to GUST
him.
Biltmore is so planned that its bor-
ders end upon streams, in forests. and
upon large adjoining estates of gentle
men. Bill Nye's place touches Bit
more upon one end. These people nev-
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-11-06

session of so many miles of property
that he needed no more. Here l shall
! place my house." he said, land the
park shall extend for miles around us,
farther than we can see or walk or
drive. 1t shall be like baronial es-
tate into whose depths the owner can
penetrate, but Offering no access to
the stranger"
When the surveyors set out to place
the boundaries Of the big fence they
were amazed to find a small piece OF
property that was not in the plans. 1t
consisted of small strip of land run
ming back about forty rods into Mr..
Rockefeller's domains. Upon the lit
tie plot stood simple frame house,
untenanted. while around the door
strayed few lonesome chickens.
The surveyors reported this to Mr..
Rockefeller. Purchase the piece OIL
property" ordered he.
When the Rockefeller agents ap-
preached the small house they found
an old man out by the door feeding his
hens. "T doan't think as want ter
SELL" said he, refectively glancing over
The spreading acres beyond. Fact is,
1 like ter have nice neighbor like
that. I'm contented here, doin' chores
for the neighbors an working out win
tiers. No, doan't want ter SELL"
zone of those obstinate old fell
lows" calculated the agent. Leave
him alone. He'll come around"
But the man did not come around
fast enough. Meanwhile Mr.. Rockefel-
Ter wanted to build that fence. The
little plot stood next the best water
-hance on the place. A beautiful little
river cascades into a ravine back OF
the plot. BUY at any price" ordered
the millionaire. But the agent held
out.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-11-06

you hear the quail? My boy. in . few
years I'll have finer shooting thar
Beresford has got os his place"
A startled squawk Of the wild fowl
broke the stiffness. A stamping oil
game in the woods told that q disturb
ing element was at hand. Through
the elegantly planned park came the
old man. with q gun on his shoulder
and his dogs at his heels.
Where are you going?" demanded
Mr.. Corbin.
Going home" replied the old man.
laconically.
"I'll see about that" said Corbin.
A lawyer was called in, and the law
was read: but the closest application
could find no hindrance to man in
reaching his own property. "a man is
entitled to gangplank to his own
habitat" was the ultimatum; and they
could get no further
That man still holds the property.
He has an idea his grandchildren will
sell for millions.
There is we'll known story that
Levi p. Morton, with his Jersey pigs
and his Attorney cows, would dearly
like to purchase snug bit Of prop
erty that lies next to his; but the own.
er holds on, for peculiar reasons. He
wants to be next the rose" He is a
politician of local repute, and the privi-
lege of saying that he lives next to
Morton is worth twenty votes to him.
When so lofty reason restraints a
man, it is mean politician that would
seek to tempt.
At Lenox, upon one Of the lovely
hillsides heading up to October Noun
tain, the Harry Whitney country place.
there stands little shanty,with cob
ble-stone foundation. and single
sprawny tree growing alongside. On
each side of it end great estates. Many
and many time have the owners Of
the property on each side tried to buy
of the old woman who owns 1t; but
she, poor thing, keeps a thin-sided COW
and sells her milk to the neighbors and
holds on. At first she wanted $4,000;
now she refuses $4,000. But she is old.
and cannot live forever. Then her lit
tie place will be bought cheap from
her son, who urges her to sell.
Such are a few OF the tales Of men
who, having great estates, want one
little spot besides; and such is the tale
of mans cupidity that these owners,
poor and suffering for necessities. bear
their poverty and hardships, sure that
a gold mine will open at their feet If
they can only wait long enough for 1t.
ALBERT CAMERON.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-11-06
A COMING SINGER.
An Illinois Young Woman Vocalist with
Brilliant Prospects.
Springfield, ILL.,, Lottery


Miss Bessie O'Brien, who is now
studying music under the great Nine.
Marchesi at Paris, Is progressing ad-
mirably. In musical circles abroad this
young lady is now regarded as COM
ing star of the first magnitude. She
speaks of herself in letter Of recent
date as follows: Last week, after a
months vacation, I resumed my musi-
cal studies with Nine. Marchesi. My
voice is in excellent condition, and Its
improvement is more apparent now
than at any time previous. Since be-
gan studying with Marchesi / have
gone through some very difficult work,
the madame requiring her pupils to un-
derstand time perfectly and to define
thoroughly the vocal sentiment and ex-
preston of selections, so that one must
necessarily spend time and labor IN
translating and acquiring the full sense
Of each study in progress" Miss
O'Brien's voice Is of wonderful quality
octaves, from lower E to high D fat.
Her tones are superb in quality and are
warmly sympathetic. and she has good
dramatic ability. She is pretty girl,
with dark brown hair and dark blue
eyes, is very earnest and determined.
and, with all the applause that she has
received, is modest and unassuming
This youthful vocalist is at the present
tune not quite IS years of age. She
was born in this city in October, 1878,
and is the daughter Of Mr.. and Mrs.
Dennis O'Brien, old and respected resi-
dents of the capital city. When but 10
years of age Miss O'Brien used to &C
company her sister, who is organist
at st. Agnes church in Springfield, to
choir rehearsal, and, without the no.
tice of anyone, the child sang with the
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-11-06
BESSIE O'BRIEN,

choir. Later at home she would sius
this difficult classical music with the
feeling and expression of an older per-
son and with dramatic force which
quite astonished her friends. She soon
became regular member Of the choir,
and two years later was its principal
soloist. Miss O'Brien made her first
great impression when she sang a solo
in st. Jarlaths church in Chicago
about eighteen months ago, on which
occasion she surprised those who were
fortunate enough to hear her by the
great power and beauty of her voice.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-11-06
Chorus.


With one or two exceptions We do
not know of local union that has
tried to do anything for the wood
workers label. No effort has been
made to get friendly employers to
handle it, nor has any real effort been
made to advertise it. We know that
several conferences have been held
between employers and representa-
tives of our Amalgamated Union, put
nothing definite has been accomplish
ed. We believe, however, that the
chances are favorable for the extern
sive use of the label in the very near
future. Several Chicago concerns nave
evidenced a desire to learn the laws
that will govern its use and they seem
favorably disposed to give 1t trial.
We think that if all locals would ap-
point committees to wait upon employ
ers the label would soon come into eX-
tensiye use. Then with the aid or the
building trades, particularly the car
nenters. the label could be made the
means of doing more to build up ana
strengthen the Amalgamated Union
than any other factor. If our unions
cannot do any more than make an
earnest effort to get the label intro
duced in their vicinity, let them do
that. There is nothing like trying and
1t is possible the success of their eff
fort will surprise them. One thing is
eure there is no use having label I'M
less some attempt is made to use it.
International Woodworker.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-11-06

From Chicago Record: The cigar
makers have one Of the best organ
lied trades unions in the country, and
one that has been pointed to as in
many respects a model for other labor
organizations. This body like others
of its kind, has been tempted to bring
marty politics into the union, but the
action taken at the convention OF the
International Union at Detroit this
week. shows conclusively that there
will be no yielding to the temptation
in this direction. On motion of Sam
uel Gompers, president of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor who was
present as a delegate, a resolution was
adopted by an enthusiastic vote, pladg-
ing anew unreserved fealty to and
faith in the trades union form of Or
ganization, and emphatically discoun-
tenancing the Introduction of party
politics into the union.
The opposition OF this policy came
largely from the extreme socialists,
whose desire it is to commit the or
ganization to the radical political pro-
gramme which they favor, and to make
it an instrument for the advancement
of the socialstic movement. In refus-
ing to be committed to this policy, the
cigarmakers have shosn the same wis
dom that has been effective in making
their organization one Of the best Of
its kind in this country. The cigar
makers union does mora for it's men,
bers than most similar organizations
It has an elaborate system Of benefits
for members out of work or in dis
tress. 1t maintains in it's treasury or
dinarily about 100000, which has been
reduced during the recent hard times
to somewhat less than 100000. 1t
would be unwise for body of work.
ers having an organization of as much
benefit to them as the cigarmakers
union is to workers in that line, to
impair it's usefulness by allowing it to
deteriorate into a political organiza-
ton.
The same contest which has been 60
ing on in the cigarmakers' union, has
been in progress in other organizations,
notably in the American Federation Of
Labor. The socialists have tried hard
to make that a political body, and at
one time they seemed likely to sue
coed. But the federation now appa-
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-11-06

Two passengers on a western train
became involved in a political contro-
versy, which waxed so hot that one of
them called the other liar.
whats that? A liar?" and he was
on his feet In an instant.
Eyes, a liar" was the emphatic re-
Spouse, cor my name isn't John Smith.
pf Smithville."
What! The hardware merchant"
1.-THE same"
"Mr. Smith, I am delighted to meet
you. I represent Sharpedge & Co., OF
New York, and can show you line OF
samples that will make your hair curl"
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-11-06
He Got q Job.

Awkward Youth-Sa-ay, can't yer
give me a job ON this ere paper? ]
ioan't 'spose I kin learn to be editor.
but I'm told there is other sorts O WORK
In newspaper Offices.
Mr.. Beatemall (great editor)-Yeu
might suit in some capacity, perhaps
Do you know anything about bookkeep'
lngf .t~
"Nope."
"Are you good at figures"
"Ah, yes, I'm good at figgers."
How much are and II"
"Lemme see. Put down 8. an then
put down z along side Of 1t, an that
makes 81"
"Well, sir, you would do for the
counting room, but see no reason why
you should not rise to proud eminencs
In the circulation department"
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-11-06

The street car men of Muncie, Ind.
numbering only thirty-five, organized
union a few weeks ago and last week
sent in haste for an officer of the ma
tional organization. Secretary Orr
went there and found state of great
excitement. The men stated that the
superintendent of the road had only a
short time before promised them an
advance of pay, but instead reduction
was announced. Mr.. Orr, after SOM
hard work, succeeded in securing t;
satisfactory adjustment until afte
election"
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-11-06

in one beautiful park. So large did ne
plan it that, out driving, he could drive
ten miles straight ahead without 60
ing off his own estates.
In getting so vast piece OF prop
erty together many stream had TO be
crossed, many mountains CLIMBED
and much surveying done. Acres upon
acres were added. as Mr.. Rockefeller
found new outlying pieces Of property
that pleased him. At length. driving
over his lands, he found himself in pos
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-11-06

Where to Find the Most Valuable.
Phillis Tin tears)-Mamma, my hus-
band has eloped with the cook. Where
shall go to find them?
Mamma-Oh, wait about two weeks,
and then make a tour of the intelli-
gence offices.
Phillis-Would I find him there?
Mamma-No; but she will turn up
there sooner or later II he doesn't treat
her any better than he did you.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-11-06
The Ruling Passion.

Gus-Jack, old boy, it breaks me all
UP to tell you, but the doctors have de-
cided against you.
Jack very feebly)-What do they
say?
Gus-That you have only one chance
in hundred to get well.
Jack (who is an inveterate bettor)-
Egad! those are big Odds Go you fifty
that I pull through.-Judge.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-11-06
An Injured Innocent.

"Jedge, yoh honoh," said Erastus
Pinkley, Use unjusly 'cused. I warn't
playin' no policy"
"But you were found with policy
slips in your possession"
Dem warn't no policy slips, ledge,
yoh honoh. l was jes' fggerin' out
how de different states is gwine ter
go next November"
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-11-06

Policeman-Come now, run along,
you've been hanging round here all
the morning!
Boy-See here. man wot wears q
belt o. your size can't cut no ice by be-
ing sassy. Where'd yer be If wus to
butt yer in the stummick wild all me
might an den run-eh?
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-11-06

Some American tourists were visit
Ing an old monastery near Florence,
and going through the grounds at last
came to a spot which contained a large
vegetable garden on one side, while
on the other lay the cemetery Of the
fathers, a path dividing the burial
place from the garden.
"How often do you change your gar
den over to the other side?" asked one
of the party, with an attempt at IA
seriousness.
To his surprise the father gravely
answered, about once in twenty-five
years."
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-11-06
A Contradictory Statement.

Yacht Captain-What do you make
her out, mate?
Mate-An excursion boat literally
black with passengers. but with few
people on board.
Yacht Captain-What do you mean?
Mate-It's a colored excursion. Sect
Judge.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-11-06

A recent census makes the population
of the administrative district Of Lon
don, 4,421, 492 and Of the suburban belt
of the metropolis 1,756,421, making a
total of 6,177,913. The population Of
Greater New York is estimated at about
100000; its area is 1853 ga square
miles. The nearly twice as many in
habitants of Greater London are spread
out over 68S 1-3 miles.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-11-06
Why He Was n Mouse.

Mrs. Nagleigh (angrily)-Are you a
man or are you mouse? That's what
/ want to know.
Mr.. Nagleigh (sotto-voce)-I guess
must be mouse. have evidently
teen caught by a cat.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-11-06
Then He Was SorrS.

Mrs. Burdock-That man Gale Is alb
solutely worthless. His wife toi1 me
they did not have a stick Of wood ON
the place.
Burdock-And we have two cords.
That is the difference between him and
me.
Mrs. Burdock-Well, you had better
20 out and split the difference.