davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1896-10-28
A POT OF PAINT.

said Mrs. BemlS, as she TOlleu OuO d
water-lily leaf for the bunch of wax
flowers she was constructing.
''Hire the buttry floor and two kit
chen chairs done?" exclaimed Mrs.
Pettibone in disgust. "Not by jug
full. Why that Sam Perkins wouldn't
charge me less than four shillin's to
do it, and he'd mix up enough paint
for eighteen pence to do the hull of
it and have some left for the bottom
of the wash tubs
'But you've been complainin' of
rheumatic all the spring." contin-
ued her neighbor, land you'll find it
won't be no easy job for you. hired
Sam Perkins to do my chiny cubbard
last spring and he didn't charge me
much"
'Well, folks that can afford to hire
things done can, but as for me, times
are too hard,' said Mrs. Pettibone,
sitting up very straight and speaking
with emphasis.
She had a very thin face and there
was a pinched expression on it, as if
she had thought all her life of how
to make each dollar go as far as pos
sible.
Her dress, too, showed the same
economy by the way she chung to old
threadbare garments. But mixed
with it all there was apparent a love
of fnery. A passion which Mrs. Pet
tibone had in her younger days to
considerable extent and now refused
to be rooted out.
She wore a large-fgured delaine,
which the neighbors remembered
long before Mr.. Pettibone died, a
dozen years or more back. Over this
was rusty black guaze shawl with
the fringe all worn off. Her bonnet,
shaped like a faring tin basin, was a
fashion notwithin memory of the vii
lage milliner. It was not without it's
decoration, being trimmed with some
very square purple satin bows and
many bugles and beads. But more
noticeable than the trimming was
the row of brown curls sewed in the
rim. They curled up as a child's hair
would curl and looked strangely out
of place, browning the pinched, thin
wrinkled face.
Mrs. Bemis did not make any re-
ply, but went on rolling out the pet
ais of a yellow tulip. She knew the
remark was meant to hit her. She
followed out Mrs. Boffin's advice of
Lets be comfortable and the peo-
pie in the neighborhood frequently
had their comments to make there
upon. That she had taken life easily,
and seldom worried, was written on
her round, full, childlike face. The
brown curls would have been quite
in keeping above her forehead.
I'm maxim these wax flowers to
send to my brothers wife out in
Michigan Mrs. Bemis said, chang
ing the subject. "She did think thew
was so pretty when she was here.
that l said I'd make her some some
time. And now Mis- Rhody is goin'
right out to the same place for a. Wis
it,and SO I've left everything to make
this bunch to send by her,
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1896-10-28

never had but the one after Twas mar
ried. It'll last me the rest of my days
and then there'll be somethin' de-
cent to lay me out in"
1T was quite late in the afternoon
before she finished her chairs, she
had spent so much time on the table.
There was still paint left in the
pot even after the tubs had had
coat To use up the balance she
painted two palm-leaf fans that had
become fy-specked, and the frame of
an old mahogany looking-glass.
81 declare, how this paint does hold
out. By putin in little more tur-
pentine there's enough left for the
clock shelf"
She found reaching up harder than
anything else, for it made her dizl
zy. Once when she went to refill her
brush she fell over onto the floor. She
would have hurt herself quite badly,
if she had not saved herself by catch
ing hold of the Boston-rocker AS it
was she had several small bruises.
''There's no use tryin' to climb up
and do the top of that SHELF" she
said, hobbling up and sitting down
to rest. II might fall and break my
neck for all know. What a pity
though to waste this much paint"
she continued, examining the con-
tents of the pot. "Who would be-
lieve small job of paintin' would
use one up so. I didn't realize it I'M
til [ sat down. Why, I haven't felt
the rheumatic so much all this
spring. There's one thing, [ can't
think of such a thing as goin' up to
Mr.. Cornish's this afternoon. I'm all
tuckered out. I'll rub myself we'll
with Cheeseman's Balsam tonight and
take a good sweat and then I'll feel
better and can go up there the first
thing tomorrow
She was still stiff and lame when
she woke up the next morning, but
she got up early nevertheless.
Before she had finished her break
fast dishes Mrs. Rhody's daughter,
Eliza, came over.
MA sent me up with the money,
and to bring down the crock of but
ter you said you had ready for her,
Mercy tn mel" Mrs. Pettibone
burst out. 81 left the butter in the
buttery all night, and it won't be fit
to eat. Yes" she continued reaching
into the cupboard and drawing out
the crock, ''the paint taste is all
through it. I don't know what on
earth I'm to do with it. I planned
to come up Yesterday afternoon with
it, but was so long bout my paint
in and felt so used up after it I
didn't dare try it,
'Mis' Bemis was up to our house
last night" said the girl, not seem
ing to take much notice of the ca
lamity. ''She'd just come from Mr..
Cornish's and he paid her one humid
red dollars for half her front door
yard. and she wanted pa to lock the
money up for her,
"What won't come next?" Mrs.
Pettibone cried out. cit seems as if
things jest showered right down
041 -
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1896-10-28


nish comm here" Mrs. Pettibone
said to herself as she walked along,
81 don't think there's any doubt but
that he'll take part of my front
door yard for that office of his. He
talked so favorable like last fall
about it. Said it was handy to the
cars and all. But you wouldn't ketch
me a saying anything of the kind to
Mis- Bemis. 1t might put it into her
head to try and sell a part of her
yard for the Office. I must go right
square over to the Cornishes tomOr-
row afternoon and see about it. tell
you there isn't any woman at the
Corners can make that hundred dol
lars go farther than I can. I declare,
I jest believe I'll go to Milly's we'd
din. 1t must be fully twenty years
since I've made a visit to Sister AL
miry's."
The prospect of the sale and the
trip she was planning put new zest
into Mrs. Pettibone. She did her
housework much quicker than usual
the next morning. Then, after hav-
ing an early dinner she proceeded to
the small cobble-stone building up
the street and came away with a pot
of dark brown paint.
'"There never lived woman but
that thought she could paint OBJ
served Sam Perkins, as he striped
wagon box.
''That's true; or ever one that 'ud
waste a drop" continued the man
who was helping him.
Hire the buttry floor and two kit
chen chairs done!" said Mrs. Petit
bone, contemptuously, as she put on
an old dress preparatory to begin
ming her work. ''That's jest like Mis-
Bemis, you'd never ketch her maxim
slave of herself. Why, if I'd done
the way she's done I'd been in the
poor house long ago."
The pantry was a small one, but,
nevertheless, Mrs. Pettibone did not
find it an easy piece of work getting
down with her rheumatic limbs She
painted with an unskillful hand. She
did not understand the painters
lnack of keeping the brush close to
the floor, but waved it backwards and
forwards, scattering much paint
about. Or else she dragged the brush
the whole length of the floor, leaving
many places untouched.
81 hope it isn't goin' to be long
job" she said, stopping to rest, ''for
| want to git through and go to Mr..
Cornish's before tea. Then there's
that ten-pound crock of butter to
carry to Mis- Rhody. [ presume she's
got the dollar and a-half waitin' for
me now; she's allus so prompt in
payin'."
Mrs. Pettibone found the claw-leg-
ged table much more work to "touch
up than she had anticipated. She
ended by painting the whole legs.
"This is a putterin' job,' she OBJ
served, impatiently, as she tried to
get her brush into the ornamental
scroll work about the claws. ct
don't know as I've hit every spot,
she continued, as she SURVEYED her
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1896-10-28

floral kingdom. And as for the
leaves, it showed very plainly that
the maker of them was not versed in
botany, for they were strangely mix
ed up.
eyes," answered Mrs. Bemis with
pride, 81 can make any flower. I'm
goin' to try this Crown 'Perial I
picked out in the garden. Have that
right in the center, it stands up so
straight. Then these Bleedin' Hearts
droopin' over. 1 wish had some
more red wax to make the hearts of.
I'll have to use blue. You don't have
to be real particular though with
wax flowers"
cit must be quite chore to make
a big bunch like yours" observed
Mrs. Pettibone, as she saw how slow
ly the work progressed.
ooh, l Like it! l could sit up all
night to do it. l love to paint, too.
Why, l paid a man that came round
five dollars once to learn. But, l tell
you, he was way up. There's some
of my work. said Mrs. Bemis, point
ing to cone frame of very cadav-
erous-looking individual whose head
was covered with a mass of cork
screw curls.
"Was that Mr. Bemis when he was
a young man." Mrs. Pettibone ask
ed, standing before the picture.
"Oh, dearie, mol" answered Mrs.
Bemis, ''why that's Lord Byron, the
great poet, when he was sixteen
years DID,"
'Why-ee," exclaimed Mrs. Petit
bone, chow could you do it?''
"Oh, it comes natural to me. [ done
a lot more pictures at the time I
learned. [ couldn't let it alone. I
done three winter scenes and some
flower pieces and bird pieces. But
the family all wanted 'em and so I've
got only that one left. But [ mean
to go at it again some time when I
git around to it and paint some more.
L havn't forgotten how by any
means"
Il wish my niece Milly took to
sOmethin' of that sort instead of car
ing for old dishes and furniture.
Why, when she was here last sum-
mer, she went and offered Mis- King
dom seventy-fve cents for that old
blue platter she used to dry her cher
rles on, and | don't know how MANY
cracked and broken sugar bowls and
tea pots she picked up. But the thing
she made the most fuss about was
claw-leg table she got up at the Cor
nlsh auction. She paid two dollars
and a-half for 1.-THE worst lookin'
battered up thing you ever see. It's
up In my back chamber now. I ex-
pect most any day she'll write me to
send it to her. She's a goin' to he
married soon now. That's one of the
reasons I'm in kind of furry to
git at my paintin'. l thought [ could
touch up some of the worst places. I
declare, I'd be ashamed to have it 90
lookin' as it does''
"Speal1in' about that Cornish fam
lly'' said Mrs. Bemis, Ibid you know
the oldest son-the one who has been
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-20
THE VENEZUELAN BOUNnARY.
Arbitration Treaty May Not He n
Fact TIL March,


Unless there is more expedition in the
matter than is now looked for, the arbitra-
ton treaty between Great Britain and Ven
ezuela, negotiated by the United States,
will not become an accomplished fact until
after the Inauguration of President McKin-
ley, in which event the selection of the
Two members or the tribunal to be made
by this government will be made by the
next administration, instead of by the one
now in power. 1t all depends upon the
action of Venezuela in regard to the treaty.
1t now appears as though it's ratifica ton
may not be looked for in time for the ap-
pointment Of the arbitrators during the
present administration.
Minister Andrade, the Venezuelan minis
ter fere, is not expected to reach the Vene-
zuelan capital before Saturday next He
pears draft OF the treaty for the con-
Slderatlon or the Venezuelan authorities
The treaty is subject to the approval of
the congress of that country, which body
does not meet in regular session until Feb
ruary 70 next, and it is considered probable
date before submitting the treaty to it's
consideration. Under the laws OF Vene-
zuela thirty days notice is required for a
special meeting of congress-
Even should special meeting be called
1t Is not likely that action could be had, un-
der the rules allowing full and free dis
cussion of such matters, until we'll along
in February.
The ordinary course of procedure after
the approval OF the treaty by. the Venez-
uelan congress would probably cause final
action to be delayed until some time after
the 4th of next March.
So far as known, there is no further ac-
tion called for on the part of this govern
ment until after Venezuela has acted in the
matter Of the treaty. There is scarceay a
doubt of its ultimate ratification.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-20
Mr.. Birney's Term Expires During
the Present Administration.
The LAW IN THE CASE
Believed That Mr.. Cleveland Will
Make the Appointment.
F o q r YE A RS TIE r NJ

During President Cleveland's term of
office he will have the opportunity Of ap-
pointing a successor to District Attorney
Arthur A. Birney Mr.. Birney was ap-
pointed by President Harrison for a term
of four years from February 6, 1893. His
term will. therefore, expire the 9th of Feb
ruary, 1897, few days less than a month
before Mr.. Cleveland retires. By some it
has been thought thatsMr. Cleveland would
decline to appoint a successor to Mr. Bir-
ney, leaving to President-elect Mckinley
the appointment. But, in conversation
with a Star reporter today, Mr.. Birney
called attention to the statutes applicable
in the matter. stating that the law ex-
pressly provides that the attorneys for
the United States shall be appointed for
a term of four years: the law also express
ly providing that the commissions Of such
officers shall cease ana expire four years
from the date of their making. There
fore" explained Mr.. Birney, ION the 9th
OF February next my commission will ex-
pre- and my term Of office will ease"
Then Mr.. Birney went on to explain
that his office is not one in which the in
cumbent is permitted to continue in office
until his successor qualities as SUCH Mr.
Birney also explained that as his assist
ants are not commissioned, being merely
personal appointments. no one of them con-
tinues in office after his term expires I'm
other words" said Mr. Brney. 'all Of my
assistants go out of office the day 1 do
provided, of course they are not reap
pointed by my successor
Hence. it will be seen that under the
law the President must appoint a success
sor to Mr.. Birney in time to allow said
successor to assume the office the day Mr.
Birney retires from Office in order to pre-
vent an interruption of the business of
the office.
Should President Cleveland decline to ap-
point a successor to Mr.. Birney. it Is
claimed that Under the law the chief JUS
tice of the District Supreme Court could
make the appointment, the appointee to
hold office only until an appointment should
be made by President-elect Mckinley.
But it is generally believed that President
Cleveland will make the appointment. and
by Some it is believed that Major Mckin-
ley will, in view Of the fact that Mr.. Cleve-
land allowed President Harrisons appointee
TO fill out his term, permit Mr.. Cleveland's s
man to do the same thing. AS yet there
has been little if any, speculation as to Mr..
Birney's successor. 1t is also understood
that no one has yet made an application
for appointment.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-20
SENATOR WILSON'S VIEWS.
Thinks an Extra Session should b
Called for a Tariff Bill,

Ihfnks an Extra Session Should BE
Called for "a Tariff Bill.
Senator Wilson of Washington was at the
Capitol today. Speaking with a Star re-
porter about the legislative prospects, he
said:
What the policy of the republican party
will be cannot be decided until we have
met and had a caucus, but from a super
ficial view of the situation. do not see
how We can do more at the coming short
session than to pass the appropriation bills.
The session beginning on the 7th Of Decem-
Der will be as short a session as can be
heid at the closing of a Congress What
We want in the way of tariff legislation is
an equitable measure which will be perma
nent. That cannot be had by the adontion
Of the Dingley bill, or any such measure
tnat might be passed at the coming ses-
slcn We do not want horizontal increase
OIL the Wilson tariff rates. That would
cement the eastern interests which already
nave protection, but would do yery little
sCou 10 us In the west, who are practically
Without any protection at present We in
the west want protection for our wool onr
lCmDer, our coal and our lead and feel
tnat Dill should be constructed SO as to
give falr treatment to our section. More
over, the business interests of the country
are entitled to repose, and we should NOT
make two bites at cherry by passing a
temporary measure to be followed by furth
er agitation. In my Judgment. there should
De an extra session of the Fifty-fifth Con-
gresS called on the 5th Of March and tha
tari1I bill should be framed and become a
law in June"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-20

Explosions at Intervals of n Large
Stock of Cnrtrid&es.

CLEVELAND, Ohio, November 9.-Fire
broke out shortly before 9 o'clock this
morning in the five-story building at 100.
1872 and 1874 Superior street, occupied by III.
W. Luetkemeyer & Co, wholesale and re-
tail hardware and paint dealers. The
flames originated in the paint department,
and rapidly spread to all the floors, and the
entire building was soon on fire. +. w.
Luetkemeyer. a son of the senior member
of the firm, was badly burned in attempt
ing to subdue the flames.
A strong wind prevented the fremen
from getting control of the fire and carried
the flames high over adjoining buildings.
1t was feared the big eight-story building
on the west side would go, and at $50
second alarm was sent out, bringing into
action twenty-five engines, two fireboats
and water tower.
The fire was practically under control a
IL O'Clock. the firemeE having succeeded i'm
con6niIg the flames to the Luetkemeyer
building, which was consumed with its
contents The adjoining buildings were
more or less damaged. however. by smoke
and water. The loss on the Luetkemeyer
building and contents will aggregate nearIy
500, 900 partly covered by insurance.
Three men were removed from the build
ire by firemen, badly burned and almost
suffocated by smoke. Rumors are in cir
culation that several persons employed In
the place are missing and are supposed to
be in the ruins, but these reports cannot
be verified.
A great amount of danger in the fire was
a big stock of cartridges which exploded
with terrific force at short intervals, caus-
ing the thousands of spectators at the
scene to make a wild rush for safety.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-20
TODAY'S CABINET MEETING

Matters to he Brought to the Attcu
ton of Congress ConsidereJ.
Today's meeting of the cabinet was MT.
tended by all the members and was de-
voted almost exclusively to the considera-
ton OF matters to be brought to the at
tention of Congress. The heads of the
various departments have furnished the
President with full statement Of the con-
dition and needs of their respective DEPART
ments for use in the preparation of his re-
port to Congress ION the state of the
Union" Several Of the regular depart
mental reports are practically completed
and will be given to the press in a few
days and in advance Of the assembling of
Congress In accordance with the custom
of recent years the exception to this rule
are the reports of the Secretary of the
Treasury and the Attorney General which.
being made direct to Congress, will be with
held from publication until after their sub
mission to that body. The Secretary Of
State makes no report, except to furnish
data for the Presidents use in informing
Congress of the state of our foreign rela-
tions. The chapter devoted to the discus
sion of that subject and the chapter re-
!ating to the national finances will un-
doubtedly form the most important fea-
lures Of the Presidents message.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-20
Personal Mention.

Rev. John G. Ames, who has since Mon
day been confined 10 his bed by sickness,
is somewhat better, and hopes to be out
egain the early part of next week.
Lieut.. ]. NJ. Lewis, I'd Artillery, is in the
city on leave of absence.
Passed Assistant Paymaster NJ. NJ. Ram
say Of the Montgomery is at 1854 8 street
Lieut.. c. S. Radford of the Marine Corps
Is in the city on leave.
I Rev. Leander S. Chamberlain of New
York is spending a day or two in the ,jty
as the guest of Maj. and Mrs. J. D. TerrilI
of Vermont avenue
Mrs. Frances Hodgson Burnett will sail
from England for the United States to-
morrow.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-20
DISTRICT APPROPRIATIONS.
Work Upon the Bill Later Ehis Tear
Than Usual.


Than Usual.
Work upon the District appropriation
bill in Congress Is to be later this year
than usual As a rule the District h1l is
the first one taken up by the House ap-
propriaticns committee. and that vpuld
have been the case this time but for the
absence of Representative Grout of Ver-
mont. He is member of the subcommit-
tee having charge Of the bill, and usually
comes down to Washingtona 4 week or ten
days before the assembling of Congress
to meet the other membe-s.of the subcom-
mittee and go over the estimates. He is
now.in the west, however, being q member
of a special committee appointed to Ia
vestigate the Soldiers Home at Leaven-
wcrth, Kan.
The District bill has, therefore, been
laid aside and the legislative bill taken in
hand. Clerk Courts Of the House COM
mittee has received the estimates and was
busy today drafting the form Of a bill.
Chairman Cannon of the appropriations
committee has written that he will reach
Washington by November 30, and other
members are expected to come In about
the same time.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-20
Naval Ordera.

Lieut.. r. H. Smith, from the Cushing to
the Indiana; Lieut.. J. c. Fremont from the
Indiana To command of the Cushing; Lieut.
j. ID. Mcdonald, from bureau of equipment
to the st. Mary's; Capt NJ H. Farauhar.
from command of the Newark and placed
On waiting orders; Capt. c. NJ Chester
from command of the Richmond to COM
mand of the Newark; Ensign L. A. Kaiser
from the Michigan and wait orders; Lieut.
C. H Lyman. to the naval Observatory.
Ensign A. Althouse, to duty at Munhall
Pa, Passed Assistant Surgeons T c. Craig
and p. Leach have been promoted to grade
of surgeon.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-20
Want a Place for Grant.

ST LOUIS. Mo-. November 2O.-A special
to the Republic from Dallas, Texas, says:
Nearly 200 republicans Of prominence rep
resenting all sections of Texas, met here
yesterday to '-omote the movement in the
interest of procuring q caniuet position in
the coming Mckinley administration for
ex-State Chairman DIR. John Grant. who is
now the national republican committeeman
for Texas.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-20
GrOsvenor ON the DinEley Dill.
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star
No Big Order for Small Arms.

Capt. Sampson, chief Of the bureau Of
naval ordnance, says there Is no truth, so
far as he knows, in the sensational report
that the government will place an order
for 100000 rifles. A year ago the navy Or
dered 10000 rifles. and these are now being
delivered the first consignment of 900 hay-
Ing reached New York recently.
This is the only order of the kind that is
known of or contemplated, and 1t was
given In the usual course of supplying the
navy with a modern small arm.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-20
Killed by c. and O. Train.

CONCORD, KY, November 20.-East-
bound train No. 4. Chesapeake and Ohio,
last night caught a buggy at the LIST street
crossing, and instantly killed the three
occupants, Mr.. Al Pollok, a young lawyer.
and Misses Lulu and Lizzie Lind, daughters
of the proprietor of the Lnl Hotel of this
place. The young people were returning
from an evening party.