davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17

Judge Seaman, of the United States Court, at Milwaukee, made a ruling few days ago of interest to collection agents and business men generally. One Barber, head of a collection agen- cy, was arrested for sending through the mails a letter urging the payment of a debt, with his business card print ed on the envelope. For this alleged of fense be had been arrested, and under the ruling of United States cOmmis- sioner put in jail. Judge Seaman or dered his discharge on the ground that the contents of the letter did not con- stitute a violation of the postal laws. ''The right to send respectful dunning letter." said the judge, cannot be ques- toned, whether sealed or unSealed. Proper and diligent effort on the part of creditors to collect debts are not to be discouraged, and the business of mak- ing collections, fairly conducted, is clearly legitimate" The law on this subject Is so plain that it will not be misunderstood. It makes a penal of
  postal card or letter on the envelope of which may be anything "of an inde- cent, lbelous, scurrilOus, defamatOry or threatening character, or calculated to reflect injuriously upon the character or conduct of another" A dunning let ter or postal card, no matter how ur- gent, that falls within this prohibition, Is not permissible. In case of a sealed letter the prohibition does not apply to the contents, but only to what appears on the envelope. The idea that cred itor or collection agent cannot send through the mails letter or postal card respectfully requesting or urging the payment of a debt seems to have grown out of the prevalent theory that the col lection of debts Is great wrong on the debtor class.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17

Still more interesting than the voyage made by the two Swedish sailors in a rowboat from New York to Hayre, though that was 8 signal exploit of fool hardy daring, Is the voyage made by Capt Joshua Stocumbe, of Boston. He Is reported to have navigated the schooner Alameda Spray from Boston to Apia, Samoa, with no help whatever. The story sounds improbable, but If 1t Is true Capt. Stocumbe must be one of the bravest men and biggest fools of the present generation. It Is difficult and dangerous for ship with her full complement of men to round the Horn, and even such a ship encounters perils innumerable in the course from Val paraiso to Honolulu, which was taken by the Alameda. But schooner with one sailor making that Journey must be as buoyant as the Flying Dutchman. Clark Russell should lose no time In ln- terviewing Capt. Stocumbe.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17

One of the members of u Hung Chang's suite, 1t seems, is in the agree able habit of warbling ditty, of which the first verse is: "A man loved a lady who was actually his wife" AS 1t Is a Chinese song 1t throws & new light upon the state of civilization In the Flowery Kingdom. By means of 1t we see that the almond-eyed inhabitants of China are not so far behind the Caucasian races as has been generally supposed, for 1t is apparent that they have reach ed a point where the circumstance al- luded to in the song creates as much surprise among them as it does among Americans and Europeans. Evidently the only thing remaining for the Chi nese to achieve in order to be on level with the Western nations in the matter of enlightenment is the institution of alimony. In China when a man wearies of his wife he divorces her without for mality or trouble by the simple method of turning her adrift.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17

Almost the last reminder of the glo- ries of the Worlds Fair, the great statue of the Republic, which stood at the eastern entrance of the lagoon, has disappeared. Some time ago the unes- thetic elements deprived 1t of one arm, and the wind and rain had completely ruined its complexion, but its majesty to the last was unimpaired, and the mutilated but sturdy goddess stood de- liant It remained for fire to consume her, as all such Titanic creatures ought to be consumed. The destroying flames were placed beneath her; they rose with malicious eagerness and seized her unshrinking form; and in a few mo- ments she had been transformed into a cloud. But, if there be any truth in sentiment, the spiritualized goddess has not deserted her former place of habitation, but still abides there in ward of the ghost of the fairy scene of which she was for a brief but never to-be-forgotten time the presiding genius
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
Hid scienoe Was a Little of

One night a young man in Divinity Hall at Yale undertook, with a toy rife, to hit a lamp. But his aim was poor and the ball passed through the window of an eminent and venerable professor of science and imbedded It. self in the wall.
 This was the opportunity for the pro- lessor and for science. He, too, set to work and computed the curve, and with the exact skill of infallible fig ures he traced the ball right back to the room of an innocent colleague, who didn't even know the rife had been fired.
 The unfledged minister fiatly denied all knowledge of the affair. But men, even ministers, have been known to make denials in self-defense, and the professor had the proof with him. There was the bullet, there were the marks of its course, and there was the con- putation worked out.
 It looked as if pulpit career was to be nipped in the bud. But the guilty student heard what was going on. He called on the professor, confessed the offense, pointed out that the man of science was 200 feet out In his con- putation, and advised that the matter be dropped right where 1t was. And that was done.-Hartford Courant.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
ZxNuv
 CWHA'

The London Literary World is au. thority for it that the poem, ''The March of America" written by Stanley Waterloo of Chicago, promises to at. tain the glory of becoming the na- tional anthem"
 A London newspaper, the Family Circle, has just offered a prize of S25,. 900, with $5,000 additional to be given to a certain London hospital. That discounts anything in the literary prize line to be found on this side of the At lantic.
 Not since Thomas Bailey Aldrich pub lished his Mercedes" has he under taken so ambitious a theme as that of Judith and Holofernes," the dramatic poem. The work is awaited with deep interest.
 Mrs. Amelia E. Barr's new story is called Prisoners of Conscience" and it's scenes are laid in the Shetland Isl ands. Its characters are fisherfolk, rigid Calvinists, hedged about with "phantoms of gloomy creed"
 The results of Bret Harte's four years in London are now to be made more apparent by the publication of a new volume of poems, a new group Of collected tales entitled ''Barker's Luck and Other Stories," and a paper cov- cred volume of his longer tales with the title, Devils Ford"
 Emile Bourgeois work, "Le Grand Siecle," which met so great reception when published in Paris last year, has been translated into English by Mrs. Cashel HOey and will appear in Eng land and America during the coming season, under the title, ''The Century of LoulS XIV" Needless to say, the Grand Monarque is the central figure.
 Hamlin Garland was recently dis cussing literary topics with Joel Chand- Ter Harris in Atlanta and had a good deal to say about writers getting away from ''the soil" "I was born to the soil," he repeated, "and shall stick to it till die" A rural visitor sitting near became interested in this Western strangers talk about the soil, and af- ter Garland had left he thoughtfully remarked: 'I wonder how many bales O cotton he makes ter the acre?"
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
To Prevent Pilfering.

Probably one of the best schemes for preventing the opening of boxes with out discovery is ured by firm in Phil adelphia. The firm are wholesale ci- gar dealers and ship their goods throughout the neighboring States. It used to be their custom to place about fifty boxes of cigars in large case, but quite frequently the cases were opened and several boxes removed, the cases being nailed tight again. Now their cases are made out of about dozen boards and a single piece of heavy twine is run through an auger hole in each board. The two ends of the twine are sealed with a piece of lead bearing the firms name and this method has proved effective against stealing.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17

W. s. Stratton, the many-millioned mine owner of Cripple Greek, Is learn ing that there are compensatory dis advantages attached to the possession of great wealth. Only four or five years ago Stratton was carpenter who was glad to be able to earn a few dollars a day in the sweat of his cold chisel. Now he is estimated to be worth at least $20, 100000 in discovered and an almost infinite amount in covered riches. He will not permit more than $100,000 8 month to be taken from his Independence mine, because he cannot find desirable investments for more than that sum. But he Is not happy. A generous, good-natured man, his gen. erosity and good nature are continually being imposed upon, and attempts to blackmail are constantly made against him. Almost every day his life is threatened. Meanwhile, he cannot eat or drink more than he could when he was poor, nor wear more than one suit of clothes at one time.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17

The worlds sources of wheat supply having multiplied, the value of our crop depends not so much upon our own sur plus as upon the supply of other wheat producing countries. This fact of out side rivalry is what keeps the West un- easy. Wheat there is raised on the theory that every other country is go- ing to be short, instead of upon the sure basis of a regular market. This country must yet learn to reconcile It. self to hard facts. We no longer stand where we did in the matter of food supply monopoly. Nothing can change the fact but a reversal of the conditions that brought 1t about
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17

The Rev. Julius Feicke, late of Jer- sey City, later of Hoboken, and now of ''the outskirts of Philadelphia" does not blur his motives by any false pre- lenses, and frankly avows that when he puts his hand to the blow he is ready to turn back at any time when he is convinced 1t would be more profitable Although MT. Feicke is engaged now in leading a little flock near the City of Brotherly Love, he will be remem- bered more particularly for having turned a former little flock in Jersey City over to another leader about g. year ago in order to open a saloon in Hoboken. Mir. Felcke explained his action at that time by the statement that he had assumed the responsibility of supporting his family, which fact the people who regulated the size of his salary did not appear to appreciate, and that the saloon business, especially in Hoboken, seemed to offer the most hopeful prospect of satisfying his am- bition to obtain living return for his labor. It may be regarded perhaps as q distinct triumph for the cause of re- ligion that MT. Feicke has been no bet ter able to make both ends meet behind the bar than in the pulpit, and undOubt- edly he Is wise in preferring the en- virOnment of the preacher to that of the barkeeper since he demonstrated he cannot make living in either vocation. But 1t Is safe to predict that MT. Feicke will not remain content long, and that his present move is merely a run to cover" A man who can make the tran sitions from pulpit to bar and back again within year betrays a spirit that will not be daunted by few fail ures. He may not be good preacher, nor yet good salOon-keeper, but he inspires a confidence that sooner or later he will discover what he is good for and promptly do 1t.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
An Indian Trained Nurse.

The distinction of being the first In- dian woman to graduate as a trained nurse is due Miss Nancy Cornelius of the Oneida tribe of Wisconsin. She has made for herself a most enviable reputation in this work. She was one of the most promising pupils in the school on the Oneida reservation, and was sent from there to the training school at Carlisle, Pa. After spending 2 few years there she entered the Con- necticut training school and graduated from it in 1889. She says she sees no good reason why she should return to the reservation, especially when cir cumstanceS are so unfaYorable.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
A BaDV-Carrfaoe

Mir. Frederick Locker-Sampson men, tions in his autobiographical sketch, My Condolences" that walking in Greenwich Park one day, the only mor- tai he met was a simpering lass, read ing a comic paper, and pushing her charge in a baby carriage He thus on the meeting:
 There is nothing more beautiful in nature than woman with a child in her arms. An experienced nurse dand- ling a baby is a pretty sight. Conceive if Raphael had had to deal with the
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17

larged area, the result Is the same. There are immense areas of unoccupied and unproductive lands in Siberia, and If, as seems probable, they are to be utilized in multiplying the products of the soil and consequently increasing the wealth of the world, there is in that fact the promise of betterment of general conditions. With the con- stantly progressing development of methods and the corresponding enlarge ment of the area of production the com forts and conveniences of life will ad vance in proportion to the enhanced opportunities,
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17

The removal of a large number of Russian peasants into the now waste but cultivable lands of Siberia will probably have an important influence on the economic and social conditions of the world in the future Every move ment which has for its purpose and does in effect increase the volume of production cheapens the commodities to the consumer, and whether 1t Is by way of improved machinery or en-
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17

According to the statistics about 3O0,- 900 more books were taken from the Chicago public library than from the Boston public library for the last fiscal year and Boston people are now ex- plaining that they own libraries and do not borrow books as they do in Chi- cago and other uncultured places.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
What He Looked For.

"What are you looking for? We've got everything worth taking"
 T am looking" The other bur glar continued his search. for the much larger booty which the newspa- pers tomorrow will say we overlook ed."-Harpers Bazaar.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
Time to Disappear.

"I am the end-Of-the-century woman" l" she remarked strongly, when he dared to suggest that she was a trife too bony for bloomers. (Which century p he asked softly, and then he slid away before the explosion and got dinner at the little Minneapolis Jour- nal
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
Proficiency,

Mrs. Cregan-And how is Tommy get ting along at the school?
 Mrs. Shaughnessy-Splendid. The teacher is that fond of him that she kapes him wid her half an hour after the other boys go home nearly every day of the wake.-BOSton Transcript.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
In the Art Gallery

Peasant Woman (noticing a man copying one of the old masters)-Why do they paint this picture twice?
 Her Husband-Why, that is obvious When the new picture is done they hang that on the wall and throw the old one away.-Fliegende Blaetter.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
woman,s Question.

The smile of rejoicing upon her lips dies, The shade of soul agony comes in her
 eyes. She is asking herself if the fates have
 been kind And kept her skirt and her shirtwaist to- gether behind. Detroit Tribune.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
Po1iteuess Pays.

"Did you succeed in borrowing that $40 from Thomasw
 'No. But want to say that he Is mighty fine fellow, Thomas is. He didn't let me have the money, but he thanked me most effusively for having done him the honor to ask him."-In- dianapolis Journal.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
Encouragement,

Her Father-Has my daughter given you any encouragement, sir?
 Suitor-Well, she said you were al ways a very generous parent.-Phila- delphia North American.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
Roentgen has published some ne,

Roentgen has published some new facts about his rays. He finds that all solid bodies can generate them; the only difference being in the intensity, the greatest intensity being produced by platinum. He finds that the inser- ton of Tesla coil between the Ruhm- korff coil and the ray-producing appar- atus Is very advantageous and that the x rays and the air traversed by them can discharge electrified bodies.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17

If Emperor William Is to continue painting pictures and writing poetry, the Iese majeste laws of Germany ought to be abolished, or at least great Iy modified in justice to the suffering nufifo
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
Safe Love Letter Ink.

"Ink suitable for love letters" is ad- yertised by Parisian stationer. It is made of solution of iodide of starch, and characters written with it entire ly fade in four weeks.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
What an Answer.

Dearest, if I were far, far away, could you still love mel"
 "Why, Reggy, what a question! I'm sure the farther away you were the better I should love you."- -Tit-Bits.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17

If there must be war against the peo- pie who live in the heather countries of Africa and the far east 1t Is to be hoped that civilization will do some thing toward rearranging the spelling of proper names in those regions.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
A Designing Villain.

Tommy-Paw, what is a designing villain?
 MT. Figg-Oh, the description would apply to one of these poster artists about as we'll as anything g-Indianapo- lis Journal.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
Married Mans Pity,

She-Yes, they are engaged. I know she refused him twice, but the third time he proposed she accepted him.
 Her husband-Serves him right Amusing Journal.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17

The Elevated Railroad Company, of Chicago, has just ordered at Milwaukee a 9,OOO-horse power engine. The same concern is making the largest saw mill machinery ever made, for California, to saw red wood.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
Local Color.

The Visiting Artist-It's singular that so many of your Cleveland girls have smudge of black on their faces.
 The Native-Why, we call that touch of local color.-Cleveland Plain Dealer.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
A RiIious Man

"De wus ting bout CT bilious man," said Uncle Eben, lis dat he'd rather make somebody else mis'ble dan ter git cured hisse'f."- Washington Star.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
PrincinallY.

Well, at any rate, professor, have the bump of imagination, hope"
 Well, yes; I may say your brain is principally imagination. ."-Leslie's Pop ular Monthly.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
The Absent Friend.

Himmins-I believe Farlowe would sell his soul for $1,000.
 Simmons-I don't. Whatever his faults, may be he is no buncO man.-In- dianapolis Journal.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
A Cruef Blow.

Mabel-And so he had the assurance to demand that you marry him. What did you say?
 Ethel-I told him the supply was not equal to the demand-Truth.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
LET US ALL LAUGH.
JOKES FROM THE PENS OF
 VARIOUS HUMORISTS.

Pleasant Incidents Occurring the World dOver-Sayings that Are Cheer full to Old or Young Funny Selections that You Will Enjoy.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
Disn1aciro tbe Horse

Tt is simply astonishing the way the bicycle Is displacing the horsev'
 Tt is, indeed! Yesterday I found a piece of rubber tire in my sausage" Cincinnati EnQuirer.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
No Use.

pr. Jalap-Let me see your tongue, please.
 Patient-Oh, doctor, no tongue can tell how bad I feel-Boston Transcript.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
Wise Man.

First Bicyclist-Which kind of wheel do you think is the best?
 Second Bicyclist-The kind you're riding.-Somerville Journal.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
Ring Candidates.

''I don't approve women running for school board positions unless they are married" said the social philosopher. Every single woman Is sure to be a ring candidate"
 "Eh?" said the chorus
 "Yes Engagement ring candidate. Seew-Indianapolis Journal.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17

Woman suffrage would undoubtedly strengthen the cause of home indus try, and all who favor the one should support the other.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
The Hay-Day of Youth.

He-What was Maud Muller's age at the time of her little episode with the judge?
 She-It must have been in the hay day of her youth.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17

Did prehistoric man eat pieT" anx- lously inquires the Toronto Mail We judge he did by the fact that his diges- ton no longer works.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17

Many spend half their lives finding out which side their bread is buttered on before they discover that they don't like butter.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17

Lady (after about 9 minutes cross examinatlon)-Now tell me, constable what is that strap under your chin for?
 P. O. 33 L.-Well, mum, that's to rest my jaw on when it gets tired answering silly questions-Sketch.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
Her Eau1t.

Mattress Salesman-Did you ever stop to think that you spend one-third of your life in sleep?
 Customer-Well, might, perhaps, if 1t were not for my wife.-Somerville Journal.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
With the Ruova

She-How provoking this is! I've been waiting an hour for the tide to get up.
 He-Yes, but you shouldn't get impa- tient. Remember it's been out nearly all nightly oonsocket Reporter.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
RcCOnciled.

One-Legged Stranger r;-Yes, I was lucky; l got S1,5OO from the railroad company for that leg.
 Bystander-Well! I wouldn't take $15,OOO for one of mine.
 Stranger-Yes, but the foot on the leg that I lost had the worst chilblain on 1t you ever Saw.-EXchange.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17

It is probable that when young Cor nie heard that Gertrude's dowry from Papa Vanderbilt would be S5,OOO,OOO he thought few minutes.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
No Possible Danger.

Slowman- is one thing I feel glad of. All the love letters I ever wrote to the widow are destroyed.
 Fligh-Are you quite sure of that?
 Slowman-Quite. You see, I never had the courage to send them to her, New York Herald.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
Mauifestlv Inuocerf

Superior Oficer-You are accused of sleeping on your watch.
 Sentinel-Impossible, sir!
 Impossible? What do you meanT ''My watch has been at the pawn brokers for six months. s."-Amusing Journal.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
Dialect Pie.

Landlady-Pd like to know, Mfr. Per kins, why you call this pie dialect pie?"
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17

MT. Perkins (boldly)-Because, mad am, nobody knows it so we'll as the person who got it up.-Detroit Free Press.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
ReXRraed.

Diner-Waiter, there is a slight mis- take. 1 ordered spring chicken ard a bottle of 1884 wine.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
Sure of 1t.

There's only one class of men who can always feel sure of shelter over their heads and enough to eat"
 What class is that?"
 "The habitual criminals. ."-Cleveland Plaindealer.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17

Since "Jameson's Ride" the poet lau- reate of England has declined to put any of his verses In writing.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17

Say, Nose, nice coat yo's got on. Whats de price ob one like datY
 Mose-I dunno. De shopkeepah war out at de time I got it.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17

Diner-You have brought me some wine of last spring and a chicken of 1S84.-Paris Messenger.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17
Proves His Love.

SHe-Inen you reaIIy love me!
 He-Don't I allow you to ride my bi- cycle?-New York Herald.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17

The London Literary World is au. thority for it that the poem, ''The March of America written by Stanley Waterloo of Chicago, promises to at tain the glory of becoming the na-