davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-26
Haver1v Then nnd Nor.

There are some who read these lines, no doubt, who never heard of the re- doubtable Haverly as an amusement king, but in the old days he was a tre- mendous figure in the stage world. His enterprises were not as numerous, in- deed. as the trusts are now, but down to that time no one had ever swung as many companies as he.
 Jack Hayerly began in the days when black face minstrelsy was popular. and used himself to be interlocutor. He had good shows, too, shows that used to cause the display of the standing room only" signs in houses that no other attraction could crowd; shows that used to make folks laugh till their sides were sore; shows that were al- most as mirth-provoking as those given by the San Francisco minstrels of blessed memory. of which Billy Birch and Wambold and Baclus with his nre- hensible mouth used to be the main guys.
 But though the day of the black face minstrelsy was long it had it's eveninq- tide, and Haverly's sun went down ;n minstrelsy's afternoon. Yet Hayer]v, IS still alixe-very much so. indeed for only the other day I heard of hin, here in New York. though haven't val had the pleasure of meeting him p,,,o,s as l should like to. Leander R;ob.rd son-the son of Albert D.. bv tbo S.s-.
 says haVerly looks as smooth and
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-26

crisp, and there was a crust such as l have never seenquite equaled either before or since. About an inch of sleet had fallen on the surface of the snow during the night; then the sleet turned to rain; and finally, just as the rain ceased, the mercury dropped to the zero mark. In the morning everything was frozen solid. That crust was so strong that you couldn' stamp through it with your heel, and it was so glazed with ice that many of the boys strapped on their skates and went skimming up hill and down dale. Others got out their sleds; and I start ed off with mine, resolved to do or die.
 "As school didn't keep that day luckily for sehool-nearly the whole junior population of the village was on the warpath. The underlying snow was deep, and the fences were mostly buried out of sight; so we paid no man. ner of attention to the roads, but went slipping, shouting, tumbling across the fields.
 Just beyond the corporation limits lay hill which was ideal for coasting under such conditions. The top was rounded: then came long, steep in cline, followed by an almost flat ex- panse, with gentle rise at the further side on which the rushing sleds might spend their headway. It was quite struggle to climb a slope so .glairy'-a word that we were wont te apply only to the smoothest ice on pond on river but the binding swiftness of the de- scent was worth twice the effort. All the school was gathered there. both boys and girls, and the air was full of waving .tippets, shining faces, and ringing voices.
 For time was so absorbed in'the sport of simple, straightaway coasting that I thought of nothing else. It was such fun to pitch down headforemost with plunge like the swoop of a hawk. to glide over the interval and mp the opposing slope with gradually abating speed, and finally, as the old cat died,' to jump off ones sled and
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-26
HEIGHT OF THE pRosAic.
Reacbed in the Electric lIIuminn
 ion of the Cntncombs.

Reached in the Electric TIuminHr
 ton of the Catncombs.
 The visitor to Italy complains of mod crn steam tugs on the Grand Canal in Venice, and the new-fangled ideas of cleanliness in the streets of Naples and the new quarters in Rome, but the height of the prosaic seems to have been reached with the illumination of the catacombs by electric light. No more dim distances. in which one must take care not to be lost, nc more monk guides, holding lighted fapers, no more darkness, mystery and imagination. This being the feast of St. Cecilia, the catacombs of St. Calixtus, where the Roman virgin was buried in TIT A. D., were to-day for the first time all glow ing and glaring with thousands of elec- trie globes, Illuminating even the most remote corners. and giving to the whole q mundane rather than mystic air.
 These eatncombs are outside the Por- la San Sebastiano, on the magnificent Appian way, that the Romans called the Queen road. and near the world-re- nowned tomb of Cecilia Metella. St. Cecilia is not the only prominent mar tyr of the early Christian era whose name is connected with this burial place, for the remains lie there of sew eral popes of the third century, as wit ness the original tombs of St. An- ltherus, St. Fabian. St. Lueius, St. Cor lnelius and St. Entychianus, who all sat in the chair of St. Peter.
 Thousands of Romans and foreigners have to-day visited this sacred spot. The crowd itself formed picturesque view, as from below one looked up at the pilgrims descending and ascending the long, steep flight of stairs, or at the long proccssions of cowled monks and hlack-robed nuns showing in vivid con trast to groups of students of the Ger man college in their scarlet gowns, garb that causes them to be called. in fun, the little cardinals. The corridors responded in echoes to their chants at the different aftnrs, while there was q subdued hum from the less devout sightseers. What would be nnper- ceived by the visitor, if he were not pre- informed, is that the five miles of cor riders and chapels are not on the same level, but from three different floors, one under the other. The most inter- esting spot is where St. Ceeila's tomb was found, and where also stands a copy of the statue of the saint. designed by Maderno, representing her after her martyrdom. Next stands most inter- esting marble tablet, the inscription on which was originally pagan one dedi- cated to Marcus Aurelius. The Chris- tians utilized the tablet by turning it and writing on the back a new epitaph to Pope St. Damasus.
 Bones and skeletons of the ancient martrys are found all along the walls, in three rows, one above the other. The lower room is the more disturbed. as al- most every one tries to take something away as sacred relic. But the electric light on these bones turns the eata- combs into museum.-Pall Mall Ga zette.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-26
FACTS FOR BACHELORS.
Which Show That They Should Get
 Married at Once.

Which Show That They Shoulu Ge0
 Married at Once.
 Some curious figures have lately been made public by celebrated Berlin phy- sician, which seem to point to the fact that If a man wants to live long and preserve his health and strength he ought to marry. These figures may perhaps serve to make up the undecided minds of young men who are hesitating about taking the plunge into matri- mony.
 Among unmarried men between the ages of 30 and 45 the death rate is 27 per cent. Among married men between the same ages it is only IS per cent. For II bachelors who live to be 40 years of age, 79 married men triumphantly arrive at the same period. The differ ence gets all the more marked as time goes on.
 At 60 years of age there. are only % bachelors to AS married. men; at TO there are II bachelors to 27 who are married, and by the time they reach 90 the married men are three to one, for there are nine of them to every three bachelors. And yet. in the face of facts like these, we still find men daring to remain single.
 It really is as much as their lives are worth, if they only came to think of it. Men may talk of their lives being shortened by domestic worries and apxieties and cares. That is all rub bish. Statistics must tell the truth, and these statistics of the Berlin doctor say that man who is bachelor stands in far greater risk of shortened span Of course, any wife can tell you she knows where the secret lies.
 Men who have somebody to look after them, to feed them properly and see that they change their wet boots and come home at night at reasonable hours these are the men who keep easily well and live long.
 The miserable bachelor who has no one to care whether he lives on burned mutton chops and sleeps in damp sheets, whether he leaves his top coat at home when he has had infu- enza or gets overloaded at cricket and then lies full length an the wet grass this is the man who defrauds the in- surance offices and goes down to an un- timely graye-Tit-Bits.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-26
AND THERE STUCK. MY LEGS WAVING IN THE AIR'

less head was driven through and un- der that cruel crust with an impact like the crash of battering ram against yielding masonry; and there stuck, my legs waving in the air like q forked dart. That my neck was not broken can only be accounted for by that special providence that watches over idiots, drunkards and-boys of 12
 'At first I thought should suffoeate; every atom of breath was knocked out of me. My chest seemed driven flat against my spine; my lungs wouldn't draw. Then my ribs slowly unbent; l gasped with relief and struggled free.
 But before 1 had fairly extracted my head from it's frosty burrow the whole troop was thronging about me. Down the hill they came. sliding, run ming, skating, full of concern for my safety, butall laughing. They couldn't help it. Fred, my best friend declared that he must have laughed if I had been killed outright. When they per eeived that I wasn't seriously hurt they laughed yet more riotously. No doubt it was excruciatingly funny; but for my own part, sat like woodchuck beside his hole. feeling extremely sober -whereat several were so overcome that they rolled upon the snow, as scant of breath as I was myelf
 That evening there was big New Years party of the old-fashioned sort. Ny head was bumped, my face was scratched, was stiff and sore all over; but went just the same, and had good time. There was no dancing, but we played Copenhagen and Post Office and any number of forgotten games sanctioned by our Puritanic ancestors. Of course was unmerci- fully g'uyed, but I found that I was something of a lion after all; I had shown a degree of 'nerve' that com handed admiration. I was content to rest upon my laurels, however-not quite certain whether they were laurels or asses ears-and I never again at tempted to play the hero at the risk of playing the fool"
 LAWRENCE BOONE.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-26

proclaim that it had gone fully two lengths further than any other. But at length [ realized that my opportunity had come. Here was the time, the place-and the audience. I would now distinguish myself.
 For some weeks had been covertly praeticing the art of sliding while standing erect on my sled-only at- tempting the feat on very moderate slopes, however. Tn this exercise had become tolerably expert, finding my self able to steer sufficiently by the poise and movements of my body, rarely losing my balance. To-day would show them something worth while.
 q announced my intention, and after some expostulation the entire company rested at the top of the hill to witness my bold exploit. Some of the girls, think, threatened to tell my mother, but 1 was not to be dissuaded Sc, not even deigning to take hold of the rope, I stepped vaingloriously upon the deck of my .sharpshooter,' while my particu- lar chum, Fred Buckingham. held it steady; then, with a gentle push from Fred, I started.
 And, incredible as it may seem, I made the descent of the hill itself in safety. The speed made me giddy; the wind almost swept me from my perch; the ice walled beneath my runners; but held my own, and managed somehow to keep the sled properly headed. Thus far my experiment. was a brilliant sue cess.
 Ut was too soon to crow, however. Perhaps my exultation caused me to relax my attention little; perhaps I even turned my head for an instant to glance back at the admiring crowd above; perhaps it was all mere luck. Anyway, just as I was crossing the level below at maximum velocity, my sled began to slew and go sidewise. Then it struck a chunk of wood frozen into the ice; and thent-
 q was shot through the air as if from catapult at the end of para bolic flight of rod or more, my hap
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-26
THE GOSSIP OF GOTHAM.
Chat and Chatter from the Na-
 tion's Great Metropolis.
The ssPerfesh" Is Greatly Stirred Up Over the "Theatrical Trustv- When the Trouble Began
 Costly Strawberries.
Tcopyright, 1Sa7.1

New York.-Whew! But they're hav- ing a big rumpus over the theatrical trust" in the New York that is so soon to be only the boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx, in the new and greater city. So excited are they getting that certain folk have actually charged cer- tain others with preyarication, and the ''perfesh" is all stirred up about it.
 While, as rule, the newspapers have been careful not to take sides, one journal has had several fits of genuine mysteries over the trust matter, and has seen fit to insinuate all sorts of things against most sterling actor just because he fails to regulate his con duct with regard to the trust by the rules the editor sees fit to lay down for his guidance.
 Far be it from this writer to be less discreet in discussing the trust than the majority of the New York papers. Doubtless there are things to be said both for and against it. but space to say them in is worth good stiff adver- Using rates, fancy. But it did seem a little odd to read the other day that Charles Frohman and Al Hayman, the trusts chief moguls, were meditating the relinquishment of lot of their business next year. unless there were less newspaper and other criticism of their methods in the near future. And it is entirely safe to write it down as highly improbable that either of these men will give up any genuinely profit able venture, just because somebody says "boo" about him.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-26
Rip Van Wrinkle Joe.

Writing about the theatrical trust brings Joseph Jefferson to mind, for it is Rip Van Wrinkles" attitude to- ward the trust that has given the Thigh strikes" to one of the New York newspapers, and the result has been the recalling of whole lot Q sanec- dotes new and old about him. Here is one that may never have appeared in print before, though I am not positive about it:
 In 1884 when Jefferson was playing in Philadelphia he got letter one morning from furniture dealer. The letterhead was adorned with a picture of one of the folding beds that look on paper so much like dark-colored, portable stone tombs, and the letter itself read something as follows:
 "Sir: I have seen you play and am pleased with it. Now I have a scheme. If when the curtain is rung up on the third act tonight you will say, as you rise all stiff and sore after your 20-vear sleep: How much better would feel this morning if I had slept on one of 's folding beds, which are warranted not to shut up unexpect- edly and in addition are durable and comfortable,' I am sure it would bring down the house. Besides, I should, of course, be glad to pay you well. Kind- ly consider above proposition, and il same is agreeable to you please reply by return mail, naming terms. Your ob't sery't"
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-26
Dnvenport's Strawberries.

Fanny Davenport is another who is brought to mind by the trust, for the papers here have been having a fine time discussing her attitude with re- gard to the organization. and the air is full of Davenport stories wherever dramatic folk are congregated.
 "Once when Miss Davenport was playing in Denver" said member of the "perfesh" who is now wishing the trust or somebody else would give him an engagement, 'she told everyone she saw that she wished she had a dish of strawberries. Now strawberries were practically unattainable in Denver just then, as Miss Davenport believed; but somehow her desire for taste of the
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-26
NEW YEARS RESOLUTION
One That Game Near Costing a
 Boy His Life.
Resolved Not to "TaIse a Darev and Paid the PennIty--Not Serious Iy Hurt, Hut Learned
 a Lesson.
rConyright, 1S97.1

TCopyright, 1S97l
 "New Years day resolutions? Neyeri Whats the use, unless you mean to keep them2 And the only resolution of that sort which I ever really tried to keep nearly cost me my life.
 "Of course every boy has to play the fool now and then--it's like eating one's allotted peck of dirt, I suppose, and it so chanced that hit upon New Years day for my most sensational performance. hit hard, tooi but that belongs at the finish.
 Not that was particularly fool hardy for a boy of 12; on the con trary, 1 believe that l was distinctly more prudent than the average at that sapicnt age ordinarily. And there came the rub. Boy fashion, I was rather ashamed of my prudence; it mortified me.
 Not long before, somebody had 'stumped' me to do a perfectly idiotic thing, and had declined to take the dare-showing excellent sense. An other boy took it up and got duck ing; but that didn't comfort me. Ifelt that had fallen in the estimation of my fellows, and wanted to retrieve myself; which could be done, of course, only by attempting some equally wit less venture.
 50 I made New Years day reso- lution.
 "'Anybody cam do anything he pleases,' I reasoned, if only he makes up his mind to it. This year I'll just go ahead and do things, like that Rufe Skinner; and I'll begin to-day
 "The day was well suited 10 my pur- pose. The sky was bright, the air was
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-26
FOREST BuRlEs HER SORROWS.
Indiana Woman Who Has Lived a Hermit Life Twenty-Three Years.

Hermit Iffe IWenFy-Three Years.
 In small cabin surrounded by steep hills and tall trees, near Lafayette, Ind, lives German woman of advanced age, who, for nearly a quarter of t century, has dwelt alone in an isolated valley. \ wandering tourist dropped in upon her one day recently, much after the fashion of Sol Smith Russell's s'drop in upon mother" literally rolling down the hillside to her doorway. huge mas tiff, chained within, invited the visitor to be seated outside, and she politely complied by retiring to hencoop against fence, artistically woven of barrel slaves and grape vines Chickens few for the .osss hwaol, d cat ran up tree, and the dog continued to discuss the intrusive instincts of the visitor, while she regained composure and es- timated the probable strength of the dog's chain.
 Suddenly figure, erect as an Indian, and clad in a coarse, brown skirt, blue apron with capacious pockets. ging- ham jacket, and knitted skull cap, moved toward the cabin from the sur rounding undergrowth. The visitor  advanced to meet her, and was greeted with smile which spread over a face evidently not often thus relaxed. Her story was easily told. Fortyfour years ago she buried husband, son and daugh- ter in the Fatherland, and came to Chi cago with party of friends, but the lonesomeness of life created one desire ito be alone. After cue year in the city she had found her way thither, taking possession of this deserted cabin, and here she has remained for 23 years, her only companions a COW, dog, eat and chickens. She is AZ years of age, and in perfect health.
 Storms break lightly above her shell tered valley, and the winds in the tree tops lull her to sleep. Close to natures heart she lives simple, natural life, untroubled by financial struggle or the sorrows of the world. No news of crime or disaster disturbes the placid calm of this home in the valley where one woman has borne and buried sor- row.-Chicago Tribune.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-26
Dan Frohman, omce Boy.

The real foundation of the theatrical trust was laid more than 90 years ago, just after the close of the civil war when the late Albert D. Richardson, fresh from his victories as a war cor respondent, employed a youngster whom he called Dan, as office boy, clerk, and messenger combined.
 When Richardson went west to get materials for his book, Beyond the
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-26

almost as young as ever. He has been doing something in the mining world west somewhere for the past few years, but he has now some great plans for an eastern venture; whether theat- rical or not, do not know.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-26
Prince ISr.po

I did my best in this not long ago to show tn. otkin has a more thar science by saying that to write for AmericanI cause of his being und the Nineteenth Centur and now he has spoiled and mine too, perhaps, write for one of the cha But perhaps he meal what he receives for tA ele to the NineteentA knows? osA
 tJf0 M4H
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-26
Emergency Doctors in Paris.

In Paris a list of doctors ready to at tend in case of emergencies occurring in the night is published for the con- venience of the public. Originally, we learn, fee of ten francs was the stand- ard payment, but more recently pool has been instituted and the result di- vided quarterly among the doctors. This system has alienated the better class practitioner, and now the employ ment of the whole class has been en- dangered by the death of patient treated by one of the members who lives on SIS per anum.-London Hos pitaI.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-26
\ Horoscope.

Blnbbering Tommy (who has just been whipped by his mother, to his lit tie sister)-I pity your future husbandi 1 What mother-in-law he will have!-- Eliegende Blaetter.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-26

little red fruit became known [ next day she had a call from al pected visitor.
 Miss Davenport was abouta ming breakfast when this yisitorI timidly at the door and was biI come in. 1t was little girl burned, ragged and awkward, her hand she held a basket strawberries.
 "I heered yer wanted som said, and l1nowed where some and I went and picked 'em, { brung 'em to you
 Miss Davenport's eyes spar she looked at the tempting fir she offered the child dollar warmest thanks.
 But-but2 faltered the -I-didn't want money fet e wanted ter see the show
 Fanny offered the girl \
 But, mum-but-but7 and the children would too,' faltered the girl.
 How many are there o Hb jed the actress.
 Only 'leven of us, mumXrei girl.
 Miss Davenport sighed, fos , just been told that the hou "A ready nearly sold out and u no way of accommodating tx of us but by giving up the st
 But Davenport is nothinqY U thoroughbred, and the girl gk for the box. Then the stxtel expensive plate of stray. .Ic I. she has ever partaken Hl q fore or since" f.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-26
The Original side-spIitter.

smiles-T heard side-splitting joke the other day.
 Giles-What was it?
 .'I can't recall it just now, but it was something about Adam losing his rib" Chicago News.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-26
PIacinr

Mrs. Brown-so ! dead from insomnia of it?
 Mrs. Smith (indi husband is the eau ms sleep, you knq{ awake all night he is saying, pJ
The Worthington advance., 1897-01-07

Grand Forks, N. D., Jan. 1.-At a
meeting of the directors of the Second
national bank Thursday morning they
decided not to open for business. The
action is announced to be due to recent
heavy Withdrawals of depositors and
the impossibility of realizing on assets.
Immediately following the failure of
the National bank of Illinois and the
bank of Minnesota, the bank had sus-
tanned shrinkage of $4,000, while
their deposits amounted to about $17,-
600 during the past II days. On last
Monday the bank published state
ment of their condition at the close Of
business, December II, which showed
loans and discounts, $15s,os6.92; due
from national and state banks and ap-
proved reserve agents, Sc, ,342.5o; due TO
banks and depositors, $179, ,749.76; re-
discounts, $4,000; capital stock paid in,
$4,000, with undivided profits amount
ing to $4,000.