davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1897-01-16

il . flower bed. and it would not be far
from the truth, for even In the orohards
Mr. Miller has planted rows OF La
France roses and violets between the
trees, and about the cottages are acres
Of roses.
The next day Henry Irving and Ellen
Terry were expected up to spend the
day. and Mr.. Miller had planned to
have the path from the gate to the house
strewn with roses for Miss Terry to
walk upon, quite Al the knights OF old
would have done. Midland MONTHLY.
The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1897-01-16

with the tank 10 operated from the
chapel.
] might tell of many more ingenious
contrivances MI. Miller has prepared
Tor his own and his guests amusement
We were then taken up to q fourth
and larger cottage for luncheon, where
a kind old lady came down the path to
bid rs weGome lin JoaQuin's name
his mother.
After a hearty luncheon and a look at
his two fish ~ponds-there being plenty
Of water on the ranch-I started up the
mountain with Mr.. Miller to visit his
tomb.
1t was q long. steep walk, but the
goal was at last reached. The tomb il
built Of great rocks that have been gar
ried mp to that lonely spot on the noun.
tain, hundreds Of feet above the sea.
Perhaps 100 feet away is his funeral
pile, also built Of stone-for MIR. Miller
has given orders that his body be barned
and the ashes placed in the tomb. For
miles these two huge piles OF stone can
be seen. They serve as q landmark to
the country round about. On our way
back 70 the others We walked among the
groves Of fruik, stopping 10 pick peaches.
pears and plums. and thence through the
most beautiful spot Of all-the rosa Sas-
denA ] misht ~ that he Mholamaah
The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1897-02-13

sinthe.
As he sat slipping the pale green liquor
and absently drawing lines on the table
cloth with fork, his square ungraceful
figure and his hanging head expressed
the mood which dominated him. He
was tired. sick at heart; the horrible
sense Of encouragement. OF failure
which the artist knows at it's keeuest,
had fastened upon him. tbs wife's words
repeated themselves over and over again
in his brain. coiling and stirging like
thin venomous reptiles. Was this statue
a failure? Was it true that his work
was degenerating. that he could no
longer command the power that had
been his?
He drained the glass OF absinths and
pushed it away from him, leaning his
forehead on his clasped hands. He ad-
mitted to himself that it was true. He
knew that ia this case. and in other in
stances OF late, the idea that he wanted
was there, somewhere within the region
OF his Consciousness, but Just beyond
his reach, forever escaping him. He
had not been able to seize it. and in
despair had ia len back on level frank
ly imitatory. He had wished to materi-
alizs the idea Of Oblirion: what he had
produced would perhaps satisfy the man
who had ordered the mortuary statue,
but it did not satisfy himself. 1t was
failure, and he b 4d known it long before
his wife ha1 pointed the ia It out to him.
A cold rage seizsd upon his suffrage
against his wife, against ike model who
had pos ID for the unlucky statue,
against the world Of artists who would
see and sneer at his work, bestowing
covert smiles where formerly they had
been compelled TO admire, finally and
chiefly against himself, for the weakness
he despisel Was he then, after all, to
lose the place he had conquered with
such tremendous effort? Was he to de-
cine in strength and watch men who
had toile1 beneath him pass him in the
race? He set his teeth in fury at the
thought that this might be the forfeit OF
his carelessness, his late indulgence in
unnerving pleasure. For the first time
he faced squarely the fact that his
youth, his physical strength, his
creative power. had limitations,
and the shock was 40 light one. In
that hour he seemed to him self to have
grown old.
He ate his dinner and drank bottle
of good b Irguniy AMI felt his blood
running warmer. TIE subtle influence
of the absinthe insensibly lightened his
mood. He Strengthened up and lifted
his head defiantly. He stretched out
his arm, opening and closing the power
lul fingers Of HE right hand; it had not
lost its cunning yet-he would show
them.
Dinner over, he lit cigar and turned
about to face the room. He was rather
glad to perceive at one Of the tables near
him, slipping his coffee arr Cognac.
painter whom he knew. He joined this
acquaintance and went off with him to
theatre, and later to a studio merry
making, at which CJrinne. the dancer,
happened to be the guest Of honor.
Itwas in the small hours that the
sculptor finally reached his home, sober
ed considerably by the walk in the chill
night air. H, had indeed ::found in it
opportunity and some incentive to re-
Election. He thought over remark or
two which had fallen from one or an
The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1897-02-13
OBLIVION.
The Story of a Painters Opportunity.

don't like me TO come to the studio!
And once-once you weren't happy un-
less I was sitting by, reading or sewing.
while you worked
1T was some time ago. he murmured
to himself. and shrugged his shoulders.
half shamed. A kindlier glance showed
him that her hands were trembling and
that her eyes had the hard brightness
OF pent.up tears. Perhaps he compre-
hended something Of the nervous strain
under which she was suffering, though
he would have been puzzled to define its
cause. He went closer to her and laid
his hand on her arm. The color sprang
to her averted face.
"When have done anything good
YOU are the first to see il" he said. more
gently. But no artist likes to exhibit
his beginnings or his failures
"You admit, then, that it is failure
she cried suddenly.
The statue-a failure? What-what
are you talking about?' He moved
away from her abruptly.
81 tell you it is, Herman! You have
failed. That statues it the express
sion OF an idea, noble conception? No,
it is portrait Of your model! There Is
no imagination in it. That woman there
what does she mean! ObHrion!
She's a cocotte, dreaming! shameful!'
The sculptor silently threw the sheet
over the clay statue. He walked away
to the fireplace, lit cigarette and stood
looking down into the blaze on the
hearth, a scowl on his handsome face.
Cant you see it-can't you feel it
Yourself. the degeneration in your work!
This past year you have done nothing
worthy Of yourself. nothing fine. People
saw so. and | can see it. And L can tell
YOU why it is. No one could lead the
life YOU do and do good work. You are
was ing your strength; you are becoming
coarse in thought; you are not capable
any longer OF pure idea!7
Still he was silent, only looking up at
uer with steeIy eyes. cold and repellent.
do you think | am blind-that l
can't see what goes on under my very
.vesp It's not for nothing you have
modelled that woman twenty times! And
she is not even professional model
What stuff are you talking?' he in
terrupted. roughly. You are behaving
like child-an idiot.
ooh. know, know her as we'll as
YOU do. / could point you out dozen
jikenesses Of her in this room. That is
a cast of her arm. know her. l tell
VOL She's Corinne. the dancer"
"What of that!" You talk like
fool"
.You shall not-you shall not have
her here, within stones throw OF my
house"
.your house, My good Martha? l
dou't propose to talk to you in this
mood. I'll wait till you have recovered
vour senses. But l may as we'll tell you
now that l shall employ just what
models I find most useful, and if l can
get what want by going outside the
profession. don't know anything that
will prevent me from doing so. That
hardly need be said.
Not that woman, Hermann!
That woman, or any other. What
has come over you, Martha? Upon my
word, believe you're insane. You used
to he sensible enough. Nowadays you
clog me, hold me back. worry me to
death with these perpetual disputes.
The Forrest City times., 1897-03-26
OPINIONS AND POINTERS.

We trust Mir. Mckinley will allow no previous engagement to stand be- tween the people and prosperity At lanta Constitution.
 "A high tariff is great boon to a few employers. 1t is an unmitigated curse to labor and to consumers.-Buf- falo (N. Y.) Times.
 Mark Hanna evidently did not dictate that part of McKinley's address Birmingham News.
 -Mckinley is going to make the country prosperous by raising the price of clothing and tools, while wages re- main the same-unless they can be forced down little lower.-kansas City Times.
 As the advance agent of prosperity point where it behooves him to open up his samples and show the goods the promise of which made his calling and election sure.--St. Louis Republic.
 The old Mckinley tariff reduced the revenues of the country and the republicans promise that the new Me Klnley tariff which they hope to enact will increase the revenues. A Mckinley tariff is apparently a magician's bottle out of which you can get any kind of liquor you call for.-Bufralo Courier.
 The development of the steel in dustry in this country has absolutely outgrown the tariff system; we are now working practically on the basis of worldwide competition that requires everything possible in the way of efIi- iency and economy. In this open race we are more than holding our own. and the process of improvement has not come to stop and will not-.N. Y. Times. '
The Forrest City times., 1897-03-26
In the Dark Ages.

As early as the sixth century the woman question was knotty problem. ruzziing the wise men of that perod Are Women Human Beings?" was the startling inquiry proposed by bishop at the famous council of Macon, and several sessions were devoted to the con- sideration of the important subject. The point was not considered jocuiar or frivolous, and the good fathers ear nestiy and gravely undertook the task of assigning to woman her proper place in creation. They finally decided that she did not belong to the world of mutton. beeves or goats," but was, in reality, a human being. This decision was made only after something of a struggle. As it was not an ecumenical council. the faithful were advised that the decision was not binding on them.-Cincinnati Epuurer.
The Forrest City times., 1897-03-26

crobe if you could help it.; but look at the result. l can't be received in good so- ciety on account of my escapades, and am dead broke"
 Why, my dear fellow," exclaimed the good man, reaching for his purse. Let me"
 That's all right, Gordie, but take out your checkbook, not your purse. You have money to burn, and have per most gone out. I'll touch you for the amount of that contribution to charity that was worrying you when came in"
 The millionaire signed the check for S5,ooo, and said appealingly as he handed it over:
 By the way, Al, I never talked to any one before as I have to you"
 That's all right. I'll never speak of it if you make me few promises"
 What are they?"
 That you'll keep on attending strict ly to business for the sake of your younger brothers and sisters"
 Why, certainly, must do that"
 And that you'll never do anything to pain that good woman, your mother. or your sweet wife"
 ''Of course I'll not"
 And that you'll never set a bad ex- ample to your children"
 "Why-er-er-what are you driving atP"
 And that you'll stop reading sport ing news and scandals in the papers and wishing that you were a devil of fel- low. In return, when you hear of me painting the town you can console your self with the thought that you supplied the paint; and when my luck turns I'll refund the money you have staked me with"
 Without waiting for reply the man with apast strode away. leaving his old schoolfelow dazed and puzzled, and wondering if, after all, virtue might not
The Forrest City times., 1897-03-26
His 'l'1,rent

A little colored boy, the grandson of an old servant in New England fam fly, was constant playmate of the boy of the house, whose parents were par ticularly anxious that their child shonld treat his colored companion with gen. tleness. They were so anxious, in fact, that the little negro acquired a habit of running to his playmate's mother with any trouble which may have befaIien him, sure of her protection. One day the two boys were snowballing, and in some way or other the negro received an especially damp and "sloshy" snow- ball in his face, though it had been aimed at his back. You better look out, William Percivai." he cried, turn ing snow -plastered face, from which gleamed two small but wrathful eyes, on his playmate. If you don't say you won't do dat again, l take dis count'n- ance right in and show it to your ma jes' as it is!"-Youth's Companion.
The Forrest City times., 1897-03-26
4 LESSON OF LIFE

iorg oay's Journey there lay before. lcrossed the meadow at breaking men saw the road wind by hill and moor. Ano beyond the hills was my distan, bourne.
 | thought of the greetings I should win what was 1t moaned at my feet mean
 while?
 poor old terrier. lame and thin: stopped and helped him over the stile. hen would have crossed, but a dreary yelp Arrested me. and turned to view Iimping poodle whose need of help was manifest: and helped him, too. VT every nation and tribe are they: Ana each has fresh, resistless vile. Each says, in his own peculiar way:
 Please help lame dog over a stile?" They're greyhound. Skye, Pomeranian. They limp along in an endless file. ihey re smooth and curly, they're black
 and tan,
 They all are lame. and would cross the
 stle
 me shadows deepen OCT hill and glen. Dim Is my pathway Of many A mile. Yet will l renew my journey when The last lame dog is over the stile. May Kendall, in N. W. Christian Adyo-
 cate
The Forrest City times., 1897-03-26
ANCIENT MEDICINE.
A Few of the 1diotic NOstrums in
 Which People once Relieved.

Which People once Relieved.
 If modern science can boast of any thing, it can of the way in which it has rescued medicine from the realms of imagination. The wonderful pre- scriptions of the Magi. as narrated by the Roman historian Pliny. are ex- amples of what the earliest doctors were, while even the "salyes" of our own Elizabe tbians seem, at first sight, notmuch of an improvement upon those of the Chaldean Nj. Ds. Let us take a few examples of Magian healing from Latin author of which. perhaps. the most useful is the following-one that in modern parlance would run thus: receipt to make women disclose their secrets. Take one hen, and having carefully extracted its heart. place the same on the mouth of patient during sleep. You will ascertain her exact age the next morning. To do the old Roman justice, he stigmatizes this state ment as ''portentous lie" (No doubt he has tried it)
 Others are quite as grotesque. Fever few, when used incidentally. had to be plucked by the left hand, after the pa- tient's name had been spoken over it, the herbalist taking good care not to look behind him. A love charm could be easily obtained from hyena caught when the moon was in Gemini. Sport ing prophets who wish to excel in diyi- nation should change their customary chop for few moles hearts. It is stipulated that these be fresh. The Romans themselves, although no mean surgeons-they made use of the probe, ard nippers and instruments for tre- panning-were not less given to prodi- gies than the people whose veracity they doubted. They believed that eating hare was cure for insomnia; and even the skeptic Pliny imagined that there must be something in the superstition that people who had done so were good looking for nine days afterward. A veritable nine days wonder! He rec commended also, as cure for ouartan fever, that the dust in which hawk had rolled should be put into bag and the latter tied round the neck with piece of red thread Other cures for this same were the longest tooth of black dog, in the same position. and wasp caught in the left hand, and then pressed against the forehead. London Standard
The Forrest City times., 1897-03-26
DeIuded Gold Bugs.

The democratic papers which support ed Mckinley last fall are steadily hug cing to their breasts the deiusion that they see prosperity on the threshold, and in spite of the fact that they have been fooling themselves this way for months, they are still at it, with un- diminished confidence, apparently, in the substantially of the phantom that fixes their gaze. Of course, the resto- ration of prosperity as the effect of
 popular determination to stick to "sound money" is about all the excuse those papers had for going over to the support of the republican candidates, and in view of their eagerness to see this excuse materialize, it is not sur prising that they sometimes fancy they are about to grasp it. One would sup pose. however. that after daily disap- pointment for months they would be- gin to understand that the thing isn't tLers-~-Binghamtou lN. Y.l Leader.
The Forrest City times., 1897-03-26

Al, couldn't do anything to hurt her for the world. think she Is the dearest mother fellow ever had. You remem- Der how sweet she used to be to us. don't youP Yes. We'll, l simply couldn't cut up like the other fellows when there was chance of her hearing it, so 1 plugged away for dear life so as to get through college and get out into the world where l could be cussed for awhile and SOW my wild oats"
 The bad man murmured: What says the poet?
 Oh. the devil drew an Inward breath. for his soul was free from care A rumpty-tumpty- y-tumpty-tum-but the roots of sin are tbere.'"
 Well, when l was in my fourth year fell in love with the sweetest woman that ever breathed. Say, you have never met my wife, have you? No? We'll. say, you must come home to dinner er-er-"
 That's all right, Gordie Don't em- barrass yourself by inviting me. I couldn't go, anyway, for know how I have cut loose from society, and you wouldn't dare to take me, for a man as tough as have the reputation of be- ing wouldn't be the sort of man you would care to introduce to your wife" There was a painful silence, during which the man with past gulped down glass of champagne and viciously bit the end off cigar.
 ''Go on with your story Gordie!"
 "Well-l-er-er-lg got married. and, of course, I couldn't do anything that would pain the woman l loved so de- votedly. If l was out late at night, even with business, 1 would always find her in tears when got home. so I finally be- came so methodical that was able to spend all my evenings with her. Now. Pm not grumbling about that. for I have the coziest home n man ever had, and oh-you have never seen my chil- dren, have you? You must see them er--er-"
 Al smiled grimly. That's all right, Gordie. It's because you are such a good soul that you forget my limita- tions. and forgive you for old, sake's sake. You don't drink or smoke. do you?'
 No; the fact is, both my wife and mother don't like drinking and smok- ing, and don't think myself that it is a good example to set before the chil- dren."
 Right, my boy, and don't you do it. But go on. You haven't finished"
 "Well-there isn't much more," said the good man in an embarrassed way, except that as l was the oldest in the family l naturally took charge of the business my father left, and as the es- tates of my younger brothers and sis ters were in the same boat. had to give business every attention, so that they wouldn't lose anything. And as our con cern is highly respected, it wouldn't do for me to dssipate in any way, for fear the story would get out and the public lose confidence in us."
 Quite right. Now I don't suppose you want to hear my story, so I'll just tell you the results. I've been tough. haven't I?"
 Well, you've had good time"
 You put it delicately. I don't think you would hurt the feelings of a mil
The Forrest City times., 1897-03-26
Life of an Ant.

Sir John Lubbock, the naturalist, has been experimenting to find out how long the common ant would live if kept out of harms way On August 8, 1885. an ant which had been thus kept and tenderly cared for died at the age of 15 years, which is the greatest age any species of insect has been known to attain Another individual of the same species of ant (formica fusca) lived to the advanced age of 13 years and the queen of another kind Qasius niger) laid fertile eggs after she had passed the age of nine years.
The Forrest City times., 1897-03-26
A PLEDGE AGAINST TRUSTS.
President McI<inley's Opposition t0
 Oppressive Combines.

Although an inaugural address means no more than the subsequent conduct of the speaker shows it to mean, some thing is gained by President Mckinley s expression of unqualified opposition to oppressive combines for the regulation of prices or of transportation rates.
 This pledge of the president to do all in his power to smash the trusts was not given in the heat of campaign, when the temptation to catch votes is we'll nigh irresistible. It was given in the deliberation of careful preparation for an office intrusted to him by the peo- pie. If it means nothing, it stands for a deliberate and wanton intention to deceive.
 It is presumed that the president knew the full purport of such pledge and that it placed upon him the obliga- tion to spare no legitimate exercise of his power and influence in the shaping and execution of laws to protect the people from the oppression of the monopolistic combines. This obliga- ton embraces the approval of all proper legislation to destroy the oppressive combines. to disapprove all legislation tending to favor or in ony way to en- courage them and to select officials who will enforce antitrust legislation.
 Many of the trusts now in existence received their initial opportunity in the Mckinley tariff law. Some are still profiting by tariff legislation. If Presi- dent Mckinley is true to his pledge he will refuse to approve any tariff law which gives profitable opportunity to a trust or in any way favors trust. Un- less the republicans in congress are willing to reflect discredit on the re- publican administration they will shape legislation in accordance with the promise of the president.
 Democrats in congress in the presi- dents antitrust utterance have q strong weapon with which to combat monopolistic legislation in behalf of the Hanna syndicate. Every tariff tax on an article controlled by combine may be condemned out of the mouth of Mr. McKinley.-St. Louis Republic.