davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Press., 1897-01-28
snarrowa Play Ball.

A correspondent of the Philadelphia Times, writing from New Orleans, says:
 A party of English sparrows seemed to be having a gay time on the roof just outside my window. l usually throw crumbs for them there, and so have fre- uuent visits from the little fellows. There were six in the crowd yesterday, and from their peculiar antics gath cred that they were having 8 game of some kind. Watching them minutely, I found this to be really the case. had that morning dropped on the roof a small bit of rubber from the end of my pencil, and this the birds had found and were using as ball for curious game of pitch and toss.
 Of course could not discover the run of the game very clearly, but they were evidently playing according to rule. Five of the birds occupied bases, and the little ball was tossed about the min iature dian ond at a lively rate. Now and then the little fellows would chat ter and chirp and change places, and the sixth bird, who sat perched On a chimney top overlooking the sport, was evidently the umpire, fer once or twice, if there were more chatteriDg and chirp- ing than usual, he would hop down and peck at the heads of the players till peace was restored and the game re- stunned.
The Press., 1897-01-28
His Middle Name.

Cassius Marcellus Loomis of Chicago tells the Chicago Tribune how he found out what his middle name and that of Cassius M. Clay was. At his birth he was named Cassius M, after Clay. "Rut, he says, "no one thought to in. Quire what the letter M stood for in the name. Time ran on for some 38 years, when the newly born, having inherited an inquisitiVe turn of mind, wrote MT. Clay for the desired information. Mir. Clay responded, sending his namesake a photograph of himself and friendly note, in which, instead of stating direct ly what his middle name was, he quoted two lines from Pope's Essay on Man:'
 "And more pure joy Marcellus exiled feels
 Than Cesar with senate at his heels. and added, You will find your name in the above couplet
The Press., 1897-01-28
The Russian Crown,

The crown used by the Russian czaE resembles the dome formed patriarchal miter, which was a favorite shape among the Byzantines. Uron the sRm. init appears cross formed of five beau tiful diamonds, which is also supported by a large spinel ruby, polished, but not faceted. This ruby and cross are supported by foliated arch composed of II great diamonds and rising from the back and front of the base of the crown. On either side of this central arch is attached a hoop formed of 3a large and perfect pearls. The spaces on either side of these arches are filled with Ieafwork and ornaments in silver, incrusted with diamonds, underlaid with the richest purple velvet The band which forms the base of the crown is of gold and is ornamented with 9s magnificent diamonds.
The Press., 1897-01-28
What 8 .eWedr Means.

Among the Anglo-Saxons the bride- groom gave a pledge or "wed" at the betrothal ceremony. This "wed'' in- cludcd ring, which was placed OH the maiden's light hand, where il remained until, at tie marriage, it was transfer red to the left. English women at one time wore the wedding ring on the thumb. Many portraits of ladies in Queen Elizabeth's days are so depicted. In the reign of George III brides usually removed the ring from it's proper abid- ing place to the thumb as soon as the ceremony was over. In Spain the gift of a ring is looked upon as a promise of marriage and is considered sufficient proof for a maiden to claim her hus- band. 1t is custom to pass little pieces of brides cake through the wedding ring, and those to whom these pieces are given place them nnder their pillows at night to dream Of their lovers These "dreamers, as they are called, should be drawn nine times through the ring. Many brides, however, are so supersti- tious that neither for that purpose nor at any other time will they take the ring off their finger after it has once been placed there e-Philadelphia Times
The Press., 1897-01-28
chinese Roxaltx.

The present emperor of China is Huang Hsu, who succeeded to the throne Jan. 12, 1875. He was one of the y9ung' est monarchs who ever ascended the throne, being at the date of acceasion only years old. There have been 22 dynastiea in China, the royal history of this country being better ascertained than that of any other which reaches } back to ancient times. With some few breaks, the Chinese have had regular succession of sovereigns since Fuhhi, who, the Chinese say, reigned from B. c. 9852 to 2737. According to Chinese tradition, Fuhhi was no less person age than the Noah of the Scriptures, who, after leaving his ark on Mount Ararat, travelled east and founded the Chinese empire. Chinese history asserts that several of their early monarchs ruled for over century each one reign ing over China for 115 years, another for 1O2, another for 100, and so on. It ia considered probable by historians that these figures represent rather dynasties than the reigns of individual sovereigns. China has had in almost direct descent, with no more than two or three breaks in the history of the royal family, 3S sovereigns, 92 emperors, 2 Tartar rulers, 6 Mogul emperors and empresses
The Press., 1897-01-28
Each Mans Share of the Globe.

There is no immediate prospect that the landed surface of the globe will be divided Up and allotted in equal shares to each Of it's human inhabitants, but if such time ever does come it will be found that each will get a little truck farm cf 231s acres, The landed surface of the globe contains, as near as it is possible for the geographers to ascer- tain, 83, 600, 0OO 900 acres, which, di. vided among the l.500, 900, 900 inhabit. ants which the world contains, accord ing to the latest official estimates, would give each of them a tract of land of the area mentioned above.
 Taking the entire population of the world into consideration there are al- most exactly 28 inhabitants to each square mile. The following figures showing the number of persons. omit ting fractions, to 8 square mile in the several divisions of the globe are from the best authorities on human family statistics; Europe, 88; Asia 46; Africa, IS; North America, 9; South America, 4; Oceanioa and the polar regions, B. St, Louis Republic.
The Press., 1897-01-28
What Ruloa tha World.

Many years ago John Brougham, Lester Wallack, Artemus Ward and oth. CTS used to meet after the play al Windhurst's, in Park row. One night the question, "What rules the world?' arose, and various opinions were ex. pressed. William Ross Wallace, who was present, retired before long, and some time later called Thomas J. Leigh from the room and handed to him 6 poem which he had just written. MT. Leigh read it aloud to the company, and Mr. Brougham made a happy little speech of acknowledgment, The thing was entitled "What Rules the World, ' and the first stanza ran:
 They say that man is mighty,
 He governs land and sea,
 He wields a mighty seepter
 Der lesser powers that be.
 But mightier power and stronger
 Man from his throne has hurled.
 And the hand that rocks the cradle
 Is the hand that rules the world.
 Kate Louise Roberts in Critic.
The Press., 1897-01-28
A MEXICAN NEW WOMAN.
She Is Thoroughly Capable and Careful
 Railroad Station Agent.

She Is Thoroughly Capable and Careful
 Railroad Station Agent.
 There are many things of interest along the line of railroad between Pu- ebla and Oaxaca, Mexico, but few att tract the northern traveller more than the station agent at Etla. This is Con- cha Bian sa, Q young woman with hon. est brown eyes and great mass of wavy black hair. Etla, her post of duty, is the place where the Indians flock from the mountains for 100 miles around for their annual feasts, and also the shipping point for the big haciendas in the fertile valleys among these same mountains When the train stops at Etla in the dark, young woman in white, for Senorita Concha dresses to match her surname, stands at the door of the express car, lantern in hand. checking the packages on the big receipt book. When the freight train stops, she fits in and out of the long line of cars, telling the brakemen what to take and what to leave. She goes from one end of the train to the other, seeing that no mis- takes are made. The bareheaded girl in 8 white dress is full of business. She wastes no time on empty words. The trainmen respect her, She does every thing about the station but handle the baggage. There are plenty of stout Mexicans of the other sex hanging about for that work.
 Concha Blanca is so we'll esteemed by the management of the road that she has been twice promoted, until now she has one of the most important stations under her care. She does all the tele, graphing, besides attending to the re. ceiving and shipping of freight. It was her knowledge of telegraphing that got the young W oman her first recognition, Her father and two brothers were oper. ators. She learned to use the key. A station was given to her where there was not much to do besides the tele- graphing, Her aptitude for raii-oad work attracted the attC ntion of General Manager Morcom, and the promotion followed. Concha Blanca lives in the station. Her mother keeps house for her, and 8 younger sister sits at the tele- graph table learning the vocation Of the new woman in Mexico. The conductors have got in the way of pointing out to travellers Senorita Coucha along with the ruins of the ancient city OH the mountain top, the site where the battle of Tehuacan was fought the hieroglyph- ics on the cliff at the entrance to Rio salada canyon and other objects CG in. terest. Chicago Chronicle.
The Press., 1897-01-28
A Kipling Portrait.

He (McPhee) was never a racing enc gineer and took special pride i'll saying as much Lefore the Liverpool men, but he had a knowledge Of machinery and the humors of ships that he had worked S2 years to gain. One side of his face had been wrecked through the bursting of pressure gauge in the days when men knew less about pressures than they do now, and his nose rose grandly out of the wreck like club in public riot. There were cuts and Jumps on his head, and he would guide your forefnger through his short iron gray hair and tell you how he had come py his trademarks. He owned all sorts of certificates of ex- tra competency, and at the bottom of his cabin chest of drawers, where he kept the photograph of his wife. were two or three Royal Humane society medals for saving lives at sea.
 Professionally-it was different when crazy steerage passengers jumped over board-professionally McF hee does not approve of saving life at sea, and he has often told me that new hell is prepar- ed for stpkers and trimmers who sign for a strong mans pay and fall sick the second day cut. He believes in throwing boots at fourth and fifth engineers when they wake him up at night with word that a bearing is redhot all because a lamps glare is reflected red from the twirling metal. He believes that there are only two poets in the world, one be- ing Robert Burns, of course. and the other Gerald Massey. When he has time for novels, he reads Wilkie Collins and Charles Reade, chiefly the latter, and he knows whole pages of ''Very Hard Cash 5 by kcart In the saloon his table was next to the captains, and he drank only water all the while his engines worked. -Rudyard Kipling in McClure's.
The Press., 1897-01-28
Why Ha Eelt Rad

''Good morning, Jasperl I am very sorry to hear of your domestic trouble. J
 "Wha' sorter trebble dat, sah?''
 "Why, mean the trouble in your home affairs I am told that your wife has run away from you. Is it 8 fact?"
 "'Deed, it ar, sahp'
 "Of course you feel very bad about it?'
 "Yaas, sir. De way de marter stan at de presen' time, sab, I feels mighty bad. :"
 'At the present timea What do you mean by that?''
 1T mean, sah, dat she hain' had time yit ter go fur 'nough ter make de ole man feel sho' dat she hain' comin back. 1" Richmond Dispatch.
The Press., 1897-01-28
Salute Your Wife.

Men do not take off their hats to each other, They nod. Many married women complain of their husbands incivility in neglecting to treat them with the same politeness they show to their friends. Let all married men remem Der that marriage does not exempt them from raising their hats both at meeting and saying Foodby to their wives. This oversight has often been the cause of a spirit of rebellion in the young wife, who sees ill it reason for fancying that her husband has ceased to care for her or only regards her us a belonging to whom any of the civilities of life are unnecessary because she is his. In the same way wife should foster all those pretty little ways of making him feel that he is still her Prince Charming. Love is so often kept alive by these out ward obseryances that are the harbin- gers of refinement that it behooves all to practice them. .-Philadelphi Ledger.
The Press., 1897-01-28
MUSIC AND MICE.
A Suggestion of a Novel Trap-EReCS Oi
 Piano Playing on Rodents.

a Suggestion of Novel Trap-EheCE of
 Piano Playing on Rodents.
 Truth of London suggests that as mice like music there is an independent fortune awaiting the man who will iD- vent Q small music box which when wound will run all night, since such a contrivance would serve to call mice into traps and would be to the mice what decoy is to flock of ducks or a looking glass to tiger. After this sug- gestion, which is not untrue to nature, Truth goes on to say that music that sounds out of kilter to 8 critics cara would also drive mice from the house. If the Truth writer had even actually seen mouse under the influence of mu- sic, he would never have made that mis- take Neither would he have said ''an accordion would also make the agile TO- dent desert the house as he is said to desert the sinking ship" Whether mu- sic affects rats is question not yet set tied by students of natural history.
 As to the actual doings of mouse when listening to music, it has been ob. served that the playing of piano, even the tum tum of a beginner learning his first tune, will cause mice of the com mon house variety to run up and down behind the plaster of a house, causing it to rattle in way fit to disturb the most earnest student. One night half a dozen persons were gathered in the par. Tor of an Adirondack home listening to skilled player, who, as a woodsman said, ''could make 8 pianner talk, 1" when it was observed that the mice were acting in an unusual manner The ordinary conduct of mice when they hear piano music is to merely rattle the plaster, but on this night they squeaked and squealed and rattled the plaster ae they had never done before. The b of the rodents died away after the mu- sic stopped, but it was hours before the last squeak was heard.
 One of the human listeners was a boy who had some little skill as harmon icon player, and he went frequently to the woods, where, with the aid of the instrument, ke succeeded in calling red squirrels, and on one occasion a woodchuck, besides wood mice, including the deer mouse, and the smaller birds. The mice chiefly ran about the player, with now and then squeak, but sometimes a low strain with slight modulations would seem to drive them insane, and then, without hesitation, they would run over the player as if he had been stump. The squirrels were less demonstrative.
The Press., 1897-01-28
A TRIBUTE TO ART.
The Maid of Milesia and the Beautiful
 Venus de Medfci,


 Somewhere in Washington = just where is not necessary to the main point at issue in this short article on the de- velopment and undevelopment of art in the national capital-is a mansion pre- sided over by a woman of wealth and refinement. She is most artistic wOm- an, too and in her house are soms un- usually fine pieces of painting and stat uary. There is also Milesian maid, by name Maggie, who knows a deal more about housekeeping than she does about sculpture, and Maggie has been trying for long time to cultivate her taste up to the point of properly appreciating the painted and carved beauty with which she daily comes in contact.
 Not many days ago the mistress and the maid were going over the house with brush and broom, putting it in especial order for musicale that was to be given to a few artists and fashionables, and the mistress observed that the maid on three several occasions passed by with cold neglect of cloth and brush beau tiful figure of the "Venus de Medici, '' in an alcove just off the hall
 "Here Maggie!" she called "Why don t you brush the dust off this figure?
 (Which wan, mem? inquired Mag. gie with great innocence.
 "The Venus there in the alcove, oi course. See '-and the lady touched il with her finger-''you have left dust all over it. .''
 "Yis, mem, confessed Maggie, "but I do be thinking for long time, mem, that there ant to be something on it, mem. 7
 It was a delightful and logical excuse, perhaps, but the lady could scarcely ao cept it, and Maggie's brush removed even the dusty drapery she wished tC leave. Washington Star.
The Press., 1897-01-28
He Walked Far Too Far.

In hotel in Berlin there is night watchman who did not take kindly tC the system adopted a few years ago requiring him to go through the hote! at certain hours and touch an electric button fixed up in various places.
 After much thought he fixed up al automatic arrangement on several oi the buttons so that they would report at certain hours Soon the button sys tenn got so out of order that the man agement abolished it.
 It was found necessary to keep watck in some way on the gentleman, how ever, and finally pedometer was giver him to carry on his rounds which would register every step he took All wen well the first two nights thereafter, but on the morning following the thirC night the old man was missing. Or search being made he was found sound asleep in the engine room, and the pc dometer so attached to the piston rod O the engine that with every stroke it reg istered step. It had been travelling al night, and when taken off it registered 212 miles. Berlin Gazette.
The Press., 1897-01-28
When You See It In Print

A sensitive man is never so humiliated as when he is obliged to read his own proofs. Type mocks the writer. The sentence that in manuscript moved with the stride of an armed man or danced as a swooning strain of Strauss is now limp and lame, The phrase that glowed with color is now pallid. Spar kling wit is fiat. Sage reflection is jejune. The thought, ''Shall ever get the money for this?' is jostled by, "Who would be fool enough to pay for it?"- Boston Journal.
The Press., 1897-01-28
After storm comes calm.

Chicora, Pa, "Herald" Richard Vensel reports One Minute Cough Cure the great est success of medical science He told us that it cured his whole family of terrible coughs aud colds, after all other so called cures had failed entirely. Mr. Nensei said it assisted his children through a very bad seige of measles. One Minute Cough Care makes expeotoratiOn very easy and rapid. w. D. Heald, Stafford Springs; c. L. Phillips, South Coventry.
The Press., 1897-01-28
The old Man. Decision.

''I dunno what to do with him, " said the old gentleman. "He won work, he won't study, spends half the day fishin and the other half loafin. smashes the Crockery ware if the breakfast don't suit him and walks and talks in his sleep. I've had seven doctors to examine him, and they're all at sea about him. So I've just arrived at the conclusion that he's one of these darned long haired geniuses that's built to write books and have monuments on the installment plan when they die of starvationp' p'-Atlanta Constitution.
The Press., 1897-01-28
The Story of
 Puritana.

Prof. Dixi Crosby, M. D., IL. D., who for thirCy-two years was at the head of Dactmouth Medical College, belonged to the famous Crosby family of physicians, which forseveral gener- ations has furnished moro distin- guished medical men than any other family in America. His father was Dr. Asa Crosby, of Dartmouth, who procured the charter of the State medical society, of which he was for thirty years a conspicuous member; one brother, Dr. Josiah Crosby, in- vented the invalid bed and themethod of making extensions of fractured limbs by adhesive strips; another brother, Dr. Thos. R. Crosby, was chief surgeon in Columbian College Hospital during the war, and later professor of animal and vegetable physiology at Dartmouth College; while pr. Dixi Crosby himself was the inventor and discoverer of various important improvements in medicine and surgery, including a new and unique mode of reducing metacarpo- phalangeal dislocation, opening of ab- sccss at hip-joint, etc., etc.
 At the early age of twenty-four his extraordinary skill and success in over coming disease had already attracted the attention of medical men through out the world, and won for him the highest honors. His greatest achieve ment was the discovery of an original method for perfecting and compound ing in permanent form what has be- come known as his sprize formula" 1" and which, under the name of Puri- tana, is legally protected.
 The foundation of this remarkable medical discovery consists of simple New England roots and herbs, and the original family recipe for it has de- scended to the long line of Crosby physicians from their Puritan ances- tors. Its peculiar vegetable compost tion rendered it necessary to brew it whenever needed in the early days of its history, and after the scattering of the Puritan families to remote locali- ties, where the necessary Ingredients were not to be found, many attempts were made to put it up in permanent form, all of which failed until Dr. Dixi Crosby discovered means and methods, the result of which is: Natures Cure compounded in the laboratory of Common Senae.
The Press., 1897-01-28
MRS. '. w. REALE.

turn my head to the right or left, my neck was so stiff. also had kidney trouble.
 ''I used Dr. Greene's Nervura blood and nerve remedy. Words cannot express my wonderful cure! Now all is changed, and I am strong and well. and able to do all my work. I have gained 26 pounds in weight, and where before all was gloom and desp6nd- ency, there is now light and hope.'
 Dr. Greene Cathartic Pills should be taken with the Nervura if the bowels are consti- pated. Dr. Greene, B West l4th St., New York City, the most successful physician in curing nervous and chronic diseases, can be consulted free, personally or by letter.
The Press., 1897-01-28

The progr, ssive ladies of Westtield, Ind, issued "Woman's Edition" of the Westfield News, bearing date of April 3, 1896. The paper is filled with matter of
 interest to women, and we notice the following from correspondent, which the editors printed, realizing that it treats upon matter of vital importance to their find is Chamberlain's Cough Remedy. For family use it has no equal. gladly recommend it." 9 and 50 cent bottles for sale by w. w. Lathrop, Stafford Springs; c. L. Phillips, South Coventry.
The Press., 1897-01-28
FooI,syb TrOuhla

II see that young wife has been ar rested for putting paris green into pie which she had made for her husband. !"
 'Yes, I noticed it, It was very fool ish of young wife to use paris green if she wanted to get rid of her husband. |"
 "Why?'
 ''The pie itself ought to have been sufficient. "-London Culver.
The Press., 1897-01-28

Minutes seem like hours when life is at stake. Group gives no time to send for doctor delay may mean death One Minute Cough Cure gives instant relief and insures recovery. The only harmless remedy that produces immediate results. w. D. Heald, Stafford Springs; c. l.. Phillips South Coventry.
The Press., 1897-01-28
Beware the pItlalI Of yesterday.

Constipation in its worst forms, dyspep- sia, sick headache. biliousaess and de- engagement of the liver are readily cured by De Witt's Early Risers. These little pills never gtipe. Small pill, safe pill best pill. w. D. Heald, Stafford Springs C. l.. Phillips, South Coventry.
The Press., 1897-01-28
GAINED 26 POUNDS,
Got Strong and We'll by Using
 Dr. Greene's Nervura.

Mrs. J. W. Beale, 52 Eastern Ave, Wor- cester, Masso, says:
 |" was sick for more than seven years, not able to do my homework for five years. The whole length ofmy spine was very bad. which went to my head, being so bad that it was about impossible for me to stoop to the floor or