davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-09-19

Plant had grown old, On long winter
evenings she would sometimes tell her
plant friends at an the changcs that she
had scon The fair young gtrl that had
brought the plant to her home had grown
wrnkltd and old, and one day It was said
that she was Ill., and then her visits had
ceased altcgTher Tho children that
used to play about Century Plant on the
lawn had grown into men and women;
and their little ones tcddled about the
box that held the old plant
And stul there were no flowers
Though Century Plant was hrgc and
strong, she Was very much discoutcn,od
and did 50 wish that Mo,hor Nature
would, Just once give her something TO
wear besides her same old grccn and
white.
Finally. one morning, a strange thing
happened. The gardener was bonding
over when he snid, Bless my stars.
there's a bud
she knew then that her wish was gr0t-
fled az last and the thought ~ having
something to wear made her quito va,n
and Silly. Notwithstanding her old ose,
Gentle whispers went through the house
The Violet hreathCd. I'm 50 glad tho
Century Plaat is going to have some
hlossoms;" and the Rose answered, so
am l."
But Century FlOnt felt quite above her
neighhors now. for that wonderful new
tlower-stalk kept gctrlug taller and taller
until from its top, she could look down
even on the stately palms.
And stin she grew until her head
touched the glass roof. Must she stop
now for lack OF roomg Century Plant
trembled through all her leaves, But the
thoughtcul gardener provided for this,
too and the roof was lifted higher and
higher until the stalk was thirty or forty
feet In the air.
At last the curious flowers at the top
OF the stalk opened. and it seemed as II
she were wearing an imported bonnet.
People came from FAR ana near to gaze at
her. but though they used to exclaim,
1t seemed as Il they really loved the
common flowers better.
Century Plant did not notice that, how
ever; she was very happy as long rs her
new bonnet kept fresh and bright. Eut
one day the flowers fen, one by one, and
the stalk itself began 70 grow so limp
that soon Il dropped TOO,
Then Century Plant began to feel very
IN herself. she had her wish. hu, was
more unhappy thou ever. Day after day
She faded, until one morning, the sar-
dener pulled tho old plant up by the roo.s
and threw It away saying
They always die as soon as they've
hloomcd."
Century plants corner Is empty NOW,
hut whenever some impausn, young
thins wishes that Mother Nature would
hurry her plans n ut,lc some wise ola
dwellsr in the green house would say:
Remember the sad end of poor Gem
fury Plant
MARGARET J.. BOYLE.
The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-09-19

Mr.. II. 3. Willard, Of Wilson. Ohio, one
Of the principal stockholders in the Flavel
Land Company has been looking over the
situation down this way. during the past
week Mr Willard is largely interested
in coal mining in Ohio, and while here
gave an explanation Of the causes which
led to the present strike. Many Of the
miners consider that they have griev-
ancs. and then there are those who nave
no personal cause Of complaint, but are
supporting the dissatisfied ones in car
rying their point.
The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-09-19
MISS EETURY PLANT.
a Legendary Episode u Life IN Con-
sarvatOry

Many years aeo there lived in GER
tain conservatory a little thing named
Century Plant. She was made up Of only
TWO or Jaroe stiff leaves, and az the
years passed. they grew little larger,
and a few more were added, but that
was ALL
Century Plant thought her life was very
dull. shut up there in the hot house all
winter and, in summer set in some con-
splcucus place on the lawn. The only
change she ever knew was an occasional
transplaItl1g into a larger box.
50 Century Plant began to murmr be-
cause she could never be set into the
fresh ground like her winter companions,
Miss Rose Bud, American Beauty Car
nation Pink, or Sweet Violet. She knew
that she had the same warm rain, and the
same sunshine, but that did not satisfy
her.
She grieved most Of all because she had
no flowers to show The Rose family,
every one Of the Pinks, in fact, all her
neighbors, used to get sweet new gowns
very often, and visitors in the conserva-
tory would admire them, and sniff their
fragrance, evclaiming, "Oh. how lovely"
or isn't It perfectly beautiful"
But when they came to her corner they
only said "Oh, this IL Century Plant!
Has it ever bloomed?" And always would
come the same answer, mo, not yet"
The years went by until the Century
The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-09-19

For many years science has studied
liquors. Result, rho who'll world uses
whisky I, has proven he hes, slmu-
liant and does not iaiure nerves AMI tis-
sues like cocoa wines and other druggel
compounds. And HARPER whiskey 81
the ideal whlskcy. Sold by Foard 6
Stokes Co. Astoria or.
The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-09-19

Mcssrs. =. c. Warren, G. f. Lester and
party arc absent on trip TO the Elk
creek country Messrs. warren and Les
ter are interested In coal bearing prop
erty AZ The mouth Of the Nehalcm river,
and while it is not their intention to
operate IL a present, they expect to look
oyer the proposition with a view 10 future
business.
The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-09-19

VT. AI6ert Iiill who has been absent on
q survey in the new gold district Of Wash
i1g,on, bringing several samples Of quartz
which "ill assay $50 to the ton. They
are On exhibition at the office Of Mason
d Warren. Mr.. hin has faith in the
Washington country and considers It a
-oOl mining country.
The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-09-19
KARRENTON


MIS-. w. b. Howard. '. Astoria is ''--
il.ns '' '-r ".H.. .' MIS- d. u. "'.'
Tor IT," days.
o' 4H"I7@y morning Afs Eau '''''F
1"''I",it %" 'p.''',''H 'l - MARY 7 H''-
f'~''' ASTORIA "l-." N'F ''''''s Will "'
The morning times., 1897-01-03
mitted to each of the nine precincts, and
the 20. k of each returned
SECRETS OF THE CITY.

Every view of a many sided life. such as
as is known to exist in every prominent
city, is exposed, metaphorically, to the
gaze of the man in charge of the police
phone. Its tragedies and its comedies; the
sad, the glad phases; the sunshine and the
shadows of life, and every hue of a multi
colored panorama. are thrown upon the
screen for the delectation of the operator.
He gets used toit, pretty much as soldier
becomes accustomed to the shedding of
blood, and is about as Indifferent to it all.
One of the funniest incidents that ever
obtained record In any Of the big books on
file was this: A good old lady, who once
lived on Ninth street, house number not
material, was very much annoyed one
summer by the incursions into her domicile
OF an army of hornets that had built
nest in neighboring tree.
The pestiferous little insects seemed
to have selected her house DIS rendezvous,
or had else a grudge against her, and
seemed to lie in wait for her. THE good
dame could not open her windows without
attracting the attention of the enemy
and the warriors seemed to accept the
action as challenge.
The hornets became unendurable, and one
day the policeman on that beat was earn
The morning times., 1897-01-03

City Built on Ground That Is Rich
in the Precious Metal.
Chicaao Chronicle.

In these da Us when everybody is talking
gold or silver it will interest good many
10 know that the city OF Philadelphia IN is
built on what is believed to be one Of the
richest gold mines in the world. Nearly
the whole city is underlaid with clay to
the depth of about ten feet A cubic foot
of this clay taken from the cellar of
the Twelfth street market house, when it
was excavated, was found to contain seven.
tenths of a grain of gold As the mass
weighed 120 pounds, it was thus shown
that i, ,224, 900 pounds would yield pound
of gold. The experiment made in other
parts of the, city yielded the same re-
suits. Supposing the whole mass of clay
under the city to weigh d, 1S0, 900 900
pounds, the amount OF gold would reach
in value the sum of -S126, 100000. The
gravel is much richer in gold than the
clay, but there is not so much of it. 1t
is the general belief, however, that If
the ground under the quaker city was
mined for the yellow metal it would give
up atleast S200. .000,0 900 worth OF it.
The morning times., 1897-01-03
BEAUTY's KISSES WASTED.
fearful Women Moved Him Not.
But the Men With Bottles DID.

~ftr 4 cfE " cru.
He wore brown fur on the collar and
cuffs OF his brown great coat He had
parched lips and the weary look OF an all
night continuance performance actor. A
dark brown bottle stuck its neck out OF
either pocket, and he spoke in dry, husky
tones
4etdeSplte his heavy breath and cracked
lips twenty fearful women almost devoured
him with kisses az the foot OF the stcerare
Gang-plank of the New York before she
sailed this forenoon. They fell upon him
consecuiveIy to embrace and kiss him.
They elbOwcd AMI troI upon each o5her and
him.
But the women's CareSSes and kisses did
not seem 20 phase him, nor did he embrace
or kiss any Of the women in return.
After the twenty hysterical women had
done with him twenty weeping men stepped
up. They neither spoke a farewell xordnor
kissed him Although they shed tears his
eyes We're tlry as lis lips Most OF the men
had bottle for him. He declined half OF
them, but he fell upon the donors and de-
voured them with kisses.
one Sobhing man had brought a home
made floral horseshoe, but he cried omuch
over the departing one that he forget to
offer his tribute.
The ships bell sounded The ships
bugle blew several clear, sharp, resound-
ing notes and Policeman Herman Inter-
man yelled:
Break away there All aboard. Get
aboard quick, if you're goingl'
Then the forty men and women fell on
that East Side actor and almost tore his
clothes off in last frantic hug.
Policeman Interman rescued him. thrust
him up the plank. then turned and held
the passengers at bay, for they wanted more
hugs before their friend was torn from
them.
The came down in ten carriages said
Interman with Il sigh.
The morning times., 1897-01-03
, OLD lady OBEYED .

estly importuned by the hcsieged lady 10
remove them from the tree, aud thus re-
lease her from her house OF bondage.
The morning times., 1897-01-03
THE BUSY OPERATORS.

The operators life is a busy one Hemay
have few moments when he could leave
the close room for a breath of air, but the
uncertainty attending the demands upon
him keeps him with his nose to the little
desk in front of the switchboard An
emergency may arise when every moment
of time is precious, It will not do for him
to be absent from his post.
The number or messages received con-
led and retransmitted in a month varies
There have been as many as 10000. and
several years ago, before the business
reached it's present proportions the num-
Der was at times as low as 5000
The proportions at present are such that
the average of official messages per tlay.
counting twenty-four hours, reaches about
$50, while the miscellaneous calls number
fully 900. A computation made recently
shows that during the year ending with
December 81, 1895, there We're 157174
MESA ges passed in and out over hetwentv-
eight wires attached to the switchboard.
or an average of n little more than one
message every three minutes in the cal.
endar year.
When proper connections are formed.
sixteen separate wires can be employed at
the same time, or a total of thirty-two per
sons, two to each wire, can Converse
through the medium of the headquarters
switchboard, each secure from intcrrup-
ton.
1t Is an important service, and grow
ing one-the eyes and ears OF a great body
of people. The secrets that lie entombed
The morning times., 1897-01-03

And this: ''Look out for ginger cake
coIored man.
After describing the ginger cake man,
the office W as informed that he was wanted
for grand larceny. The last three quoted
are OF the class that must be repeated to all
of the precincts.
A certain physician, described as dead
beat, was given an airing in the record. He
was wanted in Allegheny, Pa.
SEARCH FOR DEsERTERs.
Deserters from the army and navy re-
quire a great deal Of attention, there be-
ing hundreds of descriptions treasured up
in the fifty or more big ledgers. If a parrot
goes astray the first a ct of the owner is to
send in descriptive list, with request
to ''look out for it, A servant girl takes
the baby out for an airing and verstays her
time. The phone book receives another en-
try and the description goes QUITO the nine
precincts. Numerous instances are noted
where q second message comes over the
wire, within ten or twenty minutes, which
might read like this:
THAT servant girl has come home to No.
---.n This must also go the rounds of the
precincts.
Watch charms are lost, not stolen, and
the operator copies the description and
repeats it to the several leutenants.
So 1t runs, every article lost, every acci-
dent, the finding ofa depdcaton thorough
The morning times., 1897-01-03
Revenge Is Sweet.

The Prime Minister Frustrated himself
Before the CannibaI Chieftain. Sire he
declared, 1.-THE captive says he hopes you
VIII recognize the fact that he only poor
newspaper humoriSt, and
What" thundered the Savage Potentate;
1.-THE man who writes jokesl Recognize
him?"
He reached for his rhinoceros axe.
II won't do n thing but cut him dead.
Wow!'-New York Press.
The morning times., 1897-01-03
What Surprised Him.

Reformer-Of course, in the line of yo,r-
calling. you must attend the theater very
often?''
Critic-Quite cften; yes, sir
Reformer-Asa result of that attendance.
hasn't it struck you as the n ost surprising
thing in the wcrId that 30 many people go
out between the acts?
CritEC-HardIy. According To my impres
sions, tie most surprising thing is that
more pc opIe do not go out during TIM
acts.-RichmOnd Dispatch. :
The morning times., 1897-01-03
The Foot and the Meter.

a f. OF OF common measure is equal to
thirtycentimetcravO or hundredths Of meter.
-Ex.
The morning times., 1897-01-03

eStly impOrtuneG by tlc tcSleSti iduE 10
remove them from the tree, aud thus re-
lease her from her house OF bondage.
THE OLD EADY OBEYED.
That policeman knew thing or two, and
one OF these was a hornets nest. He
protested that it was hot in the line OF his
dut yto attend to such cases, and then he
1estingly suggested that she would better
order out the fire department.
Aud the old lady uid so. She sent in
message for an engine to be sent to her
house right away quick" aud when the
outfit drew UP at her door size pointed to
the hornets castle and demanded that it
be removed.
There are old firemen in town, who, re-
port VS., are still III Mysteries over that
episode
Here is an entry which is by no means
as uncommon as it looks:
Have your men locate the Hon. Mr.. -,
but 90 not arrest him"
That is not the whole OF the message, but
it shall suffice The old boz was out on a
lark" and his chums wanted him cor
allied.
Within few pages of this was aninGuiry
about,a lost household treasure. thread:
Look out for a skye terrier, bow legged;
one eye gone. and dog cannot see very Wen
out of the other
The morning times., 1897-01-03

needed. Give them time time to get break

needed. Give them time time to get break
fast.
Midnight-Lieut Butler says telephone
Sergt. McCdthTan not TO relieve any OF the
men until he comes.
There is no necessity for continuing the
story of that great tragedy The inCid enUS
in President Garfield's battle with death
are still q vivid memory
LOOKING FOR BOOTS"
George Washington, who was not the
father of his country, figures in para
graph. The request was made through the
precincts of all patrolmen to ask Geo-ge
Washington If he knew aught of 4 certain
damsel called "BCo.s who became
Georges wife in 1868 or 1872
The replies received showed that there
were thirt y-fivc persons in the city named
George Washington
s telegram OF this pUrport varies the
record slightly. IL reads: Look out
for -" giving name and description
Send this to Nos. and g. and keep from
the papers. Party OH jag, and highly
connected"
1t is surprising to know the frequency
with which the telephone boaI. scoops the
town. OH stories OF this character
II permitted 10 search at Will through
the register q live newspaper reporter
but there is an embargo placed upon that
news channel which neither ingenuity nor
fiattery nor argument can raise.
story or knockout drops" having been
administered at Il saloon on First street
northeast. with which the newspapers
were reGa!inG the readers several months
ago, stares at you from one page; robbery
on Connecticut avenue, the plunder consist
ing OF surgical outfit. is also of record.
His son has committed suicide" was
the pathetic entry on another pa ge-the
message sent which nearly broke the
heart of some father.
The account is given under Il certain
date of the robbery of Senator's resi-
dence. \ list of the articles stolen fol-
lowed.
The police are instructed, in another
place, To look out for a man whose descrip-
ton followed, who was suspected OF
having blown up the x o. Rail- DAD within
$50 yards OF Monocacy bridge. The job
was designated by the sender of the mes
sage as one OF the worst ever done in
this country.
The morning times., 1897-01-03
SECRETS OF POLICE phone
Messages Received by the Oper-
ators at Headquarters.
ORDERS CONCERNING GUITEAU
The Instructions Wired Stations and
Men on the Day President Garfield
Was Persons Who Go Off
on Skylarking Trips and Are Then
Hunted Up.

AR from the busy
world, in a rear room
on the topniost floor
OF the District build
ing a telephone opera
tor sits from morning
until night and again
until morning, at
tending TO the wants
OF a widely-cXtcnded
city, as stated over
the municipal wires.
This arduous duty
is noGimposed upon a
The morning times., 1897-01-03
Limited Tinle.

AIistress-This piecrust is altogether too
short, Mary.
Mary know III Mum but me cousin, the
p'lieeman. he do be havin' so little time o.
nights, Mum.-Buffalo Times.
The morning times., 1897-01-03

department, one connects with the pump
Ing station on street one each with the
residence OF "A police surgeon, four in mum
Der, and then come the sanitary office
the Emergency Hospital. the street clean
ing department the residence of the super
tendent of police. the Washington Asylum
Hospital the office Of the Commissioners
the headquarters of the detective force. the
pound, and the superintendent Of charities
OVER TIE WIRES.
All OF the business between that impor-
tant institution known as st. Elizabeth's'
and all sections of the District passes
over the wires through connections with
headquarters, the asylum having no lii
rect communication with the city. and the
lone operator takes care that the switch is
turned on and off in obedience to every
hello that S sounded into his attentiv.
ear.
There is 30 way on the earth to determine
not what is on the books, but what is
omitted. 1t would seem that every pussi-
bic thing under the sun has been at one
u1ne or another discussed with the phone
man at the headquarters station of every
circuit in Washington. It would also ap-
pear that each OF the great variety of
topics had been duplcatednany times over,
and that upon each repetition there had
p been employed a phraseo!ogy distinctly ,Iif-
ferent from that which was brought into
reqmsition in every other. In this way
the monot0ny has no chance to become
monotonous.
What are known s official police mes
sages must be recorded in q book kent
for the purpose. There is a long rack filled
with big ledgers, the accumulations of a
number Of years, and everyone of them
with every page, and every line Of Every
page, occupied with the whole or some For.
ton Of communication labeled Official.
Nearly every one OF these had to be
handled several times before they were
finally disposed of, and in very many in
stances the messages had to be Trans
The morning times., 1897-01-03

on the pages OF the registers would. il
dlvlISed. cause many TO express surpriseiR
a vigorous '-HeIor'
The morning times., 1897-01-03

single man. There are three employed,
but 1T is onerouS upon the three, one being
on duty all of the time, aud each taking
turn at the ''long term relief. There are
days when each is required To sit but three
hours al his task, and yetitis but a respite
between the times when it is practically
an all-day job.
His equipment is a queer little home
made switchboard, TO which are attached
twenty-eight lines, connecting with ninc
separate station houses, and with other in
stitutions in nearly every quarter OF the
District Two wires belong To the health
The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1897-05-06
COUNTY CORRESPONDENCE
deferred from last week.

CAMDEN. Revs. T. 5. Ross, Y. P. Ward
well and Rev and Mrs. S, H. Beale attend
ed the East Maine Conference at Calais ....
The public library is closed on account of
scarlet fever....And interesting farmers in
stitute was held in Engine Hall April Goth.
.... The Piano club Of Rockland, literary
organization, held their closing banquet at
the Bay View House last week -. Robert s.
Davis has gone to Portsmouth, \. H, to
take charge Of constructing the bridges for
the electric railroad between Portsmouth
and York Beach. Miss Carrie pton and
Mrs. E. d. Crockett are i'll with scarlet
fever. Miss Louise Hosmer has returned
from a visit to Ninalhaven.
CENTRE MoNTvILLE, A very pleasant
wedding took place at the residence of Mr..
S. H. Berry at . =, IN. Sunday, April %,
when his daughter, Miss Kittie NJ. Berry,
was united in marriage with Mr. John W.
Tibbetts of Palermo, Rev I. +. Pentecost
officiating. Tie near relatives and few
intimate friends We're present. The bride
was prettily attred in cream white cos
tune. After the ceremony refreshments
We're served and the bridal party soon left
for $ hort trip to Ellsworth. Many pretty
and useful presents We're received. The
bride is a very estmable young lady and
her many friends extend congratulations.
Mrs. Alton Clement and two children have
gone to Islesboro to visit her father, Mr..
Whitcomb, who is very ILL.,. The recent
warm, sprpg-like, days have started the
grass, the sight of which is welcome to ALL
APPLETON. Mrs. Walter Gushee and lit
tie daughter Vera of Cincinnatus, n. Y, are
visiting Mrs. Frances Gushee. Our village
schools began Monday. Mrs. Carrie Gray
teaches the grammar school, and Miss An
ME Stevens the primary. Miss May Dur
ton teaches at North Appleton, Miss Fannie
Gushee has the Ridge school, Miss Lottie
Nadsworth takes charge of the West Ap-
pleton school, Miss Addie McLain the Bur
kettville, and Mrs. Cyrus Perry has the
school in the Pease district. Jesse Went
worth fell from d staging on g. H. Pages
house while at work on the roof and receiv-
ed a badly sprained anke.... Mr.. f. L. Da-
wilson has received the appointment of
postmaster Of our village Office. Mrs.
Tewks bury, who has been the guest of Miss
Linda Annis few weeks, returned Friday
to Winthrop, Mass, where she will remain
short time. Mrs. Sylvanus Fuller has
moved into Mrs. Nirum Keene's house NJ
F. haney, Esq, will occupy the rooms va
Gated by Mrs Fuller, which were formerly
Mr.. Hanley's law office. Harry Pease will
move into the Geo. A. Pease house. The
engagement of Mr. II. G. Pease of Appleton
and Mrs. Tewksbury of Winthrop, Mass,
has been announced. S. j. Gushee, who
bought the farm and buildings owned by
the late Mrs. Ichabod Foss, is having the
house painted outside and inside and put in
condition to be occupied by Mr.. and Mrs.
VIM. New bert. -. E. Merton Wadsworth ar
rived home Friday from Beverly, Mass,
where he has been at work during the WIN
teR in dollhouse.