davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

spare me the very disagreeable duty
OF accompanying you home"
Mrs. Darby turns white. "Senor'
addressing the newcomer. this man
has insulted me. VIII you take me 70
my hotelg"
The senor eyed the young American
%curlously.
He had lent the Spaniard 500 francs
the night before, and after such gen
crosby the suave foreigner could not
believe him capable OF insulting a lady.
He turns TO Mrs. Darby. since
when. madame, have | had the right TO
protect you from your W country
mem"
Then, holding out a small packet TO
Dick Templeton. Here Is the money
monsieur, you so kindly lent me AZ
cards last night. | am leaving Tor
L~ausannes on the 5 o'clock train
He shakes hands cordially with
Dick, bows formally to Mrs. Darby and
crossing the road. is soon lost to view
in a narrow side street.
Templeton. ~thrusting the money IN
his pocket, turns his back to Mrs. OAR
by and again leans over the parapet.
Dick says Marion in a low voice.
Suppressing an oath. Dick, without
turning, says coldly:
Are you going on. Mrs. Darby. or
shall II"
The woman sees she cannot retrieve
what she has lost.
A moment later Marion Darby Is
walking up the quay alone.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12
WHERE MARY LAMB DIED.
The Little Dreamy Old Lady's Famous
Visitors.

The Little Dreamy Old Lady's Famous
Visitors.
Apropos of the recent celebration OF
Charles Lambs birthday at the Urban
Club, John Hollingshead writes as fol-
lows in London Sketch:
The house in which Mary Lamb died,
after surviving her devoted brother,
Charles Lamb (who died in 1880, thir-
teen years, has been swept away with
the bulk of Alpha road by the new Shelf
field railway works.
After Mary Lamb had murdered her
mother In a At of insanity 1t became a
question what was to be done with her.
Her brother and friends came to the
rescue to prevent her being impri ioned
as a criminal lunatic. Ny two great
aunts-Miss Sarah James and Mrs.
Parsons-as friends of the family. Of
fered to be responsible for her safety
and conduct, and Mrs. Parsons. who
lived at 20 Alpha road, the northwest
side. about eight houses from the main
road. fitted her up a comfortable room
on the ground floor. with a French door
window opening into the orchard gar
den, which in the later '3O's and '4O's
was full of apple trees.
This room was her sitting and
library, every inch of the walls being
filed with books. some of them presen-
tation copies, in paper covers from
Wordsworth, Keats. Coleridge, South
ey, John Glare, William Goodwin. Tom
Hood and others. with the folios and
old dramatists which Charles Lamb had
| CLEANED from many bookstalls.
l spent many afternoons with the
little, dreamy old lady, who often look
ed over me rather than at me, and tried
my best to amuse her by playing a very
irregular game of whist.
Visitors sometimes came in and was
allowed to watch them from a corner.
William Goodwin, Miss Kelly, Ton
Hood. William Hazlitt and many 9TH
ers passed before my boyish eyes, and
l am sorry to say / often left them to
go out in the garden and feast myself
on the apples.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12
MopIsH SAILOR FOR SUMMER GIRL.

It wasn't the artist, in spite of her luck
In catching the bouquet. This bride
refused to be happy unless she, too,
could have a sketch of her bridal
bouquet. The artist charged a GOOD
price this time. and to her surprise
found herself the originator OF a social
fad. She became as much a part Of a
swell wedding as the caterer, florist or
bridegroom. Being gifted with a share
of the wisdom of the serpent, she saw
that the thing was too good to last,
and that the opportunity must pc inn
proved while 1t did last, SO she boldly
put her prices up to a most extrava-
CANT figure. That only set the seal
upon her popularity, and made her still
more necessary to a wedding. She mo-
mentarily expects the frost to strike
her, but meanwhile she gathers her
harvest of shekels and sings hymns Of
praise to the ancient and honorable in
~stitution of matrimony.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

White satin and lace are the best ma
terials for trimming. Ribbon velvet IS
also much used. and has q quaint, old
fashion air that makes Il thoroughly
up to Date. A charming gown is OF
pearl gray silk with a fine hair-line
stripe in black. The skirt Is narrow
with what little f~ullness II has drawn
to the back. Yet the trimming easily
cvercomes any scant appearance about
the bottom. II introduces six fources
OF white satin. the upper one headed
with two bands Of black velvet RIB
bon. The bodice is bloused with mar
row basque skirts of white satin. In
front 1t opens in large white satin re-
vcrs, to reveal a short vest OF the same
material, and below crosses to the left
side, fastening with three large pearl
buttons. Wash silks will also be
much used this summer. They make
ideal shirtwaists, II unlined, and keep
the color mi.ch better than those OF
cotton when Numbered. To be OF
greatest value, however. they should
be cut in tho plain shape.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

Now Is the time to begin your pot
pourrI jar OF preserved fruits. Get a
large stone Jar. the size you think wll
hold all you want. Take as many
boxes OF strawberries as you wish. say
two or three. and cover them with al
cohol and, adding their weight In
sugar. simply placing the stone lid on
the jar, leaving them to preserve ia
the unsealed jar. The next fruit thst
comes into the market place In the
Jar with enough more alcohol 70
cover them, with sugar to taste, and 90
on. placing every fruit In the Jar when
It is perfectly fresh.
Next winter you will have a very
delicious preserve to offer occasional
guests or to serve at afternoon tea
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12
wedding Moaths.

There is a popular idea that June
is the favorite month for weddings,
and that the young woman who loves
romance and wishes fortune to smile
upon her nuptials in every way must
choose this of all months. Cold ans
unromantic fact. however. shows that
the three most popular marriage
months are October, November and
December. Fifty years records show
this to be true. and also demonstrates
tile fact that the most unpopular
months for marriage are January, Feb
ruary and March.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

bows s.bsent-mindedly to an English
girl who walks briskly by them armed
with z tennis racquet.
II may hope for a few dances, men
he questions.
"A few?' arching her delicate brows.
Il know you dance awfully well. But
the American colony talks SO In We
vey."
They have nothing better 20 DO"
answers Dick Templeton, ~glancing CON
t%emptucusly at the many idlers along
the quay.
He is too lately from college and the
active life OF American summer re-
sorts to feel himself at n with the
Americans who lead a ~purposeless,
eare-free existence in the little Swiss
towns which dot the banks OF Lake
Geneva.
The people here do nothing" he re-
iterated, the contempt in his voice
deepening.
Some of them study" murmurs the
widow apologetically, lowering her
parasol slightly.
Then she adds a moment later:
why do you stay here, Mr.. Templeton,
II you do not like the life?" Mrs. OAR
by knows the young American is stay
ing solely on her account, but she
wants him to tell her so. AS the couple
pause to speak to a group OF their ac-
quaintance she is inwardly debating as
to whether she will let Dick Templeton
propose to her now or wait until to-
night at the Townsends' hop. She de-
cides 1t would better be now, IS she in
tends devoting the greater part OF her
evening to Senior Sevardes. a handsome
Spaniard who has made love to her all
autumn in his charming, open. foreign
fashion. saying. perhaps. in his broken
but delightful English. more than he
had meant to say. He had been told
one could say anything to American
women up to a certain point, and he
found Mrs. Darby very interesting.
1t had been a new experience to Mrs.
Darby and she had grown more inter-
ested in him than she would care to
own.
So as Mrs. Darby and Dick Temple
ton continued their slow promenade,
she looks up at him in evident expecta-
ton of an answer to her last ques-
ton.
Mrs. Darby" replies the young man,
| earnestly. his eyes avoiding her face
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

and fixed on the distant mountains,
"you know why | am staying"
II? Mr.. Templeton, indeed l do not"
He glances at her suddenly, but she.
too. has her eyes fixed on the blue
white distance.
The man pauses abruptly and leans
against the parapet. They have reach
ed the end of the quay.
Mrs. Darby stops, perforce. with a
wish that the next few moments were
we'll over with. The frank admiration
of her young countryman has been
very pleasant to her and she has en-
couraged him until even the most un-
o%bseryant matron in the American col
ony has coupled their names together.
But a slight feeling of regret comes
to her now that she sees him SO much
in earnest.
II am staying Dick Templeton goes
on because you are. here, Mrs. Darby,
and because | would rather be where
YOU ale than anywhere else IN earth.
Last week when 1 went to Geneva l
thought l could do without you, but
was mistaken. / came back in three
days. Every moment had been an hour
to me. All, Marion, / thought you
we're glad to see me when l returned.
You Cannot have been trifing with me,
Marion. I love you. l have low
ed another woman. l ask you to be
my WIFE"
Mrs. Darby's face expresses some re-
greet but more annoyance. Why Reed
he be so serious? She knows that he
will -eproach her, and she hesitates a
few moments before answering, try
to think of something natural to
say.
Dick" she says at last, softly, y
am truly sorry this has happened.
think 50 much of you. / thought we
4 were such good friends. ! never
"Stopr' interrupts the man hastily
do not lie to me. You knew from
the first that / loved you"
"Sirr!" she repeats, her eyes flashing
angrily. "Mr. Templeton, you insult
me. You forget yourself strangely"
Il forget nothing but that you have
used me for your amusement. There
is no insult for such as you You are
a firty' He is looking directly at hei
now, but she is looking up at the quay
at a tall, dark man who is approach
ing them indolently at some little dis.
lance away. 1t is Senior Sevardes! This
scene must be over before he reaches
/ &han,
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

Under ordinary circumstances paint
ing flowers N water colors isn't a
source of immense profit. Neverthe-
less there is a girl who is reaping a
rich harvest from 1t. 1t all began in
this way: The young artist was one
of the bridesmaids at the wedding OF
a wealthy friend and was the lucky
one who caught the brides bouquet
when it was thrown to the maids. The
idea occurred to her that 1t would be
a graceful thing to make d sketch OF
the bouquet and give it to the bride;
and. being clever with her brush and
having a keen sense of artistic pos
sibilities, che succeeded in combining
the rather stiff bouquet, a fan. a pol
ished table and a shimmering pale
green scarf into a delicious bit OF
color and sentiment.
The bride was in ecstasy. So were
her friends. Soon one Of the brides
maids needed bridesmaids of her own.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12
THE HISTORY OF A SONG.
THE Vacant Chair, and Its war-Time
Origin.

THE Vacant CHAIR and Its Wartime
Origin.
Almost every American is familiar
with the song called The Vacant
Chair" though comparatively few
know the name of the author OF the
verses Or the circumstances which gave
rise to their composition, says the New
England Magazine. A recent writer has
given a sketch of Henry Stevenson
Washburn of Boston, who wrote the
words of THE Vacant Chair and OF
Lieut.. John William Grout of The Mas
~sachusetts volunteers, whose heroic
death they COMMUNICATED.
John William Grout was born in
Worcester, Mass, in 1843, son OF a
well known and wealthy manufacturer.
From the earliest age the boy manifest
ed intense love of things military and
distinguished himself at the Worcester
military academy, where he studied. At
the outbreak of the war his ability was
at once recognized by the authorities
and no was commissioned second lieu
tenant in company d Of the 18th Mas
sachusetts volunteers. He became very
popular in the regiment and was in
great demand as drillmaster. In the
field the young lieutenant displayed
conspicuous GOODNESS and bravery, but
his career was unfortunately very
brief. He lost his life in the disastrous
engagement which took place IN Oc-
tober, 1861, near Poolsville, Md.
Young Grout was intimate with the
family of Mr.. Washburn, being a warm
friend of that gentleman's SOL and on
the Thanksgiving following the young
mans death Mr.. Washburn, sympa-
thizing with the family, which would
feel it's bereavement doubly at that fes-
tival season, was inspired with some
verses, which we're afterward published
under the name of 1.-THE Vacant Chair"
in the Worcester Spy and signed H. S.
w. These verses met the eye OF Mr..
George Root Of Chicago, who set them
to music without n correspondence
with the author, as the lines were not
copyrighted. The song appeared as
"The Vacant Chair, words by H. S. W.,
music by George F. Root" and at once
appealed to the public, selling in nor
nous numbers. Mr.. Washburn, who
has been a prominent business man and
was for some years in the house of rep
resentatives, Is now "a years old and
lives in a beautiful home in the Aber-
deem district Of Boston. He has writ
ten many pretty and touching verses
besides "The Vacant Chair and not
long ago published a volume containing
his principal poems.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

The fish commissioner of Indiana
says: THE greed for more land closes
the eyes of a vast majority of the peo-
pie to the fact that an acre Of water,
all other conditions being the same,
is capable of producing far more food
stuff than is al acre of soil. The
small amount of land that is redeemed
by lowering or draining the lakes is
not commensurate with the amount of
food-producing conditions that are
thus destroyed" This may be a val
liable hint to farmers, who have so
long suffered from the low prices of
wheat and corn. At all events the
farmer with a fish pond is enabled to
agreeably vary his own diet.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

A stormy sea before her
When, oh! too strong for human hand
The tempest gathered DER her.
And still they rowed amidst the oar
OF waters fast prevailing,
Lord Ullin reached that fatal shore,
His wrath was changed to wailing,
For sore dismayed. thro' storm and
shade
His child he did discover,
One lovely hand she stretched for aid,
And one was round her lover.
Come back. come back!' he cried in
grief,
Across this raging water,
"And I'll forgive your Highland chief.
My daughteri oh. my daughter!'
Twas vain, the loud waves dashed the
shore,
Return or MD preventing.
The waters wild went DER his child,
And he was left lamenting! +
Thomas Campbell.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

And this Lord Uilin's daughter
And fast before her fathers men
Three days we've fled togetns
For should he find us In the siehs
MY blood would stain y neashe''
His horsemen hard behind US riue'
Should they our steps
Then who will cheer my ponnle pr.ue'
When they have slain her io'er'
Out spoke the hardy Highland wight
'Tn go, my chief, I'm ready
1t is not for your silver bright
But for your winsome LADY;
And by my word, the bonny BIRD
In danger shall not tarry, 49,.
So, though the waves are raging "hi'c'
I'll row you o'er the ferry.
BY this the storm grew loud apace,
The water-wraith was s~hrieking,
And in the scowl Of Heaven each race
Grew dark, as they were speakins'
But still. as wilder blew the wind,
And as the night grew drearer'
Adown the glen rode armed men,
Their trampling sounded nearer.
"oh. haste thee. hasteF' the lady
cries, y.
Though tempests round us gather.
I'll meet the raging OF the skies,
But not an angry father
The boat mas left a stormy land.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

1t will interest summer visitors to
Maine to know that the fight between
the guides and the law of that state
is growing warm. The law says that
every guide shall pay a license of $40
or, give UP his business. The majority
of guides have fatty refused to uay the
license. 94tA Ia gNt f~
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

terial comes in "open" weight, and you
can have a lining IS elegant as you
please. There are several inexpensive
lining materials which can take the
place of taffeta and lace.
A pretty cream foulard gown with
an old rose stripe in it is made over a
transparency Of rose taffeta. The skirt
is a full godet with a trimming OF
batiste embroidery put on plain around
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

It was predicted last summer that
this season would see few Of the tai
feta-lined summer gowns. Their cost,
expense of making and their delicacy
all untitled them for common wear.
Yet this summer the canvas and
batiste effects have opened with a
greater rage than yer Every ma
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

# course. / am 60
ing to the hop to-
night" says Mrs.
Darby, gayly. $50
little happens at
vevey in October
n really must
take in everything.
Her companion. q
man some few
years younger than
the pretty widow,
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12
AZ the club.

Nspper-"Look here, old chap. I've
been advised to go to Thompkins. the
tailor. Did you ever go to him for any
thingg"
Cuppcr"Oh. yes; got two suits
from him one dress suit. lawsuit.
rhomnAinh Is a very expensive man, I
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

What extreme adjective of iewness
a be used to designate the Chicago
women who have organized to COM
bat the new woman and her ideas Of
equal suffrage?
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

AZ washington dispatch says: "The
fact has been recognized among metal
workers that the sole obstacle to the
wide use of aluminium was its high
cost as compared with other useful
metals. Therefore 1t will be good news
to learn through United States Consul
German, at Zurich, that in a short
time, probably within a year, the price
of this metal will fall to about 27 cents
per pound, so that but three CONNER
cial metals will be cheaper than alu-
minium, namely, iron, lead and zinc.
The consul bases this statement upon
the figures he has collected, showing
the production of aluminium and the
prospective increase Of the plants. Last
year the output was 14,740 pounds
daily, of which 4,193 pounds daily were
produced in the United States. This
year the plants will be increased to
bring the daily product up to 42,46o
pounds" H &1
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

E.LA.N" MHnf Fu. 2. LNM#N
The executive council has completed
the assessment of the railway property
In the state of Iowa and has raised the
total assessment a little over $1O0, 900
including sleeping cars. The railway as
sessment is $44.455, 900, an increase of
$4,000 over last year.. The Chicago,
Rock Island and Pacific and the Chica-
go, Burlington and Quincy were reduced
$1,000 a mile on their main lines, being
now assessed at $1,100 and $1,150 re-
spectively. The principal increases are
ON the Dubuque and Sioux City or the
Illinois Central, the Chicago, Great
Western, the Des Moines, Northern and
Western, the Chicago, Milwaukee and
st. Paul, the Chicago, st. Paul, Mime
apolis and Omaha, the Sioux City and
Pacific and the Des Moines and Kan
sas City.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

The preacher whose only usefulness
lies in his ability to cure insomnia In
his hearers, has misunderstood his
call.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

the bottom. The short round bodice is
made OF solid old rose taffeta with a
full short yoke of cream mousseline de
sole. Around the yoke there is a
broad. full berthe. made Of embrbider-
ed batiste six inches wide. headed by
d bias fold Of the old rose t~affeta, to
give a new high sleeve effect. Two
folds. of the silk fall over the berthe
Just at the top Of the sleeves. These
are faced with the rose taffeta. The
tall crush collar is Of the solid taffeta
aud Is headed with two choux Of the
cream mousse,ine de sole. The sleeves
are finished with the same soft effect in
mousseline de sole.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

Europe sends us her penniless poor,
while we send her Jul millionaires and
multi-millionaires. Financially speak
ing, this is no fair exchange.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

A recent writer states that in Japan
the opportunities are exceedingly slim.
and it would be wrong to advise a
young man to go to the Mikado's en-
pire for the purpose of lettering his
condition. Japan is still adhering to
her old plan of sending out bright. in
dustrious young men to learn practi-
cally. as well as theoretically, whatever
new discoveries are made. Scientific
books as well as periodicals find earn
est readers, and her colleges and uni
versities are fully up to the times. She
is gradually discharging such of the few
foreign employees as are left, and who'll
ly declines engaging any one but ma
tives. except in very exceptional cases.
After Americans had introduced cleo
trio lights and the telephone in Toxic,
native engineers have established SINH
lar plants in the large cities of the en-
pire. and, qalthough~the result was not
always satisfactory in the beginning,
they have overcome a.. siiiculties and
now furnish a highly satisfactory SER
vice. While the Japanese decline to
employ foreigners, they have also pro-
hibited the use of foreign capital. IN
der the present treaty foreigners cam
not own real estate. except in a few
square rods Of the foreign concessions
in the open ports, nor can they own
shares in a Japanese enterprise. Even
Japanese bonds are inalienable to for
eigners. Hence the opportunities to
invest capital are exceedingly few
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

The report that a phantom steamer
has been seen near Natchez ought to
be true. The great Mississippi is as
much entitled to a phantom ship as is
the great ocean to a Flying Dutch
man.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

From the lie Roy Gazette: Il use
about a hundred pounds Of salt per
year at home for all purposes. includ-
ing feeding stock" said a business
man.
.The consumption OF salt In d year
IN the United States remarked Man
aeer samson Of the salt works, rs 3
buahel, or ffty-six pounds. for each
~fnhabltxnt-H
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

1t is more important to be consistent
with the truth than to be consistent
with your past self.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12
BEST AVAILABLE COPY

a bag Tor noIled linen, only increasing
the dimensions and using linen or de-
MIN In place OF brocades and silks.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12

A prominent New England physician
saws: rThe worst possible place to
wear a chest-protector is on the chest;
the best possible place to wear M Is
probably on the soles Of the feet"
Sometimes the quality of penetration
is impaired to a truth by giving It the
semblance of a paradox.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-12
FOR WOMEN AND HOME
ITEMS OF INTEREST FOR MAIDS
AND NATIONS.
SILK Costumes for summer wear-Pos
sibiiity Of a Cheap Gown In the Pres
emit Condition OF tho Market-~some
Household Hints.
Lord ullln,s Daughter.

CHIEFTAN to the
highlands bound.
Cries: "Boatman,
do not tarry!
And I'll give thee a
silver pound
To tow us Ger the
ferry"
Now, who be we
would c o 5 8
Lochgyle
This dark ana
stormy water
"Oh. I'm the Cnief
81 Uiva's Isle,