davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1897-02-06

which thus compelled an old man to per-
form such work. He pulled at the window
with even greater display of age and
stiffness, the young lady the meanwhile
expostulating and begging him to desist.
becoming profuse in her apologies for hav-
ing disturbed an old man. The window
was raised. and he shanJbled out into the
aisle. The young lady continuing in the
same strain. shadow of displeasure passed
over his face at her remarks on his age.
He stood for moment in the aisle with
bis arms at his side. Then he sprang into
the air. and. turning a backward somer-
sault in the confined space. landed by the
side of his seat. He resumed it and once
more became the stiff old man.
Who was he? Why. the elder Ravel one
of the most wonderful acrobats ever seen in
this country.
* x X *
"If there is no more truth in history"
said an old resident, "than We see in some
of the published records Of the past as
to happenings with which we are CONVEX
SAINT history is not worth much. Even
such authority Frost (and l have known
half dozen other authors, including the
accomplished Grace Greenwood, to make
the same mistake) states as a fact, that
President Taylor contracted the disease
which led to his death. on July ., 1850,
while attending the corner. stone laying Of
the Washington monument. AS a fact,
that ceremony took place during the ad-
min'straton OF President Polk, on Febru-
airy %, 1S4S, and 1 do not think that "Oid
Rough and Ready was present then. 1t
is true that Gen. Taylor contracted his
illness at the monument, but the occasion
was an immense Fourth of July celebration
by the Sunday schools of the District, and
the day being intensely hot, many suffered
from the heat, and | have no doubt that
President Taylor was but one of a number
who contracted fatal illness that day
x +
'An old resident in talking to a Star re-
porter recently was somewhat out of the
way" remarked one quite as old. when
he stated that the old Columbia Fire Com
pany, after being located near the Capitol
for number of years. was in later. years
On Pennsylvania avenue and Sth Street,
near the market. The Columbia company
had an existence of sixty years as a vol
unteer company and was locateds first east
of the Capitol and then northi and finally
south of the building. The seoIipany at
the market was known as the gsrsever
ance. and prior to it's location there was
called the Patriotic and the apparatus was
housed on Sth street near E northwest.
The fact that the "Persy was at the
market Is probably better known by old
time boys than any other because its bell
nightly struck for 8 o'clock, when all
youngsters were supposed to leave for
their homes. and ~ as signal that they
were liable to be taken up by the auxiliary
guard (police).'
Evening star., 1897-02-06
A Royal Grease Stain.
From the Phila delphia Times.

Sir John Brown, the great iron master
of Sheffield, whose death has just taken
place, owes his title to visit paid by the
Prince Of Wales to Sheffield at the time
when he held the position of master cutler
ard mayor of that great manufacturing
city On that occasion the prince stayed
at Sir Johns house. and while watching a
game of billiards after dinner, happened to
lean his illustrious head against the wall
on which he left quite large-sized greas..
stain. On Sir Johns attention being called
to this after the princes departure, he
caused 1t to be covered with glass and sur
rounded by a beautiful gold frame, while
An inscription below related in ultra-royal
lar guage that it was there that the head
OF England's future king had rested The
room has often been redecorated and re-
papefed since, but no enc has ever been
allowed to touch or remove that golden
frame or the grease stair which it borders
Evening star., 1897-02-06
A MODERN ROMANCE.
The Kind One Mny Discover in More
Places Than He Thinks For.


Places Than He Thinks For.
1t is not necessary to be explicit in the
location of the following brief society
sketch.
II any one of those who read 1t can To-
cate 1t he will not be writing to the paper
to give 1t away.
The man in the case was old and pro-
foundly in love with a young, beautiful
and fashionable woman.
Whether she loved him in return is not
said; it is enough to say that she per-
mitted his attentions: nay more, she en-
couraged them.
In fact. they were to be married.
Is 1t necessary to state that he was rich?
My darling" he said to her as he clasp
ed magnificent bracelet of diamonds
about her wrist, Il love you more thaa I
can tell you"
He spoke the truth, too, for it is easy
for an old man to love a young and beau
titul woman who smiles upon him.
"Oh," she laughed as she tapped him
playfully on his bald head, you don't
have to. Money talks, you know"
And the old man thought it was very
bright and funny that he stopped down and
kissed her
Evening star., 1897-02-06
Natural Selection.

The old. colored man, who stepped eau
tiously into the depot. appeared to be
dr essed for an important occasion. His
long broadcloth coat was rather rusty. and
his silk hat did not seem used TO being
brushed the right way. He stood Just in
side the door, and, bending over. with his
umbrella behind him, peered cautiously
around through the spectacles which he
had been polishing with great care. HIS
manner seemed diffident that one of the
men employed in the place was moved to
come to his assistance.
Anything we can do for your" he in
quired
'Yassuh, reckon dar is" was the an
swer. lis dis de place whah de kyahs
stahts away rum to whsh dey's gwine atg"
You mean. is this the place where the
trains go out?' es r.r
''Yassuh." was the answer. with a CRATE
full emile.
Yes. this is it. Where are you bound
for?"
No place in purticklar. tes' wants ter
But you must have some destination
Il didn't know bout dat. But mebbe de
Of lady was posted an packed it up fob
me. Dah's er pow'ful sight o col vittles
an fixin's I'm dat kyahpethag."
But where do you wish to go?"
"Jes' travelin. / ain nebber been away
FUN home. We done got some money
saved up an de folks all lowed dat 1 orter
an seein de sights er dis great country.
Is got twentyfoh dollars an eight cents.
How much is half er dat?"
Twelve dollars and four cents
Il reckoned I'd git on de kyahs am travel
dat much WORT one way an den git he con-
ductor ter staht me back foh de balance O.
de money"
Haven't you any idea about the train
you want to take?'
when do one go?"
There's 9:30 train"
An ef 1 doan git dat reckons I'll halter
wait tell termorrer."
No. There lots of trains; the 10:1S
train. the HES. the 11:50. the 12:15. the
:03-"
Dem all souns good. But, honey" and
he leaned over confidentially, ''dah's one
ting I'd like ter ak yer"
What Is it?'
"Yoh see, Siisheres a kim er frolic foh
me, an, while yoh wus namn' EN- over, Il
Jes happened ter strike me. Yoh isn't got
er I'll train, is yer?"
Evening star., 1897-02-06
HIS Grip Name.

From TIE Philadelphia Times.
Mr.. Smith, an English traveller, arrived
one evening at hotel In Austria On the
way he had picked up a smart German
and hired him as a servant In Austria
every one staying at hotel is obliged to
register his name and occupation in a book
which Is kept for police examination, so
Mr.. Smith told his servant Fritz to bring
this book for him to write his name
Il have already registered. milor," said
Fritz, "as an English gentleman of in
dependent means"
But I've never told you my name, so
how do you know what 1t is?'
Il copied 1t from milor's portmanteau," I"
answered Fritz.
Why, It isn't on my portmanteau." cried
Mr.. Smith; bring the book and let me see
what you have put down"
The book was brought, and Mr. Smith,
to his amusement, discovered that his
clever servant had described him as:
Monsieur Warranted Solid Leather Grip
sack"
Evening star., 1897-02-06

which do take a great
deal of time until it
gets well under way.
But do not think,
gentle reader, that
you cannot tend
chickings and have
thoughts at the same
time. If 1 had not
anything to do ex-
cept to think and
write down, day in
and day out, I would
most likely turn out
a great deal more
portry than what I
do; but / think that
mebbe it Is all fur
the best. Poems Is
Evening star., 1897-02-06

not artificial products. Like eggs. they
come in the natural course of events, and
The true poet always chooses the subjeck
that is closest to has or her heart, and
therefore the title of this piece is:
CHICKINGS.
Oh, gentle two-legged animals. your feath-
Protect you in all kinds of weathers.
And though
The chilly winds of winter blow,
You DO not care how much they do so,
But let them go ahead and blow,
And blow.
Bounteous nature showers on you
Her generosities the whole year through.
She furnishes you with a covering rare
With which. for beauty and durability, our
Sunday clothes cannot compare
With graceful plumage your garb she
trims,
And you are born with ruffies around your
limbs.
Therefore oh, chfckirgs, look up and cease
repining!
Your lot Is full of glee.
Thou hast many reasons for declining
To change places with such as me, as me,
To change places with such as me.
For you do not heed the seasons shifting,
Nor the clouds which into a life are drift
ing.
Though skies are bleak and branches hare,
You get your board and lodging free and
do not care.
With me it is very different thing
When the snow has fell and the bir6s do
not sing.
And the mercury drops with great persist
ence
I think of my own sad. cold existence.
So take this lesson and ponder it over;
Do not trifie with the heart of cond true
lover,
Lest, like me, you find your hopes all frfz-
Me. who am no ones and might have been
his'n.'
Evening star., 1897-02-06
North Dakota Life and Customs.

North Dakota Life and Customs.
Letter to st. Louis Globe-Democrat.
One Of the marked features of life in this
section is the great popularity of outdoor
sports in the summer. The summers here
are delightful, and they are spent in the
open air. People go picnicking and to fairs
and races and all sorts of games. There
are no woods within sixteen miles Of this
village, and yet people gladly go in great
crowds twenty miles to a picnic, Base ball,
tennis and foot ball are very popular. The
summer nights are very short and one can
in June play tennis until 9:15 and some
times later. Ice sports are popular in the
winter Every village has it's ice rink,
where games on the ice are features, and
where the great game of curling is played
The celebration of Fourth of July here
last summer and every summer could not
do otherwise than amaze the stranger 1t
must be admitted that far more attention
Is given to the races. which always accom-
pany the day. than to the oration But the
chief odd feature Of the day is the appear-
ance Of the streets. AS stated above, this
town has no grove and few trees, none at
all IN the business streets But the people
are determined, and the evening before the
day we celebrate wagons come from the
timber twenty miles away loaded with
young saplings. These saplings are sold
to the merchants and nailed to the side
walks all along the streets, thus giving the
appearance of a street lined with young
trees. Or course. these saplings wither be-
fore the next day, but for that day the
town Is filled with an aroma of the forest
Evening star., 1897-02-06

ahead an play a lone
hand. He allus wants
a partner er two ter
help i'm along weth
his notions"
That book must
have had bad news in
IT," remarked Bron-
cho Bob. You seem
excited"
No. l amt excited.
l was just meditatin'
I'm a calm. philosophi-
cal frame of mind
over the fack that the
next time anybody
comes around here
irwin TO fuLo mn On
Evening star., 1897-02-06
II Made a Difference,

From the Chicago Record.
He had made something of study Of
women. viii you marry me-" he began
to
No.. she interrupted promptly and with
emphasis.
to enable me to win a bet?' he went
on, without noticing her Interruption
"Um. WELL" she said hesitatingly, "I-
er-how much is the bet?'
Evening star., 1897-02-06
Nfndfctfye.

DerrinSer Dan had declined all invita-
tions to join his associates in the usual
evening pastimes. 1t was a bitter cold night
and he sat close to the stove. reading la
boriously, but with great interest Pres
entity he shut the book with a slam, and,
gazing into the fire. exclaimed:
That's the way Of it! AS soon as a man
gifts fooled hisself, he amt satisfied ter go
Evening star., 1897-02-06
A Wasted Dime.

Frm the New York Weekly.
Zig sister-"Dick, 1 wish you would go
ana get Mr.. Nicefellow a glass Of water"
Mr.. Nicefellow-"Yes,m my boy, and here's
a dime for you.''
Little brother-"Thank you: I'll go pretty
soon. Mamma said I shouldn't leave the
parlor until she came back"
Evening star., 1897-02-06
His ArWiAning Suit.

From the Cleveland Leader
Mrs. Ktrtlana-"A1d why do you think.
Mr.. Dunley, that the world is better now
and more beautiful than 1t was thirty five
years agoT tn
Mr.. DunIey twho is after her sweet
daue r)-''Be6auseLbecause you were
not in it then"
Papa Kirtland's objections to the young
man have beer ovefridden.
Evening star., 1897-02-06
Minutely Explained.

Mr.. Dolan and Mr.. Rafferty, had sat for
some time in silence before the kitchen
stove, when the former remarked:
''Talkin about foightin', Rafferty,"
'Of nivver said a word an the subject" :"
protested his neighbor.
mo. But We wor tinkin' about it. An
whole we're an the topic. what's yer opin-
ion av the war in Cuba?'
There's no use O. me tellin' it." WAS the
reply, in tones of encouragement. Its
changed twoice since day befoor yesterday,
an It's loikely ty be altogether different
agin be tomorry mornin'. Wan day Ofm
dancin' reel an singin' songs av victory
wild the insurgents, an the next Orm no
cheerfuller nor a yard av Grape. Yez can't
tell by the reporters whether the Cuban
enin'."
'Thot's simply because yez don't under
shtan' the shtoile av warfare thot's goin'
an" responded Mr.. Dolan with sage dig
nifty. What you want Is war wild print
ed programs. an music, an recitations in
between, here an there, ty add ty the dl-
version. Don't you worry about the in
suagen.s, sur e Taint fs the vans thot gets inty
ty get the decision, an be left in peacea bic
possession av the purse. Thin Cubans.
ioike most smart people. is quoite in .heir
tastes. They don't care fur shtoiIe. They
go till battle in their ivery-day clothes.
the same as IL twas work. A Spannard Is
dfnurnt. He can't foight wild comfort un-
less ne nov q shave. an q haircut an a
clane pair av cuffs. An whin he's been
an duty q very short whole 1t takes q long
vacation ty put i'm in condition agin Wan
av the first ting thot wor done whin they
decided ty hov a war. were ty provide
themselves wild q trocha."
IVAN O. thin things thot's good fur
coughs. colds, sore troat an hoarseness,"
assented his auditor knowingly
RAFFERTY,, tie weight an yer intilligence
II ye don't tth fly away wid ye. A trocha
Is ehtructure av brickbats an old ha r,Is
an ashes, an tymaty cans, an anythin'
Evening star., 1897-02-06
Diplomacy.
Fnom Trufh

Mrs. Jones--"Oh. dear me: please tell mo
how to word this telegram to my husband
I want to tell him that the baby Is sick.
the cook Is drunk, the water pipes are
leaking, and I want him to come home at
once" s.
Telegrapher-'.Oh, IL you want him to
come homo at once. you had better say
Good news-come home immediately"
Evening star., 1897-02-06
And He Was Carromed on.

From the Boston Post. '
Traveller lat a crowded hoteD-"How
much do owe you? What's my bfll?'
Hotelkeeper-"Let me see; your room
was" ''-' ''-'-.'
Traveler-"I, didn't have any room. I
slept on the billiard table"
hour"
Evening star., 1897-02-06
A Climatic Trait,

From the Philadelphia North American.
Michener-"Straws tell which way the
wind Is blowing
Oldpart (from Kansas)-"Out thar In our
country houses. trees an hosses tell ther
same tale"
Evening star., 1897-02-06
Unreasonable.

FIOm the Detroit Free Press.
Boarder-"This egg is not quite fresh
madam"
Landlady-"Oh, Of course not. You peo-
pie will be demanding next springs chicken
before another month"
Evening star., 1897-02-06
Scaled.

From the Detroit Journal
She trembled. -
my past" she faltered. "is sealed
book" -
He gladly offered her $76 per week.
From the point of view of art the next
thing to terrible past was past that
was a sealed book.
Evening star., 1897-02-06
Something Similar.

From the Indianapolis Journal.
Last night 1 dreamed 1 was dead" said
the drummer from Indianapolis
And the heat woke you up?' the drum
mer hastened to ask
Pretty much the same thing as what
you imply. The brakeman was calling out
'Chicago!"
Evening star., 1897-02-06
A Professional opinion.
From Clips.

Bill (reading in newspaper portion Of an
article on English composition)-"Di you
see that, Jimf Long sentences are quite
out Of fashion. The short sentence is now
the thing"
Jim mot wholly unfamiliar with prison
interiors)-"Quite right. too. No sentence
ought to be more than seven days"
Evening star., 1897-02-06
POrtry by the Bulhul.

1t Is a long time since have burst into
song. writes the Bulbul of Pohick, owing
to the fact that We all have gone into the
choking business.
Evening star., 1897-02-06
Eggs at the Meeting.

From the Chicago News.
Guile-''I hear that Spouter is not entirely
responsible for the unfounded charges that
he made. They say that the audience egged
him on."'
Quay-"Ne. they egged him of"
Evening star., 1897-02-06
In Dakota.
From Puck.

From Puck.
Client-'Twenty-five dollars for procur-
ing divorce?'
Lawyer-"Yes. madam: or We would
make a two-years' contract to procure any
divorces you may need during that time,
not to exceed six, for one hundred dollars
Evening star., 1897-02-06
Reassuring,

From the Chicago Tribune.
Papa, here's thing that came through
the faucet that looks like a tiny alligator -
rs 1t alive?'
Yes. and It's wrigglin like everything -
Then the water can't be so terribly bad.
Tell the cook she needn't boil 1t more than
half an hour now' q,
Evening star., 1897-02-06
The Real.

From tie Detroit Journal
"As understand it.. realistic art aims to
call spade a spade"
Isn't the design rather to call pretty
much everything q spade?"
To be sure. decay was but the harbineer
Of new life; chaos had often to precede
cosmos: but that. 1t IL submitted in ali
candor, Is another story
Evening star., 1897-02-06
A Dimcait Role.

Stage Manager-'I.ook here, my boy. this
VIII never do. Whoever saw . corpse look
liz you dot Try and throw ssone life into
your part
Evening star., 1897-02-06
A Gentle Hint.

From Up to-Date - '
DeQuill-'I have resolved to launch upon
a literary career"
DeLush-"Glad to hear it, OF course YOU
know at every launc hing it is customary to
crack a bottle OF wine"
Evening star., 1897-02-06
Navigntion Closed.

From the Detroit Free Pres.
Have you noticed that our two type
writer girls don't go out to luncheon any
more?''
''No; what's the mattery'
They've had quarrel and won't help
each other on with their coats'
Evening star., 1897-02-06
Why He Dared.

She-'1 think l might love you more II
you were not so extravagant."
He-"1ts my extravagant nature that
makes me love you So"
Evening star., 1897-02-06
A shrinkaxe somewhere.

Frsm Td-Biu.
Mrs. Murphy-"Do you use condensed
milkr'
Mrs. O'Fahey-"I think 1t must be con-
densed. There is never more than a pint
and q half to a quart"
Evening star., 1897-02-06
LEARNING AN INSTRUMENT.
The UnccasinE Toll of the Master O
Music.


Music.
From the st. Louis Globe-Democrat.
Nor have many persons an adequate idea
of the amount of labor bestowed by vir-
tuosos in practicing upon their chosen in
struments before entering upon a public
career as performers. When Liszt was
learning the piano he practiced ten hours
day for over twelve years, and even then,
such was the severity of training demanded
by his masters, and so little did he think of
his own powers, that. in a letter to friend,
he wrote: II despair Of ever learning the
piano. The more I learn, the more there
seems to be to learn, and am ready to
give up altogether" Ole Bull spent over
twenty years in almost constant practice
on the violin, and then modestly said: 1T
SGemetfo me as though 1 were just begin
EiuiteItS lelrn." With Paganini, the violin
WaH thai Study of a lifetime. He had what
Is called a marvellous genius for the instru-
menta that is to say, he found exquisite
pleasure In what many persons consider the
drudgery of practicing. 1t is said that for
ever twenty-five years he never allowed a
day to pass without eight or ten hours
spent in playing such exercises would
tend to improve his lingering and facility
Of execution. The playing of scales was,
with him. sort of passion; he would pass
hours, violin in hand. running up and down
the scales. If any one might be supposed
to need no practicing 1t was Paganini. but
his wonderful playing was the result of all
this hard work. Rubinstein devoted over
fifteen years to study and praC tice on his
chosen instruments before he deemed him
self worthy to appear in public. and with
Paderewsh the piano Is the study of life
time. 1t is said that every moment possi-
BILE is devoted to practice by this genius of
the piano, whose attachments and facility
Of execution have astonished the musical
world. His success Is not the consequence
of inspiration, but of hard work. The same
statement ia yrfnOSO
instrument, no matter what. Mozart. when
learning the harpschord, gave ten to
twelve hours a day to the Keyboard; Sebas-
tian Bach was equally indefatigible at the
he would rather play scales than eat!
Haydn had to be forced from his instru-
ment to take his meals. In each and every
case success was attained only after an
amount Of labor that, in any other calling
would probably have achieved equal or
greater results.
Evening star., 1897-02-06

ana Always beLeved that God moved in
mysterious way His wonders to perform
There was time when l had a number of
customers who wore four pair of boots in
a year. / got from 80 to si2 for each pair.
l haven't made pair OF boots for over
two years"
Several members of the Ohio delegation
were sitting In the cloak room during a roll
call In the House.
WELL" said one. "Col. Dom Piatt had an
appointment to meet friend in the lobby of
the hotel, and was standing by the stove
talking with the clerk, who was the only
other person there. Presently the hotel
bus drew up before the door, a young lady
entered and her trunk was deposited on
the floor. The clerk stepped behind the
desk while she registered, and Col Donn
was left alone by the stove. He was some
what surprised when she directed him in a
peremptory manner to carry the trunk to
her room. Dom understood at once that
she thought he was porter. He did not
say anything, but took the proffered coin
and grabbing the trunk struggled up the
stairs, followed by the young lady. The
clerk grasped the Joke and called out the
number of the room. the location of which
Donn happened to know. He deposited his
burden. and returning added something to
MS Zee and had drink with the clerk"
y y r
Fhe third man In the group also had q
story. "A young lady" he said. some
years ago was riding up to Columbus. The
air IN the car was close and she endeavored
to raise window. 1t was the Same old
window. however. and would not move.
She looked about for assistance, and q man
apparently sixty years Of age answered
her mute appeal. He walked somewhat
stifiiy to her seat. and she remarked on
the lack OF sallantry in the younger men,