davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-04

Il suppose there is a great deal of un-
recognized genius in the world remarked
the literary young woman.
Eyes, indeed" replied her father. as he
looked up from the trade paper; lots and
lots of it. People are great deal more
sensible these days than they used to be-
"You mean they are more sensible be-
cause they have so much unreeognized
genius?" She queried IN surprise.
That's it, precisely" Taking off his
glasses and balancing them on his fore
finger he went on: II remember when L
was a boy l had a great talent for
music. 1 could remember almost any
tune / ever heard. and play ii on
mouth-harp. And draw pictures? Many
is the picture / have drawn. So hard Is IL
to curb genius that lots of times l would
find myself drawing pictures on my slate
instead of doh Z my arithmetic
How unfortunate that you couldn't have
cultivated your talents!"
Not a bit of it; lot bit Of it. j was
peculiarly fortunate. The trouble with too
many geniuses is that they don't have com
mon sense. Now. I was different. / profited
by my opportunities. You can't get COM
mon-school education without finding out
what is likely to happen to a man as soon
as the world picks him out as a genius.
Go right along through the dist OF them.
They are always selling pictures or poems
or musical compositions for less than the
market value. People somehow expect 1t OF
them. And it's mighty seldom that one gets
rich As soon as / discovered that / had
any symptoms of genius, / fought them
down. l battled with myself and went into
the livery stable business. By being eau
tious and attending to business L arrived
at a position of comparative independence,
so that 1 can look contentedly around me
and feel that ii wouldn't do any great harm
now, even IL I were recognized.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-04
She Had Lost 1t.

From the Pearsons Weekly.
An old woman, whose husband was i'll in
bed, sent for the doctor, who came and
saw the old lady.
II will send him some medicine" he said,
on leaving, (which must be taken in a re-
cumbent posture"
After he had gone the old woman sat
down, greatly puzzled.
"A recumbent posture-a recunbent pos
ture!' she kept repeating. 81 haven't got
one" At last she thought, II WIN 60 and
see II old Mrs. Smith has got one to lend
me-" .@ = r
Accordingly she went and said to her
nefghbor:
Have you q recumbent posture to lend
me to put some medicine in?"
Mira. Smith. who Was as ignorant AZ her
friend. REPLIED.
Il had one but to ten you the truth, I
have lost 4"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-04

they say;
Some pass bills and some pass the time
away f WIG Nine
But let the public reoer,har
they Joyously pay
nat IN inc long run. congress has given IA
7, g., ns reasons 10 be happy and gay
- never sale FOR anybody to condemn
congress too far In advance
FOR this is land where I'm politics eac,
has chance a'"
vexed, " oe
There is no telling who may go there nov,
mat some one who finds such his hapnv Iot
H-ay De one OF your own relations as like as
Ard on such an occasion no one feels like
he or she had the authority ""0
To find any fault with the will Of the nm
tority. N ma
As reports of the Reichsrath's recent do,nss
scan, eS
1 am glad our congress ;s No, r,r nm ~.
European plan. ' '"s
BeIore IT meets. 1t is usual for folks to try
Their very best to prophesy
Exsctiy what will be done do not know
&ALa ! am heap franker than many in
But this much 1 am prepared to state:
we are nation proud and great
ana even though Cubas future troubles
should reach IN enormous amount
On numerous personal expressions OF SYM
pathy she can always count
And whatever else to Hawaii may hap
L Gil, we never, no never Will permit anyone
to scratch it entirely off the man.
L ram would say more, but we authors or
authoresses as the case may be fear
the sneers that people throw at us
Ana they might say L was more OF a lingo
than poetess.
To much wonderment at congress people
give expression,
Some for its breadth of mind and more for
its length of session.
L for one, shall be there if / can possibly
get away, to see those great men meet
and mingle,
Nest of them married, but some few single.
On looking the assemblage over, the
observer finds
That it is made up of gentlemen of all
kinds.
Some shave regular and are fashions glass
And some wear whiskers and blow out the
gas.
But no matter whether they wear fine Linen
or paper collars
Every enc of them gets $1,000
Which | am sure any woman with half an
eye
To economy could keep house on If she
were to try.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-04
Note. for a Christmas story.

Title: 1.-THE Babys Stocking" being a
compilation of Tudor jerks, in the Cri-
terions for The benefit Of amateurs.
Chapter I.
Hard times Rent. Mortgage. Cold day.
Snow. Wind bowls.
What shall We do?''
I'VE mustn't disappoint the children"
Kind heaven aid usv'
Chapter II.
Christmas eve. Baby's stocking hangs
above the fireside. Pathetic. The missing
will. Dear old grandpa died so sudden.
ly.' always meant to and said he would
but didn't" Baby's stocking remains. Rest
Of family go to bed.
Chapter III.
Baby's stocking. Snow, storm and wind
outside. Wind walls and soughs Swoops
down chimney Waves dear old grandpa's
portrait hanging above the mantel. Work
II uD.
The missing will drops into baby's stock
ing. Storm ceases.
Chapter w.
Christmas morning. Depressed but brave
family enter. Wish you merry Christ
masr' Repressed sobs. Baby goes and
rifles stocking.
bringed bsby!'
VIII discovered, Forty building lots heart
OF Chicago. All troubles vanish. Tears of
5oy.' Turkey. Plum pudding.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-04

Written fol- The Evening Star
Is Santa Claus a Myth
Come, If you must, stern man Of truth, and
tear the veil aside;
Destroy the fancies dear to youth: let
knowledge be our guide.
To little ones give wisdom, though its fruits
be only tears.
They must learn life's cruel lessons. Where
fore wait upon the years?
Lay bare the baser metal meath the giid-
ing on the toy
And hear the gratitude that speaks in duty
not In joy.
Stand forth and gain, nor count the pain,
the cynic's cold applause.
And tell the children that there isn't any
Santa Claus.
But in your justice do not halt. Bid every
falsehood fear.
Expose the empty nothings that We older
ones hold dear.
Show how the idols We have built are oft
but basest clay;
Show how the hour of bliss will like
bubble pass away:
Show us the hungeriDg mockery that hides
beneath smile
Teach us that even honor may be but
cloak for guile.
There's nothing that we may not doubt, so
strange are natures laws;
Don't rest on one achievement small and
stop with Santa Claus.
Do as your conscience may command, al
though you dread to trace
New lines of worldly meaning in a sweet
and happy face.
But for time forget the task and feel the
Christmas thrill:
The care for others happiness; the gener-
Gus good will;
From sordid calculation YOU are drifting
far away,
And another self is laughing at the hours
that brought dismay.
Before you lift your hand to shatter child
ish fancies pause,
And be yourself quite certain that there is
no Santa Claus.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-04

1t was after the place was supposed to be
closed to everybody except the janitor that
the portly man of business found the Of
fee boy sitting in a retired nook
What are you doing here?" inquired the
business man.
Reading" replied the lad
Some novel;"
Eyes, sir. 1 suppose it is what you would
call a novel; but L don't believe it's the
kind you mean"
What kind of story is it?" inquired the
employer, whose tones Increased in kindli-
less as the worried look disappeared from
his face.
ITS about a boy whose parents were
poor and who was forced to earn his living
So he got situation as an office boy"
And in the course of time by his courage
and honesty he arose until he became one
of the partners in the firm"
yet"
and 1 suppose you are hoping you'll
get along as well as the boy in the book :"
Yes was the answer, with sigh; I'D
like 1T first-rate."
LAS far as you've got in the book that
boy hasn't had to worry about whether
the landlord is going to raise the rent OH
his property so as to eat up all the profits,
have your
-, Nv. eol pSHeNe liiefe Is any tnlnS
like that in the story
He hasn't had any reason 20 bother
about what Congress may do to raw ma
terial, has he?"
Not yet. He hasn't even gotten TO be
a shipping clerk yet"
Then, of course, he doesn't lie awake
nights wondering whether somebody wnom
he has accommodate ted in a business way is
going to swamp him by allowing his notes
to go to protest."
Il haven't seen anything like that
We'll, If you want to get clear idea of
all that probably happened you mustn't
omit these details and think them over at
tentiyely. Don't neglect to earn as many
opportunities you can, nor to clinch
every one As it comes along. Don't shrk
any responsibilities when they arrive; but
at the same time, avoid getting your mind
SO firmly fixed on the future that you can't
enjoy being an Office boy while you have
the chance"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-04
Doubtful CoInpliments.

From the Westminster Gazette.
The compliments paid by the poor are
often put in an amusing way. One old
woman who was very fond OF the rector
said to Mr.. Bernays: You know. sir. US
likes the rector; is ears are 90 cleanr'-
surely an odd reason for parochial affec-
tion. Another admirer once declared with
regard to the whole star Of clergy: You
are all SO plain Il word OF high commenda-
tien), but a. for the vicar. 'e's beautiful"
The greatest compliment. though at the
same time the most curious Mr.. BernayB
ever heard, was paid by q workingman to
q certain bishop. famous fer HIS simple
dr dliness: What likes 'bout th0 bishop
= els not gsntlemAnr'
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-04

From the Chicago Tribune
"If this piano trust" muttered the man
who lives on the third floor of an apart
ment house, "is going to make it any easier
to buy pianos there is no refuge for me but
suicide"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-04
A Little Night Work.
From the Buffalo Enquirer.

From the Buffalo Enquirer.
There is an Office not far away where the
photograph is used in daily business. The
Man of Business comes down town when
he gets ready, opens his voluminous mail
and proceeds to answer his letters by talk
ing into the monograph. Later type
writer fits the receiver to her ears and
reduces the contents of the monograph to
writing In the afternoon the Man of Bush
ness comes in for few minutes and at
taches his signature TO the letters, and so
vast deal of business Is handled with
dispatch.
The other day the typewriter found the
photograph wound up with an endless
spool of story. She reduced ii faithfully to
type, and left it for the Man OF BUSINESS
to sign. This is how some of it read:
Whose deal7
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-29
HUMAN OXEN IN SOUTH AMERICA.
Some of the Hnrdshfps of Travel In
the Tropics.

In an article on Difficulties of Trans
pertation in the Tropics, in The Engineer
ing Magazine, August. c. P. Yeatman tells
some remarkable stories of the strength and
endurance of pack carriers in Colombia
SAYS MIR. Yeatman:
There are professional pack carriers on
some roads who make a specially of Carry
ing burdens which the sturdy and much en-
during mule cannot stagger under On
some of the roads you will see at times what
appears to be live box, staggering slowly
and painfully down the mountainside ahead
of you; you draw nearer, you may hear
the box grunt. very much as an old pack
mule does at each downward step on a
steep road There is something uncanny
about the whole proceeding. if it is your
first experience. and you happen suddenly
to overtake the box. going down hill, for
the moving. swaying and grunting mass has
no visible means of support, and no ap-
Parent excuse for behaving in such a man
ner. Very likely the road is too
narrow for your mule to pass your fellow
low in its wake But at last you
are able to pass ahead. and YOU find
that the organ is in way to blame for
moving, for il has man under it, Short
and stumpy he may be. but the muscle on
him reminds you of the pictures of old
Atlas holding the world On his brawny
shoulders In one hand he carries a long
stout cane, with which he steadies himself
on the slippery clay. and, when he wishes
to rest. he backs up the bank on the side
of the road, settles the lower end of his
load against the higher ground. and props
up the upper end with mis- stick; then he
Is free to slip the plated maguey fiber
bands off his shoulders and forehead, and
step out from under his burden.
Up the next hill perhaps you will over
take woman pack carrier, her skirts tuck
ed up 10 her knees. and below the skirts in
prominent view, great knots and masses of
corded muscle, which form her not grace
full but very useful. underpinning ASK
her how much weight she carries and vol.
may get the answer, as If il Were a child s
load. echo arrobas, 40 mas-equivalent to,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-29

only two hundred and twenty pounds AS
you catch sight of her wrinkled face Won
may thoughtlessly remark that it Is heavy
load for one of her years; her answer is
apt to be: You should see my grandmoth-
err: she does carry heavy loads; l am not
full-grown ye~' This is said with so fniur ed
ar air that you ride on wondering why you
had not remembered that a woman has n
tight to be touchy about her age, even il
she IS not dressed in the height of fashion
AS to the grandmother, and the probability
of her still being able to carry burdens in
this world. you are apt to be strongly OF
the opinion that the pack-mulish old lady
has drawn entirely on her imagination but
do not be too sure of that, for the glaring
tropical sun brings wrinkles quickly, and,
where women are frequently mothers at
fourteen years of age, great-grandmother
may still be very active member of So
ciety. --ss eF - - " - -s--
rs this sort OF freight carrying expen-
sive? Rather. A twelve-arroba. 330-pound
package, which is generally the maximum
for men. as a nine arroba is for women,
may cost $50 for one hundred miles, or
S1o.1S paper per ton per mile"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-29
FOUGHT A PANTHER.
Man and Animal Fight to the Dealt
With Natures Weapons.


With Natures Weapons.
From tie Memphis Commercial-Appeal.
Probably the only man who ever killed a
panther with no other weapon than the
strong hands and brawny arms nature gave
him is resident of Memphis.
He Is an Australian native, born in Sgd
ney, and gives his name as John l.. Sulli-
van. He stands feet inches in his shoes,
and weighs 215 pounds. not an ounce of
which is surplus flesh. His colossal frame
Is one solid mass of bone, sinew and mus
Gle, and If fighting were his trade he would
be ready to go into the ring at a moment S
notice. Had he been reared a pugilist he
would have cut no mean figure in the his
tory Of the ring and in all probability have
proved a match for Peter jackson in his
palmiest days.
But this modern giant says he never
fought man in all his life. The only
fight of note he ever had was with q
panther. and that laid him up for q year.
He will remember that fight to his dying
day.
1t occurred nine years ago. Sullivan was
then fireman of a construction train on the
Louisville. New Orleans and Texas rail-
road: One day his engine stopped In the
woods near Shelby, in Bolivar county
Miss. and having an hours leisure he got
on, intending to snatch an hours rest on
pile OF cane near the right of way. Just
as ne was preparing to lie down he saw u
panther approaching through a ravine that
concealed him from the construction crew.
Sullivan gave the alarm and the crew fed
leaving him alone on the field The pam
ther turned on Sullivan, whose presence 1t
was ignorant Of until 1t heard his warning
cry.
The animal. which proved to be Of formid-
able size. made spring and landed on
Sullivan with an impact that would have
feiied an ordinary man. The Australian
stood the shock without a stagger, how
ever, and pushed the beast on with a pow
erfui shove. but not before Its terrible
claws had buried themselves in his fle.h
and torn OF the skin and tissue from the
neck to the waist. Then with . blood
curdling snarl 1t attacked his LEGS. ola min.
on section OF his thigh and biting throurf1
the calf. where Its teeth remained until
Sullivan. with powerful effort, Kicked
loose" as he himself described 1t.
Then the battle began In earnest The
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-29
A GRAVITY CLOCK.
People Who Think the Problem of
Perpetual Motion Solved.


Perpetual Motion Solved.
From the Utica Press.
In appearance the clock suggests finely
finished model of a machine or hoisting
apparatus rather than timepiece, The
dial is secured by an upright brass "a"
structure. This latter is surmounted by a
round aneroid barometer, which suggests
the familiar steam. gauge. Around the dial
is a large fly wheel with sprockets, and to
the left Of the fly wheel is an endless bucket
chain lift. constructed upon the principle
of grain elevator, with thermometer
on the post Of the lift, suggesting steam
valve. Forty-one little weighted balls, Zach
about-the size of a large pea, are employ ed
to operate the clock; they are drawn UP on
the bucket chain and dropped at intervals
of a minute into a conduit over the fly
wheel, from which they roll into the sock
cts of the wheel. The wheel carries twenty-
one Of the balls at one time, and their
weight revolves the wheel. The power thus
produced swings the pendulum and gov
ems the hands on the dial The wheel
carries the balls about q third of the way
around. and then they drop into another
condilit, triple incline, which finally lands
them at the foot Of the elevator again
where the endless chain gathers them up
for another Swing around the circle -
Some fine mathematical work has been
requisite Tor this clock, as everything about
it depends upon the most exacting calcula-
ton. The balls must be all of exactly the
same weight and the momentum of each
must be the same; for II any one of them
were to lose fraction of a second in de-
scending the triple incline it would miss its
proper sprocket on the lift and stop the
clock Each of the little spheres travels
two hundred and nine feet and five inches
every day, and in the course Of a year
makes a journey of over fourteen miles. If
they were to travel in RELAYS thew would
make a record close to six hundred miles
within year.
OF course. the problem of perpetual mo-
ton has not been solved, there must
be hidden mechanism. The clock is
mounted upon a beautiful Brazilian onyx
base. inside Of which is regular clock
movement which does not run the clock
proper. but merely operates the elevator
clock movement is, employed for this
part because Ct the necessity for accur-
it. so that the cbaiH escapes with pre-
cision once every moment.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-29


Moonlight effects IN photographs have
long been admired by the uninitiated, and
fully appreciated by both amateur and pro-
fessional photographers for their beauty
and many plates. too, have been spoiled by
snap-shotters who have accepted moon
light as the real illumination of these views,
and accordingly focused directly on this
beautiful orb of night. Moonlights with the
moon herself n evidence are really sun
photographs; that is, pictures taken with
rapid exposure, the camera pointed
toward the sun generally in the late after
noon or early morning, and with clouds
between the lens and the direct rays.
Many Charming so-called night pictures
are taken by making two exposures a
short one in the rapidly diminishing after.
noon sunlight, to get an impression of
buildings and other dark objects, and an
other longer one after dark to print in
gas and electric lights that line the long
street or mark ont the roads and winding
pathways of city park.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-29

to the suffering persons Offering to obtain
large amounts from the railroad company
on contingent fees Of 10 to so per cent.
The clerks discovered this scheme, how
ever. In time to prevent the victims being
disturbed.
One attorney went to the Flower Hos
pital. where two or three victims Of the
wreck were. He was 80 persistent In his
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-29
oDI'Djq
Large English Customs Payments.

From the London Telegraph
Since a well-knownI tea merchant an
nounced that his check for f50,513. repre-
senting the duty on Ceylon and Indian tea
imported by him. was the largest ever paid
to the customs authorities. shoals of gen.
tiemen. anxious To- sshoF how grateful the
country ought to be to them. have pro-
claimed the payment of even larger sums
than that mentionsdy "A whisky merchant
rendered more; SO did, p tobacco importer.
who claimed to have paid 100000 at one
fell swoop: and now custom house off,
ctal states that even the latter sinks into
comparative insignifcance compared with a
check for 100000 once paid the customs
department. The particular business which
necessitated this large disbursement is not
disclosed, but there Is little doubt that It
was for either tea, whisky. beer or tobacco.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-29

the superintendent was forced to have
him. elected.
"A legal representative of the New York
Central railroad called at the Murray Hill
Hotel yesterday to effect an amicable set
Element with some Of the passengers. He
confined his attention, however, to those
whose damages were limited to lost prop
erty. I could not learn whether he was
srccessful
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-29

From the New York Hernld 81
Several lawyers visited the Murray Hill
Hotel at breakfast time yesterday. where
victims Of the railroad disaster near Gar
rison are being cared for. with q view to
arranging the details Of possible suits
against the New York Central and, Hud-
son River Railroad Company. The clerks
refused to send up their cards. but. undis-
mayed. they tried to send written appeals
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-29

From the Omaha Bee.


Mrs. Ole Handy Of Cobb county. Ga. is
the twenty-sixth child born to her parents.
Mrs. Handy had seven brothers who were
Baptist preachers and has six nephews en-
gagged In the same calling. Her descend-
ants now number seventy-seven.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-29

If you want anything. try an ad. in Tn
Star. II anybody has what you wish. you
will get an answer.