davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-02

Written Exclusively for The Evening Star.
An Alaskan Complication.
remarkably odd situation
Is that of Miss Myrtle McBudd.
Her family is not high in station;
There isn't much blue in her blood
But now invitations oft reach her.
Most of which she discreetly declines.
Though they say now, do come" and be-
seech her.
Since her father set out for the mines
To be sure there's GOODNESS that fingers.
She gets an occasional rose;
And the men press the tips of her fingers,
But none of them ever propose;
And girls who once couldn't endure her"
Will sometimes go out of their way,
And with sweet condescension assure her
That she really looks charming today"
lis thus Fate contrives to embarrass
The coolest and woi ldliest folk;
This knowing a possible heiress
They agree is in no sense joke.
For news from the Klondike comes slowly
And there's no means of telling IL they
Are to rank her as one of the lowly,
Or as one of the naughty, some day.
There was never a bold politician
When doubt brought excitement intense
Who held a more joyless position
Than that of her friends. on the fence
And their foreheads already show ridges
Relentless anxiety's lines,
AS they wait before burning their bridges
Till her father returns from the mines.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-02
HE COULD. KICK,
4 Mule That Would BE Very I'm
popular ON the Avenue

n Mule That Would BE Very In
popular ON the Avenue.
AT rare Intervals along the mountain
roads of West Virginia and Kentucky the
traveller may come upon a blacksmith
shop, but he is much safer in the shoeins
of his horse if he will carry a few nails
and tools in the bottom of his buggy. On
a trip by Pound Gap on one occasion I
found a blacksmith shop at the forks of
the road, and, as usual a half dozen or
more men sitting around 1t in the shade.
My turnout needed some repairs and as
the smith was pottering about it inside.
L made talk with the men outside. One of
them wanted to sell me mule which he
had hung UP on the fence and I started in
for dicker. After we had been talking
FOR perhaps quarter of an hour the smith
asked me to step inside and show him
something about the work he was doing
AS soon as he got me away from the crowd
he came close and grew confidential.
amt thinkin' NV buyin' that critter,
air. you?" he asked In all sincerity
We'll, I don't know 1 want mule
and that one looks all right" I said
You can't tell mule by his looks, mis-
ter Mules is fer all the world like wo-
men.
Whats the matter with him?" I in
quired, quite ignoring the comparison.
HE amt safe. Course l amt got moth
In ag'in the mule ner the owner and I'd
be glad enough fer him to git the money
fer him. fer he owes me fer the shoein'
Nv him, but don't like ter see a stranger
tuck in an done up like he's tryin' to do
YOU"
But you haven't told me what's the
matter with the mule" I insisted 'sWnl
he kick?"
That's his weakness, mister" responded
the smith, letting his voice fall to whisper
You won't believe me. p raps. but I'm tell
in you he's the kickin'est critter in the
mountains. He shore Is, mister, and hope
1 may die right here. ef he can't kick the
sody outen a biscuit an never crack the
him."
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-02

mo. But I hyuhd whut he wah sayin'
ter de lady. He done toll huh dat he wah
hahd pressed foh money an he gin huh
de same explanation dat fits my case. She
done AK him how 1t come dat he wah so
hahd pushed when business orter be good
an he 'splained it right out to huh"
Go long. Don't try ter git you business
mix up long side wifi white folkss. Oar
aim no mo- use fob you ter use dem
peoples chains dan 1t is fob white folks
ter try ter fool de luck wifi a rabbits foot
bought out'n jewelry sto'."
us gwineter glib ii a trial, nohow. Mex
week sees ME right ober dar. across FUN
dis spot eff L kin git de pubmission."
''Whut was 1t you done hyuhd de gemman
sayT
Il hyuhd i'm tell de lady dat he done
los thousan's an thousan's OBJ dollars by
bein' on de wrong side er de mahket an
Is made up my min dat OATS jes' whah
l is"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-02
CALIFORNIA FRUIT FARMS
I"oriaous Profits That Some of Thor
Are Making This Yenr.


Is only since the year 1890 that the
eeopi7 VI Caii1ornia have shipped their
,ruit to the New York and PhiladeInhia
III any large quantities, but Cali
iornia fruit has found its way into eastern
cities more than ever this summer" said a
gentleman who is the owner of 10000 acres
of choice fruit land in Tehama county
Cal, to Star reporter
California fruit has acquired a world
VIDE reputation on account of it's size.
shape, color and flavor. The largest fruit
farm probably in the world is that of the
late ex-senator Stanford. 1t contains Ri. ON
acres ana the grapes raised and wines
made there bring in not less than $4,000 a
t saa,,, EX-Governor Bidwell has a fruit
1arm containing $4,000 acres Some of the
cherry trees on this property have been
growing Tor twenty-five years and the
oranches form circle at least sixty feet
IN uIaineter. NOT more than a dozen such
trees can be profitably grown on an acre
or land on account of tfeir immense size
ana the lack of room. l have seen s171
wcrth OF cherries picked from one of the
bidWeH trees and cares are well authent-
Gated where cherries 10 the value of 500
and over have been gathered from a single
Tree on other fruit farms. A full crop of
cherries from the Bidwell orchard will
bring it's owner anywhere from s9o NV, 70
s35.00O 'O0o ~
Just to show you how enormous the
profits OF fruit farming are, a friend Of
mine, the cashier of tie Fresno National
BANK, owns 1875 acres near Fresno, which
ne turned into a fruit farm seven wears
ago His wife manages the farm while he
attends to matters at the bank Perhaps II
Is due to his wifes able management. per
maps to the fertility of the soil, but he told
me recently that his profits this wear from
325 acres would be over s1OOO6. and he
showed me books and figures to substanti-
ate this statement, which l. knowing the
fertility of scme Of the California fruit
doubt" W
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-02

From Scribners.
To turn to the material side of things,
the assurance Of fixed income is source
of permanent satisfaction, however dispro-
portionate the income to the service that
is rendered. To be sure, the salary Of a
full professor, the country over, Is little IL
at all in excess of s., 600. In the larger uni
versities it may rise to 5000 or something
more, but the men who receive above
LOCO are so few as scarcely to affect the
general average. Aside from the bare pos
sibility of call to richer institution, the
college professor Is not likely to be earning
more at fifty than at thirty. Unlike most
other professions, there is here no gradual
increase of income, to give tangible evil
dence of a mans growth in power Unless
one has taken the Northern Farmers
thrifty advice, and gone where money is
when he married. his outlook as he faces
old age Is not reassuring. Pensions are
extremely rare; college trustees are fore ed
in most cases to be as ungrateful as re-
publics. The cost of living has steadily
risen in college towns, keeping pace with
the general increase of luxury throughout
the older communities. Here and there
lions, but upon the whole the scale of
necessary expenditure for a man fulfilling
the various social duties required by his
position Is constantly growing greater. The
professors Incidental income from books
and lectures is ordinarily insignificant
When he has paid his bills he finds no
margin left for champagne and terrapfn
II he smokes at all, he invents Ingenious
reasons for preferring a pipe. He sees the
light-hearted tutors sail for Europe every
summer. but as for himself he decides an
nually that 1t will be wiser to wait Just one
year more. Once In awhile he will yield
to the temptation to pick up a first edition
or good print, but Aldines and REM
brandt proofs are toys he may not daily
with. In short, his tastes are cultivated
beyond his income. and his sole comfort Is
In the Pharisaical reflection that this is
better, after all, than to have more income
than taste.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-02
AN ELOQUENT PRAYER.
And 1t Was the First That Was Ever
Delivered Before COngress.

fAAW ~ w NJ inc hrHu Io0t ~ n EVeE
Delivered Before Congress-.
1t does not matter who the member Of
Congress was who was doing the talking.
but he is one that is supposed to know as
little about religion IS he knows much
about politics.
Don't be alarmed about me-" he said to
three or four correspondents the other day,
during a passing visit to the capital, but
I've got something you haven't thought of
In thousand years, and I'm going to read
1t to you. 1t may remind you of our very
dear and good old friend, Chaplain Milburn.
but that's no harm. What have here is
copy of the first prayer ever delivered in
Congress. / found 1t in an issue of Thatch-
er's Military Journal. bearing date of 17T7,
and 1t is credited to Rev. Jacob Duche,
rector of Christ Church, Philadelphia, who
subsequently proved traitorous to the noble
cause Of independence. The prayer is as
follows:
30 Lord, our Heavenly Father, high ana
mighty King Of Kings and Lord OF Hosts,
who dost from Thy throne behold all the
jewellers on earth and reignest with power
supreme and uncontrolled over all the king
doms, empires and governments. look down
in mercy, we beseech Thee on theseN Ameri-
can states, who have fed to Thee from
the rod of the oppressor, and thrown them
selves on Thy gracious protection, desiring
to henceforth be dependent only on Thee;
to Thee they have appealed for the right
eousness of their cause: to Thee do they
now look up for that countenance and sup
port which thou alone canst give; take
them, therefore. Heavenly Father under
Thy nurturing care; give them wisdom in
council and valor in the field; defeat the
malicious designs of our cruel adversaries:
convince them of the unrighteousness of
their cause; and, IL they still persist in their
sanguinary purposes. o let the voice of
Thine own unerring justice, sounding in
their hearts. constrain them to drop the
weapons of war from their unnerved
hands in the day of battle. Be thou pres
ent, o God of Wisdom, and direct the coun-
sells of this honorable assembly: enable
them to settle things on the best and sHrest
foundation. that the scene of blood may be
speedily closed that order, harmony and
peace may be effectually restored and
truth and justice, religion and piety pre-
vail and flourish among Thy people. Pre-
serve the health of their bodies and the
vigor of their minds: shower down on them
and the millions they here represent such
temporal blessings as Thou seest expedent
for them in this world, and crown them
with everlasting glory in the world to come
All this we ask in the name and through
the merits of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our
Savior. Amen
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-02
THE FOUR SUITS.
Some Facts About Cards That Are Not
According to HOyle.

Some Facts About Cards That Are Not
According to HOyle.
They were sitting around the table wait
ing for the rest of the party to arrive
when new man in the game picked up the
cards and began to spread them before him
on the cloth.
of course" he said, in a half soliloquy.
''ycu all know that cards were invented in
1890 to divert the mind of Charles w of
France, who was dreadfully in the dumps
with a torpid liver or something of the
kiEd, but possibly you don't know about
the figures of the four suits. Well, the in
ventor proposed by them to represent the
four states or classes of men in France.
By the Caesars (hearts) are meant the
Gems de Choeur choir men ecclesastics:
the nobility or military part repre-
sented by the points of lances or pixies,
which We. in our ignorance of the meaning
or resemblance of the figure, call spades.
The Spaniards have espadas (swordS) in
stead of pixies, which means the same
thing. The diamonds (carreaux, square
stone tiles or the like) designate the order
of citizens. merchants and tradesmen. The
Spaniards have coin. dineros, which an
swers to IT, and the Dutch call the French
word carreaux, steineen, stones and dia-
n,onds. from the form. Trieste, the trefoil
leaf or clover, corruptly called clubs, al
ludes to farmers and country folks gen.
orally. 1t is not known how this figure
came to be called clubs, unless the name
borrowed from the Spanish game.
which has slaves or clubs instead of the
trefoil.
1.-The history of the four kings is that of
David, Alexander, Caesar and Charles.
names which were and still are on French
cards. These names are those of the great
monarchies of the Jews. Greeks, Romans
and Franks under Charlemagne. BY the
queens are intended Argine, Esther. Judith
and Pallas, typical of birth. piety. fortitude
and wisdom, the qualifications residing in
each, and, 1 may add most of those neces-
sary in a good poker player. 1 may also
explain that Argine is an anagram for
regina, meaning queen by nature. BY the
knaves were meant the servants to knights,
the old definition of knave being servant.
There are some, however, who think that
the knights themselves were intended by
those cards, because Hogier and Lahire.
two names on French cards, were famous
knights at the time cards were invented.
Now, continued the new player, warm
ing to his subject, IF you will take the
history of cards from the time Of" but
he was never allowed to finish, for the
other members of the party came in then,
and who ever heard of a lot of poker play
ers delaying the game for anything. histori-
cal or otherwise?
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-02
IMITATION OYSTERS.
Showing How Far Paris IL From the
Chesapeake.


Showing How Far Paris IL From the
Chesapeake.
1.-THE most singular thing 1 saw while in
Paris" said a gentleman who has just re-
turned from Europe to a Star reporter.
was artificial oysters. I don't mean what
are called mock oysters-that is, meat done
up in a patty or a potpfe-but the real BIZ
valve intended to serve raw. And as Ear
as looks go, you would say at glance that
they were genuine American oysters, but
when you came to eat one the difference
would be perceptibie at once. How they
are made and what materials are used in
their manufacture is mystery which
did not solve. but it Is certain that a great
deal OF money is made by the producers.
The usual price paid tor these artificial oys-
tiers is three cents each, or thirty cents
&c zen, and sometimes, in the second-class
restaurants, they are to be had for two
cents each, though they are not apt to be
very fresh at that price. You order q plate
on the half shell, ana when the waiter
brings them to you they look as nice as the
real oyster that you get in the best Ne-y
iork oyster house. If YOU are not a good
judge Of oysters you will eat them with
your wine and go away without asking any
creStions. '
me only really genuine thing about
tnem IS the shells. The manufacturers. l
was told, buy second hand shells from tbe
restaurant keepers at small eynensa
ana with a harmless and tasteless paste
G fnsten the spurious oyster in it's place.
Ony one-haif shell is used for the pur-
pose, and in that shape the fraud y.ters
are packed in tiers in boxes and baske.s,
whlcn are displayed in windows, on coun
1ers or on shelves. Others to be served
" Mi. Iio tne shells are put up in cans. or
IN glass jars containing fron tweptv.iiv. 70
one On hundred. Determinations" are consumed
III sucn large quantities that the dealers in
ha.a, oysters are urging the restaurant and
fast .. neepers TO break up their shells as
Fay the cooks and walters liberaily to
pound pc .I them to pieces. so that the makers
vi me artificial article will have a Iimitad
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-02
An Inspiration.

There" she said. al she finally got the
check properly Endorsed and handed 1t to
tine paying teller; I'D like to have the
money, please"
The young man scanned it carefully, and
then looked at her.
as there anything wrong with it?" she
inquired apprehensively.
No; I am sure it's all right. Only we
have our rules here. and before We can .et
you have the money you will nave to lie
Identified"
But the friends I am visiting took a
trip out into the country with my mother
this morning.
Then you will have to wait till tomor-
row."
But need the money to do some shop
ping with this afternoon"
I'm very sorry
ITS absolutely necessary to be identi-
fed?" she asked. plaintiyeiy-
Absolutely
"Well, I suppose I can manage 1t. Will
the bank be open for an hourT'
Yes"
Then I'll hurry home and put on my
evening gown. It's great deal of trouble,
but it's the only way, and I'm glad I hap
pened to think Of it,
II don't quite understand"
'Why, I have a strawberry mark on my
right shoulder; and everybody who has
read anything at all knows that there isn't
any better Identification than a strawberry
mark.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-02

subject as that
Proclamation by n s.Boss."
'Tis harmony that this convention
Is mostly IN need of today,
So see that We have no dissension
Be hushed while I'm saying my say
These feuds. 50 fcrocious: these factions.
Are truly distasteful to me-
It's calmness We want in our actions
And calmness is what we'll have-sce?
We've sent to the poultry mems ranches.
So that no one may want for a dove:
And dray will soon bring olive-branchey
To betoken our mutual love.
Good will is the motto we cherish
Let every man keep to the key
Let discord's embarrassment perish
And III lead the orchestra-see?
Through life, hand in hand let us ramble,
These chickering's dire and these broils
Retribution will find. you can gamble
When 1t comes to dividing the spoiis.
We want no remarks disputatious
When 1 have put forth my decree
But mien Chesterfieldian and gracious:
And VIC don't want t. wait for it-see?
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-02
Uses of a Rough Trolley Road.

From the Chicago Inter-Ocean.
The roadbed Of local trolley line In a
well-known packing house center in Kan
sas Is not In the best condition. milk
man, watching the oscillations of a car,
concluded to utilize the vibrations for OPP
Grating churns- The result is that several
owners of cars in the vicinity set their
churns on the front end OF a car, and the
round trip separates the butter from the
buttermilk. The motorman receives some
Of the latter in payment for the mechani-
cal agitation impaired to the cream. It Is
well known to physicians that the constant
swaying, 5olting and Earring motion of
electric cars produces Ill effects upon per-
sons constantly subjected to 1t, sometimes
producing partial paralysis in the lower
limbs. as In the case of q brakeman re-
Gently. He was conveyed to hospital,
and, after all other methods of treatment
ployed. It proved to be. specific for the
ailment. The man has returned to work.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-02
An A~,rehen.ion AlIayed.

Mr.. Nagby's face had been gloomy dur
ing the entire dinner. His wife had refrain
ed from asking him what the matter was
in the hope that he might forget his trou-
bles. but finding that his morose mood was
likely to last through the entire evening
she concluded it would be better to invite
his confidence and tender sympathy.
us anything on your mind, Caleb?" she
gently inquired.
mind he answered with irritation.
What's a mans mind for IL II isn't to
have something on it. Do You want to see
the mind of the human race maintained in
the way like a veriform appendix"
"Of course don't" she answered. with
the softness that turns away wrath Il
simply wanted to be a sharer Of your sor-
rows. I felt that 1t was my duty to give
you my sympathy IL you care to have it,
The problem that is worrying me Ia one
that you couldn't understand IL I were to
place it before you"
'T might try"
wen its Whittier are we driftinsy
That's the whole question in q nutshell
Now, you can take it and throw the In
candescence of your intellect on it and see
what you can do with it,
Couldn't you present 1t in a more def
mite way" she pleadingly persisted.
"Of course. l knew you wouldn't be sat
statement You want whole lot Of words
What Il bothering me Is the manner Ia
which the people of wealth and social posi-
pathy with the aristocracy Of Europe. The
nobility from abroad are marrying our
girls and getting into our families so that
in the course Of time I expect nothing less
CO untry
'4Nonsensegs exclaimed his wife.
Il suppose that's what You cab sharing
my sorrows." he reJoined with sarcasm
ssBut Caleb. IT'S imuossfh5n r., shsr. |.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-02
Slight-of-Hhnd ON the Conductor.
From the PhiIadeiphis Record.


From the Philadeiphis Record
cit was on one Of my early trips said
the conductor. "A well-dressed man got
on my car. and when I went to him for
his fare he handed me a five-doIlar BILL I
took the bill and examined 1t prstty close.
as I always do with big bills. 1 didn't
have any too much change, SO held the
bill IN my fand. and said, Haven't you
Anything smaller? The man said, I dent
think So but he took the bill and .rum-
pied It uD In his hand while he searched
through his pockets for smaller money.
Then he shook his head and handed back
the crumpled bin. didn't look at II again.
but stuck It In nay pocket. and counted out
&495 change. Well, when counted my
money at the end OF the run found my
self just 81 short. Then tumbled TO the
game. The sharper had cleveriy changed
the flyer for one while he was looking
through his pCckets,s and simply bit ike
sucker But, say. you can bet WONT
bite again"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-02
Telephone Improvement.

Louisville is said to have the best tele-
phone service In the country the arran ge-
ments for the use of the instruments being
much improved and simplified. No bell Is
rung to attract the attention of central"
When the user takes the receiver from
its hook the act lights small electric lamp
in the central office, which shines only SO
long as the conversation is going on.
When the receiver is put back on its hook
the light goes out. There is minimum of
yelling for attention under this system,
and a diminished percentage Of suiphurous
imprecation from the unregenerate.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-02

ttAtslut dr-tIiiDidkf
that discussed local
topics. and the tray-
eler regretted their
adjournment for a
friendly game.
The two or three
who did not play
soon dispersed and
left him to his own
thoughts. In despair
of finding further en-
tertainment. he went
to the landlord )
desk and asked for
his key.
Il am afraid you
Will have to wait a
minute or two" the
landlord said.