davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11
Beat the Drum in 1872

Sunday, May 16, New Hampshire's
 only survivor of the war of 1912
 Eleazer Smith, of Danbury, was 9c
 years old, rounding out the century of
 his life in unimpaired health. with
 acute senses and with much of the
 sprightliness which once filled his youth. Notwithstanding a slight lame. ness, his carriage is erect and bis
 shoulders square. His eyesipbt is particularly good for man of his apa Never has he needed medical attend ance, and only once, and that fou, years ago, has he ever suffered. EIpoze, Smith was born in Grafton, N. II. May 16, 179S, and was one of a family of eight children. All his brothers and sisters have been dead for more than twenty years, one brother being killed in the civil war. His grandfather was a soldier of the Revolution, participat- ing in many engagements. He saw General Warren fall at Bunker Hill and was himself wounded. Eleazer resided on his fathers farm till 1872 when he became imbued with q desire to go to the defense of his country. but his extreme youth made him in- eligible until 1914, when at 1G years of ige he enlisted in the face of opposi- ion from parents and ridicule from sriends.-HanOver (Mass) Cor. Boston ilObe.
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11
Towett's Seuse Of Humor

The late master of Balliol College. Oxford, Doctor JOwett, loved a good story, especially one which exhibited the comic side of things. During q sickness from which he suffered many ills, he was asked by a friend how he was.
 JOwett replied by quoting the words of Sydney Smith, then canon of St. Paurs, who, when at the point of death-'which," said Jowett, 'I am not'-declared that there was not as much left of him as would make minor canon!
 To another friend, who urged him to permit the publication of some of his sermons, Doctor Jowett said:
 Publish nothing that is not quite good. Don't be moved by peoples opinion. There is a story of Bishop Harrington and Philpotts. afterward Bishop of Exeter, who was at the time Barrington's secretary. The bishop said, I wish you to select for publica- ton twelve of my sermons that you think will do me least discredit.' Short ly after, when the sermons had been chosen, the bishop asked, Do you think that these will do me credit? Tprefer. my lord,' answered Philpotts, to ad- here to your lordship'S former expres- sion The sermons were not pub- Iicbad !"
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11
pUzZLED BY AN OWL.
saxauts at the Capital Thought the
 Monument Was Haunted,

| Monument Was Haunted, Tn one of the many glass cases in the Smithsonian Institution 6t Washing ton is a stuffed owl. This particular owl is the one, in the words of the late President Hayes, that jared the Washington monument" and therein lies the story.
 During centennial year Congress re- solved to provide the necessary funds for the completion of the monument, which up to that time had been work ed at only while the several smaller ap- populations lasted. It was discover ed, however, that the original founda- tiOn was likely to prove incapable of sustaining the enormous weight of marble necessary for carrying the shaft $50 feet above terra firma. A new foundation was therefore needed. and architects thought a solid concrete bed 100 feet square and nearly fourteen feet in thickness would accomplish the strengthening desired.
 During the operation of replacing the old foundation it was considered ex- pedient to provide means for noting carefully the slightest vibration of the walls lest the monument might be in danger of cOllapsing. Accordingly a heavy weight was suspended by stout thread from the apex to a pan of thick sirup located in the base. so that no chance drafts of air would be likely to sway the weight An ingenious con- trivance was so attached to the weight that the slightest vibration of the shaft would be faithfully recorded. and it's in- security would at once be an establish. ed fact.
 One morning a few months after these careful precautions had been taken there was a great commOtion among the WOrkmen. A complete rec ord of numerous perturbationS and tremblingS had been written on the in- deX, showing cOnclusively that the mammoth ObeliSk had jarreG, swayed and settled during the night. Scientific heads were dubiously shaken. After much persuasion one of the men finally consented to go to the top and examine into the cause. The astonishing report came into the midst of the anxious thrOng below that an owl in seeking shelter in the lofty tower had somehow managed to catch its wings in the thread and was still hanging there. suspended to the interior of the monu- ment, and the innumerable f1appings and struggles of his owlship had all been recorded by the index as testi- mony against the stability of plumb laid marble blocks and solid concrete Philadelphia Record.
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11
Early Opposition to Anasthesia

Every discovery has met with an- tagonism. Each advance in medicine has been opposed until the proofs have been so manifest that the great majority of antagonists have been over whelmed thereby. The Ninteenth Gen. tury has an article on ''The Advance of Medical Science During the Victorian Era from the pen of Malcolm Morris F. k. c. S., in which the opposition tO the use of anaesthetics is described. Dr. Simpson was its champion. After depicting the attacks of the daily papers and the refusal of suffering Da- tients to have GhlOrofOrm administered to them 1t says:
 IheSe feelings vo~o Hy no means confined to the nOnscientific public There was strong opposition from some surgeons who held that pain was wholesome stimulus; on this ground the use of chlorofOrm was actually for bidden by the principal medical officer of cur army in the Crimea. The clergy naturally bettered the instructions of these enlightened professors of the art of healing. I need only to quote one philanthrOpic divine who anathematiz- ed chloroform as "a decoy of Satan ap- parently offering itself to bless women.' but which will harden society and rob God of the deep, earnest cries which arise in time of trouble for heIpn Simpson answered those fools accord ing to their folly. He quoted scripture to prove that the Almighty himself per- formed the first operation under an- aesthesia, when he cast Adam into a deep sleep before removing his rib lie fought the battle of common sense With such convincing logic and such an overwhelming mass of evidence-chem- lcal, physiological, clinical, and sta- he finally shamed his op, ponents into silence"
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11
The Retort Courteous

The noted French writer, Piron, was a wit whose reputation for brilliancy of speech was unrivalled. He was famous for his flashing retorts: but even the best of us sometimes have to bow to superiority, though it be only temporarily.
 4 lady once thoughtlessly asked Piron in company whether he could tell her the difference between a woman and mirror.
 Tt is, madam" said Piron. instantly that mirror reflects without sneak ing. and woman speaks without rp- fecting."
 Very well, Monsieur Piron," she ra- piled, a little nettled by the remart but can you tell me the difference ho' tween mirror and a man?"
 "No," answered the poet.
 ''Oh," was the reply, it Is this Mon Sieur Piron. A mirror is always mol ished, but a man is not always SO"
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11

The story of Kaiser Williams late
 injury to his eye is exceedingly charac-
 teristic of that eccentric potentate. As
 told in cable dispatch, it was due to
 his insisting upon the performance of
 q difficult and dangerous task on board
 his yacht in face of the protests of the officers under him. The work was avow- edly designed to show that nothing was impossible" with him.. e.. when performed by otherS-and, while if was successfully accomplished with consid- erable injury to the vessel and great peril to the crew. there sens a sort of ''poetical justice" in the fact that bp was the only person actually injured. If he has learned. as the result that q German emperor is as likely to be burf by blow from ropes end as any OF dinary mortal the lesson may not be without its value.
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11

A Jersey City boy, r. years of age. is threatened with death because of ex- cessive cigarette smoking. The climax to busy life in this respect was reach ed when he rounded out a special feat or smoking TO of the things in TO con secutive minutes. It does not appear that this remarkable effort was the re- suit or any wager or trial of smok Ing endurance, but just an ordinary episode n the young mans day. only in this case nature had reached the linn IL and collapse followed. It would seem superhuous to hang any moral on this eplsode.- It would seem that every per son Who can read or has the sense of nearing must know by this time the deadly character of cigarettes. Yet the Tact fhat this Jersey City boy has per mitted himself and has been permitted by his friends deliberately to kill him. se indicates that a warning is still needed. Parents must shoulder the
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11

chief responsibility for occurrences of this kind. They are too prone to look obnoxious habit. and their boys accord ingly soon learn to take the same limit ed view of its nature. The fact must be impressed that the cigarette is a poison. It brings death in its wake, and even if death is resisted for q time the life given up to this practice is be reft of most of its pleasure and useful ness. 4 weakened constitution and mind are the inevitable immediate con- SeOuenceS
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11

Lynch law admits no defense. View ed from every standpoint its effects are bad. It may be granted that as q rule the object of mob violence de serves the fate which overtakes him. but every outbreak of popular fury brutalizes the community and weak ens respect for law and order. The true remedy for mob violence is the cultivation of confidence in the ability and certainty of the courts to punish adequately all forms of crime.
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11
They Are So IiTerer+

lhey have a law in Vienna which ooIges circus prOprietOrs to give their perlormances exactly as they are pie tured out in the Autographs"
 By George, 1 wish that sort of Ia w could be made to apply to the girls who claim to wear the charming hath. ing costumes we see on the womon.s page. ."-Cleveland Plaindealer.
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11

Colonel Fitzsimmons evidently is ''can stand only two or three stiff punches" He is standing more than that right along every day, to say noth ing about cocktails and straight whisky
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11

The New York lress has a very live ly imagination indeed. It says that genius. like Shakspeare's toad. may be out at the elbows and down at the heel, yet all the while wearing a pre- cious jewel in its head" If Shak- speare ever had toad that was out at the elbows and down at the heel we don't recall it.
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11

The last French survivor of Water loo was banqueted last mont4 at his home in France. His name is Ballot, and his age is 104. He'was 22 at the time of the battle, and, though many of the French troops were younger than himself, he alone is left of Ma pOleOn's host of 61,0OO.
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11

A loaf of bread taken from the tomb of Harnesses has been given to a Bos- ton museum. If there were cooking schools in those days that interment of Harnesses probably represented both cause and effect
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11
Uncle sam's First Postage-stamps

Uncle Sam's First Postage-stamns
 Fifty years ago-in July, 1S47-Un.
 cle Sam issued his first hostage.
 stamps" writes Fannie Mack Lotbron
 in the Ladies Home Journal. "In
 England, seven years before, Rowland
 Hill, 'father of the penny post intro-
 duced the sticking pl2 sters,' as the
 stamps were c0nJemptuously called.
 John NJ. Niles, our Tostmaster-G c eneraI at that time tried AerOically, but in
 vain, to move Congress to authorize stamps for this country. His successor Cave Johnson, was more fortunate. and the bill desired was approved on March 5, 1841 the stamps not being issued, hOWever, till August. thouoh the time appointed was July 1. Only two values of new stamps were in. uoduced in lS47-a five and ten cent stamp, bearing, respectively. the nor. trait of Franklin in a bronze tint and Washington In black.
 ''The first purchaser of stamnS in +ho United States was Henry Shaw. thn father Of Henry Wheeler Shaw Cbetter known as Josh Billings the humorist MT. Shaw was in the Postmaster Gen. erals office on August 6, 1S47, when MT. Johnson entered with the printer from who'll he had just received sheets of the new stamps Mr. Johnson mass. ed sheet to Nr. Shaw for inspection After giving the stamps a hasty glance Mir. Shaw, perhaps with an eva to future fame took out his wallet connt. ed out fifteen cents and purchased ono of each variety. The i've he kon+ ae a curiosity, the fen he presented % 4 Governor Briggs as an appronr,oto % gift" ''' 'e
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11

young Kentucky boy who married a widow of g the other day was given $1,000 in cash and told to go away somewhere alone and enjoy a honey moon trip. He'll probably forgot to re- turn the change.
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11

It is said that the late Mrs. Oliphant was informed fourteen months ago that she was suffering from d fatal malady, yet she wrote steadily on almost to the last day of her life. stephen Girard once remarked, If l knew that theless. plant a tree today -A.l.
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11

The Japanese attach their prayers to the arms of windmill and believe that every revolution counts in their fa vor. They have also learned to emboss them on the tires of their bicycles, and no doubt are happy in the conviction that he prayeth best who scorcheth hast
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11

In New York the other day several deaf mutes sang" several popular se- lections by gracefully utilizing their fingers. The attention of the young man who thinks that Sweet Rosie OGrady" loves him is respectfully di- rected to this method of expression.
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11

We are convinced that if anyone ever introduces the great American game of poker into the Orient Colonel Hamid will not have to walk home after a social session with the powers.
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11

Russia's census total of 129,211 ,113 looks like a long lead, but the United States will pass it in twenty-five years by maintaining the average rate of 0roVt h
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11

The Nashville Banner says: Hank Stubbins left for Johnson City last night. The purpose of Hanks visit was not stated" This certainly looks sus-
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11
An Amateur.

Husband-How do you know that the fellow was not a professional tramp and fraud?
 Wife-Because he moved the lawn and split lot of kindling to pay for his dinner.-Detroit Free Press.
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11
A Moving Appeal.

A Wabash college boy, having been admitted to the same Greek society 10 which his father belonged. introdncen HIS next request for a remittance with Dear Father and Brother. apolis Journal.
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11
cAN : AWKWARD P0SITION.8


care and caution. One evening he saw Isabel Dennison entering the library. He knew 1t was his one, because she had on gray dress, whereas her cOus- in had worn green one during the day; otherwise it Was too dark to see her features. He followed Ter into the room.
 'The incest time for chat" he said and she made a movement as if to leave the room, fitting toward a further door.
 "Yes, but I'm afraid can't stay," she said. '1 only came to fetch something left here"
 "Well-but don't go-stay a minute" |" said Dacre, etnreaungIy. He had no doubt at all about his accuracy as to identity; her desire to escape from him was sure proof. It alone others; for it was precisely the desire she had shown in the last few days, and which he took as a favorable sign. Miss Dennison- Isabel-am l mistaken in thinking-in hoping-you know-you surely must know-that I love you" 
 The girl had stood still for second, while Charlie rushed on with his dec laratiOn, but she interrupted him hast fly
 Indeed, Mfr. Dacre, I'm afraid-'
 Don't say that" said Charlie, going nearer; "all those weeks in town-down here, when we have hean thrown so much together-I surely have not mis- understood"
 A stifled sound came from the dim fig ure before him, whether laugh or what he could not tell; but he suddenly start ed back, and in so doing came face to face with another Isabel in a gray dress.
 If the earth had opened and swallow ed him Charlie would have been thank full. This was the crowning disaster. Neither Isabel stirred; which, in heav- ems name, was which? To whom had he proposed? How should he ever know he had got the right Isabel?
 He recognized after the first wild movement that he must save the situa- tion. H. approached the newcomer. who eyed Jim disdainfully.
 Miss De4nisOn-Isabel," he began
 "Which NJ Dennison do you intend stiff1y.
 How the deuce should I knowP It is nearly dark and you both evade me"
 You had better pursue your conver- sation with the lady you seem to recog- nize best, and I will retire."
 The other Isabel sprang forward
 Don't be a goose, cousin" said she, half laughing and you, Mir. Dacre. wait minute. You know very we'll. Isabel, it's all a mistake, and I'd have interrupted Mir Dacre before only he was so impetuous l had no time. He didn't mean me at all-'
 Mir. Dacre doesn't seem to know whom he means, said the offended Isa- bel.
 T know very well when I can see them," murmured Charlie, nearly Here goes for a light" But when a blaze of light illumined the room only one Isabel remained. Dacre took her hand. "You are the One," he said.
 Are you quite sure? she asked. lrchly.
 "Ah! that's cruell Of course, I am. What viii you say to me, Isabel-for- give me aEd-"
 Love you" whispered Isabel.
  CT hona ifre tHa r{obt ,noy
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11

A Syracuse contemporary says that "the actual cost of an up-to-date $lOO wheel is S3O.31." Bahi That will not furnish the courtpIaSter and arnica for the first three months.
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11

The economical man who follows the custom of laying in his winter supply of coa. in summer is wondering in a be- wiIdered way where he is at.
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11

we nave new interest in wanting 10 go to heaven; we want to find out from Joseph Schlatter why he didn't lay hands on himself.
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11
The Quarrelsome scorn;o

The scorpion is the most quarreIso,ne creature in the world Two placed ir the same box will always stinp ooot other to death.
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11

A correspondent writes that the Sul- tan is a hard worker and has no fads. It seems that he is collector of ulti- matumS
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11
EVERY SATURDAY

The sick man of Europe seems to have lately taken some nerVe-Duildlng medicine.
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11

A man hears and reads a great doo, more about love in the course of a dav than he Sees
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11

We are skeptical about that New Ha- ven girl turning to stone. Perhaps she merely feels a trifie rocky.
The St. Johns herald., 1897-09-11
Love you" whispered Isabel.

q hope it's the right one," said Bal lantyne, when the marriage ceremony was over; but upon my word, he was almost taking the bridesmaids hand fn- stead of the brides sr'-London Star.
The Portland daily press., 1897-01-28
Change in College League Schedule
ESPECIAL TO THE PREss.]
ESPECIAL TO THE PREss.J


Waterville, January 27.-The managers
of the Maine college baseball teams held
a second meeting at the Almwood today.
The only business Of importance was a
change in the schedule, which was made
out at the last meeting. The schedule
now is as follows:
May 5-M. S. G. VS. Bowdoin at Orono.
May 1a.--Colby VS.. Bowdoin at Bruins
wick.
May 15.-Bates VS.. M. s. c. at Orono.
May 19.-M. S. q. VS.. Bates at Lewis
ton.
May 2.s.-M. S. G. VS.. Colby at Water
vile.
May &c. Bates VS.. Bowdoin at Bruins
wick.
May go. -Bowdoin VS.. Colby at Water
vile.
June 5.-M. 8. c. VS.. Bowdoin at
Brunswick.
june 5.-Colby VS.. Bates at Lewiston.
+. June 9-Colby VS.. MISC. at Orono.
June 9.-Bowdo1n VS.. Bates at Lewis
ton.
Vile
The Portland daily press., 1897-01-28
was working against the interests Of the


was working against the interests Of the
people Of the state.
The hearing occupied a much shorter
time than had bean anticipated and Sen
ator Savage, the chairman CT the COM
mittee. urged both sides TO continue
their arguments as long as they wished.
.. Among those present as leaders Ut
the petitioners were Mrs. l.. M. N.Stev-
ems, Mrs. j. e. Mcdowell Of Portland,
and they were accompanied by Miss
Clara Farwell, and Mrs. NJ. M. Smith
of Rookland, Mrs. Hannah j. Bailey ana
Mrs. Helen Coffin Beedy.
The active ladies among the rsmon-
strants were Mrs. J. P.Baxter, and Mrs.
Sidney Thaxter of Portland, and Mrs.
Charles L. Ogden Of DeerinR. They no.
titled the committee that remcnstrance
would be presented 10 the legislature
and would undoubtedly reach the COM
m ittee in due time.
The Portland daily press., 1897-01-28
WILL BE JUDGE SAVAGE.
Auburn Mans Appointments Supreme
Rench Assured.

New Judge Native of Vermont and Grad
uate of Dartmouth College-Sketch of
His Political Career.
ESPECIAL TO THE PREss.1
Augusta, January 7.-lnformation
from such source that it cannot he
doubted, to the effect that Governor
Powers will appoint Hon. A. r. Savage
to the Supreme bench has been received
by a PRESS correspondent.
Mr.. Savage is one of the Senators from
Androscoggin county, and is 80 years Of
age. 3a
= Mr.. Savaq&gas born at Ryegate, Vt.,.
educated at The Lancaster, N. H.,
academy and at Dartmouth college,
graduating in tine class of 1871. He was
teacher until 1875, when he entered the
profession Of law, in which he las been
eminently successful. He was a MEM
Der of tns Auburn school committee In
1888, county attorney in Androscogein
county 1sSl-s5, judge of probate In the
same county 1869, thau may or or A u
burn in 1889, 80 and '91; melnb Der CT
the Maine House OF the Goth legislature;
sueaker of the House of the Goth legisla-
lure and member Of the last Senate.
The Portland daily press., 1897-01-28

The trial of John Sullivan for the
murder of Elias butcher, Meadow brook,
N. b., was concluded at Dorchester, N.
g., Wednesday, the prisoner being found
guilty.
The Nebraska State Senate Wednesday
uassed bv party vote a resolution call
ine on United States Senator 7 h urston
TO support free silver measures N Con-
greass, as it was alleged he had pie lged
himself to do
TIE Sth annual nesting of t; Q Whole
sale Marble Dealers association opened
ut the American house, Boston, yesterday
morning. Repres entatives OF the trade
were present from Biddeford, ewlston,
and other New England points.
The Portland daily press., 1897-01-28

Last evening at The FIRST Parish
house. q number Of MIR. Gibson's best
known drawings were placer before a
large and enthusiastic audience. The
figures were well-known people in So
ciety, and the positions were well stud
led and expressive.
Mr.. Leroy Hight introduced the plot
ures AMI was very happy in his explana-
tions and illusions. During the evening
Mr.. Bert Barnard and Miss Edna Webb
rendered pleasing solos.
All the pictures were charming in
detail but at times there was insufficient
contrast between the figures and the
background. Mr.. Gibson uses his white
paper and black ink for contrast in
q way that has made him famous.
Among the most pleasing Of the pictures
given last evening were THE Princess
Alene," interpreted by Miss Stevens;
"An Old Picture by Miss Brown:
"The Presence of Mind" by Mr.. and
Mrs Harry Rounds with Mr.. Harris
as the butler; "Tbe Last Day of Sum
mer, ''ssby MIR. Corey and Miss Stevens,
and the ''Puzzle." ''Eind the Man who
ia Paying for the Dinner" in which
little dinner party of dozen or SO. is
presented. with Mr.. Winslow Whitman
as the worthy imam"