davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1897-01-02
On CHRISTMAS DAY.
A Scene From Real Life Enacted ia q
Maxhtn9ton Strcct Cnr.

1t was Christmas afternoon. the scere of
the little drama a lith street ear. At Ith
street, neat, cleanly-dresSed workingman.
acct mpanied by his LITTLE daughter of per
haps five. enterc The car. The little maid
was prettily but chcaply dressed. and her
dear little dimpled face VAS as bright as
heath and happy childhood could make
it, She carried in her hands a six-inc
doll, Gorgeous!y dressed IN pink lawn and
cheap tinscl, a toy that reVer cost more
than fifteen cents, and in the other hand
a cmall white net bag OF candy. At 18th
street a woman entered the carat least
something that had been a woman, and
1t her heels followed a dirty uukempt
child Of six or eight. whose ragged skirts
told that she was girl. The woman was
wreck, and her breath Was redolent Of
bad ioLor. She sat down and went to
sleep. The child of poverty crawled up on
the seat by the little maid. and Instantly
the doll attracted her eyes She looked At
1t longingly for moment and then laid
her dirty forctinger on its fun pink skirts
with the single word: pretty
Santa Claus bringed hcr." replied the
little maid. IS she hugged dolly 10 her
heart. You get one?'
Nawt was the brief reply.
You get candy?"
'Nawt'
My mamnla gave me this pretty dress:
DID your mamma give you one?"
NV; Amt got no ma, nor no paw
''on!" said the little maid. and her red
Ups ho gan TO pucker. and sho w.nkad hard.
You amt go 10 mamma no papa, and
10 dolly
Nav. woman give me- a doll once. hut
sh" sold il fer drink OF uh-ekx." holding
toward the sleeping woman. shes my
aunt she is
Don't Santa Claus never bring you
"Nerar heard Of n:m." repliei the street
van lacohlc2Ii!. NobCdE never gives me
much but bea:in's"
The little mad WAS almost Overcome
Witn the enornli,v Of the street waits snf-
le'ings. No mamma. papa oi Santa Claus.
and beaten beside
HeI little heart was aching. ard The
pam hlled her bright eyes lsin fun she
looked lovingly at the doll and then at he
wall, then she reached out her chubby
hards and thrust into the WATTS eager
grasp, both doll and candr You can
nave my Pearle Maud" she said bra ,.lZ-
L We got my papa and mamma" then she
spfShg INTO her fathers arms and buried
her head in his overcoat. her little form
snaklng with sobs. The littln waif lo,lIed
a the dol as mother might look al her
iohsed-for first born. then thrl.st II oi.t ~
the father, the candy falling to the fnnr
Here. she said hoarsely. she's such a
kid, ano 'tain't fair"
Keep it, child" he reulfcd with q ten
DER smile as he stroked his little ,faurli-
terS curls
The waif looked at the doll again. then
tehnerlv hiding it under the fraved old
sh@~l she said half to herself I'm call n
Angel fur her" -
ire man smiled, the little maid smug
sied closer TO her fathers heart. the W.
man slept in drunken stuuo- while tba
Dag OF candy lay forgotten on the floor.
Evening star., 1897-01-02
WHY HE DON'T PLAY POKER

There's great deal of amusement to be
had from a pack Of cards." remarked the
member Of congress who represents a con-
stituency in the southwest. ITS wonder
full to think of the amount Of entertainment
a man can get out OF those pieces Of paste
board, If he knows how. Do you know
what I do when feel as II I'd like little
relief from the monotony of 1ifeT'
Il couldn't say exactly" The Star man
replied; but think could make a very
close guess
"Apd I'll bet a hundred dollars to twenty
five that you'd guess wrong. You'd say
that find a few acquaintance and sit in
at quiet game Of poker
isn't that right?''
mo, sir; not in Washington. Out where
livs can count chips, winner or loser. as
fast as any man in the township. But here
l pass out before the game starts. What I
ebb and flow for others. while 1 sit off in
corner and do my best to get all the
cards of one suit out of the middle piles
onto the corners. 1t amt much Of an am
bition in life; but it's better than taking
any such chances as I understand you run
against in this community when legislation
is active"
"Why, they play poker here just the same
as they do anywhere else"
mo, they don't. I've heard about 1t.
Ore of the biggest men in this outfit insists
en- playing straights around the corner. He
says that queen, king. ace, deuce and tray
constitute just as good straight he
wants to see, and that when you're able to
Ering it to bear, it's as much in order as
motion to adjourn
I've heard of that. But it's a small de-
tail that you could soon master"
Il dent want to learn any variations.
AS soon as they get to ringing in mongrel
hands on me 1 quit. burnt child avoids
the fire, and I'll never fool with any game
that I've got to learn as l go along. did
1t once The young man that gave me my
experience was from the east. He started
in to play straights around the corner, and
he seemed SO hurt and surprised when I
said I wasn't used to 'em that let him
go ahead and have his own way. 1 liked
to listen to him talk, anyhow, for he was
mighty good company. He seemed to know
SO much about everything else that didn't
hesitate to give him credit for being right
that living sort of secluded-like as l had
a few fine points might have escaped me.
Every once in a while he'd work off new
combination on me- He was getting along
hrst-class and l wasn't doing much of any
thing except buying chips of the bank.
But he lost a good thing and made me
skeptical for life by playing his luck too
fine. He might have been collecting reve-
nue. from me yet If he hadn't insisted on
beating my full hand with his high low,
jack, big casino and one for his nobs. 1t
may have been all right according to his
theory of the game, but to this day can't
help having my suspicious"
Evening star., 1897-01-02
KEEP An EYE ON KANSAS.
What the Geographical Center Has
Done, Can Do and VIII Do.

Done, Can Do and Will Do.
II you want to make the blood OF a true
kansan boil just say to him that the sun
hover state has dropped back a peg In
the march OF civilization. Tom McNeal, an
ex-state senator and humorist of more than
state fame. is particularly jealous Of the
states fair name. you can Just say TO
the jays who are poking fun at Kansas"
he said to a reporter of The Star, that
whatever they may think of her political
conduct, whether they wear the sack cloth
OF the defeated or snort with the exultant
voice of the victor. the unalterable fact
remains that Kansas is still the geographi-
the universe. Even the fact that half the
people OF the world are at this time en-
gagged In abusing or defending her shows
that she is built to attract attention Esd
invite contention. The ordinary common
place things Of the world do rot attract
attention, only the little things of value
invite contention.
kansas will in the future. as she has in
the past overcome more difficulties create
more surprises and make more material ad-
vancement In a given time than any other
state in the Union.
kansas is.the only state that ever grew
enough wheat in one season to furnish
bread for more than week for ever
man, woman ard child on the face of the
globe, from orient to Occident and from
GreenlanGS icy mountains to 1ndia'S coral
strand. She Is the only state that within
twenty-four hours can furnish climate
suited to the taste of the ice man from
Iceland. tie Pole from Poland. the Hol
from Holland or the tropical savage from
Borneo in his untrammeling suit of sun
shine.
kansas is the only state that can mix
in the commerce of every cline and where
hot wind viii affect the markets of
Christendom. Withia the last ter years
the state has raised sufficient corn to fat
ten enough cattle to drink up the waters
of Lake Superior and enough hogs to fur
ntsh ham gravy sufficient to float the
United States navy. She has enough nat
ural gas to supply the furnaces of civili-
cation and enough salt to make picking
brine out of all the fresh waters of the
globe.
Keep your eye On Kansas and don't be
discouraged She will profit by the agri-
cultural mistakes of the past and develop
along the lines that nature intended"
Evening star., 1897-01-02

communication between the two rooms
both odors and sounds might pass disagree
ably between the two; this is however,
obviated by a revolving cupboard or dumb
waiter placed between the two rooms.
The wall is about Is inches thick BY per-
mittins the cupboard to project slightly
into the room, a circle of two feet and a
half or three feet is secured. This is oc-
cupted by a revolving drum or cylinder
four feet high and divided into two shelves.
There is an opening down one side only.
When this is toward the kitchen the closed
back of the cylinder faces the dining room,
and, as it is made of highly polished ma
hogany, and the cupboard opening is fin
ished at top and bottom with window cas-
ing, the appearance is not at all bad. When
the cook has placed the dishes for one
course upon the two shelves of the dr.m
a touch of the finger whrls it noseless.y
about, and the waiter on the other side
has only to take the dishes off.
Evening star., 1897-01-02
WAS ENLIGHTENED.
And No Longer Believed in the Su,
pcrstitiOns, of His PcODle


DcrstitiOns. of His People.
A coored gentleman, who occupies the
proud position of tanitor in public build
ing. has as his guest an uncle, who is a
Baptist minister in Georgia town.
Uncle Mose.'' said the nephew, de rea-
son why 1 hab done got to de top OBJ de
Wurl is dat l don talk no stock in dem
foolishness dat used ter hab down in
Georgy. Now all dem signs an supersti-
tionlstlc notions am done gone"
L dunno, Dave said the reverend
uncle II hope yo' aim done los none oh
yo' l1gion while disquisitioning wild de
white folks. OBJ co'se, l don belebe in no
signs dat ain 'cordin ter Scriptur but dey
is sumpfin bout dem. Now. dar am de lef'
MN loot OBJ de grabe ya'd rabbit"
didn mean no sch ting as dat, Uncle
Nose. interrupted the nephew. Il mean
dem signs an superstitions OBJ co'se. de
lei hin foot oD de grabe ya'd rabbit brings
luck Eberybody knows dat, but dat ain
no sign. jess fac, laik if dawg crosses
70 path some one gwine do yo' wrong or
anything dat cherry man knows am so.''
Glad ter heah yo' say dat, Dave Twas
sure fraid yo' got ter be one O. dem ag-
nostlcs, replied the uncle.
Evening star., 1897-01-02
OUTWITTED THEM,
How n Detective Failed to Capture
the Men He Was After.

HOW DetectISe rSlieU 10 Sapturc
the Men He Was After.
what was the case that made the deep
est impression upon me?" was WELL
known detectives response to the query of
"a Star reporter. We'll if should tell it
it would ruin my reputation. but L will
give it to you upon the understanding that
my name is not to be used.
"a gang of horse thieves were working
southern Indiana, and 1 was employed to
ferret them out. Taking two assistants,
l started on the trail and finally succeed
ed in locating them in Brown county,
which Is, 1 believe, the only one in the
state without railroad.
I'VE knew that the thieves had their
headquarters somewhere between Column
bus and Nashville. the latter being the
county seat of Brown county, and with my
men secured the county without success
until nightfall, when we took refuge in
cabin, the family being absent, and we ex-
pected to explain our presence when the
occupants returned
I'm about an hour four men rode up.
evidently much excited the leader accost-
understand you are looking for stolen
horses Three were taken from us last
night ana we want to give you descrip-
tions of then and join your party At first
l was somewhat suspicious and gave them
no direct reply, inquiring instead:
Do you know whose cabin this is"
On, yes; 1t is old-man Stewards. They
are in Columbus and will not be home to-
night but we are friends of his and know
any man is welcome, especially on the
mission we are. He has had four horses
stolen
"They entered the cabin and 1 soon lost
all suspicion of them, taking descriptions
of the horses they had lost and agreeing
that they could remain with us the next
day.
Il awoke early in the morning, having
occupied the lowe room with my men
while the strangers had retired inxhe loft
went to the log stable to see after our
three horses and they were gone. Then I
returned to the house and no trace could
be found for some time of the strangers
Finally rudely written note was discover
ed pinned to the door, saying that we were
welcome to remain in the house until the
following day, when stage would take
us to Columbus: that they had moved and
would not use the cabin any longer. That
was the last trace 1 ever got of the thieves
or the horses"
Evening star., 1897-01-02
HER PRESENCE OF MIND.
Convincing Evidence That She Had
Kept Cool in an Emergency.


Mr.. Torkins is fortunate in having been
able to educate his wife to an appreciation
Of the pleasures which he enjoys. An
ardent devotee of the camera. he has in
spred her with the same artistic enthns-
asm which he feels when he has secured an
especially beautiful or unique picture
1T is too bad for us to miss all The skat-
ing he remarked. We're not so old as
to deny ourselves one of the greatest en-
Joyments that the season affords.
Il don't know how to skate was the
answer. But don't let that make any
difference to you"
Il shouldn't think of leaving you behind, -
he rejoined, gallantly. ITS not a matter
of any Importance, and Well say 10 more
about it,
That would make me feel very badly
Now, we can get to the pond before sunset.
and look on
That won't be very exhilarating sport
for YOU
''Oh, shall be ever so much entertained
in watching YOU
That's SO. Maybe I'll fall down for you.
ThatH be sure to amuse you.''
Besides, she went on, never hee,iing the
sarcasm, Il can take the camera with me
and be on the lookout for some thing new
to photograph.
They set out, and in short time hc was
lightly skimming over the ice while his
wife stood admiring the grace with which
he moved They had sought a less fire.
quented part OF The pond, and there was no
one to warn him that he was approac nilg a
spot of danger. There was a crackle, then
a crash ana in a moment only a Jagged
hole in the ice gave evidence OF air Tor
kins' whereabouts. Some men who had
heard him cry out rs he Went doWa came
hurrying to the rescue. and ii was not long
hefore he was at home.
Il must say" he remarked when he
was beginning to feel comfortable once
more, that women haven't much presence
of mind
Il hope his wife answered, that you
don't intend that remark to apply to me-"
Il certainly do
But what ground can you find for such
an assertion, Charley? This Afternoon
Yes; this afternoon is what / have ref
erence to. You never thought of getting a
board and showing it out to me or any of
those things that you read a bout its bein =
proper TO d DIN case of accident So far
as can remember you didn't even cali for
help
Charley, 1 have always heard that ren
find fault when they are not we'll | sup
pose l ought to make allowances, hut L
can't help feeling hurt when you say that
lacked presence Of mind. If there is any
thing L did have it was that l NAV not
have done just what you expected. But
- and she gave an affectionate glance at
the camera on the mantelpiece. Il got a
splendid snapshot of you, just as YOU we're
going under the water"
Evening star., 1897-01-02
Immigrants From Iceland.

From the Toronto Neil.
Permanent Icelandic citizens think that
there should be a large immigration to
Manitoba from Iceland in the spring. The
results of the season on the island have
been so unfortunate that those who suf-
fered will be naturally anxious to getaway
If they have the means In the southwest
the fishery. which is one of the chief in
dustries has been almost a complete fail
ure. The stock-raising industry has re-
ceived an almost knock-down blow in the
new act which compels the slaughtering of
sheep and cattle at British ports. Up to
this time Iceland has been one of the IA
vored nations. and has raised large num-
bers Of cattle and sheep for the scratch
feeders to prepare for market. Neither
sheep nor cattle can be properly prepared
for British markets in Iceland and thus
the scheduling ofctheir cattle affects them
much worse thanit does Canadian stock
men. Another unfortunate affair was the
series of terrible earthquakes which did
SO much damage dn. the island. AS many
people In Icelandichave relatives in Mani
toba who are doing well. it is only natural
to suppose that ht this time they would
turn their eyes toward the new land.
Evening star., 1897-01-02
COTILLON FAVORS.
Uses to Which They Are Put by So.
ciety Girls.


From Harpers Bazaar.
1t is an interesting study to note the diff
erent uses to which the so-caIled New
York society girl puts her cotillon favors.
one girl always has something ready when
she hears the little voice in the early morn
ing say through the crack of the door:
Sister, got anything for me? What did
you get last nieht?" Another girl saves
them all from year to year. She came out
in society last winter, and one entire side
Of her bed room is covered with every con-
celvable favor, even to an enormous JAPAN
ese spider, tied by the neck with a narrow
ribbon. This year she has had a rack made
10 nang her new ones on. The effect is
very bright and pretty in her room. Then
we near or still another kind Of girl:
Ihls girl rips up almost all her fayors.
ana makes good, practical use of nearly
every one. She trims her summer ha ts
with the artificial flowers and rihhons
makes collars and belts of some of them
uses the fans, and gives some aWav as
presents; in fact, she asserts that going to
dance Is great economy The incest one
OF all the girls who is lucky enough TO get
IaVors Is the one who, without telling any
one or letting any one see, will divide with
some other girl at the dance who has NOT
mad srch good time as herself. and in
tnat way will help to send her home ha INV
and contented.
Evening star., 1897-01-02
UNDER THE MISTLETOE

The young woman's small brother looked
with palpable disfavor' on the bunch of mis-
tletoe which hung from the chandelier.
He had not liked 1t from the first. and he
had assisted with the greatest reluctance
In securing 1t in its lofty place. Only the
knowledge that much depended ON his be-
havfor at Christmas time had caused him
to even tolerate the sprig Of vegetation.
whose sentimental significance irritated
him. As the memories of Christmas pres
ents and the obligations Of decorum on his
part faded into the past, he grew more and
more inclined to be demonstrative In his
aversion. A sneer curled his lip as he slid
behind the sofa to watch the young man
who was calling on his sister.
why, Mr.. Wibbles," she exclaimed. .
I'm so glad to see you"
THANK you.' replied the young man.
And. er-by the way-do you notice where
you are standing?'
She looked overhead and then said nom
chalantly. but with sigh:
Ah, yes. That mistietoe has been there
almost week. Nobody seems to pay any
But it does seem rather humiliating for a
girl to have r1istletoe bough in the parlor
for SO long time and not be kissed once,
doesn't it,
that the old custom had been abandoned.
that she did not take the trouble to change
her position, and as she spoke look of
resolve spread over Mr.. Wibbles' features.
There was a puny struggle followed by
two attenuated screams.
There said he, dashingly, .'you can't
say now that you have not been kissed
under the mistletoe."
NO" she answered in confusion: thanks
to your impudence; have been Kissed rot
once, but twice"
Sis said her brother. rising up behind
the sofa, did you say 'twice?'" &"
tnro
twice."
We'll, it's a good thing"
Whats good thing Sammy" inquired
Mr.. Wtbbles with a nervous attempt at
sang froid.
That that mistletoe doesn't wear any
bell punch"
Evening star., 1897-01-02
GENUINE HOSPITALITY.
An Actors Experience in the Wild
and WOOlly West.

and WOOlly West.
Talk about hospitality" remarked
broken down actor yesterday, 1.-The place to
find IL is in the far vest. The last time
vas out there we were playing Uncle Toms
Cabin. with real mule We played to fair
business. and paid our bills until we reach
ed Red Bluff. There the owner of the opera
house had piano for an orchestra, and 1t
stood just below the stage. When the mule
came on some one in the audience got
funny, and. throwing a lariat around the
reck of the animal, pulled him off the
stage. The mule and the piano got mixed
up. which ruined the orchestra, and when
he got away from the piano the mule kick
ed down one of the boxes before he walked
through one of the seats to where the
fellow with the lariat wanted him. had
mouth organ. with which I went on with
the orchestral accompaniment. and we
closed the play with the fellow that cap
tured the mule riding him around the
opera house.
THE manager Of the theater claimed
damages, captured all Of the box receipts
and we could not get out of town. or
course we expected to walk, but I'll be
blamed If the landlord didn't pack us all
with our baggage in a box car, give us
plenty of lunch and send us clear to yir-
ginia City without our paying cent The
most hospitable fellow l ever saw" \
Evening star., 1897-01-02
Barbers ana the Four,h.

II hope there will be crisp. clear weather
on the 4th of March, said city barber to
Star reporter.
'Why?" he was asked.
Because the 4th of March, when in
auguration day comes. is always a big
soccasion for BARRIERS, If the weather is
good. We look forward to that day for
months ahead. If the weather is good we
make lots OF money, and shave hundreds Of
people. When Cleveland was first inaugu-
rated the weather was first-class, and /
took in the cash right along. When Har-
rison was inaugurated trade fell off, owing
to the bad weather, and when Cleveland
was inaugurated the last time we did hard
ly anything owing to the fearful weather.
That was mean day and nobody wanted
to get shaved. They stood around in sa-
looms and drank 1 don't see why the 4th
of March was ever picked out for the in
augurations. The weather is nearly al
ways bad at that time of the year"
Evening star., 1897-01-02
AN ACCOMMODATING TENANT.
He Could Get Children If They Would
Reduce the Rent.

He was from the country and was look
ing at fiat in the upper part of the city.
The janitor eyed him a little suspiciously.
for it was evident that the clothes he wore
had not hsen the product of fashionable
tailoring establishment but the country
man did not realize that he was being
sCrutinized
First time I've ever lived in the city,"
he explained confidentially. "Of course
I've been here. but never to stay all night.
Now, I've got a job in a big store. l used
to always clerk at home, and a drummer
found me a job in Washington. It's a
good place, and l want to live well as
any of them. Show me good fiat"
The janitor conducted him to the cheap
est one in the building. and the young
man thought it would suit him. When he
heard the price his face looked troubled,
and when the janitor asked, Have you
any children?" he looked even more du-
bious he replied in an apologetic tone.
mo. YCu see I've only been married
week. Children do brighten up house,
and l guess my sister would let a couple
of hers stay with us, if it would make the
rent any less"
Evening star., 1897-01-02
A KANSAS SCHEME.
A Cat and Rat Business That Nears
Perpetual Motion.

so they have discovered perpetual mo-
ton out in your state. Colonel Blue" said
Major Picker to the representative-at-
large from Kansas, as they took seats in
the House restaurant for an oyster feast.
They have discovered all the other
crankisms out there, so l am prepared for
any new allegations. Elucidate" replied
the colonel. sententiously.
Why. a man from Kansas has Just been
telling me that a firm composed of mon
eyed men has bought lot of land in Kan
sas, and will stock 1t with 1000 black cats
and 5000 rats. 1t is estimated that the
cats Will increase to 1900 in year or two
and black cat skins are worth ST. The
rats, he says. will multiply five times as
fast as the cats. The rats will be used to
feed the cats and the skinned cats to feed
petual motion. don't know what isl