davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-05-05
suspuINo THE BICYCLE.
sssa,.i saa Physical struggles Of the
Maa who Learned Late.

Maa whs Learned Late.
From the Kansas City Star: Ac-
oonpanying the other harbinger Of
spring. the robin. the game Of marble
in the alley. the tan shoe. comes the
learner on the bicycle. The cool. bfac-
ing air OF an evening and the long
stretches Of smooth roadway tempt
him. and in his minds eye ne pictures
spins into the country. healthful. In
yorgating exercise and an appetite like
that OF a plowman. Hut above all he
Is lmpelled 10 learn BY a dread OF be-
ing considered a faddlst. All OF his
friends ride. Already he imagines they
look upon him askance and speak OF
him as a sort OF Philip Noland-a man
without a wheel. For six successive
seasons he has held out against the
temptation and now he curses himself
for his pains. Why didn't he learn
then. when everybody WAS learning. In
stead Of postpOning the ordeal until
now. when all are past masters In the
art7 So he may be seen every fine
evening upon the level. asphalt paved
side streets struggling 10 subdue an I'M
tanned steed Of the patents OF 95, which
costs him % cents an hour. with 81
indemnity against breakage. All this
Is gall and NORWOOD 10 the modest
man. Not that he cares for the knocks
and bruises. lie would gladly double
their number could he but escape the
prylng eyes. the derislye outlaws and
half-suppressed singers Of the men
and women who have passed through
Il all years. years before. For these
reasons he Is a creature Of apprehen-
sion and agony. After discovering the
fallacy OF the theory that the art can
be acquired in a back kitchen with the
curtains drawn be remembers par
ticularly unfrequented side street. lined
with trees that help to obscure the
| light Of moon and lamps. Tie takes on
the handle bars o. his machine TO give
the impression that the machine IL out
OF order and that he IL on his way with
Il to the repair shop. This furnishes
him with an excuse for not riding.
1 men ne hNAAlNH ANA hNf N'H"tAN Nv
wheel. The unfrequenied by-sireet Is
due north. so Of course he goes south.
and tacks back TO the wiudward side,
/ like q yacht. and beats and maneuyers
ana hauls down his halyards and
reeves the pinnacle and 80 on and FINAL
Is he heavos 20 In FROM Of livery
stable. which he gooE through I'LL h'
reaches the alley ard then by a sud
Den port movement he emerges trem'
bling and demoralizcd upon the dark
encd thoroughfare. Of course. every
body stops 20 watch him t-ngle him
self 10 bis wheel. They gather In littl'
. groups along the driveway. and whei
he falls and appears about 10 slide. bi
, cycle and all. into the catch basin %
sewer. they can between spafms OF ill
timed mlrth tender him assistance. l
is well TO leave him AZ such time a
this to settle with the man from whom
he rented the bicycle and with hl
Maker
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-05-05

remarkable little state which. In It's
constitution. and the customs Of It's Ia
habitants. surpasses the boldest flights
OF the advocates Of "women's rights"
In the island OF Java. between the cities
OF Batavia and Samarang. Is the king
dom OF Bantam. which. although tribu-
tary to Holland Is In other respects an
independent state. politically without
importance yet happy. rich. and since
time lmmemorial governed and defend
ed by women The sovereign is indeed
a man. but all the rest Of tho govern
ment belong TO the fair sex. The king
IA entirely dependent upon his state
council. composed OF three women. The
highest authorities. all state officers.
court functlonarles. military command
ers, and soldiers are. without exception.
OF the female sex. The men are agri-
culturlsts and merchants The kings
body guard Ia formed Of female ANA
IONS who ride In the masculine style
The throne Ia inherited by the eldest
son. and In case the king dies without
issue. a hundred Amazons assemble.
and choose a successor from among
their own sons; the chosen one being
then proclaimed lawful king
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-05-05

harbor and her captain promptly In
formed the governor that he would toll
crate no further bloodshed until the
matter had been referred TO the home
authorities In consequence the re-
mainder OF the captives were saved
from death. Their rescue was, howeV-
or. the act Of an individual English
man. OF Irishman. rather. Commander
Ryan. When Ryan returned to Eng
land he was dismissed from her males-
tvs service I'm disgrace" Yet his
name will be remembered forever In
the hearts OF all who have read OF his
humane act.
The insurgents In Cuba were hght'
Ing for their independence. The na-
tlves were making n silent and pathetic
bid for the protection OF the American
Gag. and the technical misunderstand-
ing which arose odt Of the Nirginius
fostered hope that In the event OF
trouble between Spain and the United
States the Immediate expulsion OF the
spanlards from Cuba would ensue. The
universal excitement In the United
States az the conduct OF the Spanish In
Cuba for a time appeared TO make a
war between Spain and the United
States inevitable.
The United states maintained that
the capture Of the Virginus was a
deroratlon Of Ga sovereignty assuri-
ing simultaneously that the vessel was
United States merchant ship lawfully
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-05-05

A shocking instance Of mistaken
Identity Is revealed by writer In the
Chicago Record: Shortly after he
holidays a congressman from one %
the western states received his quota
OF garden seeds from the department
OF agriculture, and forthwith distrlbut-
ed them among his constituents In
most instances they were fully appro-
ciated. as scores Of letters attested; but
Il is doubtful II a more appreclatiye
constituent has been recorded since
the distribution Of seeds was lnaugur-
a,ed than one writer, TO whose wife
had been sent some OF tho lily-bulbs.
MANY thanks" wrote the grateful re-
clplent. "The onions were particularly
fine. and greatly enjoyed with our
beeisicak."
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-05-05
HOW HE BECAME A DEACON.
Rainy sunday when the Negro Was the
Only Auditor Present.

The late Rev. DR.. Payson, once a
famous pastor OF Portland. Ne. went
to church one bolsterously stormy Sun
day, not expecting to find any OF his
congregation present. Nor was he dis
appointed. but just after he had stepped
inside the door an old negro came In
and asked n DR.. Paysou was to preach
there that day. explaining that he was
a stranger In town and had been adj
viscd 20 90 10 his church. Upon that.
said Dr. PayEon. Il made up my mind
to preach my sermon n nobody else
came" Nobody else dld come. so the
doctor preached 10 the choir and the
old negro. Some months afterward
he happened 10 meet the negro and.
stopping him. asked how he enjoyed
the sermon that stormy Sunday En-
Joy dat sermon?" replied the old man.
Il 'clar. doctor. nebber heerd better
one. You see. had a seat pretty well
up front. and whenebber you'd say
somethin' I'd Jess look all roun' ter see
nobody on'y Jess me- An / says to
m'self. lie must mean you. Pomp.
you's sech a dretful sinner. Well. doc
tor. dat are sermon set me a-thlnkln'
what big sinner war. an ! went an
fined de church down home. lie q
deacon now"
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-05-05

propriate occasions. The request has
been met with many favorable replies.
A circular descriptive Of the movement
has also been sent to superintendent
OF Sunday schools. with n view OF se-
curing widespread cooperation. The
owners OF several large excursion
steamers have ordered the Christian
flag for their vessels. 10 be Haunted to
the breeze when carrying Sunday
school excursions. The idea OF Chris
tian flag occurred to Mr. Overton on
last ChIldren's day. Each scholar was
furnished with a small American nag
and a parade was lnaugurated. a few
hours later convention Of liquor
dealers was marched over the same
ground. and by a strange coincidence
each man carried an American flag OF
exactly the same size as those which
the Sunday school children had car
rled. In speaking OF the occurrence
Mr.. overton said he was at once struck
by the thought that distinctive en-
blem was needed which might be sym
bollc Of Christianity. And In this he
meant no disrespect to the American
nag. II was simply that the Stars and
Stripes are too far reaching.
There can be no opposition to the
assertion that nothing awakens such
enthusiasm and emotion AZ n hag" said
Mr. Oyerton, AN army without ia
colors is inconcelvable; then why no
equip the army Of the Lord with ial
appropriate to Us mission? ! woul,
suggest that upon the standard tina
carries the flag crown might replace
the eagle or spear. emblematlc Of th'
reward awaiting tho faithful"
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-05-05

(The Spanish Ofcer Who Ordered the
Murder Of the Vir2in.us pr.souertl
floating the American dag. The Span
lsh. however. maintained that the ship
was manned with pirates who were
also their rebollious subjects. and that
the claim 10 the protection OF the
American Gag was fraudulent Com
pllcations thickened. and long course
Of diplomatic correspondence ensued.
The United States demanded that the
Virginius be surrendered. that the sur
viyors be delivered safely to them. and
that the vessel be saluied as a rightful
American ship. However. Il was
agreed that the salute should be dis
pensed with II before the 25th OF De-
cember. Spain could satisfy the United
States that the virginius had no right
10 carry the flag. The Spanish ultl-
mately succeeded In convincing the
Americans that the claim Of the Viz
ginius TO the dag was unlawful. and
/ the salute was consequently dispensed
with. However. the other demands
we're duly complied with and a dis
clalmer Of an intent Of lndignlty 20 the
nag 81 the United States was expressed
By the Spanish minister on behalf Of
| his government. Thus after q pro-
tracted and complicated network Of
diplomatic negotiations. q pelcclble
settlement OF the difficulty was effected,
| Thus the loss OF many lives through
the clash of war was pclcCably ayerted
though no apology however abiect
could bring To- iife the innocent mar
tyrs to the cruelty Of spanish murder.
! crE.
Il may be reasoned. possibly. that
according TO international law. Spalr
was technically right Ia the Virglnn'
affair. but there can be no possihl,
palllatlon tor the horrible barbarity oI
the murder Of the unfortunate prison
ors captured with the vessel. not on'
Of whom would have been spared bu
for the opportune arrival Of the British
man-of war. whose captain promptly
and courageously put a stop 20 IN
brutal and inhuman proceedings. Their
Il no more revolving chapter In the his
tory Of nations: indeed. one might g
into the annals OF the barbarous age
without finding an incident approach
ing Il In cruelty and the useless takin
OF life.
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-05-05
pLlAnLr GLASS PLATES.
Chinese Work which Make. one Of OH
PIiny's stories Probable.

From the strand Magazine. II APP
pears that the Chinese have the art Of
making pllahle glass plates. They are
not solid. but plated from spun glass
nnd made gorgeous BY brilliant oriental
ooloring The strangest thIng about
them Is that. although they ayc made
OF glass. one can bend them backward
and forward as n they were putty or
pliablc clay. In hearing Of these
strange plates one Or reminded OF
story originally hy pl.uy n DIS Natural
History. ana popular during the mid
die ages. As narrated In the "Gcsta
Romanorum" that strange repository
Of monkish lore the tale runs thus.
1T happened that certain arlhceF
fabricated q plate which. being exhibit
ed before the emperor (Tiberius). he
attempted. but lnonectiyely. 10 break
Il. II bent. however. beneath bis ei-
forts. and the artihcer. applying a
hammer and working upon the glass
as upon copper. presently restored u
10 It's level Tiherius inquired by what
art this was effected. and the other re-
piled that Il was a secret not 10 be dis
closed. Immediately be Was ordered
to the block. the emperor alleging that
II such an art should be practiced gold
and silver would be reckoned as moth
ing" The Costa RomanOrum' pre-
tends TO be nothing but a collection OF
amusing stories. and in Il Pliny fact
aud myth are so mingled tina, Il Is hard
TO separate them. In THIS particular
case. however u appears that the old
Roman naturalist might have been tell
ing the truth after ali.
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-05-05

II went to church not long ago" says
contributor. and heard the following
tale given In explanation Of the words
collection and offering and the DIFF
ference between them: A certain small
boy had dog. which he had named
Fido. The boy was very found Of Fldo.
One day at dinner the boys father no.
ticed him taking the best OF the por-
ton Of roast beef which had fallen to
his lot and placing II on another plate.
Upon inquiry the father learned that
the meat was for the dog Fido. My
son. said papa. II would be better II
you ate that meat yourself and give
Fido some OF the scraps which are left.
The boy protested. but the father was
obdurate. At the conclusion Of the
neal the boy took out to Fido plate
heaped with scraps Of the roast, Here.
Fido. said the boy. I wanted 10 make
you an offering. but here Is only q coll
lection. Albany Journal.
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-05-05

An editor down in Nebraska visited
the school ma'am and found her hot
stuff" Here's what he swears to: she
is the pride Of the town, the star Of in
ventlon and a jewel OF brilllancy. She
drew picture Of an iceberg on a
blackboard. II was so natural that
the thermometer froze up solid. With
rare presence OF mind she seized a
crayon and drew a fireplace on the OPP
poslte wall The prompt action saved
the school. but nearly all the pupils
caught a severe cold from the sudden
change"
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-05-05

Ordinary floors we're condemned ny
sclen,lhc men because they retain dust.
in which dangerous germs are fostered
and make IL hold their yirulenoe for
long time. Cement floors are safer. but
less agreeable to the feet N. Captain.
A French hygienist. recommends wood
pulp floors. which have no cracks. are
soft to the feet aud are bad condue-
tors OF heat and sound. while their
cost Is considerably less than that u
ordinary flooring. II Is believed that
such floors will prove very durable, Tho
dried pulp. mixed with little cement
to add resistance TO the floor. Is trans
ported in powder. and after being made
into a gelatinous mass Is passed be-
tween rollers The floors are painted
TO initiate oak or other wood.
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-05-05

q &c history lies IN ~ tsqEsa;hsi 70
the family.
II was given 20 us by a DR.. Rose.
who had lodged 10 long In our hall
room tina. he was becomS quite
member Of the family. He was a 1T
tie. trim old gentleman. with long
white hair and a hne. hFm eountenance.
Years before he came 10 live with US
he had discontinued practice; for
day entered his life when ambition
shriveled up and hope died. He was
won't to sit with Dick. VIII and my
self In the rear room to wear away the
evenings. relating TO us the queer
things that had happened during his
medical experience once when he was
more communicative than usual. he
asked me to fetch bis umbrella from
the hall. II was a short time after the
runaway had been stopped by Dick
or the umbrella. as you please. Dick
shlvered and looked askance AZ Il as
! returned and gave Il to the doctor.
Holding It tenderiy as II II we're ami
mate. he said with suppressed emo
tion. but quite Unexpectedly. his eyes
blinking unsteadily at the Ere: THE
wretch robbed her from me. young
gentlemen. and killed her: yea. killed
her with a living death. And when !
met him smashed this rod across his
head. Then the coward ran away
think OF tran away from a decrepit
like me-" Ills fingers beat nervously on
the knob and his lips mumbled yio-
lently. We sat there gaping almost
afraid 10 breathe.
Il patched the rod together" he
began again. trying the brass brace.
"and stuffed the knob With lead. II
we ever meet again. I'll burst his
skull" He had grasped the umbrella
firmly by the middle and was glazing
fiercely into the FIRE. Suddenly II
dropped 10 the floor, the hard look van
ished from his eyes and tears succeed
ed. III she would only come back TO
me-" h. murmured between sobs. only
come back!" and covering his face with
his hands. he wept aloud
We stole away nolselessly and gave
the rest Of the folks an inkllng Of what
had occurred. 30 that he should not b
disturbed At six the next morning
when mother went into the room e
raise the shades. he was still seated
where we had left him. The fire wal
dead and all the oil had burned on
Of the lamp. leaving the wick smould
ering. lie arose. his face dry ant
thoughtful. wished her good morning
In his usual calm tone. and took th'
umbrella out TO its place In the hall
Nor did he ever make any mention o
that night. though now We knew VIVA
made him always sad.
lie never met his enemy nor MI
daughter more; and when he died h
was buried as one Of rs. The Famll!
Umbrella was left in the dlngy nool
where he last laid II and where Il ha
since remained-Amsley's Magazine
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-05-05

The Society for the Propagation OF
the Faith has recently been incorporate
ed In the state OF New York. Il Is not.
however. a new organization. and Ia
incorporation at this time II solely TO
enable II TO hold real estate. The
society was founded In France more
than Atty years ago and has branches
In many Roman Catholic dlocoaes In
this country. The most notable work
OF the society In America Is among tho
colorod people Of the south, where II
has during the last ten years, made
marked progress. An annual oollcc-
tion Is taken up In many Roman Cath
ollie churches In this country to send
to the mother house In Lyons
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-05-05
HE WAS ARRESTED.

arrested and brought to court next
morning. charged with carrying con
cealed weapons. VIII argued that "
the weapon had been concealed the
policeman could not have taken him.
as he was going his way In a perfectly
peaceful and unsuspiclous manner.
whereupon the court forthwith voclf-
Grated: "Discha-a-rgedl"
On the other hand. Dick never went
out carrying Il but that he came back
bursting with the tale OF some marvel
Gus adventure. OF which he was quite
naturally and unexpectedly the hero
Dick liked to use the umbrella II al
ways Afforded him a story.
One evening OF a sloppy. dismal day.
he hobbled Into the hall with a woeful
face. and muttering incoherently. de-
posted the Family Umbrella In It's cor
ner with a bang. He went to bed d.
rectly There were no heroics: no re-
counting brave exploits. nothing but
dark and gloomy mutterings iniermin-
able. We all thought that for once the
umbrella had actually failed TO pro-
vide Dick an opportunity to display
his yalor. and were much concerned for
the effect OF this accident would have
on bis mind.
In the next mornings paper. be-
meath glaring headlines. We read a
thrilling account OF the stoppage OF n
mottleaome runaway horse by mere
child. who houted a prodlglous um-
brella IN the face Of the maddened ami
NAL. Dick read the article and com
mented upon u with much modesty. ac-
kncwledging himself once again the
hero lie took exception to the men
ton OF mere child" however Al
Dick then stood six fee, In his stock
ines and was daily awaiting the arr
val Of q grizzly beard Il cannot b.
denied that his exception to the re
porters statements was little just
We consoled him by saying that II
comparison TO the "prodlgious" umhrel
Ia giant would appear dimlnutlvo
but he never used Il again.
II came ont afterward that the met
tlesomo" horse was none other tina
the grocer's superannuaied nag. While
never ran except when q fire engin
was behind him: that Dick had jus
managed 10 get over the CROSSING
when the horse came along at a 10
tro,. A wicked gust Of wind bore IN
umbrella from Dicks grasp and Will
ped Il into the "maddened animals
face. Dick was knocked down by III
grocer's boy, who came painting afte
his charger. and then received the II
turtles which caused him TO limp. Yet b
always got credit for stopping the ruI
away. and used 10 tell the story wit
great gusto on every available ocei
sion. lie did not repeat II the last tin
we met; 30 I fear something else M
occurred. n.
From the time OF that occurrence u
Family Umbrella was kept In kind
.sanctuary; but the most curious pa
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-05-05

Il thought" said Dawkins, that you
said you didn't think much Of Brad
bury as pianist, and here you have
taken a box for his recital" 81 didn't
know" answered Merely. "a better
way to show my contempt for him as
u musician than by taking a box and
leaving II empty on the evening OF his
recital. Harper Bazaar.
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-05-05
PAID HIS ELL.
But ne Had 10 Play Poker to Get the
Money,

money
A young fellow arrived In the Rands-
burg mining district with about $50
lie hls pockets. About a half hour
after arriving IN telephone message
came TO the 4 nstable TO arrest and
hold him on The grounds Of having
jumped his board bill at Randsburg
says the Boston Post. The con-
stable took him in charge and brought
him over 10 the telephone office and
called up the constable at Randsburg
to tell him what he had done and also
to find out what he should do with
him. lie was informed that the pris-
oner owed a board bill there and that
including costs. etc. IL would take
S36.25 10 square himself or go back TO
Randsburg and face his music. The
prisoner protested. saying that he did
not owe more than sli at the most ana
said he would have to 20 back. In the
meantime the constable took his man
across the street to a saloon. where
they had a few drinks (paid for by the
prisoner) and then TO a back ROOM
where poker game was in progress.
The prisoner. sollloquizing that ne
had Just as well go back broke as
short a few dollars. asked permission
to "set in" which was readily granted
him. the constable also settling IN.
In Just three hands after he set ID
the prisoner won a cool $3.50. handed
the constable s3G25 and asked to be
released. which was Immediately done
the constable telephoning his associate
in Randsburg not TO come. as the
money had been paid up.
A short while after the operator al
Randsburg called up and said the orig
inal complaint had been made for only
sli and upon fading that the mar
owed two or three other small bllli
the constable in Randsburg included
them in the complaint. which made u
run up to $50. thus killing seyera
birds with one stone" The young Eel
low left town that night on a first-clasi
ticket. instead Of the bean pass"
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-05-05

kANANNHN
the slaughter house. There they were
lined up at the edge Of a trench, bound
but not hlindfolded. and made to kneel.
The clergy then PASSED solemnly down
the line and delivered the only message
OF hope left to their agonized souls. In
modlately. the commanding officer
gave the signal 10 nre by waving his
sword. and instantly thlrty-seyen
American citizens fell-somo ilieless.
others dying. and sim worse those who
were wounded but still alive Into the
shallow trench. Then came the crown
ing barbarlty. company Of artillery,
tlll now kept In reserve. galloped for
ward and crushed with It's inhuman
iuggernaut Of hoofs and wheels the dy-
ing. dead and wounded into one indis-
tlngulshable mass. The bodies were
subsequently tumbled into mule cars
by a chain gang Of negroes and carried
TO the place OF burial. II had been the
intention Of Gov. Burriel to repeat this
mode OF butchery TIL the entire crew
OF the Virginius had been mnssncred,
but on Nov. 5. few hours before the
time for a third slaughter, a British
warshlp. the Niobe. appeared in the
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-05-05

Look, isn't that a magnificent tur:
key2' asked the humorlst OF his friend.
the proofreader. as they were passing
through the market Yes" replied
the proofreador, and don't you know
| always envy turkey" why do
you?" asked the funny man. BE
cause" was the reply, they arc never
stuffed with chestnuts until after
death. Chicago News.