davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-03
VALERIA'S PRAYER.
A Seven-Year-Old Girl Who is "a Source
of Entertainment 20 the Family.

| n Seven tdt-'piu VII ~ no - "a -OlINC
of Entertainment 10 the Family.
Valera, aged z. and a source OF much
entertainment 10 tho family, was being
| put to bed by her mother tho other nght.
First, she said, Now 1 lay mo down 10
sleep" closing, or delaying 10 close, rath-
or. as follows:
Lord. bless papa and mamma and
grandpapa and guantanamo ana Euge-
MIA and Auntie May and all my dear little
friends and my Dummies and the old
mother cat and Playful that 1 gave away
and Jerry and Pedro and --"
Jerry Is the family horse and Pedro IS
the dog. also given away like Playful the
kitten. IL was evident that the prayer
was being made simply a pretext FOR
keeping her mother, 50 Valeria was re-
quested TO curtain her remembrance.
She according brought that prayer 10 a
close. but insisted that she should not
rest easy unless allowed TO reapat an
other about go Lord. bless the pence We
bring" Her mother yielded but still tho
chIlds praying appetite was not salts
fed She launched into another effort.
purely original this time IL was perfect
imitation of certain forms in prayer. and
she was extremely fervent IL must DO
explained that her mother had just recov-
cred from q attack Of neuralgia
80. dear Father in Heaven" she said.
give that mamma may have had the
very last pain she Will ever have. Give
that she may be truly and indeed well.
And. O Lord. help us 20 be very kind 10
all animals that have three legs, or two
legs. or one leg; and 20 all birds that havo
one leg. or two legs. or three legs; and b
people that have no legsl And. o Lord.
we bless Thee for all the beautiful things
L., ha ri ffa Iva hat
we may do right and bless Thou our sins
Amen"
The morning OF Decoration Day Valera
climbed into bed with her mother and
asked II she might go out 20 the Gem
etery and put flowers on the graves. Her
mother readily consented, and said she
thought IL would be a very lovely thing
for little girl TO do. Valera announced
that Mrs. Smith. neighbour was going
10 put flowers on Mr.. Smiths grave.
"What was he?" she demanded
"He wasn't soldier, but II has become
a custom for people 20 put flowers on the
graves OF their friends"
I'VE haven't got anybody out there"
sighed Valera. mournfully.
mo. and just think how grateful We
ought 10 be that no one we love is lying
In the cemetery"
Yes" obviously; then, with satisfac.
ton ''But you came near going
Yes. and so did you"
Yes" with greater triumph" and 80
did sister,
And so did you papa when he wsi
hurt on the railroad. And so did grand.
papa when he was so very H."
yes. and grandmamma-wel. sh'
didn't"
mo. but she has been very sick some
times"
Eyes. but we most went off the bank
and she didntp'
Not long ago Valera prayed that thi
Lord would put Spain in the soup" sinc'
then she is quite ar rest about the out
come Of the war.---New York Sun.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-03

graduated from Harvard in various xmas
of speculation and, 1t must be confessed
not very profitable speculation at lhd|
1t is stated that on leaving college young
Letter was given a million dollars by
his father with an Injunction to see
how much he could make out of it, and
also that he was not to expect any more
The wheat deal saved him for time
And two weeks ago he was quoted as
intending to spend the summer abroad
where. he added. with a twinkle IN his
eve. some OF the European spectators
might get some Of their money back from
him. The twinkling eye was a wide-awake
one however.
Now the word comes that he is ruin
cd" This means that he was forced TO
sell below the price at which he bought
and that he could not pay those with
whom he was involved.
On the other hand quiet rumor is
anoat to the effect that he is lying low
TO allow his name to die out; and that
the whole affair is a clever Letter ruse.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-03

he was examined by the doctor who had
examined him before, and the doctor
remembered The result was painful for
the Defender.
"stand up.' ordered the doctor after
feeling of The alleged broken arm.
Gallagher, who had sunk into a chair
with heartrending groans. obeyed.
Now" said the doctor. your arms
"a good as mine, but | think you need
treatment. How does that feel?"
THAT" was a kick that lifted the pa
tient clean of his feet. With yell Of
real pain he made for the door. lie has
not called since.
Much more OF on artist. I'm fact, the
greatest artist OF all the hospital fakirs.
IS "Old Fps" whose real name is said
TO be Jaions When he Is working Jalons
Is a thief Sing Sing has known him
once at least, Blackwells Island many
times. while most OF the hospitals on
Manhattan Island have furnished him
with free lodging and board for more
or less extended periods. Even now,
when he Is a tradition handed down
from ambulance surgeon TO ambulance
surgeon, the inexperienced in the craft
are taken in by him. so delicate and
true Is his art, for Jalons Ia the most
expert dummy chucker" that ever ap-
peared I'm these parts. Chucking dunn
my is feignlng epilepsy. hence his So
briquet Of "Old Eps" He can chuck
dummy that is simply beautiful in its
fidelity. All the fine points are as care
fully worked out as Mr.. Richard Man
fields death Of Baron Chevrial by apop-
lexy in "a Partisan Romance and the
expert is as readily befooled as the lay
man. The upturned eyebail. the throb-
bing throat, the mechanically spasmodic
muscular action. the clinched teeth, and
the inbent thumb are all I'm evidence.
Here is one who was studied his part
from life. perhaps from death too. for
II is said that "Olc Fps" had pal who
died Of epilepsy.
BE that as II may. Jalons was valued
patient I'm Bellevue Hospital and an
ILLUSTRATION" for lectures several years
ago. Gouverneur's hospitality has been
extended TO him, too, for long periods.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-03

and was given up by a novice on the
ambulance. They took him to the police
station preparatory TO removing him TO
the Morgue, but that wasn't In accord
ance with his plans timely groan set
| matters right, though. 1t almost scared
the doorman at the station house out
of his wits.
This fellow-Gargan was his name-was
cured. or reformed. under very peculiar
circumstances. One summer evening ne
stood on one Of the pier heads, pre-
sumably with another suicide act IN
view, when child which had strayed
| away from Its mother fell into-the river
In went Gargan after II, and now the
faldr was to battle for his life I'm grim
| earnest. He saved the little one, and
was rimself dragged out utterly ex-
| hausted. From that day he never faxed
again, and the hospital and station house
! blotter knew him no more.
Another well-known character was
Corpse Thompson. Any kind OF death
suited him Sometimes 1t was sunstroke.
sometimes heart disease. and he was not
above being knocked down and killed
by street car horse. Indeed, his coun-
terfeit OF death was so excellent that
the doctors cOndoned his fraud and ra-
ther liked to have him brought in NOR
tally injured, for the pleasure or seeing
I
have seen both Corpse" and "Old Fps
say that Thompson's performance was
not characterized by the marvellous fid-
city to detail shown by the dummy
chucker but Thompsons repertoire was
wide. while Fps did but the one special
~.
Thompson had a different death-bed
scene for each appearance and only
once was he ever known to forget him
self. WI en- he died I'm great physical
agony from an overdose OF opium When
all was over and his hands decently
folded on his silent breast. II was his
wont to take deep breath and whisper
family:
Il thought T was gone that time.
Where am 70"
One dav Thompson fell down in front
OF cable cat and this time they took
him 90 the Morgue direct. He went there
unidentified. An attendant went to Belle
vue and asked one OF the doctors 10
steD over
There's n body there that they say
used 10 be known at the hospital. sir.
VIII YOU come down and see II you can
identify him? They say his name IS
Thompson"
Thompson? Corpse Thompson" said
the doctor. NO. sir. You don't get him
at the MOrgue But III come"
He went back with the attendant
"Can YOU identify him. sir?" asked the
attendant. pointing 10 the body.
Eyes. can identify him all right"
was the reply That's Corpse Thomp-
SON. but he isn't dead"
mot dead" cried the man. why.
look at hint His heads cut half OF"
That's all right" returned the doctor.
but he can't fool me- ] know him too
wei. You keep watch OF him. or mark
my words he'll be up at tho hospital
applying for treatment before hours to-
morrow morning"
But this time poor Thompson was pro-
baby really dead. Anyway, they buried
him In Potters Field two days later,
and there IS no authentic report Of his
having risen.-New York Sun.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-03
RISE AND FALL
OF A BREAD KING
The Most Meteoric Career Ever Lived
by Young Man Of the New WCtld
HAS JOS. LETTER REALLY FAILED.
Forced 10 Assign when About TO Start
on a S7.oOO,0OO vacation-some
Think he Is Even Now Play
Ing "a Clever Game.
HAS JOS. LETTER REALLY FAILED.

Hated BY the working people OF Eu-
rope,
Looked upon as a Rsaven-sent friend
by the farmersof the Western states!
LAmpooned by foreign cartoonists as
1he instgator OF the recent bread rlots
on the continent
Regarded as The greatest wheat manip-
ulator Of the world
Such is Young Joe" Letter Of Chlcago'
Many men have won undying fame IN
art and letters at comparatively early
age; but Il remains for the United States
10 have given 10 the world q man who
IA one year. and that his twenty-ninth.
has commanded such position and such
finn snse interests in the business world
ss TO have not only won the admiration
and envy Of every Spectator in the great
grain centers Of the universe. but to have
also been hsld responsible for causing
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-03
THE HEIGHT OF SOLDIERS.
A Decline i'm the Average Stature as
European Armies are Increased

European Armies are Increased
AS the size Of modern armies is in
creased the average height Of fighting
men is diminished. The Tageblatt OF Ber-
lin ascribes the reduction in the avere &c
stature Of soldiers in modern armies TO
conscription, and says that in the Ger
man army it Is now only 6O.63 inches
In the British army the height is 6496
inches, showing the tallness Of the aver
age Engiishman and Scotchman. French
men and Spaniards are taken at 15i me
tres, Italians at l.55 metres (6l inches,
and the same minimum measurement IL
the rule in Austria The Russian minimum
is l5l metres, and in the United States
IL is 1913 metres OBS inches. In 1900
before the beginning Of the American civil
war and before the general arming OF
Europe, the average height OF men serV-
ing in the various European armies was
as follows, given in inches: Italian, 90;
Spaniard, 65.5; French, C6; Hungarian,
COL; Austrian. G5.5; Belgian, Co.'S; Russian,
g.; English, 67.5; Irish, Us; Scotch, 6S.J,
and Norwegian, 90.
Although the average height OF soldiers
has decreased during the last few years
considerably in those countries IN which
COnsCrlptlOn IS ne RUE II - louAu bcH-
orally that in countries in which peaceful
conditions prevail and no great standing
army is maintained, the stature OF new
soldiers is gradually increasing. This is
shown conspicuousiy in the case OF Swe-
d1rA where the average height Of new
soldiers between 1910 and 1850 was 66
lncnas. 66.2 between 1850 and 1860, 66.6 be-
tYvoan 1850 and 1870 eos between 1870 and
1850, and 90 between lSs0 and $780, The
proportion OF rejected soldiers In France
has decreased from 81 per cent in the
decade beginning 1870 30 per cent in the
decade beginning l,J0. and 30 per cent in
the decade beginning IN 1850 to 30 per
cent at present. The number Of cOnscripts
now rejected on account OF height is less
every year, In consequence, perhaps. Of
the fact that the minimum height limit
Of the French army has been steadily de-
creased. American soldiers have preserved
during many years the same height sub
stantiauy. though the fact is well known
that soldiers from the Western and South.
western States are as a rule, taller than
those from the East and from the South
ern Atlantic States.-New York Sun.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-03
Good English.

Is Lieut. Hobson. by his gallant deed.
likely 10 add a word 10 the nautical por-
ton OF the English language2 II looks
Ike Il. For example. a river passenger
steamer. one OF the grimiest and most
tunhle-down of the many dilapidated
craft OF the kind that plough the silent
highway. nearly coilided with a barge az
London Bridge yesterday afternoon.
The skipper used strong language 10 the
bargee. but 10 his taunts the latter bel
lowed Better take that old tub out 10
sea and TIobsonlze' her" The retort
was greeted with burst Of appreclafivs
and sympathetic laughter by tho pas
sengers on board the vessel thus char
acterized. IL the majority OF tho
Thames passengers were Evidently
'TTobsonized." and replaced by comfor-
table modern vessels. the change would
DO welcomed by most OF the people who
use the river service.-London Daily
Telegraph
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-03

at Mattox bears tho following inscrip-
ton:
IT II 8.
francesca Tucker Blandas
ConJugio
I'll Georgii Tucker
Outs d'ssiderio Sit Modusf
Obiit XVIII Januarii
MDCCLXXXNIII
Act. NNNNL."
Theoder1cK and Susan (FNtzhugh) Bland.
had Theoderick OF Maryland. borr l7U.
died at Annapo Is, Nd. Nov. 16. 1888. mem
Der of the House OF Delegates from
Baltimore Co; County Judge and u. S.
District Judge; twenty-five years Chan
cellor Of Maryland and author OF Chan
Gerry Reports
Go be continued)
WAI G.. STANARD.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-03

An improved pencil has the sheath
open at the rear end for the insertion Oh
a push rod to force the lead down
through the tip OF the sheath. which Is
formed OF slightly contracted friction
Jaws to grip the lead, the rear OF the
pencil being cut on as the lead Is used.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-03

Printing presses are stopped automati-
oally as soon as the paper breaks or the
tension changes by means OF pivoted
foller which rests on the moving sheet.
and Is lfted up by the tension 10 close
a switch In the electric wire which OPP
crates the motor. the switch opening as
soon as the roller falls.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-03

A newiy-designed foot scraper ara
wiper is formed Of q central plate with q
scraper at the top and projecting arms
at the sides TO support oval pads Of wip-
ing material which enable = nerson to
reach all parts Of the sheA
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-03

riots that at one time threatened the
ruling dynasties Of two of Europe's old
est countries. namely. Italy and Spain.
Yet this is what Joseph Letter OF chi
Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-10-27
Mcclellan In sisty-one.

| made McClellan's acquaintance the
second day was out-a soldierly, reso-
lutte looking man, III the prime of life
somewhat Napoleonic III actual height
and breadth, with a good head set firmly
on square shoulders His features were
regular and prepossessing q short, thick
mustache concealed his mouth; his brow
was small contracted and furrowed;
his eyes deep set and anxious. Conquer
or of Garrett, captor of Pegram. he was
now the man on horseback, 1.-THE young
Napoleon, " whom the president called
George" and trusted to the utmost.
He had not been called from the plow,
like Cincinnatus, but he had been sum
moned by the war from railway Office
to take command Of the army in the
field.
He had set to work with will at re-
constructing a creation, but he could
not obey the order Of the people, "On
to Richmondp Mcclellan made one
diplomatic move soon after he arrived
at the capital He invited the Dewspa-
per correspondents at Washington to
come and discuss their position with
him. They flocked in masses, and he
then and there drew up a treaty Of
peace and an,ity with the many headed
monster. Editors and correspondents
were to abstain from printing anything
which could give aid or comfort to the
enemy, and in return the government
and the authorities would give facilities
for obtaining and transmitting intelli-
gence suitable for publication, particu-
larly Federal successes. Sir William
Howard Russell, LII. D., in North
American Review.
Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-10-27
Reforms In Funerals.

The Little Rock Ministers alliance
q aus May meeting promulgated the fol
lowing reforms relative to burials: The
use of Grape, gloves and other under
takers supplies should be dispensed
with 1t is meaningless, of pagan origin
and costs at least s. at each funeral.
The use of carriages should be limited
to actual necessity, such as for family
and pallbearers There should be no
costly casket, metallic or otherwise,
especially devised to defer the decay Of
the body, except when bodies are to be
transported by rail This is the day Of
embalming, and bodies can be kept as
long as any real need demand Sf such
need exists.
The custom of public leavetaking Of
the dead should be abolished Let all
farewells be private, and the casket re
main closed after the service has com
menced. Fulsome and indiScriminate
eulogy should not be practiced or en-
couraged. 1t is easier to omit than TO
confne within right limits. That, as
far as possible, Sunday funerals be
avoided That punctuality at funeral
services should be insisted upon as much
as at any other religious service. That
there should be no exposure of the liv-
ing, with the false idea that it honors
the dead. To this end, let the gentle
men keep their heads covered at the
grave. In Indictment weather, let the
open air services be abbreviated to the
utmost limit permitted by proper re-
gard for all interested, the custom Of
waiting until the grave is filled be
abandoned and the filling of the grave
be supervised by friend of the family.
st Louis Globe. Democrat.
Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-10-27
Defeating n Privateer.

The New England privateer contests
IN tbe long ago gave distinguished
officer If the royal navy his first oppor-
tunity. Charles Wager was the nephew
OF John Hull a Newport merchant. He
was with his uncle III one of his YES
sells when she was threatened by a
French or Spanish privateer. There is
well attested tradition that Wager,
only lad, but high melted, persuaded
the peaceful, nonresistant owner to re-
tire to the cabin and give him control
of the vessel.
Charles mustered the crew-they
We're always armed-and handled them
so bravely and skillfully that the at
lacking party was bafiied. The old
Quaker's anxiety prevailed over his
principles, and coming into the COM
panionway, he stood taking snuff and
watching the fight AS he was below
the level of the combatants, he could
well see the effect of the firing.
His interest grew and his excitement
waxed high as the contest went on. He
took pinch after pinch of snuff in most
wasteful fashion. His usually immacu-
late waistcoat became reckiessly pow
dered. Finally he cried OUT
Charles, if thee means TO hit that
man in red jacket, thee had better
raise thy piece a little. "
The attack was repulsed, and the gal,
liant Charles was commended by his I'M
Gle with, "Thee did well, Charles thee
did well, but lighting is wrong. Still,
Charles, if thee had let them whip
could have flung thee overheard.
Through his friends Wager obtained
post i'll the royal navy, ending his
honorable career as Sir Charles Wager,
first lord of the admiralty, and finally
with monument in Westminster alb
hey. Youth Companion.
Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-10-27
A Daring Exploit.

Telling of some daring exploits OF the
civil war, the Atlanta Constitution says
"John c. Braine of the Confederate
navy was the hero Of a remarkable ex-
plot. With few trusty men he enter
ed New York, and for several days they
!oafed about in citizens clothes and
watched for an opportunity TO help their
cause.
"a magnificent Fall River steamer on
the sound attracted their attention, and
they laid their plans, They went on
board as passengers and at given sig
nal overpowered the captain and crew
and took possession Of the vessel Braine
had only few followers, burthey sue.
ceeded in carrying off their prize, and
they actually ran the blockade Of
Charleston and took the steamer safely
into port. 1t sounds like a jules Verne
story. but it is true There We're thou
sands Of men in that war who did just
such reckless things. Some escaped and
Others were killed, but they dashed into
the Jaws Of death as calmly and snil-
ingly as though they were going to a
picnic. -
Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-10-27
Three Doctors ia Consultation.
From BENJAMIN FraDklin1

AtIOm benjamin rrdnkllnl
when you are sick what you like best is to
he chosen fora medicine in the first place; what
experience tells YOU is best TO be chosen in the
second place; what reason q. e., Theory say is
is TO be chosen in the last place. But ifyou
can get IN. inclination, Dr. Experience and Dy,
r eaAoH TO hold cor sutatiou together, they
will give you the best advice that can be taken "
When you have bad cold DR. In
clination would recommend Cham
berlain's Cough Remedy because il
is pleasant and safe to take. Dr. EN-
perience would recommend it be-
cause it never fails to effect a speedy
and permanent cure. DIR Reason
would recommend it because it is
prepared on scientific principles, and
acts on natures plan in relieving
the lungs, opening the secretions and
restoring the system toa natural and
healthy condition. For sale at Wv
ian's Pharmacy.
Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-10-27
A Visit to Arabi Pasha.

BY half past 8 had everything packed
ready for a move, when Achmed an
nounced the arrival Of my Egyptian
friend in carriage to take me down to
the war office, that was inside the
arsenal gate Arrived at the gate, we
allghted from the carriage and were
about to enter, when we suddenly found
ourselves surrounded by crowd of eX-
cited fellahin soldiers, vehemently eJac-
ulating in their cultural Arabic 1t was
with the greatest difficulty that my
Egyptian friend and the faithful Ach-
med finally persuaded them TO hold up
their rifles with the bayonets fixed that
were playing about our heads and send
IN for the officer Of the guard.
This they did, and as soon as the Off
Ger learned the object Of our visit we
We're admitted without further trouble,
rsougn it was quite plain from the NUT
''riug- of the soldiers that they had no
friendly feelings toward a European
On ching the anteroom OF the war
0lhc we found all the celebrities OF the
rey..5 inxiously discussing the turn al
fair I'D taken was presented TO sew
era, them while waiting to be recely-
ga Arab Pasha and soon became the
ce.'" If circle Of eager questloners'
vii opt me fully occupied until an aid
dc.=gp announced that the pasha was
ra. TO receive me- The interview last
g3 ut half an hour, and / was very
taE oily impressed by Arabs person
als and the intelligence with which
b ,cussed the situation. Harper $
I0.I Table
Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-10-27
For Sale.

A number one residence with
about "a of an acre of land, situated
south of the German Catholic church
House contains eight large rooms
besides many closets and other con
veniences. Will be sold at bargain
half cash, time to suit the purchaser
ON the balance. Also the property
known rs the old Clowuey carpenter
shop, just north of Browns livery
stable. Inquire of
3tf j. b. Reynolds.
Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-10-27
Home Seekers Cheap Excursions.

cember and 20, the North Western
Line will sell home seekers eXcur-
sions tickets, with favorable time
limits, TO numerous points in the
West and South at exceptionally
low rates. For tickets and full in
formation apply to agents Chicago
& North Western R'y.