davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times., 1898-05-15
Good Credentials.
(From the Chicago News. J

(trom the Chicago News-)
Ex-Governor Thatcher, of Colorado,
tells this: 81 had been in charge of my
office but a few days when 1 received one
day large bear that had been recently
killed, accompanied by note telling me
that it was mighty fine bar meat This
note did not give the name of the giver.
arrived at the executive mansion. The
next gift was a large box of fine noun
tain trout, along with some fresh berries.
By this time l was a little curious, but
had no way of learning whom they came
from One day l received an extra large
box. There was large cake some pies,
breads. jams and jelly, with small pieces
of different meats finely cooked. This
time the note informed me that the un-
known would call on me in few days
l was anxious to see the person and
when one Saturday a long-haired man
from the mountains came in I was some
what surprised. We'll, governor what
do you think of my ability as a hunter
and of my wife as cook?' asked the
stranger. Without any more talk he said
he wanted the job of furnishing my house
hold with fresh meats and his wife want
ed the position of cook. AS they had
shown their abilities, l gave them the po-
sitions at once. He never failed to keep
a good supply of meats on hand and his
wife furnished good home cooking. If all
the office-seekers were like that man a
government officials life would be a
happy one.''
The times., 1898-05-15
"Ars Ef Xitn."

lars Et Vita, and Other Stories" by T.
r. Sullivan, is a collection of short stories
which might possibly make greater rep
utation If published under some other
name. Latin titles are not especially at
tractive, particularly when, as in this case,
they are rather misleading. The stories
deal almost entirely with life on the con-
tinent of Europe. among the semi Bohe-
mian circles of Paris and other large
cities. They are rather clever but not
striking in any way. The one which gives
the title TO the book Is perhaps the most
substantial in merit, but the most that
can be said for 1t is that it is simply cIev-
er. The author uses good English, draws
a good likeness, and evidently knows the
life which he portrays. To readers who
also know that life, the book will have
the interest which any truthful descrip-
ton has. But there is nothing distinctive
in the book, in any way. II is simply a
collection of magazine stories of average
merit.
(New York: Charles Scribner's Sons
Washington: All booksellers.)
The times., 1898-05-15

benjamin Franklin, Printer, States
man, Philosopher and Practical Citizen, .
is the title of a new book by Edward Rob-
ins. author of Echoes of the Playhouse" "
The author apologies in his preface for
producing another life of Franklin, after
the work of Sparks, Bigelow, Parton and
others, but the chances are that the char
acteristics of this eminent American were
so varied that new view Of him is not
superfiuous. This view is confirmed by a
perusal of the biography in question. 1t
is frank and impartial in tone and while
admitting the flaws in Franklin's charac-
ter, takes the ground that only a small
minded cynic will allow these to obscure
the glory of so wise and brilliant a man.
The book is illustrated with some repro
ductions Of old prints, and fully indexed-
a matter which ought never 10 be neglect
ed in works of a historical character.
(New York: G. p. Putnam's Sons
Washington: Woodward & Lothrop)
The times., 1898-05-15

to the instincts which have kept the race
home-loving, brave and truthful in it's
ideals since its earliest history. There Is
something refreshingly novel in his idea
of the Morse heaven:
knowing the character and life OF our pagan
ancestors we could readily reconstruct their
heaven. race OF warriors, stalwart serious
and gross, must inevitably conceive heaven like
Walhalla. All the cardinal points of their char
acter and their system eliminate here-their prae-
tical fighting nature, their burly animalisn, their
substratum OF poetry and philosophy, and their
wholesome moral cleanness II is, mutatis mu
tandis, the character Of the Saxon peoples today
The exclusive denzens OF Wahalla the
Einheriar, whose apotheosis raised them even
above some OF the gods As fighting was their
glory on earth, it is their happiness in heaven
Each morning they repair to the battle-ground be-
lore the hall TO engage in single combat Those
who faII are at once restored to life. When the
days exercises are over they return to the vast
hall, where they loll about the festive board
The cook, Andrimnir, supplies great platteTs of
flesh from the roasted boar, Sahrmnir, which
they wash down with mighty draughts of mead
or beer, while they are intellectually regaled by
the Soul-stirring ode or saga OF the Skald. There
is no dainty slipping Of nectar or eating Of am
Drosla here But neither is there any voluptuons-
ness, for Frigga the matronly spouse of Odn
presides at the board. like the wife of an Eng
llsh country gentleman at dinner party OF her
husbands guests, who have come for a few
days shooting, And the Wakyfien, who minis
ter in the hall, are Houris even Hebes but
ideal German girls and irreproachable goddesSes.
There have been few brief and concise
histories of the Morse gods. Much of
the literature about them is only acces-
sible TO the student who knows where to
look, not TO the average reader who
hardly knows what to look for Mr.
Stern's book viii be valuable as an ex-
planation of the Wagner operas, as
history of the Morse myths given in sim
pie language, and as a book of reference
1t ought 10 be found in the library of
any one interested in history, in compara-
tive theology or in philosophy
(New York: Harper & Bros. Wash
ington: All booksellers.)
The times., 1898-05-15
An English Story.

MY Pretty Janei" is a story-book by
Effie Adelaide Rowlands, and is one of
those English tales Of a baronet a poor
but handsome and worthy suitor, a mer-
cenary woman, and beautiful and low
able heroine which most of US know and
have read quite often. And most of us
who are fond of fiction are ready to read
another of these tales whenever it pre-
sents an appearance and we have an idle
hour. That is the reason why this par
tcular one has been written, and why it
is likely to have moderate success. The
heroine is thoroughly pleasing girl, and
has melancholy time of 1t through
many chapters, Yet not too melancholy
TO AFFORD pleasure TO the reader. The viii
lain in this case is a woman, and not a
very bad villain; and her plot is finally
foiled in the usual satisfactory way
There is nothing especially original in
this book, but it is not hackneyed, and
the story Is well told, and the people
are drawn with care and truthfulness
and are mostly such as one would like to
meet were one spending a few months in
England.
philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Com
pany. Washington: All bookselIers.)
The times., 1898-05-15
CURRENT VERSE
Jim.


He was ies plain, ever day all-round kind of a
Consumpted-lookin'- lal
The jokiest wittiest, storyteIlin', song singin',
langhin'est, ioliiest
Feller You ever saw
Worked at jes' coarse work. but you can bet he
was fine enough in his talk,
And his feelins, too.
Lordy If he on'y back on his bench ag' in
today, a-caryin' on
Like he ust to do.
And shoPmate'n tell you there never was on top
better feller'n Jim!
You want favor, and couldn't git It any
where's
You could git it o. him!
Most free -heaFtedest man that-away in the world,
! guess;
Give up ever nickel he's worth
And II you'd a-wanted it, and named it to him,
and it was his,
He'd a-giye you the earthl
Alus a-reachin' out. Jim was. and a-helpin' some
Pore feller onto his feet
He'd a-neyer a-keered how hungry he was his
se'f,
SOS the feller got somepin' to eat,
Didn't make no difference at all to him how he
was dressed,
he ust to say to me
''You tog out a tramp purity comfortable in
Winter time a-huntin' a job,
And he'll git along!" says he.
Jim didn't have: ner never could git ahead 50
overly much
o. this worlds goods at time
Fore now I've him. InoTe'n onct, lend dol
lar and haf 20 more'n likely
Turn round and berry a dime,
Aebby laugh and Joke about it hissef fer 4
while-then jerk his coat
And kinder square his chin
Tie on his apern, and squat hissef On his old
shoe-bench,
An go to peggin' ag'in!
Patientest feller. too reckon, at ever jes' nat
Coughed hisse'f to death.
Long enough after his voice was lost he'd laugh
in a whisper, an say
de could git ever thing but his breath
You feilers,' he'd sorter twinkle his eye and
say,
''Is a-pilin' onto me
mighty big debt for that air little weak
chestcd ghost o mine TO pack
Through all eternity
Now there was man at les 'peared like to me.
At ortn't a-neyeF a-diedi
But death hain't a-showin' no tavors," the old
boss said,
"On'y to Jim!'' and cried;
And Wiggie who puts up the best sewed work
in the shop
Er the whole blame neiehborhood,
he says, when God made jim / bet you He
didn't DO anything else that day
But ies' set around and feel gOodr'
James WhitcOmb Riley
The times., 1898-05-15

no signs of moving, however but sat on, chatting
among themselves and criticising our appearance
very much as we ourselves are in the habit OF do
ing In our own country when outside the cage
OF some denzen OF distant lands, or strange freak
of nature. Half dozen anxious faces, too, were
fattened against the window in the dark out
SIDE This was one of our petty annoyances at
0umwaidjik. For the first week were never
alone for TO bar the door was to drive our OBJ
servers in a body to the window. At length 1t
occurred to me to screen the window with the
small Union Jack destined TO play SO important
part in the future, and we enjoyed for time
certain amount OF seclusion.
Toward $3.50 p. m. my patience was rapidly
being exhausted by the pangs of hunger, and
made signs TO Koari, who now partially So
ber, that wished TO partake OF food, and
should be grateful if he would produce the stores
confided TO his care that morning. man was
at once dispatched, ostensibly for the purpose,
but we awaited his return for quite an hour
may hero mention that had brought supplies
for two months, consisting OF timed soups and
meats, pemmican, biscuits. tea and other COM
forts which would have made life at any rate
bearabe under the depressing circumstances. The
reader may, therefore, picture our feelings when
the messenger returned with 4 large piece OF raw
seal-meat, reeking with oil-and nothing else.
The time had now evidently come for an eX-
PLANTATION, which we forthwith demanded, ana
insisted that our own provisions be at once pro
duced.
man and willy n jew. On seeing our de
terTnined demeanor, -Koari at once full OF
apologies. There had been some mistake; the
seal-meat was meant present 10 celebrate
our arrival; OF eourEe the stores should lmmedl-
ately be sent for And so they were, 10 the
extent of twenty tins of preserved meat and
soups a little tea and two tins of biscuits. The
rest, our friend remarked, would be far bet
ter in his keeping" and he added significantly,
"pienty bad man djik-steal white
man; no kill-steal-Koar!' -
Tonight, I lie awake and shivering in the
cold and darkness, / cannot help recalling how
certain friend of mine in England who has oc-
casionally "roughed it" in a comfortable shoot
ing box and braved the stormy deep in a 500
ton yacht, predicted that this overland journey
would be ridiculously easy. There would Ire no
hardships and very little discomfort. IL would
be pleasure trip-a regular picnic and so
forth. And as / knock the ashes from my pipe,
and dive into sleeping bag to shut out the
stencil that peryades our hut picture my friend.
clad in purple and fine linen, and dining at his
ease in some luxurious club glttering restau-
rant And ] may, perhaps, under the cireum-
stances, be forgiven for wishing that, If cnly
for a few moments, he could lie here by my
sde-and appreciate the wisdom OF his prophecy.
For, Rudyard Kiplng truly remarks:
The toad beneath the harrow knows
Exactly where each tooth-pont goes;
The butterfly upon the road
breaches cOntentInent to that toadi'
(New York: Harper & Bros. Washing
ton: All booksellers.)
The times., 1898-05-15
"The sword of the Pyrnmtd,.,

THE Sword of the Pyramids. by Ed
ward Lyman BIZ. is described on tie
utle-page as "a story of many wars"
and the description is accurate The
hero is the son of Marshal Ney, who
for purposes of the novelist, is assumed
TO have escaped to this country, another
man having been executed in his place
The great marshal bequeathes to his son
the ancient weapon known as ''the sword
of the Pyramids - and its peculiar prop
critics and marvellous history are dwelt
upon at some length. For the rest. the
adventures Of the hero are interesting,
and his vicissitudes exciting. He is en-
gagged in the civil war, and afterward in
the Mexican revolt against JuareZ and IS
finally executed, together with MaximiI-
ian and his companions The story is told
with considerable skill, and the reader
follows the fortunes of the hero with
an interest which would be greater were
his characteristics more clearly brought
out. AS ii is, the only real reason for
interest in his fate is that he is the hero,
and there is nobody else on whom to be-
stow ones interest. He does not seem
exactly like a real man, but rather a
bundle of noble qualities Csuch as a hero
always possesses) who, through a con-
catenation of circumstances (such as al
ways surround hero does noble deeds
with the hero's invariable success). That
the story is, in spite of the lay figure, in
teresting. is due partly to the historical
element which is ingeniously woven into
its substance. and partly to the real
power of the plot.
CNew York: F. Tennyson Neely. Wash
ington: All booksellers.)
The times., 1898-05-15
A Book About Jefferson.

1.-THE House in Which Thomas jefferson
Wrote the Declaration of Independence
is the title of book which ought to have
another name. A good part of it is not
about the house at all, but is resume
of Mr.. Jeffersons character; a glorifica-
tion of the principles of social life for
which he stood, and an impassioned pro-
test against modern vulgar wealth"
The author. Thomas Donaldson, says that
1t is a misfortune that Mr.. Jefferson is
not alive today, to assist in sitting our
present vulgar wealthy class, and that
the present reign of greed for the dnuar
is likely to land this republic in mon
archy. Nearly half of the book is devot-
ed to eulogy of Jefferson's personal and
political qualities. and then the author
begins to describe the house which is
the real subject of the work He discuss
es the claims of four different houses in
Philadelphia to this honor and relates
their history. Thirty more pages are
consumed in this way. Finally the de-
scription of the real Jefferson house, 200
Market Street Philadelphia, is begun and
the story of its Identification, of it's de-
struction, and of the preservation of GER
tain parts of its material. is told at
some length. The author then gives the
history of the writing of the Declaration,
and prints it in it's original form, show
ing corrections and emendationS. The
part of the book which concerns the his
toric house alluded to in the title, occu-
pies actually, about twenty pages out Of
100
There Is much interesting information
in the book, however, and any one who
is collecting literature about Jefferson
may find it worth the buying.
philadelphia: Avil Printing Company
Washington: All booksellers.)
The times., 1898-05-15
The Letter of the Arehbishops.

(From the New York CommeTeial-Advertiser.)
The letter on the war with Spain addressed
by the Catholic archbishops OF the United States
TO the clergy and laity under their charge can
not fail to have wholesome influence in Europe
particularly III Catholic countries like France
Italy and Austria Aside from the quiet and
dignifed tone of tho letter, its firm insisienee
hat the United States is battling in the cause
of humanity and justice Will tend to dissipate
a great deal of the ignorance OF American mo-
tiyes prevailing in those countries. Sagasta RO-
bledo, Weyler, and other Spanish leaders viii
find it extremely hard to convince Catholic peo-
pie OF Europe that the American people are in
spired by unworthy purposes after this strong
assurance to the contrary by American Catholic
prelates. The letter is particularly significant
from the neutral position the pope has taken
and from the fact that the Spanish king bears
the official title of His Most Catholic Majesty
Before the present war is Europe will know
the American people much better than it ever
did before.
The times., 1898-05-15
The AsIers.

q. Russell Taylor, in the March Scribner's Maga-
zine. New YOTk.)
The river has not changed with wear on year
] know the place; once / found asters here
The river is the same but ! am strange;
For all the seasons touching with change
Little by little made me changing.
AS little as the Autumn is the Spring
Am the boy that knew this path so we'll,
The lost boy. wild Of heart as Ariel
Who thought the burnt-Out lamps Of wild sun
flowers
The last should light the tired dislustered hours
When all the dull green looked at him. and met
His gaze with Argus eyes Of rich regret,
Gold-irised, fTinged with tender violet
oblivions feet had lost the path in briers;
And bTOOding thus on ghosts OF old desires
! stopped and crept difficult passage through;
Then, there they were the deep imperial blue
OF my old asters blOomed and bloOmed again,
Embroidered like curtain the green
\ hand that splendid tapestry,
And out he slept; knew him. il was he,
The wild heart boy with my face looked at me.
And |, the man, with pity looked on him.
With sin and grief the years between were dim,
But naught he seemed to me. | had met death
Unmasked at noon; he thought it but breath
| had known love. ! knew Woman's heart.
Earth's inmost purple and 10 him but art
OF aster-eyes to draw him like bee.
Upon my smile he faded wistfully;
Only the regal asters looked at me.
The times., 1898-05-15
An Alaskan Book of Travels.

Through the Cold Fields of Alaska to
Bering Straits" by Harry De Windt, is
a book worth its price to anybody who
wants to know about Alaska and North
eastern Siberia. The author has had some
exciting adventures, and he tells them in
an interesting way. The book is Illus
trated with pictures whose clearness and
fine execution are relief after the slip
shod reproductions of photographs of in
different merit which adorn many books of
travel. In a short preface the author
states that if his original scheme had
succeeded, the book would have been
called From New York to Paris by
Land journey probably never accom-
plished in the history of the world This
plan, however. was not carried out, and
the record OF the journey was published
under the title given above. Mr.. De Windt
and his companion, Mr.. Harding, were the
first Europeans to reside for any length
of time alone and unprotected among the
Tchuktchi of Siberia, and some of his
experiences there are more interesting to
read about than pleasant to go through.
This country of the Tchuktchi is about
Leo miles north of Kamtchatka and near
Berins Straits. Here is a page. taken at
random from a chapter describing this
semi-saYage people:
1t now getting on to p. m and we
had tasted for twelve hours. Our visitors showed
The times., 1898-05-15
NIav ON the Mnreher.

Gided with buttercups, with frost of white
Wild lilies-of-the-valley. the narshy green
Glimncred with biUefags countless all be-
tween
Ne and the brimnling streams long line Of
Light
And all the sweet air laughed as to a sprite.
And danced and reigned with music CRYSTALLINE.
With trilled and titteTing melody, faint and
keen,
Where in the flags the marsh-wTen woke de-
light
Delight 10 break my heart for when I turned
To meet your daTk-eyed smile, TO see your face
Reflect the light wheFeWith the sunlight burned.
Only the dark-eyed flags smiled up at me,
Only the green was touched with golden grace,
And only the maTsh-wren thrilled my tears 70
see.
II Rns.al TaElor in the Centn-r.
The times., 1898-05-15
"The Peacemakers.-

1.-The Peacemakers, by John Strange
Winter, is pleasant English story, whose
odd title gives no clew to the characters.
There is a good deal of human nature in
this story, and it is cleverly brought out
so cleverly that one is almost tempted to
feel that it is American rather than Eng
lish-the people are so like ones acquaint-
ances. The Peacemakers are a new sect
of religious people, under the leadership
of a gentleman who, having had very lit
tie peace in his early life, determines to
secure it in his old age, by having his
own way. AS he possesses plenty of mon
ey, and practically owns the community
in which he lives, this is comparatively
easy for him, but the amount of peace
enjoyed by other people is not so great,
and it very soon becomes evident that the
tenets of the Peacemakers are not much
more than farce. The idea is a novel
one, and is worked out with great skill.
There is an underlying philosophy in it,
too which is worth considering.
The story begins with q love scene, of a
very matter-of-fact and comforta BILE
kind The hero and heroine of this love
scene meet in a business Office, and be-
come engaged during bicycle ride. The
young man is fine young fellow, and
the girl sensible and pleasing little
DOuS, anu tuS interest VI lllS IcduS4 - dt
once enlisted in their fortunes. Suisse
quentIy the opposition of the head Peace
maker, the father of this young man, to
the marriage of his youngest daughter
with the man of her choice, and the pa
ternal determination to marry the girl
TO a man whom she detests. bring into
the story an element of mystery which
is fascinating without being grewsome.
The atmosphere of this novel, in fact, is
wholesome, clean and pleasant, and 1t
may be recommended to almost anybody
from 1.-The young person" to her grand
mother. as a good and interesting book.
philadelphia: ]. B. Lippncott Compa-
ny. Washington: All booksellers.)
The times., 1898-05-15
After Rain.

(Stephen Phillips, in the May Atlantic Monthly
After rain, after rain,
o sparkling EARTH
All things are again,
Bathed as at birth.
Now the lovely storm hath ceased,
Drenched and released
Upward springs the glistening bough,
In sunshine now;
And the randrop from the leaf
Runs and slips;
Ancient forests have relief;
Old foliage drins
All the Earth doth seem
Like to Diana issuing from the stream,
Her body flushing from The wave
Glistening in beauty grave;
Or like perhaps to Venus, when She rose,
And looked with dreamy stare across the sea-
As vet unconscious OF her Woes
Her woes, and all her wounds that were to be
Or again,
After the rain,
Earth like that early garden shines,
Vested in vines.
Oh green, green
Eden is seen
After weeping skies
Rising Paradisel
God there for his pleasure.
In diyinest leisure
Walking in the sun.
Which hath newly run.
Soon | might perceive
The long-tressed Eve,
Startled by the shower,
Venture from her bower
Looking for Adam under perilous sky;
While he hard by
Energies from the slowly dropping blooms,
And odorous green glooms.
The times., 1898-05-15

in consequence: and the intrigues. vicis-
situdes and developments of character
which take place in the course of this re-
volt make up the plot of the novel. AS
seems to be inevitable in the historical
novel, particularly the novel of Russian
life, there is an astonishing number of
villainous men, and one particularly VIII
ainous woman. There are some fine de-
scriptions of the life at the Russian
court at that time, and the book will
give the untutored reader a very clear
idea of the medieval life of the Russian
Empire.
(New York: Frederick A. Stokes Com
pany. Washington: All booksellers)
The times., 1898-05-15
..The SON of the Cz.r.y

''The Son of the Czar." by James NJ.
Graham, is book which rs sure of
considerable sale among people who like
the historical novel. The scene of the
story is laid in Russia during the time of
Peter the Great, and the picture given
of that great Car may perhaps be called
the most interesting thing in the book
This remarkable man, who shaped out of
a rude and semi-barbarie people a great
empire by sheer force of will has never
been better portrayed. The weak Alexis,
1.-The son of the Gar" endeavors to stir
up revolt, and eventually loses his life