davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-21
ONE GLASS OF WINE.
Belief Tint IL Changed the History
of This Country.

Belief Tint IL Changed the History
| of This Country.
Is is said that a single glass of wine
| probably wrecked the Democratic party
III 1860. The story is WORTH teIlinS
After the breaking up of the national
Democratic convention at Charleston
the party in Georgia held q state con-
vention. Great excitement prevailed.
The leaders of the party could not
agree. 1t was a critical period.
The majority report Endorsed the Sc
ce6ers or boilers at Charleston, while
the minority report opposed their &C
ton. The leading champion of the mi
nority was Herschel V. johnson, and
his followers were confident that his
eloquence aud logic would carry the
day.
1t is quite likely that such would
have been the case but for an unfortu-
nate misbap. Ex-Governor johnson be-
gan his speech before the noon adjourn
ment on the second day and concluded
after dinner.
Old men who remember that speech
say that it was a powerful argument,
and the impression gained ground that
after the noon recess the speaker would
demolish his opponents with a few
sledge hammer blows.
But the overconfident friends of the
minority report were doomed to disap-
poiutment. johnson felt the strain of
the morning session so much that he
was unable to eat anything, and he took
a glass of wine upon an empty stomach
TO strengthen himself. This was fatal
mistake. That one glass of wine per-
haps changed the destiny of the nation
The great orator resumed his speech,
hut the wine had nauseated him. He
was hay, verbose and unintelligible at
times. His style and argument lacked
vigor, consistency and positiveness. His
friends looked at one another in despair
The men on the other side were exult-
ant. 1t was evident that the speaker
bad damaged his own cause.
Then Howell Cobb and Henry r.
Jackson followed each other for the ma
jority report. They spoke with an air
of eXpectant triumph and captured the
convention.
The majority report was adopted. 1t
is unnecessary to follow the history of
the next few weeks. The national De-
mocracy was completely disrupted and
put two tickets i'll the field. Lincoln
was elected and the country was plung-
ed into IL civil war. Had johnson sue
ceeded i'll inducing the Georgia conven-
tiCn to adopt his conservative ideas, it
is safe to say that other southern states
would have fallen into line with our
commonwealth, and the national Demo-
cratic party would have remained
united.
This is the story of what little glass
nf wilma did Tt rninpl marty,
caused a disastrous war, and besides the
loss of life cost the south over S4. OOO,-
600, 600. Perhaps this is rather specu-
lative, but there are many who believed
il generation ago.-Atlanta Constitu-
finrl
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-21
Hens That Ent Their own Eggs.

AS a rule, when hens have suitable
! food they don't eat their own eggs.
To preserve eggs from being eaten I'M
der exceptional conditions there are a
number of devices There is, for in
stance, a nest with bottom of woven
wire with a mesh big enough to let an
egg through. The egg goes through the
thin layer of hay with which the nest
is lined and through the wide meshed
bottom to fall safely in bed of hay I'M
derneath.
Another device is automatic and set
in operation by the chicken itself when
it steps off the nest. Thus relieved of
the chickens weight, the nest tits up
enough TO roll the egg off into place of
safety made for its reception.
Chickens are commonly carried on
deep water ships on long voyages to sup
ply eggs for the captain s table and &C.
casionally fowl. Chickens at sea are
more likely to eat their own eggs than
they are ashore. To prevent this among
the chickens carried on his vessel the
captain of an American ship rugged a
continuance that answered the purpose
and was adapted to the situation. He
attached to the underside of the nest 4
shoote by which the egg when laid was
carried safely down to Il box below
New York Sun.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-21
Too SUBJECTIVE of Luxury.

Doctor, said the member OF parlla
ment for rural district, "are you sure
it's govt that has attacked me:"
Positive. But you needn't be alarm
ed. It's nothing very serious"
Doctor, you don't appreciate the
situation. You don't know what pref
udice against govt there is IN my COM
munity. l don't ask you to do anything
contrary TO your conscience, but II l
manage to get tie story started that l
caught my toe in piece OF machinery
think of my prospects and the welfare
of your country and don't contradict
it. London Tit-Bits.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-21
washington's Farewell 10 His OFF,


On Dec. the officers of the army
met in Fraunce's tavern to bid their
chief farewell Washington, as he rose
and faced them, could not control his
voice. He lifted a glass of wine and
said, with a heart full of love and
gratitude, now take my leave of you,
most devo1tly wishing that your latter
days may be as prosperous and happy
as your former ones have been glorious
and honorable. - They drank in silence,
and Washington said, Il cannot come
10 each of you and take my leave, but
shall lie obliged if you will come and
take me 10y the hand" Up they came,
one by one, and one by one Washing
ton, his eyes filled with tears, embraced
them and said farewell From the tav-
ern they followed him to the ferry,
where he entered his barge. As the boat
moved away he rose and lifted his hat.
His officers returned the salute in ST.
lence. and all was over-Senator Hen
~ Cabot Lodge in Scribner
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-21
We All Cling to Life.

The strangest thing in life is tie
| way we cling TO it, said physician
whose practice has given him abundant
opportunity TO study the seamy side Of
things. Five minutes ago l gave
dime to an old beggar man who has been
| coming here regularly for years. He is
broken by age and tortured by an in
durable cancerous malady that renders
him repulsive and keeps him in con-
tinual pain. 1 know his history.
He is ignorant and he has been
poor. In his early life he was sailor
before the mast, and from what 1 can
learn he suffered all the bardsbips OF
that calling without seeing any of its
pleasant and adventurous side. he
never married and never had any fam
lily or home. / have questioned him
closely, and / have been unable TO dis
cover one scrap of genial "Reminiscences
in the sordid, squalid. miserable record
of his career. He has absolutely nothing
that he can ponder over with the slight
est degree of pleasure. and his present
situation is simply frightful.
He sleeps in shed back of a negro
howell and depends OH aims for his food
and clothes; yet, i'll spite of it all, he Is
eager TO keep on living and rebels at
once at the bare thought of death. He
isn't afraid, but he wants to continue
10 live. It's a mystery of mysteries,
and the case is not exceptional either.
There are plenty of others exactly like
it. New Orleans Times Democrat.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-21
HE COWEO THE BULLY.
Harold Fredcric'S Encounter with n
LordIy Prussian lieutenant

Tia roId Fredcric's Encounter with n
LordIy Prussian Lieutenant.
Harold Frederic's self confidence and
power of dominating strangers stood
him i'll good stead in one of his first
visits-if not his very first visit-to
Berlin. The incident as he related it
seemed natural enough to an American
not brought up in awe of a military
caste, but 10 those who knew Germany
it was almost surprising that he came
through it with his life. He had been
paying some formal diplomatic calls,
and in the evening dropped in at the
Cafe Bauer in the unwonted glory of a
frock coat and tall silk hat. This hat
was carefully hung on Il hat stand, and
Frederic sat down to read an English
newspaper just arrived.
Enter particularly fine specimen of
the lieutenant, booted and spurred and
sworded and epauletted. He brushed
against the hat stand. knocked Frederic's
hat over into the sawdust and swag-
gered to his seat without so much as
looking around. The slight to the hat
was more than Frederic could endure.
In 4 towering passion he went to the
lieutenant, stood over him and pointed
10 the OBJECT on the HOOr fich up
that hat, sirl'' he rOared. The officer
stared amazed; the walters were par
alyzed with terror at hearing one so
much more than human so addressed
by civilian. Pick up that hat"" re-
peated Frederic III a tone more menac-
ing than before. And the lieutenant did
what he was told. He was as irresisti
bly, dominated by the courage and force
of the man as schoOlboy before his
master, or perhaps he thought Frederic
carried the customary west American
revolver Saturday Review.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-21
shark. and the Dead Whale.

The presence of any large quantity
of easily obt:inable food Is always suii-
ciec5 TO secure the undivided attention
OF the shark tribe. When "cutting in"
whales at sea, have often been amazed
at the incredible numbers of these crea-
lures that gather in a short space Of
time, attracted by some mysterious
means from heaven only knows what
remote distances. II has often occurred
TO US, when whaling III the neighbor-
hood of New Zealand, to get sperm
whale alongside without q sign CT a
shark below or a bird above. Within
an hour from the time of our securing
the vast mass of flesh to the ship the
whole area within at least an acre has
been alive with seething multitude Of
sharks, while from every quarter came
drifting silently an incalculable host of
sea birds, converting the blue surface
of the sea into the semblance of q plain
Of new fallen snow
The harpooners and officers from their
lofty position on the cutting stage slew
scores upon scores by simply dropping
their keen edged blubber spades upon
the soft crowns of the struggling fish,
the only place where shark is vulner-
able to instant death. The weapon
sinks into the creatures brain, he gives
a convulsiVe writhe or two. releases his
hold and slowly sinks. followed in his
descent by a knot of his immediate
neighbors, all anxious to provide him
with prompt sepulture within their
own yearning unconstitutional Re-
view
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-21
Life'S Changes.

Whilo in the drawing room coach on
his way home from Philadelphia not
long ago New Yorker found himself
face to face with woman whom he had
not seen for some time.
why, Mrs. Blank" cried the New
Yorker, "bow'-
Al the womau's reproachful glance
he stopped. mot Mrs. Blank" she cor
reoted. Il got my divorce from Mr.
Blank some time ago. I'm now Mrs.
Dash. Let mo present my husband, Mr.
Dash, whereupon man got up and
bowed.
"You-you don't mean itr' gasped
the New Yorker. u hadn't heard. You
and Mr.. Dash haven't been married
very long, have you
"Oh, no, indeed" said the woman,
'"about 40 minutes, Think consult
ing her watch. Were ON our wedding
trip now
The New Yorker gasned again. Then,
BLESS you, my children" he cried and
fed to the smoking car.-New York
Sun.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-21
IN RUSTIC WAYS

The black5irds whistle all day long
= rhyt hinic gladness IN their song,
And night and morning down the lane
Drifts by the cO~beils rude refrain.
The flicker dips en- golden wings,
And far across tie meadow swings
The swallow skins in lines OF grace
Like TO the curves that painters trace.
Above. below and everywhere
A sense Of living thrills the air
Springs message through the silent sent.
With earth and wood and sky Is blent-
The hedcerow blossoms stain the sod,
The south winds make the grasses nod
And woody lambs IN awkward play
Down the green hillside ambllng stray.
Along the blue horizon rim
The lights and shadows sink or swim.
And pcnciled family on the skies
A ghostly half moon ; crescent lies
The blackbirdS chant the whole day long.
a rhythmic madness IN their song.
And dusk and dawn along the lane
Echoes the cowbells' rude refrain.
Ernest NoGafoy IL Wcmau's Home Com
panlOn.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-21
RILEY'S JOKES.
The Hoosier Poet Talks Interesting
IL 10 a Reporter.

The Hoosier Poet Talks Interesting
IL 10 "a Reporter
The Hoosier Poet vas busy when tn ,
Tales Of the Town man called croa
him.
Glad you came in. he said. mot
that I've been-but that's General
News story. General New of the Indi-
annapolis Journal called ON General
Grant during the latter's first term and
found the president warrior laughing
heartily. OF course New looked as
though he wanted to know the reason,
and the general told him. He said he
just had call from an old friend who
lived III Galena, Ills, one of his early
day acquaintance, who said he'd been
III Washington for two or three days.
but had been so busy that he was IN
able 70 call upon his old friend. the
president, any sooner, and he apologize
ed for the delay. General Grant looked
at him iii his comical fashion and
graveIy said:
Well. John, haven't been lone
some.'
You see, the visit occurred at Il
time when the president was being
harassed to death by callers from all
directions, who had driven him nearly
to distraction.
A man who travels good deal
comes TO know towns because of certain
points that are usually entirely person
al with him Sometimes bad hotel,
sometimes an extremely early train,
will stamp a characteristic on a town.
j remember that my old friend Bill
Nye was once chatting with Senator
Shirley of Maine and remarked upon
the fact that he (Nye) was born at
Shirley. i'll the senator's state. adding
that the town had doubtless been nam
ed for one of the senator's ancestors.
~ didn't know, said the senator,
that there was such town in Maine
as Shirley
- Il didn't know it either. said Nye.
until / was born there - "
And the poet went on with his writ
ing.-Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-21
An Offset.

"This is Mr.. Pneer, is it not:'
Yes, SIX
You have rented house fronting On
Mulberry square, 1 believer
~ have"
well, my name IS Ferguson. 1 have
rented the house next to yours, and by
queer mistake the man I.sent TO clean
it up so 1 could move into it went to
the wrong place and cleaned up yours.
His bill, which l settled, Is quite mod
erate-only 81. 50-and thought that
if the work proved satisfactory Oh in
spection perhaps you would not object
to assuming the payment of that
amount.
Not at all, sir, but l shall charge
you ST. so for one days occupancy Of
my house. That. think, makes us even,
sir. '-Chicago Tribune.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-21
An Easy Wnx Ont.

At school inspection some of the
boys found a difficulty in the correct
placing of the letters ''i'' and re" liz
such words as believe, receive. I"
etc.
When the Inspector. said blandly.
My boys, | will give you an infallible
rule, one l invariably use myself, " the
pupils were all attention, and even the
master pricked up his ears.
The inspector continued: 1T is Sim
ply this: Write the II and Sc exactly
alike and put the dot in the middle
over them. '-Liverpool Mercury.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-21
LEGAL.
Executors Notice.


Estate of Emma Johnson deceased
The undersigned having been appointed cx-
ecutor of the estate of the last VIII and
testament of Fmma johnson, late of the
county of Rock Island, state of Illinois,
deceased. hereby gives notice that he will
appear before the county court of Rock
Island county. ut the county court room, in
the city of Rock Island. ut the April
term. the first Monday i'm April next,
at which time all persons hsving claims against
said estate are notified and requested To at
tend. for the purpose of having the same adj
justed. All persons indebted to said estate
are requested to make immediate payment
to the undersigned
Dated this 10Th day OF January, A. D. 1899.
OSCAR NELSON,
lACCutCr.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-21
Happy Death.

The queen, with all her vast power,
was vet very miserable-that is TO say,
she wasn't the least bit outre or uncon-
ventioDal.
But at least, the queen was often
heard to excIaim, with a cheerful smile
Il can die happily. if / choose!'
BY this her majesty was currently
thought TO make reference to the fact
Of her having q dress which nit 80 well
she couldn't breathe in it.-Detroit
Journal
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-21
The First Celebration of Christmas.

Christmas was first celebrated in the
year IS, but it was 40 years later before
1t was officially adopted as Christian
festival. Nor was il until about the
fifth century that the day of its celebra-
ton became permanently fixed on the
25th of December. Up TO that sine 1t
bad been irregularly observed at various
times of the year-in December, IN
April and in May. but most frequently
in January.-Ladies' Home Journal.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-21
when the Time Came.

Maud-Oh, Ethel, and what did you
say to him when he proposed 10 you:
Did you say what you said you were 60
ing to the other day? That was noble
speech, just suited to crush the boldest
man. And did he stink away like a
whipped dog?
Ethel-Well, not exactly. You see,
l didn't say just that. I-I-well-er
-er-well, you see, said yes. -
London Fun.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-21
Executors Notice.

Estate of Eve McKinStry. deceased.
The undersigned having been appointed ex-
ecutOr of the last W IL and testament of Eve
McKinS.'y V. late of the county of Rock Island.
state of Illinois. deceased, hereby gives notice
that he will appear before the county court of
Rock Island county. at the county court room.
in the city of Rock Bland. the April
term. on the first Monday in April next
at which time all persons having claims
against said estate are notified and + queSted
to attend for the purpose of having the same
djuSted. All persons indebted to said estate
are requested to make immediate payment 10
the undersigned.
Dated this Sth day of Feb uary. a. d. 1899.
JOHN ". WEIGH. Executor.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-21

Husband lat the breakfast table,
Oh, for some Of the biscuits my mother
used TO makei
Wife (sweetly)-I'm sorry you have
not got them, dear. They would be just
about stale enough by this time TO go
well with that remark. New York
World.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-21
BQth Sides.

Papa-You saw that big boy whip
ping the little one, and you didn't in
terfere. Suppose you had been that lit
tie boy:
Bobbie-I did think of that and was
going to part 'em, but then happened
to think s'pose was the big boy? So
! left 'em alone.-Londun Fun.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-21
Too Great n Risk.

James, if anybody inquiries for me
today. tell them am not in"
Eyes, sir
There might possibly be one who
would not have a bill, 4" muttere7 the
young man, "but I'll not risk it ~
Cleveland Plain DEALER.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-21

Books written on bone, stone, bricks
tiles and oyster shells; Bibles written
~ palm leaves and manuscripts tran
scribed ON bark, leather, papyrus, parch-
neut, wood, lead, ivory and copper are
among the treasures of the British mu-
scum.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-21
Strange Mistake.

North Side Mother-I told you lit
tie while ago. Jerry, who our first par
ents were. Let me see if you remem-
Ter. Who was the first man?
Precocious Boy-Adam.
North Side Motber-That's right
Who was the first woman?
Precocious Boy Evil - Chicago
Tribune.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-21

New Subscribers Since Last Book Was
Printed.
1O02-Apple, j. S.
1272-Bahnsen, +. W, res.
4O92-Drs. Burkhart IL Burkhart.
4371-Collum, John & Co.
42S3-Ellcnwood, l.. w, residence.
4181-Grcgg. Mrs. Sarah i. res.
4343-Kerns, George NJ, res.
1336-Lockney, Rev. j. t., res.
4O93-Loonev 81 Kelley.
1956-McCaskrin ~ McCaskrin.
4472-Palace of Sweets.
41O4-Recd 81 Bollman.
4144-Robinson NJ. Il. 81 Co.
40S2-Summers, Il. G. d. Co.
1332-Whitc, |. s., res.
4444-Britton ~ Paulsen.
4402-Cash, George W. & Son.
12SO-Kerns, 5. A. res.
4391-Lewis, Sin"l.
4lS2--Pearsall, George ~ Son, res.
l275-Ullemeycr, Charles,
1276-Wilchcr, Phil 5.
435l-Connelly, John.
1266-Locb, l.. res.
1928 The Rock Island Club.
1123-R. |. Plow Co.. Kerns, S. 4.
1850, Il. ~ q. freight Office.
1888 Morris ~ Lewis, foundry.
1908 -BOynton, f.. w, res.
1855 Keim, J. w, druggist
12o5-Trefz, VIM. res.
n B.-Cut out the above and paste
n inside front cover of your telephone
irectory for read reference.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-21
Wanted Him.

Dealer-I'm afraid 1 cannot recon-
mend this parrot, madam. He swears
like a sailor.
Mrs. Ferry-Oh, how delightful !
''Sbiver my toplights!" STOW my
mainsailsl" and all that, l SUPPOSE
Cincinnati ENQUIRER.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-21
inst what He Meant.

alt was pitch battle" he said.
a. Pitched, you mean" she correct
ed.
II don't mean anything of the kind, "
he replied. II mean pitch 1t was 4
fight between tars."-Chicago Post.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-21
Getting sIatter. Adjusted.

"That woman next door went and got
hat exactly like mine"
Ibid you make a fuss about it?''
mo; / gave mine to the cook. -
Chicago Record.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-05
COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL
Immense Supply Of Wheat with Slack De-
mand Depresses the Market.
OATS AND CORN ALSO EXHIBIT WEAKNESS
Better Cables aud TransvnaI Crisis
Bring Hope to Bulls at Opening,
but Discourauing Features
Soon Make Appearance.

CHICAGO, Nov i.-The overwhelming
ana apparently inexhaustible supply in
sight, coupled with a stagnant cash demand
depressed wheat again today and December
closed shade lower at 6sAc. Corn lost Nc
oats closed shade lower Provisions i'm
proved a trfle.
Better cables and the growing uneasiness
abroad over the position OF the English
army In the TranSvaal developed a steady
ieehhg In wheat at the opening. Business
was so duil, however, that after a slight
advance on scattered covering the market
suddenly turned weak. December opened
tsc higher at 6sssqSSkc touched 6Slbc and
dropped to 67%Q6Sc. Liquidation was heavy
on the way down and the market ruled
.sneh wneh buying against weekly puts and scat
tered covering because OF reports OF dam
age, age by the Hessian ny Throughout 1.-The the
vancing to 6Skc. where 1t closed. one of the
most distressing features of the days news
,Sa was the closing down OF ten flour mills in
sence of demand. Steadily increasing stocks
and poor cash demand added still fur
cars. thirty-four Of which graded contract. t.
M Mlnnaeapolis mn @ and Duluth got 723 cars COM
parea y REQ with l'Sa far the corresponding day
year ago. The worlds shipments to Eu-
rope during the week were 100000 bu
bT U'ai western pr primary receipts were 10000
ulcatlohs were for another large increase
IN the visible supply Monday, with the
prospects sp n that by January l it will amount
Wheat w 49, and 5ui aor Atlantis port clearances of
Corn was dull and without animation or
movement beyond what was urged upon IL
py the action of wheat. The market did not
Yield much, although a good deal of talk
was indulged in OF n bearlsh character,
receipts, 265 cars. December operad un-
ehanged at 3O%c, declined to 30lsGp30Ssc and
closed with buyers at sOHsc.
| Oats ruled dull and weak in sympathy
Win the other grains. A slow cash de-
added to the weakness. Receipts. 2o3 cars
December opened unchanged at 223sa2 22Isc
declined to 22AQ22ssc and closed at 22Mc.
| PROVISIONS We're dull but steady. Liberal
| shipments of meats and a decrease in
stocks encouraged buying by packers under
Wnich small gains were scored. January
pork closed DC higher at S9.75a9 77Ib; Jan
uary lard PIC higher at $527lb and January
| ribs unchanged at S495
The leading futures ranged as follows: