davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1899-09-15
NO WONDER HE REFORMED.
Saw Postage Stamp DO Stunts AL
Over the Barroom.

Saw Postage Stamp DO Stunts AL
Over the Barroom.
From the Kansas City Star: Re-
forms are wrought in many and GU
rious ways. but seldom in a stranger
manner than that in which a certain
drunkard was sobered. This man had
wandered at midnight into low sa-
loon. He gave his order and then
leaned against the bar for support. A
man standing near by took from one
pocket an addressed envelope and from
another a stamp, which he moistened
with his tongue. Instead of adhering
to the envelope. as the man intended,
the stamp slipped from his fingers
and fluttered to the floor. The tippler
saw it fall and staggered forward to
pick it up. Just as he was about to
grasp it the stamp darted in a zigzag
course toward the side wall, like a
scared thing. Filled with astOnish-
ment, the drinker drew back and in
tently watched the bit of paper, which,
upon reaching the wall, began to as
cend. AS it assembled, the tippler's
face grew more intent. his body more
rigid. He saw nothing but the mystic
rious. moving thing. His mind was
soggy from years of ceaseless drink
ing. He thought that the animated
stamp was warning. At the top OF
the wainscoting the stamp stopped,
sQuatted as If for a moments rest be-
fore ascending higher. and then made
dart toward the tippler's haggard
face The trembling sot saw it stop,
saw it hesitate and leap. He was un-
questionably doomed if he continued
longer to drink to excess; the stamp
had been given life to warn him. So
it seemed to him. With a pitiful yell
of fear and determination. he rushed
from the saloon. From that eventful
night until he died, in prosperous cir
cumstances, recently, the man never
swallowed drop of liquor. The
moistened stamp had fallen upon a
cockroach's back and stuck tire.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1899-09-15
THE HEROIC SYMPHONY
How Napoleon Ceased 60 BE the Tdss
E. Of Beethovsn.

How Napoleon Ceased 70 he the Ideal
,E OF Besthovsn. #
A work OF art requires no explains
ton, says the Saturday Review. But
the very title Beethoven gave the
Heroic Symphony provokes question
and there have been many endeavors to
explain it. Wagner tried less to ex-
plain it's meaning than to explain It
away. Chained to his one idea, he as
serted that Beethoven's hero was not .
military hero, but a young man of COM
plete spiritual and physical endowment.
who passed from mere brute delight in
life and his strength through tragic
suffering to high spiritual satisfaction
in love; that is to say, he asserted that
Bethoven's hero was Parsifal or Sieg-
fried. fa..
Now, this much of Wagner's theory
is true, that Beethoven would not wor-
ship mere human butcher any more
than he would worship pork butcher
as hero. On the other hand, Beetho-
ven's hero was undoubtedly a military
hero, Napoleon Bonaparte. We know
that the symphony was originally dedi-
Gated to Napoleon, that the dedication
was altered when Napoleon las Beetho-
ven thought turned traitor and became
emperor; we know that when the news
Of his death came Beethoven casually
remarked that he had already COM
posed the music for that event.
OF what parts, then. Of Napoleon's
career do the first and last two move
ments tell? These are questions which
can never be answered; and, mere Curl
osity apart, it SO happens that it mat
tiers little whether they are answered
or not answered, so long as they are
not answered altogether wrongly. For
whatever events Beethoven might at
any moment have in his mind he never
tried to depict them. but only to COM
municate the emotion they aroused. He
himself said as much. 1t is in the ex-
preston of human emotion he is SUI
preme, and to feel Alright the emotions
of the heroic symphony we need only
have our minds clear of story which
Beethoven did not and could not have
had in his mind.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1899-09-15

figure hitherward "a maid-serVant
from the house, no doubt But the
fine Havana? Well. that was no affair
of mine; would not at all events play
the eavesdropper. e.-i
1t was in carrying out this laudable
resolve that turned into another path
a shorter cut to the house, as l be-
lieved. in my slight knowledge of the
place. 1t must however have brought
me nearer to the lovers. for now the
manly voice was SO raised that the
subject of what appeared to be an an
CRY discussion only Just missed meet
ing my ears, and s0bs from the female
were distinctly audible. The course OF
true love was not running smoothly.
| concluded, as l retraced my steps.
At this moment the sobs ceased and
feminine voice took up the response,
pleading remonstrant. and ! was con-
scious Of a sudden shock which
brought me to standstill. The sweet.
low tones were familiar to me--they
were those Of Mona Branscomhe.
Mona Branscombe, my ideal Of inno-
cence and womanly purity. my imDe:-
sonation of Una, keeping clandestine
appointment at night with her un-
cles corpse hardly yet cold. too; hood
wlnking her chaperon with pretense
of illness and overwhe lming grief! Oh,
the shame ard the pity CT it! Oh, the
shame and the pity!
did not stop to ask myself why the
blow should be such a crushing one to
newly doubt Of the innocence and
goodness of Mona Branscombe should
seem to make the world stand still. and
plunge my whole outlook into dark,
ness; l hurried blindly back to the
house. losing myself half dozen .im"s
among the tortuous shrubbery paths
and shaking the raindyops from the
laden branches in heavy showers as
went. ] had reached the terrace on
which the side door by which ! had
Quilted the house opened, my hand was
on The lock. when another applicant
for admittancc glided out of the shad'
! ows and stood by my side.
(To be continued)
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1899-09-15
5g lza&18sRfzHigags
@l5N Iz1ES ) 21zif4zV%P
@21S%S BU1IWTS LOIE2&S

, tho darkened house; and as I sat in the
library, busted with some writing for
Miss Elmsle, the musical rythm of the
raindrops, pattering softly down on the
laurel and berheris leaves outside the
open window, seemed to me like tears
shed for a good mans loss.
Miss Elmslie came in and out with a
hushed tread. and gave me instructions
in subdued voice. sometimes staying
to talk of the dead man upstairs.-of
his virtues and consistent life, his
trials and disappointments-and. at
last, in natural sequence, of Charlie.
the scapegrace. and Of Mona, the
child OF Col. Branscombe's. youngest
brother.
Poor Charlie!" she said. shaking
her head He was always the one
bitter drop in Harold Branscombe's
| cup He idolized the boy-such beau
| tiful angelic-looking creature-he was
so like the sister poor Harold loved
and never forgot-and he spared
| neither trouble nor expense in his edu-
cation. Charlie was to be the heir, to
| carry on the old name. And Mona
we'll. he had his hopes and dreams for
! the dear girl. But Charlie ruined all;
he nearly broke poor Harolds heart,
, and upset all his plans. Nothing could
mend the boy; there seems to be sort
of mad fever in his blood don't
know where he gets it. He's as villa
| to-day as he was six years ago. Only
Nona--in her youth and inexperience,
dear d!-clings to the hope OF his
ever being better. All the rest OF us
have long since given him up"
Miss Branscombe is attached to her
! cousin?" ventured.
They have been ike brother and
/ sister, you know" Miss Elmslie re-
piled quietly. Mona cannot give him
! up. But there is the dinner bell" she
seemed glad to change the converse
ton, thought.
Miss Branscombe did not appear at
the dinner table. The evening was
still wet, but close and sultry. Miss
Elmslie and took tea together in the
! large drawing room, which looked SO
empty and desolate now; and. while
the gentle old lady babbled on Of the
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1899-09-15
CHAPTER IV.--(Continued.)


els that all?" Miss Branscombe's
look seemed to say, and her color came
back and the frightened look faded out
OF her eyes. I wondered what she had
dreaded.
Another gravely-eaten dinner was
scarcely over when my summons came
Miss Branscombe started to her feet
with a suppressed cry, and passed
swiftly from the room before me.
Only Mr.. Fort, I was to say" The
butler hesitated, looking anxiously at
Miss Elmslie. II beg your pardon,
ma'am, but the message was partic-
ular."
Poor dear child" murmured Miss
Elmslie, rising and looking helplessly
at me. What can l do lit IS too
late. am afraid
will you leave it to me-" said
gently. perhaps I can persuade Miss
Branscom be-
Eyes, yes," she exclaimed. laying her
trembling hand on my arm--"you
will persuade her."
Those hours of anxious watching and
enforced confidence had thrown down
the barriers of unconventionanty, and
made us more intimate than months OF
ordinary intercourse would have done.
Both the elder and the younger lady
turned to me in their loneliness aud
their sorrow; already had taken my
place as friend with them.
In the corridor outside the sick
room Miss Branscombe was standing
in the recess of window wringing her
hands and sobbing pitifully.
mr.. Fort" she exclaimed, they will
not let me see him! Tell him that l
am here-surely they will not be so
cruel as to let him die without a word
to me at the last! And was like his
own child. must--oh, must see him
again before" Sobs choked her
voice.
I placed her gently on the window
seat.
If you will wait patiently for ten
minutes, Miss Branscombe, l said, Il
will come back for you"
And Charlie. my cousin" she said
|.-"you Will not forget?'
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1899-09-15

Dies MONIES, Sept. 12.-U. $. Patents.
nave been allowed but not yet issued
as follows: Tod. &. Schmidt and D.,
A. Turnbull, of Atlantic, Ia, for a
milk heater adapted to be combined
with a tank and cream separator to
heat and "pasteurize' milk. .s5
TO c. A. Rapp. of Shannon City, ior
road grader attachment Tor su'ky
plows.
TO A. Watkins. Of Des MONIES, for a
compound rotary engine in which two
pairs of cylinders are in parallel posi-
ton. a driving shaft located between
the cylinders, an auxiliary steam
cham Der in each of the four DISTINCT
cylinders, pistons and valves in each
cylinder and communications between
the cylinders and auxiliary steam
chambers so arranged relatively there.
to that initial steam may be introduced
into each cylinder, or
passed from one to the other through,
the auxiliary chambers in such . man.
mar rs to utilize all the expansive force
ndvantageonsly. ~
u Consult ation and advice concerning
the securing 81 property rights for the
works 81 authota ana inyentora, free.
I TnoleAa 81 OnWla,
3 Il III QnElos 50,
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1899-09-15

stories of the house, l sat just behind
the lace curtains at the open window,
looking out over the lawn toward the
encircling belt of shrubbery. 1t was a
dark moonless summer night, and late
enough now for the shrubs to show
hlackly against the pale skyline.
| had quite lost the thread of Miss
FINISHES somewhat monotonous talk,
dreaming as l was of many things,
with pervading sense of vague pain
ana unrest new to my experience, and
due perhaps to the melancholy scenes
in which | had just taken part.
Suddenly it seemed to me that Il
white shadow fitted across the bottom
Of the lawn toward the trees. and was
lost in the darkness. Was it fancy:
wondered, looking intently toward
the spot where the figure had disap-
peared. ! was not subject to fancies
of this kind. and at once made I'D
my mind to investigate the phenom-
enou.
With an excuse to Miss Elmslic
went to the hall for my overcoat, and,
letting myself out by side door, |
made my way cautiously over the
grass to the spot where ! had senior
fancied had seen--the white form
appear and disappear.
There was nothing but the shadows
and the trees and the patter of the soft
falling raindrops on the green leaves
So my eyes. keen and sure as | had
always considered them had played
me false. l turned back toward the
house. taking this time one of two or
three narrow winding paths within the
wood. My footsteps made no sound on
the damp grass-grown ground. All at
once the perfume of a cigar was waited
toward me. Thea l was not alone in
the darkness; somebody else had a
fancy for an evening airing-one OF
the gardeners or workmen. no doubt
on his way from some errand at the
Hall. But the strawberries lay in the
front of the house, while the servants
offices were all, as I knew, at the back.
And, besides, my educated senses told
me that that cigar was of the finest
quality. not likely to be smoked by
any but connoisseur. The rector was
non smoker. and no other neighbor
would. knew, have the entree to the
shrubbery. Sy3 III
Ny curiosity was thoroughly reused.
and the instinct Of my profession en-
listed Ia the discovery OF the little
mystery. Az 2 81 N
Presently the sound " aubdued
voices Il man and : Il woman -
reached ~ y III. Ishen 4 INA not besn
ySlf5cke soms assi gnaflon ~
"a sf as...ssss lsrst ~ l!lstiass
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1899-09-15
CHAPTER Y.
we first stage of my work was {

we first stage of my work was ac-
ished, and l might have returned
.,n at once, but ! did mott lin
lelc.. at Forest Lea through the next
iay. There were seals to affiX to all
The dead colonel's cabinets and. draw
srs: there were interviews with vari-
GUS personagcs. and commissions for
Miss Elmslie, which filled up my time
and gave me an excuse for postponing
my departure. The truth was that |
could not tear myself away. had a
confession to make to Miss Branscombe
which could not force upon her in the
6rst hours of her sorrow. and which
nevertheless must be made. 1t was not
likely that the secret of Col. Brans-
.ombe's last will would be kept until
the legitimate moment for its revela-
ton; the executor. the rector, must act
upon his instructions, one of which was
10 exclude Mr.. Charles BranscOmbe
from the house. l might perhaps.
battered myself. soften the blow to
Miss Branscombe, or at least l might
give her an explanation which should
mitigate her anger against myself, and
account for what l dreaded she would
regard as breach of trust.
But Miss Bransconlbe remained In
visible. Her cousin reported that she
was quite overcome by her grief, and
would not as vet hear Of Sconsoiation.
The day. which had been brilliantly
!lne Ia the early part. clouded over
inward the afternoon, and rain rem
lie; balmy summer rain fsll softly.
bnt without Intern lesion. The chanxe
~ nore ifn unisoSn M spirit ~
~ Il - ~ lssh y silsnss s !ls
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1899-09-15
DOG IDIOTS.
Graphic Description Of the Mongrel.
That Throng Const"ntinoplc.

Graphic Description Of the Mongrel.
That Thr"ng Const"ntinoplc.
| never saw SO much mud, such un-
speaka Bile filthy streets and so many
dogs as Constantinople can boast, but
nowhere have l seen them described
in satisfactory way-so that you
knew what to expect, | mean, says
the Woman's Home Companion. In
the first place, they hardly look like
dogs They have wcolly tails like
sheep. Their eyes are dull. sleepy and
utterly devoid of expression Con-
stantinople dogs have neither masters
nor brains No brains because no mas
tiers. Perhaps no masters because no
brains. Nobody wants to adopt an
idiot. They are. Of course, mong:els
of the most hopeless type. They are
yellowish, with thick, short. woo!ly
coats and much fatter than you eX-
pect to find them. They walk like a
funeral procession. Never have seen
one frisk or even wag his tail. Every
body turns out for them. They sleep,
from twelve to twenty Of them, on a
single pile of garbage. and never no
tice either men or each other unless a
dog which lives in the next street tres
passes Then they eat him up, for
they are jackals as well as dogs, and
they are NO more epicures than os-
triches. They never show interest In
anything. They are blase. | saw
some mother dogs asleep. with tiny
puppies swarming over them like lit
tie fat rats, but the mothers paid nc
attention to them Children seem to
bore them quite as successfully as II
they were women Of fashion.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1899-09-15
II have not forgotten" | answered

Il have not forgotten" | answered
as l left her.
1t was soon over. The Colonel hao
reached further stage in the dark
journey, and the clergyman who sat d!
his side guided the hand which athxed
a tremuous signature to the DEED l
had drawn up in the morning. 1t was
the Rector and young footman VINO
witnessed the signature. and then the
Colonel spoke-this time in whisper
"Now-send her to me. Stand by ner
all of you--she will-need it.
There were old friends-old servants
there. but it was on my arm that Miss
Branscombe leaned as she went to that
solemn parting scene-l remembered II
afterwards. 1t was a brief and agoniz-
ing farewell. for the sands Of life were
almost run out, and then the new mis-
tresS OF Forest Lea was borne !nsensL-
BILE from the chamber where all that re-
manned of the brave old Colonel was
,nly the mortal duse-thc immortal
spirit had fed
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1899-09-15
UNIVERSAL CONDEMNATION.
No Hesttnncy h" the Expression OF
Opinions. w.

No Heatthhcy ~ lie expression OF
Opinions.
BERLIN. Sept. '3.-'rIe Dreyfus YER.
diet has proved y blow in Germany's
face. The feeling is stronger. now
than ut any time since 1871. This
feeling, however is rather one of con-
tenn. han hatred for France. The
knowledge OF frances weakness and
symnathr for those Frenchmen who
are not represented by the verdict can
probably explain the absence of pub
lie demonstrations after the affair has
been the sole topic of conversation.
The press voices the universal German
sentiment, which is that the action of
the court-martial is q direct insult to
Germany. But Germany will take
the insult quietly She has done all
possible and can only wait for the
worlds decision. The Rcichs Anzeiger.
which. it is known, derives all official
information direct from the emperor,
deplores the fact that it is necessary
for it to repeat what it had formerly
described as zone of the greatest polit'
icul and judicial crimes OF any age
MANY SOLDIERS ARE ILL.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1899-09-15
AN ULTIMATUM.
Such Ia Britan's Note to T1ansvaAl, Dut
| 1t II Not n Serious One. III

eucn ~ britAhs NOt0 20 V1AnevoAls nus
1t II Not . Serious One.
LONDON, Sept. IA special dis
patch from Pretoria says the British
note, which was read in both raads
yesterday, is regarded there as vir-s
tual ultimatum. The correspondent
says: 4
ut proposes a i've years. franchise.
a quarter representation for the gold
fields in the vollsraad and equality for.
the old and new burghers in regard
to presidential and other elections. If
these conditions are accepted a con-.
ference between representatives OF the
two governments shall follow for the
purpose OF drafting the necessary
measures, and of avoiding The intro
duction of unnecessary conditions by
the Transvaal government or the pos
slbility OF the passage of any new
bills, calculated to defeat the reforms.
In view of the fact" the note goes on
to say. that the present state of af-
fairs in South Africa cannot lie pro-
longed. the definite acceptance OF this
proposal is demanded without delay.
Otherwise, her majesty's government
will Immediately take the whole stu
alton under reconsideration, and will
act so as to bring about q settlem emit.
The situation is acute" $S.
Despite the fact that the note is
described? as an ultimatum, the ball
ance OF opinion tends to regard it
as rather moderate document, since,
apparently, it does not fix definite
time limit, leaves the real crnx Of the
dispute for the proposed conference
and does not raise the question OF
suzerainty. IN word, the note
seems to leave the way open to further
negotiations &8
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1899-09-15
Provocatlon for q Lawsuit.

There is a story told of very emf
nent lawyer now no longer with US.
who once, while endeavoring to dis
suade a friend from going to law, was
asked what he would himself consider
sufficient ground for resorting to liti-
CATION. ''My dear fellow he replied,
81 do not say that under no conceivable
circumstances would take proceed
ings against any one, but do say that
il this moment you deliberately upset
my ink on the table, chucked my wife
out of the window, threw that volume
of reports at the bust Of Dickens, made
hay with my furniture and finally
tweaked my nose, 1 should, no doubt. use
my best endeavors to kick you down.
stairs; but once rid of you, either by
force or persuasion, no power on earth
should induce me to bring an action
against YOU"
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1899-09-15
TALK BOYCOTT.
EnElishMen Adverse to Exhibiting at tho
Paris Fair.

Partk Fair.
LONDON. Sept 14.-While the papers
are full of letters from individuals
and several firms announcing their
withdrawal from the Paris exposition
and urging the government to do like
wise. there is no intention upon the
part of the British government Of talk
ing any such step. 1t says also that
it is unlikely that the present ag:ta-
ton will result in any general with
tlrnwal of British exhibits.
Max O'Rell paul BloueD has writ
ten to the Daily Chronicle saying that
public expression of sympathy will
90 against Drey1us. adding: For
Gods sake, use your influence to stop
it. But for the universal sympathy
shown for Dreyfus, whom l, person.
ally, believe to be innocent, in Eng
land and Germany, he would have
been acquitted tits ~ terrible thing
to say, but l say it without fear of
contradiction"
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1899-09-15
GETTING READY FOR WAR.
English Transports Now Moving to the
Docks.

LONDON, Sept. 1:.-War preparations
continnc. Transports are moving to
the docks preparatory to embarliing
the troops. 1t is said orders have been
sent to Anne -icn for iron bridge mate
rails, which are probably for South
Africa. Nothing else but war can be
heard in the clubs and hotel corridors.
the lingo sfever being at its height.
As to the cost Of the campaign, q sta
tiStician computes it would cost Eng
land Els, O00.0 900, or us part OF the
national debt, H2,OO0,O0O a year,
which, of course, would come out of
the poor mans pocket through tobacco.
beer or tea. The government, how
ever, estimates the cost Of the expedi-
tion at 60, 900, 900.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1899-09-15
PARIS IS QUIET,
But That May BE the Calm Before the
Storm. g"ts& n

But That May Be the Calm Before the
Storm. s5.
PARIS. Sept. 1o.-Except for slight
street disturbances last night, Paris
has remained unexpectedly quiet, but
this condition of affairs is not likely.
to continue. The long, heavy rain,
combined with the fact that the Lead
ers OF the opposing parties were all at
Renncs. prevented any organized
demonstration. Then, too. the gem
eral public were delighted will, tlIe
verdict as confirming the chose jugee.
Now, however. they are beginning to,
see the want OF logic in conceding
"extenuating circumstances" to a con-
victed traitor. a concession which, eN-
cites doubt rs to the strength Of the
case against Dreyfus. Moreover. pub
lie opinion is being sobered by read
ing the comments of the world at
large and by the prospect, however
remote, that the exposition will be
boycotted, which would mean loss
of millions to the country. There is
little doubt that the trial of the
Derouledists next Monday. Mt which
it is asserted sensational evidence will
be developed, and the re-opening Of
the chamber Of deputies will be sig
nails for fresh troubles. q. &.
PARIS. Sept. 1.-THE dossier OF. the
Rcnnes court martial proceedings arr
rived here last night for submission to
the military court Of revision, consist
ing of General Marcillo. Colonel Cour-
bobonsse, Lieutenant Colonel Lagrene,
Major Corp and Major Allard. It is
said that Matthieu Dreyfus intends to
supplicate Emperor William to order
the publication Of the documents.
enumerated in the bordercan.