davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-05-22
THE HEADSMAN.
He Used the Sword and Not the Az
Prior to 4S3.

am inclined to think that pricr to
1883 the sword and not the ak was
usually employed as the weapon for
judicial decapitation and that block
was dispensed with, the victims receiv-
ing their doom .'meekiy kneeling upon
their knees. and in this opinion am
fortified by the concurrence of an emf
nent clerical historian. This learned
writer agreed with me that the AK did
not become the Regulation" lethal i'm
plement until after the rough and ready
heading of Lord Hastings ON the
Tower green. when he was summary
dispatched by order of the protector,
Gloucester.
In this instance, according to the
chroniclers, the victims neck was
stretched upon a piece of timber then
in use for the repair of the adjacent
church of ST. Peter ad Vincula, prob
ably ''putlog. part of the scaffold-
ing which, we read. conveniently lay
in the way" Contemporary accounts
seem to indicate that the executioner
straddled over the prone body, and from
this position / infer that the decapita
ton was effected by the tool known as
an adj, the cutting edge of which is
at right angle to and not in a plane
with the baft.
l may add that the only contempt
rary reference l have come across of the
use, or proposed use, of an ak and
block for infiicting capital punishment
prior to this tragedy is in one of the
PASTOR series of letters describing the
peril of an unfortunate captive of Jack
Cade's rebels { y. d. 1450), generation
before Lord Hastings was SO clumsily
hacked to death.-Notes and Queries.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-05-22
rte1:nnIn the Old DAYS.

A little group of old timers were
talking about the palmy days vi wide
open gambling in New Orleans. 1T
used to be pretty lively, 1 admit, " said
one of the veterans, "but the only sure
enough Monte Carlo this country ever
saw was out in Montana. I'll never for
get the first time / struck Helena. It's
Il good sized, handsome city, and took
a stroll down the main street looking at
the stores. Pretty soon l was struck
cold by monster sign of Licensed
Gambling House right over the door of
one of the finest places in town.
''In less than block i ran across a
dozen other signs of the same kind, and
then l began to ask questions. / found
that the law required all gaming places
to put up such boards They had to be
10 feet long and 2 feet wide, with
plain white letters on black ground.
The original bill didn't specify the size,
so some of the houses had signs made
about half an inch long, that you d
need a microscope to read. and that 8
why the particulars were laid down so
exactly. The gambling shops were sand
wiched right in between groceries and
shoe stores. and one of 'em was next
door to a church. 1t locked funny, 1
tell you. New Orleans Times-Demo-
crat
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-05-22
Four UrlyBeaxt=.

There are four beasts in the world
that can give long odds in the way of
ugliness to anything else that lives.
One of them is monkey, grewsome
looking beast called the bearded saki.
This is so utterly gfotesGue beast that
it would scarcely be safe to let child
or nervous person see 1t. The ugliness
IS not of an amusing kind, bnt of an
evil. sinister nature. The beast has
sort of beard and countenance unlike
anything else in shape and lines. The
monkey itself is not particularly saw
age. but is so hideous that the natives
of its country, South America. say that
no beast of prey, however hungry, will
tackle it. Even a hungry jaguar would
starve in cageful of sakis-
Then there is tree climbing beast
that is as queer nondescript as one
could hope TO see. 1t has a sharp face
and long, jointed fingers and is called
the aye-aye, from its cry. This looks
like one of the most appallingly weird
of all those strange beasts one sees in
nightmares and cannot get away from;
but. like the sakis, is of gentle dispo-
sition. 1t lives in South Africa. A full
grown aye-aye looks like a blend of
jackal, pig and monkey. Then there is
the Tasmanian devil of the antipodes
which is az savage as it is ugly, and,
lastly, a species of Asiatic ground rat
called the bund.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-05-22
An Editors Reformation.

stealing from its exchanges without a
qualm of conscience. Notice is hereby
given that our better nature has assert
ed itself. and everything will be credit
ed hereafter. Tell you why. Saw an
item in a western exchange stating that
"a woman was composed of $50 muscles.
$50 bones and $50 pins. Copied it as
original Woman read it. Called us a
liar. Had concealed on her person $50
pins. Hereafter items will be credited.
and the blame of false statements will
fall where it belongs. pa.
LEDGER
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-05-22
4 WOMAN YOU CAN'T SNUB.
Never Trife with skinny Woman
If Her Face Shines.

Do yOu know who is the most eXas-
perating woman in the world2 The wo-
man you can't snub. She is two kinds
the meek and lowly sort, that when
you smite her turns the other cheek I'M
til you re positively too tired to deal her
another blow, and the one whose self
Importance is invulnerable as Achilles
heel. l met one of the last kind early in
the winter. On general principles
would avoid this woman, because she's
skinny and her face shines. Something
is all wrong about a skinny woman; one
way or another she's dangerous.
When skinny woman's face shines,
it means she's above using powder and
is sure to make parade as virtue, of
the very wrong that is to account for
the lack of flesh on her bones. l couldn't
help the woman calling on me, and l
returned her first call rather than run
the risk of what she might do to me if
l violated this fundamental principle of
right social action as prescribed by ev
cry etiquette book in the land. When
she called a second time, she addressed
me as my good woman" L can for
give almost anything but being called a
good woman. Only mental or medi
ocrity past 40 is properly termed good
woman. l resolved to snub this crea-
ture, and 1 wanted her to know l was
snubbing her. l would never return her
visit-never. And how do You suppose
she takes it? Every time she sees me
she apologies to me for not having re-
turned my visit-blots my intended
neglect of her out of mind and patron
ICES me with the assumption that it is
she who is neglecting me. Mark the
wisdom l have uttered.
Never trifie with skinny woman if
her face shines. Washington Star.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-05-22
,ATTHE BOOK BARGAIN SALE,
The Kind of Intelligent saIesIadics
They Have In New York.


They Have In New York.
Mr.. B. worm-Have you cheap
edition of 1.-The IliadI'
Miss Jenkins first saleslady, shift
ing gum)-Who by7
Mr.. Worm-Homer.
Miss Jenkins-We gotta cheap edi-
ton of 1.-The Idiot" by man named
Homer, Miss Smithers?
Mr.. Worm-Not 1.-THE Idiot''-"The
Iliad''-IlI-ee-ad-
Miss jenkins "The lily Add -
Queer name that Don't think 1 ever
heard of the book. Sounds Roosian.
Bout Roosia. is it?
Mr.. Worm-No, think not; Greek
mostly.
Miss Jenkins-Oh It's a Greek story,
Lizzie. L think I've heard of it. Tells
about the war they had between Greece
and Japan. l b'lieve.
Miss Smithers (second saleslady)-
The name Of the book you want is 1.-The
Idiot. You want it in paper Govern
Mr. Worm-No; I'm sure it's 1.-The
Iliad.
Miss Smithers-Well. think you've
got it wrong. 1t might be 1.-The Kali
yard" I've heard of something like
that. Who do you say the books by ?
Homer? Don't know his full name. do
you?
Mr.. Worm-No; that is, that's all
there is of the name.
Miss Smithers oh, 1 see--norme de
ploom- l never heard of him. Must be
some new man amt got his reputation
made. We don't keep none but the real
poplar books. Miss Jenkins, s'pose you
look through that pile in the corner.
Miss jenkins (after three minutes
search)-No; we amt got copy of
1.-THE Lizard. New York Sun.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-05-22
American speech.

The faults of American speech, ac-
cording to an authority on the subject,
originate in the primary school. The
child is not taught the melcdic value of
his phrase. He is allowed to use the
throat instead of the tongue, and the
flow of speech becomes, therefore, halt
ing and cultural.
Educate your alphabet and you will
find your language as mellow as any of
the family of Latium, is the advice
given. Your is are throaty, your IN s
are too labial, your SIS are too kissing,
your c's are not soft enough. When you
can train your scholars to emit these and
the other consonants within the pitch,
using the tongue instead of the throat
for their emission. then you will see that
for rhythm and sorority your English
language may be compared with the
Tuscan, the Roman. the Spanish and
the Provencal"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-05-22
ALife Worse Than Death.

1t is said that DR.. Tuffier of the Hos
pital de la Petite, Paris, succeeded in
bringing man to life temporarily. The
man operated upon was Jean Soulie,
who had been pronounced dead. DR..
Tuffier, it is alleged. in the presence CT
large number of students. took the
body, and. after the application of sew
eral recognized methods of proving the
total extinction of life, exposed the
mans heart. and. holding the organ in
his hand, pressed first one side with the
finger and then on the other side with
the thumb, and. keeping it up continu
ously, caused an artificial action. and
after a time there were unmistakable
evidences of life. 1t is said that the man
answered one or two questions put to
him. 1t was impossible to maintain this
artificial action very long, and the man
sank back to his second death
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-05-22
HIS Great Sorrow.

SHard lucki" groaned the fashion
ably dressed young man on the hotel
divan, shifting his feet To the rungs of
the chair opposite. Hard luck-that' 8
my name.
The young fellow at his side, in ike
attire, kept sympathetic silence.
Eyes, if it hadn't been for my tough
luck, I'd have all sorts of money" he
went on, pulling his hat down over his
eyes and sending a puff of cigarette
smoke up against its brim- II was dead
solid with pretty little girlIcashier
in one of the big hotels. She wanted to
reform me, make man out of me. she
said. Twice l came in to see her when
l wasn't steady on my feet. and she
told me that if she ever learned of me
getting too much again it would be all
day between us. Well, one night l
dropped into the hotel when l couldn t
tell the floor from the ceiling She
hasn't spoken to me since.
Cant see anything so bad about
that, commented the friend. There
are lots of others. -
Eyes, but''-the young man was
shaking his head and his voice was sor-
rowful-"but it was just the next week
that an old uncle died and she came in
for cool $50. 600.
Again the young fellow at his side
kept sympathetic silence. Chicago
Journal
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-05-22
An Old Marriage Bond.

Below we print marriage bond as
used in Georgia many years ago. The
copy we have is quite an old looking,
faded paper:
Georgia, Jefferson County. all men
by these presents that we, Henry Brown and
Walter Stone, are held and firmly bound unto
the court of ordinary of jefferson county in
the sum of SS51.l IA, to which payment well and
truly to be made we bind ourselves, our heirs,
executors and administrators, Jointly and sew
orally, firmly by these presents, sealed with
our seals and dated this 18th day of November.
1870
The condition of the above obligation is such
that, whereas there is marriage intended to
be solemniZed between Henry Brown and Susey
Wright. Now, if there be no lawful cause TO
obstruct the same, then this obligation to be
void, else to remain in full force and virtue
Signed, sealed and acknowledged in the
presence of John G. Bostick depy. clerk.
His
HENRY Y BROWN.
Mark.
WALTER STONE.
Louisville (Ga.) News and Farmer.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-05-22

''That was my sheet anchor. e. +,
my best hope. my last refuge; the
sheet anchor of ship. which. in stress
of weather, is the sailors chief depend
ence. The word sheet is "a corruption
of the word shote (thrown QUIT. mean
ing the anchor thrown ont" in foul
weather. The Greeks and Romans said,
MY sacred anchor. ." referring TO the
sheet anchor, which was always dedi-
Gated to some god.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-05-22
FooIishIy Sensitive.

eyes. we lost the doctors trade in a
very unfortunate way"
How was that?'
"Why. we have a mechanical duck
in our stock of novelties that runs by
clockwork. The doctor came in the
store just as one of our young women
wound the thing up, and at the very
moment the doctor came opposite it the
duck gravely bowed to him and said,
'Quack, quacki' The doctor is so fool
ishly sensitive. cleveland Plain
Dealer
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-05-22

If you have piles, cure them. No
use undergoing horrible operations
that simply remove the results of the
disease without disturbing the disease
itself. Place your confidence in De-
Wits Witch Hazel Salve. 1t has
never failed to cure others; it will
not fail to cure you. For sale by L.
III. Thomas, A. j. Reiss and M. F.
Bahnsen, druggists.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-05-22
Easy Plan.

THAT young man, said the citizen.
pointing to a sharp featured youth
across the street. ''has made fame both
for himself and this his native viii
lage."
''As to how o. asked the stranger.
''Simply by sending kilograms of con-
graduation or coincidence, as the occa-
sion called for. to prominent persons "
indianapolis Journal
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-05-22

The people Of the United States use
400, 900, 900 matches every day. or rs. :
$50. 900. 900 every year. and it is com
puted that these, placed end to end,
would stretch away i, $50. 7S6 miles
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-05-22

Stern Parent-Mabel tells me that
you have proposed to her. 1t is proper
for me to ask if you are in position to
marryT
The Suitor-Oh, you needn't be wor-
ried about that. l am in position
where nothing short of matrimony will
get me out of it, so far as / can discov-
er.-Boston Transcript.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-05-22
A Card.

We, the undersigned. do hereby
agree to refund the money on So
cent bottle of Greene's Warranted
Syrup of Tar if it fails to cure your
cough or cold. We also guarantee q
25-cent bottle to prove satisfactory or
money refunded.
HORST Won KoECKRITZ-
OTTO GROTJAN.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-05-22

Foley's Collie Cure is very hot, but
when diluted it is a warm friend in
deed to those suffering from bowel
complaints. 1t never fails. % and
so cents.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-05-22

Pneumonia. Ia grippe, coughs. colds.
yield to One Minute Cough Cure. Use
this remedy in time and save doc
tors bill-or the undertaken For
sale by T. Fl. Thomas, A j. Reiss and
NJ. F. Bahnsen, druggists.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-05-22
RuckIen,s Arnica SaIve.

The best salve in the world for cuts,
bruises, sores, ulcers, salt rheum,
fever sores, letter, chapped hands,
chilblains, corns and all skin erup-
tions, and positively cures piles, or no
pay required. 1t is guaranteed to
give perfect satisfaction or money re-
funded. Price % cents per box. For
sale by Hartz & Ullemeyer
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-05-22
How =, Pronounce Albany.

The common usage of pronouncing
the name of our city as though it were
spelled ALBANY has so long prevailed
that it will probably surprise many
readers to be told that the first syllable
of the name is properly short and
should be pronounced like the Al in AL
fred and Albert. Edwin Forrest, who
was an accurate orthoepist. called this
city Albany, not ALBANY or Anvil
bany.-A lbany Argus.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-05-22

A writer in The Electrical Review in
clines TO the opinion that as the electric
motor superseded the. horse car so the
perfection OF paving viii ultimately do
away with rails and current altogether
and automobile vehicles rule supreme
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-05-22

a bucket 743 miles deep and 743
miles from side to side would hold
every drop of the ocean. The bucket
could rest quite firmly on the British
isles. To fill the bucket one would need
to work 10. steam pumps. each
sucking. MP 900 tens of sea.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-05-22
For Over Fifty Years

Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup has
been used for children teething. 1t
soothes the child, softens the gums,
allays all pain, cures wind collie, and
is the best remedy for diarrhoea. 25
cents bottle.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-05-22
EXCURSIONS
VIA THE
Burlington.
R;f1HIsEI|
|fai1fIGsI

South, West and North olonsts, cheap
tickets now.
South, West and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.,
June to 20
Hayward, Wis.-Isound Lake, season.
Kansas City.-Modern Woodmen, june to ..
Los AngeIes, CaI.-National Educational As
ISOLATION, June Is To July 8.
Buffalo, n. Y.-Noblcs of the Mystic Shrine
June II. II and l3.
st. Louis, Mo.-Protectivc Order of EIIts,
June 10 and 30.
Detroit, Mich CHI istian ECdeavor, July 3,
4 and >.
Richmond. va.-Baptlst Young Peoples
Union, July 10. II and IL.
Cheap round trip itch cts for the various sum-
mer resorts including Hot Springs. s. ID.
sale during the season. Excellent bass and
muScalonge fishing reported at Round and Lost
Lakes, near Hayward. Denver and Pacific SER
vice Is unsurpassed. For rates and addition
al information cal on or apply to
III. ID. MACK, Phone M. j. YOUNG
ID. p. a. 1871 & 1850. Agent.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-05-22

Mexico has an area of 151, 600 square
miles or nearly one-fourth that of the
United States
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-05-22
When Weak, Weary and Wasted

from kidney diseases. why not try
Foley's Kidney Cure, a guaranteed
medicine.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-05-22

In the earlier ages dancing was advo-
Gated as a cure for sickness
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-05-22
The Sheet Anchor.

Louisville (Ga) News and Farmer.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-09-15
Died..

Mabel Oppen, IA years of age. Wed
nesday, September 18th, 1899, of
consumption.
Deceased was the daughter Of o.
K. Oppen. She had been sick since
last February but did dot give up
her school until April whom she was
unable to attend any longer. About
three weeks before her death she
was first confined to the bed from
which she was never able to rise un-
assisted. Consumption seems to
prevail il this family. Her mother
and two sisters, as5d 13 and II died
from the same disease, living only a
short time after the disease mad, itl
appearance.
Funeral will be held at two O'Clock
Friday afternoon. Compiete arrange.
nsats haye pot besp made Ut
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-09-15
Discovered by a Woman.<

Another great discovery has been
made; and that too, by lady IN this
country. :t'Disease fastened its Clutch
es uyon her and for seven years she
withstood its severests tests, but her
vital organs were undermined and
death seemed imminent. For 8 months
she coughed necessarily, and could not
sleep. She finally discovered a way
to recovery by purchasing Of US q bot.
tle of DR.. Kings New Discovery for
Consumption and was so much relived
Oh taking first dose, that she slept all
night and with two bottles, has been
CURED. Her name is Mrs.
Luther Lntz." Thus writes w. Ham
nick q Co., of Shelby, n. c.. Tris.
bottles free ct Ray Humiston's Drug
Store. Regular size 500 and $1.OO
Every bottle guaranteed.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-09-15
Motion made to adjourn twas lost

Motion made TO aQJOurn twas lost
MISUNDERSTANDING ZEE routes had
been mentioned, first claimed infeas-
ibler second, not plausible; third, ac-
cording to idea of committee, ap-
pointed to confer with railroad CON-
pany, few nights ago"
Millar-"Call of nesting was for
purpose of getting a vo to of the peo-
pie, or show sense of meeting as to
preferable route"
Mr.. Brown repeated what he said
in previous meeting which has al.
ready been published q and people
pretty thoroughly understand it. He
said lines all on paper had been sent
in for consideration, this all the in
formation L can Civ ; you. We
would like to have J ou gentlemen
understand it was decided upon, no
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-09-15

tE
tify or improve or not it would be
done, and made the prettiest spot on
the road. Will only be one track on
the lake shore. At first the Presi-
dent did not favor this proposition
but now he does. In raising Omaha.
track would enable a wagon road to
be put under. Main feature and a
great advantage there would be an
independent freight and passenger
depot, also freight yards and COM
petition which we have never been
able to give.
Rev. Bull-Am not a property
owner and it surprised me to hear
so many speak against it, to sec
such silence here. I have not said
much. Hope road will not be laid
along lake shore and am not fighting
railroads. I wish to speak word
in the behalf of some classes of peo.
pie. The property owners along the
the proposed lake line would be won.
derfully disturbed. They had
sought a locality for beauty and health
and their plans we're all upset. And
in behalf of a class who find lake
shore q restful drive, especially the
invalids all of whom will enjoy it no
longer. In behalf of good many
who cannot buy horses, those who
use bicycles. I want to speak for
the mother who finds that peaceful
restful walk, would be deprived of
this and enjoy it no longer. For the
poor people. There are large num-
ber of that class of men and women,
when labor will permit, seek peace
full and restful walk along the lake
They will do it no longer. I speak
for swarm of children who find
comfort and pleasure in walking and
playing in the sand, wading
and bathing in the water. Will not
say much in discussion of money
question but these questions are much
larger than dollars and cents, and
this honorable corporation ought to
take into consideration the peace,
restfulness and we'll being of the prop
ertY holders.
Millar-Think we can take vote
on second proposition.
Mr.. Green-"Seme argument will
all apply in favor of the road. What
will interfere with some one on one
route will not interfere with others OF
the other, and as far as interference
on the lake shore route Is concerned
will hold good in the other rout.
ten fold. Sidewalk will not be dis.
turbed and people can go into the
lake.
| Mann-"Engineer said, II have two
children and if road goes there woulc
not like to live in this place.
Green -"Same will apply to others
living on the other line.
"A number of others spoke few
words in favor of and against the lake
line.
A vote on second proposition wa
taken resulting in 18 in favor and q
against. Third proposition 80 favo
81 opposed. First, % favor, % op
posed. Thus, motions favoring al
routes were opposed. By this it i
not to be understood that the peopl
do not want the road but on the con
trary, they do.
The meeting satisfies the minds O
a number of our citizens and show
the outcome of mass meeting. Il
our mind it demonstrates that ma
jority favor the leke route, so thos
opposed can do nothing more than t,
accept the situation as it comes, max
ing the best of it.
Mr., White arrived Wednesday bu
has been too busy to be- interviewed