davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-22
ABSENCE OF MIND.
He Was Thinking of Nothing I'm Par
tfcuIar and Made a Queer
Mistake.

On recent rainy evening a man
walked across Cottage Grove avenue at
a. rather dark corner, with a letter in
his hand, intending to drop it into the
mail box that is fixed there. He was
thinking of nothing in particular, eX-
cept of avoiding as much as possible
the pools of mud and mire that made
the crossing rather unpleasant at that
point; but just as he reached the vi
cinity of the mail box his attention was
drawn to a couple of pretty girls who
were laughing and chattering together
at the roadside, waiting for a south
bound car to come along. Of course,
their being there was no concern of his,
but for all that he stopped and stared
at them with as much GOODNESS as il
he had known them. While he was thus
halting with his letter in his hand one
of the girls looked up at him with a
half reproving glance that he accepted
as a hint to mind his own business, and
he then sidled slowly backward toward
the mail box, still, however, keeping
his eyes directed toward the girls. A
train of cars was approaching, and they
were adjusting their skirts prepara-
tory to boarding it, and SO as not to ap-
pear too watchful of their movements
the man moved his hand toward the
mail box, without looking at it and
tried to force his letter into the open
ing. He was not surprised to find his
hand in contact with a wet surface, for
the rain had moistened everything;
but he was very greatly surprised when
he found the mail box begin to move
and heard a gruff voice emerge from it.
"What the dickens are you up top
said the voice.
"II-beg your pardon" said the
man, bringing his eyes rapidly away
from the retreating train of cars, ST
only wanted to mail letter."
"Well, you needn't want to mail it
down my back said the gruf voice,
which turned out TO be that of man in
a shiny wet waterproof, who was
standing near the mail box waiting for
some one.
The absent-minded one begged par
don once more, turned swiftly to the
real mail box, posted his letter and
vanished, wondering what would have
become of the letter if he had really
mailed it down the other mans back.
1 Chicago Evening News.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-22
DIVISION OF SAMOA.
Uncle Sam Becomes Possessed of
Some More Nice Islands.
Among Them Is TutuIIa with It's Mag
nificent Harbor of PanEo-
PRngo-The Pearl of the
Pacific Ocean
Especial Correspondence.l

Nations as we'll as individuals some
times get sick of a bargain. When in
1889, representatives of Great Britain,
Germany and the United States met at
Berlin and the three nations formed an
agreement for the government of the
Samoan islands, it was supposed by
the plenipotentiaries who drew up the
contract that they had accomplished
an enduring task and that the neu-
trality of the group would be main
tanned for all time to come
But the old adage that too many
cooks spoil the broth held good in
this instance, as it has in other inter
national cases where two or three
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-22
KiuberIex,s Drawbacks.

Only those in search of wealth would
willingly live at Kimberley. 1t is an
unpicturesque region, the fiat, bleak
country being uprelieved by foliage or
any eminence taller than an ant hill.
Sometimes eight months elapse with
out a shower of rain, consequently life
in the town is rendered almost unbear-
able by fierce, choking dust storms
The thermometer on these occasions
often reaches 100 degrees in the shade.
Kimberley, however, has its compensa-
tions. It's winters are delicious, and II
produces 80 per cent. of the diamonds
exported from South Africa. The in
habitants include many of the old dig
gers, who still speak OF the town IS
sthe camp."-London Mail.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-22
QUEER THEORY ABOUT TASTE
Pessfmfstfc Reasoners Contend That
1t Is Only Trick of the
Imagination.

There are some pessimists-who urge
that the whole question OF refined taste
! is great illusion. Nothing is good
or bad, but thinking makes it so" and
"why think?" they say.
Distinctions of taste are truly a NOR
bid affectation of the jaded. 1t is only
trick of our imagination, they argue,
that causes us to differentiate between
styles and to detect a difference in vari-
GUS brands of cigars, or to imagine that
the wine of one year is superior to that
of another.
"For," they conclude, triumphantly,
'tif you smoke in the dark you are al
together unconscious of the fact, and
in the dark the oldest port wine will
be undistinguishable from the most
modern sherry, even to an experienced
wine taster.''
True, but to smoke a cigar in the
dark is the same thing as to listen to
music in a vacuum. Our five senses
work together in the apprehension and
appreciation of phenomena, and will
fully to incapacitate any one of them
is like marching to battle with ones
hands tied behind ones back. There
is no doubt a vast amount of humbug
in all connoisseurship; from the ex-
perts on the origin of seed peas up to
the cultivation of that school of critics
who deny that any Italian painter
painted any of the pictures attributed
to him.
Botticelli's masterpieces, they tell US,
were painted by a friend of his; if this
was the case. that friend is Botticeln
Even experts in handwriting, as the
Dreyfus affair has shown US, are not al
ways infalible. Happily, however,
these are practical tests, and occasion
ally the judgments of intuition are con-
fused by circumstantial evidence.
But even if taste is an illusion, it is
a pleasing one. That is to say, those
who are favored with it in a reason
able degree are happier than those
without it, for we shall always derive
considerable satisfaction in thinking
that Mozart's melodies are lovelier than
those of Mascagni; the pictures of
Whistler better painted than those of
Bourgereau; the books of Tourgenef
and Flaubert and Miss Austen better
books than those of Georges Ohnet,
Paul Bourget and Marie CorelI, even
though we may be mistaken, though
n reality Flaubert be a fraud and Miss
Jorelh an artist.-N. Y. World.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-22

their hatred of him AT any rate, it
would be a satire on a silly tradition,
and, thank goodness, it wouldn't be con-
yentional
Mr.. Sidney Payson went into the first
department store and found himself at
the book coun ter.
''Have you any work which would be
appropriate for an elderly gentleman
of studious habits and deep religious
convictions?" he asked.
1--WE have here the works Of Flavius
Josephus in two Volumes" replied. the
young woman.
'All right; I'll take them," he said.
81 want them for my nephew Fred. He
likes Indian stories"
The salesgir1 looked at him wonder
ingly.
"Now, then, want love story" said
Mr.. Payson. 81 have a maiden sister
who is president of a Browning club
and writes essays about Ibsen- I want
to give her book that tells about a
girl named Mabel who is loved by Sir
Ronald Something-or-Other Give me
a book that is full of hugs and kisses
and heaving bosoms and all that sort
of rot. Get just as far away from Ibsen
and Howells and Henry James as you
can possibly get"
Here is a book that all the girls in
the store say is very good,' replied the
young woman. 1t is called 'Virgie's
Betrothal; or, the Stranger at Birch
wood Manor It's by Imogene Sybil
Beauclerc."
IF it's what it sounds to be it's just
what [ want" said Mr.. Payson, showing
his teeth at the young woman with a
devilish glee. "You say the girls here
in the store like it ?''
Eyes; Miss Simmons, in the hand
kerchief-box department, says it's just
grand"
''All right. I'll take it,
He felt his happiness rising as he
went out of the store. His joy shone in
his face as he stood at the skate, coun-
ter.
81 have brother who is 46 years old
and rather fat he said to the sales
man. 81 don't suppose he's been on
the ice in 25 years. He wears a No. 9
shoe. Give me pair of skates for him."
A few minutes later he stood at the
silk counter.
what are those things?" he asked,
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-22

porary coaling station already estab-
lished there will, it is safe to predict,
| be one of the most important docking
stations of the United States navy.
The bits of land here described come
into our possession without a war of
conquest and without consent of the
governed" Whether the natives, who
are Malay-Polynesians of the purest
type, Will submit without a struggle to
assimilation remains to be seen, al
though travellers familiar with their
disposition assert that such viii be the
case. The Tutuilans have hitherto been
governed by hereditary chiefs whe are
thoroughly independent of the two
royal houses of Malietoa and Tupea,
whose followers caused so much blood
shed in and around Apia. Ostensibly
most of the natives are Christians, the
greater number being classed as Pres
byterians, the rest as Methodists and
Roman Catholics. Nevertheless they
retain their crude beliefs in mytholog
zeal history and practice many rites not
sanctioned by orthodox Christianity.
Thus the principal chief OF the island
maintains harem with three wives, al
though enjoying the reputation of be-
ing a fierce and intolerant Presby-
terrain of type that no longer exists in
our own land. Those who outwardly
practice monogamy circumvent the in
stitution by sending their wives home
to their mothers when they tire of them
and Immediately selecting new life
partners. Except in government the
women are the equals of men, and the
father is obliged both by tribal law and
custom to assist the mother in the care
of children and in the preparation OF
food.
The island of Manua is governed by
full-hedged and independent king.
He is an absolute ruler, but, although
nominally Christian, his life is gov
erned by heatheDish customs. He is
not permitted to walk, to drink water
or battle in the sea. King TUT, the pres
emit king of Manua, is described as q
peace-loving man who may, perhaps,
be glad to divest himself of royal honors
for the sake of being permitted to take
an occasional dip in the Pacific
c. w. WEIPPIERT
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-22

be entirely satisfactory to President
Mckinley and his advisers, and as
soon as the United States senate shall
have ratified the new treaty the
Samoan kingdom will have passed out
of existence.
The Samoan islands were formerly
known as Navigators' islands They
are situated in the South Pacific
ocean, and are mostly of volcanic or
igin. The principal islands, as already
stated, are Savii, Upolu and Tutuila.
The leading exports are copra, cotton
and coffee, the trade in these commod-
tiles being chiefly in German and Brit
ish hands. Samoa was explored by
Bougainville in 176s, and Christianity
was introduced in $780, In 1872 the
harbor of Pango-Pango was granted
to the United States a coakng sta
ton; and it was on account of this
grant that the American government
became party to the Berlin oonyen-
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-22
uR.PY)oS5
@VERsuS- ~
GOOD WILL

SIDNEY PAYSON
was full of the bit
terness of Christ
mastide. The Pay
sons had b e e n
reared to Christ
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-22

ton of 1889. The only Important MS
toric incident connected with Amer
lean endeayor in the islands is the
great hurricane of March IS and 16'
1889. when the United States war
ships Nipsic, Vandalia and Trenton
were driven ashore, together with
three German vessels. The American
loss was so men, the German casualties
being96. All the ships were completely
wrecked. The only warship saved was
a British cruiser which steamed out OF
the harbor of Apia amid the cheers OF
the American tars who. although in
most critical position, could not be
restrained from applauding the pluck
of the more fortunate Britons.
The total area of the Samoan group
is 1,701 square miles, of which the
United States will annex 3s4 square
miles; and out of a total population
of $4,000 about $500 viii become de-
pendents of our government. Tutuila,
the largest of the American islands,
contains $40 square miles, but is OF
especial value to us because 1T has
the only safe harbor in that part of
the world. In fact, Pango-Pango en-
joys, among mariners, the reputation
of being the only place in the vast
Pacific whose harbor is large and
deep enough TO afford a safe refuge
to the most formidable feet of mod
ern ironclads, the harbor proper be-
ing from 100 to 200 feet deep, and IS
feet deep up to the very head of the
bay The harbor of Apia, the seat Of
the German government, is treacher-
Gus and Unprotected against the trop-
zeal storms which sometimes deSaS-
tate the islands.
The otherisiands which the partition
has added to our colonial empire are
Manua, which has an area of about
100 square miles; Olosenga, contain
ing - square miles; Annu, containing
10 square miles; Ofu, also 10 square
miles in extent, and Rose island, as
miles further TO the east. The latter
is a worthless coral strip, circular in
form, three miles in diameter, sur
rounded by a reef, and uninhabited,
Tutuila has a population of $500,
which it supports in magnificent idle
ness. Its soil is exceedingly rich, and
even with the present crude methods
of cultivation the island produces i'm
! mense crops of coffee, cotton, ginger,
castor oil beans and arrowroob Its
location, 1000 miles southwest of the
Hawaiian islands, places it in the d.
rect path of ships sailing from Homo
lulu to Auckland, New Zealand, and
South Australian ports. and nearly in
the path of vessels plying between the
Philippines and the proposed Nicara-
guam ship canal. For the latter rea-
son Tutuila, although a comparative
~ small possession, is of more real
strategic value to the United States
than would be one of the larger
islands. Pango-Pango-som call it
Pago-Pago-ha been known from
time immemorial as the rendezvous of
the war canoes of the Samoan ma
tives; and in a few years the tenn
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-22

you have made me very happy, dear
brother. 1 feel more closely drawn to you
than at any time since we were all to-
gether at Christmas, at the old home on
the North side. Come and see me. Your
loving sister,
"Chicago, Ill, Dec. 25.-Dear Brother:
Greetings to you from the happiest house
hold in Chicago, thanks to a generous
Santa Claus in the guise of Uncle Sidney
account How in the world did you ever
learn that Roman colors had come in
again? I have always heard that men did
not follow the styles and could not be
trusted to select anything for a woman,
but it is a libel, a base libel for the scarf
which you sent is quite the most beautiful
thing have received this Christmas. ]
have it draped over the large picture in the
parlor, and it is the envy Of every one who
has been in to-day. A thousand, thousand
thanks, dear Sidney. It was perfectly
nothing less than a stroke of genius to
think OF anything SO appropriate and yet
so much out of the ordinary.
John asks me to thank you-but must
we had little chatting dish party after
prayer meeting, and I asked John to open
a bottle of olives for me-. Well, he broke
the small blade OF his knife trying to get
the cork out He said: If I live to get
downtown again I'm going to buy cork
Screw Fortunately, he had neglected to
buy one, and so your gift seemed to come
straight from Providence. John is very
much pleased Already he has found use
for it, as it happened that he wanted to
open bottle of household ammonia the
very first thing this morning.
"As for Fred's lovely books, thank good
ness you didn't send him any more story
books. John and I have been trying to
induce him to take up a more serious line
Of reading. The Josephus ought to help
him in the study of his Sunday school les
sons. We were pleased to observe that he
read it for about an hour this morning.
when you were out here last fall did
Genevieve tell you that she was collecting
silk for q doll quilt? She insists that she
could you have guessed that she wants
whole world? The perfectly lovely cravats
which you sent will more than complete
the quilt, and I think that mamma viii
get some Of the extra pieces for herself.
, Fred and Genevieve send love and kisses.
John insists that you come out to dinner
some Sunday very soon-next Sunday II
you can. After we received your presents
we were quite ashamed of the box We had
sent over to your hotel, but We Will try
to make up the difference in heartfelt
gratitude. Don't forget, any Sunday.
Your loving sister.
KATHERINE"
It would be needless to tell what Mr..
Sidney Payson thought of himself after
he received these letters.-George AIDE.
in Chicago Daily Record.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-22

pond in Washington park on Christmas
day anc had more fun for two hours than
I've had in six months Ny ankles wezs
rather weak and fell down twice, FORUM
ately without any serious damage to my
self or the ice, but managed to get around
and before left skated with q sma ASKING
pretty girl. Well. Sid, have you to thank.
I never would have ventured on skates
again if it had not been for the beautiful
pair which you sent me. I was a little
stin yesterday, but this morning I went
out again and had dandy time. owe the
renewal OF my youth to you. Thank you
many times, and believe me to be, as ever,
your affectionate brother.
WILLIAM"
Chicago. H., Dec 2e-Dear Brother:
The secret is out! I suspected 1t all the
time. It is needless for you to offer denial.
Sometimes when you have acted the cynic
have almost believed that you were sin
cere until I have observed in you some
thing which told me that underneath your
assumed indifference there a genial
current OF the romantic sentiment of the
youth and the lover. How can I be in
doubt after receiving your little book-a
love story?
at knew, Sidney dear, that you would re-
member me at Christmas. You have al
ways been the soul of thoughtfulness, eS-
peciauy to those of us who understood you.
I must confess, however, that expected
you to do the deadly conventional thing
ard send me something heavy and serious.
l knew 1T would be book. All of my
friends send me books. That comes of
being president Of a literary club. But
you are the only one, Sidney, who had the
rare and kindly judgment to appeal to the
woman and not to the club president Be-
cause am interested in a serious literary
movement it need not follow that I want
my whole life to be overshadowed by the
giants of the literary kingdom. Although
I would not dare confess 1t I o Mrs. Peabody
or Mrs. Hutchens, there are times when
like to spend an afternoon with an old
fashioned love story.
you are a bachelor, Sidney, and have
long since ceased to flush at the casual
mention of old maid It was not for us
to know the bitter-sweet experiences Of
courtship and marriage, and you will re-
member that we have sometimes pitied the
infatuation of sweethearts and have felt
rather superior in our freedom. And yet,
Sidney, if we chose to be perfectly candid
with each other, I dare say that both of
us would confess to having known some
thing about that which men call love.
We might confess that we had felt its
subtle influence. We might even admit
that sometimes we pause in our lonely
lives and wonder what might have been
and whether it would not have been better,
after all I am afraid that writing
like sentimental schoolgirl, but you must
know that 1 have been reading your charm
ing little book. and it has come to me as a
message from you. Is it not really a con-
fession, Sidney?
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-22

Dom Paul can handle rife Duch
better than he can a pen. His signature
is cramped and scarcely legible. He
signs himself ''S. J. p. Kruger, his
full name being Stephanus Johannes
Paulus Kruger-N. Y. World.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-22
SeasonabIe.

Teacher Gin Sunday school class
Now, boys, see if you can remember
what I taught you last time. What
does B. c. stand for?
Before
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-22
Puzzled.
"Papa-"
ssVaS0 pr

"Papa-"
"Yes?"
docs the fall of night have anything
to do with the break of day ?"-Demor-
est's Magazine.
Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-06-28

Sells exchange available In all thu
principal cities Of the United States and
Europe. Collections promptly attended
Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-06-28
SAVED A NICKLE.

"Give me a glass of sherry" he said
to the man behind the bar; don't fill the
glass too full
The bartender winked at me and put
the sherry bottle II a wineglass on the
bar. The middle-aged man felt carefully
in the tail pocket Of his coat and drew
therefrOm an egg. Breaking the shell, he
emptied the contents into the w%ineglass
and poured enough sherry on top of it to
fill the glass to the brim. Then he tossed
the drink off, laid down 10 cents and
walked out.
"'That beats me- I exclaimed, when he
was out of hearing. Ever see it lone be-
fore?'
"Yep; several times, by him. answered
the bartender. One of the sort that plays
EN- close, you know. Saves 5 cents every
time he takes a drink. for the regular
price Of sherry n egg is Is cents, as
you probably know. Where does he get
the eggs? Search me. Guess he must
nave hens, or else stand in with a man
who does, for the eggs he brings here all
look just as if they We're newly laid.
Good Observation-Disclosures Inquirer.
Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-06-28

Lyon to act in conjunction with the civil
authorities only. Governor Smiths mes
was IN response to a request from the
governor of Idaho and was a request that
he cooperate in the arrest of law-break-
ers who might be escaping from Idaho.
and did not contain a word that could
have been construde as countenancing
the illegal or irregular detention of escap-
ing men. Governor Smith, after receiving
the reply to the message of General Mer-
riam, replied to that officer expressing
satisfaction with his course in directing
his men to act only in accordance with
the civil law and the direction of the civil
authorities of the state OF Montana,
which was not, as in the Occur d'Alenes,
under martial law,
Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-06-28

Through the energetic efforts of Post
master George Irwin to make the Butte
Office all that it should be, it's efficiency
has been increased more han o%ne-third
since his incumbency. Several new clerks
have been added to the Office force, five
new carriers placed on the various routes
and the distribution of mail in the bust
ness quarters increased from two to four
times per day. These improvements have
long been needed, and much credit is due
Mr.. Irwin for undated zeal in giving
the patrons of the postoffice a first class
service in all respects. He is unquestion-
ably the right man in the right place.
Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-06-28

The readers of the Inter Mountain will
regret to learn that the president has been
compelled to abandon his western trip
this summer on account Of the condition
Of Mrs. McKinley's health. The first lady
of the land is unfortunately suffering
from a very severe cold, and her health
is such as to require attention. Butte
would have taken delight in according to
the president a most royal welcome had
it been possible for him to visit the great
west