davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Middletown transcript., 1899-01-28
Fog In Photography.

One serious and at the same time un-
suspected source Of fog in photography
is often due to the fact that the black
ing has slightly worn off the lens
mount and there is reflection which
results in loss Of brilliancy in the
negative. Constant use and endless
cleaning Of the lens in time wear the
backing off, and this should be attend
ed to and all metal parts kept well
blacked. Where lenses are mounted in
aluminium still more care is necessary
in this respect, as, wherever in such
cases the backing wears off, white light
instead Of yellow light is reflected into
the lens.
Sometimes diaphragms of the iris
pattern are greatly at fault in this re-
speot By reason Of its construction the
leaves or vanes in this diaphragm are in
constant friction while being set, and
thus become polished and reflective, for
which reason some photographers avoid
having iris diaphragms in their lenses,
Notwithstanding their convenience. A
careful examination of the apparatus
will insure safety in this matter. Stops
OF the ordinary pattern become in time
little better than bare metal, especially
at the edges Of the aperture.
Middletown transcript., 1899-01-28
A Kissing Nation.

In no other part of the world is kiss
ing SO much in vogue as in Russia.
From time immemorial it has been the
national salute. Indeed it is more of a
greeting than caress.
In public affairs. as in private, the
kiss is an established custom. Fathers
and sons kiss, old generals with rusty
mustaches kiss, whole regiments kiss.
The emperor kisses his officers. On a
reviewing day there are almost as many
kisses as shots exchanged. If a lillipu-
tian corps of cadets have earned the i'm
perial approval, the imperial salute is
bestowed upon the head boy, who passes
it on with hearty report to his neigh
Dor, he in his turn to the next, and SO
on, through the whole juvenile body.
On holiday or fete day the young
and delicate mistress of a house will
not only kiss all her maidservants, but
all her menservants, too, and if the
gentleman does not venture above her
hand she will stoop and kiss his cheek.
To judge also from the number of
salutes the matrimonial bond in these
high circles must be one of uninterrupt-
ed felicity. A gentleman scarcely enters
or leaves the room without kissing his
wife either on Ter forehead, cheek or
hand
Middletown transcript., 1899-01-28
FOOLED IN A HORSE TRADE.
This Animal Possessed Several Re-
markabIe Traits.

This Animal Possessed Several Re-
markabIe Traits.
A prominent English landlord was
one day riding across common ad-
jacent to his preserves when he over
took one of his tenants, who was also
mounted After the usual salutations
they rode on in silence for some min
utes, when the tenant slightly spurred
his horse, balky animal whereupon
it dropped to its knees.
whats the matter with your
horse2" asked his lordship. The en-
barrassed tenant remarked by way of
explanation that his steed always acted
that way when there was game to be
found
A moment later, to the tenants sat
isfaction and surprise, a frightened hare
jumped out of some bushes near by.
This SO impressed the landlord that
he at once drove bargain by which he
secured the tenants barebacked beast
in exchange for his own fine mount,
perfectly saddled With much agility
the tenant leaped to his new horse, and
all went well until they came to a
small stream, whereat the landlords
new nag Immediately baked A drive
home with the spurs brought it again
to its knees.
"Hello, what's up now7 There's no
game here, I" said his lordship.
"True, my lord, was the ready re-
ply, "but I forgot to tell you 'ee's as
good for fish as ZEE is for game San
Francisco Argonaut
Middletown transcript., 1899-01-28
Bruges.

The chronicles Of 1866 speak of 150
vessels in its basins and Of German mer-
chants carrying away over 2,000 pieces
Of cloth to the distant lands of Russia
and Poland. 1t was the exchange Of Eu-
rope, possessing in the fourteenth GEN.
tury 30 guilds and 150, 600 inhabitants,
more than three times as many as lit
now contains. Among its wares we read
of leather from Spain, wool from Eng
land, silk from Italy and Persia, linen
and cloth from Brabant, hemp and fax
from Holland, wine from Portugal,
Greece and France and hardware from
Germany, which included every variety
Of object in ivory, bone, wood, glass,
tin, copper, lead, iron, silver and gold.
It had its factories, it's curriers', its dy-
ers, and its taxation considerably ex-
ceeded that Of Client. But at the COM
mencement of the fourteenth century its
troubles began-troubles from within
and from without.
The Suene was rendered useless by
the invasion of sand as far as Sluis
(Eoluse), treachery, slaughter and po-
litioal iealousies and rivalries completed
the fall, and in 1914 its inhabitants had
diminished to 7, 696. Then came the re-
ligious wars and prosecutions from 1867
to 1884, the fanatics and the Gueux de-
stroying what remained, leaving little
for the French revolutionists. Good
Words
Middletown transcript., 1899-01-28
JOHN HAYS BIG APRON.
One of the Cases Where Dishvvash
ing Produced q Poet.

One of the Cases Where Dishwash-
ing Produced a Poet.
Colonel Hay was when boy regu-
lar attendant of the Presby yterian Sun
day school at Warsaw, Ills.
The Sunday school lessons partly con-
sisted of committing to memory Bible
verses, and to attain supremacy in this
created quite a rivalry among the schol-
ars. John Hay was sure to come out
ahead from two to five answers, some
times more, causing those of his COM
rades who were always behind him to
regard him with envy.
Consequently when some of those boys
heard that John had to wash dishes and
do the churning for his mother and,
more than all, that he wore an apron
while at these duties his jealous COM
rades fairly crowed
One morning it was agreed by his
comrades to get him out of doors while
he had his apron on and humiliate him
by having two or three girls whom he
rather liked ask him questions in re-
gard to his housework.
Young Hay came ont to where the
boys were and answered the questions
by saying that he washed dishes as his
mother taught him, and then, with
twinkling eyes, he gave the dishpan
which he had with him a tremendous
fling, contents and all, drenching who
ever happened to be near enough, and,
laughing loudly. ran into the kitchen
Hay and his big apron were never mo-
Tested after that. Christian EndeaYor
World
Middletown transcript., 1899-01-28
The Audience Got Angry.

There was a scene of wild excitement
during the last week of May, 1892, at
the Gaiety, London, and all owing to
the singular behavior of a policeman.
Two popular entertainers were on the
stage, and one Of them asked the audi
ence little conundrum, "Why is po-
ioeman an utter scoundrels'
A gentleman in blue who was appar-
emily on duty in the body of the thea
ter at once took offense. He jumped on
to the stage and, geizing the offender,
attempted to drag him off.
The audience rose in indignation.
Men shook their fists and shouted,
"What has he done?" One frenzied
young lady in the front Of the gallery
seized tumbler and would have thrown
it at the policeman if her arm had not
been arrested.
The policeman then dragged his cap.
tive of the stage amid the Kisses and
shouts Of the audience. But anger was
speedily changed to laughter when Mr..
Policeman reappeared with his victim
and stood revealed as one of the Cosmo
trio. I never saw an audience SO COM
pletely taken in. London Correspond
nnnn
Middletown transcript., 1899-01-28
CHARLES STEWART PARNELL
How the Great Irish Leader Came to
Enter Polifica.


How the Great Irish Leader Came to
Enter Politics.
Charles Stewart Parnel was 90 years
old before he made his entry into the
political arena. How the step was taken
is thus described by Mr.. R. Barry
O'Brien in his biography of the great
Irish leader:
Zone night during the general cleo
tion of 1874 Parhell dined with his Sis
ter, Mrs. Dickinson, in Dublin After
dinner Captain Dickinson said well,
Charles, why don't you go into parlia-
mentf Why don't you stand for your
native county2'
'"To the surprise of every one at the
table. ParneH said quickly. 7 will
Whom ought to seer
'Oh, said Dickinson, I'VE will see
about that tomorrow. The great thing
is you have decided to stand
!" I will see about it at once said
Parnel 4 have made up my mind and
won't wait. Whom ought I to seer
"'I think Gray of The Freeman's
Journal said John, who was also pres
ent.
every WELL said Parnell, rising
from the table, I shall go to him at
once. Do you come with me, John.
1.-THE two brothers then went away to-
gether. 1t was now II o'clock, and they
found Gray at The Freeman's s Office.
He was amazed when Parnen entered
and said, I have come to say, Mr..
Gray, that I mean to stand for Wick
low as Home Ruler.
It was only the year after that. on the
death of John Mitchell, Parnen was re-
turned for Meath. At first it is plain
that Parnen had few if any followers.
The ability of the representative from
Meath was questioned Butt was then
the controlling power 1t was only in
1880 that Parneu became the leader.
Middletown transcript., 1899-01-28
The Swiss Parllament.

Switzerland differs from other coun-
tries in many things. and one of the
most remarkable is the way in which
it's parliamentary debates are conduct
ed. A Swiss member Of parliament can
express himself in French, German or
italian, and the privilege is freely used.
When the president Of the federal as
sembly speaks in German, his remarks
are translated by secretary in close
proximity to him. All the laws and
resolutions. before being voted upon,
are drawn mp in French, German and
Italian, and every official report is pub
lished in these three languages. -Bir-
mingham Post.
Middletown transcript., 1899-01-28
FtNERTYs SERMON.
1t Brought Praise From the Preacher
Who Didn't Deliver 1t.

1t Brought Praise From the Preacher
Who Didn't Deliver 1t.
Before ex-C Congressman John Finerty
became famous as the great American
British lion tail twister he was one of
the best reporters in Chicago. He was
on The Tribune, and one day certain
city editor (best known to fame as the
man who always wore straw hat and
smoked corncob pipe) decided that
Mr.. Finerty should be disciplined
It was Saturday, and some time after
midnight. Mr.. Finerty was assigned to
report the morning sermon Of an OBJ
scure minister way down on the South
Side. Finerty was the senior, and his
associates were thunderstruck They
expected an explosion, at least, but
Finerty remained calm and dignifed,
although trife pale. 'HThen he will
resign" they thought, but Finerty
walked out and made no sign To the
surprise Of every one, he reported the
next day as usual and turned in an abb
stract of the sermon. Every one read it
on Monday morning, and it was GER
tainly an eloquent and carefully report
ed sermon.
That afternoon a man of clerical cut
called on the city editor and asked to
see the young man who had reported
his sermon the morning before Mr..
Finerty was introduced The man of
the clerical cut would like to see Mr..
Finerty alone for few moments. Out
in the hallway he asked. "Of course,
you were not at my church yesterday
morning?"
"No," replied Finerty
"Well, I simply stopped to thank you
for the sermon It was far more elo-
quent than the one preached
Finerty had composed the sermon in
a neighboring cellar beer saloon on
Saturday night. -Lippincott's Maga-
zine.
Middletown transcript., 1899-01-28
Heroes Of the Pen.

The intensity of application with
which the mind follows whatever it
lays hold of in literary pursuits is ex-
emplifed in the case of Robert Aims
worth. celebrated writer and anti
quarian of the seventeenth century. He
had been for years engaged inn voIumi-
nous Latin dictionary, and while fas-
cinated with this heroic work gave so
little time and attention to his wife
that he incurred her bitterest jealousy,
and before the work was quite complete
she committed the whole to the flames.
Instead Of abandoning himself to de-
spair, Ainswortb set to work and re-
wrote it, accomplishing the entire work
in time. The salne bitter disappoint-
ment was endured with similar heroism
by Carlyle when the manuscript of his
Frederick the Great was destroyed
by fire.
Middletown transcript., 1899-01-28
CLOTHES SPECIALS.
queer Pockets and Things TaiI0rs
Have to Put In Garments.

Have to Put In Garments.
'sNo special
With that remark to the assistant
who took down the measurements the
tailor dismissed his patron and said
that the suit would be finished ''sure"
on a certain day.
'tWhat did You mean by saying mo
special to your clerk r. asked the GUS
toner.
"Well that means that you want
your clothes made all right and without
any crank things about them. Pockets
are the great specials. We have Gus
toners who want, besides the regular
pockets, places in their waistcoats for
pencils. eyeglasses and all sorts Of
things Some pencil pockets are made
to hold only one pencil and some for a
bunch. Eyeglass pockets are also or
lered in keeping with the shape and
style Of the glasses, and pockets for
cigars are ordered for all sizes, from the
little half pencil shape to the great
big perfecto. Freak pockets, inside Of
other pockets, are also in demand, and
chamois lined pockets, which. we usual
ly make for the watch side Of the waist
coat. are ordered often for trousers by
men who carry silver trinkets in them "
Another class Of special customers
are those whose garments are made
with view to the wearer's health.
Many men have an inner band of red
flannel put on the waist of their trou-
sers as a cure for rheumatism, and some
drying coats are made SO that sheets
of stout paper may be slipped between
the breast lining and the cloth when
driving against the wind
''On the whole, said the tailor, "a
man in my business has the best oppor-
tunity to find out the kinks and queer
points about men, not only as to their
persons, but their minds. New York
Tribune.
Middletown transcript., 1899-01-28
He Meant Wen

The trial Of doctors suit was pub
lished In Connecticut newspaper some
years ago, ID which witness was.
called for the purpose Of approving
the correction of the DOCTORS blll.
The witness was asked by the lawyer
whether the doctor did not make sew
eral visits after ths patient was o0t Of
danger s:No,n y replied the witness,
= con sidsred The patient Ii danger 10
igng III ttfl y as nued bis
visits !, The sanitakIan.
Middletown transcript., 1899-01-28
MYSTERIOUS LIGHT AT SEA-.
Three Steamers Didn't Understand
1t, hut the Prince of Monaco Knew.

Three steamers Didn't Understand
1t, but the Prince of Monaco Knew.
The Prince of Monaco has been known
since 1886 as an enthusiastic student
of the sea and It's various forms Of life
He usually spends his summers in the
study of oceanographic problems, and
his cruises have on some occasions been
extended almost to the coasts of Amer
lea He delivered a lecture before the
Royal Geographical society in London
in which he told this incident:
One afternoon, while in the bay of
Biscay, he sank the trap in which he
collected specimens of sea life. It went
to the bottom in over 12, feet of
water, and as night approached he fas-
tened to the wire attached to it an cleo
tric buoy and then stood off mile or
SO. It did not happen to occur. to him
that he was right in the track of steam
ers plying between northern Europe
and the Mediterranean, but he was re-
minded of the fact later.
AS he and his IA sailors were watch
ing with good deal of satisfaction the
swaying buoy with its brilliant illu-
mination a steamers lights came into
view. 1t was soon evident that the
steamer was curious to know the mean
ing of the illumination, for she altered
her course and made for the light. She
knew that no fishing boats came out SO
far from land and SO determined to
solve the mystery. Up she came to
within quarter Of a mile Of the buoy
slowed up for a minute, and then start
ed ahead, perhaps little Disguised at
the incident that had lured her several
miles out of her course.
She had hardly got away when Sec
ond steamer came into view, and she,
too. bore down upon the lighted buoy.
The marines on the princes vessel un-
derstood by this time that the illumina-
tion was probably believed to be evil
denee of disaster. Just as the princes
steamer was moving up to explain mat
ters she was nearly run down by one of
the large liners in the oriental trade,
which had also left her course to render
what assistance she could
The swell was very heavy, and the
prince feared collision as the three
vessels approached the light like moths
around candle. He therefore veered
off and the other vessels after standing
by for a few minutes, went on their
way and probably never learned the
cause of that nights illumination at
sea.
But the incident gave the prince
pointer. He carefully refrained there
after from exhibiting his electric buoy
on any of the much Travelled ocean
routes. New York Sun
Middletown transcript., 1899-01-28
Photographic.

The celebrated Cyclone Cameras are being.
used by amateurs and professionals all over
the civilized world. The most compact
and least complicated of any in the market.
"a child can operate them. Plain and
Complete Instructions 60 with each Camera:
Size Of pictures u x2I up to 5x7. Price $3.50
up. Nothing on earth viii give ron or 4
friend to whom presented more pleasure
than one Of these Cameras. Write for Illus
trated Catalogue with fall descriptions.
Prices DC
Marsh Mfg, CO. 542 " Iaks ii. Chicago
Middletown transcript., 1899-01-28
Pigs ana witchcraft.

Two women of the lower class were
quarreling violently the other evening
in Heavitree, suburb of Exeter One
yelled to the other: 'sYou wretch, you
always keep black and white pig,
SO that you can witch usi You ought
to be scraggedi" The one so addressed,
it seems, has lived in her cottage some
30 years. She has during this period, it
Is said, always kept a couple Of pigs,
one Of each color, and her neighbors
consider she does this SO that she may
enjoy the very questionable powers of
witchcraft. No butcher in the neigh
borhood viii buy her pigs as If he was
known to do 30 he would certainly lose
the local custom upon which he rallies
Notes and Queries.
Middletown transcript., 1899-01-28

There is more Catarrh this section o
the country than all other diseases put
together, and until the last few years was
supposed to be incurable. For a great
many years doctors pronounced it local
disease, and prescribed local remedies, and
by constantly failing to cure with local
treatment, pronounced it incurable. Science
has proven catarrh to be a constitutional
disease, and therefore requires constitution
al treatment, Halls Catarrh Cure. manu-
factured by F. J. Cheney & Co.. Toledo
Ohio, is the only constitutional cure on the
market. 1t is taken internally in doses from
10 drops to teaspoonflll. It acts directly
on the blood and mucous surfaces, of the
system. They offer one hundred dollars for
any case it fails to cure. Send for circulars
and testimonials. Address,
FL. CHENEY & Co., Toledo, q.
Sold by Druggists, 75c.
Halls Family Pills are the best.
Middletown transcript., 1899-01-28
some Clerical Jokes.

"Do you have mathis in your
church," "No, we prefer linoleum. y
Another clerk gave out in church, ''Let
us sing to the praise and glory Of God
q hymn Of my own composure. y A
lady asked the dean to read at her bed
side "that beautiful lesson - = there
was summat about greaves in it.. The
dean read her ! Samuel, xvii "She
listened with arms outatretclled and
made no comment until I came to the
verse. He had greaves Of brass upon his
legs. At this she raised her hands in
ecstasy and said, 'Ah, them greaves,
them beautiful greavesp '-t Phases OF
My Life, " by Dean Pigou.
Middletown transcript., 1899-01-28
CALIFORNIA.
Extraordinary Tour via Pennsylvania
Railroad.

Extraordinary Tour via Pennsylvania
Railroad.
America is great Country. In variety
and grandeur of natural scenery it is un.
rivaled. To traverse it, to behold its diver
stiles and its wonders,i lis liberal education,
revelation to the immured metropolitan
citizen. The Personality Conducted Tour
to California under the direction of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company, which
caves on February 8. afford most ex-
cellent opportunity to view the vast variety
and boundless beauty of this marvellous
and. Tie party will travel over the entire
route in the model Pullman train of smok-
ing. dining, sleeping, and observation cars
exhibited at theWcrld's Fair. Chicago, and
subsequently at Atlanta, Nashville, and
Omaha. This train will be placed in service
for the first time on this occasion, and will
be in charge of Tourist Agent and Chape-
ron, who will look after all details. of the
trip, as well as the Individual welfare of
the party. Stops will be made at Mann
meth Cave, New Orleans during Mardi Gras
Carnival, Ell Paso, Los Angles, San Diego,
Redlands, Riverside, Pasadena, Santa Bar
bara, Monterey, Del Monte, Santa Crnz,
Mount Hamilton, Menlo Park, San Fran
cisco, Salt Lake City, Glenwood Springs,
Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, Mani
tou and Garden of the Gods, Denver ard
Chicago. Nineteen days will be spent in
California. Round-trip rate, including all
necessary expenses during entire trip, S400
from all points on the Pennsylvania Rail-
road System east of Pittsburg. For timer
ary and full information apply to ticket
agents; Tourist Agent, 1196 Broadway,
New York or address Geo. w. Boyd. As
sistant General Passenger Agent, Broad
Street Station. Philadelphia.
Middletown transcript., 1899-01-28
ThOught rhey Had Lynched 'Em.

Thought they Had Lynched 'Em.
The prisoner was waiting for the ver-
die In q rural justice court. Three
hours had passed, and still no sign from
The jury. Finally bis lawyer came over
to him and whispered:
y have just learned that The jury ID
hung.
THANK the L0rdin cried the Uris-
oner, who had taken The lawyer liter
ally II knowed ! bad friends here.
Gimme my hat an order yer liquor -
Atlantis Constitution.
Middletown transcript., 1899-01-28

Itcertainly looks like it, but there is
really no trick about It. Anybody can try
il who has Lame Back and Weak Kidneys,
Malaria or nervous troubles. We mean he
can cure himself rightaway BY taking Elec-
trio Bitters. This medicine tones up the
whole system, acts as stinulant to Liver
and Kidneys. Is blood purifier and nerve
tonic. 1t cures Constipation. Headache
Painting Spells; Sleeplessness and Melan-
cholg. r. purely vegetable mild laxa-
five. and restores the system 70 iIs natural
vig0F Try Electric Betters and Be con-
yinced that they are miracle worker.
Every bottle guaranteed Only 6Dc bottle
Il Or. 81. Vaughan Drug Store.
Middletown transcript., 1899-01-28
A soka or FORGETTING

The hours as play things were--ah, mel
And laughter lived in every w6rd
What time that love was young and glee
In every pulsing heart throb stirred.
The wild plum blossomed in the glen,
The rabbit raced across the plain,
And frightened birdIings furried when
Our hounds and horses tramped the grain.
Down in the grove beside the spring
We rested when the race was won,
And listened to the wood bird sing
A lullaby when dag was done.
But, ah, you wandered from my side
And paved the long lone lane of years
With memory stones and loss too wide
For sobs to soothe with memory tears.
And now you come-come back to me
To fill, as then, the old time place
Where is the magic Of your plea7
What change has come upon your facet
Oh, friend, to lose and still love on,
To live on chaf instead of grain
1s better than to feel love gone
Forgetting Is the keenest pain.
Atlanta Constitution.