davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-08-18
HE STUCK TO IT.

but he was lifted right up on the pin
nacle of greatness. Deacon Spooner
headed subscription and raised $50 for
him. and the aristocracy called on Mrs.
Small in such numbers that she
couldn't get the Monday washing out
until Friday. Abel was hardly fit to
be out when the annual election of the
Liars club came around. and six of
the most prominent men in town es-
corted him down to the hall. There
was but one sentiment, and that was
voiced by William Shriner as he rose up
and said:
ut will be no surprise when l say
that we have among us a liar of whom
we ought.to be proud as community.
We are all liars, but we cannot equal
him. There isn't another man among
us who wouldn't have crawfshed when
he found death staring him in the face.
Ananias wasn't slow, but he wasn't
knee-high to the man l now present
you as the next president of our club"
CHARLES B. LEWIS.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-08-18

ruche of the swiss to head each of the
lace f1ounces. The bodice is round ba by
waist with a double cascade of the Va
lenciennes lace on each side of the full
front, and running under the under arm
seams to form little bolero. The sleeves
are unlined, and deep f1ounce of the
VaIenciennes lace falls over the hand.
:, swiss sash ruffIed all around COM
pie IS the costume.
One of the pretty novelties in fans
thai I saw a day or two ago was quite
shall in the shape OF a full-blown rose,
which is patterned in white lace APP
plique on a background of black net,
and shOwered with glittering steel
pafIlettes. The waved sticks were of
dark and beautiful tortoise shell.
3 larger one of the ordinary shape
lad the same glittering background,
with a cream lace applique of graceful
fUchsia sprays, the waved sticks being
of ivory, and very handsomely carved.
SARAH DAVIDSON.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-08-18
NAMES WHITE BIRCHES.
A Valuable Timber That Came Int
Notice After the States Worst
Forest Fire

Since the paper makers began to
build big sulphite pulp mills in the
Maine woods the price of spruce tims
Der lands has doubled. Next to spruce
the timber in greatest demand is clean
and. thrifty white birch, which is sawed
.nto bars and sent by the shipload to
Scotland, where it is made into spools.
Nearly all the thread factories in the
United States and more than half of
those in Great Britain obtain their
spool stock from Maine. According to
Albert a. Burleigh, president. of the
Bangor & Aroostook railroad, Names
birch trees are due to the spiteful con-
duct of two employees of the Maine land
office.
Some French Canadians had squatted
on state land near the Penobscot river
and defied efforts to evict them. Final
| Iy, in September, 1925, two special con-
stables were sent down from Augusta
with instructions to make a clean job
of evicting them. Having turned the
families out they set fire to the houses
and hay stacks. Twelve hours later
the French village was smoking mass
Of ashes, and the biggest forest fire
ever seen in Maine was sweeping north,
burning off more than so townships of
old growth pine, and doing more than
$40 600 900 damage to the states lands
Square miles of valuable hackmatack
timber were also burned over the fire
eating ten feet into black peat Dogs
that had been accommodating for cen
turtles. 1t is tradition that after cross
| ing Aroostook county the fire leaped the
St. John river and swept over New
Brunswick, terminating in the destruc-
ton of Miramichi, where 12O persons
persisted. The survivors were forced
to flee into the Gulf of st. Lawrence
There they stood neck deep in the wa
ter for two days and a night, while
deer. caribou. moose, bears and wolves
swan around them. seeming to seek
protection from their ancient enemies
After the fire had burned itself out
and the land had absorbed the allzali
of the ashes, about 5000, 900 acres came
up to wild cherry and white birch sap.
lings. For ten years or more the two
species struggled for control of the ter
ritory. Then the black knot, which
had been imported from Europe, killed
off the cherry trees, giving the birches
| the right of way. About $4,000. Geo
board feet of spool bars are shipped
out of Maine every year, and the sup.
ply is still good.-N- Y. Sun.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-08-18
CONGRATULATIONS"
of Certain Substances Unfit for
Human Consumption

Decentralization" is term WHICH
now applied to that process which
renders certain substances unfit for
human consumption. The process has
become a necessity in modern times, in
order to promote fairness in CONNER
cial competition and to cheaper certain
commodities when used exclusively in
industrial operations. Thus a few
! years ago the manufacture of caffein
was almost monopolized by Germany
On account of the fact that tea intended
for human consumption in this country
was too expensive to extract. Owing,
however, to the representations of Eng
fish scientific manufacturers, revised
regulation was framed few years
ago, according to which damaged tea
could be admitted duty free provided
that it was ''denatured" and rendered
wholly unfit for human consumption
! by treatment with lime and asafcetida.
Tea treated in this way is now used
profitably for the manufacture of caf-
fem, and England as.become the chief
seat of the manufacture, and has thus
completely turned the tables upon her
competitors, for now the al1aloid is exc
ported from this country to Germany
and America.
| a similar example, we believe, occurs
an the case of damaged or unclaimed to-
bacco, which previously was destroyed
IN the queens pipe" at the docks. In
stead of this waste going on, such to-
bacco is now largely used for the prepa-
ration of nicotine washes for killing
vermin, etc.
| Without decentralization" alcohol
for the purposes of the arts and indus
tries would be so expensive as to be pro-
hibitive, because it would be drinkable.
But recourse has been made to adding
substance to the spirit which makes
it undrinkable, but which at the same
time does not interfere with its prop
critics for certain manufacturing proc
esses. Formerly wood spirit was en-
pioyed. but, such is the evil tendency
of human nature, the vile mixture be-
came a cheap and favorite tipple. Next
a proportion of petroleum spirit was
tried, a method obtaining at the pres
ent day, but even this has been found to
be a palatable, as it certainly is an i'm
ltoNicating, mixture by some persons
Cases are even recorded in which some
iepraved wretches find paraffin oil an
agreeable stimulant. The problem,
therefore, of ''denaturing" alcohol cam
not be regarded as satisfactorily set
tied. The latest suggestion is acetOne
il, of which one per cent. is said TO be
efficient. But that nasty, nauseous,
understanding liquid allylic alcohol is
said to give even better results added
IN the proportion of One-tenth TO one
half per cent in volume. The desider-
alta of ''denaturalizer.' for alcohol are
that it should render it unfit for com
sumption without making it more in
| hammable, while the material should
De cheap and easy to detect, and its
separation by rectification should be
impossible for any commercial advan
tage.-London Lancet.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-08-18
Directions for Graceful Figures.

The woman who tries to obtain a
gracefully curved figure with the aid
of one corset lacing is making griev-
Gus mistake. The French women long
ago learned the secret of employing
three laces, whether the corset be worn
loose or tight. The first lacing is Pot
in at the top in the usual way, on each
side 50 far as the two eyelet holes at The
waist, which are placed near together.
With another lace begin at the bottom
and lace upward, leaving two eyelet
holes below the two at the waist. Then
put the third laoing into these eyelet
holes, four or each side. With this ar
rangement the corset may be made to
fit the bust, hips and waist, as in no
other way.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-08-18
An Elaborate Gown for Mrs. Potter
a Palmer to Wear.

1 have not seen the gown which Mrs.
Palmer is to wear at the first of her
series of festivals, but a friend de-
scribed it 10 me a few days ago, and
judging from this description it will be
exceedingly becoming to her.
The description which 1 received of
it described it as a shell pink silk with
an applique of lace, and lightly yelled
with pale blue chiffon over the entire
gown, that in style is a princess 1t
has a round neck, and long clinging
sleeves, while a great soft chou of
mauve chiffon is caught on the corsage
with diamond star.
But there are other gowns here that
will be worn at the seasons fetes that
are equally as pretty as these two. even
if they do not excite as much comment
among the fashionable set. In these
lace is often a prominent feature, and
the lace robe promises to be a feature
of the season.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-08-18

At the last annual election of the
Liars Club of Squan Creek, Abel Small
was elected president by an overwhelm-
ing ma iority, and it is quite likely he
evil hold the position for two or three
terms. Three years ago Abel was con-
sidered small fish as liar. He lied a
lie occasionally about clans and lob
sters. but never had anything to say at
6he meeting of the club. He improved
as time went on. but was still way
down to the foot of the class when
Providence seemed to step in to give
him boost. That is, his wife burst out
crying one evening and explained that
all the neigh bors looked down on her on
his account. He was such an every
day, one-horse liar that she had no So
9 cial standing. AS he tried to console
her she said:
eff was you, I'd be either at the head
or move out of town. I've stood it as
long as can, and if you don't do some
thing I'll commit suicide"
"I'll do somethin'," replied Abel,
after thinking the matter over. I've
been goin' slow and gettin' the hang O.
things, but I'll do somethin' in the next
} two weeks to put you up in society or
break my neck tryin'."
Abel had never displayed much am
bition, and his wife was only half
comforted. but he went right on plan
ming to surprise her and other folks.
He went out in his boat after CLAIMS
Z: the next day and did not return. He
landed on the beach far away and
made for Philadelphia. and when he
reached home in the night week later
he had wonderful story to tell. He
said he was longing for CLAIMS with his
anchor out when a whale swallowed
1the anchor and towed him out to sea
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-08-18
Doings of Squan Creek Folk.
Jep Jones


| was prepared for the great change
| about to take place, and added:
You know that it is written that no
| liar can inherit the kingdom of
Heaven"
"Yes, l know" replied the dying
| man, but can't be barred out on that
account. | stole dozen eggs once in
my boyhood days, and mebbe that will
be held up agin me, but as for lynn,
the recordin' angel won't have nothin'
set down."
But about the whale and pirate
story?" asked the good man with sad
shake of the head.
That was all true to the last word.
/ don't think I got the wind BLOWN
half as hard as it really did, and l
know I underestimate the number of
pirates by at least 50.'
The preacher wrassled with him for
an hour, but Abel was firm. Instead of
taking anything off the story he kept
adding to it, and the good man finally
left in despair. Abel began to weaken
soon after that and wish he had owned
up, but his wife looked at his toe-nails
again and said:
There isn't mite of blue to be seen
| about 'em, and 1 don't believe you are
goin' to die after all. Jest hang to
your story like dog to root
Well, Abel hung between life and
death for two days. and then began to
improve, and at the end of four days
| the doctor said he would get well. In
ten days he was out of danger, and no.
body knew what to think about it.
Some said that he had been saved to
| give him time to repent. and others
| that he must have been telling the
| truth about the whale and the pira ties,
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-08-18

how seeking her favor, ans eagerly ac-
cept her invitations. This year Mrs.
Palmer will be a leader among the
leaders, but it will be in Mrs. Palmer'G
own dainty way, and it is her distinct
i've and pleasing personality that is so
attractive, and has won so many friends
for tine hotel keepers wife"
Chief among the entertainments at
marble house will be the garden festi-
walls, both afternoon and evening, and
an expectant society has made elabor-
ate preparations for these events. For
instance, when Mrs. Aston returned
from Paris she brought with her a
gown of radiant beauty which will be
first worn at one of these festivals OF
Mrs. Palmer's.
This particular gown, which society
here is dying 10 see, but which is kept
discreetly hidden until the day for the
festival arrives, is a most charming
mbination of blue chiffon, black net
and paillettes of shining black and
white. 1t suggests the sea on a moon
light night, while just touch of white
lace is an effective contrast. 1t is made
with clinging skirt of the blue Chiffon
over a soft blde silk, with the black net
over the blue chiffon. Three marrow.
accordion plaitings of the blue chiffon
are around the skirt. The over dress
is in deep points with the paillettes
of shining black aid blue scattered over
the net, and deep border of the same
around the points. The low bodice has
the same trimming on it with little
finish of white lace around the neck.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-08-18

for couple of hundred miles. All he
had to eat and drink for seven days
was four clans and half bottle of
cough-sirup, and he met with pirates
and sharks and hurricanes without
number. 1t was a sleek, slick lie, and
so we'll told that some folks almost be-
heved it. Abel's wife knew just where
he had been, but she patted him on the
back and said:
'At last you are doing somethin' to
help this family along. Keep right on
tellin' that story, and don't take off a
single shark or pirate if you die for
it,"
Henry Schemerhorn, John Tobias
and Deacon Spooner got after Abel and
tried to pick flaws in his story and
make him own up, but they couldn' t
bulge him. They shifted at the whale,
made fun of the pirates and proved by
the weather reports that there hadn't
even been a gale while he was gone,
but he shut his jaw firmly and replied:
"Gentlemen, you may believe me or
not, but it all happened just as l say.
I'm sure the whale was ten feet longer
than my figures"
About ten days after Abel got home
he was taken down with typhoid fever,
and when the doctor said it was a very
serious case, the sick man told his wife
that he had better own up that the
story was lie. He didn't want to die
with no such whopper charged against
him.
abel. don't you do it, she advised.
You are sick man and are goin' to be
sicker, but you must take chances
of dyin'. You must do it for the sake
of me and the children. The lie as
it stands is the slickest ever told in
Squan Creek. and women who used to
pass me with their noses up now boiler
over the back fence and want to lend
me their washboards. Hang on. Abel,
till you are struck with DEATH"
He said he would. and he meant it.
After two or three nights he had to
have watchers. and they laid their
hands on his fexered brow and told him
he was nearing the grave. and advised
him to unburden his conscience. He
owned up to having lied IA bout seeing a
lobster with wings and a clam with
feet, but he wouldn't go any further.
Even in his delirious moments he
would cry out:
"Ha! hal thou bloody pirate, but
sheer off or | will give you broadside
which will send you to the bottom be-
fore you can call upon Heaven for
mercy!"
One day the doctor announced that
Abel had less than "a hours to live
and the dying man asked his wife If
be hadn't better own up to the lie. She
turned up the sheet TO look at his toe
nails and advised him TO hold on. The
nails hadn't turned blue yet. and there
was one chance in a thousand that he
might pull through. The preacher
came in presently to ask Abel If be
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-08-18
HE WAS NO HERO.

81 can't see how they make so much
romance out of this railroad business"
said the engineer, as he threw aside his
newspaper. Here is the case of the
swept-away bridge over Wolf creek,
and they have got it that L saved the
train and am hero. l could have told
'em how it was if they had come to me.
We were driving ahead at full speed
when says to the fireman:
George, what dye think about the
creek?"
~ think it's bank-full and runnin'
over says he.
"'How about the bridge?'
81 think it's gone. don't your
Yes
Then you'd better stop at the post
and let me go ahead and see.'
And l stopped and he went ahead"
explained the engineer, land pretty
soon he comes back and says:
Jim. she's gone
"'Then we can't go on?'
Not unless locomotive can swimI'
THAT was the way of it and all there
| was to it. and l can't figure out how
saved 200 lives and deserve a gold
medal. When backed up to Charles
| town to telegraph the news and wait
for wrecking train the division super
intendent couldn't see the romance,
either.
Whats the bloody row?' he says,
as he comes out.
bridge gone
land why didn't you run your train
| to the creek?'
| My fireman didn't want to get
wet
"'Humphi Bounce him for blocking
the road, and don't you make another
such mistake unless you want years
| vacationi'"
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-08-18

One of these lace robes has skirt
of cream lace in Il design of flowers
radiating outward from the waist in
the most graceful fashion, and the
bodice in the same design, with small
rucbing of lace around the high collar,
and to finish the sleeves, with tiny
roll of white satin for a belt, with a
clasp Of gems.
gown of crepe de chine and lace
is pretty affair in blue gray crepe
de chine. The skirt is cut in the or
thodox way without fullness or seam
at the back, and fitting perfectly over
the hips, from whence it falls in grace
full folds over an undersllirt of gray
silk, and at the foot are ripping frills
of chiffon, with a fall of ecru d Allen
con lace over the frills. The bodice is
composed of the blue gray crepe de
chine with the ecru d'Alencon lace for
the sleeves, and in a point to the waist
line on the bodice, finishing touch
being given by a ribbon bow of blue
velvet on the left of the corsage, and
also for waist band, fastening under a
full bow and paste buckle.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-08-18
Fashionable Women and Fashionable
I Gowns a. Newport.

NV EXPORT is all aglow with the
I'M radiant beauty of Americas
u " fairest daughters, at least the
fairest that are known among the
fashionable set of Gotham. The sea-
son is an early one, but none too early
for the heat, even here where society
goes to keep cool, is terrible.
Those of the Gotham swells who paid
a visit to Paris after the close of the
London season, Just to add a few
necessities to their summer wardrobes,'
have all returned, and Newport now
has its share of them with their dainty
clothing. Even the west is contribut-
ing its share to Newport festivities. and
many of the choicest entertainments
of the Newport season will be given by
such women as Mrs. Potter Palmer,
who but two years ago was classed as
that hotel keepers wife" Now she
lives in a marble palace, and the same
women who went out of their way to
snub her such short time since are
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-08-18
Has Had Hard Usage.

Smith-Your wife has a fine voice.
Jones-Yes; one of the best in the
world. Otherwise II would have been
worn out several years ago. = \. Y.
World.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-08-18
His Protection.

First Playwright-Would that had
Sbakespeare's famei .
Second Playwright-It would be
good thing to have, old man. 1 believe
it's the only thing that keeps some of
the critics from roasting him.-Puck.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-08-18
Pretty Muslin Gown That Comes
from Paris.

A swiss muslin gown that came from
Paris is one of the daintiest of the
gowns that Newport is destined to see
this season. 1t is made over q white
China silk. The SKIRT has a long demi-
train with founce after fiounce of
Ealenciennes lace, and with a small
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-08-18
waiting for QuittIne Tine.

Boggs-Is your new office boy atten-
tive to business?
Biggs-Well, he watches the clock
very closely-N. Y. Journal
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-08-18

The upper half of the sleeves is made
of bl1e chiffon shirred, while the lower
half, that falls over the hand, is Gov
cred with the black net and with shin
ing black and blue paillettes.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-08-18

The Bermudas are not included in the
term West Indies.
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1899-08-08
KILLED HIS WIFE
With n Hatchet, Did KrOnmsn
Of New New York.

New York Aug 7--Annie Kronmann
was found by her husband In her home
tonight unconscious with two five inch
gashes I'm the back OF her head Beside
her on the floor lay "a bloody hatchet.
The Hat was In perfect order and Mrs.
Kronmann's Jewelty valued at several
thousand dollars had not been disturbed.
There was no evidence Of struggle
The woman had evidently been struck
down while passing through the private
hallway. Mrs. Kronmann was removed
TO the hospital and up 20 a late hour did
not regain consciousness. Mr. Kronmann
is wealthy fruit commission merchant
Kronmann was permitted to visit Pose
velts hospital tonight Afterward he was
asked by the police 20 go TO the west 81
street staion lie was informed that he
was not under arrest but that he was
merely detained" To persons famll-
lar with local police methods this means
pulvalent 20 being arrestei. The polio,
say that they have learned that wo-
man had ben much in Kronmann's com
pany OF late and that she called fro
quently at his place OF business. Kron
mann and the woman the police say
| would spend several hours I'm each others
on such occasions and he always ar
rived home late. when his wife demand
ed explanations he pleaded business en-
| gagements.
kronmann was seen TO leave his place
Of business accompanied by the woman
and he admits that he did not reach his
| homo until O'Clock when examined ~
tho police station his coat sleeve, and
cuns were found to be stained with
blood. but ne explained thls by saylry
that ne received the stains while lifting
his wife out OF the hallway
Hronmann was formally placed under
nrrest late last night He rs charged
with having murdorously assaulted hts
wife
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1899-08-08
WANT JIMINEZ
DO ths San DOmicans-NOt Sat
isfied With Present Gov
ernment.

Havana, Aug. 7-General Isidro Jiminez
who was interviewed today. said he was
in daily receipt Of about % cablegrams
from Santo Domingo. where all was go
Ing we'll To the interviewer he exhlbite 4
letter which he said was from a person
OF influence, advising him not to risk
participancy In an expedition AS the re-
suit was assured and was only "A matter
OF time. According to the writer. II
anything happened to Jeminez the people
Of Santo Domingo would regard It as a
great loss, lnasmuch as their ideas ana
hopes regarding good government we're
bound up I'm him, Moreover. the present
system needed man In some respects
like HeureauX whereas the present ex-
ecutiye though trying 10 work on the
lines followed by Heureaux. was mean
unpopular ana incapable OF carrying on
the administration with the necessary Wig
OF. General Jiminez said he could not
leave Havana az present, as he must have
a headquarters from which 20 send orders
and at which TO receive news but when
all was assured he would go. He re-
marked that he counted on a majority
Of fourhfths and talked In a very con-
ident strain, expressing himself "a hope
ful Of complete success. He asserted that
he was receiving offers Of assistance from
many Cubans