davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-19
A Modern Improvement.

The lid had been insecurity fastened over
a coal hole in the sidewalk and the man
With canvas shoes and a Prince Albert coat
had gotten very much entangled- He stood
and panted for a minute. Then he looked
at the coal hole and began to shout at the
top of his voice.
.Whoop," he yelled. well! Wen!
HeIIo, Hello. Well! Hello'!! Whoop!'
The policeman who came running up, ex-
claimed.
whats the matter here? What are you
making all this noise about"
WAS it pretty bad?'
''I should say So
We'll it might have been heap worse
We are living in an era of refining inf1u-
cnces and I'm proud to say l have been
benefited by them
Whore you holIering at, down in that
coal hole?"
Nobody 1 was merely giving expression
to my overcharged feelings. l used 10 De
one of the profanest men when got riaa
that ever trailed blue fire through vocab-
uIary. But some time ago 1 had telephone
put in nv office. You know how a man
feels when he has stood for few minutes
at telephone with the wires crossed and
every second precious. You can imagine
what felt like saying. But didn't dare,
| lust had to stand there and holler hello!
and it occurred to me that Hello! was
about as good a thing to say when your
emotions overpower you as anything eise.
So I cultivated the hello habit, and 1t mas
worked beautifully. There is no doubt OF
il; we live in an era Of progression and the
telephone Is one of the greatest refining
influences of the day, If you only know now
to use it.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-19
VEGETABLE GEMS.
Curious OpaIs Found in the Bamboo
of MauiIa

Among the queer things found in the
Philippines are bamboo opals, a vegetable
gem which is sometimes discovered by the
natives in the stem of the bamboo" said q
gentleman who has lived for a number of
years in Manila to the writer recently
Not one piece of bamboo in thousand
however. contains specimen. as the bam-
boo grown there, as elsewhere, is usually
empty, but accident occasionally brings to
light in the bamboo stem small, fiint-lke
material which presents the appearance of
a perfect opal These nodules are known to
the natives as 'tobacur,' and 1 have from
time TO time during my long stay on the
Islands, seen several Of these vegetable
freaks of nature which reproduced the.
characteristic lines of the opal so faithfully
that experts Were puzzled to know the diff
ference between the vegetable and the real
specimen.
Besides the tobacur gem there is FREQUENT
ly found in the inside of the Philippine CO.
coanut tiny substance resembling a
sponge, which, when exposed TO the heat of
the sun for several days. will reveal the
presence of sundry small spheres that have
all the natural appearance and luster of the
pearl. Ihese cocoanut gems range from the
size OF pin head to that of a small pea
Ihey are very valuable, and, when not used
by the natives for personal adornment are
sold to local and foreign museums as Curl
osites. 1t may be Interesting to know that
the hrst chemical and meteorological exam
lhatlon or these vegetable gems was made
Dy James Sm1thson, whose munificence es-
taonshed the first of the scientific bureaus
OF Inc american government"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-19

ObliEinX.

The young man who sings loud and long
was interrupted by a tap at the door of mis-
apartment.
Excuse me-" said the tall. thin stranger
Il am sorry to intrude I occupy the fiat
under you, and 1 have come up to inquire
If you are the gentleman who sings bar
lads"
Yes" was the answer, with the air of a
man who is modest, but cannot deny the
truth Are you fond of music?"
Il don't know that 1 am what you wouia
call fond of it. At the same time l haven't
anything particular against it. / am very
much affected by some things l hear
That amounts to the same thing as be-
ing fond of it, was the answer, In tone
of soothing encouragement.
Il have been wondering II caugnt the
words of your favorite song correctly. Let
me see;
"'How often, oh. how often,
Have I wished that the ebbing tide
Would hear me away on it's bosom
To the ocean wild and wide
Is that right?'
''Yes: it's all right, according to my recoi-
lection Is that one of the pieces you are
affected by?' 49,
yes. l have been affected by that Tor
hours at a time. 1t has drawn me lrreslsu-
bIy to YOU 1t has filed me with yearh-
ing TO do something that would make you
happier And l called up to say tnat II
you'll come down to the river win me any
evening I'll pay your car fare and hire
boat and give you a good start on the ms
ehhng tide scheduled. And L don ihiiiu
saving that the further out 1t pears you INC
better I'll be satisfied.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-19
A CITYssS POKER GAME


I'VE had poker game out in my town
recently that, might have made good
many OF US smokespipes until the Begin
ming OF 1870 lqnlesssit had turned out the
way 1t did," said member of the Den
yer common rsouncil who was visiting In
washington ,hhe other day. Nearly all
the male popAlatioprof the town was more
or less mfxedrup in dt. in side show sort
OF way, and the nuipber of men who stood
to go broke On thet outcome was remark
able. I'd have beenIa bit hurt myself if
well, the game started between four
newspaper Mcknight police. reporters.
They'd beent in the habit of starting a
small ante game every night in the news
paper mems room at headquarters. They
didn't hurt each other much. although once
In while one of 'em succeeded, when the
ante had been recklessly raised around
pay day, In acquiring the wages Of the
other three. There wasn't more than so
among the four of them on this night, how
ever, and the game drifted along without
any sensational plays for couple of hours.
Then Charlie Knox-whch is close enough
10 the police reporters name-opened
jack Tor the munificent sum of ten CEN
tavos, and the only man in the bunch who
stayed was John Knowies-which is an
other close stab at a real name
knox's hand shook a little when he sur
veyed his cards, for he never was
licensed poker player, being unable to con-
troll his expression and manners at criti-
cal moments in the game. But Knowles,
VINO In game of poker generally exhibited
the countenance of a cigar store Indian,
looked a bit fustered himself when he
scanned the five in his bunch, that the
two players who had dropped out looked
at MIN with some curiosity.
Both stood pat and then. by ten-cent
bounds, they both bet all the money they
mad Then they each borrowed all the
money that the two dead ones-the pair
who had dropped out-had each man get
ting half, share and share alike, and they
bet that. When it came to showdown,
Knox said to Knowles,
John, I've got a hand here that's worth
more than the little coin we've got to bet
tonight. Is that the way you look upon
your fist-ful?'
Exactly, replied Knowles.
Well, said Knox, what's the matter
with each of us sealing our hands up in an
envelope and leaving it here the table
while we go out and gather in more coin?
l don't mind telling you that I've got you
beat to standstill, but you are acting in
such sassy way in coming back at me
that l don't feel much like going light on
you
That suits me to T. replied Knowles.
I've been ploughing around trying to get
on your trail for a proper killing for some
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-19
BRIGHT DAYS MAKE BRIGHT CoLORs
The Secret of the French Process for
Making Carmine.

In speaking to the writer about the IA
vorable influence that fine weather has upon
the production of bright and delicatelv
shaded dyes and colors a famous English
manufacturer of carmne recently said:
Some years ago l was aware of the su-
periority Of the French carmine and being
anxious to improve upon my own process
I went to Lyons and bargained with the
most celebrated manufacturer in that city
for the acquisition Of his secret, for which
L was to pay 5000.
WELL I was shown all the process and
saw most beautiful color produced but
1 noticed that there was not the least diff
ference in the French mode of fabrication
and that which l constantly adopted my
self thereupon appealed to my instructor
and insisted that he must have kept some
secret concealed. The man assured me he
had not and asked me to inspect the process
second time. L accepted the invitation
and after l had infinitely examined the
" ater and the materials. which We're in ev-
cry respect similar to my own, 1 still felt
SO much in the dark that l said: Il have
lost both my labor and money. for the air
of England does not admit us to make
good carmine.'
'stayr said the Frenchman, don't de-
eeive yourself. What kind of weather is
1t now?
"A bright and sunny day. 1 replied.
And such are the days, said the
Frenchman ON which l make my color
Were l to attempt to manufacture it on a
dark and cloudy day my results would be
the same as yours. Let me advise you, my
irlend' only to make your carmine on
bright. sunny days
The moral of this" continued the En-
glishman, will apply quite as well to the
making OF many other colors used in man.
fractures, and also In the fine arts, for it
Illustrates In practical way the chemical
influence of light upon certain colorinp
compounds or mixtures"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-19
CAME BACK "UH CLIMBIN'."

Last fall" said the man with the fishing
rods and the bucket of bait on the rear
seat of the car, Il went down to the mouth
of the river to do bit of hunting. Went
to the place of an old Virginia gentleman
an old, tumbledown but comfortable house
right close to the water. 1t is situated forty
miles from the nearest railroad, and ten
miles from the nearest township. The old
man lives there all by himself, except a
couple darkey servants and a lot of dogs
He's got enough slowed away to get along
on, and he has more fun by a whole lot than
any of us people up this way do with all
our wealth beyond the dreams of avarice
He had couple other friends down there
with him when 1 got there. We put in the
time hunting during the day and absorbing
things and playing cards at night.
"One night, along toward o'clock, while
We were playing cards. the colonel-the cid
gentleman was in the confederate army
discovered that the whisky had run out.
He looked crestfallen, but he went to the
door and called down stairs:
You MoSe-come up hyuh.'
His old darkey man servant came shamb-
ling up the stairs directly.
Nose said the colonel, Just 'yo' throw
saddle Ovuh Black Bess. Take tn saddle
pockets along, and tn two demijohns, and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-19

1t Is possible" said a well-known den
list to Star writer a day or two ago, "for
medical man to tell more about the dispo-
sition and constitution of a person by an
examination of the teeth than by any other
part of the body.
Nowadays the first thing that an army
surgeon does when man is brought IN for
enlistment Is to look at the would-be SOL
diers teeth. II they show any signs of de.
cay II Is evident that the mans constitu
tlon Is delicate and his services as a soldier
are Immediately declined, even though he
De IN every other respect a perfect snacie
men OF manhood. Men with irregular feeth
teeth uneven and imperfect-are also do
cii!3ed, as those possessing such teeth are
usually not strong, and hence are unfit for
the arduous duties of army life
Another popularity noticeable in rnanv
persons Is spotted tooth. This is a tooth
covered with dark specks and is usually
fou'd in the mouth of people with a weak
Infect. 1t IS, in fact. a sign of INSANITY
La se teeth show braininess, more especial
ly they be regular. A set of perfect teeth
Is ne Surest sign of q good constitution
IS this war of humanity?" shouted the
volunteer in the rice field.
NO" responded the grim regular. dts a
war OF humidity. '-Chicago News.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-19

Psychologists tell u.s. said a New York
lawyer to the writer recently, that no
two faces are exactly alike, and I think
they are correct. although we often hear
of one person being the exact image Of
another. That this Is largely a matter of
Imagination can be proved by investigation.
have In my office clerk who is con-
stantly mistaken for myself; several people
say he resembles me so closely that 1 must
be joking when deny the relationship. In
order to ascertain how much reason there
was for these statements l took the fellow
to photographers one day last week and
we both had our pictures taken together,
and I would defy any one to point out a
single point Of resemblance. My clerk.
however regards the matter as a good
joke, and 1 half suspect he acknowledges
relationship in a good many cases inten-
tionally, so as to cause complications.
have shown the photograph to several peo-
pie who have made the mistake, but 1t
has no influence upon them whatever, and
it is impossible to convince them against
their will"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-19

~ around his neck. tasted the food before
MIN and sat back. with his knife and fork
ere crossed before him and an inane grin on
ms lace. His wife stared at him.
What do you think of it?' he asked. sud
denly becoming serious
OF WHAT"
The way 1 look Do 1 strike you as the
picture OF prosperity and content? Do inn
press YOU as a portly bon vivant who has
eXistence?''
No, she answered sweetly yet sadly: Il
can say that Is what you remind me Of -"
he made no reply. but took the napkin
from MS neck and. after taking few ays-
! away p''''0
You wouldn't object to my having an
other cup OF coffee and smoking a cigar
with 1t, would your he inquired
Certainly not
He took the cigar from his upper left
Fertising card which he had placed there
with it. He stood up with one hand haIf
way in his trousers pocket while the other
held the cigar in front Of him. Then he re-
sumed his previous smile.
HOW Is II? he asked anXiously after a
moment Is that all right? Do | remind
you OF wit. philosopher and raconteur? Is
mere a glow of affable comfort emanating
from me; an intimation that | am liable al
any moment to make life cheerer with a
low of genial eloquence?"
The fact that I have side whiskers
doesn't help out the illusion?''
Il look just as roundshoudered and long
Jawed as ever?' he persisted in a tone of
calm self-depreciation which was pathetic.
II didn't say that"
Il guess it's no use. It's another decep-
ton. L have looked at the advertisement
OF the table sauce with the picture of the
prosperous portly mar till l couldn't resist
the temptation to try 1t. l thought IL |
could look like that just in my life il
would be worth every cent Ii cost. Art is
great thing. but it is misleading. The pic
ture which goes with that cigar gave the
impression that ii causes a man to look
every inch an after-dinner orator. | have
another in my pocket that accompanies the
portrait of anactor who can melt your heart
by gazing upward just past his eyebrows
and drawing the corners of his mouth down
with an expression of deep tenderness But
l m not going to try it. The goods may be
all right; but the pictures are a snare and a
delusion. I've got some shaving soap
which | relied on to make me resemble an
Apollo in store clothes, and suit of under
wear that ought to make a man appear
fetchingly' coy and humorous as he holds
1t up in front of his business suit and
measures it to his manly figure, and lot
of other articles; but I'm not going to try
any of EN-. I'm disillusioned. You can
take EN- to the stores whose names
are on the wrappings, and if you can get
the money back, you can have 1t. l have
made a conscientious effort to be beautiful,
and know when I'm beat
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-19
SELECTING CIGARS BY COLOR.
1t is the Filler Which Regulates TIL,
Strength of the Weed.


Zone of the most absurd ideas that the
average smoker has about Havana cigars
is the notion that the color of such weed,
be it light dark, is Indicative of it's
strength" said a large manufacturer of
Cuban cigars to the writer recently. ut is
such thing. A light or medium -colored
cigar is not necessarily mild medium in
flavor, for the simple reason that the color
only refers to the outside wrapper, which
in itself is of very thin and small quantity
as compared with the other materials that
go to make up the cigar. AS a matter of
fact, the filters and bunch wrappers are
the only parts that will determine the body
or strength of the cigar. The actual
strength, or otherwise of the inner body
of the cigar, the filler and bunch wrapper,
is only known to the expert, and, there
fore, when purchasing cigar the smoker
who is not judge of the various grades of
tobacco used to give a cigar its flavor
should be guided in his choice of a mild
medium or full cigar by the manufacturer
or the dealer. Not doing 50, he will find
that his own selection of a cigar from the
wrapper is largely a matter of chance.
THE craze for light dark colors has
nevertheless assumed alarming proportions.
The manufacturers, particularly those of
Cuban-made cigars, are at present at their
wits ends to know how to grapple with the
matter. Nature is very impartial and
quietly ignores the fads and fancies of peo-
~. III Sohci'i. AopiSCo iedFe', ike most
things, subject to the yagaries of the
natural elements. crop may give an I'M
due proportion of dark light or medium:
except for color all may be equally good.
What is the manufacturer to do if he can
only dispose of his light and medium and
has to keep all his dark? He already
threatens to raise the price of his lighter
colors, in which case the smoker would be
paying higher price for by no means the
best article. 1t might be reasonably as
sumed that as possessing the essential quail
tiles of a good cigar the darker cigar is by
far the best"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-19

ride like tn devil ovuh to tn sto' and have
en- filled. Zeke ovuh theah knows tn
brand O. liquah l want Shake yo' old self,
how, yo' Nose, and git back hyuh uh climb
in "
THE store was four miles away
After the colonel had given the old dar-
key his orders and Nose had departed, we
sat down and resumed the game. The col
onel didn't take much interest in it, how
ever, but looked ruefully at our untitled
glasses, for his hospitality is generous, and
he considered that he had injured us be-
run out.
Well, gentlemen he said, after Nose
nigguh,s now about at tn top O. tn hill,
an, subs, that maiuh uh'll carry him like
a streak O. creased lightning
Zen minutes later he said:
Now that nigguh's reached TIL OIL pine
tree. an goin' like OIL Ned
AT the end of an hour he said, mus
ingly:
All didn't expec' that nigguh t. git back
hyuh in any houah. but All just tor him
that [ make him shake himself. Fl IL be
back in thutty mo- minutes. though. shuah.'
We did the best we could to assure the
old gentleman that we weren't bothered n
the least by Moses stay, and we all said
that we weren't particular about the liquor,
anyway-which, l grieve 20 state, wasn't
the case at all. But we wanted to relieve
our hosts anxiety.
'.At the end of an hour and a half when
he had become exceedingly fidgety and
nervous, we heard a comping up the
stairs, and the colonel rushed to the door.
That you, Nose? he called down the
dark hall.
'Yessuh,' replied the darkey.
The coloneFs face took on an expression
of beattude.
Well. did yo' git it, Nose? he asked
the old black serving man.
No, subj was Moses reply. All haint
dun foun' de saddle yit, sub" ~
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-19
A Pertinent Query.

A Pertinent Query.
With Corydon and Phyllis still
The poet comes with mincing tread;
Nor does it mar his gentle skill
To know that both long since were dead
The true love of the present hour
Finds scarce troubadours refrain.
Nobody casts a single flower
At Joshua and Mary Jane.
Yet Joshua's a shepherd, too
At all events. some sheep he owns;
And Mary Jane has eyes Of blue
And sweet and tender are her tones.
Oh, Muse, why will you be a snob.
And ring those old names Ger again.
And never cause a heart to throb
For Joshua and Mary Jane?
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-19

From the Chicago News
Quinn-"Dick's father must De railroad
man.
DE Fonte-''What makes you think SOP"
Quinn-"Because when Dick lost on the
races and wrote home for money his father
repued in four Words
De Fonte-"What were they?"
Quinn" Keep of the track"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-19
The Fate of the Other

From the Chicago Record.
"My older brother always got humored
because he was the biggest
'Yes?'
And my other brother got humored be-
cause he was the littlest-''
How about your :,
well. had to behave myself"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-19

From the Chicfgo Tribune
AT any rate, Miss Quickstep." said ths
young man, pale with the modification and
pain of his dismissal, the lips that have so
coldly and with such cutting scorn refused
the offer of my love need never fear a visit
,atlon from the kissing bug, | have the
honor, miss to bid you good-bye,'
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-19
A disappointed Man.

Mr.. Blykins came home with large num-
Der Of bundles under his arm. When he
got inside the door he made straight for the
kitchen and had an interview with the
cook. His wife made no inquiries and offer
ed no comment
When the roast beef was brought in he
looked at the napkin which had been given
him and tossed 1t aside.
Gimme another one," he exclaimed.
"Why what's the natter"
''This amt big enough" was the only ex-
PLANTATION.
When his demand had been complied with
he tucked the eXpanse of linen ostentatious-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-19
Not Like the Admiral.

From the Chicago News.
Hardacre-"They say that big cabbage at
the fair is the biggest ever raised in the
state"
Crawfoot-''Yes; and they wanted to call
1t Dewey but somebody raised an objec-
ton"
Hardacre-"What furT'
Crawfoot-"Said a big head didn't sound
well with the name Dewey
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-19
Needed a Bracel
From Puck.

From Puck.
Newlywed-"Have a drink. old chap?
Observation-Disclosures; I'll take a ginger
aIe!
Newlywed-'I want to tell you something
about my babyr'
Bachel"r-'Waiter. make that q whisky
and absinthe!.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-19

Algy (much NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., Have
you heard tn t the twouble between Caneby
and Checker On resulted in duel?''
Jack-"By George, no!''
Algy-"Yaas: you should have seen them
face each other, pale. but intwepid Lots
were dwawn, and Caneby, poor fellow, must
wear turn-down collar for the next six
months. ''-Tit-Bits.
Tommy-"Who was that lady you spoke
tor"
Willie-"That's the lady that lets my ma
go out any afternoon bat Thursdays and
Sundays. Boston Transcript.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-19

The kissing bug
Upon a leaf
Secure and snug
Sang forth its grief
Though I can kiss.
How much a bug
Of life must miss
Who cannot hug!"
A shaggy bear
Sat by a tree.
what weight of care
Is mine," quoth he.
"At hugging I
Am truly great.
But vainly try
To osculate."
And so, all through
This world we see
Displayed anew
Fate's irony.
Just short of bliss
They strive and tug
With hugiess kiss
And kissless hug.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-19

From the Chicago Tribune
I'D like to have you come, If you can
We are going to dedicate an agnostic hall
some evening next week."
ITO WhomT
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-19

From the Atlanta Constitution.
Getting home from the seasideY"
YES"
ANY curiosities?"
"One. My board bill is coming by
freight"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-19

THE experiences of recent modern
Vidocq have been the occasion of considera-
BE gossip among railroad employees as we'll
as Others" observed railroad conductor
to a Star reporter, ''in which the Vidocq
figured on the wrong side. 1t appears that
some weeks ago a well-known young man
satisfied himself that he was about to make
an important discovery of gang of coun-
terfeiters. who were engaged in making
money which was soon to be placed in cir
culation through a combination of agents
wholesale and retail. Much of his informa-
tion came from the fellows who afterwarI