davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1899-04-22
THE COUNTS LITTLE ERROR.
Gave Himself Away After He Col
Through Grinding the
Coffee.

swell, if it isn't Daisy!"
"And if it isn't Madge."
They kissed ecstatically.
'Itmust be ages since saw you last"
remarked the fair one.
YES" agreed the dark one. I'VE
haven't met since your engagement
with Count Baccarratti was announced.
BY the way, dear, let me congratulate
you"
You needn't. My engagement with
the count is Off"
What! You don't mean to say you
have broken with him."
"ButI do. most assuredly. Something
has occurred which renders it quite i'm
possible for me ever to regard the count
in the light of a future husband"
Nonsense. my dear. You shouldn't
take the thing so much TO heart. These
little quarrels are half the fun of being
engaged"
"Yes, but We haven't quarreled. If
that were all | shouldn't consider our
engagement at an end. 1t is something
very much more serious than 4 tiff"
Gracious. dear. whatever ear have
happened? Did you discover that he
has Il paste"
Listen and judge for yourself: Last
Thursday Il week he took me to the
chafing-dish party in Mrs. l;omald's
studio. At first everything went swim
mingly. The count looked by far the
most distinguished man in h room,
and he was SO gallant and devoted that
! really felt quite proud of him. We
had some music and everybody was
delighted with his voice. When the
time came for supper Mrs. Ronald an
nounccd that she was going to call
upon every gentleman present to do
something toward preparing the meal.
.JuSt like Mrs. itonald. wasn't it? She's
always full of original schemes. Well.
everybody Just jumped at the idea. and
we thought it would be no end of fun
to watch those poor men struggling
with household tasks. And so it was.
Of course they violently objected, but
it was no uSe-each had TO do his share.
Harry Eoylc. with three assistants. was
put in charge of the m~ayonnaise. Jack
Fargo and Tom Dashcr were instructed
with the preparation of the Welsh rab-
bit-underM Mrs. Ronald's supervision. of
course, or they would have ruined it.
The remainder of the men were as
signed to various duties. from beating
up eggs 10 frying oysters. The count
was called upon to grind the coffee
lit must have been too funny for any
thing"
1T was-for Il time. We girls just sat
and laughed until the tears rolled down
our cheeks. Then all at once the count
made his awful break. Really, ! was
never so mortified in my life"
"Gracious sakcs, What aid he do?'
'Why just as soon as he had finished
grinding the coffee he got hold of his
hat and absent-mindcdly passed it
around.-N. Y. World.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1899-04-22
The Flood in the Upper Missouri.

Niobrara, Neb., April 1s.-For the
first time since the great flood of 1881
the Missouri river lowlands are almost
completely submerged. The banks
were full all yesterday, with heavy ice
running and with a south wind blow
ing which about midnight changed to
northerly, and sem the ice and cur
rent over Nebraska farms. The resi-
dents have not yet been driven to
higher land, but boats are in readiness
to rescue them should it be necessary.
The packet steamer Last Chance,
moored at the mouth of the Niobrara
river, is a total wreck, but the mi
chinery is saved.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1899-04-22
Sunlight and Air.

When the rays of sunlight are al
lowed to freely play through u
houses and around us. the blood flows
more easily. digestion is better, the
color brighter. and the mind clearer.
Compare the children of the sunlight
home with those of the shadow and
shade. where shutters and blinds are
closed 10 prevent the fading of furni-
ture and carpets. These shade people
suffer from two evils-first. from lack
of sunshine. the very life and power of
all living things; second. from impure,
stale air. Fresh outdoor air is rarely
allowed to sweep through such houses
save once a week-Fridays. by common
consent in this cOuntry-when in Il very.
useless way the dust is stirred up from
the carpets by sweeping. and too often
thrown ont of doors instead of being at
once burned. Houses closed during the
summer should have windows suffi-
GENTLY tight to keep out dust. but the
shutters should be left sufficiently open
to admit the sunlight. the great enemy
of all bacteria. mold. rust and MOTHS
Ladies' Home journal.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1899-04-22
Whole Army of Fircmen.
MISSOURI RIVER FLOODS.
The River Continues Rising and
People in Fort Pierre. south
Dakota, Forced to Move.

Pierre, S. d., April 1S.-The river is
yet rising here, coming up Il foot since
SIX o'clock Sunday morning. and is
now at H. feet. The people in the
lower part of Fort Pierre nave all been
compelled to mave out, boats landing
on Deadwood street. Considerable
damage has been lone on that side of
the river. but it will take several feet
more to do any damage on this side.
The water is atA higher stage than
at any time since fha- flood of 1881.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1899-04-22
Accumulated md WinsOme Gefsna.

The Geisha came into evidence in
Japan in the middle of the last century,
and in a remarkably short time her
popularity was such that her presence
became Indispensable at parties. which,
but for her contagious ~vivacity and
mirth, would perhaps have beer fiat and
insipid. Her duties are not merely to
serve tea and dance for the entertain
ment of her patrons, but she is eX-
pected to laugh and talk gayly, even it
on the most trivial subjects. y geisha
must be highly accomplished in many
ways. She plays the samisen and often
a number of other musical instruments.
dances, sings and talks. and her remu-
~neration is generally large. Onoto
Watanna, in Ladies' Home Journal.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1899-04-22
JUST MISSED A HORROR.
Fire in an Eleven-Story Block Of
Residences in a Fashionable
Portion of London.
The PLACE KNOWN As HYDE PARK COURT.
Fire Department Demonstrated
in the BunEling Efforts at Rescue
The LOSS Was Heavy, But Did
Not Involve Human Life.

London, April 1S.-The British me
tropolis narrowly escaped a calamity,
which might have rivalled the horrors
witnessed at the destruction by fire
recently of the Windsor hotel, in New
York city.
Hyde Park court, Albert gate, one
of the finest and most fashionable
blocks of residential flats, overlooking
the famous Rotten Row, caught fire
at $3.50 n. m.
The Scene of the Fire.
The building, which is II stories
high, was built by the notorious Jabez
Spencer Balfour, the former member
of parliament, who was responsible
for the collapse of the Liberator Build
ing association and other companies,
by which thousands of people were
ruined, and who is now undergoing a
sentence of II years penal servitude
rs Il result of his convician on charges
of fraud. 1t practically adjoins the
house occupied by Sir Herbert Naylor-
Leyland, bart, liberal member of par
lament for the Southport division of
Lancashire. whose wife was Miss Jen-
ME Chamberlain, of Cleveland. o.
Spread With Great Rapidfty.
The fire broke out in the lower part
Of the building. and spread up the ele-
vator shaft with great rapidity. The
flames involved the upper stories be-
fore their occupants were aware of the
danger. When the alarm was raised,
the affrighted servants dropped from
the top windows to a verandah on the
ninth story. The defective arrange
, ments of the London FIRE brigade were
again demonstrated, and even when
the fire escapes reached the scene,
they were too short to reach the peo-
pie in the upper stories, who only es-
capped with the greatest difficulty,
Flames Under Control.
The flames were not under control
Until one o'clock, when the upper part
of the structure was Quilted.
1t is considered lucky that the fire
occurred in daylight, as otherwise it
would have resulted in the loss of life.
All the floors were supposed to be fire
proof.
An investigation made into the
cause of the fire shows it to have been
due to the overheating of an electric
wire. Several of the occupants of the
building escaped in their night
dresses.
Whole Army of Fircmen.
a whole army of firemen, under
Commander Wells, was engaged sub
IuipU the flames
During the confagrntion the WIN
dows of the French embassy, which
overlooked the scene. were crowded.,
and an immense concourse of people
watched the fire from the streets.
The property destroyed included u
quantity of jewelry.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1899-04-22
VERY Thick

They were talking about the New
York fogs. and some ono stated that his
ferry boat had stopped every few yards
on its way TO the city, the fog being so
thick that it was impossible to see
ahead.
'Oh. that's nothing" said another
man who was of the company. Com
ing down from New Dorp the fog is
sometimes SO thick that the engineer
has to get out and lead the engine
Cincinnati ENQUIRER.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1899-04-22

Phiianthrcpic Old LADY, fear that
you lack application and persistency.
When you ono begin a good thing.
never stop till you have finished it.
Toll Knot Orspin-You convince me,
Teddy. That'l be my motter from now
on. was only goin' ter eat half of this
here pun'kin pie. but III finish it eft it
founders me. You has made a new man
o. me, leddy.-Detroit Free Press.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1899-04-22
A SnHe

Dobson-What n fine fellow Mrs. Hob
sons BOY is to work. Just see him bea:
that carpet. He goes at it with a good
deal of courage, snap and vim.
Mrs. Dobson-Yes: his mother al
WAYS has him read dime novels for a
couple Of days before the time to beat
the carpets.-Judge.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1899-04-22
on for MANILA.

San Francisco, April 1S.-The United
States transport Hancock sailed for
Manila with the Twenty-irst infan-
try. Several other transports will de-
part during the week. The Grant,
with invalided soldiers and many dead
few days.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1899-04-22

"What do you consider the greatest
evidence of statesmanship?" asked the
civil service examiner.
ability to get an Office and hold it."
promptly replied the applicant.-Chi-
cage Post.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1899-04-22
Orders.

Washington, April 1s.-Orders have
been issued to Gen. Brooke to dis
charge men in the regular army in
Cuba who had enlisted only for the
war with Spain.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-06-29
A Canine Detective.

There's a dog in Bucharest who has
just distinguished himself by Identify
ing his masters murderer.
The murdered man was the proprie-
tor of n wine shop. His shop boy was
sleeping in the taprooD on the night
OF the murder. the dog between his
feet, when he heard a shot. The muir
derer moment later entered the shop,
presumably 10 rob it, but was driven
away by the dog. which followed the
fugitive. barking. Afterward he came
back alone. Several suspects were ar
rested. The shop boy had never seen
the robbers face and could not iden-
tify him. Finally the inspector of po-
lice arranged the wine shop as ii had
been on the night of the murder and
compelled the suspected men to enter
ii one by one. Three passed unchal-
lenged and came out again, vastly re-
lieved.
Then a peasant named Dracu en-
tered. At once the dog flew at him,
chased him out of doors, precisely as
ne had done on the night of the muir
der. Dracu was handcuffed and held
for trial.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-06-29
IT. SFORTlNG WORLD.

playing llrst base is nor the easy
hing il used TO be-" says Jack Doyle.
"Ihere was time when all n first
baseman had 70 do was to stand on the
bag and allow the infelders to throw
az him. but a team that expects 10
stand well IN the race nowadays has TO
have lively man who covers ground
and can use his head. The idea that a
first baseman has 10 be great big fell
low with long arms and long legs no
longer holds good. for the best first
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-06-29
sly Old Commodore.

"When Commodore Vanderbilt was
alive" says New York Central Off
cial, 1.-THE board of directors of the
New York Central used to find their
work all cut out for them when they
met. All they had to do was to rathy
his plans and adjourn. Yet they had
their uses. Occasionally a man would
come 10 him with some scheme which
he did not care to refuse outright
"'My directors are a difficult body
Of men to handle he would say. 'lll
submit it to EN- but warn you that
they are hard to manage
"The matter would be submitted to
the board when 1t assembled and
promptly rejected.
There the commodore would
say when his visitor came to learn the
result. i did the best | could, but I
told you in advance that my directors
were an obstinate lot."-New York
Herald.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-06-29
Pneumatic Tires In Trotting.

1t must he remembered that no man,
no matter how skillful he may be as a
rider, will be able to sustain an abso-
lutely equilibrium while the an
imal is trotting at top speed says the
New York Mail and Express. Any va
ration Of balance is bound to impede
the speed of the horse to n certain ex-
tent. Once upon time horses trotted
and paced under saddle quite as fast
as they did TO sulky, but then the
heavy, high wheel vehicles with metal
tires were in vogue, causing conditions
decidedly different from those which
prevail at the present time. Now, with
the pneumatic tire. which does not in
any way disturb thetaction Of the horse,
the latter naturally lis able to progress
at smoother gait. Fast trotting may
be likened unto aDsleducated mode of
action, different from running, which
Is the natural gait of the horse at his
highest rate ofispeed.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-06-29
The Purist.

at looks like rain" II
81 beg your pardon"
: 81 say it looks like rain"
what doesY'
~The-the weather"
1.-THE weather, my dear sir, Is con-
dition. Rain is water in the act of
falling from the clouds. 1t is impossi-
BILE that they should look alike"
what ! meant was that the sky
looked like rain"
Equally impossible. The sky Is the
blue vault above us-the seeming arch
or dome that we mistakenly call the
heavens. 1t does not resemble falling
water in the least"
well. then. If you are so thunder
ingly particular, it looks as If it would
rain"
las If what would rainT
THE weather of course"
1.-THE weather, as before stated.
being "A condition. cannot rain"
The clouds. then. blame your
"Ah. Here Ii comes! And | have
taken SO much time in talking to you
that ! shall get wet to the skin before
| can reach yonder street car. Good
day"
calling after him)-''l may not
know as much about it as you do, but
I've got sense enough to come in out
of it. and you t."-Chicago Trib-
lne.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-06-29
League Tours.

The touring department Of the
League Of American Wheelmen has
been doing some very effective work
since its organization in March, and il
Is constantly working to make its in
formation as nearly perfect as posi-
bic. 1t is found that hundreds of
American wheelmen visit Europe ev-
cry year. and they demand such in
formation rs will make their tours
abroad as plcasurable as possible.
Through the l.. A. w. representatives
in Europe much Of this information is
already available for the department,
but to render it even more effective
Chairman Aldrich of the touring com
mittee has been inmegotiation with the
department of state with a view to
securing the cooperation Of United
States consuls throughout the world.
The result is the request from Assist
ant Secretary of State Hill that the L..
A. w. outline thelwork desired, and he
promises to see that it is promptly
done.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-06-29
CostIS Monument tn Golf

The most costly monument to golf is
conceded TO be the castle built by
Francis V, Earl Of Wemyss. near the
Gosford links, i'm East Lothian. Scot
land. The earl, being passionately fond
of golf, often drove from his Amisfeld
estate TO play on the Gosford links
Begrudging the time spent in going to
and from the course, he resolved 10
build Il home nearer by, 50 that he
might play more conveniently. He
erected a magnificent mansion, but
when it was completed. in 1900, found
that sea sand had been used in its con
structiOn and deemed it unhealthy to
live there. The earl then went back to
his fOrmerl home, and tire castle stood
tenantless until the present earl rem
ovated it and made it his dwelling in
1890. The cost of the mansion when
built was 100000. At the rate of 4
per cent for the 30 years during which
1t stood uninhabited the accumulated
value with compound interest would
be f3,411,933. n high price for golf
cottage.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-06-29
Legend ofaDrux.

Chinese herbs usually have some
legend connected with them to illus
trate their virtues, and this Is the story
connected with the "Haw" herb: Haw
Show Woo was IA very good, very de-
yout and very old man. One day he
was accused of stealing the affections
Of his brothers wife and was sent to
prison for trial. He became very hun
cry and prayed To The gods as became
a man of his great piety. During the
night bush sprang up through the
floor OF his dungeon. and In the morn
Ing the famished man ate the leaves
Days went by while he was waiting
for his trial. and he continued to piece
out his scanty diet with the leaves Of
the bush. When he was taken into
court for trial the officers exclaimed:
This Is not the man who was arrest
ed and confined IN the cell. The cul-
prit Is an old man. this is young
man"
Sure enough Haw had become a
young man to all appearances again.
He was innocent of the charge against
him, and when released by the judge
Haw told him the story Of the little
plant that had grown UP in his cell
and how he had eaten the leaves.
The officials dug up the shrub and
presented 1t to the emperor His fami-
ly for many years was the only one
that had the privilege of eating the
sacred leaves But as time passed
Sins were cut from IL and sent through
the kingdom, and now the commonest
coolle may eat of the wonderful Haw
plant and renew his youth If he pos
sesses enough money.-San Francisco
Call
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-06-29

There are superstitions throughout
all the counties OF Maryland concern
ing crossroads and running water.
Witches are supposed to make their
home at the crossing OF two roads and
TO appear there at midnight. One pc
culiar thing about witches is that they
cannot get across running water, and
a stream of any sort always acts as
a protection TO the nightly prowler,
who will follow along the bank of a
stream In preference to the road.
These are some of the things which
are more generally believed I'm the
country around Washington and along
the eastern shore. Some Of the arti-
Giles of the creed Of the superstitious
in that neighborhood are:
IL you sweep your room at night,
you sweep away your wealth.
Never shake crumbs out of a win
dow after dark. They are supposed
TO fall into the eyes of the Lord and
to disturb the spirits of the dead who
wander abroad at night
Don't wash your hands in water In
which eggs have been boiled. You
are liable 10 become covered with
warts. baltimore Sun.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-06-29
Letting IL Ont.

A lady who had a servant somewhat
given to curiosity inquired on return
ing from visit one afternoon: did
the postman leave any letters, MaryT
Nothing but a postcard ma'am."
"Who is it from. MaryP
And do you think I'd read 1t,
ma'am?' said the girl with an injured
air.
perhaps not; but any one who sends
me messages on postcards is stupid or
impertnent"
You'll excuse me, ma'am," returned
the girl loftily, but | must say that's
nice way to be talking about your
own mother. Sydney Town and
Country Journal.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-06-29
Happiness IN work.

Recently MIR. Joseph Choate on being
asked by Theodore Dresser. as he tells
us in Alnslee's Magazine, if long years
OF distinction and comfort brought con
tent and happiness he answered: Not
exactly. There is happiness in con
slant labor, or ut least the substitute
for happiness, for any one who has ac-
quired the habit of laboring constant
ly will not be ut peace unless he is
working"
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-06-29
A New Sensation.

If you want to enjoy ii new sensa-
thing about him. He will think 1t is
something mean. of course. for "A man
never hears anything else. Then tell
him something pleasant. He will glow
like schoolboy. aud both of you will
feel better all day. Don't tell people
the mean things you hear about them
That is cusalle.-Atchison Globe.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-06-29

basemen in the business are all me
dunn sized men. 1t is seldom indeed
that ball is thrown over the first
baseman's head these days. Most Of
the poor throws are low, and a small
man has an advantage picking these
throws up. First base requires fast
man who can cover ground-a fellow
who can move around bit. In my
opinion IL is the best place on team
for fieldtcaptain. He can coach every
man on the team, the pitcher included.
and that counts for something"
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-06-29
Observation-Disclosures

Californias supreme court has de
cided case where n wlIeelman on the
right side Of the read was run down
by driver whojwas on the wrong side.
that "a person found on that portion
of the highwayito which he has not the
statutory right tmust h. held answera-
bic ifor collision resulting with one
who was on the right side oftthe thor
oughfare"
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-06-29
Fire AT Weddings.

Fire Is an essential in some wedding
celebrations In Persia the service is
read IN front of fire. In Nicaragua
the priest. taking the couple each by
the little finger leads them to az
apartment where n fire is lighted and
there lnstructs the bride in her duties
distinguishing il by way of conclusion.
In Japan the woman kindles torch.
aud tie bridegroom lights one from 1t,
fe playthings of tue wife being
tarnt then and there.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-06-29
His side of 1t.

Where. asked the female suffrage
orator, would man be today were it
not for woman?"
She paused moment and looked
around the hall. Il repeat" she said,
"where would man be today were it
not for woman?
He'd be in the garden of Eden eat
Ing stra wherlies." answered voice
from the gallery. Chicago News.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-06-29
Art and Nature.

The millkmaid with the picture hat
and the brocaded silk skirt tossed her
head
I'm society, | suppose, should be an
impossible person." she exclaimed,
but it's different in art"
And after all, to be perfectly candid,
there is nothing essentially degrading
about milking an art cow.-Detroit
Journal
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-06-29
just the Thing.

I'm every city of reasonable size,"
said Brown, they ought to have a
Mothers Exchange"
what forY' queried Jones.
"Why, every woman knows exactly
just how every other woman's child
ought to be raised, and by trading
mothers every child could get proper
training. KANSAS City Star.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-06-29

The tax on bicycles i'm France has al
ready Melted over 100000 for the
year, and 1t is expected that iii will be
more than double Of last yearrfor the
one current.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-06-29

When you are particularly busy is
the hour 20 expect a call from the man
who uses ton words where one would
10. Atelisru Glohe
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-06-29
One Thing Lacking.

You wouldn't think that wreck of
a man over there could speak FIVE Ian
guages."
mo. What caused bis downfallr'
"Didn't know how to say no..-Phil.
adelpha North American.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-06-29

A truly good and great man is one
who can handle hot lamp chimney
and repeat the decalogue at the same
time Kansas City star
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-06-29
Rent crnnLa

To straighten bent crank take two
vrenches., one on either sidIe of the
bend. ands bring them together with a
I.m pre- ,snre.