davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1900-05-23
Old Stage Effects.

We are apt to consider that stage eff
fects are an invention Of the present
century. This may be so in some cases,
but many of them are very old. The
lime-llght is probably the most valtia-
BILE. accessory for modern stage effects.
1t was introduced some time around
1887 or 1888, and was regarded es a
great curiosity. Its expense, however,
prevented its being used to aBy extent
for n long period. In 14S0, intricate
machinery was regularly used in reli-
gious plays for the stimulation of va
rlous natural phenomena. Earthquakes
always seem to have been the most
pleasing and taking of effects, and we
hear Of them as far back as 1862, when
Evelyn refers to puppet show in
which IN earthquake effect was used.
The old paper SNOW for winter effects
was largely abandoned, and in France
waste clippings of glove manufactur-
ers are used instead. The white glove
clippings fall better in the air than
small pieces of paper, and they sling
better to the scenery and to the actors
garments as they descend. The ordi-
nary nautical effects are Of considera-
BILE antiquity. Full-rigged ships were
in use in Paris rs far back as lib.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1900-05-23
Where Am II

The following grotesQue narrative is
found in a collection Of Chinese tenn
perance tales:
A stupid yamen unaerllng was once
taking a rascally Buddhist monk to
prison. AS he started with his prison
er he was afraid Of forgetting his
things and his errand so he began
mumbllng Bundle, umbrella, cangue
(yoke), warrant, monk and myself"
At every two or three steps he repeat
ed the list. The monk. seeing the sort
of man he had to deal with treated him
at an inn until he was so drunk that
he wanted to sit down by the wayside
and sleep.
When he was fast asleep the monk
took off his cangue, shaved the mans
head put the wooden collar on him,
and took to his heels.
On recovering his sense the man e1-
claimed, "Let me wait until have
counted everything. Let me see. Bun
die and umbrella are here" Then
feeling his neck he cried, "And the
cangue, too; and here beside me Is the
warrant" Then, half scared, "I1ai va!
I don't see the monk, but" rubbing
his itching pate, he gleefully added:
"The monk is still here, but where am
r? Bundle, umbrella, cangue, warrant,
monk. But where am 1? Bundle, um'
brella--D >a .1 l,.t l15.L--
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1900-05-23
Had Faith In Her Puppy,

Keep him." said the head Of the
house, Indignantly, to the man who
brought back the lost dog. II never
want to see him again. He's no kind
of dog, as far as /. am able to ascer-
tain. That Is, he's no particular kind
Of O dog. He wouldn't bring 50 in q
market where they were wanting dogs,
and yet he's cost me fifty times that"
"But you offered reward, sir"
"No, didn't My wife offered re-
ward. She's offered dozen of them.
That dog has strayed or been stolen
more times than the moon has changes
since we've had him. He's brought
home, she pays out from three to five
dollars, he fills up on the fat of the
land, and then he's, gone 'again. Keep
him."S
t"I don't want him. His tails wrong,
his hair is coarse, and he's 3 mongrel.
just want to be paid for bringing his,
back"
"Do you suppose you are giving me
any information. He's cucumber OF
the earth, he Is. I've seen rat chase
him all over the barn and tramp steal
dog biscuit from under his nose. Keep
him. Take him away. Lose him, as.
phyxiate him. Anything!'
"But the reward, SIR"
you'll get no reward from me. I'D
as soon think of paying a reward fora
lodger with the smallpox. That dog is
q. disgrace to his kind and to anyone
that countenances him. But you know
what woman is when she has pet
She feeds him cream when I'm taking
skinned milk in my Coffee" and he
slammed the door.
But the man knew his business.
Next day he was back with the dog,
was profusely thanked by the wife and
got S3.-Detroit Free Press.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1900-05-23
OBEYED THE COURT.
PredlcameEs Ia Which His Anxiety For De-
corum Got Him.

Judge Fitzgerald of Los Angeles,
considered one Of the foremost jurists
on the coast, is, at the same time, one
Of the most particular Of men in all
things concerning 1.-The decorum Of the
courtroom. A score or more Of years
agone he was appointed by the Presi-
dent to the bench Of the district that
includes Pima and Cochise counties.
He found, on coming to Tucson, that
formality was almost unknown in the
courtroom. If the days were warm
the attorneys and attendants dispensed
with coats. This, to him, appeared
particularly disrespectful. He an
nounced that smoking In THE court
room would not be tolerated, and that
coats must be worn under pain Of the
courts displeasure. The Grand Jury
was called. Among the jurymen was
brawny miner, who appeared in his
usual costume, n dark blue shirt and
overalls.
"What do you mean?" thundered the
magistrate, "by appearing in this court
room in your shirt sleeves! Where Is
your coat?" "At home, judge" mildly
returned the juror. "Tben go and get
1t. No, not word, sir" glaring down
upon the man as he attempted to
speak. go home and get your coat,
or I'll commit you for contempt" The
miner4went silently out. He didn't re-
turn that day nor the next and the
Judge, after issuing a bench warrant
for him, swore in another Juror. About
two weeks thereafter the original mi
ner, dressed as the court demanded,
again stepped within Judge Fitzger-
AIDS range Of vision. To the irate
magistrate he rendered the e1plana-
tion that his home and cont were both
in Harshaw mountains, near the Mex
lean border, over 100 miles away, and
that he had but obeyed the orders OF
His Honor In going home after his
coat.-Arizona Graphic.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1900-05-23
SOUTH AFRICAN NATIVES.
Basutos Employed by the British on Military
Railroads.

The British are employing q large
number of Basutos to repair and lay
the railroads In the Orange Free State
that are essential to the advance Of
the army and the maintenance of COM
munications with the base Of supplies.
Thus the natives are now to partici-
pate. for the first time on large scale,
in work that ls related to the war.
The Basutos have no friendly senti-
ments for the Orange Free State Beers
who Incorporated in their republic
part Of Basutoland. The Zulus have
always hated the Transvaal Beers,
with whom they had many a hard fight
in what Is now Natal, and by whom
the Matabele branch Of the Zulus were
driven north Of the Crocodile River.
The Basutos and Zulus are the strong
est native elements in South Africa.
These tribes supply large part of the
manual labor throughout South Africa,
but their efficiency falls below that of
the average American negro. They
have not reached the same plane OF
civilization, their wants are fewer and
more easily supplied, and after term
of service they usually wish to return
to their homes for long period OF Idle
ness; so it has been found necessary to
supplement them by the importation
of thousands of Indian coolies. Still,
they are by far the largest element IN
the labor market. Sixty thousand OF
them were at work in the Witwaters-
rand gold fields when the war began;
all the labor In the diamond mines Is
supplied by the natives, and they are
widely scattered at service through the
towns and over the sheep and cattle
farms.
They are prisoners as long as they
work in the diamond mines, for one Of
the rigorous measures taken to prevent
diamond stealing is to keep the native
laborers In compound from which
they never emerge during their term OF
service, except to march, under escort,
to and from their work. But the South
African natives are progressing, and
their value as q factor in the develop.
ment of the land Is growing.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1900-05-23
To Make Good Coffee.


The latest word of those who know
is that, to be perfect, coffee must
never, while it is making, come in
contact with any metal. For the
breakfast table, at least, it should be
made in glass. First, bug from depot
of medical suppl. flask of annealed
glass which looks like a ordinary
water bottle. The price, 30 cents, is
no great outlay considering the bottle
will stand boiling water without
breaking. Then five cents for a1glass
funnel to fit into the bottle neck and
ten cents for dozen round bits of
clean, coarse muslin. Coffee itself is
the next thing 1t is real Java, bought
green of dealer who has regard for
his work, at so to 60 cents. the pound.
1t is roasted TO nicely atahome, half
pound at time, and ground just as
it is wanted. 1t may go into chased
siiyer-li'lded Eowl without the least
harm. The water may likewise boil
in silver kettle, over brass-mounted
spirit lamp-or even on the plebian
gas stove-before it comes iu sight
The one essential thing is to5haye it
in plenty and freshly boiling. First
pour cup of the boiling water into
the flask aud turn it. deftly about,
heating the flask all the way up. Then
pour it out, whip the funnel into the
flask mouth, line the funnel with one
of the muslin rounds aud put into it
three heaping teaspoonfuls Of the
coffee. Then slowly, steadily, grace
fully pour on the water, which has
been kept bubbling over the spirit
lamp. AS it begins to drip Though
stir the wet coffee lightly with tea.
spoon. More water goes in asA the.
first pouring filters through Three
spoonfuls of dry coffee ought to yield
three cups of coffee essence. It is
really coffee essence which comes out
of the flask. 1t is almost black, per-
'fectly clear, full of coffee, fayo3 and
aroma Only the most confirmed
coffee topper can drink it neat. Other
folk require the cup to be half filled
with boiling water. Those who like
whipped cream in it make the water o
third. Thus q single tiltering will
serve considerable tea party. The
muslin and the spent grounds are
thrown away after each 'fltering.-
Chicago Record.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1900-05-23
A FINE RISK.
A Practical Joke That Made the Insur-
ance Agent Mad.

A Practical Joke That Made the Insur-
ance Agent Mad.
''I wish that people wouldn't try to
be so funny with me!' snapped the
life insurance agent. ''Life is a seri.
,ons business. That is why I spend
sosmuch of my time trying toimpress
upon people that some of my une1-.
celled life insurance is necessary for
their happiness Here have lost
whole day and been put to consider
able expense when / might have used
both to better advantage, and all be-
cause people look Epon me as a fit
subject for their practical jokes.
sThe other day I Glanced to step
into hotel to see what was going on,
and while there I struck up an &C.
quaintauce with man who looked to
be about 80 years of age. 1t wasn't
long before I discovered that Ls
carried no insurance, and rs he looked
like q splendid risk I lost no time in
telling him all about the celebrated
insurance that I handle. He looked
o little bored before I was half
through, but l. didn't let that tother
me, as I had him in a corner where
he couldn't escape. Finally through
an oversight on my part he managed
to get in word.
Sec here, said he, Il have the
heart disease and couldn't get my life
insured if I wanted to. But have q
son-who is as sound as dollar. Why
not talk to him?'
Where is hep said I.
He is out at my house about 80
miles from here. It will he worth
your time to see him.
".I'll see him at once. I answered.
"Well, got the address and took
the first train out there. I found the
house all right and rang the bell. A
woman answered and I asked if NJ.
Blanks son was at home.
"'He is, she answered, looking at
me rather queerly.
May see him? asked.
"'You may she answered, and led
the way inside. She disappeared for
a moment aud then reappeared upon
the scene with 6-months-old baby in
her arms and I collapsed.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1900-05-23
ON THE CARE OF BABIES.
Suggestions by a Mere Man That Mothers
Should Head.

So many conflicting rules have been
printed about the care Of babies, that
something ought to be done at once to
set mothers on the right track. OBJ
tain first normal healthy baby. Go
to q flrst-class department store, If
other avenues fail. Diet with baby
Is the main thing. For breakfast, say
O few gridS' cakes with couple of
hard-boIled eggs. For luncheon, any
meat and vegetable with apple dump
lings, and a rousing cup of coffee to
top off with. For dlnner-always give
the baby his heaviest meal just before
retlring-a thick soup, fish, an en-
tree, a roast and 4 cold bottle, and any
good wholesome dessert say deep dish
apple pie.
Should the baby be restless In the
night, don't take him up. This Is the
mistake made so often by erring
mothers, who think they know 1t all.
Science knows better. He cannot cry
too much. Should he make too much
noise and keep the household awake,
tie a towel over his face and lock him
up in q distant room. Above all things
never give in.
Few. people understand how TO give
the baby his bath--which is really
quite simple. Fill the tub with water,
and always use bath thermometer.
If after ten minutes immersion, the
Thermometer registers below zero, you
may then know that the water Is q
tr!he too cold. Great care should be
takenSnot to let the baby take cold,
so the bath should be g.. zen as rapidly
as possible. Strip the baby and take
him by the heels and souse him In
head first, then swing him back and
forth through the water ten or fifteen
times, slappIng him vigorously to In
sure & good circulation. Lay him on
the floor and rub him vigorously with q
tin nutmeg crater, and then put him
to bed In q warm room, with buffalo
robe over him and about two addi-
tioual feet of California blankets.
When this is done, leave him to rest
for twenty-four hours.
He will need the reat.-Tom Mason,
IN Life
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1900-05-23
ryrnnnIcal Japanese Babies.

Babies in Japan areas much petted
and indulged as the most spoiled
darling in all the United States.
Everything is done to make child
hood happy time. Toys are layished
on them. Scoldiug is almost un-
heard of. The pride of every woman
is her children, and as result the
children rule the house. I once
knew of case where there was a
great commotion during the night,
and next morning it was learned that
the little girl of the household had
walked up at o'clock and had cried
to be taken for boat ride. Her wish
was gratifed.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1900-05-23
FOR THE HOUSEWIVES
Simple Refre.hments the ) Best Form

Simple Refreshments the Best Form.
The day of heavy refreshments has
passed away, perhaps never to return.
Cultured people live more simply and
more daintily. Afternoons sat home"
are social gatherings, not feasts; con-
sequently, they may be given by those
whose incomes do not Justify them in
entertaining in more expensive way.
Then, too, they are elastic. A dinner
party, rs a rule, can only be given to
n chosen few, but an afternoon affair
is sufficiently elastic 10 include all Of
ones friends and calling acquaint-
ances. Ladies' Home Journal.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1900-05-23
Some Appotizine rruI. Soups.


Fruit soups are appetizing and
healthful, and offer pleasing variety
from those common to the American
bill of fare. One tablespoonful of
raisias, two tablespoonfuls of raw
rice; three whole cloves aud Que cnp-'
full of dried apricots thoroughly
soaked. To these add three pints of
water. The mixture is cooked about
IN hour, then rubbed through sieve;
and afterward half teaspoonful Of
sat and tablespoonful of sugar
added. The seasoning would depend
upon the fruit. Apples, being much
more acid, naturally wonld require
considerably more sugar than the
amount used for apricots.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1900-05-23
Household Hints.

To give an appetizing flavor to
broiled steak rub cut onion over the
hot platter.
Absorbent cotton, if quickly ap-
piled when milk OF cream is spilled on
cloth, will prevent stain.
To polish tortoise-shell comb apply
few drops of olive oil and rub long
and thoroughly with a soft WOODEN
cloth.
A cranberry jelly served recently
was moulded with circular slices of
banana, the combination proving de-
licious.
A Cuban dish, said to be remarkably
good, is IN omelet that has besides
olives, blanched almonds and seeded
raisins.
The most effectual remedy for slimy
and greasy drain-pipes is copperas
dissolved and left to work gradually
through the pipes.
A tablespoonful of ammonia to a
quart of water is the best medium for
cleaning windows, lamp chimneys or
any Kind of glassware.
Canton flannel makes good bath
blanket for baby. 1t should be made
large enough to completely envelop
the child while it is being wiped dry.
A little powdered borax added to
cold starch tends to give the linen e1-
ira stiffness and little turpentine put
into the boiled starch adds lustre.
The difference between white pep
per and black is that black pepper is
ground with the outer coat of the
berry still on, and white pepper has it
removed before grinding.
In wiping china dishes do not pile
one upon another while still hot.
Spread out to cool of, then pack.
Piling up while warm is apt to make
the glaze crack.
For stains on the hands there is
nothing better than little salt with
enough lemon juice to moisten it.
rubbed on the spots and washed off
with clear water.
According to bright housekeeper,
if one wishes slow fire to burn, start
a light wood or paper on top of the
coal to establish draft, and the up
ward current will soon make itself
manifest upon the fire below.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1900-05-23
New York.
a Mean Trick,

mean lTICks
"Jack," asked the father, arc you
going in for any Of the school sports
this year,"
Eyes, daddy" replied the unsuspect-
ing boy, "I'm going to try for the mile
race"
"Good," returned the father. Il have
a letter to be posted, and It's about a
mile to the post Office and back. Let
ma see what time you can do 1t in."-
Stray Stories.
Now He Is Full Of Regrets.
IoTrIe - Nature often throws out
warning signals, which we to our loss
neglect.
Buttle-I shouldn't wonder but you're
right.
Iowrlc-I met my wife in thunder
storm, danced with her toc the drst
time at house that was burned down.
and married her in killing frost.
Buttle-Yes?
Lowrie-Yes. And hadn't the sense
to read the slgns.-Brooklyn Life.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1900-05-23
PEARLS OF THOUGHT,

Habitual idleness in the rich is no
more justifable than hsbitIal idleness
in tramp.
Every one is blind and knows moth
ing except how to depreciate the excel
lencies of others.
What we like determines what we
are, and to teach taste is inevitably
to form character.
How careful should the great be to
regulate their conduct, when they see
how ready the world is to follow their
example.
Calamities that seem insupportable
when looked at from a distance, lose
half their power if met and resisted
with fortitude.
The, only leisure valuable to society
is that which affords man or woman
opportunity to freely choose his or her
line of usefulness.
Just because waiting is 80 hard,
waiting is the one duty of the hour to
be endured bravely and In hope, when
there is nothing to do but to wait.
One of the surest evidences of
friendship that an individual can dis
play to another is telling him gently
Of fault If any other can excel it,
it is listening to such a communication
with gratitude and amending the error.
The law of Nature is that a certain
quantity of work is necessary to pro-
duce certain quantity of good of any
kind whatever. If you want knowl-
edge, you must toll for it; if food, you
must toll for it; and if pleasure, you
must toll for it.
All fine natures are generous. None
are SO poor that they have not some
thing to give: if not money flowers;
if not flowers kind words or crumbs
to the birds, or at least generous
thoughts, which may sometimes be the
most difficult gift Of alli
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1900-05-23

/ you 10 wait for me. I would promise
to move Heaven aud earth to win the
means of proridinga home fit for you
to dwell in.
'"Those who dare not win not, "said
a sharp voice near them.
'.But, Miss Charity" Fred turned
his brighs, eager eyes to her face, still
holding Theo's hand in both his own,
'if I work steadily and patiently for
three years, then will you give your
consent to our marriage?"
..Not unless you have S5000," was
the grim and determined reply.
Fred's countenance fell He had no
faith in his own ability-he could
never earn $4,000. But Theo smiled
hopefully.
"We can wait" she said.
''We. darling! my angel!" MUIR
INJURED the happy fellow. "Can it be
that you will wait for me?"
'Yes, ii you work real hard;;" and
she smiled again, more from pity for
his handsome helplessness than from
any faith in that possible fortune and
the attendant bridal.
But for him there was courage and
abundant self.respect in her words,
and he went away full of great de-
termination to conquer Fate.
If people would only be romantic
in real life Fred would have painted
great,picture and 80 won fume aud
fortune at breath, but he didn't. He
went down to his Jersey farm, found
stoliG cid Dutchman and his quiet
wife to live in the comfortable stone
farmhouse and prepare his food, then
he fixed up one room for his own rest
ing place, put his desk there aud his
easel, nailed one of Theo's slippers to
the wall for watch case and went
resolutely to work. as farmer. 1t
was not yet timeNfor blowing, so they
concluded to sink we'll, as the old
spring was nearly choked up aud the
brook was not handy to reach.
Fred blistered his hands the first
day and went to bed with them
wrapped in mutton tallow, poor boy.
The next day he could not hold q
shovel, but while moodiiy watching
the Dutchman, that worthy and usu-
ally most impressive iunctionary
threw down his pick, and, raising both
hands, as if. in devout alteration of
his patron saint, he exclaimed:
''Mien Gott! mien Gott! We haf
find Franklinite!'
Fred did not know if Franklinite
was buried township or the grave of
philosopher which had been dis
turbed by the implements of we'll
digging. But he learned upon inves.
tigation, that il was kind of metal,
formed by combination of zinc and
iron, Franklinite being q local name
for it.
Here was his $4,000 and quadrupled
hundred and thrust into his hands
by the very fate he had keen bemoan-
ing. He could see Thoe's face in
every shining particle. Theo as Mrs.
Fred, happy wife and mother,
gracious matrop. And there, in that
dull gray ore, lay leisure hours for
reading or painting, blessings from
poor people, help for struggling
artists, peace and home.
And Theo, with her face on his
shoulder, said reverently, as Miss
Charity gave them her blessing:
Truly, the power that guides us
and cares for us is wiser and kinder
than we know"
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1900-05-23
To Fricassee a Chicken.

Following are directions for fricas.
seeing chicken which will be found
much better than the old way 0f f;cook-
ing this dish: Gut the fowl in small
joints, then place them with giblets in
a'pipkin that can be closely covered.
To one good-sized chicken add q me-
dium-sized onion, cut in small pieces;
then put in two cloves, season we'll
with salt and pepper, and pour in
pint or more of cream or rich milk,
and when it bubbles. thicken it with
-four dissolved in cold milk. Just let
this gravy boil one minute, then pous
it over the chicken and serve. a
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1900-05-23
Her View o! Boys.

At recent school examination for
girls, this composition was handed In
by q girl Of twelve: "Thc boy Is not
an animal, yet they can be heard to-
considerable distance. When q boy
hollers he opens his big mouth like
frogs, but girls hold their toung til
they are spoken to, and then they an
swer respectable and tell just how 1t
was. A boy thinks himself clever be-
cause he can wade where the water Is
deep. When the boy grows up he IL
called a husband, and then he stops
wading and stays out nights. but the
grown-up girl is widow and keeps
hnnsn.n-Ledger Monthly.