davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The St. Louis Republic., 1900-08-19
CHARLES KUNnEl,

them were he able.
now than | was at any time during my
life he said, for I can see now where
many things that seemed hard at the time
were all accomplished for the best. When
one realizes this. he is as near perfect con-
tentment as he is ever likely to get
Il believe the greatest happiness in life
is to be derived from making others, es-
pecially ones own family, happy. There
can be no perfect satisfaction in living en-
trely for ones self ard think that there
are but few who finally get any satisfaction
at all out Of IT 10 not think that
would care to have the main features OF my
life changed even II were able. for as I
said before, can see where everything has
been done TO- the best"
IT Will be noticed that Mr. Griffith and
the Reverend Edmund Duckworth hold
much the same ideas on the subject. so far
as the requirement of happiness is con-
ceFned. Another inmate of the same
Memorial Home may be quoted the person
In this instance being Mr. G E. Norman.
formerly well-known civil engineer.
II would say that true happiness canno,
be possessed without work. he said. There
is satisfaction in knowing that the DAYS
work is done and that you have earned
what you are enjoying that can never come
The St. Louis Republic., 1900-08-19
\ REMARKABLE LETTER.
Perhaps the Last Missive of
Charlotte Cnrdav.

a remarkable letter by Charlotte Corday,
the famous French heroine, who murdered
Marat in 1893. has just been discovered in
Paris. 1t was addressed to Barbaroux the
noted Girondin politician, who was guillo-
tined at Bordeaux on June 25 1894, and in
ternal evidence shows that 1t was written
between July 13. 1893, the day on which the
writer stabbed Marat to death End July II.
1793 the day on which she was executed.
She was only % years old then, Of noble
birth; she had been educated in convent
at Caen and subsequently, Influenced by the
writings of the philosophers, and especially
those of Voitare and the Able Raynal. she
had embraced the principles of the French
Revolution. The excesses Of the Reign OF
Terror, however, Mortified her. and. hold
Ing Marat mainly responsible. she went to
Paris and killed him while he was in his
bath. Four days later she was gulllotined.
The letter reads as follows:
"You desired, citizen, that 1 should send
you an account of my journey. and there
fore 1 will not trouble you with any idle
anecdotes. 1 travelled with some persons
whom 1 quickly recognized as members of
the mountain party. AS their conversation
was stupid and they were personally not at
tractive. / quickly became weary OF them.
1 let them talk as they pleased and 1 went
to sleep myself. One of these gentlemen.
who apparently. likes to study women while
they are asleep. tried to convince me after
I had awoke that L was the daughter of a
man whom 1 have never seen. Finally he
offered me his heart and his hand and de-
clared his determination to go off at once
The St. Louis Republic., 1900-08-19
PLIGHT OF \
WOULD-BE BRIDEGROOM.

The Denver Republican tells story OF
the difficulties attending the marriage of
Lieutenant Henry c. Smither. First Cav
airy. to Miss Helen Stahl Lytle, which was
to take place at Tacoma, Wash, July 2S In
army circles marriage means. necessarily,
leave of absence. and, having fixed upon
July as the happy month. Lieutenant
Smither. who is stationed at Camp Osborne,
sent General Merriam a request for leave
of absence during that month.
Camp Osborne is in little triangle of
Idaho which lies on the east side of the
range. It is really in the Department of
Columbia, but during the Wardner troubles
General Merriam was given supervision
over it, putting 1t in the Department of the
Colorado.
After week or so of anxious waiting the
expectant lovers received an answer from
General Merriam.
Camp Osborne is no longer in my de-
partment," 1t read. You must apply to
General Shafter, in command of the De-
partment of the Columbia
An application was speedily made to Gen.
eral Shafter, who replied briefly:
Apply to General Merriam of the De-
partment Of the Colorado"
Lieutenant Smther seemed to be soldier
without department. Captain Smither, In
Denver. was appealed to, and made appii-
cation to both General Merriam and Cen
eraI Shafter, with the same success as his
son.
There was only one recourse left-army
Headquarters in washington-and to the
Adjutant General in Washington Lieuten-
ant Smither went with his application and
his explanation Uncle Sam returned u
quick reply by telegraph. Leave granted"
and arrangements for the marriage were
begun at once.
The St. Louis Republic., 1900-08-19
FATHf.R J.TCOFFET.

camille Library. and a member of that as
ISOLATION for fifty-two years. has the fol-
lowing to say In regard to his profession:
81 prefer and am contented with the bust-
ness in which l am engaged. on account OF
the great interest / take in the subject
This is but natural, | have been con-
nected herewith for SO many years. Were
l to commence over again believe | would
take the same profession
It may be argued that there are at least
no persons who have started life prosper
ousIy, have been accustomed to the lux
uries which money can give them. and
then have fallen into less fortunate circum-
stances who are fully satisfied and con-
tented Yet instances may be given even
fifth once a prosperous travelling man. but
now In somewhat straitened circum-
stances, and an inmate of the Memorial
Home on Grand avenue, near Tower Grove
Park
He has been paralyzed for the past twen-
ty-six wears and is now compelled to wheel
himself around i'll chair. his legs being
useless. Yet In spite of this physical draw
back and the fact that he has lost the
money which he accumulated by hard
work for many years. he is thoroughly
ccrtented and says that he is satisfied with
things as they are, and would not change
The St. Louis Republic., 1900-08-19

70 one who does not work for his bread
or is not interested in his business. Like
Mr.. Griffith l can now see that everything
in my life has happened for the best, al
though the time | lost my right leg l
feared what the future had in store for
me.
II do not believe that money is necessary
to happiness except in such an amount as
10 furnish the mere neccssaries of life.
Money is an essential to a certain amount,
it has always been. but the mere posses
sion of it does not bring happiness.
Il think that children can he the greatest
joy in the Efc of any person. Everything
done for child is or should he a joy to Il
parent which will be lasting pleasant
remembrance to look on. Although children
may not do their duty by their parents in
later life the parent should have at least
derived pleasure from them while they
are under his care. that be compared
to nothing else.
In spite of sundry misfoi tunes which
have befallen me ] can say that | am
really happy This may he because I have
had time to see things in their true light.
but at any rate the recollection of what
] have enjoyed through life proves the
greatest pleasure to me now
A case where the profession Is the chief
joy in life is that of Charles Kunkel. the
well-known musician of this city. From
his earliest age music has been the greatest
pleasure to him and the associations con-
nected with his profession make him thor
oughly happy in it,
THE fact that / have been accustomed
to music for SO long" said he. "and the
nIea SIRE I take in the work itself are the
two main things which make the profession
80 attractive to me. The associations are
highly valued and would not be lost sight
of for anything in the world The prep
aration of my book has also been of great
interest to me and 1t is from my profession
/ derive the greatest happiness
Father James T. Coffey. pastor of st.
Johns Catholic Church, gives the following
reasons for his happiness In life and for his
opinion that his profession is an ideal one:
IL am Catholic priest I love my cali
ing because 1 am thoroughly convinced that
God has chosen me to labor in the vine
yard of his church 7 believe the vocation
to the Catholic ministry to be as divine to-
day as 1t was when Christ called the Twelve
Apostles. and If it Is divine it must be
filled with perpetual joy. I do not know
| that / have had a single sorrowful or un-
happy hour In my priestly life of thirteen
years.
MY work has been among the poor and
my people have always been my crown and
my joy. Nothing could tempt me from this
work. which God. In his infinite goodness.
| has portioned out for me-
From the above instances IL NAV be seen
that in every state Of life there are some
who are thoroughly satisfied with their
calling, and the number could be increased
indefinitely.
The St. Louis Republic., 1900-08-19

WRITTEN FOR THE SUNDAY REPUBLIC.
So much is heard nowadays concerning
she sordid motives which actuate the aver
age person in business and everyday life,
that 1t is possible there are some who dis
pute the truth Of the above statement
taken from an editorial of last Mondays
Republic. Those who dispute the question
may claim that there are few persons. II
any, who are absolutely happy and con-
tented IN their state of life. whatever that
may be- and who enjoy and appreciate to
the utmost the advantages of their own
condition.
They may argue that the desire for money
SIS the ruling passion and that happiness and
contentment are generally lost sight of in
the race for wealth; that ambition is nearly
always selfish and is as hard to satisfy as
the desire for money; and that the person
who derives his pleasure in life through the
good he does others and through being salts
fed with his own condition in every de-
tail has yet to bs found.
II is certain that this impression prevails
10 great extent in business. which has
come 10 be regarded 4 species of battle
4 well-known broker was asked the ether
dav whether among his customers he knew
Of one who was contented to live on /
email income through satisfaction with his
or her state of life. The answer came posi-
lively and promptly that he knew of none
of his customers with such qualities; that
en Of his customers living on small in
comes did 50 through necessity and not
choice. and that the only person whom they
expected TO be satisfied with a small income
was their broker. This Is regarded by many
as the general attitude towards financial
affairs.
The St. Louis Republic., 1900-08-19

as a result of a visitation of troupe"
twenty-seven years ago The company
presented East Lynne" in Harrisonville.
that county, in the old courthouse of the
place. So deeply moved were the people
that women became hysterical and wept.
A land company, then laying out a new
town near by on a projected railroad,
caught the spirit Of the community. and
at meeting next day named the place
East Lynne. One may now see the town
on the map.
Uncle Toms Cabin and East Lynne
We're the prime favorites them in fact. any
other plays were hardly ever presented.
Between the acts the impersonator of the
troupe rendered "Curfew Shall Not Ring
Tonight "Bingen on the Rhine"
'Shamus O'Brien,' or some other old-time
favorite. There were no other specialties.
1t has been more than thirty years since
joe Jefferson's RIP Van Winkle'' WAS new
in St. Louis. 1t is said that people from
all over the interior of the State made
two-days' journeys to witness the great
event of its presentation.
Forty years ago a Shakespearean play
had not been presented in a1 inland town
The St. Louis Republic., 1900-08-19
BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE,
Author Of Merry Wives OF Windsor"
As played by Ben De Bar.

The Lady of Lyons was the play most
favored by society folk in those days. The
people who had seen the play were thought
to be especially refined particularly II they
could discuss the play inteligently
After the close of the Civil War military
plays were much in vogue. Jessie Brown.
or the Siege of Lucknow was easily the
most popular play of that class. About the
same time BLACK Crook the first spec
tacular play Westerners had seen. had a
great run. People from towns remote from
the river came miles to see it.
There are persons yet living in Kansas
City who remember when Mary Gladstone.
the English actress, came to that town. and
how, after she had played with great sue
cess the dual role in East Lynne" the
people were so intensely enthusiastic that
they rendered her ''rousing benefit" as
the local paper styled it, and which the
The St. Louis Republic., 1900-08-19

II would surprise even those who take a
more conservative view of the situation to
learn how many there are who rcsard
money as a thing of little moment: whose
chief aim In life IS not the pling up of
money for themselves. bur of thinking of
others happiness as well as their own
whose supreme interest is in their profession
and not In the gain to be derived there
from. and who even in adversely are con-
tented and happy in the true sense of the
word
In every branch Of life in this city alone
may be found men who fill one or the
other of these qualifications. some pos
sessinC two or three. From men who are
we'll supplied with this worlds goods, men
who have succeeded in their profession and
men who are closing their lives In COM
parative poverty declarations of content-
ment with their lot and with the course OF
destiny can he obtained.
The subject of Mondays editorial was the
late Eugene Haas whose case may be taken
as typical and of whom the following de-
scription was written:
Eugene Haas. who died last week. had
been for twenty-three years chief clerk In
ii
that happiest of men. worker in the
right groove. He loved animate and in
animate nature. There was no remote
spot in any of the city parks that was
not known to him. He supervised the es-
tablishment of the geological department
In Forest Park. and maintained profound
interest in the animals composing that col
lection His passion was the study of
beasts birds and flowers.
out side of his own immediate circle of
friends not many persons knew Eugene
Haas He was but a modest figure in the
world He did not gain any of its great
prizes But It would probably astonish
some of the prize-winners to realize just
how far this man surpassed them in the
gaining of life's best good-the happiness
that comes from the work we love. And
the thought cannot but present itself to the
mind of an appreciative student Of such
contrasts--which Is the luckier. after all:
the disappointed and disenchanted winner
The St. Louis Republic., 1900-08-19
EARLy-DAY IHEAIR|CALS IN THE WEST.
Favorite Plays Of the Tme-When "Trip Van Wnkle" Was
New in St. Lous-How People Wept Over east
Lynne" in an Inland Missouri
Town.
WRITTEN FOR THE SUNDAY REPUBLIC

WRITTEN FOR THE SUNDAY REPUBLIC.
Before the Civil War travelling theatrical
companies were practically unknown west
of New York. True. certain companies
played an all-sea sons engagement in the
larger cities, hut the travelling theatrical
troupe was almost unknown. The circus
ir those days Travelled overland, and
amusements other than those afforded by
the tented shows were confined almost ex-
clusively to the river towns. 1t was not
until after the war that the meaning of
the term barn storming'' was known to
Western people.
1t was infrequently that some strollins
player-folk would come by stage to an in
land town and give presentation of their
repertoire. Sometimes they would rent n
The St. Louis Republic., 1900-08-19
A THOUGHT.

Dear heart, tonight, while all grows grey
The piteous past comes back to me.
What can l do-what can 1 say
For ever having doubted thee:
Far up Heavens starry lamps are gone.
Across the void nights shadow slips;
Can I, through all my life, atone
For having doubted those dear lips?
We missed the best, the tenderest years.
Some day, dear love, come back to me.
Give me pardon. take my tears
For ever having doubted thee.
I would grow blind and dumb, nor touch
Life's joys. nor ever rest again.
Could / but take thee, dear. How much
l blame myself with grief and pain!
All! to bring knowledge to thine eyes.
To dream. my sweet. that / might be
Forgiven e'er the sunset dies
For ever having doubted thee!
The St. Louis Republic., 1900-08-19
THE WISDOM Or THOMAS JEFFERSON
Characteristic Bits From the Pen Of the Man Who Was the
Father Of Great Party, and Who Swore Eternal
Hostility Against Every Form Of Tyranny
Over the Mind of Man"

mems labor which is the sacred fund of the
helpless poor
l am not for standing army in time of
peace. which may overawe the public senti-
ment.
The Greeks and Romans had no standing
armies, yet they defended themselves. The
Greeks, by their laws, and the Romans, by
the spirit of their people, took care to put
into the hands of their rulers no such en-
gine Of oppression as standing army
Their system was to make every man
soldier, and oblige him to repair to the
standard of his country whenever that was
reared. This made them invincible; and
the same remedy will make us so.
The attempt which has been made to re-
strain the liberty of our citizens meeting
together. interchanging sentiments on what
subjects they please, and stating their senti-
ments in the public papers, has come upon
us a full century earlier than I expected
To demand the censorS of public measures
to be given up for punishment is to renew
the demand of the wolves In the fable that
the sheep should give up their dogs as
hostages of the peace and confidence estab-
lished between them.
Conquest is not in our principles. 1t is
inconsistent with our Government.
We did not raise armies for glory or for
conquest
I never yet found any other general rule
for foretelling what the British will do, but
that of examining what they ought not to
do.
To special legislation we are generally
averse. lest a principle of favoritism should
creep in and pervert that of equal rights.
The earth belongs always to the living
generation. They may manage it, and what
proceeds from it, as they please during
their usufruct.
To unequal privileges among members OF
the same society the spirit of our nation
is, with one accord, adverse
No man has natural right to commit
aggression on the equal rights of another;
and this is all from which the laws ought
to restrain him.
Enlghten the people generally and tyr
amy and expressions of body and mind
will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of
day.
The informa ton of the people at large
can alone make them the safe, as they
are the sole depository of our political and
religious freedom.
Our interest will be to throw open the
doors of commerce and to knock off all its
shackles, giving perfect freedom to all per-
sons for the vent OF whatever they may
choose to bring into our ports, and asking
the same in theirs.
I think all the world would gain by set
ting commerce at perfect liberty
The only orthodox object Of the institu-
ton of Government is to secure the great
est degree of happiness possible to the GEN
eral mass of those associated under 1t.
The whole art of government consists in
the art of being honest.
Governments derive their just power from
the consent of the governed.
The liberty of speaking and writing
guards our other liberties.
1t cannot be denied that we have among
The St. Louis Republic., 1900-08-19

"Curfew Shall Not Ring Out Tonight
hall for one night, but generally for two
or more evenings, entertainment. Hand
bills were the only announcement of COM
pany's presence in town. The SCENERY
consisted of one item-a drop curtain of
cambria sheeting. The "footlishts' were
candles that had to be replenished before
the performance was through. The COM
pany did not carry an orchestra. Some
LEGAL musician, for ticket of admission as
compensation, furnished the musical feat
ure by playing on a violin, usually sadly
out of tune.
There were no reserved seats then. The
audience paid money to the doorkeeper,
without the necessity Of tickets being en-
ployed The doorkeeper, when the people
had quit coming in, left his post of duty
for the "dressing-room." to make up for
his part In the play
There were numerous "Geadheads" pres
ent--the landlord of the hotel and family,
city and county officers-the latter's favor
being particularly courted. for the acting"
usually took place in the Courthouse of the
county seat towns, which were nearly al
ways, made in those days.
The people were much moved by the
The St. Louis Republic., 1900-08-19

OF what Is now called the Middle West.
Ben de Bar. who had acquainted the people
OF st. Louis with Sir John Falstan, came
to Leavenworth. Kas.. in the boom DAYS
OF that State as Hamlet. The playbill con-
tained this startling intelligence:
The St. Louis Republic., 1900-08-19

A valuable collection of the writings of
Thomas jefferson is found in The Jeffer
sonian Cyclopedia." edited by John P. Fo-
icy ami published by Messrs. Funk &
wagnalls Company, New York. The work
Is a comprehensive collection of the views
of Thomas Jefferson, classified and ar
ranged in alphabetical order under 1900 IT,
ties. relating TO government, politics, law,
education. political economy finance, SCI
ence. art, literature, religious freedom NOR
als an6. the diverse subjects TO which the
author of the Declaration gave his atten-
ton. crhe Jeffersonian Cyclopedia, pub
lished by Funk & Wagnalls Company, New
York, Copyright, 1907 Upon the title page
appears this quotation from the writing of
Jefferson:
Il have sworn upon the altar of God
eternal hostility against every form of tyr
Hnny over the mind of man"
A number of the pointed sayings OF JEFF
serson follow:
Mankind soon learns to make interested
uses Of every right and power which 1t
Possesses or may assume The public money
end nublic liberty will soon be dis
covered to be sources of wealth and domn-
tUll 10 !IiOSS WHO ilbIl oiSt'hS HS'iASN'
TOO, by this tempting circumstance, that
they are the instrument as wen as the OBJ
iect of acquisition. With money We will
get men, said Caesar, and with men We
will get money.
disinterested administration of the pub
lie trusts is essential to perfect tranquility
fpf mind.
To take part in European conflicts would
be to divert our energies from creation to
destruction.
How easily We prescribe for others cure
FOR Their difficulties, when We cannot cure
our own.
A Decalogue of Canons for Observance in
Practical Life:
/. Never put off till tomorrow what you
Can do to-day.
2. Never trouble another for what you
can do yourself.
3. Never spend your money before you
have it
4. Never buy what YOU do not want be-
cause IT, Is cheap; it will be dear to you.
:. PRIDE costs us more than hunger,
thirst and cold.
t. We never repent of having eaten tco
little.
:. Nothing is troublesome that we do
willingly.
s. How much pain have cost US the evils
which nave never happened.
3. Take things always by their smooth
handle.
TO- When angry, count ten before you
speak; IL very angry, an hundred.
Honest friendship with all nations, en-
tangling alliances with none, / deem zone
OF the) essential principles of our govern
ment and, consequently. (one) which ought
TO shape its administration.
1 hope we shall crush in its birth
the aristocracy of our moneyed corpora
tions which dare already to challange our
government TO a trial of strength and bid
defiance to the laws of our country.
An industrious farmer occupies a more
dignified place in the scale of beings, wheth-
err moral or political, than lazy lounger,
yaluing himself on his family, too proud to
work, and drawing out a miserable exist
suce by eating on that surplus of other
The St. Louis Republic., 1900-08-19

Happy the man. of mortals happest he
Whose quiet mind from vain distress is free:
Whom neither hopes deceive nor fears torment
Eut lives at peace, within himself content:
In thought or act accountable to none
But to himself, and TO the gods alone.
George Granville Q1ord Lansdowne>
NV crown IS In my heart not on my head:
Not decIled with diamonds and Indian stones
Nor To he seen; my crown is called content;
\ crown il is that seldom kings enjoy.
Henri, VI
The St. Louis Republic., 1900-08-19

US sect who believe that the
English Constitution contains what
ever is perfect In human institu-
tions: that the members of this sect have,
many of them, names and offices which
stand high in the estimation Of our coun-
trymen. l still rely that the great mass OF
our community is untainted with these her
estes, as its head. On this build my hope
that We have not labored in vain, and that
our experiment will still prove that men
can be governed by reason.