davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1901-07-10
SIXTY DOLLARS AN HOUR.
That's What 1t Cost Boston, mt the Least,
to Look at Two Rnt Holes.

That's What 1t Cost Boston, mt the Least,
to Look at Two Rat Holes.
This is story of a rat and two
holes in the ground. The holes were
very small holes, just big enough TO
let two rats into the cellar Of the Old
South Meeting House, and probably
more than big enough to let them,
wiser and leaner rats, out again.
These two holes, with the intermit-
tent assistance of the rat, entertained
the good citizens of Boston at the
rate Of 1000 an hour for an indefinite
period in the middle of one day re-
Gently. It is easy enough to reckon.
During the show there were from 80
to 35 people standing in choice posi-
tions along the Milk and Washington
street ratings of the fence about the
tiny yard of the Old South Meeting
House-a constantly changing crowd
that renewed itself every minute.
Now in this crowd were all kinds of
persons, from the Office boy at So a
week to the broker at $500. Every
one watched his minute before he went
about his business; for some the
monetary loss was only the fraction
of cent; for others it mounted up in
dollars. A low and conservative esti-
mate of the average monetary value
of these people is 20 cents an hour.
Thirty people standing for one minute
are equal to one person standing for
half an hour. But the entertainment
extended over many minutes. An
hour of it for 1000 people was paid
for by Boston employers in $50 worth
Of time.
What did this $50 crowd of 1000 per-
sons see for its money? Most of the
people saw two holes in the~ground;
some of them the bright, beady eyes
and the whiskered nose of rat. The
poor fellow was probably trying to get
away to some less hallowed, but more
fruitful surroundings, when the first
observing eye saw him and by looking
collected the audience. He lay low for
many long minutes, so many that the
whole crowd about the fence was in
utter ignorance OF what is was watch
ing; but still the crowd hung on, look
ing at the holes, or gazing up at the
sparrows which twittered in end -"
of their nests in the close iv, g.G%
on the wall. Every time tla
looked out one or two saw him,
then everybody devoted his a.
to the holes again. And neitl = t
nor holes can have known how
they were costing the emplo, y:
over Boston.-Boston Evening "a
nrint
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1901-07-10
Engaged All Right.

Jones, saunteriEg out upon the floor
Of the Exchange that morning, allowed
1t to become known that he was wait
ing for congratulations.
The dearest, sweetest woman in
the world had consented to share the
by no means humble, yet somewhat
precarious lot of himself, the most un-
worthy Of men.
"Ha! ha~ laughed his friends, "that
Jones in such wag."
Indignantly the accused man drew
from his left breast pocket a bunch of
letters on pale blue paper, addressed
in delicately feminine hand.
The postmarks on these missives
bore successive dates, q continuous
If not an endless chain,
After that, congratulations were the
order of the day,-New York Sun.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1901-07-10
WHY BUCHANAN NEVER MARRIED.
The Image of His Dead Fiancee Never
Faded From His Heart.

The Image of His Dead Fiancee Never
Faded From His Heart.
"Mr. Buchanan, who was the first
bachelor elected to the Presidency,
was sixty-fve years Of age when
elected, and had deliberately given
himself to life Of celibacy," writes
William Perrine, in the Ladies Home
Journal. SIN the days when he was
Il young lawyer Of Lancaster, Penn
sylvania. he had loved Miss Coleman,
a beautiful daughter of citizen Of
that town. They had been engaged to
be married when one day he was sur
prised to receive from her q request
to release her from the promise. Ac-
cording to Mr.. George Ticknor Curtis,
the separation originated In misun-
derstanding on the part Of the lady,
who was unusually sensitive. over
some small matter exaggerated by
giddy and indiscreet tongues, Soon
after the estrangement she was sent
to Philadelphia, and there died sud-
den. Throng ghot1t the rest Of his
.liffi'':I nearly Z scntnry, Mr..
sfs,fe, ~ an ls not -ffaye re-
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1901-07-10
Timber Mines,

A curious source of wealth is report.
ed by the French consul at Mengtze,
in upper Tonkin. 1t lies in the wood
mines. The wood originally was
fine forest. which the earth swallowed
in some cataclysm. Some Of the trees
are yard in diameter. They lie in
slanting direction and in sandy soils,
which cover them to depth of about
eight yards. The wool furnished by
these timber mines is imperishable,
ard the Chinese gladly buy it for
coffns.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1901-07-10
Another Lost Gainsborourh.

One of the best-known picture ex-
perts in New York City, in speaking of
the return of the portrait Of the Ouch
ess Of Devonshire, said:
S "Of all the Gainsboroughs, to my
mind most beautiful is the picture Of
the Hon, Mrs. Graham, which now
hangs in tho Edinburgh Gallery. I
would rather own it than any of the
others, aid whenever / go. to Edin-
burgh make 1t a point to see 1t.
"The history Of this picture is even
more romantic than that Of the Ouch
less of Devonshire's portrair. The hus-
band Of the Hon. Mrs. Graham, who
must have been most beautiful WON.
an, had Gainsborough paint 1t for him,
and year later the subject Of it died.
The husbands grief was intense. He
built in his nause niche, where the
portrait was hung, making CT it almost
q shrine.
"Not long before his death, feeling
that this picture Of his wife was sa-
cred to him, he had ae niche walled
up so that the picture would be con-
cealed as long as his house stood, More
than fifty years later, in the course of
some repairs on the house 1t became
necessary to tear down this wall, The
secret of the hiding place of the por-
trait had died with the owner, and
great was the amazement Of the work
men to find this beautiful painting
concealed between two walls and ap-
parently in as good condition as when
it was painted.
"The discovery attracted general at
tention, and the painting was quickly
identified as Gainsborough and an
excellent one, too. 1t was secured by
the Edinburgh Gallery. and there II
hangs to-day, q fitting memorial of
beautiful woman."-New York Sun.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1901-07-10
NEW SPORT FROM RiNgHlRopEss
Az and Saw Contests Are Witnessed by
Shouting Thousands.

Tasmania may justly claim the credit
of having given the world new sport.
In that far-off land, among the men
of Drawn and might, whose swinging
axes have felled the towering forests
and converted their trackless depths
into flourlshing farm lands, has arisen
contest fit for kings; form of ath-
letic exercise calculated to bring the
thrill Of delight to all who have an
honest admiration for good red blood
and the display Of mighty muscle sys-
tematically trained to do useful work.
The new sport may be designated as
"axmanship," and although it is of but
recent origin it has already taken the
premiership over all ether sports.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1901-07-10
tbs teas

{. IalTts-5--i 10 steS-l 'siNH I. w -
-wfthered cheeks and q. * :2>,Su
upon Mr.. Ridley's second best peppeE'
and-salt vest. Presently her wsath
famed anew. 80
Emma May wants you to come per-
tickler to see her presents! 'Tain't no
hint; oh, no? Sally Ridley needn't
a. troubled herself to say that, got a
present for Emma May, an I'm going
to give it to her. I'd like to get even
with them, the whole kit of 'em. Jest
as If I couldn't a. made Emma Mays
weddin' clos. They tell me Miss Max
we'll uses chain-stitch machine. l
always did say chainstitch machines
was made for the careless, an don't
see no reason to change my mind.
Well, pom my word, this vest amt
on'y busted, but frayed int the bar
gain" Miss Phemey fell briskly to
sewing,
The next day, despite the threaten
ing rumble of a distant storm, Miss
Phemey dressed in her best and started
toward the Ridleys, carrying two pack
ages, She was graciously received By
Emma May, fat, fair girl of pleas
ant mien and placid disposition.
II brought home them vests" eX-
planned Miss Phemey; land here, EN-
ma May, is little present 1 brought
for you. It'll be nice f'r your dining
room table; thought" She held out
small white pasteboard box, with an
expression Of the heaping-coals-of-ire
kind.
MA" called Emma May come
here; Miss Phemey's brougsF me a
butter knife; Wisht you'd look. That
cert'ney is beautiful"
Its solid silver" said the donor
proudly. M neice down to New
York got it for me-" She received the
thanks, delivered q trifle embarrass
edly, of mother and daughter with
polite cociness,
When the bride-elect invited her tc
an inspection Of the presents, Miss
Phemey looked them over and
mas. few comments. She turned the
set of silver spoons, presented by the
groom's parents" so that the plate
mark was visible, and she tapped the
globe of a gaudy china lamp with the
remark that they were just S2.35 cents
down to Beedham's When she hat
looked at all, she said, cheerfully:
"Now l want to see your clothes
Emma May"
Mrs. and Miss Ridley exchanged
glances of annoyance, but the lattel
led the way to the spare room, where
on the bed and chair, lay the creations
Of Miss Maxwell, "City Modiste."
There was the white silk wedding
dress, the tan travelling dress, somE
odd waists, black satin. stiff witt
let, and a "tea gown" No girl in {
country town marries without thes'
last indispensable garments; they ar,
the real backbone Of the trousseau.
Miss Phemey looked at the display
felt the quality of the material, an
examined the despised chain-stitchine
without word. At last she said
pleasantly conscious of paying oil
scores:
"If 1 might perseom to criticise,
really do think it's pity you got you
wedding dress made with a p'inte'
overskirt. All the latest fashion book
gay they're not worn at all this sea
son; and box-pleats, too, Is kind o
droppin' out. l was readin' only yes
terday that twas just the cheapes
goods was made up so any more. The
black satin's real pretty, though. Di
you see Lena Sullivan's black satin
Hers was d beauty-fnest piece G
satin ever cut into, an Ell made U
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1901-07-10
A SINNER UNREPENT.

BIZ SOPHIE GATES KERR.


my, but your mornin' glories dolook
nice, Miss Phemey! Wish you'd save
me some seed often that white one"
1t was Mrs. Ridley coming up the
walk. )
II will, Mis- Ridley. Come in and
set down. There's pam leaf on the
lounge, an mebbe you'll take glass
of cool water. It's scorchin' morn
ing" said Miss Phemey.
Il would like drink, thank you,
responded Mrs. Ridley. Seems like
when anybody's fat as l am, they just
get he't' up like coal stove. My, that
tastes good. You got grand well,
Miss Phemey."
The hostess smiled flattered smile,
but before she could speak Mrs. Ridley
went on: 81 brought over three of Mr..
Ridley's vests, Miss Phemey. to get
you to mend 'em. He's busted ~'em
ever one right down the back, f'r AL
the world like seven-year locust,
tell i'm, ant seems like got no time
to fix 'em, with Emma May gittin
married next week. We're just livin'
in a regular whirlwind, an sorry as
I'll be to see Emma May go-not that
don't like Charlie Foote, but you
know what meant cert'ney shall be
glad when all this fuss is over"
~ expect it is trying" sympathized
Miss Phemey. but Emma Mays al
ways been good daughter, an she
deserves fine weddin.''
'Tain't that | don't want her to
have it." said Mrs. Ridley, hastily.
But I'm just dog-tired this mornin'--
for the land sakes, it's half-past ten
o'clock already; ! got to go. You
bring them vests over when they're
done, Miss Phemey, an Ill pay you
f'r 'em. I'd send one O. the boys over,
but Emma May wants you to come
perticular an see her presents, SO TIL
be killin' two birds with one stone"
She chuckled comfortably as she
stepped outside the door.
Miss Phemey looked after her de-
parting form with resentful stare.
"Yes," she muttered, "she can get
Miss Maxwell to make Emma Mays
weddin' clothes, but I'm good enough
TO mend up Jim Ridley's old vests, III
charge her 10 cents apiece, see f |
don't; that'll be 45 cents. Does seem
a good bit to charge f'r mendin' three
vests"
Miss Phemey went in and shut out
the glare of the summer day. AS she
picked up the package of vests her
thin little hands trembled, Tears
sprang to her eyes and she burst out
fercely: "'Tain't right! made Emma:
May Ridley's dresss to be christened:
in, little teenty baby as she was, an q
made her a dress to be- confirmed I'M:
an made her: a dress when she she;
sgragwated at the h:zEEbsscfe:r. aasshe.dt
always g 10 :a&'.ia ,;:'aia a:F Sed==
din sdrss. G,..;s., a., sti.., .ei,:s ia'cs:s
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1901-07-10
HANDICAP CHOPPING CONTEST IN FULL SWING.

says a correspondent Of the New York
Press. A large part of the country is
totally unexplored. The French lately
have gone in behind Morocco and ex-
tended the boundaries Of Algiers, so as
to take in the Tuat region, a chain of
fertile oases through which run the
caravan rotes. The Sultan has expos
tulated and is still expostulating, but
with 10 effect so far as can be seen.
Morocco is sometimes called the "sick
man of the West" but those best in
formed believe that it is pretty lively
sick man,
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1901-07-10

The championship contest or carni-
val is held yearly in Ulverstone, Tas-
mania, some time during the first two
months of the year, under the auspices
Of an organization specially formed for
the purpose, bearing the title Of the
United Australian Axemen's Associa-
ton"
The entries to the yearly competition
are not confined to Tasmania, but
come also from Victoria. New South
Wales and New Zealand. Each dis
trict has its champion, and among the
adherents Of these various stars there
is the most heated controversy as to
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1901-07-10

-
::ti. i.and went out toward the glis5,
ltening beads. A quick jerk, and that
waist of Emma May Ridley's wedding
dress lay across her knees, She sought
the seam in the middle of the back.
She could feel the dispised chain
stitching and she slipped her fingers
deftly along toward the collar. What
was this? A lose end of thread-a little
pull-r-i-i-i-ip it was done! In
spasm Of fear Miss Phemey hustled the
waist through the window, back into
place, and ran into the concealing
shadow. Out to the gate, down the
road again-she was almost home.
Suddenly she>stopped and gave little
chuckle.
"Them bastin's IL hold 1t together
so nobody II s'spect-lucky she left
'em in, But when Emma May puts
it on, big an fat as she is, It'll bust
square up the back like frog" She
couldn't help laughing at the idea; it
tickled her fancy so. She forgot her
wet feet, her draggled, muddy skirts,
and went to bed with a smile still
pulling at the corners Of her mouth.
The next morning the exposure had
done Its work. She was hoarse and
feverish, and there was a sharp pain
that stabbed her at every breath.
Threatened with pneumonia" the
doctor said. and commanded her not
to stir flom her bed, though she could
not have me so had she so wished.
The neigh were very kind and at
tended hel thfully, and the tenth
day found sitting up, very weak
and frail, bu h life in her eyes and
voice,
Mrs, Emerson, he town gossip, came
in and brought bundle.
"Jest as soon as you git able, Miss
Phemey, ! want you to make me a
dress, It's one Mr., Emerson got me
over to Bristol, an he showed real
good taste for man, must say.
Look-a-here, amt that fern leaf real
pretty?"
"Its just beautiful" assented Miss
Phemey, Seems if you'd have Miss
Maxwell make it up, bein' she's from
the city and all
She'll never cut into piece Of
goods FIR me, en- tell you" said Mrs.
Emerson, with emphasis. "Ain't no.
body told you how she made Emma May
Ridley's weddin' dress and never
sewed up the back, an Emma May,
not suspiclonin, put 1t on an bu'sted
it clean wide open? o. course, you
was sick an didn't git to the weddin';
but | was there, an the weddin' party
was nigh an hour late jest on that ac-
count. Nothin' but bastin' thread
to hold 1t together; such shif'lessness!
Course, bein' bad luck, Emma May
never tried on the dress after it come
home, like she did the others, an
en- tell you she was hoppin'. People
at the church didn't know what on
earth was the matter. No indeed,
Miss Maxwell makes no clos fr me-"
After her visitor was gone, Miss
Phemey lay back on her pillows and
looked out of the window long time.
e'Twas an awful mean trick,
know" she said at last. Twas right;
but l got this spell O. sickness to pay
up fer 1t, an that butter-knife was
solid silver and real expensive. I'm
evened up all 'round-an' somehow
lest can't care" Ladies' World.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1901-07-10
out arguing the question with Mr..

Hill.
when James ]. Hill was elected
director of the Erie Railroad a few
months ago, there was trepidatIon
among many of the employees of that
company, for the report was passed
from lip to lip that Great Northern
methods were to be applied to the af-
fairs of the Erie. Mr.. Hill is economl-
cal as we'll as exacting. He does not
believe in having too many heads OF
departments. and he is averse to hir-
ing two men to perform the duties
that can be performed by one quick
and alert man. 1t is the quick ana
alert type of man that has the least
to fear from this pushing, dominating
and successful railroad president
Earl D. Berry, in Ainslee's.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1901-07-10

the respective merits of each. For
months before the great contest these
brawny axmen spend all their spare
time practicing, until they develop
speed and strength that is little short
Of marvellous. This years carnival is
conceded to have been the most sue
cessful since the yearly meeting was
inaugurated.
In the championship chopping con-
tests there were six trials and the final.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1901-07-10

MY .,,$s3:S:Ii. - ind cj;,t.a So rk:.

only sEss hSI :: ,iaa scii,t;sl t;sla:f 81 re-.
and ri:sns, ai:5 had led hlinsE9mole::
deeply ttlan ever into politics as a dis
traction from his grlef. In his old
age. long after he had retired perman.
emily to private life, he called atten-
tion to package containing, he said.
the papers and relics which would ex-
plain the causes Of his youthful sor.
row, and which he preserved evident
ly with the idea Of revealing them
before his death. But when he died.
and his will was read, it was found
that he had directed that the package
should be burned without being
opened, and his injunction was
obeyed."
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1901-07-10

with these here pleated rufles. Why
Emma May, seems il you'd be more
afraid to leave all these fine things in
here with the winder open, this room
on the ground floor like it is. It's been
a real treat to see such elegant clothes.
an hope your married life'll be hap
py. The Foote's have all got terrible
unreasonable tempers, they say; but
1 hope you'll be able to manage Char
lie. Goodbye, ALL"
Miss Phemey walked home slowly
Even the thought of the darts she had
planted in Mrs. Ridley's capacious.
breast brought her no real comfort,
when the vision of the snowy wedding.
dress rose before her.
Things amt edge even yet" she.
mummured. A low growl of thunder:
startled her and she hastened into the.
house to shut out the cutting flare Of,
the lightning. When the kettle boiled
she set her lonely table and made tea.
The quick thump Of heavy rain-drops;
on the roof made her start nervotsly.
Night had come with the storm, and:
after her supper was over, Miss Phem-s
ey sat in the dark and meditated.
About 10 o'clock the rain ceased, and
she flung the shutters open. The stars
were shining now. The air outside
was cool and damp and fragrant. She
looked over toward the Ridley house.,
and as she did so their last light went
out. Miss Phemey strained her eyes
to no avail. All was darkness there.
I'm a-going to do it." she said aloud,
determinedly. Rummaging over ths,
table, she found pair of scissors. She
took a match from the box beside the
window and unlocked the door. The
moon was creeping up, fat disk of
pale yellow. Miss Phemey looked down
at herself and saw that she still wore
her best dress. It'll be all drabbled,"
she thought; then recklessly, "I don't.
care, nohow.''
She brushed against the dripping
flowers beside the garden path, and
held her breath as the gate gave q
whining cr-e-ak. Out on the road,
walking noiselessly, she went, Ones
she heard team coming and orouched
in corner of the worn ience, behind
little sweet-gum sprout, till 1t was
past. She recognized the Doctors,
rig and her heart came Up in her
throat and beat there, with great
frightened leaps; but he passed by
safely and she crept on,
At last, after a seemingly unending
journey, she reached the Ridleys' gate.
The NAPLES threw deep shadows, and,
SO sheltered, she reached the house..
{ Round to the left wing-slowly-slow-s
ly-and the window was still open!s
She stopped and looked in, The moon
light lay in patches on the floor, the
dresses spread vpols l;ss, he'd; ape ttsS,a.s,
~ rT,iIlj -eSli Il ;)GIs lis tsjja.S
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1901-07-10

ed vessel Of her size ever built, and it
is largely on The lightness Of her con-
struction that those interested in the
yacht expect she will make her great
gains. In model there is very little
difference between her and the Colum-
bia. The slight differences made are
expected to enable her to carry ten
per cent. more canvas than the cham
pion of 1899, which alone should make
her very much faster than the older
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1901-07-10
Enr,ana Fears rtmbcr Famine.

If it were not for the foreign sup
plies England receives timber fam
inc would have overtaken the country
long ago, because the homegrown sup
Dly has not been able to meet 1.-THE
of the demand for long enough, and
that only OF inferior kinds of timber,
saws a British agricultural journal. If
the foreign supply Of fir alone was to
fall off sensibly now the whole building
trade Of the country would come to 4
martial standstill and the wagon COM
Danies would lie next to idle.