davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-08-19
skeleton In the Closet.

The original Of the singular saying,
"A skeleton In the closet" which Is
found In almost every language in Eu-
rope, is found in one Of those curious
collections of stories which the monks
Of the middle ages were fond Of maxi
Ing both for their own amusement and
for the instruction of youth. In one Of
these collections, compiled by an un-
known hand about the middle Of the
tenth century, there is a story Of q
wealthy lady who, having secret
grief, confided 1t to friend who was
apparently perfectly happy woman.
She was the wife Of nobleman who
lived In his castle In the south Of
France. She and her husband were
outwardly on the most loving terms.
Not q care cloud seemed to cast a
shadow on her path.
After hearing the story Of her affiict-
ed friend the noble lady took her by
the hand and led her to secret cham
Der adjoining her bedroom, there OPEN
ed the door of closet and exposed a
skeleton. "Know, my friend" she
said, mo one Is happy. Every day l
am forced by my husband to kiss this
grinning death head. which is that of a
gentleman who was my husbands RI
val and whom would have married
had not my parents willed otherwise"
Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-08-19
The Fata MorgunR,

The fata morgana is a singular aerial
phenomenon akin to the mirage. 1t is
seen In many parts of the world, but
most frequently and in greatest per-
fection at the strait of Messina, be-
tween Sicily and Italy. SO many con-
ditions must coincide, however, that
even there it is of comparatively rare
occurrence. To allow OF its production
the sun must be at an angle of As de-
grees with the water, both sky and sea
must be calm, and the tidal current sur
ficiently strong to cause the water In
the center to rise higher than on the
edges of the strait. When these condi-
lions are fully met, the observer on the
heights Of Calabria, looking toward
Messlna. will behold series OF rapidly
changing pictures, sometimes of most
exquisite beauty.
Castles, colonnades, SUGGESTIONS OF
beautiful arches, palaces, cities, with
houses and streets and church domes.
mountains, forests, grottoes, will APP
pear and vanish, to be succeeded per-
haps by fleets of ships, sometimes
placidly sailing over the deep, some
Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-08-19
A Simple. Bashful Maid.

'T nm glad your name is Mary" said
Mr.. Slowcoach to his sweetheart,
whom he bad been courting for several
years.
"Why SOP"
Because was reading today and
came across a line which said. Mary is
the sweetest name that woman ever
bore.'"
'rhat is POLITICALLY expressed. I've
heard my father say 1t to my mother,
whose name Is Mary. 1t is from some
poet, isn't it?"
~ believe so."
"But have also heard my father say
that there was even sweeter name
than Mary"
81 think he must have been mistak-
en-" said the lover as he tenderly press
ed his sweetheart's hand.
"No; l do not think he was mis-
taken"
what was the other name"
A beautiful blush suffused the charm
ing malden's cheek, the silken lashes
fell and yelled the lovely eyes, and in n
tone as soft as the whisperings of an
.Eolian harp she murmured:
WIFE"
hecards are out.-London Answers.
Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-08-19


man." she yells, "und IL Wasn't some
helpless womans | should horsewhip
youl Neffer in all my life shall you
fix some shoes for me, und IL you look
oudt at me ash pass py it vhill be six
months NIT der workhouse."
She goes oudt, und dot fat policemans
comes In, und pefore l can say any
poetry to him he grabs me und yells:
$50 you vhas some poets, eh, und like
to raise a row among der peoples
Maybe you haf made oop some verses
on me like
"A copper whose name 1t vhas Jack.
Nit stomach ash big as q hack,
Der asthma came on
To dat son Of a gun
Und laid him oudt fat on his backf'
Und dot pollcemans rush at me NIT
his club, und, by golly, When l awolle
some more l vhas a dead mans on der
floor of my shop Und when dot coal
mans comes in und hears oil aboudt II
he says:
IA cobbler who cobbled avhay
Und patched oop shoe eafery day,
He turned oudt poet,
Und der vhay he did go It
hsint got words for to say"
NJ. QUAD.
Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-08-19
Unclaimed Moneys.

Nearly every bank Of old establish
ment has on deposit sums Of unclaimed
money. The aggregate Of all these
sums, IL 1t could be told. would aston
ish the world. These moneys in the
Bank Of England are estimated vari-
ously, Msome placing the aggregate
amount at less than $500,0O0 and some
at many times that sum. In the Bank
Of England. as in all banks In this
country and in England. the total
amount Is made up of small sums. Ac-
cording to law. the Bank Of England
should give public access to the list of
such lost moneys, whereas 1t never does
anything of the sort. When challenged.
1t invites legal action, but no one cares
FOR legal contest with the Bank of
England so the question never 1s faced.
How do these unclaimed moneys ac-
cumulate7 Largely through the omis-
sion OF stockholders to claim dividends
and through the fact that many people
die without leaving behind them q
strict account Of their Investments.
Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-08-19
BOWSER'S LATEST.
THE THEORY OF TRANSPORTATION
TAKEN UP AGAIN.

He Became Greatly Interested In the
Subject, but when Tramp Tried
to Take Advantage of Him = Com
hict Followed.
copyright 1901, by G. B. Lewis.l
Mr.. Bowser had seemed absentmind-
ed at dinner, and for half an hour
afterward he smoked his cigar in
silence and had no interest In his even
ing paper. He finally aroused himself
with start and said:
"Mrs. Bowsr, want to talk with you
on very serious matter, and / trust I
may have your serious attention. A
man from Troy came into the Office
today and had pug dog with him, and
do you know recognized in that dog
an old and dear friend of mine who
died years ago."
$50 you have got back to that non-
sense, have your she replied. at is
only few months ago that you were
talking transmigratlon and got bitten
Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-08-19
Rusiness Is Bu.in e s..

He had obtained place In real es-
tate office and was doing everything he
could for the interests Of his employers.
The other evening he was at social
gathering and was asked to sing. He
responded with "Home. Sweet Home"
His friends were little surprised ut
the selection, but he was heartily ap.
plauded. Stepping forward. he said:
~ am glad you liked the song. There
Is nothing like Home, Sweet Home
and let me say that the company l rep
resent Ia selling homes on terms to suit
within IL minutes ride of the city. Ev-
erybody ought to have home. If you
don't want TO live there, It's the chance
OF your life for an investment"-Ex.
change,
Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-08-19
Roofs and Chimneys.

There is no doubt but the form Of q
roof has much to do with the draft of a
chimney. The fiat roof offers no resist
ance to the passage of air, but as the
pitch is increased the current is more
and more disturbed until with n high
pitched and many gabled roof 1t is bro
ken into innumerable eddies, some of
which are sure to curl down and force
the smoke and gases in the flue into the
rooms below. Chimneys on such roofs
should be built higher than ordinary.
Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-08-19
LOOK AT THAT CAT"

hUOh Al THAT CATl
by the cat and made the cook 80 mad
she walked off next day. Why can't
you let such subjects aloneT
$50 you call the theory Of trans
migration nonsense?" he sharply in
qulred as he turned on her.
"Of course 1 do. At least, 1t Is a
theory SO absurd that no sensible per
son will waste any time over it."
as 1t nothing to you, Mrs. Bowser,
whether your soul passes into the body
of dove or dog after death? If II
isn't, it's something to me what be-
comes Of mine. l don't banker to be a
hippopotamus. This theory of trans
migration is gaining ground every day,
and millions Of people already believe
in It,"
"Well, If they want to believe in such
rubbish let them go ahead
Rubbish! Rubbish! By what right
do you call the belief of 10000. 900 peo.
pie rubbish? There is either good
foundation for this theory or else all
these people are fools. How can you
say what becomes of your soul after
death"
How can your" she queried.
~ can't exactly, and yet when look
into the face of pug dog and behold
the features of dear old playmate
Tom Watkins-his eyes. his smile-it
goes to convince me that there is q
great deal more In this theory than
have hitherto accepted"
~ trust that your old friend was well
and that you enjoyed his CALL" quietly
observed Mrs. Bowser.
"Oh, you do! That's you all over!
never set out to talk with You on any
matter Of deep interest without your
trying to belittle 1t. Woman, right
here and now boldly announce myself
transmigrationst, and IL you have
Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-08-19

got any sense In your head / can prove
the theory to you inside of an hour!
Yes, can do 1t inside of minute!
Look at that catw
The family cat had just come in from
the back yard and was sitting up with
look Of innocence in her face. Mrs.
Bowser regarded her for n few mo-
ments and then said
Its our old cat right enough"
"Yes but whom does she remind you
Of? BY thunder, but it's strange I new
er noticed the likeness before! Mrs.
Bowser, as true as you live, the soul Of
your sister Hannah, who died three
years ago, passed into that cat! Look
at her, ! say! If that isn't Hannah's
expression TO dot, I'll eat my hat"
you must be crazy! She looks like
any other cat, and that's all there is to
1t. You can see to what silly things
your theory leads"
"And you see no resemblance 2" he
asked.
"Of course not"
"Then it's because your obstinacy
won't permit you TO. Hannah's soul
went into that eat as sure's you're
corn, and that's why she's hung around
us the way she has. That's only one
case, however. All human souls do not
pass into animals, Of course. Some OF
them pass into other people. When
die, my soul may pass into that of
some babe who will grow up to be a
celebrated poet or philosopher"
"Or junk dealer or knife grinder.
added Mrs. Bowser.
He was about to resent the sneer
when the cook came up and said there
was tramp at the basement door who
wanted money and refused TO so away
Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-08-19
BuHchinE the Hits,

Case and Comment tells story Of an
Illinois attorney who argued to the
court one after another of series of
very weak points, none of which SEEM
ed to the court TO have any merit until
the court finally said, "Mr. -, do you
think there is anything In these
points" To which the attorney re.
piled, "Well, judge, perhaps there isn't
much in any one of them alone. but l
didn't know but your honor would kind
of bunch them"
Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-08-19

times inverted, while halo like a
rainbow surrounds every image. 1t Is
supposed that the images are due to
the irregular refractive powers Of the
different layers OF air above the sea,
which magnify, repeat and dlstort the
objects on the Sicilian shore beyond,
but to the Italians these singular ap-
pearances are the castles Of the Prin-
cess Morgana, and the view Of them Is
supposed to bring good fortune to the
bebolder.
Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-08-19
supply Too Limited.

81 heard you had a COW for SALE"
began the amateur. "and as I'm think
Ing Of buying one r.
"Waal," interrupted the profession
al farmer. ''thar's thet Jarsey. Thar's
one good pint In her thet"-
"oh, gracious! That would never
do. I'd need quart at least."-Phila-
delphia Press.
Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-08-19
Shabby Treatment.

$50 your country relatives didn't
treat you we'll when you went there
this summerp' ~.
"No, indeed. 1t was shabby - per
fectly shabby! Why, we had to come
home In two weeks instead Of staying
six or eight weeks, as we intended"
"You don't sayr
"Yes. Why. they had their farm
house so full of summer boarders that
frankie and Oracle and Mamie and
Willie and had to go to another place
and pay boardW-Philadelph Bulle-
fin
Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-08-19
A nelI That Never Rang.

A curious legend is that connected
with the bell of St Mura. in Ireland.
The bell was said to have descended
from the sky ringing loudly, but as 1t
approached the earth the tongue de-
tached itself and returned to the skies.
The people concluded from this that
the bell was never TO he profaned by
sounding on earth, but was to be kept
Ior purposes more holy and beaehcent.
Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-08-19
oh.erylng the Proprietle.

Mrs. Wilton--I don't see much differ
epce in your friend Barnes since he
joined the church.
Mr.. Wilton-Oh. but there's a great
difference. When he goes fishing on
Sundays now, he goes around to the
back door when he comes home with
bis string of flsh.-Boston Transcript
Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-08-19
The Tammanx Tiger.

The origin of the tiger as an emblem
of Tammany is said to date from the
time when William M. Tweed. then
foreman of "Big Six" Fire company.
took q fancy TO picture of royal
Bengal tiger in the fifties. Tweed
adopted the emblem for the Americas
club, and It soon was accepted by all
Tammany.
Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-08-19

Perhaps it's some one into whom
the soul Of one of your old friends has
passed." suggested Mrs. Bowser as Mr..
Bowser started down stairs. IF 1t
proves to be so, you will of course use
him very tenderly."
He turned and glared at her and
nodded his head In an ominous way,
but she had given him an idea he
meant to work on. At the door he
found burly big tramp who was
believer in "the rights Of man" and
who lost no time in saying:
"why should have to sleep on the
grass under a tree while you occupy a
hair mattress in a luxurious bedroom?
I'm wanting q dime to put me UP
somewhere"
"And you shall have It," replied Mr..
Bowser as he walked the man slowly
down to the gate to be out of earshot
of the house. "You have arrived at an
opportune moment. You know what
'opportune is, don't you?"
"If it's turning me over to a cop.
don't you try 1t on" replied the tramp.
"Oh, you need have no fear! Have
you ever heard of the theory Of trans
migrationp
"Never."
"well, it's the idea that when per-
son dies his soul passes into the body
of some one else. Turn to the light
and let me get a square look at you.
All, yes! There is something in your
face that reminds me of the past"
"No tricks, governor. I'm bad man
IL you rile me-"
"There will be no tricks. You strange
ly remind me of boy named Joe Da-
Wis used to know years ago. He died
when he was Is. am wondering
"If his soul passed into my bodyf
| What sort of O Teller was he, govern
| orr
"A good boy. Yes; he was truly good
| and liberal hearted"
"Free with his money"
"He was"
"Then you needn't wonder any Ion
| ger. I'm your old friend Joe. You've
hit me off to a nail. 1 knew you the
| minute you came to the door. Shake
hands, governor, and If you don't mind
I'll take that dollar you borrowed Of me
just before died"
"But IL didn't borrow any dollar
from your stammered Mr.. Bowser as
he realized that his theory was growing
on his hands. "Come to look at you
again. l don't think you are my old
playmate"
! "None Of that. old manP growled the
tramp. "I'm the soul of Joe Davis, and
I want that dollar. Come DOWN.
"I-think there's some mistake. You
are too old, and your nose is too big,
and your eyes,
mo mistake, governor, and don't you
try to blk an old playmate. You bor-
rowed that dollar from me to go to the
circus, and want it back"
Mr.. Bowser started for the house, but
the tramp seized him and gave him
shake that ratified his teeth. Then the
conflict was on, and as Mrs. Bowser,
the cook and the cat got outdoors there
was mix up in the moonlight that
ended with the tramp leaping the fence
and making of and Mr.. Bowser slowly
getting up and glaring around and ask
ing what had happened.
| "Oh. nothing muchp replied Mrs.
Bowser. "You just met the soul Of an
old playmate which had passed into the
body Of a tramp"
"And-and'-
"And the soul threw you down and
rolled you on the grass till you'll smell
of new mown hay for month to come.
| Better come In and 20 to bed. The soul
of some other dear old friend may come
along in the body of a policeman and
tap you with club and give you the
collar" NJ. QUAD.
A Meddlesome Papa.
Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-08-19
Texas.

The area of Texas is equal to belt
of land IL miles wide enclrcling the
earth at the equator or to a strip of
land more than one mile wide reaching
from the earth to the moon or to a lane
wide enough for the roadbed of dou-
BILE track railway and long enough to
reach from the earth to the sun.
Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-08-19
HANS TRIES POETRY.
HE GETS UP A FEW JlNeLES TO
INCREASE BUSINESS.

His Rhymes, However, Failed TO
Please a Single Customer, and once
More the Little German Cobbler
Came to Grief.
copyright, 1901, by @. q. Jewis.1
One day when don't haf some work
to do und vhas singing II Like to BE
Some Angels" dot coal man comes in
und says:
Hans, you vhas a good feller, but
you don't know some peesness in Amer
lea. l shall put you oop to good thing,
und If you don't make feefty dollars
week you vhas no good. Can you make
oop some poetry?"
II can," says.
"vhell, dot vbas bully. / shall put
you oop some sings Of Der Cobbler
Poet. Poetry made While you get some
repairs, und no extra charge. Why.
Hans, customers vhill fall oafer each
other to get into your shop, und der
money Will come rolling in so fast you
can't count it."
don't know aboudt some poetry in
a cobbler shop, but dot coal man vhas
frendt of mine und a good peesness
man, und pellet he vhas X. D. He
paints me some signs, und l put 'em
oop by der window, und in two min
utes a man comes in NIT shoe und
says:
"vhell, vhell, but like poet. You
may put patch on dot shoe und make
me oop some poetry While ] waltz
Und took dot shoe und says:
'Dere vhas an old man nit nose,
und 1t vfas red ASH a roso,
Und day when he cough
Dot 1t falls of
Und broke some Afe OF his toes"
pellet dot man vhill hit me on der
back und laugh when he hears dot
poetry. but he don't do SO. He grabs
dot shoe AWAY und says:
"Cobbler, vhas In dis town dwendy-
sefen years. und dis vhas der first time
shentlemans, sir. You vhas big loafer
instead, und / take my work to a
dago. l like to kick you ten times, und
tell you to look oudt for me-"
He goes oudt, und don't know how
she yhas, und pooty queek womans
NIT red hair comes In und says:
"Cobbler, l read your sign und come
in to say dot ! shall pring you in more
ash two dollars worth of work tomor-
row. So you vhas some poets, eh?
Vhell, dot vhns shplendid. wrote
some poetry myself, und so we vhas
like twins. Let me hear you make
some poetry"
Und so ! says:
"a womans whose hair II vhas red.
She says she wish she vhas dead
| und she soes oudt by tree,
Und from life she gets free
| BY standing too long on her head"
"Cobbler," says dot womans ash she
shumps oop, "vhas dot me you make
some poetry aboudtT
ooh, no! 1t vhas womans In Gin
cinnati," says.
~ pellet you vhas some liars, sir! My
hair vhas red. und you like to make
fun of me. vhill now shpeak some
poetry to your
Und she grabs both hands In my hair
und pulls me aroundt und makes me
Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-08-19
Why This Puninhmentf

"Stapzer always reads his poems to
me as soon as they are finished" re-
marked Dinwiddie.
whats his particular grudge against
your" asked Van Braam.-Pittsburg
Chronicle
Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-08-19

Thompson-Was any one hurt in that
duel the other day?
Johnston-Yes; one Of the seconds
fell out Of a tree into which he had
climbed for safety.-Exchange
Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-08-19

Penelope-I'll just ruin my complex
ion going in bathing so much.
Perdita--I wouldn't care. No one
will notice it.-Detroit Free Press.
Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-08-19

Pater-You are very forward. sir. In
my day the young man waited until he
was asked to call.
Young Man-Yes, and now he walt
until he's asked not to call.
Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-08-19
AMERICAN LEAGUE.
THE STANDING.

Cleveland at Philadelphia.
Milwaukee at Boston.
Detroit at Baltimore.
Chicago at Washington.
Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-08-19
Belle-In what way?

Sue-Why, he had pair of recording
scales attached to her hammock. II
they registered over 1870, he knew Jack
had been sharing her seat.-Philadel-
phia Record.
Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-08-19
- SPORTS ~

ing of the game in the fifth inning,
when Doylestown was at bat and had
made the lonely score which stands
opposite her name. Two men were
out and Heisler's pitching had the
Doylestown batsmen in state of pitt
full amaze. The game had been well
billed as a contest between teams with
plenty of victories to their credit and
goodly crowd of Doylestown rooters
was there to see it. Doylestown had
record of II wins out of 10 games
played, and 1t was expected that the
contest would be close and interesting.
The Doylestown score was permitted
by errors on the part of Moon, Web.
ster's second baseman. The playing
of the rest of the team was almost
errorless and the Webter have another
good win to their credit.
The score by innings:
R.HE.
Doylestown ........ U u U U Il
Websters ......... coz % O--S Z 3
SAW SHAMROCK II.
A stream of visitors looked the Sham
rock II over all day Sunday as she lay
off Stapleton, in the Sound. Small
boats surrounded her in a lock and all
the regular and excursion boats ran
close enough that all ON board might
have a look mt the British craft. Bands
played English music and the boat was
repeatedly cheered. 1t Is not probable
that she will be given trial spin for
several days.
LORAIN'S CHALLENGE.
Lorain's foot ball team is the first
to put itself on record this year as be-
ing out after games. They have issued
challenge to any independent team in
the State whose average weight is be
tween 145 and 175 pounds. The Lor'
ain team claims the championship of
Northern Ohio for the season of 1900,
and hopes to keep the title this season.
CLEVELAND GOES EAST.
The wallop which Baltimore handed
out to Cleveland has made McAlecr's
teams chances for step upward in
the list of averages look slim. The
Cleveands go to Philadelphia today
and will play the Athletics three
gaines. Cleveland's pitchers are back
in shape again and there is no reason
why the Athletics should not be beat.