davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02
DEEDS RATHER THAN DREAMS.
Decline of Imagination and Its Most
 Noticeable Results.


 Noticeable Results.
 It will be difficult to impress the com munity that humanity is greatly the loser by the decline of imagination President Thwing of Western Reserve University professed to regret this passing emotion in an address he made recently in the West, but 1t was no doubt largely a regret of the perfume tory order, and one naturally to be ex- pected from a man of letters. IT we have in this practical age lost the pleasures of imagination, we nave through the immutable law of c0mpen- sation gained greatly in realization. There may be no modern mind capable of producing another "Faery Queen but there are countless minds working for humanity's betterment and Weav- ing in place of the web of fancy the staunch though homely texture of en- during benefit.
 The decline of so-called imagination began with the decline of chivalry. It went out with the false ideas of honor. with the vauntings of bedizened men, with the bitter class distinctions, with the contempt for the profession of let ters and with the poorly cooked food and other wretched creature comforts of that period of hampered progress. In its place has arisen practical method of thought in which there is scant room for the dreamer of dreams. Tn its place has come higher regard for humanity, wider sphere for wom an, new tenderness for childhood and a general betterment all along the marching ranks of civilization.
 Imagination is a sweet and gracious quality, but its decline leaves no void in a scheme of life that believes in deeds rather than in dreams. The world may be too much with us, as old Wordsworth said, but that was poets protest, and poetry is declining, too.- Cleveland Plain Dealer
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02
Two Smart Wnnen.

Mother (anxiously)-I am told that your husband plays poker every night at the club-plays for money, too.
 Married Daughter-That's all right. He gives me all his winnings"
 "What? Do you"
 And he always plays with MT. Next door,"
 "What difference can that make"
 "MIrs. Nextdoor makes her husband give her his winnings, too, and then she gives the money to me, and I hand her what my husband won from hers, and so we both have about twice as much money as we could get out of them oth- erwise "-New York Weekly.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02
York Sun, with the most unpleasant re

York Sun, with the most unpleasant re- suits. The suggestion was, of course, rejected by the officials to whom it was made by the singers friends, and Pres ident Loubet was so disgusted by the affair that he refused to attend the performance. The tenor also declined to take part, as his suggestion that he would like the decoration was received with so little courtesy. The result of the matter was that he left Paris vow ing that he would never return. The feeling over the affair is such that he will in all probability never be asked to sing at the opera under any circum- stances.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02

Whatever benefits come from the pos session of millions, privacy, which Is after all one of the most desirable pos sessions. Is almost completely delied to the millionaire. It may readily be i'm agined that the great financiers who had the bad luck to return from Eu- rope by the same steamer would have given some of their surplus millions for the privilege of travelling quietly, free from prying curiosity. No really practical measure of relief has been suggested. To travel ineognito would appear an unwarranted assumption of the habits of royalty, but II Is conceiv- able that the very wealthy may yet be driven to such shift.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02
All One Vast Family.

The sovereign families of Europe, despite all political differences, form one vast family, closely bound by ties of blood and innumerable intermar- riages. This will be understood better when it is stated that every crowned head in Europe, outside Turkey, at the present moment is descended from Mary, Queen of Scots, with the excep- tion of the King of Sweden, the King of Servia and the Prince of Monaco and Montenegro.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02
ALL SUPERsTITIoUs.
Gamblers at Monte Carlo Pin Their
 Faith to Charms.

Sailors and actors are commonly cred
 ited with being the most superstitious
 of men; but the gambler who haunts
 the tables of Monte Carlo and similar
 gambling resorts leaves them hopeless
 ly out of the race in the importance he attaches to omens and taliSmans. There is scarcely a man or woman
 who tempts fortune at the tables who
 does not go armed with some wonder
 full talisman which is to bring them
 luck, and these charms often take the quaintest and most grotesque form.
 One man who had an exceptional run of luck at Monte Carlo last year ascribed it all to a franc which he car ried suspended from his watch chain. This coin had grim history, for it was the only one found on the body of a gambler who had lost fortune at the tables and had shot himself in the grounds rather than face the world with franc as his whole capital
 Another player whose success excited considerable attention and envy carried a quaint little Indian idol carved in ivory, which he picked up during his travels in the East, and which was credited with mystic virtues On only one occasion he went to the tables with out his idol charm, when he experienced such run of bad luck that he had to beat nasty retreat.
 Another Well+knoWn gambler who vis- its Monte Carlo every year pins his faith to miniature of his dead wife, which he wears attached to a chain around his neck; and very old player attributes his almost invariable good fortune to silver watch which inter- cepted bullet and saved his life during the American Civil War.
 One very familiar figure at the tables in that of an elderly man on whose ca- pacious waist there dangles a perfect armOry of charms, at least a dozen in number. There is pig in gold and an- other in silver (the pig in any form is the surest hamburger of luck according to the superstitious), several lucky coins, from an Indian rupee to an Etruscan coin of the time of Solon, an Egyptian scarab, and the claw of tiger that nearly killed him.
 And yet all these charms are power less to bring him fortune, for he can- didly confesses that he would bo thou sands of dollars richer if he had stayed away from Monte Carlo.
 But the gamblers superstition Is by no means confined to charms. Nothing is too trivial to convert into an omen. A number that he dreams of or that catches his eye in paper will be sure to bring him luck at roulette. Every man has his lucky numbers to which he adheres, however rudely his faith in them may be shaken.
 The number of letters in his name, the date of his wedding or engagement from these and a score of similar fanciful sources he gets the numbers on which he stakes his chances of win hing.
 Some men will never play on a Fri lay or on the 18th of the month. Oth- | ITS find these their most fortunate days, | put in spite of these and hundred oth- er superstitions the bank continues to grow fat and full at the expense of the lnlucky gambler.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02

At the beginning of the new fiscal year the pneumatic tubes which have been employed in the postal service of New York. Brooklyn, Philadelphia and Boston went out of operation, and the mail-wagon has taken their place. This looks like step backward. It is probably only temporary. Congress seems to have refused to continue the appropriation solely on account of its unwillingness to foster a private mo- nopoly. Doubtless a pneumatic tube service built and owned by the gov ernment will yet be established and maintained in all large cities, although several ingenious rival contrivances for doing the same work deserve consider ation before final decision Is made.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02

The Englishman who dares to be a bigamist fares much better when he has seat in the House of Lords than when he is a commoner. Earl Russell was tried by a jury of his peers and was sentenced to three months impris- onment as a first-class misdemeanant That kind of an offender does not get fin English prisons either first-class food or lodging. But if a judge instead of the House of Lords had tried him he would have had 6 severer sentence. Earl Russell pleaded guilty. His coun- sel explained that the Earl and the woman with whom he contracted the bigamous alliance had acted on the best legal advice obtainable in Nevada, where he got his divorce, and did not know they were doing wrong. It was thought. before the trial, that the ques- tiOn of the validity fin England of Nevada divorce would be raised. The adult portion of the 42,335 inhabitants of that sovereign State was waiting i'm patiently to learn whether the decrees of its courts were to be treated as a nullity by the insolent aristocrats of Britain. Had this been done there would have been casus belli between Nevada and Great Britain, but the Earl would not raise the question. A Chi, cagO bigamist got out of his scrape by buying onf his lawful wife with $500. Perhaps if Earl Russell had been more liberal with his English wife he would not have had to go to jail
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02
SUPPOSE WE SMILE.
HUMOROUS PARAGRAPHS FROM
 THE COMIC PAPERS.
Pleasant Incidents Occurring the World Over-Sayings that Are Cheer full to Old or Young-Funny se1ec- tiOns that Everybody Will Enjoy,

Nell-May Brassey's awful mad. She sent an anonymous letter to the society editor announcing that Miss May Bras sey Is one of the prettiest young women in the uptown set.
 Belle-And didn't he publish it?
 les; put he headed it: Miss Bras sey says. Philadelphia Record.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02

Speaking of the summer and winter journeys wealthy people make to yari- ous resorts" here and abroad, shrewd observer of city life remarks that 'the finer the house on the avenue, the less it Is occupied" In so far as that is true, 1t is to be regretted. At every season, in some favored region, nature spreads a fairer roos than ever archi- tect devised; but we may leave paradise behind us when w. set out to ind bet ter place than home
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02
Leadin. Him On.

The summer girl and the summer young man had exhausted all other subjects of conversation. when they turned to the crops.
 ''I guess the corn fields of the Wesc are in a bad way on account Of the dry spell" said he.
 Yes, that seems to be the case. she assented, coyly; but l don't think the pop corn crop will be injured
 After that what could he do but pOp3 -Pittsburg Commentaries
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02
Only Obstacle

Here's a woman" said the Query Editor, "who asks: Should a married woman in writing a letter sign herself Mrs. John Smith ?''" Certainly" re- piled the Snake Editor, unless her name happened to be Mrs. William Jones' Philadelphia Record
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02
A Remarkable EamiIr.

Count E. de KeratIy informs the Paris Matin that his grandfather was born in 1898, and his father in 1769, he himself being born in 1882, so that three generations have lived in the 17th, 18th, 18th and 20tb centuries. The Keratry family numbers only 12 generations from 1297 to the present time, an average of two generations to a centurY.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02
Facts in the Case.

Madam" said the poor but h0nes- iceman, you do me a great injustice when you say my bill Is more than Ir should be. To tell you the truth. l am actually selling ice at a loss this sum mer"
 "Oh, I can readily believe that. re- piled the indignant female The 1o- pound cakes you cut for me show Loss of fully three pounds each by the Tims you get them in the refrigerator
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02

Half a century ago thin stream of Niagara Falls was irst led aside to turn a grist mill. To-day a larger stream, which diminlshes seriously the amount of water that passes over the fall, fur nlshes almost half million horse pow CT. Father Henuepin was doubtless the first white man to see the mighty cat aract. What Father Time will yet be- hold there passes all computation.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02
Fault of Our Language.

Myer- -Bifkins writes me that he sus- tained broken leg in a railway acci- dent one day last week
 Gyer-Well, that is certainly eOnsid- crate on the part of Bifkins.
 Myer-HOw'S that?
 Gyer-The leg helped to sustain him before it was broken, therefore. it Is no more than right that he should sus- tain it now.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02
4 Snnerabundance of Intellect

Has your country any really great thinkers" asked the tourist skepti- cally.
 "Too many of 'em," answered the Kansas agriculturist. Every once in a while we run across a man that's mas querading as a farm hand. but who doesn't want to do thing but think."- Washington Star.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02

Some rich American is buying up the big diamonds that were intended to be given to. King Edward as coronation gifts. It has come to be lneKy day for John Bull when he doesn't get up against the Yankee terror n one form or another.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02
A Mean Way Men Have

Mrs. Whyte-.Men have very poor judgment.
 Mrs. BrOwne-Yes, but it doesn't do to tell them so. If you do they are apt to make sarcastic references to the time when they got married.-SOmerVille Journal.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02
Lukewarm Weather.

"Pop, this is awfuly hot weather, ain't it?" quoth Georgie, the 6-year-old family joy. How do you like your weather"
 "In summer I imagine like it cold; in winter I believe 1 like it hot. How is it with you"
 "Oh, I like mine lukewarm." New York Press.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02
In Tins and Stale.

Say, I thought you said they always give fresh vegetables at that farm. I've got my family there now, and we're all disgusted."
 "You surprise me. Perhaps they pro- vide the best they can"
 Not much. They don't even provide the best the canners n"-Philadel- phia Press.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02

The busy bee at best gets a day off about as seldom as a country boy in hayiag-time. but the modern apiarist has contrived to make her even more in- dustrious than she is when left to her self. The orchards of the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys blossom some months before the southern sage-brush. The bee-farmer. therefore, carts his bees about from place to place as the seasons advance. and thus by keeping them busy months of the year, gets 8 crops of honey. The difficulty of mov- ing bees during their active season is overcome by travelling at night. AS the bees help to pollenize the flowers and thus produce superior fruit, the owners of the orchards regard them with favor. In results the plan Is even better than that of the enterprising farmer who crossed his bees with fire flies so that they could work nights.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02
Past and Future.

"The secret of happiness is to live in the present"
 'That's so; but my wife is always wanting money for tomorrow, and bill collectors, you know, won't let you forget yesterday"
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02

The American circus continues to penetrate the wilds of Europe and ere ate endless talk and sensation. Later on we may send them the tireless mer- ry-go-round and the rollicking roller coaster
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02

Mrs. YOungwed (crying)-Oh, Frank! BoO-hoo! Don't you know big tramp ate one of the pies baked this morn ing! BoO-hOO!
 MT. Youngwed-Oh, we'll, dear. there's lots of other tramps. Besides, the police won't blame you for it.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02

In the agriculture of the future irri- gation will be leading feature, and the comprehensive study of the 5ubject should begin now.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02
Overstocked.

'I argued and argued with young Nibbs to have more self esteem" Was he influenced by your eforts% Hes got so much now that can't stay around where he iS-'
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02
Couldn,t Be Sacrifice.l.

Easterner-Why don't you build your courthouse over there?
 Westerner-Why, if we did we'd have to cut that tree down.
 ''Well, what of it?''
 What of it? Man alive, that's the only tree in this neIghbOrhOOd ft 10 lynch a man on?'-Philadelphia Rec ord.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02
One Little Detail.

"Are all the arrangements for your marriage with the count complete?"
 Practically. All that remains is for him to give papa statement of his lia- bilities. Life
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02
As Others See Us

Miles-I have my doubts about thar assertion of yours.
 Giles-Wen. you certainly have plea- ty of room for doubt
 MileS-HOw'S that?
 Giles-There is plenty of vacant space under your hat.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02

For every humorist there is In the world there are at least thousand wo- men who are unable to appreciate his jokes.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02
Pretty Japanese Custom.

The Japanese have custom of ceIe- brating the blossOming of the fruit trees by a general holiday.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02
ProDag gators.

Mosquitoes are accused of propa- gating disease" said Spykes.
 'Well, I know that they propagate profanity" said Spokes.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02
Putting It Right.

T didn't get home till dawn yester- day morning."
 What did your wife say?'
 That's the wrong way to put it. What didn't she say?"
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02

The cows have their food burned up only for a few months, while some men have to eat burned things for ever.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02

A rich farmer who died recently in Erie County, Pennsylvania, provided in his will for the foundation and main tenance of>a library at crossroads, remote from any village. The building which .wih shelter it Is: designed to
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02
Easy.

(Which would you rather. Tommy. be born lucky or rich:" asked Unele Tredway.
 Both" replied Tommy sententi0Usly-
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02

An ugly temper often gets man into | pretty mess.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02
A Precipitate Verdict.

Ia, What IS a phlIOSOpherF
 "A philosopher, Jimmie. Is a man who thinks he has got through being a fool"
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02

Osculaticn Is apt to make hit with a miss.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02
No Chance to Resist.

"A picture peddler caught me yester- day"
 well, you are getting feeble-mind- ed"
 ''He was peddling snow scenes"
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02

The love of the mosquito for a bare arm Is surpassed only by the love of the fly for a bald head.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02

Every cloud has its silver lining. Even the State prison has its outside.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02
CrificaIIr

Polly Pinktights- leading lady Is ill.
 Fanny ghts-Critieally
 Polly Pinktights-I suppose SO Didn't you see the way all the papers roasted her this mOrning?-PhiladeE- phia Record.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02
A FrieniIy E timate.

Proud Mamma-DOn't you think little Harold's head is a great deal like his fathers.
 Uncle Bill-Yep. Nothing on the out side and not much on the inside.-Balti- more American.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02

There is nothing equal to a good opera for sharpening the feminine appetite.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02

How we long for another chance to clean the mud off our clothes!
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02
Chinese Country Roads.

Country roads in China are never bounded by fences, but are entirely un- defined.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02

AASs
 Yes, the poor child took Of her heavyweight spectacles and put on her summer eyeglasses too soon" replied the latter.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02
Cause of Her Cold.

"Poor Emersonia has a very severe cold" said Mrs. Baekbay to Mrs. BOst-- iDor
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02
sey says

pCdS uHUCI yUuI rug
 Mrs. FOxy-TO keep young men from making declarations of love to my daughterL Meggendorfer Blaetter.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-11-02

The circulation of the blood is san guinary revolution.
The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1901-10-17
wherL some of the 0ld-time terrors

whcrL some of the old-time terror'
were kept, under the old jail.
hear this is all changed now. Tho
dungeons ale no M re and the granite
has been blasted for building rock
Several years ago an enterprising far
mer tore up the face Of the earth and
had terrific battle with the jointed
grass and was rewarded by gaining a
magnificent cotton field. The old
shacks have disappeared. A mile
above, on the Southern Railway, Is the
prosperous town Of Easlcy, and COT
ton mill has been ballt there with a
settlement reaching almost to the pre-
cincts of Old Pickcnsvillc. The " big
house" Of the place, once the hotel,
is, believe, standing and is the res
idencc Of VIM. ~. Neal.
A quaint theory was once advanced
about Pickcnsville. The tearing up Of
the "Tom Bell" grass was followed,
it is said, by an extraordinary outbreak
of trouble in Easlcy, a mile above.
The town was torn by factions and the
churches were made scenes of war.
An old citizen said that the "Tom
Bell " had mcrcifully como to Pickens-
vile ami formed tough cover and
that the devil was covered in. His
theory was that the tearing up Of the
Tom Bell let the devil loose and
hence all the trouble.
The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1901-10-17
ONE DOLLAR A YEAR
BEHIND THE TIMEs.--u It isn,t

| BEHIND THE TIMEs.--" 1t isn't my
fault" declared the bachelor. CT
would have been married long ago If
the fates hadn't been against me. I
simply gave up when discovered that
the race was too swift for me. There
was time when all my future was
centercd in certain young lady who
lived in this city. But had detested
rival who caused me good deal of un-
easlness. At last resolved to settle
the matter; 80 dressed myself in my
best and made for the girls home.
Say, but was boiling mad when ] met
my rival at the door. Something told
me that he was on the same errand,
and we stood there and glared at each
other until the girls mother came to
the door and Informed us that the
young lady had gone to neighboring
town to visit an aunt.
" AS l turned away chanced to no.
tice hack passing. l knew that there
was a train leaving town for the town
where the girl was, in few minutes,
and it gave me an idea. Making a
dash for the hack l jumped in and
shouted to the driver that would give
him $40 if he would get me to the
station in time to catch the train.
Then [ waved my hand to my rival as
long as he was in sight, and chuckled
to myself at the success of my coup.
Well, arrived at the town, found
where my friend WAS staying, and call
cd without loss of time, as l had an
idea that my rival would be up on the
rcXt train.
"Say, l hope to never get married
if that miserable fellow hadn't called
her up by telephone and settled the
whole thing before had even caught
my train. "-Chicayo Journal.