davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Gilpin observer., 1901-10-17
Els LABOR LOST.

Mr.. and Mrs. Bixtable resided N an
apartment house, but as theirs was
the lower fiat they exercised a kind Of
supervision over the little lawn in
front. One morning Mrs Bixtablt
discovered her husband in the rear OF
the building engaged in strapping the
lawn mower on the handlebar of his
bicycle.
why. Gerald she said, "how
ridiculous! Don't you know"
1T isn't ridiculous at ALL" he re-
torted. I've carried heavier weights
than this"
Il know what l am doing, Miranda
Don't bother me-"
She said nothing more. With a vast
amount of work he succeeded at last
in tying and strapping the implement
across the front of his bicycle ano
started to trundle the machine out tc
the road.
Then he made a discovery.
why, Miranda" he exclaimed, ''it's
too wide to go out through any open
ing we've got."
II know it. Gerald" quietly re-
sponded his wife. That's what I wa.
trying to tell you.'-Youth's Com.
panion.
Gilpin observer., 1901-10-17
RATS IN CAPE TOWN.

sixpence a Head Paid by Authorities
for Destroying Them.
II the Pied Piper of Hamelin had
not been filling an engagement else
where, he might have found remuner-
ative employment recently in Cape
Town, South Africa, where the author
tiles have been waging war of ex-
termination against the numerous rats.
These rats are responsible chiefly for
spreading the bubonic plague through
out the region. and thus gained the
enmity of all classes. In Cape Town
it was considered more befitting to
put a price on rats head than to
send battalions of pipers to lure him
to destruction by the charm of their
music. Hence in the war of extermin-
alton a reward of threepence a head
be proven to have suffered the extreme
penalty of the law-whether guilty or
not of having introduced bubonic
plague during the course OF its en-
terprising but all too brief career mat
tered not. 1t sufficed that the grave
crime of bringing the plague from the
stricken ports of India to South Africa
had been fixed on the rats that came
over in the transports. The result of
this was that so vigorous and success
full campaign has been carried out
in Cape Town that it is at this mo-
ment practically ratless-save for
fresh arrivals which are summarily
dealt with. During the early stages
of this minor war the rat-receiving Of
flee on the docks was besieged by huge
numbers of blocdthirsty human con-
querors every day, but in the latter
stages the siege relaxed so much owing
to the growing scarcity Of rats that the
poll tax had to be raised to sixpence.
AS soon as these rats were received
and paid for they were taken to a
small hut near the sea and consigned
to flames lasting as long as there was
rat fuel to feed them.-New York
Press.
Gilpin observer., 1901-10-17
THE WEIGHT CAME BACK.

From the Chicago Tribune: He was
gay youth with a pleasant turn OF
wit and he had a friend in New York
on whom he decided to play a joke
He thought for a long time, but the
wittiest idea he could conjure up was
to send him a telegram collect" and
get his laugh out of what he knew
would be his stingy friends agony
when he came to pay the so cents
charges for a foolish message He
wrote several messages on telegraph
blanks. The one he finally sent read
like this:
George ]. Kelly, Broadway, New
York: 1 am in perfect health. ]. Lin
coin Reynolds"
He sent the telegram and enjoyed
Gilpin observer., 1901-10-17
A Cinderella Of the Foothills.
BY Z. l.. huston.


Copyright. 1901. by Daily Story Pub. Coz
The cotillion to be given at the bar
racks had wakened up the little gar
rison town as had nothing else that
season. In the first place. the barracks
Affairs were always successes; there
were always plenty of dancing men to
go around. and the floor OF the drill
shed was the best for dancing in the
city. And there was so little in the
way Of excitement in those far west
ern towns that knew nothing of parks
and lakes and little jaunts into the
country. There were irrigating bitches
instead Of lakes and a few irrigation
raised trees instead OF parks. and no
country, but wide stretches OF alkali
dust and sage brush and cacti. 1t was
"howling Wilderness" the eastern
raised brides wrote home In dismay.
and only in the garrison towns was
life worth living.
But the jolly little Arab families,
who lived their brief season in "ofii-
GERS row." quite ready to pack and
obey marching orders at moments
notice. gave the disconsolate brides
their philosophy and frightened the
passing hour as best they could.
So the cotillion was announced by
the hospitable military folk. and de-
lightful was the excitement in conse-
Quence. But in affairs of society and
state, be the matter great or small,
creep the undercurrents of human in
terests. and in the atmosphere of
pleasurable excitement fioated the in
evitable. conflicting incense Of keen
anticipation and miasmic vapor of Bit
terness ard envy. For at the cotillon
the new social lion. Roger Huntleigh.
the eastern speculator, was expected
to bc present, and debutantes and
dowagers regarded him with special
and most favorable interest.
Then, the cotillon was to be given
Gilpin observer., 1901-10-17
MRS. IDA L. ROsER.

"The value of Lydia E. Pink
hams Vegetable Compound was
called to my attention by an intimate
friend, whose life had simply been a
torture with Inflammation and ulcer
alton, and few bottles of your Com
pound cured her; she can hardly
believe it herself to-day, she enjoys
such blessed health. 1 took four
bottles of your Compound and consider
myself cured. ! am once more in fine
health and spirits; my domestic and
official duties all seem easy now, for I
feel SO strong l can do three times
what 1 used to do. You have host of
friends in Denver, and among the best
count, Yours very gratefully Mrs.
IDA L. RosER, 326 18th Ave-, Denver,
Col. 5000 forfeit if oboUe testimonial is noa
genuine.
If you are ill, don't hesitate to
get a bOttleOf Lydia T.. Pinxham'S
Vegetable Compound at once,
and write to Mrs. Pinkham,
Lynn, Mass, for special advice
it is free.
Gilpin observer., 1901-10-17
Precious Iron Sands.

At many places along the coast of
Gaudeloupe are vast beds Of iron sands.
The quantity in sight and Immediately
available is estimated at some 200, 900
tons. 1t is very pure magnetic iron
sand. free from impurities and yielding
about 67 per cent. OF iron. This iron is
said to give a superior quality Of steel
Practically unlimited quantities OF this
sand are available, and vessels may
be loaded speedily and safely. Much
interest has been shown by spectators
and others in these valuable sands, but
1t has been the policy of the govern
ment of the colony to forbid the work
Ing OF them heretofore. But now Consul
Ayme OF Guadeloupe reports that, ac-
cording to a decree recently published
in the Journal Officiel, a concession for
the exploitation of the iron sands Of
the colony has been granted to Mr..
N. de la Ronciere. merchant and presi-
dent OF the Chamber OF Commerce OF
Pointe a Pitre.-New York Press.
Gilpin observer., 1901-10-17

laughed the doctor that night as he
stamped into the house and nodded
toward the window, where the garri-
son lights could be seen all Pickering
near the foothills.
Cut dead. dad. dear!" smiled his
daughter. "And would have enjoyed
it sol"
''See what 1t is to inherit your
fathers fatal beauty, my dear!" said
the grizzled physician solemnly, pinch
ing her rosy ear. You see. even the
dazzling Despard fears you when the
new lion roars. And this is the night
that Huntleigh is to be undone"
you brazenly vain mani" replied
Miss Harvis.
She bent low over the little kettle
Gilpin observer., 1901-10-17
Mr.. sheldon. Preference.

Il see that the Rev Mr.. Sheldon says
he'd rather drink bottle of red ink
than bottle of beer
Queer taste. isn't it?"
Never tasted it,
What. beer?"
mo. ink. But say. just imagine Mr..
Sheldon inviting a friend to join him
in glass of writing fluid Wonder
how he'd drink it?"
Il suppose he'd drink it with a
chaser of blotting paper"-ClevelaId d
Plain Dealer.
Gilpin observer., 1901-10-17
"Cut dead. dad. dear"

Jointly by the Colonel's wife and the
social leader OF the little city. Mrs.
Despard; and Miss Despard had In her
"set" a bette noir-the daughter of a
physician. And the doctors daughter
was not invited. Why? asked the
little garrison town. Then 1t raised its
eyebrows and smiled. Miss Despard
was handsome in her Junoesque. COM
manding way. But the gentle daugh-
ter Of hard-working DR.. Harvis had n
winsome beauty all her own, and a
soft and sweet graciousness that all
the Despard Jewels could not outshine.
$50 the fair Despard left you out.
my daughter. O my daughter?'
Gilpin observer., 1901-10-17

paid the money and pried the lid on
the box. Inside was a mass OF excel
sior and waste paper. Far down at
the bottom he found large chunk OF
weighed five or six pounds and to it
was fastened, by dainty pink rib
bon, small card. On the card was
written the following message:
Dear Reynolds: This is the weight
which your thoughtful telegram lift
ed from my heart. Yours truly. G. J..
Kelly"
Gilpin observer., 1901-10-17
fold Favorite series.l

(Old Favorite Series.)
Mid pleasures and palaces though we
Be II ever SO humble. there's no place
like homei
A charm from the skies seems to hallow
Which, seek through the world Is ne'er
met with elsewhere.
Home! home! sweet, sweet home!
There's nc. place like home: there's no
place like home.
An exile from home splendor dazzles in
vain,
oh! give me my lowly. thatch'd cottage
again:
The birds singing gaily. that come at my
call;
Give me them with the peace of mind.
dearer than all.
Home! home! sweet. sweet home!
There's no place like home; there's no
. place like home.
How sweet It's to sit meath fond faith
er's SMILE
And the cares of a mother to soothe and
beguile
Let others delight mid new pleasures to
roam,
But give me. oh. give me the pleasures
Homel home sweet. sweet home
But give me. oh. give me the pleasures
of home.
To thee I'll return. overburdened with
care,
The hearts dearest solace will smile on
me there;
No more from that cottage again will I
roam,
Be 1t ever so humble. there's no place like
home,
Homei homel sweet. sweet home!
There's no place like home: there's no
place like home.
Inhr ri TDotr
Gilpin observer., 1901-10-17
Well within the Lnw.

what are you doing therey" shout
ed the night watchman to the fellow
who had broken into tobacco store.
WELL" replied the burglar. 81 didn't
really think there was any law against
fellow taking little snuff."-Yonk.
ers Statesman.
Gilpin observer., 1901-10-17
Bound to Believe.

"In spite of the lucky stone you car
ry in your pocket you lost all your
money and sign fell on you and
broke your arm"
Yes. but wasn't 1t fortunate I had
that lucky stone? Think what might
have happened to me otherwise!"-
Boston Traveller.
Gilpin observer., 1901-10-17
other Books Received.

"Hirsh's Tabulated Digest of the pi-
vorce Laws of the United States" by
Hugo Hirsh. Funk & Wagnalls COM
pany, New York. s1.50.
"The Wheels of the Machine" by
Charles NJ. Sheldon. Advance Publish
ing company. Chicago.
Prairie Breezes." by S. A. Harrison
principal of the Burroughs school, Chi
cago.
Gilpin observer., 1901-10-17

Hocus-what happened whom you
told your mother-in-law to mind her
own business. Pocus-I don't exactly
know. When recovered conscious-
ness I was In the hospital.
Gilpin observer., 1901-10-17
Little Boy-what.s preachin' for. any
way? Little Girl-Why. to give the sing
ers q rest. of course.
MRS. IDA l. ROSER
Grand-Niece of Ex-President
James X. Polk, Writes to
Mrs. Pinkham Saying:

"DEAR MRS. PiNKHAM IL have been
married for nearly two years, and SO
far have not been blessed with child.
/ have, however, suffered with COM
plication of female troubles and pain
full menstruation, until very recently.
Gilpin observer., 1901-10-17
M,ttcr OF Diet.

simkins-"A scientist says the goat
Is the most unreliable OF all domestic
animals"
Timkins-"No wonder. A diet OF
tin-can labels and circus posters IL
enough to destroy the spirit of truth
In any creature"
Gilpin observer., 1901-10-17
His Last Chance.

"Marse Tom, you mus sho' run for
governor"
"Why so?"
"Kaze you done run fer everything
else on de top side er de airth. en- dey's
so many in de race for governor mebbe
you won't get beat dis me!"-Atlan-
ta Constitution.
Gilpin observer., 1901-10-17

One day about a month after he had
sent the witty telegram the express
wagon stopped in front OF his house
and the messenger brought in q small
wooden box.
There are two dollars charges"
said tho messenger as he put the box
down on the table. Reynolds looked
ct It and saw that It was marked.
Value 500. This side up with care"
He wasn't expecting any package. but
he could not resist the temptation OF
saeing what was inside. so ne finally
Gilpin observer., 1901-10-17

Mother Fly-"Yes, Willie, this is
Mount Terrible and here's the spot
where your poor dear papa met his
death. h."-Chicago News.
The age-herald., 1901-02-17
Wicked NeroyNes M P\aNs
 Do Not Nease Me Men

Winifred Black in New York Journal. Becky Sharp" was in Denver.
 And all the Denver men were in mourn. ing.
 Why is it men always hate "adventur- ess plays?'
 They do.
 never saw a good, healthy, normal man in my life who would sit through q wicked woman heroine play without loud and dire lamentations.
 When "Zaza' was the rage I went to see it.
 l went eight times.
 The first time I went to see the play. The other seven times went to see the audience-I mean the men in the audi ence
 They sat up and took notice very com fortably during the first act.
 Zaza was amusing them The man was resisting her.
 Along about the middle of the second act they figitted.
 Zaza was too m uch in earnest and she had landed her man.
 In the third act they wriggled. And in the fifth act they openly squirmed.
 It was great fun to see them. Since then I never go to an adventuress play without one eye on the stage and
The age-herald., 1901-02-17
Question of Good Roads.
pm the Eufaula Times.

From the Eufaula Times.
 The subject of our country roads Is one that not only interests the farmer but the business man. Now that the spring rains are on and 4n the busy time of the year, there is much difficulty ex- perienced in getting produce and supplies to and from the country. It is a question that Is being agitated all over the State, and one that should be agitated at all times, as 1t is one of the vital essentials in keeping up towns and cities. We should have better roads leading to and from town, and as one gentleman said "Where Is there a good road leading from town that one can take for a three or four mile drive?' We don't know, but hope to see more attention given to public highways in the future. Drain them and keep 1t from bringing a water course of what is to be a roadway. Then we will begin to have good roads. There are millions of yards of gravel lying where 1t can be easily gotten for road bikes that with care would last forever These things should be talked over and the best ways and means should be de-
The age-herald., 1901-02-17

his way to his desk he paused a minute at the cavernous aperture that marked the entrance to the vault. A few minutes later he left the bank and did not return. That evening. as the accounts for the day were being balanced, 1t was found there was a shortage of S600.00O in the funds Instantly there was constination. The president and directors were sum- moned to conference Quick action was necessary. In the morning the news of the dedication would be public, and practical ruin stared them in the face
 iEarly next morning Brown was in his usual place. He looked calm and as inn perturbable ever. The directors came in to discuss the best course to pursue Brown was sent for to see If he could throw any light upon the subject.
 MT Brown said one of the directors this bank has been robbed of s60O.00O
 '' Yes, sir, said Brown. I took it.
 "Eis hearers started. You gasped one. You who prated to us of honestly! Why, what do you mean? Do you know
 Yes, sir, I know all about it. The worst you can do is to give me ten years Imprisonment. Allowing for commuta- ton for good behavior the sentence will be reduced between two and three years At the expiration of that time I will still have S600000 to live upon. Now let mo
 
 acquitting me of all blame and guaran- teeing me immunity against punishment and will return to you s300. .0o0. reserving the balance to support myself in some foreign country. Then there will be no scandal The credit of the bank will be preserved and you will be gainer by the transaction.
 "There was silence for a moment. Then one of the directors said: We must have time to consider this. Please withdraw until we have discussed the matter "Brown smiled and went out. Fifteen minutes later he was sent for. "'We accept your terms, MT. Brown,' said one of the magnates stiffly. Give us S300 GOO and we will agree not to prose- | cute.'
 Half an hour later Brown handed over | to the directors S3OO,0OO. The money was | carefully counted, receipt given for 1t | and in addition, a document, signed by | all present, insuring him against all le- I gal complications.
 "Brown turned as if to go. There was | a dramatic pause. Then drawing bulky package from his pocket. he tossed it on the table, saying carelessly: There I are the other $30O,000, gentlemen. l had | no wish to steal from you. I am an hon. | est man no matter what may be my other | failings. I made a fair request of you | and was told that honesty was not con- Sluereu III the aI1hirS or tIlS lnSIltutlon- 1 at least that was the purport of your words. I simply wanted to show you l what a comparatively easy matter it would be to wreck your institution, de- | spite your vigilance in guarding the l funds. That is all I wish to say. Good | morning.
 "Mr. Brown, whom you saw going up stairs into this theater,' concluded the | narrator of this true tale, lis now the l vice-president of the bank from which he stole $6OO, ,0O0.'
The age-herald., 1901-02-17

one on the nearest and most convenien man.
 There's "Camille"-you can't drag a de
 cent man to see it.
 There's Tess of the D'Urbervlles. Did you ever go to see Tess" with | man? | No.
 Don't.
 He'll hate you for week if you dare tt i act as if you liked it. l I've always thought it was the emotion al side of things that mon hated in | play. Men are cheerful, "comfy" max the-best-of- things animals. They like to let sleeping dogs lie. Women do not. spends half her time rubbing it to see if 1t hurts
 Men hate to be cried at. A man prefers cheerful gargoyle to . weeping Venus any day In the week. But 1t isn't the tears that make him hate adventures plays.
 There's Becky sharp.
 They act just the same about Becky and there's nothing fearful about Becky.
 l sat and watched an intelligent and wcll-dressed audience at Becky" the other night for four pleasing acts, and every man in the house either yawned or hgitted.
 I asked a few of them about it.
 One said: 'Oh, I hate a mercenary wo- man-plenty of them in real lfe. Why drag us to SC them the stage?' And one said: "Who cares about Becky! I don't. Amelia's the girl for me-" And one said: 'I hate to see a the ater full of decent women hanging on the words of a disreputable little adventures like that. Makes me feel as if I'd brought some one that wasn't proper home to dine with my wife" And there you are.
 The secret is out. Men are more respectable than wo- men-mentally, I mean. of course.
 Men have higher ideals of women than women have of themselves, and they hate to see them shattered. Every man carries in his heart a little silent, shaded altar to the woman he hopes is true.
 He knows there are bad women in the world
 He has helped to make some of them bad.
 But still he believes-and believes-and goes on believing, thank God, to the end of the chapter.
 He wants his ideal woman to sit en- throned in his heart-and it hurts him to see a theater full of honest women laugh ing with an interruptions little baggage. He'd invite the interruptions little bag gage out to supper himself if he had the chance, perhaps, but he doesn't want his wife to know her
 No, my good madame, you mistake. It is not selfish deceit that prompts him.
 It is an honest desire to keep the woman he really loves sheltered from the knowl- edge of evil. I may go to see naughty play myself once in while by the way of duty, but l would make 1t very uncomfortable for anyone who invited the daughter of my heart, If I had one, to see that play.
 Men would like the adventures drama wen enough if they could see it alone. They hate to see it in company with a theatre full of women they want to re- spect No woman on earth is ever so good as the most ordinary man imagines her to be. No priest is ever so holy as the humble worshipper at his service thinks he is. Is the priest, therefore, a humbug, and the worshipper a fool? If you think so you show the infinite shallowness of your own soul in the thinking.
The age-herald., 1901-02-17
'She Nonest PaNIne- -SeNAev's SNeft.


They were sitting in the cafe of a big hotel up town, and, being Wall Street men. were naturally discussing the AL word defaleation. One of them was com menting on the ease with which the note- teller stole so much money, when he was interrupted by another of the party
 Do you see that man over there look ing in at the door?r
 He pointed to a man with a command ing figure, keen eyes and an aristocratic bearing, who, as he spoke. turned away from the entrance of the cafe.
 There goes a man who stole $600, 900 and never went to jail for it. Further more, he is a thoroughly honest man."
 This paradoxical statement caused a general look of inquiry and chorus of How was that?"
 Then this story was told:
 That man-call him Brown because that's not his name-was, a trifie more than a year ago, paying teller in one of the largest banks in the neighborhood of Wall Street. He was qAlet and reserved, and apparently had few friends and &C., quaintances. He seemed to live for bus mess alone, and his co-workers in the bank dubbed him the sphynx'
 At the meeting of the bank directors one day the secretary read a letter from Mir Brown. In it he apologized for ob- truding personal matters upon the au- gust body, but he respectfully asked for a raise of salary He was to be married, he said, and he felt that his salary of S2500 a year was inadequate to his needs. The usual formula followed, in which he spoke of his long and faithful services, and ended by requesting that he be raised to $3500 a year. No action was taken on the letter at the time. It passed into the pile of unfinished business and was soon forgotten.
 "A week later the directors held an- other meeting. In the course of it MT Brown begged for @ hearing and renewed verbally his request for an advance of salary. The directors, some of them crusty old codgers who had made their fortunes, did not take kindly to the prop osition.
 "rWhy, MT. Brown said one, we think you are receiving a good salary for the Z position you occupy. Paying tellers al $2500 year are plentiful. We know you have been a good and faithful servant and in return we have paid you for your services That's about even, isn't it?'
 Yes, sir, admit that said Brown but there are certain moral obligations to be considered. For instance, have had free access to the enormous wealth of this bank. Millions of dollars have passed through my hands, and my ac- counts have been right to penny. Had I desired-'
 "'Oh, that's absurd, you know broke in another director. Our system here is so perfect that 1t would be impossible fol anyone to take a dollar and not be de- tected.'
 Brown smiled a bitter sort of smile and. apologizing for his temerity, ab- ruptly withdrew It was noticed that or