davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1901-08-03

to her, but Bill only shook his head
and answered:
Loan? l never loaned Nat no
money, Miss Sophie. Nary cent,
nary, nary-nary."
She tried to cheer him up, invited
him to Sacramento, rallied him about
his splendid head of snow white hair,
and showed him how her own once
raven tresses had not only whitehead
but grown thin and scant.
"Will YOU sell me your hair, Bill?'
she laughed one day, after she had
coaxed Il vague smile to his wrinkled
face.
IN give it to you. Miss Sophie" he
Quavered, seriously. REALLY, now,
would you like t git tn hair"
81 have my heart set On it. Bill"
She saw chance ut last. but l
won't take it for nothing. I'll buy 1t
or go without 1t matches mine eX-
actly. Law. what lovely switch it
would make! Come, Bill, for old
times sake. VIII you take five hun
drel for your hair:'
Gee law. Miss Sophie. six bits III
git it all. whiskers thrOwed in" But
she insisted on paying Il fair price,
and at last he agreed, for old times
sake" to go to the barber at Placer
vile and get hair cut. When he
walked out of the shop with n close
cropped poll placerville marvcled and
the gossips agreed that "The Wilder
Harkins was courtin Hermit BILL
But when the barber circulated the
story that Bill had collected n hun
der dollars for his hirsutc crop, the
listeners allowed that Bill was a
purity peart. onsentimental old cock"
Year after year Mrs. Harkins came
to Placerville TO buy old Bill's crop of
hair. He was persuaded that wills.
kcrs were as good rs any other hair
ito make switches and rats" and so
he continued to hang on to life by n
hair. But at last Miss Sophie found
no answer to her rap on the door.
Bill had been expecting her, for he
was dressed in his old suit OF faded
black, sitting by the window in the
sun. But he had driftcd away from
the bar at last as his partner, his gold
and his long white hair had drfted
long ago.-John III. Raftery, in the
Chicago Record-Herald
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1901-08-03

After the strawberry bed has yielded
its crop, NOW the tops of the plants
close TO the ground, and burn them rs
soon rs dry enough, choosing Il time
when there is wind enough to cause
the fire to run quickly, and not burn
too long in one place. Then the weeds
can be cut out with the hoe, and per-
haps the old plants and the land left
TO the new plants or runners. Some
lirSt work the paths between the rows
and make the soil fine and rich with
manure or fertilizer, then cut new
path where the old row stood, thus
keeping the bed in the same place,
practically, for several years. While
this is IN Oldfashioncd method, those
who are limited in tier gardens or in
land where they can grow strawber-
ries can scarcely try any better meth
od until rust or insects begin to injure
the plants. 1t may not be adapted rs
well to those who have small beds for
home use, but some who have tried it
like. the plan, even On Il large scale,
and do not change the location Of their
strawberry fields until driven from
them, or until they decide that they
can get more profit from some new
variety than from the plants that
start as runners from the old bed.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1901-08-03

During the civil war President Lin
coin discussed the mpracticabilty OF
maintaining discovered country,
says Prof. Lewis NJ. Haupt, in Lippin-
colts. land submitted some proposed
amendments to the constitution look
ing to the elimination of slavery,
without which, he said. the rebellion
could never have existed His plan
was to purchase emancipation in a Pc
riod of thirty-geVen years, and he en-
tered into an elaborate argument to
show that this would be more prudent
and more economical than to contin-
ue the war. This led him to
forecast the probable increase In
population, which he believed would
continue at its normal rate of growth.
He said: at the same ratio of in
crease which we have maintained on
an average from cur first national CEN
sus in 1890 until that of 1860, we
should in 1900 have population OF
1G3.2OS. 4l5, and why may We not con-
tnre that ratio far beyond that pc
riod? We have 100000
square miles. Europe has 3S0OOOo
with a population averaging 70 1-3 per-
sons to the square mile. Why may
not our country at some time average
as many? y Several of our
states are already above that average
and yet they have increased
in as rapid ratio since passing that
point as before.
The princess" girdle promises to
be the" belt used this season.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1901-08-03

The appearance of little dogs as OBJ
iects of luxury goes back to the most
ancient times. Documents are not
wanting that go to show that the anci-
cnt Greek and Roman ladies' had little
dogs which, even as in our times, were
idolizcd by their mistrcsses. Even
men, particularly among foreigners,
were not ashamed to walk the streets
of Rome with Il pet dog in their arms.
Speaking OF this subject, plutarch re-
latcs that Julius Caesar, seeing enc
day in Rome some strangers thus
loaded with their dogs, asked them
ironically whether the women Of their
country did not bear children. Tcrtia,
the daughter of Lucius .AurcliuS Paul.
us, was So fond Of her dog that in the
moment of bidding farewell to her
father, aOoHt to leave his country and
his family to wage war against Per.
scus, King of Macedonia. she frankly
admitted that the sadness imprinted
upon her face was doe to the death OF
her pet dog Persia. In Continental
Europe the grcyhohads-tho aristo.
cratic dogs par excellence were he
first favoritcs of the ladies during the
Middle Ages.-Ncw York Tribune.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1901-08-03
ROBBERY or
" " ESTATE

The supreme court of Wisconsin has
found it necessary to sound note of
warming to attorneys, and even to
courts, SO that estates which come
into the custody and control OF the
courts may not be robbed and depict
ed. The court sounds its warming in IL
decision rendered in the salt of Spell
ser against the Merchants Exchange
bank, recently reported, and it is
creating a sensation in legal circles.
Dodge, the court says: "Thc pres sent
case Is SO impressive an illustration
that we cannot ignore the duty to
make it the text for some general re-
marks upon g tendency of the bar, and
even with courts, which promises to
develop into Il most serious abuse, if
it has not already done so. That ten
aency is to look upon funds in gremio
legis as not sheltered by the same
rights of ownership, and not entitled
to the same protection from extorton-
ate and unreasonable charges, as If
they had remained under the custody
and control of their owners.
Some of the demands made against
such funds could be justified only upon
the view that they are already di-
vested from private ownership; that
any part thereof which ultimately
reaches those to whom they really be-
long does so only by grace, or by way
NJ f,.nr pift hot lr1,
.herefrom, however illogical in char
lcter or excessive in amount, cannot
&c subject for complaint by any one"
After pointing out that receivers and
trustees should be restrained to rea-
;onable charges. the court continues:
Only in the wise discretion and firm
ness of the courts can there be found
prevention or remedy for the abuse
and disgrace of judicial conservation
Of estates from their enemies, only to
permit their destruction by the very
;alvOrs. If such abuses continue, the
)cneficent power of il court of equity
o take to its sheltering arms liti-
lated estate while rights to it are be-
ng established will become mock
Try wor:e than the avoided perils as
it is more effective. The record before
IS presents one of the most extreme
.2se3 Of affirmative misconduct on the
)ait of receiver within the II story of
he court" There has been tenden-
y upon the part of witnesses to assert
he failure to remember when us
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1901-08-03

A conspicuous and interesting land
mark in London is the rapidly rising
tower of the new Westminster ca
thedral. II now looms up 10 such an
altitude over the high Victoria street
buildings and n ishboring flats that L
can be readily distinguished from all
the other pinnaceS in the immediate
vicinity. When finished the best View
of it will be had from Waterloo
bridge. Though it will have none OF
the massiveness of St. PauIS dome.
seen from here in all its glory to the
east, yet with its ornate and oriental
cupola it will be by far the most
striking architectural object standing
out against the western sky line. In
order to insure safety progress with
the last section the cupola) will be
very slow, and it is not expected that
it will be finished much under II
months from now.-l.ondon Chronicle.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1901-08-03

Charles h. Macdonald, the champion
Chicago golfer, who recently came 10
New York to 1--we, gave valuable
lesson in patience with green caddies
during the recent Metropolitan cham
plunship.
Il believe | got the worst caddie
this morning that | ever had said
Macdonald To the caddie master rs he
came from luncheon for his afternoon
round. He not only didn't know
where the green's Were but he WAS
ignorant OF the first rudments OF the
game
shall give You another one. sir?''
asked the master OF the lads,
mo, give me the same one repli 4
Macdonald after II pause. lie might
bother another man worse than me.
and I'll try to make good caddie of
him. The little fellows hny1 got h.
learn, and once in Il while every golf
er must take hand in improving the
education OF caddies. New York
Times.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1901-08-03

bar two years when the Tittin family
struck Placerville. They came from
Ohio, and of course Nat looked them
up" There was Il daughter-Sophie
and Nat discovered her. Then Bill,
as In duty bound, also discovered her.
FINEST gal ever breathed" sworc
Nat.
Finest ever seen the day" echoed
Bill.
Bill" said Nat. after long pause,
I'm gOin' t git that gal r know the
reason why"
You kin git r." said Bill. with an
emphasis on the "you." because he
thought Nat was so superior that he
might have anything he went after.
At first Daddy Titiin. Nanny Tittin
and Sophie herself We're inclined to
flavor" Bill. He was handsomer,
steadier and came from the county
which Tiffins called Home" But he
never got within hailing distance OF
the lovely Sophie. Nat was so all
fired eloquent that he talked the whole
family into loving him before Bill
had summoned enough nerve to
squeeze the girls fingers. Everybody
including Nat. knew that Bill was
hard hit when his partner left him
night after night to WOO the buXom
Ohio girl but nobody except Bill HIM
self knew that tba biggest sacrifice Of
his unseltsh life began the night when
Nat said bill. IN goin' t git that gal
r know the reason. why"
There might have been n treason
why" but Bill was not that kind of Il
partner Nat married Sophie all right,
and Bill was.at the wedding. sitting
round sheepishly ard wishing every
body well. He didn't even have sand
enough to kiss the bride till Nat
forced him to face the music and
then he seemed so ashamed and scared
shat he went home looking quite ralc
and done
Nat and his bride settled in Placer
vile till the placcrS seemed about
played out. and then Bill staked him
for a prospecting venture in the bac':
country.
But the chasm between them grow
wider. BIZ iived alone. worked hard
er, drank harder and spoke less than
ever Nat struck it richer and richer.
He offered to pay back to Bill all of
his money, but the silent one got nm
cry and swovc that it wasn't loan.
but a gift. and added:
"A married man amt got no right
payin' out money Of he kin git outcn
1t. The money amt yourn, nohow.
LeastawayS It's us much Miss So
piles as yourn."
So Nat kept the money and waXcd
richer and richer. while Bill. all alone,
worked his rocker from day to day.
till everybody said he had washed out
the last grain OF gold from the aban,
doned diggings.
Poor Bill growing old, became the
joke of the neighDorhood. Nobody he.
licved that he was getting even a liv-
Ing from the exhausted placer, and
yet he worked away. summer and
winter, sluicing the familiar sands.
nibbllng his bacon alone in his hut,
speaking to no one. dreaming at the
sky and the river and watching the
purple shadows creep across the green
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1901-08-03
Wisconsin Supreme
Court xSrucS q
Warning.

tions are asked that are likely to lead
to disc osure. OF this class OF teSti-
mony the court says it is that form OF
Justification, 4 can't remember which
has been classic since the trial or
Queen Caroline"
In the case under consideration the
court refuses to allow the receiver any
compensation and severely crlticlsts
his conduct in dealing with the fund;
entrusted to his care, saying that his
actions "conyct him of such breaches
of the most important ana highest
duties of a receiver that both the ref
cree and the court should without
hesitation, have imposed, as the LEAST
penalty, entire exclusion from any al
lowance by way Of compensation. -
Milwaukee Wisconsin.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1901-08-03

A young officer ut the front recently
wrote home to his father: Dear
Father: Kindly send me $50 at once.
and am in hospital without means"
The answer was: "My Dear Son: AS
this is the fourth leg you have lost
according to your letters, you ought
to be accustomed to 1t by this time.
Try to wobhle along on ay others
YOU may have lefty Ill Iall Ga.
Zette.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1901-08-03
OUR FOREIGN MARKETS.
Distribution of tho Exports of AGric n
turaI Products From the United States.

Distribution OF tho Exports of AGric n
tural Products From the United States.
Frank II. Hitchcock. chief of the
foreign market section of the Agrl'
cultural Department, has compiled
statistics showing the distribution of
the agricultural exports Of the United
States for the years 1S9G.l9O0.
He shows that there Were n dozen
countries in 1000 to each of which the
United States exported over $4,000
600 worth of domestic farm products
The United Kingdom purchased
S4OS 100000 and Germany $l3i0oO,O 900
worth.
our agricultural exports to the Uni
ted Kingdom were the largest on rec.
ord excepting those of the cXtraordi-
nary year 1898. when value OF
$3.50 100000 was attained. In our
trade with Germany the exports for
1900 were decidedly in excess of any
previously reported, ana show an in.
crease Of nearly 100 per cent. in the
fve-year period.
Next in order to the above.named
countries in 1900 were the following:
Tie Netherlands. SJ2,00o,0O0: these
figures being exceeded only in 1890 by
less than $l.O0O,0O0
France, $4,000 600, and Belgium
SOB 100000, as against S3l,00n0O0 in
1896 to France, and SlS,OO0,o 900 to Bel
GUM the same year.
Italy, 81 lOO0,0OO.
Canada. 81 100000.
Japan over $1J.OOO,OO0.
Denmark nearly Sl5,0O0,000.
Cuba. ST. 900, 900, as against $1,000,
900 in 1896.
Spain. $l0.500,OG0. as against a tribe
less than SlO.00O00o in 1896
British Africa. SlO3O0.OO0.
Exports ranging in value from So.
$4,000 down went to more than Il
dozen other different countries.
Our total exports OF domestic farm
produce to Cuba. Porto Rico, Hawaii
and the Philippine Islands in 1900 had
an aggregate value of over $4,000, 020
as compared with only $G,2OO,OoO in
1896.
South America was the only contin-
gent to which our agricultural OK
ports for the past five years show Il
declinc-from Sl1,23G0OO in 1896 to
S94J2,O 900 in 1900. The most strikin.
gain was in our exports to Asia. rising
from 81. 100. 600 in 1896 to nearly SD,
CEOO0O in'1900.
The principal part of our ngricultu-
raj exports in 1900 found market in
Europe. sales to European countries
having an aggregate value of $I39,-
100000.
With the exception OF the phenom-
email year 1898, when they reached
S7G2, 600, these figures are the larg-
est on record. In 1896 they were sos =
O0OOOO TO the various North Ampri-
can countries the exports in 1900 We're
Sj5.0O0,000: in 1899, S5S,OOO,OOO, and in
1896, Sll 100000.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1901-08-03
Raising tho Rent.

There is. little two-story house in
West Philadelphia occupied by two
families, one on each floor OF late
there has been marked GOODNESS be-
tween them. The family on the lower
floor sought out the landlady and Of
fered to take the two fats at a consid-
cradle increase in rent if the family
above were put out The landlady COM
piled with alacrity and gave notice for
the upper family to get out. They re-
torted with counter proposition to
pay more rent than the family down.
stairs and take both flats. So the low
er fiat family were oruered to vacata
Then the first family called the
raise" and again the landlady has
changed her mind. The neighbors are
curious as to the outcome.-Philadel
phia Times.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1901-08-03
Training Currnnt Bushes.

Currant bushes are usually too thick
ana are seldom properly cultivated,
There are some advantages in train.
ing currant bushes TO Il single stem NJ
the ground as they are then more
easily cultivated and kept clear of
grass and weeds. Such bushes are
easily raised by rubbing OF, all the
buds from the lower part OF the cut
ting when planting, all of which will
be below the surface OF the ground
Good crops can be obtained, however,
from bushes with several stems pro.
vlded proper pruning and cultivation
be bestowed.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1901-08-03
An Official Mrs. MaIaprop.

There is Il certain city official, who,
although capable enough in his bus
ness, is notorious for his lack of knowl-
edge Of the Kings English and for his
fOndncss for big words.
He came to his Office one misty,
muggy day, and. noticing that the air
was foul called cut to che Of his sub
Ordinates:
open that window and 'putrefy' the
air.
On another occasion, when called
upon to take action for IN infraction
OF one OF the city ordinances, he was
asked where he got his information:
"Oh! l got wo.l through unan-
nous letter that this work was being
carried on superstitiously."
Speaking of his horse, fine trotter,
which he drives almost daily on the
Speedway, he remnrkCd: Il can't drive
out for some time because Jack Uilr
horse has IL spasm Oh his off hind lcg."
On another occasion, speaking CT Il
severe storm in which he had been
caught, he said: ut vas perfect
torortO.'
Once in speaking OF his daughter,
who lie said was inclined to be must
cal, he remarked: Il am going to send
her TO the Controversy OF Music
Once he felt i'll and blue, and, to a
friend, he remarked: II am growing
feeble and feel as IL my working
days were about over. | am poor
man and suppose I'll have to pass my
last days in some institution for in
dionunt old en."-New York Times.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1901-08-03
Contagion in Schools.

Any one who has worked in school
rooms must have been impressed witt.
the fact that the children come into
frequent and close personal contac,.
such rs putting their faces together,
blowing into each others faces, exam
ining states and papers, and sitting
close together.
Common means Of contagion are
these: kissing, exchanging handker-
chiefs, ribbon, chewing gum, whistles,
slate and lead pencils, which are al
most always, consciously or unconsci-
ously, carried to the mouths. Coins
also are treated in the same way.
Drinking cups by their common us"
often spread diseases. School books
are ready carriers of contagion. Then
also may be mentioned the dangers
from overcroW ding the schoolroums,
which leads to the breathing of impure
air and the dissemination of germs.
Wraps which are not absolutely need.
ed often hang where they dry and are
aired in the schoolroOm.
The foundation for many cases of
pulmonary diseases and chronic in
validism can sometimes be traced to
badly ventilated schoolrOom.-Mot
prhuOl
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1901-08-03
GgWvV SOPHIE G1AInBZuN5
(HD77 CE][E[R GRAY SWITCH

and yellow shoulders OF the Sierras.
Meanwhile the Hardness had moved
to Sacramento, living there in sur
passing grandeur, rich beyond the
Young dreams of Partner Nat" and
forgetful of the silent one left alone on
the bar. Bill never visited. Nat never
visited. Blu, only one of them forgot.
One day black bordercd letter adj
dressed to Mr.. William shea cam"
to the Placerville postofice. Bill got
it, and the next day, dressed In an old
suit of shining brOadcloth. he went
down in the sage to the WcSt'Nound
train Sophie didn't know him mt the
funeral If she saw him ut all through
her tears she did not recognize the
white haired. bent old hermit or the
bar. He came back silent as lie went.
and resumed the aimcSs routine or
washing the sands from which all gold
had vanished
One Saturday old Bill failed to show
M at his trading place in piaccrville,
and jenkins, the trader, knew some
thing was wrong. .Ienk was one of
the old-timers, and he had figured out
the silent one for himself. So he
rode over to the bar with Bills week
ly supply of bacon and flour. lie
found the hermit sick and in bed.
The hearth was rs bare rs the old
pine cupboard. but Bill paid for the
grub and thanked Jenkins into the
bargain. The pile of yellow dust that
the hermit weighed out was n very
little pile, but the trader knew better
than to pry into poor Bills affairs.
\ week later Mrs. Nat IIarkins, nee
Tihin. arrived in placervilc, and was
duly hcraldel in the weekly news
paper. She found Bill, and wanting
to help him, didn't know how to go
about it. She argued to the effect
that the money he had loaned her
husband was u source of annoyance
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1901-08-03
=" NERYRODY in the American
II River bottom knew BIZ Shea.
VI The newcomers called him

The newcomers called nm
hermit" and wondered ut
his long white hair and beard, his I'M
penetrable loneliness and utter disre-
gard for all mankind. He lived ON the
bar near Plncervillc so long that only
the Old-timcrs knew how he happened
to set up his cabin there and lmger
alone while more progressive miners
sought new diggings or deserted the
placer mines altogether to seek their
fortunes in buried mines OF quartz,
1t was in the early days that BIZ
Shea and Nat Harkns came to Call
fornia from Ohio. They were Ike
brothers holding together closer even
than ties of blood could hold them,
suffering toiling. fighting and living,
as 1t seemed, wholly for each other.
Nat was the more brilliant Of the part
ners. He had the gift of gaD,' and
made friends faster than Bill. The
latter talked to nobody but Nat, and
for two years nothing came between
them Hard work and diligence
melted them each Il comfortable sum
from the golden sands of the river,
and even when smarter gold seekers
drifted restlessly away from the OLD
bar Bill and Nat babe them goodbye
without sign OF yenrning for new
fields of work or adventure. They
had built n cabin. and the place had
become home to them. When Nat
was sick Bill nursed him. When Nat
sworc, Bill blasphemed in sympathy.
If one wandered from the path OF viz
tue amid the red lights of Plncervillc
the other was always at hand to guide
his Grant footsteps, to defend his
rights with words or money, ana to
fight if necessary for the cause which,
no matter how slight, was mutual.
The partners had bcch living on the
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1901-08-03

The American apple is growing more
popular IN England as the people be.
come acquainted with them. The Lon
don Chronicle says that France is
about to follow in the wake OF Eng.
land in taking to the American apple
Happily, however. England will not
suffer any diminulon in the quantity
she now gets, for our apple trees yield
as much rs 10000. 900 barrels in Il sea.
son. Indeed, it is probable that the
whole OF Europe could be supplied
without any great difficulty, seeing
that every year from 100000 to TO-,
100000 barrels OF apples are carried in
cold storage in the United States.