davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The St. Johns herald., 1901-09-28
A Harrowine Scene.

MT. Marvin, who had been spending two days with his brother in Boston, described to Mrs. Marvin on his return home a most narrowing scene.
 ''It was at the dinner table last night" said Mr. Marvin, solemnly, "that this occurred. We were all quiet ly eating, when suddenly little Mary gave a cry of distress and closed her eyes. Almost at the same instant my sister-in-law pressed her hand to her forehead, and tears streamed down her face. AS I gazed at her in alarm my brother Edward threw up his arms with an exclamation of intense and sudden pain. and then buried his face over which spasm was passing, in his napkin"
 "Poisonedr gasped Mrs. Marvin, with hysterical symptoms.
 No, my dear," said MT. Marvin, with maddening calmness, 'Tt was horseradish. ."-Youth's Companion.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-09-28
BOYS TRAIN FOR JOCKEYS.
Schools Where Grit, Nerve and Muscle
 Are DeYeIOped.

When a boy enters jockey school, he shuts the world behind him, like a nun that walls herself within a con vent. All energy of body and soul is consecrated to his craft. To him life means the clank of the bridle, the hoof thud, the smell of straw and the book makers cry He never learns any thing unrelated to this life. Of doz- en stable boys found only two, says Allen Sangree, that could name the Governors of their respective States. Most of them believed Roosevelt to be simply Rough Rider, and knew him as Teddy. Only one could tell me his present office.
 What they do develop is a savage grit that lets them nudge death famil- iarly with a smiling face, a forearm and leg of flexible steel, and wits un- naturally keen on a single line. And also that pitiful legacy of the veteran trainer-crabbed age of mind behind a baby face You have the living picture of it all in 14-year-Old Johnny Reiff, who earns in year more than dozen college professors.
 The early training of jockey Is thor ough, severe and relentless. The boys sleep in a stable loft over the horses. Summer and winter they are awakened at daybreak by a groom pounding on the boards. They jump into their clothes, shivering in the early morn ing's chill, and hurry to pump, where a douse of cold water sweeps away the cobwebs of sleep. Then to the horses, and for two hours each boy exercises his string" A string consists of two horses, and exercising" means walk ing them about the track until they are agreeably warm. After breakfast-and the food of a jockey school Is or the most nourishing sOrt-the youngsters exercise another string" and employ an hour or more in doing chores. The afternoon they spend at the track, and by s o'clock in the evening they must be abed. Plenty of time Is allowed them for recreation. The trainers en- courage the boys in such sports as swimming. running and ball playing. By constant practice of open-air diver sions. Tod Sloan has maintained his ex- cellent condition. To this day he will leap a five-foot fence rather than go through the gate. Marbles is the fa- vorite game of stable boys. After win ming a $25, 900 race at Manchester last year, Johnny Reiff was found deeply interested playing marbles, while Lord Rosebery was waiting outside the pad dock to congratulate him. Magazine.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-09-28

At recent woman's meeting where parliamentary points were getting tan gled and feelings embittered, Mrs. Will liam Tod Helmuth begged that the la dies heed the rules of the Pilgrims: 'Touch no state matters; pick no quar- rels; reveal no secrets; maintain no i'll opinions; make no comparisons; lay no wagers." These maxims have since been known in that circle as "Fanny's recipe for club elections" Oddly enough. King Edward recently diSeov- cred an old black-letter manuscript bearing the same rules, which he has caused to be framed and posted in Windsor Castle. They may be recom- mended to persons who are not hab- itues of clubs or castles.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-09-28

A London newspaper describes a school in which there can be no sug- gestion of class distinctions among the pupils. An Englishwoman Is the teach CT. and the fifteen scholars are all princesses of the royal family of Siam. The instruction is varied. The sight of a princess with broom or engaged in baking indicates the practical nature of the teaching. To wash clothes thor oughly, lay the table properly, arrange flowers. in short. to acquire a good knowledge of housekeeping, is one branch of accomplishment which the royal group neither scorns nor sights. There are American girls. according to common report, who would not care to be photographed as broom-users, cooks or washers. from a false idea that use ful work might detract from their so- cial rating. The royal women of Siam. on the contrary, seem to covet the best domestic gifts.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-09-28
Boxers as Bill stickers.

The Boxers are still causing con siderable anxiety in some parts of Chi na. Pictorial Boxer placards are being sold at many of the markets. One is a sheet fourteen by twenty-four inches in size, portraying, in red, yellow and green, the conqueSts of the Boxers over the foreigners. 1t is entitled 'aThe Rampage of the Five Foreign (POwersl in China" The central figure is for eign house of impossible architecture, which is being set on fire by flames from the finger-tips of young girls la beled Bright Red Lanterns" On the other side of the doomed structure Is a snake or dragon called Fire God" Below is the Golden Bell" under which the Boxers are crawling to Se- cure invisibility, and at the bottom five unfortunate foreigners are being done to death with pike and sword: This sort of thing has often a most unfOr- tunate effect upon the average unedu- cated Chinaman.-Westmin Ga Zptte
The St. Johns herald., 1901-09-28

The wife of a President bears no small part of the burden of his great office It is much as it is with a cler- gyman's wife; a church employs only the minister, but it often demands much of his helpmate. It is in social affairs that the wife of a President principally appears. Mrs. Mckinley, on account of the frailness of her health, has always been excused by common consent from many duties which ordl- narily fall upon the mistress of the White House. At the formal receptions she has usually occupied a chair i'll the receiving line, and instead of at tempting to shake hands with those who were presented to her, has merely bowed pleasantly as they passed Countless appeals are made to the wife of any President. Persons who seek to secure some favor from him think how powerful an ally in their efforts she might be, without realizing how i'm possible it would become to transact public business in that way. For ex- ample, women who desire for their husbands appointed to office, to save the family from want, or for son a cadetship at West Point. or the pardon of a nephew, often try to secure the intercession of the Presidents wife. These requests are usually made by mail, but personal appeals are not un' known. Moreover, the influence of the Presidents wife in behalf of experi- mental charities, young musicians and new books is constantly sought. In its bestowal the greatest discretion is nee essary. The first lady of the land' possesses great opportunities for the display of usefulness and diplomacy in her attitude toward people on the great occasions, and in those more se- lect groups summoned to the White House. What she does not say is some times quite as significant as what she says. Many a victory of statesmanship is won in the drawing room; and over the most famous drawing room in the land it is the privilege of the wife of the President to preside.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-09-28
FORGOT HIS LINES.
Amateur Comedian Spoiled Effect of
 His Speech of Appreciation.


 His Speech of Appreciation.
 'I'll never forget one of ny earliest appearances on the stage" said a sol emn-faced comedian who now enjoys solid reputation as a panacea dis tributer for the blues. Tt was in an amateur performance in a small town where I had lived for some time and was we'll known, and where the pOpu- lace is sometimes inclined to treat the crude efforts of aspiring Thespians with considerable leyity. I was 10 do a speciality between aets-a sort Oc Face on the Bar-room Floor recira- ton, with plenty of cracked ice music and all that sort of thing-and l had rehearsed that thing so thoroughly that I believed I was a second Booth
 ''The afternoon before the perform ance the stage manager, who was professional, quietly informed me of little plot on the part of some Of my unappreciatiye friends. Although it was the wrong season for eabbages they had hunted high and low for one or those one-time popular tokens of ap- proyal, and finally they went So far as to have one shipped from a neighbOr- ing town.
 Now said the stage manager. con fidentially, Tll tell you how to get back at 'em in nice way. When the garden truck has been passed over the footl1ghts just smile pleasantly. as though it were the finest bouquet ever presented to prima donna and say: Ladies and gentlemen thank you very much for this kind evidence Of your appreciation, and my only regret is that you didn't also send the eOrned beef"'
 'Well, the eventful night came. and sure enough, when 1 had finished my recitation a fine big cabbage head. most elaborately trimmed with flowers and ribbons, was passed up to me. ae- cepted it gracefully, and then made my little set speech, but this is the way I said it:
 Ladies and gentlemen-I thank you very much for this evidence of your ap- preciation, and my only regret Is that you didn't also send the cabbage
 ''This was of course received by the audience with a most solemn silence. but there was a crash of glass back Of the scenes. The stage manager. who had been waiting near the wings to note the result of the little retOrt on the audience, had fallen down stairs"
The St. Johns herald., 1901-09-28
A WOMAN'S INVENTION.

A woman should certainly know what utensils are needed in the kitchen and when one of that sex takes it into her head to invent a dishwashing machine 1t will be admitted that she must have an idea of what is wanted in this line. The principal advantage of this ma chine, which has just been patented by Jennie Parrotte, of Marquette, Mich, seems to be that 1t drains the dishes im- mediately after they are washed and permits them to be lifted from the washer without wetting the hands. It will be noticed that there are two re-
The St. Johns herald., 1901-09-28
Why They Went Smoothly.

The following story Is told by tray eler about one of the local railways in Ireland:
 We were bounding along, he said, at the rate of about seven miles an hour and the whole train was shaking terri bly. I expected every moment to see my bones protruding through my skin. Passengers were rolling from one end of the carriage to the other. l held on firmly to the arms of the seat. Pres ently we settled down bit quieter-at least, I could keep my hat on and my teeth didn't chatter.
 There was a quiet-loOking man Oppo- site me. 1 looked up with ghastly smile, wishing to appear cheerful and said:
 we are going a little smoother, l see"
 "Yes," he said; "we're off the line now."-London Spare Moments.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-09-28

In northwestern Montana, near the of which flow through the St. Mary river to Hudson Bay The divide be- tween the lake and the headwaters of the MIX river, an afiluent of the Missouri, is so low that engineers say 1t would be feasible to divert the out let from Canadian to American terri tory. AS water for irrigation is highly valued on both sides of the line. the question whether the United States has q right to divert it is one of interna- tional interest, and may yet become important.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-09-28
Porto Rico a Country of Farms.

Of the 953,243 population of Porto Rico only 75,OOO live in cities. On the island, but 100 miles long and thirty six wide, are 10000 district farms and one-ffth of the island under eultiva- tion. The average size of a farm in Porto Rico Is forty-five acres, of which twelve are cultivated Seventy-One per cent of these Porto Rican farms are owned by whites. Ninety-three per cent of all the farms are cultivated by their owners, a higher rate of owner cultivation than the United States can show, where the proportion is but = per cent. Thirty-eight per cent of the Porto Ricans are colored- In Porto Rico S3 per cent of the cOlOred people are of mixed blood The percentage Of illiteracy in Porto Rico is very high about S4-World's Work.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-09-28
Underground.

"A woman fell from back window in one of those big New York sky-scrap- CTS the other day." said Mir. Kidder, lighting his pipe and throwing the match on the floor, "and when they reached her body 1t was found to be several feet in the groundp'
 "Horriblew exclaimed Mrs. Kidder. "I suppose the poor soul fell from the top floor."
 Not at all. When she fell she was washing a window in the basement. ."- Indianapolis Sun.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-09-28
EHEE Ea 9Ba Bz M as# Baa 5 5 A PRIZE WINNER B
 M M
# EE sE E 8E
-0 HE entries for the dog show were

@ HE entries for the dog show were
 about complete. The proud own
 CTS of the high-bred canines to be exhibited were rushing about the large hall, all Objecting more or less to the places assigned their various pets. Some of the more enthusiastic ladies were decorating the places where their pets were to display their charms with gay bunting and bright ribbons.
 A tall, fair girl was tacking up a strip of wide ribbon bearing the name "Tyke" in gold letters. She had ad- justed it almost to her satisfaction, when an unusual sound made her stop her hammering to listen. A childs voice rose shrill above the din of the hall and a mans harsh tones brought Marion Deniston into the aisle to see what was the trouble. There she saw a golden-haired boy, his blue eyes filled with tears, hugging to his breast ri- diculous stuffed dog. It had four legs, lone at each corner" but there the re semblance to a real live dog ceased.
 The man, half amused and half an- gry, was about to take hold of the child half roughly, when Marion laid re- straining hand on his arm.
 What is the matter" she asked, quietly.
 "Oh, this youngsters nuisance" the man answered, impatiently. "I'm wor- ried to death trying to get things into shape here, and just look at the thing he wants to enter in the show," and he pointed to the comical little animal with laugh that made the little fel- lows lip quiver as he hugged the toy tighter. Inspired by the friendliness in Marion's face, he held his treasure up for her inspection.
 Isn't he fine dOg?" he asked.
 "He certainly is," Marion said. "I am sure I never saw such a remark able dog before. What is his name?'
 Dewey" answered the child, proud ly.
 Marion carefully concealed a smile, and the little fellow went on, q named him that cause my papa bought him for me for bein' brave and not cryin' when he went off to the Philippines. I
The St. Johns herald., 1901-09-28

didn't cry, but I didn't want my papa to go." and the tears that were not shed when papa" marched away were very near the surface now as the little golden head dropped pitifully.
 Marion, bending hastily, put her arms about the child and said, tenderly, q am sure papa was proud of his brave boy, for most little boys would have cried"
 Well, didn't" the little fellow said, brightening up. "But mamma did. She's cried nearly all the time specially since a boy brought her a yellow letter."
 Marion drew the child closer to her as she realized what the yellow letter" meant.
 What is your name, little one" she asked, gently.
 Robert Elliot Bowling, but every one calls me Robin. But, where's Dewey'%
 Marion's eyes were dim and she pick ed up the queer shaped canine and handed 1t to Robin.
 Cant leave him hereY he asked, wistfully.
 Marion looked puzzled. Leave him here?" she queried. What for, dearT
 Robin seemed surprised. "Why, for prize," he exclaimed. You see," he added, confidentially, "I think maybe mammal feel better and not cry so much if Dewey'd get prize; and then, VIC don't have very much money any more, and mamma says she gueSses she'll have to go to work. I thought maybe peOple'd pay to see Dewey. My papa said he was a-he WaS-a-a-oh, yes! I know nova very un-u-s-u al kind of dog. and my papa knew lots about dogs and everything, he did," and the little fellow paused fer want of breath.
 Marion, really distressed. started to say something about Hive dogs" when the man who had called Robin a nui- sance stepped forward. Young man," he said. it would be an honor to have Dewey in this dog show, and we'll be glad to have you leave him here. You see," he added to Marion in an under tone, ''I saw the little chaps fathers name in the paper just the other day. He was in almost the first engagement over in the Philippines-and, you know what 1 mean"
 Marion nodded sadly, but she smiled as she took Robins hand. "We'll enter Dewey" she said, gayly, "but first you must take me to your mamma" and she went with the child to the humble home few blocks away, where from the heart broken soldiers widow she heard again the story of the departure for the Philippines and the tragedy of the yellow letter."
 The annual dog show of this Western city was quite a social event, and the opening day found the canines sur rounded by hosts of admiring friends, but the largest crowd was gathered about the space where Marion Denis tons beautiful cocker spaniel, Tyke, was on exhibition. Poor Tykes vanity would have been sadly wounded had he realized that not he but the ungainly stuffed creature standing impudently on small table, was the center of at traction All day Marion sat by this table telling to friends and strangers alike the story of Dewey" always ending with, Perhaps you will be will ing to pay something for seeing Dew ey.' He's a very unusual dog"
 Poor little chap" her hearers would say, and the quarters and half dollars jingled merrily into the little fancy basket at "Dewey's' side as the pa- thetic stoly freely opened purses and
The St. Johns herald., 1901-09-28

The Congregational Church at Grin nell has done the only thing it could do. by casting out George D. Heron from its membership. If this act. says the Chicago Journal. would also be the means of casting him out from all association with decent people and make him social pariah everywhere, the punishment would then most ade
 quately it his crime. One matter for congratulation there is. and that is for Mrs. Heron. She has gained good riddance of a man utterly unworthy of her. She has very much the best of the bargain. Herron's letter to the
The St. Johns herald., 1901-09-28

council that tried him is the usual plea of the man who, tired of one woman. finds his affinity" in another. There is not a line in Herron's defensive let ter that would not be indorsed by Brig ham Young were that veteran married man and affinity seeker alive. Miss Rand has for the present been seal ed," but there is nothing in Herron's avowed principles to present his seek ing other "affinities" and of leaving her whenever conscience-Herron conscience tells him that he is living a lie" and had better make change Miss Rand would better hold on to the purse strings and continue to be the financial head of the firm. Then some day, when she tired of Heron, as she will, she can look around for some oth- CT clergyman's family to break up. They are a nice pair, these two.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-09-28

A statistician calculates" that in $50 years the population of the earth will be so dense as to make 1000 persons to mile. Then the planet will be ''full." Unless q new fuel, however, shall be invented or discovered diminu- ton of the worlds coal supplies will meanwhile make the globe empty ex- cept of bones.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-09-28
Inndon,s TeanOt.

It has been calculated that something like 1,25O,OO0,OOO pints of tea are im- bibed yearly by Londoners, and that the teapot necessary to contain this amount, if properly shaped, would com fortably take in the whole of St. Pauls Cathedral.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-09-28

A new portrait of Queen Alexandra, showing her in her royal robes and cor onet, is here reproduced. Alexandra, who holds her youthful beauty most remarkably. looks every inch a queen. There is little doubt that much of the popularity of King Edward Is due to the deep affection in which his gra- cious consort is held.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-09-28

While a New Jersey man had to pay $50 for kissing a woman, there are cases on record where indulgence in this delight has obliged men to pay the best part of their salaries all their lives
The St. Johns herald., 1901-09-28
He Believed He'd Remain.

An absent minded farmer had an un- fortunate experience at a Memphis hotel, which has induced him to jot down a few important words for use the next time he goes to the city.
 He registered at the desk shortly af- ter supper, and hung about the office until 9 o'clock, when he remarked to the clerk that he believed he would remain"
 "Very we'll" said the affable clerk.
 Another hour went by, and the old farmer came again to the desk, and ob- served with decision:
 q say, believe I'll remain"
 "Of course, by all means, if you wish," again replied the clerk.
 As the clock struck eleven the old man. now so sleepy that he could bare ly keep bis eyes open, angrily called out:
 "By gum, l say believe I'll remain
 Certainly, so you've said" answer ed the clerk. and when you're ready to retire you can find your key at the desk"
 Retire" yelled the farmer, jump .:lg to his feet "'Fhat's the word I've been trying to think of for two hours. Gi me that keg. l'l sleep til 1J o'clock tomorrow to make Ur Ger lost timer
The St. Johns herald., 1901-09-28

A naval cadet of the senior class stood a freshman on his head and a court martial rapidly gathered and sent him home. Uncle Sam seems to be in real earnest on the hazing question.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-09-28

Apparently J. PierpOnt Morgan didn't like the looks of King Edwards outfit. The great financier failed to bring it away with him.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-09-28

Theatrical managers predict that there will be an important Shakspe- rean revival in America next season. Tn other words, there will be change from coon songs to ranting Richards.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-09-28

The census bureau believes in expan- sion. Instead of 76,061, ,12S, the first figures. it places the 1900 population of the United States now. at 76,303. .387.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-09-28

When the small boy gets to stubbing around all day in the happy vacation time. pa begins to think that he is the father to a centipede by the demand for shoes.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-09-28

The president of one of the colleges says: Reading is a dangerous habit" He must have been trying one of the new historical novels.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-09-28

We are frequently told that man in the early ages lived life of sim plicity and innocence-yet the first man born in the world killed the sec n,d
The St. Johns herald., 1901-09-28

Speaking of recent decisions of the United States Supreme Court, Justice Brewers decision to get married seems to be generally approved.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-09-28

In Paris nowadays only those fami- lies who own private balloons can real ly consider themselves in the upper circles of society.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-09-28

The latest trust aiming at the popu- lar neck is a 20,OOO,OOO collar and shirt combine in New York.