davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08
now con,ic,. i.i1i rin,a-

IL Is at once interesting and pathetic
10 10 through the cells Of the eastern
penitcnuary and to note the objects
which. with tedious pains. the prison
crs have made 20 while the time away.
Here mantel will be hung with a
lambrequin deliberately fringed. the
Nne knots and delicate patterns OF the
threads comparing with the work OF
the French lacemakcrs. The lambre-
quin is OF an odd blue hue. and the Wis
itor is told that il is made Of an old
pair of prison trousers.
On little gilt bracket is a small
stuffed animal. The bracket. so deli.
cately turned. is OF newspapers pasted
together and gildcd. and the animal is
a rat, caught I'm n homemade trap.
stuffed with rags and with pieces Of
chewing gum colored with shoeblacl-
ing for it's eyes
A wall is completely covered with a
really artistic decoration OF reeds. -on
WHICH are perched mt least 200 birds.
each accurately colOred and drawn.
There are also numberless checker
boards and sets of chessmen that in
the delicacy of their inlay work and I'm
the intricacy of their carving would do
honor to the craftsmen of the orient
Philadelphia Record.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08
4 Rare Drug.

The price Of many drugs used In
medicine is astonishing TO those who
are not acquainted with the subject. -
remarked druggist TO n PHILADELPHIA
Times representative. There are sew
eral that are worth their weight i'm gold
about $50 an ounce. while 81. 81 and
50 an ounce are quite common prices
In pharmacy. But there is one drug
that 1 can recall which is worth more
than its weight i'm gold. This is pseudo
physostigmine. 1 don't think that II
has popular name. 1t is too rich for
that. In the pharmacists list II Is
quoted at 81 n grain. or $437.5O an
ounce. The seed from which the drug
is made grows in India and Brazil. as
well as in parts OF South Africa. This
seed. tradition says. was once used by
native chiefs IS an ordeal. The ordeal
generally resulted in the death OF the
man upon whom 1t was tried and so il
was considered as great truth finder.
The prepared drug is sometimes used
now in prescriptions for the treatment
Of heart disease"
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08

The Sybarites slept on beds stuffed
with rose leaves; the tyrant Dionyslus
had his couch flied with them; Verus
would travel with garland on his
head and around his neck. and over his
litter he had n thin net with rose
leaves intertwined: Antiochus luxuri-
ated upon bed Of blooms even in win
ter days and nights. and when Cleo
patra entertained Antony she had roses
covering the floor TO the depth. ii is
said. OF an ell.
We are told that Heliocabalus sup
piled so many at one Of his banquets
that several OF his guests were suIo-
Gated in the endeavor to cxtricate them
selves from the abundance-victims OF
Il Surfeit OF sweet odors.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08

Boot Plates.


Tho question OF the use OF the family
Soat of arms ycAcs the American very
seriously. Originally an book plates
were hcraldic. That was In an axe
when people generally could not read
and when the blazOn Of each family. as
shown ON wearing apparel or small be
hngincs. was ms well known and quick
~ distinguished as an autograph or
photograph today. In the main. it is
safe To advise Americans not to use
coat armOr on their book plates. The
uncertainty OF the actual right TO arms
aud the extreme difliculty of getting a
drawing that one knows is undeniably
correct I'm every detail are strong rea-
sons against it's use. IIcraldry is too
exact science 10 admit Of liberties.
and it is no small achievement to draw
the coat Of arms with absolute correct
ness and yet with artistic feeling.
Though it is not very generally prac-
uccd, il is legal to copyright the book
plate design. At least two plates are so
protected i'm this country. This would
seem 10 leave door open for those who
wish To- SECURE FOR themselves n per
sonal distinguishing mark. quasi
heraidry. Tor the drawing may be in
heraidic form as we'll as in any other
Century.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08
TIL RSDAY
MAY :. 1902
An Invcninnn nnnrtrnn.

Tho McNicuns In California had an
Ingenious method OF trapping bears
before the advent OF the Yankees
brought modern firearms into the re-
gion. \ piece of meat was nailed to
the stout horizontal limb of an oak
tree. From limb five or six feet above
rope was suspended. to the end OF
which q large stone was made fast so
that il hung about six inches above and
tribe nearer the trunk than the meat
OF the lower limb.
When bear smcllcd the meat from
afar. he would climb up the tree and
make his way 10 the bait In doing
10 he would push the stone pendulum
70 one side. Just as he was about to
fastcn his teeth in the meat the stone
would swing back and bang his head.
This would arouse the anger Of the
bear. and he would give the stone a
sweep OF his paw which would send
it swinging farther out. Tie conse-
qucuce was n harder bang and more
anger. The more no struck the stone
the harder he would he hit in return
until from fcrocious anger he would
lose his caution and attack the pendu-
lum with all his yigor. One powerful
sweep. then bang, and bruin would be
tumblcd out Of the tree to the rocks
below. where. disabled by his fall. he
would bc at the mercy Of those who
set the trap whenever they chose to
take him.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08
First English Book on Sport.

The first book on sport ever printed
in the English language was rhymed
treatise called the "BOke of st. Al
bans" its author being a woman. Dame
Juliana Berncrs. Its second edition was
printed by Wynkyn de Worde in 1896
a descendant OF her family. Lord Ber-
ners, was the translator OF Froissart's
Chronicles" 1t is true that old manu-.
scripts existed, such ms the "venerie
de Twccy" of the time Of Edward ii -,
but it was Dame Juliana who was the
real ancestress OF sporting literature
in England. for she also composed an
essay on hawking and another on
Fishing With an Angle" the last be-
ing of such excellence that Izaak Wal
ton himself did not disdain TO take a
hint from its pages.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08
Eirst RniIronh Charter.

The first charter ever granted i'm this
country or probably any other for the
building 90 Il railroad was granted in
1919 10 Henry Drinker 10y the rcnnsyl-
vania legislature for n road of that
Kind from the Delaware valley to the
hcadwatcrs OF the Lchign river over
the route now occupied by the Della
ware. Lackawanna and Western rail
road from the Water Gap TO Scranton.
That was before the days of steam.
and the wagons" that were to be run
on the road were to be moved by horse
power. That old charter and the
rights ii conveyed were purchased by
the original Delaware and Lackawan-
M company for 81 900.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08
Tree Tint Trrn- 70 slime.

There is Il tree that grows i'm Mexico
called the "chijol.' or stone tree. II is
of enormous proportions. both in cir
conference and height. 1t has a mum
Der of branches spreading out widely
and carrying leaves of a yellowish
green color. The wood is extremely fine
and easily worked I'm a green state. II
is not given 10 either warping or split
ting. The most remarkable thing about
it is that after being cut the wood
gets gradually harder. ard in the course
of "a few years ii Is absolutely pctrified
whether left i'm the open air or buried
in the ground. From this timber houses
can lie built that would in few years
become completely hrcproof and would
last MS though built OF stone.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08

1t is difficult 10 account for the enor-
nous velocity of some birds flight
when migrating. The northern blue
throat goes at the rate Of $40 miles an
hour. flying 1880 miles from Egypt to
Helgoland in spring night of barely
nine hours. Nirginian plover fly from
Labrador TO north Brazil. 9,GoO miles,
without stopping. going at the rate OF
CSC miles an hour and probably more.
How can this speed be attained? The
birds resort TO great heights where the
resistance of the air is slight
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08
Beware OF A Cough.

A cough is not adisease but a symptom
Consumption and bronchitis, which are
the most dangerous. and fatal diseases.
have for their first indication a persis-
tent cough. and il properly treated as
soon as this cough appears are easily
cured. Chamberlain's Cough Remedy
has proven wonderfully successful. and
gained its wide reputation and extensive
sale by its success in curing the Diseases
which cause coughing II IL is not beneii
ciai it will not cost you n cent. For sale
by NJ. NJ. Lewis, druggist.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08
The Disadvantages Of mcroism

1t would bc a good thing IL i'm our
public school courses in hcroism to
teach the boys and girls that. after all.
while hcroism is n fine thing and n
great thing. it is n most uncomfortable
thing and that possibly. on the whole.
the best ana most lasting work that is
accomplished in life comes from n
steady application Of all ones best on
orgies to noble purpose. meeting with
honest and patient effort the cmergen-
cics and veXations of daily life and
holding true to the middle course.
which assures success without bring
ing notoricty. y fixed purpose to do
well that which one has to do will in
the end bring laurels OF more perma-
ncnt value to the world ut large and Ia
the unheralded hand that achieves its
purpose than those which are ever
worthily bestowed upon the brow OF
him who avails himself Of an unusua,
chance i'm an abnormal fashion.-IIar
per's Weekly.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08
Eating Crow

The term eating crow" comes from
an ante Revolutionary story. a sol
dicr Of an English regiment stationed
in Virginia shot pet crow belonging
TO n farmer. The latter entered a
complaint with the colonel. who sem
fenced the soldier TO eat the crow.
The farmer was left alone with the
soldier TO see that he did it. After
the soldier had consumed n portion of
the bird he took his gun. presented it
at the farmer and told him TO eat the
remainder of the crow or he would
shoot him. This was the origin of the
eating crow story.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08
Took The Second MIN.

bachelor volunteered TO teach n spright-
ly young widow the game of checkers.
He quite overlooked the possibilities of
the game.
There, now; it's still your move" he
exclaimed to the lady shortly after the
game had commenced. "You have TAX
en- only one man, and you are bound to
take another"
Thanks for your advice" said the
widow sweetly. suppose l take you,
thenT"
She did subsequently.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08
The Pofaonons Penny.

In Turkey If man falls asleep in the
neighborhood Of Il poppy field and the
wind blows from the field toward him,
he becomes narcotized and would die If
the country people, who are well ac-
Quainted with the circumstances, did
not bring him to a well or stream and
empty pitcher after pitcher of water OF
his face and body.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08
A Costly Prayer Book.

Queen Elizabeth used to carry about
with her suspended by n chain of pure
gold book called "The Golden Manual
of Prayer" a dainty volume OF 500
pages. bound in hammered virgin
gold" One side of this costly volume
gave a representation of the Judgment
of Solomon, the other the brazen ser
pent on the cross in the desert.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08
UnIVersitr of Athena.

The University OF Athens is very old.
1t is conducted on the German plan.
Most OF the professors are graduates OF
German universities. and the German
language is heard about the building
more frequently than any other except
Greek The institution has n large
amount of property, and several of the
chairs have been handsomely endowed
by private individuals.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08
How Greeley Learned Ito Read.

BY n singular adaptation to the
changes of motion on his mothers part
while spinning Horace Greeley when n
youngster acquired the unwonted quail
ity of reading with the book in almost
any position. sidcwise or upside down.
as readily as in the usual fashion with
out at that time thinking it anything
unusual.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08

There is no more interesting or curl
Gus sight on this earth than the interior
OF the extinct crater, Aso San. about
thirty miles from the city of Kuma-
moto. in Japan. This peculiar locality
is Inhabited by 10000 people. who live
and prosper within its vertical wall 500
feet high. The inhabitants rarely make
4 journey into the outer world. but
form. as it were. little nation by
themselves.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08
What Dfnfnrhed Him

Miggles-l hear you upset a plate OF
soup on Miss Smiths gown at dinner
last night
Wiggles-Yes. and it was awfully
embarrassing. You know it isn't polite
to ask for a second plate of soup.-Chi-
cago News.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08
Titles.

Give Georgia darky q "chaw" of
tobacco and you're a cap'n.
Give him Il quarter and you become
a colonel.
Paralyze him with a dollar and you
are n general for life.
Throw in an old suit of clothes and
two stiff drains of corn liquor and he
raises all his children TO call you gov
ernOr.-Atlanta Constitution.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08

Brooks" said Rivers. that's the
second time I've heard you use the
phrase aching void wish you would
tell me how void can ache"
We'll" said Brooks. rejecting a mo-
ment mot to speak of a hollow tooth,
don't you sometimes have the head
ache T'-Chicago Tribune
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08
There Was No Music.

"What is the greatest fib that ever
impressed itself on your experience.
Snapper?'
'Well, by all odds the worst one I
ever heard was that your quartet per-
petrated last night when they came
round to the house and sang. There's
Music In the Air."
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08

DR.. Parr on meeting Lord Chancellor
Erskine. with whom he was friendly.
once said, "Erskine. mean to write
your epitaph when you die"
Doctor" answered the great lawyer,
sit is almost n temptation to commit
Suicide"
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08
WORTH
$4,000

of her
We below Of
% bv
first whose will prize.
CONDITIONS In order % or prizc
"' yearly.
in
and no ansvrr will l received after that time.
plRlh'T loNS All placed scaled
MrrnE simply "rengnranl G'uco post offices thus Richmond
pIo address at the bottom o the paper. fold it mp and place in "
don hing this envelope Write
telling MS that l"u are sending us enclosed slu ion problem and
order and sealed envelope
tlior larger envelope aldp the envelope "II
FREE LAME Frederic kslury. V.
The smaller envelopes will h numbered placed until June
l"l2 when three
and wi
OF the The THE FREE I4ANlES
a nm
THROUGH the kindness Mr. W Jones the wclknown
handsome will Ice in 81
did windows that al DuIu. Thoun-as
lu what when call Organ a inst
ln..sL . n tor. ~
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08
The value of scicncc

Science is a first rate piece of furni-
ture for mans upper chamber If he
has common sense on the ground door.
but IL n man hasn't plenty of good
common sense the more science he has
the worse for the patient.-OIiver Wen
dell Holmes.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08
Method In His Deceit.

IL thought you said you were going
TO bring Il friend home TO dinner" said
Mrs. Skinny 10 her husband.
HE couldn't come. Anna" replied
Mr. skinny as he sat down with great
satisfaction to the first good dinner he
had had a chance TO attack for a long
time
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08
A Fad and n Chit.

A Boston editor, asked to define the
dlnerence between a cult and q fad,
rose to the emergency in this manner
"A fad is anything that arouses eva
nescent mentality. while n cult is any.
thing that inspires permanent mental.
ity."
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08

Bobby-My gran'ma's so old she amt
got tooth In her head.
Tommy-Ain't she? We'll. mebby
they're sn her bureau drawer. like my
Aunt TITLES is sometimes. -Philadel-
phia Bulletin.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08
Thefr Single Thought.

Hook-That young married couple
appear TO be two souls with but a
single thought.
Nye-Yes. He thinks he's the only
thing on earth, and she agrees with
him.-Philadelphia Record.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08
EXfenunfi0n.

Visitor-That painting is by an old
master. ! see.
Mrs. McShoddie (apologetically)-Y-e-s.
but the frame is new.-New York Week.
w.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08
LIQUORS. CIGARS, GROCERIES.

LIQUORS. CIGARS, GROCERIES.
MIS-. j. f.. Mon roe
Commerce St, fredericksburg, Va, keep
the largest and most varied stock o.
Wines and Liquors in the city. She eau
furnish you Whiskey at prices from 81 40
to 81 per gallon. Ii includes Star A.
Kentucky Rye, Live Oak, Lord Balti-
more, King Lear. Jefferson Co. Rye, Wig
wan, Indian Hin and many Others.
Wines of every description. Apple
Brandy $3.50 TO 81 per gallon. A full
line ofCigars and Tobacco, Groceries, etc
MRS. j. +. MONROE,
BIB Commerce St. fredericksburg, Va
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08

No one can read the Bible out loud
in the same voice in which ne would
read a selection from n newspaper
Atchison Globe.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08
18th
7E

his has heen oar banner year and We
have done mOrr u~iuessctha ever b..lors W..
nave the confidence 81 the people and a prooi
OF IL = the Increase Of our trade sFPur,.
SoorS. honest value aud fun measure are th,,
cause OF It Our stock T. the largest pur.,at
and best selected In the state, aud We can
satisfy the wants 81 every body
Our Canada Rye at $500 Il the 0ncs,
mesllcnl whi~key ON the market. Farmer
i,ehgnt, Ienderloin Rye. kentucky Club Rye
Ming OF Nentucky Rye, White Rye aud Col
onei Rye, all AZ $500 per gallon have nc
yinal Hlue Ribbon, pc, Apple Blossom
Sl.t". choice Rye. $3.50. and Golden Stnr
30 per gal- Apple Brandies. $500 and
S1-oo, Peach, blackberry. California Frcncl
anu ginger brandier. Kidney Gin. New Eng
iand AMI Jamaica RUNS, Wines and Beers
A TRIAL WILL CONVINCE vorr
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-08
@MMY.,s-

This signature Is on every box OF the genuine
Laxative Bromo-Q uinine Tablet.
tho remedy that cures q cold Am one day
New-York tribune., 1902-08-10
1T ROCK LEDGE C4nP-

Saranac Lake. n. Y. Aug (SpeCiaD--Rock
Ledge Camp overlooks the Lower Saranac Lake.
near Ampersand Mountain It is a charming villa
deliberately built and spacious. and perhaps takes
its name from a long, curved ledge Of gray rock
which forms a wall upon the waters edge. over
which riot masses Of nasturtunnS in every shade OF
gold and orange. Seldom has any effect more
beautiful been seen in the wtlds than the deep
green of the forest fringing the shores Of the
radiant blue lake and between them. and reflected
in the lake, a band OF cleaning gold
On the northeast side of the Rock Ledge House is
wide piazza. with trellis of boughs over it and
baIuStrade Of the same alOng its length Here
tables are set. snowy with finest dauaSk and
gItteriug with silver and crystal. for this is the
Rock Ledge dining room Forest trees brush their
fragrant branches against the upper lattice or
boughs. and the parterres under the trees are gay
with brilliant flowers.
New-York tribune., 1902-08-10

OF Jokes that ! never sat at their table without
first having a substantial bite. for | knew there
would be more laughter than luncheon. as far as
concerned
What was your experience Of Paris after you
mri Massenetr'
"Ahi mon ami. comment dire. les souf-
frances des ces annees, Massenet engaged me as
pianist and l assisted him In rehearsing 'HeTodiade
and other Of hts creations. and II was at TINS
know the well known barytone Of those days. he
n friend indeed. The first great service ne
Milan Theatre. with a success that made me famous
in my country; but alas II was a taiure IN
Paris where my life was one fierce battle TOT nine
And to what do you your final triumph?
My wife came the prompt reply. VINO iought
by my side bravey, with confidence IN my flture
That is why I dedicated my 'Boheme' TO her
Though usually reluctant 20 talk OF ms profes-
sion outside Of the theatre, the boards It
gesture every word, every flash OF the eye, the
born musician.
for the first performance of Zaza outside OF the
composers country under his direction In the
most delightful way he compmented all upon the
excellent manner in which they had prepared every
thing for his arrival and grasped the meaning or
his lnspiraticns. by giving pleasant word here
and a smile there but at the same time In his own
tactful way he changed everything. from the
setting of the scenes 10 the prima donnas smile:
and not one from the manager down 10 the small
naturedly. welcoming his criticisms and eagerly
grasping at his suggestions. He thrilled the entire
troupe with the spark of his Inspirations. and
made a proud success of his creation rendered in
language not his
'Zaza'' is the musical expression of human pas
sions freed from the stilted phrasng, the conven-
tional monotOnies Of the old STACY methods and
withal the music peases the ear. is full OF melody
harmonious and seductive.
LeOnCaVallO has imposing appearance. despite
his double chin and tendency to be aIdermanic.
He has an abundance of hair; somewhat peppery.
merry twinkle in his piercing. expressive eye and
reminds one Of Ernest Rossi.
New-York tribune., 1902-08-10
IN ECCENTRIC NEGRO VETERAN.

II has been often said of the Colored soldiers who
took part in the Civil War that many of them
had no superiors in valor daring and proof OF
this stands in history in numerous instances
These veterans With black skins fast passing
away
One of them Charley Heath by name died a
few days ago in Mount Vernon and his breast
badges that had been awarded him for a deed
of some kind. or which he may have purchased.
He character whose individuality will live
long in memory, and he lived two years beyond
the allotted time of 'threescore and ten" When
asked a few days before his death how 1t was
that he had been spared from the enemy's bullet
and that other arch enemy, disease. when others
around him had died at much younger age he
replied by quoting Shakespeare:
Cowards die many times before their deaths
The valiant never taste of death but once, etc.
For many years this old negro. who had served
in the army throughout the Civil War and who
of those dark skinned unfortunates who
was chased through Chatham-st in July, 1868. dur
ing the famous riots. owned white horse, which
he used for peddling. This horse was the only
company that he commanded. and he drilled
1t only In the school of the solder, He used
no reins, but guided the animal by military COM
mands. The horse responded promptly as a
maschr' File right, File LETT Right about
march, and Halt but when Heath wanted the
horse to trot he did whip and cry out
"Gi up. Old SATAN On the contrary. he would
command Double quick: march! and then the
dust would fly, except when on the asphalt pave
ment.
The old horse went years ago to his last rest.
old darkies go" After his death. the family and
of the Grand Army Post to give him as good a
s be Tha 4o f9sg
the public funt for destitute veterans funeral
subscriptions and few more carriages were hired
to carry some Of the colored friends to the ceme-