davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-26
He Had Followed Directions.

A little black boy sat on the soap
box which served rs front step to
the tumble down shanty. His skin
was more than black. Here and there
It looked as If 1t had been vanished.
His fingers clung together when he at
tempted to open his hands, and films
Of silky sweetness were spun about
him as he threw back his head and
opened his mouth in epicurean ecstasy.
Household Words explains this happy
condition:
Goodness, lawp' exclaimed the old
nanny, who came suddenly round the
corner. "What yo' sittin' dat away
for when jes' been tryin' to clean yo'
up? Eff yo' ain went an molassed
yo'se'f I'm head to footr'
Dat ain 'lasses, nanny"
"Whut's de use O. tryin' ter make
yo' look spectacle, d like ter know2 l
wash yo' an dress yo', an den I tells
yo' ter go an use de comb. didn't Ir'
"Yes'm. An look aroun', an all
de comb could fin was dis yere hon
eycomb. But l don use dat, nanny;
I sho'ly did"
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-26
THE ATHLETES HEART.
n the moving Man IL IL Strong ana
Well Developed.


A prominent member of the faculty
of'the University of Pennsylvania Med
icai school has made study of the
heart action of athletes. lie has ex-
amined large number of men I'm ath-
letlcs, especially rowing men, and he
has come to the conclusion that no man
In perfect health who has been proper
ly trained Is injured by rowing, but
that. on the contrary, his heart is so
strengthened that, with moderate
amount of exercise after he has finish
cd his rowing career. there is mo rea-
son, so far as the heart and lungs are
concerned. that he should not live TO II
very old age.
"The heart" said he, ''is both very
delicate and very strong organ-that
Is. If IL Is well developed II will stand
an enormous amount of strain without
any permanent injury, but If II is not
well developed II Is very easily weak
ened Violent exercise, like rowing,
places great deal of strain on the
heart because when the body is being
exerted IL requires so much more pres
sure to force the blood through the
body. Like any other muscle that Is
worked. the heart under the added la
Dor becomes larger, and most athletes
have extra large hearts, just as they
also have larger muscles throughout
the body.
"If the strain is put upon the heart
suddenly II dilatcs-it becomes larger,
but not more muscular-and that is the
danger in athletics. If n man exercises
gradually then his heart also increases
in size gradually because the muscles
become larger, and this is perfectly
normal condition. 1t simply means
that the athlete has stronger heart
than the average and can cope with
the extra strain that is put upon II. A
man needs II larger heart TO row Il
race, and II gradual exercise has so
provided him with one then he can
safely undergo the most severe tests.
1T Is the same way with the lungs,
and they must he developed gradually
until they can undertake the extra
work. \ man with his heart and lungs
we'll developed is i'm no danger, no mat
ter how hard the race. He may COM
pletely keel over at the end of the race,
but IL will likely be from sheer cXhaus-
tion, and his heart is so strong that the
effect Is not at all injurious. lie will
be as good as ever in few moments"
Philadelphia Record.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-26

The small boy with his eyes open Of
ten knows mere of things as they are
than the artist who draws things as
they are not. An illustrator who is
winning laurcls by his fine work main
tains that his most valuable critic is his
son. boy of twelve.
lie knows little about drawing, says
the artist, but he has II quick sense for
beauty and keen Imagination as we'll
Not long ago had TO make n drawing
of n street full of people running TO a
fire. | nattercd myself | had made Il
lifelikc and moving scene and submit
ted it 10 my boy with u feeling of salts
faction.
He surveyed 1t for moment, hands
In his pockets. head on one side. Then
he said:
"The people are all right. but where's
the dog
"ihe dog" inquired. what dogf'
"Any dog" lie said in tone of pity
for my dullncss. why, father, don't
you know there's always ut least one
dog running alongside and getting un-
der everybody's feet when you're going
TO fire. Haven't you ever been to q
fire, father or seen crowd going to
onoy"
When | thought II over knew he
was right, and the dog went in.-
Youths Companion.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-26
A auninf old VIII.

"My hobby is the collection of
strange Wills" said a retired sea cap
tain. II have gathered together copies
of over fifty odd testaments, and fine
reading soi.c of them are. One, over
300 years old bequeaths- what do you
think? Why, II bequeaths its makers
soul to God This is the way II reads:
In Del nomine, Amen; the yere of
our Lord 1541. the XXXth day of May,
|, Robert petlgrew. hole of mynd and
mem'ry, make my testament and last
will, yn formc and manner followyng:
First bequcth my sowle to Almighty
Cod and my body TO be buryd yn the
churchyard of North Cadbery. 1 be-
queth to my some Richard cove, n
calf, the second best grass panne, ii
platters, II dysshys of pewter, and an
akar Of wheat, an akar of dragge, and
an akar of medow. To my daughter
Alys, cove. To my some Thomas.
my old oxe. The residew of my goods,
not bequethed, | give to Mawde, my
Wyffe.' '"-Phlladelphi Record.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-26

A small and simple experiment can
be tried by any reader which will go
far to convince him or her what a debt
we owe to color and what n good thing
1t is we have sunlight, which enables
our eyes to take advantage of the beau
tfful hucs of nature. Make room
quite dark and then burn some carbon
ate of soda In the fame of bunsen
gas burner. II viii burn with an Or
ange yellow light sufficiently strong to
illuminate everything in the room, but
you will realize wsh sudden shock
that, bright though the light is, all dis
tnctions of color have vanished. Only
light and shade remain. A crimson
carnation, blue violet, a red table
cloth, a yellow blind-all look gray or
black or white. The faces of those
present look positively repulsive. for all
natural color has disappeared.
No other experiment will so well con-
vince those who have witnessed 1t how
great loss would be that of our sense
for color.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-26

Amusing epitaphs are not difficult to
find If one is seeking them. The Che
shire Republican cites a most singular
one which may be found on monu-
ment in eastern Tennessee:
Sacred to the memory of John Smith.
for twenty years senior partner OF the
firm of Smith & Jones. now J. ]. Jones &
Co
The names are not really Smith and
Jones, but they will answer for the
purposes of the story. Il met Jones
later" says the narrator, land he gave
me a frank explanation of the inscrip-
ton.
smith was bachelor without rela-
tivcs." he said. but he knew n tre-
mendous lot OF country people, and II
any of them happened to see his grave
they might think that the old house
had closed up and gone out of business
SO l thought 1t no more than right to
let them know that the firm was still
alive"
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-26

II is common notion that corals
grow only In tropical and subtropical
waters and that no coral reefs are to
be found along our own familiar
coasts. As matter of fact. coral
formations stretch all along the Allan
tic coast of the United States although
the reefs do not rise so high that they
project from the water. Some of the
most beautiful of the living coral in
the New York aquarium was dredged
up from the Atlantic ocean almost
within sight of the city of New York,
and there are many coral patches still
closer to the shores. Generally the
northern coral is snow white, although
sometimes it has delicate brown tint.
Pink coral is found occasionally, but 1t
is rare.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-26
DOCTORS eLuNDERss. S
what Legal Methods Applied to Med
icnl Practice would Uncover.

icnl Practice Would Uncover.
"Now that ! am through with medi-
cline can s!.ak Of the profession In a
fashion that would nct IL was still
In the prac.i','." sid gentleman who
has been known as u successful physI-
elan In Ncw York for years as lie sat
1T luncheon la the lawyers club.
"Of cDlrs' duat care to have my
nallc mention, Il, for lave lots of good
friends In the profession. but the fact
Is that the profession of medicine would
he nearly ruined If It had to be con-
Quoted rs you gentlemen of the bar
practice your calling.
I'VE have Il great advantage over
you. for you in your cases are subject
ed 20 the EXTREMIST publicity. while we;
In our cases have the utmost conceal
mcnt. Just suppose that In our cases
we had judge who knew as much as;
or more than we did presiding over our
actions and. worse than that had an
other physician. whose interests were
not ours. watching and critlcising us
at every step and blazoning every err
ror that we made. Dear me, such q
prospect as that would frighten the
best physician who ever lived the mo-
ment he entered sick room. and yet
that condition Is Just what you men
of the law have to face In e, cry case
that you try.
"What sort of figure would law
yer cut florndcring around 'in court
without any knowledge of his case :?
But physician can founder mentally
I'm sick room without second person
being the wiser, though the patient
may suffer; but. then. dead men tell
no tales
"Under such circumstances of doubt.
which is usually ignorance, the physi-
clan can look wise put something into
the patients stomach, go to his office.
decide what line of experiment he will
follow, return the next day. hoping to
| find that nature Is working the cure
| that he doesn't know how to effect. and
being ready and willing to take all of
the credit that comes his way.
"Why, the very first thing that nurses
are taught is to observe the utmost Sc
crccy about doctors blunders. If they
told what they know there wouldn't be
much confidence in physicians where
they are heard. Ask nurse of expe-
ricncc about this when you have the
opportunity.
"Ics. sir. ] repeat that the publicity
and chance for criticism In your pro-
fcssion. If applied to medicine, would
result in the discovery Of small
amount of science as compared with
the large amount of empirlcism." New
York Herald.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-26
A Brilliant Retort.

After dinner speaking is an art, and,
like many other arts, its excellence has
much to do with the mood of the artist.
Some Of the best of our after dinner
speakers sometimes fail, but 1t is not
often that failure results In the enrich
ment of the worlds store of epigram,
as 1t did in the case Of Lord Erskine
many years ago.
When Lord Erskine was made u
member of that highly honorable body,
the Fishmongers' Company Of London,
he made an after dinner speech on the
occasion OF his first appearance among
them as member. Upon his return he
said to friend:
81 spoke i'll today and stammered and
hesitated in the opening"
"You certainly houndered," was the
reply, ''but thought you did so in
compliment to the fishmongers"
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-26
APHORISMS.

The heart gets weary, but never gets
old.-Shenstone.
The only way TO have friend is TO
be one.-Emerson.
What we learn with pleasure we new
er forget.-Mercier.
Opposition innames the enthusiast
never converts him.-Schiller.
True merit is like river-the deeper
1t is the less noise 1t makes.-Hazlitt.
The eye of the master will do more
work than both of his hands.-Frank-
lin.
Experience takes dreadfully high
school wages, but he teaches like no
other.-Carlyle.
Kindness is the only charm permit
ted to the aged; II is the coquetry of
white hairs.-Feuillet.
If we had no failings ourselves we
should not take so much pleasure in
finding out those of others.-Rochefou
cauld
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-26

A kind hearted lady saw small boy
seated on one of the benches In Fair
mount park the other day smoking n
cigar which she afterward told a
friend seemed almost as big as him
self The lady is an enthusiastic anti
tobacco worker and never loses an op-
portunity to impress, especially upon
youthful minds, the evils Of using to-
bacco In any form.
Seating herself by the side of the lad,
she said kindly, "Oh, my boy, wouldn't
your father be dreadfully panied IL he
saw you smoking that cigarT
"Rather think he would" responded
the twentieth century young man
without removing the weed from his
mouth. This is one of his best cigars"
Philadelphia Ledger.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-26
An Economical Mother.

Small Katherine, who had been for
hidden to touch the ink bottle had nc
cidcntally spilled its contents na only
all over her mothers desk, but on the
rug. several chairs and her own apron.
Her mother, on discovering the state Of
affairs. had expressed more surprise
than pleasure. When the father of the
family returned mt night his little
daughter met him at the door and
asked:
Papa, how much does bottle of ink
costT
"Oh, about cents"
give cents!" exclaimed the ag,rleyed
youngster in tone of deep disgust.
"And to think that mamma would
make all that fuss about one little bot
tie of lnk!"-Llppincott's.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-26
WOMEN WHO POSE.
The Secrecy That Is Maintained by
Artists About Their Models.

Every artist keeps in his studio
little book that he guards most sacred
ly. II contains his list of models. In
eome art studios of New York the
"model book" contains 800 names of
men and women who earn their living
by posing. The betrayal of single
name by the artist would injure his
reputation with the craft and make 1t
difficult for him to employ the better
class of models.
The chief reason for this secrecy is
the fact that the outside world is prone
to look askance at professional models.
Most of them. however are perfectly
modest and good women, whose bust
ness, though apparently violating the
letter of morality, preserves its spirit
In fact, behind the models professional
career is little but the commonplace.
American models are characterized
by the same qualities Of self respect
and independence as American art. The
principal fault artists and illustrators
find with them is their lack of express
sion, but for beautiful figures and per-
feet features they are uneXcelled.
The best models in the world are
found in France and America, where
the most general intelligence prevails
In the class from which they chiefly
come. In America many of them be-
long to middle class families who have
met reverses.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-26

The learned Porson was staying at
one time with a well known canon Of
Ely named jeremiah King. One day
at dinner, when they had got into dis
cussion upon questions Of etymology,
Porson gave a derivation which King
considered to be so farfetched as to be
quite ridiculous. "You might as well
say" said King, that my name Is con-
nected with cucumber" Possibly there
was a cucumber on the table. "And so
It is," said Porson. 'How SOL" asked
King. why, thus: Jeremiah King, by
contraction Jerry King; Jerry King, by
contraction and metathesis Gherkin,
and gherkin. we know, is a cucumber
picked"
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-26
The PrattIe of n Bright Child.

At times 1t cannot be denied the ques-
tions Of children become irksome, but
who would wish child to ask no qaes-
tons? julius Sturm tells in one of his
pretty fairy tales how grandfather,
driven into impatience by the constant
questionings Of his grandchild. ex-
claimed, II wish your tongue were out
Of joint" But when unexpectedly his
wish was fulfilled and the child became
dumb how he Joyfully exchanged one
Of the two years which an angel had
prophesled he was yet to live for the
privilege of hearing the little ones pratt
tie again!
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-26

Young Mr.. Bizz (briskly, to fair pro-
prietor of the photograph gallery)-Tve
dropped in, Miss Frame, without much
preparation, in the style l usually do
when make up my mind want any
thing. Can you take me just as am?
Miss Frame-Certainly, Mr.. Biz.
What style do you wlsh-cabinet or
carte?
Mr.. Bizz-What style? Great Cesar!
Did you think I'd come with these
clothes on to have my photograph tax
en-? I'm asking you to marry me. Miss
Frame"
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-26
When Robespierre Was "stunr.'

"heh AtopcbPAcrEG "as -DtuhWs
Under the terror Robespierre used to
play a peaceful game of chess at the
Cafe Regence. and the story is told Of
n youth who once challenged him and
beat him twice. Robespierre, after his
defeat. asked how much he owed, no
stakes having been previously fixed.
The supposed youth, who In reality was
a girl in mans clothes, presented an or
der for the release Of her lover from
prison, and Robespierre signed It. Ma
poleon Bonaparte during his consulship
was seen at the famous cafe. but he
showed himself no tactician at chess
London Telegraph.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-26

""Thcre Is tide in the affairs of
men," said the man who habitually
quotes Shakespeare, which, taken at
its flood, leads on to fortune"
"Yes." replied the man who had mar
ried an heiress, II remember the tide
that led to my fortune we'll"
"What tide was that?"
"It was eventide, and we were sit
ting In the garden."-San Francisco
Wasp.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-26
Definition of 81 Baby.

"What Is Il babyY is asked, and then
the following complicated definition is
given: The prince Of walls. dwcller
in Laplnnd, the morning caller, noon
day crawler midnight brawlcr. only
possession that never c'citcS envy, a
key that opens the heu"ts of all classes.
the rich and the poor alike, in nll coun-
tries; stranger with unspeakable
cheek that enters the house without n
stitch to his back and is received with
open arms by all.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-26
Juat In Hard IucL.

Irate Guest Ito waiter)-Look here!
Didn't order a Swiss cheese sand
wich?
Polite Waiter - Yes, sir, and there
1t is.
Irate Guest-There are two slices of
bread, but can you find any cheese on
them?
Polite Waiter - I'm sorry, sir. The
cheese is there all right. only you hap
pened to hit on one Of the holes.-New
York Times.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-26
SMART SET FRIENDSHIPS.
They Usually Have n Purpose, So
cfa1, Political or Financial.

cfhf, Gottttchh OF FlnuncIAh.
There are friends in what Is labeled
'the smart set" whose motto I'm life
would appear to be, Danish dull care"
These are the people who give those
cheerful dinners where nobody cares q
rap for precedence. Everybody takes
his affinity in to dinner. The host starts
OF with the prettiest girl, and the host
css is taken down by some beardless
boy. 1t IL Liberty hall, with nlcknames
for all present, abundance of "chaff"
and stories something more than risky.
They are all great friends, of course,
and call each other dear things" and
know exactly how much Is meant by
TINT while they smile sweetly and say
"Cat!" In connection with most of them
behind their backs. Few of these so
called friendships In society are made
without II purpose. either political, So
cial or financial. The peeress wants a
Zip" from the millionaire, either a
Stock Exchange tip or one affecting
coin or copper or whatever his special
line may he. Our mice" friends are
nice In so far ns they are useful TO us.
At the same time, in justice to society.
1t ought 70 be pointed out that no one
is taken In by these interested friend
ships. The people who only make
friends calculating how much they will
benefit thereby are seen through by ev-
erybody and dislilked so openly that
only their toadles fail to let them see II.
London Outlook
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-26
RUsslA's ARGUS EYE.
The Keen watch That Is Exercised
over All Postal Matter.

In the Russian post office watchful
eye is kept ON all newspapers and mag
azines, and any matter officially con-
sldered Objectionable Is ruthessly
"blncked out" A similar surveillance Is
extended to private correspondence.
The task thus undertaken Is a gigantic
one, but the Russian official system has
proved itself equal to the undertaking
In every post office of Importance
there are officials constituting the
"black cabinet" whose duty II Is to
examine the letters received. According
to the system followed In the Moscow
post office. all the letters are handed
over to the "black cabinet" Then one
official sorts out all those which are nd
dressed To suspected families, another
all those addressed I'm suspected hand
writings. while n third arranges the re-
malnder in little heaps and then draws
at random several letters from each
heap. All the letters selected In these
various ways are then opened and ex-
amlncd.
In this ingenious way the Russian
government strives TO keep continual
check on the free intercourse of its sub
jects. and II is not surprising that "un-
derground" means OF communication
have been developed
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-26
Giving nm Opinion.

Taddles-I used to think a good deal
of Straddles, but
Waddles-You don't say SO? What
has he done?
''The other day asked him to call
round and give me his opinion of an ar
ticle of mine on The Impending Crisis.
Well, he came all right; but lie brought
little thing of his own for me to hear,
and, confound him, lie wasted all the
,vening with his egotlstical trash"
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-26

Mrs. John Peters was the mother of
family OF restless children, and she
found difficulty In reducing them to
dulet when the moment came for ask
ing n blessing at the table. SO her
course of procedure was something in
this fashion:
"Allce, be stilll Eddie, not another
word! Maud, don't you see your ia
ther is waiting? Thcre-now, John;
noww-New York Times.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-26
Measuring IIidcs.

The ancient tanner paid an expert
high wages TO guess at the contents Of
his hides when sold by measure. To-
day an unskillcd workman hands the
irregular shaped pieces to II little ma
chine that looks something like table
with double top which. quicker than
the mind OF the expert can guess IL,
reclSons with eXactncss the square con-
tents in both the metric and stqndard
systems.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-26

Frcd-Kltty didn't marry that mil
lionalre duffer after all, did she?
Jack-No; he backed out, and she
sued him Cor breach of promise.
Fred-What damages?
Jnck-Twenty-nve thousand. and she
got II.
Fred-Clear case of $4,000 Off for
cash, wasn't it? | didn't think Kitty
was so sharp at driving a bargain
Comfort.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-26
4 StnrtIing Request.

Percy is II little boy who makes plans
to shirk his bath sometimes. But the
other evening he came in from play
tired and hot and sticky.
"Do | get n bath tonight, map he
asked.
"Yes," answered his mother.
"Well." he said cheerfully. "the Lord
knows need it"-B Brooklyn Eagle.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-26
Unique way to Secure one. Pay.

Unique Way to Secure Ones Pay.
Tattooing is still favorite personal
decoration with some of the natives of
Samoa, though not so fashionable there
as formerly. Those who practice the
art have an effective way Of securing
their pay. The color extends from the
waist to the knees, no other part of the
body being marked. In the small Of
the back the design shades off to a
point which is never finished by the
tattooer till his bill has been paid. AS
the incomplete design is public evil
dence Of the wearer's Indebtedness the
artist seldom has to wait long for his
money.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-26

at looks ns If we were in for an
other Napolconc revival"
"What makes you think so?"
81 understand the Lime and Plaster
cub has revived the old debating ques-
tlon. Resolved. Dat Bonaparte am II
greater man dan Napoleon. "-Cleve-
land Plain Dealer.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-26

"You have been conspicuous in the
halls of legislation, have you not?" said
questions.
"Yes, miss" answered Senator Sor-
ghum blandly; II think have partici-
pated In some of the richest hauls that
legislation ever made. Washington
Star.