davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-01-03
Willow Trees In America.

The weeping willow tree came to
America through the medium Of Alex
ander Pope, the poet, who planted a
willow twig on the banks Of the Thames
at his Twickenham villa. The twig
came to him in a box Of figs sent from
Smyrna by a friend who had lost all In
the south sea bubble and had gone TO
that distant land to recoup his fortunes.
A young British officer who came to
Boston with the army to crush the re-
bellion of the American colonies brought
with him twig from Popes now beau
tiful willow tree. intending to plant IT
In America when he should comforta-
bly, settle down on lands confscated
from the conquered Americans. The
young officer, disappointed in these ex-
pectations. gave his willow twig. wrap
ped in oil silk, to John Parke Gusts,
Mrs. Wasbington's son, who planted II
Oh his Abingdon estnte, in Virginia. 1t
thrived and became the progenitor or
all our willow trees.
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-01-03
GEMS OF THOUGHT.

The rarest of flowers is candor.-Ra-
cine.
One golden day redeems a weary
year.-Celia ThaXter.
Common sense is instinct, and enough
of it is genius.-H. W. Shaw.
The misfortunes that are hardest to
bear are those that never happen. -
Lowell.
The highest exercise Of charity Is
charity toward the Observation-Disclosures
minister.
He who believes in nobody knows
that he himself is not TO be trusted
Auerbach.
Superiority to circumstances Is one
Of the most prominent characteristics
Of great men.-Horace Mann.
Self laudation abounds among the
unpublished, but nothing can stamp a
man more sharply as i'll bred.-Buxton.
Cheerfuness is like money well ex-
pended in charity-the more we dis
pense Of it the greater our possession
Victor Hugo
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-01-03
SIN CRAVEN UPON MARBLE.
warning to Those Who Take snuh
During Worship.


There is Il quaint old parish church In
Plurien, Brittany, built in the early
part of the fifteenth century and hav-
ing, with many other primitive ar
rangements, the bell rope from the bel
fry hanging down from the roof OF the
nave and dangling just in front of the
pulpit, so that the process of bell ring
ing is performed in full view of the
congregation. But what was more pc
culiar was the projection ut right an
giles from one of the walls (also near
the pulpit Of a sculptured hand and
arm of full size as though held out from
the shoulder by somebody built into the
solid fabric of the wall itself, and the
hand opened and, palm upward and fin
gers extended, had a suggestion of ap-
peal and solicitation which naturally
provoked curiosity.
AS there was no inscription or any
thing to hint at the nature Of the story
that evidently lay behind the sculp-
tured limb l made inquiry Of charm
ing old lady who was decorating the
altar with flowers in view of the next
days high mass, and she told me that
many years ago, In the faron past,
there was wicked villager who went
indeed to mass, but was far from de-
yout. and on one occasion he so far for
got himself in the service on n hot sum-
mers day as to hold out his hand
through the open door or window to an
equally undevOut friend outside for a
pinch of snuff.
The pinch was duly given, but St
Peter, the patron saint Of the church.
was so scandalized by so terrible
want Of reverence that he straightway
paralyzed the arm of the offending
snuff taker. who thereupon took to his
bed and died, but not before he had adj
mitted the justice of his punishment
and had left directions in his will for
setting up in the church of the marble
reminder of his sin in order that all flu
ture villagers in Plurien might be W. n
ed against the terrible enOrmity Of al
lowing any distraction to interrupt the
devout hearing of the mass 1t is u
curious story and reminds one that
there has been an infancy in religion
as well as in most other of the great
motive powers Of observation-disclosures
Herald.
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-01-03
Omen to PersuaslOn.

'Is your husband strong willcd
MANI" asked Mrs. Sampson of her
neighbor, Mrs Towne. After mo-
ment's reflection Mrs. Towne replied:
81 don't know" she said obviously.
81 always thought he was, but the 9th
er day he went into Il department store
to get a new rug for the sitting room
because he said he wouldn't 90 another
day with our old shabby one.
"He happened to get off on the wrong
floor. and he came home with four new
tangled hatirons and porcelain kettle
and no sign Of a rug. SO you see
don't quite know what to say about
him since then.
"All he told me was that you never
knew just what you needed till you
saw it right before you."-Youth's Com
paniOn.
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-01-03
Hackncys and Dachshunds.

Hackneys Of skyscraplng knee action
are to some extent freaks in horsetesh
Of little more real value to mankind
than dachshunds, the sawed off dwarfs
among dogs The little child who said
Of this ridiculous splayfOoted, bowleg-
ged caricature Of the canine race that
it must have been born under bureau
hit the mark exactly. The nose smit-
ing, cloud Gaping horses that try to
throw their front legs over their ears
at every stride are grotesque aberra-
lions from sound and admirable types.
They and the dachshunds should dis
appear together.-New York Tribune.
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-01-03
TWO SECRETS.
Eben Hid His From His Wife, aud
She Cherished Her own.

Flows business EbenY
The old man was washing at the sink
after his days work.
"Fine, Marthy; fine!"
Does the store look just the same,
with the red gcranium in the Window
Land. how I'd like TO see 1t with the
sun shining In. How does It look, BIB
enY'
Eben did not answer for moment
When he did, lis voice shook BIT
",rhe stores never been the same
since you left. Marthy."
\ faint ll;tle flush came into Martha's
withercd check. Is Wife ever too old
to be moved by her husbands fattery!
For years Ebcn and Martha had kept
tiny notion store; then Martha fell
sick and was taken TO the hospital.
That was months ago. She was out
now. but she would never be strong
again-ncvcr be partner in their happy
little trade again.
81 can't get over a laundering for a
sight of the store" thought Martha one
forenoon. IF | take ii real careful, |
can get down there. 'Tlsn't so far.
Eben II scold, but he'll be tickled most
to death"
1t took long time for her to drag
herself downtown, but at last she stood
at the head of the little street where
the store was All Of sAdden she
stopped Ahead, OH the pavement
stood Eben. a tray hung from his
neck, on which were arranged few
cards OF collar studs, some papers OF
pins and shoclaccs. Two or three hold
ers were in his shaking old hand, and
as he stood he called his wares.
Martha cutchcd at the wall of the
building. she looked over the way at
the little store. Its windows were filled
with fruit. and an Italian name hut-
tered on the awning. Then Martha I'M
derstood. The store had gone to pay
her expenses. She turned aud hurried
away as fast as her trembling limbs
would take her.
ut Will hurt him so to have me find
out" she thought, and the tears trio
kled down her face.
Hes kept secret from me, and I'll
keep one from him." she said to her
self. HE shan't know that | know"
That night when Eben came In, chill
ed and weary. Martha asked cheerful
ly the old question:
Flows businessW
Better n ever, Marthy." answered
Eben.-Youths Companion.
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-01-03

Some time after the closing hour of
a large eastern bank which makes a
speciality Of the accounts Of wealthy
women an elegantly dressed woman
attempted vigorously to open the door.
"Shall l let her in?" asked the JAM
tor.
Eyes; We'll make an exception in her
case" replied the teller, who was rath-
er impressed by her appearance.
81 should like to open an account"
she said, looking at the teller through
her lorgnette.
"For how much, MADAME
"About seventy-five," she answered.
The teller made out a book for $75.
The woman handed him 20 cents. That
was the last time the cashier ever made
an exception.-Youth's Companion.
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-01-03
BADGES FOR BALLS.
Gorgeous styles In Vogue on the
East Side In New York.

Gorgeous Styles In Vogue Oh the
East Side In New York.
One of the most necessary adjuncts
is the equipment of badges. For an ay-
erage ball about forty of these are re-
Quired, and they are made up on scale
Of magnifcence that evidently appeals
to the east side committeeman. The
floor manager and his assistant have
the most elaborate, rlvaling even that
Of the president Of the association I'M
der whose auspices the festivities are
given, says the New York Mail and
Express. The secretaries, correspond
ing and financial; the treasurer, the
chairman Of the committee Of arrange
ments and his assistants are all pro-
vided for, as well as the sergeantat-
arms and the marshal.
These badges are from two to four
inches in diameter, Of pink, white, blue
and green silk ribbon, with tinsel ga
lore. and on the rosette in the center
the initials Of the association and the
rank of the wcarer. The badges for
the sergeants-at-arms and marshal have
miniature policeman's clubs as an addi-
tional decoration.
It is the custom to place these badges
In a frame and exhibit them in some
favored window, fianked on either side
by the cards announcing the ball itself.
Many youthful chest swells with pride
as its owner sees in the window before
him the decoration that will indicate
that for one evening at least he will be
'1n de real push. SeeT'
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-01-03
HE KNEW SPANISH.
A Warrior who Learned the LAM
HuaEe From the Natives In Cuba.

-
Like all wars the difficulty with
Spain developed crop of warriors like
Bret Hartes man who was with Grant.
They are yet returning from Cuba,
Porto Rico and the Philippines.
A consequential small negro stepped
into a drugstore on Chestnut street to
buy something they did not keep. and,
having been made to understand that
fact after considerable trouble, he re-
marked to the man who had waited on
him:
81 see dar's a gentleman jest come
hyar to 'stablish a class an teach Span
ish. Pears like ter me ef de peoples
hyar wants ter learn how ter speak
Spanish dey'd better des go ter Cuby
an Porty Rikey an roun' an learn hit
deS laik / dld-by extrac' wild de pee
pies"
$50 you have been to Cuba and Porto
Rico have your
"Oh, yes; yes. sab. Tze trabled
mighty near all ober de worr myself"
whereabouts in Cuba did you go"
"Des all ODER. Ev'rywhar neahly."
"Well, what places did you visit?
81 was In de city Of Hayanner an
odder cities. In fac, was DIES all
ober der place"
"Did you go to Cobra dl Capello|
90, yes. l members dat place
berry well. Hits right on de coas."
"Then there's town way In the in
terior-rlght almost in the middle
Let's see. What Is the name Of 1t?
Boa Constructor? That's it-Boa Con-
strictor. Did you go there's"
"You DIES bet I did. Dey was con-
sergent camp dere, an l was sent wild
a 'spatch to de gln'ral. l members dat
place mighty we'll"
"And did you ever happen to get to
Canine de Hydrophobia"
Law, yes. Our rigimunt was camp
ed dar. Oars a nice spring right in do
oberskurts Oh de town, an tell you we
enjoyed drlnkin' dat watah. OATS a
nice place"
"You learned to speak Spanish right
along, did your"
Laws q massy, mister, learned to
speak Spanish DIES as well as de nativi-
tiles, an dey all said so. Spanish ANT
no hard langwig. All you got ter do is
ter make hit SCUM des as little like your
own langwig as you can, an you'se got
it."
Then the man behind the counter,
who speaks Spanish pretty well, adj
dressed him in language which, being
interpreted, expresses the thought,
"You are a low down, contemplate,
worthless person."
Eyes, sab; OATS hit. You'se got hit,
boss. Whar'n de worP did you learn
Spanish? Yes. sab. OATS de trufe
what you says. But I'ze got ter go to
de pos'office right erway." And, thus
speaking, the learned traveller and lin
gust Observation-Disclosures Ledger.
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-01-03
Ask WWhY?V

If boys could learn at school all about
education. that would only leave them
very dull persons. The object OF their
education ut school Is to give boys men,
tai alertness and an eternal curiosity,
and its real test is whether 1t leaves
them always saying to themselves
"Why" do not know whether you
have ever thought about 1t, but oil the
great discoveries OF the world nave
come because some one has asked that
question. The records Of industry show
nothing more clearly than that all real
mental skill depends on asking ques-
lions. The answer is sure to follow.
The real mental capacity is not dis
played by the man who answers the
question, but by the man who asks It
Bishop Creighton's Thoughts on Edu'
cation"
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-01-03
A Gentle Hint.

A certain butcher Is renowned among
his contemporaries for the quaintness
and originality OF some of bis remarks.
On n road leading to nelGhborine
parish he one day met II gentleman who
at the time owed him fol some meat
After q salutation the gentleman re
marked
That's fine fat dog you have, Al
exander."
"Sae weel he may. sir" was the reply
"for he has an easy conscience and Is
DOT O. debt, and that's mair than you OF
I can say
The hint was taken, and the butcher
got his money next day.-London An
swers.
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-01-03
THACKERAY WAS BORED.
An Amusing Incident of the Authors
Second Visit to Boston.

During Thackcrays second visit TO
Boston Mr.. james T. Fields, his host
was asked 10 invite Thaa@tray to at
tend an evening meeting Of scientific
club, which was 10 be held at the house
OF a distinguished member.
I was. writes Mr. Fields, very reluc
tant TO ask him to be present, for |
knew he was easily bored. and | was
fearful that prosy essay or geological
paper might be presented and felt GER
tain that should such be the case he
would be exasperatcd with me. the In
nocent cause OF his aflliction.
My worst fears were realized. dared
not look at Thackeray. | felt that his
eye was upon me. My distress may be
imagined when | saw him rise, quite
deliberately, and make his exit very
noiselessly into a small anteroom ad-
Joining. The apartment was dimly
lighted, but he knew that | knew he
was there
Then began series Of pantomimic
feats impossible to describe. He threw
an imaginary person-myself, Of course
upon the floor and proceeded to stab
him several times with paper folder,
which he caught up for the purpose.
After diSposing Of his victim In this
way he was not satisfied, for the dull
lecture still went OH in the other room,
so he fired an imaginary revolver sew
eral times at an imaginary head.
The whole thing was inimitably done.
|. hoped nobody saw it but myself.
Years afterward ponderOus, fat wit
ted young man put the question square
~ to me:
"What was the matter with Mr..
Thackeray that night the club met at
Mr.. IS hcuseW
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-01-03
WHERE PEOtLL 49, %
G. Street In Washington Is n Earaou.
Promenade.

q Street In Washington Is lntaou'
Promenade.
II believe that Il street, in Washing
ton, is the greatest place In the world
for people to stroll up and down the
thoroughfare and scan each other" said
close observer, who has Travelled con-
siderably, as he himself walked along
the well known street. 1T seems'to be
understood here" he continued, that
promptly at 4 o'clock, when the wealth
er is pleasant, there should be gener-
al promenade. If n wOman's or mans
dress takes well on + street, ii Is safe
to say that the attire will pass muster
anywhere. AS to the variety Of dress
well. you may see anything on + street
from the stylshly dressed mlllionaire's
daughter or wife to the schoolgirl.
Many OF the upper class Of young la
dies who have carriages ut their dis
posal very often dismiss their coach
man when shopping on + street and
walk from store TO store simply to min-
gle with the crowd and get look at the
other people.
"F street certainly heats all the other
cities for this amusement" he said In
conclusion, land, although have only
been here a short time, the fever has al
ready struck me, and every day at 4 p.
M. feel desire come over me to dress
up and start In at Fifteenth street and
walk along street and back again.
Washington Post.
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-01-03
Pndere,yslxi,s Distinction.

There was a day when PaderewskPs
English was not fluent. One evening
before a choice company In his ele-
CANT apartments in New York he was
showing a few highly fattered callers
how to do this, that and tother on the
keys of his grand piano, explaining in
bad English as he went. OF course the
man was present who Is ever ready to
supply a word when a speaker hesl-
tates. The famous artist, landing with
both hands as if he had Just dropped
from the ceiling, exclaimed, "Harmo-
nyv All applauded the perfect con-
cord. He shot down again, like trip
hammer, and would have exclaimed
again, but the word refused to come.
"What you call-er-er''- "Discord, put
In the supplier Of words. Paderewskfs
hair stood straight out, and his face
was white and red with anger. Jump
ing up from the stool, he sputtered:
"Deescort! No! With me q deescort
ISIS eempossiblew He would not be per-
suaded to touch the instrument again
that night. The unintentional insult
struck deep.
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-01-03
MuuiCfuaI Aid.

"Well," remarked Miss Innocence,
"the government may not believe in
women taking the initiative in matters
Of love, but this city certainly does"
II don't see how" replies Miss An
tike. with more interest than might
have been expected.
"It's plain as print. The city clerk
Is advertising in the newspapers for
sealed proposals." replies Miss limo
eence.-Cincinnati Commercial Tribune.
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-01-03
Drowning.

Browning loaned Lord Coleridge one
of his works to read, and afterward,
meeting the poet, the lord chief justice
said to him: what l could under
stand heartily admired, and parts
ought to be immortal. But as to much
Of it / really could not tell whether l
admired 1t or not. because FOR the life
Of me | could not understand 1t"
Browning replied. IF a reader OF
your caliber understands 10 per cent
Of what | write, | think | ought to be
content"
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-01-03
THE BULLFlGHTER.
Picturesque, Self Conscious ana the
Popular Hero o. Spain.

Picturesque, Self Conscious and the
Popular Hero o. spain.
You could never mistake Il bullhghter
for a man OF any other calling. he
enforces upon himself street costume
the details OF which are as immutable
as those Of Il soldiers uniform. HIS
hair must be brushed forward over his
ears. he must be smooth shayen, he
must wear tiny pigtall, his jacket
may not come below his waist line, his
shirt is deeply futed, and in its front he
wears as magnificent diamond as MS
earnings and the gifts Of his admirers
can supply. When he walks the streets
on his high French heels, glancing self
consciously from beneath his fat brim-
med sombrero, he is followed on every
side by pointed fingers.
To sit with him at a cafe table Is
distinction, and the youngest OF Mad
rids golden youth flush with pleasure
when in public places he mods to them
At the fashionable hour In the Prado
they give him the seat Of honor In the
automobile. 1t is survival OF the re-
lations of the patron" and the gladi-
ator. And IN return for this social rec
ognition, when Sunday comes, the mat
adore before he kills the bull bows to
the box in which his rich patron sits
and throws him his three cornered hat
and by so doing fills with envy the
hearts of $1,000 men.
What the effect his fame, his silken
calves and his cloth Of gold have upon
the women of Spain has been sung by
generations of poets, playwrights and
novelists of his own country.-Richard
Harding Davis in Scribner's.
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-01-03
To Rest His Eyes.

The people who quit reading lust to
rest their eyes" might take hint by in
ference from the reply made by an old
Mississippi illiterate. A passing man
found him apparently deeply interested
In paper.
On looking close it became apparent
that his paper was upside down, and
be was asked forthwith why he held 1t
thus.
His reply almost knocked the ques-
toner out 1t was:
"Just to rest my eyes!-Kansas City
Independent.
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-01-03
She Needed II.

An old colOrcd woman who had saved
up a little money went to her lawyer
TO consult with him about. investing II
proftably When she was asked, says
Harper's Magazine, what interest she
expected, she answered in a very sure
and emphatic manner:
Twelve per cent. Mr.. Jedge."
When the attorney expressed some
surprise. she explained her position
thus:
"Well. jedge, amt got much money,
an yO see has ter git big per cent
ter make up"
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-01-03
Qufte PrOsaic.

Mr.. Farwest-I met my old school
mate, Lakeside, today for the first time
In an age, and thought from the way
he acted when mentioned you that
you and he must have had some rO-
nance or other before we met.
Mrs. Farwest-No romance about it.
We were married for few years; that's
all.-New York Weekly.
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-01-03
Following Custom.

"Whoop" yelled the excited inebriate
as he rushed into the hotel. 'Pm a ter
ror! I'm a man eater! I'm the biggest
gun that ever hit the pike Wow"
ITS customary" remarked the
bouncer as he gazed at the subsequent
wreck outside, when gun is loaded
to fire t."-Baltimore News.
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-01-03

If" Stops for passengers on signal
or notice to conductor.
sc" Stops only to let of passengers
from Cape Charles and points South,
and take on passengers for points
North of Delmar.
SD" Stops only to let of passen-
gers from points North OF Delmar,
and take on passengers for Cape
Charles and points South.
Trains 81 and SO will stop at all
stations on Sunday for local passen-
gers signal or notice to conductor.
r. b. Cooke. j. g. Rodgers,
Traffic Manager, Supt.
Norfolk, Va. Cape Charles, We.
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-01-03
nPYeraed.

"a horse ran away with my brother,
and he hasn't been out Of doors for
three weeks"
That's nothing. My brother ran
away with a horse, and he hasn't been
out Of doors for three years. "-Balti-
more American.
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-01-03
Never Needed VIndicntion,

"You were never compelled to ask
for a vindicatiOn|
"a vindlcation?" echoed Senator
Sorghum scornfully. 81 should say
not. My motto is. Don't get caught in
the first place Washington Star.
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-01-03
COunefit1Ou,

The Second Story MAXWELL Bill.
how's business?
The Bank Burglar-Well, we're hav'
in a lot of competition from de fellers
on de inside.-Puck.
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-01-03
More to His Taste.

Mrs. Young (proudly)-The landlord
was here today. gave him the months
rent and showed him the baby.
Young (whO was kept awake last
night)-It would have been better, my
dear, If you had given him the baby
and shown him the months rent.
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-01-03
Co He Gets Around

Ethel-Gracious, Mabel, why do you
lace so awfully whenever Cholly Low
six comes around?
Mabel-Oh, the poor fellows arm Is
% short.-Smart Set.
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-01-03
Short Method.

Caller-Mr. Sharpe. have come to
ask your advice as to the quickest way
to be relieved from my debts?
Lawyer thinking for a moment Of
something elseJ - Pay them. - Chicago
Tribune.
Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-01-03
Her Little Joke.

Henry" she exclaimed as he came
home to dinner, 81 heard something this
morning that opened my eyes"
"What was it?" he demanded excit-
eddy.
"The alarm clock. scraps.