davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-10-16

pitchers have not yet gained thorough enough control of the ball. so that they can tell when or what direction it is going to shoot. In consequence the catcher has to take his chances of get ting the ball on the glove or anywhere else, and unless he is usually quick the chances are ...at he will stop it with some part of his body.
 The catchers who have to handle this curve are not at all in love with the in novation. Catching the "spit ball which Chesbro uses so consistently, Is partly responsible for the benching of Mcclure and the putting of I&leinow behind the bat for the Highlanders. The catchers are not the only players who object to the use of the spit ball" The indelders say that it's use is responsible for many of their errors Tle ball comes to them they say, in a wet and slippery condition, so that it is not only difficult to catch, but almost impossible to throw Fiber field. the Highlander's shortstop, says that his wild throws are due to the fact that the ball comes to his hands so sat urated that 1t is practically impossible to handle it with accuracy.
 Chesbro is not the only league pitcher who uses the new curve. Almost every pitcher in the league has added it to his rener.o .oire, although Chesbro is still the the most successful in its use and has brought it nearest to perfection. So pop ular has it become that it Is almost fad with the league pitchers and if they keep on using it it will soon reach the point where it will be a useful addi- tion to their science.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-10-16
"sPIT" BALLS POPULAR.
Innovation Introduced by Big League
 Pitcher.

From the Washington Post.
 Nearly every year develops fads among the big league pitchers in their effort to originate new methods that will puzzle the batsman, and each season has brought rumor of new curve that some pitcher has developed which will prove absolutely unsolvabe to the batter and which is "bound to make baseball new game" Thus, few years ago there was a story afoat that some exponent of the pitchers art had invented double Bhoot,'' a ball which so defied the laws of gravitation that it would curve twice in It's course, first in and then out. or com bining an out and an up curve. The master of this wonderful ball. however, was never discovered nor its possibility ever proved This year, however, Jack Chesbro has introduced a novelty into pitching, which, while 1t is not as won derful as the visionary double shoot, still It Is very effective in aiding it's possess pr to puzzle the opposing batters. This innovation is known as "the spit ball.
 The first requisite for throwing this ball. the one which gives it its name, Is to have the ball in the pitchers hand thoroughly wet. The ball is held, as in throwing any other curve, with the thumb and the first two fingers, but re- ceives it's peculiar motion from the way 1t slips out because of the treatment it has been subjected to. The spit ball ap- breaches the plate at medium speed but just as 1t gets there, suddenly takes a shoot either to the right or left. The result is very puzzling to the batsman, ar If he hits it at all, he is likely to knock a slow grounder or an infield fly. The batter, however, is not the only one who is puzzled by the quick curve. The
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-10-16

Houston into his private room. What warrior fixing his keen eye upon pr. Samsons face. General" was the re- ply, you know the alienation between you and Senator So-and-so. You will meet him next Sunday morning at the Lords supper. It seems to me that you ought not to meet there unless in Christs name you are ready to forgive and be forgiven. Will you thus meet Senator So-and-so? Will you destroy sinful pride. go and forgive for Christ's sake?" This senator had been bitterly unjust to the great liberator of Texas. Dr. Samson said: At first the fire began to glow in General Houstons eye His brows knit His teeth clinched. His whole frame shook with the struggle between aroused conscience and the old bitterness of feeling that he had for years cher ished But at last the man of almost ungovernable passions was changed from a lion into a lamb and in a subdued voice and with tears in his eyes he said: MT. Samson. for Christs sake 1 will do it. "
 O man, like Sam Houston, will you yield up your pride for Christ? Win you be a little child at his feet? Will you say Master l am nothing, but thou art all in all?" May God grant that the bane of sinful pride shall here and now forever be cast out of every one of our hearts. "A mans pride shall bring him low, but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-10-16
In Real Money, Too.

From the Chicago News.
 Foyer-You remember what gorgeous diamonds Mrs Footlight used to wear on the stage.
 Parket-Yes.
 Foyer-Wel. they were sold at a pawn brokers auction today
 Parket-So? I suppose they brought nice little sum.
 Foyer-Yes, s3.90.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-10-16
A Grand SWoop.

From the Detroit Free Press.
 Did he look celf-possessed when they were married?"
 Of course not. She possessed every thing that was at stake"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-10-16

ing its richness, purity and strength. The time to cure a boil is before it devel- ops, when it is in a state of incubation or formation in the blood; for boils are, after all, only the impuri- ties and poisons bubbling up through the skin, and this will continue in spite of poulticing and lancing till the blood gets rid of its accumulated poison. The way to stop boils is to attack them in the; blood, and this is what s. s. s. d blood has been thoroughly bid, impure matter. If yo .r II 1A
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-10-16
Allegheny, Pa., June II, 1903.

Allegheny, Pa, June II, 1903.
 From the age of twenty or thirty was sorely afflicted with large, awful boils on my face and body. As soon they would heal up in one place they would break out in another part of the body, and this continued for ten years. tried every thing could hear of to get relief, but nothing did me any good. had but little faith in s. s. s.. doing me good when began it, but after taking continued on with the medicine, taking six bot ties, and all the boils entirely disappeared Five years have elapsed since that time, and have never been bothered since, showing that the cure was permanent. had some thirty or forty of the most painful boils one ever had, and to be entirely rid of them by your great purifier, 8. 8. s., puts me under debt of graGtude to you. HENRY FINN.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-10-16
His Coat of Arms.


 Then there is another fact that alawys amuses me in reference to the false as sumptions of family pride Almost with out exception the great families of the earth are proud of their descendant from some one man who in his youth was a nobody the son of hodcarrier a stone mason or laborer in a ditch. Where did the proud Astor family come from? From a palace? Oh, no. It sprang into prominence from a poor German emi- grant who had to cross the Atlantic prac- tically in the steerage. Where did the famous Vanderbilt family come from? Four generations back Cornelius Van derbilt was a barefoot boy running about the Staten Island hills. He made his first money as a common ferryman, row ing passengers over the waters between his island home and New York's great metropolis. When English aristocrat was dining in the palatial home of the founder of the great Thaw family of the western part of Pennsylvania he began to boast of his great family connections. Then he turned to the richest and most honored man and Pittsburg and said. from what aristocratic head did your family spring, MT Thaw? With that William Thaw answered: My ancestors for the most part, were plain. honest folks. My own coat of arms. however is shoemaker's last, for my father was the best cobbler of his time in all this region"
 Where did the great Adams family or the Beechers, or the Van Cortlands, or the Van Rensselaers, or the Hamltons, or the Goulds, or the Armours, or the Swifts or the Letters, or the Otises spring from? Either in the last genera ton or a few generations back you can find their ancestors keeping a butcher shop or working as clerks or digging as farmers or so poor that they had to bor- row money to get their start in life In their chosen career. Now, my aristocrat- , ic friends, if the most honored names in all history gre for the greater part names | first heard of in the annals of the poor | and the first bearers of which were born | in poverty and obscurity, why should you | hold your heads so high? Because your | father or grandfather happened to do | something that made his name famous l is that any reason why you should con- slider yourself above your fellow men when you have accomplished absolutely nothing for mankind? The pride of birth | is among the silliest and the most base | less of all kinds of pride, for, though | some of us may have the blood of a | great man flowing in our veins. all of us | without exception have the blood of hun- | dreds of obscure ancestors mingling In | our arteriss, from whom we are just as much descended as are from him | who was king among the kings. I would | infinitely prefer to be the founder of a race than the degenerate offspring of a noble sire who bravely worked his way | from nothing to the pinnacle of fame | This practical world of everyday life | does not ask who was your father. who | was your grandmother, but who are you But, though we would denounce the | pretentious pride of birth, we would go | further than this. We would denounce
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-10-16

causing the nenses and greatest danger the already weak and debtated sufferer All skin euptions from the pieu little caboi only avoid permanently rid of them purify build the deeoraed polluted bood and the
 and poisons and nothing will do this quickly thoroughly S. S. s. which the acknowledged king of blood purifiers and great est of all Where the blood has become impoverished poor and hn medicine promptly in building
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-10-16
B or =
PYRAMIDS OF PAIN

Boils show the blood is in riotous feverish condition, that it has grown too weak and slug gish to throw off the bodily impurities, which then concentrate at spot and carbuncle or boil is the result. To already enfeebed by disease boils seem to come with more freouencv
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-31

open In Philadelphia to last until NJ arch D.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-31

nv the lively use of repartee and banter. For
example, when he sits down to breakfast he
should never take up the morning paper TO
olGest along with his meal. Instead, his wife
eno..ld relate the latest joke she has heard, and
IN the place Of asking him for money to buy
some Yards of this or that fabric. she should
-xrlatn how she has been able to the house
under her allowance
When the lean explorer for fairness takes
exercise, he should practise discreet modera-
ton. He should not exert himself too strenu-
ousIy. Should he go walking, he should not run
across streets and dodge cars and express
wagons If the crossing is too congested. he
should bide his time and try a unruf1ied
forGing place.
When the fat man wants to become lean &C
cordlng to japanese principles, he should not
entirely reverse the plan Of getting fat. for he
too should sleep rs much as possible on top
OF his blankets. Even in rigorous weather, he
should try to make himself think he is warm.
though it might test the faith of a Christian
Scientist to do so. Cold is believed to quicken
the circulation. and thus carry off the waste
more readily. But the fat should sleep as
little as possible If he cut his hours OF
sleep from eight to six or even five he should
make such a curtailment When he exercises
he should exert all the vigor he possesses.
Should his wife desire to help him shrink. she
should present him with bills. or announce oc-
casonally that she expects a visit from her
mother. The fat man should not fast The
stomach should be kept at work also. but with
a slowly diminishing amount OF food each day.
Oily foods should be abandoned by the fat man
wanting to shrink. just they should be eaten
I'm abundance by the who wants
avoirdupos.
L follows. therefore that. according to these
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-31
TOFSER,S GENTLE YOICE.

Naomi he said, softly, as he gazed at the
moon above them. isn't the evening beautiful?
Do you know. strange fancies thrOnS my MIND
on a night like this Every zephyr seems to bear
gentle voices. perhaps from the spirit world
Do you hear such VOiCeS?"
Silence for n moment,
II think do. George"
what do they sound like to YOU
"They are very indistinct, but they make me-
blink that papa and brother Henry are calAhs
dog (Iit-BitS
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-31

methods. either IN Japan or America the lean
man trying to get fat has decided advantage
over his fat rival who wants to get lean
the methods they adopt prove successful the
lean man has certainly the easier victory lie
has been taking life calmly. enjoying his bed
and board. and laughing nj the jokes OF MS
friends The fat man. on the contrary mas
been tOling away he never tOled before
has fretted over new anXieties. has been routed
out of bed when his slumber was deepest and
most blissful and has hurried along the street
as IL running to fire when his destinations
might have been the tax office.
on the other hand. if such methods fail the tat
man has had all his hurry and worry and loss
of sleep for nothing while the lean has
been living in peace and comfort
The Somerset reporter., 1904-07-28
YOUR SHOES.
Get Them Good and Then Give Them
the Proper Attention.

Get Them Good and Then Give Them
the Proper Attention.
II women knew how a rundown heel
or a dirty shoestripg spoils an entire
toilet they would be more particular.
when a woman Is particular about
her shoes, gloves and handkerchiefs,"
said a man, you may be sure that she
is a good Lousekeeper.'
II you buy a well made, well fitting
shoe In the beginning 1t may cost you
more than you feel that you ought to
pay.
But If you take good care of these
shoes, cleaning them, keeping them in
shape and seeing to their wants, you
will find that they will endure three
times as hong as a cheap shoe and Will
always hook shapely.
Shoes are not to be taken off at night
and tossed anywhere. AS each one is
removed II should be stretched and pull
ed while still retaining the warmth Of
the foot. 1t should be rubbed with the
palm of the hand and then allowed to
stand until the wearer is ready to re-
tire. At this point the adjustable foot
tree should be inserted. The trse abol-
isbes all danger Of the half dozen creas-
es which the action of the foot is bound
to form on the front vamp.
1t is well to have two or three pairs
of shoes at least on hand and to
change them as often as possible. Shoes
changed In this way Will last longer
than those worn constantly
The Somerset reporter., 1904-07-28

Russia had to back down completely
in its Red Sea expedition of holding up
aud searching British and German ships
for contraband of war She did 80 with
the best grace possible but the expert
ment will be costly one when a court
of arbitration fixes the damages for de-
tention of vessels, etc. Such affairs are
very exped sive. An explanation of the
Red Sea ENLARGEMENT which has so en-
barassed the Russian foreign office Is
that it grew out of Grand Duke Alexan-
der Mikhailovich practically taking mat
tiers into his own hands and commission
ing the vessels of the volunteer fleet
which had passed through the Dardan-
Giles bound for the far east, to hoist the
Russian war flag and seize merchantmen
in the Red sea 1t is understood that
the emperor has censured his brother
in-law for taking a step of such gravity
without consulting the foreign office.
The Somerset reporter., 1904-07-28

When Professor Tucker was Tutor
Tucker at Bowdoin college the bell
rang for prayers at the chapel, as NOW,
very early In the morning. and 1t was
imperative upon tutors and pupils to
respond. As a tutor Mr.. Tucker was
very popular, although very strict, and
he was always prompt to take his
place at the head of his class at the
early morning deyot1ons.
One morning, however. be found his
clothing gone and his door nailed while
the bell was ringing. Finding a batch
ct he soon split the door down. and at
the last stroke of the bell appeared,
clothed In his shirt and pair Of over
alls, barefooted, but with smile OF
serenity on his expressive cOuntenance.
He took his customary place, and nei-
Their then nor afterward were words Of
complaint heard from him.
The Somerset reporter., 1904-07-28

MAY your shadow never grow less"
or "be less" That is familiar salu
tation. The origin is dim, but may be
as follows: When persons have made
certain progress in the black arts they
are compelled To run through sub
terPanean hall. with the evil one after
them. II they run go fast that his
Satanic majesty can catch only their
shadow or part Of it they become first
rate magicians. but lose either all or
part of their shadow The expression
means: May you escape wholly and
entirely from the clutches Of the foul
dend.
1t is we'll known that after n man
reaches the age of about tiftytv his
stature grows shorter; therefore his
shadow must be less To say. MAY
your shadow never grow less means,
MAY you never grow older. New
York Press.
The Somerset reporter., 1904-07-28
Death of Capt. Rogers.

On Sunday morning at his home on
Pleasant street, Freeport, occurred the
death of Capt. William F. Rogers, the
Socialist candidate for Governor. Capt.
Rogers WAS born in Freeport Nov. /, is26.
He went to sea at very early age and
by earnest, faithful work gradually
climbed the ladder of success and for
many years was commander Of merchant
vessels and during his life has sailed all
over the world.
At the breaking out of the civil war
he was in command of a merchantmen
and on the 10Th of December, 1861. was
commissioned by Secretary of the Navy
Gideon Weles as acting master in the
u. {. navy and was on Feb 8, 1852, ap
pointed TO fit out and command the L.
). mortar schooner civilian Bacon" as
one of Admiral David D. Porter's bonn
harding 1otilla. Capt. Rogers served
with credit under Admiral Porter in
command of the steamer Merrimac and
later of the U. S. ship Somerset having
been promoted to Lieut.. Commanding
in the navy. He was mustered out of
the service after the close Of the war,
having served with fidelity and yalor
from June lG 81 to Oct. 20 IS Free
port people were always proud to ac-
knowledge Capt. Rogers as fellow eiti-
zen, and derived much satisfaction from
the honor conferred upon the town by
its gallant son.
Capt. Rogers was married on Sept. 20,
1855, to Miss Margaret Farewell Two
children were born to them-William l..
who died in youth, and Evelyn W, wife
OF Henry Gushing of Freeport Capt.
Rogers had been a widower for some
little time.
The Somerset reporter., 1904-07-28

Francis, the Sir Philip Francis whom
many ingenious critics have, In def
Rnce of probability, insisted on henti-
flying with the author of the letters of
Junius, was an inveterate gambler.
Cards dominated over the whole Anglo
Indian society of Calcutta In those
days, and many a crime inflicted on
the unhappy natives had its origin In
the losses at the gaming table of their
alien rulers.
When in India, it was the habit of
Francis to spend every night In this
amusement, and be found an able co.
adjutor at the card table In the wife of
his colleagues. Lady Anne Monson,
who was reckoned "a very superior
whist player" Good fortune generally
shone on the plans of Francis. About
1775 be was visited with IAN eXtraordi.
nary run of luck 50 martSed indeed
that he had actually won a fortune"
Rumor. which sometimes exAggerates.
went so far as to estimate his gains al
30 laos of rupees.-Temple Bar
The Somerset reporter., 1904-07-28

The destruction of piggery by fire,
ordinarily would hardly be worthy of
mention as a news item, but the burning
of the residence of pigs and hogs at the
Maine Insane Hospital at Augusta is
quite another thing. 1t was an imposing
and luxurious structure erected few
years ago at large expense, so that the
loss of building, including 100 swine,
blooded animals, is estimated at $500
An exchange wakes funny over the event,
thusly: Fire has destroyed Maine's
most luxurious piggery-the home of
the Maine Insane Pigs at the Augusta
hospital, that building which was fitted
with electric lights, steam heat, hot and
cold water, private bath with every
room, telephone connections and had
three boys to answer the button when
the pigs wanted a bran mash dry whitman
olive instead-of-a cherry
The Somerset reporter., 1904-07-28

The Portland Argus complains that
Republicans are irjuring the business of
the country and shaking public conf
dence by agitating the question of the
currency. The question of the gold
standard is not an issue in this campaign,
says that exponent of Democratic doc
trine. IL this is the fact it must be
because the gold standard has been es-
tablished. What party accomplished
that desirable act? Not the Democratic
party that embodied in its platform in
two successive presidential campaigns
the free and unlimited coinage of silver
on ratio of l6 to l, and supported
Bryan for President thereon, nearly all
the leaders of the party including Judge
Parker voting for the platform and the
candidate. But for the Republican party
and the scout fight it put up the gold
standard would have been swept by the
board, and Organism would have been
installed instead. Notwithstanding this,
one would think to listen to their story
that the Democratic party was entitled
full credit for accomplishing the work
when it was done against its most violent
organized opposition. Consistency thou
art jewell that appears not In the
Democratic diadem.
The Somerset reporter., 1904-07-28
THE REFRIGERATOR.

Keep the ice compartment full OF ice.
The more ice the greater the econ
omy
Do not put hot foods into the refrig-
orator
Do not flood the refrigerator with
boiling water.
Overripe fruits and vegetables are u
menace to the health II left In the re-
fTigerator
Ice saving schemes are absurd. de
feating the purpose of the refrigerator
1t is food that is to be kept instead of
the Ice.
1t should be sponged out often with
warm water In which little soda has
been dissolved, and the drain should
not be neglected.
A cellar or other damp place is no
place for the refrigerator. On the 9th
er hand ii should not be put out of
doors unprotected.
Should ants get into the refrigerator
q saucer of tartar emetic mixed with
sugar and water should be placed
therein. 1t will drive them away.
The Somerset reporter., 1904-07-28

Ruth N. lWebsterJ F.-Ee- I'D a her
home On Cedar street. s41tat. the zI.h
instant, st the age II i yi1ts sfer an
lines covering psried ~ .hfee tesr.,
the chief manifestation II ah.ct a.
chronic bronchitis.
The deceased was born ia Farhe.d sa1
was married, November ~, -. - =.
q. F.sher, who survives her. since her
marriage she has lived for short tIme
in Dexter and Tor thirteen years in
Aroostook county but for the psst four
teen years her home has ben Ia this
community.
Besides the husband above meltioled
she is survived by a brother, John W-bs-
ter Of Fairfield, snd by two sisters. Mr..
Z. II. Eldridge Of Hamden, NJ. and Mr..
Ed. I. Allen Of this town. The funeral
WAS arl'wo O'Clock on Tue sday afternoon.
conducted by R=V. Daniel Oastott Il he
NJ. Z. Church, ard the interment vas IN
the south cemetary.
Mrs. Fisher WAS Of quiet disposition.
prefeTrirg her home above all Other
associations and this most admirable
trait Of her character, together wiki Der
years Of illness, lessened somewhat ,he
number in her circle OF acquaintance
while it made her better known ard
more truly appreciated by her neighbour.
and intimate friends who bear wit1ess
to her character and TO the patience
with which she bore the tediousness II
her long illness.