davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-01-06

inclination to study and minister to q
cats taste with zeal and uninterrupted
devotion. Such single-hearted devotion
is not come upon every day, and we Won
der if the wealthy mistress, who knows
about pedigree and foods and all that, is
really able to mother cat as well as
did the spinster. And what more can
the rich woman bestow of that which
is really actually good for Kitty than
could the unmarried lady that was just
"comfortable?" The latter could fur
nish soft feathers to lie on, cream for
the cat (if not for herself) a little excite
ment in the way of bird-cage and bird
Tor maybe bowl Of gold-fish); are not
these the essentials of cat happiness?
And in the spinster's home there was
no rude, rough man walking about with
heavy tread and miscellaneous intent in
so far as cats were concerned; no noisy,
too affectionate children to disturb the
tenor of a cats existence; no deceitful
servants failing to treat cat with
proper respect the moment the mistress
back was turned. After all, the spinster's
cat had small ground to envy the lot OF
her fashionable relations.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-01-06
PIG AND PYTHON IN BATTLE:
Young Por&er Vigorously Objects to
Becoming Meal Of Big
" Serpent.

The curator and keepers of the zoo
have an extremely delicate contract on
their hands catering to the various ap-
petites and moods of the charges, says
the New York correspondent of the Bal
timore Sun.
One of the pythons recently manifest
ed a desire for something stronger than
eggs, live rabbits and chickens. 1t re-
fused to look at any of these dainties
and so as last resort little pig was
introduced into the reptiles cage to see
what" would happen.
A vicious fight followed. The pig
recognized in the python his natural
enemy, and he determined to sell his
life dearly, if he had to sell it at all.
Every time the python prepared to
strike the plucky little pig darted at
him, biting as only pig can when angry.
The python was getting the worst of it
when the pig, in charging, made an
unlucky misstep. Instantly the snakes
1angs were sunk into the porker's neck
and he gave up the fight.
Then the python undertook to swal-
low his victim whole, first wrapping the
Dooy IN It's coils and giving it terrific
squeezing. The snake slowly got the
pigs head and shoulders into it's I'M
coupled jaws and then gradually the
remainder of the poor animal followed
down the victorious python's throat.
But the victory was dearly won, as it
developed, for in swallowing the pig
something happened to the snakes
mouth. The injury was later found to
be a badly liberated tooth, which the
keepers found it necessary to lance.
This was accomplished after a great
deal of difficulty.
A. coachwhip snake, about six feet
long, was killed and thrown into the
python's cage. Fortunately the canni-
bal still retained good appetite. In
the meantime the surgical instruments.
consisting of pair of scissors, rubber
syringe and bowl of disinfecting solu-
tlon, were made ready. When the
coachwhip was halfway down the
python's throat it was grasped by the
tail and pulled toward the door of the
cage, bringing with it the python. which
held on tenaciously. BY twisting the
coachwhip's body the snake was rolled
over on his side and the ulcer in h1e
mouth disclosed. The operation was
necessarily quick one, as the python
was making vicious effort to disgorge
the whipsnake and fight When it was
over helooked surprised fol- moment
and then swallowed the coachwhin
Inc python is now as we'll as ever. :
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-01-06
Science Aiding Agriculture.

The achievements of college pro-
fessors in showing an industry of modest
standing but fundamental Importance
how to enhance it's production have
reached monumental results. An Iowa
professor. by inducing the farmers to
make scientific selection of seed and
teaching them more careful prepara-
ton of the ground, enlarged the corn
crop of that state by about 100000, 900
bushels. A Maine professor is showing
how, by selection in breeding, hens can
be induced to lay twice as many eggs as
the ordinary fowls. Cornell professors
are charging the old lesson on the in
crease of milk from COWS. A Minnesota
teacher has developed a handy and i'm
proved breed of wheat. A Nebraskan in
the same line has outlined a plan Of
cultivation that will secure crops on
semiarid land without rrigation.-Pitts-
burg Dispatch.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-01-06

phlzeG without restraint. One saw be-
jeweled white fingers reaching through
Stats and smoothing a kitty's deep fur,
whilst the owner of the fingers muir
INJURED: Don't you want to be loved 2"
One fair enthusiast asked of her COM
panlon, in reference to a topaz cat of
marked beauty, as frolicksome and
kindly as handsome: Isn't it dream?"
Concerning a more dignified creature it
was affirmed: He's the incest boy"
A little beyond we turned at joyous ex-
clamation, and, 20, he knows me, he
really does!" The exclaimer's face
shone with great joy over the cats recog-
milton.
A lady, the conspicuous feature of
whose costume was a long bingham
apron above which, in among peeping-
out laces, shone splendid diamond
pin, worked her way in and out among
the people, unconscious of their amused
glances, intent on some Grand We
turned to see what it might be, found
she was putting into the cages a bit of
catnip, and heard her say, as she per-
formed her deed Of charity: Does it
want to be soothed little? Here, take
its catnip.''
A lady, accompanied by nures bear
ing a baby.-the only human baby at
the show, by the way-said, in accents
of maternal pride, to a man that stood
near her: Yes, he was two last De-
cember;;" and we thought, now right
here is an instance of woman that can
cherish baby anC cat, too, and we
looked again at the group. The baby
about six months old, was Imply trying
to find safe anchorage in the diverted
nurses arms; the infant referred to
was the cati
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-01-06

must treat him as being of quite an
other order He yearns for boots and
horse and round the world away-tor
daredevil leaps across the dark abyss
separating building from building, for
the edge of the roofs precipice and song
Of challenge therefrom, for the midnight
carouse and the midnight battle. No
bastard in war, no laggard in love, is the
adventuresOme cat, and never can his
bold spirit be tanned by offers of life
Of ease and plenty. No, he prefers the
hunting life to well-fed inaction, the
fray to protection. To be sure, even he
now and then has been known to make
his home with family for awhile, has
condescended to remain in one house
hold long enough to pay his board by
Kidding the place of the marauding rat
and sly mouse; but never for any length
of time will he give up his liberty, re-
frain from the life of gentleman sworn
to tests of courage, to fearless escapade.
And in Chicago he has every oppor-
tunity to exercise, among the cliff-dWell-
ings there, whatever of muscular activ-
ity he may be possessed. One comes
across him in the curved balconies of
the tall office buildings, one catches
glimpses of him in hotel corridors, where
he spends, on cushioned window-seat,
in great leather chair, the hard-earned
days repose. One occasionally is made
aware that the apartment building jan
itor lays claim to cat, one occasion
ally meeting the animal stealing out at
creatures, vowed to life of adventure,
one may call the "iRaffles' among cats.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-01-06
LOOKED LIKE REAL HAIR.
A Wig That Was Not to Be Likened
to Anything in the Arti-
fetal Line.

A certain famous actor had TO,
years obtained his wigs from a well.
knawn maker. He always had the
same man to attend to him, ard liked
him so much that he finally engaged
him as his dresser. One day the act.
or found fine new wig on his dress
ing-table.
What is this?" he inquired of hie
dresser. II ordered no new wig.
meant to have done so but l have been
too busy
II made that wig for you, sir" re-
piled the dresser. Excuse me, sir
but your old one was gettin' 'orribl.
shabby"
The result was Ahat the dresser made
all the players wigs afterwards, and
the costumer began to worry about
the loss of a good customer. He
dropped into the theater one afternoon
when the dresser, his erstwhile en-
ploye, was getting things in shape fol
the nights performance.
who's making Mr.. IS wigs
now?' asked the wig-maker, with a
slight show of aspersion.
II am" said the dresser
"Humph!" taking a new wig from
the dressing-table, land is this a spe-
cimen of your work."
The young man admitted that it
was.
"And do you really Think cont!n-
ued the costumer, holding it at arms
length, that this thing looks like a
wig?"
mo, sir, / don't!" retorted the
dresser. II think it looks like the air
of the 'uman 'ead'
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-01-06

canine, lor laLDy is to the fore.
Chicago is becoming noted not only
because Of progress in appreciation of
art. but also for her taste in cats, her pa
trcnage of the creature that for so long
Was relegated to the quiet of the spin
sters chimney corner. In the big city on
Michigan's shores there has just closed
the third annual show of the National
Cat Club of America, for which show an
English expert was called over to give
judgment OF the entries.
Such an array of Persian beauties,
such blonde loneliness ca pale blue silk
pillows, orange-hued priceless pets on
green cushions. wonderful ebony crea-
lures with wonderful topaz eyes, blue,
blue AngOras with cherry satin belong
inSs-the adornments chosen with care
full eye for what would best suit the
majesty that was to inhabit the par
ticular cage. And no wonder the ladies
assembled exclaimed over and spoke en-
dearing names to the scores of cats as
sembled, for of truth they possessed
much grace-the sinewy charm and gen.
eral beauty of the family to which the
tawny lioness and 1.-the leopard be-
long. No wonder the ladies thronged to
display the destinations Of their high
bred darlings, no wonder their friends
came to admire them, and to applaud
when they carried off first prize, chal-
lenge-cup, and whatever else it is they
offer at cat shows
And, to tell the whole tale, there W ere
other than feminine voices addressing
the cats. The first afternoon of the ex-
hibitiOn We heard deep bass voice ten.
derby asking at cage: lis that you
Flossie, girl?" and at O. further boz
manly tones inquiring: How are you
Billee Boy, do you like it here?" A
small lad was perhaps as interested an
exhibitor as any there that had cats
up for prizes. and we came to the con.
c'usion that all ages and classes were
engaged in the cat fair, that neither
sex nor any previous condition of servi-
tude barred out a cat-lover.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-01-06
Extra LUNGS

Il have known aged people, men past
80, to take their cold baths every morn
ing, and be as spry as you please" saws
Eugene Wood, in Everybody's Maea-
zine. "Onc old fellow used to toddle
down to the beach when he had to wade
bare-legged through the snow two or
three blocks. 1t carried him oil at the
last, though, for he died just four weeks
before he was "a. And if those of low vi
tally who ought "to take the chill off
the BATH were to take it iee-cold and
rub themselves like sixty afterward 7
don't think their vitality would be low
think if they got their blood purified
by practically adding another pair Of
lungs to their outfit, they would soon be
as clipper as anybody"
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-01-06

women that stood out here and there
among the richly gowned, say of a cat
before whose cage she stood: This is
one of litter of four kittens l raised,
and each one brought me $50, and each
one is here to-day on exhibition. "
Another unconscious feline beauty was
pointed out as having money-worth
that it took three figures to name; but
she only yawned lazily, and stretched
herself with an abandon that rocked not
of dollars and cents.
There is one thing especially notice
able in the cats of careful breeding, in
the costly Angoras, and that is the Won
derful beauty and clearness of the eyes.
Almost any cat has fine eyes, liquid,
bright, unwinking orbs that suggest
depth and wisdom; but the high-bred
cat has eyes clear as lakes, of color
that cannot be surpassed by any pre-
cious stone. Among the 200 and odd
cats at the Chicago exhibition we came
upon CLEAN of topaz here, an emerald
light there, turquoise softness across the
way, and forgot to admire the abundant
flufiness and fur tones in wonder over
the shining marvels of eyes.
And of such bigness are the show cats,
some of them truly as large as a good
sized wildcat. We confess we were glad
couple Of the most enormous were safe
ly housed; for the orange Angoras so
reminded. in their color, manner of
pacing the cages, in their Quickness and
suggestion of strength Of a royal lion
ess. 1t was hard to pick out the prize
winners, for one must know points"
we'll to be able to distinguish in the COM
pany of couple hundred Toms and Tab
bies. And the expert Englishman, we
noticed, had to compare with great nice
ty before he felt ready to give decision,
His practiced hands handled their maies-
ties gently, but they did not seem
particularly to relish his habit of turn
ing a cats fur back. Doubtless. lust as
with a common. penniless member of
the family. the aristocratic cats repose
is disturbed when its plumage is ruffled
KATHERINE POPE
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-01-06
DOLLY MADISON HOUSES.
Many Of Them Advertised in Wash
ington, but only One "Octa-
gon House,"

houses in Washington that sheltered
Dolly Madison, according to legend.
The dashing Dolly scattered her pres
ence about the capital promiscuously,
II one can trust the promoters that
want to sell corner lots, says the Star.
But certainly not apocryphal in it's
Madison association is the most Won
derful old structure in Washington, the
Octagon house.
The Octagon house fills the poet and
the painter and the novelist with joy.
1t is of the most irresponsible shape.
| Gen. Washington watched it's erection
century before last Col. John Tayloe,
of the famous Mount Airy estate of
| Virginia, built the house.
One pictures the lovely Dolly hold
ing her levees here and doubtless CIV
ing balls in the great drawing rooms,
with their exquisite white mantels
carved with cameo-like perfection. The
mantels are signed, each with the name
Of the London artist and the date 1899
Large amounts have been offered un-
availingly for these remarkable pro-
ductions
The most historic and the most at
| tractive apartment in the old mansion
is the circular room upstairs at the
front of the house, where the treaty of
Client was signed. This room is now
used as the office of Glenn Brown, Sec
rotary OF the American Institute of Ar
chltects, which bought the property,
then In sad state of dilapidation, q
few years ago, and restored it to it's
original beauty for permanent head
quarters.
The man who built the capitol, the
University of Virginia and the homes
of Madison and Jefferson planned it.
There Is staircase that runs from the
third story to the ground floor in an
unbroken spiral. There are curved ves-
t1bules and circular towers and convex
doors that one would never suspect
and secret inches and concealed panels
and things like the mysteries of IDOL
pho.' There's no place in Washington
where one can get so much thrill for
ones money as in the Octagon house.
1t was to the Octagon house, yellow
or1cked, many-sided. jutting out at the
angle OF two streets, that Dolly Madi-
son and the president took flight when
the British burned them out of house
and home in 1914. COL Tayloe placed
his residence Internationally at the
disposal of the executive family while
the white house was being rebuilt.
No landmarks have been molested in
the restoring process. Even the two
curious old urn-shaped stoves in the
circular entrance hail. which, with the
contents of the wine cellar underneath
thawed into conviviality such stately
| statesmen as Webster, Clay, Calhoun
Adams, Monroe, Randolph and Lafay-
cite, stand in the riches in which thew
were placed 104 years ago. Diligent
scratches through strata of wall pa
per in the various apartments has
brought to light the original tints of
the interior. These have been restored
to the surface by the American insti-
| tute.
The Octagon house was built when
its proprietor, Col. Tayloe, had an in
come OF $4,000 year. snug fortune
for those days. Mr.. Brown considers
the mansion the finest specimen extant
of the architecture of that period
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-01-06
As to- Freedoms All.

Yes, sir, even the air. of freedom, II
abused, can become too rarified for our
unworthy lungs" :.
You talk ike man who has
climbed one those crags in switzer-
land" Chicago Journal. szzs
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-01-06
Valuable Book.

She-What book does a young man
need most when he first goes to COL
lege?
He-Depends upon his weight.
II don't understand YOU"
well, if he's heavy enough to get on
the football team, the book he'll need
most is First Aid to the Injured -
Y0nkers Statesman.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-01-06
Cat OF Adventurous Turn.

T would be folly to
compare the spin
ster's cat with the
night-hawk cat, the
cat that cares little
or nothing for do
mesticity, for the
hearth and freside.
This creature is Of
such utterly differ
ent temperament
from Tabby one
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-01-06
How Some People Manare.

Il believe said Mrs. Borough.
that if can get the use of Mrs. Moo
wedd's she'll cups and saucers next Fri
day, and Mrs. Hifly will loan me her
spoons and Mrs. Housekeep will let
me have some of her nice oolong mix
ture, believe I'll buy pound of sugar
and give pink tea. Houston Chron-
icle.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-01-06
Breakfast in London

Breakfast is perhaps the only un-
peasant item of a London winter. You
come down every morning to the same
yellow eggs on the table and the same
yellow fog outside, and the male
tnlng opposite makes the same gloomy
comments upon what is in the papers
until the average woman is reduced to
the lowest depths of depression.-La-
dies Field. -,
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-01-06
A Cruel lest,

At the theater. Youngster-Wha:
beautiful heads of hair these ladies in
front have!
Oldster-If the lady whose switch
has dropped Off
All six Of the ladies bring their
hands to the back of their heads SPAS
medically, and Oldster grins and
chuckles as though he had done a
bright thing.-Tit-Bits.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-01-06
Cats of High Degree.

F boulevard cats in
Chicago there are
not a few that
might be proud and
naughty if so in
clined, for the mar
ket value of each is
g. sum of cOnse-
quence. At the
show the other day
we heard one of
the plainly dressed
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-01-06
Dodging That Paid.

Elderly Belle-New, tell me, baron.
really and truly, who was the greatest
beauty at our ball last night!
"Oh, my dear madam, beg you kindly
to excuse me from answering
''Ah, I understand-you fatterer!"-
Stray Stories.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-01-06
His Scheme.

Il give yer two black eyes an a
punch in the jaw" boasted the tough,
Got enough?"
mo, give me few more punches y
said the man on the ground.
What! More knocks? Are you
'razy?"
mo, but If l look just little bit
worse people will think I've been play
sng football. "-ChicagO News.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-01-06
They're All Alike.

Advanced 'Woman-Women are not
all frivolous, as you men appear to
think. See this intellectual looking
woman who is coming, look at her high
forehead and thoughtful features. I
will guarantee that she is discussing
political economy, or else some of the
complex affairs of state. Now, keep
quiet and listen as she passes us.
Intellectual Looking Woman with
sparkling eye)-Yes, dear, it was cut
bias and trimmed with chiffon and Sc
quins.-Ally Sloper.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-01-06
Cruel.

Jack admires my complexion" said
the girl with the burnt-orange feather.
"Said it reminded him Of rare old
china"
"And l agree with him." replied the
girl in brown. -
because it is so clear?"
mo; because it is enameled.
c&go News. ~
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-01-06
Had Heard Of It.

Young Professor (who has taken her
down to dinner)-By the way, Miss
Gaswell, have you ever seen the nebula
of Andromeda?
Miss Gaswell-No; l was abroad with
papa and mamma when that was
played. But I've heard that it drew
crowded houses. Chicago Tribune.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-01-06
POOR PAPA.

Cora-Our amateur tableaux were
lovely. We made $3.50.
Carlton-You must haze had large
audience.
Cora-No. We only took In 60 cents
at the door, but papa gave us the SIS
for not repeating them.--St. Paul Pho
neer Press. Is 10
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-01-06
Soulful Xearninps.

do you not sometimes have soulful
yearnings which you long to convey in
words, but cannot?" asked the senti-
mental girl. - ! : < e5:s 81 :Sss5
Eyes, indeed" replied the young
man. Il was once dreadfully anxious
to send home for money. but Il didn't
have the price Of telegram. IT.
Bits. ~
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-01-06
The Description.

First Bachelor-Suppose you saw
some beautiful scenry coming over the
Rockies. What was it like?
Second Ditto-It had gray eyes and
brown hair; it sat just across the aisle
from me.-Detroit Free Press.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-01-06

Some day a specialist of nerve-wracked
cats may arise and give us informing
data, now We can only surmise.
Surely. that old life led by Tabby was
an enviable one on the whole tight
roof above her. the freedom of the spin
ster's abode mistress with leisure and
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-01-06

Long Feather-How did Flint Rocks
get such swell residence?
Stone Bruise-Oh, he was once post
master, and he used the uncalled-for
mail to build it with.-Chicago Daily
News.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-01-06
Uncomfortable.

A man may stop a foaming horse that's
tearing down the street,
May stop an enemy's advance amid the
battles heat;
In fact, stop almost anything in situations
trying;
But not single man alive can stop a baby
crying.
-Tit-Bits
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-01-06
Cat and the Simple Life.

|!ETHER or not the
cat enjoys her pres
ent eminence
more than the Sc
clusion and sooth-
ing quiet of the
realm where con-
vention has long
placed her, we
have not the oppor-
tunity of ascer-
t a i n ng as vet.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-01-06
Words, Mere Words.

did you ever hear words pass be-
tween them?"
mo, your honor; but I saw words
pass between them"
Explain yourself"
Il saw him knock her down with a
ctionary:''-Houston Post,