davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Hattiesburg daily news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1907-1908, 1907-10-31

actually collected enough subscrip-
lions to pay for Washington hand
press. The audience seemed doubt
full but after a while it was accepted
provided it was recorded along with
the ghost stories.
*****
Mr.. Thin Space then arose to make
few remarks, and had the following
to say: 81 am not going to spin any
ghost storis- but come down to earth
and boost. re old Hattiesburg a
little bit more. l have heard every
thing boosted in Hattiesburg but the
barber shops, and think they are
entitled to several good words, and
l will not say that they are the best
outside of New York, but that they
are the best I have run into yet, and
that saying something"
**:**
| The Forum proposes to have a lit
tie Halloween party of its own this
evening to which none but member
are invited and a full and complet
report of the results will be give
in this column tomorrow morni1
provided the entertainment goes
as smoothly as is expected. Quite
elaborate program has been prepf
and it is expected that good
will be enjoyed by all present.
**.**
Among other experiments in6
in at the party:
you must walk down cellar back
ward,
Then you look into q glass,
And there, peering DER your shoider
See your love. my little lass.
"You must peel rosy apple.
Throw the peeling on the floor,
Where it forms the loved initial
OF the lad whom you adore.
"You must name lot of chestnuts,
And then roast them in row,
| And the one which pops the quickes
Pops because he loves you so.
i Having followed these old custom
) Should you fail to learn your fat
= Still have patience and remember/
3 All things come to those WHO wa
Hattiesburg daily news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1907-1908, 1907-10-31
BOXING NEWS AND NOTES.

1t is believed that the stories OF
dissipation concerning Jim Jenries
are without truth
Hattiesburg daily news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1907-1908, 1907-10-31

Jack O'Brien says he wants to
show the public that he is on the
level. Piffle.
Hattiesburg daily news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1907-1908, 1907-10-31

AL Kaufman and Mike Schreck
may meet in a AGROUND set-to on
Thanksgiving day at Tonopah.
Hattiesburg daily news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1907-1908, 1907-10-31

Billy Nolan became enraged at Bat
fling Nelson when he learned that
Nelson was to get another manager
and the two nearly came to blows
in San Francisco.
Hattiesburg daily news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1907-1908, 1907-10-31

Jim Barry and Tony Ross did not
fight last Saturday night in Philadel
phia Ross could not get ready. The
bout will be pulled OF later.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-01-10
WOUNDING A FIRE.
An Odd superstition That Dates Back
to Ancient Times.

TO Ancient 1IInes.
A curious modern attempt to ration
aliZe one of the oldest of superstitions
is to be found In Kipling's "Life's
Handicap" There Mulvaney checks
the author from stirring the fire with
Ortheris' bayonet on the ground that
fire takes the heart out of the steel.
The real reason Is much more mysteri-
GUS 1t was one of the maXims Of
Pythagoras mot to stir the fire with
a sword" and to this day the wander
Ing tribes of North America and of
northeast Asia hold it a sin to take
up burning ember for a pipe light
with the point Of II knife. The eX-
planation is undoubtedly given by Jo-
hannes de Plano Carpini $hen he tells
as that one of the Tartar superstitions
concerns sticking a knife into the fire
or in any way touching the fire with
a knife or even taking meat out of the
kettle with Il knife or cutting near the
fire with an aX, for they believe that
so the head Of the fire would be cut
off"
This is evidently connected with the
ancient idea that fire Is a living crea-
ture, q sacred animal, which must not
be wounded by its human owners in
case 1t should be annoyed and deprive
them of its valuable services. Is this
in any degree more irrational than the
belief still existent among housekeep-
ers that n feeble fire can be made to
burn up by laying the poker across it.
London Outlook
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-01-10
Barney
T Ortune
By Constance Darcy Meckay
Copyright, 1865, by G. II. SutclifTe

1t was sprinr ia BaIlymoran, and
the turf had taken on that vivid green
seen nowhere beyond the shores of Ire
land The pun-aut peat smoke drifted
laMly against The intense blue of the
sky. Thrushcs sang on the boughs of
GnarIod apple trees that skirted the
low stone walls. Barney thought he
never had seen the village look love
ler; but, then, rs every one knew, Bar
ney was the most happy go-lucky lad
in the parish
\ thatched cabin of one room and
couple OF pigs comprised his worldly
possessions; bat Light of purse and
light of heart" he often said, 'ls bet
ter than riches and the gOut" He
found only one drawback in poverty,
and that was that he could not ask
Eileen Kearny 70 marry him till he had
more to offer her.
Yet hope is always astir when one
is young. and Barney knew that with
thrift and perseverance he could lay
by enough: 50. rain or shine, he worked
in the peat hogs with q song on his
lips, for he felt that every penny he
laid by was bringing Eileen nearer to
him.
He thought of this exultantly as he
strolled with her in the long twilights
when the wind was as soft as a caress
and the scent Of apple blossoms came
family on the air.
Eileen was like an apple blossom her
self, to Baruey's thinking She had the
same delicate coloring and a grace as
niry as the sWaying of a bough. Yet
If she loved him she gave no sign. If
she smiled on him she also smiled on
his cousin Hugh. sullen mouthed lad
far more prosperous than poor Barney.
Eileen divided her favors equally,
and the village looked on and wonder
ed which man would win. Now fate
seemed inclined toward one and now
toward the other
The villagers themselves inclined to-
ward Barney Every one liked him.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-01-10

was anxious to have things al in readi-
ness for her. On that plea she kept
him working until 8 o'clock, but she
was generous when. she paid him off.
Burden waited on the landing until
she closed the door; then he ran up
stairs to his own rooms and tumbled
into the tub. 1t had been hard work
and hot and he was glad of the chance
to clean up. He had risen at 4 for a
fishing trip and had made a long day,
but he thought he would dress again
and slip over TO the club for a chat and
bite.
AT the foot of the first flight he came
face to face with the girl. She recog-
niZed him in spite of the change that
evening clothes made and gave little
cry
"Then you We're not the man the
janitress promised TO send upf" she
said.
Burden lifted his hat.
Il admit it" he began. when l saw
the mistake you had made and remem-
bered that | had seen Phil, the chore
man, disgustingly intoxicated on my
way in, let you persist in your mis-
take that | might be of assistance"
And you let me pay you money"
she reproached.
"If you think l didn't earn it," he
smiled, III give it back"
But made you earn itr' She shud-
dered as she thought Of how she had
driven him. And l gave you 10 cents
for glass Of beer"
Beer is only five" he explained.
won't you have the other one? l
guess that you must be as tired and as
hungry as | am. You did your full
share of the work so won't you come
and share the reward? l know that
it's unconventional, but 1t will be such
fun. Will you Gomez"
The girl looked into his eyes. What
she saw there must have satisfied her.
for she turned to descend the stairs
with him
"My name IS Burden" he announced
when they reached the street-"Na-
thaniel Burden, commonly known as
Nat
Il am Lois Trevor she retorted. II
am glad to meet Mr.. Burden"
Burden tucked her arm through his
aud led the way to the street car. 1t
was only a short ride and Lois gave
little gasp when she saw the restau-
rant
Il did not realize how hungry / was
-
until began to wonder if they would
serve an unescorted woman at this
time of night"
Burden glanced at the clock in the
window. 1t was only half past 10, but
it seemed later to her.
I'VE won't worry about such things"
he suggested "Just think about what
is best to eat"
Over the. tasteful meal he had Or
dered she grew more communicative
She had come to the city to study mu-
sic he learned. There were only her
mother and herself left of a large fam
lily. and they wanted to be together
There was sC.nctiiiiG in Burdens man
ner tnat IN ylred confidence, ana, al
most without realizing it, she was
chatting as with an old friend.
The next afternoon he called to pay
his respects to Mrs. Trevor and before
long the two women had come to re-
gard Burden almost rs one Of the fam
lily. He took them to concerts and the
theater and formed the habit of drop
ping in for a chat in the evenings when
he was not going out
Then came the panic, and for a week
many a firms fate hung in the balance
The one in which Burden was a part
ner was persistent!y included IN the
list of the doubtful concerns. and then
one afternoon tie late editions came
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-01-10
Burden
Failure
By CLAY MARSDEN
By CLAY MARSDEN
Copyright, 1905, by Ruby Douglas

Come right in," said the girl at the
head of the stairs. Il have been eX-
pecting you for an hour"
1T is pleasant to be expected" laugh
ed Burden.
That will do" said the girl sharply.
mo impertinence or I shall report you
tc the janitress."
Burden could not quite see what the
jauitress had to do with the matter,
but lie lifted the soft slouch hat that
was a part Of his fishing toggery and
started 10 pass on up the stairs to his
apartment.
Come IN here" called the girl i'm
periously. You don't suppose that 1
came downstairs to meet you, do your
She led the way through an open
door, affording a vista of chaos, to the
parlor of the apartment. Those pic
lures had better be hung first" she
commanded. Il will tell you where"
Burden gasped. For the first time
he realized what was expected of him.
She had mistaken him for d day work
er for whom she had probably sent to
aid her in Strengthening out her new
home The fact that he was in an
old suit and had rung the nearest bell
in the lobby because he had forgotten
- keys accounted for the error. 1t
had been her bell he had rung. She
was expecting man to help, and she
had supposed that he was the one
She had not been flirting after all
Somehow Burden was rather glad of It,
There would not be very much do
ing in the street that afternoon, so he
slipped off his coat and went to work.
1t was evident that the little woman
intended to get the full worth of her
money out of him, for she kept him
busy, and under her skllful direction
the fiat soon assumed an appearance
of orderliness he had not supposed pos
sible in so short time.
She explained that her mother would
arrive the next morning and that she
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-01-10

Sister Henderson," said Deacon Hy-
pers, you should avoid even the app
pearance of evil"
"Why. deacon, what do you meanT'
asked Sister Henderson.
II observe that on your sideboard
you have several cut glass decanters
and that each Of them ls half filled with
what appears to be ardent spirits"
well. now, deacon. 1t isn't anything
of the kind. The bottles look so pretty
on the sideboard that just filed them
halfway with some floor stain and fur
nlture polish Just for appearances"
That's why I'm cautioning you, sis
ter" replied the deacon. Feeling a
trlfle weak and faint, l helped myself
to a dose from the big bottle in tla
-2!ddle, Life.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-01-10

out win the statement that the house
had been forced to suspend.
Lois read the report feverishly, but
when Burden came home late that
night and wearily began TO ascend the
steps she was at the head Of the fight
to welcome him, calm eyed and quiet.
Mother wants you to come in and
have some coffee" she pleaded we
saw the papers and are 50 sorry"
"I'll come gladly" he said as his
drawn face lighted up. Il shall be
glad to forget business for the mo-
ment To find you waiting here like
the first time we met is as unexpected
as it is pleasant"
I'VE could not Sleep" she explained,
"while you were in trouble. We want
ed to know that all was well with you
if not with the business"
You didn't suppose | was going to
shoot myself in the true melodramatic
fashion, did you?' he laughed. Lois
shook her head.
1T wasn't exactly that" she explain
ed, but we thought it might not seem
so hard if you had a chance to rest up
little before you went to your
rooms"
He followed her into the tiny din
ing room, where a dainty cold lunch
was spread.
Cast your restaurant meals on the
| water and they will come back in the
shape of real home stuff he laughed.
Il hope this lunch will do you as
much good as that other supper did
me-" said Lois earnestly.
More" he protested. There is
only one thing l should like better"
And that?' she asked.
"A meal in our own home" he eX-
planned. rs there hope for me, Lois?'
The girl nodded her head
You are--so handy about the house, "
she explained to cover her confusion.
That's a good recommendation" he
laughed IF the firm really does fail
think | shall hire out by the day
If" she echoed.
"Just that" he confirmed. 1T was
trick to throw the market We are
solid enough. but the sensational sheets
turned rumor into what purported to
be a statement of facts. You see, you
will not have to carry a beggar after
ALL"
Il don't care what you are, Nat"
she said tenderly, so that you are
YOU
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-01-10

ana drank ana seemed very mucn d.
home.
Later on the mattress and a light
were brought in, but not another word
was spoken The Hon. Charles was
not man who jumped at concIu-
sions That $1,000 could be paid with
out feeling the loss, but he wanted to
think things over bit Was he worth
the ransom money to himself or the
public? Was the American prepared
to proceed to eXtremities in case he
did not get his money? The Hon.
Charles held that the London detective
was the sharpest man on earth. The
great man would be missed and hue
and cry raised. Would the sleuths
strike the trail and follow it up?
The room was rather warm that
night, it being summer, but the cap
tive managed to put In a very comfort
able night. He was up and ready to
bow to Thomas when the bread and
water and morning papers were
brought in, and he was in fairly good
spirits at the end of the third day,
when the explorer called for his an
swer. 1t was not ready for him. on
the contrary. the captive pleasantly
observed:
You see, my dear sir this expert
ence is so unusual with me that | must
have little more time to think II over
At the end Of another three days l
shall doubtless be prepared to give you
a definite answer"
He was told that the three days
would add $500 to his ransom, but
there was no argument over that. His
captor retired, the same food and old
mattress were brought In, and as the
evening grew old the prisoner stretch
ed out for q rest He was falling
asleep when he heard the skylight soft
ly raised. Then he caught sight of a
head and heard voice asking:
"Is there anybody down there?"
"OnIy me-" answered the honorable
as he realized that the voice belonged
to a young girl.
"Are you rich or poor, old or young"
Il am fairly rich. and l am man
seventy years old"
THAT won't do" said the girl 81
am an orphan. living with my aunt
in this row. Ten doors below. If l am
to rescue anybody, he must be young
and rich and ready to marry me. the
same as 1t is In the books. I'm sorry
for you, but l must say good night"
But hold on minute called the
captive. Il can't turn myself into a
young man, but | can give some nice
young man money to marry you on.
That will amount to the same thing,
won't it,"
why, yes; suppose SO. Will you
give f5?"
"Yes-a hundred"
The girl ran away without another
word, but fifteen minutes later she
dropped a rope down the opening, witt
one end made fast to a chimney, an'
the captive soon stood beside her H.
found her a girl Of only thirteen, but
he lowered her literally. He did not
go to the police, bus straight home.
He did not seek the arrest of the ex-
plorer, but wrote him polite note to
say that owing to unforeseen circum-
stances, 1t would be impossible to
make any further appointments with
him regarding the Nile relics.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-01-10
CURIOUS INSECT.
A butterfly That Enjoys Only Five
Hours of Life.

n tutterHy IhAt ENJOYS only F1VG
Hours of Life.
1t is in August that the naturalists
observe the marvellous insect which is
born, reproduces and dies in the period
of q single night on the banks of the
Marne, of the Seine and of the Rhine
1t is the ephemere of which Sirammer-
dam has written and which is spoken
Of Ia Aristotle.
The life of this insect does not last
beyond four or five hours. 1t dies to-
ward II o'clock In the evening after
taking the form of a butterfly about six
hours after midday. 1t IS true, how.
ever, that before taking this form il
has lived three years in that Of
worm, which keeps alSays near the
border of water in the Coles which II
makes in the mud.
The change of this worm in the wa
ter to an ephemere which flies is SO
sudden that one has not the time to see
IT. II one takes the worm in the water
the hand cannot be taken away before
the change is made unless by pressing
the worm slightly in the region of the
chest. BY this means it can be taken
from the water before the change
takes place
The ephemere, after leaving the wa
ter, seeks place where it can divest
itself of fine membrane or veil, which
entirely covers it. This second change
takes place in the air
The ephemere assists itself with the
point of its little nails as firmly as II
can. 1t makes a movement similar to
that Of a shiver; then the skin on the
middle of the back breaks apart. the
wings slip out of their sheath. as we
sometimes take off our gloves by turn
Ing them inside out. After this strip
ping the ephemere begins to fly. Some
times 1t holds itself straight up on the
surface of the water on the end of its
tail, tapping its wings one against the
other 1t takes no nourishment In the
five or six hours which are the limit of
its life. 1t seems to have been formed
but to multiply, for ii does not leave
It's state of a worm until it is ready to
deposit its eggs, and it dies as soon as
they are deposited
In three days time one sees appear
and die all species Of ephemere. They
last sometimes until the fifth day, for
the reason that some malady has af.
fected some of them and prevents them
from changing at the same time as the
others
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-01-10

tbs NY HEART We LOST, SHE ANSWERED.
from the btrelegged children to the
wrinkled women who covered above
the hearthStGnes.
He was Il favoritc. too. with his old
uncle. Selmds McShane, who had left
Ireland for America years before when
Barney was only 4 bit OF n lad. But
his uncle wrote u him every year, and
II was an accepted fact that Barney
would bc his heir, though the legacy
was Il thing Of the dim future so dim
that it hardly made background for
present need
Seamcs McShane came of a sturdy,
long lived race. Therefore 1t was with
Il distinct shock that one fine spring
mornin" Barney received notice of his
uncle'S death The lads first feeling
was one Of sorrow that Seamus should
have died In Il far land without either
lth or kin. vet his uncle was only
melorr. 50 it was pardOnable that his
next -govl' "a one OF JOY ut the pos
sibiItes opened TO him. for now he
could marry Eileen. How much he
had fallen heir to he did not know, but
guessed it to he in the nei ighborhood Of
E40-uo a large sum in itself though
1t seemed like riches to the folk Of that
wind swept. famine ridden village.
As the news of Barney's fortune sped
his popularity nebled.
Il always Lad a fondness for the
boy" said Hidly Mcbride.
lis Il fJine lad he Is entoirely,"
agreed old Dounelly.
Barney carried himself modestly
enough ljc was rot undulv elated at
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-01-10
A STUDY IN EYES.
Michael Angelo had hazel eyes.
Mohammed had coal black eyes.

Michael Angelo had hazel eyes.
Mohammed had coal black eyes.
Milton had gray blue eyes, clear and
round
Beethoven had small brown eyes,
very mobile.
Dante had. according to Boccaccio,
large black eyes.
Isaac Newton had blue eyes, small
bright and piercing
Cowper, physically timid, had weak
blue eyes devoid of animation
Harvey, the discoverer of the circu.
lation of the blood, had small eyes, full
of spirit.
Carlyle's eyes were described as "the
very handsomest ever seen in a mans
head-dark blue"
GeTUInR FIt.
"Whats the matter across the wayF'
asked the tailor of a bystander as the
ambulance backed up to the door of
his rival
"A customer fell in u fit, and they
are taking him to the hospital" was
the reply.
That's strange said the tailor. Il
never knew customer to get a fit
In that establishment before"
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-01-10

Are we as Americans as courteous
in all our relations of life as well dis
posed visitors occasionally think us?
Are we as courteous as mixed blood,
equitable laws and a prevailing senti-
ment Of self respect might be reason
ably expected to make us? Do we not
sometimes coufound issues, confuse
disinterestedneSs with pOliteness and
believe that because good breeding
comes from the heart all good hearted
people are consequently well bred?
Yet there are men and women who
stand ever ready to help their fellow
creatures and who are seldom or ever
polite TO them DR. Johnson was one
of the kindest of men, but of that
courtesy which respects the feelings as
well as the rights of others he had new
er the faintest perception. Now, what
harm does it do a man to contradict
him." he used to say, and contradic-
tion was the guiding principle of his
talk. 1t is 4 guiding principle with
people of much less intelligence today,
and it gives to conversation a rough
acerbity, destructive alike of pleasure
and perSuasiveneSs. 1t is supposed to
be a masculine prerogative, but, like
other masculine prerogatives, has been
usurped by an advance guard of wom-
en.-DelineatOr
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-01-10

Look at this, will your exclaimed
the real estate and house renting opti-
mist. In this paper there IS a record
Of oiShty-sayea marriage licenses is
sued Yesterday
"Well. what of it?' said his partner,
the wassimist Of the firm, who was lean
ing back in a chair with his hat pulled
down over his eyes.
what OF it," echoed the other.
Cant you see? Those eighty-seven
marriage licenses mean eighty-seven
marriages. The eighty-seven marriages
viii lead to cighty-seyen inquiries for
hoU,ns. flats or at least eligible apart
ments It's bound to stimulate business
in our line. aud wen get our share"
THAT doesn't follow at all. Those
etghty-seven licenses represent ia per
souf. don't they"
Yes"
"Probably all adults?"
"Uudouhtc ily What of it,"
Nothing" growled the pessimist
except that III persons who have
hitherto occupied Ia apartments will
. hereafter occupy eighty-seven. You
give me pain. Go away"
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-01-10
TEA BUGS AND TEA MITES.
They Are the Plaques of the Assam
Tea Gardens.

Tea Gardens.
Every animal and plant has its para
site, and from this general law, 1t
seems. the tea plant is not exempt.
Two Insects are described as spending
their lives In tea drinking. They are
the plague of the Assam tea gardens
and are known as the tea bug and tea
mite
The mites spend their entire lives on
the tea plant and are never known TO
attack any other leaf. They live in
families and societies on the upper
side of the full grown leaf and spin a
delicate web for a shelter. They then
puncture the leaves and pump out the
liquid in the plant veins.
They seem to become very dainty IN
their tastes, for a sprlnkllng Of mud
dy water over their floor and tea table
is the only remedy known to check
their ravages. Even this is not al
ways effectual.
The tea bug Is still more destructive
and Is evidently possessed of an ap-
probation Of the best kinds of tea
since 1t always attacks those of a
mild and delicate flavor. Such as af-
ford harsh and rasping liquors are al
most entirely free from its attacks
London Chronicle.