davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-11-08
Grieu a a schooIhox.

Grieg was not a pattern schoolboy.
In a description of his days at school
he wrote: Knowing that by arriving
late I would not be allowed to enter
the class until the end of the first
lesson, ! used, on wet mornings, to
stand under a dripping roof, until l was
soaked to the skin. The master then
sent me home to change my clothes.
but the distance being long this was
equivalent to giving me a dispensa-
ton! You may guess that / played
this prank pretty often, but when at
last ! carried it so far as to come
day wet through, though it had hardly
rained at all, they became suspicious,
and kept a lookout. One fine day I
was caught, and made an intimate &c
q%uaintance with the birch!"
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-11-08

carried away By his own e~loquence
was brought back to earth by being
hit In the mouth by a well aimed pea
nut On the outskirts Of the crowd
that was beginning TO surge in was
Spike Peters waving his arms wildly.
The Judge. placing a substitute on the
door, FASTENED TO join his host.
by gol. you've had a narrer es-
cape, Calculated Peters excitedly.
Who Just bought a .admit-one' from
me but the Reverend Skinny Jim him.
SELF
Cheese It. Spike" sconed the judge.
unconsciously falling into the vernacu-
lar OF boyhood days. Don't give me a
scare like that. even for a joke"
Honest persisted Spike. But
haIn't IL just Ike your brother Jim to
sneak to a circus? But 1t makes il
m~isiortunate for you. | ruther see 40
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-11-08
ELECTRIC POWER IN BUILDING.
II Is Being Utilized to Greater Extent
Than is Supposed.

The use of electric power in the
construction of large buildings.
bridges, and other structures, although
1t receives little attention, is said by
The Western Electrician to reach con.
siderable proportions In the aggregate,
being withal Of unusual interest. Says
this paper:
"A striking example Is now at hand
in Chicago. where a large mail order
house is erecting a building OF mann
moth proportions, being 900 feet long.
go feet wide, and nine stories high.
With basement and endorsement the
floor area is considerably over 2,000,-
900 square feet, or nearly so acres.
The edifice is being constructed of
reinforced concrete, manufactured on
the spot, and in the various concrete
making and building operations no
less than 1,500 horse power in electric
motors is employed. These motors
are supplied with current from the
central station mains and they ID
ate a tramway. the derricks for hand
ling material, belt-conveyors, cement
mixers, and the Woodworking machin-
cry of a lumber mill where the yari.
Gus mods for the concrete are made,
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-11-08

= 14.o 4sItsa8ka..4 ..rs q aast
to wait their turn in line IL | was In
tho ticket wagon. When | looks on,
an see EN- shown and pnsbin' and
all ready to give me hack talk | says
1 quiet and cam: One at q time, gents
-one ut q time, please, or ri be
obliged to put on me white kid gloves
an come out there an spoil some
body!'"
Pardon me q moment, Spike; |
think ] Just saw Miss Montmorcnci en-
tor the tent opposite" began the
Judge. she has promised me an au-
tograph picture"
"Well--if Midgie was there yon
probably hain't in any doubt about
seeing her. Makes a hit with me to
zee you and the fat lady going 1t so
friendly. She certain 10 all eyes for
you. Tommy"
She's as nice a little woman as !
ever met said The Judge.
Rather purity face" Admitted Spike.
Too bad she's so hearty. BY gol, Tom.
III miss you n heap when you're gone.
It's been a great comfort to me 10
have you along do you always smoke
such good clgars%"
Glad you like EN-. Spike. III send
You some now and then-just let me
know where you are"
Couldn't you one for another
week. pleaded Spike. Don't you lind
everything Al?"
Never had better replied the
Judge. Circus people certainly live
we'll"
"N0rtin's too good echoed Peters.
Tho boss don't have no better than
ge do. Well-here's where I've got to
nOscy TO the ticket struggle. liun
rlong. Tommy, and hmuso yourself.
lh-l forgot TO tell YOU Rogers gone
IN a toot an | told ON You'd tend
loor at tho aide.show tonight, an do
he barkin, you bein' used to speakin'
4 public"
All right" said the judge cheer
nlly. Il said | wanted an allaround
ypHtionce :
lie ieit a proprietary interest as he
inferred The curiosity tent. The ex.
ibits were taking their places aud en-
DYING q social half.hour. Sothergill
trollcd around the circle, stopping
ere and there to chat with a feat.
rod acquaintance.
"Nhhool' called Midgie, the fat
ndy, catching sight of the Judge. you
nuglty boy, aren't you going to no.
ice your Old frionds?" Midgic. like
III s~tatnesque types, yearned to be
ittcnlsh and counted IA regular lit.
ie witch"
Il couldn't say / didn't see you" re.
torted the judge. "But you were talk.
ing TO the Skeleton when | passed,
and thought thrce might be a
crowd"
'"Fudge!" chlrpcd the fat lady. eve
was just remarkin' how some OF the
people mad the nerve to stand up and
us freaks! II you could see the
mugs we have to look down into!"
DO you enjoy this sort of life?"
asked the Judge,
THE right person might induce ma
TO give up art for the domestic" muir.
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-11-08

one had 10 stay with mother and--I
was getting along pretty well-and-"
"Oh, ! suppose maybe II was just as
we'll, condesccnded Spike. you might
a'been a miserable failure in the cir
Gus business. | take II you've done
well in tba lawsuit trade? srln-must
be- a dry life"
There's no red lemonade 10 moist
eli it," admitted the idge
'Id Just Ike TO give yOr a leetIe
taste Of The lie" said Spike cyeing
him critically. "Supposinjust sup
poain'-i was to invite yo1 to sldnstcp
your trip TO Skinny inns and come on
abe road with the Grand AmaIeamat.
cd for a wecb-what dye say
DO YOU mcun #, Spike?' demanded
the Judge hoursvly. Could ! come
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-11-08
JUDGE S01HERCIlL---THE TOWNS LEADING
CITIZEN,

Judge Soihergill haa gone TO ogdens.
burg. N. Y, TO visit his brother, tho
Rev. Sothergill --Dawsoayille News
Letter
At Albany, where he changed cars.
WHOM did the Judge run into but
Spite Peters,
Naturally the judge forgot whether
he was bound for Ogdcnsburg n. Y,
or the ON peak Of The Wmalaya noun.
talns, lie forgot he ives president Of
a seyiBg9 bank. trustee and the Per,
son With-whom. Waiting celrhgitirs
a'a@gsstayed wbiIein-DHwRrnyire
q took 10 minutes to get through
Ike who'd nver.cypcci to.mrct-you.
here's and the "whcrc'd you.dsop-
%froIns.'
Lets 80 over aud sit down some.
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-11-08
Liquor She Eloated Ia.

On their arrival in New Zealand,
according to London Tit-Bits. a party
of English people drank the health OF
the vessel which had brought them
safely to their destination. One OF the
gentlemen who was asked to Join in
this ceremony replied: No, am.A
teetotaller; but I'll willingly drink sue
cess to the ship In the liquor she
floats in" A friend disappeared and
returned with a glass. of water. After
a complimentary apostrophe to the
ship. the recipient tossed the water
of at once. but Immediately splut-
tered: "Ugh-ah-oh-this is--oh--
what on earth is this? "That?" said
his friend. why, you've drunk success
to our noble ship in the identical
liquor she floats in"
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-11-08

When this picture, during the court
session, flew from the judges pocket
with his handkerchief, there wasn't
a dry eye in the house. See
Cherry"
incline-% atious," Spike laughed so loud.
iF that two perfect ladies looked at
him In d~isapprosal.
Was It all we-you-imasined Il
would be, Spike?' questioned the
judge eagerly.
'Morel" stated Peters soIemnly.
why, Tom, You may not believe me.
hut ! love the business better to-day
than the day struck out from Daw.
Honville with my nut fun of swinging
bars and plaid sebras. Guess | was
horned with sawdust In my veins. Al
ways had q hankorin' for a circus
since was knee high to Il grasshop.
per"
II never got over the circus fever
either" sighed the Judge, q ran away
once after you left-but was hauled
back"
Get out. did you?" asked Peters In.
credulously. Didn't think you had the
spunk without me-"
Wasn't my fault ] had to 80 back
after we cut out together" defended
The Judge. You sec, you didn't have
any folks to keep you back"
But you could 'a'gone later" 70.
preached Peters relentlessly.
Reasons Kept coming mp explain,
~ tbs Judge. Father died and some
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-11-08
Was all Blank to Him.

Of the southern wire began to click.
The operator exchanged the few neo-
essary prellminaries, then began to
typowrite the message. The man on
the western wire listened ftly at frst,
chen his attention was rivetsd. a. it
was q news dispatch from his native
town In the south and the frst words
concerned an intimate friend. Just
then his own wire got busy and ne
was speedily immrsed In . message
nom Cleveland. 10th operators finish.
cd q ALMOST the same tims. The msi
with the western wire leaned over ~
partition and said: what was that
stsry about from ut v1rs3aia towafs
"fIAnevd II I Know replied ~ man
who had rseslyD6 4, 2 wasn't listen
iuf1M WA NS3ft IN SsYs SpA
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-11-08
HANDY ron THE HOUSEWIFE
A Device for Washing the Outside
Surfaces Of Windows.

There has long been need for some
simple and practical device for wash
ing the outside surfaces Of windows.
This need was greatly increased In
late years with the increased height OF
modern buildings. The inaccessible
exterior surfaces Of the windows
makes the work Of cleaning them e.
peclally inconvenient and hazardous,
so that trained experts r now com.
monty employed for the service. In
the accompanying engraving, says
Scientific American. we illustrate a do
vice with which the exterior surface
of a window may be readily cleaned
from within the building, and without
imperIling the life Of the operator.
1t consists Of a cleaning head. which
may be projected to the desired point
by means of q lazy tongs mechanism
that connects the head with the oper-
citing handles. The lower legs OF the
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-11-08
Attachment In Place.

to q hook designed to engage the bead
cd rim of the boiler. Around the
edges Of the rod is a projecting ledge
to prevent the water dripping on the
floor. After wringing out the clothes,
says the Washington Star. they are
conveniently placed on the drainer.
the water dripping back into the boil.
er. The device is readily removed
when desired.
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-11-08

where's" said the judge. and 30 great
was the power of suggestion he looked
as II he expected 10 hear the Voice Of
Authority that lad broken up 80 many
encounters with that horfid Peters
boy" in the long ago,
Sure" agreed Spike. Don't cost
any o TO sit down than 1t does to
stand up."
"Well-1and now tell me what you
are doing" urged the Judge when they
had found an empty bench.
"Why--you see. Tommy, I'm a cler.
Ryman," hogan Peters will, - roar OF
Eyman, began Peters with n roar Of
appreciation for his own drollery.
"And I'm o ON my way to n moth
ess meeting. Say Cust your eve
over me and guess
Not reallyf" demanded the Judge
ia awe after close scrutiny.
"Uh, huh," nodded Spike contented.
Ny. Tho sawdust ring for mino. But
toohin' at you | can read In your palm
that you didn't follow your youthful
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-11-08

INJURED Midgie, rs Jacksonville d nice
placer
"Eh?' cried the Judge. "0h-Spiko
has misinformed you. l live In New
York city" The Judge mopped his
brow.
II adore New York." conided Mid.
gle. do you know II l was to drink
lots of water and walk n great dis.
lance every day I'd get slight, Still
| don't admire thin girls, do your"
lin due at the door--awfully sor-
ry. See you again." muttered the
judge hastily. Thanks again for the
pretty picture"
As the judge made a bee line for
the entrance he deity avoided the
pretty snake charmer and the circas-
sian Beauty
Right this way. ladies' and gentle.
men, TO see the Wild Man eat raw
meat! Only wild man In captivity
step right up-one and all. Eou may
never have another opportruity--right
this way to see the Alsino Girl, the
Tattooed Man. the sSord swallower,
the Armless Wondtr-and to see the
Wild Man eat ra@ meat" the Judge,
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-11-08

lazy tongs are respectively secured to
a pair of rock shafts which are con
centrically mounted, one shaft being
tubular to receive the other. Each
shaft is provided with a handle, and
by swinging these handles toward and
from each other the lazy tongs may be
extended or retracted. A flexible hose
connects the head of the washing de-
vice with a source OF water under
compression, so that a flow of water
may be had at the desired point. A
patent on this embarrassing de-
vice has been secured.
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-11-08
But He Wasn't Hired.

Senator Frank B. Brandagee tells !
story Of Q man who wanted to be :
trolley a conductor. "This man
looked hearty. polite and Intelligent
and the manager 81 the car barns
seemed to think well Of him. After :
number Of questions the manager
said: Well. what pay do you desirsl.
The applicant gave : loud laugh. Thea
he dug the manager In the ribs and
said: on. never mind about the ~.
boss. Just give mo Me job and IN
have . cal Of my own In = week "
two.'"-KAnsas City STIR.
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-11-08
Mutllate Art Treasures.

Authorities who have in charge
some Of England's ancient treasures
try to discourage the habit OF carving
initials on these relics. A fine Of SIS
was recently imposed on a man who
had Clipped his name in letters six
inches high on one of the stones In the
"Druids' Circle nea Keswick. Close
to the giant stone globe at Swansge
a special slab is provided for tho
harmless reception Of the names Of all
who are addicted to this selfadvertise-
ment. On popular Alpine sunmits
names are left on cards in emptied
wine bottles.
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-11-08
Win Not Supply pjus,

Bacon curers are usually among the
most prosperous firms in Belfast. but
they. have had to warn the farmers
throughout the north not to kill any
more pigs until the strikes are settled,
for it Is impossible to handle the car
casses. Business has thus been divert
ed to other Irish ba~concuring centers,
although the majority Of farmers have
simply respited their pigs and are
making no attempt to supply the mar
ket. Danish bacon factories will thus
profit.--London Standard.
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-11-08
How Telegraph Operator Becomes 4
Mere Machine.

A splendid example q! the mechani-
cal working OF TIE mind ~ offered In
the onicc Of a big city telegraph once
the other night. Two operators we're
side BY side. separated only by the
glass partition running the width OF
the table. One had charge Of q line
over which news dispatches were -
celved from certain sections Of the
south. The others territory cmbrsc.
ed = part OF the west. Husiness wa
dun and the two operators, leaning
back In their chairs, were discusoinel
the news Of ~ ~ whta ~ sosadses
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-11-08

caravans of trained caramels turned
loose than to have him show up
Jim always did try TO make me
feel az hampered as II baby elephant
with two mammas.' growled the Judge.
Il guess well put understudies on
our Jobs and go get a glass OF red
lemonade after that" suggested Spike.
But hain't Jim the sly cuss?" -.
TN have to be meandering back to
Jacksonville about tomorrow" sighed
the judge. Your idea about the red
lemonade is a good one."
q o n
The Cherry--But the real circus be-
gan when the judge reached home!
Copyright, 1907, by W. G. Chapman.)
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-11-08
AUTO RUN ON NATURAL GAS.
This Was Done Without Altering the
Machinery In the Least.

AT Medicine Hat, Canada, an ordi-
nary automobile was run on natural
gas without altering the machinery.
The gas was contained in a steel tank
ID by rs inches and was compressed
to rs pounds, making the tank contain
about IA cubic feet OF gas. The gas
was controlled by a globe valve and
conducted through a rubber tube one
end of which was connected to the
c%arburetor. The engine was started
cold and made a u of three miles
at a speed of about nine miles an
hour, the machine weighing 1900
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-11-08
Term. That Seem Strange.

There are many puzzling differences
between Scottish and English law
terms. For instance. bankruptcy Is
in Scotland IAN act OF seq~uestration."
a solicitor Is either a writer" or .
Flaw agent" the argument in a case
is the debate" and assizes is the
jury. a wrongdoer Is q delinquent. an
idiot-in Scottish LAWS "a fatuous
person." and a burglary Is with true
Scottish %caution), HOUSEKEEPING
with an ~aggravation." Finally, an au-
thor is, in Scotland, not a person who
writes, but the vender or seller OF real
property, from whom the title to II
Is derived.
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-11-08
cuttino steel.

A new method Of cutting steel 10
said to have been patented b. a Bel
gian engineer. The process consists
in first heating the metal BY means
OF an oxy-hydrogen fame and then
cutting It by a small stream OF oxy-
gen gas, which unites the steel and
forms a fusible oxide, which flows
freely from the cut. II is, said that
the cut is FULLY as smooth az that
made By the saw. and b only HOO ii.
wide.
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-11-08

position; and the lock admits of the
use of a small key entering through a
keyhole so small as to practically pre-
clude tampering with the lock.
While the invention has been illus.
trated in the accompanying drawing
as applied to the ordinary Edison
socket. the invention is not limited to
this application, but is applicable to
any socket with which the lamp is
connected by screwing into place. or
by any other means requiring a rota-
tive movement"
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-11-08
DRAiNER FOR WAsHBoiLERs.
Handy Attachment to Prevent Water
From Dripping on Floor.

A simple device that greatly adds
to the usefulness of the washboiler
Is a recent patent of an Oregon man.
As shown in the illustration. 1t con-
sists of a drainer that is attached to
the top of the w%ashbeiler. The drain
err is formed of a series of parallel
rods. which rest on the top of the
washboiler. Each rod terminates in
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-11-08

along for a week? I'd be willing to
carry water for the elephant!'
What time is II by your gold watch
and chain?' asked Spike, Well
we've just time to get over to our car.
Come on"
You don't suppose there's any dan.
ger of mo getting dizzy and falling
oft?" queried an excited voice from
the throne of Neptune's golden chariot
MS the daily parade of Huutsinger's
Grand Amalgamated circus was form.
ing.
You're all right. Nep," came a gay
voice from below. "Straighten your
crown a little--a teeny, t~rife-to the
left, That's right, And say, don't
hold that trident as II you were out
%spearins gold fishes. Wave 1t graceful
like"
Judge Sothergill. atop a gilded and
mirrored coach, rode proudly through
the towns principal th%oroughfares.
bowling right and left with regal gra.
ciousness In response to the cheers of
admirinS small boys. When he lost
mis- trident overheard a hundred &c.
licitous youngsters struggled for the
honor of restoring II. Sothergill felt
that his life had not been without its
moment; some people 90 to their
graves without eyer basking MS he did
now In the spotlight OF public adula.
ton.
During the week that followed he
enjoyed a variety of roles In tho street
parade. On Wednesday he disported
himself as Mars, on Thursday he made
an effective but elderly Apollo, while
Friday found him perched aloft ON the
moving stage AS the prince in a scene
from Cinderella" The young woman
who played Cinderella told the indigo
he was the most gcntlemanly person
who even played the prince, which so
BATTERED the judge that he nearly fell
on the sea going vehicle, And all the
time the caliope toiled industriously AZ
s~NtAl ~
the "MDcking Bird"
"Um.pa,pa.pa.pa
Hump pa-pa.pa
Gm.na um.pa."
IT'S the circussy smells and noises
aud beia' surrounded by a %t'ousand
dangerous animals, all the more pleas.
u on account of their bcln' Gagged, +"
explained Spike to the Judge as they |
sat down ON a chest of snakes to
smoke a cigar.
4 like 1t first rate" assented The
gentleman who had started for Og.
densburg, n, Y. And | never met a.
nicer class of people" 4
Yes, ain't it?' cried Peters. IF
you'd a.comc a spell back fhen l was
In the ring myself / corsn a.given you
even a better time, II was only on
then for my act and had lots of time,
All Tn good fer now Is to sell tick
he sighed. "Stil--that's a post
of responsiveness. Huntsinger him. |
self says to me: Perry Il was billed
Perieles, tho Peerless). Perry
says Huntsirger, there hain't q man
with this ORGANIZATION that | can trust
do ycp.' And that was a good
deal for tho old u to say. too!'
You 'pake an idaa, gentiemnnly.
tic~ketsellar." smiled the Judge. re
gardlng o hippopotamus that was 90
neat 1t dwelt In q bath-tab.
"'Tain't nothin' to SELL" deprecated
Peters. lust takes q Ill round H.
sight into human nature, . command.
In achitude an q level hcAdr nd
there yon arci II the howlin' mobs OF
antique Rome wanted TO see Huntsing.
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-11-08
rldss * rermlnl Pansma emf

II Il Interesting to note the differ.
ence in the tides Of the two oceans
at the termini OF the Panama Canal.
The mean level y the same, but On
the Atlantic ride the tidal oscillation
does not exceed two feet, whereas
on the Pacifc side II u q times u
Ereat ~ - teet, 10 ahove ana 10 feet
below nean level. n
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-11-08

The young lady nom Boston wns
explaining: make n egg." shs ~.
'and make . ~perforation IN thS 49,
and = corresponding one ii dc orox.
Then you apply me Hrs to ~ apSes
ture. and ~ forcibly inhaling ~
breath the shell II entirely dlsciarseA
a IT. s~contentst
ne old Ids who 40 lIstenins ~
claimed:
'1t beass III hcw fo,kz II I'M
nSNaAays When Wa6 ! vi ~
maae = hols ~ sa0h ~ ~ suc1s
'-Juaass Ilbfary. Il aS3
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-11-08

'"US "'Tcs VH NATURAL 0ds.
pounds. 1t was estimated that about
10 cubic feet Of gas was used in the
run.
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1907-12-07
UNITED STATES SECURED A BARGAIN
WHEN ALASKA WAS PURCHASED IN 1867

as the country originally cost. This
mine is located on Douglas. Island
and has been running for twenty
years without scarcely a day y
secession until recently when IT
was shut down on account of the
lack of fuel.
The so-called Treadwell mine is
in reality three separate mines.
These are called the Alaska Mexican
Alaska Treadwell and Alaska Unit
ted. Since beginning operations
they have paid dividends as follows
Alaska Mexican, $1,62G,3S1: Alaska
Treadwell, $9,435,OOO Alaska Uni
ted. $3O6,34O. b
The total dividends OF these
mines amounts to $11,367,72l or
15S per cent of the purchase of
Alaska. When the Treadwel mines
earn $3,O32,279 more-a matter of
two or three years-they will have
produced twice the original cost
lof Alaska country containing
more than a half million square
miles. 81