davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1908-03-14
TWO MINUTE SKETCHES
Christopher Columbus.
j. H. EDGE TON
lie met rebuff
after ysb1E bur
DOuH nor give
up his dream.

T-OR eighteen years Christopher
- Columbus cherished the dream
OF finding Land TO the west. This
time was spent In Intellectual at
tempts 10 get money for the undertak-
Ing. Almost every sovereign OF Eu-
rope was appealed % In vain. Poor.
friendless. almost alone, regarded by
many as insane, Columbus met rebuff
after rebuff. but would not give up his
dream. Finally he appealed TO Ferdi-
nand and Isabella OF Spain. Ferdinand
was not convinced. but Isabella was
more favornbly inclined and In the end
went 50 far as 10 pawn her own jew
els for the enterprise
With the fitting ont OF his expedi
ton the troubles of the great discoy-
erer were not ended When twenty
days or more out Ia an unknown sea,
his sailors began 10 murnur. urging
him 20 turn back At last the muir
muring broke out into open mutiny
Still the bold navigator would not give
up. Quelllng the mutiny with what
ever measures were necessary. he
promised reward 10 the first sailor
who discovered land. AZ last the voy-
age was ended, and goal greater than
he himself knew was won.
In all history there are few more in
spring examples of faith than that OF
Columbus. He had only his own ideal
to support him. Every one else doubt
cd IT. Nearly score OF years passed.
In which every attempt 10 realize his
dream met with failure. II Is won
derful that doubt did not assail his
own heart. His was faith. II not TO
remove mountains. NJ least 20 bring
new worlds into view. So great were
his troubles that they made him white
headed AT thirty. They pursued him
even 10 the end OF HIS life At one
time he was thrown into prison At
nearly all times he was misunder-
stood Saddest OF all he died without
knowing that be had found two new
continents and that his humble trip
across the sea would open new era
in the history OF mankind.
Columbus was OF a genuinely reli-
glous nature, which may account for
much OF the trustful faith he had In his
own inward prompting
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1908-03-14

ANDREW JACKSON was an ex-
~ ample OF the triumph OF will
power over difficulties His
whole life was a history OF
overcoming obstacles. Many OF these
obstacles. perhaps the most serious
ones, were In his own nature. One of
them was a hot anger that constantly
reared up enemies IN his path. ADoth-
CT was wild and reckless disposition
In youth. A third was physical disease.
One OF his military campaigns was
made at a time when he could hardly
sit in the saddle because OF pain. All
the latter part OF his life he suffered
from III health and wounds
or the outward obstacles In the way
OF this indomitable man. poverty was
perhaps the chief The loss OF both
parents In youth added 10 this handi-
cap. The second was rough pioneer
environment where his life was con-
stantly In danger. The third was the
neglect and opposition OF other people.
At one time during the Creek campaign
he was left almost alone. The term OF
enlistment of his men having expired.
nearly all or them went home. At an
other time the force under his com
mand was disbanded by the govern
ment He was always antagonized by
the chief men In congress and by all
the moneyed interests.
Despite these fearful adverse odds
he won. There are few examples OF
success IN all our history more con-
spicuous lie won against his personal
enemies at home. lie won IN all his
battles. He won over congress. He
won against the national bank. lilo
won In his fight with notification.
His notices are llluminative OF the
man. He often said, Nothing Is done
TIL all Is done" Another phrase con-
stantiy on his lips was, "a clean vic
tory or clean defeat" When others
objected 10 his plans. no silenced them
by peremptorily exclaiming. II will
take the responsibility" At one time in
youth. when n raft on which be tried
20 cross swollen stream was nearly
swept over a cataract. after his escape
he said he was trying TO show his com
panions how close he could Craze dan
ger. He said he would get them out
yet, and he did. When tho massacre az
Fort Minis occurred. he was In bed
with serious wounds, yet he took the
field Immediately though he had 10 be
attended by his physician. who feared
he would die on his way TO camp.
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1908-03-14
TWO MINUTE SKETCHES
Sir Isaac Newton.
~ j. NJ EDcERroN
II dill boy, be
became fbs great
eSf mathematical
geniuI Of modern
times.

TN this age OF doubt many OF our
II most. cherished legends are being
II assaulted, the various apple sto-
ries along with the rest There
nave been AT least three famous apples
Ia history-the one eaten by Adam and
Eve, the ono shot or his sons head by
William Tell and the one whose fall
suggested 10 Sir Isaac Newton the law
OF gravitation Despite the soothing OF
the higher criticism, we still cherish
these pippins and are determined to
stand by them.
Newton was rather a dull boy and
was literally kicked into exertion. He
stood at the foot OF his class and one
day was booted by the boy higher up.
The Newtonlan spirit was aroused by
this indlgnlty. with tho result that
young Isaac not only whipped tho
kicker. but determined TO 90 ahead OF
him In the clnss. This be did. and
more. for he went 10 the head OF tho
row and stayed there.
The second spur To effort received by
the young man came at the time he
sought admission To Cambridge univer-
sity. lie knew 80 little about Euclid
that the professor of mathematics OPP
posed admitting him. Newton there
upon determined to know Euclid and
succeeded so well that he became the
greatest mathematical genius OF mod
srn times.
voltalre started the story OF the ap-
pie that fell and hit Newton 50 bard
that the young man determined To ind
out what made IL fall IL so great a
skeptc as Voltalre oouid swallow tho
story, there Is no reason why Il shOuid
not be accepted by to other skeptics.
When Sir Isaac first made his com
putations on the subject OF gravita-
ton. he was mislci by the erroneous
notions thon held of tho length o. TIA
ehrth's radius. He nse~cfore abandon.
81 the theory temporarily. Later tho
error was corrected. when he returned
10 the subject. completed the demon.
stration and gave 10 TO the world In his
famous principal"
In tho meantime he had made his al
most equally famous discoveries con-
corning light. dividing white light into
the primary coiors and determining the
difference OF refracticn between them
He also did much In perfecting the tel
escope. gave 20 mathematics integral
and dlfferentlal calculus and made OH
er contributions 10 science which mark
81 him as the chief intellect OF. his age
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1908-03-14

Exciting Elephant Adventure In the
Heart of Africa

Heart Of Africa
During hunting trip In Africa A.
Henry Savage Landor had a narrow
escape from two elephants which he
was stalking. He had got 30 within
ten yards of the male elephant and.
taking careful aim. pulled the trigger
The story OF what followed IL told In
Mr.. I.and0r's book Across Widest
Africa"
The cartridge never went of. but un
fortunately my kresh. who relied on
the effectiveness OF my weapon. fired
at the same moment with his match
lock. We were such n short distance
from the animal that he actually hit
him I'm the head. ! shall never forget
my surprise when the elephant lifted
his trunk skyward and In his fury
roared like thunder.
A moment later the elephant with
his trunk extended. dashed after US, /,
too. with my useless rife In my hand,
having by that time acquired high
rate OF speed.
Had | been running a race for the
worlds record am sure should have
won the prize. II was amazing 70 me
how fast could run. as I confess my
blood turned perfectly cold when !
could feel the hoarse blowing trunk OF
the elephant only n few rods behind
me. and I expected every minute 10 be
crushed into jelly.
In that particular part OF the country
,rlI
sticky and slushy. so the moment
dashed into the grass at the record
breaking speed az which was travel
ing my feet stuck I'm the soft and slushy
mud. and | was precipitated with my
face and hands IN the slush. my rifle
sinking deep.
This was the supreme moment OF ap-
prehenslon. | said goodby 10 the world
and imagined myself dead. No one
could have been more surprised than |
was when. reasonable time 10 be
killed In having elapsed, I got up again
and perceived the elephant few yards
on. cantering away In the opposite di-
rection.
His back view was a great relief 90
me. He had come 10 within two or
three yards OF where had fallen and.
having himself sunk IN the soft mud.
had turned around and struggled away,
leaving big circular footmarks, regular
holes four or five feet deep in the mud.
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1908-03-14
GOLD MADNESS.
A Passion For Literally Reveline In
the yellow Metal.


A singular passion for HteraIly revel-
Ing In gold is exhibited now and then
by men who have suddenly become
rich. Some years ago a London jour
nalist who had speculated In railroad
stocks netted $1,000 as the result OF u
lucky venture. Drawing II IN gold, the
fortunate man repaired 10 a hotel, emp
tied the bags of gold In the bed and
went 10 sleep literally I'm the sands OF
Pactolus. The man was so crazed by
hts good fortune that he found indie
scribable pleasure In reveling I'm a
golden bath
Paganini. the violinist, when he re-
ceived the proceeds OF his concerts he
insisted upon being paid in gold--used
TO wash his hands in sovereigns.
A French novelist, Soulie, wrote n
book entitled 'The Memoirs OF the
Devil" II took The publishers paid
him for the first volume $4,000 IN gold.
The author carried the gold TO his bed
room. poured II into footbath and en-
joycd for half an hour the excitement
OF moving his feet 10 and fro In q bath
OF gold coins. smoking meanwhile the
biggest OF Havanas.
A Boston merchant OF great wealth.
believing certain symptoms indicated
that he would become insane, consulted
a specialist and. under his advice. be-
came an inmate OF n private asylum.
For twelve years there his recreation
was piling up gold coins and then
knocking them over. At times he
washed his hands in gold eagles and
half eagles. At the end OF the long se-
clusion he returned to his counting
room and In twelve months confirmed
the thoroughness Of his recovery by
nmassing 100000 81. Louis Republic.
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1908-03-14
TWO MINUTE SKETCHES
Robert Fulton.
~ > n. roM.

-OBERT FULTON'S parents were
- so poor that the future inventor
n had scarcely any education,
barely learning bow 20 read and
write. His father died when Robert
was three years old. and at an early
age the boy was apprenticed To a
Philadelphia jewelor. In addition 70
his work In the shop. young Fulton
applied himself 30 portruit and land
scape painting and showed such talent
that he was enabled 20 keep his Wild
owed mother and In four years bought
farm on which he placed her. He
then went 10 London TO prosecute the
study OF his art as painter. So
strong a bent had he for science. how
ever that In his odd hours be studied
mechanics and engineering. Finally
attracting the attention OF the Duke
OF Bridgewater. who was then inter
ested In an extensive canal scheme.
Fulton was induced by that gentleman
TO give up painting altogether and 70
devote himself 10 ciyil engineering and
invention.
In the next few years Fulton invent.
ell an incline plane for supplanting ca
nal locks, a mill for saving and polish
ing marble, machine for spinning
flax and another for making ropes.
He also wrote a book on navigating
canals and another on the application
Of steam 10 navigation. At about this
time he attracted the notice OF Edward
4. Livingston. United States minister
at Paris In response 10 IN invitation
Fulton went 10 that city, where he
soon invented submarine boat. which
he valnly tried To have adopted by the
French. British and American govern
ments. After his failure In this at
tempt he returned 10 his dream OF
steam navigation and invented n small
boat which successfully navigated the
Seine. Livingston was 50 interested
that he advanced money 10 Fulton 10
come TO America and build q steam
boat for the Hudson. The result was
the Clermont, from whose first trip
between New York and Albany dates
tho beginning OF new err In the
water transportation Of the world.
The Clermont marked tho high tide
OF Fulton's success. He was forty-two
years old at the time and lived only
eight years longer. having been worn
out by the incessant toll OF his earlier
life. lie had lived long enough, how
ever. TO become one OF the immortals.
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1908-03-14
TWO MINUTE SKETCHES
Daniel Webster.
ny y N. ron.

~ ERHAPS the crisis In Daniel
- Wehster's career was reached
just after his admission 10 the
bar. when he was offered a
court clerkship. At that time be was
very poor and had shown little of the
wonderful oratorical ability which aft
erward distinguished him. The tender
OF such a place was therefore sore
temptation. Webster. however, dccid-
cd not 10 take II. stating that he In
tended TO say things himself. not sim
ply write things that other people sail
He began practicing In a small New
Hampshire town and remained citi-
zen OF that state many years before
he was finally discovered" and In
duccd 10 locate In Boston. When Web
ster FIRST tried TO speak. be failed md
burst into tears. This wns whiio he
was still In school So shy vas he that
he could scarcely arise to recite. II
took Will power and perseverance, 90
overcome such defect. and II was only
tho fact that be felt his own great pow
ers that finally enabled him 10 suocecd
Even after ho Ind overcome hts
timidfty the battle was only half won
His first efforts were ornate and high
sounding. bat coutnined little sub
stnnce. one local critic said they were
full OF emptiness" Webster heard
OF the criticism. and II cut him. but
he had enough common sense 20 recog-
nize tho justice OF tho structure and 20
profit by H. Tie resolved never again
20 indulge an mere oratory for its,own
sake aIM 60 speak only when he had
something TO soy.
As a bog 'On. the farm Webster did
not Ike TO work. but when he GOT into
his own fitd no was on occasions n
prodigious worker. When In school
no was given hundred lines OF vir-
gil 10 memorize. All night he worked
and. when called upon TO repeat what
be had learned. not only did 10, hot
asked leave 20 give another hundred.
then still another hundred. after which
he stated that no was ready 20 repeat
COO more.
with the modern Demossbencs"
personal appearance was more than
half the battle.
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1908-03-14

~ELDOM. IL ever, In the history OF
warfare has the leader OF lost
cause received the commenda-
ton from his foes that has been
accorded by the north 10 Robert Il.
Lee. Even though the cause itself
failed. this In Itself Is success. To
meet defeat without bitterness, 70 re-
main sweet through adversely. IL In a
personal sense 10 triumph.
The crisis In General Lees life came
at the outbreak OF the war. He him
self was opposed 10 the seeding move
ment, but when that movement came
decided to cast his lot with his state.
In future tho impartial historian may
eco In this act sophistry. bot ho must
acqult Lee OF selfish motive. even
though he may detect n daw In his
reasoning, for II seems indisputnble
that lee was offered tho command OF
the Federal forces about Washington.
so that he had selfish reason for TAX
ing the opposite counse from thnk
which he did take.
In the beginning OF his life. In all
outward ways, General Lee WINS pc
culiariy fortunate. His birth was OF
the best, he being the son OF Light
Horse Harry" Leo OF Revolutionary
fame. His, was splensid education.
as NE was second IN his class at West
Point He was married TO a Custis.
and In this far was connected with
Washington. In personal appearance
he was handsome and OF commanding
appearance. His disposition washmia-
BILE, his manner polished. his heart
kindly. He gained especial distinction
In the war with Mexico. Ills domestic
iife was spotless.
Lee was especially popular with his
army. Few leaders have been more
holized. II is related OF him that he
often gave command as though max
ing n suggestion. lie took no part In
the acrimonious discussions relating 10
tho conduct OF the war. but assumed
the responsibility for all mistakes. II
there were such. He was great In
defeat and advised the south TO accept
the results Of the war without muir
muir. Then he accepted the presidency
Of university and gave his last years
10 that work
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1908-03-14
An Effective staoe speech.

Signor Grasso. the actor. who IL
looked upon as one Of the glorics OF
Italy. made an effective response TO
the enthusiasm ~ an Argentine nu.
dience after performance. Advnnc-
ing TO the front Of the stage. he drew
from his pocket letter.
This letter." he said. lis from my
mother In Catania- She IL eighty years
OF age" Then as his eyes moistcned
he added. Il cannot thank you as
would. but feel That sbould hke-to
embraco every ono OF you as embrace
tho page on which my mother has sign
ed her name." Tho enthusiasm OF the
audience wns transformed TO delirium.
-Parh Cor. London Mail.
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1908-03-14

An Aud Kirk" man was being
shown through tho new United Pres
byterian church In town In the west
of Scotland. Gazing at the stars paint.
cd on the ceiling. he inquired their
meaning.
''oh." was the reply you know
what the book saye-'He made the
stars alsoY
"Weel." observed the man, I'VE ken
tho differ between year Kirk and oorsi
It's this We hae your stars on the
ceIlin'. and we've oors IN the poolpItr'
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1908-03-14

What would you like mo 10 brins
your" asked Freddy's mother, who was
about 10 start on a shoppsg tour
II think I'd lilte some building
blocks" replied the youngster "And,
mamma. see n you can get the kind
that makes church. might want "a
play Win them on Won
ans rfsme Compenion.
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1908-03-14

Miss Elder The Idea OF hts pretend
ing that my hair was gray Miss fNrp
perry Ridiculous. Miss Elder WASH
It, though Miss rcppcry Yes Just
ns n you'd buy gray hair Excbange
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1908-03-14

dulge IN much humOr in his speeches,
though he at times crossed swords with
Tom Reed and held his own with the
best debaters In both the house and
senate. lie Is especially happy as a
story teller
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1908-03-14

They were telling ghost stories in the
Democratic cloak room In the senate.
and Senator Bailey asked II anybody
had heard the story OF the man who
had been reading late at night and
who turned around TO hnd something
In the shape Of a man. but without .
head, sitting close beside him.
''The man jumped up." said the sen.
ator, "bolted out OF the house and ran
like a whitehead until he could run no
farther. When he was exhausted. he
sank down on log gaspng but hope
full that he had left the appartion be-
hind. To his intense horror he found
the same figure sitting beside him on
the log when he looked around lie
was too much played out TO run Just
then, SO he sat and shlvered In n
minute the figure hitched up close and
said, That was a very pretty race We
had wasn't IT.
Yes. gasped the man. but II ism {
a marker 70 the one we're going 10
have as coon rs get my breath
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1908-03-14

Mistress Bridget hope the baker
cent Va fresh macarons today. Bridg-
et-Rez imam. ThQ wus grand.
They wus that good I attn them, ivvry'
wan.-tyew York Times.
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1908-03-14

Bailey first appeared in politics In
Texas as delegate to congressional
convention. He, OF course spoke elo-
quently for his man. There was a
deadlock. and SO great an impression
had Bailey made that some one pro
posed 10 nominate him. and STAN
pede started in his favor. Bailey felt
in honor bound. however, 10 stand by
his candidate and tried 10 stem the
tide for himself. but all IN vain Final
~ an inspiration struck him. He an.
nounced that he had not reached the
constitutional age OF twenty-five. and
as result his name was dropped. and
the man he favored was nominated.
Bailey failed 10 say, however, that he
would have been twenty-five before he
would have had to take his seat. II
elected
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1908-03-14

The way Joe Bailey finally got his
nomination TO congress is told In the
following anecdote:
He was again delegate 10 the con
yention ana on the way met an old
farmer
"Golng TO the conventions" asked
Bailey "Yep," said the farmer Ever
hear OF a young lawyer named Bailey
around hereIn asked Bailey Nope"
said the farmer Good speaker. bright
fellow. | understand" suggested Bal
ley. "Spose so.' said the farmer.
Eyes" continued Bailey. "and he will
be over there today, and I'll tell you
what Wen do. Well call on him 70
make a speech. You see all your
friends, tell them about Bailey. and
wen call on him"
The farmer said "all right" No more
was said about the matter until there
was n lapse In the convention. Sud
denly the farmer got up and suggested
that the convention hear from Mr.. Bat
ley. IA rlsin young lawyer OF these
diggln's," he said, AN Teller who
talks like putin out fire." Bailey
Bailey! Baileyw more than a dozen
yells went up, and Bailey came forth
He made one OF the hottest speeches
OF his life, and the upshot OF the whole
thing was that the ''risin' young law
yer OF these diggins" got the nomina-
tlon for congress.
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1908-03-14
Wit and Humor
JOSEPH w. BAILEY.

a MAGAZINE
~ writer once
asked the FIRST
ten members OF ths
press gallery at
Washington that he
met whom they re-
garded as the ablest
man In congress.
Every one OF them
answered. Senator
Bailey OF Texas"
Bailey does not In
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1908-03-14

~ young friend OF mine." said Sen
ntor Bailey. married not long ngo a
woman OF fifty years She was rich
and ugly; he was handsome and poor
THE day after their wedding met
the bride and groom on Pullman
train. The groom went into the smok
Ing compartment with me. and we
lighted up. He smoked gloomlly.
well Jack, said. so this liz your
honeymoon. chr
"He smiled grImly Don't call II my
honeymoon he said It's the harvest
moon with me-"
Senator Bailey was stopped one day
by Texan.
Senator, ia like a little chat with
YOU" he said
Il do not know you. What can
dor was the reply.
II am one Of your constituents, and
] want consular job. I've written
you 10 send me 20 Moji"
Indeed. That's thoughtful OF you
Why didn't you say szzechuunr'
IL would have. senator" came the
faltering answer. III ia only known
how TO spell H."
II am convinced" the senator said
on one occasion. that IL n more fun
10 be a poor man than rich one.
Now, there may come times when
want $500. and IL worries me 10 get f..
but I can tell you that II doesn't worry
me half so much as II worries multi
millionaire 10 get n million OF two
when he needs ready money. lie takes
his story 20 banker. The banker
says. List me your securities Then
the banker picks out the choice ones.
makes call loan and as soon as he
sees the millionaire IL hard pressed
calls the loan aud grabs the securities.
You can't tell me that the poor man
Isn't the happier OF the two"
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1908-03-14
TWO MINUTE SKETCHES
Andrew Jackson.

~ = n EDcERroM
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1908-03-14
TWO MINUTE SKETCHES
Robert E. Lee.

ny j. n. EocERroM
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1908-03-14

T-OR eighteen years Christopher
- Columbus cherished the dream
i OF finding Land 10 the west. This