davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-12
How a child shou1d SIT At ,chool.

One of the most common causes of
weakness and disease, especially Of
consumption and other lung disorders,
is bent and collapsed body-a body
with fiat chest, a rounded back, and
with collar bones and shoulder blades
sticking out. This fault is very COM
man among school chlldren-so COM
mon that within my own observation 1
have been able to find only about one
child in ten whose chest and back were
normal.
What is the reason for this. Well
there are several reasons, but the prln-
cipal one is the way the child sits at
school. A few days ago looked
around class room containing flfty
boys. Two were sitting correctly.
Among the others some were lounging.
their feet sprawllng about the fiobr
others, the larger number, were sitting
rigidly back in their seats, every mus
Gle set and tensed.
Both these position are wrong. The
first one Gig. ~ causes bending for
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-12
Slaughtered the Anthem.

when went west first" said a
Unitarian minister, II was in small
town called H., and in the choir of my
church the village blacksmith did noble
work as baritone. He had n voice that
could shake mountains, and whatever
1t lacked In any other feature 1t made
up In volume. He couldn't read music
any more than he could English, but
he learned tune very readily.
zone Sunday we were to be favored
with a new anthem because 1t was a
special occasion, and the baritone had
one portion all to himself. Unfortu.
nately he had missed many of the prac-
tees
'The anthem went along excellently
until 1t came to beautiful part which
reads, And, dying, bids us all aspire
Here the rest OF the singers stopped
short in that quick, sudden way that
choirs have, and In the ensuing still
ness sounded the ponderous tones of
the blacksmith:
~ And dying brides are filed with
fire. boston Herald.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-12
oxer,xorlsea Int.,lect.

Stories about Lincoln, II they are gem
uine, are always interesting and generally
amusing. Here is one which will be i'm
mcdiately recognized as characteristic:
Mr.. Lincoln was once trying case on
"a western circuit, some years before he
had acquired more than a local reputa.
ton. His opponent was pretentious
man whose argument was voluble and
rhetorical, but devoid of conference or
logic. When his pyrotechnic eloauence
had spent itself Mr.. Lincoln replied some
what as follows:
Gentlemen of the jury II have enjoy
ed, as every one In this court room must
have enjoyed, the extremely fluent and
eloquent words to which we have list
cned. But while the rhetoric Of my
learned opponent is unimpeachable, l
confess myself unable to detect anything
in his argument which has any bearing
upon the case in hand, or indeed upon
anything at all.
II have been driven to the conclusion
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-12

guy. HUGHES who pose as the prophets of reform.
The first qualification Of anyone who would seek to
cure better administration is entire candor and the
spirit Of fair play. want no to do with the
who will spread false accusation without good, just
basis Of fact will endenvor to give currency asper
sons public officers, than with those who faith
less to their trust. There is no health in either.
If you have the facts which show that public officer
is derelic have need for innuendo and you may
and should, press relenessy, albeit with pity
in your heart But II you have not the facts then
fair and let suspicious Justify your and your
rigid Inquiry but nothing more until the facts and oil
the facts are found.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-12
A chinaman'. success.

Away down in the Sierra Madre
mountains Of Northern Mexico came
across a Chinaman who has made a
great success of farming and who is
destined to become very rich man."
said Thomas R. Handy, of San An
tonic, Tex. This son Of the Orient,
whose name is Joe, has the biggest
potato farm in the whole Republic. He
speaks both English and Spanish well,
and he is US quick and progressive as
any Yankee ever beheld. Ills neigh
bors admire and like him immensely,
and oil hands say there isn't squarer
man in Mexico.
Joe came Into Mexico abo
vars ago and bought 6pn
improved but productive
cost and on credit. He star
ing Irish potatoes. and mad
first season to pay for the place. His
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-12
Game. for st. Valentine. Day

A pleasant sort of entertainment for
little folks can be got out of the follow.
ing plan AS many valentines as there
arc children are written and slipped into
tiny envelopes. The children then choose
a postman from their number and blind
fold him. The postman is given an Ell
yclope and delivers it to any child he
can catch. The one caught in turn be-
comes postnan, and the game SO pro-
:oeeds until all the children have received
letters. There are many variations to
the game, such as announcing each post
to be from some distant city, as Denver,
Philadelphia, Chicago, etc. The mails
should be called quickly and the sport
not allowed to lag.
Another pleasant little game is played
By concealing number of different col
ored candy hearts about the room be-
fore the little guests arrive. Then at a
signal the hunt begins. A white heart
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-12
HI. Time to Get Even.

Say, old fellow said Brown, as he
laid his hand familiarly on Potter's shout
der, didn't see You in the stationer's
day or two ago looking at valentines?"
You probably did, as was in there"
was the answer.
Buying for some sister or nieae?"
MOTOR my wife"
but you are over 80 years old and
have been married quarter Of CEN
fury. You don't say that you are still
romantic?"
~ say this-that my wife can beat me
at argument or scolding or doing as she
pleases whether like it or not. She's
obstinate and pig-headed and touchy, and
the only way can get even with her
is on Valentines day. Then i get 100 Of
the meanest burlesque valentines l can
find and send them to her, and for the
next three months she's wondering who
sent 'em and treats me fairly well. Try
1t once. 1t is good deal better than
Threatening her with the family ak"
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-12
MEXICAN CARRIES MONEY.
He Di.like. Check. and Doe.n'

He Dfs1ikes Checks and Doesn't
Understand Bank Books.
Almost any Mexican in professional
or business life carries on his person
anywhere between $500 and $500. Even
the poor Indian in his blanket can
more than likely produce more than
many foreigners.
The ordinary Mexican professional
man will be found to carry sums OF
money on his person that would sur
prise the ordinary traveller and even
cause him to worry were he forced to
carry it with him, yet the ekican
never even thinks Of 1t.
1t was but few days ago that an In
stance Of this kind WINS brought to at
tentlon. One Mexican of the middle
class asked another in n casual way If
he could change thousand-d dollar bill.
The other pulled out wallet from his
inside pocket and counted out nearly
$1,000. Time after time this has hap
pened, and 1t seems no uncommon thing
for Mexican Of the middle class to
carry between 1000 and 1000 pesos on
his person.
The check idea seems to have taken
but small hold as yet upon the citi-
zens Of Mexico, especially when small
amounts of less than $1,000 are con-
cerned. They consider 1t much easier
to pay spot cash than TO give a check
for amounts of $50 and 500, and they
claim, with some amount of reason, that
a business deal can be put through with
better advantage when the cash is In
sight.
Even the Indian in the street car.
ries amounts of cash that would never
be supposed to be in his possession.
They carry their money in leather
belt, fastened around their bodies in.
side their trousers. These belts are
hollow and are open at one end. Into
the open end the Indian slips his pesos
or bills until he has the whole full.
The belt then is either taken of and
hidden away or the bills are changed
for larger denominations and carried
around the body. But the Indian is a
stickler for pesos duros," and prefers
them to any other class of money ex-
cept gold.
To the Indian money is money, and
a bank book stands for nothing in his
way Of reckoning. A check he will
not accept under any circumstances,
because he does not understand 1t. A
coin or paper currency is what he is
after, and that is what he keeps his
hands on when he gets it.-Mexican
Herald.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-12

..You nIlght Sec NE rhroush.,

|
Abraham Lincoln during the war fire.
quently visited the hospitals and address
ed cheering words to the wounded SOL
liers.
On one occasion he found a young fell
low whose leg had been amputated, and
who was evidently sinking fast.
us there anything I can do for you?''
asked Lincoln.
.'You might write letter to my moth
err" was the faint reply.
The President wrote at the youths die
tation: MY dear mother, 1 have been
shot bad, but am bearing up tried to
do my duty. They tell me cannot re-
cover. God bless you aud father. Kiss
May and John for me-"
At the end came these words as post
script: This letter was written by Abra-
ham Lincoln"
When the boy perused the epistle and
saw these added words, he looked with
astonished gaze at the visitor as he ask
ed Are you our President ?"
Yes was the quiet answer: "and now
you know that, is there anything else
can do for your"
Feebly the lad said, II guess you might
hold my hand and see me through. -
London s. s. Times.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-12
A DANGEROUS. Time.

Recently a well-known bishop.
said James Heating, of Chicago, al
the Hotel Duncan, was guest al
a dinner party of which was a mem
Der. A young woman noted for her
witty remarks said to him: DO YOU
know there are times when 1t is posi-
lively dangerous to enter church !?
When is that?' asked the bishop
with some surprise.
:" Why said the young woman, 81
is when there is canon at the read
ing desk, a big gun in the pulpit
when the bishop is charging his
clergy. the choir numbering the an
them. and the organist trying to drown
the choir. Nashville Tennesseean.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-12
RICHARDS PARADE.

Little Richards. mother always sang
him a song before he went to sleep,
and there was one of which he was
particularly fond. Not long ago Rich.
ards aunt came to stay with the,
while his mother went for trip,
and Aunt Dora meant that Richard
should miss her as little as possible.
When the first evening came Richard
nestled in his aunt's arms and was
as coy as he could be. and in far
away voice said:
Nov. auntie, the hestest one, you
kgoW|''
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-12
CAUSE AND EFFECT.

A fine old English gentleman in
summer clothing sat in the park sun.
ming himself. A little ragged urchin
lay on the grass watching him intent.
ly. At last the old gentleman asked
the lad why he didn't run away and
play. Don't want to-" said the boy.
"Oh, run away; it will do you good to
have scamper on the grass" 81 don't
want to-" replied the boy. stolidly.
well, why don't you want TOT" said
the old gentleman. testify. Because
I'm waiting to see you get up. A man
painted that seat ten minutes before
you sat down. Dundee Advertiser.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-12
4 Second rho,,cht.

DO you still insist on having your
Soung people educated in San Fran.
cisIo?"
Tim inclined to change my mind
about it." answered the Japanese of.
fetal. There are too many inciden-
tai opportunities for them to become
learned in the art of what you call
Observation-Disclosures Star,
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-12

"A iohuer OF Tue lIlnCOlu party tOlu q
story Of the astuteness of Lincoln as a
lawyer.
when Lincoln was practicing law =
h. said, "he had case involving dis
puted will. The opposition claimed that
the will was genuine. and for several
hours adduced proof of this. For Lin
coin, who had to prove the will for
gerry, things looked black.
Lincoln, however, called only one
witress, -etts paper manufacturer,
renowned the country over for his wealth
and probity.
"'Mr. Dash Lincoln said to the Wit
ness, banding him the disputed will,
please hold shat paper up to the light
and tell US what Ia the watermark on
It.
The watermark Of my own Arm,
Blank 4 Co. the witness answered.
when did your Arm bsgla to man
setuFt YsYsFf ,-......
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-12

counts one for the finder, blue heart
two, a yellow three, pink four and rad
five. The child who has the greatest
number Of points at the end of the game
may be rewarded with box Of candy.
Another game quite popular on St.,
Valentines day is that of love, with Dan
Cupid as the chief performer. But this
is played in so many ways that 1t is idle
to lay down rules here.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-12
Hi. Valentine.

Ny Valentine! 1 seize my pen
10 write to you the yearly verse;
! shall not tune my Tyre again
10 raptures which my soul immense
= shall not praise your sapphire eyes,
Nor sing the archness of your look
An. no! chant your bread and pies,
My Valentine, for you can cook!
Ny Valentine, love the glow
The ruby glow SO softly spread
Upon your tempting velvet cheek
When you have been a baking bread
Your hair Is golden, thick, and fine,
In cleaning coil. and curl lind loop
And best Of all, oh, one divine,
never find 1t In my soup.
Ny Valentine! Let others write
Their lyrics to your hands and brow.
Yonr biscuits are as feathers light.
Your cakes are tempting, anyhow.
Let others sing your charms SO sweet
With poetaster's gentle art. s
For me, the things you make to eat
Have won the highway to my heart.
What to Eat
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-12

"The bestest one!" Here was dan
ger at once. What was the best one?
In wild, vague way, Aunt Dora warbl-
ed first one then another of old-time
nursery fame, but Richard grew wider
awake and more indignant with each
song.
What is it about?' asked Aunt
Dora, thoroughly alarmed. 1t would
never do to have Richard homesick
the very first night
"It's-it's about-a parade!" walled
Richard, his heart aching for the alb
sent and understanding mother.
"a parade, Richie?'
Eyes, parade, with cross in
front of til"
Then an inspiration seized Aunt
Dora. She clutched her wakeful
charge to her breast and sighed with
delight as he dozed off to the hymn:
Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war;
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before!"
Washington Star.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-12
Fighting It ont.

"Clear the decks for action!"
The big guns were now in position
and the eyes Of the combatants spar
kled.
"Clear the decks for actlonl"
The order had rung out clear and
distinct beyond possibility of mlsun-
Outstanding.
"My God!" cried man trembling.
"My wife Is here!"
"Clear the decks for action!"
TIE order came with grim relent-
lessness. 1t was followed by an antici.
patory shuttle and one minute later the
Ninth Ward Ladies' Bridge Club had
swung into full sesslon.-Puck.
What has become Of the old-fashlon-
ed woman who had her picture taken
banging Oyer her hAsbaASa's tomb1
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-12

Funny thing, about a fellow who
wears a monocle."
whats that?"
when he wears 1t he makes com
plete spectacle of himself, though it is
only half Observation-Disclosures
Press.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-12
SHALL WE KILL HAB1ruA1 CRIMINALS,
y 3A1 OAAAAAANnA0
BY Attorney General Bonapsrfs.

The habitual criminal, 1t must be
remembered, is product Of modern
civilization. Our ancestors would
have hanged him for his first fell
ony; or, If by any chance he escaped
this fate, he would have almost sure
ly died of some of the maladies then
epidemic in prisons while awaiting
trial for the second. would not
have men hanged to-day for q tri-
fling theft, but would have modern
society cease to nourlsh and shelter
Its proved and lnveterate enemies.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-12
FAIR PLAY FOR PUBLIC OFFICERS.
BY Gov. Hughes Of New York.

believe that our citizenship was
never more alert and inslstent upon
maintaining proper standards Of eff
ficlent administration than to-day.
And I believe that it would be diff
cult to point to a time when larger
proportion Of public officers were
striving honestly to do their duty.
In demanding justice we must not
forget to do Justice. Nothing 10
gained by making suspicion do duty
for facts. The tendency to Gym
ical and censorious spirit In our citl-
zenship should be checked. Especial
" unworthy is such spirit in those
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-12
Love Teken. oil the P..t.

Sir Walter Scott, in his "Fair Maid
of Perth" on st. Valentines day, has
his hero send the heroine small ruby
cut in the shape of heart transfixed with
golden arrow, the gem being inclosed
in a tiny purse made of links of finest
steel. Around the edge Of the purse was
engraved:
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-12
Loves darts
Cleave hearts
Through mail shirts"

+ Surely it was a pretty enough token
to win the affection of any maid. These
eighteenth-century valentines were indeed
labors Of love, and small wonder that on
that day the bellies heard the fall of the
knocker with eager anticipation.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-12

attempt to commit capital crime ought to be made
itself capital that when the has been already
thrice convicted Of major crimes upon his conviction
for his fourth oense Of the like grade he should be liza
BILE to the death penalty. I have to
pent Of these suggestions
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-12
DOING. NOT DREAMING

Stonewall Jackson was admired for
his military genius Christian char.
acter.
On one occasion he found a bridge
over the Shenandoah River destroyed,
and 1t was necessary that he should
cross the river the next morning.
He sent for his bridge builder, say.
ing, miles, turn the men all on a,
the earliest moment to build a
bridge" The next morning Miles re.
ported at Jackson's tent, and Jackson
asked him. Have you got the plan?'
His engineer was to have drawn a
plan and handed 1t over Immediately.
oh said Miles, "the bridge is fin.
ished, but don't know whether the
picture Is or not" The old man be.
lieved in doing things and not dream.
ing about them-Hornet Herald.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-12
s%;s5bRQ1Z
ele8HB

STRANGE.
81 think" said Elizabeth Jane.
@To the general eye it is plain
That Rosalie May
Grows larger each day;
Her dress must be heightened again
each time it is washed, goodness
knows
How many more inches she grows,
Twas ever that way
With Rosalie May,
When new, that dress reached her
toes.
you may not believe, but It's true,
Each washing would prove it to you
If Resale May
Keeps growing each day.
Not one of her dresses will do"
Washington Star.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-12

s overlooked by the young who ventures into life as
novitiate. All that civilization for man lies in
the curbng the instincts of the savage adapt
ing life to the and things within his environ
ment. good father and good mother may be the
first lasting influence in this direction But the
home life may be the worldly life into which the
career of the young man must take him.
Here is the necessity for the young mans finding
among his associates II he can guiding personality
who may influence him toward the end Of his ambitions
young found in this studying Of a.
other mans personality and method many more young
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-12
PROFIT By PERSONALITIES ABOUT you.

You, young man, who are beginning life
In some business as one of number of fell
low employees, doubtless you find among your
fellows some one above all the rest whom
you admire and whose ways you are likely
to copy unconsciousy. What kind Of a man
is this? What is he doing for himself and for
the business in which he is salaried employer
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-12
Napoleon,

There is no doubt Napoleon fell
through the sheer dizziness Of the
height he had climbed to. 'The Duo
de Raguse," says the Comtesse Dc
Boigne. "once explained to me the ps-
ture Of his connection with the em.
peror in a phrase which is more or less
applicable to the whole nation. When
Napoleon said, "All for France"
served with enthusiasm. When he said.
France and L." served with zeal.
When he said, II and France" I sery-
ed with obedience. When he said II"
without France, felt the necessity of
parting from him. Ut. P.'s London
Weekly.
Brother-You can't think how nery-
Gus was when proposed. Sister
You can't think how nervous she was
Until you did.-Town and Country,
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-12

the existence of this machinery ready
lay involved in choosing special arbitrator and agree
ing on the course of procedure.
The perfection of government among individuals 10
matter of history, and have already the first
education, international trade and foreign travel
tnue develop with the progress of material civiza
ton, 1t would seem impossible that worldwide govern
ing power should not arise
My conception of the formation of federal govern
ent Of the world is not the sudden establishment Of any
complete scheme conceived in Its entirety Far better is
1t to welcome changes If they about gradually
with haste. but with easy elaboration. Thus the goal
Of universal confidence and worldwide peace will be
reached ultimately
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-12
VALUE OF STRING

/
Writing from Japan, an American
says: you must come here to ap.
preclate some of the quaint customs
and usages which contact with other
peoples has not yet driven out. To
read about them gives you only a
poor idea. For instance. did you ever
know what an important thing piece
OF string is here? The children, work.
men, idlers, servants, all carry pieces
OF string for use in case of emergency.
With us the emergency would arise
only when a parcel had to be done up,
but the Jap uses his piece of
string as first aid to the injured, to
repair rent in his clothing, to fix
a broken-down jinrikisha, to mend his
tools, to take measurement and. in
fact, the string is his universal too
start. The queerest use to which 1t
is put. according to my way of think.
ing, is when police officer arrests
man, ties bit of string about the
arrested mans wrist, and then leads
him by the loose end of the thin
hempen fetter to the lookup. You
ask: Why doesn't the Jap crook
break the string and find gateway?
He could, but he would not. That's
where his respect for the law comes
in, and the bit of string holds the man
as securely as though he were man.
acleds by, our own humane chilled
steel, nickel plated and snap locked
method"
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-12
WORLD NATION A CERTAINTY.
BY Prof. II. Stanley Jevons

The development Of international relations
are already passing through the early stage
of political growth in which certain kinds of
disputes are referred by common consent to a
third party for settlement. A permanent ma
chinery for Immediately providing court Of
arbitration when case arises was established
by the first Hague conference in 1880. The