davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1908-09-30
WORLDS CITIES HARD TO KILL.
Rome Twice Burned, Six Times
starved-Paris' Eight sieges.

Few Of the worlds great cities have
not faced, al one time or another, to-
tai destruction. But a city is hard to
kill
Take Rome for instance She has
been swept, by pestilence no fewer
than EN- tines. She has been twice
burn, ] sd six times driven to submis-
sion by tRryaticn Perhaps it is on
account Of her great vitality that she
is called the Eternal city
Paris has gone through eight sieges,
ten famincs, two phgues and one fire
which devastated it.
aAtinople has been burned out
nine times and has suffered from four
plaques and five sieges. In addition,
she has been ruled by monarchs who
were worse than a plague. Yet Con
staninople still hourishes.
London has been decimated five
times by rlf cues, iP addition to vista
tons Of typhus, cholera and other cpl
de les. She has been burned more or
less severely several times.-Stray
Stories.
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1908-09-30
The Mal.cca Milacats.

IN the forests or Malacca and other
islands in the Indian ocean mag still
be found the animal known as q Wild
cat. The upper nagts cf III are gener-
ally of a clear coor with black
spots; the lower par are white with
black spots also, On the back the
spots lenethen almost into lines or
ria@s, black on yellow.
The average lsngth Of the animal
excluding the tai IS almost two feet;
the tell averages nine inches IT'S
height when standing erect is about
IL inches at the shoulder and Is
inches at the hindguarters. Its tenn.
per is mild asa gentle; it plays al
most like a domestic cat, or rather
kitten, chasing its tail and amusing
itself with anything that it can roll
with its paws.
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1908-09-30

Two girls were talking over the
phone one afternoop the subject of
the conversation being a lawn party
to take place the following day. Both
were discussing what they should
wear and after five minutes had come
to no decision.
Right in the midst of this "impor-
talt CONVERSE ion a masculine voice
Interrupted, asking humbly what num-
ber he hadg A stern replyNthat the
wire was busy did not successfully
so0alch the inquirer for he asked
again, for the number. One of the
girls now became indignant and with
supreme scorn asked: What line do
you think you are on, anyhow
Wen" said the man, I'm not sure,
but JUDGING from What we heard |
should cay was on cldhes line."
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1908-09-30
waahInaton,g veaetabIe Treagure.

One of the vegetable treasures OF
the National Botanic garden at Wash
ington is vine that is ancestor to
millions off its kind in the United
States. It is the, ampelopsis veitchii,
an English immigrant, brought to this
country in 1854 by William r. Smith,
superintendent Of the garden Thus,
this man is foster father to vine'that
climbs and clasps countless walls
the most general city vine in the
United States.
At the time of its importation by
Mr. Smith, Bostonian also brought
over some seeds or cuttings of the
vine, and so many descendants Of the
Boston vine are flourishing that the
plant is sometimes called Boston ivy.
Sunday Magazine.
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1908-09-30
CAUSED LISTENERS TO SMILE.
clergyman's Announcement TlckIed
the disabilities.


AS may be Inferred. each profession
has its stock jokes-its stories in
numerable-each OF which having, a
flavor of it's own That the point of a
Joke or jest lies not in the tongue of
him who makes II, but in the ear that
hears, is the testimony of the great
dramatist.
The doctor on his rounds and the
Judge upon the bench have both an
audience ready and willing to accept
as the highest wit the bon mots Of
the speakers; and there is no club or
gathering of men that does not ac-
claim one of its members as supreme
in this respect, and are ready to
yield due recognition of the gift.
1t must be admitted that the blrn-
ders and jests clerical stand for some
reason /pre-emnent both in number
and in mirth producing qualities. The
reason, of course, is not far to seek
the very surroundings, in which they
occur-the very upsetting of ones
preconceived notions of reverence, all
tend to cause reaction in the or
binary mental equilibrium, and the
simplest mistake or accident under
such circumstances assumes the POO
portions of huge comedy.
Recently a divine, in drawing the
attention of his congregation to spe-
ciaI communion service on the follow
ing Sunday informed them that the
Lord is with us in the forenoon and
the bishop in the evening"
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1908-09-30
Had elver n Away.

Lucille's mother had taken hersfor
an outing Now that the hour for
luncheon hal arrived, she called to the
little girl;
oLueiiie, ae win now have a little
roll and some chocolate, and you shall
pay with the two sous I gave you but
a short time since
HOh, mamma, cried Lucille, Il have
already given the two sous away to an
old woman!.
II am so glad you have disposed OF
the money in such charitable way.
How did you happen to present it to
the old woman" asked the mother,
well, you see, gave it TO her in
payment for two nice apples" con-
fessed Lucille.
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1908-09-30
Come from Everywhere.

The people of Washington are peo-
pie from all parts of the United
States. In limited degree they are
people from every corner of the world,
but the foreignborn population here is
not as large in proportion to the ma
tive-born population as it is in many
other cities. 1t was in 1900 only ~
per cent, in comparison with 81 per
cent. for New York, 35.1 per cent. for
Boston, sac for Chicago, 22,S per cent.
for Philadelphia, 1914 per cent. for st.
Louis and 1876 per cent. for Baltimore.
On the other hand, only 46.4-per cent.
Of native-born Neutrality-suspicious. were
born in the District of Columbia, while
TAT per cent. of Baltimore's popula-
ton are Marylanders, sos of Boston's
people born in Massachusetts, 55 Of
New YOrk's people born in the Empire
state, and 65.3 of Philadelphia's people
born in Pennsylvania. These percent
ages show striking comparison with
the Washington percentage, when the
large foreign-bofn population Of Balti-
more, Boston, Philadelphia and Nav
York and the small foreign-born popu-
lation of Washington are taken into
consideration. Charleston, S. c., af-
fords much more striking compari-
son. No less than 90,S OF its inhab-
itants are natives of South Carolina.
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1908-09-30

building costs the government $3,250.-
O0O
The interior construction is well
under way. The furniture has been
contracted for at $50 900. That means,
pin round numbers, something like
$500 for each of the suites Of two
rooms. Moreover, there is big sub
way between this Office building and
the capitol, through which the sena-
tors can travel without exposure to
inclemcnt weather, II is among the
possibilities that rubber-tired jaunt
ms cars, driven By stored electricity,
viii be run to ard fro for senatorial
convenience.
Arrhif cturally tire building is an
ornac'ert 0 that lrs.sla i've corner Of
ne fcleraN CITY La i, IS much more
tbaa tat for Tire marbla sic stands
Is reyt to The 10 b. completed
pcgcre the maGsifia2a- ~cuoce of pub
lic buildings a. Cartol hll viii be a
ce'ity II viii easily bo hc most
size did groun 81 3ir7aos'ns public
H !diae5 or his cor iIant and, it
;aa7 be, in {, woid
The oaittol b had cost $19,-
100000 NJ h and With has
been IraAoyatea ar expense Of
$7Oo,00) more since thoa occupies
the west ern side ii tie uarc. It
does not I'll in the whole Of ~ sEace
by any means, but looms f2.sh in the
midst OF TIE capitol grounds as the
most, notable Of all the many puhlic
buildings in Washington Some time
the east front of the old portion of the
capitol building may be refaced with
marble, so as to improve the architec
tuyal appearance and symmetry That
it is estimated, will cost $1,200,000
Otherwise the capitol, which has been
a growth in construction for about a
half-century, is wellnigh completed
On the south side of the square
stands the new house Office building
of marble. 1t cost $3,100,000 1t was
opened to the representatives, with its
400 rooms, last December. Workmen
are still putting finishing touches upon
it, including outside treatment" 1t
is almost an exact counterpart in it's
exterior, of the senate office building
which is directly opposite, but on the
north side and outside of the capitol
grounds. The house building fronts
on B street south, and 1.-THE senate
building. on B street north, as the
streets are called in Washington.
1t is a distance Of four city blocks
between the two. That is the width
of the capitol grounds. Skirting one
half of the eastern boundary of the
grounds is the library of congress,
claimed by some to be the most beau
tiful building of its size in the. world.
1t cost $6,500,000
The last structure contemplated for
the square is temple of justice,
which will probably cost at least
$5,0O0,OO0 more 1t is to occupy great
square just opposite the northwestern
half Of the capitol boundary, and it
must be counterpart of the library
of congress. Speaker Cannon and
Senator Hale supported by friendly
sentiment in both branches of con-
gress, are supposed to be contemplat-
ing an appropriation for that new
building at the coming session, now
that the senate Office building is com
pleted.
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1908-09-30

Two Chicago women, in New York
for a stay Of several months, were
planning series Of visits to the
opera. Their talk drifted to Lucia
di Lammermoor"
u don't know where the story Of the
opera comes FROM" said one "of
course. / know that it is from one Of
the old Italian romances, but am
not familiar with the particular
source" w
The second assumed an air Of ST.
periority.
"You need not b ashamed Of your
Ignorance, said she. 1T Is only by
chance that I know. It's from Aesop's
Fables. New York Evening Post
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1908-09-30

sive dome of that great marble
house of national legislation, writes
Smith d. Fry in the Pittsburg Dis
patch
Peace and quiet reigned in Wash
ington, there was no political excite"
ment, and there was neither proVoca'
ton nor excuse for the deed, and yet,
on the afternoon of January 3d. 1888,
an attempt was made upon the life Of
President Andrew Jackson That was
the first effort that was ever made to
shock the American people with the
taking of the life Of president OF
the United States; fortunately 1t was
unsuccessful, and proyidentially so, for
the assassin was well prepared for his
! direful deed. 1t was the work OF an
insane man.
On that afternoon the funeral serv-
icas of a deceased representative
from South Carolina were attended in
the hall of the old house Of represen-
tatives, the part Of the capitol now
known as Statuary hall. The funeral
was attended by the president, the
members Of his cabinet, the United
States senate and the members of the
house of representatives.
After the conclusion of the sermon
and the benediction President Jackson
left the hall of the house at the head
Of the procession, which was to escort
the remains of the deceased to the
Drncid0nf
Jackson had crossed the rotunda and
was just about to step upon the east
ern portico when a man rushed from
the crowd, leveled a pistol at the pres
ident when but five feet distant and
pulled the trigger.
The cap exploded with a loud report
but the pistol was not discharged
Dropping his pistol, the would-be as
sassin drew another, but Lieut. Ged-
ney of the navy knocked the murderer
down, just as the president, without
fear of danger, rushed at the man and
struck at him with heavy cane.
Harriet Mirabeau, who attended the
funeral, write: 81 was in the gallery
during the funeral services, and saw
all of the eminent men of that day.
Near the coffin sat the gray-haired old
president; feeble, and looking scarcely
able to go through the ceremony.
saw him rise. somewhat feebly, to
follow the coffin. When | reached the
rotInda, the people were excited with
the news of the deed; and | saw the
~ in4n tho rnt11ndG
sued and surrounded by the crowd. l
saw his hands and bare arms strug-
Cling above the heads of the crowd,
in resistance to being handcuffed. He
was oyerpowered. conveyed to car
riage and taken before magistrate.
The attack threw the old soldier
into a tremendous passion. He fears
nothing, but his temper was not equal
to his courage. 1t was found neces-
sary TO put him into carriage and
take him home We feared what the
consequences would be- We had little
doubt that the assassin Lawrence,
was mad; and as little, that before
the day was out, we should hear the
crime imputed to more than one po-
litical party or individual. And SO it
was. Before two hours were over the
name of almost every eminent politi-
clan was mixed UP with that Of the
poor maniac who caused the uproar.
The presidents conduct on the occa-
sion was the most yirulent and pro
tracted,"
That was the first effort ever made
to kill a president, and It was the only
attempt that has ever been made at
the capitol.
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1908-09-30
RelioIoue works II dialect.

A missionary deaconess in Liberia
has edited in native dialect book
containing the Ten Commandments,
the Apostles Creed. the doxology and
a number Of the best-known hymns,
The book Is not only the first book pub
lished in the dialect. but the first sue
eessful attempt to make It 4 written
language.
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1908-09-30
pets n Exeoutlve Mansion.

During the Roosevelt administration
the executive mansion has never been
without interesting CANNES. After
Jack was dead and buried Mrs. Roose.
velt-sent to the pound Of the District
Of Columbia for another black and
tan, not to fill the place Of Jack, for
that would be impossible, but to re.
mind her Of that faithful animal. The
virile Scamp, whose breed is an I'm.
certainty. was procured at the pound
for the sum of two dollars. Scamp has
lived up to his name, and, inoiden
tally, has made q reputation for him
self.
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1908-09-30
CLOSING UP SQUARE
GROUP OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS
NEARLY COMPLETED.
When Finished, National Capital VIII
Have Most imposing Struc-
lures on This Continent, If
Not in the World.

The doors of a
new luXurio us
Office building will
swing open for 80
United s a { g 8
senators on their
return TO Wash
ington in Deem
Der. The ] a $ t
stone has been
set in the monu-
mental structure.
Apart from many
costly furnishings
R-tA 49,,
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1908-09-30
THE FIRST TRAGEDY
TO RE ENACTED UNDER DOME OF
NATIONAL CAPITOL.
Insane Man unsuccessfuly Sought tho
Life of President Andrew Jack.
son on the Afternoon Of
January 80, 1895,

On September 18,
1893, the corner.
stone Of the Cap
itol building was
laid by George
Washington, in ac-
cordance with Ma
sonic ceremonies.
One hundred and
fifteen years have
elapsed since that
date, and there
have been four
tragedies Of note
beneath the mas
Blue-grass blade. [volume] (Lexington, Ky.) 188?-19??, 1908-04-26
BLUE GRASS BLADE.

Investigation revealed the fact that the
names contained in this order book
were those of prominent church people
and the police have now caused them
to be summoned to appear before the
grand jury. Not only were the indi-
vidual orders found but the individual
receipts thereby showing that the
liquor had actually been delivered to
them and we are not surprised that
the discovery has caused "consterna-
ton" in the church circles of Me-
Alester.
1t was ever thus. Hell was not
built for self 1t was built for the
other fellow. Sunday laws are the in
ventiOns of the cranks whose sole aim
is to compel recognition of their hob;
bies. Legal repression will run it's linn
it and when the reaction comes there
will be terrible awakening and ortho-
dOx Christianity will get the worst of
the encounter. What a hue and cry
would have been raised had the names
of infidels been found on that order
book Sermons would have followed
from orthodox pulpits. The religious
press would devote columns to the ex-
plOitation. But watch them now. The
prohibitory liquor laws are essentially
Christian and Christians are the most
prominent in its violation.
Blue-grass blade. [volume] (Lexington, Ky.) 188?-19??, 1908-04-26
ENGLISH LECTURER COMING.

The Blade is pleased to announce
that Mr.. Harry Smell, secretary of the
Ethical Society, London, England, is
contemplating brief lecture tour of
the United States during the early fall
of the present year. Mr.. Smell is both
Freethinker and socialist He has
written and lectured extensively on
both subjects. He has taken prom
inent part in the struggle for Secular
education in the public schools of Eng
land and is recognized as man of
unusual ability on the rostrum. Be-
ing favored to the extent of per-
sonal acquaintance with Mr.. Smell, the
Blade would bespeak. a hearty welcome
for him in America. He is also a
prospective candidate for parliament
and as the indications in British poll
ties point toward an early campaign
his stay on this side of the Atlantic
must. necessarily be brief. At the best
he can touch but little more than the
principal points between Boston, New
York and Chicago. The Blade would
be pleased to arrange few lecture
dates for him. His terms will be
reasonable as he simply desires to pay
expenses. He will lecture on either
Freethought or Socialist topics.
Friends desiring lectures may COM
municate with the Blade in his behalf.
Blue-grass blade. [volume] (Lexington, Ky.) 188?-19??, 1908-04-26
BIBLE AND BOOZE.


find setting in the crown of holiness
worn by the average Christian Or
thodOx restraints and limitations, it's
restrictions and inhibitiOns upon indi.
vidual conduct are invariably intended
for the other fellow, but the moment
the application is made direct and per-
sonal there is not only kick but an
evident desire and manifest purpose to
break through the boundaries.
For years the clergy have practically
insisted that the people must do as they
say and assume moral blindness to-
ward their own actions. "Do as l say,
not as l do" is the maxim Of the aver
age preacher and the majority of
Christian worshippers have been apt
scholars.
Previous comment has been made in
these columns anent the Christian
policy in the new State OF Oklahoma
towards the liquor question. Mention
has been made of the number of Chris
tian applicants for the office of County
and State agencies in the dispensing of
the alluring booze. Recent develop
ments indicate that in urging the
adoption Of the new States liquor
laws the Christian element intended it
only for the other fellow and did not
anticipate that it would be enforced
upon them. The reports show that a
number of Christian people in Me-
Alester have been summoned before
the grand jury to testify before that
body of inquisitors as to several pur-
chases of liquor made by them in a
manner not in strict compliance with
the law. 1t is a noteworthy fact that
no Freethinkers are included in the
list summoned. 1t appears that in Civ
ing their orders for the liquor these
applicants were required to set down
their own signatures in book, and
with these tell-tale autographs the
grand jury is said to be sure of getting
all the evidence necessary.
The agent, whose name is given as
Dreyfus, would take individual orders
for either beer or whiskey. His
patrons were the Christian people of
the community, they who had been in
strumental in getting the present liquor
laws adopted. The reports go on to
state since statehood this agent has dis
posed of two hundred cases of whiskey
and fifty carloads of beer. 1t is GER
tain that the Christian people OF Me-
Alester were thirsty lot or they are
possessed of an abnormal fondness for
the cup that is said to cheer. Large
quantities of the liquor have been
seized by the police and while making
a more extensive search of the prem
ises used the order book was found.
Blue-grass blade. [volume] (Lexington, Ky.) 188?-19??, 1908-04-26

Just another thing, have you got that
subscription blank filed up YETI If
not, why not9 Think it over in your
own mind
Blue-grass blade. [volume] (Lexington, Ky.) 188?-19??, 1908-04-26
DELAYED BY ACCIDENT.

The last previous issue of the Blade
was delayed several days in mailing
by reasoning of a rather serious acct
dent. 1t was not Of personal nature.
The accident happened to our ma
chinery and it has been a hard blow
upon our pocket book. Just as we had
about printed the issue the shaftinp
that runs the machinery broke and all
our operations had to cease. The re-
pair took four days during which time
the Blade office was at standstill. We
could not proceed with our work and
the Blade could not be mailed on it's
regular day. AS result we simply
had TO bite our lip to keep from saying
PAD words and do the very best we
could. Our readers will, we hope, ex-
cuse the delay under such conditions.
Blue-grass blade. [volume] (Lexington, Ky.) 188?-19??, 1908-04-26

Every child born into the world is
born an Atheist. Every human being
is by nature an Atheist Not until the
church begins to pour It's dogr as into
the ear does the god theory bcyin to
obtain Many live and lie an Atheist
without actually knowing it or pro-
claiming, it from the housetops.
Blue-grass blade. [volume] (Lexington, Ky.) 188?-19??, 1908-04-26

Marriage and Divorce. by Mrs.
Henry, furnishes considerable food for
thought upon the subject of domestic
relations and our readers ought to give
it a wide circulation. 1t is only 25
cents. Orders will he received by the
Blade or they may be sent to Mrs.
Henry direct. Address her at Yer
sailles, kentucky.
A st. Louis jury has recently &C
quilted citizen charged with the muir
der of burglar who had entered his
home and bought him a medal for the
success he made of the job. This is a
happy reversal of the rule where the
burglar kills the citizen and after
wards buys up the jury.
Blue-grass blade. [volume] (Lexington, Ky.) 188?-19??, 1908-04-26

Fourteen pupils are now registered
with whom to begin the Correspond
ence School and as it has received the
hearty endorsement of the leading
Freethought publications in America
there is no reason why it should not
have more than one hundred students
by opening.
Blue-grass blade. [volume] (Lexington, Ky.) 188?-19??, 1908-04-26

One boy under the hand is worth
two in reformatory.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-01-19

took them UP to the nursery and told
them a storys She then asked them
how they would like to write a story.
to send to the 4. d. c. c. or course
they were delighted and Went to work
With a Will: soot their tasks We're
completed and they ran to nurse to
show her their stories. each very proud
of 1t. rs proud as II they had written
q celebrated book. Nurse said that
they were very good and they might
send them. After they sent them every
time the postman would come around
they would run to the door to see II
he would bring them their badges.
At last the happy moment came. both
received an envelope and on tearing
them open were delighted to see two
beautiful little pins with gold frames
come rolling out.
They wore them everywhere they
went and would proudly tell every one
who questioned them how they came
in possession of them. That night when
they went to bed they would only give
them up with much persuasion.
Nurse" they@said, I'VE are going to
write another story to the editor OF
the r. D. c.. c. some other day
TRINA Z Il Fl NrAS.
No. III West Ninth Street, Manelies-
ter, Va.