davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-12-01

When Mrs. Mary A. Livermore was
little girl she was monitor at the
Hancock school In Boston, and 1t was
her duty to answer the door. One
rainy day the bell rang. and she found
at the door a tall, thin man. with q
dripping umbrella, who inquired for
the principal. She was just at the
hoidenish and disrespectful age. but
there was something about this visitor
which so impressed her that she led
him in as politely as IL he had been Il
prince. placed a chair for him by the
fire. relieved him Of his wet coat and
umbrella and after she had started to
leave the room came back to draw a
fire screen between him and the blaze
for fear he would find 1t too hot. She
afterward expressed to her teacher
some surprise at the unwoDted civil,
ties she had felt impelled to show the
stranger He answered: ''Ab. that was
Ralph Waldo Emerson. and that Is the
effect he has upon everybody. He Is
50 courteous himself that it calls out
the latent courtesy in all others"
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-12-01
Thought He Was Mad.

The late Count de Lesseps was trav-
cling on one occasion in q French rail-
way train in a compartment with two
commercial travellers.
II beg your pardon. sir" said one of
them. fancying that he belonged to
their fraternity-"are you not trav-
eler"
Certainly I am" said the count.
I'VE thought 50! What Is your liner
"Isthmuses."
"Wh-wh-what." asked the puzzled
commercial-"whata are theyw
Il am introducing ship canals" said
De Lesseps gravely.
The commercial travellers feared that
they had fallen in with a lunatic and
were making preparations to escape
when the count handed them his card
and put them at their ease.
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-12-01
Advertised Letters.

Following is a list Of unclaimed mail
matter remaining in the post Office at
Columbus, Nebraska, for the period end
ing December /. 1909:
Letters-Lucile Ackley, George Pow
ell, Miss Kathrine Ryan.
Cards-Ksrl Bakey, F J Burrows 2,
Charley Carlson, George Fslkner, K A
Holmes, Earl Miller care Leander Miller,
Henry Mstys, George Powell, Miss Katie
Ryan 3.
Parties calling for any of the above
will please say advertised.
CARL KRAMER, =. n.
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-12-01
WE DO BIG THINGS.
Some Of the Mastsrful Achievements
of Auaer;eana

Some Of the Mastsrful Achievements
Of Americans.
Americans founded the first govern
ment under which all men were equal
before the law Since the Declaration
Of Independence was published to the
world the democratic idea bus hourly
received new impulse until now its
march seems irresistible.
Americans were the first to demon
strate the feasibility Of relying Oh q
citizen soldiery to defend the land and
its institutions against foreign and
domestic attack
Americans were the first to abolish
titular distinctions and to deprive so
cial eminence Of any support save
character or the consensus Of those
who choose to consider themselves as
socially elect.
1t was an American who invented
the steamship. An American invent
ed the telegraph. An American In
vented the telephone. An American
invented the electric light An Ameri.
can invented the reaper. which makes
1t possible to feed the billion and more
people on this planet. 1t was an Amer
lean, too. who invented the sewing
machine. Americans also were the
conquerors Of pain when they discov-
cred how, by the use of sulphuric ether.
the tenderest human nerve could be
made insensible to the surgeons steel
Boston Globe.
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-12-01
The Architecture Of Madeira.

We saw no suggestion OF modern
architecture or European innovation.
no blot anywhere except u single mo-
torcar. Without knowing anything
on the subject l should say that the
architecture of Madeira IS a mixture
of Spanish and Moorish. like that Of
Mexico. only It is better than any
thing in Mexico. From the ship the
stucco. tile rooted city is 1lawless. and
as we steam away and night comes
down and lights break out and become
a jeweled necklace along the waters
edge our one regret is that we are
leaving it all behind.-Albert Bigelow
Paine In Outing Magazine.
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-12-01
Sin Eaters.

"Sin eaters" of the old days, like
"mutes" Of quite recent times. were
hired performers at funerals. In con-
alteration Of sixpence in money. a
bowl Of beer and crust Of bread these
slres, as they were called-'long. lean.
ugly. lamentable rascals"-would by
eating over the body take upon them
selves all the sins of the deceased and
% free him from afterward walking
the earth as a ghost. so that his soul
might rest In peace This custom pre-
vailed all over Wales and the adjoin-
Ing English counties and was observed
even down to 1856. The usage is said
to have arisen from a mistaken inter.
probation OF Hosea ", s. They eat up
the sin Of my people," The more like
" origin Of this strange custom is the
Levitical scapegoat A much later rem
nant OF this obtained at Amersden, OK.
fordshire, where. after every funeral,
q cake and a nagon Of ale were brought
to the minister in the church porch
London Standard.
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-12-01
BUILD HOUSES IN TREES

Seine Msxieans Thus elssp esevrs
From Qualses and Tigers.
In order to protect their homes from
earthquakes many Of the. natives In
the territory around Chilpancinso and
other towns In the state Of Guerrero,
in Mexico, live IN trees. Some Of
these Tree homes are Of large size and
are ingeniously constructed. Reeds
and grasses are interviewer with the
twigs and branches Of the tree, much
In the manner that q bird builds its
nest. The severest wind seldom loos-
ems it from the tree. Where the trees
are large and stand closely together
houses Of two or three rooms are ire
Quently built in their branches. These
houses also afford protection from the
tigers and other wild animals which
are found In that region In large num-
bers. It Il, said .thet, 2 tiger win not
attack its prey unless It is upon the
ground.
The prime object Of elevating these
houses into the trees. however. Is. as
mentioned, to keep them from being
shaken down by the severe earth
quakes which visit the Guerrero terri
tory at frequent intervals. The rock
ing Of the earth gives the trees
swaying motion, but does no damage
to the houses In some localities whole
villages of these tree homes are to be
seen. None Of them suffered damage
from the recent earthquakes which
wrought such ruin to the buildings
upon the ground.-New York Tribune.
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-12-01
eandages and Red Tape.

During the South African war Rud-
yard Kiplins discovered at Cape Town
hospital without bandages and in
desperate need of them. This. too. was
In city where ba ndages were for sale
in many shops. He told an acquaint-
ance that he was going to meet that
want. and the gentleman at once Of
sered to pay for all the baBdages that
Mr. Kipling would buy and take to the
hospital. \ cart was quickly loaded
and then the author was Informed that
under army rules the hospital authori-
ties could not receive supplies from a
private Individual.
WELL" said he. Il will dump the
packages on the pavement before the
door and then tell them to come out
and clear up the litter. Perhaps they
can get them into the building In that
way without tearing any red tape"
He drove OF with the baDdages. and
the supplies were somehow smusgled
into the hospital.
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-12-01
Hats and Old Age.

In opening the services one Sunday
recently the pastor of one of the fash
ionable churches said: For three Sun
days l have asked the women in this
church to remove their hats during
service. My appeal has been unheed-
ed, and now l see wherein l was
WRONG. l was inconsiderate of the
comforts Of the aged and in1irm. SO l
have made a new rule. Hereafter all
women Of forty years Of age or over
viii be permitted to wear their hats
during the service"
Within twenty seconds every woman
in the church was bareheaded.-La-
dies Home Journal.
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-12-01
Saving Rail. .. Not Musical.


Rails are cut with saws-not quietly;
not at all. There is considerable rack.
ct underneath an elevated railroad in
a narrow street, the subway isn't quite
a lodge in some vast wilderness, but
never until I watched toothless saw
cut through cold steel rail by fric-
ton. melting its way-you can see the
smeared ends afterward-did expe-
rience noise that my ear felt rather
than heard. says Eugene Wood in Sue
cess Magazine The toothless saw
whirled with unimaginable speed. the
sparks showered like an enormous
pinwheel. and the unwilling steel emit
ted shrek OF agony that was like q
forceful finger jammed into my ear
and scratching on my eardrum with
its nail. It was like a brass band of
hundred pieces. each piece blowing
fortissimo. note half tone higher
than its fellow. I don't care for such
'close harmony"
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-12-01
IHE BISHOP STAYED.
IL Rielesd . Row. but 0idn't Have .
loavo HE Bed.

Ae Rislesd . Rev, but Didn't Have .
leave HE Bed.
The bishop Of . southern diocese Was
once making . missionary journey
through Arkansas and the Indian Ter
ritory, and on bis arrival at Matches
he said to the landlord Of q hotel. ~
have been travelling for week. day
and night, In nail wagon. and want
comfortable room"
Sorry" said the landlord. but I
don't believe there's vacant room In
Natchex There's q horse race. q
Methodist conference and a political
convention In the city. and every house
h full up. The only thing I can give
You Is q shakedown." Then. observing
the bishops tired face. he added: The
best room In my house IS rented to a
noted gambler. who usually remains
ont all night and seldom gets in before
breakfast II you viii take the risk
you shall have his room. but If he
should come In there'll be q row, I'll
promise you that"
The bishop decided to take the risk.
About 4 o'clock In the morning the
gambler returned and promptly shook
the bishop by the arm
"Get out of here or TIL put you out!"
he shouted.
The bishop, the gentlest Of men, rais-
ed himself on one elbow so that it
brought the muscles Of his arm into
full relief.
my friend" he began quietly, 'be-
fore you put me out will you have the
kindness to feel Of my arm?'
The gambler put his hand on the
bishops arm.
Stranger" he then said respectfully.
you can stay."-Youth's Companion.
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-12-01
MAINE sP00Ks.

q Mystic Woodchucke.
BowdOinham boasts q veritable
ghost house where It is said the chairs
refuse to stay quietly in their places.
but In the middle of the night walk
out and draw together in groups just
as IL guided by visible hands. Then
there is a spirit cane that goes walk
ing all by itself just at midnight. tap
ping its way along from room to room
and finally taking up its abode In the
chamber where member of the fami-
" sleeps. That this statement is true
is affirmed by those who have seen
the phenomena and who are not at all
afraid of ghosts.
At another house In the village is a
phantom light that shines each night
no matter whether it be moonlight or
darkness just above the closet door in
the upper chamber. For years this
light has disturbed the people who at
different times have occupied the room.
and some have been much afraid of
the aickering CLEAN. From time to
time different explanations have been
offered. but none has proved satisfac-
tory. The light continues to shine. and
no one can account for the mystery.
Down at Lazy O camp is spOok
woodchuck which every evening. just
at the sunset hour, comes out Of an
old family tomb. halfway between the
camp and the home farm. There on
the tomb he sits quietly. watching the
sunset lights on the waters Of Merry
meeting. Just as the sun sinks below
the horizon he disappears. The tomb
swallows him up. and he is seen no
more until the sunset hour comes
round again.-Kennebec Journal.
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-12-01
Two Ct q Kind.

Mrs. Boggs-I hate to have a man
always complaining about some little
thing. Now, my husband Is continually
harping on the lace curtains. Mrs.
Woggs-Yes. and my husband has been
kicking On our front door every morn
Ing at 8 O'Clock for the past twenty
years.-Puck.
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-12-01
The Day Of Rest.

And now." said Mr.. Fishback Of
Billville, "let us be thankful for one
day Of rest and get ready for church"
YES" said bis wife: run out and
chop some wood and milk the cows
and light the fire and make the coffee
and wash the children while I bang
my hairr'-Atlanta Constitution.
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-12-01

"fes." said the Billville story teller,
''the cyclone carried his house into the
next county and set 1t down there a.
comfortable as you please. and 40 he
stepped out Of the door to survey tho
country the man who owned the land
notified him Of suit for trespass and
the tax collector handed him q bin
for taxes."-Atlanta Constitution.
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-12-01
from experIencv.

Mrs. Enpeck-l learned today that
Bob Smith and Mary Jones were Sc
eretly married ten months ago. Just
think Of 1t! Married nearly a year
and nobody the wiser! Mr.. Enpeck-
Oh. l don't know! I'll bet Smith was
q whole lot wiser before he had been
married q month.
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-12-01
His Last Place.

But" said the merchant to the ap'
plicant. you don't furnish any refer
ence from your last place"
You needn't worry about that" re-
piled the man with the close cropped
head and strange pallor; Il wouldn't
be here now If 1t hadn't been for my
good behavior in my last place.
Catholic Standard and Times.
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-12-01
KEENLY INTERESTED.


Iineeln's Question After the Commit
tesman Had Finished.
Just after the second battle Of Bull
Run the Boston chamber Of commerce
decided that President Lincoln was
not prosecuting the war with enough
celebrity to conserve the interests of
business, and 50 It appointed COM
mittee to 60 to Washington and re-
monstrate with him upon his dilatory
tactics. The committee was headed by
q Mr.. Pierce.
I'VE found" he said, "a man who
looked as If he had lost all the friends
he ever had in the world. who invited
Us to take seats and inquired our bust
ness. As was the spokesman. open
ed our case. and as proceeded the
presidents face relaxed. By and by he
smiled and betrayed actual interest.
and by the time I concluded he was al
most in broad grin. After ! had fn-
ished he inquired II that was all had
to say. and on my saying that !
thought 1t was be asked If some Of the
other gentlemen wouldn't like to say
something. They replied that they
thought ! had fully covered the
ground. And them continued Mr..
Pierce. what do you suppose this SOL
emn man did? Well, he just moved his
chair over to mine. smoothed his trou-
sers over his knee, then reached over
and smoothed mine down. too. and
then. with q queer look. which none Of
rs will ever forget. he said. Mr..
Pierce. did you ever notice what a
difference there is In legs?'
what did we do? We grabbed our
hats and took the first train for BOs-
ton, and we never dared to reportr'-
Ladies' Home Journal.
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-12-01
4 Prize Watchdog.

Oentleman-But am afraid he
wouldn't make good watchdog. Man
with bull terrier)-Not good watch
dog! Why, Lor' bless your cart, it was
only last week that this very animal
held Q burglar down by the throat and
heat his brains out with his tail-Lon-
don Tat1ee.
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-12-01
To Tame Him.

$50 you're going to introduce base
ball among the prisoners: don't ap-
prove. What will become Of disci-
plineY'
III a man gets too obstreperous." re-
Piled the warden confidently. well
make him umpire" - Philadelphia
Ledger.
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-12-01
The Easiest Way.

Dickson-Dobbins formerly opposed
my views. but now he agrees with me
in everything. Wickson-How do you
account for It? Dickson-Don't know.
I'm not sure whether I convince him
q only make him tired.
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-12-01
He Who LAUGHS Last, Etc.

The old colored man had climbed
into the dentists chair Of torture.
''Shan I give you laughing gas. un'
cle?' queried the tooth carpenter.
mot till after de toof am out. boss.
replied the old man. Reckon mebby
AhT feel mo- lake laf8n' den."-Chf-
eago News.
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-12-01

Doctor-How are the palma today:
No better?- Then don't take any more
OF the pills. Patient-l haven't taken
any Of them. doc. Doetor-That &C.
counts for II. You may take them %
directed.
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-12-01
A Crest Care.

Celia-Her hair turned perfectly
white In one night from trouble. Della
Really: What was the nature Of the
trouble? Celia hemical-Judee's n.
brafy.
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-12-01
Route No. 1.
Miss Katie Reed, who was taken quite
sick last Friday morning, is still confined
to her room.
Route No. 1.
Route No. 4.

Route No. 4.
Clinton and Cora Moore attended the
Thanksgiving dance at Silver Greek.
Miss Florence Barnes of Route 5 lie
visiting her sister, Mrs. j. J. Donoghue
Mrs. Homer Hsrlin of Lincoln arrived
last Wednesday for visit with her sis
ter, Mrs. Lyman Bray.
Miss Emma Vandsrhoof of Fullerton
visited at the home of Frank Stracke
last Friday, being on her way home from
Schuyler.
The roads are the worst ever-in fact
they have never been as bad this time
OF the year ever since the establishment
Of rural routes.
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-12-01
4 Roproof.

Perent-Willie. my father used to
whip me when l behaved as badly 40
you are doing. Wnlie-Well. hops
I'll never have to tell my little boy
that.-Exchange
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-12-01
His Failing.

"You are beside YOURSELF he ietort-
cd haughtily.
She gave a shrill. unpleasant laugh.
Seeing double again. chg she cr,eo.
New York Press.
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-12-01
M&1B0mk

GIVEN TO OUR CUSTOMERS FREE

- - - GIVEN OUR CUSTOMERS FREE-How it viii BE-
~ ~ - done beautiful clock
ta,ninR number Of clock win b wound
up With purchase 90
which the OF stamped nnng
prize win given TO the person holding the
SOU will S0roay
closing gift Mar 1870 The last prize divided;
3to and$2 nearest
The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-09-24
MAINE WELCOMES PEARY.
Enthusiastic Receptions at Various
Towns-Lovinq CUP Presented,

Enthusiastic Receptions at Various
Towns-Lovins Cup Presented.
Portland. Me-, Sept. 23.-The state
of Maine, within whose borders Com
mander Robert e. Peary spent his
boyhood and young manhood, eagerly
welcomed him today on his homecOm-
ing from the north pole.
The first official greeting which the
arctic traveller received was at Old
Town. When Commander Peary ap-
peared on the platform of his car flags
were waving and bands playing. and
church bells chimed a welcome home
AS the train waited officials Of Old
Town extended congratulations to the
explorer.
At Bangor, Mayor Woodman and
members Of the committee, with other
prominent persons, entertained the cell
ebrated visitor at luncheon, and low
ing cup was presented to him.
At Waterville the entire city govern
ment, headed by Mayor Frank Reding-
ton, was at the railroad station, Com
pany H of the Maine national guard
acting as an escort for the city Off
Gals.
AT Brunswick, Commander Peary got
a hearty college yell from the students
of Bowdoin, of which he is a graduate
When he reaches Portland this even
ing Commander Peary will be met at
the railroad station by the mayors Of
Portland and South Portland, by the
local militia companies, two bands and
a large escort of citizens.
A public reception will be followed
by banquet, at which President Hyde
of Bowdoin, Governor Fernald, Mayor
Leighton of this city and Mayor Ham,
ilton of South Portland will welcome
the explorer.
The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-09-24
tical observations that q captain
would make aboard q ship"

tical observations that q captain
would make aboard a ship"
"Will you describe in detail any sin
gle observation taken by you at the
north pole, with the exact figures of
the results and the corrections ap-
Piled"
"Not at this present moment. I will
describe every one of them In detail
when they go to the University of Co
penhagen. They will go there within
two months. The entire records will
be delivered to the university, and
after that they win go to everybody
that wants to examine them"
''In your original narrative you said:
The night Of April was made nota-
BILE by the swinging of the sun at mid
night over the northern Ice. Our obser-
walton on April 6 placed the camp in
latitude SO degrees 36 minutes loDgi-
tude 81 degrees 2 minutes The as
tronomers say that In the latitude you
mention the midnight sun would have
been visible on April 1 and that II you
really saw it for the first time on April
. sOo hiooL uuNc Uttu OOU LILIES
the pole instead of 234, as you sup
posed. Therefore to have reached the
pole on April 21 you would have had
to travel thirty-nine miles daily. What
is your explanation of the apparent
discrepancy
"The northern horizon at midnight
had been 50 obscure that we could not
tell whether the sun was below the
horizon or above 1t. We were not
making observations at midnight /
have said that 1t was possible to see
the sun on midnight Of that day. My
impression Is that we were absolutely
unable to see the sun the midnight be-
fore that. The horizon was obscured."
Thursday, Sept 80, has been selected
as the date Of the banquet Of the Dan
ish societies of Greater New York in
DR.. Cooks honor. The banquet of the
Arctic Club Of America will be held at
the Waldorf Astoria tonight.
The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-09-24
City In Gala Dress For Hud-
SOn.FultOn Celebration.
WORLDS FLEETS IN HARBOR.
Rush of Visitors Increases and For
eign Celebrities Arrive-Build-
ings Decked In Orange,
Blue and White.

New York, Sept. 23.--The rush Of WIS.,
itoFs to New York for the Hudson-Ful-
ton celebration continues at a rate that
gives a faint indication of the crowd
that will be here to see the great ma
val and land parades of the coming
week.
On no previous occasion has any
movement for the decoration of pub
lie and private buildings been carried
on on such an enormous scale. Every
where on the streets are crowds of
workmen swathing the facades of
buildings with the orange, blue and
white bunting, which is the feature Of
the celebration. These are the colors
carried by Hudson, and side by side
with them are the red, white and blue
flown by Fulton.
Already the foreign warships are a
center of attraction, and sightseeing
yachts and excursion boats take visit