davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19
A Very Polite Reporter.

"Whcn | was city editor of a little
paper in Il southern city" said Il news
paper man, II wanted an interview
with n senator who was visiting in 4
nearby city, but our man there wired
that he had failed to get the interview
because the senator had taken Il train
for Washington and that we might
catch him ourselves when the train
passed through our city. Hastily
searching Il time table, l found that
the train mentioned was due In Il few
minutes. There being no other report
er at hand, | seized Bud Lunkly, a
raw reporter fresh from the country,
told him to meet this train at the sta
ton and get some sort of expression
from the senator on a subject then Of
much Importance.
"Somc time later Bud strolled calmly
In and Informed me that after a per
sonal search of every car on the train
he had failed to find the senator.
"'Do You mean that You looked into
all the sleeping bcrths, Bud? said 1.
"'Ycp; that's what done said Bud
"'Rut, Bud | exclaimed in cOnster-
nation, weren't a good many of these
bcrthS occupied by ladioSF
"'Surc said Bud.
"'But what did you do when you
found n lady who had retiredP
"'Whcn | busted the curtain open
and looked in ana woman jumped
up and screamed took off my hat and
saws. That's all right, lady; you amt
the man I'm looking fcr!"'"
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19
- The
Scrap Book
Needed the PRAYERS.

\ sympathetic old Clergyman in an
English country village was waited
on one Sunday morning just before
service by young man, who said:
"Will YOU kindly ask the congrCGa-
tionS prayers this morning for poor
William smith,
"Willingly," said the clergyman.
And at the proper moment in the
service ne bcsought all those present
to pray earnestly for the unfortunate
William Smith in the great trouble
and peril that CncompaSScd him. The
request, he was pleased to note. made
a deep impression on the congregation.
After the service, meeting the young
man who had asked for intcrccSSion
in Smiths behalf, tn" clergyman said:
"What Is the matter with your
friend? DO You think it would do
any good If | were to call on him."
I'm afraid not" was the sorrowful
reply.
"IS it SO bad as that?" said the clcr-
gyman. What is the trouble, them"
"Bill," said the other, "iS going to be
married."
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19
What's In a Name2

Josephine Dodge Daskam (Nrs. Ra,
COM, the authOrcSS, was at a seaside
resort one summer. While reading
some manuscript on the beach one day
Il puff of wind carried one of the
sheets toward the water. A young
artist, a total stranger, who was near
by, made n dash for the flying paper
and as he almost reached it stumbled
and pitched headforemoSt into the
surf AS he regaincd the beach, limr
and dripping, he growled through his
set teeth "Josephinc Dodge Daskam,
Josephine Dodge Daskam"'
The authorcSs, who came up to him
at that moment, gaZcd In amaZcmcnt
at the forlorn looking figure for see
ond and then said in a tone of sympa-
thy, "Do You know Josephine Dodge
Daskam?"
The young man turned fine rcd ana
said sheCpiShly, 'No; | don't know her
from Adam. but I've read n lot Of her
stories, and | always say her name
when | want to swear and can't. Her
name is the nearest thing to swearing
without being swearing that | ever ran
aCrOSS-'
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19
Stone Eaters,

Sir james Ross in the course of his
travels noted a curious fact with re
gard to the penguin namely, the habit
of swallowing stones. In one speci-
men he found ten pounds weight Of
quartz, granite and trap. Other ami
mails, reptiles, fishes and mammals ex-
hlblt the same strange fancy. In a
paper contributed to the proceedings
of the Bristol Naturalists' society w.
II. Wicks has collected Il number Of
facts connected with such stomach
stones. The fact noted by Mr.. Wicks
that the pebbles are usually white
quartz is Interesting, but does not ap-
pear to throw any light on the strange
habit.-LOndOn Globe
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19
Too Rare.

\ party of caSterncrs went bear
hunting in California. Pete Wilson led
the pnrty, and day and night he boast.
ed Of his skill as bear killer. They
got no bear on the hunt, and Pete
grIcvcd terribly.
This is good enough grub" he
would say as he pitched into cold
can of preserved meat, but the finest
meal In the world, in my opinion, is a
bear steak grillcd to turn over log
fire"
Gimme bear" Pete growlcd ont
day. Gimme a good bear brile. Tn
gcttin' sick of this canned stuff"
"Look out" cried neighbor
"Thcrcs bear right behind you
man"
Pete gave one look 1t was a bear
sure enough. lie turned very pale and
bounded off into the woods.
I'VE thought you liked bear" they
said Sarcastically to him on his return
$50 | do" said Pete, but that feller
wasn't well enough done"
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19
Persuasion.

Dr. \. is specialist in nervous all
mcntS. In his most successful cases
''pcrSuaSion" has played an important
role. -ycar-old Frank has evident
ly had opportunity to imbibc his ia
theirs views on the efficacy Of pcrsua-
sion, which, DR.. \. contends appeals
to the highest psychic functions.
1t was only Il few mornings ago that
Mrs. \. overheard an alteration in
the kitchen between Master Frank and
the cook. Mary's voice rose in loud
protcStati0nS. Mrs. A. FASTENED to the
scene and arrived just in time to see
her son seize convenient broom and
threaten Mary.
"Why, Frank" she exclaimed in
mortified amazcmcnt. "What are you
doing?"
But Frank was equal to the occa-
sion. I'm Just trying to persuade
Mary for some angel cake" he eX-
planned in matter of fact way.
If this treatment may not have ap-
pcalcd to Marys highest psychic func-
tions it at any rate ticliled her sense
of humor. Frank gained his point
New York Times.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19
Worked the Director.

One of the star comedians at the
principal thcatcr in Frankfort went to
the director and asked for an advance
on his weeks salary. The books show
cd that the whole amount had already
been drawn, and the director said,
"No"
every good" said the actor; "then
shall refuse to go on tonight"
The director saw that it was danger
ously near curtain time and reluctant
ly gave the actor the amount asked
for, but said, Remember, sir, this Is
nothing short of cXtortton, and cow
ardly one at that"
Not at ALL Herr Director" said the
actor, stutIng the money in his pock-
ct; my name is not on the bill for to-
ni-ht anyway"
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19
Poor Old
Uncle Ben.
BY MILO HOLCROFT
By MILO HOLCROFT.


T. = i : : = tF'|Ff.NS3
Hello, Uncle Ben" Joe called ms
his buggy flashed by the loaded waS-
on Uncle Ben replied to the saluta-
ton with a surly nod. He twisted
about on his load and gazcd at the
rcceding vehicle 1t was she herself,
and out riding with that young scamp.
She was enjoying the fellows COM
pany, too, 50 much that she had only
a slight bow for him.
She had never ridden with him ex-
cCpt once at a funeral, when she went
to the cemetery in his buggy because
there was not room for her elsewhere.
He had imagined many times since
the things he would have said to her
during that ride if he had known be
forchand so as to be prepared, but he
had not, and the ride had been silent
one.
She was bright and talkative with
Joe though. When he recognized,
with shock of surprise, who Joe's
companion was they were chatterlng
like blue jays.
lie ltlJ NIOuStu SOIltli'N, tiiOh7ii
he had no claim to be. But he had
always meant TO marry her If she
would consent when he found Cour-
age to put the question.
He knew Joe was in the habit of go
ing to her brothers, where she lived,
but until that minute he had not
looked upon the fellow as his rival.
Joe was young and good looking, and
women thought so much of those
things.
Uncle Ben wasn't an old uncle at
all But he had come to think him
self very venerable and aged indeed.
When person becomes an uncle be
fore his manhood and when fate so
shapes 1t that one must become not
only uncle, but father and mother, to
ones nephews the responsibility con
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19
He Knew the Reason.

\ rather pompouS looking deacon IN
certain city church WAS asked tC
take charge of class of boys during
the absence of the regular teacher
While cndcavorng to impress upon
their young minds the Importance OF
living Christian life the following
question was propounded:
"Why do people call me a Christian
chiIdrcn?" the worthy dignitary asked
standing very erect and smiling down
upon them.
"Bccause they don't know you," was
the ready answer Of a bright eyed lit
tie boy, responding to the lngratiating
smile with one equally guileless and
winning. LippiNcott's Magazine.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19

duces to a feeling Of old age, even
when the said ncphews are not much
younger than oneself
So Uncle Ben very naturally sup
posed there was no chance for him at
all with the woman whom he loved so
truly. He even decided that he would
sell his farm and go away. He brood
ed over 1t all day and with heavy
pain, forgetting to make his usual
sharp bargain in business.
AS he drove into the gate at home
toward evening JOeS buggy again ap-
peared, and he drew up for n chat.
He was In fine spirits and boyishly
handsome beside Uncle Ben's rough
farm clothes and solled boots
Guess I'll take that COW, Uncle
Ben" he said, with conscious smile.
Il expect to need her"
Uncle Ben grunted and busted him
self with the gate.
"You see, Im-oh, l might as we'll
say it right out-Tm going to be mar
ried pretty soon"
Settled, is it?" His uncle glanced
up sharply, his face rather pale
"Well, not quite" Joe hesitated,
but she understands me well enough,
and it's going to be settled tonight
and the day fixed. I'm invited there to
supper, and I'm sure she knows what
to expect. In fact, 1t nearly came out
this morning"
Uncle Ben said nothing, and after n
moment Joe, who was accustomed to
his reticent relative, started off, say
ing: "Milly will be glad you are our
nearest neighbor. She thinks a lot Of
you"
Despite Uncle Ben's resignation, he
felt his gay and handsome nephew's
carelessly confident words as If they
were 50 many sharp, savage thrusts
from dagger. There came a hot, suf-
locating sense Of shame and rage into
his heart that he should be thrust
aside, unseen, unheard
AS he stumbled along by his team to
the barnyard he was seized with
great impulse to see her and speak yet,
although it was useless.
lie looked about vaguely at first
then with keen calculation. Joe was
still In sight. He had stopped to talk
with some one, as was his social Gus
tom. He would not hurry, not dream
ing Of need for It,
His team was tired, and the other
horses In the pasture. If he would
forestall J1e he would have to go afoot
across lots And there was no time to
shave and garb himself as rs would
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19
A Woman Soldier.

EleonOrc ProchaSka, born March II,
11S5, at PotSdam, was the daughter Of
a sergeant After being brought up In
the military orphanage of that town
she became Il cook in some citizens
house. When the great war against
Napoleon broke out i'll 1913 she was
led away by enthusiasm to quit her
town secretly. by selling her poor be
lOngingS Sh" procured male attire and
weapons and enlisted under the name
of August REM in the LutZoW corps.
On account of her tall, slender figure
her sex was not discovered until she
was mortally wounded. This happened
in the encounter in the Gohrde forest,
RcgicrungSbcZirk, Lmcburg, kreis
Danncnberg, Sept. l6, 1918. The Prus-
slams were there attempting to storm
hill occupied by the French, she act
ing as a drummer In 1868 a monu-
mcnt in memory of her was erected In
the churchyard at Dannenberg and an
other in 1889 in the old churchyard of
potSdam.-LondOn Sketch.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19
The Least He Could Do.

y particularly homely man was rid
ing on horseback along country lane
Presently he met lady, also mounted
and drew to one side to allow her to
pass.
She also checked her horse and look
ed the man over in curious way.
Finally she said:
well. l believe you are the home
Hest man | ever saw"
"Yes, madam" he replied, but l
cannot help it,"
"No, | suppose not" she said, "but
you might at least stay at home"
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19
Stroro on system.

At n certain coal mine in New Mex
icO the superintendent was greatly an
nOycd from time to time by employees
moving into and out of the company's
houses without due notification of
their frequent changes of domicile. 1t
became quite impossible to keep the
rent accounts straight on the office
books. and finally the superintendent
in his cXaspcration resolved upon
stringent measures. He therefore post
ed the following notice. which is given
verbatim photography, syntaX and all:
february the 1lth.
Notice to all employees
aney Person or Persons that MOOves
into house Without My Consent shall
be Put out Without anney CemmOny.
Dam 1t / Must and VIII have some Sis
tom. (SiEned) BEN FlLSTER.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19
A Rude Youth,

"lI0W do you account for this,
ma'am?" And he held aloft lump OF
coal which he had just dug out from
the sirloin steak.
The landlady slightly flushed.
Il suppose the poor COWS sometimes
stray along the railroad track" she
said But you must admit the steak
Is tender"
He thumpcd the coal with his knife
Yes" he said harshly. locomotive
tender"
And the meal progressed in silence.
cleveland Plain Dealer.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19
His INTERPOLATION,

Colonel J. +. Barton, who died in
Alabama in 1897, was famous years
ago in the middle west as an editorial
writer of great power and versatility.
The queer thing about him was that
his normal penmanship looked almost
like copperplate-a beautiful flowing
script. But let him get excited or
hurried. and 1t doubled discounted the
excited chicken tracks on Cleopatra'S
Needle, One night tramp printer
drifted into a western office where the
colonel was In charge and applied for
n job. The foreman put him to work,
and he pegged along all right until
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19
A Lovers Complaint.

My sweetheart's shining golden locks
| used to much admire
When sitting side by side with her
Before n blazing fire.
| loved to smooth with gentle hand
Those FURNISHED braids and press
My lips upon each silken curl
And waving yellow tress.
But now since fashion has decreed
Each lady fair must pile
Her head with purchased puffs and
curs
And coils to be I'm style
To drop n kiss upon her head.
Alas, ! do not dare,
For | may be caresslng then
Another woman's hair!
-Lippincotts Magazine.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19

have liked before going into her pres
enCe.
lie hitched his horses and started.
Joe was still talking VIXEN he had
cleared his own farm AMI the next. 1t
was two miles, but he could cut of
considerable distance by going across
lots, and most of the way he could
keep an eye on Joc's progress
Over the hill a grove interviewed. AS
he dashed into 1t he caught Il glimpse
of Joe skimmIug along in the distance,
seeming to fly.
Then Uncle Ben flew, too. or nearer
to it than he had ever imagined it pos.
siblc for him to go.
Through the grove and Donncr's
pasture scuddcd 'old Uncle Ben BY
that time Joe had nearly reached the
half mile corner.
Old man Bonner yelled to know the
meaning of the wild flight Uncle Ben
waved an impatient hand and sped ON,
crossing the road. where he had
view of Joc's rig whirlng around the
corner.
From the ridge, quarter of mile
nearer his ENal, he saw with SatiSfac-
tion that Joe had stopped, the center
Of gossiping ncighborS who always
gathered at Donncr's.
"All their questioning and scandal
izing will hinder him and help me-" he
enIiIoouiyod hyoothInssIv dnshing on
Win ror,v.od vi,r,r
Tho excitement of the race oblitcrat-
ed all other thourht I'D lose INV
farm sooner than he beat" he de
c,ornd feeling new keen thrill in
lifa ne his suppIe limbs took him over
tbc rourb oround
Inst to got there and saw what he
Nod tn CIV hcforn loo arrived WAS all
his thourht now. As 70 how it should
hn soid no was mast thinking of that,
When he leaned the last fence Joe
b,d dis,nnc,rrd behiud the hedge that
frinrcd the home stretch Old Uncle
Ren put ON last spurt
From the sheep pasture Mily's
father hailed him. Uncle Zen did not
even wave in reply. The hired men
stared as he rushed past the barn
where they were choring.
He had no time to 90 around to the
front. There was no time for knock
iny at doors or for furmaliticS of any
sort. Away down the road he could
see Joc's hat advancing rapidly.
He lcaped the steps to the back
porch and hurled himself into the
kitchen. The fates favored him. She
was at the table mixing biscuit.
EMILY will-you-m marry-me?" he
painted, staggering against the wall.
"Ouick! Answer me. Eve always
meant to-have you. lovc-you-
more n Ivc-got timc-to tell you.
NUw-Quick will yuu marry me-" He
hung his hat down a..d mupprd his
streaming face.
She gaZed at him in staring surprise,
but at his hurried, painting, inSistent
demand she stammcrcd with crimson
bewilderment. "Why, YES, Benjamin,
don't know but | will"
"Ycs? Jerusalem. Is it yes?" he
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19
Charles II. Barnes in Puck.
Precocious Knowledge.

The millionairc's tcn-year-old son
pranccd eagerly toward his father.
"Fathcr," he began his face fairly
bcaming with an enthusiastic desire,
won't you buy me an auto"
"What do you want with an auto"
inquired the millionaire.
Il want to take my girls out rid
ing"
81 didn't know you had any girls"
Il haven't now. But If | owned an
auto I'd soon have some" Lippin-
colts Magazine.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19
The Drone.

"Gracious, Lucinda" exclaimed the
housewife in surprise, you say that
your husband hasn't worked in five
years and doesn't even look for work!
Why he's curiosity"
"Yes, maam," sighed Lucinda as she
bent over the tub. Hits a case of
whut dey call idle curiosity Min
neapolis Journal.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19
Enlightened.

"You rejected Tom, you say"
Yes, poor fellow! He was dread
fully overcome. He stood right by the
door while he proposed, and as soon
as said NO he staggered away"
''ue must have been greatly relieved.
1t was all a bet, you know. Jim Sher-
wood bet Tom a basket of wine that
he wouldn't dare propose to you. And
they're going to drink it tonight. -
Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19

"Your wife Insists that women are
always superior to mcn?"
"No," answered Mr.. Meekton. THE
other day Henrietta was real affable
and patient toward a man on the street
car, who stood up and took 1t for
granted that she wasn't as well able
to hang on to a strap as he Was."-
Washington star.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19

Concrete itself is, Of course, very
old The concrete stairs Of Colchester
and Rochester castles still show the
dome of Agrippa's pantheon, which IS
142 feet in diameter. is of concrete,
and fragments of concrete buildings
are found in Mexico and Peru.-Lon-
don Spectator.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19
Phusical ImnossibiIitY.

NIaud-Do tell me, Alice! LAd Char
ley go down on his knees to you when
he proposed?
Alice Nonsense! Why, how could
he have gone down on his knees to
me? Why, well, where do you sup
pose l was anyway?-New York Her
Md
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19
Got His Reward.

whats the matter with your face?
1t looks as though a train had run over
it and turned and repeated the opera
ton"
"Oh, not so very much. l had a
friend who insisted that l should tell
him all Of his faults"
Congratulations; you got off light"
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19
The Term For It.

"N1y weight" said IEuskie, sis exact
ly $50 pounds"
"You mean with all your heavy
clothes on?" Qucried Ascum.
"No, sir; that's my net weight"
met? Most folks would call that
gross."-Cathollc Standard and Times.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19
Rich.

"IIe is n villain of the deepest dye.
as he?"
"Yes."
"Well, there is one comfort"
"What is it?"
at is diamond dive"
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19
Exquisite.

He Cooking through his glass;
There's a glorious glacier which we
shall soon reach.
She-Oh, won't it make lovely
background to my blue frock!-Meg-
gendorfer Blatter.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19

Heaven is not reached at n single bound
But we build the ladder by which we
PSc
From the lowly earth to the vaulted
skies
And we mount to its summit round by
round.
l count this thing to be grandly true
That a noble deed is q step toward God
Lifting the soul from the common clod
To Il purer air and broader view.
i G. Holland
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19
Wealthy Poverty,

There are still many houses in the
country In England where the owners
are unconscious Of the fact that, while
they themselves are apparently poor,
they possess fortunes in furniture and
pictures.-Town and Country.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19
Probably.

"Men are really superior creatures"
Superior to what"
Superior to other men,"
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19

Little Eph-M Nanny, who was We
nus? Mammy-Fo' de laws sake, l
knows so many Venuses-Venus JON
sing, Venus Sniff an, look heah,
chile, you mus be mo- splicit!-New
York Journal.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19

Every man who rises to any profess
sion must tread a path more or less
bedewed by tho tears Of those he
passes on his way.-Bayne.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19

The sun came out and warmed the earth.
And, nourI-hcd by the gentle rains.
Her bed of pansies sprang to birth.
The other things made rapid gains.
The weeks went by: hcr garden grew,
Well paying all her toll and fuss
Until. when friends would come to view.
She proudly showed it to them, thus:
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19
Giving Advice.

Cocoanut-My, isn't it wretchedly
stufry here? I'm all In commotion.
Pineapple-Calm yourself. If you
persist in splashing your milk you'll
become SeaSiCk.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-06-19
It is Bad Business

TNO allow anyone to look in vain through
L the business portion of this paper for an
advertisement of your business.