davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-02
c0aQUERING A LANGUAGE
Louis Agasslz Learned Enough Eng
lish to Lecture While Crossing
the Atlantic Ocean.

The death of Prof. Alexander Agas-
siz last spring called to mind many of
the incidents connected with the life
Of his famous father. The career of
the great naturalist was one of victory
through endeavor. When he first Wis
tied America his unfamiliarity with
the English language threatened to
stand in the way of his advancement.
How he met the difficulty is told by
Prof. Jules Marcou in life, Letters
and Works of Louis Agassiz."
The first thing necessary in coming
to the United States was to master
English sufficiently to speak in pub
lie. He had been accustomed to trans
late for some years, but he spoke 1t
so little that he was very hard to I'M
derstand. Professor Lyell told him,
when Agassiz was in England, that 1t
would be useless to lecture in America
in either French or German, as both
languages were used in narrow limits.
He must speak good English If he was
to make a good impression.
During the long journey across the
Atlantic in 1S46 Agassiz went to work
in earnest to master the new Ian
guage. He spent most of his time
speaking and committing to memory
words and sentences, and repeating
them aloud to anyone who had the
patience to hear. The captain re-
marked, Il never had a passenger
like you, Professor Agassiz!" He, as
every one else, was charmed with the
Swiss naturalist.
His great memory helped him. Soon
he had sufficient number of words
and sentences to allow him to speak
in public. 1t was too late in life to
admit of his being a complete master
of English, and he always spoke with
a strong French accent, which was not
without charm to his listeners
Youths Companion.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-02
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
TO SELECT A CHAIRMAN

Nashville, Feb. 28.-After TAX
ing one tie vote as between Sena-
tor Turner and Holiday, and APP
pointing conference committee
to eudeavor to reach an agree
ment on the craftsmanship contest
the joint legislative committee on
re-districting the state, organized
this forenoon with Senator c. w.
Turner, of Waverly, chairman,
Senator O. X. Holiday, of Cook
vile, vice-chairman, and Repre-
sentative George E. Burbage, of
Washington county, as secretary.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-02
BUCKED INTO POPULARITY
Story Of the First Appearance of Har
ry Lauder Before a London
Audience.

When Harry Lauder sailed some
time ago on the Mauretania after a
long stage run in the states, an Eng
lish officer told this story of him-a
story Lauder does not particularly
like to have repeated. When Lauder
went to London for the first time the
stage reputation he had made in the
provinces had not made much of an
Impression on the metropolis. With
shrewd sense Of the value of stri-
king effects, Lauder decided he would
arouse the Londoners to his peculiar
merits in novel manner. From some
boneyard or other he procured the
most skeleton-like specimen of horse
flesh he could find. On this he planned
to make his first stage entrance.
The old horse was tractable enough,
with Lauder astride, awaiting his turn
in the wings; but when the little fell
low urged him forward for the grand
entrance there was a balk, buck,
and Harry was ingloriously shot to
the front of the stage over the horses
head, the animal peering after him
with what might be termed an amused
expression. Lauder slowly and pain
fully rose to his feet, while the gal
lery applauded and stamped and cried
Justify:
DO it again, Harry! Do 1t again!"
Lauder rubbed his aching back, felt
cautiously of his bones, looked back
at the horse, and. turning to the audi
ence, he said:
Like will"
And he didn't; but thereafter his
was assured.-Judge.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-02
SOME FACTS ABOUT THE RAIN
Little Essay on This Familiar Phe-
nomenon and Some Of Its Pc
eullar Characteristics.

Rain is principally composed Of wa
ter, but it should not be confused with
mining stock.
Rain always comes on Sunday after
Moons and washdays.
Washday may be changed to any
day in the week, systematically or in
discriminatory, but the rain will come.
Sunday afternoon, however, cannot
be changed to any other afternoon.
The rain will hold off until you are
ready to go driving, and then the word
will be passed along the mysterious
currents of the air and double order
of cirrus and cumulus will be hurried
in from the west.
Also, in the morning, when you
leave home and carry your umbrella
and rain coat, the rain will go away
and sulk But If you take heart Of
the fair sky and leave the umbrella
and other trimmings, then the rain
will wait until you leave the Office
and time get you. Incidentally 1t will
tuck a few grip and rheumatism
germs into your system.
Rain is good for the crops, but why
1t takes you for a crop is hard to I'M
derstand
Rain never brought fame to anyone
except Noah. Probably on the day the
food began he watched the last picnic
party drive out of town In bus,
shouting sarcastic things at him
through the dust.
There are several varieties of rain,
but the one most popular with the
weather bureau is called Probably"
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-02
REPC RI OF DISASTER
RUSSIAN COAST,

ST Peter, burg, Feb. 28.- Accosding
he offlcat report o. the & hi ng dis
,Stcr iii The gulf of finland, 500 persons
wee engaged several miles off the
shore Of Lav2usari Isl when, on
Eeb. %, the ice beneath them broke
rom tn shore and drifted away, car
wing the fishermen With their fami-
es, horses ard outfits far TO sea. Their
cries for h,lp were not heard at the
time but late in the evening the shore
watehmen observed the ice foe and
ce breakers were sent IL pursuit.
y Three days search proved futile.
IN the meantime the foes broke into
;eycra p rts, each bearing forty or
ifiy per. oai. lii tie breakup many
ell into The water and peri shed. Two
parties to,aling l20 persons w,re sub
,eqnently driven ashore. No news OF
he rema nder has been received.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-02
France Has Bun the eams,


No other modern nation has under.
gone changes more frequent, more
radical, more sudden, bloody and
dramatic. In forms of government,
France has boxed the compass-has
been feudal, monarchical, imperial, re-
publican and revolutionary. She has
sounded the depths of royal absolut.
ism and of communistic anarchy; has
made and unmade constitutions in the
pathetic effort to get one that would
fit; has known a military despotism,
which bluntly told the women to marry
and bear children in order that Napo.
leon might be continuously supplied
with troops; has known an absolute
monarchy, where a graceful manner
was more effective at court than a
head we'll filled with sense, and has
known government of the rabble, un
der which there was an instruction
against property, and death sentences
passed against citizens for the sin OF
wearing aristocratic names and clean
shirts.-From 1.-THE Story of France"
by Thomas E. Watson.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-02
The Handy Woman.

Given a water color box and an out.
fit of stencil dyes and the faded colors
of the wardrobe and household gen.
orally may be restored by an amateur.
One woman who was mourning over
the fading of the pretty blue and and
white bathroom rag rugs which she
had made year or SO ago, to match
her bathroom bethought herself of
her stencil dyes. She mixed them to
the exact shade and with a brush APP
piled the dye to the faded portions
with the most satisfactory results
Another woman who found the roses
of her new hat showing the effects of
the sun applied her water color brush
with telling results. And in the same
family a girl with faded last years
hat has dyed 1t with the liquid which
the notion counters carry, and as the
outcome of her effort she has a hat
as good as new, and, If the bottle
reads truly, as lasting. Energy and q
knack find many uses for these ready
to-use paints, dyes and stains.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-02
QUESTION RAISED AS TO
GATES APPOINTMENT

Nashville, Feb. 28.-Some
question has come up as to the
legality of the appointment by
Gov. Hooper of N. H. Cate. of
Newport, as successor to the
late Judge John M. Taylor, of
Lexington, as a member of the
court of civil appeals. The con-
tention is that the appointment
should have been made from
section Of the state in which the
vacancy occurred. On the 9th
er hand, it is held by some that
the law creating the court of
civil appeals merely provides
that not more than two mem
berS of that court shall be from
any one grand division of the
state and that the appointment
comes entirely within the pro-
visions of the law.
Neither the governor or Mr..
Gate, who was sworn in Satur-
day, has made any public state
ment on the legality of the ap-
pointment. The matter has
been officially brought up by
Comptroller Frank Dibrell, who
mas asked Attorney General
ChaS. T. Gates, Jr, for his opin-
ion as to the legality of the is
5uance by the comptroller of a
warrant TO Judge Cate. In his
reply to the comptroller Gen.
Gates says:
Il am strongly inclined to the
opinion that it is not within the
functions of the Office of comp
roller or attorney general of
The state to determine the ques-
ton of the legality of the ap-
pointment or the eligibility of
the appointe to the Office, and
that these questions can be de-
termined only in proper pro-
caeding instituted for the pur-
pose OF determining the eligibil-
ity of the appointee and the
validity ef the appointment.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-02
SOLDIERS ESCORT
FARMER FROM KENTUCKY

Paducah, Ky, Feb. %. Guarded
by soldiers, Milton Oliver, alleged
victim of night-riders, accompanied
by his family, passed through Padu-
cab enroute to Metropolis, ILL.,,
where he will make his home.
Since Oliver was shot and danger
ously injured last May troops have
guarded him. He is witness in
-6ight-rider cases at Hopkinsville,
KY, next month and state troops
will escort him there. divers last
crop of wheat was loaded with dyda-
mite, presumably by night-riders,
and no one would thresh it.
1t is said he will file suit for $780,
900 damages against alleged night
riders.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-02
CoNQUERoR AND CONQUERED
Incident In the Life of Alexander the
Great That Has Escaped the
Historians.

Alexander had asked that the map
of the world be brought to him.
Take a blue pencil" he command
ed, land indicate the lands | have
conquered"
The scriveners set to work and pres
emily placed the result of their labors
before him.
The terrestrial conqueror stared at
1t.
That's not q map" he fiercely
cried. ITS a brocaded blue Persian
saddle cloth"
I'VE are but thy slaves" the scriven.
ers declared, land have followed to
the best of our poor ability the COM
mand thou gavest us"
Alexander examined the map more
closely.
and have l conquered all this?"
And is there nothing more to con,
quer?"
Nothing, sun of victory The world
is yours!"
Alexander drew back and great
scalding tears ran down his bronze6
cheeks and dripped from his Alexan
drine nose.
why weepest thou, all powerful?"
they murmured.
Because he sobbed, there are nc
more worlds for me to conquer!"
At that moment Roxana emerged
from the imperial tent.
"Alick," she cried, what on earth
do you mean by loafing around witt
the idlers when you know the ENJOYS
of Darius are coming to dinner ane
you've got to wash up!"
Hastily wiping his eyes on the skirt
of his tunic, the world conquerer hum.
bly, followed the boss.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-02
For a Song.

Seymour Ia little bluff1y) = The
Windsor estate sold for $4,000.
Ashley-WeIl, what If 1t did =?
Seymour-What If 1t did? Didn't
you tell me the purchaser had gotten
it for a mere song?
Ashley-Certainly did. and my
statement was correct. McKomposier
bought that estate, and paid the ex-
act amount he had received for his
last song.
Hemp Cores for Cables.
Electric cables with hemp cores to
take up the strain more evenly are a
Swedish invention.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-02
HAS BROKEN HIS PROMISE
May Be Two Legislative Commit
tees to Handle The
Important Matter

Nashville, Feb. %. = Unless
some member experiences a
change of heart during the night,
the Fifty-seventh general assem-
bly, is likely to have two commit
tees on redistricting the state.
The joint body met last night in
the senate chamber and hung fire
on the Craftsmanship, Senator Tur-
ner and Holiday being voted for
on strict party lines, resulting in
tie and deadlock. The friends
of both refused to allow their
champion to give an inch. 1--WE
will stick to you until the end, .
said they. AS a result the COM
niittee adjourned over until to-
morrow morning at 10 o'clock
without effecting an organization.
The democratic members of the
committee claim that it is a plain
case of peanut" politics, that
the fusionists, led by Mr.. Holla-
day, were simply trying to hold
them up for the sergeant-at-arins
of the committee.
1t has been known for a week
that when the committee met for
organization there would likely
be hitch. Senator Turner and
his friends say that Holiday
asked to be put on the committee,
and it was so done with the
promise that he would be for
Turner for chairman. In coming
forward himself Senator Holiday
now explains that promise extend
ed to the senate committee only.
When they met every member
If the committee was present.
Mr.. Turner called the meeting
together as chairman. The first
expression was his nomination by
Senator Houk. Marshall nomi-
noted Holiday. When Turner
and Holiday had voted for each
other the remaining members of
the committee voted on strict
party lines, resulting in six votes
for each candidate.
The vote is a tie" announced
Temporary Secretary Adams.
Then what is the next step?"
lskcd some one. " Senator Tur-
Ter ard might be ableto agree"
aid Senator Holiday, eff we had
fly: III nutes' TALK
They talked SIX times five min
ties. but failed on any agreement.
It is said that Senator Holiday
will be willing to withdraw If he
p nittcd to name a Putnam
'ounty man as sergeant-at-arms.
Senator Turner will rot agree to
this, although he says it makes
10 difference who is sergeant-at-
rms.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-02
YOUNG WOMAN STAYS
MOTHER, NEPHEW, SELF.

Philadelphia, Feb. 2S-Jeannette
Lewis, aged %, to-day murdered her
mother, Mrs. Sarah Lewis, and her
nephew, Edward b, Milden, Jr., aged
nine years, by administering poison.
Then she committed suicide by taking
a dose of the same drug
Miss Lewis sister died last night.
It is believed the young woman was
crazed by grief,
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-02
ON WHOLESALE
LIQUOR DEALERS.

Chattanooga, Tenn, Feb 2S.-The
niiNidnaI members of five wholesale
.hiskv firms were fined 800 and Civ
en- ~. ;,rsded scnience Of sixty days
imprisUI meni this morning by Judge
S. ID. MclSeynolds. This action was
taken in accordance with an agree
mant between their attorneys and At
torney General Whitaker. In passing
sentence Judge McReynolds warned
all involved that the least semhlence
of futuIe- violation of the law would
result in the enforcement of the sus-
pended workhouse sentences.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-02
For Easy Pronunciation.

"a correspondent of the London
Times, convinced that we cannot go
on Indefinitely talking about 'avia-
tors or 'aeronautg,' suggests airmen,
on the analogy of 'seamen' No doubt
it will come to that, or to 'f1icrs,' or
something as simple:Sin the end. But
what about 'aeroplane?' No vehicle
can keep more than a fragment Of
its name when once 1t becomes IA
miliar. The monosyllable serenely has
it--'bus, tram cab van taxi;
hanson and GROWER have their two
syllables, but very easy ones. It
seems an absolute certainly that the
flying machine will become simply
the plane"
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-02
FARMS IN SWEETWATER
VALLEY CHANGE HANDS

bristol, Fcb. F28. Through a
;rist. land agency, j. r. Fleener
t Miralota, Vd.,$has purchased
~on r S Robinson at Philadel-
,nia, ~ h, SAclt water Valley of
East r, lip''>s c, a sock farm of
100 9,cr, !, much # which is in
jus sras. line prise paid was
SO, 400. Nr. Fltcnor and his
aini'y viii move to the farm soon.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-02
SENATOR LEA TO
VISIT CAPITAL.

Washington, Feb. Ex-senator
elect Luke Lea will visit Wash
iugton this week. Nearly all of
the newly-elected senator will be
here this week. One ofsthe things
that interests them most is the
selection of the seat in the senate
that they will occupy. 1t is tax.
en- for granted that Senator Lea
will ask for seat on the demo-
cratic side.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-02
Liliputian Sandwiches,

A game of poker at one of the lead
ing notes.-the game which is played
every Wednesday night during the sea.
son, had lasted well into the night
Sandwiches were ordered-the fami.
lar triangle variety were served and
had disappeared. A hungry shout
went up for more.
More sandwiches, waiter" said the
man with the kitty"
YES, sab! How many, sah?" re-
turned the waiter.
"Wells' said the player, with a cal
culating air, Judging by the size of
your sandwiches and the size of this
bill, should say about $4,000 worth"
Times. y
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-02
DIR. II. W. BROWN
VISITS THE CITY.

DR., H.. Brown, of Chattanooga,
was in the City few days week.
1t will be remembered that he was To-
Gated here about years 30 and
was very successful specialist.
Since going into larger territory he
has prospered accordingly and is to-
day one of the best and therefore one
of the most prosperous physicians in
Chattanooga. His many friends here
were glad to see him and pleased at
his success.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-02
WOULD BE GUESTS ARE
ARRESTED AND HELD.

Yesterday morning officers Wilson
and Fogelman arrested S. w. Wy
att and Dora Trolbob when they
aIighted from No. !. They were want
ed on a charge of robbing a Bristol
man of $105 and were found with near
ly all the money on their persons. An
officer from Bristol called for them
during the day. {
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-02
MASSEY ON HOME BOARD

Washington, Feb. %. DIR. z,
D. Massey, representative from
the First Tennessee district, will
be elected a member of the Sol
diers' Home board through a COM
promise reached. AS soon as the
general deficiency appropriation
is disposed of the matter will be
Officially decided.
DR.. Massey was willing to do
all in his power to elect Col. John
Bell Brownlow, of Knoxville, who
was advocated for the position by
Congressman Austin, but finding
it impossible to elect Col. Brown
low, and at the request of the
widow of the late Representative
w. P. Brownlow, Mr.. Austin con-
cluded to support DR.. Massey.
The bill providing for the cleo
ton is on the calendar, and at the
first opportunity it will be called
up.
The fight is considered over,
and Congressman Austin's state
ment that a Tsnnessean would
get the position appears to have
correctly sized up the situation.
Friends of Mr.. Gardner, of Mich
igan, admit it.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-02
SECOND ONLY TO
JESSE JAMES

Chicago, February 2S.-That "Old
Bill" Miner, ony to Jesse
James in notoriety as train robber
was one of the ba 'dlts arrested at
GAINESVILLE, Ga, last Thursday was as
sarted by the PinkeIton National De-
tective Agency here today.
The Robbery at White Sulphur, Ga
occurred February Is, and several
thousands of dollars were secured by
the bandits from Southern Railway
train.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-02
DR.. MASSEY CAIN NOT
BE SECRETARY OF BOARD

1t is not at all likely that DIR.
z. D. Massey will be secretary OF
the board of managers OF the
Soldiers, Home, because that po-
sition is held by Hon, John M.
Holley, of La Crosse, Wis, and
he is not inclined to quit.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-02

Louisiana will have to be up and
doing If 1t is to capture the Panama
International Exposition of 1915. A
special session of the Calf )rnia leg
islature has proposed two amend
ments to the state constitution which
will allow an additional $4,000, 900
tor the financing of the exposition,
end over 100000 has already been
provided by private subscription
Cincinnati Southwest.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-02

I'm little bit worried about the
way my husband spends his evenings"
said the lady from Illinois.
rs he convivially inclined"
mo, but he talks so much about
standing pat and jack-pots' that I'm
afraid he's getting into political
Washington STAR
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-02

Washington, Feb. 28.-The
senate rejected the resolution
with the Sutherland amend
ment, providing for the election
of senator's by direct vote the
people on the failure Of the vote
TO show a tUo-t!iirds majority
for the resolution.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-02
Declares For San Francisco.

Rear Admiral Robley D. Evans, re-
tired, has declared himself In favor
Of San Francisco as the place for
holding the international exposition
10 celebrate the opening of the Pan.
ANA canal in 1915. He bases his
preference on San FrancisGo's pres
ent prominence and future as great
seauorS. Qswano -GNa- .Yl Times,
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-02
Il You Want 10 Be lIkea.

Don't when people say nice things
to you. think that they must necessar-
fly be insincere. 1t is quite as natural
for some persons to put their nice
thoughts about you into words as II
Is for them to breathe.-Home Chat
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-02
CONSTITUTION OF NEW
MEXICO IS APPROVED

Washington, Feb. %. The
constitution of the new state of
New Mexico has been unani-
monsIy approved by the house
committee on territories. After
investigating all charges of
fraud in connection with the
constitutional convention and
the ratification of the constitu-
ton, the committee finds that
the organic act should be APP
proved by congr esS.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-02
Revenge.

This is now the sixth time that
wait for her in vain II she is not here
tomorrow III go away and disappoint
aGr -Simplicissimus
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-02

Holds Office for Life.
An alderman of the city of London
holds office for life.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-02
Rniief for Headache.

For headache, bathing behind TIE
ears with hot water often proves OF
immense benefit