davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16

roguery in working between the public and some
swindling game: in this case, working among
those who stop in at the auction and pretending
to have no connection with the sale, betraying
"a score of people day after ingratiating himselr
in their good graces through cunning and craft
Without these shills no sham auction can ex
ist Of course in smaller towns only two or three
can be used, as strangers are more easily notlced
in such places They are the crooks on whom
the proprietor relies to pick out unsuspecting Wis
itors shared by the bargain lure and jockey them
into buying msrepresented articles.
The shill mixes with the crowd His business
is to look Just like interested buyer and lie in
wait for the fly for which the elaborate web was
spun.
This individual, for whom the scenery is set
and the actors dressed is called in technical slang
"a rummy" The old three-card monte men chris
tened him sucker"
Picture a room 40 feet long and 20 feet wide.
Double doors to the sidewalk are invitingly open;
above them hangs enticing red flag bearing
the name of what purports to be legitimate
auction firm; beneath that, in large letters, are
the words
SALE TODAY
Pick out any acquaintance who lives in small
town, is fairly prosperous, and has come to the
nearby city of10000 to 10000 population to look
around for the day. purchase present for his
wife and some implements for the farm.
He has read in the papers and magazines &C
counts of book art and antique auctions and not
ed the hugh prices brought by rarities. When he
stumbles on to the fragrant flag of the fake auc-
ton house and looks In at the window, heaped
with miscellany of antiques, he is suddenly
stirred by that perennial longing for bargain.
He glances through the door. There is worS
ried auctioneer struggling with eight dullfaced
people He is trying frantically to sell pair of
opera glasses.
Genuine Lemier gentlemen; concave and con-
vex lenses, put up in this heavy morocco case"
the auctioneer cries, land 81 is bid for them
Think of that Not tenth of their value. Why,
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16

tached to 1t, as he considered the ma
ture of the work incompatible with his
judicial functions.
1t was Brillat-Savarin who declared
that "the discovery Of a new food
does more for the happiness of the
human race than the discovery of q
star"
Some of the axioms from his book
are:
THE man who can cook is made,
the man who can roast is born"
''To invite anybody to ones house is
to undertake the responsibility OF his
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16
AmerIeans support Passion Play.

The number of tourists who attend.
ed the Oberammergau passion play
this summer was extraordinary,
amounting to some 100000, 80 per
cent. of whom were of American ma
tionality. Next to them come the
English, who were represented by
about Is per cent; but far less en-
thusiastic of the peasants perform
ances were the Germans, Italians and
French, OF whom there were not five
per cent. These performances bring
therefore untold riches to the little
Bavarian village, for which they have
as is shown, principally to thank the
United States.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16

well being during the whole time he
is ones guest"
animals feed; man eats; the man
of sense alone knows how to eat"
1.-THE destiny of nations depends
upon how they are fed"
Monsieur the CouncelioTT," hostess
asked him one day, which do you
prefer, Burgundy or Bordeaux ?"
Madame" replied the judicial an.
thority, that is a lawsuit in which ]
have so much pleasure In taking the
evidence that I always postpone judg
snept."
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16

were going dirt cheap. Two ladies beside him COM
miserated because they wouldn't have enough
Gentlemen and ladies'" the auctioneer went on
solemnly 'if had this article in Chicago New
York it would bring one hundred dollars, one hun
dred dollars. You couldn't duplicate it at retail
for less than two hundred. 1t is the finest piece of
art glass ever shown in your city"
Can get one hundred dollars? Ninety? Eighty?
Seventy-fve dollars? Can get sixty? Fifty? Give
forty; thirty-line; thirty"
Fifteen dolars!" came a hating voice from
beside Jones.
Jones was interested. He sensed a bargain.
Had he known that when the auctioneer said
'thrty-ne" 1t was signal to the shill beside
Jones to bid $50 with line through it, or fifteen
actual dollars, he would not have been SO enthu,
siastc.
"Sixteen!" "Seventeen!" Half" Eighteen"
staccato offers punctuated the atmosphere after the
auctioneer's encouragement
The little man beside Jones shook his head
sadly.
Gee, it's gone beyond me-" he sighed, turning
to Jones; it'll go dirt cheap too II you could buy
that for $50 it'd be bargain, sure enough"
'Twenty-eight is the last bid" walled the auc-
tioneer why, you could take 1t out and pawn
it for more than that"
Jones thrilled the auctioneer turned to look
squarely at him.
You'd give thirty, wouldn't your? he cried.
Jones gulped and nodded.
The auctoneer skfully led up to the grand
landing by taking offers of "thrty-six" and thirty
seven" from members of his troupe. He had felt
out his man carefully and knew that $40 would be
Joness limit. .tt 3
'Will you give me forty?" he said simply, IN a
level tone, leaning far over the showcase
Jones hesitated, gulped, and then nodded his
head abruptly.
Jones was pleased with his bargains until he
got home and his wife told him he could gen The
same punch bowl for $40 anywhere and that tho
other stuff was worthless
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16
MONUMENT TO A GOOD LIVER
Belley, In France, to Honor the Mem
DRY Of 6rlliat-Savarln, Noted
GouFmand.

BelIey, little town in the southeast
OF France. is about to raise n
monument 10 the glory OF one VI its
sons, Brillat.Sayarin. The author of
THE Physiology Of Taste" was the abb
solute realization Of the typical good
liver. The revolution confiscated his
property and removed him from his
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16

The New York police have captured
band of kidnapers. This ought to
afford fine chance to make so signal
an example of retribution that this
despicable form of crime will receive
a staggering blow to its industry of
Matchmaking distracted parents.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16

Since Wholesale prices of meat
have gone up a cent in Omaha, watch
and see whether your butcher does
not hear of it much more prompetly
than he did of the preceding decline
Of a much larger amount.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16

Inventing excuses for staying out
late at night will not qualify any mar.
ried man for membership In the in.
ventors' guild. no matter how well the
missus receives his inventions.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16

A class in a cooking school in Prov.
idence had all its members poisoned
with their own cooking. This was
retribution swift and sure, but It gave
q great lesson TO the community.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16
In the Blood.

WILTSHIRE those Kentucky horses
you bought scared of autos7
Gillis-No, indeed They never no
tice trsin either, but / can't get
them used spl4ukllng cart To SAYS
my life!--Puck
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16

Count de Lesseps says he isn't 60
ing to fly any more. IT'S all right for
bachelors" he said, "but when
man intends to get married, we'll"
1t takes a good deal of courage to do
either.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16

New England women are protesting
against the use of corkscrew curls by
stage people to portray their type.
This is quite right. New England
women are no longer in the daguer.
reotype period.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16

A dispatch from Berlin informs US
that the kaiser drinks with frankly
boyish enjoyment" We are glad to
hear that he enjoys it. We were
afraid that he might do it purely out
of patriotism.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16
The other Legs.

Benham-I don't see how you get
around in your hobble skirt.
Mrs. Benham--Do you remember
when It took a surgical operztion "a
get you out of your skin-tight
trousers?
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16
DURING A TIFF.

Wife-It seems to me we've been
married century. l can't even re-
member when or where we first met
Husband-Can't you? Well, can.
1t was at a dinner party where there
were Is at the table.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16

II the average husband talked
about women as some Of the college
professors do family Jars would be-
come quite common.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16

Twenty BOSTON high school girls
have formed walking club. II will
not be much Of success If the girls
Insist on wearing hobble skirts.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16

A St. Louis man made his wife cut
his hair. Barbering, however, will
never be included In any domestic
science course.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16

THAT the Irish should control Brit.
fish affairs Is one Of those reyengss
sn which time and fate delight
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16
TIE PROPRIETOR

from line to line, we find
in nearly every state
from one to forty cities
supporting temporary
auction swindles. Few
are permanent; 1t is a
mushroom busin e s s
which cnrinnc I'm n,ror.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16

The word "shill," or "shil-
liver" in full, is Of indie
terminate origin. 1t Is
synonymous with cap
per-" booster" ringer"
dummy" STOOL" stool
pigeon" and Outside
man." all technical slang
titles for the shabby crea-
ture, the human buzzard,
who picks up his foul liv-
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16

One quail on toast is worth whole
flock of flying wild geese.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16

one in his pocket; his eyes continually
roved toward the cut glass in little Japanese
cabinet.
He didn't know 1t, but before he was in the
place two minutes, while the auctioneer was
trying to feel him OUT with the watch, one
of the shills had noticed Jones's interest in cut
glass, and had called the auctioneers attention
to the fact by touching the cabinet signifi-
cantly.
The auctioneer, on his perch above them
all, had control of the situation. He noted
the signal from the shill, jotted down mentally
that Jones wanted cut glass, and knocked
down the watch he had been experimenting
with to one of the shills for a ruinous price,
which was all helpful in showing Jones that
a shrewd man could pick up a bargain If he
laid low, attracted no attention and bided his
time.
sold for six ninety Put 1t with the other
goods for Mr.. A. Deposit sufficient" the auc-
tioneer cried to the pretty cashier.
Jones did not bid on the first piece of cut
glass The auctioneer did not look toward him
once to give him a chance. The piece was
knocked down for $3.50 1t was frightful bar
gain. Jones would have given IS for it him
self. But the auctoneer passed abruptly to the
next article
Jones pressed forward thfs time a gor-
geous punch bowl was put up. He heard vari-
GUS EXPLANATIONS around him, all tending to
civ i'm in fact that things
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16

I don't believe you gentlemen would give $3.50
to see statue of liberty do Salome dance0 Two
dollars bid oh, shill! Two dollars!"
Jones, your outoftown friend, is undecided
whether to go in not; but at that moment a
fellow near the door shakes his head to a SEEM
ing stranger beside him and says in a low voice:
ITS a shame. Things are going for nothing.
Wish l had the price to buy some of that cut
glass. TIN sell for a song"
Jones overhears and is interested He thinks
the mind of everybody in that store is conferred
on the opera glasses, going so cheap. He smiles
at their rapt attention and the auctioneers hard
luck complaints. The smile would disappear in
stantly if he knew that he himself was the sole
concern of the eight minds in that audience, and
the auctioneer He would be furious IL he knew
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16

are more harmful to us as a nation than all the old
time lotteries policy games, mail-order fakes and
circus CRAFTS including gold bricks and shell games
combined.
They are not honest. They play heads we win,
tails you lose" Uncle Sam doesn't want to bring up
his boys in the business yet he countenances it,
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16

that the whole sham that when
The aconeer Jonesey looking in he Immediately transmitted
his fact to the door by saying "Oh hi
v IN his speech heard the word naturally
didn't with suspicion from the auconeers argon and
nothing about
glass bargains.
AS of fact Jones interested in cut glass
His wife occasionally he invested in 1t
IM being nearest he could get to diamonds.
III So he casually and watched with an
amused smile auconeer trying to sell watch
Jones in watches. He had
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-11-04
ORIGIN of the Doa.

II has been supposed that the dog.
Ike the jacbai. descended from a spe-
cial race. Examination of the skulls
Of the canidae in the museum of the
French Academy Of Sciences shows
that nearly all OF the jackal and wolf
species differ from those Of the little
wolf of India. The little wolf of In
dia is the only wild beast possessing
the salient eyebrow or crest of the dog.
The little wolf has not only the dogs
eyebrow crest. but all the canine char
acteristics aud none OF the character
istics OF the wolf. 1t is presumable
that the little wolf Of India was the
original ancestor Of the dog. The two
primitive canine races. the dog of the
boys and the dog Of the age Of bronze"
were domesticated first in Asia and
were introduced into Europe from
Asia. like most Of the domestic ami
mails Of Europe.-Harper's Weekly.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-11-04
~ j. NJ. c.
MIsTAH LEAvENs, Po'TAH.

'-Iolinc Mail and Journal
manufacturers hotel of this city is
the proud possessor OF the fanciest ap-
pareled night porter in the land, at any
rate the nan II, question says so.
hence it must be true Not satisfied
With his uniform as handed TO him, the
handsome young man, known TO many
as the miniature porter, on account Of
his diminUtive stature, hied himself
forth to tailor, where he was meas
ured for the suit that now dazzles the
eyes of the hotel patrons. Wide stripes
OF gold braid emblazon the side Of his
trouser legs. Gold lace decorates his
collar, and still more of the expen-
sive cloth enCiTcles the wrists OF his
spick and span outfit. Two gold stars.
emblematic OF four years of faithful
service decorate each sleeve, telling
the world, as represented by the trav-
cling men passing through, that for
the original fashion plate porter they
need search no further. 1t is not
often that such distinction comes 10
night porter, but here is a man who
does not believe in spending his days,
or rather his nights, far back in a Sc
Guided corner, never eliciting a pass
ing thought. Far be it from this for
the y. P. AS q white collar and
fashy tie shows up more distinctly
than ever, on a dull rainy day, in
like manner does this blazing suit
shine in contrast 70 the dark night
Success means many things to diff
ferent individuals. and if being brought
into forcible notice constitutes the IL
lusive phantom. surely the night por-
ter is highly successful Fame how
ever is fleeing.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-11-04
CHANGED HER MIND.
Strategic Game In Domestic Economy
the Husband Played.

Strategic Game In Domestic Economy
the Husband Played.
Strategy can sometimes be made as
effective in domestic economy as in
the operations Of war. By way of IL
lustration consider an instance thpt
recently arose in q certain city.
An ambitious Young housewife there
had an opportunity to buy at a great
bargain handsome rug which she
needed. The price was only 5000. bat
the owner declared that the rug was
mans husband gently protested that
even 5000 was more than persons OF
their income could afford for single
article Of household furnishing. but
after much persuasion he consented to
the purchase. as most husbands do in
such cases.
But this particular husband played
wife the money to pay for the rug it
was not in currency notes of large de-
nomination. hut in the form Of 200
round sound silver dollars. The
young woman was astounded. Until
the money was counted down dollar
by dollar she never had realized that
it would take so many 10 pay for that
rug. She decided to buy sixty-fve
dollar rug. but declared that if the
money had been given TO her in two
notes of 500 each she would have
bought the costIier one without hesita-
5ion.--New York Mail
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-11-04
HANDLES TEMPER.
soreIy Tried by Joker Who KneN~ the
Composers Weakness.

SoreIy Tried 6y Joker Who kneW the
Composers Weakness.
The celebrated composer Handel had
such g remarkable irritation Of nerves
that he could not bear to hear the tun-
ing Of instruments. and therefore this
was always done before he arrived at
the theater.
4 musical wag who knew how to
1ztract some mirth from Handel's
Feasibility of temper stole into the
orchestra on a night when the Prince
of Wales was to be present and IN
tuned all the instruments. AS soon
as the prince arrived Handel gave the
signal Of beginning. con spirito, but
such was the horrible discord that the
enraged musician started up from his
seat, and. having overturned q double
bass. which stood in his way. he seized
a kettIedrum, which he threw with
such violence at the leader of the band
that he lost his full bottomed wig In
the effort.
advanced bareheaded to the front of
the orchestra, breathing vengeance,
but so much choked with passion that
utterance was denied him. In this
ridiculous attitude he stood staring
and stamping for some moments
amid a CONFUSION OF laughter. nor
could he be prevailed upon to resume
his seat until the prince went in per
son and appeaSed his wrath.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-11-04
ONE WISE TEACHER.
Lacon Journal


Several younsters around town are
induIging il trapping. They go out
every day before daylight and il is
seldom that they do not come back
with a find of some kind One day
last week they caught three skunks
and brought them home. The skunks
were tied to the highest beam in the
barn. The boys changed their ward
robe and went 10 school. It was a
snappy, cold day and Janitor Taylor
turned on the heat in full force. My.
it was awful, Prof Smith and the
teachers were sure a skunk had en-
tered the building and search was
instituted all through the south end.
II is said one of the teachers. the
smallest in the bunch. mounted the
table and remained there until the dis
covery was made. The boys were sent
home and given a bath il. rose water,
and after a complete change of clothing
once more returned to school. Things
worked better from that time on.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-11-04
The Oriain of Fasting.

AS Is the case with all very ancient
practices. the origin Of fasting is OBJ
scure Herbert Spencer gives US TO
understand that the custom arose out
Of the habit Of providing refreshments
for the dead. The offerings 10 the dead
were often made in so lavish a manner
as TO involve the survivors in tempo
rary starvation. and II is suggested by
Spencer that the fasting which was
at first the natural and inevitable re-
suit of the sacrifice on behalf Of the
dead. may eventually have come TO be
regarded as an indispensable con-
comitant OF all sacrifice and worship
and so have survived as u well estab-
lished usage dong after the original
cause had ceased TO operate. - New
York American.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-11-04
sieqest of carnibaI Banqucts.


Probably the biggest Caunibal orgy
on record is one of which Miss Bea-
trice Grimshaw tells in her book The
New New Guinea" In 1858 a ship
load Of Cinnamon was being taken
down to Australia. The vessel was
wrecked upon a reef close TO Rossel
island CNew Guinea. The officers es-
capped in boats. but were never after
ward heard of As for the Cinnamon.
nun bering 32G. the natives captured
them and put them on a small barren
island, where they had no food and no
means of getting away. They kept
their prisoners supplied with food
from the mainland and every now and
then carried away a few OF them to
est until all but one old man had been
devoured. This one succeeded eventU-
ally In getting away and told some
thing OF the story. which seems to
have met with general disbelief. True
It i. however. on the evidence Of the
sons of those who did the deed
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-11-04
Sens. Of Direction In Bees.

The directive sense possessed by bees
is the object of research made by NJ.
CASTOR BONNER of Paris. and he seems
to have proved that bees possess a
special sense ike carrier pigeons. EY-
periments showed that bees can fly
two miles TO their hives even when
deprived OF the organs Of sight and
smell Many scientists and among
others Dadent have always declared
that bees are guided by the sense Of
smell and that they can smell flowers
at one and a half miles. BOnnier's ex-
periments proved that bees detect
doors at only short distances.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-11-04
TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

From The Argus Files of 1850
Oct 3O.-A novel and pleasing affair
took place at the residence OF Rev w.
s. Marquis last evening, it being an en-
tertainment given by the Busy Bee
club Of the Broadway church, compos-
ed wholly OF the young people. The
little folks all acquitted themselves ad-
mirably, the recitation by little Miss
Corbett being especially fine.
Charles Fiebig was today called to
do some work In the Citizens National
bank in Davenport.
A dainty little stranger arrived at
the Cable mansion on Fifth avenue yes
terday afternoon, and as a result Mr.
and Mrs. B. T. Cable are blessed with
as sweet a little daughter as ever
brought sunshine into a home. The
little one tipped the beam at 10
pounds the first time 1t was weighed.
Nov. 1.-Two young fellows from
South Rock Island are TO be brought
in this afternoon for stealing hay and
chickens
The board of education had a spe-
cial meeting Saturday evening. and
renewed the insurance about TO expire
on buildings six and seven
A pair of politicians got into an ami
mated discussion in front OF Thomas
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-11-04
HOW TO KILL YOUR TOWN.

hO" noUh Io"o
Buy of peddlers as often and as
much as possible.
Denounce your merchants because
they make profit on their goods.
Glory in the downfall Of the man
who has done much to build up the
town
Make your town out a very bad
place and stab it every chance you
get.
Refuse to unite in any scheme for
the material interest of the people.
Tell your merchants that you can
buy goods a dood deal cheaper in some
other town and charge them with ex-
tortion.
When you want 70 buy large bill,
be sure TO go to some large town TO
get it for it looks far more important
10 your neighbor.
If a stranger comes TO your town,
tell him that everything is overdone
and predict a general crash in the
near future.
Keep up divided public sentiment
and knife every man that disagrees
with you on the best method of in
creasing business.
When you have anything to say
about your town say it in such way
so as to leave the impression that you
have no faith in IL
Patronize outside newspapers to the
exclusion of your own and then de-
nounce your own for not being as large
nor as cheap as the city papers.
If you have good professional men
and mechanics do not patrOnize them;
their place Is in the city and YOU can
go there when one is needed.
If you are a merchant don't adver-
tise in the home paper, but get rub
Der stamp and use it. It may save a
few dimes and make your letter heads
and wrapping paper look as though il
was doing business in a one-horse