davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-11-23
Russian Empress, EavorIte.

Stories abound of the luxury pre-
vailing at the military headquarters
CT Prince Potemliin, one of GATHERINGS
favorites. His establishment included
five or six Hundred domestic servants.
a troup of actors, and twenty Jewell
ers. Conceiving the desire to see the
'tzigane' danced, and being informed
that two officers in the army Of the
Caucasus danced 1t particularly we'll,
he summoned them-a whole weeks
journey--in order to give their per-
Torrance. and recompensed them for
their foolery by promoting them to
field rank. There were fetes given
at his headquarters, at which every
one of the two hundred ladies' present
was given costly shawl, and invited
to help herself from crystal goblet
filled with diamonds. He hard
ly ever mounted a horse, but, when
he visited the lines, drove round them
in carriage; and there Is a story
of his having sent an indignant mes
sage to the, general commanding the
artillery to inquire what he meant by
making ouch disgusting noise with
his guns."-The Comedy Of Catherine
the Great, by Francis Gribble.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-11-23
AGAIN THE DRUMMER's WILEs
This Time Whole Carloads Of Men
Are the Victims of His "vera-
cious" Imagination.

"Yes." said the drummer for gro
Gerry house. 81 am on my way east to
reap the reward OF virtue. This may
seem improbable to you, but right
here in my pocket have a letter from
a Philadelphia law firm which says
that a gentleman dying a few days
ago left me $4,000 in his WILL"
Relative, of course?" was observed.
"No, sir. Not even an acquaintance.
In fact, I never even saw the man
in my life. 1 can't say that l ever
heard his name until l received this
letter."
He must nave been queer man to
have left $1,000 to a perfect stranger?'
Il agree with you there" said the
drummer "but I suppose 1t all came
about through his wife. Five years ago
/ rode in the same palace car with her
from Chicago to Pittsburg. Our seats
were just opposite. She was young
and handsome and alone. She intui-
lively knew was a drummer--one OF
the best in the country--and she. ex'
pected that would buy the magazines
for her or make some other excuse
to start conversation. Then would
come chin-chin and dattery, and
would PROPOSE an elopement."
~And, of course, it all happened?'
"You wrong me, sir. That's where
my $4,000 comes in. I never looked
her square in the face once during the
long journey. / ignored her as IL she
did not exist. She must have been
dreadfully puzzled over the matter
and told her husband when she goi
home. He probably employed pri
vate detective to ascertain my name
and address, and then added a codi
ell to his will. Gentlemen, let my
case be a shining example to yor
and"
And he rose up and went up the
aisle and sat down beside the only fe
males on the car, who was very love
ly, lonely girl, and he began to tell
jokes and stories and make her laugh
and the other five kicked each other
and said that he ought to be flung OF
the train for the way he had euchered
them.--Baltimor American.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-11-23
rhorouqhIy up.to-pate.

''Halloal" Jellinson cried. as he en-.
countered his acquaintance Barwood in
the street. Thought you were getting
married today. Postponed?"
Altogether" answered Barwood,
firmly.
mot even engaged now, then?" pur-
sued Jellinson.
mo. The lady was to have mar
ried was too modern--too up-to-date
for me-"
"Up-to-datei" The excuse astonish-
ed Jellinson. How on earth"
Wrote her last Monday saying ]
was coming to see her on Wednesday.
You see. I'd never formally proposed,
and she seemed to want 1t. So went
on Wednesday-jus to satisfy her
whim,. as thought. Got there and
found she had sold the rights of pho
tographing me at the moment of pro.
posing to a cinematograph company,
"That settled iti"-Tit-Bits.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-11-23
REFUSED TO ACCEPT sNuB
Napoleon III. keenly Felt Slight OF
Russian Gear, but Refused to
Show His Annoyance.

It has been urged by French au-
thor that Napoleon III. entered into
the Crimean war on the side of Great
Britain because he had been well re-
ceiyed in the London clubs during his
sojourn in that country. But there
might have been another potent factor
independent of the emperor's pleasant
recollections of the English and that
was the slight to which he was sub
jected by the car of Russia, Mich
olas l.
When Napoleon assembled the throne
as emperor he notified all the reigning
sovereigns of the fact, addressing
them as Monsieur mon frere." With
the exception of the car they replied.
adopting the same formula. Nicholas,
however, began his reply Mon grand
ami" This is the style adopted by
sovereigns when addressing presi-
dents of republics. Napoleon fully un-
derstood the cars meaning.
At the New Years reception Of the
diplomatic boldly he went up to Count
Kisslew, the Russian ambassador. and
said to him:
Il have received letter from your
sovereign which fiatters me greatly.
He writes to me. Mon grand ami One
chooses his friends. He cannot choose
his brothers.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-11-23
BEST TO RELY ON youRsEl
Only the Weak Are Constantly Ma
Ing Condolences, and Little Bens.
fit Is Derived.

The men and women who K
through life without making conf
dences are the strong ones of thj
world They are their own tribunal
they stand or fall by their own judy
ments, accept good or evil FORUM
without inviting congratulation O
pity, and deal with circumstances n
CARELESS of the praise or blame 0
others.
A personal confidence nearly Away
presupposes weakness. 1t Is usuall
an appeal from ones own mind to thl
mind of another, either for support
fcr commentator or for sympathy
The maker. consciously or not desire
one of three things: to be confirmed 4
his own opinion, to receive the pralsl
which he considers his due, or 4
make sure that some other realize
what he is called upon to suffer. N
is not self-sufficient. He must vehiI
his estimate of himself before he cid
rest on it.
A confidence also is often the SIM
pic result of d very human desire \
fill the center of the stage, eved
though 1t be only for an hour. and b
fore an audience of one. 1t is an Al
most pitiful effort to assert indivtdual
lty to rise out of the ranks. to demand
attention It is a weak expression y
that nearly universal trait, whld|
when at it's strongest, and combips1
with genius, gives us a Napoleon
The person who makes a confdeno1
ls almost certainly doomed to disap
pointment, for the perfectly satisfyn4
confidence requires the perfectly Sati|
factory confidant, and 1t is not often
with the best will In the world, thai
one nature can fully satisfy the a
hands of another.
/. is as though nature meant us \
keep our deepest experiences to ou1
selves. and with great precaut0i
closes the door which she has inadvs|
tently set ajar. Those who are viss|
accept the isolation which is indicated
and are satisfied to let their deed
alone bear witness to that which 1
withiii.--The Housekeeper
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-11-23
FoR A soNs ROOM.

The boy who takes pride in fixing
UP his room Is usually one who is in
terested in making things, and his
room is almost certain to contain
number OF pieces Of homemade
furniture and conveniences. No mat
ter how poor his working material
may be, he usually manages to trans
form It. into things that are useful,
and for the very reason that they
bear a rough appearance, compared
with what might be constructed out
OF new material, the room containing
such furniture will approach nearer
to the ideal" than one fitted up en-
tirely with store furnishings.
The blacking-case, magazine-rack
and tabouret illustrated below are
useful pieces of furniture that every
boy should have in his room. and all
three may be made out of boxes and
odd pieces of boards.
A soap box Is of just the right size
for the blacking-case Gig. u. Cut
two strips for each leg, making one 8
inches wide and the other as much
narrower as the thickness OF the
wood. Nail the face >of the wide
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-11-23

rather Is rather scared and n
never saw him that way before-so
! think perhaps you may be on the
right track" encouraged Dell,
wait until after my grand open.
Ing next month and wen seel lid
won't love me any better"
''But he might respect your bust,
ness abilities morel" retorted Dell
quickly, 'and that seems to be troul
bling him more than anything elAd|
just at present"
IF the Sandy Point Inn fails lU|
have to fly and win some more priIes
to make good. for I've sunk every Doll
lar In that enterprise" said Jack.
1T will succeed one way or anl
other" predicted Dell
The opening day came Mt last and
IN response to Jacks broad adverts
Ing there came host OF pleasure
seekers to partake of his hospitality
To his mingled delight and chagrld
the Inn was success from the start
Farlane's Red Tree Inn. which waa
situated In the town OF Wellcott, sud
fered heavily through loss OF patron
age. People much preferred to stop
at Sandy Point and lunch or dine on
the wide piazzas overlooking thd
bay, and the absurdly high priced
charged by Jack Bemis seemed only
to enhance its desirability In the EYED
OF the money-spending public.
At the end of a month Mr., Fan
lane sent for Jack Bemis.
You're running me out OF BUST
ness!" he said fieroely
'T'm sorry" said Jack. 81 didn't
know the COMPOUNDED thing would ID
so successful was only trying d
make good on your account.
"Huh!" snorted Mr.. Farlane iRl
credulously,
81 hate it,"
Would rather fly. suppOse'I
sneered the elder.
|. "Of counsel"
Dell says you're n'oneer-ryd
always thought you wers fool"
Jack laughed. 81 must be ~
neer for have not started nv
hotel where none was before
,'You have. Want to sell out?"
what do you mean?'
"I'!l put some money in = '"d I'd
1t as an annex to the Red Troo I'd
You can be stockholder md drYV
dividends and so forth-ard rs
you want tot"
"Tly with Dell too" demanded JacI
warily.
"Yes, she says she'll marry yI
anyway"
TITS bargain, sir! I'm sorry
scared YOU"
81 wasn't scared. merely startled
retorted Mr.. Farlane as he held oul
his hand TO the young man, but thei
eyes met and into each pair Their
crept a CLINT of understanding, y
Dell came into the room and saw
their clasped hands.
you dears!" she cried happily and
ran to them.
Copyright. 1912 hv Associated Literary
Press.)
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-11-23
FARM BOY SHOWS rs NERVE
Country Lad In Kansas City DIaplays
Courage by Renewing Tight
EIttlnn Shoes In Street

Plainly he was from the country.
IL was equally plain that the sights
of the city streets fascinated him.
Neither was there any doubt that his
city oxfords hurt his feet. He was
Htalwart specimen of farm youth and
good to look at. though he wasn't ex-
actly comfortable. He trudged brave
ly along. but the close observer could
see that his limp was Becoming mo-
mentarily more noticeable. Occasion
ally he looked at his new tan shoes,
gritted his teeth and ploughed ahead
through the Main street crowd. The
look of desperation had become set In
his face by the time he reached Tenth
and Main. He paused there. took an
other lingering look at the crowd and
then with you be burned" express
sion upon his suntanned countenance
sat down on the curb. on came one
shoe and then another He placed
them carefully upon the sidewalk be.
side him. removed his green socks
and dabbled his feet in diminutive
pool left by the street sprinklers.
Those shoes just had to come on
said business man who passed just
then. 1T wasn't so many years ago
that was in just that fix-butI didn't
have the nerve to take EN- off."-Kan-
sas City Journal.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-11-23
A WINDMILL CLOTHES DRYER.

The model from which the clothes
has been in use for number of years,
and except when not breath of air lie
stirring, its little fleet of yachts, whose
sails form the paddles of the wind
mill, sail around the circular course
continuously. The best feature of this
windmill is Its combination with the
clothes dryer, which makes it a practt
cal toy that will serve the laundress
excellently on wash day.
II there is clothes post in the cen
ter of the yard. its top may be used
for support, otherwise. you will have
to put up a post. A two-by-four will
serve the purpose for this. Set II
about 10 inches into the ground. and
then brace 1t at the base with dag
onal pieces.
Strips one inch thick and two
inches wide may be used for the arms
of the windmill dryer, but If you can
get pieces two inches thick they will,
of course, be so much stronger. Cut
the arms six feet long. and bevel their
ends as in Fig (A), cutting the low.
er ends to At the base board, B, and
the upper ends to fit the blocks, G
The upper end of the arms should be
about two feet higher than the lower
end, which will determine the angle
of the bevels. Cut the base block. B,
eight inches square, and bore three
fourths-inch hole through it's center fol-
the king-bolt, d, and cut the blocks, G,
about two and one-half inches wide by
ten inches long. Mali blocks, @, to
the upper ends of the arms, and drive
the nail, K, into each block near the in.
ner end. Either bolt or screw the long.
err ends of the arms to Block, B, plac'
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-11-23
edges as shown. The leg braces ar

edges as shown. The leg braces are
"halved" together; that is, a piece
the thickness of and one-half the
depth of the braces is cut out of the
center of one edge of each piece Gig.
81, so when the pieces are crossed at
right angles one will lock in the 9TH
err. The cutting must be done care
fully in order TO have the pieces At
exactly. BY placing the braces upon
the top piece, in the position indicat-
ed by dotted lines in Fig. 6, you can
check up your work; Of course the
ends of the braces must reach to the
center OF each corner. Fasten the
legs to the braces and top piece with
round-head screws.
Sandpaper your work carefully,
putty UP nail holes and cracks, and
finish either with a prepared wood
stain or oil paint.
Copyright. 1912, by A. Nicely Hall)
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-11-23

strip to the edge of the narrow strip,
and then fasten to the corner of the
box Gig. p. The top should be
made of two pieces, Of the proper
size to form projection Of about l
inch over the sides of the box all
around. One of these pieces should
be nailed In place, and the other
piece should be hinged to 1t. To the
inside face Of the hinged board fast
en- a block OF wood for a foot-rest.
Use the sole Of your shoe for a pat
tern for this. Divide Off the inside OF
the box with center partition Gig.
~, so as to provide one-half of the
box for cans Of shoe polish and bot
ties of dressing, and the other half
for rags and brushes.
The top shelf of the magazine-rack
shown in Fig. may be used for
books, and the bottom cupboard to
hold your large supply catalogues,
and odds and ends for which you have
no room in your writing-desk.
Procure grocery box for the low
.er portion OF the rack, and after cut
ting the six side uprights screw or
nail them to the ends of the box.
Project the four corner pieces or
inches below the bottom OF the box
for legs, and set the bottom Of the
middle pieces flush with the bottom
of the box. Trim the tops of the up
rights as shown. II you cannot get
boards that are wide enough for
shelves. you can use two or more
boards. fastening cleats to the inside
faces of the uprights to nail them to,
Battcn together the cover boards OF
the box used for the lower compart-
ment, for drop-leaf. hinge Il to the
lower edge Of the box. and suspend II
by means of two chains to keep II
from prying on its hinges.
You will need a board 10 or IL
inches square for the top of the
tabouret shown in Fig. 4. Mark of
points TX inches each side of each
corner of the board, and connect
them with diagonal lines Gig. 81;
then cut OF the corners on these
lines. Make the legs 18 inches long
and . inches wide. and bevel the TOP
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-11-23
Health Through RIaht rhinkIna.

The mind furnishes the model; the
mental attitude Is the pattern which is
woven into the life web. Picture
heath as yividly as possible contin-
ually. Think OF yourself as strong,
vigorous. Never allow yourself to
carry a mental image OF weakness
Thrust out the disease picture as you
would thrust a thief out OF your house.
Think health. vigor. strength perpetua-
ly. Whatever picture you carry Of
yourself physically, mentally, morally.
that you tend to become. Act health
iust as an actor acts the part he I'M
rersonates, and think health vigorous
"; carry an ideal picture of your
physical self. Refuse to see anything
else but yourself in an ideal condition.
Your life will soon follow your thought.
~attern after your mental attitude
T>rison SWEET Marden in Nautilus.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-11-23

ing the arms as shown In Fig. 2. Fas
ten with only one bolt or screw, first
then connect nails, e, on each opposite
pair of arms with the wire brace, 3
Gig. 81. These wires should be cut
about one foot longer than the dis
lance between the nails and be twisted
back on themselves at one end. as
shown in Figs. 8 and A; then nail can
be slipped through of the loops and
be used as a lever to twist the wire tc
take up the slack, in adjusting the arm
ends to the proper heights. The dis.
tances between the arm ends should be
carefully measured, and the arms shift
ed from side to side until these are
all the same; then the lower ends
should be fastened securely with q
second bolt or screw.
The hulls Of the little yachts need
necessary for sailing in water, because
these yachts depend entirely upon
their sails; however; for the sake OF
appearance, 1t is well to make them
as shapely as possible. They can be
cut out quickly. Fig. shows a top
view OF the hull with the dimensions
marked upon 1t. Make the bottom fiat
enough to provide mailing surface
for fastening the yachts to the blocks
g. Cut the mast, @, and the boom. II
about the length of the hull. and the
gan. I, about seven inches long, and
fasten wire loops to the ends OF both
the boom and the gan, as shown In
Fig. Z, to At over the mast A brad
a. 4. ~ =
proper heights for the boom and gaff
will prevent the loops from sliding
down the mast. Use heavy muslin for
the sails. and fasten them to the mast
ooom and gan sticks with heavy linen
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-11-23
Migs Be the Fact.

Burglars who broke into Paris
fiat recently removed all the fashion;
able pannier dresses belonging to the
mistress of.the house and left mum.
Der OF old skirts. "The police" says
Paris .corrcg e6ndcnt. suspect a
fashion exEert" We, on the other
hand. are inclinod to wonder IL the
burglary IVES not committed by the
lady's husband, who may easily have
been Supplemented fellow who
wished to see his wife becomingly
dressed for a week or two---By-
stander.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-11-23
Referred to pr. Wiley

There was discussion between
Jersey editor and one Of his ON
loungers as to table likes and q
likes. The question Of coffee al
how it should be prepared came up y
consideration.
II like my coffee thoroughly boil
and black as your hat" ANNOUNCED .
lounger.
I'm with you when it comes
liking good strong cup of COFFEE
said the editor, but I'll be dodgasli
il l don't have good crack on !
way for the next guy In the city fs
taurant that puts demitasse in ?
coffee for me."-Saturday Evonli
post.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-11-23
His Opportunity.

Harry. I've been reading up on
parliamentary usage. TveNgot to pre-
side at a meeting OF our girls club.
But there's one thing don't quite I'M
derstand; what is the previous ques-
tion?'
ITS the question I've been trying
to ask you for whole year. Mabel,
but you never would listen to me.
loull let me ask 1t now, won't
your"
I'll suppose so. Harry. Tiff you
are sure it's parliamentary"
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-11-23
spoIllno cnI,sren.

Little children give their mother
the headache; but if she let's them
have their own way, when they grow
up to be great children they will give
her the heartache. Fondness spells
many, and letting little faults alone
Bpoils more. Gardens that are never
weeded viii grow very little worth
gathering. All watering and no hoe
ing will make a very bad crop. A
child may have too much Of its moth
er's love and In the long run It may
turn out that 1t had too littles--C. II.
spurgson.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-11-23
Maternal Frlaldity.

Il know keep late hours. nom
mer," confessed the repentant young
man. "but you've told me many a
time that was the star of your ex-
istence, and So"
mot now. Percivai." interrupted the
austere old lady, looking at him over
her rpectacles: you're my midnight
SON.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-11-23
Documentary Evidence.

The geography class was in SESSION.
One small pupil astonished the class
by stating that In certain section
OF South America there were talking
monkeys. When the teacher ques-
toned the statement the youngster
opened his geography and triumphant
ly read: "'This region is inhabited by
species of monkey; properly speak
ing. apes. THE DeIinaator.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-11-23
Dangers Of prlnkln,

why are you SO anxious about
your husband?"
"He may be drinking"
"a little drinking won't hurt q
man"
But he is so easily influenced when
he is drinking. ! expect him to come
home any day now and tell me he has
accepted a vice-presidential nomina,
ton on some ticket"
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-11-23
The post Card Habit.

We'll, Hiram. your summer board
erp seem to have about everything
they want"
-They're fairly Content. only over
looked one point. Forgot to provide
any post cards OF such points OF inter-
est as the henhouse and the pump"
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-11-23
A Woman,s peductlon.

Does your husband enjoy fishingy"
81 don't think So"
But he goes away on fishing trip
every little while"
That's no sign that he likes It, He
comes home every night when he is
at work, but he never seems to really
enjoy doing So"
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-11-23

Home politics are always the
same
what do you mean?"
THE father OF the household is al
ways a standpatter, and the boys are
always insurgents"
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-11-23
suited for II.

The new shortstop started to throw
to second base. changed his mind. and
started to throw to third. Finally
he threw to first. two men having
scored
Il don't think you'll do for base
ball. said the manager. kindly.
why not?"
Not quite fast enough. son. Better
go In for chess"
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-11-23
The Discovery.

when did you discover that your
husband didn't love your"
When he began to complain be-
cause I left my powder rag and my
hairpins on his dresser"
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-11-23
Black DON'T Show to Advantage.

''Yaas'm!" said Miss Gladys Wash.
ington, a Vine street belle, in reply to
the saleslady's repetition Of her re-
quest. II wants par O. silk stock
ings. and-lopgy yuhi What's dem
things yo' shown me? Say. CONAN,
what kinduh display would black silk
stockin's make on cullud lays
egs?"-Kansas City Star.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-11-23
careIess 1uraIlr.

An absent-minded burglar, having
gained entrance to Philadelphia res.
ldence and gathered all tho family
iswelry, slipped everything into his
pockets. Then. discovering brand
new suit OF clothes. he changed his
raiment and left the house. forgetting
TO empty the pockets OF his old suit
It is difficult for the careless man
to attain very high degree of effi-
cheney In any line Of endeavors- Bos-
pm Globe.