Ventriloquist's Dog and a Fifty Dollar Loan Tale
A famed ventriloquist, then hard up, travels Philadelphia on foot with a dog that "talks." He borrows $50 from a German innkeeper to keep the dog, promising to return soon. The dog quips that he will never speak again if sold, then stays silent. The item shifts to short notices about bathing in Islam, unicorns in royal arms, armor fashion, and a Niagara Falls excursion offer with Lehigh Valley Railroad details.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tie
Hans
Jack
Moses
Philadelphia Times
Niagara Falls
Lehigh Valley Railroad
Freeland
Virtues Of Light Lunches In American Life
An American quick lunch is blamed for dyspepsia and poor performance, but observers note it promotes alertness and efficiency. The piece contrasts light midday meals with heavy European eating and suggests the trend toward a lighter lunch and a heavier evening meal reflects an evolving American dietetic pattern.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Germany
Tropics
Philadelphia
First Automobile Shrine of Bacchus by Heron of Alexandria
The earliest self moving vehicle, described by Heron of Alexandria, used a shaded weight and rope to drive wheels, enabling motion forward or in a circular path. Patent office officials overlooked this Heron mechanism when granting slot machine patents, illustrating the adage there is nothing new under the sun.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bacchus
Heron of Alexandria
Heron
Patent Office
Thomas Eubank
M Heron
Washington Times
Sprung a Surprise Over a Long-Standing Grocer Bill
A man unsettled with a grocer for nearly six months faces a large bill. The grocer insists every item and footing are correct, offering affidavit as proof. The customer, surprised by the total, writes a check and notes the bill is only about half of what he expected.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hhis
Chicago Tribune
Dreaded the Results Cartoon Dialogue
A humorous dialogue portrays a patient and doctor debating after meal cigars. The doctor promises ease in giving up cigars with time, while the patient jokes about skipping meals after cigars, reflecting light social satire from the Catholic Standard and Times.
An Artful Dodger in School Examinations
A Glasgow Evening Times note quotes a parent praising a boy who has dodged thirty two school examinations. The rest of the items touch on a character who never errs and a remark about a domestic fowl and the Old Testament discussed in the Evening Post.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Glasgow
Evening Post
Secondhand stores grow beyond junkshops in modern times
A Philadelphia and New Orleans papers excerpt notes the rise of secondhand businesses beyond old junkshop images. Vendors now carry varied goods as styles change, with furniture and decor regularly refreshed to meet demand. Included is a Frank Stockton anecdote about poetry and editors.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New Orleans Times-Democrat
Frank Stockton
John
Stocktons
Milton
A Former Predicament In A Southern Household
A humorous tale about a fat black cook in a southern family and a widowed laboring brother with many children. The mistress warns against marrying the elder man, and the cook replies she has already faced such a predicament, hinting at her widowhood. The piece reflects period dialect and social dynamics in a church setting.
Hugo’s Exotism Sparks a Witty Meeting Tale
A visitor found Victor Hugo lost in thought in his garden as he pondered what to say to the Creator. The poet joked that he would greet God as a fellow colleague, prompting the friend to quip that Hugo would address the Creator as “my dear confrere.”
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hugo
Victor Hugo
Confrere
Generosity and Sistership in Matinee Plans
Dialogue excerpt notes Madge offering to be a sister if you take her to matinee, De Garry agreeing, with line about Moses and following his advice. New York Times tone referenced, American Thresherman comment on hitting the nail on the head.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Madge
de Garry
New York Times
Moses
Thresherman
Aentleman
Comparing Families
Hardd quote contrasts ancestor honesty with lack of style. Detroit Free Press notes both lines as a humorous reflection on family pride and financial habits.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Detroit
Ree Press
Housewarming Query Sparks Cook Hire Echo
Informal chatter notes a housewarming inquiry in a Chicago Tribune context. The remark about firing the redheaded cook from a domestic setting reflects light, backtalk style typical of urban gossip columns of the era.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago Tribune
One Woman's Way of Painting
A Philadelphia newspaper man's wife, short of help, paints the floor herself. She begins painting in the afternoon and returns to find herself in tears in the center of the room as paint surrounds her.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Philadelphia
Also Mentioned on This Page
Freeland Tribune
Tooo
Tribune Printing Company, Limited
Orrick
Main Street
Centre
Tribune
Freeland, PA
Constantinople
Chicago
James
Scotland
Maury
England
Jacob
Washington Star
Bloomsburg
Castoria
Bears
New York
Ato
Saba
Tler Husband
Sir Walter Raleigh
Durance Vile
Philadelphia Telegraph
Detroit Free Press
Eureka
Standard Oil CO
Higgins
McMenamin
Hat and Shoe Store
South Centre Street
Toue
Walter D. Davis
Ehigh Valley Railroad
Weatherly
Mauch Chunk
Allentown
Bethlehem
Easton
Sandy Run
White Haven
Wilkes-Barre
Pittston
Scranton
Hazleton
Weath
Delano
Pottsville
Mahanoy City
Shenandoah
Mt. Carmel
Mar Chunk
Delano Mahanoy City
Mt. Carme
Wil Pointe West
Pottaville
Bagton
Meene
Delano and
Hagle
Hite Haven
Wilbur
Cortlandt Street
New York City
Lee
G. J. Gildroy
Hazilton
HE Devawark
Susquehanna and
Scnuypkin Raiload
Drifton
Jeddo
Eoley
Hazbrook
Stockton
Beaver Meadow Road
Roan
Hezieton Junction
Oneida Junction
Harwood Road
Humboldt Road
Oneida
Sheppton
Hazleton Junction
Unday
Deringer
Tomhickon
Cranberry
Harwood
Steppton
Hazle Brook
Eckley
Joddo
Jeanesville
Audenried
Tribune Ofice
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