Temptation and Mesmerism in a Virginia Village
Mark Twain recounts a boyish obsession with a mesmerist show in Hannibal and a plot to imitate and outshine a rival subject. The narrator, aged fourteen or fifteen, uses the disk to perform vivid visions including a deadly Richmond theater fire, aided by Dr. Peake, leading to the show’s dramatic climax and Peake’s belief in the illusion.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hannibal
Ike
Hicks
Simmons
Sunger
Saly
Filcks
White House
Hill and
Matin Stresta
Peake
Grant
Virginia
Dr. Peake
Crawford
King Bee
Deseribe
Richmond
Mark Twain
North American Review
Cougar Tales: Real Habits and Misconceptions Explored
A veteran hunter argues that cougars or panthers, called by many names, share identical habits across regions. He downplays sensational canyon ambush tales and recalls safe woodland nights, noting a cougar only attacks when cornered or severely wounded, as reported by Sports Afield.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
United States
Waabington
Rocky Mountains
Emendation of a Quiet Poker Victory
A New Orleans Times-Democrat anecdote recalls a laconic deaf man who wins a watch from a town youth. The pompous father confronts the winner, who shows the pad with two words. The terse response ends the affair.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bob
New Orleans Times-Democrat
Scarcity of vacation time in Berryville anecdote
A Berryville account recalls Mrs Hanson choosing family duty over a four month vacation. She nursed scarlet fever stricken children while declining others’ offer to cover rent for four months. Her weary reply stressed she could not both prepare and travel.
Uncle Ezra On Pure Food From Myrover Robinson in New York Sun
The speaker argues against modern fears of food safety, claiming old habits and home remedies are safer. He describes family roles, work on the farm, and a daughter named M'randy who distrusts grocery foods. The piece reflects early 20th century concerns about tuberculous milk and adulterated meat.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
M'randy
Ultra fashionable winter wedding praised in Chicago News
The depiction describes Katharine referencing an ultra fashionable winter wedding with a lavish gown, costly flowers, and display of jewels and furs. The bridegroom is portrayed as poor and abashed while guests show wealth through attire and accoutrements.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Katharine
Chicago News
Managing a Wife. Elderly Creesus Reveals His Method
A Tatler quip recalls a husband who initially faced friction with a younger wife. He claims success by always letting her have absolutely her own way in everything. The exchange ends with a playful congratulation to the elder Creesus.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Creesus
Old Man
Professor and Student Debate Over Pain and Time
A judge recalls a professor remark that even if a man could reach the sun and burn his fingers, the pain would be felt for 6,692 years. An anxious student asks how long the man could be heard swearing about it.
Why Do You Allow Yourself To Be Posted At Your Club
A Washington Stir reader quotes a cheeky youth claiming the club is large and stylish so no one would know he is a member unless he is posted occasionally. The snippet captures light social commentary on club culture and discretion.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Their First Quarrel Mrs Hunnimune and Husband Clash
The Philadelphia Press reports a domestic dispute captioned Their First Quarrel featuring Mrs Hunnimune and Mr Hunannimune trading insults. She calls him hate ful and a regular stick while he retorts he is cross as two, illustrating a sensationalized quarrel in brief.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mr. Hunannimune
Mrs. Hunnimune
Mr. Hunnimune
Philadelphia Press
Quote from Washington Star Candidly Describes Family Party
A Washington Star excerpt features Mr. Cumrox lamenting family hospitality. He jokes that his wife and daughters are very hospitable, noting that when mother and the girls host a party everyone in the house seems lively except him. The brief quote captures a humorous domestic moment.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mr. Cumrox
Washington Star
For the Sake of Her Reputation
A mother questions her daughter about playing classical tunes when guests are present. The daughter replies that misplayed keys will go unnoticed, preserving reputation. Published in the Chicago Record-Herald.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago Record-Herald
Intoxicating Debate on Denatured Alcohol in Cars
A Cleveland Plain Dealer wordplay notes that denatured alcohol in automobiles could be unsafe. The speaker worries that different parts might “get tight” as a result, highlighting the era's curiosity about fuel safety and automotive design.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Cause For Alarm in Benhamy Evening Exchange
Dialogue fragment shows tension between Benhamy and Mrs Benham about arrival time and concern for behavior. Limited readable lines hint at worry over a possible issue though no clear event or outcome stated. No additional participants or concrete facts accessible from the fragment.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Benhamy
Benham
Tramp Denied Apple, Shoved From Grocer in Witty Tale
A Detroit Tribune anecdote recounts a tramp asking a grocer for an apple amid a harvest boast of 150,000,000 barrels. The grocer refuses, citing a new medical find beyond phosphates, then shoves the tramp out into the cold, the tramp remarking that shoving is a world improvement.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Aertentiary Department
Detroit Tribune
A Private Ends Up First In Hotel Tab Tale
In a Washington hotel an array of Civil War veterans recounted a naval incident. A quiet man claimed to recall details and offered to refresh memories. He revealed he was a private. The hotel keeper refused payment, praising the anonymous soldier as the first private he ever met.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
New York
The Evils of Divorce Quarrel Over a Doll
A courtroom style remark frames a family scene where Wilfred and Elsie wrestle over a costly doll. The sister Eisle clings to the doll while Wilfred grips its leg and they claim they are playing divorce and seeking custody of the doll as their mother calls from the kitchen. The judge notes the exchange with a humorous line about the custody fight.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Wilfred
Elsie
Eisle
Mamma
Hisle
Little Knowledge That Is Dangerous Sketch Dialogue
A brief humorous sketch features Brown claiming he knew his wife for six weeks before marriage and Tomkins countering that he knew his wife only six weeks after marriage. The exchange satirizes certainty in relationships.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Brown
Tomkins
Flying Streak and the Yellow Pact in Racing Rivalry
In a Chicago News item, Gunner and Guyer discuss the De Bullions and their famed mansion. They note a yellow streak in the family and a racing automobile painted yellow that swept by like a cyclone, highlighting a flashy, volatile elite presence in speed and wealth.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gunner
Guyer
Chicago News
Embarrassing etiquette clash over a titled son-in-law
An exchange from the Washington Star notes a man awkwardly addressing his son-in-law as Your Grace while criticizing his lavish spending. Thequip highlights social tension in aristocratic circles and the strain of formal titles in domestic disputes.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mr Cumrox
Grace
Washington Star
Antidote Prank Leaves Man Afraid of Ice Cream
A Cleveland Plain Dealer item recalls a man who mistook antifreeze for water and drank it. The joke ends with him losing his taste for ice cream and frozen pudding, a quirky caution about misreading a stranger substance.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chanter
Cleveland Plain Dealer
The Man With the Shovel on a Snowy Porch
A man with a burdened look uses a shovel to clear a snowy porch. He pauses to check if neighbors observe, calls himself the noble husband, and continues shoveling until exhausted. A call from inside asks to feed the furnace as warmth returns.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Wildcat
Uncle Ezra
Tom
Jim
John
Milwaukee
B. B. Anderson
P.S. Converse
Ros. Row
BK. FE
Hartung
V. Prea. Vierse
Cashier
Iowa Savings Bank
PLS
Converse
Mack J. Grovns
F. Albro
A.D. Root
Alo
South 6Th Street
F. K. Converse
Cypher
Davis-White Co
Estherville
Iowa
Davis Shee
Lego
Bank of
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