davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-09-26
The Giant Cacti of Arizona.

A writer in the Philadelphia Times
describing trip through Arizona says,
1--WE soon entered the land of giant
cacti. was never more surprised than
at seeing the wonderful development of
this plant in this region. lam satisfied
that nowhere in the world such size is
attained. The species called Swatara
grows to the enormous height of sixty
feet, and measures six feet in diameter.
There are tens of thousands of this spe-
cies. Most of them will measure from
eight inches to two feet in diameter,
and reach a height of twenty to thirty
feet. Some have no limbs, and resem-
BILE high post; others have from one
to three arms. They seem to stand on
the top Of the sand. with scarcely any
root, and must receive their nutrition
largely from the atmosphere. They are
capped with beautiful flower, and
later with fruit. The Indians remove
the fruit with long piked pole, and
use it in large quantities. The center
of this cactus is pierced with hard,
tough rod, which supports it in times
of storm. So firm is this support that
one is seldom found broken or blown
to the earth. When in a state of de-
cay you can extract the center, which
resembles more than anything else a
fishing rod.
There are fifteen or twenty differ
ent species Of cacti growing in this re-
gion. The pole cactus grows much
like large cornstalk. Each year s
growth is indicated by joint, and a
rich, tenacious gum exudes from the
surface, causing it to burn like pine
when it is entirely green. There are
two varieties of what is called the bulb.
These grow in the form of ball, and
nearly the size of pint cup. One va
riety is armed with thorns half an inch
in length, the other with different
kind of thorn, much resembling por-
cupine's quill. These thorns are as
sharp as needles, and require but little
pressure to penetrate their entire length
into the foot of man or the hoof of q
horse. The variety having the short
thorns bears u red-colored fruit, about
the size of small peach; it is very
sweet, and the juice ito vs. from a gold
pen as beautiful red ink. There is an
other species which bears different
kind OF fruit resembling q cucumber
about two thirds matured. The pulp
is of the consistency of the banana, but
much sweeter, and very full OF black,
Hat seeds, the size Of dime. As far as
have been able to ascertain there are
three kinds of fruit growing on as
many different species Of cacti in this
desert land. Another kind, priced
more than all the rest by the Indians,
very much resembles our century plant.
The wild Apaches have for ages de-
pended largely ON this for sustenance.
They boil the root, make it into mush,
and thus eat it, and from the rest of the
plant make sour drink, which they
greatly enjoy.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-09-26
General Jackson.

General W. o. Butler, one of the
heroes of the war of 1912 and of the
Mexican war, and Democratic candidate
for Vice President on the ticket with
General Cass, now lives in Carrollton,
Kentucky. He said of General Jackson
to writer short time ago, that he was
little read in books. Indeed" said
the General, 81 do not remember seeing
any books at his house but the Bible
and hymn-book, and probably a copy
of Bunyan's Pilgrims Progress But
he was an interchangeable reader of news
papers, and was thoroughly posted in
current events, and especially in poll
tics. While possessed of little techni-
Cal learning, his common sense was
boundless. He had an intuitive knowl-
edge of men, and an influence over
them that was unlimited. My brother
Tom, the major, who was an aid to the
General, had some words with him about
requisition for arms, and a GOODNESS
ensued. Some time after the battle q
grand ball was given to the general, at
which Mrs. Jackson, who had just
reached the city, was present. My
brother was there, of course, and sud
denly encountered the General, with
Mrs. Jackson leaning on his arm. After
salutations. the General remarked, in
his irresistible way, Tom, you are still
in q huff The latter shook his head as
if negatively. Well, think you are,
and l won't believe differently until
you kiss Mrs. jackson, which Tom gal
lantly and promptly did in the presence
of the whole assembly. l knew Mrs.
Jackson WE'LL" continued the General,
land sue was one of the best women l
ever knew. Certainly kinder-hearted
creature never lived. The General was
devoted to her. 1t was interesting to
observe him when she was in his COM
papy. His eyes were constantly upon
her, and he seemed to anticipate her
every wish"
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-09-26

Dispatches from London indicate that
another Arctic expedition will be sent
from England early next year. Then
there will be in the polar seas explor-
ing parties from England, Austria,
Denmark, Holland, Sweden and the
United States, all aiming at the myth
Cal North Pole. 1t is easy to predict
that there will be AN earnest national
competition between the different
squadrons.. And 1t is also easy to pre-
dict that the American company, sent
out by the New York Herald, through
Behring's Straits, will return through
the Atlantic Ocean, If any one does.
The officers and men Of Lieutenant De-
Longs command are not only resolute,
but physically strong. The officers are
men of superior intelligence. The crew
is composed of divers nationalities, but
many Of them are Danes. The physical
hardness Of this people is proverblal.
They compose almost the entire white
population of Greenland. With American
brain to direct, ami Danish muscle and
endurance to perform, our expedition
has an excellent prospect OF being the
most important OF all III its results.
The probability is that all the other
expeditions will 20 by the east coast of
the continent, while ours will thread its
solitary way through the north Pacific,
and on the west side of the Arctic Sea.
In case of its success it will be double
glory to us owing to the new and I'M
tried route which IL has taken.-HdDE-
Eue.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-09-26
Frightening the ROgues.

A man was denouncing newspaper
advertising to a crowd of listeners,
"Last week." said he, "I had an
umbrella stolen from the vestibule of
the - church. 1t was gift; and.
valuing it very highly, spent double
its worth in advertising, but have not
recovered It,
How did you word your advertise
ment ?" asked q merchant.
Here it is, said the man, produc.
ing slip cut from newspaper.
The merchant took it, and read:
"Lost from the vestibule of the
church last Sabbath evening, a black
silk umbrella. The gentleman who
took it will be handsomely rewarded
by leaving it at No. - San Fernando
street."
Now" said the merchant, IT am
liberal advertiser, and have always
found that it paid me we'll. A great
deal depends upon the manner in
which an advertisement is put. Let us
try for your umbrella again, and, if you
do not acknowledge then that advertis.
ing pays, will purchase you new
One."
The merchant then took slip Of
paper from his pocket and wrote:
eff the man who was seen to take an
umbrella from the vestibule of the
church last Sabbath evening does not
wish to get into trouble and have
stain cast upon his Christian character
which he values SO highly, he will re-
turn it to No. - San Fernando street.
He is we'll known"
This duly appeared in the paper, and
on the following morning the man was
astonished when he opened the front
door Of his residence. On the porch
lay at least dozen umbrellas OF all
shades and sizes that had been thrown
in from the sidewalk, while the front
yard was literally paved with umbrel-
las. Many of them had notes attached
to them saying that they had been
taken by mistake, and begged the loser
to keep the little affair quiet.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-09-26
Burdette on the Rail.

We steam out of the city on the
Grand Trunk Railway, passing through
rather than over, the great Victoria
Bridge, the largest tubular bridge in
the world, in which 100000 tons of
stone and 500 tons of iron were used,
and which cost about G1 ,250, 900. Two
abutments and twenty-four piers sup
port the superstructure; there are
twenty. five spans, the center one is $50
feet, each iof the others 242 feet; the
bridge, including the abutments, is
1000 feet long. The center opening is
sixty feet above the water level the
weight of iron in the tubes is 5000 tons.
The tubes through which the trains
pass are twenty-five feet high, by six
teen in width, in the middle span, and
nineteen by sixteen feet at the ends.
The tubes are perfectly air tight, and
when train wishes to cross the bridge,
it is jammed tightly into the end Of the
tube, the windows are all shut down,
steam turned off, aud the gateman,
placing the end of the tube in his
mouth, gives a tremendous puff, and
the train shoots through ut the rate OF
four hours mile. There is the advan-
tage of tubular bridge over the other
kind. A man might blow the never dy-
ing soul out of himself, and he couldn't
blow train through an ordinary open
work truss bridge. Too much vent
As it is, it Is terribly hard on the man
at Victoria bridge. He has to be re.
lieved every twenty-four hours, and
then lasts only few years.-B~rli"g-
ton Hapk-Eye.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-09-26
Summer Morning.

Summer has come, the bright, the fair,
Roses GROWING her sunny hair
Her trailing robes of changeiul green,
Broidered by dewdrop's silver sheen.
Her breath perfumes the forest aisles,
All the Land, st her coming, smiles
Singing brook and whispering tree,
Speak her welcome glad and free.
Many censor flower cup
The voice of praise is sending up;
And OVER all, like the love oi God,
Arches the blue sky, calm and broad.
Soon may the summer Of peace aud rest,
Come Ia each heart by care opprest,
And Tia. present glory Of earth and sky,
or future joy baar prophecy.
- rrciunC,
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-09-26

I GUESS I'LL DIE.-The recent death
of Mr.. National Root, of Coventry, was
very strange one. He was an old man,
ninety four years of age, and on the day
he died he was apparently unusually
we'll. After breakfast neighbor came
in and lie coolly asked him: Have
you come over to-day to see me die?"
The man questioned thought the inquiry
Il joke, because he could see nothing in
MIR. Roots appearance that indicated
any immediate danger of death. After
II short visit the neighbor left, and Mr.
Root went, rs was his custom, into the
fields to work, remaining there all the
forenoon, apparently as we'll as ever;
He went to his home at noon-time and
ate his dinner with good relish. and
upon getting up from the table, he said,
in very cool and undisturbed way
i" guess I'll now go and lie down and
die |" Even this remark was not
thought seriously of. He went to his
room and lay down on the bed. About
half an hour later one of the family
went in to SEQ if he was sleeping, and
he was found to be dead Woonsoc6et
(R. l. Patriot.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-09-26

CAITlhSc, AuSttdu VI BoiuS WIN WV
others? 1t will be great pleasure for
me to do So"
Certainly, if you will promise to
take good care Of me, and rot be angry
if am afraid for 7 am great cow
ard
II could not entertain such feeling
toward you, Miss Rose y
Very beautiful did Rosa look as she
took her seat beside George and
as he tucked the robe around her he
said,-
You are looking unusually lovely
tonight excitement has lent beauti-
full color to your cheeks"
Has it? am glad of that. ] think
am 50 happy tonight that l don't
! care how look"
Why tonight? Are you not always
happy?"
my life but now l have sister, and
that has been one Of my dearest wishes;
and then Bessie is so lovely"
Yes, lovely indeed, and just the
wife for Fred. suppose it will not be
long before you will step off, Miss
Rose"
81? Oh, no have no such
thought. l intend to be an old maid,
and stay at home with mamma"
Il think you will change your mind;
you are very young"
Eighteen, your lordship ; and as
yet fancy free"
Happy girl Your brothers pet
name, Roseleaf, is we'll adapted to you
young and fair"
The ride seemed very short to them
both, and when they reached Canton
they could scarcely believe it, SO quick
ly had the time flown.
never enjoyed a ride SO much"
exclaimed Rose, as George helped her
to alight.
81 am glad to hear that. What has
made you enjoy it so %
"Tormentlng you !" was the saucy
reply.
tinue to amuse yourself in that way,
for if it is pleasure for you, it is heaven
to me-"
No more flattery, young man I
words on me-"
IL 10 luc tIutu, MISS muse.
They found all the party waiting for
them, and also supper, which was very
acceptable after their ride in the keen
October air.
Rising from the table they went to
the train, and after seeing Fred and
Bessie off, returned to the hotel to wait
for the carriages.
1t being warm in the parlor, George
and Rose went out on the veranda.
The moon came out, clear and full, and,
casting a soft light on all the surround
ing country, seemed to inspire them
both with deep, sweet thoughts as up
and down they paced, till suddenly
George stopped. and, quietly putting
his arm around Roses waist, drew her
to him, and pressed q fervent kiss upon
her forehead.
The blood dyed her face as he asked
her pardon. Before she could answer,
the carriage was driven to the door, and
they were soon on their way back.
Neither spoke for some time. Then
George said -
81 betrayed myself tonight, Miss
Rose, when I kissed you. had not
intended to tell you how much love
you after our conversation this after
noon, but you looked SO lovely in the
moonlight that an irresistible desire
came over me to take you in my arms.
Can you forgive me r.
eyes"
If could hope to win your love,
Rose, would strive earnestly to do so.
Do you think you could learn to love
me y
II can and do" was the low reply.
My darling My Roseleaf p
In the spring, when the wild flowers
were in bloom, George Newman and
Rose Ashley were married, and merrily
rang the bells proclalming the glad
tidings. Waverley Magazine.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-09-26

ABOUT CoRONERs.-Somec oroners do
not require strong inducements to set
them at work. They are the most in
dustrious class of men. Not long since
a coroner in Detroit said thatan inquest
on certain subject was unnecessary,
as the cause OF death was we'll known.
This act, by which the accompanying
fees were forever lost to the coroner,
has caused the fraternity to look on the
Detroit man as person lacking the
true requirements that go to make up
a perfect coroner. Such instances as
the above, it is but just to the craft to
say, are extremely rare. A coroner in
st. Louis believes in making hay while
the sun shines, and it is we'll known in
st. Louis that the more the sun shines
the more the coroner makes. A day or
two since. some workmen who were re-
moving the debris from the ruins of the
Southern Hotel, came on a few bones.
They had found skeleton day or two
before, SO they carefully gathered up
the bones, which filled cigar-box, and
turned box and contents over to the
coroner. The latter "sat on the re-
mains, returned his verdict and pock-
eted the fees. It now turns out that
the bones had been thrown there from
the kitchen, and were not human bones
at all.--DetrOit Free Press.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-09-26
Adventure With Wolves.

A friend, who is out in Lithunia,
wrote to tell me of a very narrow escape
he had in the winter of being torn in
pieces by wolves. and give it in his
own words {" I was staying at friends
house when Madame B. received the
intelligence of her sister-in. law, Mad
anne Kertch's accident and Natalie
Kertch, a girl of twelve, who was stay
ing at her aunt's, desired to 60 home to
see mother at once. Our host was alb.
sent, so I offered to take the child back,
and the droschky was turned out, the
horses harnessed, and we turned in.
We had not gone more than four or five
miles from the house before sort of
Duran came on, q violent high wind &C.
companied by snow, but it fortunately
did not last long though it delayed us
some little time and l was glad to find
when it was over that the horses quick
ened their pace, but I noticed that our
driver looked quite alarmed, yet still
urged the animals on. / inquired the
reason of this, and heard, to my dis
may, that he believed we were followed
by pack of wolves-horses, he said,
could smell the danger long way off.
A short time proved that his fears were
correct, and the horses rushed mad]y
forward. We fortunately had two guns,
and l am, as you know, fair shot but
1 still hoped that we should not come
into such close quarters with them.
The pack gained on US, the horses be-
gan to flag, and the driver called out
Fire y 1 obeyed, and for moment
or so the wretches seemed to have re-
ceived check, but on they came again.
My little charge screamed terribly.
Shoot me-kill me she shrieked out /;
8 don't let them tear me, and eat me i
And the thought did for the instant
flash across my mind that such death
as the poor girl proposed would be pref
cradle for us both but matters lad not
been quite desperate yet. Our driver
gave the horses their heads-how he
secured the reins know not, but his
hands were at liberty-and he loaded
one gun as fred the other. Each
charge produced a monetary check or
pause, which was, of course, in our
favor !; but I doubt our ultimate escape
if, just as two Of the foremost wolves
were nearly up to us, company of
horsemen, accom- anied by some mag
nifcent hounds, had not suddenly ap.
peared on the scene. They were o
hunting party, headed by Prince -,
who, having heard of the ravages re-
Gently committed by this very band of
wolves, had come out to seek for them,
and most providentially arrived on the
spot in time to save US from their
fapCs,''
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-09-26
A countryman saw. for the first time

A countryman saw, for the first time,
schoolgirl gong through some of her
gymnastic exercises for the amusement
OF the little ones at home. After gaz
ing at her with looks of interest and
commiseration for while, he asked u
boy near by "if that gal had fits. y
"No," replied the lad, contemptuously,
"that's gymnastics" "Oh, tbs hey p
said the veriant. How long has she
had EN- ?"
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-09-26

A CHILD's HERoIsM.- Bowen,
aged 8 years, is slate-picker on the
piers of the Delaware & Hudson Canal
Company at Honesdale, Pa. Two pom
derous iron rollers, one close over the
other, revolve slowly few feet above
the boys head where he works. A piece
of slate from the coal that is carried
from screen to screen on endless canvas
belts, got between these rollers this
morning. The boy reached up from
the scatfolding on which he stood to
take the slate out. His hand was caught
by the rollers and drawn slowly in un-
til the little fellow was raised from his
feet, and was suspended over the canal,
ten feet above it. Nearly half of his
arm was drawn between the rollers be-
fore his terrible situation was discovered
and the machinery stopped. Before
the boy could be removed messenger
had to be dispatched to the machine
shop, some distance away, for the ma
chlnlsts to take the machinery apart.
This required more than fifteen min
utes. All this time the lad hung sus-
pended by his crushed hand and arm,
the flesh being entirely torn away, ex-
posing the bones and cords. The little
fellow never uttered cry nor shed a
tear. His father. an employee on the
pier, was weeping witness of the ter
rlble scene, and the boy kept saying /:
Don't cry, father they'll get me out
all right" The lads arm will have to
be amputated at the elbow.
BUT1INa MIRROR The connection
and damage caused in farmers house,
at Rome, N. Y, by belligerent sheep,
is thus described by the Utica Observer:
They were cleaning house, and left
open doors leading to all parts of the
house. In one of the rooms was large
mirror, reaching to the floor. On the
premises is sheep, whose head is
graced with horns, and which is very
tame, entering the house whenever all
opportunity is presented. This woolly
animal got into the house unnoticed.
When first discovered, it was standing
face to face with the mirror, shaking its
head tiercely. Before it could be
reached, it jumped back for good start,
and then plunged its head into the mir.
ror. Instead of coming in contact with
some other animal, rs it expected, it
demolished a fifty dollar mirror. The
crash so frightened the animal that in
Its endeav ors to escape from the screams
and attacks of the women of the house.
it found place of exit through q
French window.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-09-26

ExPERIMENTs.-Ano old turkey raiser
gives the following experiment: Four
turkeys were confined in pen, and fed
on meal, boiled potatoes and oats.
Four others of the same brood were also
at the same time confined in another
pen, and fed daily on the same articles,
but with one pint of very fine pulver-
lied charcoal mixed with their food
mixed meal and boiled potatoes. They
had also plentiful supply of broken
charcoal in their pen. The eight were
killed on the same day, and there was
a difference of one and half pounds
each in favor of the fowls which had
been supplied with charcoal, they be-
ing much the latest, and the meat
being greatly superior in point of ten
derness and flavor.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-09-26

Here are two replies which if any of
our readers should attempt to improve
upon we hope they will send us the re-
suit: Which of your children do you
love the most p was the question ad.
dressed to a mother. Always the one
that is absent" was the reply. Said
one man to another :" If it wasn't
Sunday, how much would you take for
that lumber?" eff it wasn't Sunday
I'd tell YOU" was the reply.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-09-26

No statue which the rich man places
ostentatiously in his window is to
be compared to the little expectant
faces pressed against the window pane,
waiting fer father " hen his days labor
is done.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-09-26
Secretary Sherman.

General Sherman said the other day
Of his brother, the Secretary: AFTER
some years employment in the Mus
kingum, under General Curtis, John
was taken into the office OF our brother
Charles, at Mansfield, to help about the
Office and make himself as useful as he
could. John continued there until one
day in his twenty first year he asked
Charles for $50. Charles was alarmed.
What could the boy mean by asking for
this large sum? John proceeded 10
explain that he wanted to go to Column
bus to be admitted to the bar. This
was still greater surprise. The boy
had never asked his brother to train
him for the law, nor did he appear to be
training himself. So Charles said to
him: You cannot be admitted to the
bar without knowing some law John
insisted that he knew more law than
some others who had passed an exami-
nation, and that he was determined, if
he could raise the money. but why do
you want so large sum |? was the re-
ply. John explained that in the first
place he must have respectable cloth.
ing, and that the balance would be re-
quired for hotel and travelling expenses.
The elder brother assented; the clothes
we're ordered, and on the very day that
John was twenty one he presented him
self before the proper authorities at
Columbus, and passed very hattering
examination. On returning to Mans
field he notified Charles that he was 60
ing to Iowa to practice law. The latter
demonstrated. on the ground that there
was room enough in Mansfield for them
both, and that, too, in his own Office.
This resulted in articles of copartner-
ship and the painting of John Sher-
mans name on the sign as an attorney
at law"
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-09-26

Two boys have been arrested in Paris
for cutting buttons from mems coats.
1t was learned that they collected dozens
a day and sold them to obscure tallors.