davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The bee., 1883-12-08
The Woodpecker as a Pianist.

A close observer Of birds and their hab-
it's is convinced that the peculiar sound
made by woodpecker with its bill is in
tended as substitute for vocal music, the
bird selecting one particular spot upon the
trunk or bough of the tree, which spot is
naturally sonorous by the wood being
more or less followed by decay. The bird
returns to this precise spot continually
during the day, and produces the sound by
striking on the tree with its bill, the stroke
being repeated with rapidity that is re-
ally incomprehensible, for it quite eludes
the eye. 1t is effected by yibratOry mo-
ton of the head, but the vibrations are so
quick they look like a single motion.
After short pauses this stroke is again and
again renewed, sometimes for several min
utes together. During each interval the
woodpecker looks round it and below it
with evident delight and with an apparent
challenge of admiration. The beautiful
crimson crest is more or less erected. The
whole performance evidently takes the
place Of song in other birds. The nest is
not in the same tree as that struck by the
bill of the male. Similar sonorous spots
in the trees of the neighborhOOd are
selected if available, so the observer
concludes the hen bird as she sits On
the nest is serenaded from different di-
rections with as much variety in the sound
as the change of tree may produce. This
is the only case among the feathered tribes
where instrumental music is praeticed.
The bee., 1883-12-08
The MOustaclle.

There is great deal of character IN the
moustache, as the form of the upper lip
and in the regions about it have largely to
deal with the feelings, pride, self-relianee,
manliness, vanity and other qualities, or
the reverse. When the mOustache is rag
ged and, as it were, flying hither and thith-
er, there is lack of proper self-contrOl.
When it is straight and orderly the reverse
is the case, other things Of course taken
into accoua5. Ii there is tendency to
curl at the outer ends of the moustache,
there is tendency to ambition, vanity or
display When the curls turn upward
there is geniality, combined with love OF
appreciation when the curls turn down.
ward there is more sedate turn OF mind
not unaccompanied with gloom. The re-
verse quality is well indicated by the COM
mon portraits of Shakespeare, who was as
much noted for eheerfulness and geniality
in life, as those qualities are manifested in
his writings. 1t is worthy of remark that
good tempered men will, in playing with
the moustache, invariably give it an up
ward inclination, whereas cross grained
and morose men will pull it obliquely
downward,
The bee., 1883-12-08
The Abolition of Petticoats.

1t would appear that the doctrines Of
woman emancipation from the trammels
of feminine dress, promulgated with con-
siderable vigor by strong minded ladies in
the United States, have recently been en-
Enthusiastically adopted by an association of
German natrOns and maidens, which un-
der the significant title of Clothing League
for the Abolition of PetticOats,' recent
ly held it's first meeting in a concert room
Of the BrunnestrasSe, Berlin. A chairwO-
man having been duly elected, the pro-
sedings were opened by an eloquent speech
setting forth the inconvenience and diSad-
vantages, from Il sanitary point of view,
of the flowing garments hitherto deemed
appropriate wear of civilized females. This
discourse pronounced it to be a sacred
duty Of every member of the association
to discard with the utmost prOmptitude
such Objectionable raiment, typical of all
the disabilities wrOngfully ascribed to wO-
man by her OppreSsOr-man-and to as
sumo in its stead "a dualistic covering for
the legs, rs we'll as for the arms This
dating programme of action was hailed
with aCcIamations of approval by all save
one. n Frau Peters, who cOurageously
stood up for the denounced petticoat, upon
the ground that it was far more becoming
than trousers to members of the female
sex. Her prOtCstating voice, however, was
drowned in storm of indignant clamor,
and Il resolution embOdying the sentiments
previously enunciated by an oYerwhelm-
ing majority OF the fair leaguers.
The bee., 1883-12-08
How the Snake Gets a New Suit.

"SOme people think that snakes only shed
their skins at certain seasons of the year"
said the keeper. "I'Aat's mistake. If
they are well fed and Kept right warm,
they change their coats about every eight
weeks through the year. Does it pain
.hem? 'Not a bit of it. You see the
skin of a snake does not increase In size as
reptile grows, rs with US. While the old
skin is getting smaller by degrees, new
one is forming underneath, and the other
gradually gets dry. When it is ready to
shed, it lOOsens around the lips, and the
reptile rrbs itself against the earth OF the
rock in the cage, and turns the upper part
over the eye and the lower part over the
throat. Then il commences to glide around
the glass case, all the time rubbing itself
against something until the entire skin is
worked off. Sometimes this takes three
days; occasionally they get rid Of the in
cumbrance in q few hours. I don't believe
they have bit of intelligence. For all 1
feed them and care for them, they would
as lief bite me as any stranger. I can
handle good many Of them safely, but it's
only the knacs of the thing-nOt that they
wont bite, but that they can't get the
CHANCE
The bee., 1883-12-08
Farm Houses.

Many farmers build large houses, or
costly houses; but how good they may be
depends upon their plan. We see far too
many of the fancy plans in which the
walls shut out more space than they shut
il, full of re-entering angles and suggest
i've of small and comfortless rooms. You
vho intend to build, please cut out this re-
maxi and preserve it: The further your piGR
departs from the old style square house, lyih
haI through the center, the farther it departs
fror; comfort and convenience. A square
hou1e with rooms ON each side of the hall
opening into each other by wide double
doors, and if you wish to be quite elegant
let wide doors open from the hall also, is the
:.lc5a economical OF room of any, and the
most comfortable. The hall ON the second
floor should be wide also, with windows a5
the end. A house on this plan may have
hay windows and all the modern elegance
you choose to speud upon it, or it may be
severely simple. In either case it j. q
thing of comfort and 10y forever.
The bee., 1883-12-08

sstact" that characterized the late lamen-
ted R. Peel Brooks.
Mr.. W. Fl. Whiting Is the only colored
grocer in this city. Let us patronize him.
The Lord helps those that help them
selves.
The choir of Roberts chapel is steadily
making progress under the leadership of
Mr.. James Piper.
The fourth and last quarterly report of
Roberts chapel, was presented to the
congregation last Sunday. Mr.. George
Bryant read it in clear voice and it clic-
tied close attention. The report shows
the church to be prosperous in all its
branches.
Mr.. Champ Fauntleroy will celebrate
his thirty sixth birthday Christmas eve.,
by holding reception.
Rev. Simon Lee. popular local minis
ter of this city, and Mr.. George Cubit of
Dulanys Tonsorial Rooms is among the
lltest that have enrolled themselves as
| subscribers to the BEE.
Miss Alice R. Hopkins was joined into
holy matrimony with Mr.. Isaac Hackley,
on Thanksgiving day. May they have
fair sailing upon their voyage of life.
Rev. DR.. Fields Cook, performed the
ceremony.
The BEE collector will call for pay
ment from monthly subscribers the first
of January, that is for payment of the
BEE, fof December. Pleis.e bear in mind
that the month of November has not been
paid up by some. We don't want to and
will not dun any Of our subscribers. We
state this for general information. All
subscriptions end the last week in each
month, and collections will be made on
the 1st of each month.
Wanted, intelligent and smart young
man or boy, to deliver the BEE to subs cri-
bers. To the proper person paying pO-
sition awaits them. Apply to ls3 South
Columbus Street.
The bee., 1883-12-08
MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC

The concert at Lincoln Hall,
Thursday November 29th, did not
pay. The day was not good
for such an undertaking. Never
select a constitutional legal holl-
day to have a gathering at 81
cents per head, to hear slow, sol
emn. and doleful music. ANY
other day but a holiday. People
who eat big dinners, and drink
wine and other stlmulants, as they
will do in this city on Thanks
giving, are not in a condition to
attend any thing of the sort above
referred to in the evenings. They
feel more like sleeping, knowing
that tomorrow work is before
them. So the day was ill timed
and inappropriate. We think the
glee club has too many voices that
The bee., 1883-12-08
Outdoor Parlors.
BY ELLA RoDMAN CHURCH.

When see house in process of build
ing without a liberal allowance of piaz8as,
/ resent it almost as personal injury, al
though there may be no reasonable proba-
bility that / shall ever sit under that
mans vine or fg-tree. The vine, especially,
would be altogether fgurative without the
material support of a veranda. As good a
rule would be, in building first make your
piazza, then attach house to it.
The indoor parlor is sure to be proyid-
ed with the usual amount of sofas art
draperies; but the outdOCs is too often like
a rent-the accident of day. "Shall We
Iun out a railing here and few steps, ana
have veranda ?n asks Paterfamilias, in a
dubious sort of way, and his wife usu-
ally assents, for she does not dislike the
idea although she would sooner part with
this appendage than give up the valuable
inclosure at the hack of the kitchen, which
is so particularly Amdy as sort of store
house, and place FOR the doing of odd jobs
The enthusiasm comes from the girls,
who know the value of front piazza with
a thick green curtain of honeysuckles and
wisteria, making shady retreat through
the long June days and the tOrrid August
noons-fragrant, like carefully kept linen
with delicious country mells-cloyer and
fresh hay, in place of lavender and rose
leayes-strong distilled sweetness of wood
bine, faint whiffs Of clematis and roses.
And when the moonlight comes and
traces lattice-work of leaves on the piaz
"a floor, and touches with lambent light
ZACH spray and corner,
MAKING earth's commouest things appear
All romantic, poetic and tender"
the outdoor parlor is in its glory. 1t is the
most delightful, dreamy lOunging-plaee,
where the honeysuckle perfumes the air,
and the steps are frequently occupied by
half-visitors who could scarcely nerve them
selves up to the formula Of a regular call.
How charming is its twilight darkness to
class of people who domost of their conver-
sation in whipers, and who are seldom char
acterized as great talkers-who look upon
the brightness of the indoor parlOr and its
animated groups without any feelings of
envy, assured that whatever good times
there are in the world they are having
:hem! What would lovers do if there were
=" piazzas?
The bee., 1883-12-08

class Of women and men, think 1t as
high time for respectable people to re-
main at home. These so called compli-
mentary receptions should not be visited
by our people. If first class entertain.
mepts cannot be given let us all reDlain
at home. Clara, am not expressing your
views viii this community tolerate a
rude woman who knows no regard for
morals, to associate with the wives and
daughters of responsibility. / shall make
it my business to name some of the char
acters [ have spoken OF the very next
time this is repeated. | shall visit no
more, but shall ask Aspasia to inform
me-, who can better afford to go. He
being one of the harder sex. 1t was
printed on the invitations compile
mentary reception" Let me inform you
how complimentary it was. Fifty cents
for taking charge of your wrappers.
Fifty cents for supper. This you were
compelled to pay. Do you think that
there was much complimentary in the
affair? advise you not to visit these
complimentary entertainments given by
the military companies. shall protest
against it. If there cannot be entertain
ments given for respectable people, then
let them be patronized by the rude wO-
men. Our society should consider it.
Yours lovingly,
LOUISE.
The bee., 1883-12-08
Muscular and Nerve Exhaustion.

A reader has asked us to give him an ex-
PLANTATION Of the nature Of muscular and
nervous exhaustion, which we do with pleas
ure, so far as is at present known. There
takes place during our active hours, when
the muscular and nervous tissues are being
exercised, chemical changes i'm the prDtO-
plasn of which they are constructed and In
which they are 5athed. These changes use
up or expand this substance but so long as
the tissues are in health the changed mat
fer is pushed on and excTeted, and new mat
ter from the blood comes up and is deposited
i'm its place. The more abundantly the
blood currents flow to the muscles ana
nerves, the emOre quickly are the products
of decomposition removed and new matter
supplied. If. however, a muscle or nerve Is
kent at a point of high tension for long
willie without rest, the decOmpOsed matter
formed by exercise is not completely re-
T1ovpd and my pabalm is not supplief,
so yplr:llpss a.,l exhaustion take lhe place
of I.irJr and health. But when proper resi-
Is taken. recovery occurs, and power OF
work is restored. We might continue 10
Ialur without exhaustion forever, II we
eouId renew the waste of work and supply
new matter indemnity, but this is lmpOS
Tible. in this world at least.
The bee., 1883-12-08
Farm Houses.

Many farmers build large houses, or
costly houses; but how good they may be
depends upon their plan. We see far too
many of the fancy plans in which the
walls shut ont more space than they shut
in, full Of re-entering angles and suggest
i've of small and comfortless rooms. You
who intend to build, please cut out this re-
mark and preserve it: The farther your plan
departs from the old style square house, rith
hail through the center, the farther it departs
from comfort aud convenience. A square
house with rooms on each side of the ball
opening into each other by wide double
doors, and if you wish to be quite elegant
let wide doors open from the hall also, is the
most economical of room of any, and the
most comfortable. The hall on the second
floor should be wide also, with windows at
the end. A house on this plan may have
bay windows and all the modern elegances
you choose to speud upon it, or it may be
scvert " simple. In either case it is a
hing Of CT mfort and a joy forever.
The bee., 1883-12-08
HANDS OFF.

Olive Logan got mad the other day and got
off the following:
"a womans safeguard is TO keep a mans
hands off her. Ifyou need his assistance in
walking, take his arm instead of him taking
yours. Just tell him in plain English to
hands off, He may not like it at first. but he
will respect you in future tenfold more. Men
will be and do just what the woman allow
them TO do. Men will not do to trust Give a
man your arm, and you will find him very
confidential, and he will take a great many
privileges he wound not take if he were not
permitted to do so. He will give your arm
many loving squeezes and sly twists that he
could have no opportunity of doing, and the
opportunity is just what he is after. few
more words of advice and close: Keep young
girls off the street except when they have
business. Teach them ii is unnecessary to go
to the postoffice every time they go out.
Your girls can walk alone as well as your
boys. Don't allow your girls, If they must
have beau, TO go with boys much older than
themselves. If possible, instill into their
very nature that they are safer in their own
ands than they are in the hands of any man
preachers not accepted.-ExCHANGE.
The above was handed the BEE
for publication, or rather to be
read. and admiring the modest
manner which accompanied the
handing, aud presuming that this
very esteemed lady would desire
that all ladies should follow its
teachings, we take the liberty OF
giving our readers the benfit OF
this article which we hope all will
follow.
The bee., 1883-12-08
ALEXANDRIA ANNALS.
Reported especially for tn BEE.

Reported especially for tn BEE.
To gain political knowledge, read Dam
iel Webster; to grow in patriotism read
the life of Washington; to improve your
Imagination read Milton, in taste read
Cowper; to increase the power of reason
inc. read Locke; to gain common sense,
read Franklin; to correct to the con-
science, read Edwards works; to become
acquainted with the great colored men, to
learn of the doings of our kith and kin, to
become power in the land, subscribe for
and read the Washington BEE; and to
learn every thing read the Bible.
The Old Dominion Club will hold a
narlor social at the residence of its presi-
dent. 1872 South Columbus Street, next
Monday evening. The president will
read an essay entitled "United Efforts. :"
D. w. Lewis, Esq, of the Washington
Bar, contemplates opening a law office in
Richmond. He is we'll read in the law
and possess that element of ''push'' and
The bee., 1883-12-08
Gems of Thought.

Nisforsunes come 20 man through exc
cesSive love of self. He miSludges things
Just, good, and beautiful, through think
ing he ought always OhOnor what belongs
to himself in preference to truth Plato.
By ones self is evil done, by ones self
one suffers. BY ones self evil is left un-
done, and ones self one is purified. Purity
and impurity belong to ones self; no one
can purify another Buddhist Scripture.
Rejoice not when thy enemy faileth, and
let not thy heart be glad when he STUN
bleth. A benevolent eye, humility of spirit,
and mind free from pride characterize
the true disciples Of Abraham Jewish
Talmud.
When you have learned how to live
we'll, you will know how to die we'll. Be
not sorry if men do not know you, but be
sorry if you are ignorant of men. Not to
correct Your faults is TO commit new ones.
-LCCntucirs,
| am constitutiOnally susceptible Of
EoiScs. A carpenters hammer, in q warm
summers noon, will fret me into more
than midsummer madness. But those un-
connected, unset sounds are nothing to the
measured malice Of music Lamb.
The old in religion dies out, the old error,
the old dispenSatiOn, the old superstition.
but not the Cd religion. This is forever
new and forever fresh. For this there is
no decline, 10 decay; for it is the life of
God in the SOUL Orville Dewey.
Avariee is generally the last passion of
those lives of " hch the first part has been
sguandcrcd in pleasure, and the second de-
voted TO ambition. He that sinks under
the fatigue Of getting wealth, lulls his age
with the milder business of saving it
johnson.
Faith gratefully and reverently acknOwl-
edges and uses the past, but she sets her
face toward the future. The outward form
of truths held sacred by good men is des-
tined to be remCGcled by the progress Of
knowledge; vet in their deeper essence
there is q spirit which will move eneTget-
icaIly with tie development of all that is
most precious and glorious in man. w.
4. Newman.
A book is good company. 1t is full of
conversation without lOquacity. 1t comes
to your longing with full instruction, but
DuTsues YOU never 1t is not offended at
| your absent miudedness, nor jealous II you
| turn TO other pleasures Ii silently serves
| the soul without recOmpense, not even for
| the hire Of love- And yet more noble, 1T
seems to pass from itself, and to enter the
memory, and to hover in a silvery trans
| fiouration there. until the outward book
| is but body, and its soul and spirit are
/ flown to you, and possess your memory
| like o spirit Beecher.
The bee., 1883-12-08
MARRIED.

The marriage of Mr.. VIM. A. Carter to
Mrs. Hester z. Tancil, was solemnized at
she residence of Mr.. Robert Bullock, at
the University of Virginia, Thursday eve
ming December 9Th, 1888. at a P. NJ in
the presence of a large concourse of
feiends. Rev. DR.. Starr, of the M. +.
Church officiated. After receiving the
congratulations of their many friends, the
happy pair retired, preparatory 20 tour
North. The happy pair have the hearty
congratulations of the BEE, and trust
their future paths may be strewn not with
thorns but roses.
The bee., 1883-12-08
Curious Facts.

The word piety occurs but once in the
Bible.
If the feathery giIls of small perch
could be unfolded and spread out they
would nearly cover a square yard.
1t is not generally known that water in
a pistol, at a short range, is far more des-
truetiye charge than any bullet of lead.
The hammer with which John Paul Jones
nailed the historic flag to the mast of his
ship is owned by gentleman in Indiana,
Penn.
Giuseppe Gaspardo Mezzofanti, the pro-
dizzy who spoke ffty-six languages, was
the son of a poor carpenter of Bologna,
where he was born in IVA. He died in
Rome in 1913.
A young lady residing in Greene, Me-,
while engaged in mixing cake, broke an
egg in which she discovered snake seven
inches long and about the size of pipe
Stem.
The bee., 1883-12-08

are not yet trained enough to
commingle with the regular well
trained ones that are in the club.
Miss Strange was faultless at the
piano, Mrs. Waring needs more
confidence, SO does Mr.. Brodie.
Mrs. Brown cannot exert herself
before a handful of people. We
advice the management to re-
member the success that attended
his efforts in the days of yore,
when he interspersed the pro-
gramme with something of
comedy character. Audiences
now adays like to laugh, not
moan, or be compelled to sit con-
ventIonal. The man who laughs
and make others laugh, is the one
that wins. A word to the wise
We have heard that few gen,
tlemen propose a representation
in true dramitic style of the ticket
ofleave man. Let us hope that
the proposition will not fall through
1t is a very strange thing, it seems
to us, to realize that with all the
talent that we have in this city
we cannot name a dramatic clut
or glee club that amounts to
row of pins. Why is this? Gin
clnnatti, st. Louis, Louisville
Philadelphia, New York, anc
even Richmond, Virginia, are
away in advance of the Nationa
Capitol. Well, it is a fact that
some people are ever so useful
vigorous and practicable, unit
they get to eating out Of Uncle
Sam's trough, but once there oh
well.
The bee., 1883-12-08
THE CADETS NEW ARMORY

We desire to call the attention of o.Ir
readers to the advertisement of the ''NeW
Armory Hail." of the Washington Ca
diets. In point of size, of conveniences,
finish, and ease Of access, this Hall is sur
passing by none in the city.
The various organizations, military,
civil, beneficial and religious, owe it to
themselves and to the community to AS
sist in keeping this Hall available for our
people by their patronage, and will, we
trust, rally as steadily to ''the boys" sup
port. as we are glad to hear they have SO
we'll commenced