davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-03-29
What Evolution is Not.

Everybody nowadays talks about
evolution. Like electricity, the chol-
era-germ. womans rights, the great
mining boom, and the Eastern ques-
ton, is it "in the air." 1t pervadcs
society everywhere with its subtle
essence; it infects small talk with its
familiar catchwords, and its slang
phrases; it even permeates that last
stronghold of rampant Philistinism,
the third leader in the penny papers.
Everybody believes he knows all about
it, anu discusses it as glibly in his
everyday conversation as he discusses
the points of race-horses he has never
seen, the charms of peeresses, he has
never spoken to, and the demerits of
authors he has never read. Every
body is aware, in dim and nebulous
semi-cOnscious fashion. that it as all
invented by the late Mr.. Darwin, and
reduced to a system by Mr.. Herbert
Spencer, don't you know, and a lot
more of those scientific fellows. 1t is
generally understood in the best
informed circles that evolutionism
consists for the most part in a belief
about Nature at large essentially
SIMILAR to that applied by Topsy to
her own origin and early history. 1t
is conceived, in short. that most things
"growed." Especially is it known
that, in the opinion of the evolutionists
as body, we are all of us ultimately
descended from men with tails, who
were the final offspring and improved
edition of the common gorilla. That,
very briefly put, is the popular con-
ception of the various points in the
great modern evolutionary pro-
gramme.
1t is scarcely necessary to inform
the intelligent reader, who, of course,
| differs fundamentally from the inferior
class of human beings known to all
of us in our own minds as "other peo-
pie" that almost every point in the
catalogue thus briefly enumerated is
popular fallacy of the widest de-
scription. Mr.. Darwin did not invent
evolution any moro than George
Stephenson invented tie steam-engine.
or Mr.. Edison tho electric telegraph.
We are not descended from men with
tails any more than we are descended
from Indian elephants. There is no
| evidence that we have anything in
particular more than the remotest
fiftieth cousinship with our poor rela-
ton the West African gorilla. Science
is not in search of a ''missing link ;;
few links are anywhere missing, and
those are for the most part wholly I'M
important ones. If we found the inn
aginary link in question, he would not
be monkey, nor yet in any way Il
tailed man. And so forth generally
through the whole list of popular be-
| liefs and current fallacies as to the
real meaning of evolutionary teaching.
ry is for the most part pure parody
of the evolutionist's opinion.-Pop"tar
Science Monthly.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-03-29
Ways of the White Pelican.

The white pelicaus were remarkably
abundant ON the gulf coast about
Cedar Keys, but did not occur in any
numbers much south of this point
! When feeding, these fine pelicans
swim along the water and capture
their prey by thrusting their long bill,
and occasionally the entire head, be-
meath the surface of the water; then
the bill is raised, the pouch contracted,
forcing the water from among the
fishes, which are swallowed at once.
During calm weather they feed IN the
open water of the gulf, but when
high winds occur they visit the more
quiet lagoons and bayous among the
fiats. After satisfying their hunger
they will sit for time on the outer
sand bars or reefs, often gathering by
thousands, but will shortly rise in
companies, flying in wedge-shaped
fiocks or ranks like geese or swans,
but move with alternate tapping and
sailing, and thus rise to a great height,
when they will circle about an hour or
more on motionless wings, not, how
ever, in regular order, but crossing
and recrossing one another in eccen-
trio gyrations. Later in the day they
return to roost, passing the night on
the reefs. They are very shy at all
times, equally so at night. for they
can see during the hours of darkness
nearly or quite as well as owls. and
when approached will rise and fly to
the nearest reef. The only way in
which / was successful in obtaining a
shot at them was by sailing. when, as
they always rise to the wind, would
sometimes manage to secure one.
These birds, in spite of their large
size. are exceedingly gentle in dispo-
sition and easily tanned. and one that
l brought north, he having been
slightly wounded in the wing. re-
mained with me three years, when he
died. This bird never. attempted to
injure anything, even permitting
young chickens to run about him, and
as they walked over his huge feet he
merely glanced down at them to
see what they were doing. Johnny,
as he was called. was very intelligent,
and always knew those who were kind
to him. recognizing them with grunt,
his only note, while he would frequent
~ take their hands in his long bill and
gently squeeze them. He allowed
every one who came to see him to
caress him, and was always ready to
receive company. Johnny ate not only
fish but meat, and the quantity which
he devoured was often surprising, for
he often consumed six or eight pounds
at a meal. Not that he was a glutton,
for when satisfied no temptation would
induce him to take another morsel,
His favorite method of eating was to
have his food thrown to him, when he
would catch it in his beak. slip it into
his pouch. then he would wait until I
grasped him by the bill, when would
raise it and shake his head until the
food passed downward into his
stomach. No confinement whatever
was necessary for Johnny. as he never
showed the slightest propensity to
wander, excepting in autumn, when
having some idea of migrating, would
waddle away from the house a few
hundred yards.-Frona Birds of East
era North America.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-03-29
A Strange Missionary Work.

One of the saddest chapters in hui
man history is repeating itself on the
coast of Africa. The same degrade
ton of savage tribes that followed the
contact of the aborigines of America
with the Christian peoples OF Europe
is now being seen in Africa as the re-
suit of the incursion of the Christian
people of Europe and America. The
free introduction of Intoxicating liq-
uors, which has followed the fail
ure of the fourteen powers taking part
in the Berlin congress of 1884-5 to
agree upon absolute prohibition of i'm
portation into the free state of Congo,
is working great havoc among the
natives. Strong drink pours into
Africa from all parts of the globe.
The United States, unhappily. stands
third in the list Of importing coun-
tries. In 1SS4-5 we sent to Africa an
aggregate of 921, 412 gallons of spirits.
! In 1886 Boston sent $4,000 gallons In
one cargo. Germany and Holland,
the two powers whose unwillingness
to Join in a prohibition Of all such
traffic with native tribes defeated the
efforts of the United States, England,
Italy, and Belgium in tnat direction
| at the Berlin congress, taking tbs lead
! In this profitable trade. The latest
statistics, which are two years old, put
down 1000. coo OF the 10,000,00 gal
Ions imported into Africa in 1886 to
/ the share of Germany-or nearly three,
fourths. Holland sent about LOCO, ,0OO
/ gallons.-NeU York Tribune.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-03-29
What is Time?

Sometimes have stood before the
clock in yonder observatory and
watched the hands as they approached
the hour of midnight Steadily tho
seconds glided away; twelve o'clock
strikes, and slip from to-day into to-
morrow. Where has the day gomez
Yea, where do these beating seconds
go? So f1eet-winged that ere we realize
that they are here, they have flown,
vanished into the dim past! Do they
travel onward forever through uni
versal space, as some have faneied our
words and actions doP Might we by
some magic overtake them and live
them over again? Vain hope! They
are gone irretrievably. Only the pres
ent is ours. What we give to that
present as it passes will endure for
ever, but it can never be altered or re-
called. Have you ever thought of the
difference in this respect between time
and space? We are limited by the lat
ter as we'll as by the former; we can be
in one place only at time; and if we
speak Of absolute space, perhaps we
can never revisit the region we are
now passing through, unless the en-.
dowments of future life enable Us to
track the devious course we are now
pursuing; for owing to the motion of
the solar system. it comes to pass that
even at the end of the year we do not
arrive at the spot where We were
twelve months before, but strike out IN
to before untrodden realms of cosmic
space. But practically. as far as place
has any interest for us. we are free TO
come and go at will. We can revisit
old scenes and explore new ones, be-
ing only limited by earths extent. But
with time how different! Past seasons
we can recall only in memory, future
ones we can anticipate only through
hope or imagination. So that time Is
a more eyanescent and. perhaps we
might say. ideal conception than space.
Both conceptions have, when we come
to analyze them closely, many elements
OF mystery. But time partakes pre-
eminently of the marvellous. The
fraction that is with us now we accept
without thought, bat this ininitessimal
fraction is linked by indissoluble bands
to an eternity past and TO an eternity
to come. The fugitive moments are
golden, for though we shall never see
them again, they are building up for
US character and destiny which shall
last forever. Messenger.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-03-29
,nsentP The chief will be here

consentP The chief will be here
anon"
Eyes" cried the girl with desperate
resolution. He has trampled upon
my heart, and it is but just that his
own should pay the forfeit"
Then the keen ears of the old wood
man detected the sound of footsteDs
approaching in the sand.
"You must contrive some plan to
evade going with the Indian until
can set the colonists upon him" the
old man said hastily.
Trust me Tor that" the girl re.
piled.
And then the tall chief, Wyandank,
! stalked into the cabin.
/ With willy art the outlaw revealed
the service required to the chief, and
the savage consented at once.
Before light-see scalpT the Indian
said laconieally, and departed at once
upon his mission.
And true to his word, just as the
first strcaks of the coming dawn were
/ beginning to line tie eastern skies the
Indian stalked again, with stately
treld, into the cabin.
The girl glared at the savage with
hungry eyes.
Wyandauk opened his blanket,
which was folded tight around him,
and 10, a human scalp of dark-brown
hair, fresh torn from the head, hung
at his girdle.
The girl recognized the locks with
which her fingers had SO often played.
''It is well, chief" she said; .wait
q moment and then she passed out
into tie air.
The outlaw a: once produced the
parchment conveying the lands that
the Indian had agreed to give, and
pressed the chief to affix his "totem"
to the deed.
The savage consented, and the out
law, now sole master OF thousand
broad acres, smiled in glee
An hour passed, and the girl did not
return.
Wyandank grew uneasy; he feared
some trick.
Forth the two proceeded in search
OF the girl. They did not have far to
go, for upon the beach, at the edge of
the ripping tide, dagger driven in
her heart, lay the body of the girl.
She had perished by her own hand.
A moment Wyandank gazed. and
then. swiftly drawing his tomahawk.
he slew the outlaw even where he
stood, for the savage chief would not
give his lands for naught; fast he fled
in his canoe across the water and
sought safety amid his tribe. Wyand-
ank was never suspected Of the mur-
der of young Flanders; all believed
that the desperate girl had done the
deed. but in his last hour the savage
told the fearful story.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-03-29
Fish From Underground.

About two years ago, Mr.. j. McMil.
Ian began sinking an artesian we'll ON
his premises, and after boring for a
long time, the depth of fifty-five feet
was reached, when the machine used
in gouging into the bowels of the earth
suddenly dropped of is own accord
several inches, followed almost i'm
mediately by large flow of water,
coming apparently from some under
ground stream, pressing for an outlet.
Other flowing wells having been dis
covered in the city, nothing very un-
usual was thought of this, although the
water came up with almost terrific
force, throwing a stream which prom
ised to not only furnish good water
supply for the surrounding neighbor-
/ hood. but shortly to turn the locality
into small lake. A covering was Sc
cured for the we'll and all was secured
/ until some time after, when certain re-
pairs were being made, and taking the
top off again the water boiled up as
furious as ever, throwing out thous-
ands of small pickerel. The little fish
were alive and came up in innumera-
BILE quantities for a considerable time.
Last winter they made their appear
ance as usual, and also this winter, the
last catch being now displayed at Aid.
Ryan's store. Tne pipe in the artesian
we'll is three and half inches in cir
cumference. The discovery is one un-
heard of in this country before, and
hundreds of people will doubtless visit
the well and see the strange sight of
fish coming out of pipe sunk fifty-five
feet underground. The opinion IL ex-
pressed that small or large stream
runs underneath the ground, probably
coming from Lake Manitoba. Owing
to the force of the water, it would be
impossible to sink spawn to the bottom
have originated.
In conversation with an old resident
of Winnipeg recently. it was learned
that Il similar discovery to that related
above was made in this city about ten
years ago. A well was sunk to . con-
siderable depth and small fish came
forth in the water in countless numbers.
1t is a well-known fact that not one
half of the water going into the Assin-
iboine river flows out at its mouth. At
Carberry and other points west large
quantities of water work through the
sand along the banks of the river, un-
til it reaches the limestone strata,
along the top of which, it is an assert
ed fact. numerous small streams of
water find their way to this city, about
the depth of the common street well,
and hence the strange discovery above
stated is accounted for.-Wsnniped
S4N
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-03-29
Mental Telesraphius by RED Men.

It is said that the Indians on the
plains have always practiced system
of mental telegraphing among them.
selves, by means OF which they COM.
municate with each otter almost in
simultaneously. and without messengers
or signals. This mental telegrapbing
is by no means peculiar to the Indians
on the plains of the United States.
The same thing has been done by
many people on the plains and among
the mountains, and is to-day and al
ways has been one method of mani
testing knowledge known to and prae-
ticed by many persons. The manner.
in which such communications are,
made seems to be and is great mys-i
terry. Many theories about it have,
been suggested. all of which fall short
of satisfying the minds of the people
as to how it is done. The fact that
such communications are sent and re-,
eeived, and that they are often genu.l
Inc and true, and that such il onej
mode of manifesting knowledge, 10
now almost universally conceded.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-03-29
Flae-Headed Indians.

The custom of hattening the heads
bv pressure was about universal among
the Puget Sound indians. Itwas done
in infancy with hat made OF cedar
bark beaten, pressed steadily on the
forehead. 1t has been so often de-
.cribed by numerous writers that no
further description is here necessary.
School-teachers here have been unable
to see any difference between the in
tellect of those whose heads have thus
been hattened and those which are
natural. Some of the Indians how
ever, believe it has caused numerous
headaches among them in after life.
Very few Infants are thus treated now.
american Antiquarian.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-03-29

Frank Stockton is not satisfied with
he ordinary fame of clever story
sller. He wants to become a oene-
actor and philanthropist, and has IN.
rented an illuminated key-hols that
will enable men to 90 homo at any
,our of the night aud be able to get IN
Without rouailg the Rsaghh9EA9a&
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-03-29

A fossil egg in the Paris Academy,
Of Sciences measures S42 inches one
way and 90 inches another. The
original 10 supposed to have been the
sgg uf q bird thrss tines az hig az an
ostrich
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-03-29

Chloride Of nitrogen is said to be an
explosive vastly more terrible than dy.
namits or melinite and DR.. 6otterman,
Of eottinsen. says that be has got 1t
into q eoptrollabfe shape.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-03-29

A man in London is said to make 9
living by collecting eggshells and
,elling them to shooting galleries for
targets.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-03-29

There are i72 known species Of Great.
ures that are bipd. Ihis does net iue
slgds NvsL, -----
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-12-29

When Christine Nilsson first appeared in
public, twenty or more years ago she was
bopy and freckled Scandinavian lass like
scores one sees in western towns. Now she is
a magnificent woman, commanding in car
riage and countenance. Occasionally her
temper gets the better of her on the stage,
and once, here In Chicago, she knocked over
the piano stool and stamped angrily because
something had gone wrong. If she proved
herself ungrateful to former benefactors,
retribution came quickly in the treatment
which sho met at the hands of her first hus-
bands relations, upon whom she had lavished
princely donations.
She is u woman OF noble impulse, which
was once illustrated at the house Of retired
Chicago millionaire near New York. A dis
tingushed company had been invited to meet
her at dinner On entering the dining room
she dropped her hosts arm, hurrying in
amazement to the stately young butler, and
Selling him effusively by the hand, engaged
him in conversation, while the other guests
stood waiting and the entertainer looked on
In astonishment. THAT man." she explained
to the group, when they were seated, ''is the
son Of a kind old nobleman on whose estate
nv father worked as day laborer when We
were children Fortune has smiled on me
while it has frowned on my old playmate
| whom find here under such changed cir
| c11nstances America.
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-12-29

One lives and learns. The other day |
was calling upon friend who is surrounded
bv evidences Of long and successful re-
searches among bric-a-braC shops at home
and abroad, and | remarked the number
of brass and copper articles about the
place-a Russian SamovAr, a Dutch milk
can. beer mugs, candelabra, lanterns, etc,
etc.-and also remarked that they were In
the highest state Of polish and shone like the
sun on an October morning. How do you
keep your braSSes in such beautiful condi-
toni # must keep one person busy all the
time" said l. at keeps no person busy any
time, she replied loosely. The housekeeper
was passing through the hall at that moment,
and she hailed her. How long since these
brasses were polished, Mrs. - she said
The housekeeper stopped a moment ard
thought She is q conservative woman, and
wished TO be accurate Just two years ard
II half ago. was the reply.
Then it was explained to me that every
"polishable' article that came into the house
was at once sent out to brass founders and
given coat Of lacquer. After that they re
quired no polishing, only busting, the sams
as any other piece of bric-a-brac | thought
of the weary hours my maid had spent IL
rubbing up my brass and copper pieces, ant
still they never looked bright more than 1
day or two. l got the brass founders ad
dress and made up bag of brass candle
sticks, plated candelabra, coasters, cope
tea kettles, coffee pots and the like, tina
looked very much like a collection Of boot,
from a pawn shop, and sent it Off to tina
brass founder Just as fast as messenger coul'
! take it.-Cor Boston Gazette
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-12-29

A remarkable case OF uhs realIaa Ion OF
dream is related by l. Il rnorp Il we'll
known business man OF this city Some five
years ago Mr. Throp, who was then inter
ested in oil matters, had a dream in which he
saw distinctly q very peculiarly formed piece
Of land. upon which be dreamt that he To-
Gated five wells, one at each corner and the
fifth in the center upon the top of hill
Nothing more was thought of the matter
until about SIX mouths afterwards, when
Mr. Thorp again dreamed the same thing
with greater distinctness of detail. This
time he was somewhat impressed, but bust
ness cares soon drove the dream from his
mind and it was forgotten until two years
ago, when third time he had the same
dream When he awoke he made up his
mind that il he ever came across such tract
OF land lie would possess himself OF il. Time
passed, and one day while at Greensburg he
drove over TO Mt Morris, in Greene county,
and the moment h. came in sight OF the place
the dream was recalled There were the
Identical houses along the road, the hill rising
/ abruptly to a sharp peak, the two streams Of
/ water at its base, and everything he had first
seen in the dream years before
Upon going to the spot where his first well
/ had been located in his dream, 70 his surprise
I Mr. Thorp found that George p HukIll had
drilled his first well, which proved a very
good one The second well had also been put
down by Hukili, ut the place dreamed of, but
was dry. Carrying his Investigation still
farther, Mr.. Thorp climbed the hill and went
directly to the place where the fifth well
should be, but he tried to buy or lease tbs
land without avail Mr. Thorp had never
before been in the vicinity Of Mount Morris
and he did not know there was such place
until the visit which recalled the dTeam.-Oi
City Cor Pittsburg Commercial-Gazette.
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-12-29

At Trinity church, services tomor
row, at l0'45 a m, l2 N and p m
At the chapel at $50 and p m.
At the Twentieth street Evangelical
Lutheran church, services ut ~ m by
the pastor the Rev { A Mennicke. Text.
Peter i, IS Ell Thema Wis kost Car
Unsere Erloesung Sci
At the Augustana English Lutheran
church, preaching at lU;45's III by the
Rev E F Bartholemew, D. D., pastor
Subject: FThe Sign Spoken Against, "
luke liza Sunday school at 2:3O p m,
W NJ. Reck, assistant superintendent.
At the Central Presbyterian church.
the pastor, Rev. A. B. Medium, will
preach, tomorrow at 1915 q m and :
pm. Morning subject The Religion
of "a Maid Sunday school at $50 a
IN. Young peoples meeting at p IN.
At the First NJ. E church, preaching at
1O45 IN by the pastor, the Rev 6 W
Cue. Morning subject 60 For Them.
Evening: The Mask Removed. Sunday
school at 9:l5 IN, f Robinson, SUI
perintendent Young peoples meeting
at 6 . m, C T Adams, leader,
At the Broadway Presbyterian, church
Rev W $ Marquis, pastor, will presct
at 10:45 a III and 100 . III Morning
theme, "a Text for the New Year
Sabbath school at 300 m, Dr., J. W
Stewart superintendent Young peoples
prayer meeting Al 6;l5 p IN.
AT the First Baptist church, Corne
Third ovapua and Eifta.ptb street n T.
Leland pastor. In the morning at 1914
the pastor will preach New Years ser
mon, and the subject of the discourse i
tue evening will be, "EIow Much Owes
Thou Unto the Lord" Sabbath schoc
at $50 IN. Young peoples meeting i
8:15 pm. Fortieth Street chapel, Sabbst
school at $50 II. Services at 33O