davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10
QUEER CUSTOMS IN sITKA.
Interesting Facts About the Natives of Our
Northern Territory.
st. Paul Globe.l

st. Paul Globe.l
T. C. Jewett, of Sitks, Alaska, was
formerly resident of Mower county, Min
nesota. He was appointed Commissioner
of Alaska during the Cleveland regime.
He says:
''Sitka is an old Russian town-once
with $500 population and manufactures
and shipbuilding. Now it has not over 25O
white population, including Russians-and
some of those somewhat mixed-and about
1000 natives. We call the natives Indians,
but they are as distinct from the North
l,merican Indian as the Caucasian and
African. I have seen much that leads me
to the conclusion that they are the descen-
dants from the prehistoric race, the Mound
Builders. And the more see of them the
more it grows into belief. They are in
dustrious, enterprising and provident, and
fast improving and assimilating to the
manners and customs of the whites. Their
ideas of marriage and divorce are unique,
requiring but little formality or ceremony.
= When a man thinks about preparations
for dying he selects as his successor his best
marriageable friend and turns his wife over
to him in lieu of life insurance. A man in
the ranche-native yillage-with nothing
ailing him, got bent on dying of heart
disease and selected his best man and
turned his wife worth at least S15, 900 over to
him. He isn't dead yet, and lives in the
same house with them. Lately husband
No. has come into the family, and
they are all living together in her spacious.
comfortable, we'll furnished house, happy as
larks."
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10

MOSQUITOES, and they are groomed and
trained like horses. Before being caught
they are weighed, and there is fixed regu-
iatlon as to their sizes. Each cricket mas
It's record pasted up on the doors OF the
house In which the fight is to take place,
and the owner Of the cricket which wins
gets 10 per cent of all the bets. A good
hghtlng cricket is very valuable, and lts
fame goes abroad in the land. twill bring
a big sum, and when it dies, according to
Archdeacon Grey, it is buried in a silver
coffin. The cricket pit is low tub which
is placed on table. After the insects are
weighed and groomed they are put into this
tub and tickled with straws until they rush
at each other with loud chirrups, and light
to the death. They are as brave as fighting
cocks, and they wrestle. bite and tear each
other, till one or the other dies.
quail lights are common all over China,
and they are carried on much as cock
fighting is in New Orleans. The qualls
fight hercely, but the spectators must be
very quiet in order that the fighting birds
be not frightened. In most cases the bird is
purposely made deaf while training, anG
this is done by blowing into the birds ear
with tube. Pigeon fighting also furnishes
much opportunity for Chinese betting, and
cock fighting is common in some parts OF the
country.
GAMBLING IN SIAM.
The Siamese are inVeterate gamblers, and
there are more gambling houses than there
are stores in Bangkok. Tine Chinese own
the most of these houses, and the business is
allowed to 60 on on account of the big reve-
enue whichit pays to the Government Shells
are still used TO some extent as money in Siam
and India, and great deal of this gambling
is done with corrie shells, which are about
the size of lima bean, and which, In
Siam, take the place of cash. Singapore
and Penang are noted for their gambling
houses, and all over the West Pacific you
will find great quantities of lottery tickets
for sale. The Manila lottery there
takes the place of the Louisiana lottery
in America, and its drawings are
participated in by both foreigners and ma
tiVes. There are lotteries in Egypt, Greece
and Turkey, and Cairo has numerous gam
bling houses, at which the games are played
on the same plan of those at Monte Carlo,
but not with the same honesty. The Greeks
are fond of gambling, and, though they are
in the main respectable and uprightin their
own land, they have very bad reputation
in Egypt, and great part of the criminal
notes of the Alexandria newspapers are
made up of the fights among them. The
Burmese have their gambling games.
You will find card-playing and dice
throwing going on in nearly every part of
India, and in short, doubt where there is
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10

it was that the apostate hoped to give to his
people; he had confessed to Rule himself
that it was the faith in one God. Mesu
had denied that he was guilty of perjury
and had pledged himself never to betray the
mysteries to his people, but only to lead
them back to the God whom their forefath-
ers had served before Joseph and his kim
dred had ever come into Egypt. The one
god Of the initiated was, no doubt, in many
respects like the God of the Hebrews, and
that was precisely what had reassured the
ancient sage; for be knew by experience
that the common folk would not be content
with god, one and invisible, such as many
Of the more advanced of his own disciples
found it difficult TO conceive Of The men
and women of the masses required sensible
images ofeverything Of which they perceived
the effects in and about them, and this need
the religion Of the Egyptians eRatifed.
What comfort could love-lorn maid find
in an invisible and creative power, govern
ing the course of the universe. She would
be drawn to the gentle Hatha, who held IN
her benefcent grasp the cords which bind
heart to heart, the fair and powerful goddess
of procreation before whom she could pour
forth in full confidence all that weighed on
her soul. Or mother who longed to snatch
q darling child from death--how could her
small sorrows concern the incomprehensibls
and almighty Being who ruled the whole
world? But Lis the gracious mother, who
herself had wept In such deep anguish, she
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10

tension, especially when smile lent be.
witching charm to his mouth. The indolent
deliberatenesB Of his movements scarcely de-
tracted from the natural dignity Of his per
son, though his voice, which was agreeable,
generally had an exhausted and plaln-
tive sound. He was not born %
rule; 13 brothers, older than be, had
died before the heirship to the throne had
devolved upon him, and he, meanwhile, IS
the handsomest youth in all the land, the
darling Of the women and hght-hearted
fayorite Of fortune, had lived life Of IN
broken enjoyment till he had almost arrived
at manhood. Then he had succeeded his
father, Rameses the Great; and hardly had
he grasped the scepter when the Libyans,
with strong allies, had rebelled against bis
rule. The veteran troops and their captains,
schooled in his fathers wars, helped him g
conquer. But in the 20 years which had
now elapsed since his fathers death bis
armies had rarely had any rest, for rebsl-
lions had constantly to be quelled, now in
the East and nowin the West, and instead Of
dwelling in Thebes, where he hadspent many
happy years, and living in the most gorgeous
of palaces, as be would fam have done, en-
ioying the blessings Of peace and the society
Of the illustrious students and poets who
were at that time to be found there, he vas
forced sometimes to lead bis armies into The
field. and sometimes 10 reside at Tania
Thus only could he settle the difficulties
that disturbed the border province, and in
this he yielded willingly to the couasels Of
Rule. In the later years Of his fathers
reign the national sanctuary at Thebea, and.
consequently, its high priest, had attained
greater wealth and power than the royal
family, and it suited Menephtah's indolent
nature to be an instrument rather than 3
master, so long as he abdicated none Of the
external honors due to Pharaoh. These be
guarded with a resolute care which he was
incapable OF exerting when more serious
matters demanded it.
The gracious condescension with which
the King received him gratifed Joshua and
at the same time reused his suspicions.
However, he had the courage 10 declare
freely that he desired to be released irom
his Office and from the oath be had taken b
his sovereign Lord.
Pharaoh listened unmoved, and Il vas
not till the soldier had confessed that his
fathers commands had moved him 70 take
this step that Pharaoh signed to the high
priest. who then spoke in scarcely audible
tones:
"A son who sacrifices greatness that he
may continue dutiful to his father must be
one Of the most faithful Of Pharaoh's ssrT-
ants. Go, then, do the bidding Of Nun.
The child OF the sun. the lord Of Upper and
Lower Egypt, sets you free. But on one
condition, which I, as the minister Of his
master, declare TO you.
"And what is that?" inquired Joshua
And again the King signed to the old
r,riasf- than he sank hack on the fhrono
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10

time of deep mourning the spacious rooms
of the palace, in which a gay and noisy
throng were wont to move, were az still as
the grave, for not the slaves and sentries
only, but many persons of superior rank in
immediate attendance on the royal pair, had
fed from the pestilence and escaped without
leave.
Here and there solitary priest or official
leaned against pillar or covered on the
ground, hiding bis face in his hands, while
awaiting some command. Soldiers went
about trailing their arms and in silent
brooding. Now and then few young priests
in mourning robes stole through the deserted
rooms and speeehlessly swung the silver
censers, which shed a pungent perfume of
resin and juniper.
1t was as though terrible incubus
weighed on the palace and its inhabitants,
for, added to the loss Of the Kings beloved
SON, which came home to many hearts, the
fear of death and the desert wind had
crushed the energies of mind and body
alike. -. &. s.=., .-,4---.i,--
Here; under the shadow of the throne,
where of yore all ewes had glittered with
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10
ANCIENT PHONETIC SPELLING.
A Volume Illustrating the PeculIarities Of
Medieval OrthOgraphy.

Volume Illustrating the PecuIEarities of
Medieval OrthOgraphy.
It is striking illustration Of the fact
that new light is often found to be only
darkness, that one can see in the library of
the British Museum, under the date OF 1885
more than 300 years ago, volume, the title
of which is:
"Esopz Fablz, in tru ortography, with
grammar notz. Herunto ar also jooind the
short sentencez oV the wyz Cato, both of
which autorz are TRANSLATED out of Latin in
too English"
The author of this sentence spelled button
butn. But this is not quite equal to the di-
rection of letter received lately by gen,
tleman who was addressed from abroad, as
in the "Youknightid Stats Of Aymerrika.
The name '"H udson" which originally was
Hodges son. is found, in English publica-
tions spelled in % different ways.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10
WAITING TO KILL WALLACE.
Why the Author Of Ben Hur Slept With a
Pistol Under His Pillow.

Why the Author Of Ben Hur Slept With a
Pistol Under His Pillow.
Ladies' Home Journal
In patriotism Mrs. Lew Wallace and her
husband stand shoulder to shoulder differ
ing only in his wearing the straps. She had
need of all her courage in some OF their hair
grizzling experiences in New Mexico, when
her husband was Governor there. They
found border rufianism in all its pristine
glory, and General Wallace set about break
ing up the business. One of gang who
boasted that he had killed man for every
year he had lived Che was then 21) pledged
his word and honor as desperate that he
would track Wallace till he had shot him;
with so much at stake they played very
earnestly and Ben Hur ''wore his beaver
up" and pistol cooked for him.
Finally he took lodgings in the same
hotel, and at night General Wallace closed
the door of his room. His wife speaking of
the heat opened it, and he quietly said "its
best not to have it open --i is in the
house watching his chance to shoot me-"
We can fancy the alacrity with which she
then shut the door, and that she probably
corked the keyhole, as Miss Pecksniff did
the wine bottle, with curl paperl With
rife at hand and pistol under his pillow,
Governor Wallace lay down and slept
better than his wife did. you may be sure.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10

A STORY OF THE EXODUS.
BY Georg Ebersz
Author of "UARDA," SCRAPS" Etc.
w FIRST PUBLISHED0

had brought such terrors on Egypt. Alasl
for she had other children to lose, and she
had known Mesu from his childhood, and
knew in what high esteem the learning of
this stranger had been held by the great
Rameses, her husbands father and prede-
cessor, who had brought him up with his
own sons.
Oh, if it were but possible to make terms
with this mani But Mesu had departed
with his people, and she knew his iron will,
and that the terrible foe was armed not
alone against Pharaoh's threats but even
against her passionate supPlications.
Now she would meet Joshua, and he, the
SON of Nun and the most noble of the He
brews Of Tanis, could succeed, if any man
could, in carrying out such measures as she
and her husband might think best for all
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10

the gambler, if he win, gets three times the
amount of his stakes, but if any one of the
other three numbers win he loses. There
are as many other kinds of games played on
these fan-tan boards as are played on the
roulette table, and the chances are in all
cases with those who run the game. Even
in paying the winnings per cent is usually
taken out to deiraY the expense of the pro-
prietors, and the professionals, as usual,
make the money. China has its policy
game, which is not much different from that
known in America, and great deal of
gambling goes on by means of cards.
CRICKET FIGHTING.
There are few horses in South China, and
there is little horse racing among the ma
tives. The Chinese have not yet learned to
gamble with the baseball nine, but thev
make up for the lack of these two great
features of American chance by betting on
cock fights, bird fights and cricket fights.
This fighting OF crickets is one OF the insti-
tutions of China, and crickets are caught,
fed and trained for fighting. There is a
fixed diet for them, and part of their food
consists of honey and boiled chestnuts. If
they get sick, they are fed with a diet of
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10

There Is a sort of palm in India, which, be-
ing tapped, produces liquor which, by sew
eral days fermentation, becomes iDto1ica-
ting. Nature has thus provided India with
a cheap means Of getting drunk, and her
people have taken advantage of it. The
English liquors are, however, preferred, and
wherever our civilization goes, our strong
drinks make progress in advance of our
Bibles.
Korea was opened to Western ideas and
men a little over a decade ago, and the
Koreans were delighted with Scotch whisky
and Jamaica rum. They had never seen
bottles before and they priced these as rare
cuIiosities. In many of the huts through
out Korea you NAV find beer bottles and
whisky bottles set up as works OF fine art,
and taking the place that we allot to rare
bits OF china or Venetian cut-glass. English
beer, French brandy and Scotch whisky are
now sold all over the East, and nearly every
town in Japan of any size has its LIQUOR
store. In both Japan and China the diff
ferent brands Of ales and liquors are coun-
terfeited by the natives. The labels on
them are forged, and the poorest of intoxi-
cants are sold under forged names.
THE MTKADo's FAvoRITE Triple.
The Chinese are very fond of champagne,
and when called upon any of the Govern
ment officials in China, Japan or Korea,
champagne was brought out. Ii Hung
Chang, the Viceroy Of China, drinks with
his callers when he wants to terminate the
interview, and the bringing in of the spark
ling liquid serves the same purpose as coffee
sometimes does in the East. The Mikado of
Japan is passiOnately fond Of champagne
and it is whispered at Toxic hat His
Majesty now and then drinks too much of
it. Champagne intoxication lasts for a full
day after the liquor has been drunk. and
these periodical sprees of the Emperor. if in
deed the stories told OF him indulging in
them are true, must be serious matter to
his Cabinet and the ladies Of the palace.
/ attended at Soul, the capital of Korea. a
review of the army, and drank champagne
in company with General Dye and the other
American officers who have gone there to
roorganize the troops. We clinked glasses
with the big-hatted Korean Generals, and
upon going to the palace had again to drink
the same liquor in company with the Kings
Cabinet Ministers. In calling upon His
Blessedness, the Patriarch Of Jerusalem,
Joined with him in s jigger Of some liquor
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10

a place in the world in which games of
chance are not played for money. That
same attribute of human nature which
makes poker popular throughout the United
States seems to be found in every human
skin, whether its color be yellow, black or
brown, and it takes the best of civilized
laws and the most rigid of religious infu-
ences to keep it in check.
FRANK G. CARPENTER.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10
CHAPTER TX.

T this same hour a
chamberlain was
leading Joshua into
the hall of audi
ence.
Though subjects
bidden to attend the
king commonly had
hours to wait, the
Hebrews patience
was put to no Sc
we're test. AT this
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10
A Cheerful Greeting Extended
by Europeans in Asia
to Their Friends.
INDIA'S SALVATION ARMY.
Its Peculiar Method of Reaching the
Incorporate Natives.
GAMBLING IN CHINA AND THE EAST.

EaVOrlte Tfpples aud Games Of More Than
Half the WOrld-Drinking Saki in Japan
Chinese FOndness for Snmshu-HOw
the mikadO Drinks Champagne-Asintic
Gamblers-BettinE on Cricket Fights
aud Quail COmbats-Lotteries In the
PRcihc-SOmethinG About the Greeks as
Gamblers.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10
THE WISDOM OF A GOOSE.
An Old Bird Which Had n Good Deal Of
Common Sense.

Common Sense.
New Orleans Picayune.l
To call stupid person goose is great
injustice to the goose, for they have been
known to show themselves very sensible, to
wit: One goose that warn't bit of goose,
as the saying goes. This smart goose was
quite pet of the writer, and was very fond
OF feeding on soaked bread.
However, it did not disdain dry crust,
which it would pick up and carry to water
trough and soak thoroughly before attempt
ing to eat it."
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10


sheet not seldom showed bare legs as we'll
The girls appeared upon the stage and told
their experiences with intoxicating drinks
in this garb. The men padded about the
streets with drum and fife, and the same fan
tastic drumming up of recruits went on as
is seen in the Salvation Army of this coun-
try.
The better class of foreigners were dis
gusted with the antics of the Salvationists,
and they claimed that they did the cause of
temperance more harm than good. The
Salvation Army officers replied that they
wanted to show the Hindoos that they were
their brothers, and that they could be closer
TO them while wearing the same dress. They
said that they proposed to go throughout India
and to carry their crusade into each district
attired in the dress of the natives. 1t is
hardly probable, however, that they will do
this, for the dress of both sexes in some Of
the remote districts of India is not more
comprehensive than the fig leaves of the
Garden of Eden.
NTEMPERANCE IN INDIA.
Intemperanee is growing to an alarming
extent In India. The sale of beer and
LIQUORS is licensed by the English Govern
ment, and John Bull adds to his pile by
every finger of bad whisky that the poor
Hindoos drink. Queen Victoria sent 9. .OO0,-
600 gallons of beer from England to India
in a single wear, and in addition to this she
has licensed breweries all over the country.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10

URING the past
summer the Saliva
ton Army has at
tackled India. A
company of re-
formed Englishmen
and women sailed
from London to
Bombay, and there
began their war
against intemper-
ance in a truly orig
inal way. They dis
carded their English
clothes and put on
the dresses of thena-
tives. This dress in
many Of the dis
tricts, is little more
than a dirty white
sheet, wrapped in
folds around the
bare body, and the
fair white skin Of
t b ese G au casians
shone out strangely
among their blacker
brethren. Most of
them were barefooted
and q twist of the
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10
A Living Busines. Accessory.

Mr.. Train (whO has just come in)-
Where'd you get him?
Mr.. Crane (who is very busy)-Friend
send him from Texas.
Mr.. Train (who is still perplexed)-
What's he good for?
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10

which was as strong as Chartreuse, and
seldom made a call upon any of the for
eigners in Asia without being asked to take
peg. Pegs" is the name for drinks
among the English all over the East.
"Come and have a peg with me" means
"come and take drink" and the express
sion rose, I am told, from the old saying
that every drink that a man takes puts
peg into his coffin.
SAMSHU AND sAKI.
Speaking ofdrinking, every nation of the
East has its own native intOxicant. For
unnumbered centuries the yellow-faced
Chinaman has frightened his almond eye
with samshu. And it is now 1900 years
ago since saki, the national brandy of Japan
was invented. Both samshu and Sakl are
rice brandy, and it is said that per cent OF
the entire rice crop of Japan is turned into
this liquor. 1t pays over 100000 year
In revenue taxes, and its brewers have to
pay a license and a percentage on the
amount of their sales. No japanese dinner
is complete without sski, and it is custom
ary for party to use but one cup, taking
drink, and then rinsing out the cup IN a
bowl of water kept for the purpose. and
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10

CORRESPONDENCE OF THE D1sPATcH.1
WASHINGTON, D. c., November 9.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10
sNUBBED BY LABoUCHERE,

Still, although our pretty cousins from
across the Atlantic very frequently under
take the dispensation of fascinating cakes
and refreshing drinks, it was not an Ameri-
can who received the well-known snub at
the hands of Mr.. Labouchere but an En-
glish professional beauty. Soon after the
Introduction of the lsncy fair, it became
customary for ladies, with shame be it said,
to enhance the value of such wares as but
ton holes, cigars or drinks by putting the
flower in the purchasers coat with their
own fair fingers, by biting the end of the
cigar. or by putting the glass to their own
lips. The story runs that Mr.. Labouchere,
having been beguiled into one Of these
mighty crowds, took refuge at the refresh
ment stall and asked for a cup of tea.
Stretching out his hand to receive it, he
asked the price. "a shilling" replied the
beauty; but raising the cup to her lips, and
bestowing fascinating glance on the
would-be purchaser, she continued: "Now
1 shall ask a sovereign" Thanks" he re-
turned laconically; 'but should prefer
clean cupl"
Another. revolving practice, only intro-
duced this season at the Al Frezco Fayre
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10

Here; under the shadow of the throne,
where of yore all eyes had glittered with
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10

One Young Hopeful Who Knows a Good
~ Thing When He Secs Ii.