davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-15

wrench IL from the hand that holds 1t. The
native swords of japan and China are quite
similsh in form-long, almost straight, clumsy
in appearance, with heavy. clumsy scabbards
and no guards. The japanese put fine edge
on their steel blades and brag Of the frosting
or dragons breath" on the metal, They are
not skilled in swordsmanship. The japanese
soldiers, until recently, carried lances, with
long sword-like blades.
Another sword found in countries under
Turkish influence Is the gataghan, which I'M
like the scimetar, has blade almost straight.
The slight curve in the blade is double. The
handle is small and there is very little guard
Sometimes the point is notched or divided.
Among the natives of India knife is carried,
which is shaped something like the Congo ex-
ecutioneer's sword. 1t has double curve and
the blade is made heavy and extremely sharp
This is called kukri, and though chiefly used
In the hunt, is sometimes employed with
bloody effect as weapon of offense. Armed
with kukri nepual hunter will boldly attack
or invite the attack of tiger. When the huge
beast makes his leap to strike down his in
tended prey the hunter nimbly lodges aside
and, bringing his kukri down with great force
upon the neck of the tiger, kills the animal
with one bloyy
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-15

but on the blade. Just below the handle. is a
little knob, to which is attached a thong or
loop that goes about the hand of the man that
Yields the sword, thus giving him a surer hold
ana more power in directing the blow.
The other man, the one to be beheaded. is, Of
course, invrested in having the blow delivered
with as much precision and neatness as pos
sible. He is seated with his head pro-
lectng over post A tall sapling is
bent down like a bow and his head is secured
70 the end OF the sapling in such way that the
spring OF the sapling stretches his neck taut
linen the executioner swings his huge sickle
Ike blade and sewers the neck with one blow.
The sapling thus released flies into the air,
taking the head with it, or finging it away like
pebble from a bean-shooter Mr. Hough said
that in this form of execution the condemned
man had the advantage Of experiencing all
there was both in hanging and in decapitation.
before the executioner performs his bloody
work the condemned prisoner is bound for
some time at the place Of execution, and the
villagers are permitted to enjoy themselves by
hooting at him and bombarding him with de-
caying eggs and other disagreeable missiles.
Cases at the museum are filed with grim-looking
swords or daggers brought from African wilds
BY Gurley, Tisdel, Taunt and other explorers.
The iron OF which they are wrought is found
by the natives in such pure state that they
can work it by very simple smelling processes.
Many different forms are found, some being
round and short like broad leaf, and others
straight two-edged, and pointed like Roman
sword. One from the Congo has pommel OF
leopard skin. A noticeable feature of nearly
all the swords made by African savages is their
corrugation, ridges, and grooves ON the face
This peculiar structure appearing not only in
sword blades, but in other weapons, has been
the subject Of paper published in the mu-
scum proceedings by Mr.. Walter Hough. On
each face portion OF the blade is sunk on one
side only, and on the other face the depression
is on the revere side. This structure has
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-15
10 EsterbrOoks' Parsnips.

From the Minneapolis Journal.
10 Esterbrooks il best known on the East
Side as janitor Of the Winthrop school. But
he is no fool of gardener. 1t is the envy Of
his 4th street neighbors to see how his green
corn and cucumbers shoulder each other out
of the way in their anxiety to get out of the
rich soil and into the sunlight. Some people
say that Mr.. Esterbrooks uses ''hyperphos-
phites" on them; but this is regarded as fable.
The other morning when Mr.. Esterbrooks
arose with the sun he naturally first took look
at his little garden. For a moment his eyes
bulged out with establishment and surprise.
He rubbed them. pinched himself and took a
second look. There could be no mistake about
it. His parsnips, planted the day before, we're
''up." But they were not 'up'' in the way that
full sized, and were growing with their cone
like roots in the air, the morning dew drops vet
glistening on their foreheads.
Mr.. Esterbrooks examined the ground care
fully. There were traces Of footprints, and the
prints led over the fence. Mr.. Esterbrooks laid
one finger beside his nose and smiled grimly.
Then he went into the house. He had recog-
nized the tracks OF that animal quite common
in the blooming second ward-the practical
joker. During the day Al Stone and Sam Ham,
ilton strolled over to the school and asked Mr..
Esterbrooks how his garden was coming on.
The gardener put two and two together, but
he sawed wood and said nothing.
That evening, after he had watered his lawn,
he arranged the hose In trellis so that il COM
manded the approached of the garden, and
hired small boy to stand guard in the cellar
at the stopcock. He didn't have to wait long.
About 10 o'clock two figures stole in toward the
garden. Mr.. Esterbrooks pulled the string a.
tached to the boy, and with gluglsty-br-r-r-r-
hiss the Aissisaippi juice spouSed over tho In
trudera
When Mr.. Esserbroois got through laughing
he saw vision CT coat-tails and yibrstin0
elbows going down 4th street shedding wstAr
and hoFse-talk ut every step. The parsnips
came up right end up lev days later.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-15
The Baroness Earned Her ssTip,,s

From the Albany Express. 81
Melbourne paper is responsible for q CAPT
tai story about Baroness Darlington, wife of
the governor Of New South Wales. 1.-The other
day." says the journal, "a South Australian
magnate called at the government house. He
sent his card in, and, waving the footman aside,
said he would go up and give his lordship a
surprise. At the top of the stairs he met a nice
looking young woman, and in a fine, old-gen-
tlemanly, gallant way, chucked her under the
chin and pressed half crown into her hand,
saying at the same time: SHOW me into the
presence of his lordship, my little dear The
little dear, with an enigmatical SMILE opened
the door Of Lord Carringtons study and said:
Bob, here's gentleman to see you, and
opening her hand-'hes given me half crown
to show him where You are" -
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-15

Roman sword, and a bone handle without a
guard. A dangerous-looking knife from Alaska
has double blade with the handle near the
middle. Knives from the interior of Alaska
have peculiar handles in the form of two
prongs curling away from each other. Another
knife from Alaska was made of the blade of an
old Russian saber, piece of cloth having been
bound about the end to serve as handle. The
Bowie knife, which figures so extensively in
border states, is weapon with sharp pointed
keen-edged blade about 10 inches long. that
will serve either as dagger or as a hunting
knife, and is extremely useful to man who
divides his time between fighting and hunting.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-15
Dan Warmers Educated Alligator.

From the Euetis U1a-D Lake Hee1on
In this paper q few weeks ago mention was
made Of an alligator about four feet long that
had been captured by Dan Warner on the side
walk In the most thickiy settled portion Of our
city. Dan felt, a. soon as he saw the young
saurian, that ii possessed unusual intelligence,
and set about 70 teach him. IL Ia perfectly
wonderful the progress "John"-he has been
christened John--has made. The bake shop is
20 him revelation. He will, after the bread
has been taken from the pan. take the utensils
and pile them In the corner as neatly 40
o boy could do IT, The FIRST trick he learned
was TO stand on his tail and hind feet
II 10 pathetic TO see him as he assumes the
position and crosses his fore feet over his
breast, awaiting the loaf which is given him -
O reward for his skill He is very fond Of cider,
and Schmidt q Warner have found il necessary
TO place the barrel beyond his reach, ss he has
half dozen times turned the faucet The boys
do not mind the single glass, but he does not
seemed to have learned the art Of cutting il on,
and be was not discovered until q gallon OF
more had been wasted The music by the band
pleases him hugely, and he will lie In front OF
the band-room every practice night until the
last note IL heard His harness viii not be done
for another week, but Dan is confident he win
drive well. Dan has given him pslm-leaf fan
and he handles this with the utmost grace in
keeping on the atss, which seem 70 annoy hin
excessively.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-15
woman's Smiles and womau,s Tears,

One to enlicen the other to soften the heart Of
mankind. An old bachelor once said women
were either all smiles or all tears" but this can
not be true, for what would there be "twixt tear
and a SMILE" Women have enough to bear TO
make them "an tears" and enough 70 hope for to
make them "au smiles" When anicted with
nervousness "female weaknesses" sick headache
there is necessity for contemplation and for
"tears," but when they consider that there Is q
sure remedy in DIR. Pierce's Favorite Prescription
for all such female complaints" there y reason
fog "eWilos"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-15
To Reduce a t'Swelled Head"

HIDaHy
He had been out all night-he told the tour
list so-but this morning he looked as fresh as
daisy. Or" the tourist said, show ie it
that you haven't head this morning." II
have, sir, beastly head" "You don't look like
It," "Well sir, I'll tell you why. Inever look
sleepy in the morning. wet the end Of my
finger in cologne and rub my eyelids gently
In two minutes all the sleepy feeling is gone
and I look as IL I'd had full nights rest
That's the whole secret, sir, the whole secret"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-15
with one blow

None of the American Indians ever have
borne weapons that conld. strictly speaking, be
called swords. Their cutting and siashing i'm
plements would generally be classed rs knives.
Indians who have communication with traders
generally carry knives supplied from cutlery
establishments in this country or England.
Their scalping knives are ordinary butchers
knives, which the Indians carry in cases or
scabbards OF buckskin. Primitive knives of
Indian manufacture are made Of stone or bone
or copper. In almost ali cases, their ornament
alton is characteristic of the tribe that pro-
duced them. The handles of knives from the
northwest coast Indians are carved with myth
illogical figures or the totems of their owners.
One knife from Rogue river is, as
long as a Roman sword, and has a
copper blade not much unlike. a
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-15

In the South seas the natives in their primi-
tive state never had metal swords, but they
made swords of wood. The savage tribes Of
Australia make swords or fighting sticks of
hard wood In the museum is a formidable
sword from the Kingsmill islands. 1t has one
long, sharp, spear-like blade of wood and
about the handle are two curved prongs.
Down the whole length Of the blade or stick,
on each edge. and covering also the prongs.
are set rows of sharp sharks teeth that will
make a jagged wound like a rip-saw. The
islanders make long lance-heads, which are
toothed in the same manner, and in the hands
Of a furious savage become terrible weapons
As a means of defense against these toothed
swords and spears the warriors carry MEETINGS
in which the prongs and teeth become en-
tangled. In Siam knives, and even
swords, are made of bamboo, which will
afford q sharp and dangerous edge.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-15
The Rot in Hardy Grapes.

The rot ID liable to attack almost any variety
Of grape, but the Isabella and Catawbs grapes
seem 10 be particularly liable to the disease.
One season noticed field of grapes % raw
aged by this disease that the ground beneath
the vines was covered with the fallen fruit.
The neighbor of mine owning the vineyard
could not account for IT, but as subsequently,
periments proved, we found that the soil caused
his loss. The soil was lacking In certain min
eral acknowledgements which had been in the
soil once but had become exhausted. Here and
there vine would appear strong and healthy,
free entirely from the rot This led ~ 70 ex-
amiue the soil, 70 analyxe and finally 70 expert
ment. The result convinced us that the rot
was caused by some defect in the soil, partly, if
not entifely, and not 90 much from the atnios-
phere. The special fertiliser used consisted of
half peck Peruvian guano, half peck Eyp-
sum, aud Q peck Of unslaked wood ashes for
each vine. This mixture, while supplying the
necessary sttmulsnts for growth, also supplied
the mineral substance, such - lime, potash,
phosphate, and sulphuric aoid. The mixture
was spread ON the surface OF the ecu around the
vines, and worked into the earth four or ave
inches. The experiment proved . success SO
far a. preventing the rot on the vines doctored
in this way was concerned. Several other vines
not supplied with this special fertiliser were
attacked BY the rot and Tie fruit I'll lesa Our
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-15

been supposed to determine spiral fight
In weapons. As IL occurs not only in missile
weapons, as arrows and assagais, but also in
trenchant weapons as knives, swords, bills and
short sword-knives of the Congo natives, where
the peculiarly Ia useless. this reason is not
valid. 1t has also been called 'blood groove"
and such fanciful stories about its purpose to
retain blood OF enemies. or to cause a wound
made by weapon to bleed more freely may
be dismissed. MIR. Hough says, with scant no.
tee. Burton remarks that this popularity is
persistent III all the swords obtained from the
Caucasus. and that the iron blades of Saxon
and Frankish spears found in graves in Eng
land and France possess it. Mr.. Hough has
come to the conclusion that the corrugation is
an effective way adopted by the Tubal Gains, of
the Congo, OF making thin, soft iron blade
rigid on the principle of the hollow column.
Swords and knives from the people Of north
ern Africa, under Mohammedan influence, are
generally found encased in exquisitely wrought
scabbards. In the museum are swords from
the Barbary states without guards but pro-
vlded with leathern scabbards of elaborate
workmanship. A Moorish dagger, curved like
scimitar, ID held in a highly ornamented
silver case. In one Of the cases in the
historical hall is a jerveled scimetar with
a beautiful embossed scabbard that was
presented to Thomas Jefferson when President
by the emperor of Morocco. A sword almost
as straight as an ordinary marine cutlass. is
from Alglers and was once the weapon of some
swarthy pirate. What is peculiar about it is
the ornamentation of the handle and scabbard
which are completely covered with cowry
shells. A tassel of the shells hangs down from
the end of the scabbard
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-15

way 60 q sword with one edge. The blades
were hghtened and tapered. The two-edged
form survived in the slender rapier. In the
present day, when hand-to-hand encounters
are rare in civilized warfare, the use Of the
sword has become almost altogether ceremo-
NAL. II IL worn as badge of distinction. Still
cavalry soldiers are armed with sabers-swords
that combine the Oriental curve and the down.
ward cutting qualities with point for thrust
ing. There have been many places famous
for the fneness of their swords. The blades Of
Damascus, with their exquisitely-watered steel
have been celebrated for centuries. Toledo
blades and the Scotch swords OF Ferrara have
IN western Europe stood for all that was es-
teemed desirable in swords. The collections
In the National museum are interesting az
showing the forms that the sword has taken
among different peoples.
In African wilds there are savages who. with
the rude tools at their command, have attained
much skill as metal workers. With a stone for
o hammer and a stone for an anvil they beat
out blades. broad and thin. They make daggers
and words Of fantastic shapes with cruel-look-
ing hooks on the end. One Of the oddest-look-
ing swords in the National museum collection
IL an executioners sword from the BayaHlsis
IL Is q broad blade with a sharp curve or angle
like boomerang. The handle has no guard,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-15

difference lies in their use. The sword Is In
tended for open combat. The dagger has al
WAYS been a symbol of secret attack, of assassi-
nation and treachery. The traditions sssoci-
sted with the sword are of the Aoblest char
acter. In the National museum can be seen
many specimens that tell the interesting story
Of the sword. In one corner stands the life
size figure Of Roman legionary fully armed
with helmet and shield and breast-plate, wear
ing at his side short Roman sword, two-edged
and pointed-the sword hat laid the world
under tribute. Near by is an Arab sheik
with gaudy turban and flowing robes, from
whose belt hangs curving scimetar.
In case filled with treasures that were be-
slowed by grateful hands upon Gen. Grant,
lies a straight and slender sword with golden
scabbard and diamond-studded hilt, the sword
of Chattanooga, presented to Gen. Grant after
his first great victories in the west. There are
other swords, there too. given to Gen. Grant.
On one of the balconies, where, screened from
public view. Prof. Mason and his assistants work
over the odds and ends of human invention
and handicraft, piecing together the mosaic
that pictures mans progress from the savage
state to civilization, there are many big drawers
filed with knives, daggers and swords. There
are many rude implements OF stone or copper,
many cruel blades that savage hands have
welded, and among them lies a broken cavalry
saber-only the hilt and few inches of
the blade-that picked up on the
Little Big Horn from the spot where Clusters
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-15

experiment may not be q new one, but there
might be some who could profit by using spe-
cisl msnures for vines attacked by this disease.
In many soils gypsum is the lacking element,
which, If supplied, would prevent the rot
n RARRrrr
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-15
Written for TEE EVENING STAR
FARM AND GARDEN.
Lime and Ashes for Fruit Trees-Other
Matters Worth Attending To.

1t is well known that all varieties Of fruits do
not flourish and mature equally in all sections
OF the country. This is mainly attributed to
climate. Quite frequently q fruit grower in
one part Of the middle states hearing of the
quality OF q particular fruit as grown in another
part OF the country has obtained aud fruited it.
Upon not responding to the pains bestowed
upon 1t by the grower it has been either
counted a. variety unsuited to the climate,
or the first grower has been put down as q
fraud In many instances such Judgment is
erroneous. Had an analysis of the soil, in
which the particular variety was grown to per-
lection. accompanied the plant. and the knowl-
result would have been very different Soil,
mink, will be found to have more influence
upon our plants and trees than climate. The
latter has everything to do in Fastening or re-
tarding the maturity Of plants, but the former
influences the life and success Of the trees by
supplying or denying them the proper food
The value Of special manures IL thus mani
Tested.
LIME AND IT'S PHospHArRs
form component part Of all special manures
for fruit trees, and many old, worn-out soils
have been renewed by judicious applications of
lime, ashes, DC. In nine cases ont of ten where a
variety of fruit which once hourished in given
SOIL has ceased to flourish and perfect fine
fruit grown there, the change is due to the fact
that the soil has become destitute of the neces-
sary mineral manure. In nearly all such cases
the plentiful application Of wood ashes or
wood-ashes and lime, will restore the healthy
condition of the trees. Observations of the
effects OF the composition of soils, within the
last two or three years, convince many that
much OF what was attributed to climate was
simply owing to the want OF the necessary inor-
ganlc mineral manures in the soil The
special lesson which this should teach us is that
In getting trees, plants and shrubs from an
other section of the country they should
always be accompanied by an analysis of the
perfection. We could then see that the trees
were planted in the same kind of soil, and sue
cess assured us. Nurserymen would soon get
accustomed to these orders, if every farmer in
sisted upon it in his order, and think com
phints about certain first-class varieties of
fruits would not be SO general.
GEo. WILSON.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-15

In all stories of pirates in Malay waters the
creese plays part. The creese is an ugly
business-like looking sword, pointed and
double edged Some Of those in the museum
collection are wavy or twisted in serpentine
curves They have only a small gnard, but on
the under side of the guard and extending
downward, is toothed and Jagged projection
of the metal that spoils the edge of any blade
that struck against it.
There are other swords in thu ,,ouaa,,,,, ,,oS
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-15

| wAsHrSaToNIANs WHO HAVE TAKEN THEIR Rae
DUETS ABRoAD-coMPARIsoN BETWEEN FOREIGN
AND AMERICAN PLArKRs-AN INTERNATIONAL
MATCH IN THE UNITED STATES THIS SUMNER.
Special Correspondence Of THE EVENING STAR:
DUBLIN, May 80, 1889.
The steamer City Of Paris will hcnceforth be
known as the Greyhound of the Ocean" until
mechanical engineers shall produce vessel to
beat her splendid record of 1850 miles in six
days and twenty-three minutes, or an average
OF $50 miles day. This was her speed in her
last trip from New York to Queenstown. She
Carried $50 cabin passengers, among whom
were Captain W. II. Emory and fam
lily, OF Washington, who will remain
In London for several years, the former being
attached to the legation personnel. Mr.. H. W.
Spofford was the only other Washingtonian on
board. The trip was made without incident
save concert on the last night, which was
presided over by Hon. Robert Lincoln, col
lection being taken up for the Seamen's Relief
ASSOCIATION, OF New York. Mrs. Frank Leslie
and Mr. Andrew Carnegie were also among the
passengers. There was large contingent OF
newspaper men, who will write special letters
Tor their respective papers. F. N. White, Of
Lye, Is on mission to the west coast
Of tto Ireland slsns to depict the m ki Of
which paper, it will be remembered,
raised fund few years ago for these wretched
families, who were obliged to subsist on sea-
weed. B. B. Valentine, of Bachelors syndi-
cate, will write n number Of letters descriptive
of foreign travel for this bureau. E. B. RAN
kin, of the Boston Herald, goes to report the
lawn tennis matches in Ireland and England
and will also write letters on topics of general
interest. He also brings with him diplomas Of
honorary membership in the charitable Irish
society Of Boston (the oldest institution Of its
kind in America) for Mr.. Charles Stewart Par
nell, Mr.. VIM. O'Brien. and Mr. Michael Da-
witt, the well-known champions of the Irish
cause.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-15

OETS have sung about
the sword since man first
put syllables together in
metrical jingle. Bright
blades OF steel have
flashed and clashed and
cabbards have ratified i'll
many a minstrel's song
from the time when
Greeks laid siege ~
Troy. There are swords
and daggers, and the