davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16
A RAT EATS A DIAMOND.
The Rodent Was Caught in Time, However,
and the stone Rescued.


The Rodent Was Caught in Time. However
and the stone Rescued.
St. Louis Globe-Democrat.l
When Louis Braham, the old-time pawn.
broker, opened up his shop yesterday morn
ing he missed quarter of a carat diamond
shirt stud, valued at from S35 to $50, which
he was positive was in the window late Sat-
urday evening. He called his son, and the
two searched the shop high and low, but
could not find the diamond. Braham began
to get crazy over his loss, and went to Vic
Hills to get glass of beer and brace up to
continue the search.
"Had quite time last night watching a
rat in your show-window," said Vic as the
old pawnbroker quaffed off his beer.
"Rat in my window! What's that?"
"a number of US were sitting in front of
the St. James Hotel about o'clock Sunday
evening. The electric light was burning
brightly in the windew, when along came a
woman, and, stopping moment, looked in
and shrieked, "A rat!' We all rushed over,
and sure enough there was big gray fellow,
at least foot long, skipping around among
the diamonds and breastpins, smelling of
the silver spoons and listening to the ticks
of the clocks"
Braham took off his hat and flung it on
the counter 81 wonder" he said, and then
started out
"What's up?" cried Hill.
''Why, I've lost a diamond stud out of
that window" Hill, who used to work for
Pinkerton, said: "Why, the rat has swal-
lowed it. Catch the rat and you'll get the
stone'
"Nonsensei What do you know about
rats and diamonds?' and Brabam rushed
out. But he acted on Hills advice, fixed
up some poison in an attractive manner for
a rat, and at o'clock out comes the rat
hunting for water weak and sickly looking.
Young Braham rushed up and kicked him
with his foot. The rat was cut open, and
safe and sound in its stomach was found the
stud as good as new.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16

wild leaps to the bottom of the river bank
drowned all our attempts at inquiry or re-
proof
1t appeared from Bionelo, who with one
or two more had not fled when the first shot
was fired, that on searching for the cause Of
the disturbance, he had found our three
goats tied up near one of the houses for the
night after having grazed during the AFTER
noon, and it was one of these which mad
coughed in its dreams, or while chewing the
cud, that started Elenge Mimic, that brave
"voung man," from his slumbers.
His first thought was of the Lufembi, and
the blood-curdling cough being repeated, he
had answered with a yell of fear and pulled
the trigger of his Snider. Then followed the
panic, the hasty shots at an invisible Toe
and the indescribably swift descent over the
face of the cliff. We could not refrain from
joining in the merriment and chatting the
unfortunate EIenge Mimic. The racklng
cough of consumptive goat became quite a
popular complaint on board the Florida for
the remainder of the evening.
ON UP THE RIVER.
Our next days run was short one, and
we camped at in the afternoon alongside
small opening in the forest of the north
bank, where we found dead wood tor fuel as
well as numerous elephant and buffalo
tracks, but none OF them very recent ones.
The river now was only on an average OF l5O
to $50 yards broad, and its general direction
was always the same, from the southeast.
Continuing our journey next morning, we
steamed on at good speed without seeing
human habitation or a canoe until the alter
noon, when we arrived off a village situated
on low-lying swamp land at the waters
edge, and consisting of few poor fisher
mems huts. 1t was on the right bank OF the
river and opposite the side on which the
Lutembi carried on their ravages.
The few fishermen about were astonished
at our advent, but they speedily gathered in
fresh recruits from the forest at the back and
adjacent plantations, and became sensible
of the beauties of few strings of white
beads held up artlessly before their longing
eyes. When to these were added a handful
Of cowries and shining tin plate ard spoon
the leader of the assemblage of savages on
shore could only find broken tones in which
to explain his appreciation of our kindness;
and when, later on, we asked him as to the
country lying ahead of us, he eagerly strove
to impart everything he knew.
THE FAMOUS IRON WORKERS.
He was of the Balolo, the great iron
workers (Balolo signifying s'Iron People,
who inhabit the country bordering on the
three afluents of the Congo-the Ronki,
Ikelemba and Lulungu-but whose true
home is at the. head waters OF this system of
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16

tributary Of The Congo we had been trayers-
ing for the last four davs.
Next day we steamed higher up to the
topmost village of the district, situated IN
face of the Lopori which, coming from the
north and flowing through countries destitute
of ivory, and only supplying enormous
numbers of slaves to the raiding canoes o.
this very Masan Kuso district, here JOINS
the still broader MaIinga by mouth about
400 to 500 yards wide.
The natives here were very friendly, and
we had TO undergo the ceremonial OF ex'
changing blood and becoming kindred OF
one blood" with several chiefs of the com.
munity, who expressed their appreciation OF
their new-found relations by offering us
goats, fowls and two or three beautiful tusks
of ivory, for all of which we gave suitable
presents in return, consisting OF several
fathoms of redcloth, or American sheetlng.
or cheap Manchester cottons, few spoontuls
of white and blue beads, mirror or two, a
tin plate, cup and spoon, and one or two
odds and ends which cheer the heart of the
African in his rude simplicity.
DEVASTATED BY CANNIBALs.
Learning at Masan Kuso that great in
land tribe OF cannibals known as the Lufembi
had been ravaging the banks of the Malinga
and had destroyed every village up to the
great Balolo town of Malinga (from which
the river takes its name), we determined 10
Law in as large stock of fowls, goats and
other food as possible, since We could not
hope to reach Malinga town before three
DAYS.
On the second morning after our arrival
we started from Masan Kuso up the Malinga
and were soon far from any evidences of life.
No canoes passed us and no signs OF human
habitation or human being greeted us. For
two days we passed along between the tall,
silent walls of the great forest on either
side, the silence scarcely broken by the
cries of any bird, and the only moving
thing upon the waters the head of black OF
green water snake as 1t strove to avoid our
bows in its passage across the river. One ol
these creatures jumped into our low-lying
canoe attached to the side of the steamer,
which served US instead of boat, and scat
tered all the cooking arrangements OF poor
little Mochindu, our cook, who used to ar
range his midday dishes along the bottom
of the canoe.
On the evening of November 10, after we
had been two days in the Malinga without
seeing sign of hut or human being, we
were cheered to sight few miles ahead of
us up along straight reach of river; the
lighter green patch in the dark surrounding
line Of forest which denoted the presence OF
the broad-leaved plantain groves that sur
round every village.
However, on getting up to it we were sad
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16

which we had no desire to dove bade
farewell to the good-tempered crowd and
continued our journey up the river.
We passed some two hours later the large
district of Lulungu-consisting of several
villages on the mainland and on an island
in mid-stream-whosei inhabitants regarded
us either in speechless establishment, or
greeted us with loud cries to land, as we
steamed past the long line of their villages.
Elenge Minto our guide, informed us that
we should find these keen ivory traders more
inclined TO sell to US on our return from the
upper waters of the river than on our present
journey, so we determined TO push ahead as
rapidly as possible, only stopping where it
was necessary to obtain fre-wood, or to pur-
chase food for ourselves and crew.
A heavy tornado of wind and rain forced
US to halt early alongside the deep impene-
trable forest of the left bank, on the edge of
which we put our crew to saving up dry
trees and dead wood for next days firing.
ANOTHER ISLAND VILLAGE.
Next morning soon after starting we again
came on canoes darting about ahead of us,
and speadlly were steaming through a chan
mel between an island entirely covered with
native houses and the north or right bank
mense grove of plantaIns separated from one
another bv stretches of grassy plain In some
places extending quite mile inland before
the ever-encirchng belt OF forest was
reached.
This island-village and the north bank
district was called Bonginda, but we passed
it without stOpninC-pursued by fleet of
friendly canoes offering verv bad smelling
small fish for sale. They continued the
chase until we had entered another district,
that of WamDala, Elenge Minto informed
us, whose inhabitants set up great CRY at
our approach, but did not attempt to come
out to US in their canoes.
Towards evening we arrived opposite two
villages surrounded by high stockades on
the land side, through two gates in which
we could perceive women going and conf
ing, on their way to or rom the village
plantation surrounding the fence. We
halted for the night at the upper of these
villages, fastening the steamer close along
side the bank. In the morning when arose
from my couch on deck, found, 10 my dis
gust, that some enterprIsing native had prof
ited by the shadows of night to steal my
trousers, socks and coat from the table at
the head of nv bed, where l had laid
them on going to rest, so that was spared
tie difficulty usually experienced on get
ting up of endeavoring to get into nv
clothes unpereeived by native ewes, until 1
had been able to arouse Glave in the cabin
bv nv cries, who soon appeared on the scene
with fresh articles OF attire and enabled me
to arise clothed and in my right mind, but
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16


The missing garments never turned up,
and was forced to quit BolOmbo (the name
of this dishonest village), hoping that on
the return journey down river again the thief
might be revealed, or that at least the clothes
and the effort to put them on properly might
work the physical ruin OF the wretch who
had stolen them.
From Bolomho we continued our journey
past long stretches OF thick forest occasion
ally relieved by open spaces and steep red
earthed bluffs topping which extended vivid
green patches ol banana and plantaIn leaves,
where some small village nestled amid the
deep groves of those trees.
Although Judged we must now have
been from so to 100 miles from the mouth of
the Lulungu the river continued of the same
breadth, averaging mile wherever we could
see its entire surface from shore to shore, un-
broken by islands.
n Late on the afternoon of the second day,
after quitting Bolombo-at a point about
ITO miles from the Congo-we came upon
the first of long line of villages, extend
ing up the left bank as far as the eye could
see, GROWING bluff about so feet high and
SO steep that rope ladders, or wooden steps
fixed into the hard, red clay of the bank
served to communicate between the village
and the waters edge.
MADE BLOOD BROTHERS WITH THEM.
Large canoes were lying hauled up partly
ont of the water at the foot of the bluff, or
manned BY excited crowds, darted out from
the shore and circled round US as we drew
in to the beach. Voices from under the
great trees that lowered over the streets Of
houses lining the top of the bank called out
to us to approach, and answered us that
there were tons of ivory for sale here. Land
ing by freight we made blood brothers on
the bank, amid crowd of sayages, with the
old chief of this village, whose name we
learned was Popono, and received from him
two fine tusks of ivory as presents. All
night long our men were chatting with the
natives round the fire on shore.
The district of which Popono was only
one village was called Masan Kuso, and
extended about eight miles higher up to the
junction of the Malinga and Lopori rivers,
which together form the Lulungi, the great
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16

Jumps resembling Spanish nuts in size and
shape. which were impartially distrib buted
down the forehead tn the bridge of the nose,
and on each cheek as we'll as on the chin.
The shoulders and hollow of the back
were alike covered With these protuberant
knots of hard skin and flesh. The women,
in addition to sporting all this display,
revelled in an extra batch or two of Jumps,
scattered down the thighs, which, if one
may except narrow strip of banana or
planatain Leaf, fastened from a thong OF
! fiber around the waist formed their sole in
| debtedness to art TOR any covering. The
| men, on the contrary, wore strangely-made
little grass or palm-6ber cloth, which termi-
mated in a tail behind. to which was at
tached piece of monkey skin, or the fur of
some animal. They carried spears and
shields, the former beautifully made of iron,
| their shafts covered with shining bands of
copper or brass, and the latter procured
from melting down the brass wire rods used
as currency by Upper Congo tribes. The
younger bows paraded about with bows and
arrows to shoot small birds, or thin, many-
pronged spears, with which they speared
fish in the shadows.
THE DREADED LUFEMBI.
was our first glimpse of the mysterious
Balolo, on the borders of whose realm we
uOm louuu oClNCo, ohN VIC 1lsIcueu Will
interest to the speech of the old headman.
who spoke to us through Elenge Minto, our
interpreter. First, he gave US to understand
that they lived in mortal dread of the savage
Lufembi, and that the "big" town of Ma
linga, to which he belonged, only little
further up river, had lately suffered great
deal. Manv had been killed and others
carried off into slavery, but that now all the
scattered Malinga villages on the other, or
Lufembi side of the river, had drawn to-
gether and constructed strong barricade
around their united town, and so had been
able to beat off the renewed attacks of the
Lutembi.
In reply to nv question whether these
savages had ivory, he tacetiously remarked
that as no Malinga man who had ever Wis
tied the Lufembi returned to tell his tale it
was impossible to say what they had, but he
considered an appetite for human flesh as
their most cherished possession; and on
further inquiry the old gentleman admitted
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16
HOW TO LIVE LONG.
Eminent Physicians Point Out the
Way to Health and Vigor.
LONGEVITY is ON THE INCREASE.
The Moderate and Excessive Use of Whisky,
Tobacco and Candy.
EVERY MAN OUGHT TO LOVE A WOMAN
WRITTEN FOR THE DISPATCH.

WRITTEN FOR THE DISPATCH
Americans are told they live at the pace
that kills. So they do, but they live longer
on the average than their ancestors, and
longevity is likely to be still greater in
future generations. While on visit to
New York recently, the writer dropped in
at the handsome Office of the famous surgeon,
DIR. Lewis A. Sayre, on Fifth avenue, and
in long conversation, the doctor explained
the reason for the extended term of life.
1t is said the kindest hearted physicians
are the best ones. There never was kinder
hearted man than DIR. Sayre. Nor, per-
haps, was there ever stronger minded one.
He is 20 years old, but age has not left its
full impress on him. He is known the
world over by his writings and his services
in the cause of humanity. He comes as
near throwing physic to the dogs as a
doctor we'll could. He believes largely in
hygenic and rational treatment, and his
reputation demonstrates that his theories
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16

on the case. He occupied his half hour,
however, in making a few rough notes to
guide him in the altogether improbable
event of his being called on to open, and
then went into court. The case was first on
the list, and there were a good many counsel
engaged on the other side. Just as the Judge
took his seat the solicitor, with an express
sion of dismay, handed Geofrey a telegram
which had that moment arrived from Mr..
Candleton. 1t was dated from Calais on
the previous night, and ran: "Am unable
to cross on account of thick fog. You had
better get somebody else in Parsons and
Douse."
"And we haven't got another brief pre-
pared" said the agonized solicitor. "What
is more, 1 can hear nothing of the Attorney
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16
SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHAPTERS.


ious Mrs
Beatrice
tngenu
lion the latter mad ner
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16

tured Geoffrey severely. Every counsel in
a case, the Court remembered, when it was
at the bar, used to be able to open that case
at moments notice, and though things
had, it implied, no DOUBT deteriorated to a
considerable extent since those palmy days,
every counsel ought still to be prepared to
do so on emergency. OF course, however, if
he, Geoffrey, told the Court that he was alb
solutely unprepared to go on with the case,
it would have no option but to grant an adj
journment-
81 am perfectly prepared to go on with it,
Ny Lord" Geofrey interposed calmly.
livery well, said the Court in Modified
tone, "then go on! 1 have no doubt that
the learned Attorney General will arrive
presently"
Then, as is not unusual in probate suit,
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16

General, and his clerk does not seem to
know where he is. We must ask for an ad-
journment, Mr.. Bingham; you can't manage
the case alone"
Every WE'LL" said Geoffrey, and on the
case being called he rose and stated the cir
cumstances to the Coult. But the Court
was crusty. 1t had got the fog down its
learned throat, and altogether it didn't
seem to see it. Moreover, the other side,
The witnesses, brought at great expense,
were there; His Lordship was there, the
jury was there; if this case was not taken
there was no other with which they could
60 on, etc.
The Court took the same view, and lee
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16

followed an argument as to who should open
1t, the plaintiff or the defendant. Geofrey
claimed that his right clearly lay with him,
and the opposing counsel raised no great
objection, thinking that they would do we'll
to leave the opening in the hands of a rather
inexperienced man, who would very likely
work his side more harm than good. So,
somewhat to the horror of the solicitors,
who thought with longing of the eloquence
of the Attorney General, and the unriyaled
experience and fnesse of Mr.. Candleton,
Godfrey was called upon to open the case
for the defendants, propounding the first
will.
He rose without fear or hesitation, and
with but one prayer in his heart, that no un-
timely Attorney General would put in an
appearance. He had got his chance, the
chance Ior which many able men have to
wait long years, and he knew it, and meant
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16

to make the most of it. Naturally a brilliant
speaker, Geoffrey was not, as so many good
speakers are, subject to fits of nervousness.
and he was, moreover, thoroughly master Of
the case. In five minutes judge, jury, and
counsel were all listening to him with at en-
ton; In ten they were absorbed in the lucid
and succlnct statement of the facts which he
was unfolding to them. His ghost theory was
az nrst received with smile, but presently
counsel on the other side ceased to smile and
began to look uneasy. II he could prove
what he said, there was an end OF their case.
When ne had been speaking for about 40
minutes one of the opposing un,el inter-
rupted him with some remark, and at that
moment he noticed that the Attorney GEN.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16
CHAPTER XVII.
GEoFFREY WINS HIS CASE.

Before 10 o'clock on the following morn
ing, having already spent two hours over
his brief, that he had now thoroughly
mastered, Geoffrey was at his chambers,
which he had some difficulty in reaching
owing to the thick fog that still hung over
London, and indeed all England.
To his surprise nothing had been heard
either of the Attorney General or of Mr..
Candleton. The solicitors were in despair;
but he consoled them by saying that one or
the other was sure to turn up in time, and
that few words would suffice to explain
the additional light which had been thrown
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16
A MEMORIAL TO BEECHER.
His Old Friend Halliday Will Build Church
in His Honor.

His Old Friend Halliday Will Build Church
In His Honor.
Ever since the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher
died, says New York exchange, some
plan has been out on foot to erect a memo
rial to his honor. His old friends will be
glad to learn that at least one of the plans
will become an accomplished fact before
very long, and that Mr.. Beecher's old friend
and assistant, the venerable S. B. Halliday,
Will be entitled to the credit.
He and some associates have prepared
plans for the Beecher Memorial Church,
and will begin building operations within a
month. The new ediice will be frame
affair, about 40 eet wide and so feet deep.
1t is expected to cost about SIT, 900. The
congregation consists OF about 200 people,
while the Sunday school contains 800 little
ones. Over this modest parish Mr.. Halli-
day will spend the remainder of his days
preaching, as he says, "The Gospel of Jesus
Christ and Henry Ward Beecher."
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16

by ladder to the heavy door, which is
always double locked and barred.
Six grated windows give light to this
story, and the whole place is almost as i'm
pregnable as fortress when the jailer is in
side with his ladder drawn up. This upper
room is used for the Incarceration of criminals
who are not considered OF dangerous char
acter, but are confined for simple breaches
of the peace, such as shooting a neighbor.
A trap door and ladder leads from this room
to the lower room, which is a regular
dungeon, i'll smelling from the emanations
of the occupants When the jailer feeds his
guests he simply lowers bucket by rope.
At the time of the correspondents visit there
were eight men confined in the hole.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16
A NOVEL JAIL BUILDING.
II Looks Like n Chimney, but is I'm
pregnabe as a Fortress.

Ozark county, No., has about $1,000 in
habitants and debt of s17, 900, but as only
5000 are taxpayers they must be response
BILE for the debt or it will never be paid. The
county owns a small frame Court House and
a Jail. The latter is sample of pioneer ar
chitecture that is shown with pride to all
that visit the town. 1t is two-story log
building Sx1O feet and 20 feet high. When
first seen it gives the impression that a
factory had been torn down and the chin
ney left standing.
There is neither door nor window to the
lower story, and the upper story is reached
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16

INDING nothing
at Bukutila more
interesting than
frewood and eggs
and the attention
of the ladies, who
gig lie d and
n I'D ged e a c h
other and then
fled if we gave
the slightest in
dication OF ap-
preaching within
ten wards of them
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16

Washington Star.l
Pompous Senator-To meek and lowly
correspondent: 81 can give you no infor-
nation on any subject, SIR
M. and L. C.:+Beg pardon, but hadn't
you better resign and 90 to school for
awhile,
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16

kindred rivers. The facial and bodily
adornment of the Balolo differs entirely
from the modes of cicatrization of the tribes
dwelling lower down, or along the hanks of
the Congo. The men we now en-
countered INDUCED their savage instinct
OF improving upon natures handiwork
by chiseling their features into hard