davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-17
UNAI.ASKA.

customary harshness With the details in
volved they have superficial acquaintance.
The popular conclusion was that the whole
affair would ultimately drop into an AMIGA
BILE settlement, and that. in the meantime,
it was scarcely worthy of close scrutiny by
any one not connected with the state de-
partments of the nations engaged in the
discussion. Blaine's determined stand and
the English premier's shadowy claims have
bility of war looms up, it will bring with it
q thorough understanding of the issues at
stake. It is hardly necessary to say that
the publication of the correspondence Gre
ated profound sensation here. We are
not worked up to such fever heat that we
believe there is danger of serious complica-
tions. but we do appreciate the fact that the
bapinniro of the end has come, and the
musty ghost of the BehrinR
sea contention is to be laid at rest at last.
Those who think, however, that the English
lion will submissively wag his tail and sub
side, take a somewhat Optimistic view of
the case.
There is plenty of material for lively
row. All Sitka il rejoicing at the dexterity
and nerve with which our side of the affair
outcome, there is no doubt that in
the near future our fisheries will be safe
from the intruders who have threatened the
determination of the zeal. This deyoutly
to.be-wished contamination will be brought
about without bombardment. When Rus
ala and England came to blows in the Cri-
mes We escaped shot and shell by sort of
tacit agreement between the two nations
and the conviction is general here that,
however much bluster may pre- cede the final
settlement. il will. when it eomsss b annie
The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-17
.ALASKANS WELL PLEASED
A Correspondent Says the Blaine
Letters Have Put Them in
High Feather
A Simple Story, Told in Yer
nacular, Illustrating the
State Of Affairs.
Diplomats Held in Little Esteem-The
Change that Came Over Mr.. Sow
ards Purchase.

Especial Correspondence of The INDEPENDENT.l
S1TKA, July 3O.-The thunder from the
state department at Washington falls with
q peculiar charm upon Sitkan ears. It
comes just at the right time to allay little
special Inflammation. Long ago Alaskans
learned to look upon the foreign Office cor
respondence rs mere polite interchange
Of diplomatic civilities. That the trans
mission of an official letter from one capt.
tai to the other really meant anything no
one here believed. For score of years it
has been taken for granted in Alaska that
while marauders might violate every fishery
law upon the United States statute book, no
state department officer would dream of in
sisting upon anything, or of saying a word
calculated to offend refined English
ears. As always happens in such cases,
our fishermen have had to defend their
own rights. It must be confessed that
The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-17
A Genuine Razor Back.

Kansas City Times: No statement that
has ever been made concerning the real
''rezor back'' of this section (north Arkan-
sas) has been exaggerated. The native hog
is as much of curiosity to the northern
man as a scared COW. He looks like a
coyote. His legs are long, his tail is long
and straight, and his nose Is SO sharp that
he can eat out of a Jug with it. The
backbone of this rara avis, in the language
of Bill Nye, is always in sight. He has more
backbone, probably, that is always asserting
itself, than any known animal. The Times
correspondent was taken to place in one of
the few fences of lizard county this afternoon
and shown place where the razor backs''
go through. The rail under which
the hogs pass in nearly sawed in
two by the rough, saw like back
bone of the hog One PECULIARLY of
the razor back is that he never sits down to
rest. He is always on the go. He canters
along awhile and then slows up, but he
never stops. It is said that he keeps NOV
ing on the bicycle principle-for fear of
falling. He is 80 thin that he would have
to be good balancer if he came to dead
stop, to keep from toppling over. A native
this afternoon pointed out q razor back to
the Times correspondent.
Where is he?" queried the newspaper
man, looking in every direction.
The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-17

Blaine's sturdy utterances have taken us
agreeably by surprise. We had long since
ceased to expect anything but the most
harmless and courteous official common
places. These utterances happen to be
most opportune. Alaska fishermen are
in an especially ugly frame of mind inst
now, not because they. find their field in
vaded. for they are accustomed to that.
but because of a passage at anna which
caused much indignation here, and a few
out. The story had. perhaps, better be told
in the language of the man to whom l am
indebted for my information.
''Well, all there was about it was that they
had three more men than We had and we
naturally got the worst of it. When did it
it was this way: They weren't within fifty
miles of where they ought to be, and our
Cap'n told 'em so. The Kanuck skipper
had lots o. heart, ! must say, but he got
good lickin' for it. He challenged our
Cap to fair stand-up fight, and they went
with his fists, and it. was as pretty set. to
as you ever saw. When they saw their
man getting used up they went at us. 1t
didn't last very long. They was too strong
for u.s. and they drove us off, but it lasted
long enough for two OF our hands and
couple of theirs, can tell you."
This rather simple statement of what
happened does not apparently describe an
affair sufficiently serious to justify any
great amount of Sitkan inflammation, but
as matter of fact it was an encounter
worthy of portrayal in strong oolors. Two
of the Alaskans looked as if butcher had
been operating upon them. They survive
only because they chung to life with extra
ordinary tenacity. The chances are that
the Canadian has one or two empty berths
at his disposal. This is only one varietyspf
what is continually happening. Nothing
but really threatening friction between the
two governments directly concerned in the
controversy will ring down the curtain on
the everlasting wrangle.
To degree which can scarcely be COM
pretended east of California we are stirred
up by the possibilities of the situation.
For many years before the famous ukase of
Alexander of Russia was issued the Behr-
ing sea bugbear stalked through the corri-
doris Of Washington and stirred up British
bile. Up to this time the people of the
United States have had the vaguest idea of
it. They have. in sort of a general way.
understood it to be matter over which the
British lion roared occasionally.
while the Russian bear growled sulkily and
the American eagle screamed with its
The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-17

tality, and now at last Alaska conGratu-
lates itself that these fruitful sources Of
bitterness and irritation are to be inferred,
quietly, it is hoped, but in any event In
tered. :.
A change began to come over the spirit OF
Sitka's dreams the moment the American
flag began to float over it. Secretary Sew
ard bought Alaska in 1867 and from that
time the record has been one of push, ener-
py. activity and achievement. The stimu-
lns of the transfer was felt Immediately. In
creased values were perceptible everywhere.
need say nothing about the rank Alaska
has since taken as a commercial factor.
Now that the eyes of the people Of the
United States are turned in northerly
direction with the idea of discovering
broil them with the Britishers. it is safe
to say they will know good deal about
Alaska before the diplomatic atmos-
phere is eventually cleared up. They
will find much to interest them beside
the material resources of Secretary Sew
ards purchase. The races which are lndlg-
enous to the soil are by no means prePos-
sessing. They share most Of the true Indian
characteristics. Cleanliness is an obsolete
word with them, If it ever had any existence
in their vernacular, and blanket suf1ices
for their summer wardrobes. They blacken
their faces, with the beautiful conception
that this enhances their personal at
fractions, and then, lest this cheerful tout
ensemble should not be considered COM
plete, they daub themselves with red
and blue stripes and patches. An Alaska
Indian on full dress parade is therefore an
edifying spectacle. He is in his judgment
most artistic when he has succeeded in
making himself most grotesque and fero-
cious in appearance, til, main point evi.
IDENTIFY being to entirely obscure what little
physical charms nature has been good
enough to endow him with. Perhaps in q
higher degree than any other noble red man
he pos sesses the universal prejudice against
any thing like industry. His soul, IN other
words is above work.
This is perhaps due to the fact that when
he was lord of all he surveyed he earned q
living quite easily. OF deer and benr meat
he could secure any quantity, and the fact
that fishing was good was
proved by salmon exports, which
the Russian American company
soon ran up to colossal figures, not less
than LIZ, 600 salmon being sent to the Sand
witch Islands annually. They were in adj
vance of the American day and generation
to the extent that they cremated their dead.
their tombs containing only the ashes OF
their dear departed. The tomb was box
on which savage and grotesque- looking
faces we're daubed, with the idea, it would
deceased. If the gentleman who ha6 been
unfortunately or otherwise transferred to
the happy hunting grounds happened to be
warrior of achievement, then the faces
Of his victims were portrayed on the box,
which was also adorned with long tresses
of the human hair which he had tenderly
torn from the scalps of his conquered
foes. When an Alaska Indian asks you fol
"Petnachit Copla," which literally inter
The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-17
PATHS.

The path II q Ii ais to q Loaf OF BRAD
Winds through the SWamps Of Toll,
And the path that le ids to Suit Of Clothes
Goes through A. wer.es "a eol.
And the paths that lead to the l. at Of Braad
And the butt of ClotL e. are hard to tread.
And the path that leads to House Of Your Own
limbs over this bOwlderei hills,
And the path that leads to q hank Account
l. swe p. by the blast that Kills;
But tie men who start in the paths to-day
In the Lazy Hills may go astrsy.
In the Lazy Hills are trees Of shade
BY the dreamy Brooks of Sleep.
And the rolf licking Rive Of Plees Ire laughs
And gambols down the steep:
But when the bias Of the winter come
The brooks and the river are frozen dumb.
Then woe to those In the Lazy Hills
When the bl sts of winter moan
Who straye ir Im the path To y bank Account
:. And the path 70 House Of heir Own:
These paths are hard in the summer heat.
But in winter they lead % . snag Fetrsak.
s. W. Foe n Yankee 1lnhA
The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-17
A POPULAR PLAN.

Tho Business of the Helena Real Estate
and Building Association.
1t no longer takes money to buy home
in Helena. The amount paid out for rent
monthly will buy the land and house un-
der the system inaugurated by Herbert
Reed. the former superintendent OF Brad
streets agency. He represents the Helena
Real Estate and Building association"
syndicate of eastern capitalists who have
purchased large amount of land in and
around Helena which they are selling on
the weekly and monthly payment plan,
giving very long time and charging no I'M
terest the 6rst year. Probably over nine
tenths Of the people in Helena are working
ON salary or have their money coming m
monthly, and this plan Of buying q homo
or specializing IN real estate gives them The
same chance % those who are able to make
large cash payment. That the plan meets
the approval OF the Helena public y demr
onstrafed by the business done the Asee -
daya. Mr.. Rsed says LIZ lots have 111o
cold, which y certainly unprecedpnte4 CO.,
sidssing the time of year and ~ eaoge 49,
the aneoeiA4i0n has been u eDonn13G
The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-17
AMERICAN TITLES.

The Appetite in the United States for Old
World Titles of Distinction.
Oliver Wendell Holmes in the August At
lantic: It is a very curious fact that. with
all our boosted Stree and equal' superiority
people have the most enormous appetite for
old world titles of distinction. Sir
Michael and Sir Hans belong to one
Of the most extended Of the" aris-
tocratic orders. But we have also
"Knights and Ladies' of Honor and, what
is still grander, "Royal Conclave of Knights
and Ladies'" Royal Arcanum," and Roy
al Society of Good Fellows" Supreme
Council Imperial Court" "Grand Pro-
tector," and "Grand Dictator" and so on.
Nothing less than Grand" and Supreme
is good enough for the dignitaries of our
associations of citizens. Where does
all this ambition for names without
of the Garter wears a golden star. why does
the worthy cordwainer, who mends the
shoes of his fellow citizens, want to wear a
tin star and take name that had mean
ing as used by representatives of ancient
families, or the men who had made them
selves illustrious by their achievements?
1t appears to be a peculiarly American
weakness. The French republicans of the
earlier period thought the term citizen was
good enough for anybody. At alater period
"le Roi Citoyen"-the citizen king-was a
common title given to Louis Philippe. But
nothing is too grand for the American, in
the way of titles. The proudest Of them
all signify absolutely nothing. They do not
stand for ability for public service, fol
social Importance, for large possessions;
but, on the contrary, are oftenest
found in connection with personalities
to which they are supremely inappli
cable. We can hardly afford to quar-
rel with national habit which, if lightly
handled, may involve us in serious domes
tic difficulties. The Right Worshipfur
functionary whose equipage stops ct m,
back gate, and whose services are indis
pensable to the health aud comfort of nj,
household, is dignitary whom must moi
offend. must speak with proper deferenc'
to the lady who is scrubbinQ my floors
when remember that her husband, VIII.
saws my wood, carries string Of high
sounding titles which would satisfy
Spanish nobleman.
The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-17
III.

Pin it was Christm as eve; but time had
by, and the Christmas of 1877 found
Rith the army of Suleiman Pasha,
Fighting in the Sohipka Pass against
russians.
I'D spent two long weary years in Sibe
nd had succeeded in putting the affairs
employer into better order; but find
be dishonesty of the under officials too
to contend against I, with some de-
of satisfaction, turned my back on
Russian and returned to London.
been we'll paid for my work
determined to enjoy myself in town,
can after such prolonged absence
country like Siberia. But the
nging for adventure and change soon
hold of me again, and when the Rus
turkish war broke out / was one of the
b offer myself as correspondent at the
war for a leading daily paper. My
edge of the language and country
red me the post without difficulty,
was soon on my way to Constantine
fully bent on pushing to
front as quickly as possible.
shere, l had some difficulty in getting
pers signed; but at last all was in
and on that Christmas eve, 1877,
hugly ensconced in wooden hut with
BIT to a blazing fire of pine logs smok-
ID wondering what the good folks
loing in England. was not alone
nong other Englishmen then with
my were DIR. w. and Mr.. s. both
eers In the Stafford House employ,
bth were doing their best to establish
ice for the transport of the wounded
rear. They were with me that night.
we sat smoking round the fire we
forget to pledge health to friends
latives at home.
night we had hardly settled our
to sleep when we we're awakened by
ar of artillery, and We knew that once
the Russians were endeavering to
the passage of Schipka pass. We
pom outside, and the sharp whistle of
through the air told MS only too
that severe business was meant. On
aide of where We stood were the
b Notifications; and high mp in the
right under the Russian liuea, were
fkish rifle pits, which they had con-
I'd with view to advancing TO the
Never shall forget that Christmas
The fighting at the front was 6eroe.
ch yard Of ground wss ssubbornly
ed. Tho wounded, we're coming
down the valley in Q continuous
and more Rhaetly sight than some
1essestsd may nsvSF -. Thar
The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-17
Ill,

II was born in the outskirts of Moscow,
and in early life worked in one of the many
print works in that town. had completed
my eighteenth year when became imbued
with the revolutionary doctrines held by
so many of my fellow-workmen. About
this time, too, nude the acquaintance of
Toukanka Fedovoritch, a girl of about my
own age living with her parents at small
village close to Moscow. l cannot convey
to you, a stranger, all the passionate love
this girl awoke in me; suffice it to say that
for two years We remained lovers, and I
worked hard during that time 10 provide
home where could take her when we mar
ried. At last my hopes were crowned with
success. The foreman of the department
in which worked was one afternoon pass
ing through the engine room, when care
lessly passing too close to the moving ma
chinery his clothes were caught in the re-
volving wheels, and in a moment he was
flung down, crushed and lifeless mass.
This action procured me my long hoped
for promotion. and took his place as fore
man. Within week of that time was
married. and the world held no happier
mortal than I.
II think told you had become vevolu-
tionary-in other words, I had been for
some time a member of secret body of
Nihilists; and it was only when I had been
married few months and had learned
how much happiness and joy life held for
me, that began to regret my vows of allie
glance to them. But, as you are no doubt
aware, there is no recall for those vows
once taken; and had l dared openly to
show that the views of the brot herhood
were no longer mine, my life knew would
pay the forfeit of my apostasy.
II had been married nearly two years.
when, owing to various causes in the coun-
try, Nihilism became a stronger force
among the people, and it was then that
we're first whispered those plots against
high officials. and even against our little
father the Car himself. / had been work
ing late at the mill one evening, and on
leaving, proceeded cautiously to the rendez-
vous of the revolutionary lodge to which
l belonged. had, after much
hesitation, determined to announce to them
my altered views; and while promising
strict secrecy as to anything had learned
or heard, beg them to release me from po-
sition which had become harder than /
could longer bear. found the council as
sembled when / arrived, and after stating
my case they unanimously decided that my
vows must be held binding, and did shirk
my duty they might see ut to allot to me,
] knew the conseQ1ence-death. had half
expected this reply to my entreaty, and I
was endeavoring TO shake their decision
when We were startled by hurried knocking
at the outer door, and before We had time
70 plan any means Of escape from the CON-
ing danger, the door Of the meeting room
wss dang orsu. and in rubbed body Of po-
The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-17
WOMEN AND CULTURE.
Effect Of the Prolonged Mental Strain ON
OnSprlng.

Effect Of the Prolonged Mental Strain ON
OMsprinG.
Il may reasonably be asked, says dis
tinguished physician. in tho interests OF the
community at large, what will be the ehecs
ON women, and through them on future
generations, Of the prolonged mental strain
to which they are now-partly voluntarily,
partly owing to the suggestions and the IN
ducements held out to them by others
submitting themselves? Will it hurt their
constitutional Will it make them bag of
bones, with body and mind alike hard and
angular? Will it render them less mater
nal, or make them the mothers Of = feeble
and degenerate race, prone to epilepsy and
insanityP Will it, by enRenderine feel
ing of Independence, render them less
lovable, less disposed to enter the married
less Of home ties. the nursing and teaching
of infants and the proper household duties
which devolve on woman under the con-
ditions of modern civilization ....,,
| Or will it act in contrary. wayY Will
the mathematical or the classical lady
with prizes and exhibitions and Scholarships
still be open to the assaults Of love? Will
her wider knowledge foster domestic happi-
ness? Will the children. even if fewer, be
better developed, more intellectual, better
fitted az they grow up to cope with the 9th
| er great nations in the conflict for wealth
and power, and all that these commando
Will she still be as the sweet gentle mother
il now, the very focus and center of the
house?
These and many similar questions must
have passed through the minds Of most
thoughtful persons in contemplating the
present tendencies of female education.
From q physiological point Of view some
thing may be said ON both sides. Given a
robust and healthy woman of II or
10 years of age, there can be no harm in
continuing her education till she is one or
two-and-twenty; at the same time the
objects and methods of her education might
we'll be different from those of men. Fee
male Bentleys and Parsons, Newtons and
Herschels will certainly not be numerous.
and if sigma nj emch commanding genius
display themselves by all means let the
genius be cultivated to the utmost.
But every girl might be 80 taught that
her mind, instead of being devoted to
frivolous objects, should be educated in the
true sense Of the term, and made to recog.
nize the Importance of early training and
the value of application to usefu! objects in
order that she may begin betimes to teach
without strain or effort her offspring.
The arts at least are freely open to her.
The point when harm is produced is when
weak or dull girls are made to work beyond
| their strength, and whether weak or strong
it must always be remembered that suitable
recreation is demanded.-New York Ledger.
The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-17

enough to be taken ashore in hand-bar-
row. Muller gives this account of his de-
mise:
''He may have been said to have been
half buried alive. for the sand rolling con-
tinually down from the side of the ditch
where he lay, he at least would not suffer
II to be removed, so that, after his decsase,
they were obliged to scrape him out of the
ground in order to inter him in a proper
manner"
Those who survived underwent many
hardships. Their vessel was iost. and they
subsisted on whales that in the storm had
see kussis again. SrTxAs.
Copyright