davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Arizona champion., 1890-11-29
Our Little Knowledge of Greenland

There are two questions in chief tLat lend romance to Greenland, one of which is akin to the delightful unsolved problem of an open polar sea. the other having to do with q chapter i'll the lcelandic settle ment of America before Columbus. whose opening passages we find in the Morse chronicles. but whose sequel no man can read Nordenskjold has made two at tempts to break through what he con- siders belt of thick ice surrounding a central part of Greenland not glaciated in the same way, if at all He argues that Greenland is comparatively flat, and does not breed glaciers from a central lofty ridge like the Alps; those glaciers which produce icebergs for distribution over the North Atlantic are in his view phenomena local to the sea coasts; if we could force the barrier of the inland ice, whose outer edges are glacSr like in movement and effects, we should reach the real Greenland, by no means tropical land, of course, but one capable of sup porting the small but rich and quick maturing flora of the Arctic circle, and, as a necessary consequence, the living fauna of such region.
 The more romantic question is the old one, What became of the lcelandic settle ments on the east coast? Access to that coast by sea is almost always hindered by foes and masses of iccbergs; from the land side the inland ice blocks the way. EsquimauX have not been slow to affirm that descendants of the old Morse settlers finger on that inaccessible spot, and love to add that ghosts of early Scandinavians haunt the glittering fields of hummock, crevasse and underground river which present such an impenetrable front to hunters and explorers. The general opinion is that the Norseman of the east as well as the west coast dwindled and merged with the Esquimaux from choice or from necessity. Attempts have been made to assign this or that trait of the Esquimaux of Greenland to an infusion of Morse blood. It is certain that during the last few centuries Danes have inter- married readily with the Esquimaux. and that the children are remarkably more handsome than their parents.-New York Times
The Arizona champion., 1890-11-29
A Ceremonious Invitation.

The following invitation to attend the funeral of the Baron Solomon de Roths- child was received by United States official in Paris, who says truly that it cannot fail to be curious to American readers:
 "SIR-The Baron and the Baroness An- selme de Rothschild, the Baron and the Boroness James de Rothschild, the Baron and the Baroness Nathaniel de Roths- child, and their children, the Baron and the Baroness Adolphe de Rothschild, the Baron and the Baroness Willy de Roths- child, and their children, the Barons AL phonse, Gustave, Solomon, and Edmond de Rothschild, the Misses Louise and Alice de Rochschild, and the Barons Ma thaniel, Ferdinand and Solomon de Roths- child, the Baron Amschel de Rothschild, Mime. Worms, Mime. Sichel, Mme Monte fore, Mine. Beyfus, the Baron and the Baroness Lionel de Rothschild, and their children, the Baron and the Baroness An thony de Rothschild, and their children, the Baron and the Baroness Mayer de Rothschild, and their children, the Baron and the Baroness Mayer Charles de Roths- Adolphe Beyfus, Mir. and Mime s. Sichel and Mir. J. Sichel,
 Have the honor to inform you of the irreparable loss they have experienced by the decease of the Baron Solomon de Rothschild, who died at his hotel, No r Rue Laftte, the 27th of July, 1855, at the age of 82 years, their well beloved father, father-in-law, grandfather, great grand father, brother, and uncle;
 'And invite you to attend the funeral on Tuesday, the 31st of July, at o'clock.
 1.-The funeral will take place from the residence of the deceased" - Youths Companion.
The Arizona champion., 1890-11-29
Senior Keeps on Writing.

My mother often went to Bowood, and used to tell good story against our old friend, Mr Nassau Senior. Once when she was there with the Seniors and large party Tommy Moore, who lived near and was frequent visitor, was pre- vailed upon to sing. All prepared to listen to the charming performance save MT. Senior, who sat down at a small writing table and began to write with a quill upon Lord Lansdowne's very ribbed paper. He was compiling a paper on statistics, or something of that sort. Moore began, but his singing was ren- dered impossible by the persistent scratch, scratch, and he turned round to see who caused the odious noise. MT. Senior looked up and said innocently, "Oh, you don't disturb me, assure you; pray goon, Irather like it." This caused an outburst of laughter absolutely pug zling to the unconscious statistician.- Mrs. Ross in Murray's Magazine.
The Arizona champion., 1890-11-29
FIENDISH AMAZONS.
Travellers Witness Horrible
 Executions.
VICTIMS WERE SHOGKIEGLY MUTILATED.
Little Hope of Ever Stopping What
 They Call Customs"

A letter from Paris, giving details of the adventures of Dr. Bayol, the gov ernor of Kotonou, who was imprisoned by the king of DahOmey, appears in The Vossische Zeitung. Dr. Bayol himself was not i'll treated, but was forced to witness the most horrible executions, and was closely watched night and day by three of the most important chiefs. He was forced to be present at the exc cution of his secretary and his interpret CT, and was a spectator of the sacrifice at one time of eighty-four human beings, and at another of forty-two. The vic tins were bound, mutilated ill horTi- ble manner, and then, still alive, hung up by the heels. Then their bodies were opened with large round knives and the intestines taken out, after which the corpses were thrown into place of skulls" where in forty-eight hours they were reduced by birds of prey to skele- tons.
 Dr. Bayol was every time compelled to view each corpse, while the execu- tioners carefully turned the heads of their victims toward him. Upon one occasion he desired to buy off some ne groes, whom he recognized as proteges from Porto Novo, but the king angrily refused to allow it. Every day his dusky majesty danced before the doctor, exc cutting steps and jumps which would have been highly entertaining under other circumstances. At these times the king wore sandals and sort of Grecian cap on his head, and six Amazons danced with him.
 The Amazons Dr. Bayol describes as very fends. One day the doctor wit messed spectacle which he will never forget. At a sign from the king 500 Amazons rushed upon a living OK and tore it into pieces in a few seconds; then each, with a piece of raw flesh in her mouth, marched off singing, while five of their number held the skin and head of their victim aloft in triumph.
 In festal garments they witnessed from the roofs of the neighboring huts the human sacrifices of the next day and laughed heartily. They always appear perfectly resigned and go quietly to death when their turn comes. The king is very suspicious, and would not sign the letter written to the president of the French republic. Dr. Bayol's return to the coast was extremely dangerous, for he had no passport and was therefore obliged. in spite of illness, to march more than fifty miles in one day through country with which he was quite unac- quainted. On arriving at Kotonou he heard of the death of the king, whom, had he been still at Dahomey, he would have probably been accused of poison ing.
The Arizona champion., 1890-11-29
Customs of English sportsmen.

When London man is asked down to join shooting party, he would not take his ''loader" with him, as his host would expect to find him loader" for no man loads his own gun in England; it is the duty of a servant. But if he were resid- ing in the country he would expect to take his ''loader" with him, and he could "shoot with two guns;" that is, he would bring two guns, as the delay of waiting for one to be loaded might lose him a fine shot. It is considered a great offense in England if a man is "noisy" when out shooting, loudly talkative or boisterously merry or given to exclamations when bird rises or when bird is missed. A true sportsman observes a strict silence. Cor Philadelphia Times.
The Arizona champion., 1890-11-29
Advice to the orer,uor1,sa

Nervous people worry most, but they also work most. We'll, the question one is in. clined to ask himself when he feels something wrong with his health is: "Am I over
 working myselfT would answer thus: "If you really enjoy working, it cannot injure you very much; but, on the other hand, if it IS force work, and you find little pleasure in 1t, then it will tell on your constitution. :" But many people cannot afford rest. We'll. but wonders can be done by taking exercise, by breathing only fresh air night and day. indoors and out; and by careful regulation or the diet. In conclusion, let me entreat of you, as you value your happiness, not to neglect first departures from health. The story of the reservoir has really a moral for every one of us.-Cassell's Family Magazine
The Arizona champion., 1890-11-29
An Independent Telegraph System.

There has grown up among the farmers of county in Michigan telegraph system, which might generally be extended through out the rural districts everywhere The sys- tenn began by two farmers connecting their houses by wire for their own convenience. and operating their line with the ordinary Morse instruments. Gradually other farmers extended the line to their houses, and after time the wire was run into a neighborine village.
 Seven years ago the combined farmers and a few village merchants organized them. selves into company, and it has since been extended, until now it has sixty-five miles of wire and ninety offices, two-thirds of the latter being in farmhouses, and nearly all the rest being in stores, where these farmers do all their trading One or two newspaper offices, as many more railroad frieght offices. the county telephone exchange and the larger postoffices are all connected Every farmer IS his own operator, battery man and line repairer. Of course, any quantity of private communication is kept up between the stockholders of this independent system. There are two or three indepenpent systems or these lines in operation in the county. ar. ranged so that they can be connected with each other at intersecting points, and the whole scheme is being worked very cheaply and successfully Sun.
The Arizona champion., 1890-11-29
The Land of Ducks.

There are more ducks in the Chinese empire than in all the world outside of it. They are kept by the Celestials on every farm, on the private roads, on the public roads, on the streets of cities and on all the lakes, ponds, rivers, streams and brooks in the country, Every Chi nese boat also contains a batch of them. There are innumerable matching estab- lishments all through the empire, many of which are said to turn out about fifty thousand young ducks every year. Salted and smoked duck and ducks eggs constitute two of the most common and important articles of diet in China. Exchange.
The Arizona champion., 1890-11-29
A Sanitary View of Cremation.

While am not member of the crematory association, still l favor cremation as very proper manner of disposing of the dead As It IS something of an innovation in this country there are in consequence only few as yet who prefer it to the old and time hon ored way, but look for many converts to the new method. After all cremation is not such terrible thing as some have pictured It. It simply accomplishes in few hours what in the natural order would require years. The body is bound to become ashes and the intense heat of the crematory re- duces it in few hours; whereas in the old way it takes long time before the reduction IS complete There are many good argu ments used in support of cremation which in the course Of time will make it more popular among the general public Viewed from sanitary standpoint there is no doubt that 1t is far superior to interment in the usual Way.-Dr. J. R. Wildwood in Globe Demo crat-
The Arizona champion., 1890-11-29
IS GOLD GIVING OUT? Figures Show the Supply is
 Falling off.
ALASKA THE FUTURE FL DORADO.
Plenty of Gold in the Alleghany Range,
 but Hard to get at.

"Probably nine-tenthS of all the gold Ob tained by man has been taken from placer deposits, and our American experience has been no exception to the general rule,n re- marked an experienced mining operator in speaking of the past and future of this valu- able product the other evening Previous to 1S47 our total gold production amounted to Sl2,0O0,000, but between 1S47 and 1887 about S1, I50,000 900 were contributed to our stock of gold. Of this, nearly three Iourths came from placers deposits. In 1850 56 we obtained more than S50,000, 900 per an- nun in gold from the placers of California, and almost nothing from gold bearing veins. Now, with an annual production of 80, ,000,- 900 about one-half only is from placers Our own territory has been so thoroughly ex- plored that no considerable superficial de- posits of gold are likely to be discovered, and nearly the same thing can be said of the en- tire world.
 'm the northern extension of our western mountain ranges in British Columbia and Alaska there are probably important depos- its of gold It is likely, however, to come from this region in a moderate but perennial stream, and not in a flood. Great difficulty will attend the working of those mines on dCCOuuJ Ol Lue COlui IOIS WluJeIS dIlU the difficulty in transporting supplies. Unless the mines should prove richer than expected, there may be dearth of gold in the near future In the Alleghany belt of mountains, in this country, there are large deposits of gold, but they are difficult to work Still. industry and perseverance may make them pay profit. Mexico may be expected to turn out S1, 100000 year, but no more The west coast of South America yields little but silver.
 Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil have, on the contrary, always been producers of gold It is estimated that from Brazil alone more than S1,OO0,0 100000 in gold were obtained during the first 300 years after the advent of the Portuguese. Colombia and Venezuela are now yielding about S4, ,000, 900 each annu- ally, and little more than that can be ex- pected ill the future.
 Australia produces about S3O,OOO, ,OOO a year, and we cannot hope for more than S5O0O,00O annually from Asia That will cover it all. l don't fear that you and I will ever suffer from a famine of gold, but unless the North American deposits are richer than is expected some one will suffer New York Mail and Express.
The Arizona champion., 1890-11-29
When Washington Laughed.

It has been observed that Washington seldomed smiled and never laughed. This, however, is not correct. One instance is mentioned by gentleman, well known for his veracity, with a degree of sang froid. At the time the troops were en- camped at Cambridge, information was received at headquarters that the English were about leaving Boston to give them battle. All was hustle and confusion. The soldiers were strolling over the town, and the officers were but ill prepared for the approaching renconter. Some of the generals were calling for their horses, and others for their arms; and among the rest was Gen. Greene, at the bottom of the stairs, bawling to the barber for his wig. Bring my wig, you rascal; bring my wigI" Gen. Lee diverted himself and the rest of the company at the expense of Greene. Your wig is behind the looking glass, sir" At which Greene, raising his eyes, perceived, by the mirror, that the wig was where it should be-on his head. Washington, in fit of laughter, threw himself on the sofa, and the whole group presented rather ludicrous spectacle,- New York Mirror, Jan. II, 1884.
The Arizona champion., 1890-11-29
The Georgia Type of Fish Story,

Frank O'Bryan, solicitor of the Atlanta district, left his home at Sans Souci at Il p. III. in his canoe, which was rowed by a negro who had been body servant to George Washington.
 As the day was hot Solicitor O'Bryan reclined upon the stern of the boat with a silk handkerchief in his hand, an end of which was trailing in the water. Feel ing jerk, O'Brien flung the handker- chief inward, to find that he had landed with it three pound trout, which had attempted to swallow the red end of the handkerchief. The solicitor at once went ashore and had a fish fry all to himself, when he resumed his journey.-Cor. At ianta Constitution.
The Arizona champion., 1890-11-29
Babbage.

Mr. Babbage took me one day to see his calculating machine, and was might fly amused at my emphatic approval. I never could do my sums, and asked him to give it to me. He also showed me wonderful automaton figure, made, if I recollect right, of silver. He called it his wife, and I was rather afraid of the silent lady as she moved her arms and head ill d graceful but rather weird fashion. MT. Babbage generally looked so sad that 1 remember when my grand mother was telling me the story of Pyg- malion I exclaimed, "Why, it is just like MT. Babbage and his wife" My parents and he quite agreed on one sub ject-dislike of music-which my father always described as "a noise which pre- vents conversation" Mrs. Ross in Murray's Magazine.
The Arizona champion., 1890-11-29
Women Make Good Swimmers.

The records of the humane societies on both sides of the Atlantic show that of late years fair proportion of their medals fall to the lot of girls. There were sev- eral notable instances of rescue from drowning last summer by girls under twenty. Many women are accomplished swimmers. This is but natural. As their bones are generally lighter than those of men, and their flesh more buoy ant, they have less difficulty to overcome in acquiring the art. Some of them could float at their first attempt, if they could acquire the requisite faith in the power of the water to hold them up. Swimming is very much an art of faith, for it is gener- ally the case that when person believes sufficiently in the buoyancy of the water to trust to it his precious body, lol he is a swimmer There were young girls at Newport, last summer, who could float on the surface of the ocean with no more difficulty than they experienced in lying upon sofa. They could have foated for hours, if necessary. Some of the most famous swimming feats have been accom- plished by very young women. - The Argonaut.
The Arizona champion., 1890-11-29
Critical Periods in Life.

There are two periods of life in which the powers of resistance to adverse infu- ences are excessively weak In infancy, from birth to years of age, but espe- cially in the first year of existence, the power of life is very feeble, and this is the reason that so many infants die sud denly in convulsions. Again, after the age of 65 is passed the vital tenacity is lowered, the substance of the heart and of the muscles in general becomes fatty, and there is imminent liability to sud- den failure of the hearts action. Chat ter,
The Arizona champion., 1890-11-29
Friction Increased EIectricalIv.

Methods and apparatus have been devised to increase the tractive power of locomotives and other self propelled rail vehicles by in creasing, electrically, the frictional adhesion between the driving wheels and the rails It is claimed that the tractive power can thus be nearly doubled without increasing the weight of the locomotive, and that sleet and snow difficulties will be overcome. It is also claimed that the friction thus obtained is cheaper than sanding, without it's consequent wear.-Chicago News.
The Arizona champion., 1890-11-29
Hack Work and Journalism.

Is the hack work of literature worse for a mans body or soul than the hack work of other professions. What, is here meant by hack work. In the literary profession, es- peciGlly among those who write about it. it is common to hear work 'done for the book sellers" cOntemptuously treated as hack work. The contempt is often just, but not neces- sarily. Johnson wrote his ''Lives of the Poets" for the booksellers, Southey wrote his Life of Nelson" for them, yet these are works no sane man treats contemptuously. Every man who depends solely on his pen for livelihood must, even if he can steer clear of the newspapers, do much work which he. if he be wise, and the world certainly, will willingly let die. If he be an honest man, a man of proper self-respect, he will do it as well as circumstances will let him; but needs must that circumstances will sometimes prove too strong for him. Yet it has been that work so done has, by happy chance be- come part of the worlds patrimony In short, as treason, says the epigram, may be come patriotism, so hack work may become literature.
 Then, again, in every profession practiced by man there must necessarily be some pre- Gminary drudgery, some period of appren- ticeship to be endured before he can be proclaimed free of the guild and qualified to set up for himself For some men, of course, this period never passes; for some it passes to no purpose, and it is, perhaps, hard to say that this will always be the fault of the man. In journalism, alone of the professions, the time of emancipation can never come. It is the peculiar lot of the journalist that he can never set up for himself. He is merged in his paper; like the actor of the Athenian stage, his face is hid in mask, and he speaks in tones not his own, He must speak in the tones of his party or that in the church, in the state, in trade, or in some other one of the many channels into which the great current of human affairs is par celed -Macmillans Magazine
The Arizona champion., 1890-11-29
Co-Operation in England.

The enthusiasm for cooperation in Eng. land seems to be dying out. Of fourteen undertakings supported by a London e. operative association one has been wound m one is ''in abeyance," one lat a standstiIl ; one has insufficient capital, five have only got as far as the discussion or registration of their rules, one is seeking a government con. tract, but wants an advance of money. one is doing good deal of business, but making very little profit, about two the report is vague, and only one, the Cigarette Makers society can be said to be fairly successful Chicago Herald.
The Arizona champion., 1890-11-29
"Riding the YeIInw Pnnv !"

In the Founders day procession in New Haven one of the "Lancasterian school bovsr led yellow pony. Few knew the signifi. canoe Of the pony until it was explained that MT. Lowell, the old schoolmaster, used to dis. clpline his pupils by laying them out, face downward, on the yellow school desks and applying rawhide where it would do the most good. This he called "riding the yellow pony" It is said that the man who led the pony in the procession deserved the honor, for he once, when boy, rode the yellow pony twenty-four times in one day.-New York Sun
The Arizona champion., 1890-11-29
The Worlds Ouinine.

The yearly production of quinine is esti- mated to be about 4,5OO, 900 ounces. This Is chiefly furnished by eighteen factories-one in Holland, two in England, two in Italy, three in France, four in the United States and six in Germany. Quinine is also supplied by the government plantations in India, and experiments in producing it in the vicinity of Tifis, in the Caucasus, have been so success full that the Russian government is arrang- ing for the cultivation of cinchona on an i'm mense scale.-Arkansaw Traveller.
The Arizona champion., 1890-11-29
Tracing Their Lineage,

A blank book has just been published in this country in which the records of family for eight generations back may be kept There are great many excellent families in country which would find it exceedingly hard to trace their lineage that far back, and doubtless some families that wouldn't if they could d-New York Tribune.
The Arizona champion., 1890-11-29
AN EVENING MAORlGAL

Gone is the sun and the western red Dies in the sky. while overhead StreamleTs of song bliss, eddies of trills, Rapids of runs, and breathless thrills Of rushing tone falls note upon note, Pour from the wellspring of one small throat, For whose overtiowing of light heart lay Too short were the hours of the sweet spring day
 -Aurilla Furber in Pioneer Press
The Arizona champion., 1890-11-29
The NIockinp Birds Going.

A Mississippi paper says the south's great est songsters, the mocking birds, are becom ing fewer and the change is attributed to the advent of the English sparrows