davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Griggs courier., 1890-10-10
ANECDOTES OF DECATUR.
The Gallant Naval Hero.s Sympathy foz
the Common sailors ss,s

The Gallant Naval Heross Sympathy for
the Common Sailors.
The gallant Decatur was . sailor to
the hearts core. and loved to tell anec-
dotes of the common sailors, one Of
which follows: In one Of the actions be-.
fore Tripoli, while fighting hand to
hand with the captain Of gun-boat,
Decatur came near being cut down by q
Turk, who attacked him from behind.
A seaman, named Reuben James, who
was already wounded in both hands,
seeing the risk of his commander,
rushed in and received the blow of the
uplifted saber on his own head. Fortu-
nately the honest fellow survived to re-
ceive his reward. Some time afterward,
when he had recovered from his wounds,
Decatur sent for him on deck, expressed
his gratitude for his self-devotion, in
presence of the crew, and told him to
ask for some reward. The honest tar
pulled up his waistband and rolled his
quid, but seemed utterly at loss what
recompense to claim. His messmates
gathered around him, nudging him with
their elbows and whispering in his ear:
HE has all the world in string and
can get what he pleases;" 'the old man
can deny him nothing" etc. One 'ad-
vised this thing, another, that; double
pay" double allowance" "a boat
SWANS berth" 50 pocket full of money
and full swing on Shore" etc. Jack
elbowed them all aside and would have
none OF their counsel. After mature de.
liberation, he announced the reward to
which he aspired; it was-to be excused
from rolling up the hammock-cloths!
The whimsical request was, of course,
granted; and from that time forward
whenever the sailors were piped to stow
away their hammocks, Jack was to be
seen lettering around and looking on
with the most gentleman-l leisure.
The devoted fellow always continued
in the same ship with Decatur. 81
could always know the state of my bile
by jack" said the commodore. .sIf
was in good humor, and wore pleasant
aspect, Jack would be sure to heave in
sight. to receive friendly nod; and If
was out of humor, and work, as I some-
times did, foul-weather physiognomy,
Jack kept aloof and skulked among the
other sailors" 1t is proper to add that
Reuben James received more solid re-
ward for his gallant devotion than the
privilege above mentioned, pension
having been granted him by the Govern
ment.
Or another occasion Decatur had re.
ceived at New York the freedom of the
city as testimonial of resnecf and
gratitude. On the following day he
overheard this colloquy between two of
his sailors:
Jack" said one, "what is the mean
ing of this freedom of the. city, which
they've been giving to the old man?"
''Why. don't you know? Why, it's
the right to frolic about the streets as
much as he pleases, kick up a row,
knock down the men, and kiss the wo-
men,"
"1Aars something worth fighting for!r
remarked the other.-N. Y. Ledger.
Griggs courier., 1890-10-10
THE FARMING WORLD,
a GOOD TRAP.
It IL Easily Made and Can Bs Used

It Il Easily Made and Can Be Used for
Catching Many Kinds Of I" varmints.~
Take inch lumber; bottom board, s by
% inches; end. s by "a inches; side. by
so inches. Roller at top. az by q
inches; pin, y by 4 inches. 10 inches
long in center, and placed inches
from end Of roller; x, half-inch block to
put flyer under to set trap; Z X. treadle
or pan, to spring trap. made of shingles
4 inches wide. ~ to shoulder, u tongue
Q inches long. to reach t4rough front
side, to catch flyer to set II.
Cut hole in the center Of the front
board down to the bottom, inch wide
and ~ inches high. Put the pan in
place, then bore ahalf-inch hole through
Griggs courier., 1890-10-10
RAILROADS IN CHILL.

Operated SO as to Produce q Maximum
Degree of Discomfort.
The New York Tribune correspond
ent, who is exploring South America,
writes as follows of railway travelling in
Chill: "The Chilian capital is approached
from either Valparaiso or Los Andes by
the Quillota Valley opening between the
Andes and the maritime range. There
is a railway owned by the Chilian Gov
ernment and operated ON the English
plan. The cars are SO uare compartment
boxes, into which passengers are
crowded until no seats are reserved for
the late-comers, who are compelled to
sprawl over the baggage ittering the
floor. There is an extra tariff of a dol
lar for the transportation of small
trunk in the baggage-car, and conse-
quently every native travels with his
effects in portable form to avoid
payment of these charges. I have
counted as many as a dozen pieces of
small baggage belonging to one traveller,
and the average certainly is not less
than seven. All this baggage is heaped
up in the compartment-car, so that it is
impracticable to change ones seat or
even to gain ones footing when the last
belated passenger, with his, bundles,
.sachels and band-boxes, is in and the
tickets have been examined by the
guard. At the railway junction of
Llaillai, three trains are emptied into q
large refreshment room, where break
fast is served with something of the
hustle and confusion of an American
railway station. On returning to the
compartment-car, every passenger has
to Chamber over the baggage mounds
and to regain, by gesticulation and ar
gument, the seat which some other trav-
eler, possibly one of the previous late.
comers, has seen At to occupy in his
temporary absence. This is the English
railway service adapted to this southern
latitude, and it is operated so as to pro-
duce maximum degree of personal an
noyance and discomfort At the end OF
the journey passenger whose baggage
has been carried behind the engine,
where it has not been in anybody's way,
is compelled to employ and fee rail-
way porter to hunt it up, and possibly
another one to put it on coach.
Griggs courier., 1890-10-10

wire nails driven through the ends.
Make hole through the ends at r to
let the rats run through.
Take old dirty boards; rats are afraid
of white lumber. This trap will catch
red squirrels, mice or rats. and will not
catch chickens. 1t will catch wieh or
without bait. caught over 100 rats in
three months. Others that have made
traps like mine catch lots of rats, some.
times three or four at time. If set
where you can hear it, a sleigh-bell tied
to the long pin will make the boys run
when they hear it, and they get some
thing every time.-Ohio Farmer.
Griggs courier., 1890-10-10
sELF-MADE cRANKs.

Men Who Feel Their Feebleness In che
World of Practical Affairs.
One can not help believing that there
Is variety of this gentry who are self
made cranks-cranks because they want
to be. They seek some social dispro-
portion whereupon they can posture
with effect. The pleasures of conform
ity are humdrum; nopconformity is
piquant and startling. Such q man is
not crank from abundance of virtue,
as he would have you believe, but
rather because he feels his feebleness
in the world of practical affairs and is
soured thereby. If he pose as an ad-
vance philanthropist, we suspect that
his love of mankind has some side
glances at personal profit. Ii facts be
against him, he does not hesitate to in
vent them, and visits with arrogant
abuse those who would expose his falsi-
ties. He is especially angry with those
halting disciples who accept his scheme
as something ultimately possible, and
then humbly inquire what they are to
do Professionally as practical approxi-
nation to the distant good. If he be
a rhetorician, he has no scruple in ad-
ministering the electric shock of para
dox, and seeks the levity of assent that
may be caught by the sudden spring of
a false analogy. No doubt this reckless
shooter occasionally hits the marx.
Pope describes the talking bird who be-
rates the passers-by with epithets which
well-conducted periodicals have ceased
to print. But the poet confesses that,
though sometimes struck with the ex-
treme felicity of these characterizations,
he had never been able to extend his
admiration to the speaker whose entire
stock in trade consisted Of this very
limited and abusive vocabulary.-J. P
Quincy in Atlantic.
Griggs courier., 1890-10-10


the back board where the holes come in
the pan. Drive little nail over each
hole, then tie stout string in each
hole of the pan. pass it through the
half-inch holes and tie to the nails just
tight enough to let the pan press to the
bottom when the drop strikes it. Then
take piece of scantling that fits loose
inside the trap, or make box ~ inch
es square, 81 inches long, for drop; fill
it with sand, drive q staple inches
from each end in the top, and put it in
the trap Tie twine in the staples
and to the short pins like first cut, then
tie twine to the long pin and to flyer
just long enough to raise the drop
inches when set The roller just goes
between the ends at the top, turns on
Griggs courier., 1890-10-10

regrets that she will have no further
occupation for Miss Tremaine's services
in the musical instruction of her chill
lren, having been advised by friend
to secure the services of Prot. Man
toni"
This was certainly intelligible
enough. Probably Mrs. Morgan did not
know when she wrote this note that in
withdrawing hor patronage from the
7oung girl she was depriving her OF
three-fourths of her income. So it was,
however, and it was with deep sink
ing of the heart that Margaret Tremaine
read the four lines recorded above.
Margaret, as OF course the reader
will understand, was music teacher.
She had been reared in afauence, but
the sudden failure of her father, and
his almost immediate death, had
support She had brother two years
older, who had gone to California in
search of employment. 1t was in the
early days of the history of that State.
Communication with the interior parts
Of the Pacific State was not as fre-
auent as at presenG, and she had re-
seived only occasional letters Thus
far he had not met with great success
in digging gold.
Through the influence Of Margaret's
friends she had obtained several music
scholars at once, enough to defray her
expenses, moderate as they had now
become. She had taken an attic room
in Mrs. Prescott's boarding-house, and
had thus far been able to meet. her
weekly bills.
But this period of comparative pros
perity came at length to an end. One
family in which she had several
scholars went abroad, and these were,
Of course, lost to her. Another pupil
was sent to boarding-school. Thus
her income was reduced one-half. And
now, to crown all, Mrs. Morgan with
drew her patronage, and the young girl
was left with almost no income at all.
What to do she did not know.
She might advertise for pupils, but
would she get them? Besides she could
not spare the money which the adver-
tisement would cost. With feeling of
dismay she saw utter destitu tion staring
her in the face.
1t was at this moment that a knock
was heard at the door.
s'Come in" she said.
Raising her head as the door was
opened, she recognized in the caller one
Of Mrs. Prescott's servants.
'Well, Bridget, what's wanted?" she
said.
''Mrs. Prescott would like to see you
in the parlor, miss"
''Now?"
Eyes, miss, If you please"
every we'll; say thatI will come down
Immediately"
Before chronicling the interview
about to take place, it may be necessary
to say that Mrs. Prescott was a widow
with an only daughter, not remarkable
for good looks. This young lady had
for several months enjoyed the atten-
tions of a young man who was popularity
supposed to be engaged to her. But to
the great indignation of the landlady
and her daughter, the young man,
Cotton by name, had recently shown
some indications of transferring his
attentions to Miss Tremaine. That
young lady was quite innocent of en-
couragir him, but nev:athelass was
Griggs courier., 1890-10-10
They Could Mover Find Il.

Husband Say! you'd better take my
pocket-book.
Wife You surprise me! l don't un-
derstand it!
Husband-I noticed a sign just now to
"Look out for pickpockets,'' and I
thought it would be safer in your pocket
than in mine.-Loweu Citizen
Griggs courier., 1890-10-10
i THE BROTHERS RETURN.
How the Western Gold Fields
Helped Music Teacher.

" A CHAMBER
on the top floor
Of a genteel
city boarding
house, y young
girl Of scarcely
twenty sat at a
table in q de.
spondent mood.
Before her was
. brief note in
q lady's hand,
which she list.
lessly took up,
and read as fol.
lows:
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1890-03-05

paddle Called bruisers). After the clean
ingprocess is over the sponges are strung
on rope yarn FIVE feet long, and are now
ready for market. - @
During the month of June 1888 there
were sixty-fve sails just below the St.
Marks light house, fifty-two being from
Key West, about $50 men employed. The
sponge thus far caught are sn all, the
water not being clear enough to fish on
the deep bars, where the largest sponges
are found. Last summer there were l65
sails on the sponge reefs, something over
soU en ueg he nnaas OF
$275, 200.
Continued next week.
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1890-03-05

the "boat" and finally the Logger
head" The kind last named is utterly
worthless and if gathered is never pre-
served. The "sheep head" has the
peculiar feature OF being marked by
multitude of small protuberances like
those of a pine apple and by it's excess
sive shining black color. When brought
to the surface do you wish to know just
HOW THE SPONGE APPEARS?
Well, it is much like soft lump of
putty. A tough black membrane en-
velopes it all over and this is not re-
moved until next day. None of the
porous cavities are to be seen with
which we are SO familiar. The sponge
after being taken out of the water dies
within few hours and the animal tissue
dissolves or decays, forming a dark, ill
smelling fluid, which the natives call
curry" Still the pores are not visible,
but are so farther on.
At this point let us go back little
and note what precedes the gathering of
the sponge. Previous then to commence
ing to fish in the case of shallow sponge
fishing, a spot is selected where the water
number of bins termed "kralls" are
made by driving down rows ofmangrove
stakes Here the boat loads of sponges
are deposited and beaten and punched
with sticks while floating in the water.
In an hour or two the black substance
washes out; the outer covering or mem
brant is gone and all traces OF animal
tissues have disappeared, leaving nothing
but the skeleton sponge; similar in ap-
pearance to those in use. They are made
into punches by the aid of needle and
thread, SO as to be easily handled, and
are finally taken to the ship.
HOW 1T is DONE.
But "secure your bird before you eat
it !" is a homely but very practical max
i'm; let us relate, therefore, what occurs
antecedent to the actual capture Of
the sponge. Each of the "dinkies" or
small boats with their miniature crew OF
two men only, after leaving the schooner,
proceeds directly to the reef where the
sponges are known to exist, and there
the work begins. One of the men SLOW
ly sculls along and around in a semi
circle by stern oar, while his companion
examines the bed of the sea; if the water
be shallow and perfectly still by no other
aid than his natural eye sight, but if it
be rather deep, he looks down through
bucket with magnifying glass in the
bottom. This odd cOntrivance is fasten-
ed to the side of the boat, low enough
down to rest partially in the water and
by placing his head inside Of the bucket
the sponge seeker can see objects at a
depth of even thi ty feet. When a de-
sirable sponge is seen it is brought up
by the pole and hook above Indicated
The science OF the craft is in knowing
how to hook q sponge without tearing
it to pieces. To do this requires much
skill and is an art only to be acquired
after long practice. Good h okers are
consequently in high demand.
These men work on, day after day,
under a tropical sun that burns and
blackens the skin until one can scarcely
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1890-03-05

man.
STILL ANOTHER VIEW.
Having thus given the method of
sponge fishing as the writer saw it along
the West Florida coast, we will now
append terse well written article penned
by J. NJ. Laid OF Newport, Florida and
sent for publication to the Tdllahassean.
1t covers, to be sure, much the same
ground as that already traversed, Tut in
a very graphic style adds much interest
ing information not given above. 1t is
as follows:
The sponge hook is a three pronged
iron claw, with a socket in it's upper end,
into which is fastened wooden handle
The length OF the latter is various and is
adapted to the depth of water in which
sponges are sought. Formerly it was
seldom that any sponge pole was used
longer than Is feet, but now the fishing
is pursued into 35 to As feet of water
The water glass used is constructed by
simply inserting a pane of glass (cut
rounding) into the bottom of common
bucket, making it water tight. By thrust
ing the bottom of the bucket into the
water, and looking through the glass, a
sponge hunter can clearly distinguish
any object on the bottom of the sea,
even when the water is agitated by a
fresh breeze that would otherwise make
it impossible to see anything.
In the early days OF sponge fishing,
when sponge were sought in shallow
depth. oil was thrown upon the ''troubled
waters" to smoothe it where it's surface
was rippled by breeze, but that meth
cd was found inadequate when fishing in
deeper water was attempted. The water
glass was introduced about 1871, and it
has been used every since. When vessel
reaches a sponge bar (orreef) where work
is to begin, the crew, consisting of five,
seven, nine, eleven or thirteen men, get in
the small boats, (dinky) two men to the
boat, one man SOULS along slowly with a
twelve or fourteen foot oar over the stern.
The ''hooker" sits a-midship on thwart
Cor seat) resting his bred st across the
boats gunwale watching the sea bottom
through the water glass, which he holds
in his left hand, while the long thirty-fve
or forty-five foot sponge pole lays quar-
tering across the boat ready within his
grasp. Trained by long experience, his
keen eye quickly observes every object
on the sea bottom, and he instantly de-
tects the presence of sponge, when one
comes within the field of his vision Bya
motion OF his hand, Or by word, the boat
is stopped when sponge is seen. Then
down goes the long handled sponge
hood, where it is fastened to the sponge.
With a quick pull, the sponge ia torn
from it's ocean bead, and brought to the
surface.
The dex terity with which sponge hun
ter handled these long unwieldy sponge
hooks and grapples the object which he
seeks, so many feet below the waters
surface, and using but one hand, is in
deed remarkable. While the crew is at
work fishing the cook takes charge of the
vessel, which is kept under sail, and surge
back and forth over the water, keeping
near the small boat, SO that in case a
heavy squall of wind comes up suddenly
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1890-03-05

APPEARS AS TAKEN FROM THE WATER.
DEEP AND SHALLOW WATER sPONGING.
THREE PHASES OF THE BUSINESS.
The city of Key West-the headquart-
ers of the sponge fishing industry-is the
most unique in the Western Hemis-
phere; indeed, it has no counter
part in either the Old or the New
World. Lying, as it does, at the very
threshold of the tropics, it combines in
a rare degree, the snap and vim of the
cold but restless North with the laxative
breath of tropical gardens. Shaded by
trees that thrive beneath an equatorial
sun. Among it's many peculiar indus
tries none are more so than the business
of fishing for sponges, and it is to this
alone that the attention of the reader is
now directed.
= Among the white laboring element of
the island it often occurs that when an
employe finds that he cannot endure the
strong narcotic fumes of the cigar fac
tories-one of the other rival industry
of the place-he generally turns his at
tention to sponge-fshing, and contrives
mostly, to "make good thing of it,"
and then there is an element of danger
in the vocation that makes it attractive
to many natures; but popular with still
more, because like gambling, it is per-
meated with strong spice of chance, i'll
which one may or may not win as the
case may be.
COMMENCING OPERATIONS.
The modus operandi in making ready
for a cruise is about as follows: -Four
or five sturdy men, two of whom must
understand both the management of a
boat and the mode of taking sponges,
get together and, so to speak, "pool
their issues by engaging an eight Or
nine ton vessel of some owner, who agrees
to take half the amount of sponges gath
cred for the hire of the boat. A stock of
provisions is laid in, and each sponge
gather is provided with long pole, to
the end of which is attached a hook.
And here we may anticipate by saying
that the voyage should never exceed over
six or eight weeks in length, but during
that period if the catch has been good
there should be at least 800 punches on
board. A bunch weighs about two
pounds md is worth usually close to
$500, or $500 to $3.50 per pound,
though dozen years or more ago they
rated at but $1.0O per pound; the price
of the article since then having per-
manently risen, and within the last ten
years fully IS per cent.
sPONGING GROUNDS.
After reaching the spOnging grounds
the SIN II boats are launched and every
preparation made for the business. Two
of these boats generally go with a
schooner, and each taken by one man
with his rower-the former being armed
with twenty-five foot pole with two
prongs at the end Then the task begins.
If nything is to be done now is the ap-
pointed time. The water ia very clear
and for instance twelve feet deep. The
bottom is to be plainly seen, covered
with 1nyriads of curious and beautiful
growths such as the fenestilla or sea-fan,
r. Il II I d., b.
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1890-03-05
FoR THE FLORIDA AGRICULTURIsT.
Sponge Fishing-A Great and Growing
Industry.

THE SPONGING GROUNDS. METHODS OF
GATHERING THEM. HOW THE SPONGE
APPEARS AS TAKEN FROM THE WATER.
DEEP AND SHALLOW WATER SPONGING.
THREE PHASES OF THE BUSINESS.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-09-06
WASHINGTON NOTES.

Attorney General Miller has returned %
Washington from ashDrt Yisit 10 Asbufy Park.
The cruiser Gan Francisco len the city n
that name for Santa barbara 10 begin her o.
fetal trial,
Secretary Window hiss returned 10 wash.
ington aud resumed his duties az tie Treasury
Department
Acting Admiral james II. Giilis has been
detached from the cont and 81 the south At
lantie Station aud piaeed On saitiug orders.
The female emplo, ess Of the Government
Printing Office sent petition 70 the Senate
asking that they b. paid not les than ~ day.
Assistant Secretary Baicheilef has resumed
his duties al the Treasury Department after
months vacation az Block Island, Saratoga,
and other places.
The bankruptcy bin will be reported to the
Senate iag1rab.E enh ccrtfin amendments,
and it Is understood thafaa eftor viii BE- made
10 pass It u this session Of Congress.
Captain Alien y. Reed. WHO was recently
investigated BY a naval court of inquiry On
charges preferred BY Admiral ellis has been
res 0red 10 his Old rpDmand ~ the kichni0nd.
The Senate Committee on Postal AGairs de-
cided 70 make The bill % extend the Tree de-
livery system apply % cities pi 500 inhabi-
Rnts or 10 cities where the postal receipts
amounts 10 5000.
Bill gefe parsed by the Senate hoidingeyery
bidder Tor carrying the mails 0 bis contract
Obligation and requiring BIN ~ deposit with
his proposal 3 check for per cent of the
amount " the bid, the cheek 70 be fortified for
failure 10 carry out contract.
The Comm itlee oa Railroads and Caaalsre.
ported 70 tue House the bal 10 compel rail-
road com anits engaged IN interstate com
meree within a reasonable time ~ EQUIP their
ears wiib sgc safety Or automatic safety
eogpiers az viii BOT require tiainmeu 70 90 be-
tween TIE ehis % 'nr rirs ~ couple or ~ un-
couple them. % aitH Automatic brakes ~
die engineer