davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-01

ground that they were liable 10 be broken
or dislocated by the rough usage that a cais-
son is so often subjeced in actual warfare.
But this objection has no weight, because
metallic ammunition can, by proper ar
Tangement of the chests, be secured so that
each round will be perfectly independent,
and cannot be displaced even by upsetting
the caisson. This is done in Europe by
making the depth Of the chest equal to the
length Of the fixed round, and then subdi-
viding the interior so that each round eau
be placed vertically in 4 cell by ITSELF
butt uppermost, and the point of the
shot resting on rubber disc, which
neutralizes the jolting Of the caissOn
in passing over rough ground. Without
donbt the Army viii soon adopt the metallic
cartridge system. There il no reason why
a c1rtridge-case could not be made to reload,
as is so generally done with amall-aTm car
tridges.
The accompanying illustrations give a
clear idea of the general appearance and
style Of the new guns, but it is not possible
in an engraving TO show all the elaborate
and beautiful mechanism of their breech-
actions and carriages.
In conclusion, let me say that when, from
the standpoint Of sn engineer and mechani-
clan, / have examined and admired the grace
ful proportions, the artistic symmetry and
the elaborate finish OF these new and costly
breechloading rifles, my memory has wan
dered back more than a quarter of a century
TO the time when I humbly thumbed the
vent Of an old muZZslOading smoOthbOre
brass 12-pOunder. IA memory OF this faith
iul old gun, who was unlimbered Tor action
in every battle from the second Bull Run 20
Appomattox, offer here a portrait Of her,
engraved by a cunning hand from tintype
taken in the field in 1862. We used to call
her "Old Betsey,' or "C!d Bess"; and by
that name we were won't TO endow her with
attributes OF personality and COmradeship.
She has long since been sold for scrap
brass" melted and reclst into some form OF
peaceful use, know not what. But her
memory can never die; because she was one
OF the guns that helped to save the Union
To me other memories cluster about this
old gun, represented now only By tintype
because in all her battles &c brave and noble
men and boys fell. KILLED or crippled at her
breech or muzzle!
So when I think of these things, and
think how plain and simple and modest she
was when compared with these magnificent,
artistic new steel cannon Of these times, |
find myself maTveIiing, rs in a dream, that
such changes could have occurred within the
sewiceable lifetime Ola man not YET past his
18th milestone. And when this dream comes
over me, l say TO these new steel guns: "Ah,
well, you are very fine and beautiful, and
you have cent nay poor Old Be,scy to the
scTap-heap; but let me tell you that there is
one thing to be said Of her that can't as yet
be said OF yOu, and that is-iSAe Got Tsere ~
The sad)
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-01
A Suspicious Man.
ITsras siRinas.I

A young man 10 a Southern town applied TO
the keeper Of livery stable for horse and
buggy.
who is going along with your" asked the
latter.
II am going to take my wife's mother out
for ride. She is not we'll, and want her to
have some fresh air. / wish you would put q
spade and Ratchet in the bottom Of the
buggy"
"What do you want them fort"
81 want to dig up some young cedar trees to
plant in the cemetery"
81 don't think can let you have a buggy"
"Why nOt2"
Because don't want to be hauled up as q
witness every time court meets. / have got
my business to attend TO-"
{" / don't understand you"
"1Iaybe you don't, bat I understand you.
You have been married some years, and when
q married man in this town wants to take his
mother-in-laW out for a ride for her health, and
wants a spade and Ratchet and talks about
planting things in the cemetery, that's all
want to know"
"But, my dear sir"-
cit may be all right, but I don't propose to
take any risks. When your trial comes off you
will swear there is prejudice against you in
this town, and you can't get a fair trial, and
get a change Of venue to some county away off,
and I'll have to go there as q witness every
time the case is continued, or be fined so. If
you want 10 get rid of your wife's mother you
90 to a drug store and get some Rough on
Rats and it will be a case of suicide or accident,
but / am not going to be mixed up in it by su p
plying you with spades and hatchets, aud a
horse and buggy 10 carry off the corpse to hide.
No. Stree! Why don't you ask me to put a
coffin in the buggy besides. No sir. am not
that kind Of livery stable man. Pm not in
that line Of business. / sympathize with you,
but for the mere hire of horse and buggy ]
can't afford to take any such risk"
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-01

for the three great armored battle-ships re-
Gently contracted Tor. The tube forging for
the 13-inch gun will be steel log 80 feet long,
% inches diameter and will weigh, when
ready to be turned and bored, between
$4,000 and $4,000 pounds. The 13-inch
jacket forging will be a steel log Is feet
long and 40 inches in diameter, and its
weight, when ready for the shop, viii be be-
tween $4,000 and $1,000 pounds. Guns Of
still larger caliber, mp TO is inches, have
been planned, but it is doubtful if any cali
Der larger than 10 inches viii ever be built
recent experience abroad having determined
that by increasing the length Of the l3-
inch gun and thereby augmenting its
power, results equal TO those Of larger cali
bers can be attained, while il has also been
demonstrated that the 16-inch gun, besides
being unwieldly and difficult of manipula-
tiOn in consequence Of its monstrous weight
of 116 tons is unreliable in endurance.
Hence il is probable that the l3-iDch calibeI
will mark the limit of our new steel ord.
nance, at least for this generation.
At the time Congress resolved TO under
take the re-amament Of the country, there
was no forge-plant in existence on our soil
that could turn out steel forgings for any
thing larger than the 6-inch gun. Hence il
was necessary for the Government to create
an establishment Of its own capable oi
making these colossal forgings, or to offer
contracts sufficient in extent TO induce pri-
vate enterprise TO undertake il. The latter
course was chosen after much deliberation
and contracts for heavy forgings and armor-
plates 10 the amount Of many millions Of
dollars were awarded TO the Bethlehem Iron
and Steel Company Of Pennsylvania. This
company began to increase their facilities
about four years ago. They have now
reached a stage Of development at which
they have begun TO deliver fOrgings for the
l2-iuch guns and one Of those monsters will
soon be in the lathe and boring-mill at the
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-01
Z. IL FeasIbleg

EDITOR EATIOEAL TEBUEE: In your edi-
torialsof Nov. 20, your More Money Wanted .
and Pensions Saved tic Country" you strike
the nail on the right head. Let this fact 10
eucrgciicaily discussed, j. O., propOunded TO men
Of all parties alike. flow can this be done
otieetually, you may asl;2 know nearly every
city-at least in the North, East and Western
States-of about 10000 inhabitants has Board
Of Trade, the members Of which are not con-
fined 10 any political party. Select city, the
majority Of It's members OF the Board OF Trade
otherwise in favor Of PENSIONS 10 pass resOlu-
tious embodyiug the great wisdom OF our pea
sion laws which prevented a general panic in
the United States, and TO encourage more legis-
latiOn, not for boneyOlence, bUt for justice due
the old soldiers, aud thereby circulates the
money 10 all the people in the country
among friends and foes alike. 10 should not be
great problem 70 find such q first Board Of
Trade-say in the Middle States-tO start from.
certain ingenuity must prevail 20 propagate
and induce the many Boards OF Trade 20 in
dorso these views throughout the country.
Bring this suggestion 10 a number Of friendly
Congress men, and the ball can soon DO rolled 20
successful tUEu!uation.-D. SnyEEsXIITH,
Kansas City, Mo.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-01
Lacking In Common Sense.
PnrEnr. pnntl

At an Informal reception held after Mr..
Henry SANKEY'S lecture in Scranton the other
evening a gnlleman remarked 10 the ex-
plOrer: Zone of the things in your book, . In
Darkest Africa that interested me most was
your vivid account Of the suffeFiugs Of your
party in Starvation Camp but one thing
never could understand. When your men were
dying for want of food. Why didn't they fish,
since they were so near the river?" Mr. STAN
ley's face was a study. He looked at his ques-
TONER as if dazed by blow. "Why," he ex-
claimed, and then hesitated in evident surprise,
and CONSERVATION for several moments, why,
don't believe any one ever thought of it "
His questioner thereupon suggested that the
next time he formed an exploring party he
should take Yankee with him.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-01

The answer deliberately given, Faith, don't
know, unless it's thin blackguards o ribils'
was not reassuring We listened; the sounds
came at times from the roadside 80 near that
one felt he could have reached the spot with
saber, and again from places several rods dis
tant. While trying 10 fathom the mystery, and
while every stir in the leaves was becoming
more distinctly human footsteps, I felt the
pressure Of a hand on my arm, and Murphy's
voice came 10 my ear: 'Liftinint, if yen hould
Bill mint, I'LL ship off and find out phawt
the diyl il Names / took BiP5 rein and
heard his rider slide TO the ground
AS / now had an extra horse TO hold, I
began to think that If an infantry Johnny
should invite ne to alight and take a walk
into the COnfederacy with him, 7, perhaps
would not be able to decline in terms suffi-
GENTLY impressive to induce him to excuse me.
If any Of you have ever been so situated as to
be wholly under tie influence of the terrOrs Of
the imagination, and are no more Courageous
than l am, you may appreciate my emotions.
Murphy was gone long, long time It seemed
hours 70 me; and when / began TO fear that he
would not return, but had been quietly taken
in by the enemy, some one grasped me by the
leg in a cOnyulsiye sort Of way, and in stage
whisper at the same time said, 'Liftinint,
would you b'lave itP 70 is hOgsp
The transition from fancied great danger
10 safety was very sudden. As our highly
strung nerves relaxed we all laughed, but it
was not very hearty laugh We felt more
sheepish than amused. Was it not true that a
small drove of hogs, innocently seeking food,
had stampeded troop of cavalry belonging to
the til crack regiment2
"Our religious videt found some consolation
in the fact that when the devils were cast out
they took refuge in herd Of swine. That is
what, in our charity, we thought, when we
heard him using. 50 emphatically, the familiar
name Of the prince Of darkness. No conspiracy
to suppress the facts of history was formally
entered into on this occasion, but it happened,
incidentally, that no mention of this event
was made to other members Of the regiment.
1t was not even alluded to by the 'Liftinins
in his official report"
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-01

for these purposes at first appalled, many
members and some Senators, who for awhile
hesitated at the thought of building up an
artillery system in which q single 10-inch
rife, with its carriage and appurtenances,
would cost as much as a whole fort full Of
the old smoothbOre Columbiads of the same
oalibeT, and one round from which would
cost as much as q bOmbardmeDt by the
COlumbiads!
However, these objections were soon OYER
come, and then law was passed authoriz-
ing the Navy Department TO convert the
Washington Navy-yard into National gum
factory for that branch of the service, and
the War Department TO utilize the Water
vliet Arsenal In similar manner for the
use Of the Army. The Navy progressed
much more rapidly than the Army aid in
nvailing itself Of these facilities, and at this
writing the Naval gun-factory at the Wash
ington yard is IN full blast, employing many
hundred woTkmen, and having under con-
structiOn rs many as so guns at time,
ranging in cslibeT from 4-inch rapid-fre
pieces 10 the l0-inch and 12-inch monsters
destined for the turrets of our new irOnclads,
while the army has not as yet succeeded in
making more than few small breechload-
Ing held-pieces, though they have recently
advertised for bids 10 build a large number
of heavy sea-coast rifles by contract
Simultaneously with this development OF
facilities for the manufacture Of the new al
tlleryi it was found necessary 10 encourage
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-01

jackets for colossal cannon are equally
equipped 10 manufacture the great shafts
required for the immense merchant and
passenger steamships OF these times, which,
until the foundation OF the new gun-making
plant, had 10 be imported from abroad; To-
gether with many other things Of like
peaceful utility, so that after ali the arts OF
war and Of peace 20 hand in hand in this
great enterprise, and now, as in all times
past, the development Of the one keeps
equal pace with that Of the other. Ia
making provision 10 insure adequate defense
the Government has developed new in
duBtry on colossal scale where none existed
before, which was much needed in the prog
ress Of the country, whose effects will be
widespread, and which could not have been
developed for many years 10 come by private
enterprise alone, without public aid or slim.
illus.
Up TO this time the Washington gun
factory has turned out, OF has on hand nearly
completed, s3 6-inch guns, is s-inch and six
l0-inch, besides a number Of smaller caliberl
-s-inch and 5-inch-t0gether with doing
considerable work for the Army in the shape
Of new steel rifed feld-pisces and part Of the
construction Of an experimental l0-inch gun
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-01

Che construction Of FORCES, by private enter
prise, 20 furnish the raw material. Few
people have an adequate idea Of what il
involved in the rough steel forgings for a
i2inch steel rife Of the modern type. First
there b the main tube, which must be q
aOlid log" Of hammered steel 30 feet long
by about 229 inches diameter, in order 10
give plenty Of margin for turning, assem-
bling and finishing Such log Of forged
steel would weigh about $4,000 pounds in
the rough before boring or turning and the
ingOt or solid mass of steel put under the
hammer TO make it, would weigh not less
than $1,000 10 10000 pounds.
Next comes the jacket" which lie shorter
but much larger in diameter, il being calcu-
lated TO envelop the breech end Of the
tube for about q third Of It's length
Hence the jacket Of q 12-inch gun as rough
forged would be steel log about three feet
IN diameter and - 10 ID feet long. Forged
solid IL weighs when ready 10 be turned and
bored, about $4,000. The ingot" required
for this forging weighs not less than $4,000
OF $4,000 pounds when ready for the ham,
mer i'm addition 10 the 12-inch guns, for
which the fOrgings are already in progress, IL
guns Of l3-inch calibeT have been authorized
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-01

Washington gun-factory. II would be
almost useless to attempt description Of the
enormous appliances required for this sort Of
work which would be intelligible TO the
general reader. IL involves combination
lathes and boring machines over so feet
long, and having Swing is to say,
revolving space-of eight feet; an over
head trayeling-crane capable Of picking up
q load OF 100 tons and carrying il the length
of a building several hundred feet long; a
pit 50 feet deep, in which the tubes Of the
great guns are suspended vertically 10 allow
the jackets and rings 10 be shrunk on These
are some Of the most noteworthy appliances
Of the machine-sbops at Washington. In
the FORCES at Bethlehem are involved heating
furnaces capable Of taking in an ingot
weighing over IS tons; cranes, "grips," and
endless-chain handlers" capable of taking
this enormous mass out Of the furnace at a
white heat, carrying it to the anvil and
manipulating il under the blows OF 10O-ton
hydraulic hammer OF forging-press," as it is
called.
In short il may be said that the most i'm
posing if not appalling spectacle of the posi-
bilities Of human ingenuity and skill to be
seen in the world is presented by these Pigan-
tic appliances for the manufacture Of our
new artillery. However, il must not be
supposed that the usefulness of this great
industrial development stops with the fab
TicatiCn of Warlike yeauons On the rom
trary, the FORCES which make the tubes and
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-01

Of feld-guns show long stride Of progress,
they still leave considerable to be desired.
For example, they are provided with the
screw-block breech-actioD, and use the old
fashioned bag-cariTidge with independent
projectile, and are primed from the top and
fred with on-primer, the same rs the
old muzzleloaders used to be; whereas
nearly All the other great powers use the
dropping block" breech-action, and fixed
ammunition with metallic cartridge-case.
Some OF the Army authorities have objected
to metallic cartridges for field service on the
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-01
Got the Information,
[Br0oHyn LDe.l

Mrs. Hayfork Anything for me7
Rural P,stmasIsy-I don't see nOthin.'
Mrs. Hayfork-I was expectin' letter er
postal from Aunt Sally Spriggs, tellin' what
day she was comm.
Rural Postmaster (calling 20 his wife,
Did ye sec a postal from Mrs Hayfork's Aunt
Sally, tellin' what day she was cOmin'2
His Wife-Yes; she's comm Thursday.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-01
II.

BmOoJhbores, or even the Parrot rifles, were
of little or no use in dealing with the in
tricate and delicate structures of wrought
steel. Hence il became necessary not only
TO buy new lathes, boring and rifing ma
chimes etc, but to build new shops adapted
10 their use. The amounts OF money asked
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-01
They Wore Willing.


Girls" said a bachelor named Perry, 40 a
com-huskiug in Missouri the other night, " /
want wife. IL any Of you will have me,
please stand up" There were IS girls in
the crowd, aud everyone stood up, aud
then II young fellows pitched into Perry,
and IS girls began pulling hair, and tbs party
broke up and sadness rgisned supreme.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-01

The weights Of proiectiles and powder
charges are as follows; the weight Of pro-
jectile given being those for battering-shell
Of the usual type. 1t should be remarked
that different types Of proposed special pro-
jcctiles for piercing armor are under con-
sideration, the weights of which vary con-
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-01
Orermntehed.


Judge-You arc charged with bigamy Mr..
Smith. Have you anything to say to the
charge?
Prisouer-No, sir. Pm not fool enough to
talk against two women.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-01
A Patriotic Kick.

Mrs. Packiuhouse tin l.0udonl-silas, I wish
you'd shave OF your chin-whisker; it looks so
gawky.
Mr.. PaekinhOuso-Eever, Miami I've rig
ged myself out in this English forgery to
please ye; but Pm hanged if part with the
last thing that shows ], IN an American!
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-01

A Rebel EffnslOn.
When Gen. Terry, after Lees surrender, oorS
manded the Military Department OF Virginia.
some rebels wrote this hog Latin appeals
Terry, leave us, sumus weary
Jam nos ,edet to videre.
81 Wis nos with joy implere,
Terry, in hao terra larry
Diem nary;
Terry, leave this territory,
Con amore.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-01
No Good win toward One Van.

'UIIT
Mrs. Melins-What did your husband give
you for Christmas, Mrs. Skinhint2
Mrs. Sknaint-He gave me 9 lecture on
economy.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-01
BY "THE oANNONEER."

III bucCebSlul con-
struction Of one mod,
ern steel gun of six
inches caliber embOld.
ened the Navy and
Army authorities tC
ask Congress for per.
mission 10 begin 9
reconstruction Of tht
artillery of the United
States on a grand
scale. The old appli.
ances used in fabri.
eating the cast-irOr
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-01
Poor Old Bachelor.


Blinks-Did you find anything in your stock
Ing Christmas morning2
Jinks-Yes-a hole
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-01

When poker player says he has full hand,
IL is no indication that he 10 tightfsted.- Com
n1srciGI BHAetiIG
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-01
Oil
Lhrk.l

"Did you see Marie brushing the cobwebs
from that bottle of Port?"
"Yes, Spider"
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-01
The new guns in active service are as fol-

1NT'ItN1E
The following table shows the dimensions
and weight Of each caliber of the new artil-
lery, the length given including the breech-
action.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-01
A ClassicIsm at the Boarding House.
rWogbfaofo,, Sim

LFftoIttIIJIVIt
Ugh" he grOwled, putting the breakfast exR
aside with care, Its Just like the scene Of
Greek play"
The landlady looked a5 him inquirinRly.
Laid in ancient times, don't You know" ha
continued pleasantly, and cut an ugly zAah In 4
helpless beefsteak on his plate.
And the landlady made a remark.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-01
Bad For Bnld.hended nen-

Bad For Bald-headed Men.
TEXAS SttiaGGl
Thin-haired Man-WhatI dollar for qua
ting my hair? That's Outrageousl
Barber-But, my dear sir, the haiEs on your
head are so far apart that had 70 Gus saOh
hair by itself
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-01

Where He Got It.
LLUSl
How very stylish you are Mr.. SoftIeigh.
You hold your elbow very high"
"Ya-as. got 10 from the Prince OK Walea.P
Did you meet him abroad 2"
No; but ChOlly Davis saw him meet a
friend on the street one day"
The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1891-01-16
INTUITION.

She often said that she could tell
When I was near, tho she could see
Me not. nor hear my step; and, we'll
It seemed o little strange to me-
She said her heart would give hound
Whenever 1, unknown, came near;
Such power ne'er stirred my heort around.
And yet knew she was as dear
To me as to her; and so
had my doubts Of this strange SPELL
And made firm resolve to know
Just how my presence she could tell
One day when butterflies and bees
Flew in and ont among the flowers.
And the soft breezes brought to me
The perfume from hundred bowerA
/ came upon her unawares
In retired nook where we
Had often cast aside our cares
And whispered words Of love. To me
1t gave chance to ascertain
The secret I so longed to know.
sought most eagerly tn gain
Her side by stealthy steps, and tho
She did not raise her dainty head.
And saw me not. nor even yet
Heard my soft step, she quickly said.
What makes you smoke that cigaretteS''
Harry L Wells in Munsey's Weekly