davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-01-21
TREATING A SICK BIRD.

This expert directed that the bird
should be taken from the cage and held
firmly to prevent his struggling while a
generous coating of vaseline was rubbed
on his head. The next operation should
be an application of warm water the next
morning and repetition of the vaseline
treatment. The nny-looking bird soon
became accustomed to his daily greasing,
but it made his head itcn, and he spent
hours every week rubbing his smooth
and tender head against his perch to
allay the irritation. In case of this kind
the bird generally stops singing, and
dealers say that this particular one will
probably not sing until his head-feathers
come out again.
Similar freaks are occasioned by i'm
perfect moulting. Sometimes the moult-
ing of bird is SO imperfect that the re-
suit is constant change of feathers,
covering sometimes years time. In
some cases the head loses all its feathers
IN the process, and it is frequently found
that the denudcment lasts for a whole
year, when the head-feathers crop out
again.
One of the most frequent complaints
among canarics is asthma The disease
is easily cured if taken hold of at once.
The bird dealers sell a powder that is
mixed in the water the birds are given
to drink: and there is also a bird tonic
which IS good for all the ills that bird
flesh is heir to. When bird has the
asthma the symptoms are hcavincss of
breathing 1T night. Canaries with this
complaint have been known to breath
like human beings.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-01-21
sERGIUs sTEPNIAK.

he was born among the Ukraine Mount.
aims in 1S41 and is of Cossack ancestry!
His immediate family we're partly noble
and partly of the trading class and ne
received q good education. He COM
menced writing in the dialect of Little.
Russia while student at the University
of Kief, but his works were prohibited
by the Government. Later he was apIi
pointed Professor of Ancient History at
Kieff, but his criticisms of the policy of
Count Tolstoi, the Minister Of Justice;
caused his removal and exile.
Stepniak settled in Geneva, Switzer-
land, and devoted himself exclusively to
q literary crusade against the present
system of government in Russia. Be-
sides "Underground Russia" "Russia
Under the Cars. ""Tyrannicide Russia"
1.-THE Turks, Within and Without" and
other books which were written for the
outside world, he has written numerous
works, mostly in the Little Russian dia-
lect, for the purpose of spreading his
ideas among his own people. He is not
Nihilist in the ordinary acceptation of
the term and is as much opposed to
socialism as he is to absolutism. His
aim is to establish representative govern
ment in Russia and to give the people
control of their local affairs. Beside his
political works he has written much on
the ethnography, history. literature and
legends of Little Russia. a.-Chieago
Herald.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-01-21

The American bred canary is more
subject to illness than the pure German.
The breeding of canaries here is not
success. A great many people have ma
tive bred birds and do not know it.
They can be identified every time by an
expert by their song, so some of the
dealers claim. The breeding of birds
here is not success, according to these
authorities, because the seed used is not
of fine enough quality and the bird in its
earlier days does not get the proper
nourishment to insure future strength.
They are therefore weaklings, so to
speak, and sort of brought-up- on-the-
bottle product.
In Germany the very finest seed is used
by breeders, and although this seed is
brought here it is expensive and
most of the native breeders and in fact
most bird owners buy cheaper variety
to save expense. In bird seed, as in
many othe things, the best is in the end
the cheapest.
Breeders here find that the trouble of
raising birds to a saleable age when
added to the expense of the finest food,
leaves them no profit, so they cut off
the expensive food.
Among bird food the summer rape
seed, found in Germany, is the best kind
for the use of breeders or bird owners.
German breeders always use this kind of
rape seed and the best product of canary
seed. The cheaper substitute for the
first named is winter rape and karl,
found in our West and in Mexico. The
best grades of canary seed come from
Spain and Sicily. The usual bird food
packages contain canary and rape mixed.
The latter is generally advertised as fine
summer rape, though it is often the
more common Mexican product. Among
the seeds of the latter there are often
hard black ones, which the bird refuses
to eat. As dealer says.
"People wonder why the bird refuses
to eat these black seeds. They can't eat
them. They swallow gravel to aid their
digestion, but they simply can't eat the
hard, black seeds. - .----.-'--..-.
"And I would like to say here that
although most people give their birds
lettuce they generally consider it as
food, and not, as is really the case,
medicine. Lettuce acts as tonic tor a
bird, and prevents it getting It's blood
TOO hot. The bird ought to have it
whenever it is possible to get it for him.
Apples are very good for birds, too; and
red pepper, if given occasionally, is good
for frightening their plumage.
~ am glad to find that people are be.
coming educated in the treatment of
birds, for it helps business. You might
suppose that killing them with lack of
attention would do that for US, but, all
The same, people who are successful in
keeping their first bird alive generally,
If they have any means at all, buy two
Or three for different parts of the house."
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-01-21

There is no limit, scarcely, to can
ary's capacity for learning new songs if
q proper method of teaching is employed.
A man who has tried it claims that
canary can be taught an opera, or at
least part of one. It is necessary that a
peculiar note or whistle of the bird shall
be duplicated. If man can initiate
this he can, with care and time, teach
canary to sing bar of music.
There are whistles made which almost
exactly reproduce the cauary's note, and
combinations of notes blown on them
will in time be memorized by the bird.
He may not be able to repeat them on
demand, but it is very certain that he
retains the song, for he will pipe it at
intervals, and if not sick at any time
long enough to forget his new call he
will always include it in his repertoire.
An uptown dealer who Sook fancy
to certain bird in his stock succeeded
after time in teaching it several pretty
strains from operas. He brings out this
bird when customers enlarge on the sing
ing qualities Of canaries, and, as he has
taught it several airs, or fragments of
them, it is pretty safe to sing at least
one of them for the visitor. This bird
helps lis masters sales wonderfully.
One air that he sang recently was slight
ly blemished by a fiat note. When the
visitor commented on this the dealer
claimed that the note was correct, and
whistled the strain himself to prove it.
1t was then seem that the fault was due
to the teachers imperfect knowledge of
the music, and the bird had simply re-
produced it as be had always heard it.
A canary, now dead, was once mem
ber of family up town. Among other
household pets was very savage looking
cat, quite old, but still active. There
were three birds in the house, but the
bird mentioned above was the most odd,
for he conceived what seemed to be d NO.
lent affection for the big cat. When the
latter would look up at the big cage as
though longing for chance to get the
bird in his clutches the little canary
would come to the side of the cage and
look down at Tabby and chirp at her fol
fifteen minutes at time.
One day, when it was supposed the
cat was out of the house, the birds cage
was put on stool in the kitchen. The
maid had been giving Dick some atten-
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-01-21
CHAPTER VIII.

With the withdrawal of the Xenophou
came the retiring of the land forces OF
the British. They did not retreat far,
however, for the siege was by no means
raised. About half mile from the posi-
ten they had occupied over the hill, they
called halt and proceeded to encAmp.
They were too far now, owing to the un-
evenness of the ground, for even artillery
to be available.
Apont fifty lmpetuous young american
rifemen leaped the parapet and followed
the British, deploying among the trees
and harassing them with long-ranged
shots, until they were driven back down
the hill at the point Of the bayonet.
"Wa-al, Cap'n, does this end it?" Simon
asked of Capt. Alton.
"No, by no means. the young COM
mander answered. Unless We should
have e-enforcements, it is evident that
they intend to starve US into surrender"
rs tha- at so?" asked the Yankee, while
look of surprise came over his features.
1T looks very much like it..
We'll, Cap'n, I'm hungry even now.
tell ye, it would be much better TO be
shot than starved"
The young commander could not but
smile ut the cadaverous features of Simon.
Starvation with him was the most terri
BILE punishment imaginable. He would
much rather suffer torture.
There are plenty provisions on hand
vet, Simon" said our hero. Il think We
can hold out for over a week and not be
required to be put on short allowance,
but We must see how badly we have been
hurt in this engagement. And the young
officer hurried eway to make personal
investigation.
He found affairs bad enough. Several
had been killed and thee were still
greater number wounded. When they
found that the siege was not raised but
that the enemy had set down to starve
them into surrender, many became de-
pressed
Il tell ye, boys. faint any use to try it
longer, cos they're going to never stoptill
they git the yoke on our necks; now
that's certain" said Zeke Gross, with Q
sigh which was solemnity itself.
Now, hold on, Zeke," cried Ratchet,
Don't 90 to givin' everybody the blues
or I'll load ye up in that big gun and
shoot ye at the British. Coin to git the
yoke on our necks-gammon! Dye think
they'll ever git yoke on this?" and the
blacksmith patted his thick, bull-liko
neck. They couldn't find one wouldn't
bust to flinders in no time. Zounds, boy,
don't think bout yokes-think bout con-
nona."
"Bnt they are goin' to starve us into
submission" sighed Zeke.
-Starve! Wny, ain't We got lots O. Wit
tles?" replied the blacksmith.
But suppose they stay till all are gone,
Jack!"
Then we'd eat the mules, the horses,
and each other. We wouldn't surrender.
Why, we'd 60 out an catch Britisher an
make mess o him.
Zeke did not relish the frivolous talk u
the blacksmith and turned away.
[To BE coNTINuFD.1
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-01-21

hung ON for q moment and made no noiSSs(
Suddenly Dick remembered Els daily
song to Tabby and be broke out into q
lively carol. The noise and the jar give5,
the singer by the effort gave Tabby aS
inkling Of what was going on, and she
gave q sudden twist of her head, and I'd
one second the bird was awake to til
danger and made rush for It's cage and
safety. As it happened the servant re,
turned in time to save the bird, and ita
daily song to the cat, while not disconl
tinued, was afterward offered from 8
safer elevation. =
Instances of extreme affection for theii
owner on the part of canaries are not
wanting. All of these birds Boon grow
to know the person who feeds them, and
they generally distrust members of the
family who are not home or about the
room great deal. -i-&.5 ]. *.
The training that canary is capable,
Of is shown in his performances in con-
nection with the street fak.l who asks
him to pick out cards from little rack
and hand them to his master. Some Of
these street birds are very cute, and.
have little tricks of tossing the head that
suggests great intelligence when taken
in consideration with their other per-
formance. They have also been sue
cessfully used on the stage, doing many !.
curious things at the command Of their
exhibitor, who is usually q woman. They
seem to have great deal of affection for
the fair sex under all circumstances, and
if they have q favored member in o
household it will generally be found that
it is q woman with pleasant voice. All
kinds of music appeals to them, and the
notes of q woman's voice are probably q
form of music that they find very agrees
able. When: man talks to them ha
finds but little response, unless his yoica
is modulated verylow. Whistling softly
wins the canary over in time, and theS
will chirp until the man speaks in his
natural tone, when the bird song natuSs
rally ceases or breaks out in a louder key
as if to drown the harsh tones they seem
to dislike.-M York Herald. j
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-01-21

In the matter OF rapid transit, Ne"
York might lean much flom con-
sideration of the new underground line
that has just been put into oper
alton in London. The line is only three
miles in length, but the best English
engineering authorities consider that
the system is destined to revolution
ize the whole plan of metropolitan rail
way construction" A shaft fifty OF
sixty feet deep was sunk, and from this
two tunnels we're dug out and lined
with circular iron plates. Inside these
tunnels the trains are run by al electric
motor. Electric lighting, elevators
from the street down to the level OF the
tunnel, a single rate of fare and other
arrangements very much after the man
ner of our elevated roads complete
the system. The cost of the work was
very heavy, but there is general belief
that the patronage will make it pay
ing enterprise. -
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-01-21

ton or other and had neglected to close
the cage door. In the meantime the cat
walked into the kitchen and, not notlc-
ing the cage, Ibid down on the floor
little distance from the stool. When
Dick saw the cat he hoped out of the
cage and flying across the intervening
space alighted directly on Tabby's back.
The cat supposing, probably, that some
one had dropped some light objec: upon
her, paid no attention, and the bird
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-01-21
The Cars Greatest Foe.

sergius Stepniak, the Russian revolu-!
tionary writer, whose real name is Michael
Dragomanof, is now lecturing in this
country. he is of all the so.called.
Nihilists the man most feared by the
Russian Government, because his writings
have done more to SOW discomfort In,
Russia and to expose to the world the
methods by which the people are kept
down than oil the other agitators put to-
gether. stepniak is mau of great
ability and writer of uncommon force
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-01-21
A Copyist at 119.

Fred Walker, aged 119 years, is un-
doubtedly the Oldest man in West
Tennessee. He lives at Savannah. The
writer, while in that city, called upon
the old gentleman. Mr.. Walker stated
that he had voted for every President OF
the United States, from Thomas Jeffer'
son down to the last Presidential elec'
ton, and he confidently expects to be
ON deck to cast his ballot in 1892. Mr..
Walker makes his living by copying fol
the County Court Clerk Of McNai'
County, which proves that his sight is
pood.-Gb6e. Democrat.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-01-21

Young Lady-''Jack, you do so re-
mind LIE Of a gentleman I met at the De
Robinsons' last Christmas.
Jack Cnterested) )-'.Indeedf"
Young Lady-''Yes; he was an odd.
looking, Insignificant little fellow. Every
body was laughing at him." Jack s
daliphted) ).-Jud1e. = 49,.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-01-21

"I've been standing here for an hour
or more trying to mash that rooster, and
he doesn't deign to take the slightest
notice of me!"-Lifc.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-01-21

i ne lttle NllluS6 UOTe every eflueuCe VI
siege. The nice little cottage residences
were torn with shells and pierced with
balls. There was scarcely one TINT had
not been hit either from the guns, from
the ship, or the for ss from the shore.
The upper stories o, some of the houses
we're thickly peppered with musket balls.
AS the Captain approached the hut
near which the wounded lay, Ola came
TO meet him. Her eyes were red with
weeping, and she had grown paler than
he had ever seen her.
How is your father OLAF" he asked.
She shock her head and buryin2 her
face in her hands, said:
There is no hope"
rs he still alive2"
Yes, but I know the doctor hos given
him up" she sobbed.
DO not weep, Ola. you have protec-
tor left, even though your father is slain.
But it is not over yet," the poor girl
sobbed. The siege still goes on, and
we know not who may fall next"
-Eut God is too good to withdraw all
protection fIom vou." said the young
commander. Some one Will pe spared.
Father is gone. My dearest friend,
save yourself" she said, as she pointed,
lies there bleeding and dying, and you
may 90 next. Then who will be left?"
The Lord will raise you up friend in
your distress, who will defend and aid
,ou. dearest Ola. Do not think that you
will be left without some one to care for
you. for our Heavenly Father never nj
lows even sparrow 10 fall to the ground
without His notice"
They went to the spot where the sea
captain lay gro ,ning with pain. The
surgeon who had bound up his wounds
was at his side.
Dc You think his injuries fatal?" the
young commander asked the doctor. The
doctor. after moments pause. answered:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-21
THE NEIGHBOUR LAW.
Attorney Thomas Says It Does Not Apply
to District Laborera.

Attorney Thomas Says It Does Not Apply
to District Lab0rsra.
Mr.. g. T. Thomas, the assistant attorney for
the District, today sent to the District Commits
sioners the following opinion:
return to you herewith the protest Of the
Federation Of Labor against the action Of gu
perintendent Arnold in compelling the laborers
under him in street sweeping TO work ten hours
per day, instead Of eight, referred to this ONCE
for an opinion a. to the law on the subject.
After careful investigation of this matter
find no Law declaring that eight hours shall con-
stitute . days work for laborers on District
work. What the Federation Of Labor have in
mind, probably, is the .'eight-hour law OF
OF 1868 as Stat I'D, which declares that eight
hours shall constitute days work for all labor
ers, workmen and mechanics employed by or
on behalf Of the government OF the United
States That law does not apply, and was never
intended to apply, to laborers on work for the
District Of Columbia, but even ii IL did 1t would
not constitute contract between the Distflc'
and its lsborers that eight hours should consti'
tute DAYS work. 1t would not prevent the
District and its officers in charge Of the work
from making agreements with their laborers by
which their labor shall be more or less thar
eight hours day.
Il is said that Mr.. Arnold has changed the
hours from eight to ten. This, think, he had q
perfect right to do. there being no law making
Q contract for eight hours ! do not think the
laborsrs In the sweeping department have an,
right TO complain. They are not required t.
work longer hours than other District laborer
| are Ii seems to me there was plainly no au
thority Of law for reducing the hours of thes'
men to eight and that they have no just Gauss
to complain when they are now required t.
work ten. complete answer to this question
| IL that these laborers have agreed to work tel
Il 4 rl..x- hop atvad int ho
ice sitter being told that II they did 30 they mus
work ten hours day for the same compensa
ton they had before received for eight hour
work, and have been paid accordingly.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-21
DENIS KEAKNEY's FALL.
His House Burned Down and the Once Agi-
tatOf In Hard Luck.

His House Burned Down and the Once Agi-
tatOr In Hard Luck.
Fire has destroyed the house and furniture of
Denis Kearney, the old sand-lot orator and
anti-Chinese leader Of San Francisco. who once
ruled Thousands and aspired to the position Of
political boss. 1t seems several days ago fire
was discovered in the Kearney residence, which
some unknown person had kindied. It was
extinguished without loss. second blaze
proved more damaging, a. everything was de-
stroyed.
Kearney has almost dropped out Of sight In
the last few years. He never regained the pres
tige which ho lost by failing to lead the mob to
Mob Hill to burn the palaces Of the railroad
kings. He learned that Coleman, leader Of the
big vigilance committee, had 8, 200 men under
arms ready to fall upon him at the first sign OF
violence. 10 after marching up the hill he de-
livered O harangue and marched down again
| without lifting hand. He showed the white
feather 30 plainly that his influence was gone.
| After the new constitution was passed he re-
turned to his truck and was seen hauling goods
! in the business quarter of the city for short
| time; but work came hard and he soon started
| an intelligence Office for servants. This failed
and for three years he has been o political
hanger-on and stock specnlator. He has lost
all his following and rarely speaks in public.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-21
THE FRENCH FLEET.
A Solid Downpour of Rain Greatly Inter
feres With the Festivities.

A Solid Downpour OF Rain Greatly Inter-
feres With the Festivities.
Admiral Gervais, in command of the French
squadron now visiting England, accompanied
by seventeen Of his senior officers, landed at
Osborne bay yesterday morning and they were
conveyed in the royal carriages to Osborne
palace. While the French war ships were firing q
salute Of twenty-ons guns Queen Victoria, ac-
companied by the Duke of Connaught, In
command Of the Portsmouth garrison and the
Portsmouth military district; by the Princess
Beatrice princess Of Battenberg), the Princess
Louise March ioness OF Lorne) and a number
Of lords and ladies attached to the court, re-
ceived the French officers in the main drawing
room Of the palace. The French ambassador.
NJ. Washington. introduced the individual ON.
GERS to her ma esty. The queen expressed great
qualification at their presence at Osborne, and
said that she hoped that they would find their
stay in England most enjoyable
A continued downpour Of rain yesterday
spoiled the holiday. The few steamers making
trips around the squadron were sparsely
patronized. At 9p.m. the queen gave ban
quet to the senior French OFFICERS at Osborne
house. The English adinirals were also guests.
Toasts were drunk to the queen and President
Carnot. The junior French officers also dined
at the palace. Admiral Gervais afterward pre-.
scented them to the queen. The marine band
played ON the terrace and the royal yachts were
Illuminated. but the fireworks which it was in.
tended the queen should witness, proved q
fasco, owing to the rain. The Frenchmen re.
turned to their vessels late at night to prepare
to move to Spithead for today's review.
The Princess Beatrice was aboard q yach
which steamed around the French feet yester
day. She was recognized and heartily cheered
At the banquet given at Osborne house las
night Queen Victoria had NJ. waddington, tn.
French ambassador, on her right and Admira
| Gervais on her left. The princesses and Lore
| George Hamilton were also present. The ban
quet hall was magnifcently decorated for til,
occasion, and the splendid jubilee presents ant
After the banquet the queen extended recep
| ton to the officers and residents.