davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-01
THE LOCUsTs IN ALGIERs.
Children Make Playthings of Them and
Older People Eat Them.

Children Make Playthings of Them and
Older People Eat Them.
The following letter, dated june 12,
from correspondent in Algiers, has been
received: AT last the locusts have arrived.
For some time past they have more or less
been raEaging the Province of Algiers.
One fine morning on rising we found them
in our midst. / cannot better compare the
sight than to fall of snow; the snowdakes
were locusts buzzing about in the bright
sunlight. L will not repeat the old exag-
geration that the sun was darkened. They
were, however disagreeably numerous, in
yading your rooms if the windows happened
to be open, and ficking you in the face and
dropping down your neck while out walk
ing The children amuse themselves with
catching them, attaching string to their
legs, and are very delighted with these
playthings; others weave them into long
garlands.
The Arabs are more practical. Taking off
the head, legs, and wings, they boil them
with salt, and then regale themselves to
their hearts content. Up to tie present
moment they have not committed any seri-
Gus harm; the vines and the vegetables have
suHe1eu ulIlt, DuJ tHaG Is I'LL OOHluS
out 40 days after the eggs are laid, they
grow with amazing rapidity, and devour
every green thing that comes in their path.
This happens in the "hopping" stage, before
they develop their wings. 1t may be inter-
esting to state that each female locust lays
80 eggs. The eggs are searched for and
gathered wherever possible, the Govern
ment paying a certain sum for every sack.
When the young locusts are hatched gen.
eral struggle ensues for their destruction.
A Cypriote apparatus, which is simply a
hedge of cloth two to three feet high, is
stretched across the infected district, before
which ditch is dug. The young locusts
are then stirred up by beaters-Arabs as a
rule-who are furnished with sticks and
brushes. The insects hop and hop till they
come to the cloth barriers, against which
they strike and then rebound into the ditch,
and are there destroyed When the loeusts
have reached the wing stage they are driven
off from the places where they happen to
alight by the beating of tom-toms, the dis
charge of guns, and fire and smoke. Many
are driven by the wind into the sea. The
mail steamers coming from France have had
their decks covered inches thick as far out
at sea as 40 miles.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-01
POSTOFFICE ROBBERS.
A BRACE OF THEM NEATLY TRAPPED
IN THE QUAKER CITY.

The Mystery of Many Daring Postoffice
Robberies in Virginia Solved - Stolen
Stamps and a Set of Burglars Tools
Found in the Prisoners Kit.
PHILADELPHIA, July 31.-Chief of De-
tectives Wood has found key by which he
expects to clear up the mystery which has sur
rounded series of ofdaring postoffice robberies
recently committed in Virginia John Gu
sick, horseshoer, living at 913 Buttonwood
street, this city, and Tim Burns, who says
he is a brakeman on the Reading Railroad,
who made his home at169 Spencer street,
Falls of Schuylkill, have been locked up to
await the action of the Virginia authori-
ties.
In possession of the prisoners were
found complete set of tools
for opening safes, hundreds of
dollars worth of postage stamps of all de-
nominations and box of old coins. The
arrests were brought about by a telegram
received by Chief Wood yesterday from
John Joe, Jr., Chief of Police of
inc box which had been shipped from
Richmond to John Cusick, of this city, and
which was supposed to contain stolen goods.
Detectives were detailed on the case, and
when they went to the express afhce they
found that the box had been sent to Cusick's s
house.
Cusick was placed under arrest and when
his room was searched leather grip was
found, which not only contained the kit of
tools, but also an official envelope which
had been sent from Washington to the
postmaster at Quicksburv, Va, and which
contained what was evidently the whole
stock of stamps on hand in the office at the
time of the robbery.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-01
CONVERSATIONAL ABILITY.
The Secret Lies in Drawing Out the In
formation q Person Has.

The Secret Lies in Drawing Out the In
formation Person Has.
New York Times.1
A young woman unconsciously struck the
KEYNOTE of conversational ability in her
comment the other day upon a friend: 'I
like to talk to him." she said emphatieally,
che makes me think of something to say"
The ability to draw out ones companion in
conversation is far greater and rarer than
the possession of fueney in expressing ones
own opinions.
A persistent talker, even if brilliant, be-
comes tiresome after little. Said clever
hostess, planning dinner which she wished
specially successful: 81 can't ask Mrs. s.,
though on some accounts should like to;
she talks so increasingly that she soon de-
presses the company" A man expanded the
same idea little more when he said he en-
ioyed eneountering person slow to awaken
to the spirit of conversation. ''There is
no game" he says, Sin these brilliant
people, who meet you alert, msny-sided,
responding instantly to every subject sug-
gested. All you can do is to go down before
them; while the other sort is a pleasure and
subtle fattery to ones skill to rouse and
develop"
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-01
DIGGING FOR A CROWN.
The Soil Near the Village of Triel Searched
for James Hs Headgear.


for James IPs Headgear.
London Times.1
A romantic story comes from the pretty
village of Triel. There, it is said James
II buried,his crown and the valuable relics
of.his family, and for more than 40 years all
over the neighborhood, from time to time.
people have dug for the buried treasure.
Nearly half century ago a mysterious
woman appeared at Triel. She bought
house and large estates, and went up and
down the village, having no dealings with
the inhabitants, and arousing great curiosity;
but after time some neighbors made her
acquaintance, and learned that she was in
search of the crown of James II.
Legend and romance soon took root in the
soil upturned by this odd woman's myster-
1ous diggings on her estates, and rumor
finally said that the lady, Mdme. Deville,
was daughter of George " and Queen
Caroline, and in proof thereof the Fleur de
Lis, as everybody knew, was on her shoulder.
Moreover in her bedroom was an ancient
bed adorned with crowns on escutcheons.
Lord Palmerston was said to have visited
her. Finally she died, but the legend did
not die with her. The land was sold to a
person who had received her confidence, and
who continued the quest. This successor is
Partisan shopkeeper. The digging still
continues, and still the crown with its price,
less stones remains undiscovered.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-01
A VETERAN OF 1919.
Pennsylvania Has Only One Left, but He
Expects to Live Century.

pennsylvania Has only One Left, but He
Expects to Live Century.
The hand of death has been busy of late
years among the ranks of surviving veterans
of the War of 1872. So busy, in fact, that
there is but one of the patriots drawing a
pension in the State of Pennsylvania His
name is Michael Fritz, and he is living in
apparent good health at Friedensburg,
-Schuylkill county, although the great
burden of "a years does not rest lightly on
the old mans shoulders.
At dinner given in Philadelphia ten
years ago there were present six veterans of
the War OF 1912. These were Zalina Lud-
dington, Thomas Darrah, John Stillman,
Henry EarIck, Jacob Frick and Peter Hay
A cordial invitation was also sent to
Michael Fritz, but the old man declined on
the grounds of poor health, and in long
letter stated that he did not expect to
survive the rigors of another winter. AT
the dinner Peter Hay said that he had
hoped to see together ali the surviving
Pennsylvaniasn who had battled against
British oppression in the War of 1872, but
as his old comrade and personal friend,
Michael Fritz, had arrived almost at the
brink of the grave, it would be fitting that
his health be drunk in the old-fashioned
way. AT this the half dozen old soldiers,
with heads uncovered, rose and silently
drank to him. Of the six who clinked
glasses sorrowfully for departing comrade
not one is alive, says the Baltimore Herald.
Michael Fritz lived to send letters of SYM
pathy to the descendants of his old COM
rades, and in an interview recently said he
expected to round out the full century of
his existence.
1t is quite possible that the Society of
Cincinnati will take some action TO fittingly
show honor to the veteran of 1872. Accord
ing to authority in Friedensburg move
ment is now on foot to establisha monument
fund. The object is to procure a costly
monument and set it up in the graveyard
while Mr. Fritz is still alive
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-01
THE LOTTERIES AT ROME.
After the Powder Explosion the First Thing
Thought of Was Gambling.

Thought of Was Gambling.
New York Trbune.l
One of the most curious things in con-
nection with the terrible powder explosion
which took place at Rome few weeks ago
was to see the people. as soon as they had
recovered from the first shock, rush off to
the lotto Offices-the Government lotteries
to put their money on numbers connected
with the catastrophe. Each word has its
corresponding number. Thus, Sc stands for
explosion, and it was in Sc that there was
the greatest ruin.
The Government lotto is played every
Saturday by all kinds and conditions of peo-
pie, ranging from prelates and statesmen
down to the humblest peasant. Each per-
son who wishes to play chooses three or
four numbers, on which they stake any sum
from few centimes upward. Every Satur-
day at the public lotto offices in every town
in the Kingdom the numbers are drawn for
the week, child taking the numbers out of
an urn in the presence of the public, so that
no cheating may be practiced. The winning
numbers are then placed upon the doors of
the offices. Occasionally large sums are
won, but many thousands of persons are
ruined by this official form of gambling
which brings in enormous profits every year
to the Italian Government
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-01
HORsEWHIPPED BY A WOMAN.
She Was Angry With Her Pastor for Not
Returning Her Affection.

Returning Her Affection.
ORANGE, n. j., GJuly I.-Rey. William
G. Jagon, pastor of st. Johns Methodist
Episcopal Church here, was assailed yester-
day BY Miss Adelaide Brown, member of
his church, who was armed with horse
whip. Mr.. Jason is graduate of Drew
Seminary, and has been in charge of the
church for about year. 1t is claimed that
Miss Brown showed him good deal of at
tention and sent him presents and love
tokens.
He wrote her letter saying that he was
not in love with her, and she then asked to
have her name taken from the church roll.
While Mr.. Jason was in his study yester-
day morning Miss Brown entered the room.
She Immediately drew cowhide and struck
the minister number of stinging blows.
He wrenched the whip from her hand and
put her out of the room, and then went to
the police station and swore out warrant
for her arrest She was found by the officer
in the house of Mr.. Bliss, East Orange,
where she is employed as a domestic. She
refused to give bail, saying that she wanted
to go to Jail She was thereupon committed
to the county Jail The young woman is
thought to be out of her head.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-01

pound. Forty of these had been brought in
by the wagon, the remaining 25 being
carried to the pound by owners desirous of
getting rid of them. The cage descended
into the water three times, the first time
with load of q CANNES, "a the second trip
and II the third All kinds of ours were
represented, Chief Executioner Given was
assisted by Dog Catchers Washington and
Benn1ng, and no mishap marked the
drownings.
The death chamber was improved by the
addition of an electric light. Yesterday the
wagon picked up AZ dogs, among which were
several valuable ones. They will be held
for time.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-01

their planets as DIR. Whewell imagined that
the inhabitants of the planet Jupiter might
do"
Athletic sports must be carried on un-
der peculiar circumstances up there; don
you think so?''
TITANIC BALL PLAYERS.
Yes, 1 should think So Imagine what
sensation ten-mile-tall Arcturian, VINO was
1or instance, the pitcher of a baseball team,
would make if he could drop down upon the
earth. The slight force of gravity on the
earth would make him feel as if he could
Jump over the moon, because ninety-nlne
one hundredths, to speak within reasonable
bounds, of his weight would fall away from
MIN like magic as soon as he placed MS
loot on our little earth. One of his curves
would sweep Father Anson over the
center field fence into the infinite beyond
before he could shout, PLAY ball! There
would be no limit to the feats OF strength
That such fellow would be able to perform
when freed from the thraldom Of the attrac-
tlon of his own planet
:, What sort of atmosphere do you think
the Arcturians breathe?"
"A variation in the atmosphere of these
planets might lead to a wonderful variety
In the workings and forms of animal life
upon them. 1t won't do for us to assume
that our atmosphere of oxygen and hydro
gen is the only one capable of supporting
life. There might be thousand forms OF
vegetation more wonderful, more beautiful
than anything existing on earth. The pc
culiar color Of the light of Acturus and of
some of the other stars is in itself an indi-
cation that there must be great variety In
the forms and conditions of life existing
within their rays.
THE BROADER VIEW.
''That has always been point of dis
agreement between those who have specu-
lated on one side or the other upon the
question of life in other worlds. Some in
sist that there can be no intelligent life ex-
cept in bodies like those of man, but the
broader view and the one that seems to me
far more probable and reasonable is that
there can no more be limit to the forms
and constitution of the bodies in which life
may be contained than there is a limit to
the number and variety of the heayenlyorbs
themselves.
"At the same time it is difficult to con-
ceive any expression of intelligence that
would vary very much from the intellectual
life of man.
''We can readily imagine that the inhab-
1tants of the planets of Arcturus might pos
sess breadth of intellect, a brilliance of
imagination in proportion to their own
stature, SO that their achievements in many
respects might be as far more wonderful
than anything we are able to do, as the sun
is more wonderful body than our own de-
pendent globe"
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-01

lures of .451, leaving balance of S44, ,616
for distribution among an army of about
1900 dcpositors, whose claims stand undis-
puted.
The total amount of money on deposit
when the bank closed was S49S, 900, of which
there still remains S104, 900, the Justice of
which is disputed by the assignee. The
failure Of the Spring Garden Bank, which
was stockholder to the Bank of America
to the extent of 200 shares, will cause q loss
from that quarter on stock liability of S20,-
000 In the meantime several hundred suits
are still in progress against debtors of the
bank, out of which it is hoped considerable
money will be realized.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-01
THAT FRANCo-RUssIAN TREATY.

It Will Be All Arranged and Put in Soak
Ready for the Czar to Sign.
ST. PETERSBURG, July 31.-It is learned
from high authority that, following vari-
GUS ''pourparlers" between Baron Monren-
helm, the Russian Minister at Paris, and
the French Government authorities, Ad-
miral Gervais brought with him to Russia
draft of conditions of treaty of alliance
between France and Russia for consideration
and elaboration.
When the negotiations are concluded the
document will be signed by the Russian
Ministers and left in embryo until it be-
comes opportune for the Gar to sign the
treaty. Admiral Gervais has spent his
mornings in close consultation with M. de
Giers, General Vannofsky Minister of War,
and the Chief of the Admiralty
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-01
CLOSING A SUCCESSFUL SEASON.

Valley Camp in Charming Humor and
the Exercises All Enjoyed.
Valley Camp, was in charming humor
yesterday, and was still congratulating
itself over the children's success of the day
before, when the bell rang for, evening
service. Worldly triumphs were quickly
forgotten, and one and all the residents filed
into the little auditorium, where an ex-
cellent discourse was listened to.
Tomorrow will be dav of interest, and
the season will close on Monday with COM
munion observances.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-01
STRIKERS FINED FOR CONSPIRACY.
The First Case Under the New Illinois Law
Decided at Chicago.


CHICAGO, July 31.-The trial of John
Stakeley and Dennis McCurdy, indicted tor
conspiracy, resulted to-day in verdict of
guilty. Instead of a penitentiary sentence,
which was possible, the men were fined S100
each.
The defendants are railroad conductors
who were instrumental in causing four
days strike in the Chicago and Eastern
Illinois Railroad in November last. They
were not members of any recognized rail-
road order, and it was claimed by the prose-
cution that this action was not authorized
by any organization, but that they con-
spired together to injure the business of the
road. The trial was practically test case,
as it is the first conviction under the con-
spiracy act, in which no personal violence
or willful damage to property was alleged.
Counsel for the defense entered q motion
for new trial
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-01
CAPTURED AN HEIREss.
A New Jersey Hackman Makes a Big Hit in
the Matrimonial Line.

the Matrimonial Line.
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPATcH.1
PLAINFIELD, n. j., July 3L.-Plainfeld
has another social sensation in the marriage
of Hackman Michael Kennedy to Miss
Josie Loring, very pretty young heiress of
Elizabeth, a couple of days ago. The girl is
but II years old Her father, whose name
was Butler, died when she was very young,
leaving her a fortune. which is to be
hers when she is 81 years old. A few
years later her mother married again and
Josie took her stepfather's name of Loring
A few weeks ago she came to Plainfeld
on a visit Kennedy drove her from the
station in his hack. He is very hand
some, stalwart young fellow, and it seems
to have been case of love at first sight
with both of them. A Methodist minister
married them. The girls people are very
angry at the marriage. They cannot touch
her money, however, as that is secured to-
her
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-01
Senses in the snake World.

The sense of sight in snakes is very keen
for motion, but very dull for form and
color. For instance, snakes in the woods
pass within a few inches of their prey with
out seeing it as long as it remains motion
less. The moment it moves they resume
the chase They have the sense of smell,
but it's dull, as are all their senses.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-01
A New Pittsburg Company.

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPATcH.1
HARRISBURG, July 31.-Charters were
issued to-day to the Fitzgerald Plaster Com
panv of Western Pennsylvania, located at
Pittsburg, with capital of s25O,OOO. The
ShenangO Steel Company, New Castle,
$500, 900, and the Thompson Coal Company,
New Castle, capital $4,000
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-01
QUEER DOINGs IN'CANADA.
IA Railroads Testimonial to Sir Hector
Langevin is Princely Sum.


Langevin is a Princely Sum.
OTTAWA, July 31.-Before the Commit
tee on Public Accounts to-day it was de-
veloped that four years ago so-called ''tes-
timonial'' to Sir HectorLangevin amounted
to S22,731. Contractors, politicians and
railroad men contributed, among them be-
ing Sir Joseph Hickson $3.50 and L. A.
SENEGAL 81 900.
Before the Committee on Elections and
Privileges to-day, an examiner asked H. f.
'Perley, the suspended Chief Engineer Of
Public Works, why he rejected bid on
public work which was 100000 less than
Larkin & O'Connelly's thus enabling the
latter firm to get the work. He said the
rejection was owing to an estimate by a
subordinate, and when asked why he had
not personally attended to the matter, he
tainted and the hearing went over.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-01
AWARDED TO CRAMP.
The Philadelphia Firm VIII Build the
Much Talked of Cruiser No. H.

HuCII IdIhVu OI OIuIstT NO. I3.
WASHINGTON, July 31.-Secretary Tracy
has finally decided to award the contract for
building Cruiser No 13 to Cramp & Sons, Of
Philadelphia, although the Bath Iron
Works, of Maine, were the lowest bidders.
In explanation of his action the Secretary
says that the Bath Company cannot build
the engines, but propose to sub-let that part
of the work, and that it would be inconven-
lent to have the hull and engines built at
different places.
Further that the Bath Company admit
they could not complete the vessel within
contract time, and finally that it would be
too great a risk to give the building of one
of the most important ships in the navy-to
new, inexperienced firm.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-01
MORE DELINQUENTs THAN USUAL.
Those Who Owe Personal Taxes Rather
Careless About Paying Them.

Careless About Paying Them.
Though county taxpayers have put in an
appearance in droves during the past week,
yet there will be large amount Of taxes go
into the hands of delinquent collectors,
much larger than usual. The delinquents
are largely those who pay only personal
taxes 1t doesn't appear that the cause is
lack of money so much as carelessness, for
many of the delinquents are those who owe
State tax on money at interest, and of course
they cannot complain of lack of funds, un-
less it be that they have been careless about
collecting their interest.
1t is strange that they would pay the Is
per cent penalty when they can only have
the use Of the money for few weeks at
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-01
A PAY CARS CONTENTS MISSING.
The Exemplary Cashier of RaiIroa
Division at Louisville Absconds.

Division at Louisville Absconds.
LOUISVILLE, July 31.-Sylvester Young,
cashier at this point for the Southwestern
Division of the Chesapeake and Ohio Rail
way, is missing, and is alleged to be.a de-
faulter. Young was to-day preparing the
pay car for its monthly trip over the road.
Shortly after o'clock this afternoon he
disappeared. At. o'clock the railway
officials notified police headquarters that
Young had absconded with sum estimated
at $4,000. The police up to late hour had
regarded as a man of exemplary habits, and
has been prominent in Sunday school and
church affairs.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-01
A Slice of Kentucky Sold.

MIDDLEsBoRo, KY, July 31.-A syndi-
cate of English and American capitalists
has Just purchased 10000 acres of land in
Southeastern Kentucky. The land contains
valuable coking coal, iron and other
minerals. The price paid is s11 per acre.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-01
A NICKEL STEEL CONTRACT
Awarded to Carnegie, Phipps & Co. by tn,
Secretary of the Navy.

Secretary of the Navy.
WASHINGTON, July S1.-In view of the
exhaustive trials made by the Navy Depart
ment with the result of demonstrating the
superiority and greater tensile strength of
nickel steel as a resistant armor for naval
vessels, the Secretary of the Navy has con-
tracted with Carnegie, Phipps & Co. for ten
three-inch protective deck plates, upper
layers
The relative cost of these plates as COM
pared with pure steel will be studied, and
if satisfactory terms can be made this kind
of armor will be adopted in the construction
of the armored cruiser New York and
Cruiser No. II.