davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-13

commercial importance and the quaint old
town that ever since 1850 has been a CONNER
eial town of importance. Several times our
government, DESTROYS of having a naval and
coaling station in the West Indies, has looked
with longing eyes toward the mountain
Ribbed Island Of 81. Thomas The island has
always been healthy and has ever been no
ticeably free from the ravages of yellow fever.
The soil is fertile and the valleys would all
make productive sugar and cocoa plantations
The United States government IN 1868 ap-
pointed a board Of commissioners to visit St.
Thomas and report on its fitness as q naval
station
DISABILITY AS coALIya STATION.
The commissioners, after thorough inspec-
ton Of the island, decided that it was eminently
fit for the required purpose, and the papers for
the transfer of the island from Denmark to the
United States for the sum of S6.000.000
were all but signed when hurricane swept
over the Windward Islands striking 81. Thomas
IN It's course and devastating the island This
unfortunate circumstance so prejudiced the
commissioners that they changed their favora-
bic report to one condemuing the island. Since
that time no hurricane of any note has touched
the island, and Denmark would in all proba-
bilI:y dispose of the island for half the sum she
then demanded OF course the government
would have to go to the expense Of fortlfylnS the
Island and a body of troops would have to be
statlOned there. but II We are 10 DulId navy
ships cannot be made which can steam an in
definite time without replenishiDg their coal
supply. In times of peace the ports Of other
nations may be used as coaling ports, but if We
were at war with any other nation the act Of
coaling n a neutral port would render that
neutral liable to the consequences of aiding
belhgerent, an act that is contrary to the ac-
cepted laws of nations.
The Mole ST. Nicholas. on the coast of Hayti.
has been much spoken OF for West India coal
ing station. but II Ia a barren waste. where mill
hons of dollars would be required to fit it up
suitably as a coaling port
WHAT THE TOWN. LOOKS LIKE.
In a recent article in the New York Herald
on ''St- Thomas as a Coaling Station the
writer asserts that harbor is ''tiGeless BASIN"
but this mistake is made by many others-the
rise of the tide Is very small but by the
peculiar conformation of the rocks at the en-
trance to the harbor a current sweeps around
the harbor, keeping its waters clear and pure.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-13

You Can Have Lots of IL There 10 You Knsv
Now To Make 70 Yourself


From the Boston Herald.
Ii was q very cold night Passengers in the
street cars huddled together in the vain At
tempt to keep warm.
There were about a dozen persons in q Boz
ton-bound Deacon street electric" when thew
were Joined by young man clad IN q worn-ous
spring overcoat with trousers to match. Upon
his head he sported dilapidated derby, which
Was pulled down az close to his ears Is the rim
would allow. Ho took q seat near the patent
electric heater and tried to keep mp his spirits.
The other Passengers. wrapped In big ulstsrs
and cloaks, were filed with pity.
Chilly night, amt it," he said in a SQUEAK
ing voice and General. sociable sort of way.
when he was sufficiently thawed out.
Yes, kind Of frosty" replied the conductor
IheE the passengers were startled BY the fol-
lowing additional opinion on the weather; Say,
do yer know it's cold ernuff terniie TO make 3
fellers hair stand on end?"
The conductor admitted that Il was Q corkinR
night, but be never heard of q mans hair on
end when there wasn't ghost around.
suddenly the young man commenced 10
shiver. His knees ratified together and, TO the
horror and surprise OF the other occupants OF
the car, the derby gradually crowded upward
until II seemed TO be suspe nded above the crown
OF his head. The owner of the hat apparently
reail2ed his Tate, but said nothing. He pulled
the unoanny headgear back 20 its former posi-
tion as # he were struggling fearfuIly TO keep
his hair from rising.
The passengers were mystifed. One lady
remarked that the poor fellow must be suffer-
ing terribly"
just at this moment the car came TO a .,on.
and as the door thrown open a chilly blast
Oh the zero atmosphere rushed in.
again The hat rose from the head Of the form
In the spring overcoat, and il was only with
mucn dlrlcnity and struggling restored TO is
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-13
FOUGHT 1T OUT AT ONCE
Mr. Brinker Expat;ates on Firrnness With
Unruiy Children and Then Fri e. It.

From the Chicago Tribune
She said that she was utterly worn out when
he asked her how she Was feeling; that that
boy WAS enough to drive a saint distracted AID
tina. she didn't know what she could do to make
him obey.
he said that the boy was not quite three
years old and ought to be easily managed. 1t
was his opinion that she had not suificien,
nrmness. that she gave in too easily when the
boy began TO cry. Aad then and there he
undertook to give her lesson in the handling
Of children.
Willie was in his high chair at the table and
Willie wanted something. Willie was informed
that he couid not have it, and WiIlie began to
yell The father Immediately became stern.
stop that. Willie" he said sharply. but
Willie did not stop.
stop that or you'll have 20 leave the
table. he exclaimed Still Willie did not
stop:
Now, presume You would give in" he said
20 mis- wife, out that isn't my way. Wen
hight II right out on this line and the next
ur,s speak ae ii know l mean business"
She said nothing and he got up, took Willie
ous OF his high chair and put him down on the
floor.
When you stop crying" he said. severely.
Il put you back in your chair"
But Willie kept right on; in fact. he We lied
louder than ever.
lille, said his father at last, IF YOU don't
stop that you IL have TO leave the room Isun-
pose you think that's cruel, Jane" he added
but If We tight il out now Wen have no further
trouble. Its the only way
She made no reply and he again got up and
carried the struggling, screaming Willie into
another room.
When you can be quiet, Willie, you may
come back, he said.
II was i've or ten minutes later that he
looked up from his after-dinner coffee and
asked:
DO you suppose the boy will make himself
sick by his crying?"
She shook her head
He stood it for few minutes longer and then
he gave in.
Perhaps. Mra Brinkerw he exclaimed
as he opened the door and brought the bow
back-'perhaps you are heartiess enough
to let your son cry himself into fit. Per-
haps you have no nerves to be unstruup by
such an internal yelling. Hush, Willie. it s
all right now-but am built GU q different
plan, Mrs. BriEEe., sa an entirely different
plan-shut up, you imp!'
But little irmness, James"-
MRS. Brinker.''
IF you fight it out once you know
He put Willie down on her lap, grabbed his
hat ana started out. and as he was closing the
front door he heard her call softly after him:
whenever you have any valuable ideas on
the management Of children, james
Then be slammed the door. II he had waited
he would have found that she had Willie quiet
In nve minutes and asleep in ten"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-13
The Dear Girl's Watch.

From the Philadelphia Press.
1t was dear girl who bought Q watch of Q
jeweler who warranted it for year. What
does that mean?' she asked.
I'VE keep it in order for YOU" was the re-
ply. 'That 10. we regulate 1t. OF course. il
you broke the crystal, or anything like that,
We"
'Oh, Of course"
In week or SO she was back. "My watch does
60 SO queerly," she said.
III you will allow me to look at it, madam"
"Oh, yes, and she began fumbling at her
dress, blush mounting brighter and brighter.
Presently, with an air OF determination, she
buttoned her loose-front sealskin, and, slipping
her hands under 1t. continued operations on q
more extensive scale. In a minute there was
little rustic and sharp click on the floor. She
picked up the watch, quite ~ . matter of
course, and passed it to the clerk, who stood
aghast
ut keeps all sorts Of time" shs said
sweetly.
The t clsr. suppressed his feelings. and only
"A watch needs very careful handling
"Oh, I'm ever 30 careful Of mine. alwayu
carry 1t inside my dress SO It won get scratched
l ought to have brought il In before. II has
been going so badly, butt left IL under nav
pillow the other morning and Mary changed
the bed and it got into the laundry. Il WASN'T
boiled, you know-just soaked little while.
Mary 10 very careful and she found L."
II fear, miss, We shall be obliged 10 charge
you for adjusting this watch. II seems 70 b
In rather bad way"
for whole year, and here I've had e ouly
about week and have hardly used IL ct all y
What are ysu going to do With such pso-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-13
NEW USE OF THE sPECTRoscopE.

1t Can Measure the Movements Of Stars rs
Well - Tell Their Composition.
From the Pail Mall Budget
As an instance o. the extraordinary results
obtainabls by the use Of the spectroscope Sir
Robert Ball describes how astronomers have at
last got equal with the vagaries of Algol-the
Demon Star. The peculiarities of this celestial
demon are that for two days and ten hours the
star remains Of uniform luster, being ranked
about the second magnitude: then decline of
brightness sets in and the star in few hours
parts with three-ffths Of its brightness These
changes are visible to the naked eye and have
been known for cepturiea But nobody knew
how to account for them. At last Vogel has
made the star reveal its mystery:
Applying the improved spectographic pro-
cess to Algol, he determined on one night that
Algol was retreating at a speed of twentv-six
miles second. When he repeated his observa-
tons he found that Algol was again moving
with the same velocity. but this time the move
ment was toward the earth instead of from it.
Now. it is impossible for a star to run along q
straight line Tor . certain distance stop, turn
back, again retrace its movement stop and
again return. Such movement is simply for
hidden BY the laws OF motion. But there in nc
objection to the superstition that Algol 10
moving in path which 10 nearly il not exactly
= S&ASAos Du4AAS VAC Inscription Oh one Beml-
circle Algol is coming toward US, while during
the other semicircle 1t IL going from us. and
thus the observed facts of the movement are
concilisted with the Laws Of motion"
But the results Of the new astronomy in con-
nection with Algol are not exhausted yet Such
movement as has been above proved admits
Of no other Interpretation save that there must
be another mighty body in the immediate
vicinity Of Algol:
I'VE had already seen reasan to believe in the
possibility Of the presence Of such . companion
for the Demon Star, simply from the fact of its
variability. There cannot be any longer Q
doubt that the mystery has been solvd. Algol
must be attended BY q companion star. which,
il not absolutely a. devoid Of intrinsic light as
the earth or the moon, il nevertheless dark.
relatively to Algol Once in each period Of
revolution this obscure body iutrudes between
the earth and Algnl cutting OF . portion Of
the direct light from the star, and thus produc-
ing the well-known effect"
But the new astronomy not only proves the
existence Of this unseen star, IL measures and
weighs il - we'll "Hers 10 an object" says
Sir Robert Ball, (which We have never seen
and apparently never can expect to zee. but yet
We have been able to weigh IL, to measure il
and 10 determine it, movements"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-13

The Science Of Transportation 10 Be Oup
Contribution to Political Economy.

The Science of Transportation 20 BE OuR
Contribution TO Political Economy.
From the London Financial Times.
The science of transportation is going 20 be
the special contribution Of the American people
to political economy. 1t is the mos, interesting
feature In their economic system, aud the
achievements which they have accomplished
through &c will in future ages read almost like
fables IL has been a magician's wand, calling
towns into existence ON the desolate prairie.
raising towns into cities and cities into world
famous hives OF wealth and industry. Il has
conjured up fortunes out OF nothing and null
uplied values ten, twenty. aye, often hundred
fold.
Millions OF well paid, well-fed laborers enjoy
its blessings without ever thinking to what thew
owe them. For every capitalist every large
manufacturer, every prosperous merchant there
Gould have been without 1t, there are now thou
sands. The teeming factories OF New England
and the mammoth ware houses Of Chicago have
sprung from IL as directly the silver mine Of
Colorado or Nevada
The wealth creating power Of North America
is to q very large extent the product Of its
wealth distributing facilities. But for the
capacity OF the railways to carry wheat from
the Missouri river to the Atlantic coast for 4
Few cents per bushel there would have been no
wheat farms west Of Chicago, and many OF the
richest agricultural states in the Union might
still have been in possession Of the buffalo ana
the red Indian.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-13
TRAVELLED ON HIS FACE.
The "Beat's" Boast Was Proved In n ws
That Astouished Him

The "Beat's" Boast Was Proved In o Way
That Astouished Him
From the Chicaxo Herald.
you've forgotten to pay, sir; you owe 60
cents said an attendant in State street hotel
to well-dressed man who was leaving the
billiard room without paying for the games he
had lost. With the fumes Of one too many
glasses dimming his brain, the fellow turned
slowly and exclaimed:
"Pay. what'n pay?"
"Money, boss. That's what We need here. ~
swell, don't have to pay. Seer travel ON
my face"
The man with whom he had been PLAYING WAS
also tipsy, but not 90 much as to forget that
paying is the sequel to playing.
will"
mo, you won't" answered the other. who
was q large and well-built chap. .rm three
times seven, am. Come on" and he caught
his friend by the coat collar and dragged him
along. The attendant ran to the house officer
and told him what had occurred When the
festive billiardist reached the rotunda ne found
that official, accompanied by two stalwart
porters. waiting for him They took him be-
tween them and started for the street door.
which was over hundred feet away. The big
fellow gazed at them stupidity moment a. they
pushed him along and then said:
what are you fellows doing?"
keep quiet, now" answered the officer
I'VE re going TO put you ont doors and IL Won
don't keep your mouth shut you'll be locked
up"
He gathered himself together, and, with .
mighty effort, threw them on, but they we're
instantly on him again.
DO you take me for . thief" he gasped, as
they choked him down.
mo; only dead beat" was the answer
Nov, men, swing him"
The big doors wore opened wide ana held
back and the two broad-shouidersd por,ers got
good hold on his trousers and sent him flying
into the street. He travelled on his taco.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-13
OLD WATER FRONT. ST. rHoN,s

OLD WATER FRONT. ST. THOMAS
the karbadoes and Sc. Lucia far outrank 81.
thomas IN this respect. But oe that as il NAV
the pretty island with its dome-like hills ever
green with tropical foliage, the laud-locked
harbor and the neat little town NAV stiiI he
SPOKEN OF as the prettiest spot in the West
Jndes One may stand on the hill back of the
crumblng ruins of the Pirate Blackbeard's
castle and look out over the harbor as il basks
In the tropic scene and conjure up the way il
must nave looked when the famous English
renegade captains who had taken to piracy
came IN 70 sell their prizes and celebrate on the
rum that St Thomas is famous for.
soNETHISs ABOUT COCOA
AL over the civilized world people drink
cocoa. and yet few, venture to say, know howl
ismsds- On a scrasgly bush that locks like un-
dsrbrush the long besn-like green pods grow
that contain the ''uibs' from which cocoa i
made. These kernels resemble in size and gen
srA appearance the kernel Of an almond.
IAsy ere nrss spread ous In the sun to dry,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-13

One Mans Experience with LIsht,a,x.
From the Dallas Morning News.
A Neus reporter met q man who was struck
by igh thing five years ago and has never quite
recovered.
when was first struck" he said, 81 No.
dead for two or three days Then conscious.
ness returned aud with it a sense Of most seuss
pain. My muscles were all contracted and
whenever / was ct rest for ten minutes ss q
time the torture was positively unbearsbls.
For days and nights I walked the foor ana
when L wanted to sleep got two Of my friends
to walk with me and walked in my sleep. Seven
doctors worked on NE Constantly for veeks
and they did not alleviate the pam In the least
So let them all so and started travelling and
kept up . perpetual motion. One thing I
noticed. For two days before rain or electrical
storm there would be q rigid contraction
Of the nerves and my suferings we're inteu.s-
fed. Many a time I have predicted q storm
when the skies were clear, and people laughed
at me for while, but TO this day have never
missed IT. After the storm passes there il q
relaxation to certain extent After the doc
tors confessed they could do nothing for me I
was in despair for while. Then tried hoe
springs and got more relief than from any
thing else. 1 drink water almost boiling nov,
and 1t comforts me. 1 am getting little more
like myself now, but still suffer horribly nt
tmes- The least exposure brings on an at
tack, and during one OF those spells my vholo
nervous system as for the time being perfectly
shattered"
he was asked his recollection Of the shock.
Il was standing by my house one cloudy
day. Suddenly I saw n fash Of light. winch
looked as II all the heavens were being opened
and the stars running together. I could feel
pain ss il men were sticking needles into Q
thousand different port tons OF my body az
my eyes and heard doctor say: Hes alive,
anyhow, and that's all Its unlike any tain
and far more terrible Go my notloa"
The gentleman still he pa Ls body heayiiy
protected from hes1 to .oo.. wearing .M.ce the
clothes sunic.eat ordinary NOR ...is, aud n
damp weather be pIieS ON stu moie.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-13
He WIS., Not sGush Oesd.

Ir0m The 0o6ton RocoRd.
Chiidren's ideas Of usefulness In this world
are primitive, 10 ssy the least A Boston
editor has Avs-ysar-old boy who has pro-
neunesd views on this subjset He said the
ether day 1t The table:
Papa, wish you we're bake shop manr'
'swhy, my boy?'
':Bscauss then you could bring homo cakes
and thingR an We could 60 in and get cookies
when We vented 10. Or IL you were . meat
man, OF GREGORY man, or . carpenter and
made nice thingh or = blacksmith shop nan
that would b. awful m. eay, papa 6 4 any
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-13

he BURSTING OF
the war bubble has
been a disappointment
to both army and navy.
Especially the lower
grades in either branch
of the service. eager for
promotion, have hoped
for q chance to fight.
From their point of
view q struggle with q
foreign power was big
with brilliant possibili-
ties. Rllouino a dec-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-13

" IRE EASIN ARD
of the large island of
Santo Domingo lies the
little island OF st.
Thomas. one Of the
possessions of I b e
Danes in the West In
dies. II is about four
teen miles long from
east to west and four
miles wide. On the
southern side is the
snug little harbor that
gives the island its
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-13
The Vast Number of Railroad Cars,

From the Brandon Bucksaw.
curious statistician has computed that il
all the locomotives in the United States we're
eonpfef tose ther they would make a train of
soEd iron and steel over 800 miles long Add
the passenger cars and We would have 500 miles
more Of wood and iron. This would give us a
gigantic passenger train GOO miles in length,
counting both engines and cars. should we
want huge mixed" train We might add the
"box," Hat and every other kind of freight
car and our train would then have a total length
Of over 1000 miles! The passenger cars in this
gigantic train would be capable Of seating
l'soo.C COO people and upon the freight cars
could lie loaded the weight Of all the pyramids
OF Egyp. and all the state capital bu,ldines in
the United States besides
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-13

Boarfiing-House butser Not reported.
From the Boston Giooe.
-Four hundred hairs Of average thickness
would cover an inch Of surface. The blonde
belle has about 10000 alaments to combsand
brush, while the red-haired beauty has to be
satisfied with 81, 900; the browp-hsired dam
sci may have 100000; the blaek-hairsd bus
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-13

the glands OF the akin need eliminating end color.
food, and the best remedy and stimulahs q Haiti
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-13
ISLAND OF ST. THOMAS
1t Would Make a Desirable Coaling
Station for the United States.
IFS PRODUCTS AND PEOPLE

stin Held by Denmark-what q Hurricane
Did Years Ago-Cocoa and Its Cultivation
Delightful Climate and Fertile soiI-How
the Island IL Governed.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-13

stones and machines for casting flaming darts,
which wero terrible indeed when the roofs Of
buildings were almost invariably Of thatch. The
slingers OF the Balearic Isles we're the most
skiiifui marksmen with their peculiar weapon
that ever lived, and il 10 related shat they used
to train their children In its use By denying
them food as q penalty for missing the target
The Chinese were formerly accustomed 70
rely largely upon noise in battle. They were
astonished upon encountering British troops
for the first time to find that the latter were
not frightened BY yells and the beating of TOM
toms. favorite weapon of theirs, since dis
used, was the ''stinkpos." o sort Of bomb
shell containing such frightful odors that those
among whom il was thrown might we'll turn
aud run. Yet even the pig tailed orientals
learn, and some day they may in their turn
give Europe lesson. 1t Is not generally real
lied that they had var only . few years ago
in which so, 000, 900 Of men died, and that they
could call into the field tomorrow as many SOL
diers as are numbered in all the armies OF the
world and have enough men left over 10 man
every ship that floats. Furthermore, their
forces are now armed with the best modern
rifles and drilled by skilled French and Ger
man officers.
One interesting fact not widely known is that
the repeating arm was invented rs far back
as the reign Of Queen Elizabeth. In l7l8 .
brecch- loading revolving cannon was produced
by an ingenius Britisher which had chambers
providing for the use Of round bullets for
Christians and square bullets for Turks"
A reproduction of it is to be shown by the
patent ofdce at the worlds fair.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-13

Some Of ne elevator beys n M York
hetsls wsar drsss s1iss.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-13

oorrsspondsnce of The Evening Star
81. THOMAS, February z. 1892.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-13
Dream Song.

Written for The Evening Star.