davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The St. Johns herald., 1893-11-09
THE FUNERAL OF AN ANaELI7o.
In Paraguay the Death of Child Is Con-
 sidered a Matter of Rejoicing.

In Paraguay the Death of a Child Is Con-
 sidered Matter of Rejoicing.
 While wandering about inside the recoleta ore morning two bells inside the old church began to ring out joy ously, as if for wedding, writes Fannie E. Ward to the Chicago Tribune. Looking through the gateway saw procession coming, at a cheerful jog trot, down the sandy lane, which is bordcred with grass and luxuriant shrubs. They were all women and girls, not man among them, so it could not be a wedding-some with babies in thei' arms. others with chil- dren trotting at their sides, the little boys wearing ponchos, the women and girls dressed after the Paraguayan fashion of skirt and camisole, every one barefocted and with black shawl or square of white cotton draped over the head They advanced with laugh ter and gayety, almost on gentle run; and the young woman who led the cortege carried on her head little coffin enveloped with linen embroidery, edged with nanduti lace, and strewn with fresh red roses. It was an angelito, little angel" and there fore no cause for sadness, for through out all Spanish America the death of child is considered rather a matter for rejoicing. So, while the bells clattered more merrily than ever, the joyous group passed the turnstile, traversed the cloisture of the church and halted beside @ shallow hole
 Looking into it we saw that it's sides were Q sandwich of different layers and strata of bones and broken coffins, smoothly cut by the spade, and that the heap of fresh earth beside it con- tained skull or two lone with long black hair clinging to it), some old joints and marrow bones, baby's shoe, bits of coffin, shreds of clay-soiled grave clothes, and other recuerdos of the for gotten dead. A grave digger, wearing a long, brown-striped poncho, placed the ro5e-Strewn box containing the angel into the hole and proceeded to shovel the dirt and bones in upon it, incidentally pushing in the hairy skull with his bare foot; now and then get ting in to stamp down the loose earth and make all snug and secure. Then the group left the cemetery, still gay and happy, the mother without tear in her eyes, but chattering with the rest-not because she was lacking in natural affection, but because she be- ieved with unshaken trust that her baby was not there in the damp earth but safe in Mary's arms, where she would one day find it. She carried with her black wooden cross, with the embroidered linen that had draped the coffin wound about it.
The St. Johns herald., 1893-11-09
POLAR BEARS KEEP COOL.
Tropical Animals in Captivity Suffer
 Most During the Heated Term.

Tropical Animals in Captivity Suffer
 Most During the Heated Term.
 'Tt will surprise most people, said Superintendent A. E. Brown, of the Philadelphia geological garden, to Record man, ito learn that the polar bear stands the hot weather of the dog days in this locality better than the African lion. On hot days the lion will get off his feed; the bear will not The tropical animals in the garden" continued the superintendent, ''are the ones mostly affected by the extreme heat of midsummer, strange as it may appear. I suppose the reason of it is that the heat there is more moist than that of the tropics, and, as it were, of a different character. Whatever nor tality occurs among our animals dur ing heated term is mostly among the tropical animals, especially the A frican. In hot weather 1 have watched the polar bear go into his tank, and then, instead of lying in the shade, extend himself in the direct rays of the sun, where the water on his skin would evaporate. He found out for himself, l suppose, that evaporation causes a lower temperature. Again, it is some what astonishing, at first, that our polar bear should suffer sometimes as he does from the severe cold of winter. have seen him shivering on one of those bitterly cold days, when the sky was overladen and the air full of mois- ture. The moisture was evidently what affected him. In the arctic regions it is so cold that the moisture is frozen out of the air. Birds do not like the heat. It makes them perch with dropped wings. Heat affects not only the animals in the garden, but the finances of the garden itself. A differ ence of ten degrees in the thermome- ter, say if it is ninety-five instead of eighty-five, means loss of several hun dred dollars in our gate receipts for the day"
The St. Johns herald., 1893-11-09
A VaIua bIe Lantern.

A will written with a pencil on a shingle was once admitted to probate in the United States The author of Gossip of the Century" tells story still more curious. Two British soldiers, comrades, while talking over the chances of war on the eve of a battle, agreed that whichever of them survived the other should inherit all his possessions. To insure the carry ing out of their agreement, they made their wills. As paper and pens were not at hand, they scratched their Hast will and testament on a horn lantern with a rusty nail. The battle was fought, and one of the comrades was killed. The other man, in course of time, returned to England, carrying with him the singular document. He took it to Doctors Commons. where it was proved and allowed. Then it ap- peared that the poor fellow who had died in battle had, without hearing of it, inherited property yielding two hundred pounds year, and the legatee under the horn-lantern will received the inheritance.
The St. Johns herald., 1893-11-09
Effects of Cave Air.

The remarkable physiological effects of cave air are well known. A traveller who visited the Mammoth cave in Ken lucky says that on emerging the sense of smell was intensified to such an ex- traordinary degree that most common objects such as trees, plants, animals and even people had strong individual odors, mostly unpleasant. One tree could be easily distinguished from an- other by its characteristic odor. The effect lasted about half an hour and then passed off. The guides say that this is a usual experience. Other writers have noticed a similar effect from the sudden change from the pc culiar oXygenated air of the cave to that of the outside world. The sense of smell is greatly intensified in almost every case. This intensifcation of ol factory perceptions is explained by the rarity of olfactory stimuli in the cave. On emergence, in accordance with physiological law, the perceptive pow CTS for these particular stimuli, having rested, are intensified, so that odors too delicate to make an impression un- der ordinary circumstances are power fully felt.
The St. Johns herald., 1893-11-09
THE STREET GAR CODE.
A Practical Solution for a Much Vexed
 Question in Etiquette.

A Practical Solution for a Much vexed
 Question in Ettiquette.
 The question of street car politeness or gallantry may be regarded as settled in Paris if the decision of one of the leading papers, the Figaro, may be had a great deal of discussion upon this same subject in this country, the views of the French journal and some of it's fair correspondents may be inter esting to New Workers. A correspond ent asked the Figaro if a gentleman seated in an omnibus or a tramway, with all the seats occupied, should give up his place to lady the moment she appeared at the door. The Parisian journal says that in public convey ance each one should occupy the place for which he has paid. This, it says, is the opinion of the majority of our readers, and particularly the society ladies who never wear diamonds in an omnibus They don't admit that ladies should accept the politeness, or rather the service, of gentlemen whom they
 
 opinion: ''When a lady is contented with the cheap means of locomOtiOn provided by the omnibus companies she accepts all the conditions. In all cities where there are omnibuses, tramways and other public vehicles woman can see immediately whether there Is room inside or not. If, on seeing that there is no vacant place, she nevertheless enters the car she takes a position which she ought to sustain. To permit a man to disturb himself for her when she might wait for another car if it was impossible for her to remain standing, would be an evidence on her part of a want of good breeding. It is very easy for her to thank the gentleman nega- lively and politely in a few short not be prolonged. Nothing can be more annoying for seated travellers than this mutual exchange of so-called courtesies, and congratulations which goes on at their knees and threatens their feet, perhaps more or less af- fiicted with corns. Remain seated, gentlemen, remain seated; the ladies cannot complain of that, without giv- ing satisfaction to those men who re- proach them for their want of logic. Since they insist upon equality before the law, with all the rights and priv ileges of men, they should put up with all that men have to endure. A woman in an omnibus should remain standing when there is no vacant seat, just as a man does under the same circum- stances" Another correspondent says: Remain seated, gentlemen; you can do it without breach of politeness. When fine ladies with their diamonds take the omnibus or the tramway, do not disturb yourselves for them, for if you do you will only be dupe; but if you see poor woman carrying a child or a bundle then give her your place immediately. That is not politeness; it is simply duty, possibly charity"
The St. Johns herald., 1893-11-09
Hard to Satisfy.

A man who had undertaken to climb a certain steep cliff on the Shetland islands to gather wild fowls eggs was neither very experienced nor very brave, although he boaSted of being both. He pushed upward, however, brisllly, without looking behind, till he had got up about hundred and fifty feet, when he stopped to breathe. The pause was fatal to his self-possession, and he called out in tones of terror: Men! mem am going-I am going!" His comrades, having been thus warned. moved the boat out of the way, so that the poor fellow came sheer down into the deep water. Mighty was the plunge, but at length he rose to the surface, when he was instantly caught hold of and dragged into the boat. After many gasps and much splutteriug of sea wS ter from his mouth, his only remark was: ''Eh, men! this is Q sad story-I have lost my snuff hoxf''
The St. Johns herald., 1893-11-09
Intelligence of Birds.

It is certain that all creatures on the desert show remarkable intelligence, and how they acquire their informa- tion is decidedly a puzzle. Suppose, for example, alfalfa seed is sown. The place may not have bird about the day before the seed is put in, but next day cloud of them will descend upon the spot and faithfully eat every seed. They do their work thoroughly and with praiseworthy industry Poisoned wheat will cheek the entire removal of the seed. but the sparrow is never de- tered by death. though there are some who affirm few dead sparrows will have christening influence upon the rest
The St. Johns herald., 1893-11-09
IN BONANZA DAYS.
When Pacific Slope Mine Superintendents
 Got Big Pay.

SOG
 Times have changed on the western slope of the Rocky mountains since the day when Philip Didesheimer, then superintendent of the Ophir mine, bought sealskin overcoat and paid 5000 for it. Financial darkness has settled on the region where at one time men holding positions similar to the one named drew all the way from $1, 900 to S2,O00 salary per month. Then nobody was more prosperous than the men who dug gold and silver from the ground in Nevada, but now the sum- init of Mount Davidson is occupied by the lean spirit of economy. Salaries must be slashed and all other expenses reduced, says the San Francisco Call. When Mir. Didesheimer was bOssing operations at Virginia City he was paid from S1, 800 to S2,000 month for his services, and he, like the other super intendents, could afford to spend lav- ishly One of the first superintendents, Mir. Palmer, who had charge of Ophir, had an annual salary of S25,000 for several years, and none of them received less than $1, 1000 a month. The other day the salary of Superintendent Heating, of the Savage mine, who is one of the oldest and most experienced mining men on the coast, was cut down from S400 to $200 month, and the other superin- tendents will naturally have to come to the same terms. William H. Patton, who was superintendent of Consoli- dated Virginia and few other mines, received altogether from $1 ,250 to $1,- 800 a month for years. Charles Strong, of the Gould 6 Curry; Hank Smith, of the Belcher; MT. Osbiston, who YVES employed by the Gould & Curry, and other men long enjooed a salary of $12,0 1000 year. When the big Gould & Curry mill was built the company gave MT. Strong a present of $10,000 as an extra mark of appreciation for his services as superintendent.
 That mill was another example of the free manner in which cash was dis bursed when the glory of the mines was at it's height. Over eighty mills were running around Virginia City at that time-the year 1S63-and when they first began the charge they made was $50 a ton. There was a sudden drop to S15 ton before long, and then gradually the price came down $1 ton at a time un til the present rate of SC a ton (S7 a ton in some mills) was reached. Even this rate is deemed too high now on account of the depressed condition of the mines, and the mine managers say that it must be reduced.
The St. Johns herald., 1893-11-09
wARDINe OFF sEAsIcKNzss.
Keep Moving and Don't Eat Much the
 First Day After Sailing.


 There are countless remedies sug- gested to the seasick traveller by means of which hope of speedy recov- cry is held out, and to the intending traveller by sea it is safe to say that there are given any number of sup posed-to-be sure preventives of this troublesome but never dangerous ill., ness. The Philadelphia Times does not believe that there is any known herb, drug or line of action that will prevent seasickness if once you start in on that disagreeable path, but there are many things that help to ward off an attack which will indeed prove of value to those who dread so much the crossing Of the great Atlantic or Pa cific ferries. It is advisable before one starts on such voyage to be par kicularly careful as to his diet. On the first day out keep as much upon the feet as possible and do not be tempted to eat too heavily of the nu- merous palatable dishes that will be set before you. Walking up and down the deck continuously is advised by many by arguing that one more quick ly becomes used to the motion of the vessel in this exercise, and the fatigue which it induces brings the much needed sleep. But it is useless to wear one's self out hoping to slave off the feeling of nausea if it once attacks you. Lemons are most grateful to persons in this stage, and there is no better settler of an unruly stomach than iced champagne. If you do not feel inclined to eat do not force your eelf to go to the table, for it is ten chances to one that the very sight of food will make you retire ignominious- ly from the festive board. A we'll known medical man declares that if teen grains of sulphate of quinine taken from two to four hours before sailing will prevent all feeling of sea- sickness, even to most sensitive sub ject. Whether this applies in all cases we have no way of ascertaining, but it is simple enough to be followed out, and if it proves helpful is worth all of the confidence such an authority places in if
The St. Johns herald., 1893-11-09
Religions Imnostors.

Not fewer than four false Christs are mentioned as having appeared between the years 1914 and 1883, among them Sabbathia Zebi, the greatest of all the many Jewish pretenders. Zcbi made a great noise in the religious world, imposing himself upon the Jews as liking of the kings of the earth" He finally tried his hand at converting the orient and was only saved from being pierced by poisonous arrows by em- bracing Is!amism and agreeing to la bor for that faith. Of the other three one was Mordecai, German Jew; the names of the others are not given in history. -
The St. Johns herald., 1893-11-09
HONEY FROM FRUITS.
Berries, Peaches and Grapes Injured by
 the Ravages of Bees.


 Nectar in flowers IS not honey, says a writer in Meehan's Monthly. This nectar is gathered by the tongue of the bee and enters what is called the honey bag, from which it is regurgi- tated by the bee on it's return to the hive and deposited in the honey cell. Even then it is thin and watery, and does not become really honey until the watery parts have evaporated. In col lecting the sweets the bees do not con- fine themselves wholly to the flowers.
 The writer of this paragraph has for a next neighbor a professional bee keeper, whose bees depend almost wholly on the flowers from the writer's garden-that is to say, there are few other flowers, except wild ones, on which the bees can collect their ma terial. Unfortunately for him they are not satisfied with the flower, but also carry away the fruit. It is al- most impossible in raspberry time to get enough from his garden to make respectable dish for the tea table; near ly every berry is sucked to pieces be- fore it is absolutely ripe. It is the same with the grapes. In order to se cure them from the ravages of the bees they have to be protected by paper bags. Last season, and for the first time, they have been found to carry awaT peaches also.
 How they first penetrate the skin is not clear, but it may possibly have been from the puncture of the curculio. The curculio frequently cuts the skin with out depositing the egg, and this single break may be borne along without in- jury to the peach, permitting it to ripen. It is possible that they get a first entrance here. At any rate, cer- tain it is that before the peach is fairly ripe little is left of the peach but the stone. Other fruit growers likewise complain of the ravages of the bees. Bee keepers contend that this cannot be; that the bee is incapable of per forating the fruit. This may or may not be; certainly what perforations might exist before the bees discovered them would not injure the fruit. The following up of this by the bees is just as bad as if they made the original perforations for themselves.
The St. Johns herald., 1893-11-09
THE INNS OF ITALY.
Conditions Which You'd Not Be Agreea-
 bIe to All Travellers.


 bIe to All Travellers.
 Italian life is, even in small villages, all out-of-doors. The kitchen of an Italian inn, no matter of what degree, has always a warm hearth, and it's larder is more plentifully stored than a public house in England of the same description. The only fau!ts-some one may think it is a long and a rather complete list-are noise, dirt and uni versal disorder and confusion.
 They never know what rooms they have; they bawl out to each other, the landlord to the landlady, and the latter to the waiter: ''Try number fifty-seven or fcrty-six!'' till at last they find you a bedchamber.
 In the morning there is knocking at your next door neighbours, or by mis- take at your own door, to ask whether it be not you who are to be off by the carly coach at six; or maybe it is the waiter, oliiciously waking you up to inform you that it is only four, and you have still two hours for your slum- ber."
 You always seem to catch them at the wrong moment, always find them unprepared, as if theirs were anything but an open house, and a traveller the most unloolled-for thing in the world. Their cordial greeting and friendly hustle help you to overlook the discom- fort that every traveller is sure to ex- perience, and the abundance of the ta- ble is on the plane with the innkeep- er's appetite-he is ever ready ito eat and let eat"
The St. Johns herald., 1893-11-09
A Wonderful Watch.

A mechanical marvel lately exhibited in St. Petersburg is a musical watch which was made by Russian peasant in the reign of Catharine. It is about the size of hens egg, and contains a representation of the tomb of Christ, with the Roman sentinels. On press ing Q spring the stone rolls away from the tomb, the sentinels fall down, the angels appear and the holy women en- ter the sepulcher, and the same chant which is sung in the Greek church on Easter eve is actually performed.
The St. Johns herald., 1893-11-09
Confined Sound.

The intensity of confined sound is finely illustrated at Causbrook castle, Isle of Wight, where there is a well two hundred feet deep anI twelve feet in diameter, walled and lined with smooth masonry. Although this is an unusual depth for we'll even in the British isles, yet when a pin is dropped into it the sound of striking the surface of the water one hundred and eighty two feet below can be distinctly heard. In a cast-iron water pipe of Paris, which forms a continuous tube with only two slight crooks, and those near it's middle, the lowest whisper at one end may be distinctly heard at the other. although the pipe is three thou sand one hundred and twenty feet in length. When some experiments in this line were being conducted a pistol fired at one end of the tube actually blew out lighted candle held at the other end and violently ejected the shavings, feathers, paper, etc, which had been placed in the end of the pipe by the experimenters.
The St. Johns herald., 1893-11-09
Described the Charges.

npeaEing of railway rates, some one tells this story: In an advertisement by railway company of some un- called-for goods, the letter l was dropped from the word lawful The notice read: People to whom these packages are directed, are requested to come forward and pay the awful charges ol the same"
The St. Johns herald., 1893-11-09
AN ODD BEGGAR.
He Was a Dog, and Remarkably Intel-
 Hgent One, Too.

He Was Dog, and Remarkably Intel-
 Hgent One, Too.
 One afternoon, while strolling along the Calle Ancha, in Cadiz, I met sever al acquaintances at the corner of that street and the Plaza Constitution, says writer in Harper's Young People. We stopped for a friendly chat, and were about to separate when my at tention was attracted to a handsome French poodle dog at my side, seated on his launches and looking up in my face. His comical little countenance expressed so much intelligence that I stopped and patted him on the head, when he commenced barking and vio- 1ently working his forelegs after the manner of dogs who have been taught ''tO beg"
 ''What can he wish?" said I. "Surely not my cigar?"
 But having seen dogs who were fond of tobacco held my cigar toward him. As soon as he smelled it he s2orted and bounded away. only to return inhmedi- ately and resume his previous position.
 I was now puzzled, but seeing sever al DeSSdrS III Llc ucls5 uUOIHOOo COA- cluded that he belonged to one of them and desired piece of money. Taking a large copper" from my pocket I held it before his eyes. So great were his manifestations of delight that I was certain that I had divined his wants. I threw the money to him, which he caught in his mouth, and run ming across the street disappeared in bakery.
 To our astonishment he emerged from the shop in few moments, bear ing in his mouth a neatly wrapped bundle. One of my friends tried to take it from him, but he would not al- low this, and insisted on placing it at my feet. picked it up, removed the wrapper, and found large bun dusted with sugar. This he ate with great relish. We remained for awhile to see if he would besiege another passer-by; but no, he had had enough for the pres ent, and, coiling himself up in the door way, settled down for a quiet nap. This exhibition of intelligence I think worthy of note, and particularly so for the reason that the dog was apparent ly acting independently, there being no one near to prompt or direct him.