davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The free press., 1895-09-26
Farmers and Bird Pests.

In recent agricultural department
report farmers are cautioned to re-
frain from waging general war OF
determination of crows and blackbirds.
While at times they injure crops their
depredations, according to the depart
ment, can usually be prevented. On
the other hand they do incalculable
good by destroying insects. The grain
eaten by them under ordinary circum-
stances does not cause serious loss, as
much of it consists of scattered or
waste kernels. Their occasional de-
scent or corn or wheat fields in fiocks
of hundreds of thousands indicates
that the species is too abundant and
should be reduced. Practicable means
should be taken by farmers to protect
themselves and extreme penalty in
ficted, if the crops and the birds
lives cannot both be saved.
Another report deprecates the gen
eral condemnation of raptorial birds
for the offenses of q few. 1t lamented
the lack of knowledge of the life his
torios of these birds on the part of
legislative committees that draft the
game laws of the various states. That
the beneficial species of hawks and
owls will eventually be protected, it
claims, there is not the slightest
doubt. When farmers are convinced
that the birds are their friends they
will demand protection for than, and
already leading agricultural and
sportsmen's journals are deprecating
the indiscriminat slaughter. New
Orleans Picayune.
The free press., 1895-09-26
Two Boys Kill a Lion.

Two boys of dozen summers, Geo.
Ward and Oscar CHILE by name, sue
ceeded in killing California lion near
Amador one day last week. The boys
shot the animal with buckshot, and
after an exciting chase of half mile,
with the aid of a dog, they succeeded
in killing it. The lion measured eight
feet from tip to tip.-San Francisco
Chronicle.
The free press., 1895-09-26
The Sweet Watermelon.

The sweet W0termelOns
"How dear 10 my heart are the days Of my
childhood
How memory loves on their beauty to
dwell!
The journey from school through the field
and the wildwood
To the sweet watermelon that cooled In the
well!
The sweet watermelon
The striped watermelon
The big Georgia melon that cooled in the
well!
In fancy still hear the dinner bell ringing.
CTwas ever a welcome and musical BELLY
would 60 singing
To the sweet watermelon that cooled In
the well!
The sweet watermelon
The fat watermelon
The big Georgia melon that cooled In the
well!
Now age has taught mortals to store it and
ice 1t,
And sometimes, beholding, seem to rebel.
When think of the tree where we'd take 1t
and slice
The sweet watermelon tha. ooe,ed In the
well
The sweet watermelon
The fat watermelon
The big Georgia melon that cooled in the
well
Atlanta Constitution.
The free press., 1895-09-26
War an Expensive Luxury.

An idea of the tremendous cost of
munitions of war can be gathered
from the fact that the old armament
of Fort Wadsworth, consisting of
seventy guns, cost less than $1,000,
900. while only two of the modern
monsters of war, the twelve-inch guns
for example, can be obtained fo1S an
outlay of 5000, 900, while only sixteen
mortars can be erected for an outlay
of $3.50, 900.
The original estimates for the de-
The free press., 1895-09-26
THE AERONAUT'S STORY.

Is Jack Tunniclife going with you
tomorrow. Tom?" said my wife to
me. 81 wish you would take somo
one else.
"Why, Norah?" asked.
"He's been stranger than ever in
his manner since his wife died, I hear.
In fact, I've been told by more than
one person that he's quite insane at
times. It's not to be wondered at if
he is, poor fellow. Idon't know sad
der case. He'd only been married
week. Such horrible death, tool
It's enough to turn mans brain, and
! must confess, Tom, wish Jack was
not going with YOU"
"Nonsense, Norah! People al
ways exaggerate and make the worst
of things, as you know. If mans
at all original or eccentric, it's at once
assumed that he's non compos. OF
course, Jack low-spirlted and absent
minded, and perhaps bit peculiar at
times. How can he help brooding
over his terrible loss? He wants some
exciting occupation to take off his
thoughts from his trouble. He's as
fond of ballooning as am, and trip
will do him all the good IN the world.
The above conversation between my
wife and myself took place on the
evening before the day which had
fixed for balloon ascent Balloon
ing was my hobby. I had conceived
liking for it on my very first ascent.
This liking had become "craze,
for the novel experience and strange
sensation of sailing over houses and
trees, and of soaring into the clouds
had peculiar fascination for me.
Recently, I had trid to combine
utility with pleasure, and had mado
some ascents solely for scientific pur-
poses. l had found kindred spirit
in young Tunnicliffe, and we had had
many delightful and successful trips
together. Owing to the untimely
death of my friends wife, our aerial
expeditions had been suspended for
while. As several weeks had elapsed
since that sad event, felt anxious to
resume this expeditions, and as Tun-
nicliffe had expressed his willingness
to accompany me, day had been
fixed for our next trip. 1t was when
l was talking to my wife about this
self-samo trip that she expressed her
regret that Jack Tunnicliffe was going
with me.
l had not much difficulty, however,
in overcoming her objections and al
laying her fears. She was not ayerse
to my hobby, and had even accom-
panied me in one or two of my jour
neys in the air. Moreover, she SYM
pathized with me in my desire ito
make some useful discovery" and was
therefore unwilling to damp my ardor,
or hinder the progress of my observa-
tions. She had felt the exhilarating
effect of balloon ascent, and my ref
erence to tho benefit young Tunnl-
cliffe would probably derive from the
projected trip appealed to her eX-
perience as we'll as to her tender
heart. ---
Accordingly, next day the ap-
pointed time. everything being in
readiness, we started on our aerostatlc
journey. Tunnicliffe, contrary to his
usual demeanor, seemed little ex-
cited, but this caused me no appre-
tensions. His interest had apparent
ly been awakened, and it was only
natural that he should be animated
on such an occasion. The balloon
was set at liberty as soon as we had
taken our seats, and the machine rose
beautifully. There was gentle
{ breeze, which bore us slightly south
ward. We rose slowly at first, and SO
The free press., 1895-09-26

ing my wraps. The mental strain
was terrible. L was almost frantic.
Knowing, however, that in few min
utes I should be unconscious, and that
then all would be over with me, l
nerved myself for one last effort.
AS I rose from my seat my eye fell
on the grapnel. Fortunately it was
on my side of the car. A sudden idea
struck me, here was weapon to hand.
1t was an awful thought-it would be
terrible decd. But thero was now no
alternative, no time for delay. My
senses were going. / stretched out
my hand, but the madman, who never
took his eye off me, had detected my
purpose. With sudden movement
he darted forward and seized the
grapnel, but in his eagerness to fore
stall me he had precipitated himself
too far over the side of the car and al
desperate effort to recover himself,
but, seized with q sudden and irresist-
ible impulse, 1 pushed him over, and
with horrible yell, which rings in
my ears whenever I recall the occur
renee, the mad1han disappeared from
my sight.
Almost mad myself am not sure
that was not quite SO just then-I
climbed into the ring to reach the
valve line. But my hands were so
stiff and numb with the cold that
could not grasp the cord. BY kind
of inspiration which seemed provi-
Dental I seized the cord with my
teeth, and after two or three tugs the
valve opened with loud clang, and
the balloon began to descend. Thank
heaven! was saved. Ny hands be-
ing useless, l was obliged to throw up
my arms and drop into the car, where
1 lay motionless and unconscious for
while.
My swoon could not have lasted more
than few seconds, for when l recov-
cred the barometer showed that 1 was
still in a high altitude, although the
balloon was descending rapidly. l
rubbed and beat my hands until the
circulation was restored. Then l set
about taking the necessary precautions
against too rapid descent. But 1
acted more like an automaton than a
conscious agent, for l seemed in q
kind of stupor or trance all the time.
How and where 1 reached the solid
earth 1 cannot say. 1 have only a
dim, hazy recollection of being sur
rounded by a crowd of people. Some
were bending over me and seemed to
be questioning me, but l couldn't
make out what they said. felt an
awful pain in my head, and remember
nothing more until found myself in
bed in dark room and my wife bend
ing over me. This was several days
afterward, and l learned then that I
had been brought homo in delirious
state and had had brain fever.
When l recovered my friends con-
graduated me, and tried to persuade
me that rs my homicidal act was done
in self-defence it was justifiable. ]
hope it was, but can never recall it
without misgiving and horror, and l
have never made balloon ascent
since. -Tit-Bits.
The free press., 1895-09-26
Rain.DrOps on the Roof,

Hark ! i hear patter,
Falling soft and sweet,
Like the dancing footsteps
OF some fairy's feet.
'Tis the sound of raindrops,
Raindrops on the roof.
Fairy little raindrops,
Raindrops on the roof.
oh they sing of blessing,
From the Fathers hand,
AS they fall 50 gently
On the thirsty land.
Listen to the raindrops,
Raindrops on the roof.
Happy, smiling raindrops,
Raindrops on the roof
Falling, gently falling,
Whispering soft and low,
OF His love and goodness,
Telling as they go.
Hear the patti ring raindrops,
Raindrops on the roof.
Softly whispering raindrops,
Raindrops on tho roof.
LOFTY c. MosEY.
The free press., 1895-09-26
He Was Right.

Mr.. Absentmind-I am delighted to
see you. And how is your wife COM
ing on?
Friend-But, my friend, have no
wife.
Mr.. Absentmind-Youd don't tell me
sol Then she is still unmarried.
The free press., 1895-09-26
HUMOROUS.
Atlanta Constitution.

II is the wife of a bridge builder
who should be named Bridget.
Why does the new moon remind
one of a giddy girl? Because she is
too young to show much reflection.
The man who stole glance has not
yet been arrested, although his atten-
ton was arrested when he stole the
glance.
Judge-Were you ever up before
this court? Everett Wrest-Can't
say, judge. What time do your honor
git up?
His teeth are loose and his nose is a sight,
And his head d!-they've in bandages bound
1t;
He went out to look for trouble last night,
And he found it.
Belle-Mr. Jolyer is such nice man.
He said l had voice like bird.
Neil-Yes, he told me you sang like
an owl.
"Go to the ant, thou sluggard,"
don't seem oabe needed in any way
by the sluggard, who generally goes
to his uncle.
There is no reason why an elderly
woman shouldn't be we'll preserved.
The young ones have so much sugar
in their composition, you know.
Experience in tho worlds ways shows
That, as a general rule
The politician who has the push,
Is the one who has the pull.
Jo says that the best lip salve in
creation is kiss. The remedy should
be used with great care, as it may
bring on an affection of the heart.
Clara-"He has proposed three or
four times, and 1 don't know whether
to accept him or not" Maud-"I
would. Suppose he should stop?"
"Oh, give me anything made OF
beans!" exclaimed the Boston man
taken sick in the West, when asked
what he would have to eat. They
gave him castor oil.
It's the summer fly that bustles,
Till within the spiders gates.
And the spider never hustles,
But he gets there while he waits.
Old lady Ito motorman on trolley
car)-Ain't you afraid of the elec-
tricity, Mr.. Motorman? Motorman.-
No, ma'am, l mint got no call to be
afraid. l amt conductor.
Blobbs-" "How is it you are never
troubled with tramps? You don't
keep dog, do you?" Slobbs-"No;
but my wife bakes her own cake, and
they have tumbled to it,"
She "Do you know, Harry, father
has forbidden You the house?" He
"ForbiIden me the house! l never
asked him for his house. His daugh-
ter is good enough for me-"
He lifted his hat with Chesteraeld's grace,
While his cheeks with bushes were deeply
| dyed;
A girl to the right looked fighting mad,
A girl to the left looked pleased and glad
The fellow, you see, was cross-eyed
Figg-Wonder why it is that these
professional pugilists are such con.
founded takers? Fogg-Perhaps i,
is because of determination on their
part never to be struck speechless.
She, neutrality-suspicious. we were
married you used to bring me candy
every time you came. lie, briskly--
Yes, my dear, and it cost good dea
less than the meat and potatoes
bring you now.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-07-04
Napoleon md Ceremonies.

The ceremonial that the revolution
swept away the first Emperor Napoleon
was careful to rcvive in II less extreme
form, and it is characteristic of the man
that no made special study of it and
went so far as To prescribe the special
forms to be observed on great occasions.
Before his coronation, NJ. Isabey, the mini
aturc painter, gave seven rchcarsals with
wooden dolls appropriately dressed of the
seven ceremonies that were TO he enacted.
And, one ceremony being especially intri-
cate the functionaries rchcarscd it in per
son in the gallery of Diana at the Tuil-
cries, plan having been carefully traced
with chalk on the floor.
This was the sort of thing in which Ma
polcon especially rcjoiccd, and he himself
arranged beforehand all the details of the
entry of Maria Louisa into Franco and of
his subsequent marriage with her. Among
other particulars, on reaching what was
then French territory the archduchcss was
conducted into the eastward room of Il
three roomcd house near Braunau The
French commissioner entered the west
ward, while the third room in the middle
was occupied by the rest of the party And
M. de Baussct, who gives an account of
tho proceedings, having bored holes with q
gimlct in the door of the middle room, had
n splendid view OF tho unconscious prin-
cess. BUT, he quantity adds, it WAS the In
dies who took most advantage of his fore
hought.-Lonuon Standard
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-07-04
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.

When the wheeling swallows ut dusk fly low.
And the last rcd light on the vineyard row
Fades from the west where the sun Is set
Then. rs the children in Sicily know,
IT'S the time of the coming of Mark with the
net.
For the black fringcd cyelitls begin to droop
And the drowsy heads inclined to stoop
To grandmothcr's lap or papa's knee
AS tho children are caught i'll magic loop
or the net of Mark, like the fish of tho sea-
This net is of twinc that is soft as wool.
a cradle delicious and wonderful:
OF all the children there's none who fears.
as soon AS Mark has the net quito full
Away for the island of Sleep he steers
Over dim waters dreaming they float.
The little ones lulled by the rocking boat
Where the rim of the world and sky arc met,
While the sea birds call, with u laughing note,
"Thcrc goes tho fisherman. Mark, with the
nett"
Then, by tho mist bcgrt island shore,
The boat Is anchored, until once more.
The roses of morning begin to bloom
and tho space of tho sea is golden floor
Then Mark with the net brings the children
home.
.Marcu. according to Sicilian popular legend.
comes every evening like the American sand
many to put the children to sleep.
Portland Transcript.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-07-04
Boston Working Girls, Club.

Nearly l,G00 working girls in and
around Boston are banded together in
club life, and once year they have
reunion. On last May day evening many
of them gathered in Parker Memorial
Miss 0. NJ. f. Rove presided in the alb
sence of the president Miss Edith Howes
Most satisfactory reports We're presented
OF the years work, and stirring words
wero spoken by Dr. George A. Gordon.
who called the working girl, as Emer-
son did Carlyle, "a trip hammer with
an -AGolian attachment. His address
was eloquent and encouraging. The girls
sang, friends furnished instrumental
music, and there were coffee and cakes
in the parlors.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-07-04

Mrs Louise Parsons Hopkins has just
died at her home in Newburyport, Mass.
Mrs. Hopkins was we'll known as
teacher and lecturer. In 1887 she was
elected supervisor of schools in Boston,
and held that position until March,
1894. when failing health compelled her
to resign. She was born in Newburyport
and during her early life taught in vari-
Gus schools of that city. Afterward she
was professor of English literature in
Swain Free academy, New Bedford
Mrs. Hopkins was the author of several
valuable educational works, indorsed by
President Mark Hopkins of Williams
college, and Rev. A. p. Peabody, D. D.
of Harvard. Her sound Judgment, exec
utive ability and personal devotion to
educational interests were, during many
years, of the greatest value. She leaves
husband, two sons and three daughters.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-07-04
The Sound of Words.

The Northwestern Magazine gives the
following unique composition written
by l2-year old schoolgirl Let our
young readers see if they cannot make it
still more pulling:
"A right suite little buoy, the son of
u kernel, with rough round his neck,
t1ue up the road as quick us dear Aft
or thyme he stopped at the house and
wrung the belle. His tow hurt hymn
and he kneaded wrest. He was two tired
to raze his fare, pail face. and fcint
mown of pane rose from his lips. The
made who herd the belle was about to
pair pare, but she through it down and
ran with all her mite, for fare her
guessed would not weight, but when she
saw the little won tiers stood In her eyes
at the site. Eve poor dear. Why do you
lye hear? Are yew dyeing:' Know, he
said, I am feint> She boar him inn her
arms. as she ought, to roam where he
might be quiet, gave him bred and meet,
held cent bottle under his knows, IN
tide his choler, raped him up warmly,
gave him a suite drachm from VOL,
till Mt last ne went forth as hail as q
young hOarSe "
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-07-04
Mrs. cloveland's Collection Of Lstters.


In the matter Of letters from people
of prominence I'LL over the United
States Mrs Cleveland has about as val
liable II collection as is to be found
Probably after the close of the present
administration Mrs. Cleveland will car
ry into execution long cherished plans
and have all these letters compiled into
u series of volumes. Many of the letters
date back to when it first came to be
Whispered that she was to we'd the pres
ident. Then there arc the letters re-
ceived with the wedding presents, that
of themselves make a valued collection
of autographs Some idea Of the extent
to which II personal correspondence can
accumulate in this respect is told by
Mrs. Cleveland in regard to her expert
ence during the years of the first Cleye-
land administration. Those Of the let
tors received that We're of purely person
al character from her friends were al
ways kept, until finally six immense
Saratoga trunks were filled. When prep
arations for the removal of the president
and his wife to New York were started,
Mrs. Cleveland found task that could
not be delegated to any clerk or maid.
1t took week, and when the task was
completed the lot had been reduced to
one t1unkful Chicago Tribune
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-07-04
The woman's Translation.

We mention with pleasure that the
woman's translation, as engineered by
Mrs. Stanton, will change the harsh old
word spelled he'll, into h-a-d-e-s,
which will make good rhyme with la
dies. That is substantial gain for
women. We expect some change i'll the
genesis of woman, corresponding to the
understanding of a little girl who came
home from Danville Sunday school
not long since and said: "Oh, mamma,
know how woman was made Miss
JOY told us all about it today" The
fond mother said, "Well, darling, how
was she made:" The child eagerly re-
piled, why, God hypnotized Adam,
and while he slept God took out all
Adams brains and made woman of
them" Had Miss JOY gotten some adj
vanced sheets from Mrs Stantons new
Bible-Danville Oils News.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-07-04
The Des NIoinea EIect,on.

Women voted in good numbers at the
recent school elections in several dis
tricts of Des Moines The News of that
city says:
"North Des Moines women came to
the front in great style. The polling
place was the most interesting of any
such place in Des Moines in years There
was no smoking in the room and flags
and bunting decorations made the occa-
sion seem the more patriotic The vote
was very large one. In 1898 only As
votes were cast at the school election
and only SO in 1894, but Monday the
total was 593. of which ballots I2I were
placed i'll the box by women"
1t must be borne IN mind that the wo-
men could vote only on the question of
issuing bonds to build new schoolhouses,
while the men voted not only OH bonds,
but for school directors.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-07-04

ems don t care what or who he is, he is
Just Bob to them. There is brood of
motherless chicks who arc seldom away
from him if they can help it, When he
lies down, they climb upon his back,
which is SO broad as to resemble the
big, fiat pad on the back of circus
horse. They crawl upon his head and
peck at his ears. He does not shake
them off, however, Us most dogs would
When Bob walks around the yard, the
little chicks hang ON for all they are
worth, and when he lies down they all
nestle in near his paws. In this position
dog and chicks remain motionless for
hours at time The motherless little
brood of chicks are getting to be big fell
lows now, but they have not yet any
idea, it seems, of deserving their queer
foster father
A new brood of younger chicks have
come into tho yard within "a few DAYS,
and they, too, are learning to climb up
on Bob's woolly back, and to peck at
his tongue and nose, all of which seems
to tickle the old fellow very much 1t is
astonishing to see how careful Bob is
when his little adopted children are talk
ing an afternoon ride on his back. The
fine old dog is as gentle as q lamb ut
such time, and keeps q watchful eye
open for possible accidents Kansas
CITY Star
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-07-04
AItruism In the Nursery.

Tho newest way of bidding n refractory
child to go and play combines sweetness
and belief in the mind cure and the ncccs-
sity of cultivating altruism. 1t is: My
dear if you can possibly wish to go, dc
wish. 1t would be so much more convcn-
lent for dear little mother" a the table
ono addresses tho infant with, My sweet,
II you can possibly like your oatmeal, do
like 1t, and then dear little mother will
not have to give you Saratoga potatoes. -
When schooltime comes, one murmurs,
My love, If You can possibly persuade
yourself To love your book, do love it and,
go to school and permit dear little mother
to go shopping. Thus it continues all
day long, until the sweet child is begged
to go to bed and docs wish when it.can no
longer Keep its ewes open.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-07-04
A Luncheon Dessert.

Frozen bananas are very nice served
as a sweet course at a luncheon in the
place of ices or ice cream. Get tho best
bananas you can find with the skins as
perfect. as possible Peel one section
that is, turn it back carefully without
separating from the rest Of the skin, and
take out the fruit. Mash the pulp, and
to each cupful Of it add pint Of whip
ped cream and sugar to taste. Fill the
banana skins with the mixture, shaping
it as much like the fruit as possible.
Cover SO that the skins will not appear
to be broken. and pack in an ice cream
can. Make a freezing mixture of salt
and ice as for ice cream, and let them
stand from two to three hours If you
choose the pulp may be colored with
strawberry Juice, but must not be thin
ned too much or there will be trouble in
packing the fruit