davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-12-04
Tho Ways of al Ant.

IT. has long been recognized that the
ant is a very intelligent insect, and
leads a very complicated social life.
There are classes among them-pluto-
Gratis, laborers and criminals. The au-
thor of recent work on entomology
notes the curious habit of one species
of the ant of turning some of their
fellows into animated honey pots" In
stead of placing honey in comb as
the bees do, the ant selects certain
number of workers, and disgorges the
honey obtained from the eucalypti, on
which it is deposited by coccidae and
other insects, into the Threats of their
victims. The process being continu-
ally repeated, causes the stomachs Of
these workers to be distended to an
enormous SIZE This extraordinary
habit was first discovered in the case
of certain. ants in Mexico, and subse-
quently shown to prevail in Colorado.
1t has been found to exist in Australia
also, and Mr.. Frogart describes and
figures these ants of the genus cam
ponotus that pursue this remarkable
practice. The ants containing honey
are favorite food with the natives.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-12-04
Loves Sweet Work.

A London paper, according to the
Central Baptist, tells this touching
story of Prof. Herkomer. His aged
father, who lives with him in his splen-
did home at Bushney, used to model in
clay in his early life. He has recently
taken. to it again, but his fear is that
soon his hands will lose their skill, and
his work will show the marks Of imper-
fection It Is his one sorrow. At night
he goes to his early rest and when he
has gone his talented son goes into the
studio, takes up his fathers feeble at
tempts, and makes the work as beauti-
full as art can make it. When the old
man comes down in the morning he
takes the work and looks at it. and
rubs his hands and says: "Ha! I can
do as we'll as ever 1 did" May we not
believe that the hands of divine love
will thus make over our feeble work
for God till it shall bear the light of
day and be perfect to all eternitye
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-12-04
The Boy and the Man.

Coleridge Patteson-a scholar at
Elton, one of England's famous historic
schools-was high spirited lad and a
great favorite in the cricket eleven OF
the school, for he was an uncommonly
good player. At the club suppers
Cooley" as the boys called him,
was disturbed by the questionable
jests and stories of some Of the men,
bers and at length declared publicly
that he should protest against anything
| like indecency in the conversation or
in the songs that were sung. Notwith-
standing this, at the next meeting one
Of the boys begun to sing a salacious
ditty, and Cooley" rose Indignantly to
his feet.
IF this sort of thing goes on shall
leave the ROOM" he said.
The singer continued, and Cooley"
marched out. The next day he wrote to
the captain of the eleven, and assured
him that unless he received an apology
he should quit the club. He was too
important man to lose, and the apol-
ogy was sent. The trial Of feeling to
the young fellow who made 1t could
have been no greater than the trial of
demanding it and risking a refusal; for
like all enthusiastic cricket-players,
Cooley" was passionately fond Of the
game. But he loved character better
than cricket, and the outcome was a
victory of principle Here was the kind
of boy of which martyrs are made.
The spirit that emboldened him to re-
sent vileness sent him afterward to
present Christianity to pagan peo-
pie. A group of islands north of New
Guinea in the South Pacific became the
brave mans field Of labor, and there he
fell a victim to heather cruelty. But
death has not erased from the memory
of earth his example or manly courage
and loyal discipleshlp. The story Of
the boy of Elton and Martyr Bishop of
Melanesia" is told here-and will be
told for many year to come--to kindle
fearless virtue in other minds, and i'm
press a noble lesson of Christ-like sac
rifice.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-12-04

warmer, whereupon Willie, with water
pail, went where Widow Walman,
Winnie's washer-woman, was, who
well-washed woollens with warm water,
with washing-machine, wringing with
wringer.
Willie went within wash-room. ~bere
Widow Walman welcomed Willie With
warm wheat waffles, with wholesome
whortle- berries washed well with
water.
When weli-warmed Willie wander
ed where water was. willows waved,
where, when weather. was warmer,
white waxen water-liNes were wit
messed.
Willie waded where web-footed
waterfowl wouldn't wait Willie's well
come.
Winnie was window watching, won-
dering where Willie was, whereupon
Willie, with wellfilled WATERFALL, was
witnessed.
Winnie warmly welcomed Willie.
When woods whiten with winter,
when windows wear wonderful white
frost works, Winnie, with Willie, will
welcome walnuts, will want warm wall
nut-cake w. w. w.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-12-04
Trouble With a Cash Register.


There were three in one party and
two in the other. They were standing
before the white-aproned dispenser Of
refreshments, and one of the three in
vited the entire party to have some
thing The dispenser dealt out the or
der of the three, took the dollar Of
fered in payment and handed back So
cents in change. The other two, stand
ing a short distance away, were not
served, as there was a mistake on the
part of the cashier. The bill amounted
to less than quarter, according to the
refreshments served the three. Tho
host examined his coin and then looked
surprised and grieved.
81 gave you a dollar" he said.
"Was it dollar? How much change
did l give you?"
"Thirty-five cents"
"Well, I will have to wait until
somebody buys l don't dare to open
the register, as there's no false balance
on it. Every time I open it it means
a purchase charged to me. Sorry, but
we'll have to wait"
The man to whom the change was
coming stood by and waited until a
cash purchase was made before he
could get his money. He was the only
one in the party who did not enjoy
the situation. He remarked gloomily
that he never had much use for cash
registers anyway.-Chicago Chronicle.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-12-04
THE LOSS FROM BAD BALLOTS
The Necessity for Using the Greatest
PrecautiOn in Voting.

The Necessity for Using the Greatest
PrecautiOn in Voting.
The "Red Book" or official legisla-
tive manual for 1896, compiled and
published by Gen. Palmer, secretary Of
state, pursuant to law, contains tables
of the returns of election of November,
1895, which make a partial, and only
partial exhibit of alleged defective"
ballots thrown out by the poll can
vassers. The total number Of electors
thus reported disfranchised in the state
as q consequence of the confusion and
confounding of the blanket ballot, or
Australian" system of voting, reaches
the enormous number of 1886! And
that probably is not half the total! 1t
Is a well-known fact that in some OF
the districts of this city and county
the inspectors at many of the polls
construed the law as not requiring them
to make report Of defective" ballots.
OF the 140 election districts Of the coun-
ty no returns of such ballots are made
from ninety-one, as the tables of the
Itcu DUN SnoW. NEu yCI wv "io az
knowledged Chautauqua county,
which contains the cities Of Dunkirk
and jamestown, make no return. Che
mung, containing the city of Elmira.
reports 3; Hamilton, none; Jefferson,
with the city of WATERFOWL, only 70;
Kings, containing all the city of Brook
Ign, the second county and city of the
state, where it is known that the num-
bel of defective ballots rejected was
relatively greater than in New York,
none. The aggregate vote of Kings,
practically part of New York, return
ed as counted, is 16S,o07. The aggre-
gate vote of New York returned as
counted is 261,54O. Yet New York ac-
knowledges 1926 ballots as "defec-
tive, etc." and rejected. By rule OF
proportion Kings county must have had
$500. Orange county, containing the
cities Of Newburg and Middletown,
makes no report. Orleans, with num-
erous large villages, only 5; Richmond,
only 3; Schenectady, with the city OF
Schenectady, none; Ulster, with the city
of Kingston, none; Westminster, with
the cities of Yonkers and Mt. Vernon,
which have the Myers ballot machine.
reports one defective and rejected vote,
which must have been at the poll OF
one of the towns using the blanket bal
lot. ! ,
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-12-04

placed. These things and many more
haunt you as the milter flies by.
John had been particularly active In
this warfare. Often as he sat reading
some abstruse volume his book would
fall to the ground, his glasses follow.
as with tremendous lurch forward
he would exclaim with extended hands:
81 have it," generally adding mo-
ment later: mo! there it goes!
The tricky insect would disappear
and in a moment be visible in another
corner, or If, perchance, 1t was caught
and lay in dusty nothingness, dozen
sisters came Loyalty to the rescue. So
the strife went on. Conversations OF
great interest, chiefly to the particle
pants Thereof, and generally upon the
financial question, were punctuated,
emphasized, broken up by these winged
messengers of anarchy. At last the
great night arrived in which John was
to make the speech Of his life. He
had studied and thought but on one
subject for many weeks and hours and
hours; he had written and erased and
written again till every sentence show
ed like a jewel in his eloquent address
on "Our Only Safety Lies in Gold"
The hall was packed. People Of both
parties sat or stood. Some, the ma
jority, came to be strengthened in their
faith small minority to be convinced
of error. John sat on the platform, dig
nifled as ever, surrounded by his fell
low-townsmen. On one side a Presby-
terrain divine, on another a Congrega-
tional clergyman, and learned judge
or two. He was introduced and began
his remarks.
His calm, earnest manner command
ed attention and respect. He spoke on
and on, gradually going from one we'll
argued premise to another, and grow
ing every moment more eloquent One
near and dear to him thought she de-
tected occasionally moments hesita-
ton, spasmodic tightening of tho
hands. but it passed away. The audi
ence was enthusiastic. The climax,
that should sweep all before it and
carry conviction, seemed near. when
suddenly he paused, made convulsive
leap forward, brought both hands to-
gether with resounding smack, and
cried in loud voice:
1--WE got it! No, there it ISL
CONSERVATION spread though the
room. The poor victim of the serpents
last revenge grew pale and tottered
to his seat. Water was brought. The
learned judge made few remarks to
an unheeding audience, but all in vain.
The spell was broken. The men that
were almost persuaded went gladly out
clinging to their old belief, and tho
Snake once more had conquered.
AME SYLVESTER.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-12-04

The ugliest appearing animal that
ever walked log, killed rabbit or
fought trap is the lynx, which is just
as ugly as 1t looks ten months in the
wear. and somewhat uglier during the
other two. Not only will the lynx fight
anything that walks in the woods, but
II will also tackle visitor from the
clearings, be he man or dog, or half
grown calf, il the occasion offers, says a
writer in Shooting and Fishing.
Jim Berry was hunting up in Maine
about forty miles north Of Greenville,
when he and his friend came suddenly
upon the carcass of caribou which a
bear was eating. The bear made itself
scarce, much to Jims regret, as he
wanted to kill bear. Without saying
ANYTHING to his friend, he left camp the
next day and started for the carcass,
intending to watch it in the hope that
the bear would return. He waited and
watched till about o'clock in the
afternoon, when he began to think Of
returning to the camp. A soft football
back in the woods, the crafty step Of
some wild animal. just then sounded
in his ears. Pretty soon the beast was
chewing the caribou meat. and Jim
could see 1t plainly. He leveled his
buckshot gun and pulled the trigger
when the wa'bbling muzzle was point
ed in what he thought was the right
direction. The beast went down. and
Jim started for it, Then he stopped
with his mouth open.
The beast had leaped to it's feet and
Jumped sideways with its back up.
Jim knew the yell, and he also recog-
nized the bumped back. 1t was a
wounded lynx spelling for fight. Not
having time to level his gun to shoot,
the man dubbed it, and the blow
stunned the cat little. but the beast
got in a rake on the mans leg that
tore his trousers and hide. too. An
other frantic sweep Of the gun barrel
laid the beast fiat, and then revolver
bullet killed the animal. The buck
shot had torn the top of the lynx's
head-enough to make it angry.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-12-04
Travellers Tales.
WwwWWwWUJW


A well-conducted Chinese funeral is
The most gorgeous sight in Asia. At
the front Of the funeral procession
walk the noisy, musicless musicians.
Then come men bearing the insignia
Of the dignity of the dead, If he had
figures Of animals, idols, umbrellas and
blue and white streamers. After them
come men carrying pans of perfume.
Just before the coffin walk BONES,
Chinese priests. Over the coffin can
opy is usually carried. The casket Is
borne by about score of men. I'M
mediately behind the coffin walk the
children Of the deceased. The eldest
son comes first. He is dressed in can
vas, and leans heavily upon stout
stick. He is supposed to be too ex-
hausted by grief and fasting to walk
without the aid of the staff. The other
children and relatives follow this chief
mourner. They are clothed in white
linen garments. The women are car
ried in chairs. They sob and wall at
intervals and in unison. When the
burying place is reached the BONES be-
gin chanting a mass for the dead, and
the coffin is put into the tomb. A large
oblong white marble table is placed be-
fore the tomb. On the middle of it Is
set a censor and two vases and two
candlesticks all of as exquisite work
Il n
a paper cremation Paper figures OF
men, horses, garments and score of
other things are burned. They are
supposed to undergo material resur-
rection, and to be useful to the dead in
the Chinese heaven. The tomb is seal
ed up or closed, and an entertainment
concludes the ceremony at the grave.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-12-04
When Willie Went waInutting.

Wisconsin's wild winds were whistl-
ing when Willie Wade went walnut
ting. Warmly wrapped was Willie,
with woollen wrapper, wadded waist
coat with warm wristlets.
Winnie Wade wondered why Willie
wouldn't wait warmer weather, when
Winnie would walnut with Willie.
Willie wandered where Walter West
was wheeling wood, with wonderful
wheelbarrow, wishing Walter would
walnut.
Without wasting words, Walter
whistled, "Whew! walnuts will wait;
while wood won't"
Where walnuts were, woodmen
were working with wabbly- wheeled
wagon, with worn, weary, wretched
work-horse, which was wasted with
weakness, which was well worn-out
with work.
Woo ma w he Ter waggishly
wrenched Willie's WATERFALL, where
upon water wet Willie's winkers; Will
lie woefully.
Willie? Weak women weep with wee
woes. Whistle, Willie"
When winkers were wiped Wood
man Wheeler went with Willie where
walnuts WERE Willie's wooden water
pail was well-filled while wee wrens
warbled, wood-pigeons whizzed.
Willie warily watched while Wood
man waged war with wasps--which
wasn't wise. Wasps were waxing
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-12-04
A Novel Currency.

In an interesting article in Cassier's
Magazine for October, by F. 8. Prem.
tiss, he gives this account of a curious
currency in use in Mongolia and 81.
IBERIA. "The tea business" writes Mr.
Prentiss, seemed to be in the hands
of the Russians. They have here Cat
Foo Choo, China two large factories
for making tea-cakes. The tea is
ground fine, almost to a powder, and
then, by powerful hydraulic presses, is
forced into blocks that are so hard that
1t is impossible to break them without
q blow with hammer. These are sent
north through the great Chinese wall
into Mongolia and Siberia, and pass
current as money. In many localities
1t is the only currency used. AS the
blocks leave Foo Choo they weigh the
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-12-04

The windows OF Chinese houses be-
longing to the wealthy classes are
made of oiled paper or semi-transpar-
ent oyster shell, artistically wrought in
variety of fantastic patterns; as may
be imagined, these give very little
light and no ventilation. consequently
the house during the day is dark and
dull, but at night when the number
less picturesque lanterns are lighted,
the scene is most beautiful. Round
lanterns hang from the center and
other points of the ceiling; some with
fiat backs are fastened to the wall,
and others are set upright on tables
and stands. The prettiest and most
expensive are made of white silk or
gauze, delcately painted in a variety
of colors, red-the symbol of joy-pre-
dominating. There are octagonal Ian
terms fancifully painted, with red silk
tassels hanging from each corner; me-
chanically contrived lanterns, which
the heat sets in motion, beautifully
carved horn lanterns, and some of bas-
ket work and bamboo. The rooms are
separated one from another by carved
wooden scroll work, which is most Or
namental and gives very rich and
handsome appearance to the interior.
This carving is sometimes gilded and
sometimes polished again the wood is
left in a state of nature and given only
a coating of wax. The Chinese are as
fond as the French Of mirrors; large
and small ones are scattered about and
sheval glasses placed in positions to
give an idea of grandeur and extent.
The doors of Celestial home, instead
of following a monotonously rectangu-
lar form, like those Of the western
world, are sometimes round or leaf
shaped, or semi-circular apertures.
The round doors are regarded as
symbol of the sun. Another doorway
will perhaps resemble flower, illumi-
mated by window so constructed as
to enhance the conceit, octangular
doors are used in the gardens which
separate one court from another, and
again doors shaped like fans, leaves,
scrolls and fruit are seen. Unlike the
Japanese, the Chinese have been &C
,customed to the use of chairs for CEN
turies According to western ideas,
the Chinese chairs are models Of dis
comfort, for they are made of pat
tern which prevailed in England in
the days of Queen Elizabeth or Queen
Anne; tall, straight of back, and in
ordinately angular. The most comfort
able chair to be found has an adjust
able back, and is filled with reversible
cushions but this is modern inven-
ton. When visitors arc expected, or
on the celebration Of an anniversary,
strips of red cloth are thrown over the
low touches and squares of the same
material cover the seats Of the chairs.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-12-04

This decidedly effective group was
photographed near Darjeeling. The
holy men know nothing of Drury Lane
pantomime, though their highly origi-
nal costumes irresistibly suggest that
gorgeous pageant. They are the priests
who minister unto the hardy hill-men.
Fortunately for their wearers, the
masks are not for everyday use; this
Is evidenced by the more ordinary
head-gear held by the pastor on the
extreme right. These dignitaries have,
as it were, merely assumed for the oc-
casion their episcopal robes,
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-12-04
Seeing the Point.

A boy returned from school one day
with the report that his scholarship
had fallen below the usual average.
Son." said his father, you've fallen
behind this month, haven't you?"
Eyes, SIR"
"How did that happen?"
Don't know, SIR"
The father knew, IL the son did not.
He had observed number of dime
novels scattered about the house; but
had not thought it worth while to say
anything until fitting opportunity
should offer itself. A basket of apples
stood upon the floor, and he said:
Empty out those apples, and take
the basket and bring it to me half full
of chips"
Suspecting nothing, the boy obeyed.
"And now" he continued, put those
apples back into the basket"
When half the apples were replaced,
the boy said:
Father, they roll off. l can't put
any more in
Put them in, tell YOU"
But, father, can't put them in"
Put them in? No, of course you
can't put them in. You said you didn't
know why you fell behind at school,
and l will tell you why. Your mind Is
like that basket. 1t will not hold more
than SO much. And here you've been
the past month filling it up with cheap
dirt-dime novels"
The boy turned on his heel, whistled,
and said: "Whew! I see the point"
Not a dime novel has been seen in
the house from that day to this.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-12-04
I'VE GOT IT."

lurked in the bottom of their hearts
an Intention to break the contract when
the danger was over. The Serpent took
the helm. The dove was sent out, and
In little while they reached land, saw
the sun once more, and hung out their
musty clothes to dry.
Once in the promised land the
Snake demanded his bride. Family
councils were again held. He was
enticed into their midst and cruelty
betrayed to his ruin. Instead of wife
he received death at their hands. Not
content with merely killing their pre-
server, and contending that he was
an old fraud and stowaway-that they
would have touched shore just as well
without him-they decided to refuse
him even a Christian burial and burn
his body, while they danced round his
pyre.
But as the flames rose to heaven the
victim had his revenge. Each column
Of blue smoke turned to vicious, sting
Ing insects-gnats, mosquitoes, flies, and
the thousand crawling, creeping
things, whose descendants affiict our
poor humanity to-day. Noah had too
much foresight to psrpetuate them by
putting them in the ark, but his act
Of treachery put his caution all to
naught.
This damp summer has been again
prolific in all these pests, and chief
among them Is the fitting, tricky, tor
menting mothmiller. It's whole life is
given up to the one idea Of making
that Of man burden; its gleeful flight
through the house In search Of some
thing to destroy rouses the inmates
thereof to insane speech and action.
Nothing is sacred to this iconoclast.
The richer the prey the greater its Joy.
The little wooden garment that you
fond1y imagine still holds the imprint
OF the dear dead baby's form; grand
mas work basket, that used for so many
years to stand by the bed, and which.
when you looked at 1t, seemed to bring
before your eyes again the patient,
suffering form, the bent and trembling
fingers that lined the basket with soft
woods were not too precious for its
deadly work, but fall to dust in your
hand. The overcoat that you thought
would last one more winter does not
escape, but shows great holes on
every side and vanishes thought you
had INDUCED in of ticket to the OPP
era once or twice, for 1t must b re-