davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-04-18
THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS OVER 100.
Time Seems to Have No Effect ON This
Man, Feoderoviteh Kouzmin-

Time Seems to Have No Effect ON This
Man, Feoderoviteh Kouzmin-
Ivan Feodorovitch Kouzmin Isl ac-
cording to the Russian authorities, the
Oldest man in the world This seems
a rather broad statement, but the rec
ords are there to show that Ivan first
saw the light Of day ON October Fl Gold
style), 1857, which would make him 1873
years of age next birthday. One hum
bred and thirty-eight years of age!
Late last September Gospodin Lo-
monossof, a member of the Mos
koyski Viedomosti editorial staff,
happened to stop at wayside
inn near the village of Dukova,
in the government of Kostramas and
there met an aged son of Ivan and be-
came interested. Having satisfied
himself that Ivan Kouzmin, for he il
was, was telling the truth about his
age and having obtained some data as
TO the aged peasants probable birth
place, Lomonossoff set to- work to- dis
cover, if possible, the entry of his baP-
tism.
This required an unusual amount OF
labor and research, but finally the
was found and the archives contain
ing the entry were brought to- light.
There was the full name and the date,
and, curious to relate, an addenda by
the officiating priest to the effect that
Cod had blessed the child with the holy
sign of the cross beneath the right
shoulder blade, and thus marked him
for his own. A subsequent examine
ton of old VANS body revealed this
peculiar mark, growth of wartY sub
stance, slightly resembling the Gneek
cross seen on the cupOlas of als'
churches of the eastern orthodoM faith
So there could be no mistake about IT. IT.,
Ivan Feodorovitch Kouzim was r32
years of age! The records showed 1T.
and his own words told the story still
more eloquently. Here was a veteran,
who, though entirely nliterabe and
barely able to understand more than
the requirements of a peasants daily
routine, could, in his lucid moments,.r re-
call the happenings of a century ago.
Ivan and his son, it may be said,- very
quickly benefited by this sudden bound
into fame.-N. Y. World.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-04-18
STEAL INVENTIONS.

Pirates in the World of Discovery Who
Thrive Upon Stolen Ideas.
AS Thomas y. Edison watched the
pumping of air from glass tube in his
laboratory day or two ago man said
to him:
'You patent every little thing you
discover, don't you, Mr.. Edison?"
81 do said Mr.. Edison ''Antl do
you know why 1 do it?"
II suppose you do it so you Will reap
the benefit of your discovery" was
the reply
''I thought you'd say that,'' said Mr.
Edison; & and I don't suppose you will
believe me when 1 tell you it isn't so-
But it isn't SO, nevertheless. discover
q. great many things that would be
very glad to give to the public, for
nothing, but I don't dare. I patent
these. things to save myself from de-
Tending lawsuits. There are a. Lot of
sharks in this world who are continu-
ally on the lookout for new things, and
when one of them hears of something
new he hustles to the patent office to
see If lib is patented. Ii it isn't he
claims lit as an original discovery and
files his claim. Then he will turn right
around and, like as not, Begin suit
against the very man who invented tha
things Tor making or using it. The
inventor will say: But 1 discovered
this thing first; am the invention He
is, referred to the patent office, where
he finds the official claim of original
invention The fact that the papers,a are
fled long after he made his discovery
does not help him, fona all the other man
does is ia hire fellow to swear that he
made the discovery month or two
priOr, to- the date the. inventor claims,
lit sounds ridiculous, probaly, but, If
is, d fact, that there are often races be-
tween the inventors and these sharks
to- reaeh the patent office, the sharks
having had early information about
the inventors discovery. There ara
many such races. and thousands OF
dollars depend on. each one. What Il
say is literally truR. Ipatent things,
and! mo doubt, many other inven tors
patent things, just to save defending
lawsuits. IN. Y. Sun.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-04-18
lsPAlN.s POLITICAL PRISONERS.
The Tortures Inflicted Upon Suspects I'm
| the Old Moorish Town of Ceuta.

The Tortures Inflicted Upon Suspects I'm
the Old Moorish Town of Ceuta.
From time to time the horrors of
slaye-dealing and the barbarism with
which prisoners are still treated in GER
tain parts of the world have been ex-
posed to the public. There remains
yet, however, a spot within 20 miles of
English territory where such terrible
sufferings and hideous fortunes are I'M
dergone by human beings as to be al
most incredible. This is st Ceuta, an
old Moorish town in Morocco surround.
ed by chain of fortresses which make
it almost impregnable.
The place was built by the Moors in
945, on the side of the ancient mountain
Abyla. All the fendish ingenuity of
which they were masters was exerted
to invent and construct as many soil
tary dungeons and horrible torture
chambers as possible. Just as it was in
those dark ages, with as many improve
ments as were added before the Span
iards took possession in 1910, so it is
to this day.
The town to Spain is what Siberia is
to Russia, but infinitely more horrible.
Here political prisoners and persons
whom the government suspects are
transported. As a rule the suspects"
are prominent and respectable citizens,
who, however, have committed no
crime, and against whom no charge can
be brought. No suspicious papers
have been found in their possession:
they have no secret weapons; they have,
neither made rebellious speeches nor
encouraged insurrection.
Since they have committed no crime
they cannot be tried in the orthodox
manner, nor can they be executed.
Nevertheless. they are dangerous
they must be put out of the way.
Therefore, they are spirited to dun
geon in Ceuta, where they will be safe.
The dungeons are hewn out of the solid
rock beneath the fortress, and run in
tiers so or so feet deep. They measure
on an average eight feet square. The
approach is made through the floor OF
the fortress, down long, winding stairs.
The dungeons line either Size of damp
alleys, the only openings being small
hole about foot from the ground.
It is through this hole, enlarged for
the occasion, that the prisoner enters
his cell, followed by armed keepers
and a blacksmith He is thrown on his
back and chains are welded from his
ankles into the solid rock. The keepers
then leave him and the hole is blocked
up with fresh masonry. The dungeon
is reeking with damp, is infested with
vermin and absolutely dark. Scanty
scraps of food are occasionally passed
through the opening by the keepers.
For whole year the prisoner is left
to rot in the dungeon without seeing
human face. Naked and starved he
crouches in the darkest corner, await
ing death At the end of a years time
the keepers and blacksmith again enter
the cell to see whether the captive is
still alive, and that the chains are in
good condition, possibly to add fresh
ones -ChicaOO News
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-04-18
AN ABSENT-MINDED MAN.
Why He Thought His Sandwich Was Dry
and Tasteless.

Why He Thought His Sandwich Was Dry
and Tasteless.
The absent-minded man took his seat
at the restaurant table, and, as usual
buried his face at once in newspaper.
A waiter placed bill-of-fare, a napkin
and a knife and fork in front of hiRl
and stood two or three minutes I'M
noticed before asking:
What shall I bring you, sir?"'
"What's that?" said the absent-mind-
ed man, starting up suddenly, not re-
Numbering what it was all about.
what do you want for lunch, sir?''
the waiter asked again.
''Oh! yes said the absent-minded,
trying to collect his wits. Bring me q
cup of coffee and a ham sandwich
The waiter supplied the order and put
a large pasteboard check for it down
on the table, the absent-mfnded man
continuing to read his paper. The
waiter went away to attend to the
wants of other people, and about Is
minutes later came back.
do you wish anything moreT' he
asked, politely.
Yes snapped the absent-Eninded
man, somewhat vieiOus1y. go and get
me a fresh ham sandwich TheOne you
brought me was as dry as bone"
''Why, here is the sandwich brought,
SIR said the waiter, pushing the plate
toward him. you've eaten the check -
Chicago Times-Herald.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-04-18
A Boys Rapid and Fatal Growth.

Patrick Casey. a. young Bridgepcgt
boy, in the middle of August last was
five feet high. He then began tonshCot
upward. and kept at it until the middle
of the following October, when he was
six feet three inches. This was an
average of a quarter of an inch day,
or nearly seven feet year. His age
then was II years. Casey was unable
to withstand this enormous strain
upon his constitution and he died the
following NoEember, Before his death
his hair turned from red to jet black.
The physicians accounted for the
change Oh the theory that the tincture:
of iron that had given to him as tor lc
had entered into his blood and acJed
upon the hair. His case puzzled. the
doctors, but no autopsy was held oJn the
remains. owing 10 the objections4of the
family Boston Post.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-04-18
A TouRhy Ruler.

Emperor William is somRthing of: a
taGtaF when itt comes to himself be-
ing discussed. Leze majesty in Ger
many is a curious thing. A man in.
Cologne last fall was discussing. the
American constitution. He had just
returned from America and was. Ella
suent in our praise. Then goiag on re-
discuss the kaaser, he began: LAS fon
the KAISER and stopped, realizing
his danger. Bat he was overheard and
denounced to, the poles, arrested, tinted
and sentenced to three months i'm
prisonment For what he was evidently
going to. say. At Ihnzig n man. was
called upon to appraise a plaster bast
of the empress. He said the hnst was
not worth , mark. He shared the fate
of the first individual. Last summer
at Penn . man in pleasure party said
what a fool that kaiser is" He was
arrested and taken to the police sta,
t5oE, bat was aide to prove that he had
been speaking of man named Kaiser
/ instead of the emperor. A common
mode of concealing their views from
servants, who are perhaps, spies, is fol
persons when falling of the kaiser z
call him Herr Muller. Speech was
freer under Louis the Great in France
zoo years ago than in Germany today
under Chicago IIeWs.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-04-18

can help you with your fall cleaning,
and with the embarrassing and soap
making, SO you won't have to hire any
one And you can send word to Abbie
Snow tomorrow that you won't need
her TO sew for you; so there will be three
weeks wages saved, anyway"
but, Henry" deprecated his wife, "do
You think it would be just right to treat
your only sister that way? She won't
get strong very fast if we keep her at
work indoors
Marcia, I'm surprised at you," re-
Sorted her husband, with asperity
--1tou act as though | had nothing to
say about such matters. Ii Dora don't
like the way treat her, she may better
herself, if she can, but happen to know
that she hasn't any money left, and so
she can't choose. And as for growing
strong you women never are anything
hut bundles of aches and pains, and the
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-04-18

and then rest. Here should work out
doors and come in, fatigued, to be urged
to other tasks. I have grown a trife
broader in my outlook at life since
broke from your rule, and have de-
cided that just so long as woman re-
fuses to expect the consideration that
one sex should pay to the other, just so
long, if she deals with some men, will
she be ignored My work will bring
money somewhere, and there / am go
ing"
Henry pulled himself together to
snap out his reply: "Well, you're of age,
and can do as you please; but woman
who respects herself isn't going into
the fields to work with hired men,"
GA woman who respects herself an
swered Dora, may go anywhere; but
Father Hayward hired me because his
men are up river husking corn, and do
not come home at night, and he has
rheumatism, so that he cannot even do
his chores; and as only Willie is at home
with them, and he is but ~, they must
have help. So Willie and I shall do
the milking, take care of the stock and
the chickens, all of which I have done
for you, and when we are going to husk
that 20 acres of corn near the house,
and after the men have in the feed and
wood for the winter, he will have no
help but me; and next spring"-Dora
was becoming enthusiastically is go
ing to raise my wages; and can drive
his cornplanter and his mower and har-
vester, and hayrake, too, for I have done
all that; and raise the chickens, if
have time; and I can stay outdoors all
day, and grow strong and brown; and
I've always loved the dear old folks,
anyway"
And Dora broke off her speech, and
went along with her thoughts, clear
across the year ahead of her, while
Henry sat with his hands in his pocl1-
cts, gazing modify at the floor, and
did not answer.
''There comes Willie Hayward now
for my trunk, and I will drive back
with him. I'm sorry for Marcia, but
she seems to prefer to let you do her
thinking, so / may as well save my
pity. And I'm sorry to disagree with
you, Henry. 1 would have staid with
you if you had appreciated me enough
TO give me wages and kind words. You
see, it's just the old question of the
financial dependence or independence
of women, and choose the latter
So Dora fed cattle and horses, and
MIXED, and drove machinery all the
year, growing each day stronger and
more full of spirits. And when, the
next year, the plump, rosy-cheeked
young woman left her friends and took
her old place in town, you might have
examined her behavior with q micro
scope, and not found shade of un-
womanliness resulting from the mans
work. that she had done.
That's what comes CT woman hav-
ing charge of her Own affairs" said
Henry to Marcia Just give her
chance, and she won't stop at any
thing. You ought to be thankful, Mar
cia. that you've got some one to keep
you from making fool of yourself"
And Marcia sighed.--Woran's louI>
nal.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-04-18
ZINC PLACE, For ouail.

ANY quail abosst this neiehbor-.
hood?" inquired tourist who was
about to register at western Texas
hotel.
Quail" said abe proprietor with SIA
indulgent smile, they have got to be-
a nuisance. The cook complains that
she can't throw a piece of refuse toass
ont OF the back window but four or
five fat qualls fight to SOC which one
stall be doWn on it.N-Texas Sitter.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-04-18

most of you wouldn't be strong if you
could. Now go to sleep, for there's lots
to be done in the morning, and I'm go
ing to ride up to Iron Mound ranch after
another COW; for if Dora's going to be
here to help milk, we may as well make
more butter"
Dora followed the directions of her
taskmaster quietly enough the next
morning, but when he had mounted
and galloped off toward the ranch in
the hills. she saddled another horse and
rode in the opposite direction. She was
home long before her brother, who rode
into the yard about noon, driving the
cow he had just purchased. No men
ton was made of the addition to the
herd until after dinner was over, when
Henry turned his unsmiling face to-
ward Dora.
''1'll milk that new COW tonight,
Dora, but after this I'll turn her over to
you, for my hands are full already"
''Im sorry to disappoint you, Henry"
answered she, demurely, though with
spark in her eyes, ''but don't think
of staying here longer than this after
noon"
Her brother stared, as much aghast
at her independence of manner as at
her astonishing communication.
Good heavens! What do you mean
Do you think of boarding at the poor
farm?" queried the exasperated man.
mot exactly, Henry" sweetly re-
turned his sister. But I've hired out
to Father Hayward as 'chore boy for
the winter. He will give me ten dollars
a month and board, and 1 shall have
only four COWS to milk there, while
here I should have five, and get only my
board"
"You must be crazy, girl! Do you
suppose a man worth as much as I am
wants his sister to hire out as a farm
hand"
Then Dora did what certain tragic
novel heroines are said to have done
"rose to her full height" and, though
even that was not great, she certainly
looked stately enough to curb her
brothers wrath, as she answered him:
Henry Carter, do you think that the
place of unpaid drudge with my own
people is much more respectable than
that of paid help on the Hayward farm?
There [ shall do certain work outdoors,
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-04-18
indispensable.

81 don't think want a cyclopedia,"
said the woman of the house, but il
you have got any nice book for chill
diem
sGreat Scott, madam." exclaimed the
unblushing book agent. I'VE use this
cyclopedia for children's book ut our
houses altogether. They sit OF It a.
the table. Chicago Tribune.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-04-18
rrsa,is4~r1e Literature in America

The only evidence that has ever been,
found going to show that the prehis-
toric caSe-dwellers of America had a,
written language was discovered for
the first time in the year 1891. In the
summer of that year Profs. Shaler and
Warren the former of Yale college,
made thorough exploration of what
is, known as Falling Spring cave, in the.
SeqHatehSe valley, state of Tennessee,
and therein found incontrovertib4e
evidence that the prehistoric Amer
iRans were a race of civilized beings,
possessing literature and an alphabet.
In one of the galleries of the cave they
found the body of human being,
transformed TO stone By the salts and
silica In the dripping water, and near.
by large oval slab, upon which were.
carved 467 words. In all these words,
some of which contained nine and ten
letters, only 30 different characters.
we're used, proving eonclusively hhat
thelr alphabet was one of 81 letters
olly.-St. Louis Republic.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-04-18
BooRIsHNEss ON THE RAIL

Theories of the Cold Treatment of Fellow
Passengers by Men Otherwise Decent.
What IS it that makes decent man
| turn boCr as soon as he enters a rail-
road car" If there were 80 double seats
in a car and so men entered it each
would sit by himself. Let him, if he
chooses. But let the 31st man come in
and ask rs this seat engaged?" and
the chances are that every answer he
gets will be Yes
The other day Hartford man bound
for Boston asked six men who were
sitting alone if the seats beside them
were taken. Each answered Yes
and yet five of the six rode clear
through alone. Indeed, this habit has
gone so far that, if a passenger moves
along to make room for you, you look
him over pretty carefully before you'll
trust yourself with him, for fear he is
a pickpocket. His unnatural demon
stration of hospitality invites sus-
pfcion.
And this disposition of man to sit
alone seems to be a matter of sex.
Women do not behave that way-at
least not in steamcars. In trolleys
L. " Ahoy OAA OAAS SUI VI UAAO
car, but, after three, or even four, have
gone, there's no more room, not even
for another woman, than there was
before. The remaining eight somehow
spread out their skirts SO as to look
more crowded than before. But in the
steamcar the average woman, especial
By if she has with her big bundle, a
baby, or - restless child, will take n
half seat beside man, even if there's Il
whole seat vacant near by.
There are some men to whom this
fate comes whenever they travel. 1t
may be due to Christian gentleness
that beams in their eyes, but it may also
be due to tine cowardice that they can't
conceal At all events, they have the
company and, generally, before long,
the bundle OF the child is in their laps
and they submit. One reason is that
they have to. It is expected of them
Maybe the cold treatment that one
man gives another in the cars is his
method of getting even for the why
than women impose upon him. That
is. a plausible explanation and it's the
only one that appears. Nor does this
do, AWAY with the charge of boorish-
ness That can't be done away with,
for tits there.-Hartford Courant.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-04-18

This inscription tainted on board
adorns fence in Kent:
''Notis-If any mans or woman'a
COWS get into these hare otes his or
her tail will be cut off as the case may
be."-Toroato Register.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1896-02-29
OWNS TO GUILT.
lx Collector Foster of Concord y
H., n Defaulter.

't ="
CONCORD. \. H.. Feb. IS Albert |, Eos.
one of Concords bcst-known young
)n, is an acknowledged defaulter to the
1ount of between $4,000 and Sl6. 900. re.
we'd 10y him as tax collector. He was ar
Pted and when brought to the station was
hfrontsd by such strong chain of evil
nee that he acknowledged his guilt and
ade u clean breast of the whole unfortl-
H. affair.
MIR. Foster came to Concord from Lowell,
lere he was born and lived until he at.
med his majority. He was elected tax col
tor Ave years ago. The defalcation OF Mr..
bter to the city WAS discovered through
auditor. Although Concord has been q
since 1858. it has never before the pres
year had an auditor.
During the five wears he was tax collector
j. Foster had different bondsmen, "A new
(hd every time he was elected, and conss-
pently all OF the gentlemen interested will
ruraly be Interested until the precise deli
10y years Is known. in order that they may
Vow what they may have to meet. Mr..
5sters present bondsmen are Mr.. Martin
4 George A. Young. Norris 4. Dunckle.
)p. l.. Theobald and Chas. l.. Fellows.
by are all responsible. and SO ar. all the.
er men on Mr.. Fosters bonds. So the city
not he II loser through his irregularities.
F began specializing in u bucket shop
two years ago. Luck was his way at
and then tickle fortune forsook him.
kept at the board until his spcculations
ed him To be I 1000 behind then he
ged more deeply.transferring his opera
10 Boston bucket shop. his only idea
To square himself This be could not
nd when he was defeated for recollection
lonth, he knew he could no longer con.
is stealings. and that exposure would
ably come. 1t has transpired that a
marked poison. containing liquid
Aken from his person when arrested hy
Dlice. This would seem to Indicate that
ltem plated suicide.