davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The St. Johns herald., 1896-08-22
Listening.

In discussing the art of conversation nearly all the attention Is given to what is said. The matter and the manner of our words, the motives which prompt them, the wisdom which chooses them their probable effects for good or for evil, receive and deserve much scrutiny. Comparatively little notice is taken of the other half of conversation, which consists in listening.
 It is usually regarded as simple pas- sive condition, needing no particular effort, and, therefore, no special consid- eration. Like a vessel which merely holds the liquid poured into 1t, the lis tener is supposed for the time to be only receptive, all his active faculties being reserved for the time when he comes to reply.
 The common phrase, having uothinp to do but listen," betrays the small re. spect paid to the act, and the slight ef- fort it is thought possible to put into it
 Thus 1t happens that, as no one is systematically taught and trained to listen, we have few really good listen CTS among us, and, for want of them. much good speaking is absolutely vast. ed.
 For listening is an art, having as many grades and qualities as any other. and, until this is recognized, the value of conversation must be sadly limited.
 Lots of people are afraid of cyclone
The St. Johns herald., 1896-08-22
Jaya's Mau.ADe.

Prof. Marsh. of Yale, has recently an nounced his opinion that the remarka- ble remains of a skull, teeth and other fossil bones found by Dr. T'ubo's In Java belonged to an animal that twas not human, but iepresened q form intermediate between man and the high CT apes" This opinion confirms the be- lief of the discoverer of the bones, who called the animal pithe e2anthrOpOs. or "ape-man." The bones were found in ancient volcanic deposits, anl belong, Prof. Marsh thinks, to the age known as the Pliocene.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-08-22
Microphones.

A recent invention consists of an ap- paratus by means of which a micro phone suspended over child's crib automatically rings an electric bell situated at any convenient point on the least noise made by the child. The micrOphOne, as Is we'll known, Is a very sensitive form of a telephone transmitter, capable of detecting the fainteSt sounds.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-08-22
A MAR yELoUS CLOCK,
Tiny Human Skeletons Sound th
 Passing Hours.

Passing Hours.
 Probably the mos, wonderful piece of mechanism ever sen or dreamed of is the property of n inland Indian prince. It was the work of the vastly skilled artisans of he east, and the only white man, probably, who ever set eyes upon 1t was the English army officer who went to the palace of the nabob as bearer of messages from the English government, and, returning to the coast, told of he marvel he had witnessed.
 The dial of this dock was outlined in gold upon a carved slab of some pc culiar marble, and beneath it was sus- pended, between two uprights, a sill yer gong. Then broad, flat surface of marble spread out before that filtered from end to end with miniature bones
The St. Johns herald., 1896-08-22
DENTISTS IN PETTIcoATs.
Dr. Josephine NJ. Rankin Managing a
 Large Associa ton in New York.


 Large AssOciatio in New York.
 The manager of one of the largest dental associations in New York is 8 Brooklyn woman-young, pretty and thoroughly versed in professional ways. Dr. Josephine Maude Rankin has had, up to date, nine years experience in the somewhat active calling of dentis- try. Before entering college she was for three years assistant ill the offices of various well-known city dentists. In '93 she graduated with honors from the Philadelphia Dental College, which meant a three-years' course of steady plodding, and since receiving her di- ploma she has practiced constantly in New York. To prove her success in her chosen profession it is only neces- sary to state that from the small of-
The St. Johns herald., 1896-08-22
A Souvenir

Bill tat the bachelor dinner)-One thing more, Jack; will you give me lock of your hair?
 Jack Irrespective groom)-But I'm not going to die nor am going to the end of the world.
 Bill-No; but you're going to be mar ried and you'll need all your hair in the future.-Minneapoli Tribune.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-08-22
Saw m.taor;c s+or. Fa,,.

MT. J. F. Black, a farmer, living about nine miles from Ottawa, Kan, saw a small meteorite fall on his land late in the afternoon of April last, and going to the spot where 1t fell, picked 1t up. It weighs thirty-one ounces and con- tains little iron, but consists in the main of stony material.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-08-22
New Zealand,s Gems

Agate-hunters from Germany are now exploring New Zealand with very prom ising results. Blue and white topaz and splendid specimens of amethyst have been discovered by them. as we'll as large pieces of quartz so filled with slender, rutile crystals as to resemble masses of matted hair.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-08-22
A V4OuI1"

A perfect vacuum is a perfect insula- tor. It is possible 10 exhaust a tube so perfectly that no electric machine can send a spark through the vacuous space, even when the space is only one centimetro.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-08-22
Fiat PonuIaf;ou

First citizen of Western town-Our water supply is very insufficient.
 Second ditto-Well, in that event 1 suppose we can't claim so many people. Detroit Tribune.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-08-22
Ahsenf.Minded.

Nurse-It's a boy, sir.
 College Professor (abstractedly)-Ah. tell him to come tomorrow after recita- tion.-New York Press.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-08-22

The greatest man is the one who rem ders the greatest service.
 The power of life for good Is in the walk more than in the talk.
 Beware of the man who tries to whitewash sin of any kind.
 The true Christian does a great many things he doesn't have to do.
 There are no purely ornamental places in Gods living temple.
 Men please God best when they do what angels wonld like to do
 God needs men like Daniel to-day IS much as he did in Daniels day.
 The stingy man robs himself every time he puts dollar in his pocket.
 The man who loves God at all is anx- ious to love him with all his heart.
 What we lost in Adam is more than made up by what we gain in Christ.
 Human nature Is no better in a preacher than 1t is in a prize fighter.
 Some folks make a speciality of pick ing out crosses for other people to car ry.
 The right place for the italics is not an the sermon, but In the preacher life.
 People who carry sunshine with them shine the brightest in the darkest places.
 The man who can learn from his own mistakes will always be learning some thing.
 The right kind of martyrdom is nev- CT concerned about what will be said on Its tombstone.
 The man who will break the Sabbath for gain would steal if he could do 1t without any more risk.
 It brings Christ closer to us to dis cover that he chose men for his iisci- ples who were just like ourselves.
 A wolf in sheeps clothing may look like sheep, but he betrays himself whenever he comes in sight of bone.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-08-22

The Los Angeles Railway has kind ly interest in their employees, and has rented a place at the corner of Second and Spring streets, as a reading and waiting-room for the men.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-08-22

Old age is like the whooping cough: everybody gets 1t.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-08-22

Of course there is such a thing as love, or there wouldn't be So many di- yorceS.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-08-22

an look. ! True nobility shows itself in doing good.
 There is so much preaching t b a f Is onl preaching.
 It takes some dark days to tell us what sunshine means.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-08-22

Lots of people are afraid of cyclone who are not afraid of the devil.
The St. Johns herald., 1896-08-22
RAMS HORN BLASTS.

Warming Notes Calling the Wicked to
 Repentance.
Evening star., 1896-12-17
ATT EMPTED SUICIDE
A Woman Tries to Jump From Ferry
Boat.
Believed to BE Miss Wager Of This
City-Her Mind Evidently
Affected. .....

An aged white woman, giving the name
Of Phoebe Jones. No. 1920 North Capitol
street, attempted to commit suicide this
morning on the $50 o'clock trip of the ferry
boat Columbia to Alexandria, by jumping
overheard and drowning herself. She was
prevented from doing SO, however, by sew
eral passengers and when the boat landed
in Alexandria she was handed over to
Officer Belts and taken to police head
quarters and the authorities here notified.
The unfortunate woman is supposed to be
Miss Wager, niece of the late Chief JUS
tice Swayne Of the Supreme Court Of the
United States, who lived on North Capitol
street between X and L streets. Her sister
went to Alexandra this afternoon for the
purpose of Identifying her.
Early this morning DR.. Marmion asked
Inspector Hollnberger to have the police
look out for Miss Wager, who had disap-
peared from her home. So far as he report
ed, the officer believed the woman was de-
mented. and friends also say her mind was
affected In the neighbor hood of her home
IT was stated that she had managed TO get
out the parlor window while her sister was
In another part of the house.
She was in the habit of dressing in black,
and wore a thick veil. A few days ago she
called a drug store and wanted to pur-
chase some laudanum. but the clerk
fused TO sell ii to her Mss Wager. 1t is
her return home she has feared she woull
be returned to the institution.
A message received at headquarters from
the Alexandria police said that the woman
who had attempted suicide and had given
her name as Phoebe Jones is between sixty
and seventy years old and is slightly de-
mented. She Is dressed in a black calico
dress, gray shawl and had veil over her
face. She wore no hat This description
tallies with that of Miss Wager and the
sister as we'll as other friends think she is
the missing one.
Evening star., 1896-12-17
THE CUBAN CAUSE.
Representative WoOdman.s Hill In
Amend Section 62SG n. 8

Representative WOOdman's bill Ia
Amend Section 52SG, II. $,
In view of the fact that Senior Ramon
Quellabo, who was getting up a concert in
ST. Louis to obtain money for the Cuban
cause, was obliged to declare that concert
OF because it would violate the neutrality
laws section 52s6, Representative Wood
man Of Illinois will endeavor to amend
that section and let the concert proceed.
He has prepared and will Introduce some
time today the following bill:
A bill to amend section 1886 of the Re
vised Statutes of the United States.
BE 1t enacted by the Senate and House
of Representatives of the United States
of America In Congress assembled:
Section 1. That section 52S6 of the Re-
Vised Statutes be and the same IS hereby
amended by adding thereto the following
words:
Provided, that nothing herein contained
shall be considered construed as an
plying to or as applicable to the supplying
OF means for charitable purposes, for hos
pital stores and medicines or for the relief
OF persons who may be ill or wounded.
destitute or otherwise helpless or disa blei
Evening star., 1896-12-17
MCKINLEY CHEERED At CHICAGO.
The PresideRt-EIect RejOins His VIII,
and Will Take a Rest.

CHICAGO, December 1.-THE ride
of 315 miles from Canton during
the night was made by Major Mckinley
and his party with ease and without special
incident Around the breakfast table Of
their car this morning were seated with
the major his brother. Abner Mckinley; ;
Chas. G. Dawes of the republican national
committee, Geo. b. Frease, editor of the
Canton Repository; Caat. H. Q. S Heis-
tand of the United Stat$ army and Capt.
Lafayette McWilliams II 1851 Lake ave-
nue., Chicago, Mrs. h&kinley's cousin,
whose home the Presidd8t-elect will visit.
Major McKinley's appetite was on keen
edge in the bracing Chiclgo lake air, and he
remarked he came to Chicago for rest,
but his health was never better. His last
trip away from home, aside from several
two-hoLr runs to Cleveland. was to Chi
cago on February 10 last, when he made
his address at the Marquette Club banquet,
when the Campaign for the nomination of
the presidency was begun in Illinois. His
first ques tion to Capt. McWilliams this
morning when the latter entered the car
was, How Is Ia?''
Assured that his wife was well, nothing
seemed to mar the full contentment of the
rest he Is now starting in upon-the first
attempt at vacation he has made for
nearly year.
Il will remain until the first of the week,
captain. said the major when pressed to
resolve at the start to spend the holidays
here.
II will want to be home for Christmas
dinner with mother" IL
During the hours after daylight the train
had been cheered along the way as it flew
by every station. In the train sheds at
Chicago the major returned the salutations
of hundreds Of Chicagoans gathered along
the Canal street Darapet. AS he left the
train and passed through the station at the
Canal street entrance "a crowd of several
hundred cheering and shouting people rush
ed after him. He quie3sIy- stepped into
Capt. McWilliams' carriaga.and Immediate
ly started for the McWniiams home. A
Side was on the program for the afternoon.
Major Mckinley expects to spend a day
during his Chicago visit with Mr.. Dawes
of Evanston. where Judge and Mrs. Day of
will also be entertained.
Evening star., 1896-12-17
BRYAN AS A SENATOR.

Reported to BE a Probable Candida q
to Succeed Allen.
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star
CLEVELAND. Ohio, December 17.-Col.
c. H. Gould of Lincoln, Neb.. who lives in
the voting precinct of w. j. Bryan, the re-
cent democratic candidate. is a guest of
Principal K. F. Harris of the Cleveland
High School. He called at the office of
Chairman Hanna this morning to speak a
good word IN behalf of Maj. II. c. Russell,
the present land commissioner of Nebraska.
who Is ambitious TO become commissioner
of pensions under President Mckinley
Col Gould incidentally gave out an inter-
esting bit of news concerning the political
ambition of the late democratic candidate
1t was that Mr.. Bryan is likely to become
candidate for the United States Senate
from Nebraska to succeed Senator Allen 3
Evening star., 1896-12-17
THE LEXINGTON ROAD.
PrOpOsed Extension of Time for
Changing the Motive Power.

PrOpOsed Extension of Time for
Changing the Motive Power.
The House District committee, at a spe-
cial meeting this morning, reported favor
ably resolution extending the time for the
equipment of the lexington and Soldiers
Home railway with rapid transit. The res
olution is as follows:
That the time within which the Ecking-
ington and Soldiers Home Railway Com
pany of the District of Columbia and
the Belt Railway Company of the District
of Columbia shall begin to equip those por-
tons of their respective lines which are
situated within the boundary of the city of
Washington with compressed air motors
be extended to July /. 1897: Provided That
prior to said last mentioned date the said
railway companies shall have become salts
all respects proper and satisfactory as a
motive power for the speedy and conve-
nient propulsion of street cars.
- That If the railway companies shall
decide. to adopt saA motive power the.
shall completely equip their respective lines
with suIh motive power on or before July
1, 1898.
3. That if the railway companies shall
not, on or before July l, 1897, decide to
adopt compressed air motors, then said
railway companies shall, within one year
from July l. 1897. equip the respective lines
in the city of Washington with an under
STOuHu eltctTlC SYSTEM.
Mr.. w. Kesley Schoepf, in behalf of the
railroad, appeared before the committee and
asked for the extension of time. He says
the company has now secured the money to
put in rapid transit, and proposes to try the
compressed air motor. 1t is intended, he
said, to put one on the road within
thirty days and give it trial If it proves
success the whole line will be equipped al
once He felt sure the motor would be sue
York.
He said 1t would cost s5OS,O00 to equip the
road with air motors, $r9O0,0o3 to put in
the electromagnetic system, and so.:Ico. 900
Ior tne Underground electric. If the air
motors should turn out to be unsa1isfac,ory
tne Underground electric system will be in
stalled. ~ ~
Evening star., 1896-12-17
MACEo's REPORTED ESCAPE.
4 Spanish Comm n pder Said to Hay,
Been Fighting Him.


KEY WEST. Fla. December 17.-Pas-
sengers who arrived here from Cuba last
night report that Gen. Pratt had wired
Gen. Weyler from the province of Matanzas
that he had an engagement in that province
with Antonio Maceo's forces, led by Maceo
himself. and that upon receipt of the tele-
gram conveying this infcrmation all the
festivities which were iHsprogress in Ha-
vana to celebrate the death of Maceo were
ordered to be suspended.
The passengers further stated that a
number of newspaper reporters, to convince
themselves of thestruth or falsity of the -e-
port of Maceo'S death. went to Punta
Bravo, province of Havana, and one of
them had an interview with the insurgent
chief Baldomero Acosta, who told him thai
the Spaniards who had come to search for
Maceos body would not find it, as Maceo
was at the head of his army and was NOV
ing toward Oriente. He also stated that
he had accompanied Maaeo to the province
of Matanzas, where he left him after an
affectionate parting. When he left Maceo
the latter was suffering from a slight
wound.
The passengers also conveyed the infor-
nation that the Cuban paper La Lucha. in
its issue Of the 18th instant, gave a meager
account of a battle which had been fought
northern part of the province of Pinar del
Rio. Gen. Bernal was In command of the
Spanish forces, and the government troops
sustained loss of one lieutenant colonel
and two lieutenants wounded Capt San
chez killed and eighteen soldiers wounded
The enemy lest heavily. The column of
Gen. Bernal continued its march to Caya-
jabos when they had another minor en-
gagement suffering a loss of one man
killed and eleven wounded.
Sanguilly's Case.
The legal formalities in the case of Julio
Sanguilly, the American citizen who is
charged with conspiring against the gov
ernment, etc. have been completed, and
he has been notified by the officials of the
first district criminal court of Havana to
name before the expiration of twenty-four
hours the lawyer who Is TO defend him.
The tire expires at noon today, and if the
prisoner does not select Ia lawyer by that
fend him. =. e.
Advices received here pm Pinar del Rio
say that the colored HArgents are no:
willing to recognize Ri II Rivera as the
succt ssor of Antonio Afkeeo, and want
Quintin Bandera, who E in Santiago de
Cuba, to command them. ON the other
hand, the whites are desirous of following
Rivera.
Evening star., 1896-12-17
Peraonal Mention.

The leave of absence granted Lieut.. Jo-
seph p. O'Neill 18th Infantry, has been ex-
tended three months.
Rev. DR.. ]. Mcknight left the city today
for Winter Haven, Fla, where he will
supply a church through the winter and
spring.
Secretary Herbert has accepted an invi-
tation TO attend the annual dinner of the
board of trade of Wilmington Del, Janu-
ary II next.
Lierts. Robert E. Callan, 9Th Artillery
and F. G. Parke and j. W. Craig, Sd Caval-
ry, are registered at the War Department.
Secretary Lamont has returned from a
short visit to New York.
Lieutenant Commander z. H. c. }.eutze
of the Michigan has reported at the Navy
Department for examination for promotion
Col. j. F. Wade, commanding the 5th Ar
tillery, is at the Ebbitt House on leave Of
absence.
Ensign F. b. Sullivan has been ordered
to duty on the coast survey.
Mr.. Horace l.. Stiles of Augusta, Wis,
was yesterday admitted to the bar OF the
Court of Claims
Evening star., 1896-12-17
SITUATION IN CUBA.
Senator sherman Calls ON Sccreta
OIney for Definite Information.

senator sherman Calls ON Secretary
Olney for Definite Information.
Senator Sherman called on Secretary
Olney at the State Department today and
had short conversation with him respect
ing the Information desired by the Senate
committee on foreign relations as to the
real condition of affairs in Cuba. The Sena-
tor Is chairman not only of the full commit
zee put also OF a subcommittee selected at
yesterdays meeting, while the questions of
/ recognition and Intervention were under
consideration to ascertain the basis for
the statements set out in the Presidents
message and Secretary Olnev,s rann,
touching the situation in C, ba.
The interview lasted but a few minutes
PROBABLY because this was diplomatic day
at the State Department, and Secretary
Olney was obliged to receive calls from, tba
members of the diplomatic corps. lust
what was the result of Senator Sherman's
application Is matter of specula ton In
asmuch, however, as the Secretary in his
report to the President made sneciaI
point of the necessity of concealine the
Identity of the agents relied upon by the
department to keep II informed of the
progress or events in Cuba, as well as the
details of their reports, 1t is probable thai
even IL he communicated to Senator Sher
man the sources and nature of his informa-
tion 1t was done under pledge of secrecy
rms course Is deemed necessary to insure
the safety of such consular officers in Cubo
as may nave served the department in a
news capacity.
Confident of Action
SO confident are the advocates of the
Cameron resolution of their success in the
committee that they have already prepared
a report on the subject, so as to have II
ready to present to the Senate as soon as
1t is agreed upon. The report Is the work
OF Senator Cameron, who has from the
first agttation of the question taken no
sition favorable to the recognition of Cuban
Independence and tried to have the commit
tee pronounce for that course when II de-.
fiarrd for the recognition Of belligerencv
instead. 1t Is understood that he goes into
bdhes subject very exhaustively, and that
the report when presented viii be q. very
review Of the Cuban situation.
Evening star., 1896-12-17
FOR NOST AND WALLACE.
tertihcntcs of Election Directed tO
BE Issued to sTh esn

RICHMOND, Va, Decemaer 1.-THE
court of appeals today issued an order
commanding the state board of election
canvassers to award to j. Yost, republican
candidate, the certificate of election in the
tenth congressional district.
Another order was issued commanding
he board to count for c. NJ Wallace, jr..
votes returned to the credit of c. NJ Wal
lace, and give him the certificate of cleo
ton as presidential electer. The canvass
ing board had awarded the certificate of
election in the tenth district to Fl. M.
Flood, the democratic candidate, because.
enough of Yost's votes to. defeat were re-
turned to the credit OF Jacob Yost.' in
stead or j. 1ost, the narhe certified to
the secretary of the commonwealth, to be
placed on the official ballot Wallace was
counted out. owing to irregularities in re-
turning his name. Wallace is a democrat
Evening star., 1896-12-17
THE CHARITIES INVESTIGATION.
senator Harris Formally Resigned
the Chnirmn nship of the Committee


In the Senate today Mr.. Harris formally
resigned as member of the joint COM
mittee of Congress to investigate the chari-
ties of the District of Columbia. 1t will
be remembered that Mr. Harris gave notice
that he could not serve Oh this committee
a few days after his appointment as a
member of ii, but no action was ever taken
locking to the appointment of some one
else TO take his place. II is likely that the
Vice President will in a day or two name
his successor, who will be agreed upon by
the other members of the committee. 1t
Is too late, however, for the joint commit
tee to carry on any investigation into the
charities of the District during the present
session of Congress, as such an investiga-
tion, to be at all valuable would take con-
siderable time and involve the hearing of
a great number of witnesses. 1t is likely
the committee will get together, however.
soon as Mr.. Harris successor is ap-
pointed and decide upon some line of ac
tion.
Evening star., 1896-12-17
Run Into by an Electric Car.

While Representative Babcock of Wis
consin, chairman of the District committee,
was riding across F street this morning in
his private carriage, an electric car crash
ed into the vehicle and threw the horses
to the ground. Mr.. Babcock realized the
imminency of collision in time to enable
him to jump from the carriage, and he
was not hurt. Both the carriage and the
fender of the car were damaged by the
collision.