davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-01-30
Cotton.

In his interesting studies Of the struc-
tural peculiarities of cotton DR.. Walter
Gardner has found that, when magnl-
fed to the extent of about 100 diane
tiers, a typical cotton fiber has the appear
ance of a spirally twisted band or ribbon
with irregular surface markings, the
thickness being greater, as rule, at the
edges than in the center, and having,
therefore, a grooved or channeled aspect.
The spiral character is much more
highly developed in some varieties than
in others, being less prominent, for ex-
ample, in the better qualities OF sea Is
land. A transverse section Of the fiber
exhibits a central cavity running longl-
tudinally with respect to the fiber, this
appearing sometimes as white and
sometimes as a black streak between
the thick edges of fiber when viewed IN
plan. The breadth of the fiber, which
varies from 0. 0O04 to 0.001 inch, is in
the average somewhat less than that OF
wool, the latter ranging from O.0O05 to
O.0O2 inch, though a comparison Of the
thickness is Of absolutely no value In
distinguishing between the fbers-a
point in which silk also is similar, haV-
ing q diameter of about 0.0007 inch.
What are known as "dead" cotton and
"mercerized'' cotton have an entirely
different appearance from ordinary cot
ton, but the former is only met with as
individual fibers, and the latter is of no
wide importance practically.
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-01-30

A singular story was once related by
Mr.. Gladstone with reference to the late
Hon. Mrs. Francis Stonor. Mr.. Glad
stone was asked during the seventies
how he was able to bear without irrita-
ton the fierce political attacks OF Lord
Beaconsfeld, then Mr.. Disraeli. He re-
piled that Mr.. Disraeli's onslaughts had
but little effect upon him, for he re-
membered the following incident: When
Disraeli was assailing Sir Robert Peel,
he was invited to dinner party, at
which Mrs. Stonor, then Miss Eliza
Peel, was also a guest. Mr.. Disraeli
happened to sit near her at dinner and
endeavored to enter into conversation
with her. She met him with marked
GOODNESS and replied to his observations
in monosyllables and with averted face.
Mr.. Disraeli persisted in his attentions,
whereupon Mrs. Stonor turned angrily
upon him and asked him what he meant
by presenting her with his distasteful
society, having regard to his conduct to
her father. Mr.. Disraeli replied with
the greatest nonchalance: Really, Miss
Peel, am surprised that you misunder-
stand me. I am a man of the world. l
mean no unkindness to Sir Robert. !
am only thinking Of myself. F" eyes, -
said Mr.. Gladstone. II bear in mind
that Mr.. Disraeli is only thinking of
himself; the knowledge is an antidote
to irritation. '-Westminster Gazette.
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-01-30
Parting With a Leg.

An old soldier told a reporter Of the
most affecting parting he ever had i'll
his life 1t was parting with himself,
Or rather part of himself. He was in
an engagement before Petersburg and
had the misfortune to come in contact
with a piece of broken she'll which ex-
ploded near him, and which succeeded
in SCATTERING his leg. Amputation was
necessary, and shortly after he was lying
in his tent AS he looked up he saw e
cart piled up with legs and arms of 9th
ers who had been unfortunate in the en-
gagement, and right on top he recog-
nized his own leg. "It was sad part
ing he said, "to see part of you 60
ing away never to be returned again. l
can never tell you what strange feelings
came over me, and to this day can see
that fine black horse hauling my leg
away to its last resting place. Pitts
burg Dispatch.
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-01-30
When Birds Are Frightened.

As the balloon neared Petersfeld we
entered a dense bank of clouds and ran
in them for some three miles, emerging
over the chalk downs and skimmlng
about $50 feet over a windmill. Pass
ing over a large rabbit warren, it was
amusing to witness the alarm of the
Dummies as they dived into their bur-
rows, which from above presented the
appearance of hundreds Of circular black
spots.
Balloons have terrifying effect on all
birds. AS one passes over farmyard
there is always regular stampede of the
fowls under cover, while ducks dash
into the ponds and dive frantically to
avoid the supposed danger. The effect
of the diving is most absurd, as seen
from above, for often, owing to the
transparency of the water, the violent
efforts of the ducks to hide themselves
are plainly visible. Wild birds, espe
cially game, are also much perturbed at
the sight of the balloon, pheasants crow
ing loudly and running off, while par
tridges which have been flushed drop
like stones into neighboring hedge
row. Sheep also seem much alarmed,
but cattle and horses appear to take no
interest in the matter. -Macmillan s
Magazine.
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-01-30
Eound Eault With Hamlet.

There is an old, very old, tale told
Of venerable lady, who, after seeing
the play of Hamlet" for the first time,
said, cit is very good play, as plays
60, but it is made up of quotations :"
This good dame, although she was
probably unaware of it, was acknowl-
edging, in roundabout way perhaps,
the Indebtedness of our language to our
national bard phrases, sentences and
sometimes whole lines from his writ
ings have been crystallized. as it were,
into colloquial English, and there are
probably more quotations drawn from
the works of Shakespeare than from
those of any other author, ancient or
modern. Chambers Journal
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-01-30
He Was Posted.

In North Carolina the judges of the
superior courts "rotate''-i. e., ride
each circuit of the whole state in regu
lar succession. When Judge Ship OF
one of the mountain circuits in regular
rotation came to ride circuit on the
seacoast, he was much pleased with
CLANS, which were new to him. He had
a clam supper, with the result that he
had a most violent attack and could not
hold court for two or three days. When
able to sit ON the bench, the first case
tried was an affray in which one man
used a pistol and the other knocked him
down with clam-the shell. Manly,
appearing for the state, introduc a
witness to prove that one clam so used
was a deadly weapon. "Stop there,
Manly" said the judge earnestly; "the
court will hear evidence whether or not
pistol is a deadly weapon, but the
court knows without further evidence
that clam is. Green Bag.
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-01-30
battlefield Cremation.

In view of the terrific slaughter by
means of the latest improved munitions
of war it has been suggested that some
steps must be taken toward providing
for the removal of the dead which would
30 incumber the ground as to make &C.
sion and locomotion extremely difficult.
1t has been proposed that crematories be
started for the purpose of disposing OF
the dead While it is clearly apparent
that something must be done in this dl-
rectiou it seems an exaggerated form OF
brutality to dump the dead into crema-
tory furnaces in this way. There is also
the very gravest danger that careless
and unfeeling employees may pick up
men who are only stunned or who may
have tainted and plunge them into the
fiery vortex.
1t is we'll understood fact that men
have lain for hours on the battlefield
dead to all appearances, and such might
easily be gathered up by ignorant or un-
observing attendants and consigned to
the flames. 1t would be very much bet
ter to prepare temporary receiving hos
pitfalls, where all men not absolutely
shot to pieces could be removed and ex-
amined Then the crematory might do
good work There is, however, melan-
choly satisfaction to surviving friends
in the idea that the bodies of their loved
ones who have fallen in battle may be
brought home to them and buried in
the family vault. Battlefield crema-
tories are not likely to come into gen
eral favor among people Of delicate SEN
sibilities. New York Ledger.
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-01-30
HuxleY'S COurtship.

Sir W. Fowler tells the story OF Hulk
ley's coustship. When the Rattlesnake
was in Sydney harbor, the officers were
invited to a ball, and young Huxley
among the number, There for the first
time he met his future wife, whose par
ents resided at Sydney. A few days aft
er they were engaged, and the ship sailed
for the Torres straits to complete the
survey of the north coast Of Australia,
all communication being cut off for
months at time, and then she returned
direct to England. After that brief ac-
quaintance (not longer than fortnight)
it was seven years before the lovers saw
one another. At the end Of this time,
on Huxley's appointment to the School
of Mines, he was in a position to claim
his bride and welcome her to their first
home in st. John s Wood. Huxley's love
at first sight and constancy during those
seven long years Of separation were
richly rewarded, for it is impossible to
imagine pair more thoroughly suited.
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-01-30
A Vermont Curiosity.

The Rutland division of the Central
Vermont railroad crosses the mountains
at Mount Holly, Summit Station being
/ ,440 feet above sea level. Near that
station, when the railroad was building,
the tusks of large American elephant
were dug up. These are considered the
greatest curiosities ever found in Yer
mont and are today, or were very re-
Gently, preserved in the state capital
building. In the same collection of
wonders may be seen the skeleton of an
immense prehistoric whale which was
found in the town of Charlotte in 1879
while some excavations were being
made. The skeleton is that of q whale
at least 100 feet in length. The place
where it was found is exactly 100 feet
above the present level of the sea. -Ex-
change
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-01-30
The Value of Ivory.

Few persons who finger their ivory
handled knives at dinner" says Cham
bers' Journal, think of the enormous
distances that have been traversed by
the smooth, pleasant feeling material,
of the incalculable labor it represents,
and of the suffering and perchance
bloodshed which have marked it's transit
since it fell with some mighty elephant
in remote African jungle. Some who
know central Africa say that if it were
not for ivory the raiding and selling of
slaves would soon cease. If this be true,
then this beautiful product of nature
stands i'll the civilized world as the rep
resentative of the traffic in human flesh
which annually makes countless thou
sands mourn"
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-01-30
Lonsdale Has Outdone Scott.

Sir Walter Scott rendered himself
ridiculous by once Selling on a glass out
of which that respected monarch, George
Nv, had drunk, and retaining it as an
inestimable relic. Lord Lonsdale has
outdone him. The German emperor was
good enough to pay him visit, and
subsequently to invite him to return the
visit. Says Lord Lonsdale of his i'm
perial friend; "He is doubtless one OF
the greatest men that ever lived cam
not imagine that Bismarck is greater
man but, if / must make a comparison,
1 would place your monarch at the side
of Moltke. - His imperial majesty is, /
gather, the equal of Moltke because he
defeated one of his own generals (cleyer
general y at sham fight, and he is the
greatest man that ever lived because he
was able t. tell Lord Lonsdale the
names of all the sculptors whose works
were in the imperial palace and the
pedigree of all the horses in the imperial
stables lit is incomprehensible," OBJ
serves his lordship. when dwelling on
these evidences of genius Simple youth !!
London Truth.
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-01-30
Steam Boilers.

Some of the chief causes for the
straining of boilers and all that comes
from such defciences-end plates too
thick or too rigidly stayed, impure feed
water, presence Of Oil in the boilers and
the use of cold feed water-are discussed
by writer in The Practical Engineer.
In regard to the important matter OF
impure feed water, he believes that
publication can generally be reached by
proper treatment before going to the
boiler-that is, by a chemical process
and filtration-or, if the first cost OF
the plant necessary is too great, or space
is very limited, by intr ducing suitable
reagents adapted to affect the impurities
found by analysis to be present in the
water. By the latter method the lime
salts, etc., are rapidly precipitated and
rendered easily removable by blowing
out, in addition to gradually softening
existing incrustation. Further, if min
eral oil of good quality be used in the
cylinders only in such quantities as are
really required for fabrication, there is
no serious danger to be apprehended
from the small proportion reaching the
boiler with the feed water, unless there
be carbonate of lime present in consid-
cradle quantity, in which case oil is not
to be admitted under any circumstances
whatever, for reasons readily apparent.
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-01-30
A Privilege of the Sex.

This story, told by minister whose
chapel is in the lower part of the city,
gives keen insight into one form of
human nature.
Il once officiated at funeral" he
said, "of a comparatively young man,
whose widow seemed utterly inconsola-
BILE. | tried to comfort her, but she
sobbed out that she had got to be poor
lone widow all her life.
After the burial the widow called
me aside. 'Parson, she said hesitating-
ly, L hope you won't say anything
about my telling you that should live
poor lone widow all my life. for I may
change my mind. '''-Philadelphia Call.
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-01-30
The Welsh Servant Girl.

She came into the drawing room
(there were visitors presently and said !:
eff you please, William Hughes has
come. He says he has no head and has
sold his tongue. This extraordinary
information startled me for a moment
until [ remembered that had ordered
a calf's head and an OK tongue Of
Hughes, the local butcher. Another
Welsh maiden in South Wales sent in a
singular message one evening by my
English maid. She brought Mrs.
Griffith's love, and she hoped my
strange people were we'll after their
journey" Mrs Griffith, near neigh
Dor, had called in the morning and
been told by me that l expected rela-
tives, whom she had met, from Wands-
worth that afternoon, so she had sent
polite inquiries, and as visitors are, in
the Welsh language, designated stran-
gers the Welsh servant had, for the bene-
fit Of the English one, translated it into
strange people. London Spectator.
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-01-30
Wasted Figures.

He-Then everything is fixed. and
we can be married in May, can't we?
She-There is only one thing have
not spoken of, and mamma insisted that
/ must.
He-Certainly, my angel. What is it?
Bid me go through any trial for your
dear sake, and I'll do it. Ask for the
golden fleece, and if such thing is in
existence I'll get it. Aye, even though I
must swim the seas, climb the Hottest
peaks, or search in the Tuning craters
of mighty volcanoes, I'll do it.
She-It isn't much, my dear. Nam
ma said / must ask you how much you
intended to allow me a week for pin
money.
He-Um-er-how much are pins
paper now?-New York Weekly.
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-01-30

At least one speaker at the chamber
of commerce meeting produced senti-
ment which has the ring of true metal.
That is Mr.. F. G. Moore, president Of
the Continental Insurance Company,
who said:
II would rather see every dollar l
have in the world burned up for fuel
under the boilers of battleship, than
to see this country take any other stand
than accords with its dignity and self
respect.
This is worth preserving. 1t
breathes the spirit that makes nation
something more than an aggregation Of
individuals variously engaged in the
pursuit of riches.
The Evening POSTS report of the
meeting asserts that the utterance of
this patriotic sentiment was greeted
with cries of "Ohl Oil" from differ
ent parts of the room. If these alleged
intersections were intended to express
incredulity, they were insulting to the
speaker. If meant to indicate dis
sent, they were highly discreditable
to those American citizens who raised
their voices against such a declaration
as that which Mr.. Moore had just
made.
Every great national crisis has dis
covered not tens, or hundreds, but
thousands and tens of thousands of
patriots willing and ready to give their
all to the cause in which their hearts
are enlisted. Why should it seem
strange to any member Of the New
York chamber of commerce that an
American is prepared to burn every
dollar he owns under the boilers of a
battleship rather than sacrifice his
country's honor? Is there anything
extravaganza in that?
Dearer than all the dollars a man
may have accumulated is life itself;
and are the instances so rare in our
history where life itself has been freely
and joyfully given?-N. Y. Sun.
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-01-30
Bennett and Stanley.

1t is treat to hear Henry M. Stanley
tell of the way in which he was started
in his work Of exploring Africa. He
was then writing for James Gordon
Bennett on the New York Herald. One
day Mr.. Bennett sent for him. He went
to his rooms and found the proprietor of
The Herald in bed. Mr.. Stanley made
himself known, and conversation like
this ensued:
STANLEY, want you to go to Africa
and find Livingstone. " With that Mr..
Bennett rolled over in bed and thought
that the matter was settled
''But, Mr.. Bennett" said Stanley,
who was struck dumb by the gigantic
task outlined, THAT will take time,
money, preparation, and, in fact, many
things must be settled.
DRAW on the Office for 81 !, 600 and 60
and find Livingstone. Keep drawing
until you find him. That is all. "
Stanley left the room in whirl, but
he followed orders.
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-01-30
Drydncked on an Iceberg.

The strange experience of being dry
locked OH an iceberg is told of by Cap
tain Chester of Pacific coast fishing
schooner. He says that he made fast to
big berg which was stranded off the
coast of Alaska for the purpose of re-
plenishing his stock of ice, and after
getting some 80 tons of it on board, the
berg suddenly careened over to the side
opposite that Oh which the schooner was
made fast, and lifted her high and dry
ont Of water, held fast in a groove. The
men took the boats and went to safe
distance to watch the proceedings. The
berg gradually settled more and more,
lifting the schooner higher and higher,
until her anchor cable caught the strain
Then, as the end of the berg went up,
the anchor held and pulled the schooner
off. bows first and unframed. The rest
of the ice was loaded by boats, and the
schooner kept clear of the berg.
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-01-30
The BARRIERS Question.

Old Mack is messenger in one OF
the departments, has good record as
soldier and for several years has been
faithful employee of the government
Like many of the war veterans. he can
draw the long bow when occasion re-
ouires. He was out in terrible North
Dakota blizzard once on time, and
when he recovered from the effects OF
the severe freeze, he was minus small
portion of each ear, and sometimes he
gets very tired of the question his lear
marks bring out. Not long ago he was
in a barber shop down town having his
hair cut, and the tonsorial artist had his
curiosity aroused. "How did you lose
part of your carr" questioned the bar
Der, as he was working the shears along
carefully on the starboard side OF Mack 8
head.
Lost that under Grant in the Will
derness," Mack said, with sober face.
Pretty soon the shears were shipping
on the other side, and another section OF
ear was disclosed missing.
s'Hello! How did you lose this one!'
the hairdresser asked, standing off and
viewing his workmanship.
"Lost that one under Napoleon at
Marengo," was the imperturbable re-
spouse.
The barber was silenced for awhile,
but when he had received his fee, and
was shaking out his cloth, be startled
the old gentleman, who had put on his
hat and had his hand on the doorknob,
with:
"Did you lose anything when you
were under Noah in the ark?''-Wash-
ington Star.
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-01-30
Intelligent Children,

A boy was told to construe "oratio-
mem fecit," or some such phrase, by
made harangue. - He did as he was
told, but stared so that his teacher said
"Why, you know what harangue is,
don't your" The boy said he thought it
was a kind of monkey; on which the
teacher stared, too, till "orang outang"
came into his head
I once asked class why Adam and
Eve were not ashamed when they were
naked in paradise. l wanted, of course,
some form of the theological answer
that shame comes from sin, but all I
got was please, sir there wasn't no.
body to look at 'em - in a tone as if the
child who answered was thinking, How
can you ask such silly question:
Notes and Queries.
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-01-30
DEAFNESS CANNOT BE CURED

By local applications, as they cannot reach
the diseased portion of the ear. There is
only one way to cure Deafness, and that is
by constitutional remedies. Deafness is
caused by an infjamed condition of the
mucous lining of the Eustachian Tube
When this tube gets inhamed you have a
rumbling sound or imperfect hearing, and
when it is entirely closed Deafness Is the
result, and unless the Inflammation can b.
taken out and this tube restored to its nor-
NAL condition, hearing will be destroyed
forever; nine cases out of ten are caused
by catarrh, which is nothing but an in
TANNED condition of the mucous surfaces
We will give One Hundred Dollars for
any case of Deafness (caused by catarrhl
that cannot be cured by Halls Catarrh
Cure. Send for circulars, free.
F. ]. CHENEY q CO., Toledo, O.
90 Sold by Druggists, Toe.
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-01-30
A Fresh Start.

Of Mr.. Arthur Coventry, the English
race track official, this story is told On
his way to the milepost one day the
official was accosted by broken down
but gentlemanly looking man.
"You don't know me, Mr.. c., T." said
the man, "and I don't wonder at it,
I've come down in the world. But I was
at Oxford with you. My names Tom
linson.
"No, don't know you," said Mr.
c., "but what do you want?''
"Well, things have gone all wrong
I'm broke, and want you to give me a
fresh start
Certainly. Come along here bit "
They went on down the course, and
presently at the end of the straight
Mr.. G. stopped short, raised his flag for
a moment, let it fall and cried "Gol'
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-01-30
Alligator Teeth.

In 1890 about $50 pounds of alligator
teeth were sold, hunters receiving from
81 to So pound for them. They are re-
moved by burying the heads and rotting
out the teeth. Of the best teeth about
70 make pound. The stufing of alli-
gators and the polishing of the teeth
give employment to 40 persons. Unfor-
tunately alligators grow very slowly.
At 10 years of age they are only 2 feet
long. A IL footer may be supposed rea-
sonably to be rs years old. 1t is believed
that they grow as long as they live, and
probably they live longer than any 9TH
er animals. Philadelphia Ledger.
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-01-30
DRAWN OUT.

The pain Of small burn can be easily
extracted by placing it near heat, which
draws it out. One feels the pain going
out as it were, and this illustration ex-
plains a broad principle of cure OF many
things. For instance, in sprain, severe
or mild, warmth by friction begins true
oneration. But, first and foremost, use ST..
Jacobs Oil. The needed warmth and
friction comes from rubbing it on. The
skin and injured muscle grow soft and
heated and take up the curative properties
of the remedy, and it is not long before
one feels the pain drawn out. Other prop
critics are at work to strengthen and re-
store, and a positive cure follows like
magic