davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-02-29
SAGACITY OF BLACKBIRDS.

Gen. Lew Wallace relates an incident
which shows to remarkable extent the
wonderful sagacity and memory of black
birds.
Sat my home over in Charlottesville, I"
said the general 1--WE have large num-
Der of tall trees on the lawn, and in the
course of time these trees become the
roosting place at certain times of the
year for hundreds of thousands of black
birds. They came in great black clouds,
and in spite Of all l could do, they re-
fused to leave. OF course they we're a
great nuisance, and was in despair as
to some means of getting clear of them
l stood for some days with my gun
firing into them, but the rest did not seem
to be sufficiently struck by fear or grief
to want to part company with me and
my hospitality. I then devised new
scheme.
Procuring number of Roman candles,
one evening, lighted them one by one
after dark, when the boughs of the trees
were bent low with the weight of the
croaking birdie, and poured the balls
into the tops Of the trees at great rate.
The sudden innovation startled the birds
as nothing had ever done before, and
they became panic stricken. That night
I was free of them.
1.-THE habit of returning there to roost
was stronger than fear, and they began
coming in by thousands as the next
evening approached. After dark / be-
gan with another volley of candles, and
the birds began to realize that there was
determined bombardment in progress
They fed precipitately, and the third
evening only few returned. A few
last shots put them to flight. and 1 was
troubled no more.
"But what do you think those birds
did? My dividing fence runs between the
trees on my property and the trees or
the property Of my neighbor, which arr
equally high and equally suitable for {
home of the blackbirds. When tn,
birds we're driven from my lot they flew
over across the dividing fence to thu
trees of my neighbor and settled. Their
was no bombarding over there. and the.
have stayed there ever SINCE
"This was long time ago, but neve
since the last Roman candle was fire.
into them has one of these birds SETTLED
on one of my trees. They are 'tabooed
as effectually as though they we're OIL
fire. The great clouds of birds eacl
morning and evening fly directly owe
my trees going and coming, but not
bird settles upon tree that is on m.
side of the dividing fence. "-Indianap
oils Sentinel.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-02-29

The substitute cook did not pay much
attention to Dick, and SO the gull did
not get his meals very regularly. AT
length the cook recovered and made
his way off to the ship. Dick saw the
small boat coming when it was still at a
great distance from the ligbtship. and
evidently recognized his friend. He ut
tered a series of loud screeches that
brought all hands on deck, and then
flew out to the approaching boat and ae-
companied it all the way, still continuing
his screeches of delight. II you do not
believe this tale of the intelligent gull,
go out to the lightship on Brenton's
Reef some time after November and you
can see Dick for yourselves. '-Harper' s
Round Table.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-02-29
SEA GULL DICK OF BRENTON
REEF.

you need not tell me that sea gulls
have no sense" said an old Rhode Island
salt to half dozen boys who were fish
ing with him near Newport one day last
summer. II know of one sea gull. be-
cause I've seen him for years, who has
as much common sense as any dog or
horse or other animal you can name.
That's Sea Gull Dick, the Brenton's
Reef Lightship bird. He first appeared
at the lightship twenty three years ago.
and each winter since then he has made
his home there. He comes regularly
every October and leaves early in
March. There's no romance about what
I'm telling you here; it is all absolutely
true. He came along one day apparent
ly nearly starved, and few about the
ship until he attracted attention. The
cook brought out plate of food and set
it on the rail. The gull alighted and
ate ravenously, and every winter since
then has enjoyed the hospitality of the
ship. Before he became tame several
attempts we're made to catch him, but
none succeeded, and now the sailors
would not think of permitting anyone to
snare Dick. The gull remains most of
the time aboard the ship, and the men
have arranged every comfort for him, in
Guiding perches on the mast and along
the rails. He takes frequent short
flights. never going out of sight of the
ship. and swims around in the water for
hours. But no matter where he may be,
instinct always tells him when it is meal
time and he regularly responds with the
men to the cooks call. taking his full
three meals day.
"The cook, OF course, is Dick 8 favorite,
since he feeds him, and the bird will
answer to a call from the cook just as a
dog will come to his master. Three
years ago the cook fell i'll and had to go
ashore for a week for medical treatment.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-02-29
A ROADSIDE TRAGEDY.

1t was beautiful country road. The
houses along the road we're only cabins
standing back from the road, and al
most hidden in trees and bushes. The
sun was shining brightly, and the air
was cool.
Right after breakfast we started for
long walk. After climbing the hill, we
found this road. We had gone but a
little way when little chipmonk rar-
not at all swiftly-across the road. He
was fat. and did not seem at all fright
eped. Suddenly black cat bounded
out of the bushes. She ran after the
chipmonk, and seemed in thoroughly
good humor. We never dreamed of
danger for the pretty little chipmonk.
But, when we saw pussy put her paw on
the chipmonk's back and hold it down,
we knew that she was trying to kill it..
We ran; but pussy picked the chipmonk
up as she would a mouse, and ran under
poked at her until she ran out, and the
chipmonk ran feebly up the bank.
Pussy saw it, and sprang after it. We
ran after her, but it was too late. She
caught the chipmonk by the throat, and
gave it little shake, and the chipmonk
was still. How angry we were at pussy,
who stood looking at US defiantly! She
was not moved by our ar ger, and seemed
utterly Indifferent when we called her
"cruel" and "a miserable cat" Sudden
ly it occurred to us that perhaps pussy
thought that the chipmonk was mouse.
If so, had we any right to scold her?
Still, we were sad and distressed, and
the road did not look so pretty; and,
when we saw bird, we looked about to
see if there was cat that might catch
her.
There was cottage high up among
the rocks. perched almost like nest on
the side of the mountain, where the
family were always happy. and lived at
peace with all the world. Sad and dis
tressed, we went to them for comfort.
We did not tell them of the tragedy on
the road; for the squirrels, chipmonks.
and birds were their special friends. We
talked of the view and the clouds, and
of books; and somebody turned her head,
and there sat two chipmonks listening
to US, with their pretty heads turned on
one side. They were not startled when
we looked at them, for they were in the
habit of coming on that piazza. They
seemed interested for time, and then
they seemed to speak to each other; for
suddenly they ran indoors. where big
fire was burning on the hearth. We
looked in doors, and there they sat as il
getting warm. Having become warm,
or having satisfied their curiosity, they
jumped on the chairs, from chairs to ia
BILE, from table to stair-railiog, and then
to the pictures. as if they had discovered
a new kind of tree. They chartered and
laughed. it seemed. by the happy sounds.
We forgot all about the little chipmonk
in the road until we walked back. and
then we saw the same pussy. She ran
in the bushes when she saw US. The
next day we heard that pussy had lived
all summer with family who had.elosed
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-02-29

to stir them up, she cuffs them to
stop snarling at each other, she cuffs
them to prevent rough play, and they
always understand Just what is ex.
pected of them and obey instantly.
Rose trains her children largely by
example. If she gets up and stretch
es herself, the babies watch her
closely and then get up on their own
shaky legs and try to do likewise. If
she strikes her paw at fly that
alights on her face, each little cub
dabs his tiny paw at an imaginary
fly on his own face. If she curls up
for nap, they curl up in the same
position, and if she starts to sharpen
her claws on the side of the cage
nothing will do but for them to at
tempt to sharpen their own claws
that have not, as yet, really appeared.
The most important lessons, how
ever, are given at feeding time.
While Rose is making her meal off a
great chunk of meat and bone the
babies are shut up, but as soon as
she has satisfied her fast they are let
uot, and then the fun begins. The
cubs are called to the chunk of meat
and are taught by her example to
lick it and even to chew it. After a
few minutes of this she orders them
off and begins to show them the next
step. Going to the end of her cage,
she turns and begins to creep on the
meat as if it were something alive
until, when near at hand, she pounces
upon it with a growl. Again and
again she does this, while the little
lions gaze at her with staring eyes.
Then the cubs take their turn and
creep up on the chunk that is as big
as they are and make weak attempts
to leap upon it and utter diminutive
growls, while the fond mother stands
over them, caressing them with her
tongue, and showing most openly her
pride in them.
Beyond this step, and that of clasp
ing the paws properly over the meat,
the lessons have not gone, but for
their age the youngsters are certainly
advanced, and seem determined to do
honor to their mother and to their
father, Frank, who occupies neigh
boring cage. Father Lion, even more
than Rose, objected so strongly to
the visits of the keepers that he was
banished to the next division, where
he struts pompously about and roars
out, many times a day, his pride in
| the triplets.-The Congregatiomalist
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-02-29
LAUGH A LITTLE.

Lau,, h llttlel Laugh little!
Drive away your tears,
With a smile A little laughter
Will dispel your fears,
Fate may err and wrongly guide you,
More successful ones derlde you,
Worry not if cares be.ide you
Laugh little. friend!
Laugh a little! Laugh listle
What account are tears,
When smile, little laughter.
Charms the passing years?
Every one has cares and sorrow,
There are others you can borrow.
Laugh, for joys may come tomorrow,
Laugh little. friend!
Laugh llttlel Laugh little!
1t will give you hope.
Laugh little! twill give you
Strength with cares to COPE.
If you're troubled You'll forget IT,
Laughter cures if you will let 1t,
Sadness-youll not know you met IL!
Laugh little, friend!
Laugh little! Laugh littlel
All along the way;
Nothing like little laughter
Drives despair away,
Life is too short to be signing.
Joys too many to be crying,
Health too precious to be dying
Laugh a little, friend!
-DEAMoR R. DRAKE, in Commercial Gazetl
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-02-29

their cottage and gone away, leaving
pussy homeless. So the reason why
pussy killed the chipmonk was because
she was hungry.
The family who went away and left
pussy homeless we're to blame for the
death of the chipmonk, not hungry
pussy.-OutIOOE.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-02-29
THREE BABY LIONS.
BY ERNEST L. THURsToN.

aREE babies, three TAT,
reddish brown b III s,
speckled here and there
with darker spots, rule
the Washington Zoo
just now, and about
them all the machinery
of the park seems to re-
volve. The keepers stop
to watch and pet them
and as for the visitors
thew spend more time
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-02-29
The Ideal
SUNDAY SCHOOL REPORT BOOK.
PRICE & IN RAefHne ~ cfs

Price $1.OO.-POstage 12 cts.
WEwant your attention to THE IDEAL SUN
DAY SCHOOL CRETARY'S REPORT
BOOK. You want correct and full reports,
don't youp The way to get them is to supply
your Secretary with this book.
Itcontains a page for everySunday in the year
and also one for each months report, and the
yearly report. 1t is finely bound and in every
way is Ideal" These who have used 1t say It
brings them splendid records with little work.
The success of the Sunday-school depends large
ly on its records.
Send for sample sheets to the UNIvERsALIsT
PUBLISHING HOUSE, or to the author.
REV. A. G. GREER,
1909 WISCONSIN ST.. RACINE. Wis.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1896-01-02
The Origin of Ronflres.

1t is just as we'll that the police and
the insurance companies object to bon.
fires on election days, Indifferent to the
fact that street urchins are simply reyiv-
ing the rites of Baal and Moloch. When
Christianity ruled, old ways and Gus
toms could not be abolished, and so tho
heather. still hankering after the an
cient deities, but half controlled by pope
or bishop, made their bontires ON the
eve of st. Peter or st. John. One use Of
huntires in the not SO fax distant past
was as a means of disnfecrion. In his
History of the Plague" Defoe tells Of
bonfres in London streets. There is rea.
son to suppose that in kindling such
fires there was still a remnant of super
stition left. IL was in a measure IA sac
rifiee to Baal As to the excellence Of
the method of making fires to drive
away plague, the benefit would be
questionable. Anyhow it may be dwelt
upon as the earliest effort made toward
cremation, for it was of some slight use
when an infected neighborhood caught
fire and was reduced to ashes; but ther
the remedy might have been worse thar
the disease. New York Times
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1896-01-02
ROME AND EARTHQUAKES.
On the Margin Of a Great seat of Volcanic
Energy 1t Rests.

The Eternal City ought 10 he exempt,
says the London Standard, from all that
appears, however remotely, II menace
its stability and endurance. Yet no on0
who looks from the Janeulum, or even
tho Forum, In the noble outline of tho
Alban hills can we'll forget that Roma
Is on tho margin of a great seat Of vol.
cauie energy The lake Of Nemi sleeps
so sereBely in its crater basin that it re
quires an effort of Imagination 10 think
of the time when the whole mountain
mass was raised That, Of course, be.
longs to prehistoric, or rather a pris-
tine, geological age But no prescription
avails against seismic influences
The fires of Nesuvius had become only
a traditional, indeed, they had not
been quite forgotten-when the memo.
rable outburst occurred which saved
Pompeii for the modern world by sud
denly converting its site into vast ex-
panse of ashes. Nothing so tragic, it
may be hoped is in store for the pleas
ant city by the Tiber Movements of tie
earth have occurred many time and
oft, and have dome nothing worse than
give frights to the nervous and feed tho
superstition of the vulgar
The fall of Caesar was heraded by
one Of these commissions but. as far as
our information goes, the only analogy
to be cited from recent experience was
the precipitate descent of a marble
shield bearing the arms Of spain. Had
it been the emblazonry of Portugal,
mystic significance might, just now,
have been suspected But enough ma.
terial damage was occasioned to justify
the concern created. The earthquake
was no respeeter of persons, for it awoke
the venerable pontiff from his light
SAUNDERS in the Vatican, and reused the
inmates of the prisons to frantic efforts
TO break through their barbados So
much more precious is life than liberty.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1896-01-02
eNGlAN0's cATHEDRALs.
Beautiful architectural Specimens to Be
Seen In Small Towns.

Seen Tn Small Towns.
It was my privilege to see ten Of the
cathedrals Of England, and situated, as
some Of them are, in small towns, one
comes on visiting them to know more
of the life Of the people than the tourist
can attain who flies from one great city to
another, says writer IN the Springfield
Republican. Each traveller will have
his favorite among them, and all have
their excellences and defects.
Some Of them are partially spoiled
by the smoke Of the town, aud any res
toration ought to be welcome that will
clean it off. Such is the ease with
York and Lincoln and to greater ex-
tent with Peterborough, whose magniti-
cent facade, or, rather, architects con
ception Of it, is best appreciated by the
study of a photograph As the English
are not inclined To the apotheosis of
dirt, they have III many cases removed
the disgrace in recent years, and Peter
borough itself is now made glorious
within in all the marvellous beauty Of
its cream white stone. When these
buildings are not in smoky towns, the
atmosphere, after the lapse of ages, has
sometimes heightened the architectural
effect, SO that Ely grows old gracefully
and Salisbury even beautifully. Sails
bury and Canterbury seem we'll nigh
perfect In Durham the marble columns
are marred by puerile fluting. Tho
towers Of York are not all finished. The
WON arff11 cantr.i1 toxpar of lincoln had
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1896-01-02

RED NOSE, weeping eyes and bad cough,
The worst Of the com bination is the cough.
Cure that with Adamson's Botanic Cough
Balsam. few days will do it. Better mot
wait A cough grows
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1896-01-02
On the Beginning of
the New Year

We shall place our trade at
the Fletcher Store on a ready
pay basis. In making this
change we believe that we are
taking a course that will re-
suit to the best interest both
of ourselves and our custom
ers in the future. We are
aware that there may be times
when it will entail hardship
on some, but it will require
but little resolution and self
denial to break through this
old incubus of credit which
has been and still is the cry
ing evil of trade, and place
ourselves on the ready pay
system. Then and then only
can we be free men. All
kinds of produce will be taken
in exchange for goods.
Yours sincerely,
BARTLETT & CAIRNS.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1896-01-02
Agricultural Brevities,

New Jersey, like New York, has two
agricultural experiment stations-the
Estate" and the agricultural college 3"
In the New York markets the NAM
moth turkey has had his d. in market.
Those weighing from 8 to pounds are
now most in demand.
The raising of flax, which was for
merly quite an industry in Wyoming
county. N. Y, but which had fallen off
considerably since the war, is again on
the increase in that county.
AS in many other progressive move
ments, Massachusetts has taken the lead
IN the movement for good roads
The manufacture of orange and lemon
box shocks, fig boxes and other packages
for fruit is an important industry in
Maine. 1t serves to market large lots of
hard wood Bangor is the principal
headquarters of the trade.
When sending to the New York mar
ket, remember that all poultry for this
market should be undrawn and have
heads and feet ON. By all means have
the crops empty when the birds are
killed.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1896-01-02
Electric Bitters.

Electric Bitters is "A medicine suited
for any season, but perhaps more gener-
ally needed in the Spring, when the Ian
guild exhausted feeling prevails, when
the liver is torpid and sluggish and the
need of tonic anc Alternative is felt. \
prompt use of this medicine has often
avertcd long and perhaps fatal bilious
feyers. No medicine will act more sure
ly in counteracting and freeing the sys-
TEN from the malarial poison. Head
ache, Indigestion, Constipation, Dizzi-
ness yield to Electric Bitters. Only fifty
cents per bottle at X. L. Patterns Drug
Store.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1896-01-02

In trying to keep one eye on Turkey and
one on Venezuela, Cleveland must find his
avoirdupois a great drawback Chicago Post.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1896-01-02
Why not?
Yes why not have
YOUR horses shod
as they should be
when the cost is
no more.

Having made the shoeing
of trotters, gents drivers and
horses in general a speciality
for many years past, during
which time | have shod many
OF the fastest animals in the
country, | would invite an
inspection Of my work and
methods, feeling entirely con-
6dent | can please the most
critical.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1896-01-02
Dissolution Of CO-partnership.

Our term of Co-partnership having
expired by limitation it is our purpose to
close up the Co. partnership business
without delay and with that end in view
we shall hereafter sell all merchandise
for ready pay.
We offer the stock and fixtures in the
Water Street Store to any party desiring
good business.
Meanwhile we shall sell all goods in
said Store at greatly reduced prices.
All persons having accounts against us
are requested to present the same for
settlement.
Our books will be found at our Stores
for few weeks, and all persons indebted
to the firm of Bartlett & Cairns must make
immediate settlement either by Cash.
Note or otherwise.
After reasonable length of time all
accounts remaining unsettled will have to
be placed in the hands of an attorney
for collection.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1896-01-02
Don't Tobacco Spit or SmOk
Your Life AWAY

is the truthful, startling title OF book about
No-To- Bac, the harmless, guaranteed tobacco
habit cure that braces up nicotinized nerves,
men gain strength, vigor and manhood. You
run no physical or financial risk as No-To-
BAG is sold by Roland T. Patten under a
free. Address Sterling Remedy Co., New York
for Chicago. For sale by R. It. Patten. ly24.
What scare a man with q football under
his arm would create in one of the Nihilst-
fearing courts OF Europe.-Chicago Post.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-02-12
voltaire and the Regent.

Voltaire was put in duranee vile in his
young days, and it was not his fault that
he did not go back to the Bastille directly
after he came cut. The regent, who
rightly judged that it would be better to
have young Voltaire for friend than for
an enemy, sent the Marquis De Noce to
the Bastille with orders to release the
young satirist and bring him straight to
the Palais Royal. The order was duly
obeyed, and late in the evening Voltaire
and the marquis arrived at the regents
court. While they were waiting in the
anteehamber a heavy thunderstorm Oc-
CURED.
There came vivid fash of lightning
followed by peal of thunder SO deafening
that an awed silence reigned among the
courtiers for a few moments. 1t was
broken by Voltaire crying out in a loud
voice. "Things could not be worse up
there if heaven were governed by re-
gent" The Marquis De Noce repeated
this remark to the Duo d. Orleans and sug
gested that Voltaire should be sent back
to the Bastille, but the regent only laughed
and promised the young wit a pension.
Il am much Obliged to your highness,'
said Voltaire, for giving me the means
to procure food, but beg of you net to
trouble yourself in future about nay 1odg
ings. All the Year Round.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-02-12
SITUATIONS wANTED-FREE.

Are you in need of work? If so. you are az
liberty to use these columns for assistance in
that direction. While this notice appears the
STATE JOURNAL will publish free Saturday.
Monday and Tuesday, for Topeka or Kansas
people, all notices of Situations Wanted" not
exceeding five lines. thirty-five words. in
length. provided that all advertisements of that
nature are handed in previous to ten O'Clock
Saturday morning; also on Wednesday, Thurs
day and Friday. all advertising of this class
handed in by ten O'Clock Wednesday morning.
No advertisements of this nature to be started
except on Saturdays and Wednesdays. No obli-
cation is incurred on the part of the advertiser.
No worthy and needy man or woman need hesi-
tate to take advantage of his offer. No one in
business or having employment is expected to
take advantage of it, but all others are invited
avail themselves freely.