davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1896-02-02
Poison for Arrows.

The following account of the method
used by Bushmen of Namaoualand to
poison their arrows is given in the Scien-
tIfic African: s'Some resin, either from
the gift-boi or from one of the mem bers
of the Euphorbia group of cactus-like
plants. is first obtained, and the sticky
substance is placed on stone. The Bush
man then goes with forked stick to look
for ring-halse or black night adder, not
the puff-adder which is called ring halsa.
Having found the snake. by a dextrous
thrust of the stick the animal is i'm prfsoned
just behind the head by the two prongs of
the stick. The prepared stone is then
placed in the mouth, and the upper law
forced right back. By this somewhat
rough treatment the poison glands become
compressed, and two drops of poison are
forced out on the fangs and caught on the
stone. The poison is then well mixed
with resinous matter, and is ready for use.
In the earlier days more complicated
procedure was adopted, through the
medium of witch doctor. The whole
head of the puff-adder was obtained and
put in a pot along with the resin. and
beetles and noxious herbs added 20 the
incarnation of the witch doctor. TIE
whole was stewed up amid great excite
ment. When the contents OF the vessel
were properly mixed, the sticky compound
was collected by stirring it with stick, to
which the matter adhered, and, on becom-
ing cold, remained on the stick as a black
knob, and formed then an article of
harter ~
The San Francisco call., 1896-02-02
VALUABLE RIDDLES.
Paganini's instruments in the City OF
Genoa.

Paganini's instruments in the City OF
Genoa.
The beauty and sweetness of Sarasate's
tone are often commented on by people
who never think of the tone being in any
way due to the fneness of his instrument.
As matter of fact. Sarasate has two
Strads. One is the renowned "Boissier"
Strad., which he managed to secure i'll
Paris for f1000 an hour or two before Hill
of London sent an offer for it; the other is
one that has been used by Paganini. which
came to him through his son Achille. OF
course tie latter instrument has an addi-
tlonal value from the circumstance of its
former ownership. Paganini had several
valuable violins, and the instrument which
he used in his later years-a Guarnerius,
dated 1743 : would prouably command
something like 5000 if it could be put in
the market just now; indeed, the sum of
f2400 has already been offered for it and
refused, and report was lately circulated
that 900 had been tried. But the in
strument cannot be sold. Paganini him
self bequeathed it TO the city of Genoa,
and the municipal authorities there are
keenly alive to the value of the treasure.
They have it bestowed in glass case in
the recess of a wall, which is again ineased
IN heavy French plate glass, the whole
UtluB ClOSeu Nv a massive QOOr. Every
two months the seals are broken and the
violin played upon for about half an hour
in the presence of city officials, and then
1t is replaced and put under municipal
seal. This of course, is done to keep the
instrument in good condition.
Paganini came by the violin in curious
way. A French merchant lent him the
instrument to play upon at a concert at
Leghorn. After the concert Paganini
brought it back to its owner, when the
latter exclaimed, to the delighted astonish-
ment OF the player: ''Never more will 1
profane the strings which your fingers
have touched; that instrument is yours"
The Genoa people have been in luck in the
matter of violins. Sivori who died last
year, was pupil of Paganini, and Paga-
mini presented him when youth with
very fine Guarnerius instrument. 1t was
therefore but natural that Sivori should
wish his violin TO rest beside Paganini's S,
and so to-day for a small fee you can see
both instruments In the municipal niche
at Genoa.-CornhiIl Magazine.
The San Francisco call., 1896-02-02
Washington,s Dignity.

Great as he was in every other direction
profoundly as he appreciated and much as
he enjoyed the dinner, General Washing
ton by his presence generally spoiled the
pleasures of the feast, said Chauncey De-
pew in recent speech. The severity OF
his manner, his reticence and the distant
majesty which enshrined him destroyed
the freedom which is necessary to the full
appreciation and enjoyment of the occa-
sion. The grandfather Of General Coch-
ran was surgeon-genera! of the staff, and
he used to tell the story of the effort made
by the younger members to break through
this reserve and bring the commander-in-
chief into connection and sympathy with
both the serious and the hilarious Incl
dents which happended after he retired.
The novel method of producing this result
was that the best raconteur should tell the
story which had proved the greatest sue
cess, and then that Governor Morris, the
most brilliant, audacious and best loved Of
the officers, should slap the general on the
back and say: "0ld gentleman, how do
you like that?" Washington was first as
tonished, and then a grieved expression
came over his face; then he slowly rose
and with great dignity retired from the
room. This was the first and last ex-
pertinent they made upon General Wash
ington.
NOVELTIES FOR THE sICKRooM.
A medicine bottle with a spoon attach
ment for administering the contents is q
The San Francisco call., 1896-02-02

STSHE majority of persons do not
know that the sky is blue on
account of the thousands and
thousands of millions of atoms of
dust floating in the atmosphere.
Were it not for dust we would lack light
on Mother Earth and the heavens would
be an inky black.
Suppose a room absolutely dark, save q
hole through one of the shutters. A raw
of light will dart through the small open.
ing and one can observe tiny particles oil
dust dancing in that bright sunbeam OF
light. AS matter of fact it is not "the
light" we see, hut simply reflection,
caused by these notes of dust.
AS 1t is with the shaft of light in the
darkened room, so it is on large scale
throughout the air. The many millions
OF particles of dust catch the light, reflect
ing 1t back and forth from one to another,
so making the atmphere luminous.
1t is for this reason that. were it not for
the dust, the sky would appear black, as il
does at night when there is no moon.
The sun would appear as an immense
glowing ball. The moon and stars would
be visible throughout the day. Everything
would appear different. Where the light
brilliancy. The mellow softness of the
shadows would become an intense black
and the outline of objects harsh and
angular.
The sunlight, which has been analyzed
by means of the spectroscope, consists of
all the colors of the rainbow, their total
forming the white light. This white light
going through crystal prism is broken
up into its seven component, the so-called
fundamental, colors. These seven distinct
colors Of light are the result of the differ
ent lengths of ether waves, blue heading
the list as one OF the shortest, yellow being
on of the longest waves. Thus the
finest dust molecules being up high
est in the atmosphere reflect only
the blue light, imparting that tint
to the heavens above. In mining dis
tricts and those where factory engines
abound, where the air is full of large par
ticles of coal and other dust, even on an
otherwise clear day the sun Will have a
reddish tint. The cause of it is that the
particles of dust are too large and too low
in the atmosphere to reflect the blue light,
only the red being redeered. For this rea-
son the sky in the country viii be blue
while above large city on the same day
the heavens may present a grayish or
whitish color, on account Of the dust
atoms being rather large, and, therefore,
not rejecting the blue light.
The reason that in southern parts of the
globe and near the equator the sky is very
blue lies in the fact that the sky is much
drier and the dust molecules, not being en-
Iarged by moisture, are thus enabled to re-
feet the blue color of the sunbeams.-New
York Herald.
The San Francisco call., 1896-02-02
A New Marine Paint.

A Scotch inventor has recently brought
to notice new and valuable marine paint,
the object of the article being ca pacity
of application in cold state to the sub
merged and various other parts of ships
or other craft, the effect being that of a
quick-drying anti-fouling zinc and tallow
paint. For the accomplishment of this
purpose composition has been devised
consisting OF 40 per cent of oxide of zinc,
II per, cent of linseed oil, % per cent of
taliow, and 20 per cert of Trimmings
latter substances being composed of 60 per
cent of shale naphtha, benzoline, or other
similar spirits, 80 per cent of gum dammar
and 10 per cent OF resin; these proportions
cond itionS.
The San Francisco call., 1896-02-02
THE LOCOMOTIVE WHISTLE.
How 1t Developed From Little Ii
Horn.

How 1t Developed From Little Tin
Horn.
When locomotives were first built and
began to trundle their small loads up and
down the newly and rudely constructed
railways of England, the public roads
were for the greatest part crossed at grade,
and the engine driver had no way OF Civ
ing warning of mis- approach except by
blowing tin horn. But this, as may be
imagined, says a writer in Cassier's Maga-
zine, was far from being sufficient warn
ing. One day, in the year 1888. so runs q
story OF the origin of the locomotive
whistle, a farmer of Thornton was cross
ing the railway track on one of the
country roads with great load of eggs
and butter. Just as he came out upon
the track train approached. The engine
man blew his tin horn Justify, but the
farmer did not hear it. Eighty dozen
OF eggs and fifty pounds of butter were
smashed into an indistinguishable,u un-
pleasant mass, and mingled with the
kindling wood to which the wagon was
reduced. The railway company had to
pay the farmer the value of his fifty
pounds of butter his $50 eggs, his horse
and his wagon. 1t was regarded as very
serious matter, and straightway direc-
tor OF the company went to Alton Grange.
where George. Stephenson lived, to see if
he could not invent something that would
give warning more likely to be heard.
Stephenson went to work and the next
day had a contrivance which. when at
tached to the engine boiler and the steam
turned on, gave out a shrill, discordant
sound. The railway directors, greatly de-
lighted, ordered similar contrivances to be
attached to all the locomotives, and from
that day to this the voice of the locomo-
tive whistle has never been silent
The San Francisco call., 1896-02-02
The Cry of the Dreamer.

l am tired of planning and toiling
In the crowded hives of men,
Heartweary of building and spelling,
And spoiiing and building again;
And / long for the dear old river
Where dreamed my youth away,
For dreamer lives forever,
And "a tolier dies IN day.
/ am sick OF the snowy seeming
Of lie that is half n lie
OF the faces lined with schening
In the throng that hurries by.
From the sleepless thoughts endeavor
would go where the children play
For dreamer lives forever,
And thinker dies in day.
can feel no pride, but pity
For the burdens the rich endure:
There is nothing sweet in the city
BIT the patient lives of the poor
Oh, The little hands too slSillful
And the child mind choked with weeds:
The daugh erS heart grown wilful
And the father heart that bieeds
No, no, from the streets rude hustle,
From the trophies of MARI and sage.
! would t1y TO the woods low rustic
And the meadows kindly page.
Let me dream as of cd By the river
And be loved for tie dream alway-
toI dreamer lives forever,
And toiler dies In a day.
JOHN BOYLE O'REIILY
The San Francisco call., 1896-02-02
Eyes of Animals.

The OWLS eyes have no muscles by
which they can be moved. This deficiency
is atoned for by extraordinary fexibility
in the muscles of the neck, by which the
owl can move his head with incredible rap
idity in any direction.
A deer's eyes command wide field OF
vision, and the animal can see behind as
well as before, though not SO distinctly,
for when alarmed by noise from the rear
the deer will always turn, so as TO gain a
clearer view of the object.
A mole's eyes are believed to give the
animal nothing more than an impression
of light. which is probably painfal or at
least annoying, the sensation prompting
the creature at once to burrow into the
earth and escape the annoyance.
The eye of the cat, like that of the horse,
is provided with false eyelid, which may
be moved independently of the outer or
true lid. 1t is often employed by cat
when Obliged to face very bright light,
and is believed to act as shade.
Oysters are provided with eyes, but the
oysters eye is not located where public
opinion places it. What is called the eye
of the oyster is the great muscle which
holds the shells together, and which is
separated by the kniye of the opener.
When the snake sheds his skin the skin
OF the eye comes off with the rest. Trans
lucent in most parts, the skin over the
snakes eye is perfectly transparent.
Blue-eyed cats are always deaf. The
Psychologists have in vain attem pied to
explain this curious circumstance.
The ostrich is believed to see objects
behind him as well as those in front. Per-
sons standing directly behind an ostrich
can see the pupils of his eyes, and, of
course, are thus easily seen by the animal.
The common house fly is said to be pro-
vided with 10000 eyes; that is to say his
two compound eyes have each 5000 facets.
By this singular arrangement he is enabled
to see in every direction and to eluda with
great skill and success the many dangers
that threaten his daily existence.-St.
Louis Globe-Democrat.
The San Francisco call., 1896-02-02
The Horseless Carriage.

1t is not outside the realm of possibility
tnat IN the century soon to dawn the
horseless carriage may be as familiar on
the public highway as the bicycle is to-
DAY; as familiar, in fact, as the family con-
veyance OF the period. OF course good
roads are prime requisite for the success
OF the motorcycle, but good roads are
bound to come, and it is to be hoped that
the agitation for them that has been set
on loot all over this country will not be
void OF desirable results even before the
The San Francisco call., 1896-02-02
A 'PHoNE IN HIS HAT.

Constant Communication Between the
T',ainmen and the Dispatcher.
An electrical telephone system will soon
be introduced on the Brooklyn bridge
which will, it is said, reduce to mini
mum the danger of collisions of caDle-cars
on the bridge. It is probable that within a
short time telephone connections will be
made between all the trains running on
the bridge and the train dispatcher in
charge. This will give the dispatcher
almost instantaneous command over all
trains.
Assistant Engineer Kingsley L. Martin
has conducted experiments which have
shown that the plan is feasible. The ex-
periments heretofore have been with the
electric light trolley wire strung over the
bridge, with ground circuit in the truck
OF the car. In the future this will be
abandoned, and metallic circuit, which
gives much more favorable results than
the ground circuit, will be substituted.
Under the proposed system the train
dispatcher will sit in his Office and wear
head telephone, and will have long-dis-
tance transmitter and signal bells before
him, as we'll as the apparatus ne now uses.
At both ends of every train there will be
head telephone and transmitter, so ar
ranged that the gripman may speak into
it without moving from his place at the
wheel or his gaze from the tracks and sig
nails. He viii be ready to receive orders
and execute them instantly. The train
men ordinarily will have their telephones
hung up, and will only adjust them when
q bell rings, when all the trainmen will
put their receivers to their ears. In foggy
weather the men would probably wear the
head telephone constantly.
During the experiments car fitted with
an ordinary telephone was connected with
the terminal so we'll that a voice in the car
could be distinguished and understood
during the entire trip to the other end of
the bridge.--Philadelphi Record.
The San Francisco call., 1896-02-02
Yenkee Eneines in Afrioa.

American manufacturers are furnishing
an immense lot of engines. rock drills,
stamps, air compressors, wrought iron and
steel tubes, particularly in large sizes, for
the gold boom in South Africa. American
engines command high figures. / was
told a few days ago, writes Johannes
burg correspondent. that an engine 25 to
80 horsepower, with an "indicator" of 40
to 45 horsepower, brings the handsome
sum OF G400 ($2O00l
The San Francisco call., 1896-02-02

ceit for the sickroom
is a cover for the medi-,
oine glass. 1t is in
the shape of the face
of a clock, with marble
hands. These serve as
a reminder of the hour
at which the next dose
of medicine is to be
taken. There is q
place for writing the
directions, as far as
the intervals between
doses is concerned,
and when one dose is
a d n i n Is tie red the
hands are m owe d
around to the hour of
The San Francisco call., 1896-02-02

chine, and to the front and rear seat post,
are two regulation six-shooters, encased
In holsters. Also on the right side, ex-
tending almost the whole length OF the
machine, attached in front to the steering
head and in the rear to the lower center
tube, is jointed flagstaff in tight-ftting
neat-looking canvas case, and in no way
hindering the action of the machine or
riders. On the front handle-bar and
strapped in a peculiar manner, so that
there is no possibility of their coming
loose or causing any annoyance, are two
tightly rolled blue regulation army over
coats. On the rear bars. strapped in the
same fashion, are a double pair of gray
army blankets. The guns. revolvers and
all are so ingeniously attached that moth
ing can interfere in the slightest degree
with the riders, and the additional weight
of the various accouterments, which take
in everything essential for a march in
times Of war and peace, is hardly percep.
tible.
One exhibition suggested the downfall
of the baby carriage. 1t may not be an
out of the way park scene of the near fu-
ture to see a nurse in bloomers wheeling
her charges over the drives. The vehicle
has been designed, and was on exhibition.
The San Francisco call., 1896-02-02
Novelties in Cycles.

In their presence at the National cycle
show in vast numbers the people of New
York very practically put the stamp of
approval on the exhibition during its prog
ress. There were all kinds of bicycles
and bicycle appliances. The catalogue
showed nearly 400 exhibits of various
kinds, and all the available floor space of
The San Francisco call., 1896-02-02

cruisers afioat. Her principal armament
consists of two 8-inch quick-fring guns
four 6-inch quick-fring guns and six Az
inch qaick-tiring guns. There are also
ten 3-pounder Hotehkiss guns and six
1-pounder Maxim Nordenfeldt automatic
guns. All the large guns are AZ calibers
in length. Cordite was used throughout
during the gunnery trials, which were
considered remarkably successful by ex-
perts.
The San Francisco call., 1896-02-02

tossed into the sea; it then remains in the
same place lis supposed to) in the water
while the line is unwinding from the reel.
The line is divided into equal parts of fifty
feet each, called knots of 1-120 OF nauti-
cal mile. Since half minute has the
same ratio to an hour that knot has to a
hautical mile, the ship runs at the rate of
as many nautical miles an hour as it runs
knots in half a minute. If say nineteen
Knots pass in half minute the vessel is
then running at the rate OF nineteen miles
an hour.-James Usher.
The San Francisco call., 1896-02-02

very unique sickroom novelty. The spoon
is OF porcelain, which Is the best material
for the purpose, and is fixed on hinge to
the neck of the bottle. When not in use
it folds over the cork and can be readily
bent over to an angle SO that the medicine
The San Francisco call., 1896-02-02
Light-Draft Steamboats,.

The demand for iight-draft steamboats,
from British colonies in various parts OF
the world has caused their construction to
become speciality with number OF the
English shipyards. One firm advertlses
vessels OF this description built of iron,
steel or wood, with speed UP to twenty five
miles an hour, and draft Of water as low
as six inches.
The San Francisco call., 1896-02-02
Whittier's Repartee.

In the main Whittier's life was one of
earnest, serious thought, says the "Arena." !"
He was always working for the ameliora-
ton and elevation of humanity, and yet
he was full of wit and humor. Not even
Sydney Smith, who was so famous for his
wit, or our own Holmes, could excel him
in repsrtee.
young girl who was in the house with
Mr.. Whittier and of whom he was very
fond went to him one day with fearful
eyes and rueful face and said: "My dear
little kitty Bathsheba is dead, and want
you to write poem to put on her grave
stone. Ishall bury her under rose bush. "
Without moments hesitation the poet
said in solemn tones:
Bathshebai to whom none ever said scat
No worthier cat
Ever sat on q mat
Or caught rat
Requiescat!
The same little girls pony broke his leg,
and again the poet was called upon to
comfort the child with some poetic senti-
ment. She said: Il have written some
lines myself but 1 can't think how to
finish the verse"
What did you write?'' asked Mr..
Whittier.
Ny pony kicked tothe right, he kicked to the left
The stable post he struck It,
he broke his leg short Off
And then, added Mr.. Whittier:
And then he kicked the bucket.
The San Francisco call., 1896-02-02
FIRST DAYS OF THE WORLD.
Tho Time When Nollusk Life Reigned
Supreme.

supreme.
When geology took up the worlds his
tory, in early Archaian days, O,O00, 600
of years had already passed since the
molten rocks of the sun-like earth had
formed from the condensing nebuIa.
The cooling of the exterior had gone for
ward with remarkable slowness, but at
last it was hard, solid rock; the thick,
heavy vapors had begun to condenss and
waters, hot ana acid, covered the world, or
at least its greater part.
Over the continental region the sea was
The San Francisco call., 1896-02-02

the recoil of the gun. The first cartridge
is fired by pressing button, and after
that, 666 times minute, every kick OF the
gun throws out the exploded she'll, inserts
loaded one and explodes it. This is
kept up as long as the button is pressed or
until the belt of cartridges is exhausted.
The steel barrel is encased in water
JACKET which keeps the gun cool.
The San Francisco call., 1896-02-02
Shoots 6e6 Times a Minute.

The MAXIM" gun, which has figured
prominently in recent reports from yene-
zuela and the Transvaal, can shoot eleven
bullets second or 666 minute. It is a
light affair and looks like small, slim.
barreled cannon mounted on tripod.
The gunner sits upon saddle behind the
gun. and can swing it to right or left OF
elevate or depress the barrel as easily as
though it were a revolver. The gun loads
itself. The cartridges are strung on belts
which hold from 150 to 400 rounds each,
and this belt is fed automatically to the
breech of the gun. The loading, firing
and ejecting mechanisms are worked BY
The San Francisco call., 1896-02-02
A Fine Cruiser.

The Argentine warship Buenos Aires,
the fastest ocean-going vessel in the world,
as demonstrated by her recent trial trip,
is also said to be one Of the best armed
The San Francisco call., 1896-02-02

may be poured into it. When filled it is
fixed at right angles with the bottle and
then is in convenient position to dash off
the contents.
The San Francisco call., 1896-02-02
A Ships Rate.

A ships rate is found by a line about 900
feet long, on reel, having one end fast
ened to thin, sector-shaped piece oil
wood, called log The arc of the log is
loaded to make it stay vertical when
The San Francisco call., 1896-02-02
ON
The Truth From Honest
People.
READ WHAT THEY SAY.
Rheumatism, Catarrh, Dyspepsia and
Other Ailments Vanqaished by
Munyon's Improved HON.
eOpathic Remedies.

A Separate Cure for Each Disease. Ask
Your Druggist for Munyon's Guide
to Health and Cure Yourself With a
25-Cent Muny on Remedy.
The San Francisco call., 1896-02-02
NOVELTIES

A medicine bottle with a spoon attach
ment for administering the contents is