davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-20
BALLAST FOR DUCKS.
A Scientific Discovery That EIucidats
PuzzIinG Mystery.

A Scientific Discovery That EIucid ated
Puzzling Mystery.
"Few people credit a duck with the
sense he really possesses" said Frank
Ozenne, disciple of Nimrod. "For wears
had been wondering what had caused
the presence OF a good-sized pebble. bank
on the shore of the lake in the Grandivola
section of the Louisiana marsh, Had it
been sandbank could have understood
it, but it was composed OF pebbles, all
over, very much alike, rounded and
smooth almost to a size, and appar.
emily differing from the small stones
found IN the gravel-beds of the South.
Several of the hunters in that section had
seen the pebble beach and, like myself
they could not understand 1t. Ali winter
long it seemed fresher than at other times,
and during the summer the grass would
kinder cover its upper portion ami the
mud from the fresh water dim the Iuster
of the stones near the edge. There was
not another beach like it in the marsh.
"One winter, in fact it was just when the
first cold spell had struck us, I was hunt
ing with friend in the lake spoke of. 1t
was one of the finest ducking spots in the
State. This was before they had begun to
make glue from the eggs in Canada. When
we reached the lake there was not a duck
to be seen.
1.-The next morning 1 was hiding in the
grass near the pebble beach when [ heard
sound of wings and a large flock of NAL
lard settled near me. Before could raise
my gun the entire lot walked out on the
pebble beach and, to my astonishment,
began to disgorge lot OF small stones like
the ones already there. This occupied but
short time and the flock began ouacking
and sailed into the lake and / shot several.
This settled the mystery of the pebble
| beach,
''In the spring was again hunting in the
lake, and when the first warm weather
came the ducks began to 90 home. They
would come to the beach, and after a few
preliminaries swallow a lot of pebbles,
then fly around for few minutes In order
to see if their balance was ali right. If
they were too heavy they would disgorge
few stones, or if 100 light swallow a half
dozen more.
II found by observation that in order
for the ducks to make long flights it was
necessary for them to fill up with a GER
tain number of stones to secure a proper
equilibrium for the return trip. After I
found this out l always had plenty of
game to show my friends. New Orleans
Times Democrat.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-20
THE LANDLORDS JOKE.
1t Is Harmless, and He Has Worked II
Many Years.

1t Is Harmless, and He Has Worked 1t
Many Years.
James f. Moses has been landlord Of the
good, old fashioned Bucksport tavern
known as the Robinson House for thirty
six years. Just how far back in history he
conceived the ingenious "April-fool" joke
is uncertain, but gray haired citizen was
caught by it on April for the twenty
third consecutive year, according to un-
doubted authority.
The hotel is of the old-style hospitable
front, with piazza running the whole
length. from which open two large doors.
In winter these are protected by portable,
boxlike storm porches, about the width of
the doors and four feet deep. The door
opening into the office is in constant use,
and it is here that the trap for the unwary
is set.
As often as the 1st OF April rolls around
the veteran hotel-keeper has the porch at
the Office door moved along the piazza to
the left. so that it faces the blank broad
side of the house. Projecting sufficiently
| to hide the office door from person ap-
! preaching from up street, it makes the de-
lusion more effectual.
The snare is hardly set before, perhaps,
up comes one of the grocery delivery
wagons. The driver leaps from his seat,
| grabs two or three baskets and bundles,
| stumbles up the steps, kicks the door open
and goes into the trap 'all over," as the
heavy Weighted door slams behind him.
Next, probably, comes along one OF the
! leisure population, who thinks to drop in
and look over the paper and have chat.
| He opens the porch door deliberately and
shuts it behind him, carefully wipes his
feet and fumbles over the cold white clap
boards for the door-latch, and then remem-
bers the old, old, but ever new joke.
The train is in, and along comes a pha-
lanx of the knights Of the grip. The leader
acutely recognizes the plot as one which
cost him many cigar year ago, and he
resolves to make wholesale slaughter of
the rest of "the boys" There are half a
dozen or more, and by shrewd tactics he
gets them in group. "Now boys" says
he, "let's all get in a bunch and pile into
the Office all at once and holler, 'Hullo,
old jedi" All agree to ii. Now charge!
There is a rush, and in second all but
one are floundering in confused heap in
the by box, while the cause of the COM
motion slips into the best room and is well
settled before the confused con ntingent gets
untangled and with battered hats and
wrath in their eyes swarm in.
And so ittgoes all day long. Landlord
Moses, from his chair in the reading-room,
chuckies and haw-haws at the success of
his little scheme, although it is whispered
that he was by very deep-laid plot in
weighed into his own trap himself, and that
he had to go down cellar and bring up
something to square matters.-Lewiston
Journal.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-20
DEAD IN HIS CELL.
Jailer Whites Crews ONE Discovery In
the Padded Cell Yesterday

Jai1er Whites Crews Discovery In
the Padded Cell Yesterday
OAKLAND, April 20.-Frank S. koeble
was found dead in the padded cell at the
County Jail this morning.
Koeble was arrested yesterday in Ala
media and was booked for insanity. The
jailer thought that it was case OF de-
Grium tremens and placed him in cell,
but as he was rather violent he was re-
moved to the padded cell last night.
When Jailer White visited him this morn
ing he was dead and had expired several
hours previously. The body was taken to
the Morgue and an inquest will be held.
Koeble was arrested yesterday on COM
plant of his wife, who said he had been
drinking heavily. He lived on little
ranch on Central avenue off the San Le-
andre road and leaves one child. 1t is
supposed that death was caused by alco-
hOlism.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-20
SUIT FOR A PENNY.
The Coin Was Over Nine Hundred Years
Old.

In the Westminster County Court yes
terd ay his Honor, Judge Lumley Smith,
@. c., tried the case of "Spink VS.. Cress-
well,'' which was an action brought by
Messrs. Sphinx & Son, numismatists of
Piccadilly, W., to recover three guineas,
the value of an Athelstan penny, from the
Rev. DIR. Cresswell, who resides at Cromer.
Mr.. Jones, solicitor to the plaintiff firm,
said they published what was known as
Spink's Numismatic Circular. A mot
tingham' was described there, and on
January the defendant wrote to the
plaintiffs asking that the coin might be
sent on approval. The coin, a King
Athelstan penny, was sent, On January
6 the defendant wrote, saying: "The coin
you sent me gave way in the wadding."
The plaintiffs received it by post and
found that it had been broken, and they
now sought to recover its value from the
defendant.
Charles Frederick Sphinx, m ember of
the plaintiff firm, bore out that statement
and added that he had twenty-two years
experience. The penny was sent by reg
istered letter III waddlng. That was the
usual method of transit for coins and this
was the first one that had been damaged
He produced the coin.
His Honor-Do you call that a coin2 It
is as thin as piece of tissue paper. Was
it originally thin?
Mr.. Sphinx said it was originally thin.
and in answer to further questions from
his Honor said it was English and dated
about 900 DR.. Cresswell said he was col
lector of coins and other curiosities. He
was desirous of having the coin in cues
tion and received it by registered post en-
approval Ultim ately he decided to send
it back to the plaintiffs and put it in some
wadding and inclosed it in a small enyel-
ope. He then put it between his finger
and thumb and felt it, to make sure il had
not slipped oat, and he felt it crumb!e
away. He used no undue pressure. He
put it in a box and returned it 10 the
plaintiffs. Mr.. Jones submitted that under
the sale of goods act the defendant was
liable. He had adopted the article. Fur.
ther, he was negligent in pressing the
coin and breaking it. He then proceeded
to cite cases in support of his contention
that defendant was liable as a bailee for
award. His Honor decided against Mr..
Jones throughout. This old penny had
kept together over 900 years and then the
time came when it fell to pieces, and he
believed it received q shock to the system
in the post. He was of the opinion that a
registered envelope was not safe way of
sending it, and he found for the defendant.
with costs.-London Times.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-20
The High School Is Now the
Battle-Ground of the
Officials.
SOME FLORAL JUeGERNAUTs.
Electrician Ccmpanies Are Still Dem.
onStratlng Their Superiority
to the Law.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CAL1.l


90s Broad way, April 19.
There has been a sufficiency of political
sensation. and scandals in this city to
cause any one to think that anything ap-
parently new must of necessity be repe-
tition of some old scheme. This is not the
case, however, and the latest out in the
City Hall farceis the most amusing of all.
As usual it is Mayor Davie against the
field, and as the Mayor and Council only
just completed one year OF Office there can
be no hope of result from the present ri
dicuIous campaign till next March. This
being so the ordinary voters are taking it
in and the professional politicians are
looking on with mild indifference and
making preparations to choose the next
Legislature.
1t almost seems TO have reached the
point where the Council and Board of
Works persistently oppose anything advo-
Gated by the Mayor merely because it is
the plan OF John l.. Davie. The same
would appear TO be partly true of the
other side. Oakland has never had a
Mayor who made it his sole business to
give the municipality the services it pays
tor till it elected John L. Davie. Conse-
quently the officials have long been in the
habit OF doing as they pleased and of re-
sentlng any curbing of their arrogance as
display of impudence.
Mr.. Davie does not make q comfortable
seat when sat upon, ana, in consequence,
the municipal reports and reports of spe-
clal committeee and the reports of Coun-
Gil and Board of WORKS meetings during
the past year are the most puerile, undig-
nihed, useless and generally stupid con-
tributions to official archives that can pos
sibly be found.
The latest phase of this petty political
warfare is the attempt to prove that the
dollar tax limit is not sufficient to run
the city and not leave deficit. At the
present time but ten weeks of The fiscal
year remain, ana Superintendent Nicely
monds is already prophesying deficit in
the High School funds. If there be a
deficit the Mayor has proved that it is of
McCiymonds' making, for he has dictated
the policy of the Board of Education for
i've years, until at the present time the
salaries of teachers are 50per cent higher
than those of ether representative cities.
The Mayor has compiled the following
table, which he declares is absolutely
correct.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-20
Greatest General OF the War.

do not risk anything in saving that the
greatest general we had. greater than Grant
or Thomas. was Abraham Lincoln. This
was not SO at the beginning, but after three
or four years of this constant practice OF
the art OF war he arrived at this supreme
knowledge OF it, so that Molke was not re-
ally better general or an abler planner
of campaign than President Lincoln was.
10 sum 1t up, he was born leader of men.
He knew human nature. He knew what
chord to strike and he was never afraid to
strike it when he believed the time to do
so had arrived.-From lecture by Charles
A. Dana
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-20
Napo1eon.s Lack of DeIicacv

Apropos OF Napoleon's lack of deIicacv.
it is said that once in the Tuieries the En-.
peror addressed one of his court ladies, not
renowned for purity, with the words. "You
are fond of men, understand?'' eyes:
when they are polite, was the rejoinder.
at Erfurt Talleyrand gave the same ex-
planation of his masters yagaries. sWe
French are more civilized than our mon
arch" he said to Montgeles. tie Bayarian
Minister of State; ''his is only the civiIiz-
alton of Roman history. Lille of Napo.
leon,' by Professor Sloane, in the Century.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-20
THERE WAS NO RIVAL BAND.
Joaquin Mi1ler's Nearest Saloon Visited
by Salvationists.

by Salvationists.
OAKLAND, CAL, April 19.-The Her.
mitage, well-known resort in Upper
Fruityale, was visited to-day by detach-
ment of SalvationIsts and a quiet meeting
was held. The proprietor OF the place,
knowing that they were coming, caused it
to be widely circulated and announced the
fact that he had engaged brass band
from San Francisco to Offset the army
band. A sensational story to this effect
was published this morning and tremen-
dous crowd was drawn to the resort, but
the proprietor had not vestige of band,
and the ingenuity of the host was well re-
paid The Salvationists held quiet little
meeting about half mile away and the
great battle of bands was proved to have
existed only in the mind of Boniface.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-20
when You Gut Your Nails

Monday you cut them for news.
Tuesday pair of new shoes.
Wednesday cut them for health.
Thursday cut them for wealth.
Friday cut them for woe.
Saturday journey you'll go.
Sunday you cut them for evil, for all the
week you will be ruled by the devil.
There are, however, some seers who,
lacking the power to rhyme, aver that:
Monday you cut them for health.
Tuesday you cut them Tor wealth.
Wednesday you cut them for news.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday you cut
them for bad luck.
Sunday you will do evil before the week
is out, or something you will be ashamed
Of
The ears OF the garden slug are located
in his neck.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-20

yet who will preside, but as G. c. Pardee
is a delegate ne cannot serve. and 1T is not
unlikely that County Clerk Jordan may De
called upon. If Jordan be wise, he Will
not take such prominent part.
1t cannot be denied, however, that the
bolters are not so powerful as they belleye
they are, and should the right man be
found the Republican party of this county
will yet be harmonized, but each day the
chances tor such reconciliation are grow
ing smaller.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-20
His Final Sermon.

OAKLAND, CAL, April 19.-Rev. G.. E.
Jefferson of Chelsea, Mass, preached ms
last trial sermon in the First Congrega-
tional Church tonight. There will be a
vote of the congregation taken shortly
after his departure to decide whether or
not to extend him call.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-20

business, determined, persistent, courte-
Gus, interested in common affairs as well
as in great, doing his whole duty in many
and varied conditions of life, and, diving,
worthy to rank with other our great men.
Washington and Lincoln"
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-20
NJ. ]. SIMMONS AUCTION CO.. INC.

VIII sell this day. MON DAY, April 20. 1896, at IL
o'clock A.. NJ, at salesroom, 1857 Market street,
Handsome Upright Piano; Oak Walnut and
Cherry Bedroom Suits; Fancy Odd Pieces Up
holstery; Mantel Top; Wardrobes; Chiffonieres;
Sideboards, Hatracks and Bookcases; Odd Beds,
Bureaus and Washstands: Clipper spring and
Cured-hair Top Mattresses; Fine Cooking Range
with waterback: Carpets. Crockery. etc.
H. g. KOZMINSKY Auctioneer.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-20
Wood
Engine-Room Coal.

200 cords Pine Wood. Said wood shall not be
under 6 inches or over 10 inches in thickness and
shall be strictly No. !.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-20

Bankruptcy returns show that the farm
ers are still among the most unfortunate
class. In recent period of three months
over ninety farmers in England and
Wales confessed themselves financially
ruined.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-20

IL Dc ucllNcItu Al CdElOdQ lOl5 anu weighed on
Asylum scales.
The above-named articles are all to be OF the
best qualities, subject to the approval OF the
Medical Director, and TO be delivered at the
Asylum at such times and in such quantities as he
may desire. And 1t Is expressly understood that
If a greater or less quantity of any article than
above mentioned shall be required by the Medical
director, the same shall be furnished by the con-
tractor at the contract price
The contracts will be awarded to the lowest
responsible bidder, and no bid Will be received or
considered unless accompanied by certified
check IN amount equal to 10 per cent of the bid
or bids presented, which amount sh all be forfeited
to the people OF the State of California as settled
fixed and lfquidated damages in case the bidder to
whom the award of contract is made shall fail or
refuse TO into such contract and furnish such
bonds for the faithful performance of the same as
the Board of Trustees may require within Ave
days after such award. Supplies only to be re-
ceived between A. NJ. and p N. Separate bids
will be received for
MACARoNI AND vERMICELLI
CANNED GOODS.
DRIED FRUIT.
FRESH BEEF, MUTTON, ETC.
ROLL BUTTER.
KEG BUTTER.
EGGS.
. HAMS. BACON, LARD AND PORK.
SALT FISH.
FRESH FISH.
FLOUR, GRAIN, ETC.
CHEWING TOBACCO.
SMOKING TOBACCO AND PIPEas
LAUNDRY SUPPLIES.
CLOTHING.
BRUSHES.
BROOMS.
cRooKERY AND GLASSWARE.
TINWARE.
WOOD.
ENGiNE-RooM COAL
GAS COAL
RANGE COAL.
The Board reserves the right Of rejecting any or
all bids.
Payments to be made monthly, in cash. when
there is money in the Treasury for such pay
merts, and when there is no money in the
money in the Treasury applicable for that pur-
pose.
East Santa Clara street. San Jose, Cal. Secretary
of the Board of Trustees of the State Insane Asy-
lum at Agnews, and indorsed on envelope, "Propo-
sails for furnishing supplies" Bidders will also
mark on envelope the class of supplies bid on
Envelopes and blank bids may be obtained by ap-
plyingto the Secretary. Il separate e1lUetope tpiH
be required for each bid.
Samples of articles. showing the character ana
quality thereof required, except such as are per-
ishable, may be seen at the storeroom OF the
Asylum.
SECTION 3235. "No supplies of any kind or
character for the benefit of The State or to be paid
by any moneys appropriated, or to be appropri-
ated by the State, manufactured or grown in this
State, which In whole or in part the product OF
for this State having control Of any public institu
tion under the control Of the state, of any
county, city and county, city or town thereof"
In order to preserve uniformity and facilitate
the award 1t has bee resolved to receive no bids
unless made upon blank forms furnished by the
secretary.
Parties win please carry out the sum total for
each article and add up the same so that the gross
amount may be seen al glance; otherwise bid
will not be considered.
By order of the Board of Trustees OF the State
Insane Asylum at Agnews.
Dated San JOSE March rs, 1895.
t. S. MONTGOMERY, Secretary.
No. 32 East Santa Clara street, San Jose, Cal.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-20
Gas Coal.

100 tons Gas Coal, 2240 pounds to the ton. Bid
ders specify kind and quality.
To be delivered in carload lots and weighed on
Asylum scales.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-20
TinWara,

dozen Galvanized Iron Buckets. gallons No.
"a iron.
dozen Galvanized Iron Chambers Ssl -inch
top, 7-inch bottom 61a inches high, No. 20 iron.
10 dozen Pint Tin Cups X tin.
dozen tin Coffee Pots, gallons, xxx tin.
dozen Tin Syrup Cans gallons, Xxx tin.
dozen Soup Cans 3 gallons, xxx tin.
dozen Milk Cans, gallons, Xxx tin.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-20
PRoPosALs-Continued.

125 dozen Clark o. N. T. Spool Cotton assorted
numbers and colors.
dozen Handkerchiefs, ladies'.
20 dozen Handkerchiefs, mems Turkey red, "a
inches
dozen Hairpins- K. & g.. assorted No. 100
30 dozen pair Ladies' Hose, gray mixed.
1000 dozen Needles, Millward's assorted Sizes
gross Pins. Wallace & Sons, No. T. 8 c., S1h.
20 gross Buttons, pants.
gross Buttons horn. coat and vest.
20 gross Buttons, agate, dress and shirt No. 20.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-20

10 cases Canned Apricots. standard, gallons
10 cases Canned Corn, Winslow's.
10 cases Canned Peaches, standard, gallons.
8 cases Jellies, assorted.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-20
Rruahaa.

4 dozen Hair Floor Brushes.
2 dozen Counter Brushes.
0 dozen Scrub Brushes.
l dozen Shoe Brushes.
8 dozen Combination Mop Handles.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-20
AUCTION Sales
PAVILION AUCTION HOUSE,
S19-321 Sutter Street, above Grant ave.
ATsALEsRooM THIS DAY.

MONDAY, at 10 80 A. NJ, will sell two Upright
Pianos, three Oak Parior Sets, Odd Parlor Pieces.
and Walnut Chamber Sets; Chiffonieres Couches,
Lounges. Hair and Wire Mattresses, Pillows,
Blankets; about 500 yards Body Brussels Carpet
Ranges, etc also one National Cash Register and
three Safes.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-20

$50 tons Engine Room Coal, 224O pounds to the
ton. Bidders specify kind and quality.
To be delivered In carload lots and weighed on
Asylum scales.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-20
Coffee, Tea, Spices, Etc

i.
5000 pounds Dried Prunes, California French, go
to 70.
Coffee, Tea, Spices, Etc.
1000 pounds Coffee, Java.
40o0 pounds Coffee, Guatemala
1900 pounds Chicory.
500 pounds Tea. a. schilling & Co.'S Popular
1900 pounds Tea. Diamond NJ. E. B. Congou.
No. H.
500 pounds Baking Powder, Pioneer or Golden
SO pounds Cinnamon, ground. A. schiling &
Cos best S-pound cans.
20 pounds Ginger. ground. A. schilling & Co.'s
best 3-pound cans
100 pounds Mustard, ground. A. schilling &
$50 POUNDS Pepper, black, ground. A. schilling
q Co.'s best. 3-pound cans
dozen bottles Extract of Lemon. A. SchIlling
& Co.'s best triple, 32-ounce bottles.
dozen bottles Extract Of Vanilla. A Schillipg
& Co.'s best triple, 32-ounce bottles
Fresh Beef. Mutton, Etc.
100000 pounds, Fresh Beef No. l, all steers,
from 500 pounds to TOO pouods delivered in sides.
5000 pounds No. / Fresh Mutton, delivered
$500 pounds No. Fresh Veal, dressed. delivered
whole.
Roll Butter.
$500 pounds Fresh Fancy California Butter.
Keg Butter.
10000 pounds First class California Kez
Butter.
Eggs.
1000 dozen Fresh California Eggs.
Potatoes.
10000 pounds No. Burbank Potatoes
Hams, Bacon, Lard and Pork.
600 pounds Bacon, Light Breakfast, bidders to
state brands.
1000 pounds Lard, Pure Leaf in tierces.
barrels Salt Pork, extra clear.
Salt Fish.
500 pounds Goldfish, California selected. 100
pound cases to run 1S fish or less to case, last
haf-barrels Mackerel, No. /, 100 pounds net
each barrel
Fresh Fish.
10000 pounds Fresh Fish, No assorted.
Salt.
5000 pounds Fine Dairy Salt.
Flour, Grain, Etc.
$1,000 pounds Ground Barley.
5000 pounds Corn Meal
5000 pounds Cat Meal, extra
5000 pounds Cracked Wheat
10000 pounds Bran.
barrels Rolled Oats
600 barrels Flour. bakers extra.
2400 pounds Graham Flour
5000 pounds Wheat.
Chewing Tobacco.
500 pounds Drummond Tobacco Company's
Smoking Tobacco and Pipes.
$50 pounds Plug Cut. in 1-pound packages; bid
Gers 10 submit samples.
gross Clay Pipes. 1. D.
Soap, Lye and Soda.
125 boxes of Star Of Kitchen Soap, 20 bars to
the box.
20 boxes Ivory Soap, laundry size 100 bars to
the box
1900 pounds Laundry Soap, Tischers.
200 cans Concentrated Lye, American, one-pound
cans
Laundry Supplies.
case Chloride OF Lime "a tenpound cans
cases Cansic Soda "a len pound cans.
Cae rar IL Pot ash fxxan
pounds Biueng, Aniline K.
800 pounds Laundry Starch, Palmetto brand.
200 pounds Wheat starch, ffty-pound boxes
Is pounds Japan Wax.
1000 pounds Sal Soda
Dry Goods.
400 yards Bed Ticking, Amoskeag A. C. A., SO
inches wide
200 yards Crash, linen 1S inches wide.
800 yards Denims, Pearl River Indigo Blue, %
inches wide.
500 yards Sheeting, Indian Head, A unbleached.
100 yards Pequot, ga bleached.
800 yards PequOt. IA bleaohed.
SOO yards Pequot ia unbleached
500 yards Muslin, Lonsdale 36 inches wide.
200 yards Prints 80 inches wide.
100 yards Ginghams, Amoskeag, staple assorted
coors.
2 dozen Corsets, large size.
dozen Corset Steels
dozen Steel Thimbles, large sizes.
dozen Bnttonhole Twist.
25 pounds Cotton Batting, medium.
90 pounds Darning Cotton.
dozen Bedspreads, white.
dozen Hair Brushes.
10dozen Combs. dress
dozen Combs fine.