davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-27
New Military Bomb That Can Destroy City Twenty Miles Ava

some one, whether philosopher or not
mas SAID that II but one-half of the en-
eFgy expended in the pursuit of the art of
war were taken from lis present employ
ment and devoted to the DEVELOPMENT of
Inc arts OF peace there would not remain
at the end of fifty years a single acre of
uhcultlvated land upon the face of the
eiooe. The statement may seem to be
rather extravaganza, but full knowledg sc
ol what has been done and is now doing
10 strengthen and maintain the immense
ornaments, at sea and on land. of the
nations OF the earth, would disclose abun-
oaht evidence IN support of the claim.
1t is impossible to ascertain exactly the
NUMBER OF men engaged in military and
naval service throughout the entire world.
no records are attainable of those so en-
ployed by barbarous aud semi-civilized
nations and tribes, and but partial returns
are available relating to so-called civil
lied ca nations. A list of twenty-seven
OF the principal nations is here gwen.
from which IL will be seen that the
strength OF the armies and navies of these
nations foots up an aggregate of about
q. 000, 600 men. Could we secure equally
accurate lists OF the soldiery and sailory
OF the rest Of the world it is safe to say
that 25 900, 600 more would be added to the
ranks of fighting men.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-27

structures, which comprise the known
ruins of Palenque, stand IN thickly
grown forest. in which are trees hundreds
of years old that have pushed aside in
their infant days stones that were already
ancient. Some writer's and travellers who
have visited these ruins have declared
them to be antediluvian, but the consen-
sus of archaeological opinion seems to be
that these ruins have no greater antiquity
than perhaps two or three centuries be-
fore the Christian era.
One of the most remarkable of the re-
cent discoveries was made about five years
ago by Mineralogist Niven. He it was who
first gave to civilization its knowledge of
the lost city of Onutlan in the little
Travelled State of Guerrero, Mexico. This
city, like nearly all of those discovered in
the present century, was at first credited
with being larger than several Londons
and New Yorks com bined. sit seems as
if 1t were another wonder of the world, 7"
wrote one of the early chroniclers of this
discovery, ''for it is no less than the un-
earthing of prehistoric city in the State
of Guerrero that was so spacious as to
cover 900 square miles. It has no less than
twenty-five temples and two huge pyra-
mids.
These structures were built OF ma.
terial that had apparently been selected
with the greatest Of care, the stone being
hard and even and hewn of equal dimen-
siocs The architectural skill shown in
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-27

Don't talk so loud your voice gets shriller
every day +" said pleasant-voiced friend.
II became so nervous and irritated under
this chronic re5uke that my voice was
more uneven and harsh than ever and I
hardly dared speak at home. At last
visited my cousins in L. (they are noted
for their sweet voices. you know and then
suddenly 1 noticed the wide difference,
which I had never understood before, be-
twean rough voice and well-modulated
one, and set myself, so to speak, to catch
the trick OF their intonations and their
tones. In month time, really. l talked
like a different girl. And when came
home my aunt said: We'll, l am glad TO
see that at last nv reproofs have made an
impression upon you, Clara! But they
hadn't you know-the only impression
she made was to make me unhappy and
nervous. l have never forgotten the les
son; and when 1 want my children to inn
prove in any way give them an opportu-
nity to hear and see the right thing before
Ireprove them for not following THAR
per's Bazaar.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-27

Every year adds to the interest that
centers about the wonderful ruins of pre-
historic civilization In Mexico and Central
America. Without wishing to discount
the recent alleged discoveries of a buried
city whose area is said to be greater than
that OF London, it is interesting, at least,
to consider other discoveries in other
years of ruins which were said to be even
larger than those made recently. In the
latter part of the thirties John L. Stevens
visited some of the more famous pre-
historic ruins in Yucatan and other parts
of Mexico, Central America and Chiapas.
Those in Yucatan known as the
ruins of Palenque are perhaps the
most interesting. "In regard to the extent
OF these ruins." Mr.. Stevens afterward
wrote, "even in this practical age the
Imagination of man delights in exaggera-
ton. The Indians and the people OF
Palenque say that these ruins cover an
area of sixty miles. In a series of we'll
written articles in our own country they
have been set down as ten times larger
than New York. Lately, have seen an
article in some of the newspapers, re-
ferring to our expedition. which repre-
sents the city discovered by US as having
been three times as large as London. 1t
is not in my nature to discredit any mar
velous story. L am slow to disbelieve,
and would rather sustain all such inven-
tions, but it has been my unhappy lot to
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-27

The shot fired by it weighs 1900 pounds
and 1t travels al velocity OF fifteen miles
a minute with force capable of piercing
plate of wrought iron three feet in thick
ness. The big proiectile from this gun
may be made 10 fall at distance of over
ten miles from the place OF firing.
Accuracy of striking at this distance is,
of course, uncertain. The cost of each
shot from this gun is several thousand
dollars. The life OF big gun-that is the
numbe of shots that may be fired from it
without endangering the structural char
acter Of the metal com posing the gun-is
very limited. II is extremely question
able if the big English gun would stan d
more than thirty frings. The tremen-
dous conclusion due to the explosion of
such enormous charges produces marked
changes in the fibrous character of the
iron and steel forming the gun barrel; the
metal becomes graduated more and more
with each succeeding discharge, until
condition is reached in which the gun
metal loses its cohesive quality, and then
the gun is unservicea bic. Safety to those
engaged in firing enforces the abandon
ment of such cannon before the danger
limit is reached.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-27

The most powerful stimulus is con-
tinually applied to scientific deduction
and inventive genius to the end that
better and more destructive engines of
warfare may be devised. Under ordinary
conditions, such as obtain in the firing Of
cannon, the use of dynamite and other
high explosives is impossible, either as a
charge for gun or projeetile. Used as a
hiring charge for cannon the gun would
be burst; and used as charge for the
projectile the conclusion of the discharge
of the gun would, by its extreme violence,
explode the shell-charge before it left the
gun. This is why comp pressed air is en-
ployed to project the dynamite shell, as is
the case in the pneumatic guns placed at
the Presidio. The terrible destructive
effects Of an exploding charge of dyna-
mite, mellinite or gelatin make it ex-
tremely desirable that these high explo-
sives should be employed as the charge
for shells and other projectiles. The
great impetus lately given to the study of
aeronautics seems to have inspired a
modern war genius and led to the produc-
ton of most novel engine of warfare.
The new weapon is called the "catapult
bomb" 1t is long, slender, metal tube,
poin ted at both ends. On either side is
convex wing of thin metal, which may be
set at desired angle, while at the rear end
OF the projectle is a fan-shaped tail. The
catapult bomb may be of any size, carry
ing from 100 to 1000 pounds of explosive.
1t is not fired from gun, but is started
upon its path of destruction by steam
engine revolving a drum on which is
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-27

doorway are twenty small cartouches of
hieroglyphics in four rows, five in a row,
and to make room for which the lower
cornice is carried up for several inches.
Over these stand out in line six bold
projecting curved ornaments, esembiing
an elepha nt's trunk, and the upper center
space over the doorway is an irregul ar
niche, in which portions of human fig.
ure, with headdress of feathers, still re-
main.
Another prehistoric monument of rare
architectural beauty is called the Eglesia
or iurch of the Chichen liza ruins. This
is 26 feet long, IA feet deep and 81 feet in
height. It has three cornices. the spaces
between which are very richly orna-
mented. The sculpture is somewhat rude,
but grand and effective. The principal
ornament is over the doorway, and on
each side of it are two human figures in a
sitting posture. Both OF these figures,
unfortunately, are much mutilated. As a
whole, however, this building is in good
state Of preservation. The interior con-
sists of single apartment, once covered
with plaster. Along the top of the wall
over the arch are seen the traces of line
of medallions or cartouches in plaster,
which once contained hieroglyphics. The
Indians have weird legend about this
building, and they say that on Good Fri
day Of every year music is heard sounding
through these archaic walls.
The history of the nations that inhab-
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-27

every living being on board. The deadly
gas is heavy gas, its specific gravity be-
ing greater than that of air, and conse-
quently the fumes if liberated in fortress
or other confined spot would not be easily
expelled. 1t is not known that any ma
ton conIemplates the use of the cyanide
bomb, though just what weapons nation
will or will not use is never known until
the presence of actual warfare solves the
question.
The old army musket is relic of the
past. In its place number OF rifles
carrying each q more deadly missile. The
latest adopted one is now being supplied
to our army and navy. 1t carries small
caliber bullet, the force of which is re-
ported to be terrific" The velocities
Obtained by the new army and navy pieces
are SO high that when bullet hits man
it makes clean, round hole. Bones are
pierced as though hey were drilled with
gimlet- General Flagler q. S. A., chief OF
ordnance, is reported by the New York
Sun as considering proposition to adopt
mushroom" or spreading bullet, which
would. when it struck. spread out so as to
make more dangerous wound than Is
| made by the present used small-callber
| bullet. Recent experiments have been
conducted at the Frankfort arsenal with
these mushroom" bullets. Some years
| ago an explosive bullet was proposed for
| use by armies, but the consensus of opin-
| ion of the nations was that the employ
ment Of such a missile could not be enter
tanned by a Civilized" power. Just where
the distinction steps in as between an ex-
plosive ball which kills what it hits and
mushroom bullet which inflcis excruciat-
ing agony by a wound so terrible as to
p.eclude cure is very fine point-so fine
that the average mind is incapable of
recognizing the Humanitarian side of the
| mushroom"
The cost of maintaining the vast armies
of the world is figure 50 enormous that
| were the money so used during single
year to be applied to relieving the neces-
sites of suffering humanity want would
be at once banished from the earth. 1t
| would pay off every farm mortgage in the
entire world. " ere the armies that MAIN
tain by the prestige of the bayonet the
crowned murderers upon their thrones to
be disbanded and their stalwart muscles
engaged in the peaceful occupations of the
| farmer and the artisan. the deserts OF the
world would be made into fertile fields
| and orchards, through which would ira
verse railroads and canals bearing the
fruits and grains in cheap abundance to
every mouth. Want, hunger and misery
would be only ghosts of the past. True,
there might be few less kings or knaves,
but then there are plenty OF good, en- joy
able games that may be played without
the assistance OF king or knave.
That England spends $S0,000,OOO ye ar
in building new warships a nd in main
tanning her immense navy, France SAB
600, oOO Russia $3s, O0O, 600. Italy $50, COO, 600
and other nations in like proportion for
similar purposes, forms a melancholy pic
ture to the humanitarian, who sees the
shadows of misery and suffering standing
dark and menacing long after the glory
OF the "pomp and circumstances OF war;
have paled and faded.
F. NJ. CLOSE, Disc.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-27

wires the Photographic apparatus IS made
TO operate as frequently as desired until
the capacity of the film roll is exhausted.
AS each exposure is made, the mechan-
ism IN the camera cuts Off the impressed
portion of film, wraps it in a light-proof
tube, and attaches the tube to ring
which is automatically detached from the
camera, and travels downward on the
wire to the operator on the ground. To
develop the film, fix it, and then by the
aid OF maenifying glass examine the
picture, is but short work. The balloon is
filed with hydrogen gas, and has lifting
capacity in excess of the weight it carries.
Should the exigencies of the conf CT make
it hazardous to attempt the reeling in OF
the wire, it is cut, when released OF its
captiyity the affair mounts and vanishes
in space.
Several devices of offensive warfare have
appeared from time to time which, while
undoubtedly capable of fulfilling their re-
spective functions. are, nevertheless, so
internal in character that civilized ma
tons have as yet hesitated in employing
them. Prominent among these terrible
weapons is the "cyanide bomb" This is
a she'll filled with a secret mixture which,
when it explodes, liberates vast volumes
of deadly gases. The mixture is not af-
fected by conclusion, requiring fuse to
explode it. The fumes liberated are so
deadly that the inhalation of a single
breath is fatal to animal life. 1t is stated
that six.inch shell loaded with the mix
ture would if exploded within the hull of
the largest battle-ship totally annihilate
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-27

Majesty wore veil and gown made of
| Honiton lace, which was said to have cost
thousand pounds. Honiton lace quickly
became fashionable, and the man ufactur-
ers reaped a rich harvest in the few
months following the wedding.
An inquest was held in London week
or two ago which indirectly caused serious
in jury to certain class of trade. The
subject Of the inquest had died after eat
ing rabbit pie, and some alarming medi-
cal staten ents were made as to the con-
sumption of rabbits, which, it was stated,
were often unwholesome. The rabbit in
question was full of micro-organisms, and
death was stated to be directly due to this
cause. The case appeared prominently in
all the newspa pers, with the inevitabl re-
suit that timid people who relish rabbits
were startled, and the game-dealers suf-
fered accordingly. Last year the oyster
trade was seriously dislocated through an
unfortunate death under similar circum-
stances.
One of the most curious revivals of trade
on record was the revival OF the Paris hat
trade, which advanced last season by lit
eral leaps and bounds. The tradesmen
attributed the exceptional prosperity en-
tirely to the fact that Blowing" became
almost mania among the Partisan dan
dies. 1t is difficult. indeed, to say what
does not affect trade in one way or an
other.
When something unusual happens, such
as q big expenditure on q wedding or an
enormous outlay on royal reception, one
hears the remark 'It's all good for trade"
and even those who regard such expendi-
lures as waste acknowledge the benefits
conferred on industry in this way. The
theory that even crime is ''good for trade"
cannot be supported by table of statistics.
but there must surely be something in it,
seeing that property is stolen every year
in England to the value of several millions
and that the 'hauls' OF London thieves
alone amount to 100000 per annum.-
Pittsburg Dispatch.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-27

wound several thousand feet of wire.
When it is desired to fire the catapult
bomb it is placed in specially con-
structed cradle, which holds the bomb at
an angle from the horizontal, the cradle
being located about 1000 feet in the rear of
the windin apparatus. A wire is then
attached to q ring fixed on the lower part
OF the bomb, the other end of the wire
being wound upon the engine drum. The
engine is then set in motion winding up
the wire, the effect being to cause the
bomb to mount in the air, precisely on the
same principle as kite.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-27
The Eccentricities of
Trade In London,

Everybody knows that millions OF Eng
fish money are often affected by mere
rumor at home and abroad. but there are
many less obvious trifles that affect trade
in the most curious manner. Nothing is
more susceptible to trivial influences of all
kinds than English commerce. Many
branches of trade are dependent entirely
or the fashions, change in which fire.
quently revives one industry at the cost
of another's depression. At royal draw
ing-room recently feature of the dresses
was perceptibie improvement in the sta
pie trade of the lace making towns.
A similar effect is produced by the
adoption Of new fashions by royalty. If
the Princess of Wales, for instance, ap-
peared at the theater IN q new opera
cloak there would Immediately be . run"
on that particular kind of cloak. There
was marked illustration OF this on the
occasion of the Queens wedding. Her
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-27

<.oONt ldDt EIep@Ieu lfOLl Odld III pussy D
January i. 1895. Figures OF army strengths sho'
bU per centless.
1t must not be forgotten that every one
OF these soldiers and sailors is able
bodied, selected after rigorous physical
examination, and, IN fact, better qualified
TO perform manual labor than is the aver
age citizen. What work could not an
army of so, 600, 900 stalwart men perform
in one year, let alone fifty yearsP Every
one of this immense host is a consumer,
not producer; destroyer, not builder.
To feed them and to lodge anu clothe
them; to amuse them; to nurse them
while wounded or sick; to pension the
survivors and the dependents of the
killed; to furnish them with the play
things OF war; to transport them across
oceans and continents; in other words, to
maintain this vast fighting force costs
one-ffth of the wealth of the civilized
world.
Outside OF the armies and navies ana
not included in the huge total Of 50 600, 900
are very many thousands or people directly
engaged in ministering to the needs of
the '-men-of- war" Not only is the la Dor
of the artisan drawn upon, the genius OF
the inventor is also led TO devise new
methods of fighting. No invention used
in the peaceful pursuits of daily life has
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-27

wide, and the intervening piers are be-
tween and feet in width. The building
was constructed of stone, with a mortar of
lime and sand. and the whole front was
covered with stucco. and then painted
The piers were ornamented with spirited
figures in bas-relief. On the top are three
hieroglyphics sunk in the stucco. Could
those hieroglyphics be read what m arvel-
Gus knowledge of dead ages might they
not reveal to the present? This wonder
full old palace, and many other lesser
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-27

tied these wonderful ruins is as misty,
confused and indi.tinct rs is the history
of the builders OF the round towers in Ire
land. The Toltecans, represented to have
been the most ancient, are said also to
have been the most polished and cultured
of these early American races.
1t cannot even be stated, however, with
any degree of certainty that these ruins of
Yucatan and other parts of Mexico and
Central America are the work of the Toll
tecans Indeed these ruins rise like skele-
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-27

construction will compare favorably with
modern buildings.
One OF the most beautiful OF the ruins
discovered in Yucatan is the majestic pile
called after one of the prime pal edifices at
Uxmal, the Monjis, or Nuns. 1t is re-
markable for it's fine state of preservation,
and for the richness and beauty of it's
ornamentation. The height of this ia
cade is twenty five feet and its width is
thirty-tive feet. 1t has two cornices OF
tasteful and elaborate design. Over the
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-27

fcient accuracy to make it the most terri
Bile siege weapon known. With such a
weapon Its users might laugh to scorn the
best known ordnance of the world; for the
great range of the bomb would allow of
its employment beyond the reach of our
present long-dstance guns.
Another novelty in war appliances is
the military Eye" This enables a COM
mander in an otherwise unknown region
to ascertain the exact location of the
enemy's works and the disposition Of his
force. 1t gives the topography of the
country as it actually is. The apparatus
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-27

The velocity of fight is increased by the
act of ascension and just before the bomb
reaches its highest point, just before it is
vertical over the engine, the wire is cut,
and thenceforward the bomb follows
ira jectory determined by its velocity and
the inclination of its previously adjusted
wings. 1t is claimed that the bomb can
be fired with much greater accuracy than
can cannon shot at long distances, and
it is m oreover capable of being projected
10 distance of twenty miles with SUI
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-27
The Phantom Of the Rose.

Sweet lady, let your lids unclose-
Those lids by maiden dreams caressed;
I am the phantom of the rose
You wore last night upon your breast.
Like pearls upon my petals lay
The weeping fountains silver tears.
Ere in the glittering arrav
You bore me proudly mid your peers.
o lady, twas for you I died
Yet have 1 come and will stay;
And my rose phantom by your side
Will linger till the break of day.
Yet fear not lady; naught claim L
Nor mass nor hymn nor funeral prayer:
My soul is but perfumed sigh,
Which pure from Paradise bear.
Ny death is as my life was-sweet;
Who W ould not die as have doneY
A fate like mine who would not meet,
Your bosom fair TO lie upon?
A poet on my sentient tomb
Engraved this legend with kiss;
"Here lies a rose of fairest bloom:
Fen Kings are jealou, of its bliss"
THEoPHILE GAUTIEH
Luggage trains are usually 5O per ce
leavier than pass niger trains.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-27

tons from the grave. wrapped in their
burial shroud. They claim no affinity
with the works of any known people.
They seem to belong to distinct, indie
pendent and separate existence. They
stand alone, absolutely and entirely
neutrality-suspicious. the most interesting
subject which at this day presents itself to
the inquiring mind.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-27

consists of a small balloon of Longitude
nal shape, held ca ptive to the ground by a
cord which is formed of two small electric
wires. Tie balloon supports a small
Photographic machine, which is main
tanned pointing at desired direction by a
powerful magnetic bar, the adjustment
of the lens of the camera with relation to
the magnetic meridian being made before
allowing the balloon 10 ascend.
BY means of current from a small bat
terry on the ground sent through the
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-27

The two most expensive perfumes are
the essential oil of rose petals, called altar
of roses. and the oil of jasmine. The
former when quite pure costs very nearly
f1O per ounce, and the latter 60