davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-09
AN CHRONOLOGICAL DISCOVERY.

w. Saville- Kent of London, one of the
most famous of naturalists, has Just m ade
public the news of q remarkable discovery
by him in Australia-the work of ants,
huge in size and almost human in intellect.
The news thus made public is of the great
est interest to the scientific world and
seems to firmly establish what has hitherto
been held as a chimerical theory, that the
telligence.
The Australian ants, which Mr.. Saville.
Kent has found and studied, are of the
class known az the termites, or white
ants. They are capable of destroying al
most anything they attack. and q human
being is by no means safe from assaults
by them. Their homes are in the shape
of mammoth slabs of sandstone, which
they resemble to considerable degree.
A curious fact that Mr.. Saville.
Kent proved is that in every in
stance the homes of these termites
were built from north to south and
close observation showed this principle
OF construction was apparent in all their
work. 1t was. demonstrated to Mr.. Sa-
ville-Kent's satisfaction that the creatures
points Of the compass, and their work
showed conclusively that they moved and
lived according to a definite plan. So
complete in detail was this plan it con-
vinced the traveller that it was the result
of what at least approached thought.
The white ants are found generally
throughout North Queensland. quite a
distance inland from Port Darwin, in the
Laura Valley. This is an extensive Sec
ton of Northern Queensland and in it
these ants seem TO dwell, divided into
tribes and sub-nationalities, being sub
iected, apparently, to a general form Of
government or vassalage. There seemed
to be central town or community
to which at various times ants
made pilgrimages from the surrounding
country, although the discoverer found
that they had homes of their own else
where. The style of house built by these
ants varied to a considerable extent. The
majority were like the slabs of sandstone
already described, while others were like
haycocks A singular form Of construc-
tion which these ants followed to quite
little extent was that of the pyramid. Mr..
Saville- Kent was, in number of in.
stances, SO fortunate as to find abandoned
anthouses of various kinds, and thus he
was enabled to observe the inner methods
of construction thereof
One mound In particular, groined
columnar structure, was eighteen feet
high. This was not far from Port Dar-
win. The accompanying illustration,
which is drawn from photograph. is,
Savllle-Kent tells US. of complete accur-
acy. 1t will be noticed that the point of
ingress and egress is about foot and
half from the top. The discoverer be-
lieves that originally the mound was conf
cal IN shape. the sides being smooth.
1t had evidently been in use for
many years and the columnar effect
noticeable, he believes, is due to the fact
that the ants necessarily travelling the
pathways up and down the mound pro-
duced the grooves that are seen, and re-
suited in giving the effect of columnar
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-09

lost them. You can prove their sig htless-
ness at any time by drawing with the
point OF lead pencil, or with little
stick, shallow trench across the trail OF
line of ants as they journey to and from
their mast. The trench MAJ be but faint
depressed line, but the ants will wander
helplessly along it until one happens to
get across and strikes the trail on the
other side. Then, one after another, all
Will find the new route and travel in it
though it may lose them yards out of the
direct line. Sometimes they do not find
the way at all. but wander about aimless
and abject, until they disperse to perish
within few inches of home.
watched an ant not long ago as it
toiled along bearing little stick twice its
own length. 1t tugged and pushed. trav-
cling now forward, now backward, pro-
gressing slowly to the entrance of the ant
heap. Presently q fellow.worker happened
along and STUN bling against the free end
OF the little stick seized hold upon it, as
supposed, to help. But the game OF Cross
purposes that follow ed was as interesting
as 1t was senseless. The two creatures
pulled in opposite directions, rolling over,
AouuNS OoSAAAS oh0 6OiAS AVA"
ward. but getting further and further
from home. At last one of them lost its
hold and feeling along the stick probably
to obtain better grasp upon it came sud-
denly in contact with the other toiler.
There was a great rubbing together OF
antenn@, a mutual recognition, appar-
sntly, and then one went off and left the
other to bear the burden alone. 1t seemed
quite evident that each had until then
been unaware of the others presence and
labors. Before the stick was at last safe
within the entrance this little comedy was
repeated and nearly minute after it dis
appeared it was thrown suddenly and vio-
lently out. only to be dragged in again a
little later.
The orioles came last week and the trees
are abaze with their beautiful colorinR
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-09
attention. his little lady finds very much


to her liking.
met one of my neighbors the other day
hurrying cross lots in great distress. One
OF his calves had lost its cud and he was
seeking the local wiseacre to learn what to
do. Later / saw him returning with the
air OF one who has found that which he
sought. The wiseacre had told him to
take piece of salt pork, wrapped in
the leaves OF the dogfennel, and put it
into the animals throat. He did this and
atterward told me that the ''false cud"
worked like charm. It would be inter-
esting could one trace the origin of this
myth of the cows cud. Farmer folk will
tell you in all seriousness that if cow
loses her cud the loss must be made good
within twenty-four hours or the animal
will die.
According to them this mysterious OBJ
Jtct, when not in use, reposes in the first
stomach of the cow. One positive owner
OF cattle assures me that the cow has two
cuds, and chews them alternately. and
scarcely one but is ready with the most
astonishing instances of bovine fatality
resultant upon the loss of this useful ap-
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-09

, trips the general always had party with
him, and the horses were kept on the gall
lop all the way. When conditions were
favorable and the horses in good condi.
ton as much as sixty-fve miles has been
covered in day.
AS well as these journeys to Monterey
the old carriage has borne the general on
business of state to all parts of California,
as far south as Ensenada and to the north.
ward as far as the line of advancing civiIi-
zation extended. Hundreds of miles had
been travelled over country where there
were no roads. and the horses pulled and
dragged through miles of sand and desert
vegetation.
The saddest moment in the history of
the carriage must have been the time
when General Vallejo was not permitted
to ride in it. Mrs. Haraszthy, General
Vallejo's daughter, will remember the
time. 1t was, she says, when the Bear
flag raisers made their descent on the town
in 1916, and captured her father. He was
| sick In bed at the time but was made to
ride horseback by the invaders, who took
him away from his family, in spite of the
fact that he said he was unable to do so,
and asked to be allowed to ride in his own
carriage. which was quickly harnessed and
kept in waiting AZ soon as it was known
that he was going.
After the exciting times of the gold
fever the carriage was used as convey
| ance for business and family until the
railroad came through Sonoma. After
that it was used by the general for trips
about the country until shortly before his
death, when it was hauled into this dark
| room in the old adobe stable, where it
has remained ever since, gradually accu-
mulating a covering of cobwebs
Although it is called carriage General
Vallejo's old vehicle really looks more
like buggy. But that is as far as the re-
semblance goes. The running gear is OF
the heaviest description, and is the same
to-day as when it first came to this country.
There is room for three people to sit on
the seat, and large amount OF luggage
can be carried in front and on straps in
the rear. The springs are of the easiest
known style-part steel and part straps.
In appearance the vehicle is of the quaint
est description. The high dashboard in
front greatly adds to this, although at first
glance it looks most ungainly.
Mrs. Emparan, General Vallejo's daugh.
ter. who owns the vehicle. has signified her
Willingness to donate the historic carriage
to any California historical society that
will promise to properly care for and pre-
serve 1t. This, of course should be done.
as the old conveyance is sure to be of the
greatest interest to coming generations
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-09

and melodious with their full. rich song.
These are usually the last OF our migratory
birds to arrive. They belong to summer
and the season OF ripening seeds. 1t was a
warm, beautiful morning when they made
their appearance and awoke me- in the
dewy hours with their clear melody. The
bi: ds, in migrating, travel at night, and
In this season of the year the bird lover
who goes afiold at O'Clock In the morn
ing Is pretty certain 10 be greeted by some
newcomer. Sometimes the visitors tarry
but day. l saw two birds one morning
last week that I am pretty certain were
BlackburniaE warblers, but they were
doubtless on their way to some other sum-
mer residence, for they tarried with me
but day. The bluebirds have not here
totore, to my knowledge, nested In this
locality. but flock stopped over for day
fortnight ago, and, taking fancy to my
bird boxes, seem to have settled down for
the summer. In doing this they had an
encounter with the English sparrows and
complstely routed these aggressive little
intruders. The English sparrow, in rural
scenes, Is by no means the unpleasant,
quarrelsome creature he is in the city.
Urban associations have deteriorating
effect upon him. Even his voice grows
harsher and more querulous.
saw female bIuebird investigating, a
sparrow's nest the other day, whether
with predatory intent / could not deter
mine. The entrance to the nest was
through small crack in the sheathing OF
the house near the caves. l knew that
had seen her 70 in but . minute before.
and the head OF that sparrow household
sat upon the eavstrough and watched the
visitor, but made no move in her direc-
ton. The bluebird cung to the edge of
the opening and peered curiously down
into the nest, but the sparrow hen made
no sign either of welcome or rspulsion.
After q moments inspection the visitor
few away, but returned again and again,
som etimes perchlng, sometimes lowering
with rapidly vibrating wings opposite the
opening, which seemed to have strange
fascination for her. Her mate sat upon
the ridgepole of the house watching her
over his shoulder, after the manner OF
these birds. and it was perhaps his pres
ence that kept the cock.sparrow quies-
cent, but the performance was a curious
one.
A single pair of snowbirds have fingered
this summer and are evidently building
hereabouts, though all their whilom COM
panions have departed to the mountains,
whittier these bkds usually repair in nest
ing time. The male bird has found his
voice and sitting upon low twig delivers
himself from time to time of low, twit-
tering trill that, Judging from her rapt
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-09
AN OLD AND HISTORIC CARRIAGE.

Stored away in dark room in an old
adobe stable on the Emparau ranch near
Sonoma Is one of the most historic and
interesting vehicles in California. 1t was
the property of the late General Vallejo
and in its time has been on the scene of
some of the most exciting incidents in the
history of the State.
This interesting carriage was made in
England and brought to Monterey in 1886.
Since that time it has seen almost con-
stant service, being retired only a short
time before the generals death. 1t has
been from end to end of California many
times and except for its battered appear
ance seems to be still good enough for q
great deal of hard service. This is all the
more rem arkable in the face of the fact
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-09

solve among the Hellenes to be free; and
the revival of the original form of the
pure Greek tongue and return to the en-
joyment of it's literature was very largely
the inspiration of the courage and per-
sistence that after seven years of endeavor
threw off the Ottoman yoke.
The position of the great powers to
Greece during that memorable struggle
was very similar to their attitude now
and inasmuch as history often repeats it
self, the remarkable change the policy OF
the great Governments then passed
through in Difference to the phIlhellenism
of the masses of the European people
may promise another sweeping change to
Greek advantage. Popular sympathy
may in the present emergency again
change the plans of the Governments.
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-09

History gives evidence that it has often
been the fate of Europe in regard to the
Eastern question to make mistakes which
1t was compelled to acknowledge by
subsequent acts. AT the first out
break of the Greek insurrection in
1921 the European Governments looked
coldly npon it as a dangerous eruption
against lawful sovereignty. Europe was
then dominated by the principles OF the
Holy Alliance, which, in spite of the fine
name, was strongly antaconistic to hu-
man liberty. The sentiment of the people
gradually counteracted this until the great
Austrian. statesman, Metternich, took the
lead in favoring Greek freedom, declaring
that very soon there would be no Greeks
left to liberate," and all the great powers
conn bined to give national life to HeIlas.
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-09

this side OF the bay. but along the Oak
land shore. From Sonoma the carriage
was driven to Embarcadero, where a
sailing vessel transferred it across the bay
to Point San Pedro. Sometimes this took
only few hours and sometimes all day.
From Point San Pedro the road lay
along the Berkeley hills toward the MIS-
sion San Jose and through where Niles
now stands. At this point General VAL
leio's brother had built a fourmill, said to
be the first in the State. From Niles the
road passed through the Santa Clara and
Pajaro valleys, reaching Monterey by
passing the Mission FL Carmelo. On these
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-09

Knowing that he would have to make
the journey several times each year, Gen.
eral Vallejo ordered the carriage from
England, and said it must be of the best
possible quality. When it reached Mon
terey it was the admiration of the county,
although it looked little queer to the
people. When four horses were hitched to
it and galloped over the desert with it it
must have been a sight worth looking at,
for the carriage is picturesque in the ex-
treme and everybody knows how gayly
horses were decorated In those days.
With plenty of changes of horses the
trip from Sonoma to Monterey consumed
in good weather about four days apd from
a week to ten days in rainy weather. The
road did not lie, as one would suppose on
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-09

Greece is subject of perennial interest.
and just now while the world is watching
her plucky but useless struggle against
her one-time master it is with a strong
revival OF concern in her past and future
that one gIances again through the pages
of her history. 1t was recorded of the he
roio struggle in the twenties of this CEN
tury, when the Greeks rose ip insurrec-
tion against the 0ltomans, that the people
of Europe could not disconnect in their
minds the Hellenes of that date from the
forever famous race who had taken such a
high place in the lifting of man from bar
barism, and in spite of the long lapse of
centuries and the large admixture of alien
blood in the people that then fought
for liberty on Grecian soil the civil
lied world persisted in seeing in the
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-09

The fact that the present King George
is not merely sovereign of Greece. but is
in an especial sense King of the Hellenes,
is important in connection with the sta
tistics which sho " that the Hellenes num-
Der over 100000, while the population of
Greece is not much more than 2, 600, 0O0
When King George was elected every
community of Greeks that could muster a
hundred. no matter In what distant land.
of these scattered subjects is illustrated
by the large share they took in the re-
building of the fairest portion ct modern
Athens; and the idea suggested by such
a claim of wide sovereignty may yet de-
velop into great aid to the restoration Of
q great Greek nationality.
There is a truth in the history of modern
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-09

formation. The entrance to the mound,
examination showed, had varied in loca-
ton, for there was distinct evidence that
apertures of this sort had been walled up
in several instances.
The interior of the mound referred to
showed as much as anything the remark
able instinct of the ants. 1t was divide
up very much after the fashion of the tall
buildings which are now becoming so
common, with an immense court within the
structure itself. That is, there were hum
dreds of tiny cells built in from galleries
which were terraced one above the other.
The galleries were connected by paths of
stalrways, each of these being constructed
with architectural exactness. The cells
were almost uniform in size and rami nd ed
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-09

Greece which, while it will be unwelcome
to many, must be recolIected in order that
we nay be just to the Turk. The Ottoman
was not wholly without excuse for his
atrocities, and tho fearful vengeance he
took while he had the upper hand of the
Greeks had its equally cruel provocation.
When the rebels rose in the Morea their
plan was to exterminate the Turks with
out regard to sex or age, and in so far as
they were able they proceeded to execute
their design with ruthless brutality. At
the capture of Navarino, although the
Moslems had been soIemniy promised by
the terms of capitulation q safeguard out
of the city. they were treacherously butch.
ered-men. women and children. Equally
sanguinary was the taking of Tripolitza-
and there the Greek commander, Koloko
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-09

that the roads it was dragged over in the
old days were about as bad as could be
found on top OF the earth. No roads at
all, one might say.
The prime reason for the purchase OF
this vehicle was the Mexican Govern.
ments extension of its military outposts.
Monterey being the headquarters in 1885.
the Presidio of Sonoma was looked upon
as out of the world. And it was big
journey between the two points in those
days, even with the best of vehicles. What
must 1t have been in some Of the crude
travelling contrivances manufactured on
the coast at the time?
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-09

trones, rode from the
gate to the citadel
without the hoofs OF
his horse ever touch
ing anything but the
faces and bodies OF
the victims. Such
things should be
duly con 81 ID er ed
while We vituperate
the Turk for his cruel
conquest OF the Isle
of Scio.
1t is noteworthy
that the Greeks in
many sections. par
ticularly in the Ege-
an Islands, enjoyed a
higher dagree of lib
erty while under the
Turks than was the
lot of any other peo-
pie in Europe at that
tt m e e < ce pit the
Swiss.
1t is recorded as a
80 Der truth of history
that Lord Byron, by
his eloquence, had a
large share in the lib
Grafton of Greece.
Although Greece is
now in a depIorable
condition financially,
and her manufac-
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-09

one, the explorer said, of the cell of
monk. The earth in each instance was as
hard and smooth as marble and bore evil
dence of long-continued usage. A portion
of the ground floor or basement of the
mound had been divided up into store
rooms, and here it was evident the ants
had carefully packed away the provender
which they had secured from various
points about.
While naturalists and students of the
intelligence of insects and animals have
long been inclined to believe that the ant
exceeded in at least keenness of instinct
all other creatures of its kind, it has never
baeI conclusively shown until demon
strated by the just-made announcemen
of Mr. SayiIle. Kent
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-09

of the liberated country, upon the su-
preme importance of the possession of the
island OF Crete to the hopes of the
Hellenes for a safe and progressive ma
tional existence. Because the powers re-
fused TO add Crete and Thessaly to the
kingdom Leopold resigned the Grecian
crown as an empty honor. II is worth
noting that LeopoId's wise and successful
reign over the Belgians, who subsequently
called him to be their sovereign. drew
from Gladstone the eulogium that he was
the greatest OF the statesman Kings of his
age. and probably of his century.
Among the multitude of interesting
facts concerning the Greek fight for lip-
erty from 1921 to 1928 two may be singled
out as specially worthy of remem brance:
The French Revolution initiated the re-
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-09

modern Greeks 1.-THE
counterparts of those
glorious beings who
gave to Europe their
ideals of Intellectual
energy, of plastic
beauty, and of poetic
truth. The same
feeling is alive to-
day, and is immortal.
The name Greek is
inseparably joined in
mems minds with the
thought of greatness
in letters, art and
heroism, and the
world will continue
to observe with SYM
pathetic in ere st
what sort of effect
the forces of heredi-
ty, atavism and the
stimulus of glorious
traditions will have
in the progressive ev-
olution of that race
which has inherited
the land and the Ian
guage of the ancient
Hellenes.
Among a few of the
most in t ere S ii n e
things in the records
of modern Greece is
the judgment OF Leo
mold. the first King
The sun., 1897-12-30
SELF ANSE.

Johnny Glynn will be in the best of
condition when he meets Austin Rice in
New York Oh .January3.
From all accounts Moriarity had an
easy thing with Everhardt in New Or
leans. Mory will have it pretty soft
with any of them outside of Lavigne.
Champion Bob Fitzsimmons has at
last issued his ultimatum, in which,
through his manager, Martin Julian, he
declares himself ready to re-enter the
ring, but he makes conditions. Corbett
and Mccoy are the men he is willing to
meet, but the champion wants his de-
featcd opponent to fight Maher or
Sharkcy first, to show his sincerity. As
for Mccoy, he must first defeat Choynski
before Fitzsimmons will consider his
challenge.
Mccoy appears glad Of the opportunity
given him by the champion to show his
merit. "Int the Australian pick the
middle weight he wants me to fight,
said Mccoy last night on hearing Of
FitzsimmonS proposal, land ! will
make the match at once. If ! defeat
the opponent Fitz>immons selects fol
me | will expect him to keep his word
and make match with ne for tn,
weight championship OF tn,
world, side bet Of s., OOO and the largest
purse offerpd.' y
Jack SkrlI has resigned the position o
matchmaker for II lc Gleenpoint Sporting
Club. His place will be filled by Charles
IIoran The latter has considerable eX
pericnce and should bt able to put ol
some good bouts.
Joe Cans Of Baltimore, has been match
ed to fight Frank Gilnrd at Cleveland on
January 10.
Martin FlaIcry contemplntes trip t.
England to meet Ben Jordan.
. Tommy White wants another mattel
with George Dixon.
. Danny McMahon'~ challenge has Eccl
accepted by Fred Wright, of Peabody
Mass.
"kid" Invignc will 60 to England il
the spring unless he succeeds i'll making
Il match in America.
"kiN' McCoy's folk in Indiana ar,
pretty well up in the social scale. J.. "
Lnvclt, Of Anderson. one OF the brlghtrS
legal lights ui the State, is Il close rcIn
ton, and is said t" hr IN unrlr, and AL
mits it, though opposed t." he ring bnSI
ness.