davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1897-10-23
German Postage Stamps.

Contrary to the custom of most mon
archs, Emperor William II Of Germany
has never allowed his effigy to be en-
graved upon a postage stamp, and philat-
elists and the world in general have
wondered at the modesty in this respect
of the young kaiser, who usually is not
averse to having his features displayed
before the eyes of his admiring subjects.
No direct and authentic reason has been
given why the Prussian black eagle has
not been long ago replaced by the kali
Eer's effigy, but perhaps an explanation
may be found in the strain of supersti-
tion which more than once has influ.
enced the action of the Hohenzollerns.
The Prussian stamps issued from 1850
to 1868 bore the image of Frederick
William ". But the year before he be-
came legally insane he had it replaced
with the black eagle, for he could not
bear to see his countenance soiled and
multilated by the postoffice employees.
A few years ago an enterprising Berlin
manufacturer had lead pencils made,
upon which was stamped bias relief
head of William H. The minister of ed
ucation at once ordered schoolteachers
not to allow their pupils to use these
particular pencill "since the children
might disfgure the face of their SOW
ereign by biting the pencils with their
teeth. New York Tribune.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1897-10-23
Most Wonderful Cave In the World.

The most wonderful cave in the
world is in the island of Tonga, in the
south Pacific. Byron called it "a chapel
of the seas. 1t is formed in rock that
is almost surrounded by the ocean. This
rock is about 60 feet high and broad
proportionately.
Many years ago boy, the son of a
native chief, was chasing a huge turtle
when his game seemed to sink into the
rock. The lad watched and waited until
the tide fell, disclosing small opening
in the rock about six feet under low
water mark.
Diving boldly, the young hunter en-
tered the aperture, and, to his SURPRISE
came to the surface inside the rock. The
rock was hollow, and it's interior was
found afterward, when the natives ex-
plored it with torches, to contain many
beautiful stalactites.
When attacked and followed by ene-
mics, the natives, who know the secret,
leave their canoes, plunge into the water
and disappear. Their foes linger, aston
ished at their disappearance, for no per-
son not acquainted with it would sus-
pect that the rock was hollow-London
Telegraph
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1897-10-23
Maccabees.

The average amount paid by deceased
members during the past biennial term
was $50. 93; tho total amount drawn out
by beneliciarics, Sl,752, 435. IL; average
amount paid beneficiaries of deceased NOM
bers, 81 ,635. TO-
Taking tho net membership of the su
preme tent, which was 11S, 767 Dec. 81,
1896; then adding to it the net member
ship Of the great camp for Michigan, 80,
GOA, and again adding the net membership
of the Ladies of the Maccabees auxiliary
branch throughout the country, 90, 1884,
we find at tho close of the biennial term
ending Dec. 81, 1896, 253, 555 Knights and
Ladies of the Macca bees total net gain
of 1924 during the biennial term, or an
annual net gain of 81, 623.
An examination of tho tables shows IL
total of $50, 96l. G3 in the general fund and
81, 2GS, 0Sl.93 in the life benefit fund, IL
grand total of $2,3l9, 046. 56
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1897-10-23

pit eXcavated nearly to its full depth,
which is 179 feet The solidity of it's
walls is we'll displayed, cut as they
are, out of solid rock. The width of tho
pit averages 20 feet, but at tho top this
was extended in order to provide room
for masonry walls feet wide, carried
down to rock, the width between the
walls being 81 feet.
Channcling machines We're used to
cut the rock, which was then blown out
in benches by dynamite, care being tax
Ell to see that so much Of the explosive
was not used as to disturb the turbines
already in place At the far end is seen
the steplike appearance left by the re-
moval of the rock i'll benches. To the
left, at the top, are to be seen the huge
penstock mouthpieces fitted into the
walls of masonry and ready to be con-
nected to that part of the penstock
which leads down into the pit to the
turbines Here and there along the
walls of the pit project the castings on
which the girders of the pit will rest.
This placing of the castings is fea-
ture new to the pit, as in the old Sec
ton the ends of the girders were placed
right in the walls The length of the
pit extension is about 294 feet, making
the total length about 434 feet. AT the
bottom it is being bricl1ed up to q
height of about 40 feet, with wall 80
inches thick. This wall is to protect
the soft stratum of rock at the bottom
from being undermined by the action
of the water and to make the resting
place of the turbines more safe. The
old section of the pit is likewise bricked,
and it will be recalled that the tunnel
is bricked the entire length.
DR.. Coleman Sellers, the chief en-
gineer of the Niagara Falls Power COM
pany, has suggested a notable change in
the manner of supporting the turbines
in the pit, and it will be adopted. In
the old section of the pit the wheels are
supported on immense girders, but the
wheel cases and lower penstock elbows
in the new pit will have projecting ribs
to support them on castings. The sup
ports of these ribs will be bricked into
the walls In the present installation
/ current for exciting the fields of the
generators is obtained from rotary trans
formers, which stand at the end of the
switchboard structure, but with the
completion of the new installation it is
proposed to place four small turbines
in the pit to operate like number of
exciters in the power house above. This
direct operation of the eXciters will be
in the line of an improvement which
will give an independent source Of sup
ply of current for the exciters.
The power house at Niagara is big
building as it stands today, but its pro-
portions will be greatly enlarged by the
addition, which will cover the wheel
pit and afford room for the installation
of seven more 5000 horsepower gcner-
ators. The same style of architecture
which has made the power house so
lluch admired will be closely adhered
to- and when it is completed it will be
one of the most impressive and impos-
ing structures at the Falls. Its entire
line of roof will be unbrolien by a single
chimney, as the power house will be
heated entirely by electricity, the same
as the old building. New York Trib-
une
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1897-10-23

nothing of the sort has been done for
the common public road. 1t has been
the stepchild of great nation. Equally
important in it's way with the railroad
it has been left to shift for itself, while
the steel highway which spans the
country from ocean to ocean has been
petted and pampered until it has grown
fat
1t is this injustice to the common
road that the League of American
Wheelmen is trying to remedy, and in
this effort it looks for assistance from
those who are most directly interested
in the SUBJECTIVE farmers of the Unit
ed States. Farmers are beginning to ap-
preciate this, and hence it is that our
work for state aid is continually gain
ing support among them. l am conf
dent that the combined efforts of our or
ganization, with its nearly 100000
members, and Of the agricultural So
cieties and oranges will, in few years,
bring about state aid to roads i'll the
greater part of the United States
OTTO DORNER.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1897-10-23
Costly Playing Cards.

A pack of cards was recently sold at
a London stationer's for 5000. 1t was
one of tho handsomest Italian copper
plate card games called "tarocchi di
Montegna, made during tho fifteenth
century. Another pack of cards recently
sold at Paris for almost $400 Each of
the cards in this pack is Il master work
of the engraver's art, and all the fig
ures in the game were historical por-
traits. The queen of hearts, for instance,
represented Queen Anne of England,
the king of hearts being her husband,
Prince George of Denmark. The queen
of diamonds was Queen Anne Sophia of
Denmark, the queen of clubs the then
crown princess of Prussia, the wife of
Frederick William l, and the queen of
spades Princess Anna of Russia, later
on the czarina. The jacks in this deck
of cards represent the most prominent
diplomats of Europe at the same time.
Philadelphia Record
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1897-10-23
CLOSED THE ROOM.
Does the Ghost of Washington Still Stalk
Through the Old Mansion?

AhToubh ehe oiu hhnbtoht
1t was customary in the family of
George Washington to shut up unused
for two years a room in which death
had occurred, says an exchange. So,
after the death of the first president in
the stately chamber with the great four
poster bed which is still shown to visit
ors, Martha Washington, with her lone
ly heart, nightly climbed the attic stairs
to lie in a low ceiled, sloping rooted
room with one window-a room intol-
erably hot i'll summer, with little Or no
means of securing draft except by a
triangular opening where the lower cor
ner of the door had been cut off to make
room for the passage of the cat. Martha
Washington died before the two year
period had ended.
If she had occupied the death cham
Der, would she have seen the ghost of
her dead husband? They say that the
stalwart, stately figure Of the brave
general stalks through the passage with
martial tread and clank of astral sword
in spectral scabbard.
Again and again it has happened that
people detained at Mount Vernon on the
business of the Mount Vernon associa-
ton have declared, on waking from a
sleepless night" that they had heard
the ghosts sword and stride and seen
its tall, commanding figure, dressed in
the old uniform that in life it WORE
No lights are permitted in the old
house, for fear of fire, except during the
meeting of the regents, and then only
candles. Ghosts are said to love dark
or i'll lighted houses
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1897-10-23
Artemus Ward and the Prince OF Wa

Artemus Ward and the Prince Of Wales.
was DRAWN near to the prince
when red faced man in millingtery
close grabd holt Of me and axed me
WHARF was goin all SO bold.
''To see Albert Edard. the prince Of
Wales" sez l. "Who are your
He sed he was the kurnal Of the Sew
enty Fust regiment, her magisty's
troops. told him hoped the Seventy
Onesters was in good helth and was
passin by when he ceased hold Of me
agin and sed in tone of INDECENT cir
prise:
"What? Impossiblel It kannot be!
Blarst my hize, sir, did understan you
to say that you was actooally goin into
the presents of his royal iniss?''
"That's what's the matter with
me-" replied.
"But, blarst my hize, sir, it's onprece-
dented. It's orful, sir. Nothin like it
hain't happened sins the gun power plot
of Guy Forks. Owdashus man, who air
yu?"
Sir" SEE I, DRAWN myself up &
putin on a defiant air, Pm Amery-
can sitterzen. My name is Ward. I'm a
husband, & the father of twins, which
I'm happy to state thay look like me-
By perfession I'm exhibitor of wax
works & sich."
"Good God" yelled the kurnal; "the
idee of a exhibitor of wax figgers goin
into the presents of royalty! The British
lion may well roar with raje at the
thawt!"
Sez l, "Speakin of the British lion,
kurnal, I'd like to make a bargain with
you fur that beast fur few weeks to
add to my show" I didn't mean moth
in by this. l was only gettin orr a
COAX, but you orter hev seen the old
kurnal jump up and howl. He actooally
foamed at the mowth.
"This can't be real," he showtid
mo, no. It's a horrid dream. Sir, you
air not a human bein-you hav no exist
ents-yu're a myth"
WAL" seq l, "old boss, yule find
me ruther uncomfortable myth eff you
punch my inards in that way agin." l
began to git little riIed, fur when he
called me a myth he puncht me putty
hard. The kurnal now commenst showt-
in fur the Seventy Onesters. I at fust
thawt I'D stay & BEGUN a marter to
British OUTRAGE, as SIGH course mite
git my name up & be good advertise
ment fur my show. but it occurred to
me that eff emmy OF the Seventy Onesters
shood happen to insert baronet into
my stummick it mite be onplesunt, g. I
was On the pint Of runnin OFF when the
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1897-10-23
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
Uniforms Should BE Worn Out, Not Moth
Eaten-Spear Points.

Uniforms Should BE Worn Out, Not Moth
Eatcn-Spear Points.
Brigadcr General McGlashan of Cali
forna thinks that tho uniform rank should
turn out on Washington's birthday, Fourth
of July and Memorial day, and that on
patriotic occasions dispcnsations should
not be required. Our order is essentially
loyal, he says, and it is not only our priv
ilcgo, but our right, to participate in cole
brations COMMUNICATING American free
dom American heroes and American val
or. On every Pythian anniversary and oc-
oasion the uniform rank should be will
ing assistant of the subordinate lodge.
The total contribution per member for
tho New York Pythian home last year was
$l.0S.
The report of the grand trustees of Penn
sylvania grand lodge shows the assets to be
$10,S00.
Never since tho organization of tho en-
dowment rank has tho insurance branch
made such marked progress as during the
past three years.
Georgia has 70 lodges, with a total
membership of 5,306.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1897-10-23
ROYAL Arcanum.

Missouri has 6,063 members, IA gain Of
243 since Jan. l.
Bro. William b. Beach of Providence
holds benefit certificate No. 80. Mr.
Beach started with tho first assessment
and has paid for 20 years.
Members in good standing at last re-
port, 1874, O5S.
Total payments In 90 years, since insti-
tuition, June %, 1877, 81, 305, O21.OS.
Do not look on assessments as an ex-
pense, but as an investment or like de-
posit in the bank to meet contingency
very likely to occur when otherwise want
and misery would take the place of happi-
moss and comfort to family.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1897-10-23
f5ECRET!-..:S 0ClE TlI E:s:.fl'
@--gvzy IS . q! ~ vyySSav,-- ~ ~
80 --=ss2 - s2scz@-EY
sSts-->--~ ---N-e-. ~
ODD FELLOWS.
Revised Rebekah Ritual Generally Dis
liked-Various Notes.

Revised Rebekah Ritual Generally Dis
lixed-Various Notes.
The grand lodge of Indiana has shown
its disapproval of the revised Rebekah
ritual by instructing it's grand representa-
tivcs to favor thu restoration of the old
ritual. Truly tho new Rcbckah ritual is
not approved by the order, but must DO
used even when not wanted. Odd Eel
lows Herald.
The Rebokah branch of New Hampshire
is gaining rapidly on subordinate lodge
membership.
The Massachusetts Odd Follows and
Rebekahs are discussing the question of
organizing Rebekah assembly. That
state has the old convention plan, which
admits all Rebekahs.
The report of Grand Secretary Lyman of
Ohio shows 81 Robekah lodges in the
jurisdiction, which initiated 20 or moro
candidates last year.
Bro. Hiram M. Olmstead of Syracuse is
now grand master of New York Odd Eel
lows.
The lodges in Pennsylvania average but
90 members to each lodge, and 55 cents
of each members weekly dues is cxpcnd-
cd for mere operating expenses.
The work on tho Odd Fellows home
building at Columbus, o., is being pushed
forward as rapidly as possible, insuring
its completion this year.
The Pacific Odd Fellow of Portland,
Or, reports the order in IL good condition
In that jurisdiction.
The Rebekah branch of Odd Fellowship
has far outstrippod the highest hopes of
Bro. Colfax or any of the brothers who ia
vored that branch of the order.
The life seems to have been almost OK
tinguished from nearly all tho encamp
ments The only thing that keeps them
from total collapse is that the elevators of
the cantons must retain membership in
them to keep in good standing in tho Pa
triarchs Militant.
Stella Rebekah lodge of Lima, o., ini-
tatod 81 new members last year.
The grand lodge of Now York voted
not to repeal the law prohibiting saloon
keepers and bartendors from membership.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1897-10-23
The Great Eastern as a Show Ship.

The last days of the Great Eastern
were certainly sad, considering the pur
pose for which she was designed nd
the great work she did in cable laying.
For some time before she was broken
up on the mud of the River Mersey.
near Liverpool, she was on view as IA
show ship One firm of Liverpool cloth
iers hired her for season, and in addi-
ton to using her for its advertising
purposes made use of her for catch pen
ny shows In the large cable tank cir
Gus was fitted up, and performances
given at so much head, while other
exhibitions of the Coney Island type
were spread all over her deck.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1897-10-23
GREAT ENTERPRISE
ENLARGEMENT OF THE NIAGARA
FALLS POWER STATION.

Fifty Thousand Electrical Horsepower
Will Soon BE Available-The Great
Wheel Pit-Improvements In the Sys-
tem-Great Industrial Possibilities.
Within a few months there will be
available in the central power station
of the Niagara Falls Power company,
at Niagara Falls, no less than so, 600
electrical horsepower. This is an inn
mense amount of force, and it is impos-
sible to conceive what it would be pos
sible to accomplish by its application to
the industrial field.
The additional amount Of power men
toned will be made available through
the extension of the plant of the Mag
ara Falls Power company, and this
work is one of the most interesting in
the engineering line now i'll progress in
New York state. The present power
station has three ), 900 horsepower gen
orators in operation, making Is, 900
horsepower in ALL and when the extern
sion is completed there will be Il total
of ten great 5000 horsepower turbines
and the same number of generators of
the same capacity at work turning out
their invisible force to give life to the
factories and railroads for miles around
The illustration in connection with
this article is view of the deep wheel
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1897-10-23
STORY OF A WAR SONG.
The Man Who Composed the Music fol-
ave Are Coming, Father Abraham"

The Man Who Composed the Music for
1--WE Are Coming, Father Abraham"
The man who composed the music
for Whittier's song, 1--WE Are Coming,
Father Abraham, Three Hundred Thou
sand Strong" is an old and somewhat
dccrepit piano tuner, who carries on his
business near Window, Mimi His
uame is A. b. Irving.
One day soon after Lincoln's call for
300, 900 more men, Irving then a young
man. was on his way to Defiance, O.,
from Fort Wayne for the purpose of
singing at Il political and loyal meeting
He had considerable reputation as n
composer and singer and the Republic
ans had asked him to come and help
them. On the way he read the poem,
which had just been published. Irving
studied it, formulated tune, bummed
it and got the rhythm, and that even
ing at the Defiance meeting he sang
the song for the first time. When he
had finished, and the last echoes had
died away, men mounted their chairs
with wild enthusiasm, swung their
hats and broke loose in cheers that rang
with feeling. He sang it again and
again, and they would scarcely let him
rest
The next night he sang the song at
Fort Wayne, and again aroused the
same enthusiasm. He wrote out the
music and sent it to the publisher who
had handled what he had composed,
with instructions to publish it on his
usual terms of royalty. 1t was publish
ed, and inside of a month more than
40, 600 copies had been sold. In a few
days the publisher failed and Irving
never received dollar for the music -
New York Sun.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1897-10-23


"Well. wot of it?" replied the house
breaker.
"Why, just this-you'll excuse my
speaking SO low-but the fact is I've
come all the way from the San Joaquin
to look up party in your line Of bust
ness''
"Have, eh?"
Yes-I-well. I've little PROPOSE
ton to make to you.
EXACTLY" said the Ferret calmly;
"you' re bank cashier down in the
foothills"
"How did you know that?" stammer-
ed the gentleman, much amazed.
"And your cash and accounts are to
be gone over by the directors OH the
first, and, as you can't realize on your
stocks, you want me to gag you some
time next week, shoot your hat full Of
holes. find the combination In your
breast pocket and go through the safe
in the regular way"
"Great heavens, man! How did you
find all that outP''
"Why, l guessed it. It's the regular
thing, you know. Got three orders to
attend to ahead Of yours now. Lemme
see. Can't do anything for you next
week, but might give you Wednesday
and Thursday of the week after. How'll
that suit your"
The cashier said he thought he could
make that do, and in less than five min
utes they had struck bargain and ar
ranged the whole affair.
Even New York isn't much ahead Of
San Francisco in regard to modern con-
veniences New York World.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1897-10-23
UNITED WORKMEN.
Keep Alive the Fraternal Features Work,
shop JOttings.

shop JOttings.
If tho A. o. U. w. is to increase and
prosper, its fraternal features must be rec
ognzcd. Fraternity is the rock upon
which our order Is built, and as long as
the fraternal features are kept in mind
progress and prosperity arc sure to be the
result. When they are neglected, adversely
will come.-Guido.
Never recommend an unsound person
for membership In tho order. Upon tho
physical soundnoss of our membership de-
ponds our success.
Virginia and Nevada have adopted the
classified assessment plan.
Fraternity being our motto, let us strive
to do our whole duty.
If certain members would be more care
full about talking to outsiders concerning
what transpircs in the lodge meetings, the
order to which they belong would be great
ly benefited and the talkatiye members
would have more friends.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1897-10-23
PUBLIC ROADS NEGLECTED.
Railroads Pampered While the Common
Highway Is Left to Itself.

The country road has been much neg
lected. When we began to build rail
roads in this country, state and county
taxes were levied that bonuses might
be given to railroad prospectors. Cities
made large appropriations, and, not
content with this, went heavily into
debt to aid in railroad construction.
Congress subsidized most of our large
railroad systems by large grants of pub
lie lands. Canals have been similarly
encouraged by city, county, state and
nation. 1t is customary to subsidize al
most every new steamboat line. Yet
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1897-10-23
South African Chiyalry.

The following interesting little dia-
logue was beard last week at wedding
in a west end church.
Parson-Who gives this woman away!
Voice at Back of the Congregations
could, but won't.
The individual at the back Of the
congregation manifests marvellous
generosity. We do not give the story as
an intended reflection on South African
morality AFRICAN Review.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1897-10-23

Somebody once wrote to the late
Henri Meilhac to ask his advice as to
how to become dramatic author. "It
is difficult career, and the trade is not
easy" wrote back Meilhao above
all, it needs success. Yes, success Is
the thing II you want to have talent"
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1897-10-23
When the Earth Sneezed.

Says IA correspondent, "Our 10-year-
old girl, after listening to an account Of
what an earthquake was, said she guess,
I'd an earthquake was when the earth
meezed Boston Transcript.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1897-10-23

In addition No. leaves Piedmont S:i5 Il. m. :;
arrives Frostburg l0:i0a. M, and No. S, leaving
Frostburg 300 p. m, reaches Piedmont 2:55 p.
M, stopping at all intermediate stations.
*On theatre nights, when admission tickets
are sold by Agents to performance at theatre,
leave Cumberland at close of performance.
ALI trains stop at Hays street station, Cum
berand.
Nos. l, 2, B. 4, 7 and Sdaily except Sunday.
Nos. and Tuesdays, Thursdays and Satur
days only.
l.. NJ HAMILTON,
June 5 Superintendent.