davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-02-04

that of the sea otter are the only skins
that can be dyed SUCCESSFULLY and re-
tain their gloss and original color.
Furs are worn by semi-civilized and
savage and all civilized people in very
cold climates. The Chinese and jap
anese have worn furs as articles of dis
play for more than 1900 years. And the
demand for fine and beautiful furs for
ornament and luxury is increasing in
this and in all other countries. Before
the purchase of Alaska, mountain
trappers mainly supplied the country.
Furs of the seal were not in such gen.
eral use, being far more high-priced
than they are now.
The great industry of trapping in the
southern states and in the Rocky
mountains has decreased immeasur-
ably since the purchase of the seal
islands. Yet there are not more beauti-
full skins than those found in Florida,
the Mississippi and Louisiana swamps
and in the Rocky mountains.
The first great fur establishment in
America was founded at ST. Louis moro
than century ago by Laclede, Maxon
& Co., and the business continued until
the beginning of the late war betweea
the states. Auguste and Pierre Cha
teau were employees of the company
for many years. subsequently, they
formed an independent company, the
business of which was interrupted By
the war of 1912. The business, however.
was resumed by their descendants, and
continued for many years.
About the beginning of this century
John Jacob Astor formed the American
Fur company and established stations
from Astoria. Oregon, to st. Louis, trap
ping throughout the west and north.
west. British raids on the northwest
interfered with the business and
headquarters were removed to st. Louis,
and his field was confined to the Rocky
mountains. ] Nj. SCANLAND.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-02-04

anu frequently run over tHS uduNcSs
knocking them almost senseless.
At the killing grounds the seals are
driven into line, as men condemned to
be shot. The execurioner has sharp
edged club which he yields with re-
markable dexterity and force. lie
strikes the seal a well-directed blow
on the back of the head, killing it in
stantly. When the blow is not of suf
ficient force the roar. of the dying seal
is both loud and pitiful to hear. Fire
arms are not used, for the skins must
be free from holes.
The skins are then taken off. They
are Immediately sailed. folded and
piled in bundles. to be sent to the cur
ing establishment for further treat
nent. The meat of the seal is eaten by
the hatives, AID also shipped to the
United States and other countries. The
Ilubber is the main diet rt the natives.
Most of it is exported to Russia.
When received from the hunter the
skins are preserved by being saited
away. When prepared for market, the
salt is washed from them, the flesh
scraped off, and the grease removed.
The hairs are pulled out carefully, so as
to preserve an even and smooth sur
face. The pelts are then manipulated
by hand so as to make them soft and
pliable. If any small holes are found
they are mended so as not to "show."
The pelts are then dyed TO any shade
required-from coal black to light
brown. Then the skins are washed
clean, shaved down to the required
commercial thinness, being manipu-
lated continually during the process.
Quite a number of skins are dam
aged, and some ruined, during this
process.
The skins are afterwards stretched
for the drying process, solution Of
alum being applied to the flesh side to
prevent them from spelling. If not TO
be Immediately shipped they are
sprinkled with camphor and slowed
away in dry place. Once week they
are unfolded on the ground and men
beat them with long poles. This knocks
out the dirt and softens them. Then
they are shipped TO market.
The manufacturer puts the skins in
tubs partly filled with rancid butter.
A man steps into each tub and executes
song and dance, trampling with his
bare feet until the felt is soft and pill
able. The skins are then scraped on
the flesh side with strip of iron until
the extra tissue is removed. Then they
are replaced in the tub, and a fine saw
dust of mahogany or other hard wood
is put in, and the barefooted man re-
news his exercise. This removes the
grease.
The skins are then taken out and
beaten as before, and the fur is comhed
out. They are now ready to be cut into
sacks. Jackets. etc. The seal skin and
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-02-04
SCHOOL AND CHURCH.
--"A certain Rev. DR.. Behrends. Is

"A certain Rev. DIR. Behrends" is the
way in which THE Living Church"
(EpiscopaD of Chicago refers to the
well-known Brooklyn clergyman.
Laval University of Quebec has con-
ferred the degree of doctor of divinity
upon Rev. Thomas j. Conaty, rector
elect of the Catholic university.
Rev. Thomas Newton Ayres, who
left the Episcopal ministry some time
ago and joined the Roman Catholic
church. was ordained to the Catholic
priesthood recently in New Orleans.
The Waldensian church has, in the
Waldensian valleys, II congregations
with % pastors; a membership of A.
24s; good supply of schools; 4,s64 day
pupils and 1905 Sunday scholars. Ii
has also theological seminary and col
lege at Florence; Latin school and
high school for girls.
st. Paul's Protestant Episcopal
church in Newburyport, Mass, has re-
ceived from one of its parochial societies
the Christmas present of new and COM
modious parish house, including chair
facilities, chapter rooms, rector's office,
parish hall, etc. This gift is notewor-
thy, not only from its source, but also
as indicating the growth of one of the
most venerable parishes in Massachu-
sets.
"A correspondent of the Examiner
relates this incident of recent dinner
in Philadelphia, at which Archbishop
Ryan (Roman Catholic) and DR.. Watson
were present; 1T would be a great mis-
take to suppose that the archbishop
dwells in an atmosphere of ghosts or is
saturated with gloom. twas quite de-
Eghtful to see him and DR.. Watson
fraternize and exchange felicities. The
archbishop said the inquiry had been
made why all the nine MUSES. are repre-
scented as unmarried. 1t was sug-
gested in reply that it was thought more
in accordance with delicacy and senti-
ment that they should be pure, unmar-
ried virgins. But the archbishop's re
spouse was: No, that is not the rea-
son; it is because all those who woo the
MUSES. are so poor that they are never
able to propose marriage TO them"
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-02-04
Eating Dinner backward.

An odd experiment with the kineto-
scope took place not long ago in Bos-
ton. The subject was man eating din
ner, and the film, prepared especially
for the occasion, was found of unusual
length, so that the whole performance
could be recorded. The man entered
the room, and, seating himsep at Ia
Die, proceeded to cut up the food. The
motion of the fork from The pt1te to his
lips was carefully recorded until the
last morsel of food had vanished. Then
he arose and walked out of the room,
leaving nothing on the table but bare
dishes. The series Of pictures was then
reversed. 1t showed the maj entering
the room, walking backward. He sat
down at the table, upon whch there
was nothing but bare Dishes and pro-
ceeded to extract food from his lips I'M
til he had Oiled the potato dish with po-
tatoes aud gradually put together c.
steak OF the platter before him. Then
he calmly backed out of the room, and
the waiter did likewise with The meal
that the man had apparently created
Troy Times.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-02-04
FOR SUNDAY READING.
THE LAMP.

Hast thou a lamp. little lamp.
Put in that hand OF thine?
And did He say, who gave II thee,
The world hath need this light should be,
Now. therefore. let 1t shine?
And dost thou say. with bated breath.
1t is a little flame:
I'll let the lamps of broader wick
Seek out the lost and cheer the sick,
While seek wealth and fame?
Blu, on the shore where thy small house
Stands dark. stands dark, this night,
Full many n wanderer. thither tossed.
Is driven on that rock and lost,
Where thou hast hid thy light.
Though but candle thou dldst have.
Its trimmed and glowing ray
Is Infinite. With God, no light
Is great or small, but only bright.
AZ Is His perfect day.
The world hath sorrow. nothing more.
To give or keep for thee.
Duty is in that hidden flame,
And soaring joy: then rise, for shame
That thou SO dark shouldst be.
Rise. trim thy lamp: the feeble past
Behind thee put and spurn.
With God II Is not soon or late,
So that thy light now flaming great,
Doth ever fiercer burn.
Fierce with its love. and flaming great
In its humility:
Stunning no soul In sinful need,
Fearing no path where He may lead.
Glowing consumingly.
Thou shalt not want for light enough,
When earthly moons grow dim.
The dawn Is but begun for thee,
When thou shalt hand, so tremblingly,
Thy empty lamp to Him.
IS. p. Mel. Greene, In N. Y. Independent.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-02-04
SEED THOUGHTS.

Faith means faithfulness.-Chic
go Standard.
Perhaps the world could have been
saved without preaching, but not with
out holy living.-Ilam's Horn.
christianity does not condemn
traffic, commerce, material activities Of
any kind. Its highest development is
possible with the busiest life. To be n
first-rate business man does not involve
being q fourth-rate Christian.
When he takes your work away and
bids you no longer to do good and obedi-
ent things, but only to be good and
obedient, surely, that is not the death
of faith. That may be faiths transfg-
uration.-Phillips Brooks.
-Unworldliness is this--to hold
things from God in the perpetual con-
viction that they will not last; to have
the world, and not let the world have
us; to be the worlds masters, and not
the worlds slaves.-F. w. Robertson.
Christians should live in the world,
but not be filled with it. A ship lives in
the water; but il the water gets into
the ship, she goes to the bottom. So
Christians may live in the world; but
if the world gets into them, they sink.
ID. l.. Moody.
There is such thing as n worldly
spirit, and there is such thing as an
unworldly spirit-and according as we
partake of the one or the other, the
SAVIOR of the sacrifice of our lives is
ordinary, commonplace, poor, and base;
or elevating, invigorating, useful, noble
and holy.-Dean Stanley.
Before you conclude that everyone
is against you, inquire of yourself very
carefully what has been your attitude
towards others. Have you been help
full. reliable, doing your part, looking
to others only after you have done all
you can for yourself. kind and thought
ful?-United Presbyterian.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-02-04

had been carrying on the business for
about century before the United
states bought the islands.
The price paid was $7,2oo,ooo, which,
at the time, was thought to be an ex-
crbitant price for huge icebergs, islands
of rock and the fisheries. Perhaps it
IS! A company was granted the nonop-
ely of seal hunting, paying therefor a
stipulated sum, and royalty On each
seal shipped, amounting to about $780,
600 year. 1t was stipulated that not
more than 100000 seals should be
killed yearly. How many seals were
really taken will never be known, out
eide of the corporation. The members
became immensely wealthy, as did some
of the government Officials and con-
gressmen. few years ago, another
company, with headquarters also in San
francisco, become the successful bid
Gers. Within the past % years nearly B.
100000 seals have been taken from these
misunderstanding to official figures.
/ is estimated that only about 100000
remain, including old and young OF the
two sexes. 1t is expressly stipulated
that only males between the ages OF
one and five years may be killed. The
females and tile older males are reserved
in order that the supply may not be-
come exhausted. Besides, the skin of
the old male is too tough for use.
Whether these regulations are OBJ
served by the contractors is not known;
but it is known that the number of
seals has been gradually diminishing
for years, for when these islands were
purchased there were about 100000
seals in the Alaskan waters. This de-
crease is doubtless largely owing to
British and Russian poachers, and ire
quently American freebooters are over
hauled by government revenue cutters.
At this rate of decrease the supply will
become exhausted in a few years. The
seals found elsewhere in America are
not of the fur-bear;ng species; hence
the necessity of the restrictions. The
fur-bearing seal is found off the coast Of
California, and sometimes comes as
near as San Diego, but they are merely
on an excursion from their Alaskan
''rookeries." They prefer those 'rook-
cries"
These islands are rugged and steep
and almost inaccessible to the sealers,
many of whom fall from the rocky
shores in their hunt for the seal and
are killed by others in the waters below.
Seal-hunting is dangerous occupa-
ton, especially on these barren rocks,
amid dense fogs and almost perpetual
SHOWS. On these islands the seals make
their homes in the rocky cliffs, called
"rookeries," where they are found in
droves numbering hundreds. These
positions they fight for, biting each
other with great ferocity. This depre-
ciates the commercial value of the
skin. Those that cannot maintain a
position on the rookery stay on the
beach below.
The seal can run, walk and climb as
well as swim; and it sleeps while float
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-02-04
The Greater Mistake.

There is no virtue in mistakes, but
there may be virtue in a willingness
to risk making them. 1t is not of neces-
sity the most creditable thing to say of
a man that he never made mistake.
The first question concerning him is
whether he ever dared anything.
There are people who make no mis-
takes because they never wish to do
anything worth doing says Goethe.
But with such persons their whole
life is a mistake. Better to run risk
sometimes than never to do anything
with risk in its. s. Times.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-02-04
Somewhat Overstated.

az would dare anything for you,
George" she SAID as she looked up into
his eyes with glad smile.
"Really?" he asked.
Really and truly" she answered
81 would hesitate at nothing"
"Will you elope with me tonight?
he inquired.
"Willingly, if-if-it doesn't snow"
and she looked anxiously out the win.
dow.
OF course the line must be drawn
somewhere, even in what woman will
dare for the man she loves.-Chicago
Post.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-02-04
DECREPIT TOMBSTONES.
A Haven Where Old and Neglected Mon
uments Are Protected.


On Croton Point, jutting picturesque
ly into the Hudson river, there is Gem
etery with a singular purpose. 1t is IA
rescue mission for aged and decayed
gravestones. The modern cemetery
usually refuses admittance to these
tottering tombstones, because they will
not look pretty alongside the new mon
uments. In the Manor cemetery every
grave marker can hold high its head, no
matter how poor it's design or how
weather-beaten it's appearance. 1t will
be fully the social equal of its neighbor.
Here it can spend the rest of its days
until time and the elements cause it TO
join the handful of dust it commemo-
rates.
For bodies can be buried here, too,
either originally or by transfer from
some old graveyard which the living
tllrong demands for it's uses. A short
distance off is the Van Cortland manor
house, the only mansion of its kind
which is occupied by the direct de-
scendants of it's first owner. Here live
James Stevenson Van Cortlandt and
his sister, removed by 'three or four
greats and grands" from Stephanus
Van Cortlandt, the builder of the house.
His body and that of his wife were
buried somewhere within the ten acres
of the present cemetery, but the loca-
ton of the graves is unknown.
On the edge of the land just taken is
the old burial ground of the manor, con-
tanning 40 or so bodies. Here lie Pierre
Van Cortlandt, once lieutenant gov
ernor of New York, and his wife johann
ma. He died in ia. aged "a, and she in
1908, aged 81. Here, too, is their son,
Gen. Philip Van Cortlandt, who died in
1881, having distinguished himself in
the revolution. Many of the Clintons,
Beekmans, Van Wycks and others re-
lated to the Van Cortlandts sleep in this
little plot.
So the spot is historic, and the deerep-
it tombstones from other Westchester
graveyards will find congenial company
here. To these grounds should be taken
all the battered headstones of st. Johns
were there anyone sufficiently interest
ed in the dead to do the work.
Room for the dead is nearly as hard 10
find as room for the living. Cemeteries
are exempt from taxes, md super
visors are 10th to consent to set
ting aside ground for such pur-
poses, because the tax list is de-
creased thereby. In the Manor cemetery
there are nearly 1000 lots, and it is be-
lieved thatt VIII be room enough for
new burials and removals for some
time. In the future it may be that the
bounds will be extended.
In the center of the cemetery it is
proposed to build G. A. r. monument,
and Pierre Van Cortlandt Post has
charge of the project. So here will sleep
soldiers of many wars, founders of
many first families" and the dead from
many abandoned graveyards. In the
midst of all the old tombstones will tell
Of the makers of the past. nor need to
fear another ransplanting.-N. Y.
Press.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-02-04
-
Highest Price for Silk Goods.

From the middle ages to the present
day the bightest price paid for silk
goods that NJ. Georges d'Avenel, in the
Revue des Deuy Mondes, has been able
to find, was $50 meter given by Louis
XIV. for the cloth of gold material for
a dressing gown. Last year, however,
the empress of Germany ordered at
Lyons some white silk, with flowers,
birds and foliage in relief, at $3.50 a
yard, five-sixths of the price being the
actual value of the raw silk. She intend
ed to make dress of it. but it was so
beautiful that she uses it for cur
tain.-Chicago Inter Ocean.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-02-04
------------------- -
Judging from Appearaffces.

Fashionable Maiden Aunt Chiefly in
terested in preserving youthful ap-
pearance)-I must say that am proud
of our country. 1t seems almost in
credible that we should nav, grown SO
remarkably during the comparatively
short period since America was dis
covered.
Tommy-How long ago is that auntie?
"You ought to know that, Tommy.
It's but trifle over 400 yeats"
"How Did were you Their, auntie ~
Richmond Dispatch.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-02-04
MOTHER AND YOUNG SEAL.

ing on its back. 1t is frightened and
stampeded easily, and two or three ma
tives can drive large number before
them as flock of sheep. At night,
while the seals are sporting in the wa
ter, and some asleep with just their
noses sticking out above the surface.
a few natives will walk out on the shall
low beach and stealthily get between
the shoal of seals and deep water.
Then the natives will begin shouting
and hooting, and firing pistols. The
panic-stricllen seals will run in the
opposite direction and toward the
shore. When upon the shore they
are partly surrounded and prodded
with sticks to keep them in line and
to hurry them along to the killing
ground. Those that had their noses
turned seward when the stampede be-
gan escape, for they were too much
frightened % be turned in their course,
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-02-04
Conclusive

Voice lat the telephone) Major, will
you please bring your facrily and take
cupper with us next Sunday?
Servant Girl (replying rack through
the telephone)-Master ind mistress
are not in at present; but they can't
come to supper, as it's my Sunday out
boston Globe
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-02-04
SEALS AND THEIR SKINS.
The Supply Will Be Exhausted
Within Few Years.
How the Harmless Creatures Are Lured
to Death-Processes OF Curing and
Dyeing-Signifcant and Dis-
couraging Figures.
Especial San Francisco letter.

: IDPcOtdf odII IduUISCU I1tItCI.I
Few people who wear the fur of seals
know how and where the furs are OBJ
tanned, or of the manner OF curing them.
The belle of fashion gives little thought
to the fact that to crafty her vanity
the life of noble animal has been
sacrificed.
The furs worn in this country are
mostly from the "rookeries," on the
islands of st. Paul and st. George, the
largest of the Alaskan group. 1t
seems that the seals migrated to these
islands as their final retreat from the
Russian seal-hunters. The Russians
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-02-04
Then the Hair Flew.

Mabel hear you are engaged to
Charlie Blight.
Maud-Yes, / am.
81 wolder il he proposed to you In
the same way he did to me?"-N. Y
Commercial Advertiser.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-02-04
To-Morrow.

The future is the child of the past.
Our to-morrows are the heirs of our
to-days. Idleness to-day, incapacity to-
morrow; protiigacy to-day. want to-
morrow; fidelity. economy. diligence
to-day. honor, abundance, capability to-
morrow. God bestows Els blessings in
accordance with law.--Rev G N. Sims.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-02-04
IIncered Oxer Thern.

lawfully conceited man, that Smith
ers."
II should say. His mother once told
me he was ten months cutting his
l. teeth. "--Cincinnati Commercial Trib.
une.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-02-04
Labor.

All that is worth having in life,
whether on the material, intellectual or
moral plane, is the outcome OF labor.
Effort is the measure of value. Indus
try is the heart of civilization. The
dignity and the joy of life are found
in activity. ldleness is curse.-Rev.
c. Ii. Eaton.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-02-04
His Opportunity.

Mrs. acknowledgements are bad for
the lungs.
Mr.. Benham-I'll buy you box to-
mCrrow.-N. Y. Tribune. as
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-02-04
His Preaching and Practice.

No man who heard Jesus speak, could
declare that His preaching was better
than His carpenter work.--Ram's Horn.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-09-30
Rev. Reynolds to Waupaca.

Just prior to the adjournment of the
Methodist conference at Marinette the
fore part Of the week Bishop Warren
announced his past oral assignments fol-
the ensuing year.
Rev. j. r. Reynolds of Grand Rapids
was sent to Waupaca and Rev. T. A
Nimits of Berlin was assigned the charge
in this city. The change caused ripple
of surprise in Methodist circles here as
it cannot be said ii was generally ex-
pected' Rev. Reynolds has spent three
years of most successful work in the
twin cities and Il unanimous vote was
sent in asking for his return.
Rev. T. A. Nimits will come here not
as an entire stranger he having been
principal of the Centralia schools some
years ago. Rev. Nimits has presided
two years at Berlin and comes recog-
nized as an able teacher of the gospel
He will undoubtedly carry on efficiently
the charges which have been so nicely
conducted by Rev. Reynolds.
The new preacher will arrive Satur-
day and speak from the pulpit of the NJ
E. church Sunday, also at Unity church,
Centralia, in the afternoon. He will
move his family next week. Rev. MINI
its has written to friends that he bears
many pleasant recollections of the
church at this place. A warm welcome
awaits him.