davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-04-15
The States Duty to the Prisoner.

The average age of the convicts of the
United States is not far from 26 years.
Therefore, the men constituting this body
are undeveloped men, SO far rs age is con-
cerned and as already stated, they are
undeveloped in their moral and intellectu-
al faculties-in fact, they are undeveloped
in all directions except TO IA certain extent
in the criminal tendency which comes
from their environment They are also, TO
very large extent, short term men. A
careful classification of the convicts of the
country shows that six-eighths are short
term prisoners, one-eightu incorrigibles
and one-eighth amenable TO reformatory
efforts. These proportions are fairly cor
rect. They may be little too large or
little too small, but practically they may
be admitted. 1t cannot make very much
difference what system is employed SO
that prices and wages are not affected,
when the short term men are considered
There Is not much to be gained, wheth-
er in the interest of the state or of the
community or of the convicts in putting
them at work under one system of labor
as against another. They must be employ
ed their minds must be occupied and their
hands utilized. Ii cannot, from the very
nature of things, be worth while for the
state to erect costly plants for the sake OF
employing them under one or another sys-
TEN of labor. No one can argue with rea-
son that the short term prisoner himself
is to be particularly benefited by any such
employment. The chief point to be insist
ed upon is that his labor shall not be de-
basing. If he can be employed in making
blankets, furniture, coarse boots and shoes
and the infinite variety of things that may
be needed in the state institutions with
out the introduction of power machinery,
not only the state will be the gamer, but
also the prisoner himself. He does not stay
in prison long enough, as rule, to be
taught in the higher methods of manual
training and what little he can learn by
running some machine is of little conse-
quence in his after life. IL he stays long
enough in prison, the state should see TO
1t that he comes out better equipped TO
earn living than when he entered it,
Carroll d. Wright in North American Re-
view
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-04-15
The Polar Snow Can of Mars.

We have received the following informa-
ton from America: - telegram received
at Harvard observatory on Jan. ii from
Lowell observatory, now located near the
City Of Mexico, says that rift has been
observed since Jan. Z in the north polar
cap of Mars in longitude 40" This rift
is probably similar TO those observed at
the opposition of 1894 in the southern cap
Professor w. III. Pickering, with six inch
telescope, found one on May %, crossing
the cap from longitude $50 to 10. This
grew considerable in size, measurements
made on June and ID indicating a width
of 100 and $50 miles respectively. Mr.
Douglass also during the same month,
June 10, detected IA second and third rift
the latter running from longitude ITO to
90 The sequence of phenomena observed
seems to indicate that they are due to the
lower levels at the poles being uncovered.
In this way, as the snow melts, the bar,
ground is exposed, appearing dark in con-
trast to the snow still lying on the more
elevated heights. Their broadening is then
"a natural result of the departing snow
and indicates that the polar cap is at that
time in far advanced state of disintegra.
ton Mature.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-04-15
President LincoIn's Birthplace.

Abraham Lincoln, our great war presi-
dent, was born in Larue county, Ky. in IA
rude little log cabin. This cabin has re-
Gently been restored, and so far as posi-
BILE made exactly as it was SO years ago,
when a little baby boy was born to Thomas
and Nancy Lincoln, or Linkhorn, " as the
name was then spelled-humble" settlers, I"
who had moved to the neighborhood from
Washington county four years before.
The few living people who remember
Thomas Lincoln, the father, say that he
was IA rather improvident man, not work
ing long at any one thing. He was hard
worker, but was poor manager, and tho
little family was often without more than
the simplest necessaries of life. Thomas
Lincoln cleared few acres around his
cabin and raised IA small crop of corn and
grain. Then he became carpenter and
tinker, working at such odd jobs as he
could find among the pioneer neighbors.
He was away at work at the time Abraham
was born.
The neighbors heard that Mrs. Lincoln
was in the cabin all alone with the little
baby, and had little TO eat except corn and
potatoes. They at once visited the Lincoln
cabin, taking such delicacies as their
houses afforded The father returned in "a
few days, and the baby was named Abra-
ham Lincoln after his grandfather, who
had been killed by the Indians when
Thomas Lincoln was little oy.-George
H. Yenowine in St Nicholas
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-04-15
HOTELS IN GREECE.
Single Rooms Are Rare, and the Furnish
ings Are Painfully Scant.

ings Are Painfully scant.
In Greece the hotels of the interior fol-
low one general type-the Italian. There
Is no common sitting room. Why should
there Der There is no office, but that does
not seem To interfere with the presenta
ton of bills. The ground floor Is given up
to cafe or restaurant, If the innkeeper
goes into that line OF business. Very Of
ten, however, the master of the Apollo has
only rooms To let The sleeping apartments
on the floor above are often approached by
an outside stairway, and as is to be ex-
pected in a southern climate, they are
scantily furnished. Overfurnishing Is IA
vice anywhere. Under IA southern sky it is
IA crime, of which the Greeks are not
guilty. There is usually mirror, though
that tribute to human vanity is sometimes
lacking, and, like the Turk, the solitary
Turkish towel bears no brother near his
throne. The bedstoad is invariably of iron
and does not offer the same vantage
ground to the assailants of sleep as u
wooden framework would do, but the cush-
ions are there, and the walls are there, so
that small comfort is to be derived from
that slight reduction of possibilities.
AS i'm primitive United States within
my memory, single rooms are rare. Two,
three, four, five beds are put in one room
or strung along the corridors. A fastidious
person who desires TO occupy IA room alone
has to pay for all the beds therein. In some
places special charges are made for sleep
ing in the daytime, and there is IA fixed
rate for sleeping ON the floor That man
should wish to be private when he is asleep
seems absurd To race that sleeps at any
time and in any place irrespective of on
lockers But in this whole domain we
Americans, who submit To the abomina
ton of the Pullman sleepers, have no right
to find fault with any other nationality
we have no right To be fastidious about
undressing in the eyes of the world, and "a
large charity ought to cover the divergen-
cies of different regions and different pc
RODS in this respect. In the coed old times
people used to go to bed utterly devoid of
raiment, and the bedclothes, as we call
them still, were the only clothes Profess
or b. l.. Gildersleeve in Atlantic.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-04-15
HARBOR OEFENSES.
The Modern Mortar Batteries and How
They Are Operated.

They Are Operated.
Charles Rawson Thurston, in St. Mich
olas, says of mortar batteries as a means
of harbor defense:
The mortar batteries usually mount IS
guns and arc so arranged that the explod-
ing of mortar, or perhaps shell from
the enemy, can affect but four pieces, If as
many rs that. The batteries are made up
of riEed mortars. The placing of these bat
teries Is an extensive and expensive under
taking The batteries when completed are
capable of dropping upon vessel some
five or six miles away a shower of several
hundred pounds of iron or steel and explo-
sives.
The layout of battery is such that, all
10 mortars being trained alike and primed
the pressing of one button will cause them
all 10 fire at he same instant. They are
planted some 20 feet below the surface in
pits and are consequently quite concealed
from the enemy. If smokeless powder
should be used as it probably would be,
only an indistinguishable vapor would rise
from the pits To betray the location of the
battery. The enemy would hear a report,
and, from he knew not where, the shells
would rain down and pierce the decks If
but three or four guns were fired there
might be some hope of escaping injury,
but with 10 pieces carefully trained the
chances of instant destruction of the ship
are greatly increased.
But this is too close range TO begin fight
ing as the eneiny's guns could long be-
fore have swept all within sight along
shore and done great damage to shipping
that had sought protection in the bay or
harbor, and so coast defense guns are To-
Gated about the entrances to harbors and
bays. These too, are SO arranged as to be
hidden from the enemy, as it is no longer
sufficient to bald great granite walls,
pierced by portfolios and bristling with
cannon. These offer too good IA target TO
the enemy, and only IA short period of fire
against them with modern guns would
completely demolish them.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-04-15
The Durr Light.

The remarkable light which has been
brought forward in Germany aud known
rs the Durr light is declared to be equally
capable of use for interior illumination IL
Is originated 10y automatic evaporation and
overheating of the vnpors from ordinary
lamp petroleum. The yapors being con.
verted into gas, when burned yield "A light
of from 3, 500 To IL, 100 candle power The
apparatus consists of Il tank containing
the supply of petroleum, which is removed
sufficiently from the burner To avoid all
danger of fire from the flame The oil is
conducted 10y drops into "A burner of special
construction, after the latter has been
heated for about five minutes by means of
oil which is burned in small heating pans
furnished with the apparatus. Behind the
burner from which the flame issues there
is a second burner, which, after the heat.
ing of the pans has been removed, contin-
ually produces the vapors and heats them
TO high temperature, at the same time
completely surrounding the first burner
with strong flame This arrangement is
said to make the extinction of the light an
impossibility, even in the strongest wind
Fresh air is drawn in between the burner
and the external cylinder by the force of
the flame rushing out, and by using this
air in the burner IA smokeless flame results
on account of the air supply being heated
The oil used is ordinary 100 proof coal OIL
the consumption of which is about "a
pints per LOCO candle power. Railway
Review
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-04-15
LOVE INA MIST.


Love-in. a.mist In every garden grows
Beside the hollyhock. beneath the rose.
Love-in "A mist makes every rose less gay
And takes the llys gold and leaves her
gray
And turns the poppy pale AS winter SHOWS.
Sir HUM lebee will none of IL. but goes
close,
And spiders webs of silver will not stay
Loye-in-a-mist.
Who gamers 10 we visit not, nor who sows,
Nor to what end its misty blossom blows.
Only its blue eyes meet Us day by day
Till half We wish the mists would blow
away.
Who knows true love, be sure he also knows
Love-in-a-mist.
-Norah Hopper.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-04-15

There is one motive that inspires every
kind of hotel so universally that it is sort
of axiom in the business. 1t is this, at
always pays to please the guest at any
cost -
This business is as directly built up and
torn down by the opinions of its patrons as
any other one could name, and the head
mind of hotel enterprise stays awake at
nights thinking up schemes to please his
customers His days he spends in seeing
to 1t that they are not displeased.
If pleased, they are likely to come again
If they are specially pleased, they are liable
to say something to somebody that will
bring in other patrons, who, in turn, may
bring in still more friends. But il they
are displeased exactly the opposite effect is
likely to be Brought about. That is the
hotel mans situation. He would rather
lose the profits on IA dozen of his patrons
than the good will OF one of them Jesse
Lynch Williams in Scribner's.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-04-15
Parsee Burial Customs.

A Bombay correspondent of the New
York Evening Post writing of the burial
customs of the Parsees says: 1.-The ap.
proach of that transition we call death Is q
signal for the relatives to leave the pres
ence of the dying one, the priest alone re-
naming to whisper end-Avesta precepts
into bis ear. He, in turn, passes out of the
room and admits dog, who is trained to
gaze steadily into the face of the dying
one. A dog is accounted the only living
creature that can terrWize the evil spirits,
so the 'sas-did, or dog stare, is the last
sight the Parsee has on earth. No human
shadow must intervene, otherwise the
guardian virtue Of the dogs gaze is an
nulled.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-04-15
Gothic Headgear.

The curious fact was mentioned In re.
cent lecture on costume that in medieval
times, when the Gothic style of architec
ture prevailed women wore what might
aptly be called Gothic headgear. The tall
cones, some of them measuring fully -four
feet in height, with wells depending, were
in the same lines as the castles and tombs
of the day The lecturer commented, too,
on the extravaganza of those former days,
which far exceeded the criticised lavish
ness of our own times. When has the
nineteenth century equaled the expendi-
ture of Francois !, who paid $500 yard
for his coveted cloth of goldf-Now York
POST
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-04-15
Porridge and Boards.

A new fashion has arisen in Scotch
country houses during the last few years
All sporting men like porridge for break
fast. Now, 1t is not pretty spectacle to
see mustached and bearded men eat por
ridge and cream So now that delectable
compound is placed upon side table be.
hind a screen or in a little anteroom, and
when the lords of creation stroll down Oh
Sunday or rush down on "a week day to
breakfast, according to up TO date Ell.
quette, they eat their first breakfast course
standing. This fashion reminds an OBJ
server of the Russian habit of eating "a :
kouska or hors d'9uyre at side table In
the drawing room before descending to the
dining room. New York Tribune
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-04-15
The Art of Dress.

Some seasons ago popular lecturer ON
the fine art of dress" gave this advice,
Wear street gowns the color of your hair,
house gowns the color of your eyes, and
evening toilets the tint of your complex
ion. As the majority of women have
either black, brown or gray hair the wis
dom and taste of the advice is apparent as
far as street dress is concerned To dress
well means to dress appropriately for each
OCCASION and the So, ,Jn's fresh goods,
which display any number of very rich,
beautiful materials, make the selection Of
gowns "the color of your hair" an easy
matter
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-04-15
That Confident Air.

Hes very er terprising young man, "
remarked the elderly gentleman. Very
pushing and alert He belongs to the
rising generation.
&C. shouldn't have dreamed it," replied
Miss Cayenne.
Indeed
mo. From his manners | should not
have hesitatcd about concluding that the
rising generation belonged to him. So
Washington Star
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-04-15
Evidence Enough.

Counsel For the Defense - You have
heard the testimony of Mr.. Brown for the
prosecution. Now, did you ever hear Mr..
Browns reputation for truth and veracity
questionedf
Witness-Not directly, but he has Ina.
by at his house, he owns dog and rides a
bicycle, and he is an amateur fisherman.
"That will do, sir. " Then to the mag
istrate:
1--WE do not care to cross examine the
witness, your worship. Pearson Week
ly.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-04-15

Probably the oldest restaurant In Lon
don is Crosby hall, in Bishopsgate street.
In the city. This was built more than 900
years ago, was once the palace Of Richard
Ill and afterward the residence of Sir
Thomas More
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-04-15

The distinction among animals of re-
quiring least sleep belongs to the elephant
In spite of its capacity Tor hare work, the
elephant seldom il ever sleeps more than
four or occasionally five hours. For two
hours before midnight, ard again for two
hours after O'Clock. these misborn noun
tains sleep
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-04-15
slammed the Rlnm.

Wildly was thinking of late experience
at the club when his wife asked did Mr..
Lusk callY'
Not him. l bluffed him with Sl0--er
what was that, dearS'-Detroit Free
Press
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-04-15

The best fluid you can use in order To
get rid Of sunburn is buttermilk laid upon
the face and let dry there before you retire
at night; then wash off in the morning.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-04-15

Mi dear friend, don't talk too high
thare IL no diet so remorseless az to
have TO eat your own words.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-04-15

Thare IL no animal so cunning az the
fox, and there liz none that IL hunted
that IL oftener kaught
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-04-15
G. "A. Dixon & Co.
IOTICE OF COMMISSIONERS ON CLAIMS

f'OTICE OF COMMISSIONERS ON CLAIMS
TSTATE OF MICHIGAN, County OF Ionia. IS.
ID Probate court for said county. Estate OF
Ieymour Purdy, deceased
\ rhe undersigned having been appointed by
lhe Judge OF Probate OF said county, commits.
Peymour Purdy, deceased, and six months from
hue 4th day Of March, A. d., 1897, having been
flowed by said Judge of Probate to all persons
|lolding claims againsl said estate. in which TO
Present their claims TO us for examination and
Enlistment:
Il Notice is hereby given, that we will meet on
saturday, the third day OF April, A. ID. 1897, and
a Saturday the fourth day OF September, A. ID.
|F6 at one O'Clock p. m OF each day, at resi-
Hence of Newton G. Douglass near Smyrna in
he township OF Otlsco in said county to re-
|eive and examine such claims
Dated March Sth A. ID. 1897
ABE l.. Moon,
NEWTON C. DOUGLAS,
Commissioners.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-04-15

Flattery often may be iunosent, but
it IL never but one remove from decep-
shun.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-04-15

knowledge is proud that he has learned so
much:
Wisdom Is humble that he knows no more
William Cowper.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-04-15
Grand Rapids ~ Indiana II. X.

The g. r. & l. Red Book" containing maps
Hiews and descriptions OF Michigan Summer Re
iiDrts, sent on application TO
g. Z. LOCKWOOD, G. u. & II. A,
y Grand Rapids. Mich.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-04-15
Wanted Idea $ns S. : 's'S:

frotect your ideas they may bring you wealth.
frite JOHN WEDDEkBURN a CO, Patent Attor.
|ys, Washington, D. q. for their si.su0 prize offer
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-04-15
DETROIT, Jan !. 1897
CD. RAPIDS g. WESTERN r. r.

Additional trains leave Greenvile for Bedding
Net % m and 500 p m. Leave Beldlng Tor
sreenville AT m ard 30 p IN.
SAGINAW & GRAND RAPIDS
n A
Birmingham state herald., 1897-04-13
S25,000 1zsD. HS
"THE ALABAMA HOME"

"THE ALABAMA HOME" has now paid off all withdraw ing members and has $25,ooo to lend at once on our new sink ing fund plan, by which a bor- rower's mortgage is cancelled in seventy-two months at a definite low rate of interest. This Association can point with satisfaction to the great number of people it has aided in secur- ing homes instead ot having to pay rent all of their lives; also to the vast number of is mem bers, who have been encour- aged to save up a considerable sum, by paying in $6, SIS or $3o per month. "THE ALA BAMA HOME now has a larg- CT paid-in capital than any company in the State, that loans money exclusively in the State. The highest ambition of the management is to make "THE ALABAMA HOME" the safest, best and most bene- hcial Association for both it's borrowing and investing mem bers, that has ever existed in Alabama. Now is good time to join this Associate n. Az ply to
 w. V. M. ROBERTSON,
 General Manager,
 No. 2ooo First Avenue. A.-o
Birmingham state herald., 1897-04-13
DELEGATES SELECTED.
The Journeymen Barbers Held An En- thusiastic Meeting Sunday and Ap- pointed Representatives to the
 Trades Council.

The newly organized Journeymen Bar bers' union met Sunday afternoon and installed eheir officers. The finance com- mittee was appointed and membership cards given cut, besides the transaction of great denl of other business of in- terest only to the members of this vigor- ous young union.
 ,srne following are the officers installed and the finance committee appointed: President, w. c. Cunningham.
 Vice-President, J. L. Leslie.
 Recording secretary, George A. Shar- its.
 Corresponding secretary, R. M. Mo Lane.
 Treasurer w. L. Silby.
 Guide, G. A. Richards.
 Finance Commit ttee--G. A. Richards, J l.. Leslie and E. M. Davidson.
 The following were chosen as dele gates to the Trades Council:
 G. A. Richards, J. L. Leslie, E. M. Da- vidson, John F. Vollmers and Louis Haul bert.
 Their next meeting will be held on Tues day evening at o'clock.
 They are looking around endeavoring to secure hall for permanent head quarters. Although less than two weeks old, nearly all of the white men of the city4have become members.
Birmingham state herald., 1897-04-13
A Few Endorsements of the Press.

nished if necessary. 7h a7szy -s
 ASe-Herald ~ 1t always affords a public -journai measure to testify to merit where 1t is and pardonable pride that the Age-Her- aid ions with it's brethren of the press in. testifying to the merit, skill and reliable ity of Dr. o. T. Dozier, Principal of the Southern Medical Dispensary of this city. Dr. Dozier has resided for many years in has added to his reputation, to his use-- fuIness and to the esteem in which he is held by our best citizens. His long rec ord and approved abilities entitle him to the proud distinction of standing at 'sthe head of his profession" - s
 Daily News. Birmingham) pr. Dozier, the head of the institution. is a physician and surgeon of education. skill and experience, man of culture and high literary attainments and gentle man respected by all who know him. He can be relied on in all matters pertaining to his profession. The News comments him most cordially to all those in need of his services.
 Bessemer Weekly. There Is probably not more highly educated physician in this, section than pr. O. T. Dozier. He is specialist of many years' experience and successful practice. He is noted for his thorough mastery of the details and intricacies of his profession. and for unusual scientific attainments.
 (Masonic Guide, -t.lt ze4. pr. Dozier can be relied upon to treat diseases in the most successful marners5 and he Is known all over the south.
 dabor Advocate.)
 pr. Dozier bears the reputation of be- ing one of the most successful practition- ars in the south. A personal acquaint- oncs with the principal warrants the La- nor Advocate in giving the institution the earnest recommendation to- It's every reader. ilt.T S3 a.%isG
 Bessemer Journa1.) Ia pr. Doziers reputation is a brilliant one. He is a specialist of nearly twenty vears' experience in active practice ana ;s strictly reliable and has the confdence of the public and indorsement :, of the p' CThe Southern Odd Fellow.) sees We cannot add anything to the reputa. tion pr. o. T. Dozer has already ac- nuired in the line of his profession. but we know him to be a brother Odd Fellow that can be relied on to carry out every nronnise he makes to those needing his services.
 tMountain Home Tailadega)
 The press of Birmingham and all oyer Alabama speak in the highest terms ot Dr. Doxier as a physician. surgeon and gentleman. and we have no hesitancy in recommending him to those of our pa* irons who need his servtcea-