davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The new North-west., 1897-04-16
Marbles.

Marbles are manufactured from the
material which gives them their name.
At the marble quarrles the refuse stone
Is broken by hand into small cubes. A
bushel or more of these is poured into
great revolving cylinder which is
supplied with water from faucet. The
cylinder is revolved at high rate of
speed, and the cubes, by attrition, are
ground down to the tiny spheres which
g-ge such delight to the hearts of the
boys. From one to two hours are usual
ly required to finish lot of marbles,
and they are afterWard sorted accord
ing to size and painted by hand. The
crockery marbles. or "potteliss," are
nodded of the same material as ordin-
ary earthenware, and are then glazed
and baked. The glass marbles contain.
Ing images and flowers are nodded
The new North-west., 1897-04-16

weaknesses and inclinat tions being
taken into careful considerat ton. Only
one boy is admitted into a cell, and un-
der no circumstances are the inmates
allowed to converse unless in the pres
ence of an official of the institute. They
have plenty of outdoor exercise, but
neither in the grounds nor in the gym
nasium nor in the schoolroom or chapel
have they occasion to talk to their COM
rades. They are known by numbers
only, and though not subjected to cruel
ty in any form the discipline governing
their management is most severe.
The discipline even goes further. 1t
directs that boys must wear masks
whenever they leave their cells, either
to go to the gymnasium, the play
grounds or to school.
The schoolroom, which at the same
time serves as the chapel. is fitted with
n row of cells or boxes forming a semi
circle. The boxes, OF stalls, are open
at the top, so as to permit the free cir
culation of air, and their doors are alb
breviated below and above, so the in
mate can see the teacher on the plat
form opposite. The teacher can watch
the boys thoroughly, but the latter can
not see their neighbors nor make any
signs to them.
The new North-west., 1897-04-16

ran and at various Persian embassies
abroad. He was ambassador to Con.
stantnople under Nasr- -eddin and dur
ing the sixteen years he occupied that
post he successfully maintained the
most cordial relation between the two
great Oriental empires. Three years
ago the Shah called him back to Tehe-
ran to assume the post of minister of
justice, which he filled with much abl-
ity until more recently he was made
minister of foreign affairs. Mohsn
Khan is a Persian with all the polish
of the Oriental. He is shrewd, observ-
ing, and perfectly competent to fill a
post involving great capacity for diplo-
macy. He belongs to powerful family
In Teheran.
The new North-west., 1897-04-16
Queer Search for a Brother.

While unpacking a sample order OF
chinnware from Germany the other
day Frank c. Young, q Second street
importer, discovered a blue enyelope
tucked away in vase. On opening il
a letter written in German was dis
closed. Being an expert German scbol-
ar, Mr.. Young translated the missive,
which read as follows: "ro whom il
may concern: My brother, Wilhelm
Bletzner, left Carlsbad, Germany, two
years ago for America, where he in.
tended to engage in the china bust
ness. After a short time his CORE
spondence abruptly ended, and after
that all our letters were returned un-
claimed. l am q packer in china
house, and have been placing these
notes in every order to America, in
hopes that they might be seen by nv
brother or some one that knows him.
Trusting that the person who finds this
will convey any information which
would aid me, | remain, very truly.
Cora Bletzner, Carlsbad, Germany
Philadelphia Record.
The new North-west., 1897-04-16
Found n Hard probIc,n

A tired tramp on the Bowery was be-
Wailing the free-lunch clause Of the
Raines liquor tax bill, when his atten-
ton was called to an ornate poster in
red and blue ink, on white paper, rep
resenting with full regalia and accou-
trements an American soldier in the
cavalry service and an American in
fantryman saluting his superior officer.
the latter carrying a large sword. Tn
der the two pictures We're printed the
conditions under which the United
States army accepts volunteers for It's
service on the frontier in the military
service. The applicant must be more
than p years of age and less than 30.
1t is essential that he be unmarried
and either citizen of the United
States or an alien who has legally de-
clared his intention to become a citi-
zen. He must enlist for five years, and
the United States government gcner-
ously agrees to pay him for his services
in field and flood $13 per month. Other
inducements are held out. II sick, he
Is given free admission to a hospital.
If he dies, he is buried at the public
expense. If in the camp in which he
is stationed there is library, he is
permitted to read the books contained
In it without extra cost, and If out of
his income of $13 per month he proyi-
IDENTITY saves a portion, the United
States pays him 4 per cent. interest
on the amount, unless in the mean
while he deserts, in which case the
money is forfeited and he is liable to
be imprisoned for life, or perhaps be
shot.
The tired tramp was in front of ''re-
cruiting office on Third avenue, and
he calculated as he shambled away:
What stumps me is that they had to
pass law to keep the United States
army from ever getting larger than
25,000."-New York Journal.
The new North-west., 1897-04-16
REFORMING BAD BOYS.
French Government Does This by a
New System of Isolation,

French Government Does This by a
New System of Isolation.
An effort along new lines is to be
made by the French Government in the
direction of remodeling vicious tenden-
cies in boys. The scene of the expert
ment Is the Institute LIE Peletier at
Montesson, in the department of the
Seine. Youngsters who have already
become criminals will not be treated,
the design being to restrain and tone
down criminal inclinations In boys
whose parents have found them to be
unmanageable. Two hundred cells at
the institute have been set apart for
the purpose. Youngsters received for
treatment are examined as to their tai
ents for acquiring knowledge or learn
ing some sort of trade and are instruct
ed in those branches for which they
show a leaning. To curb the young
sters' inclination to cruelty they are al
lowed to have pets and each one is
given a patch of garden to cultivate.
They may keep birds, cats and rabbits.
Each boy is subjected to special
course Of treatment, his individual
The new North-west., 1897-04-16
The Sioux WAY.

Among the Sioux Indians, when one
family borrows kettle from another.
it is expected, when the kettle is re-
turned, that small portion OF the
food that has been cooked in it will be
left in the bottom. Should this GUS
tom be disregarded by any one, that
person would never be able to borrow
again, as the owner must always know
what has been cooked in her kettle. A
white woman on one occasion returned
secured kettle, intending to teach Il
lesson in cleanliness; but her act be-
came the talk of the camp as a fresh
example of the meanness of the whites.
The new North-west., 1897-04-16
The Death of Willie Lincoln.

In the st. Nicholas Mrs. Julia Taft
Bayne gives an interesting glimpse of
willie and Tad Lincoln" who were
playmates of her brother, "Budd." Mrs
Bayne gives the following account of
the death of Willie Lincoln: On Feb. l
Budd had a severe cold and was kept
in for n few days, and Tad reported
that willie had Il cold too" When
Budd returned from visit, he said
willie is dreadfully sick; he talks
about me and the pony all the time"
My mother went to inquire, and Mrs
Lincoln told her they feared typhoid
fever.
Sometimes the President would come
in, stand awhile at the foot of the bed
and go out without speaking Once he
laid his arms on Budd's neck as he sat
at the bedside, and leaning over,
smoothed Willie's hair
Although on Feb. 90 at noon, nv
mother brought news from the White
House that Willie was better, saving
that he had held Budds" hand and
knew him, Willie died at o'clock of
that day. Tad was overcome with
grief, and was Ill for some time after
The new North-west., 1897-04-16
A Tough MushrOom

While travelling in Switzerland the
elder Dumas one day arrived in lone
ly village with only one inn, at which
the famous novelist was compelled to
put up for the night.
When the landlord, who only spoke
German, came to inquire what he
would take for supper, Dumas tried.
but in vain. to make him understand
that he wanted some mushrooms, and
was on the point of giving up with a
bad grace all hope of enjoying his ia
yorite dish, when he hit upon the idea
of taking piece of charcoal and trac
ing on the wall what purported to be
the correct outline of mushroom.
The landlord went out, and Dumas
was congratulating himself on the sue
cess of his happy eXpedient, when n
few moments afterWard he heard the
Swiss coming up the stairs. The mush-
rooms could hardly have been prepared
in SO short a time, but this thought did
not occur to our great novelist.
The footsteps came nearer there WAS
a knock. and in walked the landlord
with an umbrella! Boston Traveller
The new North-west., 1897-04-16
Strawberries as Food.

In an address on horticulture and
HEALTH" before the American Associa-
ton for the Advancement of Science
Prof. W. r. Lazenby discussed the nu
tritive value Of various fruits, and
showed that an average man who
should undertake to live on strawber-
ries alone would have to consume
eighty-eight pounds of them in a day
in order to obtain a sufficient quantity
of one of the most important elements
of food, protein. But while he was get
ting the proper amount Of protein from
the stra wberries, they would give him
seven times too much of another neces-
sary compound, namely, carbohydrates.
Forty-four pounds of tomatoes a day
would supply nearly the right quantity
and proportion of protein, carbohy
drates and fat, the three most essential
constituents of food. The chief value
of fruit consists in it's acids, which are
important to health.
The new North-west., 1897-04-16
Tie Earlieet Men.

DR.. Ranke, of the German Anthrop-
illogical Society, recently undertook to
describe the physical characteristics of
the earliest men, as ascertained from
the examination of prehistoric graves.
They were of a yellowish color, he
said, and had coarse hair. Their heads
were peculiarly shaped, the part of the
skull which contains the brain being
large relatively to the face, while the
face was small. They had other pecu-
liarities, among which was the rudi.
mentary or undeveloped condition of
the third molar, or back grinder tooth.
The Doctor believes that the first men
originated in Asia
The new North-west., 1897-04-16
The Star POarder.

The sedate man-I'm afraid you are
about to be dethroned.
The star boarder-Why?
The sedate man-Bingle had poaehed
eggs on toast this morning and l mo-
ticed that you had to eat hash with the
rest of us.
The star boarder-Hush! Don't give
1t away. Bingle has just paid up, after
being behind two months. If you want
to fare well stop paying in advance for
a while. and when you settle they'll
treat you like Il king.-Cleveland
Leader
The new North-west., 1897-04-16
uMra. IinColn's ZouaYes.v

Julia Taft Bayne, in st. Nicholas, de-
scribes the pranks of willie and Tad
Lincoln" in the White House. The
Presidents sons were playmates Of her
brother "Budd." Mrs. Bayne writes:
About this time they formed a mill
tary company called Mrs. Lincoln's
Zouaves." She gave them flag, and
they were reviewed by the President
from the portico. The Secretary of
War promised to furnish light (con-
demned) rifles, but l do not remember
whether they were ever armed or not,
for the company dwindled until it was
like Artemus Wards-'all officers"
Willie was colonel, Budd major, and
Hally captain, while Tad refused every
rank but that of drum major. The Off
GERS had old-fashioned swords, given
them either by the Secretary of War or
by Gen. Mcclellan.
They spent a great deal of time on
the fiat copper roof of the White
House. 1t was surrounded by stone
balustrade, and here they built cabin.
The roof was by turns "fort" and n
quarterback" They used to raise and
lower the flag with due ceremony, and
look for Strange sail" through spy
glass.
l remember once, when "Budd's Sis
ter" ascended to the stronghold with a
stern demand for the scissors, she was
received at the ''side" with naval eti-
quette. They showed me Confeder-
ate flag at Munson's Hill, think, and
Tad said some boats on the river were
pirates"
The new North-west., 1897-04-16
Freaks of Two Cats.

In Philadelphia store there is cat
known as Jim. The other day young
woman entered the store for the pur-
pose of paying bill. She was given a
seat on a large settee while the office
boy obtained the receipt. Now, the
back of this settee rests against a rail
ing which incloses the office. This rail
Ing Is very much like back yard fence.
and for that reason is a favorite place
for Jim. He was in this place when the
lady took the seat and he cast admir-
ing glances at her. She was neatly at
tired in black and had !. large stuffed
bird In her hat. Everything went well
unit! Jim spied this bird, and with
jump he was OH her hat, much to the
alarm and fright of the lady, who in
stantly Sprang to her feet, screaming
The new North-west., 1897-04-16
Cause of His Death.

"What shall we put on his tomb
stoneE' asked the man who dealt in
such things.
WELL" said the head of the typo
graphical union, thoughtfully, II think
all that is necessary under the circum-
stances is simple announcement that
he let the t drop out of the word re-
lict' and failed to correct it in the
proof. Every one will know at once
that he died of resulting complica-
tions. Chicago Post.
The new North-west., 1897-04-16
Strange Things on Mars,

The planet Mars has recently (Decem-
Der III been again in opposition to the
sun and consequently favorably situ-
ated for telescope observation. In
fact, astronomers have been studying it
for some months as it approached appo-
sition, and have once more discerned
those curious lines on its surface called
canals" They have also seen again the
round, or oval, spots that appear at
points where many canals meet, and to
which Mr. Lowell has given the name
of "oases." One of the latest and most
interesting observations relates to an
@oasis" called "Triyium Charontis." On
November 10 this spot, at which nine
canals meet, was seen, at Monsieur
Flammarion's observatory near Paris,
to be double, or cut in two. Five days
earlier, at the same observatory, the
spot had appeared dark, broad and
single
The new North-west., 1897-04-16
The Lost Arts.

If Wendell phillips were living to-day
he would find many fresh illustrations
of ancient ingenuity for his celebrated
lecture on the "L.st Arts" Mrs lie
Plogeon lately showed, in Appleton's
Popular Science Monthly that the old
Peruyians must have understood the
laws Of atmospheric pressure ~ order
to construct the very curious Jars ,nd
vases that they have left. One of these
pieces of pottery was ornamented with
the figures of two monkeys, and when
water was poured into, or out of, the
vessel, sounds like the screeching of
monkeys We're heard. Another similar
vessel had the figure of bird which
uttered appropriate notes; another was
ornamented with cat which meWed
and another with snakes which Kissed
A most ingenious Water-jar bore the
form of an aged woman upon whose
cheeks tears were seen to trickle. while
sohs We're heard, when water was pour
ed from the Jar.
The new North-west., 1897-04-16
How Muskrats Breathe Under Ice,

W. Spoon, the naturalist, asserts that
the muskrat when obliged to go be-
meath the ice from one side to the other
of pond has curious mode of taking
along his air supply. Instinct teaches
him to take in a deep breath before
starting, but even this he knows will
be insufficient for the trip. According
ly he hats occasionally and exhales the
exhausted air from his lungs. This air,
being confined by the ice in the shape
of bubble, and in full contact with the
icy water, becomes almost Instantly re-
oxygenated. When the Transformation
Is completed the wise rat again takes
in his old breath, which is now a fresh
inspiration. Thus rejuvenated he again
dives out of sight and begins swim
ming for the other side, only coming
up against the ice as often as it is nee
essary for him to refreshen that yalu-
able little breath of air. But few hunt
ers and trappers are aware of the
muskrat's odd plans of changing his
poisonous breath into a fresh inspira.
tion, but those who are take mean ad-
vantage. BY striking heavy blow on
the ice the air is dispersed, and the lit.
tie animal dies of asphyXia.
The new North-west., 1897-04-16
The Telephone and Comne,it,ou

us
Telephone competition in this country
has been very brisk during the last two
or three years, but a large proportion of
the new companies have gone to the
wall. f.. De Land explains how this has
come about. He shows how at first
thought it appears perfectly feasible to
make competing telephone exchange
profitable property, yielding good re-
turns on the Investment, and during the
first few months nearly all competing
exchanges flourish financially. The
unhealthy public sympathy stimulated
for selfish ends enables town councils
to grant franchises containing very lib
eral provisions, while the interest taken
by many citizens insures large num-
Der of subscribers from the start. In
spite of these initial favorable auspices,
the records prove that one by one the
competing exchanges sunspend opera
tions, and the plant is sold for what It
will bring-often for old junk. Mr.. De
Land says the cause is found in the
inability to secure an income from
low rates that would warrant the ex-
penditure necessary to secure the talent
requisite to maintain and operate the
plant in manner that would insure
prompt and efficient telephone service"
This is the whole story in nutshell.
The company first in the field has set
a very high standard of service, and the
would be supplied at half the rates for
merly charged have not been realized.
When the quality of the service began
to fall off, one after another of the sub
scribers refused to continue renting the
new instruments, and the end soon
came.
The new North-west., 1897-04-16
In Bed Rooms.

Oil stoves and gas stoves should ney-
er be kept burning In bedroom, for,
being burned in the room and having
no connection with a chimney, they
throw the poisonous products of COM
bustion into the air of the apartment
and make 1t unfit for respiration. Even
an oil lamp is dangerous if left burning
all night but the evil effects of an oil
stove are worse, inasmuch rs stoves,
having a larger flame, consequently
consume more oxygen and give off more
poisonous gas.
The new North-west., 1897-04-16
Oxygen in Surgery.

Remarkable results are reported to
have been obtained in England by
treating wounds with oxygen gas. Two
kinds Of micro-organislns are found in
wounds, one kind being beneficent and
the other injurious IN Its effects. Oxy-
gen causes an increase of the former
and decrease Of the latter, so that,
according to writer in the British
Medical Journal, wounds treated with
oxygen heal more rapidly and with less
pain than by any other form Of treat
ment.
The new North-west., 1897-04-16
TN 4 JOSS.HOUSE.
The Chinese Celebrate tion of New Years.
in San Francisco,

in San Francisco.
Theodore Wores, the artist, has a
story Of Chinese life in San Francisco
In St. Nicholas, under the title of "Ah
Gau's New Years Celebration" Mr..
Wores says: The procession-for some
queer reason the Chinese always seem
to walk In single file-was headed by
the father, carrying the baby brother
proudly In his arms. The mother and
sister carried baskets, filled with offer.
ings to the gods; while All Gau had con-
tented himself with parading his finery
only.
The interior of the Joss-house was
but dimly lighted; and when the eyes
once became used to the mysterious and
smoky atmosphere that filled the place,
strange and weird faces Of gods and
demons showed through the darkness
and gazed solemnly down from rich al
tars upon the visitors. A priest, seated
at the entrance, had supply of painted
candles, sticks of incense made Of san
dalWood, and packets of papers con-
taining printed prayers.
Having bought supply of these
helps to worship, All Gau and his fam
lily had entered the inner room of the
pagan gods. In the presence of these
images, with hideous, painted faces,
dlmly looming out of the darkness and
mystery Of the incense-laden atmos-
phere, most American boys of All Gau's
age would have been terror-strlcken,
He, on the contrary, seemed to be quite
at ease among these strange things and
went near to the uncanny idols with
quite an air Of familiarity. He boldly
walked up to a large drum standing in
one corner and, Selling n drumstick,
pounded on 1t with all his might, for the
purpose of drawing the attention Of the
gods to the worshipers.
He then Joined with the family in
placlng large number of lighted can
dies and smoking incense sticks upon
the altar; after which they had bent
themselves in prayer before the prlnci-
pal image in the temple. A number Of
o1fer1ngs-cakes, fruits, and various ar
tlcles of food, as we'll as rice wine
were next piled up before this deity.
Ihelr deyotions ended with the burning
OF lot of printed prayers in little
Drlck furnace erected in a corner of the
Joss house for that purpose. AS they
left, Il pack of tirecraclers was set off;
and then. thoroughly satisfied with
themselves, and with minds at rest,
they had gone homeward.
The new North-west., 1897-04-16
MOHSIN KHAN.
Recs sntly Appointed Minister of For
cign Affairs for Persia.

Mohsin Khan, the newly appointed
Minister of Foreign Affairs for the en-
pire of Persia, is an able statesman,
who was highly valued by the late
Shah Nasr-eddin. The new Shah Muz-
affer-eddin, decided to continue the
favor to Mohsin Khan which had been
shown by his father to the diplomat,
and the latters elevation to the Shah's
cabinet-if the royal advisers can be so
called-is a reward for long g-continucd
service. Mohsin Khan received a good
European education, and speaks Eng
lish and French t1uently. For many
years he vas trained in diplomacy at
the minis ry of foreign affairs in Tehe-
The new North-west., 1897-04-16
\ Is kuotty Problem,

Fond Wife-What are you worrying
about this evening?
Husband "a young lawyer)-An impor-
tant case have on hand. Ny client is
charged with murder and l can't make
up my mind whether to try to prove
that the deceased was killed by some
other man OF is still alive.-New York
Weekly.
The new North-west., 1897-04-16
The Demagogue's Bill of Fare.

A certain candidate for city office
so the story goes-made it rule that
callers should be admitted to sec him
at any moment, even If he were at
table. This rule, it is needless to say,
applied only before election.
The candidate was fond OF the pleas
ures of the table, and was aware that
this was not counted to his d;scdyant.
age among certain class of MS sup
porters. Therefore, when he was seat
ed one day at a meal of canyns-back
duck and champagne, and his maid
servant announced that deDufation
of men from the ward was waiting in
the hall to see him, he did not order
these articles removed until he had
found out who the men were
They looks like workln'men, sir"
said the maid.
''Then, quick, Bridget! Take off the
duck and the wine, and bring me some
cold chicken and cup of coffee.
The servant did as she was bid. She
had gone out of the room after exc
cutting the order, and the politician was
devoting himself in a somewhat GIN
gerly way to the cold chicken, when the
girl came rushing in again.
I've just found out, sir," she said,
chat they's a delegation of poor, half
starved, shtrikin' tailors from the
sweat-shops"
The politician gave a long whistle.
"Ah, then, if that's the case, Bridget,
take off the chicken and the coffee, and
just hand me cold potato and 4 glass
OF water, and show them in!'
The new North-west., 1897-04-16
A Fr;phtfu1 R,under

Suitor Seeing flower on the table,
May l take this as a token of your
friendship?
Fashionable Miss-Good gracious, no,
sir! Why, that's my new bonnet
Spare Moments.