davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1897-08-08
THE WONDERFUL ALBATRoss.
Its Marvellous Flight in the Air and Its
Rid cnlous Waddle on Land.


The albatross has been the theme oi
poets and naturalists ever since the first
one dawned upon the sight OF man.
The scientist has offered many
theories for the birds long-sus-
tanned power of flight, but it remains
as much OF a mystery as ever. An
albatross will follow in ships walks for
days, sailing steadily along with no mo-
tions of the wings, silent and lnscruta BILE
as fate. No o.her motions than an occa-
sional veer of the wings when the bird
desires to turn an angle is observed.
Despite the BIRDS marvellous power OF
sailing along, 1t is very hard for it to rise
from the water.
The home OF the albatross is in the An
tipodes and the Auckland Islands. No
lighthouse rears its head here, and heavy
fogs and treacherouS currents swirl about
the place. The land is rough and noun
famous on the coast, but inland marvel
GUS flowers grow; wonderful asters, mar
guerites, lilies and gentians, and here
millions upon millions of birds make their
homes.
Among the coarse herbags the pure
white head OF The albatross meets the
eve. The body is larger than that of the
swan, and its expanded wings measure
seventeen feet from tip to tip. Its glory
has departed, for while nothing can be
granGer than its flight over the ocean
on the land. Its only sign of defense is
to clap its back in helpless manner for
it cannot use its wings.
The nest is pile of aTth like a child s
sand castle, and in the cup-shaped top
the albatross lays one egg. During
the sixty days the egg is Matching
the mother does not stir from the
nest, for if she dld the seahawks would
swoup down on the egg and destroy
down, pnre white in color, and silky as
floss. The nesting is fed so assiduouslv
that it becomes immensely fat and rivels
its parent in weight. 1t is then deserted
by the parents, who wander over the
ocean. sometimes encircling the globe be-.
fore returning home.
The most remarkable thing in the his
tory OF the albalross is that during the a b.
sence of the parents the young nesting
ing the whole time, sometimes four
months, it lives on the fat it has accumu-
lated. In the open nest on bleak hill
side the young albatross is exposed all
winter to sharp winds and the tiercest
gales that ever rush across the ocean, yet
at the end of its fast the young bird is
lively and in good condition.
The reason the parent birds go away is
not known. Their desire for fight is a
mystery, for it is not the same as the
migration of our northern birds to
the south. When the parents return
thew unceremoniously bundle out the
nesting. which has become slaty-
gray in color and set about repairing the
nest. The young bird still stays around.
evincing in many pretty ways its fondness
for its parents and not till next ear does it
take its first fight 10 sea in company with
its hard hearted father and mother
Chicago News.
The San Francisco call., 1897-08-08
HAD He DEGENERATED?

The Now Woman Object to a Mans
Dressing as she Does.
He had just appeared before her in his
new spring outfit ana was rather proud OF
himself But she only looked at hi m in a
scornful sort of way, and hnally said:
II don't see why you can't have little
originality in the matter OF dress"
"OriginalityI' he extlaimed. "Or;gi-
nality! What do you expect? DO you
think l ought to come out here in the cos
tune of Fiji Islander so as to be differ
ent from the rest OF the crowd? p
Certainly not" she replied. 81 would
have you dress properly. of course, but
that is no reason why you should initiate
me-"
Initiate you" 1t was only with diff.
Guilty that he could speak at all, his aston
ishmen. was so great.
Yes" she replied cooliy; initiate me
Why DO you nersist in wearing bIoomers?"
"Bloomersp He glanced at his new golf
trousers and then began to get really ex-
cited. Look here Who wore bifurcated
garments first, man or woman? Who IS
the one who is doing the initiating? Have
you ever seen me in skirts? ?"
mo" she answered, in the same cool,
exasperating way; but it annoys me to
| note that your hat is almost an exact du-
| plicate of mine
"Oh, it does, does il?'' he demanded.
"You think l am encroaching on your
| rights when l put on a fedora hat, d you?
Well, who wore them first? Just tell me
that. Was the fedora hat designed for
man or for woman?"
Your shirt, collar and necktie are so
close an imitation of mine that find it
difficult to realize that you are not q
woman" she went on, coldly, ignoring
| his question. at is outrageous"
when did You first begin 10 wear that
kind of a collar and necktie ?" he inquired
with forced calmne.s. Look that up and
compare it with the earliest times when
these things were considered proper ap-
parel for men. Did you ever see me with
| a ruching round my neck ?'
Then. too." she persisted, "there is
! the sweater and the JACKET and golf stock
| ngs and even the diamond frame bicycle.
| Why do you persist in riding a diamond
| frame wheel like a new woman? Why
don't you ride drop frame or any old
| frame that would be little d fferent and
give you some individual VI Why do
you get yourself up in every way to look
| like woman? Why"
But he had fled. de could stand fair
display of nerve, but this was too much
Chicago Post.
The San Francisco call., 1897-08-08
FREEZING OUT OFF. CE = SEEKER5 )
Effect of the Presidents fbsence on
the Grand Army of Patriots
at Washinqton.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Aug. 7.-Sinee
the departure of the California delegation
nothing more has been heard about the
ottlce of Consul to Aongkong. which Con-
gresham Barham hoped would go to his
fellow townsman. ]. w. Ragsdale. Neither
has anything been done yet about the
drug inspectorshiT.
Despite the Presidents absence office
.eekers from every State in the Union are
here still in considerable numb bers. They
are no longer at the hotels or the first class
centrally located boarding houses. To
cheap and secluded quarters they have
retired, and to many it is blessing to be
relieved of the necessity of keeping up
appearances. Their presence is disclosed
only by pitifu wall now and then about
the civil service law and q declaration in
the name of the people that the future will
look gloomy for the Republican party if
heroic patronage treatment is not spc edily
resorted TO.
Tae nearby country resorts and the
cheap boarding-houses on back streets
hold in hiding horde ready to rush into
action as soon as the President returns.
The President will find then that the
starving-out process has not worked. ii e
has probably calculated that a six weeks
wait, with him away, would tax the re-
sources as W. III as the patience OF his
many tormentors; bu;, instead, they have
simply gone on short ra,ions.
Cleveland is the only man who ever
commanded office seekers to leave Wash
ington. He told them that if they did not
so home and stay there they would not
get anything. Many OF them went and
still found that they did not get anythinZ
but as rule, by he time they discovered
that going home did not work they
were not so fixed financially as TO
come back, their friends not being willing
to advance money for second venture.
Some only pretended 10 go home, and
alter being in hiding several weeks with
out results appeared again anu renewed
the attack. Some of these never did get
home again.
President Mckinley does not order the
office seekers around as diu Cleveland,
and probably some of them will be worse
off for it. He is suave, courteous and con-
siderate, even sympathetic, in his manner
toward them, and grants them the privi-
lege of remaining in Washington as long
as they want to and OF holding to their
hopes until they are thread bare.
The San Francisco call., 1897-08-08
ELLHT FLAYS FOSTER.
The Professor Accuses the Seal Com
missioner of Prevarication
and lncompetency.
ana inc0n1pefency.

CLVELAND, ONO, Aug Professor
Henry W. E liott read to-day the inter-
view with John w. Foster, the commi>-
sioner sent by President Mckinley TO
Eng apd to confer with Lord Salisbury
relative to the Bering Sea matter, and re-
piled hotly 10 Fosters intimation regard
ing the animus which actuated Elliott to
write his two recent letters. He sail
$50, Mr.. John W. Foster has nothing
to say in answer 10 my direct charge of
his telling the President an untruth about
myself? Well, perhaps that Is the best
Thing for him 10 do. I happen 20 have in
my possession the black-and- white ev-
dence that he has violated the ninth COM
mandment-ne has borne false witness
against his neighbor.' Then, when l call
attention 10 this fact. he talks vaguely
about my 'animus' and my status
"The American peop.e have had glut
of this absurd tomfoolery over the fur
seals, and the prospect OF having it
strung out two or three years longer
under the lead of this incom petent man
is enough to sicken them. l predict that
they will not stand the shame and imposi-
ton.
II have always been under the i'm.
preston, and am still convinced, that a
man convicted of bearing false witness
against his nelghbor Is not III man for
association with in the private or official
life of American citizens.
There is more under this than l can or
desire to mention at the present moment.
This same amiable Mr.. Hamlin, who is
now associated with Foster, said 10 me in
1894 that they (the Foster associat!on)
told me that you had sold your report to
the British, but, my dear Mr.. Elliott, you
know that we have never believed it, ]
intend to get the proof of this action OF
Foster and his associates, and then shall
add another Indictment disqualiiying him
from running the State Department so as
to discredit and injure American interests
and deiame American citizens"
The San Francisco call., 1897-08-08
oARsMEs f0LL0W The CYCLISTS.
Philadelphia IL ho,c Preparing for the
"Amerfcan RenfevO

"Amerfenn Renfep."
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. Aug. THE
rear guard of the army OF visiting cyclists
will hardly have departed from the city
when the hotels will begin to fiji up again
with admirers and patrons of aquatic
sports.
The annual regatta OF the National As
sociatiou of Amateur Oarsmen, also
known as the American Henley" opens
on the Schuykill River next Friday, and
after two weeks of labor the regatta COM
miltee, OF which James Pilkington OF New
York is chairman, and the local commit
tee on arrangements have completed the
programme and made provision for the
accomm odation OF the Judge, mem bers Of
the press and visiting clubs.
The course selected on the Schuykill
River and Fairmount Park, over which
The International races were rowed during
the Centennial in 1876, is an ideal one.
There, is no rough water and very little
current, while million people could view
the events from start to finish from the
high bluffs that border the course.
The events to be determined are the in
termediate double SOULS, senior singles
and doubles, senior pair-oared, interme-
diate four cared, senior International four
cared, intermediate and senior eig ht-oared
shells.
ALI the races except the international
The San Francisco call., 1897-08-08

economy, as we'll as the enforcement of the
law 10 cnange the Gus tom.
You may judge the importance of TINS ac-
uon ey perusing the report OF the Superln-
tei dsht OF Streets, as published in the daily
press, which shows tnat the amount
Expended for contract work in front of
city proper il the last fiscal year was al Q, 90
contract work in non, OF parks and
eHu"reS-.- -. ~ -
squares "oiA inip'o''n7 ''..i'....,...... r 1905
Strests "ofA ie' y Is, sss
Total s67, 664
The contract work let by the Board OF u
pelvsors in accordance win law, accord
ing 10 this report; amounts to. SZ f,o4l
These figures are subject to rev sion and
correction bv the superintendent OF Streets.
His report is not yet ready, nor can he advise
me now what part of the above work is strictly
public con ract.
The result OF strict compliance with the law
viii be a reduction OF cost TO the city ana the
opening OF new work to mpetltlye bidders,
now excluded. The new po Icy, II pursued
from the beginning OF the hsc ii year, VIII not
deprive any contractor ol his equitable right.
Respec ectfullg, JAMES u FHELAN' Mayor.
Just TO make out II good day OF vetoes
the Mayor wrote message refusing TO
sanction the payment OF The salary of As
sistant District Attorney Dunno, against
whose appointment he protested at the
time it was made.
The San Francisco call., 1897-08-08
AN ISLAND IN THE JACK POT.
How the Site of Minneapolis Changed
Hands in q Card Game.


At one of the most interesting games OF
poker ever played in Minneapolis, Nicollet
Island was put in the jackpot by a mi an
ho thought he understood the game, but
found there were Others who understood
it better.
Fifty-five years ago Pierre Bottineau
took up a claim on the spot where ST.
Paul now stands. A year later he traded
it for horse and COW, which he drove
away into the wilderness, never dreaming
that the land he had almost given away
would in lew years he the site of great
city. For q small sum he purchased a
lar portion of what is now the busiest
part OF Minneapolis aud put up log
cabin on little mound in the center OF
Nicollet Island.
Half a dozen OF the old settlers, Botti-
neau among them, had little poker club.
One evening the stakes kept growing
larger and larger, until every jackpot con-
tanned a small fortune. Mr.. Bottineau
had been losing heavily, but at last was
dealt hand upon which he hoped TO re-
gain hia losses and win something be-
sides.
He was given four queens, drawing one
card, secured an ace, leaving four kings as
the only hand by which he could be
beaten. He thought he saw one of the
PLAYERS discard a king, and he considered
his hand invincible and played it accord
ingly. Soon all but Bot,inear and the
man opposite him dropped their cards and
retired to watch the game.
The table was hcaped with money and
the personal belongings of the two men.
The Pickering light of the candle shone
di.nly on the flushed faces as they watched
each other warily out of the corners OF
their eyes. All of Bottineau's possessions
lay on the table and it was his bet. lie
The San Francisco call., 1897-08-08
MORE FORK FOR THE CONSUL
Probable vi hdratCot of the Treasury
dgent at Panama.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Aug. SEQ
retary Gage is considering the advisabiity
OF Withdrawing the treasury agent
stationed at Panama to supervise the
transhipment of goods over the isthmus
in transit from New York and San Fran
cisco and return. 1t is thought that this
service, which has always been considered
important as protection to revenue, may
be satisfactorily performed by the United
States Consul. The value of domestic
goods shipped from New York to San
Francisco by way of the isthmus, accori-
ing 10 a statement just issued by the
Bureau OF Statistics, for the fiscal year
was, So, 054 9S8, and OF goods from San
Francisco to New York 81, 266, S37.
The San Francisco call., 1897-08-08
The 4rbi ration Treaty.

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM. Aug. THE In.
teruational Arbitration Con ference, now
in session, to-day adopted resolution re-
GREETING that the glo-Americ,n arbi-
iration treaty had not been ratified and
expressing satisfaction that another treatv
IS being prepared at the instance OF NJ c.
kinley.
The San Francisco call., 1897-08-08
NO AID FOR THE DESTITUTE.
The british G. r.rpme,tt Fears to Estab-
tish u Prect dent.

LONDON, ENG, Aug. 7.-Although the
Government inspector com mmissioned to
inquire into the distress caused by the
recent tornado in Essex has reported that
the loss will exceed million dollars and
that large number of families have lost
their all, the Government has decided
al ter full consideration that it cannot
safely intervene with the relief appr o.
priation on the ground that such action
might establish a precedent that might
return to plague the present or future
administrations.
The members of Parliament for the dis
trict are severely critiZising the Govern
ment for this decision, and have COL
ected data showing that under similar
conditions the United States Govern
ment has been liberal and energetic in
providing tents. rations and other assis-
tance for the relief OF sufferers by floods
and havoc created by the elements.
The San Francisco call., 1897-08-08

fours and the intermediate and senior
eights will be rowed over a course of
mile and a half sirafghtawav.
The prizes are on scale 6f magnifcence
never before reached at any regatta. The
entries include all the principal boat clubs
of the country. and some of the contests
will prove extremely exciting.
The San Francisco call., 1897-08-08
MIsPLAckD SWITCH DISASTER.
Passenger Train Wrecked and F11OnJe-
master Fatally In pjnrsd.

master Fatally Injured.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, Aug. The
Mem phis and Charleston passenger train
which left here last night at S:15 was
wrecked about $3.50 near Siratton, Ala
by misplaced switch. The mail and
baggage cars were overturned and badly
damaged and much baggage ard mail
matter lost.
Sam Davis, baggage master, had two
ribs broken and received internal in iuries
which are believed . be fatal. George r.
Marian. postal clerk, was badly cut and
bruised. but his injuries are not believed
to be fatal.
The railroad people think the switch
was probably misplaced by miscreants,
with the intention of causing wreck.
The San Francisco call., 1897-08-08
When Love Grew Cold.

Not long ago servant living in Derby
shire gave notice TO leave her situation,
informing her mistress shat she was bout
to oe married.
AS the time DIR w near for leaving she
addressed her mistress thus:
'P ease, mum, have you got girl yet?'
mo, Bridget; why do you ask?''
because if you haven't | should like
to stay"
What 1 thought you were going to
marry the sweep!'
"Oh. yes ma am." replied Bridget hest.
tatingiy; but when l saw him after his
face was washed l telt l couldn't love
him.
The San Francisco call., 1897-08-08
Notes.

The California Coursing Club, newly or
ganZed, will In the near future give races
for the greyhounds at Emeryville track.
1t is claimed tho new association will give
$3.50 purses, with one big stake of $4,000.
The death knelI, though, is sounded when
it is said. "Bookmakers will handle the
coin" The sort OF mer that make books
on the sport are not bookmakers.
The San Francisco call., 1897-08-08
The Tally stopped with the War.

A Georgia man was arraigned for beat
ing his wife.
s.What have you to say for yourself?"
asked the Judge.
* / speak out, Jedge?'
"Yes. What have you to say?'
jed e, yer Honor, | want to say Jest
this: [ never did have no trouble With
none er my wives except this cne. NV
fust wife Was an angel, my second came
mighty nigh being one, my third wuz
willin' an reasonable, my fo'th was mod .
crate, my"
"In the name of goodness" interrupted
the Judge show many wives have you
had ?"
The man looked thoughtful, and then
said:
"Jedge, 1 don't know. I use to keep
track OF 'em, but I quit countin' after
Lees surrender r'-Atlanta Constitution.
BEEcHAM'S PILLS .or Stomach ana Liver Ills.
The San Francisco call., 1897-08-08

The largest ships afioat are: Friedrich
der Crosse, 525 feet long. 60 ieet inches
beam; Kaiser Wilhelm II, 449 feet long. 81
feet beam; Armand Behic. 4S6 feet long,
80 feet inch beam; Britannia, 465 feet
long. so feet beam. The Great Eastern
was 692 feet long. 83 feet beam.
The San Francisco call., 1897-08-08

demands is same SET forth in my commuui-
cation OF this date in relation to the demand
of Phillips Smyth for e287 Respectfully,
JAMES d. PHELAN, Mayor.
Mayor Phelan then shows where Devany
has been derelict in his duty to giving or
allowing to be given an immense amount
of street work by private contract and
without competition OF any kind. 1t is
needless to say that Devany is the chair
man of the Street Com mittee.
According TO the Mayors estimate the
amount of work given to the friends of
Devany in violation OF law exceeds that
let in a lawful manner BIZ nearly $4,000
Phc Mayor deals with the subject thus !:
SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, August &. 1897
To the Honorable Board ri Supervisors Of the
City and County of San FTdRcisco-GENTLENEN: !:
] herewith return to you without my approval
resolution 1914, providing Tor street work in
front OF n school lot The reasons for my
objection are follows:
The cese of the santa Cruz Rock Pavement
Company VS.. William Broderick, 113 Cal,
holds that the Board of supervisors have no
power to do street work without first having
invited bids or proposals ana awarded the
contract to the lowest responsible bidder, as
provided in the so-called Vrooman act
This is q resolution directing the Superin-
Iendent of Streets to tier into no contract on
behalf of the City OF San Francisco, without
inviting such compe tition required by law.
he object of the statute is clear-to protect
the City as we'll as the property-owner, by
giving il the benefit OF open competition. II
is true that this practice OF letting private
contracts has been sanctioned by custom. and
that there Is tradition in the street Depart
ment that such contracts, when not in excess
OF 5000, are authorized by law; but believe
II Is IN the interest OF business methods and
The San Francisco call., 1897-08-08
Son of Decorations scamdn. In Part

PARIS, FRANCE, Aug 7.-Lanterne says
there is a great scandal in the surround
ings of one of the Cabinet Ministers. re-
calling the scandal in 1887 growing out of
the sale of decorations. The scandal will
shortly be ventilated, three arrests hay in o
been made on the charge of selling decor
ations.
The San Francisco call., 1897-08-08

ADVANCES made on furniture ana pianos with
or without removal j. Noonan. l0l7-lO23 Mission.
The San Francisco call., 1897-08-08

Ny reason for Withholding approval of ese
demands is same as SET forth in my communf-
cation OF this date in relation to the demand
of Phillips d Smyth for S287. Respectfully,
JAMES d. PHEIAS MHvor
The San Francisco call., 1897-08-08

BEEcHAAs PILLS :or Stomach ana Liver Ills.
The San Francisco call., 1897-08-08

SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, Aug. 7, 1897
To the Honorable Board Of Supervisors Of the
proval, demands on the treasury as follows.
The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-09-02
Athletics Overdone.

Many young men seem to think that
because the practice of athletics is ia
vorable to health the more they can get
of this practice the better. This is an
erroneous impression, for it is as posi-
BILE to overwork in athletics as it is in
business. and great many young
people do themselves injury by their
excessive zeal in the practice of COM
petitive exercises.
In this line of physical activity, as
in any other, there is limit to human
capability, and it is possible to develop
the muscular and nervous systems to
the detriment of the heart and lungs or
of the digestive system, but the condi-
tions under which athletics are usually
practiced are so favorable to the main
, tenance of health and vigor that few
persons who were sound at the time OF
commencing their athletic efforts have
injured themselves by the practice of
these vigorous exercises. 1t is true that
certain number of young men who
were distinguished for their supremacy
in certain athletic events have died
young, but the number of young men
who are now practioinS athletic exer-
cises in this country and appearing in
public contests is very large, as many
as 600 or 700 entries being recorded in
some of the great city meetings d.
A. Sargent of Harvard University in
North American Review.
The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-09-02
Grady Was Game.

W. e. Grady of the Knickerbocker
Athletic club, New York, competed in
the recent three mile run at the New
York Athletic club games When Ora
dy arrived on the track, the race had
been started, and the scratch men, Or
ton and Hjertberg, had almost covered
a lap. Grady did not hesitate. He quick
ly stripped off his sweater, and, run
ming with great deliberatioD, it was
some time before the scratch men gain.
ed another lap on him.