davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-28

philosophy of life as most OF US could &C
ouire from the reading of many books.
Now that the warm weather is here in
earnest, the serious business of bird life 10
beginning. The lady goldfnches have
arrived and the low-growing trees and
bushes are the scenes of many brave
battle between the males to decide who
shall possess the favor of some demure
little hen who sits with apparent calm in
difference while the black-capped gallants
rush full tilt at each other in the air.
must confess they never seem to give or
receive any injuries in their encounters.
They observe good deal OF etiquette
throughout them, advancing and retiring,
rising in the air, clinching and withdraw
ing as though by set rule, until at last one
retreats, apparently defeated, this just
how or why have never been able to de-
termine, for victor and vanqu1shed seem
alike un1uff1ed and serene.
pair of red-shafted flickers have been
prospecting about the neigh borhood for
several days and seem at last to have hit
upon a desirable homesite in tall euca-
lyptus tree near the barn. l saw the male
bird making tentative cuts in the bark
this morning, while his mate looked on
from her coign OF vantage on another
limb. l do not know, however, whether
he was thinking of buildingor whether he
was merely drumming to please tie lady.
never have known the highhole to exca-
vate into the eucalyptus tree, and shall be
interested to see ii this one does so. The
red-shafted flicker differs from the other
woodpeckers in that he may often be seen
perching upon the branches of trees
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-28

The sstrained' hen was purchased at
once, and old Jones brought her over and
installed her on a new lot of four-bit-
apiece eggs.
He gaxed at the Virgins hens critically.
for they were sickly looking lot, in spite
of their owners constant care.
"Them hens needs gravel" he said with
decision. you've been feeding 'em high
on grain. but they needs gravel, and they
needs it bad!'
A load of gravel was dumped into the
yard the very next day, and Mr.. Virgins
eagerly watched for signs of improvement
in the health of his livestock, but they
throve even less than before. They spent
their time at first hanging about the gate,
but soon developed alarming weakness,
staggering about forlornly or lying down
resignedly in secluded corners.
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-28

The next morning Mr.. Virgins rose
early and betook himself to the chicken
house with handful Of corn, some soaked
bread, spoonful of mush ana a glass
saucedish of water on small tray.
THAT puliet shall have every atten-
tion." he decnred. "but she shall attend
to business. l can afford TO be kind now
that have conquered"
Two minutes later he appeared in the
chicken-house door. SUSAN he called.
II want you should come here and see
what this fool hen has doneP'
Alas for Mr.. Virgins pIansl He had
CAPTURED his recalcitrant purchase and
tied her firmly down upon nest with an
intricate lacework Of rope, but although
he had made her prisoner he had not
subdued her proud spirit.
She had wriggled and squirmed and
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-28

which was, he found, full of hen feas and
lice. Kerosene, he was told, was death to
these vermin. and so on Sunday he took a
five-gallon keg of cheap oil, q large
sponge and broom out into his hennery
and proceeded to swash about energeti-
cally. He washed the roosts, the nests
the walls and the floor, and gave his set
ting hen liberal soaking. Then, being
tired with his unwonted labors, he leaned
against the door jamb and surveying the
scene of his exertions with satisfied eyes.
proceeded to light his pipe.
The next moment Mrs. Virgins, gazing
placidly out of the back window, saw her
husband hurled violently across the yard,
closely pursued by sheet of red flame, a
blazing bun ch of feathers which had an
instant before been a live and expostu-
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-28

H2EYE CAME down the steep bank to
80 where l was mailing up seed tray
E@ES for the birds in a willow tree beside
the stream. In his hand he carried q sim
gle poppy, and there was an expression at
once trustfuI and pleading in his slow
rather dull eyes.
II may pick a few poppies?' he said,
with strong German accent. am some
what unwilling, as Il rule, to have trippers
wander over the place, but there was
something in this boys eager, homesick
face that I could not resist, so l gave the
desired permission, and even told him
where on a farther slope, the poppies
grew in thick masses and of noble size.
lie thanked me as l have seldom been
thanked ior so small a favor, and started
up the hill. l returned to my task and
forgot nim until. as l stood in my door
way, half an hour later, l saw him pass
ing the house on his way to the road. car
rying his flowers. l took him out glass
OF milk, and as he drank it ne Gazed slow
Iy about him until the tears came in his
eyes.
SIT is so very beautiful here" he finally
said. I'VE haf hills in my country, and
it is Iofe!y-Ioiely" 1 asked him about
his country and after little more talk he
turned to go. Some people will not let
me come III and pick flowers" he said in
parting. laughed and answered, "Some
people come in and help themselves with
ont asking" record the little incident
because l am pleased with his reply,
which was: 81 do not do SO. l care to
live so l can like myself"
That, after all, is about as satisfactory
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-28
H0W Mr. WGGNS SATISFIED HIS AMBITION TO RUN CHICKEN RANCH

writhed so perseveringly that she had
smashed every precious egg left in her
charge. Moreover, she had managed to
entangle her obstinate head in such a
way that she hung over the edge of the
nest with her neck stretched to three
times its usual length and her wings and
legs dropping pathetically-stoned dead.
What you want" said old Jones, when
told of this misadventure. sis trained
hen-one that's well broke to her busi-
ness. 1t takes time to train 'em, fer
they're the stubbornest creturs living,
and an amatoor like you hasn't got the
patience, but I've got one that edicated
myself, and she'll get on orickbats if you
want she should, and 1 won't charge ye
but IS fer her, as we amt got no use for
her just now."
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-28

or chronometeringl I wouldn't let any of
them set on those six-doliar-a-dozen eggs!
These are going to be pure-biooded chick
ems, these are, and no barnyard mongrels
And they're going 10 be beauties, too, for
I'Te bought the prettiest kind of a pullet
of the same breed to mother 'em p
Mrs. Virgins said no more and re-
mained quietly within doors, although
soon after the arrival of the feathered
aristocrat there came from the chicken
house various noises which indicated that
she was not pleased with the prospect be-
fore her and that her owner was having
serious difficulty in endeavoring to over
come her preiudices. Louder grew the
sounds OF rebellion and argument, until,
making her escape by a heroic effort tho
frightened fowl few out into the yard,
knocking down everything in her way
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-28
ating hen, and the chicken. house

lating hen, and the chicken-house
roof
The engine-house was on the next cor
ner, so the Virgins cottage was, by sharp
work, saved from destruction, but Mr..
Virgins whiskers were singed, his hands
scorched and his accommodations for
chickens utterly destroyed.
''The next time you want to turn my
premises into an asylum for a lot OF can
tankerous. idiotic hens, Susan" he said,
sitter the excitement was over and peace
restored. s.you just give me timely warn
ing, and I'll start for Cuba, or Crete, or
some other safe and quiet spot, at once.
You may like the measly things. as you
were brought up with 'em, but I'll die in
my tracks before I'll ever let q live hen In
side my gate again! You may start a
rattlesnake farm, or set up as trainer of
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-28

Inns dough right off, just for change. !"
he said. when he recovered. I'D ought
ter her told yer that gravel amt good for
stiddy drink-only jest for side-dish.
Them is notlonal, and they want their
grain and things right along with it, and
I'm afraid-they're so pesky contrairy-
that the heft on EN- is going to die on ye
right now. jest to spite yel''
He was a true prophet, for the hens,
whose constitutions were enfeebled by
age. anyway, succumbed one after the
other and left the tough old rooster dis
consulate. six-ply widower.
"PIl give him to the unemployed to
help out their Sunday dinner decided
Mr.. Virgins. land start fair with a
brand-new lot.'
But previous to buying his new flock he
determined to clean up his chicken-hous
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-28
kominlSc conco

courses the fighting blood of an intrepid
race
The colonel had not been in the City an
hour before he had been accosted by at
least a dozen mon with the salutation:
''Hello, Bruff, what are you doing
here?'
All OF his friends call him 'tBruff'' be-
cause he wants them to. He has won the
distinction of being called colonel, as 1t is
applied in the South, several times over.
but Bruffey is thoroughly democratic and
wants to be called "Bruff," and that set
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-28
Hes Typical Southern Newspaper Man
Colonel Brufey Of Aanta Georgia. Comes Jown and Breaks


@OLONEL E. c. BRUFFEY. no.
4SSk table journalist from the South, is
~ visiting friends in this City. In
addition to his own striking personality,
Colonel Bruffey bears the distinction of
having beensthe warm personal friend and
associate of the illustrious Southern jour
nalist. Henry w. Grady. who died while
he was glowing nation INFO peace"
Mr.. Bruffey is typical Southerner OF
the old school-warm- hearted and chiv-
alrous. He has gray hair, that has come
to him in his prime because of sleepless
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-28

and closely but vainly pursued by her
angry owner.
Mr.. Wiggins, variously decorated with
dirt, feathers and broken eggs. sat down
on the back steps until he had recovered
his breath and the prospective mother of
his chickens her equanimity; then he
arose, grimly determined. and cut down
the small rope upon which Mrs. Virgins
dried her dish towels.
There's only five of 'em left," he said,
"but she's got to hatch every one of 'em
or Ill know the reason why. The mem
bers of my family may, apd often do. set
me at defiance, but when it comes to a
mere hen, and a young hen at that, 1 in
tend to be masterP'
And he went into the chicken-yard and
closed the gate.
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-28

rather than clinging to the trunks, as
most OF these birds do. They are rot so
industrious as their fellows, or, at any
out here, and the acorns and nuts
we find buried in the roofs and even in
the walls of our houses and in the trunks
of trees are not put there by the fickers.
In fact these handsome birds are very
largely insectivorous. They search the
boughs OF trees diligently for insects and
even bore into decayed wood after their
prey, but their favorite game is ants.
They will linger by the hour about an
anrhill picking off the Dusy toilers as they
come and go. They do not catch the in
sects in their bills, as the fycatchers do
their prey, but run out their tongues,
wrapping them around the shining black
bodies, and SO gather them in, as COW
reaps the green grass.
The sparrows and fycatchers are al
ready busy with building operations and
the air is musical with pretty cries and
snatches of song.
In the midst of all this busyness I came
this morning upon the only idler- in the
throng-the white-crowned sparrow. Per-
haps l ought not to call him idle. The
word applies but imperfectly to a bird of
his dignity and earnestness. This soli-
tary bird is the only one of his kind that
1 have seen thus far this season; yet he
does not seem a recluse. even though his
whilom companions, the white-throated
sparrows, have apparently departed. He
has rather the air of electing to dwell
apart and contemplate life. There are
good many bachelors among birds, though
possibly no voluntary ones, and he may
be one of these. He sat singing softly on
a low branch this morning and caught
glimpse of him as paused at dividing
Of the way.
l love a place where path divides.
When one is out for an early prowl there
is always an instant of delicious uncer-
tsinty as to which way to take. usually
hesitate at this particular point, though l
know that little further down the di-
verging ways merge again at a tiny bridge.
Turning to the left l may creep through
low-growing tangle of chaparral, willows
and sweetbrier, from which, at this
season, half dozen buds are sure to
dart, and come out at a pretty woodsy
snuggery where a rustic seat invites to
rest and meditation; or, may Keep to the
right and follow the tiny stream TO where
great bed of iris is growing, and where |
am sure to find butterflies in wonderful
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-28

When / want you to attend to 'em I'll put
you in overseer and give you a salary;
but until then you will please confine your
energies strictly to your own department
and leave me and my lens in peace!'
Monday Mr.. Virgins brought home
thirteen eggs in a small basket.
I'm going in for fancy poultry" he ex-
planned amiably. There's money in it,
for you get fancy prices for your eggs and
fowls and cash prizes at the shows be-
sides. Tlese eggs now will hatch in three
weeks, and"
'But are any OF your hens clocking?"
interrupted his wife, anxiously. They
won't set unless they are"
Mr.. Virgins snorted Scornfully.
sit don't make a mite of difference
whether they are clocking, or watching,
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-28
The Poet.
FROM the Russian of Pushkln.

Poet! court not the favor Of the manyl
For short-lived are the transports of applause,
And fools shall sit in judgment over thee,
And thou shalt hear the worlds unfeeling
laugh.
Be thou through all impassive. strong and
stern.
Thou art king; so live-alone. The path
Freely pursue where thy free genius calls,
Maturing over the fruits of loving thought,
Demanding no reward for work achieved
'Tis in thyself. Thyself, thy judge supreme;
No critics censure more severe than thine.
Fastidious artist look upon thy work!
Art thou content? Then let the crowd abuse it.
The altar spurn which holds thy sacred flame,
And try in childish, mischief-loving glee
The tripod to o'erturn, thy throne divine.
v. RAGozrN.
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-28

They've got cholera, or pip. or roup,
or gapes, or hampers. or blind staggers or
some thing" said Mr.. Wiggins and he
brought old Jones over again to investi-
gate.
What yer been a-feedin' 'em onT'
asked that astute party, after a deliberate
survey of the premises. and the evidently
dying hens, and Mr.. Virgins pointed to
the gravel pile.
"Just what you told me to-" he said,
ssand l had it put in here so that they
could help themselves, but it don't seem
to agree with 'em any better than the
grain did"
Old Jones swallowed the straw he was
chewing and choked violently for a
moment or two.
"Td give 'em a little bran and mid
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-28

Colonel Bruffey is one of the staff of the
Atlanta Constitution. the paper which
Henry w. Grady made famous.
A friend of Bruffey's in San Francisco,
who worked with him in the South,
speaking of him said: Among all those
engaged in the newspaper profession in
the Southern States to-day, there is none
who has had a more varied career than
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-28

nights and restless days during the
twenty-three years that he has been en-
gagged in the newspaper business. With
his iron-gray mustache and his dignifed
carriage and courteous manner. he bears
striking resemb mblance to the typical
"kaintucky kunnel," except for his
diminutive stature, for Colonel Ruffey is
not over five feet three in height. but
through every inch of his five feet three
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-28

roaring lions and bowling hyenas if you
want to, but draw the line at hensH
And Mrs. Virgins meekly said Every
well, dear" FUNEGAL MCVAHoN.
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-28

In every school in Paris there is res
taurant where free meals are served to the
children who are too poor to pay for
them.
The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1897-01-02
A Pleasant Afternoon.

Yesterday afternoon Mrs. N. Harris
gave delightful sat home" to a num-
ber of lady friends, at which the en-
tertainments were novel in every re.
spect. The principal entertainment
was portrait contest, and was highly
enjoyable. The portraits OF q noted
persons were presented to the guests
and it became their study to determine
the names of the originals from whom
the pictures were taken. This re-
suited in a most spirited contest at
guessing, and to Mrs. E. E. Lytle was
awarded the first prize, handsome set
of books, she having guessed 25 of the q
pictures, and the second prize, bronze
statuette, to Mrs. Izabella Gray. Fol-
lowing the awarding of prizes was
a noyel selection of luncheon. Every
article on the menue was numbered,
and each guest was requested to select
five numbers. In this selection some
were most fortunate, while others
found themselves drawing only glass
of water, an olive, napkin. pickel and
sugar or salt. After the amusement of
discussing such articles as were drawn
had added all the merriment possible,
most elegant lunch was spread, ter
minating one of the pleasantest after
noon parties ever given in the city.
The ladies present, were Mesdames
N. Harris, E. E. Lytle, B. F. Laughlin,
A. R. Thompson, c. J. Crandall, S. L
Brooks, D. M. French, c. L. Schmidt,
VIM. Tackman, F. Vogt, E. Schanno,
81. Klindt, 1. Gray, o. D. Doane, W.
E. Garretson, B. 8. Huntington, W.
S. Meyers, H. C. Nielsen, Z. J. Collins
and Miss Irene Adams.
The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1897-01-02
A Perfect Nightingale.

Ellen Beach Yaw made her first ap-
pearance before Dalles audience last
night at the Vogt opera house, scoring
a grand success. Miss Yaw' certainly
possesses a wonderful voice, such a
voice as none otherever possessed, and
that it is perfectly cultivated is be-
yond question. 1t round and full,
yet soft and mellodious. The range of
her voice is simply wonderful, begin
ming at low key she mounts higher
and higher with the ease of song-bird,
not only touching on the high notes
but singing them, and descending
again to the lower tones with perfect
ease. The other members of her COM
pany. Miss Lay and Mr.. Dick, are also
artists in their line. AS pianist Miss
Lay certainly has few superiors. It
was indeed pleasure to listen to the
sweet strains of music she produced
from the elegant Jewett piano that was
furnished for the occasion by the
Jacobsen Book & Music Co. Mr.. Dick
ranks among the best violinests. That
the concert given by the Yaw COM
pany was appreciated by The Dalles
audience is using mild term. The
hearers were perfectly enwrapped, and
as each number was finished broke
into the loudest applause, giving each
of the musicians hearty encore.
The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1897-01-02
TWO NEW TEXTBOOKS.
Recommendations That Will be Made by
Superintendent irwin.

Recommendations That Will be Made by
Superintendent irwin.
State Superintendent G. M. Irwin
will recommend to the next legislature
the enactment of an amendment to
the educational laws of the state, to
add two more text books to the
common school curriculum.
The subjects are work on civil gov
ernment for the seventh and eighth
grades and another on good morals.
These are two branches that Mr.. Irwin
thinks should be taught in the common
schools, but are not now. He holds it
OF utmost Importance to prepare boys
and girls for the duties of good citizen
ship and believes that this object can
be aided and obtained far better by
teaching the principles of civil govern
ment and good morals in publ schools
as the vast majority of children do not
attend the higher schools where these
branches are included in the curricu-
lum. AS the law stands now even
teachers applying for county and state
certificates are not examined in either
of these branches. In civil govern
ment, most important branch for the
instructors of the rising generation,
teachers are not required by law to
have any knowledge.
The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1897-01-02
WORK OF EoUALIsING.
What The State Board OF Equalization In
Salem Is Doing.

Salem Is Doing.
SALEM, Or, Dec. 28-The state
board of equalization continued the
work of equalizing today. This is the
way they did it:
Town and city lots raised 10 per cent
in Benton, Clackamas, Linn, Marion
and Union, 5 in Lane and Lincoln, Is
in Umatilla, 20 in Multnomah, 25 in
Morrow, Coos county reduced 10 and
Clatsop reduced 80. Other counties
re main as assessed.
Realty, other than town and city lots,
was raised 10 per cent in Baker and 5
in Clatsop counties. Equalizing this
class has not yet been completed
Personal property in Marion, which
includes money, notes, accounts, furni-
ture, etc., was raised 80 per.
Merchandise was increased 20 per
cent in Clackamas, Douglas, Harney,
jackson, Morrow, Sherman and UNA
tilla, Is per cent in Tillamook, 10 in
in in Grant, Klamath, Lane, Linn,
Polk, Union and Yamhill, and % in
Gillian and Mnltnomah. The valua-
tions were allowed to stand as returned
in other counties.
The vote on the 25 per cent raise on
merchandise in Multnomah stood:
Ayes-Goodall, Holland, Walker, Wills,
WiRgate. Noes-Gibson, Thomp-
son, Auldow.
The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1897-01-02
From Wednesdays Daily. /

Sam Wilkinson arrived home from
Portland on last nights boat.
Mr.. and Mrs. P. H. DeHuff returned
from below last night on the Regu-
lator.
Supt. O'Briep, of the o. r. & N.
passed down the road this morning in
his private car.
Last evening County Clerk Kelsay
issued marriage license to Chas. Todd
and Lizzie Buns
]. d. and S. B. Driver are in the
city today making entry on railroad
land near Wamic.
Joe Hinkle and William Smith, two
prominent business men OF Prineville
arrived here this afternoon.
Today the Regulator was again
loaded with wheat, besides large
amount of freight for down-river
points.
Hon. VIM. J. Mariner, county judge
of Gillian county, and j. NJ. McKin-
ney, of Blalock, are in the city today.
attending to business before the land
office.
TIE Woodmen Circle are contem-
plating having the minstrel ready TO
put on in February. They wish to
give something especially good SO have
deferred the date.
Small boys are finding considerable
sport in catching salmon trout from
Mill creek. The fish are said to be
quite plentiful, and some extra large
ones haye been taken.
The Saginaw, Michigan. Courier
Herald of the 22d, states that Rev. o.
The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1897-01-02
:. = = = :
HIS FRESH OLIVES.

How . California Planter Amuses Himself
ut the Expense of Innocent Travellers.
Eastern visitors to California are al
ways much interested in the olive plan
tations which in recent years have be-
come feature of the most southerly
counties of the state. The lovers of
the succulent fruit when picked and
bottled for sale in the east and north
are always anxious to taste the olive
fresh and ripe. There is a popular i'm
preston that it is sweet and delicious,
but, like many other popular impress
sions, this is a delusion and snare.
A few miles south of San Diego, says
the New York Herald, where the rail-
roa makes junction with small one
track road leading into Mexico, a large
planter has taken advantage Of this de-
fusion for his own amusement On the
arrival of each train from the north
numerous travellers dismount to await
the starting of the train across the
Mexican border. For their benefit the
planter has nailed a box outside of his
fence just across the way from the rail-
road station which he keeps filed with
nice, ripe olives. A placard invites VIC
Tins in these words: