davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-04-22

All was very still for a few moments,
but they were few indeed, for we heard
fearful racket and two chairs came
down in our very midst with bang.
Then. upon them there seemed To be a
light-blue mist, shapeless, and scarcely
visible at first, but 1t redoubled lr brill
liancy, and finally assumed the shapes
OF two human beings; human in shape
only, for they were perfectly transpa-
rent They seemed to be talking, and
we could even hear low, murmuring
sound, like whispered consultation.
Their voices grew somewhat louder,
and assumed an angry tone. Finally
one of the forms arose. 1t was the
form OF a man, and he grappled his
victim, a female, by the throat, in the
meantime utterlng oaths. She begged
and pleaded, but in vain, for he drew
q dagger and thrust 1t to the hilt in
her breast, and the blood followed 1t
out, a great torrent flowing down her
breast. We all started and screamed,
but the figures had vanished, and dark
ness reigned supreme.
Then, with a ruoh, every movable ar
ticle In the house was hurled through
the air. Books and chairs flew around
our heads at terrific rate, and was
hit square on the forehead with brass
bound volume. Hidden peals Of laugh
ter rent the air, and In vain tried to
break loose from the potent spell, but
1t was useless.
Light was again restored, but not
quiet The very air seemed Allied with
demons that fitted to and fro like the
rush of angry waters, and mystery and
terror reigned supreme.
1t overcame us all, and we broke
away from the enchanted circle and
fed pelI-mell over each ether in our
vain efforts to get away. The demons
seemed tO follow us with renewed Wig
or.
l rushed wildly into the front hall
and down the broad steps, Harry close"
ly followed me, entreating me to re-
main, but his pleadings were useless.
AS soon as l was out once more on the
street I summoned a cab and was driv-
en- back to my rooms, yowing never
again to partake In the supernatural,
and have kept my promise
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-04-22
Wine In Paper.

The biggest item of incidental loss
In ocean traffic during the stormy sea-
sons Of the year is that Of breakage in
the wine stores. No matter how Sc
curely the bottles are fixed in the bins
a particularly heavy sea striking the
ship in certain spot or continued roll.
ing and pitching will cause great loss
in costly wines that were never in
tended to wash the floor or the walls.
A French Arm is going to do away with
this old-time source of annoyance and
complaint. After years Of experiment
ing it has succeeded in manufacturing
paper bottle which will not break and
which has the advantages Of the ordin-
airy glass bottle. In the home, too, such
bottles would be highly Appreciated
Pittsburg Dispatch
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-04-22

residence was quite distance from
my lodging rooms, and for fully 30 min
utes we drove around. Finally the cab
stopped, and Harry and myself stepped
out just in front Of the old gray stone
hall.
The hall was in the very midst Of a
large park filled with stately trees. A
servant met us at the door and ushered
us into large drawing room. A good
number Of people were already assem-
bled there. Although | received an in
PRODUCTION to all of them, do not re-
member their names; but what's In q
name, anyhow?
The elder De Mort was a stately
looking man Of perhaps so, with very
black whiskers, and cold, piercing
eye. He informed us that we mast sit
in circle and join hands. We did so,
and there being large number Of as,
we were strung out around the entire
room.
was surprised when the gentleman
himself took seat by my side and
took hold Of my right hand. For a
moment l noticed nothing unusual, but
suddenly 1 felt as though had hold OF
an electric battery. The others must
have had the same sensation, too, for
they showed 1t.
In the very center Of the circle was
a solid oak table, devoid Of any cover
Suddenly, hand, a woman's hand,
reached up from under the table and
raped three times. 1t then vanished,
end we all breathlessly waited what
next might follow. We did not have
to wait long, for the table rose slowly
in the air mad floated over our heads
toward another room, and furniture
generally seemed to be disturbed.
felt hard rap on my left ear, and
looked quickly around to see who
might have been so bold but no one
was IN sight
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-04-22

We are justified in regarding this az
faithful representation of what might
take place. No ancient battle would
show any such wholesale destruction.
Here are huge ships plunging to the
bottom or blown in fragments to the
skies. Each contains more souls than
an average village, Besides the fight
ing men, who have the madness Of bat
tie to nerve them for their fate, there
are swarms of workers, who have no
such dellrlum to help them endure the
terror and the suspense as they tend
the vast machinery in the roaring hell
Of the ships bowels. For them, when
the blow falls, there is no escape. They
so down In their iron dungeons with
out even o last look at the light of
heaven.
There is a dauntlng horror about all
this which none of the most vivid
tales of ancient war can match. 1t
would not be difficult to show that in
a land engagement the destructiveness
Of the modern machine-guns would
provide fair parallel, moving down
battallons and annihilating whole d.
visions in way that would make Wa
terloo and Gettysburg seem like play.
One cannot doubt that only few
episodes OF even fiftieth part the hor-
rOr of the one described would be need
ed to make the world rise up and cry,
"There shall be no more warp
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-04-22
A DEcoY COW.
Nebraska Mans Clever Device for Hunt
ing GooBe.

Nebraska Mans Clever Device for Hunt.
ing Goose.
John SEWERS Of Ames, Neb.. made a
practical test Of his hunting device re-
Gently and 1t proved a success, says
the Omaha Bee. The device is in the
shape Of COW. It is made of canvas.
with q steel frame, and can be folded
into small space, except the head and
neck. The decoy is operated by two
men, one standing In the forelegs and
one in the hindlegs, each In slightly
STOPPING posture. 1t is painted brown
and black, and in such shape that when
standing up 1t cannot be readily dlstin-
guished at a distance OF 200 yards
from a large COW. The front man can
see what is going on through couple
OF holes in the neck. Recently Mr..
SEWERS and D. B. Curtis took the de-
coy out in the field and soon sighted
flock Of geese. They put on the de-
coy and were able to get within less
than forty yards before the geese few.
They few up and slowly settled down
about 100 yards away and did not ap-
pear to be frightened. The head of the
device is hinged to the body and can
be dropped by the front man when in
shooting distance. The rear man fires
through door near the top and center
of the back. Mr.. Sewer is we'll pleased
with the success Of his device, and has
received many inquiries from hunters
in regard to it. He expects to have sew
eral decoys manufactured.
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-04-22

| would not be left in utter ignorance of
the details of "the last battle"
Mr.. Russell's drawing shows what
might take place in the second melee,
when the ships, having once passed
through, have turned and rushed again
to the encounter. In the left-hand cor
ner Of the picture white ship has
been rammed by her black opponent.
But she has received the blow SO far
aft that her floating power may con-
ceivably survive. Her adversary, how
ever, is inevitably doomed, for she is
taking the fire of the white ships 49,
inch turret-guns directly into her vitals.
Nothing afloat could meet that buffet
and live.
In the right-hand corner is a ship
still fighting her guns, but stationary
and ruinously crippled The white ship
with huge hole in her side has been
pierced by a shell which has exploded
after entering. The ship with the bat
tered nose has been struck by shell and
afterward rammed in the same spot.
The long, black ship on the left, in the
middle distance, Is one of the reserve
line. She has crept in unobserved and
unoppOsed, and every gun is dealing
out destruction.
Every ship which has lived through
the first melee is, of course, riddled like
tin can. so far as her unarmored por-
lions are concerned. Smoke-stacks,
superstructure, military masts, the
framework of bow and stern-all that
makes her look like a ship-may be
shot away; but while her armored vi
tails are not pierced she will float, and
while her turrets-16 inches of tenn
pered steel-are not shattered she can
fight.
Thus it comes that certain ships in
the picture, which look as if they
should be laundering, are still doing
deadly work in the battle.
The picture, as a whole, may be TAX
en- as a refutation of the views Of those
critics who would make little of the
difference between ancient and modey'-,
war.
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-04-22
Hats Locked for Safety.

A Waterbury Comm genius has had
hts hat stolen or exchanged" so often
that he set his wits at work and has
evolved hat rack for hotels or other
semi-public places which effectively
prevents theft. 1t consists Of an oak
cabinet, with brass mountings, SINH
lar to the hat-rack used in large ho-
tells, except that there is a separate
compartment for each hat. When a
person comes into the hotel he places
his hat in one of the compartments
and pulls down in front of 1t slide
similar to that OF roller-top desk.
This releases the key, which is other
wise fastened in the lock, and he puts
it in his pocket. On leaving the hotel
he unlocks his hat, the slide springs
up tc its place again and there you
are"
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-04-22
Lifted by kites.

Military officers are interested in the
experiments Of Lieutenant Wise, at
Governors Island in New York harbor,
to determine the value of kites as a
means Of getting an elevated point Of
view from which to observe the oper-
atoms Of an enemy in the field. BY en-
ploying four large kites of a peculiar
pattern, the united pulling power Of
which was 400 pounds, when the wind
blew 10 miles an hour, Lieutenant Wise
recently had himself lifted, with ring
and tackle attached to the kite rope,
to a height of about 40 feet from tke
ground, and there he remained for some
time, leisurely examining the surround
ing country with field-glass.
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-04-22

outside world than might other-
wise have been. They never at
tended any balls, and were sell
dom seen at the theaters. In fact they
seemed to live in q little world OF their
own, and cared but little for their fell
lowmen. They had lived in their OBJ
scure home for many generations back,
and the hall was one of the Oldest In
that community. In fact, 1t can be
truthfully said that they we're little
known in that city-Philadelphia.
At the time my story starts l was
working In a large Wholesale produce
house in dark little street in the
north half of Philadelphia. I had been
there for some time In the capacity Oh
shipping clerk. Among my fellow
workmen was young fellow about
my own age whose name was Harry
Smith, jolly sort of chap who seem
ed to always have a good time. Harry
and myself were among the favored, or
fortunate, few, who had to work only
eight hours day.
1t was one Saturday evening, just as
was preparing to depart, that Harry
came up to me and asked what had
to do that evening.
/ answered, nothing"
We'll, then" said Harry, whats the
matter with having a little fun this
EVENING""
I'm what way?" said I.
I'VE have an invitation to attend a
seance at the De Morris" he an
swered
We'll, now" said as drew my
coat on, III you tell me who the De
Morris are and what their seanco is,
maybe I'll co."
THE De Morris are friends of mine"
he said, "and farther than that I'll tell
you nothing"
] asked no more questions but
agreed to be ready at 1880 that evening
and go with Harry to his friends resi-
dence.
My rooms were in a small lodging
house about n quarter Of mile from
my place OF employment, and as l
walked home could not help mutter-
ing to myself, de Mort, De Mort
Finally light seemed to flash across
my mind. Yes, indeed, knew who
they were. remembered, too, that
Harry had introduced me to an Albert
d. Mort some three or four months be-
fore, and that had met one or two
others Of the family, but what he could
mean by a seance, could not compre-
bend did not let the matter trouble
me much, however, and 1t did not take
me great while to eat my supper and
change my suit for better one. Soon
was in my room, and lighting cigar
stretched myself at full length on a
couch to wait the coming Of Harry.
At precisely 1880 my friend walked
into my room and told me that cab
was waiting in front of the house. In
five minutes we were rolling along the
streets Of Philadelphia. The De Mort
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-04-22

would result in such stupendous catas-
trophies that the world would surely be
shocked into lasting peace. This end
might be gained by such battle as
Mr.. Hart describes, whether the re-
ulting humiliation were complete or
only partial.
AS to the second query, experts diff
fered. The majority held, that annihi-
lation, mutual and utter, would be but
q logical result of the collision Of such
vast destructive forces.
A fighting-machine like the United
States ship Indiana explodes about for
~ thousand pounds Of powder every
five minutes, under conditions produc-
tive Of the most deadly effect. She can
throw over two hundred shots min
ute. Some of these shots, from her 49,
inch and S-inch guns, are each one ca
pable of sinking an opponent miles
away, II lucky enough to reach vital
part. AT close quarters two such an
tagonists would be like two duelists
knee to knee, each with his pistol at
the others heart.
A high naval authority suggested
that there would surely be survivors
from "the hast battle" but that they
would probably be so crippled that
they could newer make port.
At the opposite extreme was the
view of an experienced officer, who
held that the difference between an
eient and modern war is much exag-
Eerated. Between big guns at long
range and bludgeOns hand-to-hand
there would be about the difference
which individual courage always
makes. There would be some to fight
and some to run away, now as in the
brave days Of old. And there would
be no more approach to humiliation
than ia any other Of the worlds great
battles.
The middle view, and perhaps the
most plausible one, was supported by
many who we've very competent to
speak. The gist of It is as follows:
The ships in each line-of-battlewould
be about eight hundred yards apart.
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-04-22
Sleep.

The composure of mind which It is
desirable to secure as a harbinger OF
sleep is promoted by allowing time,
before retiring to rest, for the subsi-
'dence of all enforced mental activity.
There should be at least an hours
interval between work, no matter what
1t may be, and sleep, for If work be
pushed up to the last moment, sleep
will be driven away, or will be, in its
first and most precious stages, broken
and undressing. To turn resolute-
" from work at fixed hour and plunge
for a little time into novel or news
paper, game or music, will often
make AL the difference between bad
and good nights rest. Position
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-04-22
Chnnged che subiect,

Adolphus softleigh--Ah, my dear
Miss Edith, you do not dream how
many sordid men would seek to marry
such an innocent, trusting girl as you
are, just TO-, her money. But hope
the man who wins you will love you
for your own sweet sake alone. Miss
Edith-Indeed, he'll have to- It's my
cousin whose name is the same az
mine-who is rich, haven't a dol
lar Of my own. A. S. (after an awk-
ward pause) What strange weather we
sre having late.y. New York Trihuaa
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-04-22

The reader of Mr.. Percy Harris pro-
phetlc dream, entitled 1.-THE Last Bat
le," will doubtless put his first COM
ments in the form Of two queries
Could the extinction of war be COM
passed in such a fashion? And could
deathgrapple Of the worlds fleets
result in such absolute humiliation?
On account of the Importance of the
theme, both the story and the illustra-
ton have been submitted to expert
criticism. officers of high rank in the
naval service have passed detailed
Judgment on both.
Indeed, tbs only fair to say that the
remarkable double-page picture of the
battle which is published in this issue
OF the Illustrated American was drawn
/ by our artist while aboard the flagship
New York, during the recent Charles
ton maneuvers, and under the frequent
scrutiny and criticism Of the officers
OF the fleet.
Article 235 Of the United States Navy
Regulations forbids the quoting OF
these opinions, but the general tenor
OF them may be given in a few para
graphs.
Whatever the replyto the second
query, there can be little doubt as to
the first. Already peace principles are
In the ascendant, and quarrels which a
generation back would have burst out
with blood and fire are now smoothed
down by arbitration. In view of the
appalling destructiveness of modern
war, death-grapple of the nations
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-04-22

ply because they did not agree with him
that their mother was termagant for
having made away with the dog. Now
the young man is living away from
home and the daughter is doing house,
work in an Ann Arbor family. The
wife continues to bear the burden Of
her husbands temper, but with her
there is talk of divorce. And during
all this the dog sleeps on under a
mound in the butchers back yard.
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-04-22

AS the two lines came within range the
battle would begin, and each ship
steer for its chosen opponent. AS the
two lines actually met and passed
through each other the terrific bonn
bardment at close quarters would
doubtless send many ships to the bot
tom.
The steel iturrets are capable Of de-
fiecting the heaviest shots that strike
them at an angle; but there is always
chance of one Of these gigantic 13-inch
shells coming aboard with down
ward rake that no armor ever invented
could Withstand and literally ripping
out the victims .vitals or firing her
magazine. Moreover, here and there
torpedo, sent stealthily under the
waves, would reach it's aim, and q
first-class lbattleship would go down
before this unseen but irresistible OPP
ponent. And the blind crunching Of
the relentless ram would account for
others.
The remainder would pass on. The
majority of these would turn to repeat
the maneuver from the opposite d.
rection. But some, though still able to
float, would be too much shattered to
fight. Their steering-gear might be so
damaged that they could not turn
about. Or they might have to drift off
helplessly out of the maeIstrom Of
ruin, the sport of wind and current.
A few days tinkering would repair
some of these so far that they would be
able to reach port. And the world
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-04-22
SUPERNAG URAL TALE.

Y acquaintance
with the De Morts
had been a brief
one. They had al
ways been a family
little known In So
ciety, and their
residence in the
stately park hall
made their rela-
tlonship even more
strange with the
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-04-22

Greece is little larger than one-hSis
Of Pennsylvania.
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-04-22
PERCY w HART
/ N
IN
THE ILLUSTRATED AMERICAN.

IAN editorial criticism Th
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-13

In pursuance with q request from the
Retail Clerks Association Of this city.
Seattle Camp. No. 81. wecdmen Of the
World. at It's regular meeting on Friday
evening last appointed Consul Commander
J. Schwah 10 represent the camp ON tho
committee fer the Fourth OF July celebra-
ticn. with power to act In conjunction
with the various committees appointed
BY the local examinations FOR the same
purpose. The Retail Clerks Association
being the prime movers OF the celebration.
q member Of that body who was present
by request outlined some OF the Ideas
which the clerks association win submit
70 the general committee. The plan
seemed TO meet with the approval of all
the members present. and the Woodmeu
% the World. who show their respect 10
the country by displaying the stars and
at every meeting. VIII be found active
workers in making the celebration a great
success.
As stated before. Seattle Camp. No. 60.
continues 10 grow at q wonderful gait.
With three camps in this city. this par
ticular camp never falls to add some
names TO Its roll at every meeting. Again
six new applications were read on last
Friday evening, The woodmen OF tho
World are fortunate in securing the best
timber for their hodgee wherever they ex-
ist. On many occasions newly Initiated
neighhors have seen ut to make special
mention OF that fact. and the members
Of the order take great pride In such COM
piiments, Recommendation which
touches each OF them either directly or
indirectly.
An invitation is extended to all Wood
men OF Seattle 10 be present at next FRI
days meeting at Stevens hall. Seattle
Camp. No. 81. will have an army OF candi-
dates who will try their luck in thu
woods. The goat. who has been sick from
overwork. will appear again before tha
members and Will be stronger than ever
since he had that much needed rest. Tho
members viii not regret attending this
meeting. as II VIII be an especially inter-
esting one. The ampHhed form degree
VIII be conferred on the new candidates.
and il Is desired that all Woodmen who
have not seen this beautiful new work ba
present and see IL exemphhed.
A number OF neighhors OF Sesattle Camp.
No. ~. accompanied by their wives and
sweethearts. attended a social dance at
Ballard given by Ballard camp on We'd
nesday evening. April I. The neighbors
report fine reception and excellent timd
in general.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-13
MARINE NEWS.

PORT TOWNSEND. April 12--Arrived--
Dr. hk Alice A Leigh. from Shanghai at
Royal Roads awaiting orders Sailed
Sch Lilliebonne. from Hadlock for VALLEJO.
Cal
HOQUfA.sf, April 11.--saiied-From Ho-
quiam, schr e.. l. Hill for San Francisco:
schr Charles Hanson. for Redondo. Ar
rived-str Ssunoi. from San Francisco. for
CoEmopoiis
SAN FRANCISCO. April 12-Arrfved
April fi--Br str Gaelic. from Hongkong I:
str Rival from Gray's harbor; str Car
ina. from Coos bay: Nor str Florida, from
Departure bay: Pr 81 comliebank from
Departure bay. bktn Eureka. from Taco
ma; sch Jennie TheIin. from GrHyss hsr-
bor. sch Ivy. from Gray's harbor: sch
Lucy Peterson, from Columbia river. Ar
rived April i2-Str Queen. from Victoria /;
str Homer from Coos bay. Sailed April IL
Str umatilla, for Victoria. sch Eclipse.
from Tacoma. Cleared AprA i2-Str CO.
Iumbia from Astoria.
YOKOHAMA. March H.-Arrivaf-Br
sch Director. from Victoria.
CALT.AO. April 4.--Arriyed-Ser sh Arr
adne. from Vancouver.