davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-19

from my fathers home. The home of
an uncle whom | had not visited in
long time was, in fact. smuch nearer
than my own: and ] determined that
having gone SO far, / would continue
further and take my dinner there.
A FIERCE SUMMER STORM,
Il had one more high, steep hill 10
climb; then / would be at the edge OF
the plain. I was hot and moist from
my exertion and the rays of the sun,
which beat down fiercely upon me.
AS / stepped upon the level hilltop
] noticed chill blast, such as | had
never before experienced, save III win
ter. Soon the blast grew fiercer, and in
a little time it was territically cold and
raw. Then the sky clouded over and
the sunlight was blotted out. Then
came great heavy raindrops, thick and
fast, and then hail. The haiistones
pelted me numerically, the rain
drenched me through and through, and
/ fastened with all possible speed III
the direction of my uncle's house.
Before l reached it a new feature OF
the storm was upon me. The rain and
hail changed suddenly to snow, fine
and dry and light that seemed to come
from every direction, almost binding
me- so that it was with difficulty that
| could keep the path and clogginG my
feet as | walked. Had my way been
much longer, | am not sure that l
at all; as 1t was / managed to stumble
along, and in due time was safely I'M
der shelter.
"Of course | was warmly received
and plentiful dinner was soon set out
While we were dining we forgot all
about the storm and everything else
disagreeable. But after an hour or
more my uncle opened the outer door
and looked over the plateau.
Come quickly my children, ne
cried. and see, There are two feet Of
snow,'
And 50 there were: but that was
only the beginning, for the storm ragged
a full week and more. and when II
ceased most of the cattle, the fowl and
the sheep on the plateau, on the noun
tains round about, and in the valleys
between, We're buried deep in the snow,
frozen or smothered TO death. And more
than one poor fellow. who, like myself.
was far from home when the SNOWMAN
began. was wrapped close in its wind
ing sheet and so breathed his last
As for me. / did not reach home for
a good 10 days. Ny uncle's losses were
very severe. Later in the year the en-
peror of Austria himself paid Lika
visit, and much needed relief was sent
from the imperial treasury 70 the storm
sufferers.
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-19
Conflict of Rival Factories VIII
Make Silk Dresses Cheap.
WILL BE A BOLD VENTURE
Cotton Looms Aspire to Weave q More
Costly Fabric Both Sides Inter-
viewed Silk Weaving IL Now
Widely Established.

regular manufacturers. however, when
questioned on this subject. said.
II am not inclined 10 regard the eff
forts Of Eastern cotton mill-owners to
manufacture silk goods as a matter Of
very serious Importance. They have
evidently been deceived by the fact
that their cotton looms can be used,
without any great expense for neces-
sary changes. for the weaving Of the
cheaper grades Of silk. As soon, how
ever. as they try to make the finer
qualities OF silk, they will find that a
successful cotton manufacturer is not
necessarily 4 successful manufactures
nf silks. They will find It Indispensable
Ia get new looms and new men to run
them. They wiii find also that what
was a profitable business 20 years ago
IN a very Drerarious one nowadays.
Silk weaving Is NOW widely established
in this country, and competition among
the domestic manufacturers is so great
that the goods are sold 50 close to cost
that there is not much profit even IN
good times. The silk factories now In
operation in this country can more than
supply thu. demands Of the market. The
sale of silk goods depends largely on
the popularity Of the pattern. and the
styles change so quickly that close
watch has IT. be kept, so that the manu-
facturer may not find himself burdened
with goods salaEie only at a sacrff1ce-
This uncertainty together with the
strong competition among the manu-
facturers. greatly lessons the margin
Of profit In view of this condition OF
affairs. 1t does not look as though the
cotton manufacturers would improve
their prospects much by taking up silk
weaving; especially as the silk manu-
facturers viii naturally make common
cause against the interlopers. My be-
lief is that the cotton men only intend
to make inferior grades OF silk for
while. so far as to keep their mills and
operatives at work until the market for
cotton manufactures improves"
Another gentleman we'll informed in
these matters said: Cotton mill looms
can be easily adapted to the weaving
| Of a low grade silk, known to the trads
| as .habatia,' used for foulards. flags
| and similar purposes. They can also
make cotton back satins, and the low
grade silks which the French and jap
| anese have heretofore sent to this coun-
| try in such large quantities. So long
| as the cotton min owners restrict their
| manufacture of silk goods to these
| grades, they will not excite much jeal-
/ ousy on the part of the proprietors OF
4 the old established silk mills. If, how
| ever. they start in to manufacture the
| finer grades, they will find themselves
! engaged in long and trying contest
| that will bring pleasure and proflt to
the consumers.
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-19

of the caterers at the gangway by the
corporal of the guard, VINO minutely ex-
amines everything brought aboard.
even investigating the interiors of the
turkeys in his search for whisky or
other central band articles that might
be struggled on board despite prohibit
tory rules Meanwhile the mess gear
has been spread in answer to the bug
ler's call for breakfast; and, after that
meal. the men quickly dispose of what
ever work is absolutely necessary-all
the heavy work. so far as possible, hav-
ing been done the day before.
The crew then put on clean blue
mastering clothes and are called to
quarters for inspection, after which
the ship is given up to the men for
their sports, under the watchful eye OF
the master-at-arms. more Familiarity
known as Jimmy Legs" The main
deck forward is cleared of everything
movable, and becomes for the time be-
ing an athletic field. enclosed by a hui
man fence of jolly blue jackets, whose
shouts and cries urge. on the strug-
Cling competitors to do their utmost.
Carefully selected teams contend in the
tug-of-war, pulling and hauling al OPP
posite ends of big rope, until the
sharp report of the referees pistol an
nounces the close of the struggle. Then
follow three-legged races, single-stick
combats, time races to the masthead
boxing bouts that make an effective
finish to the mornings sports. In bad
weather the space thus used is covered
by awnings. SO that the mems fun is
not interefered with.
The great event of the day, however.
is the Christmas dinner in honor OF
which the mess-hall IS deliberately
draped with flags and bunting. while
stacks of highly polished rifles, and
shining cutlasses and other side arms,
artistically arranged about the hall,
give strong local color to the scene.
The tables are covered With costly
chinaware hired for the occasion, While
choice flowers meet the eye at every
turn. The bill of fare is a long one
with turkey, of course. at it's head; but
roast pig, with the customary lemon in
it's mouth. is rival fayorite. While
rabbits and other game find their way
to many plates. Mince and pumpkin
pies have a close race for first choice,
with all kinds of buildings, jellies, cake.
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-19
How Uncle Sans Boys Celebrate
Aboard Big Battleships.
1T is WARS GALA DAY
Games in the Grim Shadow of Monster
Guns -Toasts That Are Cheered.
Christmas Celebrated Behind
Walls of Steel.

Christmas day has no more enthusi-
astic observers than the brave blue
jackets. who man Uncle Sans modern
warships. More especially is this the
case when these floating fortresses are
at sea. or swinging idly at anchor in
foreign port. far away from home and
friends.
There is no yule-log to burn and no
stockings to be filled by good st. Nicho-
las on board a steel-clad cruiser; but
the yarns. which Jack spins on Christ
mas. eve. in the shadow of the monster
guns that poke their big, black noses
through the massive turret on the for
ward deck. are mostly "reminiscences
of Christmas days long passed away,
wnen jolly old Santa Claus see -ed
more real than the parental love which
gave substance to the mythical num-
merry of childhood.
Preparations for the suitable celebra-
ticn of the great gala day on board
warship begin weeks in advance with
the inauguration of a system of rigid
economy on the part of the crew. Usu-
ally improyident to a degree, Jack. at
this time, keeps a tight grip on any
money that comes to, hand. so that he
may contribute his share to the dinner
fund and other expenses of the occa-
sion. This fund is appreciably in
creased by the Communication for cash
OF a portion of the daily rations al
lowed each mess. Most of the men,
however, spend part of their money in
holiday gifts for the dear ones at
nome. receiving in return Christmas
cards and boxes filled with dainties
from loving mothers, wives and sweet
hearts.
When in harbor on a foreign station.
where the climate is not too rigorous
for outdoor sports, Christmas day is
most thoroughly enjoyed in the crew
of an American man-of-war. The pleas
ure is greatly heightened when there
are other naval vessels near. Chal-
lenges are sent and accepted for boat
races. tug-of-war contests, football
games and boxing matches; and for
days in advance the chosen representa-
tiyes are objects of the greatest solicit
tude to their comrades.
The night before Christmas is one of
restless sumber for most of the ship s
crew. and there is a feeling of relief
when the bugler sounds the; reveille at
half past o'clock in the morning, as
a formal announcement that the day
has begun. A few minutes later comes
the shrill call of the boatswain's mates.
up all hammocks" bringing every
body on deck to stow hammocks, ex-
cept those who have stood the anchor
watch through the night.
At four bells &c a. mo- the first formal
recognition of the day occurs, when the
officer of the deck orders men aloft to
fasten Christmas trees to the mast
nead-for every modern Warship has
at least one mast--to the spanker
boom. the spanker gaff. the jack staff.
and sometimes to the big smokestacks
that tower high over the rest of the
great steel superstructure. This pro-
ceeding is intently watched by the re-
mainder of the crew, including men OF
the night watch, who should be slumb-
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-19
IS A F|SHERMAN'S kLONDYKE

The latter part of this month there
sails from Povincetown, Mass. the big
fishing schooner Alice. Captain Isl"
Chase. on a treasure hunt of unique
character. The treasure In this in
stance is fish. and the place the coast
of Africa-about the last spot where an
American fishing vessel would be sup
posed to go. Captain Chase and every
member of his crew expects to make
their everlasting fortune. and there
seems to be some foundation for this
confidence.
Just as he was the pioneer in going
SEEMING for mackerel at the Cape of
Good Hope in 1889. SO now Captain
Chase proposes to be the pioneer in a
new fishing enterprise in those far-off
African waters. The forthcoming cruise
is the outcome of that mackerel ven
ture in 1889 and $780, for the Alice Is
being prepared for a general fishing
voyage, long or short, on the west
coast of Africa. with a cruising ground
from 30 degrees north to SO degrees
south latitude. skirting the coast.
When Captain Chase made his men,
orable-because unique-voyage in
1889. he went for the reason that he
was repeatedly assured by homing
whalemen that mackerel were abun-
dant near Cape Town. They told him
that while they were cruising for
whales in that vicinity, they frequently
saw vast shoals of mackerei disporting
near their vessels. Mackerel fishing
was improbable at home. so he went
where American mackerel catchers had
never been. and he did find there Plen-
ty of mackerel of that species known
as "bulls-eyes." and captured and
shipped home by way of London several
large lots taken in Cape Town harbor.
Everything seemed propitieus. But
brightest his work WAS brought alb
ruptly to an end by the English au-
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-19
EMPTY STOCKINGS.

oh. mothers in homes that are happy
Where Christmas comes laden with
cheer.
Where the children are dreaming al
ready
OF the merriest day In the year.
As you gather your dariings around you
And tell them the STORY Of OLD,
Remember the homes that are dreary+
Remember the hearts that are cold.
And thanking the love that has lowered
you
With all that IL dearest and best,
Give freely that from your abundance
Some bare little life may be blessed!
Oh. go where the stockings hang empty.
Where Christmas is naught but name,
And giye-for the love Of the Ghrist-child.
Twas to seek such as these that He
came.
Christmas Ladies Home Journal
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-19

Nikola Tesla does not often speak at
length about himself or his wonderful
electrical inventions, but he sat ana
talked for an hour or two the other day
with friend about Christmas in the
province of Lika. which is a part of
the Austro- Hungarian empire, and lies
close to the Adriatic sea, near Herbego-
VIVA. Dalmatia and Bosnia Tesla
passed much of his boyhood in Smiljan.
a town of Lika, where his father was
pastor of Greek church. but went
from there while yet only a boy.
christmas festivities in my coun-
try" said Mr.. Tesla. differ much from
Christmas festivities here; yet there
are many similarities, too. We begin
the celebration on the day before
Christmas by fasting. We do not al
together abstain. being privileged to
eat freely of fish and all vegetable
foods, but we may partake of no flesh
meats, nor milk nor eggs. This day is
devoted largely to reflection. and its
observance lasts until late on Christ
mas eve.
I'VE rise very early in my country on
Christmas morning-as early as 3
o'clock at latest-go to the church and
hear mass All the morning until IL
O'Clock is given over to religious SER
vices of one sort or another. ana but
little if any food is taken until that
hour By that time however, every
eaten, no discrimination being made
against the heartiest food.
EVERY one in my country IS fond OF
coffee which is generally drunk in
large cups with cream or milk. We may
drink coffee on the day before Christ
mas but without milk only, and as we
are allowed to resume the use of milk
in coffee on the day itself. you may be
sure we then indulge freely in the de-
licious drink. After this breakfast, the
gentlemen are served with liquors and
little cakes.
THE CHRISTMAS DINNER.
THE Christmas dinner comes later in
the day and / assure you it Is always
a meal to remember. No. We do not
serve turkey there as the chief dish,
and / am not sure that j can name any
dish that may properly be said to take
the turkeys place-unless il be roasted
pig.
Il do not remember a Christmas din
ner without roasted pig in my coun-
try. The pig selected is always very
Young and small. and is roasted entire
after dressing. the cooking being at
tended 10 with great care and pro-
longed until the skin is crisp and crack
ling. Besides the Christmas pig there
are many other dishes served on the
great Christmas festivai-all the good
things. In fact that can be devised. the
same as in American. and every one
eats as heartily as possible-anotheI
point in which the people of my coun-
try and Americans are alike.
after the dinner. exercise of some
sort is in order. that all may be bright
and fresh for the continued festivities
Driving riding and sometimes athletic
games are popular Christmas amuse-
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-19

thorities who. at the instgation Of
handful OF Cape Town fishermen, en-
acted law forbidding the capture of
mackerel in the harbor with a net or
seine exceeding IA feet in depth. Cap
tain Chases seine was many fathoms
deep. and he was forced to 70 putSide
to fish in consequence of the law thus
devised for his benefit The rough
water outside the harbor made SEEMING
just as fortune apparently smiled her
there impossible, and the Alice was
forced to seek other fishing grounds.
But for this the Alice's voyage would
have been crowned with such success
that small fortune would have been
realized by the crew.
The voyage did not terminate dlsas-
trously, however. for the craft, still
seeking signs OF mackerel. proceeded
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-19
Gratifying Progress.

From the Boston Globe.
A Massachusetts teacher who IS con-
Quoting a school this winter down IN
Florida writes to a Northern friend
that it is refreshing TO hear child say
Il done done it," as change from X
hafn,f got it done"
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-19

come toast. ITO sweethearts and
wives
AT o'clock hammocks are served
out to the men. At . o'clock tattoo" Is
sounded. followed by taps" Then all
lights go out. except those needed for
the night watch and in the officers
quarters. In little while the big ship
has settled down into "A stiffness brok-
en- only by the ripple of the waters as
they glide past the curved steel walls Of
this modern monarch of the seas: while
on the bridge stands the old quarter
master. peering intently into the dark
ness ahead. as though his time dimmed
eyes might catch a glimpse of that
other world where Christ's day lasts
through all eternity,
OWEN A. MARRIN.
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-19
THE FESTIVITIES IN THE NAVY

ering in their hammocks. but who pre-
fer loss of sleep to the loss of seeing
the ship put on her decoration.
At Z o'clock the caterers of the var
ious messes go ashore in the market
boats. returning an hour or two later.
loaded down with a seemingly limitless
profusion of toothsome viands for dis
cussion later in the day. An interest
ing ceremony is the official hold up
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-19

arriving at the Cape Verde islands. h3
will procure additional helpers
The Alice will be equipped for bust
ness. She will carry an American selma
boat and three or more dories. one
dragger sweep seine. .20o feet long. and
ii feet deep; poles. ropes and netting
fer complete Weir. all manner OF
hooks and hand lines. and all the ma
terial needed for the erecting OF an
np-to-date smoke house. big batch
Of fish barrels and box shocks will be-
taken along for possible export business
and interior marketing.
The Alice will proceed first to Gorees
an island lying just south OF Cape
Verde IN the only gulf on the whole
Senegambian coast, and this will prob
ably BE- made the base OF operations
The Portuguese isle of Mai, about $50
miles away. furnishes an abundance or
salt at 80 cents per hogshead. and an
iee-makiag concern at Goree gives >
big supply of that product at $40 per
tom. thus insuring the safe shipment
Of fish 10 a long distance If desired.
The weather iii the vicinity Of Gore0
is dry throughout the year. with the
exception Of July. August and sep
TENDER lthe rainy seasenl-so dry anu
pure in fact that fish may be cured
hx simply exposing them 10 the air.
Without sailing or splitting. 50 Cap
tain Chase purposes 10 smoke. sun dry.
salt-dry and pickle fish as circumstances
IS require: and ice being procuTahles
viii b.. enabled to cruise along tho
coast at will for fish TO be marketed
fresh.
The venture can scarcely fail to %
profitable. The vessel being well
equipped, the fish supply inexhausfihla~
and the demand enormous. From 81.
Louis. Senegamhia, 70 Cape Coast cas-
tie. Ashanfee. is q marketing held %
vast area crowded with inhabitants
u9uK1AE salmon. N4uEfaNTs
sroupars. striped bass. herring. ret
snappers and countless other species ~
edible fish labount in the ocean, naNsx
and river mouths. while haaa-eSsss
aud Spanish mackerel are funa IL pro-
fusion farther down the coast.
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-19

north along the shore as far as Is de-
grees north latitude before striking
across the Atlantic, and the captain
discovered that there was a fish field
of surprising richness awaiting the
tilling of adventurous shippers. From
Cape Colony waters, where two score
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-19

whales seal and shafks-abounded
clear to the northern coast of Senegam
bia, countless shoals OF excellent food
fishes were encountered. and better
still. a vast market, practically unsup-
plied-fhe primitive methods employed
by the fishermen along the coast being
unequal 10 the task of supplying more
than a m0iety Of the fish-hHngfy in
habitants A big fortune awaited the
skipper who should first embrace rne
opportunity. This fact Captain Chase
recognized, but kept silent.
Since returning, Captain Chase has
been engaged in mackerel seining IN
New England waters, and has had more
than an average share Of success:
but finding that maekerel are growing
scarcer. he Is now 10 revisit the Afri-
can waters. better prepared than for
merly, and Will exact tribute not only
OF the rnackereI. but of all the many
fnny tribes which abound there.
To that end he has selected practical
fishermen. men versed i'll all fishing
methods by long years OF practice, who
Viii constitute the regular crew. upon
The evening times., 1897-01-19
WAKING OF THE GIANT.

The conservative optimism of Dun's
Review for last week seems to have sub
stantial basis. 1T is not the largest and
most powerful vessel that can ee started
most quickly, and it takes time for new
confidence to reach through easier money
markets, larger orders, reSuming mills, ex-
panding employment, and larger distribu-
ton 10 the results which make still greater
gain and lasting improvement possible" I"
The Review believes that exactly such
gradual and steady Improvement has
been in progress The iron output has
gained Ale per cent since october l.
Coke production has increased SS.7 per
cent since the same date. Sales of wool
have again become large, though not yet
fully reported. Additional works have
gone into operation each week in January,
and the force OF operatives now under
employment is greater than it has been
for six months.
All such indications are calculated to
show US what might be in store for the
country If the Republican party could be
induced TO let the tariff agitation rest
for little while But it is to be feared
that the infant Prosperity will scarcely
be old enough to weaH before the new tariff
comes along to knock it on the head in one
easy session
The evening times., 1897-01-19
THE PEOPLES COLUMN
rhe Lounger,s sentiments Criticised.

The Lounger's Sentiments Criticised.
Editor Times hope you will allow me
a little space wherein to take exception to
some remarks of THE Lounger of the
Avenue
1t is anything but flattering for the Ameri
can people 10 be made to feel that those
whom they have chosen to put in charge of
affairs of this nation are incompetent and
incapable Of making treaty with Great
Britain without allowing that power to
get the best of the bargain If we have
gained nothing by experience in statecraft
in the past hundred years, we had better
give it up and get back under the mothers S
wing again. Abroad we have the reputa-
ton of always getting the best of bar
gain, and are designated as nation of
sharpers on that account. Is 1t only on
business lines that we assert our ability
mot to be had?'
"Tbe Lounger'' remarks that though we
got the worst-ef ititas we always shall, he
says), he observes with pleasure that Can
ltia has never got one penny Of the sum we
were solemnly decreed to pay; and it never
will be paid.''
What a shameis fiat such sentiment
should arise in dur midsti If, as The
Lounger'' says, that debt is never to be
paid, then Ain neaffcdn citizens need f9o
longer look to their government for pro-