davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-10-14

OF the greenroom at a theater. The
men appear at first without masks, and
with long yellow grass streamers hang
ing from their heads and waists. The
only light cast on the scene Is by
torches made of sticks, round which
pieces Of cloth are wrapped, dipped in
oil. To the music Of tam-tam, kept
up on one note, the dancers sing a pc
culiar, wild funeral dirge, in which the
spectators often join.
The dancers begin by slowly NOV
ing about, stretching the right foot and
bringing the left up to 1t, and appear
as II they were searching for some
thing, during which the singing sounds
ike crying. They are then asking the
devil to appear. There are twenty-four
different sorts of devils, and, after the
first part, the dancers are constantly
changing their clothes to represent the
entire species; some wear masks, some
don jaws and terrible teeth reaching
TO the ears. The jaws open and close
in very realistic manner.
whole twenty-four devils have all to be
personated before the particular demon
who is affecting the sick man is pitch
ed on. When he gives signs OF his
presence the dancers go into sort OF
frenzy, which increases as he takes
possession of them; the tam-tam beats
faster and faster, the chanting grows
into yells, the men whirl and stamp
and the bells on their ankles Jingle
and clash.
At this stage the dancers appear to
be looking for some object to give the
devil in sacrifice, and into which ne
may pass. A chicken is usually offered
by the friend of the sick man, and this
unfortunate bird is seized upon, twist
ed and tormented and bitten between
the false teeth, until the dancers, worn
out, move slower and slower. and the
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-10-14

Perhaps the most itersting fact in
connection with p. Kilbeey, the dia-
mond city, is the tree washing"
which has been a recognized industry
for some time past. Witt the excep-
ton of two or thre Of th principal
thoroughfares, all he sNeets have
been subjected to tn wash,g process,
and some of the doris WALKERS have.
done very we'll. 1e "waSfAng" con-
sists of overhaulinthe earth for dia-
monds. At nearl,every meeting OF
the borough coun applications for
permission to wasbtreets, or portions
of streets, are receed. The would-be
washer has to obin the consent OF
persons resident 1.-THE street or road,
to nut the latternto sound repair
again, and pay tit to the municipal
ity in the shape oten per cent on the
gross finds. Lastear $500 was paid
to the municipalitin this way. a good
promotion of whl represented COM
mission on streetnds. In the early
days of the diamd fields the ground
was washed in a cry primitive style,
many diamonds Ing thrown away In
the debris, as it isalled. This debris
was subsequentlysed for street-mak-
ing purposes, an now, years after,
with better macnery at their dis
posal, people find pays to wash the
streets" Many uses built on mai
den" debris are moved in order to
wash the latter, al stones of compar-
atively large size frequently found
by the energetic bris washer, who
literally works fro morn till night,
from sunrise till sunset.-Pearson's
Weekly.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-10-14

ed to st. Paul, the protector of taran-
tula victims, and every year these poor
creatures make pilgrimage thither on
st. Paul's day, which occurs at the enu
of June. The water OF this well is SUP
posed to cure the tarantula's sting.
During the journey the victims are
prey to violent commissions. Those VINO
cannot undertake the journey perform
the ceremony at home in room hung
with colored handkerchiefs or bits Oh
colored rags, and they dance, jump
and scream as long as their strength
lasts.
Another traveller, who visited the
sacred we'll, says:
Sometimes it takes several days TO
cure them. The girl saw was hand
some peasant girl. Her hair, which
was magnificent, fell over her like a
cloak. She was sitting on chair in
front of the house, and was surrounded
oy a crowd of relatives and neighbors.
I asked what was the matter, anu was
told 1T is tarantula. The girls head
was moving from side to side, as If lis
tening to something. In fact, an organ
was heard approaching. Little by lit
tie, as the organ drew nearer, the girl
7ose from her seat and began to dance
wildly. Then, when her strength was
spent, she gave one long, loud cry and
fell as if dead in her mothers arms.
1.-THE following day she danced again,
and for over twelve hours, without
ceasing, excepting for short intervals.
The musicians engaged to keep the girl
company were paid 10 francs each for
the day, and the family consisted only
Of poor peasants. But how can you
afford this??' l asked the father of the
girl. Well he answered. 1T must be
done, otherwise our girl would die of
the tarantula's poison. And you would
not have us see our girl die before our
eyes for the sake of few francs? We
must starve afterward, but our girl
must have music to help her in her
dance / always think of this poor girl
at the approach of st. Paul's day."
The real Singhalese devil dancers in
Ceylon are ferocious and savage fell
lows. Their dances are revolving and
horrible. But their profession is popu
lar and affords royal living for the
men who go into it. There is super
stition among the Singhalese that when
a man falls sick he is supposed to be
afflicted by devil. In order to rid him
Of the disease the devil dancers are
called in to propitiate the demon. Two
or more Of them go by night to the
sick mans house. in front of which a
small square Enclosure, about six feet
high, has been made of grasses and
palm leaves. This answers the purpose
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-10-14

In West Virgin a duel means
something. Two citens of Sisterville
that state, had a gevance to settle,
and the other day thr met face to face
on the street. Boil drew guns and.
blazed away, and eh received two
shots from the other weapon. Meth.
er will live. Nor washat all the dam
age done. A crowd tathered to wit.
ness the affair, and fie other persons
received wounds, fro1 the results OF
which two will die. With four fatally
wounded and three MOI slightly dam
aged, We presume WesWirginia honor
is vindicated. In Frace';the affairs
would have been manasd differently
The principals would hive appointed
seconds, who would hae selected a
quiet, unfrequented spot, o Which the
duellists, would have .roaired. An
agreed number of PAGES Mould have
been counted off, there. ,ould have
been two quick reports sandthe entire
party would have pledget eternal
friendship over a bird. and a lottle, the
only dead thing being the bird If the
object is to kill, the West Virginia
method seems to be the most elective.
But If the idea is merely to satisfy
wounded honor in the most pleasant
way, then the bird and bottle method
of the delicious French is to be pre-.
Observation-Disclosures North American.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-10-14

polar bear is sometimes a dangerous
neighbor Bears prowled around the
Germania continually, and several OF
the men had narrow escapes with their
lives.
Doctor Copeland was surprised only
fifty yards from the chip by a bear
which broke for barrier of ice-hum-
mocks, galloped up to within five PAGES,
reared up, and struck him down with
both forepaws. Copeland had not time
to load his gun, but as the animal
caught his clothes, he swung the butt
end of 1t across it's snout. This and
the noise of approaching comrades put
the bear to flight, and he started off in
the swinging gallop peculiar to him.
Far more exciting and dangerous
were the experiences of Doctor Bergen.
While making observations he was
seized by polar bear, which knocked
him down, caught him by the head,
and dragged him several hundred yards
over the ice, which fortunately was so
rough as to retard the brute so much
that the pursuing party, by the use OF
firearms, rescued the doctor just on
the edge of a smooth ice plain,
over which the bear, with his enormous
strength, could have carried the victim
on the gallop. Bergen received about
twenty wounds, the most serious being
two bites in the skull, which, for
tunately, failed to fracture it.
The most notable Of all fatalities re-
sulting from an unprovoked attack on
man by the white bear is that which
occurred in connection with Barentz's
voyage to the arctic regions. 1t is said
that the beast seized one man by sur
prise, killed another who came with
a party to rescue the first, mangled both
and was finally killed by shots fired
by other members of the party.
OF this bear De Veer wrote: 1--WE
dressed her liver and ate it, which in
the taste liked us well, but it made us
all sick, and we verify thought that we
should have lost them, for all their
skins came off from the foot to the
head, but yet they recovered again, for
the which we gave God hearty thanks
Hall says that the Eskimos of Cum
berland sound likewise believe their
liver to be poisonous, even for dogs.
1t did not prove to be SO, for some OF
his own dogs which seized upon the
| liver unawares suffered no ill effects
| therefrom. In the case Of my own
party, we refrained from eating the
liver simply as a concession to preju-
dices that in minor matters must be re-
spected in arctic work.
The meat Is also viewed with suspi-
cion, and, Ross tells us, all who par
took of it suffered from violent head
aches, and that later the skin peeled
from the upper parts of the person.
From personal experiences, l believe
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-10-14

that the Ill effects were FROM osefsat-
ing. Payer found the flesh wholesome;
hansen and Johansen, in their late WIN
tering In Franz Joseph Land, largely
lived on it, and my own party found It
perfectly wholesome. The meat Is
coarse, tough, and the fat has a de-
cidedly rank flavor when the animal Is
in good condition.
In Greenland the killing OF a polar
bear is considered by the Eskimo hun
ter as the most distinguished OF all
feats, especially in the Northern In
spectorate. In the south the bear II
driven, II possible, into the water
where he is killed by a hunting lance
or gun from the kayak, or skin poat'
which holds a single man and is man
aged with wonderful dexterity.
In the North, Bruin would escape
from the slow-footed native II 1t we're
not for his pack Of bowling and excited
dogs that pursue the bear with extra
ordinary eagerness. Although the rule
is to bite and jump back, yet many a
dog falls victim to his overboldness'
Eventually the baited and hunted bear
seeks the summit of some iceberg
where he falls an easy prey to the
hunter.
1t is not unusual to hear the polar
bear stigmatized as coward, no more
dangerous to meet than an old sheep.
Others liken him to North Ameri-
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-10-14
LTS

multiply their race to the terror of the
inhabitants. Whatever skeptics may
say, the tarantula's bite does cause that
terrible exhibition, or series OF jumps
and distortions, which give rise 10
the lovely and graceful dance.
A recent traveller writes from Brin-
dist: 81 have seen tarantula and can
bear witness to it. 1t was when Vlslt-
ing the Puglie province few years ago
that l came across a tarantula dancer.
Her eyes were staring wildly, as II she
saw the tarantula still before her. FL
cry second she would stretch forward
her hands, then hurriedly clasp them
together, as if to crush the horrible
beast. The only means Of healing from
the bite, or sting, is dancing. and for
this musicians are engaged by the VIC
TINS family"
There is also a sacred we'll about
thirty-six miles from Brindisi, dedicat-
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-10-14

A few figures will show most vigor-
ously some of the reasons for SPANS
present condition as a nation. OF an
estimated population of 100000,
about one-half have no employment
and more than one-third are unable to
read or write. The various education
al institutions have total of nearly
10000 professors and teachers and over
100000 pupils. The relation of the
number of pupils to the illiterate and
the unemployed is most significant.
Education is for the nobility and high
err classes, not for the mass of the peo-
pie. Outside Of the large cities, both
on the peninsula and in the colonies,
education is limited to short, and more
or less irregular, periods of religious
instruction.; hence the percentage Of IL
literacy is much larger than 1t should
be in comparison with the percentage
of pupils. Popular education, as I'M
derstood here, is unknown there. There
can be no doubt but that ignorance has
been the bane of the Spanish life and
character for many years. With broader
deeper and more generally diffused
knowledge, there would be far less idle
ness than now exists, and more Of the
needful familiarity with the great con-
Germs of the day within and without
the country
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-10-14

can Indian for his treachery, cowardice
and intractibility. These critics forget
that both Indian and bear simply ask
to be let alone in possession Of their
hunting grounds, and that instinctively
they pursue the most effective, indeed
the only possible methods by which
the few can withstand the many.
The polar bear Is not dashing, i'm
pulsive animal, but he is endowed with
caution and sagacity to an unusual ex-
tent. In nearly every instance the sue
cess of the bear in obtaining sus-
tenance depends upon stealthy and
concealing methods whereby he is
withdrawn from the view of his victim
until he is ready to strike.
While it is true that skillful hunter,
with good firearms, stands in no great
danger from the polar bear, which he
usually attacks at disadvantage to the
animal, nevertheless it requires man
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-10-14

At the meeting of the Cambridge
congress of zoology in London last
week Prof. Haecket, in a paper on the
present knowledge Of the descent OF
man, declared that science has now
established with absolute certainty
that man descended through various
stages of evolution from the lowest
form of animal life during period es-
timated at 1,OOO,0OO,OO0 years. After
going deep into the scientific features
of his investigations, Prof. .Haecket
says that man is primate, and that
all primates, monkeys, apes and man,
descended from one common stem.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-10-14
AscENDED GRID TETON.
Hair-Raislng Feat A,mpllshcd at
Dizzy ElevOn.

Hair-Raising Feat A,mplishcd at
Dizzy EIevon.
Two remarkable fe in mountain
climbing have just be accomplished
In one case Mrs. Com, wife of the
pastor of Trinity Eropal church,
Denver, Col, was THIRST woman to
step foot on the top Mount Evans,
Colorado. In the 9th the ascent OF
the Grand Teton, on tlborder line be-
tween Idaho and Wyling, often at
tempted unsuccessful and by many
thought to be impose, was accom-
plished by a party ma up of the Rev.
Frank s. Spalding, foierly Of Denver
and now Of Erie, Pa. son Of Bishop
John F. Spalding f thdiocese Of Col
orado; w. o. Owen Of leyenne, Wyo.;
Frank S. Peterson ofackson, Wyo.,
and John Shive of EllWyo. The as
cent was exceedingly dicult and dan
gerous. 1t was by crating upon their
abdomens in one Tacever ledge to
insecure rock overoohg a precipice
with a drop of 5000 fet that the sum-
NIT of the Great 'ett was reached.
The path In some pAcewas so narrow
that progress was nadonly by SEEK
ing out with the ings crevices In
which to secure a hod tdrag the BODY
along. The ascent rya the most dill
ficult feats of Alpin' dnbing.
The Grand Teton is he subject OF
hundreds of legends aong the In
dams, and is still a nyerious temple
of the Great Spirit ohem. 1t had
always been Regarded | folly to at
tempt to reach the sunrt.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-10-14

he silently approaches by series of
dives. the last being so timed that he
rises in front of the spot where the
seal is lying. If the alarmed victim
attempts as usual to roll into the sea
he falls into the clutches of the bear,
and efforts to escape on the ice are
equally futile.
The polar bear, while rarely attack
ing man, has frequently visited the
tents, ships and houses of Arctic tray
elers; but as rule he speedily retreats,
doubtless through caution, at hearing
unfamiliar sounds.
The remarkable experiences and es-
capes of the German arctic expedition,
which wintered off the east coast OF
Greenland, 1S70-71, indicate that the
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-10-14

Of iron nerve and dauntless courage to
face one which has been wounded or
otherwise enraged. And yet many Of
the Eskimos, without firearms, and
provided only with their bows and ar
rows, lances or knives, do not hesitate
to attack a defiant female, she being
ravenous with hunger and ready to die
for her cubs.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-10-14
Dewey Found a Good One.

There are so many people seeking no.
toriety that the methods Of attracting
attention have betn almost exhausted
--Atchison Globe.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-10-14
TERRIBLY STRANGE.
TARANTULA'S VICTIMS DANCE
FOR THEIR LIVES.
Most Remarkable Phase of Life In
Southern Italy-Tho sInghalese Devil
Dancers who Remove EVIL spirlts-in
Their Mind.

HE historic and
once highly civiliz-
ed little town OF
Brindisi, in SOUTH
ern Italy, is a wild
place, in which the
fields and commons
abound with scor-
pions, vipers and
tarantulas, which
are daily killed by
scores, but still
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-10-14

When a man once thoroughly under
stands the ms and outs of wheat cor
ner he invariably stays out.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-10-14

chicken sinks into sort of trance,
which is sign that the devil has ac-
cepted the sacrifice and is willing to
pass from the man into the bird. ..
The Irish standard., 1898-02-05

not risk another nutiny; and to take
them home icr the glhbct would have
been u cruel SORT o. Kindness. The
doctor hailed t::eal aud told them OF
the stores we had left, and where they
were to :ind them. but they continued
to call Us b.y mama. ara ;'i:i'e;;I 10 us,
for Gods sake, 10 i,r i.st;.itu!. and rot
leave them to H., ii. s;,:c: Il place.
AT last, seeing the ship still bore on
her course, AID Was now swiftly draw
ing out OF ca1slios, one of them-l know
not which it waa-leupcl to his feet
with hoarse cry. whipped his musket
to his shoulder and sent shot whis-
Ting over Silver's head and through the
Elainsail.
After that we kept under cover OF
the bulwa:!:s, and when next l looked
out they disappeared from the spit,
and the spit itself had almost melted
out OF sight in the glowing distance.
That was. at least, the end of that; and
before noon. to my indispensable Joy.
the highest rock of Treasure Island had
sunk into the blue round Of sea.
We were so short of men that every
one on board had to bear hand-only
the captain lying on mattress in the
stern and giving his orders; for, though
greatly recovered, he was still in want
Of quiet. We laid her head for the
nearest port in Spanish America, for
we could not risk the voyage home
without fresh hands; and, as it was,
what with battling winds and a couple
OF fresh gales. we were all worn out
before we reached it.
1t was just at shutdown when we cast
anchor in a most beautiful land-locl,ed
The Irish standard., 1898-02-05

A week later our hero rcached
his destination and delivered his
credentials 10 the general in COM
nnnd, by whom the grade of lieu
tenant was Immediately conferred
on him. At the conclusion Of the cam
paign he was promoted TO the cap
tnincy. and in 1871. after the final rout
Of the Commune, married his cousin
Louise. In the following year. whilo
on leave in Paris, he came across his old
enemy, Bouchart, on the Boulevard dcs
1tnliens.
GLOW goes it with you?' asked the
latter. MS they slipped their nbsinthe
together.
Admirably" replied CASTOR. "IIcre
nm !, n captain ut %, chcva1icr OF the
Legion of Honor, and the husband Of
charming wife; and MI tllis--no thanks
TO yon, by the way. observation-disclosures
J. saved my hair."-N. Y. Ledger.
The Irish standard., 1898-02-05

niola." Never, am sure, were people
gayer or happier. And there was Silver,
sitting back almost out of the freight,
but eating heartily, prompt to spring
forward when anything was wanted,
even joining quietly in our laughter
the same bland, polite, obsequious seq.
man of the voyage out.
The Irish standard., 1898-02-05

Warsaw township at the age of 81 years.
She was highly esteemed by wide
circle CT acquaintance. She leaves a
husband and three children to mourn her
early death. The funeral occurred from
the Immaculate Conception church, Rev
FIR. Mcdonald officiating. The remains
were inferred at Shiedsville.
The Irish standard., 1898-02-05

The great artist Michael Angelo was
as famous an architect or designer as
he was painter. lie designed the
church of st. Peter at Rome, which is
built in the form of Latin cross. Hc
also designed another church in Rome,
and, besides these, planned number OF
famous structures.
The Irish standard., 1898-02-05
A Grand Tim..

Free open meeting to be given by Div.
No. I, A. 0. H., Thursday evening, Feb
ruary TO- at kistler's hall, corner Lyn-
dale and Sixth avenue north. All are
invited.
/. Violin and piano. Observation-Disclosures.
...... Misses Mcclure and Benson
2. Song. .......... Clara Virginia Lieben.
3. Address. .......... Rev. FIR. Mcintyre.
4. Vocal Solo-Kathlcen. Mrs. Dngdale.
5. Recitation-Sara. ... Alisa Scaife.
6. Vocal Solo-"The Harp That Once
Through Tara's Hail.. 90.
The Irish standard., 1898-02-05

........... VIM. S. Wngatc.
AccOmpanist. Bertha Bradish.
Z. The Origin and History Of the
Harp. Fl. Donahue
s. Recitation--Thc Face Upon the
Floor. .................C r. Lieben.
8. Song. .Chas. Dennis.
10. Dramatic Reading. ...... Kate t'ahey.
II. Comic Song. ........ VIM. H. Liebcn.
IL. Vocal Solo--My Cole Black Lady
Observation-Disclosures. .ThO.. Wecden.
13. Address-The A. o. H............
IA. Song-Trusting Only You.
Martin Coleman. Div No. Z.
The Irish standard., 1898-02-05

French Crown Jewels.
More than third Of the French crown
jewels have hcrn bought by Americans.
The Irish standard., 1898-02-05

If you want to save money on we'd
ding cards. ball invitations and pro-
grams see the samples and prices quot
ed at the Irish Standard Office Il
Fourth street south. We have lust
added a beautiful line of new type also
for this kind Of work. Samples sent
by mail to any address.
The Irish standard., 1898-02-05

Educate Your Bowels Will CHHcarntH.
Candy Cathart!c. cure cons, ipntinn tnrc"rr
i0c 25c. II G.. G. G fail. druggists refund money
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-02-04

agreeably spent their. leisure hours,
but simply going though their work
in way which hurries everything
into drudgery, and l believe if we
had means of Investigating the mat
ter, we would find from these homes
come four-fifths of the insane farm
ers wives, and I have heard these
women complain of their husband
being mercenary and careless of their
comfort, until l have wished some
times they could be left just one year
to manage that farm and pay all the
bills until they would learn to appre-
ciate how lnuch is being done for
their comfort. imagine they would
soon conclude like the old lady once
knew after her her husbands death,
that it was very lonely with no one
to wind the clock and split the kind
ling wood, but suppose we are oblig-
ed to work a little harder than our
sisters in tow, does not the chances
we have of rearing our toys and girls
to be better men and woman more
than repay us? have always noticed
when our great and good men wish
illustrate something particularly
touching and beautiful, it will be in
some way connected with childhood
days on the old farm, and how little
we sometimes realize that these
thoughts of a happy home and loving
mother will keep the boy or girl safe
from the evils which surround them,
long after the old home is but a
memory. Who could read the recent
sermon of Rev. DR.. Talmage in which
he refers so lovingly to his aged
mother and the old homestead, and
ever regret being a FARMERS WIFE.