davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Van Buren press., 1898-12-10
THE BIRDS OF CUBA.
A Citizen of the United States De-
seribes Some of the Numer-
Gus Species.

saw one morning Cuban eagle or
hawk, called "gabilan." 1t had
white head and white tips on Its wings.
Several partridges have been about
our camp. They closely resemble ours
in the states, and their call Is sug-
gestive of Bob Whites hear now
and then the notes of mourning doves,
and other doves resembling those COM
mon on the continent fly over the
fields occasionally. But of these home
like birds there are few. Parrots
"eotorras" they are called here-are
very numerous, flying in focks with
incessant screenings. There is very
beautiful bird, the "tocoloro" Tab
breviations for 'todos colores col.
ors) which justifies its name by the
hues of its feathers. 1t lives in the
woods, is very tame, and has a soft
and sad note like the mourning dove.
The bird most in evidence, however,
to both sight and hearing is the Gao"
Before daylight in the morning and
after dusk in the evening its extraor-
binary vocal performances command
attention. 1t shrieks, shouts, chatters
and seolds so much like a human be.
ing that the effect is startling, seem
TO trace In its utterances a whole
string Of Spanish oaths, and somehow
the intensity of its emphasis always
makes me laugh. The Gao is a black
bird somewhat smaller than a crow,
and with tail so long that II seems 10
overload It. The Cubans say that II
can be taught to talk, and that il has
a magpie's thievishness.
There are several kinds of wood
peckers, some very large, and the
trunks of the palm trees bear testi-
mony to their industry.
l have written OF the kingbird, or
"pitirre." The name, like that of
many other Cuban birds, Is derived
from its note. "P'tir-r-el p'tir-r-el" II
cries as it dashes from its home in the
big ceiba at the vultures sweeping
near, and its great enemy always flaps
away in haste, The Cubans are fond
of likening the pitirre to the insurgent
fighters for Cuban libre. The sparrow
tgorrion') is the national bird OF
Spain, and was long ago introduced
into the island, where il made it's
home in the towns, as the English spar.
row does. 1t tried TO extend its do.
minion to the country also, the Gu.
bans say, but the pitirre chased II
back to the posts held by Spain, and
there II remains beleaguered, A pretty
conceit, even II not quite borne out by
the habits of sparrows.-Capt, N. q.
GONZALEZ, In Columbia (S CO State.
The Van Buren press., 1898-12-10
ART IN AMERICA.
From Present Indications This Goun.
try Promises to Become the
Louvre of Nations.

1t does not seem TO be commonly
realized that America - that is, thu
United states-is on the way TO be.
come the Louvre of the nations. From
year to year its public galleries have
been enriched With masterpieces ofall
the modern schools, and b. purchase,
bequest or gift many valuable and
some great pictures by the older ltal
ian. Flemish aud Spanish masters have
been added to the already imposing
store of national art wealth.
In New YORK prominently, out also
in Boston, Washington, Philadelphia
and in other large cities from New0r
leans in the south TO Chicago in the
north, and from Baltimore in the east
10 San Francisco in the west, there Is
how so numerous, and. in the main, 50
distinguished congregation Of pic
lures, OF all schools and periods. that
the day is not only at hand, but has
arrived, when the native student OF art
10 longer needs to 60 abroad in order
10 learn the tidal reach and high-water
mark in this or that nations achieve
ment, in this or that schools accom-
plishment, in this or that individual
painters work. In time, and probably
before long, the great desideratum
will be attained - the atmosphere
wherein the creative imagination IL
sustained and nourished. At present
the most brilliant American painters
must follow the trade flag of art and
that banner flaunts nowhere steadily
but in Paris and London.
There are now in America more
training schools. more opportunities
for instruction, moSe chances for the
individual young painter to arrive at
self-knowledge than were enjoyed OF
old by the eager youth of Flanders, OF
France, of Spain, even Of Italy But
the essential is still wanting without
which all these advantages are merely
as stars among the branches. There
is no atmosphere of art in America at
large.
In the great majority Of towns
throughout the states there is no al
mosphere at all. But every few wears
the radical influences at work are
transmitting these conditions, and
though neither Boston, nor Washing
ton. nor even New York, is yet an arr
center in any way comparable TO Lon
don, or Paris. or Munich. the time Is
not far distant when the inevitable
must happen.
In actual respect of art treasures
the great cities Of the states are al
ready beyond our own provincial cities
and towns. among which only Liver
pool and Glasgow stand out preemi'
nent.
New York, naturally, has become
the art metropolis Of the states. All
ready the art wealth of this great CITY
is almost incaleulahle Boston comes
next, then Washington. But notwith'
standing the general idea TO the con
trary, the finest private collections are
not in New York. There is no private
collection in New York or Boston OF
Washington 20 compare with that Oh
Mr.. W. L. Walters at Baltimore. of an
the "homes Of art" 10 be seen in Amer
lea, Mr., Walters is preemineutly tine
house beautiful"
Within the last ten years the Metro
politau Museum Of Art in New YORK
has become one of the most interest
ing Of all national art collections
Nineteenth Century.
The Van Buren press., 1898-12-10
slang from Hawaii

Only the native Kanaka speaks Ha-
wsfian. and from the little heard -
il. il is remarkably sweet, but there
;s no doubt that it viii add one word
10 our slang vocabulary. Every sol
dier who leaves the port carries it
awav. and somehow il sticks 20 ones
mind. Ii Is 'welakahOa' pronounced
wiliv-ka-how-a) Ii means, in Ha-
waiian. STRIKE while the iron is hot.
1; took the fancy Of the people who
came 10 Honolulu long ago 10 grow
llrl with the country, and Is now regll-
lar term. meaning. That's al right
OF. If in speaking Of some work being
accomplished. That's done, until now
il has become the expression among
the people for anything they ENJOY.
The nearest thing in American slang
that I can think OF Is. That's ont o.
sirht.~ OF That's bully" Anyhow,
whenever we want TO express delight
or appreciation Of anything we simply
say ~Welakahoa." ] predict for il 8
vogue iu America. - Capt PCtAam
Rraalee, ia Leslis's Weekly.
The Van Buren press., 1898-12-10
About Keeping sweet Potatoes.

We have no reason, so far, 10 change
the opinion expressed almost every
fall for many years, that whether
sweet potatoes keep well or not de-
pends more on the soil on which they
are grown, or the condition of the po-
tatoes when dug. than upon the man.
ner in which they are stored, except
that II is necessary to protect them
from severe cold. We have put them
in carefully-eonstruc bins, and had
them rot, while those that rolled into
the surrounding ditch lay in mud and
water until Christmas without rot
ting. We have never been able TO
keep sweet potatoes grown on ground
where potatoes were grown the year
before, or two years before, and after
ward rotted. We would not give ten
cents per bushel for potatoes thus
grown, except for immediate eonsump.
ton. It is our opinion that the germs
Of the prevailing sweet potato rots are
In the soil and affect the potatoes be-
fore they are dug. and that such pota-
toes will rot more or less no matter
how carefully they are handled and
stored. Our experiment stations, we
believe. should experiment in this d.
rection. and determine the facts
Farm and Ranch.
The Van Buren press., 1898-12-10
HUMOROUS.

He-"I am crazy over music-e ~,
musical crank" She-"Ah! Hsna'aa lsss
Judy.
"Alfred. dearest, there are burol..
in the house" Yes, I'll set off .a'' ~
burglar alarm and make them tbias us
I'm coming in from downtownn-na
troit Journal.
A Good Defnition.-Wi -Wilhe-"s.v
what's a crank?" Pa-"A crank wa Wa
lie, is fellow who thinks he own. s a..
only wheel that ever came down ~.
pike. Chicago Daily News.
Tiny-"I wonder you can stand f.,
low with such bearish manners
Pussy-"They're his principal charm
dear. just imagine what II is to bs
hugged by him.'-Ally Sloper.
Teacher-"Miss Street, can Won tan
me what is most peculiar in the hatch.
ing of the euekoo?" Miss Stree,
(doubtfuily)-"It generally builds IT.
nest in elock.'"-Jeweler's Weekly.
Old Gentleman-"Little boy, | am
grieved to see you smoking a cip.
arette!" Street Boy-"What do Won
mean? Yer don't s'pose a young gent
wi my allowance can sport meer.
schaum, do yer?"-Answers.
"And remember, Bridget, there ara
two things | must insist upon; truth.
fulness and obedience" "Yis, mum.
and when you tell me to tell the ladies
you're out. when you're in, which shall
Il be, mum?-Yonkers Statesman.
Hanson-"Did you hear about Stew.
art? He is suffering from broken
Jaw" Billbury-"That's what football
comes to- Hanson-"But it wasn't
football. 1t was golf. A tangle with
dialect. you know."-Boston Tran
script.
"Old Miss Sere saw man under he,
bed last night" "Good graeious
What did she say?" "She told him tc
look out for the plastering. He wa
carrying the bed downs-at-~ n hi
head. You see. she moved yesterday
Cleveland Plain-Dealer.
Sunday School Teaeher-"Why, VII
lie Wilson! Fighting again? Didn'
last Sundays lesson teach that whel
you are struck on one cheek you ough
TO turn the other to the striker?
Willie-"Yes'm; but he hit me on tn
nose an I've only got one. Fun.
The Van Buren press., 1898-12-10
The OUTDOORS MAN.

Ny zzz-zz 1cz.z z=1zzt - -zch. Fl
wzliz = aEzzzs
] Esxzr EzE ElcA sshoallzE-Aaz te wa-k
zaa Ezrz-zz1 III
: go there's tr1fhs Ez g. 1zz- y
simply zaeklzs rounz
Ic-sz tAs zzzzgs zHzt E-1E . -esx zzaa
eazs - e sEs grezz@-
Ihe-esz zzxEozs = zts Sz5zsss Easg says !
zzsss zEsy-vz q. 4 rzgAr=
Ihsrsaz lezszzs + ne zazTsz zz1 i tAs
w5z5 zkzt ksEzs a zlghts
Thsrzzs lszs5zz = The zzzz ez1-2z zz1
L ths 80, kz Eat 61K,
Teszszs lszzzzs i re zzzz1razsz ar zAs
zE1 = lkz ez5w.
Ar6 fAz sszzsr wzs 5o=st Er5z 4 kezfer
~ Is eooks zEzT
And g. ozz zEnzs z1d lsas1 = E1er Ma
Ez-s kzz % szx-
coz1 pzrzs-z = = IS E1sz IS pes75s
- ca Erazz
Big h.ooEs zsozt zks distant s-R-s t.Af
szzkls = tkz zE1ts
TIE TAI Sass hzzz q celsEs a. c1-ss
CT VII = zsErss
Is p-oazhlx z0-z pezs1sz z-1 ez- a-zfz-
1. TIA re-
Bu- xzE- EEtE So 4 sHLHr zzETzz 70
zzks & zzz21 I'D csszT
z1zz sTsry tkzzg 80 Is sz-zz Isl s1-1
- h4pz~zs1 kzz-
J1st eszz g. ~ azse-. wasza-t II 1s-E II
z-1iz kz-1
Frvz zao-hzz- ozs q zeWns--s-zz g.
carTsd you uzasrxt2z5-
Why. sasa- : eRvs . rElzE q tezzgz ses
frou 5zy 70 zzy.
zn5 zozdzr Z Outdoors EtzE re ees1
achooz- zEywzy.
so-s folks 7zrzszs they eoa't eeHsTs l.
God. bzez -ss. Sog Sc
They sen : EkIak It's KID g smart 70
szz1d = ard agrss
Win ezucztaa felsrs wto ara szF'oss1 70
q 50 wIse.
Ard wEo 50 : r.zz quits hzrnssz zitogs5h-
= Ehez ne GlsS
But ! gress. 4 yo4 i sTazizs. yo- !. zss-
coFsr that The Ee1
Eno have 6sne re greatest things q
earth A. kopz1 TO IFs sEezz
II Nzshiaszsn could go . e11rch zE1
praise Jehovz1.s nzns-
II zlz.t 10 srsat azzgrzcs fer sch as lie
. Go the am
list take : iook around you. Gods pgt
lessons exeryNh here
why. there's Sermons IN the thlstl@-eozn
that tumbles through the air.
Cleveland Leader.
The Van Buren press., 1898-12-10
Coal-Dust Firing,

Fine dust OF coal or Of -four mixed
with air forms an explosive agentwhien
has been the cause OF many mine anu
hourmill disaster Advantage is taken
Of this property Of combustible dus'
In n new process Of boiler-fring. Inc
fuel reduced TO dust is fed by ma
ehinery into the furnace in which a l, nro
must constantly be maintained. Inc
instant the dust falls into the furnace
chamber it burns with a flash. aimos.
cNplosively, and the production OF
smoke is absolutely prevented and 'ne
firing becomes economical as regarus
consumptiono fuel 10 would seem 'hsV
it might lead to the utilization OF tne
enormous mountains of coal sia'S
which cover SO many square miles o.
land In the mining districts-lon'p ,
COMPANION
The Van Buren press., 1898-12-10
= -.-;-. - Fns,and wss . hundred

.-sxf escss . England vss hanorea
lines greater On Ire roads connecting
.kese estieS han he country traHie,
~ IL country people we're forced 70
sa7la razcs xn5 keep them IN repair.
The southern Farm Magazine, IN
rnhIisAsnE tAis article, recognizes the
sset shz- Il 5 likely 10 provoke very
zs-e-zz discussion much opposition
"a -zeh eonue76ario1, and 1t has
invited 5 general discussion OF the SUD
sset aS q i. couSatutionality. as well
: razz-ss TIE wisdom O. such an IN
aovzaoz. approaching he fzet thas
tAs rzane @ good roads has not in any
EzT been overs1zted by Col heile-
h-sw. azd Ire farmers would De TIE
ezes azasr directly benefited
The Van Buren press., 1898-12-10
Nitrogen as a Fertilizer.

Sir Vim. Crooks, an English agricu1-
tural chemist, after estimating all the
available sources of nitrogen for fer
hlizing purposes, and the amount con.
sumed by bread crops, concludes that
the time will soon come when scient-
lists must invent a process by which
the great storehouse of nitrogen, the
atmosphere, may be made to supply
the deficit. Leguminous crops are, up
to this time, the only practical method
of drawing the indispensable requisite
from the air. Electric currents con.
vert nitrogen into available nitrous
and nitric acids, but hitherto has
proven impracticable on account OF
cost. Prof. Crooks thinks the solution
of the problem will be found in the
powers of Niagara, which he says can
be made to generate enough electrici-
ty to produce 100000 tons of nitrate
of soda annually. The rural New
Yorker suggests, in this connection,
that while waiting for this develop
ment of Niagara falls, we crowd all
the nitrogen possible into the soil by
means of clover, COW peas, etc.
The Van Buren press., 1898-12-10
Not Very Encouraging for Cotton Growers

Mr.. A. ]. Landauer, of Liverpool,
one of the best known men in the cot
ton business, who annually makes a
personal investigation of the Ameri-
can cotton crop, prior to November l.,
has been in Galveston lately and has
given to the press the results of his
1sos examination of the cotton out
lonk. He contends that a commercial
crop of 100000 bales is a conserva-
tive estimate. He considers that g.
100000 bales for Texas is n very low
estimate, and thinks 100000 will be
nearer the mark. Mr.. Landauer claims
that he has never overestimated the
yield. The gentleman also states that
spinners are not in condition TO buy
heavily for future use-that their ca
pacity is even somewhat less than it
was last year. Mr.. Landauer does not
give farmers much encouragement for
planting largely next year.-Farm and
Ranch
The Van Buren press., 1898-12-10

Two years later Capt Pluukst wzs
laid il 4 lonely grave near Lake Ny
ASA
His wife lived 10 see both her sons
fsssions q their choice, yet her hap
piness wzS not complete
Having retired from her profession,
she had leisure for that introspeetiFe
searching and questioning Of her own
heart By which women love 70 make
themselves miserable The small voice
which forces Us al al times 10 listen
TO il kept whispering;
This should ys have done, YET not
have left The other undone.7
The Van Buren press., 1898-12-10

Cart Faunks5ss sazt VAS assA xres->
u zue Indignant Ers1 "a ls1sz ~
AS q zss1 ) astoz5saed RAsz = -
ceFsrS HAzt ~ : ~ as zsez-
- uazzazsz soWzzs ia sa-7szsk All
II szlsazzx fozzsNst ar tzss T.
Their zutEzz reseztzszt kssz sAsz
bs.A xzzEz1 Uzfz IL garage 6aeE y
before : large bIosk a zAss - tar
froz tks xtrazz- Es foL5sze6 - p
fze 5ezss = xsz5rS Wa So
rsaehs5 ksr ca lEz5Gzg aa6 Us pre-
rarzzE = lst As-sezs n III : zasc2-
kex-.hs 5ooz H1s eps1e5 fzaZ W5tA-z
b gzx-Asare5 AZ.
Aothsr. ~ rsIe1oe- Capt Pun
ket-~ szz5 tke alfe erisEf. as sAs ed
fhs w . = eAeezf1l azai1s=FooZ-
wAsrs : h-iskt fire sas aazzns a16
c1zF suFpsr 1Ebls prepared
Ihs azz la6x followed fAe0. tFsz-
bllzg fra0 head 20 fest Hs- psrtart b.
tzaa Ezse tAe captain wzaee.
-Eoz Eee5 zal fear for yeur EznEa-
ie-. MADAM e remarked eUrtlY. i
lszFs EzElans to-Us-roN=
-Are - boKS zs3eea. IazAersz asked
sks younger sonsa Capt Pla1ksf
poai6 9 course Ike % Sc then
Vel ny dsar, tas faes : they've ;
tzt of good usEs - yoz. an5 they
VAT 10 tel i themselves, - thsF we're
u1eh toa EXISTED 10 20 10 s2esP
Taking lazP fra1 tAs tsbls. Mrs.
Plazkzs heckaae5 6ez husband g fol-
loN her. Al tke der q tAs roon SIC
Whispered:
Remember. they thiuk their father
dead Is sAs pushed oPsa liz DOR
twa 6zFf hszdz EsEz rllse5 fran ths
pilzswx I'D a eager xpiee erse5 aa1:
=No1ksrs Methers Te5ss gained tie
scholarship
I've gained he scholarship. so :
year fer thrsz Fezrz Ar. uother.= :
eo1tiuEe5 Ted. Prank eould hare waa
il himself. d Newton sd .. bit l.
wouldn't coupets aeainst ne
he's 20 TT for another il The xuring-
Becoming sa5de1ly aRa7e q :
strangers presence. lei STOPPED
speaking. ard 7he tWo b1Ts STARED a
The captain IN great zston5zhment
This gentleman wzs oae of Foar IA
hers friends boys SD Ms Pun
ket- -Bzd hin welcome for his szke-
TIE bass bed out heir hands 81 hsr
bidding. fheir Koung faces k9 uea5er-
=-HH-- r=E-a - rzsr- r-s1r =
toHished expression
i spasz Of emOtio1 eoavulse6 Capt.
P1unksf'z features 3 hs advanced %
grasp their oufstreteksd hands
Tie mother.s eyes 6evuurs5 the boys
with ths self-same broo5lzg, slab
sorbing loTe which had caused him
many : jealous pang n former DAYS
Presently shz led Re wa back . The
E dining-room and noiio1e6 him 10 :
place at he table. But was
/ il 10 mood . break brad a her
I board.
After what I've sss1 tonight. 10
need 10 ask / you are happy BE *
claimed. bitterly. The most exzctinF
Of women would be satisfied by such a
success
Healluded 70 her theatrical lriauPhz.
T but she misunderstood him
Her eyes became sufzused as shs an
swered: YES. fhank God NJ high
est ambition Is IN q fair way 10 Dc grat-
iHed. TIE head master o =. PauI's
says no more promising pupils ever
( passed through his hands and they are
as truthful. upright and honorable as
they are clever. Ted wishes TO enter
the church. Frank intends 10 follow M
Z profession; but first / mean 70 sand
them both TO Oxford
A wave Of deep ysarning passed over
Capt. Plunket's heart He felt fer ore
moment inclined 10 fall al his wifs' :
feet aud cry ont: MAKE place for
me. too IN your home. Aliee! Perhaps
in tine I. too, could sndeaEor 10 make
you proud Of ne"
The Van Buren press., 1898-12-10
nisaArauahI, 1.l,.,,

The sentimental One -Alasl MANY .
milling ia'e ooneeals an aching heart
The Literal Idiot n seems ~ ~,
nav an aching tooth would he mon,
nal, '''' 'Vui'
The Van Buren press., 1898-12-10

Twelve years later. one cold foggy
night in December. Hon. Capt Plunket
was ssuntering down the Strand. with
a friend whom he had picked up near
Lake Nyassa- Ten ont Of the twelve
last years OF his life had been passed in
the wilds Of Africa
Business connected with some pros
pecting claims had brought him 10
England. HIS affairs were row al set
tied. and he and bis chum were start
ing back the very next day TO the mora
congenial freedom Of a colonial life
Lets turn in here. Austin said his
companion. as they passed one Of the
numerous theaters in the Strand I
hear there's q good play and 3 stun
ming actress who's been The hit q the
season"
~AIl right responded Capt. Plum
ket, answering 10 the name by which
he had been known for many years.
The frs act was over and tie euI tain
had just been lowered. and the house
mas siill ringing with tumultuUus ap-
pause when the two men took their
seats.
pity we're so late said the
[ younger man, who, in his pre-African
days, had been a great lover OF all
things theatrical
Il dare say we shall get more than
we care for" replied the captain, care
lessly.
The curtain rose upon an elegant
I drawing room scene; through open
I glass doors leading TO 8 garden came
the sound Of exquisitely musical laugh
ter
Capt. Plunket started. Where could
be have heard tha; voice before? How
| familiar il sounded
Yes. there she comes through the
open glass door-the wife be has not
seen for 70 years How young and
lovely she still looks. Every vibration
Of her musical voice seems 10 strike
upon his heart.
As the curtain fell after the last act
the captain started 10 bis feet
Excuse me- my dear fellow. must
leave you; I'd forgotten d business en-
gagemeni. Wen meet al the hotel in
an hour or So
Pushing roughly through the crowd
OF people. who stopped 10 stare at the
unmannerly stranger. be made bis
way quickly 10 the stage door.
Capt. Plunket stepped aside and
waited a few minutes till a figure en-
veloPed from head TO foot in a dark
mantle passed through the door and
advanced toward the carriage.
He called her BY name-~Alice," and.
advancing, stood by her side. As her
eyes met his she Uttered a low CRY OF
mingled terror and surprise -Ah! you
have come back 10 try and take ny
children from mel"
For years she had been haunted by
the idea that sooner or later her hus-
band would reappear and claim his
boys. II seemed TO her sheer impossi-
bility that any man could relinquish
forever his rights 10 such children.
4 was rot looking for you; chance
aicse threw Us iu each others way As
] leave England tomorrow. never 70
come back again. ] faucied NJ wife
might spare me an hour Of her tine to-
night without feeling herself called
upon for too great sacrifice
The Van Buren press., 1898-12-10
CnneernIne F1cuses

II YOU always tsu he truth you VIII
never have 20 fx Up sxcuses--ChieSs'
Daily NswA