davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1898-12-10
STUMP PENCILS ARE MASCOTS.
Members OF the New York stool Ex-
change superstitious About
Lead Sticks.

Talking Of hoodoos and mascotS,"
reports the New York Post. 1.-The boys
on the floor Of the exchange are as su-
perstitious as n lot of sailors. If you
don't believe 1t you look at the lead
pencils they r using the next time
you are in the building.
you won't find a man using a long
lead pencil. Why? Because a long
pencil is a 'hoodoo' Of the worst kind.
They always cut a new pencil in half
before they sharpen it. Some Of these
pencils acquire the reputation of be-
ing lucky.
LESS than a week ago I came down
without my pencil. which. by the way,
is a lucky one-every memorandum
made with that pencil results in a
profit for me-and | borrowed one
from a friend on the floor. He handed
me II stump about an inch long. and
said: You car use that; it's a lucky
pencil
sure enough. ] made two deals in
The morning, and euch melted me a
haDdome profit.
- was about to make a memoran-
dunn Of some stock ! had bought when
my friend approached and said:
"'Here. take This pencil and let me
have mine again. I've lost on every
deal since | loaned it 10 y0n.'
Sure enough. I lost on that deal and
ihs luck went back TO thr owner Of the
pencil.
when you get hold Of n lucky pencil
you want 10 hang OH To it.
Some Of the boys have little lucky
pencils not more than an inch long,
and they guard them as they would
their lives.
"lf you, through carelessness or ac-
cident, ca use them to break the lead
point they lose whatever regard they
have for you and forever afterward re-
gard you as inimical. Some of them
wouldn't take five dollars for a little
piece of pencil worth considerably less
than a cent"
Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1898-12-10
OF NAVAL TRAINING.
II Wrought . Beneficial Change in
the Disposition OF the Boy .
Who Went to Sea.

$50 your boy has gone to the WARP"
said the lady with her arms full of
packages to her friend who was hav-
ing an eighth of a yard of ribbon
changed. F.
"He would Co." was the fearful re-
Spouse. II do hope nothing will hap
pen to him."
There WON'T" said the elderly lady,
enthusiastically. II had a boy in the
navy once. and it was the making of
him Didn't you ever know that? L;
was John, the one that's the mayor of
a town in Dakota now 1 tell you tha:
John was 4 wild boy" she continued, as
they walked out of the store together.
"Hc used TO make my heart ach.. may
Il time with his capers. and above &!
he was so utterly shiftless. lie wa
idle, careless in his manne ant
speech, and SO untidy. Ideclare it tool.
all the rest of the family to pick "
things after him and keep him from.
l~ocl:ing like a tramp.
lie was a dreadful trial, but I was
nearly wild when he came home orr
dag and declared that he was goi::,
iT:o The navy. There wasn't any waI
;!lcn, but l knew hat there was /;
chance Of his getting drowned or lilicH
II SOM" way, and then the EaG c"r~
HaE.E a.! FL that, and | iaiTij cr;H::
1u: father said 10 let him go. Is Iii.
nGrlis couldn't be hurt very much
and il was just as well to nave him
Crowned as go to Jail. Awful thing to
say. wasn't it? But John certainly
w, q! case.
We'll, anyhow, he went, and ne was
gone Tor 4 little more than three years.
Whrn he came home. my! How lie had
grown, So hig and strong. Eut it wasn't
this; surprised ne most. l never saw
sri"h Z change in his ways. He was
g0pG-natured and obliging, never
wanted anyone to wait on him. and as
!2r "catness-I declare he beat any
thing ! ever saw! We gave him his old
room. and, do you know, he wouldn't.
let NE or his sisters touch it. He kept
everything in order himself, and the
way he packed away things was a eau
ton. And how handy he was! You'd
never believe it. Well, 1 just tell you
| was proud of him, and I've blessed the
navy from that day to his."-Chicago
Times-Herald.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-05-31
The American Fleet.

NEW YORK, May 3l.-A copyrighted
special from Port au Prince to the
Evening World says: a report was cur
rent at Mole St. Nicholas that three
of Cervera's feet tried to steal out OF
Santiago and were pursued. They only
escaped destruction by regaining their
port. -
CAPE HAYT1EN, Hayti, May 3l.-1O
a. ma Haytien gunboat which az,
rived here from Port au Prince at 8
o'clock this morning reports that while
passing the Mole ST. Nicholas yesterday
afternoon she saw FIVE American war"
ships cruising in that vicinity.
The Haytien dispatch gunboat Capo-
is La-Mort, which arrived here from
Port au Prince at s o'clock this morI :
ing, having the minister OF public
works on board, seems to have sighted
FIVE American wsIships while passing
the Mole st. Nicholas yesterday after
room. The correspondent at Cape
Haytien of the Associated Press
has Just interviewed the officers
of the Capois-La- Mort, and learns that
at about 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon
when the gunboat was about abreast OF
the Mole columns of black smoke were
espied on the horizon east by north
from her bridges. The ships were
about Is miles distant and their bulls
could not be fairly made out, but
all appearances indicated that several
of the vessels were of great tonnage.
The fleet seemed to be making north
ward with all speed past the eastern
end of Cuba, and while the officers OF
the Capois- La. Mort were observing the
vessels they were gradually lost to view
behind the protruding outlires OF Cape
Maysi. 1t is hardly to be doubted that
The ships sighted were American war
yesselS
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-05-31
THE WAR. REVENUE BILL.

The Senate committee on finance was
in session yesterday considering amend =
ments which have been suggested to
the war revenue bill. The time wa
spent largely in an exchange of views
upon the amendments Of Senator
Lodge for the annexation of Hawai-
and of Senator Morgan, providing u
form of government OF acquired terri
tory. There was general expression
of opinion that they should not be &C.
copied by the committee, and further
more, that if necessary, they should be
met with motions to table.
This decision was also made appli-
cable to other like amendments, such
as that offered by Senator Pettigrew for
the abrogation of the Hawaiian reel
procity treaty. There was no dis.
senting voice from this policy,
Senators favorable personally to
the various amendments agree
ing with those who were not that with the
door once opened to changes rot pertinent to
the main subject of the bill the end would be
indefinitely postponed.
The committee decided on two changes of
importance re'aling to drugs and to receipts.
The amendment regarding receipts exen p.s
amounts below So, and that in relation 70
drugs is q verbal change making clearer the
meaning of the committee that drugs and pre-
prietary articles shou be taxed only wnen
sold. Another change in the drug schedule
permits druggists to sell small quantities Of
medicine not to be carried away from the
store IN packages without afiixing stamp.
There was virtual understanding that ii
the German amendment taxing corporations
should be adopted by the Senate there would
be still further changes in the stamp tax 81,
in that event it will not be necessary to col.
lect so large a sum on stamps. I he COM
mittee is divided on the German amendment
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-05-31
HANDSOME RECEPTION.

a Washington paper says: Mrs.
Charles G. Ayres monopolized the in
terest of the social world yesterday af.
ternoon when, from 5 to o'clock, her
handsome residence on New Hsmp-
shire avenue was thronged with callers
prominent in official and civilian life,
who had been invited to meet the
Countess Won Linden, of Germany,
who is in Washington for brief stay.
The hostess, in French gown of
pompadour satin, its turquoise and old
rose tints contrasting artistically with
her blonde hair and dainty coloring,
was assisted by the Misses Owen.
The Countess, who was formerly
Miss Anderson, of New York, is a
valued friend of Mr.. and Mrs. Hamil-
ton Fairfax, the brother and sister in
law OF the hostess, who are at present
in Germany, and the gracious hospital
ity was in recognition of the many So
cial courtesies that have been extended
by the Countess to Mr.. and Mrs. Fair.
fax during their residence in Stuttgart
for the past two years.
i uSTO dlO low lObuOO oU pdO OApitci
80 rich in ancestral heirlooms and his.
toric treasures as that of Capt. Ayres,
who possesses, among other valuable
collections, probably The finest private
exhibit of Indian relics and curios in
the world.
Palms and ferns mingled with white
peonies and marguerites formed the
floral decoration of the beautiful draw
ing rooms and reception hall, and on
the lace centerpiece of the polished ma
hogapy tea table stood an antique sill
YER pitcher filled with long.stemmed
white roses half hid in their foliage Of
leaves.
Capt. Ayres is with his regiment at
Tampa awaiting the order of invasion
and until the army leaves for Cuba, or
some definite plan of action is decided
upon, Mrs. Ayres will remain in Wash
ington, though it is her intention to go
during the summer to visit her brother
ct his home in New Jersey.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-05-31
War Bulletins.

COLUMBIA, S. c., May 31.-The
special train bearing Gen. Miles and
party from Washington to Tampa pass
ed through here at one o'clock this al
ternoon. A committee of Savannah
citizens met Gen. Miles here for the
purpose of inducing him to concentrate
some of the troops now in Chicka-
manga at Savannah. That city will az.
propriate IS, 900 for camp grounds.
KINGSTON, ia. May 31-The British gov
eminent has purchased in the United States
for delivery here, 10000 barrels of -four
for the army and navy stores. The order
was placed with the Consolidated Milling
Company of Minneapolis The -four will be
transported here by the Atlas steamship Com
pany The transaction is significant as show
ing British preparations for an emergency.
FALMOUTH, Eng, May 81 The British
.teamer Remembrance has just sailed for
Colon with Spanish govern ment packages and
u cargo OF coal understood to be destined for
the spanish feet
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-05-31
VIRGINIA NEWS.

Agents of the Italian government are
in Lynchburg examining the quality of
the tobacco.
Mrs. Jane E. Dinwiddie, relict of Joel
W. Dinwiddie, died at Bedford City
Sunday night.
At Abingdon Sunday morning fire de-
stroyed the Greenway storehouse, the
Abingdon Virginian Office and several
oatbuildings. The origin of the fire is
unknown.
During storm in Essex county Sun
day lightning struck the dwelling OF
Isaac 81. Lee, colored preacher, kill
ing him instantly aud doing considera-
BILE damage to the house.
Capts. Fitzhugh Lee and Algernon
Sartoris, of Gen. Lees staff, left for
Richmond yesterday afternoon, and will
start for Jacksonville to-day, to which
city the headquarters of Gen. Lee have
been transferred.
Mr.. George William May died at his
home in Staunton on Sunday evening
in the fifty.6fth year of his age. Mr..
May leaves to survive him his wife,
who is daughter of the late DR.. Alex
ander Waddell, of Staunton, and three
daughters and three sons. MIR. May
was native of Lunenburg county.
Frank Armistead and VIM. Farmer,
two well-known young men OF Man
chester, had difficulty yesterday
evening and Armistead struck Farmer
with huge piece of coal-cinder and
fractured his skull. Farmers condition
last night was exceedingly serious, but
it is not thought that the injury will re-
suit fatally.
Mr.. Oscar Twilight, corporal in the
Roanoke Light Infantry, and Miss Kate
l.. Vaughan, daughter of Judge w. D.
Vaughan, of Floyd Court House, were
married at the Governors Mansion in
Richmond yesterday. The ceremony
was performed by Rev. DR.. W. G. Starr,
ia the presence ofthe Governors family
and others.
a rainstorm seriously interfered with
memorial services at Richmond yester-
day afternoon, and drenohed thous ands
of people caught away from shelter.
The excursion trains poured visitors
into Richmond by thousands, many
people taking advantage of the national
holiday to visit their friends among the
volunteers in camp there, and these,
with the troops from Camp Lee, and
the Richmond Howitzers with their
big guns, swelled the crowd at Holly
wood far beyond the number usual on
such occasions. Governor Tyler was
the orator of the day. In his speech he
extollei the loyalty of the South to the
Stars and Stripes in this war.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-05-31
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence OF the Alexandria Gasette.]
WASHINGTON. May 81.

Correspondence OF the AleZsndris Gazette
WASHINGTON. May 81.
The President received no informa-
ton of any important development in
the war situation up to the converting
OF the Cabinet at II O'Clock. There
was therefore no news from the front
that he could impart to callers.
Representative Cannon of Illinois,
chairman of the House appropriations
committee, who was at the White
House, says the additional War De-
plrtment estimates growing out of the
second call for volunteers will be not
less than S40,000,000 nor more than
500, 100000, the exact amount being
not yet definitely determined. This
brings to above 5000, OOO,O 900 the agere.
gate to be carried by the general de-
6cisncy bill which will be reported to
the House when the war revenue bill
has passed the Senate.
The President during the forenoon
took occasion in interviews with callers
TO reiterate bis conviction that the an
nexation of Hawaii should be speedily
accomplished.
The United State Supreme Court TO-
day decided that the United States dis
trict court for West Virginia had no
jurisdiction to sit as court of equity
in the matter of dismissals under the
civil service law and reversed the de-
cree of that court which restrained the
collector OF internal revenue from re.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-05-31
LACK OF PERSONAL LIBERTY

Moncure D. Conway addressed the
Brooklyn Philosophical Association at
the Long Island Business College Sun
day afternoon on "The Thinkers and
Heroes of Freedom" Mr.. Conway be-
ieves that, in so far as individual liber-
ty is concerned, our republic has not
accom- plished much.
"There was far less liberty after the
Declaration than under the old mon
archy," said Mr.. Conway. as there
any one here who has the slightest idea
that Cuba will be free after we drive
the Spaniards OUT? Not if we get it.
Hawaii was happy before the mis-
sionaries colonized it. I've been through
missionary estates there that were like
an earl's in magnifcence. You're liable
now to Imprisonment if you sell glass
of soda on Sunday in Honolulu.
"We have here an idea of geographic.
cal independence, of national indepen.
dence, but no conception of what per.
sonal freedom is. What religious liber.
ty is there when Ingersoll is subjected
to an increased tax of several hundred
dollars when churches in which he does
not believein are exempt?
"They had more Individual freedom
in the days when the monk, Boccaccio,
turned States evidence against the
clergy and wrote the Dscameron which,
l believe, that moral Dictator Com
stock, will not allow to be sold here.
England and America have political
freedom, but they are fer behind Italy,
France, and even Spain in moral and
personal freedom. There every amuse-
ment is not paralyZed on Sunday.
There is no Comstock there, and no white
caps to strip ladies and tar and feather them
if they don't live up to their ideas, as has
been done in Connecticut. And We are not
up to England, even, in political and religious
liberty.
"The absolutism Of majority is the liberty
of America
81 once visited tie site of Plymouth Rock
and found there wSs no rock within three
miles of where the Pilgrims landed. There
is Just as much truth in their ideas of liberty
as in the position OF that rock. Every one
who did not believe with them these Pilgrims
banished or slew.
'The greatest thinker and he.o of freedom
was Thomas Paine. He destroyed the posi-
bility OF King washington and Duke
Adams. But his republic has been only par
TALLY realized. He taught that the only true
republic is based on individual rights, and
there is but one liberty-a mans right to do
exactly as he pleases, provided he doesn't in
terfere with the equal rights of others How
does the will of the majority accord with
this?
Here there is no freedom for the artist or
the literary man, who must seek that abroad
Unless one is soldier or a trick politician,
where is hep
IF, as seems likely, this republic is to be-
come great military nation, whose only am
bitten is TO SOW abroadthe seeds of discord and
revolution, it will no longer bs the land of
the free and the home Of the brave New
York Sun, - Sc
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-05-31
Troons Leaving Cbickamauea.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, May 31.-The
preparations for the departure of eight
regiments of infantry from Chicka-
manga for Tampa are being vigor-
ously pushed to-day and the indica-
tions are that the start will be made
tonight. The detachment will num-
Der about 4 900 men and will be COM
manded by Brigsdier-general Snyder.
The second detachment which will
probably leave tomorrow night will be
composed of the Second New York,
Sixty.Dinth New York, First District
of Columbia and the Fifth Maryland.
Brigadier-general Carpenter will COM
maud this detachment. Each regiment
will provide itself with two days travel
rations in haversacks and eight days
full rations in wagon train. Fifty days
full rations will be shipped by rail to
the chief commissary at Tampa. 1t is
now generally believed here that the
various regiments encamped in the
park will be sent on the front as soon
as they are in fit condition. The idea
that the big army will be kept intact
here all summer is now entertained by
hut few officers.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-05-31
The Lacret Expedition.

KEY WEST, Fla, May 31.-Nesrly
four hundred men, with q PACK train
and large quantity of arms and ammu-
milton, sailed for the Cuban coast on the
Plant line steamer Florida, On the night
OF May 81. The expedition was under
the command of Colonel Jose Lacret,
formerly insurgent commander in Ma
tanzas province. He assumed the d.
rection of affairs Immediately on the
landing of the expedition. About three
hundred of the men are Cubsns; the
Others are Americans. The men had
rations enough to last fifteen days after
the landing. The pack train consisted
of seventy five mules and twenty-five
horses. The expedition carried 1000
riffs and , 100000 rounds of ammuni-
ton for General Calixto Garcia. Among
those connected with the expedition Is
General Sanguilly, whose arrest in Ha-
vana at the beginning of the present in
surrection, his sentence to death and
his release at the intercession OF Secre-
tary Sherman on promise to remain
outside of Cuba, have made him con-
spicuous man. The expedition was
conveyed by the cruiser Marblehead,
the torpedo boat destroyer Eagle and
other warships.
KEY WEST, Fla, May 3l.-The
steamer Florida returned here at a.
m. to-day from Cuba, having success
fully landed a most important expedi-
ton On the island.
KEY WEST, Fla, May 31.-The Flor
ida has been quarantined, but she may
be released in an hour or so. So far,
not line eff authentic news has left the
ship. Report has it that she landed
her party about % miles east of Ha-
vana, and that not shot was fired.
Senior Polio, the local delegate of the
Cuban Junts, has official information
that the Florida expedition has been
lauded.
The expedition was landed on the
coast of Cuba on Thursday morn
ing, May &c. When the Florida,
escorted by the Osceola, drew up close
to the shore at the place selected for
the landing, she sent scouts to see if all
was clear. These scouts were greeted
by Generals Feria and Rojas, with some
1,500 armed insurgents. consequently,
far from there being any hostile dem
oDs.ration upon the part of the Span
iards, the landing ofthe expedition as
10 the nature of a triumphal invasion.
The Cubans who were in waiting for
the party had brass band and wei.
coined the newcomers with national
airs. The returning members of the
Florida party brought with them sew
eral hundred private letters which, it is
understood, give complete insight in
to the present condition prevailing IN
! the blockaded island.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-05-31
Emit Steamer Wrecked.

Boston, Mass, May 3l.-The Boston
Fruit Company received cablegram
to-day announcing that their steamer
Belyidere which left Jamaica last
Wednesday night for Boston, is ashore
on Cape Maysi, on the eastern end Of
Cuba, and is probably total wreck.
The fate of the passengers and crew is
unknown, although it is thought they
were possibly rescued. The Belvidere
was one of the finest steamers in the
company's feet. The cargo consisted
of &c 900 punches Of bananas and three
hundred bags of cocoanuLs.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, May 31.-The
steamers Kingston and Ethelred, ofthe
same line, sailed from Port Antonio a
few hours after the BelvidAre, and one of
them probably took off the % passen-
gers and 40 members of the crew OF the
wrecked steamer.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-05-31
NEWS OF THE DAY.

1t is denied at the State Department
that negotiations are IN progress for
treaty of alliance between the United
States and Great Britain.
Correct statements of losses in the
battle OF Manila bay are : Spanish, 101
killed, $50 wounded American, none
killed, eight slightly wounded.
Baron Lyon Playfair, the distinguish
ed chemist, political economist, civil.
service reformer and parliamentsrian,
died in London yesterday.
Madrid newspapers state that Gree t
Britain has violated neutrality by al
lowing the cruiser Harvard to take on
large quantity of coal at Kingston,
Jamaica.
The American colony in Paris yes
terday had memorial exercises at La
fayette's tomb, the "unbreakable ties
between America and France" being
the theme of addresses by Ambassador
Porter and M. Bartholdi.
President Mckinley yesterday even
ing issued 81 proclamation setting forth
the terms OF the reciprocity agreement
between the United States and France,
which goes into effect to-day. By its
agreement, as stated yesterday, each
gains the advantage of lower tariff rates.
Governor Black has decided to call
an extra session of the New York Leg
islature to deal with Tammany's seizure
of the election machinery, to make adj
dition appropriations for war expenses
and to provide for the soldiers voting
if they ara kept in the field until Nov
ember,
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-05-31
Foreign News.

ST.. THOMAS, Danish West Indies,
May 3l.-.The German newspaper cor
respondent, Mr.. Emerssohn, who was
arrested in Porto Rico, who subsequent
ly escaped and who was declared spy
by the alcalde Of Caguas, who placed
price on his head, is reported to have
reached Santa Cruz, the Danish Island
near her, in safety.
LONDON, May 31.-There is much in
terest 10 the silver market owing to the
run on the Bank of Spain, where a
semi.p panic is said to prevail. Large
orders are expected, as the mint is re-
ported to be turning out half million
pesetas daily.
LONDON, May 81. Frederick Hall,
crate-maker living at Burslem, in Stat
fordshire, this morning murdered his
wife and FIVE children with bill hook
and then committed suicide by cutting
his throat. 1t is supposed that the man
had suddenly become insane.