davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-07-21
FOLLOW THE CRACK.
How Fircmen Make Their Way Out
of buildings That Are Filled
with smoke.

A building on a downtown street was
on fire and the first floor was full of
thick. sutfocating smoke. To the crowd
outside it seemed as if man could not
live a minute in it; as if human lungs
could not possibly endure it. And yet
there We're two firemen in the room.
They had gone in and had not yet come
out. Five minutes later and the fire
men had not appeared. The smoke was
getting denser and rolled out of the
broken transom in heavy. deadly
clouds. The crowd in the street was
getting worried.
AT the end of ten minutes a fireman
struggled out of the door and stood
against ladder painting and strug-
Cling for breath. In moment or two
he was apparently all right.
by gracious" said man. That
fellow must have fireproof lungs. He's
wonder
After it was all over and the firemen
had returned to their engine houses
and were cleaning themselves and the
apparatus the man who had come
through the smoke was found. He was
as clipper as if he had never been to d
fire.
How do you do it ." asked a man.
Easy enough" he answered. Just
hug the floor There is no smoke next
to the floor
but how do you see to get out?"
was asked. Surely the smoke is too
thick to find your way about. And in
a strange building you don't know
where the door is. How do you man
age it?"
Its like this answered the fire.
man. When the smoke gets thick we
get down on the floor and work as
long as we can. If we can't do any
thing and have got to get out we just
crawl along a crack and come to the
front of the building. In the big down
town buildings the floor boards run
from the front to the back, and if we
don't happen to strike the door we just
follow the front wall until we come
TO it. That's no trick. KANSAS City
Star.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-07-21

could contain in the event of his en-
listment.
The effect of this stimulus to the
tagging pulse of the public was cleo
trical. and the enrolment of $4,000
men followed within 4S hours. The
volunteers thus came into existence
with their chiefs in the majority. But
the ruined merchants OF :he city OF
Havana soon found out and objected
to the newly risen power. This oppo-
sition increased upon the arrival in
Cuba of the new governor-genera
Dulce, who came in 1869 as representa-
tive of the revolutionary government
in Spain. He was man of good faith,
empowered by the government to
grant Cuba all the reform she coveted
and that has lately been offered. He
would undoubtedly have put term to
the revolution, averting all the ruin
and devastation which followed But
such an easy and magnanimous course
did not suit that class which faced in
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-07-21
FRANCOIS COPPEE'S YOUTH.
RecOllectiOns of the Great Author
Recalled by the Accidental
Finding of Book.

Francois Coppee, one of the most
charming modern French authors, has
lately published some recollectons of
his early youth, recalled by the acct
dental finding of the old thumbworn
book from which his mother taught him
his letters. Like the strains of his
Cremona violin, it is another touching
evidence of the lasting impression upon
great minds of the lessons impaired by
loving gentlewoman. He says:
This old primer, from which my
mother taught me my letters, the very
one which she had preserved from the
time when she herself was taught, re-
minds me that once she also was lit
tie girl. But it is impossible for me to
imagine her games or frolics, her youth
full loves and maiden pleasures, or even
her early joyous married life. For me
she will ever be my mother-my dear
old mother.
How many trials and anXieties
caused this dear parent, not that she
ever had reason to doubt my love for
her even for an instant, but when one
is young, full of life, fattered by praise
and hope, he is prone to forget that
there is seated by the fireside at the
home which he neglects for worldly
pleasures an old mother, who hardly
dares to utter a timid reproach TO her
fast-growing son, but who is alarmed
at the dangers through which he is
passing; who suffers to see him lose the
purity and candor of his childhood and
who weeps in silence.
IF these lines should meet the eve of
some Toung man about to commit an
indiscretion let him pause a moment
and reflect that, without being Grim
inaI, it will be sad day for him. when
he is an old man, to recolect that he
made his mother weep.
1T is over 20 years since nv mother
died, but [ still retain the saddest
recollection in my heart, for on that day
something infinitely sweet was lost out
of my life and never since then have
been able to feel young again.
During the sufferings of my late
long illness and the dreary hours of
SOhNdlSSCtlCt, my mOunGfS spirit
seemed to approach nearer to me in
holy meditation. In trying to recall
the prayers she taught me as child
my soul has sought to raise itself to
God. 1t is the hope of again seeing my
mother that inspires the belief in the
truth of the eternal life. How often
have | thought that to reioin her in
Heaven | would endeavor to lead a bet
ter and purer life for the little time left
me on earth.
The home of the spirit of man made
perfect, the mysterious realm that NOR
tai eye has never seen-wonderfu
abode of life and love! They tell us
that our feeble intellects cannot grasp
the extent and perfection of the bliss
reserved for His chosen ones. But it
seems to me, humbly cropping, that
had foretaste of paradise years ago,
when. as an innocent child, fell asleep
in thy arms, oh, my adored mother!"
Philadelphia Times.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-07-21

"You know what my aim is, Arthur
and I'm not going to let go and miss the
mark just for the sake of little pleas
ure." And thus, while Walter was a.;
home porting over his books, Arthur was
enjoying himself in the village, and
time passed.
Finally so-called innocent amuse-
ments palled upon Arthur's tastes, and
at last Walter came to know that he
was beginning to drink and gamble.
He now preferred the village to home
and would not remain in any evening
Unless forced to do so, and even then he
would sometimes steal out of his room
and away to the hotel after his father
mad retired. Walter had a good deal of
affection for Arthur, and once proved
him kindly, only to receive coarse,
cruel rebuff that greatly panied him.
You mind your own business, Mr..
Farm Hand" Arthur said to him, land
don't NEEDLE with mine" All right"
Walter returned, Il won't mention it
again" So they went on, each in his
chosen path, and Arthur became some
what defiant of the authority of his
parents, until not only his evenings but
frequently his days as well were spent
in the village or in the larger town a
few miles distant.
For some minutes he lay there, Sob
Ding like child, till his grief had spent
its force. Then he recollected that al.
of his savings had not been kept in the
same place in his trunk. Getting up
quickly, dashing the tears from his
eyes, he looked further and found that
only part of his money was gone. He
still had the even sum of 5000 left His
first thought was to make the thief:
known at once, but further search
through his trunk led him to change his
mind. He remained in his room, though
study was out of the question for that
evening, and in the morning he went
about his work, whistling the same as
If nothing had happened, and did not
mention his loss to anyone. And >early
a year went by.
One night in the fall man called at
the farmhouse and asked to see Arthur.
1t happened that Arthur was at home,
and when he saw who the man was he
gave start. Arthur did not ask the
man to come in, but went out with
him and walked with him in the dires-
ton of the barn, both talking in low
but earnest tones. 81 tell you it is inn
possible" Arthur was saying when the
stopped on reaching the barnyard bars
Il haven't the money, and no way of
getting it at present. You will have
to wait awhile longer" Not another
day" the man declared. ~ must have
the money and you must get it for
me somehow-anyhow. You made the
same excuse before, but you got the
money. all the same, and you must do it
again. or" "Sh! Don't speak so
loud" "Ill spenk louder, II you
d"r'-" "Give me day. and I'll see
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-07-21

The deep-mouthed whistle was below
ing out warning every moment and
an answering toot was occasionally
heard on the starboard side.
Suddenly Bert" was full of activity.
He had been looking through the
gloom as earnestly as the others with
his paws on the bulwarks. He bound
ed to the captain and barked with all
his might. Capt. Granlain rushed tc
the engineer signal and ordered IRE
verse" The helm was thrown to port
just in time to avoid a towering pas
senger boat whose prov doomed up
suddenly in the fog. If the freighter
had proceeded along her course both
vessels would probably have gone to
the bottom.
THAT dog is the greatest sailor on
the lakes" said the captain. HE al
ways keeps my watch with me and
cannot be induced to leave the deck
forward or the bridge where l may
chance to be. His eyes are far superior
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-07-21
CARTRIDGES IN SILK.
A Number of Very Excellent Improve
ments Made In the
Maxim Gun.

Hiram Maxim recently informed a
Daily Mail representative that the
British government had given his firm
an order for their new guns, which have
greatly increased firing speed and
so per cent. more penetrating power
than those hitherto constructed.
The United States had already or
dered from Messrs. Vickers' Sons &
Maxim large number of these 12-inch
guns, and in reference to this Mr. Maxim
said: This last order is being sup
piled entirely by our factories in Amer
lea. on account of the neutrality laws,
which would prevent the weapons being
shipped if made at the firms works in
Sheffield.
1--WE have made" said Mr.. Maxim, "a
good many 6-inch and 12-nch guns for
the British government, but these were
made from government specifications,
using government mechanism. but upon
showing the government officials some
thing better we have been given large
orders for guns made with our improved
mechanism, and this work is being
executed at the present moment
The statement that our 12-inch gun
fires at the rate of three shots a min
ute" he continued, sis substantially
true. This, however, does not mean the
that it can be steadily fired at that
rate. 1t might be done for the first
minute, commencing with the gun
loaded One thing you can rely upon,
and that is that ot1r i2-inch ard 6-inch
guns are superior to any guns that have
yet been invented. both in power and in
rate of firing. Any nation using our new
high-power 6-inch and 12-inch guns
can rest secure that they will never
encounter anything that will shoot
faster or with any greater penetrating
power.
THE chief features in the new gun
are an improved breech- block and the
substitution of an asbestos case for the
metal cartridge formerly used. The
usual breech-block requires several
turns to hold it safely in position after
the charge has been inserted. This loss
of time is obviated by mechanical al
teration that gives the same solidity
with but a single twist Of the block. The
cordite and projectiles are held together
in a silk lining, incased in asbestos. thus
saving weight and magazine room.
"The day the new 6-inch gun was
tried at Portsmouth the perforation i'm
piled. according to Tresidder's formula.
was 1921 inches of iron, the greatest per-
foration laid down in the service table
for 6-inch gun being 1879 of iron. The
rate of fire maintained by this gun. at a
subsequent trial, at Shoeburyness. was
&c rounds in four minutes A. seconds,
which was equal to a shot every eight
seconds, or, allowing for cooling, 100
shots in IL utes."-Chicago journal.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-07-21
s5'!1lilzI1iR)}:I!!E||.!lE,ll'
N -E9& X
WALTER JENNINGS SECRET.
How the Keeping of 1t Helped In
the Reformation of His
Friend.

Utterly dismayed and overwhelmed,
Walter Jennings threw himself on the
floor and cried. Walter was IS years old,
and his one ambition was to enter col
lege when he became of age. To that
end ne had been saving every cent pos
sible, and at the same time devoting his
spare minutes to study, and now he
had just made the discovery that his
money had been stolen. He had gone
up to his room after supper, as usual,
and had been surprised to find the win
dow partly raised, something unheard
of before, for Mrs. Mains was always
very careful to close every window be-
fore the sun was down, having preju-
dice against night air. A limb of
large cherry tree was within easy reach
of the window, and reminded that any
one could easily climb into the room
by means of that tree. Walter had
thought at once of his money and
turned to his trunk, trying the lid, and
finding, to his alarm, that it was IN
locked. He knew that he had left it
locked-he always had-and with ner-
vous haste had felt for his money-and
1t was gone.
Walter was all alone in the world and
was employed on farm. The farm
was near village, and his temptation
to go there to find amusement of an
evening was a times strong, particu-
larly when he was urged by the farm
er's son, Arthur Mains, youth of about
Walters age; but, with his fixed pur-
pose in mind, Walter always refused,
unmindful of taunts and an occasional
scolding. you'll turn into a book your
self some day" Arthur would say. Il
don't see the use of living if a fellow
can't have some fun as he goes along.
l wish you would come out with me
once in awhile, anyhow, so mother
would not be forever holding you up
as an example. I'm getting tired of it."
81 can't help it," Walter would answer.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-07-21

what can do. Give me till tomorrow
night" We'll, I'll have to do that,
suppose; but if the money isn't forth
coming you know what to expect" So
they parted, the man going down the
lane and turning into the road and set
ting off in the direction of the village;
Arthur remaining where he was, lean
ing heavily on the bars.
Il am lost-lost," Arthur said to him
self. Il can't pay him without-but
that I'll never do again. can't pay
him, and he will tell father everything.
What shall l do-what can"
Arthur" spoke voice close at hand,
almost in whisper,
'Walter!"
Yes"
You were here-you heard what
passed between us?"
Yes, | heard it all, Arthur. I would
not have listened, but you came upon
me before l saw you. Maybe | can help
you, if you will" Help me-you?"
Yes; l have money, and if you must
have some in hurry Twill lend it to
you till" 20, Walt! If you only
knew, if l could only tell you. Walt,
listen; 1t was | who took your money
a year ago-it was l who robbed you
of your savings to pay that man. And
now to have you offer" Ssh! l have
known it all along, Arthur, but l kept
it secret; l was sorry for you. l found
one of your vest buttons in my trunk,
end thus had proof who it was had
climbed the tree, entered my room,
opened my trunk and taken the money.
But l love you, Arthur, and" FLUSH.
Walter, hush, do not say another word,
or you will break my heart. l cannot
accept your money; it would burn my
hands if | did, the same as that other
has been burning my heart and brain
ever since-ever since | stole it. Come,
come with NE to the house, and | will
confess everything to father. Maybe
he will forgive me, and if not But
GOMEZ" And catching Walter by the
arm he pulled him in the direction of
the house
On entering the spacious kitchen the
two young men found Mr.. and Mrs
Mains there, the farmer apparently ia
boring under great excitement and his
wife having look of alarm. Not a
word, Arthur, not world" Mr.. Mains
sternly ordered. q, too. was out there
by the bars; | heard all that was said
all around. Not word, sir! Had you
taken any other course, l would disown
you as a son of mine. A gambling debt.
mother" he explained, turning to his
wife. II will make it good this time, Ar
thur, all of it; but never another"
"Father!' the young man cried, seiz-
ing his fathers hand. Father! l will
lead new life from this hour. Mother,
mother, only forgive me, and 1 will
never cause you another tear while l
live"
1t was the turning point in his life;
his pledge to his father and mother
has not been broken. He and Walter
became like brothers, and both are to-
day honorable, honored men.-Jesse c.
Cowdrick, in National Temperance
Union.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-07-21
Swiss Chimney SweeDs.

In Switzerland the chimney-sweep is
an official parsonage. He is the EN-
ploye of the commune, receiving fixed
salary, his actions controlled by the
government, and he himself holding on
by the back straps to the car of state.
He is also, as many tourists will have
noticed, one of the few sons of the
llelvetian republic who on Sundays
and weekdays sports a tail silk hat.
This he wears with dignity. but it is
generally brushed the wrong way. On
his official tour he takes it off blandIy
and informs the householder that he is
empowered by the state to inspect his
t1ues." In the canton of Grisons recent
~ the post and title of "ramoneur
communal was opened to competition.
The salary was e 80 year, and the can
didates were numerous. But the
strange thing was that they were most
ly village schoolmasters from Italy.
painful sign of the times in that unrest
full land. Better" says LTtalia del
Popolo, "be chimney-sweep in Switz-
er'and than a schoolmaster in italy,
But the Italia del Popolo has recently
been suppressed.-Pa Mall Gazette.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-07-21
SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY,

The United States leads the world as
sugar consumer.
Cape Colony's diamond production
during 1896 amounted to $22, 9SS, 900. &,
The money invested in home railways
exceeds England's national debt by
6 2O,OOO,OOO
According to a German authority,
the human brain is composed of 3OO,-
10000 nerve-cells
a tannery to tan the hides of dogs
and wolves has been established in,
Cheyenne county, Kan.
Fifteen years ago Reading, Pa, did
not have single hosiery mill Now it
has TO- employing $500 hands.
Every state in the union, with the ex-
ception of ten, now has state botanist.
New York and Connecticut having two
each.
During the 20 years which have
elapsed since the first railway was
built, 100000 miles have been con-
structed.
a New York inventor, who has dis
| coNercu HeIhou OF cleaning ola I'M
cancelled post cards, employs 25 hands
in the business, which is said to have
become very profitable. He has
cleaned and shipped no fewer than 25,-
600 cards in day
The sudden drowning CT good swim
mer is not due to cramp, as generally
supposed. There is no reason, says u
high medical authority, why cramp in
leg should prevent an ordinary swim
mer supporting himself in the water by
his hands or on his back, or cause him
to throw up his hands and sink once for
all like stone. The explanation is that
the drum of the ear is perforated, and
the pressure of water causes vertigo
and unconSciOuSneSS.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-07-21
evitable financial ruin as conse
quence of such a policy.
Modern ChIVaIry.

Sir Walter Raleigh's cloak has been
a symbol of chivalry for many years,
but the little street boys cap in the
following story, from the Sunday Mag
azlne, deserves an equally honorable
place. the best story l know of an
Edinburgh street boy was told me by a
lady who witnessed the incident. There
was a Christmas treat given to poor
children al mission hall, and hun
dreds of little ones were assembled at
the doors in advance of the hour of
admittance, many of them barefoot
Among the number was sweet-faced
little girl. who seemed less hardened
than most to the cold, for she shivered
in her poor jacket and danced from one
foot to the other Oh the cold, hard
stones. A boy not much older watched
this performance for a few minutes.
and then. with sudden impulse of pro-
lection, took off his cap, put it down be-
fore her and said: "Ye maun stand
on that"
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-07-21
DOG SAVES A BIG LINER.
The Faithful Animal Warns the Cap
tain just in Time to Avoid
Collision.

Capt. Granlain, of a big lake liner.
boasts of a first-class seaman that
never leaves the vessel or demands
money for his services. This peculiar
tar is known as Bert" He has no
surname, as far as his fellow sailors
are able to ascertain. Beyond an oc-
casional report to the "old man." as
the captain is called, he rarely opens
his mouth, says the Chicago Chronicle.
Bert" will have the everlasting
gratitude of the stockholders of the
transportation corporation for being
instrumental in avoiding a collision
recently. The steamer was proceed
ing slowly along Lake Huron in a
dense fog with every eye directed
ahead in search of a strange light.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-07-21
VOLUNTEERS OF HAVANA.
How They Were Won Over in 1S8s
with a Pocket handkerchief
Promise.

In 1868, when the revolution of ten
years in Cuba began, no volunteers
existed in Havana worthy of being
called such. There was only one old
regiment, says the San Francisco
Chronicle, and when Gov. Gen. Ler-
sundi, then of the island tried to COM
pletc this regiment he found the task
difficult of accomplishment on ac-
count of the prevailing unwillingness
to enlist. But just at this time, most
providentially for the relief of his
dilemma, some unknown hands Gov
cred the walls of Matanzas, near Ha-
yana, with huge posters promising
each Spaniard his passage home and
the privilege of carrying away with
him Whatever his pocket handkerchief
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-07-21
KOLA HABIT GROWING.
1t Is Taking the Place of Choral and
Cocaine, with Deadly
Effect.

Dr. Big. ar, who is in charge of the 10.
cal branch of the Kelley institute, says
the Washington Post, knows the va.
carries of the confirmed inebriate as
well as anyone. He says that prepare
tions of kola, the African nut, which il
is said the natives of that continent use
to overcome fatigue, is taking a great
hold in the United States, especislly in
the west. 1t is taking the place of CO.
caint, morphine and chloral, he says,
and with deadly effect. 1t paralyzes
the brain and its effec: is so brief that
the habit of taking constant doses
grows upon its victirG III no great time.
DR.. Biggar tells one story to show what
hold narcotic stimulants get upon
people.
A man who had been victim of the
cocaine habit was under treatment and
his supply of the drug was cut off. One
day he went to a dentist, was observed
and followed. Inquiry of the dentist
developed that the patient had demand
ed that a perfectly sound tooth be
pulled and that.he be given cocaine and
not morphine while the operation was
being performed. OF the many kinds
of drinks and the many kinds of drunk
ards, DR.. Biggar can give endless infor-
nation. Cologne water, Florida water,
plain alcohol and Jamaica ginger, he
says, are the favorite drinks of women
inebriates. 1t will probably be news to
most people that bakers yeast is fa-
vorite beverage with some alcoholists,
and that morphine is taken by whisky
drunkards to offset the effects of al
cohol.-Lever.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-07-21

1t is said that ne native servants in
Hawaii used tC cali their mistresses by
their first names. An Englishwoman
of strong will determined on her ar
rival in Honolulu that her servants
should never call her Mary. One day
when she had visitors her cook put his
head in at the drawing-room door and
politely inquired; What vegetables
for dinner to-day, my love?" He had
heard her called that, and seemed
proud of remembering not to say
Mary.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-07-21

The prune in Germany has been a
household medicine for the last half
century. There is daily at the disposal
of the members of the family stone
jar of very nicely cooked pruneS. from
which the household eat few at any
time in the day, dipping into it, az
one may say, as "a lady in France does
her ornamentcd box holding sugared
almonds.-N. Y. Sun.