davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1898-04-07
Burlington Route
New Service.
Chicago Special
.... Fast Time.

On and after March 9Th
daily service will be estab-
hshed, leaving Denver at $50
A. NJ, arriving in incoln at
1880 P. NJ, Omaha I1:55P.
arriving in Chicago at 2:l5
Pm. following day. Only one
night on the road.
Pullman Vestibuled Sleepers, Dining
and Free Reclining CHAIR Cars.
This train makes direct connections with
all trains from points on the Southern Pa
ciho r. r. for Chicago and all eastern
points. Be sure your tickets read via the
Burlington Routefrom Denver.
h' +. Ncslen' B. L. Little,
Trav. Pass. Agt. TRAY. Pass. ARt.
w. F. McMILL IN, Genl Agt.,
214 8. w. Temple ST.. Salt Lake City.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-02-17
BORING FOR CORAL.
Results of tho Expeditions Sent Out
From England.

from England
The steamer Birksgate, which arrived
on Saturday from the islands, brings
further news from Fiji concerning the
al-boring expedition at Funafuti, in
the Ellice group. News had been taken
to Suva by H. M. S. Royalist Of the
progress made by the expedition after
the departure of Prof. David in the
John Williams. When Prof. David left
Funafuti on Sept. the bore was down
557 feet. On Sept. 16, when the Royal
list took to Suva a letter to DR.. Cor
ney from G. Sweet, f. G. s., who is now
the leader of the expedition, stating
that the boring for the last 80 feet was
chiefly in coral rock and that no sign
Of volcanic cork or rock other than
coral had yet been met with in the bore.
When the Rayolist arrived the expedi-
tion had consumed all their coal, but
Commander Rason was enabled to sup
ply sufficient coal to last them till the
arrival of the steamed Archer, from
which it was hoped and additional sup
ply would be obtained.
Prof. David states that, the bore hav-
ing already exceeded the depth for
which Darwin stipulated in his classic
al work on coral reefs, and good core
having been obtained throughout, it
may now be looked upon as success.
Information likely to be Of considerable
scientific value has been obtained, and
he considers that the general evidence
so far appears strongly to confirm Dar-
wins theory that most Of the coral
atolls of the Pacific have been formed
on areas of the earth's crust which
have been undergoing a prolonged sub
sidence. A detailed report of the re-
suits obtained by the expedition Will
probably be incorporated in the report
of the Royal society of London on the
coral atoll of Funafuti, the earlier por-
tion of which will be written by Prof.
Sollas, F. r. S., the leader of the funa-
futi expedition last year. The bore at
Funafuti is lined throughout with the
best artesian tubes, four inches in out
side diameter. Every foot of the bore
had to be lined throughout with the
prevent fragments of coral rock and
coral sand choking the bore. The work
of boring has proved very difficult on
account of the variable nature, of the
strata (quick sand alternating with
coral rock), and also on account of the
very cavernous nature of the coral rock,
which has caused such jarring as to
repeatedly break some Of the strongest
cast iron weels in the machinery. The
diameter Of the core obtained from the
bore is two and one-half inches.-Syd-
ney Herald.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-02-17
A Coffin for n Penny,

Collins at penny each would seem
to be out of all possible proportions to
profit, but nevertheless the Preston
Union has accepted contract for the
supply of these necessary but gruesome
articles at this figure, and ranging from
1t to a fourpence. In spite of the low
ness of the price the contractor has to
bind himself to come up to a specified
standard of quality.
The explanation Of so one-sided a
contraction no coffin could ever be
made even for fourpence-is to be
found in the fact that the friends of the
deceased have often club money to
draw, which they spend in superior
quality coffin instead of allowing their
late friend to be sent to his long rest
ing-place in one of inferior make.
The profit which the undertaken
makes on this transaction is so large,
that he is able to carry on what, at
first sight, appears to be a ruinous
trade-North British Gazette.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-02-17
Important Pension Decision.

Among the pension decisions rem
dered by Assistant Secretary of the
Interior Davis, was case of consider
able importance affecting the right to
pension widows under the act of June
II, 1890. The claim is that of Luella
M, widow of Nathan A. Sisson, late
sergeant of Company A, Second
Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry. In
his decision the Assistant Secretary
points out that the woman's own real
and personal property is worth about
$4,000 and says that it is manifest
that she is not without means of sup
port that her daily labor-a condition
necessary In order to obtain pensions
under the act of June, 1890. \
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-02-17
He Was ON His Knees,

A member of the House tells a story
on Senator Mason concerning a lady
who keeps a boarding house in Wash
ington. The Senator boarded there fol
awhile, as did the Representatives. The
lady belongs to one of the well-kno own
churches, and is very punctual in her
attendance on morning services. Fol-
this reason she insists that her boarders
must be down early for breakfast Sun
day morning. The Senator was not
aware of this regulation and his first
Sunday in the house came downstairs
rather late.
You are not on time this morning
Senator" said the lady gently, but
rather reprovingly.
mo, Madam. l spent half hour on
my knees this morning."
THAT was very praiseworthy of you,
spoke up the boarding mistress.
Hunting for a collar button that
rolled upon the floor and under the bn-
reau," declared the Senator, concluding
his sentence.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-02-17
CURIOUS FACTS.

1t requires halt day to sing the
national hymn of China.
Java is a native Malay word signify
ing "the land of nutmegs."
A ton of oil has heen obtained from
the tongue of single whale.
Lake Michigan signifies in the
native tongue ga weir for fish,"
The German Government proposes
to try to grow potatoes in Africa.
In only three cases out of ten the
sight is equally good in each eye.
Steel billiard balls and aluminium
wall paper are the latest evolutions in
trade.
Connecticut in the Indian form
was Quinnitukut, meaning "the coun-
try of the long river"
Marseilies has Io7 ,year-old
woman who still earns her living by
keeping a newspaper kiosk.
Twelve million silk hats are made
annually in the United Kingdom,
worth five million pounds.
Egypt expresses the Hebrew for
"the land of oppression" alludlng to
the bondage of the Israelites.
Africa traces its origin to the
Phenician afer, black man, and the
Sarskrit ac, the earth, a country.
Russia possesses at least one luxury,
in a breed of dogs which are said to
be naturally quite unable to bark.
The dedication of the Grant Monu-
ment drew TO New York the greatest
crowd which the city had ever seen
assembled.
Liszt's great skill with the piano
was in part due to his immense indus
try. For years he practlced ten hours
a day.
The highest masts of sailing vessels
are from 100 to $50 feet high, and
spread from 60, 600 to 100000 square
feet of canvas.
The Prince of Wales, it is stated,
will not be represented at all in the
racing world next season. Captain
Carter. who sailed the Britannia, has
received letter from the Prince in
timating that his services will not be
required next season.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-02-17
VAGARIES OF LEARNING.
Eome Funny Answers Found on Ex
animation Papers.


animation Papers.
A certain hoolteacher, whose sense
of humor is developed to a remarkable
degree, goes to the trouble occasionally
of writing down for her own use some
of the funniest answers which she finds
in her examination papers. BY espec-
ial favor a Syracuse Post writer was al
lowed to use few. Here they are:
THE stomach is the most diluted
portion of the elementary canal"
Hygiene is all that you can tell
about that which is'asked."
The doctrine of evolution began
with the beginning of life, and grew
higher and higher, until it regenerated
into monkey. This process was slow.
So slow that neither the monkey nor
the man knew anything about it,
"a gerb is a name applied to par
ticular particle, tiny subbacterial or
ganism, which, when demonstrated
causes disease"
"a germ is a tiny insect or bug some
times found in diseases or organs, that
is why diseases are contagious. 1t Is
so small that it can be seen only with a
telescope. Then it appears like the
head OF pin but it goes floating around
into the atmosphere"
"Habeus corpus means you may have
the head and | will take the body"
Queen Elizabeth's reign was the
reign of posterity."
"The germ theory of diseases is con-
tinually floating around in the air, and
is very dangerous, especially when the
atmosphere is unwholesome."
william Pitt, the second son Of the
Earl of Chatham, Premier of England,
entered life at very early age, which
office he held at very early period in
life, the time when most men are just
completing a professional education"
"A dowager is widow without
joints
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-02-17
Eats a Goose Every Day.

Charles Wurz, of South Bend, Ind,
undertook three weeks ago to eat a
goose a day until he put away thirty
geese. He has already disposed OF
twenty-three geese. If he eats the
remaining seven in seven days he will
win $500. If he fails he will lose a
like amount to Charles Rose.
BY the terms of the wager Wurz is
allowed twenty-four hours for each
bird. The geese, after being picked
and cleaned, must weigh not less than
six nor more than seven pounds. Ihe
eating must be done in the presence
of appointed witnesses, fellow men,
bers of an Elk lodge.
Rose furnishes the geese. Inc
breast is boiled, the wings and the legs
are fried and the back is roasted
brown. All, including the glzzard,
must be eaten.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-02-17
Quoer Ground for Pension Claim

A curious pension claim has recently
been entered. Pat Bane, the Green
County Giant" will be remembered by
many people who have witnessed inau-
gurations of presidents. Pat has been a
familiar figure in Washington on those
occasions. He Is in reality giant,
standing seven feet four inches in his
stocking feet, naturally man to be
singled out in great throngs Of inau-
guraion week. He was veteran of the
civil war, and, as far as the records
show, proved himself man OF valor.
Now Representative Earnest F. Atche-
6cn, whose constituent "The Green
County Giant" is, ha; introduced bill
to give him a pension. The case is
rather a peculiar one, for the pension
office denied him any furtherreward for
his military services. Pats ailment is
rheumatism, and the ground on which
he asks pension is that because Of his
great size there were no uniforms In
the, service large enough to properly
cloth him. From the consequent ex-
posure he says he contracted his pres
ent Observation-Disclosures Post.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-02-17
Spring Trade Shows an Early Activity.
Big Output Of Pig Iron, Wool and Wheat
Strong and Business Large.

R. G. Dun & Co.'S weekly review
of trade says:
"Business is pushing toward spring
activity rather early. Events which
have controlled are good buying of
iron by the largest makers, the rise in
cotton, with strength in goods, the
great railway consolidation and the
Cuban insurrection.
The output of pig iron February I
was a29,S23 tons weekly, tine largest
in the history of the business, but the
reported buying of 10000 tons
Bessemer iron by the Carnegie COM
pany and 100000 by another of the
largest steel concerns, nevertheless
means decision by the ablest manufac-
turers that the unprecedented output
on pig will soon prove too small for
the growing demand for finished pro-
ducts.
Wool sales at the chief cities were
only 5,3o3,aoo pounds for the week,
and II 1,664,6oo for two weeks, against
22,72I,6oo last year. Prices are still
strong in spite of the general indiffer-
ence of manufacturers who seem to
have secured ample supplies. For
the better grades of woolen goods an
advance averaging 17.5 per cent. from
last year is readily maintained. The
opening of works idle for years, in
spite of the heavy production already
assured, is striking feature IN this,
as in the iron and other Industries,
and implies heavier demands for pro-
ducts than are now met by the un-
precedented output.
Wheat has been strong, with spot
advancing two cents and May 2ac.
Business shown by bank clearings
is again larger than ever before, 54.7
per cent. larger than last year for the
week and for the month to date 44.3
per cent. larger than last year and
1876 per cent. larger than in 1892.
Failures for the week have been
295 in the United States against a67
last year, and forty-three in Canada
against sixty-one last year."
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-02-17

On December %, 1896, Minneapolis
and st Louis car No. 3,11S left Mime
apols with a load of -four destined TO
Montgomery Ala. 1t went through to
Montgomery with reasonable prompt
ness, about eight days. Instead of re-
turning the car via the same route re-
ceived, the Atlanta and West Point
railroad started it ON a series of divis-
ions, and it has not yet reached home;
although at one time it got as far north
as Peoria, Ill. There it was turned
back, evidently with another load for
southern railway on September 2S.
Since that time the owners have not
been able to locate it at all. 1t has
made trip to New York, Boston and
Montreal, but was returned westward
and southwark via the same route until
it reached the southern lines, since
which time it has been wandering
around among the southern states.
Auditor w. E. Lee of the Kansas
City, Watkins and Gulf railway adds
another to the stock of curious stories.
X. c., W. and G. box car No. 2,028,
left home loaded with long leaf yellow
pine lumber, July Is, 1896, he says. 1t
was consigned to South Bend, Ind. II
would SEEM that it had been two
months in discharging original load at
destination, as it was in possession of
delivering line from July 81, 1896, to
September 20, 1896, when 1t was return
ed to St. Louis, and there loaded with
grain for Memphis. Upon arrival at
Memphis 1t would appear that the load
had been reconsigned to Macon, Ca.
then loaded for Atlanta. After several
switch movements 1t seems to have
been successful in procuring load for
Primers Point, Va, where 1t must have
taken month to unload, as it was in
possession of delivering line for over a
month. The next load we have record
of Is to Louisville, Ga. Since then it
seems to have been used principly In
switching service, possibly with trans
fer freights. After reviewing records,
find from junction reports that the car
has been on 10 lines. 1t has been away
from home 472 days, one line having it
72 days.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-02-17
Why tho Dog Was AFRAID.

The men of certain regiment last
summer grumbled good deal about
the inferior food served out to them,
particularly the meat, which was often
times decidedly tainted.
One day strange cur was prowling
round the square, as the battalion was
falling in for drill, and the colonel, on
coming on parade, noticed the animal.
''Whose dog 1t that?" he inquired OF
q man on fatigue duty.
II dunno, sir"
Suddenly the cur took to Its heels
and bolted frantically out of the square.
"Whatever's the matter with the
animal?" remarked the colonel again.
''I expect as how he smelt our/ra-
tions, sir" said Tommy, with a sly
smile, and the colonel passed on
Scottish Leader. -
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-02-17
He Learned.

There is one man in Washington who
declares that If he can hereafter obtain
information in any other way he will
not ask questions. He is employed in
one of the departments, and his duties
consist mainly in ordering and buying
furniture. While on his way to order
wire screen the other day, he met a
vendor Of rat-traps and other contriv,
ances made of wire. AS there are few
places in the city where wire goods arg
made, he thought he had found new
factory. Stopping the man, he asked:
Where did you get those traps?"i
made 'em. Where did you sup
poser" was the sullen reply.
Where did you learn wire-wofl
ing?"
The rat-trap vendor looked at h
questioner sharply, and promptly r.
piled:
Same place you did. Sing Sing"
The laugh of the bystanders still
dings in the inquisitive mans ears.-I
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-02-17
A Pair of Gloves,

First Assistant Postmaster-G General
Health yesterday rendered decision OF
peculiar interest, especially to ladies'
Some days ago some one in Sioux City,
Ia, presumably gentleman Who had
lost wager, mailed an envelope con-
tanning a pair of gloves to Mrs. Sarah
ID. Tucker residing in Worcester, Mass.
The packet reached it's destination, but
one of the gloves was SO badly torn
that it was useless. The lady complain
ed to the local postmasted and demand
ed that he at once go forth and pur-
chase a new pair of gloves to replace
those which had been damaged in tram
sit. He naturally declined, but the re-
eipient of the damaged gloves insisted
that new pair must be forthcoming
from some source.
To placate Mrs. Tucker, the Worces-
ter postmaster said: "Well madame,
will refer the whole matter to the post
Office department at Washington, and
there the responsibility for the damage
will be located, and you will receive
redress"
This statement Modified the irate
woman, and the postmaster at Worces-
ter wrote the first assistant postmas-
ter-general, explaining the case. The
matter was as carefully and thoroughly
looked into by the postoffice officials as
though it had been the theft of regis
tered parcel containing large sum VI
money.
1t was developed that the clerk at
Sioux City, who feeds the machine used
for the cancellation of stamps, grabbed
up the envelope containing the gloves
OF Mrs. Tucker and forced the bulky
envelope through the machine. The
stamps were cancelled all right, but the
cancellor amputated several fingers of
one of the gloves contained therein.
First Assistant Postmaster-General
Heath after sitting in judgment on the
case has written a letter to the post
master at Sioux City calling upon him
to assess his cancellation clerk the
price of one pair of No. La Perle"
tan gloves, and forward the same to
Mrs. Tucker.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-02-17

AWFUL EXPERIENCE WITH HEART
DIsEAsE.-That DIR. Agnew's Cure
for the Heart works like magic, and
cures is proven by the testimony of
Mr.. L. ]. Law, Toronto, Can. 81 was
so sorely troubled with heart disease
that I was unable for IS months to
lie down in bed lest l smother. After
taking one dose Of DR.. Agnew's Heart
Cure, 1 retired and slept soundly. L
used one bottle and the trouble has
not returned.--5.
Sold by c. A. Klein.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-02-17
Almost Buried Alive.

John Connors, of Hazleton, was
buried alive tor three hours in the
Ebervale mine. He was making a
place for a set of timbers when a
heavy fall of top rock occurred which
buried him under tons of debris. His
fellow workmen set to work at once
and after three hours rescued the un-
fortunate man.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-02-17
An Opportunity You Now Have

of testing the curative effects of Ely's
Cream Balm, the most positive cure
for Catarrh known. Ask your drug
gist for 10 cent trial size or send 10
cents, we will mail it. Full size soc.
ELY BROS,
Sc Warren ST., N. Y. City.
NV son was afflicted with catarih.
I induced him to try Ely's Cream
Balm, and the disagreeable catarrhal
smell all left him. He appears as
we'll as any one,-J. C. Olmstead,
Arcola, Ill.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-02-17
Luetgert Found Guilty.
The Jury Fixed the Penalty at Life lmpriseR-
ment

The jury in the case of Adolph
Luetgert, at Chicago, tried for muir
dering his wife and boiling her remains
in sausage vat, last Thursday render
ed verdict of guilty and fixed the
penalty at life imprisonment. This
was Luetgert's second trial, the jury
having disagreed in the first case.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-02-17

Seekers after gold are often disap.
pointed. Seekers after health take
Hoods Sarsaparilla and find it meets
every expectation.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-02-17
THE MERRY JESTER.

t1u"aiuo iou hlo" thul 6iil Shi'
Miss Wilbur met at the seashore?
Gordon: Yes, suppose she wants to
ignor the engagement now, doesn't she :
Edwards: No, by George, she insists
that she entered into it in good faith
and haven't saved enough even to buy
a dress suit. Curses ON these funny
men!-Chicago News.
"A Pittsburg woman wants divorce
because her husband kicks when she
goes through his pockets"
Probably he's mad because she
doesn't find anything. G."-Cleveland
Plain Dealer.
Samson" urged one of his advisers
whats the use? Even if you should
take that ass's jawbone and clean out
the whole Philistine army you never
could make Bob Ingersoll believe you
did it."
Nevertheless" replied Samson
grasping the weapon more firmly, this
jaw will outlive Bob Ingersoll's jaw in
history"
And a moment later he sailed into
the enemy with the result now known
to everybody.-Ch Tribune.
GAS l came home in the shower" re-
marked Mr.. Murry Hill, Il saw Miss
Homewood out with her rainy day cos
tune on"
"Oh, tell me all about it," replied
Mrs. Murry Hill, eagerly. Il am deeply
interested in rainy day costumes"
We'll can't tell you very much, for
I noticed nothing especially except her
heliotrope stockings" - Pittsburg
Chronicle Telegraph.
This Klondike craze is going to help
Boston immensely"
''In what way?"
"After those fellows have survived an
Alaskan Winter they wont be afraid to
tackle Boston girls. Record.
"That was your little boy l saw you
walking with yesterday, wasn't it?"
mo, that was my little girl
Then the person with the spectacles
was your eldest daughter"
mo, that was my husband.
land Plain Dealer.
Boarder: This chicken soup seems
to be rather weak.
Landlady: l don't see why; told the
cook how to make it, but perhaps she
didn't catch the idea.
Boarder: Perhaps she didn't catch
the chicken.-Chicago News.