davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-10-20

"Around the pyre danced the iisor-
derby crowd, yelling, screaming and
heaping yItuperations on the head OF
the figure. Suddenly there was an ex-
plosion. and the figure was blown to
pieces. portions of blazing rags fall
Ing on the heads OF the mob. A bag
of gunpowder had been fastened round
the neck. Then. MS though by magic.
the fire went down. the hooting crowd
disappeared, and IL seemed but n mo-
ment that l was left standing alone
with n scorched tree and n heap of
smolderIpg rags"
Another ceremony of this strange
peon,e 10 c,l,ed .nrovpIpy the devil"
and like tho ,,opr,n, nrocess this is
also norrorp.d an Fr,d,y I, Ia oft
times ,ccomn,r,od Win more serious
copseouencea for Tho yJc,,m Ia 4 man
mr. wom,n =, ,rc,rrI,,,,. ,omnor whom
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-10-20

| become adopts in the art of jugglery.
1t is nothing for one of them to hold
molten lead in his hand, take a piece
of red-hot iron on his tongue, or per-
form similar feats without personal
injury.
The fire dance" is another curious
custom that takes place once a year.
In the mountains to the north of San
Juan, 1t is said, a secret cave exists
where fire can be obtained that is es-
pecially holy. This fire. according to
tradition. was lighted by bolt from
heaven centuries ago, and one man de-
tailed by the sect keeps constant watch
over it. Each year, about the end OF
the rainy season. fresh brand from
the secret cave. which is known only
to the leaders of the sect, is brought to
the village, and it's arrival is celebrated
with a dance. The fire is laid in
circle, around which the devotees
dance, and some in their frenzy leap
ing into the flames and inflicting Sc
we're burns. Those who are scorched,
however, are said to have enjoyed es-
pecial immunity from sickness for the
coming year. Instances have been
known where the devotees. in their
enthusiasm have been so badly burned
about the feet and legs as to cripple
them for life. The man who now at
tends the holy fire in the cave is said
to be horribly disfigured as result of
such an experience in his early youth.
The adherents of this sect are mot
bigots and several have been converted
to Methodism, but they look upon the
ceremonies more as a mystic rite than
a religion. much as the negroes of the
south regard the voodoo.
Mr.. Maxfield will return to his la
bors about Sept. 1, and says that an
nexation to the United States will do
much to tighten his labors, and that
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-10-20

DISapproval. 1t is useless In this des-
patch to particularize on the policies
which have stimulated this unanimous
DISapprobation. The censorship makes
it impossible to send expressions of
UNfavorable comment, and there are
none of any other kind to send"
And the "Scorpion was not without
advertisements. 1t fairly bristled with
them. Hurry & CO., successors to
Worry 8: Co., advertised their willing
ness to fit out newspaper despatch-boats
with all the delicacies of the season,
including canned fruits, gasolene and
feldglasses. The Oatmeal Cruel Hotel
announced, among other attractions,
"eggs of any age for milk punches"
together with high-class Iiquors at
unpopular prices.
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-10-20
DEVIL RITES IN RICO.
FLOGCING AND BURNING HIS
SATANIC MALES
People Whom He Possesses-They Arc
Ouckcd In Order to Drown the Evil
spirit-Thc Cave with Sacred Fire
A Queer People.

Tales OF a curious religious sect in
Porto Rico are told by the Rev. Will
liam Maxield. n missionary who has
spent fifteen years In Porto
Rico, and who Is visiting friends
In this country. Mr.. Maxfield
was sent to the island by the
Foreign Missionary Society of the
Methodist Episcopal church. and as
most OF his work was among the
lower classes he became initiated into
\ circle that has always carefully ex-
cluded foreigners. The sect Is known
as "Chiros," and 1t has n number OF
peculiar ceremonies. one OF which Is
fiogging the devil. This is done ev-
cry Friday. that day being set apart
as day OF worship by the "Chiros"
Instead OF Sunday. In the seaport
towns the ceremony takes place on
board fishing smacks or other craft
owned by the members OF the sect.
and often is attended by the entire
population OF the village. The cere-
mony usually Is observed at daybreak.
the time when all business begins In
Porto Rico. in order to avoid the heat
OF the sun. After sufficient crowd
II gathered around the spot where the
vessel Is moored, the life-size figure
of man arrayed in grotesque cos
tune. supposed to represent his satan
&c majesty. is dragged on deck. and.
amid jeers. hisces and curses. fastened
to the yardarm. For some time the
figure is allowed to hang. then is car
ried three times around the deck of
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-10-20
THE "oNLY ONE"

things, the "scorpion published the
following, the portions printed in capital
letters being the portions that the censor
struck out:
at Is the conviction of every CORES.
spondent at Key West that the conduct
of the war so far has been a sequence Of
surprising inability to grasp the situa-
ton and Incompetence to handle it when
once understood. Correspondents have
felt an obligation. to support the U. S.
Governments policies, but aside from
the obligation of patriotism THEY
WISH THEY COULD SAY it has
been a pleasure to do SO. Every day
they have seen things done under instruc-
ton from Washington of which it would
be but common-sense to express energetic
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-10-20

The largest tin factory in the world
is situated on Sulo Brani, an island IN
the Bay of Singapore. 1t turns out
monthly 1900 tons of tin, more than
the product of Cornwall and more than
that of Australia. The ore comes from
Selangor and Perak In Malacca.
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-10-20

"Are you going with them?" asks
Ruby sweetly. .
"Yes-oh, yes!" assents the gentle
man with gusto. He cannot conceal
his feeling of delight at the coming
change; indeed, OF late Ruby's inter
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-10-20

Gongs-How's Mitchell getting along
since he learned to cyclei Gag!y-On
crutches.
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-10-20

Why isn't wedding in the drawing
room a parlor match?
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-22
RAILROADS IN CHINA.
A Mtssionary's Account of the Diff culties Under Which They Are
 Conducted

A missionary writing from China to a friend in this city recently described the difficulties under which the newly com country.
 Passengers in the first-class coaches, he said, exhibited so strong a desire to carry off various articles from the cars as sou venirs of their trip that the coaches were speedily stripped of those things that con- tribute to the comfort of the passenger. They took away with them hat and bun dle racks, mirrors, lamp brackets, hooks, small tables, and even doors They were considerate enough to leave the car frame and wheels. And the purloiners were Government officials and people belong ing to the wealthy classes.
 The stations along the railroads over sheds, very unclean and without chair or bench. The cars too, were very dirty. While this was especially true of the sec ond-claSS coaches, which were oftentimeS crowded with half-naked, unwashed peo- pie, the first-class coaches also became very unclean in a short time It soon be- came necessary to take out all the up- holstery and replace 1t by plain seats.
 When the railroads were being built re- ports were spread that the foreign con tractors were stealing Chinese children and burying them In the roadbed so as to propitiate the god who rules over rail- roads. These reports greatly excited the people, and in one instance a mob at tackled two missionaries near Picking and ment of soldiers rescued them. Under guise of these reports children were really kidnapped and taken into the cities for immoral purposes-New York Sun.
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-22
JEFFERsoN's BIG FAMILY.
Around "Crow's Nest' Are Clustered the Summer Homes of His
 Children

Josephine Robb gives a delightful peep of Joseph Jefferson and his sum- mer home on Buzzards Bay, in the May Ladies Home Journal "In the houses around Crows Nest" she writes, Tive Mr. Jefferson's sons Charles Jefferson, the eldest son, is a little farther away from the manor than the others, but in his pretty cot tage lives jolly household, consisting of his sister, Miss Josephine Jefferson, and his four daughters. The two elder girls are married-Margaret to Glen McDonough, the playwright Josephine to Charles Rolfe of Boston. There is little cottage close at the left of Crows Nest, where Joseph Warren lief ferson, with his wife, Blanche, and their two beautiful babies, make their home. Both MT. and Mrs. Joseph Jeff ferson Jr. are members of their fathers company. On the right of Crows Nest is the home of Thomas Jefferson, the second son. MT. and Mrs. Thomas Jef- ferson have four children, and MT. Jef- ferson is his fathers manager. In an- other cozy little cottage lives 'Auntie Con (Mr Jefferson's sister,, known to the social world as Mrs. Jackson, and to the theater- going public as The Cricket. At the manor-house at Crow 8 Nest the family consists of the master and mistress, their son Will who is 21 years old and unmarried, and Frank a charming boy of B, the youngest of Joseph Jeffersons children. MT. Jef- ferson'S eldest daughter, Margaret. married the novelist, Benjamin l.. Far jeon, and lives In London.
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-22
PRACTICAL TRAINING
 IN THE ART OF WAR.
Volunteers at Chiekamauga and at Tampa Have Settled Down to
 Hard Work

CHATTANOOGA, May 21.-All the regiments in Camp Chickamauga have settled down to hard work and are doing practical training in the art of war. The business-like methods em- ployed by General Brooke will make the army available for active service believed possible.
 Supplies of every description con- tinue to pour in. Carload after car load of provisions arrive, and a vast amount of clothing and equipage is being received The indications are that the entire army will be equipped during the next two weeks. Captain W. K. Wright, assistant quartermas- ter, received notice to-day that 4,500, 900 rations in addition to the first order had been purchased and are now en route. Prosper, LaZard 6 Go. have be- gun work on an immense bakery in the park. This firm has contract to supply the army with 75,000 loaves of bread daily.
 The chaplains of the various regi- ments have started a fight against the liquor saloons scattered all over the camp. They have a strong backing. and the saloons will probably be abolished.
 The park army now numbers nearly 35,000 men, and each day adds few thousand.
 The formation of the first army corps has been completed.
 During the last few days number o1 serious depredations have been com mitted by the worst clements of the volunteers. The miscreants have been
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-22
WON, BUT WALKED HOME.

As the shades of night were closing out holiday of more than pleasant memory there strode across Barnes Common, heading for Hammersmith Bridge, an occasional racegoer with metaphorical poppies in his hair And presently he encountered one who knew him.
 ''Hullo, Froggit!" cried this person. whats up? Doing it for your liver? ?''
 No, dear boy" replied Froggit. q am making the best of my way home and if my boots hold out I reckon to pass the 'Nag's Head at Holloway in about two hours time.''
 And where have you come from?"
 'Kempton Park races. had seventy pounds to ten about the first winnert'
 Never! Then why are you walk ing?"
 "Oh, ye of simple faith" exclaimed FrOggft, raising his left boot and tear ing a fragment of worn leather from the heel, there were six races after that!'-Judy.
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-22
Soldiers Just Back From Alaska Coming to San
 Francisco.
Hundreds of Sacramento People Will Visit the Boys at the
 Presidio To-Day.

so severely punished, however, that nc further trouble is expected.
 The Second New York Infantry, 1000 men, Battery A, First Illinois Artillery 125 men, and ttle First Missouri Infan- try, 1926 men, arrived last night, and went into camp in the park this morn ing.
 The formation of the third army corps was begun to-day. the Fourteenth New York, Colonel Fred Grant; the Second New York and the First Mis- souri being assigned to the First Bri- gade The brigade will be commanded provisionally by Colonel Grant, who is the senior colonel in the brigade.
 The Second Kansas, which arrived to-day, will be assigned to the second brigade. Inspector General J. c. Breckinridge and staff arrived at the was to-day transferred to command the Third Corps.
 The commissary department an- nounces its readiness to supply all uni forms and equipments.
 TAMPA, May 21.-Major General Shafter to-day assumed formal com mand of the Fifth Army Corps, com posed of the regular and volunteer troops stationed at Tampa and vicin- ity. There were no formanties attend ant upon the transfer of the corps com- mand from General Wade to General Shatter beyond short formal order by the former giving notice of relin- quishment of the command and a sim liar order by General Shafter assum- ing charge. General Wade and his staff leave for Chickamauga tonight
 Unusual activity again prevails in army circles here and important de- velopments are expected in the near future. It is impossible to speculate on their nature on account of the rigid censorship. W. c. F. t'ellers, manager of the Western Union Telegraph Com pany at Tampa, was to-day sworn in as official censor by order of General Shafter.
 WASHINGTON, May 21-With to- days arrival S351 volunteers are un- der canvas tonight at Camp Alger, the mobilization point near Falls Church. Those now in camp are as follows: Sixth, Eighth, Twelfth and Eighteenth Pennsylvania; Seventh and Eighth Regiments and one battalion of colored troops from Ohio; Sixth IlIin- ois; First New Jersey and Sixty-fifth New York. The enthusiasm of the sol diers was dampened by the first death to occur in the camp-that of Private Bloodsoe of Rock Island, ILL He died of typhoid fever.
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-22
SEEKS TO WIN BACK HIS SON Rich Oregonian Coming
 for His Boy. THE LAD HAS ENLISTED. GOING TO THE FRONT WITH THE VOLUNTEERS. Parents Are Heart Broken and Will Use Every Endeavor to
 Bring About His
 Release.
Special Dispatch to The Call

PORTLAND, Or, May 21.-Abel Ug- | low, wealthy Englishman of Dallas, Polk County, left for San Francisco to- night in the hope of securing the re- lease of his son John, who is enlisted in the Oregon volunteers. The boy left home without the knowledge of his parents, and after coming to Portland refused 5000 to return to his home and promise not to enlist The parents are wild with grief and the old gentleman is determined to bring the boy home again if it is within the bounds of pos sibility
 Young Uglow knew that his parents would oppose his enlistment in the vol unteers and rather than have a scene he quietly left home one day last week and was next heard of in Portland. His mother left Dallas at once and coming to Portland found her son at Camp Mckinley, where he was about to en- list in a company with view of being attached to the band, as he is an ex- cellent cOrnet player
 The mother produced a sack contain ing $500 in gold and offered it to him if he would leave the camp and go home with her, promising to add a second $500 on his arrival at Dallas The young man firmly refused the of fer and after bidding his mother good by presented himself for examination He passed muster and enlisted. Mrs. UgloW remained in Portland until the day of departure in the hope that her boy might be persuaded to change his mind He gave no indication of any such intention, however, and she re- turned to Dallas almost heartbroken.
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-22
HOW HIGH IS YOUR CHAIR2

Some curious experiments have been made by Harvard professor to prove what is really the best height for the chair you sit on and the desk you write at. Every person, it appears. ought to have chair specially made to suit his or her height, and the seat of the chair should be exactly one quarter of your height from the floor Thus, if you are six feet high the chair seat should be eighteen inches The width of the seat should exactly equal its height, and it should slope back ward quarters of an inch to the foot The back should be trifie higher than the seat. and sloped slightly, not too much. Finally, your desk should be two-thirds as high again as the seat of your chair. Thus. if your chair seat is twenty-four inches. the desk should be forty inches in height When you have attended to all these little details you can sit and write all day without feeling that backache that comes from chairs and desks that don't fit you.- Boston Traveller.
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-22
WHO ARE DE QuALITY2"

Lillian Bell gives this characteristic dialogue between two colored women in the opening chapter of "Yessum," a vivid story of Southern life appearing in the May Woman's Home Com panion
 "On Saturday afternoon the wash of the Northern delegates to the Bap- tist convention was being borne through the streets of Memphis on the heads of two portly, pendulous colored women.
 What you gwine do, Sist' Richidy, if dem Northern ladies gibs you fits bout scorchin' dat skirt?'
 T ain't skeered bout what dem Northern ladies gwine say bout ruth in, Sist Golden,' retorted the other. Don't you know dey say dat colored folks is jes as good as white folks is, an dat up Norf if a colored lady got a silk dress she gifts invited to de white folks pahties jes like de quality?
 " Git cut wid you. Sist' Richidy l ain no sich softly as to b'lieve yo' fool talk
 Hits de Gawd's own trufe. 'Cordin' to dat de ladies won't dare say nuthin' to me bout dat scorched skirt, case it would be lake deir sassin' one anurr. An if dey did talk sassy to me-" she added, emboldened by the others evil dent admiration, I'd jes up an sass 'em back. Deed I would. If dey t'ink I'm as good as dey is, I jes gwine show lem dat is
 '' For de lan's sake, Sist Richidy, I never did see you so uppity befo'. But I reckon you wouldn' dare talk so if it was ole Mis- Beauchamp's ruff1ed petticoat you done burnt
 l" 'Lawd, Sist' Golden, I reckon not, cried the woman. Miss Beauchamp is de quality, one of de sho' huff high steppin' ladies. I don't reckon de time will ever come when we'll hyer huh a. claimin' dat niggers is huh equals. She hols dat haid up as high as she ever done when de Beauchamps owned de whole place. An when she comes in town she liffs huh dress an picks huh way lake she jes spise to touch de dirt with dem I'll foots of huhs. She got a look in huh eyes, ole as she is, much as to say you niggers, step roun' hyer. You may be as good as de Northern ladies, but, as for me, you has been my slaves, an in min you is still.''
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-22
CAUGHT HIM MAPPING.
A Novelette, in Which Life Phase
 Was to the Fore.

The fair girl clung to him despair ingly. Her golden tresses swept over his manly chest. and her blue eyes filled with tears, glistened in the dim gaslight.
 You must not go. Don't go, Regi- nald," she pleaded His name was John. but she called him Reginald. T don't want you to go." She unclasped orlc hand and began to smooth his hair. It had always worked before this, she murmured to herself "Don t go. please!"
 His voice shook, but he was firm. Duty calls me. I must go," he said, huskily, not daring to meet her eyes
 "Oh, you horrid thing, you never think of me. It's always that horri, horrid duty. She looked at him nar- rowly. His glance was directed stern ly at still life picture of oranges, fish, cigarettes and ice water. She made an effort, and tears welled in her eyes. If you go." she choked, If you go Ill-Iu-cry-I'll-cr - so there" And she buried her head, with it's mass of golden hair, on his broad chest, while her shoulders heaved con- vulsively
 What could he do? What could he say? He looked helplessly at the fair young girl. Then he faltered. Don't cry. Eh I'll do anything-Ill-I promise-I won't go. Don't"
 The mood of the burden in his arms changed. You won't go.' She stiff fened in his arms. Why, John Au- gustus Thomas. you horrid, mean thing. You won't go? You just will go, so there. Why, Blanche Cresson's fiance. Bob Somers, is going, and she's just made him a red, white and blue sofa pillow to use in camp, and I've started one for you, and all the girls will laugh at me if you don't. They'll laugh at me. Oh, you must go." This time she was crying in earnest
 An hour later John Augustus Thomas departed a sadder, wiser man. He will enlist. And the fair girl will weep again when he marches away to the front-PhiladeIphia Times.
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-22
FIGHTING TO FREE MANKIND Presbyterians on This Country'S Stand. ITS CAUSE IS RIGHTEOUS. ALLIANCE WITH ENGLAND IS
 FAVORED. General Assembly Adopts Resolu- tions Declaring for a Union of the Two Anglo-Saxon
 Nations.

WINONA LAKE, Ind, May 21.-To- day the Presbyterian General Assem- bly, resolved itself into patriotic meet ing. Enthusiasm ran high. Resolu- tions were passed favorable to an An elo-American alliance and were Vo- ciferously cheered. This resolution was adopted:
 That the Presbyterian church in the Tinted States tndorse the wise and patr1- otic course pursued by the President Ill the conduct of the war, ana nerepg pledge to him and to the army anu @ navy our sympathy, our prayers ana our support.
 A supplementary resolution Intro- duced by George F. Pentecost oI 1oIh- CTS. N. r., recognized the sympathetic expression of fellowship on the part or the British people in the present crlSls' based upon the solidity or the AhSIo- Saxon race, and expressed the nedrt- felt desire that all old an1moSltles here, tofore existing between ourselves anu the mother country be buried under the new and rising tide of blood kin shin and that henceforth the two great countries may be united In an indissoluble union that shall make TOT universal peace and righteousness.
 Dr. Charles Work of Cincinnati pre- sided at the meeting. He said that the Presbyterian church must pe its traditions of liberty
 "One hundred years of freedom are looking down upon us," he exclaimed. Loyalty to the Cuban cause IS loyalty to God"
 A speech was made on behalf Of col ored people by pr. David Brown, a ne gro from South Carolina.
 Rev. Theodore F. Burnham or can. fornia told of the work done on behait of the sailors in the navy at Mare lsi- and and as he sat down Dr. Cook called for three cheers for the Web feet and the Jackies all.
 One of the features of the afternoon was a speech of the Rev. J. VI: Bar clay of Detroit. whom Dr. McCook greeted as a Johnny Reb." He dwelt upon the present patriotic ties uniting North and South, glorying in the fact that the first blood split in the present contest was that of the South, and that it was mingled with Northern blood on the deck of the Winslow off Cardenas.
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-22
q uuuaaa g 2 ooa 2 2 aaaoo . q . . . . . Q <

Married Men Spoke Of-Money, 421t times; business. 295: railways, PIP: stocks, 163; work, 81; son, 63; daughter Il; wife, 4; literature, 0; music, 0; art,
 Young Unmarried Women-Lovely 509 times; just perfectly lovely 491; hor- rid. 476; fellow, 400; engaged, 387; dress 31; love. 295; party, 291; wear. 2S4 she 206; theater, 1OS; ring, 31; mamma, 2S papa, 16; music, g; mother, 1; picture, 1 poem, 1: art, l.
 Young Unmarried Men-Cricket ol football, 5O2 times; winner BOP; bicycle 2S4; money, 251; dance, 104; party, S7i old man, S3; fight, 79; money, 72; cigar cite, 31; college, 1; literature, O; music 0; art, 0.-Answers