davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The St. Johns herald., 1898-09-10
Too Tired to Work.

Malaganians do not want to be both cred or improved. They want to be let alone. They neither welcome you when you come nor speed you when you go. They are indifferent which you do. You may pay your bill to the day if you like or leave it if you had rather wait. Mo- body will touch a coin or valuable if you leave it on your table, but if you lose a pencil or an eyeglass no one will ever find it. It is too much trouble. Never hope to have letters forwarded, for you will see them no more, and few registered parcels escape the post entire.
 A year ago-for we wintered there twice. wanted to send a telegram and went to the principal office Malaga is fourth or fifth in importance among Spanish towns. The office was only open twice day for an hour or two at a time Not a clerk could speak any thing but Spanish, so 1 had to go back to the hotel for the interpreter to trans late my message. When Ireturned with it, 1 wanted note for % pesetas (francs) changed. All the clerks at all the pigeonholes were very kind and civil and smoked cigarettes while they looked for change. But the whole office could not muster it, so 1 was left to pay next time. It is as a life apart alto gether. Spectator.
The St. Johns herald., 1898-09-10
Old-Time Tortnre-

In former times the punishment O- the bagniO (bath), one of the mos cleverly cruel intiictiOns ever devise, by an official of the torture chamber was administered in Italy, probably il Venice, where the waters of the lagoon. played so important a part in its pena system. The punishment was as fol lows: The prisoner was placed in 6 vat, the sides of which were slightly il excess of the average height of man
 In order to hold in check the rising tide of a supply of water which ran into the vat in a constant stream the criminal was furnished with a SCOOP with which to bale out the water az fast as 1t came in. The respite from death by immersion thus obtained wal more or less prolonged, according to the powers of endurance possessed by the victim. But imagine the moral torture. the eXhauSting and even hideously gro teSque efforts, the incessant and piti less toll by night and day to stave of the dread moment, fast approaching when, overcome by sleep and fatigup he was unable to struggle any longer against his fatei
The St. Johns herald., 1898-09-10
A Daring Horsemau.

"The day before General Lee surren- dered. said a Confederate officer, ''I crossed Sailors creek, small stream in Prince Edward county, Va, which follows the track of the Richmond and Danville railroad and empties into the Appomattox river. There was only a handful of my company left, and as I reached the summit of the hill which skirts its eastern bank turned to see if the Federals-who had been hotly pur- suing us-were i'll view As I did so I observed man wearing the uniform of 8 Confederate officer ride slowly along the precipitous side of the stream oppo- site us, and evidently searching for a crossing.
 At this moment long steel tipped blue line of Federal infantry crowned the hill above, in full view and within easy range of the horseman. Apparent ly abandoning all hope of escape, the latter turned and rode directly toward the enemy's line. AS we watched him, breathless with anxiety lest the signal of surrender should be too long delayed, he suddenly wheeled about, put spurs to his horse, and dashing down the de- clivity cleared the stream with bound Not shot was fired at the bold rider. AS he reached the opposite bank spon- taneous shout went up from the whole line-a generous tribute from the brave to the brave. A moment afterward the Confederate was in the midst of us and we recognized in him General James A. Walker, the commander of the old Stonewall brigade" - Philadelphia Times
The St. Johns herald., 1898-09-10
RECENT INVENTIONS.

Carpets, rug etc, are kept in place on the floor Icy a perforated plate which has a number of sharp points set in its surface to hold the edges of the carpet after the plate is screwed down to the floor.
 A handy seam-ripping device is form ed of a wire handle with the ends of the wire brought close together and rounded off, a sharp blade boing set a short distauce back of the points to sever the stitches as the tool $ pushed along.
 In an improved collar button a two part expansble shank is fastened on the flat head, with shoulders on the shank to hold 8 small slotted plate, which fastens the collar in place, loop on the plate retaining the necktie to prevent its slipping over the top of the collar.
 Porcelain Is to be used for monu- ments and tombstones. the stone being hollow and filled with concrete, after a tablet has been inserted in m open face on one side, having a fange cut around the edge to prevent removal from the outside.
 Kettles, saucepans, etc, are provided with covers closed at the bottom to prevent steam gathering inside the cover and scaiding the hands x hen the cover is lifted, the steam passing around fange rim at the top of the kettle and out through Q curved spout.
 Stovepipe sections are securely lock ed by a new fastener which s made by cutting a Y-shaped tongue on one end of the pipe and 8 slit in he con- meeting end C. the next pipe, he sec tions being turned around until the tongue fits in the slit
The St. Johns herald., 1898-09-10
vANDAL HANDS ARE STAYED.

Grounds of the Borghese Villa Pur-
 chased by the Government.
 An "open space" that has European reputation has long been threatened and has now at last been rescued from the speculative builder. Tn no capital has he been more active lately, or more ferOciOus, than in Rome. He found the old city marble and he Is rapidly leav- ing it plaster. Every one who knows Rome will remember the beautiful grounds of the Villa Borghese, just out s1de the city walls, nigh upon the Pin elan hill. Thence you look down on the city stretching sOuthward beyond you and can see the sun setting behind St. Peters.
 In the healthiest quarter of Rome this site was the very opportunity of the speculative builder, if chance were to cast 1t into the market. And of this there has lately been an alarming prob ability. The Borghese family were no longer the inheritors of their old Opu- lence. Year by year the quaintly laid out grounds were falling into neglect and the artificial ruins were crumbline in veritable decay. Once the Casino held collection of antique sculpture so rare that Napoleon carried them off to Paris and the indemnity promised to the Prince Borghese of that day-15,- 100000 francs-was never paid. But the pedestals were not left unoccupied and to this day the Casino Is one of the sights of Rome.
 The grounds themselves are in a way its Hyde Park. It is here that, in the season, in the winter months, and in the early spring, the fashion of the modern city is seen and scarcely a day passes but the scarlet liveries show that the king or queen Is driving in the grounds. This "open space" was too intimately associated with many sides of the life of modern Rome to allow of its being sacrificed to the builder. The municipality has bought 1t from the family, to whom will be paid for the concession an annuity of f6,000 year. London News.
The St. Johns herald., 1898-09-10
saIuting the President.

Decidedly, this matter of the Spanish war is improving our manners 1 think that once we have grown used to hear ing national airs every evening at the theater and to standing while they are playing. we shall keep up the custom, war or no war, as we ought. have ob- served, too, of late that when the presi dent drives out 20 men lift their hats to him where fivo performed that act of courtesy three months ago. 1 have heard so many foreigners complain of our lack of deference to the chief executive, because we do not salute him when he appears It is hard to make them under stand that our seeming indifference is merely way we have, and 1 hope it's a way we aren't going to have much longer. ashington Post.
The St. Johns herald., 1898-09-10
INTHETHICk OF THE FIGHT.
How Our Sailors Perform When Under
 the Spanish Fire.


 the Spanish Fire.
 During the bombardment of San Juan the monitor Terror lay for half an hour within 1 1000 yards of the shore, with the shells of a dozen or more Spanish guns whirring about her, bursting overhead, and sending great geysers squirting in the air all around her. All the other vessels of the squad ron had moved out to sea, and the little ironclad was alone banging away at the batteries, which had concentrated their fire on her. A shell striking the vessels open SuperStructure deck, where the men were at work at the smaller guns, would have caused ha- voc. While all this confusion of battle ragged a sailor spied a harmonica lying on the deck close to one of the turrets. The concussiOn of the guns had tum- bled 1t from its hiding place in the superstructure The sailor watched his chance, secured the musical instru- ment, and went dancing to the upper deck playing a lively jig.
 ''That's the kind of stuff our men are made Of," said one of the Terror's of ficers the other day, as he related the incident. 'As I stood there figuring that the shells were coming a little closer all the while, thinking 1t was about time for one to strike us, and wondering just what 1t would do when 1t did, that fellow came bowling by me blowing his mouth-organ as coolly as though he were here gl the harbOr. Shells didn't bother him.
 But a little while before this tar of the Terror accompanied the music of the Spanish shells with his harmonica the Detroit lay in the mouth of the har- bor, right under Morro, defying its guns and pouring shot after shot against the fort. A shell struck the water about 100 yards abaft the ship. A few minutes later second shot from the same gun fell little closer; third was still nearer, and the fourth mar rowly missed striking the mark.
 The officer in charge of the six-inch gun, as he watched the shot creeping nearer and nearer, coolly remarked: "I tell you, boys, that's good shooting. Do you see how that fellow up there is get ting closer and closer to us? If he keeps up his work he'll hit us. It's certainly good shooting"
 But the Spaniard failed to keep up his good work.
 From all accounts the sailors did not mind Spanish shells a bit. They go into the battle heart and soul. They fight at their guns as though the enemy were at arms length, and the struggle was a personal one.
 Give 1t to the Spaniards! That's a good 'un! Another in the same place'll make 'em sickr That Is the way they talk in the thick of the fray.
The St. Johns herald., 1898-09-10
Bicycle Corps fin Foreign Armies

Bicycle Corps fin Foreign Armies
 Bicycle companies which were form eda few years ago by the German and French governments merely as expert ments have been recently augmented so that, particularly in Germany, there are no less than seventeen companies of wheelmen, which form, with theiI machine-fire guns, formidable corps Some of the members of this corps are distributed among certain regiments, where they are to do scout and courier service. The remaining companies, however, have been formed into a regi- ment by themselves, commanded by enc of the officers of the Fourth regi- ment of the guard. It is expected that this body will play new and impor- tGnt part in the maneuvers next au- tumn. The bicycle infantry" as it is called, has been furnished with new uniforms, which are simpler than those worn by the other troops. The wheel men wear cloth caps, loose blouses, rid ing trousers, and leather leggins, and a sword bayOnet at the belt; the rife strapped at the right. The men are able to carry small tent, food for ten days, with cooking utensils, and a good supply of ammunition. The corps is composed entirely of volunteers, and as there are more volunteers than arc required vacant places are filled by ballot by those already in. Each mem Der must own his own wheel A spe- cial physician has recently been ap pointed to the bicycle infantry"
The St. Johns herald., 1898-09-10

The contrast between our own peo- pie and those of Europe, even those of England, is a striking illustration of the elevating power of the assurance that each American feels, not only of his equality before the law, for the Englishman certainly feels that, but of his equality of power in the control of the government and in the making and administration Of It's laws. Our critics say that we are i'll hammered, and that services to which we are entitled, and which we have the right to command, are often insolently rendered, and are hurled at us as If they were favors grudgingly given. It Is to be regretted that there is much truth in this crit Icism. But, whatever may be said about the manners prevailing in a democracy, the most inSolent car con- ductor and hackman in America is a much more pleasing person than an ObsequiOus retail tradesman of a Euro pean capital. We know, at least, that the son of the ins0lent American Is likely to be better than the father, and that the son of the European trades man Is likely to inherit the business, the social position, the ignorance and the genuflectiOns of his ancestors.
The St. Johns herald., 1898-09-10

The intensity of feeling in Latin America against the United States and in favor of Spain Is shown by the fact that 1t is with a good deal of effort that the Mexicans can be kept from raidin3 this country across the Rio GrandS. Recently MT. Livingston and wife Of Saratoga, N. r., left QueretarO. in Mex leo, for home. They did this because they had been warned that they would be assassinated if they remained. The! were escorted to the train by the agent of the Wells Fargo Express Company, who was the only other American in the place, and they went heavily arm;s. MT. Livingston says that in QueretarO the churches are decorated with Span ish flags and that prayers are offered for the success of the Spanish arms. One of the men on the battleship Ore gon said in an interview in San Fran cisco that in every Spanish-American port where the vessel touched between San Francisco and Key West the Amer ican sailors and marines were hissed and hooted at, while the populace gave unmistakable proof of their hostility to the flag and government of the United States. The Latin-American states arg bound to Spain not only by ties of race, but by those of a common religion, and there can be little sympathy between the people of those states and the Uni ted States.
The St. Johns herald., 1898-09-10

That there exists in Spain among many of the people a strong dislike of the young King Alfonso Is an open se- cret which has been mentioned by pa pers outside of the kingdom. The king is 13 years old, very slightly built, with a constitution that does not give much promise of. long life. Despite the constant care that has been bestOw- ed upon him he is physically weak, and will probably succumb to the pulmo- nary troubles that caused the death Of his father. He has a sister who is 19 years of age and is said to have an ex- cellent constitution. The pretender to the throne, Don Carlos, has a son, Don Jaime, who is manly fellow, and has done excellent military service in the armies of other countries. He is pOpu- lar in Spain, and in case of the death Of Alfonso it is expected that a mar riage could be arranged between the infanta, Maria, and Don Jaime, and thus union be effected that would dis pose of troublesome claimant to the throne and give the Spaniards a king of whom all would be proud The claim of Don Carlos. Jaime's father, to the
The St. Johns herald., 1898-09-10
Spanish Barbarity.

The deadly work at Manila was gen. erally performed in the cool of the morning. That these events were fully appreciated was shown by the presence on the Lunetta of thousands of people. Hundreds of fashionably dressed ladies and gentlemen ''graced' the occasion with their presence. For the most part these fashionables came in their equip ages. These ladies would stand in their vehicles, determined not to miss any part of the ghastly show. The signal from the commanding lieutenant that the victims were dead was the signal for these delighted lady spectators to wave their handkerchiefs or parasols as evidence of their satisfaction.
 AS a general thing these were fright fully grewsome affairs. There was fir ing squad of five for each unfortunate. This squad of executioners would be stationed about ten paces immediately to the rear of their human target. In most instances the soldiers constituting the firing squad were natives. They were secretly in favor of the rebellion, and no member of the squad cared to fire the fatal shot. Consequently each man would aim for the arm or leg. This of course only added to the horror of the affair.
 There was one occasion when 13 lead ing members of the secret revolutionary society, the Catapunan, were executed. There was not single instance at this execution where the unfortunate was killed by the first volley. In a majori- ty of cases three or four volleys were required, and in one instance five vol leys were fired before the surgeon de- clared the man dead. The announcement that all were dead was the signal for music by the band-gay, triumphal music.-Review of Reviews
The St. Johns herald., 1898-09-10

ness of She Spaniard remains. and all his pride; but of energy of the quality that persists until an end is reached he has none. Perhaps all this is not true of the people of northern Spain; but they do not govern the country, nor give the characteristic tone to the race. All their .faults-their pride which makes it undignifed to exert them selves. their love of ease. their hidden root of inefficiency," to quote again from the SpectatOr-all these faults ara exaggerated in the aristocracy and thl ruling class. If we cannot explain why the Spaniards of to-day possess these traits, the traits themselves explain why the government is so bad, why tha colonies are in rebellion, why the treas ury Is bankrupt.
The St. Johns herald., 1898-09-10
THE TYRANT OF THE HOUSE.
While habv SleeDS

While DaDy sleeps We cannot jump or dance or sing, Play jolly games or do thing To make noise. The floor might creak If we should walk. We scarcely speak Or breathe while baby takes a nap Lest we should wake the little chap. A strict watch nursie always keeps
 While baby sleepsl
 When baby wakes, But little gratitude he shows When other people want to doze. At night, when folks have gone to bed. Re rouses them all up instead To wait on him. Ma lights the lamp And warns milk for the little scamp. Pa walks him up and down the floor. Sometimes two hours and sometimes more And nurse comes running, in 8 stew, To see what she for him can do, And Will and Harry, at the row, Call. "What's the matter with him nowf'' And I'm walked up at all the chatter To wonder what on earth's the matter. Such uproar in the house he makes
 When baby wakesl So, if asleep or if awake, The house exists but for his sake, And such tiny fellow he To be boss of this family
The St. Johns herald., 1898-09-10

The npou..l report of the Suez Canal company for 1897 shows the use that is made of that waterway and gives some indication of what might be ex- pected of the Nicaragua canal when 1t is constructed. During the year 2,9S6 vessels, with 191, ,215 passengers, pass ed through the canal Of these 1905 were English, 325 German, 2O6 Dutch, POP French, 7S Austrian, n Italian, 48 Spanish, AS Norwegian, A Russian, 36 Japanese, the remainder being Turk ish, Chinese, Egyptian, American (3), Danish, Siamese, Mexican, Portuguese and Swedish. The gross tonnage was 2 S99,373,S41. There was decline both in the number of vessels and tonnage in 1897, as compared with the preced- ing year, which is attributed to the commercial crisis which began in 1896. but was offset by the receipts of the canal from military expeditions. The India trade furnishes about one-half of the traffic passing through the canal, but that was badly affected last year by the famine and failure of the crops. ne navigation receipts were about Sl4,1S3,6S0 and the net dividends were about SIS.
The St. Johns herald., 1898-09-10

According to musical authority, the mooing of COW is set to a perfect fifth, octave or tenth; the bark of a dog to a fourth or fifth; the neighing oF hnrro is dAscent on the chrOmadc scale; while the donkey brays in a per feet octave. Yet 1t is thought that the quality of the donizey's voice might be improved! Possibly the timbre of the violin might be represented by the squeal of the pig; but fine ear detects a difference.
The St. Johns herald., 1898-09-10

Hooley, the London promoter" who made fortune of many millions in a few years, but who has now been ad- judged a bankrupt, is said to declare that he has ''blackmailed'' to the point of embarrassment by interruptions newspapers. The assertion may be substantially true, yet 1t offers little ground for sympathy. Honest men, en- gagged in legitimate enterprises, are not in danger of "blackmail," which is sim ply the tribute one rascal pays to an other
The St. Johns herald., 1898-09-10
When a war breaks out those on both

When war breaks out those on both
 sides are apt to underrate their enemy.
 No doubt in the present war our coun- trymen were too ready to say that the Spanish could not or would not fight. and that victory would be easy and speedy. Nevertheless, while that was a mistake, it is fact which other peo- pie beside Americans see and declare that the Spaniards of to-day are in q broad sense inefficient. As a writer in the London Spectator puts it. they never quite succeed" in anything. They know their government is corrupt, but they do not purify it; they know that their army lacks organization, but they do not organize it. Inefficiency extends through all their public, social, indus trial and commercial life Yet while they perceive the defects, they have not the energy to apply the remedy. England, France, Germany and Italy have largely extended their colonial possessions, and have known how to govern their subject races so as to maintain not only peace and order, but, to degree, the contentment and good will of the natives over whom they rule. Spain alone has acquired no new territory, and has so misgoverned what she had that even her colonists of Span tsh blood have been in revolt against her ln every quarter of the globe. It Is much easier to state these facts than to explain them. Time was when SDain was a conqueror. She produced the boldest adventurers, the most enter prising merchants, the most audacious leaders of expeditions across the sea. to extend her power and increase her wealth To-day apparently all the fierce
The St. Johns herald., 1898-09-10

The American is not a trained sol dier, but he is a born patriot. He knows by instinct and education how to fight for his country. ROoseVelt's rough riders, whether Fifth avenue milliOnaires or Western cowboys, fought together and died together In Cuba for the great American principles of liberty, equality and humanity. Nothing in our history is more charac- teristic of the American people.