davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-18
INDIAN SIGNAL SERVICE.
They Have Long TeIephOned by the
Use of Drums.

Travellers III unCiviliZed countries
have often wondered how some savage
tribes were able to transmit news for
hundreds of miles with no apparent
facilities for doing so. An interesting
light is thown on this subject by Jose
Bach, who tells of the means by which
the Indians Oh the Amazon communi-
cate with each other at a distance. The
natives live in groups of 100 to 200
persons in settlements half a mile or a
mile apart. In each dwelling there is a
wooden drum, which is buried for half
its height in sand mixed with frag-
ments of wood, bone and mica, and has
triple diaphragm of leather, wood
and rubber When this drum is struck
with a wooden mallet, the sound travels
far and is distinctly heard in the other
drums in the neigh boring dwellings.
1t is beyond doubt that the transmits
sion of the sound takes place through
the earth, since the blows struck are
scarcely audible outside of the houses
i'll which the Instruments are placed.
After a ''malucca, or dwelling, has
been "caIled up by an initial blow
conversation is carried ON between the
two drums. Mr.. Bach's explanation is
that the communication is facilitated
by the nature of the ground, the drums
doubtless resting upon one and the same
stratum of rock, since transmission
through ordinary alluvial earth could
not be depended upon. This method
furnishes an ingenious modification of
the process employed by Indians for
perceiving distant noises, such as the
gallop of horse, which consists in ap-
plying the ear To the earth. Louis
Globe Democrat
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-18
Illuminated BunNn.

Another form of beacon for mariners
of smaller dimensions, but hardly less
important, is the illuminated buoy.
These floating lamp holders, placed in
an estuary where the available channel
is often only narrow one, bounded by
mud or sand banks only few feet below
the surface of the water, are invaluable
to shipping, Hitherto the illuminant
chiefly employed has been compressed
gas, necessitating a high pressure reser-
voir and COMPRISING machinery
Mr.. Wigham, whose name has long
been known in connection with light
house apparatus, has introduced a min
eral oil lamp which can be fitted to
any existing buoy and will burn for a
long period at very small cost. The
maintenance of one form of lamp can
be kept up at a cost of one penny for "a
hours, and as no COMPRISING machinery
is required this is the only expense
plus the original cost of the lamp The
approach to port-such DIS that of Liv-
erpOol, for instance, where ship has
to enter through long avenue of buoys
could by this invention be almost as
well lighted as a city street Cham
bers' Journal
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-18
NOT AFRAID OF MAN.
Remarkable Tameness of Animals In
the Yellowstone Park.

Remarkable Tameness of Animals In
the Yellowstone Park.
The slaughter of birds has almost en-
tiIely removed one of the delightful ac-
compartments of life in the rural east
the music of the feathered songsters.
Apropos of this, it may be said that one
of the most pleasant features of the drive
through the Yellowstone National park
is the apparent intimacy between man
and the animal and bird life in the
park. Thanks to the wise and stringent
regulations, no shooting is allowed with
in its boundaries.
1.-The result" says an English tour
ist, sis positively charming. Hundreds
of little chipp inks, with their gaudy
striped backs, =campered impudently
about or peered at the passing coach
from the roadside. The squirrel did not
bolt for the nearest tree but nodded q
welcome. All bird life treated us like
wise. Even the Iordly eagle lowered
near, and the wild turkey stalked I'M
COncernedly through the rank grass. We
were fortunate enough to see a fine
specimen of the wolf tribe. He stood,
beautiful creature, and watched us out
of sight, showing only curiosity, not
fear. Another time were perceived a doe
and fawn grazing by the road. Not I'M
til we were within a few feet did they
seek the shelter of the woods, yet not
to fly They simply moved aside. Here
at least mankind was regarded as
friend-one who could be trusted. The
only animal who ran away was a brown
bear He turned tail at the sight of a
coaching party, yet it was quite a COM
mon thing for bears to approach close
to the hotels at evening to feel OH the
refuse thrown ont 1t was al after din
ner relaxation for the guests to watch
them feeding. They munched and dis
puted the choicest morsels, for the most
part indifferent to the company. Only
when we became inquisitive and APP
preached too near did they retire, and
these animals were perfectly free and
unfettered in their movements. 1t may
read like a fairy tale, but it is solid
fact. Troy Times.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-18
Mice of All COlOrD.

The National Mouse Club of England
recently held an exhibition where sew
eral hundred mice competed for gold
medals, champion cups and various 9th
er prizes. These little creatures are not
the ordinary everyday mice which scare
the cook and drive the mistress of the
house to take refuge on a chair. They
are well bred mice that expected to be
petted and caressed and treated as ten
derly as pet cat or dog.
By careful breeding they have de-
veloped great variety in coloring and
sometimes in shape. One very choice
style of animal, called the spiny mouse,
has a row of bristling hair for spinal
ornament and is a very cute miniature
reproduction of a porcupine. The ia
miliar white mice SO often seen for sale
on the streets here have been bred with
black eyes instead of red ones. 1t has
taken several years to produce these re-
suits. but the sociuty now claims to be
able to furnish mice in IL or ID differ
ent shades. To any one who is able to
overcome the fear of mice they are
dainty, delicate little studies at any
time, but when they play around IN
suits of chocolate, sable, fawn, jet
black, tortoise or golden agouti they be-
come perfectly fascinating.
As in the case of all fads of this kind,
the prices brought by these little pets
are extremely steep. Fifteen dollars or
$50 is not a large price to pay for
well bred mouse, and some of them
have been sold for as high as $2J
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-18

Tod Sloane's gameness will never be
questioned by those who saw him win a
race on Walter III a nose finish at the
old East st Louis track some years
ago After the race Tod was hardly able
to dismount Then it was learned that
he bad broken an arm in the race 1t
seems that he was crowded against the
fence in a jam around one of the turns
and broke his arm. Switching the reins
to his good arm, he rode the race out
with great determination, putting up q
Garrison finish" and winning on the
post by the narrowest possible margin
1t was an exhibition of gameness the
like of which was never before heard of
in the history of the American turf
Chicago Record
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-18
DEALING WITH LUMBERMEN.
Peculiar Tricks INDUCED In by Both
Buyer and Seller.

There is an old retired merchant in
Detroit who delights in recalling his
experiences when an active man run
ming a general store in one of the north
ern cities of the lower peninsula.
II used to reap harvest when the
men were coming out of the woods, he
relates. 'ThPy were not up in styles, and
about any old thing would suit them
provided the color was right and the fl
even passable But there were tr Ok
sters among them, and l had to have
my wits about me in order to keep even
with them.
{" How much is that hat?' asked q
strapping six footer, who arrived from
camp one day with pocketful Of
money.
Two fifty 1 replied.
"Then he informed me that he al
ways had the crowns of his hats punched
full of holes in order to keep his head
cool and his hair from coming out l
soon had this attended to, and then he
asked what the hat was worth. Two
fifty, responded in surprise. but he
laughed at me for asking such price
for damaged goods. He had me. and
got his hat for 81, while the jolly crowd
with him had a laugh at my expense.
He wanted to look at some 'fiddles, ;
and after pricing one at $40 concluded
to take it.
Where's the bow?' he asked, as
was doing mp the package.
You only bought the fiddle, I
laughed. The others saw the point and
laughed too. The giant tried to bluff
me, but kept good humored, and got
even on the hat by charging him 81. so
for the bow. 1 not only got even, but
the others were SO pleased with my
Yankee trick that they spent plenty
of money with me. Detroit Free
Press
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-18
A YANKEE.
Various Views In Various Places ~
to What He Is.


II was greatly amused" said New
Orleans citizen who has lately made a
visit abroad, "to notice how the term
Yankee widens in application as one
gets farther and farther away from the
habitat of the real thing.
''In New York Yankee is common
ly supposed 10 be a native of Connecti-
cut, Vermont or Massachusetts, and i
have noticed that the name is applied
to mean skinf1ints rather than to the
people In general. In st. Louis Yankee
is understood loosely to be any one from
the extreme northeast. Here in New
Orleans the term includes pretty nearly
every body above Mason and Dixon S
iine-in short, 'northerner' and Yam
kee' are more or less Synonymous.
Now comes the really absurd part
If 1t, although quite in line with what
| have just remarked. While / was III
London i found myself continually re-
ferreG TO as Yankee by natives who
bad learned l was from New Orleans.
i think you Yankees are very charm
ing people, said big wholesaler who
wanted to be extra pleasant. i know
several from your state l tried to ex-
plain at first, but / soon got tired of
that i was sure to be greeted by a stare
of amaZemeDt. But | thought all
Americans were Yankees, doncher-
know, would be the usual protest.
Later Oh / met a very intelligent
hotel keeper at Bern, in Switzerland,
and In the course of conversation he re-
marked that he had an extremely agree
able cOuntryman of mine staying at his
house the previous season. AS you are
both Yankees, he said. you may Gy
chance know him. Where does he
live l asked. In Buenos Ayres, re-
piled the hotel keeper New Orleans
Times Democrat
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-18
Twisted Logic.

1t is said that during the Irish rebel
lion of IS4S bishop sent a request to
a parish priest for information and re-
ceived the reply, The peace of the
country is assured faction fights are
increasing"
A similar twist in logic is manifested
in a message of congratulation received
by Mr.. Willis. on his election to the
New South Wales parliament. The tel
egram from his agent read, "Carnida
jubilant: heavy fighting; several hurt,
including self. London Chronicle.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-18
MEN OF GENIUS.
Nature Likes Them Not and Invari-
ably Crushes the Breed.

Nature Likes Them Not and Invari-
ably brushes the Breed.
Through all time men of genius have
scoffed at and have ridiculed the at
tempts of purse proud old ''richesse"
to create superior orders of manhood.
Nor is this matter for wonder. They
were and are ridiculous. Yet these at
tempts are repeated every hour. Con-
sidering them one would suppose that
wealth, titles dignities, are talismans
which insure virtue and honor and per-
sonal worth and beauty in those to
whom they descend. Talismans are
ridiculous, and so are titles.
Nobility is of blood and not of gar
tiers, royal sponsors and christening
robes. Pedigrees, portraits and family
history when truthful tell us great
deal about the nobility of race. Titles,
quarterings and patents are worthless,
and the production of a great genius is
in general as bad a sign as the produc-
ton of a great profiigate. Races that
produce geniuses should be avoided.
The best is the second best-the normal.
Genius, as some one Victor Hugo, I
think has finely said, is a prOmontory
stretching out into the ocean of the in
finite. Look for the descendants of
Shakespeare, Bacon, Macaulay, Wei
lington, Nelson, Gibbon, Swift, Vol
taire, Carlyle, Bonaparte, Goldsmith,
Spencer, Milton, Crom Disraeli-
to take a few names at random-and
you will find that they are not, for
the genius is always a transgressor Of
the normal--a sport" He is never
symmetrical. Such one nature likes
not, and she makes provision for the ex-
tinction of his ace.-Humanitarian.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-18
Uses of AINersity.

1t is something new to discover that
a bodily afflictiOn can assist one in
mastering the difficulties of learning a
foreign language. but there is case Of
the kind on record.
Miss Gertrude came down stairs one
morning with red eyes. a swollen nose
and a generally distressed appearance.
what Is the matter. Gertrude?''
asked her mother.
IAN awful cold in my head. " she re-
piled.
II am very sorry. said her sympa-
thizing parent
II was when 1 got up, " cheerfully
rejoined the young miss, but I'm not
now. | can get that French nasal sound
exactly. Tray be-ong. Bong zhoor
fiow's that:'-Youth's Companion
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-18
"IT'S NOT lay WAY.s

ITS not my way"
How often is this heard
at not my way, to speak the kindly word;
feel enough, but tits not well to speak,
To tell my loving out il seems so weak"
IT'S not my way
How often hearts have broken
Because the loving word has been unspoken,
Because the smile we looked for was a frown,
The hand that should uplift, but held US down
ITS not my way
To speak the word that craving love requires
To voice approval, foster vain desires
Hearts often faint and fall cut by the way
Because to speak is not your way.
Its not my way.
All, we'll when death shall come
And touch the best loved lips and make them
dumb
Sad will il be for you if grim regret
And stern remorse upon your heartstrings set
Their fingers firm,
Because il Is their way to torture and to wiring
Then you'll remember every little thing
The smile you did not give, the word unspoken
Which might have gilded life and kept heart
unbroken
Aye, then you will rememberl
And In blood sweat and agony will say.
Would II had been my way
To love, approve and tell II out, meet,
For 1t was you that made my life complete
Rose Seelye- Miller in Observer
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-18
A Warm England,

The extremes of outdoor temperature
ill England vary more than 1913 degrees.
The greatest heat probably on record
was registered in the valley of the
Midway ON July %, 1868, when the
thermometer at Tonbridge stood in the
shade at 1909 degrees f. Eleven years
later, in December, 1879, 30 degrees of
frost were recorded at Blackadder, in
Berwickshire-i. e., 90 degrees below
zero +. More remarka BILE, however,
than the heat in summer were the hot
winters of I74S and 1857 and the warm
Januarys of 1877. 1884 and 1885,
Notes and Queries.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-18
His Only Alternative.

Little Dot was very fond of Bible
stories, and one day after her mother
had read the story of Lots wife she
asked, MAMMA, what did Mr.. Lot do
when his wife was turned into pillar
Of salt?''
"Wbat dc you think he did?" asked
mamma.
"Wby," replied the practical little
miss. "I s'pose he went out and hunted
up q fresh one. "-Chicago News
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-18
A j diciaI Ruling.

During the hearing of a case at the
Bloomsbury county court counsel refer
red to the defendant, an Oxford master
of arts, as this man, whereupon de-
PENDANTS counsel protested, saying he
might at least have used the word gen
t'eman." Judge Bacon Nonsense.
That is the sort of affectation you often
hear among women when they say
you ought to call me lady" In my
opinion man is a much better title than
gentleman. Telegraph
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-18
A Brute.

Mrs Greene-I hear that Sarah Jun
son is going to get divorce from her
husband.
Mrs Brown-Yes, and don't blame
her one mite. He's a monster. Would
you believe it, he actually used one Of
her golf sticks for a poker the other
morning Transcript
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-18
You Can't Hear II.

There are many sounds animals can
hear which are inaudible 70 man. Mr..
Cation, the famous anthropologist, has
invented little whistle with an ad-
Unstable plug, by which il can be render
ed more and more shIill tiii it ceases to
give any note to our ears, yet dog will
hear it as a whistle still and answer
readily its call
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-18

The plant known as vervain, which
is not distinguished for its beauty and
VIII ch grows nowadays utterly disre-
garded, was SO sacred to the Druids
that they only gathered it for their
divinations when the great dog star
arose, in order that neither sun nor
moon should see the deed.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-18
worthy of Worxhip.

"Faw gwacious sake, deah boy, who
was that C mmon fellaw You let shake
yoush band"
"Deah buy, he may have a common
hook, but he has gweat soul. He is the
felIaw who designs the new collaws
-IndianapI!is Journal
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-18

II you are too indoIent to shingle
your house during the dry weather. you
have no just cause for complaint be-
cause your roof leaks when it rains
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-18

Upon an average 10000 pineapples
are imported into London every week
throughout the year.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-18
HEWANTED THE SHIP
THOUGHT HE WAS ELIGIBLE TO CON-
MAND A CRUISER.

rhe shabby Trick Played Upon a
Patriotic Greek Boiler Maker by
Some of Uncle Sans sailors With
whom He Had shipped.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-07-13

as l am through with this patient"
Did l ever tell you of the trade in
false teeth of the second handed ma
ture?" said he to the patient after
wards, as he Clipped away at the cav
ity. taking out bit after bit of the de-
cayed dentine.
1T is an actual fact" he continued
after a moment during which he blew
a blast of warm CD air into the cavity,
that many people believe we can make
over one set of teeth to fit another
person. l. was asked but a few days
ago to make over set. of teeth for a
person who had a set OF teeth used by
her sister before the latter's death.
Then l have calls quite often from
old people for second hand false teeth
as they believe perhaps in my outfit
may have cheap pair that would fit
them. ] had an old man in my work
shop a whole half day once trying on
the old sets lying about there
The dentist who understands his bus
mess never lets his patients mind
wander upon the teeth in course of re-
pairs. but keeps up such a HOW of con-
versation that the patient will give but
half the attention to the tooth.
Don't you enjoy putting the rubber
dam upon a woman's teeth or filling
her mouth with batting so she
cannot TALK" the scribe asked dem
fist, one day.
Yes. there is satisfaction in it," he
replied. Il would like to have certain
ones of my acquaintance in this chair.
Whenever l have anything special to
tell my wife l bring her down here to
do something to her teeth and then
can talk without fear of interruption.
At times, though. she. will chew the
rubber or cotton in great shape in her
attempts to answer me, but l have the
drop on her here"
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-07-13

There was a frightened woman in
enc of the trains, Tuesday. She was
sitting in the train while it was in the
station when suddenly she felt about
for a moment and then jumped up eX-
claiming My watch is gone" and
she searched the other passengers with
her eyes to determine upon whom she
should fasten the guilt. One of them
observed that the watch was safe and
her waist hung the watch buried in the
folds of her skirt She sank back with
sigh of relief and rather shamefaced
to think that she should have suspected
that someone had taken her timepiece.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-07-13
THE GAME OF GOLF.
0efini :ions for Beginners Teeing Grounds
Putting Greens, Bogeys. Etc.

To describe in few words the game
Of golf one might say that it consists
of playing a ball, with the fewest num-
Der of strokes. from recognized places
called teeing grounds into holes in the
ground made for the purpose at consid-
cradle and various distances away
The ground on which the play takes
place is called links or golf
course" and some times golf green
The latter word is at times puzzling to
the beginner, for it is often applied, not
only to the whole course. but also to
that particular part called the putting
green"
Along the seacoast we find large
acres of land. which, on account of the
sandy soil. cannot be used for any use
full purposes, ard because of TIE roll
ing country make ideal golf links: the
turf generally is soft and springy. and
never grows to any length-this, how
ever. is more true of the links in Scot
land than on this side of the water, for
here the grass is tough. ard the turf,
instead of being level, is very hum
mOcky.
The length of the course generally
depends entirely on the available land
you have at your disposal, consequent
ly you never find two courses exactly
alike, and this is one of the chief de-
lights of the golfer, for in visiting
strange courses you have the variety of
scenery, and it also brings out the skill
of the player.
The recognized number of holes for
a golf course is is, but possibly owing
to the lack of land you cannot get in
more than nine; it is much better to
have good long nine-hole course than
4 short, cramped IS.
In playing you start or drive from
places on the course called teeing
ground, which are marked out, and
play your first hole in as few a num-
DER Oh StFOkeS DIS pOSSlDIe, IL you ai Z
playing against an opponent. and if
you drive first you have what is called
the honor and this you keep until
your opponent wins a hole from you.
For instance, if you have the honor and
play the first hole in five strokes and
your opponents plays six strokes. you
win the hole and are what is called zone
up" If he wins the second hole you are
"all even.''
The teeing ground for the next hole
after the one you have played is gen
orally very near. Between the teeing
ground and the putting green" there
are often ponds, trees or walls OF earth
(bunkers) made to catch balls played
on top instead Of being struck fairly