davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-30
THE cuINESr WAY.


Amusing Expsrirn - ~ 4, Hritish ohirnr
IN Ma ,INrin I.md.
Lord Charles Beresford narrated to
the Institution of Mechanical En-
gineers some amusing incidents OF his
experiences in the land Of the man
darins. In the arsenal at Shanghai.
where he noticeda krnpp gun clevery
fitted with an Armst ong breech
piece, it was explained to him that
the operation hal been rendered nee
essary by an accident, the blowing
oil of the original breech- piece by the
Chinese gunners. Later on, III visit
ing fort IN charge OF II very clever
mandarin, he discovered how the ac-
cident had occurred. They were using
perfectly unsuitable powder for the
67-ton gun, and he remarked to the
mandarin that it would blow the
breech. piece of. 1.-The mandarin
nodded, smiled and answered, Yes,
it does The last time tue gun was
fired it had killed fourteen men, so
they loaded and fired another, which
killed twenty-four. These guns must
have cost in mounting and breeding
at least $50, co.,. "
In another place, being asked where
the i, ont of battery of Cotton muz-
zle loading guns was, the mandarin
pointed in one direction and the guns
in another. When this was pointed
ont to him. he said. "Yes, l think
there has been a mistake" The guns
were arranged in echelon 50 that the
men working the foremost gun must
inevitably have been killed by the
discharge of the one behind, and so
on through the battery. Lord Charles
demonstration of this self evident
fact left the mandarin perfectly I'M
concerned. and he only replied, eyes,
some men would, no doubt, be killed,
bat the shot would reach tho enemy"
in yet another place, he found that
III, gun was actually loaded in the
magazine, and he pointed out in re-
monstrance that if there were any
caressness in sponging the gun after
firing. the magazine would infallibly
he blown up. "The mandarin in
charge gave me slap on the hack,
'You are one of the cleverest men l
ever met. The year le'ore last we
did fire these guns, and we blew up
up the magazine just rs you have
said. will show you where it waA
The mandarin added that he could
not remember how many men were
killed, but he believed it was fifty. y
IN the powder mill he pointed out
the danger of having the windows
open lest dust should get into the
grinding wheel, aud SO produce an
eXpIosion-the very thing, lie was
told. that lad happened to the pre-
vious building which the present one
replaced.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-30
FlNNERTY'S JOKE.
An Irish Way Fooled the London Report
crs With u Bogus Speech.

|
crs With II Bogus Speech.
One of the brightest and best Of the
Par liamentery reporters of London
years ago, was Peter Finnerty, OF the
Chronicle, who loved to play practica
Jokes as we'll as he loved to eat.
One day i'll the reporters gallery
when the proceedings were unusually
dull, Morgan Sullivan, one of his
asso ,iates, felt so drowsy he could
hardly keep his eyes open. So lie got
Finnerty to promise to give him any
speeches that might be made, and
then fell asleep in his chair He
awakened in about en- hour greatly re.
freshed and eager for work. Finnerty
Sravely informed him that during his
nap there had been an important
speech delivered by Mr.. Wilberforce,
a member of the House, on the virtues
Of the Irish potato. Morgan never
pausing to think that the subject
had suggestion of the ludicrous,
would not be pacified until the speech
had been dictated to him by Finnerty.
The speech, entirely Fiunerty's con.
coction, made Mr.. Wilberforce say:
"Had it been my lot to be born and
raised in Ireland, where my food would
have principally consisted of the pota
to--the most nutritious and salubrious
root-instead of being the poor, in
firm, stunted creature you, Sir, and
honorable gentlemen, now behold me,
1 should have been a tall, stout, athletic
man aud able to carry an enormous
weight. hold that root to be invalu.
able; and the man who first cultivated
it in Ireland L regard as benefactor
of the first magnitude to his country"
Morgan was so overjoyel at this
legislative tribute to tue excellence of
his national potato that he willingly
dictated the speech to several other re-
porters and every paper OF note i'll
England, Ireland and Scotland-ex-
cept the Loudon Morning Chronicle,
in the office of which Finnerty sat
chuckling, had the extraordinary re-
port of Mr.. Wilberforce's strange
speech in the House on the extraor-
binary virtues of the Irish potato.
The speech was read with amaze
ment. At the clubs and in the city
everybody was laughing at Mr.. Will
berforce's speech except Mr.. WILDER
force. He thought it rather cause
for rage than merlin emf, especially Us
his friends gazed pityingly at him,
thinking he had gone demented.
But his anger cooled, and in the
House that night he read the, speech
amid roars of laughter. If he We're
capable Of uttering such nonsense. he
said, as had been put III his mouth it
would be high time lie was placed in
o rlunatic asylum. For himself he
cared little about it, but it was for the
dignity of the House he felt CON
cerned. y.
Finnerty, on this occasion, had not
to pay the. penalty for his exquisite
gift of humor; but later, for libel on
Lord Castlcreagh, Secretary for For
eisn Affairs, he was imprisoned for
eighteen months.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-30
AIOlipI tO TNyO CnSes.

A Scotch farmer, who was bache
lor and little past his prime, decided
that the best thing he could do was t.
marry certain middle aged neighbor
of his who did not lack for money. He
went, wooed and won, aud his estate
soon took on an air of greater pros
peritv. One of the first purchases he
made with his wifes money was q
horse. When he brought it home he
called his wife out to see it. After
admiring the animal she said: "WelI,
Sandy, it hadna been for my siller it
wadna haze Eeen here" Jenny" re-
piled Sandy. eff it a,lna been for yer
siller, ye .wddna hae been here YER
sel'W-Argonaut.-
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-30

When not in deep meditation or
reused to anger by stupidity OF i'm
pertineuce Wagner, writes one of his
biographers, may well be said to have
been boisterously gay. Ho never
could endure the society OF pedants
and seekers for notoriety. The men
he preferred were those full of fun
and repartee: the ready wit of pea
SAINT entertained him more than the
learned sayings CT n savant. He
walked fast, scrambled up mountains
like chamois, and was particularly
fond of long excursions ON foot. Be-
ing small in stature and wiry, he pre-
served his extraordinary agility to the
end. Asayouth he was renowned for
gymnastic feats, and at sixty years of
age he used still to climb tall poplar
trees and to brighten his family by all
sorts of daring antics. Even within a
year OF his death he occasionally
astoundel his scdate German friends
by suddenly standing on his head or
by playing leapfrog over the arm
chairs of his drawing room.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-30

Reelfoot Lake is the largest body
of water in Tennessee, and was formed
by seismic disturbances in 1911. Peo-
pie who have never been to the lake
or who do not live in that section i'm
agine it but pleasure resort for fish
ing and hunting parties, and do not
know that from its waters at least
1000 people gain livelihood. There
are two wholesale fish houses al
Union City, and several at Hickman,
Ky, that have wagons constantly on
tic road bringing thousands of pounds
OF fish daily for shipment to foreign
markets. The fish docks on the lake
arc always Il scene of interesting nc
tivity. There are 1900 nets in Reel
foot. worked by some 500 people.
Taking all that are connected directly
aid indirectly with fishing and hunt
irg, at least 1000 people earn living
from the lake.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-30
Ran a Race with Death.

4 high trestle bridge more tina
quarter of mile long, supporting
single track OF the Nickel Plate II
roa1, spans the valley Of Grand Ri,
east OF gainesville, Ohio. The. brit
is little wider than the distance
tween the rails, and, the ties
placed eight or ten inches apart,
space between being open to the ri
below.
A young man who crossed recer
had a thrilling experience on
bridge. He had Just passed the Gel
when Il fast train rounded the G Z
behind him. As the engine whiS
he quickened his pace. With "
step the train was rushing nearerl
there was not moment to lose.
Once the Young man stumbled I
seemed. about to fall, but quickt-
gained his balance and hurried
As he reached the place for whic
had started the train was close l'el
aud he had Just time to swing hiif
over the side OF the bridge rs tb-
connective Numbered by. The emf
the ties were slippery with g.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-30

The newo omer sported a lond hunt
ing suit. His gun was of the latest
pattern, and he wore eyeglasses. He
had come up to the Adirondacks for
weeks deer shooting.
The guides on the tavern porch
Looked at him and shudderel.
II want IL guide for the mountains. "
he said, as his eye ruamed along the
line.
No oly stirred.
care there no guides here?" he
asked with some surprise.
Still no response.
Then up rose old Cap'n Endicott.
"5trange he said, "we would be
glad to go with we, but the fact is,
we're IL scared to-"
''.icare IT,
eyes. sir, scared. The shootin'
season for guides is open, an most of
MS haze families. We can't undert AXE
to go to sudden death at the muzzle
of that gun thar"
The stranger frowned, but before
he ou'd frame an angry reply he was
int rupted by one OF the younger
guides.
ever hunt deer?" the young man
asked.
"Well, no, replied the stranger.
The Young mau hesitated. Then a
resolute look crossed his face.
''Pm single man," he solemnly
sail, with nobody dependin' on me,
au' my gal shook me las week. I'll
guide You on one condition.
"Nnme it," said the stranger.
''l'll guide You it you let me walk
close behind you all the way
Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Germany's trade with her colonies
is only one-sixth Of her whole foreign
tradn
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-30
4 Novel of Spntiin emit.

She was explaining the plot OF a
novel of sentiment. ''You see," she
said, "shes in love with him, and
thinks she isn't. And he isn't in love
with her, and thinks he is. And she
thinks he's in love with her, OF
course, while he thinks she isn't in
love with him at all. Then they get
married, aud he finds out that she
really is in love with him, and he gnts
to love her, You know. But she has
found out that lie isn't in love with
her, and so she doesn't love him any
more. That's as far as I've read.
It's splendid idea, isn't it?"-New
York Commercial Advertiser.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-30
The Longest Steamer Route.

'The photographic Office OF the
eavy Department at Washington has
y lblished new chart Of the world,
h sowing the ocean tracks, with. dis
noes given in nautical miles. The
Hugest steamer route given on the
pap is that connecting New York and
e. luimault by way of Cape Horn, 49,.
b % miles. This is exceeded by the
Erack used by sailing vessels connect
ing New York AMI Yokohama via the
APE of Good Hope. This is $1,000
niles iii length. -
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-30
TALES OF PLUCK
AND OVERTURE.
sANssaAHssasss@ssasasss.Ss


L has often been noticed that
whencver General Fitzhugh Leo
visits the White House he stops
to have u chat with Captain Loci.
iler, who stands guard ut tho Presi-
dents private Office and the Cabin ct
room. This Is generally attributed
to Lees pleasant way OF treating eve
ryoue, but it has another origin.
Before the Civil War Lee was n
lieutenant in the old Second Cavalry,
atterwarl reorgauizel rs the Fifth.
Loci1ler was .rooper in this regi-
ment and later non.commissione ed
officer. His company was one OF the
two which We're engaged in a sharp
light with the kiowa and Comauche
indians III the Cimmaron country in
Texas in 1859. The Indians had
taken refuge in II narrow canou which
could be entered only from one end,
aud there hal thrown up a fortified.
ton of logs, from behind which they
poured hot fire into tho troops. The
character Of the canon was such
that the horses of the cavalry were
useless, and they were lett outside,
the men advancing on foot. Only IL
few OF the indians had firearms, the
rest had bows and arrows. Had the
the Indians been rs we'll arme,las they
have been in later wars, the loss OF
the whites would have been very
large; as it was only four or five sol
diers were killed, though the Indian
loss amounted to nearly fifty.
A charge was made on the log fort,
and Lee, who WAS ia 'hiug oihcer
aud a wonderful favorite wiki his men,
was the first to scale the breastwork
The arrows were whizzing all about
him, and one struck him in the breast,
iniicting very ugly wound. AS he
fell the confusion was. so great about
him that the arrow was pulled out of
his flesh and thrown to the ground
among other arrows, whole and bro
ken, SO that no one coud tell after"
ward whether TIE head had remained
in the wound or been drawn out with
the stick. 1t was impossible, tlere-
fore, to say how seriously Inc had been
hurt, aud he was carried at once to
the rear, where litter was impro-
vised of saplings and boughs. He
was laid upon this, Which was swung
between two horses, and thus he was
carried back to the wagon train, a
distance OF more than 80 miles
through rough country. Probing
showed that the heal of the arrow
bad fortunately been drawn out, and
in due time good nursing put the
Lieutenant OH his feet again.
This is an incident in Lees career
which is apparently known to very
few. 1t is of interect to know that
the old Second Cavalry had for it's
Colonel Albert Sidney Johnston and
for its Lieutenant Colonel Robert Il.
Lee, and that Harlee, of "tactics"
fame, and George II. Thomas were
two of its Majors. The Captain of the
company in which Titzhngh Lee was
First Lieutenant was Kirby Smith.
Loetiler served with great credit in
the Union Army during the Civil War,
was'given his White House detail by
President Grant, AMI was appointed
by President Mckinley as "military
storekeeper" in the regular army, with
the rank of Captain.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-30

A 25-mile railway for tho Philip.
pines was recently packed in the hold
OF steamship at San francisco.
Everything needed for the railroad
was sent except the ties, which will be
obtained in the islands. 1t il said
that the railway will be used to ex-
tend the 30 miles of railroad now con-
trolled by the American troops. The
engineering corps will build the
bridges. etc.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-30

The war correspondent Of the Lon
ION Standard Whites as follows OF tn,
last battle with the Beers: The al
seemed thick with bullets, Will,
above our heads the shrek of til,
shells and the thundsrclaps of til,
bursting shralnel made din tina
was appalling to those who had no
had previous experience Of the modern
proieciiles. 30 keen were the RAM
and file Of tn Devonshirej hat MOI
than one marleXposed himself TO "
deadly aim il the Beers merely ne
order to satisfy himself as to tV
progress of the light. heard ! I
soldier invit his comrade to put 4
his head al ,Gsee how the Beers wef
getting ON. : 81 will as soon as tllat
is room for IT, was'the rep "a NY
natural one considering that thu air
seemed to onsist Of flying lead.
The G,rdon Highlanders we're
especially :nXious to treat the enemy
lesson. Their regiment was repre-
scented at Ma uba Hill, AMI the ''oers
had afterwLrl referred to thensin de-
rlson as 'Kaffirs clothed in kits"
The men yerc keen in wiping out the
insult, aid to this end bore them,
se.Tes win the most reckless courage.
Nor were the 'Manchesters one Whit
less ardeit or determined.
IT was magnificent and soul stir
ing specncle as out gallant fellows
dashed Straight at the enemy, driving
them irr.sistibly from point to point
The Boa:s stood their ground to-, the
last with the courage OF despair. Blu
they were no match for our men il
persona! combat, and were driver
back in hopeless confusion. FIFTY OF
sixty Of them, mounting their horses
made OF at fu,l speed over the hill
toward the east. Another tifteel
minutes OF deadly work and the las
shot had been fired.
With load cheer and 4 shont from
the Gordon Highlanders OF "Wha
price Majuba?" orr men dashed dowl
the opposite incline right into thu
heart OF the Boer position. with bayo
nets fixel. But the white flag, stuc|
into the muzlle Of Manser, was al
really flying in the laager and tn
officers checked their men in mid
career.
No praise can he ton high for u
courage and sefsacriti,a ot orr OF
cers. Their behavior was worthy 4
the finest traditions OF the Brith
army.
Their courage was not mere rech
lessness, bat deliberately calculate,
with the object OF encouraging an
directing the men who followed tier
Yet it is only just to the rank and q
to say that they would have advan&
as steadily on their own initiative r
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-30

Wn OHnN Dnn lin "a Il i.nI III

We offer One Hundred Dollars Reward for
any case of atarrh that cannot be cured by
Halls Catarrh Cure.
+. J. CHENEY & Co., Toledo, o.
We, the undersigned. have known r. j. Che
ney for the last II years and believe him per-
fectly honorable in all business transactions
ana financially able to carry out any obi ga
ton made by their firm
WEST d TRrAx, Wholesale Druggists, Toledo
Ohio.
wALDiNG. KISxAN d MARVIN, Wholesale
Druggists, Toledo, Ohio.
Halls tatarrh Cure is taken internally act t.
ing directly upon the blood and mucous sur
faces of the system. Testimonials sent free.
Price, nc; per bottle. sold by all Druggists.
Halls Family Pills are the best.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-30
A PHILLIP PINE SPEAR MARKET.


tiSa Fnscinrtim: Diversion to Visit the
On" ut JoIn
The spear market is the most fas.
cinatlng diversion in .Iolo, one of on,
Philippine cities. |: is situated las,
outside the main gate aad from earl,
morning until tho gatcs arc closed
late III the afternoon, the market is
thronSe With. natives who have come
Ill to sell their knives AMI spears.
When ship comes in their prices ga
up, but when the ship has gone the
market says great deal. Some of
the culiously shaped knives are won
derful in their elegance and workman
ship, for the finer ones have silver and
gold and ivory handles, while the
bades are enutifullv damascened.
Most OF the veal ons are old, which
greatly enhances their value in the
eyes OF the buyer, while lowering it in
the eyes OF the native, bat there are
many of these old knives that cannot
re bought because of their valorous
record OF blood. There are two
shapes of knives common TO the Moros
OF Sulu. One is the serpent. shape
kris and the other the broad heavy
cleaver, like the barong. Once in
While little serpent dagger with tie
handle at right angles to the blade,
like the handle of pistol is brought
in by native. This knife is wear-
on OF the CeIebes islands and is very
uncommon in Snlu. Another uucom-
mon knife is the great campi!an,
which has hand gIip lor two hands.
and is gorgeously decorated with bells
and colored horse hair and gay rib
bons.
The spear market is also tho centre
of trade in horses and cattle, there
usually being cluster of wiry little
Moro ponies scattered around the field
hear'the lauceria waiting good buyer. /
The average price OF a Horse is about
go Mexican. When things are dull !
III the market the natives pii two of !.
the strongest bulls against each other
and royal combat ensues. IN these .
fights, which are merely tests of
strength, the animals lock their horns
and then push until one of them turns
and rms AWAY or is gorel by the
stronger. Sometimes the natives give
nm extemporaneons spear dance. for
the edification of the Anne leans. This
ceremony consists Of dancing around
in circle with II peculiar sprinpy
step, while the spears are brandisheu
high in the air, the 'Moros meantime
altering curious cries and biting their
under lips. 1t is an uncomfortable
sort of exhibition, for the imaginative
spectator cannot help but consider the
Unpleasant prospect of having them
run amuck.
In the spear market the only Ian
yuage spoken is the Moro dialect, for
lone OF the natives outside the walls
peak Spanish. The price of nearly
III the cheaper weapons starts at $50
md gradually descends to So Or IS or
no. Some of the expensive knives
ell for S95 or $40, and it is curious to
&c that the natives are all more eager
o get American gold than Mexican
liver.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-30

Albert Strteville, OF Company l.,
Doth Kansas, living south of Abilene,
Kan, has curiosity in his rife car
ried to the Philippines. After he had
discharged it at Malolos and before
lie took the gun from his shoulder a
Filipino bullet entered the muzzle of
The gun and lodged there. The gov
,rnment has asked Stuteville to place
the gun in the Smithsonian institu-
ion, with an account of the incident,
which he will do.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-30

iayorite dish with tho Chinese is
dogs feet. The feet of black dogs
are considered moro OF delicacy than
those of any other color, and white
dogs are rejected "a being tasteless.
Dogs fat, prepared in special man
ner, is looked upon as u rerast fit for
a king.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-30

ITO oecohI Northonpt0ns, WHO
woe among tho last of the British
troops to sail for South Africa, are the
best shooting battalion il the army.
1t is said they won that position ow.
ing 10 the fact that they were at Ma,
Jnba III 1881, where they learned the
NalHc OF accurate shooting, Il lesson
they have never forgotten.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-30

o., speed thee, happy New Year!
Speed swiftly Oh thy way,
And tell ns OF the wonders
Bryond the gates OF day.
LIT MP the mystic curtain
That screens from mOrt0! view
The portals OF the future,
Which none may wander through!
oh. tell NJ, happy New Year,
What gifts thou hast In store?
VIII plenty be our portion.
Pressed down and running DER?
VIII every hope we cherish
Meet with fruition best,
And every cup be hoDeyci
Which to our lips is pressed?
win springtime bring her garIands
TO wrcathe tho woodlands fair.
Without u single blighted bud
Among the blossoms rare:
Will summer seud her roses,
Her pinks aud gentian blue,
Nor drop among the posirs
One single spris Of rue:
Oh, will fair Ceres bless us,
In basket and In store.
And into grnnary and bin
Her golden treasures pour?
viii glad Pomona greet Us
With frce.will offerings meet,
And shake from bending orchard trees
Rich trnnhi"S At our feet?
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-30
What DO the Children Drink ::

Don; give them tea or coffee. Have
you tried the new food drink called
GRAIN-O? 1t is delicious and nomrishing.
and takes the place Of coffee. The more
GRAND you give tn, children the more
health you distribute through their sys-
TENS. GRAND Is made of pure grains,
and when properly prepared tastes like
the choice grades of coffee. hut costs about
!. rs much. All grcccrs sell it. ljrand 25c.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-30
.i,Tlle Snaaker'A GaYeI.

t Speaker Henderson's gavel is some.
thing of curiosity. The head is of
rosewood from Montojo's flagship and
tie handle of native Usage, grown in
Iolk County, Iowa. IT is decorated
by ain eagles bedk bearing scroll IT.
s,ribel 'E Plulibus Unum.' On the
upper ferrule are doves and a garland,
On the lower pictures of the United
states .ships Iowa and Des Moincs.
The Iowa arms and Mr.. Hendersons
are on the side of the head.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-30

And remember, Bridget, there are
two things 1 must insist upon-truth-
fulness aud obedience!" "Yes, mum.
And when you tell me to tell the ladies'
You're out when you're in, which shall
it be, ?'-Tit-B Bits.