davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-10-26
HOLES THAT LIGHTNING MAKES
How the Diameter of an Electric Bolt Is
Measured

did you ever see the diameter of n
lightning flash measuredY asked a
geologist of a writer in "Pearson's
Weekly" "Well, here is the case which
once inclosed a fash of lightning, fit
ting it exactly, SO that you can see
just how big 1t was. This is called a
'fulgurite' or lightning hole and the
material it is made Of Is glass. l will
tell you how Ii was manufactured,
though 1t only took n fraction of a
second to turn 1t out.
when a bolt Of lightning strikes a
bed Of sand It plunges downward into
the sand for distance less or greater,
transforming simultaneously into glass
the silica In the material through
which it passes. Thus, by its great
heat 1t forms glass tube Of precisely
its own size. Now and then such
tube, known as 'fulgurites, is found
and dug up. Fulgarites have been fol-
lowed into the sand by excavation for
nearly thirty feet. They vary in in
to three inches or more, according to
the bore of the fash.
But fulgurites are not alone pro-
duced in sand. They are found also in
solid rock, though very naturally of
slight depth, and frequently existing
merely as thin, CLASSY coating on
the surface. Such fulgurites occur in
astonishing abundance on the summit
Of Little Ararat, in Armenia. The rock
is soft and so porous that blocks foot
long can be obtained and perforated
in all directions by little tubes filled
with bottle-green glass formed from
the fused rock. There is small speci-
men in the National Museum which
has the appearance of having been
bored by the teredo, and the holes
made by the worm subsequently filed
with glass.
''Some wonderful fulgurites were
found by Humboldt on the high Ne
vada de Toluca, in Mexico. Masses of
the rock were covered with thin lay
er of green glass. It's peculiar SHIN
mer in the sun led Humboldt to ascend
the precipitous peak at the risk of his
life"
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-10-26
kent the Smart Boy Home.

When walking in bayfield, one
afternoon with her husband, Lady
Warwick noticed a bright boy of ten
or so helping his father load the hay
cart.
"Does not your boy attend schoolT'
was Lady Warwick's pertinent ques-
ton.
mo, ma'am, he don't go oftener than
can help. You see. Johns a real
smart boy, and l don't want to have
him spoiled with book learning. I
mean to make farmer of him. Now,
his eldest brother went regular to the
school, and he got above loading hay
cart, and, Of course, he's made nothing
out"
What has become of himT' asked
Lady Warwick In concern.
"Why, he went out to South Africa
and got n secretaryship," was the
scornful reply, but John here is a
smart lad-he'll be of some use on the
farm, he willr'-London Globe.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-10-26
WILLIAM wIRT'S ROMANCE.


When former Secretary of the Navy
Richard w. Thompson saw the story
which is being widely printed about
the reformation of William Writ At
, torney-General of the United States,
he recalled that 1t was far different
from the truthful one he used to hear
ut Culpepper Court House, Va, where
he was born ninety years ago last
June, and where Writ, young man,
began the practice of law. The pub
lished story is to the effect that a
young lady, while out riding near
Richmond, saw young man lying
drunk at the side of the road. She
left her carriage and placed hand
kerchief over his face and then con-
tinued her ride. Some days later the
young man called on her, having found
her name on the handkerchief. He told
her that he had signed the pledge.
He kept the pledge and rose to be a
famous man.
Colonel Thompson says that Writ
undoubtedly was an excessive drinker
when he was young man. On one
occasion while on his way TO attend
court at Charlottesville he saw con-
gregation assembled in church and
stopped to hear the preaching. TIE
preacher was blind man named Wad-
dell, whom Writ described in his book,
THE British Spy" in eloquent Ian
guage. A DR.. Gilmer, who lived near
by. saw that Mr.. Writ was a stranger
and asked him to have dinner. Mr..
Writ became infatuated with the doc
tors daughter, Miss Mildred, who was
a woman of rare conversational abil-
ity. He called frequently and finally
asked Miss Gilmer to marry him. She
replied:
"Mr. Writ am unwilling to conceal
the fact that / entertain for you a
strong attachment. You are a man of
power to reach high distinction, but l
can never consent to become the wife
of drunkard. If you will promise me
that you will not drink a drop of spir-
itous liquor for two years and keep
your promise, i will consent to marry
yOh,dl thC tii'i VI tldt llC ihduc
and kept the promise, and Miss Gil
mer fulfilled her part Of the bargain,
too.
about the time Of the Inauguration
of General Jackson, which event l wit
messed" says Colonel Thompson, II
heard Mr.. Writ make an argument be-
fore the United States Supreme Court.
| was 100 young to appreciate the force
of his legal contention, but l remem-
Der well his polished manner and his
eloquence. l am inclined to give the
story of his reformation preference
over the recently published one for the
reason that the latter is located In
Richmond, where he did not live at the
time of his first marriage. The lady
he married in Richmond after the
death of his first wife was Elizabeth
Washington"
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-10-26

In a learned paper on the subject Of
convergent strablsmus by Professor
Priestly Smith, which constitute the
last Bowman lecture Of the Opthal-
biological Society, II is stnted that the
onset OF strabismus Is often attrib-
uted to fit, fright, a fall or other
such occurrence, and still more often
to an illness, such as whooping cough
or measles. Making allowance for the
frequency of such events among chill
dren and for certain disregard Of
time and sequence in their elders, 1t
seems to me, says Professor Smith,
highly probable that these supposed
causes are very often real causes.
Some such explanation Of the onset
was given, with show OF reason, In
more than two-ffths Of my cases, and
the proportion would no doubt have
been higher had not many Of the pa
tients been brought by persons who
knew nothing of their antecedents.
In many cases the history was de-
finite and not to be upset by cross-ex-
animation. For example child who
had never been seen to squint before
came from school squirting badly, hav-
ing that morning been put into the
corner with a cloth over her head. An
other did the same Immediately after
having his head pushed into bucket
of water by his brother; another after
sitting in scalding water; another after
being terrified by monkey which
jumped on to her shoulder No less
clear In many cases was the history
Of onset during measles, whooping
cough or other constitutional dis
orders.
All these are conditions which may
gravely disturb the nervous system.
Shock, anger or apprehension impair
the control of muscular action. They
cause the knees to shake, the voice to
tremble and even the hand of the oph-
thalmic surgeon to become unsteady.
Febrile disorders cause delirium, con-
WILSON'S and sometimes transient stra-
bismus and leave the nervous system
exhausted. Is it not highly probable
that such disorders occurring in young
children may interrupt the action Of
these higher centres which control
the movements of the eyes, and this
not only where control is already diff
cult by reason of amblyopia or error
of refraction, but even in children
whose visual apparatus is normal for
their time Of life, but not yet fully de-
veloped? The old idea that the squint-
Ing child needs little skillful surgery
and nothing more is dying out. Most
people know that glasses are often
necessary, but that the child may re-
quire teaching, at some trouble, to use
the squirting eye Is a new idea to
many. 1t is easily grasped, however.
and must be grasped If our efforts are
to be effective. i have used the word
educative as help in that direction.
OF course there are parents and there
are children on whom all time and
trouble spent in this way are entirely
thrown away, but on the whole l have
been surprised at the care and pa
tience with which directions have been
carried out, even in homes where one
might least expect it.-London Stand
ard.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-10-26

way down town. He sent word that
he wanted to see her immediately.
Cant you wait a momentr' abe
asked. Il am anxious to send this
bundle down TO DR.. Halls church"
"Oh," replied Mr.. Vanderbilt, Il am
going right by the church on my way
down. Give me the bundle and Twill
let the sexton have It,"
His offer was accepted and he start
ed with the bundle In arm. When he
reached the church he found the sex
ton there. The latter received the
bundle thankfully, with many words Of
appreciation of the kindness of the
lady who had remembered the needs of
the church. Not so many days after
this, Mrs. Sloane herself. on coming
out of church, amid fashionable con-
course, happened to espy the sexton.
John" said she. did you get that
bundle sent you the other day?'
"Yes'm," was the cheerful reply.
Your coachman brought it Tuesday,
mum. New York Sun.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-10-26
KaIsers Sermon Puts a Sailor to Sleep

A good story about the Kaiser comes
from Berlin. 1t is well known that his
majesty, during his annual trip on
board the Hohenzollern to the Norwe-
gian fiords, is in the habit of conduct
ing divine service every Sunday morn
ing. He usually reads short liturgy
and follows the prayers with a sermon,
not Of his own composition, but from
the collection of some well-known
German divine. During his recent trip
the officers of the Hohenzollern noticed
that n sailor, during divine service,
either overcome by the heat or from
some other cause, had fallen fast
asleep. Their CONSERVATION was great.
and they were relieved when the i'm
perial sermon came to an end and the
sailor Weakened with start. After the
service the captain called the sailor be-
fore him, gave him q sound rating, and
sentenced him to two days arrest.
Now, it happens that on Sunday after
Moons on board the HohenZollern it Is
the Kaiser's custom to hear the cap
tain's report of the events of the pre-
ceding week. If any sailor has distin-
guished himself the Kaiser shakes
hands with him or says few kindly
words; If a sailor has been punished
the Kaiser hears the details. The cap
tain reported the incident of the sleep
ing sailor and the punishment inflicted
on him.
"Was he on the watch the night be-
foreT' asked the Kaiser.
"He was, your majesty"
"Then let the poor fellow off. Be
sides, 1t wasn't much Of sermon.
anyhow -Christian World.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-10-26

NC mO1U NC A4@@&<AV - - <E~~@@~~~
little said about the matter. Just q
week later he returned. BY climbing
tree he got up on the roof OF the
house, and working his way along he
struck the exact spot from above. II
was matched roof, and with his
knife he cut out a square hole. The
interior of the bungalow was ceiled,
or, at least, the rafters were. He cut
hole through this wooden ceiling
without noise, and was then able to
drop down into the strong room. He
first tried to pick the lock of the chest,
but failing In that he determined to
take the chest out. He had to file
through link of big chain, and then
ascend and go for rope. The chest
weighed 175 pounds. BY means Of this
rope, after charging the holes, he got
1t up and out on the roof. He had to
descend by way of the tree, but he
did 1t with that safe on his back. He
also got over an iron fence nine feet
high and had carried the safe full
mile when he was arrested by a pa
troll.
AFTER the fellow had been disposed
of new strong room was built In one
corner Of the parlor. 1t was a closet
just large enough to hold the safe and
made entirely of boiler plate. There
were two locks on the door, and bell
was arranged to give an alarm in case
stranger meddled. There was bed
room off this parlor, with door always
open, and my friend and l slept there
on cots. One night, two months after
the other robbery, two thieves came
after the chest They entered the
room over the top sash of window,
and working in the dark and within
fifteen feet of two sleeping men, pick
ed both locks with a stout piece of
wire. Before attempting to open the
door they disabled the bell The chain
on the safe ran through both handles
screwed to the iron wall. They I'M
screwed this bolt and were then ready
to take out the safe. Fearing to open
door, they cut out the panels of one,
and safe, chain and eye bolt all to-
gether were passed through. The
dead weight was over 200 pounds. 1t
was in getting the safe over the fence
that they made noise enough to arouse
us, and one of them was shot and
killed as he fed. They had worked in
the parlor for four long hours without
disturbing us. 1t would seem as IL
they must have made some little noise
with the safe and chain, especially in
passing them outdoors, but we hadn't
been awakened, though both were light
sleepers. 1t was probably better so.
asked the captured robber If he knew
we were there, and he smiled blandly
as he replied:
"We were bending over you before
we began at the door. Oh, yes, sahib,
we knew that you were there
land did you drug us with any
thing?'
"'Not at all, sahib. There was no
need
But suppose we had waked?" l
asked.
1--we had our knives-you would
have slept again! he said, as a muir
derous CLEAN came to his eyes for a
moment"
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-10-26
Murdered Woman Was His Sister.

An artist in black-and-white rushed
the other morning into the editorial
room of an Australian city paper and
described enthusiastically his new
process for reproducing photos, within
the short space of twenty minutes, of
which, he said, he could at once give
an example. You're the right man
in the nick of time. A man has just
murdered his wife and two children
down at - street, and Wen have
their pictures along presently"
Where did you sayT' inquired the
artist. "Blank street." replied the sub
editor. "what name?" asked the art
list. "X," replied the sub-editor.
"Good God! that's my sister,!
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-10-26
Lesson In English.

A physician of New York City re-
Gently got little lesson in the use Of
English from a German patient that
he says he will remember. He was ex-
aiming the patient as to her "his-
tory" in the way doctors do before
diagnosing a case, in order to have a
solid foundation for their investiga-
tons. In the course of his cross ques-
tioning he came to the matter of the
patients parents and asked:
''Are your father and mother alive
yet?"
Quite simply and naturally, with the
confidence that in following the doc
tors form of speech the correctness Of
her own English idiom was assured,
she answered.:
"Not yet!''
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-10-26
Mistaken for a aoaeI,msn.

The late Cornelius Vanderbilt usual
ly dressed in black even when not in
mourning. He was clean shaven or
wore only small side whiskers, and it
was to these peculiarities of his APP
pearance that was attributed n mis-
take once made by the sexton of the
Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Vanderbilt is said to have enjoyed
the joke more than anybody else who
heard It, Mrs. william ID. Sloane, his
sister, was on the point of having
some garments sent to the church,
when he came. into her house on his
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-10-26
Pace Of South American Horses.

The saddle horses In South America
have a mincing pace which Is very
easy to the rider and is said to have
been acquired in the time of the con-
questadors. During the early days in
the colonies he cabelleros decorated
their horses with a great many trap
pings, and often had sharp nails hang.
ing to the saddles and the nets with
which the animals were covered. To
avoid contact with these the horses
took short steps which finally de-
velopcd into the ambIe that Is now 90
common.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-10-26
peruyiau's Best Day for Business,

In the country districts of Peru
most of the houses and walls are made
of adobe and the bricks are manufac-
tured on the ground. In all the towns
and cities the stores are open Sunday
morning, and it Is the most profitable
day for trading. At noon, however,
everything is closed up and the after
noon and evening of Sunday are spent
In social enjoyment.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-10-26
Rarely Found In Europe.

The papyrus plant grows nowhere In
Europe with the exception of the
banks of the river Cyane in Syracuse,
Sicily. 1t is generally believed that 1t
was introduced from Egypt by the Sy-
racusan rulers in the day Of their in
innate relations with the Ptolemies,
but It has also been suggested that the
Saracens Introduced 1t from Syria
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-10-26

"After the Ball. is the most popular
song in Peru. You hear II everywhere,
the bands play 1t In every programme,
the sweet demoiselles pound at II on
their pianos as you pass up and down
the residence quarter and the poems
whistle II In the street. The words
have been translated into Spanish and
are familiar to everybody.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-10-26
peru,s Volunteer Fire Ladies'.

InPeru there are volunteer fire COM
panies in nearly all the cities similar
to those we used to have In the United
States before the days of paid organi-
zation, and they are called ''bom-
barderos."
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-10-26

Three hermits in Texas have vowed
never to look again upon the face of
woman.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-10-26

about 80 cents.
"As for slick thieves. India has 'em
by the thousands. No white man eau
approach Hindoo in pocket-picking,
and all the bolts and bars won't keep
burglar out. For time / had quar-
tiers at Jypur with government agent.
The bungalow had just been erected.
and special precautions had been taken
against thieves. There were times
when the agent had goodly sums In
his possession, and on a dozen diff
ferent occasions attempts had been
made to rob him. In the new bunga-
low every door and window could be
locked. The strong room was In the
middle of the house. The walls were
bricked up on the inside and the door
was of iron. Chained to the floor was
an iron chest. and of course the chest
had lock. With this room between
the sitting room and dining room 1t
appeared to be perfectly safe, espe.
cially as our servants were Europeans.
The house was. never alone by day,
and at night there were four of us In
1t. One morning IL was discovered
that an attempt had been made to en-
ter the strong room by cutting n hole
through the floor. The bungalow was
clear of the ground, and but for the
brick and cement floor the fellow
would have got at the box. What puz-
zled us wns how he hit on the spot so
exactly. He couldn't have done better
with tapeline and full liberty to
use It. ~
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-03-21
BILLINGS POsTOFFICE.
LOCAL NOTES.
!Racycle-the new wheel.

-Racycle-the new wheel. n
The public schools will close Fri
dayfor a weeks vacation.
iEGeo. M. Hays, deputy state treas
,tfer, is in the city from Helena.
A girl baby was born to the wife
of M. Shea in this city yesterday.
w. E. Russell, cashier of the mines
at Carbonate, visited Billings yester-
day.
M. E. Knowles of Helena, state
= veterinarian, was in the city over Sun
day.
F. Fl. Hathhorn has been visiting
his mother near Livingston for the past
few days.
+Prophet Hicks is rather OVERRIDING
himself in the matter of snow storms
for March.
The A. O. U. W. lodge will held a
social session in the Smith block tomor-
row night.
DIR. Carl Schulin, the Helena ocu-
list, will be here again next Saturday,
at the Grand.
Major E. Fl. Becker, wife and son,
were Sunday visitors in Billings from
Grow Agency.
Rev. W. u. Clark was a visitor in
Laurel yesterday, returning home on
the evening train. "
Henry Gilsdorf went to Bohemian
yesterday to purchase some cattle for
Billings consumption.
70. R. Hess arrived from St. Paul
last night and will soon open a photo
graph studio in Billings.
j. B. Herford spent a couple of
days last week at Carbonate looking
after some business interests.
HHon. A. L. Babcock arrived home
Friday night after nearly three weeks
spent OF business in the east.
20. E. Dimmitt. a prominent dry
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-03-21
goods merchant of Great Falls, had
business in this city yesterday.

goods merchant of Great Falls, had
business in this city yesterday.
NV. D. Story, the ranclman from
Park City. vas a Billings visitor yes
terday, buying hay for bis stock.
Mr.. and Mrs. A. Neiderman Of the
Musselshell country have come to Bill.
ings for a stay of several weeks.
Mrs. S~hellenberger, wife Of the
Northern Pacific agent at Custer, has
eome to st. Vincent's for treatment.
IS. E. Stillwell and Robt. Turnbull,
interested in land properties around
Cody, Wyo.. were III the city Saturday.
MIR. and Mrs. l.. L. Moffett are the
proud parents Of a bright-eyed girl
baby, which arrived at their home Fri
day.
Speaker Stiff of the lower body of
the recent legislature, vas in the city
Sunday, being on his way east from
Missoula.
Go to W. B. George for fire and ac-
cident insurance. He represents the
largest line of fire insurance companies
in the state. 4
90. L. Merrill, an attorney of the
booming coal camp Of Bridger. was
here yesterday on his way home from
a visit to Miles City. -
An effort will be made by Edge
mont people and the sheepmen con-
tiguous to that city to have the Bur-
lington erect a wool warehouse.
Rev. VIM. S. Bell of Helena, state
superintendent of missions Of the Con-
gregational church, was in the city to-
day on business with Rev. W. D. Clark.
NV. M. Johnston and wife will dur
ing the next few days move to the cot
residence on North Twenty-sixtL street.
Senator Oscar Gruwell and family
are entertaining Tom Gruwell, a
nephew of the former, who arrived yes
terday from Orange, California, for a
visit.
H. s. Chapman, the Carbon county
woolgrower, is entertaining his brother
and family, who recently arrived, from
Oregon to make their future home in
Montana. fff II a
! The lovers Of good music will have
the opportunity to hear such tonight at
the concert to be given in theCongre-
gational church by the Chicago Ladies
Quartette.
Dan Foley, who has been working
at Huntley for L. I. Hammond, the
railroad contractor, was taken to st.
Vincent's yesterday with a bad case Of
rheumatism.
The city election draws nigh and
the interest in the same increases daily.
The candidates for the varipusrofices
apparently seem to be in the hands of
their friends.
Mrs. George Gordon leaves tonight
for Helena, which place will be her
future home. Mr.. Gordon has for some
time had a railroad run out of that city
as conductor.
"A steam shovel gang is Working on
the grade of the Northern Pacific rail
road near Columbus. When the grade
is reduced it will enable the trains to
cut down time.
Miss Martha Holland, teacher in
the school for white children at Grow
Agency, passed through Billings Satur-
day on her way to visit relatives in
Carbon county.
. Walter Martin. formerly of the
S~tockgrowers' Journal at Miles City,
has succeeded B. F. Yerkes as editor !
and manager of the Carbon County
Sentinel at Gebo. N
-Chas. F. Burton expects toIsoon
the erection Of ode.story
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-03-21
NORTHERN PACIFIC TRAINS.

WEST BOUND.
ARRIVES. DEPARTS
Mail No. 3............ LOS a. m. 1:l5 a. m.
Mail No. ....... 1895 a. m. 1O:45 q. m.
EAST BOUND.
J." ARRIVES. PAR
Mail No. ..........1 1855 D. m. 11:O5 o. m.
Mail No. 2.........., $50 a. m. 500 q, m,
RED LODGE BRANCH.
" n.' ARRIVES. DEPARTS.
Accommodation ...... 700 p. m. $50 6. m.
Daily Except Sunday.
GEBO, BRIDGER & CARBON BRANCH.
ARRIVES. DEPARTS.
Accommodation 49,. /. $3.50 p. m. 7:3O a.. m.
Daily except Sunday.
II. N. KENNDY, Agent.