davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-02-04
4 Gr.nt Torture FACTORY.

Does anybody know anything more
calculated to give one cold shivers than
to be confined in room where several
people are writing with quill pens?
People who suffer from nerves will be
rejoiced TO hear that the quill-pen in
dustry is gradually dying out. Russia
is now the factory where the greater
part of these diaboieal weapons of tor
ture are manufactured. In that coCn
try the geese are bred in immense
Try the geese are bred on immense
farms. goose gives only ten or
twelve serviceable quills each season.
The raw quills. after being sorted. are
"dutched." which makes them hard
and transparent. The quills are held
singly for few seconds in a hollow
fire and then pressed with a sharp in
strument on a heated steel plate. Each
pen is cut by hand. single-bladed
knife being used. A good workman
can cut 1.20O pens day.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-02-04

The berries of the yew have killed
many persons. and it is pretty well
known nowadays that it is not safe to
eat many peach pits or cherry kernels
at once.
Among the garden plants commonly
in vogue which possess a poisonous
nature botanists mention the flowers
of the jonquil, white hyacinth and
snowdrop the narcissus being also par
ticularly deadly-so much so. indeed.
that to chew a small scrap of one of the
bulbs may result fatally. while the
juice of the leaves is an emetic
There is enough opium in red pop
pies to do mischief. and the autumn
crocus, if the blossoms are chewed.
causes illness.
The lobelias are all dangerous. their
juice, if swallowed. producing giddi-
ness. with pains in the head.
Lady's slipper poisons in the same
manner as does the poison ivy. The
bulb seems TO be the most harmful.
Lilies of the valley are also as poison
Gus.
The leaves and flowers of the olean-
der are deadly. and the bark of the
catalpa tree is very mischievous. The
water dropwort, when not in flower.
resembles celery. and is virulent.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-02-04
Primitive Artillery.

As to the character OF the first in
strument for throwing missiles. and
just when ii was invented, we have no
certain knowledge. but it must have
been at an early cate. for we read in
Genesis X 3. tina; "Nimrod was
mighty hunter before the Lord" and
surely the skill that has kept his name
in RENE nbrance for the thousands OF
years must have been gained by the
use of some sure. weapon than the
clubs or stone knives of primitive man.
Without doubt man early learned how
much execution can he done by well
aimed stone. and attempts hurl it
with greater force and accuracy prob
ably led to the invention of the sling.
one of the simplest as well as most
formidable of these early weapons. II
was long one Of the principal instru-
ments OF war among the anci~.ts. and
the story of David and Goliath is
good illustration o: what could be done
by one skilled in its rse. This skill.
however. could he acquired only by
early and careful training. In the
Balaeric islands. it is said in ancient
times the parents suspended the dinner
of their boys upon poles. and required
them 10 bring it down with slings be-
fore they were allowed to eat.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-02-04

Fish do not breathe air. but the life
supporting constituent of air-oxygen
gas-which is soluble in water TO the
extent of three volumes in one hundred
at ordinary temperatures, and four in
one hundred at freezing point.
The water containing the dissolved
oxygen is made TO pass over the gills.
where it is separated from the blood
only by a very thin membrane through
which the gas is able TO pass.
Fish in ice-bound rivers have to de-
pend entirely upon this store of oxygen
for their respiration, and If it should
become exhausted they are suffocated.
Just as we should be if deprived of oxy-
gen.
II rarely happens. however. f"at any
considerable area of water is entirely
covered with ice. especially in the case
of rivers. Holes and cracks are almost
sure TO occur here and there. by which
the oxygen of the air can reach the
water and become dissolved in il. Dur
ing a long frost fish may always be
found congregated beneath air holes in
large numbers. They are there to
breathe.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-02-04
CLEVER RUSSIAN COUNT.
He Found n Way .. Heating a Persian
Creditors Unique Method.

He Found Way cs beating Persian
Creditors Unique Method.
In Persia, when creditor fails to
get his money in any other way. he
appears in the debtors house and sits
down. Then he does not move away
till the delinquent pays up. lie en-
ters the debtors sleeping apartments.
il possible. and has his meals brought
in. A few years ago a Persian held
an unsatisfied claim against the Brit
ish government. and he presented him.
self before the British minister one day
and camped out in his private Office.
The minister did not see the joke. and
sent for a policeman. That made
lot of noise and trouble, and the Rus
sian representative in Teheran evident
ly learned lesson from it. for he man.
aged case of the same kind much
differently few weeks ago.
The Persian who demanded money
from the Russian tCoUnt kolomesowD
was a holy man. a dervish. and when
he sat down in the Russians ante room
TO wait till the latter paid his disputed
claim. Count KoIomeisow knew that
he could not get rid of him without
much fuss and explanation. Il is
against the laws, or al least the GUS
tom. which is jrst as firm. to touch
creditor who takes this means of coll
lecting money. so the count did not
throw him out. Be thor ght over the
matter. and one morning he sent for a
lot Of masons. Then he ordered them
to build a wall around the dervish.
who was sitting in the middle OF the
room. The derv;sh watched them
placidly at first. but when the wall
grew. and it became apparent that it
would be completed soon. he jumped
over it. ran away. and has not been
seen since. They say that the count
is the first man il Teheran who has
beaten a creditor of this kind without
recourse to the police.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-02-04

II is estimated that the earth re-
ceives not more than one thousand
millionth part of the total radiation
of the suns rays. II any considerable
proportion OF this heat were concen-
trated upon the earth it would not only
become uninhabitable. but be speedily
consumed II the great accumulation
at a point on which this tremendous
heat could be focused, it would melt
at the rate of three hundred millions
of miles of solid ice per second. and
the heat is estimated to generate en-
ergy at the rate of about ten thousand
horsepower to every square foot OF
surface
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-02-04

Honey is not a perishable article. Dc
not be in too great hurry to sell.
Thorough ripening is OF more i'm
portance to honey than the color of it.
Hives should be painted as often at
least as every two years.
The best packing for chaff hives is
a good quality OF wheat chaff
Some absorbing materia! should al
ways be used over the bees in winter
Bees cannot be fed sirups of any kind
after cold weather sets in.
Generally a natural swarm is ready
for business as soon as II is hived
In making comb-honey the main de-
pendence is on the first swarms.
A good and convenient lighting place
should be provided for every swarm.
Raising section honey in perfec,
shape is very costly as compared to
extracting.
Roofs OF hives OF whatever kind
should be painted every fall.
Every colony OF bees which does not
contain a fertile queen is in danger OF
being robbed.
II should be remembered that queen
cells will only mature and bring perfect
queen when strong in nuclei
Almost all extracted honey will gran
ulate and beco.h .he like suger during cold
weather.
When once granulatej it will remain
in this condition. so that to thoroughly
melt 1t IL must be heated almost to
boiling
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-02-04

Africa seems TO he the great country
for insect eating. Large quantities OF
locusts. caterpillars. and beetle grubs
are consumed by the natives. And in
certain parts white ants. or termites.
are esteemed a welcome addition 10 the
bill of fare These ants may be pre-
pared in various WAYS. One is to boil
them down in water to the consistency
of porridge. Or they may be eaten
simply dried over the fire. Cooked
with beaten up eggs :hey make not
unsavory omelet. CT they may be used
in meat pies instead OF flesh A Euro
pean traveller in Africa remarks that
white ants taste something like meat
str fling. He received about fifty loads
of them for the use OF his people.
The same traveller tells us how on
his marches he used small ants nests.
mushroom shaped and about the size
Of mans head, as hearth stones. three
of them being arranged in a triangle.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-02-04

Many of the ocean liners are now
provided with very ingenious ma
chine for turnirg out large quantities
of bread-andbut. or sandwiches.
The machine cuts and buffers sixty
slices minute. an with its aid 5000
sandwiches have seen made in two
hours.
The increasing number Of robheries
in France has led to one formation of
an assurance society against losses by
theft. The amount oi money paid 10
the victims of the light-tingered gentry
depends. of course. on the premiums re-
c,ivcd by the association. 1t might
pay such a company IL is suggested 10
start u school of thi YES. as the more
widely the latter ply their trade. the
greater is likely to be the success Of the
new enterprise.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-02-04
WASP AS AN ENGINEER.
Bit of Insect CIevcrnes, That Won Praise
From Army Men.

Several members of the United
States engineer corps were interested
witnesses OF a feat of insect engineer
ing near the road on which they were
working. One of their number found
a blue ground wasp dragging along the
ground a dead swamp spider one-quar-
ter the size of frll-grown tarantula.
Whether the wasp killed the spider or
found ii dead is question beyond So
luton. lie was having a hard time
dragging his prey along. and presently
left 1t to go prospecting for his abode.
The diseoverer of the wasp called his
companions, and one OF them in COM
ing stepped Upon the wasp's ground
hole. crushing down some blades of
dried grass across it. This caused no
little trouble TO the insect, who. upon
locating the hole. nipped away at the
obstructing stalks with his strong
mandibles until he had cleared a pas
sage. Then he went back and sized
up the spider. walking around the big
body and surveying IL from all sides.
Hes reckoning that the hole isn't
big enough said one of the engineers.
That's all right: he'll fix it,. said
another. as the insect went back and
commenced vigorously widening the
entrance TO his domicile.
Again he returned to the spider.
seized ii and dragged il to within
foot of the orifice. To the spectators
ii was evident that more work would
have to be done before the spider could
be dragged in. This struck the wasp.
too. for again he ran around the body.
examining it carefully. and returned
to the hole 10 take measurements. He
went to digging a second time. Hav-
ing dug for two minutes he brought
his prey up to the edge of the hole,
nipped out piece of dirt here. cut
away a grass stem there. and after fif-
teen minutes of hard and skilful labor
disappeared underground. dragging the
spider after him. doubtless to form the
piece de resistance in winter store
house. The engineers then resumed
their work. exchanging comments OF
admiration.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-02-04
where Kentucky nnngnnge stops.

Baron Casseirs, a well known
FrenchmaE, when he frs; made trip
TO Lexington on behalf of a friend OF
his in Paris who asked him TO secure
a very fine horse. While in Lexington
he was treated most Hospitality. AL
though he did not speak the very best
of English. he found himself getting
along very handsomely with the Ken
tuckians. On the afternoon of the first
day he inquired of one of his enter
tainers: Should desire TO invite the
gentleman TO drink. how should | say
it?" The enthusiastic Bourbonite re-
piled: will you do me the honor, sir.
to drink with me. sir?" 1T is very
good" replied the baron. but il the
gentleman asked me TO drink. what
should | say" THE plan here is TO
slap him on the back. sir. and say.
1t gives me great pleasure. sir. to
drink with you 1T is very good"
replied the baron. but If | am salts
fed and don't want to drink any more.
and wish TO decline an offer TO drink,
what should | say" You are -
fool" replied the astounded Kentuck-
ian. There is no expression in the
English language to cover that idea"
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-02-04

There is capital hotel system in
vogue in certain parts of Norway In
villages where no hotel exists one of
the more prominent inhabitants is
subsidized by the Norwegian govern
ment. and in return is bound to pro-
vide accommodations for not less than
four travellers: he may take in four il
he chooses. but four is the minimum.
The accommodation and food supplied
are excellent. and the charges are very
moderate.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-02-04

Some agile brain centuries ago de-
vised the side-saddle for lame prin-
cess who could not ride astride as 9TH
er women did in those charming days.
Incidentally. this shows that the mod
ern practice among women of sitting
on both sides of the horse is not mod
ern at ALL First came the additional
pommel. and then only sixty or sew.
enty years ago. the third pommel. An
Englishman who had bet that he could
ride steeplechase on a side-saddle
found himself compelled. for safety. to
add another pommel Many English
women of this day use two saddles.
and sit alternately on the right and
left sides of the horse.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-02-04
world. biggest Crop.

The average man If asked what is the
most important crop of the world
would unhesitatingly say, wheat.
This is true i'm the United States. but
far from the ease in the world as =
whole The first place must be given
the potato. OF all the staple crops of
the world the potato takes the first
place the annual crop being more than
4. .0OO. .nO0.O 900 bushels. against 2.500.-
0ouWO bushels of wheat and 2,600.-
0O0. 600 bushels of corn. OF the total
potatoe crop Europe produces fully
sevcp-eights. and onehalf times as
much as her wheat and all the cereals
together are but 80 per cent more.
The Sales Of Hoods Sarsaparilla
are the largest in the world because
the cures by Hoods Sarsaparilla are
wonderful, perfect, permanent.
Hoods Pills are the best family
cathartic and liver medicine. zoe.
II. sl... Il 4.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-02-04

A well-known Portland. Me. man.
who is the posscssnr Of wooden leg,
had queer experience ne other day.
In some way the paper in the vast"
basket under the desk caught fire. and
the flames were communicated to the
wooden leg. gaining considerable head.
way before he realized what was up.
He had hot time of it Tor few min.
utes but came out of il with leg still
fit for service.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-02-04
The Baltimore Weekly Sun

The WEEKLY Sun PUBLISHES ALL THE
NEWS of each week, giving complete ac-
counts of all events of interest through
out the world. The WEEKLY SUN is
unsurpassed as an
AGRICULTURAL PAPER.
II is edited by writers of practical ex
perience, who know what farming
means and what farmers want in an
agricultural journal. IL contains rcgE-
lar reports of the work of the AGRIcrL-
TuRAL experiment stations throughout
the country, of the proceedings ef
farmers clubs and institutes, and the
discussion of new methods and ideas in
agriculture. ITS MARKET REPORTS,
POULTRY DEPARTMENT and VETERINARY
column are particularly valuable to
country readers. The POULTRY DEPART
MEST is edited by well-known poultry
expert, and every issue contains practi-
cal information of value for poultry
raisers. Poultry on many farms has
become great source of revenue, and
those interested in this profitable indus
try viii find the Poultry Department d
the WEEKLY Sun invaluable in the way
of suggestions. advice and information.
Every issue contains STORIES, POEMS
HOUSEHOLD AND PUZZLE COLUMNS. j
variety of interesting and instructive
selected matter and other features,
which make il welcome visitor III city
aud country homes alike.
One Dollar year. Inducements 10
getters-up of clubs for the WEEKLY
SUS. Both the Daily and Weekly sun
mailed free of postage in the United
States. Canada and Mexico. Payments
invariably in advance. Address
A. $. ABELL COMPANY. &
Publishers and Proprietors,
BALTIMORE. Mn,
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-02-04

Formerly the ashes on steamships
were gathered into great cans. hoistcd
to the decks with more or less difficulty
and thrown overheard. Amsng the
new devices for labor saving in this
direction is a chute into which very
strong air current is forced. The ashes
are placed in the ch lte rs they ac-
cumulate and are almost instantly
blown through this conductor into the
sea. The amount of labor saved by
this means can scarcely be appreciated
by those who have not watched the
wearisome dragging of the enormous
quantity OF refuse from the furnaces
In steamships and large plants of this
description.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-02-04
RANGE OF THE HONEY BEE.
The Distance Traversed by This Little
Insect In Quest of Nectar.


The range OF the honey bee is but lit
tie understood by the masses. many
supposng that bees go for miles in
quest of nectar while others think they
go only a short distance. II may be
curious to many to understand how any
one can tell how far the bees may fly.
but this is simple when understood.
Years ago, when the Italian bees were
first introduced in the United States,
these bees. having marks different to
the common bees already here. they
were very easily distinguished, and
after any bee keeper had obtained the
Italian bees they could be observed and
their range easily noticed. II bloom is
plentiful close where bees are located
they will not go very far. perhaps a
they may go five miles. Usually about
three miles is as far as they may go
profitably.
Bees have been known to go as far as
eight miles in a straight line. crossing
a body OF water that distance to land
IL 10 WOnutilut HOh luC sittiC hOhNs
bee can go so far from its home and
ever find it's way back to its own par
ticular hive. II, while the little bee is
out of its home or hive, the hive should
be moved some ten to twenty feet. ac-
cording to the surroundings. when it
came back to where its home was first
located it would be hopelessly lost. If
its home was in an open space with no
other objects close. It might find its way
home, but even should the hive be
moved only few feet. many of the
bees would be lost.
So to move hive. II done in the win
ter time. 1t would be all right. but if in
the summer time it should be done af-
ter dark, or when the bees are not fly
ing. and even then the bees should be
stirred up some, and smoke blown in at
the hive entrance. and board or some
object placed in front OF the ehive, so that
the bees in coming out may mark their
new location. Bees, no doubt, are
guided by sight, and also by sense of
smell. They are attracted by the color
OF bloom, as IL they are at work on
a certain kind OF bloom they are not
likely to leave that particular kind of
bloom for any other as long as they
can find that kind. Again. bees are
often attracted to sweets by their sense
OF smell, for they will go after sweets
even IL in the dark. IL close. However,
any kind of sweets may be placed in
glass in plain sight. but If covered. so
as not to emit any smell, the bees will
take no notice OF it.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-02-04

Eighteen hundred years ago or there
abouts, the Roman emperor Trajan
built a bridge across ne Danube. the
piers of which are found by the Rou-
manian engineers solid enough to sus-
tain a new structure. which will unite
the towns of Ternu SEVERN. in Rou-
mania. and Gladova. in Servia. In the
middle of the structure the statue of
Trajan will stand .uur squares TO all
the winds that blow.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-02-04

In proportion to its size, Switzerland
has more inns than any other country
in the world The entertainment OF
tourists has become the chief industry
of the land. No less than !. roo hostel.
ries. stationed for the most part OF
mountain tops or near glaciers. are OF
the list. and the receipts Of the hotel.
keepers amour: ta 80 $50 900 a year
so 1t cannot be such Il bad business.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-02-04

In these days. when the hand of the
Anarchist assassin is lifted against
sovereigns and statesmen. it is graf
flying to know that Lord Salisbury
has a powerful lifeguard ever at his
side. There is at Hatfield a cherished
breed OF faithful hounds of immense
strength and bulldog tenacity. One
of these is the Premier's close friend,
and accompanies him in his walks
about Hatfield. So faithful guardian
is he that Lord Salisbury. with touch
OF his characteristic playful irony, has
called him Pharaoh" because he will
not let the people go.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-02-04

According to III" taoic prepared ny
- Government IN Gei2iS, natives from
II are the pen, 81 immigrants ar.
ing In the United States. while those
ain Gsrranv and England are th,
.althiest. The average per capita ni
persons from Italy arriving dur
. July was S99S. from German,
-?,.96 and England S5l.56.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-02-04
MANURE PULvkRlzER.

and here 1t is that the home made tool
Is found most handy. Such a one is
shown in this diagram. and it is for
pulverizing manure on plowed ground
or in places where the machine cannot
be used to advantage. The cut shows
clearly how the implement is made. 1t
consists simply of inclined planks so
placed that the inclined edges break
up the manure II is only necessary
that the planks be heavy TO do the
work well, much better than can be
done with the inclined teeth of har-
row. which is frequently used when a
machine is not available.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-02-04
Russian MuIberries.

In order TO obtain trees of given
variety. ii is necessary TO graft from
trees OF Russian mulberry There are
differences among the seedlings of this
fruit. as with other fruits. Mulberry
and apple may be either budded or
grated. but plum and cherry are more
successfully budded than grated.
though grating may be done with fair
success il the work is done very care
fully early in the season.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-02-04

The boiler of cleverly-constructed
small working engine. is quarter
pound coffee tin; the wheels. quarter
and half-pound tin lids: the chimney.
an umbrella top; the steam pipe. an
India rubber tube; and other parts
consist of knitting needle. a bicycle
spoke. piece of brass lamp, some gas
piping. a cartridge end and the screw
stopper of an oil tin.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-02-04

In this age OF improved farm machin-
cry the old-fashioned homemade tool
is not much used but it frequently hap
pens that machine cannot be used to
advantage on all parts of the ground.