davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-03-26
ohn Burroughs Locking His Cabin Door, Bent Trip Across
TioIJc
the Fields.
Copyrighted. 1883. by Clifton johnson

long slope that sweeps steeply back from
the river, and here he raises great guam
titles of grapes, currants, peaches and
other small fruits for the city markets
A Woodland Genius.
On one of the higher terraces of tho
farm stands substantial stone house
hiding in a grove of evergreens. But this
house is much too civilized to suit our
nature lovers shy woodland genius lie
no sooner had his home established there
in than he built a small one-room study
down the hill on a ledge overlooking the
broad river. To give it the proper flavor
Of rusticity he covered the outer walls
with bark, which makes its occupancy Is
near living in hollow tree as one can
come with any comfort. In his study
Mr.. Burroughs kept his books, here he
wrote and here he meditated by an open
fire.
Outside he had a woodpi1e which he cut
into fireplace lengths with his own hands,
thus, as he affirms, getting the heat from
the wood twice over, once in the working
UP and again in the burning. Under the
caves of the study he nailed up boxes
as an invitation to the birds, and in win
ter he fastened pieces of meat to the trees
for birds to pick at in the hungry cold
The feathered folk accepted his advances
and in return adopted him as a peace
ably disposed neighbOr and friend; and
thew revealed all their secrets to the good
gray man who had his home in this little
bark-covered building on the hillslope.
One would think that now our nature
enthusiast, in surroundings so idyllicly
TRANQUIL and rural, would have been sat
isfied; and so he was for a while. But
the environment did not stand the test of
time. The highway and the village were
not far away, two lines of railway thread
ed the valley, and the Hudson with it's
commerce was always before his eyes.
These things Jared on his sensibiltties.
The place was too public, the prospect too
cultivated and too much associated with
trade and traffic, and he felt more and
more a lack of the primitive simplicity
that was his especial delight.
Hiding Deeper in the Forest.
As the land in the vicinity recedes from
the river it grows wilder. and at little
remove rises in rocky, tree-clad ridges
that In places are mountain high. Mr..
Burroughs in his leisure often tramped
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-03-26

are certain tin pals containing fresh
meats, milk etc. In the kitchen cup
board are canned goods, prepared foods.
honey and other eatables. Then there
is the garden always at hand to draw
from, and in a near nook is a henhouse,
and the flock that makes the clearing It's
home furnishes the cabin table with eggs.
do not think Mr.. Burroughs loves
housekeeping for its own sake, but he ac-
cepts the work for the pleasure of the
accompanying freedom. Not much time
is spent on cooking, dish-washing, bed
making and the like-only just enough to
make the place presentable and keep 1t
in state of free and easy wholesome
ness. The day as a whole is for farming,
writing and meditation.
a Days Work With the Author.
The first duty after the breakfast
things are out of the way is to tramp
down through the woods to the village In
the valley to get the mail. AT the same
time Mr.. Burroughs visits Rfverby and
gives directions for the days work on the
farm If 1t is at the time Of the grape
harvest or If there are other important
tasks in progress he may stay all day to
help and superintend, but as rule he
soon returns to his beloved Slabsides-
The rest of the morning he spends in
reading, writing and thinking, with some
Interruptions in the way of the neces-
sary preparations for dinner. Afternoons
he walks through the woods or walks in
his celery swamp or perhaps makes
second visit to Riverby.
He always returns from the lowlands
to his cottage among the rocks with
sense of relief. He is glad to get away
from all connection with what smacks of
hurry and business. To quote his own
words he has IAN unfailing satisfaction
in the simpler, ruder things of life, and
as soon as I step within the walls Of Slab
sides my cares slip away from me and 1
feel as If had escaped from something
that harassed me"
Nor can the visitor with healthful in
stincts help sharing this feeling to some
extent. You come under the spell and
think you, too, would like TO build Slab
sides in some quiet forest dell. But. after
all the life would probably not fit an
other as It does John Burroughs. He Is
one of natures children and he finds a
happiness in being alone with nature that
is granted to very few.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-03-26

those wooded wilds, and the desire grew
on him to live among them. AS result
he finally bought several acres of swamp
land in q hollow high among the hills and
entered with enthusiasm on the task OF
draining the marsh, clearing out the
brush and stumps and building himself
cabin.
The spot is a mile and half from the
Riverby home and its only approach is
by a circuitous and seldom-used wood
road. Indeed, 1t is so seQuestered that
when strangers come to seek out the IA
nous nature writer they sometimes get
lost and wander for hours about the
I, y mountains before they find the lit
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-03-26
fohn Burroughs
IN ITS Cabin Jfon7c
eSvmuathehc Character Suav "a2ooaana teenAzs

the least faint of sentimentalism or AZ
fectation, and I think a coarse-f1bered
designation like 'Slabsdes will grow con-
stantly more significant and pleasing,
while one would tire Of a name that was
merely pretty"
The interior of the cabin is hardly less
rustic than its outer aspect. There are
no carpets or rugs the unhewn joists Of
the floor above are exposed and have still
their natural covering of bark. and much
of the woodwork in the walls and in the
furniture is of yellow birch sapltngs. It
is all of Mr.. Burroughs planning and his
personal labor has entered more or less
into nearly everything.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-03-26
Special to the Sunday Call.

w :: +: g: :: 4: !:
oral reader was recopnized a
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-03-26

~ = HEN JOnn burroughs began
~ | to write about nature thirty
~ years ago the remarkable abil-
~ NJ ity he possesses of making the
Y subject interesting TO the gen.
eral reader was recognized at
once. He was accorded the foremost
place among American nature writer's al
most from the start, and this he has held
ever since.
Authors who make the out of door world
their theme have multiplied in recent
years, but a quarter of a century ago
Burroughs was nearly alone in his chosen
domain. His work had and continues to
have all the charm of original observa-
ton in new fields and the fresh, boyish
enthusiasm of his descriptions is I'M
equaled. He has been a pioneer blazing
path into the unknown. Many now fol-
low in his footsteps, but the position of
patriarch of the clan is his by common
consent. and among his fellow craftsmen
he is regarded with universal affection.
Mr.. Burroughs personal appearance Is
strikingly typical of his standing among
authors of his class He has something
of a pioneers simplicity Of dress and
manner, and he has the snowy hair and
long white beard of the patriarch If
you see him about his home you would
take him for a farmer-not one Of the
callous handed, dissipated sort who carry
the odor and CRIME OF their calling about
with them, yet one who IS used to real
work, nevertheless. He has fondness
for the comfort of old clothes and easy
shoes, and he is no stranger to manual
labor, though most of his farming con-
sists in planning and directing.
The farm is his chief support, not his
literary work. He does not write for
living. but writes only when he feels
moved to do so and because he loves the
wild things of the woods and fields which
he describes with such truth and insight
In his earlier life Mr.. Burroughs was
for a long time a school teacher, and
later for several years held a Govern
went nosition in Washington. But the
country always called to him, and at
length he bought little farm on the west
shore of the Hudson about half way be,
tween New York and Albany, and turned
his back on city and town NE nol eN 81,
IL bae.named his place 'Riverby." 1t IS
q strip of seventeen acres lying on the
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-03-26
Rurrouehs at Home.


The feature of all others that he takes
pride in is the great stone chimney. 1t
is warranted to draw well in all wealth
ers and not to smoke in spite of its having
a fireplace that in amplitude rivals those
of the olden times. The fireplace was
not made merely for the company Of its
blaze and its social warmth on chilly
evenings. 1t is a domestic fireplace, built
to cook by, and a black teakettle is all
most always suspended from the iron
crane and other kettles and pots repose
about the borders of the hearth.
Slabsides is Mr.. Burroughs home all
through the year, save In the coolest
months. There he eats, sleeps and writes,
and the solitude of the spot and the prim-
tive living agree with him mentally and
physically He is in the midst of the
woods The rocks and the ridges hem
him in and shut out all sight and all
sounds of the modern world of railroads,
steamers and business hurly-burly. The
softened roar of a waterfall steals to the
ears from some distant raVine, the wind
whispers in the LEAKAGE of the near trees,
birds sing and twitter through the sum-
mer days and at night the whippoorWt1
calls from the neighbOring rocks. In the
spring the evenings are musical with the
voices of the frogs and tOads, and in the
autumn the katydids made the air reson-
ant with their disputing, crows and hawks
hovers about the mountain top. Part
ridges come to the borders of the clear
ing and wild ducks frequent the creek in
the hollow q half mile away.
Nature and it's untamed progeny are
close about always Yet the cabin sur
roundings are not wholly .uncivilized, for
since the swamp has been drained Mr..
Burroughs had made a garden of its rich
mold. and there he raises famous celery,
cabbage, potatoes, sweet corn and other
vegetables.
As a Housekeeper.
Whoever comes to visit this latter-day
hermit, whether friend or stranger, is
sure of a hospitable reception. If meal
time approaches you are invited to stay
to lunch. The larder is never empty and
Mr. Burroughs is an expert in the prep
aration of a rustic dinner. Not far away
a cold spring bubbles from the rocks and
there half immersed in its crystal basin,
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-03-26
As a Housekeeper.

On H.
Pigeon Point She In command OF
superintendent Of the Oceanic steamship
lock- a her from Pan
the water at
time of the crash OF the
rocks.
Very little anything. remains of these vessels In some
instances only halfbured mbers remain to snow that
there. Not IN the case or
the ship New York however Though many storm mas rgea
some OF her
still standing while the hull from the companion
forward is intact and TO all
appearances ship launched Amid
through hull
nothing vi keelsons.
The New York formerly the American ship T. F.
built of America She lucky ship and
a would do with the
hoodoo that induced her rechristen her New York
from HOngkong when she lost.
Early in the morning of March 80 1885, the people of Half
standing inshore The people aboard did
where they finally
a
ships
again a lat
a o'clock the New York
Hafmoon
Captain Peabody, American ship
colt in charge Of the New York and he and his family
The had valuable
sold spectators for $50 Most of
saved the hull remains
laundering.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-03-26
By Clifton Johnson.
tie glen where stands his cabin.
Building "Slabsides."

Building "Slabsides."
This cabin is built on a ledge of rock
at the borders OF the swamp. 1t is a
fair sized story and a half structure with
one room below stairs and a. loft above.
Along one side is a broad piazza with
shaggy cedar posts The outer walls are
of slabs and this has led its owner to
call 1t "Slabsdes." n name not altogether
liked by the authors friends. They find
the title too rude, but Mr.. Burroughs says
cts q rough and ready place and why
shouldn't 1t have a rough and ready
manner can't stand anything that has
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-03-26

People who yardstck Of the
years of study and experiments that
the standard yard observed official of the
Bird famous scientist standard
yard in $780, but English egaize
until
Ten years afterward when the House of Parliament in
London destroyed by fire. the standard lost and
England again without length Sleeps
banks made standard which the English
Government adopted and, be again de-
stoyed by fire. four authorized made of it. One
OF these deposited the Royal in the Royal
society another in the observatory Greenwich and the
fourth was mbedded in the walls House of Para
The standard yard which owned by the Gov
eminent copies of the original which is owned by
the coast The United Naval Observatory has
also.
The delicacy of its gathered
fact of
Fahrenheit has been found sensible effect the
length of the
THE copies of the of bronze the
that bronze
single
The of the original standard yard
involved the his
six Sheepsbanks eleven
curae copies which he Birds original
unents .'-Washington Star.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-22
THE MARKET ELSEWHERE.

New York, March 21-The profess
sional character of the trading today
was shown by the fact that of the
$50 900 shares traded in, nearly half
were in the two stocks which moved
most erratically, Sugar and Brooklyn
Transit
Immediately after the opening. the
leading industrials were pressed for
sale sympathetically with the sudden
declines in Sugar and Brooklyn Transit
An idea of the violence of the move
ment in the specialties Is conveyed by
the fact that Sugar dropped IA points
from the highest in the morning and
Brooklyn Transit AZ
subsequently they each recovered Z
points from the lowest, leaving Sugar
off on the day and Brooklyn Transit
TX up. Accompanying the decline in
Sugar there was disseminated the de-
NAL by an anonymous official of the
company that any deal with competi-
tors firms was in existence.
The early decline in Brooklyn Transit
appeared to be realizing on the an
nouncement of the company's absorp-
ton of Brooklyn Elevated. The rally
seemed to be buying on advance in
formation.
The prospect that the Third avenue
line might have to give up its Amster-
break Of 1874 in Third avenue, which
dipped to 200. The general market
shows moderate sympathetic move
ments with the leaders and developed
weakness when call money rates
reached per cent and then rallied
when money worked easier to per
cent. The bulk Of the business was
transacted around per cent for call
money and time money was up p to
per cent for the four to six months
on railroad collateral, with Industrial
collateral accepted at higher rates.
Besides the financing of Industrial
combinations, there are several reasons
for the present stiff money rates.
| one is the payment every 10 days,
making six payments in all of a million
| collars to the government in settlement
| or central Pacific obligations An
| other reason is the preparation for the
| April dividend and interest disburse-
ment and d third a tendency to dis
| count movement of money which if
was calculated would last about three
weeks. va
London was a seller today NJ mad
crate amounts OF the Union Pacincs
! New York Central and St Paul, which
| stocks, however, showed fractional ad-
vances American and Continental To
oacco, after wild fluctuations, closed
with some improvements.
| ne EdcHlcs' except Northern Pacific
| preferred, We're up fractionally, while
| Central Pacific gained over i point,
The grangers moved but slightly either
| way and the market closed with an nm
| settled tone.
The bond market lacked a decisive
! tone and gave alternate appearance az
| weakness and strength, with the IN
ward tendency in vogue at the end.
| United States threes advanced u I'm
| the bid price. The old tours coupon
| declined II.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-22
MARKET NOTES.

Examination of the individual reports
of the New York banks shows that one
bank, the Western, cancelled 81, 76O. 600
of loans last week. The commerce
showed a decrease of 81, $50 900, and the
Union S99O,000. As the total decrease
OF loans was only 1888. 800, it will be
seen that other banks must have in
creased their outstanding loans.
The advance in Bell was unaccom-
panied by rumors. 1t was brought about
by persistent buying by one or two
houses. The only explanation vouch-
safed was that Bell is worth as much
now as it was a few weeks ago, and
that as there was no reason for the re-
action, there is nothing strange about
the recovery.
The annual report of the Tennessee
Coal. Iron and Railroad Company for
the year ended Dec. 81, shows the pro-
duction of material by the company:
Coal S,679,5S4 tons; coke, 992 COZ tons,
ana pig iron, 549,457 tons. Earnings,
SS2S,3S4, an increase of 1929, 1876. The
surplus profit for the year, after de-
Quoting charges, was $224,s75, against
deficit of S15S,9S6 last year. The
amount of bonds retired was S1S3,5O0
A very great interest is being taken
IN Mahala mining stock Frederick G.
Chandler of this city is the local agent
OF the company, and the manner in
which subscriptions have been coming
IN must be eminently satisfactory to
that gentleman. The property is To-
Gated in tho heart of Leadville, and is
being ranked among the best of the
mining properties in that section.
A peanut trust, to be capitalized at
S5,OOO,OOO, will in the next month as
sumo control Of all the peanut-cleaning
factories in the United States
President Williams of the Chemical
National Bank of New York SAYS the
one dominating influence on the present
condition of the money market is to be
found in the pending operations TO float
newly organized ''industrials." MANY
OF the banks are taking timely warn
ing.
A special meeting of Burlington
shareholders is called for May 20, in
chicago, TO act on the purchase of the
e.. Is. q N, now leased, and of several
other leased lines and branches in Jlli-
nols now in the c., B. & g. system.
The Dominion Coal COMPANY has
banked over 1000, 900 tons of coal at its
different collieries, and has $4,000 tons
at the pier at Sydney ready for ship
ment. The company is the largest tax
payer in the province, the last bill be-
ing $129,5
The Webb Granite and Construction
Company of this city, by reason of its
increased business, has found it neces-
sary to take apartments in the Win
throp building, corner of Washington
and Winter streets, Boston. The com
pany has secured the services Of A. e.
Crafts and W. Fl. Boardman, formerly
with NOrcrosS Bros
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-22
FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL

\. L. Amster Of the Continental
mines, lately bought by the Old Domin-
ION, says the latter company is produc-
ing about 10000 pounds of copper daily.
Ore that runs 10 per cent to 10 per cent
is being treated. and he estimates that
the copper costs about cents per
pound. He says that when ores of the
Continental mines are mixed with the
Old Dominion ores, he thinks per CEN
ores can be treated, making the ave
age cost Of copper about 6 cents p
pound. Mr.. AmSter says that the o.
Dominion's floating debt was incurra
to assist in the construction Of the Gi
Valley, Globe & Northern railroad, anl
that the Old Dominion holds enough of
the per cent bonds of the road to
cover the entire floating debt
The superintendent of the Arnold
mine writes that he has contracted for
a coal supply at low figures, and that
owing to the scarcity of men and wood
coal Will also be used at the Humboldt
and Meadow. The Arnold got 70 tons
Of copper to AllOuez last week, but ex-
poets a delay of about a week, owing
to the big storm. OF the Meadow he
writes; The shaft here is cribbed up
10 feet deep. The machinery is all in
stalled and l hope to start up next
tthls) week and resume drilling ma
chlnes. We took out II barrels of cop
per last week with one head of stamps.
The shaft below the eighth level is very
good indeed"
The copper district Of North Carolina
IS promising such favorable returns
that the Atlantic and Danvine railroad
mas surveyed a branch to the mines,
and it is said that the n. & w. also
contemplates an extension of its line
thlther. Prospecting and development
are now being actively carried On ana
despite the necessity of hauling the ore
several miles over muddy roads. con-
siderable copper has already been taken
ont
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-22

yer certificates, 60Q6O1s; bar silver, 595s
Mexican dollars, 47%. Government
bonds irregular; state bonds weak
railroad bonds irregular.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-22
NO SCREW TRUST,
Worcester Manufacturers All Declare
Thew Know Nothing in Regard To It.

Thew Know Nothing in Regard To It.
The Industrial story sent out from
New Haven Monday evening relative
to the formation of the National Screw
Company trust, to take in all the screw
manufactures in the country, savors
considerably of fake.
In the telegram, both the Wright &,
Cotton company and the Reed 6, Prince
works were included in the combine.
Representatives of both companies
stated to a Spy man Monday evening
that 1t was all a matter of news to
them that they had never heard of
the proposed combine, and that If they
mad It would be doubtful whether they
would entertain any proposition to
JON II, even If It was in their line of
trade. But, as a matter of fact, both
these companies are engaged in the
manufacture Of wooden screws, which
destroys all the interest in the story so
far as they are concerned.
The only companies in Worcester en-
gagged In the manufacture of machine
screws are Reed 81 Curtis, the Worces-
ter Machine Screw Company and Nc
Cloud, Crane & Minter. The represen-
tatiVes OF all these companies were
seen yesterday by a Spy man and all
stated that, so far as they were con-
cerned, they had no intention Of enter
ing any combine. The New Haven dis
patches were the first news they had
received OF the matter
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-22

New York. March 81. - Cotton futures
closed steady; March, $50; April, 5.S7;
May, 5.91; June, 5.94; July. 5.99; August
$50; September, 5.96; October 5.97; No
vember, {. sc; December.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-22

(Howard, Crosby & Co.'S Boston Letter }
Wheat opened unexpectedly strong in
huenced by foreign buying. The weather
news was favorable but Kansas and Ne
the trade did not seem to believe. Some
apprehension was caused by reports of
continental crop damage and the revival
OF crop damage news from Michigan and
Illinois started local shorts to cover.
Primes weekly crop summary says that
damage to the winter wheat has probably
been confined to the S. w and that ow-
Ing to the lateness of the season, the
actual amount cannot be determined as
yet Traders seem more inclined to own
wheat than heretofore and cables show Il
dectdedly better feeling abroad. There is
Undoubtedly more or less damage to wheat
In Oklahoma, and all statistics assert the
need of growing weather to evidence the
extent. The speculative smuggling in Chi
cago continues. but rallies from the
breaks are quick and easy, and we can
Only see one side to the market at pres
ent.