davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-07-01
AT THE JEWELERS..

The demand for bronze inkstands is
very large.
Many pretty designs in skirt pins are
shown.
Shirt-waist pins IN gold and silver.
studded with semipreciops stones. are
shown.
Shell combs. the edges Of which are
set with colored stones of different
kinds, are popular.
Handsome new designs in salad forks
and spoons have handles of ebony and
tracings of silver.
An exquisitely wrought brooch in the
shape of a dragon fly has its wings
studded with brilliants and emeralds.
An opal serves for the back.
A cigar cutter of silver in the shape
of mussel is manipulated by inserting
the tip of the cigar in The end of the
mussel and slightly pressing the mus
sci, which causes two knives secreted
in the cutter to clip the end.-Jewelers'
Weekly
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-07-01
OUR MERCHANT MARINE.

In 1897 no American merchant veA-
~ snsereo the port of Buenos Ayres-
The newspapers of Hamburg, the
third largest commercial port in the
world, said in 1897 that 30 years had
elapsed since that port had seen the
stars and stripes at a masthead.
British and German vessels carried
IS per cent of our grain exports in 1897.
Among 1879 grain-laden vessels only
II were American, carrying less than
! per cent of the total trade.
Our domestic water commerce, coast
wise. great lakes, rivers and canals is
by far the largest in the world, and is
two and half times greater than that
of the United Kingdom, second on the
list
American shipping carries about one
half OF the total sea commerce between
the United States and neighSoring for
eigD countries, as Canada, the West
Indies, Mexico, Central America and
the north coast of South America.
IN 81 years after 1860 the tonnage of
the United States registered for foreign
trade shrunk TO one-fourth of its pro-
portions before the civil war. In the
same period the tonnage of the British
Empire more than doubled.
No merchant vessel flying the United
States flag passed through the Strait Of
Gibraltar or the Suez canal in 1895 or
1898. In 1898 the steamers passing the
Strait of Gibraltar numbered 3,93s and
the sailing vessels ESQ. In 1898 the
steamers numbered 1854, and the sail
ing vessels 226.
All signs indicate that in a few years
more the United States will again en-
gage largely in ocean transportation.
The most important condition which
will enable MS TO do this is the fact that
we now produce steel so cheaply that
we can compete with foreign shipbuild-
ers in making steamships.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-07-01
STRONG LAND ROLLER.
How to Make One at Home which. II
Properly Cared FOF, VIII Last
n Lifetime.

Few things are more essential rpon
the farm than a good land roller. Never
theless, many object to the use of the
roller because it frequently tears up the
ground for considerable space when it
Is turned around, or else the weight of
the tongue and frame bear so heavily
upon the necks of the horses as to make
them sore Again, some considerable
cost and care of the implement in ex-
cess OF the net returns. These obiec-
lions can be avoided.
Select good oak or maple log % or
25 inches through Cf more the better),
MS nearly cylindrical as possible. uay-
ing peeled off the bark, sink it under
water and leave it there several weeks,
at the end of which remove and let it
dry under cover. Before ii gets too hard
saw it up into the required lengths for
the rollers; that is, have each of the
three sections about two feet in length.
Then, having struck a center and
worked them TO uniform size, so all
will turn alike. bore the holes for the
journal. Perhaps the best way to do
this is to have q pumpmaker provided
there be one in your locality bore with
his auger an acknowledgements
hole through the entire pieces.
When the rollers are thoroughly sea-
soned, mount" them, as shown in the
! accompanying illustration, on a rod
of ircn or steel an inch and a half in
diameter, so it win work as a loose spin
die. Above the rollers erect the frame,
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-07-01
ARE BADLY NEEDED.

Wood is largely wasted. The sawdust
which accumulates from saving is
tremendous. Attempts have been made
to utilize the waste, but with no extra
ordinary res ults.
Electricians need perfect insulator,
one that VIII stand heat, cold, water.
air and all atmospheric conditions, be
flexible. have great strength, electric
resistance and be cheap.
Asphalt payements are good, but in
rainy weather become slippery and
dangerous. Wood blocks wear out,
macadan, has 10 be renewed or it gets
ugly holes. What is wanted is n pave
ment which has the holding advantages
of macadam. the perInaneney of asphalt
and the silence of wood. 1t must be
cheap.
Next to iDventing something is know
ing what to invent. Inventions In a
small way are not exhausted, as per
son with no technical knowledge is
quite apt to make a fortuneout of some
catch-penny invention. No special
knowledge was needed by the man who
invented the bent-wire safety pin, out
OF which he made q fabulous fortune.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-07-01

familiar with the kind of diet pre-
scribed for sharks. and as the shark
could not work his passage over, Dob
son decided that the big FISH should die.
For two hours members of the crew
of the steamship kept themselves warm
by exercising on the shark with Delay
ing pins. capstan bars and hammers.
The shark would not die, but aopped
about the deck with every lurch OF the
vessel. opening his huge mouth and
swapping at the men who were trying
TO kill him.
Finally ne got his chance. One great
blast of wind carried away the fore
topsaiI halyards, and TO make nSees-
Hary repairs the boatswain get out the
pendant. TO which was attached - feet
OF heavy iron chain.
AS the pendant and the chain were
placed beside the shark he opened his
mouth. winked at the boatswain. and
swallowed the chain. swapping il eff
close TO the pendant.
Whether il was due to his failure to
digest the chain. or 10 the beating of
the crew and the motion Of the vessel,
the shark died after he had swallowed a
few square yards of canvas as "chas-
er" for the chain.
MADE mistake when he thought he
needed iron for his blood, said the cap
tain.
AT first the crew thought that the
shark ought to go overheard. but the
captain vetoed the.suggestien. for there
was that good chain in his stomach
Accordingly the shark was cut open
0nd the chain and Delaying pins ex-
fracted. The body was fed to Brassy,
the captains cat; Yankee, the fore
castle cat, and an unnamed Tom who
was the pet of one of the firemen.
Capt. Dobson has read many tales Of
whales and sea serpents. and the yarn
spun by Capt. Hebich, formerly of the
Norma mia, who. after nearly being
in collision with an iceberg. told on
reaching port how a polar bear stood
on the berg and yelled: sport your
helmi"
So Capt. Dobson brought the tail of
the shark to port as evidence Of his
veracitv.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-07-01
POINTS ABOUT PEOPLE.

The daily cost of President AfcKin-
ley's table is said to exceed $25.
Rhe Chinese pronounce their dowager
empress the most beautiful woman
whom the celestial kingdom has ever
known.
Capt. c. Rath, who had charge OF the
execution of the four Lincoln conspira-
tors in 1865, Is at present railway
postal clerk and lives at Jackson, Mich.
Every senator who retired with the
recent congress made something in the
shape of 4 set speech except Murphy,
of New York. and Roach, of North Da-
kota. Neither of these offe'-ed more
than n few remarks during his entire
term.
Gen. Guy V. Henry. who succeeded
Gen. Brooke as American governor gen.
eral of Porto Rico. and has already de
veloped fine administrative qualities
there. was born to the military service,
for he drew his first breath in an army
wagon at Fort Smith. /. T., where his
father, Maj. William S Henry, was sta
toned.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-07-01
STONES OF COLOR.

The sapphire is (although IL may
sound somewhat paradoxical) n species
of blue ruby, the formation of these
stones being identical
There is a pretty Russian proverb
which says: "a turquoise given by a
loving hand carries with IL happiness
and good fortune" The shah Of Persia
is reputed to possess the finest tur-
quoise in the world.
A really tiawless emerald is very rare.
The richest emerald mines in the world
are those OF Colombia, but the earliest
known emeralds were those Of Egypt,
the land OF fair erueralds." Cleopatra
often bestowed as presents to ambas-
sailors emeralds with her portrait en-
graved.
1t seems that precious stone cannot
properly be dignified by the title OF
gem until it has been cut and polished
1t is the optical character of precious
stones that distinguishes the real from
imitation. Among other questions that
the intending purchaser should ask
himself in the selection of stones is
this striking one: Are the stones like
dewdrops hanging from damask rose
leaf?
The ruby stands supreme among col
orcd stones and, owing to its rarity, is
sometimes worth ten times the value of
an ordinary white diamond. A dark
species of ruby is found in Siam, Il pale
tinted kind in Ceylon, but the true
'pigeon-blood" ruby is yielded only by
the famous mines of Burma. Until
the year 1856 this Lind of rubies was
practically unknown 20 Europeans.
Since then various scientific explorers
have lifted the veil OF mystery which
enshrouded this famous country
The most effective expedition was
that conducted by Mr.. George SHELTON
Streeter. With the permission OF the
English government, who granted him
the assistance of military force, he
formed one of the three explorers in n
romantic expedition into the interior
of Burma. The country was developed
by these men at great personal diseom-
fort and even peril, for an organized re-
sistance was made by the hill tribes,
and some people in this country
doubted the motives of the explorers.
Their efforts resulted in the formation
1 of the Burma ruby mines"
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-07-01
MONEY OF MANY LANDS.

Whales teeth form The currency of
the Fiji islands. They are painted white
and red to represent different values.
The natives carry their wealth around
their neclSs
In Kafiirland cattle constitute the
chief currency. In old Russia skins
were used for buying and selling. The
trouble in both cases is it is hard to
make change.
In East Indian bazars cowries are the
lcommonest sorm OF small change Six
ty-four shells are equal in value TO one
piece, and to pay 1900 for a house, as
one native Cid requires 100000 cow
ries.
Among the natives of New Britain
shell money is called tambu. tits made
from a small and rare she'll dug from
the sand. Loads of these are threaded
and hung on trees to be used when the
tribe barriers with another tribe.
One of the largest and most cumber-
some forms Of money is found in cen
trail Africa where the natives use n cru
ciform ingot Of copper ore ten inches
long. 1t is heavy enough to be q
formidable weapon.
In the Loyalty islands little twisted
tufts of fur taken from behind the ears
of the flying fox form the money. II
Santa Cruz feather money is used. tn,
red feathers being taken from the
wings of tame parrots. In one part o;
Africa iron spades are used rs coins.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-07-01
SCIENCE BREvITIEs.

What are known as tidal waves"
have nothing to do with the tides, but
are supposed TO be caused by earth
quales. They do not, therefore, appear
at regular intervals.
If you pinch your finger the hurt and
the pain are not quite simultaneous,
and if your arm were long enough to
reach TO the sun it would be 1872 years
before you would feel the pain.
The curious fact is noted by M. Maui
rain, in the Journal de Physique, that
careful measurements of the intensity
of gravitation in different parts of the
globe show this to be greater on islands
than on continents.
A Polish schoolmnstsr, SzcepanilS by
name. claims TO have invented IN cleo
trical device which utilities beam of
light TO explode bombshells. lie is also
alleged to have perfected an instrument
by means of which objects at n con-
siderable distance can be seen, tinted
with their natural coTors.
The lighting of room. says the
Pharmaceutical Era, depends, to a large
extent upon the color and the material
of the walls; in other words, upon the
percentage of light reflected by them.
Recent experiments have shown the
proportion of light reflected to be in
percentages as follows: Black velvet,
o.4; black cloth, IL; black paper, AS;
dark blue, 6.5; dark green, l0.l; light
red, 16.a; dark yellow, 20; blue. 30;
light yellow, 40; light green, 46.5; light
orange, 54.s; white. 20; mirror, 92.3
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-07-01

to which attach the tongue. To make
the whole strong and rigid, connect the
frame to the iron spindle with brace
irons made of old wagon tire-worlS
which any good blacksmith can do. Use
eight braces, two at each end and two
between each of the rollers in the cen
ter, firmly welded to the spindle in such
a manner as TO keep the rollers in their
respective places and yet allow them to
turn readily.
Attach an old mowing-machine seat
to the frame, as it helps TO counter
balance the weight of the tongue and
so make it work easier on the neclxs of
the horses Having the roller in three
sections makes it easier to turn around
than if made solid or even in two pieces.
This is a cheap, simple, easily made
and very practical land roller. If kept
under cover when not in use it viii last
almost a lifetime.-Fred o. Sibley, in
Farm and Fireside.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-07-01
ACCLAIM.
TX Thought His Health Re-
CURED Iron Tonic.


Sharks are known to have tremen-
dous appetites. They are said TO have
swallowed rubber boots, even when hu-
man legs were not "a them. gobbled
up beer kegs. and orauge boxes, and
even tried to chew away the sbOaS
foundation of pier.
But the record-breaking shark was
the one who paid an upcerSmonions
visit to the steamship Scottish Prince
Awhile tha, vessel was bound tV New
kork.
This par ocular shark fingered toe
#long on the steamship, in order TO have
q meal on two fathoms of wroughtirSA
. chain, with side dish in the shape
of couple of Delaying pins. Like H.
tie Willie, who was too fond OF green
apples, the sharks appetite meant his
doom.
Instead OF being buried beneath the
cold, cnld waves. he was cut UP. the
chain and the Delaying pins extracted
from his interior, and his carcass used
TO feed three eats who acted as super
cargoes on the vessel The tail OF Mr.
Shark now occupies the place of hSRsr
in the room of Capt. Dobson. Of the
Scottish Prince, a mute evidence Of the
veracity of the skipper.
The Scottish Prince arrived fren
Brazilian ports. On the trip north the
steamship encountered extremely
rough and cold weather.
On Wednesday afternoon there was
a particularly mad gale from the west,
and one large wave carried with it a
shark. six feet six inches long. The
weight of the shark is not known. but
he landed on the deck of the vessel like
ton of brick, and above the bowling
OF the wind cosid be heard the racket
ne made in his efforts to get of the
vessel.
:. Capt. Dobson, who was on the bridge
was called by the crew. AS he r.s nc-
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-07-01
POINTED PARAGRAPHS.
All men may be liars, but all liars are

All men may be liars, but all liars are
not men.
Anti-fat might be appropriately
termed slim diet.
lie that runs may read-his oppo-
nent's inaugural address.
1t keeps tramps busy furnishing ma
terial for comic paper jokes
When an army officer smokes ciga-
rettes he is reduced to the ranks.
If girl viii not marry when she may
she may not marry when she will.
The prize for prize fighting comes to
the boxer 10y way of the box Office.
The sting of snub often proves to be
most lncerating TO the one who makes
it.
Ajax may have defed the lightning,
but he neve set his hand against live
wire.
When man reaches the top he should
kick the ladder over If he wants TO re.
main there.
But few congregations are willing to
pay a pastor for telling them the truth
about themselves.
An Irish philosopher says the only
way to prevent what's past is to put q
stop to it before it happens.
The trouble with some men is that
they work too hard TO get things they
don't need and never ought to want.
A St. Louis man claims TO have an UNI.
brella that has been in his possession &c
years. Thaa S long enough; he ought &c
return it---.;hicago Daily News.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-07-01

The wages of sin is the inability 70
keep frou SHINING.
TO believe only what you like to be
hsve is TIE surest sign of youth.
All the worlds a school, and all the
pupils who don't calculate have a his
tory.
The happiest man is he who, like the
coral insect. builds himself into his
work.
Some people get credit for holding
their ground when they are simply too
scared to run.
The penalty of having a sense of hui
NOR is that our sincerest grief has a
laughable aspect.
When n man won't let n woman brar
about him to his face no is indeed dis
enchanted.
The most becoming expression a
woman can wear is that of unmitigated
happiness.
In the house of life, energy seems to
do all the work, but patience does tbs
real drudgery.
The only thoughts to which our doors
- = e'lN oS , OPSh dh Z 'hOAo we Oon WISH
20 entertain.
Tears are as superficial as laughter.
The great movements of the mind are
strangers to 1evity and grief.
The great trouble with life seems to
DO that man wants so many things
before he wants to go to his own flu
neral.
Beautiful stupidity should be careful
to remain Young; it is only the airy
minded uglineSs that laughs at age
X Y Tr1lfh
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-07-01

new way of paying old debts has
been discovered by Ness City, Kan. The
place was started as boom town, and
the newcomers placed heavy mortgages
on their land. improvements, however,
were not included in the mortgages.
The town debt grew enormously, and
the population could not meet the inter
est payments. One mortgage holder
foreclosed, and the debtor moved his
house and belongings to another plot
of ground. This gave the townspeople
an idea, aud they have secured a new
town site three miles from the pres
ent one, and are preparing to move
their houses and buildings to the new
site, leaving their lands in the old one
TO the mortgage holders. The name OF
&ae SawC IL TO be changed also.
HoStIlitIes DLscOura@ed.
"I'd ike to make fuss about this
canned beef, Eliza"
We'll, you'd better not. Remember
you haven't got the whole army and
ttavy back of yOu."-Detroit Free Press.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-07-01
FLORISTS ARE SHOWING

A variety of verbena. called the May
flower" raised by noted California
horticulturist.
A new plant discovered by Carlo
Werckle in the mountains of Costa
Rica last year, which has been named
treasure vine"
A handsome variety of fern--the
golden fern'-the under side of its
fronds being golden yellow, as If coated
with gold dust.
A novelty in geraniums. known as The
Empress" which bears great clusters
of flowers marked with curious white
shadirgs.
A member OF the Physilis family.
called the "shoo-fly." 1t should be pop
ular IN summer. as it is asserted tia;
flies will shun the room in which 81
grows.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-07-01

'No. Ellen. can't tack down any
carpets. The doctor said all my recre-
alton must consist of open-air sports
"Au right. William; there are three
carpets out on the line which you can
beat."-Chicago Record.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-07-01
HoStiIitIes DiscOuraseA
aid like tn mike n fuss about III,
FooIhardv MN.

Mrs. Skimpen-I think Mr.. Smith
must have liked the beefsteak pie. He
had two helpings to it.
The Tactless Boarder-Possibly he
did it on waSer.-Boston Transcript.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-07-01
SUBSCRIBE 70 THE PLANET.
NorI1s.

RICHMOND. Va, May 8, 1899.
This 1t to certify that graves can b.
obtained i0 tha Mechanics buvYing
ground by applying co
BEEJANTE HARRIS,
I20l1< st. James st.
Te Section 0Waesa;
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-07-01

IL you want 20 have good rim = ~sit
for the Old Boys Excursion to WASH
ington 10 August
WANrED-TweDty industrinus COL
ored men to al positions in Richmond
Petersburg and Newport News. Va
Must be able TO read and write Steady
m Oloyment and good pay to sighs psr
ties. Full particulars chserfuiiy fur
nished On application. Apply by lester
ia OVID hand writing.
UNTrrD M'F'e PUBLISHING, Co..
1107 & 11O9 Z. Main IS. Richmond Va
4,le-4m
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-07-01

Here are some extracts from a rather
odd marriage notice which appeared in
the Stockton (Kan.) News: Miss
Della Hill is married. Her husband is
a travelling man of considerable means,
and she does not haze to labor. not even
to make her own led. Her husband is
some years oldeESn she is and weighs
ESQ pounds. ONE is in Louis
Vile, Ky. married in Kan
saA City. friends here viii
AL Te1clcS
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-07-01

Read What hose Who
H"Ve Used it Saw

MISS Annie KitchsII Norfolk. Va.
wTites:-Ay hair has iu proved wonder.
fully by it's use.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-07-01

A. 'Aoy, Agent. Newton. " 6.
wr'ts$ IL take pleasure in commend
INF Nelson's Straightine for improving
the hair. take an order &C neariy
every house.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-07-01

The Force OF Habit.
Sergeant--IIow did you discover that
The young prisoner arrested last RiRht
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-07-01

Mrs. n: B Black, Jersey City, N. 7.
wrItes:-I find it to be lovely dress
ing for the hair.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-07-01

Mary @. Cole, Brookshire. Teras.
writes-All are satisfied at les ~xeellsns
work. would not be- withous it.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-07-01

Annie e Henson, Frosebury. Nd.
writes:-I am very much pleased with
lite effect
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-07-01

Miss Rosa Waller, Pikaville. XIV.
rtSes;-Straightine gives satssf sctsou.
take pleasure in recommending IL.