davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-04-28
Spiders Spin Ropes.

Spiders have been set to work spin
ming ropes for human aeronauts. This
novel idea has been put into operation
at Chalais- Meudon, near Paris, where
a spider factory for the special manu-
facture of balloon ropes for the mill
tary aeronautic section is now in tull
swing. The spiders have to work
pretty hard for their living, as each
little creature is made to spin thirty to
forty yards of thread before he is al
lowed to have a rest. The method of
working the spiders is ingenious;
twelve spiders are placed above reel,
to which their threads are attached,
and the reel is gently revolved, so chat
it winds off the thread as fast as the
little spiders produce it. Eight of the
sets of thread, after being washed to
rid them of their sticky out covering,
are then woven into cords. These are
found to be both stronger and lighter
than the silken cords which have hith-
erto been used by balloonists, and the
only drawback to their popularity is
that they are at present remarkably
costlv.
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-04-28

Several weeks later Eleanor was
brooding over the financial situation,
when the bell rang and an elderly man
stood at the door. He introduced him
self as "Mr Clavers," and said that,
being the Gordons' family lawyer. and
happening to be in town that day, he
had come at their request to ask a lit
tie favor.
would Mrs. Stone care to part with
little old-fashioned daguerreotype the
Gordons had sent her in box of
things that were Miss Perkins'?"
Eleanor's curiosity and suspicious
were aroused by the sudden desire for
this worthless relic of former DAYS.
Mr.. Clavers explained that the ladies'
had taken fancy for it, as an an
tiQue merely. They would he quite
willing to purchase it, and if $40 bill
would be any object"
NO" answered Eleanor, spurred on
to refusal by a sudden conviction. Il
didn't get many of my aunt's things.
but what ! did get | shall keep"
Whereupon she arose and politely but
Enthusiastically bowed the astonished old
gentleman out.
Then she hurried to the closet, and,
rummaging around, soon found the
box, and in it the daguerreotype case.
This she opened and began 10 scratch
1t all over with her thumbnail and to
finger it's surface carefully, hoping, all
the while, that she had not let a $40
bill 90 by for nothing.
1t might really be a whim of Aunt
Sarahs, after all, to want the old
thing; yet somehow it seemed to Ell
eanor that she had once heard Aunt
Marcia speak Of daguerreotype case
with secret spring and false back
which was much-prized possession,
the gift of dear friend.
Suddenly she gave gasp and John
looked up from his couch in time to see
something white fiutter to the floor
Forgetting his rheumatism, he sprang
from the sofa and stood reading over
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-04-28
THE DAGUERREOTYpE

TITS an insult" said John Stone;
you shall send them right back
You're just as near relative as the
Gordons, yet they have got everything
just because they were there when
your aunt died; and then because they
knew you were entitled to something
IN fact, just as much as they, from her
estate, they have sent you this col
lection of odds and ends"
Hush, john never mind It's not
worth talking about, and we might just
as we'll make the best of it. Beggars
can't be chOosers, you know, sagely
remarked his wife.
The cause Of this outburst was an
oblong green pasteboard box, which
had just arrived, and whose contents,
SO Eleanor Stone said, were not worth
the express paid on it. An accom-
panying note, addressed to Mrs. Stone
in explanation of the box, was as fol-
lows:
Dear Eleanor: I send you here
with what mother, May and l have
picked out as your share Of Aunt Mar
las belongings. They weren't as
much as anticipated, and we divided
the rest among ourselves. as we had
the care of her in her last illness. Your
affectionate cousin,
"EFFIE GORDON"
Eleanor Stone took the note and
flung it in the stove. $50 much for
my cousins affection. It's too bad.
know Aunt Marcia must have had some
money, and as for the bother of her
last illness, it was self-sought, which
makes me douh,y sure she left some
thing, for the Gordons are not the
kind to put themselves out for nothing
If we only had just little of her
money to tide us over until you get
we'll and put us on our feet again"
Aunt Marcia was Miss Marcia Per-
kins, a maiden great-aunt of Eleanor
Stone, who had lived somewhat as a
recluse, and who had recently died.
Eleanor turned the box upside down,
gazing regretfully at the little heap on
the table. There were an old-fash-
ioned bone hairpin, two bits of lace,
surmounted with lavender bows, such
as old ladies wear for caps two or three
cheesecloth busters, five handkerchiefs,
a halr-ring, and an old-fashioned
daguerrUotype in rusty black and
gilt case, showing the faded counte-
nance Of genteel-looking youth of
past date.
There" said Mrs. Stone, derisively,
"is my share of my lamented aunt's
estate, and here am I, who expected a
hundred or two. anyway, as hard up
as anybody could be. with John sick
and unable to work, while Aunt Susan,
Eflie and May Gordon, who know moth
ing of hard times, are probably basking
In the sunshine of her dollars.
At this point, being of a philosoph-
ical turn Of mind, she gathered up her
Inheritance, put it away in the closet,
and devoted herself to he- husband,
who lay grumbling on the sofa, vic
tim in the clutches Of rheumatism.
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-04-28

Maj, Clement b. White of Selma,
Ala, the only surviving brother-in-law
of Abraham Lincoln was an officer of
the Alabama state guard at the out
break Of the war, and under orders of
the executive of the state took part
with his command in the capture of
Fort Morgan, Mobile bay, before Ala
bama had formally seeded from the
Union. When it was reported to Pres
fdent Lincoln that his brother-in-law
had performed this daring exploit
against the national authority. on be-
ing asked what he would do about It.
replied: We'll, | suppose | Shall have
to hang White-when we catch him "
Maj. White later performed many dis
tinguished military and civil services
for the Confederacy.-New York Trkb-
une.
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-04-28
The Chiros of Porto Rico.

Strange tales of curious religious
sect in Puerto Rico are told, says a
Binghamton letter to the Baltimore
Herald, by Rev. William Maxfield, a
returned missionary. The sect, which
carefully excludes foreigners. is known
as Chiros. One of it's peculiar cere-
monies is that of ''flogging the devil"
This rite is celebrated every Friday,
at daybreak. In the seaport towns it
'akes place on board fishing smacks
or other craft owned by members of
the sect, and often is attended by the
entire population Of the village.
The life-sized figure of man sup
posed to represent his satanic majesty
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-04-28
A FAMOUS HUNTER.
ALvAH DUNNING CLOSING A
CHARMED CAREER.
One of the Most Noted Characters of
the Great Northern New York Wilder
ness-Has Dueled with 1O2 P.nthers
A Remarkable Man.

Alvah Dunning, the most famous OF
the North Woods guides, also the old
est at present engaged in the business,
has been spending several days in
Rome, n. Y. visiting friends and rela-
tives whom he had not seen in many
years. Famous men have followed
Mr.. Dunning through the forests and
streams of the great northern New
York wilderness, and have partaken
of his hospitality and slept in his cab
in at Racquette Lake, where this old
man has been domiciled for sixty-three
years. The SHOWS of eighty-three win
ters have fallen upon him, and he is
still as hardy as the oak, and he lives
simple and lonely life.
Around him on the lake shores are
the luxurious cottages of the rich, who
come to the woods from the city in
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-04-28

Summer and bring their fashions with
them. Though he mingles with these
people Uncle Alvah is uncontaminated
by the habits Of civilization.
Alvah Dunning is the picture Of
health carrying his years well, and
his eyes have a merry twinkle, their
vision still being too good for the use
of glasses. When but ten years old he
went into the woods with party of
four hunters to carry birds for them.
and ever since that time his life has
been mostly spent in hunting and trap
ping, and for the past seventy years he
has acted as guide. The last person of
prominence he guided through the
woods was former Gov. Black, while
the latter was on his fishing trip last
., summer.
Dunning is personally acquainted
with all the noted guides. and has
trapped and hunted with Guides Wood.
Dunakin. Stormer and Shepard. In
eight years he killed 102 panthers; but
now they are extinct, he having killed
tAC ldSL OI4t SctI III int NOOuS d. Lam
EmmOnds. near Blue Mountain Lake,
about eight years ago There were
three kittens" in a tree. and he and
the party h. was guiding brought them
down in one, two, three order. They
were about eight months old. and
weighed about forty-fve pounds each.
The day after killing the young ones
Nr. Dunning found and killed the
mother panther, and this is said 10
have been the last one
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-04-28
STILL SACRIFICING BUFFALOES
How the Todas OF India Are Dodging a
Government Ban.

government Ban
The Todas who live in the vicinity
of Ootacamund have one great ambi-
ton, and thai is-the slaughter of buf-
faloes. TBS slaughter. which is done
annually, says the Indian Daily News.
Is intended for the benefit of the souls
or departed ancestors. Formerly each
dead Toda required a couple of buffa-
loeS to be sacrificed for the benefit OF
his soul, but the government has
stopped this wholesale slaughter, and
naturally the Toda is dissatisfied OF
course, he opposed this order in con-
stltutional way. but the government
declined to yield and when last month
the season Of sacrifice arrived it took
steps to see that the order was carried
out. Now the order authorizes the
slaughter Of two buffaloes, not per
man, but per each place of slaughter
Accordingly the Todas have increased
the number of places Of slaughter, so
as to let the soul of every dead Toda
have the customary sacrifice of two
buffaloeS. SO even the best concocted
plans of the government often mis-
carry. The order has not diminished
the slaughter of buffaoes, but has
merely increased the number of places
of slaughter, and thus made what was
bad enough already a good deal worse
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-04-28
Wears His Wife's Laurels.

London Academy: A remarkable
award was the prize given to NJ. Henri
de Regnier, a poet, whose chief claim
to respectful attention lies in the fact
that he has married a distinguished
poet. the daughter of the inpeccable
sonneteer, M. de Heredia. The prize
may be described as one of collateral
merit. 1t was in reality given to his
wife, who has just published anony-
mously in the Revue des Deux Mondes
most beautiful poem -'Rencontre
avec Persephone.' Anonymous work
cannot, even by an academy, be crown
ed' SO M. de Regnier gallantly wears
his wife's laurels."
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-04-28
His "Good" Charter.

The wagons of the freighters were, in
che sixties, the only means of trans
porting goods across the plains. Dur
ing the dry season it was easy to ford
the little creeks, but in the spring,
when the snow began to melt and run
down the mountains, these streams,
transformed into raging torrents, were
TOO dangerous to pass through. Te;n-
porary bridges were then built by the
ranchmen. who compelled the freighter
to pay toll
Their toll, however, was lawful only
II they had received charter from the
territorial authorities; then they might
charge such toll as they pleased. The
price for each team of six yoke of
oxen and wagon was determined by
the ability Of the freighter to pay,
varying from five to twenty dollars.
Col. Inman and Col Cody buffalo
BID in their book, THE Great Salt
Lake Trail" tell an amusing story CT
a ranchman who, although without a
charter, enforced the payment of toll
on those who crossed his bridge
In the spring of 1866 two trains, trav-
cling in company, drew near to Rock
Creek, over which ranchman had
erected a bridge. The train in the lead
was in charge of man known as
Suffering Brown, because of an i'm
pediment in his speech. AS they neac-
ed the bridge, Brown rode back to the
other Wagon-master and said:
"B-b-billy, wh-what are you g-g-go-
ing to do about p-p-paying t-t-toll on
this BIB bridge?"
Billy answered that if the fellow had
a charter, they would be compelled 10
pay; otherwise they would not.
Brown rode back to the bridge, where
the ranchman stood to collect his toll
in advance-five dollars a team. BrOWl
had twenty wagons-his friend twen
ty-six-and he refused to pay the ore
hundred dollars demanded. why
won't you pay?" asked the ranchman.
"Y-y-you h-hhaint g-g-got a ch -cn-
charter"
"Yes, l have, and I'll show it to you,"
said the ranchman eff you'll go back
with me to the ranch"
Brown went-it was only two or
three hundred yards-and in a short
time returned to the train. The other
wagon-master asked if the charter was
all right. 'Yes," answered Brown. "Tve
settled, and you'd better pay up"
After crossing the bridge, Brown now
and then broke out into loud laughter,
but not until the train had camped
would he disclose the cause of his hill
arity.
At supper he said that when he .'ode
to the door of the ranch, he sat on his
mule and told the ranchman to trot out
his charter, and be quick about it.
The man went in, and soon returned,
shouting:
"You suffering thief, here it is.
What do you think Of it -
Brown looked up; the ranchman was
pointing double barreled shotgun,
with both triggers cooked, straight at
his head.
SIS that your charter?" asked the
wagon-master.
1T is" answered the ranchman.
what did you do, Brown" inquired
his friend.
'N-n-not much. J-j-just t-t-told him
th-th- that's good and settled"
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-04-28
Van Dyck Tercentenary,

In connection with the Van DycA
tercentenary, which is to be celebrated
at Antwerp in August next. one mil.
non special postage stamps will be is.
sued, which will bear portrait OF the
great painter from a drawing bv Ca.
rard Postielje. In the program of the
fetes, drawn up by the committee ap-
pointed for the purpose is included an
hiS1orical procession representing the
oeFelopment OF art from the earlies.
known time to the days of Rubens
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-04-28

ForeshadOwings.
Wind of the winter night
Under the starry skies,
Somewhere my lady bright,
Slumbering lies
Wrapped in calm maiden dreams
Where the pale moonlight streams,
Softly she sleeps.
l. do not know her face,
Pure as the lonely star
That in yon darkling space
Shineth afar;
Never with soft command
Touched ] her willing hand,
Kissed ! her lips.
/ have not heard her voice,
] do not know her name;
Yet doth my heart rejoice,
Owning her claim;
Yet am ! true to her;
All that is due to her
Sacred l keep.
Never a thought of me
Troubles her soft repose;
Courant of mine may be
Lily nor rose.
They may not bear to her
This hearts fond prayer to her,
4et-sshe is mine.
Wind of the winter night.
Over the fields of snow,
Over the hills so white,
Tenderly blow!
Somewhere red roses bloom:
Into her warm, hushed room
Bear thou their breath.
Whisper-Nay. nay, thou sprlte.
Breathe thou no tender word;
Wind of the winter night,
Die thou unheard.
True love shall yet prevail,
Telling it's own sweet tale;
Till then / wait.
Julia G.. r. Dorr.
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-04-28
Gracefully Submitted.

New York Tribune: NJ Ernest Le-
kouye, the senior member of the French
Academy, has just received by vote of
his fellow-members the $4,000 prize of
the Jean Reynaud Foundation. He
wished himself to give it to the author
3f "Cyrano de Bergerac," but submit
ted With a good grace to the choice
9ased on mis- works concerning educa-
ion and family life
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-04-28
Those Girls.

Maud-Between ,1s, dear, I think the
counts compliments rather crude. He
told me the sight Of my beautiful face
actually made his mouth water. Edith
The idea! I'm sure your face doesn't
look quite that much like a lemon.
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-04-28
IN THE ODD CORNER,
QUEER AND CURIOUS THINGS
AND EVENTS.

Foreshadowings - His Good" Charter
The Chiros of Puerto Rico--A Mis-
souri, Boy Kills Wild Cat Using
Rocks as His Weapon.
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-04-28

ed only by one who has long madA
the subject one of study and observa-
ton.
Douglas Island news., 1899-12-13
A Sad Accident.

MT. Wm. Heddle lost his life at the Treadweu mines last Friday. A rock fell onto him and at a place under ground where it was considered the least dangerous. Mir. Heddle was acting as shift boss and had been in the employ of the company for a long time. He was born in Scotland, and was g years of age and leaves a wife and brother on this island and mother and some sisters elsewhere to mour n his loss, who have the sincere sympa- thy of this community. MT. Heddle was well liked by his associates and his remains we re followed to the grave by a large number of people last Sunday afternoon. The funeral services were conducted by the Rev. MT. Cole.
Douglas Island news., 1899-12-13
Two Ferry Boats.

If the people in Juneau only knew, there would be work for two ferry boats from now until Christmas, Why there never has been such a stock of holiday goods brought to Alaska before as that now on exhibition and for sale at the Treadwell store. Every nook and corner is full. Pictures, the prettiest you ever saw. Books, the best and most beautifully bound and toys you ought to see them, and so many are new novelties, things put on the mar ket for the first time this year.
Douglas Island news., 1899-12-13
Public Christmas Tree.

A large meeting of ladies and gentle men interested in the Public Christmas Tree and Festival was held last Monday evening and sub committees appointed Finance, Christmas Tree, Decorations, Programme, Candy and Treat, and Un- form Christmas Souvenir, or remem- brances. These Committees are all busy at work, and very attractive en- tertainment will be given of recitations songs and choruses, including the pleasing dialogue, Christmas Eve at Grandmother's" and "The Old Log Cab in and the Alaska Miners Christmas. The festival is for the boys and the girls of Douglas and Treadwell and everybody will be welcome.
Douglas Island news., 1899-12-13
Three Trips a rlonth.
DAVID HEDDLE.

The City of Seattle makes three trips a month between Seattle and Skagway, and she makes the trip in less time than any boat on the run. She tout flies" them all. She has large, beauti- fuI staterooms, her social hall is ele- gant, and the dining room is separate and away from the social hall In all respects she is the finest boat to travel on that sails into Alaska.
Douglas Island news., 1899-12-13

The great Three Hundred mill was shut down last evening at GAS o'clock. Nowhere in the whole world can there be found mill that can equal it. We make this statement on the authority of man who is an expert in that line and who has visited every mining cen ter of any importance on the globe. It is supplied with the latest improved machinery throughout and from the first moment the power was applied until it was shut down yesterday it has run like a watch, and stands to-day a justifable object of pride, not only to the owners and builder, but to Douglas Island as we'll.
Douglas Island news., 1899-12-13
A Country Girl Christmas night.

\ Country Girl Christmas nlghC.
 Mrs. F. w. Hoyt called last Monday. Mrs. Mink was a caller at the News office Friday.
 Stoves and Stove Pipes at lowest prices at Feusis.
 Mir. Dan Melee called at the News office last Monday.
 For Christmas Candies go to the Douglas News Depot.
 Toys and Christmas Cards at the Douglas News Depot.
 All kinds of Johbing and Repairing quickly done at Feusi's.
 A report of the Judge Howell party will appear next week.
 Conrad Hoerler called last Wednes- day and renewed his subscription to the News.
 A nice line of choice books are in- cluded in the Christmas goods at the Treadwell Store.
 PHI. Fox carries a fine line of La dies and children's fine shoes. Made up in the latest styles.
 The new hose cart for the Douglas City Fire Department arrived on the Topeka last Monday morning.
 You cannot make your wife better Christmas present than White Sewing machine for sale by P. H. Fox.
 You will have to dress theyoung man upon Christmas. Call at Fox's and ex- anime his line of Boys clothing.
 Mir. Higgins, editor of the Alaska Truth, was over on the Island last Mon day afternoon and made call at the News office.
 Mir. Martin Olsen called at this of flee last Saturday and when he went away he was subscriber to the great religious weekly.
Douglas Island news., 1899-12-13

MT. J. F. Gregory-commonly called "Red" on Douglas Island-left last Saturday for trip to lone, California, where he will visit his aged mother. "Red" has been on Douglas Island for something like year and half and has won the everlasting friendship and esteem of our people, by his kind and courteous manner and his straight for ward business methods. He has had charge of the trestle building at Tread we'll and has proven himself capable of doing some very nice work. His many friends will be glad to welcome him back in the spring.
Douglas Island news., 1899-12-13
A Country Girl.

A Country Girl. Christmas night at Ohman's Hall.
 For useful Xmas goods go to c. A. Lindstrom's.
 Timing and Plumbing at reasonable prices at Feusi's.
 For blinds and lace curtains go to 1 c. 4. Lindstrom's.
 New stock of candies for the Christ mas trade at the Pioneer Fruit Store.
 We have received fine line of wood type and border, for our job depart ment
 If you need suit C. A. Lindstrom carries an up,to-date stock, at prices to suit all.
 Recevied large line of Christmas Goods, Toys and Novelties, at the Treadwen Store.
 Chief Clerk Willis of TreadwelI was most welcome caller at the News office last Friday afternoon.
 Douglas News Depot calender day ! Saturday December 18th. Calenders will be given away free on that day.
 If you need pair of Rubber Boots, ! c. A. Lindstrom sells them with leather soles at S4.5O and Gold Seal at S70O.
 MT. Albert Ohman called at the News office the other day and planked down the cash for years subscription, for friend back in Wyoming. Thanks.
 With a sorrowfuI heart we are com peLled to announce that our brother Hoyt fell asleep at church last Sunday night while a splendid sermon was be- ing delivered.
 Capt. Nicolson Of the AI,Ki seems to have captured the affections of Alas kans. He is quite young man, tall, good looking and of pleasing address, and these who know him say he is a very pleasant gentleman and com mander.
 Between forty and fifty new books are being added to the Douglas public library. aud all books will be ready for circulation next Saturday to any one who will comply with the rule, that book taken out for home reading is to be returned promptly at the end of two weeks.
 Mr. Wm. OIdendorph, of the Alaska Drug Co.,, for some reason came to the conclusion that the News force needed soap and presented the office with a cake of the Lava chemical brand that takes the printers ink off so quick that it makes you blush. It is made to remove grease and dirt from the hands and should be generally used at the mines.
 MT. c. w. Johnson, one of our most valued subscribers, made us pleasant call last Thursday evening. Mir. John son is a carpenter and has worked at TreadweIl for several years. He is a flrst-cIass workman. He speaks in the highest terms of Supt. Corbus and the treatment of employees at the Tread we'll mine.
 Mir. Addis Gallagher, representing the firm of Lane & Connolly, manufac- turers and importers of fine cigars, at San Francisco, Cal, was in the city last Monday and called at the News of flee. He has appointed MT. R. R. Hub bard, of the Douglas News Depot, as special agent for the excellent cigars manufactured by his firm. We think the selection a good one.