davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1899-03-21

call it the truest form of religion), but
many of their dancing and war songs,
which even the singers are unable to
interpret, and which have been handed
down from ancient centuries. point to
some sacred observances. now forgot
ten, that were in vogue long ago, al
though time has altered their meaning,
and they have lost all religious sig
nificance.
They are particularly superstitious
and somewhat mercenary, and it is
quite a common thing for one tribe
to be subsidized by another to provide
wind, rain and plentiful harvests from
land or sea. Should a man be sick or
die, it is obvious to his relations that
he has been invisibly speared by
some earthly enemy. Should no fish
or wallaby fall to their snares or
their spears, a breach of contract on
counts for the bad luck, and woe be-
tide the sorcerer who comes under the
ban in this wayl To such simple
causes many of the old-time intertribal
wars might have been traced-and, in
deed, their deep-rooted superstitions
are accountable for much trouble at
the present day. Their ideas about a
future state are very vague and vision
ary. Some natives, on being ques-
toned. have expressed an opinion that
after death there is no more-that
their bodies crumble away-and that
is the end; while others, with more
Imagination, have asserted that long
journey is taken by the departed,
sometimes by sea and sometimes by
land, until fertile mountains or is
lands are reached. where life of
peace and plenty awaits them. AS
with the Chinese, so with these ma
tives-it is by no means an uncom-
mon custom for food to be placed be-
side the graves of the dead. Feast
ing. dancing, national chants and oc-
casional cannibalistic mxures usurp
with these people the functions and
religious ceremonies common with the
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1899-03-21

native twine, closely plated, and
worn around the face and over the
crown of the head. under the chln
and before the ears, and kept in posi-
tion by a sort OF bit, which they hold
firmly between the teeth. 1t gives them
a very ferocious appearance, especlaily
when they have their war paint on
and is supposed to afford them an i'm
munity from wounds or death by bat-
tie. Their love charms are of various
designs. and are generally believed TO
make the wearer irresistible in the
eyes of the fair sex. One man. a mem-
ber of the Taburi tribe, showed the
writer a charm by which he said he
had married three fellow Mary
(three wives), and, judging from the
readiness with which he parted with
IT for a tomahawk, it would appear
that with him, at least, marriage was
a failure. Many of the natives bury
their dead beside their houses, but
others place the bodies on raised plat
forms some way from the village, and
when the flesh disappears from the
bones take the skulls and keep them
in a hut built for the purpose. AL
though in their blood feuds, ito obtain
payment' in blood for slain relative
or tribesman, they never in their wild
state hesitate to kill women and chill
dreu. they are in natural disposition
neither bloodthirsty nor cruel. They
are all cheerful and communicative,
very affectionate in their domestic re-
Iations. and have keen sense and en-
ioyment of humor and fun. They laugh
oftener than they frown, and, having
nothing to want for, live happy-go-
lucky Mr.. Micawber existence, never
working till they are hungry and then
leaving the morrow to take care of it
self. They are a flowery, poetic peo-
pie, and sing their peculiar pastoral
songs as they pursue their everyday
ayocations Thus, as they paddle their
canoes toward their favorite fishing
haunts, they sing of the dancing wave
lets and the bright sunshine, and II
employed at their taro and yam
patches they chant OF the plentiful
harvest they will snatch from the
breast of the earth.
They do rot appear to have any par
ticular religion of their own. unless
their unstinted worship OF nature may
be called a religion tana SOME would
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1899-03-21

more civilized races. Departure for or
return from trading expeditions or
war. the ingatherings of yams, as well
as the occasion of birth, marriage or
death, are all celebrated with consid-
cradle eclat, accompanied with much
feasting, banging of drums and gener-
al "corroboree.' Their dubus, or
carved pillar temples. are obviously
associated with religious. or, rather,
superstitious conceptions. but, so far
as has been ascertained, at least, they
have no heather god, and in spite OF
the efforts of the missionaries, do
not seem particularly anxious to alter
their state
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1899-03-21
ENGINEER IN CHINA.
Liable to DC Killed at Any Time by
the Natives.

the Natives.
A railway engineers life in China,
FOR instance, is truly adventurous
one, writes a traveller from Tientsin.
Besides natural and routine difficulties
to be met with in all countries, he has
to cope with mandarin intrigues, vii
lage opposition, mutinous railway cool
les, turbulent soldiery, and, besides
professional skill, he therefore needs
in some measure the qualities of q
diplomatist soldier linguist, and phil
osopher. Mr. Cox, who was recently
assaulted near Pekin, has had many
similar experiences during the dozen
years he has been railroad building III
the Chihil province, and has only ex-
tricated himself by dint of tact, pluck
and good humor. He has for year.
practically carried his life in his hand.
In 1890, for example, during floods, 4
mob, led by the soldierly Lutai, mil
itary camp near Tientsin, cut the rail-
way embankment and destroyed seven
miles of line, their officers encourag-
ing them, and the enlightened viceroy,
Ii Hung Chang. in his yamen, few
miles off, "layin low and sayin' Iuf
fin" The cause alleged was that the
embankment prevented the flood water
from running of, which, as there were
frequent outlets, was utter nonsense
Previous to that attempts had been
made to wreck trains and the lives OF
the foreign employees we're constantly
threatened. The life, too. of the foreign
guard on q train is not always n happy
one. Mandarins' servants without
tickets take possession Of a frst-clas5
carriage, eat, drink and sleep in it.
Perhaps they light a pan of charcoal
to warm themselves If the weather IS
cold. Charcoal has certain asphyX!at-
ing effects; the other passengers com
plain, and the servants have to be
elected. Too much violence might
lead to a general attack on foreigners
and another Tientsin massacre, while
too little would not be effective. The
unhappy guard has to follow the
happy mean between a good, hard
push and mild knockdown blow.
One day a country gentleman. on his
first ride in train, seeing his house
midway between the two stations fly
ing past, deliberately opened the door
and stepped out into space. At the pace
the train was going a European would
certainly have been killed; but the
supple celestial, after 4 prolonged Sc
ries of somersaults, wes seen to pick
himself and bundle up, dust his
clothes. and set OFF home across the
fields, much pleased with his short
cut and the convenience of the fire
wheel carriage" An unfortunate rail
way coolie. equally ignorant of the
laws of mechanics, did not get off SO
well. Seeing two trucks coming at
snail's pace down siding. he placed
his foot on the rail to stop them. To
his establishment, 1t was cut off, and
he learned. like Stevenson's COW. that
momentum is made up of mass as well
as velocity.
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1899-03-21
AUsTRIA's TAX ON NEWPAPERs
why the Capital Is Becoming mt.
crate City.

Austria shares the doubtful honor
with Turkey of having a government
tax on each newspaper printed in or
introduced into the country, and the
privilege with Russia of prohibiting
the sale of journals in the streets, says
a Vienna correspondent of the London
Post. The removal of this unpopular
tax on knowledge has been a matter
of constant agitation and promises of
a speedy reform have been made by
the present government. The obstruc-
zionist policy of the opposition in par
lament, however, has rendered the
prospect of legislation on this point
hopeless, at least within any measur-
able space of time. The social demo
cratic party has, nevertheless. taken a
very pronounced position in the mat
ter, and is agitating for an abolition
of the obnoxious laws. At the head OF
the present movement are many COM
petitors who fear that the number of
the employed will be considerably re-
duced by the pending Introduction of
composing machines unless in the
meantime the existing tax is removed
1t is noteworthy feature of the pres
ent agitation that paper manufacturers
are limiting their outputs owing to in
sufficient demand. Thanks to the news
paper tax, which requires the payment
of one farthing on every foreign news
paper, before it is issued, and one-half
penny on every foreign news
paper, Vienna is rapidly earning the
credit of being the most illiterate city
in Europe. The people do not pur-
chase their own journals, but read
them in the cafes. There are, rough
ly speaking, only seventy newspapers
for each 100000 inhabitants, whereas
the figures for America is 259, and
even in Germany as high as 129. The
morning and evening issues of "dai
lies" III Vienna collectively do not ex-
ceed 600.
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1899-03-21
The pdpudns Of New Guinea

an expedition to the south polar area
in the course of the next year This
undertaking will probably be on a
more modest scale than was planned
when the government was urged to do
the work as one of national impor-
tance, but it is satisfactory to know
that sufficient funds are likely to be
Forthcoming from private sources to
enable this country to cooperate in
the work of antarctic exploration, even
though it be to a limited extent
Birmingham Post.
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1899-03-21
The Antarctic Expedition.

Although the response to the appeal
of the council of the Royal Geograph-
ical Society for funds to send out an
antarctic expedition has not up to the
present been SO liberal as had been
desired, the amount already received
or promised is sufficient. l am in
formed, to encourage the promoters of
the enterprise in the belief that 1t
will be possible to equip and dispatch
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1899-03-21
Derivation of Chaucer,s Name.

Confirmatory evidence for the cor
rectness Of Prof. Skeat's derivation OF
Chaucer's name, from chaufe cire.
heat wax" has been found by Mr..
Scott. keeper of manuscripts of the
British museum. The occupation of
the first member of the family was,
therefore. that of chaff wax, an Off
Ger in the sealing department of the
chancery, and not that OF "chaussier,"
a hosier
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1899-03-21
GONern III ent.

In the government of men a great
deal may be done by severity, more by
love. but most of all by a clear dis
cernment and impartial justice, which
pays no respect TO persons.
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1899-03-21
Looking for wealth In sewers.

Paris sewers are being searched for
discovery by a workman under the RUE
Montmartre OF bundle containing
600 900 francs in securities.
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1899-03-21
An Instance of Poetic Justice.

A British sportsman died recently
from blood poisoning, caused by
scratch from a wild rabbit he was
turning loose for the hounds,
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1899-03-21

Der S o n al orna-
ments of this inter
esting people are
very pretty and in
genious and much
of their carving,
C on s idering tho
fact that they have
at their disposal
the most primitive
tools-sharp shells
or stone-is won
derfully executed.
They fully recos-
nize the rights of
property. including
the individual OWE
ership OF land.
Many of their
customs are Quaint;
many more are
grewsome. TIL c y
are great believers
in charms, and
many of them
wear a number OF
strange ornaments
always about their
person. The fight
ing charm of the
northeast coast ma
tives is made of
boar's tusks, stand
ing out from an
ouol-,b,na,; dirly of
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-15
FIRST LAFAYETTE
DOLLAR STRUCK
Mckinley viii Present to Presi-
dent Loubet of France as a
Friendly Token

Philadelphia, Dec. 14.-The first Laf-
ayette dollar, the unique coin author
lied by congress in aid of the fund for
the erection of the Lafayette monu-
ment in Paris, was struck off at the
United States mint in this city today.
This coin will be presented by the pres
ident of the United States to the pres
ident of France. Fifty thousand coins
will be disposed of at a cost of 81
apiece.
Payment for them must be in the
hands of the Lafayette memorial com
mittee not later than tomorrow. The
coin is legal tender dollar and bears
upon its face a double medallion of
the heads of Washington and Lafay-
cite. and on the reverse a miniature re-
production of the equestrian statue of
Lafayette, with the inscription: TN
commemoration of monument erected
by school youth of United States to
Gen. Lafayette, Paris, France 1900."
The second coin struck off was for
warded to Mrs. Mckinley. This being
the Tooth anniversary Of the death of
George Washington, it was considered
appropriate that the coins should be
minted today
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-15
MILLBURY MASONS
They Celebrate the Anniversary
of WaShington's Death in
Fitting Manner
OLIVE BRANCH
LODGES EXERCISES
New England Telephone Com
pany Wants to Set Up Poles
BY a Different Route

Millbury, Dec. 14.-The Olive Branch
lodge of Masons held their annual con-
vocation last evening to commemorate
the Tooth anniversary of the death of
George Washington, who in his early
days was a member of lodge of Ma
sons in West Virginia.
Rev. M. H. Harris of Worcester a
member of the lodge of Masons in Wor-
cester, delivered the address of the eve
ming. One of the interesting features
of the meeting was the reading of a
paper dated Jan. rs, 1900, in which was
an account of the services held in OK
ford by the Millbury lodge as the ami
versary of the death of George Wash
ington.
Addresses were also delivered by
members of the local lodge, including
Prof. j. F. Roach, principal Of the high
school, Rev. Mr. Hodgkiss, Brothers
M. H. Sears, G. j. Dudley, Charles B.
Perry, E. ]. Humphreys, Lyman S. Wa
ters, Jacob r. Lincoln, DR.. c. H. Hakes
and H. A. Lamb There were many
present at the meeting
The New England Telephone & Tele-
graph company wants different route
named for their telephone line to SUIT
ton and West Millbury, The company
was to put poles into the house of w A.
Harris and others and then hitch their
telephone wires OH the fire alarm posts
and put poles on Singletary street to
Sutton, but now the company wants to
put poles in beginning at the Whitney
thread mill up the Sutton road and run
the wires out by the Kendrick place on
Singletary street. The company began
putting poles on the right hand side
to Sutton, but were stopped by the
street railway company, which is going
to put posts on that side.
Both the north bound and the south
bound tracks on the New York, New
Haven and Hartford railroad in Mill
bury are now clear.
The Millbury Social union will have
it's 22d meeting at the Baptist church
Thursday evening, Dec q, and will be
entertained with a lecture by Rev.
Woodman Bradbury of Pleasant Street
Baptist church of Worcester, on
'Rambles in sunny Italy" illustrated
by over 100 StereOpticOn views
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-15
EXERCISES IN NEW YORK
Patriotic Societies Hold Services
Commemorative of Occasion

New York. Dec. 14.-In commemora-
ton of the one hundredth anniversary
OF the death of George Washington in
this city, today, services were held in
churches and schools and by several
patriotic societies The flags on all
of the public buildings were at half
mast. and on many business buildings,
and colors were displayed in the same
manner.
Memorial services were held at noon
in st. Paurs chapel by the Sons of the
Revolution and the Society of the Gin
clnnati attended by detachments of
squadron A, the Seventh regiment and
the veterans corps of the artillery, N.
e.. N. Y. Services were held at D.
m. at Earl Cliff and 1920 street, for
merly Washington's headquarters, by
the Washington Heights chapter Of the
Daughters of the Revolution; and at
D. m. at Delmonicos, by the Daugh-
ters Of the Cincinnati. While the SER
vices were in progress minute guns
were fired at Castle William, on Gov
ernor'S island
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-15
OF YARMOUTH
VISITS WORCESTER


a gold case, and apologized for leaving
him so abruptly.
Look ERE, gyard," he called to tn
station sweeper, what tonne does tn
express leave for-er-er-Whats it,
blasted name, bless me?"
And the duke turned to the reporter
for lift.
providence" suggested the walking
gazetteer.
"Ah, yes-Providence I get them
all mixed Not a bit as it is at 'ome,
yo'no' And his excellency gave his
man instructions to give the royal ken
mel a bit of a rum" admonishing him
not to lose his way.
Did his grace wish to see a bit of
the city,"
Don't moind, yo'no."
would his lordship have social
CLASP"
AT onee!" And the heir to the es-
tates of Yarmouth took a carbonic
chaser, while the literary genius held
tight to his quarter for fear it would
get away ahead of time.
You ave a very charming city
ere" was the royal compliment as
inspected. I've card of the wonder
full steps in front of a public place
called the court house on your main
street; should loike to see them, but" =
How do you like America, your
grace?" interrupted the interviewer to
purposely change the subject to one
more cheerful
ooh. quite good, yo'no, but I don't
fawncY I should care to stop ere. It's
nor a bit loike it, when you are looking
for the real thing, yo'no." And his
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-15

Mass, arrived at Mount Vernon to pay
the tribute of 100000 Red Men to the
memory of Washington. He was one
of the founders of the Sons Of Liberty,
to which the Red Men trace back their
origin through varying names.
The chiefs were selected by Great In
cohonee Green, who appointed as mas
ter of ceremonies Hon. H. Hestor of
Ohio, past grand sachem. Among the
distinguished chiefs present were Judge
Robert T. Daniels of Griffin, Ca, Hon
c. H. Litchman of Marblehead, Mass
George Lindsay of Baltimore DR.. VIII
liam Hancock of Philadelphia and J.
Patton of Danvers, Mass, Hon. Urban
H. Heston of Columbus, o., George T.
Fowler and John W. Loudenslager of
Baltimore. John c. Bell of Pikesville,
Md, j. Guest King of Annapolis, Md,
and Joseph Maris of Wilmington, Del.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-15
NOTICE.

At a meeting of the Directors Of the
Worcester Gas Light Company, held at
its office, on the afternoon of December
fourth, the following vote was passed,
namely:
That on and after FEBRUARY
FIRST, 1900, the price of gas be re-
duced to one dollar and twenty cents
($120) per thousand cubic feet, with
a discount of twenty cents COY per
thousand on all bills paid on or before
the fifteenth day of the month in
which they are presented, thus making
the net price of gas to the consumer
one dollar per thousand cubic feet.
CHAS. D. LAMSON,
President.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-15
Sold For London

New York, Dec. A.-The Evening
Post says: 1T is reported in Wall street
ship gold to London by this week
steamer. officers Of the bank, when
asked regarding the truth of the re-
port, refused either to confirm or deny
it, Sterling bankers familiar with the
gold market here and in London said
that in any case announcement of gold
engagements for London might be
looked for within "a hours.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-15
PapaI Consistory

Rome, Dec, 14.-The consistory was
held in the Sale Regia, with the usual
grand ceremonial and in the presence
of the diplomatic corps, the Roman
nobility and many prominent strangers.
The pope appeared to be in good health
and excellent humor. secret con-
sistory in the Sistine chapel followed,
at which the pope delivered an allocu-
ton of a wholly religious character and
performed the ceremony of opening and
closing the mouths of the new cardi-
nails. The pontiff was much acclaimed,
especially in the ducal hall, where
crowds witnessed the procession. The
newly appointed bishop of Havana was
installed
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-15
GAS HOUSE DESTROYED
Accident BY Fire in East Village
Cambria Works in Webster

Webster, Dec. 14.-The gas house at
the East Village Cambria works was
partially destroyed by fire this eve
ming. The loss is not estimated at this
hour.
No lights can be used in the mill un-
til the pipes are mended. 1t seems there
was leak in the pipe that caused a
slight blaze, this afternoon, and it is
believed that this evening the blaze
broke out again and the oil on the
floor caught fire.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-15
Navy Short of Men

Washington, Dec. 14.-The navy is
1000 men short of the legal maximum
and this in spite of the best efforts of
the recruiting officers. Secretary Long
has written letter calling the atten-
ton of congress to this state of affairs
and suggesting that it might offer a
decided incentive to enlistments by ex-
tending to sailors enlisting the benefit
of the act allowing to apprentices in
similar circumstances a full outfit of
clothing not to exceed $45 in value. I'm
der the present system the men are
kept in debt for months after enlist
ment by the purchase of the necessary
outfit from advance payments.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-15
The Day in Philadelphia

Philadelphia, Pa, Dec. 14.-The Tooth
anniversary of the death of Gen. George
Washington was observed here today
with memorial exercises in Independ
ence hall. Mrs. Edward H. Odden,
vice-regent of the Philadelphia chapter
of the Daughters of the American Re-
volution. was chairman of the meet
ing. The Grand Army of the Republic
took a prominent part in the observ-
ance of the day, services being held in
nearly all the post Headquarters.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-15
Currency Bill Safe

Washington, Dec. misrepresentation
Overstreet of Indiana, in charge of the
financial bill now under consideration
in the House, said today that the in
formal canvasses thus far made showed
that the bill would pass on the final
vote next Monday by a majority of
about So. in case the full strength of
both sides was present. This is based
on the calculation that the full republic
can vote. 1856, and 8 democratic votes
will be recorded for the bill, and that Z
other democratic members would re-
frain from voting
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-15

xcellency started to go toward the
epot as his time was getting short,
I'm just taking a bit of a spin to
see the country, and shall spend
Christmas in New York" and the earl,
having arrived at the station, looked
about for his man and his dog.
Atkinson and the dog were lost, and
Yarmouth had much trouble rounding
them up. The royal canine had been
in fight with one of Worcester's pie
beian purps, with the result that the
lowbred cur was making a meal out of
he royal ear of the earls dog.
The reporter bade the Earl of Var
mouth goodbye, and hoped he would
:ome again.
The bell changed, the steam Kissed,
Yarmouth had gone. Business was still
going on in Worcester
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-15
Cubans Give Up Arms

Santiago, Cuba, Dec. 14.-For some
months it has been suspected that large
quantities of military stores were in
the possession of Cubans at some point
in the interior. Yesterday the mayor
Of Tunis, in the district of Holguin,
voluntarily disclosed the location of
and surrendered three effective field
guns, 10000 rifles and large amount of
ammunition to the Americans. The
guns had been stored in an obscure
place in a rough country, under palm
leaf blinds
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-15
Lieut.. Batson Wounded

Washington, Dec. 14-Gen. Otis has
cabled the war department that Lieut..
Batson. who organized and command
ed the Maccabebe scouts, has been Sc
riously wounded in the foot. Amputa-
ton is probable.