davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Gilpin observer., 1899-11-16
Small PraiAe.

A young man who had disappointed
his grandfather by displaying no fond
ness for New England farm life made
his way through college, and the law
school, and In time became n judge.
His grandfather watched his progress
with sort of unwilling pride, but
never by word or look gave young
John the least encouragement or
praise. When the appointment to the
judges bench at last came, the grand
son took heart and asked for the old
mans congratulations. Aren't you
glad for me, grandfather" he asked,
almost wlstfully, glancing at the stub
born old face beside him. well, yes,
/ am glad for ye. John" admitted the
octogenarian in grudging tone. 81
am glad for ye. but | don't want you
should feel set up and imagine you
amount to any great shakes Jest on
account OF being made jedge. want
you should always recall when any
thing like this comes to ye that there's
plenty of folks that when they're in
need OF a stopper and haven't got any
cork. they'll make shift with a corn
cob! You jest bear that In mind"
Gilpin observer., 1899-11-16
We Expanded in That Direction
Over Forty Years Ago.

Out In the wild waste OF waters
southwest of Hawaii, ten days sail
from that island and four days sail
from the nearest land, the American
Tag has tapped and fluttered over two
tiny bits of land for more than forty
years. Baker and Howland are the
names of these old Pacific possessions
Of ours. They nestle close to the
equator near 176 longitude, and are
marked on every good-sized map of
that part Of the world. Yet how few
of us have ever known that We ex-
panded in the Pacific long before the
guns roared at Fort Sumter. Peace
fully we took possession of them peace
fully we have held them. No congress
sional debates have ever occurred as
to their form Of government. no senate
has ever been called upon to ratify an
Gilpin observer., 1899-11-16
PICKLES, MUSTARD.

Such a discussion as developed on
the piazza at the home of the Ellisons.
that summer afternoon, would have
been of serious import had it not been
for the personality of the disputants.
But a wrangle involving only a half
dozen pretty women gowned in the
light, breezy, flufIliness appertaining
to perfect June day, becomes prettier
in proportion to its earnestness.
1t came about through Emily Hast
ings' proposal for picnic on the Des-
PLANES river.
mo one of those formal. cut-and-
dried, lemon-pie affairs" she explain
ed, "but just rollicking. jolly party
of us young folks, who want to have a
good time in the woods"
"And the young men?" queried
someone, doubtfully. This isn't leap
year, you know!"
Leave that to me-" returned Emily
reassuringly. 'If can't make Herbert
Winslow take up the idea and carry 1t
out as his own, then I'm not up to
enough snuff to make baby sneeze!
"oh, Emily, how can you?" came in
deprecating chorus.
I'm not going to him and bluntly
ask him to hire picnic wagon. pay
for the provisions, and generally act
as field manager for the party" insist
ed the young lady. You ought to
give me more credit than that. I'm
simply going into a little psychologi-
cal suggesting. He'll think he did 1t
all himself. When the idea has taken,
l expect him to invite your humble
servant as his own particular side
partner, after which I'll propose that
we girls make up the luncheon"
What pig!" exclaimed pretty May
West, disconsolately; you'd monopo-
lie the attentions Of Mr.. Winslow,
and leave the rest of us to any Tom.
Dick and Harry"
20. that comes of my being the pro-
moter, you know" laughed Miss
Hastings, lightly; "as a simple stock
holder, you'll have to wait for divi-
dends."
But how about a chaperon?" sug-
gested Blanche Fielding. the demure.
"a chaperon!" exclaimed the pro-
moter tragically; my kingdom for a
chaperon! You, of all sobersides in
Christendom, to suggest chaperon!
she continued, argumentatively.
Goodness knows, you don't need one.
and as for casting such an espersion
on the rest of us-what shall we dc
with her, girls?"
When the little bevy had gone into
individual pieces, the picnic was as
sured, IL only Emily Hastings psyche
logical equipment did not fail. And IT
did not-at least in part. Herbert
Winslow took up the scheme like an
original enthusiast. A railroad trip to
Gilpin observer., 1899-11-16
oUIcKSANDS OF ARIZONA.
Masked Pitfalls Are Frequently Found
In the Desert.

In the Desert.
Curious but dangerous freaks of ma
ture frequently found in the desert of
Arizona are called sumideros by the
Mexicans and Indians. They are
masked pitfalls Of quicksand that occur
in the dry plains and are covered with
a treacherous crust of clay that has
been spread over them in fine particles
by the wind and baked dry by the sun.
The peculiar properties of the soil re-
tain all the moisture drained into them
after the infrequent rains, and allow it
to be filtered to unknown depths, so
that man or horse or COW or a
sheep that once steps upon that de-
ceptive crust instantly sinks out OF
sight beyond hope of rescue. The
sumideros are on level with the sur
face OF the desert. There is no danger
signal to mark them, and their surface
cannot be distinguished by the Or
dinary eye from the hard clay that sur
rounds them. They occur most fire.
quently in the alkali-covered fats, and
are often fifteen or twenty feet in di-
ameter. Sometimes they are only lit
tie pockets or wells that a man can
leap across. but the longest pole has
never found their bottom. A stone
thrown through the crust sinks to un-
known depths. and no man who ever
fell into one OF them was rescued.
They account for the mysterious dis
appearance of many men and cattle.
Gilpin observer., 1899-11-16
1T WAS A GAY PARTY.

IL WAo A ia PAhl1
Riverside. and a picnic wagon to take
the party down the river, were fixed
upon. The luncheon scheme was ex-
cellent. A list of the young ladies' was
made up and a corresponding number
Of escorts were considered. The day
was set
But that night Herbert Winslow
for the company of demure Blanche
Fielding.
II Emily Hastings was keenly disap-
pointed she did not show 1t. Her in
terest in the picnic did not fiag. Out
Of her inventive genius she even i'm
proved on the original plans.
This is to be a novel picnic" she
said. nothing else will do. Now. as
the designer of 1t / am going to be the
chef. I'm going to write out a list of
just what each girl is to bring in a
covered basket. These lists must be
kept in secret. and not till we get to
the woods, ready to spread the table,
is any one but myself to know what
we're to have for dinner.
Everybody was pledged to the COM
pact of secrecy and when the bill OF
fare had been made out and distribut-
ed, preparations began for the outing.
Saturday, July l. was al ideal day.
Gathered in the union station In the
early morning, only Emily Hastings
and her escort were missing. Five
minutes before train time Edward Aus
tin, breathless. came up to the anxious
group with the news that Miss Hast
ings was Ill and could not go.
Nothing serious he assured
them. Miss Hastings sends thou
sand regrets and asks that we fill the
program without her."
1t was a gay party in spite OF the
disappointing fact that Mr.. Austin
was bit OF overplus community prop
erty. The swift. laundering train;
the jaunty picnic wagon. trailing its
cloud OF dust: the silence of the wood
cd banks Of the Desplainos-nothin
was lost to the senses of the group.
left at last to themselves. while the
wagon numbered back to Riverside,
five miles away.
Don't forget to come for us lr
time for the o'clock train" young
Austin had impressed on the driver,
md with his disappearance hammocks
were swung for the lazy ones. while
the natural!sts. in pairs. wandered at
a'l
Gilpin observer., 1899-11-16

parquette flooring of a very pretty and
unusual design and leads through an
oak archway into large oak-paneled
reception hall. There is a dog stove,
with old Dutch tiles, and from this one
passes to most charming dining
room, in which is fitted a brass mount
ed stove. In the drawing room the
woodwork and furniture are enameled
white. the walls being hung with green
ribbed silk, and separated from the bill
lard room, into which 1t looks, by
handsomely carved screen, enameled
white. 1t is understood to be these
rooms which are reproduced in Mrs.
Langtry's play, "The Degenerates."
The first floor is approached by prin-
cipal gallery, oak staircase with carved
newels and paneled soffit, and large
landing and corridor leads to the six
principal bedrooms, each of which is
fitted with enameled white mantels
and tiled hearths, the appointments be-
ing well chosen. There is, at the fringe
OF the pleasure grounds, stabling for
eighteen horses. and fortunate must
be those "gee-gees" who find shelter
therein, for better arranged stables are
seldom seen. The property formerly
belonged to George, Lord Bishop OF Co.
lumbia. but the "faire" owner has,
even within the last three years, spent
some thousands in improvements.
Gilpin observer., 1899-11-16

land was leased to the American Gu
ano company. There was no safe an
chorage about the island and the COM
pany placed a buoy about mile and
half from the western beach. This Is
the only anchorage today.
Baker island forms an irregular
quadrilateral figure about mile long
and a fraction less than a mile in
width. 1t is of coral formation. There
Is absolutely no> water on the island,
and drinking water can be obtained
only by distilling sea water. The to-
biography of the island is somewhat
similar to that of Howland, save that
on the west side is small open bay
in which is boat anchorage.
The island is encircled by a reef
some 300 feet wide, and its jagged
heads are awash at high tide. A
Gilpin observer., 1899-11-16

appointment of governor over them.
In fact, they are so far from anywhere
that even the most persistent office
seeker would scarcely accept an ap-
pointment there. Rowland or Hol-
land island is the larger of the two,
and is separated from Baker island by
an arm OF the sea about twenty-five
miles wide. 1t is about two miles long
and trife over a half mile in width.
1t was discovered by Capt. G. E.
Netcher, of the American bark Isabel
la, Sept. 8, 1912, and was formally
taken possession of by him the next
morning in the name of the United
States. He raised a flag on the island
and deposited box at the foot OF the
staff containing a record of what he
had done. In 1857 the island was Wis
tied by the whaling bark Portsmouth.
The flag staff erected by Capt. Netcher
had been blown down by the winds,
but the bark's captain found the record
and promptly raised another flag. He
was determined that 1t should stand,
and how well he succeeded is shown by
the decaying stump which still stands
there, though another flag staff was
raised some fifteen years later, on
higher part OF the island. by Comman-
der Meade, United States steamer Mar
ragansett Capt. Netcher also dis
covered another island, quite noun
famous, and evidently of volcanic ori-
gin, about forty-fve miles north of
also in the name of the United States.
Near the center of the island are
thickets OF small trees covering
an area Of many acres. The
eastern side of the island Is composed
of succession of ridges, generally of
sand and shells. At earlier stages OF
the islands growth these may have
successfully formed the weather shore.
Bits of pumice and driftwood are scat
tered all over the island There are
no springs on the island. but water
may be obtained by digging a few feet.
In the center the island spreads out in
plain containing about 400 or 800
acres. This is susceptible of cultiva-
tion, but the island would be valueless
were 1t not for It's coral and its guano
deposits. The guano covers the entire
middle part, from north to south, and
is from six inches to four feet in depth.
At the time of Commander Meade's
visit, in 1872, the guano export was
about 5000 tons annually. Consider
able coral was also being exported.
During the early fifties the British
ship Pelican was wrecked on n reef
near Howland island. The crew man
aged to get to the island in safety.
Some years later the huts they had
lived In and other traces of the trip, in
1872. could not be found. The men had
disappeared. What had become OF
them will doubtless never be known.
Doubtless, tired of the eternal soli-
tude, and OF battling with sea birds
and rats. with which the island
abounds. they built a raft or n boat
and put to sea. only to meet death In
the mighty waters.
Rowland island will never be WIS.,
tied by tourists for the sake OF Its
scenery. It is almost fiat. OF coral
formation and rises but twenty feet
above the level OF the reef. only about
twelve or fifteen above the level OF the
high tide. The western side OF the
island is slightly depressed, and much
OF It Is covered with an abundant
growth OF vegetation.
! Shortly after the civil war the Is
Gilpin observer., 1899-11-16
Reasonable.

The reasons for orthography are
among the things which pass mans
understanding Some explanations,
however, have n plausible sound. A
minister was recently called upon to
marry n couple In private. and had o.
casion to ask how the name of one
OF the witnesses was spelled. MIG
Hugh" replied the man. Haven't
you n sister Margaret" inquired the
clergyman. "Yos, sir" Well" said
the minister, she spells her name.
Mcclure That" said the Wit
ness. "is because my sister nad Inc. NO
went to different Schools"
Gilpin observer., 1899-11-16
OUR OLDEST PACIFIC ISLANDS.

beat about for days before an anchor
age is possible.
Baker island was discovered by
Capt. Henry Foster, OF the bark ia
maica, in 1857. 1t was reported from
time to time by various. other marin
ers. but was not accurately charted
until Commander Meade visited it, in
1872.
The island is a veritable death trap
of the sea, as its wreck-strewn reef
attests. Not only are shores strewn
with wreckage, but nearly dozen
skeletons of ships still exist in the
clutches Of the reef.
Such are our other possessions in the
South Sea.
Gilpin observer., 1899-11-16
Catarrh Cannot Be Cured

reach the seat of the disease. Catarrh Is q
blood or constitutional disease, and in order to
cure 1t you must take internal remedies Halls
Catarrh Cure is taken internally. and acts
directly on the blood and mucous surfaces
Halls Catarrh Cure is not quack medicine.
It was prescribed by one of the best physicians
in this country for years, and is q regular pre-
scription It is composed of the best tonics
known, combined with the best blood purifiers,
acting directly on the mucous surfaces. The
perfect combination of the two ingredients is
what produces such wonderful results in curing
Catarrh. Send for testimonials, free.
F. j. CHENEY & CO., Props, Toledo, O
Sold by druggists, price DO
HALLS Family Pills are the best
Gilpin observer., 1899-11-16
BOER METHOD OF LETTERING HORSES.

The Boer never
carries forage for
his mount. but de-
pends on such pas
ture as the spot he
chooses for his
camp may afford.
The way the horses
are hobbled. as
shown in the draw
Ing. Is certainly as
effective as It Is
cruel. Protests
have been made by
humane members
of the South Afri-
can colonies and
republics, but the
custom seems too
deeply rooted to be
easily abolished.
Gilpin observer., 1899-11-16
A Valuable Product.

Last year 100000 pounds of alu-
minium. valued at s1,716,O00. were
produced in the United States. The
value per pound was therefore 33
cents. In 1888 10000 pounds of that
metal were produced, valued at nearly
$3.50 pound.
Gilpin observer., 1899-11-16
MRS. LANCTRY'S HOME.

Country Residence In an English
Village.
Mrs. Langtry's country residence is
situated in the pretty village OF Kent
ford, four miles from Newmarket. 1t
is fitted throughout with all that mod
ern convenience and luxury could sug-
gest. The entrance hall has a wooden
Gilpin observer., 1899-11-16

Runs Every Day In the Year.
The Overland Limited" via Union Pa
cific for California and the Pacific north
west. Quickest time and finest equip
ment. Ticket Office. 941 17th street.
Gilpin observer., 1899-11-16

Rejected Suitor (fiippantly)-"Oh, well,
there are just as good fish in the sea as
were ever caught" She-"Yes, George
there are. but unless you change your
bait they are safe.'
Gilpin observer., 1899-11-16

"Figgs took his wife to New York last
brought him home on a mattress"
Gilpin observer., 1899-11-16

cousin Clara has just answered a let
ter l wrote her a year ago." That 8
queer" mo, it isn't; you probably didn
overcoat this week"
Gilpin observer., 1899-11-16

Sltty-These So
clalists are n dan
gerous lot.
Subbubs-Only to
themselves. though.
These church af-
fairs won't hurt
you unless you at
tend them.
Gilpin observer., 1899-11-16
Ar. You Using A,,.n.. root-E...,

Arc You Using Aliens Foot-EaseS
It is the only cure for Swollen.
Smarting. Burning. Sweating Feet.
>Corns and Bunions. Ask for Aliens
Foot-Ease, powder to be shaken into
the shoes. At all Druggists and Shoe
Stores, Csc. Sample sent FREE. Ad-
dress Allen 8. Olmsted, Leroy. N. Y.
Gilpin observer., 1899-11-16

ELIZA, there is to be a model American
postoffice at the Paris exposition" We'll,
Henry you ought to go along to show
how the model american husband forgets
to mail his wife's letters"
Gilpin observer., 1899-11-16
Active Agents wanted

Active Agents Wanted
In every county seat for our Gas Lamp.
Makes its own gas. Better light than cleo
tricity or Welsbach city gas. Cheaper than
kerosene. Retails IS. Big money maker.
Standard Lamp Co., "Dept. A." Chicago.
Gilpin observer., 1899-11-16

One Briton in ev-
cry hve has an ac-
count in the postal
savings bank.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-05-07
The FOrked Sprig.
TALE or TEASPOONS.
BY Frank Summers.

10 meet with its exception. Haven't you
found that? ! have"
Eyes. I see You're the exception"
"Only apparently" said Lgrd, stand
inc in very characteristic attitude.
with his hands folded behind his back.
ana looking down mt Carrie. where she
sat before the hanging kettle.
only apparently. Those who ask,
don't know"
'And YOU do. YOU mean?"
"Huirahi" Annette Henry shouted.
jumping up and running TO the table
in the middle OF the room. Here's
somebody who can tell as all about the
mysterious hieroslyph.'
! thought that Carrie looked a little
frightened ass well as amused. when
there was a general movement towards
Ligrid As for him. he took IT. aii. SO
far ass ] can see. quite ass matter of
cOur-e-not The least abashcd or dis
composed hy becoming SO manfestly
the centre OF attraction on his first ap-
pearance i'm this unfamiliar afternoon
tea scene.
"Oh. I don't pretend 10 read hero
giyphs he said. "Ony / know that
one summer day. years ago. when l
had not been long iu this country | was
tracking my way through the woods not
far from the shores Of Lake Superior,
and ] unexpectedly came upon a. young
American lady who had been 1y-hshng,
and had got cut or. standing ON q lone
rock I'm the middle of rapid trout
stream. The rain of the early morning
had swollen the stream. but the young
lady had been too busy with her rod TO
notice that
"Oh. please stop" Carrie cried. blush
ing
But the audience were not to be de.
n'cd They insisted on hearing the
story out
"Well. I saw her danger. but didn't
know quite enough English ar that time
TO explain 10 All 20 her So L simply
wadod in. said. II you please. Miss.
and carried her bodily from that lso-
lated rock When she found herself on
shore. SAFE and realized the danger she
had escaped the young lady dropped her
rol-knOcling of her blue veil au1 "a
l0t OF maple leaves she had put in her
hat % shade her face-and reaching her
pocket-book. tried 70 pay me with sill
Yer dollar.
Carrie had her fingers In her ears. as
II she could stand no more II the recit-
AL But Lgrid ruthlessly went on with
his story.
"And then I picked up a sprig Of ma
nc that had two leaves IN IT, And
think that what / said was-just the
words which Miss Bake has done me
the compliment 20 have engraved on her
spoons"
And on everything that is hers" the
chorus went uD.
Please Mr. Ligrid.' plped Annette
Henry in the moment of silence that
followed. "have you got the original fork
cd sprig of maple
Ligrid only smiled-so FAR. at least. as
could see. Annette insisted that he
nodded too.
But after that day he became very
much at home indeed i'm the atmosphere
Of Carries tea parties. and remained so
for % long time when there was a brief
intermission-say month or so. And
then we AN congratulated him. for he
was a general favorte with the crowd.
And now Carries afternoon teas are
held in his house
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-05-07
A PRIESTS VENGEANCE.
A Terrible story Of Crucltics Practiced
by Bolivian Indians.

WASHINGTON, May 6-rhe Depart
ment of State has been informed by our
Minister at Las Pas Bolivia. under date
OF March %, 1899. that on March LIST COL
onel Pando sent from his army 10 Slca-
sca 30 men commanded by Arturo
Equine. to Ayopaya, there TO confer with
Mr.. Crollama as to the best means Tor
simultaneously attacking Cocahabamba.
On arriving at the town OF MohOzd,
Equine demanded d loan Of two hundred
Bolivars from the Mayor. These de-
mands being refused the priest and Mayor
We're imprisoned. Meanwhile, however
the priest had dispatched cOuriers to the
Indian villages asking that the natives
attack PandOs men. A large crowd or
Indians came. and in spite of al measures
taken 10 pacify them. the arms OF the
soldiers We're taken away the men SUD
jected to revolving treatment and finally
locked inside the church for the night
In the morning the priest, after cele-
brating the so-called Mass of Agony,
allowed the Indians 10 take out the I'M
fortunate victims. two by two, and lo3
were deliberately murdered, each pair by
different tortures.
Seventeen escaped death by having de-
parted the day previous Oh another mis-
sion.
Each day brings news % the rising or
the Indians iu different sections or the
northern part Of the country
4 large party OF whites arrived In La
Pas to-day dee.ng from Indian threats.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-05-07
A WESTERN CYCLONE.
Terrible Havoc Wrought by Wind
Storm IN Southern Oklahoma.

KANSAS CITY, MO, May "a special
10 the Journal from Wichita, has.,
says: Meagre reports reach here Of a
terrific wind storm that caused great
destruction at several points Ia southern
oklahoma. The most serious damage IS
reported at Chickasaw. T0ngawa and
Auadarko. The storm struck Chickasaw
al $3.50 clock In the afternoon and de-
stroyed that part of the town north OF
the Rock Island shops.
Sixteen buildings We're blown down and
the roof was torn from the raj T. al
round house. Sixteen injured persons
had been taken from the wreck nap TO 3
o'clock. but only one death had been
reported.
]. II. Murray. a railroad man. was
dead when taken from the wreck OF a
building.
Rumors Of greater loss of life are heard
but cannot be confirmed. There is one
telegraph wire out OF Chlckasaw and
there is little chance Of getting list OF
the injured tonight.
The storm came from the southwest.
preceded by a heavy hail and followed
bv a flood OF rain. The path OF the
storm was right down Chickasaw avenue,
the main street Of the town, and nearly
every building on the street was either
wrecked or unroofed and the contents
exposed 10 the rain.
A dispatch I'm wichita from Tongawa
saws that I'm Canton Township eighteen
miles west. great damage was done by a
tornado.
The family Of J. II. Ware took refuge
IN a storm cave which became SO heavy
from the constant rain That II Tell lh'
killing three members OF the family
Tho houses of j. r. Teunel and ;. II.
Saunders were blown TO pieces and Mrs.
Teunol was badly hurt
OF the damage az AnaaarNo nothing
definite can be learned.
The Rock Island extension up the ca
madam Valley to Anadarko, IS reported
washed ont in three places, and that
place cannot be reached.
KANSAS. CITY. MO, May s. STAFF
correspondent OF the Journal at Guthrie.
Oklahoma. writes that nothing is known
there of any tornado in the territory.
The railroads entering Guthrie have re-
ceived no reports OF any serious damage.