davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-12-21
VOICES OF FISH.
Peculiar Sounds Uttered by Inbab itants of
the Deep.

Fish that utter sounds are by no
means rare, but they are not often
seen or heard by those not i'm the fish
ing business. Some years ago, in the
Gulf of Mexico, small, highly col
ored fish known rs the haemulon was
hauled up. The moment it appeared
above the surface it opened its mouth
and began to grunt and groan so loud
ly that the attention of the entire par
~ was attracted to it. The sounds
could be heard from one end TO the
other of the siXty-ton schooner. One
of the fishermen held the fish in
amaZement n few moments, and then
was so convinced that it was talking
and begging for liberty that it was
tossed overheard.
The giZZard shad utters note that
can ne heard some distance. and the
eel Is said to make noise that comes
nearer to being musicaI than any 9th
er made by n fish. The loudest sound
ever known to be uttered by a fish
came from a small dogish or shark,
on the New England coast. The fish
ermen were hauling them in by the
dozen and as each fish came out of the
it uttered loud croak, and kept it up
as though in great agony, so that
when several Of these fishes were on
deck the air was full OF barking or
croaking.
The drumfish Is one OF the few fishes
whose sounds are heard while they
are in the water. The late Spencer +.
Baird of the Smithsonian Institution
made some interesting experiments
with them, and in a report described
the strange sounds that came up from
the bottom. He had the impression
that the fish were directly on the bot
tom Of the vessel and were striking 1t,
but this was found to be a mistake.
The fish were i'm school some feet be-
low the surface, and in all probability
were making the sounds by striking
their pharyngeal teeth together. The
sounds produced by these fish have n
| singular effect upon superstitious sea-
men, who see omens in the weird
noises.
Il zAllN OHt WIN oi'Pt
boat with his ears n few inches from
the water has heard strange cracking
sounds sometimes. They appeared
like series of cracks or electric
shocks, but what creatures produce
the noise no one seems 10 know.
One of the most remarkable of all
the sound-producing fishes Is found In
China seas, and an account of its ac-
tons has been given by Lieut.. White
of the British navy. He was engaged
in some special work at the entrance
of river and came to anchor one
night in shallow watea Presently
strange sounds began to be heard com
ing up from the bottom. They were
described as resembling the changing
of bells and the beating of drums
The men were demoralized, and at.
tributed the noises to spirits, 1t being
said that crew of pirates had gone
down there, but the officers were con.
vinced that the noise was caused by
some sea animals, and investigation
showed that II came from school OF
fish that made the sounds by clappina
their teeth together.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-12-21
Distances Elevators Travel,

Elevators are terrible sudden, but
they sac IA power of climbin'," ex-
claimed the good woman from the
country as soon as she had recovered
breath after her first ride in an ele-
vator. The miles of ''climbin'" saved
seem more impressive if one consid-
crs the distance traversed by the ele-
vator ears in one day in II single build
ing in New York City. The towering
office building on Park Row has ten
elevators, each shaft being $50 feet
high. 1t takes a minute and a half on
an average for the cars to go up or
down, and they run all day, with brief
intervals OF waiting top and bottom.
At this rate it is computed that the ele-
vator ears cover nearly a hundred
miles day. The number of passen-
gers carried on each trip would rug
the total number of miles of walking
saved by the use of the elevators in
one day into many times Il hundred
miles.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-12-21
Why the Admiral Wept.

Thrice during the two days given To
him Dewey wept. First when he was
presented with the flag that once float
ed over Farragut. Second. when, DUR
ing the naval parade, he looked from
the Olympia over the great assemblagc
of vessels crowded with cheering men
and women. He then seemed TO real
ize for the first time the profound char
acter of the feeling which he had in
spired. Several times he raised his
handkerchief to his eyes. and men who
had known him for the greater part of
his career said they had never before
seen him so moved. Third. when he
suddenly came into view of 100
school children on the great stand in
Scventy-second street. The children
had grouped themselves in blue letters
fifteen feet high, forming the word.
Dewey" on a white ground. Led by
Frank Damrosch. they joined in n
mighty chorus as the processionp passed.
Dewey halted in front of the stand.
and stood up. hat in hand, bowling his
gratitude. For Il few moments he
stood thus, bareheaded. the tears trick
ling down his face. ellison Willcts in
Leslie's Weekly
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-12-21
is the Klondike Growing Warmer?

Prospectic visitors and gold seekers
i'm the Klondike region may extract
some comfort from the discovery,
made by the Hartman Alaska expedi-
ton, that most of the glaciers which
abound in that territory are receding.
The fact is an indication that the aver
age weather there is growing warner.
If il were growing colder the glaciers
would be advancing: while If it were
about the same one year with another
they would maintain the same general
position, neither creeping nearer 10 the
sea nor melting away from their ter
minal moraines. The rate of glacial
recession is so slow. however, that fur
ovcrcoats and warm sleeping bags are
likely to remain as part of the nee
essary equipment of Alaskan travel for
some years to come. Nothing, it may
be added, is slower than the movement
Of glacier except the settlement Of
the Alaskan boundary dispute.
lies Weekly.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-12-21
woman's Dream Came True.

Imagine n woman dreaming that she
was going to be murdered, and the
manner in which the foul deed was to
he done Such was the experience of
Mrs. Eggleston of Antelope Valley,
Mono County, Cal, whose dream was
fulfilled to the letter a few days later.
A week or so before the event took
place she told several neighbors she
had dreamed that, as she was about
to open the oven door in her kitchen
one morning n man named Watkins
suddenly appeared with knife in his
hand and stabbed her several times.
The neighbors were rather perturb-
ed at this, and when the poor woman
was found dead In her house. wound
ed i'm the manner indicated short time
afterward. her dream was brought
back wildly to their minds. The man
who had figured In 1t as the assassin
was at once apprehended, and his guilt
was proved up to the hilt.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-12-21
II Took Time to SAY "Whoa?"

"A funny story that l could not help
but laugh at was told by travelling
salesman at local hotel,' said the
man-about-town. 1T happened dur
ing his last visit to this city. He ar
rived at the Reading terminal and
hailed q hanson. The driver, who
seemed to be good-natured chap,
was tcngue-ticd and stammered badly.
OF course that was no fault of his.
The drummer told him that he wished
TO be driven to the Continental Hotel,
and the driver answered, using his
hands and emitting all sorts of noises
All r-r-right, s-s-sir.'
The gentleman stepped in and off
they went. After driving some time
the hanson came to n standstill, the
driver jumped from his seat and the
visitor stepped out. Looking about
he noticed that they had gone some
distance beyond the hotel, and he re-
marked this TO the driver. The driver
nodded his head and answered: Lit
t-t-t-took m-m-me ANAL this d-dis-
lance tito s-s-say w-whoa.' - Phila-
delphia Call.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-12-21
Bent Rifle with a History.

Among the many objects Of interest
in the collection of war trophies and
curos from the Philippines that has
recently been placed on exhibition in
the Battle of Manila building on Wa
bash avenue is bent and shattered
Remington rifle. This rifle is OF inter
est because of the following story:
During the first battles of the Ameri-
can troops with the Filipinos around
Manila a charge was ordered to drive
the enemy from strong position. The
charge took the American troops over
Il rice field which the enemy had occu-
pied ut the beginning of the engage
ment. but from which they had been
driven.
AS the American forces charged
across the piteous cries of wounded
Filipino for water excited the compass
sion Of one of the boys, who FASTENED
to give him drink from his canteen.
AS he knelt down by the side of the in
surgent the latter drew dagger and
tried to stab him. Several of the
American soldiers saw the attempt
and Fastening up, took the insurgents
gun from beside him and beat his
brains out. This Is the gun now on
exhibition.
The weapon came into the possession
of Douglas Young, editor of the Manila
Freedom, and from him passed into
the possession of the local exhibition.
1t is of the breech-loading pattern
made in 1876 and long since discarded
by the American army.-Chicago Inter
Ocean.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-12-21
Thought He Had Been Noticing.

Willie Washington was trying to be
conversational, but the young woman
wore glasses and looked severe, and
her mother surveyed the scene with an
expression of austere liberation. Will
lie ought 10 have known better than to
call on Monday afternoon. anyhow.
Have you read any books latelyy'
asked Willie with the inane grin which
he uses in society.
Yes" answered the girl.
Been some pretty good ones written
lately, don't you Think
Il haven't read any recent novels,
she answered.
You ought to read some"
II find ample entertainment in the
mother looked on with an approving
smile.
''Oh. yes. Shakespeare, l suppose.
He's good old classic
Il read Shakespeare occasionally
when read English. also read Cor
nellie and Molierc and Goethe and
Schiller, but only for diversion. Phil
osophic studies are my especial occu-
patton ut present"
by Jovew exclaimed Willie admir-
ingly. You're getting to be regular
blue-stocking, aren't your
"a whatT' repeated the young wo-
mans mother grimly as she arose to
her feet.
"Wly--a blue stocklng-you know
that is"
mo explanations are necessary. Am
ella. am going to tell the servant to
take In the clothes line at once. Here
after neither of us will be at home to
Mr.. Washington. '-Washington Star.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-12-21
A NEW SOVEREIGN STATE.
The Republic Of the Acre. The Latest Govern.
ment In South Africa.

Probably there are not many people
who have heard of the Republic of the
Acre. 1t is brand new State which
has arisen In South America I'm the
last few weeks. 1t owes its origin to
the fact that n large part of the inter-
Tor OF South America Is n no-man's-
land, some parts claimed by two or
even three of the republics which have
not clearly defined limits.
A certain Rodriguez Aries happened
along and determined to take advan-
tage Of this state of affairs. He was
an adventurer who had seen much Of
the world, having been successfully n
bank employee in Spain. Il theatrical
manager in the United States, Il clerk
of works in Paris and n broker in the
Argentine Republic. While in Buenos
Ayres he made the acquaintance of
the gentlemen who are now his minis
tiers of state.
Rodriguez Aries proclaimed n vast
territory bordering on Brazil and BO-
livia as the Republic of the Acre, SO
called from the river of that name, a
tributary of the Amazon. which flows
through it. The territory has an eX-
tent of some 100000 square miles and
an estimated population of $4,000. 1t
WAS claimed by both Brazil and Boliv-
in, but that did not matter to Rodrie-
ueZ Aries. He established his capital
nj il small village called Antimairi, APP
pointed his ministers and was ready
for business. He calculated on rails
ing revenue from royalty on the rub
Der gathered in his territory. which de-
ponds principally on that staple for its
commerce.
Rodriguez Aries is IN intelligent,
wide awake man. apparently about 30
years of age. His face Is Of IL decided
Spanish cast, with kindly looking eyes,
which beam on you through pair of
gold trimmed spectacles. From his APP
pearance one might take him to be a
professional man. lawyer or II doc
tor.
Whether the new Republic of Acre
will take a permanent place among the
family of nations remains to be seen.
1t may be noted that there are pros
porous States in existence today which
have arisen i'm the same manner rs the
Republic of the Acre: among these may
be mentioned the Transvaal and the
Orange Free State i'm South Africa.
which were also established by adyen-
turers in a norman s-land, and are now
of sufficient Importance to make no
small noise in the world.
The region Of the Acre is one of the
hottest and most healthful i'm South
America. 1t is also one of the richest
in rubber, which grows wild in the
woods in great abundance. and those
engaged in the rubber trade can gen
orally calculate on making their for
tunes in four or five years il they es-
cape the malarial fevers and other dis
eases which dog the steps of the white
man i'm these attitudes.
The territory of the Acre. or por-
ton of it. was granted not long ago to
an American syndicate by the Govern
ment OF Bolivia, which had a very
doubtful title to it. The syndicate was
to build a railway and make other i'm
provements. but the project never came
to anything, owing partly TO the dis.
puted ownership of the land. which led
to litigation, and finally resulted i'm the
proclamation OF independence already
referred TO.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-12-21

were better up IN this part Of the SER
vice than the men. One day. however
a bride startled him by promising. In
what she supposed to he the language
of the prayer book. 10 take her hns'
band ITO ave and old from this day
forni't for betterer horse. for richer
power, In siggcrness health. to love
cherries and to bay" What meaning
this extraordinary VOW conveyed to
the woman's own mind, the incumbent
said baffied him to conjecture.-Sh Short
Stories Magazine.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-12-21
tain fastened his pace, grabbing with
his left hand an imaginary sword. as
II to keep ii from tripping him as he

| tain fastened his pace, grabbing with
his left hand an imaginary sword, rs
II to keep II from tripping him as he
ran,
"Out of the way there, Capt" cried
the young superintendent. Are you
clean daftT"
Captain Jim reached the hopper a
hundred yards In advance of the guard.
About the base of the structure men
were pilipg wood and shavings and
I splashlng the rubbish with OIL Tow
ering above all the rest was broad
shouldered Hungarian, who had light
ed n match. Captain Jim had christ
ened him 'Attila the Hun" and the
name stuck to him. The man was a
natural leader. He was one of the
kind who make strikes possible.
drop that, Attila. yelled the old
Captain.
Attila motioned Captain Jim away.
You he friend" he said. mo be
here. Cor
The Captain turned about. He saw
hundred leveled rifles.
superintendent. he cried, "let me
talk to these fellows"
The miners stood with hands upon
ready revolvers.
See here. you fellows" continued
Captain Jim, I'm IN old soldier, and
know what / am talking about. If
YOU fire that hopper youll be punished
! for it. if it takes all the troops in the
country to do il. Take my advice and
quit the game
Nobody could tell how it happened.
There came Il shot from somewhere.
/ Captain Jim threw UP his hands and
fell i'm the snow. 4 stream of blood
dyed the trampled drift. The old sol
der placed one hand above his heart;
with the other he sointed toward the
torch held by the leader OF the strik-
crs. The Hun threw the firebrand TO
the ground and trampled ii beneath his
feet until the last spark had left 1t.
The strikers dropped their guns in the
snow. They surrounded the form of
the old soldier.
Attla. the Hun. lifted up the white
head upon his knee.
Not u.s." whispered the Hun, mot
u.s.
The young superintendent rushed
forward.
Il call these men to Witness" he
cried. that no shot was fired by u.s."
Six men carried the old Captain to
the Widow Kerrigan's. They We're
guards and strikers three of each.
Don't take on so, boys Captain
jim whispered, rs they raised him up.
1T was nobody's fault. Any old sol
der knows that You can't always ac-
count for a weapon. Harris, go mp to-
morrow morning TO the school and say
goodbye for me to the youngsters.
Tell them that none of their dads was
to blame
Captain Jim clasped IIarris's right
hand, and with his left gripped the
oil-smeared fingers of Attila.
Make it up, men, he said
With the two grasping each others
hands over his breast Captain James
FOrtescue was mustered out of the ar
my of earth. In the little graveyard
ut Lots Corners is monument bear
ing beneath crossed swords the inscrip-
ton, Captain jim" AS long as that
memorial stands the whirr of the ma
chine shall not be heard in the Panther
Mine.-New York Herald
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-12-21

Were the honors that the country
Showered upon her bravest son
Given as one tips a servant
For some mental work well dope?
Is the hero of Manila
Worthy of no better pay
Than the mean and captious snarling
That Is crushing him today?
Is our Dewey's glory nothing
But a gilded ball and chain?
Is its price the loss of freedom?
Must its cost be manhood slain?
u O. Madison, in New York Sun.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-12-21
Metal Furniture for wsrship.

The cruiser Atlanta will be the first
vessel of the navy to he equipped with
the metal furniture designed for YES
sells OF the navy. The innovation Is the
result of experiences I'm recent naval
engagements, and Is intended to do
away with the liability to fire on ship
board during an engagement. by the
removal of as much of the woodwork
as possible Considerable interest at
taches to the result of this experiment
on the Atlanta. Washington Evening
Star.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-12-21
one OF the sympt, ms.

AS no one. unless it might be some
crusty old bachelor, could suspect a
young wife of sarcasm. we must as
sumo. after reading the Washington
Stars story below, that politicians, like
poets, are born and not made.
My dear" said n young wife TO her
husband, THE baby has been trying to
talk again"
what was lie talking aboutg'
Il think II must have been politics.
He started very calmly, but In a few
minutes he was as angry and red In the
face as he could be. 1t Is perfectly
wonderful how he takes after you,
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-12-21

II positively refuse he said, Ito
hold Office under a government that de-
liberately breaks its covenants, and we
have made covenants with England"
The name "Slim Piet'' was given to
Joubert after Majuba Hin. II had no
reference to his physique. for he was
nearly six feet in height and OF stout
build. but to his shrcwd tactics.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-12-21
Extraordinary Wedding Vows.

An English rural clergyman says
that In his parish 1t was quite the fash
ion for the man, when giving the ring
in the marriage ceremony, to say to
the women: with my body thee
wash up. and with all my hurdle goods
I thee and thou" He said the women
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-12-21

The official figure as to the consump-
ton of coal in Great Britain for 1903
IL $4,000, 900 tons.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-12-21

A quick word of command. n shout
dering of guns and a column of armed
men were going at double quick over
the snow. Ahead OF them they saw a
tall, gaunt figure. The long hair was
flying I'm the wind. One hand was
stuck In the breast OF an old army coat.
At the sound of marching feet the Cap
Evening star., 1899-06-24
IN A MEXICAN JAIL.
Mrs. Evelyn Collier Claims She Killed
Man in SeIf-Defense.

SAN FRANCISCO, June 24.-Two letters
received from Mrs. Evelyn Collier, who is
now in Jail at Hermosillo, Mexico, tell the
story of her arrest, trial and sentence to
four years Imprisonment for shooting and
killing a Mexican who had forced himself
into her home when she was alone and at
tempting to assault her. She is an Ameri-
can woman who lived with her brother,
VIM. Frost, at Ures. Sonora. On March 81
of this year, while her brother was absent,
a Mexican broke in the door. A scuffie over
the possession of pistol then ensued, both
having hold of the weapon. Mrs. Collier
pushed the man outside the door, when the
pistol was discharged. He fell dead, but
she locked and barred the door without as
certaining this fact.
Frost secured the transfer of his sister
from the Jail at Ures to the Jail at Her
mosillo, end at the same time took APP
peal to the supreme court.
She claims that her condition in the Jail
is deplorable. The attention of Senator
Perkins Eas been directed to the case of
Mrs. Collier, and he promises to take the
matter up with Secretary Hay, to the end
that an investigation be made and the re-
lease of the prisoner be effected if the
statements made by her are verified.
Evening star., 1899-06-24
ThroNNinR ExnIosives.
GOES TO NEW YORK.
Deputy Controller Murray of the
Treasury Accepts New Position.

Laurence o. Murray, the deputy control
Ter of the currency, spent his last day in
the Treasury Department today He will
leave tomorrow for New York city to en-
ter upon the position of trust officer of the
Trust Company OF America, a new corpo-
ration with a surplus and capital of So
0,J 600. Controller Dawes will return 10
Washington tomorrow.
Mr.. Murray entered the Treasury De-
partment six years ago, coming here from
From private secretary to Assistant Secre-
tary Curtis, he was appointed chief OF the
organization division in the office of the
controller of the currency, and then deputy
controller. Few, if any, young men in the
Treasury Department have ever risen so
rapidly.
While the Office of the controller or depu-
ty controller Of the currency is considered
the very best kind of stepping stone TO
outside preference, still no one mere tofcre
mas gone out into the financial world in a
responsible position soon as Mr.. Murray.
lie has not held his present office as deputy
controller a year. lie has gained success
and the ability to do work rapidly and we'll
He is close student of finance, and an
able lawyer. In banking and insolvent law
he is SAID to be one of the posted men in
the country.
Controller Dawes will select a successor
to Mr.. Murray at an early date. There rs
much gossip about the position. IL is not
known whether some chief of division or
clerk viii be promoted TO the position or
whether outsider will be selected Mr.
Dawes, IL is said, has the right TO select an
outside man, who could take civil service
examination later, il he concludes that he
cannot secure a satisfactory person from
his list of employees