davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-12-24
STEAM VS.. SAILS.
Tine Steamships Are CrOwdlng the
5alliEG Yeasels Out Of Ex-
istmce.

The comparatively low rate a. which
the Galena was char. ired has appar-
entity frightened shlpowDsrs who have
been figuring on i5 and jO-shilllng
frelghy out OF Portland. Tor two Of
the en- route ne5t, the OtterspoOl and
EOby, have been head n on and havs
been lOwsd ..77,to San Francisco, Rays
the Cfegonlan. The OgLerspool was
taken IN without delay but the R0by
was Kept on the heads for three days
waiting for orders before tug was
hD1lly GENT out ~ take hsr in. San
Brancisc0 expDr;,rs have considerable
faith In comparatively high rates pre-
ynlhg for long time, az they are
reported b. have taken several new
crop ships ~ a2s %. While there is
bat small likelihood Of fry1ghts ever
again soaring 10 the heights reached
IN the past. Il In apparent that the
failure Of British and Scotch yards
10 turn out any new sailors. and tho
continued los OF he old ones. together
with the rs.lremHit through old age
Of many others, Is being felt.
At present ratas there would BE- a
lot Of money ia operating sailing ships
but owners are atfa.d % invest, as
II Il the general belief that the com
pstion Of the Nicaragua canal Will
make sailing vessels very poor proper
ty Many well-kn1Sn sailing vessel
owners who have sent vessels 70 this
port are iilhng the gaps In their
fleets Of sas.srs with tramp steam
ers. which are expected 10 eventually
fllI the place Of the sailar. Among the
ship owners b.sft known In this port
IL the iirm VI Andrew Wier & Co.
owners Of the "Bank" line. OF Glas-
Cow They own the Alegience and
Forrhbank. now en route 10 this port;
the Comliebank. which has just left.
and the Ab.Dta. clydeblnk, Dunbrit-
ton. FalklAndbank. Fernbank, clifford.
Hawthornbank. Heathbank, Isle Of
Arran, LeyerDI1k, Aonnock, Pe4se-
verancc. River Fallcck Thornuebank,
Trongate and number Of other
backs" we'll known in Portland
through their frequent visits here.
This hrm has nearly always kept
It's heet up 70 a total Of nearly 10
vessels. and until 4 few years ago did
not own a single steamer. Within the
pas; FIVE years they have added a
modern tramp steamer 10 the fleet
whenever they lost a sailer. until now
they own tan large steamers, nearly
all ranging from 2.OO0 10 $500 tons net
register. Two new steamships have
been added this year TO take the
place Of the railing ships Laurelbank
and David Morgan. lest two years ago
while en- route to Portland and Puget
sound, respectively.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-12-24
THE BLUE LABEL.

ASTORIA. Dec. 22.-Columbla River
Fishermen's Protective Union, No 6.S2l /;
We the undersigned officers Of the
above union and the union in general
endorse the blue label Of the cigar
makers International union and we
will use our best efforts 10 advance
their cause by patroLdZing only such
business places as handle the same
not only the cigarmakers union but all
labels pertaining to organized labor
and by doing SO we know we are help
ing honest labor to make an honest
living, Signed
THOMAS NELSON, Pres.
II. VI. LORNTSEN, Secy.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-12-24

Vessels have frequently cleared at
the custom house here for Guam, says
the San Francisco Comm rclal News,
and people interested in shipping often
felt curious as to where they were go
irg as no vessels with cargoes or in
ballast ever went from here TO Guam
small ISLAND; now, since the spanish
war commenced, Il United States naval
station in the South Pacific. Vessels
clearing for a foreigl port, as rule.
clear for their ultimate destination,
via any othar ports they may have to
touch at on thair way to that place.
But there was considerable surprise
at the custom house Saturday, when
the flve-masted sch1oler Louis cleared
for Honolulu, via MarqueSas a place
about 1909 milas 20 the southwari Of
the port for which she cleared. II is
learned that the big schooner was car.
rying a cargo from q nitrate port to
Honolulu, got damaged in bad weather
encountered, and put In at the Mar
quesas, whe:e she discharged her car
so, and then came to this port for re-
pairs. Her repairs have been COM
pleted. and now the insurance people.
who are Interested, have insisted that
she so down to the Marquesas group.
in latitude u degrees south. again
take on board her cargo and carry I,
to its destination in latitude % degrees
north.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-12-24
THIS Is WHAT'S THE MATTER
WITH PORTLAND.

The Plaindealsr,
The Southern Pacific through freight
trains are enormous ouas nowadays.
Aa exceedingly large amount OF freight
is being transported over this road and
out Of the city The Yreka Journal
has the following to say: The South
ern Pacific is sending 1000 empty cars
into Oregon, with which to remove
the products Of that state-down this
way to san Francisco There ise said
to be big surplus of all products in
that state this year.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-12-24
A SUGGESTION TO THE LADIES.

II you are in doubt as to what 70
give HIM for Christmas or New Years,
you will make no mistake by selecting
something from the large stock Of
Theodore Bracker, the pioneer tobacco
merchant. Mr. Rracker's stock COM
prises all the leading brands In for
elgn and domestic cigars, elegant
meerschaum and briar pipes, cigar
holders, in fact everything to delight
the heart OF the most fastidious
smoker.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-12-24
sOI.FILINE.
The Greatest Discovery Of the Age
No More Rubber Goods.

Solfiine. a leather preservation, the
meaning Of the word is, you MI in the
pores OF your soles and uppers Of your
shoes, and make them absolutely wa
terproof.
Does a person nead rubbers after
shoes arc greated with Solhline?
Mo- You will also save expenses Of
patching and resoling.
Invaluable TO manufacturers for
treating leather belts. For harness,
buggy tops aud working mems gloves.
Buy your shoes OF stores that have
this scienufcial leather preservation.
They are up to date with superior i'm
prcvemeuts.
For sale by Peterson & Brown. and
other shoe dealers, harness mak Is
and grocers in general. II they can
not supply you. send S5c to II Miller
& Co, Sl2 First street Portland, Or,
for a trial can.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-12-24
AROUND TOWN.

Mgry chrIatmaal
Tom Ross Is home for tho holidays
Il. NJ Dixon. OF Seattle. II at the &C
cllrnt
WIN. r Scott, Of Portland IL at tn
pnrkor
a lIemlng, of Portland. In at tht
Parker
NJ T. Grinwold Of oyHterville. ID II
che city
ths city
T. PaekNl OF Elala was In the city
yesterday
Harry n, Durham Of Chicago. II al
ths Parker.
crawnsh. cooked In wins. at the Ma
tionsl Cafe
A. W Lawranoe, Of Portland. 10 ai
The occldonL
Tho STAN schooner Homer Is due
from Eureka.
w b. Carlisle. Of San Tranoiaeo. %
al the Oeoldcnt.
San Maxwell and Emil Erickson are
UP from Seaside.
l.. A. Conn. Of Fort Stevens. was IA
town yesterday,
e. T.. Anlu and wife, Of Portland,
are a, tho oeoldcni,
l. J Wade and George billings, Of
Tacoma. arp at the ocoldcnL
Strictly pure hons .madc nut candy
OF all kinds at tho Bonbonnlerc.
hh3 your AUlAA NINn uIHoIl'Hu Nv
the Parlor Cheaper than IN Portland
Go 10 the great store Of a, Dunbar
& Company FOR all kinds OF holiday
goods
Mrs T. Vanico and daughter. OF
warre"ton. warc at the Parker ycu'
tgriay
II. T.. cako and W a, Dothlchcm,
Of Fort stoyonn. were In tho city yts.
trrday
The british ship Arabella sailed
from Toxic Tor he Columbia Fvor on
December II,
George H. storey Of Portland. 10 In
Christmas tr'c at tho Swedish Lu,h.
iran church Thursday evening az
o'clock Admission 10 cents
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-12-24
THE MODERN MOTHER

Has found that her little ones are i'm
proved more by the pleasant Syrup
Of Figs, when In need OF the laxative
effect Of a gentle remedy, than by any
other Children enjoy 1t and 1t bene-
fits them. The true remedy, Syrup Of
Figs, is manufactured by the Califor-
MIA Fig Syrup Co. only.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-12-24
TO ASTORIANS.

The DAILY AhTOHIAN will he fund
on sale Ia Portland NJ the we'll kn0wn sta
uonery house 0fJ, v, tiandiey A Co., spt
Washington street, Orders for Hdvsrs
tisihg left with this firm will receive
prompt Attention,
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-12-24

Many merry chiistmAiea arc ex'
tended 10 Mr.. Loo Herring.
The Norwegian steamAhlp Tyr, an
routa 20 tho Columbia river II NJ
Port Arthur.
Tho German ship Wandsbek has
nnlahod loading and cleared NJ Port.
land yesterday
Ied sohcgol. Of tho AaLoran, went
w to Portland yesterday with trunk
full Of presents
The British ships Cambrian War.
rIor nnd H. l3noch wov towod up
tho rivor yesterday
Ross. Higgins 4 Co. have for nalo
a quantity OF chdcc mintictoe and
holly. Just received,
Fresh Columbia river Hmolt. the
first OF tho season, aro now on tale
at the PAT" market
bigfrcd Young. who IN attending the
State University at Eugene. II at
hom, fm tho holldhya
rhs Star Combination game board
jUnt rcoriyed Mt Grimm a. Reeds, on
which 20 games can DO played.
Mr. fiofilos directs attention 20 the
large. choice line Of Lowncy'a choco.
latea jus, rec aved "a, tho Bonbonnlere.
4 marriage lie 'nac was Issued yea.
tcrday 10 John Tyberg ana Mla Caro-
limo liartell. both u i.cwiu aud Clark.
Ted Crawford. Of c, II. Cooper'n.
and Walter Tot TNou. OF the Western
Union, viii cat Christmas dinner al
home.
Tho harkontiua Tam o'shantor Is on
her way TO tho Columbia river from
san FrancLaco She will load with
lumbor
The 4. Dunbar Company store Will
b. closed all day on Monday. No
goods Of any character Will be sold on
chat day
Tho Ateam schooner Dispatch ar
rived down from Portland yesterday
AMI oroas,d out for san Francisco
and way pora,
Our line OF holiday goods Is now in.
Remember We have the only line OF
its kind in the city. Portland prices. d. !
r. Alien & Son.
Purc whisky Harper Perfect whisky |
Harper every bottle guaranteed HAr-
per Sold by Ford q Stokes Company.
Astoria, oregon.
Your gutleman fi'soud. father or
bruthc- would enjoy fountain pen.
The Waterman Is the bcst. only at
Griu & Reeds
The German chip Nuraido cleared |
yesterday 1t tho custom house FOR
ouocnu'owl with 'O5.5oO bushels Of
wheat VALUED at $4,000.
Mr.. chris Bell, young Portland
attorney ATTENDED the party last
evening, Mr. Bell served IN the Sec.
ond Oregon az corporal IN Company II
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-12-24

Born, December 20. nj the residence
Of Thomas Dcily, this ol,Y 20 the
wife of W. 70. Mccormack. daugh-
ter
Our prize 1876 organ vii DO drawn
New Years cye. Chances given on
every $3.50 purchase OF holiday goods
u. +. ALLEN & SON.
The Christmas War Cry appears In
an artistic cover and cOnthlas q num-
bcr Of striking illustrations and
brightly written articles
Roslyn coal lasts longer IN cleaner
and makes less trouble with stoves and
chimney nues than any other. George
w. sanborn. Agent Telephone 1911.
Just rcoiYod. consignment 0f 100
boxes ~ No. apples. For sale 10 close
them out nj once al from u TO $50 n
box Frank woodnfld. JO5 Bond sirVt
W. e. Barr1t has dlapoTcd of his
lptcrcat In the senslie Bawmill 10 w.
y. McGrcgur and Y. =. SormsOn. lIe
viii continue. however. as manager Of
the mill
RoNlyn coal Ia the best and most eco
nomicRl coal for household use IN As-
toria. Try Il once and you will have
no other. George W. sanborn. Agent.
Telephone 1871.
The Redmrn and ladies Of Pocha-
honlaS had Chr1stmu tree for the
members and ihar families at Foafd
a. Stokes hall Lost night \ most
PLEASANT ov,nIng was spent.
with the view OF closing out my
entire stock OF latest improved air
tlght haiters. am now Offering them
for sale al n discount OF 10 prr cent.
w. j. scULLY. l3i Bond Street.
The Wizard Oh Company CLOSED It's
Astoria engagement last night. The
company has given thorough satis-
faction and Mr.. Gallagher and his
clever specialists will receive n hearty
welcome IN thalr next visit.
For a few days oaiy croam.miX.d
candy 10 cents a pound: plain Amer
lean candy 10 cents a pound. Choco-
late creams 80 cents pound. and
everything clse IN proportion. AT the
Parlor These goods are made frtsh
for Christmas.
\ numbar OF Astoria young society
ladlsa entertained the gentlemen with
n dancing party At Hnnthorn hall last
evening. The ladies managed the
function with rare ability and the oc-
casion was one that viii b. pleasant
iy rcmcmbwod.
Professor Beggs' childrns class Of
fancy dancers invite their friends TO
their Christmas troc and entertain
mcnt. from : TO 10 on Tuesday evening,
az Foard & Stokes hail Spectators
dance after the children are through
from Z to To- Tickets s5 cents each.
Elias Pa;Hl a und .r arrest for thoft.
Two chlrg,s are preferred against
him. lie .s accused ot stealing a
watch fom a bcow IN uppcrtown and
also absuuctlng the tlmeplece OF
Erlck Anderson IN uniontown, lie
was takoa into custody yesterday.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-12-24
TopAY,s WEATHER..

PORTLAND. Dec. a.--Wostorn Orc.
~ Washington and Northern Idaho.
occasional uin, decreasing tcnpera.
tuv today
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-12-24

W. W Jacobs, Nehalems justice of
the peace, was IN PortlaIi yesterday,
says the Oregonian. on his way 10
visit his old home in Virginil. af,er
residence on the Oregon coast Of 70
years The people cf his portion OF
Tnlamook county Mr.. Jacobs says,
are stll waiting patiently FOR the rail-
road which Is TO connect them with
Portland as we'll as bring the co0s,
towns closer together. Although Ne
halem is less than 80 miles from Tila-
NOOK, the county seat The trip in
wolves mora trouble than one between
Astoria and New York as county
roads are poor, and So the ocean beach
forms portiun Of the journey. The
extension Of the railroad from its pres
ent terminus at Seaside, down through
TIlamook and Lincoln counties. to
connect with the Corvallis and East
ern at YdQuina bay, is devoutly wish
ed for, as It would open up untold
wealth which now lies dormant on
the oregon coast,
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-12-24

r ols,n. an able seaman on the
Prltlsh ship Craignore. fen from n
yard arm and broke his neck Friday
morning says the oregoiian. He. in
company with about twelve Others.
was ordered aloft 20 loosen sails for
the purpose of drying them out. when
he los, his fdoth,ld and fell 70 the
deck. distance OF eighty feet. His
death was instantaneous. Al the in
qucs. held last evening his age was
asc"rtaincd 10 b. g. and nativity
Norway The British consul In Port
land wilt sae that his parents al Ber-
gen, Norway, are informed OF their
sons unumely death. The accident.
4 Is thought. was ;he result Of olsen's
going alof, without properly fastening
his shoes. as they came on his fest
as he was falling,
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-12-24
TO CURE LAGR1PPE IN TWO DAYS

Take Laxative Bromo Quinine Tablets.
All druggists refund the money II It
fails TO cure. z. w. Groves signature
Is on each box. 25c.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-12-24

Says the Albany Democrat: "The
Ddllcs N n prosperous c.tg. Two Of
the merchants th1c run fun pags
Advertisements In the two dally pa,
pery Of that city. sOoh men give q
city reputation that ls vide
spread"
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-12-24

The Christmas War Cry appears In
an artistic coysr and cOnthlas q num-
Der Of striking illustrations and
brightly written articles.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-12-24

Mr. Tbos. Davies Of Portland II fn
the city. on buMness connected viii
the settlement Of The Borthwlck es-
tate. Mr.. Davies wae an oreg0a vol
unteer. 81 member Of Company II.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-12-24

Zach conductor ana mOtOrman on
one Portland strast cor line his BON
presented with n box Of cigars o. a
Ciu1slmHs token of appreciation from
a number Of p5tr5ns Of the road.
"ADI slow ana sure cOraes up the
golden year.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-12-24

Our prize 1876 organ vii bo drawn
New Years eve. Chances given on
every $3.50 purchase OF holiday goods.
u. y. ALLEN 4 SON.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-12-24

Special happenings were few IN
Astoria yesterday The day was given
up to Christmas shopping and very
little consideration ,or he news gath
crer was manifested. Buying was
brisk and silver and Told ratified into
the dners' eoffes from early morn
Ing until almost midnight, The shop
pins was not confined to gift buying.
Th6 Christmas dinnn was san srvdsiy
remembered and ths delivery. wagons
Of the grocery stnrss and the markets
we're kept on the rush carrying good
things for the table. All things point
10 a plrn sous. prosperous and joyous
Christmas.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-12-24

The employs Of Mr. be Iierrrg
"s~' upon him yestGr,ily, but It was
silver toa Bst and Mr Herring was
MT offended but. IN fact. was I'm.
mensely delighted The present con.
sisted Of four pieces Of handsome
design on 4 SOLID Ellvor tray and n O
thing Of beauty that viii be a JOY
forever.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-12-24

Roslyn coal lasts longer, In cleaner
and makes less trouble with stoves and
chimney iues than any other. George
W. sanborn. Agent Telephone 1911.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-12-24

Born. December 20. nj the residence
OF Thomas Dcily, this ci'X 20 the
wife of W. B Mccormack. Il daugh.
ter.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-12-24

Many merry chlistmaiee arc ex-
lended 10 Mr. Loo Herring.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-12-24

Many hearty heaPh laugh rings
through the house whom Human
Hearts" which will be produced at
Fishers opera hons, next wednesday
evening. Is playing. ulny "A soul-re-
hning tear " shed The drama Is re-
plcto with interest. incident following
incldsnt 10 closely that It seems that
the au,hor's Invention must Gnd It's
limit. But no! The act. which alone
Is worth y-elng-,l silent story effect
lively told 10 hushed audience who
struggle wfth tears. Seat sale opens
Tuesday morning at Griffin & Reeds.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-12-24

The Norwegian steamahlp Tyr, en-
routa 20 tho Columbia river, II NJ
Port Arthur.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-12-24

Tho German ship wandsbek has
nnlahod loading and cleared ut Port.
land yesterday.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-12-24

Elias PaA .s una 'r arr0st for thoft.
Two chlrgos are preferred against
him. lie is accused Of stealing n
watch fom a pcow In uppcrtown and
also absuuctlng the tlmepl,ce Of
Erlck Anderson IN uniontown. lie
was takca into custody yesterday.
The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1899-11-18
Small Praise.

A young nan 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 a Judge.
His grandfather watched his progress
with a 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 wistfully, glancing at the stub
born old face beside him. "Well, yes,
I am glad for We, john" admitted the
octogenarian in a grudging tone. II
I'M glad for We, but I don't want you
should feel set up and imagine you
amount to any great shakes jest on
account Of being made jedge. I want
you should always recall when any
thing like this comes to We that there's
plenty of folks that when they're in
need Of. q stopper and haven't got any
cork. they'll make shift with q corn.
cob! You jest bear that in mind"
The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1899-11-18

Basket opening at 1 O'Clock was to
be a feature of the outing. Under a
spreading elm a grassy spot was
cleared.
who has the linen?" called Eva
Best, who. in the absence of Emily
Hastings, took the lead.
Here" and Anna Hunt opened the
hamper in which a pile of snowy nap
cry lay banked. Nothing else was
there. With the opening of the one,
others turned to their baskets unsus-
pectingly. 1t was a surprise, in fact.
One basket had only knives, forks.
spoons, pepper, salt, and the etceteras
Of the ordinary table. Another had
only dishes. On down the list the
baskets were opened upon only table
paraphernalia-on until Blanche Field
ing's hamper yielded the first edible
things in the party-pickles, mustard,
Worcestershire sauce, and one full
quart of vinegar.
But there are lots of pickles." said
Blanche, breaking the long, b%reathless
silence that fell on the party. Some
body burst into u shrek Of laughter,
the keynote of the spirit in which all
day long the members of the party
tasted, ave as their teeth were put op
edge by pickles.
Never speak of it to Miss Hastings,
mind" was Blanch Fielding's parting
injunction, as, tired and hungry, they
separated at the Union station that
night. "And really, we have had a
lovely time"
Not every n assented to this, but
it was noticeable that Herbert Wins
low did SO emphatically. Less than
a week ago this emphasis had a new
meaning for the members of the group
who marked it. 1t was brought about
from the results Of a tete-a-tete in
the Fielding's front parlor, during
which Herbert Winslow had turned
nervously back and forth on the piano
stool.
did you know" he said huskily,
I've been thinking a good deal Of
that picnic of late"
II hope you don't let that bother
you." she replied evenly, as If she
did not know what was coming.
Worry mel" he repeated. "You
don't understand-that was the happi-
est day of my life. I've been wonder
ing ever since why-as we could be so
happy for n day on a pickle and mus
tard diet-why we couldn't be happy
always in a home that had a better and
more varied bill Of fare?"
She was thrusting the golden point
OF a scarf pin into the brocaded sur
face of a %settee, regardless of the dam
age that she was doing.
Blanche" he said, ap%pealingly.
She looked up and let him read the
answer IN her eyes.
The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1899-11-18
oUlcKsANDs OF ARIZONA.
Masked Pitfalls Are Frequently Found
in tho Desert.

AAADS0hCu u AR EEeOu6nGlY FOu0O
in tho 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 q%ufcksand 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 1t
to be filtered to unknown depths, so
that a a or a horse or a 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 a level with the sur
face of the desert. There is nc danger
signal to mark them, and their surface
cannot be distinguished by the or
binary eye from the hard clay that sur
rounds them. They occur most fire.
quently in the alkali-covered flats, and
are often fifteen or twenty feet in d.
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.
cc0un for the mvSteriOus dis
appearance of many men and cattle.