davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-06-08
A MILD HAMMERED PIRATE.
An Ex-CIerlk Who Joined the Fierce Sea
Rovers of the Spanish Main.

An Ex-CIerIS Who Joined the Fierce Sea
Rovers of the Spanish Main.
"The Buccaneers of Our Coast" is the
title of a series of narrative sketches
that Frank r. Stockton is writing for
st. Nicholas. In speaking of John Els
ouemeling, who Joined the buccaneers
and became their historian, Mr.. Stock
ton says:
1t must have been strange thing Tor
man accustomed TO pens and ink, to
yardsticks and scales, to offer to enroll
himself in a company of bloody, big
bearded pirates, but man must eat,
and buccaneering was the only profess
sion open to our ex-clerk. For some rea-
son or other, certainly not on account of
his bravery and daring, Esquemeling
was very we'll received by the pirates of
Tortuga. Perhaps they liked him be-
cause he was mild hammered man and
SO different from themselves
As for Esquemeling himself, he soon
came to entertain the highest opinions
CT his pirate companions. He looked
upon the buccaneers who had dlstln-
guished themselves as great heroes, and
it must have been extremely gratifying
to those savage fellows to tell Esque-
melting all the wonderful things they
had done. Esquemeling might have
earned salary as "a listener.
1t was not long before his intense ad-
miration of the buccaneers and their per-
formances began to produce in him the
feeling that these great exploits should
not be lost to the world, and SO he set
about writing their lives and adventures.
He remained with the pirates for sew
eral years and during that time worked
very industriously getting together ma
terial for his history. When he returned
to his own country in 1879, he there
completed book which he called 1.-The
Buccaneers Of America; or, The True
Account of the Most Remarkable As
saults Committed of Late Years Upon
the Coasts Of the West Indies by the
Buccaneers, etc. By John Esquemeling,
One of the Buccaneers, Who Was Pres
ent at Those Tragedies. -
From this title it is probable that in
the capacity of reporter our literary pi-
rate accompanied his comrades on their
various voyages and assaults, and al
though he states he was present at many
of ''those tragedies he makes no refer
ence to any deeds of valor or cruelty
performed by himself, which shows him
to have been wonderfully conscien-
tious historian. There are persons, how
ever,>who doubt his impartiality, be-
cause, as he liked the French, he al
ways gave the pirates of that nationality
the credit for most of the bravery dis
played on their expeditions, and all of
the magnanimity and courtesy, if there
happened to be any, while the surliness,
brutality and extraordinary wickedness
We're all ascribed to the English.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-06-08
The President In Public.

1t is point of etiquette, universally
observed at the national capital. never
to obtrude attentions upon the president
when he appears in public. On the
street or in any place of amusement in
Washington the president has the I'M
disputed privilege of appearing as any
private citizen. He is never stared at
unless it is by strangers, and his ap-
pearance in a theater is not greeted
with any sort Of demonstration. The
president may walk where he pleases in
the streets of Washington, meeting with
no further notice than the tipping of a
hat, unless of his own motion he stops
to speak with some one Office seekers
and petitioners never venture to APP
proach him on the street. His surest
radiance of the opportunities of the
throng is to go out among them.
Sir Julian Pauncefote, speaking of
the American customs that had i'm
pressed him, remarked that, while for
eigner's first impression might be that
the seeming Indifference of the public
toward the president when he appeared
on the street or at the theater was the
result of an exaggerated idea of democ-
racy, it must become apparent on closer
observation that it was the highest pos
sible tribute of respect and considera-
tion.-San Francisco Argonaut
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-06-08
How a Chameleon Changes Color.

The chameleon is little lizard who
possesses the wonderful power of chang
ing his color to suit his own conven-
fence. Florida produces several species
of these lizards i'll abundance. This is
the process by which the little lizard
effects his changes:
Certain colors through the medium Of
the optic nerve produce contraction or
expansion of the pigment or color cells.
The result is protective tint or one
which resembles that upon which the
animal is resting. The eye receives the
stimulus or impression, which passes
from the optic nerve to the sympathetic
nerve, SO reaching the various series of
the lizard little color cells under the
skin.
The pigment cells are distributed all
over the body with more or less regular
ity. and upon their contraction and ex-
pansion depends the prevailing color of
the animal.
The scientist discovered this by blind
folding lizard and found that when it
could not see the color of the surround
ing foliage it ceased to change its own
color.-St. Louis Republic.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-06-08
HIS RurRTnr.

A Philadelphia real estate man, when
going through vacant house one even
ing to see that all was well, heard a
slight noise behind him. Turning
slightly, he saw the form of man.
AS the broker was not armed, he did
not like the idea of meeting burglar
in combat, and, besides, he is very
timid, so he rushed to the door and
fumbled with the lock, all the time
yelling at the top of his lungs. When
he had got the door opened, he looked
back, and then saw that the "burglar"
was really his own reflection in the
large drawing room mirror. He had no
sooner made this discovery than he was
seized by two policemen, who were at
tracted by his screams, and it took
nearly half hour for him to explain
that lie was not housebreaker himself.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-06-08
Ahout nm Even Thing.

A well known member of the Detroit
bar tells this stosy: ''Some years ago 1
attended a session of the circuit court
up in the state. A pro confesso divorce
case was called and it so happened that
the judge was very much opposed to di-
vorces, especially those which were I'M
opposed. After the attorney fer the
complainant in this case had announced
himself as ready to proceed, the judge
asked if any one appeared for the de-
PENDANT. There was silence for a me-
ment, and the judge repeated the ques-
tion. At one end of the lawyers table
sat an attorney who had acquired the
liquor habit and who was at the time
considerably under the influence of
stimulants. He was noticed struggling
TO get on his feet. and, on observing
him, the judge seized the opportunity
to ask:
DO you appear for the defendant,
Mr.. BlankH'
No, your honor. 1 merely rose to
remark, as friend of the court" that
with Brother Doubleblank as attorney
for the complainant and no one on the
other side it was about an even thing
"Then Blank resumed his seat while
the whole court roared with laughter. "
Detroit Free Press.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-06-08
She Could bargain.

Mr.. Smithers-Martha, don't know
how we can afford to give this dinner
you're plannin. Things hain't been
comm my way very swift lately. We've
got to save money. You better call it
off
Mrs. Smithers-Josiah, you make me
weary. If you're gittin pinched, that s
only the moro reason why we've got to
keep up appearances. Let folks git the
suspicion that we're hard up and every
body that we owe money to will git
after us at once. No; I'm goin to give
this blowout, and it's goin to be great.
I'll astonish the natives. I've got three
poets, an artist and a crack fiddler en-
gagged to
Mr.. Smithers-Goodness gracious
But where are we goin to git the cash
for all these things2
Mrs. Smithers-Sh-hl I've got a
standoff at the grocery for the eatables.
The fiddler is to take suit of your old
clothes for his pay, and, of course. the
artists and poets'll come free.-They
even agree not to send their plates back
for second helpin's. If you amt got
wife who can bargain, I'd like to have
you tell me why.-Chicago News.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-06-08
It was Only the Old One.

A rough, awkward handed Lanca-
shire girl was broken in by a benevolent
lady, who tried to do good turn for
every body, and in an evil moment she
was given to clean two very ancient
openwork silver salt cellars with those
rich and rare old royal blue glass re-
ceiyers inside. One was over 100 years
old, the other bad been broken and re-
Gently patched, of which fact the girl
was aware. She broke the other old one,
and when she told her mistress she said
she was "glad as how it was only the
old 'un.''
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-06-08
The Foot of n Horse.

ingenious and unexampled pieces of
mechanism in animal structure. The
hoof contains a series of vertical and
thin laInine of horn, amounting to
about 500 and forming complete lin
ing to it. In this are fitted as many
lamine belonging to the coffin bone.
while both sets are elastic and adherent.
The edge of quire of paper, inserted
leaf by leaf into another, viii convey a
sufficient idea of the arrangement
Thus the weight Of the animal is sup
ported by as many elastic springs as
there are lamine in all the feet,
amounting TO about 1000. distributed
in the most secure manner, since every
spring is acted on in an obli9ue direc-
ton
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-06-08
A Trick of the Camera.

One of the many camera feDds OF
this city has recently been showing his
friends a very unusual photograph of
himself, caught in the act OF falling
from ladder, and seeming to be a
winning candidate for broken neck.
In spite of the fact that the injury seems
so certain the tumbler's face wears a
CHEEKY smile, and on close inspection
may be seen to be winking his eye mis-
chievously at you as well as the force
of gravity In reply 10 questions he ex-
planned that that was an accomplish
ment acquired only after long practice
81 could pose for that picture all day
long with no serious injury to myself
except waste of time and little ply
steal fatigue" he insisted. But the less
credulous of his friends refused to be-
lieve that he took pleasure in such
acrobatic performances, and finally he
had to tell the whole story.
''It's all very simple. First you place
your camera in some way about 10 or
12 feet from the floor, with the lens
pointing downward. a picture taken
with it in this position will make the
floor appear to be n side wall. Lay a
sheet of white cloth on the floor and
then arrange your ladder and yourself
upon this sheet, and the posing is done.
A strip of carpet tackled to the wall and
a couple of chairs deity arranged adds
to the illusion, but the whole thing is
so simple that am ashamed of myself
for explaining it to You instead of max
ing you think it out for yourself. -
Cincinnati Enquirer.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-06-08
hiIlri11e,s postmaster.

Our new postmaster ran so fast for
Office that he didn't have time to get
educated The following sign is posted
on the postoffice window:
Thar is . Lettairs inside for Molly
Gibbons They look like they're from
her son. Bill. who is Bin Mustard Out
Allscre Lettairs for Hise Holman q
mean, One-legged Hise) which looks
like they're From the Wilder Stevens,
as Her Ritin is kncwed by Everybody
Call an git 'em-Hise an Molly. At
lanta Constitution.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-06-08
II wa. the Rleht Letter.

| John was a bashful lover and had
been calling on Mary for three years.
! but that was as far as he got until, WIS.,
| iting st. Lo7is IN business, he found
| himself detained beyond the expected
! time.
| He had to write to Mary. explaining
his absence on the usual evening, and.
while writing, the courage he had so
| long lacked came TO him and he made
point blank proposal of marriage. He
! mailed the letter, and for two hours
was one of the happiest men in Mis-
souri,.
Then he began to believe he had been
| precipitate and was assailed with doubt
as TO how his letter would be received.
That night he didn't sleep. He thought
all sorts of things, and vainly wished
he could intercept the letter before it
reached her But that was manifestly
impossible.
1t was not until noon the next day
that he received an inspiration as he
was passing a telegraph office. Rushing
in, he seized a blank and nervously
penned the following;
Miss Mary =, Chicago:
Mailed you wrong letter yesterday. Please
do not open, and deliver TO me on nay return
After that he breathed freer. at the
same time wondering if he hadn't
played the fool in not letting the mat
ter stand. That evening a telegram was
awaiting him at the hotel 1t read;
John -, st. Louis:
No; you mailed right letter. 1t was about
time.
And John didn't allow business to
interfere with his return to Chicago
Chicago Inter Ocean.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-06-08
She wa. Too ,I.d to smear.


The Washington woman came across
some excellent tea in England-tea the
like of which she had never known be-
fore. She knew there was none of it TO
be had in America, so she. bought
pounds and pounds of it to bring hcme
with her. She didn't mean TO pay duty
on it, for she felt that no really patri-
otto American can consistently pay
tea tax after what our ancestors did in
Boston harbor, so she made herself
petticoat, and into the lining thereof
she quilted the tea. When the steamer
drew into port, she put on the garment.
To wear it was martyrdom. 1t seemed
T. weigh ton. She could scarcely walk
i'll it. and the hang of her new going
ashore gown was utterly ruined by it,
but the custom house officials let her
pass without suspicion She went di
rectly to the railway station and started
for Washington. The journey will liv
long in her memory for its discomfol
Her husband met her at the station. He
marked her pale, worn look. As they
stepped into the carriage she told him
the story.
81 wasn't going to let them get ahead
of me" she said proudly. Wasn't it
a lovely idea2''
Her husband fell back in the carriage
and roared.
''LovelyP' he said. ''Lovelyi /
should say it was Why, my dear. there
isn't any duty on tea
And let me remark in passing that
the child's sob in the silence isn't by
any means the only thing that curseth
deeper than the strong man in his
wrath. Washington Post.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-06-08
In a Dilemma.

''If go ter school terday, de teach
er'll lick me fer not preparin my les
sons. an if I stay home me mudder Il
lick me fer not goin ter school Now.
either got ter go or stay home But if
] go an de teacher ticks me an mudder
finds it out me mudder'n lick me fer
not doin my school work, an if stay
home an me mudder licks me de teach
er'H lick me Tomorrow fer bein a
truantI Geei Guess III go ter sleep"
Nashville American.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-06-08
A CATCH.

IFrom the tragi-concdy of 1.-THE False A.
troloscr."]
We know what Is, but what viii be
We know not. No one ever knew.
TIE gods themselves cannot foresee
IF gods there be) what men may do.
Prophecies are arrows shot in the dark
AT an unseen mark.
If they miss it, we let them go;
If they hit it, as sometimes they will
when the night winds thither blow,
We magnify the skill
OF the hand that held the bow.
The only thing we know
Is that we live and die,
Not the inscrutable whyi
Poor puppets of cIuIlbiing clay,
The world goes round and round,
And we go with There today,
Tomorrow underground!
Richard Henry Stcddard in New York lnde-
o,da
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-06-08
How He Explained.

Chow do you explain the phenomena
upon which you base your new discov-
cry e. asked the inquisitive friend.
why. / adopt the usual method. /
use words so big as TO prevent anybody
who is not in the same business from
undertaking to contradict me. And
then il anybody objects. can say il is
professional jealousy. "-Washington
Star.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-06-08

The Mexican torch thistle, growing
TO height of 90 or go feet, looks more
like candelabrurn than a tree. Another
variety of the same species has long
gray bristles, which give il the appear
ance of the head of an old gray haired
man.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-06-08
A Startling Declaration.

wife-Richard, am afraid we mus.
part
Husband - Good graciousl What
for?''
Wife (calmly)-Your hair in the mid
die hereafter You are getting bald
London Fun.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-06-08
Gettiae papa Into Deep water

Tommy-Pa, what's a ringlet7
His Father-A little ring, my SON.
Tommy-And a locket is little lock
and bracelet little brace and a chap
let a little chap. Papa
Weekly.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-06-08
sIartyrdou.

Mrs Feeley-Mrs. Love must have
been devotedly attached to her husband.
Mrs Steele-Her grief amounts to
insanity. She has small fortune in
diamonds, and She has been in mourn
ing nearly two years.-Jewelers'
Weekly,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-06-08

It is the advice OF a connoisseur In
teas TO buy the leaves in considerable
quantity. Tea preserved in a chest
keeps and increases its flavor.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-06-08

Newspaper duty was invented by
Queen Anne. 1t was originally penny
ON each sheet, afterward raised TO four
pence, and abolished in 1855. 4
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-06-08

At the Strozzi palace. in Rome, there
is book made of marble, the leaves be-
ing Of marvellous thiupesa -
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-06-08

and dull headache that comes with
spring and early summer is caused by
impure blood clogging the circulation
and making the liver torpid and the
vital function inactive. OUR MALT
TONIC will purify the blood. strength
en- the nerve and revitalize the whole
system. It's action is sure and last
ing-not a temporary relief but a
cure. One bottle will prove its merits
and put new life into the run down.
One dozen $1.75.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-06-08
A. j. REESS.

DpUCEIST Corner OF Fourth Avenue and
DhOuuIOl, Twenty-third St, Rock Island, Ill.
The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-06-12
TARRED IND FE.iTHER ED.
West Berlin, VI, Citizens Object to
Action of Two Other Residents

West Berlin, VT, June 1.-THE indis-
cretion displayed by Patrick Broughal
in visiting Mrs. Robert Redpath In the
absence Of her husband, after being
warned to keep away, led to his being
treated to coat of tar and literally
sprlnkled with features last night For
some time past BroughaPs attentions to
Mrs. Redpath had been offensive to sew
eral in the community. On Saturday
evening he was seen to go into the Red
path residence and late in the evening
admission was demanded by a party of
masked men. They were refused and
promptly sma shed out a window, made
an entrance, took Broughal out to a re-
tired spot and administered his punish
ment He received no bodily injury.
His wardrobe was ruined and his hair
was filled with tar. He went back to
his boarding place in Mortified and
left for parts unknown on this mornings
train. Mr.. Redpath had warned
Broughal to keep away from the house
in his absence, and when Redpath went
to New Brunswick he left word for the
neighbors to take care of Broughal If he
visited the house.
The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-06-12
NEW HATEN MEN H,TN.
TIausman Takes Two Events at Newark
-Rutz Third.

New York, June 1.-Two thousand
people welcome the opportunity present.
ed to-day at Newark, N. j., to see the
cycle cracks compete at the first Sun
day meet given in the east. The meet
ing was a pronounced success. The
meets will be continued on Sunday
throughout the season. About one
hundred riders, amateurs and profess
sior2ls, competed in to-day's erents.
Henri Fournier of France was a partici-
pant at to-day's meet and while he did
not qualify displayed ability to COM
pete with the fast field. In the final of
tn one mile open Mcfarland pulled off
handle bar just rounding the last turn.
The Californian, however, got out of the
way and saved the field from a general
mix-up. Stevens fell right at the tape
in close finish with Freeman, but got
first money. Cooper was entered for the
mile open but he failed to get place.
Kimble's win of the handicap was meri-
torious and gained by hard riding. Sum
mary:
Grand inaugural handicap, half mile,
professional--Owen Kimble, 20 yards,
IrSL, II. Is. fTeeLndH, ScIdtcll, secoHu,
w. Slime, 80 yards, third; w. G. Fur
man, 40 yards, fourth. Time 1:0S.
Olympia, open, one mile professional
o. L. Stevens, first; H. B. Freeman,
second; o. S. Kimble third; w. G. Fur
man, fourth. Time 2:07.
Half mile novice amateur-Robert
Hunter, first G. G. Heden, second; l..
Lovejoy, third. Time Iii As.
Quarter mile open, amateur-Edward
c. Hausman first; A. T. Nye, second;
William A. Rutz, New Haven, third.
Time :32 2-5
One mile handicap, amateur-Edward
c. Hausman, New Haven, scratch, first;
William A. Rutz, New Haven, scratch,
second; A. T. Nye, 40 yards, third. Time
2:04 As.
The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-06-12

Wheaton advanced upon Las Pinas
with troop of cavalry, the Twenty
first infantry, the Colorado regiment,
part of the Ninth infantry and two
mountain guns, crossing two streams
and entering the town without firing a
shot. He then advanced upon Para
naque. The women and children, and,
for that matter, many men, remained
In the towns. No houses were destroy
ed, though many were torn by the shells
from the Warships.
Everywhere the Americans found
white flags flying. So far as can yet be
ascertained the Filipino loss is about
fifty killed, about $50 wounded and
twenty taken prisoners. The whole
country is net-worked with trenches,
and the enemy scurried from shelter to
shelter. To-day long trains of commits
sary wagons are carrying provisions to
the United States troops along the road
which only yesterday was the strong
hold of the enemy, and the natives, who
yesterday We're probably carrying arms,
are to-day doffing their hats and grow
cling before the Americans with effu-
sive greetings of welcome. The Colo
RADIO regiment returned to barricks In
Manila tonight AS the ragged and
dusty men marched past the Luneta,
the fashionable gathering place for Ma
nilans, where they were heartily cheer
ed
The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-06-12
SIX-D4Y GO-4S- -YOU-PEEASE.
First Relay of Big Race Started at NIadt-
SON Square Garden.

New York, June 11.-A score of we'll
trained "peds" started in the first relay
of the big six-day go-as-you-please race
at Madison Square Garden tonight
The men We're sent off on their first
shift of twelve hours promptly at mid
night and about two hundred people
saw the start. There were twenty one
men entered, but those who got away
were Sam Day, Jack Smith, j. M Dean,
Frank Annabel, Will Smith, the cow
boy John Craig, Mat Cavanagh, Steve
Fallon, George Peterson, Victor Melder,
Fred Grafenstein, Alfred Elson and Err
nest Campbell. The men started right
in at a fast pace. Annabel was the
first man to complete the first mile his
time for the ten laps being seven min
utes. The second relay will be started
at noon tomorrow and in this are most
of the star performers, including Hegel-
man, Guerrero, Noremac, Tracey, Cox,
"Leper" Hughes, Click and Pete Gold
en-. Captain Melville Boynton will give
a fifty-mile exhibition walk each day
The score at o'clock follows: Frank
Annabel 1871, Frederick Grafenstein 14.5,
Ernest Campbell 14.4, John Craig 14.3,
Evets Hollaf 1873, Victor Melder 1876,
Cowboy Will A. Smith 11.3, James M
Dean 1876, George Peterson 11.9, Mat
Cavanagh 11.3, Jack Smith III, Sam Day
11.3, Alfred Eson 9.7.