davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The evening times., 1899-04-26
Boston and the Sparrow.

In the intervals of literary and political
recreation the city of Boston has been wag-
ing war upon the English sparrow. What
ever may come of the present movement
toward an Anglo-American alliance. Bos-
ton does not intend that it shall include the
quarrelsome and vociferous little bird
which has taken possession Of her parks
and Common, to the exclusion of the native
songsters.
The present appearance of things, how
ever indicates that the war will be longer
and more expensive than was at first sup
posed. Active operations were preceded by
a lively discussion among the jingoes and
the conservatives of the human population.
Some of the inhabitants declared that the
sparrow had as good right to live as
his detractors and that il WAS unjust to
exterminate him merely because he was
a nuisance. They also alleged that he de-
stroyed bugs. worms, slugs. and other un-
pleasant creatures, and that his disappear
ance would be followed by various plaques
of the Egyptian type. There was some
show of reason in this, for it has proved
that where the farmer. exasperated by the
his time to shooting these BIRDS his crops
have suffered from most of the known
tribes of pestiferous insects during the
following years. 1t has, therefore, been
argued that he would have done better to
spend his time in soaring the crow away
from the cornfield during a short period
in the spring, thus saving this useful bird
for police duty against the insects for the
rest Of the year. II the sparrow is as
useful a bird as the crow, then, assuredly,
it would be unwise to destroy him.
On the other hand. it was said that na-
tive birds were quite as efficient in de-
stroying insects as the British fighter, and
would come back il not chased out of their
haunts by this small, but solid and ener-
getic feathered warrior. And SO the argu-
ment went on, till 1t was finally decided
that the sparrow must go. Mayor Quincy
issued an order to the foreman Of the pub
lie grounds department to destroy the
nests of the birds with the help of such la
borers as could be spared from other work.
This order was given rather more than
month ago, and aroused considerable in
dignation among the friends of the SPAR
row. Since that time it is estimated that
fully 1000 nests and 1,S00 eggs have been
destroyed. They were found in the trees,
in the hoods of the electric lights, and in
the caves of buildings.
Then came development which has re.
suited in temporary victory for the SPAR
row. 1t was found that so much time and
labor had been consumed in the destruction
Of those nests which had already been
reached, that to continue the work would
cripple the force Of the department quite
seriously. In routing out the feathered
colonists from the old elms in the Common
and park it was found that they actually
lived In what might be called apartment
houses, the nests being built in tiers. each
The evening times., 1899-04-26

class about sne-third .ef the old fashioned
humor belongs You may find in the old
humorists an INFINITE Variety of quips and
1ings 1t woman, young. old. or middle
aged. There are insinuations that she can
not tell the truth. that she Is hypocritical,
that she invariably indulges in coquetry
when not absolutely . fright. and even then
would do 90 II she could; that she is un-
faithful to all. obligations, idle. vain. ex-
travagant. and. In short, ID liable to COM
init every folly, II not every crime. known
to humanity. when noterestrained by the
careful and wise guidance Of determin-
ed husband. This may be proved by any
collection Of humorous sayings from any
nation. 1t is not strange that women do
not enjoy this sort Of thing. even when
1t is carefully explained to them that the
joke is not meant as a serious reflection
upon their characters and that. Of course,
they are the guiding star of mans exist
ence. and thousand times better than he
is. and all that sort of thing Even the
modern kumorist, though he has lost the
savage spirit OF his grandfather. is apt to
hint that woman is naturally vain, extrav-
agant. and prone to be lead away by any
sort Of silly reasoning, and to women who
are prudent and economical and conserva-
tive this sort of statement fails to appeal
with any conviction. amusing or otherwise.
Finally. 1t may be said that women do
not. as a rule, enjoy being herded together
as separate race Of beings. There is
just as much difference in them as there
is in men. and the typical woman" is
about as much a myth as the typical
man." The men who make literature have
only lately begun to understand that
women are individuals and must be drawn
as such, with characters as complex as
those OF men. and acting. as men do. from
thoughts and emotions which can be under
stood. instead OF from an irrational. un-
reasonable. complicated. mysterious sort
of instinct called feminine nature" be-
cause it was tco much trouble for the old
fashioned novelist to find out what it really
was.
The evening times., 1899-04-26
sPEAxxn nzsD,s succxsson.


Mr.. MeKlnley .saiA to Have Express
- - Ne Preferences.
1t may prove that the friends Of Repre-
sentative Sherman Of New York. who are
pushing him for tho Speakership Of the
next House Of Representatives, we're a
trihe too confident in asserting that he
would have the support Of the Administra-
tion in his canvass. A prominent Repub-
lican member Of the Ohio delegation. who
stands close to the President, said today:
Il think the position of the Administra-
tion In regard to the contest for the Speak
ershfp has been misunderstood. l saw the
president a day or two ago and he dis
cussed this matter freely and fully. but in
such a manner as to indicate that. even
II he had his preferences. he would take
no active part Id the contest and the Ad-
ministratioh would not cast the weight OF
Its influence. In favor Of anyone. The
President was very careful not to display
any preference
Il think the friends of Mr.. Sherman
we're little premature in jumping at the
conclusion that, because he had been ap-
pointed member Of the board OF general
appraisers 1in New York, which position
he had declined for the purpose OF making
the race for the Speakership. he was
therefore entitled to the support of tine
Administration Personally I do not be-
lieye an Ohio man stands a chance, as, with
the Presidency. Ohio can scarcely ask or
expect the Speakership.
$50 far as. am concerned, l prefer to
wait until Mr. Reed himself makes his for
NAL announcements of his retirement by
placing his resignation in the hands Of the
governor Of Maine. Up to the present time
Mr.. Reed has not uttered word in this
connection. and although he could hardly
maintain silence while such reports were
current and then come out with denial
Of the truth. thus upsetting the plans Of his
friends as well as his opponents, still 1t is
possible that Mr.. Reed might change his
mind between now and December and de-
eide to remain in the House.
Il think Mr.. Sherman's determination to
decline the appointment as a general ap-
praiser was due not to his having received
the promise of Administration support. but
because he had advance information in re-
gard to Mr.. Reeds intentions. l do net
think the situation has been perfectly out
lined as yet and the strength Of various
candidates correctly estimated. In the
case of New York and Illinois, believe
the delegations will not go into caucus di-
vided. and think either Cannon or Hop
kins will have the entire Illinois delega-
tion and Sherman or Payne will control the
New York delegation. These candidates
should. and probably do. realize that any
other course would be suicidal.
by the way. have you noticed the en-
tire absence of any pressure being brought
to bear upon Speaker Reed to induce him
to reconsider his determination and remain
in Congress? While there are expressions
Of regret and praise for his abilities.
have as yet not seen a suggestion that he
might be induced to remain in the House.
and have heard of no one proposing such
action to Mr. Reed"
The evening times., 1899-04-26
Grapevine TeIeeraphy.
(From the Pittsburg Dispatch.

trToni tue fIttsburS Dispdtch.)
Science and invention have made wonderful
progress during the last quarter of the century
But more remarkable feat is on record thar
that announced by the Chicago Times-Herald.' u
The ''Herald' labels it ''picture wired from
Philadelphia Quay on III" Witness Stand" and
says it ''was sent to the Times Herald from
the Philadelphia Inquirer by telegraph. II
shows the Senator he is making the state
ments which in great part were responsible fol-
his acquittal. The time required for the trans
mission OF the picture was about half an hour -
1t would not have been very remarkable II the
Chicago paper had received. by wire, picture
OF an actual occurrence. but it is certainly a
marvel Of enterprise to have the picture of a
man the witness stand-a man who did not
testify-sent by wire three days after the close
Of the trial. Quay wds- not on the witness stand
ard even Chicago paper should have been
aware of the fact before the hour of publication
on Sunday morning.
The evening times., 1899-04-26
A Russian Error.

The closing of the Russian universities is
of ill omen for the Empire. since it places tn,
tyranny of the administration in clear light
and excites the animosity Of enterprising
class. The trouble began with interference on
the part OF the police with the reasonable lib
critics of the students. The latter in st. Peters.
burg, for example. brutally beaten for
traycrsing certain street and were furthef
dealt with for passing resolutions expressing sym.
pathy with students in other cities who were hav.
ing like trouble with the police. The want Of
tact or right feeling the part Of the chief
of police seems to have been the obstacle to a
settlement. The students were turbulent. doubt.
less. students often are. but they were re-
peatcdly exasperated in unnecessary ways.
The evening times., 1899-04-26

Central American conditions are not all
that they might be if this mornings news
from Bluefelds can be relied upon. Ac-
cording TO press dispatches the tyrannical
General Torres is still insisting upon loot
ing American and British merchants, and
has the streets filled with his half-naked
and drunken soldiers. The arrival OF the
Detroit, which should have occurred last
Friday. may have marked the end Of the
revolutionary conditions and brought Tor
res to his senses. He is about the kind of
individual that attractive yardarm decora-
tions are made of.
The evening times., 1899-04-26
ARe and thc Pre.iaency.
From the St. Louis Globe Democrat

The carly sixties make an age limit which
constitutes q sort Of dead line over which
Presidential aspirants cannot pass with safety.
The death Of Taylor in Office. who entered the
Presidency at 65. coming as it did close after
the death of the first Harrison. made conver-
tions shy Of nominating old men afterwards to
the Presidency. The Democrats too, the risk
with Buchanan because, through his absence
in the British mission for four years. he had
escaped all embarrassing connections with the
Kansas Nebraska folly of 1854. which arrayed
the Northern States against the rest of the Dem.
ocratc leaders, but nobody has been elected since
then who was anywhere near to Buchanan s
age. The conditions will have to be peculiarly
pressing which will impel national conven-
tion in these days, when many younger men arc
available. to give the Presidential candidacy to
man of sixty-f or sixtysix years Of age.
The evening times., 1899-04-26
WEDNESDAY, APRIL &c. 1899.
Exc.,I.n, AIrerian reasons.

It is well that Mr.. Algsr has allow
interesting beef investigation at last to
see the light of day. Why the Secretary
should have considered it necessary TO sup
press so important a piece OF evidence
heretofore is perhaps hard thing Tor some
people to understand. The report is one OF
the most innocuous documents ever writ
ten We are unable to find a word in ii
that reflects even by implication upon any
honorable officer or honest man. 1t is tech
nical and convincing, CT course. but what
was Gariington's mission for if not TO pro-
duce something Of that character?
We are not disposed to do Aiger the in
Justice 10 suppose that he could object to
evidence going to show that the allegations
made by the Major General Commanding
the Army were true. and more than true.
Even he would be unlikely 10 admit that he
would purposely suppress report which
demonstrated the fact that chemicals were
regularly sold to Western beef packers in
large quantities; and that analyses of beef
bought in the open market of Chicago
showed individually the presence of those
chemicals in the meat. Then why should
Alger have reserved this bit OF cumulative
proof Perhaps ii was in order that when
finally he should uncork it, it would ex-
p,ode in a naughty world like carload of
canned roast beef and bring confusion.
sulphuretted hydrogen, and dismay to all
persons concerned.
This is the charitable view of the sup
preston, but, in any case. the embalmed
cat is out of the bag. The Beef Court
might just as well adjourn and scatter to
the pleasant places provided for the faith
ful-in advance. The universal public YER
dict has been reached. That of the Court
will be unimportant-
The evening times., 1899-04-26
LIQUID AM AH1aH ExPIos1vE

4
May BE Used In tAs Future to Fire
| -. Great Ouns.
New York. April 2s.-Eiqu.d air may be
the high explosive OF the future. Expert
ments in Vienna reported by cable con-
Arm what was already known here Of one
OF the properties of the marvellous SUBJ
stance that Is obtained by COMPRISING the
atmosphere and freeing 1t Of Its heat.
Whether the Viennnese scientists have
reached the results through Independent
experiments, or have taken the reports of
what has been accomplished by Prof.
Charles e. Tripler in this city and re-
peated them is not known Experimenters
| on both sides of the Atlantic have been at
work for year or more developing the
commercial possibilities Of liquid air aiony
different lines of usefulness. but the news
from Vienna of success in b asting and in
firing projectiles from guns seems to tie
in advance Of what has beeen accomp ish-
ed in this country.
According to dispatches from Vienna IL
quid air when mixed with silicious mari
and ignited by electric spark exploded with
twenty times the effect of dynamite and
when used in cannon no heat was devel-
oped and the range Of the projectiles was
considerably increased.
Prof. Tripler said yesterday that he be-
lieved the report from Vienna erred in
stating that the liquid air was mixed with
mari.
I'm all probability" said Prof Tripler.
some combustibie substance such as
charcoal or a hydro-carbon such as tur-
pentine or kerosene was mixed with the
liquid air. Silicious mari may have been
added to retard the explosion. but that
would be its only Office. / do not think
that the Viennese experts are justified in
declaring that the range of projeetiles will
be increased by the use OF the compound
In place Of gunpowder.
Il brought the matter to the attention
OF our Government over year ago.
made some experiments which showed that
liquid air could be utilized to form an ex-
plosive OF a very high power. l could not
conduct these experiments at my labOra-
tory in this city. but was willing to aid
the Government officials in every way.
They did not take it Up. and now il the
Government OF Austro-Hungary has gone
into the matter it will be to the benefit of
all concerned
Prof. Tripler showed the effects upon
iron pipe of exploding a piece Of guncot-
ton saturated with liquid air. A piece OF
piping. two inches in diameter. was blown
to fragments. although 1t was open at both
ends. A section of 6-inch iron pipe. in
which the smaller pipe was placed for
safety, had holes blown through it, and
the iron was bent back and twistad. Ex-
perts declared that no known explosive
would produce similar effects.
Prof Tripler said that although the IL
Quid air. when mixed with a combustible
substance and ignited, is high explosive,
1t is not dangerous to HANDLE Concus-
sion will not set 1t of, and there fore it can
be poured into gun to form the charge.
or placed in the projectile and shot from
the gun ignited by spark. 1t is explosive
only when ignited by spark. Pro-. Trip
Ter said that it would also have the ad-
vantage of enabling a gun to be fired with
The evening times., 1899-04-26
DOM PAUL PREPARES FOR WAR.
Authorities In the TrRnnSRai ENpect-
Ing Hontilitics With England.

Capetown. April 26.-There is renewed
uneasiness over the situation in the Trans
vaal. President Kruger's general-in-
chief Joubert. is inspecting the frontiers
and selecting places suitable for entrsnch-
ments. More rigid inspection of the mill
tary has also been ordered. Kruger, as he
intimated a month ago. evidently is ex-
pecting hostilities with England.
The Dutchmen are uneasy over the re-
suit OF the petition to Joseph Chamber
lain. England's colonial minister signed
by y 900 English residents in the Trans
vaal and setting forth their grievances.
Chamberlain's action. it is believed, will
mark a crisis in English Dutch relations.
The British army here is being steadily
augmented
The evening times., 1899-04-26
Amateur caraen,nx
(From the Baltimore Herald.

Vfo'' ''e HdtfTioFe IfefaiuI
The gardening impulse is inbofn; in the genus
homo; it is survival from the times when all
were farmers, and when it was natural for ey.
eryone to seek the fields for earning liyeli.
hood. Therefore the inclination to delve a while
in the soil soon after the close Of the winter
is a praiseworthy effervescence OF the spirit
within that will not be kept down. But, un-
fortunately, il is in most cases hot only effer.
vescent. but evanescent; it vanishes as suddenly
a II appears. and the good wife who would pre-
serve her surroundings attractively for the hot
days Of midsummer finds heraelf Obliged to turn
to the hired man source a muscular ex.
ertion necessary to keep the garden In trim.
The evening times., 1899-04-26

While there are indications in New York
that the local Democratic leaders are tired
Of fighting Bryan and the Chicago plat
form. the Republican family situation is
hot SO promising. Gov. Bushnell Of
Ohio is quoted as declaring himself on
the side of the Kurtz faction against Sem
ator Hanna. There is every prospect Of
a lively fight in the Presidents home State,
among his faithful henchmen. 1t looks
little as IL Mr.. Mckinley were between
the two stools Of Hanna and Alger in
Ohio as elsewhere-and we know what
the good book says of such a situation.
The evening times., 1899-04-26

We are sorry to see that the Agricul-
tural Department grows more and more
sarcastic at the expence of that great and
good man. George Frisbie Hoar. This
month it exudes a pamphlet on the
Squash Vine Borer." and the application
of the epithet is too plain to be escaped.
The squash vine -borer is described as
an insect that feeds itself by destroying
the esculent vegetable that constitutes the
life of its environment and is, at the same
time. the cranial illustration of its own
capitalization.
The evening times., 1899-04-26
So Rusy!
(From the Chicago News.)

ttrom the Chicago News.D
'1Joln.'' she asked. did you get that pair Of
shoes for little Besi. today? Poor child. she
will have to go TO school barefooted pretty soon
unless You attend to the NATTER
NO my dear" he replied; Il have been too
busy today to think about shoes. ! can't let
such matters distract my mind from business.
You ought 10 attend TO that yourself
After brief silence. she said:
John. do you know Mrs Wiidman says her
husband is one of the, best bowlers in this
town. -r s-jr
"Pooh. He's nothing of the SORT" the man
declared. 1--we been bowling with him nearly
all afternoon, and he simply isn't in it with
met
The evening times., 1899-04-26
A Common Trial.

(From the Chicago News)
Ncwsboy (at station)-Here's your evening pa
per. sir.
Mr. subuhs-No, don't want it; must give
up taking II for awhile.
Ncwshcy--What's the matter?
Mr. Sububs-My wifc always insists That shall
read the news from the Philippines aloud to her,
and those names arc giving me nervous prostrs-
tion.
The evening times., 1899-04-26
The Coming Experience.
(From the Chicago News.

Citterly-weH. s9q are living in the country
now; how do toV ike it?
81 haven't had time to find out: I've only been
there little oyer a. week, and had to put in
last Sunday catching up on the sleep l had lost
on account of getting up 90 early and reaching
home so late"
The evening times., 1899-04-26
He Df,In,t Toll.

From the Detroit Free Prcss.)
Miss Psiisads-Now. that have accepted JACK,
tell me. honestly. ii he has ever kissed you
Miss Summit-Why don't You as, him?
Miss Palisade-I have, and he says no.
The evening times., 1899-04-26
CURRENT HUMOR.
A Definite Vdec.

From the Philadelphia North AmSican)
''slsrry ycu:'' she exclaimed: .'do YOU think I
am crazy
Il don't know about that" he replied, ''but
I will be if you don't"
The evening times., 1899-04-26
HA ks,>-
fFrom BROOKLYN Life.)

His Swecihesr-I have always heard that al
Spaniards were expert at fencing.
Returned Voiuntecr-les, indeed they are: cs
pecially with barbed-wiTe.
The evening times., 1899-04-26
Utter ysnbeeility,
fIroe, Tit-Bits.l

How do you manage to hnd your way across
the oceanY' aid lady to H. sea captain.
''why. by the compass; the needle always
:.Yes. + EnoJ ;sb& what Il you wish to 20
southf'
The evening times., 1899-04-26
A Part Of the Truth.

VFum tUe InuIaHdpoffs JourhaiJ
t'If I wuz as ashamed Of my business GroS.
gerty is" said the saloonkeepcr, ''fd go to ped
dim tracts
Il lcvcr heard him say he was ashamed Of
it." said the steady leafer.
''Well. all know is he had his business put
in the directory dealer in sportsmcn's sup
plies"
The evening times., 1899-04-26
4 Confidence Man.

'Do you think it pays to send our sons to
college? Do they obtain the practical experience
days?"
''Weil, Judging from the experience have
had with my son, ! should say they did. His
practical experience in money getting increases
with every letter that receive from him.
The evening times., 1899-04-26
Not Fragrant.

tFrOm the Detroit Free Prcss)
1t Loafng Friend Of the Cigar Dealers
observing an elegantly appearing man. who
bought q cignr and went ont: ''Did you know
that party had money TO burng'
And the Cigar Dealer disgus.ed: HAS he /?
Well. he is only burning it in 5-cent lots
The evening times., 1899-04-26

Watch for town. Congress Heights, D. q