davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-10-26
Improved His Opportunity.
rom the New Orleans Times-Democrat,


What Gov. Northen of Georgia says
about the value Of technical education to
young men reminds me of curious little
story" remarked a steamship agent of
this city. Il can tell it without injuring
anybody at present, as the chief actor is
now comfortably located in the north. He
was a young Louisianian-call him John
Smith for the purposes Of the yarn-who
drifted down to one Of the Latin-American
countries several years ago, looking for a
chance to catch on Nothing presented
ITSELF and he was getting desperate, when
the authorities of certain good-sized town
determined to install an electric light plant
and also to see what could be done toward
utilizing an adjacent water power. They
wanted to send an expert to this country
to get the necessary machinery, but had
nobody in sight competent to undertake the
task, and young Smith promptly jumped
into the breach and introduced himself as
high-class electrical engineer. AS a mat
ter of fact he didn't know an electric cur
rent from a branded cherry, but he had to
have that job, and. to make long story
short, he was engaged on the spot Now
comes the remarkable part of it, He sailed
north on the next steamer, and as soon as
he arrived at New York he Immediately
entered a technical school for a course In
electrical engineering. Then he also enter
ed a night school for the same line of in
struction, thus doing double work. Luckily
he had the constitution of horse. so he
stood the strain without breaking down.
and in a months time he had sufficient
working knowledge of the profession to
enable him to attend to his errand intelli-
gently. He made an excellent deal, and on
his return brought back small library
for the continuance of his studies. He re-
manned in the employ of the Latin-Ameri-
can government nearly two years. and then
resigned to accept an excellent position at
Niagara City. He Is regarded at present
one of the rising voting engineers of the
day"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-10-26

Declines to Say Whether He Will Vote
Not.

The New York Herald of today says: On
the registry list of the first district, posted
in front of the Princeton, N J., post office
where he that runs may read" appears
in the list of C's, this name and address
"CNoD II. Cleveland, Grover (residence).
Westland."
This settles the question whether Mr.
Cleveland has registered or not Whether
or not he will vote is, however, another
question.
When asked by a Herald reporter last
evening whether he would vote for Nc
Kinley, Mr.. Cleveland absolutely refused to
commit himself. Pressed for an answer as
to whether or not he would vote at all, the
former President of the United States again
declined to give any inkling as to his in
tentionS.
II am surprised" declared Mr. Cleveland
that my opinions and intentions related
to the pending canvass should at this stage
SO suddenly be deemed important. l am
daily and nightly sought out by newspaper
representatives and piled with all sorts of
questions, some of which seem quite sense
less. If in good nature / say a few harm
less words they are so padded before pub
LEGATION as to be unrecogniZabe, or are
made the pretext for utterly unauthorized
presumptionS.
ut seems to me that my situation ought
to be sufficiently understood and appreciated
by thoughtful friends to justify in their
minds my determination to remain silent
during this exceptional and distressing
campaign
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-10-26

The Transvaal President Was Told to
Avoid War.

A dispatch from The Hague says: The
government has submitted to the states
general the text of three secret dispatches
which the Dutch minister of foreign affairs
sent to Mr.. Kruger last year, dated May
-, August 1 and August Is, all of which
counseled him, in the true interests Of the
Transvaal, to be moderate and concilia-
tory possible toward Great Britain, and
intimating that any appeal to Germany
or any other great power would be barren
of result and highly dangerous to the South
African republic.
Mr.. Kruger's replies were also given. All
these displayed a strong objection to &C
cepting Great Britains proposal Of an in
ternational commission, the final dispatch
declaring that he had no intention Of ap-
pealing to the powers.
LONDON, October 25.-The war office an
nounces today that Lord Roberts hopes to
leave South Africa for home about Novem-
Der 10, and that General Lord Wolseley
has consented to continue to perform the
duties of commander-in-chief of lne army
until the end of November
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-10-26
The "Whin" of a Rather.

From Ainsees Magazine.
No matter where a man may go or what
may befall him, he will never feel the same
throb as when he first hears the "whin' or
a rattlesnake, followed by the blood-curd-
ling hiss that denotes the terrible creature
is about to strike The danger from the
rattlesnake is as great today as 1t ever was,
and the man who starts alone down any
rock canyon Is liable to meet one or more
Generally speaking, the rattlesnake gives
warning when 1t Is ready for business, but
1t happens that this warning is seldom
given until the man is quite close-often too
close to escape. OF almost the same color
as the rocks, the snake lies practically con-
cealed from view, and the first the traveller
knows Of its presence Is the deadly singing
Of the rattles. Unless the man has heard
it before he will not be able to locate it.
The terrible sound seems to mingle with
the sunshine, and the bewildered man is as
likely to walk into the jaws Of death as to
run in the direction of safety. Unless medl-
cal aid is at hand very shortly after the
bite death is sure to follow. An awful
death 1t Is; the Indians say the most awful
death a man can die.
Besides the rattlesnakes. the New Mexico
end of the Rocky mountains is blessed with
the tarantula, the scorpion and the cent?
pede. Then there's the gila monster and
many poisonous lizards. OF all these the
centipede is perhaps the most to be feared,
habit Of living among the ceiling rafters
of old adobe houses. At night. when man
is sleeping, 1t drops, and If it strikes his
body it leaves wound that takes months
to heal, provided some blood disorder does
not develop and kill the man. The gila
monster generally does not bite unless
leased. The scorpion and tarantula intiict
wounds more painful than dangerous.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-10-26

wrote me an eighteen page double-lined
letter every day telling me that 1 couldn't
lose? Need l add that everything in the big
city I wanted came my way? Is it not idle
to tell you that one Of the great men who
directs the councils of his party and who
is power therein united with the senator
In an Endorsement which, had 1t been at
the beginning of the administration, ought
to have given me an assistant secretary
ship and personally wished me luck?
And need l tell you that the cabinet off,
Ger to whom l presented my papers frankly
told me that having no places vacant he
could not give me one? That had my trou-
BILE for my pains and that the four black
cats threw me down hard? That my sweet
hearts nose and eyes were so red from
weeping that she couldn't go to the theater,
and that l have for disposal the strongest
set of Endorsements which can be picked
up on Pennsylvania avenue in an hours
walk?''
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-10-26
PRESIDENTIAL LIGHTNING,
Storms Prank Nerved q Young Law
Student to Bet and He Won.
From the New York Sun.

Storms Prank Nerved q Young Law
Student to Bet and He Won.
From the New York Sun.
THE lightning caused me to bet on the
presidential election in $780, said a Wall
street man who was called in stake
holder few days ago. "And I won"
Pm not more superstitious than the
average individual continued the man,
although my act would indicate the con-
trary. I was young man in a law Of
flee in Kentucky town. My preceptor had
pasted over his desk a poster containing
the portraits of all of the candidates. Lin
coin and Hamlin, Breckenridge and Lane,
Douglass and Johnson and Bell and Ever
EFT. The poster contained the platforms of
the various parties. There was some I'M
certainty in that campaign. Ny preceptor
was an enthusiastic Douglass man and
wanted to bet all he had on his candidate.
1t was my first experience in presden-
tial campaign, and had fool notion that
Bell and Everett would be elected. had
never made money bet but was aching
though lacked nerve.
One day there was thunder storm. The
lightning loosened number of things in
the town, the building in which I was a
law student being one In one Of its pranks
the lightning cut in the wall on which that
political poster was posted. The result
was tnat the upper part OF the poster hung
down from the wall, covering up all the
candidates save Lincoln and Hamlin. De-
spite my sympathies for Bell and Everett,
I imagined saw in this condition of the
poster the result Of that election, and a
few days later when the Douglass enthu-
siast talked on his upper notes and offered
to bet $25 even on his man, 1 took him up.
He was very much astonished to think I
would bet on Lincoln and Hamlin. He said
I was q young ass and other things, and
that he would bet with me to teach me a
lesson. After the election he asked me
how I came to take the chance, for there
were few Lincoln votes in the town. When
told him the source Of my tip he grew
serious.
You have won your first bet on a presi-
Dental election" he said, but, remember,
young man, lightning never strikes in the
same place twice."
But it did in this case. Lincoln was re-
elected. I bet on Mckinley in 1896. The
lightning struck that time. and this year it
will strike in the same place.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-10-26
Big Bets on Kings County.

Senator Patrick H. McCarren of Kings
has bet $4,000 against 5000 that Bryan
will carry Kings county, New York.
Michael ]. Dady, chairman of the execu-
tive committee of the republican general
committee, has taken the Mckinley end of
the bet.
Bell & Co. said yesterday that they had
s, 600 of Bryan money at l to Az. There
were no takers. They also had $1,000 of
Bryan money at odds of to on Ohio, for
which there were no takers.
Lem Wager, sergeant-at-arms at demo-
cratic state headquarters, offered 5000
against 10000 that Mckinley would not
carry his own state.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-10-26
FOUR BLACK CATS.
The Popular Superstition With an
Actual Local Application.

1--WE all are more or less superstitious when
it comes to black cats" said a well-known
young man about town to a Star reporter,
land / was one of the firmest believers In
the black cat good luck superstition in
Washington until few days ago.
Il had gotten tired of doing the same thing
in my department over and over every day
in the year, and being a member of one of
the learned professions I decided to at
tempt to secure a transfer to another de-
partment where my training could be put
to advantage to myself and incidentally to
the government.
Il am from a state where the senior sena-
tor is power in state and national poll
tics; man almost unapproachable by rea-
son of his prominence, but who is person
ally one of the stanchest of friends to his
friends, and whose recommendation usu-
ally carries, as it is seldom given. I hap
pen to be one Of his friends.
Next to myself, the person most inter-
ested in my ambition was my sweetheart.
One night about a month ago, on our re-
turn from the theater, on her doorstep sat
jet black cat with a white star on it's
| breast. The cat followed US in the house in
the most friendly manner, refused to go
out until it was time for my departure and
then followed me to the sidewalk. My best
girl, in a rhapsody of delight, declared that
| 1t was ordained by the stars that was to
get my appointment.
1.-TWO or three days later, on the eve of
my departure for the great and wicked
| city which is my home, I stepped into a
restaurant on 11th' street for lunch. A cat
as black as ink with a white star on its
| breast came in the door, walked right up
| to my table and remained there until 1 fin
ished my meal. When I told my sweetheart
about the cats VISIT when I saw her that
evening she had another spasm Of delight,
saying that defeat for me was impossible
II left for home about two weeks ago,
and on the very first night of my arrival
as was leaving the hotel big black cat
| with a white star on its breast came out
of the cafe and rubbed its arched back
| against my shins. 1 returned at once to the
| writing room and wrote my girl about it.
1 received by return mail a letter of eigh-
| teen closely written pages, explaining that
with the third black cat thus thrust in my
pathway my appointment was inevitable
| and that she could hardly contain her joy.
ION the day before was to see the sena-
| tor I stopped in Shanley's on Broadway for
| lunch. I was almost paralyzed with de-
| light when the fourth black cat suddenly
came I'D to my table and purred about my
| feet in the most friendly manner.
Need I tell you that the senator was
| kindness and graciousness itself and lauded
my ambition to get up in the line of my
| chosen profession? Need say that the in
dorsements of my district leader and con-
gressional candidate and those of my pro-
| fessional friends were literally thrown at
] my head? Need I say that my sweetheart
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-10-26
BIG INGOT OF GOLD.
1T Weighs Over 753 Pounds and is
Worth $154,OOO.

The biggest nugget of gold ever received
at the assay Office, in Wall street according
to Superintendent Mason, arrived yesterday
from mining company in British Columbia.
1t was consigned to the New York agents
of the Bank of Montreal.
The nugget contained fraction over 1853
pounds of the solid yellow metal, and is
valued at 1854. 900. 1t came in a solid cone,
and stood about two feet high. This cone,
was wrapped in canvas, and fitted with
an oblong box made of two-inch planks.
and heavily bound with iron. The gold
was held firmly in the box by two wooden
wedges driven in from the top. Two heavy
iron rings were set in the sides of the
rough box, and through these were fitted
wooden bars, by which the box was lifted.
1t required four men to remove 1t from the
truck in the assay Office to the scales.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-10-26
Gen. Alger UphOlds ion.

General Russell A. Ager, ex-Secretary of
War in President McKinley's cabinet, spoke
to large audience at Traverse City, Mich.
last evening. making the Philippine policy
of the administ5 alton the feature of his
talk. He laid particular stress on the fact
that Aguinaldo began the war on our troops
before the treaty Of peace had been rati-
fed by the Senate, and asserted that it was
done at a time when it looked as though
the treaty would not be ratified.
He declared that Manila was captured by
the army and navy of the United States
alone without the aid of Aguinaldo, and
said that the articles OF capitulation ex-
pressly provided that the city should be I'M
der the protection Of the American army
until the ratification Of the peace treaty.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-10-26
A Fair Champion.
From the Philadelphia Press.

Tess-"She's awfully coarse, isn't she?'
Jess-"Yes; you know, she told me yes
terday that she didn't like my face.''
Tess-"Yes, heard her. 1t was hateful
of her and 1 told her so.''
Jess-"Did you, dear?'
Tess--"Yes. I told her it wasn't your
fault, dear. 1t was simply q misfortune"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-10-26

Women's 26-inch um-
brellas, Of silk taffetas;
close rolling with case
and tassel; natural wood,
silver trimmed; $500 and
$3.50 values
El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-02-13
HOW 1T WAS DONE
Later Details OF the Bold and Audd-
cious Bank Robbery At Las Cru
ces Yesterday Afternoon.

Special Correspondence of the HERALD
| LAS CRUCES, N. M, Feb. 12.-The
banking house of Geo. D. Bowman &
Son was held up today about p. m.
| by two men who had the appearance
of cowboys. One was OF light com.
plection and slim, while the other was
some VI hat heavier and darker. Both
were riding horses branded WB.
! They entered the bank and told Mr.
Free man, the cashier, that they want
ed their check csshed. He asked tc
see it and it was presented in the form
of six-shooter. They told him tt
throw up,his hands and to do it quick
Then they told him to give them the
money in the safe. He told them the
safe was in front OF them and open
One of the men went to it
and got what he saw in
sight, and then told Mr..
Freeman to open the other drawer.
He told them it was open, but they
com PEELED him to draw it out. After
getting the contents of the drawer,
they went out at the door, mou ted
their horses, and rode to the corner of
the block where they turned to the
east. After making the turn they
urged their horses into a run toward
the Organ mountains.
Mr.. Bowman was in the land Office
during these proceedings. After the
robbers left the bank, Mr.. Freeman
stepped across to the land Office and
told Mr.. Bowman and Register Solig-
nae. Mr., SOlienao went back to b 8
room for his six-shooter and came out
with it. When be got to the corner
the robbers were still in view. aud
after passing Lane Brothers drug
store he fred his six-shooter in the air.
The robbers looked back aud took q
faster gait.
The street was full of people at the
time ard several noticed the robbers.
They wore no masks. One had spurs
while the other had none and both
wore gray cowboy hats.
Freeman says he told them that
they could not get away after robbing
the BANK, as the streets were full OF
people, but it's seems they did not be
lieve him.
Deputy G. B.Llewellyn and Mr.. Con-
ner we're the first on the trail. Soon
afterward Sheriff Garrett and Deputy
Williams started out. w. 81. Mackey,
coming in from Organ, met the two
men about five miles out from Las
Cruces, on the Organ road.
Mr.. Bowman says they did not get
much money, as they never carry
much on hand in the bank
El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-02-13
pADEREWSKI COMING.
The Polish Pianist Will Play In FL
pdSo In MdrCh-The Bostonidns
Also To Be Here In Opera.


The great Paderewski is coming to
Ell Paso. Local music lovers will have
opportunity to hear the celebrated
Polish pianist on the tenth of March,
Manager Samworth announced this
morning that be had finally secure d
this attraction. He has had corre-
spondence with Paderewski's manager
at various times since last fail, and the
only point OF difference has been the
guarantee question.
Mr.. Sam WORTH refused to give a qua
rantse. and finally tn q management has
made an arrangement on percentage
basis, and Ell Paso has the dis.inct tion
Of being the only city in the country at
which Paderewski shall have played
this season with out guarantee. 1t is
not known what price will be charged
for seats, but it will probably be three
dollars.
The Bostonisns are to be in Ell Paso
on the 14th day OF March. They will
probably sing THE Serenade.'
Manager Sam worth expects to have
the Boston Company here on the 18th
and 10th, the two days following the
performance of the Bostonians. This
is a comic opera company carrying
forty people.
El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-02-13
SHOOTING
TO KILL
In Kentucky And the Out
look Growing Very Om-
inous Again.
A POPULAR UPRISING
Apparently Looked For At the
State Capital, As Bullets
Are Flying At Troops
On Duty There.

FRANKFORT, Feb. 13.-For while
last midnight it looked as i! war might
break out. Two unknown men lurking
in the alley opposite the legislative
building fred three shots at a guard.
They aimed to kill, as two bullets bare
ly missed human targets. The guards
opened fire as the attackers ran
through the alley discharging seven
bullets, none of which are known to
have taken effect.
Officers in charge complain bitterly
of occasional firing on soldiers from
the outside. They say the men cannot
help it. being simply under orders
from superiors in rank.
Governor Taylor went to the execu-
tive mansion last night at 8 o'clock
where he spent the night.
About fifty troops are being with
El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-02-13
THE PACIFIC CABLE.
Private Rather Than Government
Ownership Decided On.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13.-The house
committee on interstate and foreign
commerce after a protracted session
today by vote of eight to five decided
in favor of private ownership of the
proposed Pacific cable, to be aided by
government subsidy. A measure
covering the subject will be framed
from material already on hand.
The vote for government ownership
was: Fletcher, Mimi: Corliss, Mich. /:
Mann, Ills. McAleer, Pa: Davis, Fla.
For private ownership: Sherman,
New York; WsD9er, Pa: Joy, Mo.
Bareham, Cal; Hawley, Tex; Lover
ing. Miss. Dsvey, La; Adamson, Ga.
El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-02-13
FROM A WRECKED SHIP
On the New Jersey Beach In
Sight Of a Great Crowd
Who Had Been View
ing the Disaster.

POINT PLEASANT. N. j.. Feb. 13.-
The British four masted iron ship,
County of Edinburgh. which came
off Maussquan life saving station late
last night, was driven farther UP the
beach during the night by high wind
and'b big seas and is in danger of going
to pieces.
Captain Lord and the greater part of
his crew decided to sland by the ship
throughout the night. Asmorning ad-
vanced the storm grew more furious
and Captain Lord signalled the life
savers on the beach that he would
abandon his ship.
Breeches.buoysare bringing the ship
wrecked men ashore. Tremendous
seas break over the bpoys aud the men
are submerged more than half the
time during the 200 foot trip. Hun
dreds of persons are on the beach
watching the doomed ship. Late re-
ports from the beach are that % of 29
men have been taken ashore Many
tainted as they landed, their strength
spent in the fight for life through the
rough sea.
Captain Lord, big bluff English
man, was among the rescued. AS he
came through the surf Ito the beach
half drowned and gsspine. his first
words were COWS the Boer war?''
El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-02-13

was almost prostrated by the news this
morning, and thought it utterly i'm
probable and impossible.
This evening Mr.. Mccoy, who is
employed in the ssmpling works at the
smelser, will go up to Earlham, ACCOM-
panied by Ferman, the brother OF Mel
son Smith.
THE BOYS RELEASED.
A special message to the HERALD
from it's correspondent at Las Cruces
at two-thirty this afternoon says the
Doupher boys were released, with Mel
son Smith, shortly after their arrival
there. The arrest arose from the fact
that they were reported to have taken
the trail which the robbers are known
to have taken.
This is welcome news to their friends
here, who never had any doubt of
their innocence, but who are glad to
get confirmation of the release.
El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-02-13

off the Boer forces under Cen. Gro ME
at Magersfontein aud compel them to
raise the siege of Kim berley. Hea Wy
bonn bardment of Kimberley Is now O.
ing on and the town is reported to b e
suffering serious damage. Reports OF
the scsntiness of provisions at Kimbe r
ley continue to be received.
KIMBERLEY REPORTED FALLEN.
PARIS, Feb. ia report that
Kim berley had fallen caused slump'on
the bourse today.
WOODS ACHIEVEMENT.
LONDON, Feb. 13.-According to a
private dispatch received here Woods
forces have seized and now hold
SOupan's Drift.