davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-09-05

Until recently every person who
crossed certain bridge over the Seine
in Paris had to pay small toll, and
an old pensioner was stationed at the
entrance TO the bridge to collect the
money. Constant objections were
raised on the toll, and all possible
tricks were resorted to In order to
avoid payment.
One afternoon n band of 10 students
came up to the bridge; but before
they started to go over man drew
near and said:
"You walk across, and I'll see what
! can do about getting you through
free"
The little company walked along
together until they reached the pen
sioner's box. when the man went up
to the toll-collector. and, taking out
handful Of coins, began counting the
students In a somewhat loud tone of
voice.
There are nine," he said, after
counting very deliberately.
II bog your pardon" replied the
pensioner, "there are TO-"
"No. no. my friend, I'm sure there
are nine" persisted the other.
Then he proceeded to count them
again. even more slowly than before.
BY the time he had finished the stu
dents had reached the other end Of
the bridge, and were disappearing
from view. Then the man said to the
collector:
Certainly, You are right. There
are 10. But l don't know them, so
whnt does 1t matter to meT
He then laid his coin and sauntered
across, calmly whistling the Mar
seillaise."
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-09-05
BabyIonian Explorations.

Prof. Herman v. Hilprecht, the
Babylonian explorer, who In the spring
of this year went to the east to super
intend the excavations In Assyria and
Babylon In the name of the university
Of Pennsylvania, describes in a letter
just received the important results of
his journey. He says: THE results Of
our researches exceed everything that
has so far been known about Babylon.
We found the great temple library and
priest school of Nippur. which had been
destroyed by the Elamites 228 B. C.
The library consists Of 10000 volumes,
written on stone, and covers the en-
tire theological, astronomical, linguis-
tic and mathematical knowledge OF
those days. We also unearthed a col
lection Of letters and biographies, de-
ciphered the inscriptions of many new
ly discovered tombstones and monu-
ments. and espied, finally, best OF all,
5000 official documents of inestimab BILE
value to the student of ancient his
tory. The net result of our journey
consists SO far Of $4,000 stone writ
ings,"
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-09-05

"You say you don't believe in fate"
you fellows" said young Fred Julian,
as he entertained party of boon com
panions In his bachelor rooms well.
that's because, at present. you haven't
had an opportunity of judging from
personal experience"
We'll, and have your" asked n
chorus of voices.
Rather! 1t was little incident
interestlng-to me. at least-and II
you like I'll tell you all about IT,"
DO" said his friends, and the Young
man lounged back in his chair, and
with his eyes on the fire commenced
his narrative without more ado.
1T was one lovely day in the July OF
last year." she began, "and was start
ing jubilantly Off for a months holi-
day at Scarborough. Knowing my
luxurious habits as you do. my friends,
you will not be surprised to hear that
when I reached Kings Cross selected
and provided myself with plenty of
cigars and magazines. To complete
my anticipation of pleasant journey,
Just as l had settled myself comfort
ably and the guard gave his whistle.
the door opened and pretty. excited
young lady came bustling in. She
seemed relieved at having caught the
train and sat down In a state Of breath
less and smiling exhaustion.
Il looked over at her from my cor
ner, so did a loudly dressed, bounder-
ish looking young man from his, for
she was an extremely pretty girl, with
brown curly hair, small features, and
the daintlest little figure in the world.
frowned at the loudly dressed young
man, and he frowned at me. and just
then the girl looked up and caught my
glance of admiration. She stiffenei,
and then her eyes fell upon my cigar,
which l had left smoldering in my
hand, and a look of severe displeasure
came into her face.
Are you aware, sir she said. aus
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-09-05

terely, that this is not smoking car
riage?'
"'Ien't it?' answered, looking up
at the window. Why, goodness me,
they must have forgotten to take the
label down.
"Tho girl followed my glance, and
at the sight of the partially obliterated
letters, half concealed by the blind, her
face crimsoned with modification and
biting her lip. she took up a paper hur-
riedly to hide her confusion.
"T have made the same mistake, my
dear said kindly matron on her
right. 1t doesn't matter much; a lit
tie smoke won't hurt us. will it?'
mo; l must change at the next
station she returned sweetly.
Excuse me- broke in. but this Is
an express train
"'Do you mean to say 1t doesn't stop
at Peterborough
at doesn't stop at all.' I said, 'un-
til we get to York
"'I'm so sorry.' I murmured. turn
ing to the girl. Can l assist you in
any way? II 1t is a case OF necessity,
you know. We can communicate with
the guard
20. no-that isl mean I don't
think II would be considered So she
stammered. her face suddenly suffused
with bushes. You SEQ, l was going to
wedding
'The elderly matron smiled. I had
all l could do to repress my amuse-
ment, while the loudly dressed young
man In the corner sniggered audibly.
30. we'll. I shouldn't let that worry
me. II were you.' said soothingly.
It's disappointing. but they will be
able to fix 1t up all right without you.
THE bushes deepened and the girl
hung her head.
I'm afraid they-I mean, -
She broke of In confusion, and the
old lady bent toward her.
81 quite understand. my dear she
said. 1t wouldn't be a wedding with
out the bride. I'm sorry for you. but
you mustn't fret. II can't be helped
now. and you must send a wire d.
rectly We get to York
This seemed to raise the girls spir-
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-09-05
HUMOROUS.

Tommy-Pop. what Is an optimist7~
Tommy's Pop-An optlmist. my son, Is
n man who lends money.
Johnny-Pnw, when man express
es nm opinion, can he collect express
charges on It? Paw-IIe can-if he IL
a lawyer.
Hoax-Despite his great wealth,
old Gotrox isn't an interesting con
versatlonallst Joax-Well. he tails
In money syllables.
Passenger-Guard have I time to
say good-by to my wife at the barrier?
Guard-I don't know, sir. How long
have you been married?
Wigwag-What do you think of the
anything about her, unless she hap
pens to be n new cook.
Woman Customer-Will arsenic
whlten the complexion? Druggist
Yes; and 1t will he permanent II you
take large enough dose.
Blobbs-Even the working man may
climb up In the world. Slobbs--Cer-
tuinly. The laborer who carries hod
is always worthy of higher.
"what is your idea of an intellectual
woman" "One who can say good
by to friend without holding the
screen door open 20 minutes
She-They say If you cast bread on
the water you will find t. He--If you
should try the experiment with any Of
your brand you could only find It with
a dredge.
"lsabel, you are careless; you ought
to have place for everything and
everything in its place" II do have
n place for everything. Harold; but
somehow or other when I get to the
place the thing isn't there
~ suppose people very seldom cross
that desert?' interrogated the tourist.
"Only absconding bank cashiers, stran-
ger" responded Amber Pete. But
how can they stand the broiling sun ~
"Well. you see, there is generally
cloud over them"
"How much will your opinion in this
case be WORTH asked the prospective
client. ~ can't tell you how much
it'll be worth" answered the lawyer
who Is accustomed TO make fine dis
tinctlons. "but | can tell you how
much am going to charge you for it,
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-09-05
AY.rt Old Church Edlfice.

The Oldest Protestant church edifice
now standing, would say in reply to
an inquiry. Is that OF St Ethelburga
at the little village of Lyminge, near
Canterbury, Kent county. England.
and was erected in the year 633 by
the daughter of the Saxon king Ethel
bert of Kent. Her mother was the
Christian Princess Bertha, daughter OF
King Charibert Of France. and through
her influence Etherbert and his court
We're converted TO Christianity. Ethel
burga married King Edwin Of North
umbria In 62S. After he was slain at
the battle Of Heathfeld the widow re-
turned to Lyminge and devoted the
remainder Of her life to works OF piety
and benevolence-among others the
building OF the church. In which she
was buried In CAT. Her grave IL still
pointed out. The church was nearly
destroyed by the Danes In 065. but
was rebuilt by Archbishop Dassan OF
Canterbury. 1t has been restored
several times since with the same ma
terials and without altering the plans:
so that II now stands almost exactly
the same as when first erected nearly
1900 years ago.--A. Il Curtis. In CHI
cago Record.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-09-05
WHOLE TOWNS MOVED.
Houses and All They Contained wheeled
into Neighboring villages.


One of the most extraordinary spec
tacles in the world has recently been
witnessed In Mix county, s. ID. Six
large towns. including Edgnrtown, Old
Platte, Custalia. Academy, Colvin and
Jasper, have been torn up by the roots
Every house and business structure
In nll these towns has been "snaked
Off, It's foundation, mounted on wheels
hltched to a. and In some instance
40 horse teams aud started on the
long trek across the prairie toward
Platte and Geddes.
There are new towns on the line
of the Milwaukee railway, of which
the Yankton and Tyndall branch, now
In course of construction. Is the first
railway line the country has ever had
When the railway was surveyed, in
stead of hitting any Of the fine towns
then I'm existence. II followed the rich
lowlands in the middle of the country.
The towns surveyed on the line of the
road were named respectively Platte.
Geddes, Lake Andes. Wagner and
Avon.
People living in the old towns have
been fighting hard to induce the com
pnny to change the route, but, falling
In this. they decided to move bag and
baggage. houses. business blocks and
all, to the new towns. Within n week
where have been villages of from 1000
to 1000 population there will be moth
ing but n lot of poles In the ground,
surrounded by ragged stone founda-
tlons.
The growth of Platte within n week
discounts any fairy tale. All the old
buildings from the old town of Platte,
many miles away, have been hauled in
and set in lots in Main street.
Two churches are In course of cree
tion, and an opera house was among
the structures commenced. Three hun
drcd men and teams are grading the
streets. The impression created in
the mind of visitors Is that somebody
has taken n contract to build city in
u hours. The town site company re-
served the best corner lot In the place
for any man who would set up 60
room hotel, to be completed within
GO days.
\ Michigan man accepted the offer
by telegraph. and his advance guard Is
now mt work. The hotel Is to be of
brick and stone, electrically lighted
and thoroughly modern. An artesian
well. sunk 800 feet deep. Is throwing
Il stream big enough to supply a town
Of 5000 people. The Immediately
available supplies Of lumber, stone,
brick. steel a1d building materials
were exhausted recently, and tele-
grams Were rushed everywhere giving
orders.
In one instance four, story frame
structure GO feet by 40 was hauled II
miles on an ordinary wagon, with the
gearing iDgeniously arranged by 40
horse team. The building will be
placed on foundation In the new
town, and the plastered walls were
not cracked I'm transit Gamblers and
other questionable characters have
made their appearance In large num-
bers, but the town has already organi-
zed n police force, and there Is little
disorder.-Clnclnnat Enquirer
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-09-05

An escape of sparrow at the home
OF Mrs. Susan Fox OF East I'd street on
Thursday is remarkable enough to be
worth recording. says the Oil City
Derrick. The bird in some manner
fell into the chimney and from there
made its way through two elbows and
several points of stovepipe into the
back OF the stove. through the damper
and under the oven into the ashpan,
where its fluttering attracted the at
tention OF Mrs. Fox and she rescued
it. There was hot fire in the stove
at the time, but the little bird seemed
to be none the worse for Its peculiar
journey.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-09-05
HER ONE EXPERIENCE.
The Onhciai Didn't Think Her Entitled TO
License.

The Onciai Didn't Think Her Entitled TO
License.
as this the place where you get
licence to run an automobileT
Yes, madam"
"Well, would like to get one. If
you please"
"What experience have you had in
running an automoblleT
ooh, little"
"Indeed!
"Yes, sir; ran one once"
"Did I understand you to say once.
madam?'
"Yes; but am quick to learn and l
picked up good many points that
one time"
what was the motive power, mad
am?
"Gasollne, think"
"Are you not positive?"
No, sir; I climbed right up without
looking under the wheels"
"How did you proceed|
"Well, Henry turned the power on
and I just held the wheel"
ayes, until attempted to slow up"
"What happened thenT
''Why, 1t increased In speed"
'Then you had lost control of the
veh!cler'
"Yes, but 1t would never have q
Cured II there had been horses I'M
"And how far did 1t run befor
was stoppedr
"Four blocks"
"Did an officer stop itT'
"No, n truck. But the damage wa
very slight"
Indeedw
"Yes. only a wheel off the automo-
bile and the driver of the truck thrown
from his seat. But | gained good
deal of experience that one time and
I think | am entitled to license"
But The official thought differently
and told her so.-Chlcagc News.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-09-05
discovered by Small Telescope.

1t is more often than not that the
smaller telescopes startle us with the
sudden discovery Of some new celes-
tial body. Indeed. the instrument by
which the German astronomer recent
ly discovered the new planet Eros at
the Urania observatory In Berlin can
not be described ns one OF the gigantic
ones. Before the discovery of Eros
the nearest planet TO the earth was
Venus, which at certain times ap-
preached our globe to within 25,000,00O
miles. Eros, however, our nearest
neighhor In space. is about 10000
miles distant. With only n six-inch re-
tractor DR.. Swift has also discovered
some eight comets at the Lowe OBJ
sorvatory. Boston Globe.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-09-05

When Europe gets through wonder
ing at the build endurance and skill of
our athletic college men, understands
that they are but type of millions of
other young men i'm the United States,
she will also understand why It is that
the American army, in personnel ut
least, has no superior on the face of the
globe.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-09-05

A Maryland woman has instituted
an original and profitable industry.
She scours the rural districts of Nir-
ginia and the Carolinas for pieces of
colonial furniture, which she buys at
small cost. has renovated and after
wards sells in Baltimore at a large
profit
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-09-05
A WAR THAT MAKES 'APPY OMFS.

with an air OF mingled Difference and
confidence: "Oh. mum. do you trouble
about I'm! e was aIlays a bad 'un.
I've got nice lot of money from the
newspapers and other kind friends
enough 70 keep me comfortable. Oh.
mum. this ere ww's made . lot Of
'appy 'omea, II has,
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-09-05
Odt Numbers In Slam.

The number Of rooms In n house. Of
windows or doors In a. room. even Of
rungs on ladder, In Slam. must al.
ways be odd. Even numbers are
considered unlucky.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-09-05

Some persons look at the effects OF
the South African campaign In one
way-some In another. says a London
newspaper. One OF the oldest is
surely that Of the widow of q certain
Tommy who fell At Colsnso. A lady
visitor went TO condole with her. when
~ looked ~ With . smile and said.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-09-05
To A srAa.

Am I the only child awake
Beneath thy midnight beamsf
1f so, for gentle slumber's sake,
The brighter be their dreams!
But. shouldst thou, travelling the deep
The silent angel see
That puts the little ones TO sleep.
Bright star, remember me.
John II. Tabb, In Youths Companion.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-09-05

Mexico in the past nine years has
doubled its revenues, doubled Its ex-
ports, doubled the number of its fac
tories, and multiplied by three its
banking capital.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-09-05

II may not be commonly known that
New York state has a law which re-
qulres that cities of the first and sec
ond classes shall erect and maintain
free public baths. A bill was intro
duced in 1895 making the establish
ment of baths compulsory upon cities
of the first and second class. The pro
visions. briefly are that such number
of free baths shall be established as the
local board of health may deem to be
necessary. Each bath is to be kept
open not less than IA hours each day.
and hot and cold water are to be pro
vldcd Buffalo and Rochester have al
ready complied with the law, and Al
bany and New York City have the
work under way.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-09-05
The closing Of the century promises
70 be one of unexampled slaughter.

Librarians say that people who read
novels and nothing but novels are
about 20 per cent of readers in the
public book institutions.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-09-05

The force of habit Is indeed strong,
rs those who think to revolutionize the
world in n day discover. Buttons are
still put on the back of mems coats,
though the sword-belts they were
meant to hold up have been out of use
many generations. Now the builders
of automobiles are struggling with the
same sort of bondage to tradition.
They put dashboards on their vehicles
as IL they expected them to kick up n
lot of mud in front, they even adorn the
tops of the dashboards with fancy
metal rail on which to rest the reins;
and so on throughout. 1t will proba-
bly, be many years before automobiles
will cease to look like ordinary vehicles
with the horses missing.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-09-05

Our cities seem destined to spread
out, until the concentrating of muni-
cipal life. as it now Is, will be practi-
cally ended. Electricity will cooperate
In other ways, by making transit mucn
more rapid and supplanting steam pow
er. As n consequence manufacturing
will be carried on less and less In huge
factories and congested centers. We
may fairly foresee new sort of city
as well as new sort of country n
city disseminated or thinned out over
a vast territory. This will be hastened
on by the fact that the coal famine has
come sooner han expected; and the coal
age will carry with it the steam age.
The use of steam power began about
1880; and, according to Professor Or
ton, it will barely last till 1890 He tells
us that the known coal de-
poslts of America are rapid
ly nearing their exhaustion.
The exhaustion Of European beds be-
gan last winter to be felt with revo-
lutionary force. The draft on Ameri-
can coal will as a consequence be much
more serious and will shorten the
steaIn .ge. We have harnessed elec-
triclty none to soon. The full conse-
quences cannot be estimated; but we
do not count ourselves among the
prophets when we say that we are sure
that country life will hereafter not
mean remoteness from the best evo
luton Of the age, thinks the New
York Independent
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-09-05

Is bravery an ideal which is reached
by cultivation? In other words, is 1t
an intellectual conception? If II is not,
how does it happen that real bravery
is so common among boys? Impulsive
acts of courage, such as jumping into
the water to save drowning com
radc. are not uncommon among boys,
but they belong to the emo!io.'al con-
duct of our species. Cool, determined
facing of odds is not often seen among
boys. On the contrary, cowardly con-
duct, too often prompted by vindictive
feelings, is altogether too common.
One sophomore never goes forth to
haze a freshman, and when the youth
full mind conceives the idea that n Ma
tional wrong should be avenged, the
outcome is generally an assault by a
crowd of boys on some one or two in
offensive persons. Such performances
do not encourage belief in the natural
bravery of our species.
Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-03-03
BOca San Carlos Dam on the Me
aragua Route Cannot be Built.
ERROR In FORMER SURVEY
Lee. isiatlon Nay be Delayed in Conse-
quence-senator Morgan's Report
ON uay-Pauneefote Treaty.

New York, March IA special dis
patch to the Herald from Washington
says:
Some notifications in the plans for
the Nicaraguan canal recommended by
the first Walker commission win have
TO be made.
This Is made clear b. reports for
warded to the Office Of the present
Walker commission from one Of the
surveying parties now in the field. II
has been found that It viii be imprac.
ticable TO build the proposed dam across
the San Juan river Just above tho
mouth Of the San Carlos. known as the
Boca San Carlos dam.
The Menocal plan proposed the dam.
ming OF the San Juan below the mouth
Of the San Carlos by what has been
termed the Oachoa dam. This proposed
great dam was one Of the features Of
the Menocal plan. which many engi-
neers criticized and much doubt was
expressed as TO its practicabillty.
The first Walker commission report
ed in favor OF the Boca San Carlos
dam as preferable to the Oachoa dam.
Behring'S were made when seemed to
indicate that q rock bottom FOR the
proposed dam could be found at very
short distance below the surface One
OF the surveying parties sent out In ad-
vance Of the present Walker commits
sion was charged with making a more
careful examination Of the Boca San
Carlos site
The result OF this has been to show
that the rock is % feet lower than was
indicated by the former borings. II Is
supposed that the former borings
struck boulders or large pieces Of de,
tached rock. his discovery does not
mean that the route recommended by
the first Walker commission will have
to be abandoned. though IL will neces-
state some changes
1t Is believed that a practicable site
for the proposed dam can be found
at no great distance from the site
formerly selected, and surveys are now
in progress for the purpose Of finding
better location
The necessity for shifting the site Of
the Boca San Carlos dam, II Is as
serted, does not affect the practicable
ity Of the Walker plan as a whole.
Nevertheless, the fact that this error
In the former survey has been dis
covered will be used by the opponents
Of the canal as an argument for delay
In legislation. The strongest argu-
ment Of the opposition has been that
nothing ought 10 be done until after
the report OF the present Walker com.
missioners has been received.
II Is pointed out that the surveys
now in progress are more exhaustive
than any that have heretofore been
made, and that some defect In the for
mer surveys might be discovered that
would make the proposed route imprac-
tlcable.
Senator Morgan will submit a report
10 the Senate on the -Pauncefote
treaty from the Senate committee on
foreign relations In a few days. He
will emphatically declare that the
Clayton Bulwer treaty Is In force and
will discuss the standardization feat
ure showing its advantage.