davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1900-04-09
EMPHASIZED HIS LAST WILL.
How an Old Steamboat Captain Tried to
 Prevent a Contest.

From the New Orleans Times-Denn- ocrat. T am free to admit this story sounds a trihe fishy," said New Or leans lawyer, chatting over an after dinner cigar, "but I happen to know it is absolutely true. Last summer a local business man, who it isn't neces- sary to name, made new will ot rather an elaborate and peculiar char acter. T am bound to say to you, re- marked his attorney, when the docu- ment was completed, that I think It more than likely your children will make a contest if this will is ever probated' I'm going to have talk with them on that very subject re- torted his client Yes, replied the at torney. but when your voice is stlIled forever they may think differently about it. That remark set the old man to Dondering, and he finally hit on very picturesque expedient- He had photograph at his office, and, put ting on a fresh cylinder, he roared his last ininnctiens into the receiver in his most impressive style. Then he carefully removed the record, swathed it in cotton wool, and filed it away with the will Next day he sent for the lawyer and gave him specific diree- tions what to do after the demise. I want you to call the family together,
 1e said, and read the will carefully rom beginning to end. As soon as you get through and before they have time to talk about it, start the phono- graph going and let 'em hear my last message Be sure to have a good, big horn on the machine and see that everything is in frst=elass working orGef. You had better keep the thing n your office, he continued, and any lime a contest is mentioned just turn it loose The old gentleman was Q steamboat captain in his early days and he has way of giving an order that makes one jump to hear it. 1 am inclined to believe that his scheme is a good one, and that his parting ad- iuration. coming as it were from the grave. will have a highly diseouraging effect on litigation. ?
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1900-04-09
Magnificent Canal Planned.

4 canal is to be built about the grounds of the Pan-American exposi- tion to be held in Buffalo in 1901. In the construction of the canal it will be necessary to remove 180,000 cubic yards of earth. for the canal will be nearly two miles in length. and it will be not less than forty feet in width and from three feet six inches to four feet in depth. This magnificent water way will skirt the entire exposition grounds, and on either side of it there will be beautiful walks thirty-five feet in width. One of the ideas that the architects had in mind was the beau ties of the ensemble at night, when the magniicently illuminated building would cast yari-colored reflections upon the limpid waterway. It is the intention of the management to con struct at short distances along the canal stopping places at points of in- terest, and to run on the canal large number of beautiful craft, so that the visitors may visit the buildings of the exposition either by land or water, for all of the buildings will have an en- trance on either side.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1900-04-09
Oriental Advertisers.

Some of the similies used by oriental advertisers are remarkable. Here are one or two specimens which have re- gently appeared in eastern news papers: Goods dispatched as expedi- tiously as a cannon ball" Parcels done up with as much care as that bestowed on her husband by loving wife, Paper tough as elephant s hide" @The print of our books is clear as crystal, the matter elegant as a singing girl. Customers treated as politely as by the rival steamship companies" Silks and satins smooth as a lady's cheek and eolored like the rainbow.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1900-04-09
SAILORS SUPERSTITION.
Some of the Things That Bring Bad
 Luck 10 Ship.

Pets are believed to bring good luck and when, in the recent war with Spain. a man was struck and killed by a bursting shell on the Texas, all the sailors in the fleet said 1t was because the battIeship was without mascot. The eat has q bad reputation among seafaring men. most of whom believe that she brings ill-lnek ta a ship. If a eat falls overheard and=ts drowned fshe is always rescued if possibIe49 the men will often leave at the next port, believing the ship is doomed and l have heard memo war men cite the ease of the old KearsaTge as proof thereof. On her last voyage the frigate carried a cat and monkey. ! violent feud existed between them and on their way north. one dark and stormy night, Joeko threw poor Tom over board, running along Che rail and chat tering like fend as the unfortunate pet disappeared =in the boiling waves. The seas were running too high 10 adj nit of launching a boat, and puss was left to a watery grave, but not without many gloomy fofebodings. which were realized soon afterwards. when tae Keafsarge stranded on the fatal reef. To fall down without any apparent cause is warning Of death iH the inn mediate future. An American cruiser was lying off Nice a few years ago. when seaman fell prone on the deck UpoR rising. he went to his bunk. and. returning. placed a slip of paper bear ing his mothers address in the hand of a messmate saving he did not expect to see home again For the nose to bleed only a few drops is believed in the navy to foretelI death in as many days or weeks as there are drops of blood You may hear sailor sing at sea, but he rarely whistles; whistling is supposed to bring a hurricane. and is always hushed by the remark, There's hurricane sailor here. = self=Cultare
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1900-04-09
courting In Brazil.

On Sunday evenings the young man is welcomes into the parlor where q row of chairs extends along the four walls. The whole family seats itself and amidst a general conversation the poor fellow is supposed to do the WOO ing. If he wishes to escort his faneee to theater the family and daughter will walk ahead, while he follows by his lonely self. In short, the couple are never permitted to be alone and the natural consequence is a cIandes- tine wooing.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1900-04-09
Taught His Dog to Pace.

Minneapolis Journal NJ B. Scott. 3 veterinary surgeon of Farihaalt, s. D. has a novelty in the shape of wonder ful pacing dog. So far as is known, this fs the only instance on record Of 3 pacing dog, though a trotting dog is not unheard of, and man named Har- ry Ketcham, q Canadian, once owned q trotter whom he called Doe This dog. whieI was pointer, he exhibited al race-tracks and fairs all over the country. He was said to have made $f0.000 out of the animal Dr. Scots dog will rae against either a horse or q bicycle, and seems to enjoy t. though he evidently regards it as Tery seri- ous matter Gypsy, as the doctor calls him, can make very good time. and pr. Scott has speeded am from q standing start to make quarter Of a mile in forty-five seconds. and the first eighth in twenty seconds. When he was teaching him to pace. pr. Scott put small string hobbies on him in order to preyens him from breaking. Gypsy paced a little before the doctor bought him, though so little as 10 be Of no consequence; but his new master thought he saw possibilities of the dog doing better. and began q course Of careful and systematic training, until he obtained the present result. The dog is pure blooded St. Bernard and weighs 140 pounds. Is three feet high. measures six feet from the tip of his bushy tail to the end Of his handsome nose and is about I years old. He races alone, without a driver and. be- sides being very fine animal, is real curiosity
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1900-04-09
MANILA PIGS AND CHICKENS
The Former Will Always Attract
 Crowd.

One of the curious sights to an American visiting the Chinese and na- tive quarters is the eyer=present pig. but as pigs are not allowed at large they have an ingenious method of ty- ing the pigs by the ears, says Manila Freedom. They cut small hole through the pigs ears, one=haf to an inch in diameter; through this hole they insert a rope, with large knot on one end. This rope securely con- fines the pigs liberties about the prem ises. The same sights are also often seen on the native boats and even on the swell launches plying about Manila bay. Transporting pigs through the E streets of Manila will always attract a crowd, although the sight is very common one The legs of the pig are securely tied together and the pig is then suspended on the long pole rest ing on the shoulders of two native car riers The pig, with his legs up and head down, makes about as much noise while in transit as the pig under a gate in the state of Missouri, and never fails to hold the crowd. It is a very common sight to see hen or a rooster staked out in the dooryard of a native house. Game cocks are pick eted just as the plafnsman pietets his pony. A string is tied to the leg of the fowl and small wooden peg 3s tied to the other end. When the na- tive makes q visit he carries the fovl and when he stops to chat the picket pin Is pushed into the ground, and MT. Chicken is quite al home.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1900-04-09
An Attempt to Exterminate Brigands.

A vigorous attempt has recently been made to extermiaate the Sicilian brig ands. Tie notorious Elias band was 50 powerful that even great landed proprietors. farmers and mayor aided the brigands in their sinister designs in order to secure immunity for them selves. At last they were hunted to earth In the solitudes of Mont Dorgolai in the province of Nuoro, and one after another they were shot down by the Italian troops
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1900-04-09
Decrease of Births in Europe.

Analysis of the official figures of diff ferent European countries. in respect to births and deaths, shows that the country in which the decrease of births is most striking is England, including Wales. whose co efficient of decrease Is 0.306 per one hundred; Scotland, whose mean birth rate is nearly the same. decreases but 0.027= per one hun dred: and Ireland, whose birth rate is much smaller, decreases only 0.233 per one hundred. Somewhat after Eng land and Scotland. but before Ireland are found Holland and Germany, hay ing coeffieient of decrease of 0.0244 per one hundred. followed closely by Belgium. 0.0239. Then, passing by Greece. comes France, whose natality decreases annually by 0.0f79 per one hundred After France comes Russia, O.0f58; Sweden. O.0147; Switzerland, OOPS, and last come, having less than O.0f per one hundred, Denmark 00078; Austria, 0.0077 Pomerania, 0.0033, and Hungary. 0.0024 On the other hand, an increase is noted in Italy and Spain, while Seryia and Norway are nearly stationary.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1900-04-09
France Is Extravagant.

Paul Leroy -Beaulieu comments on the French budget for 1900 with a tone of alarm If the future of French finance consists, he says in spending each year 35,000 .000 francs more than in the preceding year French prosper ity is bound to suecumb All nations it is said, are constantly doing the same thing increasing expenditure But whatever other nations do, France, MT. Leroy =Beaulieu argues, cannot afford it. Her budget is 800,- 000,000 francs more than Englands though England has 1000 GOO more of population and is probably IS to 20 per cent richer
 spaniards Good Map Makers.
 The Spanish engineer officers were among the best mapmakerss I ever saw in my life. said Capt. Stephen O'Con- nor, who has recently returned from the Philippines Their maps of Luzon were perfect. and l never saw any that excelled them Every road, stream and hamlet appeared on these maps and not only this, but the plotting was exact l do not know that at any time in my life l have found maps to excel these ''
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1900-04-09
oliest Book in the World.

Tardy justice is at length to be done to another of the many martyrs of science in the person of Prisse di AYen- nes, the diseoverer of the famous max inns of Ptah Hotep. which has been claimed as the oldest book in the world. Prsse d'Ayennes was munt- ficent donor in his time to the muse ums of Paris, and most periodically refused all offers from other nations to work for them as an archaeologist when the trade of exploring was more highly paid and less crowded than it is today. He died in poverty at the age of 72, and his grateful country has now named street in Paris after him and proposes to place his bust in the Egyptian museum of the Louvre.-Pall Mall Gazette.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1900-04-09
1t is Impossible
 to Get Away

from the fact that fin BOO Nhiie other butchers changed their shops, And the name of other meat firms
 Hops. Peddler3 haul their stuff thro' mud and sl0p. StizEtfe eople know That to the eld reliable They Fe always got to go, fO get the meat that K dfsira ablp.
 lIFY NEAT MARKET
 2l0 West Stcond, R. r. Holmes, Prop.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1900-04-09
Ages Of Trees.

A weH-known scientist furnishes some information in regard to the ages of trees. He assigns to the pine tree 500 to roo years as the maximum. 425 years to the silver fir, and ITO to the ash.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1900-04-09
Weather Talk.

When men cannot get their brains together on other subjects, they fall into friendly discussion of the weather In the last eight or ten years 1 have talked weather with 10000 clever felz lows, and the unanimous verdict is that fhe seasons are changing. that Ghriat= mas is greener than it used to be- and that winter fingers seandalously long in the lap of spring; that we have no cold weather until January; and no autumn until December; that blizzards come in April which used to come in February. that roses which used to bloom in May now bud in Junei that navigation in the Hudson closes later every year; that sleighing that used to be excellent in November is now FOOT in December and January that skating is better in the rtnks than on lakes and ponds; that the groundhog sees his shadow later by several weeks than he saw it ten years ago.-New York Press.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1900-04-09

Aloon 5 7arsaparlna. Il clear neaa and healthy body are given by it's use.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1900-04-09

Walker Drug Co.,, keep standine
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1900-04-09

'. ssy t.A Sa~ ea..*
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-12-13
The cantannial Celebration.

The Centennial Celebration. which
began in Washington yesterday, was q
brilliant success. Great enthusiasm
prevailed and the occasion over
Swallowed everything else. Traffic was
suspended and everything possible was
done 60 add TO the pleasure and success
Of the event.
The celebration opened at 10 O'Clock
Yesterday morning, when President
Mckinley received the Governors OF the
States and Territories. Subsequent to
this Dol. Theodore A. Bingham IN
yelled a model and drawings OF an en-
lsrged executive mansion. Distfict
Commissioners mcfarland delivered an
address upon the DISTRICTS Development
and Gov. Shaw discussed upon the de-
velopment Of the States.
In the afternoon the President pro-
ceeded TO the reviewing stand at the
Capitol He was escorted by the Gov
ernors of the States and Territories
with their stats, large detachments OF
the army, navy and Marine Corps. the
National Guard Of the various States
and District of Columbia. naval militia,
veterans Of wars and distinguishe d
civilians. He reviewed this parade,
and then, with members of the Diplc-
matte Corps, Cabinet, Supreme Court,
Governors, Admiral Dewey. General
Miles end the Senators and Representa-
tives, repaired TO the Houle OF Repre-
sentatives Addresses there were made
By Representatives Richardson and
Payne and Senators McOomas, Hoal
and Daniel.
The celebration terminated with
reception to the Governors Of the State
and Territories at 8 O'Clock p. M
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-12-13
The Constitutional Convention.

The question Of the basis of repre-
se.tation in the constitutional conven-
ton ia enc as to which the members OF
the Legislature hold different views.
Most of those Who have expressed them
selves think the body should be com
posed of an even 100 delegates. There
are others who contend that fifty or
sixty delegates would be sufficient.
Hon. George Y. Haoley. member OF the
House from Mathews aud Gloucester,
said he inclined 20 favor q plan
whereby the delegates would be elected
BY Senatorial districts. He thought
better material would be secured. Mr..
Hunley said further that he did not
think any member ought to become a
candidate for delegate. There Is another
nlan that has met with much favor
wherever discussed and that is to ar
range convention districts" about
tTenty five or thirty in number ana TO
give TO each one. two. three, or four
delegates.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-12-13
MARRIAGES.

Next month the wedding Of Miss
Elsie French 60 Alfred Gwynne Vac
derbilt, who now comes into possession
Of s45 900, 600 from his fathers estate
takes places Miss French has fortune
Of 50 900, 900 IN her own right.
Mss Daley Post. niece of Frederick
W Vauderbilt. and James Il. Van Alen'
grandson u Mrs Wm AstOr, were mar
ried 10 New York Monday. The union
of the houses Of Aston and Vanderoilt
was marked By gifts Of she aggregate
value estim ated ct 1920. 900.
Licensed in Washington to marry
O O.Gngsby and Katherine N. Staples
of King George Oourt-house, Va vii
liam Estes, Of Charlottesville and Emma
J. Wright, Of Orange county. Joha Il
White and Lottie l.. POsey. OF Prince
William county. Thomas 3. Warfell
and CLARA III Combs, both OF Westmole-
land county. james ElkinS. OF Orange
Ooart. house, Va and Margaret Murray,
of Culpspsr county.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-12-13

DR.. IN. Barney Surgeon OF the 7Oth
Va Regiment, lefs for Washington
Yesterday morning 20 join the regiment
and participate in she Centennial parade
The Misses Ficklen have as their
guest at their home Belmont, near
Falmouth. Misses Mary and Lucy Hayes
Of Richmond.
Mrs. W. l.. Rurruss and daughters
Misses Julia and Berthe, left yesterday
for Washington, where they Will spenu
several days.
Mr.. s. |. Baggett. Jr., Of the county
left Tuesday for a visit 10 relatives In
Washington.
Nc. d. T. Bullock. of Caroline. was
visitor at The Free Lance office yester-
day.
Miss Jennie Phillips is visiting her
sister, Mrs. B. II. Warner in Washing
ton.
Mr.. Ohss. II Hurkamp has returned
from a pleasant visit 20 Warrenton.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-12-13
CULPEPER.
Fine Cattle Large Farms Sold az Goou
Pricss-Angora Goat Ranch-other
Notes, Etc, ETC.

Correspondents Of The Free Lance. }
Oulp per Va. Dec. 10. 1890.
This has been al unusually hGe fall
for the farmers for getting IN corn
moving and In Other work. such as
making ready for Christmas etc.
III. p. Nelson, Jr sold 20 Messrs.
s. NJ NswhOuse Il son, sixty head Of
fat castle. said - be the latest lot
ever shipped from Brandy Station. Inc
average weight was $40 p3unds.
Msssrs. Prosssr & WIue nave opened
an Aagors goat ranch on the FieetyoOd
farm near Brandy. They have already
brought down q lot Of g)ats and will
soon buy more The wool from thsm Is
said 80 be worth from 30 90 90 cents
per pound. and il il is true that they
live on the briars and Acorns they
ouzht 10 do we'll, as Mt. Dnmpling has
several hundred acres Ia OAKS that Will
furnish an abundance of acorns.
Hon Jno. +. Rix9y has recently sold
to a gentleman from Maryland his farm
on both sides of the railroad between
Elkwood and Remington, containing
about !. 800 acres for $Sl 900
The Williams Bros. have also sold
their farm near town. containing 22o
acres, 90 Mr.. Marshall, Of Maryland, for
s. 600.
Mr.. O. A. Sanders shipped on Friday
last a pair Of foe driving horses years
old 20 gentleman in Baltimore, at
ABOUT 5000
The circuit court. Judge d A.
Gfimsley presiding, has been ia sessio n
for several days bat nOFhing OF special
importance has been disposed OF.
Mr. George l. Berry, OF Mitchell =,
who has been extremely i'll for the last
several mon ms. is, sm glad 20 say.
much better He is getting up and
d1Tu stairs. Is lively and cheerful. his
oversight is getting much better and Is
is confidently expected be Will be cut
again soon. feliA'
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-12-13
MR.. LITTLE ARRAIeNEp
Gives Bail for $1,000.

Ex.State Senator w. A. Little was
arraigned In the Corporation OouIt
Yesterday, aud on motion OF hiss counsel
Judge John L Goolrick. his case wAe
continued until Tuesday, January oth
Bail was renewed In the SUN OF 81 OUO
with the following bondsmen MessTs
J. NJ Griffin, o. l. Kennedy, II. W
MoOally, d NJ Lee. ]. s. Wallace
Isaac Hirsh, r. o. Fitzhugh, Joseph
Walkar
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-12-13
Masonic Memorial to George Washing.
ton.

District Deputy Grand Master and
PAst Master James Psrke OoFbin. OF
ledge No. 4. A. f. 81 A. NJ Of this
civ. viii on Friday proc eed to Mount
VeTnon aud plAce a wreath OF ever
green On the grave Of George Washing
ton This ia IN accordance with rec
olaiion passed last year by the lodge
as a memorial annually, messenger
60 tear the wreath to be elected each
year. Alexandria. Washington Lodge,
Of Alexandria, will appoint commit
tee from that lodge TO accompany Mr..
Oorbin from that city TO Mount Yer.
non.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-12-13
CAROLINE COURT.

Only once in the recollection Of The
Free Lance representative has a small
or crowd assembled at Caroline court
than was present Monday. IL required
two judges, however. 90 transact tue
business Of the court Judge Il Ii. Il.
Chichester presided when Judge Mon
cure had GASES wherein he was inter
ested, and in the evening again took
charge.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-12-13
CRISP NOTES DOWN THE RIVER.

J. II o. Beverley says that a Farm
ers' Institute will be held at lUrbann a =,
on the lower RsppAhannock, some time
10 the spring.
90 600 gallons Of oysters were shipped
from packing houses IN Lauc lster ooun-
ty to Northern markets during Thanks
giving week. and 2 600 from houses at
Mandy Point. Northu cumberland county.
Large quantities Of four and sugar
barrels are being bought up by oyster
shippers as the heaviest shipments Of
the season are about 90 begin. Buyers
have secured about ell Of the surplus
barrels in Norfolk.
Mr.. r. M. Sanders. treasurer Of Lam
caster county, was painfully, though
not seriously, injured last week. A
wagon team, which was behind Mr..
Sanders vehicle. took fright and ran
away. Throwing Mr. Sanders out OF
his vehicle. the wagon passed over
his body.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-12-13
COL. Hill to be Buried Here

The remains Of Dol Edward Hill.
of Michigan. whose death was reported
recently. will arrive here today at IL 49,
and accompanied by friends ana tne
Masooic Lodge Of this city, Will be
taken direct TO the National Cemetery
for interment.