davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-01-04
Novel Fishing for Sharks.

This being the season of fish yarns
John Ritchie, who has for years con-
Quoted most of the shorthand work
at national conventions, sprung this
story at the Press club:
''About the funniest thingI saw"
he said, twas while on a vessel down
off Hatteras Inlet or some point near
there. One day we ran into about
40, 600. 600, 900 sharks. There was a
lot of them, and l wondered if they
were all there for me. l do think
sharks give everybody sort of creep
ing feeling. We had some fun with
them. There was passenger on
board who had some experience with
the beasts before. He went to the
cook aad got him to make lot of
dumplings. He came on deck wi \
three or four dozen of them and be
gan tossing them to the sharks. They
snapped them down eagerly. Now
you must bear in mind that these
balls in coming from the cook had
time to cool on the outside so that as
they slipped down the sharks thr oat
he did not notice anything out of the
way. But the inside of that ball was
like fiery furnace, and in minute
after it had been swallowed the heat
began to act. l don't believe there is
anything hotter than hot dough, and
if not exposed to the air it keeps hot.
Well, you should have seen those
sharks jump and plunge and throw
themselves. I never saw anything
like it in my life, and, while l am al
ways opposed to cruelty, it doesn't
seem as if there was any harm in do
ing anything to shark. - Chicago
Times Herald.
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-01-04
Gift ofa Famous Flag.

One of the most inters stiug charac-
ters in Martha's Vineyard, Mass., is
Mrs. Harriet Re ecca Stafford, or
"Mother Stafford" now SO years old.
In her cottage is room devoted to
patriotic relics and antiques. But the
pride of her museum-the ensign of
the Bon Homme Richard lis there no
more for she has presented the pre-
cious flag to the United States govern
ment.
One of her heirlooms is gold we'd
ding ring worn by her grandmother
11H years ago Harriet Rebec wore
this ring herself in 1855, when she
became Mrs. John Barnum Ames, and
the ring is of such potent virtue that
she couldn't resist wearing it again
when James Stafford proposed to her.
James Stafford was the son of Lieu
tenant Stafford, who rescued the flag
from the British in the fight between
the Bon Homme Richard and the Ser
apis, when the intrepid Jones told the
British captain to sink him if he could,
.dding by way of emphasis: eff I
lust 60 to the devil had rather strike
TO him than to you."
1t was through the marriage with
VI. Stafford that this genial old lady
came into possession Of the flag. =
Boston Globe.
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-01-04

book, and small mirror. At the foot
of the bed is washstand, with two
bowls and a few toilet articles. On
the transom of the alcove is each
cadets name, which must also appear
over his clothes press and pegs. Guns
have separate rack.
Two cadets occupy a room. The
selection of room mates is left to the
cadets themselves, the authorities
claiming no jurisdiction.
Each cadet takes his turn as room
orderly weekly. The orderly is re-
sponsible for the general order aud
cleanliness of the room. He must see
that the ventilation is perfect, that the
lights go out at taps. Upon him rests
the responsibility of dust appearing
on the shelves. He must not allow
his room mate or any visitor to stand
at the window in shirt sleeves, and
whatever is done in the room he
stands accountable for
Formerly cadets were compelled to
scrub the floors of their rooms, but
civilians are now employed for that
purpose. Thi is the only evidence
of luxury that as cropped up at West
Point during t. e century Of its exist
ence.
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-01-04
Cncorking u Bottle.

A wise woman sat watching her
daughters efforts to remove a cork
mot stopper) from bottle.
Seeing that the cork was about to
break she quietly took the matter into
her own hands, and, with gentle
touch or two, sool had the Lottle ready
for use.
''You did not know the law of
corks?" she said, smiling at the girls
astonishment. ''Do you ow realize
that when cork is put il o bottle
the fingers twist in the same dil ertion
screw is turned, and at the same
time push it home? This causes the
tibres of the Fart OF the cork in the
bottle neck to twist and contract and
squeeze themselves spirally into
smaller space. When the cork must
come out, to turn it in the opposite
dii ection untwists and expands it and
makes it hard to move. If You would
be successful, just turn the cork in ex-
acily the same direction as you did at
first. This contracts it still further,
and then it is an easy matter to lift it
out.
eff the cork should be held by any
sticky mixture it can easily be loos.
ened by plunging the ottle head first
into hot water. This melts the glue
like substance, and little gentle fin
gering will set the cork free, to be
turned as described.
AS everyone knows how provoking
it is to have a cork broken short in a
bott and how prone corks are to this
bit of perversity, the above hint may
lie of value if carefully remembered. =
Chicago Times h erald.
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-01-04
Two Stories of Lawyers.

The logic of wit is the most destruc-
tive logic that is employed against er-
ror. This was aptly illustrated at a
public reception given few nights
ago, at which learned lawyer, who
is slightly lame in his right foot, was
present. The advocate overheard a
lady say to her companion, "That is
MIR. c., the lame lawyer"
Turning around he replied, "No,
madam, am lame man, but not q
lame lawyer"
An amusing incident occurred in
one of the common pleas courts the
other day. The lawyer for the de-
tense was making very lengthy cross
examination of an old lady, when he
was interrupted by the Judge with the
remark: II think you have exhausted
this witness"
eyes, judge" she exclaimed, "I do
feel very much exhausted. ."-Philadel-
phia Call.
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-01-04
The New Government Printing OHice.

The new Government Printing OF
fee will cost about $2,000,000, and it
is said that even after it's completion
it will not be large enough to meet tho
demands upon it. The new building
will be eight stories in height, and its
floor space will be about nine acres.
The floors will sustain load of ST.
900, 900 pounds. The building will
be constructed in such substantial
manner that the entire space can be
filed with paper and books without
injuring it's stability in any degree.
Access to the various floors will be OBJ.
tanned by twelve electric elevators.
The building will be lighted with 1000
incandescent lights. A refrigerating
plant will furnish cold filtered water
on every floor for driking purposes.
A large crematory will destroy all the
refuse material, and this will aid in
heating water, etc. It is hoped in
time that Congress will appropriate
the money for modern typesetting ma
chimes, but it is probable that when
the census is complete and the reports
published, the equipment of the cen.
sus printing Office will revert to the
Government Printing Office. .-Scien'
titic American.
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-01-04

The two thumbs represents 6, the
index fingers each represent 7, the
middle fingers 8, the ring fingers 8,
and the little fingers 10.
To multiply any two of these num-
bers the fingers representing the
multiplier and the multiplicand are
placed together. Beginning with the
fingers placed together, one counts
the number of fingers, including these
two and moving toward and including
the thumb. The sum will be the mum.
ber of tens, or the first numeral of the
product.
A certain number of fingers still
remain below the fingers which have
been joined The fingers remaining
on one hand multiplied by the num-
ber remaining on the other will give
the number of units, or right-hand
unit of the product.
In multiplying 8 by 9, for instance,
the middle finger of the right hand is
placed against the ring finger of the
left hand. as shown in the illustration.
Counting the number of fingers above
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-01-04
Receives.

Frizzle Beet with Eggs Put into
a saucepan one cupful OF milk and one
teaspooful of butter; add cupful of
finely chopped dried beef; cook five
minutes, then add two we'll beaten
eggs and stir till the sauce thickens.
Four the mixture over slices of fried
Tread or toast.
Callers Cake for Teas-Take six
eggs and their weight III sugar, -four
and b tier. Beat all well together in
u clay bowl for half an hour and add
The grated rind OF one lemon; cut alter
rolling the PASTE into small lozenges
and lake in moderate oven a yellow
brown. These keep in tin canister
nicely.
Brains with Tomatoes-To one can
of tomatoes add one chopped onion,
one bay leaf, one tablespoonful OF
butter, one dozen peppercorns, little
nutmeg and salt to taste. Put two
Sc of rains in baking dish, pour
over them the strained tomatoes,
tover with breadcrumbs moistened in
melted butter and bake until brown.
Seringa Fritters (French) = Five
gills of water, sugar to sweeten, four
ounces of fresh batte-, the rind of
lemon grated to POWDER. and pound
Tor more if needed, according to the
absorption) OF fine siftel -four, Beat
half all hour, add gill of orange flower
water, then chill the mixture and beat
in one at time five eggs. In the
reason seringas picked free of any
grass are put in the paste. Fry in hot
fat. draiL an dnst with powdered
sugar. serve with lemon.
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-01-04
ESimplicity ofGadet Life
! at West Point Academy.

Spartan simplicity is the predomin-
ant feature of cadet rooms at West
Point. They are furnished alike.
There are no decorations in one that
cannot be found in all the others. A
millionaire's son has no more privil
eyes than the poorest lad whose brains
and physical perfection secured hie
appointment.
No furniture or ornaments are al
lowed in rooms except those called for
by the regulations. Everything in q
cadets room is purchased out of the
pay he receives from the government.
No ornaments are allowed on the
walls. but few photographs may be
pla,ed on the top shelf of the clothes
press. Each cadet must make up his
bed after reveille. Mattresses and
blankets are folded neatly and piled
against the head. Shoes are lined
parallel on the floor by the side of the
bed. An alcove furnished with hooks
provides a place for uniforms. The
hooks are numbered for each garment.
Nigh clothes and one clothes bag for
each cadet hang on pegs next to the
bed. A small clothes press, having
four shelves, stands against the wall
near the door. This PRESS holds the
remaining belongings Of the occu-
pants.
The mantel ornaments consists of
a neat frame giving the hours of in
struction, copies of the army regula-
tions, U. S. NJ. A. regulations, blue
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-01-04
ANCIENT BOLIVIAN cHAauIs.
Trained Runners Who Carried News
With Amazing Swiftness.

Trained Runners Who Carried News
With Amazing Swiftness.
When the Spanish invaders entered
Bolivia, writes w. E. Curtis in the
Chicago Record, they wondered at the
manner in which their movements
were anticipated ~ the natives.
Every act appeared to be instantly
communicated over the entire empire
almost as swiftly as if sent by tele
graph. After a few months they dis.
covered that there was an organi>a
ton of runners who carried the news
with amazing speed over the snow.
covered mountains and across the
scorching sands. They were known
as the chaquis and were selected by
reason of their physical qualifications
and trained for speed and endurance.
When they became incapacitated by
age or accident, they were given less
arduous duties in the army or about
the court.
AS the Incas had no written Ian.
guagc, their messages were always
oral, so the memories as we'll as the
muscles of the chaluis were trained.
Sometimes the Inca communicated
with his subordinates in other parts of
the country by signs-a ring, piece
of nodded clay or leaf might be
transmitted-w which meant nothing to
the man who bore it or to the people
who saw it in his hands, but was very
portentous to him for whom it was in
tended. AS proof of the speed of the
,l hat ha 10 h Ia
at Cusco was often served with fresh
fish caught in the sea fifty or sixty
hours previous-a distance that now
requires from six to te days travel
by railways and stage. Along the
highways and the mountain trails. at
frequent intervals, were established
station houses, usually erected upon
hillocks and other points of observa.
ton from which the approach of mes
sengers could be detected. AS one
arrived, heated and oreathless, fresh
chaqui would be ready to receive the
message and carry it to the next sta
ton without an instant's delay.
The chaquis still exist, but they are
no longer organized and there is little
use for them. In time of war they
are useful, as they have many of the
instincts and much of the skill of
scouts, and being familiar with the
byways as we'll as the highways are
able to slip through the lines of the
enemy without danger. Some years
ago l saw chaqui OF the name of
Qualnapambo (bird chaser), who was
very swift of foot and almost incapable
of fatigue. He had been employed
for several years by General Caseras,
then president of Peru, and had car
ried message $50 miles without rest
or sleep through the enemy's country
and had returned with the answer
within week.
The chaqui never carries food with
him, but depends entirely upon the
cocoa leaf, nor are his movements i'm
peded by clothing He goes as near
ly naked as possible, but carries a
poncho and paints his legs with a
vegetable dye as protection against
oisonous vines and and the bites OF
insects.
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-01-04

or pencil. The system bears the name
of its inventor, Procopovitch, and has
been introduced into the schools
throughout Poland. A little study OF
the illustration will enable any one to
do sums. Children are required first
to mark the numerals on the ends OF
their fingers that they may remember
them more readily, but adults can get
along without this aid by memorizing
the position OF the numbers.
The system is not used for multi
plying numbers of less than six, since
such problems car readily be done
mentally. The fingers are numbered
as follows:
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-01-04

Eness ran to the center of the square
and sung her challenge, which sound
ed very much like "Tobegontobegon
tobegon," but when repeated slower
for my benefit it sounded like ''to be
gone" thrice repeated.
The square in which the game was
played was something like the accom-
panying diagram, only it was in the
sand and the "laha" lines were made
by bare foot. When the toe of the
shoe declared that Eness was 'it" the
rest gathered about her-Bitruana
aud Bralsidis and Olihay and Vahedis.
Then Eness shouted "Tobegontobe-
gontobegon'' and the other girls
darted away to their corners. The
game was for Eness to touch one of
the others as she passed over the
'laha" lines, and then that one should
be out of the game. The last one
caught should ''stand" the next time.
And want to say that it was just
Jolly play, and one out of which each
player got lots of exercise.
First Bitruana sidled mp to the line
and Eness made dash at her, and as
she did so Olihay skipped across on
her side, and when Eness darted back
that way. vahedis and Bralsedis
crossed sidewise and Eness was where
che started. Each girl screamed with
excitement, but the hand of Eness did
not touch any one, and all Strengthened
up to catch breath.
Eness was probably the most sup
pie one there and she danced out to-
ward Olihay, crying defantly, ''To-
Observation-Disclosures" but Olihay
took backward step and was out Of
harms way-in the part marked
''safe" in the diagram. This gave
Bitruana chance, and she founced
her pretty skirts across the line lust
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-01-04
baha. Favorite game
Of Filipino Children.
How It is Played

Children are a happy lot almost
anywhere, and the Filipino pick a.
ninnies are no exception to the rul
They laugh and shout just like other
children and play their games. Some
thing like "tag" is very popular, and
then there is a play called ''laha" in
Tagalog, which is the language of the
country folk and the fishermen and
all the natives who are not living in
Spanish families.
Laha is the game some of my little
neighbors were playing Saturday after
school, writes Harry A. Armstrong,
the Manila correspondent of the Chi
cago Record. l went to take a pict-
ure, and when they saw the camera
there was scattering, and 1t mp
peared as if L had broken up the
game. But this was not so, for pres
emily the lively troop came back. One
little girl, however, was very tardy
and the others waited for her. After
awhile she came, all dressed up in a
"husa" cloth gown, which trailed ont
behind. Over her shoulders she had
thrown a pima shawl. She seemed
very proud OF her tinery and her poses
appeared very self-conscious. but per-
haps that was due to the stiff gown,
which reached to the ground. The
accompanying picture shows her and
her gown as the children threw the
shoe to see who should stand" The
toe of the shoe was to tell, and it fell
pointing to Eness, graceful girl of
eight years, and full of life and sport.
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-01-04
To Clean Gems.

Talking of gems reminds one that
comparatively few people ever think
of cleaning them, but allow them to
get extremely grimy and then send
them to a jeweler. This accumula-
tion of dirt is very injurious to the
stones. Every few months all rings,
brooches and such articles as are in
constant useless frequently for those
seldom worn-should be brushed with
toothbrush which has been dipped
in eau de cologne, if the setting is
open it must be brushed from the
back. Then lay the article in heap
of lockwood sawdust which has been
slightly heated beforehand and leave
them for some thirty minutes. Gold
chains may be washed in soapslds,
drying them on soft towel by pull
ing the cham backward and forward,
lut care must lie taken to pull it in
the right way of the curb or link.
These may also lie placed i'll sawdus,,
the particles of which can be easily
blown away afterward. The least
damp be ween the links is very likely
to cause them to wear more rapidly.
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-01-04
tOR TIE HOUSEWIVES.


Damp cupboartls and rooms can be
made dry All airy by placing basin
OF fl esn lime where the moisture pene.
traits to the detriment of food, linen,
etc. The lime quickly absorbes the
nnwholesome humidity and the rene.
dy need only be repeated every now
and then. In living rooms, which
are not to be depended upon as being
as dry as would be desirable, it is adj
visable to place saucers containing
salt under sofas, etc. This will alb
sorb the moisture in wonderful man
ner. II thoroughly dried, the salt
can be used again for the same pur-
EOSe.
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-01-04
His Inpartiality.

"What want to see, remarked the
man of theories, ''is an equal dis
tribution of wealth."
That's exactly what [ want tc
see," answered the man with so much
money that he could never find time
to count 1t. ''Did you ever meet my
partner in business? He's fine man
I'd like to see all the wealth in ex
istence divided so that he'll have one
half and I the other"
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-01-04
Hcw to Wash SILK.

All colored silks should never lie
stepped, but washed and ironed as
expeditiously as possible, to prevent
the color going. Squeeze it in warm,
soapy lather mot hot) until clean,
rinse in warm and then in cold water
To the latter add one tablespoonful of
salt and the same of vinegar. This is
done to preserve the color. Squeeze
out tightly, fold evenly and roll in
clean cloth; beat well between the
hands. Iron at once with a moder-
ately hot iron, under muslin, until
nearly dry. Finish without the mus.
lin. White silk must be stepped in
borax water and then washed in the
same way as colored silk except in the
last rinsing water large teasr oonful
of methylated spirit is put to each
pint of water instead of salt and vine.
gar. The methylated spirit imparts
gloss to the silk, and should it be
liked stiff, put one teaspoonful OF pre-
pared gum water to each pint of rims
ing water.
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-01-04

as Eness reached the limit on that
side, and she screamed at her narrow
escape, Eness was back again to the
center, and this time she caught
Bralsidis fair and square. There was
a slap on the shoulder and cry of
delight from Eness as Bralsidis slowly
walked over to the shade of one OF the
nipa huts. From here she joined the
shouting and jumped up and down in
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-01-04

those placed together and including
these, we obtain seven fingers, or 20,
There are now remaining two fingers
on the right hand and one on the left,
which when multiplied give two
These two, added to the number oi
tens, give 70, the product s by 8.
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-01-04

The little girls named live in bamboo
huts with their parents, who are fisher
folk, and who, to be close to the bar,
have built their huts in the back yard
of some wealthier person. The little
girls often go out in the surf and enjoy
the sea to the fullest extent, for the
Filipino children learn to swim early
in life,
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-01-04
Wasted Effort.

"When my wife. gets to jawing, +"
said the man with the frayed cuffs, "I
preserve dignified silence"
Eyes, I heard about it," said the
man with the blue overalls. IT heard
your hired girl telling our hired girl
that you was the best hand at settin'
round an sulkin' she ever seen. -
Indianapolis Journal.
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-01-04

In consequence of the law allowing
wild ducks to be killed nine months
year, those birds are said to be on the
point of determination in the marshes
of Michigan.
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-01-04
The Men Who shout.

The men who are too anxious tt
fight before the battle opens are Otter
conveniently absent when the firing
begins. Pathfinder.
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-01-04

excitement as one of the players
slipped past "laha." Shortly she was
joined by Ohhay, and after awhile by
Vahedis, and Bitruana was darting
about to keep out of reach of Eness.
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-01-04

the railroad running Ladysmih Pite
mazburg Durham The Coenso and likewise
bridge River
of
anxiety London War Office owing the depend
The bridge built of lattice
tubing supported masonry Natal
teen mile south hof
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-01-04
TO MULTIPLY WITH THE FINGERS

An Ingenious System Used in the schoo
of Poland.
A Polish mathematical has invented
an ingenious system whereby large
sums may be multiplied on the finger,
with much less trouble than with per
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-01-04

AT last she was caught and it was a
painting pair of girls that sought the
shade.
After the photographs had been
taken Bitruana slipped into her house
and changed her stiff gown, and when
she came out she was clad as the
others. 1t was with much vigor, and
little, if any, restraint that she danced
in the centre of the field and cried
"Tobegontobegontobegon," and then
sidled off to the right, while she kept
her eyes on the left line. Suddenly
she whirled like wink and caught
Olihay as she was crossing from right
to left, not knowing that Bituana was
looking. So the game went on, and
this time Vahedis was the last and by
and by she was caught.
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-01-04

One of the large laundries in the
suburbs of Paris has adopted this
means of hanging its clothes up to dry
above the contaminated atmosphere Of
the French metropolia