davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Leon reporter., 1900-05-31
Future of the Wounded.

An army loses far more of its
strngtn tnrtegn It's wounded than
through its killed. There are four or
five wounded to one killed, and the
dead men give no trouble, while the
wounded require an immense number
OF non-combatants to attend to them.
great many of the wounded return
to duty; but, as rule, more than half
of them take no further part in the
war Probably the same thing is
occurring out in Africa now as oc-
CURED in previous wars for the effects
OF the new weapons do not seem to
differ greatly from those of the old. In
that case it is easy to calculate what
generals lose by having so MANY men
wounded If they fight in a battle in
which 100 are killed and wounded the
probabilities are that twenty would
die on the field, twelve of the wound
ed would die later on. twenty-one
would be invalided home, while forty
seven would return, cured. to. duty.
These are the averages for big battles
in which there are several thousand
casualties.-New York Press.
The Leon reporter., 1900-05-31
A Brave Mans Gent,enes..

The Army and Navy Journal gives a
touching incident, which shows how
gentle a nature may exist beneath the
sternness which at times reckons not
the life Of men while in the pursuit of
victory. The late Commander James
w. Carlin was in command of the Van
dalia at Apia, Samoa, during the ter
rible storm of March 16, 1889. One
evening, some years afterward. on re-
tiring to his room While visiting his
sister, he found mouse that had fall
en- into a basin Of water, and was
struggling for its life. There was
agony and defiance in that little fell
lows eye," said the commander. speak
ing of it the next day "As gazed on
that helpless little creature l thought
Of that terrible night on the Vandalia,
and going to the open window l gent
ly emptied the contents of the bssnn.
didn't dry him with my towel, but
saved his life" the commander
added.
The Leon reporter., 1900-05-31
By Carrie. Macmullen

L
| The sentiments responsible for the
'eslsaJllsil,..,er. T-:lfa 4tSoraotJrr ,G.v cas-
an annual memorial to dead soldiers
are complex, the feelings of those who
participate in the services are varied.
1t is hard for reasonable being to
understand the necessity for the
slaughter of a very brave and noble
portion of the human race in order to
establish peace prosperity and the
right to pursue happiness for the re-
naming portion. People go to the
cemeteries on decoration day filled
with mixed emotions. 1t is hard for
father and mother to understand
why they should give up their son in
all the strength of his manhood, a
sacrifice on the altar of his country.
The privilege of placing few flowers
on his grave is small compensation
for the great loss they have sustained.
If there were no life beyond the tomb
their gray hairs would come speedily
in sorrow to fill other new made
graves beside that of the hero. A bust
ness life is battle, but the soldier
carries his life openly in his hand,
ready at any moment to fling it away
as sacrifice for the benefit of his
The Leon reporter., 1900-05-31
Shields for Modern Warriors.

Recent experiments at Sheffield Eng
land, suggest the possibility that in
the twentieth century shields may once
more form an important part of the
equipment of an army. Steel shields,
three millimeters in thickness and
about $50 square inches in area, have
been devised. which afford complete
protection against bullets fired from
the service rifle of 400 yards. The
small size of the shield, which weighs
only seven pounds, requires that the
soldier shall lie prone on the ground
In order to be sheltered. Each shield
has loophole for the rifle, and studs
at the sides so that series of them
can be linked into continuous screen.
The idea is that by the use of such
shields the necessity of digging
trenches may often be avoided.
The Leon reporter., 1900-05-31
DECORATION DAY.
Bring flowers fresh, of richest hue,
With petals filled with fragrance

Bring flowers fresh, of richest hue,
With petals filled with fragrance
rare;
Bring flowers sweet, of azure blue,
Bring flowers, and with tender care,
or lighter tint, cen fairest white.
Bestrew them thickly Ger each
grave
In which there sleeps soldier brave.
Bring flowers that we honor those
Who saved our country from her
foes,
Who freed from slavery's CALLING
chain,
And raised to manhood's true estate
Our brother dark from DER the main;
Who brought to shame a tyrant's
lust,
And raised our standard from the
dust.
Bring flowers, and may we today
Learn we'll to guard our nations
life;
And with our "commrades" let u,
That He "who doeth all things
WE'LL"
VIII save our land from future strife
That all who come from every cline
May dwell in peace throughout all
time
Mrs j. Elliott Snow, in Household
Realm.
The Leon reporter., 1900-05-31

oh, II only knew where his grave
Isl" she exclaimed. "if only knew!"
Quick as thought the veteran i.poke
up. Its here, madam, right here in
this cemetery. l was by it not half an
hour ago."
She rose slowly to her feet. looking
steadfastly at him as though he might
make an effort to escape Take me
there" she said; please take me there
-now!"
In her excitement her flowers had
fallen to the ground. | picked them
up and gave them to her
She smiled at me and said. Il told
you l should need them. | felt it, |
knew it,"
Ten minutes later. looking across the
long rows of grassy mounds with the
afternoon shadows resting heavily up
on them, saw Jim's widow kneelng
by soldiers grave, her hands casped
and her face uplifted as if in grateful
prayer. Beside her stood the gray
haired veteran, with barred head. and
on Jim Hopes grave lay the bunch Of
flowers brought by his widow in the
longing hope that the good God would
show her where to place them
81 wish only to add that few weeks
later | introduced in the House a bi,l
to expunge from the record the charge
of desertion against James Hope
When the bill came up for final pas
sage | read Hopes last letter to his
wife. That letter carried the day
When the vote was taken there was
not dissenting voice.
But l never could induce Jim's wid-
ow to apply for pension.
II can get along without it," she
said. They've got the books fixed all
right now down there at Washington,
and that's all l want. I'm satisfied
and happy"
The Leon reporter., 1900-05-31
THOUGHTS FOR MEMORIAL DAY.

men. Willing to do or die they went
forth in their might to belch out death
10 anv -rshc might rise egA.sc- IN.
flag. the emblem of free people, or
to treat with American magnanimity
such foes as might fall captives to
them. Such a man is the soldier OF
the. United States army. He is not an
ideal man existing in the imagina-
ton OF some dreamer. but moving,
active figure, full of snap in the very
front line of realism. He is not
man with soul SO dead that he has
never said that this is not his native
land. Being true to his country he is
very likely to be true to his father
and mother, true to his wife, true to
his children. Many believe that war
is an unmixed evil In the abstract
it is 1t is wholesale murder, brought
about sometimes by the incompetency
OF national powers to arbitrate their
differences and at other times by in
surrectionary uprisings of the people.
In either case, the soldier, who repre-
sents force, execution of the govern
ment's demand, is an after considera-
ton. The fighting comes last, and fire.
quently it is the last of the soldier.
Yes, cover the grave with beautiful
The Leon reporter., 1900-05-31
Much Shaken Japan.

In 1893 the Japanese government ap-
pointed an Investigating committee on
earthquakes. This committee, which
has now nearly completed it's labors,
reports, among other things, that it
seems liekly that one part or another
of Japan will be visited by a destruc-
tive earthquake once in every two and
half years. That portion of the land
bordering the Japan Sea is seldom dis
turbed by other than local earth
quakes, while the Pacific coast of the
country frequently suffers from great
shocks originating under the ocean.
When a region is shaken by constantly
recurring small earthquakes, it appears
to be rendered safe against the occur
renee of destructive shocks, because the
accumulation of stress in the earth S
crust at that point is prevented.
The Leon reporter., 1900-05-31
NOTES |oN SCIENCE
CURRENT NoAes OF DISCOVERY
AND INVENTION.
A Spigot That Discharges Quart or
Pint as Desired-Balanced Fishing Rod
With Reel on End-Decline of the
Yellowstone Geysers.
Decline of yellow.tone eessers.

Prof. E. H. Barbour of the Univer-
sity of Nebraska, after comparing his
own observations in 1895 with those
In 1899, and collecting the opinions of
other visitors to the National Park,
expresses the fear that within a de-
cade many of the scenes now most at
tractlve in the wonderful Yellowstone
valley will have disappeared. He gives
details showing that nearly all the
hot springs and geysers have declined
in activity. 'Old Faithful" geyser still
does honor to its name. but the inter
val between its eruptions, formerly an
hour, has increased to Is or so min
utes. Meanwhile there seems to be an
increase of ebullition in the water Of
the greatest of all the geysers, the Ex
celsior, whose outbursts have always
been separated by irregular periods,
covering years at stretch, and there
is hope that it may be preparing an
other exhibition of its power.
The Leon reporter., 1900-05-31

by. with an empty sleeve pinned to his
breast. stopped gallantly and picked up
the bit of cardboard, and was about
to return 1t to the widow when some
thing about the picture attracted his
attention. He looked at it steadfastly
for a moment, and then he looked at
her.
Was he any relation to you?" he
asked, holding UP the photograph.
Why, yes" she replied, brokenly;
yes, he was my husband Did-did
you know him?"
The veteran was still studying the
picture as he replied to her.
Did l know him? Why, l was his
captain. There wasn't a man in my
company that knew better or loved
more. He was every inch a soldier.
He was devoted to the flag He was
with us at Gettysburg. He fought like
alike a-why, he was whole batta-
lion in himself He was killed there
in the peach orchard. He died with
his head on my arm. l think he was
the bravest man. the most heroic SOL
dier | ever saw"
The little old woman had grown
taller, straighter, younger with every
word. Pride. joy, gratitude inexpressi-
BILE shone in her countenance. She put
her hands together, and raised them
high above her head. She turned her
glorified face to the sky. God, thank
thee for this day!'' she said.
The old soldier went on enthusias-
tically, Eyes. he won his corporal's S
stripes by the most daring piece of
work 1 ever saw. That was after he
The Leon reporter., 1900-05-31
Is There a Planet "yuloans ..

Among the special observations to be
undertaken during the total eclipse OF
the sun visible in Jur southern states
OH Nag 7sth, will be sysSto,nec.a
search with the aid of photography,
for the supposititiaas planet Vulcan"
revolving around the sun within the
orbit of Mercury. 1t was thought that
this planet had been seen during the
eclipse of 1878. but later observations
failed to confirm the discovery. I'm
der the direction of Professor Picker
ing of Harvard and of Professor Lang
ley Independent efforts will be made
to catch Vulcan" if it exists, on pho
tographic plates
The Leon reporter., 1900-05-31
Measuring Spiyot.

A measuring drawoff, or spigot, that
can be applied to all kinds of liquid
receptacles, the invention of William
NJ Ried. of Bishopsville, S. c., is shown
here. 1t will be seen that the dis
charge spout is made of goodly pro-
portions, and that it is provided with
number of stops or valves. Well, the
spout is made of such dimensions and
the stops SO located that the liquid
contained between the outer stop, or
discharge valve, and the next stop ex-
actly equals some predetermined unit,
as, for instance, one pint, and that be
tween it and the next stop, quart 1t
is evident. then, that as the discharge
valve is closed. and the other two
valves or plungers are naturally held
in an open position by means of
The Leon reporter., 1900-05-31
Reel on End of Rod.

By novel arrangement of parts
Taylor Roos of Sodom N. Y, has pro-
duced fishing rod which is not only
better balanced than the ordinary rod,
but which permits of very conven-
lent and ingenious method of reel ma
nipulaton. The hand-grip, at the end
OF which the reel is located, is divided,
and within it are arranged the gear
wheels and springs for the reel-actuat-
ing mechanism. The line extends
through the hand-grip to the rod,
which is adjustable in it. The reel is
spring-actuated, and is provided with
brakes for checking its speed, and
The Leon reporter., 1900-05-31
sclentia ac Jottlpe.

The new motto fire engine oil the
Paris municipality is doing excelIe,
work. It renzBd Bd vaida be assls lanee
at the Trianon theater fire and at the
st. ouen spirit warehouse fire. The
engine carries six men and travels at
~ rate of thirteen miles an hour.
Some old quarries of Oriental aha,
Daster have recently been discovered
in the neighborhood Of Monte Amiata,
near Siena. 1t now seems probable
that the beautiful columns of that ma
terlal in the interior of the cathedral
of Siena came from those quarries. The
quarries are about to be worked.
Viennese telephone girls are required
to change their clothing and wear
uniform when on duty in order that
the dust which they bring in with
them will not interfere with the instru-
ments. The costume is a dark skirt
and waist with sleeves, striped black
and yellow, the national colors.
The hardened end of steel bit or
chlsel broke off in a bore hole at a
depth Of $50 feet in place in Germany
and this obstruction prevented further
boring of the hole because all the dia-
monds wore away. The following plan
was hit upon to remove it: A soft steel
bar, five feet in length and two and
seven-tenths inches in diameter, was
covered by single winding of India
rubber tape and magnetized by a cur
rent Of a small dynamo driven byt a
portable engine employed for the work
of boring. The steel bar was let doHn
magnetized into the hole and when il
reached the bottom the current VS.
switched through the conductor i
closed in the rope for letting down an5
drawing up. On the first day that this
method was employed the piece of stee}
was drawn up to the surface, so thai
the boring could be resumed
The Leon reporter., 1900-05-31

springs, that the liquid will fill up the
spout. Supposed that it is desired to
draw a quart of it. Upon pressing
down the quart plunger. just a quart
of liquid is held between it and the
discharge valve at the end of the
spout so that when the valve is opened
that quantity will flow out. This spout
could very conveniently be made OF
glass, SO as to assure the customer that
he was receiving full measure. The
advantage of some such arrangement
as this, in saving time, cleanliness and
prevention of excess deliveries. will
readily be appreciated by all dispensers
of fluids.
The Leon reporter., 1900-05-31
(By Homer Greene.l

A few years ago, when l was in
y Washington as the representative in
Congress from one of the eastern dis
tricts of Pennsylvania, the monotony
OF somewhat uninteresting session
was broken for me one April after
noon by the appearance of doorkeep-
er at my desk with visitors card. 1t
was simply scrap of paper on which
was written in womans handwriting,
old fashioned and awkward, James
Hopes Widow"
Il think she's a little queer, SIR
said the doorkeeper, as followed him
up the aisle.
In the lobby, waiting for me, was a
little woman apparently about sixty
years of age. She was dressed neatly
in black. but noticed that her cloth
ing was faded. and somewhat worn in
spots.
Her face was pale and wrinkled, and
in her eyes, as she came forward to
meet me. was that searching, wistful
look that one always finds in the eyes
of those who have long pursued cer-
tain object without success.
I've been good while getting my
courage up to come and see you,' she
said, smiling. But l couldn't make
out to wait any longer I'm from w.
naming small village in one of the
counties of my congressional district
People were pushing heedlessly past
her, and pressing about the door. "Td
like to see you alone, if l can," she
said, looking timidly about her. "It's
so noisy here it kinds of upsets me-"
led the way to one of the alcoves
in the House library, and gave her a
chair at one side of the small table
while sat at the other. She came at
once to the object of her visit.
My husband was killed at the bat
tie of Charlottesville. she said, "or
died of his wounds,I don't know which
Or maybe he was taken prisoner and
died in the South. never heard any
thing from him after that battle. But
anyway, he's dead. know Jim's dead
and know he died fighting for his
country; and I'm Jim's widow
supposed, of course, that she had
made application for pension, and
had found difficulty in establishing he1
claim. So said to her:
II presume the department requires
more exact data concerning the time
The Leon reporter., 1900-05-31

place and cause of your husband's s
death. Is it so?"
NO" she, replied, "it isn't hardly
that. They won't acknowledge that he's
dead at all. can't seem to make them
believe it. Not dead!" she exclaimed,
softly, mot dead! and l living for 80
years in the old home He thought
the world and all OF me, Jim did,"
"Yes but, my dear lady,, said I, "you
must prove his death in the way re-
quired by the department. before you
can hope to receive a widows pen
sion"
Il don't want any pension." she ex-
4 claimed. 81 don't need it: wouldn't
take it. They all make that mistake.
But that's not what I'm AFTER
you don't understand" she contin-
ued, rapidly. Il ought to have told
you before. Can any one hear me?"
She glanced nervously around the
alcove, and out into the aisle. as
sured her that no one was listening,
and then she bent over the table and
whispered to me:
well you know, down here in Wash
ington they've got Jim marked on the
books as deserter. But it's not so!
It's false! Jim was no coward. He's
dead. He died fighting. I know it! /
know it.!
'fWell," I said, little wearily,
what can do for you? AS the case
stands, don't see how l can be of any
assistance to you"
She relapsed into her former timiu
manner as she replied, Why, they told
me- they told me that must see my
3 congressman. and maybe he could get
1t all changed for me-"
now comprehended her object in
seeking my aid. and further question
drew from her the facts.
On the books of the war department
er husband was set down as deser-
er She wished to have that record
blotted out.
IT you could only make out to do
hat for me- she said, rising to take
her leave, 'if you could only make out
to do that. Hd-Id-I'm not rich. /
haven't got money. There's only my
little place up in w. but you can have
It and welcome. p
The next day went down to the war
department, and with the help of the
data she had given me, looked up her
husbands record. Sure enough, there
opposite James Hopes name, / found.
the hateful entry. Deserted April 2O,;
1869"
The Leon reporter., 1900-05-31
Naming Country Roads.

The proposition to name the country
roads meets with considerable favor
in this section. A number of farmers
have already expressed their willing
ness to name their farms and post the
names in conspicuous places at the
roadside near their homes. This plan
would prove of much convenience to
travellers, as we'll as to postmen where
rural delivery has been introduced
Indianapolis News.
The Leon reporter., 1900-05-31
Studvinp a Prodigy.

At Indiana university a 19-year-old
boy who possesses extraordinary pow
ers of arithmetical calculation is un-
der investigation to determine, scien-
tifically. the nature of his mental proc
esses. 1t has been found that tena-
cious memory underlies much of his
singular power. the rapidity of his cal
culations depending upon the great
quantity of number relations which he
has memorized, as well as upon the
short cuts that he has invented.
The Leon reporter., 1900-05-31

came to us. He had been" The
captain hesitated. flushed little, look
ed first at the widow and then at me.
did you know" he said, "did you
know that he-that he-oh. l have a
letter here that'll tell you all about
it. l nearly forgot it, l found it in
his pocket before they buried him"
He drew from his wallet folded pa
per, yellow and broken with age. In
the meantime l had obtained a camp
chair from passing boy, and induced
the widow to sit in it. l feared that
in the reaction which was sure to come
she would be stricken with faintness.
The Leon reporter., 1900-05-31

with means, extending through the
handle, for winding up the spring.
PaWls prevent the reel from being un-
wound, unless it is desired to play the
fish, when these may be released. The
mechanism for automatically winding
the reel is all contained in the hand
grip, the divided character of which
permits of its being readily applicable
to and removable from the rod when
required.
The Leon reporter., 1900-05-31
Modern RulIato

Sir William McCormac writes in the
Lancet that in most cases the damage
done by modern bullets, and especially
the Mauser, cannot be compared with
that inflicted by the projectiles of the
needle-guns or the Chassepot rifle.
weapons employed in the Franco Ger
man war. A similar result is obtained
when comparison is made with the
work OF the bullets used in our civil
war.
The Leon reporter., 1900-05-31
unapprectated Llbera,itx.

Mr. White-Mis' Jackson. All paid
ten dollahs foh dis here ring.
Miss Jackson-Hit am vehy cute.
Mistah White, but why didn't yoh git
one OBJ dem kind dat Gums in a pop
cohn package? Yoh know how All
lubs popcohn.
The Leon reporter., 1900-05-31

stay-at-home countrymen. Decorat-
ing soldiers graves is too sad SER
vice to be considered lightly. To
make fad of it would be to commit
a contemptuous sacrilege. These sol
diers' graves are the very altars of
sacred liberty, a system of freedom,
imperfect as it is, purchased by the
blood of some OF the worlds best
The Leon reporter., 1900-05-31
Her Point of View.

I'm afraid" said the patient wife,
that yours will be the fate OF Abel
Why, what do you mean?" asked
the astonished husband.
Well" she replied, abel was killed
by club, and your club will be the
death of you if you don't come homo
oftener"
The Leon reporter., 1900-05-31

from mol theastern e. slrom-
SO. The be are said to be the first liv-
ing spec es ever brought to Europe. II
is repoH fed that they are doing we'll
amid theST new surroundings. The
musk-ox, next to the white bear, is the
largest land mammal inhabiting the
Arctic regions. 1t attains height of
nearly or quite four feet, and is clothed
by nature to endure extreme cold Dur
ing the arctic summer musk-oxen be-
come very fat from feeding upon the
pasturage which grows in every shell
tered spot, but in winter their long
fasts make them gaunt and thin.
The Leon reporter., 1900-05-31
A Mans Reasoninr.

Il see" she said. that couple who
were married at Philadelphia the other
evening received 9S clocks as wedding
presents" And yet" he bitterely re-
piled. III bet she'll never be on time
when they expect to go out anywhere"
Chicago Times-H Herald.
The Leon reporter., 1900-05-31
The Golden Wedding.

Queery-"So you have been married
SO years." Hornbill-"Fift years.
Queery And lever quarreled!' Horn
bill-"Never quarreled. We didn't care
enough about each other for that
Brooklyn Life
The Leon reporter., 1900-05-31

flowers of such a martyr. Little he'll
reck if we let him sleep on in the
grave where Yankee has laid him,
but we would rather see flowers
through our tears on the little mound
that represents his last resting place
than dried grass Shed patriotic tears
at a patriots grave. 1t is not time,
or place for levity. Ss
The Leon reporter., 1900-05-31
Rushed.

You seem to be very busy, Miss
Dorothy?"
Il should think so. I'm doing so
many things for so many people that
l can't do anything for anybody"
Chicago Record.