davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-08
l NEUROLOGICAL ACHIEVEMENT.
One of the Most Interesting Clocks OF
the Century.

One of the Most Interesting Clocks OF
the Century.
From the Scientific American.
Messrs. William Potts & Sons, the well-
known clock makers Of Leeds. England.
have just constructed for that city what is
claimed to be the greatest theological
achievement of the century The clock is a
huge one, and in ii are combined many fea-
lures of the most remarkable clocks in the
world, such as those at Berne and Stras-
burg cathedral.
The huge clock dial. which is of polished
copper with the figures inscribed upon 1t in
blue, is thanked upon either side by mail
clad knight, each holding above his head a
battle ak, which serves to strike the gongs
at the quarters and hours. Above the
clock, upon Kind of perch, stands a large
cockerel. In front of the dial is platform.
When the quarters of the hour
reached the mal-clad knights strike their
gongs. Immediately on the left-hand side
of the dial door opens automatically. and
there issues forth British soldier in full
uniform. When he reaches the center of
the platform he haltS and SaluteS in precise
military manner. He then passes to the
left. and is followed by killed High
lander who repeats a similar performance
when he reaches the middle Of the platform.
Then comes an Irishman in the old dress
of his country, brandiShing shillelah; then
Canadian boatman with his paddle, and
finally, Hindoo. wearing his turban and
lon cloth. When the figures have passed
round the platform they disappear from sight
through another door, which closes auto
maticaly upon the last figures exit. Then
the cockbird overhead flaps its wings, raises
it's head and gives three lusty crows. The
figures are manufactured OF copper bronze,
while many of the other parts of the clock
are constructed from gun metal. The es-
capement is the double three-legged gravity
by Lord Grimthorpe, who is probably the
greatest living authority on clocks and
heI
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-08

black, and the lower half with black and
white bands
The band forms in a circle and a sack of
serpents Is brought forth and is placed in
tne branches OF a cottonwood shrub
known as the kisi, Just where 1t has stood
on the Mokt dance days for countless GEN
eratfons One of the chiefs hideousIy
painted, opens the sack and as each brave
marcnes past thrusts his naked arm within
ana Jerks from 1t several writhng SER
penis, which he hands to the buck The
snake dancer bends forward his painted
race and seizes the snakes by their middle
WIN ms teeth, while he holds one two
serpents in each hand. The serpents rat
Tie, Mss and struggle. while the human
captors, gesticulating and stamping ioin
IN solemn rhythmic movement, in which
after each man mas been supplied with ser
penis, the whole band is soon participat-
ing. 70
me Moki women and several hundred
Mok bucks who do not participate in the
ahclhs at nrst SIT all about in mute awe
AS the dance proceeds the red-skinned snec-
lators start low humming which pradu-
any develops into loud allegro chorus
Louder and louder rises the din of discord-
ant voices until the women become wildly
excited and leap to their feet tn raise tbair
voices the louder ~
suddenly, at signal from wrinkled Kop-
an the dancing ceases, and the high snake
priest advances to an open place He SOL
emnly sprinkles meal in a ring danotinr
all compass points to which the SERPENT mes
sengers are to convey the Moki petitions
a. announcer signal the rattlesnakes are
thrown In heap within the circle Meal
Is nastily thrown upon the wriggling bean
Whlle q cultural invocation is pronounced
In moment each of the dancers snatcbes
up several serpents In his hands and starts
at full speed for the narrow trail which
leads down from the mesa to the nJains no
low There the grewsome burdens ara
thrown upon the sands and permitted r. go
their way in peace. o.
Inc dance Is over, but there's ano+bar
scene When the athletic dancers have con,a
running back to the plaza they hasten 70
the sacred kiva. where they remove ali the
sacred trappings Of the ceremony. Then
Trey come out, and drinking deeply from a
bowl OF mysterious decoction Of herbs
pfeWed only by Salako. the Oldest snake
woman In Mokfland. The purpose OF the
emetic Is no doubt for the men to rid them.
selves of any venom that may have entered
tnelr systems during the ceremonies
very naturally the question is asked. Arn
not the rattlesnakes used in the Moki cere
monies drugged or deprived of their faneso
III not, why are not the half-nude snake
dancers and priests bitten? White peonIa
who have seen several Moki snake dances
say they have never known q Moki confess
he was fanged, but every year spectators
sec snake dancers pull away from their
arms serpents that have fastened there
strike at their captors. The best-posted
scientists who have looked upon Moki snake
dances say that the priests and dancers
have certain manner of handling the
creatures. and that the strange broth which
the snake handlers drink renders venom
harmless Anyhow, it is a wonderful fear
and Is unique among barbaric customs.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-08

the dance. They are Jakulali (snake gath
erers). They roam over the desert with q
fcrked stick in one hand and bag made
of skins in the other. They know where
to look for rattlesnakes. and sometimes they
get over 200 serpents In q week. They
plant the forks Of their sticks over the neck
Of recumbent snake. and by an adroit
movement throw the reptile into the bag
The serpents are brought to the pueblo
and turned over to the old snake priests
Six days after the official announcement
OF the annual snake ceremonies mysterious
rites among twenty-seven foremost men In
the Moki tribe begin in a chamber hewn In
q rock down below the pueblo. This is the
kiva, the holy Of holes in the Moki belief
DR.. j. Walter Fewkes of the Smithsonian
Institution Is the only white person VINO
has ever entered the kiva and ne says tnat
the ceremonies there consist in washing the
captured serpents brought there by the
young men. The old men engage In bar
barrie lamentations, and chant appeals 10 tne
serpents to bear messages of devotion ana
friendship to the occult powers that rule the
rain clouds. The snake priests are almost
nude and wear nothing to protect tnem-
selves from the reptiles fangs. Each day
they wash the rattlesnakes, sprinkle sacred
cornmeal on the serpents' heads and deposit
the creatures in jars. Meanwhile the Mokl
housewives do a deal of cookery and bak-
ing in preparation for the event or the year
the snake dance on the plaza or the puep-
To- The gaudiest tribal fnery Is brought
forth and made ready. White and Navajo
Indian visitors come across the desert 70
see the public ceremonies and for week all
Mokiland bustles and buZzes
At the setting of the sixteenth sun from
the official announcement by old HON. the
snake dance takes place. Late In the
afternoon the spectators arrange them-
selves in vantage spots overlooking the
plaza where the dance Is performed Some
$500 people are generally on hand to see
the ancient and marvellous ceremony. Inc
roofs of the squat stone houses are
crowded Moki children with scarcely
stitch on them sit along the cornlces with
their brown legs hanging down. There are
cowboys all over the territory, reporters
from newspapers. scientists from the cities.
and hundreds of Indians in brilliant and
quaint costumes. 1t Is rare scene-'One
fit for salon picture" said an enthusiast
tic artist. The white people laugh, the
dogs and children make tumult. while
every one waits the opening of the dance
AT just about o'clock, when the sun is
dropping into the yellow desert away to
the west, some one calls, Here they
come" Instantly there is silence. Every
body knows that the antelope men-young
athletic snake dancers-are at last issuing
from their stone chamber. The braves are
soantily clad, and on each leg is a small
terrapin shell. in which are placed small
and makes of him. in sound. at least, a hu-
red, white and black paints. Around each
brow is bound flaming red handkerchief.
the upper forehead being painted deep
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-08

When he came back the valley about the
pueblo was full of rattlesnakes, whereupon
he knew that the greatest thing any peo-
pie could wish for was a rain cloud, and
that it was TO be gained by dancing with
rattlesnakes which would bear petitions for
rain clouds from the devout Mokis to the
snake lliva. So every year the hoy men of
the NOTES.-The snake priests-perform
wonderful and uncanny ceremony of wash
ing live rattlesnakes and the antelope men
dance with the squirming reptiles in their
hands and arms. This is the most COM
plete survival of aboriginal days known In
any western tribe.
The date of the Moki snake dance is de-
termined by old medicine man in the
tribe. When. during August the sun at its
setting gints the sacred rock that stands
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-08
September.

From Leslles Weekly.
Once again hail September
With the dear face remember,
With the aster on the hillside and the goldenrod
So bright;
Flocks of crows belated over
Fields that erst sweet with clover:
katydid and merry cricket making melody at
night.
Once again the brave September
With the perfumes remember.
Scent of purple grapes that ripen the heavy.
laden vine,
Fragrance of the apple, meaning
Happy days in winter, cleaning
All the sweetness of the summer, blending 1t in
odors fine.
Horn of Thor, OIL dear September,
Fire that burns TO richest ember.
Are thy emblems. when the maple turns to
let at thy kiss
When the brier filings out a banner,
And the earth in mood and manner
Thrills and smiles, and every hour is a dream Of
perfect bliss.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-08

before the door of the tribal kiva the old
medicine man, Honi. mounts the highest
point at either Walpi or Oraibi and SOL
EMMY gives notice that sixteen sunsets
hence the solemn snake ceremonies will
take place. He ends by invoking all to
begin immediate preparation for the occa-
sion. The women to bake for a tribal
feast, to dress themselves and their chill
dren in their best garments, and the men
are to perform their several parts in the
ceremonies.
A certain number of young men appointed
for the purpose start out at the next dawn
to perform their part of the preparation for
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-08
ScOtt's Novels.

From Harpers Bazaar.
So far as any man may be said to invent
anything Walter Scott invented the histori-
cal novel. His fiction drew upon life for
characters and events, which he colored and
shaped and posed to serve the ends of
fancied scheme. Historical personages had
been used before his time as in those mon
strous and tedious fables classified in the
annals of fiction as the heroical romances.
Many Asian and African princes. wondrous-
ly translated, figure in the illimitable pages
OF Gomberville Calprenade and Scuderi:
the rival families of Granada, after valiant
service In the suppostious Spanish chron-
icles, Were made to amuse the vast leisure
OF the ladies and gentlemen Of Louis XIV's
court by the same authors. But these au-
thors took liberties with the originals of
their creations such as Scott never allowed
himself. He did not mind forcing civiliza-
ton in the hotbed Of his fancy, or transpos-
ing the peculiarities of one epoch to an
other; but he kept fairly good conscience
as to personality, and his historical charac-
tiers realize In reasonable measure the ideal
Of tradition, If not OF veritable record.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-08

The snake dance, which takes place in the
pueblo of Walpi or at Orabi each alternate
year, is elaborate prayer for rain. The
Mokis have a very ancient legend that the
thunder in the mountains away to the north
along the Rio Colorado is the rattle of a
huge rattlesnake. The forked flashes of
lightning the Hastings of the serpent's
tail. They have a tradition that ages ago
Tiyo. a good and wise Moki lad, was car
ried away by an eagle to see all the world.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-08
One Point of View.


We'll, uncle, which do you prefer-the
white man of the north or the white man
of the south?' asked the idle one.
Boss, I'll tell yo' jes' how 1t is" was
the reply. When de white man am feel
in good he am all right anywhere. but
VIXEN de white man am feelin wrong
don want muffin TO do with him no.
Yr-ho
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-08
Curiosity Involved.
From Life.

katharine-"He didn't ask me to marry
him, and l shall feel all my life the cruel
sting of disappointment
Nancy-"Poor girl. Were your affections
so profoundly interested?"
mo; but 1t kills me to think 1 cart ask
him why he didn't ask me-"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-08

Impecunfous lover-"Be mine Amanda.
and you will be treated like an angel"
Wealthy maiden-'Yes, suppose SO.
Nothing to eat and less to wear. No.
thank you."-Tt-Bits.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-03
CEcIL RHODES AND THE TOP FIG
From The Birmingham Post.

From The Birmingham Post.
a dear old lady sends to m. A. P' the fol-
lowing peculiarly characteristic story of Cecil
Rhodes: When he a SChoOlbOy Cecil
Rhodes went sometimes to spend his holidays
with two aunts, neighbOrS Of ours. in the north
of London My husband. who had "a to me
unexpa ina BILE liking for the somewhat brusque
boy would occasionally invite him to dinner and
give orders to our parlormaid of many years
standing that his place at the table should be
laid close his Like all good servants
and there still a few left then-Hannah
made it a point of honor to that the particu-
lar weakness of each member of our family
should be especially handy. Thus, dates were
always at my end of the table and figs at my
husbands. He deteSted dates, but confessed to
looking forward all dinner to the delight of bit
ing a fig. especially when it chances to be one of
those good. fiat ones out of the top layer of
new box Accordingly, Hannah carefully
ranged that there should always be ideal fig
on the top of the little pile, and that the dish
should be patrOniZed first by her master. When
young Rhodes had dined several times at our
house. it CHANGED that | told her myself that the
boy was expected again that evening. This in
formation produced such very thunderouS
preston on Hannahs usually serene face that
said, seeking explanation: Isn't he a faVOrite
of yours No, indeed. maam, Master Cecil al
ways takes the top fig! Truly, the child is
father to the man. for Master Cecil has contin-
ued TO take the top fig in most connections"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-03

women SpirituaIists. Christian Scientists and
'lungers' came along with the people in search
of pleasant homes and they have left thei,
mark the place"
The first Italian came to Vineland in 1872
He brought his wife with him. was pleased with
the place. bought a farm, and sent for the rest
of his family. a year later the owners of the
land advertised, and with the help of Italian
agents, succeeded in selling several tracts of
land to Italians who had been farmers in the
Genoa district, and who found the Vineland soil
in many respects like that of their native homes
The newcomers were for the most part men who
had lived in New-York. where they put up with
cramped quarters. and they looked upon the
change. although the land covered for the
most part with wood and brush as a pleasant
The land would have been worthless to most
Americans. said an old inhabitant of the place.
but the Italian farmers made money out of 1t
from the start They raised poultry and berries
while they cleared the land; every member of
the family contributed toward the necessary
labor: their requirements were few and in a
short time the Italian farmers became regular
contributors to the market products which were
shipped from the place, and little bank accounts
We're started by the dusky settlers. They were
temperate in their habits. their moral and do
nestle qualities all that could be desired
and one could see that they We're working to
acquire home and that they appreciated the
atmosphere of freedom by which they were sur
rounded.
From the pioneer families of 1872 the colony
has grown until it numbers now about two hun
dred and sixty families They are good and
prosperous farmers, but not one in a hundred
can read or write, and although they come from
the parts of Italy where there has always been
sectional jealousy they live in perfect harmony.
The districts of Milan. Naples Genoa, Tuscany.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-03

The grounds Of such payments are stated in
the law books to be danger of serious injury to
the Moslem State. Unless there is danger of de-
struction at least unless there is reason to
fear destruction, the law says that the money
must not be paid, for the reason above stated.
The situation is illustrated in the law books by
a curious tradition of the practice of the Prophet
He found himself surrounded by a large
force of the unbelievng Arabs and, all retreat
being cut off, offered pay annually third
of the fruit produce of Medina in return for
satiOn Of hostilities. The book then goes TO
say: But the enemy refused accept this
offer demanding twO-thirds of the fruit produce
of Medina. The emisSareS of the enemy had
actually entered the camp to sign the agreement
on these terms when the matter to the
of Saad ben Maaz. He came to the Holy Prophet
and said: % Prophet of God, is this arrangement
with the enemy made by revelation. is it
made on your own judgment? If it is made by
revelation from God, it is well. But if it is made
on your own judgment. then know that when
we were ignorant and walking in darkness
never let these fellows eat the fruits Of Medina
unless they paid for them or unless we fed them
as guests And now that God has honored us
with knowledge of the faith and has blessed us
by sending us a prophet is it meet that
should give them fruit for nothing? BY the Most
High God we will give them not fruit but the
sword Then the Holy Prophet caused the ennis
saries of the unbelievers to be sent away dsap
pointed for al first, when ne felt the weakness
Of the Mussulmans, the Prophet inclined to
pay the tribute demanded, but afterward when
h.. saw the strength of the Mussulmans, he
fused to make the payment
The rule holds good and always must hold
good in Turkey. that indemnities will not be paid
because they justly due. They will only be
paid, and can only be paid, because the Sultan is
convinced that refusal will bring calamity upon
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-03

we VIII consider the case" Count Pisani who
was Il ralher peppery gentleman, replied: There
Is a book called international law which Chris
tan nations have to guide their relations with
each other, but that book is not for such as
YOU"
Count Pisanis remark was not diplomatic but
1t was true. The only question which can en-
ter into the case when Turkey is pressed to
pay indemnity is the question whether refusal
Will bring calamity to the State or not. No
matter what crime has been committed by
turks upon Christian subjects of foreign
Power, the Turkish Government is obliged bv
the law to look at the question alone
whether payment OF indemnity can be resisted
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-03

women engaged in a duel with stiettos. Rows
and small fights of frequent occurrence in
the crowded district east of Centre-st. and
whenever a mob of boys upsets a pushcart or
throws a vendors basket on the ground the
offended person usually cries out Witness to
attract the attention of people near by who may
testify against the offender when the matter
comes up in court.
The picture of the hand to hand combat shown
the poster evidently recalled the practice to
the mind of the joker and those persons in the
jam who knew of the practice appreciated the
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-03

nav is m effective measure OF deliverance
1t is simply high principle which leads the
Sublime Porte to take this attitude every time
that its mistakes or the misdeeds of its sub
!ects make it liable for damages. The Empire Is
established upon fundamental principle winch
denies to other nations the right Of basing de-
mands upon il on equity OF international law.
The Koran definitely says that il is not right for
Nahometans TO give Of their property to unbe-
levers The laws based upon the Koran explain
that the payment Of money to non Mahometan
nations even if war is threatened. is not proper
because such payment brings disgrace upon the
true religion Neither the Koran the laws
seduced from the Koran leave any room for the
discussion Of the merits Of the case. Equity
does not enter into the question The sole point
for consideration when a claim for indemnity
comes up is the point Of expedency-
In the first part Of the present century an
Englishman named Churchill accidentally hit a
Turkish hoy with br1shot while hunting. He
was at once arrested and thrown into prison and
seriously mdtreated. The whole procedure was
violation 4 the treaties. and the case was ag
grarated 10y high officials Of the Government be
ing implicated in the violation OF the capitula-
lions which grant -tefritoriaity to foreign
ers. England demanded Indemnity and the re
moyai FROM office of the officials chiefly con
cerned IL The case. After long negotiations and
threat II force the demands of England were
granted and the indemnity was paid. But in
the course IF these negotiations Count Pisani
the English drasoman at Constantinople. made
curious declaration to the Turkish Minister
Of Foreign Affairs, which sets forth the rela-
ton Of Turkey to any discussion of the merits
Of ouch p case the ground of equity. The
Minister u Foreign Affairs said to the English
cragoman. q understand that there is a book
In French called International law. Show me
10 that book the equity of your demands and
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-03
VURKS AND INDEMNlTIES.
THEY REFUSE ON PRINCIPLE TO PAY
THEM UNLESS FORCED TO DO so.

Turkey does not pay indemnities- 1t has done
,,ch things in the past il is true but it never
soas II with admission OF the right Of the de
rand Russia has taken very large sum out
~ the Turkish treasury by way of indemnity
g. ~. MAR of 1S77-'1S The payment was one
ot ~, terms Of the treaty of peace The promise
o. payment was an admission by Turkey that it
had wantonIy forced Russia into the war in de-
80 or the interests Of the Car in the we'll
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-03
"FITNESS
AN EAST SIDE CRY AND IT'S MEANING.

The 6 O'Clock crowd on the City Hall elevated
station was startled few evenings ago by the
cry Witness! vitness!" but those who know the
ways Of the East Side understand that 1t was a.
joke on the part of the shouter who pointed to a
theatre poster at which he and his companion
laughed heartily. The poster represented two
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-03

the Empire. When our Government has caused
Sultans advisers the indemnity will be paid
Until that conviction is produced the indemnity
will not be paid and it cannot lawfully be paid