davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-19
4 Big Bird Convention.
(From The Pitching Dispatch.)

NTul the IlllbuiE Dlspdlcn-)
There is some kind of a great blackbird
convention going on in the woods of Port
Vue. across the Youghiogheny River from
McKeesport. The delegates arrived by the
air line Saturday evening and safe sti-
mat is that there are hundreds of thou
sands Of them. They came like great
black cloud and for fully an hour last sat
urday evening they were alighting in the
woods and making a great racket about
something, probably the lack of hotel &C
commodations.
Port Vue is said to be the largest Dor
ough in the United States, and it is pre-
sumed this was the cause of the place be,
ing selected as the gathering spot for the
blackbirds. The arrivals began coming in
about o'clock Saturday evening. Those
who watched them coming thought at first
it was a black cloud approaching with al
most incredible swiftness. 1t was almost
shutdown when the rear guard of this ily
ing column finally arrived and took up its
quarters in the woods. Every tree seem
ed alive with them and hunters are n
joyng great sport. The birds are still on
hand and II is evident the convention is an
affair which is to last for several days
There are plenty of c0rnields in the vi
cinity.
Sunday and yesterday tho business OF the
convention seemed to be il full swing The
earlier part of the day tha delegates we're
out on the hunt FOR something to eat and
only q few caucufas were held. Later in
the afternoon, ho'gver, there was a grand
session OF the convention as a whole and
every bird seemed 10 be talking at once.
Tie oldest inhabitent gives it up He
never saw blackbirds III such numbers be-
fore and is compelled 70 fall back on the
tflee-rorn stories about the fiochs of wild
pigeons which used TO frequent these parts
q the country.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-19
(From the Tablst)


The Jesuit Reductions" in Paraguay
are little more than half-forsotten
name In history. 1t is curious 10 learn
that a certain number Of them still ex-
list as Indian villages. The members OF
the Niederlein expedition. who have oeen
exploring the upper reaches OF the Pa
rama River. came across several such set
Elements still occupied by Indians devoted
to agriculture and cattle breeding, and Of
ten with the old Jesuit Church yet stand
ing. often in good condition. Thus in
Santa Rosa the chapel is filled with in
teresting ecclesiastical relics. including
some paintings of considerable valUe.
Other such churches are to be found in
Santa Maria and another in Santa Rosa.
In San Ignaclo. a small town. there is a
church 19S feet long and 165 feet wide,
with three nayes, affairs, pulpits, and con-
fessionals Of finely carved wood, still
Standing
In the church ruins of San Miguel are
several we'll preserved frescoes and a
carved and gilt wooden altar, attributed
to an Indian artist Jose The greater part
of the Reductions" however. are in ruins
and almost swallowed up in thS luxuriant
tropical vegetation; sometimes their very
name is forgotten as they lie deeply buried
in the forest. Those named Trinidad and
Jesus can be reached only by cutting MS
way with the machete through the dense
growth Of the jungle. Many of the ruins.
overgrown with luxuriant creepers and gor-
geour orchids, are described by the explor-
ers as singularly romantic in their beauty.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-19
CATCH FROGS FOR A LIVING.
An Industry of Importance on the
Oneidu Lake Shore.

From the Syracuse Post-standard-)
Among a class OF people residing along
the shores OF Oneida Lake in the VIC nifty
of Upper South Bay the industry of hunting
frogs is surpassed in importance only by
that OF fishing.
Frogs legs and fish go together in max
ing up an appetizing meal at many OF the
Oneida Lake summer hotels. and killing
frogs and catching fish are kindred pusuits.
In this Kramer score of Oneida Lake
Iongshoremen make a livelihood. The frog
business. however is comparatively new
During a greater part of the season frogs
are found in marshy places along the lake
shore. A frog hunter sometimes uses a
spear. but more often long. stout club.
The club has fiat end and one well di-
rected blow will add another frog to the
collection in a hunters basket
During the summer months frogs are
found on high ground. having migrated
from the boys bordering the lake. Hay
fields are favorite abiding place for them
in summer and Ii is no unusual sight TO see
a frog hunter following moving machine
and aiming blows at frogs that are ex-
posed to view as the grass falls.
in the southeastern part Of the State
there are inclosed frog farms with artifi-
cial ponds. Here frogs are raised for the
New York city market. While central
farm. an Oneida Lake man is proprietor
of something closely resembling such an
institution
The Oneida Lake man has large yard
on his premises inclosed by tfght board
fence. In the yard are thousands Of fine
looking frogs. They were picked up along
the lake shore last spring before they had
awakened from a stupor brought on by a
few days of cold weather.
The owner of this collection OF frogs Is
able to fill orders from hotel proprietors
for fresh frogs legs promptly. BY going
into the yard with a lantern at night as
many frogs as are required may easily be
picked up by hand. providing the oollec-
s.or is careful to make no noise.
Frogs legs after being dressed, are left
on ice for a day or more 10 make them
good for eating. Twenty or % cents a
pound is the price usually paid by Oneida
Lake hotel proprietors.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-19
A CELESTIAL POKER EXPERT.
Kew York Players Unable to Beat &
Monaghan.
(From the New York Tribune.


A Tribune" reporter found Hve OF the
best-known merchants of Chinatown busy
with a quiet game of poker In the private
Office OF one of them. The stakes were
small, seldom more than So being involved
in a pot, but the game had been running for
several hours and considerable money had
changed hands.
This is little game" said one of the
merchants as he took in big pot on a full
hand which he had secured from four
card draw. You should see Boston play
once"
who is 'Boston?" was asked.
''Do you mean TO say you don't know Ii
Hung? He's the biggest and best gambler
in Chinatown. He runs a half dozen card
shops in different parts Of the city,
Did you hear how Boston fixed the
poiiticisns?" asked a Chinese. One of the
players had not, so he continued:
THE other night Tim Sullivan, who
runs a place on the Bowery, sent word to
Ii Hung that some of his friends wanted
a little game that night. There was
Judge from Brooklyn and two or three po-
litical people who are well known. They
thought they had an easy thing in the Chi
nese. and he knew that he had a regular
snap In them. The game started up in
Bostons place, in Seventh Avenue, but
some of them got hungry for chop suey
'Iu came uDNH mere 10 HulS0 Ile game.
Lung had been winning all night from the
Judge and from Sullivan. He plays straight
poker. and they were trying to bluff The
end came when Lung got four kings Sui
Ivan had a good hand and went the limit
The kings were good and Lung drew out
$50 That was a game worth seeing"
The Chinese laundrymen who have
places of business in different parts of tn
city would like to see the police stop
gambling in Chinatown. They say that
they cannot get Chinese to do their work.
because there are so many games run
ming The poor Chinese gambler can live
on a pound of rice a day, and it costs
him only cents. consequently it takes a
long streak of bad luck 10 send him
to work. When he does go to work 1t is
only for a week at most. By that time he
has saved another stake" and goes back
to Chinatown to again try his luck
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-19

'ne size of half dollar. Their counte-
RANGES were natural ard serene. par icllar-
y that of the lady, on whose lips smile
seemed to play.
81 was informed that several trees OF
the hills to the north of the premises
were struck from the same cloud.
- C. B."
Another most striking example of the
havoc wrought by the electric bolt oe-
cu.Ted some forty years ago a few miles
outside this city.
An aged couple by the name of shrieves
were in the habit Of driving about the
neighb0rhood of their farm. The horse
which was used on these occasions was -
accustomed to the route taken by the pair
that the use of the reins had become
wholly unnecessary, SO that the children
and grandchildren OF Mr.. Shrieves and his
wife Cthey all lived in the same abodel
had no hesitation in confiding the Old
couple to the care of the trusty animal.
On one occasion a severe thunderstorm
arose while they were out upon one of
their usual drives. while the other MEM
bers of the family, somewhat alarmed,
anXiously awaited their return. After the
usual period consumed in their excursion,
M viewer. the carriage containing the old
couple was seen coming along the road to
the house, the old man, as usual, holding
the relnS. The carriage stopper before
the door OF the farmhouse, but to the sur
prise of all within the house the pair did
not leave the vehicle. After the lapse OF
several minutes, during which the old man
and his wife remained motionless. the
Horse meanwhile standing patiently Stock
still. the family went down to the car
iage only to find Mr.. Shrieves and his
,rife cold in death, but still maintaining
all the semblanee of life, and with a
placid expression upon their features.
They had been struck by lightning and
the old horse had brought them faithfully
home for the last time.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-19
A SHORT PINEAPPLE CROP.
Complaints of Small Shipments From
Florida and Cuba.
(From the Chicago Chronicle.)

Grom the Chicago Chronicle.)
Judging from the comparatively small
shipments of pineapples thus far received
from the principal groves in Cuba and
Florida. the pine crop does not promise to
be as large this year as 1t was in 1899,
when about 800. GOO barrels. or coo. 600
standard crates. were harvested on the
two islands" said q wholesale fruit lner-
chant yesterday. But the quality Of the
fruit this season is exceptionally fine and
ii brings high prices. Small pines are now
selling at from 8 to 10 cents each while
extra larg5 ones are worth from 20 cents
to 81 apiece. This is doing very we'll,
and if the rest Of the pines sent here for
the remainder of the summer average any
thing like this in prices the growers should
be perfectly satisfied. for at such prices
there is money in raising even small crops
Of the fruit.
"on some of the pineapple plantations in
Cuba and Florida there are between $4,000
and 5000 full-bearing pine plants. A
plant produces only one pine at a time.
The fruit thrusts itself upward IL the mid
die Of mass of long. narrow, sharp-arch
ed leaves, spreading forth from a central
stalk or stem, which grows about eighteen
inches or no feet in height. Each plant
bears in succession from one to three and
sometimes more pines. after which new
plant must be planted from the slip No
fruit is easier of cultivation or requires
less capital and previous experience and
few crops bring in greater or more GER
tain returns.
IN Florida in 1899 the net profits from
each acre Of pineapples grown On the In
dian River was $500; from SIX acres, 1890:
from ten acres. $1,000 and so on up to
thirty, forty. and even sixty acres. These
are not imaginary figures. but actual re-
turns from the crop of last year. Indeed.
the authorities on pineapple culture on the
east coast of Florida consider $500 an acre
a very conservative estimate Of net profits
per acre if the fruit is raised and handled
with ordinary care and prudence. Some
growers last year realized as much as $500
Der acre"
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-19
Victims OF LIGHTNING
Havoc Wrought in the BocSe Fam
lily Fifty-ive Years Ago.

A Washington Man, with His Wife
and Child. Instantly Killed by the
That Overcame Mr.. and Mrs.
shrieves While CarriaSe Riding.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-19
In 1880.

\ Cluhbist-tome on. fellows. let's get out OF
here. Quick. Here comes old Geezer.
The Rest OF FINN hat Of i'll
Hell be to tell some OF his tires9me old
stories about the good OLD times when this eouH-
try a Republic"
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-04-12
THE CHOICEST COMPLIMENT.
TIE Auti,r Of "Iittic Women" Receives
n From an Indignant Girl.

Tie Auti ,r of little Women" Receives
II From an Indignant cirl.
One day very pleasant faced lady cams
in and asked for something VERY nirc
and new to read a cory of "Littlo
Women" had just come in, and | bad it
snugly tucked up under my arm, ready to
send it out, | liked this woman very
much there was something about her
which appealed very strongly to me, ana J
was moved to give her tho best had. So
l took the little volume from under my
arm and handed it to hor, telling her that
IL was the sweetest and incest book We
had, and that was glad to be able to give
it to her She took it from my hand
looked it over for a moment, then tossed
it carelessly down saying:
"I'vc seen that before
"Isn't it just beautlful?" I exclaimed,
think that my enthusiasm would meet
with tho usual response. Judge of my
disappointment and surprise.
"1t's a good enough thing dare say"
was tho Indifferent reply.
That was too much for Inc, and / sprang
to tho defense Of the book For a wonder
Il have never been quite sure how it hap
pourQ; | think it must have been because
the piltor wished to get rid Of tho persist
ent schoolgirl who was bUthCring him to
such an cxtent--I had been given the book
to review for Boston paper, and | am
afraid in my indignation that l quoted
tho entire review to my helpless victim.
She smiled sweetly, and then, choosing u
book without my assistance, turned away.
went up to the desk to send my rejected
volume TO some ono who did want it, when
the head librarian spoke to me;
DO you know who that was whom you
were serving"
"No.' l said, "Im sure don t"
"Well, 1t was the author of Little Won
en-, Miss Louisa Alcott."
"Aud / have been abusing her because
she wouldn't take her own book from tho
library"
just then l heard a ringing laugh, and,
looking down 10 the front of the library, l
saw the lady to whom l had been reading
a lecture on her lack of appreciation of
my cherished book in close conversation
with the proprietor. Both were laughing,
and just as ] turned both looked in my di-
lection, and the proprietor beckoned to me
to come to him. l was presented to Miss
Alcott, who took my hand in hers and
said to me-
"My dear that was tho choicest and
sweetest compliment | have had paid my
little book yhank you for it.
That was the beginning of the most
cherished friendship Of my whole life-a
friendship which lasted until the object OF
my devoted affection passed beyond this
earth.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-04-12
BOUGHT A FEW STOCKS TOO.
A Loving wife showed Her Husband
the Error OF His Ways

He was a business man making nice
little sum every year for nest egg pul-
poses besides extending his business and
slowly but surely moving along toward
Easy street. Yet he was not content and
in the hope of forcing the hand of For
tune was doing some trading in the stock
market. His wife said it was gambling,
pleading with him to stop. lie insisted
that it was perfectly Legitimate and regu-
lar and she finally admitted that he was
right and gave up the contest
His wife gave him no further trouble
until one Sunday morning she appeared
ready for church in n handsome new
cloak. He wanted to know where she got
II, and she told him that he would learn
by and by. He went to church with her,
feeling uncomfortable. He kept his peace,
however, and said no more until the next
Sunday. when she appeared in a rich,
black silk gown. He asked questions, hut
got no answers that were satisfying, All
that week he worried so over that cloak
and the silk that he lost his grip on the
market and fell short seriously. Sunday
came again and this time she had pair
of diamonds in her ears that fairly daz-
zlcd his eyes.
lie hadn't spark of jealousy in his ma
ture, and he believed implicitly in his
wife, but this was really too much
She calmly took from her desk lot OF
blanks with which he was quite familiar
and handed them to him.
They are the records of my transac-
tons in stocks recently" she said. with
an air Of triumph. 81 borrowed so on
the diamond ring you gave me when we
were married and handed it over to
Brother Charlie to invest for me. | told
him you said it was all right, and he did
as | told him to do. didn't know n thing
in the world about it. of course, but | was
lucky, and l have made 1880, ard if the
luck doesn't go against me I'll make an
other thousand next week. 1t is too easy
for anything, and you know, dear, you
showed me so clearly that there was
nothing wrong In it. | have paid our
share of the preachers salary, too, fol
the next year, and I'm thinking of organ
izing n Daughters of the Stock Market
in the church. Won't it he lovelyy'
"Mary, my dear he said solemnly, "it
you'll quit l WILL" and Mary. after tn,
manner of women, began to cry. she was
so glad that it turned out just as it did
Detroit Free Press.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-04-12
BIRD FISHING IN NEW ENGLAND.


~, - ~, - -, y =. :
Inc Ne" England lne'h"u ol ulru H9Al'
Is very interesting Wo mon go Out III
boat ana throw pieces Oh COZ iINer on mo
water Ihe'e at once attract the stor
petrels, which are very numerous alo, g
the Atlantic coast 1heY gather IN IL. s.
around the hoatlng 1000 ana tear 10 o
pieces hey are soon percelNeu ny thtlr
larger roIa,iVeS' VINO inner Vhao Iner' H'IS'
be 1000 10 DO got, ana SO come nocklhs %
the scene.
one OF the men III inc BOAT stays iorwaru
ana the o'her att EIch man Is prov iU' u
Nith lno 20 or ~ leet long at the END
OF when Is Attle nook OF the FhrlctF or
dinarily used in mackerel h-Ilnf A.
piece or COZ llVer large ehouHh tocoNer ana
noat the nook Is uscu tor oalt Inc ''', l.
ereu victims are ohlY 700 anxious 90 nc
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-04-12
Are Churches Losing Their POwerf

The question is much discussed in the
press, Are the churches losing their
power?" More fundamental is the ques-
ton. What is the secret of such power
as they possess?' The question is much
discussed in ministerial circles. "Why do
not more people go to church," More
fundamental is the question, what is
the secret of the attraction which draws
to the churches, with such regularity, so
many men and women, of different sta
tons and of varying degrees Of moral and
intellectual cultureV
From the point OF view of pure sccu-
larist the phenomenon is an extraordi-
nary If not an insoluble one. To the mar
kets the people 90 to procure the food re-
quircd to support physical life; to the dry
goods stores for clothing necessary for
comfort or contributing to luxury; to the
theaters. wearied with their work, they
go to forget their toll in an hour Of
amusement; to the art galleries and the
concert rooms, attracted by aesthetic de-
sires; to the schools, that in their youth
they may obtain the results of the eXpe'
rience of the past and so may live more
inteligcntly, avoiding the bunders of
their fathers. But why do they go TO
'hurch ?-Rev. DR.. Lyman Abbott in
North American Review.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-04-12
PRESIDENTIAL RECEPTIONS.
Two American Citizens Who Shook
HnndS with Grover Cleveland.

One of the presidents duties which has
its painful side is the almost intermina
bic handshaking which accompanies a
presidential reception. Besides the phys
ical exertion required, the monotony of
the thing must he wearisome almost be
yond endurance. unless it is broken. as no
doubt it often is, by some amusing Incl
dent.
When Mr. Cleveland was at Weldon,
n. c., during his first term, great crowd
shook hands with him. In the middle OF
the line was n long, lank countryman
who took the greatest interest in the
scene.
At length he reached the president ami
grasped him warmly by the hand.
well" said he, so you are the prcsi.
dent?"
Eyes" replied Mr.. Cleveland. 81 am
the president"
well" continued the old fellow, shak-
ing Mr.. Cleveland's hand like pump
handle, "Tve voted for many n president
in my time, but | never seed one before
He paused a moment, and, looking the
president up and down and from one side
to the other, he exclaimed:
"Well. you are a whopper"
The president smiled, and the crowd
laughed.
4 At another time Mr.. Cleveland was re
ceiving delegation OF teachers at the
White House.
"Dr. Lucky OF Pittsburg" said the in.
PRODUCER, MS a gentleman stepped forward
to shake hands.
1t had been intended that the other
teachers should follow in turn, but some
how a dilapidated looking old tramp had
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-04-12
r-OMENEDE LlMBURGER.


New York and Wisconsin the Only states
That Can Compete with Germany.
Itisonc of the strange facts q commerce
that ncurly all che limburger chcos, slld IN
this country ia made here =, III not import
ed from Germany. Wisconsin turns out -
considerable quantity but the bulk OF tho
incst lmburHcr comes from jefferson
county, on Tive shores Of the IT. Lawrence,
v'd shipped TO Ncv York. is eaten rs the
genuine GcrY 1927 article even by serious
minded Tcutous. who arc gornands whom
it comes to cheese
Though not bi.iudustiy, it IS profit
Ihlc one and % good many farmers up in
that end of the state own half dozen or
even moro little liWburpor factories, each
Employing several men and Keeping busy
an the year round Wisconsin is N"w
York , only competitor in thie line and
byu mutual agreement the iuauuiacturrra
havo divided the country. the Wisconsin
men taking all the west and the Now York,
or, tlc cutire east. ~ this way each man,
ngcs Co -ollatnpoul profit just low enough
~ compete with the O. man cEc"sc coin-
ire into tuc country. y the markets Of
this city ,cw York lin rgcr sells a5 IN
average Irico H. cent, "a pound. The
foreign make .annut lbs brought over lara
for less than rs or II cents. and so it FOL
lows that even the cheese of this vniieay
served in tho foreign restaurants md
bought in the German shops comes from
American cows.
Just why there are only two regions n
this country where limburger can bo Sue
cessfully produced is sometime the farm-
ers do not know, and no one has been aha
to find out. Experiments have con tried
in other places, but they have AL resulted
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-04-12

The following explanation Is given OF
the Garfield Rosecrans controversy; Cen
eral Garfield was elected delegate from
Ohio to tho Baltimore convention in 1864,
which renominatod President Lincoln.
Garfield, remembering his old general.
telegraphed to Rosocrans: Vice presiden-
CIV going abegging viii you ncceptf
Answer" General Rosecrans wired his
acceptance
The answer was never received by Cen
eral Garfield, and 1t was afterward ascer-
tanned that 1t had been suppressed by
Stanton, then secretary of war. AS con
sequence Andrew johnson received the
nomination, and at Lincoln's death was
made president. -Philadelphia Record