davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-25

sure guide as to what wild animals will
do.
On the northwest coast we have seen
the droppings Of tine grey or timber wolf
which were composed almost entirely Of
the seed of the salmon berry, while it is
well known that the coyotes of the South
west feed to a very considerable extent
on the fruit Of the prickly pear. The
foxes Of Alaska and the Northwest Coast
feed almost entirely on the wash of the
beach, which consists largely OF fish and
shclltish; our own red fox in times of
scarcity eats fish. crabs. shellfish, eggs.
and even insects. The South American
guara lives largely on fruit and roots. as
does also the so-called raccoon dog of
Japan.
The African fennec, which is a fox. is
fond Of dates. and is said to be able to
climb the date palm in order to obtain
the fruit. There is a crab eating dog in
South America, which may be assumed to
take its name from the food it lives en-.
In general terms. 1t may be stated that
the doglike animals of southern countries
appear more disposed to adopt a vege-
table diet than those inhabiting the north.
The food habits of the raccoons and
of the bears are well understood to be
omnivorous, and beschnuts are said some
times to be eaten by the fisher or black
cat CMustela pennantiD.
The grey fox is given more to eating
vegetable food than the commoner red
fox Of the North. although fruit Is some
times eaten by that species. 1t is said
that occasionally the grey fox tears down
the cornstalks and feeds on the corn in
the milk. That a knowledge OF the fruit
eating habits of foxes is old Is shown by
this quotation, attributed to him whose
name has become as a proverb for wis
dom: Take us the foxes, the little foxes
that spoil the vines; for our vines have
tender grapes"
The fox grapes of Eastern America.
however. SO familiar to every country
dwel!er. are believed to have received
their name not from the fact that they
are eaten by foxes to any extent, nor
from the further fact that they hang high
and so are inaccessible, but from the
slightly foxy or musky odor which tie
clusters exhale.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-25
xIv-THE LAST OF DIR. sYx.

Many years after the events last re-
corded / sat, at the close OF brilliant
autumn day. side by side with my cid
friend Andrew Hall, on a broad, vine
shaded piazza which faced the east, where
the full moon was Just rising above The
rim of the Sierra and replacing the rosy
counter glow of sunset with its silvery
radiance. The sight was calculated to
carry the minds Of both back to the events
of former years. But noticed that Hall
quickly changed the position of his chair
and sat down again with his back to the
rising moon. He had managed to save
some millions from The wreck of his East
fortune when artemisium started to go
to the dogs, and I was now paying him
one of my annual visits at his palatial
home in California.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-25
rsynopsis Of Preceding CHAPTERS. +,

The story opens with the startling news OF the
discovery of gold the South Pole. The out
put becomes great that the market is flooded.
gold loses its value and panic follows. At an
International congress of iinanciers DIR. SyS intro
duces peculiar metal called altcmisium to take
the place of gold. DIR. Syx conducts the party
10 his mines and furnaces in the Grand Teton
In the Rocky Mountains The wonderful metal
is accepted ny the fnanciers. adopted as none
tary standard, and commerce is revived. Andrew
Hall, mining engineer, by means of tunnel,
discovers that the new metal is not taken from
the rock. was supposed, but the secret of its
source is still unknow,. DIR. Syx reduces the
supply, general dissatisfaction prevails. and a
MOB attacks his mine, but is repused by the
guards. Hall. still pursuing his investigation
plan. makes two trips to the peak OF the Grand
Teton, and light is thrown the profound mys-
terry of DIR. Sy1's wonderful mine Hall discovers
that the mines engines are run only while the
moon Is above the horizon. He begins expert
ments and tries to produce artemisium himself.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-25
FOXES THAT EAT FRUIT.
Vegetable Diet Not Ignored by This
Canine Family Breed.

From Forest and Stream)
1t is we'll known that several species of
the dog family in North America to some
extent feed on fruit. The domestic dog
is. of course. accustomed to a mixed diet,
of which flesh constitutes only a small
part We have seen many dogs that
would eat apples. and others that would
swallow down grapes as fast as they were
offered them. Domestic animals. how
ever, have perverted tastes, and offer no
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-05-24

He who invades the social or club life of
Boston will find much to surprise. Clubs
rule with an ever increasing power. No
city in the United States possesses so
many clubs of all shades, from the exclu-
sively society to tho exclusively crank. It
would be difficult to mention "a cult that
Is not represented. Hundreds of Boston
people make going to the club the sole oc-
cupation Of their lives. Their days are Of
three stages-morning clubs, afternoon
clubs and evening clubs, with occasional
oil night clubs, AT these club meets enor-
nous quantities OF tea are drunk. Tea
and Browning arc Boston beverages. 1t
is said the tea habit is becoming alarming
ly productive of various physical and men-
tai ills, Many physicians have scores Of
women patients who are suffering from
some form of nervous disease as result
of excessive toa drinking. At these club
organizations the topics that engage two
thirds of the time are ocoultism and
Browning. Boston is determined to solve
Browning if it takes 100 years New
York Sun
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-05-24
REDEeMlNG TRAITS OF MOTHS.
Their only wicked Trick LIS Devour-
ing Peoples Clothes.

Every housewife knows only too well
of what extraordinary mischief these lit
tie insects are capable and how even in
few weeks time clothes which have been
carelessly put away will be perforated in
a score of places by the hungry caterpil-
lars, whose tracks are plainly visible run
ming from hole to hole. But no creature
is without its good points end even the
troublesome moths have some uling to be
said in their favor. They arc really very
beautiful little insects in spite of their
dingy colorng. Somber though their hucs
may be, one has only to place a clothes
moth under the microscope in order to
perceive its beauty.
Only short time before these lines
were written | caught one of these moths
in my study, says an cntomOogist, and,
wishing 10 examine it, damped strip OF
glass and pressed the mostened part
gently against the surface of its wings.
When | looked at this through the micro
scope, the sight was really Il most exqui-
site one. In the center Of the little gray
patch were thousands upon thousands Of
tiny scales, each shaped like battlcdoor
deprived of its handle and marked by
five delicate ridges running along it from
base to tip, while all around were thou
SINUS I'lf VI llV'u lVI~'I uul ulbIt
slender scales, each OF which split up
near the extremity into three hairlike
pumcs. And over all these scales, as
the light shifted, rainbow tints were
playing.
Beauty by itself, however would be
but small recommendation, and the
clothes moth can lay claim to usefulness
rs well In our houses it is a nuisance;
ont Of doors it has a work to do and does
it. What becomes Of the hair which is
woven into 50 many birds nests when the
nests themselves are deserted The
clothes moths destroy it, and the nests,
which otherwise would cumbcr the
branches of the trees for years, are ena-
bled to fall to pieces. What becomes Of
the wool which sheep rub off upon thorns
and bushes? The clothes moths destroy
it. What becomes Of the plumage of dead
birds and the hair on the skin of dead an
imalsI The clothes moth destroy them.
These little creatures have their uses aft
CT all. They belong to the great army Of
natures scavengcrs, whose task it is to
remove all dead and useless matter, and
il is only when they trespass into his
dwelling that they become the enemies Of
mau.-Church Monthly.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-05-24
HAD TO PART WITH BILLY.
His Love For the Sheep Was Great,
but He Chose the other Pen

There once lived an old curmudgeon
whose wealth consisted principally of his
flock of sheep and his two sons. Now. one
of the latter was noble, generous,
whole souled fellow, whose kind impulses
led him into company and to acts of
kindness, and he evidently set little store
by wealth The other was a grip all,
just like the fatht; The old man, being
upon his dcathbed. called the latter and
said:
John, you know YOU brother is a
good natured, easy fellow and when he
gets his share of the property will squan-
dor it away. But never mind, John, do
you divide it all fairly with him" To
which John asscntcd and the old man
died.
With haste John proceeded to make di-
vision. In a great flock Of sheep there
must, of course, be many Indifferent
sheep.
These John carefully selected and pac-
ed in one pen, and with them an old ram
known as Billy. The best of the flock he
placed in anothe. pen, Between the
youngest son and Billy the warmest at
fiction existed, dating back Il great many
years, and by this affection the crafty
John calculated to work off all the indif-
fcrent and va!ueless portion of the hcc X
upon his brother
Brother, our father is dead, and he
charged mo to divide everything fairly
with you, and | have tried to do it. Broth
er, there is one pen, and Billy is in it, and
there Is another; take which you choose "
On seeing Billy, he gave a shout and
jumped into the pen. commencing his
usual playful tuSsle and when he had
fairly fatigued himself stopped short and
thus addressed him:
Billy you and | are old friends. Many
a rough and tumble we have given each
other. many an hour we have spent to-
gother. Billy, love you like a brother.
Billy, it would almost burst my heart TO
think of separating from you. but" Oooli-
Ing all around). Billy, you are in bad
company, and must bid you farewell
Brother, I'll take the othe, cn,'-phila-
delphia Inquirer
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-05-24
The Gamb ling InstinCt.

The ear was crowded-the standing
room only" sign should have been put
out a young fellow and a more mature
man with gray hair were standing at the
back door. After a while n woman occu-
pying a corner seat left the car. 1t was
n toss up whether the young man or old
man was nearest the vacant seat. The
young man. however, made way and mo.
toned to the older man to take the seat.
NO, no; you sit down." said he.
"Oh, no; you are an old man. Take the
seat"
Nonsense" retorted the older man
with some feeling, sit down, | guess |
am as able to stand as you are"
Il can't do it, sir. l would much prefer
you to have the seat"
III match you for IL, then"
Forthwith the old man produced a coin
from his pocket. The young man did the
same, smingy. The coins were Tipped.
The young man won and took the dis
puted seat The old man opened his pa
per in Il satisfied manner and Just then
some one remarked aloud, Dead game
sport. Philadelphia Inquirer.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-05-24

The Chilean provinces OF Atacama, Ia
rapaca ANA Tocna are in the rainless re-
glon, or desert country west Of the An
deS, and are entirely devoid of vegeta-
ton. The winds in all of this region are
from the east and in passing over the clc-
waited perpetual SHOWS of the Andes are
stripped Of their moisture and arrive on
the coast perfectly dry.
The last rain, a slight shower which
fell in Antofagasta in Atacama province,
was the first rain which had fallen in IL
years. The last rain which fell in lqui-
que, in Taracama province, was the first
in ~ years. With both of these showers
notable phenomenon occurred. The bare
hills back Of these cities assumed green
tint from little plant which sprang up
almost in a night.
The query is, From where did this plant
come? The whole of the coast presents a
most dismal and discouraging appearance
from the sea- but the climate is healthy,
being especially adapted to pulmonary
and throat troubles from its extreme dry
ness and freedom from germs. The heat
is modified by local sea breeze, and the
sea bathing is most invigoratiug, as the
water is cold.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-05-24
THE MARRYING AGE.
When should Man start out to
Find wlfet

At what age should man marry :?
That depends upon the man. Some men
are more httcd for the responsibilities of
matrlmony at % than others are at 80.
If marriage, however, be postponed until
after this last figure, a man is likely to
get into what may be called the habit OF
celibacy, from which, as srom other bad
habits, 1t is hard to break away. In this
habit OF ccibacy he will continue until he
is about 60 years of age, when great
desire will come over him to try what
matrimony is like just before he dies, and
he will propose right and left to every
thing in petticoats, until at last he is
picked up, not for himself, but for his
money or his position, or because some
one is tired of being called miss" and
wants the novel sensation Of writing
Mrs" before her name
An old man told friend that he want
ed to marry before he died, il only to
have some one to close his eyes. Per
haps," suggested the friend, you will
get some one who will open them" 1t is
not natural for n young girl to wish to
marry an old man. A father said to his
daughter; Nov, when it is time for you
to marry, | won't allow you to throw
yourself away on one of the frivolous
young fellows | see around. ] shall select
for you II staid, sensible, middle aged
man-what do you say to one about 30
years of age" "Wcll, father" replied
the girl. "if it's just the same to you, |
should prefer two of %"
Perhaps the best advice one could give
a young man in this matter is to say,
wait until you cannot wait any longeg."
Wait-that is to say, until she--that not
impossible shc-comes with smiles so
sweet and manners so gracious that you
cannot wait any longer, then marry, and
you may be happy ever after. As to the
age at which women should marry, | am
afraid of burning my fingers with that
question. All | shall say is that if some
women are not worth looking at after 20
years of age, there are quite as many not
worth speaking to before it. Let man
please himself, but let him not marry
either child or an old woman.-Chicago
Times-G Herald.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-05-24
Phila delphia Children.

Il don't believe there is a city in the
country. and | get around u great deal,
where there are SO many children on the
streets after dark, presumably making Il
living, as in Philadelphia, remarked d
travelling salesman. And the majority
Of them are little girls who, while pre-
tending to sell papers, matches or wither'
ed flowers are really little more than in,
fantle begGars. | suppose you are SO
used to seeing them that you scarcely
give the matter a thought, but Il stranger
in town. such as myself, cannot help be-
ing struck by n condition of affairs which
seems radically wrong. They don't in
sprc any pity, for they are such insistent
little beggars. They will follow you for
half 4 block with their whining appeals.
and when you lose patience they open up
Oh You with a food OF impotence and
even profanity. This is not very pleas
ant, especially if you happen to be accom-
panied by a lady. OF course I'm only n
rank outsider, but it seems TO nue. that
something should be done. "-Philadelp
Record
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-05-24
APPRAlSlNG OLD BOOKS.
A ToiIsome Task That BooI. Owner.
Have to Pay For,

"Can YOU tell me whether this is a val
liable book?' or How much is this book
worth = are questions often asked at the
chief secondhand bookstores by patrons
who think they have picked up some rare
old edition or who think they can per-
hapS dispose to advantage of some vol
une which they own and believe to be
priced by collectors. If the book is ohvi-
ouSly worthless. their inquiries can be an
sWered shortly and positively, but in a
great number of cases the information
they seek is such that no book dealer
however well informed, can give it cor
rectly oHhand. And just because inyes-
tgaton IS necessary to determine " such
Information Is worth money. The owner
Of the book will not in most Instances OBJ
tain the market quotation on his proper
ty or even perhaps find out whether there
Is any considerable value in it without
paying for the knowledge.
Not all dealers will or can appraise
books in this way for patrons, for the
work requires that they shall have large
facilities in the line of catalogues to con-
suit and shall be able to spare the time
of one man for hours, days or perhaps
weeks to search carefully through all the
lists. All catalogues Of auctions of rare
books which have been held in recent
years in various parts of the world are
valuable in assisting in such work. and
the last one examined might be the only
source of the desired statistics.
The prices charged for the work vary
greatly, as might be expected, according
to the amount Of time which has to be
spent One dealer who does 4 good deal
Of this apprasing seldom undertakes to
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-05-24
The Force of Hercdity.

A college professor in Maine tells how
he convinced friend who did not be.
lieve that beavers could build dams. He
bought baby beaver of a hunter and
sent it to his skeptical friend.
The creature became a great pet in the
house. but showed no signs of wanting to
build n dam until one Monday morning
leaky pail full of water was put on
the floor Of the back kitchen. The beaver
was there. He was only baby, to be
sure, but the moment he saw the water
oozing out Of a crack in the pail he
scampered into the yard brought in a
chip and began his work.
His owner was called and watched the
little fellow. very much astonished at
what he saw. He gave orders to have
the pail left where il was, and the indus.
triouS beaver kept at his work -four
weeks, when he had built solid dam all
around the pail.-Animal World.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-05-24
RECKLESS AARON BURR.
Interesting and Dramatic story of
His Marriage In Old Age.

In an article ON historic homes Of Now
York Truth tells the following interest
ing story Of Aaron }urr's marriage in his
old age to the widow Of Stephen Jumel,
who was well known in the early history
If the city:
Conceive, If you will, the picture Of
Burr, gifted adventure that he was,
broken in health, branded in the popular
mind as the murderer of Alexander Ham.
ilton and returning from long exile t.
find himself an outcast in the city where
h. had once been the political monarch Of
nll he surveyed and distinguished figure
in society and ut the bnr. Conceive, if
you can. this Iamcntablc old man. smrk.
ing through his wrinkles, bowling and
pranciug rather stifly because Of his
rheumatic joints and with his mouth
full Of pretty platitudcs, paying court n
the widow Of Stephen Iumel, herself in
the prime Of years and health Remove
from the picture its surface ipcongruitics
and you have bit of pure pathos une.
qualed in the annals OF foolish grcar
men.
But something Of his old time power
to charm the gentIer eek must have stood
by him in his years Of mental and phySic.
al misery, for in his suit for the widow
Junefs hand and fortune he won-glori-
ously. dramatically. Rcbufrcd repeatedly,
Burr finally declared in passionate rage
that on given day he would arrive at
the Jumcl mansion accompanied 10y
clergyman, who should marry them or
the spot lie would give his prosperity,
bride no quarter, no chance Of escape
from the inevitable.
'She was amused at tho threat and dis
rlIg Il q .,ss. }.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-05-24
A Cocoon Gmnrd.

"Whie down east" said Manayunk
Midland, Il had strange job of Co
coon guard in a silk mill. The cocoons
were bought in China and Japan 10y the
pound. They are, you know. the finished
work Of the silkworm- small, oval balls
Of silk, each with its worm coled inside
| guarded the cocoons in a big room,
where they lay in bins, and | gave them
TO the girls who prepared them for the
cards As they We're valuable and as
they were also curios, | weighed the daily
portion each girl got and counted the CO.
coons in that portion besides. Thus
Maggie would be charged by me in day
with nine pounds, eQualing so cocoons,
and, by a simple formula in division and
subtraction. could tell how many pounds
of yarn Maggie ought to get from her
portion, and if she came out short the
cocoon guard would inquire wherefore"
philadelphia Record.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-05-24
Hard to Realize.

General GrosvenOr was walking through
the corridors Of the capitol the other day
when lady approached him.
Il beg your pardon" said she pleasant.
ly enough, but isn't this Congressman
Grosvenor OF Oho?"
Yes madam" was the reply.
81 thought So" she continued. "You
see, l recognized you from your pictures
in the papers" Then she paused a mo-
ment, while General Grosvenor also
waited.
General Grosvenor," said the lady,
with n touch OF timidity in her voice,
couldn't you give me ticket of admis-
sion to the galleries."
Quite CALAMITY the Ohio congressman
procured a card, filled it out and signed
his name. The lady went on her way
rejoicing. General Grosvenor stood for
moment thoughtfully. well" he said,
that is the first time | ever knew
really looked as bad as my pictures.
Washington Post.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-05-24
a Troopship's WATER supply.

The ships ordinary supply would be to-
tally inadequate for the requirements of,
say, 1000 troops besides horses, but the
difficulty is overcome with the aid of
good condensing apparatus. From the
tanks into which the water is condensed
(about 225 tons and upward day extra
iron pipes are run to suitable positions
on the different decks, and draw off cocks
are fixed. Under the cocks for supplying
the horses tubs are placed into which the
water is run. In the soldiers quarters
small pipes are fixed, and the supply is
taken from spring cocks, the amount al
lowed being usually six pints a head
day, except when the vessel is in the
tropics, when one gallon head is al
lowed.
To provide against any breakdown of
the condenser portable iron tanks holding
about 400 gallons each are placed in the
lower holds aud filled. Lift pumps are
then fixed fore and AFT on the main deck,
and the suction pipe from the pumps is
taken down close to these tanks and fin
ishcd with a union, on TO which a rubber
suction hose is screwed, and led to each
tank as required. \ rising main taken
from pump is turned down and run parul-
lei with the main supply and finished at
the same ponts.-Buildlug World.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-05-24
A Public Church.

Probably the only public church in the
world is at Cynthiana, in Posey county,
Ind. 1t does not belong TO any certain
denomination, but is open to all crecds
who desire TO hold services there. The
church was built by the Wilkinson fam
lily, one Of the pioneer families of that
county.
The church stands about a mile south
of Cynthiana. 1t is n neat little building
and will accommodate about 1000 peo-
Pile. The church is looked after by a
board of trustees. NJ the church is a
cemetery, where all the Wilknsons are
buried in row. The burial ground is
public, and the farmers living in the
neighborhood see to it that the place is
not neglected. Every spring the farmers
lay aside their work for a day and put
the old burial ground in good shape. -
Pittsburg Dispatch.