davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1900-12-01
FRANKS OF MONKEYS.
Little sImians of In dis Indulge fa All
sorts of sport In an Almost
Human Way.

"when | was travelling in northern
India" said a gentleman who had re-
Gently completed a journey around the
world. II was constantly impressed
with the almost human ways of the
monkeys there. You see, they are never
molested. which is also true of the
birds, and they are as tame and inn
pudent as spoiled children.
Il remember that one morning while
we were sitting at breakfast on the
veranda of our hotel suddenly we
heard the noisiest ehattering, and
down the main street of the town came
crowd of long-tailed monkeys, run
ing a race. evidently. They shrieked
and chartered at every leap, tripping
each other up, pulling each Others
tails, and seemed to be having a gem
orally hilarious time. While we left
the table 10 watch their antics some
Indian crows that had been solemnly
lined up on the yeranda rail watching
us eat made a dash for the food, and
had quite a fight with the native sery.
ant before they were finally driven
away.
"But the monkeys of India are sure.
ly the most irresponsible in the world"
continued the traveller. II can call
them people, because they are such
ludicrous counterfeits of human be-
ings. In many of the old temples there
are monkey settlements. | remember
one in particular which was sacred 10
the simians. There seemed TO be thou
sands of the creatures, and / was told
that 5000 had recently been taken TO
the woods to get rid of them. But
in this temple l saw little simian
mothers nesting and rocking their
babies in their arms for all the world
like Christian mothers. l ventured to
pick up one of the infants that was
running about, and instantly the baby
gave typical infantile squeal and the
excited mother came to me, chattering
angrily. | put the infant down and the
mother, her eyes still blazing with an
ger, carried the little one to a corner
and petted and rocked il. frequently
turning TO give me a scornful look.
at is not uncommon for the mon
keys in the trees to reach down and
seize the travellers hat as he passes.
Perhaps the most remarkable sight
in connection with the monkeys in In
dia l witnessed early one morning. We
were riding in the highway and by a
vacant field. Suddenly from the neigh
boring forest a troop of monkeys en-
tered the field and began regular May
dance, taking hold of hands and form
ing large circle, then dancing round
and round and chattering gleefully."
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1900-12-01

electricity through. In a tower mid
way of the block is an electric indi-
Gator which is attached to both rails
OF the track by two wires. When train
enters a block at one end, the indicator,
the two wires, the two lines of rails
and the nearest car truck form an cleo
trio circuit along which travels cur
rent from battery. The Indicator
clicks as the current passes through it
and the words Train in Block" appear
in slot in front. The instant that the
train passes out of the block the cur
rent stops, these words drop out of
sight and the word Free" appears.
There is an arm-like signal called
semaphore at the end of the block and
also at the tower, and the tower man
operates them both by levers. Engi-
neers have orders to slow down their
trains at the first semaphore il it is
danger signal, and TO stop at danger
signal at the tower. When the train
approaches a block the signals are in
the danger position and the tower man
cannot change them without pernis-
sion from the next tower man, because
his levers are locked and can only be
released by the second man. So he
presses a button and rings three elec-
trio bells in the second tower. If there
is train in that block the answer is
five bells, but if his block is clear the
second man presses plunger at the
bottom of his indicator and completes
an electric circuit that releases the
first mans levers but locks his own.
The first man then signals that the way
Is safe, and as soon as the train has
passed the tower he puts up the danger
signals again. 1t is now time for the
second tower man to signal to the
third by ringing three bells and getting
his machinery unlocked, and the third
has to ring up the fourth, and so on.
The train is thus safely handed along
from block to block, with never less
than a full block section between
trains. On large railroad the block
signals are operated several hundred
thousand times day without single
mistake.-Little Chronicle.
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1900-12-01
WESTERN EPISODE
Widow of Gen. Custer Describes How
q Horse Killed an Ugly and
Vicious RattIesnake.

Few of us have ever seen horse kill
a snake, but Mrs. Custer describes the
performance in her story of 'The Kid
in St. Nicholas.
AS they were pushing out of jun
gle on foot one day the colonel said:
''Samanthy is little too attentive
Alf; he shoyes himself alongside OF
me, and when l demonstrate he backs
little, but keeps so close he almost
treads on my heels"
well, father, 1 suppose he thinks
nothing can go on without him. He's
been in everything | ever did yet"
As they came to a narrow defile,
with the branches of the trees fes-
tooned WIN moss and the ground tan.
gled with vines and thick underbrush
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1900-12-01
LACE WORK FOR WOMEN.
Less Encouraged I'm the Unfted states
Than In Any Other EnIisbf-
ened Nation.

In all OF the foremost countries OF
the world, except the United States.
the manufacture OF hand-lace is en-
couraged as a source of social good,
and the ambition of the needlewomen
engaged upon IL is stimulated by the
appreciation and ayowed patronage Of
the rich, says Ada Sterling in At
lautic. American women display
sharp acumen in selecting the best ex-
amples OF handiwork abroad, paying
high prices to middle men, and, added
TO this. the regular duties, or tariff;
but the availability, not to say neces-
sity, OF transplanting this home indus
try to this side of the water and here
protecting 1t seems not 10 have oc-
cnrred to them. Nevertheless. no ma
ton needs more to provide an interest
ing and quieting occupation for its
workwomen than does this one.
Here Is distinct and untrodden field
for the women who are now devoting
themselves indcterminately TO the So
termed amelioration Of the condition Of
their sex, especially the poor among
them. Once the enterprise is thought
fully entered upon, it Is not 10 be con-
jeetured that congress will refuse adj
mission TO the qualified teachers whom
II would be necessary TO attract TO
America for a proper establishment OF
the industry. Let coterie Of earnest.
moneyed women be formed in each
large city obligated to support the
industry by purchasing and wearing
the lace locally produced, and another
five years would see this gentlest Of all
strictly feminine occupations in a
thriving condition.
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1900-12-01
NOT UP IN THAT GRADE.
Lltti. whites Mathematical ABILITY
Was Not Equal 10 the Task
Set for Him.

n is not often that the very young
recognize the advantages OF higher edu-
cation. but in this case il is evident that
little Willie. even in his first six months
Of school, had grasped the meaning
and value OF superior knowledge. says
the Chicago Chronicle. II was one Of
his restless afternoons and 10 keep him
busy he had been set to counting a
bagketful OF walnuts. Stretched full
length on the kitchen table he labori-
ousIy piled them out one by one in a
big heap. Tessic, who was past mis-
tress OF the art Of "p.aguing," picked
double handful from the pile and car
ried them off to the hammer. 81 only
took 49," she said, sweetly. Willie
gazed after her fiercely for awhile,
then began TO count them all over
again. Fifteen minutes later, when he
had second time almost emptifd the
basket, Tessie again raided his stores.
II took ten this time" she said. There
was a moment Of storm. but IL ended
with Willie beginning once more at the
beginning. But when she perpetrated
third outrage the small brother sent
forth such roar of fury and rushed
with his case before the maternal tri-
bunal. "Jist as soon as get them near
done she comes along an takes away
lot Of them I've counted, an then
have to count the whole basketful over
again" "yes, but, nav" protested
Tessie, yirtuously, 81 always tell him
just how many take" "Yes. yuh do,
yuh mean thing. ynh," yelled Willie.
''but yuh know very well our class il
on'y beginnin' subfractioni"
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1900-12-01
BLOCK SIGNAL SYSTEM.
lisions and Is Operated by the
Faithful Tower Man.

It is much safer TO ride on a railway
train now than it used to be. On many
roads flock and block" signals keep a
train from being run into from behind,
and it is impossible TO have head on
collision, because trains going in the
opposite direction are on another track.
In the old days trains were kept from
colliding by sending kilograms, and
mistakes of telegraph operators often
cost many lives. Nowadays when an
engineer is running his train close 10
another on the same track he knows
1t by signals placed every little way
along the line, and the telegraph oper-
ator has nothing TO do with it,
A road on which these siganls are to
be used is first divided into sections or
blocks" each about two miles long
The rails of each block are separated
from the rails of the adjoining blocks
by some substance that will not let
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1900-12-01
FOR HoUsEKEEPERs.
ed nIts of Information Relatie 3
TO various Domestic
Matters.

Travelling hampers for soilcd clothes
that will also admit of the cloths be-
ing Numbered and returned are made
with heavy brown canvas covers TO
keep ont dampness and dirt, and come
In all sizes and cost but little, and are
much more useful thun the leather
bag for salled linen, which can never
be used for anything else, says the
Boston Budget.
Lettuce may be served with French
dressing; this is the simplest and most
wholesome salad. Lettuce and cucum-
hers may be served together with the
same dressing. Thin slices of toma-
toes, cucumbers and white hearts of
lettuce may be served with French
dressing. All should be on ice until
served. Lettuce served with simple
egg dressing is very nice; also with new
dressing. New carrots aud new beets,
sliced thin and cooled, are very nice
served with cream dressing.
One of the most sensible trifles in
vented in years is the clasp for keep
ing short hairs In place when the Golf
fure is high. They are made not only
of shell-real and imitation--bnt also
of gold and silver. All are of the ut
most possible lightness, that they may
not drag the hair down.
Picked butternuts are dainty rel
Ish, the excellence of which is known
best by country housewives. The nuts
should be gathered while they are sof.
enough TO be pierced by hatpin. Soak
them in brine, strong enough to float
an egg for six days, changing the brine
twice in the meantime. AT the end
of the time dry them. pieree.each with
large needle and leave them in clear.
cold water over night. The next morn
ing scald four quarts of vinegar with
ten blades of mace, 30 cloves, 3d black
peppercorns, Is allspice and one cup
of sugar. Pack the nuts in small jars
and pour the boiling spieed vinegar
over them. Repeat the latter operation
three times within week. Then cover
them and set them away. They will
be ready for use in two months.
Preserved flowers may be prepared.
In several waters thoroughly wash
some fine, clean sand, and dry IL in the
sun. In box of suitable size spread
sufficient OF IL to hold the stems OF
those to be preserved. Pluck the bios
SONS while they are fresh, but upon a
dry day, and stand them in the sand
carefully to prevent their touching
each other. Now, with sieve, gently sift
| in more sand, meanwhile arranging in
place every leafiet and petal. Con.
tinue until the topmost leaves are
covered, and set away in dry place
for ten days or two weeks. Then gently
tip the box, allowing the sand to sifi
out, and the flowers will remain col
ored and intact like so many beautiful
mummies.
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1900-12-01
me Ice maud IN rneI.na.

The English have long laughed at
the American 'ice habit" but they
arc now falling victims to II them
selves. Not very long ago the at
tendants of public places in England.
where nearly everything except ice
was provided. would be insulted if one
complained because ice could not be
had. To-day all first-class places have
a few small humps swimming in a
glass dish. and yoa pick these out
with sugar tongs. And in country
inns and even in second-class houses
they apologize for not having it.--N.
Y. Times.
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1900-12-01

To prepare chicken scallop in the
chafng dish, cut two cupfuls Of cold
chicken into dice and put it into two
eupfuIs Of hot chicken stock. Puirer-
ize the yolks Of four bard-boiled eggs
and mix them witAsoDe-haIf cupfnl of
bread crumbs and one tablespoonful
Of melted butter. Add the chicken and
serve as soon as hot.-N. \. Tribune.
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1900-12-01

McJigger-Old Mr.. Graybeard Is for.
ever talking about "his boy Willie.r
His grandson, suppose.
Thingnmbob- No. -ais son.
Indeed He's very old man to have
q young SON
"Hub. Willie Is nearly 50. six feet
one. a4o pounds and baldrhspdsd'"-,
Philadslphis Press
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1900-12-01

Slice green tomatoes after washing
and cutting of the ends. Let thsm
stand In stone jars with plenty of salt
between each layer for "a hours, then
drain of and cook in sweet, spIced
vinegar until tender. but not so they
win break to pieces. Make the vinegar
as you would for any sweet pickles.
Place the pickles In small stone jars
or two-quart glass ones and cover
with fresh bot vinegar Household
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1900-12-01

Teacher says that rsbber treea
grow wild in Florida" said seven
year-old school girl. "Neu, z'pose they
do rejoined her brother, aged i've.
Nobody ever has any use for rubbefs
till It rains and then it's too wet to &c
out in the woods and gather sbetn.-
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1900-12-01
To Remove Green stains from Calico.

Dissolve two ounces Of pearl ash in
a quart of spring water, TO which add
two lemons cut into small pieces. Mix
this well and keep 1t in warm state
two days by placing it near the fire;
strain it off and keep it in a bottle
for use. To use it pour little upon
the part, and when it disappears wash
the part in cold water.-P Peoples Home
Journal.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1900-05-11
AMERICANS In LONDON.
Statfstfcian Says That They Spend
$1O,OOO,OO0 Annually in the
Worlds Metropolis,

Some London statistician announces
that Americans spend in London more
than $10,O00,000 every season, and he
declares that the greater part of this
comes from the Americans living there
permanently or for some months at a
time, and not from the transient Wis
itors who stay for only few days. The
American entertainments are said to be
looked upon now. as regular feature
OF the season and play an appreciate
part in its brilliancy. Shopkeepers find
that Americans are generally more lib
eral in their dealings than English peo-
pie of the same wealth and position.
The number Of Americans residing per-
manently in London is now estimated
at 10000. There are nearly as many
more during the average summer, al
though in years of expositions or spe-
cialevents this figure is much increased.
A New Yorker who recently returned
from London was impressed with the
small number of his fellow-citizens
who seemed to take up their residence
there. The number of New Workers.
among the Americans who live per-
manently in London is said to be dis
proper donately small. The majority
OF these expatriated citizens of the
United States are said to come from
the middle west.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1900-05-11
BEAUTIFUL WEDDING GIFT.
FIT for q Princess 1t Was Gdven to
a Girl Who worked In
q Mill. -

A girl Yho for nine years has worked
in a certain Norristown mill was re-
Gently married and, from the carding,
spinning and weaving overseers, be-
cause she had worked so faithfully, she
received present as delicate and rare
and beautiful as ever graced the nup-
tials of princess, says the New Or
her three handkerchiefs, each of them
SO light that with breath they could
be blown to the ceiling, for they were
woven of thistledown. This stuff is
common on the Norristown meadows
and on the plant, or floating slowly
through the air, it resembles ball of
cobweb brushed with powdered silver.
The gathering of it is a task, and it
is romantic to think of the three over
seers, corpulent and gray, scurrying
in the young girls honor over the green
fields after the floating balls on pleas
ant Sunday mornings. But to card,
spin and weave thistledown-to wind it
on bobbins and to make a warp of it
these were the real tasks, and there
were months of failure and despair be-
fore they were achieved.
Yet certainly the fabric is delicate
enough to reward the men for all
their trouble. A square yard of the
beautiful, shimmering, silver-gray stuff
could be crushed between the thumb
and finger into ball no bigger than a
pea
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1900-05-11


When all the sky seems blazing down ana
sunshine curls the bricks
And General Humidity puts in his biggest
ticks.
I welcome to my eyrie with moist and
dripping palm
A placid old philosopher who runs little
farm,
Who says imagination helps deal in keep
ing cool.
And who to comfort other men makes TINS
his simple rule:
To talk Of piping, biting days. and drifting
winter storm
Whenever the weather pipes 1t up and gets
too thunderin' warm.
THEY'RE better far than f1zz or smash or
juleps, sure's you're born.
The honest little narratives OF Frigid
Weather John.
For though the sizzling summer time may
boil and steam and hiss,
Who'd ever, ever think Of 1t while listening
to this?
'T never seed a winter have darnder.
sharper aidge
Than in the year of sixty-one, the year that
/ drove stage.
] never had so hard job attendin' to my
biz
For everything twas frizzable that year
you bet was friZ.
At last / dore a caper that hadn't done
for years, !
/ got little careless and friz up both
my ears.
The roads was awful drifted and trod ten
miles of snow
And ell the time that thund'rin' wind did
nothin', sab, but blow.
Them ears of mine was froze so hard.
stuck out so bloomin straight
1 thought the wind would snap 'em OF, it
blew at such a rate.
And when at last 1 hauled UP home, the
missus bust in tears
And hollered: John, oh massy me, you're
going to lose your ears
But I-why, land o. goodness, was coOlern
/ be now
And he passed his read bandanna up across
his steaming brow
II jest got out my Ratchet, and chopped
two cakes of ice
And held 'em on my friz-up ears-twas
Granny Jones' advice.
/ didn't dare go in the house, but set there
in the shed
A-holdin' them two junks Of ice to either
side my head.
The chunks weighed fifty pounds apiece
that doctorin' didn't cost,
And so 1 got 'em big enough to take out
all the frost
My wife at last came out to see what made
me keep so still
And there / was, sab, sound asleep and
snorin fit to kill.
She got me in and gave me tea and helped
me inter bed
With that ere ice a-frozen tight and solid
to my head.
Twas sort of curtis, I confess, but still
slept complete,
A crystal palace on my head and soap
stones on my feet
1t wasn't what you really call a calm and
restful night.
But when the ice peeled of next day them
ears came out all right"
They're better far than flzz or smash or
juleps, sure's you're born,
These honest little narratives from Frigid
Weather john
Lewiston (Me.) Journal.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1900-05-11
5 LOttie'S Blue Eyes
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.

THE narrowing conviction was fore
ing itself upon Miss Sophia's mind
that her brother, Rev. Harmon PEN
dleton, at the mature age of A, had
actually fallen in love. This fact was
in itself an offense to Miss Sophia, but
it was not all, for the minister had
committed the supreme folly of losing
his heart to chit of a girl, and a most
objectionable young person altogether
in Miss Sophia's eyes.
"Now, if he had only fallen in love
with Mary" unused Sophia. "She is a
most estimable young woman. But
that doll-faced, vain, frivolous Lottie--"
and Miss Sophia groaned. "a man of his
age and minister of the Gospel to lose
his wits over pink and white complex
ion and yellow hair! Oh, it is too bad.
1t l only knew of some way to olsen
chant him.
Just then two girls and young man
passed along the street. One OF the
girls was tall, dark-haired and stately;
the other was pink-cheeked and yellow
haired. Her hands were full of roses
and her laughing eyes were upifted
in the face of the young man by her
side.
Miss Sophia snorted with disgust.
Flirting, as usual, the shameless
piece!" she CALCULATED. "a nice min
ister's wife she would make! Harmon's
an idiot"
Then Miss Sophia suddenly awoke to
the fact that the hired girl had been
left much too long at her own devices,
and rose hastily to her feet. In so do.
ing she tripped over a stool and gave
her ankle a severe wrench.
A little later Rev. Harmon Penlleton
returned home and found Miss Sophia
with her foot on a stool and her ankle
swathed in bandages.
"Why, Sophia, what has happened ?"
asked the minister.
I've sprained my ankle" replied
Miss Sophia, with grim disgust. IT
cant SO much as put my foot on the
floor.''
"Whew, this is indeed bad!" MUIR
INJURED Rev. Harmon.
And it is not ALL" added Miss So
rhia. Martha has just had word that
her mother is very i'll and to come home
immediately. What to dol cant mag
ine.''
why, get another girl"
Since when has it be come so easv TO
get help in -Westonville at a moments
notice." CALCULATED Miss Sophia, with
supreme scorn.
i met Miss Armiger down the
street" said the nlinister, with sudden
inspiration. "She Intends stopping on
her way home. Perhaps she can think
OF way out Of tie diiiiculty."
i don't doubt it; Mary Armiger is
most superior young woman" said
Miss Sophia. with emphasis.
Yes, she is, indeed, )" readily assented
the minister.
so utterly unlike her sister Lottie,"
suppie'W nted Miss Sophia.
les, they are quite unlike, certain-
~" SD the minis'er. quietly.
Did You meet i.o.tie, aiso?" asked
Miss Sophia. fnrtiveiy watching her
brothers face. "She passed with Char
lie Saunders. making eyes at him as
usual. What an audacious fiirt that
girl <s0
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1900-05-11
BILLS AND NOTES.

Called to account-the collector, OF
course.-Boston Post.
An egg will settle coffee, but il
takes money to settle a bill.-N. Y
Weekly.
Fortune-Teller--"And 1 see dark
man who will give you trouble" The
Widow ito herself 1.-The goldman.
Why didn't pay his bill ?'-Brooklyn
Times.
New Customer-"I'll drop in next
week and pay this bill.' Clerk-']
wouldn't put you to that trouble for
the world, sir. I'll just send the goods
collect. Judy.
Il have called to collect that little
account which has been standing for
over two years. Hump! Don't you
think after trusting me all this time
you're showing indecent haste in rush
ing me for payment all of sudden p
--Philadelphia North American.
Proprietor-"Did Hardup paw that
little bill he owes us ?'' Green Col
lector-ssNo, but he talked encourag-
ingly about it-said he would see YOU
in Halifax first. told him 1 didn't
know any arrangement had been
made to pay it at the place mentioned,
but it was no doubt all right. "-Phila-
delphia Record.