davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-24
PHOTOGRAPHY OF ANIMALS.
Horses and Dogs Make the Most
Graceful Pictures.
From the New York Sun


Hard to photograph animals?' Not II
you understand them" said a Broadway
photographer. Sometimes the unexpect-
ed will happen, though. and it is necessary
to keep wide awake while making pictures
of beasts.
Handsome Dan, a dog that Yale stu
dents priced as mascot, was the ugliest
looking brute l ever saw; but no actor
excelled him for posing. He knew what
the photographer wanted and governed
himself accordingly. He enjoyed being
photographed The last time made neg
atives of him he gave me dozen positions
with expressions suitable for each pose.
It was fun to see him look at the proofs
and turn them over with his nose.
"Of all the tough subjects ] ever tackled
the worse were a pair of pack mules at
West Point
The photographer here took from a
closet coat that looked as If 1t had been
through a tornado. Great rents travsrs-
ed the back and half of one sleeve Lad
disappeared. He exhibited IT as evidence
of the depravity of mules.
IL am keeping that as a souvenir" he
went on. 81 wanted to photograph the
mules with their packs on and the cadets
who had them in charge were anxious to
be snapped in the act of fastening the
mountain guns on the animals backs. The
the riding hall 1t was evident that they
regarded a camera as something new, for
not once did they try to kick the cadets
during the loading process. 1t was plan
ned that | should snap the photograph
when the load was fully secured. and Just
as the last knot was tied l got the signal.
Evidently the mules we're waiting for
the same thing. When the cadets sang
out ready! both mules dashed straight
for the camera. With my head under the
focusing cloth had begun to remove the
plate shield Shouts OF warning made me
peep out to see what was the matter
Whir-r, Bif, Crash, Mules heels. came
ra. focusing cloth. tripod, and myself were
all mixed together The whole thing was
total wreck. SO was l. You saw the
coat.
Il got the picture week later, but
troop of cavalry surrounded the mules
and two sergeanfs stood alongside to pro-
tect the machine.
Elephants are hard to photograph
when taken in groups. They are never at
rest and always think the camera is some
thing good to eat
Horses and dogs make the most grace
full and the prettiest photographs
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-24

by instinct He stood intent with mead
raised and paw uplifted like a huge cat
watching a butterfly that circles around
its head. He sought an opening in the
fence TO strike, and yet escape the SER
Suddenly the paw subsidized, the tiger
bent low upon the ground with a savage
growl, but again the spring was checked.
With an ominous hiss the oscillatrg coil
had stiffened in mid-air into q rigid col
umn before the crOuching mass. and the
glistening eyes revealed the suppressed
vitality that lay beneath the watchful
searchllGht that followed the tigers every
action. The tigers fent had failed.
Slowly his back relaxed its arch; his
head was raised from the ground, his tail
ceased to lash. The whole yellow mass be
came lazy, fiabby, indifferent heap of in
ertia. Even the glaring eyes began 10
blink as the tiger stretched his length in
dolentIy upon the ground with a F:irr Of
contentment. He seemed TO resign the
combat-Or abide his time.
For n moment the cobra seemed puzzled
by this maneuvre. That the tiger would
really yield up his prey, sEatched away
from his very jaws, and resign a battle
once begun seemed unprecedented and
contrary to the animals nature No; il
WAS but a cunning design 10 allay the cob
ra suspicious. exhaust her strength, and
carry the position by sudden rush.
She seemed to realize this by a serpeH-
tine instinct almost akin to reason. And
yet she was now at Il terrible disadvan-
tage. To hold up half her length in the air
by sheer muscular action was weary work.
and would soon tell upon her strength
She must reserve that for the final grappic
when ii came.
Gently and cautiously the uplifted curve
began to sink upon the ground, the hood
still expanded the glstcn!ng eyes still fix.
ed upon the yellow mass in front So slow
was the movement that the black column
seemed to hang in the air on an invisible
pivot: so intnitesimal the descending an
gle that the rigid rod lowered over the
ground like Il dark shadow ere it fell par
alleI with the tigers body. The curved
tail on which the fun weight of the up
lifted column had rested, now slowly un-
cniled, and with a graceful sweep lay
peacefully along the grass. Only the
watch and ward over the lying mass in
front-''lying'' in both senses of the term.
1t was an armed truCe-a mere breathing
time before the deadly battle for life and
death
For a moment there was an omlnous
stiffness Not movement not a CULVER.
betrayed the slumbering fre in either COM
Blatant But for those glowing eyes, the
cobra might have been painted line upon
the green; but for that massive chest, ris-
ing and falling with each suppressed
breath. the tiger might have been sculp-
tured efIigy. 1t was the lull before the
storm, the deep. oppressive silence before
the thunder-clap.
Slowly, silently, the striped paws that
had lain fiat upon the ground beside the
shaggy head began to curve inwards-in-
wards under the sweating nose, inwards
under the whiskered Jaw inwards under
the heaving chest-and there lay still.
Slowly and gradually the hind legs that
had sprawled on the ground drew inwards
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-24

expanded her tongue darted in and out
like forked lightning, her sparkling eyes
glistened like black diamonds. Full half
her length was reared in the air. and stood
like an ebony column between me and the
tiger.
/ understood. In that furious onslaught
OF the tiger that had sent me SPRAYING
over the ground my love had been rudely
awakened from her peaceful slumher. and
had thrown herself between me and my
terrible foe ere he could recover from his
own impetus and spring again.
| watched in GREATNESS anNiety-un-
mindful, or unconscious, Of the stream of
blood that was pouring down my arm and
reddening the ground. My limbs We're par
alyzed for action, or even for movement
and, forsooth, / could have done little to
help my love in that mortal combat.
/ could only watch and watch as one
fascinated-and pray to Kali 20 remember
the garland around her breast and be-
friend her serpent brood.
Thus they faced each other. Now the
growl, now the hiss, arose above the other
in hatred and defiance. Now the tail LASH
ed in fury against the yellow stripes; now
the uplifted coil swung backward and for
ward as If about to launch forth at the
tigers throat.
Each knew and felt the power of the
other. Nature had taught them that. One
sweep of the tigers paw would have
crushed the serpents head to Il maugled
mass: one touch OF the cobra's fanEs ON
the tigers skin would have turned that
fierce and mighty beast to a blackcup1
UOrpse-even though the cobra had been
torn to shreds In the tigers death agony
The tigers mighty paw that had often
perchance smashed a buffalo's skull at a
single blow was not more formidable than
the serpent's tooth; one sweep of the for
mer one touch of the latter, We're death
to either.
Each stood outside the range OF the 9TH
81; each awaited the others onslaught
the black column against the tawny mass.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-24

Jerusalem. who pretends he was present
at the crucifixion of Christ; newly print
ed at Leyden."
Other small works appeared somewhat
later, as at "Angspurg. 1919" and else
where, and were continued throughout the
seventeenth century, these containing ru-
mors OF the Jews appearance in Ham
burg Dantzlc. Naumberg. Lubbock. Brus-
sells, Moscow, and Madrid. Rudolph Bot
orens. advocate of Paris, mentions con-
temptuously the rumors of the appearance
of this Jew in Germany, Spain and Italy,
and the popular credulity accorded such
accounts. One OF the most remarkable of
these stories is that given in Paris, in
1911, by THE Turkish Spy" and is in part
as follows:
The common people are ready to adore
him (the Wandering Jew); and the very
fear of the multitude restraints the mag
istrates from Offering any violence to this
impostor." A letter from Madame &c
Mazarin TO Madame de Bouillon describes
an individual who appeared in England in
the beginning of the eighteenth century
protesting to have been an officer of rank
in Jerusalem who, for an insult given to
Jesus, was doomed to live and wander. 1t
is said that the universities sent profess
sors to cross-examine him, and that many
we're satisfied of the truth of his story.
1t is, indeed, difficult to discern between
the many fraudulent pretences undoubt-
eddy made and the actual truth either of
the existence or non existence OF the
Wandering Jew himself.
The recorded appearances Of this per-
sonage have always been succeeded by
visitations of the most appalling nature.
such as the great plaques, which have at
various times, devastated Europe and the
East. Xerola says that his forehead IS
marked with a red cross, the badge OF
his punishment, and of his fatal role in
the destiny of mankind.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-24
He Puzzled the Interpreter.
From the Philadelphia Record.)

ttrom the fhliaueiphld heSOfuJ
a young Philadelphia. who was born
and raised in the Fourth ward, saved
enough money to pay the expenses in
eidental to a European trip last sum
mer. and by strict economy the trip was
strung out to a period of little over six
months He landed home last week,
coming in the steeraGe with lot OF for
eigners The immigration agents, with
their interpreters. were wide-awake. The
young Philadelphian is very dark, and
he was mistaken for foreigner. One
of the interpreters came up to him and
said: ''Moczesh mouveet DO Polski?'
They're trying to string me, thought
the Fourth ward man. I'll keep it up"
So he shook his head. The Interpreter
was asking him if he could speak
Polish. Then he changed to Russian.
asking: "Moczesh govorett pc Rousski2"
Again the supposed foreigner shook his
head. "Redden Sic Yiddish?" asked the
Interpreter This was followed by another
shake of the head. Then in order the
Interpreter asked: Farley vous Fran
caise?'' "Sprechen Sic Deu;sch?' and
''Parlate Italiano?" A negative shake
Of the head followed each query. For
heavens sake, what language do you
speak," exclaimed the interpreter. The
supposed foreigner laughed. That's the
STUFF he said. why didn't you ask me
that frst?' The interpreter nearly col
lapsed.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-24
THK SERPENT CHHRMKR


In few minutes, in the midst OF his
playing, he suddenly darted out his other
hand, seized the cobra from behind Just
under the head, and thrust It into the
basket.
1T does not know me-yet," he mutter,
ed, alphabetically. Then ne added. sud-
denly, as If recolleciing my question, Yes,
/ revived it, Very simple-bathcd IT in
rest"
But what die you mean by saying that
the cobra did not know YOU as yet? Do
you expect to tame it-so that It won't use
its fangs? But this is foolish talk"
He thought for moment in hesitation.
Then slowly he rose mp and came nearer.
Turning his naked shoulder to me, he
silently placed his finger there
A long, deep scar ran down in a furrow
from the shoulder TO the elbow.
"A cobra? Impossihler'
He answered in deep, solemn words:
NO, a tiger!'
1t was my turn to pause and wonder.
Here was a man, sixty if day. standing
before me quietly il he were no better
than one of the 1000 villagers that diGged
and tOiled around me and died off ike
flies at the first touch OF sickness or fam
Inc. And yet what deep tragedies lay hid
beneath those dimmed and aged eyes!
Those matted locks, that wrinkled brow,
that snowy heard-what Il life history had
they witnessed ana enacted! Verify, in
mystic wisdom, a child was / beside him.
Tell 1t 10 me- 1 asked. at last-not in
curiosity. not as one asking for tale. but
rather as one eager 70 learn the wonders
Of nature in this strange and unknown
land.
He regarded me steadily for a moment
his eyes glistening under his shaggy, over
hanging brows. His lips curled. as II
framing a refusal then slowly relaxed. A
faint smile played about them.
u see. The sahib is not--as the others;
he wants 10 learn; it Is well"
II was said IN scarce a whisper. The
sound of words seemed to Jar upon his
ears, and speech to be an ungodiy prac-
tice. In truth, he was unwonted to break
silence-leastwise, about himself.
felt honored by this exception. and lis
tened 10 his tale with due appreciation
Many winters have passed. salIib, since ]
was-but that is nothing. Didst ever hear
of the Temple OF Kali, at Lucknow? No;
that was before thy time; a stray shell
from the British guns fired II when-thou
knowest when.
Here he paused awhile I'm deep thought;
his brow darkered. his eyes flashed. For a
moment he hesitated. then the lowering
cloud dispersed. the lightning faded.
/ was the serpent charmer of that tenn
pie. Didst ever hear of Narayan Lal? No
matter; ] am dead these forty years (this
In a whisper Kissed into my earl. Nara
yam Lal played before the goddess with
mis- cobras and pythons on days of festi-
walls, and the faithful votaries knew him
as well as the high priest. No worship
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-24

parted-a gap-a flaming yellow head filed
that enormous gap.
II was gigantic tiger,
My heart stood still. My lips trembled,
then lay rigid and motionless My eyes
were fixed on those yellow blinking orbs in
CLASSY terror. My parchcd tongue Glove to
my mouth. my fingers clutched my moist
ened palms in deathlike grip. l was par
alyZed with fear.
Thus we stood awhile was too dead
ened in agony to know how long. Those
frOthy, crunching fangs, those hanging,
saving jaws. kept hideous time with the
blinking eyes. 4 gradual torpOr seemed TO
be stealing over me In that terrible pres
ence. ] struggled In silent anguish against
the coming oblivion.
Suddenly a low, deep growl issued from
those cruel jaws; :he enormous, shaggy
head bent low upon the ground; the blink
ing eyes flashed forth in unblinking fury:
q yard OF tail dashed out into the air. A
snarl-a Erowl-a roar
The spell was broken. | slipped the
basket pole from my shoulder and dropped
aside to avoid the tigers spring. An enor-
nous shadow bounded forth into the air
above me: a sudden shock a smuggling
pain along my armand ] was cast aside,
staggering, ten feet away.
| fell on my face, my injured arm dou-
bied up under me. The shock dazed me
awhile. and | lay motionlcss in dim con
seriousness. Doubtless the tiger would
spring again. and then. But enough
my manner Of death was written on my
forehead at my birth. 1t was fate.
Thus | lay on the ground, helpless and
at the tigers mercy. How long II was
know not; 1t seemed like a horrible night
mare in which had lost all conception of
time. For a while | might have even re-
lapsed into torpor; / know not.
And so / lay doubled up on the ground.
my face pressing nE. asst the beaten grass.
A horrible silence rclgned around. | al
most heard the humping of my heart
against my barred ribs. I felt that the
cruel brute was playing with me as eat
plays with a mouse, before putting me ont
Of my misery. The agOniZing suspense
grew and grew in intensity like Il dull.
black cloud Of nightmare, till l almost
longed for the tigers blow to end the tor
ture.
Suddenly strange sound struck my ear.
II was hiss-sharp and piercing. 1t came
again-low and continuous. IL rose to
shrill, angry crescendo.
1t was answered by n deep, raspng
grnwl. There was a mOmentary cracking
OF rotten twigs, as II q heavy body had
SUDDENLY risen and relapsed upon them.
Then another low growl, "A short sharp
snar, and the angry hiss again sounded
above II in defiance. Growl and Mss, Mss
and Srowl, arose above each other In al
ternate passion. IT was terrible duet OF
mutual hate and challenge that rang forth
In the stiffness Of the jungle.
AS one IN dream | vaguely nfted up my
head. wondrous sight met my gaze.
Not five yards away stood the tiger. his
head toward me- his forefeet planted, his
huge back arched in a curve behind, as If
about to spring, and yet hesifating- Those
fiery eyes glared IN impotent fury toward
me, hut not at me
Yesi Facing the tiger, and just before
me, stood my black cobra! Her hood was
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-24

Common and occupying the college build
ings. He established himself in Wads-
worth House. and from there. on the
morning OF July 3. he proceeded to the
great elm under whose branches he took
formal command of the American forces.
Wadsworth House doubtless proved too
small for the accommodation of himself
ana mis- staff, and was abandoned in favor
OF the more commodious Vassal mansion
but both may be visited as the genuine
memorials of mis- eventtul stay
Boston capitulated in September, and
Cambridge was not again a camp until
lH7, when Burgoyne's captured army was
sent from Saratoga for safe keeping Bur
goyne himself was quartered in the Bor-
land house still standing) in Dunster
Street. stones throw from the Yard. but
the college itself was not required to sur
render its buildings. In the spring of
177S it was once more in its old academic
routine-its students not again TO be
thrilled by call to arms until the Sur
ring days OF 1861
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-24

XIII it not. sahib, kill 1t notr'
A thin, brown hand darted forth and
snatched up the long, writhing band from
under the heap of stones With infinite
tenderness he stroked and smoothed the
specliled head. and Rugged the loathsome
reptile to his naked breast. 1t was a
hideous black cobra that ] was killing
when this strange. semi-naked Hinu had
rushed forth and come between me and
my prey.
lie fondled #. Rugged it, kissed it-snut-
terinC innocent words Of endearment the
while. The cobra lay motionless in his
arms its head well-nigh battered with the
many stones ] had cast upon IT. But II
perchance ii was not quite dead, and hap
pened TO bite the old man 7 l-'-~"- 100
certain he would fall 4 corpse the next
instant; for the black cobra is the most
savage. malicious and poisonous snake in
all India.
This is foolishness," exclaimed the
cobra may bite your
His black, elistening eyes were raised
FOR a moment upon my face and then
seemed to look beyond me in the distance
II was vacant. CLASSY stare-as II the
words were unhCeded or lost in some by
gone recollection. His lips quiVered-met
In frOwu-then melted in A smile.
They love me, sahib-cobras do Tho
words came soft and low almost I'm a
whisper.
And again he fOndted that hidcOus. dead
", loathsome reptile against his naked
skin. Then. with a swift turn he hurried
away ana was gone in an instant
The next evening, just at sunset ] was
sitting comfortably IN the yeranda Of my
bungalow and smoking the pipe OF peace
and solitude. when suddenly ] saw a dark
shadow bending over me 1t was nv
quOndam acquaintance. A moment later
he squatted down Oh the veranda and
brought out a small wicker basket and a
short flute with large bulb In the middle
Cautiously he tilted up the lid OF the
basket and began playing a low monot-
on0us tune upon the flute. In d few sec
onds something began TO emerge from the
basket-two black, tiny wires they looked
vibrating rapidly TO and fro Then gradu-
ally black round disc followed with two
shining points OF light behind the darting
wires The whole seemed to rise in the
air under a long black column. marked
with speckled bands Of lighter hue
il was black cobra.
At that moment a thought struck me
] locked at the hooded head as it waved
gracefully to the music; the usual clear
specialized markings Were blurred and torn
a II by some recent wound. | understood
what the cobra was.
How did you do it?" ] asked.
My question was unheeded. Without q
word the man went on pla wing. / under
stood again; he could not stop while the
cobra was still so near him T-h~" ] aIso
realized; the cobra was sim fanged.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-24

was complete without rne-even as the
goddess WIS unadOrnec without the black
serpent coiled in marble around her black
err breast. Many the offerings | received
much the honOr-but no matter.
Then came the dreadful day. The priests
harangued the multitude before the god
dess that her worship was threatened by
the foreign rulers Of the land. ! knew
they Hed-but the murmuring crowd
drowned my voice ere il was raised. !
knew that the end OF such madness was
the very loss to Kali that they threatened;
but the frenzy of the multitude swept me
away "A feather on the winds. / was
Dowerless to avert the doom.
The day Of wrath came. 1t was the dark
night of Kali; ten thousand votaries
thronged that temple. The incense waved
the cOnches blared. the bleating he-goats
poured their blood in sacrifice beneath the
sacred AK. But Narayan Lal was not
there. The cobras and pythons danced not
l had shaken the dust Of Lucknow from
my feet, aIs was on my way 10 Jhansi 10
serve with my brother In the temple there.
My serpents I carried in two baskets slung
over my sh0uder-save one. II was 4
black ra-female-fanged.
She was my only love; that cobra | had
reared from its birth. II grew to love me
as a child its father-nay. wife her nus
band. ] was both to her.
Her fangs were never broken. She cooled
around my arm. and playfully snatched
away the iish from my hand at feeding
ilmr. ana never 50 iluCN a. hbIeQ Hcf
teeth. She often slept coiled upon my bo-
som at night.
Could !, then. hurt her affections and
thrust her ANONYMOUSLY into the basket?
No. sahib ! placed her In my cummerbuud
against my flesh. There. coiled around my
body for warmth. she slept In peace when
I struggled out with that heavy load upon
my shoulder.
On we marched for many a day through
village and iungle-my love and J. Al last
the plains OF Bundelkhand were reached.
Tall waving grass high my shoulder
swept before my gaze; here and there
stunted tree burnt and withered dotted
the horizon: dense jungles of short under
growth marked the course of struggling
rivulets now fast drying under that fam
ing neat. 1t was silent desolatiOn every
where.
One day just before sunset. we strug-
gled on YEARLY after the days march-my
love and !. We longed to reach some level
plain. some tiny hamlet some woodman's
hut for rcpose and shelter. But Jungle
and grass. jungle and grass, lay in an
eternal stretch before US. We plodded
wearily on-my love and |.
Suddenly a soft. rustling sound in front
aroused the echoes OF that vast solitude
The tall grass, not ten yards away. shook
and trenbled. waved and fiuttered as If
some gigantic body rolled beneath.
! stood In a small open space before that
surging wave. On and on came the mo-
ton. now rising, now falling-still sweep
ing across the grass from left to right. not
ten yards away.
A low, deep purr caught my ear; a harsh
deep, rasping. grating sound-haif a
breath. half snarl. The tall grass sud-
denly ceased 10 move-thcn waved again
Slowly they moved. wider and wider
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-24

long! To how many inaugural episodes
in the long vista OF our island fortunes was
this scene OF medieval pageant in the mod
ern world both a likeness and a contrast,
The Earl Marshal OF England, with the
baton OF his hereditary Office In his hand
the heralds and pursuivants with gay
tabards and devices as of figures out OF the
gallant pages OF Froissart-the colIoquy
between Rouge Dragon and the City Mar
shall where the gates OF Old London once
rose and bygone Lord Mayors stood for the
liberty as well as the loyalty Of stout citi-
zens-aall these features OF old ceremony
at the proclamation of King Edward re
still as they were seen when the first SOW
ereign Of his name assembled the throne
700 years ago.