davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1901-12-29
The Protection of Safes.

It is fact not sufficiently appreciated
even By electrical mer. that it is possible
by electrical means TO throw around a
vault or safe protection from burglary
more absolute than can be obtained in any
other way. A vault, however flimsy it
may be mechanically, if protected by an
electrical lining. the least disturbance of
which is absolutely certain to give an
alarm, either at a central Office or to the
general public. is for all practical pur-
poses burglar proof. II some such fystem
had been in operation on the vault at the
Chicago postoftice its recent comparative
ly easy looting would have been impossi-
BILE. This branch Of electrical work has
suffered much from commercial misman-
agement in the past. and there is proba-
bly, a greater need for the fool-killer
among inventors of electrical burglar
alarms than in any other branch OF the
business. 1t is. however. a Legitimate
branch OF electrical industry.
World.
The Washington times., 1901-12-29
Dog Census in Europe.

The European dog census has been com
pleted and shows us that France. with
2 S54, 900 dogs, holds the European record.
Not only are there more dogs in France
than any other country in Europe, but
there are more per 1000 inhabitants than
in any other European coul try. France
has IS dogs TO every 1000 Of its iG'.ab-
itants. Then follow ireland with u, Eng
land with 80. Germany with 81. and
Sweden with II. There are 2.200, 600 dogs
in Germany, ,5000 000 in Russia and $50. 600
in Turkey. though tourists who have re-
sided in Constantinople aver this number
falls short OF the actual total which they
think 10 be larger in Turkey than else
where. In France there is dog tax. and
every dog is registered-a condition
which makes the computation compare
lively easy in that country. The number
Of dogs in the United States is estimated
at from 100000 10 ]. SOC, ,000.-An swers.
The Washington times., 1901-12-29
Deep-Sunk Thermometers.

The longest Thermometer in England.
possibly in the world. is at Harestock.
near Winchester. at the observatory Of
Colonel Knight. who has a series OF deep
sunk thermometers. the bulb OF the long
est being at a depth of 20 feet. Colonel
knight is said to be much interested in
the secular changes OF temperature of the
earth. and believes that his earth Their
mometer records will be valuable legacy
to posterity.
1t is stated in Loomis' Treatise on
Mcteorology" that a thermometer has
been kept for seventy-fve years in the
vaults of the Paris observatory at depth
of 81 feet below the surface. whose read
ing has not varied half degree during
that period IN important advance has
recently been made in the investigation OF
earth temperatures by the adoption at
the Radcliffe Observatory. Oxford. OF five
platinum resistance thermometers in
place Of the old Iong-stemmed spirit ma
chimes. The new thermometers are placed
approximately at inches, foot inches.
: feet inches. ) feet inches. and 10 feet
below the surface. They are buried in
practically unbroken ground. being in
serted in iron pipes driven horizontally In
gravel. a temporary pit being
dug for the placing of the thermometers
and wires.
In the thermometer placed only SIS
inches below the surface the record shows
n variation between the two extremes OF
20 degrees, whereas in the instrument az
. feet 1fis inches a yearly variation OF
only 10 degrees occurred.-New York Com
mereial Advertiser.
The Washington times., 1901-12-29
COaStWiSe Slave Trade
And the Old Underground Railroad.
Col James Webster's "reminiscences of
Ante-Belum Days in Alexandria.

about Americans being denied thT .Jeneiits
of the coast trade OF their own country,
and to ship negroes South in gangs
chained together. sometimes on foot. and
at other times in covered wagons
The Underground RaiIroad.
"1 have a very distinct recollection of
the operations of the underground rail
road from 1880 to 1860. IL those days
there was a canal running almos. parallel
with the Potomac River, and extending
from Cumberland. Md. to Alexandria
This canal is now filled up and thing -
the past. but in those days a fourishing
coal trade was carried on over the canal
frcn the mines at Cumberland down to
Alexandria. When the coal reached this
town on canal boats ii was loadei on sail
ing vessels for shipment to the Northern
ports, and in some cases 10 Europe.
THE Abolitionists and those maaipuidj-
ing the underground railroad 3op Giscoy-
cred that this avenue of commerce af
forded excellent opportunity for SNUG
Cling slaveE North.
The Constwisc Slave Trade.
Negroes from points all along the
canal. and also from this place, were Snug
gled onto the canal boats. transferred TO
the ships. and taken North. l remember
very distinctly that negro named IL.
a steward on one of the sailing ves sells
plying in the coal trade between this point
and Boston, spirited a female house ser
want away on one of these ships. This
was discovered and when the vessel re
turned Sell was arrested tried and sen.
to the penitentiary. subsequently another
negro. Spencer Seals. a steyedorc on one
of these coal ships, smugglcd half dozen
negroes North, but he was smarter than
Sell and never returned to this section
In fact. such cases occurred so often that
soon after Alexandria was retroceded TO
Virginia by the act of Congress July = |
1874, the Legislature OF that State passed
a law providing that all vessels plying in
this coal trade should be searched by
officers appointed for that purpose. before
they left this port for the North. The |
masters OF these vessels. many. il not all |
Of whom were Al heart Abolitionists, were. |
by law, compelled to pay the fees charged /.
by these officers for searching their yes |
sells. one OF these cases came near being |
a turning point in history. A negro 1
named Burns. belonging to q Colonel SIT /
Ties. Of Alexandria. managed to conceal |
himself on board one Of these vessels AMI |
to reach Boston, where he considered |
himself safe. Colonel Suttles was not n |
man to be triled with. and at once deter
mined 10 bring Burns back. Learning |
that he was in Boston he proceeded TO |
hat city and had Burns arrested by the
United States marshal.
This done he Instituted recovery pro- /
The Washington times., 1901-12-29
Some Ancient Ships.

II IS stated that a ship dating from the
time of Columbus IS still trading between
Spain and America. One wonders how
much of the original timber remains. The
condition of the Anita-such Is sail to
be her name-must resemble that of the
ancient sloop Lively. wrecked at Bacton,
near Cromer. England. described as fol-
lows in the "Whitby Gazette" July, 1883:
The Lively WAS built by Mr.. Spence in
1856, and is, therefore. more than 100
years old. and was the oldest Whtby-
built ship afioat We believe she
had hut one of her original planks In her.
having been partially rebuilt once or
twice" Another ancient ship was the Lib
erty. wrecked in 1890. 1t was built In
Whitby. England. in 100. and was en-
ployed in the coal and Baltic trades. The
Russian admiral a. Cronstadt Inspected
her in 1850. and expressed surprise at her
age and build. remarking that he had
commanded a ship of 100 guns. but never
ship 100 years old.
The Washington times., 1901-12-29
Close to Perpetual Motion.

Perpetual motion is a sort of ire
sistibly fascinating dream with some peo-
ple." said Captain Hull, Of Jodas santo.
Mexico, who is here to learn American
railway Improvements. but down in
Alma. only forty miles from where live.
we have practically realized it. There is
mine at Alrna called the Zapateria,
which runs into the mountain side at
great elevation. but is. nevertheless. al
ways wet. II is pumped out by the usual
method. and at the mouth Of the mine
the streaming water falls perpendicularly
for a hundred feet to a turbine wheel,
which actuatcs a dynamo of great power.
This dynamo generates an electric cur
rent which in turn is carried back to
motors in the mouth % the mine which
operate the pumps. This is as nearly
perpetual motion as ever expect to see"
Philadelphia Times.
The Washington times., 1901-12-29
Mail by Wheelbanow.

-Four times daily for twcnty-one years,
summer and winter. in fair weather and
foul, Lucinda Annie Robertson has trun-
died whcelbarrow bearing the United
States mail from the postoffce at Pleas
antylile, Ia, 10 the railroad 4 mile away
She took the job when her husband. who
had the contract 10 carry the mail. fell i'll
and because she couldn't carry the load
she introduced the wheelbarrow.
When her husband became a confirmed
Invalid she kept the contract for him and
nursed him too, and al his death the Gov
eTnment wouldn't take the Job away from
her. II is worth Just 800 a year. and il
is almost all her living.
She Is now seyonty-one, but she VOWS
she'll carry the mail till she dies.
But some days" she says. 1t seems
as though i could never drag myself and
that old barrow another step."-New York
Sun.
The Washington times., 1901-12-29

or the persons now living and familiar
with the history of the old coastwise slave
trade. the underground railroad" and
other features and phases of the times
from 1880 TO 1861, Colonel James Webster,
Chief OF Police of Alexandria, Va, is.
perhaps, the best posted. Colonel Web
ster las served as chief of the Alex
andria police department since lS66-
thirty-fve years. In 1880 he was in his
teens" and although far advanced in
years. his memory and recollection of The
events from 1880 to 1861 arc as bright and
clear as ever.
al remember" said Colonel Webster.
speaking of the eoastwise slave trade,
the excitement and Indignation aroused
when the people of this town learned the
particulars OF the wreck OF the brig
Comet and the emancipation of the
slaves on board by the Bahama island
courts. II stirred UP quite a row, but as
this occurred prior TO the time the Eng
lish Parliament passed the law making
every slave that touched British SOIL
free man the owners of the Comet, par
ties living here in Alexandria, received
pay for every one OF the negroes released
from the comet. This was Lord Palmer
sion ruilEH III llie NstSs VI tie COAi'Nf
of Alexandria: Enterprise, of Washing
ton: Creole of Richmond, and Encomium,
OF Charleston.
somehow my memory fails me as to
The Comet, but do remember very dis
tinctiy the Great Franklin, the largest
vessel plying in the eoastwise slave trade,
and which was owned by Messrs. Franklin
& ArInheld, who also owned the largest
slave barracoon in Alexandria. Just after
the affair of the Creole. which Was the
vessel on which the desperate negro.
Madison Washington. headed a mutiBy OF
the slaves. killed several Of the crew
took possession of the vessel, and ran her
into Nassau harbor. The owners OF the
Great Franklin and others took the PIE
caution Of placing iron gratings over the
hatchways of every slave vessel. After
the slaves were once placed in the holds
of these vessels, the gratings were Sc
curely fastened down and never, under
any circumstances, were they removed
until The vessel reached her destination.
Alexandria was a live place in those
days. Everyone had plenty OF money, (
business was prosperous, all on account of
the slave trade The town was surround 1
cd with slave barraceons, the two largest !
of which were conducted by Franklin e |
Arnfeld and Joseph Bruin. In those days /
the town was full of strangers, Southern !
planters. traders. and spectators, here |
TO purchase slaves. and compared with 4
that period Alexandria of today. is a very |
duh place. After the Comet, Enterprise, /
and Creole affairs, local slave dealers be- |
gan TO appreciate what Henry Clay SAID 4
The Washington times., 1901-12-29

conclusion has been reached that. In the
vast majority OF cases. they cannot be
regarded as indicating connection among
peoples. and seem rather to Indicate a
law OF mental action-the law that differ
ent minds OF equal capacity act similar
ly in like circumstances.
Hopes are entertained by the bureau OF
the return Of Colonel Scott from Cuba. in
which case valuable addition to the
! knowledge OF the Indian sign language
may confidently, it is said. be looked for
Colonel Scott is the greatest living au-
thofity on the interesting matter Of tho
sign language, which has been ascertained
1 TO be a veritable art OF expression. Ioei-
cally coordinate with iingual utterance.
/ and perhaps of equal Importance in the
| formative stage OF language.
The signs were originally demonstrativo
/ or mimetie. though many cf them were
developed into partially denotive sym-
bois.
Uses of the Sign Language.
BY the use of these symbols the Indians
were able not only to exchange inteili-
seuce at distances. but also to commune
cate with each other despite differences
in dialects; and indeed. since the signs
were less completely differentiated than
the phonetic symbols even when the
speakers belonged to distinct stocks aud
their spoken languages were as different
as English and Arabic.
As the Indian spanned space by signals.
so also he sought TO bridge time By
means OF symbols painted or carved or
embossed on the faces Of cliffs or other
suitable surfaces; and thus. long before
the advent o, white men the aborigines
entered the stage OF graphic expression.
Researches in Photography.
Some Indications have been found that
Photographic and decorative art sprang
from the same ill-deined stem, but early
became differentiated. and many signs
exist to show that while originally de-
monstrative and mimetic the rude SYM
bols OF photography soon began to acquire
a denotive meaning and some Of them
became almost arbitrary. The researches
in Photography illustrate the mode OF
origin of graphic art among all peoples.
and the laws and stages OF development
exemplifed by both signals and picto-
graphs are In harmony with those illus
trated in the development OF speech
The achievement of the Bureau of Eth
nology in compiling this wonderful record
of the modes Of expression OF primitive
man. embodying his habits OF thought.
feeling. and aspiration, may we'll be
reckoned a notable triumph of American
scientific attainment.
The Washington times., 1901-12-29
Jerusalem S Water Supply.

To Greek engineer. Mr.. Franghia. is
due the long-delayed Inauguration Of 4
new water supply for Jerusalem. Time
was when the Holy City was well supplied
with water, as indeed all ancient cities
were. Solomon's Pool was one of the an
cient sources. or rather reservoirs, for
into it were discharged four fountains and
sque1ncts from two more distant sources.
From the pool two aqueducts ran into the
city, known as the high-leyel and low
level aqueducts. The former OF these long
ago ceased TO be available, but the lat
ter has done duty in 4 perfunctory sort
of way from Bethlehem. From that place
a new fourlnch iron pipe has now been
LAID down In as direct a line as possible.
over hill and valley, and it was the turn
ing on OF the water thus delivered in the
city that was celebrated in November
All Jerusalem assisted at the glad event
The pipe delivers the water at two points
The HaTam or Temple area, where 1t
will be available to Moslems only. and at
the fountain erected in the Valley of
Hamom by Sultan Suleiman Ibu Selim in
the sixteenth century. Here the water
will be free to all. Christian, Moslem. aad
Jew The ceremony of the Inauguration
in the Temple area-the Great Mosque
of Omar-Was quite simple: the Pasha and
the authorities assembled early in the
morning. and after a short religious serv-
ice the nine brass taps inserted in the
last section of the piping were turned on.
The water viii eventually be let into the
great fountain called El Kas The Off
cials tasted the water. the land played,
and the people ch5ered after their fash
ion. At the other outlet. which was in
augurated in the afternoon, the public
attended in large numbers, and the place
was made gay with garlands and flags.
The Pasha having declared the supply |
open. the :qps were turned on. and there
Was a general rush for the water which |
had been brought so wonderfully and in
comprehensibly up the steep Valley Of
Llnmsan = fhn m hIr's Innrnnl
The Washington times., 1901-12-29
Ii Wrote to Both Men.

Many tales are told OF the dealings of
Ii Hung Chang with his diplomatic sub
ordinates, and there is a characteristic
story aiioat with regard TO his relations
with the present Minister to England Sir
Chih-chen Lo Teng Luh. The time was
that of the siege of the legations in Pc
king, when all the civilized world was in
fear as to the fate of the beleaguered,
and China, with her emissaries and all
pertaining TO her, was looked on with no
very friendly eye. Ii Hung Chang was the
virtual ruler of China, and ii was from
him that the various Ministers and AM
bassadors received their Instructions.
There had. apparently. been some fresh
manifestations of European displeasure
when. one day, the Ml#ister in England
received from Ii a message, the purport
OF which WAS as follows:
we ar not satisfied with your efforts
in London. The English are hostile. and
you must do something TO alter matters.
You are not energetic enough. You are
neglecting to influence the Government.
The man who Is doing all the work is
your colleague in Washington. WI Ting
fang. He is the man you should Initiate"
Unfortunately for Lis game, Sir Chih-
chen and WI Ting-fang happened to be
close friends. and the Minister here con-
fided what had happened 10 his friend in
Washington. WI Ting fang was, TO say
the least OF It. surprised.
This is very extraordinary" he re-
Piled u also have mad message from
Ii Hung Chang. This is what he says TO
me:
Your efforts are not giving satisfac-
tion. We feel you should be more ener-
getic, and that you should try 10 inlu-
ence the American Government TO take
cur side in this affair. You are not doing
half enough. and, If you want an example
you should turn 10 Sir Chh-chen Lo Feng
Luh, the Minister in London. He is the
man who is doing all the work The
Candid Friend
The Washington times., 1901-12-29
More Jewelry for Men.

According TO one New York dealer Jew
elry is worn much more by men now than
year ago and among some men luxury
even to efieminacy. In the line Of personal
adornment, is growing very fast The
aeweler pointed to his own windows and
those OF other jewelers. for proof OF his
assertion.
Signet rings with crests. real or in
vented" he said. "are the fad Just now.
They are usually very large and heavy.
The snake rings with jeweled eyes for the
serpents are also very popular
The wholesale men who make a spe-
cialty OF badges and buttons are having
their hands full in attending to that
trade nowadays. Just keep your eyes
open when You ride In a street car and
notice how many men wear lapel badges;
the number win surprise you.
In The popularity Ct the fob and the
relegntion Of re watch chain the jewell
srs hays good field for richness and or
The Washington times., 1901-12-29
Crane Wasn't Surprised.

The story is told of William II. Crane,
the actor. who dined at the House of Com
mons with some of the Irish members not
long ago, and. as a preliminary. a round
of drinks were ordered. Crane took ''the
same" which proved to be a half-pint OF
Irish whisky In tall tumbler. His
friends added soda 20 their whisky and
eulpcd il down without a wink. lie fol-
lowed suit. whercupOn another round was
ordered. and another half-pint was placed
before each man. Say" he quericd,
turning to his neighobr, when you chaps
take a drink do you always take one OF
that sizc?" I'VE do" was the reply.
Well. all I've got to remark, theE." said
Crane. "is that l am not surprised that
the Boer war continues. New York
Commercial Advertiser.
The Washington times., 1901-12-29
Languages Of the Red Man
A Fascinating chronological Study.
Similarity to Trans-Oceanic Tongues
Has Been Discovered.

The recording OF the Indian languages
OF this country by the experts OF the Bu-
rear OF Ethnology is proving a fascinat-
ing task to those engaged upon it. and
has been productive Of most interesting
results. Some of thes aboriginal tongues
have been found to rival the ancient
Greek in beauty OF expression. Grammars
and dictionar have been prepared OF
some of the languages. species of work
involving great dificulty as the Indian
words had. in every instance. to be re-
corded phonetlcally in the letters OF the
English alphabet.
There are about 100 separate and dis
tinct linguistic branches known to have
existed in North America and OF these.
the Bureau OF Ethnology has secured rec
ords. more or less complete. Of about
seventy-five. Many OF these languages.
records OF which have thus been made
are dead. so that the data concerning
them complied by the bureau are of in
estimable scientific value.
ReIntcd to Modern Tongues.
The entire data already coliated offer
to the student of philology the most per-
feet and satisfactory record OF the origin.
growth. development and relation of Ian
Guages among primitive mankind that has
ever been obtained.
This unique linguistic material has been
collected not only for linguistic purposes,
but as a means fer the Interpretation of
the primitive mind. One OF the curious
results obtained is the fact that certain
words in American languages are related
in meaning to words OF similar sound in
trans-oceanlc tongues. Just as the Indian
arrow is like that of the Orient and othe,
parts of the world. not only in general
form and function, but even in symbolic
Certain hieroglyphics Of the occfdent
are similar to those OF Egypt and the
East in form and significance; the calen-
lar of Mexico duplicates in essential fea-
.ures the calendars Of India and Arabia:
some social customs of America resemble
those of Africa and Australia, and the
beliefs and ceremonials OF the American !
.borigines simulate and sometimes ex-
ictly repeat those of India, China, and |
other countries.
Law of Mental Action.
These resemblances in the intellectual |
products Of mankind have been carefully |
considered and weighed in an effort to |
race general ethnic relation. and the
The Washington times., 1901-12-29

the wrong husbands. The greatest con-
sternation prevailed at the discovery, and
the wedding feast, afterwards, was a mere
shadow OF the expected joviality. The
bridegrooms appealed to the priest for
advice. but he said the brides father
could settle the matter. That gentleman
agreed to give his decision at the termi-
nation OF the feast, and matters went
more smoothly. By that time, however.
no doubt in consequence of his success in
having married two daughters at once of
his hands, he had drunk not wisely, but
too well, OF the cheap Hungarian wine.
and was incapable of anything. Though
the brides besought him on bended knees
to apportion them to one or other Of the
swains, it was all in vain. The matter
had to be brought before the courts,
which decided in giving the brides the
men they Ioved.-Pearson' Weekly.
The Washington times., 1901-12-29

on Christmas Day, in the year 117o. that
Thomas Beckett. the greatest English
cleric of his day, ascended the Cathedral
Church at Canterbury, ard preached what
may be called his own funeral sermon.
The words he made use CT so angered
Henry II that he let fall those fatal
words: IF anybody loved me he would
rid me OF this turbulent priest" Four
knights took him at his word, and on De-
cember 20 they slew the prelate before
the altar of st. Benedict, in Canterbury
Cathedral
One OF the saddest Christmases known
in London was that of the year 1868. The
Great Plague had stricken the city. and
the people We're dying at the rate Of
thousand a day.-London Mail.
The Washington times., 1901-12-29
An Extraordinary Wedding.

One of the most extraordinary weddings
ever celebrated was that of two brothers.
who married two sisters. about couple
of years ago, at SRndorfalva. in Hungary.
Il is necessary in Hungary that n civil
marriage should precede the mora proper
ceremony In the church. At The civil
ceremony Emmerich Tanks was married
to his Knticza Patay. and Francis Talks
to his Mary Patay The wedding day
came. aud the young couples arrived at
the church for the final ceremony. At the
altar the brides somehow changed places,
eventually leaving the ch Irch married to