davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-02-28
THE VELOCITY OF LIGHr.

The latest determination of the We.
locity Of light is that announced by
Monsieur Perrotin before the French
Academy of Sciences on November S,
1900. It raj obtained by the Fizeau
method, in which the rate Of rotation
Of a toothed wheel, between whose
cogs the light passes on its way to a
distant reflector, furnishes a means of
measuring the speed with which the
light moves. In this case the distance
between the stations was nearly
twelve kilometers or a little less than
seven miles end a half. The deduced
velocity was 299,900 ktlometers per Sec,
ond. This is forty kilometers greater
than the estimate OF Newcomb, and
differs about as much from the meas
urement of Nicholson at Annapolis in
1882. Nicholson used the Foucault
method. in which a revolving mirror
is %emnloved. and his result was $685.
S53 kilometers per second.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-02-28
PUZZLES N%ATURALlsTs.
Experiments with Fish Eggs Fan to
odu Freaks.

AS60 0A W
Produce Freaks.
A phenomenon that has been a puz-
zle to n%aturalists is the frequent occur
renee of embryo monsters in fish eggs
that is to say, double-headed and
otherwise abnormal young ones. With
a view to acquiring some knowledge
on the subject, experts of the fish COM
mission have been trying to produce
similar monsters artiicially,, by pur-
posely inflicting certain injuries upon
the eggs. 1t has been proved that
various freaks may be obtained from
the eggs Of chickens by interfering at
a critical period with the germs they
contain. and it vas thought that the
same thing might be accomplished
with fish eggs, so Is to throw light
upon the causes Of such deformities.
With this benevolent intention, fish
eggs Of various kinds were jolted about
and otherwise treated injuriously. Ono
lot Of them, for example, was placed
in a glass jar securely corked, which
was then dropped ten times from a
height of four feet into a wooden pail
half filled with water, striking the bot
tom of the bucket each time with con-
siderable violence. But these and other
trials produced no monsters, though
they killed a good many OF the eggs.
Those left alive Matched out normal
fish in due time. The conclusion was
reached that, in handling fish eggs, it
is Of the utmost Importance to avoid.
shaking them up or disturbing them in
any a%voidable way.-Saturday Evening
Post.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-02-28
eesEssssEessssss sasssssse
PAST AND PRESENT

Fs6S2
Sing no! for the days OF old.
When the robbers bold n free
In the forest deep did vigil keep
Under the greenwood tree.
They cared not for law or rule;
Might was the law they knew;
land robbed at will DER dale and hill.
And spared when they pleased. or slew.
Nor made they a specious plea
For the lustry trade they piled:
But free and bold in quest OF gold
They robbing lived, and died.
\And think not, tho times have changed,
That no hlghwaymen have we:
They're with us still. and work their
will,
But they move in society"
Got q paltFy purse they snatch;
ney are holder now by far:
he peoples feet they steal a
ride n a palace car.
or ride, or fly,
hte in full must pay:
you need they'll maxi you
N a modern way.
you dared them name
" you a scornful glance,
y know, with a naughty bow,
Re masters of finance"
for the thieves OF old,
osed not as 'flnanciers'':
gh inc rude In the shady wood.
at the travellers Tears!
-PhiIadelphia Record.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-02-28

beat Abid and order him to leave the
apartment, then he would call him
back, embrace him lovingly and
shower gold upon him. Abid took the
abuse meekly and saved the gold care
fully. In this way he became wealthy.
Then he started a line of shops in
Hyderabad and became a dealer in
English goods, under the distinguished
patronage of H. L. the Viceroy and
Governor-General of India and H. H.
the Nizam of Hyderabad. His wealth
increased a~<, his name became well
knowna an ov,r India. Years after
swaaa Aplonel ,l7ayers came out here
- ~ 70 tlyderabal. Abid had just
marns& Englishwoman who had
renowned hefffa4frh and BECAME a Mo-
hammedan in order to marry She
was q woman who had formerly lived
in the colonel's household as his wife's
companion and he recognized her at
once from the description given him.
She herself was kept cu~rtain-hidden.
The other Mohammedan women were
kind ITO her but she was not happy in
LILY CAdUd 1uS COISCduL COQunement
told on her health and no doubt her
feeling of isolation and remoteness
from her own country and her friends
and her God broke her heart. Abid'
who had money to crafty her every
whim, anne here to the mountains
then and had this house built for her.
The lower rooms at the back are built
against the mountain. They are so
damp and dark that we keep them
closed altogether. There is a fernery
on the other end, where she used to
spend hours every morning. This
summer-house was built to please her
and the garden filled with the flowers
she loved best. For all that, she was
never happy here and would have died
of homesickness if Abid had not taken
her away" Where did he take her."
the Englishman asked. He took her
home" the story-teller replied, "back
to old England, and he is living there
with her now" And your" he said.
Il am living in her garden and YOU
have come, just as you promised you
would come on the quai in Marseille;
that rainy Thursday. Do you remem
ber?"
II remember" he said, and then the,
went in and dined on hump and curry
and good French wine.
.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-02-28

N- NHI 80 .SSoN>
the poles are forced downward so
that the shoes Of the brake will
crop the rail. By a system of
levers, connecting with the Wheel
rim hand-brakes Of the car, the
reaction of the shoes Of the electro
magnetic brake in gripping the rails
increases the pressure Of the hand
brakes also. The new brake is not ac-
tuated by the current which drives the
car, but by an Independent current de-
rived from the momentum Of the car,
and the interruption Of the driving
current, instead Of preventing the ac-
ton of the brake causes it to act auto.
matically.
FOREST WEALTH OF PHILIPPINES.
The Spaniards were moi insensible to
the great value of the vast forests in
the Philippine Islands, and thirty-fve
years ago a government forestry bu-
reau was established at Manila. Cap
tain Ahern, now in charge Of this bu-
reau, is seeking to reorganize it, and
calls for technically educated foresters
from the United States to assist him.
More than 400 species Of trees are
known in the Philippines, and it is be-
lieved that a careful survey will reveal
nearly loo. more species. At least fifty
Of the known species, including the
celebrated ihlang-ihlang tree, which
produces an oil forming the base Of
many perfumes, are valuable. Many
species are Of medicinal value.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-02-28
put up an imperious little hand and
Ia IN - - Dnrctr,a Isrr s - fffH f

put up an imperious little hand and
laid 1t OF Rene'sq lips.
Don't say INT world" she whis-
pered. Its luck-all sheer good luckl
Now's your chance If" The dane
ing eyes flashed at him q smile of ten
der coquetry-'if you want mel" she
concluded. "Yes-mothar, I'm coming.
ina. IS the Dahl Mr.-5ands!"
II ever an intriguing lobbyist laid
deep and intricate plans: II ever an
insinuating sutton paid serious siege
to the parent OF his adored; II eyer a
bold and ardent lover determined to
win by strategem and hold in pride
the n woman he loved. the wiles OF
these We're trivial compared to those
Of Leslie Ferguson's adorer.
THAT young man." said the deluded
hostess when her guest had gone to
his repose in the little slant rooted
bedroom upstairs, SIS the best Judge
Of spice cake I ever see! Did you hear
him praise it? And he said he never
EFT such pickles-which is sayin' the
truth-if / did make 'em! He knows
my family too, and how high my ia
Their held his head when he drove his
w covered carriage as we'll as a
buggy. What was the matter with
you? You didn't have a word to fling
to him?"
Leslie looked up with a weary little
pout. Why should I? ! supposed 1t
was Ellis Dix that you"
Ellis Dix!' ECHOED Mrs. Ferguson
with an unabashed change Of opinion.
What is Ellis Dix to a man that
will likely come. in for all Hiram
Sands property-let alone a man that
knows a lady an the best of cookin' in
the county when he sees 'em?"
To this triumphant argument LESSEE
ventured no reply.
That night a snow storm set ina
memorable nov storm that lasted
three days. Then 1t was indeed, that
Mrs. Ferguson learned how valuable
an acquisition was her temporary
ledger. 1t was he who got the kitchen
fire lighted before there was a glimmer
of gray at the window pane. Fe too,
cared for the stock, and dug paths. and
mended the roof where it leaked, and
brought water, and made himself adap-
tive, agreeable, and altogether delight
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-02-28
s-ELF-cLos1Na FAUCET.

Here is a handy, s%elf-closing faucet,
which is designed for use in connec-
lion with water coolers and public
drinking fountains. Everyone knows
hat it is not always convenient to use
seth hands in-drawing a glass of water,
and II one hand is engaged with a
bundle it is not an easy task to manip-
ulate the faucet and hold the glass at
the same time. Then. too, in.the case
Of public fountains the persons par
taking Of the water will most likely
leave the faucet open unless some sort
Of a spring valve is provided. For these
reasons this faucet should prove a
practical device for it's purpose. 1t
consists Of a tubular head loosely
mounted on the end of the outlet pipe,
Inside this pipe is a 1at-headed bolt,
having a washer which fits tightly
against the upper surface Of the in
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-02-28
Galvsston's Loss Figured Up.

The Galveston News publishes a
statement of the property losses in Gal
weston caused by the terrible storm Of
Sept. 8 last. The figures are the result
of a thorough investigation and are ac-
copied as accurate so far as it is pos
sible to compute them under the cir
cumstances. The property loss suffer-
ed aggregates s17,058,2 75, divided as
follows: Residence property and con-
tents, totally destroyed, $6,196,O00;
damage to other residences and con-
tents, $2,250,O 900; church property, $780,
900; municipal property, $3.50, 900;
wharyes and shipping facilities, $685.
900; manufacturing plants, 1919 IT'S:
county property, $242, 500; public insti-
buttons, $159 900; mercantile buildings.
$780,, 200; merchandise in stock. 81, 391.-
$50; state property, $110 1900; United
States government property, $3,155,-
500; railroads, telegraphs. telephone,
etc, 100000; goods in transit, $415,-
r5O
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-02-28
III PAID HIM WELL.
Colored Mans scientific knowledge Gives

NOAVECO NAL y 6CACuttNC kAuOWleuE0 0IveO
Him q SUPPLEMENTARY. .
Training at Tuskegee is em.nently
practical. There the blacksmith learns
to dissect a horses hoof, in order to
see exactly why and how the animal
may be injured by unskillful work.
The girl who wishes to become q
housekeeper follows the details Of her.
task until she reaches economic prin-
ciples. The method pays. Men and
women equipped with this sort Of SCI
entfic training do no haphaEard work
save through their own c~arelessness.
Again and again does the system prove
its value. At one time the owners OF
q certain creamery were in need Of Q
new superintendent, and Tuskegee had
Just graduated a man perfectly fitted
for the place. Still he was as black
as black could be, and 1t was with
some doubt that he made application.
"A colored MANI" said the owners OF
the creamery. "Oh, that would never
dol" The applicant replied very po-
litely that he had not come to talk
about color. except, perhaps, the color
of butter. He dropped into the detaila
OF dairy work, and finally something
In his speech seemed to the gentlemen
practical and significant. SWELL" they
concluded, you might stay for a two
weeks trial. but there's no possibility
OF u hiring q colored man perman.
emily" The first weeks make of but.
ter was shipped, and when the returna
came back 1t was found that it had
sold at an advance of two cents q
pound on any price the creamery had
previously been able to obtain. ".This
Ia very singular" said the owners. So
they waited for next weeks. return.
Then 1t was found that the butter had
advanced still another cent, three cents
more than the creamery's best record.
The new mans methods had produced
their effect and he was, at once engaged
as superintendent. The color question
sank into oblivion.-Youth's Compan-
ion.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-02-28

India there is an Illustration show
ing how this earthquake twisted a
lofty monument at Chhatak. The
monument was an obelisk of brick.
coated with plaster, more than sixty
feet tall and twelve feet Nauare at the
base. About six feet of the top were
broken off and thrown to the%south
and nine feet more were thrown to
the east. Then a piece twenty feet in
height was separated, twenty-thres
feet above ground, and twisted in a dis
rect1on opposite to the motion Of the
hands OF a watch, but without falling
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-02-28
and the garden that belong to Doda.

and the garden that belong to Doda-
beta.
And this Is the story the Englishman
heardsover the tea-cups.
A long time ago" the story-teller's
voice had a new and curious note OF
sympathy in it, when the Shah OF
Persia went to London to visit the
Queen. he took with him as inter-
prefer, an English officer who had long
been q resident at the Persian Court.
This officer. whose name was Colonel
Trayers, had a Persian dressing-boy
named Abid. The boy who was de,
voted to his master, begged to be all
lowed to accompany him. AS he spoke
English rather we'll and was in many
other ways, a valuable servant. the
colonel yielded to his %entreaties and
took him to England, placing him as
guard at one of tho inner doors of the
Shah's apartments at Buckingham
Palace. Subsequently 1t was discov-
cred that no tradesman. jeweler, ship
builder or anyone else who wished to
enter into business relations with the
AuACl CNCL gu UCyOAO AOAA 2
door until they had lined the boys
palm with gold. AS a consequence, he
was dismissed in disgrace. He left
London and made his way to Alden.
Knowing that his dishonesty had made
residence in the Shah's country i'm
possible he boarded a pilgrim ship
bound from Mecca to Bombay. Short
ly after his arrival in Bombay, he
made his way across the country to
Hyderabad and became a punkahwol-
lab in the Nizam's palace at a salary
OF six rupees per month. He learned
Hindustan and was promoted to one
office after another until finally the
old Nizam made him the companion Of
the young prince, Mir Mabub Ali. The
prince and the beggar were about the
same age and soon became firm
friends. The heir to the throne, al
ready well spoiled by life, used tc
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-02-28
Largest Perfect Plank.

Seventeen feet long by six feet wide
and two inches thick were the dimen-
sions of the largest perfect plank. This
phenomenal plank of redwood was cut
from one of the famous Californian
gian trees. Its most remarkable feat
ure is its absolute perfectness and its
immense size, a combination exception
ally rare in the wood trade. While
there, may have been as large pieces
of redwood, they were not without Inn
projections. or were made up OF sec
tional pieces to represent one, and this
is claimed to be the biggest perfect SOL
Id plank in the world. The plank was
produced at one Of the largest saw
mills in California It Is a dificu1t
task to secure a slice Of wood Of such
a size perfect in every detail. An ex-
peerienced woodsman had to prospect
for miles Of forest for a suitably large
and adaptable tree at least IL feet In
diameter. sgsst'
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-02-28
CONTROLLED BY THE GLASS.

terror shoulder as shown. When the
Zip Of a tumbler is pressed against the
lower edge Of the tubular head it tits
the bolt out of a vertical line and con-
s%equently lifts one side Of the washer
sufficiently to let the water flow until
the tumbler is withdrawn, when the in
ternal pressure again seats the washer
and stops the flow. To avoid the liza
bility Of breaking the glass the lower
edge of the fitting head is provided
with a rubber ring, which is retained
within a groove by its own elasticity.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-02-28
Chastnut. Tor Foo,l.

4 In some parts of France, writes Con,
sue John G. Covert. in what are called
the schist lands, chest6ptss form a very
important article of daily food. They
are boiled. pulverized and eaten like
our mashed potatoes. In every city
and nearly every village during the
fall and winter they are sold in door
ways and on street corners fresh from
large roasting pans. About noontime
numbers Of poor people may be seer
around these roasting pans waiting t.
invest their pennies. Nine or ten
chestnuts are given for a cent. They
are about the size of our horse chest.
nuts.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-02-28

full. Not the least of his charm fer
the elder woman lay in the fact that
he listened with sympathetic if silenI
lection of her daughter for a man upon
whom she-Mrs. Ferguson, had never
laid eyes,"
THE trouble between our families?
Indeed, it dates so far back / can't
tell you just how 1t begun. But any
how, the old man Of the Cartville
branch cheated my husbands grand
father out Of some land. An here's
that girl of mine havin' ears an eyes
for no n since she met Rene Fergu-
son. What's the matter with you
now?" For LESSEE, white and frighten-
ed-looking stood in the doorway.
Its Mr.. Sands" she faltered. 81
saw him driving into the yard"
Mrs. Ferguson jumped up. I'll be
sorry to have you go over to your
uncle, Toni" she cried. 81 hope you'll
come over real often to see LESSEE an
mel"
The young man rose also. "He isn'i
my uncle. l have never heard of Hiram
Sands. I came here for-for Lessie!"
LESSEE colored a delicious pink. She
summoned all her bravery. She went
and stood beside her lover. "You like
Rene, mother" she said.
The pleasant kitchen with its ting
glistening like silver in the ~ireshine,
went round and round. Mrs. Ferguson
stared biankly at the two confronting
her. Rene" she said at length. "Rene
Ferguson!"
Eyes, mother. You know he didn':
say he was Tom Sands. You said SO.
and II made him pretend. He.
Rene-thinks a heap of you already,
mother!!"
You've been mighty good to mel"
cried the young fellow gratefully.
The mother-in-law he longed tc
claim was silent. Rene tried again.
IF only Mr.. Ferguson were at home
now, he might persuade you"
Persuade me! Dave Ferguson! He
wouldn't think of tryin' to! I'd settle
matters right now Tiff It wasn't for
the feud.""
But there isn't anJ feud now! I'm
only afraid" with a long sigh, "Lessie
will never be as good cook as her
mother!" The mother meditated-thep
smiled. t
"Guess I'll stir up some Of that spice
cake for supper" she said.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-02-28
wYoM1Na.s norroMLEss LAKES.

N1OuAxN00 nO11OUkAGSS LANES -
The Big Horn basin in Wyoming Is
famed in Indian legend as the place
where spirits from the happy hunting
grounds come to commune with the
living. One story told is that in years
to come the palefaces would lay claim
to the sacred place and that they would
dig pure gold by the shovel full from
its depths. Lakes Arta and Irma are
very deep, and If there is any gold in
them it is yet to be discovered, as the
bottoms have not yet been fathomed.
These lakes are named after the
daughters Of Col. w. F. Cody, who
took SO much stock in the Indian
legend that he purchased the entire
$4,000 acres comprising the basin.
The colonel says that if gold is never
found it will make no difference to
him as the land is worth millions for
agricultural purposes. The water OF
the lakes is said to have curative prop.
critics.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-02-28
soldier. Appreciate smoking Outfits.

The tobacco and pipes sent to the
Scottish soldiers in South Africa by
their compatriots in London have been
immensely valued Copies of letters in
this sense have been received from
General Hector Macdonald and the off
GERS commanding regiments. ct is
needless for me-" says the general,
speaking for the whole highland bril-
gade, Ito tell you how highly the men
appreciate the thoughtfulness Of their
countrymen, and the kindly feeling
which prompted them to send such a
handsome and useful gift of remem-
brance." It appears that the Beers
looted one lot of tobacco from a con-
voy, but they thoughtfully left the
dainty boxes in. which it was con-
tanned. These bore a Scottish design
and greetings on the lid, and were
really meant as keepsakes.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-02-28
AND


ordinary degree Of heat. With the aid
Of a melting-pot, rails and pipes can
be Immediately welded at any place.
The pot being filled with an inflamma-
BILE mixture and ignited, a few spoon
fuls Of thermit are added, and the tenn
perature quickly rises as high as 5000
degrees Centigrade. An aluminium ok
ide is then poured on the part of the
rail or pipe, to be welded, and the work
is done. $50 quickly that the pot is
cold and can be taken into the hand
after being emptied."
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-02-28
as=ssses:ess sssssssssaa
! Woman's Glance for Man \
xSaSeEGsGess sssSeeseeG

When you grieve. ana let 1t show,
And may tell me nothing more.
You have told me, DER and Ger,
All a woman needs to know.
When \ show you that l care
lMeet your yes and touch your hand).
l have made you understand
All q woman may or dare.
SO. the ears of Friendship heard
So, twas seen of Friendships eyes!
You are sad. 1 sympathize.
All without a single word.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-02-28
Audience Cheered Real Fight.

While, doing q cakewalk in a Cincin-
zh theater an. actress named Ger
kide Swiggert wore a pair of heavy.
lbrogans. An unusually violent kick
threw OFF one Of the shoes. which hit
the umpah man in the orchestra on
the nose. The musician, on the spur
Of the moment, threw it at the girl.
landing it neatly on her right eye.
The girl fled from the stage and the
audience cheered. thinking it was all
part of the show.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-02-28

n a long arm chair. The glass brought
things in the hill-station so near to her
That the sunlight dancing on the road
dazzled her. She could see two
three carts coming down the hill
th their bullocks half asleep be-
cen the shafts. Barelegged English
ildren were playing in the walled
lrdens across the valley and she
ncied she could hear the sound of
cir childish laughter and queer un-
Eng1ish conversation mingled with the
utter Of fowls and the sharp clack
the orderly's horse galloping by
EN-. "Her Excellency," she thought,
has lost her handkerchief or dropped
land the. orderly is on his way
Fernment House for another
Iaief Or. another PIN"
lie farther along, the tonga
ok and passed the governors
ge.S The governor and her Ex-
~, a lonely-faced Englishwoman,
driving with one of the aid-de-
1. They were a-tended by a
guard Of stalwart Mohammedan
vs. clad in gorgeous uniforms, car
long spears and mounted on
lorses.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-02-28
70 Recognize orisin.lltx.

A philosophical woman offers to
give 500 toward a fund to purchase a
thank offering for the woman-f she
.an be found-under 40 years Of age,
who has not worn this winter a hat
with a pink rose dangling over her
brow. Women in mourning may not
compete. Neither may red-haired wo-
men, as red-haired women who wear
pink roses are In q class BY them
seiyes.-New York Commercial Adver-
2 y Ms ssf 0I kNNs5s9 ,s31Es