davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1901-05-11

all burdensome. Like many other wise trdv-
ellers Mrs. Seton Thompson tells US that for
women in the West the only way is to ride
astride, and she illustrates her contention thus:
Two New-York women. mother and daughter
took a trip Of some three hundred miles over
the painless Wind River Mountains. The mother
rode astride but the daughter preferred to ex-
hibit her Durland Academy accomplishment and
rode sidesaddle, according to the fashion set by
an artful queen to hide her defOrmity. The ad-
vantages of health. youth and strength were all
with the daughter. yet in every case on that
long march II was the daughter who gave out
first, and compelled the pack train TO halt while
she and her horse rested. And the daughter
was Obliged to change from one horse to an
other, while the same horse was able to carry
the mother, slightly heavier woman through
the trip. And the back of the horse which the
New-York tribune., 1901-05-11

man kind-or condolences. One OF these stories
concerns two large dead trunks OF trees "Hich
stand rooted inside a pew in the oio pAlish
church OF Ross in Hereford The heaos oi THESE
two trees at one time reached heaii! u 'iie
roof and then they were cut OH III lAelr seafcH
for sunshine and free air. Here Is their story
The Man of Ross everybody knows about
him so of course you do) greatly loved very
LaaT,If,,I el,o which stood just outside window
Of the church near his pew Every one was
against the elm. Sexton church wardehs'
clergy congregation-they all mated II and want
"a ~ 70 be destroyed. They said It darkened
The church They said at all costs the tree must
% Tut the Man Of Ross would not suffer 1t
"a he harmed in any way. So the tree lived as
long as he lived; and the people refrained from
DESTROYING their benefactor's favorite. AS soon
ever he was dead. however an axe was
fetched and down came the elm. The congre-
CATION had not very long enjoyed themselves
without the tree when they became aware OF
two young saplings rising up inch by inch,
growing taller and stronger day by day, rising
through the floor of the same old pew where
the Man of Ross had sat Sunday after Sunday
for so many years. No one dared lift a hand
against the young elms So they grew and grew
right up TO the raftered roof. Springtime dressed
them in fresh green and their branches shed
gold when the year ripe. Now that the
trees are both dead there's regret and sorrow
enough: and Virginian creeper Is planted ana
made TO twine round the withered stems, to
make vain show Of life.
The small volume modestly lettered Will
derness Ways was a surprise to the reviewer
and the pleasantest of surprises. Here are set
forth such forest records we do not often
hnd-the results Of hours Of watching by secret
northern lakes. where the great Mother Loon
teaches her little ones to catch their dinner
where the queer and comic caribou kindergarten
is held where the lynx hunts his frightened
game There is rare fascination in these
studies Of animals 10y man who feels the true
meaning Of the wild life before him and knows
how TO convey IL 10 in all its truth unmiXed
with any stage romance Of human Invention
Quite as bewitChing any chapter OF the Jun
Gle Book are these in which Mr.. Long has set
down his own observations Of Cloud Wings, the
eagle: Of Hukween, the loon: Of Killooleet uit-
tie Sweet Voice. the Mlicete name), the white
throated sparrow. These spaTows. he tells u.s.
are the sunniest. cheeriest folk he found any
where in the woods and what he adds concern
ing a young family which lived near his camp
certainly confirms IL. Fearless Father killooleet
made the intimate acquaintance Of the hunter
and his Indian guide. accepted their hospitality
on all occasions. persuaded his shyer mate TO
share the crackers on the tin plate set for them
and when the five little Killooleets came into the
biz world led them in procession 10 that gen
New-York tribune., 1901-05-11

erous dinner table. But the prettiest sight Of
all came 70 the watcher when he returned TO
camp hungry one afternoon. unfed save for
handful of figs and crackers. hastily snatched in
the morning.
It occurred TO suddenly that Killooleet
might be hungry. too, for had neglected TO feed
him. He had grown sleek and comfortable OF
late, and never went insect hunting when he
could get cold fried trout and corn bread.
l landed silently and stole up to the tent 10
see if he were exploring under the fly as he
sometimes did when l was away curious
sound. a hollow tunk, tunlI nk-a-tunk grew
where l could the fireplace and the little
opening before my tent and noticed first that
had left the cracker box open Dit was almost
empty when ! hurried away after the otter
The curious sound was inside growing more
eager every moment-tunk, tunk tunk-a-
trrrrrrr-runk, tunk. tunk,
crept on my hands and knees to the box TO
see what queer thing had found his way the
crackers, and peeped cautiously over the edge
There were Killooeet. and Mrs. Killooleet and
the five little Killooeets Just seven hopping
brown backs and bobbing heads. helping them
selves TO the crackers, ana the sound Of their
bills on the empty box made the jolliest tattoo
that ever came out Of a camping kit.
i crept away more cautiously than I had come
and standing carelessly in my tent door whistled
the call always used IN feeding the birds. Like
Hash killoOleet appeared the edge of the
cracker box. looking very much surprised. Il
thought you We're away; why. / thought you
were away he seemed 10 be saying Then he
clucked and the tunk-a-tunk ceased instantly
Another cluck and Mrs. Killooleet appeared.
looking frightened: then, one after another the
five little killooleets bobbed up; and there they
sat in solemn the edge OF the cracker
box, turning their heads sidewlse to see me
better
There" said Killooeet, didn't tell YOU he
wouldn't hurt you?" And like five winks the
five little KilloOleets We're back I'm the box and
the Understanding began again.
This assurance that they might do as they
pleased and help themselves undisturbed to
whatever they found seemed to remove the last
doubt from the mind OF even the little gray
mate. After that they stayed most OF the time
close about my tent and were never so far
away so busy insect hunting that they would
not come when whistled and scattered crumbs.
While Mr.. Long writes tenderly of the little
creatures Of the woods he is under no illusions
as 10 the characters of some OF them. He may
describe POLITICALLY the way in which Mother
Cloud-Wings sets her broad back under her
baby eaglet when IL loses its balance in it's
hrst flight; but he tells US also how mother
bears and foxes and deer and ducks and spar
rows and almost all the wild creatures between
savageiy drive their offspring away when the
time comes for independence. More than
once, he says, II have been touched by the
sight OF a little begging piteously 10 be
fed or just TO stay, while the mother drove him
away impatiently." AS for the villain OF the
woods. Kagax the weasel the author gives him
New-York tribune., 1901-05-11

strongest impression gathered by the reader
from these pages is Of the keen personal in
terest which the Englishman takes in his gar
den. the real affection he feels for it To garden
beautifully is a beloved hobby-one which con-
stantly calls UP new delights and excitements
as innocent as they are vivid. These gardens
are, some Of them, OF stately beauty. Some are
OF quiet, sunny simplicity. All OF them have
that attractive grace without which q garden
IS naught-they have in them the sentiment OF
home, that sweetness OF privacy which makes
friends. companions kinsfok OF ones flowers
and trees. The thick hedges. the shielding
shrubbery. the high messy walls OF the English
gardens great and small, maintain this senti-
rnent, preserve this sweetness; and we venture
10 say that lacking these, no garden can be a
lasting Joy and satisfaction. Not for many gen.
eratiOns 10 cOme-if ever-shaI see in this
country the thoroughly lovable garden; the
American habit Of fenceless exposure OF lawn,
flower border and house 10 the outer world Is
apparently fixed, and therefore while we may
have handsome gardens. have none OF
poetic. tender and homely charm.
The letters in which ''Sylvana" otherwise Mrs
Boyle gossips gayly sweetly graciously. out
OF a deep fund OF garden lore and an observant
acquaintance with human nature, are as vel
come as the flowers that bloom in the spring
There is a beguling spirit OF fun in her. and as
beguiling is the enthusiasm with which the true
lover OF flowers mast always write of the
denizens OF the garden Among such true lovers
there is always freemasonry, and the author
kndles at the tenderness Of a poverty stricken
old woman Cor the single geranium in her cot
tage window. The great prophylactic Of the
English poor for their plants is the tea leaf and
the geranium was not neglected '.She was
putting few tea leaves round its roots" saws
j. v. B.. when called the other day Yes
she said. in answer 10 some remark II amt
much as has 20 live on. bus likes my flower
and as long as i gets my cup OF tea, zee shall
have his tea leavesr" As closely as Mrs Bowie
studies the plants IN her gardens and the wild
lings OF her woods does she note the wavs of
the furred and feathered creatures that haunt
those precincts She pauses in the grassy walk
10 listen 10 the little hedgehog snoring peace
fully an the bottom OF his hole. to can upon the
blue III that builds, year after year, inside one
of the garden ppmps-builds persistently, though
moss and eggs may sometimes be poured awav
with the water before her human friends learn
what little Madam Bird has made up her mind
TO do In gossipping about her beloved trees
Mrs. Boyle tells many odd story OF what
she believes TO be occult sympathies with hu
New-York tribune., 1901-05-11

daughter had ridden chiefly in such a con-
ditiOn from saddle gals that the animal, two
months before magnificent creature, had 10 be
shot
The eighth edition Of Mr.. Robnson's invalu-
able book IS comprehensive such work
can we'll be. There are no gardens in the world
in which it's fundamental ideas would nOt be Of
service while as a practical guide 70 the grow
ing Of flowers. hardy and half hardy, it is a
boon 10 professional and amateur alike The
second part Of the volume includes s-ription
Of most of the trees and plants OF this nature
for flower gardens and pleasure grounds. and is
Illustrated with remarkable beauty and ac-
curacy. The first part Mr.. Robinson has de-
voted to discussion Of the best design for the
garden. all his injunctions and suggestions illus
trating his conviction that the best kind OF
garden should arise out Of It's site aud con-
ditions as happily as a primrose out OF a cool
bank He is all for the beauty Of natural
growth. grouping and arrangement as against
the formal. stif and artificial. and the proof Of
his wisdom Is 10 be found not only in his own
vigorous arguments. but also in the scenes from
exquisite English gardens scattered through his
text. II is largely through his teachings that
the new enthusiasm for this most enchanting
form of gardening has arisen in England. Such
gardening is. in truth. 10 quote Bacon again.
The Greatest Refreshment 10 the Spirits Of
Man"
New-York tribune., 1901-05-11

every one placed butt end out. and drivar =
flush with the surface. Here are the Redbs..'
who were once surprised in the spring e,,'~
young grasshoppers-a time when young ers.T
hoppers were usually as scarce in South Dako.-
as birds teeth. The discoverer watehed 80
feasters until he saw that one went freouart,'
TO post and appeared to get something ON, i,
Ia creviee in it's side. In that post he forr,
nearly hundred grasshoppers still alive NV.
wedged in so tightly they could not escape ~
also found other hiding places. all fun Of gra,,
hOppers, and discovered that the woodpecko~-
lived upon these stores nearly all winto,~
Equally provident is the Indiana Redhead. yn.
having particular liking for beechnuts. sto,.,
New-York tribune., 1901-05-11

them in quantities for the winter in all manner
OF plaees-knotholes, cracks, erevtces. seams in
the barn. cavities in old tree trunks.
Nuts were tucked into the cracks in fence
posts; they were driven into railroad ties they
were pounded in between the shingles the
roofs; If a board was sprung out the space be-
hind 1t was dlled with nuts, and bark wood
was often brought to cover over the gathered
store.
The maIefactor Of the species Is the naughty
sapsucker who. in gathering his meals. tnjures
the tree which forms his cupboard.
The wholesome lie of rural New -EngIand-ths
life that is changing and passing. day by day. is
chronic.ed in the late Rowland Robinson's last
book, sam Lovelrs Boy The quaint charac-
tiers of the former Danvis tales reappear herein.
and hUmOr and sound sense presented in what
is perhaps the least Jresome of dialects brighten
every page. The fishing and hunting episodes
are set down with that loving APPRECIATION Of
nature which never failed this writer.
Like the strains of a dainty madrigaI ara
springs first fioWers--so says IIr. Crockett in
his description. month by month. of scenes in
wood and field. The simile IS typical Of his
manner and matter. 1t is the manner Of one
who says Go To! i also have a particular fond
ness for nature and viii write a book about the
Good Lady" And he goeth forth and OBJ
serveth with malice prepense; and, with a GER
tain eye for the picturesque and a not Unpleas-
New-York tribune., 1901-05-11
NATURE-BOOKS.
STUDIES IN THE LIVES OF TREES.
PLANTS AND ANIMALS.

GARDENS I9 rs OLD AND NEW The Country cunt House
Imported by Charles Scrbner's Sons
SYLXANA,s LETTERS TO AN UNKNowN
FRIENDa by j.. Y. j. l2mo PIP. 100. Mac
WILDERNESS WAYS. by William J. Long Sec
ond series. l6mo. PIP l55. Boston; CHM & Co.
THE CHRONICLE OF a CORNISH GARDEN:
BY Harry Roberts. Illustrations Of an ideal lea
garden by f. L. B. Griggs. Crown svo. PIP. lss
"a JOURNEY TO NATURE. BY J. p Mowbray
l2mo. pp. Sl5 Doubleday. Page & Go.
@ Guide t t2 tse sfSdy en oq5 Pop3iar
edition in colors With seventy-hve fuli page page
coiored plates after drawings by Ernest s. seton
Thompson. l2mO, pp. -. d. Appletoh * w.
aNTELLIGENCE IN PLANTS S,s AND AHIMAtiT; 2IiIa,eiy
issued soul and Immortality {, By Ihofn1S 90 ~,
Gentry, Sc. d. Svo. pp 4ss DouoeuaS' i0s'
a WOMAN TENDERFOOT. BY Grace G9llatin
seton Thompson. l2mo' PIP sol. DouoledaS'
tHE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN AND HOME
GROUNDS. Design and Arrangement shown hy
and ireland. Followed by a Description Of the
Plants, shrubs and Trees for the open Ar car
den and Their Culture. BY w. Robinson IL
Iustrated with many engravings on wood No
DIP So Imported by Charles Scribner's Sons.
"a HANDY BOOK OF HORTICULTURE. An In
PRODUCTION 10 the Theory and Practice Of Car
dening. BY F. {. Hayes, N a, ,. rsetor 3I I
k5snyd S5neeG S6ese II Dubn With Illustrations
l2mo, pp. 22S. L. p Dutton & Co.
NTIE wOODPECKERS BY Fannie Hardy Eek
storm With five colored plates by Louis
Agassiz Fuertes, and drawings by John /.
RidgeWay. Square l2mo, PIP. lSl Houghtoh'
Miflin & Co.
xsAM LOVELIrS BOY. BY Rowland +. Robinson.
lsmo DIP. 259. Houghton. Mifia - co.
n YEAR BOOK OF KENTUCKY WOODS AND
FIELDS BY Ingram Croker. 16rno PIP IL.
Charles Wells MoultOn.
Lord Bacon has called gardening THE Purest
Of Humane Pleasures" and his whole quaint
essay goes TO show that even 10 read about the
planting Of a garden is 10 feel something OF the
5oy thereof. There is certainly no more fasci-
mating book on this subject than Gardens OLD
sznd New" the splendid volume in which are
described a large number Of the famous gardens
and country seats of England. Every charm
with which history, tradition and poetry have
Invested the English garden the imaginative
American viii find in its remarkable Illus
1rations The accompanying text is animated
by uncommon taste and knowledge The
New-York tribune., 1901-05-11

and alleviate her miseries. No animal not
even man himself could show more real sympa-
thy for a fellow in distress than Sport did for
Blackey.
Talking Of cats. Dr Gentry tells a marvellous
story OF certain Tom left on guard in an
empty house while the family went to church.
In the midst Of the sermon Tom flew down the
aisle 10 his master, clawed that good friends
trousers and yelled at the top Of his voice. The
clergyman paused. the congregation peered IN
curiosity; the cats master scenting danger
went home. And the house was on fire. This
cat still lives I'm New-Jersey. and upon occa-
sion, DIR. Gentry says. watches his masters
cows with the faithfuluess and wisdom Of a
shepherds dog. ANY disposition TO stray out
side the limits is checked. the erriug animal
being hustled back by Tom. who. attaching him
self TO her caudaI extremity. remains there until
she is brought back where she belongs" In the
matter OF literary style Or. Gentry makes no
pretensions. but so fun Of kindness. simplicity
and true reverence is his book no reader aan
fail TO enjoy II and TO respect if not acquiesce
in his convictions and theories.
graceful and cheerful book is that In which
Mrs Seton Thompson relates her experiences
with her artis--husband in the Western wilds
II breathes forth health. fresh air. and the
Joyous freedom OF prairie and mountain; IL has
bright humor and the marks Of shrewd obser-
walton. II is from cover TO cover n highly
New-York tribune., 1901-05-11

his due as mercIessly as that red toothed as
sassin deserves.
How to bring loveness and happiness out OF
an irregular. hopeless patch OF weeds is the
theme Of Mr.. Roberts's pretty and practical
little book Such patch he himself undertook
TO deal with and the story Of his efforts to
claim 1t and his success is full of entertainment
and suggestion. His gardening is on a footing
with old Izaak Walton's fishing. IT like to be my
own gardener" he says 'and take an interest
in my plants individual living things as we'll
as bits OF beautiful color and form. like to see
plant grow and develop, TO study its distinc
tive features and their causes, and to read about
it, and SO learn what others have observed. A
small. convenient and healthy house. a large
and we'll situated garden. good library gradu-
ally accumulated. a small cCmpetency-and
what more in the way of physical possessions
can the cOntemplative man require" What in
deed! Mr. Roberts chants with equal good taste
and good sense the praises of hardy plants. be-
lieving that plants in pots SAVIOR too much Of the
pet bird idea. 1t is the Old fashioned perennials
that most appeal to the contemplative man
the sweet old Shakespearan flowers that return
with friendly faces year after year 10 their
accustomed hooks and repay with what seems
like clinging affection the particular attentions
which each requires Many of these delicious
old English flowers will not take kindly 10 our
burning American summers-we know OF no spot
in this country, for example, where wallfiowers
flourish out OF doors with real British luxuri-
ance except in Nantucket garden But con-
cerning those plants which have endured emil
grafton with equanimity the author gives in
Vulnerable useful hints
Poetry humor and a real IL not remarkably
original philosophy mark Mr.. Mowbray's Jour
ney 70 Nature" The book purports TO be the
story of a Wall Street man. the high tension of
whose daily and nightly life racks his heart
almost 20 the fatal point One thing alone can
save him-to stop" and seek natures healing
in rustic solitude. SO bids his wise physician.
and the invalid obeys. His wife is dead, and
with his little boy ne spends some picturesque.
reflective and happy months far from the mad
ding crowd. The pretty girl Of the novelist is
not far Off of course; the good doctor sometimes
brings his genial sharpness 10 our entertain
ment and there Is yellow dog OF most engag-
ing and heartwarmng qualities TO round out the
story The little adventures by wood and field
are told with easy animation, and the writer
shows so genuine az feeling for nature that we
even forgive him the too obvious ending-the
New-York tribune., 1901-05-11

clever little book. and one which may be
used as a preliminary manual before the elab-
crate and important works are brought into SER
vice. is the Rev. F. c. Hayess Handy Book of
Horticulture" II offers a great deal of useful
elementary instruction. telling. indeed. so plain
a tale that the beginner need not stumble in his'
or her first attempts at growing hardy flowers
This little volume gives some attention also
to vegetables and fruit.
The behavior of the woodpecker family. its
habits. customs and peculiarities are the sub
jects of Mrs. Eckstorn's entertaining book. Here
is the carpenter who stores up his winter sup
ply Of acorns in holes which he drives in the
New-York tribune., 1901-05-11


rise in stocks that greets with wealth the
healthy cit returning To his old ways
Mr. Chapman's delightful book friends
the birds is rendered more delightful and useful
in new edition by the colors which have been
applied to the drawings Of the previous edition.
Mr. -Thompson's portraits of the birds
wonderfully ufelike testifying with poetic senti-
ment as well as with scientific accuracy TO the
variations of feathered character and habit.
Now that under his supervision his subjects
have donned their white wastcoats. their dun
surtouts and the like those interested In making
their acquaintance can hardly fail TO recognize
them in woodland ways and heldside haunts.
The growing interest in wild birds is one OF
the pleasantest Of refutations OF the theory that
Americans think only of money making. What
protection and kindness give to the
wild birds are returned him in noble and
gentle ways What is the secret of youth in
age? Hear Mr.. Chapman in reference to the
many naturalists whom he has known
All had passed the allotted threescore and ten
and some We're over fourscOre. The friends and
associates of their earlier days had passed away
and one might imagine that they had no interest
IN life. and were simply waiting for the end
But these veterans were old in years only Their
hearts were young. The earth was fair; plants
still bloomed and birds sang for them. There
was no idle waiting here; the days all too
short. With what boyish ardor they told of
some recent discovery; what inspiration there
was in their enthusiasm!
Those who do not believe with DR. Gentry
that not only animals but trees and shrubs and
flowers will share the future life of man in the
world of spirit will still be attracted by the
nature studies in which ne seeks to prove the
truth Of his conviction. His illustrations OF the
conscious intelligence of animals. of what ap-
pear to be the actual workings of mind serve
20 make a book of extraordinary and per-
suasive interest If one cannot agree with him
one must at least wish to do so. His own OBJ
servations and those recOunted to him by others
furnish basis for anecdotes and speculations
OF the most encouraging sort. The military arts
OF wasps and ants, the farming and slave hold |
ing and almost human burial customs OF ants
are described with much fervor as are the
numerous exhibitions Of intelligence in dogs.
cats and birds. That the lower animals possess
generosity In the sense Of lberality Dr. Gentry
asserts has been proved 10 him by circumstances
within his own observation-especially one noted |
in the life of Sport, dog who was one of his
early companions:
He not greedy. selfish creature but a
generous, noble fellow Many act of self |
sacrifice had he been known TO perform and he |
was never happier than when he was doing