davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-06
A FIREPRooF HOUSE.

A fireproof house was recently built
in the suburbs of Boston at a cost Of
over thousand dollars, filed with
combustibles and subjected to as great
heat as could be obtained by natural
means. The purpose was TO test the ef-
feet of fire on certain methods of con-
struction. The experiment, which was
conducted under the direction of Pro
fessor c. l.. Norton OF the Massachu-
setts Institute of Technology, was wit
messed by the leading engineers, insur-
ance men, architects and builders of
New England.
In this typical test the building was
IL by 20 feet in size and feet high. the
roof being n single slab of cinder con-
crete re-enforced by steel fbers, repre-
senting the floor of modern building
This roof was loaded with pile OF pig
iron sufficient TO give pressure of
about 400 pounds to the square foot. 80
tons Of iron being used. In order TO OBJ
tain greater heat the building was
arranged on the general plan OF fur
mace, having a CRATE of steel rails in
stead OF a floor. two large iron doors at
one end and two massive chimreys at
the other. The structure was covered
with concrete both inside and out. Civ
ing IL the appearance OF "A primitive
adobe temple. Instead of windows
there were four small holes at the cor
ners. through which the junction" OF
an electric pyrometer could be inserted
for the purpose OF reading the inside
temperature. There were besides L.
other promoters imbedded in the walls,
from which. by means OF a. electric
switchboard connecting with gal
vanometer. temperature readings were
taken every few minutes. BY an in
genious arrangement OF rods. working
between overhead beams and the roof
itself. the sag of the roof was shown
directly on dials, so that it could be re-
corded at frequent intervals A huge
pile of cord wood and kindling, satu-
rated with kerosene, was consumed, and
the heat reached a point somewhat
above 1000 degrees +. during the prog
ress OF the experiment. After the fire
had been burning two hours the doors
were opened, and a stream from a city
hydront was turned suddenly into the
building but neither the fire nor the
water materially damaged the construc.
tion. The roof, although IL sagged some
three inches, did not break and was
afterward crushed by the addition OF an
enormous load OF iron Experimental
tests nave been made before, but tests
OF the character made by Professor
Norton are among the first which in
cude an exact scientific record of all
the conditions and results
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-06
ASTRONOMERS DRINK
DEW IN JAMAICA.

The temporary astronomical station in
Jamaica maintained by the Harvard OBJ
servatory during the past winter and
spring is perched high on mountain
side at an altitude of 1000 feet above
sea level Consequently the Harvard
party, in spite of the numerous rivers
which supply the lower regions, have
found II somewhat difficult TO obtain
sufficient water for their daily needs
Professor w. II. Pickering, who re-
Gently made flying visit TO Cambridge
to arrange for the publication OF new
atlas of the moon. the Photographic
work for which has been done from the
Jamaica station. tells an interesting
story OF the life at the island observa-
tory. His chief supply Of water was
obtained by means of large concrete
platform, on barbecue. as il is called.
commonly used for drying coffee and
allspce from which the occasional rain
fall was conducted TO concrete tanks.
Naturally. when there had been no
rain for month or more, the water In
these tanks became stale and unpleas-
ant. IT happens. however, that in the
mountains the dew is very heavy, and
by rigging cutters beneath the caves OF
the iron rooted observatory building
this dewfal could be collected I'm pals
for drinking purposes Sometimes three
gallons of dew could be collected In
single night and was drunk by the as
tronomers as a great luxury
The telescope by means OF which Pro-
fessor Pickering secured the photo
graphs OF the moon 10 illustrate his
new atlas Is peculiar from the fact that
it is firmly fixed In one position, point
ing down hill. This Arrangement, how
ever, does not seem so strange when
one learns that beneath the lower end
OF the telescope is a large mirror which
can be moved to throw any portion OF
the heavens within the field OF vision.
The tube or the telescope Is l36 feet long
and Is made of wire netting and build
ers' paper surrounding a wooden frame
work The reflection OF heavenly
body Is thrown by the mirror through
large lens and up the tube to the eye OF
the observer or upon sensitive photo.
tographio plate. While the tube re-
mains fixed parallel 10 the axis OF the
earth at an elevation OF rs degrees, the
mirror, lens and plate holder are moved
synchronously with the movement of
the earth and moon by means OF In
genious electric motors governed by
clockwOrk.
In the course OF his Investigations
Professor Pickering has discovered GU
rious changes In the moons appearance.
which are accounted for by the theory
that there is snow as we'll as vegetation
upon the moons surface.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-06
THE MISTAKES OF ANIMALS.

It Is just as easy to deceive an animal
as IL is to take in human beings. Thou
sands of birds leave a field or garden
alone merely because a scarecrow has
been stuck up in the middle of IL.
Fishes are constantly swallowing
hooks that are hidden in make believe
flies. A dog that worried pasteboard
cat looked truly pitlable object when
he found out his error.
Show toy snake TO a monkey, and 1t
will probably scream from terror.
There was no word strong enough TO
express the feelings of dog that fon-
died an india rubber pup and then dis
covered its error. When the grampus
charges herring boat painted white, Its
folly can only be accounted for on the
supposition that il believes It to be a
white whale.
On the other hand. deer that come 10
the river TO drink often do not live TO
be sorry that they mistook the croco-
dile floating on the surface for a log OF
wood.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-06

green frog was quite grown UP, while
the turtle was as yet a mere infant.
consequentiy he looked up 10 his friend.
whose advice he considered good on ey-
cry subject.
Il should like TO live to be a hun
dred." the turtle said.
You might and you might not" the
frog went on. Some turtles have a
very hard time. If one could be surc OF
dying decently of old age in the mud
banks. life would be well worth living.
but we children of the wood and stream
never can be certain OF ending our days
in peace. We may be killed by others
of our kind or die dreadful. death at
the hands of cruel men and boys. who
enjoy our death struggles with strange
Zest. They have queer name for Il.
They call Ia sport II was not always
so. Once. back i'm the golden age OF the
world. men and the wood creatures
were friends. and each could under
stand the thoughts of the other. Men
admired us-the beaver for his skill in
building. the lion for his strength. the
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-06

mails have no souls and that when we
die we will just so 10 sleep and never
awaken think it is better so. for I'm
so tired of being hunted and stoned
that shall be glad never to see a man
any more when perhaps they have kill
ed me miserably at last"
The little mud turtle shuddered at
this. He knew that all birds and
beasts and creeping things lived In NOR
tai terror OF men. but had never before
understood why
lie did not see why SO sman and hum
ole creature as himself should be per-
secuted. but he meant 10 be very very
careful to keep out OF their way. He
said
You don't think they would harm a
poor little mud turtle like me2''
There's no telling the frog answer
ed pessimistieally.
why should they care 10 hunt me II
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-06

II wouldn't believe this story OF the
Man in the Chair" she commenced, "ex-
cept that had IL directly from an inti-
mate friend who saw the picture"
Then you didn't see the picture?"
mo. but, as / say, this friend did.
And / would believe her the same as
would my own eyes. She is absolutely
incapable of falsehood, I can assure
you"
Remarkable woman! Well?"
We'll, IL was a friend OF hers who
took the pictures. You see, for years
her people had owned the manor house
where they lived, which had prior to
that been owned and very dearly loved
by an officer I'm the army who was some
where I'm the East Indies-I don't re-
member exactly where. At any rate,
he was an old officer and distinguished,
who had charge of a regiment more or
less celebrated, though 1 have forgotten
for what and its name
/ waited patiently while she tried to
remember. The principal things about
this story, IL seemed to me, were the
things she had forgotten.
'erhey were obliged for some reason to
sell the house.
You hardly ever sell a house except
for one reason helped her.
And what's that?" sharply.
Because you are short OF funds"
| had sold house once. ! knew.
"well. anyway they sold the house
1t was a fine old house. Like the off,
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-06
Nell, bless me,
lyou seem to be in
ltrouble ?"' II was
his friend the froo.

are compelled TO do, he was no longer
one of us. and enmity came between US
and has grown ever since. We children
of the wood and stream kill only when
we need food, but men kill for the love
of killing, which. as I said, they call
sport. Yet l have heard that men con-
slider themselves very good-so good
that the great God. who is the God also
of the children OF the wood and stream.
has made him beautiful home in the
sky. where he Will live forever i'm hap
piness after he has done all his killing
down here and dies himself. They say
that We will not go there because ami
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-06

The thing is mysterious" / said I'm a
low tone. for low tones fit stories like
that. Go on and tell me another"
Did you ever hear of Bishop Wilber-
forces ghost?" she queried
Never" said /.
1T was the ghost of priest" she ex-
planned. "One day a friend of the bish-
op went TO his house and was shown
into the library. When the door was
closed upon him, he saw standing be-
fore the bookshelves a priest. He
thought IL strange that ne had been
left there without an Introduction; but.
picking up a magazine, he read until
the servant, reappearing. announced
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-06

any night. Miles are nothing to IL once
released from this old body-leagues.
millions OF miles! But must tell you
the story. After that / will tell you the
story of the Man I'm the Chair"
l got up closer 1 might have known
she knew stories. Though English, she
was bright as a dollar and talked
French like a native. while /. alas, talk
ed IL like a native American.
The friend of mine who wrote this
letter." she proceeded, had an aunt
who had lived i'm the same house with
him for years. 4 night or two ago he
was in the dining room. reading, when
the door opened. and this aunt stood on
the threshold He arose and FASTENED
TO her. why. auntl' he cried. How
are you? am glad TO see you. Come
in. She stood motionless for a moment
looking at him. then disappeared. In
due time he received a letter announc-
Ing her death"
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-06

self possessed of a keen. quick mind and
clever conversational gifts, also took
great interest in public questions.
When he was only Is years old. a mani
festo prepared by him was considered
worthy OF adoption by the state Demo-
cratic party. The same year the young
man entered Yale college. but his stud
les. interrupted by Ill health. were nm
ished at the University of New York.
He was admitted to the bar In 1S41 and
at once took an active part in public af-
fairs. Tildren was elected to the New
York assembly in 1s45 and held numer-
GUS other state offices. He was promi-
nent I'm the contest which finally retired
the dishonest Tweed ring in New York
city and in 1874 was elected governor OF
New York state. In 1876 he was a can
didate for the presidency, but Ruther-
ford b. Hayes was declared to be enti-
tied to the presidency by the electoral
commission. Although urged to again
permit the use OF his name as a presi-'
Dental candidate. he declined His
death occurred Aug. A. 1886. at his coun-
try home. Greystone, Westchester coun-
ty, N. Y. Ills fortune of s5.0O0.00o was
left TO found a system of free public Ii
braries In New York city.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-06

hide carefully away?" quavered the
turtle.
We'll. but you won't" the frog went
on. You'll forget all about IL. and
some day a small boy will come along
when you are prowling about. and you'll
be popped into a basket and carried
home. Small boys like to make pets of
turtles"
The turtle shivered under his horny
carapace and quickly withdrew his lit
tie, knobby head under the shell. He
began TO move his four finlike feet as if
he meant TO run away, so the frog con-
tinued encouragingly:
You need not fear the boys just now
They are all at school at this hour"
Il wish you would teach me TO dive
and swim as you do" the mud turtle
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-06

pleaded. Then should have better
chance TO get away from the boys"
II will gladly give YOU lessons. bu
you are more likely 20 be captured on
land than in the water. You are too
slow to'run away II your captor turns
YOU over on your back. he can leave you
there for week. for you will not be
able to right yourself or get away"
Il shall be careful. promised the tur-
tie. Now for the lesson"
OF course. the turtles efforts al swim
ming made the frog laugh. Turtle float.
cd about the water. directing his move.
ments. as the frog showed him, by the
movements OF his feet
After the lesson they were hungry
and sat down to catch some water bugs
for luncheon. The frog captured a fat
beetle. which proved such a delicious
and satisfying morsel that ne became
quite ioquacious after the meal. He
proceeded TO enlighten the turtle in re-
gard TO his race.
suppose you know" said the frog,
mat turtles and tortoises are the
same. Some folks call them one thing
and some the other. I've heard that
somebody In France gave them the lat
ter name because kind that lives over
there has very curious twisted fore
leg and the French word tortis means
twisted. Tortoises are not animals;
they are reptiles. SO you are related to
the lizard and the water snake and all
their kind Some turtles are called ter
rapins and are priced by gormands In
the man world. The terrapin is the only
reptile which they consider At to eat
IL is very hard 10 kill turtles. for they
have great vitality. The head of tur-
tie has been known TO move manv
hours after the animal has been sup
posedly killed Some turtles or tor
toises have distinguished themselves
There is q story told OF one that ran a.
race with hare--a hare is sort Of
rabbit, and you know how they can lean
along-but the tortoise won the race"
HE must have been a wonder" OBJ
served the turtle. Gould learn to run
like that?"
II don't know any of the particulars, !"
the frog went on. but you might go
into training. They always do for
races"
How is that done?" the turtle asked
anxiously He was not fond OF exerting
himself.
Practice running. You and 1 might
go out on shore and have a race" the
frog advised.
The turtle clambered out, and the
frog hoped after him. Soon the turtle
was so far behind the frog that he
could not even see his friend. Some
thing else was coming down the road.
1t was a boy, and when he saw the mud
turtle struggling along he picked up a
stick and turned him over on his back.
'Tll come home this way and take IL
TO keep as a pet" said the boy. Poor
turtle struggled despairingly, but his
feet and his short tail only wriggled in
effectually in the air. Presently he
heard something hopping along the
road.
We'll. bless met You seem to be in
troubled" 1t was his friend the frog.
YES" walled the turtle: "a boy did
it, He's going TO take me home with
him when he comes back"
"Oh, oh, that will never dol" croaked
the frog in CONSERVATION. IF you don't
mind a bit of jarring, perhaps / can
help you TO get upon your feet"
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-06

ing 10 ask him fore the booksbelves
to lunch? He
stood dumfounded at the effect of his
words. Oh. hush. hush!' they exclaim-
ed. Then, turning white faces the one
TO the other The priest again. they
whispered The priestl
1T seems that years before a priest
who had been IN the habit of reading i'm
their library had written something nm
moral on slip OF paper and put IL there
in a book. Then he had died. In purga-
tory this, whatever IL was he had writ
ten. tormented him. His soul could
not rest till ne had found and destroyed
It, So back he came from time TO time
and stood at the bookshelves. searching,
searching"
This" | averred, gives me a deli
ciously creepy feeling all up and down
my spinal column. but IL all the writers
who have written immoral things
should come back 10 find them the IL
braries would be filled chuck full OF
spirits searching. searching"
True enough. But was going TO tell
you about the Man in the Chair That
is the story / started out 10 tell you"
They had left us alone in the dining
room. The old lamp shed a duller glow
than usual. II left dark corners.
wait n minute" impiored. looking
tearfully over my shoulder. Let me
turn II up"
Reaching across, I turned Il up. sat
back again and prepared for delicious
shivers.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-06

recognize in her comrade," 1 inter-
rupted-"a camera fend. She probably
took them for the pleasure of taking
them partly. all those pictures"
1T may have been Well. she was
busy and hadn't time TO develop them;
so she took them TO a photographer I'm
London. A week later she called for
them. He brought them TO her in a lit
tie roll.
They are very good he said. un.
winding one and holding II TO the light.
'ExSellent-that Is. with the exception
OF the Man In the Chair. That is a trife
indlstinct. There Is a kind OF haze over
it,
The Man I'm the Chairl' she repeat
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-06
swimming In schools.

The New Zealand government has de-
cided that swimming and life saving
shall be taught in all it's schools. The
Life Saving society's method having
been adopted. 1000 handbooks and
charts have been sent by order of the
government for the use of schoolmas-
ters. The handbook, in which the
course of instruction is fully set forth
for the use OF classes. schools and indi-
viduals, has also been translated into
Swedish and Italian.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-06
ed. I don't remember taking any Man
in a Chair

ed. 4 don't remember taking any Man
in Chair.
Here IL is.' said he. producing 1t.
.Sure enough, sitting in the library
by the table was a man. He sat in a
large chair with a tall oaken back. His
head was bent on his hand He was not
reading or writing. He appeared to be
just resting there awhile. But the most
peculiar thing about the picture was the
fact that he was without legs. Beneath
the table two stumps only were visible.
Taking the picture home. they won
dered over IL until finally the news COM
ing that the officer who formerly owned
the place had died explained IL. Dying,
his soul had flown straight back TO the
home he had loved. At the same time,
photographing the room he had gone to,
she had photographed with II him."
But what about the legs2
Wounded on the battlefield, he had
been carried TO the hospital. There II
was found necessary to amputate his
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-06

One day new master had Ned.
a man with a wit dull as lead.
Ned stopped in the street,
The clown said, "I'll beat
And then he went soaring o'erhead.
The question is. Did he come down?
II so, Did he damage his crown?
And II still alive
VIII he ever more drive
An obstinate mule through the town.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-06

IT don't mind anything" the turtle
sobbed, $50 that / get away from here"
With determined push. the frog
managed to tip the little turtles shell
so that 1t fell over right side up. Mas
ter Turtle was a bit stunned. but he
lost no time in following the frogs ad-
vice to return to the brook through the
bushes. When the boy passed by. he
found the road deserted by the turtle
and went home wondering what had
become of his pet. And. although the
turtle had not won the race with the
frog. he had disappointed thoughtless
little boy who wished to abduct him.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-06

Young Ned was an obstinate mule,
With him IL would not do to fool
When he felt inclined.
Young Neddy would mind
This was his inflexible rule.
When Neddy decided to balk.
Twas no use at all TO try talk.
And beatings were worse.
They caused him TO nurse
His grievance some time ere he'd walk.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-06

legs. Immedi-
ately after the
operation he
had died"
1 shuddered.
The creepy feel
ing extended e d
now from my
head to my
heels. / drew a
I o n &. q e G p
breath that was
akin 10 n groan.
AT the same
m m ent I'll g
lamp nickered.
IL flick ere q
again With a
puff and a dy-
ing rush up
annAI =. .. .
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-06

" y was telling the story OF
ward IL went the Man in the Chair
out / screamed
wildly. | threw my arms on the table
and fell there.
Somebody came flying in with another
lamp.
What's the matter?" I heard voices
demand in a frightened chorus. II say,
what on earth's the matter?"
Nothing" answered the Story Teller.
"Only was telling her the story OF the
Man in the Chair. and the lamp went
out She's not hurt, l think. She's
scared. That's ALL"
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-06

IN INNER was over. the table had
been cleared away. and made
rioiselle's old lamp. which gave
the same sort OF light Il had Civ
ca the year before. which was
next to no light at all, had been put in
the middle ef il by Florence of the Vel
vet Foot, whose mission il was 10 see to
things. when the Story Teller looked
across ae ipe and began:
DO you believe In spirits and ghosts
and that?'
II believe. = asserted sweepingly, "in
everything you cant explain because
there arc so few things YOU can ex-
plain. unless you do believe in those
you cant explain there Is very little
left 20 believe in"
And told her OF an experience Of
my own ft'had happened the week be-
fore. ! yas sitting writing 10 little
Girl ] lole from whom I am indefinitely
separated. and l was sad OFTEN | am
sad without her, but as wrote feel
ing oi unusually intcr.e sadness came
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-06

Ger. they had
grown TO love
Il. Upon leav-
ing Il the girl
took pictures OF
IL. She went
around TO each
room-to the IL
brary, the din
ing room. the
dra wing room,
the bedrooms.
She took pic
lures OF every
nook and cram
ny from garret
TO cellar she
loved 10 so and
regretted so the
leaving"
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-06
A HAPPY
FRIENDSHIP


fox FOR mis- fieetness and cunning. and
he wolf for his persistence. t~. /,
AN ansestoo OF mine taught the first
ipnn who learned g swini We are en-.
eIales Ji9w. and perhaps IN order that
we might the better escape the enemies
OF our race all brvtes speah a die
hunt with weapons. instead OF depend
ing on his own skill OF heetness, as we
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-06
Phe Kind IL Rains.

Where DO Skye terriers come from
asked little 4-year-old Maggie.
'Humph!" exclaimed her brother.
who is two years older and thinks him
self very wise. Anybody ought to
know that. They come from the sky
when 1t rains cats and dogs"
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-06

over ne l sigh
ed and said
aloud oh. sis
ter. sisterl
In three days
J had a letter
from her.
Friday at 4
o'clock the
hour al which /
had written "a
strange thing
happened she
wrote. j was
In my room
reading when /
heard you call
me, Sister. sis
teri" You call
ed me twice. /
hnnrd Nnii 60