davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Holbrook argus., 1901-06-22
THE OLD KEARSARGE.
NEW BATTLESHIPS WITH THE
OLD NAMES.
Modern Vessels Cause Remembrance
ofStern observation-disclosures Naval
Duel Ever Fought-British Vessel De-
feated by Prudence of Americans.

1t is strange thing that to-day, not
fifty years after the bitter civil strug-
gle, this country should be using names
OF the Alabama and the Kearsarge-
even the memory of their brilliant con-
dict-to cement the South and the
North into firmer union. What would
Capt. Rafael Semmes, the stanch Con-
federate who commanded the Alabama
TO her grave, say Of this peace bond?
What would Capt. Winslow Of the
Kearsarge say of it?
There is another Kearsarge in the
United States navy and there is to be
another Alabama to fight for the South,
but this time under the stars and
stripes. And each Of these ships will
bear silver tablet in memory of its
rorerunner and to commemorate the
reunion Of the States.
The old Alabama and Kearsarge were
wooden men-of-war, each with eight
guns to man. The Kearsarge was
somewhat the speedier, but her great
advantage lay in the forethought of
Capt. Winslow, who hung chains over
the sides Of his vessel to protect her
boilers and machinery. Both were
fair-sized vessels for their day, yet we
read with amazement that the crew
Of the Alabama consisted of eighty
men. The Alabama Of to-day carries
$40 men. Instead Of the eight small
guns Of the Confederate Alabama the
new battleship carries altogether
forty-four guns besides four water tor
pedo tubes.
The old Alabama was built in En-
gland in 1862, and although she was
not one Of the largest warships Of the
time she was considered Of fair fighting
capacity. She was built to meet men
of-war, yet she did meet and was fairly
matched by the Kearsarge, an old,
but still serviceable. member Of the
dwarf United States navy. In a two
years cruise on the Atlantic the Ala
bama had preyed on the merchant ma
rine of the North and when she steamed
out to meet the Kearsarge off the coast
Of France she had a list of sixty-four
destroyed merchantmen to her credit.
Holbrook argus., 1901-06-22
In a Rnsinesslike Way.

Men of experience are not anxious to
give notes, as a rule, but there is an
old negro in Mount Pleasant who, says
the Pittsburg News, once insisted on
doing so-and did it in an original way.
He had bought COW from Captain
Jordan. Burgess, the negro, hadn't the
money just then, but Captain Jordan
knew he would pay, and told him to
take the COW. That was too informal
to suit Burgess.
He knew that notes and other papers
Of that sort passed between white
men, and he insisted on a note in this
transaction. Captain Jordan told him
to draw up one to suit himself. When
he presented it, it read:
Il, Davy Burgess, do hereby promise
to pay Captain Jordan thirty-five dol
lars for the spotted COW when l has
the money to spare.
"DAVY BURGESS"
"Now," he said, ''I'n jes' keep dis en-
take de cow"
He put the note into his pocket and
drove the COW away. When he was
ready to pay the thirty-five dollars, he
went to Captain Jordan with it.
"Heah's yo' money" he said, count
ing it out. "An' now, sah,' he remark
ed, with considerable satisfaction, "dat
transaction may be considehed closed"
Holbrook argus., 1901-06-22
FOREIGN SOIL IN WASHINGTON.
France to Require New Embassy
Grounds in the CapiaAl.

France to Require New Embassy
Grounds in the CapiAAl.
Several foreign governmt among
them |France, are negotiating l. the
purchase of embassy land in Wash
irgton. AS soon as such negotiations
are completed the annexed property be-
comes foreign soil. Frances new hold
ing, for instance. will be exempt from
taxation. The French flag VIII float
over it. If one Frenchman chooses TO
murder another within its bounds it
will be none of Uncle Sans business.
The quarters of the present French
embassy are intimately associated with
the life of Washington. The mansion
was built just seventy-five years ago
by Richard Rush, statesman and dip,o-
matist. The year before its foundations
began to rise Rush had been recalled
from the ministry to Great Britain to
be Secretary of the Treasury under
John Quincy Adams. In tie '40's Rush
vacated the house upon his appoint
ment by President Polk as Minister to
France. Shortly afterward Hamilton
Fish. then in Congress, moved in and
remained until retiring from the Senate
in 1857. Fish added a large ballroom
to the right of the house proper. The
Holbrook argus., 1901-06-22
A Literary Nightmare.

When does Mary Mapes Dodge?
When Thomas w. Knox.
What did Charles Reade? Whatever
he saw Mabel Osgood Wright.
When is it that John Burroughs?
When he hears Edward Everett Hale.
Why did they Hall Game? To make
Frances Hodgson Burnett.
Who gave Thomas Paine? Hamilton
Wright. Mabie.
What made Winston Churchill? Eat
ing what he saw John Esten Cooke.
What will make Walter A. Wyc-koff?
1. Zang-will.
Why did Charles Darwin? Because
he never turned his back to De-foe.
Where did Capt. Frederick Marry
at? At the Ellen Olney Kirk.
What made Col. Richard H Savage?
Hearing Charles Carlton Coffin.
Why was Wagner Haydn away
Bach? because De Koven had him on
his little List.
What kept Charlotte NJ. Yonge?
Helping Elizabeth Phipps Train.
Why do we not laugh at R. D. Black
more? Because we find John Green
leaf WChhttier
Whence came Samuel Smiles? Be
cause he saw hen reward Beecher.
Why did Miss Mu-loch up the silver?
Because she saw Flora Annie Steele
Life.
Holbrook argus., 1901-06-22
SCHOOLING FoxHouND PUPPIES
Odd Features of the Training of Dogs
in SoufT

Odd Features of the Training of Dogs
in the SoutL.
"Walking"is the technical term for
training foXhOund puppies in the way
they should go till they are of an age
to join the kennels.
Every year, toward the middle of
winter, the master of pack of hounds
selects an assortment of foxhound pup
pies which he distributes among the
members of the hunt, with a request
that they will walk" them.
Foxhound puppies are by far the
most mischievous of their species.
they will devOur anything and every
thing they come across, and if the
worker does not want to have to pay a
long bill for damages he has continually
to act the part of a vigilant nurse.
The walking, too, is likely to become
wearisome. To cover six miles every
day in the week with a couple of pup
pies that insist ON chasing rabbits and
poaching on their own account may be
excellent as a bodily exercise, but is
often trying to the temper.
Each hunt has its own puppy walk.
The ceremony opens with a big lunch
con and plenty of speeches, and then
comes the real business Of the day
the judging of the puppies to see what
progress they have made during the
period of walking toward becoming fit
and proper members of the pack. The
merits of the puppies are decided by
vote.
When judgment has been pronounced
the puppies that reach the required
standard are added to the kennels,
while the rejected ones are handed over
to the huntsmen to be shot. The
lucky walker of the puppy that gets the
most votes cares off the prize, usually
a solid silver tea or coffee service.
He thoroughly deserves it, for there is
no form of prize competition more ag-
gravating than puppy walking. One
may get the prize for the first dog he
trains, while those who have puppy
walked" for years are sent empty
away. Distemper upsets the best cal
culations, and it often happens that
after bringing puppy to the pink of
perfection the walkers hopes are
dashed to the ground by the aggravat-
| ing little beast developing symptoms
of distemper within a couple Of days
of the big walk and spelling all his
chances.
Young foxhounds seldom display the
slightest affection for their trainer, and
have, as a rule, no intelligence beyond
the instinct which makes them follow
the scent of a fox. A greater display
of intelligence is sometimes attended
with inconvenience.
One of the most stringent rules to be
observed in puppy-walking is that the
dogs diet must consist entirely of frest
milk. Should a young foxhound be
fed on meat or any carnivorous food he
loses his capacity to follow the scent
and also trebles his chances of getting
distemper, which ruins him for his pro
feSSion.
Holbrook argus., 1901-06-22

A new bond of sympathy between
the public school children of the United
States and their newly acquired broth
ers and sisters of Hawaii was created
by a ceremony which recently took
place in that far-off group of islands.
The occasion was the raising of the
Stars and Stripes over the Kaupakalua
School. The pole from which it flies
is no slim staff of pine or spruce, but
a towering palm-tree; yet the flag is
the same which futters over the thou
sands Of little school houses in this
country, and 1t was raised to the sound
of the same America" and "Star-Span-
gled Banner" and with the same exer-
cises. Let us hope that it will repre-
sent the same loyalty and devotion
there as here.
Holbrook argus., 1901-06-22

methodically. The Alabama pushed for
ward to get within range, as surely
the Kearsarge backed away to get the
advantage of the greater range of her
guns. In doing this the two ships
moved in circle, keeping always with
in view of the spectators.
Battle Was Hard Fought.
For more than an hour the battle
lasted; it might have been a gala day
maneuver for all the audience saw. On
the ships, however, the business OF war
was bringing its suffering. The chains
hung on the sides of the Kearsarge
protected the engines, but not the men
who were struggling on the decks with
the guns. And on the Alabama there
were no chains and the sea was forcing
its way through the wooden hull to add
its horror to the suffering of the
wounded. The men on the Alabama
found their gunpowder cakey and bad
and they were discouraged at sight OF
the unexpected armor of the enemy.
Finally the Alabama turned and made
for French waters hardly a mile away.
Alabama, disabled as it was, to swing
in and out Of danger, but Captain
Winslow saw the move and was quick
to meet 1t.
The Kearsarge swung to, and, cross
ing the Alabama's bow, raked her fore
and aft. An English yacht, the Deer
hound, which was lowering near to
old tho oH1oorc of fba AIo no mo c,orr-
ried away in fright, while a cry from
the watching boats foretold the end.
The Alabama went down quickly, al
though her colors had been struck and
the white flag was flying when her
bow dropped out of sight. Captain
Winslow stopped firing when he saw
the end had come and boats were sent
men from the Kearsarge worked with
such good will that all told sixty-eight
were saved from the wreck. The Off
GERS Of the Alabama were taken off by
the Deerhound and carried to Eng
land, where, in spite of his defeat,
Captain Semmes was feted and made
much of.
The career Of the Alabama was one
Of the most notable in history. Never
was such a record made at privateer-
ing. Although hardly two years at her
work, she irreparably injured Ameri-
can commerce and busted a greater
part Of the United States navy in her
chase. For years her history was the
horror Of merchantmen and tradesmen
kept a sharp lookout lest another might
come to succeed her.
AS to the battle, there has never been
Holbrook argus., 1901-06-22

One of the chief causes of disturb
ances in Russia is the great difference
between the majority of the people and
the few highly educated. The univer-
sity students are FESTIVE under a sys-
tenn with which the ignorant peasants
are satisfied. The Cars government
is not adapted to an untaught commu-
nifty from which a few leading spirits
are constantly emerging with univer-
sity training. Until the intelligent
Russians are allowed to share in the
conduct of national affairs under a con-
stitutional ruler the plots against the
Cars life may be expected to con-
tinue.
Holbrook argus., 1901-06-22

lions. His work soon gained him a
wide reputation, his Illustrations for
many of Shakspeare's plays being re
garded as models of their kind. When
he had attained fame as a black and
white artist he sought distinction as a
painter and is now regarded as with
out a peer in the line of historical
scenes. In 1896 Mr.. Abbey, who has
his studio in Worcestershire. England,
was elected an associate of the Royal
Academy. Americans will be pleased
to know of the new honor that has
come to him-a rare one indeed for a
foreigner to attain when the occasion
is considered. The canvas upon which
the coronation of King Edward is to be
depicted will be fifteen feet long.
Holbrook argus., 1901-06-22

The battle between these two wooden
vessels was one of memorable interest.
Nearly all France was present, with
goodly representation from England,
stationed off shore to cheer the Ala
bama to victory. The whole affair was
arranged much as though it had been
a regatta instead Of a stern sea battle.
When the Kearsarge steamed into the
Cherbourg harbor on the 18th Of June,
1864, and found the Alabama there
every one knew there would be fight.
The news Of it spread throughout
France and from every corner of the
pleasure-loving republic crowds started
for Cherbourg Parties went down
from as far north as Germany, and
yachts carrying private parties cross
ed the channel from England when it
was known that the Alabama would
not try to run away as she had done
before.
Every man on the Alabama was
etching for a fight after the months
of uninterrupted domineering. They
were looking for an enemy that would
not give up at the first shot. Captain
Semmes, who had conducted their ex-
petitions, was a Southern gentleman
and not an inch coward; besides that
he knew the ship which lay waiting for
him was fair match for the Alabama
and he loved nothing better than fair
fight. 1t was therefore much to his
satisfaction to give the orders to clear
for action, nor was a moment wasted
by the men. Sunday was the Ala
bama's lucky day. 1t was the day of
her christening, and Captain Semmes
chose 1t to be the day of her death.
EARLY Sunday morning, the 10Th Of
June, 1864, the Alabama swung away
from her pier. She was in the best Of
fighting trim and the good cheer Of her
crew echoed in the forecastle refrain:
We're homeward bound, we're home
ward bound;
And soon we shall stand on English
ground;
But. ere our native land we see,
We first must fight the Kearsargee.
A fleet of small craft accompanied
Qer 10 the luISG-Lulle llAC, thClA NAO"o
ed decks shouting words Of encour-
agement to the waiting gunners. A
mile farther out in the purple haze the
Kearsarge waited. Captain Semmes
called his men forward and addressed
them briefly, with perfect assurance in
his words. Then ordering them to
their places he charged the Kearsarge,
leaving in his wake the line of specta-
tors. So began the most spectacular
naval battle the world has ever known
Thousands of people witnessed the
sight, their boats keeping just within
the safety line.
The Kearsarge waited silently while
the Alabama rushed in wasting her
first broadsides from carelessly train
ed guns. The clearheaded prudence
which has since distinguished the Unit
ed States navy saved the day for the
Kearsarge. Captain Winslow was in
no hurry to open fire, but when he did
begin the guns worked steadily and
Holbrook argus., 1901-06-22
the society at last died a natural death
and thus ended another effort to found
an American aristocracy.

The fact that fully half of the human
beings born to this world die young is
proof of lack of knowledge of the art
of living. The undisputed fact that
the age of mankind is increasing is
proof that man is learning more about
himself and learning what to do and
what not to do in the school of expert
ence. The fountain Of perpetual
youth has not been discovered. So
long as man gratifies himself at the
expense of his body and brain, SO long
will he lop off days from the years he
might live. Health is more a matter
of common sense than anything else.
There are no set rules that will make
the weak man strong or the sick well.
Given good constitution and an active
brain and knowledge to treat the same
with the care that their value warrants,
old age should be a matter Of COM
parative certainty. Avoid excuses.
That means all excuses, mental and
physical. The brain and the stomach
are related. Neither will submit to
abuse without resenting the mistreat-
ment. 1t should not be difficult for one
to learn what foods best agree with
his digestive organs, and fix his own
rules for eating. Pure air, pure water,
enough sleep-a simple life. Add to
this don't worry clause and remem-
Der that reasonably hard work does not
shorten life. In Ireland life is simple,
and in a population of 100000 there
are SIS persons who have lived more
than 100 years. France has pa CEN
tenarians in a population of 100000.
They live in the country. The average
length Of life in Paris is one-fifth less
than in the rest of France. Have few
health rules and live them. You may
never be a centenarian. Few people
desire such an achievement. But you
will have more peace and comfort, in
both mind and body, and you will prove
less inviting subject for disease.
Holbrook argus., 1901-06-22
Interest Laws of China.

The interest laws of China, with
which the operations of banking are in
timately connected, date from the year
1850 of our era. The enormous rate
of interest is curiously defended by
several writer's. 1t results, they say,
in securing economy in order that the
borrower may repay the loan, in pro-
ducing greater industry, in lettering
persons from borrowing, in reducing
the numbers of renters of land, thus
increasing the number of landowners,
and in inducing circumspection with
regard to new enterprises. 1t is
further stated, by men of business, that
this 80 per cent is only a maximum
founded on the probability that the os-
citations in the price of silver will
never exceed that sum. 1t must be
understood also that the ordinary rate
of interest rarely exceeds 20 or % per
cent, and that money may be had as
low as II per cent, though the rate
sometimes exceeds even 80 per cent
Forum.
Holbrook argus., 1901-06-22

Let us hold our noses while we con-
slider the malodorous subject of Ameri-
can Aristocracy. There have been of
late many intimations that aristocratic
society in New York is a failure. AS
aristocratic society in many American
cities Is apt to take its cues mainly
from the smart set In New York, known
as the 400" this becomes a matter of
widespread interest. There has also
been a feeling that American aris-
tocracy Is not properly represented by
the 400" and more than one effort has
been made to organize aristocratic So
ciety upon some more representative
basis. The latest of these attempts,
1.-THE Biographical Society of America"
started by Colonel Johnson Livingston
De Puyster. with the object of bring
Ing together Americans of high degree,
has been administered upon by an I'M
feeling sheriff in New York. Colonel
De Puyster's scheL1e was to have all
American aristocrats flock by them
selves. They were to wear enameled
gold badges and their blue book was
to be the Encyclopedia of the Ameri-
can Biographical Society,"" in which
their biographies were to be printed.
The society, however, died almost in
the "borning." The members were
jealous Of each other. Some of the
aristocrats contended that others were
not aristocrats at all. Some failed to
pay their dues. The printing house
which undertook to issue the blue book
found it so expensive that it abandoned
the job at heavy loss, and another
which tried it was sold out by the
sheriff. After a succession Of troubles
Holbrook argus., 1901-06-22
Two Fathers.

"Do you know what my father would
have done if 1 had been caught doing
such a thing?' asked an irate Memphis
father of his little son.
The latter did not consider the situa-
ton at all alarming, and said, in a
rather jocular manner:
"You must have had a pretty bad
daddy"
This cool, sarcastic manner nettled
the old gentleman all the more, and in
his loss of temper he exclaimed:
well, sir, want you to distinctly
understand that 1 had a better daddy
than you'll ever see the day to have."-
Memphis Scimitar.
Holbrook argus., 1901-06-22

Marion Harland complains of a lady
of her acquaintance who had palpita-
tons. fainting spells and other symp-
toms of "a weak heart" for ten years.
She used to throw whole congrega-
ton into confusion by having one of
her queer spells in the middle of the
morning service. She ruled her family
through that weak heart as with rod
of iron tipped with brass. People who
have ''twitters" Of this character never
recover. The disease is too valuable
to them.
Holbrook argus., 1901-06-22
Age at Entering College.

1t appears from President Eliots re-
port of last years work at Harvard
that boys enter college a trifle yonger
than they did a generation ago, and
fewer of them proportionally are now
prepared by private tutors. The number
entering from public schools is steadily
increasing. DR.. Eliot thinks that the
excellence of the preparatory schools
ought still further to reduce the average
age of entrance.
Holbrook argus., 1901-06-22

1t is quite likely that the most inter
esting political contest in the coming
November will be that over the mayor
atty of New York. The city has a
population of half a million more than
that of the thirteen colonies which
fought for independence in 1776; and
the character of its government is a
matter of colcern to all Americans.
Holbrook argus., 1901-06-22
GAVE UP MILLION TO
WE'D TYPEWRITER GIRL.

Clarence Otis romance, which Gull
minated in an elopement to Jefferson
vile, Ind, has a sequel. He is the son
of a Louisville widow of wealth. AS
he was but 10 years old, his mother OBJ
jected to his paying court to Annie Pey-
ton. She was one>year his junior, pref
Holbrook argus., 1901-06-22
POOR People i'm Denmark.

Denmark makes a clear distinction
between the thriftless and the respect
able poor The former are treated like
English paupers. The latter never cross
a workhouse threshold. If destitute
they receive a pension ranging from
S14 to $S4 a year; or, If too feeble to
look after themselves, they are placed
in an old-age home.
Holbrook argus., 1901-06-22
OLDEST JAIL IN ILLINOIS.
Tramps Give the Carroll County BastIe
a Wide Berth.

wide Berth.
No hobo who has ever visited the
town of Mount Carroll, ILL.,, has been
known to venture within a mile of it
again. This fact is owing to the loca
ton rather than the condition of the
town Jail. Once tramp catches sight
of it he would no sooner linger within
it's shadow than would a crow light
upon a made-up figure in a corn field.
Indeed, the contrivance is made to
serve the purpose of a tramp scare.
The Wandering Willie who for single
night has lodged in the Mount Carroll
Jail has carried away with him suffi-
cient terrors to keep him out of the
county during the remainder of his
wandering life. 1t comes nearer being
calaboose in the clouds than any
Holbrook argus., 1901-06-22

~ as picture, and for three years has
earned her own way in the world as a
stenographer. Mrs. Otis objections
were overruled. Young Oft slipped
away from the military school at Ashe
vile, N. c., to which his mother had
bundled him, and he married his hearts
idol His mother refuses to forgive
him, and he is now working for So a
week, but happy, while his bride will
hold her position until his income is
larger.
Holbrook argus., 1901-06-22

one like It; it stands out as one of the
most remarkable events of history, a
great ocean duel, witnessed by people
from many nations and seconded by a
great republic and a great empire. 1t
was battle well fought and one which
as battle the United States may be
proud of in spite of the national up
heaval which brought it about.
Holbrook argus., 1901-06-22

Edwin A. Abbey, a
member of the Roy
al Academy of Eng
land, to paint the
coronation scene in
Westminster Abbey.
Mr.. Abbey is a ma
tive of Philadelphia,
where he was born
in 1852. He studied
at the Pennsylvania
Academy of Fine
Arts and at 10 be-
gan drawing for
Harper's publica-
Holbrook argus., 1901-06-22
Warm in Mexico.

March, April and May are the warm
est months of the year on the great
plateau of Mexico. They come at the
end Of the dry season. After the rains
begin, the last of May, or early in
June, the air is pure, there is 10 dust.
and the temperature is always delight
full.
Holbrook argus., 1901-06-22

There was a modicum of sense in the
response to a request made by young
lady as to what would keep her hands
white and soft: Soak your hands
three times daily in dishwater while
mother rests on the sofa"