davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The St. Johns herald., 1901-02-09
RAINED BATS AND HAWKS.
the East, and the Hawks from the Weat.

The steamship Curityba, which ar rived at New York the other day from Cuban ports, had a weird experience with winged things on her trip up the coast. When she was off Matanzas an off-shore gale, permeated with tropical moisture, piled the combers about her. On the blast came thousands of land birds and big bats. Mate Bergman says the bats literally covered the ship, roosting on all the rails. He says they appeared to be "cross between vam- pire and a squirrel" When the weather moderated and dawn came the bats were near enough to one of the Ba- hamas to venture leaving the ship
 A hundred or more miles off Florida the Curityba was visited by what the seventh mate, who Is English, declares was flock of 'heagles." The eighth mate says he believes they were "howls," and the ninth mate positively asserts that they were" 'awks." What ever they may be called. Capt. Hoppe and his men captured two of them, which measure, according to the new ultramarine reporter who was sent out by the ship news experts to get the yarn, about eight feet from tip to tip" There were altogether 20 eagles or hawks or owls in the flock.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-02-09
Making Him Whole.

"lt takes the glorious old west to do business" said the man with the alligator grip as he boarded the train at St. Paul. "We of the east are not in it little bit"
 Anything to relate?" queried one of the passengers as he woke up.-
 "Just few words. I travelled from New York to Chicago with @ staving- looking girl. At Buffalo I was gone on her. As we reached Chicago she had set the date. I returned home, wrote her s2o love letters and came out here to get married"
 "And what?"
 "She decided that she would mar " another. She estimated the value of my time at $500, the worth of my letters at $500 and my broken heart at $2Oo, and drew me c check for $1,OOo, and here 1t is. Gave her receipt in full to date, kissed her good-by. and there you are and here I am. There's but one way to do business, and the west knows all about 1t. Yes, check for a thousand, and how many of you gentlemen will smoke Henry Clay at my expense?" Buffalo Courier.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-02-09
TRAGEDY OF A LIFE.
Sailor Deserted by Friends Dies
 Alone on a Barren Island.
He Skeleton YOand in His Bunk with . Diary by His Side in Whioh He Had Recorded His Terrible
 Experiences.

On Unimak island, which guards one of the entrances to the Behring sea, a rude mound of rocks marks the last resting place of Charles William An derson. sailor, fisherman and hunter.
 Anderson starved to death on the bleak and barren island waiting for friends who deserted him He died on June 19, 1899, and his skeleton in his bunk and his diary beside it were found by two hunters who were driven on the island during a storm.
 The diary was addressed to Andrew Groswold, of Unga, who arrived at San Francisco a few days ago with his friends last writings.
 Several vessels passed by his island prison. the pathetic record reads, but none saw Anderson's flag of distress. Once a vessel was becalmed close to the shore and he tried to reach it, but he had not the strength left to launch.his little boat. His legs had failed him and he could only pull himself along by his elbows.
 He deliberated- on shooting his dog, Dempsey, but he could not screw up courage to slay his faithful friend. "Hs brought seals to me through the break CTS" he wrote, 'and fed him as long as l could" Finally the dog disappe ared.
 The diary records the terrible suffer ings of Anderson Szcm thirst and his
The St. Johns herald., 1901-02-09
SIBERIAN CITIES.
Though PFospering They Never thslsas Seem Dali and De.
 pressing.

Perhaps the most curious feature of all Siberian cities and villages is the quiet of them, says Anna N. Benjamin, in Ainslee's. The American finds it de pressing. The places seem half dead, yet they are alive and thriving. Our conception of prosperity in new cities is so associated with the clang of the trolley, the smoke of the factory, the weird writhings of the steam siren, and the hustle of the population, that it is hard for us to realize that prosperity may exist in place of dead calm.
 Vladivistok, Khabarovsk, Blagovest- chensk and Irkutsk all present the same features. Blagovestchensk, in the heart of eastern Siberia, on the junction of the Zeya river with the Amur, is, perhaps, the most interest ing city. On the central square of the city, where the market is. face two large department stores which for size, beauty of architecture and variety of stock would do credit to any American city. The bank buildings, the museum, and other business and government houses, are of brick or stone. Good schools have been established, so that it is possible for boy here, as we'll as in all Siberian cities, to receive thor ough education. In Vladivostok 6 training school for eastern diplomats ~turns out graduates accomplished in oriental languages to begin their ca reers as interpreters or secretaries of legations
The St. Johns herald., 1901-02-09
SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY.

Nearly 16,000 tons of potato starch are turned out annually in this coun- try. The potatoes used for starch are the small and injured ones of the crop. Sixty bushels of them yield a barrel of starch
 A newly invented match machine automatically cuts the splints from a wooden block, dips them, dries the tips and then eiects the completed matches. If a splint proves defective 1t is promptly dropped.
 The interchangeable system appears to have been invented by Eli Whit ney, who in 179s had a contract from the United States government to sup ply 10000 muskets. He was obliged to employ the system by the scarcity of skilled labor.
 A wire fence weaving machine has been devised which enables a strong and serviceab fence to be construct ed in position with rspidity and economy. The machine carries a num- Der of spools of wire, and the weav- ing of the fence progresses rapidly.
 The visibility of substance to the eye Is no criterion of its visibility to the X rays. The rays cannot see through glass, which is transparent to the eye, whereas aluminium, which Is opaque to the eye, is transparent to the rays. The rays can see @ splin- ter of glass in the hand, but not 8 splinter of wood.
 The coal tar derivative fuchsine is generally supposed to owe it's name to the fuchsia, as it's tint certainly resembles the color of that flower; but this Is not the case. The invent or of fuchsine, whose death was lately recorded, NJ. Francisque Renard, and his brother desired to identify their name with the new product; but, not liking to adopt the appellatiOn of renardine, they translated their fam fly name Renard (fox) into the Ger man Fuchs, and thus arrived at fuchsine, says the Engineer.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-02-09
CARRIED GRANDNA's PICTURE
Prince HenPY of Prussia, Who Aston- SsAed the Captain of . TraA-
 ing Ship.

Some time ago when Prince Henry of Prussia, who, as all know, is the grandson of Queen Victoria, was at Hong-Kong, the captain of British trading steamer sailing out of that port was walking around the graving dock in which the princes flagship was be- ing brushed up, when he saw an officer standing near the gangway leading from the quay to the ship, and being curious to have look over the ves- sel he saluted with a '1Good-morning, sir" and asked if he had any objec- ton to his having 8 walk through the ship.
 ''Not- at all," replied the officer, "I shall be delighted to escort you round" :"
 After showing him over the different parts of the warship the officer took the captain into his cabin. He offered him cigar and glass of wine, and they had quite friendly chat together. Before leaving the captain happened to glance round the cabin and saw a photo of Victoria. Said he to the officer:
 T notice you have photograph of the queen of England"
 "Yes.- said the officer, 'I always carry one St my 0randmc+he-'s pie
The St. Johns herald., 1901-02-09
rno seIf-Conhdent.

Mir. Bodkin. o. C.. tells the following anecdote of the late MT. Francis Mac donagh,. o. C.. who, says the Green Bag, was for upward of 40 years the recognized leader of the Irish bar:
 "I remember once in the early glory of my wig and gown I got case for an opinion. The solicitor thought it a very simple case, or he would not have sent 1t to me. I thought so, too. With the touching confidence of the neophyte, took my pen and be- gan:
 "T am clearly of opinion.'
 "Now it happened. that sat in the law library beside the silver-haired silken nestor of the Irish bar, a lead CT of unfathomable astuteness. This elder chanced to glance over my shoulder as I wrote.
 "'My dear young friend he said, softly-we were all his dear young friends-'never write that you are clearly of opinion on law point. The most you can hope to discover is the preponderance of the doubt
The St. Johns herald., 1901-02-09
MORMON EXPLORING PARTY.
Ruin verincatiOn of the Book of Mormon

One of the most remarkable expedi- tions for antiquarian research which have set out for some time Is composed of a party of No mon students which left Graham county, A. T., few days ago, for a three years trip through Central and South America. In the party are 24 men from the Brigham Young academy, in Provo, Utah, includ- ing President Benjamin Cuff and two professors. Their object is to explore the country and its resources while searching for traces of the last surviV- ors of the Nephites, says local report.
 The Mormon theory on which the, ex- petition is based, as advanced by lead CTS of the party, is this: About 500 B. C., Lehi and his family, accompanied by Ishmael and his family, left Jerusalem and went into the wilderness.
 After 40 years of wandering they built boats and sailed toward the con- tinent, landing where Chilli now is. Nephi and Lamar were two of Lehi's sons. Nephi was beautiful and obedi- ent, Lamar the reverse. Each had many followers who married and in- termarried until they numbered many thousands, and built many large cities in what is now the northern part of South and Central America, Mexico and southern Arizona and New Mexico.
 The two factions waged war for many years, according to the Mormon theory. until, eventually. about 400 A. D., the Nephites were entirely exterminated by the Lamanites. From the latter the American Indians are descended Aaroni. the last surviving NePhlte..
The St. Johns herald., 1901-02-09

The proposed reservation of Wat kins Glen, the report says. can be made to yield an income of 2H per cent. on the purchase price within two years, and the society is per suaded that within five years the in- come could be raised to five per cent. from hotel and other privileges.
 The society is anxious that steps be taken. and has already done what it could to that end, for the preservar ton of the Philipse manor hall at Yonkers. The report says: Tt is built of brick imported from Holland and is at the same time ore of the states most ancient buildings and one of it's best preserved specimens. of Dutch colonial architecture. It stands almost alone in representing in this country the feudal system, which dominated all Europe in the middle ages and which had a temporary tenure in the new world after the set ticmcnt of this colony. In the early history of New York state there were but three great manors having the peculiar feudal rights which centered in the lord of the manor the legis- lative, executive and judicial author ity and converted the occupants of the land into his servants. These were the Philipse, Van Cortlandt and Van Rensselaer, manors."
 The society has lent it's influence in New York city for the preserva- ton of Fraunce's tavern, the Poe cot tage and the Jumel mansion particu- larly, and has sought to prevent fur ther loss of street names of historical interest in this city through the re- curing efforts of the thoughtless to rename old thoroughfares here, as in the substitution of Park row for Chatham street. It has also sought to overcome the sentiment of similar character which every little while makes itself felt in villages ard seeks to have their historic names changed. Among other matters to which the so- ciety has given its attention are the diversion of water from Niagara falls for commercial or drainage purposes and the methods of landscape garden ing in Central park. of this city.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-02-09
GOLD poURs INTO SEATTLE.
Assay Omce Receives eeO,I6o,09T an Dust ana Bullion fn Tea
 Months.

Gold dust and bullion worth $2o, ,166,- 6S7 have been received at the Seattle (Wash.) assay office during the present year. The following official figures show the amount received between Jan- uary and October 24, 1900: Number of deposits. COPS; ounces of gold and bullion. 1.243, ,163.36; total value of same, $2o.166, 166, ,6s7.54 The districts from which the gold came are:
 Alaska-Cape Nome. S2.710, 42701: other Alaskan points. s4e2. .S93 a: total Alaska. E.. 173. .32O32.
 British Columbia-AtIin, $493, ,116Z Z; Yukon district (Klondike). $16. .374. .4SS15
 Washington. Oregon. Idaho and foreign gold coin, S125. .762 30.
 Since October 24 the office has re- ceived an additional $15O, 900 from Nome and $5o,0Oo from other points. The probabilities are that before the sea- son closes Nome will have furnished S, ,OOO. 900.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-02-09
WORK OF PATRIOTS.
Historic Spots in New York Pre-
 served from vandals.
PraisswoFthy EHOrts of Society OR- ganissd for That Expressions Notable Places Pro
 tocted.

The Society for the Preservation of Scenic and Historic Places and Ob- jects refers in its report to the New York legislature for 1900 to the efforts for the preservation of the Palisades. This noble work of creation (the Palisades), famous throughout the world, has of late years been the ob- ject of a commercial vandalism so eX- tensive as to threaten its serious inn pairment if permitted to continue" the report says. ''The offenders have been the quarrymen, who have found these cliffs profitable source from which to obtain material for paving and crushed stone for roadmaking."
 The report recites the appointment of the state commissions in New York and New Jersey to prepare the way for the establishment of an Inter state Palisades park, ard the work of the commissions with its promise of ultimate success when park shall extend from the beginning of the Pal isdes at Fort Lee to their termina- tion 13h miles up the Hudson river ut ~. AC CSlSAullNC bills in the two states, resulting from the commissions' work, the report says, taken together form the first definite and effective steps thus far jointly taken by the adjoining states for the conservation of one of the most beautiful and impressive scenic features of the Hudson" reports the New York Sun.
 The society in it's capacity of pub lie trustee is now in custody of the state reservation of the battlefield of Stony Point, and it has in band inn portant plans for the rehabilitation of the battlefield. The society hopes to have committed to its care simi- larly the battlefield of Lake George. The Stony Point reservation is now placarded with signs of warning to trespassers. the work of the society. which employs a watchman to protect the states property there.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-02-09

that the increase of population has taken place chiefly in the eastern states. In New York state alone the numbers have risen by 1,25O ,O00; Penn sylvania and Illinois show similarly striking results. As in England the urban and manufacturing centers grow much more rapidly than the rural No one will be surprised to find that the Indians are steadily dying out of the land. There are now but 134, 900 de- scendants of the red man, who once roamed in undisturbed possession of the soil. But for the reservations on which they drag out forlorn and hopeless existence, they would soon become as extinct aS the bison. Civili- ration has utterly failed to preserve the red man. Whether it is civiliza- tion's fault is another matter. In part. doubtless, it is; in part, and probably in greater part, it Is not.
 There is no room for the nomad in the modern scheme of life. He has re- fused to adapt himself to altered con- ditions, and though the result may be deplored, the law is inexorable Prob ably, however. the question which will most interest the Americans is the rel ative numbers of the white and colored population. The theory used to be very widely held that the colored races in America increased faster than the white Statistics, however, prove that the inference was not warranted by the actual figures. In 1880 there were G. 5OO,OOO free colored people in the states; in 1890 there were nearly T. 5oO.OOO. The proportion in the former year was about two in thirteen; in the latter it was two in fifteen. What it Is at the present time the published returns do not disclose, but hitherto, except between 1s40 and 1860, the white American has increased rather more rapidly than the colored. The racial problem in the states is one of such far reaching importance that all will hope the advantage will continue to rest with the whites.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-02-09
A VOTERS TALE OF WOE.
MouPnR9l Experience of . Betting MAn Who Made His Wife
 a ntakeh0IdeR.

"1'll never wager another cent on election as long as l live" groaned Smith. "Jones was calling at my home 6 short time ago, and as we differ in politics, 1t wasn't long before we were having 1t hot and strong. We'll, he was so sure that his man was going to be elected that 1 asked him what he wanted to bet on the result.
 "'Fifty dollars said he, promptly, relates the Detroit Free Press.
 'Now, wasn't going to be bluffed in the presence of my wife; besides, it was just like picking up the money. as thought; so said I would go him and suggested that Mrs. Smith should act as stakeholder. Jones is first-rate fellow and all that, but he is liable to be forgetful when he makes a wager. and I thought 1t just as we'll to have the money up. He came to time, and shook hands with myself-because he was so easy. When he left, my wife, who had been all smiles before, turned upon me angrily and demanded what meant by not only betting in her pres ence, but causing her to act as stake holder as we'll.
 My dear said I, hastily, 1t is sim ply picking up money, and might as we'll find it as some one else; besides added, automatically, I intend that you shall have it to do with as you like
 That seemed to satisfy her, and waited the election with all the confi- dence in the world. I couldn't believe my senses on the morning after when saw that my man was defeated.
 "'Give Jones his money said I to Mrs. Smith, with groan, when I saw that here was no hope.
 What? she screamed.
 "'I lost said I, with sickly smile.
 "'You told me you couldn't lose!' she almost shouted.
 "'And so thought answered. I suppose Jones will be around for his money some time to-day
 CT haven't got it. she sobbed.
 'What!' It was my turn to shout now.
 "I-I s-s-spent itl Y-y-you s-s-said t-that y-y-you c-c-couldn't Hose, and t-t-took you at y-y-your w-w-word!'
 There was nothing for me to do but see that Jones got his money. I've got through now. wouldn't bet ten cents that the sun rises tomorrow morning."
The St. Johns herald., 1901-02-09
An Am.t.ur s.v.a, pooled.

The stories are common enough or fire engines being turned out to quench an aurora, and, on the other hand, 1t has not seldom happened that Q very mundane conhagration has passed muster for a celestial dis play" says Knowledge. In the me moirs of Baron Stockmar an amusing anecdote is related of one Herr yon Radowitz, who was given to making the most of easily picked up informa- ton. A friend of the baron's went to an evening party near Frankfort. where he expected to meet Herr von Radowitz. On bis way he saw a barn burning, stopped his carriage, assisted the people. and waited till the flames were nearly extinguished. When he arrived at his friends house, he found Herr von Radowitz, who had previously taken the party to the top of the building, to see an aurora. di!ating on terrestrial magnetism. electricity. etc. Radowitz asked Stockmar's friend: Have you seen the beautiful aurora borealis?" He replied: Certainly; was there myself; it will soon be over" An explanation followed as 10 the barn on fire. Radowitz was silent some ten minutes. then he took up his hat and quietly disappeared.
The St. Johns herald., 1901-02-09
ROLLINS. eNoMEs AND ELvEa.

You have read of the fays and fairies, the
 gobIins. gnomes and elves? They dwell here right among you. Why,
 we are those folks ourselves; The round-faced pudgy babies here m youf laps and homes. We are the frolicsome fairies, the Roblins gay and gromes. 'Tis strange how people wonder and seek
 both fast and far For mysteries by the million which live right where they are. Good fairies watch Der mortals, thsir Ir-
 nocent ways and viles, Sow crops of good intentions you harvest
 fn sheayes of smiles; They gladden. the poorest hougess bring
 hope to the poorest hearts. End lend men inspiration to triumph in
 fields and marts. Don't we these things accomplish. when
 baby's magic touch VIII brighten the poorest hovel and bless
 its mortals much? Of course we are full of mischief. 'tis c
 trait of the gleesome elves. But grown folks lean a little to trouble
 some ways themselves; We keep them alert and watchful restrain
 them from oYer-sleep, And sometimes even up matters by making
 them scold and weep: But we later give full measure or otesstnB
 disguised In noise, Transmutlng their brighter moments to
 jubilees packed with joys Their work would flag and falter but for
 babes enshrined at home; We sometimes act as magnets, permitting
 them not to roam, We hold their hearts at the hreside when
 their bodies are far away, And we even make hard sinners remem-
 Der their God and pray; Of course we are mites but mighty. wee folk but wondrous strong. For we turn to psalms the signing. and
 We turn the sobs to song, Yes. we are the fays and fairies. the sob
 iins. gnomes and elves. Combining all their witchcraft and willy
 ways ourselves; We work grand transformations. some
 times by the midnight moon, When papas waltz in 'nighties" and trot
 to a homemade tune. Don't strain your eyes far-Seeking for hidden elves and charms. Here are the wee folk nestling right in your laps and arms. l. EDGAR JONES.