davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
CALIFORNIA vULTUREs.
In the old Days It Was One of the Southern Sports to Catch the
 Great Birds.

One of the most interesting birds of southern California is the great California vulture, occasionally seen and doubtless one of the birds doomed to early extinction. They frequent the lofty mountains and can be seen from Mount Wilson, a peak nearly 5000 feet in height, near Pasa- dena. The writer has seen them in the San Gabriel valley sitting in oaks mobbed by flock of blackbirds.
 In the old days it was one of the sports of southern California to catch the great yu1ture with the riata. :; The birds were then common and i were baited with a sheep, and when gorged so that they could not fly they were easily taken. This bird is the second largest in the world, and it's breeding place has been found in the Santa Monica and Simi noun tains.
 A typical southern California bird is the road runner, found in the driest and most arid places, hunting for lizards, on which it is an omniv- orous feeder. While hunting or horseback the writer has often come upon the bird and run it for several minutes before it would finally take wing. Winter in Los Angeles county is virtually summer to the birds, as the country after the first rains dons it's coat of green and soon the wild flowers are in bloom and countless songsters fill every grove. The spring migrations begin early, says a correspondent of the New York Times; sometimes late in February the first will be seen, so southern California. may well be termed the hirds' highway.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
SUGAR-BEET CULTIVATION.
That nnd the Carrot Developed Through the Patient industry of
 a Frenchnan.,

The great sugar beet industry of the world owes its very existence to a discovery of Vilmorin. The orig inal sugar beet grown in France did not contain enough sugar for com merce, states a writer in Success. The amount of sugar could be easily determined in the beet, but in mak- ing the test the reproductive quail ties of the plant were always de- stroyed. Vilmorin learned how to extract the pulp without destroying the plant and by selection and cross breeding he grew a plant upon which the great industry is now founded. We owe also to Vilmorin the present carrot, vegetable which was noth- ing more than thin, dry, hard, woody root, unfit for the stomach of a sheep or Q COW. Year after year he sowed in bed and carefully ex- amined every root. By selecting seed from the best plants for the new sowing he produced a carrot with more flesh and less wood. The horse radish, the, turnip, and, indeed, the potato vine, were once plants with thin, dry, woody roots, without the least suggestion that they would ever develop into food for man or beast.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
FRIDAY A LUCKY DAY.
German investigators Furnishes FiE- ures to Prove That Monday Is
 the UnIucI<y Day.

. "A patient German investigator, with the national passion to arrive at facts, made careful record Of all the grave accidents in Germany for the last 12 months, reports the New York World.
 One result is the complete rehabili- tation of Friday, which is almost uni versally regarded as the unlucky day in the week. The Germans statistics show that Monday deserves that un- enviable distinction. Of the total of 9,948 accidents, Monday heads the list with 1,674, while Friday has fewer than any other day of the week.
 It is probable that the superstition about Friday is largely responble for it's good showing.
 It is generally supposed that, next to Friday, the most accidents occur on Sunday, when people are riding, driving, boating, riding in or dodging automobiles and otherwise exposing themselves to accidents, but the Ger man destroys this belief. He found that next to Friday Sunday has few CT accidents than any other day of the week.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
The United States BURIAL LEAGUE Opens an Office in This City

There are stars in the heavens whose distance is so far from the earth that their light has notfget reached us. But when the light does come 1t will be all the more welcome after it's long jour- ney. It is just so with the United States Burial league. Its light is a long time coming, but now that it is here it will be all the more appreci- ated. Other parts of the country have been blessed with this form of inst1r- ance for twenty years and it's coming to Waterbury puts stop forever to the terrible calamity of death and pow erty visiting the home at one and the same time. This does not interfere with any other form of insurance that you may carry. The United States Burial league simply gives you clear guarantee of one hundred dollar fu- neral, including hacks and all, on. the payment of 90 cents year for children and an average price of $1.50 for adults Is there single family in this
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
HAPPENINGS

 Mrs George Wood entertained out of town guests Saturday,
 John Shannahan is the recipient of a handsome gold watch, a gift from his mother, Mrs Dennis Shannahan, in honor of his birthday which was Saturday the 18th of Decebmer. Ernest Thurault, clerk in John Si- mons store. is suffering with an ul- cerated tooth
 MT Shean had very fine goose which he prized very highly and yes terday as George Hicl1ox and Michael Kelly were passing MT Shean's they heard two dogs in the chicken yard. They went to see what was going on and discovered the dogs with the goose in their mouths pulling it each way. They succeeded in getting the bird away from the dogs but had to kill it to relieve it's suffering as it was badly torn.
 William Hockey of Ansonia is visiting his parents who reside in this place.
 The slush is knee deep at the end of the trolley line and in many other places this morning.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
Jan. in Hawaii.

According to J. K. Brown, inspector of immigration for the Hawaiian is- lands. the Japanese labor which has fiocked to the country since the ex- elusion of the Chinese is less desirable for plantations than the Chinese. Neither the white nor the natives of Hawaii will work on the plantations. It is an interesting fact, as explained by MT. Brown, that in some cases the Japanese learn trades and displace white skilled laborers. In all tho discussion of Chinese exclusion in the United States there has been very little said about the Chinese supplanting skilled labor.-Buffalo Express.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
T,me Tab1es as Geographie..

:.I never realized the value of time tables until I got hold of a class of boys old enough to take an interest in geography said New ' ork public school teacher. "So far as the study of maps goes, can get better. results from the use of time tables than from all the geographies in the market. Maps that have been prepared for the purpose of cultivating the youthful mind in the matter of locality are summed as bugbears by all except the studious few. But just set dozen boys around a pile of time tables and tell them to locate certain cities, lakes and rivers, and they will work like beavers, and come out letter-perfect every tme. For most children, time tables and accompanying maps are a source of unfailing interest both in and out of school hours. It is true that this unorthodox method may give the boys exaggerated ideas as to the i'm portance of certain railroads, but they seem to get enough good out of the in- vestigation to counteract such impress sions.n-N. Y. Times.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
Cable to Orr Islands.

Within two years, if all goes we'll, a cable will bind this continent with Ha- waii and the Philippines. The cable to be laid is of English manufacture, writes the New York Post. The india rubber covering was made in Philadel- phia, No adequate facilities exist in the United States for the construction of cable of the quality required. The weight of the copper wire will be 800 pounds per knot, as against 200 pounds in the o1d-fashioned cables. The method of laying it is ingenious, ma chinery being provided to give the proper bend to the cable and pre-. vent it from paying out too fast. The tension of the cable is carefully meas ured, and it is so laid that it does not kink or coil.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
His Explanation.

'.Here, Maria, is your last months bill from Smiths. Whats all this ditto you've been gettin' every other day?'
 .Ditto?. I never heard O such a thing g-haven't even bought the thing once, much less half g dozen times!" said Maria, indignantly.
 Well, well, all right, then. I'll jus go down and ask the fellow what he means by charging you up with lot O things you never got.
 On his return Maria greeted her husband at the front door with an anxious face.
 'sWeil," she began, .'what did you find out about it ?"
 Her bigger half looked at her a mo- ment and smile of supreme disgust settled on his face.
 s.I found out,'' said he, slowly, .'that I am fool and you are a ditto."- N. Y. Times.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
SUBURBAN DEPARTMENT
..WATERTONN J0TTlNGS.
Passengers Complain of the Train Ac-

Passengers Complain of the Train Ac-
 commodations to Waterbury.
 The number of passengers who took the first train for Waterbury yester- day morning was 133, while the seat ing capacity of the train is but 103.
 The rain which fell here all day yes- terday rendered travel in most parts of the town very difficult. The water rose in all the ponds and in some places the streets were flooded to the depth of 10 inches.
 Chapter No of the Junior Brother hood of St. Andrew will hold mock trial at their meeting which will take place tomorrow evening.
 pr Peck went to Naugatuck to-day on business.
 Edward Bassett, who has been i'll for the past few days, is able to be around again.
 The W. A. c. are making extensive arrangements for their third anniver- sary, which takes place on New Years eve.
 Tn the United States district court yesterday Frank l.. Hitchcock of Wa tertown filed petition in bankruptcy liabilities. $21, ,207.16; assets, $10,221.- 7S
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
Service. of the worm.

Ever since Darwin showed how the common garden worm helped the ground by Keeping constantly at work loosening it and making it fine, scien- tists have been studying these lowly creatures with renewed interest. Late ly a Swiss naturalist, Prof. Dussere, has been Investigating the chemical value of the worms work, and he finds that, after a worm has finished with any particular part of earth, it is far richer in phosphorus and lime than if was before. Thus the worm does con. stantly, as a regular process of nature, what the farmer strives to do artificial ly with chemical compounds. The worm fertilizes the ground and enriches the ground just as the farmer does.-Na. ture.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
SIM0NSVILLE NOTES.


 We are glad to learn that Edward Chatfield who has been sick for so long a time is convalescent, but 1t will be some time before he will re gain strength and be able to resume work.
 A general meeting of the Ladies' Missionary society with the Ladies' Social circle win be held in the Sec ond Baptist church Thursday after noon. All the members are requested to be present as matters relative to the Christmas work will be discussed.
 Myrtle, the little two years old child of MT and Mrs B. Griswold is suffering from a severe case of whoop- ing cough.
 On account of the severe rain storm there was only one session of the schools yesterday.
 John Buchanan is confined to his home with an attack of rheumatism. Dr Mum is attending him.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
RAISED A BIG CROP.
But when He Had Gathered It rn There Was Only a Jack-o'-Lnn-
 tern Left for Hdmself.

He is an artist, but upon becoming the owner of a tiny farm he developed a sudden taste for agriculture, and boasted to his friends that the place should yield fruit and vegetables as well as landscapes; indeed, he should not be jealous for his art if the edible product surpassed the artistic. Nat urally, when he returned to town after first season on his. new estate, he was questioned about his crops, re- lates Youths Companion.
 "Oh, hne!" he responded, gen1ally. sFine, hnei To be sure, my peas were hardly success, but that was the fault of the early drought; rybody s peas Tizzled up and came to nothing up our way No, I didn't try corn; at least, l planted some, but it came up binding that's a farmers word and most ex- pressive-and dug the place over at once. and put in marigolds and corn flowers, mixed, for the color effect; blue and gold, you know, pure blue and gold; anything more glorious you can't ina zine. It was triumph. The neighbors laughed, but didn't mind that; good, plain folks with an eye to market values, they couldn't be expected to appreciate it. of course.
 My entrants were splendid-a double row, fairly festooned with crimson clusters; they were a picture. I hate sour things myself, and they don't agree with my wife, so we could take it as joke when we went off driving one day and came back to find the bushes stripped clean-not cur rant left.
 "Our melons went, too, one night; every melon except one I'd brought in to try, too early, before it was ripe. Boys, of course. Iasked.our neighbours lad next day how they tasted; put it to him that I really wanted to know as point of pride, and he owned up at once that they were awful juicy onces. Nice, honest boy that-WelE nice, straightforward boy, anyhow.
 we didn't have any apples; it was an of year. A gale came and blew off all our pears, and ruined them just as they were ripening; the trees had borne beautifully, but there wasn't pear left fit to eat. What are you fellows laughing at? Oh! We'll, who Cd1CS uDOuU V6J : Raising lem is the fun!
 Besides, we did have one thing for our own use, though we didn't eat that, either, it happened. Such pumpkin! Big enough for Cindere1la's coach. We couldn't dream of spelling it for pies. I'm clever with jack-knife, you know, and we had Halloween party planned to wind up the season with, so I carved it instead; saucer eyes, and a triangle nose, and a grinning mouth with pointed teeth. It was. beauty!"
 He paused in pleased retrospection, and derisive listener remarked:
 sSo you raised your OWE Jack-o'-l '-lan- tern. Congratulations on the crop"
 s'It was sublimated Jack-o'-lan- tern," returned the artist. reproach- fully, 'and I was quite satisfied. But,'' he added, thoughtfully, "the vine it grew on had it's roots in the next field, and only sneaked in through our fence by accident; so perhaps Farmer Tompkins raised it, after all.''
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
NAUGATUCK NUGGETS
Board of Warden and Burgesses Met
 Last Night.

Last Night.
 The board of warden and burgesses held q special meeting last evening 1n the borough court room. All the members of the board with the excep- ton ef Burgess Kenney, who is con Ened to the house with sickness, were present. Warden Shaffer presided The sewer assessment question which has become a dead weight on the shoulders of the board was given an- other airing last night, but after a lengthy discussion no decisive action was taken.
 Another large audience greeted the Dot Karron Go last night despite the weather. Tonight Man the Mas cotte" will be presented. The com pany will close their engagement here this evening.
 Court Unity, F. of A., will meet to- night Officers for fhe ensuing year are to be elected.
 Superintendent of Poor Langford has made application for the com mftment of Charles Fletcher, s years of age, to- the county home.
 The heavy rain which fell all day yesterday and last night made walk ing very disagreeable and dangerous. The borough workmen had the gut ters all cleaned out and the water had an avenue of escape with the result that the streets were not flooded very bad.
 Ramona council, D. of P will meet tonight. There will be degree work and chiefs for the ensuing year elect ed
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
rerefnble. an cuba.

h Cuba cabbages frequently weigh as much as 20 pounds. All vegetables do we'll. Radishes may be eaten from IA to IS days after sowing. while corn produces three crops per year. Sweet potatoes are perpetual. The natives dig up the tubers cut them off and plant the old vines, which produce new crop in three months. All sorts of fruit. horticultural and greenhouse plants and bulbous stocks are also crown with the most gratifying sue ~ess.-chicago Chronicle.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
It Worried Him.

With perfect nonchalance the plunger at Saratoga bet s1.0O0 on the xed--and won.
 Again he laid s1o,ooo on the high card-and won.
 Passing to another roulette table he put 5000 on the black-and won.
 Returning to the faro table, he placed the sac. .ooo on the ace-and lost.
 Extracting a large roll from his pocket, he peeled off some more mon ev and resumed play, taking time to observe:
 ..I sion't see how we are going tc live if the price of coal goes much b5aher.,- Baltimore American.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
on an Equal Footinw.

"Yes,'' boasted an Englishman in the west, ''I have Tudor blood in my veins from my mothers side of the family, and Plantaganet blood from my fathers"
 'sIs shat sop said a citizen. s.My blood is little mixed, too. My grandfather was Jersey tenderfoot an my grandmother a Digger Indian squaw. We're both ha1f-breeds. stranger. Shakeiv Washington
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
Hard to Believe.

well, T never!U exclaimed Mrs. Bliggins.
 What's the matter?" asked her husband in a startled tone, as he turned around from his shaving glass. i The idea of a grown man like you standing there for five minutes at a time adnniring yourself i "I'm not adnairing myself. My feel ings are those of astonishment, not admiration. I can't realize that I'm the same person who years ago was jailed precious pet and held on peo- ple's knees. and kissed by the neigh bors. It's an awful thought.n Wash ington Star.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
Hfx Fears.

ssr see financial troubles ahead of ~on.r said a gypsy as she scrutinized she lines of softleigh's palm
 ..xhat is the cause thereof ?" asked <Ae innocent youth
 - Zee a dark woman continued the zsa1er in futures, ~who is destined to -n,=s< you trouble in money matters.'' z -.]kz expected,r z groaned the callow .--,.z7b. eThat washerwoman is going << hold roy laundry for ransom again. <,3, rroe is meI''-Chiea Daily News.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
No+ 0uariAed

''No, sir,'' said the man in the mack intosh. .'I know too much to allow myself eyer to get caught on a jury
 s'How do you manage it?" asked the man who had his feet on the table.
 Didn't just tell you? know too much. .r-Chicago Tribune.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
rho Privilege of Age.

''I haven't known you very long, said Miss Anne Teek, gushingly, 'sbut I hope you won't object to my calling you Grace It doesn't seem too fa- miliar, does it7
 'Not at all," replied Miss Sharpe. ..I rather expect elderly ladies to call me by my first name. "-Philadelph Press.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
southern Corr, Mullins.
Nof EnH MaaI

ssOf course you're seeking fame," they said to the literary man.
 t.Yes," he replied with unexpected wisdom, .but only as an entree. I'm wise enough to know that there's not a full meal in it, although 1t is palat- able as q side dish. .''-Brooklyn Eagle.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
PoIftics.

Truth is mighty, and will prevail" said the editor to the politician who had got in the way of the mud sling CTS.
 "Yes," replied the politician sadly, ssbut there is so little of it used in our business that I'm afraid it will take a long time. .''--N. Y. Herald.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
How Cttaes xsrow.

The calendar year 1901, according to n recent report of tile United States geological survey. was the greatest in the history of the country in city building. Forty-two cities submitted reports to the department in response to inquiries and these showed that the totalnamber of permits issued in those cities was 85,571, as against 66,417 for 1900, gain of 17,154, or 25.O7 per cent. The value of the buildings erected on these permits in 1901 was $372, ITS, ,631, compared with $24f, ,561, 1885 in 1900, a gain of $13o,657, ,046, or 54 per cent.- Chicago Chronicle.
 southern Corn Mullins.
 Measure two cups of sifted meal add a tablespoonful of salt, we'll beaten egg, one pint of sour milk iHi which you have dissolved tea spoonful of soda. Then add a table spoonful of melted butter, stir thor oughly, pour into hot, well-greased pans and bake in C quick oven until brown. This may be used for corn bread also. The bread should not be more than an inch thick when done, and the crust should be brown and crusty on both sides. Washing. ton Star.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
His Ffrst Butler.

Butler-Sir. the carriage waits without.
 MT. Strukitrich-Without what, ye blame numbskull9
 Without hosses. It's the axA -ao- bile. .pJudge.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
UNITED STATES

Branch 0 flee with John All night calls answered by Joe Moriarty, over the store; ring night bell. Telephone, 527-3. Responsible agents wanted.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17

city who can afford to be without this protection? Not one! Death comes to the doors of nine hundred people every year in this city! Who cal tell where it will call next? Is it not tremend- ous relief to always feel that you can command the services of m under taker who is under contract signed and sealed with responsible company whose business 1t is to sec that your burial is assured, with no trouble to you whatever, and all this for ninety cents year to an average price of $150 for all adults. without regard to creed, race or nationality? We are proud to be the agents of this company. ccnuso wherever it is known it is looked upon as true work of philanthropy. We have beer in tho undertaking business in this city for twenty years and VIC know well what q hardship 1t is to have such a debt hanging over the nv craze family. If our agents do not reach you in time call at our office and we will give you all particulars.
BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1902-01-30
AteneO puertOrriquent

Esta noche dark Ia anunciada conferencia
on 81 Ateneo Puertorriquefo el Licenciadoi
Matienxo Ointr6n.
81 tena escogido por el distinguido con-.
fsrenciante, llevsr6 nm gran pdblico naes.
tro primer centro literario.
BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1902-01-30

Por Sores de- n Lomba y 90
aCastrill6n y Ochoa 50 serones clos
Por ] Ochoa y Hermsn0
Q Castrill6n , Ochoa Ia cIs do papAs
. avicents 90 Is cls y 6S eansstos
cebollss.
Por S,brino de- Isqulerdo y %
. Bernardo Fernandez A susrex ,
co, Sores De Psrez Hsrmanos, HIlario
Santos, Sores do n Lomba y 90 y O.
disrno Lspss y 60 50 op de- 4 IAsas aosi
% 20 o. Dc 8 Iaiss n y 20 O. De- 10
Izfzs ID
BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1902-01-30
La C0misi6n de Hacien'
da de Ia Camara de
Representatives.
lnforme sobre h reciprocidad
con Cuba
APLAzAMIBNrO QUE PIDE
Empeio de Mr.. Root
APLAzAMIENTo QUE PIDE


lDsrvieio ssbisgrxdoo especial del Bolstin
Msrcsntill
Nusva York, jueves. -Comuni-
can de Washington que h comis:6n
do hacienda dc Il Okmara de Re-
pressniantes encsrgada de informaz
sobrs 81 traisdo de reciprocidad con
Cuba ha acordado proponer 81 apla-
xamisnto del fefsr;do srsisdo hasta
que 81 CoDgrsso resuslva h rsbaja.
que - h. sido propussta, en- Loo i'm
puessos Dc guerra
IN los eiEculos pollsieos de sstz
eiud&d no pusds calculaEss d q
sprobaEk q iniorms de- h comisi6u
d Hacienda pr que Mr. Roos IRA
bsjs porqus - acusrds h protsc-
si6n ! - prcdns1os sub&nos 10 MI
psense pesibl<
BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1902-01-30
NEuROeINE. RhUNIER
Barco ingles de guerra
EN- LA HADA

-
81 vspor-crucero ing:es "Bu.sard" ton
geo aver per 10 tarae en- naealro puerto
ss SesIn.a s manana psIa n;,s uolus hn,n y
mercante sr ~ in ne,4s I'm nara hscerss cargo "a de- siau
noa @ mari marinsrses svs .ebaIdes % de- an trip1iaoi6n.
Hemos rscibido Ia siguiente circular an,
transcri bimoa:
Sr. Director del BoLETIN MERcANTII
nny seior mio: