davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1902-03-08

oring for food. the whole world Of vegeta-
tfon Is busy getting ready TO produce q full
crop OF seed and the insects are laying
millions Of eggs. These eggs when hatch
ed form an army. which at once attacks
the green things OF woodland and open,
and unless kept In check would ruin the
entire seed crop. Thus the food Of young
Dirus at this season prevents the insects
from destroying all the green OF nature.
second purpose served Ii that the
young green seeds. in place OF being eaten
by the birds before they have time to ma
ture, are allowed to ripen thoroughly
When the fall frost kill the insects or send
them into their winter quarters, the young
OF the seed-eating birds have grown large
and strong enough to give UP their diet
Of soft insects. Thus the seeds. which they
have made possible In the spring and sum
mer. are now ready for their use during
the winter months. In this way the seeds
are scattered far and wide over the coun-
try.
The more the student Of nature walks
afield. winter and summer. the more won
derful the interdependence Of all life be-
comes. The birds. the trees, each low
growing thing. the insects. rain and sun
shine. snow and freeze. each and all con.
tribute to make some tiny seed possible In
the economy Of nature.
Evening star., 1902-03-08

the other closed The open part is for the
second-class passengers, who pay lower
fares than those who ride IN the closed
part The cars are run by Corean motormen.
who are rather careless. but who, so far.
have killed only one Of the people they
have knocked down or run over
The company which furnished the capital
Is entirely Corean. with Ye Cha Yum. who
was formerly Corean minister at Washing
ton. as president. 1t has issued about $780,
600 worth OF stock. and Mr.. Collbran re-
ceived payment Of s1oo,ooo at the begin
ming of his contract.
The road was originally planned to have
but six miles Of track 1t already has ten
miles, and eighteen miles more are to be
put down. 1t now runs out through the
city, passing the palace, the chief business
houses and the foreign quarters, and goes
on to the tomb Of the empress
Collbran and Bostwick have also secured
a bank concession, and they are now put
ting up handsome building In the center
of the city at a cost Of 1900 yen. They
and another for a short interior railroad.
They are enterprising men and promise to
make fortunes in this part Of the Far East.
Mr.. Collbran comes from Denver, where he
Is we'll known In railroad circles, and Mr..
Bostwick is from San Franciso.
Yankees Are Prominent in Corea.
Indeed, the Americans are among the
most prominent of the foreigners in Corea.
This has been so since the country was
OpeIeu IL was Ola AAiiCA tSdAs <ANiAIdi
Shufeldt. who made the first treaty with
the king and American missionaries have
been the chief educators Of the people. An
American. DR.. Horace N. Allen Of Ohio,
saved the life OF one Of the royal family
when he was almost cut to pieces In rev.
olution in Seoul about sixteen years ago,
and since then he has Of all the foreigners
been the closest to the high officials Of the
court He was a friend Of the late queen
and now that his majesty Is an emperor
he holds equally close relations to him. It
has been largely through DR.. Allen that
the Americans have been awarded the best
Of the concessions and that they have q
fair chance at everything. He was for
some years secretary Of our legation at
Seoul but when Mckinley became President
he appointed him minister, which position
he now holds. He is indeed valuable
man.
Another American acts as adviser to the
Corean government, an American Is en-
ployed as its civil engineer and Americans
will probably supply the materials for the
emperors new palace which is already
planned. David W. Deshler. the stepson OF
Gov. Nash Of Ohio, Is treasurer Of the
American Mining Company and Is also
engaged in private banking in Seoul. while
W. D. Townsend Of Boston has q big busi-
Evening star., 1902-03-08

yen or So 500 900 in gold. This Is moro
than $4,000 mile, and 1t is doubted
whether the traffic Of the road will pay an
interest the cost OF construction. The
road would be of great value to the jap
snese in case of war and 1t will form the
chief highway of Japanese trade to Corea.
Fusan has a large Japanese settlement.
and its foreign residents. most OF whom
are Japanese, now number about 5000.
The Corean town of Fusan is apart from
the foreign settlement. 1t Is surrounded
by walls within which live about 33. 900
people. The port has trade approximat
ing So 100000 a year. Seoul. the capital.
at the other end of the line, has popula-
tion Of about 100000, and 1t is the center
OF all things Corean.
Japanese Bought This Road.
The Japanese are very anxious to control
the railways of Corea. They already own
the road which the Americans have built
from the port Of Chemulpo over the noun
tains TO Seoul. That concession was first
granted to James r. Morse Of New York,
one OF the best-known Americans In the Far
East. and its building was begun by the
American firm OF Messrs. Collbran ana
Bostwick. The road Is twenty-five miles
long. 1t is of the standard American gauge
and its construction offered no great engf-
neering difficulties. The price agreed upon
was 81 SOC. 600 In gold including the bridge
over the Han river. which was TO cost $780,
600. Messrs. Collbran and Bostwick COM
Evening star., 1902-03-08
RAIL SPLITTING.
An Illinois Pioneer Who Excelled Lin
coin With the Ak.


r,or, n. PHILADELPHIA North American.
Isaac Perisho, who holds the unique rec
ord of having beaten President Lincoln In
a rail-splitting contest. Is In the city LOT
,,,sit with his daughter, Mrs. O. C. Bower.
Mr.. Perisho Is now eighty three years oio'
and boasts Of having been a citizen OF ILL.,
nois for seventy-six years. his 1atner nav
ing removed to that state from his birth
place in Indiana when he was child OK
seven wears His recollections of the Rail
Splitter" are most vivid. and he refers to
the martyred President with touch Of de-
yotion which is born OF personal associa-
ton and friendship with the man. and an
intense admiration of the qualities which
made him the most loved President.
Lincoln when I first knew him was
LAWYER who rode from county to county,
following the courts as they were moved
from place to place." SAL the Illinois pio-
neer. He was considered as the best. or
one Of the best, attorneys at the bar. and
was held in higher esteem than most or his
associates because Of his honesty. I got
acquainted with him while he was in Coles
county holding a session OF court. In which
I had been called as a juror. From that
time on as long as he followed the circuits
I met him every time he came to tho
court and our acquaintance developed into
something Of friendship.
Zone thing that Lincoln was proud Of was
his reputation as rail- splitter, and he
used to tell the farmers and woodmen that
he had a record of 500 rails in one day. I
knew how to swing an AK little in them
days myself. and So one evening I told
him, as he sat at the hotel at the close of
court sessions. that / could beat. his rec
ord. He lowed that I would have good
time doing it. This was in February, 1S45,
and although 1t was bitter cold / offered
to break the state record the next day
ynnt nut fhn ,iy,n H.
and one,h half miles to the woods and at
nightfall walked back to the hotel with a
record of 100. Abe didn't boast of his rec
ord in that county any more
Evening star., 1902-03-08
DANISH OLD AGE PENSIONS.
The System Considered to Work Well
After a Ten Years. Trial.

4ne system considered to Work Well
After Ten Years. Trial.
From the New York Sun.
A law FOR the pensioning OF superan-
nuated and INDECENT citizens has been In
operation In Denmark ever since 1891. After
ten years trial the people have become
so favorably impressed by its results that
general demand has been made on the
government for additional legislation along
the same line. The amendment of the law
Is one OF the most important tasks OF the
rigsdag, now in Session. The present law
is based on the principle that every person
who has reached the age OF sixty and finds
himself unable to earn a livelihood for him
to public support without being regarded as
an object OF public charity or suffering dis
Reimbursement
It is required that the pensioner shall be
Danish subject: that he shall not have
been convicted OF any felonious offenss:
that his Indulgence shall not be the result
Of extravaganza or the deciding away of
his property. and that he shall not have
been the recipient Of public charity within
ten years Of his pensioning. In round num-
bers $4,000 persons are now receiving aid
under the law, and the number of those de-
pendent on them Is estimated at 1900. The
pensioners thus form one-sixth Of the popu-
lation that has passed the age OF sixty. In
1898 the average annual sum paid to each
Taking cities and rural communities sep
arately, however there Is a marked differ
ence in the average, which In the former
amounts to 100 kroner, or $42, while the
latter give only 90 kroner, or $25. Such
sums may seem ridiculously small when 1t
is remembered that they are the sole
source of income Of a person for a whole
year Their insuff1ciency is admitted by the
authorities but their adequacy should not
be judged by American standards. A
kroner will go about as far over there as
dollar here.
The total amount OF money paid under
the law in 1898 was 81. .30OO 600 One-half of
that was paid by the communities and the
other half by the state. The fixing Of the
amount to be granted to each pensioner has
so far been left to tho communities. many
of which, while unable wholly to refuse aid,
are known to have conceded only a nomi
nal support. Among the amendments now
proposed the most important Is one fixing
q minimum sum below which pension
must not fall. 1t is proposed to shift the
burden incurred by tho law much as
possible from the communities to the gen.
eral government, and to permit pensioners
to receive an annual income OF not more
than 100 kroner. or $28. from other sources
without becoming disqualified. One thing
seems certain. namely. that the law has
come to stay. And whatever changes may
be made In 1t. these will certainly serve to
extend, not to restrict, the scope OF the
law.
Evening star., 1902-03-08
1Einia.

Lewis E. MacBrayne in the Household Magazine.
The curtain Of the Night Is drawn,
The shadows deepen on the western sky,
The Sage has told me that the hour has come
To say farewell to Life. Fair Life, farewelll
Into thine 1 came with timid cry;
I leave thee with wall upon my lips.
Thine arms held me, now / grasp thy hands
As Of friend whom have loved full WELL
I know not Of the past from which came
Thy wisdom ne could teu aught Of that
l 60 know not where, yet with all hope,
For Thou hast told me OF q new Life there.
Did some kind voice direct me on to Thee.
That in my feeii state quite forget1
And In another world shall thy face, too
Fade from remembrance when q new Life comesi
Men of my race Of sturdy limb and strong,
Have gone the way that / SIN bound to 20;
And yet no ruswering voice las come to me
From that great Silence that We fafn would know
So 80 now tn 10ln the countless thronS3
Not helplessly, but with this hope Divine
That thou hast power to pass me on 30 6od.
Fair Life, my hands slip out Of thtnA.
Evening star., 1902-03-08
Calling Birds From the sky.

From the Chicago Daily News.
Frank NJ Woodruff divu1ged a secret at
the Academy of Science in Lincoln Park
last night. It Is. system for coaxing
maritime birds to alight in Lake Michigan.
Few Chicagoans know that every fall
fiocks Of migratory birds that belong to salt
water bodies pass over this city by The lake
SO high up in the air that they cannot be
seen by human eye, and only two students
Of these strange fowls know how to bring
them out Of the clouds. Mr.. Woodruff who
Is the taxldermist at the Academy OF
Science. Is one Of them and J. Grafton
Parker, another ornithologst, Is the other
Every year Mr.. Parker and Mr.. Woodruff
betake themselves to the south end of Lake
Michigan and after placing decoys of the
Indiana coast wait patiently until far up In
the sky there comes the shrill whistle of
sea bird. Then Woodruff. who has studied
their calls until he can initiate them per-
fectiy. sends back an answering whistle
that must travel miles upward through
space. Scores Of times these efforts have
resulted in lur1ng the misguided birds out
Of their winged fight to the Gulf OF Mexico
and the Atlantic seaboard-for It II thither
they are bound.
Evening star., 1902-03-08

much additional to cross the Yellow sea
from Chemulpo to T1entsin.
Corea can also be taken In on the way TO
NaEasaH and Fusan around the east coast
to Gensan and then north to Yladivostock
at the eastern terminus Of the Trans-Siber-
ian road. have travelled on all Of these
lines and have found the food invariably
good and the other accommodations COM
paratively so. The trip across the Yellow
sea IL apt to be boisterous and somewhat
dangerous but touI can oe planned
which should result in many orders for our
commercial travellers who represent the ar
ticles most desired by the people.
What the Coreans Want.
American drummers, who speak English
only. can get along at any Of the ports. for
there is always some one there to act e.
interpreter. In their trips to the interior
they will need to carry a guide and inter.
prefers There are hotels at Chemulpo.
Seoul, Gensan and Fusan. That at Seoul
is japanese. with beds on the floor. the
prices everywhere are about 81 per day.
and the interior travel II comparatively
cheap.
Some knowledge Of Corea and the Coreans
is needed before coming. The things you
might suppose to be in most demand are
not wanted at all. For instance, 1t Is colo
there in winter but you could na.t nox sxe
houses are small, and they are heated oy
fiues which run under tho floors. Cook
stoves are unknown and furniture Of our
kind is not wanted.
There is good opening for American to-
bacco. Men. women and children smoke,
and every one has his pipe. Tho people
grow some tobacco but they do not under
stand how to cure it. and prefer the foreign
article. There is a great demand for cigar
cites. but not much for cigars, except those
as thick as a lead pencil. The emperor
smokes cigarettes. He prefers American
makes, and especially likes the Virginia to-
bacco. There are many Japenese cigarettes
sold and quite a lot Of native cigarettes,
which sell as low as twenty for cent.
With the new railroads there will be
some demand for American machinery
rails and rolling stock. although 1t is prob
Evening star., 1902-03-08

releasing the beetle took the accompany
ing snapshot.
We often have our attention called to the
rapid fight Of birds, but the illustration l
have given shows the power to be posses
sed by insects In even a more remarkable
degree. Any old-fashioned bee hunter In
the far back country can vouch for the
rapid flight of our common wild honey bee.
He has had too much experience following
them from their feeding watering places
to where they hide their golden sweets not
to realize how rapidly they move on their
whirring wings. Except to the trained eye
of the experienced bee hunter. the insect
appears to melt into the air as soon as 1t
has circled and started on a 'bee line for
its home.
Driving through the country on fast
horses have frequently, seen insects OF all
sorts and descriptions whirr past from be-
hind me, as though the horse was not in
motion. Then. too. have seen f1ies-our
common, everyday house hies-suddenly
appear at the window Of the moving train
and enter without effort. I knew this most
require great wing power. as the fly had to
move equally as fast as the train and at the
same time overcome the wash" OF air from
the movement OF the train.
Protection Of the Corn Tassel.
The early summer sun made the air rip
pie and flicker over the wide fields, and
the wind caught up small columns OF dust
from the yellow roadways. I was trudging
along the edge Of great piece Of corn
land which stretched an unbroken mass OF
green rustling blades from the foot OF tho
hills to the river bank. By my side
friend. country parson, walked. and as
we went we discussed the power Of the In
finite In all nature.
During lull in the conversation I glanc-
ed at the field with its millions Of green
blades. Near at hand q fine large corn
stalk had pushed up to great height and
its upper blades appeared to turn inward
and enfold something. I went up to the
corn-stalk and. pulling 1t over, parted the
How carefully the dark green leaves COW
cred and protected 1t from the strong sum-
mer sunlight. My friend stood by silently
watching me make the examination. When
1t was finished he said:
'"The Lord protects his own from the
burning"
This is just one little incident in the great
big world Of nature but 1t exemplifies what
the entire life Of any plant Is simply a
preparation for reproducing Itself. There
is everywhere, even in the lowest form OF
life. the desire to hand down to offspring
the sacred something which we call life.
The Interdependence of Life.
A large number Of our native birds feed
on hard. flinty seeds and grain. These
same birds feed their young upon insects,
their eggs and larvae, as their digestive
organs are too weak for grinding anything
as hard as seeds and grain. Among some
birds. such as pigeons and doves. the old
birds fill their crops with grain. etc, and
allow it to partly digest. The young birds
insert their bills into the parents throat
and suck this partly digested food. But
the vast majority of the grain-eating birds
use INSECTS for their young
This Change of feeding habit is one Of
those great and subtle things which ma
ture does to save itself in reproduction
When the birds have nests of young clam
Evening star., 1902-03-08

pleted a large part Of the road. They
ordered all their materials from the United
States, including timber from Washington
and Oregon. They had the materials on the
ground when Morse sold out the whole to q
Japanese syndicate, which has finished the
construction and is now operating the prop
erty. The rolling stock Is American and
up-to-date. but the engines are little yard
engines instead of the camel-backs used on
our roads The japanese insisted on small
engines, and they are laboring under great
disadvantages on this account.
am told that the Coreans patronize the
cars They are the --latest mortals on the
face of the globe, and the richer among
them think 1t beneath their dignity to walk
A noble usually has two servants with him
during every pedestrian trip One servant
walks along on each side and holds him up
by passing one hand under his arm pit.
A French Railroad Concession.
Another Corean road which promises well
IS being surveyed by Frenchmen. This VIII
unite Seoul with the northwestern boundary
OF the country. ending at the town Of Wei
chu. French capitalists are interested in It,
and 1t is to be built by French engineers
with French material. It will form the
northern extension Of the road from Seoul
to Fusan. and from its terminus branch
will probably be built through Manchuria to
connect with the great Russian line. The
Corean government wants the road built.
and It Is expected that 1t will give about
$4,000 per annum to 1t.
The Biggest Electric Plant in Asia.
1t seems odd that the largest electric
plant in Asia should be found in the hermit
land of Corea, but this is the case
Messrs. Collbran and Bostwick have the
management Of it, and they are operating
1t successfully. 1t includes electric lights
for Seoul. which. as l have said, has 3O0,
OF0 people and 1t also includes an electric
that city. and running long distance out
side. The street railroad is an overhead
trolley, and it's rails and rolling stock are
OF the most improved American pattern.
Each car has two divisions. one open and
Evening star., 1902-03-08
Hurrah for Department Of Agricultural

From the Lynn DaHy iteui.
The Department OF Agriculture was for
merly a jest and a by-word: its reports.
sent by train loads to placate voters. were
relegated to attics or thrown into the ash
barrels Seeds sent to those who never
asked for them, as is fit for unsought gifts.
would not turn out right. OF late years
this important department has been ele-
waited to a cabinet position and its scope
broadened. In forestry it has atoned for
the past: In horticulture 1t Is now direct
ing intelligent effort: in the single division
Of cotton culture, it has developed an Egyp-
tian staple OF cotton which will thrive on
American soil, furnishing a soft fiber suited
for underwear and hosiery. In place OF
a cotton plant liable to attacks OF de-
structive insect. 1t has hybridized variety
which is immune to such creatures-bad for
the bugs, but better for the planters This
worA reaches beyond the agricultural In
terests and touches the affairs OF the whole
people and should be Endorsed by the COM
munity and sustained by Congress.
Evening star., 1902-03-08
More Important.
From the Philadelphia Press.

From the Philadelphia Press.
"Yes," said the old doctor. "you shoule
try to have your own carriage. by all
means. because when you want to get to
a patient quickly-''
oh interrupted the young NJ. D.. II
don't think any patient who sent for me
would be likely to die before l reached
him.
mo. but he might recover before You
got there"
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-01-18
A Real Man of God.

The Satanic disposition of the present
age which popularizes unworthy men,
almost, always overlool1s a real man of
worth. This diabolical and destructive
disposition, which seems to be lord of
our social and church life, has long over
looked the Rev. L. b. Banks, the sub,
Ject of this article, whom the writer
holds TO be real man of God.
AS doctrinal preacher he has few
equals and no superiors. This state
ment is made from the New Testament
point of view and not from the stand.
point OF popular opinion. Knowing
that the great infidel of the nineteenth
century eXcelled all preachers of his day
in points Of scholarship and oratory so
far as the judgment of the world goes,
he does not care what the world thinks
or him a scholar or al orator. The fact
Is, this man of God desires 20 excel in
those things which are so divine in ma
ture and SO righteous in aim that an in
fidel cannot perform them. An impres
sion such as an infidel make ON the
world certainly seems unworthy of the
strlvlngs of the man Of God, who reach
es his zenith when the world believes
him to be such
bis sermons are not corrupted by that
artificial showing and rhetorical finish.
which ignores plain Bible teachings.
Sights the Holy Spirit, and disgraces
the sacred desk by seeking human ap-
plause; but he sets forth the doctrines of
the cross with that earnestness which
becomes dying man when addressing
fellow -mortals who must soon be- sta
toned either in heaven or hell. Such a
man IS real man of God, such a preach
er has no superior among men
The following is brief statement of
his work at the Union Baptist Church
OF Charles City County, where he has
paStored for two years. When he be-
gan his work there the house of worsbip
was unfinished and the church in debt
and spiritually dead. He has finished
the building as originally designed, and
built an additional apartment. He has
paid off the Indebtedness of long stand.
ing and met the current expenses of the
church at the same time. His power
ful sermons have brought the church to
life ana signs of spiritual activity and
progress are everywhere presnt.
His work is regarded almost miracu-
lous by those who best know the field in
which he labors. The work is progress
slve, both IN the Sunday School and the
church. The congregation has Just put
In an organ for the Sunday School.
Rev. Banks has the most friendly dis
position, the greatest interest," not only
IN his own members, but in the people
of the entire community, and he labors
for the welfare of all.
His people support him heartily, praise
him loudly, and love him strongly.
They pack the church to hear him
preach and show that they are dissatis-
fed when forced to hear some one else.
In referring to his work among them,
they say the financial and spiritual
growth of the church since he took pas
toral charge Of it, is wonderful.
May divine blessings ever attend
them.
A Careful Observer.