davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10
Wireless Telegraphy Old.

While searching through old records the
other day the Mayor of San Reno discov-
cred some documents which show that
system of wireless telegraphy was in
vented as far back as 1869.
The inventor was Canon Andrea Bobone,
a well-known churchman and mathema-
tician. He told the officials At the Vatican
OF his invention, and even asked Pope Plus
IN to bestow blessing on his work.
The Pope, however. declined to grant the
request. Summonins the canon, he said to
him: MANY persons now doubt whether
am infal.ib!e on religious matters, and the
number would probably be increased II
were to come forward as an infallible au-
thority on the subject Of applied mathe-
matics.'
Among the documents discovered are COM
plete drawings of the canon's invention and
4 notebook containing precise Instructions
as to the manner in which 1t should be oper
ated.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10
Farm For Waistcoat.

Herr Saltzmann, of Bloemfontein,, who
died the other day at the age Of 81, used
often to tell the following story to his old
cronies:
Some years ago he owned an estate in
Griqualand, and adjoining it was farm
owned by W. De Beers. This farm was ap-
parently worthless, for the soil was poor and
there was no water, and therefore Herr
Saltzmann was not surprised when De Beers
came to him one day and offered to let him
have the entire farm in return for an ordi-
nary waistcoat.
AS he had no use for the farm and never
dreamed that it would increase in value, he
declined the offer. Soon, however, maSnlt-
cent diamonds were found on that furm, and
millions of dollars could not now buy the
arid strip which was once offered in ex-
change for q waistcoat.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10
Costly Cigarette.

Constantin Karda1, a young Pole. was
going to the Imperial Bank, in Warsaw,
recently, with the intention of depositing
roll OF rubles worth about $4,000, when
suddenly he was accosted by an elegantly
dressed man, who politely asked him II
he could show him the way to the bank.
81 an, going there" replied Constantin.
land we may as we'll walk together"
The stranger thanked him and offered him
a cigarette, which he took and began to
smoke. a few minutes later he became very
sick and tainted In his companions arms.
When he recovered consciousness he found
himself In a drug store, and soon saw that
his elegantly dressed companion and his roll
of rubles bad disappeared While he was
wondering what had become of them, the
druggist told him that he had certainly been
robbed
Your companion vanished as soon as he
brought you In here" he said, ''and, OF
course, he took the money with him. sus-
pected nothing at the time, but l soon no.
ticed peculiar odor from the half-burnel
cigarette, which you held between your fin
gers, and, when I examined 1t, saw plainly
enough that you had been drugged.'
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10
Cheap Postage Stamps.

In the show window Of almost every dealer
in postage stamps on Nassau street, In New
York city. may be seen complete sets OF
stamps Issued By the different governments
Of South America. uncanceled, and marked
for sale at an exceedingly low figure. Ere
quently the face value of the stamps IS far
in excess Of the price mark. Many thought
full people who used TO collect stamps when
thew were boys wonder how New York
dealers can sell genuine stamps cheaper than
the stamps could be bought in the country
that issues them.
The explanation is very simple. Most OF
the Central and South American govern
ments have their stamps engraved In this
city. The engraving companies make an
agreement with the governments by which
they furnish them for almost nothing. as
many stamps as they want on condition
that as soon as the issue is retired the en-
gravers have the privilege of printing as
many more stamps as they choose to sell
TO dealers.
The stamps are genuine in every respect,
being printed from the same plates, the Only
difference being that they never saw the
country they purpcrt TO come from. For this
reason many collectors prefer Cancelled
stamps for their albums.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10
New Sport With Bull.

Weary Of ordinary bull-fghts, some young
men in Madrid recently invented novel
sport. Procuring q wild bull, they managed
to saddle and bride it in the same manner
as horse and then drove It out into large
arena, where n popular Jockey was waiting
with the intention of trying TO mount the
Infatuated animal.
The seats around the arena were filed
with spectators, and great was the excite
ment as the jockey approached the bull and
dexterously endeavored to vault on its back.
For few minutes the animal foiled him
successfully but finally the Jockey got into
the saddle and then there was wild race
around the arena.
Unfortunately, one Of the girths broke
just as the bull was beginning to grow tired
and the plucky jockey was thrown to the
ground.
As the officials who have charge of the
bull-ights have expressed their disapproyal
of this novel sport, it is scarcely likely that
1t will become popular in Madrid.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10
Ills Postflumous Joke.

When the will OF NJ. Philippon. OF Ro-
miily, France. was opened the other day 1t
was found that he had set aside certain
sum of money for q funeral banquet Ac.
cording TO the will this sum had been de-
posted in local savings bank and after
the funeral 1t would be paid to the town
officials, who alone were invited to attend
the banquet
When they heard this good news the off,
Gals Instructed hotel proprietor to have
an excellent feast ready on the evening Of
the day on which the funeral was TO be held,
and, as soon as the funera! was over, they
went to the savings bank in body with the
intention of drawing out the money.
Great, however, was their surprise when
the cashier Informed them, with smile,
that NJ Philippon had not deposited any
money In the bank. and they did not venture
TO disagree with him when he hazarded the
conjecture that the deceased had simply
been playing a practical joke on them.
All that remained for them to do was to
notify the hotel proprietor that there was
no money for the banquet, and this they
promptly did.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10
Pelee Disaster Foretold

Occult journals In Germany are now
drawing attention to the fact that the dis
aster at Martinique was plainly foretold
as far back as 1899 by Nine. de Terrieu1,
one Of the bcst-known clairvoyants in En-
rope.
On the evening of May 10, In that year.
while she was knitting in her parlor. she
suddenly closed her eyes and uttered these
remarkable words:
'In a few years terrible earthquake or
explosion will take place, and, II ! am not
mistaken. it will occur in 1902. Yes, yes, 1t
will certainly occur in 1902. ] see it In
vision. and the stars also tell the same
story to me- This earthquake will be so
terrible that the submarine cables will be
rent asunder and great city will be
wholly destroyed Moreover, thousands Of
persons will meet with an awful death.
Il hear sound like an explosion. ! see
q city and II Is red hot. also see many
streets literally covered with corpses, and
column after column of smoke blackeninS
the sky. ! feel too, a violent shock, as
though all the earth were quaking, and
see 20 shops in flames. Alas! for the I'M
fortunate dwellers In that city. May God
in Ills infinite mercy have compassion on
the stricken relatives Of those who are
bound TO meet with this awful DOOM
Nine. de Terrieux then opened her eyes
and seemed lost in thought during the re-
mainder of the evening. The prediction,
however had been overheard by lady in
an adjoining room, and it seemed so
strange to her that she wrote it down and
sent copies of II on the following day to
the leading occult journals in Europe.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10
Did Christ Wear A Beard?

NJ de Nelly, distinguished French archa-
ologist, has for some time been trying to
find out whether Christ wore beard or not,
and recently he submitted to the Academy of
Inscriptions and Belles-Lettres in Paris a
lengthy paper on the subject.
In it he infinitely described and criticised
all the portraits of Christ which are known
to exist, and in conclusion he said that, In
view of recent discoveries, he felt bound to
conclude that during the first centuries OF
the Christian era Christ was always repre-
scented as beardless.
He referred particularly to two recent dis
coveries, that Of the beautiful statue OF
Christ dating back to the eleventh century,
which was acquired some time ago by the
Berlin Museum, and that Of the Coptic
fresco Of Beuit in Upper Egypt. which was
unearthed few weeks ago by NJ. Cledat.
NJ. de Nelly even maintains that If Christ
did not wear a beard, Cecil TORI may not
be very far wrong in claiming that He was
crucified in His twenty-irst, instead of His
thirty third year, as has hitherto been sup
posed.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10
Ouick Witted Pastor.

In Germany recently a country preacher
was preacfling q sermon. when suddenly
he lost the thread of his discourse, and. do
what he would. be could not find II again
The congregation was greatly emoar-
raised and was wondering what the matter
was whey he startled it by exciaiming bur
riedly: pardon me, my brethren, FOR
pausing in my sermon. but 1t seems to me
that l smell fire somewhere-and-and 1t
might be well TO see that it has not broken
out In the church or In any of the nearby
houses.
Before the words were all uttered the
congregation was pouring out OF the church.
each family being anxious TO make sure
that its home was not on ti.e- II need
hardly be said that the fire existed only in
the pastors Imagination.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10
MIST Timid OF Kings.

King Albert of saxouy. who died recently.
was very timid man. He disliked 10 walk
through room full Of people. and he blushed
Ike a girl If any one spoke 10 him.
Twilight, indeed. was the only time during
the day when he seemed to have any courage
Thus he was unable to refuse any request
during the day. but he often refused them
during the evening. and for this reason those
who wanted him to grant them fayors tried.
If possible. 20 obtain interviews with him
during the day.
This constitutional timidity gave rise to a
rumor that he was lacking In physical cour-
age. but that is not true. as on various In
stances he gave striking proofs OF his will
ingEess to face perils.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10
One Tunnel Less.

In travelling from Luzerne to Chiasso, on
the st. Gotthard Line, the train passes
through 10 tunnels. Now, how many tun-
nels does it pass through from Chiasso to
Luzerne?
"Seyenty-nlne, Of course" will be the nat
ural answer. But this Is not SO, as OF Its
return trip it only goes through IS tunnels.
This is because, at one point Of the road.
near Faido, the tracks are separated. one
Of them passing through small tunnel,
but the other being laid on ground made
from material excayated from the tunnel.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10

Russian control has pushed Its way to the
extreme northwestern tip OF Siberia. 1,oOo
miles north Of Vladivostock and the ST.
beran Railway. At the van of the Russian
possession IS the official Greek priest OF tue
established Church. All Russian resources
are at his command and all Russian officials
and so!diery hasten TO do his bidding.
Naturally in building the City of Markova,
the northernmoSt town of the world and
Russian outpost. an imposing Greek church
received first consideration, with all Its de-
tails of dome and rinaret, although lumber
and timber must come from long distances.
In size it is larger and more pretentious than
all the government buildings combined.
The Greek priest at once on arrival as
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10
Odd Place For Serpent

In Alsace recently a four-year- old child the
daughter of a workinsman, became very Ill
one day, but speedily recovered. and for
some days afterward dismayed her parents
by eating a good deal more than a child Of
that age Is wont to eat
Instead, however, of growing fatter, the
girl grew thinner, and doctors, who were
summoned to attend her, were unable to ex-
plain why the food did her no good. Finally
the riddle was solved, fora serpent about 20
inches in length issued one morning from
the child's mouth.
The serpent was killed and sent to the
University Of StraSburg, and since then the
little one has enjoyed excellent health. 1t
is supposed that the child swallowed the
serpent while drinking some impure water.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10
Indian Headsman.

Nowhere is TO be found more pompous
or more awc-lnspiring person than the
hcadsrnan. who plays in India the role which
the official hansman plays in European
city.
His deadly work he performs with great
skill and in his bearin. there is Il certain
dignity which Is never seen in "A European
han.man Moreover, while in Europe the
populace regards II hangnian with 4 feeling
which is partly contempt and partly horror.
the people of India respect and fear the pub
lie executioner and never seem to think that
lie has lowered himself in the social scale
by accepting the Office Of headsman-
On festive occasions. and when arrayed In
his robes of Office, the executioner is de.
cIdediy Il picturesque figure and altosethef
different from the som5cr and grim hangma1
of Europe.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10
Frlsit OF Fruits.

Did you ever eat fruit In the flavor OK
which is a blending of grape. orange. pine
apple aad banana? IL you have, then you
have been in lava and eaten mangesteep,
for in taste 1t Is the perfect combination O.
all OF these havors, ana it cannot be had
outside Of lava because 1t is too pcrishable
FOR long transportation.
Mangesteen is indeed Il luxury, that time
and time again the wealthy have tried to
export but have always failed; so 20 enjoy
1t you must go where Ii grows. The fruit
is encased In IL hard purple shell. the size
of small apple, lined with an exquisite
pink gauze.
1t is formed of 4 number of snow-whtte
sections somcthin. like those OF an orange.
only they vary In size. Each section con-
tains only one seed. encased in a substance
like the pulp of Il grape.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10
New Weather Yane.

ono can measure ut any time the force
If wind BY means of the instrument known
as an thermometer. but in this way II is i'm
possible TO obtain any vivid idea OF the
winds velocity. The thermometer Will tel.
accurately whether wind is travelling al
thn rate of 90 or 80 miles an hour, but II
cannot make visible the difference between
a moderate and strong WIND.
4 German inventor has now devised
scheme by which the force Of the wind can
be clearly observed. The principal parts OF
This new Invention are an thermometer and a
y&nc. These two parts are connected In
sEch a manner that the force of the wind
Is measured on the thermometer, while at
the same time the rate al which it Is going
can be observed by the motions of the vane
and OF revolving plate which Is attached
10 1t.
Moreover for both purposes scale is
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10
THE OLDEST THRONE IN EUROPE.

found low stone benches, and between these,
separated by small interval and raised on
a stone base, stood the great gypsum throne,
with a high back and colored with decorated
designs.
Its lower part was adorned with a curl
ousiy carved arch, with crotcheted mold
ings, showing an extraordinary anticipation
Of some most Characteristic of Gothic archi-
lecture. Here truly was the council cham.
Der of King Miuos and his sovereign lady.
1t may be said today that the youngest OF
European rulers prince George as High
Commissioner of Crete has in his dominions
the Oldest throne in Europe.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10

mountains the laws for his people. Here
from the gypsum throne more than 1000
years ago King Minos read his laws TO his
subjects.
The most interesting Of all the chambers
exposed was the spacious throne-room. The
walls were deliberately decorated with fres-
Goes, which have established new epoch
in the history of painting for that early
period, as little of the kind, even of the
classical Greek antiquity, has been hitherto
known earlier than the Pompeian series.
The colors were almost as brilliant as
when laid down more than 1000 years ago.
Round the walls Of the throne-room were
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10
Slower OF Rats.

News comes from Algiers OF an e1traordi-
nary phenomenon which recently took place
in the suburbs OF Bougie- Soon after a
cyclone passed through the town thousands
Of huge rats fell in shower TO the ground,
to the horror OF the Kabyles, who at sight
OF them hed In all directions. since they
were convinced that the animals had come
down from heaven.
Many OF the rats in falling became I'M
paIed on the large pointed stakes which act
as palisades in various parts Of the town,
but the majority reached the ground IN
Injured and lost no time in scurrying 10 the
open country.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10

What is probably the oldest throne In
Europe has just been discovered and laid
bare. This remarkable and surprising find
was accomplished by the British archaeolo-'
gist and explorer, Arthur Evans, at knos-
SOS, on the island of Crete. The main feat
ure Of his last seasons work was the IN
covering Of the original gypsum throne used
by King Minos in his great palace, now be-
ing eXcavated.
Minos. as Will be remembered. was the
son Of Zeus, the first law-giver Of Greece,
who is styled the Cretan Moses. who every
nine years repaired to the cave of zeus and
received from the immortal god Of the
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10

sumed control over the souls OF al! tle GOT
vaks. other natives. Russian soldiers. OIL
Gals and laborers of the Province OF ANA
dyr He is personally acquainted with the
physical conditions of all under his turisdic-
ton. On arrival of strangers he warns them
of the diseases prevalent and placidiy as
sures them that they must seek his advice
before association with any natives in par
ticular or take the consequence of contract
ing contagious ailments.
He keeps a waichful eye on the subject ma
tives Of the Gear, encouraging their labors
and urging them to be Jealous In their oscu-
pations of fishing and drying tisb, collecting
eggs of sea birds for food, etc.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10
King Alionso's Sisters :

King Alfonso OF Spain may tatter him-
satr that he has more sisters than any
other monarch In the world.
The cigarette girls OF Seville held q meet
inc the other day and unanimously pro-
claimed the King their eldest orosnef,
ca ro Madrid for the purpose OF informing
fha voun. King OF the Few honor which had
been conferred on him.
senior Sagas,a. prime minister, welcomed
the deputation cordially. and King Alfonso
promised to visit his ..slstasA In the nsAs
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10
Insects Kill Spiders.

Flies are the natural prey of spiders, yet.
strange to say, there are some flies which
prey on spiders. These daring little insects
do not differ much from ordinary flies.
They are hymenoptera. and pepsis ornata
is a typical insect Of this kind. They usually
come upon the spiders when the latter are
unprepared and sting them to death.
A spider after being stung once has gen
orally sufficient strength to hide in a tuft Of
grass, but this shelter proves only Of tenn
porary service, for the pitless fly soon re-
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10

German naturalists are now studying with
much interest an animal which was recently
placed in the Geological Garden at Berlin.
1t is an ant bear, but not an ordinary one,
being q specimen OF no exceedingly rare
variety.
Its habits are those OF the common am
bear, but In color and formation is differs
from it In many respects. 1t Is said that
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10

Survivors Of Duryea's Zouaves, Fifth New
York State Volunteers, numbering IS unit
formed men. who represented so belonging
TO the Association OF the Survivors, who
participated in the struggle of the Civil War,
met for the purpose of paradlng. and pre-.
vlous to the parade assembled In front OF
Nos. 145 and 147 East Sixteenth street. near
their rooms. to be photographed by Mr.. j.
NJ. Won Wagner. Of % West Forty-seconu
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10

The postofice building at Virginia, Cal,
has the distinction of being the smallest
In the world 1t is located on the stage
road which runs north from San Diego, ana
1t Is far from any other building or habita-
ton.
The tiny edifcc the postmaster comes to the
roadside Office and awaits the coming OF the
stage which brings the mail.
When II arrives the mail which has been
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10
AN ODD ANT BEAR.

there is no other specimen Of this variety in
Europe. and it is not thought likely that any
other specimen will be found very soon, for
the one at Berlin was only trapped by
chance, and, although several men nave
searched closely through the district where
IL was caught, they have not as yet discov-
cred the slightest trace Of any other speci-
men.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10

street.
The first exposure Of the plate on the Is
men gave the proper result. But u most re-
markable occurrence took place upon expos
Ing second plate, which showed so men, 10
of whom were exact duplicates of the first
Is. and brought into regular file between the
others. nearly all being equally good.
1t proved that the movement must have
been precise and the time of expaslire before
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10
THE CAMERA MULTIPLIED THEN.

and after the movement wonderfully accu-
rate. considering the whole time was not
more than two seconds and without pre-
meditation.
It made decided freak" picture, which
would probably be difficult to duplicate. 1t
was not double exposure (intendep. but
caused by the uncappiug and Gaping of the
instrument, no shutter being used.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10

turns and completes It's work by singing
the helpless victim twice In the lower part
of the thorax.
Darwin studied these curious insects for
some time in the suburbs of Rio Janeiro and
French naturalists have recently been max
ing further investigation in the same direc
ton.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10

There are at least one hundred varieties
of fesh-eating plants in the world, but only
three are common in Great Britain. They
nre the sundew, butterwort aud bladderwort.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10

deposited IN the letter drop By the I'VE or
ely natrons of the Office is excha nged for
+ha+ which the stage has brought for the
Virginia office, and it is distributed in the
rude lock boxes-the locks being pad.ocks-
which have been attached to the Office build
ing. These being accessible from the out
side the presence of the postmaster at
times other than the coming of the stage
is not essential.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10

used. which shows whether wind, blowing
nj any time. is light, moderate strong,
stormy, gale or a hurricane.
Those who have seen this device say that
Ii does excellent work and would prove ex-
tremely useful on schoolhouses and at race
tracks and seaside resorts.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10

Spain holds the record for cheap working
of her railways. Only As per cent. of the
gross earnings are spent in management.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10

1he uorld,a cosl ACIDS cover & least 2so,-