davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-11
BURNING COLORADO FORESTS.
Fires In Unfrcqucnted Regions Supp posed to Been Caused by Ex-
 pIodlng Meteors.

Scientists are having their atten~ tion called to the coincidence in the prevalence of so many forest fires in the Rocky mountains andthe scientific fact that great number of meteors have been tearing up the earth in thigquarter of the globe, says the Dem yer News.
 It has been suggested that these meteors dropping in various mountain districts, in heavy pine forests, have exploded and thus started the big for est fires that are doing so much dam- age. This is new theory in the scien- tific world, but it is not without the range of possibilities and seems the only explanation of the mysterious origin of these fires. These fires have originated apparently without human agency and there has not been any theory of lightning origin.
 Denver scientists are now making a study of this theory and in few days will doubtless express their opin- ions. It certainly seems satisfactory explanation of how fires originate in sections far from the roads of travel and the habitation of men. Word was lately received in Denver of fire raging near Grand Lake, Col, and which threatened much property. This fire was supposed to have originated from the bursting of meteor on a hay ranch near Grand Lake. Another disastrous fire, with mysterious ori- gin, was raging near Georgetown, Col.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-11
ARIsToCRATIc PRISONERS.
Thousands of NobIcmcn Among the Conyicts of Russia and Euro
 penn Countries.
etates that few peo-

A Vienna pape4 4etates that few peo- pie have any idea of the large num- Der of men and women of noble birth undergoing penal servitnde on the con- tinent, says the London Express.
 It estimates that Russian prisons alone contain 12.000 nristocrats, while there are several thousand noblcmcn g tne penal establishments of Italy. Two dukes of Notarbartolo are, for in stance, at present undergoing penal seryitudc for life in the Italian prison of Les Maddalena for the brutal murder of young officer whom they had swindlcd at card playing and who had threatened to denouncc them as card sharperss
 Among the convicts in Belgian pris- on are Prince Charles de Looz-Cos- ware1n, who committed number of gi- gantic frauds and one crime of vlo- lence, and the marquis of Vareln, for the murder of his own mother.
 In France there arc several hundred titled 'aristocrats in prison, and though no statistics arc available regarding Austria and Germany the same state of things is said to exist there also.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-11
HUMOROUS.

seizing the Opportunity Teacher "When is the proper time to gather az. ples?" Tommy When the dog is chained. .''-Detroit Free Press.
 Selby-"W What's the matter with you, Smith? What are you kicking about?'' Snith-"Morse called me a donkey" Selby-'.I see and you are bent on prov ing it."-Boston Transcript.
 True Sorrow.-sNow, then, Tommy z said the stern father, "are you sorry ?" .Yes, sir" sobbed Tommy, whoi had been punished 'And do you remem- Der what you're sorry for?" "Yes; I'm sorry at you're so blamed cross. .''- Philadelphia Press.
 Approval.-.'When I was a young man I was too proud to ask my father for money" remarked MT. Cum FOX. Well" answered the youth with the fancy vest, "I1hate to talk about myself; but if there is anything on which I pride myself, it's not. being proud. .''-Washington Star.
 Husband-"W wrong with that house we looked at yesterday" Wife Hts too big" Husband Well, the one we visited to-day, then?" Wife "It's too small" Husband-"S Say, what sort of house do you want ?" Wife-"sir! I do not propose to com init myself! f!''-Boston Post.
 Bishop Williams. of Connecticut, for many years presiding bishop of the Episcopal church in America, and who lived all his life bachelor, was talk ing one day with a young man from the west about tax s western state was trying to impose on bachelors, the tax to be increased certain per cent. for every ten years of bachelor hood. "Why, bishop" said the young man, "at your age you would have to pay about S1oo year" "Well,' said the bishop, quietly and in his old-time vernacular, sits wuth it."
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-11
NOT IN THE LEAST AFRAID.


 cause there is an element of danger ils handling them.
 This fancy has cost Mir. Davis seven bites already but each time he has wrapped his arm tightly to shut off circulation and has sucked the poison from the wound, feeling no i'll effects.
 There will be no more rattlesnake bites inflicted by his collection of snakes for the present, at least, as the last of his favorites was killed recently in an encounter with bull snake He himself saw the fight, but he allowed it to proceed too far to save the ratt1er after it was in the coils of it's antagonist.
 When MT. Davis observed the con- flict the rattler was coiled ready to strike, and both snakes were flashing out their tongues at each other. The bull kept we'll out of range, and sim ply circled around the rattler, seem ing to watch for an opening. This circular movement finally frightened the rattler, and it uncoiled and en- deavored to glide away. That was the bulls opportunity, and before the rattler could coil again it had been seized just back of the neck, and was in the coils of the bull.
 MT. Davis ran to the rescue of his favorite, but before he could be of service the bull strengthened out it's coils, and he could feel the bones of the rattler crack as they pulled out of place
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-11
WHO ARE FIT FOR MARRIAGE
This Is D Puzzling Enigma Which Each Man Must Solve for
 Himself.

Enigmas are. plentiful in this world, but none more puzzling than the query: "When should man marry ?" The clerk or mechanic earning any where from ST to $15 per week has the same desire to make a home for him. self, with a presiding angel, of course, a6 do those more lucky young men with fortunes of their own. If the $10 clerk, let us say, is really in love, he hugs to his heart not only the object of his adoration, but the delusion that the old adage is true, that What is enough for one is enough for two" But frequently the maiden fair who is to do the presiding angel act does not agree with him on this point. She may have visions of seal skin coats, or even automobiles. and other "necessaries" of modern life. But it seems that the German kaiser has issued an edict, in view of the perplexed condition of the public mind, which settles the ques- ton in his country, at least, so far a $ army officers are concerned. The em- peror has promulgated an order to the effect that no officer may marry unless he receives salary of SLIPS a year and hasalsG an income of S375 more. That is to say, if he and his fu- ture wife between them can muster $1,500, the wedding bells may ring. The hopes of the $15 young man are dashed. for officers who get no more than $750 a year are forbidden to even consider matrimony.
 Neither are the sons of the rich Americans without their matrimonial troubles, continues writer in the Detroit News-Tribune. Every one of them must own a city residence and a country home or seaside "cottage, :" which interpreted often means a ''pal- ace by the sea" A writer in Harper's Weekly suggests that national legis- lation on this subject might be benefi- cial, the details being classified some thing as follows:
 Bachelors who think the income of one is enough for two, S20,000.
 Bachelors who know the young women are in love with them, and who themselves are willing to go without clubs, cigars and valets, whatever they may happen to have.
 Bank cashiers whose fiancees have extravagant tastes, $50,00O year.
 Millionaires, $100,O0o year and un- limited credit.
 With the aid of some of these old world ideas Dropounded by Wilhelm IT.. salutary reforms may be instituted , here in, the taking of matrimonial obligations.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-11


 great prowess Jack pretended to re- gard the bird IS very ordinary chick en and said. he could whip him with a buzzard.
 A hot argument cnsued resulting in a match being arranged for between the rooster and buzzard, which Jack agreed to produce. Jack had trap set, and in short time his uncommon warrior, a very large buzzard, was brought to him.
 According to the terms of the con- test the rooster was duly equipped with gaffs, and the two birds were linked together by the feet with a yard or so of stout cord intervening to give room for action, as Jack ex. plained.
 As the rooster braced himself for the onslaught the buzzard regarded him with stolid indifference, and at the first pass lifted his wings and sailed away, with the rooster squawking in it's wake. George ran for . gun, but before he could get back with it the buzzard and the rooster were high in the air and away out of reach of his fowling piece. The distressing cres of the unfortunate rooster grew faint CT and fainter, until finally they were faded away in the ether blue. Moth ing has since been heard of the birds, and while Jack is telling the story with much gusto George is mourning the loss of his best gamecock.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-11
WATERBURY FIRE ALARM.


 4-Cor South Main and Grand ats.
 5-Scoviil Manufacturing Co. (P).
 6-Cor Bridge and AIagill sts
 7-Exchange Place.
 12-RogerS & Bro. S(P). 13-Cor East Main and Niaga "a sts. 14-Cor East Main ana Wolcott Sts. 15-Cor High and Walnut sts. 76-Cor East Main and Cherry sts. 1T-Cor East Main and Cole sts. 21--Cor North Elm and KfngsDury sts. 223-Burton street engine house. 2EWaterbury Manufacturing Go. (P). 25-Cor North Main and North sts. 26-Cor Buckingham and Cooke sts. 2T-Cor Grove and Prospect sts. 2S-Cor Hillside avenue and Pine st. 29-Cor Ludlow and N. Willow sts. 31-Cor Bank and e rG1ld sts. :2-COr Riverside and Bank sts. 3t-Cor West Main and WatertoWn I'd 35-Conn R. & l.. Go car house. (P). 36-Waterbury Brass Co., s(P). 87-Cor Cedar and Meadow sts 3&Cor Grand and Field sts. 42-Cor South Main and Clay s.s. 43-New England Watch Co. (P1. 45-Benedict x Burnhan Mfg Co. (Pl. 46-Waterbury Buckle Go. tP}. 41-Cor s. Main and Washington sts. 5I-Cor Baldwin and River sts. 52:CorsE EraRk lin, and Upion sts. 63-Wat'b'y Clock Co case facty. (Ps, 54--Cor Clay and Mill sts. 56-Cor Liberty and River sts. 57-No hose house.
 5S-Cor Baldwin and Stone sts. 6z-Cor Doolittle alley and Dublin st. 72-Cor West Main and Willow stE. T3-North Willowst.
 74--Cor Johnson and KYaterville sts. a42-Wolcott st, beyond Howard. 162-Cor East Main and WeltoE SIS. 212-The Platt Bros & Co. Pj. 2I3-Shoe Hardware Co. (P)- 214-Wat'b'y Clock Go mV't fact'y- Pl. 216-C6f North Main and Grove sts. 25l-Cor Round Hill and Ward sts. 261.-Junction Cooke and N. Main sts. 2T2-Groye, bet. Ger tral x Holmes avs. 311-S. N. E. Teephone Go bd'g. (P). S12-Cor Bank and Meadow sts. 312-Randolph x Gloves (P). Sl4-Plume & Atwood. P). S15-American Ring Go. (P). 316--Conn R. & l.. power house. PI. 3IS-Holmes, Booth & Haydens. (PJ. 32l-No hose house 323-Cor Wash'g'n ave and Porter st. 324-Cor Charles and Porter sts. 325-CeF Sinons st and Wash'g'n ave. 371.-Gity Lumber and Coal Go. (P). 412-Tracy Bros. Pl. '432- Cor. Liberty and South Main sts. 451--Steeie < Johnson Mfg Go. tP}. 6S2--Cor Baldwin and Rye its.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-11
TRICK OF A sHREwD BROKER.
F1oated Lipton's shares of stock on tho Market and Made Himself
 Fortune.

One of the shrewdest and most suc- cessful of London's stock brokers was .Panmure Gordon, recently deceased. He was known as one of the best of good fellows, as he was one of the most dandiatally lavish of brokers who ever made shrewd bargain for clients. or shrewder one for them- selves. In the early days when the glamor of Panmure Gordons hota- ton of Lipton's was still over the city he figured often in the newspa- pcrs, with his horses, his chariots and his necl1ties. But of later years the great firm of Panmure Gordon, Hill & Co. has been steadily nmass- ing wealth without achieving any such sensational coups. An iIlustra- ton Of his methods is given in an ac- count of how he did the brolScring in the Lipton fotation. There was, of course, fierce competition for the work. One day Mir. Gordon, dressed to point beyond perfection, as he ever was, dropped in on Sir Thomas Lipton and hailed him with the fol- lowing:
 "Give me the job and I'll put n quarter of n million in your pocket"
 The offer was terse and to the point.
 "How?" queried Sir Thomas.
 "By charging 'cm five shillings a share premium was the significant reply, and the deal was made there and then. So, too, was the promised 250,o0o of sheer profit.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-11
Raccoon Clutches Crabs.

For ingenuity in the crabfshing line the North Carolina raccoon is not least on the list. When seeking crabs, of which he is extremely fond, he repairs to swamp and hangs his tsil over the water. The crabs, thinking they have discovered some thing to eat, immediately lay hold of it, whereupon the willy animal, feeling the pinch. gives his tail a sudden jerk and lands his prey. He retires with it a short distance and proceeds to make a meal-being care fuI. however. to get the crab cross wise in his month that he may not suffer from tea nippers. Ledger Monthly.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-11
ONLY A LITTLE CLIP.
an Ingeniou. Device for Holding Pa per, Which Has Become Very
 Popular.

A short time ago someone put on the market an ingenious device for hold ing sheets of paper together. It took the place of the pin, says the New York Press. By 'short time" is meant a matter of some five or six years. To- day there are more than 20 different kinds of clips, selling from GO cents per 1000 to 25 cents per 100, and con- siderable capital is invested in their manufactures. The same general pr.n- ciple is followed in all, and it is as sumed that each improvement is pat ented. Corporations, have been formed to make nothing but clips, and competition is lively. The original patentee will no doubt become mil 1ionaire, though he may make only one cent on each 1000 sold. It is the sim pie, dirt-cheap invention that brings the big something so mex pensive that all the millions of us want it.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-11
Strange Tree Parasite.

Curious excrescences rcsembleng 2 rude flowers that grow on trees in Tierra del Fuego are described by a of La Nature, Paris. These are found to be due to a paraSit- ic growth, but the' flowers con sist of the inner wood of the trees which has been forced through the bark and assumes various fanciful shapes. often those of the classical acanthus. seen on Corinthian cap itals. The parasite that causes the growth is a relative of the thistle toe.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-11
AT THE START.

Young man, Wts.k Is your plan Of- progress? Are you Going to pull through? Or will you lie down in the road And let your load Sink you out of sight Tn the mud? Have you white Blood.
 And pale, That curdies at the hard word ssE'ail,'' And 6ares not face The chances of the race? Or, have you red, clear red. The good strong color All the great have shed In deed or thought, For every triumph wrought Out of what seemed full Of the impossible? Have you the nerve To serve Until you can be master? To wait And work outside the gate Until you win The strength to open it and enter in7 Have you the heart to meet Defeat Day after day, And yet hold to the way That upward leads, And must needs Be hard and rough To make man tough Of sineW and of soul, Before he sees the goal So, when it Is attained, He shall have strength to hold What he has gained. And use 1t so That it to greater good shall growy Young man, Think on these things. What each ore brings Is as you choose it; You may take The stake, Or you may lose it. Start in To win And keep straight in the way Unfagging to the end; Whatever it may be Is victory. William J. Hampton. in suceess
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-11
TnII Men in Indiann

A record sof the height of Indiana soldiers in the civil war shows that out of 11s.254 there were 15,o47 feet 10 inches high, s,7o6 feet II inches, 6.679 6 feet high, 2,614 feet I inch, i,357 5 feet two inches. 4o6 feet 3 inches, and 336 over 6 feet 3 inches. Commenting on these statistics, Dr. Gould, actuary of the United States sanitary commission, writes: Tt is Evident from our statistics that the Indiana men are tsle tallest of all na- tives of the United States and these latter the tallest of all civilized coun- kries." s
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-11
BUZZARD FLEW AWAY.
And with Him Went Game Rooster That Was Tied to His Feet for
 a Hot Fight.

Jack Wills, of Winchester, Ky, fora mer representative in the legislature, enjoys the reputation of being prac- tica1 joker of no mean capacity. His brother-in-law, George Ballard, a prominent breeder of fine horses and owner of Pinchem Wilkes, noted pacer, has on his place pen of high ly bred game chickens.
 While George was showing Jack his favorite rooster and expatiating on his
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-11
"GURDIE" GOT THE GUNS.
( Neglected Heroine of the Revoru- ton Who CIeverIy Outwitted
 Some British Soldiers.

| |
 "Gurdie" has not been quite fairly dcait with by history. The name is seldom heard nowadays, but it be- longed to an energetic, brave woman, who n revolutionary times had the npplause of her country for cleverly outwitting a part of the British army, says the Washington Star.
 "Gurdie" lived at Union, N. J., in those days place aspiring to be the capital of the state. One finds it to- day fast asleep, away from railroads and even trolley cars. Her husband was known either as the man with the stoyepipe hat, mark of aristoc- racy then out of the ordinary, or as the man with the stumbling tongue. His most salient characteristic was his admiration for Gurdie.
 When the British came up the little elevation known as ''the hill" at Union and entered the precincts of the sacred First Presbyterian church, from the pews and ruthlessly tearing them to use as wadding for their guns, it was Gurdie who boldly spoke up and asked: 'tIs that the way you're going to give us Watts and the Biblc?"
 The fight which followed was stiff and long. The power of the young American cannon, placed nearly oP- posite the church, was taxed to it's utmost. To-day any one passing the spot can see this cannon preserved as 8 relic where it then stood, look ing the very baby it is in the face of modern warfare. The enemy proved overstrong, but winning men must eat, and of the rich farms then lying about Union none were more : likely to repay ransacking than that of Gurdie and her spouse. One of this stalwart woman's strong points was her excellent housekeeping.
 Near her great brick oven stood all ways a huge pot of indigo ready to dye the wool from the shorn sheep. Clean, smooth and in order, the loom also awaited her pleasure at weav- 1 ing. Her water from ''the north side l of the well" was cooler than could be had elsewhere. Her cream in variably turned to butter. Gurdie l could smooth out most folks wrin- i kles.
 When the muddy, swaggering feet of the British despoiled her polished floors she made it understood that they should rest in the cellar, where homemade wine was in casks, until she had prepared their meal. Lead ing to this place was narrow flight of steps and an old-fashioned trap 1 door. It was, however, light and spacious, and the men cracked many l joke over their entertainments.
 At last Gurdie called to them that their supper was ready. Leave your guns stacked in the cellar" she said; s'there's no room for them above" l This they did and came tumbling up 1 the stairs. Gurdie then closed the 1 trapdoor with spring, which only l she knew. The men, suspecting noth- ing, fell eagerly to eating. To her stuttering husband outside the win dow she quickly passed the word, and thus ! short while later goodly number of unarmed men were carried off as prisoners by the American boys.
 The signal which her husband gave about the town as he passed from man to man, and which has come to us through history, was simply the record of his clever wife's deed: "G-Gur-G Curl -Gurdie's g-g-got th-th-the gu-gu-guns."
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-11
Too Much.

Mrs. Marryat- at-Mamma is talking of closing her house and coming to live with us. Do you think you could sup port both of us?
 MT. Marryat-My dear, I can support you very nicely now, but I'm afraid your mother would be insupportable. Catholic Standard Times.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-11
Hnrdx vegetnriann.

In India, China, Japan, and adjacent countries are about 400, 100000 people who rarely eat meat; yet they are strong, active and long-lived. Darwin is the authority for the statement that the Andean natives perform twice the work of ordinary laborers, and subsist almost entirely on a diet of bananas.--Albany Argus.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-11
PLAYS WITH SNAKES.
Two-Year-oId Denver Boy Takes Pleasure and Delight in Hand
 ling Reptile Pets.

Probably the smallest snake charmer, in this country, at least. is "Brothe." Latham, the two-year- old son of Albert Latham, of Denver. Where the baby gets his inclination and his bravery is not known, but he gets his opportunities because his un- cle, Harry Davis, is a well-known snake fancier.
 The baby enjoys nothing more than to play with some of the harmless snakes which his uncle will allow him to handle. The uncle's favorite rep- tile is the rattlesnake probably be-
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-11
Etfuuette.

"Do you think it polite" said the foolish stranger in Crimson Gulch, flor a man to sit in his shirt sleeves and play cards all day?"
 'sYes, sir,' answered Three Finger Sam; "and maybe it'll be for your own good to remind you that the fewer sleeves q man has on when he plays cards around here the less liable he is to fall under suspicion" Washing ton Star.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-11
One Explanation.

Judge Winters are not so cold as they used to be.
 Fudge--Oh, yes, they are. Only now, chronic liars have such variety of things, like auto. records, etc, to lie about. that they can't devote so much attention to the weather any more.- Baltimore Herald.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-11
DcyeIor~d . Nerrttve

Rita-Why is MT. Kodak so glum looking?
 Nita-He and Eleanor have just come out of the dark room, where he had evidently developed negative.- Princeton Tiger.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-11
@What's the matter?'
The Artist aud Fyix Frycrd

''Give me your candid opinion of my painting. requested D'Auber.
 sIt's worthless replied Cynicus.
 ''Yes, know it's worthless, but let me have it, anyway" Philadelphia Record.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-11
One If the Three.

"You failed to tell the occupation of that last young man, said the man. Rger of the side show
 1Yes," replied the mind reader, The had long hal ana for the life of me r couldn't tell s'sether he was poet, pianist or foo1ba.l play Chicago DailQ Nnavs.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-11
The Role of Life.

Rodney Will Sidney succeed as an actor?
 DabneyI think Aso; he's been pre- tending to be son1ebody ever since I've known him. Detroit Free Press.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-11
A Compliment.

The Artists Wife-And did he say anything complimentary about your pictures?
 The Artist Yes; he said he thought T had sold it.-Yonkers Statesman.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-11

Dublin Street Station for Meriden and way stations 9:O5 a. m.; 615 p. m.
 Dublin Street Station for New Haven and way stations TOO, S:43, 11:10 am; 1:50 and 4:04 pm.
 Sunday Trains for New Haven and way stations 7:50 am; $50 pm.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-11
Tnn Mmch yNater

Little Tommy when told that he wa growing fast, answered.:
 'sYes, too fast. I think they watd me too much. Why, l have to take bath every morning g!'--Little Chro3
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-11
Revivnr of Dormant Seeds

Turnip seeds have been known be dormant for seven V aafs { h do} being planted loo deep, a:4d aftef time to sprout.r+N Nssura
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-11
TIME TABLE.

Naugatuck Road Going South-6:35 i:55, 11:15s a. m.; 1 40. 3:O5, 4 40, 6:1! and S:00 D. m.
 Sunday trains-7 :05. a. m.; 5:10 ant 500 pA1n.
 Naugatuek Road Going North-S:2; 1O:55s a. srn.; $40, GAS and S:48 D. m. Sunday trains 9:4S a. m.; 7:52 p. m Watertown trains <6:45, S:2S, III a m.; 1 80, 3:45, 800, 6:12, 6:53, S:5: and II 20 p. m.
 Sunday trains-9:53 a. m.; 8:03 p. m