davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1902-08-08

90 HERE is probably no animal,
outside Of the range Of conven-
- tional domestic pets, which pro-
vokes so much curiosity among, or
proves such magnet of amusement to,
the juvenile fraternity, either at the
circus or Geological Gardens, as the ele-
plant. This ponderous and apparently
clumsy, albeit, as rule, perfectly
harmless and docile creature is never
ending source Of delight to children.
Especially is this the case with Big
Tom" the noble creature in the public
Central Park Of New York. He is an
unusually tractable and playful ami
NAL, and consequently is great favor
ito with the youngsters.
But one day big Tom" suddenly
changed his manner. He became vi
cious, and the keeper, apprehensivc
that he might hurt some Of his young
visitors, fastened him up out Of the
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1902-08-08
g.. ~ 4; y Il "a s. y
~ RE: :; \ E !:
ANIMAL '.S.. ',,'. :.
SURGERY.
Dentist to the Hippopotamus and Chi
ropodist to the Elephant.

exercised that the tool did not slip and
injure the leg Of big Tom," in which
event he would doubtless have remind
ed the operator Of his clumsiness in 4
most forcible manner by means of his
trunk. The filing process accomplished
to the surgeons satisfaction, he pro-
ceeded to complete his operation by
smoothing and polishing the trimmed
nails with the sandpaper.
When the task was completely
achieved. the elephant was released
from it's letters, and to the unbounded
delight of his keeper, big Toms"
lameness had completely Disappeared,
and his quondam good temper had re-
turned. Now, whenever big Tom
evinces the slightest trace Of bad tenn
per, his toenails are Immediately trim
med. The operation always works like
a charm. "Cutting the toenails is an
infallible cure for an elephants bad
temper" Is now the precept Of big
Toms" keeper.
Another interesting and extraordin-
airy animal surgical operation was re-
Gently undertaken in the arena of q
Well-knoWn travelling circus before a
few privileged spectators. The creature
on this occasion was hippopotamus,
and the complaint was that some of his
teeth had grown to such an abnormal
length that it was only with consider
able difficulty and pain that the brute
, could masticate his food. Few crea.
lures are so valuable to the trayelin.
Snowman as the hippopotamus. These
animals are neither so plentiful nor SO
easily caught as the elephant, and as
; they seldom thrive in captivity the;
are, therefore, most highly priced by
! their fortunate proprietors.
The particular hippopotamus upon
whom this unique dental operation was
performed is an unusually fine speci
men OF it's kind, and it's welfare is &C
cordingly zealously attended to by its
owner. 1t is affectionately called
Babe" by no means an appropriate
sobriquet, when it Is remembered thai
I he turns the scale at just under two
tons; but the creature is as docile as 1
child. which favorable characteristic
suggested the name to it's owner.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1902-08-08

way. CoA!emporaneousiy, the elephant
displayed a difficulty in walking. At
first the keeper could not assign any
reason for this unexpected development
Gu the part Of his charge, and forth
with subjected the animal to a minute
diagnosis. But he could not discover
any reason to which either the animals
bad temper or lameness could be at
tributed, since big Tom" appeared to
be enjoying the best Of health.
The keeper, however, observed that
the animal was lame in his legs, and
also that his tOenails had grown to an
unusual extent. 1t then occurred to the
man that possibly the animals crippled
condition was due to the abnormal size
~ Nf MS n1ils; r. s''"h '''"..~ 49,
Then the pain big Tom" endured while
walking would be excruciating, and
would account for his display Of bad
temper The keeper thereupon decided
to cut and trim the creatures nails, as,
even If the operation did not cure the
malady, it would at any rate DO no
harm. Had big Tom" been roaming
about in his native jungle, blowing and
plodding in the heavy, rough soil, the
nails would have been kept down to
their proper size, but as he was de-
prlved of these natural means Of CHR
opody, then the same result would have
to be accomplished by artificial means.
But the task was not so easy as it
appeared from a curSory glance. The
keeper realized that the work would
have to be carried out with consum
mate skill, if the result were to be at.
tended with satisfactory success. 10
insure this end, special set of tools
were prepared. This peculiar chiropody
outfit comprised saw, chisel, sharp
knife, coarse rasp, sandpaper and
smooth polishers, all specially manu-
factured for the operation.
The elephants legs were secured to
the ground by means of chains to pre-
vent movement, but otherwise big
Tom was left entirely free, since as
the nails are Of hard horn no pain
would be experienced in the actual cut
ting, though as the flesh around the
nails had become inf1amed and tender
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1902-08-08
lmpecuniOus but Sporty.

An impecunious constituent of Abra
ham Gruber called upon the latter ut
his Office last week and requested the
loan Of q dollar. A two-dollar bill was
the smallest the colonel lad. This h.
handed to the caller with the remark:
$50 to the cigar store downstairs,
get 15-cent cigar, keep a dollar, and
bring me the change"
In few minutes the visitor reap
peared, putting contentedly at a cigar,
and handed the colonel IS cents. Motto
ing a peculiar expression on Colonel
Gruber's face, he withdrew the cigar
from his lips long enough to inquire:
did you mean that the cigar was for
you or me?'
'Get out Of here" was all Grubei.
could say.-New York Times.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1902-08-08
~ANEGLEcTED FINE ART.

Ability to Talk Clearly and Forcib1y
lie Much to Be Sought After.
Pleasure in successfully making
something is universal. 1t is shared by
the boy who whittles out a top, ne
sculptor who chisels a statute, the
housewife: who cooks. q good dinner,
and the poet who writes a great ode.
The passion often expresses itself
clumsfly, as when a woman makes a
bas-relief out of butter for want of a
better material. We cannot all COM
mand marble or paint or a beautiful
singing voice for the expression of our
emotions. But there is one art the
material for which lies ready to our
hand. The art is that Of conversation,
and the material is mere words"
The joy Of putting thing we'll is not
to be despised. Yet it may be acquired
by any girl who early resolves to ac-
quire it. To talk clearly, forcibly,
truthfully, is within the capacity Of
any fairly well educated girl. Only Il
step beyond that need one go to talk
brilliantly. Yet many woman goes
through life disconnected because she
hasn't single accomplishment" un-
mindful Of this which waits for her to
pick it up.
No requirement gives more pleasure
than that Of conversation which is in
telligent and sprightly, but never ILL
natured, unless it may be the ability to
sing charmingly. The happy talker
radiates good feeling, and is secure Of
a warm welcome wherever she goes.
OF course she must have listening ear
as we'll as a speaking tongue. Between
these she can make "a July's day short
as cember.'-Youths Companion.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1902-08-08

Babe has an unusually finely deVel-
oped set Of teeth, numbering twenty
eight in all. Among these are two very
prominent teeth, properly called tusks,
growing out Of the lower jaw. They
start in a vertical direction, but bend
in a backward, graceful curve. They
are two Of the most useful teeth to the
hippOpotamus, being requisitioned by
the animal fer tearing up the trees and
bushes upon which it thrives, since it
is purely herbaceous animal.
Under normal conditions these tusks
grow to about six inches in length. The
rough work to which they are subject
ed by the creature when roaming
through the forests in quest of food
prevents them from growing to a very
great length. But in the luxurious res
idence Of the menagerie cage, and the
preparation of dainty dishes of loaves.
hay and branmash, the tusks have no
hard chewing to do. Therefore, they
grow to such length that if not cut
back they would pierce the upper Jaw
prevent Babe from eating, and grad
ually starve him to death. Consequent
ly, Babe" has to submit to periodical
oyerhaulings Of his teeth-the OPERA
ton takes place on the average about
once year.
In the front of the mouth, also in the
lower jaw, are two other prominent
teeth, projecting straight forward.
These are not used for biting, but for
digging up the earth when the animal
fancies tasty root for dinner. These
also, In Babes" case, have to be kept
cut back, though they do not cause him
so much Inconvenience, when too long.
as the tusks.
10 enable the operation to be salts
factorily performed, Babe" was led
out into the arena and placed near q
stout iron post which had been deeply
and rigidly fixed into the ground. The
hlppopotamus looked about him ouizzi-
cally as if endeavoring to divine what
move was in contemplation. Chains
were passed round his short legs. and
fastened firmly to the ground. "Babe."
not quite compromising the meaning
of this secure hobbling, gave a sonorous
grunt, and looked threateningly at his
keeper. But at this juncture loaf was
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1902-08-08

and, for those who can afford it, the
principal one Carts Of primitive pat
tern are also used, but the unscientific
principle Of their construction and the
many ruts in the thoroughfares and
roadways make riding in them a penal
ty instead Of pleasure. On many of
the small canals, where sails are i'm
practicable, boats are still drawn by
human muscle. Even the state sleigh
Of the Emperor is drawn on the ponds
in the, imperial gardens by coolies.
Among the vehicles Of travel which ex-
cite the curiosity Of the visitor to
China is q one-wheeled continuance
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1902-08-08

exception Of the keeper, decamped
from the scene Of action. The keeper
then hurriedly knocked away the
chains holding the animals mouth, and
also quickly hied him to a safe dis
lance, in case Babe" proved obstreper-
GUS. The hippopotamus closed his re-
leased mouth with snap, and splut-
terer viciously with violent anger. He
glared at the keeper as If he would
have liked to have killed his tormentor.
He opened and closed his mouth sew
eral times, found his teeth more COM
Portable, and then signifed his appre-
citation Of what had been done to him
by shifting about for something to
MUNICH. The keeper warily approached
with an appetizing pail Of branmash,
which Babe" devoured with great
zest The shackles were knocked off
his legs, at which the brute gave a
grunt of satisfaction. All signs Of vi
ciousness had vanished and he accom-
panied the keeper back to the cage with
the greatest content, entering which
the animal lay down and went to
sleep.
One of our illustrations depicts what
is Individually an unparalleled operation
in the annals Of pachydermatous der
matology. The elephant, so securely
strapped by heavy chains to the
ground, is having a square yard of new
skin grated on to it's shoulder. Belle
that is the elephants name-was get
ting out Of a railway carriage, when
the vehicle gave a sudden jolt, and she
was thrown heavily to the ground. As
she fell and struck an iron cage stand
ing near by, and severely lacerated her
shoulder, the abrasion extending over
space of one square inch.
Specialists were called in, and it was
resolved to remove some Of the tender
growing skin from the young elephant,
and to graft it on to Bellies wound. The
mother was chained on her side to the
ground, and small section removed
from the baby's leg and applied to-
Bellies wound. The skin adhered to the
lacerated flesh, and gradually the abra.
sion was closed up. A small portion
only was operated upon; at a time, and
the wound was soon completely healed.
frederick A. Talbot, in London Mag
azine. s
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1902-08-08
offered to him, and his momentary
amer WAS instantly appeased ,#E..E.8l

offered to him, and his momentary
anger was instantly appeased. .l
"Babe'' was then enticed to open his
mouth widely by means Of further
dainties held temptingly above his
nose. At first he refused point blank,
but he finally succumbed to the bait,
and opened his capacious jaws to the
!! extent Of two feet. Immediately two
assistants, standing in position, dex-
terously threw chains over the distend-
ed jaws-one over the lower and the
second over the upper-and passed tho
ends through ringbolts fixed to the
post. Babe attempted to close his
jaw, but in vain. He was secure
prisoner, bound literally foot and
mouth. h<&
The keeper then proceeded to per-
form the necessary operation with all
possible celebrity. For this delicate
dental work the menagerie proprietor
has provided special outfit, consisting
Of small, finely tenoned saw, three
files, one of which is about as coarse as
a wood rasp, and the other two very
fine and more suited for polishing pur-
poses. The files are only cut upon one
side, the other faces being covered
| with thick and soft leather, so that in
the event Of the file slipping off the
tooth, the brute's mouth would not be
wounded in any way.
The front digging teeth first claimed
attention. The keeper set to work with
a will, merrily filing at the teeth as if
! in vice. The animal gurgled and
spluttered, and large tears, like balls
of crystal, rolled from his eyes. He
grew restless, and in two or three min
utes his struggles became so violent
that the operator had to desist.
| When babe" had Quieted down
once more, the dentist again set to work
vigorously, and ceased for few mo-
ments every time the hippopotamus
grew restless. Probably the animal
suffered little real pain, but expert
enced a disagreeable sensation as the
strong steel file rasped over the bone,
which proved to be extremely hard. At
the end Of five minutes, one tooth had
been filed down an inch and a quarter,
and before quarter Of an hour had
elapsed both the digging teeth had
been treated and polished.
A curious feature was observed dur
ing the operation. The body Of the ami
NAL appeared to be bathed in blood,
and the ground Immediately beneath it
was dyed deep red. This was due to
Babe" violently perspiring, as the
perspiration Of the hippopotamus, when
excited. is red in color.
The dental surgeon then directed his
skill to the tusks. This task was consid-
erably facilitated by saving off the
tusk to the desired length, and then
finally grinding the teeth down to the
requisite shape by the files. They were
then polished, and the unpleasant oper.
alton was completed. Great excitement
now followed. Every man, with the
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1902-08-08
Had Read Worse Things.

Frank R. Stockton, the novelist, who
recently died, was; during the summer
months, a resident of Congressman
Dayton's district in West Virginia.
This fact gives interest to the story
which Mr.. Dayton tells of a young
lady who met Mr.. Stockton at a rural
gathering. Late in the afternoon, aft
er the young lady had reached chat
ting stage with the novelist, she asked
him for his autograph, and he, being
rather pleased with her bright ways.
wrote for her witty verse.
isn't that clever?" said the girl.
':Mr. Stockton" she added, why don't
you write pieces for the newspapers
or the magazines? !. have seen worse
things than this in print. "-Washington
Post.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1902-08-08

England. Lord Acton came rapidly IL
prominence by his strenuous contribu-
ton to the controversy on the vatican
degrees and by brilliant essays on
Wolsey and German schools of history.
All universities in England honored
him, and for six years he held the chair
of modern history at Cambridge, sue
ceeding Sir John Seeley. His last days
were spent upon a universal history
Of monumental proportions.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1902-08-08
TRAVEL IN CHINA.

Primitive Methods of Transportation
in the F1owery Kingdom.
Means of transportation are still in
primitive condition in the vast sleep
ing empire Of China. Human labor is
cheap and human muscle, to a great
extent, takes the place of the agencies
which are employed in more civilized
lands. In the narrow, ill-paved and
reeking streets Of the principal Chinese
cities Sedan chairs, borne by coolies,
are one Of the means Of Transportation
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1902-08-08

newspapers to have
20 S S e S S e d moro
learning than any
other man in Ell
rope. He was borl
at Naples in 1884
H e distinguished
himself in Rome 81
years ago, by his
hostility to the doc
trine Of papal infal
libility. Later, n:
leader Of the lib
eral Catholics ir
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1902-08-08

fashioned after barrow. It has the
advantage over other wheeled vehicles
that the operator can readily steer it so
as: tosavoid the numerous pitch holes in
the streets and roadways.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1902-08-08
lord ACTON WAS
EUROPE'S MOST LEARNED MAN.

Lord Acton, professor of modern his
tory at Cambridge univ rsty, who died
the other day, is declared by English
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1902-08-08

=. Give a girl new dress, and before
she is thankful she complains that she
has no place to wear it.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1902-08-08

The trouble with experience is, near.
~ every man thinks he is so smart thai
he can win where others have failed.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1902-08-08

It actually looks indicate to see an
old girl attempt to be 'roguish. !" III ia
Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-07-03
INDIAN FESTIVALS.

A contributor 10 the New York IN
dependent describes interestingly the
religious festivals OF the Pueblo In
dams. Some Of these are made the oe-
caslon Of visits from other Indians
the Navajos, Apaches. and Utes-ahu
from white settlements. There Is
mixture in these festivals Of "Christian'
ceremonies with those of the ancient
religion.
The preparations for the ceremonial
dances occupy several weeks The
younger participants are carefully In
struoted, and the garments and orna-
ments, all OF which are precisely pre-
scrIbed as to material, color, form, etc,
are duly prepared. on the preceding
day a temporary structure or booth Is
erected on one side OF the principal
plaza. The front is open, and at the
back Is placed a table covered with
blankets az temporary altar AT sun
rise Of the festival day an official, who
may be called herald, makes procla-
nation from the housetops in various
parts Of the town that the day is TO
be properly celebrated. and calls on
all to participate. At o'clock mass is
said in the church. and at its conclusion
the people form procession and carry
the image OF the patron saint from the
church to the temporary altar in the
booth, where It remains all day. Soon
after the principal dance Of the day
begins and usually lasts Tor several
hours.
In these dances the number OF men
and women engaged is equal, and the
figures are beautiful and sometimes
quite intricate. The motion is peculiar,
and that OF the women differs materl-
ally from that Of the men, but the time
Kept is absolutely perfect, and so is
the performance OF the figures During
the whole day men, women and child
rem, but principally women, come to
the booth and kneel before the image
Of the saint on the altar, bringing with
them offerings Of various kinds Of food
Al the summer festivals melons and
vegetables preponderate, but at all
times there are a multitude Of loaves Of
bread Of q peculiar shape only seen on
these occasions, While nominally Of
fered TO the saint, they are usually TAX
en- by the priest and form part OF the
provision for his maintenance. There
IS a great variety In the dances. many
Of which are dramas, accompanied by
chauted poems, which form an accom-
panlment In words TO the acted story
Of the dancers.
The Pueblo Indians are said 70 have
a most elaborate system Of religion. Re-
ligion enters into every phase Of their
lives. Everything has its religious
meaning. Many Of their ceremonies
survive. while the underlying ideas
seem to be forgotten, These facts
would seem 10 indicate that they orig
mated In a theocracy, for 1t Is under
that form OF government that the daily
life itself assumes the form Of divine
| eervfca
Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-07-03
PRESERVE THE BUFFALO.

The interior department has Just IS
sued some statistics on the number OF
buffalo In the United states. According
TO these there are less than q thousand
pure bloods In the whole country That
is very small number when compared
with the millions Of thirty years ago,
They win never again be seen as they
were any more than the country WIN
be like Il was when the red indian
roamed the plains. Much romance sur
rounds the buffalo because he was
most important factor in the life of the
Indian and the pioneer He has pc
come almost extinct and thus
fact causes much sentiment TO De
poured out. But as civilization al
yauced he was doomed 10 go, His place
has been taken by domestic cattle ana
for the wants OF man an Immensely
superlor animal. The practical extihc-
lion of the buffalo means that the hap
nv hunting grounds Of the pioneer the
plainsman, and the sportsman are gone
and that IS the most that It does mean
The buffalo could only exist in any con-
siderable number under the conditions
in which he nourshed so splendidly'
But who would have those conditions
back II they could? Few indeed IN
the past there is always something that
"a regretted, and very largely because
IL Is past. Those who crossed the
mains in OK or mule teams forty or
fifty years ago surround those times
with glamour and halo that are
pathetlc, But Is not the fast railway
train, that goes farther In an hour
than the old teams and wagons went
in day, much to be- preferred to the
OK train? 1t certainly Is. The buffalo
belonged TO the tmes of the ox-team
and passed with It; they belonged to-
eether but were doomed TO vanish be-
fore the march of civilization,
The buffalo were a blessing to the
early pioneers and the travellers over-
land. on the vast, unfenced, boundless
plains they were grand sight, slsht
never to be seen again. In the pages Oh
Catlin are recorded the exciting scenes
OF the buffalo hunt. What few there re-
main should be jealousy guarded ana
preserved. and II they can be increased
they should be. They are grand ana
noble animal and every means lha'
tends to their preservation should De
employed. They typify as nothing else
does a time that is gone forever time
that has for western people In partlcu-
lar both tender and tragic memories
they are linked with period of deyel-
opment OF the country the like Of which
was never seen before, will never be
seen again. Let the remaining bunalo
be preserved and protected.