davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
- >7-7--7-T- 7-T-|-]7-T-T-7-7-
Poor Sinners ReIl.

The poor sinners bell is bell in the
city Of Breslau, In the province of
Silesia, Prussia, and hangs In the tower
OF one Of the city churches. 1t was
cast July II. 1886, according to historic
records. It is said that great bell
founder Of the place had undertaken
to make the finest church bell he had
ever made.
When the metal was melted, the
founder withdrew for few moments,
leaving boy to watch the furnace
and enjoining him not to meddle with
the catch that held the molten metal,
but the boy disobeyed the caution, and
when he saw the metal flowing into
the mold he called the founder.
The latter rushed in and, seeing as he
thought his work of weeks undone and
his masterpiece ruined. struck the boy
blow that caused his immediate
death. When the metal cooled and the
mold was opened. the bell was found to
be not only perfect, but of marvellous
sweetness Of tone.
The founder gave himself up to the
authorities, was tried and condemned
to death. On the day of his execution
the bell was rung to call people to at
tend church and offer prayer for the
unhappy mans soul, and from that it
obtained the name of "the poor sinners
bell"
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
How he FooIed the Dor.

A gentleman who is fond of studying
wild animals in their natural surround
ings once had an opportunity of seeing
for himself an example of the cunning
for which the fox has become proven
bal.
AS he was standing near the bank of
river one winter day, he saw a fox
run out upon the ice and make straight
for hole. At the edge of the opening
he stopped, turned, followed his tracks
back to the bank, ran down the stream
and paused to await developments.
In little while dog came tearing
out Of the woods, with his nose close
to the ice and snow. He ran along the
ice with his head down, following the
scent until he reached the opening. It
was then too late to check his speed.
He plunged into the water and was lost
under the ice.
The fox meantime had waited in
plain sight to watch the effect of his
little trick. After the dog came into
view the fox remained perfectly mo-
tionless until he saw his old enemy
disappear. Then, with q look on his
face which seemed to combine a good
natured grin with a mild contempt, he
went nonchalantly of about his busi-
ness.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
A Curious Indian Custom

In the original settlements in British
Columbia II peculiar institution occa-
stoned gala times for the red men now
and then. This was the 'potlatch," a
thing to us so foreign. even in the i'm
pulse of which 1t is begotten, that we
have no word or phrase to give its
meaning. 1t is feast and merrymak-
ing at the expense of some man who
has earned or saved what he deems
considerable wealth, and who desires
to distribute every iota of 1t at once
in edibles and drinkables among the
people of his tribe or village. He does
this because he aspires to a chieftain-
ship or merely for the credit of 'pot-
LATCH" a high distinction. Indians
have been known to throw away such
a sum of money that their "potlatch"
has been given in a huge shed built
for the feast, and blankets and orna-
ments have been distributed in addi-
ton to the feast.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
"Dry ms Statistics.

1t is fairly obvious that the study OF
statistics is not exactly what would
be termed a popular pastime, says
Winthrop M. Daniels in The Atlantic.
Librarians do not discover any extern
sfve demand for statistical literature.
Sir John Lubbock, If I remember
rightly, found no place for a single
volume Of figures in his hundred best
books, and in that flood of articles on
Books That Have Helped Me, by
Authors Great and Authors Small"
the same significant silence seemed to
be maintained. There were some very
curious books that had apparently
proved helpful to certain persons, but
there was unbroken testimony Of a
negative kind that nobody had ever
been helped by blue book.
To say Of anything "as dry as sta
tstics" is at once to consign it to the
nethermost limbo Of aridity. Such is
the verdict upon the finished statis-
teal product. As for the methods en-
ployed in constructing such tables
weighted averages, index numbers or
curves Of error-these to the wayfar-
ing men are hidden and ingenious re-
finements OF cruelty, to be avoided at
all hazards or at least forgotten with
shudder and prayer.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
Sarcasm That Failed.

A certain Englishman by birth who
is an American by force Of circum-
stances has been in this country long
enough to absorb the American idea
Of humor. Last summer he was in
London on a visit and happening to
have business with a man on an up
per floor of a tall building took the
"lift' to reach his office. The elevator
was one of those excessively deliber-
ate British affairs, and its snail-like
progress annoyed the Americanized
Briton. The only other occupant Of
the car was a middle aged English
man, with a manner Of peculiarly
English seriousness. The man from
America ventured to address him.
81 think I could make great I'M
provement in this lift" he said.
The Englishman looked seriously in-
terested
''HowT he asked.
'Why," the other man went on, "I'd
make it go faster by a simple little ar
rangement. I'd stop the lift altogeth-
er and move the building up and
down.
The Englishman looked slightly
more interested.
"Howf" he asked.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
Ce1t and Saxon.

One Of Sheridan's tales was of an
Irishman who met Briton. of the true
John Bull pattern, standing with fold
ed arms in contemplative mood, ap-
parently meditating on the greatness
of his little island.
ALLOW me to differ with YEP ex-
claimed the Celt.
But l have said nothing. sir" re-
piled John Bull.
"And q man may think a lie as well
as publish it." persisted the pugna-
ciouS Hibernian.
Perhaps you are looking for fight2"
queried the Briton.
ALLOW me to compliment ye on the
quickness Of yer perception" said
Patrick, throwing down his coat, and
then they pitched In.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
Sponges.

Sponges grow In odd, fantastic
shapes. Some of them have an over
growth resembling huge warts. There
are some suggesting hands. hats and
figures OF idols. These are curiosities
and not marketable for practical use.
In trimming them into shape many
small sponges are made which are
used for children's states, for black
ing shoes and in making paper. The
uses vary according to size.
One Of the largest sponges known
is in New York city. 1t is fan shape
and some three feet in diameter. For
practical use it is worthless, but as an
exhibit 1t is valued at $100.
The best sponges are imported from
the Mediterranean, although Florida
produces very fine varieties. These
vary in price from a cent to $40
apiece, although occasionally fine
specimens bring $50 a pound. The
best Of these are used in surgical op-
erations.
Other sponges are the mandruka
bait, the elephant ear. velvet grass
and sleeps wool, which is best for
washing. The cheap sponges are used
in washing carriages and by painters
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
Coincidence. Of pate..

Attention has often been called to
the curious fact of the date Sept. 8 fig
ur1ng so largely In the history of Oliver
Cromwell. That very dominating man
was born on Sept. 8, 1899; he won the
battle Of Dunbar Sept 8, 1850; that of
Worcester Sept. 8. 1851, and he died
Sept. 3, 1858. But we have lately come
across some condolences of dates
which, so far as we know, have not
been noticed before. The number SO
seems to have had fatal influence on
the Stuarts. Robert IL, the first Stu
art king, died in 1888; James II. was
killed at the siege of Roxburghe Cas-
tie, 14SS; Mary. queen of Scots, was
beheaded in Fotheringay, 1888 (new
style); James VII. Oh. Of England
was dethroned in 1888; Bonny Prince
Charlie died in Rome, 17SS, and with
him died the last hopes Of the Jacob
ties
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
A Riddle Making Enoch-

There have been epochs Mt which rid
die making has been more especially in
vogue, and such epochs would appear
to occur at seasons of fresh intellectual
awakening. Such an epoch there was
at the first glimmering Of new intel
lectual light In the second half of the
seventh century. This was the age of
Aldhelm, bishop of Sherborne. the first
In the roll of Anglo-Latin poets. He
left Il considerable number of enigmas
in Latin heXameters, and they have
been repeatedly printed.
Aldhelm died in 100. Before his
time there was q collection of Latin
riddles that bore the name of Sympho-
sius. OF this work the date is un-
known. We only know that Aldhelm
used 1t, and we may infer that it was
then a recent product The riddles of
Symphosius were uniform In shape,
consisting each of three hexameter
lines.-Cornhill Magazine.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
Duma,. Fnther and Son

A story is told about the two Du-
masses, father and son, which illus
trates the pleasant relations between
the two. The son had written his first
successful novel, and the father wrote
him n. letter Of congratulation. which
he began in the formal manner of
Dear Sir" This letter throughout read
as though addressed to u total stranger
and merely thanked the author for the
pleasure the book had given him. Du-
mas fills answered in this manner:
Sir-I thank you most heartily for your
kind letter. Praise from you is especially
appreciated by me. as 1 have always
heard of you as the most enthusiastic ad-
mirer of my father, who also makes some
pretension of being a novelist
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
A Curious Palm os South Am.rica

One of the most curious palms in the
world Is called the ita and is very
abundant on the banks Of the Amazon,
Rio Negro and Orinoco rivers. In the
delta of the latter it occupies swampy
tracts, which are at times completely
inundated and present the appearance
of forests rising out Of the water. The
swamps are inhabited by a tribe Of In
dians called Guaranes, who subsist al
most entirely upon the produce Of the
tree. During the annual floods they
suspend their houses from tops Of the
tall stems of the palms. The outer skin
of the young leaves is made into cords
for hammocks, and the soft inner bark
yields nutritious farinaceous sub
stance.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
Terrific Thunder.

The largest rainfall on earth has been
recorded at Chera Punji, on the bay Of
Bengal, but the most violent thunder
storms ever observed are probably
those of French Guiana. At Cape Or
ange, some forty miles south of Cay
enne, a French naval officer saw the
terfalls by a cloudburstlike storm.
while the crashing thunder peals were
incessant and often almost deafening,
so much so, indeed, that some of the
sailors began to mutter long forgotten
prayers, probably thinking the day Of
judgment near at hand.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07

DRS. LEWIS u THORNTON
14O Geary street, san Francisco.
Practice Limited to Chronic and Complicated
Diseases.
Only Hot-Air Well on the Pacific Coast.
Hours % to II A. NJ, TO p. NJ. Evenings and
Sundays by appointment.
Consultation and Examination Free.
Telephone: Red 1902.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
Feline Depravity.

"Oh, Horace" walled his young wife,
Il have just found out that Ajax, our
beautiful Angora cat, has been leading
a double Iifer
THAT makes eighteen, 1 suppose"
said Horace. what has he been do
ingT
You know I let him out every MORN
ing, because he seems to want to go
and play out Of doors. Well, 1 have
discovered that he goes over to the
Robinsons and let's them feed linn and
pet him."-Chicago Tribune.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
The Retel Nuf.

Betel nuts, the produce of the areca
palm. are chiefly used as ymasticatory
by the natives of the east They are
too small to be applied to many orna-
mental uses. but are occasionally en-
ployed by the turner and wrought into
beads for bracelets. small rosary cases
and other little fancy articles. In the
Museum of Economic Botany as Kew
there is walking stick made of these
nuts. SLICED. mounted or supported on
an iron center.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
The highest balloon ATTITUDE. !.

DR.. Bersen and DR.. Surfing of the Ber-
lin Meteorological institute reached in
a balloon ascent the highest altitude
on record. They first went up to the
height of 10000 feet, losing conscious
ness for brief intervals. In spite Of the
risk they continued to ascend to 49,
100 feet, when one of them became
completely unconscious and could not
be aroused. The other aeronaut, after
making a great effort in opening the
valve to descend, also became insensi-
Bile, and neither of them recovered till
the balloon dropped to 10000 feet, at
the end of an hours time.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
For The Complexion.

The complexion always suffers from
blliousness or constipation. Unless the
bowels are kept open the impurities
from the body appear In the form of
unsightly eruptions. De Wits Little
Early Risers keep the liver and bowels
in healthy condition and remove the
cause OF such troubles. G. e. Hooper,
Albany, Ga, says: II took De Wits
Little Early Risers for biliousness.
They were were just what 1 needed.
am feeling better now than in years. :"
Never grippe or distress. Safe through
and gentle. The very best pills. Kerr's
Pharmacy, Jackson.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
Roast Peacock.

In the old days a peacock was per-
haps the most gorgeous and decorative
dish on the Christmas board. This was
prepared by first carefully removing
the skin without losing the feathers.
III fowl was then dressed, stuffed
with NIL kinds of good things, roasted
and finally sewed into its skin. still re-
tanning the brilliant plumage. The
beak was gilded, and this dish, fit for
king. was placed upon the table amid
the blare Of trumpets and the raptur-
GUS applause Of the reyelers.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
Studied Indifference.

"Why did we arrive late and leave
before the opera was over?" asked
the youngest daughter. 'It was very
enjoyable"
"Of course it was" answered Mrs.
CumroX; "but, my dear. we had to
show people that we didn't care
whether we got our moneys worth or
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
The JaaIer Jests,

"What brought you hereT asked the
temperance advocate who was visiting
the prison.
'I'm a wife beater." replied convict
No. 41144 gruffly.
Another case Of lick'er." murmured
the jailer. who, despite his occupation.
was q man Of no little humor.-Phila.
deiphia Record.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
The Champion Thin Man.

A knot Of men was gathered in the
smoking room at the club the other
evening. All ordinary topics had been
exhausted, and they finally entered
upon a contest to see who could tell
the most remarkable story about the
fat men or the lean men they had seen.
a verftable Ananias was awarded
first prize without a dissenting voice
when he asserted that he had met in
his travels man so thin that he could
Ego through a flute without striking
note"
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
E.kimo Mourntnr customs.

All Eskimos are superstitious about
death, and, although they hold fesd-
vals in memory Of departed friends,
they will usually carry a dying person
to some abandoned hut, there to drag
out his remaining days without food,
medicine, water or attendance. After
the death Of husband or a wife the
survivor cuts the front hair short and
fasts for twenty-five days.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
A Zoo Discussion.

You know said the orang outang,
that man is descended from aEmon-
key"
Yes, answered the rhimpanzee,
and his descent has been very great.
But let us set it down to his credit that
he trirs to rise again. Every now and
then ycu hear of some man who is do
ing his best to make monkey of him
self. ."-Washington Star.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
A Table Decoration.

AT banquet given recently in Paris
by French countess the, guests re-
ceived most astounding surprise. In
the center Of the table was what ap-
peared to be huge pile of roses, and
just before soup was served the roses
parted, disclosing a large birdcage
This suddenly opened. revealing n
beautiful young lady adorned with
wings. She remained in her strange
position during the dinner and intro
duced each new dish by singing a
couplet.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
No Cause For Care.

A Welsh editor had misspelled the
name Of famous poet of Wales.
"Why do you spell Llywarch Hens
name Llwyarch?" asked a friend of
the editor.
"Why? Does he object?" asked the
editor.
"Objectr' echoed the other. why,
he has been dead 1900 years."
"Oh, then, l don't care a toss" said
the editor.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
A Strong Hint.

A little girl went into neighbor's
house one day, and some apple parings
lay on plate on the table. After sit
ting awhile she said, 81 smell apples"
EYES," the woman replied, 'I guess
you smell these apple parings on the
plate"
mo, no." said she, "'taint them
smell. I smell whole apples"
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
when woods Decay.

Tests have been made to determine
the variations in the length of time
that is required to produce decay in
different kinds of woods when buried
under the surface Of the ground. The
birch and aspen were both found to
decay in three years, the willow and
the buckeye in four years, the maple
and the red beech in five years, elm
and ash in seven. while the larch, ju-
niper and arbor vitae were uninjured
at the expiration Of eight years.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
His Hone.

81 hope" said the serious man. 'that
you haven't been betting on the races"
II hope so, too." said the young man
with the red necktie and the restless
eye. II hope will wake up tomorrow
and find out that the whole thing was
a wild dream. But there's no use hop
ng."-Exchange.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
Marriage In Arabia,

With the Arab first cousin of the
gentler sex holds an option on the
young man, and if he desires to wed
outside Of the family he must first re-
nounce her and secure his release. The
next in line is his deceased brothers
widow. AS Arabia and Turkey are
polygamous countries there is often a
chance to provide for several who may
have first claims on the bridegroom
Woman's Home Companion.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
Quick Work.

THAT c'litor. is terribly slow at read
ing manuscript"
Think so? Why. know the time
he went through twelve stories in less
than Il minute"
"Graciousl When was thatT
when the elevator broke."-Phila-
delphia Press.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
What He Missed,

Mrs. De Style-It's pity you could
not have heard that sermon today.
Mr.. De Style-After paying for your
Sunday wardrobe I haven't money
enough left to buy myself decent
thing to wear.
Mrs. De Style-That's Just 1t, and
that sermon would have made you
blush for very shame. It was on the
'tIdolatrous Worship of Fine Clothes"
New York Weekly.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
His Gray Hairs,

Sunday School Teacher-Remember.
children. always respect gray hair.
Tommy Traddles-Well. my pa does
not.
Sunday School Teacher Qn astonish-
ment)-What makes you think that?
Tommy Traddles-He dyes bis whis.
kera-Exchange yts.i..
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
Why He Never Tired.

He had taken pains when he applied
for work to assure the farmer that he
never got tired. When his new employ
er went to the field where he had put
the man at work, he found him lolling
on his back under tree.
what does this mean?" asked the
farmer. 81 thought you were a man
who never got tired"
81 DON'T" said the hired man calmly.
''This doesn't tire me-"
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
BE Sure You're Right

While it is true that there comes a
tide in the affairs Of men which, ETC.,
there are so many people every year
left stranded high and dry that some
caution would seem to be needed about
picking out your particular tide.-Syra-
cuse Herald.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
Quite Technical.

''The reason he is so irritable is be-
cause he is teething." explained the
fond mother.
Indeed" remarked Mr.. Oldbatch,
wishing to appear learned. "And
when will it be hairing gY'-St. Louis
Republic.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
Didn,t Get the Credit.

II was sorry I sent Ellen such an
expensive wedding present"
"Why were your
why, she went and placed them on
exhibition without the donors cards."
Philadelphia Bulletin.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
Hit Both Ways.

First Artist = Congratulate me, old
man. I've just sold my masterpiece to
Banker Parvenu for five thousand dol.
lars.
Second Artist-Glad to hear it. The
miserable skinfiint deserves to be swim,
died.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
Satisfactorily Explained.

John, when you came home last
night you talked and acted very queer
ly. You were lifting your feet endeav-
oring to step over imaginary obstacles" :"
"Oh. yes. my dear. All the evening
l felt as If were walking on clouds.
You remember we had angel cake for
supper."-Chelsea Gazette.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
silently Asaented.

The Nervous Pedestrian ran plump
into Stolid Individual standing in
front Of Clothing Store.
''You Dummyw he shouted.
The Stolid Individual ignored the Ac-
cusation. A Second Glance showed
the Nervous Pedestrian that he was
Right.-Los Angeles Herald.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
A Contractor.

"What does your father do% asked
the teacher Of the new boy.
"He's a contractor" was the reply.
"a railway contractorT
''No. ma'am; sausage contractor.
He ties up the ends after another man
has filled them"
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
Her Exclamation.

DO you mean to say such a physical
wreck as he Is gave you that black
eye?" asked the magistrate.
Sure. your honor. he wasn't phys
ical wreck till after he gave me the
black eye replied the complaining
wife.-Exchange.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
A Cxnic ON Marriage.

Sardines are a delicacy fit for any
Epicure, but the other fish was thus
Eummed up by an epigrammatic Cor
nishman: "Pilchards," he said ARE
ike wives. When they're bad. they're
awful, and when they're good they're
only middling."-Pall Mall Gazette.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
What the Baby Needed.

"Papa," said Tommy. ''little brother
is a week old tomorrow, isn't he?"
"Yes."
Lets you and me give him a birth.
day present"
every well. What shall It be?"
LETS buy him a wig. He needs
That more than anything"
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
A Choice OF Professions.

"1f I had not been brought up
dean," says DR.. Hole Of Rochester,
"there are three other vocatons !
should have liked to have followed
master Of pack Of hounds, head gar
dener in a large nursery or a book
seller. I think the last is the best Of
nee Of the three"
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
A Peep Into the Future.

John B. Clark expresses his belief
In The Atlantic Monthly that hum
lred years hence Manhattan Island
will have streets in several stories and
that rifles, cannon. warships and the
wasteful burning Of coal to make
steam will be things of the past.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
Pecuniary Fatigue.

Don't forget" said the willing
worker, that money talks"
"Yes," answered Senator Sorghum
little glumly, "but 1 can't help wish
ing that you boys would select anoth-
er phonograph occasionally" Ex-
change.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
African Rivers.

All the rivers of Africa have. re-
markable peculiarities. They seek the
ocean that is farthest away from
their source. Their course is always
broken by falls, and their mouths are
stopped by numerous sandbanks.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07

No man can be brave who considers
pain the greatest evil Of life or tenn
perate who regards pleasure as the
highest good.-Cicero.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
His Last Venture.

"What is our old friend Hardup doing
nowadaysT
"Oh. he's gone into real estate"
That's the very last thing l should
have supposed he'd do"
at was. He's dead."-New York
Times
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
Admirable Caufinn

Book Agents. the head of the house
in?
Servant-Yes; he's in the library try
ing to write letter on a new type
writer he has just bought.
Book Agent (hastily)-Pll call again.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
Had Looked Out For Number One.

Have you ever done anything to
better the condition of any part of the
human race" said the very serious
man.
'Of course l have" answered the
person with the cold gray eye Am
not part Of the human race?'-Ex-
change. .F
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07

Sir Andrew Clark was accustomed to
define old age as the period Of life at
which a man no longer adjusted him
self to his environment.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
Different Methods

"Whatever became of Lamb"
ooh, he played the markets and went
broke"
"And Wolf, what became of him?"
"Oh, he worked the markets and got
rich."-Puck.