davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-13

That things are In a bad way for the great Amer
Teen drama unless all indications are wrong and
that the outlook for the army Of piaywrshts whose
plays have not been produced is not particularly
brilliant IS the opinion OF man who has Just read
over three hundred plays by unknown drnmatists
submitted In a competition for prize play, con-
Quoted by a monthly magazine.
This pessimist. who sees little promise OF dis
covering a genius In the shape Of new Amer
lean playwright is William Seymour, stage d.
rector of experience. who oflciated as one OF the
Judges in the competition There Is monetary
prize offered in thu competition. which leads Mr.
Seymour to think that after all some Of the best
Of the unknown playwrights did not send In their
manuscripts.
But IL the plays read were the best America
is capable Of producing" said Mr.. Seymour last
week. then can only say that sorry for the
future OF the American drama. do not say that
ell Of the plays were hopelessy bad. Only about %
per cent entirely bad OF the remaining 10 per
cent there were some very fair PLAYS. IL l were
a producing manager 1 don't think 1 would be In
cIined to risk much money producing them; but
they were plays which might be turned into stage
successes A competent stage manager might edit
these plays and get fairly actable dramas. selected
a dozen OF these which seemed the most promising.
marked them with triple and had them for
warded to the other judge. who is in Italy
When he has had a chance to read these and Sc
lects the he thinks best will go over them
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-13

again and see ~ his views coincide with mine
Until then the army Of un1cted dramatists now
anxiously awaiting a decision must live upon hope
Naturally I cannot discuss those plays winch
seemed good enough TO be considered but don't
mind saying that there were many bad plays
some of them the worst 1 have ever read The
amateur dramatists in many cases were totally
ignorant of the most fundamental rules Of the Eng
lish language and the possibilities of stage pro-
duction.
"One play called for stage setting which be-
Iievs deserves the palm for being the most ex-
traordinary heard of. The authors stage d.
rections simply specified:
Act II-InteriOr of hanson cab
NOW will some one kindly tell me how under
the sun the interior of hanson cab can be repre-
sented upon the stage? 1 have been stage
director for nearly thirty years but this problem
is too much for me Admitting that the only pos
sbla solution Of the difficulty would be introduce
an actual hanson cab. with horse and driver. pre-
sumabIy going through Central Park at 50 an hour.
what becomes Of your chance for dramatic action!
The author planned TO have his hero and heroine
elope IN this cab to railway station meah"hHe
discussing their mutual affection for each other on
the vraJ But this is not action The only kind OF
movement that could be introduced into such
scene would be to have the cab driver touch up MS
horse and drive off the stage Perhaps the audi
ence would prefer it that way
BEGINNERS never consider details OF producuon
Of this kind. They believe that any stage producer
can supply any kind Of a stage setting they
demand
Time. space and dramatic sequence are invari-
abI,- neglected by the budding dramatist one
of the plays submitted had a plot something IKE
this
1.-The hero, while sailing for pleasure trip
through the Arctic Ocean, Is captured by band OF
Chinese Junk pirates. who run their junk alongside
The pirates carry their prisoner to tropical ISL
and exact location unknown. where in the folow-
ing act the prisoner Is discovered roasting IN the
Of both
bitten This is an actual outline Of part or the
plot OF a young and ambitious playwright NO
explanation is given to how the young man
feet became frostbitten in the tropics In the
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-13
LOVE THE ONLY CREED OF THIS CHURCH.
MEN OF ALL BELIEFS WELCOMED IN POPE NE
MORTAL EDIFICE At COHASSET

promised to remain with me. We have great music,
and it is all voluntary. The singers receive nothing
for their services but entertain them at my house
I have arranged that after my death the cost OF
caring for the church property shall always be
met.
The greatest happiness is TO be found in doing
things for others. Some people who have money
left to them think that they can be happy by
spending the money for their own pleasure. al
ways found that the other way was better
Colonel Pope devotes much OF his energy to the
church during the summer months, when he makes
his home in Cohasset.
The church was erected in 1900 1t Is Of gray
brown stone. the roof being Of red tile 1t stands
the entrance to the Jerusalem Road, the wen
known sea drive at Cohasset. This road. so typi-
cal in its name OF the names OF so many old New
England ,illages and roads, skirts the arm or
the sea- most frequently called Straits Pond. but
occasionally Sea of Galilee. plain stone tablet
the entrance bears the inscription:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-13

are not much more than a mere memDranous sac
will consume in a day twice their own "eishI III
foods They begin dining before sunrise and con-
tinue an almost uninterrupted repast until after
sunset Their food is served 20 them on an
average every other minute by the visilant and
provident mother bird. During day nesthngS
sometimes gain nearly 80 per cent IN weight
Or Sylvester ID. Judd, OF the Biological Survey.
has made observations on a farm near Washington.
and has discovered from two hundred TO four
hundred insects day, such as grasshoppers. green
caterpiIlars (heOthis dipsaceusD, white grubs and
pentatomid bugs constitute the diet OF an ordinary
nesting bird And the insects chosen for the
diet OF the nestlings are in the main injurious
to agriculture the prodigiOus supply required BY
the birds Is matter OF greet interest TO the
farming industry.
The amazing diet OF nestings is OF special inter
est fnasmuch as the nesting season comes at a
time when agricultural pests are most active and
when they can do the greatest amount Of damage
The department. therefore recommends that birds
be encouraged to build their nests In the vicinity
OF growing crops"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-13
GEN. PoRTER's BALLOON ASCENSION.
II Almost Landed Him in the Confederate
Camp.

The recent tests with balloons In the Gernar'
Army manceuvres viii likely strike many as an m
novation in the use Of balloons in war. But bal
looms were used in the Civil War Of 1s6l-65. and an
instance is recalled of balloon reconnaissance py
General Fitz John Porter April II, 1852 I'm
fortunately. however. the experiment was on
scale of rather larger magnitude than was In
tended.
General Porter took his place in Professor Lowe 5
balloon about o'clock In the morning, but he did
not know that the usual number Of ropes were not
attached to It. there being only one and place
IN this as was afterward learned. had been burned
by vitriol used In generating gas
Taking his seat in the car. unaccompaned by
any one. the rope was let out to nearly It's run
length-about nine hundred yards. Suddenly. snap
went the cord and up went the balloon The gen
eral looked down with bewilderment. and those on
the ground below looked up with astonishment and
apprehension.
.'Open the valve! shouted one of the men below
an manage IT. shouted back General Porter.
I'D went the balloon. higher and higher IL rose
with tremendous speed; its huge form lessened as
1t wildly mounted into the regions OF the upper air.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-13
BESIEGED BY MOUNTAIN LIONS.
Terrible Experience of a Man in the San
Gabriel Section, California.

J. II. Camp. who resides Browns Flat In
Southern California just passed through the
terrible experience Of being beseged for four days
country by four starving mountain lions. Camps
only companion a burro. and his only means OF
defence small revolver and u limited quantity Of
ammunition.
Camp had gone to the mountain cabin to prepare
II for the reception OF several 2uDters. and during
his stay alone had heard the cry OF Wildcats end
the long blood chilling screen Of paRthers- He
had not caught sight Of any Of the animals until
one day when he cutting away some brush on
the trail near the cabin he heard a twtg snap In
front OF him. Looking up. he beheid a huge lion
right In the centre OF the trail. switching Us tail
nenacingIy Camp was struck dumb with terror
but instinctvely his hand sought his hip pocket. In
which repOsed mis- pistol -.
As ne drew IT, another lion Walked out Of the
brush and behind II were TWO smaller possibly
cubs. Blazing wildly away with the poPSun IN MS
hands, Camp created a monentlry GiIsrslon tnaI
allowed him reach his cabin door. RuSninS m
side. he barred the door and reloaded his pistol de-
terTnIned Brighten away the bruteS II pOssloie
As he looked out he saw his burrO. Al bOrak
snorting and tugging at his tether one OF the
tawny brutes having already begun 10 sneak up on
him With a yild plunge the burro broke loose md
rushed for shelter. OF the ions atter nm.
Camp opened the door just In time 70 admit the
terrorized fellow. who shot IN as II auhcheu iO"'
a carapult- - -.
Throwing his weight against the door. camp
barred 10 again He rad plenty OF PROVISIONS anu
decided 10 remain quiet for time, hoping the lions
would so away. knowing they are usuaIlIy Wv
ardIy brutes. Camp was at a loss 70 accouat lot
their daring action except the theury t-lat "
might be a pair with their cubs. lie made the
burro comfortable and was glad OF MS eoHp-tHS
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-13

AT Cohasset Mass is a church which has
creed except that contained in the words, Love
to God and love to man." which are spread on the
walls Of its home. and which was established TO
admit TO religious worship and service any one
who has a religious belief regardless Of what IT
may be. 1t it's existence to Colonel Albert
A. Pope who erected II as memorial 70 his son.
Charles Linder Pope who died in 1899 before reach
ing maturity. and whose religious ideas are en-
bodied in it's creed.
The church is non-sectarian and, in the words or
Colonel Pope. amy one. be he Jew or Gentle, or
Brahmn. hardshe Baptist, Roman Catholic.
Unitarian Cniversalist, Presbyterian or Episco-
palian may unite in worshipping in the church and
may find a welcome there and be made TO feel at
home"
Love" said Colonel Pope, talking OF HE church.
lis the thing that makes the world go. The God
believe in is God Love. believe His love is like
the love Of a father for his son. 1 ready as a
father TO forgive my son before he asks me. do
not require that blood shall be shed to atone for
my sons error before he can come to me- want
no one between him and Every one who be-
leves in living God who worshps Supreme
Being and / know Brahmn is good Chris
tian as l ever saw-nO one can tell just what Coo
is Mke-can join in worship in this church be-
neve it has a great work TO do. 1t has place for
all broadminded people. and will show the uni
versatility of he love OF God.
People may belong to different denominations
and at the same time belong TO this church. or
course. the services are more largely attended IN
the summer time, Nnen tne summer IeSIueIi's o'0
there, than I'm the winter. judge told me the
other day that he had come to Cohasset this year
for his vacation simply because he wanted TO at
tend the services in this church. Had it not been
for the church. he said he would have gone else
where. We try to make every one feel welcome
Before any get out. the Rev Mr.. Harper
who is at the head Of the church, and are at the
two doors to greet those who are present. In the
summer time the church is usually full. SEND
out 'barges along the highways and the hotels
send barges' with people. Then the from
bingham and Hull stop by. The Rev. Mr..
Harper does not prepare a sermon. He just talks
out of his experience.
He is so broadminded that be would not be &C
cepted believe. a pastor by any other church
His real occupation is that of professor OF English
/ should have built the church II he had not
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-13
ARMY OF RODENTS.
County in Michigan Said to Have Been
Invaded by Five Thousand

From, Calhoun County Michigan. there eofne' %
the Smithsonian Institution sensational - a..
the invasion Of that county by an army u -
thousand rats in one pack. A big gray "a. = -,
20 be leading the vast array OF rodents. Ni1 -
raosrs devote considerable space 20 the pe
ocrurrerce and some Battle Creek citz-iS -
have become interested IN the misratio" -
write, 10 the Smithsonian Institution Tor an
nation IL possible The story OF the rat Iai-
told IN Michigan papers Is that about t"ei''
ago about a hundred large rats were ciO7ss
highway three miles east Of Tekansaa Nii-ise' =,
houD County They are said 70 have been ui,'' -
leadership OF a large gray rat or Vensi - 1evs
dfgnffed aspect. and this leader Seeii.'N -
some definite object in view. for ne ma" -
his forces In a most authoritative MANN -
DAYS afterward a farmer In CLarehoo" = .-r.,
IN the same county. was aroused @DC'' -
IN the morning by a squealins noise 0' = h..
nitude. such as might be made oy q scOi. -
ters OF young pigs. As the sounJ sfii put on his
cIothes and went out doors The ar 7f-.--,..5 rfs
with the strange sounds ana the li. .~-ss 4 Geld
windmill TO a dark wave roiiins h. ,ooroa .hei
nearer he could see % was ccfnpoS'et -, r1r.
drels OF rats. squealiEg loudly q y, s-,r- -
tbs bsro TsfSn a large gray rat seemed 'e - ~
about twenty husky rats tOTn re .,..r,vsgf ten
them into the building. neu -liieS4 - .nesf ous
minutes later they were accof1l hiel ' -.v tar1
b5,nfgred ~ the Clarendon mans rats Lr. ,val
their places IN the ranks and me - 49, -een t.s
on again across the fields Nnen 49,. ',iehwag
east Of the village OF Tekonsha lt y q - rem
traveller had 70 wait nearly I'VE sLf~ -,.tnher
cross the road. and ne estrn9'e S,c we srn
10 be not less than hve thousi--le ff,c,, v.o ap-
under the leadership OF biz gay iri.oS love
peared 10 be walking delegaie On the muss t1s.oas
strike In the history OF t.01en' -'-'' w. .
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-13
TELEPHONE A "pIAsoLIcAL MACHINE"

Truly extraordinary is story of the failure OF an
attempt 10 establish telephone service at Saint
Etienne des Ores situated in the Tarascon district
The necessary apparatus had been packed all ready
20 start for the village when the carter heard that
the inhabitants being under the odd impression
that the invention the work OF the Evil One,
were determined to oppose its entry, and were re-
solved to arm themselves with their agricultural
implements and make fight OF IL. The man said
that ne willing confide his cart and Its con-
tents 10 the electricians but that for himself he
would not risk his life in such adventure tele-
gram was forwarded to Marseiiles asking for In
structions and the reply that the cart was TO
he left What the sequel to the present
deadlock will be remains to be seen. but meanwhile
the good people of Saint-Etienne des Ores stOutly
declare that they will have nothing do with the
telephone which is "a diabocal machine."-(PaTis
correspondence cf The London Telegraph.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-13

and then took a look to II me otulss w. ~
sfiI there They were watching. Ihey -
vacate: they knew their game was sh ST., Ssi-
trap OF his own making and rlSnt Ih l-e ~ 49,
si'le 80 Camps inclOsure the quartet OK 80
canp.d All day Sunday at least one Van Va. ~ A
and Camp decided TO lie low. mat h's'
night Of horrors -..,,,,s1,, ueerel
on the fourth morning Camp cautigusl ss,5gr,s,v
ctlt The lions were not IN sight, ana ne o5 ire
seSd1ad nm Al Borak mounted him and ilIus s.Ssi
honest little beast toward civilization. hsssIf on
no urging Camp was congratulations ~ f,ort
bis sscape when a piercing screech was hers5 Is
,I,a trsH bsbInd The brutes had disc0Vefeu -
departure and were in hot pursuit 49, -, onfv n
BeaIizing his peril and that safety lds..,s5 ths
beating the lions to civilization camp ~ ts
berj fsrms Terrined beyond an control ~
bI1rro for once I'm his life gallOped IKE III ~
Never before and probably never , Ssa, h. r-ads
5esrent from browns Flats to LordsouIs C.,.-sei
in such time as Camp made IL. Wheh - ~ 80 ina
TOrfIsb11rg he was exhausted from trishe az
hard ride-iSan Franclsco EAaIlI"e--
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-13

The Rev. Cecil Harper who is the religious leader
Of the church formerly clergyman Of the
Methodist Church. and later Of the Congrega-
tionai denomination. He has been teacher in
English literature and has studied law.
The property is held by trustees and the organ
izatiOn which conducts the work OF the church Is
called the Pope Memorial AssOci7 ton. Those who
formed the association signed the following state
ment and agreement:
Recognizing love to God and love to man as the
supreme privilege in every individual, we, whose
names undersigned do hereby unite ourselves
into a society 10 De known as the Pope Memorial
Association The purpose of this association is TO
the work and further the plans of the Pope
Memorial Church in it's efforts to do good to the
community. without regard to creed or sect. Mem
bershp in this association shall in no way inter
fere with membership in any other church.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-13

all Of Gods creatures equal chance to i've
MY Indian theory that swift easy mouoh
SHARED one much fatigue having fallen into con-
temut by the time the thirty-nlile post came re-
luctantly into view, and with only tour Th,es 70 -
favor the army marching methoc-twenu,-hNel MIN
utes on foot and FIVE minutes on my PACK -.
'a1'his device coupled with appreciaole tnlrs,,
brought me down the curving grade INTO Mohtau az
AT o'clock thfrty-four miles since 5-s0 o CLOCK III
the morning and 12l miles for the four days
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-13
FEATHERED GLUTTONs.

Careful field and. laboratory study by the division
OF economic Ornithology OF the Department of
Agriculture has led remarkable disclosures
In regard the amount of insects required to
isfy the appetites of nestlfngs" says The Satur-
day Evening Post"
Little wrens. euckoos. robins, shrikes scarlet
tanagers and other birds whose embryonic stomachs
Bisbee daily review., 1903-06-26

into his throat like the cud that the cattle were chewing down on the farm
 he had left few weeks before. He thought of his wife and children. and everything seemed suddenly to grrw
 dark. He heard the voice of the man
 that had won his money, but it sound
 ed far of and thin, like the voice in a
 phopc"raph. You might as well try again, che man was saying, you may
 win 1t all back this time" Wilkinson
 pulled out the s15 still remining, and Host it. At that instant another
 man appeared, man that threw back his coat and displayed star on which
 were the words City Detective"
 You men have been gambling" he declared, sternly. T shall have to search you" The man that wanted to borrow Wilkinson's knife, the man that owned the mysterious knife. and the man that knew the secret Of knives had nothing in their pockets. Wilkinson had sixty cents and the tickets for himself and wife The train would leave in an hour He told the supposed detective that he simply dared not be left here, and the "of1i- cer" agreed to let him go. But shall take these fellows to police head quarters for gambling" he insisted. You get out of town as quickly as possible" And he marched away with his prisoners"
 Wilkinson, pale faced and wonder ing what in the world to do, told his wife all about it. They thought it over awhile, and then. as the women noveiists say. great light broke. in upon the young farmer and he has tened to the police station to tell his story to the sergeant, not forgetting to mention the supposed detective. But of course that was all he could do The policeman listened. and that was the end of what he did. True, he told the frmer it was the old knife trick" but that wasn't much eonsols- ton.
 The men that operate the knife trick do not stay long in any city. Their work is done in depots or on the streets near by. They are the most difficult to catch of any con- Hdence men, because, having robbed their victim in some quiet part of the depot or in a street crowd, they easily slude the detectives whose duty 1t is to watch for such gentry.
Bisbee daily review., 1903-06-26
DROWNED AT FL PASO
MARTIN NOLAN LOSES HIS LIFE
 IN TURBULENT STREAM.
Horse Backed Unfortunate Man and
Buggy into the Rio orande-6ody Not Recovered

Fl Paso, Tex. June 25.-Martin No Ian. an old carpenter of this city, lost his life in the Rio Grande last evening in most unusual manner, and his horse and buggy were swept down stream by the swift current.
 At the time when death overlook him Nolan was riding along the levee in his buggy and. reaching the ex- treme end. near the head gate, un- certook to turn and start to the city. Without seeming to realize his peril and giving no heed to the levee Ipatrolman. the man backed his buggy too near the edge of the treacherous bank, and horse, buggy and rider rolled down the incline with the cav Ing sand and sank in deep water.
 Two minutes later -Nolan's body was seen to rise about 100 feet below the point where 1t had gone under He was then making a feeble struggle to swim. but was unable to buoy him self up. so strong was the current. An instant later. before rescuers could reach him, he sank to rise no more.
 His horse and buggy did not go to the bottom immediately, but after floating one hundred yards. dfsap- peared temporarily. but rose again just before the current had swept them below the first street car bridge
 Eye witnesses to the drowning of Nolan state his death was not entireiy due to his own carelsssness, but his horse was the main cause.
 The animal. 1t seems. after being partly turned round. began to back. and before he could be made to take
Bisbee daily review., 1903-06-26
BIRD
 GOOD PLUCKlNG

(Continued from First Page.)