davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-12-21
SPIRITS OF THE DROWNED.
Bow the Chinese Appease the Names of the Departed-Custom oS
 Taoist Religion.

Shanghai residents seeking cool breezes on the river recently could not Sail to notice the number of Chinese boats flying gayly colored lanterns and scattering burning paper on the water. Not only paper. but wonderfully con- structed oiled paper lamps of various colors, which were dropped from the boats to float on the water. sometimes trails of 12 or 13 red. blue and green lamps bobbing tip and down on the muddy waters of the Wrangpoo, says the Shanghai Mercury.
 Inquiry of even the meanest natives elicited the reply that joss pidgin was being done to keep the drowned men quiet, This is in reality a very ancient custom developed under the Taoist re- ligion, which teaches that the spirits of the drowned fit miserably over and under the water until such time as cash is paid to the gods to release them from their purgatory. Failing this re- lease, the drowned spirit lays in wait to catch boatmen sitting by the waters edge at dark and pull them into the water to take their places, when they themselves escape.
 Hence, clinging to the old supersti- ton, everywhere for the past 15 days of the seventh moon the Chinese as semb1e in bands and go down the rivers in their boats, beating gongs and burning paper money. Products of modern life are curiously blended with the old ideas. as we see every where in China. and in this festival steam launches are often to be seen towing string of boats with colored lanterns waving to and fro. One pro- cession of boats carrying over 100 lan- terms and scattering others in their wake was preceded by the music of a cornet, a strange anomaly indeed.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-12-21
Flash1ight.

Great care must be taken not to ex- plode cartridges for taking fashlight photographs in a confined condition. If confined terrible explosion will re- suit, More than one experienced pho tographer has lost his life by becom- ing careless in this respect. The more efficient a flash compound is the high CT its explosive powder, and 1t should never be ignited in confined space. not even the lid of box, but spread in long train. The force of the ex- plosion is, therefore, minimized. while the light area is increased.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-12-21
VANITY OF MEN.
Those Who Are Growing old Don't Want to Admit It-Want to
 Show Agility.

''They may talk of the vanity of women all they please said a street. car conductor of the Indiana avenue line the other day to a New York Her aid reporter, "but don't believe they are any worse than men when 1t comes to concealing their age. I used to think vanity a female trait. A few weeks on the car changed my mind. when I found a man was willing to take the chances of getting bad fall for the sake. If he was getting old, ot trying to make 1t appear he was still spry on his feet. Many an accident for which the company has to pay damages is caused by this masculine vanity.
 "A man gets up and put my hand on the bell rope to stop the car. This is. of course, in the crowded sections of the city, where the car has to SC slowly. Well, sure as put my hand on the rope, two out of five of the men whose joints are getting stiff with age will look sharply at me as if in surprise that I should think they needed to be stopped for, and say rasping1y: Needn't stop; I'll drop of all right They drop off. and some times drop hard. too.
 "Once when the car was moving slowly vast the post office man who was not day under 60, even if he was we'll preserved. got up to get off. I'm a pretty good judge of age, and reached for the rope,
 What do you think am, anyway "a cripple?' he asked.
 "'No.' answered. sT'd take you for a Yale student. of course.'
 ''I gave the rope good tug and the look he gave me when he got off al Thirtieth street showed he resented any insinuation, though it might be in ones line of duty, that he vas no' as young as he used to be-
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-12-21
Costly "spite'' Tower,

Every one is familiar with various spite fences or houses, but it is safe to say that quite the most costly and elaborate enterprise of this kind in the world is the famous Wainhouse Tower, in Yorkshire, England. Its builder, John Edward Wainhouse, was the own CT of dye works in that valley. says the New York Herald. Next to his estate lay that of an English lord. The two quarreled, and Wainhouse built the tower so that he could always over- look his neighbours grounds, although they lay very much higher than his own. The tower is nearly 300 feet high and cost $50,00O to build.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-12-21
FAMILY OF opossuMs-> >
xm&erestfnw Bat of observaaxom 1sy, { NaturaIist in His ,wooas
 land RamhIes,

The first young oppossums ever sax. were iH their mothers pouch. which ( one of the most interesting stages d their development. to my way of think ing. writes Ernest Harold Baynes, ii Woman's Home Companion. I was eN amining hollow tree in forest in thl south, when discovered an old opossun curled up. apparently asleep. The sight was not new one. and should probai ply have left her to finish her nap had 4 not caught sight of little white head with long. pointed snout, and pair, 0! beady black eyes, which peered at ms from beneath the larger animal. Thit was entirely another matter, so tool the old lady oppossum gently by the tai and lifted her out of the tree. As I did so she growled angrily, and opened hes mouth in a horrible grin, displaying 4 mouthful of white teeth of many sortf and sizes. But knew this was dont chiefly for effect. for an opossum will rarely bite unless you put your hand iH its mouth, or in some way you give i Q good chance to get hold of you. Hel scaly, muscular tail squirmed in my hand like 8 snake, and before got hei quite to the ground dropped her. Slight as the fall, it killed her. apparently, fo1 there she lay, with lips drawn back and cIHled up in the very attitude of death But she was only playing possum, 7 and was not deceived. Not a young onf was in sight: even the one that had bex rayed to me the presence of the family had retired to the depths of his nother'f pouch. So rolled her over, and putting In my hand, drew out the babies one by one. There were 12 of them, and when laid them on the grass they crawled slowly about, opening their mouths td yawn or giving vent to explosive little squeaks, which sounded more like surs pressed sneezing than anything else can think of. Very soon they found theIr mother. and began to climb upon hea body. holding to her long gray fur with their hand-like paws. when tried to detach one little fellow 1t was amusing to see the efforts he made to retain his position. He grasped tuft of long hain in each of his tiny fists, seized anotheH tuft in his mouth, and wound his fiaxs tble tail firmly around another. Left td his own devices his mother need have had no fear of his falling off.
 
 Tin Oxide in Transvaal.
 veins of tin oxide have been discov-
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-12-21

at PnnadeIphIa VIII cease to grind out pennies for q time, there being now a surplusage of this kind of currency in the United States. During the last five years 5000, ,O00. .o00, ,393 pennies have been shipped from the Philadelphia mint, which is the only one that coins the one cent pieces, to various parts of the country, says Leslie's Weekly. Be tween July 1, 1902, and June 1. 1908, S9,600,O00 cents were coined. If this five year output were collected in a heap, it would make sizeabls stage mountain at least
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-12-21

They were talking of point in gram mar in the Democratic cloakroom of the senate the other afternoon, and the discussion reminded Senator Berry of one of Senator Vests stories.
 Two men," Vest used to say, '4were riding along in a sparseIy settled coun- try arguing on point in grammar. They contended strennously and l,{ i for ol ,s 8 end in fist fight. Finally they saw a man coming toward them.
 "'Here,' said one of the disputants, let's leave it to this man coming up the road. He will settle it. and that is better than fighting about it all the afternoon
 ''The other man agreed. As the stranger rode up one of the wranglers hailed him, saying:
 My friend, are you a grammarian? ?
 'No,' said the man. I'm Missou- rfan.''
 And that reminded Senator Bacon of the quadroon who went into a restau- rant in southern city where they did not serve food to people with any negro blood in their veins. This man was d. most white and looked like a Cauca- sian. There was some suspicion, how ever, and the manager of the restau- rant went over to him and said:
 My friend, you are colored. You are negro"
 ''Not me-" protested the quadroon, seeing what was coming. CT admit l am little dark, but am a Malay, not negro.
 "A Malay" said the restaurant man. ager, nonplused. What's Malay?''
 "Why,' replied the man, q was born in Malaria
 Leader Charles F. Murphy of Tam many Hall took Phil Donohoe, presi. dent of the Anawanda club of New York, severely to task the other day in Washington for being up so early in the morning. When MT. Murphy found MT. Donohoe, he was standing watch. ing the hodcarriers at work on the new building being erected between Sen ator Depew's home and the Army and Navy club.
 What are you doing here anyway Phil?' asked the Tammany leader.
 "Oh, got so tired of these au gra. K tins, demitasses and finger bowls that I began to feel like Citizens Union man" answered Donohoe. land I came out here to watch the hodcarriers tc make sure I'm stiIl Democrat '
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-12-21

Tin oxide in Transvaal. Veins of tin oxide have been discov- cred in the Transvaal which yield ca per cent. tin.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-12-21
WASHINGTON CHITCHAT
Items of Interest Gathered at
 the National Capital.
HoARs CHAMPIONSHIP OF AFR1END

Why tho Massachusetts Senator wouIdn't Shake Hands With Editor Harvey scott-How an Ohio Author Relieved the Presidents Anxiety as to Motive For His CaII-one of Vests Stories.
 Senator John H. Mitchell of Oregon and Editor Harvey Scott of the Fort. land Oregonian got on the senate ele- vator in the endorsement recently, says the Washington correspondent of the New York World. When they reached the basement floor, Senator George F. Hoar of Massachusetts entered. Sen ator Mitchell introduced MT. Scott to Senator Hoar in a pretty little speech. MT. Scott put out his hand to shake hands. Senator Hoar put his hands be- hind bis back. Both Scott and Mitchell were much surprised and looked inquir- ingly at Senator Hoar, who said:
 You notice I did not shake hands with you.'
 ''Yes,'' Scott replied. And w1ny?"
 
 Because of something you printed years ago in your paper concerning my friend, the late Senator Morrill, of Yer ynont.'
 ''What was ft?" asked Scott.
 ''Your paper said that Senator Morrill, was staying alive merely to save flu neral expenses"
 Scott didn't know whether to laugh pr get indignant. He said:
 "Of course that statement may have been printed in my paper, but I have no recollection of it. had a man from Vermont working on the paper once, and he may have written it, but do not remember it.
 "You are responsible for what ap- pears in your paper, are you not?' in uuired Senator Hoar very seriously. .rYes. sir" Scott replied emphatically. ~WelI, sir, then shall not shake hands with you"
 "Very well,' said Scott. 'I shall turn my back on you"
 He did, and the elevator went up In an atmosphere so cold that frost gath cred on the bronze work.
 An Ohio statesman recently took an Ohio author. by name Howard saxby, to see the president. The president wac preoncupied that morning He looked nk SHsRx sfker cpN 1T laGAats
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-12-21

staying esthey served such delicious honey at every meal"
 ''That will be delightful" said Mrs. Johnson.
 The couple arrived at the hotel in due course, and they were just in time for tea. Johnson escorted his bride to a table in the dining-room. and then, after an admiring glance at her. looked quiz- zically round the board.
 There was no honey on the table, and none in the room. Johnson was sur- prised, and called waiter.
 "see here," said he, where's my honey?'
 The waiter seemed al, a loss what to say. but finally leaned forward, and, in a stage whisper, said: sShe don't work here no more!"
 Postal Inquiry.
 Another postal inquirys Dear, did YOU mail my letter 2"-Yonkers States 7
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-12-21
Loss of Cattle in Texas.

The West Texas Stockman, an au- thority on live stock matters, in it's is- sue to-day, says that the total number of cattle in the state will not exceed 100000 head, of which 5.ooD,ooo are range cattle, and that the depreciation
 in values during the past year repre- sents loss of at least $21, ,00O, ,000 to Texas cattlemen. Stockmen generally believe that this estimate of 7,0o0, ,OO0 head os cattle in the state is too high.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-12-21
Tn Keen Pasfrv.

Instead of putting away pastfy, such as cheese cakes, jam, tarts, etc, held in reserve in a large tin and fetching out when wanted, it will be found more convenient to pack about the number likely to be needed at one time in two pound biscuit tins. Line the tin with butter paper, covering the pies careful ly over and closing tightly, thus avoid ing admitting air more than is neces- sary and also preventing breaking thA edges and spelling tho appearance,
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-12-21
HONEY HAD vAMooSEn
ton in . Way That suxpx1sea X@un@ Bride.

A yorfng man. whom we may call Johnson, because that was not his real name, was married several days ago, and 1t occurred to him that he would take his bride to town which he knew well on their honeymoon.
 He was particularly desirous of visit ing this town, as he told his bride, be- cause at the hotel where he intended
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-12-21

AcenraAmE ko aaviees from tho treas
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1903-06-12
CONDENSED STORIES. =
How the elder Booth Got the Skull Ne
uced In hamlet"

The elder Booth acquired a skull
for use in "Isamlct" IN an odd man
ner. according to a story in Seen
and Heard. The tragedian. some
what in his cups. was travelling near
Louisville when he took a horse
from a field and rode off with il,
Horse stealing at that time was a
capital offensc in kentucky, and the
greatest horse thief was a man
named Fontaine. BOOTH was soon
oyertaken and when aked where he
got the animal said:
Il captured him in a field back
there"
Indeed" said one Of the farm
ers. And what might your name
be-"
My name is Fontaine," said
Booth, without a smile.
"Fontaine.." calculated both men
simultaneously. Then you are :ne
very man We want. Come back TO
town with US
Certainly" said Booth in the
most good natured manner, and,
wheeling the horse, he rode back to
Louisville with his captors.
The city Jail was then in charge
of a Colonel Thomas, ~ho knew
Booth well. I'VE have brought YOU
Fontaine, the horse thief, and claim
the reward" said the farmers
proudly, addressing the %jailer.
"Whcre is he:' they were asked.
Booth was produced. "Why. what
does this mean. Mr.. BOOTH" asked
Thomas.
Il haven't the slightest idea,"
said the great tragedian, with the
utmost simplicity. Il met these
two men with this horse, and they
insisted upon giving it to me. |
guess they stole il. | think one of
them is Fontaine.'
The rustics were about to be lock-
ed up when, by the most singular
coincidence, a man rushed TO the
prison door on horseback and shout
ed out the information that the real
Fontaine had been taken into Gus
tody. Booth made Fontaine's &C
quaintance in Jail, and the horse
thief, who was executed later, left
BY Will his skull to the actor.
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1903-06-12

That the great heart and mind of
Thomas B. Reed took in more than
his own branch of endeavor was il
lustrated by a conversation the late
Stuart Robson had with him last
winter. AS Mr.. Robson told it:
Il was in the elevator Of the
Shoreham in Washington when Mr..
Reed entered. / recognized him
from pictures ! had seen, and l fear
my curiosity got the better of my
politeness, for l could not keep
from staring at him. Caught in the
act, | lowered my eyes and pretend
ed to be looking at a little girl with
her doll.
"But Mr.. Reed smiled and said
take a long look at me, Mr.. Rob
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1903-06-12
Wa. Ready to Say "coodey."

While Henry Drummond was call
ing on a friend on his last visit
here he was introduced TO a party
of American girls.
How very formal you are here
when you are introduced he said.
snow, in England we always shake
hands. What do you do here when
you say goodby:"
"Oh, We kiss" said the youngest
of the party, a charming girl of six
teen.
"Ah, that's charming respond
ed Professor Drummond. Sup
pose we say goodby right now
Philadelphia Ledger.
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1903-06-12
4 eroah Air cioaet.

A fresh air closet Is q boon, and
il one can use a hammer effectively
it need not cost more than a dollar.
Make a box frame, with shelves in
side. 1t should be placed out Of
doors out Of the suns rays and
where the cat cannot get at it. On
the wall is a good place. Put food
away in it, using clean earthen
dishes as receptacles, never silver or
any other sort of metal. Provide Q
cheese cloth bag for each dish, put
ting the dish in and tying the bag
shut. Camphor painted on this box
once a fortnight will keep away red
or black ants.
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1903-06-12
JAIL OVER THE HOUSE. =
The Value ofour Common Wild DAN
dslion 40 "oroens."

The value Of the biggest green
herbs to the health cannot be ex-
aggerated. More useful than the
green lettuce Of the garden and any
cultivated spinach of the field are
the wild dandelions and cowslips Of
the meadow and swamp. In the
country the dandelion is SO common
a plant tina. it is naturally despised.
In England, where it is compare
lively uncommon and the wild chic
DRY is substituted for it in the herb
shops. the dandelion is properly es-
teemed and is raised carefully in
gardens as a pot herb and a salad
plant. Wild dandelion leaves are
recognized as a more wholesome pot
herb than anything else.
Pick the tender green leaves early
IN the spring before the flower buds
have formed. Cut n very small por-
ton Of the root with the leaves, in
order to give the plant something
of its wholesome tonic bitterness.
Wash the plants carefully, throw
ing them into an abundance of salt
ed water. Let them simmer for fif-
teen minutes instead of an hour, as
old housewives used 10 cook their
greens. As soon as they have cook
ed drain them into a colander and
dash cold water from a faucet over
them. This chills and blanches
them and gives the leaves a fresh,
tender flavor. Chop them fine and
let them rest until ready to serve.
Then warm them up in a frying
pan with a little butter, salt and
pepper, slicing two or three hard
boiled eggs over them.-New York
Tribune.
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1903-06-12

An old fashioned New England
dish is made by boiling green peas
and new potatoes together. Boil
the peas for twenty minutes, then
add the potatoes, which should bs
small; put in q ~teaspoonful Of salt
and boil twenty minutes longer.
Pour of the water, add a teaspoon
full Of butter, a cupful Of cream or
rich milk, heat through and serve.
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1903-06-12
Dainty comforters For Summer.

In every home where one or more
girls abide the pretty summer dress
es made from lawns, dimities and
challies will accumulate. One sea-
sons wear leaves them bright and
pretty, just enough out of date to
make them undesirable for another
season, yet the material is almost
as good as new. The most conven-
lent way of utilizing them is in
making comforts for the beds in
summer. Cut them in strips or as
large squares as possible, sew the
parts together on the machine, US
ing bleached -four sacks for the lin
ing. One pound Of cotton batting
is sufficient for the filling. Do not
spend your time in quilting them,
but knot with a pretty contrast Of
zephyr yarn. They require SO much
less time and material than the
making of summer quilts. They
are easily washed, and their light
weight makes them comforts in
deed.
The process of making may be
very simple too. One need not both
er with quilting frames, but pin the
four of the lining to the car
pet, spread the batting evenly, lay
on the pieced top and carefully pin
or haste the parts together, then re-
move to a table, and in q couple
Of hours the knotting may be fn-
ished. Bind with the machine, and
you are done. ! have used comforts
made from such material and in this
manner continuously for four years,
and they are good yet.-B. F. Par
sons in Housekeeper.
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1903-06-12
lavender Growing In Favor.

Lavender is a color which has
been used very little in household
decoration. 1t is a trying color to
most compilations, and it is rather
too pensive in its suggestion. Re-
Gently, however, some beautiful
chintzes and tapestries have ap-
peared in lilac and lavender tones,
and the shops r even offering bed
room sets stained or enameled in
the same hues. An artistic bed
comes from an English house, the
straight, simple lines stained q rich
deep lavender. The wood is rubbed
down to a fine wax finish, and the
only decorations are small inserts
Of dull gold and brown in the CEN
trail panels Of the head and foot
boards. The rich covering Of this
bed is Of lavender and gold brocade,
edged with q narrow gilt galloon.
The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-06-12
PERSONAL.

DR.. and Mrs. Little will go to their
summer home at Dellwood, White Bear
Lake, this week.
Mr.. and Mrs. F. B. Shepard, Of Day.
ton avenue, have gone to Chicago.
Mrs. B. M. Hirschman, of Avon
street, have gone, to Duluth to spend
the summer.
Mrs. Punderson and family will go
to Bald Eagle lake soon to spend the
summer at the hotel
Miss Sternerson, Of Menomonie, Wis,
is a guest Of Mrs. Andrew Gattanach,
of the Marlborough annex.
Miss Robinson, of Summit avenue,
has gone to White Bear Lake to spend
the summer.
Miss Callahan and Miss Denis are
guests Of Mrs. E. n. Saunders, Of Sum-
NIT avenue.
Mr.. and Mrs. r. G. Jefferson, of Sum-
nit avenue, will move to Minnetonka
this week to spend the summer.
Mr.. and Mrs. "A. B. Stickney, Of Sum
nit avenue have returned from New
York.
Mr. and Mrs. w. E. Howard, Of Sum-
NIT avenue, moved to their summer
home at White Bear Lake yesterday.
Mr.. and Mrs. E. N. Saunders, Of
Summit avenue, will go to their sum-
mer home in New York, June 20.
Miss Juliet Golay, Of Tacoma, Is the
guest Of Mrs. oliver Crosby, Of Lincoln
avenue.
John Mcdonald, who has been visit
ing his mother in the buckingham,
left Wednesday night to join a dra-
matte company at Ft. Worth, Texas.
The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-06-12

said such contentment had never exist
ed before, thanks to the personality Of
the countess and the wisdom and for
bearance Of the Earl Of Dudley. Mrs.
CORVALLIS West and Lady Dudley are
az daggers' ends because the viceroy's
wife ignored Mrs. Vests presence on
Irish soil. But Lady Dudley, it is said,
has the Tive and-let-live spirit" and
her devotion to her children is not the
least admirable trait
Lady Dudley looks surprisingly
young-a source of much vexation to
Lord Dudley's mother. The quarrels
of the mother in-law and Lady Dudley
Away have been amusing At the
marriage of Lord Dudley and Miss
Georgina Quincy the bridegroom's
mother opposed the match violently,
but condescended to attend. She wore
gown of fluffy gray and also a frown
throughout the ceremony. The next
day the court paper said "the earls
mother in pearl gray looked like
beautiful thunder cloud The Dudley
jewels are famous, and the mother-in-
law surrendered them with scant grace.