davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Waterbury Democrat., 1903-01-28
Freaks in Ferns Produced bu the Ingenious JaDS They Are as Quaint Novelty as Were Ever Brought
 to This Country.
to This Country.

miniature sai1mg-boat, with mast and sail complete The fern roots have first to be arranged in the re- quired shape, and in such a way that sprays will eventually appear from every portion of the hull, the mast, and the sail-frame.
 There is no limit to the ambition and resource of the "fern freak" de- signer. Mfr. Saito will tackle the formation of a nearly ife-size ele- phant or horse as calmly as he does the common or garden fern ball which is intended to hang from the ceiling of room or conservatory.
 Monkeys and toads are far and away the most favored by the pur- chasing public. Some very comical effects may be secured in the bend ing or twisting of the limbs of these limitations.
 A fern-freak monkey on a trapeze is delight to the younger genera uon as we'll as a quaint addition to decorative art. A toad, lying on a table or hanging on to the back of chair, will, although somewhat creepy when seen unexpectedly, look very we'll as soon as the bright green of the young fern leaves sprout through his stringy skin.
 The cultivation of the root, once in he private purchasers possession, re- quires no special care. Before being hung up, the ball or figure is soaked for an hour or. two in soft water iS
Waterbury Democrat., 1903-01-28
ST PETER AND THE sCAB.
By G. c. $. Charger

By G. c. $. Charger St Peter stood guard at the golden
 gate
 With solemn mien and an air sedate, When up at the top of the golden stair A shrouded figure ascended there; Applied for admission; he came and
 stood
 Before St Peter, so great and good, Tn hope the City of Peace to win7 And asked St Peter to let him in. %. thou who guardest the gate" said
 he, T have come hither, beseeching thee To let me enter the Heavenly Land And play harp in the angel band. Of me, St Peter, there is no doubt, There's nothing from Heaven to bar
 me out; Eve been to meeting three times
 week, And almost always I'd rise and speak. 'I've told the sinners about the day When they'd repent of their evil way, I've told nay neighbors-Ive told them
 all-
 Of Adam and Eve and the primal fall. I've talked to them loud, I've talked
 to them long, For my lungs are good and my voice
 is strong. I've marked 3heir path of duty clear, And laid out the plan of their whole
 career,
 ESQ, good St Peter, you'li clearly see That the gate Of Heaven is open to me. Here's the company's letter of recom'
 mend,
 Which I hope you'll read before you For the angel guide to the throne of It might gain for me higher place. You'll find l was always content to
 live
 On whatever the company cared to give. "And I ought to get large reward For never owning a union card. I've never grumbled, I've never
 struck, I've never mixed with union truck But I must be going, my way to win, So open, St Peter, and let me in." St Peter sat and stroked his staff, Despite his high office he had to laugh. Said he, with fiery gleam in his eye, 'Who is tending this gate, sir, you or
 I?
 I've heard of you and your gift of gab, You are what is known on earth as a
 scab.'
 Thereupon he rose ill his stature tall And pressed button upon the wall, And said to the imp who answered the
 bell,
 ''Escort this fellow around to Hell. ''Tell Satan to give him seat alone On a red-hot griddle up near the
 throne.
 But, stay, cen the devil can't stand
 the smell
 Of cooking scab on griddle in Hell. It would cause a revolt, a strike,
 know,
 If I sent you down to the irnps below. Go back to your masters on earth and
 tell
 That they don't even want scab in
 Hell"
Waterbury Democrat., 1903-01-28
Siberian RaiIroad.

The Official Messenger publishes . series of statistics in regard to the Siberian railroad, which show the development of the traffic on this line. The road was opened to traf fic by sections, as the work of com struction advanced. The opening of the Omsk section dates as far back as 1894, but trains have run through to Irkutsk only since 1898. In 1898, s6o,662 passengers were carried; in 1899, 919,7sa, and in 1900, 966,551 persons.
 Three hundred and five thousand four hundred and twenty-six emi- grants were also carried. The small increase in 1900 was due to the trou- bles in China and the bad crops in Asiatic Russia.
 In addition the Siberian railroad carried in 1898 s6,663 officers and men; in 1899, 130,59s, and in 1900, 211,976.
 The receipts derived from passen- ger traffic were $1,031, ,s71 in 1898. $1,243,594 in 1899 and $1,614,644 in 1900. The quantity of merchandise carried by fast freight shows 6,s4o tons in 1888, 13,404 tons in 1889 and 27,759 tons in 1900. These goods consisted principally of butter, fresh meat, fish, fruit and many other products which abound in Siberia and for which the market is steadi- ly increasing in the far east The traffic in butter alone increased GA per cent. from 1899 to 1900. The traffic by slow freight was far more considerable, viz, in 1898, 617,123 tons; in 1899, 661,11s tons, and in 1900, 714,477 tons.
 Among the numerous articles car ried that show an increase are ce- ment, plaster, lime and building ma terials, mineral oils, cast iron and steel ware and meat.
 w.. R. HOLLOWAY.
Waterbury Democrat., 1903-01-28
COAL STRIKE TESTIMONY.
eMdependent QperNtOgs Expected |
 Finish Today.

5aMdependent QperNtOws Expeeted te
 Finish Today.
 PHILADELPHIA. Jan. 2a.--Consid. erable progress was made yesterday by the anthracite coal strike commission, and if Is probable that the independent operators will conclude their cases to. hay. The Reading company will follow and will occupy the attention of the comnnission during the remainder of the week. The testimony presented 8sEas varied and interesting, an impor- tant witness being Albert 0. Leisen- ring, inteRdent of the Upper Le- high Goal company. MT. Leisenring eaid he believed the meeting of em- both parties, aud when asked if he pre- ferred to allow his mine to i'll with wRter rather than grant his men an selght hour working day he said he zwould rather not break the classified Eates, not on his own account. however.
 Another witness who aroused the in- Eerest of the commissioners was H. k, Christ coal breaker builder, who said ane Was refnaed stpermisSion'' by the district officeCs of the United Mine Workars to build breakers while the ytrike wasiR progress.
 F. Hdward Boss, a professional ac- ccuntant, who was called to testify zconcerntng the wages paid by the c. B. Markie company, was compelled to change many of the figures that ap- peared in the company's answer to the miners, demands, recently published. sIn every case the aaoupts were higher than the men had received, the figures banging from 10 cents to $2o. Chair man Gray became impatient with the witness and A-e&Rrassed his displeasure in pointed terms.
Waterbury Democrat., 1903-01-28
Stuffed s4cak.

Remove the fat from thick piece of trump steak weighing about three pounds and with sharp knife make a slit on one side, passing 1t through the meat, but without severing the edges. Fill the opening with a savory stufhng, then press it together and tic it at each end; brush it over with warm butter, flour it, cover it with a thick piece of greased paper, and cook the meat in baking tin containing g some hot dripping in a moderate oven. It must be pasted frequently, and about 12 minutes before it is, taken from the oven the paper must be re. moved for the meat to brown. Serve the meat surrounded by mushroom sauce and garnish the dish with large mushrooms (which have been cooked in butter), with little heap of grated horseradish on each. - Detroit Free Press.
Waterbury Democrat., 1903-01-28
women Mail carrler..

It is discovered that nearly 25 women are serving as rural delivery mail carriers. No women are ap- point tied as mail carriers in the cities and the post office department is op- posed to women doing such work anywhere, it being deemed too severe for them. The appointments in the rural free delivery service would not have been made if it had been known that the candidates were women. Of the $500 rural free delivery routes in operation June 30 last Iowa led with I'll. The other states having the largest number of routes were: Ohio, TAI; Illinois, 766; Indiana, 654. The average number of pieces of mail handled on each of the routes each day was 132.-Detroit Free Press.
Waterbury Democrat., 1903-01-28
cn1rexe for Policemen.


 There is a polieeman's college in St. Petersburg to train applicants for the force There is museum conn bined with the school where the pu. piIs make themselves familiar with the tools of criminals, jimmies, drills, ehisels and contrivances for robhing collection boxes, a special field of Russian thieves. The Russian pass port system is studied in detail. The duties of the dvorniks, a sort of as- sistant police, are taught. They keep watch on the residences, report on the habits of tenants, their visitors. examine the papers of newcomers and direct them to report themselves st the police station. The members of such clever and complicated sys- tenn need careful instruction.-N. Y. Tribune.
Waterbury Democrat., 1903-01-28
,aGane .WorIcers Ad3eurn.

INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 2S.-Tha mine workers have completed their business and adjourned. The convention has been the most expeditions and harrno- nious ever held. Many important meas ures have been considered and acted upon. Among thcm are the formula tion Of the demand for an increase of ;wages of 125A cents flat per ton on a run of mine basis and a lat dtfferen- tial of cents per ton between pick and machine mined coal, a demand for sn increase of wages of inside and out aide iaborers in nroportion to the in crease of the miners, the refusal to commit the convention to socialism and government ownership, raising of ofa- cers' salaries, the declaration against Ghildnan woxking in mines, the demand for an antiinjunction law and the mlmns for defense fund.
Waterbury Democrat., 1903-01-28

ships; grotesque in the extreme so far as bird and animal caricature is concerned.
 It is only about three years ago that the first of these Japanese freaks made it's appearance in Amer ica. Now they have caught on to such a remarkable extent that hun dreds of thousands were imported to meet the demand of the buying public.
 MT. Saito is the designer of most of the extraordinary-looking crea- lures which are so much favored by the public.
 In his great garden near Yokohama he may be seen during the fern freak season superintending the busy eff forts of his girl-helpers, whose quick and ready fingers have grown into the expert handling of the various
Waterbury Democrat., 1903-01-28
A Terrible Name.

Ths king of Greece has an aid de camp who reioices in the name of RsPpsa psaiamrantopoAasos. In the ordi- Rary course of things, the gallant coaonel would accompany. his Hellenic snajesty on his travels abroad every summex. but his name was found to Aeaxe Q train of dislocated jaws in fhe royal wake; moreover, it was eharged as two words in telegrams and Was pNtilated by telegraphists ,oeyopd all recognition; so he is now eft at home, and gentleman of the aame of Thon takes his place in at tendance on King George on his an rual visits to Aix4ea-Bai and Paris Even Southey's Russian generals a berrihae man with a terrible name' would have paled his intellectual fires In the presence of Pappadiamanto- poulosl sl-Westminster Gazette,
Waterbury Democrat., 1903-01-28
A Bridge of Collins.

Engineers, as most of us know, are famous for their ready resources in emergencies. During the recent Chi nese war it was necessary to get a number of troops across a river in a great hurry, to prevent the enemy taking an important position. There was no bridge and there were no boats. An engineer took detach- ment to a village near by, raided it and came back with number of coolies, each carrying one of these large painted coffins which every Chlnaman keeps in his house. With these as pontoons, a bridge was im- provised, and the men got across in time, thereby saving the loss of much time, ammunition and, per. haps, valuabl hves.--N. Y. Sun.
Waterbury Democrat., 1903-01-28
POPULARITY INCREASING
DON'T FORGET THE DATE.
something About Jelly Fiah.

The bay of Naples, Italy, abounds in dusea, or jellyfish, often growing as large as two feet in diameter and weighing 50 or 60 pounds. Some of them shine at night with greenish light, and are known as ''noctiluca" (i,ight lanterns) by the natives. The jeuyfish sometimes move in great groups, sometimes so large and so thick as to nearly stop the course of vessels, like the floating plants in the sargasso sea of the tropics. The shoals of je1lyfsh are sometimes so dense that a piece of timber plunged in among them will be held upright, as if stuck in the mud, and ordinary rowboats cannot force their way among them. The reason for their moving about has never been explained; they are irregular, and occur at no particular season of the year and under no particular infu- ence.-Brocklyn Eagle.
Waterbury Democrat., 1903-01-28
SUBURBAN DEP APARTMENT
WATERTOWN JOTTINGS
The Funeral of John Dougherty Tsos
 Place This Morning.

The funeral of John Dougherty, who died Monday aged 43 years, took place from his late residence this morning at 9 o'clock. Mir Dougherty was na- tive of this town and had large host ,of friends. He was for twenty years employed in A. N. Woolson's factory, being forced to resign his position on account of i'll health. He was regu- lar attendant at St Johns church and was always ready to assist i'll any un- dertaking for the benefit of the church. Court Merritt Heminway, No AS, +. of "A, attended the funeral in body. MT Dougherty was a charter member Of the local court of Foresters. Besides widow he leaves sister and one son to mourn his loss. The pallbearers, all members of Court Merritt Heminway, were John Purdy. T. r. NTcGowan, J. I. Keihy, James Dunigan, Oscar Jar lott and E. F. McGowan. Intefment took place in Mt St James's cemetery.
 The grand fair of Columbia lodge, No F, K. of P., which closed last even- ing, was a decided success both finan- cialy and socially. The entertainment consisted of comedy sketch entitled "All's We'll That Ends Finished" by Barlow, Isyons and Barlow; song, Where the Silvery Colorado Wends It's Way" by Charles Wilkerson, ac- companied by Miss Malone; black face comedy act, by Barlow and Lyons, accompanied by Miss Malone; elocu- tien, by Miss Bryant.
 pr A. D. Variel and Dr John Galley are attending the reunion of the Bow doin college alumni in New York.
 The Watertown Athletic club will give sociable and dance in town hall on Friday evening. February 13.
Waterbury Democrat., 1903-01-28

WHENEVER we see some MSASN novel ornament, quaint, RsEskvAN curious, and yet pictur- (JASWS esQue we at once say,
 VI !: zs:.;sss: Ss: ass: ;a sss s:ssa. sss;::
 ciate the lightness and delicacy of the Japanese taste and workmanship, and we show that ap- preciation by lending financial sup port to our friends in the east, and buying their strange knick-knaeks and oddities. They give an air of lightness and brightness to our homes that the homes of our respect ed grandmothers knew not.
 And Japan is continually bringing out something fresh. That enter. prising and rising country never knows where novelty ends. She is always pushing along something which her keen business instincts tell her will 'sfetch" the prosaic person every time.
 An artistic people will make artis- tic anything they touch. And the Japanese have recently entered the American market with as quaint 3 novelty as eyer they exported to this country. With the aid of beauti. ful dwarf feathery fern-which grows in abundance over yonder- some spagnam moss, and several miles of davallia root, they produce hundreds of extraordinary designs graceful as in the case of balls anG
Waterbury Democrat., 1903-01-28
Saved Boy From Drownine.

PRINCETON, N. J., Jan. 27.-B. ]. Giffen, post graduate student at the theological seminary, saved a twelve year-old boy from drowning in the lake in Newark park. While on his way to the station Giffen heard cries for help coming from the lake He found boy in the middle of the lake clinging to the ice which had broken under him. Giffen threw line to him and drew him ashore. Some companions carried the half frozen lad home.
Waterbury Democrat., 1903-01-28
REAR END COLLISION.
Heavy Loss of Life in Wreck Near
 Westfeld, N. !.

WESTFIELD, N. J., Jan. 2S.-One of the most appalling railroad wrecks that has occurred in this vicinity for many years, the estimated loss of life ranging from twelve to thirty persons, took place last night at Graceland on the Central Railroad of New Jersey, near this place, when the Royal Blue line express plowed at top speed into the rear of local train.
 Immediately after the crash three of the shattered cars of the local train took fire, rendering impossible the res cue of many of the wounded who were pinned fast in the wreck. Many bodies are believed to have been consumed.
 On board the flier all the passengers. although badly shaken up, escaped un- injured save for trifing bruises.
 The train which was run into left New York at 5:45 and runs express to Bound Brook, making stops at Eliza beth, Westfield and Plainfield. Beyond Bound Brook it runs as local. The Royal Blue train left fifteen minutes later, but travels at n higher speed and makes no stop except at Elizabeth and is scheduled to overtake the slower train just beyond Graceland, where the latter switches from track 3 on to track 4 to permit the Royal Blue to pass.
 Last evening freight train was blocked upon track 4, and the local re- eeived orders to proceed on the express track to Dunellen and there take the outside or No. track. Shortly after re- ceiying orders the train had to stop for a hot box, which delayed her so that when she got under way again she was due at Duneilen. She had just started and was moving slowly when the Royal Blue, travelling apparently at full speed, which at that point usually approximates sixty-five miles an hour, crashed into the rear end.
 The heavy engine of the Royal Blue tore its way into the rear car and at the same time drove the forward end of that car into the rear end of the car ahead, which in turn was driven into the third car, and this in turn was driven into the fourth car from the rear. The fourth car was only partly wrecked, but the last three were torn to pieces.
 The engine and the three worst wrecked cars were piled into an awful heap containing at least hundred dead and injured. From the mass came fearful screams for aid. A minute later the wreck caught fire from the frebox of the locomotive. The screams of the injured in the heap were intensified as they found themselves henmed in by the flames.
 The passengers in the two forward cars of the first train and all the men from the express and every one in the neighborhood started to work at once trying to get out the injured before the flames could reach them. At times while toiling in the wreckage the flames reached them, and their cloth ing took fire, but they worked on in constant danger of being killed them selves Some of the injured were burned to death in sight of the would be rescuers, who stood by them as long as possible, but the flames soon gained complete mastery of the last two cars.
Waterbury Democrat., 1903-01-28
NAUGATUCk NUGGETS
Lecture at Columbus Hall
 on Sunday Evening.

"A Tour Through Ireland' is the Bihject of an illustrated lecture to De yiEen at Columbus hall Sunday even Ing by the Rev Father Sheery of Linn brick, Ireland. Mr Griffin of Waterbury is assisting at the Union City railroad station for
 few days. Commencing to-day the physicians hppointed by Health Officer Smith to examine school children for traces ot scarlet fever will begin their work. Both the public and parochiai schools
 wih be visited. A case of scarlet fever was reported yesterday in the family of John Hebg-
 Ter of Gurtiss street. An entertainment for the benefit of she painting fund of the NJ. B church
 HiN be given at PEthian hall this even ng.
 Laurel temple, R. s., will hold a seard party at the home of l.. B. Saun- Hers of Meadow street this evening.
Waterbury Democrat., 1903-01-28

1.-The Skeleton" of a monkey on swing -at present quaint but not very orna- mental. 2-The monkeys appearance im- proves when the fern fron6s begin to shoot out through his skin-3-and when he is clothed in them from head to foot he at once becomes an elegant object good enough for the decoration of any room. components which go to make up a complete fern ball or figure.
 As I have previously mentioned, the ferns used in the formation of the hanging designs are of the more dwarfy and feathery description. These are gathered when the roots are in their dry condition, and care fully packed in spagnam moss, which is chosen for its moisture-retaining properties.
 The fern roots, having been worked into the desired shape-it may be that of ball not much larger than an orange, or, for that matter, full sized elephant-with the aid of lengths of very plant wire, the girl takes long string of davallia root and knits together sort of soft en- velope, but not so closely as to pre- vent the ready outward growth of the fern, which, under proper treat. nent, pushes its leaves between the loosely-knitted cover of davallia root until the ball, or the figure, becomes covered with beautiful fine sprays o1 fern, the effect being both artistic and curious.
 It is astonishing how quickly the pretty Japanese maids manipulate .Sie various materials used in the construction of the designs, many of which are exceedingly difficult Take, for instance. the forming oS .
Waterbury Democrat., 1903-01-28
THURSDAY, JAN. 2S
JANAL FIGHT BEGUN
Plan to Improve New York
 Waterways Threatened.
GOOD ROADS MEN HAVE A SCHEME
Prominent Republicans Want s50s- Z OOO,OOO For Highways or They Will Defeat the SS6, 1000 ,0Oo
 Canal Proposition.

ALBANY, N. Y., Jan. 28.-Whfle arA long and serious session yesterday con templating the expenditure of $62,00O,- 900 for the improvement of the state waterways there was gathered in an- other room of the state capitol sat af men representing in a great degree tha dominant element in Republican p0l- itics, planning to so amend the canal bill as to defeat it unless their demands are granted.
 K Of the dozen conferrees the mention of few names only is necessary to demonstrate that dominant element of the Republican party is represented in the proposed amending of the bill. Lieutenant Governor Frank Higgins, Speaker of the Assembly s. Fred Nixon, Senators Jothan F. Aiiris. lead CT of the majority in the assembly; James s. Rogers, Senator William Armstrong and a dozen others of lesser note practically decided that unless q $50, 900, GOO state bond issue was added to the $82,000,O00 proposed in the canal bill no canal measure would be allowed to pass the legislature and to go to the governor. The additional $50 ,000, 900 asked for is to be expended, according to the plans of this contingent, in build- ing good roads. The farmers and good roads interests are to be appealed to to support the proposition.
 These legislators contend that the counties outside of the direct line of the canal receive no direct benefit from the vast expenditure of money pro posed under the $S2, ,O0O,0 900 canal ap- propriation. They say that if the canal is to be made available to these outside counties there must be good roads for the farmers and producers to convey their produce to the canal for transpor- upon good roads for their increase in business, as the canal counties depend upon the canal.
 It was also contended that if the state compelled counties benefited to pay half the cost of constructing a state road the same method should be applied to the canal unless the counties directly benefited by the canal were willing that the good roads proposition for $50,00O,0O0 should be attached to the canal bill.
 The total amount of bonds which these conferrees demand be issued in the bill is $132, ,OOO, ,oOo, and under the figures presented by the governor for the $S1, 100000 appropriation, with fifty years interest, this would mean an expenditure for the state of $370, ,O00,- GOO.
 This is the third directly antagonistic proposition to the canal improvement bill.