davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-26

almost sitting, laden with the perfume of
many flowers. Even the song of the birds
grew fainter. Only the tiny fountain, more
assertive than ever. became louder and
louder. The princess breathed deeply half
arose. a vine caught in her hair; she
stopped to disentangle it; then held herself
erect
How close it is in here!" she murr1ured.
arranging the tress the plant had disturbed.
Go TO the door. fool and see If you can
find your master"
Involuntarily he had stepped toward her,
as though to assist her, but now stopped.
His face changed: he even laughed That
last word. from her lips. seemed to break
the spell of self-control that held him.
MY master!'' he said in a hard soothing
tone. Whom mean you? The man who
left you to go to the soldier? That blus-
terer. my master! That staggering troop
err
Her inertness vanished: the sudden anger
and wonderment in her eyes met the pas
sion in his.
How dare you-dare you" she began.
He Is neither my master nor the duke
but a mere freebooter, a mountain terror
ist!'
Pride and contempt replaced her surprise
but indignation still remained. His audac-
ity in coming to her with this falsehood
his hardihood In maintaining it. admitted
Of but one explanation. BY her complai-
sance In the past she had famed the en-
bers of a passion which now burst beyond
control She realized how more than fair
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-26

Kind. That Is because the authorities at
the Bronx keep the animals as nearly in
state of nature as possible. They give them
larger cages than any other zoo in the
world. with trees and rocks. that they
may run and Chamber and swing themselves
about as they would do in their native jun
giles and mountains. The rigors of cap
tvity are thus softened, and the animals
are kept in excellent health and spirits.
To the question. How do you manage to
keep the babies alive?' a gray-haired vet
eran keeper replied:
1t isn't up to us az rule. We leave it
to the mothers when we possibly can. They
know more about it than do. and nine
times out of ten they wouldn't let US inter
fere, anyway. II they could help 1t. You try
to teach lioness or a female chimpanZee
how to mind her baby. and she will soon let
you Know her views on the subject.
Now and then. however, the mother dies.
and we have to do our stunt as dry
nurses. 1t isn't easy. First of all, we have
to win the confidence and love of the baby.
which has been taught by It's mother to
regard mankind with suspicion. Often the
aggravating little creature won't eat or
drink and food has to be forced down it's
throat.
Il know keeper who brought up a baby
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-26
THE LOCO WEED.
Little Really Known About That Bo-
tanical Mystery

A Georgetown chemist whose attention
was drawn to The Stars recent article
the loco weed remarked
Il have had occasion to make some study
of that botanical mystery, and [ find that
the fact that human beings. as well as
horses. become addicted to its insidious
destinations has been generally overlooked.
Some of the Mexicans brew il with their
national beverage. pulque. in somewhat tho
same manner as herbs are combined with
spirits to make cordials and a Mexican
with loco jag is creature to command
the right of way without a moments ques-
ton. With fixed. staring eyes. and mus
cles stimulated to abnormal activity, he
runs amuck. endeavoring to destroy what
ever may Obstruct his way. To refer TO
a man loco is deadly insult in Span
ish-American territory | believe the gov
eminent has given some attention to the
loco weed. but no definite conclusions
to it's properties have been reached
A government report contains the fol-
lowing observations on loco:
Loco plants, or crazy weeds. plants
growing in the far western states. the eat
ing of which by horses and cattle is be-
ueved to produce loss of flesh, diSordered
vision, delirium. convulsive movements, or
stupor and death. Much doubt hangs about
the matter. but 'Astra galus MolliSsimuS' is
believed to be the loco of Kansas. whilst
ca droummondii and ta) oXytropus are the
loco plants of Colorado. Six species of the
astra galus, including those mentioned. have
been examined. and not in one of them has
any alkaloid, resin or other active chemical
substance been found PoSt-mcrtem exam
ination of a number of locOed sheep has
shown in each animal masses of taenia
pansa, and it has been suggested that this
tape worm was the cause of the illness.
| There can be doubt that domestic
animals are destroyed in the west in very
large quantities from affection which
| is known as loco and hundreds of thou
sands of dollars have been spent in boun-
| ties by the state of Colorado for the eXtir-
| patton of the supposed poisonous astraga-
| lus But the cause of the disorder
remains obscure The most probable
| explanation of the is that the fer
mentation of the plants in the intestines
| of the animal develops a poison which is
absorbed and that have in the loco
| disease one parallel to the 'Lathyrismus of
Eurone."
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-26
CHAPTER xIII-Continued.

Her hand played among the blossoms.
Over the flowers she looked at him. Her
features and arms were of 1he sculptured
roundness of marble. but the reflection Of
the roses bathed her In the warm hue of
life AS he met her gaze the illumned
pages OF a book seemed turning before his
eyes. Did She remember?
SIZE could not but perceive his emotion
the tribute of glance beyond control. de-
spite the proud immobility of his features.
sit here. fool" she said. not unkindly.
land you may tell me more about the duke
His exploits-of that battle when he saved
the life of the emperor"
The Jester made no move to obey. but
looking down, answered coldly: THE duke
madam. likes not to have his poor deeds
exploited"
Poor deedsi" she returned. and seemed
about to reply more sharply when some
thing in his face held her silent.
Leaning her head on her hand she ap-
peared to forget his presence: motioniess.
save for foot that waved to and fro. be-
traying her restless mood. The sound OF
her dress. the swaying of the foot held his
attention In that little bower the air vas
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-26

them about by the nape of the neck until
they choke, she will fondly play about
with them until she knocks them against
the bars of the cage and beats their brains
out We have to watch for signs of this
dangerous mother love- and when we see
any it's up to us to separate mother and
child"
The keeper paused, thinking of several
fierce encounters to which this necessity
had led.
Say" he went on. that's tough con-
tract. The lioness robbed of her whelps is
no mere figure of speech in our business.
She's an awful reality.
Stealing the Lioness' Whelps.
"How do we separate them? Well. some
times we keep her off with pitchfork
while we pass the cubs to a man at the
door of the cage; and sometimes we entice
her into an adjoining cage and then shut
the door on her. OF course, she raises
rough house when she realizes what has
happened. You would wonder that any
cage could hold her. For months after
ward it is dangerous to go near her.
But ordinarily a lioness is not fierce
when she has cubs. She will allow you to
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-26

she looked that evening-had she not heard
1t from many? had not the eyes of the
kings guest told her?-and she believed
that this lie must have sprung to the jest
err s lips while he was regarding her.
AS the solution crossed her mind, reveal
ing the PLEASANT desperate and despicable
as well as lowly wooer. her face relaxed.
In the desire to test her conclusion she
laughed quietly, unsteady. Cruelty kind,
smiled the princess.
You are mad" she breathed softly. you
are NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. YOU"
He started. studying her eagerly. He
fancied he read relentng softness in her
gaze: flash of memory into "a past, where
glamour and romance, and the heart-history
of the rose made up life's desderatum.
Wherein existence was but an allegory of
loves quest. and the goal it's contamination.
Had she not bent sedulously the rose
of the poet? Had not her breath come
quickly, eagerly? Could he not feel it yet,
sweet and warm on his cheek? Into the
past having gone so far, he stepped now
boldly as though to grasp again those illu-
sive colors and seize anew the intangible
substance. He was but young, when shad-
ows seem solid. when dreams are corporal
stuff. and fantasies rock-like strata of
reality.
So he knelt before her. yes" he said.
Il love your
And thus remained. pale, motionless. all
resentment or jealousy succeeded by a
stronger emotion feeling chivalric that
| bent itself to a glad thraldom the desire
but to serve her-to save her. His heart
beat faster: he raised his head proudly
Listen. princess" he began Though I
meant 1T not, fear have greatly wronged
you. / have much to ask your pardon for:
much to tell you. 1t is IL
The words died on his lips. From the
princess face all softness had suddenly
vanished. Her gaze passed him. cold,
naughty. Across the Elusive positiveness
of his world-immaterial, psychological.
ghostly-an intermediate orb-a tangible
shadow was thrown. Behind him stood the
free baron and the king Quickly the fool
sprang to his feet.
"Princess!" exclaimed the hearse voice Of
the master Of Hochfels
MY lord?'
For moment neither spoke, and then the
clear. cold voice of the princess broke the
silence.
Are all the fools In your country so pre-
sumptuous. my iordT' she said
The kings countanance hghtened; he
turned his accusing glance upon the fool
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-26

quarters. He congratulated himself that
the incident of the past night had precip-
itated a favorable climax in one source of
possible instability. and that the fool who
had opposed him had been summarily re-
moved from the field of action. Confined
within the four walls of the castle dungeon
there was scant likelihood he would cause
further trouble and annoyance. Francis
strong prison house would effectively curb
any more interference with or dabbling In
the affairs of the master of the Fulture's
Nest.
Following the exposure of the testers
weakness, his passion for his mistress
Francis. Villot told Jacqueline had i'm
mediately ordered the fool into strictest
confinement, the donjon Of the ancient
structure. In that darkened cell he had
rested over night and there he would no
Goubt remain indefinitely. The kings guest
had not been greatly concerned with the
testers quixotc love for the princess, being
little disposed to jealousy He was no
signing solicitant for woman's favor:
higher allurements than womans eyes or
admiration for his inamOrata moved him
that edge of appetite for power, conquest
hunger. an Itching palm for a kingdom.
His were the INSCRIPTIONS soldiers rather
than the eager true loves dreams.
But to offset his satisfaction that the
Jester lay under restraint he took in bad
part the troopers continued insensibility
which deprived him of the much-desired in
formation. When he had repaired to the
bedside of the soldier the night before he
naO only MS trip Tor his pains, as the man
had again sunk into Inconsistencies short
ly before his coming. Thus the free baron
was still in ignorance of the person to
whom the fool had betrayed him. The fact
that there still roamed an unfettered some
one who possessed the knowledge of his
Identity caused him to knit his brows and
look glum.
These testers were daring fellows; several
of them had borne arms. as, for example.
Clement Marot, who had been taken pris-
Oner with Francis at the battle of Payia,
BruSQuet had been a hanger-on of the
camp at Avignon: Villot, a Paris student;
Caillette had received the spirited education
OF a soldier in the household OF his bene-
factor DANES father. And as for the
others-how varied had been their careers!
Lives OF hazard and vicissitudes; scape-
sraces and misunderstanding literally
by their wits.
To what careless or wanfon head had his
secret been conf1ned7 What use would thu
rashling make Of It? Daringly attempt to
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-26

go into the cage and play with them as
much as you like. while she watches them
proudly from little distance. and seems
quite pleased because you are interested in
them.
Take care, however. that you don't acct
dentally hurt one of the little beasts and
make 1t yelp If you do the mother Is up in
arms in a moment to see what is the mat
ter. There's only one thing to do then.
Throw the cub to her at once. She will
stop and examine 1t. and if you find she Is
stli cross you have plenty of time to es-
cape Very likely. seeing that nothing Is
wrong, she will spank the cub with her paw
to teach it not to whine needlessly. and will
then let you go on playing with it,
It's curious how animal mothers differ
from women the keeper said. refiectively
IF you hurt a womans child she immedi-
ately starts to abuse or attack you, leaving
the kid to howl. If you hurt a lioness cub
her first thought is to look after the cub.
Revenge comes second with her. and so the
offender has a chance to escape"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-26

approach the throne with this startling
budget of information; impulsively seek
the princess. or whisper it over his cups
among the femmes de chambre. laundresses
or scullery maids?
IF the soldier should never speak?'
thought the free baron out of humor, as he
drew near the troopers door. What a
nest of suspicion may be growing! The
WaspS may be breeding. a whisper may
become an ominous threat. Is not the
danger even greater than 1t was before,
when | could place my hand on my foe
man? The man must speak!-must!"
With a firm step the kings guest entered
the chamber of the injured soldier. Upon
a narrow bed lay the trooper, his
tachios appearing unusually red and fierce
against his now yellow. washed-out com
pleXion. AS the free baron drew the
couch a tall figure arose from the side Of
the bed
How is your patient, doctor?" said the
visitor. shortly.
Low" returned the other, laconically.
This person wore a black gown: pair of
huge, broad-rimmed glasses rested on the
bridge of thin, long nose. and in his claw
like fingers he held vial, the contents of
which he stirred slowly. His aspect was
that of living sorrow and melancholy.
Has he been conscious again." asked
the caller.
He has cen lain you see him." replied
the wearer of the black robe
''Humph!" commented the free baron. at
tentively regarding the motionless and 81
lent figure.
II urged upon him the improperly of
sending for you at the festivities" resumed
the man, shifting at the vial, but he be-
came excited swore he would leave the bed
and brain me with my own pestle II I VEN
tured to hinder him. So l consented to
convey his request"
And when I arrived he was still as
log supplemented the visitor glcomiIy
ALIAS. yes: although I tried to keep him
up, giving him specifics and carminatives
and bleeding him once
Bleeding him. cried the false duke,
angrily. glowering upon the impassivs and
woebegone countenance Of the medical at
tendant. las II he had not bled enough
from his hurts! Quack OF an impOster!
You have killed him."
AS for that" retorted the man In a sing
song voice, mo one can tell whether
medicine be antidote or poison, unless as
leechcraft and chirurgery point out
His days are numbered quoth the free
born to himself, staring downward. But
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-26

cattle and dairy establishments which make
the butter for export. I am told that the
people ship their butter abroad and use
oeomargarine themselves This is so In
Denmark and in other butter-making
countries
Swedish Farms.
l am surprised at the small extent of
farmland in Sweden in comparison with tn,
number of farms. There are altogether
33S 900 agricultural holdings. and OF these
fully one fourth are under five acres. ana
200 00O range from five to fifty acres in size
or the whole area of Sweden less than nine
acres in every hundred are cultivated and
less than per cent is good pasture land
The land laws such that a farm IS Oil
vded among the children upon the death or
the owner. thus causing numerous small
holdings. OF late years there has been
some attempt at consolidation, and one
now finds some large farms in parts of the
country.
AS far as I can see, the soil Is rich. 1t Is
black and 1t raises big crops of clover and
oats Wheat rye and potatoes are grown.
There is plenty of hay. but there is so much
rain that the hay is often put up on racks
to dry and then stored away in barns.
Every haycock has stick in it to give 1t
air and in some places the hay IS dried
on wire fences like clothes line.
Everything looks thrifty. There are many
red wooden houses with white shutters and
trimmings and along the railroad are
fences of rocks boards or rails
Sweden's Chief Seaport.
I took "a run over to Gothenberg last
week. 1t is Sweden's chief seaport, having
ships from all parts of Europe and the
United States. 1t is also the terminus of
the Gotha canal which goes right through
Sweden, crossing Lakes Wennern and Wet
tern, the two largest lakes in the country.
Gothenberg has almost 10000 inhabitants.
and it grows like one of our big towns of
the west. 1t is a manufacturing center,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-26

Some such houses are tiled instead of shin
gled.
Sweden has now about 1000 miles of rail-
roads 2.oO0 of which are owned by the gov
eminent. The railroads make money and
pay dividends. notwithstanding that their
fares are lower than ours. All trains have
three classes first, second and third. The
first class rate is 2is cents mile. the sec
ond class about IL cents and the third
class only y cent. The first class is lux
urious. the second is comfortable and the
third is furnished with bare wooden
benches.
There is much travel, especially on the
trunk iines-to Christiania and Gothenberg
the chief port of Sweden on the North Sea
The latter line is through a more thickly
populated country than that to Christiania.
AS one goes south the farms are larger,
the farm houses are of frame and there are
big barns and outbuidings. The country
looks very much like the good farming
regions of the United States. The houses
are on the farms and not IN villages, as III
other parts of Europe. There are many
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-26
Thrust for Thrust.
From Tit Bits.


man was brought up In a provincial
court on a charge of stealing a sack of
flour. and was very severely handled by the
prosecuting lawyer, who had once made
himself notorious by going into bankruptcy
which was the only means by which he
could escape his debts
You admit that you stole the sack of
f1our?" questioned counsel sternIy
Yes; but l took 1t honestly and in broad
daylight to save my children from starva-
ton" pleaded the prisoner.
You call that honesty, do your sneered
the lawyer. Il call 1t amazing impudence
Stealing is stealing, from whichever point
of view you care to look at it!''
Just so, mister, but it don't allus bring
the same punishment" retorted the man in
the dock For instance. l shouldn't have
been here now if I'd done as you used to do
bought or ordered the flour and never paid
for it,''
And even the magistrate chuckled behind
his papers at the bullying lawyers discom-
future.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-26

falls being blasted out of the rocks. making
a trough just wide enough for a steamer or
barge to pass through. There are six locks.
one succeeding the other. The most OF
them are worked by hand, and they are
babies compared with the great locks of
our Sault Ste. Marie canal. Nevertheless.
many vessels pass through them. 1t Is es-
tmated that they raise 1890 boats every
season carrying lumber. wood. piles. iron
and other heavy merchandise from Gothen-
berg TO Stockholm. and from western
Sweden out to the sea.
The Falls of Trollhattan.
II was at this point that visited the falls
of Trollhattan. considered by many the
finest in Europe. They are far superior to
the falls of the Rhine at Schaffhausen.
There are six different cataracts and nu-
merous rapids. distributed over distance
of almost mile. The fall is only loS
feet in all. but the water foams and boils
as it dashes over the rocks into the caul-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-26

AS In dream stood the latter the words
he would have uttered remained unspoken.
But briefly the monarch surveyed him, sa
tirically. darkly; then turning. with ges-
ture summoned an attendant Not until
the hands of two soldiers fell upon him did
the fool betray any emotion. Then his face
changed. and the stunned look In his eyes
gave way to an expression of such I'M
bridled feeling that involuntarily the king
stepped back and the free baron drew his
sword. But neither had the monarch need
for apprehension nor the princess betrothed
use for his weapon. Some emotion deeper
than anger replaced the savage turmoil of
the testers thoughts. as with a last fixed
look at the princess he mechanically suf-
tered himself to be led away. Louise's
gaze perforce followed him, and when the
canvas fell and he had disappeared she
passed a hand across her brow
Are you satisfied my lord?' said the
king to the free baron.
THE knave has received his just deserts,
sire, replied the other. and, stepping to
the princess side, raised her hand to his
lips.
Mere de dieu!" cried the monarch. pass
Ing his arm in a friendly manner over the
free baron's shoulder and addressing
Louise. You will find Robert of Fried
valid worthy of your high trust. cousin
Without, they were soon whispering It,
The attendant, who was the Count of Cross
breathed what ne knew to the Duke of
Montmorency, who told Du Delays, who
related the story to Diane de Poftiers, who
embeiiished 1t for Viilot, who carried it to
Jacqueline. Ei
'"Triboulet has his WISH" said the poet
fool. half regretfully. 'There is one jester
the less"
Where have they taken him?' asked the
girl. steadily.
"Where-but to the keep!'
THAT dungeon Of the old CASTER
WELL" he returned significantly, "a fool
and his tests-aias!-are soon parted. Let
us make merry. therefore, while we may
For what would you? Come, mistress-the
dance"
mo! no! not" she exclaimed, SO passion
ately he gazed at her in surprise.