davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-02-25
WINGS OF THE FLYING Fish.
Remarkable Sight When a shoal
Takes Takes to the Air.

The mystic flying fish is chiefly an
inhabitant of the southern seas. OF
It's wondrous exploits most all have
heard. yet few can see the fish for the
first time without gasp of amaze.
ment, without feeling that they are
looking at the miraculous. 1t is this
fish which has been the source of more
untruthful stories than any other in all
the seas.
There is no question that the fly.
ing fish has wings like bird; and 1t
really flies, yet not as bird. 1t does
not flap the wing-like fins upon which
it is borne, nor, when once launched
in the air, can it change it's course by
any movement of its wings until 1t
dips again into the water. yet it will
pass ship making ten knots an hour
and travel in the air sometimes 500
feet at time.
Remarkable, indeed, is the sight of a
shoal OF flying fish taking to the air,
skimming far over the surface when
the sea is calm, leaping high over
great seas when gales blow. OF
course, fish seem strangely out of their
element in the air, but that fish should
fly is not really more wonderful than
that some animals and birds, like
the otter or the penguin, should dive
and swim to perfection.
The fins of flying fish are not
really wings. but more like parachutes
to support and steady It's body, rather
than to propel it. The lobe of the
tail gives a start to the body as it
leaves the water. A flying fish
measures about a foot in length, and
its long transparent fins reach almost
to the tail; but though very large
when expanded, they can be folded
up very neatly. It's flight is short and
instead, and it must dip continually
into the water to give itself fresh
start-The Marine Journal.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-02-25
Surplus Bears in Duluth.

For some unknown reason bears
have been plentiful in and about the
City of Duluth, Mimi, during the last
autumn. Twenty-four of these animals
some of them large ones, have been
shot within the city limits, and many
more probably escaped to give their
families an account of city life. Bears
were found strolling about il suburban
front yards, and grubbing in backyard
garbage heaps. A September picnic
was enlivened by IL black furred guest
who brought no card of invitation,
and who terrified the children, scared
the grownups, and, after clearing the
ground by the majesty of his presence,
proceeded to overturn the baskets and
devour the cakes end jam therein con-
tanned
The oldest incident, however, occur
red at Lakeside, one of the nearest
suburbs of Duluth. A market gard
ner, who had left some vegetables in
his cart over night. was awakened by
noise in his back premises, and. ris-
ing to investigate, he saw by the light
of the moon big bear in the cart en-.
joying a night luncheon. Reaching
for his gun, he opened the window and
shot poor bruin dead. When morning
came there was nothing easier than to
harness the horse and drive Mr.. Bear
just as he had fallen, to market, where
he brought good price to the fortu-
nate gardener.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-02-25
"A Waiting Chance.

There is fortune waiting for some
shrewd but honest man." said bache-
Tor the other day. II believed the max
ers of underclothing are in collision
with some Of these matrimonial agen.
cies. No matter what price l pay for
my underclothsng, the buttons are nj
ways coming off, and as l send all
my washable clothes to laundry
carelessness, I'll admit-they are never
sewed on, and have to resort to pins,
All this Is n gentle reminder that n
febow needs wife. but absolutely
refuse to take the hint. Where is the
fortune? Why, II some really honest
man should go into the business of
manufacturing underclothes, and make
4 speciality of having the buttons Sc.
curely sewed on, lie would reap har-
vest compared with which the profits
from a new brand Of soap or a fake
medicine would look like 80 cents. He
could advertise his wares as the Bach
elor's Underclothing.' He could have
some catchy legend as this, Our But
tons Never Come Off, Let me tell YOU
if such a thing ever is done you will
find gang of men down at the store
where the garments are sold which
will make a woman's bargain counter
rush seem tame rs a French duel"
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-02-25
stout resistance TO Edward Nv. Since
its surrender to Richard in the latter
part of the fifteenth century it has beer
constantly in the hands of the British.

Hi9h-Water Mark for Real Estate.
The highest priced land in the world
is that bounded by Wall and Broad
streets and Broadway, in lower New
York city A square foot of ground on
Il corner of Broadway and Wall street
cannot be had for less than $3.50. The
most expensive land in London sells
for 5000 Il square foot. The average
price of land in New York city's tinan.
cial district is about SlT5. Next in the
scale comes the wonan's shopping dis.
trict. from Fourteenth to Twenty third
streets. on Sixth avenue, and from
Thirty fourth street 10 Forty-secon,;
street. on Broadway Here land ranges
all the way from $50 to $3.50 square
foot. On the northwest corner of
Broadway and Thirty street the
latter price was obtained The real
estate man who can tell the future
movements of population on AIanhat
tan is lH.., position TO realize Il for.
tune. The growth of Brooklyn and
Jersey City has checked the movement
of the population north, and it is said
the most valuable land on Manhattan
island will always remain south of
Central Park. The lower half of the
island will soon have nothing on it ex.
cept office buildings. factories and ten.
ement houses. Success,
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-02-25
Tower Relics.

Several highly interesting old relics
have just been discovered in the
Tower of London. In cutting through
q large block of limestone the men
came across an unusually large and
fine fossilized specimen of that ancient
and mysterious inhabitant of ocean
depths known to biologists as the "am-
monte" 1t is of spiral shape,
measures full two feet across, and is
supposed u have. belonged to one of
the earliest known ages of life in the
created world. 1t is understood that
what may be described as "the Tower
ammonite' will in due course be pre-
serted to the British Museum. An
other discovery made in the Byward
Tower is the name, scratched upon a
stone mantelpiece. of Margaret Roper,
the favorite and faithful daughter OF
Sir Thomas Moore, who spent much
time with her father during the impris.
onment preceding his execution,-Tbe
City Press,
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-02-25
Pecan Hunts,

A pleasant outdoor amusement in
kentucky is the pecan hunt. The ne
can orchard is usually distributed
throughout one of those immense corn
fields of several hundred acres that
formed the antebellum plantations.
Here they are enriched by constant
cultivation as well as by the fertilizer
from the overflow of the Ohio that
occurs always once and frequently
oftener season. The pecan season
opens with special festivities. Society
in the neighboring towns and cities
takesup enthusiastically pecan .'tours,"
picnics, dinners-ln truth, all varieties
of fetes that ingenuity can originate.
The right to gather the nuts is purchas-
cd and professional climber hired. A
woods dinner is the most pleasing
feature of the occasion-bacon, chick
en-. broiled OIL spit before fragrant
fire, Irish potatoes and the real, old
fashioned red sweets, onions baked in
a crater of hot Goals. klmmel-rye
bread, roasted cheese. ginger bread
and crab apple cider from the farm
house.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-02-25
A BACHELORS REASON.

Without the ways are Winter wild;
The sitting SHOWS are high.up piled;
You ask me why I'm forth beguiled,-
By what allurement,-
When might here, in warmth enisled,
Rest in securement!
There stands, you say, my easy chair;
There is my sea-coal fire; and there
My pipe, my slippers, too. pair
My dear aunt fashioned;
My novel,-rapture and despair,
And most impassioned.
l grant the riot of the night,
The tempting cheer. of fire and light;
Yet. though the storm gain madden
might,
HE me gladly;
Here would the evening hours take
fight
Slow-paced and sadly.
But why?" in rapt amaze you shout;
I've not the shadow of doubt
That when you hear you'll fleer and
fout,
And spout of treason
To all my vows! The secrets OUT
Yes-Love's the reason!
Clinton Scollard, in Puck.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-02-25
The SCIENCE OF GIVING.
The Giving Of Money is Not Neces.
sarily Beneficence.

A woman of wealth who has devoted
her life and power to philanthropic
work thus speaks of the uses and OBJ
legations Of wealth:
There is one obligation upon all
persons, rich or poor. Spending
money is only way of meeting our OBJ
legations. l have known many conse-
Grated men and women, almost PENN.
less, who carried en- great work for
the Master, and they accomplished
more real good than those whose labor
ended with the distribution of wealth.
1T is not enough that we should dis
tribute aims. We should be careful
to see that our gifts reach the proper
persons. and are not placed where
they will accomplish more harm than
good. Many well-meaning people ex-
pend their money where it really isn't
needed, while they ignore the urgent
causes which they might discover be-
fore their very eyes. They are not
true to their obligations. They are
not commanded to distribute money
but to do good to others, and their
possession OF wealth should enable
them to do good largely.
1t isn't right that we should give
To unknown charities without investi-
cation, and yet to investigate will re-
quire many hours. perhaps"
There was one truth that was for
gotten by this noble woman, one that
all money-givers have not learned
the truth that no one mind can decide
as to what is the proper method of
using money Of charity. Only sci.
ence can turn benevolence into benefl.
cence. Most of the money now given
according to ones misguided feelings
is surely destined to become source
of evil. Much of the rest, while not
harmful, is not benefit to humanity.
There is no way in which wealth could
be used with such advantages as in en-.
downing permanent commission of in
dependent and scientific-minded men
whose sole function it should be to
advise the benevolent for what pur-
POSES the gift of money would do the
most good to the world. Some OF the
great endowments of vast sums were
only saved from absolute failure and
loss by the wise and quiet influence of
moneyless men.-American Medicine.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-02-25

Lord Nelson" and then added: This
may seem strange to all American, but
1t is II fact that there is really but one
Englishman not now living concerning
whose doings the average citizen Of
this country, from whatever section he
may come. is prepared at nll times TO
wax enthusiastic. And that man is
Nelson, the most emotional character
perhaps in history. and yet man OF
action out and OUT AT the recent cell
ebration of the anniversary Of his death
every schoolhouse in England was dec
Grated with portraits of the great ad-
miral.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-02-25
What Georgia Would Grow.

There are several children in a family
and they We're talking of their gar
den. II am going to plant the seeds
Uncle John gave me-" said one, land
grow the most beautiful lowers" II
am going to grow pinks and violets,"
said another. And I'm going to have
roses" said the third. But the littlo
boy said nothing. He lad no seeds
to plant. Presently his mother noticed
that he took no part in the chatter and
her heart smote her. And what is
Geargie going to grow?" she asked.
oh" lie said stoutly, Il expect can
raise a worm or two'
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-02-25

ain bears. But there have been events
in its history which the Welsh, as well
us the English. point to with pride.
Most memorable of all heroic cpl.
sodes connected herewith was the de.
Tense of Harleeh by Dafyd APP Einion,
chieftain whose courage and proves
are told in song and poetry by the
bards of Cambria. English supremacy
in Wales, established by Edward L.,
ly decayed, while Englishmen were
fighting each other in the wars of the
Lancasters and the Works. After the
defeat. however of the former at
Northampton in 1850, Edward Nv.
sought to re-establish the stout king
dom of his noted ancestor. Within
eight years he became master of all
England and practically all of Wales.
Three strongholds of the Cambrians
We're still out of his possession and
seemed impossible of conquest. Strong
est of these was Harlech. Within
its walls was Dafyd, supported by sew
eral hundred men who knew no fear
aud who deemed the honor of their
people sacred trust reposed in their
keeping. When King Edward sent Sir
William Hubert against Dafyd to com
ppl his surrender, that officer encoun
tered an experience which challenges
Hannibals crossing of the Alps. For
days the soldiers of the King marched
over mountains and crawled through
narrow passes, with yawnins abysses
inviting death. but eventually they in
vested the place. Richard. Duke of
Gloucester. and brother of the King.
was sent forward to order the immedi-
ate surrender OF the castle. Dafyd re-
piled: Il held Il tower in France till all
the old women in Wales heard of it,
and now the old women of France
shall hear how defend this CASTLE
1t was impossible to reduce the
stronghold, except by famine. This
means was tried and finally Richard
secured its surrender by promising to
intercede with Edward to spare the
heroic defender. The King was indlg-
nant when this request was brought TO
him and refused to grant It.
Then, sire" said Richard, when the
King continued to swear he would
show 10 mercy, you may. if you
please, take my life in lieu of the Welsh
chieftain's. If you do not, will most
assuredly set Dafyd back in his castle
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-02-25
Washineton's birthday.

IT'S splendid to live SO grandly
That. long after you are gone,
The things you did are remembered,
And recounted under the sun;
To live SO bravely and purely
That a nation stops on Its way,
And once year, with banner and drum,
Keeps Its thought Of your natal day.
Ills splendid to have a record
So white md free from stain
That held to the light, 1t shows no blot,
Though tested and tried amnln;
That age to age forever
Repeats Its story OF love,
And your birthday lives In nations heart,
All other days above.
And this is Washington's glory,
A steadfast soul and true,
Who stood for his country's honor
When his countrys days were few.
And now when Its days are many,
And its flag Of stars is flung
To the breeze In defiant challenge,
His name Is on every tongue.
Yes. It's splendid to live SO brayely,
To be SO great and strong,
That your memory Is ever a toscln
To rally the foes of the wrong;
TO live so proudly and purely,
That your people pause In their way,
And year by year, with banner and drum,
Keep the thought Of your natal day.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-02-25
DIVERSIONS OF PRISONERS.
Expedients For Passing Time During
Their Confinement.

Their Confinement.
prisoners have all sorts of ways of
communicating with each other" said
an old-time police officer. "and it is
almost impossible to keep track OF
them at times, when the department
wants to be particularly careful about
shutting out communication between
one prisoner and another.
I'm the first place. the prisoner has
nothing to do but think before he is
sent to the farm or to some other
place where he Is rut to work. Some
of them employ their time in decorat-
ing their cells with pictures, plaster
Ing them with newspapers and things
of that sort. One man will write bit
of verse, or the story Of his life or
treatise of some aspect Of the science
of criminology. have known many
prisoners to make companions of
bugs. of real bugs, cockroaches,
spiders and things of that sort. L
know one man who had been condemn.
ed to solitary confinement who had &C.
tually trained couple of spiders and
a gang of reaches so that they could
come to him at regular intervals for
food. He would rap on the side of his
cell and they would scamper out of
their hiding places and rush tc the
point where he tapped on the floor or
on the wall with his hand. They were
educated, and when he would talk to
them and fondle them they seemed tn
understand at least that it was
friendly and affectionate sort of thing.
1.-The world might shrink from the
touch Of the criminals hands. MeE
might not want to touch palms VIII,
him. But with the Ect spiders and thu
pet reaches it wa; different. Appar-
emily they loved him, and he was more
to them than all the vast body of men
on the outside of the prison.
But I was thinking about another
story. Some few years ago there was
O man in the Missouri penitentiary
who had been sentenced to solitary
confinement think he had a sen.
tence If fifteen years. He had been
shut off from all communication with
his fellow prisoners. :, About fifteen
cells firm him was friend. The
first prisoner had pet white mouse,
a little animal of remarkable intali-
gence, and he proved to be a source
Of great comfort and convenience to
the prisoner. In some way he trained
the mouse SO that he understood him.
He was finally able to get the little
animal to carry messages from his
cell to the cell of his trend. Occa-
sionally the mouse could lie seen scam.
pering wn the hall with piece Of
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-02-25
wAsAlNaron's SPIRITUAL SIDE
Was Baptized, but There Is No Evidence
Nat He Eycr Took Communion.

WoS Baptized, Dut mere Is NO cSiuencc
that He Ever Took Communion.
Gen. A. w. Greedy, U. S. A., contrib.
stcs n most interesting chapter oil 1.-THE
Personal Side of Washington" (his sec
md and concluding one on the subject)
n the Ladies' Home Journal In con-
,idering Washington's religious life Tor
belief the biographer makes the preface:
This effort to depict Washington as
very devout from his childhood, as n
strict Sabbatarian, and as in intimate
spiritual communication with the church,
Is practically contradicted by his own
letters" Continuing, Gen.
Greedy says: what Washington really
believed as to the fundamental truths Of
Christianity, or as to non-essentials on
which SO many secterian issues have been
raised. cannot be definitely stated. He
Inherited the Episcopal form of faith b.
baptism, and throughout his life took
an active part as vestryman of that
church. But even if he was ever con-
trmed in its faith there is no reliable
evidence that lie ever took communion
with 1t or with any other church. In
short, it seems that the very honesty and
integrity of the man caused him to re.
frain from the more spiritual forms of
activity in the church. Possibly his
mind as have the minds of many men
of high moral character, followed the
irrational bent of inseparably associatiny
principles and professions, and so looked
askant at creeds and dogmas, where the
lives of their foremost advocates gave
the lie to the profession of the lips. 1t
is notable, however, that as time went
OH, the occasional Indifference of his
youthful days gave place to respectful
even if not devout, attitude with ref,r-
ence to religious matters. In feeling
of spiritual Indifference to the church it
is not surprising that, neslecting spiritual
reasons, he wrote, as Virginia colonel:
The want of chaplain does reflect dis
honor upon the regiment, us all other OIL
GERS are allowed And when he was
urged to have public prayers in camp
SO as to excite the curiosity and foster
the conversion of the Indians, he ignored
the recommendation. AS to the Sabbath
he conformed to the local Virginia hab-
its. After service the day was largely
given to riding, visiting, dining, and to
those Innocent amusements and gather
ings that many then believed to be es-
sential safeguards of a community. The
dominating trait OF Washington's :ifc
was spirit of equity, which is the near
est approach to perfect Justice"
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-02-25

to the presidency gave new zest to the
annual" SO that in time it became gem
eral, and finally grew into legal holi.
day." the people demanding it from
custom.
The first public celebration of Wash.
ington's birthday occurred on Feb. IL,
1854. and the anticipated occasion was
thus alluded to by the Pennsylvania
Packet of Feb. II, same year:
"Wednesday last being the birthday of
his excellency, Gen. Washington, the
same was celebrated here by all the true
friends of American independence and
constitutional liberty, with that hilarity
and manual decorum attendant on the
sons of freedom. In the evening nm en-
tertainment was given on board the East
India ship in this harbor, to very bril-
liant and respectable company, and a
discharge of thirteen cannon was fired
upon the joyful OCCASION"
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-02-25

Misawaka
big $OO000 in
about miles
fall The
said something like
The
big
$
already power
fall When
will
the width of the river that point considerably
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-02-25

Applicant for situation (concludin.
list of his qua!iiications)-And | am A
university graduate.
Enployer-um: and how long is il
since you graduated?
Applicant--hbout six years, sir.
Employer-Oh. well, then, that's moi
n very serious drawback. You've prob
ably forgotten all you learned there by
this time. III give you chance
Toronto Moon.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-02-25

nation. oyerpoweringly massive is
Harleech, whose appearance of solid
ity and impregnability is typical of
the strength of the chieftains of Wales
before Llewellyn was compelled to
surrender to the superior force and
resources of Edward 1. of England. The
square shoulders and round towers of
the castle did not come into being I'M
til after that important event. Indeed,
the structure owes It's existence TO the
genius of the great monarch whose
name the present ruler of Great Brit
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-02-25
HOUSE IN WHICH ADMIRAL
NELSON WAS BORN.

The humble residence at Burnham
Thorpe in which was born Horatio Nell
sen. destined TO live in history as the
hero of Trafalgar" is the pride of
Norfolk. England. 1t Is remarkable
fact that when Il man prominent in
British politics was recently asked who
in his opinion was the greatest popular
idol of his country, he replied, Lord
Nelson When asked who came next
in the popular fancy. he again replied,