davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-04-05
BIRD SHEEP HERDERS.

noise made by children on New Years day
with their trumpets. The yakamiks usually
deposit their eggs In a hollow In the ground,
often at the foot of tree.
nest generally contains ten eggs or n
pale green color. The young birds follow
their mothers as soon as they are Matched,
but do not lose their pretty down covering
until several weeks old The yakamlks are
very readily tanned, and prove valuable serY-
ants to the Indians, who domesticate them.
and as they are courageous and will protect
animals intrusted 10 their care at every
risk to themselves, even dogs are obliged
to yield to their authority.
They may be trusted with the care OF
flock Of sheep or domestic fowls. and every
morning will drive the ducks and poultry to
their feeding places, and, carefully collecting
any straggers, bring them safely home at
night. A yakamik soon learns to know and
obey the voice of his master, follows him,
when permitted, wherever he goes, and ap-
pears delighted at receiving his earesses.
1t pines at his absence, and welcomes his
return, and is extremely jealous or any
rival. Should any dog or cat approach II
flies at 1t with the utmost fury, and, attack
ing Il wings and beak, drives 1t away.
II presents itself regularly during menls,
from which It chases all domestic animals.
and even the negroes who wait on the table,
II 1t is not we'll acquainted with them, and
only asks for a share Of the eatables after
1t has driven away all who might aspire to
favorable notice from the family.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-04-05
Old Theaters.

You NAV wonder what there could be
Injurious to public morality In theater
made of stone. Consul p. Cornelius Sclpfo
Nascia knew, but history doesn't tell. The
first attempt to build a stone theater In
Rome was made short time before he was
elevated to his office It was sanctioned by
the censors and WIS nearing complexion
when Scipio persuaded the Senate to COM
mand II to be pulled down. advancing as
his reason solicftude for public morality.
The Romans did not possess regular
store theater until a very late period, and
although dramatic representations We're
very popular in early times, 1t appears that
a wooden staRe was created when neces-
sary and was .aftcrward pulled down again,
and the plays of Pinutus and Terence were
performed on such temporary seanoialngs.
In the meanwhile many Of the neighboring
towns of Rome had their stone theatcrs, as
the INTRODUCTION Of Greek. customs and man
ners Yves less strongly opposed In them than
In the city fRpme Itself. Wooden theaters,
adorned with the most profuse nrngniheence,
We're erected at Rome even during the last
period OF the Republic
A maanificent wooden ,theater planned by
NJ. Aemalins Scaurus was built In his
aedileshtp, BS b. c. Its scena consisted or
three <stories, and the lower OF them was
made of white marble, the middle one OF
glass-and the upper one of gilt WOOD. Inc
cayea, contained so, 600 spectators In 90 b.
c, en- Pompey built the first stone theater
ut Rome near the Campus Marttus. 1t was
OF great benuty and Is said to have been
built after the model of that OF Mytilene
It contained 10000 spectators.
c. Curio built In 80 B. C. two magnificent
wooden theaters chose byrone another, which
might be changed into one amphithcater
After ths-time OF Pompey. however, other
stone theaters were.erected. as the Theater
of Marcellus, which was built by Angus
tus and called safter his nephew Marcellus,
and that of 'Balbus, whence Suetonius used
the-cxpression 'Per'trina theatre"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-04-05
A Long-Eived Wood

In the forest near Acme. Washington, an
employe of the Bureau Of Forestry, Wash
ington, D. c., recently came upon a curious
example of the powers possessed by some
woods ror-resisting.decay Western hem
lock was found growing astride fallen
giant cedar, with. its roots in the ground on
both sides of,theiprostrate tree.
The hemiocki was, cut down and was found
TO be $50 years old. Onehundred and thirty
years before a hemlock seed had lodged on
the moist bark Of the fallen giant cedar,
terminated, and pushed its roots around the
trunk and into the ground. The age OF the
hemlock, disclosed by the number of its an
nual rings, was therefore at least partial
record of the time the cedar had lain on the
damp ground, exposed to the decaying In
fuenee Of fungi and bacteria.
And yet the giant cedar was without sign
Of decay. SO sound was it that lumbermen
afterward took it up and made 1t into shin
giles.
II is even known that wood If kept dry,
will, unless attacked by insects, remain
sound for a very long time, sometimes for
several centuries, and that wood kept Inn
mersed in water, where oxygen cannot reach
fl. probably never will rot. Recently some
cypress stumps were dug out of the water
and mud In the delta of the Mississippi
where, according to biologists, they must
have Lain for 10000 years. The wood was
perfectly sound.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-04-05
CHESS 500 YEARS OLD.

that chess would have been known In the
once mysterious land of Mizraim something
like 800 years ago
II was north Of the pyramid of King Teta,
or Teti, that two grave chambers have been
discovered which were erected for two high
officials Of that ruler. Their names were
Rabln and Meruka, called Mera. The grave
chamber (''mastaba'D Of the former con-
sisted of FIVE rooms, built up with limestone.
Its walls are covered with exceedingly well
preserved bias reliefs and pictures represent
ing various scenes. The other grave cham
Der, that of Mera, Is the most valuable. Tn
til now no less than q halls and corridors
have been uncovered.
There are beautiful grave columns. In the
chief room there is in a niche tinted statue
of the departed about seven feet high, with
sacrihclal table of alabaster before 1t.
Among the many wall paintings In this ana
other rooms-hunting and fishing scenes,
group Of female mourners, the three sea-
sons-Mera and his sons holding each other
by the hand and Mera playing chess are to
be seen. So grand Is the impression this
grave chamber makes upon the beholder that
the Arabs engaged in the work would not
call 1t 'mastaba," but "kilissa" (temple)
or church. Various valuable sarcophagi have
also been discovered.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-04-05
Sources Of Color.

An Interesting enumeration has been p1b-
ilshed In a technical journal Of the sources
of color. From this 1t appears that the
cochlneal insects furnish the gorgeous car
mine, crimson, scarlet-carmine, and purple
lakes; the cuttlefish gives sepia, that Is the
inky fluid which the FISH discharges In order
to render the water Opaque when attacked;
the Indian yellow comes from the camel;
ivory chips produce the ivory black and
bone black the exquisite Prusslan blue
comes from fusing horse hoofs and other
refuse animal matter with impure potas-
Stun carbonate: various lakes are derived
from roots, barks, and gums; blue-black
comes from the charcoal Of the vine stock;
Turkey red Is made from the madden plant,
which grows in Hindoostan; the yellow sap
OF a Siamese tree produces gamboge; raw
sienna In the natural earth from the neigh
borhood Of Siena. Italy; raw lumber Is an
earth found near Umbria; India Ink is made
from burned camphor; mastic Is made from
the gum Of the mastic tree, which grows in
the GTecinn Archipelago; bistre is the SCOT
of wood ashes; very little real ultramarine,
obtained from the precious lapis lazuli, Is
found In the market.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-04-05

The natives OF Venezuela and adjoining
countries on the north side Of the River
Amazon often avail themselves of the sery-
ices Of a native crane to care for their poul-
try, and also In the place Of collies or shep-
herd dogs used by North Americans and
Europeans to guard and herd their domestic
animals. This remarkable bird, which the
Indians call yakamik and the ornithologlsts
Psophia crepitans, is found in a wild state
In the great forests that lie between the
northern coasts of South America and the
Amazon River. particularly in Venezuela
and British Guiana. The birds never leave
the forests unless shot or captured.
They travel about In flocks of from one
hundred to two hundred, in search of the
berries fruits and insects upon which they
subslst. Their usual gait Is a slow and
stately march, but they enliven themselves
from time to time by leaping up Into the
air, executing eccentric and fancy waltzes,
and striking fhe most absurd and preposter-
GUS attitudes. II pursued, they endeayor to
save themselves by running, for their flight
Is so weak, according to Sehomburgk, that
when they attempt to fly over body OF
water Of any considerable width they are
often obliged to drop upon 1t and save them
selves By swimming.
When alarmed they utter the peculiar cry
which has obtnined for them their name OF
trumpeters. The sound Is something like
that produced by person endeavoring to
shout the syilabtes tow, tow, tow, tow.
tow" with his mouth shut. OF the doleful
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-04-05
Bees As Messengers.

In France the suggestion has been made
that bees might be used as messengers In
war-not as substitutes for the carrier pi-
geon, but only when pigeons are not to be
had or cannot be used. The diminutive size
Of the bee Is It's chief Recommendation. At
first sight the project seems unrealizable,
because the bees cannot be handled as read
lily as pigeons and because they are so az
fected by the velocity Of the wind and other
disturbing influences.
NJ Tagnac, well-known apiculturist, has
conducted experiments on this line with
such results that the subject, to say the least,
is worth considering. 1t was shown that
bees ind their way back to their hives from
distances Of about four miles, and that they
fly with velocity Of about Is miles an hour.
On the strength of these facts NJ. Tagnac be-
gan his experiments. He constructed port
able beehive and took it to a friend about
four miles distant. After few days, when
the bees had become familiar with their new
surroundings. some of them were removed to
peculiarly constructed receiver.
From this receiver III. Tagnac let few fly
out into a room, and soon the bees set
tied on plate OF honey. While the bees
were eating 1t he fastened his dispatches on
them. As was shown to the writer, the DIS
patch is magnlfied six times. They were
fastened with fine lines, and great care was
taken not to put any line on the bees head
or wings. When liberated In the open air
the bees Immediately few home. Arriving
at the home hive, they found they could not
enter IT, because the entrance had been
made so small that the paper on their back
prevented them NJ. Tagnac has also made
experiments with the Bombus hortorum and
Is well pleased with the results.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-04-05

Chess, now being played between ocean
steamers by means OF wireless telegraphy,
is the oldest of games, and 1t Is a striking
contrast that It offers itself for easy opera
tion to the latest triumph of modern science
1t was generally assumed until now that
the ancient Indians had invented chess, that
1t was introduced from India to Persia in
the sixth century by the Arabs, and that
In consequence OF the Crusades 1t spread
from east to west. It is true the Chinese
who invented many things In times long gone
by which had to be reinvented In Europe
assert that they can trace chess in their own
country to about 200 years before our era
Now there can certainly be no doubt In the
character of the figures at present used, and
In some of the words connected with the
game, such as ''schach" (shah) and matt"
or mate" an Indian, Persian and Arabic
influence Is traceable. Excavations on the
pyramid field OF Sakkara some time ago
brought to light wall painting. on which
high official is represented as playing chess
with a partner at the time of the govern
ment Of King Teta, who belonged to the
sixth dynasty.
Professor Lepslus formerly assigned the
reign Of that monarch to about the year
2700 B. c. Professor Brugsch correcting
this chronology, puts 1t back to still greater
antiquity, namely, to the year 1900 B. c., so
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-04-05
Where Veterans Multiply.

In Italy a remarkable discovery has been
made In regard to the veterans who took
part In the war for italian independence.
and who since that time have been drawing
a pension from the government.
Though Garibaldl had only 1000 soldiers
during his expedition of 1860, no less than
1900 veterans now claim to be the sur
vlvors of that expedition, and on the
strength of that claim they have for years
been obtaining the regular pension.
II Is conjectured that their aim In living
so long after the war, and In multiplying
SO well, is TO prove that they are of tougher
caliber than the veterans, who formerly
sang:
When we started from Tarentum
We were thirty gallant men,
But when we arrived at Cadlz,
Alas! we were only ten.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-04-05
Electric Billiards

The very latest innovation in the line Of
amnsements Is the playing Of electric BIZ
hards, which started in Paris and is ex-
pected TO take New York by storm in the
near future.
In the centre Of this new billiard table is
placed a plate of some easily electrified ma
terial. The billiard balls are of compressed
pitch. and the cue is short rod with a cork
tip. chemically prepared.
The balls are. OF course. subject TO the in
huence OF the electrified plate in the center
OF the table, and the object Of the game Is
to make carroms despite the repulsion be-
tween them. 1t Is said to he pre-eminently
game Of skill, and experts who have been
signing for fresh laurels will, undoubtedly
greet its arriva, with acclaim.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-04-05
Scorpion Hunter.

A scorpion hunt IN the Nile delta is thus
graphically described by a recent traveller,
r. Talbot Kelly: LAS we were sitting on
our doorsteps In the cool of the evening, we
saw queer looking dark spots moving up
the walls OF the houses. Presently n man
appeared with a lantern on his head and
rapier-like weapon In his hand and fell to
attacking the spots. Coming nearer, we saw
that the spots were scorpions. The man
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-04-05

tends partly across the cheek. The ma
terial used is the SCOT which comes from
burning birch bnrk. The face Is cut and
the black Is rubbed In. Afterward 1t is
washed In a solution OF ash bark liquor to
FIX the color.
The Ainu women are usually finely formed
straight and well developed-with small
hands and feet. Their eyes are a beautiful
soft brown, their hair black and most luxu-
RANT and their complexion olive, with often
a deep, rich color in the cheeks.
The native cloth--of which the garments
shown In the picture are made-is woven
from the fiber of the bark of the elm tree
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-04-05
Ambulance Lamppost.

In that city of innumerabie public con-
yepiences Paris, one of the novelties in
street contrivances is an ambulance In a
lamppost The French capital has recently
been supplied with several examples of what
is called ''phare de secours,'' or first aid
to the injured lighthouse. 1t consists Of an
ornamental bronze pillar. about fifteen feet
in height, with a round. overhanging top
resembling that of a lighthouse and con-
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-04-05

The Anus, the original inhabitants of
Japan, live In the Island of Yezzo. The race
has become so reduced that there are now
not more than sixteen or seventeen thousand
Of them left In the country.
The most noticeable popularity about Anu
women Is that they have tattooed upon
their upper and lower Inns what resembles
n mustache. The women are not considered
attractive, and their matrimonial prospects
nre quite injured without this decoration,
MS It is considered This mustache is begun
when the girl is quite a child. 1t Is done
gradually a little each year, until II ex-
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-04-05

No, 1t isn't vegetable matter, although the
closest scrutiny only dlsproves It, This Is
one Of the most wonderful of all insect imi-
tntors, the walking leaves" Of Java. bugs
that counterfeit green leaves so remarkably
that the eye Is deceived, even on the closest
view.
Equally extraordinary, the coloring matter
In these Insects has been proved by analysis
to be practically the same substance as the
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-04-05
HISTORIC CUBAN SUGAR MILL

This sketch shows part Of the ruins of the
De Majajua sugar mill, near Manzanillo,
formerly belonging to Carlos Manuel de Ces-
pedes. Here, in convention assembled, was
declared October 10, 1868, what was after
ward known as the Ten Year War The mill
was afte~ward burned by the Spaniards.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-04-05

Around this ruin of the fywheel of the cane
crushing rolls vine called jaquey-in Eng
fish. the Zanyu-began to grow, attaching
itself to the iron. In time 1t became n tree
as big and as bushy us the ceiba a noted
tree of Cuba, which, as 1t grows, kills all
other trees Ii touches.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-04-05

For n mother to give birth to four lively.
tainly very remarkable occurrence. Re
Gently, Mrs. J. II. Knowe, who is living In
Spokane county, Washington. became the
mother Of a "quartette of babies All were
girls and were strong, healthy Infants When
ushered into the world. Their respective
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-04-05
Adopted A Fence.

Here is a singular case of New Jersey
tree "nssimilating' wire fence and assum-
ing the grave responsibility Of living post.
1t stands In the corner of field which was
partitioned OF some years ago, the fencing
being attached to the tree by means of small
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-04-05

Most parrots skins for millinery purposes
come from China. White pigeons, sent from
Japan, are taking the place of the quill
feathers hitherto used.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-04-05

Although the Nicaraguan canal would be
In ali 40 miles long. yet only 2T miles would
have to be actually excavated. one hundred
and twenty-one miles traverse TWO rivers
and lake, and % miles would be through
artificial basins.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-04-05
but no children were born before the advent
of the 'quartette.

new pepper has been found growing Wild
In New Guinea. 1t is called kissine pepper,
and is of reddish brown color and spicy
flavor.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-04-05

New York holds the record among the
worlds great cities for mysterious disap-
pearances. Last year $50 people were abb
solutely missing
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-04-05
WALKING LEAVES.

chlorophyl, which gives the green hue to real
leaves.
In Java the natives believe that the bugs
are actually transformed leaves, having orig
mated as buds on the trees.
There is a so-called leaf butterfly" which
resembles any other butterfly when futter-
ing about, but when 1t alights upon branch
1t holds Its wings in such a manner that they
look exactly like a leaf, even showing the
ribs" thereof.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-04-05

weight was about that of the average babe.
The mother is a rather tall and slender
woman. but by no means of a delicate con
stitution.
During their extreme infancy the babies
were nourished on the bottle. Four prettier
children would be difficult to find anywhere.
The parents had been welded several years,
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-04-05

France has just over four million acres of
vineyards.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-04-05

neatly spltted them, one by one, each new
until the weapon was full to the hilt. Then
the man drew the rapler through his fingers,
wiping OH The dead scorpions into bag
which he subsequently emptied into the
canal"
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-09-16
THE pOsT0FFIeE FRAUDS.
A Sensation Promised in Wash
ington Soon.

Washington, Sept. 9.-One Of the
persons indicted yesterday by the
Federal grand jury, in connection with
the postal Investigation, is George W.
Beavers, formerly chief Of the division
of salary and allowances. It is under
stood that the charge is conspiracy.
Another of the indictments is
against August ". Machen on new
set offacts, inFolEing aim with Beav-
ers. The charge IS conspiraee5y
While the officials refuse TO disclose
the names of the four remaining
persons who were indicted yesterday,
it is said that none of them is or has
been connected with the postofice de-
partment, and that one is man Of
some prominence. It was stated at
the city hall today that the climax of
the investigation is to come shortly
when a person not connected with the
department, but a man as well known
as the Postmaster General himself,
will undoubtedly be indicted for COM
plicity in the postofice frauds. The
grand jury began hearing the evidence
in this particular case today, and it
is stated that when a report is made
it will in all probability conclude the
investigation in Washington.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-09-16
MADE MAD BY HOLINESS.
A Horrible Tragedy in Anderson
County.

Anderson, Sept S.-A horrible case
Of infanticide caused by religious Sana-
ticism occurred last night in Broad
way Township, about six miles from
the city. John Grafenreid, negro,
and his wife, had been attending a
g holiness meeting" !" and had become
greatly wrought up over the excite'
ment attending it. They left the meet
ing Monday night and spent greater
part of the night praying.
Just before daylight, Grafenreid
saws. his wife awoke him and asked
him which he loved best, his wife or
his baby, child about Is months Of
age. She said the Lord was going to
take one of them and asked which he
would rather give up. He says he said
that If it was the Lords will he would
rather give up the child. He says the
woman then GOT ont of bed and took
the child in her arms and declared she
was going to offer it as sacrifice. He
says he was standing by her trying to
get her quiet, when she suddenly ex-
claimed: Here, Lord, take this
child,'' and threw it against the wall.
His wife then threw her arms around
him and tried to choke him, saying
something about both Of them going to
Heaven together. They had scuf1e,
which awakened the other children,
who ran into the room and took the
child and placed it in a bed. The wo-
man then jumped out of window and
left the place and went to the farm of
W. @. Hammond, where she appeared
early in the morning, acting in a
strange manner, as if demented, and
Mr.. Hammond secured her for fear
she would do herself or others harm.
She said something about her husband
killing her baby, and this aroused Mr..
Rammond's suspicious, and he 'phoned
Sheriff Green for instructions. The
sheriff gave instructions to have her
husband arrested and this was done.