davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1903-03-12
LOST MONDAY"

A Popular Fete Day In Belgium
Whose Origin Is Mystery.
The first Monday after Epiphany is a
fete day throughout Belgium. "Lost
Monday" it is called; exactly why no
ene seems able to explain. The origin
of the fete is lost in the legends Of the
middle ages, but the modern accepta-
ton Of the day is certainly lost to no
one here. Like Mardi Gras, Lost Mon
day Is a day of general merrymaking.
Every cafe and restaurant in Brussels
keeps "open house." and free drinks
are on hand for all patrons of the es-
tablishment, and as a matter of fact
for many others as well who are not
regular patrons.
On Black Monday, then, as it is iron
ically called by some of the natives
not overenchanted with the day, the
streets of Brussels are given over to
the people, and the adventurous for
eigner, who, ignorant of the country s
customs, ventures out, is apt to find
that the Belgian populace is no respect
cr of persons. On this day the shopkeep-
ers, signing behind their counters, find
themselves compelled to hand over to
their customers servants forced con-
tribution, amounting to a certain per-
centage~ of the years purchases, while
the bakers, too, have contribution to
offer in the shape of cakes specially
1-.ade for the occasion and offered as
gifts to their clientele.
In this manner the unique fete is per-
petuated, though the calendar does not
note in any particular manner the first
Monday after Epiphany.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1903-03-12
HOW THE CHINESE GET RAIN
Peculiar Practices In Vogue In the
Celestial Kingdom.

Peculiar Practices In Vogue In the
Celestial Kingdom.
It is one of the peculiarities of the
Chinese that, while they have develop
ed elaborate PHILOSOPHERS, none of them
has led to any confidence in the uni
formity of nature. Neither the people
nor their rulers have any fixed opinion
as to the causes of rainfall. The plan
In some provinces when the need Of
rain is felt is to borrow a god from q
heighboring district and petition him
for the desired rain. If his answer is
satisfactory, he is returned to his home
with every mark of honor; otherwise
he may be put out in the sun as hint
to wake up and do his duty. A bunch
of willow is usually thrust into his
hand, as willow is sensitive to mois-
ture.
Another plan In extensive use is the
building of special temples in which
are wells containing several iron tab
let's. When there is a scarcity of rain,
messenger starts out with a tablet
marked with the date of the journey
and the name of the district making
the petition. Arriving at another city,
he pays a sum of money and Is allow
ed to draw new tablet from the well,
throwing in his own by way of ex-
change. On the return journey he is
supposed to eat only bran and travel
at top speed day and night. Some
times he passes through districts as
greatly in need of rain as his own.
Then the people in these places way
lay him and, temporarily borrowing his
tablet, get the rain intended for anoth-
er place.
Prayers are usually made in the fifth
and sixth months when the rainfall IS
always due, and a limit of ten days
is set for their effective operation. In
der such conditions rain usually falls
during the prescribed time. When the
prayers are in progress, the umbrella,
among other objects, comes under the
ban. In some provinces foreigners
have been mobbed for carrying this
harmless article at that time.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1903-03-12
Appropriating a Crest.

There is restaurant keeper with 8
new and capacious place on the upper
west side about whom story is going
the rounds This mine host makes
no secret of the fact that when he ar
rived in America as a youth he had
more fingers and toes than dollars and
that it is due to his own industry that
he now can command his little army
of cooks, walters and other help. Wher
he opened an addition to his rooms re
Gently, his friends were surprised to
see crest emblazoned conspicuously
on various parts of the wall. The glass
ware also bears the crest.
Il say, Pat,' said friend recently
where did you get that crest?'
'sThat belonged to a king of my name
in Ireland was the reply.
.'And suppose you were one of the
royal family?
swell, don't know was the conf
dental reply. y looked it up in the
Astor library. There were several hun
dred years to account for, but thought
I'd take a chance. j" New York Times.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1903-03-12
where the other Hair was

A young minister in the course of an
eloquent sermon on the pomps and
vanities of the world staggered his con-
gregation by exclaiming:
"Here am l standing here preaching
to you with only half shirt on my
back, while you sit there covered with
gewgaws and other baubles.''
The next day a parcel containing sew
eral brand new shirts was left at his
house by one of his hearers, a kind
hearted old lady. Meeting the donor a
few days afterward, he thanked her ex-
ceedingly, but expressed much surprise
at receiving such an unexpected gift.
"Oh,'' said the lady, you mentioned
in your sermon on Sunday that you
had only half a shirt on your back"
"Quite true" added his reverence,
"but you seem to forget the other half
was in front" London Tit-Bits.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1903-03-12

Ending More Material.

"How large is your Mammoth caveT"
asked the foreign tourist.
Nobody knows exactly" said the ma
tive. "It's so large, though, and people
get lost in it so easily, that when a
man is about to explore it he makes his
will and wishes his weeping friends
goodby."
Most astonishingl never heard that
beforer
"Oh. well, of course, it isn't quite so
bad as that. l was only joking"
ENTRY in foreign tourists notebook:
another curious custom among Amer
leans is that when they tell an amaz-
ing lie they call it a joke. Chicago
Tribune.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1903-03-12
A BANQUET IN JAPAN.
Talking and Amusements Are More
Important Than the Eating.

Important Than the Eating.
Dining is not in Japan a serious busi-
ness. The japanese do not meet to eat,
but eat because they have met, and
conversation and amusements form the
principal part of banquet Conversa-
ton need not be held only with your
neighbo,s, for if q man wishes to speak
to friend in another part of the room
he quietly slips the paper panel behind
him, passes into the veranda, enters
the room again and sits down on the
floor before his friend Exchanging
cups is the chief ceremony at a Japa-
nese dinner. Sake, spirit made from
rice resembling dry sherry, is drunk
hot out Of tiny lacquer and gold cups
throughout dinner, and the musmes,
who sit on their heels in the open space
of the floor, patiently watch for ever,
opportunity TO fill your cup with sake
When a Gentleman would exchanet
cups, whic is equivalent to drinkin;
your health, he sits down in front OF
you and bees the honor. You empt~
your cup into bowl of water, have it
filled with sake, drink, wash it again
and hand it to your friend. He raises 1t
to his forehead, bows, has it filed and
drinks. AS this ceremony has to be
gone through great many times
drinking is often mere pretense. Eat
ing is, however, but small part of the
entertainment. We must be amused,
and to amuse is the business of the
geishas, the licensed singing and dane
ing girls who are attached to every tea
house.
But the singers at q Japanese dinner
only take the part of the chorus in a
Greek play, and they sing the story
which dancing girls represent or sug-
gest by a series of gestures or pos
lures. The dancers are splendidly
dressed, and their movements are SO
interesting, so unlike anything seen in
Europe. that we watch them with a
curious sense of pleasure.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1903-03-12
How to Make a walking Skirt.

Perhaps you have an old skirt of soft
material-serge, cheviot or the like
which you want to restiffen around the
bottom and make serve as a walking
skirt, says the Kansas City Journal
Buy the required amount of heavy
cloth, or, moro economical and just as
good, take a pair of discarded panta-
looms, cut carefully by the seams and
free from POCKETS, laps and hens. Then
cleanse the four pieces and face the
skirt, laying it on the right side, seam
ing and turning it on the wrong. Stitch
near the bottom and add more rows OF
stitching as taste dictates.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1903-03-12
How to Boil Bananas.

To boil bananas, peel and cut in
halves seven green bananas and put in
pan with breakfast cup of milk or
milk and water. Let the bananas sim
mer in this mixture for twenty-five
minutes. Take them up when tender
and pour q cupful of cream sauce over
them. a.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1903-03-12
HOW tn Remove cornn.

A glycerin poultice will soften and
loosen the corn so much that it will
easily come out. To apply saturate q
piece of lint with glycerin, lay this on
the corn, tie piece Of oiled silk over,
bandage to keep in place and, if you
apply at night, keep on till morning.
If you are troubled with corns, get
your shoemaker to stretch new shoes
for you before wearing.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1903-03-12

committee, barring, of course, the most
industrious and astute chairman, has
read even part of what on that side Is
deemed material" He has been told by
the gentleman from Pennsylvania, I pre-
sumo, what his conclusion upon the ina
terial" part is.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1903-03-12
Especial Wash.ngton Letter.l

~ EMEMBER the Sabbath day
~ to keep it holy" is mandate
~ for which God fearing, home
- lnvinr Inv ahidfnn A r,,or.i
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1903-03-12
Hoods CarsdpdrilLQ

No other medicine acts like it;
no other medicine has done so
much real, substantial good, no
other medicine has restored health
and strength at SO little cost.
II was troubled with scrofula and came
near losing my eyesight. For four months /
could not see to do anything. After taking
two bottles of Hoods Sarsaparilla could see
to walk and when had taken eight bottles
could see as well as ever" SUSIE A. HAIRS
TON Withers, N. G.
Hoods SarsapariIIa promises to
cure and keeps the promise.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1903-03-12

An interesting discussion has been
started on the question, "Shall wives
forgive deserting husbands?" Here is
the correct answer: "Let each deserted
wife find out for certain whether her
husband would forgive her and take
her back in case she deserted him for
awhile Then, if she is dead sure he
would, and if she still is fond enough Of
him to try him again, let her forgive
him."
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1903-03-12
Peculiar
To Itself

In what it is and what it does con-
tanning the best blood-purifying,
Alternative and tonic substances and
effecting the most radical and per-
manent cures of all humors and all
eruptions, relieving weak, tired,
languid feelings, and building up
the whole SYSTEMS true only of
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1903-03-12
~ ~ ~ ~
gCban,p :; = =; !; :: =: :: ::
Clark's Letter ) )
. ~ ~ ~
= ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

call the days and practices Of the Goths,
the Vandals and the Huns far more than
they suggest the regime of modern civ
ilization
We take no special interest in Mr.. But
Ter personally. In our philosophy his case
constitutes merely an abstract proposition
In morals; but the fact that he has been
deprived of his rights without the small
est reference to law and honorable OBJ
servance is a fact with which men with
out regard to party feeling or alignment
may well concern themselves The house
has been made to declare that he was
defeated at the polls. not as the result of
proof or of judicial and dispassiona<e in
quiry, but by force of partisan rulings by
the chair and in the absence of the quo
rum required for the legitimate disposal
of such questions. That the Democratic
minority resent this action with bitter
ness Is quite ineligible. That they should
let their resentment take the shape of in
discriminate obstruction is at least hu-
man. A fragrant wrong has been COM
mitted, and the Republicans cannot rea-
sonably object to a harvest of their own
sowing and cultivation.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1903-03-12

If you see a young lady sitting par
ticularly erect, correct and graceful, do
not infer from it that she is necessarily
a physically trained new girP' who
carries herself perfectly. The young
lady may be only trying to live up to q
new corset.
ELIZA ARCHARD CONNER.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1903-03-12

Whenever you see the name of Unit
ed States Senator Teller of Colorado,
recall that he was nominated for his
high Office this time by a woman mem
Der of the legislature in a state where
women vote for every officer presiden-
tial electors included, and that the
woman who did it is Hon. Alice M.
Ruble.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-18
Travelling Sand Hills of Peru.
from Harper's Magazine


After passing another town of three or
four mud huts we enter the famous desert
OF Islay. on which are what | consider the
most remarkable natural curiosities to be
seen on this globe, for are now among
hundreds-nay, thousands-of pure white
sand crescents, on a plateau of 400 feet
above the level of the sea and fifty-four
miles from the coast, where all else Is of a
dark red or chocolate color. Whence comes
this sand. and why always in a crescent
met at AreQuipa. in charge of the Harvard
University observatory told me that scien-
tiic men do not agree to the reason why
the sand always forms the same crescent
shape. although II is generally believed
that the whirling eddies hereabOuts are
Responsible some, however. argue that
such is not the case, since each one of these
crescents has an opening toward the north
east. At any rate. the inner circle is an al
most perpendicular wall. of the finest pure
white sand. and from the upper edges the
crescent slopes gradually away on the out
side. They average twenty feet in height
the inner circle having diameter of some
fifty feet. although have seen one at least
q mile and half in diameter. which was.
however. not much higher than the aver
age. These crescents move. II is estimated
four hours: and when, on the slow Journey
one comes near the railroad II becomes
necessary to shovel the Sand across the
tracks. after which II travels on forming
new crescents or mingling with some of the
others
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-18
WANTS CONVENTION HERE.
Effort to Bring National Republican
League to WASHINGTON

Mr. Gus A. Schuldt of the National Re
publican League of the United States Is
busily engaged booming this city as the
place for holding the 1903 convention of
the league next October
The National Republican League COM
prises representatives from every republi
can club in the United States. and it Is
said it's conventions have a marked effect
upon the political situation throughout the
United States.
1t is explained that owing to the fact
that the time Is near presidential election
the work of the convention will have much
influence over that event, as a strenuous
effort is being made by the league to Sc
cure the first voters. and much important
work in that direction will be transacted
There Is much favorar.e sentiment in
favor of the national capital as the conyen-
ton place among the members of the exec
utive committee of the national league
which selects the convention place, and
Washington. 1t Is believed, stands a very
good chance of securing the honor.
Mr.. Schuldt reports that he is interesting
all the prominent republicans of the Dis
trict in the project and is meeting with
much encoura cement.
Should Washington be favored with the
convention 1t will be the first political con-
vention held here in many years. and be-
ing in the center of political excitement It
would likely be quite a spirited one.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-18

of 100000 Then. IL 1t be explained that
a Gran. containing. say. from 1000 to 200
herrings. costing the curer. at the high
prices prevailing this season. from Id. to
I'D. per herring is retailed in the best res
taurants in Ber3ins st. Petersburg and else
where at Is. or Is. Cd. and the total catch
of the season He SOME 1900 Grams, the full
value of this ydch harvest of our northern
seas will be seen to- work out to startling
proportions. But formidable rival. 1t Is
said. has been found on the northwest Of
Ireland. but whether the new rival will GUST
the Castle bay matte from foreign favor re-
mains to be seen.
The method of shooting and hauling the
nets Is not without interest. The crew of
seven men work in pairs. with the seventh
steering. The nets are shot toward evening,
and stretch for almost mile behind the
vessel. The "lie-to" Is generally devoted
to few hours sleep. and at an early hour
the crew are again found at their respect
i've posts. Then the first strain of the haul
ing-in rope begins. This hour brings the
psychological moment. for 1t Is fraught
with the issues of the laborious venture.
That It Is an important hour In connection
with the Castle bay matte will be seen
when 1t Is stated that a single shot this
season netted for the crew the handsome
sum Of 600. Still. the calling is beset by
hazards. any or all Of which may make
their appearance In a single night. There
may be sudden mists, or provoking spells Of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-18

of the worst. there has been a favorable
turn and the season which has just closed
takes rank among the best. The Barra
mates claim to the premier place against
all corners among British herring has hith-
erto been ungrudgingly conceded, and rests
both upon its size and flavor.
The theory among experts is that the
sandy banks lying from twenty to fifty
miles west and east of Barra. and forming
the favorite feeding haunts of the herring
shoals. provide the fish with food imparting
this delicate flavor. Among such banks. es-
pecially those lying west-northwest of Cas-
tie bay. the shoals seem to find more con-
genial quarters than elsewhere. There the
herring attain more rapidly to maturity
and greater weight.
When in prime condition the matte Is
oily and readily absorbs the pickle in
which 1t Is cured. tingling 1t with a rich
amber color. peculiar to the matte pickle.
and due. 1t Is said. to its fatty and full
fieshed condition. Some idea of the i'm
pOrtances Of the industry and the heavy
cost iny6lved in its prosecution. may be OBJ
tanned by the following figures, which are
approximately correct: At the height Of the
season lust closed the full strength Of the
fishing feet numbered about 400 boats.
This. averaging the boats at 5000 apiece.
with drift of nets involving an additional
cost OF cleo. brings the total aggregate
value Of the Castle bay fieet fully equipped
to formidable figure. falling not Tar short
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-18

not permitting politicians or any outside
influence to determine the powers of
commanding officer over his own soldiers
and over officers touching their discipline
and morale. We have had Woman's Chris
ttan Temperance Unions deciding for the
army that 1t must not maintain ''canteens"
to keep the enlisted men out Of the clutches
Of the keepers of dives and brothels. 1t
would have been the last straw to have po-
litical heelers determining that a command
ing officer must write his court-martiaI
orders so as not to reflect upon those dives
and brothels so well served by the first
named interference. Fortunately, however.
the War Department and the President
have decided that Gen. Grants action is
not subject to review. and that, so far as
the War Department Is concerned. the mat
ter Is ended So Gen. Grants order stands
political influence to the contrary notwith-
standing.
This is only one more notice from tho
present administration to the political
bosses and jobbers who have constituted
themselves a privileged ruling class over
all members Of all branches Of the govern
ment service that they must keep their
hands of the governments business
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-18
DEATH BY SUICIDE.
Miss Maud Crofton Hangs Herself
While Suffering From Nervousness

Word has been received here OF the SUI
eide yesterday afternoon in sanftarfum
at St Denis, Md. of Miss Maud Crofton.
resident of this city. who was there under
going treatment. Miss Crofton was found
hanging from a transom with a strap
around her neck She was seen alive about
fifteen minutes before her body was found.
but did not at that time say anything to
indicate suicide. She had been under treat
ment at the institution for the last six
months for nervous trouble. prior to which
time she made her home with Mrs. Tybout
al 1902 street northwest
Miss Crofton was a daughter of the late
Col. Robert Erskine Anderson CrOfton, who.
prior to his death in 1898 resided at 21O2 o
street northwest. She has sister the wife
of an army officer. who Is with her husband
at Manila Friends in tbs city will have
the body brought here, where the funeral
will be held.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-18
GRANTS ORDER STANDS.
Overthrow of an Effort at Political Die
tation Of the Army.

From the New York Press
1t would have been a sorry day for the
army of the United States and for the eff
cheney and dignity of all federal authority
II political influence had been permitted by
the War Department and President Roose-
Welt to punish Gen. Frederick D. Grant, as
1t attempted to do for his severe structures
on conditions in the town of Brackettville,
Tex. There is an army post. Fort Clark,
at Brackettville. and in a general court
martial order Gen. Grant, as the command
ing officer of the department of Texas re-
fected severely upon the dives near Fort
Clark. which have a demoralizing influence
on the troops there. OF course. there was
a political element in Brackettville which
took it upon itself ito "cau down. Gen.
Grant for his criticism of some Of its con-
stituents. and a demand was promptly made
upon the Secretary Of War and the Presi-
dent that Gen. Grant be called to account
for his opinion expressed and published in
his general court-martial order.
One need not have q large admiration for
the military attachments Of Gen. Grant to
appreciate the importance to the service OF
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-18
Our Sweet Tooth.
From the Boston Transcript.

From the Boston Transcript.
That Uncle Sam has a sweet tooth Is
demonstrated by the record of sugar i'm
portations for the year. which have in
creased to the largest total ever known In
addition to the sugar raised in this country.
more than $500. 100000 pounds have been
imported. which. with the domestic pro-
duction. would give each man. woman and
child in the United States about seventy
two pounds each per annum. AS many per-
sons do not eat anything Hike this amount,
and much sugar Is introduced into the hu-
man body in other forms than the refined
product. there must be many people who
consume more than their own weight OF
sugar In q year. The quantity eaten In the
form of confectionery il enormous. and. Il
sugar would do 1t. America should be q
Land Of sweetness II not Of Hight.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-18

calm. or fierce tides running inshore and
apt to entangle the nets. or shoals OF dog
fsh-that scourge of the Minch and plague
of the fsherman's Nfe-Or once in a while
the great sunfish may wrap his bulky frame
in the delicate nets and rend In a few mo-
ments what 1t may take the combined skill
of the crew hours to set right: or the whole
drift of nets. full Of valuable fish, may be
lost by setting too close inshore