davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-09-22
THROWING THE DICE,
The Ancient Germans Were Furious
Gamblers at This Game,


Gamblers at This Game.
The invention Of dice has been of old
ascribed to Palamedes, the son of
Nauplius, king of Euboea, about 1914
B. c., and also to a Greek soldier nam
ed Alea, which is the Latin for a die,
but Herodotus assigns both dice and
chess to the Lydians.
The ancient Germans would gamble
away at dice all that they were worth
and then their liberty, submitting to
slavery if they lost, and the Saxons,
Danes and Normans were all addicted
to the game. Fox Talbot is of opin-
ion that the Latins invented, if not
the game, at least the name for the
single point which they called unus
The Germanic races, adopting this
practice from the Greeks, translated
the Greek corruption Of unus into ass,
which has now become ace. The root
of this word lies in the Latin as, the
monetary unit
John of Salisbury in the twelfth
century mentions ten different uses Of
the dice. Stow mentions two enter
tainments given by the city of London
at Which dice were in evidence.-Lon-
don Telegraph.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-09-22
BlELA,s COMET.
It's Sensational Career Before 1t VAN
ished From Our Sight.

All Europe was in pangs of terror
when in 1882 it was announced that
Biela's comet would cross the earth's
path. People died Of terror, ana SO Sc
rious did the scare become that a Pari-
sian professor begged the Academy Of
Science to publicly refute the assertion.
The comet came, blazed awhile in the
sky and vanished. Its period of revo-
luton round the sun being just under
seven years, it came again in 1889 and
was due once more early in 1916. But
in that year, instead of one comet, two
appeared! The original comet had di-
vided into two parts, each Of which
had separate existence, though their
paths were the same
In 1852 the two comets again came
flying into sight. Their path in 1859
was too close to the sun for telescope
scrutiny, but in 1866 it was expected
that they would be plainly visible But
the double comet never turned up. Nor
has it ever been seen since.
Comets are naturally somewhat un-
reliable. They are of very flimsy tex
ture. One great astronomer indeed has
said that you could pack the tail of the
average comet in a portmanteau. So if
they pass too near to Jupiter or any of
the big planets they are very apt to get
caught and SO to disappear completely.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-09-22
the BIRDS SONG.

1t Is Produced by Unique Voice
Organ In the Syrinx.
Birds have no vocal chords in the
larynx, but they possess unique voice
organ in the syrinx, which is provided
with what are really vocal chords Of a
very effective and complicated kind.
This syrinx lies in the lower part Of
the windpipe and the upper part of the
branching bronchi, but varies much in
its exact position and details of struc-
ture in different birds.
Briefly it consists Of a varying num-
Der of muscles, as many as from five
to seven being found in the best song
sters, attached to folds of membrane
and the bony half rings, which at this
part of the throat form sort of en-
larged Adams apple
Distinctness Of the several muscles
and the mode of their insertion indi-
cate birds musical capability. The
syrinx of the skylark and nightingale,
for instance, is a marvel of adjusted
muscle and membrane, while, on the
other hand, the ostrich and some vul-
lures have no voice organ, the pigeon
has but little to show, and the common
fowl has no muscles to modulate it's
CIV.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-09-22
Old Roman Hairpins.

That deadly implement, the hatpin of
modern times, is a descendant of an
equally formidable toilet article used
by Roman women. The Aspasias and
Julias and Claudias who decked them
selves couple of thousand years or
more ago, to the undoing of the par
ticular Balbus or Marcus they desired
to fascinate, wore bone hairpins of
prodigious length. Yet, like the wo-
men of this present time, they seem to
have experienced the same difficulty in
keeping them in place. This fact came
to light during excavations at Stitches
ter, near Reading, England, a hundred
or so of these bone hairpins being
found in the Roman bath, collected
maybe by the bath attendant, to prove
all these centuries later that there is
nothing new under the sun and that in
all ages the same little foibles have
been possessed by women.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-09-22
CONFIDENCE UNDER WATER.
How This First Essential In swim
ming May BE Acquired.

ming May he Acquired.
A person who is timid about the wa
ter can overcome the greatest part Of
the difficulty OF learning to swim by
the proper use Of a wash basin.
The obstacle that nervous persons
meet in the water is not the conscious
| fear Of drowning. but an involuntary
nervous shock that causes them to
gasp for air even before their faces are
under water. It is this gasping for
breath that browns people.
They cannot control the gasping. and
consequently they often snap for
breath when their mouths are under
water. AS the buoyancy Of human
body is easily disturbed. few pints or
quarts of water swallowed in these in
voluntary gasping acts serve to sink
person who otherwise would float long
| enough for help to arrive
Now, if a person afflicted with this
| involuntary fear Of getting under wa
ter will thrust the whole fa:n gently
into an ordinary basin full q. water
every day and stay there as long as
possible it will be only short time be-
fore the gasping sensation begins to
disappear.
Then the bathtub should be used, so
that the bather, lying full length, can
immerse the entire head. At first this
will bring back all the old frightening
sensations of suffocation, but the at
tacks will be Of short duration, and
within few days it will be found that
the total immersion can be maintained
for almost a full minute without dis
comfort Of any kind.
Once a person has learned how per-
fectly comfortable one can be under
water the first great step has been
taken toward learning to swim.
Many otherwise good swimmers have
never really acquired this calmness
under water. The result is that when
such swimmer is caught in an under
tow or a .swirling current his conf
dence leaves him as soon as he feels
himself dragged under the surface. In
! stead of diving Or remaining motion
less and so preserving his breath he
gasps involuntarily and naturally swal-
lows water, and the choking sensation
at once forces him to exhale what
breath he has left and gasp again.
Confidence under water should be
the first lesson in swimming. y
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-09-22
Talked Too Much.

Speaking one day of club sociabil-
ity, Hy Mayer, the cartoonist, told of a
club to which he was invited while in
Berlin. The club was composed of
elderly Germans, who met in a back
room to drink beer and smoke. At in
tervals one Of the clubmen would re-
move his pipe from his mouth, nod his
head sagely and remark, Yah" After
a little pause another of the smokers
would say, yah" That was the ex-
tent of their conversation. lone night
said Mr.. Mayer, lone of the members
brought his son to the club. After sew
eral of the older ones had spoken as
usual the youngster spoke He said,
Yah, yah They expelled him at
once" concluded Mr. Mayer, "for talk
ing too much.''
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-09-22
POINTED PARAGRAPHS.

There is type of man who doesn't
know he's fool. He is always fool.
This is finally said of every secret:
II don't see how in the world it ever
got OUT
You sometimes hear people say they
do not hear gossip. It's fib. We all
hear gossip.
If you discover something important
for yourself the doctors say they knew
it all the time.
1t is hard to get a good washer
woman, but then it is mighty hard to
wash for living.
If you do not label your good will in
your intercourse with some people
they accuse you of being disagreeable.
Give boy toy, and the first night
he takes it to bed with him, and the
second night he leaves it on the stairs
SO that some one falls over it.-Atchi-
son Globe.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-09-22
QUEER ENGLISH BELIEFS.
Superstitions That Still Abide With
the Country Folk.

There is well known weed with
dark blotches on it, not unlike blood
stains. I have been twice assured
with the utmost seriousness by an old
woman that where you find them
there a-growing there's been a battle
long ago"
The same dame once seemed rather
in a hurry when buying a setting Of
eggs from me about tea time, and
found the reason was that she believ-
ed you had no luck with eggs if you
did not set them before shutdown. This
is curious, for, though the modern
poultry keeper might make the nest
and place the eggs in it during the
daytime, he would probably defer put
ting the "broody" on them till dusk
that she might have the best chance
Of settling down quietly.
The other day in neighboring cot
tage I was admiring a fine baby and
ventured to suggest that if it's nails
were left SO long it might scratch it's
face. The mother said she would cut
them, but the grandmother burst in
with: you'll do nothing of the sort,
my dear, asking your pardon, sir. You
don't seem to know, sir, that to cut a
child's nails before it's twelve months
old makes it light fingered.' And l
am perfectly certain the nails will not
be cut. It will be Of interest to add
that the cottagers speak Of live near
enough to London to see it's lights in
the sky.-LonGOn Chronicle.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-09-22
CHEEK, PU5H AND CASH.
Three Essentials, Says Cynic, to
Success In Life.


Success In Life.
Fighting for cards to entertainments,
pushing up by hook and by crook, CIV
ing dinners and dances typewriter
descriptions of which are given to any
journalists who wish for them)- these
things are essentially opposed to that
repose which stamps the caste of We're
de Vere"
These influences are very wide
spread. 10 "get on is the great OBJ
ject Of every one, and to get on one
must drop as many refnements as pos
sible. They do not pay" This may
seem cynical, but it is unfortunately
true. Cheek, push and cash are the
three essentials to success and if the
last be lacking the two former are nee
essary for it's getting.
This is all false, unworthy. It is
only the veneer of a butterfly class.
The aristocracy is one with the upper
middle classes in its rejection Of these
influences. Refinement is not dead
among us, but it is overshadowed.
Sane and serious people are sickened
by the frothy life that goes on about
them. If it really brought enjoyment
to it's devotee it would be justified, but
that it does not is amply evidenced by
the discontinued, artificial faces IN
der the horribly pretty hats above the
vulgarly elaborate dresses. Better
things will come, better things exist
now beneath this false surface, but
the man who beats the drum can
drown the strains of the violin. Just
now the drum is very loud. Let us
lower our voices and wait.-London
Outlook
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-09-22
An Effective Whistle

A popular English author was Who'll
~ incapacitated from work by lady
who lived next door and strummed
through Handels messiah" His idea
of the inviolability of an Englishman's
house did not allow him to send in
any message. and he was at his Wits
end till he saw in a daily paper that
steam whistles could be bought to fit
on to kettle spouts. He provided him
self with one and put the kettle on
the fire in the room nearest the singer.
AS soon as the whistle began he went
out. Of course the bottom came off
the kettle, but it cost little to solder
it on again, and after two or three
solderings the lady took the hint.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-09-22
A Legal ANTIQUITY.

The feeling upon the subject of oaths
among the earlier colonists Of Mary
land is shown by the following extract
from a petition of assemblymen of the
province, addressed to the lord pro-
prietary in 1649 and "signed by all the
members present."
eve do further humbly request your
lordship that hereafter such things as
your lordship may desire of us may be
done with as little swearing as con-
veniently may be, experience teaching
US that great occasion is given to
much perjury when swearing becometh
common"
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-09-22
The Dragon Fly's Eggs.

Any one who has watched dragon
fly fitting about the surface of small,
reedy ponds or near the shores Of
large ones during the summer and ear
" fall months has noticed it's fire.
quent dipping of the extremity of it's
long body in the water as it skins
along. The dragon fly thus engaged is
always the female, and every time she
dips her body in the water she de-
posits an egg. The specific gravity of
the egg is such that it sinks to the
bottom among the weeds.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-09-22
Famous Physicians Diplomacy.

Famous Phys1ctan's Diplomacy.
Some Philadelphia physicians recent
~ were playfully discussing the diplo.
macy to be employed with young
mothers.
when l am called to a house where
is baby whose sex do not know"
said one, II am always embarrassed
as to how to speak of it. A mother al
ways feels better if you ask her, How
is the little girl? or How is the little
boy? as the case may be, as she usual
~ takes pride in the sex of the child.
whichever it isl
One Of the most famous physicians
in the world Remarked:
II never have any trouble in that re-
gard. make it rule to call all babies
whose sex is unknown to me francis
The mother doesn't know whether I
spell it with an Il or an .'"-Philadel-
phia Ledger.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-09-22
Her Purnnae

Mother thinks you'll make me
good wife, said the girls intended.
"1ndeed?' replied the girl with the
determined jaw. you tell your moth
er I'll make you good husband''-
Philadelphia Ledger.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-09-22
Another Fool Question Nailed

'That policeman at the second cross
ing is misplaced humorist'
what makes you think SOP
81 asked him today if he wore gloves
on Sunday. He said no; he wore 'em
on his hands."-Cleveland Plain Deal
err
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-09-22
Quick Turn.

did you ever make any money on
the board of trade?''
eyes, made $175 there one day in
less than twenty minutes
'Whew! What did you do with it?''
"Oh, they got it back before l had a
chance to see it, Chicago Record Her
aid.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-09-22
Good Luck For Turtles Mt Iens1

The Chinese have a peculiar custom
with regard to turtles, which they con-
slider as very good joss. Almost any
day one can see these creatures, some
Of them Of huge size, being carried on
board the river steamers, not to be
taken to Canton for culinary purposes,
but to be dumped into che sea and re-
stored to liberty and freedom. Good
luck is thought to follow.-Hongkong
Press.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-09-22
Useless.

mo, sir: I never borrow trouble.''
Neither do I, SO why should l sit
here listening to your argument about
the wickedness of docking horses? I
don't own a horse, and never expect
to."-Chicago Record-Herald.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-09-22
Conscious Virtue.

Senator Blower proudly)-No, sir;
no one has ever attempted to bribe
me- Senator Ketchem-Never mind
Some day, when it's close vote, you'll
get your Chicago Journal,
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-09-22
Getting Even.

Barber-Does that razor pull, sir?
Customer-Yes, but go ahead I've been
pretty hard pushed lately, and this'n
even up things little.-New Yorker.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-09-22
Entirely Useless.

Agent-Buy burglar alarm?
Mr.. Man-What the deuce do I want
with a burglar alarm when my wife
hears them every night without one?
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-09-22
Rather.

would you permit your daughter to
marry titled roue?" asked Mrs. Old
castle.
II don't know" replied the hostess.
DO the Rooeys belong to a very old
family ?"-Exchange.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-09-22

Money is never safe in safe to
which an unsafe person has the CON-
oination.--Providen News.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-09-22

Spend no strength in worry. You
need it all for duty.-Anon.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-11-23

said 90 be the moving agents in the
proposed combination. il is well, how
ever not 20 lose sight OF the fact that
So far as the price Of this particular
stOcK Is concerned IL has not been af-
fccted by any OF the rumors now
afoat
In the quotations today, although the
price of nearly every bank stock rose
,o much higher level than that az which
"a stood yesterday, the status OF the
Bank OF Washington remains un-
changed.
As might lee expected. the officials "
the second and Traders National Banks
deny more or less positively that their
institutions are involved, OF likely 10 be-
come involved. In any deal that would
eventually carry either or both out Il
existence.
or the other hand, IL IS stated i'm Well
informed quarters that certain prOmi-
neut holders Of Second National Bank
stock would not be aveTse 20 part with
% and retire from a more or less active
participation i'm the banking business u
they could get such q price Tor their
holdings as would satisfy their estimate
Of its values. The stock may again adj
vance four or i've points. bat even at the
DID Of l5tiz 10 stock came out As 20 the
traders, the bid OF 200 remained on rec
ora bot WAS insufficient CD cause any
tradlUE
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-11-23
BANK DEALS RESEMBLE
THE KALEIDOSCOPE
Swift Changes and Strange Reports
Features Of Situation From
Day to Day.

The bank situation changes with ta-
leidCscopic swifJness
The latest reports circulating In the
banking community are TO the effect
That neither the Central nor the Ameri-
can is he controlling factor IT, the pres
eut state of affairs. u Is stiu insisted
upon that a merger is contemplated Of
the Second and tho Traders. although
the fact that the latter institution has
announced its purpose Of increasing IT'S
capital stock 10 500. 900 would seem a.
give a peculiar aspect 20 such a neg0-
tiation.
The large institution which. IL is said,
viii ultimately absorb both the Traders
and the Second. is the Bank OF Wash
ingtOn. The certain important financial
interests which recently identified them
selves with this bank, through the pur-
chase Of large block of the stock are
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-11-23
What Should Be Done.

AS an example of what can De done.
and should be done. by the individual
citizen, ] shall mention something that
recently occurred ian this cftv of Wash
mgJ0n a thiAg that doubtless many Of
YOU know about, but which was UNI
known 10 me until recently. A few
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-11-23
Had Long HonOred Roosevelt.

Il had long honored in my heart your
President whose name Is pronounced
with respect in all countries, and IS in
France so deeply honOred and admired.
4 letter some time ago from America
telling me that President Roosevelt had
referred 20 The Simple Life i'm public
not go 10 the United States. because
then expressed -he regret that / could
not go 10 the United states. because j
could rot speak a word of English.
An old nshci man said. 'English-can
10 not be learnad2 In your place. Mr..
Wagner, / would learn IL ut once You
are right, said /. and started on home
20 tell the good news 10 my family and
TO begin learning English
~ cannot speak to you IN detail of all
my books as I have written a fuIl
dozen, but / must announce that shortly
VIII bee published I'm English a sketch
book on which Miss Mary Louise Hem
dee is at work. This book has been writ
ten by the poet that lives boz my heart
for / am poet, and shall die a poet
could say as the poet t5erOck says in
his beautiful song OF the twilight And
all my soul become a song. NV sketch
book is entitled The Soul of the Things
II is a collection of natural pictures
and scenes OF life from whence by di-
rect observation, superior truths are
born. This book has been written slow
Is, day by day. bcgua before the others
closed with my life. Alas What are
mems words TO express life. The deep
est impressions are ireXprcssible. The
most beautiful songs have never been
sung and the finest pictures have never
been painted
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-11-23

attended by extraordinary ..g,u-u-
stances The spe kor was even more
n earnest than usual. His c.ar1 rtef-
istic gestures aIteraated with tae moa
quietly persuasive -1re mis- voice could
assume, and ue lcaued forward eagerly
through whole sentences. While De was
taking OF Mr DuWuey that gentleman
entered and stood al the end "I Gat
OF tn aisits. has face WreaJAtd IT,
smiles and pink with confusion.
Mr., Nasner looked AFTER tEe hGufe OF
lhe tIeSldsal Ia manifest admiration
uulll ms patron had passed uul OF u"
bulidioE. Then he turned To ms adt'-
cnce. STROBE 10 The very edge ui the
stage hlle1 has lungs uuJl his coat
strained ATS buttons, and began his ad-
dress.
He did not. as many hoped ne might,
explain ana argue the premises oi nc
Simple Life"-that no rush of commerce;
no whirl Of festivities. no pressing need
10 work and earn. should ever DE per
mltltd TO rob man nf his love on peau-
uIui things. his pleasure ll his nome
ana family. and has JOY i1 the open ar
instead he talked with an almost child
ISM simplicity OF the growth or ms own
conception of life his slowly developed
inspiration Go preach his falln ia DOCKS
ana his puzzled surprise az MS reception
IN America.
His English Very young"
His English as he himself said. is
young." His accent more German
than French, is so sharp that 1t was DIFF
tcult now ANA then 10 understand him.
Yet his thought was SO clear his pur-
pose aud character so plain. ana his doc
trine SO evidently the expression of his
highest purposes, that his hearers were
touched as men are rarely touched by
Q Fe HI.e-f rl TE4s-
poets.
Away back In his little boy living, he
began, he had been trained to the AIe
of simplicity. His old grandmother IN
planned III 10 him He had then resolved
that 81 ever he could ind men 10 near
him while he preached the gospel ne
would preach the lessons his old grand
mother crdvCd and .syoid the WIaug.Iag
of theOloglans which she lcafL 50
mawch in her heart
once he had spoken TO a wedding par
ty, wedding party OF only six w hat
ne said then was the prompting OF MS
heart 20 two young PEOPLE VINO meant 10
found "a family and live life with loFe
as its keynote. But mems souls were
often like beautiful. Hdrps waiting 10 De
struck. Those who heard MIN then
required that Inc speak.
those same plain thinks TO- larger
audience al another wedding. "a great
church And he had done So. Aud
The Simple Life has come into words
Chat Dat Book Insite Him."
Il hat been thinking OF IT, all my
H-live." ne said. bCamiug. as he rocked
back and forth across the front Of tn
stage "but IL seemed too plain 10 pa
into a book 1 hat DAT book insite me
an my u-live and I dit not know IT,
And 1 teach il here In America, cone
tinued Mr. Wagner, in language here
shorn OF its liuguaI peculiariues, be
cause while America today is iu "a state
OF civilization which is far from com
plete simplicity OF life. at the bottom Of
American character. history, and ira
ditiOn I find "a great simplicity. All the
great ancestors who made AmeTlcl
have been like Abraham Lincoln, men
of simplicity. When / first came
Washington ] was struck at finding Che