davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1904-03-07
WEATHER CONDITIONS AND GENERAL
FORECAST

Cloudy weather prevails over the Pacific
Slope and light rain has fallen from San Fran
cisco Bay northward.
The British Columbia Saturday
has moved rapidly eastward and is being fol-
lowed by another storm which is central off
the Washington coast tonight.
A thunder storm is reported from Eureka
The following high winds are reported: ::
Tatoosh Island. 4S miles per hour, from the
east; North Head, 46 from the south, and
Winnemucca 49, from the southwest.
There has been a slight but general rise in
temperature over the Pacific Slope.
Forecast made at San Francisco for thirty
hours ending midnight. March Z:
Northern Californa-Monday, cloudy, with
showers In north porton fair in south por-
tion, light southerly wind.
Southern California-Fair Monday; light
west wind.
Nevada-Cloudy Monday; probably showers
in north portion.
San Francisco and vicinty-C1oudy Monday;
probably showers; light southerly wind.
G. H. WILSON Local Forecaster.
The San Francisco call., 1904-03-07
Q. II. e ~. co.

OREGON sails March g. 1s 2s. April 7, II.
%. May and H. SIS. Oregon Is temporarily in
service instead Of the Columbia. GEO. W.
ELDER sails March 3. 10. 23 April 2 H. -.
May and 12 Only steamship line to PORT
LAND. OR, and short rail line from Portland
TO all points East Through tickets TO all points.
all rail steamship and rail, at LOWEST
RATES. Steamer tickets include berth and
meals. Steamer sails foot OF Spear St. at IL
a. m. 8. F. BOOTH. Gen. Agt. Pass. Dept,
Montgomery ST; c. CLIFFORD, Gen. Agent.
Freight Dept. Montgomery St
The San Francisco call., 1904-03-07
AIgoa Will Take Big Cargo.

The Pacific Mail Steamship Company's
steamship Algoa will probably sail on the 10th
for the Orient. She will take a great cargo
that will load her down to the line. 1t will
consist TO a large extent of hay and -four.
The San Francisco call., 1904-03-07
Kansas Democrat of Note Is Dead.

KANSAS CITY, March 6.-William
Henry Craddock, former Mayor of
Kansas City, Kan, and Democratic
candidate for Governor of Kansas in
1902, died here yesterday, after a two
days illness. He was born in Illinois
in 1851.
The San Francisco call., 1904-03-07

MONDAY. MARCH Z.

NOTE-In the above exposition OF the tides
the early morning tides given in the left
hand column and the successive tides OF the
day in the order Of occurrence to time the
fourth time column gives the last tide OF the
day. except when there are but three tides.
sometimes OCCURS The heights given in
addition to the soundings Of the United States
Coast Survey charts except when a minus O
sign preccdes the height and then the number
given Is subtracted from the depth given by
the charts. The plane OF reference is the mean
Of the lower low waters.
The San Francisco call., 1904-03-07
Curacao VIII Sail TODAY.

The Pacific Coast Steamship Company's
steamship Curacao will sail to-day at 10
o'clock for Mexican ports. She carries an un-
usually large cargo Of general merchandise.
The San Francisco call., 1904-03-07
Navy Trial To-Day.

The protected cruiser Tacoma viii start on
her sea trial trip to-day. She will be entirely
manned by Government officials and men be-
longing to the navy. Commander Nicholson
viii be in command Admiral Whiting will
also be on boa I'd
The San Francisco call., 1904-03-07
Foreign Trade of New Orleans.

The Collector of the Port of New Or
leans has made public the figures show
ing the total foreign commerce of the
year just closed has aggregated $178,-
635, ,309 in value, made up of $148, 609, ,629
Exchange.
The San Francisco call., 1904-03-07
WiU Re an OH Rnrner

The steamship Columbia is receiving thor
ough oVerhauling from stem TO stern and is
being fitted out with oil burning furnaces.
The San Francisco call., 1904-03-07
Rev. Willard Rice Dead.

PHILADELPHIA, March 6.-Rev.
DR.. Willard Rice. author of many
Presbyterian works, is dead, aged 81
years.
The San Francisco call., 1904-03-07
Maze Roland and vallejo gteamer..

Steamer GEN. FRISBIE or MONTICEbLO-
s:45 a. M, 3 15 and S:3O p m. except Sunday.
Sunday, 9:45 a. m, $3.50 D. m. Leave Vallejo
a. m, 1890 and p. m. ex. Sunday Sun
day a. m, 4:15 p. m. Fare. so cents. Tel
Main 1908. Pier 2 Mission-st. dock HATCH
The San Francisco call., 1904-03-07
Weather Report.

d2oth Meridian-Pacihc Time)
SAN FRANCISCO, March g. . D. M
The following are the seasonal rainfalls 10
date as compared with those of same date last
season. and the rainfall in the last twenty-four
The San Francisco call., 1904-03-07
Prominent Cinci

Prominent Cincinnati Banker Dead.
CINCINNATI, Ohio, March 6.-Wil-
liam Austin Goodman Sr., president of
the National Lafayette Bank and
largely connected with other enter
prises, died to-day, aged 81.
The San Francisco call., 1904-03-07
Alameda Due Tuesday.

The Oceanic Steamship Company's steamship
Alameda will be due tomorrow from Homo
lulu.
The San Francisco call., 1904-03-07
FROM SEATTLE.
Sun. Moon and Tide.

Sun, Moon and Tide.
United States Coast and Geodetic Survey.
Time and Height Of High and Low Waters
ct Fort Point. entrance to San Francisco
Bay Published by official authority of the
Superintendent.
NOTE-The high and low waters occur at
the city front (MissIon- street WHARF about 20
The San Francisco call., 1904-03-07

European Russia has less percent
age of forest than the United States.
The San Francisco call., 1904-03-07

Italy has 95. .701 acres of orange and
enon groves containing 16,75o,9o7 trees.
The San Francisco call., 1904-03-07

There are more than 1900 machine
tending operatives in Lowell, Mass.
caring for 900 spindles and earning
over s500.0o0 a month in wages.
The San Francisco call., 1904-03-07

n AAA0nNnR q ~M HHHAIl, SAMOA NEg
HEH eHkaL G~N~AW~ ZEALAND Ass SYDNEY.
DIRECT LlaE 70 IAHITL
6 s ALAMEDA, for Honolulu, Mch II, II a. m
s s. MARIPOSA, for Tahiti. Mch. Is. IL g. m
s s. SONOMA. for Honolulu. Samoa Auck-
land and Sydney, Thur, March "A. 2 p. m
kS.aiEeEElsk BsSS CO., kss. Iksfi saks, $40 EassrN
Esdaatsfka. go sartst g.. PEar Il. !. Padfe O.
The San Francisco call., 1904-03-07
other Santa Fs Tra1usI
Via sGusalito Ferry.

Suburban Service. Standard Gauge Electric
Depart from San Francisco Daily 900. $780,
BIS, 6:15, 100. s:45. 1920. IL AS p. m
FROM SAN RAFAEL TO SAN FRANCISCO
Daily 5:25 6:35. 7:4O, S:35. 9:35, IL :O5 a
m, 1920. 1:45 2:55. BIAS. 4:45. 5:45, 6:45.
S45, 10 20 p. m.
FROM MILL VALLEY TO SAN FRAN
cISCO-Daily 5:45 6:55, 1852. $685. 9:55
IL 20 a M, 12:S5. 200. 3:15. 4:05. sos. $685.
:O5, 600. 1928 D. m.
THROUGH TRAINS.
500 a m daily-Cazadero and way statIons
5:f6 D. m. week days Saturday excepted
Tomales and way stations.
stations.
Sundays only-10 a m. Point Reyes and
way stations.
TICKET OFF1CE-626 Market st.
FERRY-Union Depot. foot OF Market 81.
The San Francisco call., 1904-03-07
OCEAN TRAVEL.

y !. J. !.
Steamers leave Broadway
MNQN wharves. Piers Q and IL,
A NM San Francisco.
6T H1A NA For Ketchikan, WrangeI.
4 WAA | Juneau. Haines. Skagway,
| l NAAA etc. AIaska-1I a m, Mar.
\CA Vi EOI 1, 6, H. 16, u. &c. 81. Apr.
ES-6T 5. Change TO company
NSNSH> steamer at Seattle.
For Victoria, Vancouver.
Port Townsend, Seattle, Tacoma, Everett. Bel
lingham-11 a. m Mar. /, g. IL. 16, p, 20, 81.
Apr. s. Change at Seattle to this company $
steamers for Alaska and G. N Ry-; at Seattle
Tacoma TO n. P. Ry-; at Vancouver to c.
p. Ry.
For Eureka Gumboldt Bay)-Pomona.1 1 SO
pm, Mar. 3. IL, II, %. %, Apr 4. Spokane,
l 80 p. m, Mar. 2, s. II. 90 26, Apr. 1.
For Los Angeles (via Port Los Angeles and
Redondo), San Diego and Santa Barbara-San-
ia Rosa. Sundays. a. m.
State OF California. Thursdays, 8 a. m
For Los Angeles via San Pedro and East
San Pedro). Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Mos
terey San Simeon. Cayucoe. Port Hartford (San
Luis Obispo) Ventura and Hueneme.
Coos Bay, a m. Mar. 8, 10. "a, Apr. l.
Bonita, a m, Mar. 4, u. 20. 2s Apr. 5.
For Ensenada, Magdalena Bay San Jose del
Cabo, Mazatlan, Altata, La Paz Santa Ro-
salia, Guaymas Mex, 10 a. m, Tth each
month For further Information obtain folder.
Right is reserved to change steamers or sailing
dates.
TICKET OFFICES New Montgom-
cry st. palace HoteD. 10 Market st. and Broad
way wharves. Freight office. 10 Market st.
c. d. DUNANN. General Passenger Agent.
10 Market ST.. San Francisco
The Pacific Transfer Co. 20 Sutter ST., will
call for and check baggage from hotels and
residences. Telephone Exchange 312.
The San Francisco call., 1904-03-07

for Morning p for Afternoon.
fsunday excepted. 3Sunday only
Saturday only
fstopB at all stations on Sunday.
~ Only trains stopping At Valencia St. soath0omnA
are6:f0 An, 7;0oA.M.. :So An. s:soR ssaoPM -
Sos RL
The San Francisco call., 1904-03-07
Movements of Steamers.

TO ARRIVE.
The San Francisco call., 1904-03-07

TO SAIL.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-07-07
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
How 1t Works Under Republican
Administration.

How 1t Works Under q Republican
Administration.
Local civil service boards are often
the most ultra partisan, and instead of
the road to an Office under the govern
ment being opened to all, If they can
pass the necessary examination, only
friends of the party in power have
any such opportunity. For instance,
the civil service commission has dis
covered in a New England town Sec
rotary, the chief executive officer Of
the local board, who frankly declared
that he had been in Office five years
and that no Democrats would have
any share in the administration Of this
government as long as he could keep
them out.
All of which goes to show that al
though civil service reform may the
oretically have strong points in its IA
vor it can be and often is but an aid to
the Republican machine. Under our
form Of government every citizen has
the right to aspire to any Office he is
competent to fill, and unless we want
TO establish an off1ceholding class,
who must be pensioned when age dis
qualities them, appointments for four
years would seem to be the best solu-
ton of the problem.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-07-07
POLICY AND PERSONALITY.
Voters Must Decide Which Party
Will Best Serve Them.

Will Best Serve Them.
All voters should remember that
they do not vote for any candidate for
president directly-they vote for a par
ty with policies. The Republican pol
icy, if approved by a majority of the
voters, is to drift along and trust that
good crops and high prices will con-
tinue and claim that any measure of
prosperity is of Republican manufac-
ture. These voters who are enamored
Of rough riding and strenucsity should
understand that Mr.. Roosevelt is but
a small spoke in the wheel of the par
ty that has nominated him and that he
must carry out Republican policies
such as the leaders dictate and the
platform calls for.
When Mr.. Roosevelt accepts the NOM
ination his letter of acceptance will
show that he thoroughly Endorses all
that the Republican party stands for.
He cannot object; he must approve.
The rule Of the party is stronger than
personality, and to object, even not ap-
prove, all that the Republican plat
form declares to be the policy of that
party would be disastrous to any can
didate. TO vote understandingly and
conserve their own interests the voters
must investigate and decide between
the policies of the two great parties.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-07-07
WHO is TO BLAME,
General Distrust OF Republ,c.u
Property.

$~SAe ASAoSEWo0 OF REPUBLICAN,
Property.
"A Lull In Traffic" is the way the
New York Journal of Commerce heads
the news from Chicago about the rail-
road situations. Western railway ls.en
have been somewhat disappointed at
traffic developments in their territory.
They find that business is not picking
up as rapidly as they had anticipated,
and they are now inclined to take a
rather gloomy view of the outlook. saws
the same newspaper, and the further
Information is given that farmers are
resting on their oars. so to speak, as
far as money matters are concerned,
While merchants and manufacturers
are extremely cautious" The largest
jobbing interests report very small
volume of seasonable business. Col
lections are reported easy, and money
is plentiful. but railway traffic seems
to grow no better An officer of the
Chicago and Northwestern railway ex-
plains the situation that farmers have
spent money freely for three or four
years and are able to get along with
the improvements they have made for
some time forward. Sentiment for the
last six months has been that hard
times are coming, and retrenchment is
q universal watchword." Officers of
the other western railroads are quoted
IN the same vein.
Now. with money plentiful and crop
prospects good and improving, why
are the farmers, merchants and manu-
facturers all resting on their oars?"
Can it be that high trust prices have
impoverished them and low trust prices
for cattle and hogs are reducing their
income, and, although there is plenty
OF money in the banks, If the farmer
wants any Of it he will have to Dor
row it?
The Democrats cannot be blamed for
this decline Of the boom times, for the
Republicans have full control of all
departments of the government Their
prosperity breeding protective tariff
has been and is in full blast, making
the trusts richer and the poor poorer
A10 AONPAles luS Uul0ICo VI us OIL Tie
ragged edge to know how we are to
meet our bills. Secretary Shaw, the
financial expert of this strenuous ad-
mtnistration, declares that we were
never so prosperous, and that if we are
paying high prices for nearly every
thing we buy we pay it to ourselves
and that ought to make us rich. Is
Providence deserving the Republican
party and causing people to believe
they are poor when we know they are
prosperous. for Secretary Shaw says
so? But that cannot be, for the Repub-
lican leaders have about all assured us,
many times and often. that Providence
is on their side. Is President Roose-
welt to blame? A good many Repub-
licans seem to think So
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-07-07
Why Did they Refuses

II the Republican leaders of congress
had been certain there were no more
frauds and scandals to be exposed in
the postof1ce and other departments
would they have voted as they did to
prevent thorough investigation? It
would certainly have been to their 20
utical advantage to have allowed the
Democrats a free hand to investigate
~ there was nothing to cover up
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-07-07
what Root DiAn,t say.

Mr.. Root says ''the beef trust was
put under Injunction" but he failed
to add that the injunction has not en-
Joined and that the price Of meat con-
tinues to advance-New York World.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-07-07
SOCIETY DIRECTORY.

LoDGEOF PERFECT1oN.- No. 8
holds regular communications on the first and
third Thursdays' of each month at the Masonic
Temple. nv M
ROBERT Work, Sec'y.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-07-07

A.F.&A. M.-Lebanon Lodge holds, regular
communications at the Masonic Temple on the
second and fourth Fridays of each month: a,
ROBERT WORK, Secretary.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-07-07

DEGREE OF HONOR.-Meets in the Work
man hall on the first and third Fridays OF each
month.
MRS, JAS. LoYNEs. G. H.
Mrs. BELLE BIRMINGHAM, Recorder.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-07-07

RATHBONE s1sTERs.-Langdon Temple.
No. 5, meets every Thursday evening at the n.
Mrs. JAS. LoYNEs, NJ. E. c.
MISS LILLY SHAW, NJ. of R. e. G.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-07-07

40. U. WILMINGTON Lodge meets in the
Workman hall the first and third Monday OF
each month. VI,
THos. SHEEHAN, Recorder.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-07-07

CO. No. s0S-St. Alphonsus Court. meets
on the first and third Wednesdays OF each
month in their hall over the Mooney sfate
Bank. EDMUND 4. MCCAY, q. II.
JAMES j. MoYER, Secy.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-07-07

O.E. S.-Langdon Temple holds regular com:
munications on the first and third Tuesdays OF
each month at the Masonic hall: u,,
JAS. H. Balm, MRS. r. WORK, W; ~,
Sec'y. JAS. ;. LoYSEs, W. r
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-07-07

LADY c. o. Est. Mary's Court, meets at
the Forester hall on the second and fourth
Tuesdays of each month.
Mrs. Jos. POWER, Rec. Sec'y.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-07-07

4. o. T. M.-Langdon Tent of Maccabees
meet in the Forester hall the first and third
Thursdays of each mouth.
G. H. MoELLR1NG, X. of r.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-07-07

. YEOMEN.-Meet in the X. PIP. hall; on the
first and third Thursdays' Of each month.
THOs. SREEHAN Woman.
&C. CRAWFORD, sec'y.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-07-07

LADY MACCABEEs.-Laned Hive Of the
Lady Maccabees meet in the x. OF T. hail.
MRS. BELLE BiRMINaHAM, Commander.
MRS. NJ. L. SULLIVAN, Record Keeper.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-07-07

M. W. A.-Langdon Camp, No. $3.50 meets IL
TIE Woodman hall the second and fourth
- e"sA -o@ P. P. KopR1vA, v. c.
40. VOID, Clerk,
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-07-07

w. %. w.-Excelsior Lodge No. 81, meets On
me second and fourth Tuesdays OF each month
In the Woodman HaU,
. -- FEE. B. MERCER, G. G.
A.E. L1NDsTRon, Clerk.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-07-07

KNIGHTS OF PYTH1As.-Meet on Mednes-
day evening of each week at the K. of P. hali.
HENRY BAKER, G. g.
RIA. SHAW, Recorder.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-07-07

l. o. r. M.-Laugdon Tribe of the Redmen
meet at the Workman hall every Wednesday
evening.
J.W. MAHoN. Sacham.
3. E. TRuAx, K. orr.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-07-07

j 10. F.-Lansdon Court, Independent Order
a. 4. rofesters. meet in the Workmen haA. the
"rst and third Tuesdays of each month.
J.H. BAN. Rec. sec'y. "
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-07-07

We have enough wealth. we raised
$50, 900 yens for the Cmna-Japan
war comfortably. There is no reason
today why we cannot raise 300000.0o0
yens In two years. We spent 5000
1ens a month for one division in the
ohina.Japan war, but our expert as
s,ares % that 100000 yens viii be
1umcient now, a. we have gained
ereat experience suppose we send
our eight divisions It win be 1900
600 yens. And suppose We keep our
eo,diers in Manchuria for ono year. It
I'M be ls2, 900 ysns. and. adding
our expenses Tor the MY + would
~ be more than 2a00QeQ0 Ieq1
knd the szsatsr Psft Of ~ m.9
.s :; - s. : s e!
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-12-29

Uncle Jared and Uncle BENJAMIN
made a sorry pair. True there was
blood on Uncle Benjamin's forehead,
and he looked white and faint. But
Uncle Jared, who tried to support him.
walked with very pronounced limp,
displayed only one coat tail where two
should have been and was rumpled and
bedrdggled generally in way to sug-
gest participation in Il riot
What's happened to you two?" ask
ed a townsman.
THAT pesky colt of Benjamin's run
away and throwed him just as | came
along" Uncle Jared answered I'm
giving him a lift along toward home"
Look as though you needed one
yourself" pronounced the inquisitOr
Whats been happenin' TO you?'
who? Me? Why, nothin' TO speak
Of-just been to town to see the big
procession Got more or less hustled
round and tromped on, but He
stopped painfully to adjust a shoe
which had been ripped open so that
half Of the upper Tapped as he walked
Don't see much difference betwixt
ye judgin' by the display o. wreckage,"
the neighbor persisted.
There's considerable difference.
take It," Uncle Jared answered. with
conclusive dignity. "Benjamin's met
with a accident. but I've been pleasur-
in'."-Youth's Companion
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-12-29
THE FORCE OF FEAR.
Fright W&S the Cause of the Death
OF Frederick /. of Prussia.

Fright Waa the Cause of the Death
OF Frederick i. of Prussia.
There are several well authenticated
cases where fright was the cause Of
death. An English surgeon tells Of q
drummer in India across whose legs g
harmless lizard crawled while he was
half asleep. He was sure that a cobra
had bitten him, and II was too much
for his nerves, and he died.
Frederick l. of Prussia was killed by
fear. His wife was insane, and one
day she escaped from her keeper and,
dabbllnG her clothes with blood, rushed
upon her husband wh1is be was doing
In his chair. King Frederick imagined
her TO be the white lady whose ghost
was believed to invariably appear
whenever the death Of member Of
the royal family was 70 occur, and he
was thrown into a fever and died In
six weeks.
But perhaps the most remarkable
death from fear was that of the Dutch
painter Pentman, who lived IN the sew
enteenth century. One day he went In
to room full of anatomical subjects
to sketch some skulls and bones for a
picture he intended 30 paint. The
weather was very sultry, and while
sketching he fell asleep. He was
aroused by bones dancing around him
and the skeletons suspended from the
ceiling clashing together. In a At of
horror he threw himself out of the
window. Though he sustained no seri-
GUS injury and was Informed that
slight earthquake had caused the com
motion among the ghostly surround
Eugs, he died OF nervous tremor.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-12-29
A Long Distance
Marriage
Bu s. T. STERN
Copyright. 1908. BY S. 7. Stern
By S. T. STER N

With most people the story ends
erly adjusted. Thus: Proposal. ac-
ceptance, tableau, tinis.
In our case the situation reversed
itself. | had suggested to VeryI, fer
vently, of course, that proper economy
would sanction the practice of send
ing out her wedding invitations and
my own in the same envelopes. With
the money saved thereby | agreed to
purchase outright ring-a cleaning,
glistening alfair-with a large single
stone. To tbs day | do not know
whether size said yes. | have a vague
Presently | found myself seated by
her side holding her hand, which leads
me to suspect dat some manner Of af-
firmation mast have greeted my pro
pOsal We were engaged. With that
our story starts. Thus; Proposal, ac-
ceptance, tableau, chapter one.
For the next few moments neither
of us spoke. We sat gazing into the
open fire, quiet and deliriously happy.
Think of it-Veryl was mine my very
own!
"Of what are you thinking, dear|
said | at length.
81 am thinking of our wedding, John.
1t Will be splendid to be married in
England"
"England?'
"Of course" she replied. Don't you
remember? Father is at Matlock, In
Derbyshire. When l last left him he
exacted from me a solemn promise
that | should never be married during
his lifetime unless in his presence. 1
know, dear, ii means n long trip for
both Of us and the absence Of great
many Of your friends from the Cere-
mony. But dad has my promise, and 1t
must be kept Why, John, you are
staring at me as though had commit
ted crime DOn't-don't look at me
like that Are you afraid OF the ocean
VOYAGE"
Not that, Veryl The situation Is
wOrse-far worse. My mother Is no
longer young and l am the last Of
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-12-29
THE WREN BUSH.
An Old Custom Stin Observed In
Ireland at Christmas.

Among tn" many odd customs still
observed in ireland at Christmas few
are more curious than the practice of
carrying about the wren bush" on St
Stephens day, and antiquaries are puz-
zied u explain why the poor little
king of all birds" should be put to
death on the festival of the first mar
tyr.
The most probable explanation IS
that the wren was sacred to the Druids
and was used by them in divination
and other pagan rites at the festival of
the winter SolstiCe, which almost coin
cided with Christmas. and consequent
ly the clergy urged their converts to
destroy the birds which were associat-
ed with such unholy rites, just as st.
Patricks relentless destruction Of the
images of serpents, used in the ancient
pagan worship Of Ireland, gave rise to
the legend that he
Gave the snakes and toads a twist
And banished them all forever
This seems the more likely, because
dream. the old Irish name for wren"
also means "a Druid" and old folk still
call jenny" the Druid bird" and say
that she has the gift of prophecy and
that those who can interpret her twit
terings as she hoyers about a house or
flies from bush TO bush can read the
future. In the library OF Trinity col
lege, Dublin, there Is curious dOcu-
ment describing how to interpret the
notes of the wren.-Maud f. Sargent
In Longman'S Magazine