davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-03-01

this Is only for use ON doors having
no other fastening but the door lock.
Even If the door is locked by key
on the inside-which some people
think ample protection-the key can
be pushed through and the door
opened by means of the skeleton key.
In the Illustration will be found key
guard to be fitted to door which
will effectually prevent entrance by
skeleton key. A bracket having a
longitudinal slot is attached to the
frame of the door in alignment with
the keyhole. Pivotally connected to
the bracket is guard formed of a
strip of metal bent at the center, with
n slot into which the key in the door
fits. Connected with this guard is
spring-actuated lever having a finger
which projects through the slots of
the guard. When the door has been
locked by the key the guard is turned
and the head of the key inserted in
the slot. The spring is then released,
the finger on tho lever projecting
through the guard and the head of
the key. The key. cannot be turned
nor moved until released by some one
ON the inside. This attachment, though
small. also has the advantage that it
can be easily and quickly slipped into
place.
The patentee is Allen Morrell, Of
Cripple Greek, Colo.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-03-01
A Funeral in Turkey,

Fl. Rider Haggard in new book of
travel thus describes a funeral in Tur-
key: 1.-THE corpse, accompanied by a
motley crowd of mourners, relatives.
sightseers and childr1n, was laid I'M
coffined upon rough bier that looked
like a huge mortar board and hidden
from sight beneath shroud orna-
mented with red and green scarves.
Upon arrival at the graveyard, an un-
kempt place, with stones innocent of
the mason's hammer marking the
head and foot Of each grave and serv-
ing as stands for pumpkins to dry In
the sun, the dead man was carried to
a primitive bench or table made Of
two slabs set upright in the ground
about seven feet apart and the third
laid on them crossways. Here, while
a woman sitting on little mound at
a distance set UP a most wild and
melancholy wall for the departed, a
priest. stepping forward, began to offer
up prayers, to which the audience
made an occasional response. The
brief service concluded, once more the
body was lifted and borne round the
cemetery to its grave, that seemed to
be about three feet six inches in depth.
Here 1t was robbed Of its gay-colored
scarves, of which a little child took
charge. and inter good deal of ami
mated discussion lowered into tile hole
In sitting posture with the help of
two linen bands that one of the COM
pany unwound from about his mid
de-"
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-03-01

The following rather curious piece
Of composition was placed upon the
blackboard at certain teachers in
stitute and prize of dictionary Of
fered to any person who could read it
and pronounce every word correctly.
The book was not carried off, as
twelve was tsle lowest number of mis-
takes in pronunciation made:
"A sacrilegious son of Belial who
has suffered from bronchitis, having
exhausted his finances In order to
make good the deficit, resolved to ally
himself to comely, lenient and docile
young lady of the Malay or Caucasian
race. He accordingly purchased a
calliope and coral necklace of cha
meleon hue and securing suite Of
rooms at a principal hotel he engaged
the head waiter as his coadjutor. He
then dispatched letter of the most I'M
exceptional caligraphy extant, inviting
the young lady to matinee. She re.
volted at the idea, refused to consider
herself sacridcable to his desires and
sent a polite note of refusal, on receiv-
ing which he procured carbine and
bowie knife, said that he would not
now forge letters hymeneal with the
queen and went to an isolated spot,
severed his jugular vein and dlscharg-
ed the contents Of the carbine into biz
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-03-01
Hairy Elephants.

The skin of the elephant is practi-
cally destitute Of the fnairy coat which
is the distinctive covering of NAM
mails. But the extinct mammoth had
an undercoat of reddish-brown woolly
fur, in which dark bristly hairs were
thickly set. Both wool and hair have
been found with remains in the frozen
soil of Siberia. Some years since
traces of this fur were discovered in
the Indian elephant, and from time to
time individuals occur in which the
hairs are developed to such an extent
as to be noticeable by casual observ-
erS.
A natural history journal has call
ed attention to the fact tina: there is
now Hairy elephant in the Zoologi-
cal Gardens at Basic. So thick is the
growth that at the Congress of Zoolo-
gists at Berne, in August, 1904, the
remark was made-of course in Jest
that the animal was really a man.
moth. Rustum, an Indian elephant
that lived in the Regents Park Gar
dens from 1876 to 1882, when it was
presented to the Berlin Gardens, was
almost as hairy. The calf born in
London in 1902 had hairy coat, as
may be seen from its mounted skin in
the Natural History Museum-London
Telegraph.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-03-01

According to the Cincinnati Post, tile
State of Ohio is about to close the last
chapter of its expose of one of the most
remarkable gangs of incendiaries ever or
ganized-a gang that operated In north
western Ohio. eastern Indiana and south
eastern Michigan for twenty-five years,
that was composed of men of repute In
their communities. that reduced arson to
such businesslike basis that insurance
companies were robbed of 81 500 900 and
that perfected its organization to such n
degree that its members, though guilty
of crimes, went UNPUBLISHED for quarter
of a century.
The gang had its beginning in 1874. In
Williams county, Ohio, it had its head
quarters, though it operated in Fulton
and Lucas counties impartially and
spread into the two adjoining States.
The leaders of the gang were men of
business tanding-farmers, merchants
and the like. To all appearances they at
tended strictly to their own business. In
reality they We're as busy at night plan
ming and executing their crimes MS they
were in the daytime at their stores or on
their farms.
Their main line of business was the
burning of property, by collision with the
owner, for a consideration, the owner re-
imbursing himself out of his insurance.
Though more profitable to themselves,
the incendiaries seldom burned their own
property, fearing to fix suspicion upon
themselves. They preferred to maintain
their pose as irreproachable men of bust
ness, while destroying other peoples
property for share of the proceeds of
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-03-01

sulky has been used to large extent
in these races. AS at present con-
structed, 1t is exceedingly frail and
weighs SO little that the horse finds
no difficulty in pulling 1t after him.
A new idea in sulkies is shown IN
the picture. The harness, with the
riders saddle. is put over the horses
back, directly in back of the front
legs. The wheels are also placed
just outside the forelegs, al,
arched frame connecting the driv-
er's seat rigidly with the wheels. Nee
essary harness is provided to secure
the vehicle to a fixed position to the
body Of the horse. cushioning devices
being placed in position to lessen any
jar that might be caused by the mo-
ton of the horse. This improved
sulky would be of no appreciable
weight to the horse, and when tried at
some future race, as 1t surely will
be. more racing records should be
broken.
George ". st. Clair, Lexington, Ky,
is the patentee.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-03-01
Chinaman's "Home Paper. /,

The Chinese Weekly Herald is one
of the curious institutions Of New
York. 1t Is not popular among Amer
leans, for, being printed backwards. {"
a white man must stand on his head
to read 1t. Outside Of n similar publ
cation in 'Frisco's Chinatown this is
the sole printed medium for news from
home" for the thousands of New
York's almond-eyed half-citizens. 1t is
to be found just rs regularly in Chi
nese laundries as the comic weeklies
in an American barber shop. When
the laundryman goes out of business
his successor carries on the subscrip.
ton. The out-of-town circulation is
greater than that In New York
Scores of Its subscribers cannot read
1t. The Herald is a four-page paper
about half the size of an ordinary
news sheet, and always disconcerts
Americans. because 1t opens at the left
side instead of the right. The col.
umns run crosswise instead of up and
down, and flash-view of the sheet
gives the impression of scrambled
egg. Such things, however, are pure.
ly matters of national taste.-Pitts.
burg Dispatch.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-03-01

which the fire insurance companies were
defrauded.
The gang sought as confeierates men
desperately in debt. who were possessed
OF buildings or chattels heavily insured or
capable of being SO insured. When such
man was found one of the gang-likely
enough respected business acquaintance
of the victim-intimated to him, casually
or jestingly. that fire would provide
timely relief from pressing obligations.
When the power of suggestion had
had time to do its work. the man was ap-
preached by another of the gang ready
to talk business
According to the confessions of con-
victed members, these advances were al
most never repulsed
The following summary of facts tells
Of the doings of the northwestern Ohio
gang of firebugs:
Gang organized in 1874. Numbered
from 10 to 20 men.
Incendiarism placed on commercial
basis. Burned buildings for from $40 to
500.
Operated for % years throughout
northwestern Ohio.
Estimated losses to insurance COM
panies in that time S1,5OO,OOO Insur-
ance losses so heavy that the State Leg
islature created State fire marshal's
department.
The gang exposed two years ago by the
marshals. Over 40 indictments returned.
Eighteen men sent to penitentiary. Many
fled from country to escape exposure.
Two members of the gang committed
suicide, fearing arrest.
One turned States evidence and con-
fessed, duplicating many prominent men.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-03-01
The Postal Union.

The first step toward the formation
of the postal union, which mas had
such wide results. came from Ger
many in the shape of proposal for an
international postal congress. This
met at Berne in 1873. when twenty
two countries Joined the union, includ.
ing the whole of Europe. A second
congress met in Paris in 1878, when
ten other countries came in. and the
official title. international Postal
Union," was definitely fixed. Its
sphere was further enlarged at con,
crosses at Lisbon in 1855 and at Wen
ma in 1901.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-03-01
INTELLIGENCE OF DOCS

A shepherd in Scotland to prove the
value of his dog, which was lying be-
fore the fire in the house where we
were talking. said to ME in the mid
die of sentence concerning some
thing else: I'm thinking, sir, the
COW is in the potatoes" The dog,
which appeared to be asleep, imme-
diately jumped up, and leaping
through the open window, scrambled
up the turf roof of the house, where
he could see the potato field. He
then, not seeing the COW, ran and
looked into the hyre. where she was,
and finding that all was right came
back to the house. The shepherd said
the same thing again, when the dog
once more made his patrol. But on
the doubt being uttered third time,
1t got up, looked at its master, and
when he laughed. growled and curled
up again by the fire.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-03-01
OLD SALTS AT MORNINGS
Snug Harbor Small Portion of the
Big World.

WOElOs
There was a moment of solemn 81
lence in which all three of the old cap
tains drew out their red bandanas
and generously mopped their brows.
My guide essayed to speak, but the
little man interrupted him and tot
tered over to an immense chest of
drawers which served as dresser and
closet combined, says writer in the
Great Round World.
He took from the chest manuscript
written in feeble. wavering hand,
and fingered the pages nervously, as
il they were great treasures. "This is
what 1 would like to say to the world"
he said, with pathetic earnestness.
After shipping fifty-two years in all
capacities as is possible to the sea,
and after being tossed over the great
salt mountains of the briny deep. l
have at last cast anchor in peaceful
Snug Harbor and moored my craft in
the peace-givlng shadows of the YER
dant trees on its beautiful grounds"
"Ain't that fine! gasped the en-
thusiastic old crony, whose eyes were
brlmming with tenderness. He's been
a lecturer In his time" The three
bandanas again did service on the
three brows, like topsails in stiff
breeze of emotion. and say" con-
tinued the ex-lecturer. in relieved
tone, you might say that I'm think
ing Of getting married again." Two
Of the topsails tapped on their CULVER
ing masts and were drawn down with
jerk.
NO, MOI" said the sympathetic old
roommate, IL wouldn't put that in.
That wouldn't do. Offer the gentlemen
the candy" he suggested, with the
true spirit of fnesse. The ex-lecturer
acted on his sailing masters advice.
explaining. I'VE old snugs must have
our luxurles."
The room was scrupulously clean. A
spread" Of the old-fashioned "sham"
variety over red muslin covered the
bed. There were tides and family
photographs and conspicuous print of
George Washington on the chest of
drawers. l had wanted simply to see
the manner of rooms in which they
lived; but, Mt the prospect of getting
into print, the captains" opened up
the fioodgates of their energetic old
lives wherein yet surged the restless
ness that had driven them all over
the world. Snug Harbor was evidently
but small pattern Of the big world,
with prides, jealousies, ambitions and
strifes.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-03-01

houses are painted In the brightest col
ors, red, green, yellow and blue. The
costumes of both sexes are highly pic
turesque, gay colors predominating.
The women are quite as hardy us the
men and engage in the same occupa-
tons. The fisher maldens of Marken
have often furnished models for the
painters who find SO much inspiration
In the Netherlands.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-03-01

tier. In the morning he would sleep
in the morning, when the German
agent had put him on his way to the
country where there was much gold.
Sometimes. being very drowsy and
forgetful, he would call to Katinka to
hasten. before he recollected that IA
tinka was not with him, being already
asleep.
The morning, when 1t came. was not
so peaceful or SO joyous as he ex-
pected. But it was better, he thought,
than it would have been If the train
had been taking him to the Manchu-
rian country to be shot by the yellow
imps instead Of to the land of gold
Black and White.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-03-01
VIEW SPRING SUSPENSION
FOR AUTOMOBILES

Louis A. Hill, Of Washington, d. c.,
Is the inventor of a spring suspension
system for automobile frames where
by there is supposed to be a greater
ability of the springs to absorb the
vibration and varying thrust from
botA the motor and the road. The con-
struction consists of four semi-ellipti-
cal springs placed upon the axles In
the usual manner. with their outer
ends hinged to tile ordinary frame
extensions. The inner ends of the sGni-
elliptical springs, however, are
shackled to the ends of side springs,
fastened at their centers to the side
members of the running gear frame.
1t is claimed that in effect the rear
halves of the rear springs and the
front halves Of the front springs are
comparatively rigid, while the spring
portions between the axles are ex-
tremely flexible. The inventor claims
that the system adapts Itself to cars
of all weights and wheel bases, and
that as the wheel base increases the
compensating spring between the end
springs is naturally increased in the
correct proportion.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-03-01

Never mind" said Bobby. ut
didn't matter. 1t wasn't anything but
sand. Let's finish the railroad"
When their work was done they sat
down side by side to rest.
81 guess Asher was peacemaker."
said Jack, after a short pause.
"Pshaw! No, he wasn't" said Bob.
by. HE didn't know there was any
peace to make. We didn't tell him
anything"
But he made it," argued Jack. II
don't suppose YOU always have to
know you are one to be one"
Bobby scooped a large hole in the
sand. filled it up again. and patted it
over before he answered.
Maybe so,' he said. I'VE didn't
tell him. because it was Asher.
Asher doesn't understand quarrels
very much.
HE doesn't like them. He'd rather
stay happy. We all know that Asher
is that way" said Jack. "And, be-
sides. it makes you think of right and
wrong, because he thinks of them, and
very often you change your mind
then. am almost sure If anybody
gets you to change your mind like
that from being angry, he's peace
maker, even if he doesn't know any.
thing about it. But we can ask Miss
Juliana on Sunday."-Adapted from
The Mayflower.
CHOCOLATE WHILE YOU WAIT.
In Manila chocolate is furnished
while you wait. A Chinese comes
right into the house with his basket
and rolls the crushed cacao bean and
sugar. With them he makes sup
ply of chocolate so delicious that
those who have only tasted our Amer
lean brand can form no idea of. It
Is beyond description.
When the Chinese makes his APP
pearance the first thing he does is
to lay aside his hat and shirt. Strip
ped to the waist and barefooted, he
begins his work. All the oil has been
extracted from the beans. Some of It
has gone to anoint the heads of the
ihiPiho SOuHs lduleS, SOIQe 10 llRnC
the Filipino homes. With rolling
pin John Chinaman grinds the beans
to fine powder. This takes time, but
in Manila everybody has "all the time
there is" This done, he opens an
other basket and dips out the sugar
needed to make the beverage. The
sugar is the kind that we call sort of
coffee" sugar. Like the bean, It
grows on the islands. Industriously
the Chinese rubs and grinds, and
gradually the chocolate forms on the
bottom of the board and drips on In
sticky sweetness into the basket be.
meath. The family gathers about to
sample the product while the Chinese
stops to smoke a cigarette. Cups OF
the beverage are handed around from
the biggest to the littlest. These are
to serve as samples. II they are de-
clared all fright" the Chinese returns
to his work and for several hours
rubs patiently away at his task, all
the family watching with great inter-
est the fast growing pile.
A native Filipino declares the
"stuff" we Americans call chocolate
would not be considered fit to feed to
the pigs in Manila. Perhaps his
taste has not yet been educated to
pipe clay as an article of diet.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-03-01
Mark Twain's First Money.

While travelling recently Mark
Twain was asked by friend and fell
low passenger if he remembered the
first money he had ever earned.
Yes" answered Mr.. Clemens, puff
ing meditatively on his cigar. II have
n distinct recollection of 1t. When
was youngster l attended school at
place where the use of the birch rod
was not an unusual event. 1t was
against the rules to mark the desks In
any manner, the penalty being fine
Of SIS or public chastisemcnt.
Happening to violate the rule on
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-03-01
London,s First Rridee.

The first London bridge is said to
have been built in 07S. "A bridge of
wood was constructed in lC44 and was
partly buried in 1885, The .ast old
bridge was commenced about ll7G and
completed i'll 1909. There were gate
houses and the bridge was lined with
stores. 1t was the custom to hang the
heads Of criminals OH London bridge.
The head of Sir William Wallace was
hung there in 1905: Simon Frisel. 1905:
Lord Bardolf, 14Os: Bollnsbroke, 144o;
Jack" Cade. 1851; Fisher, bishop of
Rochester, 1885; Sir Thomas More.
1885. There were many others. All
the houses We're taken down in 1856
and the bridge burned in 1774. In 1921
n new bridge was begun 200 feet west
of the old bridge. 1t was opened in
August, 1881.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-03-01

Prince Gusa who has assumed the Sweden Norway
illness
1881
When Gustaf formally ascends the throne
will be the fifth
grandson Of Marshal Bernado Prince de
Prince o He
Norway Lutheran church
in the ecourto of
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-03-01

which makes the
coast of Holland
such a picturesque
locality. This sandy
island Is inundated
during most Of the
winter, but its
hardy inhabitants.
all of them engaged
in fishing, do not
mind this particu-
larly. living almost
entirely in boats.
The dwellings are
set on piles and are
only one story in
height. These little
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-03-01

Guard for Keys.
Some people are particularly care
full in locking up the house at night,
while others are Just as careless. Ex-
perienced thieves and burglars know
all the tricks Of the trade, and If they
cannot get in a house one way they
can another, and unless the house is
extraordinarily we'll protected they
will find some way of breaking in.
Sometimes they will saw the lock
completely out of the door. but the
easiest and most common way is the
use of the skeleton key. OF course,
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-03-01
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TX ! f@SN Ga EVN-~
ezzSszsa &!'ElEfNHEatloas

a receptacle with an open top. and is
made of some rigid material. The han
die is arranged in the center on the
upper edge of the seed box. A strap
is suspended over the shoulder which
fastens to loop secured to the inner
upper edge of the box midway Of its
length. The shape of the box is made
to conform to the curve of the body
at the hips, so that 1t can be readily
carried. Enough seeds can be carried
in this receptacle to cover couple
Of acres of ground. the seeds being
at all times within easy reach.
The patentee is Richard Bassett,
Dover n J.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-03-01

ford and has no use for such devices.
He still has to plant his seeds by
hand, usually using box or bag for
holding the seeds. A New Jersey man
has invented new arrangement for
this purpose. This seed box comprises
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-03-01

Something New in Sulkies.
The training and breeding of race
horses has increased to n very large
extent in this country in recent years,
which has resulted in the production
of some very fast race horses and also
the breaking Of worlds records. The
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-03-01
abdomen. The debris was removed b,

abdomen. The debris was removed by
the coroner"
The mistakes in pronunciation were
made on the following words: Sacrl-
legious. Belial, bronchitis. exhausted,
finances, deficit, comely, lenient. docile,
Malay. calliope, chameleon. suit, CO.
adjutor. caligraphy, matinee. sacrifica-
BILE, carbine, hymeneal, isolated, jugu-
lar and debris.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-03-01

Box for Holding Seeds.
The Introduction of up-to-date az
ricultural machinery has done away
with planting seeds by hand. except
by the small farmer, who cannot af-
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-03-01

If the Russians keep on killing
themselves, and the Japanese keep on
killing them. you will finally be com.
PEELED to go to Wild West show to
see a Russian.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-03-01
FISHER MAID OF MARkEN, HOLLAND.

Marker is In reality only a wide
sand bank In the Zuyder Zee, that
historic gulf in the German Ocean
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-03-01

When it is announced that sick
woman has recovered sufficiently to be
table, 1t is modest way Of calling at,
days later 1t is raid she is worse.