davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08
Wonders of BasIbec,

Baaibec. or Banlbek Is the name
TiveD n ruined city lying IN ancient
Coele-Syria. forty-fiye miles northwest
of Damascus There IL nothing partic-
ularly remarkable about Il ruined city
being found la the locality mentioned,
but the size Of the blocks 81 stone used
by the ancient builders Of This partic-
uiar city IS something thai bJ- puzzled
the modern engineers sance the day
when Baalbec was first made the Nee
ca of the oriental ira seler. There are
immense stones on every side Of the
visitor TO this ancient pile Of ruins but
the three most remarkable blocks said
to be the largest ever used In the con
struction of building are IN d wall
back of the temple Of Baal These In
mense stones are respectively sixty
four. sixty three and sixty-twO feet Ia
length and each " thirteen feet in
thickness. but the most wonderful
thing In connection with them Ii the
fact that they are at a place in the
wall twenty-five feet from the ground
How these immense blocks OF granite
were ever raised to such height il a
question that has never yet been an.
swered
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08
Peculiarftiea of LIchens.

The lichen Is remarkable for the great
age to which 1t lives, there being good
grounds for believing that they endure
as long as hundred years. Their
growth ia exceedingly slow, almost be-
yond belief, indicating that only little
nourtshment is necessary to keep them
alive. In dry time they have the pow
er to suspend growth altogether, renew
ing 1t again at the fall Of rain. This
peculiarly alone is enough to make the
lichen a vegetable wonder as 1t is a
property possessed by no other species
Of plant. Another interesting fact about
lichens is that they grow only where
the air ia free from dust and smoke.
They may be said to be sure indics-
ton Of the purity of the air, as they are
never found growing in cities and
towns. where the atmosphere is impreg'
mated with dust, SCOT. smoke and other
impurities
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08

There is a fundamental difference be
tween the English and the American
garden. The Englishman's garden Is
we'll nigh as essential as his house. 1t
is like an extra room to the residence.
1t is for the family rather than for the
public. 1t therefore works itself into
the developing consciousness OF chill
dren. and garden love becomes as
much a part Of the person AZ books
and furniture and music do. The
American garden is likely to be all In
the front yard. 1t is usually Of the
look-at-me kind. 1t Is made for the
public to see. This may contribute to
public spirit and civic betterment, but
it loses in originality and vltality.-L.
II Bailey in Garden Magazine
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08

Birds while still In the egg have a
sharp. horny spike attached to the up
per part OF the beak, by means Of
which they are assisted in breaking
out of the shell This prominence be
comes opposed to the shell at various
points, in line extending all around
the egg at about one-third of the eggs
length from the large end. 1t makes a
series of little holes, thus weakening
the shell, and when the chick arrives
at a certain stage of strength and de
velopment 1t has no difficulty In break
ing out. In the common fowl this little
weapon drops off day or two after 1t
is Matched, but on the pigeon and birds
that are fed by their parents 1t some
times remains for two weeks.
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08
Halcyon Days

The seven days preceding and the
seven days following the winter sol
stice were called by the ancients hal.
cyon days" This phrase Is derived
from q fable which sets forth that Hal
cyone, princess who grieved so deep
ly for the loss at sea of her spouse, was
sent thither in pity In the form of a
halcyon bird or kingfisher.
According to the legend, the halcyon
bird had during the time of breeding
the power of lulling the waves, and 1t
was believed at this time the sea was
always calm and might be navigated
In perfect security. Experience, Of
course, dlspelled this fable; but, like
many another old world story, 1t has
left behind 1t q distorted meaning.
In this case the connection between
the old and the new significance Is
clear, for the term, once expressive OF
peace and calm upon the waters, la
equally expressive of tranquility upon
the sea OF life.
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08

The first flag to float over American
soil was the royal standard OF Isabella,
emblazoned with the arms of CASTLE
Gud Leon A white flag with a green
cross WAS its companion. Some years
after Columbus landed at San Salvador
the Cabots planted the banner of Eng
land and OF st Marx of Venice on the
eastern shore of North America In
the centuries that have interviewed
since a variety of national flags have
waved whore now only the stars and
stripes is the accepted emblem. over
Texas have finated the French Span
lsh, English American and Confeder
ate: In Louisiana the lilies OF France,
the Spanish flag, the tricolor, the Amer
lean aud Confederate flags, in Califor
MIA the Spanish Mexican Russian and
American.
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08
Friendly Murder.

When Commodore Billings and Mr..
Main were on the river Kahima they
had for attendant young man from
Kanoga. an island between Kamchat'
ka and North America. One day Mr.,
Main asked him, What will the saw
ages do to me II l fall into their pow
err
"Sir." said the youth, you will new
er fall into their power If remain
with you always carry a sharp
knife. and IL see you pursued and
unable to escape l will plunge my
knife into your heart then the sayages
can do nothing to you"
This recalls the words of the French
knight reported by Joinville. Swear
to me-" said Queen Margaret, that II
the Saracens become masters Of Dani'
eta you will cut Off my head before
they can take me-"
Willingly" returned the knight 81
had already thought Of doing 30 II the
contingency arrived"
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08

In Holland births, marriages and
deaths, instead of being recorded In
newspapers, nre indicated by wlndmils.
When a miller gets married he stops
his mill with the arms OF the wheel in
a slantlng position and with the sails
unfurled. His friends and guests fire.
Quently do likewise with their mills, In
token of the ceremony To indicate a
birth the wheel is stopped with the
arms In slanting position, but at
more acute angle than for a marriage
and with the two upper sails unfurled.
Should a miller die the sails of his mill
are all furled, and the wheel Is turned
round until the arms form an upright
cross, In which position they are left
until altar the funeral has taken place.
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08

One of the features OF Jeypore, in IN
dia, is the wonderful Sambur salt lake,
concerning which there is a curious
legend. The story runs that an old
fakir long ago told one of the rajahs
that If he wanted to be rich he should
ride a horse az far rs he could go with
out once looking buck. and the land as
far az he could travel would become q
field of silver. always provided he did
not turn. He rode for thirty miles
and then. curiosity overcoming him, ht
looked back. with the result that in
stead of the promised field of silver be
found q lake OF salt.
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08
The Encnnnuf.

The cocoanut tree is the most useful
OF all plants in the tropical region. Its
seed furnishes food and an intoxicating
drink The shell gives drinking cups
and vessels and hard material eapa-
bic of a high polish. from which per
sonal ornaments may be manufactured
The trunk furnishes wood for dwell
lngs and boats. The leaves make cloth
Ing, cordage and ropes. The fibers OF
the bark and of the nut afford mating
and carpets The buds furnish succu
lent vegetable. and from the trunk a
palatable liquor Is drawn by making an
inciSioD
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08

Cocaine, an alkaloId of cocoa leaves,
was discovered in 1869 but remained
in comparative obscurity until 1884 In
minute doses whether taken internally
or used as spray on mucous surfaces,
its effect is wonderfully celebrating
producing for II time the fresh and
buoyant sensations of youth and per
feet health, that have apparently no
unpleasant reaction, and therein lies
the explanation of the subtle and ir
resistible power 1t quickly acquires
over its victims. carrying them to the
very brink OF destruction before they
have dreamed of danger. Being a Gu
mulatlye poison. the first warning
symptom does not appear until the
fatal chains are riveted that shall drag
them. horror stricken and powerless of
resistance. over the precpice to com
plete mental, moral and physical ruin
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08

Hippocrates il looked upon by anat.
omists az the father of the science
He died in 377 b. c. The modern sci.
ence began in Italy in the thirteenth
century The first anatomical plates,
designed to show the size and relative
position OF the bodily organs, were pre-
pared and colored by Titan. All the
great painters and sculptors have been
careful students of anatomy. Michael
Angelo, Raphael and Leonardo da Vim.
CT were noted for their anatomical re
searches
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08
Curious Chinese Prejudice

In the course OF business certain
London banks have occasion to send
out large sums In gold coin to China.
No sovereigns, however. will be ac-
copied which have st. George and the
dragon on the reverse side The drag
on plays a leading part in religious
matters in China and Its figure on the
coin Is abhorrent to the Celestial mind.
The London consignees have therefore
to pick out the older coins, having a
shield on the reverse side. for trans
mission to the east.
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08
vitality of n Frogs Heart.

There is no living creature, according
to a Philadelphia surgeon, that has a
heart with so much vitality as frog,
especially the species commonly known
as the water frog. 1t Is generally
known that the aquatic frog will sur
viye for months after the hind legs
have been removed OF course he can.
not hop about as he could before losing
his principal means OF transit, but his
fore legs help him TO crawl wherever
he desires to go. When began to learn
surgery | made a special dissection OF
a frog one day. laid the varions parts
of the body on table and discovered
that life was extinct within a few
hours In every organ except the heart.
The heart showed valvular motion for
a day after it had been severed entirely
from the body. am not aware that
any other creatures heart il possessed
of such vitality. - Philadelphia Tele.
graph
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08
when the state Fixe4 Hstei Prices.

when the state Fixea Hstei Prices.
Before, during and for a time after
the Revolutionary war the courts OF
the common wealth used to hx the
prices OF tavern board and liquor. 10
when the s0Journing stranger from
sfar struck Richmond be could pretty
nearly know what horse feed and
breakfast eosL There was also an
essize 0f bread az well as Of drink
Tue price OF bread was regulated by
the price Of wheat A fourpenny white
loaf. . twopeuny white loaf. a four
penny brick loaf and fonrpenny
brown loaf had each TO weigh 80 much,
according Is they had other ingredi-
ents mixed with -four. In those days
Boston biscuIt" costing cent had
TO weigh six ounces and two drains
and 80 on The connection between a
loaf Of bread and sixty pounds Of
wheat at SO much per bushel has
grown beyond the grasp OF the modern
mind However, Ia the old time In
Virginia the custom Of regulating the
price, or, rather. the weight OF a loaf
Of bread by the price OF the wheat Of
which 1t WAS made was universal. So
far as liquor was concerned, the courts
used 10 fix not only the price Of q SIN
gle drink a quart or gallon Of the
stun, but also "a gorum Of punch
Richmond Dispatch
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08

Hammers are represented Oh the
monuments OF Egypt twenty centuries
before our era. They greatly resem.
bied the hammers now In use, save that
there were no claws on the back for
the extra elton OF nails. The frst ham.
mer WAS undoubtedly stone held In
the hand Claw hammers were invent
ed some time during the middle ages,
Illuminated manuscripts OF the elev
enth century represent carpenters with
claw banners Hammers are of all
sizes, from the dainty instruments
used by the jeweler. which weigh less
than half an ounce, to the gigantic
hammer of shipbullding establishments,
some of which weigh as much as fifty
tons and have falling force of from
30 to 100. Every trade has its own
hammer and its own way of using II
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08

Before the days OF artillery the moat
WAS an effective means OF defense, par
ucularly when filled with water In
very large forts or castles 1t sometimes
assumed the dimensions OF lake, be
ing often 100 yards wide and ten to
twenty feet deep. The moat was
crossed by a drawbridge, which could
the moat was too wide to permit of this
bridge covering the entire distance a
slight wooden bridge was employed
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08
A man should be upright, not be KEPT
upright-Marcus Aurelius.
Always X Fps Chamber aims Cough Rem
tdY IN Hls Houae.

ave would not be without Chamberlain's
Cough Remedy 1t is kept on hand eontin
nally in our home saws W. w. Kearney,
editor of the Independent, Lowry CITY, Mo.
That is Just what every family should DO.
When kept at hand ready for instant use, a
cold may be checked at the outset and cured
in much less time than after il has become
settled in the system This remedy IS also
without a peer for Group in children, and
will prevent the attack when given as soon
as the child becomes hoarse. or even after
the croupy cough appears which can only be
done when the remedy is kept at hand. For
sale by &. K. Foge's Drug Store Skowhegan;
Maine; L. c. Williams, Athens; Sullivan
Newton, JAckman.
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08

First SaIlor-No, Bill. yer don't real
ly know what life is till yer get spliced
Second Sailor-W'y, SILVER me timbers
messmnte! I've never been married
true, but I've had yeller fever and
cholera, I've been frostblt, drowned
burned alive. eat by a shark, blowed
up at sea and operated on for cancer
Wot more does reasonable chaT
want2-London Answers.
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08
Jnmen I.ick'a Teat

This is told Of James Lick, the &c.
centric San Francisco millionaire. who
founded the famous observatory bear
ing his name When taking any one
into his service he always asked the
person to plant tree upside down
the roots In the air, the branches un-
derground. II there were any protest
the man was at once sent away. Lick
saying that he wanted only men who
would obey orders strictly
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08

When witness In an English court
the other day remarked that 1t was
necessary to sit on a horses head when
he was down to keep him quiet the
Judge replied: Nothing of the kind.
People don't seem to understand that
the only thing necessary is to get hold
Of his ear and keep his nose up In the
air. have seen a lady keep a horse
quiet In that way without solling her
gloves
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08

The Acarnanians were considered the
most skiIlful singers of Greece. These
weapons were used not only to throw
stones, hut balls Of lead, and In some
localities, especially In the plain Of
Marathon, many of these metal projec
tiles have been found. The relics are
Interesting from the inscriptions and
devices cut upon them, which consist
Of the names of persons and approprl'
ate epithets, the legend In many cases
meaning when fully translated Look
outp'
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08
Notice Of First Meeting Of Creditors,
In the Oisttic, Court OF the United Stat
tor the District of Maine.
IN BANKRUPTCY.

IN the matter OF
George A Brown, In BAukruptc1
BANKRUPT,
To the creditors o. George A Brown Of
Fairfield, in the county of Somerset AN
District aforesaid. q bankrupt.
Notice is hereby given that on the 3td day
OF March A. d. 1865. said George 4. brown
WAS duly Adjudicsted bankrupt sud that the
hrst meeting of his creditors viii be held ~
Daniel Lewis Office. skowheEan Maine, on
the 14'h day OF March 4. D, i"e ~ le
o'clock in the forenoon, st which time tht
said creditors may attend prove their claims
appoint trustee. examine the bankrupt
an transact such other business IS msy
ptonprlv come before sad meeting lS4
March 3. A. p. 1906.
DANIEL LEWIS. REFEREE in Bankruptcy
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08

Magazine Editor-Well. we've had ar
ticles by bridge Jumpers. actors, yegg-
men, senators. pugilists, doctors, de
tectives. porch climbers, lawyers, ex-
plorers and lot more. I'm at the end
of my string for something new. What
would you suggest? Assistant Editor
How would n do to have an article by
a professional author2- p Pittsburg Post
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08
OxeRconinm Hia Temper.

Prospective Mother-in-law - Before
you marry my son | want to tell you
now that he has frightful temper
Prospective Daughter-in-la w-Oh. that's
nothing! Mamma will cure him Of
that. used TO have a frIghtfully bad
temper myself, but mamma cured me
Of IL
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08
Hia Paving Pnxxars.

Old Gotrox-I don't think much OF
that young Dudeleigh who poses as o
parior ornament around here occasion
ally. Pretty Daughter-Why. pa, be
pays me the loveliest compliments. Old
Gotrox-Yes, and that's all he was ever
known to pay. SO far as l can learn.
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08
The Tourists Way.

Alpine Traveller This Is a very dan
gerous place. you say. Aud do the
poor people who live on the mountain
have to travel this way every day ?
Guide-Oh, no, They are not such
fools They go up by a much easier
road. We only bring the tourists round
this way Pearson Weekly
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08

Auntie Ito small niece who Is not by
any means the pink Of perfectionl-Oh,
Milly. how naughty you arel Your nice,
good little sister and brother can never
be SO bad. Milly (saucily)-But | can
soon teach then. London Taller
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08

You misjudge me-" said the hypo-
critic reproachfully. 81 admit I am q
poor. weak mortal, but lying ia not one
Of my failings."
ut certainly is not" agreed the hard
hearted man "It 10 one Of your sue
eesse4
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08
His Revolution.

Speaking of revolutions" began the
loQuacious man, II was the central fig
ure In one myself once"
Somewhere In South American
mo; In Massachusetts. got caught
In the shafting OF & wooden mill -
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08

Express Clerk Value Of this pack
age. please2 Fair Damsel - $4,000.
Express Clerk - Huh? Fair Damsel-
You heard what | said Those are love
letters from old Bagsocoyne, and I'm
sending 'em to my lawyer.-Cleyeland
Leader
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08

A court OF law Is "Reminiscences of
the time when justice sat In the open
courtyard, and the dock" Is from q
German word meaning a receptacle,
while the bar is Welsh word mean
ing a branch of tree used to separate
the lords of justice from their vassals
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08

Until comparatively recent times the
only harrow was large pile Of brush
or tree branches. dragged across the
Geld by a team of oxen
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08
A Had Failure

Stocks-Bent's failure Is regarded as
a very bad one. Shares-How so?
Stocks - With his opportunities he
should have failed for at least twice
the amount
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08

we cannot see the motives OF the
actions we condemn, we cannot know
the trials and temptations of our broth
er's inner life therefore how Is it pos
sible for us to criticize his actions fair
ly2-Uome Notes
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08
Terminating the Deanitlon

Johnny-Papa, what does precoclous
meanf Papa-It means-a-it Is a term
applied 10 children who know more
than is usunl at their age. Johnny
oh, yes; II means a fresh Kid.
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08
Its Carious Origin,

The word "eavesdropper" has a curl
GUS origin. In the early part OF last
century the penalty Of listening to or
overlooking secret assemblies, especial
ly Masonic ones, was suspension IN
der the caves of a house on a rainy
day Till the water ran through the
clothing and down to the shoes OF the
offender London Express.
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08
AWfnIIY aInM.

He-Darling. | have loved you ever
since FIRST we met. She-Well. why
didn't you say so long ago? Did you
think | was a mind reader?
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08
Notice Of First Meeting Of Creditors.
In the District Court OF the United 5 Gtes tor
the District of Maine,
IN BANKRUPTCY.
In the matter Of
Morris K. Chase,
BANKRUPT.

BANKRUPT.
To the creditors Of Morris r Chase OF
eittsheld, IN the County Of Somerset all
Diztrlct Aforesaid, Bankrupt.
Notice is hereby given that on the 74th day
OF February, A. D., 1906. said Morris 4. Chase.
duly adjndicsted bankrupt aud
that The frs. meeting OF his crt ditors will be
held ~ Daniel Il wis Office 10 SSovseEsu.
Maine, on The 22nd dsy OF Mach. A. D.
lao6 At ten O'Clock In the tore noon. Mt which
time the said creditors may site 4. prove
their claims. appoint s trustee. tIarlnt tht
bankrupt and transact such Their bus ness s.
msY prCperlF come before said meeting.
March A. D.. 10 g lWlo
DANIEL LEWIS, Referee II BANKRUPTCY
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08
A Pity Indeed.

Snlpkus DUST returned from Italy,
And So you see. did not see Naples
and die" Miss Awdy Bored (absently
What a pity Ally Sloper.
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08

A man has plenty of friends when he
doesn't need them.-New York Press.
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08
Aolyoke Mutual Fire Insurance CO
IN SALEM, MAJ.
ASSETS DEG ..s

PARKS BROTHERS, Agents,
PITTSFIRLD. AAIHR
The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-08

pr. David keuuedy's fayorite Remedy is adapted
TO oil ages and both sexes. sfordlng permanent
lief In all Gases caused by lmpurity of the blood,
such - kidney, bladder and Liver Com
plants; cures Constipation and Weaknesses
peculiar 20 women.
Il proves successful in cases where all Other medi-
cines have totally failed No sufferer should despair
as long az this remedy i untrled- IL has nnbro-
ken record nf sncccss fer over 80 years, and has
won hosts OF warm friends.
Are you suffering from any dsesse traceabie to
the causes mentioned? II so, DIR. kennedy tAs
staked his personal and professionsl reputation on
the statement that Favorite Remedy viii do you
gool.
Send for free trial bottle and booklet con-
tanning valuable medical advice on the Iestment Of
various dseases. Write also for an Easy Test"
for finding outfit you have kidney disease. Address
DIR. David Kennedy's Sons, Rondout, n. y.
REMEMBER. the full name lie DR.. David Ken
nedyis FANORITE REMEDY, made St Roudout.
n. ". and the price is 81 90 {-I bottles s. oOl st
al druggists in the United States, Canada and
foreign countries
The Washington times., 1906-06-01
WINTER WHEAT CR0o
OUTLOOK FAVORABLE

Dispatches 20 Dur's Review from the
principal winter wheat Stases indicate
that the outlook is better than usual at
this date. Earlier reports OF possible
injury from drought are followed by
statements that ample rain has fallen,
and there Is little danger OF a decreased
yield on this account. As usual a Ger
tain percentage % the crop was winter
killed, and has been plowed up and
replanted. but the proportion of work
of this nature was less than usual
Least favorable reports are received
from Michigan. where low temperature
has seriously retarded growth. Little
damage is noted in any section on ac-
count Of insects Storms have injured
wheat in western Kansas. but conditions
are favorable IN most parts Of that
State. Seeding Of spring wheat has been
completed at an average Of about one
week late. and the acreage is about
normal, a decrease IN the Red River
valley being made Up elsewhere Warm
weather IS now needed in the Northwest
70 attain best results as 20 spring wheat
as there is abundant moisture in the
ground.