davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-03-07
CLOSING pEklN's GATES.
Noisy Ceremony Performed Daily At
the Chinese Capital.

Noisy Ceremony Performed Daily at
the Chinese Capital.
The closing of the gates in Pekin.
just because 1t goes on daily and
may apparently go on daily for cen
turtles to come, is probably one Of
the sights least witnessed and
talked Of, save by those foreigners
who may have cnaaced to run for
1t" near closing time. The daily per.
Torrance is marked with due cere-
mony which is quaint and full of In
terest to the intelligent onlooker, as
the closing by no means signifies the
mere bringing together of the heavy
wooden doors and barring the en-
peror's highway against all comers.
AT the appointed hour prelimtn-
airy signal is given by large gong
or iron shield being struck with a
big iron bar fifty times in such quick
succession as to almost defy calcu.
lation. This is followed by signal
of one hundred blows repeated In pre-
cisely the same fashion three times.
When the third and last cycle OF
gong strokes is entered on num-
Der Of old and at this season very
much bewadded and mufhed up old
Charles start series of discor-
dant yells to all and sundry to has
ten or they will be shut out. The
combination of signals is followed by
a jostling stream of people from both
directions.
Presently the rush slackens. until
only solitary pedestrian. or pos
sibly a man on donkey, full tilt,
belated rickshaw or a heavily
laden cart struggles through. Then
a movement is made with the gates.
yelling bursts out afresh, and another
rush ensues, the gates being mean
while half closed and occasionally
opened little way again until the
outgoers having meanwhile ceased
there is final scrimmage to get into
the city, and the process OF closing,
which has taken some half hour in
all. is concluded
The huge iron-plated doors hav-
ing changed to, monster iron pole
is dragged up and placed across them
on iron supports, being retained in
position by paddock of enormous
proportions and of the well-known
Chinese type. There are in all the
cities of Picking some nineteen gates,
and the same ceremony is observed
at each, but at such tnoroughfares
as the Hatamen there is naturally
more traffic. and the process is prob
ably proportionately longer.-Pekfa
Times.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-03-07

Compared with other constitutionally
governed countries, Sweden has the
most limited suffrage in the world. Ac-
cording to Swedish statistics, only one
fourth of the grown men who are per-
sonally qualified have political vote.
The lower house of Parliament, which
should represent the great body of the
people, In reality represents only a
small fraction, while the upper house
is exclusively in the hands of the
moneyed classes.
No one can become member of the
upper house unless, first, lie owns and
for three years previous to voting has
owned property to the tax value of
at least $4,000 crowns (roughly speak
ing, $20,G0G) or. second, has for three
years paid taXes on an Income Of Mt
least 1900 cFawna. either frem capital
Or ,Rhap.
hut this Is aut NIL A constitutional
law still farthsF- strengthens tAs power
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-03-07
Over the HIS.

ONeF IUe THIS.
Over the crests. of the hills that fie
Yelled in a distant blue,
In the mysterious BY and BY,
What will there be to do?
What will boy, from ball and kite
Called by the deeds that wait,
Find when he strides like an ardent
knight
Through the horizons gate?
Marvellous ventures, and hazards
rare,
Bidding master hand?
Country and city and sky more fair,
Forming wondrous land?
Narrow the limits that hedge to-day
Mother and school and home,
Over the borders and far away
Eager the lad to roam.
Over the hilltops fame is won;
Cities and towns stretch far
Noble achievements by men are done:
Glory and wealth there are.
But we who have seen the land and
sea,
Wide plains and mountains tall,
Gladly would turn us again, for we
At home might have found It all.
Edwin l.. Sabin.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-03-07
REp.MINGEp SEA ROBINS,

hED-W lNGED oEA hOblNo.
suppose the popularity which
would be noticed first about the sea
robin; grunter, or gurnard, as he is
variously called, would be his clumsy
shape. The head is large and deep
in comparison with the body. One
of our observing young folks, looking
at him alive in his tank Of the United
States Fish Commission, Washing
ton, would be apt to exclaim: oh,
see, he has little hook-claws, which,
help him crawl along!" Sure enough,
just in front of the pectoral or side
fms are three little, finger-like pro-
cesses on each side, which are used
to stir up weeds and sand. and to
rake around among the pebbles and
rout out the small animals upon
which the sea robin feeds in it's ma
tive waters. While doing this it
seems to be crawling along over
the bottom by hooking these peculiar
claws into the sand. Sea robins feed
on small crabs, fish, shrimp and other
diminutive animals which they find
in among the loose stones. In Eu-
rope all the gurnard family OF fishes
are eagerly sought, as they find a
ready sale in the fish market. Tney
attain length of two feet and a
weight of eleven pounds. Our spe-
cies of the sea robin, a cousin to
the European variety, is. found on
our northern coast. and is taken i'll
great numbers in the pound nets
along Vineyard Sound, where they
spawn during the summer months.
They are much esteemed for the
table, being one of the most delicate
of the edible fishes. The flesh is
firm snow-white and hard to be dis
tinguished from that of the kingfish.
The American sea robin is fifteen to
eighteen inches long and weights
from one and quarter to two
pounds. Wlen taken from the water
they grunt quite loudly, and If placed
on the ground give little hop for
ward OF a few inches, gruntipg as
they do so. This grupting sound
can be heard quite plainly Il one
IL Id q boat lyihs quietly III shallow
water near Where tAsY are,
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-03-07

Again came the clatter of hoofs.
The rope was torn suddenly from the
Nlerican's hands. He lost his bal
nee, tumbled forward on a hairy
ank, and was hurled to the deck.
Jenny sprang back into the alley
ust in time to void being caught
,etween the taut rope and the corner.
The animal had put his head and
eft fore-leg fairly through the moose;
and when the rope frightened he was
thrown in heap.
Lanterns were now brought down,
he was quickly overpowered, and ten
minutes later was in mis- place again,
securely fastened to his headboard.
The remainder of the trip was un-
eventful, and Cranston began his Eu-
ropean itinerary at Liverpool. none
the worse for his ten days work upon
the cattle decks.-Youth's Companion.
panion.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-03-07
Revised Proverbs.

It's wise son who knows when to
ask his father for money.
The best policy is paid-up life in
surance.
A lawsuit is the thief of time.
A dollar in hand is worth two
loaned to a friend.
Do man today; he'll do you tomor.
row.
1t is folly to be wise to all you
see and hear.
Where there's will there's feast
for lawyers.
1t is never too late to love or &c
home.
Nothing will be done well that you
do yourself if you don't know how.
Go slow and get left.
When the cat is away the night is
quiet.
A friend in need is friend to
steer shy of.
An honest mans word is as good as
his bond when you've nothing to lose
Don't look before leaping when an
automobile comes scorching your
way.-Lippincott's.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-03-07

Several years ago, says a writer in
the Boston Herald, u party Of friends
travelling by trolley had occasion to
ask the starter on q certain line how
often tho cRps ran. to which qpestloa
hs made tho following reply;
"qaarter hfssr, ha' artef. quarter
IN, And NJ
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-03-07
PARIS "ouT OF DOORS"
Restaurat-ur Serves HI. Patrons
Even I'm Winter Al Fresco.

Restaurateur Serves His Patrons
Even I'm Winter AL Fresco.
Last year cafe manager in Paris
had happy thought that will save
lives. Why, he asked himself, should
his patrons retreat Indoors when cold
weather comes, to be stitled by close
air and tobacco smoke! All summer
they had eaten and drunk Mt peace
upon the wide space between his build
ing and the Sidewalk. says the New
York World.
So lie put brazier of blazing Goals
on the pavement. Merely that.
This year 1t is fashion. rhe Lon
don Outlook's correspondent says PEG
pie tlrong outside the cafes as in
June. Prom the Madeleine TO the
Bastile dozens Of braziers are alight." "
The correspondent adds:
cit is pleasant to see how much the
great fires are appreciated by the cab
drivers, policemen, artisans, dressmak-
ers, milliners and apprentices. flower
In their button-holes, a ribbon in their
hair, who crowd around and enjoy their
pennyworth Of hot coffee. In the rich
err neighborhoods further refinements
are in vogue. At one place are to be
seen plates of sheet iron that draw
the heat upon the pavement; at another
glazed screens from hot house and
soft carpets cover the damp and chilly
flagstones, or, again. the table legs are
followed and transformed into foot,
warmers"
So Paris, Eau soleil'' or Eau pleln'
air" even in December along every
boulevard. So Rome, al fresco" in the
Piazza Colona and Venice in the Piazza
San. Marco. Here In America we have.
not even aname for this joyous, health
full open-air. brealSfasting and dining.
"Out of DOORS" the nearest approach,
has IN exclusive. melancholy sound.
New York's whole architectural ar
Management is against 1t.
Health taps Mt the window. knocks
at the door, whistles its Invitation Mt
the keyhole, but in this most shut-in
nation only the few have ears to hear.
The rest close the windows and doors
and put ON weather strips to invite
pneumonia and consumption.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-03-07
He Did.

"we should always" said the Jail
evangelist, "cousider any circumstances
which add weight to the steps we
take"
81 do murmured the convict, sadly,
as lie cast a casual glance Mt his ball
and chain."-Baltlmore American.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-03-07

Feeding and stabIins a Motor Car.
A young motorist, endeavoring to
convince a country inn-keeper that
the decay of coaching was more than
compensated for by the spread of
motoring as pastime, exclaimed, as
a final argument, that his car was Of
forty-horsepower, 1.-THE equal, sir, or
ten relays of coach horses" The next
morning he read in his bill: ITO
feeding and stabling, so shillings." He
asked the landlord for an explana-
ton. "The charge for 'osses is 2
shillln head, sir" was the reply.
That machine of yours is equal to
forty 'oses, which is so shillip',"
James Gazette.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-03-07

Have you n street cleaning sys-
rem?"
Yes" answered the man who new
err loses his local pride. ut takes a
little time, but 1t is thorough. We
wait for a thaw."- washington Star.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-03-07

The wsltest place Ia the weird Is
oAerrapuall In Assam
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-03-07
k3EQR YQUNG4 ~
w. FeIkSN
KIDS,

The richest man know in town
Has just one small boy only:
But pa says, Cad! he pities him
In that big mouse SO lonely.
It seems to me 'twould be SO nice
If kids all come out even;
And when asked pa why they don't
He said, BE quiet, Stephen!"
Then families all'd have bills like pa,
For us five kids together.
He says, would bust cattle man,
We wear out SO much leather.
But when the circus comes to town
Pas glad he has SO many,
For he has more fun takin' US
iaan If he hadn't any.
My pa says some day that he'll be
Too old to 60 on workin'.
And then he hopes that none of us
Our duty will be shirkin'.
You bet we won't! We all love pa.
But wouldn't 1t be funny
To have your father hangin' round
And askin' you for money?
I've most quarter in my bank
To buy a bullet moulder.
But now think I'll save 1t up
For pa when he gets older.
May Kelly, in Lippincott's.
THE LETTERS MOTHER SENT,
1t was rainy day, and the chill.
dren were lonely. Bobby had drawn
his little cart up by the fire and sat
looking into the flames. wondering ii
the feeling he had was what sister
called "homesick." It seemed queer
If one could have 1t right In ones
own home. Molly was drumming on
the window-pane, and there was 10
doubt In her mind about the matter;
she knew 1t was homesick The boys,
Tom and Ned, were in the woodshel
whiting out boat for Bobby. They
did not seem to mind.
The reason for this cloud on the
house was that mother had gone
away and would not return until the
next day. At first they had amused
themselves by saving, Now she has
reached the station" and after long
time and much discussion, shes at
grandma's now" Somehow when
they reached this point in the Journey
this strange Consequences had settled
on the house. They knew she would
be back the next day: but that was
tomorrow, and to-day it was raining.
When this moment of the after.
noon had come and the shadows we're
getting little longer. Molly saw
the postman coming up the walk.
She almost flew to the door although
she thought it could not be possible
mother had written a letter.
Here are letters enough for two
postmen." said the man. fumbling the
pile he had in his hand and count.
ing off five letters. II guess YOU can
find out who they are for"
Molly took the letters and begaa
to Jump up and down in delight. run
and call the boys" she told Bobby.
and he hurried away as fast as A.s
fat little legs could carry him.
Soon they were all seated by the
fire, and what do you think they
found?
Each envelope bore the address
in the lower corner, but at the top
was photograph of the one for
whom the letter was intended. acre
was a picture of Bobby drawing his
cart across the lawn. There was one
of Molly standing by the grape arbor.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-03-07

Knieker-Dla you ask her to hs your
wi!e2 nopkepsuSes. but sls dael,aed
tho aolnlnattoa.seNew Fork Buu.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-03-07

TIE sssilRlsF Il q 1llliegtpay ts,ss
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-03-07

I've most a quarter in my bank
To buy bullet moulder.
But now think I'll save 1t up
For pa when he gets older.
May Kelly, in Lippincott's
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-03-07

You bet we won't! We all love pa.
But wouldn't 1t be funny
To have your father hangin' round
And askin' you for money?
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-03-07

My pa says some day that he'll be
Too old to go on workin'.
AID then he hopes that none of us
Our duty will be shirkin'.
The Washington herald., 1906-12-23
A Christmas Night Disaster.

ION Christmas night" Commander Peary. ''tha
ice suddenly away the shore disappeared
in the nIy darkness leaving of the
Roosevelt exposed unprotected southery
gale began which threatened the ship from her
mOOrings swell heaving around Cape Rawson rocked
the vessel pronOuncedly.'
This anxious perlous precluded very
much enjoyment of the Christmas spirit
But perhaps the most remarkable observance Of Christ
mas under difficulties by crew German ship
Hansa which had been crushed by ice in December 1870
The cambered. with such belongings they could
rescue upon iceberg they remained facing
ships and danger days before they were rescued
yet even to the Of the Inflated Hansa Christmas
brought some festivities states an account The tremen
dous gale ragged many days ceased just before
December D. and heavy almost buried the
black huts shpwTecked constructed for
themselves debris of the upon Hoatng ice
berg.
THE Christmas tree was erected in the afternoon
while greater of the took walk lone
ly showed with wonderful brightness amid the
Christmas upon a Greenland icebergi
1.-The tree was artisticaly put together Of frwood and
matweed and DIT. Laube had saved a twist wax taper
for the illumination Chains coored paper and newly
boxed caves were wanting, and men had made
knapsack and revolver present for cap
tain.
Hochstetter Geographical Society which had been
brought from Germany. and much amazed by their
contents. Each had a glass Of port wine, we
then turned the old newspapers which found in
chests lots for presents which
of small musical instruments hfes. jewsharps,
trumpes &C. with games and crackers. In
Ing Toasted chocolate and gingerbread"
the circumstances # remarkable thers
should any spirit attempt poorest
celebration of the Christmas time.
The Washington herald., 1906-12-23
How tie olY0N5 Sea5n7 HAS SpeRI

HART me. and with in his eyes said that
entering pits could not keep
up Later announced that the had reached
the CRATE bars that the fires out had
sent the ashore.
But fate postponed the complete destruction the
America Another pressure raised her high ice
crib and in that position she froze, the drifting
in until she seemed imm0vablea black, giant skeleton
narooned in the icy waste of Tepiitz Bay.
The night of disaster tinged with flashes Of
While the passing bags the side
ship the cook who exeitable nature
denly appeared the rail with d large bag which he
heaved over with all his might
Il struck below with resounding crash which
caused several the sailors exclam, Hello. cook
what that?"
oh. that's all right" he answered. its lamp Chin
neys and fatirons"
But hardly all right, for during the winter we
Obliged the bottoms pickle
them in lieu of the chimneys that had been broken
with the dsahlement Of the snip the necessity
OF sedging the possible dismantling
interior for the woodwork enlarge At
ightfaH when twenty-four homeless had be Civ
place sleep. the cheapest. Bowery lodging
house would have seemed palace compared little
hut slept tables and underneath them benches
and on piles of baggage
Despite th,se advantages the Christmas and New
holidays passed happily. We celebrated them with ban
quets TO which hard-working steward contributed
many delicacies
Christmas edition of the Arctic Eagle camp
The Washington herald., 1906-12-23
Like Their Ship Their Hopes seemed
Directed

IAN anything be imagined more cherries
than a Christmas spent in the Polar e
giOns, imprisoned amid vast fields of ice
md with no rayaof sunshine to tighten the cold,
d-eary gloom ora six months night?
But, in addition to the cold and gloom, imagine
a party Of explorers marooned upon an ice field,
their ship crushed and wrecked, with most Of the
long, dreadful winter still before them and no GER
tainty Of ever again returning to home and civza-
ton Do you think Christmas could be celebrated
with right good will under such circumstances?
In 1908 such Yuletide fell to the lot of the
Ziegler expedition, commanded by Anthony Fiala.
Mr. Fiala tells of it in his book, Fighting the Po-
lar Ice" recently issued by Doubleday, Page &
Co, of New York The simply written narrative
Is thrilling in its dramatic portrayal Of adventure
and hardship.
That the perilous position Of the party may be
better understood let Mr. Fiala tell Of some of the
events of the expedition that led up to the Christ
mas plight. He begins with a reference to the
BaIdwin-Ziegler expedition of I9oI-o2.
The Washington herald., 1906-12-23
BY ANTHONY FIALA.

It odd how quickly the arctic lost its terrors after
the return to civilization During the long, dark winter
Of 9 every nisht after the working hours, the period
called day was over we would huddle together for
warmth around tiny in the cabin of the Amer-
ca and talk warmer countries
Two of the men avowed their intention Of going
expedition TO the island Of Borneo the America
returned to Norway; two others stated that they
going Mexico another expressed wish explore Af
ca, while of the doctors said he meant the
equator and more than five degrees north or
south the rest of his days.
Yet the of another expedition these men ap-
piled to go north
on Friday, July 10 we left vardo Norway. with our
bow pointed north On the afternoon of July Is met
the ice and progress north by cosepacked
crystal Capt Coffin suggested that it would be
to turn the ship around and to longitude
grees where the ice seemed looses then
way north to which suggestion I agreed.
Passing the long and often dscouragng fight
the ice we the morning of August 81 when we
made our highest north open Victoria Sea allowing
US TO pass beyond the degree latitude We then re-
turned to Teptz Bay Rudolf Island voyage for this
year was over and instructions dlsembark
animals unload the and prepare the ship for
winter quarters.
The tent where the Duke of Abruzzi Can't Caeri and
their companions in 1900 and from
which they started their recordbreang trip had been
destroyed by storms, and all that remained were the
of the framework sunk deep in the
the top the interior
A large tent twenty feet wide and eightyeigbt feet
Iona. was erected and in it the ponies and dogs were
stabbed another large for storage
of food and forage for the animals A house built
of lumber brought from Norway, company laborng
late the gathering twilight and com
ulete this winter shelter.
Toward the end of September the days grew stormy
and dark the suns visits became daily shorter on
October Is mminary dipped below the horizon in
blaze of scarlet fire, again of the
following year and thick gloom settled the Of
land and
November opened clear and cold the temperature grad
ualy falling. There a faint twilight noon
with a low glow in the southern skies clear days
Thereafter it grew darker each day until there little
difference between noon and midnight
}On the morning of November y / awakened about
O'Clock by the shaking and trembling ship, and
lay for minutes listening the groaning
ing of the timbers under pressure of the ice.
got Hp went on deck. was so dark that
The Washington herald., 1906-12-23

trembling Of the ship. As I hurriedly dressing the
America began 20 shake if the wave Of a mighty
earthquake; she shrIeked like a living thing in pain.
went deck in the darkness. only to realize that
the America in her death agony. The whole of
ice to sarboard in motion, sweeping down by great
lines and pillows breaking blocks that
bed each other Ike army giants determined
to destroy
Huge powders Of ice the rail. crushing it
like paper frightful sounds heard from below
if the ship breaking in half At 7:3o Engineer
The Washington herald., 1906-12-23

could not very far, but could distinguish in the dis
the ghosy form Of fee in tumble confusion
and could the ridges approaching the bow
and of the ship and the folds the ice off
starboard felt rather cold though temperature
had risen to . degrees below zero.
Days Of storm and varying temperature followed and
the nights made unpleasant by the grating Of the
ice in motion and the groaning and shaking Of the ship
under pressure.
Early in the morning Of December q I awakened
by the old grinding and cTunching of the ice the
The Washington herald., 1906-12-23
VERSE WORTH READING
A PRAYER. .

n IN
God Of the lonely soul
God Of the comfortless,
God Of the broken heaTt-for these,
Thy tenderness.
For prayers there he enough,
Yea. prayers there be 10 spare,
For those Of proud and high estate;
Each has his share.
But the beggaT at my door,
The thief behind the bars,
And those that be too blind to see
The shining stars
The outcast IN his hut.
The useless and the old.
Whoever walks the eity's streets
Homeless and cold;
The sad and lone Of soul
When no man understands
And those Of secret sin, with stains
Upon their hands,
and stains upon their souls,
Who shuddsr in their sleep,
And walk their ways with trembling hearts,
Afraid to weep
For the childless mother. Lord,
And, an the little child
Weeping the mother IN her grave,
Uurec0nciled-
God Of the lonely soul.
God Of the comfortless.
For these and such as these, ask
Thy tenderness.
Whose sin be greatest, Lord,
II slch deserve his lot;
II each but reap as he hath sown-
/ ask Thee not
l only ask Of Thee
The marvel Of a space
When these forgot and blind may look
Upon Thy face
Ella Higginson. in Se-ihner,s Marazine