davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1906-04-15

the big fellows, which lie socially coiled
in a great mass The keeper then hands
them their chickens and rabbits. one by
one, keeping many of the snakes cover
ed with blankets to prevent fighting
To throw the food at random into the
cage would result in the more powerful
specimens eating everything. besides
fighting among themselves
The poisonous snakes are the most
difficult to keep in captivity. They are
so nervous that the slightest noise
causes them to spring in a coil of de-
fense, and these reptiles often deliber-
ately starve themselves to death. Be
cause of this nervousness the poisonous
snakes are usually fed at night, when
the reptile house is absolutely quiet.
This disposition belongs only to the
viperine snakes. Though the cobras are
always on the lookout for trouble. they
eat regularly and voraciously.
In the reptile house of the New York
geological Park is a cobra with an an
petite that embarrasses the keepers.
me specimen is thirteen feet in length,
and strictly cannibalistic. Nothing but
snakes will he touch, and. still more.
ne seorns the small. common snakes
which are readily obtained
Before the formidable brute had been
IN the building six months he hed de-
populated a cage full of black snakes
ana deVoured collection Of Southern
coachwhip snakes, and all the large
specimens which the park could spare.
More black snakes were ordered. but
as the cobra demanded four or five of
these at meal, the situation became
embarrassing.
1t was finally decided 70 remedy con-
d1TlOTS nv inUnnfnuo
black snake was killed and stuffed full
of rats, until its diameter was about
six times beyond the normal, when it
was cast into the cobra's quarters.
After inspecting the morsel for some
time, the cobra began to swallow it
slowly. 1t was an operation that con-
Sumed d full half hour. and after its
completion the snakes appearance DEM
onstrated that he had enough to satisfy
his most voracious expectations
When valuable snakes arrive at the
reptile house, and are not apparently
inclined TO eat they have a certain
length of time in which to show signs
of appetite. and then. If still indisposed
compulsory feeding is resorted to. Gar
ina, the twenty-five foot python in the
reptile house. was allowed to fast five
months before vigorous measures were
used.
A force of men was organized into a
python squad. numbering about a dozen
members. The big snake was taken
from the cage, and a number of rabbits,
fastened together in long string. were
run doeOl the seTpept's throat with a
bamboo pole.
The Washington times., 1906-04-15

tention was attracted. 1t was an old
game, but new to him and so it worked
as well as IL it had been an entirely
new gag.
In a few moments the four were in
earnest conversation. the tout vOlun-
teeTing the information that he had
a gold-bond tip. that a certain horse
which was slated for the next day
The Washington times., 1906-04-15

the bad. They therefore decided to
stay of.
That night they returned o the hotel
and sat gloomil,' at their accustomed
places in the dinIng-room. Both of the
men were out of sorts with the world
at large, for they had not only passed
up the best chance of the season 10
make a killing" but had dropped a
good pile on some bum lunches"
just at this moment George entered
with champagne glasses in one hand
and the accustomed bucket of ice in
the other. They waived him aside, de-
claring that such luxuries we're not for
them that night. But George, with
a beaming smile. declared: That's all
right, the drinks are on me tonight.
gents I put up a couple on Bettie
Landon. the good thing you steered me
up against last night. and 1 am
couple Of hundred to the good to-
night"
The Washington times., 1906-04-15
Their First Bet.

Last Friday week two young girls
were TO be seen making their way TO
the track. They we're going TO indulge
in the sensation of betting on the
races. 1t was the first time they had
ever attempted anything of the kind.
Fifty cents each was the amount they
had decided to risk on the ponies
While on the car they were overheard
trying to convince each other THAI il
was the biggest joke of their lives.
but when they reached the track and
placed their combined dolIa.' I'm the
hands of friend to bet on the Jockey
The Washington times., 1906-04-15
GdUe Waiter q Good One. "

It was during the first few days OF
this seasons meet that two Of the
upper ten Of the race course were
sitting at dinner in downtown hotel.
They were feeling unusually gay. for
they had Just received an inside tip
on the next days card that would net
them enough to make amends for the
''hard luck that had followed them
ever since they began following the
races. They were discussing the af-
fair soto voce when George, The
waiter. came for their order. He
thought he recognized in the guests
two of the leading trainers of the day.
and as consequence he took unusual
pains to see that these men should
have the most efficient service. AS
neither of the men was badly soiled
with the filthy lucre. their tip to the
waiter was quite modest. But they
whispered another sort OF tip In his
ear. cautioning him at the same time
not to let any of his friends "on.' for
they would probably run the price of
the horse UP by playing him too
heavily.
George was wise to the situation.
he had saved up a few dollars from
the tips he had been receiving during
the past few days. He had not played
the races this year, and as a conse-
quence he had something to stake on
the main chance. He had been con-
tent to profit by the liberality in tips
OF those who had struck it lucky.
Now. however, he determined to get
in the game himself, so he. sent s.
to the track or the following after
noon. having the utmost confidence in
his tip. for he still believed that he had
been talking to two knowing trainers.
The two followers on the way to the
track that afternoon received inside
information that their tip was all to
The Washington times., 1906-04-15
ELABORATE MENUS FOR SNAKES

@ HE various kinds of snakes in
captivity do not eat once a day
as animals do, but take their
food at intervals varying from
a day or two to a month. says
the New York Herald. Turtles and
lizards which are active are fed every
other day, but the big constructing
snakes. which lie coiled in the same po-
sition for a week at a time. do not re-
Quire a meal oftener than twice a month.
AS n rule, the smaller snakes are fed
every ten DAYS, while the boas and
pythons receive their food every three
weeks.
Nearly all the big snakes have the
habit Of fasting for indefinite periods.
After feeding regularly for three or four
months, a python will steadily decline
food for about the same period, after
which it again begins feeding vora-
ciously.
During these long fasting spells the
keepers follow their charges actions
with close attention, for it is at these
times that the dreaded canker may
fern in a serpent's mouth. and unless
Immediately cOunteracted by antiseptic
washes IL becomes dangerous and
OLIen ldAti- y AlllNt AlOiiAiiS last VI q
healthy snake never worries the keep
er, for the reptile usually begins feed
ing again without the slightest sign
Of emaciation.
most elaborate menu is required
in the reptile house. The constructors
eat rabbits. chickens, and pigeons,
while rats, mice and sparrows are
eaten by the smaller snakes. Lizards
eat large quantities of meal worms.
which are varied by flies caught in
traps through the summer months
Quantities of fish are fed to the alli-
gators and water snakes, while vege-
tables Of many kinds are the food of
the tortoises and herbivorous lizards
II live rabbit or chicken were cast
into the cage containing six or eight
big snakes trouble would be inevitable
Several OF the reptiles would seize the
creature at the same time, and IN the
construction that followed all would oe-
come entangled in such knots that the
smaller snakes would fare badly. If,
after the prey is killed and large
snake begins to swallow il, smaller
snake is persistent in its hold on the
prey, the small snake may find rest
ing place IN the elastic interior OF It's
cage mate.
The feeding OF a cage of pythons is
an operation which requires time ana
skill. The first thing done Is TO separate
The Washington times., 1906-04-15

was the finest 'mudder" in the eoun-
try he actually ate mud. and would
not run in form unless the track was
veritable sea of slush. CIT is scarce
necessary 70 state that shortly be-
fore this conversation took place and
all during the time the quartet talk
ed. there was a repetition OF the food
days going on outside There was
every indication the track would he
impossibly heavy the next day).
The conversation ended in the Con-
gressman promising 20 be on + ID
the following afternoon
When he appeared at the track the
next day the race course was in per
feet condition The rain had ceased
early in the night. and the sun was
shining brightly The Congressman
wore a troubled face but the tout
came forward and declared that in
spite OF the fact that weather condi-
tions were against their horse. he
had arranged everything with the
"sprinkling cart man" Sure enough.
shortly before the races began for
the day the Congressman saw the
cart go out upon the track and
sprinkle IL thoroughly along the
stretch. Not having been out to the
track at any other time during the
meet the statesman thought that this
was done as a result Of his conhdeu-
tiaI friends pull with the manage
ment.
So he. cheerfuIIy placed $50 on the
The Washington times., 1906-04-15

Tsaopei Tsungchangl and by the SUBJ
mints in Chill. Kiangsu. Hupe and Ku-
az gtung, the board Of revenue supplying
the dies.
The coins so minted are to be handed
TO the Imperial Bank (Hupu) for which
paper notes are to be printed: after put
ting this money into circulation. the ne
tropolitan and provincial treasures. as
well as the railway. telegraph. and
shipping Offices in the provinces, should
receive them in proportion.
Payments are TO be made partly IN
notes and partly in coin. and by degrees
the use Of syeee Is to be abandoned.
and ali transactions are to be in the
new currency
The Washington times., 1906-04-15
I'VE BEEN THINKING"---By G. b. Loomis

These Americans were honestly
proud of their Hebrew brother, and
the praise of ones fellow craftsmen
outweighs a whole theaterful of
others.
And now comes the conclusion or
the whole matter. The story was
unsigned, the picture had nothing
but initials, and the great public did
not know that the editor was an
agnostic; but the day after the pub
lication of this agnostic-Hindoo-
Hebrew story of the Resurrection ad-
miring letters began to come in from
the Christian public, and more than
one confessed that the beautiful ale
CORY and the spiritual picture had
been In the nature Of an uplift,
The Washington times., 1906-04-15

But let this letter tell its story:
ITO the Editor of -:
Dear Sir: | am not much oG doc
trines or forms, but / recognize
Christianity and brotherly love when
l see them, and l want to tell you
how much good that ailegory and it's
accompanying picture did me. No
man who was not good could have
done either story or picture, and l
wish you had printed the names of
the author and artist. That page
represented real Christianity, and
want to thank you for It.
"ONE WHO HAD DOUBTED"
They do His WILL" said the
thoughtful man who had known.
Copyright. 1895. by James fett & Col
The Washington times., 1906-04-15

" HE Chinese government has de-
cided TO adhere to the silver
standard and ordered the coin
age of an entirely new coin,
the Kuping taeI. which. with its sub
divisions is to be the only legal
tender in China, superseding sycee
and dollars alike, says the New York
Herald
The regulations begin by stating that
the equality and weight Of the new taeI
coin must be purer and more exact
than those Of the silver dollars minted
in the provinces, so as 10 make il a
true standard of the national currency
The best quality OF sycee which is now
in circD.ation is found. under the pro-
cess Of chemical analysis. 10 consist Of
e3.9 per cent Of pure silver
Allowing two or three candareens for
loss in minting. the new tael coin is
TO be minted with an alloy of nine mace
six candareens pure silver and one
mace copper, as equal to one Kuping
tael OF full touch; five-mace coins to
be made OF four mace eight candareens
pure silver and five candareens copper:
two-mace coins OF one mace seven can
dareens pure silver and three canda-
NNN-A0 OOBP1Ar anu O-S AAdCS COliAS u
eight and five-tenths candareens =,ure
silver and one and five-tenths canda-
reens copper. The proportion OF the
output each time is to be 40 per cent
of one-taei coins and % per cent each
of the three subsidiary coins, and spe-
cial permission must be obtained from
the financial council and board of rev
enue If il Is desired to change this
proportion. The weight and quality of
the coins turned out by the authorized
mints must be uniform. and all analyses
and inspections must be effected strict
Iy I'm accordance with the currency regu-
lations.
The tael coin and subsidiary coins
must always be exchanged at their face
value. and 10 Charge any premium or
discount in paying or receiving them will
be a punishable offense.
The taeI coin being fixed as the stand
ard of tie national currency. its circua-
ton VII be unlimited. but subsidiary
coins are only legal tender TO the eX-
tent OF ten taels The rate of exchange
for copper coins and the limit TO the sum
for which they viii be legal tender viii
be announced when reports on the sub
ject from the provinces have been con-
sidered Millions Of these coins are to
be rninted by the ipperian mint (Hupu
The Washington times., 1906-04-15
Hs~tIi

run of bad luck. with his tout-taIk.
was enough 70 evoke pity of the most
hard-hearted- he had come to Wash
ington In one Of the horse cars "a an
assistant tender 10 the thoroughbreds.
All OF his tips had gone wrong. and
consequently he had been able 70 get
no pieces Of the winnings Of people
ne had put next. for the simple reason
that there were no winnings He be-
gan to feel terribly empty. and the pie
and sandwich counter under the grand
stand was a second temptation TO Tan
talus, although this particular Tanta-
lus was probably not aware OF the fact
that he was enacting a role typical OF
Greek mythology.
He approached one OF the trainers
whom he thought appeared more ten
der-hearted than the others, but hs
was brushed aside with the same heed
lessness as had been his lot through
out the day. He turned away in de-
sPair, and Iansuidly lifted the corner
Of daily program with the ragged bit
of leather than at one time constituted
the sole Of his shoe What he saw be-
neath the paper made his eyes stand
out Ike headlights. He made a dive
for the ground. picking up a roll Of
bilIs-two twenties, two fves. and a
ten The boy rushed 10 one end OF
the building With his hand thrust deep
into his pocket He knew that he was
dreaming. but he hoped that he would
die before he should awake
In spite of his hunger. the betting In
stinct gained the ascendency over his
physical needs He hurried 10 a book
maker and staked forty Of the amount
on a long shot he won There was
a complete reversal OF the wheel OF
fortune for the tout that day. and
when he left Benning he was fixed for
some time to come. Going in TO one
OF the medium-priced restaurants up
town. he studied an a Ia carte menu.
Bring II all in" he said, with a deep
sigh Of one whose dream has at last
been realized.
When the season closed last night
IL was the consensus Of opinion among
the talent" that Washington IS a
hoo-doo town for the bookmakers. II
is positively asserted that the men
and women who play the races in the
Capital City study form" more close
ly than any other racing center in the
country. While the pleasure seekers in
other cities are going to their Coney
Islands. The Chutes," or their cycle
Parks" Washingtonians are studying
horses and jockeys in lieu Of other
means Of diversion As a consequence
the handbook men are kept busy all
the year around. and the vanishing OF
the ponies means only a withdrawal OF
the incentive 20 make wagers among
the amateur bettors. The others con-
tinue to keep posted all during the
summer until the trumpet sounds
again at BenninS in the fan
II is an open secret that one OF the
Washington talent closes the three
weeks season at Benning with a profit
of s2o.o0o. while on the other hand a
certain bOokmaker has a similar profit
to show, but, on the whole. Washing
ton is said to have cashed more bets
than she has lost.
The Washington times., 1906-04-15
~TB AS TIE DUST Of ME - &&sSr
H. DEPARTING PONIES SETTLES \s1H>3S J.

horse had been announced a winner he
made an effort to cash his bet only 20
discover that he could not md the
ignorant of the conditions governing
the Jockey Club and OF the daily re-
ports made by the bookmakers to the
managers. he made no effort to recov-
er his gains
This is one of the few cases where
the sport.
The Washington times., 1906-04-15
Got His Dinner

The outcome was as much a sur
prise TO the tout as il was a fore
gone conclusion TO the Congressman,
for the horse really did win. being a
dry track runner. The tout got his
piece" of the winnings and went his
way rejoicing
He was a poor little hanger-on whose
The Washington times., 1906-04-15

with the green shirt waist and red
sleeves" they were nervously worder-
ing whether they would realize 500,
jdst as they had heard of someone in
their neighborhOod having done the
day before. To their minds hundred
to-one-shots were daily occurrences.
When by some strange caprice of
fortune ''Mettle" really did run first
aid these two novices collected s. on
The Washington times., 1906-04-15

their investment of 81. the spirit of
the sport began TO race through their
veins just as IL they had been playing
the ponies every season since they
had been able TO walk
Eight dollars now seemed entirely
too small an amount to risk. Why
The Washington times., 1906-04-15
Wanted q Receipt.

A young man, who had never in
dulged in the sport, was standing in
the Jostling throng which congregates
around the bookmakers just before the
horses go to the post. He was being
elbowed from side to side by men who
were keyed up to the highest pitch
The Washington times., 1906-04-15

ILOHIIIueu IIOnI OIAIIl TdBt-J
three years course in art instruc-
tion, and. as the boys said, he was
not long for a newspaper Office.
He read the silegory that noon and
his sympathetic soul recognized a
kindred spirit in the work of the
Hindoo, and by afternoon he was
hard at work on the illustration,
having obtained permission to do
the work at home, where he would
be free from all distracting in
fiuences.
He felt he had lived a lifetime
when his fellow artists saw his work.
They were generous in their praise
There vas no jealous feeling at all.
The Washington times., 1906-04-15

-" HE ponies have gonei And
there is weeping and wall
ing and laughter and song
abroad in the city of Wash
ington.
For three weeks thoroughbred. jock
ey and trainer have usurped the title
''In the Public Eye to the exclusion
of Congressman. Cabinet officers. and
all the high functionaries of the Capt.
tai. who. as a rule. hold undisputed
sway IN the mind and conversation OF
the average citizen.
As the dust of the departing cohorts
settles the devotees of the race course
belongings and lack of belongings. as
the case may be.
The Jeremiads of those who were
led astray by communicative touts and
psalms of praise of those who proflted
by inside tips mingle in a wonderful
chorus Of sound as the clatter of the
hoofs Is heard no more.
And the experiences that are ex-
changed of why So-and-so put up so
much on "GIittering Gloria or why
What s-his-name backed Nonsense
make kaleidoscope picture of racing
life always to be found on exhibition
after the annual spring meet at the
Bennlng track.
The Washington times., 1906-04-15

'mudeater," gladly acceding to the
tout's suggestion that ten Of the fifty
was for him.
The Washington times., 1906-04-15

Continued from Sixth Page)
The Washington times., 1906-04-15
CURIOUS NEW CHINESE COIN

. HE Chinese government has de-
cided TO adhere to the silver
standard and ordered the coin
aCa ~ ap a,tg-af,- 49, -
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-10-20

thousands read the glazing headlines
and feed on the scandal they dissemin-
ate who read nothing else. Day after day
and dozen times a day the presses
roar to supply this demand. 1t Is as
impossible that this continuous cur
rent of slime should not affect public
opinion as that an open sewer should
not contaminate
There is plenty q discomfort TO
which Hearst shall not appeal in vain.
1t will respond, not to create Hearst,
but to destroy others. Hearst must
rise as an incident in the tearing
down process il he rises at all. 1t is
really not an uplifting of Hearst but
a leveling down to Hearst.
But let Mr.. Hearst be reckoned
with. He is "a factor in American life
and politics.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-10-20
Observation-Disclosures
Iowa NEWSPAPERS
q ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.,
AS TO MR. WELLS PURCHASERS

tGrundy County Democrat
Judge Wade. one OIL the attorneys for
the contestants In The George Wells
will case, said the other day in re-
Spouse to an inquiry:
$50 far as the rights of persons who
had purchased property from Mr.. Wells
in his lifetime are concerned, they will
all be fully protected. There will be
ITO disposition upon the part of our
clients to question in any respect any
contract, agreement or conveyance
made or attempted by Mr.. Wells. Peo-
pie who have dealt with him in good
faith should be entitled to fair treat
ment and the contracts and agreements
should be carried out to the letter. In
fact, so far as Mrs. Comstock and our
other clients are concerned, these par
ties need not walt until the case is
tried to get their title fixed up. We
will be glad to execute proper convey
ances in every case where there is any
doubt or uncertainty in regard to the
validity Of deeds executed by MIR.
Wells, and in all cases where he trans
ferred property and failed to make
deeds. Persons who have invested
their money should not suffer because
Of any infirmity on the part of Mr..
Wells.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-10-20

country in which the cross was period
ically trampled upon as public cere-
mony in protest against Christianity,
never persecutes the missionary now
adays. And why? The missionary is
not forced upon Japan by treaty, and
therefore his work and position are OF
no political significance whatever. To
quote this writer's words:
1T is a we'll known fact that every
few years a so-called 'anti-foreign' riot
breaks out iii some part of China, and
that these riots are marked by the kill
ing of foreigners. who are generally
missionaries Catholic or Protestant.
Hence these disturbances are some-
times and more correctly called anti
missionary; and the Chinese people
are popularity supposed to be imbued
with an instructive fanaticism which
impels, them to attack the new tangled
foreign religion and its emfssaries. In
striking contrast with this perverse.
conservative attitude stands the con-
duct of Japan, where no riotous mobs
have ever attacked or murdered mis-
sionaries: where Christian converts are
not invidiously Disseminated as class
apart from the ordinary loyal sub
jects OF the state; and where mis-
sionaries have from the first taken a
prominent share in imparting to the
people that new education which has
helped Japan to take her place in the
van of our progressive nations. This
difference in their respective attitudes
toward Christianity between the gov
eminent and people Of China, on the
one hand. and the government and
people of Japan, on the other, is a fact
which does not admit OF controversy.
What Is the cause of 1t?
The chief. IL not the sole, cause Of
China's hostility is that foreign gov
ernments are its propagandists. Had
the Christian powers assumed, or at
tempted to assume. the same role in
Japan as they play In China, the con-,
verts to Christianity In Japan would
hardly be numbered by units, instead
OF by tens of thousands as they now
are"