davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1906-02-16
shakespeare In Parliament.


In July, 1855, a debate was going on
In the house of commons respecting
Lord John (afterward EarD Russelrs
lgnominious failure during his mission
In Vienna to bring the Crimean war to
an end, In consequence of which the.
opposition INDUCED In some strong
criticism regarding the party I'm power.
At last Lord Palmerston, then primo
minister, rose and began to talk in a
hectoring way about "this unnecessary
and unprovoked attack upon the gov
ernment" and ended by saying in
loud voice and looking straight at two
literary members-Bulwer and Disraeli
who were sitting together ON the
front opposition bench:
''The gentlemen are making Much
Ado About Nothing"
He sat down amid loud cheers from
his own side, but in an instant Bulwer
was up and with exquisite grace and
sarcasm said:
"Mr. Speaker"-then turning to bow
slightly toward the treasury bench-'I
beg to remind the noble lord that in
chronological order Much Ado About
Nothing comes after "A Comedy of
Errors"
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1906-02-16
AN INDIAN LEGEND.
The Grandfather OF AN Mosquitoes
and His Giant Descendants.

The Grandfather Of AN Mosquitoes
and His Giant Descendants.
There are pretty big mosquitoes in
the world, but If report be true they
have greatly degenerated in size and
strength since the days when this leg
end was believed by many tribes Of
Indians.
The grandfather of all mosquitoes
lived In the neighborhood Of Onondaga.
N. Y. When he grew hungry he would
sally forth and eat an Indian or two
and pick his teeth with their ribs The
Indians had no arms that would pre-
vail against this monster, so they call
ed upon the holder of heavens to come
down. Finding that he had met his
match in this person, the mosquito flew
away. He flew around the great lake.
turned eastward, sought help from the
witches that inhabited the Green lake
and had reached Lake Onondaga wheps
his pursuer came up and killed him.
AS his blood poured forth on the
sand each drop became smaller mos.
quito. They gathered about the hold
er Of the heavens and stung him so
cruelty that he half repented the serv-
ice he had rendered to the Indians.
The Tuscaroras say that two OF the
mosquitoes stood on opposite sides Of
the Seneca river and slew all who
passed Hiawatha killed them. A res
ervation stone marks the place where
the holder rested during his chase, and
tracks were until lately seen south Of
Syracuse alternated with the footprints
of the mosquito. These footprints were
shaped like those of bird aud were
twenty inches long. These marks were
revered by the Indians for many years.
Brooklyn Eagle
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1906-02-16
CAPTAIN KIDD.
The Career and the Ending of the
Famous Pirate.

The Career and the Ending of the
Famous Pirate.
Captain Kidd. the famous pirate,
started his career with the intention of
suppressing piracy. In February, 1907,
he left the Hudson in the Adventure
Galley with crew of 100 men with
this intention. This expedition had been
equipped chiefly at the expense Of the
Whig ministers. and its commander
carried with him, "besldes the ordinary
letters Of marque, n commission under
the great seal empowering him TO seize
pirates and to take them to some place
where they might be dealt with ac-
cording TO law"
The kings right to the goods found
In possession OF these malefactors was
granted by letters patent to the sup
porters Of the expedition, his majesty
securing only one-tenth Of the spoil.
Kidd, however, soon finding that little
was to be gained by the adventure,
threw Off all disguise and hoisted the
jolly Roger.
His rapacity and cruelty were un-
bounded, and in less than two years he
amassed the sum of 100000. With
this he thought to make his peace with
the authorities and end his days in lux
ury, but he was arrested at New York
and brought to England, where he was
tried and hanged at Execution dock In
1701.-London Saturday Review.
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1906-02-16
The CnIihnr Renn.

The famous Calabar bean is said to
be worse than strychnine. The natives
use 1t for an ordeal. If person is ac-
cused Of crime he is made to eat one,
being adJudged TO be guilty in case Of
death, which is almost inevitable. An
other seed employed for a like purpose
is that of the ordeal tree of Madagas-
car, said to be the most deadly of vege-
table products. One of these seeds
about the size of an almond will kill
twenty men.
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1906-02-16
A Kings Ruse.

Alfonso, king of Aragon, was one
day examining the different articles in
his jewelers. shop in company with
many ladies of his court. He had
scarcely left the house when the jew
eler missed a diamond of great value
and ran after him, complaining Of the
theft. The king. not willing publicly
to disgrace any of his attendants, COM
manded a large basin full Of sand TO
be brought him, into which he directed
each person to put In the hand cllnched
and to draw 1t out fat. BY this means
the diamond was left in the sand, un-
known by whom.
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1906-02-16
THE BACKBONE.
It's History Linked with Theory of
AnfrtaI Evolution

Antrtnl Evolution.
The history OF the backbone. like that
OF mDst life, Is not altogether maies-
tic upward evolution. II has its trnge.
dies and its setbacks. It's hopes ana fail
ures. In the waters along our selshore
are creatures, some sponge or lichen-
ike, others with strange bulblike
bodies. growing on the end of long
stalks. But they hold a secret from
the crabs and snnlls which crawl about.
and when the fishes brush against them
If their poor, dull sense only knew
it-they might claim a blood brother
hood. When they were young. for lit
tie while grlstly cord was theirs also,
but this, with all the hopes that such
beginning brings, OF fish. Of bird, Of
man even. soon melted away. and there
they nod and sway in the watery cur
rents. never to know of the opportunity
which nature has snatched from them
why, who can tell?
In sharks the backbone has become
jointed and flexible and rude kind Of
skull is present, but still more impor-
tant, is the presence OF four fms, which
correspond to the four legs OF lizards
and to the wings and legs OF birds. A
curious basket-like skeleton protects the
delicate gills. and 1t Is probable that
this existed long before the limbs ap-
peared. All is still of gristly cartilage.
In the higher fishes bone replaces the
cartilage. and when the lowly tadpole,
fishlike at first, swimming about by
means Of the fin around his TAIL pushes
forth his legs and climbs upon the land
our skeleton is well ON its way back
ward. Reptiles of old took to trees.
Their backbone grew less flexible so
that they might safely sail through the
air, feathers replaced scales, two fin-
gers of each hand were lost and one
from each foot, teeth disappeared, a,
beak of horn proved best, intelligence
Increased and the forehead rose high,
and behold--a blrdl-Outlng Magazine.
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1906-02-16

Prince NAPOLEON in 1870 was some
thing of a prophet. When he heard of
the emperor's declaration Of war he
hurried to st. Cloud and had a stormy
interview with the emperor. He didn't
hesitate to say. at is the emperor who
has brought this upon u.s." and the en-
peror, while offended at his frankness
admitted that your presentiments per-
haps, correspond with mine" Then the
prince fired his last shot and showed
that, though he might go astray in
many things, he knew OF the weakness
of France and the strength Of Ger
many. He turned on his heel and, with
that bitterness which he didn't hesitate
to exhibit when occasion required, said
80 be it; so be 1t! Let us, however,
make haste to pack our possessions, fer
we are already beaten" And so the
result proved.
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1906-02-16

Some idea Of the saltness of the wa
ters Of the Dead sea may be gained
from the comparison made below. The
Dead sea is situated In Palestine, 20
miles east of Jerusalem. 1t is 35 miles
long and from 10 to 10 miles wide, with
an average depth of 20 fathoms (120
feet. Common ocean water contains
but 80 parts of salt to the 1000. Those
of the Dead sea contain $50 parts to the
1000 which makes the briny solution
exactly One-fourth salt.
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1906-02-16
An Artists WhIm.

In the church of Tasow, in the gov
ernment of Kursk, Russia, the altar
piece is painting of the last iudg-
ment. the foreground being vivid
representation of hell. Among the fig
ures of lost souls prominent position
is occupied by TOlstoi, whose portrait
presents a fairly good likeness. The
painters name is unknown. but that
b., work is appreciated is shown by
the fact that the town authorities paid
1925 for the picture.
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1906-02-16

Those curious twists and turns super
stitions take are to be found in the in
PRODUCTION of horses skulls in or about
the church buildings in England and
Scotland, the reason alleged being to
help the sound in church. This habit is
unquestiOnably a relic Of heatbenism
where an animal was sacrificed. Some
years ago, when an old meeting house
in Edinburgh was pulled down, the
sounding board space above the pulpit
was found to be filed with horses
skulls. In some parts Of England there
still exists the idea that if horses
head is buried in a field there will be
an echo.
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1906-02-16
Calcium,

Calcium was first made in minute
quantities by Humphry 'Davy. In the
new process chloride of calcium is
placed in receptacle and fused by
electrolysis. An iron cathode forms a
basis upon which the moltei. calcium
deposits itself, and the once rare metal
builds itself up into an irregular rod
resembling cabbage stalk. When the
stalk has grown to the right length 1t
is Clipped on and dipped in paraffin
wax to preserve it from the action OF
the air
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1906-02-16
Three strange and Remarkable Men

Al Dumas, the grandfather. prided
himself more upon his wonderful
strength and skill in athletics than
his generalshlp, as Dumas the second
prided himself more upon his knowl-
edge of cookery than the authorship OF
"The Three Musketeers." so Dumas
the third prided himself more upon his
knowledge OF art than upon the writ
ing of LA Dame aux Camelias. They
were three strange and remarkable
men.
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1906-02-16
Curly Hair.

Curly hair is constitutional, hered-
itary phenomenon, The curly hair curls
because it is fiat. Straight hair is cylin-
drlcal. Being fiat. the hair has a nat
ural tendency to assume spiral shape.
Cutting has no effect, as the cause of
the iatness lies in the shape OF the fol-
licle. Hair issuing from a slanting,
crooked follicle is bound to be flattened
and twisted
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1906-02-16
BATTLE OF MARATHON.
The Most Decisive Day In the His
tory of the World.

The Most Decisive Day In the His
tory of the World.
The single day in the worlds history
which was fraught with the most tre-
mendous consequences to mankind was
the day ON which the battle of Mara
thon was fought The handful of tiny
states that inhabited Greece had devel-
oped faculties which Indicated that
man had advanced another stage to-
ward the highest ideals.
Foremost among those little nations
was Athens, which state, too, contained
the germs of human freedom. 1t was
the forerunner of the democracies of
the world. But the very existence of
athens and Greece was threatened by
the huge barbaric empire OF Persia.
Darius had sent out his hordes of war
riors to add the Grecian states to his
vast dominions. Face to face his forces
met the Athenians on the plains OF
Marathon
Hitherto lnvincible in the field, the
Persians looked upon the little army
opposed to them with contempt. The
Greeks themselves hesitated to hazard
a battle with the conquerors OF the
world. Their generals debated the
question, and the decision to fight the
Persians was caused by the eloquence
Of the immortal Miltiades. He led his
10000 Greeks against the Persian host
and gained a decisive victory. The glo-
rious day of Marathon beat back the
advancing tide of eastern despotism
and barbarian and saved the freedom
and civilization of the western world.
-Pearson's Weekly.
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1906-02-16

But, doctor" asked the young prac-
titiOner, why do you always order
champagne for every new patient that
comes to you?" Because, my boy"
replied the wise old medical man, II
can judge by what he shys whether or
not he can AFFORD it. That helps when
come to make out my biH."-PbIia-
delphla Press.
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1906-02-16
Our First "star.,


"One celebrated Portia," says the au-
thor Of "Shakespeare's Heroines on the
Stage" came of noted family, be-
ing none other than Mrs Eliza Whit
lock, the sister of Mrs. Siddons and of
the Kembles. In England, at the age
of twenty-five, she had made her Lon
don debut as the heroine OF 'Shylock'
on the 22d Of February, 1888, and,
though somewhat masculine in face
and figure, yet displayed so animated
countenance and so graceful bear
ing as to win moderate degree of ia
vor. A few years after coming to this
land she enjoyed the distinction Of
playing the first star engagement on
the American stage, being engaged for
Sac and benefit, to play at the Bos-
ton theater in October, 1896. There
she repeated her Portia, contending
with the remembrance of Mrs. PowelPs
impersonation of previous season.
She also had the honor OF playing be-
fore George Washington in Philadel-
phia."
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1906-02-16

1t may indeed be said that sympathy
exists In all minds. as Faraday has
discovered that magnetism exists in all
metals, but a certain temperature Is
required to develop the hidden proper
ty, whether In the metal or the mind
Bulwer.
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1906-02-16
natural Inquiry.

II had a cousin who was in one posi-
tlon for thirty-four years, and"- be-
gan Hi Spry.
"Holdin' a government job or playin'
a game O. chess?" inquired Old Codger
in his usual grim way.-Puck.
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1906-02-16

Dearborn-Do you know the seven
wonders Of the world? Wabash--well,
know three OF them. Dearborn-On-
ly three? Wabash-Yes; I've only got
three sons. you know.
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1906-02-16

Rich Fiancee-Oh, this bouquet is too
costly! You must take 1t back to the
lieutenant Valet-Oh, that's all right.
miss. Since my master is engaged to
you he has been able to get things ON
credit. Flieeende Blatter.
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1906-02-16

"You ought to take this horse" said
the dealer. 'He 10 bargain"
"Well, then, l don't want him." said
the customer II want something to
drive, and never could drive a bar
gain"
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1906-02-16

"DO you Joke writer's ever make jokes
at your own expenseT'
For the first few years all our jokes
are made that way. After that, IL
we're lucky. we get paid for EN-
Cleveland Leader
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1906-02-16

They say" murmured Mr.. McSosh,
''that two heads are better than one,
but doubt 1t. II had two like the
one I've got this morning blamed 10 I
wouldn't commit suicide" = Cleveland
LeadAer
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1906-02-16
Driven From Home.

"Did you hear that the daughter OF
that rich man in the next block had
been driven from homer
-"No. when did 1t happenT
"Just after she got into the car
riage."- Baltimore American.
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1906-02-16
Utterly unreasonabIe.

Mamma-Don't you like Auntie Pruei
Johnny-Oh, she's very kind. but she'd
expect a boy to keep quiet on Christ
mas.
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1906-02-16

The charity that hastens to proclaim
its good deeds ceases to be charity and
u only pride and ostentation. -Huttan.
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1906-02-16

In the true life of the Individual each
day is the beginning of'A pew year
Jordon.
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1906-02-16

The most manifest sign OF wisdom
IL q continual cAeerfulness. = Montalgne.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1906-11-30
American Invasion of Canada,


Within the last IL years there has
grown up in western Canada an
American population estimated at
100000 farmers, growers of wheat,
corn and fax, settlers not only imbued
with the American spirit of enterprise
but devoted to American institutions,
During last year the immigration
from this country to Canada, accord.
ing to official figures, was more than
$4,000 persons. To-day in the north
west, outside Of Winnipeg and some
of the older towns, the dwellers who
have crossed the border from the
United States outnumber the native
Canadians, In places, two to one.-
AppletOn's Magazine.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1906-11-30
WHEN CUBA WAS FOR SALE.
Offered to France for $6,000,00o II
time of Louis Philippe.

It is not generally known that
Cuba very nearly became a French
Colony in the reign of Louis Philippe,
for Spain, being without means of
raising money, Queen Christina Of
fered some of the principal Spanish
colonies for sale.
Secret negotiations were carried on
at the Tulleries between Senior Cam
puzano, the Spanish ambassador;
Senior Aguado, the banker; Prince de
Talleyrand, and King Louis Philippe,
and the first article of the treaty, by
which Spain was to sell Cuba to
France for 30,00o,0oo francs, or &c.
100000, was quickly agreed to.
But the second article, relating to
Porto Rico and the Philippines, broke
oft the negotiations, for Spain asked
100000, whereas France would Of
fer only $1,400,000, King Louis Phil
ippe asserting that the acquisition OF
the Philippines might very easily in
yolve him in a war with England.
It is significant that in those days
neigther party paid the slightest at
tention to what the United States
might think; but the Spaniards must
now regret that they did not accept
for it would have saved them many
millions in the ensuing 60 years.
London Sketch.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1906-11-30
CHINA THE LAND OF DUCKS
Staple Article of Food for Residents
Of Celestial Empire.

There are more ducks in China
than in all the rest of the world.
China, literally, is white with these
birds, and day and night the country
resounds with their metallic and
scornful voices.
Children herd ducks on every road,
on every pond, on every farm, on
every lake, on every river. There is
no back yard without it's duck house
There is no boat, little or big, with
out it's duck quarters.
Even in the cities of China ducks
abound. They dodge between the
coolies legs. They fit squawking out
of the way of the horses. Their in
dignant quack will not unseldom
drown the roar of urban commerce
All over the land there are great
duck Matching establishments, many
Of them of capacity huge enough
to produce $4,000 young ducks every
year.
The Chinese duck is extremely ten
der and delicate-the best tame duck
for eating in the world. Duck among
the Chinese is the staple delicacy
1t is sailed and smoked like ham or
beef,and duck eggs are eaten as chick
en- eggs are in America.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1906-11-30
kAlSER's DIGNITY WAS HURT.
Offended by Shoes Of One of His Con-
sular Agents.

The enthusiasm of the good Norwe-
gians for Queen Alexandra is the
more remarkable as, in the matter Of
crowned heads, they have some ex.
cuse for affecting to be blase
The German emperor, of course, is
a regular frequenter of the fjords, but
he allows no liberties to be taken
with his sacred person. On one occa-
sion when the Hohenzollern anchored
off little town, the German consular
agent, as in duty bound, went aboard
to pay his respects; but, not being
possessed Of uniform, it did not ap
pear to him necessary TO appear g.
midday in the comic opera kit of
evening dress on board the vessel,
He therefore presented himself in
an attire that compromised the official
correctness of frock coat by brown
boots. His majesty, however, resent
ed the informality, called the atten-
ton of the consul general at Bergen
to the solecism, and announced his
intention of ceasing to honor the
place with any further visit.-London
P. T. o.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1906-11-30

Mounted on Stills of Great Height.
q,:ired no little moral courage to dc
the thing you have accomplished.
Most boys would rather face a loaded
gun than the ridicule you encountered
to-day
"And I am no exception, sir; hut
I was determined to face it even as
would loaded gun, and the anticipa.
ton was far worse than the reality
There was plenty of ridicule, but it
was the go0d-natured article
"You have not yet told me how
you ever came to think of such a
thing"
Il was reading lately of how the
Scottish shepherds used enormous tall
stills in tending their focks, both for
the convenience of seeing a great dis
lance and of getting over ground at
rapid rate. I then remembered that
I was the champion stilt-walker
among the boys of our village a few
years ago, and as had in view apply
ing for the position that you have
since SO kindly secured for me, it
occurred to me that if the practical
use of stills were feasible in Scotland
it was equally so in America. The
more l thought of it the more prac.
tical the idea seemed to me, and
determined to carry it out if I should
be made carrier. I had to put in a
good bit Of practice to perfect myself
sufficiently to undertake it, but 1
think / succeeded fairly, for I made
the distance here today in marvellous
ly short time"
"Well, i admire your grit. Now
there is another matter I want set
tled.'
And before Kent left Chetney it
was arranged that on the days he
brought the mail to Cheney he
should remain with Judge Dent as
Elong as possible, studying under his
guidance to fit himself for the junior
class in college.
For a whole year Kent went back
| and forth on his stilts with the mail
and so we'll did he apply himself to
his studies under the direction OF
Judge Dent that he easily entered the
junior, class, where he soon became 8
favorite with student and Instructors
even as in the old days at Senoia
> high school.