davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1907-07-19
STILL TRAFFIC IN SLAVES.
Portuguese I'm West Africa Doing ,
Systematic Business.

Portuguese in West Africa Doing 9
Systematic Business.
Portuguese West Africa is one part
of the world where the slave trade still
hourishes, according to Harper's Maga-
zine. The writer thus describes what
he saw at Benguela:
A day or two before the steamer is
due to depart q kind of ripple seems to
pass over the stagnant town. Officials
stir, clerks begin to crawl about with
tribunal opens door or two. window
or two and looks quite busy. Then,
early one morning. the curador arrives
and takes his seat In the long, low
room as representing the beneficent
government of Portugal. Into his pres
ence the slaves are herded In gangs by
the official agent. They are langed up
and In accordance with the decree Of
Jan. 20, 1903, they are asked whether
they go willingly as laborers to San
Thome. No attention of any kind Is
paid to their answer. In most cases
no answer is. given. Not the slightest
notice would be taken Of a refusal.
The legal contract for five years la
Dor on the island Of San Thome or
Principe Is then drawn out and, also
In accordance with the decree, each
slave receives tin disk with his num-
ber, the initials Of the agent who Sc
cured him and, In some cases though
not usually at Benguela, the name of
the island to which he Is destined. He
also receives in tin cylinder copy
Of his register. containing the year Of
contract, his number and name, his
birthplace, his chiefs name, the agents
name and observations" of which last
l have never seen any. Exactly the
same ritual Is observed for the women
as for the men.
The disks are hung round their
necks, the cylinders are slung at their
sides and the natives, believing them
to be some kind Of fetish or white
mans Ju-ju," are rather pleased. All
are then ranged up and marched out
again, either to the compounds, where
they are shut In, or straight to the
pier, where the lighters, which are to
take them to the ship, lie tossing upon
the waves.
The climax Of the farce has now
been reached. The deed of pitiless
hypocrisy has been consummated. The
requirements of legalized slavery have
been satisfied. The government has
redeemed" the slaves which Its own
agents have SO diligently and so profit
ably collected. They went into the
tribunal as slaves; they have come out
as contracted laborers."
No one In heaven or on earth can see
the smallest difference, but by the
change of name Portugal stiles the en-
feebled protests of nations like the En-
glish and by the excuse Of law she
her conscience and whltens
over one Of the blackest crimes which |
even Africa can show.
The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1907-07-19

amount 10 the heavy weight Of one
thousand In goldr
"You haven't 1t with your he In
quired, 30 quickly and earnestly that 1
was surprised.
Come, you are accounted shrewd,
Just try and find out. 1 will answer all
relevant questioning
HE blushed and stammered an apol-
ogy. and she sat for moment on a
rock that projected from the side of
the road over the mountain edge. She
had gathered stray flowers on her
walk, diving under bushes and behind
rocks, and was fastening them to her
hat. A scarlet creeper ran around the
base of the rock down the side of the
mountain.
"'Oh, that suits me. / must have IT.
she said, rising to her feet, and drop
ping hat and flowers in excitement
Just then sudden eddy Of wind came
twisting round the corner Of a fssure,
and whirled hat and flowers round and
round, lodging them beyond her power
of recovery, on narrow ledge of per-
pendicular rock, jutting out and mac
cessible from the road.
How, now, what will you dor
said, half in sport at the possibility Of
a bareheaded companion for the rest
Of the trip.
ITO my surprise, she looked the i'm
age Of despair and grief; the color had
faded out Of her rosy cheeks, even her
lips were ashy and pale. Her hands
were clasped in the most agonizing ex-
preston, as she mutely gazed at the
slender shape below, mocking her with
airy grace Of blooms.
"'Oh, my friends can't you recover
that hat for me? Do, In pity, and
will thank you to my dying dayr
mo mother, appealing for her lost
child, could have been more piteous,
while tears stood In her eyes. was
half angry that any woman could be so
metamorphosed by the loss Of a hat.
The merchant whistled, looked bewiI-
dered, but evidently didn't choose to
risk his life. The driver and horse
shoer came to her rescue; they fasten-
ed a hook to the end of coil Of rope,
saying:
Don't fear, miss, nor look 80 any
ious; we'll rig something and get your
hat
'The driver stretched at full length
with only his head and an arm over the
precipice, and anchored firmly by the
rest of the party, threw his rope, har-
poon fashion, with an unerring aim. 1t
caught on the rim, the hat was drawn
up carefully and restored to the young
girl. who with exhilarating color and
The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1907-07-19
she Got Mixed.

Jean was 4 years old when she be
gan to go to kindergarten. The first
day she had beautiful time, and wher
she got home at night she announced
proudly that tomorrow teacher wants
US to tell our whole names, our whols
age and what our fathers do"
Mother proceeded to instruct her lit
tie daughter on these points and be
fore long Jean could rattle of quits
proudly:
my name is Jean Anderson Abbott,
am years and months old, and
my. father is produce and commission
merchant"
She said 1t over to herself all the
way to school, but when she was really
standing before the teacher somehow 1t
did not seem SO easy. The teacher ask
ed each little girl in turn, and they an
swered glibly, but as it came near to
Jeans turn great fear came over her.
She could not remember what her IA
theirs business was.
Finally the teacher asked Marjorie,
who stood just beside Jean. Marjorie
answered readily enough
"My name is Marjorie Rolfe Dldwell.
am years and / month old, my IA
ther Is professor of history In Har-
ward"
Her answer gave Jean an inspiration.
If Marjorie's father was a professor,
Of course her father was professor,
too, and he had eggs and butter in his
store; she knew that, 50 when the
teacher asked her the question she re-
piled promptly,
MY name is Jean Anderson Abbott.
am years and 8 months old, and my
father is a professor Of butter and
eggs"
The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1907-07-19

If you should happen to be in the
woods on dark night and should sud-
denly see a bright light with a blush
tinge. don't get frightened. The light
doesn't come from the glaring orbs of a
PANTHER, or of even wildcat It's only
harmless bit Of decayed wood, which,
in the course Of decomposition, emits
phosphoric light. You may readily dig
this luminous wood out from the body
Of the decayed tree, and it will retain
l It's luminosity for some days after you
have removed 1t. In dark room 1t
Iiooks very beautiful, and 1t Is pity
that this beauty gradually fades until
you have only bit of rotten wood left
But this light-giving property Of de
composing wood has nearly frightened
The life out of many novice in wood
ore
Who has not heard OF the will-o'-the
Eisp. Jack-o'-lantern, or ignisfatuus
IS we say In Latin. meaning ''foolist
hre"f But comparatively few people
have seen 1t. and nobody knows JUS
what causes It There is no doubt that
the ignls-fatuus Ii q tangible thing
something moro than the usual fabri,
Of nursery SeOEy-but what IL III Nat
The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1907-07-19
uralists all have their Opinions about

uralists all have their opinions about
II, but these opinions widely vary.
1t usually appears In marshy dis
tricts, and the most plausible opinion
Is that Is emanates from the decompo-
sition Of bones, generating gas changed
with phosphorus, which ignites by Con-
tact with atmospheric air. The trouble
in solving the mystery arises from the
fact that you can't capture a JACKIE
lantern and take 1t home for chemical
analysis. No matter how carefully you
approach the mysterious light 1t will
elude you and airily dance on ahead
The bubble of luminous gas Is disturb
ed by the slight agitation Of the air
caused by your approach, and hence the
attempt to capture 1t is as impossible
as to catch up with your own shadow.
But the most interesting Of the
strange and harmless lights are those
that come from living animals The lit
tie fre-fy is the most common type of
animals that are self-luminous 1t is IA
miliar even to city-bound people, with
It's bright and regular flashes of light
In the evening. Did you ever catch one
and examine 1t closely? 1t Is a pretty
little beetle, generally light brown,
marked with red and handsomely
striped The mysterious light Is emit
ted from the last three segments Of the
abdomen.
Our little firefiies, however, are only
as taper beside an electric light COM
pared with luminous beetles found in
the West Indies and parts of South
America. If you were in a rural dis
trict Of San Domingo, for example, and
should desire to read at night, you
might be surprised to have placed on a
table by your side bottle containing
a few luminous beetles. One of these
beetles, it Is said, will emit sufficient
light to enable person to read small
print, while half dozen of the little
creatures will answer the purpose Of
an ordinary lamp
The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1907-07-19
His LUCKY TWIST.

Laborer, Falling with Box of Dyna.
mite, Made a Cushion for 1t.
If this amt the finest luck, don't
know what luck is," gasped Michael ].
Murphy, as he lay on his back yester-
day afternoon close to the pier on East
144th street and looked up at PATROL
man Tate.
"Luckf What's luck?" demanded the
policeman.
"Sure, the twist gave myself"
Tate was puzzled, for, although
there was smile of glee on Murphys
face, groans punctuated his words.
"Get up" said Tate.
Il can't" answered Murphy. "I'm
hurt But 1t was the greatest luck In
the world. 'Don't!" He fairly shout
ed the last word as Tate stopped to lift
wooden box that lay across Murphys
abdomen.
What's In itf" queried Tate, who be-
gan to think he was dealing with
lunatic.
DJuduuAlC, uASWGI0u Mike, duU TX
it hadn't been for the twist l gave my
SELF"
Murphy, who ls a dock laborer, had
been walking along the side of the pier
with a twenty-five pound box of dyna-
mite In his hands, when he tripped and
plunged off. He had about one full sec
ond In which to think Of the conse-
quences should the dynamite strike ON
the ground forcibly. That second was
enough. AS he shot downward he con-
torted himself and managed to land on
his back, his body furnishing cushion
for the dynamite.
"Your ankle Is sprained, your back is
confused severely, and you may have
internal injuries" said surgeon In
Lebanon Hospital.
That's nothing" said Mike. "What'd
I have had IL hadn't given myself the
twistT--New York Press.
The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1907-07-19
CLAIM AN OLD SLAVES CASH.

Deposit of $4OO Made I'm 1928 Has
Grown to $4,000.
One Of the most complicated cases on
record in the recovery of dead" funds
In savings banks Is being investigated
by William P. Hamilton, Jr., and Al
bert ]. Graefee, lawyers, who are try
ing to divide $4,000 pie among twen-
ty-two hungry heirs, says the New
York World.
Stephen Skeer, or Scarr, who was
born a slave in Elkton, Md, came to
this city in 1923 and the following year
deposited $400 in the Chambers Street
bank, now the Bank for Savings, at
4th avenue and 22d street. In August,
1924, he drew out S12.
The bank was unable to find any of
the heirs In 1901 George A. Smythe
took hold of the case. He found two
heirs, John Andrew Stephen Skeer OF
$40 Sd avenue and John Alfred Scarr
of 90 9th avenue, Brooklyn, and had
them appointed administrators of the
estate.
Charles G. Halpine, who was attor-
ney Of record for the administrators,
received $165 for his services. After
his death he was supplanted by VIII
liams and Caldwell, lawyers, who re-
ceived 500.
Then other heirs suddenly turned up.
They went to Lawyer Graefee and
asked him to get the whole account re-
adjusted. With Lawyer Hamilton he
| filed objections to the account In the
surrogate's Office and Edward G. Whit
aker Of 141 Broadway was chosen ref
cree. With compound interest of sew
enty-four years the amount would be
$1,000
scarr alleges that he has not had
what is due and with twenty Other
heirs has placed a claim In Lawyer
Hamilton's hands
The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1907-07-19
SAILOR SIGNS AND TOKENS.
Many Strange superstitions of Those
| Who Roam the Oceans.

Many Strange superstitions of Those
Who Roam the Oceans.
There Is a general idea that the
sailor labors under more than the one
pet superstition popular tradition as
signs to each Individual. ]. D. ]. Kel-
ley, although he declares that stars"
are no more superstttious than any Of
their equals in training and opportunii-
ties, cites in 'sThe Ships Company"
many Of the signs and tokens In which
those "who go down to the sea In ships
put their faith.
In the past superstition was part
Of every ship; 1t entered into its keel,
climbed to its flags, ran at its launch
ing, controlled its crew and cargo, evok-
ed portents and governed its ventures
and arrivals.
A bit of stolen wood was always NOR
tised into the keel to make ship sail
fast. A silver coin was placed In the
mainmast step to insure lucky ventures
The modern christening by the wine
bottle arose from the ancient libations
poured on the deck by priests.
On a sailing ship lawyers, women
and the clergy are looked upon with
disfavor, as they are supposed to bring
III luck. Every black cat that comes
on board "carries gale in her tall
Whistling Is much against the proprie
ties Of sea life. II one whistles for 9
breeze he is only too apt to bring {
tornado.
Ship bells are blessed and to this daI
i II a mistake is made in striking one !
il Immediately struck backward t
break the spell. The belief in the de
sertion of a sinking ship by rats \
founded on reason, for rats like to b
dry footed and when a vessel Is un
safe it becomes leaky under deck AM
too wet for the creatures comfort
Figureheads we're first images o
gods, then of saints and sea heroes
Chinese junks bear two glarlng eye
on their bows. for "No have two eyes
how can see? No see, how can goT-
Youths Companion
The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1907-07-19

sparkling eyes, thanked the men pro.
fusely. They cut short her rhapsodies
by jumping on the drivers box, and
telling us to pile In
"Once inside. she said:
"As you are my friends, I must let
you into the secret of my hat. All the
money l possess is hidden in the lining
quilted Inland no hlghwayman
would ever suspect the treasure hidden
in such a cell, now would theyf'
1--WE, Of course, praised her lngenui-
ty.
+" "A good thousand, is itr said the
merchant.
"'The very sum- she replied.
''It was about two o'clock In the
morning. We were well out Of the
formidable passes, driving briskly to-
wards the Canadian fork. The full
moon lightened our way, making the
bushes and trees adjacent cast sharp,
decided shadows across the road.
had exchanged places with the horse
shoer. Inside they were dozlng; but
| was wakeful and alert. We beguiled
the weary hours by storytelling, Sud
denly l saw something moving in the
shadow OF the foad beyond US.
n'What is that asked.
"The driver looked, his eyes round
ing like the moon.
Nothing but burrov = referring te
the pack mules that frequently strayed
down the mountain side. 1t disappear
ed quickly in the shade, and from
thence, instantly, as IL by magic
Jumped out into the road two men
They were hidden In huge slouch som
breros and army cloaks. The stoutes
caught the saddle of the leaders, tht
other covering us with his gur
| shouted:
Don't stir, or you're dead man
advancing close, and keeping VI
within the range of his muzzle, he crieC
out:
"'Pitch out the treasure box. quick
We are In hurryP
''The driver began to stammer re
ply, shaking as If he had an agu
stroke, but hushed him with whis
per.
"'Stop. stopl Let me talk to thes
menl There is no treasure aboard to
night l answered coolly, at the sam
time swinging my body to and frC
backward and forward. to get out 0
the range of the muxzle; the man wa
evidently very nervous as well as yer
near.
AS Intended he should, he too
me for an express messenger, and a
neither driver nor messenger Is sur
posed TO possess any valuahles. the
are seldom molested by hold-up men.
"'None Of your nonsense replied th
bandit. Hand out your treasure, Q
you will see trouble
/ '-Ths man at the rsins evidently =
The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1907-07-19
MISS ANN.

Prtn Miss Ann, with her straight black
gown,
With her two little antique curls,
Walks down the street of the struggling
town
BY the racing boys and girls.
school is over and urchins are out
Mischief and fun are young,
And prim Miss Ann turns sharp about
To hear the chorus sung:
Ann-Anni
Can't get a mani
Hurry and catch him
As soon as you canw
Prim Miss Ann, with her straight black
gown,
Hastens her errand late,
THERE'S poor, quick pain In her eyes of
brown
And queer little halt In her gait.
But she holds up her head to the curious
crowd
That smiles at her passing by,
With a gesture that once was reckoned
proud,
As she hears the wavering cryi
Ann-AnnI
Can't get a mani
Hurry and catch him
As soon as you canw
Prim Miss Ann, that straight black gown
Hides a tender old heart, l know;
Elise why does that worn face 20 cast
down
And two tears trickle slow?
Do you think Of a something buried deep
Where the dear lost longings are
Of something that still must turn and
weep
AS the chant comes faint and fart
"Ann-Ann!
Can't get a mani
Hurry and catch him
As soon as you cant"
New York Press.
The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1907-07-19

ears. and why should 4 trust nay 20
crets to others?'
"of course. as It turned out I was
highly pleased at the sagacity Of the
gentleman; the more 20 as | recollect-
Cd the responsibility Of the specie /,
too, had assumed. need not tell you
that the lady's tears Transmitted into
rare smiles ana she was sent to her
home rejoicing" Grit
The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1907-07-19
underground Railroad for Japan.

Underground Railroad Tor Japan.
There Is to be an underground rail-
way across busy. crowded Toxic. The
distance is TO be twelve miles and the
cost Of construction win not be less
than s625, 900 mile. The railway
company viii have $s7,b0O,0OO capital
A uniform fare Of 21s cents will pro
duce a dividend Of s per cent for the
shareholders. The Electric Traction
Company Of Toxic plans to add sixty
miles to its system.
The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1907-07-19

Progress of Wireless Tslesr4phys
One company has announced that its
wireless tsslgraphy traffic for ships for
1908 was 1921 900 words sent and re-
esived, as against 7s3,9 80 words In 1903
The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1907-07-19

Polly eight and Tom ten,
Sister and brother, they
Go to school the whole week through,
Excepting Saturday.
On Saturday they help mamma
About the house, you know.
Tommy sweeps the steps and walks,
While Polly kneads the dough.
But as soon as 1t Is afternoon
And the dinner work is done,
They go to visit some young friends
And have the mostest funl
They play and play till almost dark,
Then home they go to tea,
With toys in their little arms,
As happy as can be.
Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1907-02-08
Cured OF Lung Trouble.

1T Is now eleven years since I had q
marrow escape from ptiop,'
writes q. o. Floyd. a leading business
maj ot kcrshas, s. &. Il had run down
ID weight To l3j pounds. and coughing
was constant, both 6y day and by night.
Finally | began taxing DR.. Kings New
Discovery, ant continued tbs Tor about
s'1 months. ~hen my cough md Iung
trouble we're entirely goae and I was
restored 10 my normal weight. 40
pounds. Thousands " yersuns are
healed every year. Guarant. Ell at t.ixo
Drug Co.'S drug store. sOc and loo
Trial bottle tree.
Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1907-02-08
- Stolen!
HT $3.50 WARD
A&S

Between the oath OK Ju.y and the 18Th
Q! August there we're stolen from the
Duuphy Estate field on Maggie Creek,
I've head O, saddle horses.
DEscgiPEIoS:-Oae gray horse very
proud and snowy aHisr saddle, Weigh,
between mo and 100. One sorrr!.
points OF ears frozen OF. you'd be
termed crop ea.od. Three bays-oue
hiss small xhirc spot on forehead aud
Lett eye weak and generally ~a,ery.
Ano,Ee- bay has white spot ga tore
head, white spo. 90 Uose, front snsles
slightly stalked. Tie other = a bright
bay With snail uhise spo, in let, eye.
al tie Lof-.= are branded 7 5 on
i-l-- - illustrated IN cut aEoge.
\ rezari Of 500 viii be paid for the
rsiurI Of suJh" nor=- snd slCO EiIl
also o. paid !oT Information = aiding u
tie aires: ard - guilty
uI:ties. Address Al Information 10 the
.DrNFHT VIE,
Baoyase. evadI.
Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1907-02-08
To wh"p Z; Wy Coue.-n.
STATE nFA1rr.

CagsoS CRY. Ssyais. ta-rnry t. 1917.
NOTICE L. Hereby GIVEN THAT TuE
~ State % Nevada, uE59s Section Of &c
Act Of Cougtess approved September Z. isu.
jriy {. 1894 and J1sc =, ise'. has ared IN ,hs
Cniicd states Land Cfics ai Ca taco CITY. Ne.
rsiS. list No. W. o. isndt selected uaier sad
Act, and has applied Tor \ pnieu, Tor said
lads; that 4 GET: ~ said lsi IL open 20 ,hs
pGblic t5r iaspec;ion. asd a copy thereof. By
descriptive sgp-ttYIsions. has been ros,ei ia
4 eongeuieu, place "a saIi CaitsJ states Land
OTcS tor Sac Inspection u oil persons later
esied ard to- rgBtic generally.
wiihin The neat sII;J days so,l0sg,r ,hs
dlte Of ihis notice protest o, c~oa,ast4 Bsslnss
u.ee!1im Of ssiJ STATE Of nevada - sny ,ract
or s1rdi5tsiso deserted in the ifsi. 90 ,ns
srouGd that the same IL more yllu lb.e for
miEerol ihln agricultural purposes. wifi b.,
received ard to;,d b. Tho Register Aad Re.
eeiSer Of the usite,i states f.taG naee a,
Carfnr cts7, STgads, tos iefor; % tto Gsssrar
Lad once ai vyr<kf1sp-o. &c
The t~7lioviog acc the tgJdiri siaq. igseri.yd
20 rii;
3. Hefs " = see. ~. T .tS r. .ssE,M
b. ". crntu!B'uE - Hcfcs.
r. D. KELLEY.
state land Eesisis. o. the state o,
NsyaJa.
Date ot fire.; Insertion Iiu. y. fpg.
Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1907-02-08
KANSAN Away FROM HOME.
L Is Not Lo1g Before Ez Begins &c
Eearl to= 81 Old Eahita-
Iii

Occasionally good uar grows d!sSat-
isssG with Kansas The milk s too
Yellow or the honey too sweet and be
Doesn't Ike them TO hoE owe his lana
anyway. says the Seneca Tribune. So
h parts with his farm, sells his live
stock ant "othsr things too numerous
70 mention ard moves TO OsLa1CC2-
T15re be takes his good aEsAs money
and buys q farm which to-day L and to-
EorroE & not, because TIE wind has
blown IL away. Or he tries Colorado
ard s!Uzh=s around in the mud !ECizat-
Ing = strip c: bottom go mario that I
COW cant jump into the field because
she jumps owe Il.
Then he hears Of Texas and gees down
% hunt JSa bag o. gold a. the rl!cao~
II tie daytime Es scratches sanG5g:s
OUT OF his Essh ant a. zIeat cenLipsEss
crawl over bis face. When bis money
: all gols he begins ( feel Ike he DID
the srst nigh: he eve stayed away from
home.
lie yea-ns FOR good old Kansas and
tie ye2ra sticks fl his rhruat and chokss
him rut!l tears cone II his eyss. lie
~s-sN SIC - ---a@-- > WA - sec va
COWS standing az the barz Oh his old
Kansas farm and hear the horn blow FOR
supper.
Memory Is 4 marvellous painter and
paints best the things Ee love best. Il
pictures 70 the Traveller the corn siIkias
In the field he once owned, the wheat
following FOR the harvest. the clover
stretching away IN a carpet CT rsd and
green, richer than the rugs OF Persians.
II shows him the sIms a. they whispered
TO his children AZ play beneath them,
points TO the roses In the corner OF the
old rail fence, and in infinite detail
paints a thousand things that touches
the heart and p-oyes It's whimsical
power.
Happy Is the man who wakes from
sleep TO End that he has wandered from
Kansas only In his dreams.