davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Oxford eagle., 1907-04-18
Honor the OId-Tine School.

Never speak nor write of old-time
schools in derision. We are in ad-
vance of them in many ways. IL is
true. and for that we are thankful. but
our thankfulness should be largely
mixed with humility. Those were the
schools of our fathers and grand
fathers and really 1t must be admitted
that they were and are as a body en-
titled to our respect. They did their
best in the light of that tallow candle.
Are We doing as well in the brilliant
blaze shed upon our path by electric.
ity? They were slow in reaching an
objective point in their ancient lum-
bering vehicles. Do we accomplish as
much when we reach our journeys
end by the limited? These are ques
tions which the youth and middle-aged
Of our day should ponder.-Western
School Journal.
Oxford eagle., 1907-04-18

that several OF these terrible disasters
happened on certain festivals The IA.
nous earthquake at Lisbon happened
ON All Saints day. and great numbers
pcrished the majority being buried be-
meath the ruins of churches
The catastrophe at ST. Pierre took
place Ascension day The first and
the greatest shock during the earth
quakes In Spain at the end of 1883.
which destroyed the town of Albania
and neighborhood. occurred Christmas
day The earthquake In the Apes
Maritimes. in February. 1857. was on
Ash Wednesday Those who believe
in the POWER Of the devil and in mira.
clos might find food for S'sitation and
reflection in this.
But there is no acceptable relation
between the two orders Of things. any
more than there Is. for example. be-
tween sunspots and the Paris exhibi.
tions though these exhibitions were
held at periods of maximum sunspots.
1867. 1873. 1889 and 1900. Here. evi-
IDENTIFY, there is nothing to go upon
as regards the moon and the move
ments of the carth's crust.
There is some tangible connection
as well as a natural relation: but this
connection is slight and the explana-
tion of the epochs OF volcanic erup-
tions and earthquakes is not to be
found in this direction.
Oxford eagle., 1907-04-18

The embankments making up Fort
Ancient seem to have been made to
form several distinct divisions. There
is. first. the new fort. lying north of a
narrow isthmus. the great gateway di-
viding the mounds az the south end
of that passage. the crescent gate.
formed by the wing walls and the mid.
die fort. an area inclosed By sickle.
shaped gateway. The total distance
around these earthworks is not less
than 1S.7l2 feet. although bee line
from the east to the west end meas.
ures just 993
Statistics, however. are both tirine
and non-communicative, You ride
from the village up a steep hill. through
the forest, TO the knoll on which stands
the fort. An Usage hedge has been set
around the place. bearing the simple
words Fort Ancient" You take a
path leading down through a wellde-
fined system of mounds. dotted over
with ancient beech trees. Beyond, the
meadow gives place to denser forest.
and in this all attempt at tracing the
plan of the mounds seems futile. They
wind and turn. and writhe and twist.
beyond tracing. by any save the anti
quarian. Sightseers for the most part.
here. are picnickers. and for their
benefit the Ohio Historical and Arch.
geological society has erected a frame
shelter house among these. For use,
Oxford eagle., 1907-04-18
Properties Of Gold.

Pure gold is unaffected by the at
mosphere either at ordinary tempera-
lures or when the metal is heated. II
is also proof against the action OF com
mon acids when used singly
Moreover, IL confers its properties
more or less upon copper and silver
when these metals are alloyed with it.
Thus, for example. l2-karat gold will
withstand the sction of nitric acid and
the atmosphere at ordinary tempera-
ture. but some OF the copper will be
oxidized during annealing. Nine parts
of gold may be alloyed with ten parts
OF platinum in an ordinary crucible
and fire, but such an alloy will not be
uniform: a larger proportion of plati-
mum will free itself from the gold on
solidification Esd homogeneous alloy
of the two metals cannot be obtained.
Jewellers Circular Weekly.
Oxford eagle., 1907-04-18
HaIIey,s Approaching Comet.

The astronomers are bestirring
themselves in preparation for the re-
turn of one OF the most famous of all
comets, that which bears the name of
HALEY. 1t is the greatest comet
known to have been seen at more
than one return. its average period
being about rs years. says Youths
Companion. It was last seen in 1885,
and will. according to the most re-
cent calculations. be visible again
early In 1910. The object of the as
tronomers at present is 10 predict the
moment of its perihelion passage
with the utmost possible accuracy.
DIR. Holetschek of Vienna thinks 1t
will be visible with telescopes as
early as January. 1910. and that by
March everybody may see 1t with
the naked eye. Later In the year 1t
is likely to make startling display.
several hours before sunrise, in the
northern quarter of the sky.
Oxford eagle., 1907-04-18
Monticello. the Home of Jefferson.

Another old world feature is the
subterranean passage which runs un-
der the house and comes out of the
mountain a hundred yards away. 1t
was once large enough to admit cart
but has now so fallen into decay that a
man could scarcely crawl through.
Tradition says that it was through
this passage Jefferson escaped when
warned by the friendly Jouitt of the
approach OF Tarleton's raiders; but
DR.. w. C. N. Randolph, the great
grandson of the president. told the
writer that the pretty story is myth.
Being warned of the approach of the
British, Mr. Jefferson took a bride
path down the other side of the noun
tain, hurriedIy committing his papers
to the charge OF Burwell, his negro
major domo.-Our Country.
Oxford eagle., 1907-04-18
SUN AND MOON PLEAD NOT
GUILTY OF lNcIrINe ouAKgs.
French Astronomer Clears the celes
tial Bodies OF Charge Of Re
sponsibility for Seismic
Disturbances.

With the help OF the astronomer.
Camille Flammarion. of France. the
sun and moon have pleaded not guilty
to causing the earthquakes with which
this terrestrial sphere has been aflict-
ed OF late and have proved an alibi
Astronomer Flammarion. while admit.
ting that there are a few condolences
OF eclipses with volcanic action. etc.
declares that these are far surpassed
in number by the ccavisions In which
the moon and sun are not In position
to AFFECT the earth And having thus
been cleared OF completely in the re-.
cent disasters It is not likely that the
sun. or the moon. either. viii lose the
contract Of lighting and heating this
planet. which they have held so stead.
ily for innumerable centuries. and this
too. without the least suspicion oi
graft or rebate up To the present time
Earthquakes. SAYS Astronomer Flam
marion. distribute themselves princi
pally along the most unsteady strata
| OF land. in which sediments under the
greater thicknesses have been crushed
dislocated and upheaved at the tertiary
period since the formation Of the prin
cipal chains of mountains.
Where the earth has been shaker
before It will be again. Architects an,
builders in these countries would Il,
well 10 take note OF this fact.
Though We now know almost exactly
the geographical distribution OF these
| geological phenomena. though we know
that the principal cause lies in the
depth OF the earth's crust. it is not
easy To explain the question. Why are
the disturbances OF the globe more IRE
quent and more intense at certain
periods?
Why. for example. are they more
violent at present than usually? Does
any astronomic influence exert itseli
In favor of seismic cOnvulsionsF
We naturally think at first of the
tides and the attraction of the moon
and the sun. but neither observations
nor the seismic apparatus of specially
equipped observatories have ever es
tablished the existence OF subter
ranean ocean. the conjectures founded
upon this principle therefore are de
void of value. Has the attraction oi
the sun and the moon. then. no innu
ence? Most assuredly not II acts on
the whole terrestrial globe But this
can only be secondary influence.
II will thus be seen that the parable
said to exist between the attraction o
the moon and volcanic or seismic man
ifestations has no real existence Tn,
usual astronomical precision is want
ing here
Oxford eagle., 1907-04-18
Vast Debt Owed by Cities.

The municipal debts OF the country
are approximately $1,000. 900 .0O0-a
sum larger than is owed by the fed
eral government and all the state gov.
ernments. OF the total II is worth
while to note New York contributes
when all sinking fund deductions are
made. about one-faurth.
The increasing habit of American
cities 10 mortgage the future is one OF
the marked governmental tendencies
OF the times. Although a marked i'm
provement has taken place in the
quantity OF municipal governments
whatever the other good faults. there
Is seemingly no disposition to lessen
the public burden. The theory seem
ingly is that municipal resources are
practically unlimited. For public
servant to have. prejudice against
debt creation is considered proof that
he is an old fogy
The greater part Of city debts rep
resent money put into buildings
streets, parks. etc. and no small par,
to meet administrative deficits. In
view of the size OF these debts and
the little the public has received from
their creation. there cannot be KEEP,
back a feeling of gratitude that the
prudence of the last generation put
into state constitutions clauses limit
ing debt creation. Except for these
clauses there is reason to fear. with
extravaganza and recklessness in the
air as Il is now. municipal indebted
ness would increase much more than
800. 900. 900 a year.-Exchange
Oxford eagle., 1907-04-18
Bore Of Shotuun.

To the word bore" when used to
tell the gauge of shotguns, there at
taches an interesting bit of history.
In the days when the rifle balls were
spherical and long. cylindrical. conf
cal-headed bullets and rified barrels
were undreamed of. the gunsmith
adopted curious but convenient
method of designating the gauge or
diameter of the bore. He expressed
it by stating how many bullets. of
the size that would fit a particular
musket, would go to make pound.
Thus, a ten-bore musket would be
one of such a bore that ten of its bul-
lets would go to make a pound
weight; 16-hore gun would be one
whose bullets would run 16 to the
pound, and SO on. Hence. the anonf-
ally that the larger denomination mus
ket has the smaller bore.
Oxford eagle., 1907-04-18
The Box Complete.

top and bottom into the inside. The
nails should be of various lengths so
that many Jagged points may result.
Wrap these points about in various
directions with coarse thread or
string, or with canton flannel Plug
up all the openings with corks except
one in the top. and then pour through
that into the box a warm solution of
crystallizing alum. Now plug up this
hole and wait until the solution cools.
The solution is prepared by dissolv-
ing a pound OF alum in a gallon of
warm water.
After the capitalization and the re-
moval of the corks the jagged ends
and surface inside will be found to be
covered with bright crystals that look
exactly like the stalactites OF a beau.
tiful grotto.
Then, explains Good Literature. COW
er the holes in the top, sides and one
end with colored glass. and over the
front opening place white glass. or.
what is more effective. If you can pro-
cure il, a convex spectacle lens hav-
ing a focus about equal to the length
of the box.
Oxford eagle., 1907-04-18

parade. and when they came opposite
the plaza OF the little hotel the spec.
tators were astonished to see the gen
eral suddenly leave his chair and ap.
proach them.
Very good. very good. indeed" he
commended; 1T makes me think OF a
little company that I commanded in
this very street some 40 years ago.
But | have a proposition 70 make.
boys. that hope you'll agree to"
We will" they cried in chorus.
Walt till get through" geniaiiy.
There are some defects In your
maneuvering which noticed and
would like to remedy II YOU will let
me reorganize the company will
give you full outfit Of caps and belt.
and wooden guns. and swords for Of.
ficers. Do you agreeg"
Yes, yes' yes," cried the boys.
Good! Now go through all your
movements carefully. will watch
Oxford eagle., 1907-04-18
ABOUT LIONS.

There is another peculiar thing
about lions,' said the trainer. and
that is that they will not eat the flesh
of fowl. You might tempt them with
a canvasback duck or the daintiest
squab, but they would refuse 1t. This
Is scientific fact. | have tried 1t
many times. remember once hav-
ing a swan which had broken its wing.
We killed it. dressed 1t carefully and
threw il into the cage OF the lions.
but they would not touch IL. and IL
finally had to be taken out and thrown
away.
Il have repeatedly put pigeons alive
into the cage. just to see what they
would do. | have thrown grain down
among the lions. and the pigeons have
actually got down and hoped around
the big brutes. even hopping on their
backs. the lions making mo- attempt
70 disturb them, even seeming to en-
joy their companionship.
There Is something strange about
this which Is rather difficult to ex-
plain. To my mind 1t argues that a
lion is not brutal in his instincts.
Savage. he undoubtedly is. Fierce at
all times, but fierce with justice.
believe every one of my lions has a
conscience; | know that every one OF
them knows the difference between
right and wrong; they know their
wondrous power and are charitable.
They would never attempt to injurs
anything that in no way could do
them harm.
The study Of a lion. his habits,
character and capabilities. is one OF
the most interesting I know. It Of
fers field as yet comparatively un-
known. but the more one goes into it,
the more time one takes to find out
just what a lion is, the more he Is
convinced that he has rightly been
named the king of beasts
Oxford eagle., 1907-04-18
QUEER DIET OF aAccooNa
Relish Crabs, Although Naturally .
Race Of Fruit Eaters.

What made the crabeating raccoon
hrst take to his queer diet? The
question Is suggested BY a specimen
OF this strange animal at a London
menagerie and which IL happy TO
oblige any generous visitor with an II.
lustration Of the quickest way 10 kill.
unshell and swallow crustacean
without artificial assistance OF any
kind. Dousiless the peculiarity origi.
mated in the shore-frequenting habits
of the species. and. being a delicate
feeder. the succulence OF the crab.
once cracked. was an obvious induce
ment to renew his acquaintance on
every possible occasion.
Originally probably fruit eater.
the raccoon Is inqulsitive and dainty.
both strong incentives to experiments
In diets. When an individual sees a
small object he does not understand
his actions fall under three headings.
He first puts the article to close scru-
tiny, both with his eyes and that SUI
percilious. upturned nose OF his. Then
he takes II away and washes it-a
Characteristic action OF this water.lov-
ing animal-and finally puts II to the
grand test Of eatableness or other.
wise. II 1t appears unpalatable he
gives II to his wife
In this way IL is easy to imagine
how the creekloving coon. wearying
OF too much fruit made his first crab
supper. and though he has never been
able to add squeeze of lemon or
brown bread and butter TO the repast
has become a confirmed lover Of crus-
tacea ever since. All creatures make
experiments until they become a fixed
habit and their whole structure Is
modified in accordance.
Nature, for instance. never intended
the osprey to live on fish. II was the
temptation of an old world trout In
difficulties in the shadows that first
led the great hawk astray. Some
small Brazilian monkeys. again. live
almost exclusively on birds eggs, an
Australian parrot has given up a
proper vegetarian diet for an ex-
elusive regimen of mutton and many
other instances OF the same unortho-
dox appetites might be cited
Oxford eagle., 1907-04-18
OLD EARTH SPASMS

II is clear that there Is no general
law. II the attraction OF the sun and
moon has an influence. 1t is in sec
ondary degree.
And what OF new and full moons:
what Of cclipses without eruptions and
without earthquakes?
Appearances may sometimes cause
the judgment to err A non-sclentlfc
person might remark, for example.
Oxford eagle., 1907-04-18
THEIR MILITARY COMPANY.
The Boy Who Would BE Captain and
What Came Of II.

4 speak to be captain" cried Luke
Edwards. Just as soon as he put his
head round the corner OF the barn
where the other boys were already
assembled.
Well. you won't be-" retorted Tom
my Green. Indignantly: "tw'n't fair
coming on us that way. Yoa're al.
ways doing things when we amt
ready. to get ahead.
You didn't think OF the company.
Willie Jackson spoke OF Il first. and
asked us to meet here. and this is his
barn. and we're to train on his land,
and of course he ought to have first
chance
Then he ought TO have spoke first. ="
mocked Luke. He didn't. so I'm
captain"
But you don't know as much bout
training" expostulated Tommy.
though less -ehemently. "wllie's
brothers soldier, and he under
stands things. and--and is interested. f"
Well. | guess can walk on ahead
and give orders and wave my sword.
can't H." demanded Luke. aggressive
ly. That's what a captains for. And
then I'm the biggest and spoke
first"
20. let him be captain II he wants
to-. interposed Willie. generously;
what's the odds?"
But he can't do IL so well as you"
He can learn" smiled Willie.
that's what I'm trying to do. II |
find out anything he don't know, |
can show him"
SO In spite of general feeling of
discomfort, Luke became captain and
walked on ahead and waved his sword.
and called out sharp and contradic.
tory commands. which the 20 boys
tried to follow. because Willie assured
them that soldiers first duty was to
obey.
But as to accepting Willie's advice.
that was something Luke would not
do; it was a reflection on his dignity
as captain to receive advice from the
ranks. And more than that. he in
sisted on putting his brother In lieu
tenant and his two cousins second
lieutenant and sergeant. and to keep
the peace Willie persuaded his COM
panions to accept the situation.
Thus 1t went on until along in Oc-
tober, when the town was thrown into
sudden excitement by the unexpected
arrival of an old resident who had
gone away and in 20 years had risen
to be famous general.
OF course. there was a hurriedly ar
ranged parade. in which the promi-
nent men and the band and school
children took part. and in which-to
their CONSERVATION and delight-the
Invincibies were asked to join.
They were at the very end OF the
Oxford eagle., 1907-04-18
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

Two underground depots and a
considerable length OF connecting tun-
mel. for the use of the Metropolitan
subway lines of Paris. are being CON
structed ON public street. and when
completed will be sunk into position.
In other words, this unusual piece Of
engineering work consists In building
tunnel in the open air
The main line OF the Metropolitan
railway crosses the two branches of
the Seine and the Isle Of Cite. which
divide the river. at point Just south
Of the Bridge Of 81. Michel. That por-
tion OF the line which crosses the is.
land is being built in the street,
where the great Neel framework ris-
Oxford eagle., 1907-04-18

with 500 feet OF tunnel weighs IS. 900
tons. The reader will readily appre-
ciate the nicely of operation by which
all these metal sections are to be
sunk to an exact level and then bolt
ed together where the end of one
length joins that of the next. The pro-
iect is one of the largest and most In.
teresting engineering undertakings in
the world at the present time. When
the tunnel and depots have been sunk.
the street will BE- replaced and paved
as before. All the riveting. says Pop.
ular Mechanics. is being done with
pneumatic hammers of American
make
Oxford eagle., 1907-04-18
OIL Burning Engines.

An American company is building
for the Mexican Central railroad "a
number of oil-burning freight engines
of an unusual type. They are eight
coupled engines with a leading pony
truck. The boiler has 2,16S square feet
of heating surface. The total weight
available for adhesion is about i10
tons, the ratio of tractive effort to ad-
hesive weight being one to four and
threequarters. a boiler pressure of
200 pounds to the square inch is used.
The fuel is crude petroleum. which is
vaporized by steam jet. and DETECTED
against a soapstone arch in the fire
box.
Oxford eagle., 1907-04-18
FARM WORK.

Thorough cultivation of the corn.
field before planting pays big.
Have you provided pasture for the
hogs? Don't leave 1t out Of your
plans for the year.
Take away the unsightly chip-pile
and put it on thin piece of ground.
The result will be more bushels OF
corr or oats next fall.
It's good plan to set an evergreen
windbreak three rows thick around
the house, barn and yards. 1t will
save fuel and add greatly to the COM
fort of everybody and every animal.
Oxford eagle., 1907-04-18
Studying the Ideal.

Little Joey is the youngest member
of family where vital faith in the
power OF thought-concentration is
fully recognized. Quite logically.
therefore, says Youths Companion,
when his recent requirement, a couple
OF bantam hens, began to lay very
small eggs. much below Joey's stand
ard Of size. he put his mind on the
matter. with an original II slightly
unscientific result.
Going to the hen-house one morn
ing. Joey's father was surprised to see
an ostrich egg tied to Or of the
beams, and above it card. with the
words:
Keep your eye on this and do your
best
Oxford eagle., 1907-04-18

ing to the top OF the third story of
abutting buildings attracts much at
tention. The sections which are to
cross the river have already been
built on land and fioated to location.
where they are being sunk to the re-
quired level below the bottom of the
river The land and water sections
mentioned are $500 feet in length.
The illustration conveys a good
idea of the construction When com
pleted the. inside measurement of the
tunnel WIN he rs feet wide by So
feet high. There are two land sec
tions 1900 feet and 1880 feet long.
respectively. Inside the steel frame-
Oxford eagle., 1907-04-18
ModestX of Greatness.

John Hancock was about TO aiiix his
signature to the immortal declaration
of independence.
1T is a conspicuous honor" he said,
''to be the first signer Therefore, in
order that | may not seem to be dis
tinguished above my fellow patriots.
shall write my name in a clear, legi-
BILE and clerkly style. All great men,
you know. write miserable hands.
But the world has persisted in con-
sidering John Hancock an exception
to this rule.-Chicago Tribune.
Oxford eagle., 1907-04-18

and give you 20 minutes. want to
study each man"
At the end of 20 minutes he held up
his hand.
That will do" he called. THE boy
with brown cap will step from the
line; he will be your captain"
The boy with the brown cap was
Willie Jackson.
Now that boy in the baseball suit.
and the one with the red tie, and the
one who carries broom handle They
will be your first and second lieuten.
ants and sergeant"
The boy in the baseball suit was
Tommy Green. the others were two
who had closely followed Willie's ad.
vice TO obey orders. Luke Edwards
stared at the general incredulously.
But what'll be-" he demanded.
20. YOU will have to go back into
the ranks. my boy" the general
smiled; 1T will be for your own
good No one can command until he
knows how."-Boston Globe.
Oxford eagle., 1907-04-18
A E.rmer,s STRANGE Story.

A farmer of Caroline county. Va.
Mr.. o. D. Pitts, tells a very strange
story. While plowing with pair of
horses on his farm. he turned mp a
nest containing what he supposed to
be turtle-eggs. He put them in his
pocket to carry them home. Some
time later. when he took up his coat,
hs felt something moving, and upon
investigation found that the eggs had
hatched and his pocket was full OF
young snakes.
Oxford eagle., 1907-04-18

! work will be placed thick lining of
sides and arch will be covered with
white enameled tiling and the floor
with cut stone blocks and slabs. upon
which the track will be- laid when
the metal section is finished. excava-
ton will be made beneath II and the
great mass allowed to gradually set
tie to permanent position at the prop
er depth
Two depots are included In the work
described both located on the island
These are obtained by enlarging the
tunnel to a ring shaped construction.
with provision for ticket Offices, wait
Ing rooms, etc. One of the depots