davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1907-10-20
WAS 1T A WILDCAT?

Dear Little Men and Little Women: Doris and
rode cut of camp evening. just twilight. for
a galloP. she big gray horse and on pony.
Not far from camp a level meadow. shut in
from observation by the woods. and here liked
TO run races and do circus tricks horseback.
on side Of this meadow dense thlCket.
with a Curousy shaped tree at end. I rode
up 10 this tree to examine the odd shape Of its
trunk.
No sooner had 1 stopped than from the centre
"G-r-r-r' it snarled. l did not wait any longer,
hut struck the pony and he bounded away AT top
speed Doris heard 1t. though she was a, some
distance, and although said nothing TO each
other about being afraid we didn't race any more
but gallOped back TO camp to ask father what he
thought il was.
Inauguration commented my brother. without
looking up from his book
The wonens tent open on all sides at night.
and just by the corner. where mothers bed was. a
huge forked tree stood About II o'clock mother
woke and struck a match TO see the time. As the
match fixed sharply and famed up "C-r-r-r' came
the SrOwl from the big tree that l mad
heard IN the meadow. and something jumped TO
the ground with a heavy thud- IL was heard in
imagination this time. All silent after this.
and soon slept
The next morning who were camping
across the lake stopped at our spring for drink
Did YOU have a visitor here last nighto' they
asked. There a wildcat in our tent The
camp was lit all night, saw him as he went
through, but the rifles weren't loaded we didn t
trouble him" - -
was it a wildcat that growled at our tent? We
ourselves don't know. and never shall
ELIZABETH BRENGIE tagcd -
Armenia Uni11 y Y, oct. -
New-York tribune., 1907-10-20
Adx,e7fzxres OF Mr.. Raccoog7, Jr.

while the others were sleeping. lie set out for
some bushes where ne thought ne might i eaten
watching a bird that hopping about he heard
the strange sound that he knew men made when
they were together.
His first thought was to get into a tree and ha
started for the only one he could reach without
going in the direction from which the sounds came
Unfortunately there no holows IN The tree
and no leaves hide him and the best thing he
could do to climb = high as he could. The
came TO the foot of The tree. He had
these creatures and much interested that
he almost forgot 10 be afraid. The younger of the
j.. watched every movement so intenty that ne
never noticed that the other man had the skins
OF half a dozen Of his cousins hanging over his
shoulders. AT last the young reached
branch from which he could look straight into the
eyes OF Mr.. Raccoon. il. and then he pointed a
strange thing him with his fcrepaw This was
the tree, and his curiosity would not allow him
10 take his eyes OFF the young until h"
Ihen the men made some more OF their queer
sounds that Mr RaccoOn, jr., could nor under
stand, but they themselves knew what they meant.
Il can't shoot the poor little beast when he looks
like that" said the young man.
''Humph"' said the older man How long do
you think II take TO make a hunter Of you? I'll
soon settle him"
no you won't" was the answer as the man
raised his rife; III buy his skin from YOU and
4 grunt was the only reply ara the older man
walked on, leaving the other to follow at his
Mr.. Raccoon. jr did not know Just how near he
had been 10 the end Of his career. but the event
had been rather trying TO his nerves and he was
We're re out Of sight When he 6S5R @Rn mse S
had no difficulty in getting back to his home I'm
the woods and he had more great adventures
that year When the cold weather came he Vent
10 sleep and slept most OF the time for three cr
four months. In March he started life again as
and IL is likely that he may eniov long
life in spite of men, dogs and firearms
New-York tribune., 1907-10-20

Ar. Raccoon, jr., born day in April
Tie first place he knew anything about was
lofty nest in the hollow limb OF a tree. He did
not know or care anything about geography, but
others may like 70 know that the tree was situated
fa Wild spot IN the Adirondack Mountains When
Baby Raccoon, as he called then. began 10
opserve his surroundings he found that there were
four other little Raccoons. his brothers and sisters
IN the nest with him. The five grew in the nest
together for some weeks generally sleeping through
ihe day, because their eyes could rot stand a
bright light. and playing at night while Mother
RaccOon away hunting.
After the little Raccoons were first allowed 10
use their sharp claws 10 creep down the tree 10
the ground every night was time Of JOY. They
were as frolicsonle as any young animals could
be, and even condescended 10 the folly Of trying TO
catch their own tails.
They were soon taken 20 a stream Of water not
far from their home. and this became one Of their
favoTite resorts. There were many good things 70
eat that could be found in the water-mussels
oayfish and real fish, when they could catch them
They liked, TOO. to bring things they had caugnt
elseWhere TO the stream and eat them there biIus
and mice they thought tasted better when they had
been well soaked and washed
one night the whole Raccoon family were gong
t. swamp where they hoped TO nave & 'eSC F o9r 9
ss..o!y. who was running ahead was huuue!iLy ~
ground. lie looked at # curopsy, smelt ii ana
ii.ien reached one Of his forepaws and touched
ksecoon catEnc up. and Seeing what he was doing
tSt'eo 70 Ilm sharply 70 come back III ApllS ~
luS great desire fOi knowledge Mr. Raccoon obeyed
= once. for il had been the custom in the family
- ,gI countless generations for children 10 opey
ttnelr parents. and any that had departed
I'm I'm the custom had generally come 10 Some
tt1eIC END This WAS narrow escape Iot
ses sas curious curious object was a trap that had been cen
- - ano baited with 4 dainty morsel for the
ep e1pIess purpose OF catching any Raccoon whose
t1Iloslty or hunger happened 10 exceed ms
tIa Tiedge and prudence. This was only one OF
- lessons the young Raccoons had to ht them
I've m a world where there existed an animal
,,, iiad no fur OF his and killed other ami
re1s - nst he could have their fur to keep nm
tbat, ailo MS relatives warm. Among other things
kT,.n syoh learned 10 swim. and Mother Raccooh
ssc. t.at This accomplish ment would help them 70
fhe55 -ioln u.e dtgs ihat men 50 often TOOK win
IN 10 heip them in their hunting.
sro.nl., on ioflg summer passN without any serious
ana IN The Raccoon family. Food plentiful
anTnsSI1 ~ many kinds Before they were tired OF
g-as 100 the Indian corn the nearest farms
conld atus ior eating and at the same time fruit
were .SSIn@ays be found near home. Later nuts
n rlsaoS oSn 10 the bin of fare. and sometimes. Tor
on tan5s they visited poultry yard ard carried
,SSpii- young chickens
Raec,on5" 5"uay day IN October II dawned upon Mr.
the Izirs, ~, tiat he quite grown up, and ~
hs tts, ttssL vas not ssrofg enough 10 hurt his eyes
''Ehl ne would enjoy q journey By himself
New-York tribune., 1907-10-20
LAST WEEKS PRIZE WINNERS.

Missing Object PUzzle--Following are the miss
ing objects in this ruzze The boys coat sleeve the
girls foot the cats TAIL the handle of the pitcher,
the rocker of the chair, two of the girls fingers.
the nail for the picture 10 hang from.
The neatest and best two answers were sent by
Edmund b. Thompson. jr.. aged ten years, No Sl6
West iO5th street, New York City, who wishes a
box of water color paints, and Karl Ludwig aged
ten years No 10 East 120th street, New York City.
a Tribune fountain pen.
Things to Think About-The two prize winners
and their prizes In this contest are Lillian NJ.
Sheehan aged fourteen years, No 124 Spring street.
Ossning y. ". a box of water color paints and
Mabelle L. Zeh, aged fifteen years. Watervlet,
n. Y, embroidery set.
Christmas Gfts-FOr prize winners see letters
printed this page.
Our Letter BoX.-See letters oy prize winners
published on this page.
New-York tribune., 1907-10-20

gress. IF two fools want to marry said one
man man who ho6s lbs this this opinion lit will be pretty
After all do the nations where marriages are ar
out better quality of babies than do nations in
which the boys and girls mate according to their
Then this doctor told story 1t concerned two
young people who were, he said, famed among their
they looked at marriage-considering it from every
point OF view before they entered into the bond.
ChlId was porn ana the proud parents felt that
they might announce to the world that here was
physically perfect child Had not they bent
their wide hygienic knowledge to that end?
But somehow. said the doctor the child be-
beW-ildered the parents that they consented
10 mogten 1 examinatiSn to md out what
wrong with it? Why, everything l assure YOU
that there wasn't bone or an organ in the poor
somehow out of shape place"
There is one little grain of comfort for me any
how, said a plain girl she surveyed herself
In the mirror. Il may be ugly here in America, but
I'd be bowling beauty in the South Sea Islands
I'm Just dark enough and stout enough 10 suit the
local taste out there. Seriously. did you ever re-
fleet that beauty is geographical matter entirely?
Inc tall athletic young woman whom the japanese
would consider a monstrosity. has only to go TO
not admired in England, where something long and
lean Is preferred in women, but there are places
prizes in the beauty shows. And IL goes. Every
body is beautiful somewhere in the world, but
one happens to be in the psychological spot
While some of the men who pay occasional visits
at country houses rich that few fat tips
more or less to the servants matter nothing at all,
other guests not lucky in their finances; yet
a man does not want to appear mean-he would
rather stay at home than get in position where
he must either seem mean or else do violence TO
MS purse. A clever English hostess Lady London
derry, realizing that these poorer quite as
apt TO be desirable guests as are the rich ones
has settled the tip question once for all In the
hall at Wynyard she has placed shooting tip
box which is kept locked until after the departure
OF the guests after each shooting party. Then the
box is opened by the host his agent and the
contents equally distributed among the servants
Everybody is satisfied, and nobodys pride is hurt
A titled Irishwoman who has a large country
seat and entertains great deal has hit upon a
charming device for making breakfast a
cheerful function than it generally is Instead of
the one long, dreary table at which everybody
must eat. she has in the breakfast several
small round tables, each with its separate SER
vice Let guest come down at what hour he WILL
he finds hot coffee and tea the spirit heaters
on the side table, and hot cups-some OF them the
thick stone china cups which used in the inns
of Normandy. and which keep the heat so well
Crisp French rolls. portions of butter. and various
New-York tribune., 1907-10-20
WHEN THE TIME COMES.

I've no patience with these people who spend
time discussing ways of living to be a hundred
remarked a woman Of sixty to her Youthful grand
daughters. "a hundred indeed / hope that when
my time comes III have the good taste to die and
not try to hang on like withered leaf What do
l consider the proper age for dying? MY dears il
depends the Individual. l know a man who is
youthful at eighty. but he wastes no time consider
ing how he can keep alive Till he reaches the
century mark. l doubt If he ever thinks OF it, He
is too busy keeping abreast OF the times, seeing
his friends. reading walking. playing his part in
human affairs. I know a man of seventy who is
old, very old ! met him yesterday, Swathed III
furS and hannelS. as il IL were midwnter. He told
me in a qUavering voice that he had just heard of
new food and was on his. way to get sOnle-a
food warranted to put more lime in the bones or
clSe-I forget which-to take the lime out; anyhow,
II would enable any to live to be hundred at
least. You should have seen the gleam in mis- old
eyes ne talked OF Il. But why does that
wish TO live long? He is feeble. he is a constant
anxiety TO those about him, there is hardly any
thing ne can enjoy. No. cannot understand this
striving to put off what is as natural. when the
times comes as birth.
Yet every now and then somebody who ought to
know better throws a fresh faggot on the craze
for ceHtenarianlsm, and every seems 10 have
a vague idea that It's peculiarly virtuous to live
great many EearS-nO matter what is made
Of said years. I'm glad TO observe. though.
that some very well known doctors throwing
cold water on the craze of late
New-York tribune., 1907-10-20
THE TRIBUNE PATTERN.

Such pretty little froCks as this one are always
needed for the small folk. In the illustration it is
made of fine white lawn and trimmed with frUs
of the material end embroidered disks. but it is
appropriate for all the lawns and other pretty
washable materials which are worn at all seasons
and for cashmere. challis and similar lightWeight
woods. 1t can be made with either the half low
or high neck and with the short long sleeves.
Cashmere with ribbon frillS makes an eXceedingIy
seryiceable and pretty dress for the coming cool
weather. while both white and cOlOred wash mate
rals are charming, and II something dainty is de-
sired the front portion and yoke could be en-
hroidered In some design suited TO it, made from
all-oVer embroidery.
The quantity of material required for the medium
size -four years. Is 29i yards -. 29s yards 30.
New-York tribune., 1907-10-20

ces HSure sure without plainly outlining =. The prin-
,,Io,, se."h always graceful, with it's panels its
IN No ling erect about waist bust and hips. is
II" means the costume Of any woman who fan
-. - ~ and If the figure Of such customer be
ions nat II should be, II is certainly the reig
merits } 1I every dressr1aker loudly to extol the
l4StIFFu wholly into the background by Empire, Di-
,oaul's ,,,od's or early English revivals of designers
'''Sbs - desperate by the demand for novelties
! ne court train of the winter 5 revival but
On adaptation. Not every woman NAV make her
cooa1datttSSE before throne. but she may the
sIhcsiul appendage the court costume and
rs IAN girls of this golf-playng generation.
- +i. Co"il tram seen on the gowns Of velvet
sHa.il ana lac" Is invariably Of the heavier ma
y tidiS ana begins not the shoulders. but
I."It several inches above the waist line although
-. - 50 Gle NcrN placed that the waist line is not
CIl5ecoInlngly shortened. Neither these trains
iulHeSs gradually and IN instances merge
NO Ie side cores at the back Of the skirt proper
Berthas and shawls Of fine lace are valuable
asSets when the winter wardrobe is being planned.
I9T the bertha often forms the principal adornment
OF the bodice, while the ancient shawl of prncesse
point lace may be so arranged as to form sleeves
as Wen shoulder drapings.
BACK evening coats of satin cloth un-
othlapiN SerNlceable for the woman who does not
Always go about in cab. For the present season
lueE are considered smart when white
oi H"!2t Colored evening gowns. The rule is
NtISea IN the case Of the white coat. which may
properly shield the a black chiffon gown.
tS1t toned satin. The woman who wears a fur
9htket curing the day but does not number a fur
use OF Chainois aS an interlining for her evening
Up sleeves are sufficiently large TO preserve the
pulA dtalrS of chiffon and lace beneath them. A
practical sleeve O newly i'm
Wei as roomy. is slightly gathered and set into a
japanese arm size. but it is shaped as narrow
gradually toward the elbow, and below that point
is gathered into a wide band cuff through which
the hand VIII readily slip.
New-York tribune., 1907-10-20
EVENING TOILETS.
Ball GozcHs of Chiffon and SpqngIed
Ncf-Nodifed Court Trains.

DESPITE the vogue for all things English. even
tbe travelled American woman. accustomed to see
,nr low necked gowns wCrn 10y her Anclo-Saxo,
ststers at hotel dinners and in theatre narouets
,.ststes 10 adopt this fashion for general homo
re although the fabrics employed for her bioh
recked evening gowns are quite as COSTLY as aro
chose intended for formal dinners and the nDera
The reception gown. as lge elaborate high rac,-a7
snd sleeyed costume Is known 10 American draes
makers IS usually seen at the zenith of ito
and costlness in tie bridal trUusseau and mo-
infrequently il outTanks the wedding dress itsejf
For its foundation ansdoWne. heavy silk or velvet
are usually selected, but great is the Quantity
of lace and kindred flny fabrics used ir cn-ner-
ion With them tlat al first glance it is difficult 10
say precisely wl2ich material 7redolninates Satin
once used chiefly for wedding and ball gowns. is
now in such general use that even the 1ebutante
affects It tor her first long gown, while broca5a
trstwllile the material Of the rnatron Of STATELY,
proportions is being adopted ny quite young WON
er who not TO be restricted by ancient nraii,
dices and conyentioEalities Of dress
The successful bah gown has ever suggested
Eauziness, and tor that reason lace ci,5fTo, and
The various fancy nets appear again and a,,ir
always Ma1e Up over TaEeta and silk muslin .'rf
trimmed Win sucn heaFE materials satin and
velvet te befter 10 set forth their fragile beauty
Robe dresses or spangled net have LOST nona ,f
fner poiu-arlIA Tor NOT only they made m a :
they I'd oeeIi Icr seasons past over clouds of
six muslin and perfect fitting rrtncasse lij1.e -
iafeta but their gaUziness IS emphasized IN hes,,
ffu trimmings and aims Cf satin and broc3de az
Ell tie lovely robe gowns displayed 10 lure woman
kind from the paths Of economy are those OF rbif
fon and net. with velvet bordFrings in -
rows. or the gOrgeoIlsly fOwered horderiT-S SIfcE
ss Ponapaeeu designs on black Dresden color
was never invented more fetching style OF dress
than me modern Empire, which perfectly suggests
New-York tribune., 1907-10-20
ROASTED APPLES ON TREES.

Dear Little Men and Little Women: Ny story
tells of a number Of trees which. strange TO say,
bore juicy delicious. roasted apples.
About quarter OF q mile from the house at
which 1 spent my summer vacation a very
beautiful hotel. surrounded by of every de-
scriptiOn. One night in the latter part of the
summer while l comfortably lying in bed.
our whole house aroused by the distant cry
of Fire, fire. Help" Yes. that great house was
crowned with a Of flame The sight
beautiful All efforts 70 eStinguish the fire were
useless for there fire departments to call
out: buckets the only resort.
The morning the little children could not
look at the ruins with the gravity OF older
children, for they had discovered those wonderful
trees which bore the roasted apples.
We found that the high wind that blew during
the fire had carried the flames far that they
SCorChed some apple trees which grew tho
south side Of the house. JOAN HARkER.
No. 90 West lC3d street, New York City.
New-York tribune., 1907-10-20
POLITICAL PUZZLE

POLITICAL PUZZLE.
BY choosing the right word from each one OF the
following quotations the title of OF LOnScIoW ;
pos ms will be found in each group;
!. Even as the waving sedSeS play With wind
'Tfs much when sCeptres are in Childrens hands
That hour Of fairy revel-ShaEespeare
> The very virtue OF compassion in thee
His counsel might do me golden service
Shakespeare.
Some legend low and long.-Sydney Dobel!-
. The finch the sparrow and the lark.
OF breaches, ambassadors, spanish blades.
Keep a ganesteT from the dice and a good stu
dent from his book, and il is wonderful
Shakespeare.
4 The wall is high. and yet viii ! leap down.
Hath he not lost much wealth by wreck o. sea?
This wreath of victory give.
The quality OF nothing hath not such need TO hide
itself.
Moist Hesperus hath quench'd his sleepy lamp.
ADDITION OF FRACTIONS.
/ Add o-thirCs of pig. twO-thrds Of an ant
and half Of an and get musical instrument
y Add tWo-hfths of agate. one-qutrter OF Sold
and one-sNth OF silver and get a strong wind
3. Add one-half of a garden. One-third OF a man
and thyec-fourthS of tent and get something to
wear. ~ .,,, - -
and one-half of rest and get the color OF the sky
; Add two-fifths of spade and three-fourths
of fort and get play
New-York tribune., 1907-10-20

certain American physician is predicting that
this nation will be a nation of idiots by and by
unless something is done to stop people marrying
the way they 90. lie says the majority of couples
are not properly mated at all, and how one
expect fine. likely children from such marriages?
He recommends strong measures to prevent the
wrong people marrying and also he advises thor
ough revision OF the divorce laws And if, IN spite
OF all that watchful babies with hopelessly
deformed ntellects slipped into the world he would
have them put painlessly out OF the way
There are a good many people of this doctors
way Of thinking, but there others who say
that you cannot make people wise by act of Con-
New-York tribune., 1907-10-20
HONOR LIST

], Lucy Aram; 2. Gladys NJ Bowen; 8, Caroline B.
Baker; A. Edward Britton; s. Lois NJ Cunningham:
c. Burton S. Coons; T. Theodore Chamberlain: 6
William Conklin; g. Emily Conill: TO- Edward /
Campbell; H. William E. Cronon; l2 Catherine Cur
It's: l3, Emma Dean IA, Raymond S. Davies; Is
Leslie Edsall 16. Alice Elliott: H. Mildred Ed
wards; IG. Helen NJ. Foote 49, Ruth II. Ferris. %
Frederick Freund; 2l THOMAS Flood; 22 Alta
Given. 2S, j. y. Hansen: -, Jack Hayden; 25 Roh-
eru Mills HinchInan; 26. Clarence +. Hiscox. y
Matte Higgs; 2S. Gertrude Irving; %. Anna +.
Jones; 80 Stoddard =. Johnston: 81. John r King
20 Joseph A LOmbardy; SO. Grace Lee; 81 Marjory
Martin 35 X = Malone: &c. John Meyer: 81 Jane
Patterson: 3S Esther l. Porter &c. Dorothy Roll
haus: 40 Gladys scofeld: Il. Emanuel scheur; ~.
Helen Stearns; s3, Menetta Schmitt: 44 Ruth
Travis: A. Aetje Vermilya; &C. Harmon b. Ved-
der: A., Emerson Virden; as Florence Williams; 49,
Helen Wilson, ~. George j. Ward
New-York tribune., 1907-10-20

Men and Little WoDens'' page Thanking YOU
very much indeed am yours truly,
KATHARINE r. BLEECKER
Prospect avenue. New Brighton. N Y.
Dear Editor: On behalf OF a happy little boy
Alfred Jameson-I hasten TO acknowledge the beau
tiful watch prize which this nights post brought
All his bedtime preparations were timed by Il, and
now, in his sleep. his hand holds the precious
treasure beneath his pillow, and we are all con-
vinced that fairy tales sometimes come true when
O little boy does his best honestly. Yours very
sincerely, MRS. GEORGE EDWARD CLARK
Skaneateles. y. Y.
Dear Editor: You can't imagine how thankful
am TO you for the beautiful embroidery set you
sent me I certainly appreciate il very much, and
I cannot thank YOU enough for it. 1 have en-
broidered two dOies and they look fine Thanking
YOU over and over again, i remain. constant
reader. ELSA p. FRIEND.
Rye. y. Y.
Dear Editor: I received my book to-day, and IL -
a very nice book IL is the first prize have ever
won. and 1 like 1t very much Thanking you very
much remain. yours truly, -
ALICE CACLFIEIsD-
No. HS West 116th street. New York City
New-York tribune., 1907-10-20
A GOLDEN WALNUT.

OF course, every boy and girl likes to have
pretty Christmas tree. To make the golden nuts
for it you need half a pound OF walnute. some
goldleaf toothpicks. cotton and fou- eggs.
Beat tho whites Of the eggs a little Then stick
tcothpick IN the so:tcst end of the walnut Roll
the nut in the eggs and put the Eoldleat tho
nut, gently. Hold the nur firmly by the t0cthpick
and pat the E4luleaf down with the cotton Then
let ii dry in The sun; When dry fasten a piece Of
wire on the t0othpick and hang IL the Christ
mas tree The nuts win look very nice. and the
gas or electric lights VIII make them shine and
glitter beautifully.
PHILIP EDWARD ROLLHAUS tagged lo,.
No. PSI Gates avenue. Br0ukl.n