davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-10-09
AN UNOPENED Paddock.
vienna's Strange Relic That Defied the
Worlds Locksmiths,


Worlds Locksmiths.
In 1910 a blacksmith went TO Vienna
and locked an iron band around tree
with Il paddock. What he did with the
key no one knows to this day. There
is a mirthful legend to the effect that
he carelessly threw 1t into the air and
that 1t never came down again. At
any rate, the key could not be found,
and the Austrian government offered
a prize of 800 ducats to any one who
could make key that would turn the
bolt in the lock without breaking it.
Many have tried to win the prize
but nobody has won it. Eventually it
became the practice among the con-
testants to drive nail in the tree and
the heads Of some of the nails bear
the initials of those who drove them.
The practice of driving nails into the
tree sealed its fate. The lower part of
the tree in few years assumed the
appearance of solid mass of iron.
One spring the leaves failed to come
out, and later summer storm blew
the top away.
The historic stump was cut off and
placed on n pedestal on one of the
prominent street corners In Vienna.
At the same time the iron band was
cut in two and put around the stump
to hold 1t in Its niche, leaving the pad
lock in its original position. And
there the old stump stands to this day
an object both of the curiosity Of tour
lists and the generation of the resi-
dents of Vienna. incidentally, street,
Stock i'm Eisen-"Stick in Iron"-has
been named after the stump.-Scrap
Book
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-10-09
ANTIQUITY OF GEOMETRY
The Science May Have Existed In
India For Long AGES.

India For Long Ages.
Did we learn our rule of three and
our Euclid from India? Researches
have brought to light astronomical tai
bles in India which must have been
constructed by the principles of geom-
etry. Some are of the opinion that they
have been framed from observations
made not less than 5000 years before
the Christian era, and IL this opinion
be well founded the science of geom-
etry must have been cultivated in In
dia to considerable extent long be-
fore the period assigned to its origin In
the west, so that many of the elelneii-
tary propositions may have been
brought from India to Greece.
The Indians have treatise called the
"Surya Sidhanta," which processes to
be a revelation from heaven communal.
cated 20 Mega, man of great sanctity,
about 100000 years ago. This book
contains n rational system of trigonoin-
etry which differs entirely from the
first known In Greece and Arabia. In
fact, it is founded on geometrical
theorem which was not known to the
geometricians Of Europe before the
time of Victa, about 200 years ago.
And it employs methods of demonstra-
ton unknown to the Greeks, who used
others. The former have been attrib-
uted to the Arabs, but it is possible
they have received this improvement
In trigonometry as well as the numer-
ical characters from India.-Chicago
Tribune.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-10-09
Bird or Beef

Two quaint observations about hum
ming birds are published in EARLY
Long Island" by Martha Flint, both
quoted from letters of the seventeenth
century, written from the new coun-
try Of America. Says one:
THE Humbird is one of the wonders
of the country, being no bigger than a
Hornet. yet having all the Demensions
of Bird as bill. wings with quilts,
spidcr-like legges, small claws. For
Colour she is as glorious as the Raine
bow"
Adrian Van der Donck, one of the
Hollanders of Nieuw Nederlandt In
1912 writes of a
"Curious small bird concerning
which there are disputations whether
1t is n bird or n bee. 1t seeks its nour-
ishment from flowers like the bee and
is everywhere seen regaling itself on
the flowers. In flying they make a
humming noise like the bee. 1t is only
seen in Nieuw Nederlandt in the sea-
son Of flowers. They are very tender
and cannot be kept alive. but we press
them between paper and send them as
presents to our friends"
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-10-09
LEGAL TENDER.

You Might Think Gold Certificates
Are, but They Are Not.
Gold certificates, silver certificates
and national bank notes are not legal
tender, but both classes of certificates
are receivable for all public dues, while
national bank notes are receivable for
all public dues except on imports and
may be paid out by the government for
all salaries and other debts and de-
mands owing by the United States to
individuals, corporations and associa-
tons within the United States, says
the treasury department.
Gold coin is legal tender ut Its NOM
inal face value for all debts.
STANDARD or silver dollars are legal
tender at their nominal or face value
for all debts, public and private, ex-
cept where otherwise expressly stlpu-
lated in the contract.
Subsidiary silver is legal tender for
amounts not exceeding $40 in any one
payment.
Treasury notes of the act Of July IA,
1890, are legal tender for all debts, pub
lie and private, except where otherwise
expressly stipulated In the contract.
United States notes (also called
greenbacks) are legal tender for all
debts, public and private, except du'
ties on imports and interest ON the pub.
lie debt.
1.-The minor coins of nickel and cop
Der are legal tender TO the extent of 2I
cents."-Bulls and Bears.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-10-09
THE TROUT IN HIS LAIR.
He Is an Alert and Elusive unpie-

He Is an Alert and Elusive Unpic.
tured Beauty.
Whoever has had the privilege of
lying at full length on some messy
overhanging bank while watching a
large trout in his lair perceiyes that
true figure has yet to be drawn of
him. Even photography. can give no
hint of the wavy circles from the
spotted dorsal fin undulating loosely
athwart the broad back, of the perpet-
ual tanning of the pectoral fins, of the
capacious sllls opening and closing, the
half open round mouth, the luminous
brown eye, the ceaseless slow vibra-
ton of the powerful tail, nor can pen
adequately describe the startling sud
denness of the dart at some idle fly
touching the surface, the quick return
to the old position and the resumption
of the poise with head elevated at n
slight angle, pectorals all tremulous
and floating watery circles emanating
from every slight motion of the body.
1t is also worth while to watch trout
rush four feet up perpendicular fall
Of water, pause, tremble violently all
over and IN moment throw himself
clear of the stream and fall into the
basin above at an elevation of about
three feet more.-Arthur P. Silver in
Outing Magazine.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-10-09
Measure Approved by the Bankers a.
Their Convention at Allan.
tfu Civ

Atlantic City, n. j.. Sept. 27.-Thp
report of the currency commission APP
pointed by the American Bankers as.
ISOLATION at st. Louis last year has
been made to the convention of the
American Bankers association. now in
session in this city. The report rec
ommends Il measure introduced in the
last session of congress known as the
Credit currency bill" The report waa
adopted and the commission was co.,
tinued and its powers enlarged.
An attack upon the plan of the com
mission was made by number Of
western delegates. especially by a. j.
Frame. of Michigan, who contende,l
that the primary cause of money short.
age In the United States was due tn
transportation. and that the credit
currency plan pointed backward ID
nineteenth century fiatism. AS an nj
tentative he advocated 4 central re-
serve fund. He was supported in his
views by number of other mem.
hers. to all of whom Representatives
Charles \. Fowler. of New Jersey
chairman of the house committee OIL
banking and currency. replied in STIR
ring speech.
The convention adjourned after
elccting the following officers: Prcsi
dent. ]. d. Powers. Louisville; vice
president. George NJ Reynolds. Chi.
cago.
At meeting of theexecutivec council
in the afternoon Lewis L. Pierson. oil
New York. was elected chairman nj
the council. +. r. Farnsworth, OF
Michigan. defeated James r. Branch
Of New York, for secretary by vote
of 2G to IA. after warm contest Mr.
Branch has held the position for !.
dozen years. The Office pays salary
of $4,000 annually. A. A. Crane, OF
Minnesota, will be reelected treas
llrcr
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-10-09
Irish Stories.

An Irishman while taking barge up
the Shannon was asked what goods he
had on board and answered, Timber
and fruit"
"What kind of timber and what sort
of frult?"
"Well, an il We must know, the tim
Der is just birch brooms, and the fruit,
we'll, it's pretaties."
An Irlshman averred that the habit
of Irish landlords of living outside Of
Ireland was the great grievance Ire
land had to complain of.
ooh, yes" answered an Englishman,
chats the old stalking horse! don't
believe in your nbsentees."
mot behave. In 'em! Come to Dublin
with me and I'll show We 'em by the
hundred. Why, the country just
Rwarms with 'em."
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-10-09

her spirit GUIDE llis footsteps across
this new quicksand on whose verge
he hesitated?
A few doors to the left was O'Brien's
shop. The old man crept into sight,
staggering under the weight of a shut
ter. Good gracious! Why had he not
thought Of this ally sooner? Some
precious minutes were wasted already.
"Arrah. Phil. phwat in the worruid-
wait just the least bit, Mr.. O'Brien.
I have some portmanteaus that l want
to store for the night. Do let me put
them at the back Of your shop. My
place is not very safe, you know"
Sure, boy, that's shmall thing to
ak. Bring 'em. an welcome"
With the speed of deer Philip dived
into the news. He carried the two
lesser bags without extraordinary DIFF
ficulty and deposited them behind
O'Brien's counter. The third was al
most too much for him, as the weight
was all in one hand. but he got it there.
breathless with the eYertion.
He had to open the fourth and tear
out the stufhng OF paper. When filed
with the packages taken from the
fifth, it was beyond his power to lift
1t. SO he dragged it bodily along thu
news and into the shop.
A passerby offered to help him.
NO, thanks lie managed to say,
though the effort to speak calmly took
away his remaining breath. II am
only taking 1t to the shop there"
The man glanced at the shop-it was
marine store dealer's-a place wher..
lead and iron and brass found ready
sale. He passed OH.
he the ferchun Nv war, Phil, where
did We get the iligant leather TRUNKS
an phwat's in them:" inquired the as
tonished pensioner.
The boy brayely called smile to his
aid. II have big story to tell you
one OF these days, Mr.. O'Brien, but l
have no time tonight. These things
willnot be in your way until the morn.
ing?"
"The divil bit. If things go on as
they are, there'll soon he room enough
in the poor ould shop. To think afther
all these years that murtherin' thief
in the war Office
Philip was safe. He rapidly helped
his friend to put up the shutters and
rushed back to No. 3. Even yet he
was not quite prepared for eTentuali
ties. He ran upstairs and gathered |:
few articles belonging to his mother
articles he never endeavored to sell
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-10-09
Eamou. Lilac Tree.

Chief among the many objects of In.
terest in the gardens of Easton Lodge,
Dunmow, the residence of the Earl and
Countess of Warwick, Is the magnifi-
cent lilac tree which occupies a con-
spicuous position on the terrace This
tree is the finest specimen of its kind
in the United Kingdom. 1t has a cir
conference of 100 feet and height Of
sixteen feet, and it has so dense a
growth and blooms SO profusely that
when in flower it forms a huge bou-
quet of lilac blossoms.
The lilac is that commonly known as
the Persian and described by the bot
anists as the Chinese, but it is not n
native of either Persia or China, but
was raised in the Rouen botanic gar
den in 1895 by the liberalization of the
true Persian lilac and the common IL
lac Of British gardens.
1t was of noble proportions ut the
middle of the last century and produc-
ed such magnificent display of bios
SONS that In the Towering season Wis
count Maynard, Lady Warwick's
grandfather, used to make special
journey from London to enjoy the
beauty and fragrance of the flowers
Gardeners Magazine.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-10-09
AN ODD SUPERSTITION.
British Fishermen Balk at the Nam


British Fishermen Balk at the Name
of Graham.
One of the most curious of British
tshermen's superstitions, the one which
perhaps to this day has the strongest
hold upon them. is that connected with
the name of Graham. No fisherman
will go to sea if he has heard this
name mentioned, nor will he do any
manner of work upon that day. He
will refuse to sail in a boat with any
one bearing the name, and house
painter from Newcastle called Ora
ham, who had been sent to do some
work in one of the large houses, found
layers that he incontinently returned
to the town. leaving his work uncom-
pleted The women who bait the lines
in the winter will unbait every hook
and rebait the whole length-the labor
of hours-if they hear it mentioned. A
local tradesman. bearing this unfortu
nate patronymic is never referred to
save as Puff" another, an innkeeper,
is known as Lucky Bits" No ration
al explanation is to be found. On one
of the most intelligent fishermen being
questioned on the subject he laughed
the idea to scorn. Why, his daughter
was married to Graham. But, he
added, n strange thing happened two
years ago when he was off ut the her
ring fishing and had not been home
for some weeks. Having received a
letter at Shields to say that his son-in.
law was i'll, he hailed n passing boat
which had come from the north, ask
ing II they had heard how Jack Ora
ham was. "And, wad We beleev't. ne
sooner had ia syed the words than
theor ives crash, and the mast went
over the sidew None of the crew
spoke TO him for the rest of the day.
New York Post.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-10-09
v.Iu. Of . Constitution.

1t happened in the spring Of 1860,
when Garibaldi was pursuing his expe-
dltion in Sicily and when the words
Constitution and Liberty" We're on ev-
cry Neapolltan's lips. why are you so
anxious for constitution" asked a
foreign tourist of his guide and donkey
driver while they We're travelling
through the mountains of Sorrento.
"Wcll, you see, your excellency," was
the answer, because think we shall
be all the better for it. 1t is now close
upon twenty years that am letting
out my asses to visitors from all coun-
tries-English, French, Americans. All
of these have constitution, and they
are all rich.'
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-10-09
Ravenous Rats.

It is estimated that the rat does
$5O,OOO,OOO worth of damage year in
England. In n slaughterhouse near
Paris rats in single night picked to
the bone the carcasses Of thirty five
horses. There is very little that they
will not eat; eggs, young birds and
animals are among the dainties which
they snap up in the ordinary course
of business. But when pressed by
hunger they will eat anything through
which they can drive their terrible
teeth. Rat will eat rat. sThe idea that
a trapped rat will bite off an impris-
oned leg and SO escape is now said to
be wrong; 1t is the other rats which do
the biting. They eat the captive.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-10-09
Identified.


Tommy made himself the hero of a
story. which the Boston Record prints.
when he called for "that one about the
boy who ate the ribbons and 1t made
him sick"
Aunt Ethel was puzzled. 81 know
Of no such story" she said. after
searching her memory vainly.
Nothing she could suggest answered
the description. Tommy cannot read,
but he thought he could find the book.
He found it. They read one thing aft
err another, until in the midst of the
might Before Christmas" Tommy gave
whoop OF glee. Aunt Ethel was read
ing:
"'He rushed to the window and
threw up the SASH"
"That's it! That's IT." cried Tommy.
You see, it's just as told your
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-10-09
Books Bound In Lead.

A bookblnder was putting binding
Of lead on book.
"Why lead?" a visitor asked.
"This," the binder answered, sis a
naval code book for use on battleshlp.
All such volumes are bound in lead"
But why?"
$50 that in the event of the ships
destruction the books will sink with 1t,
for they contain secrets of immense
value, and every precaution must be
taken to keep those secrets dark"
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-10-09


rs law any day, and law was being
steadily throttled when the pale CLEAN
of Philips candle lit up the confines of
the ruinous howell about which the two
men stamped and lurched and wrestled.
AT the precise moment of the boys
entrance the policeman's knees yielded,
and he fell, with his remorseless an
tagonist uppermost. Philip, gazing at
them wild eyed, almost fell, too, for his
left foot rolled on the constables staff.
Being fashioned Of the stuff which
POUNDS empires-on the principle that
instant action is worth century OF
diplomacy-he picked up the truncheon
and brought 1t down on JOCKEYS hard
skull with such emphasis that the con-
Wet emitted queer sort of cough ard
collapsed Imply on top of his conquered
adversary.
Then the boy was Mortified. The two
lay SO still that he imagined both We're
dead. 1t is one thing to help the law.
but quite another to kill man. He did
not want to be a murderer as well as u
millionaire, not knowing then the quail
AiVS WaaSAl 81 " 1Ollll tleSc NiIlCtle5 VI
genus homo are strangely alike.
He gazed at them as In trance, but
relief came when he heard them breath
Ing stertorously. AT last, after pause
that apparently endured nnnumbered
minutes, the constable weakly rolled
himself free from the bulky form Of
his would be slayer and sat up.
In ina OF tod fs Inn trc Tl,op
he managed to gasp:
'"rhank you! You've saved my life".
He pressed his ribs with both hands,
and gingerly felt his throat He stood
up. His lamp was still alight, but a
quantity Of oil had run over his tu1ic
and trousers.
"By Jove, boy, you are brick" he
said, and his voice was under control
again.
Philip answered not a word. His
eyes were glued on the PROSTATE form
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-10-09
A Dutch lronclad.

1t is of interest to note that, accord
ing to some authorities. the Dutch
We're the first in the modern period of
history to build an ironclad and that
during the siege of Antwerp by the
Spaniards in 1886 the people of that
city built an enormous fiat bottomed
vessel, armored 1t with heavy iron
plates and thus constructed what they
regarded as an impregnable battery.
This they named Finis Bell. Unfor-
tunately the vessel got aground before
coming into action and fell into the
hands Of the enemy. 1t was held by
Alexander of Parma to the end of the
siege as curiosity, but was never en-
ployed by either, side in any action.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-10-09
= The KING Of 8
DIAMONDS.
By Louis Tracy,

Author of wings of the Morning. 1.-THE Pillar Of
E1eht." Etc.

cts JOCKEY right enough!' cried the
constable. Now, where can he have
got to? He's an ugly customer to
tackle single handed" he added be-
meath his breath.
Won't you wait bit until get
some hslp?" said Philip anxiously.
The man appeared to debate the
point. The nearest comrade was an
acting sergeant, newly promoted. II
he were summoned, the kudos Of
smart capture would be his by right
of seniority.
no" answered the constable stub
bornly. IF lie is here. will handle
him myself"
Again his lamp swept the small area
of the news and revealed no living OBJ
ject He quickly unfastened his belt,
took off his greatcoat and readjusted
belt and lamp again.
Now I'm ready for him. lie grinned.
Put my coat inside, boy, and stand
at the door yourself with the candle In
your hand. If you see anything, yell
out to me-"
Philip oDeyed. These preparations
for deadly struggle appealed to his
very soul, for your healthy minded boy
of fifteen has generally ceased to be
highwayman or u pirate in imagina-
tlon and aims rather at planting the
hostile cannon.
The policeman, feeling for the loose
1trap of his truncheon, commenced
careful survey of the news. He had
not gone five yards when there was Il
loud crash of broken glass. The build
ing at the other end of the yard pos
eessed Il couple Of windows facing into
another Enclosure Mt the back. Obvi-
ously the broken nosed Locky, unseen
himself had observed the constable's
movements.
Realizing that discovery was immi-
nent, he was etfcctii.g Il strategic
movement to the rear.
The policeman instantly abandoned
his cautious tactics. He ran toward
the door of the house whence the
sound came. 1t resisted somewhat,
but yielded to his shoulder. He disap-
pearcd inside. Philip, after closing his
bwn door, also ran to the new center
Of interest, shielding the candle with
one hand lest It should blow out.
Quick as he was. he missed the first
phase of u Honeric combat The VIC
lent Jocky, folei by an unnoticsd
iron bar in his attempt to escape, turn
ed like mailman on the policeman
There was no sort of parley between
them. Cursing the luck that had re
vealed his hiding place. the man, ar
eX-cOnvict, with the frame of giant
sprang Mt his pursuer suddenly from
an inner room.
The policeman had n seconds warn
ing. 1t was something, but not enough
to give him an advantage. He got his
truncheon out, but simultaneously his
assailant was on him with ferocity
Of catamount They closed in bone
breaking endeavor, and before they
were locked together for ten fearful
seconds the officer of the law bitterly
regretted the professional pride which
sent him single handed into this un.
equal strife.
For he was physically outclassed, and
he knew it, and there is no more I'm.
nerving knowledge can come to man
in such supreme moment Neverthe
less he was brave man, and he fought
with NIL the, resolution that is born Of
the consciousness of justice and mora
right. But Providence is on the side
of big battalions, and Jocky was taller
heavier. very much more active. More
L.,
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-10-09
A Handy Measure.

II you have q pint jug and wish to
measure off half pint with tolerable
accuracy 1t Is useless to try and do so
by guessing when the jug is half full.
A better way Is to tilt the jug until
the contents just reach to the upper
end of the bottom Of the vessel and
just touch the lip Mt the lower end of
the mouth. In this way the space in
the pint jug is practically cut into two
equal portions, each half representing
the space taken by half pint.-Lon,
don Graphic.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-10-09

Henry E. Jones of Tampa, Fla.
writes: 81 can thank God for my
present health, due to Foleys Kid
ney cure. / tried doctors and all
kinds of kidney cures, but nothing
done me much good till 1 took Fol
ey's Kidney Cure. Four bottles
cured me, and I have no more pain
in by back and shoulders. l am 81
years old. and suffered long, but
thanks to Foley's Kidney Cure /
am we'll and can walk and enjoy
myself. 1t is a pleasure to recon-
mend it to those needing kidney
medicine. Anders & Philip.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-10-09
A Substitute.

you're rather young man to be
left in charge of drug store" said
the fussy old gentleman. "Have you
any diplomat" "Why-er-no, sir" re-
piled the drug clerk, "but we have
preparation Of our own that's just as
good" -Philadelphia Press.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-10-09
Consolation.

Steward, how long Will it be before
we get into the harborg'
/ q "About an hour and half, ma'am."
| fsHh, dear, shall die before then"
y! HSery likely, ma'am. But you'll be
all right again when you've been on
shore ten MISUNDERSTANDING Journal.