davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-08

Mahogany trees do not grow in clumps or
clusters, but are scattered promiscuously
through the forests and hidden in dense
growth of underbrush, vines and creepers. 1t
requires a skillful and experienced woodsman
to find them
Nc one can make any progress in tropi-
cal forest without the aid of a machete or
heavy brush knife. He has to cut his way
step by step.
The mahogany is one of the largest and
tallest of trees. The hunter seeks the high
est ground, climbs to the top of the highest
tree, and surveys the surrounding country.
His practced eyes detect the mahogany by
it's peculiar foliage; he counts the trees within
the scope of his vision, notes directions and
dis tances, then descends and cuts a narrow
trail to each tree, which he carefully blazes
and marks, especially if there is a rival hunt.
er IN that vicinity, and after them go the saw
yers and hewers.
To fell large mahogany tree is one day 3
task for two men. AT the base of these trees
large excrescences or "spursv project, which
SO scsffolds have to be erected, and the tree
cut off above the spurs, which leaves stump
from ten to fifteen feet high-a waste of the
very best wood.
While the work of telling and hewing is in
progress, other gangs are employed in max
ing roads and bridges over which the logs are
to be hauled to the river. One wide truck
pass, as they call it, is made through the cen
tire oil the district occupied Dy the WORKS, ana
branch roads are opened from the main ave
nue. to each tree.
The trucks employed are clumsy and an
tiauated contrivances, which no American
would think of using. The axles and boxes
are imported from England, and the other
parts of the truck made on the ground The
wheels are of solid wood, made by saving off
the end of log and fitting iron boxes in the
centre. No tire spokes are needed. New
wheels are in constant requisition and repairs
cause frequent and expensive delays.
Most Of the trucking is done at night by
Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-08
0tQ ar0 GIII2a s tie L

Crawford, ''but it is habit that you would
do well to break yourself Of"
why" asked Curtis, in great surprise.
Because habit is hard master, to whom
you should not willingly subject yourself. To-
night / used strategem to break you of a
habit. Last night you went out, although you
saw that it was against your mothers wish
and caused her great anxiety"
II did not think she cared" said Curtis,
contritely.
"You did not think much about it," re-
joined Mr.. Crawford somewhat severely.
1.-THE habit you had formed, although com
rarativey harmless, was SO strong that you
risked your mothers displeasure rather than
break it. Did you ever hear of man being
slave of habit?'
"No, sir"
''Well, there are such men-thousands of
them, and they are people to be pitied. 1t is
strange circumstance, but it rarely happens
that any one becomes slave to good habit
1t is almost invariably a bad one Every
small vice begins as habit, since no one is
wicked or vicious for loye of vice or wicked
ness.
''Do you think there is anything wicked in
going out as 1 do?" questioned Curtis.
Perhaps not; but it can easily become so.
Lounging leads to idleness, and idleness
breeds crime. Already the habit has made
you restive under home influence. You feel
Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-08

that you must go out, that you owe duty to
your companions. and between the two you
would rather cause your mother unhappiness
than incur their ridicule."
ooh, no. objected Curtis.
ooh, yes" persisted his father. "You are
not conscious of it, because you are already
slave to habit; but your mother sees it.
The danger is that you may form another
habit, even worse than this, and harder to
shake off,"
'Then what must I do?" asked Curtis, with
a troubled countenance.
"Cure yourself at once l do not mean
that you should never go out at night, but
you can give your comrades to understand
that they must not expect you every night.
Tell them that you have other things to do
books to read, home work to occupy your
time, people to visit, and, in general way,
you should learn to do many things instead
of one"
"And what will the boys say?"
"Never mind what they say. You may ex-
pect that they will laugh at you, and en-
dcavor to persuade you out of your resolu-
tion. They are slaves to habit, and may
never be anything else You have a future
that is in your own hands; but you must
first break the chain of habit that fetters
you. Always preserve an Independence of
thought and action, and you will be better
and happier all the days of your life."
Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-08
5zH about cMahogesny 81

torchlights made Of pitch pine. The oxen
are fed on the leaves and twigs of the bread.
nut tree, which gives them more strength
and power of endurance than any other ob.
tainable food
The trucking is done in the dry season and
the logs collected on the bank of the river,
and made ready for the floods, which occur
on the longest rivers in June and July and
on all in October and November.
The logs are turned adrift loose and caught
below near tidewater by booms. Indians and
Caribs follow the logs down the river in small
boats to release those. which are caught by
fallen trees or other obstacles in the river.
No little judgment and experience are re-
quired to determine at what exact stage of the
flood the logs should be lei Should the
water rise at what they call "top-gallant
flood" before the logs reach the boom, many
of them would be carried over the banks and
left high and dry in cane-brakes and thickets,
or covered up by sand ard rubbish.
From the boom the logs are RATED to the
mouth of the river and manufactured for
shipping.
The manufacturing process consists in saw.
ing off the log ends which have been bruised
and splintered by rocks in the transit down
tle river, and in refining and relieving the
logs by skillful workmen, who give them a
smooth and even surface.
The logs are then measured, rolled back
into the water at the mouth of the river, ana
made into RATS to be taken to the vessel,
wnlcn is ancnoreq ouIslue OF the par. khh
is laborious and risky operation, often re.
sultiDg in serious losses to the shipper OF
the owners of the vessel, according to the
conditions of the bill of lading.
irresponsible natives construct and conduct
the RATS to the vessel, and it frequently hap
pens, especially in bad weather and by gross
carelessness, that logs break away from the
rats and are carried away out to sea, to be
deposited finally on the shores of these islands
or the mainland, where they are eagerly ap-
propriated by the natives and utilized for
sh;pbuilding. furniture and SO on.
Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-08

at wages ranging from $12 to 500 per month.
They generally receive six months wages in
advance, one-half of which is paid in goods
from the house which furnishes the capital.
Early in January the works are commenced.
Camps are organized at convenient places on
the margin of some river in the district to be
worked. Temporary houses, thatched. with
palm leaves, are erected for the laborers, and
a substantial building for the store and dwell
ing of the overseer.
All work in mahogany cutting is done by
tasks. The best laborers are out at daybreak,
ana generally finish their task before eleven
O'Clock. The rest of the day can be spent in
fishing, hunting, collecting india rubber and
sarsaparilla, or in working up mahogany
into paddles and other small articles,
for all of which they find ready market.
Game and fish are abundant, the former
consisting of two varieties of hogs (waree
and peccary), deer and antelopes, tapir, mon
keys, two varieties of wild turkeys, armadllos.
Indian rabbits, partridges, quail, macaws and
parrots The rivers abound in excellent fish
and the supply of terrapin and iguanas is in
exhaustible.
The owner or overseer of mahogany works
is distinguished parsonage within the dis
trict of his operations. He lives well, often
luxuriously, and has many and varied sources
of enjoyment.
His rustic dwelling in the forest is supplied
with every comfort and many luxuries. He
travels up and down the river in a bateau
made of mahogany and fitted up regardless
of expense for enjoyment and convenience.
He. carries everything needful for hunting
and fishing, and his lockers are supplied with
the choicest viands.
His crew consists of from twelve to twenty
slSillful rowers, generally Indians and cap
tain, cook and waiting boy. He camps out at
night on the bank of the river, where savory
dishes are prepared for his meals
The most important man in the camp is
the mahogany tree hunter, as upon his skill
and activity largely depends the success of
the season.
Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-08

Curtis" he said, ri wish you would help
me this evening. 1 have will case am
preparing for court, and l want you to look
up and copy these references | have marked
on this sheet of paper" M
Curtis made no objection, and, sitting at
the table, he worked away diligently until
nearly ten O'Clock.
Mr.. Crawford was successful lawyer, and
Curtis hoped to be one some day, so he was
quite interested in this his first lesson.
"That will do for tonight" said Mr.. Craw-
ford. closing his books and leaning back in
his swivel chair. "Are you tired?"
rather like it."
"Better than being out with the boys"
"It's something quite different. When
am OUT He stopped suddenly, and glanced
at his father inquiringly. "Do you object to
Eyes, / do" replied his father, decidedly.
sWhy" asked Curtis, flushing up. "Wc
do no harm"
81 am glad to hear you say so. But tell
me" continued his father, "what is the at
traction that takes you out SO persistently?"
"There is no special attraction" answered
Curtis, frankly. "There are six of us, and we
have fallen into the habit of meeting every
night at the postoffce and talking-that's
about all"
"That is no great harm," admitted Mr..
Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-08
The Signs

There's festive something in all the air.
And how did it come a-creeping in?
Here's the same old village everywhere,
And we're the same folks that we've always
been.
It isn't the sleigh-bels and ice and snow,
For we've had them all for month or SO,
And yet we can tell it-but yet we know
That Christmas is coming.
Go take a peep at the village store;
Something has happened there, plain as day,
For they never had such stock before;
Such gay assortment and grand array
Of ruddy-cheeked dolls, with their suits COM
plete,
And drums and trumpets, and sweets to eat,
And pigs that will squeal and lambs that
bleat--
For Christmas is coming.
And bark where the woods grow tall and bare,
There's an axe chip chooping with CHEEKY
sound,
And that icicle-spangled evergreen there
Comes tumbling down to the snowy ground
IL will stand ere long by a hearth, think.
Hung with Christmas candles that gleam and
wink,
And with popcorn garlands of white and
pink
For Christmas is coming.
And what a commotionl It's strangely queer
That in every house, be it high or low,
There are so many things that-you mustn't
And so many secrets you mustn't know.
Such busy hands behind doors shut tight!
Such jolly mysteries day and night
Yes, it's written in every sound and sight
That Christmas is coming
Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-08
(copyright BY James Elverson.,

fANN THE year 1897 one of Sir Walter
l%d Raleigh's ships, in an expedition
k&A=( against the Azores, put in at Trim
s0&6ab1 idad for repairs. The workmen
SseHe.S used the first wood that came to
hand, and it happened to be the
now famous mahogany. By this accident it
was first introduced into England. where it
was much admired, but it did not become
an article of commerce until a century later.
Since then it has held first rank as cabinet
makers wood.
The mahogany tree is native of the West
Indies, Central and South America, and it is
most abundant on the coast of Honduras
and around Gampescily Bay. The term
abundant" must be taken in a qualified
sense, however, since the greed of dealers
has stripped hundreds OF square miles, and,
as In all numbering operations, as much is
destroyed as is used. In consequence mahox,
any is yearly decreasing in supply and increas-
ing in price. Single logs have been sold for
$4,000, for cutting into veneers, in which state
it is generally used.
Belize, the capital of the British posses
sions in Central America, and now a city of
considerable commercial Importance owes
its origin and wealth to mahogany cutting.
Many princely fortunes have been made in
this business, and more are being made,
although the expense and difficulty of getting
out the wood is much greater than formerly.
as few trees can now be found near stream
of sufficient size to float the logs.
Having selected and secured a suitable
locality and arranged with one of the ex-
porting houses Of Belize to advance the means
in provisions and cash to carry on the works,
the mahogany cutter hires his gang of laborers
for the season.
Nearly all the contracts are made during
the Christmas holidays, as the gangs from
the mahogany works all congregate in Belize
at that time. The men are hired for year
Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-08

with his telescope watching a herd of ante
lope feeding in large field, observed six
wolves evidently concerting how best to Sc
cure their own breakfast.
Having decided on their plan of campaign,
they separated, leaving one stationary. Four
crept stealthily round the outer edge of the
field, and one lay in ambush at each corner,
while the sixth fcrept through furrow to the
middle Of the field, and there lay down un-
observed
When all were thus posted. the first wolf
suddenly showed himself, and, charging the
antelopes, drove them right across the great
field, when they were headed by another
wolf, who chased them in fresh direction,
while the first hunter lay down to rest.
No sooner had the frightened herd reached
the further corner of the plain than up
sprang fresh wolf, who again turned them
and took up the pursuit, leaving his painting
.lccomplice to take breath.
Thus the luckless, terrified antelopes were
driven from corner to corner of the great
nlain till stupeied and exhausted, they
crowded together, galloping in ever-lessening
circles round the centre of the field, where
the sixth wolf lay hidden evidently waiting
till they should be so effectually tired out as
to fall an easy prey.
His calculations, We're, however, at fault,
NOT having reckoned on the human presence,
and Just as he was preparing for the final
spring. well ll-directed shot proved fatal to
the nearest wolf whereupon all the confed
crates took the hint and scurried off with all
possible speed.
Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-08


"Did you want me for anything?
NO" said Mrs. Crawford, with troubled
lool- on her face. "but I would 1 like to see see
every night now."
Curtis looked at his mother in evident sur
prise.
"Suppose do? Is there anything wrong
in that?" he asked, little Grossly.
"Perhaps not; but does it not seem like a
reflection on your own homer?
- mo, it isn't" said Curtis, with a laugh.
"J go down town every night to meet some
of the boys and we have good time, but too
noisy for your nerves. Then I've got into
the habit of going, and the boys wouldn't
know what to think of it if didn't make
M appearance"
Mrs Crawford sighed heavily, but as she
interposed no further objection, Curtis went
out, and his mother heard him come in about
halfp ten and go to his room. But she
must have said something to his father, be
cause when Curtis started to go out on the
following evening, his father called him into
the library as he was passing.
Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-08
WoIves in india

NE strongly-marked characteristic
common to dogs and wolves is their
skill in trailing and running down
game, in couples or packs. Such
a wolf hunt in India is described
h., -. T,rc1,ol, x.xho xuh,lo
Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-08

Copyright by James Elverson.
IRE you going out tonight, Curtis!
asked Mrs. Crawford, as her SON
pushed aside his school books, after
a half hours study, and donned his
overcoat.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1907-05-16
Dutch COURAGE.

The phrase Dutch courage" which,
as the World truly says. was a libel
upon the most redoubtable foes land
now the truest friends) we ever met
at sea, seems to have originated in a
story that a hogshead of brandy was
preached before the mast on a Dutch
man-of-war upon going into action,
says the London Chronicle. There
were many old expressions which inn
piled our forefathers' belief in the con-
vivial habits of the Dutch. A Dutch
bargain was bargain made when all
the parties were in liquor, and a
dutch feast" is explained by Crosse as
one at which the entertainer got drunk
before his guests Any number of ex-
pressions may be assigned to the old
hostility to the Dutch-such as Dutch
comfort" or consolation" dts a good
Job it's no worse); a Dutch Defense"
which in tom Jones" means a treach-
erous surrender; and, IF | do, I'm a
Dutchman."
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1907-05-16
WAS NOT NEW TO HIM.
Had Long Been Eating Chop Suey
Under Another Name.

An amusing story is told Of Senator
Joseph Ross of Oakdale, Mass. The
senator had sent his wife and entire
family away to the mountains and was
to join them in a week or two. In
the meantime he was to get his own
breakfasts and to take his other meals
at a nearby restaurant.
An old friend of the senator had for
long time urged him to try the popu-
lar Chinese dish "chop suey," but the
senator had always refused.
Just before he went to join his fam
lily he met his friend and the subject
was again brought up, and this time
the senator agreed to try the celebrat-
ed dish, and together they went to
Chinatown.
The food was set before them and
the senator's friend eagerly watched
him to see how he would like the new
preparation, and was surprised when
the senator on tasting the chop
suey" expressed great disappointment
Don't you like it?" said his friend
You must admit 1t is something very
fine-something very rich and rare"
1T may be to you" said the sena-
tor "but it is neither rich nor rare to
me- Why. do you know" he went on,
this is the same thing / have been
having for breakfast for the past two
weeks, only ! didn't know it,
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1907-05-16
MAD DOG EASY TO AVOID.
Lose Control of Body and Never At
tack People, Says Doctor.

Mad dogs do not attack people. This
is the statement made by DIR. p. NJ
Hall, city health commissioner of Min
neapolis.
when a dog has the rabies said
DR.. Hall, "he has lost control of his
body, and what he does is mechanical
His jaws snap involuntarily and If he
encounters any object whether ami
mate or inanimate he is likely to bite
II. But a mad dog does not attack as
does an angry dog. He does not pick
out victim nor use any strategy.
For this reason dogs suffering from
rabies are less dangerous than is sup
posed. No grown person need fear
them, for all he has to do is to get
out Of the way. The dog will not
chase him. OF course, young children
are in danger, as they do not know
how 10 dodge the brute. A well direct
ed kick in the jaw delivered by a man
of ordinary strength will put a mad
dog out OF business for a time at
least and is much easier TO land than
1t would be II the dog were merely
angry and had control of himself"
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1907-05-16
An soo-year.oId Football Game.

The very ancient and quaint Shrove
Tuesday custom of playing football in
the public thoroughfares was observed
at Atherstone and Warwickshire, says
the London Daily News. The game
had its inception anterior to the sign
ing of Magma Charta, and regularly
for more than 500 years the custom
has been observed in the old Waiting
street town. Business was entirely
suspended this year, as usual, while
the game was proceeding and many
tradespeople joined in the fun.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1907-05-16
Horses Still in Demand.

During the last seven years the
number of horses in the country has
increased about 30 per cent, from To-.
600, 900 to 23,0OO.O00, but value has in
creased about 112 per cent. The aver
age price on the farm in 1900 is stated
at S44.50. In 1907 it is $94.50-the
highest price of which there is any off,
cial record. Instead of the automobile
putting the horse out of business we
are further from the horseless age
than ever. Automobiles came along
Just i'm time 70 prevent a horse famine.
They merely Change to Some extent
his sphere of influence"
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1907-05-16
An Old.Eashioned Garden.

you can see it from the trolley car
If you lower your head as you whirl
past. The view is then across a
shaded lawn to a sunny open space
where the garden lies. II is an old
fashioned garden, which means il has
had the good fortune to know no fash
ion at all. Seemingly no man has
made it, it has always been there
Ask its age. we dare not; beautiful
garden merits some of the courtesy
shown a beautiful woman. You may
only know that years of rural solitude,
prior to the approach of city life. were
the years of its youth.-Indoors and
Out.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1907-05-16
Farm Life in Rhodesia.

Mr.. Trollip's farm, near Fort Gibbs,
has been visited by two rhinoceroses
lately They are very truculent in
their behavior and are doing heavy
damage to his crops, besides being a
source of danger to all on the farm
Mrs. Trollip was also surprised by
a crocodile when fishing on the farm
The reptile plunged into the water
from the opposite bank, and made
straight toward her.-Rhodesia Her
aid
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1907-05-16
Steps Already Taken.

Your name is Mary McKillemacum-
Der, is it?" said the mistress. you
don't have to carry such name as
that. Mary. The courts would change
It to something shorter and more con.
venient any time you would take the
necessary steps to have 1t done"
"Th' Draste is going to change II To
Mulcahy, maam," answered the new
cook. "as soon as Moike gets a place
ON tn foorce."
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1907-05-16

100! ouch! That hurts thought
you were a painless Dentist"
80 ! am, madam. I'm the only pain
less dentist in the office. All do is
10 make the artificial teeth. The
man that does the extracting hasn't
come in yet. but you insisted on hav.
ing It done right away"
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1907-05-16
Women Fond Of Tea

A London doctor. lecturing. 4
was useless tol tell dyspeptic \
not to drink tea. Tne. onE hi
do was to give her SOM kar
stun In a bottle to be MAXIM
three hours, with strict instru|
that she was not to have any n
four hours before or four hours
each dose.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1907-05-16
Many Uses for Pulp.

Paper or wood pulp has been used
for , heels, rails, cannon. paving
bricks. water pipes. telegraph poles.
lanterns, leather, textile fabrics. COT
fins, barrels, milk bottles. straw hats,
sponges, thread. porcelain. bullets.
shoes, building boards. paint entire
houses and even stoves, that stood hre
well.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1907-05-16
Advertisement.

why do you allow yourself to be
posted at your club?"
WELL answered the easy-going
youth, its large club and swell
one, and no one would know | was a
member of it unless got posted now
and them"
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1907-05-16
Rather VAGUE.

what did you think OF that little
joke.of mine about the Chicago girls
feet?"
ooh, it's immense" 49,
The Florida agriculturist., 1907-11-20

The former is Of dark green, while
the latter is light in color; the Hack
ensack is the favorite with most people,
being far the sweetest and sp1clest
To Mr.. Rule belongs, as stated, the
credit for bringing this valuable fruit
into general use. He did not try to
hybridize the above melons. The Win
ter casaba and the Hackensack grew
side by side and the crossing was en-
tirely voluntary. Mr. Rule did not
know that he had planted a hybrid
melon until the melon began to r1pen.
Ninety-nine persons out Of hundred
would not have had the sagacity to
continue the melon. This melon will
thrive on poorer soil than the musk
or cantaloupe melon. 1t is harder and
a great feeder, having a powerful
root system. 1t is subject to the same
pests as the other melons. as we'll as
the rust blight, although the latter is
not SO destructive to it. It rlpens
about the same time as the Montreal
muskmelon. g.