davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald., 1908-04-19

man that is in that ferry boat! Bring him
across if you canl I'll give you $50 if you do
| i'll"
A brief interval of silence, and then
hoarse reply came back: :, 49,,
"That's a bargain Wen do i'll"
'Malediction!S cried Teddy's passenger;
"there must be two of theml"
He ran to the front of the boat, and nd, trlea
to peer into the shadows on the rapidly ap-
preaching shore. now barely twenty yards
distant from the boat. -. ,,-
Then he rushed back, nearly upsettlng ieddy
in his haste, and seized big iron shovel that
Law under the stern seat, and was commonly
used for bailing out water, !, 81
He raised it overhead with both arms, and,
before Teddy could fairly comprehend what
was taking place, struck a furious blow az
one of the strands connecting the ferry boat
with the cable. 90. !, .bot,
"Well 90 down the river!D
.'Keep away!" hissed the man, savagely;
and he brought the heavy shovel down harder
than before.
the boats stern swung round with the current,
tossing Teddy clear off his feet:
The desperate stranger rushed forward,
shovel in hand, to attack the other fastening,
but before he could reach the spot the cur
rem. and the weight of the boat combined,
snapped off the strand with suilen crack,
and the cable sprung back, rattling noisily.
When Teddy staggered to his feet the boat
was gliding down the stream like an arrow.
Men were shouting excitedly on both banks,
hnt the stranger was sitting calmly on the
front seat with his hands in his pockets.
"Don't be alarmed" he said, as Teddy be-
Uan to cry; eve are in no danger. The boat
s too large to upset. BY and by we shall
drift in shore"
This philosophical view of the situation COM
forted Teddy He dried his eyes and furtively
watched his companion. now an object of
Greater interest than ever.
"He must be a criminal of some kind"
Teddy concluded.
And he began to wonder what crime he
could have committed.
The boat rushed on and on through the
n;obt between frowning mountain walls and
through brief stretches of open country, but
Keeping persistently in the middle of the
II grew bitterly cold, and the stranger be-
un to walk UP and down the boat, stamping
his feet and opening and shutting his arms
violently.
ample, and then exercise made him feel more
Once they passed small town. with a few
| twinxlng lights and an old wooden bridge
spanning the river. Then the current swept
them on into the mountains again.
A few rapids were passed, but the boat
CONTINUED ON PAGE SEVEN
Los Angeles herald., 1908-04-19


earth had the dusky-brown hue that
it usually wears in late November or early
March,
That evening at sunset it had cleared off and
grown suddenly cold, and now, as the yellow
moon rose slowly over Cove Mountain, it
cleaned on the stiffy-frozen ruts of the muddy
road that led to the waters edge, and SHIN
mered on the turbid waves of the river itself,
as it swept impetuously seaward, freighted
with the inpourjngs of countless mountain
streams.
The old ferryboat, partly on shore, partly in
the water. creaked with every fling OF the cur
rent, and caused the wire cable overhead to
rattle harshly.
Up the narrow wagon road. hundred yards
or more from the riverside. stood snug lit
tie farmhouse with a whitewashed picket
fence around it and clump of big pine trees
in the front yard.
Its only occupant this cold winters night
was Teddy Ransom, a rosy-cheeked lad of 16,
who was stretched out on an old fashioned
settee behind the kitchen stove.
Teddy was angry His petulant expression,
and the wrinkles on his forehead. told that
plainly enough.
His mother had gone down to Black Rock
that morning, to spend a week with her sis
ter. and Teddy was to have gone along
They had planned everything by letter. the
grand times he and his Cousin Glen Andrews
were to have, fishing for pickerel through the
ice at Long Pond and setting snares for quail
and rabbits.
But Just when this bright prospect was
about to be realized, Abner, the hired man,
took sick and went home, and MIR. Ransom
was summoned to Elmira on urgent business.
Someone had to remain on the farm, of
course, and it fell to Teddy to fulfill that duty.
MIR. Ransom was coming home at midnight.
but unless .Abner should make very speedy
recovery, there was slight chance of Teddy's
getting down to Black Rock.
The more he pondered over it the less he
liked the prospect. and the frown on his face
deepened as he kicked his heels on the settee
and watched the rubicund face of the tail old
clock in the corner.
He sat erect as a distant rumble and
whistle were family heard.
"frhat's the up express" he muttered,
petulantly; "and just about an hour ago II
was down at Black Rock. 1t makes fellow
mad to think about it"
Another half hour P; passed. &c @ during which I,
into doze, from which he was abruptly reused
He was on his feet instantly. His first
thought was Of his father, but the clockhands
pointed to half-past IL. and the down train
Los Angeles herald., 1908-04-19
Copyright by James Elversoa.

Copyright by James Elvexson.
TIT had rained at intervals for two whole
days until every vestige of the recent
snowstorm had disappeared, and the
earth had the duskY-brown hue that
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-17
Control of Cuba

The local elections of August 1 show that the united strength of the two liberal factions was 156,S41, while the conservatives polled 105,718. Forty per cent of the voters did not go to t1e polls. Of the eighty-two mayors cho. sen the conservatives elected but twnety-nine, the remaining fifty-three having been chosen by the Miguelistas or the zayistas. The conservatives carried, however, Havana.
 It is difficult to form an opinion from these figures as to the outcome of the election on December 1 for president and members of congress. If the lib. erals get together they will sweep the island and the Miguelistas may do so without the aid of the Zayistas, for the conservatives boiled but HIATT more votes on August 1 than the ma jor faction of the liberals did.
 The election of August 1 was con- ducted in an orderly manner and the counting was without known faults. All are satisfied with the manner in which Governor Magoon conducted this i'm portant piece of public business. All are preparing for the December contest, and the conservatives will in-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-17
Advance in Farm Values.

One of the most interesting and in- forming features of the last issue or the Manufacturers Record of Baltimore is that showing this countrys amazing agricultural advance.
 Tn all the records of American de- velopment nothing is more remarkable than the advance made during the last few years by the agricultural interests of this country" says the Record. "The story of what the farmers are doing and of what they have accomplished within the last few years is unmatched even by the marvellous growth in man ufacturing. In 1890 the 8,565, 900 people engaged in agriculture in this country produced a total of S2, ,466, 100000, or an average of s2S7 per capita. In 1907 the 11,991 900 engaged in agriculture pro- duced a total of s7,412, 2,000 900, or an average of $61S per capita. During that period the number of people en- gagged in agriculture increased by 40 per cent, while the value of farm prod ucts increased by 200 per cent and the value of all farm property increased by S9 per cent
 Tn the brief period between 1900 and 1907 the value of farm property ad- vanced from $2O 439 ,0OO,0 to s2s,O77, 0OOO0O, gain of nearly $S,OOO ,OO0, 900, or 37 per cent. though the number of people engaged in agricultural pursuits increased only 15 per cent"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-17
THE poLpRuMs.
'om the New York Times.

From the New York Times.
 A surly spirit pervades the West Indian area of the Atlantic during August. It holds a silent grudge against the sun and the earth's diurnal motion. It is depressed, dangerous; it broods. The phantom creeps upon the deep and clings to the mariners shrouds in sickly folds. A humid purple shoal rises along the horizon, and behind it the genius of the hurricane peers in a red lightning flare. The ship is In the doldrums.
 The mercury drops down. Blackness canopies the sails. AS the earth turns the giant uprises in whirling eddy. He treads about the ship and tramps the floods to foam; he groans, and shouts aloud in mighty pain. The cyclone bursts.
 The air over the ocean reaches it's max imum temperature in August, and in the doldrums encounters the cold currents that whirl it to the north and west. South of the Both parallel the cyclonic areas this month are few in number and shal- low in depth, the governments monthly pilot chart says, while the cyclones move as rule to the northward of the trans atlantic routes. But tropical hurricanes beginning in the West Indies and career ing at the rate of 400 miles day along the coast may be expected markedly to ''reuforce'' the trade winds until Sep- tefnber.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-17
Gary Coming Into Operation

Gary is 45 miles from Chicago. It lies in the state of Indiana amid the sands of Lake Michigan. The site cov- CTS 5000 acres, but the new plants oc- cupy, with their tracks, docks and stol- age yards, but 1000 acres, and the new town of Gary covers 800 acres more. It will thus be seen there is plenty of room to grow, and the entire section is at and can be utilized.
 In 1907 the Gary plant had cost s19,- 000,000 and probably as much more will be spent on it this year. The sum of s50,O00,O00 has been set apart for the Gary plant.
 While a cargo of ore has been land ed at Gary, yet the plants are not reaoy to go into operation, and probably will not be at the end of the year. The ef- fort is to get eight blast furnaces and fourteen open-hearth steel furnaces ready. A rail mill, billet mill, and two plate and merchant mills will be included in the initial installation. It is scarcely probable that these can be put in motion this year. In the course of another year the plans call for six teen blast furnaces all told and fifty six open-hearth furnaces. So huge a plant cannot suddenly be called into existence. The initial installation will not be long delayed, but the doubling of that installation will certainly cover another year. The plant will go into full operation in 1910, and by that time orders no doubt will come in that will serve to keep it in full operation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-17
MT. CAMERON STILL SMOKES.
But as Volcano African Peak Is
 Nearing Its Last Gasp.

From the Geological Journal
 The most wonderful vision that meets the eye on the journey along the West has called the mountain one of the most imposing summits of the earth It is not as high as Kilimanjaro or Kenia. but it is the loftiest mountain on the west coast and it has the advantage of all great mountains that stand on the edge of the Atlantic, and the characteristic as- poets of all climates, to the snows of the arctic are plainly revealed on the slope of the tremendous monument which from base to summit Is fully in view from the steamer deck.
 An important question relating to the mountain has just been settled Every one knew that 1t was once an active volcano and that it reached it's prodig- ious stature through the piing of lava and volcanic debrs but the general opinion of geologists has been that it's fires centuries ago were extinct and that there is no evidence that for many gem erations it has shown even the embers of life or any of the final evidences of expiring vulcansm. In other words, the testimony of the natives that their fa- thers told them 40 or 30 years ago that they had seen the mountain smoking has been entirely discredited.
 But last year the German government sent the distinguished geographer, Dr. Hassert, to make a scientific study of the great mountain and in the report he has Just published he substantiates the statements of the natives. He has found that the waning volcanic state known as sofataric is still in evidence. The volcano may be nearing it's last gasp, but there is yet bit of life in it.. peak he found a crater from which he saw ascending slender column of gases so discolored by mixture with solid mat ter as to be visible. On another day, in the same place. he found an oppressive smell of sulphur, and is confident that he would have seen steam if the air tenn perature had not been so high. In thls neishborhood and also in the Likombe area he found great outpourings Of vol canic ash and lava, which he says were undoubtedly brought to the surface not over 90 to 100 years ago. His evidence confirms the reports handed down py the black inhabitants, that at com parativeIy recent period Mount Cameron was still an active volcano.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-17
FORTUNES IN CANES.

FTOI11 AHSWerS.
 The e370 which was paid the other day for an ename1ed "sabacane" (walking stick) of Louis KILLS reign was not a particularly big figure, all things con- sidered, for quite usual price for these articles at the time they were in vogue was 5000 francs, or say s3OO, allowing for the difference between the value of money then and now.
 Some of them, indeed, cost much more being made of precious metal and jew eled. In England too, similar extrava- gance was not unknown. Thus a walking stick which was made for courtier of Henry VIII, which recently changed hands in London at the record price of e12OO, was of ebony, garnished with gold, and was furnished with gold knob, in- side which was a germ-incrusted snuff box and a scent bottle. The stick itself, too, was hollow, and contained, among other things, set of gold ''twitchers," pair of compasses of gold, a foot rule of gold and a whetstone tipped with gold.
 Napoleon paid G2S0 for a gold-mounted tortoise-shell cane. It is now in the pos- session or OlQ hliiB i1oVoiN' ''o ~ owns A beautifully carved walking stick that once belonged to Bonnie Prinoe Charlie," for which he gave 9160 at 8 re- cent sale of Stuart effects.
 This figure represents probably sem timental value, as did certainly the tlVU which u Hung Chang offered General Gordon for the tiny regimental cane with which he directed the forward move ments of his "ever-victorious army. Gor- don, however refused to sell it. or even to let it go out of his possession, ana we see him represented today in Trafalgar square with it still beneath his arm. Not long since by the bye, there was offered for sale in London walking SUCK which was said to have belonged to Pon- t;us Pilate. The price asked was @S''' but there were no buyers
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-17
CARUSO THE HANDICAPPED.

From the New York Globe.
 Signor Caruso is not only a great actor he is skillful advertiser. The secret of that incident in Central Park. al though concealed by consummate acting, was desire for promoting publicity Was it not proved when admirers, in greater rails to hear him throw out his marvel ous note?
 But the advertising altar is a shrine that constantly demands new sacrifices So Signor Caruso-showing that he is not only an artist and advertiser, but also in sympathy with the best tendencies of the times-secures the services of the cable to inform America that he has shipped his wife and to state the req sons therefor. "I expected my wife," he says, "to' be a woman of ability, of un- derstanding, of appreciation. A month ago in Italy told her how she had fallen below my expectations and bade her begone.' The great artist owes something not only to himself but to the world. For the sake of his highest use- f,ilness he cannot allow himself to he
 
 life partner. Who knows but that Ca- ruso would have sung a note or two higher, and his tone have been more pellucid if at home he had reposed on the bosom of proper appreciation!
 The narrow-minded may hint that if Caruso had not been born with a remark able throat he might now be working In barber shop. He is a great artist. therefore a great man-has he not him self said it? Moreover, as suggested above, his soul Is in sympathy with the spirit of his times. He enrolls himself in the great ''affinity'' army If mar riage proves chafing, then unmarry. It's fudge to contend that the taproot of so- ciety is the family. Let Frederick Pin ney Earle lose no time in cabling his congratulations
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-17

each week it continues. Severer penal ties are provided for strikers who im- peril the public health or safety-ba- kers, traction employees. slaughterers, etc. Councils of coneiliation are es- tablished, to be composed of one mag istrate and assessors" from the indus try concerned. If the council fails it may state a case to the court, and the latter may call assessors to it's aid. The court may fix a minimum wage and extra pay for work done above the average or standard.
 The labor leaders do not like the new bill, but the government is de- termined to press it to passage. The situation in New Zealand calls for either the proposed amendments or else for the repeal of the entire meas ure. The subject is receiving consid- erable attention in New Zealand, and the rest of the world is watching it's efforts with great interest.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-17
Compulsory Arbitration In New Zealand

At the outset New Zealand's con- pulsory arbitration law seemed to work admirably No strikes occurred, and industrial peace reigned throughout the three islands of the colony. But of late complaints have arisen against it. Strikes are occurring and indus trial friction is increasing.
 But the government Is not ready to declare compulsory arbitration a fail ure. A new bill is to be brought in. It hopes to add more compulsion to the system at one end and more concilia- tion at the other end. The new meas ure provides a fine of $50 for strikers and an additional fine of $5 for every week any strike. continuSs. Fines may be deducted from wages Nue by pres ent or future employers. The penalty for . lockout Is 5000. wilR ss5o for
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-17
IN HOTEL HOBBIES
Bryan's Chances.

Tt may be that Mir. Bryan can be elect ed without New York state, but it will not do to figure on such a proposition said B. H. Griffith of Kansas City If the election were to take place tomorrow MT. Bryan would receive a much larger vote in the west than ever before; at least that is the opinion of experienced party workers. But when the time comes the republicans may be able to hold their own in the west
 "The democrats should strive harder than ever, therefore, for New York and Indiana With those two doubtful states in the democratic column, Bryan and Kern would be elected with a whoop.
 There is much more democratic enthus- iasm in the west than there is in the south find the Missouri and the Ken lucky democracy aroused, but in the few days I spent in Tennessee l found dem- ocratic apathy. and I am told there is much apathy all through the south. If this is true, nothing will be thought of it outside of this section, perhaps, because the south will be solid for Bryan on election day.
 Some people may say that the south is almost ready to divide up in national elections; that the race question is no lonfer to be dreaded or reckoned with. But southerners are not going to make the mistake of turning republican. The negro question is still serious, and think it always will be. no matter how far the blacks are disfranchised. The south must remain democratic in order to make sure of keeping social equality from pressing to the front Outside agitators will come into the south from time to time and preach social equality. There have been incendiary talks recently on that line in Tennessee and in Alabama.
 But while there Is no danger of any ex-Confederate state being carried by MT. Taft, it will be well for democrats hereabouts to shake off their apathy and put their shoulder to the wheel for Bryan and Kern. Southern enthusiasm would have a cheering effect on the rest of the country
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-17
FREE ADVERTISING.
Newspapers Talk About the Bio Sky
 scrapers.

In record which has just been com piled by the Metropolitan Life Insur- ance Company, it is shown that since the plans for their talest building in the world were filled, there has been de- livered to the company s746 newspa per clippings, which were gathered from all parts of the world.
 Frank A. Burrelle of New York; the expert in his line, estimates that the clip pings. varying from page illustrations to stick full, average twelve inches in length, equalling 1o4952 inches or 1,46s.3,S agate lines.
 To buy this amount of space in the papers that carried the stories, for most of them were high-class, would have cost $40, 79S.40
 Many stories will, of course, be printed; for the notable structure will attract newspaper attention for many years to come.
 The gathering of what is printed con cerning the new Equitable building Is being carried on and already the com pany has receive more than sooO clippings
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-17

himself; he was even wiser than he knew.
 "Some one may come" he thought vaguely Then he had fine idea. He began to nail massive beams to the mighty limbs of an elm on his tiny estate and on this novel platform he built summer house, reached by staircase within the hollowed trunk. This afforded the old fellow a delightful panorama of the lovely valley of the Seine, as he sat and smoked his pipe on a summers eve, looking down upon the city where he, too. had so recently borne the heat and bur- den of the day
 One morning some young students from the great Sorbonne university found Guesquin on his porch, and with merry laughter insisted on joining him, even at the risk of perilous overcrowding, such as might well have resulted in a tumble into the wild rose brambles, 30 feet be- low. These lively college boys were in truth the making of this novel resort
 What shall we call it?'' they wondered. And immediately the utter loneliness and the lofty lookout in the tree suggested Defoe's immortal hero. Let's dub it 'Robinson,'" cried one, in a flash of inc spiration. With that the lads ran away to spread the fame of theAcharming spot
 Soon there was not tree within a mile or so of. Guesquin's that had not a res- taurant or pleasure pavilion clasped with in it's leafy bosom. All Paris was delight ed with the notion, and the country roads were fairly lined with explorers" all seeking the now familiar effigy of Robin son Crusoe at the entrance to the novel village.
 Shooting galleries, merry-go-rounds, donkeys and ponies were added to Robin- sons attractions. The place is now the great resort of middle class families, es- pecially on a Sunday afternoon. During the week there is constant succession of welding parties, especially of the working classes.
 These good folk have merry time. They go for pony rides, take walks in the woods, besiege the swings, have their pictures taken under the forest trees and finally tramp up the creaking stairways that lead to the restaurants in the air. Of these there are entire streets, and the service is arranged by ropes and pulleys from the kitchens below.