davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-04-09
In the Berth Below

1t Is asserted by some naturalists
that the puma, the second largest Of
the big cats of South America, neither
feared man nor regarded human be-
ings as it's prey, but on the contrary
sought their society. The following
anecdote from "Animal Artisans" by
Mr.. G. j. Cornish, long a resident Of
British Guiana. supports the belief
that the puma seeks the society Of
man instead of attacking o. fearing
him.
When making an expedition up one
Of the large rivers in a steam launch
our friend gave a passage to all elder
ly Cornish miner who was anxious to
reach the gold fields. Not wishing to
intrude upon his hosts, he did not
sleep OH board the launch, but always
swung his hammock between two trees
on shore. AS climbing into a high
slung hammock is not easy, he usually
fastened it rather low, and his weight
probably brought it to within three
feet of the ground at the bottom Of the
curve. One morning, being asked how
he had slept, he complained that "the
frogs had made such q noise under
meath his hammock that they had kept
him awake"
Some Indians Of the crew who were
folding up the hammock laughed a
good deal when they heard this, and
being asked the reason, said, still
laughing, ooh, tiger sleep with old
man last night" They had found un-
der the hammock the marks of where
a puma had lain. The noise which
had kept the occupier Of the hammock
awake was the purring Of the puma,
pleased at occupying the "next berth"
below a man.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-04-09
A Glimpse of ouida.

Ouida (Louise de la Ramee), in green
silk, sinister clever face. hair down,
small hands and feet, voice like 6
carving knife; also her mother. AT
dinner puns and jokes; Ouida silent
ish. The ladies go to the drawing
DON upstairs, and when. after an in
terval, we follow them we hear before
the door opens a voice going on inside
like a saw and On entering find Ouida
saying in loud, harsh tones, "Wom-
en- are ungenerous, cruel, pitiless!'
blanche, taking refuge on an ottoman,
with a face expressing humorous
alarm: God bless my soul! I think
they're angels. l adore them. They're
The best half of the world"
Ouida, with severity: 81 entirely dis
agree. The woman nearly always
leads the man astray," etc. women
can't be impersonal."
Mr.. Cassell philosophers on the sub
ject rather ENTHUSIASTICALLY, Ouida
departs after inviting blanche and me
to visit her at the Langham hotel.
where she is biding at present with her
mother and an immense dog. She car
ries a portrait of the latter around her
neck in a locket. which she detached
after dinner and handed around for in
spectiOn. with the remark. This is my
hero" (perhaps the hero Of one Of her
booksl. She asked somebody present.
"Have you read my last bookY mot
yst."-"William Allengham. a Diary"
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-04-09
brevities
THE HALL Of FAME.

Jean Gerardy, the famous Belgian
v1olinist. will marry Miss Bahia Mac
Quade, a rich young artist of Austria
LA, noted for her beauty.
Leon A. Bereznaik, a native of Odes.
ga, is now living in INDIANAPOLIS. He
Is a lawyer, a scholar, author and
translator of "Trilby' in the Russian
language.
Mr.. Salmonson, the marriage license
clerk in Chicago, took a rest after he
a finished filling in a certificate for
Razfnsieras Gumalewski and Eva
Observation-Disclosures.
Samuel French of Derby, Conn, is
probably the oldest mar in the state
TO whom a hunters license has been
issued. MIR. French's age, according to
the license, is eighty-four.
Calvin Dimmitt of Lone Jack. Mo.
has in the last thirty-eight years serv-
ed thirty terms on Jackson county jul
ries, twenty-seven terms on the regu.
lar panel and n on probate, once on
special and once on grand jury.
President Nicholas Murray Butler of
Columbia university on his recent trip
to Berlin dined twice with Emperor
William. He says the kaiser's person
ality is pleasing and convinces one that
he is democratic to a degree and far
from being eccentric.
DR.. B. T. Burton, who for many
years was q prominent practitioner in
Oakland, has sailed for China under a
contract with the Chinese government
to take charge in different provinces of
the work of destroying the opium hab-
it among government employees.
The sultan of Turkey has seventy-one
titles, among them being abdul Ha-
mid, the Eternally Victorious," 1.-The
Eternally Smiling" "the Eternally In
yincible," "the Distributor of Crowns
to the Heroes Seated on the Thrones
and "the Shadow of God on Earth"
Baron Speck Won Sternburg has been
teaching young Kermit and Theodore
Roosevelt, Jr., how to ride. The baron
learned the art of riding from the
ground up, and he was a hussar in the
German army in the war with France.
He gave Mr.. Roosevelt many valuable
points when he was organizing the
rough riders.
August Belmont and his three sons
are interested in turf matters, polo and
yachting. At Saratoga Mr.. Belmont
occupies Il little box of a house located
in an open court of his stables neal the
a c track. When polo is the sport of
the day he drives in an open carriage
with the saddles and brides for the
ponies and harnesses them himself.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-04-09
A HANDsAaKE.
Story pf a Parting Clasp by One Whe
Observed 1T.

Observed 1T.
They had been talking about yari-
GUS ways of shaking hands and had
pretty well gone over the ground GOV
cred by all the philosephic writings ON
handshakes when one of the men i'm
the group said:
"The most expressive handshake I
ever saw was given by one man to
another. There was mo tie of kinship
between them.
Each was about forty. Both were
in perfect health. One had the pros
poets 'ef many years rof life. The other
was to die within a minute, and the
man whose hand he held was to Kill
him.
cit seemed to me then that l could
read the meaning Of the handshake
given by the mai about to die to the
man about to kill him. 1t seemed tt
say: You are a good man, and l like
you. l thank you for many acts o
kindness and especially for this friend
ly grasp
"Then, with a gently lingering cling
he let the other mans hand slip from
his own. There was a volume of mean
ing in that motion.
ut seemed to say that there were
the morrow's sunrise and many more
for the a whose hand he was re
leasing. but for him a few moments
say that there was an age of human
companionship in every instant during
which the two hands touched.
at seemed to say that when the
clasp was broken he was forever cut
Off from the living and was as ONT
dead. And many other things it seem
ed to say that I cannot translate into
words.
"Within a few seconds one of the
men gave the signal that ended the
life of the other.
"It was a case" the story teller con
tinued. "of the hanging of a man il
Connecticut for murder. While under
the influence Of liquor with other mel
he had dealt one of them a blow tina
resulted in his death.
"The condemned nan was not by
nature o. inclination q criminal. Ht
had never been arrested before he was
taken into custody for murder.
1.-THE sheriff, who shook hands will
him on the gallows just before the
drop fell, had a genuine liking FOL
him. He offered the condemned maj
the usual merciful portion Of Liquor
before the execution, but the mar re
fused it.
"By the way, l have seen severa
persons hanged, and I think this maj
was the only one I ever saw go to the
scaffold without being 'doped' will
liquor. and he was the steadiest il
nerve of them all. His only betraya
Of weakness, if it was such, was hi:
noticeable clinging to the sheriff.
hand before releasing it."-Washingtol
Post.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-04-09
SOCIETY DIRECTORY.

LODaEOF PERFECTION.-Langdon No. 8
holds regular communications on the nrst ano
third Thursdays of each month atthe Masohic
Aemple. r., ~ ,nx M
ROBERT WORK, Sec'y.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-04-09

LADY MACCABEEs.-Langdon Hive Of the
Lady Maccabees meet in the <: OF +. hall
Mas BELLE BIRMINGHAM, Commander.
MRS. J. C. MCCoMBE Record Keeper.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-04-09

G. o. I. No. $685.. Alphonsus Court. meets
! the first and third Wednesdays OF eacn
month in their hall over the Mooney oE =
Jos q. ScH1LL, Sec'y.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-04-09

A. F.&A. M.-Lebanon Lodge holds regular ths
communications at the Masonic Iemptn III III
second and fourth Fridays Of eacn mone ~ NJ
ROBERT WORK, Secretary.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-04-09

M. B. A.-Modern Brotherhood of America
meets In the Opera House Hall on the hrstiand
third Wednesday OF each month.
w. A. FERGUSON, President.
GEO. z. DUNN1aAN, Secretary.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-04-09

A. @. q. W.-Langdon Lodge meets IN the
Workman hall the first and third MONDAY %
each month. coucu M w
THos. SHEEHAN, Recorder.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-04-09

YEOMEN.-Meet in the K. of P. hall, on the
Arst and third Thursdays of each month.
THos. SHEEHAN, Yeoman.
C. C. CRAWFORD, Sec'y.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-04-09

DEGREE OF HONOR.-Meets. in the Work.
man hall on The first and third Fridaysof each
month. ~ n n
MRS. BELLE BIRMINGHAM, Recorder.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-04-09

W. O. W.-Excelsior Lodge No.. 81, meets on
the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month
in the Woodman Hall.
A, e. L1NDsTRox, Clerk.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-04-09

LADY G. o. Est. Mary's Court, meets at
the Forester hall on the second and fourth
Tuesdays of each month.
MRS. VIM. F~LUMERFELT, q. r..
MRS. A. L. Ko%EHMsrEDT, Rec. Sec'y.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-04-09

NJ. W. A.-Langdon Camp, No. $3.50 meets II
the. Woodman hall the second and fourth
Mondays of each month. ~ n
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-04-09

O. f. S.-Langdon Temple holds regular COM a.
m1nications on the first and third TUESDAY Oh
each month at the Masonic hall: unv w NJ.
mhS. "oo Sac,y S. G. KERR, W.P
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-04-09

K. o. I. M.-Langdon Tent of Maccabees
meet in the Forester hall the first and third
Thursdays of each mouth.
M. MORRISON R. K.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-04-09

KNIGHTS OF pYTHIAs.-Meet on Wednes-
day evening of each week at the X. of p. hall.
E. a. GORDON, &C.
F. ". BLEAKLEY. Recorder.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-04-09

l. o .F.-Langdon Court, Independent Order
of Foresters, meet in the Workmen hall, the
first and third Tuesdays, Of each month.
w. A. FERGUSON. G. T..
J. q Balm. Rec. sec'y.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-04-09

hall Ii o. over r. Ferguson eg 3 Restaurant stsug n.sn. :
C. E. MAHos, Sec'y.
The San Francisco call., 1908-03-22
The Explosive Engine

No one factor in the solution of the
problem of aerial navigation has been
so important as the introduction of the
explosive engine, which is also becom
ing very important consideration in
the designing of the warship OF the
future. II is understood, of course
that the aeroplane is heavier than the
air and can net be left to the Will Of
the wind as the balloon and the sail
ing vessel are. II must pIow its way
through the air, propelled by it's own
power. Yet the motor must not add
so much weight to the machine as to
destroy its buoyancy. light mower
ful motor is a necessity for aerial
navigation. and the efficiency Of the
aeroplane will be increased in propor-
tion as the weight is lesserad The
explosive engine. is great step toward
the highest efficiency in this direction
similar problem has been met in
steamship construction. Formerly the
weight of the machinery of a vessel
was much greater in proportion to the
displacement than it is now; otherwise
it would be impossible to procure the
high rate of speed of our transoceani,
liners without sacrificing too much of
their carrying capacity. so in the hv
ing machine the evolution of the engine
pressges our success in mechanical
Hight
In 1894 Sir Hiram Maxim few an
aeroplane weighing five tons a distance
of 400 yards His engine was driven by
steam generated by naphtha and had a
weight equivalent to 10 pounds per
horsepower. The aeroplane OF Santos
Dumont with which he is making sue
cessfuI flights today is motored by ex-
plosiye engines weighing only two
pounds per horsepower. 1t is asserted
that airship machinery weighing. but
H.
possible of construction. So it will be
seen in a few years machinery has been
reduced to one-tenth its former weight
by the development Of the hydrocarbon
engine
The greatest obstacle to be overcome
The San Francisco call., 1908-03-22

in mechanical flight is the dirncu1ty or
providing suitable launching ways to
give the airship initial movement.
Langley's airship, we all recognize,
was built on the right principles and
his model, in fact, did hy-but 1t was
ruined by defect in the launching
ways. At present mechanical fight is
possible only when movement through
the air can be obtained of about a min
imum of II miles an hour, depending
upon the area of the lifting surface OF
the machine. This speed can be had on
almost any ship at any time II her en-
gines will not drive the vessel at that
rate 1t is only necessary to steamer,
better, motor-her head into the wind.
when a relative speed through the air
will be gained equal to her advance
plus the weight OF the wind. Thus by
a simple movement of the helm ship
The San Francisco call., 1908-03-22
PkACTtCABslITY OF THE AEROpz AkE
FOR OFFENSIVE NAVAL TACTICS And
The DETECTION O. SUBMARINE U2
DANGERS.
By REAR ADAlIRAL COLBY M. CHESTER.
U.S.ke

~ Ut Of this eyentful yeah IN the
history Of aeronautics has come
no small amount of material for
thought regarding the applica-
tion OF aerial navigation TO the mill
tary- service. In the United States.
however, the idea OF utilizing airships
IN warfare seems TO have been confined
70 the army. due doubtless to the fact
that aeronautics up to the present time
has. been practiced almost exclusively
on land. Yet that the airship has a
place and an important one in the
naval service has recently been i'm
pressed on the experts of several for
eign governments. and in speaking of
the subject this year before assem-
blages OF naval men in our own coun-
try it has been found that the idea is
rapidly crystallizine in the United
States.
The navy occupies such a distinctive
field IN military science that the usual
treatment OF Saeronautics does not
satisfy the condition imposed by life on
board ship. Lack Of space n which to
house airships and the necessity for
large initiating plants almost preclude
the use OF balloons and make the field
OF naval aeronautics a very narrow
one.
Writers who are competent to dis
cuss the subject from a naval stand
point are few in number, for only a
man who has studied the science of
serial navigation and at the same time
Is familiar with seafaring life and
understands the varying moods of the
ocean and its enveloping atmosphere
can treat the subject properly. As a
rule such OF our officers as might take
up the study OF aerial navigation are
employed far away from points or land
where experimentation with airships
usually goes on. Some OF them, at the
Jamestown exposition last summer.
however had the opportunity of wit
Messing and taking a part in expert
.ments made there and in studying the
possibilities of aeroaautics for naval
purposes. One and all they took deep
Interest in the subject and We're quite
agreed that our navy could not too
soon add the science and art OF aerial
navigation to its list OF activities if it
Is TO maintain its standing as a leader
in naval science.
The San Francisco call., 1908-03-22

can be made the launching platform of
an aeroplane.
The obstacles of propelling an aero
plane and launching ii having been
met by the explosive engine and con-
ditions on shipboard. it is essential
that provisions be made for keeping
the frail machine in good condition.
The machine shop aboard every man
of war is already az well equipped as
most shops on land and would be
first class aeroplane hospital, while
the machinists of the crew and the
engineers among the officers would
The San Francisco call., 1908-03-22

ment as seamen there is the desire
upon the part OF many cf the navy on
GERS to study aerial navigation
There is no class of men in the coun-
try better qualified by education. me-
chanical ability and experience allied
to the subject than are the officers
graduated from the naval academy. and
the great impetus tnat has been given
to the aeronaut1c science by the inter-
national balloon race which recently
took place from ST. Louis has brought
the matter to the attention OF naval
authorities with greater force than
ever before. and II is sincerely 20 be
hoped that they will see that the SUD-
Ject is OF such importance as to war
rant the establishment OF an aeronautic
corps. This has been done in all OF
the principal armies OF the world. as
well as in the Austrian. Russian and
perhaps other navies of Europe. When
such a corps as this is established and
serious and sedulous study is given TO
the subject there is little reason to
doubt that we will not live much longer
before a fleet OF mechanical birds is
provided as an adjunct TO the batleshiD
feet which must form the first line OF
our defense against an enemy.
The San Francisco call., 1908-03-22

namics- The balloon is as unsuited for
the naval conditions of today as would
be the old fashioned sailing vessel
which once graced the service. Almost
equally unsuited would be the dirigible
balloon. II is MT practicable for per-
manent adoption for use on shipboard.
being too cumbersome and unwieldy
In its relation 10 present conditions
this improved type IF balloon may be
said to resemble that recent form of
naval architecture known as the aux
iliary steamer. which once lent pres
tige to the service, but has also pissed
away There is a third class OF air
.ship-the aeroplane. Can it not be
utilized and adapted to the needs of
the navy?
In the workship of that indefatiga-
BILE worker and enthusiastic scientist.
the prince Of Monaco. few months
ago there was under construction what
might be called a mechanical bird"
which was not much larger than its
natural prototype. the albatross. The
whole mechanism of this wonderful
contrivance was such as to appeal par
ticularly TO those interested in the
needs Of the navy, and appeared TO
contain the secret of the lcng sought
naval bird of prey" News of its flight
has not yet reached US. but one feat
ure of the machine. which cannot be
mentioned here, was introduced into
our naval archftecture MANY x-aare 4. -.
1t gave such good results that we may
hope for a speedy solution of the Prob
lem of mechanical flight if its use in
the construction of the Monaco model
is slIccessf;lI
The San Francisco call., 1908-03-22
Foreign Navies Take It Up

Additional impetus Is given the idea
by the recently disclosed fact that a
number Of foreign navies have gone
into the subject on an elaborate scale
AS little of their work has been made
public I'D 10 this time we do not know
what may De expected from their
Investigations. Brief articles have ap-
peared recently. however. accompanied
by. illustrations. indicating that captive
balloons have actually become a part
of the war equipment Of some of the
Austrian ships. Furthermore. some OF
ssse secret history of the Russo-Jap-
snese war. which is gradually coming
TO light. shows that in the navy as well
as in the army captive balloons have
been used to good advantage in scout
ing.
But experimenting with balloons for
the naval service seems almost fruit
less. excepting as they may be valuable
Rs schools OF instruction in aerody-
The San Francisco call., 1908-03-22

storm overlie the Atlantic coast. when,
taking advantage of the eyclonic char
acter of the wind. they spread their
sails and put to sea with the assur-
ance of quick and safe trip to their
destinations In the south
This is practically what was done
by Lahm and Hersey when they put
their airship in the quadrant OF south
erly winds. low down in the atmos-
pheric sea. instead of seeking the
higher attitudes taken by their COM
petitors. BY doing this they were
carried from Paris to England and
reached the 'farthest north" winning
the cup by margin Of 81 miles. This
was old time navigation. and the re-
suit showed that 1t fitted the condi-
tions exactly.
Reference has been made to the kind
OF airship best adapted to the navy,
The San Francisco call., 1908-03-22

constitute an unsurpassed corps of
surgeons.
And now for the man to operate the
airship The mechanical advantages of
the naval vessel are well supplemented
by the training of its men. Aero
nautics might well be study Of the
seaman, because it is so closely al
lied to his special calling and re-
quires development in the air along
the lines on which he has conqu1Bod
the water The winning of the inter
national trophy in 1906 by Lieutenant
Lahm and Major Hersey in the balloon
Imperial Valley press., 1908-08-15
FOR THE STATE FAIR
Frank Wiegins Ciamors for Imperial
 Valley Products.

Frank Wiggins wants samples of Imperial Valley products for exhibi- tion at the State Fair, which opens in Sacramento on August 29 and for display later at Albuquerque and in Los Angeles. He writes:
 We are willing to take charge of material from here providing it is de- livered to us at the s. P. Depot. If addressed to the Chamber of Com merce, Los Angeles, it will be carried through and delivered to us free.
 We know it is out of season for great deal of the material, but such as honey grain, vegetables, hay, cot ton hemp and corn could be demon strated with a few samples of eXcep- tionally good growth Individual farmers could send them to the depot, and the commercial organizations could easily forward them and the expense would be minimum to each and all of them"
 Good samples delivered to the El Centro Ten Thousand Club will be forwarded. There is no time to be lost. Anyone who can supply credit able specimens is urged to bring them in at once.
Imperial Valley press., 1908-08-15

Sixth streets, which would place it almost in the center of the business district.
 Mir. Buttress is now in correspond eEce with the Souther Pacific offici- als, with the prospect of securing the donation of tire from an engine drive wheel, which will be mounted at the proposed fire-hOuse and used as a fire-gong Strokes on such tire, it is said, may be plainly heard in all parts of town. The town will be di- vided into districts so that the alarm will indicate just where the fire is To- cated.
 Commissioner Buttress has appoint ed as Fire Chief E. Sherman, who has had experience in military fire com panies, and who proposes to give the volunteer fire company weekly mili- tary fire drills. At least twenty men in a team will be thus drilled.
 For the good of the service, Com missioner Buttress proposes to have piles of rubbish at various parts of the town set on fire at unexpected times, and to call the firemen out to extinguish the blaze. Mir. Buttress has had valuable experience in managing fire companies at Rome, N. Y.
 The expense of the equipment now ordered will amount to about S1 900. Its installation in Fl Centro will be of such benefit that there is prospect of a decrease in insurance rates be- cause of it's presence.