davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-20

sloly necessary but certainly secondary
detail.
The process OF Lippmann, as noted is
real color photography, but has never
been perfected. and very likely will
never reach the commercial stage on
account of its delicacy. So far it is lit
tie more than laboratory experiment.
In this process the light waves due to
the colors of the object act directly on
the sensitized film. forming IN II
series OF layers that reproduce the
original tfnts by reflection and inter
ference in the same way that colors
are formed by soap bubble film. Here
there is absolutely no intervening
process. color generates color. and ".
have true color Photography"
Gabriel Lppmann, the German phys
icist to whom we owe this undevelOped
process, is evidently more OF a scientific
esugator than an eXplOtter. While
his discovery of real color photography
has waited for years for some Edison
to work It into practical shape. hs has
been at work on another optical won
der. which some of the scientific Jour-
nails have described as IL 1t were al
ready in operation, but which. after
the inventor has demonstrated It's scien-
tihc possibility. may in its turn be left
for some one else to develop. This is q
pldlo Wulcn, tOOke0 at IN the ordinary
manner, with no optical aid win give
the effect Of a picture in relief such
as is seen when we look at a double
picture through stereoscope. The
halves of a stereoscopic picture are not
duplicates, but each represents the
scene as 1t appears TO the correspond
ing eye OF the observer When he looks
at them simultaneously. each eye see
ing its own picture and that only. he
receives the same impression thar he
would have when viewing the natural
scene with both eyes.
- L1ppmann coats plate with tiny
lenses or sensitized gelatin, and on it
photographs a scene. which Is accord
ingly depicted IN microscopic miniature
on the back OF each lens. He has
shown geometrical1y that an eye view
ing the plate sees IN each lens only a
minute bit OF the picture depicted
thereon, and that these bits build I'D a
mosaic of the entire scene. which
changes as the eye moves about pre-
cisely as the appearance OF the real
scene would change in the same cir
cumstances. II both eyes look at the
plate, each eve sees the aspect OF the
scene that IL would see in nature:
hence the stereoscopic effect; and when
the two eyes are moved about the View
changes as it would change in nature. "
This theoretical result seems un1
doubted, but ii has not yet been real
lied practically. Lippmann has been
working chiefly under the microscope.
to get his tiny lenses IN perfect form
and his tiny photographs IN satisfac-
tory shapes He is apparently meeting
with success.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-20

Christmas tree magic lightA.
Tho German combination of the
Christ child and Santa Claus is much
more homely. not SO fanoiful, but none
the less enhancing to the youthful
mind
Into the humble home of poor Ger
man family have come the inseparable
pair. A door partly opened shows a
bit of snowclad. starlit landscape.
On a table, with white cover, is
erected a modest little Christmas tree,
all perhaps the master of the house
could afford from his limited funds.
In the doorway. his lamp at his feet,
stands Santa Claus. From his pack he
takes dolls, toy horses, candies and q
host of toys, which he hands to the
child.
The latter wears the halo that es-
tablishes his divinity. 1t Is In the form
OF star directly over his head. But
with chiId's simplicity he is placing
the things on the tree. and before the
tree whore in the Christmas morning SO
SSS%A ~ ~~-AtS e-cJ WAL 8Icct tuc eye
of the happy worshipers of the founder
Of the faith and adorers OF his helper.
good old Santa Claus.
The conception is beautiful and
touching, and though it may differ
somewhat from modern ideas of the
subject, there is no hint of irreverence.
In the Italian representation the
Christ child is shown leading the way
for the dispenser OF gifts.
Santa Claus, fine, comfortable old
person, with huge. white beard, stout
shoes. great fur bordered red coat
and fur cap, ia carrying the light
which points the way.
Before him. with clasped hands. ar
rayed in spotless white, with hands
folded as If In prayer. and blonde locks
flowing over birdlike wings, is the 1T
tic friend Of the child. pointing the way
to the places whore dwell thousands OF
the little ones whose happiness must
be secured by gifts on this greatest Of
days for the Juvenile world.
In the background is ligbted
church. in which are being made the
prayers of the faithful. This is one Of
the most beautiful OF the dual reprs.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-20

Puritan and the Quaker has played
its part In altering customs in the
new world from those which obtained
abroad
Those mighty pioneers who landed at
Plymouth rock on a Christmas day
have welded an influence by no means
confined to their own New England.
AS agitators. as stern devotees of prin-
oiples, which, while at times may have
seemed oversevere. were none the less
honest, their, beliefs have conquered to
large degree the opinions OF settlers In
the new world. who. more indolent In
their opinions, lacked the force to dis
pute the Puritan dogmas.
The Puritan set himself sternly
against all the ceremonials. all the
myths, all that he named the supersti-
ton OF the mother country.
He barred them all In his observance
Of the holiday, confning his recognition
of the day entirely to the religious
side. Time has softened many OF the
asperities of the original Puritan, but
the OcLeIullHdllOu IO OlNlOc LILO bCCu1dI
from the religious has survived and
wields its influence on Christmas day
throughout the length and breadth of
the union.
On the continent the simple minded
peasant is abundantly blessed with
faith. The symbols and stories, which
here have come to be taken only as
beautiful myths, are very real to him.
There are a hundred and one beautiful
local legends in Germany, Italy and
Spain telling how the Christ child is
ever watching over the good children.
how he directs Santa Claus in his dis
tribution OF gifts and guards the de-
serving so that none be overlooked.
According to locality the Christ child
is differently presented. In Denmark.
country Of snow and ice. Of fjords. land
of mighty tradition, OF heroic tales OF
nations conquered In the middle ages.
the Christ child is almost fairy.
Around the head is woven a wreath of
green, there is no halo. and from the
shoulders go fiimsiest wings. the gos-
samer texture of a butterfiy's wings.
With Santa Claus at HIS side the
divine child il attaching to a little
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-20

sentations, and IL Is suffused with
gentleness and the true Christian spirit.
The Russian picture does not differ
radically from the italian. except that
1T gives a little more detail. The pair
are shown before the window Of q lit
tie low rooted home. Through the
window streams light, in whose glare
stands Santa Claus apparently deter
mining IL the children are In bed, so as
to make time propitious. The gener-
Gus old saint leans on his staff. The
Christ Child has opened the pack and
has started to take from 1t those gifts
deemed appropriate for this house. This
child has star over his brow, and
his tresses are bound to the head by a
narrow band of blue ribbon.
The Norwegian Santa Claus and
Christ Child are accompanied through
the snow covered woods by little
reindeer, one of the kind which when
grown up is supposed to pull the toy
filled sleigh of the old man.
Most modern OF all the ideas IL this
years French Christmas card. Here
Santa Claus and the Christ Child are
pictured as having abandoned the rein
deer drawn team used by them from
time immemorial in their magic flight
over the housetops.
Instead they are equipped with an
automobile. and able In consequence to
cover the ground far moro speedily.
The pair sit in the front, with Santa
at the wheel. and the tonneau of the
car is filled to overnowing with every
KIND OF teY fsr' Bsy or Eirb
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-20
rALLEsT TREE IN THE WORLD

TALLEsT TREE IN THE WORLD
HE tallest tree in the world, so far
as has been ascertained. is an Aus
tralian gum tree of the species euca-
lyptus regnans, which stands in the
Cape Otway range. 1t is no less than
415 feet high Gum trees grow very
fast. There is one in Florida which
shot up 40 feet in four years, and an
other in Guatemala which grew 12o feet
in IL years. This corresponds to a rise
OF 10 feet year, or nearly one foot per
WQRth --- = = -=---- q
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-20

IN the Christmas lore OF Europe Santa
Claus and the Christ child are insep-
arabic
The founder of the faith and the
Jolly old patron saint OF the children
are always shown together. They are
united in picture. in story. in spec
tacle and in legend.
Never is there any representation Of
Santa Claus without the accompanying
figure OF q beautiful child OF divine
beauty. oftenest pictured with q halo.
II ss this child who goes with the
Jolly old Chris TO see that none of the
deserving, no matter how lowIy, is
overlooked In the distribution OF Chris
mas bounty. The children OF France,
Germany, Spain, Italy and even Russia
would not recognize Santa Claus pic
fure unless It included the figure of
, he angel child whose coming to the
world is the most celebrated OF all fes-
iIvals, and the one which is universally
hailed as having meant more for the
Joy OF mankind than any event since
life began.
This union OF the two figures IL IN
curious contrast to the Christmas GUS
tom Of the new world.
Here there is q sharp dividing line
drawn between the religious and secu-
lar observances OF the greatest OF hoii-
days. Americans regard the Santa
Claus feature as pleasure for the chill
dren. an a beautiful and charming fea-
ture OF the holiday, but they never
commingle It with the religious.
In all our pictures and paintings. in
ali toys, IN all representations whatso-
ever, the nativity and its scenes are
made separate and distinct from the
Kris Kringle feature
Perhaps the influence Of the stern
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-20

In the United states the secular and
the religious Observances of Christmas
sre sharply divided. The story of the
nativity and the deeds of the manger at
Bethlehem are kept entirely free from
all thoughts of the jOviaI side of the
day, the visit of the chfIdren's patron
saint, NTnta Claus. But the simple
faith OF the old world associates the
two. In all Christmas pictures of Ger
many, ITALY, Russia, France and Dem
mark that depict Santa Claus, he Is ever
shown accompanied by the Christ child,
usually with the halo around hfs holy
head. The child I'm person sees to IT
that no deserving little one fs over
looked, and either gives the presents
himself or directs Santa.
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-23

of the courtyard gate and brought
back.
The trained Intelligence of the Off
GERS showed them the futility of these
attempts. and the certainty that no
American, undisguised and not speak
ing the Moorish language, could escape
detection for half an hour in the streets
of Tripoli If any plan of escape were
feasible the officers knew that it must
But there were huge stone walls 10
feet thick which led to the rampant,
extending along the whole sea front
of the castle, mounted with heavy guns
and patrolled day and night by picked
men of the bashaw's guards. Neverthe-
less, If escape were possible it must be
by that side. After reaching the sea
front. however, it would still be neces-
sary for them to get possession of a
vessel which would carry them out of
the harbor.
Through Salvatore Desio the officers
were kept pretty well informed of the
expected arrival and departure of the
few foreign vessels which visited Tri-
poll. There were, however always ar
irving and departing small coasting
vessels belonging to Tripon or the
other powers of the Barbary coast.
After the destruction of the Phila-
delphia at her moorings nothing seemed
impossible to the Americans and the
officers, from Captain cambridge down
to Dicky Falconer, were inspired with a
burning desire not only to achieve their
liberty but in doing so to acquire glory.
And this could be done by the seizure
of Tripolitan vessel and making off
under the laundering of the bashaw.s $
guns, as Decatur and his immortal
company had done.
Many conferences on this subject
were held, with Captain Bainbridge
presiding as at a council of war, and
the officers. beginning with Dicky Fall
coner as the least in rank giving their
opinion upon various plans submitted
to them All the plans submitted were
in the highest degree hazardous, but
great dangers were expected and ac-
cepted as a part of any plan Of escape.
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-23

To their number was added Salvatore
Desio, who accepted his Imprisonment
with the quiet submission he had
shown all along.
Never mind, you blessed Dago,"
Bulge would say to Salvatore, you are
in better company with us than with
them Tripolitan raskils and thieves,
and when we git out of this here in
fernal hole we are agoin to take you
along with US. Dye mind what say?''
yes replied Salvatore meekly. Il
know you will want to take me. but the
Tripolitans wifi not let me CO."
"Jes' you wait and see, my Dago
friend, until the Constitution gifts here
and Mary Ann-that's the forward gun
on the port side-barks out, and you'll
see the bashaw will be glad to git of
without havin' his whiskers clipped
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-23
=
TIE LIGHT FRon THE BURNING FRidATI
MADE THE SEA AID SKY ABLAzE
-@...-',rs~..'.ssrs-ss.i.,s q Ss4ss

thank God that our enemies have not
wholly prevailed with our ship, but by
the gallant. work of our brothers in
arms she has found at last a glorious
death. The ketch that destroyed her
is commanded by Captain Stephen De-
catur, whose name should be held in
everlasting remembrance by his coun-
try. AS far as 1 can judge and I think
we saw the whole affair, not a single
man has been lost by the Americans.
And now, gentlemen, if we are all
bastiradoed for it tomorrow morning.
let US give three cheers for the
American navy"
The stone walls echoed and re-
echoed with the shouting of the
Americans. It was answered by the
loud cheering of the sailors in their
quarters. No notice was taken of this
by the Tripolitans; they had more seri-
Gus business on hand than stopping the
cheering of their captives. AS Sidi
Mohammed had said, keeping the
Americans in prison was like holding
a wolf by the ears.
Sleep visited no one of the hundreds
of American officers and sailors that
night. They knew that the difficult
task of reducing Tripoli would become
much easier without the great frigate,
which could have been added to the
defense of the town.
Next morning when the sun rose
not plank remained of the once
splendid frigate, but the blue water
rippled over the spot where she had
once lain, and where she had met an
honorable fate at the hands of her own
countrymen.
The midshipmen expected to be re-
leased within a week and were not
only triumphant but happy. The older
officers were equally confident of their
release, but they realized better the
enormous difficulties which yet lay in
the way of the American squadron be-
fore the pride of Tripoli could be
brought low.
The first result, however, of the de-
struction of the Philadelphia was a
very great increase of severity and
hardship in the treatment of the
American prisoners. Within week
they were removed from the compare
lively comfortable quarters first as.
signed them to the great stone Under
ground dungeons of the bashaw's
castle. There, in vast stone apart.
ments, cold and damp, with one or two
small openings in each above ground
the Americans were placed.
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-23

Their time in the open air was cut
hour day for exercise in the court
yard. Many privileges which they had
enioyed were taken away and their
communication with the outside world
entirely. Suspicion had got abroad
concerning Captain Bainbridge's com
munication with Commodore Preble,
and Salvatore himself was thrown into
vain that Sidi Mohammed just and
enlightened man, demonstrated with
the bashaw, Yussuf Caramelli, against
these seventies, reminding him that
demand a heavy indemnity for every
hardship inflicted upon the Imprisoned
Americans. The bashaw, infuriated by
the boldness and success attending the
destruction of the Philadelphia, and
fearful of further communication pass
ing between Captain Bainbridge and
Commodore Preble, sternly insisted
upon a stricter imprisonment for the
captives. On one point alone was Sid
Mohammed able to convince his mas
ter-this was that it would not be
advisable to administer, a blow to the
humblest sailor among the Americans
Sidi Mohammed explained to the ba-
shaw that blow was regarded yer,
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-23

were not opened again until o'clock
the next morning. Still there was al
ways a possibility of the appearance of
the guard, and arrangements were re-
hearsed by which the alarm was to be
given by either the sailors or the mid
shipmen. In that event the sailors were
Immediately to engage in a general
fracas. blocking the entrance to the
apartment occupied by the officers and
giving them~time to put back the stones
and conceal the evidences of their
work
In the midsIlipmen's room like in
strnctions were given, and fight was
carefully rehearsed between Dicky Fal-
coner and Roger Thorne, whose pallets
were near the door. The>other midship-
men were to rush forward, endeavoring
to separate the combatants but con-
irving to blocR the door to the inner
room as long as possible.
For l. nights the officers worked
tirelessly, and on the night of the 18th
of March they penetrated entirely
through the walls of the castle and had
reached the stone ramparts. The NOR
tar straight through had proved of the
slightest description, and ii grew more
decayed when the rampant was reached.
This was estimated by the officers to
be about Is feet thick, and the stones
were loosely thrown together. With
their added experience and the increas-
ing softness of the crumbling mortar it
was thought it would require less time
to get through the remaining 15 feet
than the first 10 feet Every detail of
the escape, when the final opening
should be made. was carefully worked
out by Captain cambridge and Mr.. Por-
ter Ten of the watch officers and mid
shipmen headed by Mr.. Porter and
about 75 sailors and marines who were
capable of strong swimming. could It
was thought, overPower the crew and
get away.
From the inception of the plan all
those who were to make the desperate
attempt were full of resolution and
passionate enthusiasm, longing for the
hour when they might make their bold
stroke for liberty.
Dicky FaIconer and Roger Thorne.
lying on their pallets side by side at
night, would exchange whispers until
they were sternly checked by Mr. Por-
ter. Then they invented a sort of sign
language with which they could com
municate silently with each other in
the watches of the night. Dicky had a
gesture which meant:
As soon as get on board I'll grap-
pie with the first man see and throw
him overheard"
To which Roger had another signal
which answered.
You are a great big idiot and will
get thrown overheard yourself"
AT which Dicky always wagged his
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-23

The most feasible proposition was
that of cutting a way through the stone
wall and thence through the rampant TO
the sea; then, watching their opportu-
nifty, making a sortie by night and seiz-
ing some vessel at anchor. This plan.
however, was by-no means available for
all of the prisoners, as it was only by
swimming that the Americans could
reach any vessel at anchor in the har-
bor Among the sailors, about 10.
among whom was Bulge. were good
swimmers. A poll of the officers showed
that of the %, only 10 might be reck-
oned as expert swimmers. Among these
were Captain cambridge and Mr.. Por-
ter of the older officers, and Dicky Fal-
coner and Roger Thorne among the
midshipmen. Captain cambridge, with
his usual magnanimity declared that.
although he would do his share of the
work of excavation like any sailor be-
fore the mast. he. would not be among
those to make the dash for freedom,
feeling it his duty to remain with the
rest, who must still be prisoners until
released by an American squadron.
The advantage of working through
the stone wall was that the stones
could be replaced during the day.
waiting earth to conceal what was
taken out.
After many conferences it was deter
mined to begin the excavations in the
large middle apartment occupied by
Captain cambridge and the watch OFF,
GERS. On the night of March 1, 1904
the removal of the stones was begun,
with such rude tools as the prisoners
could contrive. These were strips OF
iron from the soles of their shoes and
two or three of the tin plates upon
which their meals were served. To
their delight, however, they found the
mortar very old and decayed. yielding
readily to attack.
Only two Officers could work at the
same time with advantage. and regular
shifts were organized to work through
the night Elaborate precautions were
taken to prevent surprises by the
guard in the corridors at each end OF
the prisoners quarters. So secure
however. did the Tripolitans feel OF
their prisoners that after the final in
spection at o'clock at night the heavy
iron studded doors were locked and
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-23

differently by Americans and Tripoli
tans. and that Captain Bainbridge's
solemn promise that every stroke laid
upon the Americans would be amply
avenged was not to be disregarded.
1t was now, after months of hope de-
ferred and Imprisonment, that the
americans were to be tried in the fire
OF hardship and disappointment. But
the force of discipline, of self-contaol
and of incessant work proved a mighty
support. Captain Bainbridge set the
example of courage, making no COM
plant whatever of the increased in
conveniences to which he was subject
ed. Not even a separate room was
given to the commanding officer, and
all he had of privacy was a corner in
the large apartment in which were
confined with him the watch officers of
the Philadelphia. Sidi Mohammed OBJ
tanned for Captain Bainbrdge a small
carpet to be placed by the side of his
bed, but this Captain Bainbridge trans
ferred to the middle of the room, SO
that all the officers sitting around the
rough table could have the benefit of It.
The apartment given the midshipmen
communicated with the captains rooms
and was much larger. Mr.. Porter to
give more room to the other officers.
had his own hard bed placed in the
midshipmen's room. He had another
object in view; knowing the greater
strain upon the temper. nerves and
fortitude of the midshipmen, he
thought it best that discipline, the sure
means of preventing an outbreak,
should not be relaxed by night or by
day.
This arrangement resulted in another
advantage-in bringing Mr.. Porter more
nearly in touch with officers of whom
the oldest was little more than boy.
Strict as he was, his kindness was un-
falling. and when occasionally low
spirits would prevail ahong the mid
shipmen Mr.. Porter's steady cheerful
ness would recall them to themselves
The sailors. also brought nearer the
officers in their own quarters, were
kept in hand by the same excellent
methods A few old man of warsmen
like Bulge, acquired an ascendency
over them and prevented those parox
ysins of despair which might well have
occurred among men of adventurous
nature reduced to severe captivity
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-23
CHAPTER x
A Plot and n Failure

TT is not to be supposed that ideas
/ of escape had not haunted the
| minds of the imprisoned Americans
from the moment of their incarcera-
tion. In the beginning every sailor
and marine who had a chance had
slipped past the sentry and through the
courtyard, but in every single instance
was promptly arrested within 10 feet