davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-02-02

to stream, by which path the otter is sup
posed to slide from his den or favorite haunt
to the water.
Give had set this trap in the lower part of
the slide, and the staple at the end of the
traps chain had been carefully driven into a
stump.
As, the bow of his boat touched the shore
the boy saw that the trap was missing; and
he could see where the staple had been
wrenched from its fastenings. 1t was a
strong fox trap, and Give did not think any
animal could shake it off. He would have
suspected some person of stealing the trap,
had not the earth near the slide been scratch
ed and torn up-evidently the work of some
ANIMAL done before the staple was wrenched
away.
Give jumped ashore, taking with him his
shotgun, which was loaded with duck shot.
The bag containing cartridges was left lying
on one OF the seats of the boat.
An otter was not formidable animal, and,
II he was lucky enough to find it. blow
patch it.
Through the dead leaves that covered the
shores fresh trail led into the woods. There
were no distinct tracks. but the leaves were
disturbed and brushed aside.
Give hoped that the otter, impeded bv the
trap, had hidden close by
He followed the trail into the woods to
where it reached a low. rocky ridge which
at shs pont rises near ar. the river bank
boulder to boulder, and following the tracks
among the leaves as well as he could. when
he heard snariing just beneath him. and a
grayish animal of about the size of spaniel
dog. dashed out from between two rocks
Naturally the boy was startled. and: with
out taking careful aim he fred both barrels
of his gun at the leaping animal.
The beast stopped, rolling over and over.
and biting at one of its fore-paws. Give
opened the shotgun preparatory to reloading
it; but. alas! his cartridge-bag was lying in
| the boat. US -
| This. animal did not look like one which
could be knocked on the head with cun-
barrel; indeed. when it stopped raging and
crouched upon the ground giaring at its new
enemy. it appeared to be a savage and
dangerous antagonist.
Near the rocks on which Give stood when
he fred at the animal was a larger one its
top some six feet from the ground and its
side quite steep.
| 1t was natural fertilization. and Give
thought that if he could reach its top he couId
at least defend himself against those sharp
claws and teeth.
! He jumped, and managed to scramble to
the top Of the larger boulder. AS he Jumped
the animal sprang at him, but the trap, which
was fastened to one of its hind-feet, and also
the shot-wound in its fore-leg, SO disabled It
that its leap fell short and its claws merely
| ripped one of the boys moccasiDs
| As the creature fell back it received a sharp
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-02-02

told the boys how, when walking in the for
est one day many ears past. he had seen
what looked like red squirrels tail moving
in bushy tree above him; but closer m
spection convinced him that it was the tip
end of panther's tail, the animals body be-
ing hidden by the thick foliage. =,
He had to quickly judge the probable, sltua,
ton of the beasts body When he had fired
body Just behind the fore shoulders.
yes concluded the pioneer, in those
days | enjoyed tramping through the WOODS
too old for that sort of thing, and you boys
will have to keep up, the family reputation
for craftsmanship and woodcraft. Now III
tell you what I've been thinking OF. Here
this old rihe-not Of much practical value IN
these days of breechloaders, but relic Of
which either of you might be proud-and
I've been thinking that I'll offer it as prize
to the one who shoots or. traps the most and
rarest game and fur-bearing creatures during
the next week. You can begin tomorrow
morning and for week each OF you can try
to show his skill as woodsman.
Mr. Morrison made this offer on a Sunday
evening and the next morning and for three
days the boys hunted and trapped with more
zest than usual. If such thing were posi-
Bile.
wednesday evening Archie was slightly in
the lead, and when Thursday and Friday
turned out to be wet and stormy, Chye lost
all hope OF beng the Vlctor WIN omy cdt-
urday left, he could hardly hope to make up
a deficiency, especially as his cousin was
more experienced In woodcraft.
Friday evening the weather changed, and
Saturday morning gave promise OF Deauti-
full autumn day. :,
Roth BOYS started out at sunrise for an all
dav expedition. Archie intended to follow a
s1fneN of sable traps through the deep
woods, where he would be apt to find aocks
of grouse, and to return along the river bank
where wild ducks fed in the late afternoon.
Give planned to spend most Of the day on
the river, where he had set mink and other
trans. Besides visiting these traps, he
would search for ducks and plover along the
marshy shores, and in the evening he would
leave the boat and tramp across to a. buck
wheat field-a favorite haunt of wild pigeons.
By midday Give had visited most of the
traps and had spent some time in hunting
plover In his boat lay a mink and half a
dozen yellow-leg .plover-a rather poor show
ING. as he ruefully thought to himself.
Give ate his lunch, and in the early after.
| noon hours was able to increase his stock Of
game by two wild ducks and three more
blower He had one more other trap to visit
| and then he would leave the boat and walk
to the buckwheat field.
| This otter trap was set where the bank oil
the stream was steep, and was placed in
what is called an otter "slide;" that is, q
| smooth. steep path, leading down banl
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-02-02

rap from the gun-barrels. 1t again erouche}
on the ground, watching its enemy.
1t was not large animal-perhaps noS
more than thirty pounds in weight-but it!
cat like body looked unpleasantly musculall
Because of its large head and paws, sho{
tail and tufted ears, Give thought it mus
be lynx
As Give knelt upon the rock, holding tt
gun before him to repel any sudden attack
he tried to think how he could escape from
this ignominious situation. i
The only serviceable weapon he had wltf
would not be sufficient if he came to closl
quarters with the enraged lynx.
The trap and chain attached to the ana
mails foot was plainly visible. At the eng
Of the chain was the staple and also steel
ring three inches in diameter This RING
suggested plan.
| BY the side of the boulder grew several
slender saphngs. Cutting off one of thesei
sharpening the larger end and stripping of
it's twigs, Give now had rough pole, like
large fishing rod, but small enough at its emf
to pass through the ring at the end of TIL
When Give thrust the pole to the ground
the lynx caught at it with teeth and clawsl
but when he let the end of the pole lie la{
upon the ground, the lynx seemed to considel
it harmless, for, after biting it a few time3
the animal let it go and was contented II
carefully watch it.
Slowly the boy moved 1t toward the chait
pushed it through the ring as far as he could
and then tried to drive its point into Thy
ground. a
Now trap and lynx was pinioned to th5
ground. though not securely. At any rata
Che ring would not slip from the pole until
some resistance had been offered.
When Give had arranged everything II
well as he could, he sprang to the ground. 4
as to keep the rock between him and tiy
ivnx and ran toward the boat.
He heard the lynx jump and the chain "A.
tie. but he did not turn to see how the pod
VIZ In a moment more the boy had jumpel
into the boat and pushed buckshot card
ridge into the empty gun. When he loolt2
ND he saw the lynx, free from the pole, on tS
bank above him.
,vben the smoke of the discharge cleared
away. the animal had rolled to his feet apf
VT # was growing dusk by the time Give Id
finally captured the lynx, so that there wa}
no time for pigeon shooting. Soon after Is
reached home Archie came in with a web
filed game bag.
When supper was over. the two boys maol
ont lists of the game and fur they had sbgt I
and captured during the past six days. II
Archie was in the lead until the lynx wad
reached, but its capture clearly gave the prize
to Give.
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-02-02

ISL = the northwestern part Oh ndluS,
I@i on the edge Of the great forest that
49, stretched away to the woods OF
hQER1 Canada, lay the farm of David Nor
rison, one of those sturdy pioneers
who are never happy unless they
are at the very outposts of civilization.
This love for wild places had led him to
leave the more settled portions of the State,
and to build home in the woods Gradual
ly he had cleared the forest, and now level
fields stretched around his house; but yet
the place was wild and lonely, and the Nor
rison family had few ncghbors
But though the daughter thought it lone
" spot the son. Archie Morrison, found the
home farm to be boys paradise. Good
shooting, fishing and trapping abounded-
and for what more could boy ask? His
whom to share these delights.
The ordinary healthy boy is a social crea-
ture, and Archie was no exception to the
rule; SO he was much pleased to hear that
his city cousin, Give Morrison, a boy OF
York to pay long visit to bis country cou-
sing
Though but fifteen years old. Archie was
already good shot. Grouse and hare had
reason reason to lear his ms f9wlng piece, and in the
fields were streaked by rapid flights Of the
wild pigeon, no bird could fy fast enouob To
escape his quick aim. "
CnVe Drought with him shotgun fishing
tackle and steel traps He was rather deli
cate physically, and his father wished him
70 spend an autumn out of doors and ouiet
free from books. u quie'
In the late summer the cousins had some
rout-fishlng In the tranquil river that flowed
near the Morrison farm; then. when tbe
fishing season was past, they took their shot.
guns and spent pleasant DAYS tramn;nr IN
search for grouse and other game. But olive
had not had practice enough to make him !
good wing-shot, and when the frosts of Octo.
Der came. he preferred to busy himself IN
setting traps. for mink, sable and otter IN
trapping he did not have the mortifcation Il
seeing the game go whiring out of SIGHT I'M
harmed by his poorly aimed shots
When David Morrison first settled IN thai
region, large game was plentiful. Deer
moose and lynxes were not uncommon and
sometimes bears and wolves prowled about
the pioneer cabins.
Over the great kitchen hearth hung an old
Misunderstanding rife, beautifully enorayeS
and finished. 1t was weapon long famou,
in the neighborhood for its accuracy. and
often in the evening David Morrison would
take it from the wall and recount some start
ling adventure In which the old gun hac
played an important part
One day, after supper, the farmer was pol
ishing the rifles engraved locks. when h
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-02-02
tCOpyright By james ElversOu.l

(Copyr1ght by JAMES EIVersuu-I
81 I'm the northwestern part of Maine,
III on the edge of the great forest that
~ stretched away to the woods OF
EEpi Canada, lay the farm of David Nor
- rison, one of those sturdy pioneers
who are never happy unless they
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1908-03-25
THE HORSE WON.
Beat the First Locomotive on the B
and O. Road.

Beat the First Locomotive on the B..
= and o. Road.
The first locomotive on the Baltimore
and Ohio had sails attached. So did
the cars. These sails were hoisted
when the wind was in the right direc-
ton so as to help the locomotive.
The rivalry between the railroads
using locomotives and those using
horses was very bitter. In August.
1880, an actual trial Of speed was held
between horse and one Of the pioneer
locomotives, which did not result in
favor Of the locomotive. The race was
on the Baltimore and Ohio. the locomo-
tive being one built by Peter Cooper,
who also acted as engineer.
The horse, gallant gray. was in the
habit of pulling car on a track par
allel to that used by the locomotive.
At first the gray had the better of the
race, but when he was quarter Of a
mile ahead Mr.. Cooper succeeded in
getting up enough steam to pass the
horse amid terrific applause.
At that moment band slipped from
a pulley, and. though Mr.. Cooper lacer-
ated his hands trying to replace it, the
engine stopped and the horse passed it
and came in the winner."-Van Nor
den Magazine.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1908-03-25
They Don't Like Funerals.

eff you want to know just how
sensitive some Washington folks are,
listen to the reasons some Of our ten
ants give for canceling their leases" >"
said a renting agent. Here are the
complaints from five families who
want to move because they live on flu
neral Streets A lot Of people, it
seems, are sensitive about that. There
are certain streets in town-those near
churches where many funerals are held
and those leadingjto the various ceme-
teries-which are usually Travelled by
funeral parties. Houses in those
streets are becoming a poor investment.
There is more moving from those
houses than from any others we have
anything to do with, and generally the
movers give as the reason for their dis
satisfaction the fact that the sight of
so many hearses gets on their nerves" 4"
washington Star.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1908-03-25
NOTICE!
notice. NOTICE! /: NO1lCE!
NOTICE!

100 K. P. Guano Distributors $3.50 formerly 5000.
SO Henderson Guano Distributors 81 rs formerly $3.50.
Planter with Guano Distributor $780,
Moline Cotton Corn Planter $3.50.
Middle Busters and all kinds of Plows in stock.
Agent for Planet, Jr. Cultivators
wecan as heap
an
Webuv in hand in
eand
glad % makeyo
BRUSHES
guaranteed
five sreat building at $ll5 gallon
Wee full lin ne O
Comeoe usoWrte will
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1908-03-25

$4,000 paid by DR.. Shoop for any re-
cent case of grippe or acute cold that
a 25 cent box of p-eventics will not
break. How is this for an offer? The
Doctors supreme confidence in these
little Candy Cold Cure Tablets--Pre-
ventics-is certainly complete. Its
$500, against 25 cents-pretty big odds.
And Preventics, remember, contain no
quinine, no laxative, nothing harsh nor
sickening. Pneumonia would never
appear if early colds were always brok-
en-. Safe and sure for feverish children
48 Preventics 25c. Kaufman Drug Go.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1908-03-25
THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
Lexington County

THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
Lexington County.
By Geo. S. Drafts, Esq, Probate Judge.
Whereas. .Chas. B. Harman made suit to
me, to grant him letters of administra-
ton Of the estate of and effects Of J. r.
Hubbard.
These are therefore to cite and ad-
mopish all and singular the kindred and
cree i5ors Of the said J. R. Hubbard, de-
ceased, that they be and appear, before
me, in the Court of Probate, to be held
at Lexington, G. H., S. G., on 3lst day
of March, 1908, next, after publication
hereof at II o'clock in the forenoon, to
show cause, if any they have, why the
said administration should not be grant
ed.
Given under my hand, this 18th day
of March, Ammo Domini. 1908.
George S. Drafts, IL: S.
Probate Judge, Lexington county, S. 9.
Published on the 18th day of March,
1908, in the Lexington Dispatch. 2w2l
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1908-03-25
THE MONEY QUESTION.
An Inquisitive Younsster and an In
aenious Father.

An lnquisitive Younsster and an In
eenious Father.
"Papa," began Gunston junior. when
the government of the United States
began to coin gold and silver money
it was necessary to buy the gold and
silver, wasn't it?'
Eyes, my son." replied Gunston SEN
ior rather cautiously.
"Of course, papa" resumed the
youngster, you'll be able to tell me
where the government got the money
to buy the gold and silver"
"Why-er-of course" stammered
Gunston senior as he put down the pa
per and gazed thoughtfully at the boy.
s'Now, let me understand you. The
government wanted to coin money, and
in order to do so it was necessary to
purchase gold and silver. You want
to know where the government got
the money to buy the gold and silver"
'That's right" chuckled Gunston
Junior gleefully, and great JOY filled
his being as he thought Of his all i'm
portant sire struggling with the simple
question.
''Why, sonny, the government simply
issued dollar bills and bought gold and
silver with them. Anything else?"
"Yes," said Gunston Junior. "Where
did the government get money to buy
paper for the dollar s?"-Harper's
Weekly.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1908-03-25
The SaraqosSans.

It is said that the queer, composite
race of people that dwell upon the
waterlogged hulks Of the Saragossa
sea, in the mid-Atlantic. have pretty
theory about death. They believe that
those to whom the messenger comes
when, the sun is shining brightly are
transported straight away to heaven
of warm fresh water only four feet In
depth. in which they may wade and
disport themselves to all eternity. On
the other hand, those who receive the
call of death in hours Of darkness
mrst needs endure probationary Pc
riod before they can enter into the
future life. The Saragossans are in
addition firm believers in Fremont
tions, omens and denominations.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1908-03-25
Instincts Of q Woman.

A little girl who had for some time
wanted dog was taken very Ill. One
day when much better she told her
mother Of her desire and begged her
to ask her grandpa to buy her one.
The mother answered that grandpa
cid not like dogs and probably would
not be willing to buy one. Then. see
ing the little invalid look sadly disap-
pointed, she said, well, wait till you
get we'll, my dear, then we will see."
"Oh, no. answered the child. whose
few years had taught her some wis
dom. The more sick l am the more
likely he will be to buy it for me-
EXCHANGE
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1908-03-25
Hoarding.

Hoarding is not only an economic
mistake, but an economic crime as
we'll. It is, in fact. survival Of the
evil days of maladministration. 1t
comes down to US from the time when
nearly all governments were conquer
ors which considered themselves en-
titled to plunder their subjects. Thus
boarding is founded upon distrust OF
the government-Statesman, Calcutta.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1908-03-25
Notice.

All overseers of the public roads OF
Lexington county are hereby notified
to put their roads in good condition at
once. Unless this public duty is prompt
ly attended to shall be compelled to
investigate the reasons for such neglect.
GEO. H. KOON,
Supervisor Lexington County.
March 9, 1908. 4WSS
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1908-03-25
Reverse Action.

The Elder Matron-You shouldn't
mind the baby crying little. 1t
STRENGTHENS his lungs. The Younger
Matron-Oh, no doubt, but it weakens
his fathers religion so!-Indianapolis
Journal.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1908-03-25


last 200 years had paid attention to
the whims Of red headed servant
girl. where would we have been now?;
IS .'Then you are delving, are you?"
81 am. IF I can contribute anything
to the general knowledge Of the world
by a little effort on my part feel 1t
my duty to do so. l have spent very
little time in Investigating, and yet it
has not been entirely thrown away.
What wouldSWe have known Of nat
sural history If hundreds of men had
mot de1ved? But for the fact that Rev.
Mr. Long, the naturalist, has spent
years and years in the forest, would
we know that when children are lost
a wolf takes it upon himself to lead
them home? Would we have learned
/. that when a bird breaks its leg it acts
as its own surgeon by tying splints
around 1t"
''And you were helping along the
cause by looking among the bones,
bottles and cans in the back yard?"
suggested Mrs. Bowser.
4 Mr.. Bowser didn't reply for FIVE min
.utes. 1t took him all that time to
flush red and white and keep from
yelling out at her. When he had final
1y got hold with his toes on the floor
ne replied:
"If you want to know. what I was
Eout there for can tell you. There
swere some gentlemen belonging to the
Naturalist club In the Office today, and
the. question came up as to how crick-
cts passed the winter. They contend
ed that they burrowed in the earth be-
dow the frost line to reappear in May,
and contended that they died Of hun
ger and cold and that the crickets Of
next year would. be born Of eggs de-
iposited in the grass. stepped out
Into the back yard to make prelimi-
mary investigation"
"But what do you care whether
.crickets de of or not?"
Is tWhat did the world care whether
Stevenson invented his locomotive or
not? / am not caring so much for my
sell. but for the generations that are
! to come after me. The evenings have
s grown cold. We have had frosts. II
the crickets burrow they are burrow-
ing now. If they turn up their toes it
ought to be easy to find their dead
bodies In the grass"
zaShan't we run into Green's a little
while ,tonight?" she asked to change
the subject.
i"Not tonight. We can run into
Green's any time. It is still night
with touch of frost in the air. There
couldn't be a better night to investi
gate the cricket problem. If solve II
in the manner I expect to, I want te
write out my discovery and send 1t te
the daily papers. I am now going te
take a little walk and may not DC
back for an hour or two"
Every WELL" replied Mrs. Bowser tr
resigned tones, realizing that any ob
jections were useless.
Mr.. Bowser put on his fall overcoa'
and hat and took up his cane and lef
the house. AS soon as he got outside
the gate he tried to look like natu
ralist who was on the eve OF grea
discovery, but he didn't make much o.
a success at it. An old woman Came
along and stopped him and asked for
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1908-03-25
Final Discharge.

This is to notify all persons that we
will apply to the Hon. Geo. S. Drafts,
Judge of Probate for Lexington County,
South Carolina, on the 4th day OF April,
1908, for final discharge as executors
of the estate of B. F. Gardner.
Elizebeth E. Geiger,
Annie E. Geiger,
E. A. Gardner,
4W21 Administrators.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1908-03-25
WHEELWRIGHT and
BLACKSMITH SHOP

AT BERLEY & KYZER'S New
Blacksmith Shop you will find Mr.. L.
L. Long ready to give you prompt
service. All kinds of repair work,
horseshoeing, etc. Give US a trial.
Shop situated near the Berley home
stead. Marll ON
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1908-03-25
B0WsER'S LATEST.
Tries to Solve Problem What Be-
comes of crickets In Winter.
POLICE INTERRUPT HIS WORK

Queer Actions Result In His Arrest,
s and He Has to Give Up His lnvssti.
sations-Taken Home by an Officer
Under Protest.
: Icopyrisht, 1891. by 7. c. Meclure.1
When Mr.. Bowser rose up from the
] dinner table the other evening, he
passed through the kitchen into the
back yard, and after three or four
minutes the cook came In to Mrs. Bow
ser and asked:
"And can you tell me what's going
80 happen now. ma'am?"
SLOW do you mean"
"Why, Mr.. Bowser is, looking for
something in the grass out there and
lighting q match now and then. II the
gas meter is to be blown up or the
water pipes bursted, I want to get out
Of here"
She was assured that nothing in the
line OF tragedy was likely to happen.
and when Mr.. Bowser came in he was
asked if he had been hunting for q
lost pocketknife.
sIt was just a preliminary investiga-
tion." he replied.
Investigation Of what? / wish you
wouldn't be upsetting the girl with
your mysterious actions. You keep her
on the ragged edge all the time"
sMrs. Bowser, If the men who have
been detYing into the sciences for the
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1908-03-25

If you would not have af1iction
visit yob twice, listen at once to what
1t teaches. .~-Rogers.