davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1908-12-04
WHALE GUNS.
How They Originated and When They
Were First Used.

The first attempt to use. guns in
the capture of whales was made as
long ago as 1891. As the reader
knows, the warships of that period
carried swivels as we'll as great
guns, the swivels being small can
non having a bore of something
like an inch in diameter. They
were called swivels because they
were mounted on universal joint.
or swivel, by means of which they
could be pointed in any desired d.
rcction. Some bright man-o'-war
sailor conceived the idea of using
them to kill whales. The weapon
that was then developed consisted
Of a stont barrel, perhaps thirty
inches long. that was supplied with
wooden stock which was pivoted
in an iron fork rising from the bow
a common whaleboat. The pro-
lcctile was a short. two barbed har-
pooh, the shank of which was ex-
pended a short distance above the
h2rbS until it fitted comfortably
within the bore of the gun. The
cXnanded part of the shank was
slotted, and "A ring was made to
Side to and fro within the slot.
Ia this ring the harpoon line was
<ceurcl
In loading this gun a charge Of
loose powder was poured into the
barrel, a wad inserted and ram.
ned home with the butt end Of the
harpoon, the harpoon remaining.
Of course. within the barrel, ready
for the shot, As the harpoon was
pressed home the ring naturally
S!:l along the slot and finally rested
against the muzzle Of the gun. The
gun was fred by means of flint
lock that was inclosed within a
metal case 10 protect it from the
living spray. OF course when the
gun was fred the ring slid along
TIE slot in the harpoon until il
brought up against the butt; then
it dragged out the line.
This swivel was used with some
80 no permanent success. Aiming
vas difficult while the boat was
r"";ag and plunging over the
waves, and with lack Of accuracy
came the danger Of firing the har-
noon into another boat instead of
the whale. Moreover, the loose
powder was often wetted. and the
gun became useless at the moment
when j. vas needed most.-Forest
and Stream.
The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1908-12-04

4 .trang" ease ha. ju.t occurred
ut Pprthcaal. showing the cG'"t of
the imagination in cap-n, dnra~c
and cure. A professional man on u
visit there took out hi. four fnIsr
teeth while shaving. but, forgetting
the fact and failing to find them
later. suddenly concluded that hc
must have swallowed them arcldrn.
tally. At once he began 70 suffer
pains. A doctor wa. sent for. 10
"hom he Described biz aeonies
Emetj"s we're administered. but in
vain. and the torture. mad" IN
twist his body ronvul-iycIy Then
a m"1I hro3cht. T." t"c'h. @tjt'l hqd
dromsel b"t.n' 'to dro.~1.., ,a' e.
III! .r 'a>'g ~. rain. ora."I. o.
I.ondon Mail.
The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1908-12-04
ALMSGIvlNG.
The Law In Europe at One Time
Made IL a Crime.

l - -
The secretary of the Londor
Mendieity society reports thai
street begging is on the increase
lie has statistics to prove his words
of course, but he claims that indis
criminate almsgiving is crime.
1t is interesting to recall that a
code of European law in force fol
centuries did actually make aims.
giving a crime, always punished Sc
verely, with death in certain cases.
But this was 1000 years ago, be-
fore the dawn of our happy civ
iliaation. 1t must be confessed.
however, that there was an appear
ance of common sense about the IA
nous Graias code, which ruled
Norway, Iceland and much of Eng
land doubtless in its time.
1t began by laying down strict
rules to make each family support
its own INDECENT members or to
show sufficient cause for the failure
This is the essential principle of a
sound system of poor relief, which
we have suffered to lapse under the
direction of progress. Having thus
provided for the respectable class
Of paupers, as it may be put brief
ly, the legislator could deal firmly
with rowing mendicants and their
abettors. And he did.
1t is worth while to observe. low
ever, that the family pauper had a
guardian or trustee. appointed hy
the district council, who was re-
sponsible for his decent subsistence.
If this man did not fulfill his latr
Or tried to escape it he incurred the
terrible penalty called exclusion
confinement in his house for three
years. ANY one who found HIM
outside was free to kill him.
They stood no nonsense in those
days. An ablcbodied person who
begged was Observation-Disclosures to
a sentence of death. And any one
proved to have been wandering for
fifteen days without visible means
Of subsistence was held TO be by
gar within the meaning of the
act" and treated accordingly. Eut
the clause most interesting To IL
was that which decrcad that any
man, whatever his station. who
gave money or moneys worth to a
vagrant, at the district assembly or
on his way thithcr. sEoold be n
ished with exclusion. The erin" Of
almsCiving was we'll understood in
those days. Perhaps | should aid
that the Grajas code was officially
promulgated in 11lG. But it had
been in force, as the preamble de-
clares. for centuries. - Pail Mali
Gazette.
The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1908-12-04

Shepherd Concluding tale Of b..
reayementl--Sae a gied her Some
o that wee bottle that We lcf'
vest're'en, an she just slippit avn
at fowcr o'clock the morn.
Doctor--Dcar. doar' I'm YER
sorry 10 hear that.
Shepherd Uhourhtf3lly) - FL
man do"tor. isna il q mairry f.
didna TAX any o the wee bottle
masel'f-punch.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20
MORE APPLES NEEDED.
Radical Changes Called for in the
Management of Orchards.

From Horticulture.
Radical changes are necessary IN lhe
culture of apples on this continent or
the United States and Canada VIII be
forced in a few years 10 import apples
instead of exporting them. If 1t had
not been for the enormous crops IN l1e
orchards of the Pacific and northwestern
states and provinces this year an apple
famine would have resulted.
Many of the middle western and east
ern states reported small yields this
season. due to failures in numerous in
stances, but generally because of pests.
Orchards have been neglected. and IN
scores of places the trees have been per-
mitted to die because of the lack of even
ordinary attention.
In 1896 the total product of the crop
of the country was 69,UIO,O0O barrels, or
III 675, $50 bushels. Since then hundreds
of thousands of acres have been added
and met hods of fruit growing have I'M
proved, yet the government reports snow
that the aggregate crop in all the states
In the Union was not more than 2',Wo,OOo
ba rrels. or g. 500 GOO bushels, i'll 1908.
There will always be markets Tor ap-
pl3s. There never can be an overproduc-
ton of frst-class stock. 1t is. in fact, inn
possible at the present time TO produce
the quantity of good apples requisite TO
meet the demand. This is evidenced by
the fact that England, Germany. France,
Denmark Australia and the orient are
already drawing upon the orchards IN
Washington, Idaho, oregon and British
Columbia
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20
SEED OF THE VIOLET.
Flower Blooms Twice in a Season
Its Explosive Pod.

From the st. Louis Globe Democrat
The common wild violet affords one OF
the most remarkable illustrations of the
care and apparent forethouGht OF nature
in preserving a species. AS everybody
knows, the violet grows in the shade in
pastures woods and fields where the grass
is abundant and long? 1t comes up early
in the spring and flowers at time when
the grass is most abundant and succuent
OF course it is liable to be cut down by
the scythe. but much more likely is it to
be bitten off by grazing animals.
The violets that come in the spring
either do not seed at all or very sparingly
SO that if the plant relied on its spring
flowers for seed it would probab bly, perish
off the earth in very few years.
But in the late fall the plant bears an
other crop of blossoms that are never seen
save by the professional botanist. They
are very small, utterly insignificant i'm APP
pearance. and grow either just at or below
the surface of the ground. These are the
flowers which produce the seeds for the
next season. The flowers on long stems
blooming in spring are only for show; the
hidden flowers are for use. and the num-
Der of seeds they bear may be judged
from the ease with which a wild violet bed
spreads.
When the seeds are ripe the pod ex-
plodes, scattering them to a considerable
distance often TO 10 or IL feet from the
parent plant, so that in spite of its boast
ed modesty the violet not only takes care
of itself, but becomes a troublesome ag-
greSSOr.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20
Making Good Indians"
From Uarpcr's Weekly

From lIarpcrs Weekly.
The greatest difficulty. and that most
essentia! TO overcome, Hes in training the
Indian to work and to habits of indie
pendeEce. Great success along these
lines has been achieved by Mai Rev
nolds, the agent in the Crow country.
who has converted n tribe OF wandering
tent dweliers into prosperous farmers He
called the tribe together and. much as one
narrating a fairy story, told them of the
down east county fair-the horse racing.
the creased pig and the slippery pole. The
curiosity of the Indians was aroused \
down-east fair was organized. and then
Maj. Reynolds craftily suggested the agri-
cultural feature. 4 spirit Of emulation
in the production OF prize pumpkins
aroused: an agricultural society was
organized On the occasion OF :ha indus
trial fair Of September. 1895. hundreds OF
Indians from different tribes assembled.
There were thirty or more entries in the
contest for farm teams In the driving
team competition Chief Plsnty-coos vas
beaten by squaw. Now tie Crows have
an agricultural hall. pig and poultry
building and stock stable and the fair
is cherished institution
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20
Mind Other Peoples Business?

From the Atlantic Monthly
| am not one of those who insist that
everybody should mind his own business;
that is too harsh doctrine. One of the
rights and privileges of q good neiehbor
is 10 give neighborly advice. But there
is corresponding right on the part o. the
adyisee and that Is TO take no more of
the advice than I've thinks is good for him
There is one thing that a man knows
about his own business better than any
outsider. and that is how hard il is for
him TO do il. The adviser IS always tell
ing him how To do il in the finest possible
WAY. while he. poor fei ow. knows tina.
tie paramount issue is whether he can
do il al all. II requires some CTarn on
tie part az a person who is doing The best
he can under extremely difficult .irrur,-
stances I" accept cheerfullj the remarks
OF tho intelligent critic.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20
A Quaint Christmas Custom.
acob A. Rils. in the Century.


Blowing in the yule from the grim Old
tower that has stood 500 years against the
blasts Of the North sea was one Of the
customs Of the old town that abide, how
ever 1t fares in the Nisse: that / know.
At s,n-up, while yet the people were at
breakfast. the town band climbed the
many steep ladders to the top OF the tow
er. and up there. in fair weather or foul
and sometimes it blew great guns from
the wintry sea-they played four old
hymns one to each corner of the COM
pass. So that no one was forgotten. They
always began with Luther's sturdy chal-
lenge. "a Mighty Fortress is Our God"
while down below We listened devotedly
There was something both weird and
beautiful about those PARKWAY strains
in the early morning light Of the northern
winter. something that was not of earth
and that suggested to my child's imagi-
nation the angels songs on far Judean
hills. Even now, after all these years,
the memory Of it does that 1t could
not have been because the music was so
rare, for the band was made up of small
storekeepers and artisans. who thus turn
ed an honest penny on festive occasions.
anonymously enough, l think the town
official mourner. who babe people to
funerals. was one OF them. 1t was like
the burghers' guard, the colonel of which
I've thought him at least a general, be-
cause Of the huge brass sword he traied
when he marched at the head of his men
was the town tailor. a very small but
very martial man. But whether or no,
il was beautiful. l have never heard
music since that so moved me. When the
last strain died away came the big bells,
with their deep voices that sang far out
over field and heath, and our yiile was
fairly under way.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20
SCOT as a Buoyant.
From the Pathfinder.

Toh Tue iatnnnOer.
A new life preserver which is now at
tracing a good deal of attention has for
one of it's Distinguishing features great
deal of SCOT 1t consists of two cushions
filled with a preparation, OF which the
chief ingredient is SCOT, and these are
attached to each other by side straps.
One cushion rests on the chest the other
across the shoulders, and the connecting
straps lie under the arms. 1t is claimed
that the new device does away with the
awkward tendency of the older belt to
make the wearer turn turtle, and that a
person using it cannot possibly lose his
perpendicular position in the water. Sim
plicity, ease of adjustment and great
buoyancy are also claimed for the new
belt. The weight of the apparatus is be-
tween six and seven pounds and practi-
cal demonstrations of its usefulness have
been given before the British admiralty.
AS described in dispatches from London,
the belts were strapped to the waists of
nine sailors, some of whom could not
swim. and at a given signal they jumped
into the water together. Each was. en-
Joined to remain motionless. with his
hands above his head, in order to show
that it was possible to keep af1oat and in
an upright position. In spite of heavy
swell, the experiments We're regarded as
highly satisfactory.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20
The Vulgate.

From the London Globe.
Last year the pope decided that the time
had arrived for thorough revision of
the Latin translation of the Bible. Ac-
cordingiy the Benedctine Order was au-
thorized to undertake the task. which Is
row being carried out. Since the day
when ST. Jerome first produced his trans
Iation of the Scriptures, several revisons
have been made by learned bodies which
have added if anything. to the confusion
of words and meaning. Thus the present
commission is charged by the pope 10
spare neither time nor expense in en-
dcavoring % arrive. if possible at the
Or Sinal translation. Al a meeting OF the
Rib'iocra phical Society tho other day the
president of the revision commission read
paper setting forth the need for such a
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20

revision. as also the progress already
made. The task is a laudab BILE one, and
wish the laborerS all success. But
given the most perfect and authentic
translation of the Bible. all is useless I'M
less the teaching is in accordance there
with Today half the scriptural errors
which people indulge in are due to the
youthful impressions acquired from nur-
sery picture books. which, as a rule, are
entirely wrong. Who has not seen the
picture OF the ark poised OH the apex of
Mount Ararat or of Absolom suspended
by his hair to Il tree? Both may be cor
rect accounts OF what actually took place.
but the Bible most certainly does not say
so. The Bible picture books might we'll
be revised with advantage.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20
One Kind of Sunday Newspaper.

II spent cents for the Sunday Dart
l piled the sections upon the floor. till
they reached as high as the kitchen door;
l hung the chromos upon the wall, though
there wasn't room to hang them all, and
the yard was Uttered some ten feet deep
with comic sections that made one weep;
and there were sections of pink and
green. woman's section and ma gazine,
and sheets of music the which, if played,
would make an audience quickly fade;
and there We're patterns for womens
gowns and also for gentlemens hand-ine-
downs: and a false mustache and a rub
Der doll and deck OF cards and a para
sol. Now men are busy with dray and
cart a-hauling away The Sunday Dart !"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20
Peppermint Farms.
the MINNEAPOLIS Journal

tNt MIHIltHDCIlS JOUfnAI.
The worlds peppermint is grown on
peppermint farms in the neighborhood
OF Kalamazoo Over 100000 pounds of
peppermint oil. worth S. a pound, is pro-
duced annually from the moist and ink
black soil of southwestern Michigan
Peppermint farming is simple The
roots are planted in the spring: the
bushes. which are about three feet high.
are cut down in the late summer; the
sitting goes on through August and
September.
An acre yields about twenty-five pounds
OF oil. The cost of this production
planting. wedding. stilling-is about $15.
The oil itself brings S125 Thus every
acre OF a peppermint farm gives a profit
of $40.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20

already long list OF mechanical con-
frlvanccS on the market. Nor only has
he invented an axle brake which has
many merits. but like the practical man
he has proved himself to he is consid-
erins the advisahility OF giving his fe-
low automobilists the benefit of lis de-
vice and of placing this for considera-
ton at their disposal. Germany has.
next 10 France. the largest export Of
cars, sending abroad siXty-tive millions
and half TO Englands twenty-eight.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20

drive wheel. This automobile is easily
convertible. the runners being substituted
for the wheels. while the driving wheel
is secured to the running gear. Naturally
the spikes in the driving wheel afford
firm hold Oil the hard snow. while the
runners glide smoothly over the surface.
It is claimed that less power is required
to propel automobile thus equipped
than when travelling on wheels over
smooth road.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20
AUTO FOR SLEIGHING.
Attachment for Quickly Converting
Wheels Into Runners.

The automobile enthusiast who mas cx-
changed his horses for a gasoline car will
be unable to en- Joy the sport of sleigh
riding when the snow arrives once more.
Automobiles will not travel over snow
bound streets and roads. He would do
well to equip his car with an ttachmant
recently patented by a Brooklyn inventor
and shown IN the Illustration. This con-
sists of a detachable substructure. con-
sistnE of pairs of runners and a spiked
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20
Both Away From Temptation.

rom lit-EitS.
A story is told Of a west country
bishop who rebuked the sporting parson
for his hunting proclvities. Il hear
you go fox hunting good deal he
observed one Gay. You ought not to
do this: there is plenty of work To be
accomplished III the parish But"
protested the vicar, fox hunting is
merely healthy exercise: besides. / hear
you were at a ball the other night" In
sense that is So. replied the bishop,
but. truly speaking. I was three or four
rooms away from the ballroom.
The vicar smiled and then retorted: II
am always three or four fields behind
the fox, so what's The difference?
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20

which an electric current is passed Such
magnets are much more powerful than
the ordinary permanent magnet and are
designed to give almost any pull desired
The accompanying illustration shows a
new form Of eye magnet invented by an
Ohio man. The magnet is made with a
U-shaped core. the points of which con-
verge until they are very close together
enabling the instrument to be brought to
bear on the injured surface Immediately
over the particle to be extracted
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20
ELECTRICAL EYE MAGNET.
Used for Extracting Substances I'm
bedded in the Eyeball.

Foreign particles OF magnetic sub
stances are difficult to extract from the
eye, as they are usually sharp metallic
substances which work in rather than
out. Magnets are used to advantage in
extracting iron filings and the like which
are embedded in the eyeball. What are
known as electric magnets are now being
used for this work-that is. magnets
which are wound with wire, through
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20
Up-to-the-M Minute Romance.
From Punch.

"Will you be my true love-" he asked.
No she replied: but | am perfectly
willing TO be your affinity"
Then he gave her q soul-kisS and the.
lived happily for Il year. The only difl-
Guilty now is the adjustment OF the ali
mony.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20
Kaiser Invents Auto Brake.

The kasCr's latest occupation for
leisure moments is tho devisirg nf cfii-
cient brahinG apparatus, and in this at
tempt il is stated he has added to the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20

men, who shall develop the boys mind
and character, and send him forth into
life properly equipped for the battle
that inevitably awaits him.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20

II frequently happens nowadays that the
prodfGa' sou returns Ia his home for the
express purpose of inviting the old man
out 10 first-class square meal.-Puck.
The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1908-06-26
FULLY NOURISHED
Grape-Nuts q Perfectly Balanced Food.

No chemists analysis of Grape
Nuts can begin to show the real value
of the food-the practical value as
shown by personal experience.
1t is a food that is perfectly bal
anced, supplies the needed elements
of brain and nerves in all stages OF
life from the infant, through the
strenuous times of active middle life,
and is a comfort and support in old
age.
For two years have used Grape
Nuts with milk and little cream, for
breakfast. | am comfortably hungry
for my dinner at noon.
Il use little meat, plenty OF veget-
ables and fruit, in season, for the
noon meal. and if tired at tea time,
take Grape Nuts alone and feel per-
fectly nourished.
Nerve and brain power, and men,
DRY are much improved since using
Grape-Nuts am over sixty and
weigh 1916 lbs. My son and husband
seeing how | had improved, are now
using Grape-Nuts.
My son, who is travelling man,
eats nothing for breakfast but Grape
Nuts and a glass of milk. An aunt,
over 10, seems fully nourished on
Grape-Nuts and cream" There's
Reason"
Name given by Postum Co., Battle
Creek. Mich. Read The Road to
MELVILLE" in pkgs.
Ever read the above letter? A new
one appears from time to time. They
are genuine, true, and full of human
interest.
The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1908-06-26
Wear Your Troubles Inside.

Many a man gets into the habit OF
carrying his troubles in his face. Inc
eyes tell it, the droop of the nI
speaks it, the bowed head declares 1t
the very grip of the hand reveals 1t
and the football is full of it. He has
run up the flag at half-mast, and ne
carries it everywhere, so that his
whole little world, is compelled te
know his sorrow. :,
Is this natural?' Possibly. is II
wise? Probably not. Is it far =:
Surely not. Is it sign OF weakness
Undoubtedly it is.
Is there better way? Surely
there is. First, a man must make
I'D his mind to expect his share OF
trouble, and perhaps a little more
Then he should make up his mind te
bear his trouble manfully, i. e., with
patience, with courage and with hope
The world has enough trouble OF It's
own; let us not add to its burden! Ii
should be the aim of every Christian
man and woman to become strong
and when strength is won to use tina,
strength in bearing the burdens OF
others. Every sorrow mastered, ev,
cry burden borne inside instead OF
outside, makes us stronger, and leaves
the world brighter.
Learn to smile, get the habit OF it;
learn to- sing, make it 'also habit;
and you will be surprised how much
brighter it makes the world. not only
to others, but to yourself. The smile
and the song lesson the burden and
light the way.-Christian Guardian.