davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-09-15
There Were Lions in tbe Nav

a huriy-burly age as your fa.hers
know" he was beginning, when all
at once a shrill scream brought me TO
my feet. It seemed to chill my blood
but Francis put OBTAINING hand on
my arm.
The old steward was chuckling at
my fright.
"A cockatoo.' said Francis, II saw a
sailor with one on the wharves-a fine
rose-colored. crested fellow. but how
he screeched,''
"Ay. ay, nodded The old man. my
| lady's pet!-and I had we'll nigh for
got-she begs you will excuse her to-
night, as she is in fail health, and she
will give welcIne tomorrow.
Have you a full garrison?" /
asked presently.
Full enough. he answered. Even
the dungeons have inmates" anG he
cnuckled again.
Prisoners" l exclaimed but it's
peace at this timer"
Horses" said Franc $. ~ dare say
you are using the underground part
for stables. Blu you must have good
many steeds to need so many stalls
The old man shook his head. THE
first guess was near the mark. but It's
not as he thinks. Prisoners in good
sooth." and he laughed good-naturedly.
William begged his young master
to permit him to sleep in his room.
Across his door," he said to me in
lowered tone. 1.-THE earl is not here,
and like to be near what have in
my charge. Faugh It's musky, queer
smell we have herel" he exclaimed
as we crossed the inner court.
Most houses had doors not over
sweet, and we had been all day in the
fresh air of the open, and our nos
trils were a bit more sensitive than
those shut within thick walls week az
ter week, so paid little heed to Will
liam's words.
Francis and William needed no rock
ing to make them sleep, but was
wakeful,--so restless. indeed, that at
last cot out Of bed and seated myself
in the deep window, watching the
scene without. Everything was plaiIy
visible in the moonshine.
Nothing was astir Yet strange
IL Use fell upon my ears, a noise with
out any disguise, but such as I had
never heard before.
Twas sort of rumble or roar, as if
from the bowels C the earth, yet with
something mister. so that my Gqlr
did and up, and my blood run cold
There was no reason TO expect evil
| was in the house of friends. AS lis
tened the sound was repeated. this
time preceded by deep erowl. that
recalled old tales of the desert. and
then I saw whence the menace came.
You must bear in mind that the
court beneath was square of light.
with a band of shadow from the wall
on one S de. saw dark object
stirring in This shaved; then dragging
a mans body. a tawny beast crept
forward in the moonlight. AS it shook
its prey. II looked like a great cat,
I had been perfectly quiet, but now
| almost cried out as Francis suddenly
laid his hand on mine. He had been
awakened by the sound, and he now
saw what I did-and more!
For he had turned away from the
savage beast, and was gazing straight
down beneath our window. Merci-
ful heaven, little tongues of fire were
leaping from the woodwork,
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-09-15
Concrete Apartmnnt Housr

The apartment house OF sewers,
stories is the solution of the house
building problem where 1t is costly
and apartment crowded, as In the
larger cities. In 10 class of buildings
are sanitary durable and freproof
features more to be desired. and no
material 50 readily lends itselr to
work of this character as cement and
concrete says Cement Age. A fine
example Of a concrete apartment
house Is the Casa Grande. New Or.
leans. The building IL truly mono.
lthic in appearance. The severe
treatment of the structure gives the
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-09-15

ever, was done late IN life. When the
Atlantic Monthly was established IN 1851.
and JAMES Russell Lowell was asked TO
become It's editor, he accepted with the
stipulation that Holmes DO secured as ole
Of the contributors The sparkling "Au.
tocrnt'' papers were the result. species
OF drafnatized essay which hrst estab.
Iished Holmes as one OF our literary
lumlnaries and nnde the Atlantic a sue
eesS He was approaching the age Of 30
when he was formally launched upon lit
eraturs. and abandoned the practice Of
medicine.
He had written couple OF papers In
1881, Just after leaving college, for the
New England Magazine. under the title
Of 1.-THE Autocrat Of the Breakfast
Table, and he revived this idea 10 his
ripper years. working II out IN most de-
nghtfui fashion. Although n bit erudite
at times for the average reader Of today
who feeds upon AIDE and DoOiey, book
sellers cen testify that the Autocrat Is
stnl steady eIier
Elsie venner.' the best known OF his
novels vas q somewhat remarkable story
OF a girl who had imbbed the nature Of
a serpent from her mothers being Bit
ten by a rsttiesnabe Another Of bis
stories. 1.-THE Guardian Angel. cost the
Atlantic many subscribers who SC ID
aRnosticism 10 the aathor
His LovnbIe Personality.
or course. these timid souls were
wrong, for Or. Holmes with all his
nationalist and scientific trend was OF
deeply religious nature. "As often as he
spoke OF religion. said Howells, his old
neighl,or, land his talk tended to IL
very often, never heard an irrellc'
word from him. far loss a SCOT or sheer
at religion" Howeils has given Us a very
attractive glimpse Of the poets loyabe
personality.
One story H0weils records Is almost NJ
characteristic rs the meeting with win
ter Henry James. the father Of our
enlyrsAtic novelist said 10 the doctor one
day: "f4oimes. you are intellectually the
most alive nan ever knew" And the
doctor retorted with zest sad frankness;
Il am, am from the crown Of my
head - the sole Of: my feet. I'm alive,
I'm alive
when he died on october 7. 1894. and
was buried from Kings Chapel two days
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-09-15

impression of a building that will
Withstand fire and time. With the
exception of the few small ornament
al details over the entrance and upon
the roof, every feature is plain and
simple and of the non-dust catching
type. This IS especially noticeable
IN the balconies. windows and corn
ice. That construction should be OF
this type Is the conviction OF many
OF the leading architects, and In this
house the theory has been put into
practice in very attractive form.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-09-15

Inter. thousands Of tongues and pens
united In pralsing him. aud nearly all
used the epithets genial" and Kindly.
One OF the most heartfelt tributes was
poem In London Punch, with these
stanzas.
The Laa Lesfl" Csn Il be trus,
We have turned H. and on you,
Friend q all
Tns, ne year, ~ last have power7
That Mes foliage and ita flowers
Fade and fal1
wss there eno who ever took
From IT. shelf by chance a bok
Prnued by you
But was fast your friend for lhs.
With refuge from It's strife
Safe and tyusi
Fyen gentle Elias self
Might bs proud 10 shars that Stsh
Leaf 10 Leaf
with q soul u kindred sut
who eouid bind strong sense ssx sport
10 sheaf
Winter tells another story Of him
about how he wrote his autograph upon
a portrai. for Winters son, and gave IL
10 the boy with the words: -'Ten--twen-
ty-perbsps even thirty years from
now somebody may be interested to
bear you soy that you received this pic
ture from the hands Of the original;
sometimes writer's are remembered even
rs long 40 that"
But we cannot afrord TO forget him
The coming Of bis centenary brings as
suraDce TINT he win be remembered
It'll time and teacups both shall be no
more"
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-09-15

02aua1S @2z<19 o%1Aec azSzz<n

~S recent volume of "reminiscences
p William Winter tells story Of Oliver
81 Wendell Holmes which reveals the
e gentle autocrat as If II were a flash
light portrait. 1t was during Winters
Boston days that they met on the Charles
River bridge. They were strangers.
though Winter knew Holmes by sight and
watched him with admiring interest.
Holmes was walking along very slowly in
a pensivs mood, his face ms grave rs
could be. when suddenly. with no appar-
ent reason, he burst .ato laughter and
bis countenance became radiant with
mirth."
1t is thus in the poems and essays upon
which Dr. Holmes fame Is founded They
breathe the quality which Matthew AR
mold called the high seriousness of alb
sol1te sincerity" yet unaccountably ami
Unexpectedly. Ike the crack of a Whit,
there comes a bright smile and breeze
OF merriment. Heine does the same thing.
but his seriousness Is bitter and his iafgi
cynical Holmes is always healthy and
happy.
Now that q hundred years have passed
since his birth--he was born August 20.
1909. in a gambrel-roofed house at Cam
bridge. torn down long ago to make more
room for the uniyersky-uow that his
centenary is upon US. people are asking
whether Holmes fame will endure or
wane. The question seems slmost ridicu-
loas. He wrote the most popular of our
patriotic poems. "old Ironsides:" the
m,st besutiful Of cur philosophical! poems.
THE Chambeeed Nautilus" and the most
perennial Of our humorous poems. THE
Deacon's Masterpiece" commonly known
as The Wonderful one-Hoss Shay. =
These alone would make bis memory
secure.
Few people who read the merry meters
Of the "One-Hoss Shay" suspect that
there Is anything more 20 II than appears
on the surface. Yet II credible critics
are to be believed, DR.. Holmes has delyed
deeply into Theological controversy with
this comic poem HIS antipsthy to Cab
whist doctrine Is apparent throughout bis
works although his father had been an
orthodox Congregational clergyman, and
the zone HOss shay was q symbolic
presentation u how the impreguabIe logic
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-09-15

Ella F. Mosby in Springfield Repub.
Membranes awoke with laughter
on his lips, and we are both singing
cavalier songs before the sun was up,
though We could hardly have been
kicked out of bed another dayl The
war was not over, but there was a
truce; and we. being young, were
sent home to recruit in bodily
strength and Gods grace after our six
months experience of war.
I'VE need BOTH" cried TO my
cousin Francis. who was arranging
his love-lock before round mirror
in the tents corner.
He laughed in answer, but William
Cunliffe, his fathers trusted body
servant, the leader of our htt.e band
of troopers, groaned a fervent assent
and grizzled soldier muttered. ""ris
bad sign, this Laughing before sun
rise"
Lions in the wayi" Knocked Fran
els. merr.ly. Lions in. the Streets as
the man in p oyerbs saith" and he
laughed again.
Il would like /. as well if our jour
ney were done" said Cunliffe. and
there's no harm in that, Master Fran
cis!'
IF We don't cease prating, it will
never again" l cried, leaping into my
saddle-most of the men were already
mounted-and Frsncis quickly fol-
lowed. A fair day It was, and merry
Of heart were we both, singing
snatches of roundelays,' and making
such clatter, bustly and stir a gay
young life that all who were awake
envied us as we rode. Our master
less men that infested he highroads,
draw one side, and let us go by, I'M
hindered. No doubt they thought
their erranGs would fare better-if,in-
deed, they had any-for not meddling
with ours.
Meadows and feds were full of mu-
sic. Little green lime and fieldfares
sang from the tall weeds, and sky
larks dubbed with melody overhead.
I had been well content to ride on
when at evening we reached the
woods, and the silver moon began to
rise through the oak bous his before us.
Blu Francis was of another mind, and
so were the men with him. They want
ed warm supper and easy beds, and,
indeed, our horses deserved their
rest in stables, so / did not urge my
unwillingness to go on.
But no inn was near. The wood
land we had entered belonged to the
Bolton estate.
why no go to the castle, Master
Francis? ?" suggested Cunliffe. with the
privilege of a long-trusted servant.
'My lord, your father, loveth the earl
right we'll. Never would he pass by
such a friends door, were it noon in
stead of night, and look you, sir, here
is the road that leads straight to a
welcomed"
q mistrust me the earl is absent"
said Francis, but we will try his
lady's Kindness" and so we turned
into abroad avenue of oaks. above
which We could see the strong. square
tower of a massive pile.
There seemed to be a good deal OF
military serictness, which thought
natural, the lord absent, and the old
steward having the lady and her twin
babes and castle under his charge.
He was most respectful at the name
Of Freemantle. and beered pardon for
a somewhat slow admittance.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-09-15
where we had imagined ourselves

where we had imagined ourselves
safe.
We barely escaped dropping our
guns as We ran-every man-jack OF
us-and Ralph at our head, toward
the nearest steps that had led up
the walls into a turret or hooded
chamber for shooting. We scrambled
up breathlessly making the door
fast behind US when the las, one was
inside.
How many be..sts are there -
asked Francis. wrathfully ITS a
bit wiser to know whether you are
stalking a pair, or a few dozen"
THE collection has dwindled down
to a pair" said Ralph. The earl
has added nought because of the
wars"
You need not make excuses 10
me-" and Francis laughed. "But,
hush, the creature gets our seent!"
The lion. for this was the male
beast that so nearly surprised us,
had moved out into the open court,
raising his great head and shifting
he air.
Never have seen a more magniH-
cent beast. His massive head ana
jaws. his powerful legs. his tawny
name. made him look indeed a mon
arch,-but ! should have chosen the
wide space of the desert between. usi
He was Lot excited like the lioness.
who had lashed her tai nervously.
while she uttered purring growl
over the prey, He. on the contrary.
looked around him with perfect calm
ness.
After few moments, during which
we hardly dared breathe, he BEGAN
to roar in most curious fashion,
putting his head close to the ground,
as if to belch forth the sound.
Eve must shoot now" said Gun
life, and Francis fred. The great
brute leaped into the air and such
a leap!
We all drew back in alarm. feel.
ing as if another such spring might
land him among us. But he Tell to
the earth dead, or almost dead. /
saw the great limbs twitch once or
twice as he lay outstretched.
Until this shot had been fred we
had heard no sound excep; the roar
of the loud clamor from the wolf and
staghounds in the kennels, and we
heard the plunging and whinnying OF
the teri fed horses.
Are the stable doors well barred? p"
questioned Ralph. for / could hear
the shrill call OF my own mare
Brown Maid, and l feared lest she
should get loose and into the court
yard, where the lioness urged now
in the shadow Brown Maid would
look for her master, | knew well. if
it seemed to her there were trouble
abroad. I never knew whether she
wished most to protect me or be pro.
tected but believe it was both.
When the big lion did not stir +
could see his mate rise her head
from her prey and look toward h m.
Then she crept warily forth. and
stood behide him. stopping to Hex
him and to moan over him in most
strange and pitiful manner.
But pity as we might, We must
end our work, for her moaning has
changed mo threatening growl
She stretched her neck toward the
gate. as II smelling something.
"She seeks for u.s." whispered
Ralph.
mo. not is my mare" As |
feared the slender, beautiful Great
ure had cast off her halter and
broken out of the stables. She
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-09-15

But it was a comfort to have Frank
beside me. l threw OF the numbing
sensation of sudden terror, and tried
to wake Cunliffe. no easy job. He had
his wits about him as soon as he took
in the situation. That's the stewards
prisoner and Frank smiled grimIy.
No doubt the beast was kept in the
dungeon" Yet those flames look like
some foul work. said Cunlife, and his
couatenance changed. There's always
private grudge and greed for plu4der
10 set treachery on foot. I'll give the
alarm, and / pray heaven We I've not
caught in an enemys trapr'
Yet when he ran out, cry1sg Fire!
Firel" the whole house was still.
Doors had only begun to open, and
people to run TO and fro as we tried to
find our way to the stewards chamber.
A lady stopped US, both babes in her
arms. to beg US 10 save them. and
Cunliffe left Francis and me with her
t II he could hold some counsel with
the old man.
Twas but a few moments before
both came, and the steward reported
drawbridge up and gates shuttle
key were at his belt--and no sound Of
any force without. II looked as if there
might be soon as the secret foe inside
though so soon as the lady heard the
fire had broke GU near the lions quar-
tiers she cried out, as if she had the
c'ew:-
Where is the beast tanner? He
vowed to me he would not go down
lone?"
"Ay' said the steward my lady
has hit the nail. Poor old Martin,
He must have had another fit ard
dropped his lantern in his fall, and
so the fire hath got QUIT"
The countess wrung her hands.
"Ah, but the fire is foe enough with
in the castle! Who can put ii out
with the wild beasts in the court?
All, my poor babes!"
Madam said Francis, very gal
lantly, "be not afraid. We will shoot
the lions and your men shall put on
the fire. The long rains have
soaked the timbers wen. my lady.
ard all the cisterns are full. II you
will go back to the shelter of your
chamber, and let your women attend
you, all shall go we'll"
"All shall go well" repeas ed Fran
els with a fresh. gay vice, fun of
ta.nty, that eomforted my lady's
fears much.
We left Peer Thacher, the stew
ard, to see alb 1ut the fire, only ask.
ing for some lad who knew the pas
sages and sta:rways to guide us. a
biithe-look boy, Ralph by name,
my lady's page volunteered to serve
us, and We quickly got our weapons
in good condition.
One of the women called to US
that we had best take burning
orches to keep off the beasts, but
William thought the black shadow
of the wall was a better covert
Crouch low. Master Francis, and
let US take the brute unawares,' he
whispered
"Cunliffe i would send you to aid
the steward if could make you go!"
laughed Francis, very low, and
with some vexation in his tone ed
ward and / are enough for this job"
Maybe So Master Francis" ans
wered Cunliffe very respectfully. for
he was taking his own way, "but It's
not the lion I am tracking"
"Ah, but he is tracking us!" sud
denly cried Ralph In a hoarse fright
cred voice, pointing to two glaring
eyes that shone upon us in the rear
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-09-15

Now that ! have my monoplane
running smoothly" remarked the
aerial crank, 'Fd like TO build fac.
tory and turn out individual wings by
the hundred. Then I'd present them
to every one free OF charge
you are getting generous these
days" continued his friend
"Oh, no, am pining for sport. II is
no fun whizzing around IN the air at
q mile a minute when there Is no one
TO run down"
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-09-15

~URoPE is experimenting with COZ
- crete boats, yet Baltimore. Nd. has
- already demonstrated them. A eon-
crete smiling vessel has been In operation
for II years there. The boat Is known
as the Gretchen and Is owned by Daniel
u. Banks. consulting engineer OF the Fire
Board. The boat Is two-masted
schooner yacht. IS feet long and with a
i8-foot beam. II draws IA feet Of water.
The vessel belongs to the nest OF the
Baltimore Yacht Club end I. has ae-
commodations for al least ~ passengers
II Is claimed that the concrete ls iust as
buoyant as steel The stone boat" has
been as far North as the Hudson Bay
country. Tot long ago the boat was
driven on the rocks. but Il survived.
where steel boat would have been
stove Ia
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-09-15
To Preserve Railroad Records.

The Pennsylvania Railroad com.
pany has under construction an in,
aovation In the shape of a iireproor
building Cor the preservation of papers
and documents of value. says Cement
Age. Through frequent fires in com
bust.ble structures valuable records
have been lost and Il Is the purpose
to guard against this bv storing them
in an absolutely frenroof structure.
II is announced that the building VIII
be reinforced concrete. This is recog
milton of the nreproof properties OF
concrete from a high source, as the
skilled eng neers of the great railway
companies are always upon the look,
ont for materials representing the
highest economy and durability. The
record OF concrete in actual fires is
such that II Is not surprise to lind
it selected for the purpose described
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-09-15

knows, II is true. that there Is differ
enee in cattle. md would tell you that ne
prefers the sirioin breed. His children
are equally uneniightened; they know
no more Of the roultryyard than what
they have learned by having the chicken
pox and playing on a Turkey carpet.
Their small knowledge II wooi-growing
ia lamlb)eBtatle.'
His First Famous Peem.
II may serve 10 excuse Or. Holmes
that Shakespeare was just as fond Of
punning. and even the grave philosopher,
Bacon, declared himself 20 be- descended
from 'Og, king OF Basban--an argument
the B2conisns have overlooked hitherto
In their efforts to Ehow that Bacon wrote
Shakespeare DR.. Holmes. as We have
seen. could be serious enough upon oc.
cssion. and bis FIRST famous poem was an
appeal 20 patriotic pride,
Edward Everett Hale, who died only
few months ago. recalled how, a. a lit
tie boy at school. be used 70 spout the
lines:
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-09-15
lNrEREsTlNa ans.

That pear tree vic. which Count
Zeppelin's arship lately came into
collision has been sold to an ehonst
Of Stuttgart, This artist proposes
to work the tree up and sell he
articles as souvenirs OF the event
in the form Of backs for books, pin
--.~"- aud "niars Counterfehs OF
=. 49,. -.-.-g.. are already in shn
market.
Waterways in Alaska navigabla 10y
steamers aproxh.: ate 1890 miles, o.
= dch nearly 200 are in the water.
vhed OF the Yukon river.
There are over 100000 automo
biles in use in the United States
more than double the number in al
Europe.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-09-15
Nsil e The mast her holy 6as.
Spread esery threadbars ssii.
And give her 20 the god q storms,
The lightning and the Esiei

All the boys Of Boston knew the song
by heart which had saver "old Iron
sides from dsstruction. Tba pet name
had been given T. the frignte Consti-
tuition, which had been bHilt st Boston
and brought many prizes into Boston
harbor. In September, 1870. the Boston
Advertiser printed note that the Navy
Department intended 20 break MP the
old ship a. unit for service Holmes,
Just q years Of age, read the paragraph
and hast y penclled the poem, which was
printed In the Advertiser the next day.
II focused the popular ciamor for the
preservation Of the famous naval relic,
and two years ago the writer found "Od
Ironsides" stiIl well preserved, 10 the
chariestowu Navy Yard. az spiek and
soar as a new pin. aHording q graphic
contrast TO the modern symored cruisers
lying alongside.
Most OF Holmes literary work. how
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-09-15

She--An ancestor Of mine slew SOC
people in battle, all with his big right
arm.
He-Pnoh, that's nothing My
grandfather was a famous surgeon
Royal Magazine