davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-01-17
THE MTCH's CURSE.
A 5uekspert Legend Of Colonial Days
In Maine.

- @NNFN~NNsN M@N4NNN ~ -
In Maine.
Close by the road on the outskirts oi
the old seaport town Of BuckSport, on
the Penobscot river, IL a small family
cemetery. Within Its lnclosurc sleep
the Bucks. the blue bloodcd folk who
first settled the town and bedueathed
It their name and a legend.
The largest and most conspicuous
monument IN the cemetery Is tall
granite shaft, which is In plain sight ot
the highway On one side Is the In
scription: col John Buck, the Founder
of Bucksport. A. d. 1862, Born IN
Haverhill. Mass. i7tS Died March Is
1905"
On the other side Is the single word
Buck" and also something not
wrought by the marble worker. On
the smooth surface Of the pedestal Is
curious outline, which can be easily
imagined to be a foot Of normal sire.
The people who say that II is a foot
believe in the legend which has Oft
been told In BuckBport.
The story is that Colonel Jonathan
Buck was a very harsh man and the
leading spirit in his day and genera
tion. He was the highest In civll au-
thority. and his word was law IN the
community in which he resided He
was an out and out Puritan. and to
him witchcraft was the incarnation Of
blasphemy Thus, so the story goes.
when certain woman was accused Of
witchcraft, at the first cIamorlngs Of
the populace Colonel Buck ordered that
she be imprisoned, and later she was
sentenced to be executed as a witch.
The execution day came, and the
woman went to the gallows, curslng
her judge with such terrible words
that the people shuddered, but the
magistrate stood unmoyed. All was
ready. and the hangman was about to
perform his duty, when the woman
turned to Colonel Buck, and, raising
one hand toward heaven, she said:
Jonathan Buck, listen to these
words, the last my tongue shall utter
It is the spirit Of the only living God
which bids me speak to you. You VIII
soon die, and over your grave they will
erect stone, that all may know the
spot where your bones lie and cEumble
to dust.
Upon that stone the imprint Of my
foot shall appear. and for all time, aft.
er your aecursed race has vanished
from the face Of the earth, win the
people from far and near know that
you murdered a woman"
She then turned to her executioners,
and another act Gansplred to make a
part Of American colonial history. The
witch curse" had been almost forgot
ten until the monument was erected TO
the founder Of Bucksport.
It had been In position hardly
month when a faint outline was dlscov-
cred on II. 1t grew more and more dis
tinet, until some person made the dis
covery that It was the outline OF a
foot. The old legend was revived.
They said that the "witch's curse"
had been fulfilled, An attempt was
made to remove the stain, but every
effort only tended to make 1t palmer.
The imprint Of the foot IL there today
as plain as ever Amateur photogra-
piers have taken pictures Of 1t, and a
visit to the Buck cemetery to see the
"witch's foot' is one Of the pastlmes Of
every summer visitor to the pretty lit
tie toWn.--New York World.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-01-17

Out Of the din OF controversary
over the proposed change came the
charge Of two Of the Posts local news
pepper contemporaries that Mr.. Nc
Leans organ, in its fight on the Dis
trict Commissioners, was exploiting
a personal spite because those gentle
men had. at the last session of Com
gress, strongly advocated cheaper gas
Tor Washington. This charge was
supplemented BY the assertion that
what Mr.. Mclean really aimed at was
not 50 much a change Of government
as it was desire to overshadow the
gas question, which came nearer to
hitting his pocketbook, with agitation
seemingly in the peoples interests
There are those citizens who accepted
that version as gospel, and there are
others who, not doubling an uiterior
motive on the part Of the gas mag
nate, nevertheless desired change Of
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-01-17
Washington Letter

promises 10 take the form Of a mighty
protest to Congress, This opposition
becomes clear to outsiders when they
understand the character OF some Of
the forces behind the agitation for 4
change
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-01-17

may always be expected from a square
dealer We deal in Squares and every
other essential for Carpenter, Stone
Mason, Plumber or other handicraits.
man. And the Tools we sell are all
on the square, accurate, strongly
made and Of the very best and most
reliable materials, All trades sup
piled with all necessary Tools. Also,
we carry general Hardware lines Of
the best qualities at the most salts
factory prices
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-01-17

While there are many citizens Of
the District Of Columbia who would
welcome most anything in the form
of change from their existing gov
ernment, it is extremely doubtful if
anything approaching a majority
would agree 10 manhood suffrage,
with all that it implies in a commun-
ity Of $4,000 persons, one third Of
whom are negroes, The very weight
Of this opposition to the suffrage mo-
vement, therefore. augurs well for the
perrnanency of the present commits
sion system, despite the seemingly
urgent Recommendation Of President
Roosevelt that the form be changed.
II it doubtful, too, if the Presidents
plan Of substituting one man power,
were it framed into a bill and intro
duced in Congress, would enjoy
legislative shoals, the proposal to ef-
feet change has become so repug-
nant to large class Of influential
Washingtonians that their opposition
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-01-17

The Morning Asiorian contains all
the local and Associated Press re-
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-01-17

WASHINGTON, Jan, lS.--Presi-
dent-elcct Taft's recent statement that
hs would oppose return 81 suffrage
d the District Of Columbia seems 10
blast The hopes of those opponents of
the Capitals present system Of gov
eminent BY commission who have, for
she past six months, been elamoring
loudly for government by the people.
President Roosevelts recent recon-
mendation in message 10 Congress
that the existing trinmvirate govern
ment be abolished in favor 81 rule by
enc man, based on suggestions Of
James Bronson Reynolds, served to
stimulate the activities 81 the friends
q so-called popular government,
While the President made il plain
that he frowned on suffrage for the
District Of Columbia, when the sub
feet matter 81 his message became
known there was an immediate revi-
val OF the agitation ior return Of the
days when Washington elected its
cwn governing powers. This led 70
some Of the expectant ones sounding
Mr Taft for his present views and
probable intentions, as Mr.. Roose-
velt's successor.
Those who believe Mr. Taft would
advocate suffrage for the Capital
might better profit now by directing
their energies TO another municipal
subject. The President-elects plain
statement that he rdoes not now ad-
vocate government BY the people in
lhe District Of Columbia, nor am /
likely to in the future would appear
to put permanent quietus on the
hopes Of those who clung to the be-
kef that he would.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-08-07
Good STORIES IN FEW WORDS AND BRIEF, POINTED PoErY
Cock Fighting

This is a most amusing game. and
although only two boys can play at it
at one time, they will keep the rest Of
the company in roars of laughter The
two who are TO represent the cocks
having been chosen, they are both
seated upon the door.
Each boy has his wrists tied together
with handkerchief and his legs Sc
cured just above the ankles with an
other handkerchief; his arms are then
passed over his knees and broom
stick is pushed over one arm, under
both knees and out again on the other
side over the other arm The cocks
are now considered ready for fighting
and are carried into the center Of the
room and placed opposite each other
with their toes just touching. The fun
now commences.
Each cock" tries rith the aid OF his
toes to turn his opponent over on his
back or. side.
The one who can succeed in doing
this first wins the game.
1t often happens that both cocks
turn over at the same time when the
fight commences again.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-08-07
School Feeding and Hygiene

THE international congress on school
hygiene. held at the London univer-
sity, South Kensington, afforded evil
dence that in order TO reform nations
we must begin with the children Of
course. questions of sanitation We're the
order OF the day; the well planned.
ventilated, lighted and drained build
physical development. medical and
question was by no means neglected.
insure that youthful scholars, kept hard
be starved. was emphasized.
Connected with the congress was an
instructive exhibition. including COM
prehensive loan collection. diagrams
and statistical tables and reports from
various educational authorities, both
home and foreign 1t could be seen
from these exhibits that the question of
feeding school children is better under
stood on the continent. To begin with
the means for feeding children in the
elementary schools are far more sys-
tematized.
Another interesting matter was to
compare the albums giving particulars
(often illustrated by photography Of
the teaching Of domestic economy and
cookery. in schools. In London county
council schools. schools under the COM
mittee for Scotland. and public schools
abroad. The Scandinavians. Germans
and French stand very well in these
matters and in the Swedish section
there was a model of a kitchen at
tached TO the Adolf Fredrick school at
Stockholm.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-08-07
SignbOards for Airships

Now that it is practically certain
that dirigible airships flying above
German soil viii be numerous enough
within the next few years TO make
some means of signaling necessary,
Major Won Frankenberg, president of
the German Aero club, advises that
huge signboards shall be placed on the
roofs Of church towers and high build
ings. withs certain code of signals.
visible from airships aioft, inscribed
upon them He also suggests that the
frontiers Of the different European
countries shall be marked by the same
method. and that at night the signs
shall be illuminated in such way as to
make them visible. Aeronauts would
carry a signal code book. enabling
them TO decipher the meaning of the
signals The club is now conducting
experiments to test the value of such
signals
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-08-07
LEGEND OF THE MAGpIE'S NEST BUILDING

II CCORDING TO an old story the
n magpie was the last bird to learn
nest building When it became neces-
sary for her 10 establish a home.
though she was proud and arrogant.
she finally put away her pride 10 the
extent Of asking the other birds 70
give her some instruction in the art
In their generosity they agreed and
assembled on the appointed day 10 as
sist her.
The materials having been collected
the blsckbird, taking up twig. said:
place that stick there" and laid II in
place Az said the conceited mag
pie. i knew that before" Each Of the
other birds there assembled followed
with useful suggestions. demonstrating
every step. but ali through the lesson
the needless magpie chattered: ~Aht
before
AT length. when the nest was but
half completed and the patience Of her
instructors entirely exhausted. they
said with one voice: Well, Mistress
Mag. since you know all about It you
may build your nest yourself
From that day on no bird Of the
wood would allow the foolish magpie to
see her building her own nest even.
have built ramshaclSle nests
In almost any of the valleys among
our western mountains one is likely to
ind these beautiful and entertaining
birds in their fullest perfection. and
seldom are magpies seen alone. Usu-
ally. except during the nesting period,
they 90 about in pairs. or in late sum-
mer with their families of the season
When foraging they bound over the
ground with charming grace, stopping
now and then TO tug at 3 worm. after
the manner Of our friends the robins
While picking their way among the
wet grasses and low herbage or over
muddy places their beautiful tails. as
their most precious treasures. are held
daintily aloft and free from all pollu-
tion. as the birds search for snails,
caterpilIsrs. young mice and frogs.
The ramshsckle nest. wholly ineom-
patible with either the fastfdfousness
or the intelligence Of the bird. is an
immense structure OF mingled sticks
and mud indiscriminately arranged.
somewhat resembling one Of the great
tumble weeds Of the western plains,
placed several feet from the ground
among thick masses Of oak brush or
similar grOwths in the wilder regions.
or in more civilized territory in some
fruit tree
That her seclusion may be more
complete and 10 protect herself and
Young against the incursions Of preda-
tory birds. the magpie covers her
dwelling with a dome of twigs. leaving
two openings at opposite sides for
entrance and exit As she sits with
her head at one her Unspread tail
sometimes proirudes visibIy from the
other. Betraying her whereabouts at a
rFnfn e4rf. 9ocfrorTS
cscsp ping notice.
Like the robin this bird often recon
structsl ltle old nest from year to year,
and like the wren she often builds
sham nests either for the purpose Of
diverting attention from-the one occu-
pied or 10 live in should accident be-
falL
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-08-07
My Hearts in the Highlands

My hearts in the Highlands. my heart
is not here,
My hearts in the Highlands. a-chasing
the deer.
Chasing the wild deer. and following
the roe
Ny hearts in the Highlands wherever
Farewell to the Highlands farewell 70
the north,
The birthplace OF vaIor. the country
of worth
Wherever I wander. wherever I rove.
The hills of the Highlands forever
love.
Farewell to the mountains. high COW
cred with snow
Farewell 10 the straths and green
valleys below;
Farewell TO the forests and wild
hanging woods.
Farewell 70 the torrents and loud
pouring foods
Ny hearts in the Highlands. my hsart
IS not here;
Ny hearts in the Highlands. a-chasing
the deer;
Chasing the Wild deer, and following
the roe.
Ny hearts in the Highlands wherever
go. Robert Burns
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-08-07
To the Indian Chief
The tall green trees are around US,
Onward the mighty river sweeps

The tall green trees are around US,
Onward the mighty river sweeps to
the sea,
Before us are the Indian mounds
The burial place of chief who was
free.
In fancy we hear his fierce warcry
AS his wild and threatening form
Draws the tomahawk red with blood
And enters the fierce battles storm.
His eyes are bright with savage flame.
His plumes wave high Ger his head,
His features are clothed with war
rior's pride
And he moves with monarch's tread.
From streams where fish abound.
over prairie and through woodland,
We have tracked him with rifle and
spear
And scattered his faithful band.
But he VIII never ask for mercy,
You can never make him a slave,
He will breast the sea of battle
Or he Will sing beneath It's wave.
He has struggled long and well.
He has nobly braved the storm;
But his warcry is ended at last.
And stilIed is the chieftainss fair form.
A voice comes. forth from the dust.
AS his burial place we scan,
Is there not good and bad in the Indian,
The same as in every man?
Ella Hynes.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-08-07
| Wonderful Friendship

One of the most remarkable friend
ships among animals is that which ex-
lists between a cat in the elephant
house at the geological gardens in Lon
don and the large two horned African
which is kept there.
1t is even more strange than Aesop's
fable of the mouse and the lion, for
the little sleek mouse was able to be
of great service to the lion in nibbling
the meshes of his net; but the huge
rhinoceros can scarcely believe that
pussy is able TO set him free. yet that
a great affection exists between the
two is certain.
They may be often seen together,
puss toying with the formidable head
of the monster, who appears to lay
aside his strength and is as gentle as
a lamb, allowing her TO do almost any
thing, even to lie sleeping contentedly
close to his nose,s or playfuily patting
his horn with her paws; yet with one
mighty charge that same horn could
easily destroy an elephant
True affection may exist between the
most opposite natures. and the strong
have it always IN their power to- he
gentle to the weak.--Young Folks
Catholic Weekly.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-08-07
Under the Apple Tree

Under an apple tree, with dropping
boughs,
one eve 1 sat to watch the day de-
cline;
A melancholy mood had long been
mine,
By thwarted purpose brewed. and faith
less vows
That scourged the years: But time at
last allows
A season for reflection; to refine
Untoward circumstance with hope be-
nign;
Which did my mind from lethargy
arouse.
For as I watched the slowly sinking sun.
With cloud wrought drapery around
him thrown,
An inspiration thrilled me: And be-
A marvellous Veio, change ' within my soul be-
gun,
Such as before my days had never
known;
Meanwhile the sun was merged in
seas of gold.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-08-07
Hidden Nicknames of Presidents

AS we sailed down the harbor I stood
at the rail of the little steamer and
watched the angry clouds that hung
over the city Nov and then was a peal
of thunder. and the lightning split ter
rifically all about US. 1 could see the
shore where the old houses stood. and
saw a hickory tree laid low BY blast
The old steamer was as tippN as
canoe, and young and old We're afraid
Three children were in tears. but soon
the tempest was over and the stars came
out one by one. 1t had not been long
after all. Tom forgot his Inconsistencies
in a little while
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-08-07
A Boy Strategist

Among the hopefuls of a large family
in Washington are two youngsters
named Harry and John. One day
Harry. to the great disgust and terror
of the girls of the family. dragged
into the house a most disreputable
looking dog.
After a hurried consultation on the
part of his sisters it was decided to
bribe Harry. to the extent of 25 cents,
either to sell or give away the dog.
The proposition was duly laid before
Harry, the result being that he soon
marched off with the NANCY canine. In
an hour or two he returned. his face
exhibiting evidences of the candy de-
bauch he had procured with the %
cents.
Now Harry asked a sister. what
have you done withsthat awful brute2''
Gave him to John" replied Harry
with an ingenious leer.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-08-07

Though the magpie is possessed of
traits that are far from admirable her
unfailing grace and beauty can not fail
10 challenge admiration. We admire
her. too, as an example of superior
motherhood. Zealously she plies her
young with food while in the nest and
diligently she devOtes herself TO their
education during their first summer
When reared from the nest the mag
pie ma kes a most interesting pet who
delights in following and entertaining
her owner, but mature captives have
little value and soon lose all their
gayety and all their beautiful rides
cence OF plumage
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-08-07
The Fisherman

\ perilOus life. and sad as life may be.
Hath the lone fisher. on the lonely sea
home.
For some bleak pittsnes e'er compelled
to roam.
Few hearts to cheer him through MS
dangerous life
And none to aid him in the stormy
strife.
Companion Of the sea and silent air.
rlez ezi0Rely fisher e'er must fare
Without the eOmfert. hope ~ witH
scarce. a friend.
he looks through life and only sees its
end. Barry Cornwall
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-08-07
Find Maria

Maria lost time as she fingered one
day,
And SO lost her train. I am sorry TO
say.
And then-what was worse-lost her
temper 1 fear
Because she had quite lost all patience
poor dear.
At dinner she lost all her appetite. too.
And then lost her head when the din
ner was through.
Now see what delaying and careless
ness cost
Marias completely and entirely lost.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-08-07
How TO File Soft Metals

When cling soft metals. such. -
solder or babbitt metal the file after
a few strokes will become hlled with
metal causing scratches on the sur
face being fled The surface may be
fled smooth provided the file has been
well oiled. The oil prevents the .eut-'
ters from clOgging and also allows the
metal to Weld easily. or the hle every
few minutes and use a card fFe-
duently in cleaning and the work VIII
be smoOth-POpular Mechanics.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-08-07

All sit together and each chooses a
trade The irst may say. 4 am tea
dealer and have some tea 10 sell. is it
animal. vegetable or mineralT The
next one must reply at once. 1T is veg
etable, because IL is made OF the leaves
OF the shrub which grows in China"
She then goes on. Il am shop keeper
and have some scissors TO sell. are they
animal vegetable or mineraI2 The
next replies. they are mineral. because
they are made of steel" And so on
Any one making mistake in describ-
ing his neighbOr's goods must pay a
forfeit
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-08-07
How to Fasten a Handle on an
Umbrella

Sometimes a person would like to
change some expensive umbrella han
die to another umbrella and fasten it
on solid. This can be done by cleaning
out the hole left in the handle from
the old rod and fill the hole with pow
dered sulphur. Place the handle in
solid upright position, and after heat
ing the umbrella rod red hot push the
rod down into the hole containing the
sulphur The hot rod fuses the sui
phur and when cold it will hold the
rod solid. This method may be applied
to fastening rods into stone, iron or
wood.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-08-07
Ingenious

A sweet little boy who went to school
Was up to all sorts of tricks.
He discovered that when upside
down
Would pass for the figure 6.
So. when asked his age by stranger
once,
The cute little ycungster said,
I'm 9 when I stand on my feet like
this,
But when 1 stand on my head.s