davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-06-17

out detection there would still be 70,000,00O francs. In
addition, contributions would be made by the faithful,
and that finally the road itself, as construction pro-
crossed, ought to bring in a revenue, increasing year by
year, and so, trusting to faith and sheep skins, the work
was begun. The portion of the road thus far completed
is from Damascus to Medain Saith. From CONSTANT
rople the lines under construction run directly south
west to Aleppo, with side branches to Smyrna and An
CORA. Near Aleppo a projected line will lead, by way
of Bagdad, to the Persian gulf. From Medain Saith the
road is under construction. to Medina, while surveys have
been made from Medina to Mecca and the Red sea.
The route is to pass east of Jerusalem and the Dead
sea, on the high lands of Syria, Moab and northern Ara
ba. The engineering difficulties are serious, but by no
means insurmountable, and are not to be compared with
those of the Union Pacific. The Caifa line descends
from Deraa with a mighty sweep down to the sea, while
the chains of mountains in Moab must be traversed by
the aid of loops, tunnels and bridges. At Damascus the
level is 1000 feet above the sea, and varies from that to
5000 feet at the highest point south. Great difficulties
are presented by that portion of the line from Constan-
tnople to Damascus, for the giant ranges from the eau
causus and Armenia extend through Asia Minor almost
to the Aegean and Mediterranean. So it is believed that
at some points on this part of the line the roadbed will
rise to a height of 5000 to 1000 feet above the sea.
Several hundreds of miles of this part are now actually
under construction, tunnels are bored, viaducts and
bridges are run between important towns. There are
now completed lines from Constantinople to Angora,
from Smyrna far into the vilayet of Konieh, and these
portions will be feeders of the main line. Work on the
line is greatly expedited by the labors of a division of
the Turkish army, it being difficult to secure labor in
the country to be traversed, particularly in northern
Arabia, where the Bedouins are few and unendurably
lazy. The Turkish soldiers themselves are not particu-
larly energetic, but, strange to say, this service is much
desired, not only from the fact that the soldier-workmen
are actually paid, which most of the Turkish army is
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-06-17
Building Railroads of Sheepskins
By Capt. Ellis D Moso,
TTvFFV
By Capt. Ellis D. Morson

to Santa Fee, N. NJ, and from Constantinople to Mecca is
approximately that from New York to Prescott, Anz.
The Turk, therefore, who has always been regarded as
slow going, must be conceded to have more industry
than generally goes to his credit. There is, however,
behind the religious motive, a political end to be gained.
The sultan is the nominal head of the Moslem world.
But as the holy places, Mecca, Medina and several 9th.
ers, are in a land far distant from the center of the en-
pire's political influence, the ruling officials in those
cities have, for hundreds of years. been quasiindepend-
ent, some have thrown off entirely the Turkish bond and
actually maintained their independence. Then, again,
pilgrims from Syria, who attempt to travel by the cara
van routes through Arabia, Petraea and along the Red
sea, have long been subject to pilage by the wandering
tribes of Bedouins. A railroad through this country with
fortified stations at short intervals, would bring all north
west Arabia under real, rather than nominal Turkish
control and restore to the sultan genuine authority as
protectors of the holy places"
The Turkish government is always harassed by it's
creditors. The moment a plaster comes into the treas
ury, all the creditors make a grab for it, so the question
of financing the enterprise became one of prime import
ance, for no money, no road. In this dilemma the willy
Turk hit upon a happy %expedient. The sultan issued
an trade commanding that every Moslem family which
sacrificed a sheep at the feast of Bairam should bring
in the skin to the nearest government official, and these
skins should be sold for the benefit of the road. AS every
Turk does the sheep-killing act at Bairam. it was figured
out that after the officials had stolen all they could with
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-06-17
HIT CEILING AND BE A DIVA.

Madame began: "The most tedious phase of the
course in voice culture is learning to breathe. / shall
test you now, free of charge, and, if you do well, we
may be able to shorten that portion
Hope leaped into the Young Girls eyes.
q took lessons in that out home" she replied.
But madame shifted.
Lie down" The Young Girl was startled; she even
ventured to hesitate.
Eyes, yes. On your back. 1t is my own method and
has been Endorsed by the most eminent throat and lung
specialists. So. Relax your muscles. Now" Madame
seized a bit of white paper from the piano and tore
it into strips, one of which she handed to the Young
Girl. Chew this" she said, until you have made it
into just such a spitball as you used to make in school.
Then fill your lungs to their greatest capacity, form
your lips as if to whistle and, with all your strength,
blow ceilingward."
Visibly startled, but visibly still more impressed,
the Young Girl did as she was hidden and blew the spit.
ball about six feet into the air.
Madame nodded approval. "Not at all bad" she con,
ceded. 81 think we can materially curtail this portion
of the course"
The Young Girl was scrambling to her feet.
"When-when will it be completed" she asked.
Just as soon as you can hit the ceiling" said madame
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-06-17
The
Exceptional
Equipmenf

Of the California Fig Syrup Co.. and the
scientific attainments Of its chemists have
rendered possible the production of Syrup
of Figs and Elixir OF SIENNA, in all of its
excellence, by obtaining the pure medic
inal principles of plants known to act most
beneicially and combining them most
skillfully, in the right proportions, with
its wholesome and refreshing Syrup OF
California Figs.
AS there is only one genuine Syrup of
Figs and Elixir of SIENNA and as the gen
uine is manufactured by an original
method known to the California Fig Syrup
Co. only, it is always necessary to buy the
genuine to get its beneficial effects.
A knowledge of the above facts enables
,,ne to decline limitations or to return them
if, upon viewing the package, the full name
of the California Fig SyrupCo is not found
printed on the front thereof.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-06-17
Who He Belonged To.

A matron of the most determined
character was encountered by a young
woman reporter on a country paper,
who was sent out to interview lead.
ing citizens as to their politics. May
] see Mr.. -?" she asked of a stern.
looking woman who opened the door
at one house. mo, you can't" a n
swered the matron, decisively. But
/ want to know what party he belongs
to-" pleaded the girl. The woman
drew up her tall figure. Well, take
a good look at me-" she said, I'm the
party he belongs to-"
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-06-17

the river, for which the pale shades
of the slaughtered Egyptians had no
further use. But in the interval a dove
had built its nest in the peak of hts
great tent.
Moslems are kindly to animals,
which are beyond the possibility OF
being converted to Islam by the
sword. Amir allowed that it would be
a pity to disturb the dove; he de-
layed; meanwhile a new city gradu-
ally grew up on the bare plain TO the
north of his tent. In a word, Cairo
rose out of the desert for the amaze
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-06-17

and the kidney action improved right
away. Large quantities of sediment
and stony particles passed from me,
and finally the stone itself, part dis
solved, but still as big as a pea. With
it disappeared all symptoms of dizzi-
ness, rheumatism and headaches. I
have gained about SO pounds since and
feel well and hearty"
Sold by all dealers. so cents a box.
Foster-Milburn Co., Buffalo, N. Y.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-06-17

not, but their term of military service is reduced one
third, to say nothing of spiritual advantages promised by
the sultan. German and French engineers do the plan
ming, foreign workmen are engaged for the bridges, tun-
nels and viaducts, while the soldiers are employed for
the mechanical labor. The management is ostensibly in
the hands of several boards composed of pashas, beys
and cabinet ministers, who meet in Constantinople and,
so far as can be learned, do nothing but object to every
report made by the engineers and suggest tunnels when
the line could as well follow the caravan route, which
has been in use for q thousand years.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-06-17
SZEE3y IN ~1cuTO

of Villalpando, Preston had
him hanged to a tree as a
warning to traitors. the bag
of gold for which he had sold
his city being tied to his feet.
Certain of the people of La
Guayra had warned Caracas
of the landing of the English
men, and the entire fighting
force of the city, led by the
Alcaldes, Garcia Gonzalez and
Francisco Reballedo, marched
out to meet the foe. But it
was taken for granted the
buccaneers would cross by the
royal road" which was COM
paratively easy, SO the Span
iards stationed themselves on
that highway. laying several
cleverly placed ambushes.
Meanwhile Preston and his
men had quietly walked into
the city, without opposition.
No, that isn't quite true, for
Don Alfonso Andres de Ledes-
ma had been left behind on
account of his advanced age.
Desperate, but undismayed, the
gallant old cavalier donned
his armor, mounted his horse,
couched his lance and single
handed disputed the entrance
of the English into the city.
Don't hurt him. cried Pres
ton. He's too brave to die
But Don Alfonso charged the
five hundred and fell MORALLY
wounded.
Preston looted the city
thoroughly and the Spaniards
returned to find him safely
fortified in some of their pub
lie buildings. A week later
he marched out unmolested,
recrossed the mountains and
set sail with all the treasure
of Caracas. The name of Don
Alfonso de Ledesma is still
honored by the few remaining
ancient Spanish families in
Venezuela, but there is no
statue of him in Caracas"
Rested and refreshed, we re-
sumed the trail and now came
our great disappointment.
Agapito's memory had played
him false, and the mountain
range that still rose hundreds
of feet in front of us must be
crossed before the descent be-
gan. We walled bitterly, but
toiled on through a dense jun
gle of tall trees, thick shrub
berry and interlacing vines.
Just as the sun reached the
zenith we really came to the
top, some 5000 feet above the.
Goa and the downward slide
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-06-17

on for stone in the
kidney but not cured
and some time after
was feeling so bad
that I knew there
must be another
stone that would
have to be cut out.
l decided to try
noan'c Kidnov piIlc
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-06-17
THE SAME TOUCH OF NATURE

Touching, but no novelty. When
mighty Amr' and his Moslem hosts
overthrow Egypt and made all north
ern Africa a stronghold of Allah and
his prophet, they camped on the east
bank of the Nile, opposite the ancient
capital, Memphis, until they had
licked the defenders of that ten.miles-
wide and twenty-miles-long city.
When Amr' had finished he thought
of moving into the fine town across
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-06-17

brought other sets of muscles into play. Soon there we're Anus OF 'sCas
through the forest, and suddenly, as W e rounded a enormous rock' all the
glorious valley of Caracas opened out before our dazzled eyes.
Pen camera "a do justice to that magnificent sight. Miles Oh Hr
garden land in varied shades of green, ghstening streams, a great city VIII
white buildings rooted with red tiles ant with grovetopped hills, lay TWO
thousand feet below us, all bathed in soft sunlight; and for a ackgrouna
were the southern mountains with feecy clouds drifting across their emerald
and brown slopes. We gazed long in silence, fancying, with reason hat rom
that very point Preston and his buccaneers had caught their first sight OF
Caracas. The giant tree beneath which we stood might we'll be the n on
which the traitor guide va hanged.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-06-17
Our Languages.

What a lot Of languages we talk,
ever If we talk only English! / was
assailed by a man across the luncheon
table with a language about a Cup
tie final, and confessed that 1t was
quite unintelligible. Then another
man talked about golf, which is an
other language. And then the wom-
ans language elbows these columns,
"The Countess - wore a seagreen
white marabout stole, and a black taft
feta bow garnished her huge hat of
burnt Tagel straw" 1t is a fine exam
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-06-17
People of To-Day and Moslem Con-
queror Of Old Show Themselves
Alike in One Respect.

Freight car No. 1866 of the Penn
~sylvania railroad was held empty on
a side track waiting until Mrs. Rob-
in Redbreast completed the Matching
out of a fine nestful of eggs laid on
a journal box while the car was in
New York.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-06-17

"here IN doctor might relate the tale of Amory Preston's remarkable feat.
IT as In June, 1885" h e began. THE English yer doing unpleasant
things to the Spanish wherever they could find them, O sea or land. and
Prestonw "a running about the Caribbean with several vessels and some 500
bold buccaneers. Approaching La Guayra, it occurred to him that there must
be considerable plumber N Caracas if only he could get to it. So he landed,
chased the inhabitants of La Guayra up into the mountains and moved along
promised Tor a bag O gold, to lead the English over the mountains to Cara
cas- by the shortest trail. The difficult climb "a made in the night, over this
route we are travelling, an in the early dawn the buccaneers a their
prize lying below them in it's fair valley. Not needing the further services
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-06-17

ment of after ages, while the Mem
phian palaces of sun-dried bricks went
back into the soil. To this day in
South Cairo they will show you the
original Fostat, the place of the
dove."-New York World.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-06-17
Natural History as She Is Spoke.

Doris lived in the city, and a sum
mer visit to grandpa's farm revealed
many wonders. After being treated to
the farmers luxury. cream, she was
allowed to go to the barn to see the
cows MIXED. She looked on with
much interest for a while and then
asked: Grandpa. which is the little
pocket she keeps the cream in?"-
The Delineator.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-06-17
Proverbs.

I do not say a proverb is amiss
when aptly and seasonably applied;
but t. be forever discharging them,
right or wrong, hit or miss, renders
conversation insipid and vulgar
Cervantes.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-06-17
viewpoints.

Poet-Isn't it a shame the way
those vandals are blasting away the
beautiful Palisades?
Business Friend-I should say so.
Why, that was the finest place in the
world to paint patent medicine ads!
Puck.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-06-17

annual pilgrimage from all parts of the Mahommedan
world is of enormous proportions. That from India and
the east is provided for by steamship lines, but it is now
proposed by the Turkish government to offer special
inducements to it's people in Asia Minor. Syria, Palestine
and even North Africa, to make the sacred pilgrimages
at their ease, by providing railroad transportation from
Constantinople to Mecca.
To comprehend the magnitude of the enterprise, it is
necessary to remember that old world distances are not
always understood in the new world. The scale of the
maps is usually much smaller, so we sometimes get the
idea that the United States is the largest country on the
earth, because it looks largest on the map. A better
conception of the Turkish undertaking will be gained
by the knowledge that, taking Constantinople as a CEN
ter, Paris viii be on the edge of a circle with a radius
of 5000 kilometers (about $3.50 mies), while Mecca will
be 500 kilos beyond the edge of that circle. In other
words. TO make the matter palmer, the distance from
Constantinople to Paris is about that from New York
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-06-17

pie of women's slang. Blu to the man
it e nothing-but expense.-Lon-
don Outlook.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-06-17

NOT a drop of brandy left in the house. But we can
serve you with fine Muscatel"
SO Muscatel it was perforce, and surprisingly good,
{. "A 1hl quart soon vanished, and the doctor nearly fell
over a thousand-foot precipice in the front yard when the
price was named-three reals, or so cents American. That
confirmed the suspicious that had been rising in our
MINDS. The place must be a nest of smugglers, and it
look on an added air of romance. We must needs photo
graph all the inhabitants, from the lanky youth with the
ancient muzzleloading shotgun to the naked babies and
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-06-17

ABROAD building is now the order of the
day in all countries, and though it seems
almost incredible, the Turk has caught the
railroad fever and is not only projecting,
but actually constructing, and has partly fin
ished, what will be one of the longest and
most important railroad lines in the old
world. Its object is to connect the political
capital of Islam with the holy places which
every Moslem is expected to visit at least
once during his lifetime. AS the Moslems
number from ITS, 900, 900 to 200, 900, 900, the
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-06-17

Yes" said Agapito, en-
couragingly, that is the
end of the climbing. An
other range Of hills cuts
off the view of Caracas
from there, but the way
is all down hill"
So we robbed a lonely
orange tree and scram-
bled on with renewed
vigor.
That white house, when
We did reach it, was a Joy.
Only a rambling conglom-
Grafton of adobe rooms
and courts, swarming
with Indian men, women
and children, it was a ha-
ven of rest for our wear
led bodies.
I'VE want some cool
drink quickly" said the
doctor.
Beer, brandy or wine?"
asked the swarthy, hand
some young matron, who
seemed to be the head
of the establishment.
Beer"
I'm sorry, but we have
no beer to-day"
Then some brandy in
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-06-17
GOT TO H U
And Then All Symptoms of Kidney
Trouble Vanished.

G.. j. Hammonds, SIT S. Hill St., Fort
Scott, Kansas. saws: 81 was nnerated
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-06-17
EXPRESSIVE REPLY.

Freddie-Your father told me that
was the black sheep of the family.
Gertrude-What did you say?
Freddie-Rahf
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-06-17

RAIL over the mountains to Caracas?" said the dusky, scanti-
ly clad women who were energeticaIly doing the family wash
ing in the Drawing stream above Macuto. ooh, yes, that is
by way of La Guayra. There is no longer a direct path from
here, but we have heard Of the trail of the buccaneers"
Direct to Caracas over the mountains?" said the little
old keeper of the sea-baths, who has buried six wives and
declares he is looking for the seventh. Certainly there is
such a route, but it isn't much used now, and you are sure
to lose your way"
why, of course" cried Don Antonio, our host of the Cast
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-06-17
Mr.. PlckARD's EXPERIENCE

} CON THE Trail Of a Bold
, " 6uccaneer," published
! herewith for the first time, is a
bit of Venezuelan history which
} has never before ben told and
|, is not to be found in any of the
standard historical works or
Venezuela. IL is replete with
thrilling situations embodied in
the capture of Caracas by Amo-
ry Preston's buccaneers. While
the bandits were stealing along
the secret mountain path to
Caracas, the abIe-bodied inhabi.
tants of the city took positions
of defense along the main thor
o~uGhfare to the capital of Vene-
zuela. The d~esperadoes were
discovered by an infirm old man
who attempted to resist their
invasion with true patriotic in
stinct. 1t Vas easy to overpow-
err him. The Caracas traitor
who guided Preston over the Sc
cret path was hanged before
4L> ~1AEE +
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-06-17

the city was entered. Once in Caracas, footing and murder held
sway.
While in Caracas, visiting cipriano Castro, who was then pres
ident of Venezuela, it was Mr.. Pickards good fortune to meet men
who were familiar with this unrecorded invasion. MIR. Pickard was
given permission to make the journey over the secret pathway. He
took photographs Of the snusglers then inhabiting the mountain
wiIes. These photographs are reproduced herewith. These same
smusglers to-day hold forth in the mountains. Smuggers, by prey
ing upon the Venezuelan government, caused the rupture between
Holland and Venezuela, which trouble is said to have been the
cause Of the flight of Castro and his subsequent expulsion from
most ports o this side of the world in the southern hemisphere.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1909-07-01

It should cause no surprise that the
wheat gamblers in Chicago are going
4 little slow until they see how the
rains and the Kansas harvest get
along together. When, a month or six
weeks ago, there was a paucity OF
moisture, the Chicago board Of trade
scanned the reports from the Kansas
wheat fields with interest. Later
when the rain began to come and the
wheat to perk up, as 1t has a habit OF
doing In Kansas, even after the
crop Killers have done their durn-
dest, the eyes OF the Chicago wheat
pit were turned again this way. Mr..
Coburn's recent report showing only
a trifle smaller acreage and a trifle
lower percentage Of condition than
last year caused still more glances in
the direction Of Kansas, and now
when persons familiar with Kansas
conditions talk about 100000
bushel crop, II harvest weather Is
right, the gamblers on change do
we'll to hesitate.
Kansas cuts Ice when 1t comes to
wheat. The first state in the union
in its acreage crops, 1t has a great
deal to do with the worlds markets
on this cereal. 1t is, of course, pre-
mature to predict tlat the crop this
year will be fairly representative for
there has been an abundance OF mols-
ture in the wheat belt the last ten
days and damage to the crop during
the cutting is among the probabili-
ties. But with fair weather for the
harvest you may look for Kansas to
be there with both feet as usual.
And the crop this year will be
worth coolies Of golden coin. The
price for most Of the crop is sure to
be around the dollar mark and there
are farmers who have contracted to
deliver their wheat at price above
a dollar. So with good weather for
the harvest, you may look for a gold
en- flood to come this way within the
next few weeks and months, as the
crop is harvested, threshed and sold.
Hutchinson News.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1909-07-01
war on TubercuIosis.

For the next two years Kansas will
spend $4,000 a year for the edu-
cation of Its people in matters OF san
itation and hygiene. Particular at
tentlon will be paid to waging war on
tuberculosis, but all dangerous and
infectious diseases will be the object
Of special investigation and instruc'
ton. The work will be in charge OF
DR.. s. c. Emley Of the medical fac
ulty Of the University Of Kansas, un-
der the direction Of the state board Of
health. For the next two years DR.
Emley will lecture and show a san
itary exhibit at all towns in the state
which make application for his ser
vices.