davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Charlevoix county herald., 1909-11-06

themselves the train tolls slowly along these
two lines OF steel leading through an endless
eXpanse of sand and rocks, varied with
casional volcanic outcrop raising black-topped
hills.
AT Tebuk 430 miles from Damascus is the
first oasis OF any size, and here a depot has
been formed. at which the railroad
coup Itself before another long strentch OF
nearly waterless desert is entered and the next
depot at Ell Ula reached. A group Of buildings
for the employees, a small repairing shop, and
hospital with GO beds form the principal part
of the depot.
Tebuk consists of a group Of date palms
about half mile square, deriving water from
a large spring and watched over by another
of the masonry forts which mark pilgrim sta
ton Altogether there were about 60 mud
houses, with few walled gardens belonging
to the permanent inhabitants of Tebuk. All
that were were of a distinctlv negroid
type, different from the nomad Bedoun 20
surrounding country is but sparsely inhabited
by Arabs.
Besides date palms, there are in the gardens
a few lemon trees and pomegranates and out
side some few fields of wheat, cultivated
principally green fodder The Italian en-
gineer in charge of this section had managed
to make garden in the sand where by means
of irrigation he grew most kinds of European
vegetables, but none of the inhabitants seemed
inclined to copy his example.
1t seems certain that Mohammed visited Te
buk in his earlier wanderngs, and tradition
refers to Jebel Sherora as the Pulpit of the
Prophet, probably from it's commanding posi-
ton overlooking all the surrounding country
The rainfall in this country is extremely ca
PRECIOUS, and perhaps two or even three years
may eapse before there is any appreciate fall
here, although at Maan there appears to be
always some rain in the spring.
or animal life there appears to be very lit
COW, but which looks to be oryx beatrx, is to
be found In this district but only in small
numbers. The large troops OF gazelle seen
north of Maan do not roam here. 1t is said that
the ostrich is occasionally found, and the skin
OF one specimen is preserved in Maan station
The desert air is extremely dry and clear,
always lnvigorating, and even the great heat
in summer Is not as insupportable in a
damper climate where the thermometer is
probably lower. Climate has without doubt a
great effect on the human character and in
tellect, and the nervous, high-strung tempera-
ment OF the Arab Is to a great extent the Gre
alton of his environment of desert, with it's
splendid mirages to fire the imagination and
sparkling air TO keep the nerves always alert.
South of Tebuk want Of water is again a
great difficulty, and the small posts have to be
Charlevoix county herald., 1909-11-06

fore the present pilgrimages-this was the
route by which the gold, franklncense' ana
Arabian products found their way into syria;
but the Suez canal and steamer transport py
the Red seem to have abolished ALL OF
almost all, trade prospects, and only the pill
gTims remain.
On leaving Maan it may inded be said that
all hope Of dividend is left behind and the line
enters a spirit world without towns or even
inhabitants. The stages south OF Maan the old
pilgrim route, the most desolate OF ALL
and the way always strewn by dead and
dying cames as the caravan toiled along. The
line crosses constant succession of small wa
dis
Some so miles south of Maan comes the most
remarkable change in the Landscape and the
yeritable gate of Arabia and the home of the
genie is at last reached. The line arrives quite
suddenly at the edge OF the curious escarpment
known as the Batn-el-Ghrul, the Hollow OF
the Genie
From the station Of Batn-elGhrul, at the top
of the descent the traveller can walk to the
edge of the cliff and take in the immense ex-
tent of view which unfolds itself to the south.
The escarpment is visible for some 20 miles to
the east and is a sheer cliff without, IL is said,
a single passage of descent. For some 10 miles
to the west, also, the escarpment Is fairly well
defined until 1t merges in the high ranges ov-
erlooking the Gulf of Akaba. The pilgrim route
follows the descent close alongside the line
and is from 3,207 feet at the summit to 327S at
the foot Of the escarpment, or 329 feet alto
gether.
The view from the summit is extremely stri-
king and comprises a great inland depression,
walled in by a continuation of the escarpment
on the east and glowing throughout in the
most brilliant and striking colors. The prevail
ing note is bright red and yellow, changing to
violet, purple and black, SO that every tint ex-
cept green seems to be supplied. The escarp-
ment is OF sandstone, which seems to have
worn away In some places to sanddrift OF all
colors, but principally red and yellow. The
spurs of the Telesh-Shahim, which run out par
allel to the line, are covered with gistening
black rocks, at first sight volcanic but as L
was told by an engineer, they were really OF
sandstone blackened by the intense heat of the
sun The depression extends south for a dis
lance of about 100 miles. In this clear, dry air
every feature is visible. Inquiries regarding
the country to the east gave II as almost
waterless region, although a route does exist
from Maan to Jauf along which some scanty
Charlevoix county herald., 1909-11-06
OELICACY OUT OF SEASON
Farmer Absolutely Unable to Under
stand the Possibility OF
Ice In July.

We are so accustomed to having
things "out of season." and especially
to the cutting and storing OF ice for
use in the summer, that IL is hard to
put ourselves in the place of the sim
pie old farmer told of by writer In
the Toledo Blade.
In the summer of 1906 a party OF
surveyors was working through the
state OF Arkansas, surveying and To-
eating the Midland Valley road. One
day the surveying corps stopped at
farmhouse and shouted for the farmer.
The Arkansan came out, and the
surveyors asked him If they could get
a drink.
Certainly, boys" he said. I'll give
you the best I've got, and the best I've
got is buttermilk."
THAT will be fine" the surveyors
said, and the old farmer gave each OF
the gang a glass of buttermilk.
It's mighty good" said one OF the
surveyors to McLoud.
Yes, indeed" McLoud replied, but
1t would be better If we had some ice
to put in it."
Turning to the farmer. McLoud
said, Have you any ice?"
"Ice!" shouted the farmer. Juggling
at his whskers. ice! Who ever
heard of ice in July?"-Youth's Com.
panion.
Charlevoix county herald., 1909-11-06

throughout by Turkish soldiers, but the station
buildings all of very solid masonry as well as
bridges and culverts of which there are a
great number, have been constructed mostly
by Italian workmen, W - some Greeks and
Montenegrins. AS many three or four hun.
dred Italian workmen were employed at one
time on the works near Tebuk, and so little
did fanaticism come into play that they built
the fine new mosque at Tebuk. Subsequently
they instructed some Turkish engineers, who
continued the work from Ell Ula 10 the Holy
City itself
1t is difficult to think OF this railroad be-
coming great highway or developing any
great trade with Central Arabia, the sec
ton from Maan to Medina traverses an unpro-
ductive country without possibility of develop
ment, and the interior of Arabia has sur
plus products 10 dispose of. In any case, when
the line reaches the sea, at Sherm Rabigh 1t
is probable that any trade, either export or i'm
port, to Medina or Mecca will pass through
that port in preference to the long land joup
ney. The following summary OF distances
shows the extent of the line
Damascus to Maan ................2S5 miles
Damascus to Tebuk ................43 0 miles
Damascus to FL Ula ............... 6O9 miles
Damascus to Medina ...............S2O miles
Damascus TO Mecca .loSI miles
The gauge of the line is the somewhat curl
Gus one of LOS meter g feet 5A inches),
which was necessary when the line was first
commenced, to correspond with the gauge OF
the Reirut-Damascus line, over which the roll
ing stock had to be brought The branch to
the Mediterranean, at Haila, was constructed
subsequently. The rails were supplied by the
American Steel Trust by a French firm dom.
iciled I'm Russia and by the firm of Cockerill,
In Belgium.
The engineers in charge of sections were
also of various natonalties-French, Poles,
Hungarians, etc.-while the guiding spirit In
the construction has been Meissner Pasha, q
very able German engineer. But besides these
the general direction has been under Marshal
KAHN Pasha, to whom the greatest credit is
due in bringing the line successfully into Me-
dina, and to Hail Mukhtar Bey, brilliant
Turkish engineer, who has absorbed all mod.
ern methods of construction, and completed
the last section into Medina without European
assistance.
In conclusion, II Is difficult which to admire
the most this farreaching conception of his
majesty thu sultan-to build the line and thus
to further The interests of his religion and bind
together the outlying portions of his empire
or the silent, answering devotion of the Turk.
sh soldier who has carried the matter to a
conclusion, and who watches without com.
plant miles of line through a country al
most without water or inhabitants.
Charlevoix county herald., 1909-11-06

ters an upland, unduating country, the land of
Bashan, producing abundant grazing in the
spring. AT that season troops of gazelle roam
ABOUT the country, and the Bedouin, with vast
herds OF camels, are found close to the line.
The landscape gets bleaker the train
moves south. The mountains of Moab
passed some distance to the west, and the
track is laid far out in the desert, where the
valleys are wide and easy to cross and before
they deepen into narrow ravines they enter
the mountains.
The old pilgrim route is followed very close
Iy throughout and at the stations the stone
cisterns and reservoirs, to provide supply OF
water to the pilgrims noticed. Water be-
comes very scarce; in few places wells have
been dug and water Is raised by wind-pumps.
For some reason boring for artesian wells
does not seem to have been tried One at
tempt was made in rocky ground and when
the drills broke no further attempts were
made
AS the line approaches Maan an extremely
desolate country is traversed Low ranges ap-
pear to the east, apparently of sandstone or
limestone formation, although the ground is
strewn thckly with black fragments OF obsi-
dian along some sections of the line. The ra-
vines now trend eastward to lose themselves
in a wide depression in that direction, as
shown in the recent maps of this country by
Prof Alois Musil. Maan is the first point since
Amman where water is procurable in any
quantity either from springs in the small town
itself or from wells at the railroad station.
The place is large railroad center, with sew
eral stone buildings for officials, a small shop
for temporary repairs, hospital, and quite
good hotel-a substantial building, rather sIi!an
in size. The small town, containing some good
stone and mud houses, is not visible from the
railroad, but lies beyond hill nearly mile
Off Two copious springs supply the necessary
water.
Date palms are reared; small gardens with
various kinds OF fruit trees and few fields OF
corn are visible, but from a little distance the
place is little else than drab patch on a gray
landscape It's principal distinction is its prox-
Unity to the rocky city Of Petra, ride of some
eight hours to the west among the Moab hills.
The climate of Maan is invigorating both In
winter and summer, as the place stands 1928
feet above sea-level, surrounded by the dry in
MIGRATING air OF the desert.
The principal drawbacks are the severe
dust storms. Rain is not uncommon In the
spring. and then tinge of green spreads over
Charlevoix county herald., 1909-11-06
Poverty and Consumption.

That poverty is a friend to consump
ton is demonstrated by some recent
German statistics. which show that Of
10000 well-to-do persons 40 annually
die Of consumption; of the same mum.
Der only moderately well-todo, &c: Of
the same number OF really poor, II;
and of paupers, 81. According to John
Burns, the famous English labor lead
er, 80 per cent. of the consumpti' cs In
London receive charitable relief In
their homes.
Charlevoix county herald., 1909-11-06
HOW's This?

We offer One Hundred Dollars Reward FOR aay
sase OF Catarrh that cannot be cured by HALF
Catarrh Cure.
F. J. CHENEY q CO.. Toledo. O
We. the undersigned. have known +. j. Cheney
tor the years. and believe him perfectly hon
orabe In all business transactions and financially
able TO carry out any obligations made by his nrm.
WALpINo, KINNAN d MARVIN.
Wholesale Druggists. Toledo O.
Halls Catarrh Cure "a taken Internally. acting
directly upon the blood and mucous surfaces Of ths
system. Testimonials sent tree. Price rs cents %
bottle. Sold by all Druggists.
Take Halls Family Pills for constipation
Charlevoix county herald., 1909-11-06

When Cooring Rags for Carpets
or rugs, always use Dyola Dyes be-
cause the one package will color any
material. Satisfaction guaranteed.
Once try Dyola and you will never go
back to the old fashioned dyes. 10e
per package at your dealers. Write
Dyola. Burlington, VT, for free book of
directions and color card
Charlevoix county herald., 1909-11-06

HE Damascus TO Mecca railroad has
many remarkable features which distin-
tinguish 1t from other lines. Its prin-
cipal object is to provide means for
faithful Moslems TO perform their pill
grimage to the holy places OF Mecca and
Medina with greater degree OF COM
fort than formerly
Its inception is due to the initiative of
the present sultan and the enthusiasm
Charlevoix county herald., 1909-11-06
HAD ONE GOOD POINT

Young Guest-It seems to me that
you don't object to the mosquitoes
singing in your room.
Old Guest-You bet don't. Why.
when the mosquitoes are singing
can't hear the glee club practicing on
the piazza.
Charlevoix county herald., 1909-11-06
Conclusive.

Mother-Tommy. why don't you
play with Frank any more? | thought
you were such good chums.
Tommy-We was, but he's a molly.
coddle! He paid to get inter Their
ball grounds.
Charlevoix county herald., 1909-11-06

supplied daily from the train.
At Medain-Salih the valley widens
a little, and here are found some
rock-cut tombs similar to those at Pc
ira. but far fewer and less ornate.
Traces Of town exist, but there Is
nothing now visible except the usual
fort of the pilgrim. Here again, as
we'll as at Tebuk, the site would seem
a favorable one for trying artesian
wells, but no attempts have been
made to prove their success or other
wise
The permanent way has been LAID
Charlevoix county herald., 1909-11-06

The line com.
mences at the ira
ditional parting
place OF the great
pilgrimage. the Ba-
waubet Allah, or
Gate OF Allah, in
Damascus. For the
first few miles the
line traverses the
Hauran, running
parallel to the
French Hauran
railroad. From an
Client times this
district has been
an extremely rich
one, and the Ro-
mans used it as a
granary.
The deep, narrow
ravines of the Var
muk. the ancient
Hieroymax, which
the line follows in
ats descent to the
Jordan, present
several difficulties
lof engineering sue
cessfully overcome.
Large numbers Of
italian, Montene-
grin, Croatia II,
Greek, and other
European work
men had to be en-
ployed on the diff
cult rock cuttings,
tunnels, and via
ducts OF this sec
ton.
The Jordan val
ley. whore the line
crosses it, is 500
feet below Mediter.
ranean level; but
the difficulties of
construction cease
when the Yarmuk
valley has been
successfully ira
versed, and the as
cent to the sea is
made by easy gra-
dents.
South of Deraa
the main line soon
leaves the richer
corn land and en-.
Charlevoix county herald., 1909-11-06
DIETING.

Stella-Did the doctor say you
shouldn't eat between meals?
Bella-Yes; SO l just have more
meals.
Charlevoix county herald., 1909-11-06

the landscape.
The a n C / e n t
fortress of Pc
ira and now
Maan owe their
Importance as
standing at the
gate of Arabia,
and forming the
last outpost OF
Syria and west
ern civilization
before the long.
dreary stages OF
the ort h e IN
Arabian jour-
ney.
For countless
ages--long be-
Charlevoix county herald., 1909-11-06
17fkx-l2<kziNkk1--f
| r |
Ialssg2ssl
KrkEy<S1nc<z,.<5r.yrt1t5

created by its first announcement brought in subscrp
lions from the faithful in all parts of the slamic world
special stamp forms solid annual contribution to the
expenses somewhat less than other conribu
tons may prove to be-
Geographically the line has provided of travel
In country with fascination of scenery quite peculiar
itself and unlike other of the world Instead OF
traVersng populous countries great cities it
delight in passing through immense soltudes-hrough
country peoped mainly by the spirits the Arabian
Nights where little surprise would be occasioned find
ins rocs egg In some inhosptabe rocky valley, in
seeing genie floating in stream of thin vapor of
a magic
Charlevoix county herald., 1909-11-06

AGENTs;-IF 7 KNEW YOUR NAME, I
would send you our " 10 sample outht tree this very
minute. Let me start you IN profitable business.
You do not need one cent of capital. Experience
unnecessary. SOC profit Credit given. Premiums
Freight paid. Chance Ia win $500 gold extra. Every
man ana wopan should write me for free outnt
jar BLACK, fresideat H4O Beverly Street, Bostoa hs.A
Charlevoix county herald., 1909-11-06
FIRST NAM LEAVING DAHHS Gus

wells can be
found. Towards
the Red sea the
district is said to
contain a few
villages, and a
sufficient supply
Of water from
small springs.
An endless Sc
ries of beautiful
mirages unfold
Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-07-24

q . 4 4 u +.
Another notable supper, at which l
had the satisfaction of being present,
was that given at the Savoy on the
following evening by Miss Daisy An
drews, NJ. Guitry and NJ. Hertz, CO.
manager with Jean Coquelin of the
Porte st. Martin theater in Paris. Here.
too. we had some capital speech max
ing. Tree proposed the health of Gull
try, who replied in modest but fitting
terms and then Walkley, the dramatic
critic of the Times. rose to say n few.
words on the subject of dramatic art
and of Guitry's in particular. He spoke
in French very neatly and very trip
pingly while in no way Foyer-praiSinG
(;uitry's talents, he paid high tribute
to the qualities of that actor. Among
the guests was Consuelo Duchess of
Manchester wearing q wonderful dia-
mond tiara. AS / am on the subject
of suppers ! may as well mention an
other given at the Duke of York's by
j. NJ. Barrie in celebration of the three
hundredth night of What Every Wom-
an Knows" 1t was a particularly bril-
liant affair. included among the COM
rany being the Duchess of sutherland,
Lady de Grey, Ellen Terry, Henry
Bernstein. who is fast becoming more
Londouer than Londoners themselves.
and the inevitable Comyns Carr.
!. ID p
Two days ago at the Carlton 1 ran
across Alexander Konta, author Of
Harrison Grey Fislte's version of 1.-THE
Devil" He is over here principally for
pleasure, but also on the chance of do
ing little business. He has brought
in his portmanteau a new play adapted
from the Danish, of which he has great
hopes 1t would suit Lewis Waller, he
tells me, and the manuscript is now In
the hands of that actor-manager. Let
us trust that Waller Will view mat
tiers in the same light;
Charles Frohman has Just arranged
to bring over another American piece.
namely, Edward Locke's 1.-THE Climax"
which has, understand. enjoyed much
favor in New York. 1t is to be pro-
duced within the next few weeks at
the Vaudeville, where Rose Stahl ends
her season next Saturday night. l as
sumo that the New York company
comes with It, The story, from what
know Of it. seems Just a tritie simple
and artless for our public over here.
but ] gather that the piece depends
for success rather on the beauty of its
pathos and the LONELINESS its humor
than upon any great ingenuity of plot.
1t is distinctly curious how every day
we are drawing more and more on
America for the necessary material for
our theaters. The fact proves incon-
tostably what rapid progress your
playwrights are making. can remem-
Der the days, not SO very long ago,
when the production of an American
play was the rarest of events and
looked on as a singularly risky Ven
ture Now they crowd on us like roses
in Juna The change is all for the
good of both countries. Healthy COM
petition in theatrical as in other bust
nesscs can only be Tor the public ben
eft.
Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-07-24

MUNICH peanuts and popcorn to his
hearts content, while he watches the
wonderful exhibitions. The Carl Hag-
as combined shows are said to form
one of the largest circus aggregations
and are on their first western
tour These shows are a circus
in every sense of the word, and the
best effort made in the history of any
allied shows, many new features nav
ing been added besides the original
Hagenbeck trained wild animals of tina
Chicago and ST. Louis Worlds Fairs
fame which will cater not alone to chill.
dren but be interesting to the grown
ups. With nearly 1000 men, women,
and children. 600 animals of every CLINE
and 400 of the finest horses this verit-
able moving city of cnchantment is an
Innovation in the circus world. The
shows are carried on three trains uf
double length cars the people are
housed in IS tents including the big
amphitheater with a seating capacity
OF 10000 during the performance Of
fered as a leading act and big feature
are the English Lloyds, aerialists OF
international reputation, who perform
wonderful feats in mid-air While flying
Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-07-24
New Play Livens Up
Dull London Season
London Dramatic Letter

he seems to have viewed the kings ac-
ton as an Intentional affront to himself
The letter was considered a little too,
personal for English readers and was
accordingly suppressed in the London
papers.
Louis Calvert sailed week ago for
New York to take UP his duties as
classical producer at the New thea
ter again. His engagement is for
year certain and he receives salary
that would make the mouths of most
English producers" water. Just be.
fore starting he was entertained at
supper by Tree at the Garrick club.
The proceedings We're of the most hill
arious kind and the speeches of first
class quality. Comyns Carr, who in
variably shines on such occasions. made
the Grafton of the evening. hitting out
right and left and sparing nobody.
Tree. with his lSnighthood honors fresh
upon MIN. was the butt of some of
.carr's sharpest wit and evinced his
pleasure by voJleys of loud laughter.
Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-07-24

from trapeze to trapeze. The five Bed
mis-, famous European equestrian art
lists, the riding Legetts, the Thalsro
troupe with trained horses and dogs,
and the De Koch troupe of acrobats
are a few of the most important head
liners that attract attention in the
rings and on the platforms, Among
the clever horse women are Mile. Louise
Stickhey of the famous Stickney family
and Anita Connors and Mary Abrams,
the latter the most expert chariot dr;v-
er in the world. There are musical
dogs, dancing horses. bare back riding
dogs and Bengal tigers educated Po-
lar bears which Wrestle in cages With
their trainers and elephants which
dance and pray rs their master bids.
Mr.. 3. T.. Wallace is with the show
and looks after tho many details per-
sonaly He claims that the western
tour has been successful beyond any
anticipation. The parade will leave
the show grounds promptly at 10
o'clock on Monday morning. traversing
the principal streets of the city. Tho
doors will be open at o'clock in tho
afternoon and O'Clock in the evening.
Performances will start one hour later.