davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1909-12-19

ing it viciously, I should say IT was not
a little
1 know they caused one old gentleman
annoyance He had been fishing for some
time without having had a bite-a remark
able circumstance. until it was observed
that he was using some kind OF bait quite
as marvellous as the fact that he alone
was catching no fish The bait must re-
main a mystery to this day 70 all but
himself. II was only evident that he had
escaped the purveyors Of sand eels at the
trains.
But suddenly he did get a bite. His re-
marks, when he landed his fish, were of a
nature which prohibits their repetition in
these columns. He had caught a skate.
Again he baited up with his inexplicable
lure, and caught q hachle head, a fish
more repulsive and undesirable than his
former catch.
quite interesting / thought, and set
tied down to watch what fortune would
fevor him with next.
II was a tin can.
If there is anything that will cause a
man To make more wagers than fishing I
don't know what IL is. An angler will bet
on the size of the next fish he is going
to catch the time that will elapse before
he catches it. it's variety and weight-any-
thing and everything pertaining 20 It.
New-York tribune., 1909-12-19

Princess pine is considered the finest rop-
ing for wreaths and garlands by uptown
florists They get 25 cents yard for it
this season and say that. while a great
demand for it exists. the supply is scant,
on account of earlv SHOWS in its habitats.
Many have sought this feathery pine
as .crowfoot among drifts of leaves in
late autumn. and even dragged II from be-
meath blankets Of snow Il attains only
about a foot in height. growing upon al
most endless chains of stems and roots
For generations younger members of coun-
try parishes have been wont TO sally forth
in gay companies to root for crowfoOt."
This is rush time among Christmas green
rooms. From Twenty-Five to thirty men and
boys stand amid heaps of foliage in every
room A crisp plny Odor permeates the
air: a brisk snip. snip, snip" in rapid
unison. sounds like the swapping of twigs
by machinery. With the swish of leaves
in constant motion and the crack of break
ing stems one hears a ceaseless thud. Rope
makers swiftly cast a ball of thin wire
around foliage which they clasp 10 a cord
held in their other hand. The thud OF wire
New-York tribune., 1909-12-19

and arches splashed with vivid masses OF
red swamp berries. such as glow in great
bowls OF water in the wareroom.
Small bales of green moss rise beside
stacks of glossy laurel. which, dealers say.
is being used more for this Christmas than
ever before. and possibly more than any
other garland foliage. II Is often mingled
with princess pine. holly, hemlock and
spruce.
Holly for wreaths. ropes and decorations
is brought in carloads from North Caro-
lima, Virginia. Maryland and Delaware.
principally, and from every state east of
the Mississippi River. In the first men
TONED states II is said to be very scarce
this season. the berries plentiful and the
foliage not of a high grade This is at
tributed 10 a long drouth.
Last year holly brought 81 90 to 81 90.
wholesale. for case of a hundred pounds.
This season similar cases bring So to Sc and
bundles $40 to S12 each.
According to its thickness and the foliage
used in its construction Christmas rope
brings from to 25 cents a yard, retail
and S 10 so a hundred yards. wholesale.
New-York tribune., 1909-12-19
Cold-PrOof Sportsmen Who Make Good Haus From
Coney Island Piers in the Icy Ocean.

of antique origin and slouch hats of numer-
GUS designs.
Bait! Here ye are. Git yer bait, Nice
sand eeIs >"
To be greeted thus at Coney Island in
place of the usual cries OF Popcorn" and
Hot Frankfurters," was somewhat start
ling to me- who did not know. With Brown
it was different.
Here, boy 10 cents WORTH he said.
The next minute I was carrying a pack
age of sand cells for my companion. Bar
rels of these small fish stood on the side
walk I wondered how they could find use
for them ali.
I tucked the bait under my arm and
looked around me 10 note the desolation
which 1 had expected to see on ali sides.
Instead I found what would have been con-
sidered a good attendance on a rainy Sum-
Gay in July Fishermen seemed TO fairly
pour from the trains as they drew in, one
after another. stunned, that's all.
and I was only half conscious that Brown
had been pulling me along by the arm all
the while when we stood at the entrance
10 one Of the piers at which the steamboats,
from New York land their cargOes of pleas
ure seekers in the summer time.
New-York tribune., 1909-12-19
FISHING ON A WINTERS NIGHT IN NEW YORK CITY

along the pier, while the wind threw itself
in gusts against us and seemed to be do
ing its utmost to turn us from our foolish
purpose. The pier seemed to stretch away
70 Europe. But the scenel l pinched my
numb fingers and expected to wake from
one of those Nightmares that my wifes
biscuits sometimes induce But no. 1t was
real,
Stretching before US toward the sea.
above our heads. a row of incandescent
lights illumined a scene which Aladdin
would have marvelled at. Men, hundreds
OF them. and women leaned against the
rail on both sides of the pier fishing, abso-
lutely unmindful of the chill wind AS I
looked I beheld fish being drawn from the
water by dozens. Everybody who wasn't
batting his nook seemed 10 be pulling in
fish.
Ling and whiting explained Brown, as
he busily rugged his pole "A good many
fools out tonight"
] stuck NV hands deep into my pockets
and said I would watch the fishing for a
little while and note what luck there was.
So 1 left Brown in the preparation of his
tackle. while l walked around TO keep
warm. NOBODY else seems to be troubled
with the cold I thought. They all seem
to be too busy
All around the pier lay piles of fsh, some
still alive. while others lay stiff and motion
less. l stopped at one pile as a ruddy-
checked enthusiast was adding a wigglinz
ling to it.
How MANY have YOU got there?" asked.
oh he said as he slid sand eel on to
the hook from which he had Just taken the
ling. II guess we have over two hundred
there among four of us | believed this
fish story because l place great faith in
the truthfulness OF nv own ewes.
Give him room! He's fine big one!'
rushed really interested now TO the
source of this crv \ corpulent German
was putting al his reel a. he laboriously
wound in his line.
II hope you don't lose him" exclaimed
a neighbor.
A monster. surely! ! strained my eyes
into the blackness beneath the pier, my
enthusiasm thoroughly aroused. and waited
breathless The fish came into sight
Gosh What a beaut!''
II Jones could have heard me make that
remark! I'm glad he did not
och! Anooder skatel' 1t will be long
before l will forget that outburst the cry
OF a broken heart on the part of the we'll
fed TeutOn II sounded a note of such gem
uine despair and heartsickness that i al
most wept with him in his sfiiiction I
had been prepared TO rejoice with him over
his capture. Skates, / learned. were OF no
value. and the outburst of my stout friend
was the result OF having pulled up one OF
these fish every time he had bite. | no
ticed later that skates lay I'm great num-
ber all over the pier. How much sadness
they had caused ! could hardly surmise
but Judging from the general practice OF
those unlucky enough 20 catch one or kick
New-York tribune., 1909-12-19
AN UNAVAILING PROTEST.

For the privilege of going out on that
wind-swept structure TO court death by
pneumonia we paid 25 cents apiece; that is,
Brown paid it. / protested that l would
not nav for the privilege of committing
suicide. so Brown said he would, and we
passed on 10 the pier. A blast OF wind
made me shrink TO the wall. and I then and
there held an Indignation meeting at which
I decided that ] would not subject myself
10 such inhumanity Brown smooth-tongued
villain, prevailed again Well ! would so
for a few minutes.
Sure you don't want to hsh?' asked
Brown as If | didn't know my own mind.
II have TO get some hooks. and If you want
a line withering glance was all the
notice 7 felt his remarks deserved.
traiIed along in Browns wake to d
little counter erected on the pier, where a
man who looked In need OF sleep and a
good thawing out was dispensing tackle
and bait
II want some hooks" said Brown.
Some hooks. he says" answered the
sleepy one.
Tent cents worth" went on Brown.
Tent cents WORTH" he says" Was the
response.
IT'S kind of COOL said Brown.
Cool. he saws" replied the bait dis
penser.
IT'S truth he saws" ! chimed in.
Truth he says" said the sleepy one.
It's this winter hshing." 7 thought. as I
eazed sadly al the poor fellow; III has
probably henumbed his brain"
Everything complete. Brown announced
that the sport would begin. We walked
New-York tribune., 1909-12-19

I was quickly alongside Brown again and
dangling a line in the water.
IT'S not so coId.'' I said. and everybody
else seems 10 be-
tug at my line. and l added a fat ling
10 Browns heap. And then another. and
still another.
Getting late" said Brown. when We had
been fishing some time. 'T guess we had
better start for home"
'Whatr' I exclaimed sharply, with the
fish biting this wayi'
It's kind OF foolish business said
Brown IN that sarcastic tone OF his
''I' don't care If it is snapped. You
asked me 10 come fishing with yOU-and I
came
Finally we did quit Our bait ran out.
and Brown discovered il was u o'clock
We packed as many OF the fish into his
basket as IL would hold and left the rest
Other fishermen were leaving-One two.
three at tirle-some with heavy laden
baskets. while others bore large bundles
of fish on their shoulders.
1t was really cold. too. My wet hands
were numb. something I hadn't noticed be-
fore, and I observed that IL was real
Christmas weather. We started for home
laboriously carrying the basket between US
Good night" said Brown 10 our friend
at the pier entrance,
And the answer came. Good night. he
says" The purveyOr OF tackle looked
sleepy, but evidently he wasn't too sleepy
to remember his popularity.
AT the station We We're met by other
fishermen who were just coming down
There are fishermen there all night. found
out later, no matter how cold the weather
may be. Some enthusiasts, the sleepy
reiterative individual informed me. spend
the whole night on the pier and fish all
the next day in addition There are three
piers used for fishing at Coney Island. and
these are packed nightly with hundreds or
ardent fishermen The trains that run to
the island are used almost wholly by an
glers in the evenings. In fact they are AL
most as well patrouized as during the sum
mer months. And Coney Island. I found
out. is not as desolate and untsnanted
these chill winter nights as one might sup
pose.
Night fishing in New York is not con-
fined to Coney Island. by any means Bath
Beach and Ulmer Park have their quota or
nightly visitors in search OF the ffnny IN
habitants OF the deep. as have the piers
along the East and North Rivers. where
the disciples If Walton ind tomcods. in
stead OF ling and whiting
week later. on one of those tingling
wintry nights I listened TO the wind play
ing with the shutters when Browns un-
mistakable sharp rap sounded al the door.
i picked up my rod and was ready for him.
New-York tribune., 1909-12-19
BY W. r. Carpenter

drop of ten more degrees and the mer-
curry in the thermometer would have stood
at zero. II was one Of those tingling win
try nights, when the wind growls along the
hOusetops. playing it, rough game among
the chimneys and cornices
I was dreaming contentedly OF the past
summer beside a gently purring radiator
whose drowsy tones, like the soft. deep
notes of church organ. seemed to bring
u me the woods with the signing wind of
All autumn evening A iudicious arrange
ment with the janitor was responsible for
it all.
A sharp knock at my door. as sharp as
the wind that was rafting at my windows
disturbed my reveries. and Brown who lives
next door, confronted me. His cheeks. I
recall, were like two red apples. and the
end Of his nose might have been little
cherry. And he was. OH so jovial and
crisp looking: he fairly reeked with the
breath of Christmas. I supposed he had
ccme over TO finish a game of chess We had
left -unended the previous evening.
I'm going fishing, Jones' he announced.
Want 10 come along?
shutter slammed in the wind behind
me. and I don't know whether il was that
OF astonishment at Browns proposal that
caused me TO start.
Good heavens =" exclaimed at last
Fishing in the middle of winter, with the
Thermometer '--
The rest Of the sentence was lost IN a
fresh onslaught OF the wind at the windows
Brown prevailed upon me finally 10 go
But no fishing for me-" explained. TN
90 along and watch you, and any other
fools there may be like you, play your lines
ioyousIy upon the waters-but t-l-dont- -
New-York tribune., 1909-12-19
PLENTY OF FOOLS ABOARD.

Coney Island. Brown said. was to be our
destination We boarded the train, my
cc mpanion weaving what appeared TO me
fabulous tales OF the sport that was In store
for us-for hin-while 7 prepared myself
for the bleak. fenantless island that l an
ticipated true symbol Of life's desola-
ton. ! soliliquized. when its pleasures
have faded Slowly IL dawned upon my
prejudiced mind that Brown was far from
being the only fool on the train. All around
Us men were laden with fishing rods and
baskets. and At every stop others Joined
them.
Plenty OF fools out tonight, remarked
Brown in my ear Brown is very sarcastic
at times.
When Coney Island was al last reached
II amazed me 10 ind that the trains car
rid ss many people almost in the sum
r,-r i'm. .hen New York hocks en- masse
to thfs great. 81 oI amusement resorts Ih"
o,h, dinerence / could see was that spoon
ing couples were suppIanted by rugged flsh-
armsn-light, neat clothing by great coats
New-York tribune., 1909-12-19
WAGERED LIQUID BAIT.

One enthusiastic young man, near whom
I stopped. held a little brown bottle toward
a friend. and bet him swallow that he
would catch the next fish. He then made
a proposition that every time either Of
them caught one he would be entitled to
a drink His friend was no sport, but ad-
mired his shrewdness-
No" he replied. my luck doesn't war
rant my taking such chances / want a
drink whenever l feel like II. and the fish-
ing isn't quite equal to my thirst"
| thought the fishing couldn't have been
much better.
Talking OF thirsts, there was one griz-
zled old fellow on the pier whose capacity
for liquid seemed far from human He had
a demijohn beside him contents unknown),
and every time he drew in his line and
baited 1t he took a drink. He pulled in his
line six times in many minutes while
he was observed of me. and in fear OF be-
holding a tragedy l moved on.
Ali this time Brown had been forgotten.
l searched among the anglers. and at last
located him. He was taking a large
whiting from his line. and at his feet lay
a heap OF FISH that had fallen prey 10 his
wiles
II was too much for any man.
Say, Brown" | exclaimed. as / rushed
OF toward the shore. I'm going to get a
line
As | hurried onward l heard Browns
voice behind me-"Going to join fools
and be one. hey?''
Give me a tish line. / said TO the sleepy
looking individual at the entrance 10 the
pier ="
"a fshline. he says" answered ne. push-
ing q rig toward me-
New-York tribune., 1909-12-19
HE MEETS ADAM WORTH.

Sheedy's most famous coup was restor-
ing the Gainsborough painting Of the
Duchess of Devonshire stolen in 1876 by
Adam Worth. just after its sale 70 Thomas
Agnew & Sons. Art critics have often
characterized this story as a clever bit
OF advertising However that may be.
Sheedy once told this dramatic story OF
his dealings with two famous criminals.
MY connection with the stolen Gains
borough was a case OF bread cast upon
the waters he said. Il knew Adam
Worth. the greatest criminal OF the last
century. and knew him well. l first met
him over a gaming table in John Condin'S
place. in Chicago l had dropped Sl.eo
and was broke. A stranger, who had been
winning all night and seemed to know me.
pushed 5000 across the board in my direc-
ton.
''I cannot accept that. I said to him
I don't know you
:" That's all right he replied. I know
you, Pat Sheedy-you'u have money when
I'm broke I'll get 1t back
II lost the money. and when turned TO
look for my unknown friend he was gone
The matter puzzled me. as 1 wanted to
know his identity, that I might repay him
when opportunity or the gods OF chance
permitted. One night I told the story TO
William Pinkerton and described the man
in detail
THAT is Adam WORTH said Mr. Pfnker-
ton. I am satisfied that he has the stolen
Gainsborough. and II you ever meet him
again I want you to speak TO him about il.
I think that with your assurance he will
trust himself in your hands
''I was running gambling house in Con-
New-York tribune., 1909-12-19

balls falling upon long wooden tables is
rythmcally continuous with such celebrity
do the men work
a good rope maker ties up seventy-five
yards of evergreen in an hour and he and
his associates together average q weekly
output of 25.O0o to 10000 yards week.
In the midst of shuffling boughs and
hurrying fingers are men who. at a glance.
are able to select and snap OFF the best
twigs and separate them from inferior foil
age.
Workrooms must be cool and Christmas
greens may not be roughly handled. From
early in December until the dawn of Christ
mas Dav numberless men and boys stand
uD to their elbows in evergreens. shaping
Christmas adornments for the millions
New-York tribune., 1909-12-19
TALES OF SHEEDY
NOTED GAMBLER IN
AVE OF NO ONE.
AdUlce He Gaze Whtney-
Deals 1Cith 4dam Worth
and Raisuf.

Pat Sheedy. the gambler and art col
lector who died the other day once gave
William C. Whitney bit OF advice which
epitomized the views on financial morality
held by that soldier of fortune.
whitney took seat beside me-" Pat
related afterward. "and says:
Pat. I've Just lost $4,000 At Can
fields. Give me a tip how TO win il back.
so says /. Sure l will When YOU get
back 10 Wall Street just water some of
your stock to the tune Of s25,0OO
do you really think we do that Pat?'
d" Sure thing says l. 'Your-stOck will
soak up water like dried apples. Success
I'm playing Wall Street is like success IN
playing cards; 1t depends on two things
chance and cheating
Whitney laughed heartily. and Just then
along came Dick Garfield. and he asks:
&" What's Pat been telling you. Mr. Whit
ney?
And then Whitney Just says Why. this
horrible Irishman has a way of telling the
truth in the most horrible language.
Did you meet the Prince of Wales?'
Sheedy was asked after his first trip TO
Monte Carlo.
Say, you don't know me- was the in
dependent reply Royalties are common
They don't mix with me. I'm oil: they're
water. I float on top.
After the gambler became a picture dealer
he was not inclined TO compliment him
self for any ascent in the scale of respecta-
bility. He remarked once
"AIl picture dealers are sharps-present
company not excepted. In any business.
when you go a couple of months without
selling goods. why somebody's got TO carry
the weight, and it's the first feller that
comes along-that is. If he doesn't know
any better: and usually he don't"
New-York tribune., 1909-12-19
GOOD OF TIME-HoNoRED TREE


Churches arc not however. prepared 10
say that this IS step toward the gradual
aboIishment of the Sunday school Christ
mas Tree made ~ - concession to forest
preservation and 4 precaution against ac-
cidenr through FIRE on the contrary, the
pastor Of q West Side Presbyterian church
says.
The Christmas tree does . great deal OF
good Indeed, Christmas would not mean
the same thing 10 children without tree
It's loss would cause great disappointment
70 many persons. especially children We
erect our tree in the Sunday school room.
where only electric lights are used and no
lights Of any kind will be placed On me
tree"
Some OF the churches and children
homes that intend 70 exhibit unilluminateo
trees this Christmas are the PaulisI
Fathers. who have more than one tree Tor
the fifteen hundred-odd pupils; ste Ae
ness, St James's ST. Marks. ste. Mary
Home, ST. Barnabas's Home, Holyrood. 81
kichaSFE St Lukes and the First PresDS-
terisn Church. ST. Bartholomew expects 10
spsngle It's tree with electric lights. and
few other churches think they may out
have not yet decided.
A Christmas tree is an inspiration TO IN"
beholde-. II isn't half so inspiring 10 s'aho
N more than two feet OF snow WIN Dei""
zero breezes nipping ones nose ana eais
and stinening fingers that WELD the axe -
fell one When IL is considered thal
snsle New York hrm brought more thah
eighteen thousand Christmas trees from
the SHOWS OF the Canadian border TINS
year it Is easy to understand that choppins
arboresI accompaniments 10 Santa 'iaus
means solid work for many mer
Canadian trees and those which fringe
eDnn Cz1AdA possess . darker color ano
New-York tribune., 1909-12-19
They Won't Pay Fire Losses, Big Little Caused b>
Ignition of the Resnous Foliage

heavier foliage than those obtained in the
southern parts of Maine This state is one
OF the principal sources of supply. but IL
is said that Maine trees exhibit a yeIlowish
foliage which many attribute to forest fires
and which has caused one of New York's
principal Christmas tree importers to aban-
don the Maine forests for the last S,ur
years. Florida and Ohio are this season
among the states which have procured
carloads and schooner cargoes of trees
from Maine
New-York tribune., 1909-12-19
EXCUSED.

Shame on you, You came home last
night actually tipsy."
SO did. my dear. l Just couldn't resist
the pleasure Of seeing two OF you At once"
-PhAaAAapAtA Ledger.
New-York tribune., 1909-12-19
CHILDREN OF THE RICH,

Sunday School Teacher (impressvely)-Of
course. you all know that Elijah went UP
to heaven in the chariot?
Johnny Millyun-Oh don't know. That's
probably just the story the family gave out!
Puck.
New-York tribune., 1909-12-19

Why do you allow bull hshting 70 .
on ir vour country
Well answered the distinSuish>a
Spaniard. our public must have sxcitsmene
and we're rather TOO mild and sympoAA01ko
10 enjoy football Sf0f