davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17
ROBINS AT 10c. A DOZEN.
100000 Of Them Have Been SIaugh
tered I'm One Tennessee Town.

10000 of Them Have Been SInugh-
tered I'm One Tennessee Town.
From the Louisville Courier Journal.
Robins are numerous at Lotion. Tenn.
and are selling readily on the local mar
ket al 10 cents a dozen" according 70 a
Murfreesborro special 20 the Nashville
American. II should be explained that
the robins are not so numerous as they
used TO be. for the fact that they sell
for 10 cents a dozen has induced many
men and boys TO engage in the wholesale
slaughter Of the birds
Thousands Of the robins. the special
says, gather in the cedars 10 roost, and
hunting parties 60 In the night and cap
ture and kill them in large numbers. one
party caught 200 birds in one night. one
hunter caught 81 birds in one tree. Il is
estimated that 10000 have been killed
within the last three weeks. II is great
sport-and the robins sell for 10 cents a
dozen. That is the way in which wild
bird life IS being protected in some parts
Of this great country.
The robin Is a beautiful and harmless
bird He is an indefaugable destroyer Of
insect pests. Any one who has ever
watched him on a lawn can testify 10 his
industry in searching out bugs and
worms, and his capacity for putting them
where they can do no harm. II there
Is a cherry tree handy he will visit IT oo-
casionally, but ne much prefers 20 forage
after living things. He is a cheerful,
happy bird and rather likes 10 make HIM
self handy around the premises. rearing
a family the while in the boughs Of the
old apple tree. He IS not much of q sing
er so far as the quality Of his music goes,
but he is always willing 10 give you d
sample Of the best he can do in that line,
and the effect Is not unpleasant 70 the
human ear. In fact, tho robin is an all
round good fellow, and is always ready
to be friendly and serviceable II given
half a chance.
1t is TO be regretted that our neighbors
in Tennessee are not giving the robin
even half a chance. but are numbering
him in cold blood. There really seems TO
be no reason for Il except that robins
are worth 10 cents a dozen. That also
would seem to be about the proper mar
ket quotation for men who engage in
such slaughter. either for pleasure or
profit.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17
A $4,000 Hen,

From Golfers
The second sale Of fancy fowls was
a breeding pen OF FIVE White Orpington
fowls Tor $500 in 1905 Peggy" the
mother of these five birds. is the most
famous and probably the most valuable
hen that ever drew a breath. She has
been scored at 97z4 points out of a pos
sible 100, and Is valued at $4,000, be-
cause $500 were refused for herself, and
five OF her progeny sold for $500 She
has been exhibited at a number Of shows
all over the world as q special feature.
her owner receiving for this service $50
TO 500 per week. Peggy goes from show
to show accompanied by special at
tendant, who sees 10 her every comfort
and keeps her white plumage spotlessly
clean. She wears a gold leg band set
with a diamond. apd drinks from a cut
glass drinking fountain.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17
The Integrity of Committee Hearings.

An interesting question has been pre-
sented by the changes which bureau Of
fcers Of the executive departments have
been making In the stenographers' re-
ports Of hearings before Congressional
committees. Incidents which have lately
occurred TO attract the attention Of Rep
resentatives and Senators to this subject
include amendments made by the chief
constructor Of tee navy and the Chief OF
STAFF OF the army in the text OF their
statements before the Naval and Mill
tary committees. respectively, of the
House of Representatives. In the case OF
Chief Constructor Capps, he amended a
remark to the effect that his presence
before the committee was desired" by
the Secretary Of the Navy to make it ap-
pear that he was merely authorized" 10
appear. The revision was not of impor-
tance. A moro conspicuous example OF
the editorial function was that Of Gen.
Bell. OF the army. who is described as
materially expanding the report of his
hearing without of course, changing its
significance It is understood. also, that
similar liberties were taken by the Sec
retary Of the Navy in a report of his
hearing on navy reorganization beforsth the
House Naval Committee
Il has evidently become a question
whether these hearings are more impor-
tant in the form in which they are rem
dered orally by the officials who are
heard or in the form they assume after a
revision. IF the object Of these hearings
In their printed shape is TO furnish men,
bers OF Congressional committees the
best judgment and the most complete
knowledge of those who are consulted
as a preliminary step to legislation, there
ought not TO be any particular objection
TO the revision. On the other hand. the
Congressional committees have a right 10
expect that the hearing will DO given in
such positive and AUTHENTIC form as 10
require no material change in its text,
provided the representative OF the exeeu-
tive branch is thoroughly posted, and
always assuming that the stenographer
knows his business. After all. the ques-
ton Is one which can be easily settled
by the committees themselves. When an
officer takes what is regarded as undue
liberties with the report Of hearing. he
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17
CompeIllng Enlisted Men to Save.

A bill introduced IN Congress provides
compulsory saving OF part Of the
monthly salary of each enlisted man or
the army. navy. and Marine Corps OF the
United States" This paternal legislation
is 10 begin with the first day Of
July following the passage of the act,
after which It is required that the mill
tary-uaval authorities shall withhold from
the pay OF every enlisted man OF the
service a sum equivalent to ten cents a
day. which is 10 be deposited in the Treas
ury Department and draw interest at
the rate Of 4 per cent per annum. The
deposit and the accrued interest are 10
he paid to the enlisted man when he IS
honorably discharged. or, in the event OF
his death. paid to his designated bene-
fciary. It IS further provided that the
amount held in reserve in this way shall
be forfeited to the government in case OF
desertion.
In the case Of an enlisted man who re-
ceives SIS month, the compulsory saving
would amount TO one-fifth Of his income,
There does not appear any reason why
this statutory prudence should be estab-
Hshed or why an enlisted man, who IS
entitled to certain pay and allowances,
should not receive that compensation in
fun without suffering any deduction OF Il,
even when It is under a beneficial arrange
90
our friends who rail against the perni-
clous effect Of the "unearned increment"
II may easily happen that an enlisted man
wants and needs to use his full income.
or that he has avenues Of investing the
fraction he is able 10 save in a way which.
at least, suits him better than placing II
out at interest to the government There
IS no more reason why the man who en-
lists in the army, navy, or Marine Corps
should be compelled TO deposit a part of
his income than should the clerk Of a gov
eminent department in Washington. There
is no occasion 10 regard the status OF the
enlisted man and the management Of his
pay, to which ne is entitled by law. as
requiring any legislative aid He ought
to be looked upon as qualified to handle
his own resources and permitted to
squander in riotous living, if ne wishes,
the muniflcent sum he receives. The pres
ent laws provide for voluntary savings
without restriction as TO amount in the
case OF nll enlisted men. The annual re-
port OF the paymaster general Of the
army shows that in 1909 more than $1,000
Of these voluntary deposits were received.
TO the amount Of nearly 100000. Since
the system has been in vogue in the army,
beginning with 1873. the amount Of saw
ings Of soldiers has been nearly $50. .OO0. 900:
there remains to the credit of depositors
about 50, 100000. In the last year there was
paid in interest on these deposits about
Ss6.OO0. or a total of nearly 100000 since
1871. This is a pretty good showing, and,
doubtless, as commendable a demonstra-
ton as is possible in other branches Of
the rnilitary-naval establishment. At all
events. the saving of an enlisted mans
income should be a voluntary act on his
part and not a compulsion by law.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17

to lose by peace? Commerce. character
a nations best treasure. honorr
War was declared against Great Brit
ain on June is. 1872, and the substance OF
the conflict is known TO all students OF
history. There were brilliant naval bat
ties. equally brilliant land engagements
The war introduced such naval heroes as
Isaac Hull. Stephen Decatur, Commodore
Bainbridge, Oliver Hazard Perry, James
Lawrence, and such military heroes as
Winfield Scott, Gen. Brown, Andrew
jackson, and many others.
The war continued until December, 1874,
when commissioners of England and the
United States concluded IT by the treaty
OF Client, which was made on December
a. 1914. but was not ratified in this coun-
try until February Il OF the following
year. The American negotiators were
John Quincy Adams, James A. Bayard,
Henry Clay, Jonathan Russell. and AL
bert Gailatin.
The treaty was not acceptable TO a
great majority OF the people Of the Unit
ed States. for it failed to include a num-
Der of subjects which were chief among
the causes Of the war, and these ques-
tiOns became the subjects Of much subse-
Guent negotiation.
Ghent, where the negotiations were con-
Quoted, is the capital of the Belgian prov
ince of East Flanders, and one of the
most important cities Of Belgium, situat-
ed about thirty-one miles northwest of
Brussels
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17
oh. You Country Editorl

From the Obsr N. Mex Progress
We know II isn't exactly right 20 gloat
over the misfortunes OF others, but We
just can't help asking the editor OF
city paper how he would ike 10 be a
country editor in New Mexico, and one
of these fine May mornings OF New
Mexico January he were 20 hear a sweet
sixteen-year-old voice calling him 10 the
door. ana outside the door he were to
find a beautiful damsel on a snow-whitc
charger, Ike an equestrian picture OF
Venus in her teens. and then. Mr. City
Editor, If the picture were to hand you
a dollar. and. with a smile that would
charm a squirrel out OF a tree and make
you feel like You were going straight
to glory In a little red wagon, would
say. L want to subscribe for your pa
per" wouldn't you-No no! Progress
isn't for sale, and II it was the picture
wouldn't go with the plant. anyway.
But, Just the same who wouldn't be
country editor in New Mexico, where
such things happen in the subscription
department. as they did in ours the other
day?
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17
TIGER HARD TO SNARE.
Dangers of Korean Inland village
Man-enter Caught I'm Big Trap.

Man-eater Caught I'm Big Trap
From the Lordoa Globe.
The intelligent japanese is taking an
interest at present IN geological as in
other matters The writer overheard
couple OF these gentlemen, newly come
from Official posts in Korea. discussing
while standing outside the bars Of the
tigers dens a couple Of days ago, the
means. otherwise than by powder and
bullet. whereby the terror OF the jungles
could be kept within due bounds.
II appears that since the japanese oc-
cupation Of Korea natives have been for
hidden to carry firearms, and as a conse-
ouence tigers have multiplied 10 an ex-
traordinary extent. It is not safe 10 go out
shopping after dusk in some of the inland
villages. and as many as thirty or forty
IuckIess natives have been devoWed in
certain districts within a week. The au-
thorities Will not raise the embargo upon
firearms how then Is the number Of
these dreaded beasts TO be reduced?
The tiger IS possessed at times Of an al
most supernatural cunning, wonderful
sense OF smell, and a fine instinct with re-
gard to traps and the like. which make
him as difficult an animal 20 take alive
as any existing. Sometimes he can be
shared. but not often. On one occasion
the writer's native Indian servant ran In
IN a great state Of excitement to say a
tiger was trapped in the jungle half a
nile away, and the entire camp OF course
az once fiocked over TO see the prisoner.
The trap was exactly on the principle
Of a humble mouseTap with a falling
door. and built of strong timbers laced
together with rattans. The imprisoned
tiger was a full-grown male. and IL would
be diff1cult TO imagine anything wilder
than his rage as he TOared and stOrmed
and hurled himself in futile fury on each
part of the structure In turn. There he
was TO stay until hunger had rendered
him manageable, the incident showing
that the tiger can be trapped. although
not often. 1t is to he feared the Koreans
will have 10 recover their muskets or put
up with the sight of hungry tigers
wandering about their village streets.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17
A PROTEST..

! note. with some misgiTings. too,
How literary sages
Are prone to Overpraise few
Who litter hist rvs pages
OF how they make them seem 10 be
Superior 20 you and me
Because they chanoed 70 live. you see,
In more romantic ages.
For instance, take the knights. 50 bold
That writer people write Of
Their virtues they have e'er e1tolIed.
Their faults they have lost sight Of.
l make no doubt the cavaliers
We're quite as prone 10 mix their beers
As We who come in later years
And exc to make a night Of.
And Epictetus' fame has grown
By running jumps and pace
The writers say lie stands alone,
The wiSest Of the races;
But who shall say he never took
A 'fiier'' on some market crook,
Or hollered for some DR.. Cook,
Or trumped his partners seesl
And Cleopatra, she was fair
OF face and form. I'm certain
CAS- witness II. Liddell. De Ware.
Mahaffy. Lane. and MertOn)
But who shall say the little witch
Was not in w0men's nlses rich.
Or that she never wore a switch
Pinned on her bedroom curtain7
o writer man, inclined 70 lie.
Be careful what you do. man,
And do not sing the praise so high
OF ancient man OF woman,
Lest some one who is in the know
May delve into the Long Ago
And dig some records up to show
Your saints we're only human
John D. Wells. in the Buffalo New
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17
A WORLD WITHOUT TIME.
The Glorious Planet Venus Is Thus
EnveIOped in IncertItude.

lHe UloftOus PfaEet venus is 1nus
EnveIOped I'm HncertItude.
Garrett p serTiss. 10 New York American.
There is one remarkable fact about
the magnificent planet which is now 20
brilliantly IN evidence in the evening
heavens, the earth's twin sister" Venus
to which, as far as l know. attention has
never been called.
II astronomers are right in ascriDins
the wonderful brightness of Venus to the
existence OF an atmosphere continually
filled with clouds, then she must be 4
world without time-at least there can
be no measurement of time there such
as we have here.
II is because we can see the sun and
the stars that we are able TO traverse
the oceans and run railroad trains across
the continents.
Surround our earth with an unbroken
shell Of clouds. and what would become
of all our clocks and chronOmeters? Not
a ship could safely cross the sea; not a
| railroad would be able TO run its trains
without series Of frightful wrecks. In
few weeks every clock and watch
would be hopelessly wrong, and all exact
timekeeping would cease.
Probably there are few who stop 10
think Of the way in which our everyday
life depends upon astronomical observa-
tions. Our great primary timekeeper IS
the earth rotating on it's axis. II we
could not see the sun and stars because
/ Of the clouds, we should not know that
I the earth rotates, and there would be
no standard to which We could correc'
them. In fact. We would probably have
no timepieces.
There could be no hours and minutes
day, based upon celestial observations
which would be Impossible 10 use.
They could not be based upon clocks
or other mechanical devices, because the
most exquisite chronOmeter that can bt
constructed will not keep time Indefinite
ly. and must be continually corrected by
means Of observations Of the stars made
in the observatories.
There could be no accurate maps Oi
! countries or charts of the seas, for such
maps and charts can only be made by
the aid Of astronomical observations.
There could be no parallels OF latitude
or meridians Of longitude, for they. TOO
are based on celestial observations which
would be impossible to US.
We should not know, with any Ger
tainty. where We were upon the earth
| We could not measure the distance from
New York TO London. nor from New
| York 10 san Francisco.
Poeucal minds, moved by the spectacle
OF Venus In her glory, have drawn bril-
liant pictures OF the delights OF life ir
! that radiant world. but there is another
side to the question of which we may
well think as we gaze admiringly upor
her electric splendor in these bright
evenings.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17
Time Flies.

The Grover Cleveland babies are begin
ming TO figure in the marriage statistics.
Crop Of 1852
The San Juan hotels are getting weather
beaten Crop of 1881
The Togo pups are old dogs now. Crop
Of 1901
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17

A Boston writer says Benjamin Frank
lin was once convicted OF robbing the
malls. It was just after that interesting
If true-incidenL presumably. that Mr..
Franklin decided honesty to be the best
policy
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17
A LITTLE NONSENSE.
WoRTH TRYING.

A ticker for the hen-house
The farmer should supply.
The hens agape
Could watch the tape
And see when eggs are high.
A ticker for the hen-house
Large dividends should pay.
The hens could note
The rates we quote
And know just when to lay.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17
A Mean TrIck.

"It was a mean trick to play on blind
man."
What did they do?"
Gave him sheet Of sticky fy-paper
plentifully sprinkIed with flies. and told
him it was something In raised letters by
Henry James"
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17

What is the difference between a locker
club and an ordinary saloon?" inquiries
the Nashville Tennessean. If the differ
ence cannot be observed IN Nashville
surely outside communities should not be
expected to know.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17

"a Russian terrorist recently confessed
that he shot the wrong general says the
Toledo Blade. The right general probably
appreciates the grim humOT or this con-
fession. even II the wrong one is not
able TO
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17
MIR. Cannon's Wise Prediction.

Prom the New York American
Mr.. Cannon viii have 10 rest his reputation as
prophet his striking prediction that this cuuntr,
is going 10 grow.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17
Small Reside Theirs.

II fear there are no people left on
Mars"
What makes you think that?"
IF there were they would have found
some way Of showing their contempt for
our canal"
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17
nr. ConI..s Tmpon.ihIe Fcnt.

From the Philadelphia Pubic Ledger.
IF. as Rudolph Francke alleges. It would be
impossible for DR.. Cook % lie, the ease with which
the explorer has accomplished the impossible, must
be set down as his greatest Achievements
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17

should be notified OF the displeasure OF
the committee One or two instances of
that sort, given publicity. win stop what
ever is regarded from the Congressional
point Of view as an irregulsrity.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17
In the House Gymnasium,

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch
Dimly we look forward TO a day when new and
greater Speaker q the House shall take his daily
four hours there. Substituting pacific Indian clubs
for his famous stick. or performing hercuean ex-
plOits upon trapezes that viii fly as never they
@ their sire9 few before.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17

a Georgia man claims to be able to
produce black roses on any ordinary,
growing rose bush Perhaps the yellow
aster and the green carnation are more
than idle dreams, after all.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17
Champ uark's wish Granted.

From the Chicago Reoord-Herald
Champ Clark announces that he desired 10 be
Speaker q the National House Of Representatives
but adds that lie wishes 70 avoid being car
Champ IS going to get one Of his wishes.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17

Mr. Vardaman warns the Mississippi
legislature that he VIII not be "a closed
incident even if he is turned down this
time. Merely a -in-our-
next sort Of incident. OF course.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17
The Question.

This is Lent, said the footpad.
I know it, said the pedestrian.
We'll. what are you going TO give up. -
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17
A Base Revenge.

FTm the Detroit Frec Press
Collector Loeb Is now being mentioned as the
next governor Of New York. presumably by those
who want 70 smuggle in stun and can't.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17
A shrewd FeIIoHy.

you say he is a financial genius?'
He is He frequently talks his wife
into letting him spend some OF the money
he makes"
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17

Already It is apparent that not less
than ffty-seven varieties of Home,
Sweet Home" are TO welcome Bwana
Tumbo when he comes sailing back to
headquarters
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17

"a Santiago dispatch says Or. Cook is
disgusted at being found" notes the Phil
adelphia North American. Out?
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17

Uncle Joe" says Mr.. Roosevelt is the
most popular living American. Even this.
however does not quite make it altogether
unanimous. Now. does It, Chancellor
Dayl
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17

February Matthew patriot
uona fame C174') ah Boydn who designed the Boyd turbine
Tmothx Csis)
Cook d
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17

II is difficult to repress a feeling OF
good-natured sympathy for Mr- Fair
banks, He seems to have a prediction
for starting things without intending 10
IN the least
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17

Hon. Zelaya has announced his inten-
ton TO write a book about Nicaragua's
trials and tribulatlons. A sort OF scrap
book, OF course
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17

II the present Congress entertains the
idea that it stands ace-hlgh with the
Middle West, it has not been reading the
Chicago Tribune very extensively OF late.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17

Speaker Cannon claims descent from
royalty" says the Philadelphia Tele-
graph That. however, is not why they
call him "Czar Cannon"
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17
NIight Even Prove FataI.

From the Hclston Chronicle
John Bigelow is for absolute free trade and wants
to turn the custom houses into hospitals the tTls.
magnates would be the irst patients
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17
Ever Thus.

Life always has some disappointment
to render us morbid and mute. There's
always a rift in the ointment; there's al
way a fly in the lutte.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17

An English traveller says Mr.. Taft re-
minds him OF King Edward And his
majesty has his "insurgent" troubles now
and then too.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17
Texas Congressmen Are Birds.

Prom the Houston Post
And the birds singing IN Texas IN tones as
soft sweet, and moliihuous as the peroration q
Texas Congressman
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17

Isn't it about time for some Congress-
man to get up and talk about the crime
Of '7s? inquiries the Rome (Ga) Trih-
e-Herald. Do you mean Mr.. Hepburn
burn?
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17
SupnIvina NIateriaI.

Now pa and ma keep up with skill
Their daily wars.
II takes a lot Of scraps 10 Ill
The family Jars.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17
CHAT OF THE FORUM.
Near-admiraI Penrv-

Frum the Richmond 1mes-Dispatch.
II rear admiral is 20 high a ranking TO give him
Why not create him a near-admiralY
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17

It pr Jably never win be decided. nov
ever. who knows more about running
a government. Mr.. Roosevelt or EN-
peror William.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17

4 baby carriage combine IS threatened
Here is where we all join the Roosevelt
won 't-you-p -please-come-home? hurrahi
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17

cold storage outfit is spreading through
out the entire land.
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17

The Ballinger-Pinchot controversy IS SO
exciting that practically everybody seems
10 have quit talking about IT,
The Washington herald., 1910-02-17
when n Miss Is Not Ami..

Some persons put ban on bliss,
And say kiss
Is quite amiss
And yet a kiss
Without a Miss
Is a delusive snare, vis
February 9. 1910. SAN. II GAINES.