davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-12-15
rwA chAsnion Penmen.

A contest in the fine art of penman-
ship would not arouse much public ILL.,
terest now. But there seems to have
been great excitement when Peter
Bales was challenged by Daniel john
son in 1895. Bales was the beautiful
writer who could transcribe the whole
Bible so that it would go into a wal
nut shell and who had provided Queen
Elizabeth with specimen Of his hand
writing which she wore in a ring. a
magnifying glass being required to
read it. When the contest took place
there were five judges and hundred
spectators. The competition included
all kinds of writing, the proficiency OF
the rivals pupils and the masterpieces
of either. Bales won the golden pen,
but johnson declared that there had
been trickery, Bales having begged to
be allowed to show the pen to his sick
wife and having promptly pawned it,
whereupon the judges had to declare
him the winner to get out of the diff
Guilty. Really the award was private
" made to spare Johnson's feelings
London Spectator.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-12-15
plHYpRoxYsTEAR,c ACID.

Investigations conducted for some
time past by expert soil chemists in
the department of agriculture at Wash
ington have brought to light the inter.
eSting fact that a large influence tend
ing to make soils unproductive is that
they contain dihydroxystearic acid. In
samples Of soils taken from unpro-
ductive fields in eighteen states this
acid was found. This new theory
seems to make clear why some soils.
apparently fat and rich, do not pro-
duce the crops one would expect. The
presence Of this acid in the soil is
supposed to come from mold. to be
connected with soil fungi and to be
the result Of improper oxidation The
difficulty is overcome by drainage.
which dries the soil and increases the
amount of air it contains. and by the
application of lime. which neutraiizes
its acid tendency.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-12-15
SINKING SMUT.

The plant disease known as sinking
smut is responsible for an annual loss
to the wheat crop of about $11 .O0O.-
600. The disease ruins the wheat for
f1ourmaking The germs of the smut
are on the grain ut the time of SOW.
ing. and it develops as the grain
grows and ripcns. A simple proven
tive Of the trouble is a treatment of
the seed with formalin solution.
using one pint of the chemical tt
about forty gallons of water. The
seed wheat should be spread out to a
depth of four or five inches on the
barn or grarary floor. sprinkled with
the solution. then shoveled into pile
and covered with gunny sacking and
allowed to remain for five or six
hours. at the end of which time the
fumes viii have penetrated the pile
and killed all germs The same solu-
ton is also used in preventing the de-
velopment of other grain SHUTS and
scab in potatoes.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-12-15
Grave Humor,

The punster is irrepressible. He even
indites his jokes on tombstones. An
epitaph in Waltham abbey informs US
that Sir James Fullerton died fuller
Of faith than of fears. fuller of resolu
lions than of pains. fuller of honou;
than of days"
There is another of Daniel Tears
Though strange, yet true. full seventy
years was his wife happy in hei
Tears"
This was written Of an organlst
"Here lies one. blown out of breath
who lived merry life and died Meri
deth.''
Another says: Here lies Thomas
Huddlestone. Reader. don't smile. but
reflect as this tombstone you view thai
Death, who killed him. in a very short
while will huddle stone upon you. =
Pearson's Weekly.
Aspiring Observation-Disclosures. do you
think | will ever be able to 90 an!
thing with my voice?
Perspiring Teacher-Wel. IL mlSn
rome in handy in case of fire or snip
wreck .-Cornell Widow.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-12-15
Fat and Fashionable.

According to the Moorish idea CT
beauty, a really handsome woman
ought to be so fat that she can only
waddle, not walk. The fatter she is
the more beautiful she is considered.
If she can attain 200 or 300 pounds
Of flesh she is the envy Of all her sex.
The Moorish shapRif shape it can be
called-approaches the perfection OF
feminine beauty when it resembles,
or, rather, exceeds, the circumference
of a barrel What paradise for the
fat woman! There she can eat and
drink and feast to her hearts content,
denying herself nothing, living an easy
INDECENT, luxurious life, with no hor-
ror of accommodating fat, but rather
rejoicing in it. There the ambition OF
a woman is to acquire bulk. Physical
culture she would regard as an enemy
to beauty, and to take Turkish baths
and diet herself would be considered
the height Of folly. She wants to be
beautiful, and to be beautiful she must
be fat.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-12-15
Huntina In Russia.

Nearly all the dogs used in hunting
wild animals in Russia not only attack
but endeavor to devour their quarry.
With the borzoi and gontschO it is en-
tirely different. At an early age they
are put into training with old and ex-
perienced dogs, so that they soon learn
how to properly attack their adver-
sary. They are slipped three at time
after single wolf. When one of the
dogs gets nearly side by side with the
wolf he makes one bold squirt and
with the fore shoulder strikes the wolf
so that he is knocked over or else
grips him by the neck. Each of the
other dogs. coming up, strikes the
quarry in the same manner as he tries
to rise, finally pinning him to the
earth, SO engaging him until the hunt
er arrives The sportsman then either
kills the animal or takes him alive,
the latter being much more exciting
Wide World.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-12-15
An Early Street Cleaner.

"One day" Ben Franklin wrote IN
his autobiography. II found poor. in
dustrious man, who was willing to IN
dertake keeping the pavement clean
by sweeping it twice a week, carrying
off the dirt from before all the neigh
bors' doors for the sum of sixpence
per month to be paid by each house.
l then wrote and printed paper set
ting forth the advantages to the neigh
borhood that might be obtained by this
small expense sent one of these
papers to each house and in day or
two went around to see who would
subscribe an agreement to pay these
sixpences 1t was unanimously signed
and for a time well executed. This
raised a general desire to have all the
streets paved and made the people
more willing to submit to a tax fol
that purpose. Survey.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-12-15
HOW s.ttIa. Ar Wan.


Napoleon had this to say Of the way
In which battles are gained: "In all
battles a moment occurs when the
bravest troops after having made the
greatest efforts feel inclined to run.
That terror proceeds from a want Of
confidence in their own courage, and
it only requires a slight opportunity, a
pretense, to restore confidence to
them. The art is to give rise to the
opportunity and to invent the pre-
tense. At Arcola I won the battle
with twenty-five horsemen. 1 seized
that moment of lassitude, gave every
man a trumpet and gained the day
with this handful. You see that two
armies are two bodies, which meet
and endeavor to brighten each other.
A moment of panic occurs, and that
moment must be turned to advantage.
When a man has been present in
many actions he distinguishes that
moment without difficulty. It is as
easy as casting up an addition"
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-12-15
GRAND JURY IS ON
DYNANTERS' TRAIL
Explosions In Non-Union Steel
Work Indicate Collision
of Others

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, Dec. IL
After weeks of preliminary work and
probing by government agents in
many parts of the country where ex-
plosions have taken place, the fed
eral grand jury today began its in
vestigation of an alleged nationwide
conspiracy by which more than 100
structures were blown up and in
which dynamite, nitroglycerine and
other explosives were carried into
at least seventeen states.
A detailed list of 100 explosions
in structures erected by firms en-
ploying non-union workmen, as furn-
ished to the government by the Ma
tional Erectors' Association, was pre-
pared for the grand jury.
The explosions began two years
prior to the employment by the Nc
Namaras of McManigal, who, accord
ing to his confession, blew up his
FIRST building in Detroit, in June,
1907, with twenty sticks of dyna-
mite,' and they extend into the pres
ent year, several months after the
arrest of the McNamaras.
There were two explosions in
1906; eight in 1906; six in 1907;
twenty-six in 1908; twenty in 1909;
twenty-five in 1910, and thirteen in
1911. They occurred in Ohio, In
chusetts, Connecticut, Maryland,
vania, New York, New Jersey, Massa-
diana, Illinois, Michigan, Pennsyl-
Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska
Utah, Washington and California.
Ohio with twenty heads the list in
the number of explosions. Illinois,
Pennsylvania. New York, Indiana
and Missouri come next
After the arrest of the McNama-
ras explosions took place at Mount
Vernon, N. Y, and at Cleveland.
The last attempted explosion is
recorded in the list as having taken
place on October 16, l-lis year, near
Santa Barbara, CAL, at a bridge
erected three years ago. Dynamite
was found near the bridge just be-
fore the special train bearing Presi-
dent Taft passed over it,
After the explosions of the year
just preceding, the National Erec-
tors Association in May, 1906. was
formed by contractors who, in pur-
"open shop" employed detectives to
investigate the dynamiting.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-12-15
Turned Il to His Advantage.

An instance of the usefulness to
other people of illegible handwriting
is included in the vast collection Of
anecdote and fable that deals with
the writing of Horace Greeley. One
compositor could never get used to
his appalling scrawl, and. in rage at
the continual Typographical errors"
Greeley sent note to the foreman or
dering him to discharge the man at
once, as he was too inefficient work
man to be any longer employed on the
Tribune The foreman did it, but the
compositor got hold of the note and
took it to another Office, where the
foreman, after much puzzling, finally
read it 'good and efficient workman
and long employed on the Tribune"
and promptly took him on.-London
Chronicle.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-12-15
Jean Vatican pidnt Fit In China.

Jean vAtjcan bI0hI TIe III Wilma
The eloquent advocate, Maitre Cans,
once went to China with his cousin.
Marcel Bing. When they found them
selves at Sinanfou, in the heart of the
Celestial empire, they made the ac-
quaintance of certain Ian, an under
project, who prided himself on his lit
erary attachments. He begged them
TO dine with him and served them a
European repast, of which the first
dish was a preserve of hot gooseber-
ries. In the course of the feast he
apprised them that beautiful French
novel had just been translated Into
Chinese at is" Ian explained, "the
history of a very honest brigand. He
succors a poor unfortunate girl. He
is the defender of the weak, and be
has much trouble to escape gendarme
who has sworn his destruction. Do
you know this writer? He is called
IgtorioY"
"Victor Hugo corrected NJ. Cans,
who with infinite perspicacity had
comprehended that the novel Lies
Miserables' was meant.
Perhaps" said Ian, ''it may be that
do not pronounce well. In China
we call him Igtorio. His romance is
interesting, but it is little discon-
certing. There never was an honest
brigand in China."-Cri de Paris.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-12-15
sEEpLEss APPLE AGAIN.

a newspaper dispatch under a Rene
Nev.) headline states that an apps
tree on a fruit ranch in MOdoc county.
in northeastern California, bears seed
less and coreless apples. the placenta
jeing forced out of the apple during
the process Of growth. the withered
stamens and pistils being visible on
the exterior of the mature apple This
particular find has been hailed as
something brand new. the owner tax.
ing samples of the fruit to Burbank
for the purpose of having him propa.
gate il. Some seven or eight years
ago considera BILE interest was aroused
IN connection with a seedless apple,
but in this case there was a solid
string at the center of the apple.
While freaks of the above kind are in
teresting in way. they have little to
commend them for one who would
produce apples in a commercial way.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-12-15
HOTEL ARRIVALS

At the UGUSTA-Hunter Pen
dleton and wife, Lexington; R. G.
Houlman, Chambersburg, Pa; P.
H. Coleman, Charlottesville, Va;
Floyd Showalter, Harrisonburg; Col
F. H. Cotton, New York; S. N. Con-
rey, Canton, O.; c. S. Mullen,
Greenwood, Va; w. K Adams,
Charlottesville; B. F. Dollison,
Washington; R. Russell Burdette,
Roanoke; O. T. Finston, Baltimore;
Mrs. J. F. Brooks, Faphine; Mary S.
Terry, Huntington, W. Va; S. J
Mallory, w. A. Barrett, Columbus;
H. R. Morrison, Rockbridge; H. M
Perkins, Robert Leigh, Louisa; c.
c. Pierce, Kingwood, w. Va; L. A
Arttim, Leesville; J. PEBBLES, Nor
folk
Miss Matte Young Richmond; G
E. McDOnough, Baltimore; b. P.
Johns, Richmond; G. H. Walker
Greensboro, N. c.; Frank O'Don-
nell, New York; o. M. Baldinger
Lexington; VIM. A. Adair, VIM
Shorter, Lexington, L. B. Yates, Har.
riosnburg; G.. w. Lunsford, Monte.
reg; L. A. Jones, Baltimore; Jno
H. Cecil, Richmond; Jno. H. Hicks
Stuarts Draft; E. Roder, Philadel.
phia; Miss Blanche Mattiner, Monte
rey; S. R. Thompson, Washington
c. c. Houff, J. H. Hall, Virginia;
w. T. Jacobs, Washington.
At the Virginia-S. H. Goodloe
Jr., Williamson, w. Va; E. H. Jones
Richmond; V. w. Cassell, Balti.
more; H. T. Freer, New York; J. A
Burress, Harrisonburg; C. H. Cal.
fee, Pittsburg; VIM. Price, Bluefield
w. Va; M. Miller, Richmond; H
Baylor, Harry Gait, Virginia;
j. r. Kindig, Richmond; S. A
Moffett, Mt. Jackson; S. M. Kellum
Washington; w. T. Short, Charlottes
vile; T. G. Stillson, aBttle Creek
Mich; E. R. Stillson, Battle Creek
Mich; VIM. 'Greerer, Knoxville; Mrs
E. H. Bucknear, Miss Clor Bucknear
Ohio; J. H. Caskson, Chicago; C. C
Caskson, Chicago; Mrs. R. T. Nor
gan, Mrs. G. c. Mann, Petersburg;
j. D. Sawyer, Charlottesville; w
Budd, Landon county; o. A. Eubank
Landon county; R. Floyd, Phillips
CAL; E. N. Foster, Mansfield, La.
J. P. Carrole, Pottsville, Pa; Walter
Coleman, New York; H. C. Klotch
Baltimore; J. w. Weeks, Franz
O'Donnell, New York; Jas. H. Har
key, Oneida, N. Y; S. A. Jordan
Baltimore; o. c. Cash, Roaonke
Geo. c. Babcock, New York; M. C
Wolfe, Odrion, Mich; j. o. Seamell
Chicago; w. w. Cunnard, Phila
delphia; w. H. Quinnell, Philadel
phia; ]. E. Spurrier, Baltimore; W
T. Coleman, Boston; B. v. Swarm
ger, Baltimore.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-12-15
NEGRESS RELEASED.

LenOra Ramey was released last
night after the Staunton police had
received word from Danville that
there was no charge and no evidence
against her. The statement by
George Ramey, the negro Jail break
er and ex-convict. who will be taken
to Danville today, that she had aided
in his escape, is not competent evil
dence
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-12-15
FOUR JUMPED FROM
BURNING BUILDING

HARRISONBURG, Va, Dec. A.
Professor and Mrs. Earl Hyde and
two children, of Broadway, jumped
their home upon awakening and find
from the second-story window OF
ing the house on fire. Professor
Hyde was painfully injured, but the
others had miraculous escapes. The
fire was probably of incendiary ori-
gin.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-12-15
LYNCHBURG NEGRO is
ARRESTED FOR MURDER

LYNCHBURG, Va, Dec. IA
Lloyd Thornhill, a Lynchburg ne
gro, is under arrest here charged
with murder of David Barker, near
Greensburg, Pa, on December 3. The
negro, who will be sent for, admits
the killing, and says it was done
during a drunken row.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-12-15
Sfjckird to IL.

Magistrate-Now can you describe
the horse in question? How big was
it, for instance? Witness-It was six
teen feet, VI honor. Magistrate Come,
come! Remember you are on your
oath! Don't you mean sixteen hands p!
Witness-Indeed, thin, it was hands
meant And did 1 say feet, y'r honor!
All, well, Pm on my oath, so Well let
it stand Sure, thin, it was sixteen
feet. y'r honor.-London Punch.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-12-15
LICENSED TO WED.

License to marry was issued at
the Office of the county clerk to Sum-
merville summerfield Tomlin and
Sarah A. Cullins. They will be mar
ried at Fordwick, Va.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-12-15
Proved His Case,

Mother-The whipping you had yes
terday does not seem to have improved
YOU. Your behavior has been even
worse today. Willie-That's what I
wanted to prove. You said 1 was as
bad as l possibly could be yesterday.
l knew you were wrong.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-12-15
MISS NEF,F TO WED.

Miss Brownie Neff, who has many
friends here, will be married at the
University of Virginia, on December
%, to Edward Wright Noble, of
Winston-Salem, N. G.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-12-15

Miss Matte Young is the guest
of Mrs. J. S. Craig, before going to
Richmond, where she will locate.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-12-15

Miss Emma johnson has returned
from a delightful visit to friends, in
Baltimore.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-12-15

Mrs. Ogilvie, who spent several
months at the Kalorama, left last
night for her home in St. Louis.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-12-15

DR.. B. L. Miller, who has been
spending some time at R. L. Gray's
went to Washington yesterday for
a few days.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-12-15
worIdIv Wisdom,

Father-In choosing wife one
should never judge by appearances.
Son-That's right. Often the prettiest
girls have the least money.-Exchange
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-12-15

J. D. Fisher has gone to Virgil
lima on revenue service business.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-12-15
XMAS CUT FLOWERS.

Roses. Carnations, Violets and
Narcissus. We are cutting excep-
tionally fine stock. Place your or
ders early.
ct JOHN FALLON.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-12-15

w. A. McComb returned from
Washington last night.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-12-15

Miss Gladys Walker has returned
from Baltimore and Washington.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-12-15
PERSONALS

DR.. ]. S. DeJarnette, went to
Tazewell yesterday.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-12-15
TO SHOPPERS.

TO SHOPPERS.
When shopping don't fail to visit
the Arts and Crafts Shop.
MRS. BEARDSWORTH.
Room No. Is Crowle Bldg.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-12-15
What tOGive and
Where to Get It?

You will find an Immediate
answer IN our splendid stock of
holiday goods. We. wait the OPP
portunity to'put you in touch with
all the latest and best in Christmas
novelties for 1911. We are offer
ing the best products of the most
reliable manufacturers, and certain
assurance of high quality and hon
est worth in each article.
Satisfactory selections for every
person. Altogether the most de-
sirabie line of holiday goods; insur-
ing an easy selection Inappropriate
gifts for old or young. We shall
deem it a privilege to show you
these attractions.
We offer the best at tempting
prices.
The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1911-09-23
He WANTED WIFE'S LIKENESS
Photographer Is Asked to Straighten
Out Nose, Push In Ears, Remove
Squint and Freckles.

II have come to get my wife pho
tographed." said the determined-look-
ing man as he entered the studio. fol-
lowed by meek-looking woman.
you can make one look grand. sir,
can't your"
Certainly, sir" replied the pho
tographer; that is part of my bush
ness, you know"
well, my wife fell out of the win
dow last year and broke her nose.
You can straight 1t out. SUPPOSED"
Certainly. sir"
And you can push in her ears SO
that she won't look so much like q
rabbit"
"Oh, I think So"
And what about the squint In her
left eyer"
"Oh. l can touch it up with Indian
ink"
And the freckles?"
They won't appear on the picture
at ALL"
And will the hair be red?"
"Oh, MOI"
We'll. you can go ahead. Sit dowr
there, Maria, and try to look pleas
ant"
The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1911-09-23
Art Note.

We turn as Is our wont to our
valued friend, the Northwestern Chris
tian Advocate, for surcease from the
news of the day, and there in We find
an interesting item headed: Mona
lsa's Smile" 1t begins:
1T is not likely that the brilliant
young Chavez, on his fatal flight to
portray woman's smile, and since
then no artist has ever found In any
type of loneliness smile to equal
in beauty or hunting charm the half
sad, subtle, mocking smile of the
Mona Lisa, expressed not by direct
lines or curves, but suggested through
out the whole face"
Some years ago Brother Stuart pub
lished a cooking recipe in the Adj
vocate, calling for a liberal dose of
brandy. but he subsequently explained
the matter satisfactorily. However,
we have read this paragraph about
Mona Lsa's smile over and over, and
tried 1t backward and forward and
skipping every other line, but it still
eludes u.s. Chavez. if we recall the
circumstances, was the victim of an
aeroplane wreck some time ago. II
he started on his brilliant fight tc
portray woman's smile nothing tt
that effect got into the papers at the
time. Our catalogue insists that Leo
nardo da Vinci painted the picture o.
Mona Lisa some centuries ago. What
ever Brother Stuart meant we heartf
ly endorse, but, as the paragraph
states in the beginning, 1t is not like it.
The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1911-09-23
Diary of a Fiy-KilIer.

Monday-My attention was called
last night to statement that house
flies are bearers of disease and should
be destroyed as soon as possible.
began my crusade against them this
morning. 1t was little discouraging,
because there was only one fly in the
house and 1t was quite agile. It es-
capped me. l broke two vases and a
photograph frame.
Tuesday nearly killed three flies
this afternoon, but the lamp got in
the way. 1t was 81 lamp.
Wednesday, saw fly on the out
side Of the fly screen and raised the
screen so / could hit 1t. Seventeen
flies few in. l missed 1t.
Thursday-There was a sluggish
looking fly on the window with closed
wings. l stole toward 1t cautiously,
but it few up just as let the blow
fall. Then l knew 1t wasn't fly. 1t
was wasp. My nose began to swell
at once.
Friday-My nose is a sight. Drat
the fies.-Cleveland Plain Dealer