davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
Persia's Great Superstjtien.

The greatest superstition in Persia is
what is known as the "evil eye" You
must not say to some one whom you
meet, "How we'll you are looking!" for
if you do and that person is taken i'll
it will be because you gave him the
evil eye. You must not say to a
mother, What pretty baby!' what
bright child!' for If you do and any
thing unfortunate happens to the child
you will be considered responsible
Many mothers let their children go
dirty and poorly clothed in order that
they may not attract favorable atten-
ton. The sign which is thought to
have some power to avert the evil eye
consists in holding the second and
third fingers Of both hands close to the
palms with the thumbs. while the other
fingers are extended straight out.
Then with the hands behind you you
make. downward movement three
times.-Los Angeles Times.
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
Insane EnaIish Monarchs.

0sorge III. lis the only British mon
ara who IN modern times has been
,p&aeed under restraint and deprived
OF Ids authority because of insanity,
Though similar measures were at one
dina contemplated with regard to his
son. George w., the monarch who
k,as been described as "a bad son, a
ha4 husband, bad father, a bad sub
tesk had monarch and bad friend
aaA whose conduct while on the throne
wa8 characterized by an eccentricity
witch boedered on lunacy.
H fnsanity Of George III. was real
ay brought about by the dangerous
Wos ~of his youngest and favorite
r10d Princess Amelia The unliken-
hood Of her recovery preyed upon him
ana fastened the attack Of mental de-
raaennasnt which incapacitated him
from neigning, although he had pre-
v1Dusfy suffered from this nialady. He
dad hopelessly insane at Windsor after
a0Lng h1s sight as we'll az his Senses
tEgso0fs.
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
/ ssll clappsrs 81 opiu,y,.

The infinite patience Of the Chinese
is well illustrated in smuggling story
which heard from an imperial mari
time customs official at one Of the '.bar-
riers" on the upper Yangtze. The Incl
dent occurred several years ago in an
attempt to avoid duty on a small
amount of Szechuan opium that was
headed for Shanghai. ::@ - ~~. !
can important article Of down river
trade" said the official in question, "is
the little belled and spangled cap worn
by the Chinese children from two to
six years of age. In passing number
of boxes of these in the spring of 1906
1 CHANGED to notice that the tinkle
from the little bell in the center of the
cap was examining was rather muf-
fed. Forcing it open purely out Of
curiosity, I was astonished to find a
tiny pellet Of opium hardly a quarter
Of an inch in diameter which had been
substituted for the clapper OF course
we had to search the whole lot, and
our aggregate haul from about 5000
caps-a couple Of days work for US
was less than ten pounds of opium
Wide World Magazine
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
sinaia Fiia.

4
When the Indians Travelled together
they seldom walked or rode two or
more abreast, but followed one another
in single file. It has sbeen, thought by
some that this practice resulted from
the lack of roads, which compelled
them to make their way through woods
and around rocks by narrow paths. If
this were the real reason for the prac-
tice. then we should expect to find that
the tribes who lived in open countries
Travelled in company. as do whites.
The true reason for journeying as the
Indians did in single file seems to be
a feeling of caste. This feeling was
at the bottom of other customs of the
Indians 1t made their women slaves
and rendered the men silent and unso
cial. This popularity is Asiatic. How it
has warped and disfgured Hindu life
is well known. Home is scarcely pos
sible where it prevails. To the wom-
en- and children domestic life is bond.
age. The women of a. Chinese house
hold are seldom seen in the street. The
children, when accompanying their
father, follow him at respectful dis.
tance, in single file and in the order OF
their ages.-Harper's Weekly.
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
Scientific Manaoer

One cold winter day some railroad
officials while making an inspection O.
a large yard stepped for a moment in
side switchman's shanty to ge1
warm. Among them was a genera
superintendent who was known t.
have mania for "scientific manage
ment" and the reduction of expenses
As they were leaving the switchma1
asked the travelling yardmaster. whom
he knew:
'*Now, can ye be tellin' me who tho,
mon is?''
*'That's the general superintendent
the yardmaster replied.
"What do you think O that? He's q
foine lookin' mon, and ye never woulC
believe the tales ye are hearin' about
,im''
''What have you heard about him
Mike?' was the curious question.
''Why, they do say that he was a,
the funeral of Mr.. Mitchers wolfe anG
when the six pa1lbearers come out hi
raised his hand and said: Hold on a
minute, boys. I think yez can get
along without two Of thin. Livery
body's Magazine.
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
Primitive ldsas 81 Hygiene.

= h ~
Hindu ambassadors once sent t,
England by a native prince were re
garded as so polluted that on their re
turn to India nothing but being borl
again would purify them. and they
were accordingly dragged through !;
gold image Of the sacred Yoni. s!2
A writer describes curious custom
of the Baretse in South Africa A few
days after the death Of a man the doc
tor comes and makes an incision OF
the forehead of each of the survivor:
Of his relatives and fills it with medi
cine to ward off the contagion and thI
effect of the sorcery that caused hi!
death.
Leland calls attention to custom @.
taking medicines on the threshold il
ancient Tuscany, the idea being that
the threshold was the border line be
tween the outer world where evil spir
its freely roam.
If person dies within an Eskimo
hut everything in the hut must be de
stroyed or thrown away as we'll as
everything which had come into con
tact with the deceased an6
Hygienic Gazette.
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
]: 1orroyya "a. save. J. !.

Uncle Reuben, the village white
washer and man Of all work, was a
frequent borrower of small sums from
his neighbor, Colonel Arkwright, and
as rule he repaid these little debts
at the appointed time. But on one oc-
casion when he had been accOmmO-
dated with loan Of $3.50, which he
promised to return in few days, he
allowed two or three weeks to pass
without making any mention Of his in
hehtedness and, in fact, seemed to
avoid his creditor. But one morning
the colonel unexpectedly encountered
atm at the postoffice:
Hello, Uncle Rube! Didn't you bor-
row little money from me several
weeks ago?"
'Dat's right, cunnel," said the old
man II sholy did,
You told me you'd pay it back in
sluoe or four days. Have you had bad
8uck1'
'"sNo, suh," responded Uncle Reuben.
I'll tell you how it was. cunnel. 1
lacked jes' two dollahs an half O
havin' ten dollahs to put in de savin's
bank, an I used it TO- dat. It's all
right, cunnel I won't fo'git it,
Youths Companion.
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
Don't Be a Chatterer.

Do you chatter? If you feel you do
don't! Get rid of the habit as quickly
as maybe. There is nothing 80 irritat
ing or more dangerous. His chief asks
the clerk question which requires q
brief answer. Instead of replying in q
word, he irritates his superior by in.
consequent meanderings, and he is sur.
prised and hurt to be curtly cut short
His astonishment, however, would be
greater could he but overhear subse.
Quent conversation. "Shan we send
Jones on this special commission? ?"
asks the head clerk. "No," replies the
chief; "he chatters too much"
1t has always been so. Famous gen.
erals have ever intrusted important
messages to the man who would ratb-
er be shot than speak. Then, too, .
chatterer has few friends, whether
business or otherwise. Who can feel
at ease with a man who babbles all
you tell him in confidence to- the next
comerePearson's Weekly.
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
Try a Sinale Rose.

I'VE read" said Lucinda, 'Eabout how
Adolphus brought to Luella a. great
bunch Of roses, and we cam imagine
their beauty. We are left to guess at
their cost. But do you know it isn't
really necessary in order to make home
beautiful to have bunch Of roses as
big around as barrel; that a. single
lovely rose will do?
'Try this: If you have spent all your
money for hats and gloves and Adol-
phus hasn't come-my brother: Claude
would say hasn't come to- the bat-stop
at the florists and buy a. single rose
it will cost very ittle-and take that
home and set it in the proper vase; it's
red petals and green leaves to- please
the eye and it's fragrance to f1ll the
room, an individual flower of grace
and beauty and JOY. If you can't
have a bunch try single rose.''' New
York Sun. = e.
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
6isness Of Big Ben.

Big Ben, which marks the hours for
parliament at the top Of the clock tow
er at Westminster. is bigger than it ap-
pears from below. Looking at the dial
Of Big Ben from tine northern footway
of Great George street or from the
Thames embankm ment, it appears as il
its diameter might he equal to. the
space that man Of medium size could
cover with outstretched arms. AS q
matter Of fact, however, the diameter.
Of the dial is twenty-three feet. From.
the ground the minute marks on the
dial look like ordinary minute marks
and as if they were close. together.
Really they are foot apart. The nu-
merals are two feet long The minute
hand, with its counter balance-the
heavy piece Of metal that projects be-
yond the center Of the dial-is+ fifteen
feet in length. This hand is so, massive
that during snowstorm, the clock IS
sometimes retarded by the weight Of
the fakes that alight on it.-Londaa
Mail.
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
Know What q Prism Isl


John Smith and Henry Jones are eat.
ing lunch together. John Smith casu.
ally takes two cubes Of sugar and
places them side by side.
'sThat makes perfect prism, doesn't
it p John Smith remarks casually.
"Prism nothingr' replies Henry
Jones. THAT isn't prism~"
''Sure it is,7 remarks Smith, Don't
you know prism when yoa see One?''
II certainly do," is the retort. "A
prism is triangular piece Of glass
used to divide light into the primary
eolors.. Can't you recall enough Of
your school days to remember that ~
"Oh, yes; remember that all right.
But these two cubes oil sugar. placed
side by side;. make prism, teo.''
''Bet you the lunch youSre wrong.7
challenges Jones'
''You're' on promptly agrees Smith,
and dictionary was sent for.
Jones had to pay the, bet. IF you
don't believe it. look in q dictionary
yourself and see.-St Le,tl$ Post Dis
patch.
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
The 0iHArAno~.

I'D was at an afternoon concert, and
I'm ehs stalls sat a smartly dressed girl
azd tAs young man who deemed her
thu most precious jewel OF the uni
v&8e. Behind them sat q couple Of
the type Of concert goers who came
EsEASf to discuss. the audience than
Maben to the music
Look at that girl just in front Of
~ commented one in a very audi
bls whisper. "She's shop assistant at
In. should like to know what busi-
m0s sha has at gathering of this
sort. And just look at her hat! She
S@ved ne the other day with the one
I an wearing, and I suppose she per-
x'aades herself that there Is no differ
ence betwee 1t and mine. l never
The girl in front turned with a Grim
son face.
Oh. yes, madam, there's a differ
'&'rse" she said quietly; mine is paid
R."-London Tit-Bits.
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
HAY TN Church

A curious; custom has been observed
from time. immenoriaE at Old Weston,
HuntingdonshTre, in England. The
church there is dedicated to, St. Swith-
in. and ON the Sunday most nearly ap-
proaching ST. Swithin's; day the ediffce
is strewn With new mown hay. The
tradition. is that an old: lady hequeath-
ed a field for charitable purposes on
condition. that the tenant provided the
hay to- lessen the annoyance caused by
the squeaking of the new shoes worn
by the villagers. On Feast Sunday.
There are other explain ations-one that
1t is, an offering Of the FIRST fruits of
the hay harvest and another that it is
survival of the castOm of strewlng
the church (when the floor WAS only
bea ten ea:rth) with rushas.
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
What Is Fun?

II don't see what fun it can be for
you to 60 Oh these fishing expeditions
with your husband" said her best
friend
THAT'S because you don't know any
thing about fishing she replied.
DO you?"
Indeed l do. I can sit In the stern
OF the boat and give advice to the best
Of them. And when big fish gets
away nobody can beat me telling how
it ought to have been or might have
been landed"
Il shouldn't think that would be
much fun for you
''Shouldn't you? Well. that's because
you don't know how mad it makes my
husband. Kid. you don't know what
fun is.'-Cleyeland Plain Dealer
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
The EVERGLADES:

The region known as the Everglades
Of Florida is about sixty miles long by
some fifty five miles broad and is> one
vast swamp. studded with islands of
from a quarter Of an acre to hundreds
Of acres in extent. These islands are
generally covered with dense thickets
Of shrubbery or vines and occasion
ally with lofty pines and palmettOs:
The water is from one to six, feet deep,
the bottom, as a rule. covered with
growth Of rank grass. During the
rainy season, from July to.October, the
district comprised in the Everglades is
practically impenetra BILE. The vege-
table deposit of the Everglades is con-.
sidered We'll adapted to the growth Of
the banana and other fruits, and when
properly drained the region will un-
deubtedly be one of the most fertile on
earth.-New York American.
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
He Took tho, Cue,

He was man who gave little and
got much. Today. for instance, he had
got clothes brush. basin OF water,
a towel and shine, and he had given
nothing at all.
Tr-r-r-ring! went his bedroom bell.
The hotel attendant smiled sourU.
This was the fourth time he had been
summoned, and he did not hurry.
Il thought you were never coming"
exclaimed the visitor when the st.
tendant appeared at last Are you
nicknamed 'Slowceach?
"No, sir" answered the attendant,
'eThey call NE Billiard cue'"
'sBiliard cue" repeated the visitor,
frowning. Then an inspiration dawn
ed. "Ah! Because you're such stick,
! suppose?" he asked.
"Wrong again. sir!'' returned the at
tendant. tits because I work better
with a, good tip.'-London Answers.
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
When Lobsters Were Common.

The lobster was not always the aris-
tocrat of the supper table and the
most costly Of delicacies. A man who
used to live in Maine, but now lives in
Ohio has this "reminiscences, according
to writer in the Cleveland Leader:
Zone day here in Cleveland l took
friend out to luncheon, and suddenly
the old appetite for lobster came back
to both of US, as we were both born
on the Maine coast We had two full
portions, and the bill was 81. And yet
as boy I've seen my father standing
on the wharf. bargaining with a FISH
erman for his lobster catch of the day,
and often. for 81 I've seen the lobster
fisherman turn over to my father the
entire catch. and the whole boatload-
$50 or 800 big. black Holsters, perhaps
would be dumped on the landing and
taken back on our old farm. as feed
for the pigs.
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
Why Thackerat Was Moved to Tears

Why Thackerat Was Moved to Tears.
A lady. an intimate friend and a
frequent visitor at the Thackeray
home, called late one afternoon She
was shown into the study. and on en-
tering perceived the novelist himself
seated at; his desk, his head bowed
upon his arms. Fearing she was in
truding in, the presence of some great
and unknown grief, she paused. hesl-
tating. Then. thinking he might be
of some help or at least express her
sympathy. she stepped forward. Jast
then Thaekeray looked up His shout
ders were shaking, the tears stream-
ing from his eyes.
Little. Nell is dead" he said broken
ly.
Little Nel1?'' his visitor interrogat-
ed:
Eyes. Little Nell" was the answer.
"She is dead. I've just been reading
it." Before him on his desk lay an
open copy Of "Old Curiosity Shop
Ladies' Home Journal.
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
Whistler's Eccertrfcities.

"hiStler'S EcceNtrfcItle8.
Whistler's remarkab1e genius is no
doubt responsible for his many eccen-
trieities. He quarreled indiseriminate-
ly with friend and: foe. and for him
the public were a. set Of ignoramuses
who had no right to- amy opinion what
ever:
Especially well. known is his GUAR
rel with John Ralskin. who in his
'tArs Clavigera" had heaped scorn on
one Of Whistler's ''NocturDes" in the
following languages: n have seen and
heard much of coekney impudence be-
fore now. but never expected to hear
q coxcomb ask 200 guineas for f]inging
pot of paint in. the public's face
The artist promptly sued for damages.
and in the celebrated trial which fol-
bowed he was awarded one farthing.
which coin he trinmphantly wore as a
watch charm ever afterward.
In his art work, as in his own per-
sonal appearance. Whistler was fastid-
fous. His palettes were beautifully
wiped, his brushes fapltlessly kept. and
as for his general behavior it was
foreign. one may even say exotic.
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
BOUGHT AND SOLD-Second hand
furniture. Odd Fellows building,
across from postoffice. phone 12o.

silk sock extended so far into the aisle
as, to. make it almost impossible for
people TO- pass without coming in con-
tact with the obtruding member was
brought to a sense of his disregard foe
others by three young women who sat
opposite One said. Il wonder If he: is,
showing his foot or his shoe?" The
second said loud enough to be heard
above the car clatter and of the
amusement Of others, Il think he
wants to show his clocked socks
watch it" NO" said the third. hes
only showing his bad manners" The
foot came down and was lost in the.
crowd which got of at the next. STA
tiOn.-New York Tribune.
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
irvinu's Modex*v,

! Snler Me1lish, who was for several
p yDrs In the company of Sir Henry
: tzsaug, first coming to America in his
support, told a characteristic story Of
the great English actor
Ave we're discussing Tennyson in
the beefsteak room Of the Lyceum one
n1Ght.' said Mr.. Mellish, when Sir
Henry came over and Joined in the
:roUversat ton. 'Ah, yes,' be said, Ten
>nyson. TO be sure / know HIM Clever
chap. yes, but vain. One night Ten
nyson and l were walking down Pic
radilly together. and as we passed a
crowd on the street corner several of
ste men took off their hats and bowed.
Ha! Do you know Tennyson thought
they were bowling to him. Extraordi-
mary! Yes, clever chap, but vain, you
Know
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
StruQQTe Of the Rivers.

struggle for existence. and survival Of
the fittest among rivers is one of the
most interesting results of the modern
study of physiography. A notable. ex-
ample of this contest is exhibited by
England's two biggest rivers, the
Thames and the Severn. Between their
valleys lie the Cotswold hills, and. ex-
ploration shows that the Severn by
eating backward among these hills
where softer strata underlie them has
diverted to itself some Of the headwa-
ters which formerly flowed into, the
Thames
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
A New Creation.

Margaret. aged eleven, had just re-
turned from her first visit to- the ZOO.
"Well.'~~ said her mother smiling,
'|did you see the elephants and the 81
raffe, and the kangaroes:
Margaret looked thoughtful
eve saw the elephant and the gil
raffe' and the dan-ger-roos.>
''What?" said Mrs Blank.
"The dan-ger-roos. 1t said. These
animals are dangerous" Har-
per's Magazine.
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
a Witty Thiof.

Munich has been visited by thief
with a sense of humor. Several days
ago all the clocks in the ministry Of
railways came to a standstill The
trols all the others, had been stolen.
In it's place was a sheet Of paper with
She words, Time was made for
slaves
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
Spanish Meat Balls,

Spanish meat balls are as palatable
as they are rare, and made thus: One
can of tomatoes, one onion chopped
fine. garlic or cayenne to taste. This
forms the spanish" One and a half
pounds of hamburg steak. Soak half
loaf of stale bread; drain off all wa
ter. Take one egg. pepper and salt to
taste. mix together. roll into balls the
size of an egg and cook in the ''Span-
ish' three quarters of an hour.-Na-
tional Magazine.
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
Quick Action.

!. "A southern farmer was trying to sell
a mule to a negro who two years be-
fore had been kicked on the head by
1he animal
>*Of course" said the farmer, this
mule kicks, but
Il don wan him." objected the COL
pred man emphatically.
"Just because he kicks?' asked the
ewmer, with an air of contempt.
"Humph!" grunted the negro. Dat
mule don kick; he shoots. Popular
Magazine.
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
The Color CunA.

To cure smallpox was apparently q
very simple matter in the, good old
times. John Of Gaddeston, court doc
tor to Edward H., has recorded that
he got rid OF the disease. by the simple
expedient of wrapping his patients In
red CLOTH. "Let scarlet red be taken, ..
he says, and let him who is suffering
smallpox be. entirely wrapped in It OF
in some other red cloth. I did thus
when the son Of the illustrious king,
OF England suffered from smallpox. I
took care that all about his bed should
be red, and that cure succeeded very
Nelf"-L London Tatler., - |5
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
Still AJohnnx.n Il

One summer when an admirable ex-
secretary of the navy was visiting MS
native village of Buckfield in Maine
he sent some clothes to the village
washefwoman and, driving by the
next week in company with repre-
sentative to congress, stopped to- ask
for them. The woman turned to her
assistant. May" said she, lis john
ny>s washing done yet?'-Christian
REGISTER.
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
She Made a Mistake,

Two girls, the story ran, were drink
ing tea and eating scones at fashion
able New York restaurant The first
girl said:
MAUD is So sorry she took Reggies
ring back to. Dymons to be valued"
'sWhyT' asked the other girl as she
opened a fresh seone.
"Dynon kept it. He said Reggie
hadn't been in to settle fol. it. accord
ing to- his PROMISE ~
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
Her Question.

Molly (holiday making in the coun
try)-I say. Mr.. Hoats. do you mind if
ask a question? The Farmer-No.
my dear. What is it? Molly-What l
want to know is when you've finished
milking that COW how do you turn it
off ?-IIondOn Sketch.
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
Education.

Education gives fecundity of thought.
copiousness of illustra ton, quickness,
vigor. fancy, words, images and illus
trations: it decorates every common
thing and gives the power of trifing
without being undignihed and absurd.
Sydney Smith.
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
Not In Condition.

Professional Beggar Gin Hardupp's
Objective been out O work for over
year, mister, and amt got the price
O nights ,lodgin'. Can yer do any
thing to help me out? Hardupp (sar-
t1onically)-Td like to. but sprained
my foot on collector yesterday.
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
Conservation Too.

"What is this domestic scienceT' in
quired the engag girl.
ut consists Of making hash out Of
the leftover meat and croquettes out of
the leftover hash." explained her more
experienced friend.-Louisville Cour-
1ef-Journa]
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
His Suspicious Aroused.

His Suspicious Aroused.
"John, do you love your little wife,"
'Yes''
''Do you love me very much?''
ooh. yes"
"Will you always love me?"
eyes. Say, woman, what have you
gone and ordered sent home Dow?''-
Pittsburgh Post.
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
Makjnu a Hero,

A nourishing supper, good nights
sleep and a fine morning have often
made hero Of the same man who
by indigestion, restless night and q
eainy morning would have proved a
DuWard.-Chesterfie
The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-12-23
And Got a Iectnre.

"Wen, old man, how did you get
along after left you at midnight?
Get home all right?'
mo. A confounded nosey policeman
hailed me to the station, where I spent
the rest Of the night"
Lucky dog! reached home."-
Boston Transcript.