davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Lambertville record., 1912-11-08

For comfort and style-SEIz Shoes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-13
The Fountains of Peterhof

lump of sugar between their teeth and
 sucking tho beverage through the saccha-
 rine morsel Hotel accommodations are
 impossible at Mini during the fair and
 one must dine at the restaurants. The Latter often observe the Norwegian cus- 1 tom of serving patrons. You enter the
 dining hall and find row of tables pre- pared for the meal, but there is an utter absence of walters or attendants. A glance reveals all the viands placed upon a large center table, and the guest must help himself. This creates confusion, quite a scramble and no little annoyance. Moscow is aristocratic and immoral in the extreme. The citizens look with con- tempt upon the residents of St. Peter
 burg, and while their wealth cannot be compared with those of the empires capital, they are content to live in their pride, social dessication and glory that has become passe. Their troikas and turnouts are less bizarre than those of St. Petersburg but are more characteris- tic and their dougas still retain the bells. The city is famous for its luxurious baths, which are frequented by both sexes indiscriminatey and simultaneous ly, and its best hotels are far from being free from suspicion.
 Religion has hampered progress, devo- ton has absorbed advancement, and su- perstition renders suggestive the phrase revenons a nos moutons.
 SplendOr of Russian Dances Here however are presented the Rus
 sian dances in all their splendor, voiup tuousness and bewildering sitting. Most of them in the summer season are per- formed in suburban theatres and country playhouses, and one has to drive miles to see them. As the city does not wake
 up until nearly midnight one has plenty of time to witness the rendition by start ing en route after late dinner. The dances are interspersed with concerts and choruses given by gypsies, Persian houris and even the incomparably beauti- full girls from Tiflis. The theatres are
 located in groves. profusely illuminated by electricity, and the audience Is seated in innumerable kiosks around tables where tea and Russian drinks are inn bibed throughout the entire performance. The superb measures and bewildering
 mazes of the Russian ballet, the wild cadneces of the gypsy songs, and the melting, Hitting strains of the Bohemian orchestra, commingled with the wierd ef feet of the illumined forest, soughing in its orgies and the merriment of the chat ting throng produce an suppression that is to be obtained nowhere else and Is as enduring as it Is enchanting.
 It is long, dreary ride from Moscow to Warsaw, or varsovie as the natives call it. but when one enters the ancient
 capital of Poland he feels as though he
 was mingling with new world.
 Warsaw has a population closely ap- preaching the million mark, and as the
 Jews are prohibited from visiting St. Petersburg or Moscow they frequent the nearest commercial center to those cities
 and number nearly 100000 As sauritered
 down Marshalkowsh. it's chief business
 thoroughfare, I was strongly reminded of our own Broadway. It was thronged
 to plethora and congested as 1t was the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-13

populace scurried along with that rapid business gait that is characteristic of the denizens of New York.
 Warsaw Paradise of Thieves
 Warsaw is reputed to be the paradise of thieves, and it is declared not safe for one to frequent its streets without keeping his coat closely buttoned and his hand upon his wallet. The city has many schools where thieving and robbery are taught as an art. and the police arc charged with being in collision with the graduates of these schools, Tho thieves operate in gangs of six or seven, and after a victim has been selected one of the coterie snatches his pocketbook and runs away; any attempt to follow the fugitive Is thwarted by confederates, ostensibly stumbling in the way of the victim, who is frequently thrown to the pave, until the poclxetbook snatcher has had ample time to make his escape with the booty: During this performance the faces of the police are invariably turned In the opposite direction.
 The Jardin de Sake is one of the hand- somest of parks, is the citys chief breathing spot. and is always thronged with Jews.
 Here is afforded an excellent oppor- tunity for the studying of facial types. noted that few of the women were hand some, and the men all portrayed a sad cast of features, sober, contemplativo countenance that was severe in its se- riousness and bordered upon the melan- choly. Warsaw is overcrowded with Jews while St. Petersburg and Moscow offer an excellent field for commercial operations and pecuniary advancement. so that it is more than probable that the fact of their being barred from these cities has soured them and given them 8 morose cast of feature.
 r1,o efk Gox. ial interest outside of it's wine shop that has been in existence for four hundred years, and sells some of it's vintage at $40 the bottle, and a magnificent new Greek church. The latter possesses a. madonna adorned with jewels and rare stones of such a stupendous value that guard is perpetually seated in its imme- diate vicinity. Tn olden times it was customery for guards to watch the sacred relics of a church from secret chamber or concealed window. but in this edilcs the treasure are of such value that the custodian remains in close proximity to his charge, and takes no chances of c despoiler escaping.
 I have heard much from travellers of the espoinage and annoyance occisioned by the Russian police, but have always smiled at their recital and attributed it to intensity of imagination or products of pure fabrication fashioned to awe or impress the auditor. Tn my two trips to the land of the tzar I have never experienced the slightest molestation, and have found the officials of Berlin and Austria much more offensive than those of Russia.
 I have always loved My Lady of the Shows and my mental camera contains no more delighting nor lasting pictures than those obtained in traversing the vast steppes and threading the urban thoroughfares in my journey through that mysterious land behind my tinkling douga.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-13

and Virgo has learned all he wished, However, it Is only necessary to caution them and they guard such secrets as re- ligiously as they do their own.
 These people possess elastic natures, and recover quickly from reverses or dis appointments. Independence seems to be prerogative of the Virgo nature, and they prefer to live in their own way. When misfortune overtakes them they are soon up and trying again.
 Virgo people have a weakness for wealth and social position and many snobs and toadies are found in this sign.
 Harmony, congeniality and happiness in marriage attend the union of Virgo people with those of their own sign, but it is important that they should be on the same intellectual and social plane.
 Capricorn-Dec. 21 to Jan. 20
 In appearance people born in the sign of Capricorn are somewhat below the average height, and are usually of the brunette type, with beautiful and ex- 'pyessive eyes, and usually wear glasses. These people are thinkers. reasoners and philosophers, and aspire to the leadership of any enterprise they may be connected with. They are naturally inclined to study and research, and devote much at tention to mental culture. When edu- cated they are usually broad minded, Liberal and tolerant, and are capable of accomplishing the great things of the world.
 They scorn. and even resent, flattery, however subtle. They are highly mag netic and people are attracted to them without any effort on their part.
 They do not act on impulse, nor are they very demonstrative, yet they know their real friends and appreciate their friendship.
 The women prefer power to love, pretty gowns to pretty speeches and high social standing above all else. They stand cold ly aloof in their own conscious. intellect ual superiority, silently reminding others of their defects and shortcomings. In their presence the ordinary mortal cannot long remain unaware of his uncouthness of manner, his iDelegant diction and q hciency in boollore
 WE. Gladstone. Sir Isaac Newton and Daniel Webster were of this sign.
 In contractins marriage sicorn .--~~~~r--~ot ~~~-~-~~~>>~~~.~~S: 7tea
 4Csntinuea ea Next Pagsy
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-13

1 things must have full scope to seek un- limited, unhampered development. The pople of this sign have minds of great retentiveness; they deal with detail with surprising accuracy and ease. They are self-reliant and courageous, and seem, intuitively, to gauge public opinion. Some of the most influential politicians have come out, of this sign.
 These people are very magnetic, they have many friends and find much pleasure in their friendships; they are seldom great takers. Their knowledge lies deep and does not readily appear on the sur face. They are excellent friends, but must be permitted to dominate the friend- ship. They are very thorough enemies, and do not forgive easily.
 Undeveloped Taurus people are the most head-strong. unreasonable people in the world They demand their own way fin all things and under all circum- stances, and the slightest opposition arouses them to demoniacal outbursts of passion.
 The happiest marriage for one born in Taurus will result when they select one from the sign of Capricorn.
 Virgo-August p to September 23
 People born under this sign are very orderly and methodical in their habits. They are precise, accurate and discrim-
 
 a trifie above average height, with intel lectual faces. pleasing voices and agree able manners. They are not likely to go to extremes in anything. Discord and disorder causes them actual distress, and they are so sensitive to 1t that they dis cover It's presence almost instantly, and at once seek the cause of it, and are not content until they have made an effort to correct it. If it exists in affairs outside their own province. they rarely hesitate to bring it to the attention of those in whose control the matter may be.
 The study of any analytical subject Is very interesting to them. Medicine pos sesses strong attraction, and some of the finest physicians and surgeons in the world came from this sign.
 Virgo people take a lively interest in the affairs of others. and are extremely fond of using their powers of observa- tion, analysis and discrimination in fer reting out things which arouse their cu- riosity. No detail Is too small. no course too cunning to escape them.e They have ingenious ways of extracting informa- tion from their friends without the lat ter bsing aware that they. are g1ving It.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-13

way. and have the faculty of imparting their knowledge to others. The marriage of a person born under fhis sign Is precarious venture. Pleas ant companions though they are in a general way, they know little of the more exalted phases of domestic affection. However, happiness usually results when the choice of life mate is one from the sign of Leo or Sagittarius. Children born under this sign are quite 1, difficult to control unless one has the key to their nature which is reason, love and kindness. Corporal punishment is very bad for these little folks and should seldom be used. It is bad for many reasons, chiefly because 1t will require more punishment to conquer them than their little frames can stand.
 Leo-July P to August P
 The sun is the governing planet in this therein are remarkable in many ways.
 They are warm-hearted, sympathetic, generous and magnetic, possessing highly emotional natures of great inherent good ness. They are fearless and courageous, with keen intuition and remarkable in- sight. They are philosophical, yet very practical. and are inevitably of strongly marked personality.
 With Leo people impulse comes from
 
 are manageable only by appealing to their love and sympathy.
 These people are born lovers, and life without sympathy and affection is intol- erable to them.
 Leo people are so finely organized and so sensitive that they often go through life without being understood. Theirs is a love of sunshine and shade, evolving into a sweeter, nobler purpose as the shadows of life lengthen.
 Of all people. those born under this sign love amusement. It is the more dreamy, sensual sort that appeals to them. however, for they dislike physical exertion. Mental effort is equally dis tasteful. In fact they love warmth and ease and indQlence Yet when lashed by adversity. when necessity arise, they dis play unbounded fortitude and inspiring courage, and do their full duty promptly and effectively.
 Leo people go to extremes in all things. love hatred, appetites. passion, and while many of the greatest and beS peo- pie known to, history have come out of this sign. in aik cases their greatness and goodness have fSulted from their deter
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-13

nor the great bell which surpasses in size all others of the universe, that com manded my attention in Moscow It was the Red Staircase that captured and enthralled me. This fight of steps, leading from the palace to the church, is not red in color, 1t is of marble and white; but it's memories are steeped in the hue of blood. hence its name.
 The Fatal Red Staircase
 have loitered in dreamy contempla- ton upon the gloomy span of the Bridge of Signs, I have rested by the shadow of the hill Ill Eospiro ultimo del Moro (the last sigh of the Moor), have cross ed the vale of Roncevalles, so dear to legend and romance, and still resonant with the last notes of the dying Hollands horn, I have meandered through the dolmens of Stonehenge at sunset, where once the white dragon contended with the red, put never have been so moved as when passing by that fatal flight of steps, the Red Staircase, where Ivon the Terrible pinioned the terrified messenger by piercing his foot with the royal staff and not far from where the same cruel, brutal Ivon imbued his hands with the blood of his own son, driven to the re- volting deed by the frenzy of his uncon- trolable temper. There is in the Tretya- koff gallery at Moscow a remarkable canvas portraying with startling effect this unnatural murder, and representing the inhuman monarch in a state of quasi terror. with his eyeballs starting n horror as his uncanny fingers press to his breast the bleeding head of his murdered offspring. It is horrible yet fascinating. Every step of that staircase is stained with bloody associations, fraught with memories of insufferable cruelty and linked with traditions of brutality and crime.
 The Mini Novgorod Fair
 Every visitor to Moscow makes jour ney to Nijni Novgorod if the great fair
 Is in progress, The fair Is the great market of the eastern world, and through the six weeks of its duration is frequented by over 100000 merchants. I paid my respects to Mini, but it is not the mart of old, for the railroads have robbed it of much of it's former glory and whilom prestige. The great bulk of the natural products offered for sale here arc brought down from the Volga for thou sands of miles with the current of the river as the only propelling force of the craft containing the cargo. As these boats cannot contend against stream, they are unable to return, and having made but one journey they are sold for lumber or fuel wood. Here I saw the merchants sitting with their wanted cus- tom before their shops and slipping their tea, which they sweeten by holding a
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-13

thies; none with higher capabilities of at tainment when they have overcome ths more earthly and animal parts of theil nature. The lower nature is indeed very low, while the higher goes just as far tc the oposite extreme
 The undeveloped Geminii people are sus. picious, untruthful, unreliable and i'm patient. They are continually complain- ing, yet have no remedy to offer for the conditions of which they complain. They are continually borrowing trouble and assume to sit in judgment upon their fel- lows and criticise them unmercifully for common weaknesses and frailties.
 The duality of their composition mani fests itself in contradictory inclInations and desires, in restlessness, uncertainty and discontent. They want to do certain things and at the same time they are almost equally desirous of doing just the opposite. These people are the wander CTS of the earth and are exceptionally fond of sea voyages.
 While the Geminii people are very so- ciable, they are i'll at ease, uncomfort- able in club or assembly life, which seems to sap their vim and personality. Their general tendency is to disregard the GUS toms which are generally considered good form.
 When they do marry it should be with sAO.o ooii III Idulus, ApTll lS 10 May ~, or Aquarius, January 20 to February 19, and then there must be a liberal supply Of patience and saving sense of humor on both sides.
 Libra-September 23 to October 23
 Libra is the only sign of the Zodiac that Is characterized by three distinct person. alities which make 1t quito unlike the other two, yet the general characteristics are very similar.
 The men of this sign are exceedingly self-reliant seeking their own compan- ions. amusements and occupations Ere quently they make working capital of their inspirations
 Some of the most famous actors and &C., tresses were born under this sign. Sara Bernhardt and E. H. Sothern are notable examples.
 People born in Libra have keen percep- tions, they literally feel truth or falsity, affection or aversion. and are likely to be influenced by the unexpressed thought of others. While they do not become an- gry very often. their anger is cyclpnic in it's fury.
 Their chief fault, perhaps, is the ten dency to be too strongly attracted by the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-13
OLGA

as he played with unconcern in the rays of the God-given sunlight and fribbled his time away to the tune of tho playing fouut.
 What Is to be said of the exterior of Peterhof applies with equal potency to the interior of Tzarsko Selo, and the same inability presents itself in an at tempt at description. I must however speak of It's amber room, an apartment wainscoted and ceiled with the precious stone which gives 1t the name. The ani- Der walls are panelled and studded with bosses and nodes of the same material but varying in shade and tinge so that one feels as though he were treading an enchanted chamber.
 Amber Chamber at Tzarko-Selo
 Like my visit to Peterhof. it was after noon when inspected Tzarsko.Selo. and the rays of a falling sun ndoded the amber chamber with a splendor that was dazzling in the extreme. Each panel glinted and glowed in bewildering beauty and each boss flung back the solar beam as in a spirit of mad revelry. I was entranced with the burning glow of a large central node whose imprisoned glory seemed to shed an influence of mes merle potency. Twice, after quitting the apartment did I return to hang upon it's bewitching glory, and only the severe admonition of the major domo aroused me from my revery.
 But what shall I say of the great din- ing hall? It resembles hugo sampus of marble for the execution of equestrian manoeuvers. It was all gold and snow, immensity and ornamentation. Visitors to the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, the ball. room of the Imperial Schloss at Ber- lin, the Shell room at Potsdam, and Marble Salon at Hollands chief seaport have been fortunate in their privilege, but they have seen naught until they have beheld the chiseled charms and surpass- ing grandeur of the dining room at Tzarsko-Selo's palace
 But when I reached Moscow I found little of the old city except its Kremlin left. But the Kremlin suff1ces to satiate the fancy and supply all that the roman tic can demand.
 Just outside the gate of its main en- trance still stands the kiosque or shrine that houses the Iberian Madonna, that ikon which has received more homage and been the recipient of more kisses than any other inanimate object in. all this wide world, not excepting the brazen toe of St. Peter at Rome or the unction stone in the church of the Holy Sepul- chre at Jerusalem. Here I repeated my experience of nine years previous. name ly I was obliged to halt my troika to permit the passage of the adoring throng. It was not My Lady of Iberia, however,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-13
Ivan the Terrible Murdering His Son


 There is fascination In symbols, and to one of an intense imagination the symbol becomes the embodiment of a breathing entity. To contemplate the mysterious outlines of the sphinx Is to think of dreamy Egypt; the crescent re- calls the lascivious Turk, the lone cross of Switzerland suggests the Alpine glo- ries of sun-garbed peaks robed in vIr- ginal snow as they companion the slum- bering glacier, and the very atmosphere of the coliseum is still redolent with the odor of brutalty's victims and sonant with the rAartyrs last cry silenced nearly two thousand years ago.
 The camel is to the desert, the howdah to the jungle the reindeer to Lapland and the tomakawk to the American In- dian is the douga to Russa-the douga that graceful arch that spans the neck Of the flying steed of the Steppes and charms with the tintinnabulation of its tiny bells. How often as a child hung for hours over that Illustrated page of my geogra- phy which depicted the barbed Russo, fleeing before pack of starving wolves and belaboring with thong and lash the Hanks of his speeding horses as he urged them to frenzied speed and hoped- for de- nverance till the noses of the affrighted animals almost touched the wooden bow that swept from shaft to shaft. I ptied the man, pitied the hungry wolves. but most of all 1 pitied the noble steeds. snd l never ceased to wonder whether : the poor Russe escaped from his perilous plight
 The douga of today has parted with it's bells, but it is still beautiful, still charm ing, and still distinctly characteristic of Russia.
 \ A while ago I gave my readers a paper on the features and delights of that strange, mysterious land governed by a mailed fist that rules one-seventh of the globe, but my descriptions were based upon impressions implanted nine years ago.
 Through Picturesque Finland
 Upon my return from the North Cape few months ago I decided to again enter the realm of the Little Father and upon reaching Stockholm I was quite disappointed to learn that my requested reservations upon the steamer from that city to St. Petersburg had not been made. It IS, however. an i'll wind that blows no good, and later I was delighted that my predicament had occasioned me to travel by rail through Finland. This country is a region of typographical charms. re- plete with scenic beauty, a land honey comped With beautiful lakes, the summer resort or the Russian aristocracy, and a locality little known and less frequented by foreigners, especially Americans.
 Finland Is best approached from Stock holm by nights voyage across the gulf upon boats that land at Apo. The vessels are small, scarcely over 800 tons. but they are the cleanest most perfectly equipped and up-to-date boats that in all my travels it has ever been my good fortune to use The interior of my craft was perfect melange of mirrors, brass, mahosony and velvet upholstering. the