davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-09
III HIT KREH4R10 70 cSZ4RT ZOE III REART dzGgI1DS

grounds is Cheval Paar, lying from to IS
miles offshore at depth of to S1a fathoms
and extending about 61A miles from north to
south and 4 " miles from east to west
Probably the most remarkable feature of the
Ceylon pearl fisheries is the extreme uncertain
ty of the supply of pearl-bearing oysters, so
that from early times, and doubtless from the
very beginning, the fisheries have been most
unreliable and intermittent.
1t is a matter of record that during the nine
teenth century there were only sc years when
fishing possible Mentioning only the
longer periods of cessation, it may be noted
that there were no fisheries in the years 1921
to 1925 in 1888 to 1854, in 1864 to 1873, and in
1892 to 1900.
1t was this last long series of recurring fail
ures that induced the Ceylon government to
secure the services of an eminent English
biologist for comprehensive investigation of
the pearloyster grounds and of the causes for
the disastrous failures The result was that
great deal was made known concerning the
conditions of life of the pearl oyster, and for
the first time information was afforded the
government by which the industry might be
placed on a stable basis. Forthwith in spite
of vigorous protest, the government leased
the pearl fishery to private syndicate and re-
tired from the business from which it had been
obtaining large but not steady income.
AS we study the life of the Ceylon pearl
oyster two points of transcendent Importance
are disclosed: Cd The mollusk is prolific to
an incalculable degree, and (2) 1t is subject
to an overwhelming mortality which at times
completely nullffies it's productiveness
The numbers of oysters produced abso-
lutey beyond comprehension. few years
1 ago on one paar five miles long and two miles
wide small pearl oysters were ascertained to
be present to the number of 10000 per square
yard in places forming layer over the bottom
nine inches deep; one diver, who was down
only 80 seconds, brought up 1925 young oysters
by actual count This condition of the grounds
was determined in November by the govern
ment inspectors; in December of the same
year no oysters whatever were found-all had
disappeared as If by magic On another bank,
known as the Periya Paar, scientific experts in
the year 1902 estimated the number of young
oysters at one hundred thousand million but so
insecure was their existence that on inspection
a few months later it was found that all had
been swept away.
This destruction is due to a variety OF
causes, but principally to two: physical agen-
cies, such as the burying of the oysters by
sand which are ordinary responsible Cor only
to per cent of the mortality; and animals,
particularly fishes of which various kinds and
sizes feed largely on the pearl oysters and are
so charged with fully 90 per cent of all the
losses to which the young and full-grown mol
lusks are subject
Up TO a few years ago, and for more than
a century before the British officials in Ceylon
had absolute control of the fishery, and de-
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-09

which fishing is to be allowed, (3) OF SPECIFY
ing the number Of boats on each area ana the
number of days that are to be deVoued TO the
fishery, and (4) of making an othclal Vaiua-
ton of the prospective pearls in order that the
fishery may be advertised
News that fishery is to be held travels as
by wireless telegraphy throughout Ceylon,
India and other parts of the east and at the
prescribed time 10000 to $4,000 people gather
in few days on strip of desert sand. with
the Persian Gulf one side and the jungle
on the other, at point convenient to the
pearl-oyster grounds.
It can readily be understood that the pearl
town is a place of intense activity from the
moment the government agent opens the fish
cry. The extensive business connected with
the mere existence of the people would alone
be sufficient to give great hustle and life; but
added to this are the special industries de-
pendent on the various phases OF the pearl
fishery.
AS soon as the fishery is over, the entire
place seems to dissolve in a day as if by magic,
the people hurry to their homes, the pearl town
lapses again into a solitary sandy waste, and
the beasts of the jungle take possession.
Marichchukaddi may spring into being the
next season. but may remain non-existent for
many years
There is no particular style Of vessel spe-
cialy required in the pearl fishery, and con-
sequently we find a great diversity of rigs,
depending largely on the regions from which
the divers come: narrow single-masted canoes
with an outrigger, square-sterned luggers,
large sailing lighters, three-masted canoes.
and clumsy doneys. Some of the larger YES
sells carry 65 men, of whom about half are
actual divers, and the average crew of the en-
tire feet is 80 to 35 men.
Owing to the boisterous seas and strong
winds of this region, the fishery can be con-
Quoted only during period of few weeks in
March and April when the northeast monsoon
has waned and the southwest monsoon has not
begun. The fishery is thus of br1efer dura-
ton than any other pearl fishery of import
ance, and is characterized by strenuousness
that Is quite foreign to the east.
The fishing boats start for the grounds soon
after midnight, so as to be ready for work as
soon as daylight comes, about a. m. They
take positions about the government vessel
moored over the particular ground selected,
anchor, and remain actively engaged until
noon, when the entire fleet sets sail and starts
for the shore. AS there is a crowd Of pearl
merchants eagerly awaiting an opportunity to
speculate there is considerable rivalry among
the diving boats in the matter Of reaching land
and dscharging their catch as soon as pos
sible, and consequently one witnesses some
wild scenes of excitement when the oysters are
being unloaded in the surf and the natives are
rushing into the kottus with their catch.
Except for loin cloth, the divers are naked
Their fingers are covered by flexible leather
shields to protect them from the rough corals
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-09

and travellers each year. But the pearl fishery
IS SO remote from Colombo that not one visitor
in ten thousand ever goes there
The pearl fishery of Ceylon and of India and
the Persian Gulf is of very great antiquity,
and is thought to be the oldest established
fishery in existence. The Sinhalese rec
ords going back to about $50 B. c. indicate
that the fisheries were then well developed,
and there is reason to believe that they -four
ished at least 500 years before. At very
early period the pearls brought the island into
prominence abroad and were in great repute
in Rome at the time of Pliny, who, referring to
Ceylon under the name of Taprobane wrote
that it was ''the most productive of pearls of
all parts of the world"
From the most remote period of which there
is any record, it would appear that the pearl
fishery played very important part in the
history of Ceylon, having had more or less
direct and intimate relations with every i'm
pOrtant aspect of the civilization of the island.
The information available clearly suggests that
from the earliest times the fishery con-
Quoted in much the same way as in our own
day-the same methods of obtaining the pearl
oysters, of handling the catch on shore, and
of extracting the pearls.
1t is hardly necessary to state that the pearl
oyster of Ceylon, like the pearl oyster of other
lands, is not an oyster at ALL 1t is more nearly
related to the mussels than to the oysters, and
byssus or a bundle of tough fbers, by which
it attaches itself to the bottom.
There pearl oysters and pearl oysters.
There are the huge thick-sheled species of the
South Seas, Australia, Philippines and Burma,
that are as large as dinner plates and weigh 8
to pounds as they come from the water;
there are the small, thin-shelled forms of Vene-
zuela, Japan, Persia and Ceylon, that are only
few inches in diameter and weigh only few
ounces.
The large pearl oysters produce the mother
of-pearl of commerce, which is so valuable that
the fishery is profitable even when no pearls
are obtained. The smaller mollusks have little
value except for the pearls they yield.
The maximum size attained by the Ceylon
pearl oyster is only inches, and the shells are
so thin that they may be crushed between
the fingers of an average man.
Pearl oysters are found on all parts of the
ance to support important fishery only in
the Gulf Of Manaar, which is large indenta-
ton between Ceylon and India, lying imme-
dately south OF the line of giant stepping
stones known as Adams Bridge.
The area of the peariing grounds is about
| 800 square miles. The bottom Is for the most
| part sand diversified by outcroppings of cal
| eareous rocks, which form fiat or slightly in
clined lodges on which the pearl oysters grow.
| Aggregations of lodges constitute "paars," or
banks, which centuries ago received names
| that are still applied.
The largest and most important Of these
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-09
InpraeticablIlty


This thing of doing in Rome as the
Romans do is not always the best
plan, says the Popular Magazine. IL
you don't believe it Miss Jane Adams,
the famous sociological worker of Chi
cago, will tell you a story to prove 1t.
Miss Adams knew a wealthy wom-
an who delighted In doing works OF
charity, such as sending missionaries
to foreign fields, and on one occasion
she put up the money to send mis-
sionary to the Caroline islands. Soon
after his arrival on the scene OF his
activities the religious man sent his
benefactress a photograph Of himself
and his wife.
Whereupon the rich woman wrote
the man of God a letter, suggesting
that his wife, in order to win the con-
fidence of the natives, should throw
away her fine clothes and wear the
costume of the islands. Two months
later she received this answer:
Enclosed is the complete costume
worn by native women. MY wife
awaits further word from you before
adopting IT,"
The native dress consisted OF a
piece of woven straw, two inches wide
and eight inches long.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-09
A CHECK TO
RHEUMATISM
DR.. Williams Pink Pills Build Up
the Blood and Overcome
the Rheumatic Poisons.

rheumatism defes any treatment
that does not build up and purify
the blood. The poisons of rheumatism
are in the blood and it is only through
the blood that the disease can be fought
successfully.
Unless the blood is weak and impure,
rheumatism cannot get foothold.
When it does the thin and impure
blood is not strong enough to overcome
the poisons alone. Unjust be strength
ened and purified. DR.. Williams Pink
Pills for Pale People are the best blood
building medicine you can take. They
make new blood with every dose and
promptly check further progress of the
disease. They make the blood so pure
and strong that not the least trace OF
rheumatism remains.
Mr.. A. Hamann, farmer on r. E.
ID. No. 2, Eldridge, Iowa, says:
used DIR. Williams Pink Pills for
Pale People for indigestion and rheu-
natism from which [ suffered for over
six years. As these attacks came on
every spring, think they were caused
by impure blood. The rheumatism
was always more severe in my ankles
and knees and especially in my arms,
when had been husking corn or work.
ing hard. The pains were go severe
that l could hardly sleep at night.
used liniments of many kinds, but they
didn't do more than drive the pain to
some other part of the body and did
not get any relief from the Doctors
medicine.
''When I read about DR.. Williams
Pink Pills for Pale People in our weekly
paper | made up my mind to try a
medicine that had actually cured some
one else. A few boxes cured me and /
think so much of the pills that l keep
them in the house to use as tonic MY
wife finds them strengthening and we
think the pills are the best medicine for
the blood"
DIR. Williams Pink Pills for Pale
People are the blood's greatest aid in
overcoming rheumatism, headaches,
anamia, chlorosis, and after-effects OF
the grip and feyers.
A valuable booklet, Diseases of the
Blood" will be sent upon request.
DR.. Williams Pink Pills are sold by
all druggists, or will be sent, postpaid,
on receipt Of price, so cents per box;
six boxes, $3.50, by the DIR. Williams
Medicine Co., Schenectady, N. Y.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-09

and that In a free country they ought
to be at liberty to call on strangers
to attest their signatures rather than
on friends who know them and might
babble, it would seem reasonable that
legislatures should at least establish
some presumption of validity in favor
of wills executed under more formal
conditions. Let the formalities-the
safeguards-be as elaborate as those
who frame our laws deem necessary.
If they have tho popular Anglo Saxon
prejudice against the notary as a rou-
tine functionary who might become an.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-09
Ill., E4RLEEJ LOOK
LIKE RIg4UII4L CR,ENES

termined when a fishery
should occur and what
grounds should be opened
to the divers. This deter
mination was based on an
examination of the various
grounds in the November
preceding a fishery, and a
preparatory inspection OF
the particular grounds Sc
lected in the following Feb
ruary. The advance inspec-
ton of the oyster beds on
which it is proposed to per-
nit the divers to work is
for the purpose (D of as
certaining the approximate
number of pearl oysters
that may be taken, CD of
marking the areas on
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-09
What Every Woman Knows.

A Cleveland school teacher writes
that she asked her class what was the
difference between the expressions, "a
while" and "a time" Nobody seemed
to have any ideas on the subject.
Finally the light of intelligence was
seen to shine in the eyes of one little
boy, and the teacher called upon him
to save the intellectual honor of the
class.
81 know, teacher!" he cried eagerly.
when papa says he's going out for a
while, mamma says she knows he's
going out for a time!"
That's one way of looking at it.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-09

wonderful profusion and variety of
precious stones; if such surrounding
waters did not yield the most re
splendent pearls.
Ceylon has long been celebrated for
its sapphires, rubies, cat's-eyes. moon
stones, opals, amethysts, carbuncles,
and emeralds; but none of these, nor
all OF them combined, have given to
the island the fame and the romantic
setting that have been conferred on
it by the product of the limpid waters
that battle its coral strands and sandy
beaches. The poetic name of Ceylon
today is 'The Pearl on midas Brow"
Colombo, the principal city of mod
ern Ceylon, is stopping place for all
the steamers plying between Europe
and Asia and Australia, and is there
fore visited by thousands of tourists
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-09

ity, and could be set aside only b.
convincing testimony, we should have
taken long step toward checking the
crying abuse of speculative attacks or
wills. Assuming also-though this :
not yet settled-that there may be !.
herent difficulties, either of laT y
propriety, in the way of probate &c
fore death, the present situation nigh
be further improved by imposing some
restraint on the action OF distant rela
tives.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-09

easy tool, It would be simple matter
to require also the affidavit of physi-
clans or even of a Judge after careful
interrogation as a condition precedent
to the erection of rampant between
testators and their greedy kin.
Surely our society needs some such
protection. The blackmail and extor-
ton current here are practically un-
known In foreign countries where the
notarial system of attestation prevails.
If It were the law that will carefully
executed under prescribed forms
should have the presumption OF valid
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-09

iestator, If not mere birds Of passage;
whose faculties, perfunctorily exer-
cised, can recall nothing but the hazy
fact of signature when tested subse.
quently on the witness stand.
Why, in connection with one Of the
most serious of human affairs, should
we disdain the use of ceremonials
which would give an inherent proba-
tive force to our action? a writer in
Scribner's asks. If 1t be argued that
dying testators cannot always procure
the attendance Of an official whose af-
fidavit and seal would carry weight,
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-09
HAVING Fun.

The brilliant wit of the bar looked
at the moon-faced farm laborer and
winked at his friends and whispered,
Now, we'll have some fun"
Have you been married." he be-
gan.
"Yee-es,' stammered the laborer,
~:once"
Whom did you marry?"
"A w-w-woman, sir"
Come, my good man, of course 1t
was a woman. Did you ever hear OF
any one marrying a MANI"
''Ye-e-es, sir; my sister did"
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-09

1.-THE drinks is on me-" said the little
man with the greasy vest. I'm feelin'
good and l don't care what happens"
"What'smatter? said the barkeep.
Birthday"
NO." replied the little man. II
took my wife down to the river to the
Echo rocks and she's so durn mad
she's speeches.. For the first time in
her life she didn't get in the last
word. Here's to the echo."-Cincin-
natl Enquirer,
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-09
- CAIRRXz1IG Ty(4IZ ClGZIR0
HtL7O. GOKzIRXZzZ2YT KOTTOS

and shells. In order to facilitate the
descent, each diver employs a fiat,
oval stone, weighing 80 to so pounds,
The stone is perforated at che end to
receive a rope, and close to the stone
a kind of stirrup is made in the rope
to accommodate the divers foot. The
stone is suspended at a depth of TO o
feet below the surface by means OIL
cord attached to an outrigger.
When ready to descend, the diver
places one foot on the stone, the olh-
er on the rim of a rope basket attach
ed to a rope, initiates his lungs, zoos
ems the slip-knot holding the stone
and sinks rapidly to the bottom
There he at once disengages his FOOT
and quickly crawls over the bottom
tearing loose all the oysters he can
reach and putting them in the basket
When near the limit of his endurance,
he gives a signal with the basket rope
and is quickly hauled up by the
watchful attendant, or "manduck,
with whom the diver is provided. Inc
helper has meanwhile pulled up and
secured the diving stone, and when
the basket is hauled in he culls the
catch from the miscellaneous refuse
that is attached to the oysters.
The divers usually operate in pairs,
with common attendant and diving
stone. The descents occur at inter
walls of five or six minutes. The best
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-09
WILL MAKING TOO CARELESS
SIackmalI and Extortion Would Be
Decreased IL the FormalitieS
Were More Elaborate.

How haphazard the preparations for
the making of will in this country
are apt to be- Whom does the aver
age lawyer invite to attest the solemn
disposition of his clients estate? His
stenographer, some student in the Of
fee, or casual acquaintance on the
Same floor: shoily unfA,aAsAar with the
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-09
A Quarter Century

Before the public. Over Five Million Free
Samples given away each year. The con-
slant and increasing sales from samples
proves the genuine merit of Aliens Foot
Ease, the antiseptic powder to be shaken
into the shoes for Tired, Aching, Swollen
Tender feet. Sample free. Address, Allen
S. Olmsted, LIE Roy, N. Y.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-09

Mrs. Murphy-So your son Dinnis
fell from his airyoplane? Sure, Oh
thought he was learnin' to fly in
correspondence school.
Mrs. Casey He was, but he
shtopped short in the middle of les
son.-Lippincott's.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-09

To remove nicotine from the teeth,
.aisinfect the mouth and purify tbs
breath after smoking, Paxtine is a
boon to all. At druggists, Csc box
or sent postpaid on receipt of price by
The Paxton Toilet Co.. Boston, Mass
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-09

"One ought, every day at least. to
hear little song, read a good poem,
see a fine picture and, If it were pos
sible, to speak a few reasonable
words. '-Goethe.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-09

The energy some men waste In
making fools of themselves would
make a fortune in any other line Of
endeavor. on
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-09
Where the Leak Was,

Boarder (excitedly)-There's a ru-
NOR afloat-"
Mistress-Jennie. turn off the water
in room 4!-Judge.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-09

As soon as woman discovers that
she is unable to reform her husband
she begins on aer neighbors.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-09

no You HAVE CREAM TO SELLY
Write HIIjSNOLD CREAMERY CO., Minnea polls
for prices and tags. They guarantee return OF cans
and satisfaction to you for every shipment.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-09
.M/zNZB lZEEP HGW ZzE RSRNz1
6ZzZ/ ZK,ACgE CZZP

S SOON as a traveller
sets foot on the shores
of Ceylon he comes
under the subtle charm
Of the land, and is
quickly imbued with
the feeling that It
would be most incon-
gruous if such a eli
mate did not produce
the most luxuriant
foliage, the most beau
tiful flowers, the most
luscious fruits; If
such a soil did not
give forth the most
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-09

Don't make shipwreck of your health when
course of Garfield Tea can cure ypus Of
indigestion.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-09

A pure, mild and potent laxative, Garfield
Teal All druggists.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-09

Dream of besfstew means pot luck
The Washington herald., 1912-05-05
MILITIA FOR SUBURBS.
Laurel ana HyattSyIIIe to Have
Company of Infantry.

Hyattsvine, May L-The adjutant gen.
eral OF Maryland. Charles F. Macklin,
has acted favorably on petitions from
residents of Hyattsville and Laurel,
Prince George County. ana authorized
the organization OF a company OF in
fantry at each town. Col Charles r.
Little, Of the First Infantry. Maryland
National Guard. has been detailed TO
muster IN the company at HyattsvllIe
on wednesday. May s. as company r,
FIRST Regiment Infantry, and on Thurs
day, May y, Company l. will be mustered
IN at Laurel by the same officer. The
mastering in OF these companies will
complete the complement OF twelve COM
panles for the FIRST Regiment.
Companies r. ana l. were Formerly
stationed at Easton and Centerville. re-
spectively. on the Eastern shore. A rev
years ago both were disbanded for fail
uFe to meet the rigid requirements OF
the militia authorities. The young men
or both Hyattsv1fle and Laurel have be-
come enthusiastic. at the prospect OF
entering the Maryland Guard. and both
companies expect to organize with the
maximum number OF men authorized Dy
the Maryland militia law