davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-27

1 tested by their costumes of bizarre and in bright tints upon their houses and barns. This results in the produc- ton of enlivening and delightful pie lures. The snow on the top of the cliff blends to the sombre gray of the cliff l itself: then come the highly colored dwellings dotting the green sward of the gaard and all finally verges into the steel or silver hue of the surface of the fjord.
 From Bergen northward fancy is satiated and romance glutted by the variety and abundance of scenic beau ty The mountains overpower, water falls of stupendous proportions and in- comparable sublimity are encountered at every turn, fjords glimmer and glis- ten and simmer in sunlight and shad- ow as mammoth mirrors grotesque peaks, called finder pierce the very sky, glaciers frown or smile as they rest under cloud or ray, and marvellous highways, wrought by the cunning creation of wizard engineers wind through gorge and pass climb otherwise inaccessible heights. It is fairy land, it is paradise. 1t is Eden.
 one is surprised at the varied char acter of the scenery presented in an area of small compass. Alesund Is a city of stone houses and sombre streets. In midsummer the windows are all closed, the streets are deserted. for most of the populace is at the wharves the shops are lonely and unfrequented and the wind whistles through the thoroughfares with the voice of winter the breath of frost and the violence of the cyclone. There are parks to be sure and they are adorned with flowers, but they are lonely plants and the bloom bear the melancholy of a country graveyard. Yet just across the bay and almost In sight lies Mode basking in the sunlight and sparkling like q gem upon a maiden's bosom in a mesh of throbbing lace. Mode is a great summer resort and abounds In some ex- cellent hotels, The bay is broad and placid, the shores are gentle and re- cedng and the pastoral beauty of the scene suggests the environment of fea- lures of Naples or Lake Garda. In the high church of the town is to be found Axel Enders celebrated Easter Morn ing" a painting pronounced by critics to be the most masterful treatment of tho subject accomplished by modern art.
 It is a days travel by boat from Mode to Trondhjem, the most norther- ly city in Europe. and the port of sail Ing for steamers en route to the North Cape
 Many Fine Hotels
 Trondhjem has population closely ap proximating 40,O0o and possesses many fine hotels. It's streets are excessively broad and exceedingly clean It is an ex- pensive city, ranking in this respect with Vienna, Budapest or St. Petersburg. It's chief attraction is It's cathedral, the most northerly in Europe. the place of burial of Norway's ancient kings and the coro- nation church of her present day mon- archs
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-27
CALLS VACCINE DANGEROUS
Dr. Charles Creighton, London Spe-
 cialist, Testifies at Philadelphia

From the Philadelphia Record.
 That vaccination does not protect against smallpox is the belief of pr Charles Creighton. of London, expressed at a meeting of the Phennsyivania state vaccination commission. in the ofhce or Commissioner John Pitcairn, in the Land Title building. pr. Creighton is known the world over as an authority on cpl demiology. He translated Rirschs great work on "Geographical and Historical Pathology" and subsequently wrote an original work on the history of epidemics in Britain, published by the Cambridge University Press. His writings on vacci- nation include monograph on cowpox and another on Jenner and vaccination, as well as the article on vaccination in the ninth edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica.
 The doctor gave eveidence before the British royal commission on vaccination in 1ss9-1Sso He visited India a few years ago to inquire into the local circum- stances of bubonic plague. The paper which he read on his return before the Indian section of the Royal Society of Arts was reprinted by the Smithsonian Institution of Washington among its sci- entific selections of 1906. Besides his work on epidemology. pr. Creighton has
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-27

Hamid. finding force no remedy, tried his usual method, bribes. He invited lssa to Yildez, called him hatteringly "Mon- sieur." and offered him 14,0oo year and a harem to live like good Mussulman at Stambul. Issa rejected the sl4,000 and even the harem. "I choke in cities,' he said. Abdul gave him pension and sent him home.
 On the way to Mitrovitsa, Issa, carrying s12,o0o-the biggest bribe ever seen in north Albana-was attacked by seven Greeks His only companion was shot dead Issa ran. The Greeks pursued. orouched behind a rock. He shot the foremost Greek dead.
 The others made rush together Issa shot a second Greek dead. winged an other, and got a third through the eye The survivors fled. Issa got safely back with the s1,.ooo, and with precious tro- phies-revolvers, daggers, and Grecian ear. He generously shared with his com rades the S12ooo. the revolvers and the Grecian ear
 Issa had vowed at Stambul to love Abdul Hamtd, and nc kept hls VOW. ne kept 1t by waging war on the Young Turks. That was the cause of the All banian revolts of 1910 and 1912 When, in April. 1910, Schefl<et Pasha with 5000 men started from UeslSub to Werisovitsch to light Issa, Issa cut the railway and held up all the trains. Issa defended for week the pass of Katschanik, and retired only when threatened by schefket from the rear. With ll,oo0 men he out witted 5000 and got away.
 At Katschanik Issa made his reputation for daring and ruthlessness. When his men seemed wavering he ran on to the hill crest and exposed himself. A shell ripped up his petticoat. When his 1S- year-old nenhew tried to run away. lssa sent volley after him, and brought him down.
 After Katschanik. Issa went to Monte-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-27

given much of his time to microscopic re- search in pathology and allied biological subjects, and has published several vol urnes of results. illustrated by his own drawings. He was demonstrator of anat- omy at Cambridge from 1876 to 1881.
 The doctor was listened to and ques- toned by Drs William M. Welch and Jay r. Schambeig and Emil Rosenberger, Porter Cope, and Mir. Pitcairn, members of the commission. There was much that was technical in his examination before the commission. but among the things interesting to the general public that he said was that one reason America is not subject to great plaques that depopulate European countries is that this country was developed after the great smallpox period for instance, which disease. the noted doctor stated. is fast disappearing, and will finally vanish altogether.
 Always regarded as a ehilds disease, the physician said other diseases of chill dren such al scarlet fever and measles, are becoming more virulent. Vaccine virus he said. has a tendency to provoke these diseases. He stated that during a smallpox epidemic in Vienna he was taken down sick, and that his ailment was pronounced chickenpox. simply be- cause there were on his arms two marks showing that he had been vaccinated When Dr. Creighton cited cases in which. he contended, vaccine virus produced smallpox, Dr. Schamberg tried to show that the cases were not really smallpox but Dr. Creighton held to his assertion, and insisted that there is danger in vac cinaton, chiefly of spreading other dis eases, and possibly smallpox itself
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-27

negro to brew trouble for the Young Turks. That was his fourth visit. He spent the winter in Podgoritsa. and agi- tated so fercely among the mild Mails soris that they rose in bloody revolt. Issa rushed to Kossowo to drag his own countrymen into the fray. He was dis appointed. The "Intelligence"-tha is, the new nationalist party-was on top. Issa throw in his lot with them, and swore faithfully to defend the national cause against Younk Turks or old.
 When Mahmud made his pilgrimage to Sultan Murad's grave, he issued an amnesty. Issa Boletini was pardoned He was asked to Ueskub, and offered pen sion He declined pension and pardon. What do you want?' asked the Turks Guns" said Issa He got them, but not from the negotiators. Three days later he attacked a Turkish ammunition train. The thirty Turks fought. They were surrounded. Issa offered quarter. The Turks laid down their arms. Later a. foolish Turk tried to run. The captors shot They shot till all thirty Turkish captives were dead. Issa was accused of treachery "The guns went off by ac- cident," he said.
 That is Issa's way. He is cultured humorlst. When fighting Schamsi Pasha he wrote the Turk commander scented epistles in fiower-embossed envelopes, and sent them south to Kuprili, where they were put in the ordinary post. He knew that Schamsi was a lover of ladies. and had several lady loves in Kuprili and Krushevo. The scented letters were in uninteliigible Albanian; and when Scham- si had them translated, he found they breathed war, not love. Seven times within the last decade have the Turks .shelIed or blown up the Kula fortresses belonging to Issa.
 lssa either rebuilt them or changed the spot. When his third Kula was captured by Schefket Pasha, the Turks found the walls of Issa's room adorned
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-27

There are some superb waterfalls in the vicinity, but their beauty is greatly marred by the presence of electric and industrial plants. Here the traveller takes passage for the outer world and enters upon a fortnight of genuine, unalloyed dolce far niente
 The steamers are about 800 tons capac- ity, but they are marvels of comfort and model crafts in every respect The offi- cers are noted for their courtesy and spirit of accommodation, steering their vessel close to glaciers and other points of interest for the benefit of the passen- gers, penetrating each hidden nook cove and fjord, and I have even known them to halt the vessel for hours to enable their guests to obtain an advantageous view of the midnight sun. Glass sun par lors are provided on the prov, chairs are supplied gratis in profusion, the meals are most excellent, coffee is served upon deck and every provision made to entertain and please.
 The first object of interest that is en- countered is Torghatten, which is passed the morning of the day after sailing As the vessel calls here returning from the Cape no stop is made upon the outward passage. Torkhatten signifies Market Hat and its shape causes 1t to resemble a huge piece of head gear floating upon the water. It Is an island and It's peculiar feature is natural tennel which plerces the entire rock. One can see the light streaming through it from the deck and in the distance int bears close semblance to mammoth window.
 The object of attraction to the neophite 4t. H..
 which is reached about noon In cross ing the equator the first passenger is generally treated to a dose of salt water at his meal, but the officers of the Cape steamer are too courteous for such an- ties and they announce the passage of the circle by the discharge of a small brass cannon. The circle at this point cuts most peculiarly shaped island, known as Hestmande (horseman) from its close resemblance to a mounted knight covered with a long mantle, which en- velopes both steed and rider Usually some lady is selected from among the passengers to pull the cord that fires the cannon During my last visit ner- vousness caused the honoree to pull the cord at such an acute angle that 1t broke and the circle was far in our rear be- fore readjustment enabled the announce ment of the passage to be heard.
 One Is now not far from the famous maelstrom so dear to legend and romance Story has it that in ages gone trolls used a mill for the turning out of gold. As a punishment for some misdemeanor on the part of the trolls they were deprived of their mill, which was cast into the ocean at this point and fated to churn salt in lieu of the precious metal. hence the saline properties of the sea.
 The maelstrom Is at the lower end of the Lofotos Islands and long stretch of islands that companions the coast for great distance. The name signifies lynx foot from a fancied resemblance of the archapelgo to the pedal extremity of that cunning beast.
 The Flying Dutchman,' Twenty
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-27

with derisive verses. They were writ ten by Issas tame bard and blood thirsty blood brother, the Albanized Serb, Kovitsch. Even in plain Albanian Issa Is no scholar.
 Tales innumerable are told of Issa; some of them true and some of them as false as Issa's word. Were he an Englishman he would wear dozen Victoria crosses pinned to his broad breast; were he German he would be the vain owner of enough iron crosses to make another cannon. His forces vary in numbers but however large there is hardly a member who will not tell you that he owes his life to the quickness. the skill or the bray cry of Issa Bolentini
 He Is the only man In the world whose name strikes terror to the heart of the fanatioally brave Turk. In the minds of the Turkish soldiers he bears charmed life: and campaigns against him are just so much wasted time and ammunition. That Is the real reason why the Turks will not now fight him.
 Countless Turkish pounds have been spent in bribes to secure 1ssa's assas- sination but in vain. The Young Turks placed a price of s20,0o0 upon his black head, but the money lies in Salonica unclaimed to this day It is worth considerably more than a mere s20,000 to brave the flashing eyes of Monsieur Bolentini especially as there is a large chance of the assassinator coming off second best in the en- counter.
 As a matter of fact, severfal att tempts have been made to put an end to Issa Boletinis mischief making. But the attempts have been made by light brained, Allah loving Turks and not by traitors within his own camp. On one occasion he was attacked from the rear and the blade of the long knife was deflected from the great heart of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-27

the unique pleasures and witnesses the odd domestic scenes that are obtained in Marken or traversing the canals Of Holland After Dahlen is reached the journey is completed by three days travel in stolkjoerres to Bergen.
 The stolkjoerre is a quaint two wheeled vehicle, drawn by one horse and fitted for the accommodation of a couple of passengers and their hand luggage. The driver occupies small seat in the rear and the lines for guid- ing the horse pass over the shoulders of the passenger. Formerly most of these drivers were young girls and their companionship was very agree able, barring the usual inability of the tourist to converse in the language of the land. but recently females have been inhibited by law from following the occupation and even boys under a certain age are so prescribed.
 This route has it's charms If the weather is good, but as the stolkjoerre has no cover. the discomfort Is very great if 1t happens to be raining, and nowhere in the world can 1t rain harder than in Norway.
 Along the more northern1y route lie some of the most sublime mountains and grandest fjords in the land. Az the little steamer threads It's way along the various zigzag ramifications of the water route, lodging a jutting angle here and sticking its nose Into an un- expectedly revealed cove there, floating in perpetual shadows that slumber at the feet of cliffs sheering thousands of feet above head or dancing in stray ing beams of sunlight that come as valkyres used to como from the radi- ance of Valhalla to the gloom of nor tals' abode, one is reminded of 8 curi- ous and astounded visitor moving, in silence and awe down the shadow swept aisle or athwart the orieled tram sept of vast and multi-pillared cathe- dral--a cathedral of nature whose vaulting is the sky, whose fittings are the living rock whose apse is the i'm prsoned fjord and whose dim relig- ious light" is shed by the half-forbid- den rays of a sun that knows no set ting.
 Fertile Stretches of Land
 Between the waters edge and the base of the overpowering cliff are to ba found small but fertile stretches of land and here are located the farms or saards as they are there called. These farms exist in groups and possess the local importance of a village or town in our country, every one being indi- cated upon the maps of the land. In truth where population Is so sparse a parsonage or physicians residence is 8 matter of import and their location Is gwen prominent mention in the Nor wegian guide boks
 Little is raised but hay and owing to the dampness of the region the crop after being moved is dried by being suspended upon especially erected fences. When the winds are high the hay Is tied to the rails. To save walk ing the fences are not constructed In long continuous lines but are arranged In broken, contiguous sections The Norwegians are fond of colors, as is at
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-27
Pity the Poor Spider

From Harper's Weekly.
 Aside from snakes. there is probably no living thing which can look to man kind for friendship with so little hope as the spider. yet when the spider Is fairly brought to trial it is rather hard to prove anything against him except his appearance and few cobwebs. Apart from furnishing an example of industry and patience from which we might well profit the spider feeds ex- csusively upon freshly killed insects, all of them being Of the kind denounced by sanitary authorities. the housedy being it's favorite quarry. M
 As the actual destruction of a few hun dred housefiies means that several hun dred thousand that would otherwise have spent gay lives in transmitting typhoid and other diseases will not come into existence. and salmost any spider should be able to account for as many as 300 in the course of a summer, to say nothing of stray mosquitoes and black gnats. we surely owe him something more than a flap with slipper when we happen to catch him out of his hole
 A spider can bite, of course. but he even then the bite is not much worse than would have been received from any one of the several hundred mosquitoes he has probably dined upon. or will. if let alone. In the light of present scien- tific knowledge. the story of the spider and the fly that was invited into the pretty parlor does not cause such surge of sympathy for the fly as 1t once did.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-27

1 Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" and l q hundred loved legends from the fa- miliar Sagas flooded my memory IS l ap- preached the spot.
 Lose Sense of Time l Svartisen is reached the same day 1 about what at home would be sunset. but as the sun during this trip does not dip below the horizon, one loses all sense of time. Svartisen Is an impressive gla- cier and the vessel anchors for several hours to enable the passengers to go ashore and visit the ice field II is quite tramp from boat to glacier, but 1t is worth the while.
 The great trouble now experienced is to know when to retire. Excitement par ries off sleep, darkness is wanting to warn one of the approach of the bed hour and half the night or more Is fribbled away with one scarcely being aware of the fact.
 Thomsoe is reached In the afternoon of 1 the following day and here one makes his first acquaintance with the dirty Lapps. They are an uncanny set and as they throng the town upon the ar rival of a vessel their camp is not yis-
  portunity upon the return trip from the Cape The women wear leggins and raw hide boots the same as the men, the former being held in place by rope, and it is sometimes difficult to distinguish the sex unless the head of the woman is uncovered or she is companioned by the baby wrapped in swaddling garments that are never changed. The adults are fear fully homely but I noted many pretty Infants in the colony. They are positive ly so filthy that have seen women wax their sewing thread by rubbing it across their cheek till 1t was black with dirt and grease The Lapps offer for sale specimens of their own handicraft such as spoons, pipes and paper knives fash toned from the horn of the reindeer. The objects are crudey carved and in the spoons are bone rings the number of which indicates the quantity of reindeer owned by the maker. Each ring repre- sents 100 animals. The spoon which purchas sed possessed eight rings that jim gled like an infants rattle.
 Filth Is Dangerous As filth renders the Lapp diseased one cannot be too careful in handling the wares which he offers for sale. The pipes should not be used without pass ing the stem through a flame, though they are designed more for ornament than usage.
 These wanderers are only here in the summer time, the law permitting them to temporarily migrate from Sweden during that season for the purpose Of securing pasture for their reindeer
 When the passenger awakes the next morning he is at Hammerfest, the most northerly town on the continent. It is a dreary place, consisting of a single long line of wooden buildings and a solitary church Meerchaum pipes are here offered for sale, but the chief trade Is in fish and furs.
 The vessel sails at noon and at about 5 o'clock approaches Bird island, a locality well named for so thoroughly was the rock covered with gulls and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-27

figure, big black eyes. and a lady-kill- ing strut He shows better in a high land petticoat than in a German slop suit; and his gun gains him far more respect than even his card, Monsieur Issa." Issa does not look his two and forty years, and, please heaven, he has before him a long life of slaughter. plunder, treason, wit and Gallic po- liteness. Such a man cannot have a tame career. He is doomed to die on the gallows.
 Or on the boulevards
 Copyright, 19l2 by Curtis Brown)