davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24
SOUND PlAY-OFF.

With the final declaration I'm Vests
hand. North was in the lead at opening,
and selected the eight OF hearts to open
the play. His decision, shown by his
lead, that the basis OF defence properly
lay in his holding was unquestionably
correct
South's failure to increase his opening
declaration and Vests refusal to over
call the adverse suit declaration. were
signs pointing strongly To opposing dla-
mond strength Of considerable proper
ton.
Norths initial lead went to the dummy's
king OF hearts. On the trick, however,
South was careful to play the queen and
this play saved the day for North and
South, az later play shows. Dummy's
club suit was established on the second
round. as the cards showed North the
futility of holding up any further 4
lead OF diamonds from North put South
in, South led his remaining heart, and
North. taking the trick with the nine,
made the balance OF his suit.
With six tricks secured by four hearts
and two aces in the minor value suits.
North and South defeated the contract by
one trick.
Had South kept his high heart at the
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24
Importance of Readi.
ness to Diverge in
Play from Stereo-
typed Lines.

A brilliant professional man OF this
city who enjoys a high reputation in his
chosen field, and who is devoted TO the
game OF auction, recently stated that the
game presented more opportunity for the
true gauge OF character and ability than
the usual Civil Service examination. He
also said that there was no better mark
OF general fitness than the alertness OF
player 10 discern an unusual situation in
the play and 10 analyze quickly and de-
termine tine proper departure from the
beaten path for successful results.
Hidebound play marks the average
player. but it's the successful solving OF
the unusual situation that stamps the
brilliant man in auction. There are hun
dreds of good players, but a game OF
auction by a team of brilliant players is
well worth watching. and it would be in
tensely interesting 20 view set match
PLAYED by the stars of the country.
We recently had the pleasure of wit
Messing the play OF two hands at a lead
ing local club, by a team that blazed
the trail The first was as follows:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24

Zulu-Kafrs OF Natal and Iulu-Iano
philadelphia: The Presbyterian Publica-
ton Company. 1850:
The most Of their songs consist OF only
few words. which they repeat over ana
over again with such variations as their
national taste ard habit or their indi-
vidual fancy may dictate. Their
songs often have a special fitness for the
occasion, as when a man in search OF
cow goes humming:
Ma / .e inkomo yetu. 81 "a ri bi-d;
81 IT, ma &C. ma @ckd;
Ma ! &c kuB,i ma sfkc;
Ma &c inkOmo yetu, 81 pa ~ bt;d" /
That is:
our COW, let her come, We are calling
her; -
We say. let her come, let her come, so let
her come;
Let her come TO me, then let her come;
Our COW. let her come, We are callins
her"
Several natives spent a rainy day hard
at work digging out and killing three OF
four porcupines which had made them
trouble in their gardens: ana inc neA'
morning one Of them passed my door sing
ing the following song. which ! was tolu
he indted for the occasion:
"Trulv OH. truly. they'll perish anon.
The land Of the Zulu so slyly they leave
All the people. they come, they come,
The land OF the Zulu so slyly they leave
Truly, oh, truly etc.
From Denham and Clapperton's Nara
tive of Travels in Northern and central
Africa" Oondon, 1896. IL, l0 Carl EnGel
quotes the following extemporaneous song
Of negro bards in Bornou in praise OF their
Sultan:
Give flesh to the hyenas at daybreak-
On. the broad spears
The spear Of the Sultan Is the broadest-
Oh. the broad spears.
behold thee noW-I desire TO see none
other
Oh, the broad spears,
Nv horse is as tall AZ high wall
Oh. the broad spears
He will fight against ten-he fears moth
ing,
Oh. the broad spears
He has slain ten; the guns are yet be-
hind
Oh. the broad spears
The elephant Of the forest brings me what
want
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24

Score. Rubber game North and South.
q to 0.
South declared one diamond which
West passed. With a hand similar 10
Vests the thought naturally suggested
to anyone would be contentmcnt at the
knowledge Of 4 strong defence and readi-
ness 10 make an offensive declaration
should his partno" indicate such a desire
These conditions probably led 20 Vests
passing.
AS only one trick was needed for game
in diamonds, North failed TO see any
good reason for naming his long suit and
therefore passed. East declared two
clubs and as Souths initial bid was mere
ly suggestion Of a possible means TO
bridge the necessary gap for game, he
had nothing further TO say.
West declared two no-trump. While the
strength inseparable with "A partners
club declaration, made in ordinary cir
cumstances in combination with a hold
ing Of such strength as Vests, promised
a generous measure OF success at no.
trump the forced conditions actuating
East's bid would leave some doubt I'm the
mind OF a player in Vests position as TO
the final outcome. West no doubt pre-
ferred to take the chance of favorable
termination at no-trump rather than risk
the possibility Of his partners minor
declaration holding. condition which
would occur through failure OF his left
hand adversary to oyercall, should he
(WesU pass.
Rcgopuizipn the IagL NJ A.,
the opponents bidding. North passed.
resting content in the knowledge Of a
strong defence.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24
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9Hsss

South declared one no-trunp, west o'''
calling with two hearts. North pass
and East declared three clubs WIZ"
declaration was doubled by South. We
took his partner out of the double 0!
claring two no-trumps. which deciara"O'
was also doubled by South. ana the "S''
was played at that contract. -
In the play-off North opened with NE -"
Of diamonds and South went mp WIN y"
king. played the ace and followed
the three, North being in al the ni.' "a
mond trick and as South had i'u''" ~
by his discard OF n spade and one ,.,a
that he desired lead through 'ne n.
suit North laid down the seven o. -
which was finessed in dummy, ana ST.
was In with the king. South no" 'u
ten of hearts. and West was in WIN "
Jack and led the queen OF spaces,
which he played the king IN dummy Nv
ing possibly the ace was with Nor'"'
so be able to run off the remaining GIT "a,
The attempt was unsuccessful anu ..
remainder OF the hand was auton"''. Il.
South put West In with another
lead and made his king OF hearts
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24

oh, the broad spears
Like unto thee, so is the Sultah-
Oh. the broad spears!
Be brave! Be brave, my friends and kins-
men
Oh. the broad spears!
God is great, wax fierce as beast OF
prey
Oh. the broad spears.
God is great! To-day those wished Tor
are come
Oh, the broad spears
II would be an easy matter 10 multiply
parallels Of this song in the matter OF
form from among the religious songs Of
the American negroes. Let two suffice;
I want 70 be my faders chilen-
Roll. Jordan, roll.
o say, amt YOU done via de Trouble oo
de world?
Roll Jordan, roll,
! ask de Lord how long hold en-
NV aims so heavy / can't get along. All.
Roll. Jordan. roll.
cast my sins In de middle Cd &c sea
Roll, Jordan. roll!
Here the second
Hurry on, my weary soul
And yearde from heaven to-day
Ny sin is forgiven and my soul set free
And yearde from heaven to-day!
A baby born in Bethlehem
And yesrde from heaven to-day,
De trumpet sound in de odder bright
land
nv name Ia called and ! must go
And yearde from heaven to-day.
De bell is a-ringin' in de odder bright
world
And yearde from heaven to-day!
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24
Parallels in American
Songs-Odd Funeral
Customs and Songs
of Death.

tite--is fairly schumannesque in breadth
and dignity. Another which is printed TO-
day, 81 Look Ger Yender," is not com.
parable with IL from musical point of
view, but derives peculiar interest from
the ceremony with which il is ASSOCIATED
This function is one OF those which cali
a relic Of ancient cerem )nies because, like
the peculiar idioms OF the melodies. I,
cannot have been copied from any OF the
funeral rites which the slaves saw
among their white masters, but does
show affinity with Old World and oldtIms
ceremonies. Like the ancient Romans. tho
slaves were in the habit of burying their
dead at night. Like their savage an.
cestors In Africa, they expressed their
possible, too. that once they INDUCED in
funeral dances, even in such wild orgies
as travellers have described. These
dances. like most others. have passed
away in communities in which Protestant
influences were dominant, especially
where the teachings Of the Methodisn
and Baptists took strongest hold. There
the SnOul DTOFluSu vent lOT luc emo
tons to which their ancestors gave ex.
preston in mad and lascivious dancing.
Edwards. in his history OF the West
Indies C'The History. Civil and Commer-
cial. of the British Colonies in the West
Indies" by Bryan Edwards. Esq, F. r.
s, S. A. Vol. II, pg. lOS). says Of the
slaves In those islands
At other times, more especially at thu
burial of such among them as were re-
spected in life or venerable through aga,
they exhibit a sort of Pyrrhick or warS
like dance, in which their bodies are
strongly agitated by running, leaping and
jumping, with many violent and frantich
gestures and contortions. Their funeral
songs, too, are all OF the heroick or mar,
tial cast, affording some color 10 ths
prevalent notion that the negroes con-
slider death not only as welcome and
happy release from the calamitleS OF their
condition but also as a passport 10 the
place of their nativity; dellverance
which. while il frees them from bondage
returns them to the society OF their dear
est, long lost and lamented relatives In
Africa.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24
Some Structural Feat
ures Of Negro Poetry
The Solo and
the Refrain.
Chapter VIII.

The general structure Of the simpler
(and therefore Older American songs
shows a stanza containing an alternating
solo verse and refrain, with sometimes a
chorus THE most common arrange
ment." say the editors Of slave Songs
in their directions for singing, gives the
second and fourth lines to the refrain aud
the first and third TO the verse; and IN
this case the third line may be repeu-
ton of the first or may have different
words Often. however, the refrain occu-
pies only enc line, the verse occupying the
other three. while i'm one or two songs the
verse is only one line, while the refrain .
three lines in length. The refrain Is re-
poated with each stanza; the Wcrds oil tne
verse are changed at the pleasure OF the
leader. or fugleman, who sings either wen
known words. or, if he is gifted that way
invents verses as the song goes on III
addition to the stanza, some of the songs
have a chorus, which usually consists OF
4 fixed set of words though in some ol
the songs the chorus is a good deal varied
The refrain of the main stanza often ap-
pears in the chorus.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24
FEATURES OF AFRICAN POETRY.

There is nothing peculiar to these
American folksonss in this recurreh'
refrain. but il is worth noticing that
the feature In the form OF an alterns''he
line of Improvisation and reiterated our
den is found throughout Africa. Ihel
stvIe is the recitative broken by tuli
chorus" saws Sir Richard Burton. speak
inc of the people of the lake region or
Central Africa. Carl Mauch, IN MS
"Reisen in Sud-Afrika" says of the music
Of the Makalaka that il usually consists
of q phase Of eight measures, repeated
al indnifun to which are sung improvised
verses with refrain. Wallaschek cites
Eduard Mohr C'Nach den Nictoriafaleh
des Zambesi," /. 1SO as saying that the
Damaras rarely dance: in fact. only on
extraordinary occasions, and they sihS
together Just as rarely, although iona VI
solo singing, the words for which they eX-
temporize while the refrains are taken up
by a chorus. Wallaschek also says page
A. THE Balatpi reminded Weber ernst
Won Weber 'Vier Jahre in Afrlka, l.
22D Of Venetian gondoliers or of the laz-
zaroni in Naples. One would improvise
stanza which others would Immediately
sing in chorus to a charming MELODY.
Each in turn improvses thus, so that all
have an opportunity of exhibiting their
talents for poetry and wit The fact that
all words ended n a vowel sound SIM
ulifed the characterization Of verses,
which we're not invariably accurate as re-
CARDS rhythm The general singing oil
these stanzas seemed TO afford the great
est amusement to the singers as they sat
in a circle round the campfire In Across
Africa" by Nerney Lovett Cameron I.
3. ID. c. L., New Yark Harpers. ls'O
we read this OF the fortune-telling by a
fetch man: "On arrival he seated him
self on the ground, surrounded by his
friends, and then commenced monot-
onous recitative. In this he accompanied
himself by shaking a rattle made of bas-
network shaped like dumbbell, while the
circle of attendants joined in chorus,
sometimes striking their bells and at 9TH
ers laying them down and clappins their
hands in kind of rhythmic cadence
Speaking OF the Zulu-Kahrs. the Rev.
Louis Grout says in Chapter XIV of his
book "zulu-Land; or. Life Among the
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24

fort to defend themselves That the
means existed for an adverse declaration
OF at least fair strength could reason
ably be inferred from South's holding
which showed aces and kings missing \
surplus OF high cards in North's hand
would lead to some make. should an ex-
preston indicating weakness come from
his partner and remain undisturbed by
second hand.
South's declaration OF two royals COM
Ing on the second round OF the bidding
would result In n clearer partnership I'M
Outstanding. This would he felt. should
subsequent bidding come high. With the
bidding at an advanced state, North could
more properly gauge his partner =
strength and act accordingly. either in ad-
vancing his own make or supporting his
partners declaration.
Two no-trump was declared by West
and was awarded the contract, as North
did not feel equal ~ going three hearts
and South could not well 20 higher UNI
supported by his partner. The final dec
laration no doubt would have been the
same had the bidding started with one
spade North would not have hesitated at
two hearts over one no-trump and South
would not have missed his chance TO then
declare his suit.
With the final declaration in Vests
hand. North was I'm at the opening and
led his king OF hearts. West held up,
playing the two In the suit. North, how
ever. was not ieluded with the idea of a
solid heart suit in the combined hands,
which would virtually be assured with
the top card In his partners hand. More
over. North felt certain that the missing
jack was not In his partners hand Alb
solute confidence In his partner for cor
recr play led TO North's hgurative plac-
ing the hearts az he did.
While the usual unlocking process
would be followed by players holding the
ace I'm South's position. many would fail
10 enlighten their partner as 10 the loca-
tion OF the Jack ii they held that card
Such neglect would be inexcusable.
The lead OF the king OF a suit against
a no-trump should suggest to a partner
holding the jack among others OF the
suit. an original holding with honors di-
vded one OF two ways: either a sequence
OF three honors, or the king, queen and
ten. IL should at once become apparent
In the latter instance that continuance
Of the suit would depend upon the exact
knowledge OF the location Of the Jack
a partners failure to show IL would sure
ly result In switch. usually followed by
damaging results
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24
STRANGE FUNERAL CUSTOMS.

Relics OF ancient ceremonies connected
with death and burial have survived
amongst the American negroes and have
been influential in producing some
strangely beautiful and impressive songs.
One OF these. dig Ny Grave from the
Bahamas. where the songs. though they
have much community OF both poetical
and muh al phrase with them. yet show
a higher development than do the slave
songs OF the states. has already been
printed in The Tribune. The first period
of its melody-it might be called tripar-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24
Some Instances Of the
Deterrent Effect Of
an Unnecessarily
High Card.

club suit would be worth only one trick
ar any other make than clubs. and an
the same time the king Of spades woud
probably he killed by the strong hand pee
ing over it,
We agree in the main with the analysis
OF the above writer. although in our juds-
ment questions such as are raised by TINS
query depend somewhat upon the indi-
viduality OF the players and their reputa'
ton for sound bidding ard good play.
The actual hand was as follows.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24

Score: Rubber game, North and South
20 to 0.
South, deciding upon shut-out bid. de-
clared two royals, which. II successful
would put him game and rubber.
This course OF procedure is hardly to be
recommended, though the temptation is
strong to act as South did. The state OF
the score will scarcely pass unnoticed by
the opponents They will not submit grace
fully To defeat without making some ef-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24
HIGH BID BARS INFORMATION.

There are May hands where partner
ship Information lis prevented by the rea-
son Of an attempted shut-out bid by the
dealer. These bids are often Of value. es-
pecialy upon rubber game, where a
player believes he can win the game and
rubber at the declaration. But where
there is a question Of doubt as TO the
final result. such an attempted shut-out
bid not only defeats its own purpose. but
deprives ones partner from giving any
Information concerning his holding that
will provo OF valve In rounding up the
partnership hand. Many players con-
stantly overlook the fact that auction Is
purely a game Of partnership and that
the success at the game comes from the
intelligent combining of the two hands by
such proper information that the maxi
mum may be obtained in the play.
The following hand continues the sub
iect and illustrates not only the question
able bid. but also illustrates the good de-
duction and play by the opposition. The
hand
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24

first trick. North would have been unable
10 overtake a return lead with any ac-
cruing gain I'm tricks therefrom. Whether
he would have elected 10 take the trick
or not would have made no material diff
ference. as enough tricks would have
been secured by the opponents FOR game
i'm either event
Souths play simply shows proper fore
thought I'm arranging TO utilize surplus
OF strength to best advantage. With the
acc Of diamonds in his hand. South real
lied the probability OF an early lead. and
therefore by throwing his queen of hearts
FASTENED 10 remove an obstacle that
threatened TO stand in the way Of sue
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24
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Score-Loye all; rubber game.
South declared one no trump West
overcalled with two clubs despite the
fact that he held the opening lead against
a no trump. While IT is true that in
situations similar to Vests. the correct
opening lead of the highest honor. If al
lowed to hold. will oftentimes leave the
leader awkwardly placed at the next
trick. nevertheless. hands with pre-
dominant minor value suits are more ad-
vantageously employed at an adverse no
trump than at a partnership suit declara-
ton. contending hands OF such peculiar
tiles as Vests should he left TO major
valued suits.
declaration Of two royals by East
needs no comment. His partner declared
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24

three clubs. however and forced East 10
90 one higher before finally securing the
contract.
THE MESSAGE OF WEST.
1t might be said in passing that Vests
increased club declaration was entirely
justified Its meaning. put into words,
would be, Partner, | have not the neces-
saIy holding I'm trumps for royals. but If
your suit will stand an increased declara-
ton, as | have indicated mine Will, so
ahead with your declaration"
At the adverse three royal declaration,
South opened with the jack Of diamonds.
Honors covering successfully brought the
trick To East's ace. and made his ten the
high card in the suit. East now set about
10 establish his hearts. hoping to use
dummys small trump as an aid for that
purpose. In this he was not successful.
After he had made his queen and ace In
dummy and regained the lead with the
ten OF diamonds. a third lead Of hearts
was taken By North's six OF trumps over
dummy's four
Norths high diamond was ruffed by
East with the jack OF trumps and over
ruffed by South with the queen. Clever
partnership work at this juncture gained
another trick for the opposition. South
led his king OF hearts. ostensbiy for the
purpose OF throwing the lead and thereby
securing the advantage OF position.
North. as became a good player, OWNED
his partners purpose and trumpet
South's high card. With North in 10 lead
a diamond another trump finally be-
came good in Souths hand. Of course,
and az this trick was the fourth, game
was saved for North and South.
Had North carelessly led his ace OF
clubs to cash In" the trick as some
players term it, gape and rubber, Of
course, would have gone TO the oppo-
nents But Souths good work backed
by keen partner, marks the element Of
facile team work
ANOTHER TEST OF SKILL.
The same team shortly afterward
picked up another hand that further
marked their ability. An unnecessarily
high card was correctly played the dan
ger of blocking "A subsequent lead being
avoided. The line of play is not uncom-
mon where high honors are originally
led. The hand:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24
SONGS OF PRAISE FOR DEAD.

From the description by Francisco Tra4
vassos Valdez C'SiX Years Of Travel
lers Life in Western Africa London.
1851. cited by EngeD, it appears that IN
Loanda. Lower Guinea, when death oc-
ours the friends of the dead person not
only sing and dance at the funeral, but
repeat the rites at intervals OF week and
a month. In the songs the good deeds OF
the departed are celebrated and his
virtues eAtolled. The euloSies are inter-
rupted at intervals by enc Of the mourn-
ers exciaiming. HE is dead whereupon
all the others reply in chorus, Woe IS
me-"
In some sections OF Africa the period
Of mourning is. or was, a period Oh
cessation from musical performances IN
others death and burial were accompanied
by noisy lamentations