davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-11-19
AFRICAN IRON WORKERS
Negroes on Dark Continent Origina-
tors of the Craft.

For a long time it has been sus-
pected that the art of working iron
began among the negroes in Africa.
Now it is so well confirmed that there
seems little doubt about it.
Bronze was the first metal of which
man awaited himself. Just how that
came about is uncertain. Copper and
tin were abundant, but were of little
value for weapons or cutting imple-
ments, when some one conceived the
viceable set of tools was easy.
1t is believed that the idea may
have came from Asia Minor, where
the two metals are found in combi-
nation. All the weapons of the
HOmeric age were bronze, and steel
swords and knives do not appear I'M
til about 700 or 500 years before
the Christian era.
ArchaeoIogists have come across
specimens of iron in Egypt which
ing some graves in Nubia; the an
cient Ethiopia, an iron spearhead
was found in good condition. The
grave dates from about 3400 B. c..
and in any event was long before
iron was known elsewhere.
This spearhead was discovered by
an expedition of the University Muse
UNI, Philadelphia, which was exca-
waiting for ancient relics. 1t is now in
the museum, and the astonishing
lnlnS Is IndI II Is precisely ike the
spearheads made by the natives in
Africa today.
The native village blacksmith is an
important parsonage. He is usually
a wanderer, like the. travelling tinker,
but there seems to be a rather closely
organized guild among them. The
bellows are small and are worked gen.
orally by two men. They keep the fire
hot. The smith often uses a stone for
an anvil, and his hammers are very
rude Seeing these crude implements,
one would never suppose it possible
to accomplish much, but they turn
out some really admirable work.
They work with considerable cere-
mony and are highly esteemed.
Witchcraft enters into their ceremo-
MES and the natives believe that only
thus can good work be accomplished.
The appearance of the blacksmith
is the sign for ceremonial dances in
the village. All join in. Dancing does
not seem to enervate the natives and
apparently takes the place of sleep.
The African villages are kept so
clean that the university explorers on
their return were shocked at Phila-
delphia and New York. In Africa
the chief is the head sweeper, and
if everything is not as neat as a pin
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-11-19
GREEK KING MUST ACT
Britain and France Watch Situation
in Balkans.

Paris. Nov. liking Constantine
of Greece will be given but little more
time to waver between friendship for
Germany and the allies.
Unless he decides in the allies ia
Vor, speedy action will be taken. it is
said. Not only is his present attitude
regarded as dangerous to the Franco
British campaign in the Balkans but
d1squletlng reports of 6. Greeco-Bul-
garian agreement and of Rumania S
possible entrance into the war as one
OF the Germanic allies have decided
the Paris and London governments.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-11-19

he is disposed and sometimes loses
his head-not his official head, but
his real one.
The native ironworkers of darkest
Africa are fast disappearing, because
traders are gradually entering the
country and selling cheap wares,
which puts the negro smith out of
business. There still remains, how
ever, a number of sections where the
smith is a mighty man, even more
respected than he of whom Longfel-
low sang.
The work of the native smith al
ways begins with dancing, in which
the entire village Joins. Then there
is feast. Next day, If iron has to
be sheltered, the ore is first offered to
the image of the native god by the
handsomest girl of the tribe. Through
out the work the chief is in attend
ance, watching the smiths as they
sit in a Washington Herald.
al
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-11-19
Births Reported.

Oil Stove Heaters at Forbes. ADV
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-11-19

The following births were reported
at the office of the city clerk today:
Thomas K. Kaufman and wife, 1922
North Van Buren, street, November 6,
girl; James Manusos and wife, TIC
East Fourth street, November 16, girl !;
Edgar E. Mann and wife, 119 Harrison
street, November IT, girl; Charles L.
Rodgers and wife, AIT Ohio street, No
venber IT, girl; J. P. Killfoil and wife,
814 North Quincy street, November IL,
boy.
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-02-09
Change of Denomination.

The collector Of bridge tolls In a
Scottish border town was quite a char
acter in his way. Upon n occasion
a large party of American clergymen,
who were visiting Scotland, came to
survey the classic Borderland. The
end Of the bridge bears a notice that
not more than ten people are allowed
on 1t at once but the clerics chose to
diregard this, and went oil in a body.
The collector saw them from his
little sentry box. and rushed out.
Back off that bridget" ne shouted,
but unused to such tones the clerics
pressed On.
Back OFF that bridget" shouted the
collector again.
"But, my good man." ezpostulated
the foremost, do you know that we
are members of the Pan-Presbyterian
congress?"
I'VE may call yourselves Pan-Pres-
byterian o. pot-Presbyterian," roared
the collector. but if We no gang ali
that bridge ye1l be a. Baptists in twa
meenits."
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-02-09
Found the Cause.

do you know" said the dry goods
drummer, Il don't blame the doctors a
bit? have my way of earning a liv-
ing and they have theirs"
"But what about doctors7" was
asked.
"Oh, | was in a town in Indiana last
week and one day I felt shivers go up
my back. went to a doctor and he
said ! was in for the grip. Then hot
flashes came and ! went to another NJ.
d. He said 1t was a Ease of typhoid
and wanted me to 60 to the hospital at
once. Felt a bit better, but went to
q third. and he said it might be a case
Of bubonic plague or spinal menin-
gifts. He was way of, however"
But did anything really all your"
For sure"
"Then you got over 1t very speedily"
4 did brought my will power to
bear. you see. Yes. something allied
me. I was in love with a mighty
good-looking girl and / found out that
she was 9 grass widow and had no
chance to get a divorce under i've
years!"
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-02-09
London's Wonder Street.

Fleet street was formerly the won
der place of London. where all that
was novel. bizarre and marvellous was
exhibited by enterprising showmen.
Ben Jonson alludes to "a new notion
of the city of Nineveh, with Jonah and
the whale. at Fleet bridge" and at the
Eagle and Child was exhibited a col
lection of freaks and monstrosities
that set the whole town agape. In
ITO. too, was advertised as on exhi-
bition at Fleet bridge. two strange.
wonderful and remarkable monstrous
creatures, an old she dromedary, sew
en- feet high and ten feet long, lately
arrived from Tartary with her young
one. being the greatest wonder. rarity
and novelty ever seen In the three
kingdoms."
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-02-09
skinper,s New TitIe.

AS a rule shippers, outside the
three-mile limit, manage to show in
some way or other that they are SOW
ereigns Of the deep, carrying out the
ancient saying that a captain is the
king of his ship" There was one
exclusive captain sailing out of San
Francisco who not only had his own
steamer chair, but made known the
fact that it was his chair and his
alone by having painted across the
back the words Captain only"
The day after the vessel sailed on
a particular voyage one of the pas
sengers happened to seat himself in
the shippers deck chair and was i'm
mediately told by a S award that the
chair was for tn comfort of none
but the captain. The passenger arose,
and having circled the deck several
times. saw tie skipper reclining in the
chair.
He stroiled leisurely over.
Good morning, Captain Only he
said, with a mock salute, and passed
On.
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-02-09
STILL THERE WAS CHEER
BY NETTIE kENNER.

I'm going to give up" Loretta de-
clared. as she YEARLY pulled or her
gloves. I'm not going to be conceited
any MORE"
What a terrible resolution" chuck
led her brother. Fortunately you
don't say it as II you meant 1t. 80 I
shall not send for our family physi-
clan until l hear the details. What's
up?"
Il travelled downtown this morning
very well content with my looks and
my Clothes" Loretta explained. with
q little line in her smooth brow. "Of
course. ] don't mean that ! couldn't
be improved on"
"Of course mott"
Il merely mean" she went on with
out needing, that considering the
fact that it's me I look and dress pref
ty we'll ] was quite satisfied I
stopped at my dressmaker's to see
about having that crepe meteor made
In case | have enough Of my allow
ance left to get one. and that is where
! had my first shock"
"How on earth did madame hurt
your young feelings?~
you needn't laugh! You wouldn't
like to be told that you are too sallow
to wear lavender or that you can't
have N Of the new girdles because it
would call attention to the fact that
one hip is higher than the other. /
know you wouldn't
1T would break my heart"
And that isn't all" sighed Loretta.
'She said I'm 90 awfully narrow
chested that ! am Just in style and
can wear the waists that make you
look 50 horribly skinny. am going
10 take up gym work next week II !
have any money left
You needn't try boxing with me. I
value my lifes
I'm glad that somebody does. Well.
listen to my tale OF woe! From the
dressmaker's / went to the milliner'a
There my hat was ready to be sent
home II ! liked (which | most en-
phatically did not. The back OF 1t lay
down or my collar in q most ridiculous
way and | asked the milliner as nicely
as I could TO change It for me She
said she was afraid she could not do
any better because I always insist on
wearing my hair In q coil on top 81
my head. She said that when I wore
the hat the way ! like 1t there wal
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-02-09
Feared for

Walter, aged three. was taken by
his grandfather to see a great factory.
AS they were finishing their tour Of
inspection his grandfather happened
to notice that it was within a few
minutes of noon. Taking out his
watch, he said:
Nov, Walter, keep your eyes on
the hands of my watch and when both
OF them point straight to the top
something will happen"
Walter watched eagerly and just at
the minute that the hands came to-
gether the great factory whistle
sounded a deafening blast.
Walters eyes danced for All instant,
and then an awful fear overlook him.
But, grandpa" he gasped, what
would they do to you if they knew you
did that7"
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-02-09

If the archbishop At Cracow. in his
flight from the threatened city, has
really taken all the sacerdotal treas
ure with him his load mus be a
heavy one- For in the cathedral aa-
cient Poland's Westminster abbey.
were gathered rich tribute IN geld
and jewels from generations Of Polish
lords and ladies. The kings Of Pc.
land-and many of her uncrowusd
kings-are buried in the cathedral
Here Kosciusko sleeps. Craeow in
the days Of its metropolitan glory shel
tered 80 churches within its walls. al
third Of that number remain mora
than enough for the present pop
tion.-London Chronicle.
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-02-09

that to some other scout"
Lyman had hardy recovered his COM
posure when they reached home.
Mrs. Lyman led the trio, and was
cordial in seconding her husbands
hospitality, remarking ingeniously: Il
am afraid you will find things rather
muddled. | have been out all the af-
ternoon, and left the children playing
circus"
Lyman scarcely recognized his
home, in which disorder reigned for
the first time, and he was almost
speeches. with modification and dis
appointment when they sat down to a
dinner of tough fried steak, lumpy
mashed potatoes and soggy bread, sup
plemented by a thin lemon pie from a
~bakeshop.
The mystiied husband felt that he
must be dreaming. Mrs. Lyman
seemed sweetly u~nconcerned, and in
no way disturbed by the ~unappetizing
repast, or by the laundering service of
her awkward maid.
tSFCA udu uc1 COuFCI5dtiOu pCCu 81
engaging. The visitor thought his host
had developed into a bad practical
joker, and wondered II he would be
able to get a satisfactory lunch at the
club.
Lyman finally began to get angry.
After the wretched meal was finished,
but not eaten, he contrived to draw
his wife aside. and whispered:
What under heaven do you mean,
Bess, in getting up such a dinner-for
company. tool"
II didn't get the dinner" said Bess
%innocently.
Il should say not" grumbled Ly-
man; but why didn't you?"
For two reasons" replied Mrs. Ly-
man, not a whit abashed. Il am tired
Of being merely a queen of the GU
linary art, and am going to try to be
as young and agreeable as Mrs. Hick-
son. It would be great fun to be taken
for your second wife.
Il have decided that 1t doesn't pay
to spend SO much Of my allowance
upon the table. 1t shows more in up
to-date clothes.
Hereafter I shall be ready to attend
parties with you. OF course. you will
not mind a few extra bills. | know
you must have often been ashamed of
mel have been such a frump-but
1t Is never too late to mend"
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-02-09
An institute Of Agriculture.

More scientific farming resulting in
lower food prices in cities is the
avowed object Of the free institute of
agriculture which has been in prog
ress in New York city throughout 20
weeks of the present year. The In
stitution depends upon cooperation
between the national department Of
agriculture, Columbia university and
the New York state department Of
agriculture. 1t is intended that per-
Vol who intend to go into farming
shall be better prepared for this pur-
pose. while those who are not fitted
for that occupation may be deferred
from attempting 1t. 1t is also the
hope that abandoned farms near the
city may be subjected to proper de-
velopment.
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-02-09
Foolish Question.

A man who, with his family, had
spent several weeks at a fashionable
summer resort discovered one morn
ing that he had lost his p~ocketbook.
Thinking it possible that it might
have been found by some employee Of
the hotel at which he was staying. he
reported his loss to the landlord.
That's too bad, Mr.. Johnson" said
that functionary. 'I11 make inquiries
about it. What kind of pocketbook
was it?"
Russia leather" answered the
ledger.
'What color?"
Ozark red"
"Any distinguishing mark about it?''
at had a clasp"
what was the shape of it?"
Flat, of course said Mr.. Johnson.
Haven't l been here more than a
month";"
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-02-09
Auto Not Safe In Thunder Storm,

Let anyone who believes he is per
fectly safe in a motor cal during a
thunderstorm, because the rubber
tires are an effective bar to the pass
age Of the electrical discharge, try the
following experiment. II he dare:
Standing on the ground beside the
car, with its motor running. place q
finger on the top Of the spark plug.
He will not have to wait long for re-
suits! AS the Scientific American re-
marks, the high tension current read
lily finds a path to the ground, regard
less OF the tires Why should not q
bolt Of lightning find a similar path?
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-02-09

One Dog Tax the State Has to Pay.
What" asks the Mexican hairless
philosopher of the Topeka Capital,
has become of the Watchdog" And
here is the Emporia Gazette's answer:
HE is, so far as we can make out
from a cursory glance at the Kansas
papers. making arrangements to come
to Topeka during this legislature as
the watchdog Of the treasury And
he isn't much of a dog-as dogs go.
This state has paid more dog taxes on
w~atchdogs Of the treasury than the
nation has paid on its dogs Of war:
personally we have a low opinion OF
all dogs-that grow less than four
legsi"-Kansas City Star,
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-02-09

M ~ NJ
an awful line from my collar to the
top Of my head that was extremely
ugly. She said that this was the truth
though she hated to say IT.
mo more than you hated to have
her say 1t, I'll bet"
II wasn't pleased. / took the hat.
but when 1t comes home I'm going to
put a whole newspaper in the back Of
1t to keep me from looking like a to-
boggan. Then every time anybody
looks at me I'll think of that perfectly
horrible line from my collar TO the
top of my head and SILVER"
IF you only could cut on your head
when you wear that hail"
Il wanted blue" Loretta went on.
But that in%corrigible milliner said
black subdued my features better. so
/ got black. I've been wondering ever
since which Of my features need sub
DUNG. tn end in my getting another
hat, for my suit is brown"
"Oh. you got a suit?"
That's what l went for, the fitting
Of my suit l had to hurry because
they don't like it a bit IL you are five
minutes late and they make you lose
your appointment They kept me wait
ing half an hour but that's different"
Certainly"
II had hardly pat the skirt on when
the filter said that really she scarcely
knew whether she was going to be
able to make 1t do because l was SO
tail. you know. Then. too. she said,
my hips were large and she'd have to
swing the skirt q lot
Cheerful. wasn't shefs
THE hairdresser was Just as bad"
Loretta sighed as she gathered up her
gloves and hat. "She said my hair is
losing tone and luster every day. I
came home after I'd been there. l
was the last drop In the bucket"
"It's always darkest Just before the
dawn. suggested Loretta's brother.
you know that cousin Of AIS from
Philadelphia whom I introduced to
you the other nightf Well. he hung
aroung the Office all the afternoon ask.
ing when you'd be home, so I brought
him back to dinner. He's DIP In my
room prinking now"
For goodness sakel" Loretta cried
as she turned to run to her room IF
you aren't the worsti Why on earth
didn't you tell mei"-Chicago Daily
News.
49, Aa-Sts
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-02-09
Ear.v vIeu,s of suez

The governments notification that
enemy ships are not TO be allowed to
shelter in the Suez canal reminds US
of the strange views as to the military
future of the canal entertained by
those who opposed its construction.
Lord Palmerston insisted that its oh
vous purpose was "the barring of the
passage along the coast of the Med
fterranean to any Turkish army which
might be employed to restore the m
pire of the sultan, by opening a great
military canal 800 feet broad and 80
feet deep, laid with batteries" AS a
commercial enterprise, he pronounced
the scheme "a mere bubble" But in
this prophecy he was not singular. The
Times in 1859 wrote of the suspicious
project of the impracticable Suez
canal" and Disraeli, who was after
wards to buy the canal shares, called
it "a most futile idea, totally impos-
sible to be carried out."-London Daily
Chronicle.
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-02-09
Vital Point.

MI. Porter's Judgment was vinds
Gated.
"Ah. ha.s he exclaimed triumphant
ly, do you remember that little mag
nifying glass I gave q dollar for the
other day? You said II was q clear
waste Of money. Well. 1t has more
than paid for itself already
How so?" inquired Mrs Porter.
at detected q counterfeit 81 bill to
which / had the presence Of mind to
apply 1t. Those bills are 30 well exc
cuted that even the experts can hardly
tell them from the genuine. but my lit.
tie magnifying glass brought out all
its defects"
How clever you are" said Mrs. POP.
ter. ito think of examining money with
a magnifying glass. Now you can
make the person who gave you the bill
take it back. Who did give 1t to you
anyway"
Mr.. Porter's Jaw fell.
by Georgei" he said. II don't re-
member"
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-02-09

An interesting example of the Brock
en- Specter was recently described by
Sir Thomas Holdich at a meeting of the
Royal Geographical society. It ap-
pears that there is a mountain called
Omi on the borders of China and
Tibet, where it was claimed that the
devout w%orshiper might occasionally
see, from the summit, the image of his
great teacher Buddha approaching the
mountain. This belief was recorded
as a mere idle superstition by ex-
plorers, until one of the latter hap
pened to ascend the mountain under
suitable atmospheric conditions and
saw his own, apparently colossal,
shadow cast by the sun upon a bank
of fog; in short, the well-known
Specter of the MISUNDERSTANDING
American.
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-02-09

Bend your feed and air pipes as
sharp and as often as you car. It
shows that nobody was looking and
they freeze up quicker.
Look out for your engine cab. Fix
it SO that if a fellow goes to the front
door he can't get back again to the
throttle without getting orders from
the dispatcher, showing that the main
line of the cab is clear.
The boy allows we are working too
many nights at this. He wants a
change. We are. So don't bother
about ~fre-boxes and ash-pans. When
the president sends word that he
couldn't see the right OF way on his
last trip for smoke" send him to me,
and I'll tell him he was on the wrong
end of the train. 1t was all clear
ahead Of the engine.
Thatn make him know that We are
men of some parts; part wood and
part leather, with brass trimmings
which / am
Yours truly,
WILLIAM DADDY, Engineer.
When a man has enough strength Of
character to get his head above the
common level, however grotesquely he
may at first appear, there is usually
something in him worth observing. If
he has balance and staying powers he
may get his feet upon the solid, and
a leader has been discovered.
Somewhat in this fashion the gen.
eral manager reasoned as he read
Bills chapter. He called his secretary,
and by careful question and reply it
was soon established that neither OF
them knew who William Daddy was.
nor what of Williams chapter was
fact and what fancy.
Therefore, the general anage
made a brief investigation, put some
pointed questions to the superinten-
dent of motive power, who fumed a
little, but electrified the master me-
chanic Gas witness his short and sim
pie inquiry of Bid, and thus Bills
little seeds began to grow apace.
Changes were made. Plans were
devised and revised until new engines
bore signs of improvement. These
things were discussed on the home
road, and the news Of them went
broadcast over many roads.
Bills ideas bore the test of service,
and lourished like the ~proverbial
green bay tree, until finally they came
before the First Intelligence the
Great Arcanum." or Court of Last
Resort" of the railroad mechanical
world, and were called good. No
longer bearing the name of William
Daddy, Engineer" it is true, but la
beled with the names of many men,
for that is the way of the world, and
the destiny of all things that are good
enough to prove good.
Bill never got beyond Chapter
One of Billiards. book" There was
no need. But having demonstrated
that he was "a man of parts" it was
thought advantageous to transpose
him to the ranks of those he had smit-
ten. Thus, Bill became a road fore
man Of engines-and more.
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-02-09

What you want to do ssia ths
health expert, Us to sleep with TIE win
dows wide open, regardless Of the tela-
perature.'
And let a frost sneak in ana Kill
the rubber treei" exclaimed SIR
ton. NC, sir Ny life is dear TO me.
but my homa IS even more so.
Washington Star.