davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-23

food especially hot cross buns. going
about the prisons, with guards at their
heels or in the nearest doorway, stop
ping before the poor fellows whose daily
lot is a bunch of straw for a bed. and
whose freedom goes no further than
a ball and chain.
The mention OF hot cross buns fmne-
diately suggests England where they are
used more universally than perhaps any
other country. And while England is
not a Catholic country, so-called, rural
customs of all kinds, religious and other
wise, have an unusually firm mold one
of the very strangest yesterday customs
is called the harepie festival. enacted in
IeceSterShire, at the village of Halla-
ton. Every Eastern morning a brass
band heads procession which takes in
most everybody in the town.
They parade through the streets and
after short service at the Episcopal
Church the rector. aided by two or three
officials of the village, cuts up a large
rabbit pie, which has been baked for the
occasion, These pieces of pie are fought
for by boys and young men, down a hill
side called Hare Bank, and it is consid-
cred something to be proud of to deserve
the largest cut of the pastry.
This is followed by a feast in the prn-
cipal tavern or church, and ale in album
dance is consumed, an affair which pre-
cedeS foot ball match famous over the
whole of the county, and looked forward
to by thousands of spectators ever year.
X X
In Lincolnshire. in England, there is a
singular ceremony on Palm Sunday in
Caistor Church. A deputy from Brough-
ton brings very large whip, with large
thongs of strong white leather During
the early part of the service in the
church a man named for the purpose
comes to the door and cracks the whip
three times, then. with much ceremony.
wraps the thong round the stock of the
whip. puts some rods of mountain ash
upon II and binds the whole togethe-
with whpcord.
Then he ties to the top of the whin-
stock a purse containing two shllin-
tabout so cents). then takes the who
and marches into the church, where g..
stands silently until the first lesson of o..
service is finished He then goes
nearer, waves the purse over the cler..
mans head, kneels down on "A cusi,
and there waits, with the purse
pended, until the lesson is ended a
the service is over he carries the curic
whip to the next hamlet
A custom once followed in the couI-
W or warwick. at Coleshill, is also
without foundation and is queer
men of the Coleshill could catch a hare
and bring lit to the parson of the parish
before 10 O'Clock Easter Monday the
parson was bound to give them a calfs
head. a hundred eggs for their break
fast and a gold coin.
A third English custom at Easter, in
the country districts, and one which
still prevails, is the practice of lift
ing" on Easter Monday and Tuesday.
In purely spirit of game and fun.
two strong men join hands across each
others wrists, and having thus form
ed a saddle, from the assembled crowd
lift one man after another three times
into the air. This custom is supposed
to have been intended originally to
signify the joy of Christians In the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-23

The early part of May finds it no
longer mute. but full of harsh, monoto-
nous, noisy notes. A short time later
the thrush breaks forth into the most
exquisite song of pathos and power.
1t is as If the unframed voice of little
promise has miraculously become oper-
attic. The bird likes to play and work
where thick underground fiourishes in
the cool shadows of tall timber. 1t
wanders happily over the ground and
searches busily for insects among
fallen leaves. 1t also builds it's nest on
the ground and arches it over in a
clever fashion. The eggs are white
and spotted.
The whippoor-will is speckled,
dark bird that builds its nest on the
ground. 1t comes in May. and all bird
lovers know its queer cry. The long,
stiff, spiny hairs that grow about it's
bill are not seen in most species of
birds. Young America refers to them
as whip poor-wills whiskers." The
ippoor-will loves solitude. If by
chance it is frightened from it's retreat
during the day it flies rapidly away,
not in straight line, but in doubt
full Ziszag course, as if the light be-
Wildered and confused it.
*
There are over twenty-five species of
warblers on exhibit at the New Mu-
scum among birds in the District The
warblers are birds every one is IA
miliar with and fond of. Their happy
little songs do their part in helping to
set sulky world right on a bad morn
ing. The nests are unusually pretty.
The outside covering of some are made
of whole leaves.
The cunning wren, in it's brown suit
and pert little tail, is another Wash
ington favorite. The rich rolling notes
of its song are heard oftener than the
bird itself is seen.
The chipping sparrow with its merry
twitter is seen everywhere now. 1t is
somewhat smaller and much better
liked than the ordinary and rather OBJ
jectionable cousin the English spar
row. The chipping sparrow is to be
distinguished from other members of
the sparrow family by its little red
crest.
The flicker is a dainty, pretty bird.
il rambles along the ground for its
food. Its song is described by orni-
biologists as good which is to say
that it is both sweet and musical 1t
does not begin to sing until after the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-23

Down on the Potomac river the gulIs
are appearing. Some of them are very
pretty, and some have the misfortune
to look extremely dirty and unattract-
i've. They do their best to sing ac-
ceptably, and no doubt their own folk
believe that they do However, their
song, to the human ear. sounds
perilously sduawkish The Bonaparte
gull is common migrant and is
abundant in the spring. 1t can easily
be singled from others of the gull fam
lily because of the oddity of it's plumage
Its head is black, it's body gray
The chimney swift. "A great favorite
with a number of people. arrives in
April 1t is enormously called swal-
low. for it is related on one hand to
the owls and on the other to the hum
ming birds. This bird seems to be al
most all wings. Its body is small, the
tail short and the wings long. slender
and gracefully shaped. Its color is an
chimney swift used to build it's nest in
the hollows of old trees but now its
nest is more commonly found in Chin
neys. Nests are found in the chimneys
of the Smithsonian and White House
buildings.
There is tale told of the-swifts'
possession of an old residence in
Georgetown. Georgetown residents
have declared that one year they OBJ
served the swifts evening after even
ing returning to this bird apartment
house. They few to their homes in
ity assert that hundreds, and even
thousands. of swifts had their homes
there.
The yellow-billed cuckoo is a beauti-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-23

0N and about Washington there are
500 species of birds. Many of them
are to be found here the year
x around, though the majority are
seen during spring and summer
Many of the spring arrivals are prop
erly termed migrants. for they pass
through the city on their way north.
lingering in the vicinity for a week or
two. In some cases they remain. The
phoebe bird is one of t. earliest ar
rivals. and it is followed by warblers.
finches. fycatchers. thrushes, etc.
The life of bird is regulated in ac-
cordance with it's food supply; it fol-
lows its food. That is to say, it goes
and stays where food Is most album
dant. Some birds. like the English spar
row, the snowbird. the bluebird. etc,
live almost entirely on seed and can re-
main in Washington during the winter
On the other hand, birds like the robin.
the swift and phoebe bird devour in
sects rapaciously. and consequently
appear in the spring.
early as January, arriving before either
the swallow or bluebird. II is not at
all a remarkable looking bird being
quite inconspicuous in it's dull brown
ish-grayish coat. Its habit of rustling
food is somewhat unusual. 1t does not
go out and hunt for its prey, but sits
quietly on branch and waits for a
tempting morseI in the way of an in
sect. Without any warning or any par
ticular hurry the phoebe bird flies
from its perch and captures its victim.
LeisureIy it returns to its old perch and
awaits It's next bite.
The nest of the phoebe bird is a pref
ty one and very difficult to find. 1t is
made of mud and moss, and is carefully
attached to roots on the bank of a
stream or roots of an old tree, and so
resembles the surrounding trees.
bushes. stumps and soil that a casual
observer would never notice it. The
bird nearly always builds its nest near
the water.
The great crested fycatcher is curl
Gus and interesting bird. 1t is about
the size of robin and it's dark crest
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-23

full and attractive member of the feath-
cred tribe. Its tail is exceptionally
broad and long and of a light brown
hue. The under part of the body is
white. This particular species of
cuckoo lives merrily among the tree
tops and leaves the whole world i'm
pressed with its gladness in life. The
peculiar. rather weird character of it's
cry, which one frequently hears, is
thought to be "A sign of shower
The woodcock is nesting now. The
adult birds are fair size. They have an
odd habit of flying at night in a pecu-
liar fashion. The bird wings it's way
around and around in it's flight, then
drops to the ground with a whirring
noise. AS it alights on the ground it
makes queer chuckling sound.
Crows are about Washington the
year around. but it is a peculiar thing
that those seen in winter are consider
ably larger than those of the summer
species. The smaller and wicked look
ing blackbird is quite beauty in its
own fashion, with his swapping bright
eyes and jet black plumage. They are
a most curious and inquisitive kind of
bird and have won the unenvia lie
reputation of being the busybodies and
The plumage of the red winged black
bird would belle it's name. 1t is
speckled brown and white, the fema lei
2arb being somewhat less pronounced
III character than the males.
The cedar bird is charming in spring
shades of softest tans. The end of its
tail is square and tipped with bright
yellow On each wing is a smart dash
of red. From this time on the cedar
bird is found in fiocks. They are get
ting ready to nest. They are usually
found in the woods. Their nests are
fairly large and made of straw and
grass, and little later in each nest
four spotted eggs can be found
The catbird is surprisingly negligent
about concealing it's nest, perhaps for
the reason that its coloring is incon-
spicuous. In fact, its dull gray suit is
most somber. 1t is abundant about the
third week in April, and is found about
thickets and shrubbery growing along
fences and brush heaps. A favorite
place for nest building is in the heart
of SmilaX bush.
The golden crowned thrush is
strange bird in many ways. Its arri-
val in this part of the world is about
the middle of April. For two weeks it
is a silent, voceless creature. hiding
furtively in laurel brakes and thickets.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-23
11ne1red Different Kinds of Birds in District

Number Washington
- Phoebe Birds Wae Fmh Fycathes and hushesh Food SpGd
Wild
Anayed- eFavonte Robin
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-23

f all annual festivals among
g: e: s; s: !;
connected with its first celebrations to
have fingered the longest. Europe. with
its many nations, and, therefore, many
peoples, has ever been the scene of
various ceremonies distinctly belonging
to the separate countries, with the
Latin church always IN the lead in the
matter of picturesque symbols and pro-
cessions-
The war last year and this will make
a difference III some districts, but
wherever there are few gathered to-
gether in His name in the ueighbor-
hood of mighty cathedraIs still stand
ing. or tiny kinks in the heart of the
woods or along the sea, there will some
feature of the story of the Atonement
be told in symbols.
These strange customs. sometimes
combined with elaborate ceremonies,
are found oftenest in the rural districts,
where the people have not free access
to the towns. and simplicity of living
does not question the difference be-
tween truth and tradition.
In Brittany. a southern province of
France, which nestles close TO the
Pyrenees, and in consequence perhaps
takes on something of the colorful at
mosphere Of its neighbors, the Spanish
provinces, many Interesting customs
are observed. 1t is a land of Legends.
The very people. quantity dressed as
they were thousand years ago. sus
gest legends and Il additions
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-23

every pufsuef was turned INTO stone.
and they stand today, one group
forming d regular border along the
road from Carnac 10 Kerlescant
Surmountng many of these stones are
crucifixes and on Easter morning the
little professions passing through the
fields and along the road to the near
est church stop and rest few mo-
ments ana offer up an Easter prayer.
in scattered communities, where there
are few towns. an Easter service is
often held in the fields. and a sermon
preached from wayside shrine, set in
one of the historical stones.
The far-famed region of the Tyro1 is
one Of the most superstitious countries
in the war zone. on the evening be-
fore Easter companies OF musicians in
queer garments stiil go about the coun-
try singing Easter hymns, in accom-
paniment to nellow-voiced guitars. On
hearing the music at the door every one
comes out and joins in the chorus, all
rejoicing together in the happy day.
In the most remote districts the 'Eas-
ter riding IS yet customary. The pro-
cession starts from the tiny town Eas-
YER morning with the people walking
behind priests and crossbearers on
horseback, goes cross-country through
the fields. begging the blessing of
heaven upon the iIarVeSts, and finally
returns to the little church with the
cross above it. for a brief service.
Germany is Il Protestant nation. and
its Presbyterians and Lutherans do not
celebrate Easter in realistic ceremonial
do the Catholic countries, hut as the
Germans Christmas celebrations are
first in the Christian world because of
their close association with children. SO
on Easter il is the children who have
first place in the observances of the
resurrection. 1nnumerable toys and
trinkets are sold TO friends and rela-
,,ft oh oil
in the market place offers for sale
all kinds of eggs in all colors. of candy.
porcelain. glass chocolate and even
wood.
The German children have never a
doubt but that the hares lay the Eas-
ter eggs. and they love to hear of the
legend which German mothers tell
them of the Duchess Rosilinda Won Lin
denburE. her servants. her family and
the Easter eggs. Along the Rhine this
pretty tale is as common at Easter as
is the story of Kris Kringle at Christ
mas time.
The duchess, il seems. had to fee with
her family and servants. from the fam
lily castle. during cruel war. and they
found refuge in mining village where
the people were very sympathetic but
the fare offered to the high-born fam
lily was wretched to the taste There
was never a piece of meat, nor a fish
NOR even an egg. There was no poultry
in the whole town.
Soon, when the old and trusted sery-
ant of the duchess went forth to get
news OF the masters fate in the war he
was told TO get a coop of fowls, for the
general good of the village. Such
strange birds had never been heard of
He was able to do as she wished. and
when brood of young chicks appear
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-23

stool rented for a few pennies from a
beggar near the door.
The civic exercises joyously follow
those of the church, and the priests
and monks heartily enter with their
people into the enjoyment of the fes-
tivities following the religious cere-
monies. Throughout the eastern world
the religious Easter of the Christian is
ended in Gloria in Excelsis.'
In the south of Russia, where the be-
lief in ranssubstantiation is more
nearly in accord with that of the Cath
Ole Church, a peculiar observance of
Easter day is that of kissing the body
of the Savior. After the prayers of the
mass reciting the words of Christ, the
host, consisting of unleavened bread, is
placed upon salver, on temporary
altar. and all of those attending the
service, in silent order and magnfied
solemnity, approach and kiss the
host.
In all of Russia and extending as far
to the south as Greece. the Easter
greeting of all is Christ IS Risen." to
which is often added a personal wish
of especial kindness toward the one ad-
dressed.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-23

miliar with the songs and calls of
birds. 1t builds a long, or tall, and
very elaborate nest of grass and leaves
in the holes of trees.
The robin is favorite bird, perhaps
because in so many parts of the world
it is harbinger of spring They are
fond of a variety of things to eat, and
thoroughly relish fruit. They build
their nests in trees, usually near the
trunk. and make them of mud and
grass. The mud seems to become thor
oughly baked and makes strong,
warm nest. They lay from three to
four eggs.
The robin is regarded as the COM
monest bird to become albnistic An
alblno robin is not a monstrosity. On
the contrary. it is quite a beauty. 1t
is wonderful blend of tans and cream
colorS.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-23

When the faith of the Nazarene was
first preached to their ancestors they
held the mammoth stones which abounds
in the fields and countryside in deep
veneration. In the theory that the end
justihes the means the priests united
stories of wonderful stones with the
word of Christ. so that the teaching OF
the church might sooner develop con-
verts. Fete days were held in high es-
TEEN, and many queer beliefs and asso-
Citations became entangled with the
festivals.
On Easter morning az the Church Of
81. Cronley, in the village of Finistere
Brittany, every man, woman and child
OF the vicinity is in attendance. The
women and children are ir their best
frocks and snowiest caps, and the men
are leading the cattle to the door of
this church. which would do credit to
a city of size.
There the priest receives the men and
animals. and while the women cluster
around, gravely listening, the cattle are
blessed and the care of st. Crowley in
yoked in their behalf. This saint is a
great fayorite all over Brittany; and
like so many traditions of the Bretons
his story is connected with the giant
stones. II appears that ne WAS a bishop
convert the heather.
He was hunted by wild men until
death seemed near, when suddenly
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-23

gives a rather pert and decidedly fear
less expression. Its feathers are most
~ brown. but the breast is delicate
bluish-gray. and the under part of the
body is tinged with bright yellow.
The fiyCatcher is found throughout the
District in large numbers. 1t has a
loud call and has no end of pluck.
Some authorities claim that it is the
most pugnacious bird known to the
District. 1t will not hesitate to attack
a crow, and wages such a spirited and
furious battle that the crow is very
glad to retire.
The fycatcher's nest is unusual. 1t
is made of feathers and grass, There
is great showing of fluffy gray
feathers. and in each nest reposes a
piece of snake skin No one has ever
been able to ascertain the why and
wherefore of the snake skin. Pos
siblN the crested fycatcher fancieS
it is charm against snakes The nests
are built cunningly in the hollows of
four small, oddly colored eggs. The
large ends are brown. and near this
end brown spots are thickly clustered.
but are spread out and scattered to-
ward the pointed end.
The goldfinch, or wild canary. is one
of the sweetest singers about Washing
ton. In it's gay p1umage it ranks, too.
one of the beauties of the bird world.
The male is fairly startling in its garb
of black and gold The body is yellow
The female is less pretehtious in her
dress, wearing modest shade of green
touched up with bits of black. During
TIL, months of winter the male gold
finch dons the sober colors worn by its
mate.
Strikes. birds quite as large if not
larger than the robin, and with beaks
curved and cruel, are predominateIy
gray in tone. There is dash of black
here and there about the body. This
is a strange bird in that it catches it's
prey and hangs it between or on the
twigs of trees, very often leaving it
there: 1t catches grasshoppers. mice
and small birds; then. flying with them
to some convenient tree in the neigh
borhood of its nest, rams its prey onto
a sharp twig. Here the food may stay
until il is either abandoned or de-
voured.
In the New National Museum there
some specimens Of this bird and
several small branches showing how
grasshoppers are caught and held:
there is also small bird securely fast
ened between some twigs. The nest
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1916-07-07
pay for such expense.


L. G.. STREATER.
Supervisor Coon moved the adop-
ton of the resolution.
Roll called. Supervisors APP
ker, Arnold, Carnachan, Coon, Flecht-
ner,. Hamilton, Hand, Hathaway
Helm, Hotz, Jacobs, Manley, Mitchell
Schimberg, Schmidt, Serley, Shafer
Stanton, Streater, Stubs, Van Pat.
ter and Winter-22.
Noes-Supervisors Ballou, Rrainerd
Butcher, Dukerschein, Ever, Kassela
Riegel, Tomczak, Triplett-9.
Not voting, Supervisor Cox.
Supervisor Coon moved that tbs
Board do now adjourn until one
o'clock p. m. Motion carried and
Board adjourned.
F. E. MUNROE, County Clerk.
Ladysmith, Wis, May 8, 1916.
l o'clock p. m.
Board called to order by the chair
man.
Roll called and members all pres
ent, except Supervisor Streater.
Supervisor Schmidt moved that
the reading of the minutes be dis
pensed with. Motion carried
Petition Of Syl Urmanski read and
referred to the Road and Bridge
committee.
Petition of the town of Big Falls
read and referred to the Road and
Bridge Committee.
Resolution No. 1 referred back by
the Miscellaneous Committee
Whereas, the correct keeping OF
the town records and the correct
making out of the TAX roll and town
reports is of the utmost Importance
in order to avoid trouble and litiga-
ton, and
Whereas, many town clerks are
newly elected and unaccustomed to
the work; Therefore,
Resolved, That beginning with the
year 1916, there be held annually at
the court house in the city of Lady
smith, on a day fixed by the county
clerk, a convention of the Town and
Village clerks of Rusk county for
the purpose of conference and in
struction, and that the clerks in at
tendance be paid out Of the county
treasury the same mileage and per
diem allowed members of the Coun-
ty Board of Supervisors.
Introduced by G.. S. Arnold.
We recommend net to adopt tbs.
F. N. BRAINERD.
FOREST TRIPLETT.
L. w. cox.
Supervisor Coon moved that the
recommendation of the committee be
adopted. Motion carried.
The Road and Bridge Committee
referred back:
Resolution No. 4, offered by Super
visor Cox
Resolved, that all bridges on the
Big Jump river in Rusk county be
built and maintained by the county
hereafter
L. w. COX.