davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
A Strange Rock DwelIer.

One Of the strangest creatures known
to science is the pholas, or boring
clam. When still very minute the ami
NAL bores into the sandstone lodges at
extreme low water, by means Of its
sharp shell, which Is replaced by Sc
cretions as it is worn away. 1t pene-
trates the rock to a depth of six or
eight inches and hollows out its bur-
rows as it increases In size. Shaped
roughly like top, it could not leave
its rock dwelling even If it wished to
do so. For food it depends on the ami
malcules that float In sea water, which
it seizes by its long siphon, or tongue.
The pholas is in great demand at the
seaside resorts along the Pacific coast,
for its meat is very tender and makes
excellent soup. The CLAIMS are dis
lodged in great numbers from the
lodges by the use Of dynamite, al
though it is possible to obtain them
with a pick or crowbar.-Exchangs.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
More Rope.

In July. 1886. General William Henry
Harrison. who had been spoken Of as a
candidate for president, visited Philas
delphia. Many Of his political friends
were at the steamboat wharf 10 meet
and escort him to his hotel. He was
placed in a four horse carriage, but
after proceeding a short distance the
horses became unmanageable and had
to be taken out Of the harness. The
people began to draw the carriage, and
there was a call for ropes. They were
soon procured. but proved too short,
and as the enthusiasm increased the
cry arose. More ropesw and still more
ropes. The Democrats saw only the
funny side Of the case and adopted
more ropes" as a ridiculing slogan. 1t
did not last long and could not have
hurt Harrison much, for four years
later he was elected president-Ptdla-
delphia Press.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
sausaky Shoes.

While conducting research for In
formation on the origin of certain fash
ions Of the past discovered the reason
for the existence Of the squeak In
shoes.
The squeak was once deemed fash
ionable, and men Of great Importance
In the affairs of the country demanded
1t in their footwear, and cobblers We're
paid 2 shillings extra for putting it in.
The squeaky boot denoted the ap-
proach of some one of Importance. and
the way was made clear at once in the
same manner as a bicycler's shrill
whistle warns you to look to your In
terests.
During the squeaky period men found
1t difficult to sneak into the house after
II midnight without being discovered
and disgraced. Removing the shoes
before entering the home is an inven-
ton which followed the squeaky shoe
era, and while the former is now al
most obsolete, the latter is still in
vogue and as popular as ever with
married menl-Zim in Cartoons Mag
aZine.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08

strsnuou. Admiralty Low.

1t was the early days Of boat travel
on the Ohio river when even passenger
steamers stopped at landings on Is
lands and mainlands for freight. We
had made an island landing, and a
wealthy passenger had left the boat to
buy cigars at the islands tiny store.
He bought S. worth and presented a
hundred dollar bill in payment, where
upon the storekeeper offered him S. In
change, asserting that he had received
only $40. The customer returned to
the boat and related his tale Of woe to
the captain, who at once went ashore
and informed the storekeeper that un-
less the change was at once forthcom-
ing he would hitch a cable around the
store and drag it into the river.
The storekeeper still refused, and the
captain departed for his boat A cable
was quickly passed around the little
building, hitched to the vessel and full
steam ordered. When the shack tot
tered upon its foundations, the fright
ened storekeeper appeared, the missing
bills fluttering in his hand!-New York
Post.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
PIayind Safe.

Pm surprised to see you riding In
the suburban smoker every day. You
never use tobacco in any form. do
your
mo, but if ride in one of the other
cars my wife expects me to be able to
tell her what every lady on the train
was wearing and whether it was be-
coming or not. and if tell her she ac-
cuses me of taking too much interest
In other women. If can't tell her she
says I'm too stupid for any kind Of
use."-St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
Curious Dwarf Oaks,

Known to ranchmen as chimney, the
dwarf oak of the southwest presents a
curious instance of the devious and in
scrutable ways of nature. There the
nliputian of the great oak family COW
ers a great area in the plains of Texas
bordering on New Mexico. The trees,
1t is said. rarely attain a height Of
twenty inches and are replicas of their
giant brothers in other parts Of the
country. The acorns which they bear
are as large as those of the common
burr oak and present a grotesque ap-
pearance hanging from the little limbs
Of the low growing shrub or tree. The
annual crop of mast is used for fatten-
ing hogs. When the acorns are ripe
many wild animals and birds flock into
the miniature forest to feast on the
nuts.-ArSOnaut
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
Skeletons.

Skeletons are used in cemeteries, lab
oratories and museums. After battles
they are frequently bleached before be-
ing stored away for the winter.
Everybody has a skeleton, without
which one would fall around like jel-
lyfsh, and instead of going to bed at
night we would have to be hung over a
clotheshOrse. Indeed. life without a
skeleton would be one long. dreary flop.
Skeletons come in a lot Of assorted
bones, which are more or less securely
fastened together by the department
store clerk who fastened them together
before they went out of the shop. When
the first skeleton was constructed one
Of its bones got away and has caused
much trouble ever since.
Some wear clothes over their skele-
tons.-Life.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
Bits About Beasts.

You think you know something about
animals, Ell? Well, let US put your
knowledge to a few simple tests.
Frogs. to begin with. Can they
breathe with their mouths shut? Ger
tainly they can. As a matter Of fact,
they always do. If they kept their
mouths open they would suffocate.
Next. hares. When do they close
their eyes? Answer, never. You see
they haven't any eyelids. so they can't
But they have thin membrane, which
performs the service of .eyelids when
they are asleep.
What is the color of a horses eye
brows? That's a difficult one. Think
hard and then learn that horse hasn't
any eyebrows
You may like to know, in addition,
that turtles and tortOises have no
teeth; that parrots. unlike the major
ity of birds. can move both mandibles
Of their beaks. and that fishes never
masticate. They simply haven't time
between breaths.-London Answers.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
The Word Tramway.

Tramway is the term applied in
Great Britain to all kinds Of street
railroads. whether using horses, en-
gines, cable or electricity. The word
tram originally meant a log or stump.
The evolution of the word into modern
English use is given as: End-fragment
-stump-log-pOle- bar-beam-rail. In
the earliest forms Of railroads the
tracks consisted Of trans Of wood or
fat stones. at later period Of wooden
stringers covered with strap iron and
lastly Of iron rails.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
m. Eouinocti.I storm Floeion.


The widespread belief In the exist
snce of an eQuinoctial storm and In
dian summer comes, to certain e1-
tent, under the bead Of popular super
stttions. II the eQuinoctial storm is
defined asa transform, lasting at least
three days and occurring within two
or three days Of the 21st Of September,
then there is very seldom a year when
several equinoctial storms do not &C.
cur. The reason for the belief In an
equinoctial storm Is probably the fact
that about that time Of the year the
first storms Of the winter type, with
steadily falling precipitation, make
their appearance. They stand In sharp
contrast to the summer type with the
sultry weather and thunder showers.
Storms Of the winter type can occur,
however, during any month of. the
summer. The amount Of precipitation
near the 21st has been shown by av-
eraging the observations at many sta
lions to be no greater than before or
after this date.-Willis Ishliester Mil
ham in Meteorology.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
Why IL Burns,

There are number Of chemical sub
stances which when applied to the skin
will cause a burning sensation, and
mustard is one Of these. 1t acts on the
tongue and other sensitive parts of the
body as an irritant 1t causes the
blood vessels to swell and discharge
some Of their contents. If 1t Is left on
the skin long enough it will blister.
That is what happens when a mustard
plaster is applied. Under the mustard
plaster we find a red patch produced
by the swelling Of blood vessels. This
causes pressure on the nerves that pro-
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
Mexico City 10 AGED.

Mexico City is additionally nearly
600 years old. 1t was founded when
the Aztecs settled on an island near
Lake Tezcoco. Cortez practically de-
stroyed the city in 1921. From this
time on there was hardly a break in
the ordinary events until 1892, when
there was a revolt against Spanish
rule. Later it was the scene Of many
revolutions and much bloody fighting
until the iron rule of Porf1rio Diaz
made revolutions for thirty years some
what improbable ventures. In the
war between the United States and
Mexico the principal movement Of the
American troops was directed against
Mexico City. After capturing the hill
of Chapultepec by assault General
Scott occupied the city Sept IA. 1s47.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
Why the Sea Has Pearls.

A few weeks ago l was talking with
a woman of deep religious sentiment
who was in great distress because her
very young baby had died before It
could be baptized.
l was led to ask natives of Norway,
Finland and other places their views
on this very delicate question. and so
came across bit of very pretty Sicil-
ian folklore
To the babies in Sicily life is very
kind and death is gentle. Those who
die unbaptiZed are doomed to wander,
but do not wander grieving. Madonna
Mary sends to them every week end an
angel, who lays aside his lily crown
and romps with the dead babies. When
he leaves them he gathers up in a
golden chalice all the tears they have
shed during the week. These he casts
In handfuls into the sea- land that Is
why the sea has pearls" 1 like that
World.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
He Proved His Case,

Human nature is mighty queer, isn't
it?' he observed to the other man on
the rear platform Of the street car.
Eyes, 1 suppose So" replied the other.
People are too sensitive altogether
too sensitive"
81 don't know about that"
"Well, do. For instance, now, you
have a red nose. You are not to blame
for it perhaps, but you are so sensitive
that if should offer you a remedy for
it you
"You old loafer, I've a good mind to
knock your head off, Missed the red
nosed man as he squared off.
"Told you So" replied the other as
he dropped off. Human nature is the
queerest burned thing on earth, and
some folks are so sensitive that they'd
swallow their false teeth rather than
let any one know they had 'em-"-De-
troit Free Press.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
Hot Milk In Mashed Potatoes.

1.-THE reason that really good mashed
white potatoes are such rarity In this
bitter world is that the milk isn't heat
ed before it is put into them" said the
domestic science teacher.
"And YETI said the pupil pensively,
81 have seen wonderful cooks put In
cold milk"
But that was while the potatoes
were burning hot and on the stove"
insisted the advocate Of the hot milk
dressing. 1.-THE potatoes were 30 aw-
fully hot that they heated the milk
The safest way is to heat the milk and
to use also plenty Of butter, pepper and
salt Then beat and beat them with a
fork. Never use a spoon. You can't
beat them too much for their own
good."-New York Herald
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
Goino Home to Mother,

Just what is meant by going home to
ones mother, in its larger sense, is
perhaps little difficult to define. Yet,
surely, it must be very universal ex-
perience. Have we not all at some
time often following a period OF con-
fusion and stress Of circumstances
suddenly experienced that deep sense
Of finding ourselves where we belong
ed? A sense Of restfulness, Of home
coming, of general rightness and well
doing? 1t is sloughing off Of the nom
essential and the trivial and a shifting
Of the spirit into deeper and simpler
channels; pause, when in the midst
Of all this mad dance Of time and cir
cumstances one gets a sudden, enlarg-
ing glimpse of truth and of eternity
Atlantic Monthly.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
Greece Only an OIiuarchy,

Greece. as many people do not know,
Is country managed by 500 families
who hate one another like poison In
true classic Greek fashion. The peas
ants, the hack drivers and the fisher
men talk radical politics all day long,
but when election day comes they vote
for member of one of these big aris-
tocratic-namely. best" in the Greek
sense-families. A republic for Greece
would mean anarchy. Worlds
Work
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
Tosti's Thanks.

One day lady called on Tosti, the
famous song writer. and announced
her intention of singing two Of his
songs at a concert.
Il thought | would just run round
and try them over with you," she said.
Tosti remarked that he was not In
the habit of giving lessons in that man
ner, whereupon the lady retorted:
Very. well: will not sing your
songs then"
Tosti's face beamed as he advanced
toward her with outstretched hands.
Madam" he said, II thank you very
much for that favor"
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
Wills In Argentina.

In Argentina the laws provide that a
father must leave his children four
fffths of his fortune and a husband If
he has no children has to leave all of
his property to his wife. An unmar-
ried son is compelled to leave his par
ents two-thirds Of his property, and
only unmarried persons without par
ents or descendants can make Wills
disposing of their possessions as they
see fit.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
Told Almost All.

Here is a story told by one Of our
women lawyers:
81 told my client to tell me every
thing just as it had occurred-to hold
back nothing-and then, being per-
fectly familiar with all the facts, l
might be able to help him. After the
story had come to an end / asked him
If that were all.
.Everything-'cept where l hid tn
money! was the answer" - Buffalo
News.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
A Complete Lob.

do you love me with all your soulY'
breathed the temperamental maiden as
she peered through the orchids with
which the table was decked at the
lucky fellow whose joys and sorrows
she had agreed to share.
The !. l. paused for a moment while
he inspected the supper check, just
handed him by an obsequious mental
Yes. and with all my roll" he said
Observation-Disclosures Times Dispatch.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
Babylonia.

The northern part of Babylonia is
generally dry during the greater part
OF the year. The lower part. near the
junction of the rivers. is generally a
great malarial swamp overgrown with
reeds In the springtime one may sail
almost anywhere across the country
from the Tigris to the Euphrates, and
In the dry season great herds of cam
els, buffaloes. donkeys. sheep and goats
Craze over the same place.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
islands,

There are about 100000 islands, large
and small, scattered over the oceans
America alone has $500 around its
coasts. There are 1856 In the bay of
Rio Janeiro. 10000 between Madagas-
car and India and some 1000 of the
eastern coast of Australia between its
mainland and New Guinea.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
An Effective WAY,

They say" said the young drama
fist, that 1 shall have to cut my play
down, but really don't know where to
begin"
why not start at both ends" his
candid friend asked, land work toward
the middle?'
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
ENCOURAGING Sian.

How are you getting along with
Miss Gadder?"
"Oh, first rate"
what makes you think you are max
ing some progress In her regardT'
"Well, when first started to calling
she played the photograph practically
all the time. Now the machine fire.
Quently remains idle for as long as
twenty minutes. Age
Herald.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
Nothinu Rude.

Il suppose your daughter will start
her scholastic career with some speciaI
rudimentary studies?'
mo. indeed. There amt going to be
nothin' rude about it She's goin' to
take only polite litertoor. "-Baltimore
American.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
Painfully Frank.

Wedderly-They say that a man and
mis- wife grow to look alike after they
nave been married a few years. Now,
my wife and ! have been married ten
years. Do you think we look alike?
Sfngleton-Yes, indeed. You both seem
to have the same sad expression.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
The Glove Tree.

The limbs of the Glove tree being
very brittle. a peculiar four sided lad
der is used in stripping the tree. AS
fast as the buds are collected they are
spread in the sun until they assume a
brownish color. when they are put into
the storehouse ready for market.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
Three Clocks.

The best three clocks In the world
are at the naval observatory at Wash
ington and the observatories at Green
witch and Berlin. The former two are
the best and show a mean deviation of
fifteen one-thousandths of a second a
day.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
Bored Audience.

Mr.. Jaggs never opened his mouth
while his wife was entertaining her
guests the other night"
"Oh, yes, he did several times"
II didn't hear him. What did he
sayT'
Nothing. He yawned. Baltimore
American.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
Curious Request

A doctor in the country received one
day letter from an old woman asking
for a bottle Of cough mixture for her
husband. ending with the postscript:
"Pleese. sir, don't make it too strong,
as the poor man has only got one leg"
London Tit-Bits
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
LEGAL Snaos,

Seems to me that the lawyers have
it easy in life
"Why so?"
"The rest of US have to surmount
our own obstacles, but If a lawyer
strikes one he applies to some judge
and has 1t set aside."-Louisyille Cou-
rier-Journal.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
ALI Ha GatS-

The Boss-Ain't it enough that I save
your life? The Bookkeeper-What do
you mean-save my life? The Boss
II gave you the raise you're asking
for you'd drop dead.-New York Globe.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
Doomed.

81 like to see a smart, well educated
woman" said young De Sapp, but 1
wouldn't want to marry one who
knows more than 1 do"
TOO bad" rejoined Miss Swift. I'm
sorry TO hear that you intend to re-
main bachelor all your nfe."-Indian-
apolis Star.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
Siohxnseind-

On visit to his grandmother Harry
examined her handsome furniture with
interest and then asked, Grandma,
where Is the miserable table that papa
says you always keepT'
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
Easy Mark,

Randall just borrowed IS from a
friend Rogers-Give me his address
quick. Randall-Why? Rogers-A man
who would lend money to you would
lend 1t to any one.-Life.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
One Form Of n.

Grubbs-They tell me Binks Is very
much interested in music. Stubbs-I
suppose he must be. At any rate, he
is an expert at blowing his own horn
Richmond Times-Dispatch.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
His Opposite-

They say people with opposite char
acteristics make the happiest mar
riages"
Yes; that's why I'm looking for a
girl with money. "-Brooklyn Eagle.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
A Great Helm.

Did you have any one help Won
when you were hanging the pictures p
"Oh. yes. My wife stood around and
asked me what | was swearing att
St Louis Post-Dispatch.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
Big Ones.

Fatty-Fer two pins I'd pull yer ears
Ter you. Shorty-Jist you try 1t on!
You'll find you'll ave your lands FULL
London FREELY.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
Different From Aer Ma

He-Why is it that there's never Q
match In this house? She (curtly)-i
can't make matches. That's
strange. Your mother could.-Boston
Transcript.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
Her, Excuse.

WIDOW Ito dressmaker)-You must
really wait awhile for payment for the
mourning dresses. We are still too
sorrowful To consider financial matters.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
Salf prnisa

Be careful that you do not commend
yourselves. 1t is a sign that your rep
utation is small and sinking II your
own tongue must praise you.-Sir Mat
thew Hale.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
Pessimistin

What is an antiquarian, pap
"A man who. not satisfied with his
present troubles, is looking for some In
the past"
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08

1t is not poverty. but covetousness,
that causes sorrow. II is not wealth.
but philosophy, that gives security.-
Epictetus.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
That's So.

Il hear strange sounds in my ears.
doctor"
well. where would you expect b
hear themT-Boston Transcript
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08

Some men do not make fortunes for
the sake Of living. but. blinded by
avarice. live for the sake or MONEY
only.-Juvenal
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08

The reputation that Is built ON clev-
erness is temporary; that built ON char
acter Is permanent.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08
Exceptions.

"Like produces like"
mot always. Just you try to get
any cold cash from q snow bank
Baltimore American.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1916-01-08

Enjoy the present day, trusting vesy
little to the morrow.-Horace.
The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1916-03-10
BETTER TO HAVE KEPT STILL
Candidate Gained Little by calling
Down" Men Who Had Inter
rupted His Speech.

Henry Ford has very rarely voted,
and at a dinner in his native Dear
born he once said:
81 have taken. perhaps less inter
est in politics than should have done
But politics has always seemed to me
q confused and quarrelsome business.
When ! think Of politics think OF the
political meeting anecdote:
"A candidate at a political meeting
vas heckled by fat man. This heck,
ing after awhile got on the nerves Of
another member OF the audience, and
he roared at the fat man:
"'Shut up, you asst
AT this a third member Of the au'
iience shouted:
"'Oh, you shut up, too! The pair
Of you are asses!'
THE candidate on the platform took
a sip OF water. Then he said:
There seem to be lot Of asses
on hand here tonight; but, gents, fol-
the love of Mike, let's hear one at q
time
We'll, you go on, them yelled G
chap in the gallery"