davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1923-09-21
TEACHING PARROTS TO TALK"
Skill and Patience Required to Turr
Out Birds That Can Be Sold
to Advantage.

There are quite number OF people
who make a living by teaching par
rots to talk. 1t is task that requires
patience and skill
Each bird is put in a cage by him
self and covered with a bag. which
prevents the parrot from seeing out
and at the same time admits sufficient
light. Then the "sehoolmaster'' stands
In front Of the cages, and says what
he wants the birds to learn. The words
are repeated once a minute.
Sometimes this repetition goes on
for several hours before the pupil
begins to do anything else but scream,
but at'last he begins to murmur the
words.
AS soon as one bird can say the
words without a mistake the masters
work is done, for the pupil will soon
teach the words to all the other occu-
pants Of the room. They are left in
the covered cages for day, and at the
end of that time every parrot will
know the words thoroughly.
Then the creatures have to be taught
when to say the words. Let US sup
pose that the lesson was Come and
kiss me-" The bags are lifted of the
cages by a number Of pretty girls.
They are the first people the parrots
see, and consequently each bird con-
meets the words with pretty girl, and
ever afterward uses the sentence in
this connection.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1923-09-21
CATS MARK OF CONFINEMENT
Purr Proves That Pussy Is Just q,
That Moment Particularly
PleassS With World.

We know that the cat purrs when
she is pleased. But just how she does
1t, beyond the fact that she is breath
Ing in way which causes a peculiar
vibration, we do not know. Place
your hand on the chest Of q man
speaking or singing In a low deep
voice and you will experience a dis
tfnct vibration. 1t Is only this vibra.
zion, mach exaggerated, that we feel
when we stroke a purring pussy. 9th,
er eats besides our domestic pet
also purr. the note In the case of
large animal such as a puma rather
resembling roar. A seldom-noticed
popularity Of the purr Is that 1t
continues both during breathing '1n"
and "out"; careful observation will
detect slight break in the purr with
the change Of breath. The pur is no
more than an expression Of emotional
satisfaction. Just as some Of us,
when feeling particularly pleased
with life, will instinctively and al
most unconsciously hum, so win q cat
purr when It Is contented.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1923-09-21
ORIGINAL Omitted states:~

There were only 13 original col.
onies, and New York state has never
been included in New England. The
Thirteen United Colonies" that sent
delegates to the Continental congress
on September 10, ITS, and afterward
called themselves the United States"
were Massachusetts,, Connecticut,
Rhode Island. New Hampshire, New
York, New Jersey, Georgia, North Caro-
lima, South Carolina, Virginia, Penn
sylyania. Delaware and Maryland. The
colony Of Maine belonged to Massachu-
sets and Vermont was claimed both by
New Hampshire and New York. Yer.
mont was admitted into the Union an
the fourteenth state on March 4, 1791.
The New England states are Massachu-
sets, Connecticut Rhode Island. New
Hampshire, Vermont and Maine.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1923-09-21
OIdtlme Beauty Hlnta

Some strange recipes for beauty are
given by oldtime writer's. 'sThe eyes
Of pike powdered are wonderful In
Increasing beauty" naively suggests
one author. In the South of England
even today the eating of herrings'
brains is thought to improve the ap-
pearance. The fat of the grayling
mixed with honey and exposed for
day or two to the sun made a fine
preparation for cleaning the skin.
The fat Of the lamprey, though this
creature Is otherwise considered I'M
lucky, was efficacious in removing
smallpox scars. Wolverine grease
would cure all skin troubles. The
Chinese have great faith In the medic
inal properties Of water in which
cookies have been boiled and it is
their favorite remedy for smallpox.
One Of the strangest remedies is at
tributed to the monks Of the Tenth
century who are said to have pre-
scribed ashes of burnt flies for the
complexion.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1923-09-21
Ancient Citadel Of Athens.

The Acropolis of Athens was the an
Gent citadel Of Athens, sometimes
called Cecropia, from its reputed
founder, the mythical Cecrops. 1t was
built upon rock 500 feet above the
Attic plain. This eminence was 1850
feet In length from east to west and
500 feet In width from north to south,
and was accessible on the west side
only, through the Propylaea or "En.
frances" built by Pericles. Upon its
summit were the world famous Parthe-
non, sacred to Minerva, the Temple of
Wingiess Victory, the Erechtheum. and
other structures.
Between the Parthenon and the
Erechtheum stood the colossal figure
Of Minerva, the protectress of the city,
20 feet In height.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1923-09-21
OWL "STOoPs TO CONQUER
Only Two Lessons Needed to Teach
Dog the Wisdom of Leaving
the Bird UnmoIested.

Not long ago, writes a contributor,
learned Of the tactics Of certain owl
In defending itself that were both
amusing and interesting. Whether the
method Is common among owls, / do
not know; the bird practiced it on
more than one decision.
The owl was great big-headed crea-
ture captured in the woods and tied
with a rope to stake in the yard.
Its enemy was the dog, which seemed
to think that it was a common fowl.
OF course the thing to do was to bark
and to frighten it into flight. But bark
ing had no effect whatever except to
make the dreadful eyes glow more
brightly and to produce sort of sharp
swapping that seemed to come from the
bill, which was almost hidden among
the feathers. After some time the dog
made fierce run.
Not move did the owl make. Not
feather twitched; but the eyes
glowed like fire, and snap, snap went
the bill. Suddenly just as the dog
came close the bird went over on its
back in a heap. 1t was an undignified
position surely, but there was a pur-
pose In 1t.
The dog, assuming that the strange
bird had fallen upon the ground in
fright, dashed up and thrust his nose
among the feathers. Instantly steel
like claws, sharp as knives, fastened
upon him and with yell of terror and
pain he tore loose and ran for his life.
Solemn and apparently harmless stood
the owl as before.
1t was too much for the dog. An
other rush brought him again within
reaching distance Of the strange enemy.
Once more the bird fell on its back.
and once more the dog thrust his nose
into the feathers only to feel the cruel
talons sink into his tender nose; with
yelp he fed. From the shelter OF
the porch he viewed the strange bird
no longer dignified barn fowl, but
dreadful monster to be let absolutely
alone.-Youxh's Companion.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1923-09-21
NO ESCAPE FOR THE SEAL
Ones Hooked by Eskimo Hunter There
lie No Way by Which RE.
Can Get Away.

An Eskimo, when once he has gone
to the trouble of splicing fine spear
handle, does not wish to break 1t, so
the point is put on with tangle or
joint.
When seal or walrus is harpooned
the sudden struggle of the animal does
not break the spear, but merely un-
joints the point, and the more the anil
NAL struggles the more the point turns
crosswise In the wound and the flrmer
the barbs take hold.
But the animal cannot escape, for
with thongs of skin the point is con-
nected with the spear shaft. The AMI
NAL merely swims away or dives deep
into the sea, carrying with him the
spear. The long leather thong which
is attached to 1t uncoils from the deck
Of the kyack and pays out. 1t carries
with 1t a drag like a kite, which re-
tards the animal and exhausts him,
but does not pull hard enough to break
the line Even this draw is made OF
skin stretched over spliced frame
work.
When the line is all played out 1t Is
seen to be attached to float. which is
also carried on the deck Of the boat.
This is made of an inflated skin. II
has plugs and attachments of cleverly
carved ivory, for wood is far too pre-
-ious to be used in this land of ivory
90 far from the forests.
The float serves as a buoy so that
the Eskimo can follow the animal and
find il after it gives up its struggle
and dies. Then, too, the float keeps
the catch from sinking and being lost
IN the oceans depths.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1923-09-21
Medicine Men.

In Ill times some degree of healing
power has been ascribed to the priest.
hood. Medicine-men, mystery-men, sha-
mans, or by whatever name they might
be called, were to be found In every
tribe Of North American Indians.
Some Of these knew the medicinal
qualities Of roots and herbs and praa
ticed rude surgery, and others were
takers" A medicine-man Of the
Walapai, Yuman tribe on the Colo
RADIO river, says John G. Bourke In an
article on the Apache medicine-men,
would cast bullet In q mold contain
ing small piece Of paper. The healer
would have an Indian fire this bullet
at him and the lead, because Of tho
paper, would split into pieces and do /
him no harm.
Another would secretly fasten the
end of roll Of sinew to twig, swaI-
low the ball and hold the twig between
his teeth. After the sinew had
softened and expanded because of tht
heat and moisture Of the stomach" tho
magician would astound his frieuds.-,
- . ~
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1923-09-21
Recent Australian Discoveries.

Recent explorations In the very GEN.
ter Ct Australia have resulted in the
discovery of a hitherto unknown fresh
@ater lake. During the rainy season
it has a circumference of 20 miles.
The surface was described as "a NOV
ng mass of ducks" At Alice springs
IN the mcdonnell range, where set
dement's have already been made many
miles beyond the terminus of the rail.
way, the climate In July and early
August is described as ideal. There
are frosts at night and sometimes ice
in the morning. Fruits and vegetables
are excellent and surprisingly prolific
'sThe white children of the pioneers In
this remote district look like English
children, and the adults are pictures
of health7-at least in the eyes Of
Australia's enthusiastic explorers
Living Age.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1923-09-21
Pigeons In Primitive Times.

Pigeons have been domesticated
from the earliest times. They were
looked upon with much affection by
primitive peoples, and one Of the IN
dications Of wealth was the number Of
dovecotes a man possessed. Mention
Of turtledoves and pigeons in the Bible
usually is in connection with sacrifice.
AS In the case Of the parents Of Jesus
duke 2 PA, the poor were allowed to
bring, instead Of a lamb, two turtle
doves or two young pigeons.
The f1rst known law for bird pro-
lection, found in Deuteronomy % IS,
forbiding the killing of a mother bird
on the nest, probably was largely for
the benefit Of the pigeon. Pliny wrote
Of pigeons, especially noting their man.
ner in drinking-"not holding up their
bills between whiles."
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1923-09-21
First American Tannery.

In 1880 the first tannery In America
was built in Virginia. A second one
was established few years later at
Lynn, Mass. The tanning industry was
well represented among the early set
tiers OF Massachusetts, for It Is re-
corded that no fewer than 81 tanners
had come over to the new colony be-
fore 1850. Their labors were In great
demand. Skins accumulated so rapid
ly that in 1910 1t was found necessary
to pass a law shat every hide and
skin should be dried before II corrupts
and sent where they may be tanned
and dressed" The tanning industry
also received encouragement through.
out the colonies by many laws for
bidding the expectation Of untanned
leather. Tanneries flourfshed every.
where. and By 1910 their annual ouf-
p@ - - q E1lliea f2pnR
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1923-09-21
Cortland "PearI of Baltic"

The saga relates that the discoverer.
and first settler on the Isle of Gott-
and, was man named Thjelvar.
From the same source one learns that
the island was then in such an I'M
stable condition that it was SUBJ
merged in the daytime, and rose to
the surface at night, but Thjelvar ex-
terminated with fire the trolls and
evil spirits that infested it, and never
since that time have the waters broken
over "the Pearl of the Baltic" In
later years, the early Middle ages,
Cortland was indeed a power to be
reckoned with, and it is the combina-
ton of ancient fairy lore and an inter-
esting historical past that makes the
island so attractive and a favorite spot
for tourists intent on exploring strange
ground.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1923-09-21
Fine Silks and Linens

The mother country of linen IL
Egypt, and linen tapestries were en-
broijered In that land 1000 years ago.
Because it can be bleached to snowy
whiteness 1t was known as the SYM
Dol of purity. 1t was used for sacred
vestments and was sometimes so fine
and delicate that 1t was worth twice
its weight In gold.
Certain authorities state that the
reference made to silk in the Bible Is
a mistake Of the translators, since it
does not occur in the original The
cultivation of the silkworm in Europe
was known $50 B. c., but the Chinese
knew about 1t centuries before that
date, for the making of it was begun
by Sizing, wife of an emperor 26O9
b. G.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1923-09-21
Rhubarb Valued as Tonic.

Rhubarb, which seems to have no
romance, has history. 1t was brought
into England in 1873 from the Volga,
but for two centuries it remained
gardeners curiosity, so that it's use
as an article of food is of compare
lively recent origin. In 1910, when
a Deptford market gardener sent a
few stalks to London he was unable
to find customers for it. However,
the use and cultivation Of the plant
made rapid progress from that time
forward. 1t was brought to this coun-
try from England. Rhubarb is valu-
able not only for its mineral content
and its acid, but for its flavor, and
is therefore much in favor as q fns
spring tonic.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1923-09-21
Nations Shortsiohtedness.

The nations lumber shipment In
1920 was about 100000 carloads, and
the average haul for each carload 4S5
miles. According to the best estimate
Of the forest service, United States
Department of Agriculture, the freight
bill on lumber for that year was $780,
100000. A fraction Of this sum, says
the forest service, wisely invested each
year in forest protection and rehabili-
tation would grow timber where 1t is
needed, reduce the nations freight bill,
cheaper lumber and release vast
amounts Of railroad equipment and la
Dor for unavoidable transport. Coal
and iron cannot be gzR1a bt tIDhE
- g .41s4Ea laAaa k:se !,
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1923-09-21
MAY Fast for Months.

Beaded lizards live in dry places
hidden by day and become active in
the evening, says the Detroit News.
They lie asleep during the hottest
part Of the year. They eat frogs
worms, centipedes, ants and other in
sects. as well as the eggs Of frogs.
birds and other lizards.
In good times the extra nourish-
ment is stored up as fat in the tail.
When food is scarce this fat can be
absorbed and carried to the hungry
cells through the blood, and thus the
gila monster may go without other
Good for eovArai naAntha
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1923-09-21
Natural Curiosity.

A natural curiosity Is the Devils
Well" in Washington. 35 miles north Of
Spokane. This well Is a cylindrical
shaft, 40 feet In diameter, sunk by
some natural agency in solid basalt
rock on mountain top. The water
level varies according to atmospheric
conditions, the average being about 80
feet below the mouth of the well. The
swirling water with logs floating on It's
surface is said to inspire feeling OF
awe as one stands at the brink and
looks along the smooth, sheer walls
INTO its blue depths.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1923-09-21
Worthy Of Her Great Brother

Betty Washington Lewis is pictured
as more than a sister to the Father
of his country She was CONSIDER.
comforter, advisor and friend" accord
Ing to Virginia authority Her hus-
band, Col. Fielding Lewis, q man of
means and position socially and polit.
ically, gave his sword to his country,
not alone, but sacrificed his fortune to
supply the needs Of soldiers.
Within the beautiful walls of Ken
more, some Of the decorations of which
Washington Is said to have planned
Tor his sister. were frequently as
sembled the military and civic person
asas Ut tlas period
~~f -ss<pSw
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1923-09-21
What's Inside the SUM-

Carbon has been subjected to Aere4
heat energy and to very high pressure
at the same time to ke formed into q
rigid solid, the diamond. Carbon In
the central regions of giant suns IL
subjected to an intensity Of energy
of heat far greater than any that can
be secured by electro-chemists In lab
oratories in either highly condensed
sparks between metallic terminals or
arcs. It is not known what effect such
intense energy Of heat has on the
atoms OF elements, for none so intense
Is available to science. Atoms In the
Interiors of highly incandescent suns
may be resolved back to primordial
electrons; or electrons may never have
revolved around nuclei to form atoma
Then solaz interiors would be cleo.
tronic by this hypothesis. Seattle
RoneD fWatch.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1923-09-21
Yes, He Was Eirst-cIass.

Bart Kennedy, CHIEF deck steward of
a transatlantic liner, tells this one:
One morning between six and sew
en- o'clock a second-class passenger
climbed over the first class promenade
to enjoy stroll on the long deck. He
did some lively walking and some
fancy calisthenics. A sailor was scrub
bing the deck, and, feeling that he
should not permit the rules Of the
ship to be broken even at that early
hour, intercepted the passenger and
asked:
Are you first-class, sir?"
The passenger laid his hands on the
sailors shoulders and replied:
Il never felt better in my life."-
fud0a
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1923-09-21
Myths Were Explanations Of Mature

"Jbho "STS EAPidHdtiOnS OF nature.
Mythology grew up hundreds and
hundreds Of years ago, when the ma
lions Of the world were In their In
fancy, in answer to many questions
which men could not explain. There
were no works of astronomy to ex-
plain that the sunrise is not a real rfs-
Ing OF the sun, but is caused by the
turning Of the earth on its axis. There
was nothing to show that the coming
of winter after summer is a natural
effect of natural causes, and not the
work of some malignant power. There
were no works on geology to tell of
the slow upbuilding of the world
through thousands and hundreds of
thousands of years. All these were
natural questions to the inquiring
minds OF the primitive peoples, so they
made up answers and wove them into
some of the most beautiful stories and
fancies the world has ever known.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1923-09-21
secret Of glassware

II u probable that but few persons
VINO admire the iridescence Of ancient
glassware know that the priamatic hues
displayed are result Of the decay
OF the glass. When dislptsgration sets
In the substance OF the glass sniff.
into excsedingly thin laminaa which.
ss fna sunlight traversss them. dive
r1se % 2 splendid play Of coloss. As
IN the instance OF the leaves Of a for.
EST, these delicate glasses sisnaliss
their approaching dissolution Nv -.
coming more beautiful
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1923-09-21

Near St Martins church, Canter.
Dury: ENGLAND. ID the ship inn. Ac-
coroing to the London Daily Tele-
graph. this establishment i "a 10
closed and has been referred by the
Canterbury licensing justices for CON-
psnsatlon. The inn dates back 70 the
une o. Queen Elizabeth. and a lease
aasea 1857 was produced in ceurt.
chewing that In those days 80 hAuss
vs. - ~ he uokpQea1 Il IS a =
1900 = - $50 !.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1923-09-21
Flowers and Love.

Ever dear to the lover have been
,be fancies woven around flowers and
the charms they were held to exercise
In the profession Of love- For instance.
to discover the initials Of a future
lovers name you were only supposed
to go and cut bracken stem, and the
initials would be found there. How
long you would walt before wedlock
was ascertained by blowing the clocks
Of the dandelion-just as children to
day by the same means tell the hourn
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1923-09-21
Difficult to csmprehend

Father was trying to explain "stano
ard time to little Harry. but Harr.
was not sure that he understood.
AFTER all. 1t Ia ne great matter.
said father.
You are now only In the fourti.
grade. When you have gone to schoo
longer you will learn all about it."
Maybe so" said Harry, with re
assuring smile. The teacher says
that even lots Of eighth grade boye
and girls don't understand longitude
and gratitude. "-Wayside Tales
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1923-09-21
eeHIne steel N on

Cincinnati Is one Of six places u o.
world where steel Is strengthened b.
being boEed In OIL. At a plant In Chr
thage, steel shaft Weighing 5000
pounds, the largest piece ever subject.
ed to the new method, went thrUngA
the process Of being strengthened. n
was hollow bored tumbler SHAFT" fDr
use In dredging gold in California, cut.
ing about $1,000. The great shaft vas
nrst suspended in an upright furnace
until heated to just below the netting
point A crane then picked 4 - and
drupped It into huge wsa g a.
uhuS u bsiled and sputtnaa 81 ~
- A11n6D - 111H m1nA 49,
Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1923-07-27
AN ENTERPRISE
THAT MERITS
YOUR SUPPORT

Notwithstanding the amount OF
shipping that is now lying idle in the
harbors and at the docks of the
United States. ocean travellers are still
obliged to pay high rates for trans
Atlantic travel, and an unparalleled
opportunity to build up the American
Merchant Marine is being lost. Rec
oenizing this fact, and realizing that
the time was opportune for an under
taking Of this nature. the organizers
Of the Great Northern 5. S. Co. formed
their corporation, which received its
charter from the State Of Massachus-
etts. October Il, 1922
They 'visualized a new ocean steam
ship line, plying between Boston and
European ports, controlled by the peo-
pie. which would offer to these same
people a chance for ocean travel on
comfortable commodious ships, at a
price within the reach Of all, but large
enough to allow profit for the in
weston and a sufficient margin to al
low for the carrying on and enlarging
Of the enterprise.
This was their three-fold purpose
to render a genuine service to the peo-
'le'-to help build up American ship
oing,-and TO bring business and trade
o the port of Boston.
In spite of the failure of the Ship
Subsidy Bill in sipte of the opposition
which each new competitor in an es-
field encounters. this COM
AMY is bringing its plans to maturity :
md expects that very soon it will be
ble to offer definite sailing dates to
he public.
This surely is an enterprise thar
Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1923-07-27
ORDINANCE NO. 90

An ordinance being the annual ap-
preparation bill of the Village of Sho-
shone Idaho, for the fiscal year be-
ginning the first Tuesday in May, 1923,
making an appropriation necessary to
defray the expenses and liabilities of
said village for said fiscal year, levy
ing a tax therefore on all taxable prop
erty within said village; fixing the
amounts Of said tax levy and stating
the objects for which the levy is made.
Be it ordained by the chairman and
Board Of Trustees of the Village of
Shoshone, Idaho:
Section l. That there is hereby an
propriated the following sums of mon
ey TO defray the necessary expenses
Of the Village Of Shoshone, Idaho, for
fiscal year commencing on the first
Tuesday of May, 1923, and that tax