davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1925-08-02
BY WILLIAM EDMUND
CHRISTIAN.

" OR 35 years w. H. Blackburn
- has been holding down the job
of head keeper of the animals
i at the Zoo. He happened to
have one of his streaks of
humor on this particular morning
when the writer was walking around
with him among the snakes.
See that hoop snake?' he smiled,
pointing to one of the cages. NO end
of people will tell you they have been
chased by hoop snakes. taking their
tails in their mouths and rolling after
them. You tell these people, he
added, there's no such 'animile.' The
vertebrae are SO arranged as to make
such thing impossible.
My friend the late Prof. Lang
ley of the Smithsonian spoke to me
once of a lady friend, who, he said,
had told him that she had been chased
in this way by a hoop snake when
she was a girl; and he asked me to
test out the possibility of it.
We'll, / tried to put the snake in
that position--but 1t would bulge out,
right or left, making any hoop result
impossible.
While pausing to look at the big
python-now in a motionless mass
and which / was informed stays mo-
tionleSs for as long as four months be-
tween meals-the veteran head keeper
recalled a huge female python,
which," he said, died some fourteen
years ago.
ri cut that python OPEN he con-
tinued, "and found % eggs abreast
10 layers, and l at each end
Which brought us to the subject Of
the snake and it's young.
II remember a boa constructor" said
he, "that had 81 young. They came
in little transparent sacks, through
which they broke-and got busy right
away. We raised quite a number Of
them and gave away what we didn't
want"
Are all snakes born this way, or
how do they come into the worid?" the
writer asked.
mo; for example, a python incu-
bates it's eggs, and is the only snake
that does, by coiling its body over
them, and defends them fiercely
against all corners.
"Other snakes deposit from 10 to
so eggs, of an oval shape, covered
with a soft, leathery shell in places
where they are exposed to and
Matched by moist heat. The parent
snake pays no more attention to them,
except as / have stated, in the case of
the python"
do not any snakes bring forth
their young?" was asked.
Yes, some families, such as many
fresh-water snakes and sea snakes,
bring forth living young"
won't you tell me, Mr.. Blackburn,
something about the feeding of the
snakes?"
Well, he replied, The rattlesnake
Evening star., 1925-08-02

cowmen were coming to help US, when
/ saw a flash of light and then a re-
port was heard and something few,
buzzing, next my left arm. / felt as
If somebody had shaken the large
sleeve Of my thick dress.
All that happened in less than a
second. Then another fash of light
and something knocked a boulder
next us. ''They shoot at us"' cried my
servant. Let us run for our life"
The advice was sound but most diff.
cult to follow. First. darkness pre-.
vented US seeing the ground before US
we were stumbling on the stones, hurt
ing ourselves against sharp rocks, and
the dogs We're after us more alarmed
and ferociouS since their masters had
begun to fire. One of them had al
ready taken advantage of the sur
prise of Thobgyal, when he had heard
the first shot and ceased for an in
stant to use his stick. to jump at him
and the poor man, had he not been
clad in a thick sheepskin, of which the
animal tore large piece, would have
been cruelty bitten.
We endeavored to get away as
quickly as possible from that inhos
pitable spot: time seemed long as we
were compelled to continue the fight
ing with the dogs till we were al
some distance from the camp, and
then the men still fired a dozen shots
x
THE following days did not bring
any event really worth mention
ing. We met two rivers ithe upper
Mekong and tributary. that we did
not expect to find SO large and SC
high. When fording the second one
with water to the waist, we missed
the right place of the ford. l.. being
short. lost my footing and the swift
current would have carried me away
had l pot held at that moment the
hand of my servant. He was a very
good swimmer, and as 1 can also
swim a little, helped the efforts he
made to take me out. After two or
three minutes we felt our feet again
resting on the ground and. We ra pidly
reached the bank of the river. We
were wet TO the skin; our thick dress
es and our loads were dripping. They
did not do so long; very soon they
stiffened, becoming hard frozen on
us, and we looked like two stone
images with living faces.
Tibetan hermits. those extraordi
nary mystics who dwell on the snowy
SUBMITS, know the strange secret of
developing the internal heat Of their
Evening star., 1925-08-02
Family Life of Washington Snakes
Described by Keeper of Local Zoo

almost entirely on eggs. For exam
pie, a snake scarcely 20 inches in
length, with a body not thicker than
a mans little finger. is able to swal-
low a hens egg-a feat which. on its
face, would seem to be quite impos-
sible."
Snakes are carnivorouS and, as
said, take, as rule, only living prey.
Many swallow the victim alive; others
first kill 1t by smothering it within
the coils of their bodies-which is con-
striction.
1.-The effects of a bite by a poisonous
snake upon a small animal or bird
are almost instantaneous-preve
it's escape-when the snake swallows
it's victim at its leisure. sometimes
hours after it has been killed"
You were speaking, Mr.. Black
burn, Of the shedding of the rattle
snake? I have been informed that in
the process an epidermis is formed
over the eye, forming a sort of trans
parent, disk, concave, like the glass of
watch, behind which the eye
moves?"
Yes, that is true" said the head
keeper. 'It is the first part which is
cast off when the snake sheds its skin.
This takes place several times in the
year and the epidermis comes off in
d u
! the tail, turned inside out during the
process.
But I have seen snakes with as
much as three coverings to their eyes,
that had accumulated through neg
lect," said the keeper. IT used to
| take tongs to remove these, but more
recently in order to hold the rattlers'
heads harmless, 1 have been using a
| mole catcher, adjusted to it's new uses.
Formerly this mole catcher had a
sharp prong on the end, which trans
| fixed the mole, which was then caught
around the neck with softly lined
| pair Of tonglike tweeZers. We took
the prong out, and now hold the rat
| tier firmly by the neck, without harm
to it, while the coverings are removed
one by one"
How many species of snakes have
you here, Mr.. Blackburn"
about ten, 1 should say he re-
! piled. pointing them out as he went in
| and out among the cages.
There's the big regal python, 30
| feet in length and weighing 1875
pounds; the black snakes, chicken
! snakes, the anaconda, two of them:
also two pyrhons, water snakes, pine
| snakes, rattlesnakes, etc. The black
and chicken snakes are the only ones
| that are not venomous. The rattle.
snake is the only one dangerously poi.
sonous."
THE majority of snakes are active
during the day, their energy in
creasing with increasing temperature
Not few, however, lead nocturnal
life.
| Thsy are not able to move over a
Continued on Sixth Page.)
Evening star., 1925-08-02

The story was recalled here of the
superintendent of public schools in
the evolution" town of Dayton, who
knew that the prey of the snake is
always swallowed whole. and, as its
girth exceeds that of the snake, the
progress of deglutition is very labori-
Gus and slow. This fact was relied
upon by this superintendent as an
argument for the authenticity of the
Scriptures. az" he contended, "a
snake can swallow its prey alive, why
could not that whale have swallowed
Jonah?"
But" said Mr.. Blackburn, there
is a variety of snakes which lives
Evening star., 1925-08-02

sheds about every seven weeks, and
then is ready for two or three feeds.
But this Is a dangerous subject to
talk about. So many letters have come
from different humane societies and
ladies, who, in some cases, showed in
dignation at the feeding of live ami
mails to snakes. But the snakes will
not touch them otherwise. Then, l
have often had to explain that the
mice, rats, birds, rabbits. or what not,
die almost instantly, much more
quickly and painlessly than when
they are killed beforehand. But the
trouble is, the snakes want them alive,
and that must be considered "
Evening star., 1925-08-02

cent eyes and their long white teeth.
We had strong sticks and, at inter
walls, a sudden bowling told us that
we had seriously hit one of our canine
enemies.
Hope gave us new strength when
we diScerned two tall black human
forms proceeding in our direction. We
shouted louder, convinced that the
Evening star., 1925-08-02

thieves, but two honest pilgrims who
had nearly died in the SHOWS, and
asked only to be allowed to spend the
night near their fire.
AS we shouted we had, at the same
time. to defend ourselves against the
dogs. There We're six or seven enor-
nous black animals, hardly to be seen
in the night, but for their phosphores-
Evening star., 1925-08-02

Well Write This
Hdshp Helps
New Britain herald., 1925-06-19
TO TOUR CANADA
Walter Hagen. British Open and American Professional Golf Cham pion. To Travel North.

Chicago, June 19 lP,-WMter Ha gen, British open and American professional golf champion will de part tomorrow for a three weeks tour of the Canadian northwest. He has played golf in nearly every city on the North American continent with more than 100000 population with the exception of q few cities which he plans to visit on this trip
 Hagen will play Sunday in Min .neapohs and after games in St Paul and Duluth, will visit Winnipeg Moose Jaw. Regina, Edmonton, Cal gary, Banff. Lake Louise and other Canadian cities. returning by way Of Spokane. He expects 10 play 70 matches against all-comers and re-. turn in time 10 play in the Cana dian open championship at Toronto July i4.
New Britain herald., 1925-06-19

Mir. La Toilette would be carried on by the people with the same cour- age shown by him. La Toilette dead, he said, will be even more powerful than La Toilette alive.
 Many others. including Secretary Kellogg, Senator Borah and Secrc- tary Morrison Of the American Fed eration of Labor paid tribute 10 the fallen man and sent messages ot confidence 10 Mrs. La Toilette. Iwhc bravely received the shock oS the death of her husband,
 In addition 10 Mrs, La Toilette who, for 43 years had been his clos est confdant, two daughters and two sons, survive the senator. They are Mrs. Fola Middleton of New York Mrs. Ralph Suchor Of Washington Philip Of Madison, and Robert, who had served here as his fathers sec rctary,
New Britain herald., 1925-06-19
FINAL ROUND OF PLAY
Tildcn Nanqui>hcs Jack Wright of Montreal and Richards Eliminates AlOnsO.
AlonsO.

New York, June l9 tPt-The final round in the Metropolitan clay court tennis championship Sunday will bring together the couutry's two ranking players, William T. Tilden 9nd, national champion. and Vincent Richards. Olympic title-bearer.
 In the semi-fnal round yesterday, Tilden vanquished Jack Wright Of Montreal at 6-3, 6-2 and 6-l. while Richards eliminated Manuel Alonso of Spain, 6-4. 6-4. 6-l.
 With $. Howard Voshell Of New York. Richards reached the semi. final bracket in the doubles yester- day by defeating Ingo Hartmann and J. c. Hall, 6-3. 6--1. F. Nj. Bonneau and l. Biltchik will meet Richards and Voshell today while Tilden and A. H. Chapin. Jr.. Of Springfield. Mass. win face Anton Von BernUth and Carl N Joift in the other semi-hnaL The final will be played Sunday.
New Britain herald., 1925-06-19
areas bordering upon the foreign

areas bordering upon the foreign settlement,
 Foreign firms are recalling their employcs, stationed at interior points, and General Chang Hsuer- Liang, son of Chang Tso-Lin the Manchurian war lord, has ordered another brigade of infantry to Shanghai 10 assist in the preserva- ton of peace"
 The situation at the treaty port of Chung -Kiang. on the Yangtse river above Hankow, Is reported critical, British residents being attacked in the streets and British consul forced to leave his consulate. The United States gunboat Palos is on the way to the scene.
 Demand War | Fifty thousand persons are re- ported 10 have attended an anti foreign demonstration in Shanghai at which demands were made that { war be declared against Great Britain and Japan.
New Britain herald., 1925-06-19
HILLTOPS WIN ANOTHER

The Hilltops took the measure of the Collier Blues yesterday by the score of 10 10 s. Red of the Hill tops made a heme run and connect cd for a three bagger while Walter and Todzia, also of the Hilltops swung for three ply wallops. In re- turn for these bingles, Mason Of the Collier Blues connected for the circuit and Laskowski hit a three bagger, The score:
 Hilltops ....:.... 1l9 000 o42-1O Collier Blues .... 300 020 120- 8
New Britain herald., 1925-06-19

A Real Bedroom Suite at real low price, strongly constructed, consisting of Bow End Bed, Large Dresser and Vanity. Only ...................
New Britain herald., 1925-06-19
TUTTLE,s DOG WINS AGAIN

Bcnnings, stud collie owned by K. R. Futile of this city, was awarded first prize for American bred dogs at tho Rrookline Dog club show held at Rrookline, Mass. Wednesday. Behring's also was awarded second prize in limit dogs. There were r collies shown before Judge Hinds.
New Britain herald., 1925-06-19
CHINESE DEMAND
 WAR 0N ENGLAND
Also on Japan--Dritain to Hold
 P0kiD5 Responsible

New York. June 19 P)-Great Bmtains declaration that She will hold the peking government re- sponsibIe for injuries to British nationals and damage to British property vas the outstanding de- ,copmen' of the last 24 hours in the situation arising from the strenuous anti-foreign campaign in China,
 solemn pIOuOunCcment of the British G,tormination was made in the house of commons yesterday by Foreign Secretary Chamberlain, who declared 'hc governments stand was neccssitat"l "by the outrages that have taken place"
 This Was a reference to tLc as sassinaton .arly this week of ". W. Mackenzie at Shanghai the still more recent mobbing of a British motorcycle constable in the same city, the attack on the British settle mcnt at Hankow, which was only rcpusrd by machine gun fire, and num"f0us other incidents at scat tered places throughout the former Celestial kingdom.
 Chamberlain Comments
 Mir. Chamberlain incidentally male known the official version Of t.e ,roul4 a Shanghai which has been made the raIying point for the present movement among students and othrr Chinese agilators.
 A murIerous mob, he said, had advanced against a police station containing a large stock of arms. The rioters accompanied their ad- vance with shouts Of kill the tor1gu,rs, and it was not until inc police station was endangered that the order vas given 10 fire.
 Conference Fails
 Shanghai dispatches say the con- ference there between the Chinese and representatives Of the Picking diplomatic corps. called with the object Of settling the disturbed con- dI'ions, has fallen through and that inc foreign delegates have returned to the capital. The Chinese. ac- cordjng 10 an official communioue. presented demands which had no direct connection with the occur rences"
 British officials in London believe the collapse Of these negotiations will have an adverse effect on tbe more important conversations under way with the Picking government. They also point out that the Chinese agitators win probably seize upon the occasion 10 stir up more trouble throughout the country.
 Strike Growing Colncideniauy with these reppTts cons dispatches from Shanghai stating that ihe shipping strike is assuming a more serious aspect and that the anti-foreign agitation is continuing in tha native city and tAA
New Britain herald., 1925-06-19
IA TOILETTE ID BE
 BURIED ON MONDAY
Body Lies in State in National
 Capitol Today

Washington, June 19 PD-The body Of Senator Robert M, La Fol- Iette will be taken late today 10 Wis consin to rest for time in the cap itol of the state he represented in congress during seven terms.
 A heart attack yesterday, coming after similar assaults upon his vitaI- fly over a period of 10 years. ended in his roth year the career of "Fight- ing Bob" one of the outstanding figures in American politics and last year an independent candidate for president.
 Funeral Plans.
 In a special car, the body will leave Washington at o'clock this afternoon over the Baltimore and Ohio railroad fof Chicago. There the funeral car and another coach car rylng members of the family and close friends will be made into a special train for the trip to Madison. The Wisconsin capital will be reach ed Saturday afternoon and on Sun day the body will lie in state in the capitol where Mir. La Toilette served three terms as governor. Funeral services will be held there Monday.
 The senator passed away while members of his family stood at his bedside. Realizing that this time he could not retain his grip on life as he had done in past struggles against illness, MT. La Toilette rallied his waning strength 10 whisper a final message to the public through his son, Robert.
 Peace With World.
 He was at peace with all the world, he said, although he believed there was a lot of work he could still do. He did not know how the people twill feel toward me, but l shall take to the grave my love for them which has sustained me through fife"
 A little while later he murmured something to those grouped about hls sickbed, but his words were muted by advancing death and were not distingulshable. He passed away peacefully shortly after l o'clock.
 His passing brought from many ether leaders who had stood both with and against him in his political battles sincere expressions of sorrow and tribute. Among them was President Coolidge, who told Mrs. La Toilette iG note that her hus- band had left q great concourse Of friends who would comfort her, but my own experience tells me that nothing mortal can do will be of very much help to you"
 To Keep Up Fight.
New Britain herald., 1925-06-19
To Keep Up Fight.

Senator Burton K. Wheeler Of
 Horiann. who campaigned last year with the Wisconsin senator as vice presidential candidate, declared the 5-lt for the principles advocated by
New Britain herald., 1925-06-19

3 Piece Suite in American or French
 Walnut, consisting of Dresser, Bow End Bed and Vanity ..,.............
New Britain herald., 1925-06-19

I0lncldenlalTV win these rep0Fts cons dispatches from Shanghai stating that ihe shipping strike is assuming a more serious aspect and that the anti-foreign agitation is continuing in ha native city and thA
The Coconino sun., 1925-02-20
COLLINS, CAVE VICTIM,
FOUND DEAD MONDAY

Floyd Collins was reached and
found dead at 2:45 o'clock Monday
afternoon The body Of the imprison-
ed man was discovered by the rescue
workers after they had penetrated into
what they believed was the original
Sand cave where Collins was caught
and pionioned by heavy boulder
three weeks ago this morning. No
medical examination was made, as it
was impossible for physician to
reach the victim, the passageway
through which the rescuers went be-
ing very narrow.
Collins was entrapped in Sand cave,
which he had discovered and was ex-
ploring, by a rock falling on one Of
his legs while he was crawling
through a narrow exit. This occurred
II days before the recovery of his
body. During the latter half of that
time he was cut off from food by a
second cave-in that blocked the mar
row passageway ahead of him.
The Coconino sun., 1925-02-20

with but beggar's pittance to face
an uncertain future. The seeds of
distrust are sowed broadcast and con-
fidence that should exist between man
and man is destroyed
make no pretensions of being a
wise man, much less do / presume to
know the vagaries Of the law. But l
believe that law that can close a
bank, if properly and honestly admin
istered, can keep bank Open They
say no banks close in China, that is,
they seldom close. One bank failure
there is equivalent to suicide and two
bank failures are a little more than
riot. There they shoot the banker.
Here we shake hands with him and
lend him club. And when he en-
cumbers all his property to keep it
from satisfying just judgments and
executions, we stick our tongues in
our cheeks and nod our heads and
say, Pretty wise old bird"
Some day we will return to the
homely philosophy of Lincoln: "You
can fool all the people some of the
time, ETC., etc. Boz" in editorial in
St. Johns Observer.
The Coconino sun., 1925-02-20

and | try to make something of it.
But there it is staring at me always
the same CAT HAM AND" An
| have it. This must have been placed
there by the man who closed the bank
and means that he is out to lunch
Why, to be sure that is what is the
matter. So | go away but decide to
return earlier in the day when he will
be in.
But when 1 came again the door IS
locked and the same note is ON the
door.
Resolved to find out about it / ask
a neighbor where this fellow eats.
"What fellow?" he asks.
"Why the fellow who pasted that
dinner notice on the door," / reply.
81 don't know that he eats at all"
he replies. What makes you think he
does ?"
"Why," l answer, "He says so him
self. Look at the notice. Does it not
read AT HAM AND p"
"Say, gump, you're goofy," he
cheerfully remarks. THAT is the mans
name" and he spells out A. t. Ham
mond.
And so 1t was. And l further
learned that this man lived in Phoe-
nix and made regular business of
closing banks. In fact, that is his
special calling and he gets paid fo- it,
Now | commence to understand. The
more banks he closes the more he
gets. This must be how it works.
This Hammond person finds the old
bank roll getting low, so he looks
around for likely bank to close. He
picks a small one so that the kick,
pardon, 1 mean recoi1, viii not be so
strong and "BINGOn' he locks up the
doors and puts up that camouflaged
dinner notice to deceive the people.
So the banks are closed and under
sanction of the law The little saw
ings of children are swept ruthlessly
away. The strong man loses his com
petence and the aged couple in the
late evening of life find themselves