davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
Plants That Emit Gas
Not at All Uncommon

When one speaks of "gas plant"
one naturally thinks of coal ovens and
gas meters. Nature, however, pro-
vides a real gas plant, specimens Of
which are to be found blooming In
London's Kew gardens. 1t is other
wise known as the Dictamnies or
Burning Bush" When a lighted
match is applied to a shoot of 1t there
comes a brilliant scarlet flame. Like
a fash of lightning 1t travels up the
length Of the Towering shoot, without
injuring 1t. The best time to make
the experiment is when the flowers are
fading The infammableness of the
plant is due to this: that on its stalks
are minute reddish-brown glands, and
these secrete an etheric oil. The
glands develop fully soon after the
blossom begins to fade, but they shrivel
up when the fruit begins to form.
Luminous plants not unlike this have
been source Of strange legends In
India and Afghanistan. There is a
mountain called Suited Kohl In Afghan
istan on which the natives believe that
gold and silver exist. In springtime
the slopes are covered with bushes
which at night, from a distance, seem
to be on fire, yet when you are close
to them there is no sign of flame.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
Satisfied Yearning to
Punch Cash Register

A certain resident Of an exclusive
New Jersey suburb startled his friends
recently by opening a book and maya
zine store in the town. He was known
to be wealthy and did not need more
money, and as he was bridge and
golf addict and had other and varied
interests, they could not catalogue his
innovation as hobby, even though
he spent nearly every evening at the
store.
Then it occurred to close friend
to ask him outright. The new book
store owner looked a little sheepish
as he explained:
"Tll tell you if you promise not to
mention 1t to anyone. But all my
life cash registers have intrigued me.
Every time | made purchase I've
yearned to punch the key. In fact,
on a number of occasions I've bribed
a clerk to allow me to ring up my
own money. It's queer sort of COM
pick, know, but as long as enjoy
punching cash registers I'm going to
continue it."-New York Sun.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
Gnod Manners

take it that the essence Of good
manners is the gift Of putting people
at their ease, not the chosen few peo-
pie whom one likes, but all people.
Yes, ease is the word that describes
good manners. The great lady is at
her ease with the gardener, the house
maid, the ragamuffin, the outcast, and
she makes them all feel comfortable
in her presence. And bad manners Is
the faculty of making every one I'M
comfortable, whether by being abrupt
ly rude, or overwhelmingly gushing,
too cordial or too lacking in cordial
ity, too contemptuous or too flattering.
Too much of anything is bad manners.
1t destroys ease and makes people
fidgct. A manner that makes other
people nervous is bad manner.
whether it be frankly unpleasant or
too pleasant by far.-Mary Borden in
Harper's Magazine.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
Missing Rembrandts

It is not generally known that there
are no fewer than 20 lost Rembrandts,
some Of them possibly in the posses
sion of very poor people. If they only
knew, they might possess the where
wlthal to maintain themselves not only
In comfort but even In luxury for life.
All 20 are described in ancient rec
ords as having been painted by the
master. One London art dealer has
already devoted many years to a quest
for these lost masterpieces. Some of
them have been missing for centuries.
The principal reason why they are still
missing Is that their owners do not
realize their identity.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
And They Got the Point

A negro evangelist was preaching
concerning the horrors of hell. In
front of him was a coffin piled high
with flowers. Newspapers had an
nounced that it was to be the funeral
Of neighbor. There was no word of
praise from the preachers mouth.
"Breth'en an sistahs," he shouted,
"ouah deceased friend heah done COM
mitted eve'y sin in de catalog. He
wasn't ready when de trumpet of de
angel called him. He was unprepa'ed.
He was wicked an had to face judg-
ment in his wickedness." At the end
of the sermon every member Of the
congregation was eager to crowd for
ward and view the remains" Solemn
ly they filed past the coffin. 1t was
empty but in the bottom was a mir
ror that reflected the face Of every
"mourner" that looked in. The lesson
went home.-Capper's Weekly.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
Tree Trimmers' Platform

Property owners who happen to
have some old shade about their
homes guard the trees more zealously
than was done of yore. These growths
must be carefully watched and groomed
at frequent intervals. The work of
the old-time tree trimmer is not re-
garded as sufficient and the work is
now done largely by trained men who
are properly equipped for the work.
An automobile newly designed for this
work carries a small party of work
men, all the necessary tools and is
equipped with an extendible platform
which enables the men to work about
the tree more satisfactorily and more
safely.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
BEGINNING Patent System

In very early times in England the
reigning prince considered himself en-
titled to grant privileges of the nature
of monopolies to any one who had
gained his favor. These grants became
so numerous, oppressive and unjust
during the reign of James (1603-25)
a statute was wrung from the king
declaring all previous and inconven-
lent monopolies to be void. There was
special exception from that enact
ment of all letters. patents, grants and
privileges of the sole working or
making of any manner of new manu-
features within the realm to the true
and first inventor" Upon these words
hangs the whole law Of letters and
patents Tor inventions.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
Intsr...inr Church

The Worsted church at Canterbury,
New Hampshire, was completed in
1889 by the Free WIN Baptlsts and
Congregationalists. 1t suffered much
financial distress and Mrs. Sarah Eliz-
abeth (Harper) Monmouth, undertook
to raise funds for the benefit of the
church. She acted as associate pas
tor and OBLIGATED for nearly eight
years. She personally made the
worsted decorations which consist
principally of religious notices.
There was an extraordinarily large
number Of such decorations complet-
ed in 1878. when Mrs. Monmouth
ceased her labors. An Interesting
fact is that Mrs Monmouth suffered
severe financial reverses and pub
lIshed and sold booklet for 25 cents
In the town, entitled "Living on Half
a Dime a Day." which she claimed
was an actual experience Of her own.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
johnson Used Proverb
) 10 IL to Drive Home

t"He who would bring home the
wealth of the Indies must carry the
wealth Of the Indies with him" is
taken from an observation made by
DR.. Samuel Johnson, as recorded by
James Boswell Boswell says: II
said to him that It was certainly true,
as my friend Dempster had observed
In his letter to me upon the subject,
that a great part Of what was In his
Journey to the Western Islands Of
Scotland had been In his mind before
he left London. Johnson: why yes,
sir, the topics were; any book of trav-
els will be good In proportion to what
a man has previously In his mind; his
knowing what to observe; his power
Of contrasting one mode of life with
another. AS the Spanish proverb
says, "He who would bring home the
wealth Of the Indies must carry the
wealth of the Indies with him." So
1t Is in knowledge Boswell: The
Yproverb. suppose, sir, means, he
must carry large stock with him to
trade with Johnson: yes, slr.'"-
Pathfinder Magazine.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
Eyes Never Sleep

What could be more inactive than
persons eyes while he Is sleeping
soundly? But Prof. Walter Il. Miles,
Stanford university psychologist, has
completed researches on the state of
the eyes during sleep which indicate
that the eye muscles perform defni,e
work while the lids are closed Tie
pupils contract. the eyes are rolled W
In the head, then the muscles sur
rounding the eye pucker up Nome CT
these are relaxation. as commonly
supposed. In fact Professor Miles he
lieves that our entire sensory system
is more or less active during sleep
Pathfinder Magazine.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
YounRster Understood

A small boy asked his father how
wars began. .r~
"Well," said his father, suppose
that England quarreled with France"
"But," interrupted the mother, ENG
land mustn't quarrel with France!"
II know" he answered, "but l am
taking hypothetical instance"
"You are misleading the child" said
the mother.
mo, l am not" he answered.
"Yes, you are"
mo, am not"
"Yes."
mo"
"All right, Dad" said the small boy,
Il think l know how wars begin."-
Border Cities Star
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
Chinese Delicacv

Chop suey originated at dinner
that Prince Ii Hung Chang gave in
New York when he made his trip
around the world. Prince Ii carried
his own chef with him, and the menu
was strictly Chinese. One Of the dishes
especially delighted the wife Of the
guest of honor, and she asked Ii what
1t was. Prince Ii called in his chef,
and the chef replied in Chinese, "It is
a creation of my own--a chop suey."
The words "chop suey" mean mix
ture. or hash. Prince Ii said in Eng
lish, ut is a chop suey." The Ameri-
can woman spread the news of chop
suey, the wonderful dish. The name
was taken up by the Chinese restau-
rants in America, and today chop suey
is the chief concoction that they serve.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
Buried With HI. Five Wive,

In country town not more than
ten miles from Springfield, H., is a
cemetery near the roadside whose an
Client stones, moss-covered and wealth
er-beaten. attract the passerby who
may be interested in curious epitaphs
In the center of one lot is large
monument on which is inscribed:
'Here lies John Jones, aged ninety
two. AT rest On the side Of the
monument are five small stones ex-
actly alike, each bearing the name of
a woman and date Of death and each
having this inscription: Beloved wife
OF John Jones."-Sprlngfield Repub-
lican.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
Adjustable Racquet Strings

Mainalrirss Of timepleces, violin
strings and the strings of tennis rae
quets have a way of breaking without
any explainable reason. To overcome
this trick OF the atmosphere, for the
atmosphere has had TO bear the blame,
the vlolinist loosens the strings OF the
instrument during the interval OF dis
use. This Idea hns been recently made
use Of in the design of the tennis rae
Quets. BY means OF threaded con
traptlon extending through the handle.
II Is possible to loosen the strings
when not In use. II is said that the
implement Is In much better condition
for play when frightened after short
repose OF this kind.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
Baby Carriages First
Used by Royal Families

Baby carriages did not make their
appearance until the middle of the
Ninteenth century, when, according to
a historical sketch published by a car
rage company, man appeared on a
street in New York and attracted a
good deal of attention by pushing a
baby carriage which he had designed
and made That man was Charles
Burton, photographic artist who had
come from England, and who returned
to his home country with his baby
carriage as soon as he discovered that
he had hit upon a popular idea.
He made some more carriages in the
parlor of house near the Kensington
palace and almost Immediately re-
ceived orders from nobility and roy
atty, including Queen Victoria, who
bought three, Queen Isabella of Spain,
who bought one, for her son, later
Alphonso XII, and others. The royal
houses quickly learned of the con-
venience of the baby carriage, and it
reached the homes of the poor.-Detroit
News
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
Collies Once Made Part
of Kirk CONGREGATION

In Scotland, half century ago, IT
was the general custom for the shep-
herds to take their faithful collles
with them to church. In some dis
tricts, where the population was scan
ty, the congregation on Sunday morn
ings would frequently be made up
half Of humans and half Of dogs. The
collies sat out the service with com
mendable patience until the announce
ment Of the last psalm, when there
was a general stretching and yawning
preparatory to scamperlng out as soon
as the benediction had been pro-
nounced. IL one kirk the congrega-
ton determined that the service should
close In more decorous fashion. When
a strange minister ofiiciated one Sun
day he found all the folk sitting when
he was about to pronounce the bless
ing, and paused for them to rise. "Say
ava, sir" whispered one old shep-
herd near the pulpit, we're a. sit
ting to cheat the dogs."-Montreal
Family Herald.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
Bodied Hair Proved to
u Have Been Viking


1t has been definitely proved:
Bodied hair was the fashion over a
thousand years ago. 1t cannot be
claimed that 1t, conquered the. entire
world at that time, but we know abb
solutely that the ancient Vikings, the
robbers and seafarers of old, knew
the style. This astounding fact, to-
gether with many others of perhaps
less interest but even greater scien;-
tilc importance, has been established
through the discovery near Tilsit, East
Prussia. of huge Viking burial place,
dating from the Ninth, Tenth and
Eleventh centuries. The finds are I'M
usually rich. Each mans grave con-
tains three or four iron swords, as
many as dozen lanceheads, bronze
belt buckles, stirrups and snaf1es. In
the women's graves jewelry Of all
kinds was found, bronze bracelets,
rings, necklaces, all beautifully
wrought. A young woman with bobbed
hair was found in one of these graves,
with "zippers" used in place Of but
tons or pins to fasten garments.-Ed-
gar Ansel in the Chicago Daily News.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
Ask Me

She had done everything wrong
She had disregarded the signal lights,
then stalled in the middle of the
street, and before starting had taken
out her powder puff and started to
apply 1t to her face. An irate traffic
officer rushed up:
"Say, lady, do you know anything
at all about traffic rulcsT
"Why, yes. What is 1t that YOU
want to know" Chatham News.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
Virginia Home of Culture

Locallsm alone can produce, In the
case of America, thoroughly authen.
tic type Of man; this type alone can
be the germ cell of an authentic Amer
lean nation. Again. localism alone can
lead to culture; It must start as sin
gular and single, and, therefore, small
thing. 1t will grow and spread as
time goes on. The only really cul-
tural atmosphere one finds today In
America Is that of Virginia. The cul
tured men who were born In its Geld
of force are responsible for most that
is Of cultural value in America. But
how different Virginia is from all 9th
er statesl It's culture is particular
one; II Is not only a matter of age
hut of kind as well.-Hermann Key.
serling in Atlantic Monthly.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
Bold

Three little four-year-olds of Broad
Ripple were discussing in very Sc
rious way what they were going to
do when they grew up. Joe said he
was going TO shoot lions. The next
little fellow was going to get on a
train and ride forever The third,
Donald, wanted to be more daring
than the rest and in babylsh voice
said: I'm going to buy an ice cream
cone and get OF the street car and
cat indianapolis News
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
Train Was Late

The New Yorker tells of a gentle
man who had been sleeping in the
waiting room of the Great Neck rail-
way station. He was awakened sud-
denly and stared about. "Got to get
the 4:07-the 1907" he muttered.
This was apparently addressed to a
mild man sitting next to him, who,
thinking he detected belligerence in
the tone, retreated into his newspaper.
The others gaze finally settled on the
clock on the wall ask O'clock" he
murmured Him the :07's
late" He settled down and went back
to sleep.-Boston Globe
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31

Some one has said that the art Of
writing consists in putting black
MARKS ON white paper" The history
of this modest essential. both of writ.
ing and printing. has recently been
traced back 5000 years. The Egyp-
tians are credited with using ink as
early as 1900 h C. Later the Greeks
imported both papyrus and ink from
their neighburs on the banks of the
Nile. 1t is difficult to imagine how
learning could have progressed or the
records of the past have been handed
down without ink II has been a
faithful soldier in the procession which
we call civilization. - Exchange.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
81. PAUL. Cathedral

ST. Paul's cathedral, London, Eng
land, the masterpiece of Sir Chris
TOPPER Wren. commenced in the year
1875 and completed In ITO, cost f747,.
ego. The cross on the dome Is 365
feet above the ground level and the
inner cupola is 21S feet above the
floor The bell, Great Paul." in the
southwest tower, weighs II tons. To
the south Of the cathedral are re-
mains of the chapter house and clols.
tiers OF "Old st. Paul's." destroyed BY
the fire OF London In 1906.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
Revelation Gave "Vet"
Something of a Shock


At the beginning Of the World
war, the then Major Wise was in COM
mand at Philadelphia. Although a
strict disciplinarian, he was very hui
man and therefore loved by the men.
The story is still told Of how one
marine, just past the age limit, was to
have been left behind when the troop
started for France. ..,f
The old vet, determined to go to the
front, walked boldly up to his COM
mander in the Philadelphia navy yard
and said:
"Sir, there's room enough in France
for both of u.s."
There was, and later on, when the
man went to the hospital with a bullet
in his leg, it CHANGED to be Mrs. Wise
who nursed him and endured his ILL.,
temper, as he was anxious to get
pack to the front.
Then one day, he discovered that his
nurse was his majors wife and what
he said after that isn't printable.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
Alumn; Association.

The organization of those who have
been students is characteristic Of
American schools. The first alumni as
ISOLATION was established at Williams
college in 1921. For many years alumni
organizations were chiefly social, af-
fording opportunity for the reunion of
friends. AS these associations devel-
oped, however, they proved to be use
full not only in welding former stu
dents together in friendship. but in
maintaining interest in and, In some
cases, supplying funds for the various
schools and colleges.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
UnchanRinR Time

Today the Arab woman cooks her
bread outside the shelter of reed mats
and mud, which is her HOUSE" and
boils her water over a fire lit In a
hole which she scoops out In front of
the door. The continuity In the es.
sentlals of life is unbroken; we know
that as she cooks now. so did her fore.
bears cook $500 years ago. and In all
likelihood when we come to dig the
pre-flood levels we shall find that the
same customs and the same devices
90 back even farther into the past.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
That's Something

Little Mary WAS sent to strange
school. so was somewhat bewildered
and inattentive Her first test came
suddenly and by surprise. Little Mary's
grade was just one below passing She
came home and told about 1t. explain.
ing that only four in the class had
passed.
But" said her father, why were
you not one Of the four who passed?"
Little Mary was distressed for a
moment, then said triumphantly:
"But, Daddy. was the best failure"
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
Sharp

Psychologists claim the late Marshal
Foch as one of their own because he
did not take his problems to bed with
him. He dismissed them from his mind
and devoted bedtime hours to sleep
ing. In the mornings, refreshed. he
had the solutions which apparently
had worked themselves out In his
sleep. Foch. however. put different
construction on the apparent miracle.
He said:
at seems to me that the mirror be
fore which ! shave myself gives inc
the answers
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
Early Diving Suit

The diving suit is not so new as
one might think A patent was grant
ed to John Stapleton on March IT,.
1893, for "a new engine so by him con-
trived as to permit a person enclosed
In 1t to walk under water, and to a
new invented way to force air into
any depth of water to supply the per
son in the said engine Herewith and
for continuing lamp burning under
water; also way to descerate and
purify the air so as to make the same
serviceable for respiration"
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
Helpful

The widow of farmer was being
consoled by a neighboring farmer,
who happened to be widower.
. "Cheer up, woman" he said. "Ye're
young yet, and good looking, an you
could soon get another husband"
"Oh, no, no." she replied, "who
would take me?"
"Why, if had better pair Of boots
on I'd run away wi We myself" said
the widower, calamity.
The widow, lifting her face and
wiping her eyes, said, earnestly: II
wonder would Johns fit your
England Birmingham Weekly Post.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
Farmhands on StiIts

The English hop vines grow IS OF
20 feet high, being trained on strings
and In order to get the best result.
the vines must be carefully watched
and trained along these supports This
work is done by men who move about
on stills In order that they may read
lily reach the vine tops, The stills are
fastened to their feet and hcllrd to
them at the waist. which leaves their
hands free The men become very
proficient In THEFT movements nhoe'
the II, Ids
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
Notice To Creditors

sc16eT Of T M RfasSy given that the sub
tained from the oapssyvc county has 'O OBJ
SON s;Cn'ery county, Nd. Iestns Court of Mont
w" vi the personal estate ,u,s OF 81 administra-
late =, - JAMES GATTHEP
9 4scsons having Claims GSonty, deceased All
the s ss, are hereby wa saInst the said
subscribe de' with vouchers "e s6o 70 exhibit
May 1850 on 9bs or before the nf ssS to the
estate Ali pers a5Om az benefit OF oy a lSS
are requested 'T ~ indebted to said es Sao
%ent. Given under make ak, immediate I pSys
Vi november. 1928. "and this 18th
WIZ E. JOHNSON.
nov 1856 Administrator,
DerwoOd, Nd.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
No Fear

Bessie had great fun in running up
behind the pet pig and pulling its tail
Grandfather felt this wasn't very
safe thing for Bessie TO he doing so
he asked her one day whether she
wasnt af.nid tie pig would bite her
"Nc. c. MI" said F~isie. ITS
hCat e n'h", ,"
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-31
NOR sEck GARAGE

AUTHORIZED FORD SERVICE
autono using genuine Ford parts.
0Oiie repairing, tires, tube. :,
Auto o,a accessories. eS ana
Postoe1oa onary electric plants service
d. 4, urSSs Rockville. Md r
dence, San SSn Sy,, Spring 1l6 F ID. ,..,
s1 :, E. FORD. Proprietor.