davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1941-12-14

took him home and put him in a tub
OF water. Then | would play with hum
all day, experimenting, watching his
reactions. | discovered that. contrary
to legend, this molluSk appears to be
lust touch slow -witted. His reiiexes
are not immediate. This knowledge
was to be extremely useful to me later.
Another thing learned is the loca-
ton of the vital spot, always an I'M
portant piece of knowledge to me.
The octopus looks and acts like
sort of vacuum cleaner. The central
sac that looks like his head actually
includes his head and body. The man
tie continually pulsates, drawing water
over his glls and pumping it out SO he
can breathe. The water can be forced
out SO rapidly that the beast is pro-
PEELED backwards at good clip when
ever he is frightened and can't crawl
out of the way.
After the octopus has made kill,
he draws the victim close, enveloping
Evening star., 1941-12-14

water. burns man eyes like linment.
The octopus is formidable foe, but
| have fought many sea creatures that
put up a tougher battle. However,
that fact doesn't make me reckless
daredevil or hero. For | never delib-
erately fight a sea monster without
first figuring out my plan OF attack. If
can't decide how to make myself
match for him, don't fight him.
The vicious barracuda, for instance,
is something | steer clear of. He is one
of the fastest fish in the sea, and posi-
bly the most sinister, I'm afraid an
attacking barracuda would move too
fast for the eye to follow.
Once out at Key West. where we
had built corral. was fighting a saw
fish. Twenty or more barracudas. at
tracted by the commotion in the water.
gathered outside the wire. which. at
high tide, was only foot and half
out of the water. Suddenly one of them
leaped over the fence into the corral.
Evening star., 1941-12-14
THIS WEEK MAGAZINE
THIS WEEK MACAZI
WORSE THAN AN OCTOPUS
What's Well is, says this daredevil
swimmer, who fights man-kiling monsters for fun
by Wallace Cas,vell, JE.

some unsuspecting prey. AS a matter
of fact he is hiding. for to the larger
fishes the octopus is first-class prey
himself.
When | was boy, used to catch
small octo' uses which. unlike their
parents, inhabit shallow water, hiding
in old conch shells. Around Key West
fishermen catch these small ones for
food Whenever | caught one, though.
Evening star., 1941-12-14
as told TO VEREEN BELL

unless the victim knows how to fight
the creature: and - in all modesty -
I've never heard of anybody besides
myself who does know how
But the octopus is not the ferocious
man-eater he is painted. He skulks in
caverns and around old wrecks, all
right, but he is not lying in wait for
Evening star., 1941-12-14

~FALL the fish in the sea. none
bears a blacker reputation
~ than the octopus. And yet I'd
rather fight an octopus than any of
several other sea creatures.
Now. | certainly don't mean to say
that an octopus is harmless. If even a
thirty or forty-pound octopus gets its
tentacles on a man underwater, his
chances of surviving are pretty slim.
Evening star., 1941-12-14
The XIII

WHEN he had me foot from that
parrot beak, l came abruptly alive.
But instead of fighting away from the
enemy. lunged toward him, literally
betting my life on the hardness of his
reactions. Before his brain could signal
the tentacles to start pushing instead
of pulling, it was too late. When l
moved toward him, the tentacles were
no longer taut; | had enough freedom
to plunge my knife straight into that
pulsing sac and sever the muscle
upon which his life depended.
Since then | have killed many
octopuses, always using the same
method, whether they weighed so
pounds or 300
My method has disadvantages. For
instance, the octopus is not particular
where he fastens his sucker disks. NV
left eyeball once attracted one of the
disks, and the pain was almost intoler-
able; l was lucky to keep the sight of
the eye afterward. Sometimes compli-
cations arise, but if you act quickly
enough and Unexpectedly enough, you
are master of almost any emergency.
Even after you have subdued the
monster, there is still danger, for once
the octopus perceives that things are
going badly for him, he squirts his ink.
This fluid, even though diluted with
Evening star., 1941-12-14
Underwater Bottle

oY NOW | had recovered from my
first frightened stupor, and began stab
bing and twisting my knife in the
lean belly. Before long, my first saw
fish was dead. Since then have fought
and killed SO or more sawfsh up to
Is feet in length, but l still respect
his fighting ability. He is amazingly
supple. He twists and turns like
snake. He lashes at me with that tail,
exactly like an alligator, his aim being
to throw me into his saw. So to avoid
exploring eternity before I'm ready, l
must not let a sawfish strike me with
either extremity.
Always I must cling to him like a
tick. To explain, if | could hold Joe
Louis's fist pressed against my cheek.
he could not possibly hit me with that
CONTINUED on poge 18)
12-14-H
Evening star., 1941-12-14

Even now | get shaky when | re-
member being in corral with fur
ious sawfish and bloodthirsty barra-
cuda. Before the barracuda reached
me. one of the boys hurled his gig.
Those Key West men are deadly with
a gig. and for that am very thankful.
The barracuda was cleanly spitted.
OF the fish fight. the mighty saw
fish is the toughest, He is long - up to
20 feet and lean and active. I'd
rather fight ten tiger sharks than one
sawfish.
The sawfsh is a sort of connecting
link between rays and sharks, resem-
bling both in some respects. Most OF
my experience with sawfish was gained
in the days when | was a net fisher
man. A sawfish in fishing net is the
marine equivalent of bull in china
shop. The jagged saw gets hopelessly
tangled in the meshes; whereupOn the
sawfish lunges and rears until the net
is in shreds and the maCkere or mullet
are hurrying away One night we had
made a set in waist-deep water, and
we're hauling in when a commotion
began. A saWfish was fouled in the net.
| drew my knife and waded out. The
instant touched the sawfish he began
to thresh so furiously that he tore
loose. Instantly my position had be-
come dangerous. ! knew that there
was only one place for me to be so that
the terrible saw could not reach me -
and that was on the fish's back! And
the moment felt the sawfish lunge
sideways. free of the net, | plastered
myself to him He struck at me with
his tail. then his saw slashed the water.
Missing me. the sawfish rushed ahead,
and never have gone through such
dizzy two minutes.
Evening star., 1941-12-14

it with the mantle and tentaClcs, and
tears it apart with the hard, horny,
parrotlike beak he has.
When | was convinced that had
devised method of successfully fight
ing an octopus underwater, searched
rock holes and pillngs for contestant.
Finally | found one lying with one
tentacle stretched up a piling. He
seemed to have about an eight-toOt
spread.
With an eight-inch knife in my teeth.
| went overheard. Down swan.
straight to the bottom of the piling.
Without waiting for the octopus to
decide what it was all about, | seized
one of his tentacles. He retaliated by
fastening an arm onto my right leg.
Another tentacle went around my
middle, and another across my shoul-
der. Anchoring himself onto the pilng
with the two other tentacles. the
octopus slowly drew me down toward
him with alarming strength.
For thirty seconds or SO | jerked
and plunged in what intended the
octopus to construe as dying panic.
Then suddenly | wilted, became limp
in feigned death. The octopus stopped
fighting me, and started hungrily pull
ing me to him. gave no resistance
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-27
|ED WALSH, WHITE. SOX MOUND STAR. TO BE SPEAKER
Rev. Thomas Shea to Ad- dress Local Players and
 Fans; Movies, Too

Departing from its usual pro- cedure, the City Amateur Baseball League of Waterbury is determined to keep up interest in its organiza- tion in any way 1t can, and one of its first efforts in that direction, will be the mid-winter dinner scheduled for George Mulligan's restaurant to- night at o'clock.
 Team managers, players, and fans will make up the majority of the limited audience, as more than 100 tickets have been sold for the affair, which will be graced by the presence of Rev. Thomas Shea, former player ill the league, known to the fans as Trunk" Shea, of the Wash ington Hills and brother of City Clerk Joe Happy" Shea; Mayor Vincent Scully, baseball fan when he can find time to see a game now and then; and Big Ed" Walsh of Meriden, once famous Chicago White Sox pitcher, and rated by many as one of the five greatest pitchers that the game of baseball has yet developed; and Fred w. Chesson, drive" treasurer for sever al years.
 George Mulligan, ST., guardian of the first base sack in the good old days at the Rye lots, President Joe Brophy of the City Amateur League and former league pitcher, Patsy and Razor Doran, Ray Tram. former league president and "livewire" and treasurer Johnny Rock. who will pair up with Tram in a duet en- titled There's a Goldmine in the Sky; Bill Shea, first president of the league and the local sports writers. Hank ODonnell. Chick Kel- ley and John Cluney will be on hand as well as several others, most of whom will have few words to say to the gathering.
 Baseball Movies
 Special entertainment in the form of the National League baseball movies and World Series baseball pictures of the Cincinnati Reds Detroit Tigers action last fall are to be shown.
 John A. Cluney, sports editor of the Waterbury Democrat will pre- side as master of ceremonies, during the evening.
 Discussion of last seasons nation al tournament at Birmingham, Ala bama and the forthcoming league race in Waterbury and the national meet in Youngstown, Ohio will also be in order it is expected while a sound recording of the plate con- versation between Razor Doran and Umpire Bill Stanton is also rumored to be ready for presentation after ear muf1s are passed out to all on hand.
 President Joseph Bropny is general chairman of the affair assisted by James Walsh, Patrick Doran, James Moore and John Rock.
 Bob Banziger is chairman of the ticket committee assisted by Packy Shea. John DiVito, Paul Doran. Ro- bert Kiersted, John Dumschott and Pat Slattery.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-27
FIVE GOLFERS IN CLOSE RACE OVER ST. PETE
 
Picard Score 3O-36 to Gain Lead of Only
 Single Stroke

St. Petersburg. Fla, Feb. 27 = (U. P.) - Four of the best professional golfing veterans in the country and one newcomer were punched just one stroke apart today as the $5,- 900 annual St. Petersburg open tournament went into the second round.
 Henry Picard, former P. G. A. champion from Hershey, Pa, held a one-stroke lead after the first round had been completed, with a five-under r-par 66 but right behind him at 67 came Ben Hogan, also from Hershey; Ralph Guldahl, twice National Open champion; Sam Snead, West Virginia slugger and Chic Harbert, youthful Battle Creek, Mich, pro.
 Picard romped over the first nine in 30, five under par, and came home with a regulation 36. He post ed the 66 after Snead, Harbert and Guldahl had shared an early lead with their 67's.
 Bracketed at 68 were Clarence Doser, Sarasota, Fla; Herman Bar ron, White Plains, and Jimmy Tur- mesa, New York. Jug McSpaden of Winchester, Mass, winner of the Thomasville, Ga, open last week. end, followed with 60 as did Mel De Maris, Haverhill. Mass and Henry Bontempo, Springfield, Mass.
 Included in the 70 group was Jimmy Thomson, Chicopee, Mass.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-27
A Little of This and That

diversion the nterschOOl Horse Show scheduled Saturday morning end afternoon st Wateown where competition IA classes and of the finest hOrse
 anship among youngsters "opn It's worth trip Cousin Ed Fitzpatrick his Pha dphia this ZOh basketball TOrngtOn the taken from the local outfit which a Washington Park Earl the Boston passed from the Baltimore Orioles in the "bg time" which the grade with of the second division clubs EnckOs the 100 basketball title the afternoon having semi final last the St. JOsephs and Naugauck "" entries the latter sizzling undecided until the final minute
 earu of Walter Woods discussing Ely Casting night in the YMCA at 73 President Johnny OConnOr Industrial captains special meeting o'clock before the sched action that night.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-27
C. L. P. Mixed League

be tied for third place, one game out of second. It is almost cer- tainty, therefore, that the Fuses will finish first, second or third, and wouldn't bet that they don't fin- ish first.
 The Connectors have climbed steadily during the past several weeks and now have a three point hold on second place. With only 16 points left, this gives them B per cent margin of error in protect ing their present position. Win Duff and company are currently diff cult team to beat, as they demon- strated a week ago, when they held the league leaders to a two point Stalemate.
 Tied for third are the Crossarns and Insulators. The Insulators have won 12 points in the last three nights and, if the law of averages is still in operation, they should soon come to the end of their spurt. Both squads are, however. in a strategic position to take advan- tage of any weakening on the part of the two teams ahead of them.
 The Bulbs with 47, and the Sparks, Killys and Jets, each with 46 points, come right after the CroSSarms and Insulators. Any one of these teams can go into third place next Mon- day night, and it is possible for the Bulbs to tie for second. To get into first place they have to make up more than 50 per cent deficit. and that's asking a lot. Nevertheless, anyone of these teams can still make strong bid for the championship.
 Should any one of the four last teams, Sockets. Plugs. Switches or Wires squirt, there's still chance to finish among the first three. If the Insulators can win twelve points in a row, so can any other team. Although first place seems out of the question for any of these teams. 1t would not be too surprising should one of them finish third. There's one thing that's sure: the standing will be different when the league ends.
 Important Announcement
 Tonight ct 6:30 o'clock our league meets the Bankers on the Elks Alleys. Don't forgetl
 Wind Up
 The league will hold Q sweepstake Wednesday, March %, ct 6:iB o'clock on the Mattatuck Alleys. Helen Roberts tells me that almost aii of the Leavenwogth Street howlegs have signed ID and most of the Freight Street bowlers are expected to sign. Prizes will be awarded for high single and high three, with and without 6 handicap, Teams of one fellow and one glrl viii be formed by drawing names from . hat, and prizes WI laleo be awarded on Q team basis. Tile Wlll wtnd up our bowling scF the ielo.ll season, with the banquet o bs held on the following Monday.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-27
Today's Sport Parade
BY HENRY McLEMORE United Press Stan Correspondent)

Wilmington, Cal, Feb. N--(UP)-- The s. s. Avalon that plies the 20 miles between here and Catalina Island, sounded her whistle.
 The Chicago Cubs, laughing and singing and talking, piled up the gangplank and headed for another spring training season.
 Two red faced boys, bundled in topcoats against the wind that came in of the Jacif1c, stood on the pier and watched the boat swing out in the channel.
 One was Lou Novikof and the other was Lou Stringer, two rockies for whom the Cubs laid out a reported $100,O00. It would make a better story if I could tell you that two Lou's watched the depart ing Avalon with downcast faces and tragic eyes, or that disappointment over not sailing with the cubs bur- dened them with grief.
 But that wouldn't be telling the truth. Neither Novikof nor stringer showed any emotion except belli- gerency. They are holdouts against what they term the 'coolie" salar. ies offered them by the manage ment of the cubs
 They watched the Avalon until she got strengthened out and headed toward the sea. the Novioff said well, Lou. certain place will be freezing over before they get me to sign for what they are offering me"
 '"The same here, Lou," Stringer answered. Where you going now?"
 I'm going to the dentist. Damn, if wouldn't rather sit in a den- tist's chair than put my name on the contract they've offered me. You're right" Stringer said. Don't let 'em kid you. I'll tell you this. They aren't going to shove me around. Not as long as I'm healthy and not on relief"
 Talking to me after the Cubs, with General Manager Jimmy Gal lagher in charge. had departed, Novikoff made no effort to hide his attitude toward what he thinks Is shabbiness on the part of the Chi cago officials.
 Knows Himself
 i've been in baseball four years. he said, ''and I have proved cal, play the game. All did last year was to lead the Coast league in batting, number of hits, runs scored. home runs, and runs batted i'll. And I can't be too bad 8 fielder, because had the best fielding percentage of any of the leftfielders. So the Cubs buy me. and want me to play for peanuts. I talked to Gallagher this morning and he raised the ante a little bit, but they still aren't willing to pay me even as much as got here in Los Angeles last year. That's crazy. I don't want to sound conceited, but I know what I can do. also know that I am a good drawing card and probably would draw enough people the first day I played to pay the salary they are offering me now"
 I asked the Russian boy = his mother and father were born in that country-what he would do if the Cubs wouldn't meet his de- mands.
 "stay right out of baseball" he answered. rive got a job in the oil fields now. and l have some better
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-27
K. OFL CLUB MEETS
 CANADIAN KLOWNS
Game Set for Saturday /; Series With West Sides
 to Start March l6

The K. of L. cagers return to the wars Saturday night, opposing the Canadian KlownS in 8 return game at St. Joseph's hall.
 Jim McNally, the former Man. haitian college and Danbury Guard ace, led 8 strong club against the Liths a month ago, but, with John Kelly Tipping in g points, the Knights were able to eke out 52- 4S triumph after 70 exciting min- uteS.
 Since last showing here the Klowns have gained 8 story book T7-74 double overtime triumph over the Norwalk Newfields, first half State League champions.
 The game is set for g o'clock, St. Josephs Holy Name taking on the Worcester St. Casimir's in the 7:30 opener.
 John Stankus, Lith boss, and Maurice Red" Bowling, West Side Speedboy manager, held prelimi- nary conference last night and set Sunday, March 18 as the tentative date for their series opener at St. Joseph's hall. with Henry Caring ton as referee.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-27
BY LEFTY


 Tonight, let's start with vital sta- tistics. First, the bays averages: Jack Kearney, 1106; Burt Warnes, 1l0.2; Ed. Culhane, 108.4; Will Knight. 107.7; Joe May, 1O7.6; George Lynch, 1076: Russ Hicock, 106.4; Walt Nelson, 105; Frank Ro- landi, 1O4.1; Tom Egan, 1925; Ralph Shove, 1O1.7; Win Duff, 100.9; Milt Huffman, 100.3; Charles Byron, 99.2; Al Sprafke, 98.5; Doc Leonard, 96.6; Paul Berg, 94.8; Pat Dwyer, 94.2; Al West, 93.5; Johnny McNaught, 93.4; Jim Bourie, 87.7; Lyn Wood, 87.2; Walt Schlegel, 84.8.
 Now the girls averages: Peg Dunn, 106.2; Alice Benson, 10O.4; Mary Sheehan, 95.5; Doris Braun, o4.3; Madeleine Murphy, 92.8; Gwen Burton, 92.6; Betty Bergin, 92.5; Rita Blacker, 93.3; Angie Mambruno, 9l.6; Doris Cosgrove, 89.9; Helen Roberts, 87.S; Ruth Bowen, 87.2; Mimi Altieri, 8T.1; Emily BalinSky, 86; Nina Birs. 85.9; Mary NoonaIl, 85.8; Janet Mellor, 83.4; Retta Ross, 83.2: Helen Duguay, 82.5; Mary Fitzmaurice, SIS; Ann Phelan, 78.8; Ruth Green, 77.8; Peg Reynolds, TIA.
 The following, who have been members of the league since the be- ginning of the season, have perfect attendance records: Jack Kearney, Joe May, George Lynch, Walter Nel- son, Frank Rolandi, Milt Huffman, Frank Tehan, Al West. Doris Braun, Madeleine Murphy, Angie Mambru- no, Helen Roberts, Nina Birs.
 These are replacements who have perfect attendance records since their entrance into the league: Burt Warnes. Al Sprafke. Doc Leonard. Mary Sheehan, Retta Ross.
 GA DAAA
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-27

offers. Naturally, I want to play baseball, but I've got to get some- where near as much as I'm worth.
 Asked if he was sure he could make a go of it in the majors, Novikoff, who gives the impression of being alarmed confident without cockiness, wanted to know why not.
 What's to keep me from doing all right in the majors? There have been many coast leaguers who did all right up there, and I've been doing all right out here. I don't believe the pitching is so much better in the majors. Out here every pitcher is trying to make a big impression on scouts, so he throws his arm of trying to make you lok bad. I never had any trouble hitting them"
 The next move is up to the Cubs. The two kids won't stand any kidding. They want major league pay for major league ball, and when you come right down to it, that's as right as two and two, isn't 1t?
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-27
1hiSSpOrting
 World
Connecticut BOys Signed by Yanks
BY JOHN A. CLUNEY

The usually pleasant pan" Manc known along Bank
 street from Grand been giving out with broad mentions the big league training camps baseball general nephew, Al Christno o eenwn mas been will probably play this season
 of the Eastern Shore League Young IS no two at the most should right fight for spot in Newark or outstanding farm teams controlled by the Fpert Oddly enough Chsiano received St. Lotus Cadnai Waterbury at the Cardinal
 Paul Kche head scout of the yankee organization ball Al made the varsity
 his freshman Stamford Twilight
 where players He also better his ambition to play in Yankee Stadium natural ability he looks like cinh at this writing
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-27

than offset the other? Manager Cronin's attitude is to wait and see.
 Lost Two Good Men
 Meanwhile he has other problems, chief of which, as usual, is his pitch ing. If he had had any pitching las year he would have brezed in. HDe let two pitchers get away from him, Newsom and Auker, who, rated of their subsequent reco. ds, would have made 1t a cake walk. He gave up on Newsom because the big guy didn't have and wouldn't try too hard to acquire control. Auker was a mental case. He was afraid to throw his fast ball in the Boston park which has short left field fence and is an inviting target for cheap hits. Auker never won a game in Boston. But last year he was ball of fire with the St. Louis Browns and, of course, you know what Newsom did with and for the Detroit Tigers. Either man pitching the kin dof ball he showed last year in different uniforms would have put the Red Sox in the world series. But when you check back on circum- stances and conditions you can see why Cronin was moved to get rid of them.
 During the winter he gave up on mes of other pitchers. including Bagby, Ostremueller. Heving and Galehouse. Graphically he explains. ''They couldn't win for us." He's fairly sure Galehouse can pitch and wouldn't be surprised if he wins f. om l2 to IS games this year But he couldn't win for us. The park complex or something got him." Cronin has been signing pitchers right and left. Any stranger who comes along swinging e loose arm Is likely to be tapped for Red eox service.
 He has twenty-one pitchers in camp. He's pretty high on three or four of them, particularly on Earl Johnson, c tall lefthander who won Six out of eight after joining the team in midsummer last year.
 The experts generally, even the Boston. ones, don't seem to have c high regard for the Red Sox chanceb' They think the team will have q hahl t0 make tho first dlylhloi That appears i0 be aii right with Manager Cronin, we may sur. prlse lhem," he Says, looking hns aulFlnely lli the direction eg ehoft. stop cfonIn, who ehviou1ly woiild Ike Co be surprised,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-27
APPS HURT

Toronto, Feb. 27 - tU.P.) - syl ADDS, star centerEnan of the Tor- onto Maple Leafs National League Hockey Club. will be sidelincd for et least three weeks with c torn iiga. ment h his left knee, it was ans Ticlinced today.
 Apps was Injured Tuesday night at New York in c collision with tho Americana defenSeman. iEooley smith. lie may be available for tho playofIs late in March.