davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-04-30
Spectacles.

WITH most persons, there is an epoch
in life when the eyes become slightly flat
tened. 1t arises, probably, from dimin.
lshed activity of the secretng vessels
The consequence is, that the globe is not
kept quite as completely distended with
fluids as in youth and middle age. There
is thus an elongated axis of vision. A
book is held further off to be read. Final
ly, becoming more tlattened by the same
inactivity within, the difficulty is met by
putting on convex glasses. This is the
waning vision of age. If, however, when
that advancing imperfection is first real
lied, the individual persists in the attempt
to keep the book in the old focus of vision
even if he reads under perplexing dis
advantages, never relaxing, but persever-
ingly proceeding Just as he did when his
eyes were in the meridians of their per-
feetion, the slack vessels will at last come
up to his assistance, and the original focal
distance will be re-establisbed.
This statement will unquestionably be
combated, energetically, by those who use
glasses. But il will be waste of forensic
powder, because the fact is established be.
You'd cavil, We do not pretend it will be
successful in every instance; but general
ly, if glasses are once resOrted TO, then the
opportunity OF doing without them ls for
ever lost.
Very aged men may bo noticed reading
fine print; and ladies, too, by scores, who
resisted glasses at the age of life referred
to who enjoy all the comfort of distinct
vision, and they will, until, like the dea
cons chaise, every stick in the vehicle falls
to pieces at the same time.
Therefore, begin with firm resolution
never to use glasses of any kind,
for reading or writing, The ancients knew
nothing about such contrivances; if they
had, there would have been poor eyes in
abundance, and oculists to meet the
emergency. Cicero never complained OF
imperfect vision at the age of sixty-three.
He even wrote his last letter by torch
light, on the eve of being put to death by
the waiting soldiers Humboldt died at
ninety.two, having never been embarrass.
ed with those modern contrivances, lu-
nettes. John Quincy Adams, illustrioua
for scholarship, at a ripe old age saw with
out them. Indeed, it would be laborious
enterprise to en4ect a catalogue Of names
in the chronicle of literary fame, of men
and women, who were independent Oi
glasses.-Dr. j. Y. o. SniM.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-04-30

But, somehow, Don Martin was not so
prompt as be had been before yet he
came at last and liberated him -excusihg
himself by for his delay explaining that he
was particularly engaged at the moment.
"This delay had frightened the man /;
but the excuse deceived him, and he con.
tinued his robbery without fear.
He was once more arrested aud this
time Don Martin failed him.
Ho was arraigned, tried and condemned
TO die
Yet. after senteuce was passed., Don
Martin once more placed him at liberty in
the name of the king.
again" writes the old author, "ihis man
| returned TO his old courses, aud again was
| taken prisoner This time, however, Don
Martin did not arrive until he was at the
foot of the scsfTold."
The man then told Don Martin that
this was no ohild's play, for his delay had
caused him dreadful alarm.
Don Martin replied that he had brought
five hundred maravedi In an aims bag to
bribe the judge with, and so get the re.
| lease of his friend and servant
As the jailors were making prepare
tons to hang the criminal there seemed
to be some trouble finding stout rope
and thoreupon the prisoner offered the
bag to the Judge, and asked him TO let
him escape. They managed things differ
| emily in those days; for no prisoner could
see the judge or bribe jailor on the day
of his execution now.
"And then" says the ohronicler, "tho
Judge, after short time, turning to the
people, said; My friends, did you ever
see rope wanting when man is really
guilty2 1t is clear that Heaven does not
desire the death of the innocent; so let us
put off the execution until tomorrow.
| Examine his antecedents more carefully,
and, depend upon it, justice shall be
satisfied"
This, we are told, the Judge did to
| gain time to count the money in the
bag.
But what was the judges surprise and
rage when, on opening the bag, he found
not bribe, but rope.
He at once ordered the man to be hanged
aud had the rope in the bag put round
his neck.
"Hap me, Don Marttnr shricked the
robber.
The Devil appeared.
Help me, DON Mart"
The rope was choking him.
| Help me, Don --," suddenly he
shrieked out, as the rope was looscned
for second.
Cant do It'll Sorry but can't do it,
said the Devil "When once rope is
round mans neck, can't help him."
"And," says Don Manuel, who tells the
story, "the consequence WAS that the
culprit met the fate which awaited him
losing thereby both soul and body, from
not resisting the temptation of the Devil
such being the fate of all those who rely
upon false aid and delay their repentance
| "Who doth not trust in God repose
| Evil his life and sad Its close"
This story is not en- idle fable. 1t is the
shadow of great truth, which every one
who scans the ways of men in the world
can see to-day as clearly as it was seer
twenty centuries ago.
Bad men often prosper, and good men
| sometimes seem to be crushed under the
Juggernaut wheels of Society. But the
end is not yet. There is long, long
eternity before US; and as sure as we sell
our souls to the Tempter-whether fol
| gold, or honors, or ease-we shall find al
last rope in tie bag,
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-04-30
A Mule Ride In Florida.

A GENTLEMAN writing from Fornandina,
Florida, to the Buffalo Commsreldl Adcer.
tiser, gives the following amusing account
of his adventures with gentle mule. lie
says:
The boys insisted that needed relaxA
tion. NV health required II. had pret-
ty fair article Of health, l thot; enough
To last mo as long az lived. But I must
accumulate stock for future use
The South was the place TO get t.
Aud riding was healthy. The sand
is too deep to ride, except ON horse
back, 80 | tho't would take ride. ap.
piled to the livery man for q horse He
had one. He looked sorrowmlly at me,
as though he pitied me. Did l ever ride
amuleS l never had. He had rs good
riding horses as ever were saddled, but II
| wanted "Rook Me TO Sleep Mother
style of ride, would take a mule.
l don't consider myself first class
Judge of mules. l had some vague
notions in regard to them; supposed
they would do large amount of
work with very little feed, and were i'm.
mortal l had read Of ono being driven
over the same route 6g The SANE boy for 81
years, and he was young mule yet.
Bring forth the mule. The mule was
| brought, He was a meek looking cuss-
perfect "Uriah Heep ~ of mule, so far
~ Umbienessh WAS concerned. At least
that was the view took of him. He was
saddled, and mounted. For mile or
two he paced beautifully. Thought those
old monks had read about knew what
they were doing when they travelled on
mules. | had a high respect for their
judgment Just then my mule began to
show symptoms-symptoms of what
| did not know. | found out. Dropping
| his head between his legs, his heels
described a parabolic curve, or diabolic
| curve, or some other internal curve, in
the air and | got off and sat on the
ground. got off over his head, and
| did 1t quick. I'm not so old but | can
! get OFF an animal OF that kind as quick as
a boy. Then looked at the mule to see
If he was hurt, He didn't appear to be.
Then inquired around to see how was.
reported an abrasion ON the left hip, and
a confusion on the lower end of my back.
Then | thought would pronounce q left
handed blessing on that mule, and on his
toretathers and foremothers before him,
and on his children after him. But |
didn't wondered ifhe would stand fire.
If had had pistol, would have put
the muzzle to his car, and tried him. Not
that was hostile toward him, but was
afraid somebody might take ride on him
some day and get hurt. But had no pis
tol, so that benevolent and sanguinary
idea was frustrated Then / got up and
shook the dust of my feet, and brushed
the sand off my trousers, as testimony
against that place. Then led the mule
carefully home, and stated my case to the
livery man. But when / looked that he
should offer to send for doctor, or Sa-
meritan, to do me up in rag, and pour
olive oil and champagne on my bruise, he
only laughed, And his man that he had
to help him laid down on bench and
laughed-then he rolled OFF the bench and
laughed-and stood holding the mule
then laughed. 1t was ridiculous. But
I've learned little wisdom. Next time
| ride on horseback 1t will be different
| kind of beast from n bogus iackass
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-04-30

fore you mount, then jump on while It is
running.
sIf you have had any practice asa circus
rider this comes easy enough.
All you have to do then Is to catch the
pedals with your feet and keep the wheel
revolving.
Steering is very essy when you get ac-
customed to 1t all you have to do Is to
turn the wheel the way you want to go,
and you'll 20 it. a..
You must not, however, go upon the
principle that one good turn deserYes an.
other, because too many turns may wind
up with an overturn.
Any speed may be attained by increas.
ing the velocity of the velocipede, which
is done by lively agitation of the driving
wheel.
The more revolutions you make the
faster you will 60
The next thing after driving and steer
ing is to learn to manage the brake.
The brake is very useful, and must be
looked after.
1t is necessary in order TO keep the
hind wheel from running faster than
the front wheel, and putting the machine
A painful accident happened recently
at Chicago through a neglect Of the
brake.
A man was running race on time, and
was going at the rate of three miles a
minute
The hind wheel kept gaining on the
front wheel and in the attempt to pass 1t
made the velocipede turn a somerset.
The rider was thrown ahead, the veloci-
pede went over him.
| would advise you not to buy yeloci.
pede till you have learned to ride.
You can get lessons with the use of q
velocipede for twenty dollars quarter
A robust and daring rider can knock
twenty dollars worth of damage out of
velocipede in week.
To say nothing of personal damage to
his own anatomy, which is at his own
risk.
But don't be discouraged by such
tritles as bruised ankle or dislocated
shoulder
If at first you don't succeed, try, try,
try again.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-04-30
A Mathematical story.

LEFEBYRE DE FERERAY, who died re-
Gently in Paris, was one of the most dis
tmguished mathematicians of the age. The
mountains of algebra did not dismay him.
He loved figures for themselves, as others
do flowers or poetry.
Ono day, while leaving the Sorbonne,
whore he had done less calculating than
suited him, he noticed carriage which
had stopped at the door, the rear of which
was ihagniticently black, large and shining.
II was perfect algebraic black board. Lee
tebyre stopped. To show arms to Archil-
les or a blackboard to mathematician, is
to tempt human flesh beyond its powers of
resistance. Ones soul needs much virtue
to resist the thing it loves. Lefebyre did
not resist. He took bit Of chalk from
his pocket for every person with mathe-
matical sympathies Is as sure to have
some about him as billiard player. Then
he began to figure on the back OF the car
riage. 1t went well. His symbols multi
piled, but suddenly, oh human misery
his blackboard went of on gentle trot.
The savant followed, still ciphering, not
even thinking to call to the driver to stop.
lie followed, painting and cursing, until
at last wearled of racing after these pitt.
less horses, he stopped, saying: "That
cursed board! and was on the point oi
getting the answer" ~
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-04-30
DON MARTIN.
AN OLD SPANISH LEGEND.

Now, Don Martin was-the Devil And
this name lie went by, once-centuries and
centuries ago-in Spain. And an autffor
OF that country makes story about him
1T was written a hundred years before
printing was invented-which l shall tell
again in my own words and apply to our
times. f.a.# rs
A rich man became quite poor, and the
loss OF his money made hime very wretch
ed. One day, sad and lonely, he was tax
ing stroll in the mountains, when, 10 ! he
came upon another wanderer.
1t was the Devil.
Now, the Evil one knew very well what
was passing in the mans mind; but, to
begin talk with him, he asked him what
allied him.
No use in you knowing" said the man !;
"for you could do nothing to help me-"
But" retorted the Devil, "I'll show
you that am able to help you, if only you
will do all that 1 want OF you. know
what makes you so unhappy. You were
rich you are now poor. But I'll make
you richer than you ever were before, and
richer than any Of your family ever were
before, If only you win accept my condi-
"What are your" asked the man.
1
| Now when the man heard this name he
was afraid. But the Devil knows how Ia
soothe the fears of those who have half q
mind to serve him and 80, after little
further talk, the Evil One won the day
and the wanderer agreed to do all thai
was required of him, on condition that he
should be made very rich.
so II is, says the ancient author, 'thai
the Devil always knows his time to make
men fall into his snares. When he secs III
in any trouble or necessity, It is then tha
he offers us his aid 10 avoid labor and anx
iety for the sake of an immediate apparen
relief So 1t was that he obtained posses
sion of this man, making him his slave"
AS soon as this contract between thi:
fiend and the man was settled, the devi
told him that he must become a robber
and that he would give him the power I,
open the gate or door of any house, how
ever securely 1t might be shut with bolt
and bars. =
But if should be taken prisoners ?
asked the man. "E -ti..
"Tben," answered the Devil, cry out
Help me, Don Martini and will com
and set you free.' s.
Gained and nerved by these promises
the man went and broke into the house 1
rich merchant As soon as he reache
the door, the Devil opened 1t for him. II
!. got great treasures In this house.
Again and again, aided by the Temptel
hc entered the dwellings Of the rich an
robbed them but, although he becam
quite wealthy, he could not abandon hi
wicked ways, and 50 he kept ON in bis ca
reer or robbery. AT length heWss caugh
and lodged in Jail.
But here the Devil came IN his a assiuta /. r
and released him.
AS soon as he was out he returned L
his old life, and itwaa NOT long before h
wac again in prison. 80 ssg
~ Help me, Don Martini" he cried
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-04-30
Cory O,Lanus on the VelOcIpede.

MANAGING the velocipede is Just as
easy as skating, when you know now to
do it.
It takes you little time to learn how.
All you have got to do is to keep the
vesocipede up and keep 1t going. r
You can't do either Of these separately,
and have 10 do them both at once. =
Which makes it difficult.
Because if the velocipede stops Il falls
down. -
stop.
The first law of velocipedsstrianism is
motion. 49,. -.
On the be1utiiul philosophical principle
thai necesEitatee the perpetual motion OF
the pla elAry bodies, comets, eclipses, me.
teors, aurora boreAhses, and things which
arc continually going on.
Or like mans credit the moment II
stops running ne goes up.
Only in the case OF the Yelocipede he
goes down.
First, you must start the yelocipede be.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-04-30

other eatable, is an actual poison, whether
inhaled or eaten. One kind OF mold
causes the fatal ship-fevor. The mold in
damp cellars causes various grades Of ty-
phoid fOver, diarrhea, dyscntery, etc, Re7
cent chemical researches and microscopic
observation seem to show that missm is
nothing more or less than a mold, and
that this mold is in reality, cloud of liv.
ing things, each too small to be seen by
the naked eye, and are drawn into the
lungs, swallowed with the saliva, incorpo-
rated with the food eaten, and by being
absorbed into the blood, are sufficient TO
cause all grades Of deadly fevers; elevated
or dry localities are wholly exempt.-Er.
chance
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-04-30
A Queer Character.

THEY have a queer character in one of
the towns on the Connecticut river. He
is man of considerable property, and,
we believe, unmarried. He will never 60
near lady if he can possibly help it. 1t
is said that 1t is frequently the case that he
will postpone a visit TO New York for a
day because lady happens TO be in the
stage in which he must ride 10 the train
At one time he sent word to the driver of
the stage to stop for him on the following
day, as he intended to go to New York
When the stage came down the next day
the driver stopped, ss requested, and asked
if he was going to New York. The gem
| tleman at first said he would, then he
wouldn't, then concluded he would, then
gave it up again, and finally asked il there
would be any ladies on the trip. The
driver told him probably not, 80 he EN-.
barked. A short distance on the route q
lady got on board little further another
came on. Another followed; and finally
there were seven ladies in the stage and
only one man-old Eccentricity himself
He was caught that time and never recoy-
cred from II. He hires room at hotel in
New York by the year, and he is there a
| good part Of the time. He never uses the
wash. bowl and pitcher furnished by the
hotel, but has some OF his OWL which be
keeps locked in his trunk. If he knows
ii he will not allow the room to be oceu.
pied by any save himself One morning
he walked into his office, held out long
hair 70 the clerk, and saying ''found thai
In my ROOM" walked of. His acquaint-
ances know but little of him socially, and
he is in every respect strange being
---D~e
does man with ono arm have an off
, hand waV Of doing thinRsY
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-04-30
Insect DepredatiOns.

At late meeting of the Illinois State
Horticultural Society, an essay was read by
Tyler McWhorter, Esq, president of the
Society," upon "The Apple" from which
we make the following extract relative TO
insect depredations
will close this article with few reflec-
tions on the subject Of insect depredations
1t is certainly not very gratifying to look
back over the horticultural investigations
of fifty years and see how little has yet
been accomplished by man in checking
insect depredations. 1t seems that all the
means that we can employ in the destruc-
ton of insect life, must always have such
limited application that in che aggregate
very little has ever been accomplished TO
sbate their evils 0
1t is not my purpose to dissuade people
from continued efforts, but from needless
alarm. While we feel that we have not
accomplished much ourselves, we can fall
back ON a very c0nsoling reflection. II
seems universal rule in nature that
whatever species has the most rapid
means of increase, nature has also
provided means to diminish their
numbers and check their overspread.
| In all animate nature there is conflict
Insect life not only preys upon the vege'
| table, but also upon each other. Scarcely
species exists that has not one or more
parasitic enemies. Insects generally have
a rapid means of increase, and will exisi
in proportion as conditions favor theil
existence. And we can easily understand
that the prevalence OF any one species vii
afford a means for the subsistence OF theil
parasitic enemies--in other words, tbs
carniyerous insects will spread IN proper
/ -. a. N oh taata Al
When the potato bug prevails, then tn,
lady bug can flourish and feast on the egg
of the former. Where the bark louise ha
become spread, its little enemy, the mite
finds means 10 subsist. Then We have e4
treme atmospheric changes with III
changing seasons-all the changes OF th
elements IN some way, prevent the spreal
of insect existence. While we are devils
ing means 70 work on small scale, natur
often sweeps away the pest IN 9 slngl
season. IRrpeyimsaial Farm JoarhdS
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-04-30

The suicide OF a rich miser is reported
in the London papers. She was a widow
named Harriet Gray, 81 years of age. She
was worth over e40,000, but was in the
habit of denying herself the common ne
cessaries OF life. She kept one candle In
the house, and whenever her nephew
called upon her TO see her, she made IL a
rule to light il, but when he was going
away she blew it out, as 1t was her habit
to Sit in the dark, The house in which
she lived was in filthy condition, The
Jury returned verdict of suicide while IN
a state of temporary insanity.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-04-30
"A correspondent Of the Augusta (Gs.

"A correspondent Of the Augusta (Ss.)
Ohr0nicls says that the best way 70 rene
yate old apple trees IS TO commence wItna a
good pruning, then serape on All me loose =:
nal ineision through the bark, wash the
whole with a strong solution of soap. and
water with lime added, and give q good
working out with digging fork Aroulid
the roots as far as they extend. Spread
lime and ashes broadcast around the tree.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-04-30
IA cola nugget weighing not less than

two hundred pounds has been found IN
Victoria. II is doubtful whether so .laTge
a quantity of the precious metal has ever
hsiora been found IN one mass. The great
nugeet Of 1855 weighed only one hundred
and forty-Six pounds. IL Is noticeable that
All these great Jumps OF gold have been
found in Australia. In 1880 nuggeh
Thought at that time 70 be immense, was
turned up IN Peru, but u weighed not
moro than sixty pounds
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-04-30
poetrp.
1HE soNo or az ANuL n


.frrr bh y, q, shEfHHRp, ... .a
W. - lt tNil te
WITHIN the village smithy
And under the stroke OF the hammer
A tuneful song Icing
ga.n-
lied glows the Wlde-mouthed fnrnnce.
You can hear their huge lungs painting
outside the open door.
Inc emith ie staivart and mighty
he iiits his sledge on high.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-04-30

AN EASY DRIEKER The teetotalers
tell Of hard drinkers, but the man OF whom the
Omaha Herald lells the following must be deeid-
edly easy drinkers notWithstandtng HE two
quarts At draught:
"a Cockney, ripe from old London, wagered
yesterday that he would drink half & gallon Of
beer without taking the measure from his head
or drawing breath. More for the fun Of the thing
than for anything else his bet was accepted, and
adjournment was had 10 the Wyoming House,
where the urbane Oliver stood ready to meet
their demands. A large water pitcher was had
into which were carefully decanted two quarts oil
OF ale bright idea suggested itself that tobacco
and beer always 60 together. The other party 10
tue bet took a handful Of divers capital cigars,
aud dropped them unnoticed Into cookney' :
beverage, i" All ready" says the chap, and
han right says coeAney, and into IL he
I" Guzzle, gurele, swaAh Down went the beer
and N ahout the fraction " minute be setdowI
the pitcher empty. 'DiAn't you meet anythingi
asks grinning bystander. No says ooekney
~ didn't. 'Old hon thoughi come 70 think
hi don't know bpy what hi did meet few ops.
roar Of laughter followed, and as the winner
folded mp his bet, everyone Was satisfied that ths
fun more than Compensated for the loss Of thf
wager
"A Protestant jubilee is 10 b. held pex
aTtl1T11u az ROQtnD
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-04-30

docs man with ono arm have an of.
hand way Of doing things
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-04-30

"A Protestant jubilee is TO b. held peyi
autumn at Boston.