davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-07-01
Frightful Disaster at Worcester by
Nitro-Glycerine.

About twenty minutes past .cn o'clock
Thursday morning, % inst, just rs the
western bound freight train to Albany was
about to cross the Norwich track ut tho
junction, a terrific explosion occurred on
board the last car, which shook the very
city to its foundations. A dense column
of smoke which followed 1t at once at
tracted all eyes to that quarter, and In five
minutes time all the streets leading In
that direction werc thronged with crowds
OF excited people hurrying to the scene.
The widest reports were In circulation
rs To the manner and results Of the ex-
plosion-none of them exaggerated. how
ever, excepting rs regarding the loss OF
life. 1t was believed mt first that several
had been killed. and that they were not
was almost q miracle.
1t seems that the train had stopped, rs
usual, to allow the passage of one coming
from the opposite direction. and had just
,tarted when the explosion took place.
1t this exact locality the railroad runs
along AN enibankment about fifteen feet
high. and exactly In the rear of and above
Southbridge street. This street Is thlckly
lined with tenement houses, all, with one
or two exceptions, OF wood, and each con-
tanning from three to seven families.
In the twinkling of an eye the rear po-
sitions of these houses were literally torn
To fragments. boards, timbers and furni-
ture being split rs fine rs kindling wood.
Every pane Of glass within u quarter of q
mile was shattered toatoms, and in scores
of buildings the sashes and doors were
blown out, blinds torn of, roofs divcsted
of slate and shingles, and In two or three
instances whole sides of houses several
rods distant were blown out 1t Is inn
possible to convey any adequate idea OF
the scene. The track was torn up for
several rods and the bed quilted out; the
trucks of the car were nearly buried In tho
embankments, and the huge iron axlcs
twisted and bent like green withcs; the
rails weru broken and tossed like pine
sticks rods away from tho track, and the
ties thrown about like jackstraws.
Three other cars of the train were shat
tered. but none of tho men on tho train
sustained any injury. The conductor
having unshackled the cars In front. pro-
ceeded with his train. A moment before
a man had been seen walking on the track.
and rs 1t was certain that he was injured
or killed, an immediate search was made.
Just where the car was shattered portion
of one leg was picked up, and near by 1t
the tongue and n portion of the vitals;
the head an entrails were found by the
side of the embankmcnt. 1t was soon
ascertaincd that they formed portion of
the remains of Timothy Cronan. large
and very powerful man, who was employ
ed In Blaisdcll's machine shop. This
proved to be the only instance In which
life was lost outright, although several
were severely If not dangerously in
iured.
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-07-01

fortunately, always confined In their
injurious effects TO our household
surroundings. They often attack, when
the weather Is propitious, various crops,
the wheat, the grape, the potato, and In
few days cause immense destruction OF
property. But even this Is not the limit
Of their evil effects, for tho thrush of child
rem, and many of our most fatal diseases,
are-tracable to the growth of this fungi
upon our throats, within our stomachs,
liver and even our blood.
This leprosy within our houses and gar
ments has never attracted tho attention 1t
ought. In many dwellings, especially OF
tho poor, 1t prevails rs permanent pes
tience, and not only destroys In time the
tenement, but also Its occupant. In our
best houses It may be found insidiously
spreading decay and death where and
when least suspected It should bo uni.
yersally known that dry rot in the wood
or brick or stone Of our houses, and COM
mon mould or n,ildew upon our clothing
and food, means u atendency to destruction
of house and family.
The remedy of this domestic plague Is
simple and effective. In sunlight and
dry fresh air. these fungi cannot grow to
maturity The lesson Is most important
one to all housekeepers, and especially
those having damp, unventilated rooms.
How common 1t Is to find such apartments
occupied ns bedrooms. especially for
children! No room In the house should
bc left unaired, and, II possible, unsunned
for n sin0le doy LIVING and sleepinU
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-07-01

SPEND wrsELY.-Look most TO your
spending. No matter what comes In. II
more goes out, you will always be
poor. Tho art Is not In making money,
but TO keep Il; little expenses, liko mice
In barn. when there are many make
great waste. Hair by hair, heads get
bald. Straw by straw, the thatch goes
of tho cottage, and drop by drop, the
rain comes into tho chamber. A barrel
Is soon empty. IL tho tap leak but drop
u minute. When you mean to save, be-
gin with your mouth; there are many
thieves down the red lane. Tho ale jug
Is q great waste. In all other things
keep within compass. Never stretch your
legs further than the blankets will reach.
or you will soon be cold. In clothes.
choose suitable aud lasting stuff, and not
tawdry fineries. To bc warm Is the
main thing; never mind the looks. A
fool will make money. but II needs q wise
man to spend It. Remember It Is easier
to build two chimncys than to keep one
going. II you give all 70 back and board.
thcrc Is nothing left for the savings bank.
Fare hard and work hard while you arc
young. and you viii have q chance oi
rest when you arc old.-John Plough.
mans Tdil.
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-07-01
agricultural.
Comfort for Horses.

During The summers heat and dust,
give horses water often. BY doing this
they will drink less Mt time, and you
viii thereby avoid one Of the causes ct
founder. viz: drinking large quantity
Of water when the system Is heated.
While iourncying, carry a sponge with
YOU in the carriage. and when you reach
n trough to water your horse, wet the
sponge and wipe the dust from his nos
trils and eyes. This will add much to
his comfort. and enable him to better and
more chccrfnlly perform hi, journey.
Also. on reaching the stable. after allow
Ing him few swallows Of water, again
sponge his nose and mouth. and wash his
feet. Do this soon after stopping, and
tho result will be comfort from the reac.
ton. but which might produce a chill II
Zone after the system has cooled. Just
reflect for moment and think Of the DIFF
ference to the comfort of your horse. be-
tween this care and allowing him to 90
TO his stall with his feet hot and dirty,
and his nostrils and eyes full Of dust.
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-07-01
NUMBER %.

A FAITHFUL TIGER.-An amusing
sceno occurred In England the other day
st the citadel of Dover. The One Hun.
drcd and Second Regiment have . very
fine tiger Just como TO that country with
the regiment from India. He Is very tame
and Is daily taken fer walk. and he also
goes round the mess tnble getting tid-bis.
The other day his keeper got the worse
for drink. and made his way to the den
fearing detection. An officer seeing tho
man lay asleep. and :he tiger sitting by
him. sent for tho picket, who Mt any other
time. can do what they please with tho
beast. The moment they attempted to
90 near the keeper the tiger growled. and
very soon let them SEQ that they must
keep of. For two hours the tiger kept
guard over his keeper. who, on awaken.
Ing. was surprised to SEQ no ono dared
como near his charge.
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-07-01
The Wheat Crop.

On tho 18th inst. the Agricultural De-
partment Mt Washington issued report
ON the subject Of the wheat crop. The
average for the present crop Is stated to
he five per cent. les, than last year. The
low prices Of wheat produced this result.
causing farmers TO turn their attention to
other matters. The crop stood the mild
winter very well, but has encountered a
drouth since In many Of the States. The
report SAYS the season has been moderate
ly propitious rs whole. though not pre-
cisely AS farmers would have IL in many
localities. There have been few showers
and much sunshine, pushing the crop into
early maturity. hut promising n yield not
equal tn tho thirteen or fourteen bushels
per acre Of last year, and scarcely equal
10 that Of 1868, but with an average Of
eleven bushels. From California there Is
a prospect that the crop viii yield rs much
as In 1868. In the tton States wheat Is
neglected more than ever.
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-07-01
How Thomas Ryland was Saved.

ut beats mel" said Thomas Ryland.
looking out of the littlo bedroom window
of his old farmhouse. at beats me!
Benoit and Blackie In their old places,
looking for all the world rs II they'd new
er been gone. Wife ~ he called, opening
the door into tho kitchen, where sad
looking woman in plain brown dress
and checked apron sat mending boys
jacket-..wife! look here. ! couldn't I'M
ngine what was up with the children.
Come to the window"
He spoke In pleasant tone, and Mrs.
Ryland, work In hand, followed him and
looked out upon the scene. She did not
say word; but tears began to gather be-
hind her spectacles and roll slowly down
her cheeks rs she saw tho patient dom
keys faces leaning over the old rack. and
Ruth and Rosie with aprons full OF grass,
feeding the dear, old faithful creatures
who had found their way back to their
masters barn. Tommy waited his turn
with wagon-load of choice grass by way
Of dessert, and the happy group formed
picture for painter.
When Thomas saw tho tears on his
wife's face, he went back to the bed rom
which he had been reused by the children's
glee. and thought over the past. He had
once owned the farm. the house, barn,
donkeys and all.
Little by little, one thing after another
had slipped away; farm mortgngcd, house
out Of repair, and at last, only few
weeks before, oven the donkeys pawned
away.
Where was the trouble? It was the old
story Of one bad habit. If all he had
earned had been put into bag" without
"holes." he might have been rich and 10.
spectcd to-day. instead of disappointed
broken-down man.
But what had brought back tho don.
keys? Nothing. only the affection which
hard fare and few blows now and then
had not destroyed. They had broken
away from their now master and como
back to the old barn. and wcre well paid
for It now In tho joyful welcome Of the
children.
"Ycu might havo them back" spoke
out Mrs. Ryland nt length, "if you'd only
sign tho pledge and do rs you hsvo 20 Of
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-07-01

A SroaM IN TIE HiouLAxps OF rHE HuDsox.
A storm 10 the Highlands Of the Hudson Is sope-
times attended with effects not witnessed else
where. A passenger on the propeller D. 8. MIL
Ter describes such storm. On Monday night,
q, the propeller Was passing Cro' Nest Mountain.
which L oms almost perpendicularly up from the
water one solid mass Of rock, an awful explosion
Of thunder occurred. Immediately followed by
vivid sheet oflishtning. from which nre-bolt
descended and struck the mountain top, split
ting Of an immense piece Of rock. Weighing pro-
baby thousand tons, which was hurled Into
the air and plunged with fearful momentum
into the river at the bass Of the mountain. The
smell Of brims stone Was for the time almost over.
powering, and the hiss OF the water ~ the heat
heated rock plunged In was plsinly heard.
Besides this grand sight, the display Of light
ming was terrif,, the hilltops were lighted up
like one vast btn6rc, the river like molten
sea, at times the bottom Of the river was plain
" seen; and ail the steamers and sailing ves-
sells were tipped with the electric nuid.
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-07-01

der 70 sec Mr.. Robert Watson depart.
To their surprise there was Watson, cheer
full and content, arm in arm with Miss
Oromanes, and Major Snow looking on
admiringly. To Evans and his set II was
declaration of war; but who would dare
take up arms against the spirited heircss
to n million? They all retired, resolved
to let events take their course.
And they did take their course Of course.
In three days time n magnificent equip
ncc drove to the stand. and Watson soon
appeared with the beautiful Miss Oro-
names for his companion In the morning
drive. 1,
Whose equipage Is thatT demanded
Evans of the Major, who had escorted his
guests to the carriage,
oh, that's Watson's, to be sure! was
the reply.
watson be hanged Say. Major, has
he paid his bill?' asked Evans, malicious
ly. ~ -.,,, >.
Paid his bill? Lord bless you, he Is
rich enough 10 buy out this whole concern.
and to hire you and me for call boys! !.
Explain yourself, then, SirH demanded
Evans. irrately. Did you not inform the
guests that you had sent him up stairs out
of his second floor suitT
Not I! Some of the clerks may have
said something. to which others added
more but really thought too much OF the
gentleman to mention the matter to any
one. Now 1t turns out that It was all q
little game of his own.' 49,,
Little game? What object could he
have had in playing such hide and seck!'
demanded Evans again, in tones pcremp-
tory.
We'll. in part. suppose to test the val
ue of friendship In general, and the power
of money In particular-both of which l
have no doubt he has done to his entire
satisfaction. Ha-ha-ha! What do you
think about II, Mr.. Evans
Think about it? Why. that It was-it
was
why, a very artfal dodge-nothins
less
Capital dodge. that's fact, seeing that,
rs n poor man, he won Miss Oromanes,
and
Now. what do you mean?' fairly shout
cd Evans. In his excitement.
'Mean! MT DeIOTe ~ ID CloCh Ou to
morning ofthe day when he was to have
had his walking papers, by your orders.
he was dead In love with the heiress, and
-
And what, STRIP
And she dead in love with him!
It's false, / knowr cried the man. now
white In the face from some inexplicable
emotion.
False, Ell? Going of in that carriage to-
gethcr to the preachers looks like II, don't
itr
Good Heavens Y
The Majors conjecture was premature.
rs he well knew; but the shaft had struck
Evans to the heart, and he fairly stagger-
ed to seat Evans had played long
and deep game to win the heiress. He
had long been her recognized suitor-he
had discounted her possessions In his gay
life; and the result was-he was dead
broke!
He left the watering. place that day.
-HdrDer's Weekly.
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-07-01
Mr.. Charles Dicken, was upholdlng tho

Mr.. Charles Dickens was upholding tho
theory that whatever trials or difficulties
might stand In q mans path. there Is al.
ways something to be thankful for. "Ict
me, In proof thereof" said Dickens. ''ro-
late story Two men were to hang mt
Newgnte for murier. The morning ar.
rived; tho hour approached; the bell Of
st. Scpulchre's began 10 toll; tho convicts
werc pinioned; tho procession was form
ed; Il advanced to the fatal beam; the
ropes wcrc adjusted round tho poor mems
necls; there were thousands Of motley
sight-secrs Of both sexes. of all ayes, men
women and children In front of the scaf.
fold, when. just at that second Of time, =
bull. which was being driven to Smith.
field, broke It's rope, and charged tho mob
right and left, scattering people every
where with It's horns. Whereupon tho
condemned man turned to his equally un-
fortunate companion. and quietly observ.
cd. i say. Jack. It's good thing VIC aint
In that crowdr"
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-07-01

A TRIBUTE 10 NoBLx woxAS.-In the
N. Y. Indspendsnt, Mary Clemmer Ames pays
the following tribute Of respect to the wife Of
Senator Wilson, whose death occurred few
weeks ago:
Within the last week the body Of one has
been laii In her native earth whose lovely pres
ence will long be missed In Washington. Mn.
Wilson, the wife Of Senator Wilson, went out
from among US In the hir May days, and the
places which have known her hero 90 long and
30 pleasantly will know her, save In memory,
no more forever. She was gentle, Christian
woman, I have never yet found words rich
enough to tell all that such . woman 10. My
pen fingers lovingly upon her name. I would
fain say something OF her who now lives beyond
the meed Of all human praise that would made
her example more beautiful and enduring to the
living. For, In profounder intellectual devel-
opement resulting from wider culture and larg-
er opportunity, we are In danger Of losing sight
Of those graces Of the spirit which, however
exalted her fate, must remain to the end the
supreme charm Of woman. There b nothing
In all the universe 50 sweet rs Q Christian wo-
man as she who has received into her heart,
ill Il shines forth In her character and life, the
love Of the Divine Master. Such woman
was Mrs. Wilson In this gay capitol. When
great sorrow fell upon her, and ceaseles suffer-
Ing, the light from the heavenly places fell up
on her face, with an angel patience, and child
like smile. and an unfaltering faith she went
down into the valley OF shadows. She possessed
q keen and wide intelligence. She was convcrs-
ant with public questions, and interested In all
those movements OF the day In which her hus-
band takes 30 prominent . part. Retiring by
nature, she avoided instinctively all ostentstous
display (; but where help and encouragement
was needed by another the latent power Of her
character sprang into lie, and then she provel
equal 10 great executive effort. No ono can
praise her 30 eloquently as he who loved her
and knew her best To hear Senator Wilson
speak Of his wife when he taught her little
girl, In school; when he married her, the loyli-
est girl In oil the county when be received In
to his heart the fragrance Of her daily example
when he watched over her dying. only TO mar
vel at the endurance and sweetness and sun
shine Of patience. Is to learn what . force for
spiritual developement, what ceaseless inspi-
ration was this wife to her husband. Precious
to those who live In the legacy Of such lifs.'
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-07-01

Make calculations IA begin haying be-
fore the grass Is really fit TO cut. If you
put il of till Il Is all ready, = considerable
part of il will turn out To be too far ah-
vanced Grass cut rather green when IL
is full of its jricics. not only makes very
sweet, palatable hay. when well cured.
but II Is more sur. to be followed by n
luxuriant aftermath. On the other hand,
il il Is cut a little too late, 1t becomes
tough and wiry, and Is not only much less
palatable but less nutritious, while the
stubble will remain dry and hard till the
fall roins come. We are aware that
many farmers contend that late cut grass
has "more heart in it." II may spend bet
ter. because il Is less relished and cattle
will not eat So much Of It.
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-07-01
VOLUME XVI.
Poetry.

"UNrfL rHE DAr BREdk."
WIN u palm me then brcver,
VIII u leave me happy never,
This weary wary yns.i.s =, .,s ,unr o,a uS
That Al my heart 10 burning.
rhrob ON and on Forever. and forever os In vain'
rrcm the ecahiet easing never.
Prom the toll increasing evH,
From the hard and bitter hattie with the cold and
eaiioas vorldi
Will tse shy grow never clcarerf
Will the hills draw never nearer,
Where the golden city gttsrs In lis rainbow mists
npssrsedf
An mo, that golden cityi
CAa G.d then have no ptyf
have sought With sueh yearnins for 90 many oi'-
And yet the hills blue giimmcr,
And the portals golden simmer
Fade ever uhh the evening. and the distance never
aeavI
Oweary, weary living,
!oeman unforgivin1l
enemies that meet on the earth and In the arr
. flesh, that elogs my yearnins'
Oweakne-s aye returning
sparcf
Ala the elosds grow darker
md the hills loom ever staIker, .
Across the leaden mist screen OF the heavens auii
Tho. nsst iesrn te s.s, thy burden,
rhsa NUT sa TO vim thy guerdon, A..
Until tho daybreAk eoaeth and the shadows nee
81. Ps.rs.
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-07-01

MArRMoNr pErrSEp.-A priest who
was examining a confirmation class In
the sonth of ireland. asked the question
.what Is the sacrament Of matrimo-
nyw a., LII,
souls enter to prepare them for another
world"
"Put her down." says the curate. put
her down To the foot Of the class"
Lave her alone" said tho priest; for
anything you OF know to the contrary,
sho may be perfectly right"
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-07-01

To PURIFY CIsrERN wArER.-Lrt the
spout run to the bottom Of the cistern.
You viii then have new water every time
II rains. The old water viii be buoyed
or borne up. and thrown of. Sometimes
single rain will throw of all old water
and give entirely new. lfyou have any
doubt of this, I'LL pail with water. run q
tube tn the bottom Of it. and. by means OF
n funnel. turn more water into Il by way
of the tube, and You viii see that the
water you turn into the tube will go to the
bottom Of the pail. and the water YOU put
In first will DO thrown oG-Sntnrsidy
IhH
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-07-01

GREEN PEAs.-Chooscth the youngest and
freshest peas. and she'll them just before
they are wanted. Put them into boiling
water with little salt and spoonful OF
sugar In II. The peas should be LEFT un-
covered, and when they begin To dent In
the middle they are cooked sufficiently.
Drain them thoroughly on sieve. place q
good-sized lump Of huttcr in the centre Of
the peas, let Il dissolve among them. shake
them once or twice before sending them
I'LL.
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-07-01

The thinning out Of plants Is one Of
the most necdful Of farming operations
and ofsen most neglected. After corn has
advanced beyond danger from worms.
pull ont all but four or five stalks to the
hill, Of course leaving the most thrifty II
there be- choice. and those farthest from
each other. Turnips require from ten to
twelve inches space and will give better
return in weight Mt that distance than IL
..inxa
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-07-01

The Kennebsc Josrssl ays Albert Eiddsr Of
Tie WAS engaged In telling tres on hh fArw 1t
Dre.ien. when ons OF them is!l upon him.
breaking od the neck Of hi: thigh booe. lie
Il dxty-dve yess Of sss, and Dr.. chancsslsla
Of Richmond, who was called to attend him, b
fearful that the accident win cause permanent
disability u Il does not terminate htaliy.
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-07-01

This missive the maid bore to the fill
story. II found the romantic Robert II
bed; but the letter was flung In over th'
door ventilator. .-.....
"A letter for Monsieur Watson from my
lady, said voice at the door; and Wat
son sprang up as the envelope floated dowr
TO his feet.
"A note from my ladyr whaton cartl
did that mean? Another rimpus brew
ing. Of course! Turning on the gas h
rcad-astonished. pleased. delighted. n
the rich color mounting to his temples ties
tiiie,i. And then. foolish man, hc kisset
the note.
So very prcposterous for one In hi.
circumstances
Many were the guests who "turned out
fully two hours before their usual ter
o'clock breakfast the next morning. in or
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-07-01

Major Snow will please take no action In the
matter OF the difference between Mr. watson and
Mr., Evans. I overheard every word that passed
between the gentlemen, and fully justify Mr.. Wat
son. Were Il not an insult 10 him, would ofIer to
become responsible for any amount which he may
not now he able 10 pay but know that he is tho
rough gentleman. and would equally scorn TO
wrong you or 10 leave your house at the dictation
Of others. lam, sir, yours,
IIEIENE OROnANEs.'