davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Connecticut western news., 1871-11-17
Drinking Leather in Tea.

After the many revelations recently published on the adulteration of tea; our tea drinkers ought to be prepared for worse news than that they are, according to the discovery of French savant, consuming quantity of leather in their favorite beverage, sufficient in the course of year, for the manufacture of a stout pair of boots. The consumption of this wholesome article of food is not confined to the drinkers of "lie tea, but includes even such as indulge in the most costly and genuine qualities, supposing them to mix the beverage with milk or cream. It is to this most innocuous of drinks that we are indebted for the addition to our cherished evening draught of an ingredient proverbial for its indigest- ibility. Tea leaves contain a portion of tannic acid, which in the liquid state is suspended in solution. Milk, on the other hand, contains a proportion of white of egg, and the two constituents being the main ingredients of leather, readily combine on mixing the fluids, adding by the globules or leather-like substances which they form to the opa, city of the compound liquid. We do not apprehend that tbis discovery will deter any of our readers from taking their accustomed allowance of tea. It may possibly, by the scientific explana- tion of the process, even add Q new relish to their enjoyment. At any rate they onght to be thankful to learn what excellent powers of digestion they are gifted with, enabling them to digest shoe-leather, though even this may be no novel intelligence after the convinc- ing demonstrations furnished by their butchers.
Connecticut western news., 1871-11-17
About Fresh Air.

A Scotch journal says that whoever sleeps uncomfortably cool will get sick, To hoist the window sky high when the mercury is at zero is an absurdity. The cooler sleeping apartment is the more unhealthy does it become, because cold condenses the carbonic acid formed by the breathing of the sleeper. It settles near the floor, and is re-breathed, and if in very condensed form he will die before morning. Hence we must be governed by circumstances the first thing is, you must be comfortably warm during, sleep, otherwise. you are not re- freshed, and inflammation of the lungs may De engendered, and life destroyed within very few days. An open door and an open fireplace are sufficient for ordinary purposes in cold weather. .
 When outer windows are opened, 1t IS we'll to have them down at the top two or three inches, and up at the bottom for the same space, ill miasmic localities ]; and these. are along the water courses, beside mill-ponds, marshes, bivouacs, river bottoms, fiat islands, and the like. It is the most important from tue 1st of August until several severe frosts have been noticed, to sleep with all external doors and windows closed, because the cool air of sunset causes the condensation of the poisonous emanations which were caused by the heat of monday sun to rise far above the earth. This conden- sation makes the air "heavy "by the great qualification of the carnations by cold; these resting on the surface of the earth ill the more concentrated and malignant form. they are breathed into the lungs and swallowed into the sto- mach, corrupting and poisoning the blood with great rapidity. By daylight these condensations are made so com pact by the protracted coolness of the night they are too near the surface of the earth to be breathed into the sys- tenn but ds the sun begins to ascend these heavy condensatio11s begin to rise to the height of several feet above the ground, and are freely taken into the system by every breath and swallow hence, the hours of sunrise and sunset are the most unhealthy hours of the twenty-four in the localities named and noontide, when the sun is the hottest, Is the most healthy portion of the day, be. cause the miasma is so much rarlfied that 1t ascends rapidly to the upper re gions. The general lessons are First to avoid exposure to the outdoor air il miasmatic localities for the hours in
 cluding sunrise and sunset. Second
 having a blazing fire on the hearth O.
 the family room at these hours to rarify and send the niosma upward. Third
 take breakfast before going out of door
 in the morning, and take tea before sund town then being out at night i
 not njurious.
Connecticut western news., 1871-11-17
Story of a MagDic.

1T will tell you story" says writer, Gin regard to women who eat dainty morsels in the absence of their lords. There was @ lady who had Magpie in 8 cage, which talked of everything which it saw done. Now it happened that the lord of the household preserved large eel in 8 pond, and kept it very carefully in order to give it to some of his lords or of his friends, in case they should visit him. So it happened that the lady said to her female attendant that it would be good to eat the great eel !; and accordingly they ate it, and agreed that they would tell their lord that the otter had eaten it, And when the lord returned, the pie began to say to him, My lord, my lady has eaten the eel Then the lord went to his pond, and missed the eel, and he went into the house, and asked his wife what had become of it. She thought to excuse herself easily but he said that he knew all about it, and that the pie had told him. The result was that there was great quarrelling and trouble in the house but when the lord was gone away, the lady and her female attendant went to the pie, and plucked all it's feathers from it's head, saying, You told about the eel And so the poor pie was quite bald. But from that time forward, when it saw any people who were bald, or had large foreheads, the pie said to them, An you told about the eel.
Connecticut western news., 1871-11-17
The Labor Question.

Some time ago it was stated that ar- engagements were making by the Trades Union Societies, for general strike, not only throughout the United States, but throughout the entire civilized world. This labor question is assuming formid- able proportions throughout Europe. In England, Belgium, France, Holland, and Germany powerful organizations exist among workmen for the ameliora- tion of their condition and for the devis- ing of schemes for the efficient prosecu- tion of the great war on capital. The workingmen's committee of the various European societies have summoned a general congress of workmen to meet in Berlin at some date this Winter, and in the summons the committee suggest as their platform the organization of a general strike for the daily term of labor and for general increase of wages.
 Wendell Phillips lately delivered ill Boston, lecture, ,'fhe first of course which he is to deliver in various parts of the country, on the labor question. Mir. Phillips discourse is 8 strong denunci- ation of the wrongs inflicted on labor by capital, and an argument to prove that the tendency of the present great move ment is the equalization of property.
 MT. Thomas Brassey, one of the largest employers of labor in England, proposes the adoption of the system in vogue at sea, namely, the employment of three sets of men to work eight hours each out of the twenty-four.
Connecticut western news., 1871-11-17
A Famous AuctiOneer.

The most efficient auctioneer that ever lived, probably, was George Bobins, of London, who fourished about thirty or forty years ago. His advertisements were marvellous pieces of composition, which none of his successors in the same business have ever succeeded in initiating He was very " Admirable Cfichton," man of universal know ledge, never at 9 loss, and with a power of magnifying the good qualities of the wares he was selling, such as no adction- ger, before or since his day, has ever possessed. It was literary treat to see him sell library; but the place best fitted for the display of his abilities, was the sale of fine country house..
 In 1920, the magnificent Fonthill Abbey; Owned by the brilliant Rockford, came to the hammer. That it would be knocked down for one quarter of it's real was equal to the emergency. Taking the advantage of the great fame of Beckford, and the rumors which des- cribed the house as surpassing the grand est palaces of the East in sumptuous elegance, he announced that no one would be admitted to view the house who did not purchase catalogue-price, one guinea. The fashionable world felt bound to see these wonderful sights, and rushed in crowds to buy catalogues. Eighty thousand of them were sold, and people journeyed from all parts of the kingdom, to feast their eyes on the mar velous Fonthill. In the height of the fmrore the sale began, and lasted thirty three days. The abbey was knocked down for s33O, ,OOO-a third more than it's worth. Pictures, furniture, etc., brought fabulous sums. Raphael's Saint Catherine sold for G5, ,25O, and the con- tents of the house realized the enormous sum of G1, ,0G0,O00. .. ...,
 Once Robins had to sell, amongst the effects of @ deceased merchant, silver ware amounting to over six hundred ounces. Duplicates of the pieces had been made in Sheffield ware, for daily use, and by some accident, the real sill yer, on the first day of sale, was knock ed down as plated. The next day, the Sheffield ware being put up, its real character was at once discovered. The purchasers of the silver disappeared, and Robins promptly paid the loss out of his own pocket.
Connecticut western news., 1871-11-17
A Cuban Execution.

Lopez has, lbeen executed in Havana. tial he was garroted at the side of the Castle of the Principe and outside the city. He saluted the crowd, showing the shackles which pinioned him, when at the foot of the steps leading to the platform, and the officers in charge of him-volunteers-fearing that he might address the people, hurried him up the steps, wounded as he was. When he sat down on the bench it was found to be too low to allow his neck to come up to the fatal iron collar. The second time he sat down he was too high. At last, after the fifth attempt, the garrote was adjusted round his throat. The in- strument was so badly arranged that it broke on the first twist given to the screw by the executioner, and then the victim had to be lifted up, while with his head hanging in the collar the gar rote was repaired. When Lopez sat down the seventh time, he seemed to strain his nerves for one supreme effort, and lifting his hands to Heaven, yelled forth in voice heard by the whole as- sembled crowd, "Death to Spain !'' What followed is conceivable only of cannibals. Two volunteer officers as- cended to the platform, and to prove that their victim was really dead, they lifted him from the bench several times, they made the executioner give several more twists to the screw, and took the face of the corpse-which was tn undis- tinguishable mass of bloody flesh. with the eyes protruding from the sockets in their hands, turning it toward the people.
Connecticut western news., 1871-11-17

CHLoRoFoRM D1D IT.-Dr. Goldsmith of Rutland, Vermont, relates an incl dent occurring in his army experience, illustrating the power of chloroform in detecting feigned contraction of the limbs. While in Jefferson Hospital there came Q man who had run the gauntlet of several hospitals, having been discharged on the ground that Q contraction of his arm, which was bent up so that it nearly touched his shoul- der or breast, was incurable. It was so rigidly and firmly fixed that could not with any strength (and the doctor is @ "heavy weight '') which seemed to me not to risk the breaking of his arm, straighten it. I directed the nurses to watch him at night, and go to his bed side, and suddenly try to straighten it. They uniformly reported that they were unable to accomplish the desired result He was then allowed to pass out and visit all the rum shops at will, in the hope that under the influence of alcoholic stimulants the case might be solved, but 1t found no solution. I then put him under the influence of chloroform, and as seon as the chloroform began to act his arm was strengthened out, and I tied board on the back of it, and when he awoke and looked at his arm, he said, "Well, doctor, I suppose I will have to go back to my regiment ?" I Ireplied, That's just where you will have to go, my friend" He went.
Connecticut western news., 1871-11-17

VERY SAD.-A lady writing from Chi cago says, one of the saddest features is the suffering among women in delicate health. It is estimated by responsible physician of our city that five. hundred babes were born on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, after the fire among the sufferers. Forty were born in Lincoln Park on Tuesday. Events of the most heart-rending character are being brought to light. One poor woman on the North Side was in bed with babe a few hours old when the house caught fire. The inmates in their flight forgot the poor woman and her babe. She rose from her bed, rapped sheet around her self and child, and made her way to the street. There she was found dead, with the babe in her arms.
Connecticut western news., 1871-11-17
An Agricultural Locomotive.

We saw recently at an agricultural fair in England, says 8 correspondent, a number of engines of various patterns. themselves or can be dragged along by horses. O1fe particular engine stood alone on the grass with steam up, and a light blue cloud of smoke was escaping from it's slender smokestaek. Near by was d broad circular track; showing where it had been driven round to show its paces: The grass near it did not seem to have been injured in the least: The boiler rested upon four wheels. The forward truck was movable. A small platform in front, with steering wheel, showed how the machine was guided. The driving-wheels were six feet in diameter, and shod with rubber tires two inches thick. The cab for the engineer hung over the rear and carried the ,coals. The water-tank was under the boiler. The exhaust steam could be turned into this, thereby saving fuel greatly. The cylinder, safety valve, etc., were placed on top. There was piece of short shafting on top, with fy-wheel attached. From the wheel and shaft power was taken to drive the saw, run the thrashing- machine, elevate the hay, or do any farm work required.
 With push the train backs up to a huge straw-elevator. This machine is on wheels, and resembles one of the ice elevators used in our ice-houses at home. It is used to lift straw in bundles to the lofts or to the tops of ricks. The eleva- tor being coupled the whole train is ready to start. It consists of the loco motive, twelve feet long and weighing seven tons, the thrasher, weighing five tons and fifteen feet long, and the straw elevator, three tons, and twenty feet-a total of fifteen tons and forty y-seven feet in length.
 When all is ready. the engine starts gently and easily; takes Q great sweep over the grass and starts for one of the entrance gates of the fair grounds. This gate leads to narrow, win ding lane, wifh only room for one team The engnie enters the lane at an angle and the train follows after, without touching the gate posts: It would take careful drlver, with docile team, te do as well. with horses.
 Immediately on entering the lane the engineer comes to a soft place in the road. The wheels slnk into the muc and stick fast. The crowd gathers around, and becomes, after the usua English manner, derisive and doubtful Really, if this is the style of the horse he developes faults suddenly. Without word the owner steps up to the driver and asks fer a 'claw." This is cast iron shoe, made to fit the wheels. The gentleman quickly fastens it on {; the wheel turns round, and when the sharl edge of the claw strikes the ground tho train moves on foot or. so. The clay is used again, and the slough is easil, passed. ....... ..
 He remarks "That was an extra bal slough. Don't meet such greasy mut often. When we do we unshackle thu engine or use the claws. With chail we can drag the team through, and g on. The engine, when alone, will pas any ordinary mud-hole with-ea
Connecticut western news., 1871-11-17

FISH IN JAPAN.-Mr. Brooks writes from Japan that the national food is fish. There is not an ocean or river creature that the Japs do not eat, even sharks, and the uglier the more appetiz- ing. And most of the fish sold are not dead fish, but living, jumping, wriggling fish. You buy an eel all squirming. The fish-market men bring their fish to market in water tubs, and the fishermen keep huge bamboo water fish tank on each side of. the junks, into which they throw the creatures that they haul up, or in. So much is thought of the fish here, that on 8 certain festival day every family that has had boy born during the year hangs out great painted fish to boast of it.
Connecticut western news., 1871-11-17
A Tragedian's Little Joke.

One of the noblest tragedians on the stage, Charles Young, was an irrepressl- ble fdrceur in private society, and con- stantly playing, with imperturbable gray ity, the most whimsical pranks in pub lie. He undertook to drive Charles Matthews (fls) to Cashiobury, on a visit to the Earl of Essex. Having passed through the turnpike, and paid the toll, he pulled up at the next gate he came to, and, addressing himself most politely to 8 woman who issued from the toll house, inquired if MT: -, the toll;;tak= CT, whose name he saw above. the door, happened to be in the way. The woman answered that he was not in the house, butt that she would send for him if the gentleman wished to see him particu- larly.
 "Well, I am sorry to trouble you. madam but certainly should like to have a few minutes conversation with him." replied Young.
 Upon this the woman called to little boy "Tommy, run and tell your father a gentleman wants to speak to him. "
 Away ran Tommy down a straight, long path in the grounds of a nursery and seedsmau, the entrance to which was close to turnpike. Young sat bolt upright in the tilbury, solemn and silent, to the astonishment of Mathews, who asked him what on earth he wanted with the man.
 "I want to consult him on a matter of business" replied Young.
 After some five or six minutes the boy, who had entered the building on the ex- treme end of the path, reappeared, fol- lowed by man putting on a jacket as he walked, and in due time both of them stood beside the tilbury. The man touched his hat to Young.
 "You wished to see nle, sir ?"
 "Are you Mr. -?"
 "Yes, sir"
 "The MT. - who is entrusted to take the toll at this gate ?"
 "Yes, sir."
 "Then you are precisely the person who can give me the information I re- quire. You see, MT. -, I paid six pence at the gate at -, and the man who. took it gave me this little bit of pa per" (producing ticket from his waist coat pocket), "and he assured me that if I showed it to the proper authorities at this gate, I should be allowed to drive through without payment"
 "Why, of course " said the man, staring with amazement at Young.
 "That ticket clears this gate |? Then you do not require me to pay anything here ?"
 "Nol Why, any fool-"
 "My dear MT. -, I'm so much obliged to you: should have been SC sorry to have done anything wrong, and therefore, wished to have your opinior Good ea dns morning, rnRle':i Mr. en9'S""0 'n"As
 And on drove Young, followed, as tht reader may easily imagine, by 8 volley of imprecations and epithets of any thing but fattering description st long as he was within hearing.
Connecticut western news., 1871-11-17

coming to after steaming a short distance, the ship was headed for the fleet, and only came to anchor when within hail of the flagship. The rest I have told you.
 "As enc result of that day's work, I was sent home, on the siok-list, and from that day to tn 3, young man," turning to me as he spoke, |" I have never been inside divers dress, and never intend to be again."
 As the old man approached the oonclu- sion, he grew quite excited, as indeed had his listeners, and as the tones of his voice died away, the wind outside, gathering fresh fuy, seemed te shake the old house to it's very foundation.
Connecticut western news., 1871-11-17

Om WE1ns.-One of the chief causes for the cessation in the flow of oil wells is the accumulation of parafine. Tor pedoes discharged with dynamite, or other explosive compounds, have been used for years as a means of removing the parafine. This device, however, not only failed to remove the difficulty, but even increased it sometimes by wholly stopping up the wells. It is now pro- posed to burn out the paraffine by means of oxygen, which is brought in contact with it by means of pumps and pipes. The fire is commenced at the point near est the surface, and is continued down. ward and out into the lateral crevices, wherever the paraffine is located.
Connecticut western news., 1871-11-17
Terms, $2. co e Yeas., Strictly i's
 A <1a.<SAa~o
Tale of a Kite.

Such wondrous kite to fly! Tinted paper-six feet high. Nothing small would do for him Boy tell of, Boosting Jim. Biggest Kite of all the lot; Miles E strongest twine he got. Small Ones go a certain height; Hts Red send clean out of sight. Down the street, one day in Fall. Went our Jim, kite, string, and all. "Kitel" his comrades shout in joy, "Where are you going with that boy ?" All was ready soon, and-whewl Ger the trees the giant flew, Whisking Jimmy from the ground, Just as if he weighed pound. Up they sailed, close to the moon, Heard the man there sing tune. Foreign lands Jim saw and knew Tartary and Timbuctoo>
 Met comet in his flight Silver tail, just hke . kite. Couldn't starvc, you well might say Up there in the Milky Way.
 Across the sea he flew, and then, Fondly sighed for home again. s'Smaner kites are safe" he said Pop! he woke up in his bod!
Connecticut western news., 1871-11-17

THE ENGLISH STRIKE. Newcastle engineers resumed work after five months strike. You may, says an Eng ligh correspondent, almost say it was settled in five minutes. MT. Joseph Cowen of The Ne,ccastle Chronicle, and Mir. Philipson, town clerk, found them selves all at once endowed with the re- euisite cleverness and good sense, coupled with an intimate knowledge of what both sides would insist on and what both would concede. The men go to work on 57 hours timetable from now to Jan 1, 1872, then the nipe hours pure and simple are to be the rule.
Connecticut western news., 1871-11-17

THE SUFTERERs.-Rev. E. B. French, Chairman of the Relief Committee, Hartford, Wis, in acknowledging the losses in Chicago cannot compare with the northern confagrations, which des- troyed whole families and their posses sions, and maimed hundreds for life. Many hundred families are, he says, thrown upon the public for help until next harvest.
Connecticut western news., 1871-11-17

. F1oee1Na IN THE BRITISH ARMY.- An English journal states that last year in the English army Al cavalry soldiers were logged, who received 19,751 lashes in all. In the infantry 96 men received 4,647 lashes, in the artillery Al men 5,750 lashes, and in the engineers one man 25 lashes, while in the militia no case of fogging occurred. Thus, in the cavalry, for example, each of the unfor- tunate culpits drew as his share 4s9 strokes of the cat, and fraction.
Connecticut western news., 1871-11-17
WOMEN VOTERS. The names of severf

WOMEN VOTERS. The names of severa women were inscribed on the voters re- gister in New York. Mary A. Leland writes describing the courteous treat ment she received at the registrat tion office of Nineteenth District of the Six teenth Ward. Learning that Victoria A. Woodruff and Tennie 0. C]aflin had registered their names, Mary A. Leland determined to follow their example
 The registrars referred to the Constitu- tion of the United States, and not finding any interdiction of female registration, politely acceded to the request of the lady aspirant to the privilege of suffrage.
Connecticut western news., 1871-11-17

POTATOES. kept in pits over winter, select dry spot, cover with dry straw, and then throw over it three or four inches of soil. Let them remain so until winter is about to set in. Then put on dnother layer of st,.o,D, six or eight inches thick, and cover with soil as before. This middle layer of straw, acting as dead air, will do more to keep out frost than a foot of solid earth, and saves great deal Af hard work,