davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-22

EATING RATS IN CH1NA--Bst more interesting, if not important, to me, says writer, was the great question, "Do Chinamen really eat rats, cats and dogs ?" Our guide took us to the mar kets to see. Sure enough, among beef and mutton were dogs slung up by the hind legs on pegs and cats and rats too. Dogs" says the guide, in pid. gen English, "are very good The rich eat dogs as we'll as the poor. Dog meat thus is No. first chop-white cat tmeat is No. 2, and rats only for the poor. Mixed up with rice, and eaten with chop sticks, all are said to be very good" l did not taste, nor try-though who knows, when we were eating some of the nice, rich soup served us, that rat may not have favored it some Thus, the fact was established in my mind that Chinamen do eat dogs, cats and rats
 We knew they ate almost anything else. Ducks legs were for sale in the markets -not ducks as whole, but the legs, apart. 1mmellse quantities of meat are sold, to flavor the rich dish and the chop-sioks go from the rice to the grease
 and from the grease to the rice, with [ rapidity that astouads> Us, who try t ! make rice stick on the eAops. G.
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-22
Christmas Carols.

The children sung a song this Christmas morn
 ing, Mellow and clear, outside my chamber door Of unforgotten Christmas Days of yore. sweetly they sung, my neighbours happy chil.
 dren,
 Two merry girls and one glad-hearted boy. Repeating oft their songs rejoicing burden, On Christnas morn the angels sing for joy ? Sweetly they sung; but, ahl their cheerful
 voices
 Broke up my souls deep founts of hidden And pressing down my face against the pillow let the bitter torrent overflow. Missing the little child that warbled softly Two years ago to-day song like this, And when the joyful melody was ended, Held up her sweet mouth for Christmas
 kiss. Only one Christmas Eve my fair-eyed darling Iasped Of dear Santa Claus her dreams among; Olnsy one Christmas morn, white-robed and
 joyful,
 Lifted her clear voice in Christmas song. I see her little figure standing tiptoe,
 To hang her dainty stocking on the wall Oh. sinless heartl Oh, perfect faith of child
 hood, Believing everything and trusting alll Peace, aching heart Oh, let me trust entirely. With faith and strength that nothing can That my sweet haby is among the angels, Wno, on this Christmas morning, sing for joy
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-22
The Christmas TabIeau.

MT. and Mrs. Granville desired to en- certain their children in @ novel and ap- propriate manner, on Christmas Eve. They accordingly agreed to arrange Christmas Tableau, and requested Miss Marvel, neighbor, to personate fairy, who should distribute "good things" to all around her, and thus seem to the children "real" angel. When the Granville family had taken dinner, and all had assembled in the parlor, at q given signal from Mir. Granville. the curtains which generally concealed the bed were drawn aside. To the astonish- ment of the young ones the bed had vanished.
 In its place, however, stood an elevat- ed platform. Presently Q side-door opened, and beautiful lady, with gold en wings, appeared upon the scene.
 Gussie and Rosy were wrapt in amaze ment The fairy form advances, and, looking kindly at them, spoke "Bless you, my children, bless you. The figure then waved it's hand, and sudden 1y table stood before her. The chil- dren were still wondering where 1t had come from (never thinking for mo- ment that papa had just placed 1t there, while they were so intently looking at the fgure), when, at given signal, the curtains were drawn together, and the fairy vanished.
 Later in !he evening, when Miss Mar vel appeared in 2roprid pcrson1, and said that she had been the kind fairy, the children exclaimed, rapturously, Now isn't that funny ?"
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-22

TATTooED ALL OvER.-There is now exhibiting in medical circles in Vienna 8 remarkable instance of tattooing of the whole body. According to his own ac- count, the man, a Greek by birth, had been pirate and had also carried on brigandage on the Continent. Seven years ago he and five companions were taken prisoners by one of the wild tribes of Asia Three of them were put to death, but this man, with two others, were preserved alive, and literally tat tooed over the entire body. The opera tion lasted two months, and was per formed by six men, who each day operated on different parts of the body. The proceeding caused horrible pain and his two companions died under the treatment. His body is covered from head to foot with delineations of men, animals, and fabulous things. The col bring material used for the figures ap- pears to be indigo, the ground, especially on the chest and abdomen, being yer million here and there, about a lines breath of the normal color of the skin can be seen. The hands and the soles of the feet are colored red, but have nc | figures. On the face and neck are in. scriptions and characters resembling Arabic. The skin has the general ap- pearance, to the sight and touch, oi bluish gray velvet. He attends the Gen. eral Hospital in Vienna; and Professor Hebra, who showed him to his class g few days ago, has had him photograph ed in various attitudes.
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-22
A Baby Convict.

A correspondent writing from the In- diana Northern prison, tells the annexed incident While we were sittingin the office of this prison this morning, a large, stout man entered with small cadaver- ous little boy, rigidly handcuffed, and presented him to the warden as Q new convict. Even to the officials of the prison the sight was more than disgust ing. The poor little consumptive-eyed child stood with his hands pinioned to- gether as if he was scared nearly out of his wits, and before the matter of his commitment was made known the clerk exclaimed: "My Lord l sir, what do you want done with that little boy p Of course, the officer who brought him was only performing an official duty, and we cannot blame him, but when little boy only eleven years of ageis sent up to 2 place like this, for petit larceny, and that, too, from the capital of the State, where you have an orphan asylum and z Young Mems Christian Association, and many other professedly redeeming socie' ties, even the humanity of this prison. house turns pale before such scene, The handcuffs were at once taken off the poor little fatherless child, and the kind
 hearted warden said to him: "Come
 bub, come along with me-" The little fellow started to follow, while his eyes filled with tears, and the great door of the prison, in a moment hid him from oul sight. .-.--...-, ,%s -r. ..,.. . ..
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-22
A Silk Reel.

At recent fair in San Francisco, { small space in one of the galleries of the pavilion was devoted to silk, and this was occupied by 8 reel, the office oi which was to unwind the flores from the cocoons. This was of much interest, and while at work was the center of an admiring group of spectators. The cocoons, which look like large peanuts, are put into vessel of boiling water, which stands in 8 small furnace, the furnace itself being set below or rather in front of a small table on level with The action of the hot water in a few minutes loosened the gum, that in their natural condition cements the flores to the cocoon. This done, the girl, taking the brush in one hand, stirred the CO coons about with it until the requisite number of flores were detached at their ends, and clinging to the brush. From this they were quickly brought together to form thread, passed through fixed guide or staple ct the opposite edge of the table, from this through staple on reciprocating bar, and thence to the reel, which was revolved by the hand of small boy. A second thread was form ed in like manner, and in the same way connected with the reel.
 As the reel revolved, the flores were drawn or unwound from the cocoons, which danced about in the boiling water, united in the two threads, and conduct ed to the reel upon which they were dis tributed by the vibratory movement of the bar previously mentioned The two threads, in passing to the reel, were made to cross each other at an angle of about twenty degrees. This was the dis
 tinguishing characteristic of the new in vention, and the advantage claimed for it is that the two threads, in rubbing upon each other as they pass to the reel, cause the gum to strike the flores more closely together and consequently secure smoother and finer thread. After cer tain lengths of the thread were wound upon the reel its motion was stopped, the threads were severed from it, and the two skeins of raw silk, bright-yellow or lighter colored according to the ori- ginal tinge of the cocoons, were slipped from it's ends. The peculiar skill re- quired from the attendant is shown in keeping the threads continuous as the flores wind off and leave the cocoons, it being necessary to add the fibre from a new cocoon at the instant the fibre from the previous one Is exhausted. The flores are of course too fine to be seen It the distance of more than very few inches, and while the operator was at tending to her work it seemed as if heI fingers were flying in the weaving of an invisible web.
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-22

POSTAL CARDS. bill has been intro duced in. Congress directing the Post master-General to furnish and issue to the, public stamped postal cards for the transmission through the mails of mes sages or other short communications at a postage charge of one cent each, the cost of the card included. The experiment of using cards for the transmission of open correspondence at a very low rate has been tried in England, and has proved. popular, the principal objection urged against it being that the cards offer cheap facilities for annoying people by addressing them insulting communi- cations, and that such scandalous writ ings may be read by the persons through whose hands the matter passes. This, however, is trivial complaint. If the measure should be adopted the cards would be used in vast quantities here for messages to be sent from one part of the city to another, provided the delivery service, should be so reformed as not to require a longer time for transmitting a letter or card few blocks within the city limits than it takes to send one to a destination hundred miles away.-N. Y. Pdper.
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-22
MO-. 24.
Curious Romance in Real Life.

About fifteen years ago, young Scotchman had as neighbors in the noun tain regions of Scotland, family in which there was @ little girl of four years. One day he took the little girl on his knee, and playfully told her fla ther, cone day will make her my wife," Not long after, the father and the little girl resolved to emigrate to America, which they accordingly did, landing in Portland in the year 1857. In few years the family moved to Mex ico, Oxford County, living there till last year. Not many years after this family came to this country, the young man who had trotted the little girl on his knee, resolved to emigrate tc Amer ica, which he did.
 After arriving in this country, he pro- ceeded to Montana Territory, where by good luck and industry, he managed to amass a large fortune. Having richly filled his coffers, his mind reverted ten derly to thoughts of love, and he recall ed his vow-'' to some day wed the little yellow haired girl he used to trot on his knee to Banbury Cross.'" He knew her parents had emigrated to America, and that they landed in Portland. He journeyed to Portland, there diligently inquired their whereabouts, and learn ed the family was in Mexico. Up to Oxford County he turned his steps, and on approaching the house where the ob- ject of his pilgrimage was said to live, he saw yenow-haired maiden in the porch,
 "Does MT. - live here?" he asked.
 "Yes, sir, she replied of the yellow hair.
 els your name Annie ?" said the Scotchman.
 "Yes, sir" replied the blushing girl.
 "Then I love you," was bluutly inter- jected by the Scotchman.
 The young lady, of course, thought he was insane, and scampered off into the house, The Scotchman soon found the father and mother, who recognized and gladly welcomed him.
 "Don't you remember fourteen years ago took your little four-year old girl on my knee in Scotland, and said some day I meant to make her my wife ?"
 "Oh yes I remember" said the mo- ther, 'but not for years have thought of those happy old days"
 "I am here to redeem my pledge" ," said the Scotchman.
 "Let the girl speak for herself," said the old gentleman, choking with emo- tion. ....
 It did take long time for the young lady to get acquainted, not long for her to decide that this Scotchman was just the man she had been waiting for all her life.
 II want to be married at once," said the Sootchman.
 "But I've just engaged to work at Lewiston, said the young lady. Then, getting hold of bright idea-"I have it-I1l go down there to work and, then I'll not like, you know, and I'll come down here to be married"
 Down to Lewiston went the girl <; at work for week was she when she con- cluded she did not like to do housework and returned home.
 Next week the parson drove up in his two-wheeled chaise, and the twain were made one.
 The Scotchman and his young wife are now settled happily in Owa, wh ere the old folks, who have finally agreed that truth is stranger than fiction, now comfortably pass their declining years.
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-22
How They are Provided For.

Many of the families rendered desti- tute by the great fire in Chicago are now sheltered in huge barracks, where they are supplied with the necessaries of life by the Relief and Aid Society in cases where such assistance is required. On Halsted street there is building con- taining 308 families, numbering alto gether about l, ,600 souls. On Centre avenue is another where there are 305 families, and others are distributed oyer the oity. As left by the carpenters these buildings were not generally either wind or water tight; but where their occu- pants are ingenious and energetic they have been made comfortable with slats nailed over the crevices, and papers past ed on the rough boards. In some cases attempts at decorations have been made by placing little ornaments saved from the general wreck on shelves, and in many instances these domicils are made to pre-. sent an appearance of comfort through the neatness and industry of their inhabi- tants. Where families settled in bar racks are shiftless and dirty, however, their habitations are cheerless enough. Each set of barracks has sort of over- seer whose business it is to keep the run of all the families h bis charge. He ac- quaints himself with their circumstances, knows what relief they receive, what use they make of it, observes their habits, and is enabled to give intelligent infor- nation as to who ale deserving objects fer assistance, and who are not. Some complaint has been made that those in charge of contributions for sufferers have been overbearing and partial in the execution of their duties, but the Rev. Robert Collyer, who has had good oppor- tunities for observation, believes that such attacks upon the Relief and Aid Society are unjust and unkind.
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-22
The Indian Chief COchise.

The White Pine News tells us why, in it's opinion, Cocaise, the Apache Chief, is an enemy to the whites, in the follow. ing
 "We know yet of some good, even in that much-abused piece of dusky human ity, Cochise. He is brave as the very lions heart, and was noble, generous, and kind but he was imposed upon by supercilious army officers. Cochise and his people had prided themselves always n the boast that no hand of theirs had ever shed white mans blood. They were peaceful, and delighted in perform ing friendly offices for the whites. But g spooney Lieutenant, in command of a post, was enamored of @ pretty Mexi- can woman, and her child was spirited away by proving Indians. And this Lieutenant, to illustrate his gallantry to his mistress, made parade of the case, and swore that the child must be brought back. To crown his gallantry, he had Cochise and his brother, Mangus Color ado, captured and held as hostages for the child's return. Cochise called all his people to his place of imprisonment, and satisfied himself that none of them knew anything of the matter. He so re- ported to the commander of the post !; and offered hisservices in trying to find the child, and visiting punishment upon the offenders; but the Lieutenant sto- lidy refused to hear the Indians story. backed though it was by life of manly bearing and good behavior. Cochise was retained and badgered and, threaten ed til, in. his desperation, be slashed through the tent with his knife. and leaped into the faces of the surrounding soldiery, in broad daylight, and struck through the ranks and off to the plains. Since then he has been the implacable enemy of the white race. The Indian in him born on the grass charges up to our race the offence of our representa- tive in authority-that loving Lieu enant. Afterward, Colorado was mur- dered while Q prisoner. He could have been killed in the daylight, but our Lieu tenant preferred to trump up the subter- fuge that the prisoner attempted to es- cape, and killed him for that. Although in the interest of humanity in general, we would like to hear of Cochise being shot down, yet we must admire the brave defiance with which he anathema- tizes our race, and feel some pity that the pale-faced Pharisees have not the poor Indians candor."
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-22

A GooD IDEA.-The heathen Chinee has one custom which might be intreduc- ed into other lands with good effect. It is usual to pay all debts at the com mencement of each year, and as soon af- ter the first of January as householder is free from all demands he places over his door an emblem signifying that he has arrived at that exalted position; there is commendable pride to put up this cabalistic at @ very early day. This GUS tom prevails throughout the Chinese Empire. and among all classes of people, and he who posts the emblem the first week of the year, enjoys the confidence of the public, and establishes good financial standing. .--s ....
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-22

SUCH A, Doc FIeHr.-A small bull-pup belonging to o. Vanderhoven, of the Patterson Guardian, and Newfound- land dog belonging to Wirz, of the Paterson Press, were engaged in 8 long fight near the Iakeview (N. J.) depot, on the Erie Railway. The battle would undoubtedly have ended in draw had not the little dog pulled hisantagonist on the track and held him there untll train came along. The little dog crouched down, and the train went over him with out hurting him, while the big dog was ground to sausage meat. After the train passed the little dog skedaddled with his tail between his legs and piece of the big dog's ear in his mouth. Afidavits can be produced to prove this assertion from Ted spantep, the Eric Railway egeat oi thAs station, -Ekaaa.gs.
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-22

OPPOSED TO THE MATQH.-The New Albany Qnd. Ledger gives the follow. ing: Some of the papers have good deal to say in reference to a crowd of young folks who went to John Street Church on Wednesday night to witness the marriage of @ party, and were dis appointed. The parties intending to marry were in the church on the even ing mentioned, and the minister had the license in his pocket. When all was ready, the prospective bridegroom went to the other si de of the house, where the intended bride was sitting, but be- fore he reached her she slipped out into the vestibule. The bridegroom followed her, and made an effort to get her to take his arm, and march up to the altar, but she refused, whereupon he attempt ed to induce her by taking hold of her arm. The girl jerked away from her would-be captor, ran out of the church. and up Spring Street as fast as she could go. The matter has not yet been com- promised, and tits not likely to be. Of course, the audience assembled on the occasion went away considerably disap- pointed. sJ
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-22

CHRISTMAS IN IrALY.--Nearly every country has peculiar mode of celebrat- ing Christmas. In Italy, feasting and singing is the order of the day, and, as the shades of night fall upon that lovely town, numbers of musicians go forth to celebrate the one who has most pqerited sheir esteeEs and appreciation dgsFsRs the past year,
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-22

THE members of the International So- ciety, of New York, who were arrested for attempting to hold their proposed procession in violation of the Police Superintendent's prohibitory order, were discharged from custody by Justice Shandley. fsas. .gv ajs4s8
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-22

confess that haven't the slightest hanke

confess that I haven't the slightest banker. ing in the world for you"
 One whole day Tom Gilbert had remain ed at neighbours house, just for the sake of getting up this bit ot fun, which Nancy Sykes bad almost interrupted.
 A mothers love was first to pierce the disguise, but fathers faith,i the integrity of his child was this time the most power full
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-22

It seems as though all the married wor men In the country were preparing to have at least one Alexis h the family. We heer every day of some newborn baly receiving tAnt aatae,
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-22

A man in Berlin, Vt. has posted the following "notes in the village post office "My wife, Mary Miller, having deceived me in regard to her age before marriage, claiming to be 26 only when she vas 32, with teeth badly decayed, while am not 22, with perfectly sound teeth therefore I will bay no debts of her copEacting. |, II, Church lhss
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-22
Special Notices, 50 per cent. in advance of tho

Special Notices, 50 per cent. in advance of tho above rates.
 One inch space constitutes square.
 Cards in Business Directory, occupying five lines or less, $500 per year; over five limos, $1.00 per line. ..
 Regular advertisers to pay quarterly. Tran sient advertisements raust be paid TOT In ad-. vance. ..
 Notices of Marriages and Deaths free of charge All additions to ordinary announce ments 10 cents per line.
The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-08-26
Medical Mistakes.

It took the faculty about thousand years
to discover that the best way to cure dis
ease was not to render the patient too weak
to contend with it. Within the last twenty
years, however, the whole system of med
ical practice has been changed for the bet
ter. In diseases or complaints caused by
the excessive heat, for instance, the doctors
no longer recommend the reduction of the
invalld's strength by prostrating medicines.
The vast success which has attended the
use of Hostetter's Stomach Bitters as rem
edy for debility, has given even the most
preIudiced members of the old school an
insight into the only true and rational the
DRY OF cure. Cantharides, calomel and
oyerpowering doses OF opium, are now
among the obsolete nostrums of another
age. The lancet, once as much the legiti-
mate weapon OF the physician as the sword
is of the soldier, is seldom drawn from its
case. The principle OF life is no longer
drained from the veins by the quart, and
water-gruel for the strengthless invalid has
ceased TO be considered an appropriate diet.
Vigor is the motto OF the rational members
of The profession, and they understand, at
last, the value of a sterling vegetable tonic
so, also, with the people at large; and with
out consulting medical men at all, they
have adopted the bitters as a household
remedy, thereby economising both cash
and health.
Note the fact, that Hostetter's Stomach
Bitters is sold in bottles only, never in bulk
and that the abortions springing up in va
ricus parts of the country, and sometimes
offered as substitutes for the great natloilai
specific, aIe all utterly worthless.