davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-08
Kidnapping a Deserter.

A strange occurrence is reported from the island of Jersey-the kidnapping of Frenehman by French detective offi- cer. It appears that during the war last year the man who has been kidnapped engaged himself as substitute for one who had been drawn for military service. He was paid for his substitution the sum of 2,OO0 francs. This money he deposit ed for safe keeping in bank at Paris. but instead of fulfilling the engagement he had made he left France and took refuge at Jersey, where he had since been employed at laboring work. Pre- suming on the restoration of peace as an immunity from danger, he wrote to Paris two or three weeks ago for his money to be forwarded to him. His letter gave the long-lost clew to his place of abode, and a detective officer was sent after him. Landing at Jersey with the wife of the man who had been victimized, the detective and the woman proceeded in a cab to St. Marys parish; where, unrecognized by him, they iden- tifed their man. Next day the detective went in a cab alone, and introduced him. self to the man as the owner of small cargo in vessel lying in St. Aubia' s Bay. He had, he said, a quantity of damaged goods on board that he wished to have landed, and having been recommended to him as an industrious man who would suit him, pressed him to accept the job. After some demur, which was set aside by the promise of good pay, the man agreed, and accompanied by fellow-la- borer, at whose house he lodged, he pro- ceeded with the detective. On their ar rival at the town the two entered a hotel, where brandy and cigars were supplied. After drinking for some time they enter ed the cab and proceeded to the pier On the way thither the detective pre- tended to be i'll, and stopping the cab he gave the second man half franc, request ing him to go back to town for powder at druggists. Before the man could return he had recovered, and ordered the cab to drive on. At the pier-head { boat was engaged, and the two put off tt the Small Roads, where was lying pilo cutter that the detective had previousl, engaged. Getting alongside the passen gers were put on board, the boatmal paid, and in few minutes the capto and the captured were sailing with fai
 wind for France.
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-08
BarberS' Shop Diseases.

In the category of obscure and loath- some diseases is one vulgarly called "the barber's itch." The very sound of the title has repulsive influence, but the disease itself is yet more fepugnant to look upon or describe. LatterlY several malignant cases have come to the notice of physicians, and it becomes very i'm portant matter to investigate as to the nature and extent of the disorder. The majority of the thousands who daily luxuriate iu the pleasures and comforts of the tonsorial art, seldom if ever dream of possible danger. But from the chair, the bath and appurtenances, disease may be communicated. Of course this lia- bility is greater where the surroundings are unclean, and the habits of the bar bers are careless or untidy, but occasion ally cases have been traced to the best regulated saloons. Sometimes the cush- ions of the chair may be infected from the precipitation of diseased person, or the bath-tub not having been thoroughly cleansed, may retain scum of the soap and refuse deposit from the body; these, however, are rare and improbable occur rences. Oftener the hair brushes may transfer scalp eruptions, dandruff, &c. The most frequent and certain causes are towels, napkins, father and brushes, and other barber-us articles used upon various people. Even the polished steel of the keen-edged razor is medium for transferring the infection. It is by no means necessary that pimples or other marks upon the face must appear in view to render caution imperative. There may be no visible cutaneous disease about customer he may have com paratively clear skin, and yet the subtle virus of impure or disordered blood will exude through the freshly-opened pores of the skin, exposed by the close scrap ing of the sharp razor, and so moisten the napkin, towel, father, brush, or razor, and be impregnated in the face of the next customer on whom the same articles may be used. In the better class of tonsorial resorts the operatives exercise all the discretion possible, and thus, in large measure, obyiate the liabilities of infection. They furnish to every customer clean, fresh, napkins, and not only cleanse the brush and razor, but always change the father. The same linen is never used upon two persons. without being fresh from the laundry. But the only way to secure perfect safety is to insist upon each customer having a separate and exclusive brush, father, towel, napkin, powder and razor. This is not an expensive or an impossible arrangement. A few dollars thus dis bursed is a happy investment if it saves one from even the mildest type of a loathsome and tantalizing disease.
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-08
The Dog Wflo Rang for his Supper.

In France there was ot1ce little dog whose name was Fido. He belonged to a poor woman who did not always have food enough to give him.
 Fido must have thought it over to himself in this way My mistress loves me but she is so poor, that often she does not have food enough for her own dinner. How, then, can she afford to give me mine am strong dog, and wise dog too ; and I must get my dinner without troubling my good mis- tress."
 Not far from the place where he lived, there was @ convent, which was home for some good nuns and one day, as Fido sat near by in the sun, he saw begger go and ring the bell of the con- vent door and soon a woman came, and brough Int bowl of soup and meat. and gave it to the beggar.
 Fido trotted up and looked in the beggar's face, as much as to say, "Couldn't you spare one of those bones ?" But the beggar did not see things in the light that Fido did. -"Go away sir !' said the beggar so Fido trotted back to his place in the sun, and lay down. :,
 But he was very hungry. He had not had any thing to eat for twelve hours. The beggar over the way, as soon as he had eaten his food, put the bowl in a hole over the door, and then walked off
 "Those must be good women to give food to beggars," thought Fido. "I wonder if they wouldn't give nae bowl of soup. There's nothing like trying. y
 So Fido trotted across the street, and, putting up his paw, rang the bell. "Ding, dong, ding" ]" What noise he made!
 "There's another beggar after food p thought the good nun; and she came with plate of boiled meat, and looked round. "There's nobody here, after all p said the woman, shutting the door.
 "She calls me nobody" thought poor Fido. ''I must try again." So he jumped up, and rang the bell once more. "Ding, dong, ding, dong !' It made a much louder noise than before.
 But nobody came. The woman stood watching at back-window to see who was ringing the bell Fido waited 2 while and then jumped up again, and gave the bell a good pull.
 Then the woman came out, and laugh ed to find that dog had been ringing the bell. s'What do you want, sir ? asked she. "Bow, WOW, WOW !'' saic Fido. 'I know what that means" saic the woman "you want some dinner.
 So she gave the dog some dinner, and every day after that, he would come a Q certain hour, and ring the bell ano the woman would feed him and ont day she put some food in basket, an6 said. "Now, sir, take that home to you1 mistress"
 And the dog took it home safely; ant his mistress had good dinner that day as we'll as Fido himself. Folks would come from great distance to see hin ring the bell for his dinner. l would : like to own as bright a dog as Fido would you not.-Froms the Nursery
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-08

WHAT THEY. WoRE.--At the reception of the Grand Duke at the White House Mrs. Grant wore heavy black gros grain silk, with @ train and overdress. The corsage was high, and she wore hand some lace at her throat and in her sleeves. Her hair was handsomely dressed, and she wore small bunch of flowers on the left side. Miss Nellie wore a black silk short dress, as she is still school girl, and Roman sash and Roman rib bons at her throat. Her profusion of brown hair was in curls. She looked very pretty and, as always, sweet, modest and unassuming as spring flower. Mrs. Sharpe wore a pale green gros grain, with train, and overdress trimmed with the same. The President wore full evening dress, and light orange kid gloves. The Red and Blue rooms were fragrant with flowers.
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-08
Hard Times and What Causes Them.

We are fast becoming 8 nation of schemers to live without genuine work. Our boys are not learning trades our farmers sons are crowding into cities, looking for clerkships and Post Offices 1; hardly one American girl in each hur1- dred will do housework for wages, how ever urgent her need so we are sending to Europe for workmen and buying of her artisans millions worth of products that we ought to make for ourselves. Though onr crop of rascals Is heavy we do not grow our own hemp though we are overrun with lads who deserve flag gellation, we import our willows. Our women (unless deceived) shine in Euro pean fabrics /; our men dress in foreign clothes <; the toys which amuse our younger children have generally reached us over the sea. We are like the farmer who hires his neighbours son to chop his wood, feed his stock, and run his er- rands, while his own boys lounge at the grog-shop, playing billiards, and then wonders why, in spite of his best efforts, he sinks annually deeper and deeper in- to debt, till the Sheriff cleans him out, and he starts West to begin again.
 We must turn over a new leaf. Our boys and girls must be taught to love labor by qualifying themselves to do it efficiently. We must turn out fewer professionals and more skilled artisans, as we'll as food-growers. We must grow and fabricate two hundred millions worth per annum, that we now import, and so reduce the foreign debt that we have so long and so successfully aug mented year by year. We must qualify our clever boys to erect and run factories furnaces, rolling mills, tanneries, ma. chine shops, etc. to open and work mines, improve and fashion implements and double the present product of theil fathers farm. So shall we stem the tide of debt that sets steadily against ou1 shores, and cease to be visited and an noyed by hard times.-ErcAange.
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-08

A HUSBANDS LIABILITY FOR WIFE BIL1.-An action was decided in Phil delphia last week, by Judge Thayer, in favor of husband who had been sued by dry goods firm for the amount of a bill run up by his wife. Defence set up that defendant furnishes his wife with an ample supply of necessaries. In the course of his charge Judge Thayer said {: "It is false and foolish notion for tradespeople to entertain that a hus- band is bound to pay all bills contracted by his wife. No such monstrous doc Urine is allowed in the law. Tradesmen must ascertain the facts and the true re- lations of man and wife before allowing the latter to run up bills which he is to be looked to for pay"
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-08
facts and Fancies.

Song of the fawn-Call me early, mother deer.
 The United States Treasury is called the original dollar store.
 Eight thousand men are constantly employed rebuilding Chicago.
 At N. Y. party the other evening five blonde society men made their appear ance with their hair arranged td Grand Duke.
 We hear a great deal about Labor Re- form, but there seems to be greater need of reforming some of those fellows who don't labor.
 In the Meriden, Conn.,, quarries have been found the footprints of gigantic birds, made centuries upon centuries ago, when the sandstone was wet sand. Pro- bably no tracks ever distributed have made more deep and lasting impress sions.
 An Iowa merchant sent dunning letter to man, who replied by return mail: You say you are holding my note yet. Just keep holding on to it, and if you find your hands slipping, spit on them and try it again. Yours atfec- tionately."
 A resident of Tangier, in Morocco, writes that African children are dragged along the streets there by Moorish auc. tioneer, and that the traffic in human beings goes on every market day ln con- nection with the sale of cattle and agTi- cultural produce.
 A"iour" tailor named Jimmy Folk, ninety -four years old, is now traversing Ohio as 0 professional "tramp." He has been on the tramp tor seventy-fiyo years, and has visited every State in the Union many times, walking on an aver age 5000 miles every year.
 The murderer of the late Justice Nor mon of Calcutta was hanged, and his body then burned by low-caste men, the object of the second operation being to scatter his ashes so that when Azrael, the Angel of Death, comes to summon sin ners to judgment, he may not be able to find him.
 A witness in a late divorce suit kept saying that the wife had very retaliating disposition that she retaliated for every little thing. "Did you ever see her husband kiss her ?" asked the wifes counsel. "Yes, sir, often p "Well, what did she do on such occasions ?" "She always retaliated, sir
 The ceremony of tying the marriage knot is much simplifed in the Hoosier State, as the following will show "What is your name, sir ?" Matty, "What is your name, Miss ?" "Polly." 'Matty, do you love Polly ?" "No mistake. '" "Polly, do you love Matty?" "Well,. I reckon. D "Well, then,
 "'I pronounce you man and wife
 All the days of your life. ,"
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-08
Self.EXaminatiOn.

Examine yourself. Do it impartially. Do it faithfully. Do it often.
 Sit down by yourself, and shutting out all thoughts on other subjects, re- view your own life for the last day-for the last week. Recall both your acts and your words-for, both to others and yourself, your words are often as serious realities as your actions.
 We believe there is not human being who will not be benefited and improved by the habit1lal review of his or her own life, in this manner.
 Have yovr hours been turned to ac- count, either in work or recreation ; or have they been frittered away, in man. her proftless, or positively injurious, to both mind and body?
 Have you made any acquisitions of knowledge within the day or week just gene? Can you say, I know this thing, or that, which did not know before ?
 Have you strengthened your princi- ples, which require constant bracing, for a thousand temptations are always at work to undermine them ?. We say to undermine them for it is only the worst of men who sit down and deliber- ately concoct plans of wickedness. It is the insiduous and unperceived ap- proach of the Tempter, in disguised and undistinguishable form, from which the greatest danger is to be apprehended.
 Have you helped your unsuccessful and troubled brother where you had it in your power Have you said kind and encouraging word where that was all that was needed ? Have you done a kind and generous act wherever it was your duty to do one?
 We shall all be judged by our works, and there is no more efficient aid in i'm proving our works, and in rendering the future better than the past, than by a frequent, searching review, and an un- prejudiced, unsparing judgment of the past.-N. r. Ledger.
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-08
John the Baptist.

 Repent! repentl repent! For the kingdom of God is at hand, And all the land Full of the knowledge of the Lord shall be As the waters cover the sea, And encircle the continent! Repent repent repent For 10, the hour appointed, The hour so long foretold By the Prophets of old, Of tho coming of the Anointed, The Messiah, the Paraclete, The Desire af the Nations, is nighl He shall not strive nor cry Nor his voice be heard in the street; Nor the bruised reed shall he break, Nor quench the smoking flaxl And many of them that sleep In the dust of earth shall awake, On that great and terrible day, And the wicked shall vail and weep, And be blown like a smoke away, And be melted away like wax. Repent repent repent! O Priest, and Pharisee. Who hath warned you to flee From the wrath that is to be! From the coming anguish and ire? The ax is laid at the root Of the trees, and every tree That bringeth not forth good fruit, Is hewn down and cast into the fire Ye Scribes, why come ye hither? In the hour that is uncertain, In tho day of anguish and trouble, He that stretcheth the heavens as 8 curtain And spreadeth them out as tent, Shall blow upon you, and ye shall wither, And the whirlWind shall take you away a
 stubble! Repent! repent repent
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-08

A CRUEL "SEL1." ."-The Post-office Department at Washington received from the Secretary of the Treasury Q box containing 19,500 cancelled postage and revenue stamps. These stamps were forwarded to the Treasury by lady re- siding at Bridgeport, Conn. ,who says she is one of a Bible-class; that she was told by the Superintendent of her Sunday school, that if she would collect one mil lion stamps the Government would give her $500. She therefore forwarded a part of the required number, and re- quests pay for them pro rata. She states that if the Government wants collector of defaced stamps, she will take such & position for reasonable compensation The Third Assistant Postmaster-G General, replied to her letter, saying that cancelled stamps possess no value whatever, and that the newspaper rumor that the Government will pay for such stamps is doubtless intended as 9 "sell"
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-08
Running n Hotel.

A New York-reporter has been inter viewing a hotel proprietor of that city and here is the result, showing some of the figures, in the cost of running first class hotel:
 What does your four cost per year ? $3, ,424, and we use three barrels daily
 Milk? $l0, 0,500, and we use 800 quarts daily. It comes from Westchester Coun- ty, and costs ' to cents per quart. ' Cream $5,7O0. Use 60 quarts daily.
 Eggs? $13,500. Use 1,s0O eggs daily.
 Butter? s24,O0O. Use 175 lbs. daily.
 Oysters :? 1,400. Use 1000 oysters daily.
 What do groceries cost? s4O,OO0.
 Beef, fish, and vegetables? $210, ,00O.
 Whole expense of marketing? $375, 900.
 Where do you get your beef. and what do you give for it ? We use $50 pounds of 1oin and roasts daily-costs 25 to 30 cents per pound-get It from Fulton Market Meat bills are paid daily.
 Turkeys? Use 23 turkeys day cost 23 cents.
 Chickens |? Use 80 chickens a day cost 23 cents.
 Game Mailard ducks, SSl. 70 per par; black duck, 87 cents per pair Brandt ducks, $1.25 per pair redhead $1.50 per pair; cartridges, $1 per pair grouse, $1 per pair venison, 25 cents.
 Lamb costs 19 cents for legs, 20 for racks, l5 for whole lamb. Get good deal of mutton from Boston, SouthdOwn.
 Potatoes, $2.12 per barrel, use six barrels per day ; sweet potatoes, $3 per barrel spinach, $2 per barrel oyster 9aa oae5 a ceer Rsr ds1eR dhen bsbps 5 tomatoes, S5S5 for 1S 'o one gallon onns use 12 gallons daily.
 Then butter costs three times as much as flour.
 Yes. And milk costs more than flour, so do eggs and oysters, which are only used for relishes or side dishes, cost S11 400.
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-08
A Letter to Boys,

The newsboys, bootblacks and other homeless lads who are provided for by the Children's Aid Society at the Riv- ington Street Lodging House, New York, contributed SIG in aid of the Chicago sufferers. The money was sent to MT. Williams, President of the Metropolitan Bank, who forwarded it to Rev. MT. Collyer, of Chicago, who acknowledged its receipt as follows:
 MY DEAR FELLOWS: Your great friend and mine, Mr. Williams, has sent me letter from Mir. Calder, with one from himself, and the ss16 you gave to help Chicago through this hard pinch. I write this to thank you for what you have done right out of my heart to tell you that I think your subscription is one of the grandest that was ever made for anything, because you must have so very little to spare, and whenever you get into tight place this Winter I want you to feel that you have helped some poor fel- low out of tighter.
 Now will tell you what mean to do with this money. Imean to keep 1t all to itself, and whenever, as long as it lasts, I see any boy or girl think needs dol lar I will take one of yours to give them hope I shall make no mistakes, and give it to the right sort-iust to those who need it, and not to those who are shamming. I should hate to be taken in, but if I am want you all to try and remember if you have ever taken any fellow in, and if you have, you must consider my mistake as your punishment and never do it again.
 And so, boys, God bless you for your kind hearts and the way you put your hands deep down into your pockets.
 am, always yours,
 ROBERT CoLLYER.
 The letter was read to the boys by MT. Calder, the Superintendent. One of them asked to have it read second time, when he said it was "a bully letter ;'' another said he liked it because there was no humbug about it.
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-08

How TO DETECT MILK Sw1NDnEs. A German scientific journal describes a very simple apparatus for determining the richness of milk, as measured by its transparency. Two polished plates of glass are adjusted by means of screw, to stand at different distances from each other. The milk is placed between them; and the distance of the plates from each other, when the flame of stearine can- dle is rendered invisible, is the measure alike of the transparency and richness of the milk
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-08
Above all Price.

How dear does mother hold
 Her bonny little one Just as dear as the jostling clovers
 Hold the merry sun. How hard would mother try
 To please her pretty lassP Just as hard as the pleasant showers
 Try to please the grass. How fair does the mother think
 The darling at her breast? Just as fair as the fleet white sea-btrd
 Thinks the wave's white crest. How long will mothers love
 For her treasure last? Just as long as her heart keeps beating Till her life be passed. How much will mothers love
 Change from warm to cold? Just as the mountain changes,
 Or the ocean old |.
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-08

THE Emperor of Germany has consent ed to act as arbitrator between the Unit. ed States of America and England upon the question of the disputed line between the former country and Vancouver's Is land, in the Strait of San Juan de Fuca
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-08

A SHORT HAY CRoP.-There is gene ral complaint of the shortness of the hay crop of the past season, and an expres- sion of apprehension that it will not hold out until grass comes again. We have noticed similar expressions of anx- iety about the hay crop in former years.
 The result has generally been super abundance of hay the following spring. The reasons are first, when the crop is light the quality of the hay is better and more nutritious and, secondly, and chiefly, because when farmers think their hay may not hold out, or that it will be very high in the spring, they are very much more economical and saving in the use of it. This general practice of ex- treme economy in the consumption of a great staple production like hay, pro duces wonderful effect in reducing the price, after few months.-N. y. Ledger.
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-08

Five fashionable and leading New York clubs have succumbed within the past four years, which speaks we'll for the increase of domestic virtues and married felicity in Gotham.
Connecticut western news., 1871-12-08

AFRAzE.-Ap Jrishman, being annoyed by a bowling dog in the night, jumped out of bed to dislodge the offender. It was in the month of January, when the snow was three feet deep. He not re- turning, his wife ron out to see what was the matter. There she found her hus- band in his night-suit, his teeth. chatter ing and his whole body almost paralyzed with cold, holding the struggling dog, by the tail. "Holy mother, Pat" said she, "what wud ye be afther doin 7" " Hush," said he, "don't ye see I'm tryin' to fraze the baste !"