davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-02-03

THE PETRIFIED FOREST, discovered
last June, near Calistoga, California,
and which has attracted great attention
in that State, is not as wonderful IA cur
iosity as has been asserted. The Alta
California says that the name adopted
by common usage conveys an erroneous
impression, as there is no forest nor any
petritled tree in an upright position.
Parts of about twelve trees are lying
down, scattered over a surface about
three hundred yards square. Neither
petrliied branches nor leaves have been
discOv cred, and the petritied trunks
vary in diameter from one foot to five
feet, the greater number being over two
feet in diameter, The largest trunk is
fifteen feet long and five feet in diane
ter. The petrifaction, however, is com
plete-all the woody fibre having dis.
appeared and having been replaced
with grayish crystallization, mainly
composed of carbonate of lime. The
grain of the wood is distinctly preserv-
ed in appearance, and knot holes and
fractures are found in it-being occas-
ionally lined with transparent crystals
of carbonate of lime. Every stone
trunk is broken across transversely
the fracture being more smooth than il
it had taken place when the tree had
been in vegetable state, but not SO
smooth as if the trunk had been sawed.
The first notices of these petriiied
trunks stated that live lizards had been
discovered entirely surrounded by the
crystallized carbonate of lime; it is
now, however, contended, with great
probability, that these little lizards had
crawled into the crevices of the petri
ged trees for the purpose of obtaining
shelter, and that too only few months
ago.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-02-03

A NEW industrial pursuit has devel-
oped itself in Wisconsin, which prom.
ises, while it will somewhat deplete
the State treasury, to afford many hon
est people Il comfortable livelihood.
The depredations committed on tlocks
by the wolves of the State have Undue
cd the Legislature to offer Z bonus of
ten dollars per head for every VOLTS
scalp brought to the authorities. The
result has been that under Il mistaken
idea of the purpose of the enactment
people in the rural districts of Wiscon-
sin have gone heavily into the business
of raising wolves, and the number of
wolves scalps turned over to the State
is getting to be awkward. This is sup.
plementing nature with vengeance,
and the worst of it is that while the
scalps Of the domestic wolves are being
brought in and disposed of, the wild
wolves, undisturbed in their peculiar
avocation, are making things lively for
the tiocks
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-02-03

AN interesting feature of the cotton
statistics of the country for the year
ending October /, 1870, is contained in
the statement of the relative Importance
of the cotton manufactures, North and
South. During the year there We're in
the North G37 mills, working G,S5l ,779
spindles, and using rs, ,l53 bales; in
the South, lO9 mills, 292, POI spindles,
and Go, 0G7 bales converted into cloth.
The increase throughout the country
in the number Of mills, spindles, and
bales consumed over the previous year
is quite marked. The figures show an
increase of $50, ABB spindles, and in the
consumption of cotton of 1870 bales,
or S,0GG, iG0 pounds. Massachusetts is,
of course, at the head of the cotton
spinning industry Of the country, hav-
ing l2S mills, 80, ll0 looms, and 3OS, ,SlS
spindles, and consuming about ll5 ,00O,,
600 pounds of cotton. The prospects of
the manufacturers are at present, owing
to many cause.-the combined effect of
present excess in supply and the war
in Europe-better than they have been
for long time.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-02-03
The Love Romance in sam Houston's Life.

IHp tIUNt hDnihHtt fhVuosVh y 'p'''
The most singular incident In the
eventful life of Sam Houston, and one
never hitherto explained, was his aban-
donment of the Governorship of Ten
nessee, only three days after marrying
a young wife. He became a voluntary
exile among the Indians of the plains
thereafter, was made great chief, and
only reappeared in public life when
Texas was struggling for independence.
The Galveston Ners lifts the veil from
this secret chamber of Houston's heart
by this strange narration: "What we
know about this matter is so honorable
to him that we shall for the first time
put it in print. We may promise that
our information comes directly from
one now deceased, who during her life
had right to know what caused this
strange episode in the life OF the great
man. Governor Houston's first bride
was Tennessee belle OF surprising
beauty and of considerable social rant.
She was, If not the ailianced bride, at
least the sweetheart of a neighborng
gentleman when Governor Houston
sought her hand. Her family being
very ambitious, forced the match and
she was married. After retiring to her
bridal chamber, her department was
such as to cause him TO suspect that,
while her hand was his, her heart was
another's. Sheconfessod the truth when
interrogated and while promising fldcl-
ity and wifcly duty, declared herself
unable to love him. lie at once retired
from the house. He then resigned his
position and went among the Coman-
ches. In due course of time the lady
sought and obtained divorce"
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-02-03
pnrnntunl Weather Table.

1t is quite possible that the study of
the following weather table may be of
much benefit to farmers and others, if
they only follow the admonitions, 1t
was constructed by the celebrated DR..
Hershell, upon philosophic considera-
tion of the attraction of the sun and
moon. 1t is confirmed by the eXper-
ence of many years. observation, and
will suggest to the observer what kind
of weather will probably follow the
moons entrance into any of her quar-
ter5. AS a general rule it will be found
wonderfully correct:
If the moon changes at ~ o'clock,
noon, the weather Immediately after
ward will be very rainy, if in summer,
and there will be snow or rain, if in
winter.
If between and 4 o'clock, p. NJ,
changeable in summer-fair and mild
in winter.
Between and o'clock, fair, both in
winter and summer.
Between 8 and 10 o'clock, p. NJ, in
summer fair, if the wind is northwest !;
rainy, if south or southwest. In win
ter fair and frosty, if the wind is from
the south or southwest.
Between 10 and - O'Clock p. NJ, rainy
in sum mer and fair and frosty in win
ter.
Between II at night and 3 O'clock a.
NJ, fair in summer and frosty in winter
-uuless the wind is from the south OF
southeast.
Between . and 4 o'clock A. NJ, cold
and very showery in summer, and snow
and storm in winter.
Between 4 and O'Clock A. NJ, rainy,
both in summer and winter.
Between 6 and O'Clock A. NJ, show
cry in summer and cold in winter.
Between 10 and II O'Clock A. NJ,
showery in summer and cold and windy
IN winter.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-02-03

THE SNOW BIRD.-As each returI.
ing winter comes to us clad in its gar.
ments of white as often and as faithful
are the visits of the little snow birds,
those feathered companions of winters
chill and dreary days. The snow bird
is remarked among olnithologists for
the obscurity which hangs around its
history. On the first approach of win
ter it suddenly makes its appearance,
apparently driven by the inclemency
of the whether to court the society of
man. Whence it comes no man can
tell and whittier it goes (for its exit is
as sudden as its entrance) no one has
been able to discover. 1t is supposed
by some to be another bird, only that
its plumage, by some mysterious and
irresistible power, has been suddenly
changed. There is a feeling of melan-
cholly passing over the mind when the
bleak and merry landscape, desere
by all the other tenants of the air, is
only enlivened by the presence of the
mournful snow bird. Yet in the bitter
est weather he is always gay and lively,
and the gloominess of the scenery
around him seems to have no sadden.
ing effect upon his cheerful heart
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-02-03

AYoUNG rustic in Albany, named
Knox, saw placard, "Linen Drilling
at HalfPrice," before dry goods store,
went in and purchased ten yards, the
price being stated by the clerk to be
fifty cents per yard. Taking the parcel,
he handed the clerk two dollars and a
half.
Clerk-"Ilow is this, my friend? You
have not given me enough"
Knox" How in thunder do you
make that out; didn't you mention that
the price of these goods was only fifty
cents yard?"
Clerk-"To be sure did; and you
asked for ten yards at that price, so that
your bill is five dollars"
Knox" bet my bill amt five
dollars. Look at that sign board, young
man; don't it say Linen Drilling at
Half Price, You said the price of
this 'ere piece | chose was fifty cents II
yard; half of fifty is twenty-five, and
ten times twenty-five is two fifty.
Stranger, you can't climb me, I've
travelled"
The proprietor was called, but the
rustic could not be argued out of his
arithmetic, and rather than have Il
"scene," the loss was put up with, and
the young man allowed to travel with
his bargain; which suggests the fact
that people who keep shop should be
careful what contract they advertise for
the acceptance of the public.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-02-03
Choice Poetry.
The Rain.


The Rain, the Rain, the beautiful Rain,
welcome, welcome, IT cometh again.
1t cometh with green TO gladden. the plain
And to wake the sweets in the winding lane.
The Rain, the Rain, the beautiful Rain,
1t Nils the flowers to their tinicst vein,
TIL they rise from the sod whcrcon they had
lain
Al, me all, me! like an army slain.
The Rain, the Rain, the beautiful I,nln,
Each drop is n link of diamond chain
That unitcs the earth with its sin and its stain
To the radiant realm where God doth reign.
The RAIN the Rain, the beautiful Rain,
Each drop is a tear not shed in vain,
Which the angels weep for the golden grain
All trodden to death on the glory plain.
For the Rain, the Rain, the beautiful Rain,
VIII waken the golden seeds again;
1ut, ah! what power will revive the slain,
stark lying in death over fir Lorraine?
Twerc better, fur, o beautiful Rain,
That you swclled the torrent and flooded tn,
main;
And that Winter, with all its spectral train,
Alone lay campcd on the icy plain.
For then, Rain, o beautiful Rain,
The snow flag of peace werc unurlcd again;
And truce would be rung in each loud refrain
OF the blast replacing the bugles strain.
Then welcome, welcome, beautiful Rain,
Thou bringest flowers to the parchcd-up plain
Oh! for many a frenzied heart and brain.
Bring peace and love TO the world again.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-02-03
Road Steamers.

The San Francisco Bulletin gives an
interesting account of the performances
of a road steamer recently imported
into that city by the "Steam Wagon
and Propeller Plow Company" which
has been established for the purpose of
introducing road steamers into Califor-
mia. The results of the trial of the i'm
ported "Thompson Steam Wagon" "
were highly satisfactory. 1t passed
over the rough, deep ruts and mud holes
of new street with as much ease as on
macadamized road, turned round,
avoided any unusually difficult places,
and generally was under complete con-
troll. In one place, the wheel worked
itself down to the depth of twelve inch
es, and several backings and forward.
ings were required in order to compact
the mass sufficiently to ride out of the
rut. The incident, however, it is stated,
showed the capacity of the steamer to
work its way out of difficulties. In
passing into field, the steamer crossed
with perfect ease side gully which it
Is stated waggoner with u five ton
load would not have dared to attempt.
The gang of plows, though not work
ing, was all this time attached to the
steamer, which travelled at the rate of
eight to ten miles an hour. Ire plows
were so arranged as to be capable of
being adjusted from nine to twelve
inches apart, and by means of four iron
wheels pivoted on levers the depth of
the furrow could be regulated. On the
trial of the steamer in field composed
of soft soil, the machine passed over the
ground with ease, and the plowshares
turned over clean and full furrOws nine
inches wide and six inches deep of
damp loamy sod. a five-ton iron roller
was also attached to the steamer and
was carried up a heavy grade with ease.
The trial occupied six hours, and one
hundred pounds Of coal per hour were
consumed. The success of this expert
ment, it is stated, has induced several
farmers of California to order steam
wagons for plowing, for performing
heavy farm work, and for freighting
grain to market.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-02-03

How TO SPELL.-Often in writing, q
simple word is required, of the orthog-
raphy of which the writer is not sure.
The dictionary may be referred to-but
is not always convenient. An easy
mode is to write the word on bit OF
waste paper, in the two or three ways
of which you are in doubt. Nine times
in ten, the mode which looks right is
right. Spelling-particularly English
spelling, is so completely a work of the
eye, that the eye alone should be trus-
ted. There is no reason why ''receive"
and "believe" should be spelt different
ly, yet sounded alike, in their second
syllables. Yet write them "recieve"
and "beleive," and the eye shows you
the mistake at once. The best way for
young people, and indeed people f any
age, to learn to spell, is to practice writ
ing. Cobbett, the famous English rad
ical, taught his children grammar, by
requiring that they should copy their
lessons two or three times. These les
sons he himself gave them in the form
of letters and his French and English
grammars are two of the most amusing
books in the English language. OF
course "learning to spell" came in Incl
dentally.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-02-03

THE SIAMEsE TWINS ECLIPsED-
We learn, on what we are constrained
to consider good authority, that pair
of twins were born very recently in
Bucks county, near Bristol, in this
State, one of which was mulatto and
the other pure Caucasian. The moth
er is the wife of Il respectable white
citizen, whose name we withhold, for
obvious reasons, and who is said to he
sorely puzzled over this phenomenon
which we may safely predict, will puz
zle also the ethnologists and all sorts of
naturalists. We would not attem pit an
explanation, unless we could be per
suaded that nature stepped aside for
moment to viudicate the fifteenth
amendment; but, as her freaks have
nothing to do with politics, we "give it
up" If the children both live and
grow to maturity, they will pass into
history rs creatures far more wonderful
than Messrs, Chang and Eng, formerly
of Siam, but now of North Carolina. -
En-
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-02-03
BLOOMSBURG PA, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8.
COL. DEM. -. VOL. XXXIV NO. 80.

Sanderson's olives of the Signers,"
published in 1923, vol. vi. page 2l0,
says: mo wonder, then, that Mr..
Morton experienced the most intense
anxiety of mind when he was required
to give the casting vote of the Pcnnsyl.
vania delegation-a vote which would
either confirm or destroy the unanimi-
ty of the Declaration of Independence"
"Lieber's Encyclopedia Americana"
published in 1882, vol tx, page 81, says:
"Mr. Morton gave the casting vote Of
Pennsylvania in favor of Independ.
ence," and characterizes it, as "an act
ofsignal intrepidity." Lossing's olives
of the Signers," published in 1888 says:
"NIr. Morton was called on officially to
give the casting vote of Pennsylvania
that it was solemn responsibility
thrown on him 1t was for him to de-
eide whether there should be unani-
nous vote of the colonies for indepen-
dence, but he firmly met the response
bility and voted yes and from that
moment the United Colonies were de-
clared independent States" There is
much authority to prove that Pennsyl-
vania voted last and made the Declara-
tion unanimous. This fact, coupled
with her geographical and Legislature po-
sHiOn, could not have failed to bring to
the minds of many, the old idea Of the
unity and strength of the arch and its
Keystone, and cause them in the fervor
Of patriotic feelings to claim Pennsyl-
vania this proud position. The events
we have rocited enlisted the strongest
sympathies of the people at the time Of
their occurrence, and the prominent
place occupied by Pennsylvania must
have possessed the minds of all with
tho appropriateness Of the insignia the
moment it was uttered. Who first gave
a public expression to the idea is not
known. 1t might have occurred to the
minds of hundreds of people in every
county of the State at the same time.
1t certainly rests on geographical, his
torical and traditional grounds, and we
therefore think the antiquarian who
still clings to the Rock Creek Bridge
story deserves to be elected Tember
of the celebrated Pickwick Club.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-02-03

SMILEs.-Smiles are among the cheap.
est and yet the richest luXuries of life.
We do not mean the mere retraction of
lips, and the exhibition of two rows of
masticatorS-mastiiis, hyenas, and the
like amiabilities, are proticients in that,
We do not mean the cold formal smile
of politeness, that plays over the feat
ures like moonlight on a glazier-au-
tomato and villains can do that but
we mean the real genial smile that
breaks right out of the heart, like a
sunbeam out of cloud, and lights up
the whole face, and shines straight into
another heart that loves 1t or needs it.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-02-03
ilcAting Bnildings.

Some one has wisely said: "Instcad,
of asking ourselves with how little fuel
can | warm my house? the question
should be, How much can l afford to
pay for fresh supplies of air, moderately
and equally warmed, and distributed
without waste?" Instead OF this, says
the american BWlder, most of our
friends are making arrangements for
stopping the flues where no fire is Kept,
in order to keep the heated air in. If
you have CRATE in your room, in which
you do not need fire, be assured that
it will, if left open, carry Off more i'm
pure air, which you would otherwise
breathe, than you are aware, and that
the sum of your health and happiness
will be greatly increased by leaving it
open even during the coolest weather.
1t is an excellent ventilator, and the
extra heat you will require on account
of its use may prove much cheaper than
the fee of your physician, should you
yield to the notion that it must be stop
ped to keep the warm air in.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-02-03
Tho Story of an Old Maid.

know the story of her life,
Too sad and yet too common;
She might have been ere now wife
An honored happy woman;
But though She loved him well, her heart
Was faithful to anothcr;
She broke those latter ties apart
Because She loved her mother.
lie turned away with angry words,
And sadly wounded feeling,
Doubling the love which was above
All power of words revealing;
He went where wealth with naughty hand
Her golden standard carried:
Aud mid that fair and youthful band
lie chose airesh, and married.
IL must have been II heavy load
She had, with none to guide her,
Along n seeming endless road,
With no young heart beside her.
She turnd and left behind her there,
Youths dream and youthful beauty;
llenceforth she said her feet must tread
The higher path of duty.
She lived, and lived noble life
OF daily cares and trials
OF peaceful calm in toll and strife,
Of voiceless self-denials.
So lives she on this side the stream;
But when she gains the other,
Shall not her crown more brightly beam
Because she loved her mothcr!
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-02-03

a PRUssIAN CuARGE.-lt is explain
ed how the Prussians fought 50 hard at
Weissenburg. For hours before the
battle the Prussian soldiers were fed on
nothing but salt mackerel, and allowed
nothing whatever to drink. On the
morning OF the battle Frederick Will
liam, the Crown Prince, formed his
army in order of battle, and pointing
to Weissenburg, he exclaimed, "Sol.
diers behind those heights six thous-
and kegs of lager are looking for YOU
charge !"
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-02-03
The Best That I Can.

" cannot do much" said a little star,
ITO make the dark world bright;
My silver beams cannot struggle far
Through the folding gloom of night!
But am part of Gods great plan,
And I'll cheerfully do the hest can.'
"What is the use" said fieecy cloud,
"Of these dew-drops that hold?
They will hardly bend the lilly proud,
Though caught in her cup of goid,
Yet am n part of Gods great plan;
My treasures I'll give as well as can"
a child went merrily forth to play,
But n thought, like silver tread
Kept winding In and out all day
Through the happy busy head,
Mother said, Darling do all You can,
For you are part Of Gods great plan.
So She helped a younger child along,
When the road was rough to the feet
And she sang for her a little song,
y song that was passing sweet;
And her father, Il weary toil-worn man,
said, 81 Will also do the best that | can.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-02-03
Sowing.

Are we sowing seeds of kindness
They shall blossom bright ere long,
Are wesowing seeds of discord?
They shall ripen into wrong,
Are we sowing seeds of honor?
They shall bring forth golden grain.
Are We sowing seeds of ialsehood"
We Shall yet reap bitter pain.
Whatsoever our sowing be,
lieapiug, we its fruits must see.
We can never be too careful
What the seed our hand shall SOW;
Love from love is sure TO ripen,
Hate from hate is sure 30 grow;
Seeds of good or i'll we scatter
lIeedlcSsly along our way;
But glad or grevouS fruitagc
Waits us ut the harvest day.
Whatsoever our sowing be,
Rcaplng, we its fruits shall see.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-02-03

A LADY writes to the Jackson (Ohio)
HaRdard; 81, sir, can always tell Sun
day, or Sabbath, from any other day in
the week, by the number of men and
boys, old and young, with guns and re-
volvers making for the woods and peo-
ple's farms.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-02-03

A CORRESPONDENT of the Boston
Irareiler says that if women Were as
particular in the choosing Of Il yiriuous
husband as men are in the choosing of
virtuous wife, a moral reformation
would be soon begun.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-02-03

GREENLAND, which has about 700 in.
habitants, has, in space of iive-eighths
of mile, LOG inhabitants, nine of whose
ages combined is 73i years, averaging
over eighty.one and half years, being
equal to an average Of one to twelve
over eighty one years of age.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-02-03

The Congressional Library contains
l67,6GS bound volumes, and 10000
pamphlets. Under the operation of the
new copyright law, the library receiv-
ed during the past year pa books, $40
pamphlets and periodicals, 1891 musi-
cal compositions, ll75 engravings, pho.
tographs and chromos, 1920 prints, liG
maps and charts-total IL ,5l2.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-02-03

A woULD.BE school. teacher in Ala.
bama recently replied to a question by
one of the examiners, "Do you think
the world is round or fiat" by saying,
"Well, some people think one way and
some another, and III teach round or
fiat, just as the parents please"
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-02-03

THE tallest member of the State Leg.
islature is Samuel ID. Clark, Of Law
renee county. He stands six feet seven
inches in his single soled boots. Capt.
IL. X. Sloan, of Indiana, is six feet 70
inches in height.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-02-03

TIE year 1871 will be the 2lS3d year
of the Grecian era, and the last, we
trust, of the Grecan bend.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-02-03

The deepest excavation in the United
States is a copper mine in Lake Super
iOr. 1T Is 1900 feet deep.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-02-03
RATES OF ADVERTISING.

one inch twelve lines or its equivalent in
Nonpareil type one or two insertions, sl.6O;
three insertlonsS2.O