davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-11-19

Notice.
A LII persons having claims against tie
"A estate OF GEORGE w. DANSBY are
hereby warned to present them, properly at
tested. on or before the 2Bth OF November.
instant, else they will bo barred.
MONTEIFH l. BAUSKETr
Nov 8 WI Attorn ,ys for Admin ,trator
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-11-19
To Rent.

~ TO an approved tenant, will rent tho
Tim "Walkrr House," situated ON Upper
SalA Bonndar. street. Apply to
Sept 20 X. O'NEAI.E in.
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-11-19

9Pec1al Not1ces,

The highest premium at Fair of CArolinss.
held at Charlotte, October, 1872, only makes
little over One Thousand First Premiums
received by the WHEELER & WILSON SEW
ING MACHINE.
sond in your orders. Office two doors below
PHOENIX office. Noy13G
Connecticut western news., 1872-08-16

THE CHICAGO FIRE INsURANoEs.-The annual insurance report just issued by the State authorities in Illinois, has some in- teresting information in regard to how the Chicago fire affected the insurance com panies, having paid up capital of $19,- s47, 43S, and an accumulated net surplus of $5,O1O,67122. Of the $64,76O,46 Chicago losses of the seventy-four cem- panies doing business in the State up to the time of the fire, $9, ,562, 1868 has been paid, and the insurance report estimates that over $12,00O,00 will yet be paid. This will make about 33 per cent, of the losses of the said seventyfour companies that will be paid. The report closes with Q protest against an evil growing out of competition, and one which is on the increase. It is the prevalent practice among agents to take risks on property at it's full value, and frequently at an amount greater than it's value. "The moral hazard in this kind of underwriting" says the insurance commissioner, "becomes tearfully great, and may we not infer that many of the fires now occurring through. out the country are the result of it9 do not say that companies permit or that all agents are guilty of this error; but that it is too general cannot be denied." 1t is even suggested that legislative action may be had to prohibit insurance risks of this character.
Connecticut western news., 1872-08-16

RAT CArcu1Na.-The following is said to be the means used by the professional rat catchers of Paris to destroy the yer min They take deep tub with water on the bottom, and little elevation in the middle like an island on which is only space for just one rat to sit. The top is covered, and has large balanced valve opening downward !; on the mid dle of this valve piece of fri ed pork or cheese is fixed, and when the rat walks on it to get the cheese, the valve goes down, drops the rat in the water, and moves back in position. A road is made from Q rat hole to the top of the tub, by means of a piece of board rubbed with cheese so as to make the walk attractive to the rats. In the course of Q single night some ten or twenty or even more rats may go down, and if the island was not there they would be found most all alive in the morning quietly swimming around but the provision of the little island saves the trouble of killing them, because their egotistic instinct of self preservation causes them to fight for the exclusive possession of the island, of which in the morning the strongest mt is found in solitary possession, all others being killed or drowned around him.
Connecticut western news., 1872-08-16
COlliery Explosions and the Weather

Thirty years ago George Stephenson wrote concerning colliery explosions Generally speaking, there has been some fault in the ventilation of mines when accidents have occurred" This view has been amply confirmed by sub- sequent observation, and accidents are now extremely rare where thorough ven tilation is insured. It has been found, however, that the weather exerts an i'm portant influence on the process of ven- tilation, and either in this or some other way is intimately connected with the occurrence of explosions. Society Is shown that accidents are most frequent when @ serious break occurs after a period of calm weather. In the first warm days of spring explosions are also common. Out of $50 explosion, 266 or AS per cent, are associated with low barometer 133 with sudden elevation of the temperature of the external air j; and 161 remain unaccounted for on meteorological grounds. Periods of low barometer, and sudden rise of temper ature, are thus both characterized by the frequent occurrence of accidents. The effect of rise in temperature on the ventilation of the mine is thus ex- plained The natural temperature of q mine of the depth of 50 fathoms being 55 deg, that of one 200 fathoms deep 70 deg, and so on Speaking generally), if the temperature of the external air rises to 55 deg, natural ventilation must cease in shallow pits, and similarly in other cases. Accordingly, if warm day oc- CUTS in the cold season of the year, and the furnaces are not ln action to keep up the current, an explosion is very likely to occur.
 It has long been observed that when the barometer, after having stood at Q high level for time, begins to fall more or less rapidly, the aocumulations of foul air and gas in the abandoned gal leries and Assures of mine emit part of their contents into the ventilating our rents which flow past them. Issuing thus in greater quantity than usual from the cavities and Assures into the work ings, and more especially into places where the air if stagnant and already more or less foul by admixture of gas, the volume of the explosive portion of this mixture will increase in consequence of the increased rapidity of diffusion, or in other words, the explosive boundary will extend itself. This extension of the explosive boundary is gradual, and in some cases considerable time may elapse before the boundary has reached it's extreme limits and begins again to recede. During all this period the mine will be in an abnormally dangerous con- dition, and this explains why explosions may occur some days after the barometer has reached its lowest level and when, perhaps, it is again on the rise.
 Impure ventilating currents sometimes give rise to accidents by increasing rrther than diminishing the explosive character of the gases within the pit.
 The paper concludes by stating that the evidence fairly iustlfes the view that meteorological changes are the proximate causes of most of the acci- dents but whatever these changes may be, it is absolutely necessary to keep a most careful watch over the amount of air passing through the workings.
Connecticut western news., 1872-08-16

EMPHASIS. A Boston paper says: Is it not pleasure to have, converse with you, one of those individuals who punct- uate their relation of what they consider particularly good stories or funny occur rences with pokes, nudges or digs in your ribs ? The worst of it is, the jokes of these funny creatures are made up of nine parts nudges and thrusts, and one part wit, as, fer instance, in listening to the story of large headed man trying on small hat, we endured the following By the by, speaking of hats, (pokes us in the bread-basket and stands back as if to view the effect did you hear of that joke on Bumps?" (Slaps us on the shoulder and laughs.) Biggest joke of the season." Punch in the breast bone.) Bumps, you see, was just about coming out of the hotel dining hall.'' Nudge in our ribs with elbow.) "Well, he's got tremendous big head, you know, (grabs on lappel of our coat;) so two of us just hid his hat, (wink and punch in ribs with bony index finger and put four other fellers' drab hats just like his in it's place." Poke into shirt blossom. ] Bumps comes out, tries first one hat, (poke,) then another, punch0 finally, ha! ha! he got mad, and (elbow jab) jammed the third one on so hard he split it open" Tremendous thrust in stom- ach. ) "Ha! hal ha!-Jim Bustah's hat And Bumps had to stand treat-three bottles-ha! ha! hal! " Tremendous slap between shoulders, that took all the remaining breath out of our body.)
Connecticut western news., 1872-08-16
A Camp Meeting in the Olden Time.

The order of the day would be almost uniformly this The horn (which was long tin one, hung in the preaching stand) was sounded at sunrise, when 1t was expected that all persons in the tents would rise. Half an hour later it was blown again for family worship, which must be observed in every tent, after which breakfast was prepared and eaten.
 At eight or nine, according to the sea- ing in the tents at ten it proclaimed preaching after that followed pray CTS at the stand and call for mourners, or, as it was more correctly and elegantly expressed, Gan invitation to such as de- sired an interest in the prayers of those present, from conviction that they were sinners"
 Then came the recess for the mid day meal, and after this there was preaching again at 2P. M There were prayers at the stand and mourners called forward again, after which there was usually an adjournment to the open part of the ground, and grand prayer meeting organized in ''the ring"
 The ring meeting was formed in this way If there were many mourners at the alter, as it was called-that is, two or three designated benches in front of the pulpit-some one in authority would order removal, on which some active fellows would shoulder few benches and carry them to the square, and have them placed ill a convenient manner and ready for the mourners to kneel by or sit upon.
 Before these were removed, but in an incredibly short time, enough stout young men would join hands around the benches to form a compact inclosure. These again were enclosed by an outer ring of those who were the first to spring to the place, that they might have full view of the proceedings /; for it was understood that this circle was not to be entered except by the mourners and those who are to talk and pray with them.
 The young people of the country were generally good singers and they knew the hymns and tunes mostly in use, and ing would now be surprising. Two resolute ones of the living wall of this ring would be designated at once as door posts and doorkeepers, who at their dis cretiou admitted persons within tho en- closure.
 The mourners were then brought on, and entering kneeled at the benches, while brother or leading voice would start "Come, ye sinners, poor and needy" or some similar song. in whicl every available voice would join, not q brick of the walls of this tabernacle keeping silence.
 Then followed prayer, then a song and then prayer, and at last steady stream of song and supplication, run ming together like the parts of f'tgus, harmonizing in spite of all discord.
Connecticut western news., 1872-08-16

"Mammy," said Fiddle, after the hymn was finished, "How kin alluz member to bless Pomp?"
 "Yer have to pray bout it chile," an swered Nanny; "stop long enough when you git mad to say the Lords prayer"
 At last poor little Fiddle forgot all her troubles and dropped asleep in Mammy's arms.
 When she awoke the next morning she was not we'll, her fall badly injured her, and from that day she gradually wasted away. Subdued by sickness, when Nam my left her sitting in the court for the benefit of the air and sunlight, the child rarely answered Pomp when he leased her about her name.
 Fiddle sat out in the court one day in the Indian summer. Her large black eyes had become dreamy as if watching some far off view. Pomp came along, and began his old work of teasing; he was provoked that she did not seem to hear him, and to attract her attention he swore at her, us- ing frightful oaths.
 She looked at him for q moment solemn ly, rose to her feet, spread out her hands as she bad seen the minister do iu church, and said,
 May the blessin' of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost be with you now and evermore."
 Pomp's mouth flew open with amaze ment, and he almost shivered as she fin ishcd the benediction and went away.
 That night Fiddle was very tired, and Nanny rocked the child until she tell in- to an uneasy slumber.
 The sunlight streamed in the little room the next morning, when the old wo- man stole in to see if her "chile" were awake. She was awake indeed, although she did not answer Mammy's call, for Death had come earlier, and the child had awakened to the joys of an endless life. The old woman walled and sobbed. the entire day, and when the sunset hour came was spent with grief. There was a low knock at the door, and Pomp entered. His face had woe-begone expression, and there was piece of rusty crape tied in his buttonhole. "Kin I.see Fiddle ?" he asked
 He stood looking at the lifeless form, tears running down his black face. {" l used to tease her, Nanny" said he, but 1 didn't mean muffin, and yesterday, when cussed at her in fun, she stood up and gave me the minister's blessin'," and the boy looked as if the solemnity of the bene. diction rested upon him still. "This morning." continued the boy, "I held d horse Tor gentleman and he gave me some money, and, Nanny, I bought these yer flowers kin put them by Fiddle 2"
 He lay down small bunch of violets by the dead face, stopped and kissed the child more than once, and amid the meanings oi Nanny he departed.-1He Christian Union.
Connecticut western news., 1872-08-16

ENGRAVING WITH SAND.-Glass en- graving and the shaping of stones by means of 8 jet of sand, has been tried with success at Paris. Any pattern on the glass may be produced at pleasure, or, if required the whole surface may be ground or deadened. The cutting force of sand is such, under the influence of the blast, that it will pierce the hardest substances, even steel file. A diamond loses weight if exposed to the jet for one minute ; and in the same time topaz entirely disappears. But to engrave and it is found by practice that glass may be engraved if the sand be driven by no greater power than the wind from an ordinary blowpipe. On the other hand, it is remarkable that little or no effect is produced by the full blast on soft substances, such as caoutchouc, pa per, and the gelatine used in photogra- phN
Connecticut western news., 1872-08-16
Poem by Milton.

Poem by Milton. [The following sublime and affecting produc- tion was discovered among the remains of the great epic poet:
 am old and blind Men point at me as smitten by Gods frown; Afflicted and deserted of my kind;
 Yet am not cast down.
 am weak, yet strong: murmur notl that I no longer see; Poor, old and helpless, I the more belong,
 Father supreme! to Thee.
 Oh, merciful Onel When men are farthest then Thou art most near; When friends pass by me, and my weakness shun,
 Thy chariot hear.
 Thy glorious face Is leaning toward me and it's holy light Shines in upon my lonely dwelling place
 And thcre is no more night.
 On my pended knee, recognize Thy purpose clearly shown; My vision Thou hast dimmed, that may see
 Thyself- -Thyself alone.
 I have nought to fear; This darkness is the shadow of Thy wing; Beneath 1t am almost sacred; here
 Can come no evil thing.
 Ol seem to stand Trembling, where foot of mortal ne'er hath been, Wrapp'd in the radiance of Thy sinless land,
 Which eye hath never seen. Visions come and go; Shapes of resplendent beauty round me throng; From angels lips seem to hear the flow
 Of soft and holy song.
 It is something now, When heaven is opening on my sightless eyes Roll in upon my spirit-strains sublime
 Break over mo unsought.
 Give ne now my lyrel feel the stirrings of a gift divine; Within my bosom glows unearthly fire
 Lit by no skill of mine.
Connecticut western news., 1872-08-16
A Gambling Hell.

John Morrissey at Saratoga controls the greatest gambling establishment in the United States. His domicile is erect ed directly in the rear of Congress Hall and embraces several lots, for which he paid $20,O 1000, though their original own CT had only few years previously pur- chased them for about one-fourth that sum. Over $200.O0O have been ex- pended on the buildings, so that the total investment has not fallen short of 8 quarter of million of dollars
 The gambling house is @ superstruc- ture of brick, tastefully ornamented, is approached by an imposing flight of steps, and is guarded by metallic effgies of mystic animals. You enter a wide, roomy, airy stone hall, and turning find yourself in the reception room. No ho- tel of the kind approaches it in taste and elegance. Here you meet, or at least the writer and his friends met, about eleven o'clock the other night, some fifty or sixty men assembled; some seated. at cosy little tables discussing wine, others rambling around eyeing things curiously, but the majority stand ing up, hat on head and cane in hand, smoking freely and talking Occasional ly swearing) loudly. Passing through this reception room, we entered room said to be, and we should conceive just ly, the most enticing jungle which has yet been afforded for the retreat of the $1,500, The chandeliers are of green and gold of exquisite workmanship ; the brackets are gems in their way the apartment is flooded with gas (there being sixty-six burners in this room alone) there are several mirrors of the largest size and finest quality known outside of a king's palace there are bronze knights and natural and artifi- cial flowers and ornaments in prcfusion the walls are light and neat and clean, and are pleasantly suggestive to the eye the ceiling is elaborately carved, and, most prominent of all are the tables scattered throughout the length and breadth of the apartment which tell theil own stcry-tables of faro, roulette, rouge-et-noir, &c;-just now the rouge et-noir table seems to be the chief at- traction. The dealer is an old gambler, with white hair, long white beard and gold spectacles, and could readily be mistaken for clergyman. He is Gas sisted' by an adipose and fashy sport in light suit and highly colored neck tie. Perfect silence is preserved, and 6 heavy game is being played. And now the crowd transfers itself to the roulette table, and now we find it busy at faro The tiger is chameleon, and assumes all forms.
 But although thousands of dollars o1~ l. ,ko.. the room, the utmost order and outward the apartment and pass on through th' hall into the commodious and cool read ing-room, where files of the leading journals are preserved in much nor, systematic manner than is customary a the large hotels, we can scarcely realize that we are in "hell" at all.
Connecticut western news., 1872-08-16

FALSE Handsome time since when it was announced that the story that jute braids and switches" were infested with insects. was merely an invention of the enemy, the women took heart and built higher and stronger. But now & distinguished chemist who has been in- vestigatlng the matter says that although it is true there are no parasites in iute,
 still it is sure to destroy the human scalp if allowed to remain long in contact with it. He says that in the preparation of jute corrosive sublimate, 0 most deadly mercurial poison, and nicotine, the essen tial principle of tobacco, are used, and
 that the jute, becoming brittle like spue glass, breaks into small particls which enter the pores of the scalp, and, intro ducing the poison, cause first slight irritation, and afterward serious ulcera- tion. Similar, though less marked eff, fects follow the wearing of other substi- tutes for the natural covering of the head, so that evil results follow in any case. These facts are not stated in the expectation that they will make the least difference in the sale or use of the arti- cal, but simply that we may be able to say to the multitude of baldheaded wo- men ten years hence, "we teld you so ?
Connecticut western news., 1872-08-16

A CURE FOR WHISKY DR1NKERs.-A correspondent, who signs himself "one who has reformed" sends us the follow ing: Capt. Hall was the commander of the Great Eastern steamship. He had fallen into such habits of drunkenness that his most earnest efforts to reclaim himself proved unavailing. At length he sought the advice.of an eminent physician, who gave him prescription which he followed faithfully for seven months. At the end of that time he had lost all desire for liquor, although he had many times been led captive by a most debasing appetite. The prescrip tion, which he afterwards published, and by which so many other drunkards have been assisted to reform, is as follows {: Sulphate of iron, 5 grains; magnesia, 10 grains peppermint water, II drachms :; spirits of nutmeg, l drachm twice a day.
Connecticut western news., 1872-08-16
My First Lover.

To-day, when chancod to look over
 A trunk full of old odds and ends, This note from my very first lover
 found: what entertainment love lends! It makes ono day simply eternal,
 And carries you back to tho years When joy, like the sun, was diurnal,
 And smiles were the right side of tears "My darling," he wrote you'd discover That he couldn't spell well at the time), eff you love me, am your true lover,
 And to prove it send you this dime; At Boxers they'll give you heap,
 Ifyou please to buy dates or bonbons, But at Trudge's they sell 'em quite cheap And make me the happiest of Johns." We'll, we quarreled one morning severely Concerning the names of some flowers, And fancy most quarrels spring merely From tcifies as foolish as ours.,, Alas, he's grown famous and gray now,
 And has lost his fine taste for bonbons l; But, reading his letter to-day, how
 wished him the happiest of Johns!
Connecticut western news., 1872-08-16

WOULD Nor TELL L1E.-Two boys were in school-room alone together when some fireworks, contrary to the masters prohibition, exploded. The one boy denied it the other, Bonnie Christie, would neither admit nor deny it, and was severely fogged for his ob- stinacy. When the boys got alone again
 Why didn't you deny it ?' asked the real delinquent. Because there were only we two, and one of us must have ied," said Bonnie.
 Then why not say that did it ?"
 Because you said you didn't, and I would spare the lie."
 The boys heart melted, Bonnie s moral gallantry subdued him.
 When school resumed, the young roe ue marched up to the masters desk and said, "please, sir, can't bear to be l1ar-I let off the squibs," and burst into tears.
 The masters eye glistened on the self accuser, and the unmerited punishment he had inflicted on his school-mate smote his conscience. Before the whole school, hand in hand with the culprit, as if they two were paired into the confession, the master walked down to where young Christie sat, and said aloud with some emotion:-Bonnie-Bonnie, lad-he and I beg your pardon-we are both to blame p
 The school was hushed and still, as older schools are apt to be when some thing true and noble is being done - so still, they might have heard Bonnie's big boy tears drop proudly on his pocket book, as he sat enjoying the moral triumph which subdued himself as well as all the rest and when. for want of something else to say, he gently cried, !" Master forever p the glorious shout of the scholars filled the old mans eyes with something behind his spectac1es, which made him wipe them before.hc re sumed the chair.
Connecticut western news., 1872-08-16

MLK.-The London milkman serves his customers on foot. He carries a large tin vessel, and about this are swung a number of smaller, quart, pint and half pint tins, which are filled and left at the customers door. His incessant cry as he hurries along is a-yeo-yip? He dwells on the "a-yeo" to the length of two full notes, but brings on the yip'' short and sharp, with round turn. In St. James Park, at the fruit and cake stands, they keep COWS, which are milk ed for you at the rate of twopence per glass. The milking is performed by aged milkmaids, who live under umbrsl- las and sell stale cakes.