davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-04-11
The TcIcgrpnh and lis inventor.

On April 81, 1891, in Charlestown,
Mass, Samuel Finley Breese Morse was
born. He was II son Of the Rev. Jede-
diah Morse, d. D., pastor Of the First
CONGREGATIONAL Church, leading light Of
the Orthodoxists of the day in their
fight against New England Unitarianism,
and author, too, Of that many-volumed
series Of text books from which the
passing generation studied geography.
His historical works, also, are numer-
Gus. He WAS q graduate OF Yale in
1888.
OF course the invention Of the tele-
graph was, like all the greatest things,
in some measure q growth, but the
world has recognized Prof. Morse as at
least the contributor of the greatest
share of the origination, and the one
successful promoter of its realization.
His first idea was to pass a strip of chem
ically prepared paper in contact with
the wire, decomposing the chemicals
so as to form marks OF different lengths
which should form q sign alphebet
Next he thought Of the action of cleo
tricity upon lever as C mode Of using
pens and ink, but this he abandoned for
the indenting steel point on the end OF
a lever which is now in use. In 1885 he
completed a rude apparatus, all made by
himself, with an experimental wire OF
half O mile in length around room, but
this only transmitted in one direction.
BY 1887 he had ready IN improved appa-
ratus, which he exhibited at one Of the
rooms in the University. This year he
went to Washington, filed his caveat,
and asked for Congressional appropri-
alton for q line thence to Baltimore.
The session passed without action, and
he went abroad. England refused him q
patent, Whcatstone having in the mean
time got to work in France he OBJ
tanned a bIeUd d'MrcntioR. But he met
with little encouragement abroad, and
came back to struggle through poverty
and ridicule for four long years.
At last came the close Of the session
of '43. On the evening Of March 8, the
Professor gave up in despair, returned
to his hotel "broken in spirit and bank
IuDJ Ill puIGG, W bIul5 III 4NGh Lpl ~
the next day. CAT the midnight hour
of the expiring session." by a vote Of 50
to So, the bill was passed, and in the
morning the inventor knew the dawn
which follows the darkest hour.
But there were more difficulties. The
first plan was Of burying the wires in
lead pipes. Ezra Cornell devised ma
chine drawn by oxen, which opened the
trench, laid the pipe, and closed it again
but the expense was great and the plan
failed otherwise. 1t is said that Cornell
saved him confession OF failure by "acci-
dontally on purpose" smashing the ma,
chine against a rock. Only $1,000 OF
the appropriation then remained; but
Cornell suggested the use Of poles, and
on the 9th Of May, 1874, "What God
hath wrought ~ flashed the praise and
victory from Baltimore to Washington.
The first information given by the tele-
graph was that Of the nomination OF
James X. Polk for the presidency by thc
Baltimore Convention.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-04-11
The Story of o Life.

From San Francisco We have the III
telligence OF the death of q Mr., Harvey
Bylne, who it appears was secretly mar
lied in that city on the 10Th of June,
1854, to the celebrated actress Matilda
Agnes Heron, who is now en- route to
San Francisco, for the purpose of con-
testing the will as the legal wife Of the
deceased. At the time of this marriage
Miss Heron was in the zenith Of her
fame, and was regarded as one of the
most talented and fascinating actresses
on the American stage. The honeymoon
lasted but five brief days, and on the
18th Of June the romantic pair babe each
other fond adieu, and the bride sailed
for Panama On the Sonora to fulfil the
engagement that was to be her farewell
to the stage, the young husband remain
ing behind to attend to his business and
to arrange his affairs that he could join
the object of his idolatry at the time
agreed upon. Turning his whole atten-
ton now on his business affairs, he soon
arranged matters to his satisfaction and
within a short time sailed for New York,
buoyant with the good hopes and high
expectations love alone can inspire in
the human heart, but which, alas were
doomed 10 vanish, "like the baselcss
fabric of vision" He remained with
her but n single night, and then their
earthly life-path diverged forever. It is
only known of this parting that the in
formation affecting the young wlfes
conduct during her absence was now
given to him, and that it must have been
Of such a character that the sensitive
nature could not overlook. With a heart
weighed down with agony the disap-
pointed man returned to San Francisco.
If Miss Heron is legally Mr.. Byrne's
widow sho is entitled, under the laws of
the State, to one-half the property ac-
quired since the date Of the marriage
which is comprised in what is known rs
" Broadway Block" on the northwest
corner of Broadway and Kearnoy street,
which is said to be heavily mort9aged |
If she proves the marriage, and that no
divorce was obtained, she, of course,
subjects herself to prosecution on a
charge Of bigamy, she having married a
man named Stoepel subsequently and
went by his name. The entire estate Of
Mr.. Byrne is valued at over two hundred |
thousand dollars, on portion Of which
there is mortgage Of $50, 0O0,-M 7.
PqSer,
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-04-11

GREAT Loss OF CATTLE IN TEXAS
Both the late cold weather and the
drouth have occasioned an immense loss
of cattle in many portions OF Texas. In.
deed, the stock interest has not received
for many years such severe blow. Ae-
cording to the Texas papers it is estima-
ted that 200,O heads of cattle have
died during the past few weeks in Wes-
tern Texas. The loss has been fearful
between the Guadalupe and Nueces
Rivers. In Golad alone $4,000 animals
have been skinned, and about On equal
number in San Patrico and Karnes
Counties.
The San Antonio Herald says that in
n space of one mile opposite Helene,
1000 or more animals have been skinned.
Within space of three miles, near Ken
nedy's Ferry, on the Nueces 5000 more
have died, and many of the carcases
have been stripped of the hides.
At last accounts the cattle we're dying
in Texas at O fearful rate, from starva-
ton. After the cold weather came q
terrible drouth, and there was literally
no grass for them TO subslst upon. So
the loss of stock in the counties above
mentioned, in Victoria, De witt, Con-
zales and other neighboring portions,
this Winter and Spring, may be estima.
ted at about one half. We rejoice to
learn that abundant rains have recently
fallen over all the State.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-04-11

went up to the oversccr of the mine, who
was working as hard as any of them, and
asked him who was the best runner among
the men.
"There will be none as good as you, sir;
and they beall tired with this pulley-haul-
cy work"
DWELL, then, Pm off to Nantygolyn-Sta-
ton; and Il come back with the engine
Of the luggage-train. Do you sec2 Look
to the points at the Junction"
"Capital, sir" exclaimed he, as turn
ed and dashed over the bank and into the
narrow road. had scarcely got out Of
the glare of the fire when | was roughly
collOrcd by somebody. As he was evident
ly not afraid, and there was no time for
explanation, even if wished to give any,
| placed my hand over his shoulder and my
arm under his chin, and with a sudden
wrench, taught me by Welsh collier fore
ed his head back, and left him half insen-
sible on ground.
That was a run! along rutty, stony
road, and the night, or rather morning,
pitch dark. twas tolerabIy good running
that covered the two miles in quarter OF
an hour, and was thoroughly pulled as |
got into the station. The train had been
waiting a few minutes, and, although it
was exceeding my power, | took the re-
sponsibility on myself of detachmg the en-
CINE and going forward along the line.
The junction was soon reached, lantern
held up showed us that all was clear, and
we steamed slowly up to the engine. Both
parties had drawn of their forces, and were
sitting and standing in groups little apart,
while rude chaff was freely interchanSed
The freight cast long and wavering shad-
ows around, and made the outer darkness
look blacker and more impenetrable than
ever The rain still came steadily down
and Kissed on the blazing fires, while the
wet ground was trodden ankle-deep in
mud.
Such yell arose, after the first aston
ished silence, from our opponents, answer
ed back by a ringing cheer from my men.
The ropes were quickly transferred to the
big engine; and IN the midst Of general
melee the two locomotives moved slowly
off, dragging their horses and donkcys
backwards. Seeing the uselessneSs OF en-
ploying brute force against steam, they cut
their ropes, and we moved triumphantly
off, followed by a voly Of oaths and
stones. One of the latter struck me on
the check, laying it open and knocking me
back on the Goals in the tender, 1t was as
much as | could do to restrain my men
from jumping of and charging them.
"Well, that is how fought for and
won the locomotive | do not know, good
reader, if you will want to know any more.
In case you do, may say that my salary
was raised considerably. Mary decided to
take the risks Of a married lie on still
small income and, so far, we have had no
reason to repent taking such an important
step. She and |, and the badly, wish yon
adicu."
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-04-11

A SUBMERGEp BRIDGE. Mr.. Halsey Of
New jersey will report fayorably from
the subcommittee having charge of the
matter to tie U. S. House Committee on
Roads and Canals the bill incorporating
the New York and Brooklyn Submerged
Tubular Bridge Company, whose object
is to lay tunnel or tube under the East
River, between the cities Of New York
and Brooklyn. The bull authorizes the
laying of q tube of wrought iron 2,G40
feet in length, 60 feet in breadth in the
clear, and "a feet high, at cost of ST.
100000. The tube will accommodate not
only foot passengers and vehicles, but
also railroads. The tolls allowed are to
be one cent for foot passengers, three
cents head for cattle and horses, five
cents for single wagon and horse, twelve
cents for double wagon and horse, and
twcnty-four cents for loaded double wag-
ons. Mr.. Halscy will report an amend
mcnt that the tube shall be SO laid in the
bed of the river rs not to obstruct or in
terfere with navigation.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-04-11

DoN'T DO r.--Secretary McCook Of Da-
Gotta territory denies the story that he is
active in raising men to go after gold in
the Black Hills. He says; "I have
net conversed with the President or Gen
eral Sheridan on the subject Of the
Black Hills for more than three years.
I am doing all can to discourage any
one from trying to go there, in direct
violation of law and the existing treaty
with the Sioux Indians. Those who are
reckless enough to Try it will find out,
when perhaps too late that with Gen'l
Sheridan's troops closing up their rear
and the red men in front, led by Red
Cloud, Spotted Tail, Sitting Bull, and a
small scattering OF their neighborsl n
flank movement will be necessary, or
broken head and the guard house the
result.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-04-11
Coon FR1DAY.-The solemn fast which

COOP FRIDAY-The solemn fast which
is so generally observed, commentaries
the tremendous fact on which the Whole
theory of Christian salvation is based.
"Why do you call that day good" is the
old question of the catcchism, con which
Christ suffered so cruel and ignominious
death ?" and the answer thereto explain
ing tho great mysteries, of which one
was the incarnation, and another the
triumph over death, and on which are
raised the wonderful fabric of the Chris
tian faith. The anniversary of the cru
cif&ion, though called in the popular
language Good Friday" is far from
being a day of rejoicing in the Roman
Catholic Church. Her affairs are dr0ped
in morning, her solemn chants, always
in time of grief sorrowlul, are more than
ever lugubrious her whole ritual is
disordered; the colors of her vestments
and ornaments are those of death.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-04-11

The SCHOOLS OF New YoRK.-There
are II, 72S district schools in New York
state, and the school-houses are valued
at nearly twenty-three and half mil
lions of dollars, viz, 1913, 4GS,266. The
past five years have witnessed an outlay
of nearly ten millions of dollars for new
buildings. During 1871, over a million
and a half pupils, Q,502, 6S4,) between
five and twelve years of age, have attend
ed these schools. The attendance has
been eighty per cent, of the entire youth
population of the state. During part
of the year 29,254 teachers were EN-.
ployed, and the cost was in cities SO, $685.
1888 in rural districts, So, $50, 305.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-04-11
The Yellowstone Park.

From the Department Of the Interior,
with its appreciation, comes to us map
and plan of o national park to be set
apart as q government reservation. The
location is on the head waters OF the
Yellowstone river, between the 44th and
10th parallels of north latitude, and ITO
and III degrees 10 minutes longitude
west from Greenwich. The area of the
proposed park is 40 by 33s miles, EN-
bracing 1888 square miles and frac-
ton, or about So, 525 acres. In the
southeast corner of this parallelogram
comes in cumming almost due north the
Yellowstone river. After flow of ten
miles the river enters Yellowstone lake,
of an irregular shape, ten to fifteen miles
in extreme lelgth and width. Near the
centre of the park the river debouches
from the lake, and after traversing for a
few miles the hot springs region, tum-
bles over the Upper Falls and enters the
Great Canon, six miles long. Coming
ont of this caiion it receives number Of
small tributary streams, from the east
and west, and passes through another
region of hot springs. The southern
part Of the park is partly watered by the
head Of Snake river, flowing southwest,
and with Clark's Fork forming the Co
lumbia river. About ten miles from the
southwest corner Of the park is Madison
lake, small body of water two miles
long by one wide. This lake gives rise
to Madison's Fork of the Missouri, which
flows northward and westward, watering,
with many tributaries, large part of
the west centre Of the park. The level
lands are along Madison's Fork, and are
in the centre Of the park, spreading
around the great plateau Of Yellowstone
lake and the hot springs. 1t is most
picturesque region, embracing some of
the grandest and some Of the most beau
tiful scenery on the continent, with
lakes, rivers, mountains and valleys, all
in charming proportion and most pleas
ing contrast.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-04-11
LARGE OYsTERs.-A friend who vel.

LARGE OYsTERs.-A friend who well
coined 1hackery to America in 1862,
tells of q rather formidable surprise he
had prepared for the great lecturer and
humorist. Gin London" writes his
friend, "he had been very curious in his
inquiries about American oysters, as
marvellous stories, which he did not be-
lieye, had been told him Of their great
size. We had taken care that the larg-
est specimens to be procured should
startle his unwonted vision when he
came to the table although I blush at
the remembrance, we apologized in our
wicked waywardness to him for what we
called the extreme smallness of the
oysters, promising we would do better
next time. Six bloated Falstaffinn BIZ
valves lay before him in their shells. |
noticed that he gazed at them anxiously
with the fork appraised, then he whis-
pered to me with look of anguish,
How shall l do it p | described to
him the simple process 10y which free
born American citizens were accus toned
to accomplish such task He seemed
satisfied that the thing was feasible, Sc
lected the smallest one in the half-dozep,
and then bowed his head as if saying
grace. All eyes were upon him to watch
the effect of n new sensation in the per-
son of great British author. Opening
his mouth very wide, he struggled for a
moment, and then all was over. 1 shall
never forget the comic look of despair
he cast upon the other five over occupied
shells. l broke the perfect stiffness by
asking him how he felt. Profoundly
grateful, he gasped, 'and as if I had
swallowed little baby"
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-04-11
A Song Ill Sung.

Dead thstles on the morning wind,
Still sending forth their whito-wnged seeds
Baro boughs above, dry leaves below;
A brook half choked with rottinG weeds.
The scene and two well agree
This dreary day is kin to mo:
TITS Autumn in my heart as well,
But fain I'd dream offspring.
"Dear Memory wake for me again
The song Hope used to sing"
"Nay wait you have not caught tho tune;
Hush you are out of time:
And now you've changed the words, miss
The sweetness of the rhyme.
Cease, Memory try that strain no more.
The lays old witchery is o'er!"
All saddest of our Autumn thoughts,
Tho hooking dream of Spring,
As Memory vainly strives to wake
The song Hope used to sing
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-04-11

The HUMAN HAIR. Strange as it may
seem, tho hair which grows upon the
heads of our fashionable ladies has no
commercial value. Through much crimp-
ing, curling, and dosing with various
hair inWgorato;s," restorers," po-
mades, &C., it not only becomes varie-
gated in color but hard and brittle, rem
dering it wholly unfit for use in the
manufacture of hair work. Indeed, it
is found that the more people take
care" OF their hair the more they injure
it, while those European peasants who
let nature take its course, and seldom
even comb their hair, produce the finest
and most delicate article. In the shape
in which the buyer brings it in from the
country, this hair is worth about $40
per pound, in gold. After it has been
sorted, the different lots vary in value
according to length and shade, from
$3.50 to 500 per ounce. Indeed, it is
almost impossible to set a limit to the
outside price of choice lots OF long hair
of desirable shade, for, so difficult are
they to obtain, and so urgent is the
demand from parties with whom money
is secondary consideration altogether,
that The fortunate holders can set their
own price and be sure Of customer.
"a switch OF very light gray hair" said
dealer, thirty-siX inches long and
weighing five ounces, is worth $1,000,
and can rarely be found at that price"
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-04-11

A STATE PRISON Bn1.--There is bill
at present under consideration by the
Legislature of New Jersey which is
worthy of consideration. BY its provis-
ions, tho keeper of the State Prison is
required to provide suitable employment
for all convicts who have served out the
full term of Imprisonment. The object
Of the gentleman who has introduced
the bill is to prevent ex.thieves from re-
turning to their former business for the
lack of something better to do.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-04-11

AN OFFICIAL IN TRoUBLE.-The Rich,
mond Dispatch publishes the letter Of q
deIaulter, which goes to show how far a
single offence may interfere with the
happiness of a lifetime. This man, up
to a recent date occupied the position of
tax collector in Hcnrico County in Vir-
ginia, and was, according to his own
statement, prospecting quite well, when
he used the funds in his charge to help
a friend out of a temporary embalrass-
ment. The friend did not come to time,
hints were circulated pretty freely that
he was about to abscond, and through
the excitement which the suspicion occa-
stoned, he declares that he was induced
to convert all his personal property into
money for the purpose of making good
the deficiency. Before doing So how
ever, he drank deeply, and gambled I'M
til the amount in his hands became so
small that he was unable to do anything
With it. In despair at his folly, he
jumped upon railroad car and started
for Washington. He concludes his let
ter thus 81 have left my country,
my wife, my child, my all. with.
ont saying farewell. May God bless
my wife and child until they can be with
me. My feet shall never touch Virgin
ia's soil again until have settled this
debt"
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-04-11
A letter recently passed through the
post office addressed rs follows:

POSTMASTER, pesc TO send him strait,
Ben-syl-vany is der Stnight, .. ..f.
OFT venango, dat's der county, .
We're oil bours out NIT Hefen's pounty;
Franklin, she's der county seat
Der Bost-effise on Liberdy Shtreet
sharly Taylor, he's der man
Send dis yust so quick you can"
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-04-11
ORANGE Growing IN CALIFORNIA. a

ORANGE GROWING IN CAIToRNIA-A
California paper says that the average
yield of California orange trees is set
down as 1900 for each tree. Ii 1000
oranges be assumed to each tree, how
ever, and seventy trees be assumed to
the acre, the product of 70,G00 oranges
results Calculating that these sell at
$40 per thousand, the result of $4,000
for an orchard of ten acres is given. Gut
ting off one-half to allow for all conting-
encies, $1,000 still remains as the off
spring for a single crop. The proceeds
Of recent crop at Los Angeles are re
ported at $4,000, while $500 included
the entire outlay due to pruning, taking
care of the ground, and so forth.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-04-11
HORSES IN NEW YoRx. tn

HORSES IN New York. Although the
trade in horses is active, it is confined
almost entirely to animals of heavy draft,
the supply of fast AID carriages horses
being greater than the demand. Profit
ing by this abundance, dealers are
inclined to hold back their stock until
fairer prices can be obtained.-N =.
pdrer.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-04-11
4 Iinnn Pile Of HGpnr.

On the 31st Of March, 1871, the United
States House of Representatives adopted
q resolution calling on the Secretary of
the Treasury to furnish an estimate Of
the number of pounds Of paper that
would lie required to replace tho ma
tIoual bank circulation; also the number
Of pounds made up into greenbacks,
fractional currency, and bonds, with the
cost thereof. The report Of the Secre-
tary in response to this inquiry has Just
been made public. Ii states that cit
would require 5,G03, 224 sheets Of paper
to replace tho national bank circulation,
which, at is pounds per l., 900 sheets, the
weight heretofore used, would be 100, S59
pounds. The average cost of the paper
used for the circulation Of national
banks is rs cents per pound" or total
cost of S78,G6924. The number of
pounds of paper manufactured into legal
tenders or greenbacl notes is given as
206,G37 pounds, costing $40, 81, As;
manufactured into fractional currency,
316, JIG pounds, costing $243, 1864;
manufactured into bonds, 110,S73
pounds, costing S91, 38T63; manufac.
tured into internal revenue stamps,
1902 pounds, costing 36,G89. "A;
making total of 8126O6 pounds Of
paper, at a cost of $G25, 1910. There
is a reserve Of paper, 10 be manufactured
into greenbacks, fractional currency,
bonds, and revenue stamps, amounting
to 257, 1873 pounds, costing $500, So. So;
so that the grand total Of paper used or
to be used in the paper money is 1,0G9,-
791 pounds, costing $3.50, 30G,7G.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-04-11
CURRENcY.-The following is detailed
statement of the United States currency
outstanding
In DouBr.-A yery remarkable case

In DoUBT.-A very remarkable case
this is, in Santa Clara, Cal A man
claims woman as his wife. The Justice
of the Peace who performed the cere-
mony supports the mans pretensions.
On the other hand, the lady VOWS,
swears, protests and declares that she is
no such person, but quite another wo-
man. So she declines to share the gen.
tleman's bed and board,
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-04-11

A Detroit dying man grasped a watch
and held il so firmly that after death the
fingers could not be unclasped, and the
watch was buried with him.