davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-11-26

STRONG pressure is being brought on the
President to induce him to appoint col
ored man as one of his cabinet. They
claim that they hold the balance of power
between the parties, and that Grants re-
election is owing to their votes, and that
consequently such an appointment is due
the colored voters.
The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-11-26

THE discovery has been made that
counterfeit coupons of the Union Pacific
Railroad bonds are in circulation, and an
investigation is making to ascertain if the
bonds have been counterfeited. A N. York
firm was deceived by the artistic excellence
Of the counterfeit coupons, and paid them
on presentation.
The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-11-05

stolen Secrets.


The manufacture of tinware in England
originated in stolen secret. Few readers
need to be informed that tinware is simply
thin iron plated with tin by being dipped
into the molten metal. In theory it is an
easy matter to clean the surface of the iron,
dip it into the bath of the boiling tin, and
remove it,enveloped with the silyery metal,
to place for cooling. In practice, how
ever, the process is one of the most diff
cult in the arts 1t was discovered in Hol-
land, and guarded from publicity with the
utmost vigilance for nearly half century
England tried in vain to discover the secret,
until James Sherman, Cornish miner,
crossed the Channel, insinuated himself
master of the secret, and brought it home.
The secret of manufacturing caststee was
also stealthily obtained, and it is now with
in the reach of all artisans.
Another stolen secret is the method Of
making citric acid. The inventor of the
process--who was a resident of London,
England--for long time enjoyed the mo-
nopoly Of his invention. More favorably
circumstanced than other secret manufact-
ures, his was process that required no as
sistance. He employed no workmen. Ex-
perts came to sample and assert and bottle
his products. They never entered his lab
boratory. Mystic operations by which he
grew rich were confined to himself. One
day, having locked the doors and blinded
the windows, sure as usual of the safety of
his secret, the chemist went home to dinner
A chimney-sweep or boy distinguished
as such, wide awake in chemistry, was on
the watch. Following the secret-keeper SO
far on his way toward Charing Cross as
to be sure he would not return that day,
the stooty philosopher hied rapidly back to
Temple Bar, ascended the:low building,
dropped down the flue, saw all he wanted,
and returned, carrying with him the mys-
terry of making citric acid. The monopoly
of the inventor was gone. A few months
after, and the price of the article was re-
duced four-fifths. The poor man was
heart-broken, and died shortly afterward,
ignorant of the trick by which he had been
victimized. He was to be pitied as an in
dividual sufferer but the wheel of progress
is bound to crush all obstacles which threat
en- to impede its course, sacrificing the man
to the needs of the multitude. Fortuna tely,
inventors of the present day can work
openly, and enrich themselves while they
benefit others. uri
The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-11-05
A Telegraph Story.

think the most curious fact, taken
altogether, that l ever heard Of the electric
telegraph, was told to me by cashier of
the Bank of England. You may have
heard of it. It may have been in print
l am sure 1t deserves to be. "O Once upon
time" then, on certain Saturday night
the folks at the bank could not make the
balance come right, by just e100. This is
a serious matter in that little establishment
i do not mean the cash, but the mistake
in arithmetic-for 1t occasions world Of
scrunity. An error in balancing has been
known, | am told, to keep delegation of
clerks from each office at work sometimes
through the whole night. A hue and cry
was of course made after this e100 as if
the old lady in Thread-needle street would
be in the Gazette for want of it. Luckily
on the Sunday morning, clerk Cin the
middle of the sermon, | dare say, if the
truth were known,) felt suspicion of the
truth dart through his mind quicker than
any flash of the telegraph itself. lie told the
chief cashier on Monday morning that
perhaps the mistake might have occurred
in packing some boxes of specie for the
West Indies, which had been sent to
Southampton for shipment. The su gges-
tion was immediately acted upon. Here
was race-lightning against steam, with
eight and forty hours start given. In
stantly the wires asked Whether such a
vessel had left the harbor?" "Just weigh
ing anchor" was the answer. "Stop herp'
frantically shouted the electric telegraph.
1t was done. "Have up ON deck certain
boxes marked so and so weigh them care
fully" They were weighed; and one-the
delinquent-was found by just one packet
of hundred sovereigns heavier than it
ought to be. ''Let her CO." said the mys-
terious telegraph. The West-Indian folks
were debited with just e100 more, and the
error was corrected without ever looking
into the boxes or delaying the voyage by
an hour. Now that is what may be called
doing business"
The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-11-05
NICKEL.

Unlike many of our common metals, nick
ell is Of comparatively recent discovery
We find gold, silver, and iron mentioned
in our earliest records. A brother of the
patriach Noah is expressly said to have
been can instructor of every artificer in
brass and iron," showing that even at so
remote period, not only were some of
our simple metals known, but methods of
compounding, and to some extent artistic
ally working them. Nor so far as we have
reason to think, was the knowledge ever
lost. If the brass spoken Of above was the
composition it is usually supposed to have
been, one of its constituents was copper;
and we may wonder whether in the search
for this in those early times the miners
were ever perplexed with the ores of nickel,
as the miners of Germany were for thous-
and of years after. The German miner
often met the latter ore, and, mistaking it
for copper-some forms of which it closely
resembles in appearance-tried by his usual
process to extract copper from it. When
it proved refractory, aad resisted all his eff
forts, he called it Kupfer- er-nickle--false-co
per; or, still more literally, the copper of
Nick--or the Old Nick's copper. ~
Nickel has very many valuable qualities.
1t is malleable and ductile-can be drawn
out into even finer wire than iron, having
a still greater tenacity. 1t is less easily
melted than iron. 1t is magnetic, SO that
needles of the compass could we'll be made
Of it, though it loses its magnetism when
heated as high as six hundred and sixty
degrees; regaining it, however, when cool
ed. But the quality ON which its chief use
depends is its susceptibility of a brilliant
lustre, and its small liability to corrode.
This led to its use, many years ago, in the
compound known as German-silver. 1t is
mixed for this in various proportions; but
the best German-silver is composed of nick
el three parts, zinc three and half parts,
and copper, eight parts. The Chinese have
made similar alloy, though often US
ing much larger proportion of zinc.
Nickel is used in the coinage of several
countries. 1t was introduced into our own
in 1857, when the old copper cent was with
drawn and the present compound coin sub
stituted In its place. This is composed of
twelve parts of nickel, and eighty-eight of
copper, to the hundred. ~ ni
The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-11-05
Indian SagacitY.

A Spanish traveller met an Indian in the
desert they were both on horseback. The
Spaniard, fearing that his horse, which was
none of the best, would not hold out to the
end of his journey, asked the Indian, whose
horse was young, strong, and spirited, to
exchange with him. This the Indian re-
fused. The Spaniard, therefore, began
quarrel with him. From words they pro-
ceeded to blows. The aggressor, being well
armed, proved too powerful for the native.
He seized his horse, mounted him, and
pursued his journey. ae.
The Indian closely followed him to the
nearest town, and Immediately went and
complained to the nearest Judge. The
Spaniard was obliged to appear, and bring
the horse with him. He treated the Indian
as an impostor, affirmed that the horse was
his property, that he had always had him in
his possession, and that he had raised him
from a colt.
There being no proof to the contrary, the
Judge was about dismissing the parties,
when the Indian cried out:
" The horse is mine, and I'll prove it."
He Immediately took off his mantle, and
with it instantly covered the head of the
animal. Then he addressed the Judge:
"Since this man affirms that he has rails
cd this horse from colt, command him to
tell OF which of his two eyes he is blind"
The Spaniard, who would not seem to
hesitate, instantly answered.
"Of the right eye"
He is neither blind Of the right eye,"
replied the Indian, & nor of the left"
The Judge, being convinced by proof so
ingenious ana decisive, decreed him the
horse, and the spaniard to be punished as
robber. D
The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-11-05
New Tunnel Through the AIps.

A contract has lately been sig ned be-
tween the directors of the st. Gothard
Railway, Switzerland, and Nj. l.. Favre, of
Geneva, for the boring of new railway
tunnel through the Alps, which promises
to surpass anything of the kind yet at
tempted. The length of the tunnel will bs
a little more than nine miles. Cost, $10,-
100000 The work is to be finished within
eight years; II sooner finished the contract
or b 10 receive ~, 900 day for each day
The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-11-05

in advance of the contract time. II the
completion of the work is from any cause
delayed beyond the contract time, 81, 900 q
day are to be forfeited. If the delay reach.
es beyond six months, the forfeit is then
to be increased to 50, 900 day. The con-
tractor deposits $1,e0O,OOO as security for
the faithful performance of the work. If
the delay exceeds the contract time by one
year the contract is to be broken and the
company take possession of the money.
The contractor is an eminent civil engineer,
and a man Of rare abilities. He was FORM
erly journeyman carpenter in Paris.
The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-11-05
An Editor Of Two Papers.

An antiquated writer in the Memphis
appeal has dug up out of his memory the
following rich story. The young lawyer
referred to is still fourishing in Memphis:
"There was never greater local excitement
than that which grew out Of this Internal
nayy-yard business. Half the people were
in favor of accepting the property, and
half or more opposed to it, the latter think
ing that the Government might be induced
even yet to make liberal appropriations and
perfect the navyryard and build ships and
steamers here. There were two newspapers
published here-one morning publication
edited by gentleman of no ordinary ability
named Bankhead, who was tragically and
mysteriously assassinated some six years
ago. There was another, an afternoon
paper, called the Nesos Il believe that was
its name), edited by a man named Yancey.
These editors opposed one another on the
navy-yard question, and their discussion
had begotten a good deal of excitement
when both went away for the summer, and
each, without the others knowledge, en-
ployed the same man, this young lawyer, to
conduct his paper in his absence. The
young limb of the the law naturally enough
took to both sides of the question. He
made the controversy between the two pa
pers hotter and hotter on each successive
day. Crowds gathered each afternoon
about the Nesos office, and somebody ex-
pected that the two furious editors would
shed blood. The coming duel in Arkan-
sas was confidently anticipated, and the
feroclty of the two papers was marvellous.
Popular excitement was intense when
Bankhead came hurrying home from Vir-
ginia, and Yancey from Alabama, each
thinking that the other was about to muir
der his own substitute. Such was the fer
vor of popular feeling and transportation
that the story was necessarily kept quiet.
II the mischieyous fraud upon the public
passion had been exposed at the time, the
con amors editor would have been hanged
to lamp post.
The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-11-05
The Comet Panic I'M 171e.

Winston, justly celebrated as mathe-
matician and as the translator of Josephus.
predicted in 1712 that comet would an
pear on Wednesday, the 14th of October,
of that year, five minutes of five o'clock in
the morning, and that on the following
Friday the earth would be destroyed by
fire.
The comet appeared punctually, and this
fact, added to Whiston's reputation for sci
ence, spread the fear far and wide that the
remainder of the prediction would like
wise be fulfilled.
A number of persons, believing in the
saving properties of water, got into boats
and barges in the Thames. South Sea and
India stock fell. 1t is even related that a
frightened Dutch captain threw all his pow
der overheard, lest it should endanger the
ship. One hundred clergymeu were ferried
to Sabbath Palace, to request the prepara-
ton of proper prayers, there being none in
the church service appropriate to such an
emergency. But the panic, nevertheless,
produced great good for the people uni
versally believed that the day of judgment
was at hand, and acted upon that belief.
Many wrongs were rightsd, and many
breaches Of morality repaired.
The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-11-05
Anecdote Of Ex-Prlnce Joseph.

TT is we'll known that Joseph ii disliked
Il parade and ostentation, and INDUCED
his taste FOR simple and private habits. One
day, when riding out in small csleche,
which he drove himself, and attended only
by one servant, he was overtalxen by a
heavy rain sand returned to Vienna; he
was yet some distance from the city, when
person on foot, who was also going in
that direction, hearing the noise, turned
and made sign to the driver to stop.
Joseph stopped his horse.
"Sir," said the traveller who was SER
geant elf it be not too great liberty, !
should be glad Of a lift; you have room
enough, and should save my uniform,
which put on new this morning"
"Let us save the uniform, my brave fell
low" said Joseph; "place yourself here;
where did you come from just now?"
All, ha, where do come from come
from the house of a gamekeeper, one of
my friends, who has given me famous
breakfast
Wnat nad you, then =
"Guess." tao So
NAY, how can guess--beef, soup?"
Well done yes, soup, and better than
that"
GA breast Of veal, then"
"No, better than that"
"Well, them" said the facetious sover-
eign, 81 can guess no longer must give
it up"
Why, then, a pheasant, my worthy a
pheasant killed on the reserve of his Maj
esty. What do you think of that, ehP'
cried the servant (slapping his unknown
companion smartly upon the shoulder)
"Ah indeed p' replied he, "killed on
the Emperor's reserve 1t must have been
all the better for that, I'll answer for it,
AS they approached the city, and the rain
continued to fall, Joseph asked him where
he wished to be sat down. The sergeant
made his excuses.
No, no." said Joseph. " Your street ?''
and at length the sergeant informed his
Majesty where he lodged, and begged to
hhON Nhoih hO was iIlucuJcu W lOT 80 many
civilities.
"It is now your turn" said Joseph
"Guess."
ga military man, dare say, a lieuten-
ant ?''
"Better than that" said the monarch.
GA captain, then?"
"Better than that"
He began to open his eyes. perhaps,
a Colonel"
"Better still.''
What the devil y said the poor SER
geant, shr mixing into corner of the cal
eche. "Can you be Field MARSHALL"
He feigned grave voice and said:
Something better still.'
"Ah my God, it is the Emperor"
HIMSELF" said Joseph unbuttoning his
plain coat, and showing his decorations.
There was no room to kneel in the caleche
and the poor fellow, in an agony, entreated
the.Emperor to let him alight.
"No, no, not yet" said Joseph; "after
having eat my pheasant, you would be too
lucky if you got rid ofme SO easily shall
certainly see you to your quarters"
And thus continuing to amuse himself,
he drove him to them, after promising him
to forgive him for having made poachng
meal at his royal expense.
The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-11-05
ENIGMA DEPARTMENT.
pS- All contributions to this department must
be accompanied by the correct answer.


c. purchased lot Of goods of s., for which
he was to pay S7S. They not turning out as G..
expected, he was allowed to give his note for
the amount, less 33H per cent. discount. s. on
hearing bad reports as to the responsibility of
c. offered him the note at discount of 25 per
cent, which note G. purchased. He subse-
quently sold the goods so that his net gain by
the transaction was 1901 per cent. What did he
get for the goods. lN H
The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-11-05
The U. B. Mutual I'll
Aid Society of Pennsylvania,

Present the following plan for consideration to
such persons who wish to become members;
The payment OF SIX DOLLARS on application
FIVE DOLLARS annually for FOUR YEARS and
thereafter TWO DOLLARS annually during life,
with pro-rata mortality assessment at the death
OF each member, which for the FIRST CLASS is as
The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-11-05

VIII entitle a member TO certificate OF ONE
THOUSAND DOLLARS to be paid ut his death
TO his legal heirs or assigns, whenever such death
may occur.
A member, or his heirs may name a successor;
but IL notice OF the death OF member to the Sec
retary is not accompanied with the name OF sue
cesser, then the Society will putt successor and
hll the vacancy, according to the Constitution OF
the Society. '-..f,. Ir
Should the member die before his four pay
ments Of fue dollars are made, the remaining un-
paid part will be deducted from the one thousand
Dollars due his heirs his successor will then pay
only tico dollars annually during his lifetime, and
the mortality assessments.
No. Male and Female from fifteen to sixty.fve
years OF age, OF good moral habits in good health,
hale and sound Of mind, irrespective OF creed, or
race may become members. For further infoma-
tlOn, address I i. w. CRAUMER
(Sec'y U. b. Mutual Aid Society
It.t H.. LEBANON, PA.
AGENTS Wanted!
Address
d. s. EARLY,
6 81 Sm pdH Harrisburg, Pa.
The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-11-05

fB A Wisconsin genious created the
most fun at the State Fair, IL he did not,
secure the first premium, by bedstead,
with partition extending from the head
board abont half way down the bed. The
inventor said that the object was to prevent
bedfellows from inhaling each others
breath.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1872-12-14
Ten Hour Convention in Rhode Island

A convention Of delegates fr,,m the
various manufacturing districts Of Rhode
Island, was held on Saturday, Nov 3oth,
at Pioneer Hall, omeyville. Delegates
were present from -Wonsocket. Lossaale,
Valley Falls. Central Falls, P4WtuckeI.
Merinoville, Olneyvllle. Providence.
Georgisville, River Point, Natick, Dyer
vile, Ehnwood aud Warren.
Reports were received ir'm the dele
gates giving the answers received 9" their
petitions recently presented Z" thsIr rIn
ployers, praying f"r reduction !" ten
hours. The answers generally we're :" the
effect thai the employers were willing {"
grant a reduction "f ten hours when assur
ed that all would readily assent and move
at the same time in the matter.
In view &c these rcI~,rts the following
preamble and resolution were passed
WHEREAS Seeing that the MAMMA. tuner,
have no "hcctpn I" reducing iaN- lalSf T.
ten hours, providing II can i'rc"Ine general,
lie IT,
R.>olr-,i. That on aud after the first irN 81
DAY of May, W. adopt ten hours a. a LAY
labor AMI at the same time plrd.y "urs,lN "
TO continue the agitation az :" that date
4 resolution Was passed, dirc-tin. the
Executive committee, To- draft q suitable
paper giving is views "a the lAhpr question:
and present the same e. III, neSt v.'nvru-
ton. which will Lee held "a the 9TH 80
January. The convention sdJ"urne'l a.
meet Jan. 9TH, 49,;
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1872-12-14

coin its own platform into laws. They are
due from that party, also, for very special
and strong reasons. 1t makes the Home
stead law its boast, and it deserves due
honor for this measure But the unfOrtu-
nate fact 10, that simultaneously with this
enactment, and a. If ashamed Of il, and
desirous tn nullify and Illustrate its right
e'us provisi ms, the Republican party male
haste to launch the ruin1us Indian Treaty
policy to which have referred, and inau-
gurated our reckless and prOhigAte policy
% huge land grants to railways, which has
been constantly growing worse EVER since.
The opportunity has nov come to a5one for
these great mist axes, and to make GOOD its
boasted friendship for the landlets popr,
aud trust it viii be seized. Ii Gamma.
safely he slighted. The legislation have
suggested would revolutionize our whole
Land policy in the direction Of justice and
the rights Of the people. 1t would be as
far in advance Of our present policy as the
Homestead and Presumption laws were in
advance OF onr early policy, when settlers
on the p tblic Ia Ids were treated as tres
assers and visited with penalties Fully
believing in the wisdom and justice Of the
measures have specified, and having zeal
ously struggled for tn I'm in O. ngress during
past years, ! reloice in the strong hope
that the day Of their triu .uph draws nigl.
GEO w. JULIAN.
Hasl,inJt0n. Dec. 2, 1872.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1872-12-14

VIZ hear many complaints made Of the
inspectors II coal mincs appointed under
the Ventilation Law. IL all be true we
are told when we ask ''How does the Lave
~urk, " We opine that the men are better
untitled u be complained against even
than the Inspectors. Unless the men work
with the inspectors. those officials can do
but little towards lessenIng what it costs
~ life and lImb to mine coal 4hthrdr'te
Monitor
4 BELNIpERE, n. j.. correspondents Of
the Scranton Republican,, speaking Of the
facilities afforded by that locality for the
production Of iron, says Vf its ability tn
get coal
Mot even the lsehigh region can excel
this favored Lr.,lity tor the production Of
that which is fast becoming the great staple
III the country II is true they are a little
nearer the coal "n the Lehigh than We are;
hut IL the Lackawanna and Wyoming coal
hrldS are takeIi as the starting point We
iind them farther from the coal than We arr
here From Wilkes Barre Ia Cnpley (the
furnace farthest up the Lehi yh) is - miles,
from Scranton To- Manunka Chunk is rs
miles. hem. II miles in favor If Warren
county over the lehigh, uu the score Of coal
That the lackaSanna region Is the true ba-
sis from which To- calculate for a supply ct
coal will readily be admitted hy any one
acquainted with your coal fields, for it is
undoubtedly true that coal can I've sent to
New York cheaper from yours than FROM
any other coal held