davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1873-11-14
Measuring Land.

/ In the English law courts, cases which
interest us on this side of the water
The bases of our laws have much in
!, common, anA when there are no special
enactments here 20 meet unexpected ca
ses. English preeedents have much in
huence in deciding cases Of our own.
In recent one the question involved
was what constituted half mile of
ground. The defendant sold tavern
10 plaintiff, bargaining that he would
not build another within half mile of
II. The land away from the tavern slop-
ed considerably, and, measuring down
this slope, another house was built be-
yond the half mile so measured. But
plaintiff contended that the half mile
should be in a horizontal direction, and
issue was accordingly taken. The judges
were undecided about it, but ultimately
found for the plaintiff, and in accordance
with the horizontal views; but an appeal
was taken to a higher court.
Recently the case came up again be-
fore what IS known As q full COURT
There we're many learned arguments on
both sides. 1t was contendsd that the
distance ore had to tgavel along the sur
face should be the measure of the mile.
It was, however, decided by a majority
Of the bench that the horizontal line il
the rue measure-that is, the measure
as It would appear on map--indepen-
dent Of am undulations in the surface
of the ground.
Tins seems common sense as well az
law. It is TIE principle on which land
Is always sold. Some people argue that
they get more land surface, when the
measure il thus taken horizontally, than
when they buy piece Of absolutely level
land. They do have more surface, nom
inally, but actually there j. no more.
Plants grow perpendicularly; and no
matter how great the slope, they must
sand erect. So also the horse that
works, or the cattle which Craze over, it,
must have an upright position; and it
takes more surface to accomplish this in
proportion as the land slopes.
Thus; supposing rows of corn be plan
ted four feet apart on a level; on a slope
of one feet in four, the rows would have
to be planted five feet appart in order
that she corn should grow but four feet
from one another. This may be made
still more clear by taking a piece Of
board, say 4 foot vide and two inchese
thick. Flat GA tie ground, a row of
plants on each side would be twelve in
ches apart; but set the board nearly or
quite on edge, and the plants. having to
grow in an upright position, if planted
on a line with the bottom and top of the
board, would them be but two inches
apart. As, therefore, plants grow up
right, it is the horizontal line only
which affords the proper base and hence
there is no gain whatever in an undula-
ting farm surface over one quite on
level. The undulating farm Of course
looks much larger, but really there is
just the same amount Of growing sur
faee.-Forney's Press.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1873-11-14

The following is from the Washing
ton Chornicle: "The social world Of
Washington received a stunning blow
one day last week, in the reported failure
Of Spargue Brothers. Not that such a
failure affected the said social world i'm
mediately, for the charming queen of
society, Mrs. Sprague, is yet in mourn
ing for her distinguished father, the
late Chief Justice, and giving up her
princely residence in the city, has with
drawn to her fathers latest residence,
three miles out upon the Bladensburg
road. This lady, whose heart was near
ly broken by the death. of one so near
and dear to her, announced her inten-
ton to give up the place in society she
has made so graceful and celebrated, and
devote herself to the domestic cares and
the private duties of her beautiful life.
But we all know that one can not 30
readily abdicate throne or throw aside
a crown, and that after the first keen
grief other great loss wore away the
claims of society would again prevail
Rumor says that, however embarrassed
financially the Senator may be, he has
yet provision made to his family that
makes them independent. Aside from
the marriage portion settled on Mrs.
Sprague, the advent of each child born
to the Senator was the occasion for gift
Of half n million This ia as IT shouId
be. 1t is well for the father, in his hour
Of prosperity, TO remember the helpless
beings dependent upon him, and make
ample provision for their comfort when
the hour comes, az come it will 70 such,
of adversely"
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1873-11-14
Thoroughbred Animals.

In answer to an inquiry as to what
constitutes thoroughbred animal, the
Turf Field and Farm says: What We
call the thoroughbred horse was created
in England by the imported mares
and stations from Arabia and Barbary,
and by the judicious commingling of
the foreign with the native blood.
Through contests on the turf and the
right kind of crossing, the horse was
gradually improved, or elevated to high
standard Of excellence; and these i'm
proved horses were then recognized as
the progenitors of an aristocratic race.
Equine heraldry has been made science,
and the birth and pedigree Of each
horse of high breeding has been pre-
served in the "Stud Book" Usage has
decreed that animal which can show an
uncontaminated pedigree for five gener-
ations shall be classed as thoroughbred,
that is no drop Of cold or coarse blood
must appear in the veins the origin of
which cannot be found behind five sue
cessiye periods of reproduction. Five
removes from a common parentage re-
fine the blood and make it aristocratic.
This answer could be made fuller, but it
is hardly necessary to elaborate. The
outline we have given will serve as a
key to the definition of the word
thoroughbred" when applied to domes-
tic animals"
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1873-11-14

According to the Louisville Courier
Journal, a wonderful old negro Is at
present living on the farm of a DR..
Scott, near Milan, Gibson county Tenn
essee. He il one hundred and twenty
four years Of age: A gentleman who
lately called at the farm, met san old
snaggled-tooth fifteenth amendment
gentleman, sixty-fve years Of age" by
whom he was told that his "grandpap"
was in the house. Soon after grand
pap" himself came tripping down the
steps, "as nimble as a fifteen year old
boy" and was very communicative. He
said lie was twenty-five years old when
the Revolutionary War began. He be-
longed to Captain Snow, who served un-
der General Marion; was born in South
Carolina, and fought through the war,
under his master, in nearly every battle.
When about ninety years old, he went
totally blind, and remained so two years.
His hair, which was white as wool, all
came out Subsequently, his eyesight
returned, and a new growth Of hair
came out, which is now about half gray.
He enjoys fine health, goes hunting,
and shoots without glasses. He is very
religious, and is the father Of thirteen
children, the eldest Of whom would be
over hundred years Of age, II living
His youngest is now ffty-three years old.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1873-11-14
A Mechanic at Bridgeport, Connecti-

A Mechanic at Bridgeport, Connecti-
cut, has invented an electrical appara-
tusSHhich records musical sounds as they
are played, which has been successfully
applied TO an organ at New Haven.
The organ is connected with the record
ing apparatus by a magnetic telegraph,
and its operation is very ''simple indeed.
Beneath each note of the three manuals
and of the pedals, and connected with
each stop of the organ, is small brass
spring, which is pressed down wherever
the piece to which it is attached is brought
into action. From each spring wires
run to galvanic battery of twelve cells,
and to the recording apparatus, which
may be situated at any convenient dis
tance from the organ. When the spring
is pressed down, connection between the
battery and the recording apparatus is
opened, and the electric current passes a
through and is made to impress a paper
very much in the same manner as the
ordinary telegraph machine.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1873-11-14

I lect on which nothing was known; that
the question "Who made me?" cannot be
answered because We have no experience
or authentic information from which to
answer IT; and that any answer only
throws the difficulty a step further back
since the question Immediately presents
itself "Who made God?" He, at the
same tine, took care that I should be
acquainted with what had been thought
by mankind on these impenetrable prob
lens. / have mentioned at how early
an age he made me 4 reader of ecclesias-
teal history; and he taught me to take
the strongest interest in the Reformation
as the great md decisive contest against
priestly tyranny for liberty of thought.
am thus one of the very few exam
pies, in this country, of one who has not
thrown off religious belief, but never had
it; grew up in a negative state with re-
gard 70 it. L looked upon the modern
exactly as ! did upon the ancient relig-
ion, as something which in no way con-
cerned me. 1t did not seem to me more
strange that English people should be-
lieve what did not than that the men
l read of in "Herodotus" should have
done so. History had made the variety
Of opinion among 1aany mankind fact
familiar to me, and this was but pro-
longation of that fact.
In regard to the question of reticence
on religious topics by those holding his
fathers opinions, Mr. Mill has the fol-
lowing remarks, which have about them
the ring ofa manifesto:
I think that few men Of mv fathers
intellect and public spirit, holding with
such intensity OF moral conviction, as
he did, unpopular opinions on religion,
or on any other of the great subjects OF
thought, would now either parctise or
inculcatesthe Withholding Of them from
the world, unless in the cases, becoming
fewer every day, in which frankness on
these subjects would eiJhe- risk the loss
Of means of subsistence, or would amount
tosexclusion from some sphere of useful
ness peculiarly suitable to the capacities
of the individual. On religion in par
ticular the time appears 10 me to have
come when it is the duty of all who, be-
ing qualified in point of knowledge,
have, on mature consideration, satisfied
themselves that the current opin-
ions are not only false, but hurtful, to
make their dissent known; at least, if
they are among those whose station or
reputation gives their opinions chance
of being attended to. Such an aYowal
would put an end at once and forever to
to the vulgar prejudice that what is call
ed, very improperly, unbelief is connec-
ted with any bad qualities either Of
mind or heart. The world would be as
tonished if it knew great a proportion
of its brightest ornaments-of those most
distinguished even in popular estimation
for wisdom and virtue-are complete
sceptics in religion, many of them re-
framing from avowal less from personal
considerations than from conscientious
though now, in my ::opinion, most mis-
taken apprehension lest, by speaking out
what would tend to weaken existing be-
liefs, and by consequence las they sup
pose) existing restraints, they should do
harm instead of good.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1873-11-14

Wa shlngton'. Probable First Love.


The following letters, which explain
themselves, connot but prove of interest
to American readers:
RIcHLAND, Stafford County, Va, Sep
tember II, 1873.-To the Editor of the
Alexandria Gazette-My dear Sir: At
the request of many persons l send you,
and thus permit the publication of the
incloscd letter. 1t is, as you see, from
General Washington, written over 125
years ago, and is addressed to "William
Fauntleroy, Sr., in Richmond" the
brother of Miss Betsy" referred to SO
tenderly. I think it reveals an affair
du coeur on the part of the "father of his
eountry"-for it is not said that he was
ever the author of anything or anybody
else-not heretofore known. Washing-
ton, at the time this letter was written,
was some twenty years and three months
old, and is represented by all historians
and biographers as a quiet, dignifed,
bashful and reticent young man; but,
alas! it seems in that, rs in this day, those
particular kind of young men always did
the most courting. Very respectfully
your obedient servant,
FITzHUGH LEE.
May goth 1782-SIR: I should have
been down long ere this, but my bust
ness in Frederick detained me somewhat
longer than 1 expected, and Immediate
" upon my arrival from thence 1 was
taken with violent pleuresy, which has
reduced me very low, but propose as
soon as recover my strength, to wait
on Miss Betsy, in hopes of revocation Of
the former cruel sentence, and see if l
can meet with any alteration in her favor.
l have inclosed letter to her, which
should be much obliged to you for the
delivery of it. l have nothing to add
but my best respects to your good family,
and that 1 am, sir, your most obedient
and humble servant.
q WAGuTRGTON
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1873-11-14

A writer in the Engineer, in diacussing
the question whether it will be practical
bic to run a locomotive engine and train at
the speed Of one hundred miles sn hour,
presents the following interesting facts
regarding the average rates of express
trains, past and present: In England,
the average speed on the best mail-coach
lines, in 1929 and 1880, was little over
ten miles an hour; in the following year
this rate was advanced thirty miles. At
present the highest railway speeds in the
world are attained on the Great Western
Railway, England, which may be taken
roundly at fifty miller an hour. AL
though it is said that Brunei once trayel-
ed from Swindon to London at the rate
of eighty miles an hour, the writer ex-
presses his belief that eve have never
been able to obtain the shadow of proof
that this speed has been reached under
any circumstances or at any time what
ever on any railway" In one instance,
a train on the Great Northern Railway,
consisting of sixteen cars, drawn by one
of Sterling's great outside-cylinder ex-
press-engines, running on level or
slightly-falling gradient, attained the
unprecedented speed Of seventy miles an
hour And the Yarmouth express, on
the Great Eastern road, sometimes has
reached the speed Of sixty-four miles an
hour down the Brentwood bank. In the
United States, ON the Boston and Albany
road, the fifty-four miles between SPRING
field and Worcester were run by an en-
gine with siIteen-inch cylinder, twenty
two-inch drive-wheels in fifty-eight
minutes. Much of this run was done at
the rate of nearly seventy miles an hour.
In view of these facts, it is-belieyed that
on frst-class line speed of sixty or
seventy miles an hour may be available
with safety, though much higher We
locity could not be attained without in
curing enormous risks of derailment.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1873-11-14
for month or so, but he'll be up again
in fortnight

for month or so, but he'll be up again
in fortnight"
OF course, no time was lost in repair
ing the track and in forwarding the pas
sengers, and few hours only saw the
old farmhouse as quiet and peaceful
looking as ever Even the surgeon had
done his work and gone. The engine
lay battered and helpless among the
bowIders where it had forced It's willful
way. The conductor lay still on Grand
father Crowninshield's bed, and the fit
ful slumbers the surgeons opiate gave
him were starry with signals that white
As for Kalie and her lantern, the latter
had fairly burned itself out and asleep
on the little table in Katie's own room,
and she herself had by no means clearly
comprehended, az yet, the happy con-
sequences of her railway signaling. 1t
was very much like a dream to heT, for
Katie was no prophecies, nor could even
her lantern throw any light on the fu-
ture. She could not see, just then, and
yet the days that followed brought it all
to pass, that neither she herself, nor
Grandfather and Grandmother Crown
inshield, would consent to any more rail-
roading or signaling. It was much bet
ter, indeed, they all declared, nor did
he himself pretend TO deny it, that Ka-
ties husband should farm broad acres
of the fertile valley than that he should
any more be at the mercy OF train-#reck-
ers and rzyside lanterns. And when
the question was decided TO her liking,
such hug and kris vas that which
Katie Crowninshield gave
"To whom?"
why, to her lantern, Of course"
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1873-11-14

AN INTERESTING SHRINKAGE.-That
the financial difficulties of the country
will bring beneficial reforms in many
important matters is not to be doubted.
One of these reforms is indicated in a
New York telegram stating that the ho-
tells there are reducing thier prices. Up
on this subject the New York Times er-
presses the popular feeling in that city
when it says that the panic may induce
the keepers of restaurants and hotels to
seek custom by lower rates and better
service. 1t remarks that New Workers
for years, in this respect, have patiently
submitted to srbitary exactions and poor
returns for their money. There is plen-
ty of room for improvement in this re-
spect in every American city.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1873-11-14
Industry.

Industry prolongs life il is the
friend Of virtue, and indolence is the
handmade of vice The active are sell
dom criminal; but the most of those
who yield to guilty encroachments might
trace their lapse from rectitnde to habits
Of idleness, which, leaving the heart
vacant, gave full opportunity for the
evil passions and desires Of our nature
to exert their power. A state Of ease is
at best but a neutral state Of being,
alike distant from positive happiness
and positive misery. But it is the
source Of misery, and, as such, il
Stunned by those who are wise enough
to understand the philosophy Of living
pleasantly.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1873-11-14

Among the mechanical novelties Of
the American Institute Fair there IN eK-
hibited a diamond saw, which gives
promise of great things, and may justly
be ranked with the diamond drill and
sand blast. The diamond saw consists
of thin metal disk, the teeth Of which
are nothing more than minute black dia-
monds, embedded in the metallic edge
of the sheet. When revolving az high
speed, this disk cuts into the sides Of
stone-slab az though it we're piece Of
timber; and not only can straight cut
tings be made, but, by an ingenious me-
chanical device, bevels and rounded
edges are cut As labor-saying ma
chine, the inventor judges that ono Of
them will do the work Of fourteen stone
cutters
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1873-11-14

A CAPITAL RECIPE FOR LEMoN PRES.
"A lady furnishes the following in re-
ply to Isabella" who wanted recipe
for lemon pies. The following are the
quantities for one pie, and are to be
multiplied by the number Of pies TO be
made: One lemon, one cup Of white
sugar, one heaping Tablespoonful Of corn
starch, dissolved in one cup full Of boil
ing water, one egg, one tablespoonful Of
butter; CRATE the rind Of the lemon and
squeeze out the juice; beat the egg, mix
ing the three with sugar; then add the
corn starch, dissolve as above. Bake
without an upper crust.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1873-11-14

4 Detroit business man found coun-
terfeit fifty cent scrip among his currency
the other day, and he put it in his vest
and that afternoon gave it 10 little girl
begging on the streets. When he came
back from tea he found the same piece
of scrip in the drawer again, and ques-
tioning his clerk he learned that little
girl had brought it in, bought stick of
gum, and gone away with forty-nlne
cents good money.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1873-11-14

Two Milesians were standing at the
Fairmount water-works in Philadelphia,
watching the big wheels splashing in
the water in every directiof;~ when one
of them remarked: "Mike, isn't this a
quare country, where they hove 70 grind
their water before they can use it7''
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1873-11-14

There is farm in Franklin, Maine,
whereon every seventeen years, in the
middle of Angus, at . o'clock in the
morning, the man who mows drops
dead, scythe in hand. Ten minutes be-
fore would be good time to go over
to the house and get drink of cider.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1873-11-14

There IL gambling in our households
and personal expenses as unjustihablc aa
in our business ventures. It is gamb-
ling to live at high rate, trusting to
luck to meet the bills; to occupy heavi-
ly mortgaged house; to dress wives and
children in finer clothing than we can
pay for; furnish our parlors with hand
some upholstery on credit; aud to keep
a loose. running account with our gro
Ger and our butcher, knowing, IL we
would only stop long enough 10 know at
all, that we cannot pay for what we pur-
chase.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1873-11-14

ANoTHER Use OF GRASGEs.-The
Western grangers have adopted the SEN
sible plan Of settling their disputes by
means Of arbitramcnt whenever n breach
may occur between the oranges or mem-
bers thereof 4 jury of neighbors and
mutual friends, especially selected for
the occasion, composes the court Of
arbitration. Each side tells its own story
and there is no delay in the decisions.
The idea is to dispense entirely with
lawyers and regular courts. The idea
is the same as that found available in
Boards Of Trade through the instrument
tality of Arbitration Committees.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1873-11-14

The late Miss JeTusha Peck, survivor
of three spinsters and somewhat eccen-
tric sisters, residing at Riverside, Conn
departed this life at the advanced age Of
so years. 1t has always been believed
by the deceased's friends and neighbors
that she and her sisters had accummu-
lated wealth, from the fact that they ex-
ercise the greatest frugality in all their
dealings. So strong was this impression
that the heirs investigated the premises.
In an obscure corner of the dwelling
they found a considerable sum of mon
ey, notes and mortgages. Four hundred
dollars in gold was found in an old sack,
which was Immediately recognized by
Mr.. Allen Peck az money paid to the
sisters over thirty years ago. To all ap-
pearances it had remained in the house
ever since undistured. Over $500 in
the old State Bank bills were also found
and a large sum Of greenbacks. All
this was boarded away on the premises,
and in addition TO this a large track Of
valuable land remains to be divided
among the heirs. And that is all the
good the old maids boarding do them.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1873-11-14

NINE PER CENT.-The Bank of Eng
land has raised its rate Of discount to
nine per cent. in order to arrest the con-
tinucd flow Of gold from England to the
United States Such is the demand for
our cotton and breadstufs, however, in
England and in all Europe, that even at
nine per cent, the balance Of trade be-
ing with us, the gold must come to call it.
Thus the necessities of England, France,
Germany, &c, are continuing, and viii,
doubtless, continue through the winter
to assist us in raising the value of our
national currency to the specie standard.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1873-11-14

Somebody writes 20 us and asks us 10
give the definition Of journalist, We
will do so with pleasure A journalist
is man who spends some Of the best
days Of his life IN comforting regulations
upon Others and getting none himself
Exchanges plcase copy BosoH Globe.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1873-11-14

Why do girls kiss each other, and men
do not? Because girls have nothing bet
ter ~ kiss, and men have.
National Republican., 1873-09-18
PAINTING.

II. wALTIHER.
tsucceasor Of shanahan and walthsrJ
$50 PeunsyIvania Avssse,
Between HiIth and Seventh streets.
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DEALERS sIH
PAINTs, OILS, GLASS, GLUE BRUSHES
ALCOHOL, C0AL-OIL LAMPS,
CH1MNEYB, 90.
ureat Inducements are offered for cash. ..
Q. It. EN,
ORNAMENTAL PAISyT59 ,v,,,
.. Ne. B25 Lsuisiaua aveaue.
limitations Of all kinds of wood and marble neatly
esrlted IN the latest and most approved styiss.
ATTENDED TO