davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Connecticut western news., 1873-05-30
New Head Light for Locomotives.

The introduction of silvered mica re- factors into locomotive headlights, has proved complete success. An engineer on the West Jersey railroad, who has been using them, says he can by their aid, distinguish the features of person, at distance of jour hundred yords. They are now being tested on the Read ing, North Pennsylvania, and other railways, with the most encouraging prospects as to their adoption on &C., count of their economy, durability, ef- fciency, and saving of labor. In case of accident they are but little liable to injury. A case is mentioned of loco- motive on the North Pennsylvania rail road, which recently exploded, and the smoke stack of the locomotive fell heavily on the lantern, completely de- molishing it and bending the reflector almost double; when relieved of the pressure, it sprung back to it's shape, and with the exception of the displace- ment of one or two small pieces of the silvered mica, it was uninjured where as, had it been metal reflector, it would have required rep ating and bend ing, involving ap expense of at least twenty dollars.
Connecticut western news., 1873-05-30
A Noble Art.

Once I remembered among my friends a lady who had known many af1ictions, cares and heart-griefs, and yet whose brightness of demeanor and cheerful ness were unfagging whose very pres ence was a sunbeam. This lady talked often of her art. When praised for any striking course of action, she would re- ply, with a touching simplicity, Yes i; I learned that from my art"
 As child, I often wondered what this art could be; growing older, set myself to find out. It was not the art of music, passionately fond as she was of that divine art, and on so lofty 8 pedestal as she placed it; for, being somewhat at home within its magic realms myself, I knew that she was not sufficiently skilled therein to designate it as her own nor was it the art of painting, nor yet of sculpture.
 "Miss Margaret, I inquired one day, "what is your art?"
 A sweet smile fitted across her face, as she touchingly asked, for reply, "And have I so poorly exemplified it all these years that you need ask ?''
 ."I am sure now," cried I, "that it is, after all, what has often suggested it. self to my mind: 'The art of making the most of life.'"
 "You are right" she answered, very we'll pleased :; "and this I consider the greatest of arts all others are sent to earth to aid us in perfecting it"
Connecticut western news., 1873-05-30
LudicrOus Scene.

The San Francisco Morning Call gives an amusing account of @ "tub rsce |" which recently came of near that city, for which three brave mariners entered themselves, and entered their washing utensils. Undeterred by the recent disaster to the Atlantic, they dared the crinkled waters of the bay minus boots, vests, and coats but one of them had no sooner settled himself in his tub than he slid gracefully therefrom into the water, while the tub hopped merrily away, bottom up, upon the tide, amid the enthusiastic cheers of the crowd. The tub was recovered the dripping mariner was reinstated ; and at the word "go," the sculls were dipped in the water, and the trace" began. The excitement at this point was tremendous. About fifty persons were crowded upon q balcony attached to Costa's saloon, directly over the waters of the bay, about four or five feet deep, and ere long the whole assemblage found itself foundering in the water amid the frag- ments of wrecked balcony. The scene was 1udicrous in the extreme. A colored citizen, dressed in the height of fashion, was seen emerging from the mud and youth suspended from derrick filled the air with frantic shrieks of "Save me save me l" But worst of all, one fellow had the misfortune not to provide himself with suspenders, and in the fall of the balcony his baggy pantaloons were ruthlessly torn off him by the falling timbers. He had not the presence of mind to remain in the friendly water, but grasped beam and drew himself up. The effect upon the crowd was immense. The young mans person was net symmetrical, and it was the general opinion that the bath he had just had must have been the first for many months. As he hung from the beam, his shirt waving in the breeze, and his limbs writhing with their owners efforts to climb to place of security, he was a fearful sight for a Sunday afternoon in civilized community. A man of a Fallstaffian contour evidently thought that he had fallen into about sixty feet of water, and struck out des- perately for land. He had swan but a few yards when cramps of fright disabled him, and he sank with @ cry of despair, apparently believing that he had seen the last of this fair world. When he found himself 1n about four feet of water, he came scrambling ashore, the most sheepish-looking individual ever seen. After the momentary consterna- tion caused by the disaster had sub sided, the crowd on dry land nearly died of laughing, and had barely strength to assist their drenched fellow citizens out of the mire. When all had been extricated, it was found that abraded noses and spoiled clothes were the most serious casualties.
Connecticut western news., 1873-05-30
lay crumbled at her feet by thoughtless

lay crumbled at her feet by thoughtless, unfeeling words of his.
 He trembled beneath the power ot the mighty feeling that surged back again into his heart and cried: "Oh, Margaret! Margaret were again to offer you my love, would you again re- fuse ?''
 Would it be the same love, Ralph?' she asked, with an eager look in her eyes.
 "The same, as nearly as I am the same," he answered. ''It would be a mans love instead of boys passion, a love of head and heart founded in re- spect and congenial tastes and sanction ed by common sense, and above all else 1t will be love! Margaret, love! Will you accept it?" His very eagerness made his utterances thick and rapid, but Margaret understood.
 "Accept it would I accept Heaven ? Oh, Ralph, I am weary and at last I've found rest"
 'Alone the hang-bird overhead
 His hair-swung cradle straining,
 Looking down to see love's miracle,
 The giving that is gaining"
Connecticut western news., 1873-05-30
Eighteen Persons Eaten by Sharks.

The water fairly boils with sharks, says a Florida correspondent, writing from St. Augustine. I counted one hundred and twelve within the space ot an acre, none of which were less than eight feet long. Indian river people say that they have seen them twenty feet in length. saw one that measured over seventeen feet. They would fre- quently break under the bows of our twenty-one foot sail boat, careening her to one side and at times half lifting her from the water. They fiocked about the boat by dozens, and cast hungry looks at the huge yellow dog on the forecastle. At one time I struck a twelve foot fellow over the snout with 8 heavy boat pole. He made great swirl through the water as if surprised, but saucily darted back to the craft to see what had hit him. Occasionally boatmen plunge lily irons into them, and are lowed about the river against wind and tide for miles. Some of the natives declare that they are man-eaters, while others deny it. Jim Paine, of Fort Capron, told me that he had stood in the water for hours while these big sharks were nosing about his legs, but Dr. Fox, my guide, seemed afraid of them, and declared that he had known them to pull an estimable young lady from Savannah out of boat while she was dragging her hand behind the stern. She was cut into mince meat in five seconds. During the war, it is said, that boat containing fourteen men was upset in Jupiter Inlet, about twenty feet from shore. There was a foaming of the waters, and in half a minute twelve of the fourteen men dis appeared The water tinged with blood marked the spots where they had been drawn under. Two of the sailors got ashore, but so bitten and in shreds that they died soon afterward.
 was told another story of four men who started to walk up the beach from Cape Florida to St. Augustine. They managed to get across New Inlet upon an improvised raft, but on arriving at Lake Worth Inlet they attempted to swim across. Three of them were gob- bled up by sharks. The fourth reached the shore, and travelled on to Jupiter Light, where he told of the fate of his comrades. These reports certainly show that many of the sharks are man eaters. The most of them are of the shovel-nosed variety. As they are more lively and voracious in the summer than in winter, it is probable that they would attack man in July or August when they would not touch him in De- cember or January.
Connecticut western news., 1873-05-30
Wearing a New Boot.

The Danbury NeaOs says: It is little singular how well pair of boots can be made to fit at the store. You may not be able to get your foot. only part way down the leg at the first trial, but that is because your stocking is sweaty, or you haven't started right, and the shoe- maker suggests that you start again and stand up to it, and he throws in little powder from pepper-box to aid you; And so you stand up, and pound down your foot, and partly trip yourself up, and your eyes stick out in an unpleasant manner, and every vein in your body appears to be on the point of bursting, and all the while that dealer stands around and eyes the operation as intent 1y as if the whole affair was perfectly new and novel to him. When your foot has finally struck bottom, there Is faint impression on your mind that you have stepped into an open stove, but he re- moves it by solemnly observing that he never saw a boot fit quite as good as that. You may suggest that your toe that some of the bones in the side of the foot are too much smashed, but he says this is always the way with new DOOG, auO UudG GI10 GIOuUlO WILL OlOI1S1y disappear in few days. Then you take the old pair under your arm and start for home as animated as relic of 1872, all the while feeling that the world will not look bright and happy to you again until you have brained that shoemaker. You limp down town the next day, and smile all the while with your mouth, while your eyes look as if you were walking over an. oyster bed barefoot. When no one is looking you kick against post or some other obstruction, and show 8 fondness for stopping and rest ing against something that will sustain your weight. When you get home at night you go for those old boots with an eagerness that cannot be. described, and the remarks that you make upon learning that your wife has disposed of them to widow woman in the suburbs, are calculated to immediately depopu- late the earth of women and shoemakers generally.
Connecticut western news., 1873-05-30

A FOOLISH MAN.-Adam Maag. an eccentric German baker of M> >tamoras, Pa., went to catch his horse. The horse gave him an annoying chase. Maag be- came very angry and did not bridle his tongue. He obtained little sympathy from his family. Soon sfterward he went out and was not seen again. To- ward evening two girls were passing 0 hill on the Milford road, just below the village, when they discovered him on his knees with his arms around small cedar tree. Going up to him, the girls saw that there was 0 rope around his neck. This was fastened to 6 small limb of the tree, and Maag was dead.
Connecticut western news., 1873-05-30
VOL. IT.
Harry...-1S55...1S73.

Harry.-.-1S55-.-1S73. "Here we go down, down, down-y," I sang to you long ago, When you wore 8 sweet little gown-y AS soft and as white as snow. And now in your great long trowsers You stand and sing it to me; And the strain such emotion arouses, I hardly believe what see. Not whiskers already! Don't tell me! Yet coming events, as we know, Cast shadows before and so really They may be beginning to grow. Forgotten the wee sweet gown-y, AS, stroking your cheek and chin, "Here we go! down, down, downy." hear you softly begin. We'll, finish the song, and gladly; "Tis nature's marvellous plan. A baby might end more sadly
 Than by growing to be man. If shade of pain will tarry
 To think of the baby that went, What matters it :? Haven't Harry? And are we not more than content? So, Here we go down, down, down-y," Was not more sweet in the past Than, "Here we go down, down, downy AS echoed by Harry at last.
Connecticut western news., 1873-05-30

DEAD OR A11vE.-There is a rumor current in London that very wealthy baronet, long of unsound mind, and represented to be still living, really died years ago, but that some affection ate relatives, to whose care he was com mitted by the legal authorities, have in vented, with the view of retaining the ample allowance made to them for talk ing care of him by the Court of Chancery, lay figure, an admirable likeness of the deceased gentleman, which, seated in an easy chair and covering over the fire, they show to the official inquisi- tors, with the intimation that Sir H. can't bear to be approached or disturb o1
Connecticut western news., 1873-05-30
Did not Know it's Use.

One of the stories goes that in the last American Congress there was a member, who was noted for his extreme filthiness. He never wore a white shirt, and paper collar on his woolen shirt would last him for weeks but the worst of him was that he would never use a pocket-handkerchief. He sat between two very elegant high-toned Georgia members, who tried many ways to avoid his nasal peccadilloes, but in vain.
 At last they hit upon plan they thought would do away with the hui sance. They purchased a dozen very large white handkerchiefs, did them up in paper, addressed them to him, and laid them on his desk. Both the mem- bers were in their seats, anxious to see how their friend would receive the present. When he came in, he picked up the package, tore it open, and began examining the handkerchiefs. Soon he turned and said.
 "Look here! Did you fellows git any of these things?"
 They replied that they had ; that they were part of the perquisites of the members, and that all the members had received them that morning.
 "Wall," says the member, "what are the darned things for ?'
 They explained, and were in high glee for a little while, but imagine their dis gust when, after he had examined each piece of muslin, he said:
 "Oh yes! them is just like what my wife uses sometimes"
 And, as he said it, he took large of. fcial envelope, putin the handkerchiefs. put on his wife's address, franked it. and threw it into the mailbag.
Connecticut western news., 1873-05-30
Don't Run in Debt.

No farmer can afford to run in debt. It costs great deal more to live, to buy implements, stock, clothing, groceries, for blacksmithing, for labor, &c., always if 9 man does not pay cash down. A cash-down farmer can always command the best in the market at the most req sonable prices. If he wants to add acres to his farm he can do it more readily and at a liberal discount from the asking price if the seller knows the cash will come as soon as the bargain is closed and the papers executed. Horace Greeley is reported as having once said that he had rather be slave in rice swamp or a convict in a State prison than be under the harrow of debt. The interest which is being paid by the farmers of this country on capital in- vested in unproductive land is far more burdensome to them and effects their prosperity to greater degree than the exactions of railway monopolies. This is especially true of the farmers of the West. But then the little home debts, the accounts at the stores, blacksmith shops, shoemakers, &c.,, &c., are leeches which take from the farmer all the profits of his labor. No one sells anything to anybody as cheap when he knows he must wait six to twelve months for his pay as when he knows the cash accom- panies the order. Don't run in debt, if it is possible to avoid it. Don't! It never did and it never will pay, in the end, to do so!
Connecticut western news., 1873-05-30

A young woman in Pennsylvania, who burnt her hand at the range recently, is fearful that some of the letters of the name of the maker of the range, which were burned deeply into the flesh, will remain permanently.
Connecticut western news., 1873-05-30
SOthern and his Dog.

Last summer, in the dog days, Soth- ern played joke on his Scotch terrier, Jack, to cure him of making acquain- tance with other dogs when out for a walk. When he saw another dog, Jack would rush up and rub his nose against that of the stranger, and indicate in doggish ways that he would like to be his friend. When the season for muz- zling came, Sothern put muzzle on Jack and took him out for a walk. Somewhere near Union Square he met Florence, and as the twain stood in con- versation Florence noticed that when ever Jack applied his nose to that of another dog the latter went bowling down the street, leaving the terrier very much astonished. Florence could not understand it, and finally asked:
 "Ned, what's the matter with Jack, that all the dogs run away from him sop
 70, nothing," said Sothern, 'except that before started out I fixed couple of cambric needles in his muzzle so that they stick out about an inch beyond the end of his nose."
 We'll, the result was that in day or two Jack was afraid to go near any other brute of his kind, and all those who had been interviewed with those needles were careful to keep away from him. Sothern says he will take out a patent for his invention, provided Bergh does not have him arrested for cruelty to animals.
Connecticut western news., 1873-05-30
TheASpider's Bridge.

One chilly day WAS left at home alone, and after was tired of reading Robinson Crusoe, caught spider and brought him into the house to play with. We'll, took wash-basin and fastened up stick in it like liberty pole or vessels mast, and then poured in water enough to tuln the mast into an island for my spider, whom I named Crusoe, and put on the mast. As soon as he was fairly cast away, he anxiously commenced running around to find the road to the mainland. He'd scamper down the mast te the water, stick out a foot, get it wet, shake it, run round the stick and try the other side, and then run back to the top again. Pretty soon Robinson, and he sat down to think it over. And in 8 moment he acted as if he wanted to shout for 8 boat, and l was afraid he was going to be hungry, so I put little molasses on the stick. A fly came, but Crusoe wasn't hungry for flies just then. He was homesick for his web in the corner of the wood shed. He went slowly down the pole to the water, and touched it all round, shaking his feet like pussy when she vets her stockings in the grass and suddenly thought appeared to strike him. Up he went like rocket to the top, and commenced playing circus. He held one efootin the air, then another, and turned round two or three times. He got excited and nearly stood on his head before found out what he knew, and that was this that the draft of air made by the fire would carry line ashore on which he could escape from his desert island. He pushed out web that went floating in the air, until it came on the table. Then he hauled on the rope until it was strong enough to hold him and walk ashore. I thought he had earned his liberty, so put him back in his woodshed again.
Connecticut western news., 1873-05-30

The school fund of Indiana is nearly eight and 8 half millions of dollars, which is larger than that of any other State.
Connecticut western news., 1873-05-30

The widow of the late Gen. John E. Wood, died lately at the age of eighty six.
Connecticut western news., 1873-05-30
ADVERTISING RATES

Schedule of prices for Advertising furnished on application at this office.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1873-08-13
The Ladies' of the Treasury

No one who has lived in Washing
ton but knows that 2 majority Of the
female clerks come from the best
families Of the country. 1t was in
the treasury that Governor Fsirchild.
Of Wisconsin, found bis wife, and she
was the beautiful daughter Of I dis
tinguished public man The present
United States District Attorney for
South Carolina wooed and won the
beautiful Alice IngersoH (whose
father once occupied the high posi-
ton Of Attorney General Of Massa-
chusettS) from the Office Of the Comp
trOlle- Of Currency; and / might 20
on for pages telling who is and who
has been there. Robert J. Walker,
once Governor Of Mississippi, Seere-
tary Of the Treasury, and retained as
an able lawyer in all prominent cases,
now has fair Young daughter, who
has recently become an orphan, and
Is earning her own support IN the n
ternal Revenue. Mrs Marv John
son. daughter Of Colonel Albert, who,
for long series Of years, was head
Of the Typographical Bureau, has
for ten years been clerk in the
treasury. Her husband was consul
81 Florence. and died there q short
time before the war. Not long after.
her father died. and as she had two
sons 70 rear and educate. she laid
aside all pride and become . govern
ment clerk, or TO be precise, q female
emplOye. for the Civil Service masters
say, inaSmuch o women are not
clerks. they cannot compete for the
81 POO. sl,400, or any but $500 posi-
tons There Is ehivalry, justice. and
all tie high-aown sentiments Of man
10 women expressed Mrs. John
sons boys are growing up 10 be
worthy Young men, and the oldest is
about entering the naval school ST
Annapolis. Mrs. Tilton, sister Of
General Robert Ould, is a clerk in the
Internal Revenue The widow Of
Captain RiDggold Is there The
widow Of Major Heap IS a clerk
There are many illustrious names %
be found il all the departments. The
life these ladies live IS hard enough
at the best, without the tongue Of
detraction adding to their trials. One
thing, they are constantly stung by
the injustice done them in the differ
ence Of paw between them and the
men, while they are held TO even a
more rigid accountability. There Is
g constant attempt to defraud them Of
their salaries for any absence, while
men can frequently Be called avav.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1873-08-13
The Origin of Heteors and Comets.

Proctor has recently advanced an
idea as TO the origin Of comets and
meteors that may seem 10 be but the
revival Of an old opinion, and one
supposed 10 have been exploded
The researches Of Sehisparelli and
Newton and others. In that they
showed the mele0rs to be regular
members Of the solar system, seems
to have temporarily satisfied the in
quiry as to the remote origin Of these
bodies. The former astronomer as
sumes them to exist generally through
out the iRtersiellsr spaces and 70 be
drawn to one and then
TO another sun. while Proctor reasons
that these bodies are now found 70
travel in groups or streams, that II L
to conceive how our sun could
draw s connected stream Of meteors
TO itself at any given epoch, and that
If these bodies were elected from the
seIfluminous stars, We may with
equal plausibility suppose similay
bodies TO have been elected from the
planets Of our own system when they
were in q molten condition He ac-
cordingly shows the very moderate
degree Of force required 10 eject 8
meteor from the surfaces Of the outer
planets, and examines the orbits Of
such periodical comets and meteors
as are 81 present known In accord
ance with the suggestion OF A :.
Hersehel. be deduces the interesting
conclusion that the comets expelled
from Jupiter would mostly have 8
direct motion. or one in the same d.
rection as his OWE, while those eject
ed from Neptune would as likely
have a retrograde ss direct motion
Proctor concludes that many comets
have sprung from Jupiter and Nep-
tune. and at least one from Uranus
the lat,er being the well-known No
vember meteor stream, or the Leonl-
des. which Hind has shown TO be
connected with Tempel's comet
Editors Scientific Record IN HGr-
per's Magazine for Aagttsi.