davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-02-03
Fearful Experience.

We learn from the Oshkosh Times OF
the fearful experience Of a German
wood-chopper named Degel, in nn at
tempt to cross Lake Winnebago. It up
pears that the man had sold his load Of
wood in Oshkosh, and had started for
home after dark on ono Of the coolest
nights this season. He was quito ig-
norant Of the localities, and q new
conner at best; however, he struck bold
ly out upon the like after eight o'clock
in the evening. For nearly an hour
he kept his way due east, but suddenly
his horses started back with fright,
nearly upsetting their driver, who now
peered forth in the darkness, and saw n
terrible gap in the ice, yawning directly
before. 1t was he states over six feet
across, and to jump 1t seemed impossi-
bio (; 30, turning his team to tho north
ho cndeavored for two or three miles
to find o narrower place, which, how
ever, not seeming TO be found, he turn
ed and progressed towards the south.
OF Black Wolf Point, n placo about
three feet in width was reached, and
whipping on the horses, IN attempt was
made to jump tho chasm. For some
time they refused to leap, but at last
they were forced onward, md gained q
foothold on tho opposite side in safety.
Degol now brcathed free, and kept on
his eastward course, seemingly forget
ful that his own town was far to tho
north Of the point he was aiming for,
BrOthertown. Ho thinks TINT full an
other hour and half had passed away,
when he was again brought to a stand
still by another fissure, this time wider
than before; but the spirit Of frenzy
seemed to seize both driver and horses,
he goaded them on, and tho leap for
life was made; far up in the mir they
sprang, sled and all, and came down
with crash on the other side, nearly
nine feet away but the ice on which
they landed separated from the rest and
floated clehr out into the chasm. Tho
situation was fearful to comprehend ;
tho weight Of tho team and sled sub
merged the cake nearly two feet, and II
seemed as II that, too, might soon
crack and scatter them in all directions;
the horses snorted and screamed with
terror, while Degol tore his hair and
rnvcd like maniac. Tho terrified
equines stood like statues, for, had they
moved an iota, they would surely have
stopped OF, so small the piece on which
they floated. Tho driver, suddenly
al utR Tho knNN FNf
body Of the ice. The horses in ondeav-
oring TO follow their master slipped in.
to the water and were drowned. Degol
utterly exhausted, swooned, but as fate
would hayeit, was found by parties who
were in search Of him, and taken home,
where after weeks Of nursing he recov.
cred from the fever which had attacked
him, to tell Of his fearful experience,
The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-02-03
A pnlcllcr Killed BY his Horse.

A correspondent writes from Stafford
vile, Conn, as follows: .i.r 10.
A shocking death occurred yesterday
in the town OF Union. A young man
named Leroy Hall, abont twenty years
OF ago was killed by his horse.
During the winter he had been en-:
gagged In drawing lumber with pair Of
spirited horses belonging to his father.
On the day Of the accident he had becn
butchering, aud OF about seven in the
evening he went to tho barn to water
the horses, wearing froek on which
was blood from the animals slain dur.
ing the day..
AS he did not return after q sufficient
lapse Of time. some member OF the fam.
liz went to the barn and found hin ~
ing apparently dead behind oneo OF tho
horses. 1t wasl soon ascertained, how
ever, that lio breathed, and all possible
afIorts were made TO restore conscious
ness, but without effect. He lived
about twehty.four hours after the acci-
dent, 49,. ,.4s ~
manner he was attacked by tho horse,
bnt as q considerable quantity Of blood
was found upon thsmanger, and upon
the animals fore feet. it is thought the
smell OF blood upon hisclothing excited
Tie animal, and as he entered tho stall
with q pail Of water the horse struck
him with his fore feet, and after knock
ing him down, literally stamped hiM Ia
pieces, His head was mangled In O
horrible manner, and terrible gashes
were cut in various parts Of his body.
The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-02-03
American Tea Cnlturc.

Tho culture Of exotic plants has re-
Gently assumed n diversified, and, in
many instances, important character
throughout tho United States. Among
other species, tho tea plant has been
made tho object Of many efforts at home
production, and when tho plant Inns
been successfully grown the fact Inns
been heralded far and near as ono OF
great commercial importance, to which
Il Is not entitled. Tie plant has with.
stood tho cool summers and winters OF
the climate Of Britain, and endures tho
climate OF this country as for north as
the District OF Columbia, where 1t has
been growing for the past twelve years,
and can DO grown over vast extent OF
tho United States, so far rs climate is
concerned and as regards soil, It is
well.known that it will grow anywhere
and on any soil that is capable Of sup
porting current or blackberry bushes
The difficulty then is not in growing the
plants, but In converting its leaves into
the yarious teas Of commerce. This can
n must Il be picked, manipulated during tic
process Of drying, and twisted by hand.
This may be done on a small scale by
those who may want to raise their own
ten, but It can hardly pay to raise it in
this country for commercial purposes
while Chinese lnborers work for about
two cents a day, and make their dinner
Of q dead rat.
The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-02-03
Ferry Boat pilOts.

ANew York paper says Of the pilots
in that vicinity: Take the Hoboken
Ferry, which runs throe boats from
Barclay street and two from Christopher
street. Thus, Pilot A takes charge Of
tic boat at 8 and runs her till half.past
seycn, r. NJ, when she will bo docked
for the night. At5 o'clock on tho fol-
lowing morning Mr.. A takes her out
and runs her steadily 10 nine, when
Pilot b steps into the pilot-houso aud
runs her to nine r, NJ, TO be relieved by
Mr., A, who retains his command TO SIX
O'Clock on the following morning. Their
routine Is kept up Throughout thowholO
year, without intermissiop, unless the
pilot obtains leave Of absence. The
pay for 80 responsible q position 10 but
S1l0 amonth,
The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-02-03
Parental FaIschOOls.

A few evening since was in compn-
ny at the houses OF friend, says wri-
ter in the LedOer, and among the party
was q lady who had brought with her
a daughter Of some five years, to play
with the children OF the hostess. This
child OF the guest was q bright, beauti-
ful buoyant sprite, tho observed Of all
tile observers, and the pct Of the COM
pany. Naturally enough, under tho
Influence Of the occasion, the little Miss
became joyons and iubilant, md as her
elders urged her on, she verged toward
rompisAness. Her mother had TO re-
strain her, aud at length, as tho child
yentured upon m unusual escapade, she
said to her, with calm severity :.
"Kitty, II you do that again, / shall
punish you when I get home"
2 And yet, in half M hour, Miss Kitty
had forgotten the admonition, and in n
needless moment the forbidden thing
wasrepeated. The. mother looked sor-
.rowfully upon her child, and the coun-
tenance Of tho little one fell, nor was
size blithe again during the remainder
Of tho evening, Ono of the company
noticing the detection Of the littlegirl,
and guessing It's cause, patted her upon
the headgan babe her not to bo down.
hearted. s Wt lf d.
"I,ll ask your mother not to punish
you, Kitty AL.
40" cried the child, looking up with
liphti of sndden hope fnling out
through gathering tears, "my mother
will punish mol know she will. She
said she should--and she noUGr telLs
les"
The would-be comforter was hushed
and confounded. Perhaps the simple
reply Of the erring child opened to her
mind view Of her own remissness in
matters Of family government.
Tthought, as I heard the reply Of the
little one, that 1t afforded o complete
life.lesson which might DO considered
Under two heads: Firtt,-KERp YOUR
WORD 10 YOUR CHILDREN. That is the
great virtue which must shine in the
domestic government. Second, ,-NEvEH
THREATEN WHIT you DO NOT CALMLY m.
rENDro rIRyoRM. This is the underly.
ing rule Of the whole governmental
structure. II is very simple; but, Like
many other simple things, slight mat
tention gives It great complexity. II d
vastly easier to preach than 1t is to prac
tice bnt 1t is, nevertheless, blessed
thing to practice all the domestic viz.
tues that are attainAble. e.-LcdgeT.
The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-02-03
NO. 81.
Household Furniture.

We will make o few suggestions abou
furniture writes q correspondent ot
New. York paper: Let us commence
with tho bedrooms, for sleeping apart
ments should by all means be comfort
able.
The cheapest furniture wo haye ex.
amined Is the cottage, which is made ol
white pine, neatly painted in white OF
any color ono may fancy, for tho ground
work, white handsomefgures, II desired,
may ornament portions Of each article.
Some Of these sets come as low as $50
and $40; but they aro notso desirable
as those with marble tops, which cost
from $50 to S75.
The articles which compose bod
room set, are bed, bureau, table, wash
stand, one rocking and four plain chairs.
We might describe sets which would
cost from $500 tn 81, 900 each, but We
must confne ourselves to furniture with
prices within reach Of our readers, and
wo know but few Of thom would willing.
" pay over 800 or $3.50 for SGT Of
bedroom furnature, and the most popu-
lar for the price is the black walnut. In
this material We have seen some very
strong and neat chamber suits for sl2O.
Cheaper, but not so desirable ones for
$50, 800, 300, s110. These suits con-
tain tho same number Of pieces before
mentioned, the cheaper ones being with
out marble tops TO bureau, table, or
washstan1.
Wo will also giye prices Of q few
articles which can DO included in tho
sets or bought seperate, Just asyou may
wish. Handsome bedsteads, with high,
ornamental headboarls, cost S25, $50
1856 and up to $50 each, that is for don
bic ones. The single bedsteacs range
from SlS to s25. Bureaus with glasses
and marble tops sell for all prices from
S35 to $40. Some for 300 aro very
handsome, bnt not moro seryiceablc
than tho cheaper ones. Washstands
cost from S15 to s25. Marble.top tables
from s12 TO $50. Rocking-chairs from
s5 to $40, md ordinary chairs from 50 75
TO 80 %. 41p.4,
Mattresses form no inconsidorablo
item in the list OF expenses, n good hair
mattress Of 40 pounds, costing about
S35. Those Of palm leaf, which are
now very popular, cost about 80 or sl5
each. Straw mattresses can be made at
homo, and will cost only about 81 or So
each. Feather pillows, too, swell the
bill, and cost anywhere, according to
weight, from 80 to $40 a pair.
Sheeting ranges from 40 cents 10 60
cents por yard for good, scryiceable
qualities. Blankets can be bought
large sizss and soft, warm makes, for
from 81 80 to S12 q pair. Comforts cos
from 81 to 60 each, and white counter
pancs or bed spreads range in price any
whero from 50 to sl2 each.
The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-02-03

The Somerset Herald tells the follow
ing Miss Lizzie Housefelt, daughter
OF Henry Housefelt, who lives about u
mile To the south Of the town, owns q
beautiful pet sheep. On ono morning
Of last week she noticed that tho wool,
OF which her pet has most lixuriant
coat, on one side Just where tho neck
Joins the shoulders, was twisted and
knotted and raised up in n sort of q
lump. Upon examination she found
that rat had made n nest in tho wool
Of the sheep, and when she pulled the
place II stuck It's head out and looked ut
heras complacently as you please. Tho
rat was SO tame thAt titwas easily caught
and despatched. In the evening, when
tho sheep was put back in the stable,
Miss Lizzie noticed that it went al
around looking into the corners and
nosing about rs thoughitwere in search
Of something, showing that n friendly
relationship existed between tho rat and
sheep, a'ti
The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-02-03

lGuy Corros. surprising dis
coyery has recently been made that gun
cotton will explode as readily when
damp, or even saturated with water, as
when dry, the only condition necessary
to It's explosion being It's connection
with q portion of tho dry substance.
Tho practical advantages Of this discoy-
cry are that It may now bo placed In
magazines without danger, and DO car:
ried In It's saturated state anywhere and
in any mode OF conveyance without the
slightest chance apparently Of disaster,
since, 40 far ms wc cknow, no explosion
can possibly take placo unless dry gun.
cotton DO near. IL will also facilitate
many mining and torpedoing opera
tions, as no precautions 10 keep II dry
will be necessary, and II may be rammed
home into its chambers without iehr Of
danger. In military operations mines
can be hid long before they are wanted
and their action DO depended on with
thelgreatest confidence. .
The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-02-03
!. nrsrriors Entitled TO Bounty.

In the case of the United States
against Kelly, now decided by the STU
preme Court, tho claim was for S400
bounty. The claimant having deserted
and having been restored to his posi-
tion without trial, was allowed TO make
up the time lost by desertion, and was
subsequently, honorably discharged from
the service. The Pay Department al;
lowed him the bounty due up to the
time Of desertion, but refused IL for all
timo thereafter. The Court OF Claims
hold that tho restoration and subse-
quent discharge entitled the soldier to
the bounty the same as II there had
been no desertion, and the Judgment
was in his favor. That Judgment is
here affirmed, tho Court taking the
view that the honorable discharge OF
the descrter was o formal and final iudg-
ment passed by the Government upon
the entirc record OF the soldier, and m
authoritative declaration by 1t that he
Ind left the service in status OF honor.
This fact amounted to tho removal OF
any charge or impediment Of his re-
cetying bounty. The Chief Justice de.
hyored the opinion. H' l. ret a.
The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-02-03

oRrmtAn STATISTICS OF THE BosroN
FmE.- Mayor Pierce, OF Boston, in his
message says the wholenumber O.. build.
ings destroyed by the great fire, exclu-
siye Of those slightly damaged. was f76,
ofwhich 100 were Of brick and stone,
and on Of wood. The assessors yulua-
ton Of the buildings amounts to sl3,-
59l 900, and II Is estimated that to re-
place them IL will cost ut least s18, ,000,-
0O0. The number Of estates within the
district covered by fire was about $50.
Only fourteen persons arc known to
have lost their lives, and Of this number
seven were fremen. .
The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-02-03

FRozEs TO DgArR.-A dispatch from
Minneapolis, Mimi, says the storm on
the ST, Paul and Pacihc Railroad was
tho seyerest ever known. At a station
called Kirkhaven, thoro wero several
farmers in town when tho storm hrst
burst upon them. They left for home
with their teams, and very few have
been heard from since. One wagon
VIVA found containing n Mrs, Poland
and n boy, both Of whom were frozen
TO death. Many teams, both oxen aud
horses, arc found frozen in tho drifts
and the iAtc theirowners 10 ullmowpl
The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-02-03
TERMS OF sUBsoRIpTIoN:
Faster Over the Sparkling Snow.

Fassert faAterl Dobbini my boyl
Fastor over tho sparkling snowl y
What with my love and the trosty air, +.
land my heart are all agioW.,
Haste forApalr Of dear, dark eyes
Are watching for mo tonight, l know
"A moments pause for us both, old boy,
Then over tho roads again wo1lgo.
Three OF US thsn, ysu know, ofcouno-
Two in tho sleish and you, my boy.
But mark, old pony, Jou mustn't hear
ThewordaI say in my heatt's wild Joy.
Toss your name ~ you bear US on,
And ring your bells on the frosty alrl
What shoqld q staid old horse like you.
For lovers aud ali their nonsense carol
What II our hands by chance, you know,
Under the bufAlo.robc should meet Z
Iwondcr who would'the wiser DO,
Aswe went dalhins along tho street ?
80 faster and faster, Dobbln, my boy,
Faster, oyct Tho sparkling snowl
What with love and tho frosty air,
land my heart arc all aslow. M
The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-02-03

How TO DO Ir.--How to keep the
feet warm in cold weather isa problem
not easily solved. There arc some
fortunate persons whose circulation is
vigorous, who never suffer witt cold
feet but many live during the cold
season in perpetual discomfort from
this cause. Often the feet are not spli-
GENTLY protected. We do not consider
how exposed they are to wet and snow
out-of.doors, nor TINT indoors the air
near the floor Is several degrees colder
th0n TINT about onr heads9 Consequent
" the feet should be warmly clothed /;
and often, whom sitting for long whilc
writing or studying, o warm soap.stono,
OF something Of tho kind, Is both COM
| Portable and useful. Tight shoes, tight
elastic bands at the top Of the stockings,
or any structure which intcrfercs with
tho free circulation Of the blood, will
increase the tendency 10 cold feet. In
general those whose employment Ia Of a
sedontary nature suffer most from this
| habit Of cold teot hence II ig evident
that plenty Of exercise tends 10 prevent
! tho diRculy
The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-02-03

Tho confession,oi Mrs. Sherman, who
was sentenced to State prison for life
for tho murder Of II. n Sherman, ad'
mits tbO poisoning Of cisht persons
The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-02-03

The following arc some oil the Leading
returns for the State for the decades Of
1850 and 1850:
uninprovcl 6,6lS,S4 0,29l,72s
I" implements, etc. 22,i42,si1 l4,722ai
The total number OF farms in Pom.
sylvania in 1870 was 174,0i1, against
15G,357 in 1860, and 127577 in 1850.
LII 1870 there were in the State 96 farms
containing 1000 acres and over, 76 con-
3s, ,273 containing between 100 and 500
acres, G1 ,2GS containing between 80 and
1OOIacres, and 74,84s containing under
80 acres. Tho percentage Of unim.
proved land in farms was 80, against
$751; in 1860. The average size Of farms
in 1870 was 1903 acres, in 1860 it WINS
100 acres, and in 1850 il was III acres.
The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-02-03
Ghe aemlutrat.

RATES OF ADVERTISING;
one Square, ten limos or lcss, one insertion Sl'9I
For each subsequent insertion .'..'',o ~ S1
One Sauare, 1a months. 'iV'Ho
0no.fOurlh Of column 12 months. ......'5I29'00DD w
one.half column, 12 months. w
Ono column, 10 months. ..;.,t,. i'O'VV
LEGAL notices 20 oonts peril which must
DO paid In advance, Five dollars WI 20
charged for announcing candidates tor
county, and ton dollars for State and U.
d, oficcs, Lengthy Obituary notices
must be paid for rar!All legal notices
arc charged to tho attorney presenting
Special rates 10 par'ics desiring moro than ono
Jo7 PRINT I'm G
Neatly and Promptly Executed at this oliicc'
The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-02-03
Tho Agriculture Of Pennsylvania.

The following arc tho agricultural re-
turns for the State Of Pennsylvania for
II,o ,,aor 1871. -
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-09-25
The Spiders Web.

WHAT ever-tightening webs of steel TIT
spider Habit weaves about its victims
The shining meshes seem at first as but {
fioWery garland thrown around willing
captive. How light the letters of which
wiseacres pirate and prophecy! How little
they know of mans strength and will
Why, a child might rend such chains as
these, and what matters the enjoyment o
an hour? Shall we not "eat and drink to
day, for tomorrow we die?'
Thread by thread the spider is weaving
and slowly, slowly, the web is Tightening
around the unconscious victim. After {
season the blossoms in the chain seem tC
have dropped away, and left but twinine
vines and thOrns which prick at every
step. The captives eyes are halfway
opened, and good resolutions come upper
mOst-there is a struggle to break the
bonds holding the body in thrall, follow
ed by partial success. For a time the fet-
tiers seem to be growing weaker, lighter
and the spider making but little Roadway
in her network never discouraged, is con
tent to withdrawing full well the varied
phases through which her victims pass,
and confident of seeing them hopelessly
entangled in her web at last
Strong in fancied selfsecuritv, the
doomed one relaxes, at length, the stern
watch over head and heart, kept so faith
fully for a period and, just to test strength
and will, perhaps, the old haunts are re-
visited, and the old companions of many
a wasted night and day-their name is
'legion''-are taken by the hand, and Civ,
en- friendly greeting for the sake of "old
times!"
Should we be credited with resisting
temptation, when we are careful never to
place ourselves within temptations reach
Should not praise be given to those alone
who dare to meet the enemy on equal
ground, and who pass bravely on, with
the lions on either side?
Very logical reasoning, no dOubt-but
when conclusions such as these are ar
rived at, beware! The ground may be
shaken beneath your feet at any moment,
and yawning chasms open to receive you,
body and soul! Busly the spider
weaves, and notes satisfactorily the pro-
gress Of her work. 1t will soon be com
pleted. Not long is it before the half
freed body will be writhing in it's self
riveted chains once again, and though at
times efforts almost superhuman are made
to regain the lost freedom, the lost life,
now in retrospecton so far away, the
struggles are useless, vain; the mind
kingly once in native strength and majes-
ty, has become an abject thing-a slave,
servile and yielding, to the domineering
body. The battle has been fought and
lost
The last strand is woven. The web, so
long a time in completion, is finished at
last; and enwrapped within its steelly
folds, securely bound beyond all hope of
escape, lies the victim of his own irreso-
lutte villa pitiable spectacle-and, oh,
what common one! of the triumph of
body over mind.-Phrenological Journal