davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-05-23
Wearing a New Boot,

The Danbury NeUS says: tits 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 a 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
ly 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 boot fit quite as good as
that. You may suggest that your toe
presses too hard against the front, or
that some of the bones in the side of
the foot are too much smashed, but he
says this is always the way with a new
boot, and that the trouble will entirely
disappear in a few days. Then you take
the old pair under your arm and start
for home as animated as a relic of 1912,
all the while feeling that the world will
not look bright and happy to you again
until you have Drained 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
over an oyster bed barefoot.
When no one is looking you kick against
A post or some other obstruction, and
show fondness for stopping and rest
ing against something that will sustain
your weight. When you get home at
night yen go for those old boots with |
IN eagerness that cannot be described,
ana the remarks that you make upon |
earnine that your wife has disposed of
them 70 a ,.l]ow woman in the suburbs,
are calculated y Immediately depopu- |
ate the earth OF ~>zuen and shoemakers
generally.
National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-05-23
The Smallpox.

DR.. James, in report on "the practi-
cal lessons of the recent prevalence of
smallpox, with reference to its preven-
ton in the future" read before the Ma
tional Health Association at Cincinnati,
advocates system of hospital treatment
which we should be glad to see fairly
tried. In order that hospitals might
come to be regarded as "havens of rest
and refuge, and even luxury, by the af-
ficted," he would have them managed
less economically. With the assurance
of being cared for by "trained nurses,
and especially skilled physicians, many
persons i'll good circumstances, when
smitten with smallpox, would prefer
them to their own homes" What a
contrast an institution of this character
would offer to the Blackwells Island
Smallpox Hospital ? The very thought
of having to go through the horrors of
that place, as is well known, has killed
many n patient. The orgies of the
drunken, incompetent nurses have been
described in these columns, as have
also the brutal practices of the porters
and other attendants. Under the new
Board of Charities the abuses so fire.
guently complained of are pretty sure
to be corrected but if their correction
could be made an excuse for trying the
method of DIR. James, the public would
be better satisfied, and the benefit de-
rived would, we are sure, more than
balance the additional cost entailed.-
N. Y. Paper.
National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-05-23

The water fairly boils with sharks,
says a Florida correspondent, writing
from st. Augustine. | counted one
hundred and twelve within the space of
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. TREY would fire.
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 flocked about
the boat by dozens, and cast hungry
looks at the huge yellow dog on the
forecastle. At one time ! struck a
twelve foot fellow over the snout with
a heavy boat pole. He made a 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 towed about the river against
wind and tide for miles. Some of the
natives declare that they are man-eatcrs,
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 DIR. 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 a boat containing fourteen
men was upset in Jupiter Inlet, about
twenty feet from shore. There was a
foaming of the waters, and in half
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, brt on arriving at
Lake Worth Inlet tloy attempted to
swim across. Three of them were COB
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
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.
National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-05-23
Don't Run i'm Debt.

No farmer can afford to run in debt.
1t costs great deal more to live, to buy
implements, stock, clothing, groceries,
for blacksmithing, for labor, &c, always
if man does not pay cash down. A
cash-down farmer can always command
the best in the market Mt the most rea-
sonable prices. If he wants to add
acres to his farm he can do it more
readily and at 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 a rice
swamp or n 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 farInerall the profits
of his labor. No one sells ANYTHING "
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 1t
never did and it never will pay, in the
end. to do sol
National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-05-23
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 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
go, nothing" said Sothern, Except
that before l started out l fixed couple
of cambria needles in his muzzle SO
that they stick out about an inch beyond
the end of his nose."
Well, the result was that in a 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 inventionRrovided Bergh
1oes not have him arrested for cruelty
10 animals.
National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-05-23
New Head Light for Locomotives.

The introduction of silvered mica re-
Electors into locomotive headlights, has
proved complete success. An engineer
on the West Jersey railroad, who has
been using them, says he can b. their
aid, distinguish the features of person,
at a distance of four hundred yards.
They are now being tested on the Read
ing, North Pennsylvania, and other
railways, with the most encouraging
prospects as to their adoption on ac-
count of their economy, durability, ef-
ficiency, 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 its 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 a metal reflector, it
would have required replatingan bend
ing, involving an expense of at least
twenty dollars.
National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-05-23
LudicrO,m Scene.

The San Francisco Morning CdH gives
an amusing account Of "tub racs
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 no 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 Mt 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
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
Hounderipg in the water amid the frag-
ments of wrecked balcony. The
scene was ludicrous in the extreme. A
colored citizen, dressed in the height OF
fashion, was seen emerging from the
mud and youth suspended from
derrick filed the air with frantic shrieks
of "Save me save me !" 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 not 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.
man of 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 III about four feet OF
water, he came scrambling ashore, the
most sheepish-looking individual ever
seen. After the momentary consterna-
ton 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
ont of the mire. When all had been
extricated, ii was found that abraded
noses and spoiled clothes were the most
serious casualties.
National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-05-23

ought not 10 have been no hasty," "
she answered, "Pve often let you say
such things unchecked, but / had just
been thinking Of"
"Of what, Margaret"
"Of myself--and of you. Of how We
both have changed since we first knew
each other. j was thinking you under.
stood me and saw something better in
me than others do. thought maybe
you meant what you said about my com.
ing 10 rule men and women instead of
puppets and-well no matter. wns lust
ilattering myself that somebody did
not think me n heartless, frivolous fool
and your words showed me | was
inistaken--that was all"
They were both. sitting No The Sench
now. The Tone OF utter WEAKNESS and
almost despair in which Margaret said
that was all, pierced Ralph's very
heart. 1t poured the oil of tender pity
on the smoulderIng fires Of his old love,
and he burst again into fierce, CON
suming fame. lie had held aloof from
this proud, self-sustained woman be-
cause of her pride. and now her pride
lay crumhled Mt her feet by thoughtless,
unfeeling words of his.
He trembled beuea.h the power of
the mighty feeling that surged back
again into his heart and cried: '"Oh,
Margaret Margaret were | again to
offer you my love. wonld you again re-
fuse q
Would it be the same love, Ralph?"
she asked, with an eager look in her
eyes.
"The same, as nearly MS / am the
same" he answered. at would be n
mans love instead of boys passion, n
love of head and heart founded in re-
spect and congenial tastes and sanction
cd by common sense, and above all else
it will be love! Margaret, love Will
you accept it?' His very eagerness
made his utterances thick and rapid,
but Margaret understood.
Accept " il would accept Heaven :?
Oh, Ralph, | am weary and Mt last I've
found rest.
Alone the hang-bird overhead
His hair-swung cradle strauing,
Looking down TO see loves miracle,
The giving that is gaining.
National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-05-23
The Spiders Bridge.

One chilly day / was left at home
alone, and after l was tired of reading
Robinson Crusoe, l caught spider and
brought him into the house to play
with. Well, / took q wash-basin and
fastened up stick in it like a liberty
pole or vessels mast, and then poured
in water enough to tuin the mast into
an island for my spider, whom 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 to the water, stick out a
foot, get it wet, shake it, rnn round the
stick and try the other side, and then
run back to the top again. Pretty soon
il became serious matter with hir.
Robinson, and he sat down to think it
over. And in Il moment he acted rs II
he wanted TO shout for boat, and l
was afraid he was going to be hungry,
so / put little molasses on the stick.
A fiy 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 oil 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 footin 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. l thought
he had earned his liberty, so l put him
back in his woodshed again.
National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-05-23
Did not Know its Use.

One of the stories goes that in the
last American Congress there was a
member, who was ted for his extreme
filthiness. He never wore white shirt,
and paper collar ON his woolen shirt
would last him for weeks but 'he 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 a plan they
thought would do away with the nui-
sance. They purchased dozen very
large white handkerchiefs, did them up
in paper, addressed them to him, and
laid them on his desk. Both the men,
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 herel 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.
"Well," says the member, "what are
the darned things for ?"
They explained, and were in high glee
for 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
fetal envelope, putin the handkerchiefs,
put on his wife's address, franked it,
and threw it into the mailbag.
National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-05-23
Harry....1s55...1S73.

- ucre we 90 down. down. down-y,"
I.ane To Won long ago.
When Won wore A sweot little gown-y
" wv ''
And now ia your great long 'ro"serS
You stand and sing IL 10 me
And the Htrall Huoh eMo'ion "rouHoS'
National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-05-23

There never was a more touching
story than that of the little Birmingham
girl who, hearing that the cemetery was
flooded, crept out Of her bed early in
the morning and was soon found, waist
deep in water, weeping over her mothers
grave. The little thing feared that the
grave would be washed away.
National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-05-23

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, viii
remain permanently.
National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-05-23

DEAD OR ALIvE.-There is a rumor
current in London tn 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 TAX
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
ed
National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-05-23

The school fund of Indiana is nearly
eight and a half millions of dollars,
which is larger than that of any other
State
National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-05-23
RATES OF SUBSCRIPTION.

One copy, ono year In advance. e..........ei6 50
II not paid within three months. 400
No variation from these dates.
No paper discontinued until oil ssreArages
ere paid except at tho option Of tho publisher.
National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-05-23

The widow of the late Gen. John E.
Wood, died lately st the age of eighty
six.
National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-05-23
JOB PRINTING

Of All kinds neatly executed at tho lowest living
prices. Our Office is well furnished with inato-
rial and stock for this department, and we now
have experienced and competent workmsn TO
use them. II you want any printing done you
need not 20 10 tho city or out Of tho county,
for you can get "a good work aud ~ low prices
st this Office ~ any other.
Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1873-02-18

for the benefit Of the Rock Island
and Pacific Railroad, whose stock
was already quoted as high as III.
This bill practically gives TO this
corporation 100000 acres of land,
and this, too, when the road is al
ready built and its stock at the high
value mentioned above. Thus this
large amount Of land is Withdrawn
from settlement under the home
stead act, and given to a corpora
ton by which II will undoubtedly
be held for the purpose Of spccu-
lation, to the detriment of the State
of Iowa. A number Of poor per-
sons had settled upon portion OF
this land, and improved it some
what. The effect Of this bill will
be to drive them off at the sacrifice
Of the improvements they have
made. Consequently, as is very
natural under the circumstances,
the Indignation is great, as indeed
is that expressed throughout Iowa
generally.-Ec.
Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1873-02-18
Excitement at Salt Lake.

Recent advices from Salt Lake
say nothing since the arrest Of Brig.
ham Young and others Of the priest.
hood over a year ago, has created
such commotion here as the tele-
grams Of the last few days upon
Utah affairs. a Washington dis
patch says that the President had
been to the Capitol, consulting with
members Of the House and commit
tees regarding Utah, and urging
the necessity of decisive action dur
ing this session, and has almost tine
effect Of a bombshell on the Latter
Day Saints The Herald, however,
has not a defiant attitude. The
Ye,es says that if Grant chooses TO
come down from his high position
to log-roll a pet measure concern
ing Utah, it has no particular OBJ
lection; and If ii had, il would
make no difference. Ii favors the
Of a commission Of in
yestigation. 1t acknowledges, how
ever, that Utah is likely to be leg
islated for in some shape soon.-
There is continued rejoicing and
increased hope among the Gentiles
and dissenting Mormons.
Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1873-02-18

the works. The blazing bundle,
however, was carried into the street
and conaagration thus prevented
A fellow named Lafferty, who was
seen to leave the building a short
time previously, has been arrested
on suspicion. He is in Jail await
ing examination.
The Ontonagon Silver Mining
Company was organized at Mar
quette on the 18th. The organiza-
ton was affected for the purpose OF
working lode. Preparations are
being made to work the Albany d
Boston mine again the coming sea-
son.