davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Connecticut western news., 1873-01-17

"She caused me to understand hat I must stump down something, but ma{le no bargain. Evening brought a Aiea little conclave of cherry girls to the Lion dor. I think there must have been at least thirty of them. I stood cider for all, and cakes to boot, and having un- packed bale, I displayed the dearly won lace.
 That's yours; and yours; and yours, sI.4id l, measuring off what I meant co give
 You should have seen how they { danced for joy. The main stock hand ed tAesA for stowage away. Where they dlta stow it, I don't know. It always was mystery to me where women do manage to stow away all the lace they could smuggle. Stow it away they did, retiring for that purpose to the farther end of the hay-loft They went away, the dears. I certainly was at their mer- cy; but would have trusted them to any amount. Next morning @ stranger would have seen nothing particular at the octroi-gate of Pierre PEveque.
 "' What have you got there 9 said the octroi-man.
 "Cherries, as you see.'
 "'All right. Go aheadr And so my lace got into Pierre PEveque."
 And then, sir ?'' Little more to tell. I knew many a good man and true in Pierre PEveuue, who would have bought any quantity of lace. I got my price. I returned to England, after circumventing both dOuane and octroi."
Connecticut western news., 1873-01-17
A Hard Walk.

~ The train from New York to Paterson, N: J., got fast in a drift at a cut near Clifton, one night during the late storm, and bid fair to stay there all night. The passengers took the affair in all sorts of humors. One man said his daughter was to be married that evening, and he would give two hundred dollars to be carried through. One lady had gone to Passaic in the morning for an hours visit; and she was alarmed at the prob able condition of the little nursing babe she had left at home. Another man had a wife who he expected would want him to go for the doctor before morning. After waiting for time, a number of the more anxious ones, including the fe- male with the babe at home and several other females, concluded, rather than wait in the train all night, that they would walk to Paterson.
 It was an awful walk. In places the snow was above their waists. One mo- ment they would be upon the track; the next they would suddenly find them selves precipitated into some ditch, or over some embankment The woman, with the babe at home, delicate and sickly as she was, kept up with the rest, although she was occasionally helped by the strong arm of some of the men. When a male member of the party felt discouraged, and like giving out, he was kept up by sort of pride, thinking that if a woman could stand it, certainly he ought.
 Despite the situation, the cracking of jokes never ceased, and good-humor prevailed to such an extent that the party had no time to get down-hearted. Then somebody would disappear with a yelp down some unseen cavity; all hands would rush to the rescue, and the miss ing person would be extricated and threatened with being left alone if he did such thing again! And se it went. The party finally reached Paterson at about Il o'clock at night, having been passed on the road by the train they had abandoned, which had succeeded in forcing its way through, but without stopping to pick up the trampers through the snow.
Connecticut western news., 1873-01-17
Animal Ingenuity.

The architectural ingenuity, or rather genius; of the tarantiila is a fact long familiar to natt1ralists, San Diego, Cal ifornia, paper tells us. This insect has an exceptional development of the instinct which instructs all creatures which are not protected by nature with warmth engendering hairy hide to properly house themselves. The details of the tarantulas dwelling, down even to the matchless mechanism of the doors of it's edifce, have excited the wonder of all interested in natural history The most elaborate inventions in locks and hinges of vaunted human skill are dis tanced by this venomous insect in the construction of the door which secures it's privacy. But the road-runner, be- tween which and the tarantula deadly enmity exists, is it's master, as an incl dent which we are about toArelate will show.
 Prof. Agassiz, during his recent visit here, exhibited a special desire to be supplied with as many specimens as possible of the road-rrnner, of the tar antula, and of the tarantula-killer.
 We are not advised as to whether he was supplied with live specimens of the road-runner. This is very timorous and incredibly swift bird. It is about the size of a pheasant; it's plumage is not unlike that of the pheasant family. It has longer legs, and slenderer neck and body than the pheasant. It trusts for locomotion almost altogether to it's legs, and runs with switness that would shame rabbit or hare It is susceptible of domestication, and in time learns to come at the call of those who have petted it. But it is hopeless thing for 8 stranger to try to approach this fowl
 It is as sagacious as swift. We were put in possession of facts about the creature by MT. Jose G. Estudillo, which excited our wonder and admiration. As we have said, there is enmity between the roaa-runner and tarantr1la. The road-runner is as noiseless as rapid. It lies in wait for the tarantula, and the moment it finds it's enemy asleep, it ap- breaches noiselessly with twig of the prickly cactus. Deity and stealthily 1t goes on piling the prickly prison around the devoted insect, until at last 8 ram part of the desired height is piled up. It then selects 8 specially jagged and heavy piece of cactus, and drops it on the tarantula. The last, awakened by the shock, endeavors to rise and make it's exit. It is instantly impaled upon the thorns, and the triumph of the road runner is complete.
Connecticut western news., 1873-01-17
Encounter With a Pantileri

Dave Mosher, trapper and guide in the North Woods, had terrible encorin- ter with a North Woods beast last week. Three miles from Sacondaga Lake there is wild, rugged pass between the mountains, known as Black Cat Valley. The mountains on either side are very steep and rocky, and are covered with heavy growth of black balsam and spruce timber As the snows deepen and the weather becomes cold, many deer and animals take shelter in that locality.
 Among the rest are the martin, hSving valuable dark-colored fur, known among trappers in those regions as "Black Cat" They seldom move by day, keeping concealed in trunks of trees or between the Assures of rocks. Owing to the uncertainty of finding one twice in place, and their natural shy ness, it is quite difficult to trap them. However, when they become pinched with hunger they will jump at. the bait without hesitation.
 A keen, strong, steel trap is set and covered with snow or leaves directly un- der dropping branch that the animal can reach by rearing; upon this Is se- cured the bait, and in the affort to reach which it is pretty aptto step in the trap; then come a system of desperate manoevers, and the only way to hold them is by having the trap chain at tached to a small sappling that will spring and lift them off the ground. This sleek, fne-furred animal is about the size of red fox, and, as David used to express it, "They're sassy varmint to get hold on.
 As Mosher was going the rounds of his traps, he saw through the bushes ahead terrible commotion under 8 large white birch, where a trap had been set. As he approached, long, gaunt tawny-eolored, ferce-looking animal whose wild scream upon the mountain side, atnight, will send thrill of hor' TOT to those who are safe in the cabin sprang upon lower limb of the birch and bid defiance with glaring eyes. Il was driven to desperation by hunger
 Had David quietly backed out he could havesenjoyed his supper of veni son and pancakes. But no, he raised the old rife ahd fired. In one-fourth O. a York minute, Bill Stewards exact time for skinning Montezuma bullhead, al the clothes upon him would not have made bib for a china doll. He direct ly found himself beside log, partl, scalped, with his lower limbs looking a though they had been through thresh ingmachine, while, at the same moment with 8 spit and 8 scream, panther dis appeared up the mountain side. Whel he came up the panther was engaged il killing and devouring martin whicl was caught in the trap, and his hunge being partly appeased was the means o the trapper crawling off with his life. e Auburn ~. y Advertiser.
Connecticut western news., 1873-01-17
The Flea.

When 8 flea, under microscope, is made to appear as large as an elephant, we can see all the wonderful parts of it's formation, and are astonished to find that it has a coat of armor much more complete than ever warrior wore, and composed of strong polished plates, fit ted over each other, each plate like 8 tortoise-shell, and where they meet hun dreds of small quills project like those on the back of 8 porcupine or hedge hog. There are the arched neck, the bright eyes, the transparent cases, piercers to puncture the skin 6 sucker to draw away the blood, six long legs, four of which are folded on the breast, all ready at any moment to be thrown out with tremendous force for that jump which bothers one when they want to catch him, and at the end of each leg hooked claws, to enable him to cling on to whatever he lights upon. A flea can jump 8 hundred times it's owA length, which is the same as if man jumped five hundred feet; and he can draw load two hundred times his own weight
Connecticut western news., 1873-01-17
Goodbye, Old Year {!

We bid you goodbye, with sniles Old Year because it won't pay to cry- You are bound to go, and leave us, we know, and we cannot but say goodbye. We feel none the less that long-drawn sigh, quiver of lip and fearful eye. would better express, we will confess. our heartiest last goodbye.
 You've piled upon us heavy load and many an ache, on an uphill road yet enough for the day way the strength alway, and hence our smile IS at best awry with which we say, Old Year, good bye
 To be sure, we have felt that the aches and pains were often by pounds and the joys by grains; and the screws seemed turned with an extra pinch, as though some malice had hold of the winch and others seemed having much more de- light, and we much less, than was fair and right; that coin of the realm and bonds and stocks and real estate, in squares and blocks and acres untold of prairie and hill and silvery stream and dam and mill that these and more of the coveted real, and desires fulfilled of beauty's ideal, were the lot of too few, while we of the many were often in want of even 8 penny. But then, since we know, or at least don't doubt, that the broods of care are swarming about the hordes of manifold wealth that burn and sink and leave by stealth ; that "reumatic" loves to pain and twist the grasping heart and the gripping fist, we about conclude that we do not know of one so fortunate here below with whom we'd exchange what the year has ught---though little of profit our hands have wrought --- and take his share of trouble and pains, and also his lot of regret and shame, and also the gaunt old skeleton. grim that in cup board or closet is grinning at him.
 We cannot but feel, though load of care, that to say the least it is hard to bear, it has been our lot all along the years, that nevertheless there is joy in life, in spite of sorrow, pain, and strife, and hence we regret the old year gone, and wish it's draft on time undrawn 1: that all to soon the new is old, too sooR the wondrous tale is told.
 The stream of time--Oh, woe is mel
 Hath a current too strong and swift ; It hurries me on to the silent sea,
 Like rudderless, soulless wreck
 adrift;
 Oh would that there were some little
 bay, \. Some headland, beneath whose tranquil
 lea,
 We might forever at anchor lay,
 Or float when we would to the deep,
 dark sea.
 But a-truce to regrets let time roll on; what matters what comes orwhat is gone It is joy to have lived, it is joy to live; why care for the flight of the fugitive? If each have filled up the feeting days with noble deeds and high essays, then no remorse or sad regrets will cloud the years serene sunset.
Connecticut western news., 1873-01-17
Chinese Gambling,

Little by little we are arriving at an understanding of the MLongoEan's habits of life. The introduction of the race into Pennsylvania has given us a new insight into their "ways that are dark, and the Pittsburgh Post, which has never ceased to wonder at them since their pioneers reached Beaver Falls, thus describes one of their peculiar amusements
 Among the many little diversions employed by the Mongolians at Beaver Falls, none are more popular than the game called 'Chamie.' It is played by the pigtails with tseen, copper coin of the value of one-tenth of cent. The gamester IS driven into reckless prohigacy by the necessity of throwing a whole penny into the pool at one time. The game causes the utmost excitement and the most intent ardor among the players. On the table is kind of dais with holes all around it. Into this each player puts as many tseen or pennies as he wishes, the number being restricted within 8 certain limit, and then spring makes all the pennies put in tumble into heap. Each player then guesses the number of pennies in the pool, and the one who guesses the nearest obtains the pool. At first sight the game looks exceedingly simple, and one would i'm agine that each player would put in the smallest number of pennies possible But this is not so; for each one tries to circumvent the others by his cunning A player will pat in sometimes great many more pennies himself than the other, and then guess in proportion. The main amusement of the game to an outsider is the manner of playing it the many ways which the players em- ploy to make believe that they are put ting in many pennies by enlarging their fists, or that they are putting in little by making them smaller, when they may be doing the very opposite. It is ex- ceedingly comical and interesting, and all the time the jabbering and chattering goes on at pace that would astonish Confucius himself"
Connecticut western news., 1873-01-17
The Story of Stephen Girard.

The man lives in Philadelphia who when young and poor, entered bank, and says he, "Please, sir, don't you want little boy?" And the stately parsonage said, "No, little boy, I don't t want little boy" The little boy, whose heart was too full for utterance, chewing piece of icorice stick he had bought with cent stolen from his good and pious aunt, with sobs plainly audi ble, and with great globules of water rolling down his cheeks, glided silently down the marble steps of the bank. lodged behind door, for he thought the little was going to shy stone at him. But the boy picked up something and stuck it in his poor but ragged jacket. "Come here, little boy," and the little boy did come here; and the bank man said, "Lo, what pickest thou up?" And he answered and replied, "A pin" And the bank man said, "Little boy are you good ?' and he said he was. And the bank man said, "How do you vote? Excuse me, do you go tc Sunday School ?" and he said he did Then the bank man took down a pen made of pure gold and flowing witE pure ink, and he wrote on piece o1 paper, est. Peter," and he asked the little boy what it stood for, and he said "Salt Peter" Then the bank man saic it meant "Saint Peter" The little boy said Oh!'
 Then the bank man took the little boy to his bosom, and the little boy sai6 "Oh!' again, for he squeezed him Then the bank man took the little boy into partnership, and gave him half the profits and all the capital, and he mar ried the bank mans daughter, and nov all he has is all his, and all his own, too
Connecticut western news., 1873-01-17

The hay consumed by different ami mals does not vary greatly from three pounds daily for each hundred pounds weight of the animals. The following table is the result of various experiments by different persons, and will be useful for farmers who wish to determine, by calculation beforehand, how their hay will hold out for the winter, 500 cubic feet of timothy hay, in full bay, being one ton: Working horses, 3.0S pounds; Working oxen, 40 pounds; Milch COWS, Boussingault's PA pounds, Lincoln's 2. 40 pounds; young cattle, 3.08 pounds; Steers, 2.84 pounds :; Dry COWS, 2.42 pounds; Pigs, estimated, 3.GO pounds; Sheep, 200 pounds.
Connecticut western news., 1873-01-17

The value iron acquires under the hammer is something wonderful. It. is said that bar of iron worth S5 is worth $10.5O when made into horse-shoes, $55 when made into needles, $3, ,285 made into penknife blades, $29. 48O in shirt buttons, and $25O, 1000 in balance springs of watches. Boys may, from this, see what labor is worth, and learn to value and respect it, for it is the labor the mind pua@ into the iron that so increases it's value. Consider what would be the result if there were no iron,
Connecticut western news., 1873-01-17
In the Cemetery.

Lodging house keepers have serious objections to the introduction of chil- drsn to their apartments. These inno- cents are apt to damage furniture, to create disturbances not at all conducive to the peace of the rest of the house, and to be the unfortunate subjects of infeo- tious diseases. For these reasons those lodgers are preferred who are without incumbrance. However, it. is plain that people with children must live somewhere, and sometimes artifice has to be employed to enable them to do so. On All Souls Day 8 gentleman, seeking fresh rooms, was asked whether he he'd any children. The man answered with tears that they were "all in the ceme- tery." Satisfied with this reply, the landlord accepted him as a tenant; but the agreement between them was no sooner signed than four children appear ed on the scene, with their nurse. It was true they had been to Highgate Cemetery but they had come back again.
Connecticut western news., 1873-01-17
And Yet.

saw him look at Linda's wavy hair; see him watch Ceoilia's winning smile; see him notice Mauds complexion fair, My heart with dread is beating all the while
 Andyet
 I'm almost sure he loves me best of all see him glance at Milly's fairy feet, And follow all their movements with smile |: I see him charmed by many maidens sweet, My heart with dread fast beating all the while And yet
 I'm almost sure he loves me best of all For when he takes my hand in both of his, And looks at me with his confiding smile. My every doubt and fear are set at ease, 1 Although my heart is beating all the while And-yesl
 I'm sure, quite sure, he loves me best of all,
Connecticut western news., 1873-01-17
Love at Sight.

A servant girl of no strong intellect, who lived with @ lady in the neigkbor- hood of Paisley, one day surprised her mistress by giving up her place.
 The lady inquired the cause, and found it was that fertile source of diss- ension between mistress and maid-ser- vant---a lad.
 "And who is that lad }" inquired the mistress.
 "Oh he's nice lad: lad that sits in the kirk, just fornent me-. "
 "And when does he intend that he and you should be married ?"
 "I dinna ken."
 "Are you sure that he intends to marry you at all ?"
 "I dare say he does, mem."
 "Have you had much of each others company
 "Not yet"
 "When did you last converse with him ?"
 "'Deed, we hae nae conversed ava yet"
 Then how should you suppose that he Is going to marry you ?"
 "Ou," replied the simple girl, "he's been lang lookin' at me, and I think he'll soon be speakin'."
 RooFs-Mansard, whose roofs are the subject of much obloquy at present, was superintendento of public buildings, in the reign of Louis XIV. It is told of him that he possessed to a remark able amount the power of subtle fattery, which he used to practice with great in genuity upon the King. He. would sometimes submit plans, portions of which were purposely made so imprac- ticable, not to say absurd, that the King could not avoid detecting and pointing out the inconsistencies, whereupon Mansard would declare that if his majesty had not been a.king, he would have made first class architect, blaming himself the while for having made such blunders. It is not stated whether the famous roof was one of these latter nor whether the King took fire at il when 1t was shown to him.
Connecticut western news., 1873-01-17
Forrest and the Lion Tanner.

MT. Forrest had the reputation of be- ing tyrant on the stage, and was ex- tremely apt to bully all in the thea tre, from the manager down. But once he met his match. It was when he was playing at the old Broadway Theatre in New York. His pieces were followed by an exhibition of lions by their tanner, a certain Herr Driesbach. Forrest was one day saying that he had never been afraid in all his life---could not imagine the emotion. Driesbach made no re- mark at the time, but in the evening, when the curtain had fallen. invited Forrest home with him. Forrest as- sented, and the two, entering house, walked long distance through many devious passages---all dark---until final ly Driesbach, opening 8 door, said, 'This way, MT. Forrest"
 Forrest entered, and immediately heard the door slammed, and looked behind him. He had not time to ex- press any surprise at this, for at the same moment he felt something soft rubbing against his leg, and putting out his hand, touched what felt like a cat s back A rasping growl saluted the mo- tion, and he saw two fiery, glaring eye | DallS 1OOKlng up at nlm. Are you afraid, Mir. Forrest?'' asked Driesbach, from out in the darkness. "Nota bit. J Driesbach said something; the growl deepe2ed and became hoarser, the back began to arch, and the eyes to shine more fercely.
 Forrest held out two or three minutes but the symptoms became so terryine that he owned up in so many words that he was afraid. "Now, let me out, you internal scoundrel," he said to the lion tanner, "and I'll break every bone in your body !" He was imprudent there, for Driesbach kept him, not daring tc move a finger, with the lion rubbing against his leg all the time, until For. rest promised not only immunity, but { champagne supper into the bargain.
Connecticut western news., 1873-01-17

A Boston Gentleman who could not waltz offered a young lady $4OO if she would allow him to hug her just as much as the man did who had just waltzed with her. It was good offer, and showed that money was no object to him, but they put him out of the house so hard that his eyes were quite black,
Connecticut western news., 1873-01-17

The Infants Pavilion" will be a notable feature of the Vienna Exposi- tion. Within this pavilion, gathered from all nations, will De grouped the various contrivances used in the care of children. Those that minister to the physical needs, those that amuse and develop the mental faculties, toys and games of all kinds, will find place there. This is not all. It is the design to prevent the various plans anUsystems used in charitable movements for the care of children and the medical methods and inventions used for remedying phy- sical defects and malformations. The idea of the "Infants Pavilion" certainly commends itself to the feelings of every one,
Connecticut western news., 1873-01-17

The volcanic rocks of the Pacific coast in the Sierra Nevada and Coast range consist of cooled lava flood ex- tending from middle California, through Oregon---whe1e it is two thousand feet thick--northward into British Columbia. In this lava region, occupying an area of not less than tifty-six thousand square miles, are about dozen volcanoes, every one extinct, being, as Prof. Joseph Le Conte of the University of California calls them, mere pimples upon its surface. That geologist main tains that these volcanoes could not have poured forth so immense 8 quantity of lava, and ascribes its occurrence to .fs- sure eruptions, instead of to the action of craters.